Wandering Thoughts (Philip)

Steven wandered through the corridors of Hogwarts. He needed a break from writing up lesson plans for the next term, scouring textbooks for something his students would likely find more readable than his own from back in the day, and overall everything else that came with being a professor. What better way to spend that time away by learning the ins and outs of the ancient school?

As Steven walked, he allowed his mind to wander...

Philip passed his hand by his hair, straightening his tie. Amelia gave him another work out, and he couldn't be more pleased. As he jogged through the halls, he noticed Yaxley, seemingly entering the world of thoughts. Philip walked past him, just to come back to him, and pat his back. "Hey there Steven. Being busy as usual?" He asked casually. He usually talked like that to his fellow professors. Why should he not? They were no better than him anyway. Amelia however, was able to get more respect.

The pat on the back jerked Steven from his meanderings. He turned, and arched a curious eyebrow at the question. "Not as busy as I'd like, but I suppose you could say that," the wizard smirked, keeping the same casual tone. Having gotten to know Philip somewhat, there was no reason to don what students surely labeled the ‘stuffy professor act’. Steven only did that with professors he didn’t talk with that often, or didn’t like.

"What about yourself? Keeping busy?" Steven asked.

Philip chuckled slightly, cracking his back. The school didn't give Wolfclaw staff anything to do. Philip had to settle to having fun with Briana, Amelia and Alchemy. "Nothing to do in this god damn school," Philip confessed. He chuckled at Steven's question, bowing his head. "The women Steven. The women....how many ladies have you gotten down with these days?" Philip asked. In fact, surely Philip could get Steven someone to have fun with. Even if he was older than him. Philip did magic. Some called that ironic. Others, simply didn't say anything because Philip was literally a magician when it came to women.

"Indeed..." Steven muttered, a hint of a scoff aimed at the ancient walls that surrounded them. The wizard couldn't recall how many times he had gone over his lesson plans, and then felt disconnected with the times... when said lesson still waited for him the next day. Or week. Or month. "Even the restricted section of the library isn't nearly as extensive as I would have hoped."

A single, ebony eyebrow arched at the question. ”Here?” he asked, gesturing offhandedly to the school as a whole. “None. Down in the village, though?” Steven paused there to smirk. “I’d say slightly more than ‘none’. Just don’t ask me for names... can’t say I was exactly paying attention to that particular detail.” He knew them more by sight, the sound of their voice, and their choice of perfume... particularly the one whose perfume made him sneeze. It hadn’t been the smoothest of encounters, but it was one of the more memorable ones.

”I’m thinking about hitting the pubs tomorrow, if you want to join me. See what we can find...” Steven offered.

Philip sighed, but nodded. "Do not even get me started in the lack of in depth occlumency books." He responded, holding out his index finger vertically. He had only found one extremely good book about his subject in Hogwarts. One. There were so many, and yet, he found only one. That left him severely disappointed. "Of course the best books are probably in the office of the old coot, Dumbledore." He let out. His opinion of Dumbledore was easily known by anyone who knew how close he was to Amelia.

Philip chuckled at Steven's mention of his life with women. Philip learned their name always. That didn't mean he gave out his own though. ”I can't say I found many attractive ones here. Though there are two that get in my mind,” he answered, with a small wink. Of course Philip would love to see Steven's reaction if he told him he and Amelia were being more than just employer and employee. “With me its different. They make sure I know their name. Annoying British women.” Philip stated, with half a smile. In fact, many simply supposed Philip would like to learn their names. He in fact, didn't care. He'd learn their names only on special occasions. Like that time with Briana.

After a small chuckle, Philip nodded. ”Heavens yes. The boredom here is killing me! I need activity...” he said, clearly excited about going on a wild women hunt with a fellow co worker. Maybe they'd bond. But Philip would definitely prefer bonding with women.

”Of that, I have no doubt... assuming said old coot keeps them here to begin with,” Steven agreed. Anyone who observed how Steven treated the muggleborns during Wolfclaw’s stay for the tournament knew his views on Dumbledore. The wizard knew he could rant for days about Dumbledore’s excessive leniencies, let alone the sad state of the Hogwarts library when compared to Wolfclaw...

Steven chortled. “I don’t recall as I said anything about attractive women... enough to get my attention, yes. Attractive? That might be pushing it. The wizard shrugged. “Same, really: they tell me their name, and I’ll remember it for the evening. Afterward? Poof... Out of sight, out of mind. They gotta be pretty damn special for me to bother with remembering their names outside the bedroom.” A small smirk punctuated that statement.

”You and me both...” Steven muttered. Boredom was a terrible thing. If left idle long enough, Steven was more than capable of finding something truly nefarious to delve into. He needed something to do. Perhaps a night out would do both of them some good. ”When would be best for you?”

