Leopold Sandusky entered the staff room in far more of a hurry than he usually did.  He had an armload of papers and a worried look on his face.  "We have a problem," he said in way of greeting, decidedly out of keeping with his usual genial behaviour.  "Could someone fetch Headmaster Reid and Mr Morgan the librarian?  We have an issue in Slytherin."

The old wizard sat down, and began spreading the papers across the table.  They looked like genealogies.  Some of them looked quite old.  He looked around and, seeing that the tea pot was empty, with a flick of his wand, started it boiling.  it was likely going to be a long meeting and they'd need a little something to keep them sharp.

Herschel had been looking over some owls from concerned parents about the fact that Miss Olivia Foley was allowed back to school when there was a knock upon his office door. He rose from his chair, and was told that his presence was needed in the staff room by one of Hogwarts' new hires- Leopold Sandusky. He grabbed his hat and placed it carefully upon his head before leaving his office and heading toward the staff room.

Once there, he spotted the Head of Hufflepuff and smiled by way of greeting, taking a seat and removing his hat, resting it on the table. "Is there an emergency?" he asked. By the looks of things Professor Sandusky was rather relaxed, and Herschel saw nothing which demanded his immediate attentions.

"If you mean emergency as in the Great Hall has suddenly burst into flames and there are students trapped, then no, there is no emergency,"  Leopold answered.  "What we do have is a situation that is potentially quite explosive.  I've asked Mr Morgan, the head of Slytherin to join us as well because the students in question are all in his house." 

The old professor scanned the genealogy charts on the table, tapping on one of the oldest ones.  "It took me a little time to verify the facts but they are indeed accurate.  Would you like me to explain all this to you now or do you want to wait until Mr Morgan arrives, Headmaster?  Oh, and there is tea brewed.  A fresh pot."

Herschel pursed his lips at Leopold's sarcastic response. In Herschel's mind, there being a situation within Slytherin was hardly the sort of thing he'd consider an emergency. Further, the headmaster was unsure why the Head of Hufflepuff was attempting to referee any issue within a house which was not his own. The school year had barely begun, the idea of there being a situation so explosive so early, without the head of Slytherin being aware of it, seemed... unlikely.

It was not customary for Herschel to be so transparent with his frustration, but he did not want the staff to initially think of him as a pushover. And he did not want them to get into the habit of running to him over every little problem. He certainly wished to be involved- but the hierarchy of Hogwarts was there for a reason.

He frowned when Leopold asked if he would like to wait until Landis Morgan arrived before any of the matter was discussed. "I certainly hope, Professor Sandusky, that you do not mean to insinuate you have called me in on a Slytherin matter which you have yet to even discuss with the Slytherin head of house. Mr. Morgan is a capable man who has been head of Slytherin much longer than you have been head of Hufflepuff. I trust that Headmistress Snark was fully confident in his capabilities when he was given the position, and I am inclined to agree with her judgment- whether she is still at Hogwarts or not."

Herschel was not a fan of chiding those in his employment- especially those older than he was. Even so, the very notion that Sandusky wouldn't approach Morgan first and himself afterward was surprising. If it was an issue within Slytherin house, then by all means it was Morgan's duty to quell it and report to Herschel should he need further intervention. "I shall tell you- before the head of Slytherin arrives- I find your immediate need to supersede his authority to reach out for mine to be insulting to his role as a head of house. I certainly hope, Professor Sandusky, you did not mean to intentionally disregard Mr. Morgan's ability to supervise and discipline those put in his charge."

A summons by the new Head of Hufflepuff, during the one week Landis had planned on hiding in the library until her unfortunate condition wore off. Oh, goodie. She didn't exactly rush down.

Neither, however, did she stall. If there was an issue in Slytherin, it was better to quell it early. Landis ruled Slytherin with a firm hand and an easy eye, ignoring the underhanded but coming down hard on the issues that would seriously rock the stability of her house. Still, she was curious. She'd thought first-week disasters were limited to Gryffindor stupidity.

When she entered it was in a swirl of enveloping cloak, expression tight and hair pulled back severely to counterbalance any softness rendered by her new femininity. She gave Herschel a nod before turning to address Leopold, just as politely as she had the Headmaster but a touch more cool. "What is the problem?" she asked, her irritation masked for the Headmaster's presence. The cheerfully brewed pot of tea and Sandusky's easy stance seemed to suggest it was not the emergency she'd expected.

Leopold started.  "My apologies, Miss Morgan.  I was under the impression that you were a Mister.  My error.  Now, Headmaster Reid, when I explain the situation, you will understand why I thought it was necessary to bring it to both of your attentions simultaneously.  Were you aware that there is a five hundred year old blood feud currently existing within House Slytherin?"  He tapped the genealogy. 

"When one of the students introduced himself, his name caught my attention but I didn't know why until I started checking.  Rico Posada and his twin sister Mercedes are both in Slytherin.  Five hundred years ago, one of the Posadas eloped with a young woman from the Rose family, who was promised in marriage to someone else.  It caused the collapse of a centuries old alliance and resulted in a blood feud that has raged for the past five hundred years.  The Rose family has suffered significant losses to the Posadas and one of the last Roses is also in your house, MIss Morgan."

