"Now you just fold this part here, and pinch it a few times before you put them on your baking sheet," Gale's office often became a rather dumping ground for a few straggling students, and home-ec became their nightly lessons. From sewing, to baking, and even a bit of gardening he helped them through their days all the while providing a good deal of insight as to what they would expect someday when running their own home (sans magic).

Nightingale, enjoyed his afternoon with his friends (the two that he had at this school), but was looking forward to a quiet evening to just reflect on the matters close to him. He'd long since retired from dinner, and started in his nightly routine.  A simple task that brought him great joy, and relaxed him like nothing else. It was only the second week into school and already he was counting down the days to which they would reach Spring Break. He missed his lover, terribly, and though he could have gone home now every night, Gale still opted to stay with his students. He had taken to a few of them rather quickly, and even offered them the use of his office when he wasn't available just to escape the every day.

Things with Chaz were going well, or so he thought. They had their ups and downs like any other couple, but with his little artist so busy it was hard to even see him on the weekends and Gale missed him terribly. They wrote a great deal, and he had a few letters to return but was so lost in his baking that he hadn't even thought of them.


'Headmisstress wants to see you. The words registered, but were almost forgotten as he ran the back of his flour covered hand over his cheek in an attempt to clean away the moisture that collected from the roaring fire--only to smear it.

"I'll be right there," He said before checking to make sure Josie put enough filling in her fritter, "Maybe a little more, but use the smaller apple slices."

"I don't think I'd keep her waiting..." The voice was right and Gale broke from his lesson to look with a quizzical brow before undoing his apron, "Watch them and don't let them burn. They only stay in for 45 minutes." The class smiled and went back to their baking, only to see the professor out the door after he washed his hands.

What could she want? If this was about Rowena Knight's freezing accident in his class, he wasn't sure he would be able to keep a straight face. Sophia had been so upset, it was rather endearing to see the sisterly love, but that was a rather common mishap. He couldn't imagine she would want to see him over that? But when it came time to step into he office, Gale found himself running a hand through his hair and trying to smooth out the wrinkles of his shirt. He fought his vision from blurring, unwilling to admit he should have brought his glasses should she have him read, but most of all unwilling to admit that he held weakness. Yet, through all of his primping and careful placement of his hair the flour still remained on his face.

"You wanted to see me, Ma'am?"

1.	Mumford and Sons

“Such a shame… besmirching the name of Hogwarts…”
“Man ought to be ashamed!”

“Thank you, Delbert, Adelsworth, that’s quite enough. And you’ll do well to keep your opinions to yourself when Professor Kesali arrives,” The words slipped sharply from the Headmistress’s mouth, effectively cutting off the rude comments and snide sounds coming from various portraits around the room. Her brow was knit in frustration and the thin line that was her mouth was bent down in the fiercest of frowns.

Rumors accumulated around Hogwarts daily, just last week there were whispers of Minerva having had inappropriate relations with Ignan Storm (of all people). Yes, Hogwarts had more than its fair share of gossip, but that was attributed to the students. Hogwarts staff knew that Headmistress McGonagall had absolutely zero tolerance for spreading rumors, and even the younger members of the staff seemed to respect that. When something was bad enough to merit the Hogwarts Headmistress’s attention, it was usually severe and less gossip and more fact; after all, good rumors are based (at least in part) in truth.

Minerva had sent for both Nightingale and Ignan, wanting a male present for the meeting – plus, an extra bit of authority never hurt. Kesali, of course, was first to arrive, but that was to be expected. An unexpected summoning from the boss was usually enough to put a bit of speed in anyone’s step.

"You wanted to see me, Ma'am?"

Her head snapped up, resting on the younger man before her. “Professor, have a seat,” No greeting. No offer for refreshment. Flat words and unhappy features were all that was offered. “Tell me, professor, how’ve you been since returning to Hogwarts?” No need to alarm the boy earlier than necessary.

Gale looked around the room a moment, waiting for something horrid to come in after him, or to jump from the shadows. Minerva didn't even smile at him. Truly, he hadn't been too worried to come to her office, but seeing here there and hearing her rather stern tone made him draw his hands together like a shield.

Upon being instructed to take a seat, Gale did, but did so with a great caution in his step. This wasn't out of the ordinary. It was probably time for the mid-year review, but he didn't recall any of the other Professor's being asked to come to her office.

