For one of the few times in his life, Johann was actually about to admit he was truly, firmly lost. Normally he had a better than average sense of direction in places, towns and cities especially - they always had hints to where a main road would be, patterns. This school, this castle however, seemed organic, changing constantly. He'd wandered quite a distance, slipping into the library to marvel at the sheer numbers of books, climbing to the top of towers to marvel at the view - even it had been covered by grey clouds.

But now he had to return to his cousin's rooms, which he knew were on the first floor, only one could never be quite sure one was on the true first floor, or a different part, what with the moving staircases. He'd made the mistake of asking the advice of a portrait of four wizards playing cards. Now he cursed the fact they all had mead on the table, so were painted into a constant merry state.

He would find his way eventually, but the wandering frustrated him greatly. He trusted the students no more than the ruddy paintings either. Drawing his eyes from a suit of armor at the sound of one of the heavy castle doors opening, he saw a woman step out. She didn't wear the standard disapproving frown of a tutor irritated by years of student inability to retain information, so Johann approached her with good faith.

"Good evening, sorry to startle you." He greeted the blond witch, "I only wondered if you might be able to direct me?" He smiled at he politely. "I made the mistake of asking the four wizards playing cards a while ago..."

It was getting close to the time of the day when she would be heading back to London for the evening.  Hogwarts was becoming increasingly more of an escape from the stress that awaited her in London.  Staying with her aunt and uncle she had been there for the aftermath of her cousin’s kidnapping.  Moira had disappeared from the Winter Festival in Hogsmeade without a trace and they were all starting to grow anxious to see her returned safely.  Anna was sure her cousin was still out there and alive, but during the day it was nice to have the distraction of the students.  It was also a convenient excuse to put off thinking about the state of her marriage which seemed to still be at a stalemate.

With her notebook and quill in hand she was determined to do a few moments of research in the library before leaving Hogwarts for the day.  Closing her office door behind her she made sure it was secure, not wanting any of the confidential information she had within to be able to be accessed by overly curious students.  The hallway was relatively empty and she thought perhaps most of the students were either in class or studying.  However, the sound of a voice with what sounded like a German accent quickly drew her attention from thoughts of research or personal matters.

"I only wondered if you might be able to direct me?" He smiled at he politely. "I made the mistake of asking the four wizards playing cards a while ago..."

A slight smirk formed on her lips as she said, “Yes, you have to be careful with that little group; they’ve been befuddled since long before my own days as a student here.  They’ll have you convinced braving swimming the lake with the giant squid in the dead of winter is a good idea.  I’d be happy to help point you in the right direction though.”  Extending a hand she added, “I’m Anna Wickwood.  I don’t believe I’ve seen you around Hogwarts before.”

She wasn’t aware of new staff, but the way things were going anything was possible.

---

Outfit

“Yes, you have to be careful with that little group; they’ve been befuddled since long before my own days as a student here.  They’ll have you convinced braving swimming the lake with the giant squid in the dead of winter is a good idea.  I’d be happy to help point you in the right direction though.” The blonde replied, and something in the way she described that made him wonder if it was from personal experience.

Extending a hand she added,
“I’m Anna Wickwood.  I don’t believe I’ve seen you around Hogwarts before.”

Johann reached forwards and gave her a firm handshake, meeting her gaze with similar intensity.
"No, I'm visiting. Johann Storm." He watched her expression to see if she might make the link with him and Ignan without him having to elaborate further verbally. In doing so, he held her hand a little longer than was naturally polite.

"Rather short notice visit, and Ignan's busy with his students, so I thought I would get out of his way for a little while, and show myself round." He smiled, still watching Anna's face with firm curiousity.
"Sorry, I must have startled you, lurking in hallways. You wouldn't be the last to regard me with suspicion about these halls."

All thought of asking for directions were laid aside a moment. He tilted his head, after taking in the doorway, and the way Anna was dressed.
"You don't teach here do you?" He asked, taking a guess. She looked far too relaxed, far less cluttered than a school Professor. That, and the fact Ignan had dropped a comment about a rather attractive young witch having some pastoral role within the school, when discussing the stark differences between Hogwarts and Durmstrang.

Xiomara Hooch, the aged but spry Hogwarts Flying Instructor, blustered in from the cold outside in her typical fashion.  She wasn't a subtle witch and her transition from weather to warmth wasn't either.  The wind of her entrance was enough to blow off her hood to expose a shock of light gray hair and her cold whipped cheeks.

Still be-goggled from the flight in, she crooked her broom under her arm and shucked her long, thick leather gloves and intended to stride through to the Staff Room, but she stopped short.

The man standing there with - she couldn't place the name of the counsellor - but that man was not from Hogwarts.  He was far to old to be a student, he certainly wasn't a professor and he had no visible markings of an Auror.  She strode in and stood very close to them both.

