Time: 2:00-3:00PM; According to the class roster Hildegarde wouldn't be teaching a History class at this time, and Callum does not take Ancient Runes. This is also just before the 5 years History of Magic class.



The previous day Callum had spoken to Professor Storm about class. Now all he had to do was speak to Austerlitz and Trishna. He would save Astronomy for last, because it only met once a week and because it didn't really matter. He decided to stop by before class that Friday to speak with Professor Austerlitz. He hadn't the chance to  do it on Wednesday, so he wanted to make sure that he had the time talk to her. Just showing back up wasn't appropriate.

He knew it was going to be difficult to hold his tongue, especially if she decided to run her mouth again about purebloods and about his family. There were some things that you didn't insult, and Callum's family was one of those things. Just because they were purists did not mean that anything was wrong with them. but her opinion seemed to be anything but that.

Entering the class room, Callum was glad to see that the professor was there. "Excuse me, Professor Austerlitz- do you have a few minutes to spare before class starts?" he asked, stepping into the room.

Professor Austerlitz strode around her classroom, contemplating her afternoon's organisation. It was getting on, and Hildegarde still had a few more indifferent, imbecile children to teach before her day was done. Wearing a charcoal pencil skirt, matching blazer and a white shirt, there was nothing outlandish about her appearance; it was sensibly harsh, her square black heels making a menacing click on the floor. Even her classroom had a sense of dominance, with its high arched ceilings, towering bookshelves and angry-looking busts of her favourite wizarding figures and philosophers. Busts that were shining even more brightly thanks to Callum Knight's punishment of polishing all of them with no magic. It was a difficult job, and the Professor had taken some delight in watching the boy trudge through the monotonous work.

Taking a seat behind her desk, she flicked her wand causing her quill to hover over a scroll of parchment as she read it: another boring, lifeless essay. Just what was Hogwarts teaching the future generations? There was nothing inspirational, nothing opinionated, nothing... controversial. As it stood, Hildegarde couldn't see any maverick historian in the horde of pupils she cared for. Of course, there were a few promising gems, but no rough diamonds. Such a shame.

"Excuse me, Professor Austerlitz - do you have a few minutes to spare before class starts?"
The old scholar looked up, immediately frowning and placing her wand back down. And so the reprobate returned.
"Unless you're wanting to share details of your expulsion from Hogwarts, then I'm incredibly busy," she remarked, raising an eyebrow at Callum. "But since you're still here, Mr Knight, I presume they've allowed you to stay. You have one minute. Take a seat."

Professor Austerlitz continued to shuffle paper on her desk, with little interest in the boy who openly spat in the face of authority - the boy who disregarded the democracy of Hogwarts that her husband had died to uphold. One would think that Hildegarde had little interest in what he had to say, and they would be true, but since she knew his return would have been at the encouragement of another member of staff, Professor Austerlitz decided to retain some professionalism and open a reluctant ear.

Callum frowned. He hadn't done anything to warrant expulsion, and he knew that. But he was determined not to let the harsh words of Austerlitz get to him. He was better than that, he was going to prove it. Though he knew that she would never like him, and that he would never like her, it was necessary to work toward some level of civility. At least if he could manage that, then things would be less difficult.

One minute was an amazing short amount of time, though. Luckily he had rehearsed. As he had rehearsed every speech for these meetings he was going to have with the professors he had wronged. "I wanted to apologize for my boorish behavior," Callum told her. "I was raised to be better than what I have been. I am not an idiot, and I know better than to act like a tempestuous toddler. It is important for me to not make complete enemies of my professors, because I do intend to do well on my OWLs, my NEWTs, and then to make something of myself in the ministry. I have certainly gotten off track somewhere this year, and I intend to find my way back to what is important. Silly squabbles won't matter in five years, what will matter are the relationships I have either cultivated or destroyed with those who will be able to impact my possibilities of employment." Which meant if he pissed off the wrong professors, and the ministry asked for their opinion, he could be denied a job.

"I do not want to waste anymore of your time since you are busy, professor. But I felt that it was important to speak to you about my behavior before returning to class today. As I told Professor Storm yesterday, it is the coward's way out to come back and pretend that I have done nothing wrong in the past. I am many things, Professor Austerlitz, but I am not a coward."