Herschel eyed the head of Slytherin. He knew fully well that Morgan was a man, and was not sure what was going on- but also knew now was not the time or place to discuss the issue of his gender with him. Instead, he focused on what Sandusky had to say, blinking at the old man when he mentioned something about a blood feud.

"I am not aware of your own blood line, Professor Sandusky, but there have been blood feuds between multiple families for hundreds of years. That there are two pureblood families in Slytherin who have some kind of feud going on is hardly an emergency- from my experience, as an educator and as a pureblood myself, that is simply the way of life for those with such extensive pedigrees."

"I hardly see how a blood feud- started five hundred years ago- is a matter that needs to be drawn to my immediate attention." Herschel stood up, and looked to Landis. "I trust that if there is a serious issue that you will be able to contain it, Mr. Morgan." He wasn't going to call the head of house a "miss" if he knew better. Things at Hogwarts were so odd so early in the year. "I also think it would behoove you, Professor Sandusky, to tend to your own house. I am certain the Hufflepuffs will cause you enough grief without you having to borrow it from another house."

Herschel picked his hat up from the table. "I trust your capabilities as a head of house, Morgan, and hope that you won't allow first years to cause any serious trouble for Hogwarts over something as trivial as a feud started five hundred years ago. Of course, I am certain you see this kind of thing every day. Purebloods fighting each other and everyone else who isn't pure seems to be a standard in Wizarding society. If you need any advice on the matter, my office is always open- I admit that I've been part of a feud myself." With Aileen Reid's father, in fact. "Good day, gentlemen." Herschel finally said, excusing himself from the staff room.

"My apologies, Miss Morgan.  I was under the impression that you were a Mister."

"It is a momentary condition," she said, gritting her teeth. Her knowledge of his recent hire (and therefore ignorance of Hogwart's denizens) warred with the urge to simply label him an unobservant fool - had the man not seen her male at the Welcoming feast? Or heard the students talking? Then again, he was a doddering old thing; she suspected he was not the type to keep an ear to the ground. "Do not let appearances alter the way you address me."

Sandusky tapped the charts in front of him, voice turning grave as he revealed to them the purpose of this meeting - a blood feud in Landis' house. Landis stared at him for a minute, expectantly, but there did not seem to be more forthcoming.

"Mr. Sandusky," she said flatly, one blonde brow arching with exquisite scorn, "Feuds are quite common in pureblood families. Convince me this is different from the other two dozen grudges brewing in my house." Though one lasting five hundred years was admittedly rare. Landis had been raised proper and pure, and she had heard of the Roses and the Posadas.... but as a history lesson. Neither family commanded the numbers to raise armies anymore. She too studied genealogical charts, and she usually recognized the purebloods when they got sorted: this Rose boy must be nearly the last of his line. Righteous vengeance would likely have to wait until he'd hit puberty. "I am aware of the students of which you speak, but they are children, with children's tempers. It is not the staff's place to settle family matters, only ensure they do not become dangerous."

The Headmaster seemed equally dubious as to the necessity of such a meeting, and quickly made to leave. Landis inclined her head at Hershel's trust, and once the man had gone turned back to Leopold.

"I realize you are a new hire, and unused to Hogwart's hierarchy. Your concern is appreciated, but your method is not: in the future any problems you have with my students you will address to me first. Then, if I cannot resolve the issue, you may petition the Headmaster." Her tone was crisp, lacking any offense-giving disdain but not the clear ring of authority. Professional. Controlled. Landis had not yet passed judgement on her new coworker, for this flaunting of respect could merely be a mistake. Perhaps things had been done differently when Sandusky attended school; perhaps he did not realize the complex web of pureblood alliance that already permeated Hogwarts, in which a feud was note-worthy but not foremost in the educators' minds.

"Believe me when I say that I will not allow disruption of Slytherin house. I will speak to the children involved, and encourage the professors to keep an eye on them in their respective classes. Should this dying feud manage to rear its head long enough to make a nuisance of itself, further steps will be considered; until then, I am of a mind to simply take the children by their collars and give them a good shake. Considering they are all about as fearsome as kittens, doubtless that will be as effective as anything."

Leopold watched the headmaster disappear with some measure of astonishment.  When the odd appearing Mr Landis echoed the headmaster's lack of concern he was baffled.

"You would be wise not to underestimate those kittens, Mr Landis," Leopold said, correcting himself before he called him 'Miss' again.  "And for your information, I was teaching at Hogwart's when your father was learning his first spells.  I am well familiar with the hierarchy and chain of command and I have dealt with bureaucracies far too long to to risk this information getting lost on the wayside.   This is not your typical blood feud.  It has lasted for five hundred years, actively.  Check the genealogies.  You will notice that there have been several deaths in the last fifteen years that can be directly attributed to this feud.  If they are not aware of each other at this point, it is quite possible that their families will learn of the situation and if there is any darkness inherent in either family, it is not unlikely that an adult might do something unforgivable, in order to satisfy family honour.  Not to mention the possibility of the parents encountering each other during a social event.  Despite professor Reid's dismissal of this particular piece of news, there is a very real danger to all three of these students and I for one would not be able to forgive myself if I notice this, tossed off an owl for you to read when you got around to it and in the meantime Rico Posada smuggled a knife into the Slytherin dungeon and did something unfortunate."