“Tell me, professor, how’ve you been since returning to Hogwarts?”

"Good." He spoke quietly, with a small smile pulling back his pale pink lips, "I've been really well, thank you for asking." Gale sat on the edge of his seat, not bothering to get comfortable, he didn't plan to be here long,

"Missed the children over break, very dearly. We're in the middle of a lesson actually." He looked over his shoulder at the door, was she expecting someone else?

"Is there something I can help you with?" Gale finally asked looking back at her, but in his study of the room he noticed the paintings all glaring rather harshly at him.

It had been an eventful weekend, finally getting round to his St Mungo's charity auction date with Arianne Desrosiers from Beauxbatons[1], and even venturing to Diagon Alley with family[2]. Unfortunately, as a result he felt as if he was chasing his own tail ever so slightly to catch up on a minority of items, which included some disciplinary items for irritating third years.

As a result of one of these items, he was running a few minutes late to meet Minerva. On arriving in the Headteacher's office at the top of the spiral staircase he found that they were not alone, and Nightingale Kesali was already in place. Minerva looked most displeased, Kesali confused. Ignan paused mid-stride as he assessed the scene, and then continued, presuming that things would unfold.

"Apologies for my lateness, Headmistress." He uttered politely, inclining his head. "Professor Kesali." He nodded to his colleague before taking a seat, straightening his academic cloak as he did.

There were several possibilities for this combination of Hogwarts professors - firstly, Kesali had gone properly off the rails, but Ignan doubted this, as he'd have heard before this, second that the charms results were pitiful, but they weren't all that bad, or third, that what he'd asked Nightingale about the previous Friday[3] had reached Minerva, and he was about to get a clip round the ear for not bringing it to her attention.

1.	January 10th 2010 L'heure avait sonné
2.	January 9th 2010 It Takes Nine Tailors to Make a Man, or One Darian Morgan
3.	January 8th 2010 If Inconvenient, Come Anyway

Minerva was truly curious as to what kind of lesson would be going on at such an hour, but at that point, Professor Storm decided to make his appearance and that was enough to make Minerva breathe a sigh of relief and forget all thoughts of questioning Kesali’s class times. “Ah, Professor Storm, glad you could make it. So sorry to both of you for the lack of notice, I’m afraid our meeting simply couldn’t wait,” An ominous feeling to an ominous meeting.

“Professor Kesali, you’ve asked if there’s anything you can help me with, and the answer is actually yes. You’re a very talented spellweaver. I’ve heard naught but praise about your classes, you keep students engaged and exam scores are high. Overall, you’re an exemplary professor,” All was true; Kesali had been a great professor so far. He was a bit on the young side, but so were many of the professors and Minerva couldn’t fault someone for their age. Had she not been younger than he when she started at Hogwarts? “Take pride in knowing that you’re doing a fantastic job,”

“However, we do have a slight problem. I’ve heard from various sources that, well… that you’ve been acting in a behavior unbefitting of a professor of this establishment. While what you do on your own time isn’t truthfully any of our businesses… Do you need a raise, Professor Kesali? Are we not paying you enough?” It was an awkward conversation to have with an employee, especially one of the opposite sex and with such an age gap. With a pleading look, she glanced toward Professor Storm and then back to Gale, unwilling to speak anymore. The coherency of thought had failed her completely.

“Professor Kesali, you’ve asked if there’s anything you can help me with, and the answer is actually yes. You’re a very talented spellweaver. I’ve heard naught but praise about your classes, you keep students engaged and exam scores are high. Overall, you’re an exemplary professor,” ... “Take pride in knowing that you’re doing a fantastic job,”

Anytime Minerva McGonagall offered a complement there was enough reason to stop the entire world to take it all in. It warmed his cheeks, and made him relax just a little. Yet, he could hear the sounds of Bishop Thorne's words now, the harsh cruel upsweep of sounds that made him more monster than man,

Anytime someone starts with a compliment, Kesali, don't accept it as truth. Know that they are only preparing you for the pendulum swing. And in this he found truth, and completely glazed over at her next series of comments and questions.

