Callum Knight had turned up for lesson. Dear Merlin, that was a turn up for the books. Ignan had thought throughout the fifth year lesson that morning. There had been a flicker, a look as if he had wanted to approach, only Sasha had taken the initiative first, and Callum had retreated, the moment not right. Ignan's curiousity was piqued.

Since losing his temper entirely with the fifth years two weeks ago, resulting in one of the most vile days in all his teaching career to date, Ignan and Callum had kept their distance, and the fifth years had been suffering large amounts of non-practical theory, which only reflected how miserable Ignan actually felt about the whole situation, as he disliked giving long lectures. However, Callum had stayed away, and the class seemed to have settled, almost glad of Knight's departure.

There had been plenty of trouble in between, but Ignan had ensured he was far enough away not to have to discipline the fifth years, content to lick his wounds in private and reassert himself in his own time. Austerlitz had mentioned a choice of words from Callum about the two Professors, which had only made Ignan more glad the fifth year was refusing to turn up to classes.

Then, this morning, out of the blue with no warning, there he was.

Under the false pretense of studying a sheet of parchment just off the main thoroughfare of the entrance hall, Ignan lurked in wait for the Slytherin in question to appear for lunch. Still trying to work out exactly what he was going to say. Then, eyes catching sight of Callum's head amongst the students flocking to the meal, he let go of the end of the parchment, allowing it to roll back up into his hand, and cleared his throat.

"Knight." A number of faces turned, mixed feelings about him as a Professor, and natural student curiousity as to what the Professor would want with Callum Knight, who was doing his best to get expelled, or so it seemed.

Ignan maintained eye contact with Callum, stepping forwards very slowly, waiting for the rest of the crowd to walk on, and Callum to hang back. Seeing he had his attention, he twitched his head to the left, indicating to follow a few paces further where they would both be out of the way of the traffic.

Clearing his throat once more, and averting his eyes a moment, Ignan gathered his conscience.
"Knight, I owe you an apology for what happened two weeks ago." He told the student in a low tone, "I am pleased you have made the choice to return to my class."

Callum had returned to Defense Against the Dark Arts. It had not been an easy thing to do, to admit that his head of house had been correct and that he needed to apologize and attempt to rebuild the bridges which he had burned. Callum had been intent on not missing anymore classes, and was going to seek out Professor Storm to apologize. When he had wanted to stop before class to ask if they could speak, the professor had been distracted by Schlagenweit. So he had taken his seat and decided he would find the man later.

The day had been stressful. People were talking about his return to class, and some were asking him questions about it. Callum did not want it to be common knowledge that Jordyn and Landis had intervened and decided to put him on the right track. So mostly he ignored the questions or snapped at those who dared to ask him. It wasn't anyone else's business, anyway.

He was glad for the distraction of lunch. Food could cheer anybody up, and he would be able to hang out with his Slytherin friends and be obnoxious. At least his few lackeys never asked questions that they didn't have any business asking. Really he needed more people like that- more allies. Allies that did not include his obnoxious brothers (Blake excluded).

The Slytherin was on his way into the great hall when he heard his name. He stopped, and saw Professor Storm waiting. He sighed quietly, willing himself to make the best of this. Callum expected that the professor would have something smart to say about his attending class- the trick was not to rise to the bait. So he approached the professor, and gave him his undivided attention. He was fully aware of a few people who were watching, and hoped that would help prevent an argument. He was trying to learn to lay low. It was not going to be an easy lesson to learn. Luckily, the students moved on, food obviously being more important. No doubt rumors would soon be flying around.

Callum was visibly shocked at the words that came out of Ignan's mouth. An apology? That was totally unexpected. He wasn't sure how to respond to that. "I... Things happen," he stated with an indifferent shrug. "And I figured it was better to come if I didn't want to fail my OWLs." Not exactly a positive response, but he had been caught off guard. It totally ruined the rehearsed speeches of his.

"I... Things happen," Callum responded, and Ignan got the impression he might have been wrong-footed by the apology, rather than a remark or berating.
"And I figured it was better to come if I didn't want to fail my OWLs."

"Wise choice." Ignan replied, knowing that it was about as far as Callum would probably get with reasons for returning. It would not be because he was getting it in the neck from Snark, or Landis, or every other person in the school, and potentially from home too. Ignan could only allude to this, having stayed firmly out of the details and discussion in the staff room wherever possible.

"Have you been keeping up with the content during your absence?" Ignan asked, deciding perhaps waiting for an apology from Callum would mean missing lunch and the rest of their lives, "If not, you have a busy evening of reading ahead of you. I will of course, expect you to turn in all missed homework by the end of the weekend. I trust you are up to the demand." The corners of his mouth twitched into a smirk.