Hildegarde flicked her beady eyes up once more catch the young Mr Knight frowning at her comment. She raised her eyebrows with suspicion, as if he were the chief suspect to a major crime.
"Have you come all the way to my office just to scowl?" she asked, slightly shaking her head and placing a few scrolls of parchment into a drawer of her desk. "You have something to say, spit it out, boy." There was a fraction of frustration in her voice; he was a time waster, and worst of all, he'd insulted her. Maybe it was true that she was a friendless old hag, but Hildegarde knew that she was an intelligent, wealthy and authoritative old hag - and bitter. Hildegarde had spent her entire life after Bernard's death being bitter. It had become a comforting trait for Hildegarde. She had no reason to be truly happy.

Professor Austerlitz listened to Callum as she reorganised her desk, her eyes meeting his occasionally. It was a pre-meditated, standard speech, with all the right things and all the self-admittance a teenage boy could muster. It was admirable in a way - at least he had the bravery to tackle a woman like Austerlitz after everything he'd said.

"Everybody makes mistakes, Knight," she replied quietly, folding her arms as she leant back. "Only a complete and utter fool makes them twice." Hildegarde eyed him once more and sighed. "I appreciate your apology, and let us move onwards and upwards. Despite your own pubescent tirade against authority, it pains me to say that you're brighter than you'd let on. Try a little harder, and we could get you a decent grade at the end of this year." Professor Austerlitz paused, raising an eyebrow. "No more idiocy, Knight?" It was the closest thing to a truce he was going to get, and Hildegarde felt she'd been far more lenient than she normally would.

The quiet tone of voice was not one that Callum had expected. "I agree, Professor. And I do not intend to make these mistakes again." He would have elaborated, but she continued, addressing his apology directly. He fell silent, listening to her, glad that she seemed to appreciate his apology instead of being offended by it. Callum had suspected that Hildegarde would be upset by his apology.

"And I will try harder. I will not be skipping or disrupting anymore classes, and I will put an extra effort into my work. If you would be willing to give me the opportunity to make up missed work or do extra work to aid bringing up my grade, I would appreciate that." Callum wasn't sure if she wouldbe quite so generous as Professor Storm had been. It seemed he had been more than willing to aid Callum in catching up on his work and offering any outside help.

"I intend to prove to you, and to everyone else at Hogwarts that I'm not an idiot, Professor. I'll start with my OWLs, and then I will go on from there. I do want to make something of myself one day. Hopefully those who knew me while I was in Hogwarts will be pleasantly surprised one day at my level of success. Burning bridges and making enemies now is hardly going to be an effective means to an end, wouldn't you agree?"

"I only grade work that I have set, and what has reached my hands within the deadline I have set," she sharply interjected, not even looking at him as she flicked open a book, a thin, spindly finger scrolling across its minute words. "However, the essays that are compulsory will show your new-found dedication, Knight, and I will judge it accordingly." Professor Austerlitz was not one for extra credit, or extra work in favour of a higher grade. You did the work you were given - there should be no reason to undertake a surplus of essay writing, and therefore there was to be no further applause outside the classroom.

"I want my students to succeed," she murmured, finally her eyes meeting his. "But only those who seek success. I spent a long, long time in the Ministry, and I made some very strong connections. So strong in fact that they often request a character reference from me. Remember that, Knight." Her words of warning lacked malice, but there was something foreboding. This was his last chance, and those under the tutelage of Professor Austerlitz rarely had one chance let alone three. The verbal conflict with Tawse in her class, and the perpetration of Schlagenweit had been the first two strikes. Callum Knight was tip-toeing into the dragon's cave; one more step and there would be nothing but charred remains and a broken future.

"This is probably one of the most sensible things you've ever done," she replied. In her short time at Hogwarts, she'd got to know him well. Very well indeed. "Don't ruin this chance, Knight. You may just regret it for the rest of your life." This final statement was not threatening, nor harsh - it was simply full of promise. And they both knew it.

"I understand, professor," he responded. And he did- he understood all of it. Callum did not expect special treatment from Austerlitz, but it had been worth a try. And although he doubted that his future employers would really want her opinion, it was better to be safe than sorry. This series of apologies also was, he agreed, one of the more intelligent moves he could have made. Callum would have to thank Jordyn and Landis for making him do it. Otherwise he would still be wallowing in self misery and ruining things for not only himself, but for his house.

"I do not want to waste anymore of your time, professor," he told her. "I have no doubt you're quite busy, and there is still some time before class. I'm going to make sure I have the proper materials." Callum offered her the closest thing to a sweet smile he could manage. "And again, I do appreciate your willingness to work with me."

Callum then excused himself from her presence, and filtered into the hallway. He needed to go to his common room to gather the right book. He had fallen out of the habit of carrying it considering he had ceased attending that class for a short while. And the Slytherin was determined to show her that pureblood or no, he was a damn good student.