"Who are you?" she demanded, looking up his lofty frame. He had a rough face and dark hair.  "I'm sure you're aware that this is a school and we don't take kindly to unannounced visitors.  Wickwood?" (the name had come back to her), "Is this your guest? He's not been wandering about alone, has he?"

Xiomara Hooch squinted at the man with obvious suspicion.  She didn't like the look of him.  Xiomara had been with Hogwarts for decades and in her protectiveness of the castle she may have no peer.  She'd seen this castle go through a very great deal and none of them had very good things to do with unannounced guests.  Although the situation with Sirius Black back in the 90s had turned out well in the end, it had caused a great amount of danger for the school.  Not to mention the horrible events that lead up to the Battle. 

No no. Absolutely no on unannounced visitors.

At the mention of his last name she was able to immediately place him as a relative of Hogwart’s Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.  Somehow she suspected that Professor Storm was not the biggest fan of her position, but she could allow for a difference of opinion.  She had been well aware going into this that many would see her as ‘fluff’ and perhaps completely unnecessary.  His hand lingered on his and she didn’t shy away or break eye contact. When he did release her though, her journal and quill shifted to her right hand before it came to rest at her side.

“No harm done,” she said when he mentioned startling her.  “I prefer to give people the benefit of the doubt before immediately becoming apprehensive although I’m sure you probably did receive a few curious glances.  I doubt they were truly ones of suspicion though.  The students have quite the active rumor mill and I’m told on occasion rather overactive imaginations.”

"You don't teach here do you?"

She chuckled slightly as she asked, “Is it that obvious?  No, I’m…” 

"Who are you?"

Her focus immediately turned towards the speaker, her eyes taking in Madame Hooch.  Where Anna was never one to be immediately suspicion without asking a few questions first, this clearly was not the case with the Flying Instructor.  She gave a slight glance at Johann before turning back to the instructor.

“No, Madame Hooch, this is Johann Storm, he is a relative of Professor Storm and is visiting,” she said deciding to make the introduction in hopes that it would smooth the situation over.  “Mr. Storm, this is our flying instructor Madame Hooch.”  She was well aware of all the reasons to be cautious.  However, her own personal approach was certainly a bit less forceful.

Ah, now here came a character! Johann was secretly delighted to be causing a bit of commotion, and his eyes reflected such, despite trying not to smile too gleefully below them.

“No, Madame Hooch, this is Johann Storm, he is a relative of Professor Storm and is visiting,” Anna explained smoothly, in contrast. She never did say for sure what her role was, but Johann was increasingly banking on her being the counselor, especially with that calm tone.

“Mr. Storm, this is our flying instructor Madame Hooch.” 

"A pleasure to meet you Madam Hooch." Johann replied politely, extending a hand to the flying instructor as he had Anna. "My apologies if I have caused you alarm. I had not meant any harm. My cousin has been tied up with his tutoring all day, you know how it is." If Hooch were worth her salt as a guard dog, she wouldn't fall for that. Johann had been snooping, that was true enough. Who could blame him, big famous castle, time on his hands, inquisitive mind.

"I just encountered four wizards in a portrait playing cards - they seemed to be quite insistent that visitors should take a swim in the lake, even in the middle of winter..." He flashed a cheeky smile at Anna, recycling her story to Hooch.

"I might suggest the same thing," Xiomara Hooch said shortly.  "Wandering about the halls.  We have the students security to think about and I hardly think Ignan Storm is a judge of what is safe for them." (Despite being the Defense professor, she added to herself.)

"From here on out, you'll remain in Professor Storm's company at all times, or I'll be informing the Headmistress.  Madam Snark is less tolerant of trifling excuses than I am."

She put her fists on her hips in her signature pose and looked over at the other witch.

"Madam Wickwood, I assume you intend to trot our visitor up to Professor Storm straight away.  A stranger to the castle is bound to get caught up in some trouble wandering about off leash."

She squinted at him again and then back at Arianna, expecting the younger witch to produce some sort of guarantee that this issue was sorted out. 

"I might suggest the same thing, wandering about the halls.  We have the students security to think about and I hardly think Ignan Storm is a judge of what is safe for them."

Ah, Johann winced internally. She sounded properly serious now.

"From here on out, you'll remain in Professor Storm's company at all times, or I'll be informing the Headmistress.  Madam Snark is less tolerant of trifling excuses than I am." She put her fists on her hips and regarded Anna. Johann couldn't think of any more inconvenient than having to seek out his older cousin, especially when he actually wanted rid of Johann.

"Madam Wickwood, I assume you intend to trot our visitor up to Professor Storm straight away.  A stranger to the castle is bound to get caught up in some trouble wandering about off leash."

"Much as I am humored by the metaphorical reference to my lack of official supervision, I really do not need to trouble you with a personal escort. I was just inquiring on directions for such with Anna." He spoke to Hooch with the utmost care of every word, and smiled briefly to Anna as he mentioned her offer of assistance. If he had to be penned back into Ignan's rooms, at least he would do it in the company of Anna - though, he remembered, Ignan was rather suspicious of her in general.