”One of the other reasons I prefer Amel-...Headmistress Grindelwald,” Philip quickly corrected himself. He was getting used to treat Amelia by her first name, and it was getting harder and harder to pretend she was just his boss. Their relationship wasn't really making them close, and Philip would definitely not trust her. He was a lot of things, but he was not stupid. At all. Trusting Amelia was never the best way to go. He preferred to be close to her, and keep being on her good side. And their relationship was just fine. They had sex, and Philip was loyal to her. That was it. A perfect way of getting acquainted with your own boss...

Philip tilted his head slowly, smiling. “Oh yes, I prefer making sure they remember my name for decades, instead of having to remember theirs. Leave an impression." He snickered, “Of course. Some I can recall are vampires actually. They make me remember their name easily enough. I know one, that might get you rather...hmm, well, surprised. Briana Yaxley!” he said with a dirty smirk and holding back one of the biggest chuckles he could ever have. He didn't even know how Steven was related to Briana, but it'd still be amusing to see his reaction.

”No preference actually,” He said, shrugging. In actuality, Philip could always fix time to go wherever he wanted. He loved that people just didn't mind if he left them hanging or if he simply moved an appointment. It made him feel even more important. ”I'm free most of the time. My agenda is always open. Simply give me a day and an hour and I'll be free,” Philip stated. In fact, that week was for now going to be pretty dull, so finding something to do would be very neat.

Steven arched an eyebrow as he caught the first two syllables of their employer’s given name. It didn’t take much thought to come up with theories as to what that might mean, but the wizard wasn’t going to jump to conclusions. It wasn’t any of his business. ”I see,” he said.

The wizard listened, and observed. Steven agreed on most of what his colleague had to say, and nodded to show it. Curiosity twisted around the wizard’s face: what in Merlin’s name would be enough to surprise him? Briana’s name reached Steven’s ears, causing several muscles near his eyes to give a single twitch... not out of anger but nor was it the eye-corner crinkling of a smile. Steven eyed Philip a bit more seriously. ”Better a Malfoy, and not a Weasley. Otherwise I would need to hunt down and have a little heart-to-heart chat with my darling niece...” Steven would be a hypocrite if he criticized Briana for what was certainly a moment of casual sex and nothing more. Now, if she had married Philip... then there would be a potential for problems.

Steven thought for a moment on a day and time. With their vacation of sorts here, all Steven really had to do was obsess about his lesson plans and pester the filth that dared to walk the ancient halls of Hogwarts. Maybe offer some of the upper years some pointers... and this was just stand-in stuff to make it feel like he’d had a productive day’s worth of activity – not including his hobbies. ”How about tomorrow, either after or in place of dinner here? Doubt they’d miss two professors amongst the monotony...”

"Niece? I was wondering what your relation was actually..." He responded. There were many families nowadays, and Philip could only remember that much. Even his whole family was hard to keep track of, especially with Aerilyn's ties to the Averys.”And Amen to that. Plus, nothing serious Steven. She was simply another one of the girls I got down with. But she did leave some marks.” He explained, pulling one of his sleeves up, showing a deep scratch. Briana sure did a number on him that day.

Philip easily noticed the change in Steven's tone. Understandable after what Philip said.”True. And why the hell not. Let us do it...” he responded, tapping his back yet again. "Gonna go for now, but we'll talk tomorrow." He said, smirking and nodding.

Steven nodded at Philip’s response. He had tried to keep track of family ties several years ago. A collection of several factors on Steven’s part and lack of communication heard from other members of the family made his personal records painfully outdated. He felt like a senile old man when he had to ask a family member their name, who they were related to, and so on. Steven hated that feeling with a passion. He wasn’t that old, yet!

He shrugged. “You’re both adults, so I don’t need an explanation. Though, if I were to hear that Briana was ever hurt, romantically or otherwise, by anyone... then it becomes my business,” Steven explained. He glanced briefly at the scratch. ”In fact, if she hadn’t hunted the person who beat her to within an inch of her life in her last moments as a mortal, I would have gladly handled the matter, myself.”

A half-smile twisted one side of Steven’s face. ”Alright. I should be going as well,” he replied. ”Tomorrow it is, then,” the wizard added, then started walking away.

"Tomorrow we shall have fun." Philip said with a smirk. He was waiting for another companion. One who wouldn't leave him bored when they got back to Wolfclaw. He had many friends such as Thane, Stephan and Hades. But none of them would go back to Wolfclaw with him. So he needed someone to fill Victor's place. Why not Steven? He asked himself, as he walked the other way.