I never would have encountered this much resistance from Dumbledore.

"Now I'm not saying the Posadas will be to blame and I'm not telling you how to do your job but I am telling you that there is a real danger here and if you do not take this seriously I will hold you personally responsible if anything happens to these children because yes, they are children and children can do enormously stupid things when they think they are doing it for the best of reasons."

It was clear that Sandusky felt passionately about the situation, to the point where he was willing to risk the goodwill of both the headmaster and the head of a rival house.

Ohhh, yes - pull the age card. Because Landis loved that.

"What a pity that you are still so extraordinarily flawed in judgement. I cannot help but feel you wish me to leap into the center of this five-hundred year feud and end it single-handedly, wielding the Mace of Adult Authority or perhaps the Scepter of Common Sense. The former only works on students not actively thirsting for their enemies' blood , and the latter is..." She eyed him. "So rare."

"I will not ignore this feud, Sandusky. Please do not make me repeat that for a third time; I am certain the over-excitement cannot be good for you." All this steam and bluster was so tiresome - Sandusky could not seem to shut his well-intentioned mouth long enough to look past his own nose. Landis thought about taking an armchair. Then at least she would be comfortable while she ripped into his convoluted logic. "In turn, you must realize that these children are not the only ones in Hogwarts towards whom we owe a duty. Their little passion play does not take precedence over the many affected by the upcoming Tournament, the newly-returned weres, and the burden of hosting the foreign schools. That is why the Headmaster left, Reid dismissed you, and I am quickly losing my patience: there are more important matters than another student squabble."

"I find your willingness to blame me in the event of a murder frankly absurd. Either you believe this feud to be so long-lived and violent as to be impervious to outside efforts to mediate it, or you are holding me personally responsible because you believe that I can completely prevent its manifestation - in which case, any feud that can be ended through faculty intervention is clearly not the Shakespearean tragedy you're envisioning."

His self-righteousness was seriously beginning to grate. Landis shifted her stance, eyes narrowing, gaze cold. She did not have time to argue with an old fool over the right way to perform her duties, and she did not have the patience to remain diplomatic  if he was going to ignore all she said. There were some battles that were unwinnable, and she had other business to attend to.

"Do not tell me the Posadas and the Roses are so revenge-driven that their children slit each other's throats in the night and then in your next breath say that it would be my fault for failing to divest them of that urge. That is not the way hatred works. That is not something a talk with one's Head of House can fix. I will talk to them, rest assured, but should there be some inevitable accident you will drop this ridiculous urge to point fingers at anyone other than the families who begat them! As for the potential volatility of the parents, they're adults, and they hold the responsibility of their own actions - let the idiots thin themselves out if they wish. I will look after my students, but I am incapable of instilling logic in those who will not listen."

Leopold shook his head.  "So, it seems, am I.  I apologize for taking up so much of your time with such a trivial matter.  You and the headmaster both seem to have more important things to do.  The matter concerns students in your house, I will leave the mitigation of the matter in your no doubt capable hands." 

Leopold had doubts as to how capable any of the current staff of Hogwart's was.  One professor had gotten himself turned into a flying pony.  Morgan had, for some reason had temporarily changed sex, whether by choice or chance he didn't want to know.  Still, if the headmaster and head of Slytherin were both nonplussed by the situation...

"Perhaps I am reading too much into this," he said resignedly.  "Still, I'd rather be wrong a thousand times and speak up only to look like a fool than be right once, stay silent and not prevent a tragedy."

Landis' slivered stare evened out to something more neutral, irritation whisked perfectly away under her professional mask as Sandusky deflated and admitted defeat. She gave a brisk nod. "I'm so glad we've reached an agreement," she said dryly. "Do feel free to set any future concerns at my feet. Preferably after reviewing Hogwarts protocol. Oh, and Sandusky? I don't enjoy being summoned like a dog. My office is in the library."

She made for the door, having little desire to stay and chat. But a thought hit her and she turned at the threshold, Leopold's sad assertion striking fellow feeling. "Your conviction does you credit," she said. Her cold gaze swept the table with its charts, taking in him, the room, and the situation with equal disdain. "Though your delivery could use some work."

She looked at him for a long moment, as if about to say more, but then she shook her head and went out.

"Have a pleasant day, Mr Morgan," Leopold said.  "I'm not entirely certain the headmaster would have enjoyed a summons to the library but, as you suggest, if there is need in the future, I will seek you out there, with a copy of the protocols in my hand and the appropriate sections underlined."

The lack of enthusiastic respond baffled Leopold.

I would have thought they would find the setting for a potential murder a little more worthy of their time....

Leopold cleaned up his scrolls and followed Landis out of the office, heading back to his own corner of Hogwart's.