"I feel I have unfortunately made you see worse of Ignan, despite the fact it was my decision to leave his rooms without his knowledge. Then again, don't you all find him a terrible bore with all his worries of lessons and the rigors of self defense? It appears Madam Hooch that you have certainly got the measure of him!" Johann complimented the silver haired witch's assertive nature.

Anna couldn’t help glancing at Johann when he repeated the story she had told just a few moments earlier, an amused smirk playing at the corners of her lips.  At least he appeared to have a sense of humor, judging from his smile and the fact he picked up on her story.  She hadn’t exactly been a troublemaker in school, but she had engaged in her fair share of mischief and been easily swayed to go along with less then brilliant ideas…like swimming in the lake in the dead of winter.

The exchange continued and Anna’s smirk faltered a bit.  Being bosses around a bit like a child was a little uncalled for in her mind, but she tried to let that slide.  There was no need to a practical inquisition, but she wasn’t sure she had the energy to get into a debate with the older witch.

"Much as I am humored by the metaphorical reference to my lack of official supervision, I really do not need to trouble you with a personal escort. I was just inquiring on directions for such with Anna."

Returning the smile she turned back to the flying instructor and in a neutral tone added, “I will make sure Johann finds his way back, Madam Hooch.  I’m finished with my appointments for the day, and certainly you must have lessons or a Quidditch practice awaiting your attention.”

With a little luck the encounter would soon be over without any more threats of involving Snark or lectures.  The exchange with Johann had started pleasantly enough, and in the course of the day she often lacked adult conversation.  She enjoyed what she was doing at the school, but sometimes just a simple conversation without teenage problems could be quite nice.  However, being lectured about safety made her feel like she should be back in her school uniform carrying a stack of books around the halls.

The shady trespasser was nice enough. Polite. Acquiesing.  And Arianna Wickwood just had a way of saying things that made Xiomara feel more at ease.  A trustworthy sort of tone.  Xiomara Hooch supposed that's why she was so good with the kids.  Despite herself she couldn't help but relax a touch.

She crossed her arms, pursed her lips and nodded. 

"Alright then. That'll be fine then," she said a little more lightly.  She seemed appeased.  "I'll let you young things be so long as you remind the elder Storm about visitors."

She raised her eyebrows again to punctuate her sentence with a non-verbal 'got it?'

"Good." She nodded at them both again and took her leave, sweeping out  of their neck of the woods and off again towards the Staff Room.

"Lovely to meet you Madam Hooch." Johann replied graciously, bowing his head. "I hope to meet you again some time soon."

But Hooch left them be, sweeping off down the corridor with all the purpose she had swept in with. Johann was amused at how much of a match she clearly was for many of her colleagues.

"Impressively assertive lady." Johann commented, still looking in the direction the older lady had departed. He paused, then looked back to Anna, his eyes lighting up again .
"So, you were going to personally ensure I was returned to sender." He smiled mischievously, "I don't suppose you have time for a longer detour?"

Madame Hooch swept off and Anna took a breath before turning back towards Johann.  She understood the woman’s position, but that didn’t mean she had to agree completely.  A slight laugh escaped her at the mention of a detour followed by a wave of guilt she quickly pushed aside.  She needed the distraction, and getting to know a practical stranger seemed to be exactly what was in order.

“Well, I am supposed to ‘trot’ you back to where you belong,” she said, using the word the older witch had chosen earlier.  “The last thing I want tomorrow morning is to find Madame Hooch in my office...as lovely as she is.  However, detours though can always be found relatively easily around here.”

Tucking her notebook in the crook of her arm she began a slow pace down the hall, adding, “So, aside from my card playing friends, have you seen much of the castle?”

“Well, I am supposed to ‘trot’ you back to where you belong,” Anna replied, quoting Hooch. “The last thing I want tomorrow morning is to find Madame Hooch in my office...as lovely as she is.  However, detours though can always be found relatively easily around here.”

"Oh yes?" Johann asked, tilting his head a little.

Anna tucked her notebook under her arm, and they both began down the hall at a slow pace, side by side.
“So, aside from my card playing friends, have you seen much of the castle?”

"Well, Ignan's chambers, for quite some hours," Johann replied, screwing his mouth to one side momentarily to indicate boredom. "But I did find the rather vast library, and wander up one of the towers - though not the one for Astronomy alas, rather more the owlery, which didn't make for comfortable survey of the lay of the land beyond." He wrinkled his nose. "Other than that, I have been admiring the art, and wandering with my ears open. Curious things children speak about their Professors." He smirked, "Don't worry, I heard not about you, from the students at least."

He offered her his arm, hardly realising his actions, subconsciously comfortable with Anna already, surprising himself.
"Where do you suggest is a suitable detour?" He asked. "I doubt I'll get much of a reason to look around again, so I'm at your mercy, rather than the paintings, if you don't mind, of course."