Chewing his bottom lip, Callum sighed heavily. It just did not seem right to let Ignan take all of the blame, especially considering how civil he was being about the situation. "I suppose, if you are capable of admitting your own fault- I am, as well. I should not have been out of line in class. You had already warned me once about not doing things in your direct presence." He remembered that fight with Figaro outside of the Defense classroom earlier in the year. "I can assure you that it will not happen again. I have a bad reputation, and I am more than that reputation- contrary to what most professors and students believe. I intend to prove them wrong." Ignan included.

"Admittedly, sir, I have not." He hadn't cared to keep up, because he hadn't really thought about the fact he would eventually have to return to class. Callum assumed he would wait until he was forced back and pick up where he left off (as he was doing now). The Slytherin had not expected the chance to make up the assignments that he had missed. This extension of... almost kindness... was unexpected. "And if you are going to give me the chance to make up the assignments, you can rest assured you will receive them early Monday morning." And not only would he receive them, but they would be impeccable and impressive given the lecture he had missed.

"I appreciate you seeking me out," Callum finally offered after a few moments of silence. "I intended to try speaking with you before class. Given my recent behavior, I found it inappropriate to show up to class without any explanation or apology on my end. It seemed the cowardly thing to do, to ignore what has been going on in the last couple of weeks. I suppose I let my ego get the better of me. My father would be most disappointed if he knew how I had been acting. I was raised better than all of this, regardless of what some people think." Some people meaning Austerlitz, who seemed to hate the fact he was a pureblood.

"Admittedly, sir, I have not. And if you are going to give me the chance to make up the assignments, you can rest assured you will receive them early Monday morning."

"I expect nothing less." Ignan replied, firmly rolling the scroll in his hand and handing it over to Callum.

"I appreciate you seeking me out, I intended to try speaking with you before class. Given my recent behavior, I found it inappropriate to show up to class without any explanation or apology on my end. It seemed the cowardly thing to do, to ignore what has been going on in the last couple of weeks. I suppose I let my ego get the better of me. My father would be most disappointed if he knew how I had been acting. I was raised better than all of this, regardless of what some people think."

Ignan raised an eyebrow at the explanation.
"Your father sounds like a wise man." He replied. "I saw you wished to speak with me, though Schlagenweit got there first, regrettably." His eyes wandered a moment to the students passing by.
"Haven't quite got down to the essence of what is going on there - though your artwork did not escape my note during your absence." His eyes flashed back to Callum. "Perhaps one dark corridor you might return the curse, and if you don't know how, then you didn't receive your instruction from me." He gave a smirk, keen to keep Callum's interest in certain areas of darker spells directed away from himself and towards his enemies and rivals instead. Keeping Knight preoccupied with other enemies made life easier.

"Go, and if you wish to discuss any of these, find me at the weekend rather than relying on your classmate's scant memories and poor quality notes." He tilted his head to the doorway of the great hall to indicate that Callum was dismissed.

Callum took the scrool, carefully stowing it in his bag. He would look it over later. "Thank you, sir." Hopefully the work wouldn't take too long. It seemed that Callum had quite a bit to catch up on over the weekend. Not that it wasn't his fault- it was, and the Slytherin boy fully accepted and acknowledged that, but it wouldn't be much fun to get it all done. At least, Callum supposed, it wasn't a waste of a Hogsmeade weekend.

He was glad that Ignan said his father seemed wise, and left it at that. For whatever reasons, people were so determined to talk poorly about his dad. "I've been instructed to keep all of my opinions on Schlagenweit to myself," was Callum's response to Ignan bringing him up. Callum wished that he could voice his opinions, but he knew better. Besides, given Ignan's treatment of Sasha using such a hideous spell against him, Callum supposed that Storm must have some sort of preference for the Ravenclaw. Godric only knew why he would prefer him over Callum.

Callum's eyebrows rose when Ignan seemed to hint at... instructing him? Callum smirked lightly. "Whatever outside aid you could give me would be much appreciated," he commented. It was somewhat vague, he supposed, but if Ignan was going to help him learn how to properly hex Sasha, who was he to argue? Then he would have both Storm and Morgan helping him learn the discrete way to get revenge.

"I'm sure I'll have something I'll need to ask you about," Callum assured his professor. Maybe if he sought him out this weekend he could get clarification on the vague comments. Callum was fairly certain he understood exactly what was being hinted at. It was similar to the hints he had received in reference to Sellaphix. "Thak you again, Professor Storm. I promise that I will not be a problem to you again in the future."

"I'm sure I'll have something I'll need to ask you about. Thank you again, Professor Storm. I promise that I will not be a problem to you again in the future."

"Good!" The Professor replied, "And no, you won't be." He added with a raise of both eyebrows in response to the second part. It turned to a humoured smirk before he turned on his heel, and made his way into the hall for lunch.