“However, we do have a slight problem. I’ve heard from various sources that, well… that you’ve been acting in a behavior unbefitting of a professor of this establishment. While what you do on your own time isn’t truthfully any of our businesses...Do you need a raise, Professor Kesali? Are we not paying you enough?" Gale bit his lip to stop the words that wanted to come next, a harsh anger swelling inside him that felt like a dragon wanting nothing more than to claw it's way from his ribs, shook his bones like a cage.

"I'm being paid just fine, Ma'am." Gale was never so much like his father than he was in this moment, he sat there like a mountain unwilling to let these little pathetic stones affect him. If this cost him his job, Gunderson would be dead by morning, and he'd wear the man's bones around his neck and his blood like warpaint. It was a double edged sword, this situation, he could hardly justify his actions when it came to the school's reputation, but Gale was brought up believing that all men were created equal.

"Of course you were," Torolf responded. "Those of lesser breeding are always raised to believe that appearance does not matter. It is a sad, pitiful lie which they tell themselves in order to feel better about their unfortunate circumstances. However, should you wish continue laboring under such a false pretense- far be it from me to attempt to persuade you otherwise. My exterior is perfectly trimmed, ornate, and severe- just as my insides are." Torolf Gundersen was many things, but a pleasant person he was not.

[1]

One of these days, he truly would show Torolf what it was to be of 'lesser breeding' as if he were some sort of animal, and that little thought couldn't be kept behind his frozen mask, Gale let that flash of anger fill his good eye until the silver there seemed more of a storm. With a little huff he folded his arms over his chest and sank back in his chair, finding quickly the closest window before he felt the room start to close in.

Godrick's garders, he was going to put his hands around that man's neck and squeeze until the cows come home.

1.	[urlhttp://absitomen.com/index.php?topic=13320.0]Nobody Expects the Spanish Inquisition![/url]

As Minerva began to explain, Ignan's heart sank - surely this wasn't the matter from the Durmstrang ship? Hell.

He paused, trying to keep a neutral expression, hoping Gale wouldn't explode. Remarkably, the man kept his cool and only managed a short sentence.

"Headmistress…" Ignan interrupted cautiously, leaning forward in his chair and glancing between his younger colleague and his older one:
"This wouldn't - I mean not to insult your intelligence - this wouldn't be a piece of gossip from our Durmstrang guests would it?"

Thank goodness the professor wasn’t in need of an increase of pay, for Minerva wasn’t quite sure they could afford it. With the added stresses of the tournament the vaults were running a bit low, not that Minerva wouldn’t have found a way, should Kesali have needed it. He truly was an unmatched spell caster and Hogwarts would have been remiss to lose him. Even so… the situation was extremely awkward and uncomfortable, and when Minerva became awkward, she became irritable – and an irritable headmistress was never something one wanted to be around.

As her deputy spoke, Minerva wasn’t sure if she wanted to let out a sigh of relief or bring down the hammer on Ignan. If there were rumors surfacing about a Hogwarts Professor and he was privy to the information, was it not his duty to let his superior know? She gave him a sharp look, a look that let him know there would be a few terse words exchanged later, but spoke in a well-controlled voice. “It is, indeed, about some rumors surfacing. Professor Kesali, there’s truthfully no impolite way to approach this, so forgive me for offense in advance. It’s been reported that you’ve been walking the night, exchanging favors for galleons. Is this true?”

The blush had made its way to Minerva’s cheeks, and had her expression changed any, the effect might have been comical. As it was, the hard glint in Minerva’s eye put off any thought of humor. The way she said the word ‘favors’ it was obvious the headmistress wasn’t referring to patching a pair of trousers or ridding a garden of gnomes.

OOC: Lily asked if we could wrap up the thread a little while ago

What a mess this had become, though in Ignan's opinion, it wouldn't have started with Gale being entirely innocent - undoubtedly one of his strange gestures or his flamboyant use of language had begun a misunderstanding which had been enlarged as easily as an engorgio charm.

Getting to the bottom of it would only further amuse the Durmstrang contingent who had stirred the pot in the first place. Reasoning with Torlorf could be futile and Auberon would only jibe that Ignan had access to the young professor at a discounted price - or something equally irritating but a little less crude.

Either way, getting Minerva McGonagall to understand both the twisted humour of his former colleagues and keeping Nightingale on an even keel as he explained his side was going to give him a headache, but two could play the bad press game…


End