"Clearly your presumptions have led you to a faulty conclusion…"

Johann swallowed audibly and looked from Landis to Hannah, glad she had folded her arms across her stomach instead of holding his arm - if she hadn't, he'd be wondering if he was going to keep his arm, or whether she might rip it off to use in battle when Landis implied she was wrong.

"The administration had less qualms about my apparent qualifications … After all, stamping and hushing gets so very dull."

But a perfect, mundane and stable employment surrounded by books of great magical knowledge, just at his fingertips. Johann had marvelled at the library back in January when he'd snuck about the castle until watchdog Hooch had caught him and Ignan called an end to his temporary stay to sleep on Vasily's floor. He'd rather like to spend an afternoon or even a few days indulging in reading some of those texts.

“I can imagine it is so much more interesting now you can babysit the future Azkaban detainees.”

Hannah was on form. They'd never spoken too much of school days, though Johann knew she had been a top class student. This house rivalry continued past being a student did it?

"I think all the houses end up there," Johann replied quickly, the tension was not hard to miss, even for him. "Sad as it is, but I suppose a cunning, ambitious mind lends itself to both sides of the law?" He gave Landis a respectful smile. If Hannah took offence to him being the neutral party, well, better she sniped at him as Johann's guest this evening than Landis.

"I daresay there's a Durmstrang number out in the North Sea too, but I'm not going out there to check. Anyhow, how are your Slytherins, have you had any champions?"

Johann was playing neutral party, which was probably a necessity. Landis did not take offense. Bombay had only voiced an old prejudice, one long past the point of holding any sting. He felt little need to defend Slytherin. Given his own hobbies, it would smack too much of hypocrisy. 

"Yes, they are much more of a challenge than the other houses," he replied. "Except, perhaps, Gryffindor." He had never envied Myrni that particular group. "Generally the consensus is that with great risk comes great reward. Those who turn to the unlawful side of things and get caught are really not my concern, especially if it happens post-graduation."

"Anyhow, how are your Slytherins, have you had any champions?"

"One," he said, though he did not sound pleased. "The boy did not do well. But I believe this is due less to whatever slim traits of Slytherin he shares and more personal deficiency."

"Shame," Johann responded, sympathetic as he could. "The Durmstrang party are very vocal about their success - poor performance is firmly punished from my understanding. Perhaps their tactics might work for you?" He suggested innocently to Landis, and paused momentarily as he realised what he might have said and blinked slowly. "Well, within Hogwarts boundaries, of course."

He glanced anywhere but them both for a moment, and spotted his father not too far away.
"Merlin, Hannah, think we might be best to move on - save a family interruption." He had reached to touch her arm, without realising that might be a bad idea, however the amount of wine she was putting away he was more at risk of her drunken gestures.
"Wouldn't want to have to deflect him onto you." Johann explained to Landis with a shake of his head.

"Good to meet you, I'm sure we'll speak again soon." He found Hannah's arm to guide her to safety from stray family, and inclined his head to the Librarian.


End