Outfit

Oh the nostalgia!  It was everywhere as Yoona entered the Hogwarts castle for what seemed to be the first time in forever.  It hadn't quite been that long, of course, seeing as she had traveled back to the castle for various other appointments before, however, it seemed that recently her business kept her in the ministry most of the time.  For once, it was nice to get out of the office and go out into 'the field'.  Business trips like these were ever so welcomed by the content translator.  Especially occasions like these, where she was able to work with historic documents.  And she hadn't been summoned to Professor Austerlitz's office for just any historic documents.  These happened to be ancient scrolls scribed by an ancient Korean King's 'magician', as they referred to the position.  It was going to be an honor for Yoona to do this job and she was exploding with excitement (though she really was trying hard to keep up her professional appearance).

Her red heels clicked against the stone floors as she ascended the stairs to the first floor, the location of the History of Magic classroom and Hildegarde's office.  She had intentionally included red in her outfit that day due to the fact she was a proud Gryffindor alum.  There was no shame in flaunting that fact, right?  She had almost dug out her old school trunk in search of one of her old house sweaters, but had decided against it in the end.  Because of her lack of height, Yoona figured she would probably be mistaken as an actual student if she were to wear any school garb - old or new.

Reaching Hildegarde's office door, Yoona paused and took a slight moment to collect herself.  She didn't want to appear as over excited as she was, but as a professional.  Yes, professional... that was the key.  Nodding in self-assurance, Yoona knocked on the door.

"Professor Austerlitz?"

Hildegarde Austerlitz poured over an ancient Korean tome, her finger poised underneath every word. It was useless; her linguistic skills of the orient were mediocre at best. This wasn't her field of expertise - it'd simply be forwarded to her by the Wizarding Historical Council.
'We thought you'd be able to provide much insight, Professor' they'd said, and Hildegarde had reluctantly accepted. It wasn't Greek, nor Egyptian, and she'd found the book initially dull. There was a reason the History of Magic professor's interests were narrow; she simply didn't have time for anything that disinterested her. If only that notion could be applied to some of her students.

After much thought, interpreting and evaluating the book would only add to her credentials, and she was providing a begrudging favour to the Council. They'd always turn to her when they needed digging out, and every time Hildegarde would save their name from disgrace. Again. Intelligence, diligence and discretion were apparently lacking. She was one of the best they had, and Austerlitz knew it.

The historian had got in touch with the Ministry interpretation wing, and demanded a few staff profiles to be sent over. All rather stiff, corporate-looking types; no personality, and they'd be so logical and uniform in their translations. Metaphors and allegories would be overlooked by the literal. Austerlitz had come upon a certain Miss Yoona Yoo, a Hogwarts alum (always a good sign) and a former Gryffindor (an even better sign). She needed somebody young, like this character, to give the manuscript a breath of fresh air. The girl was experienced enough, and would hopefully help decipher those codes of enigma.

Hearing a knock on her door, Professor Austerlitz immediately flicked her eyes up to the clock in her domed office. On-time. Not a minute late. Well, this could only be a good start.
"Miss Yoo, pleasure to meet you." Her voice rang out sharply in the grand office. Every wall was bathed in bookshelves and leather-bound texts, with the occasional bust of Zeus, Hermes and Demeter dotted around. Although her statement may have been pleasant enough, Hildegarde's voice was never welcoming.

"Miss Yoo, pleasure to meet you."

For a brief second Yoona felt hesitant to enter the History of Magic Professor’s office.  Whether it was the older women’s greeting (which Yoona could not help feel was a little daunting, though still polite enough), or it was the slight second of doubt in her own capabilities, the translator half-heartedly wanted to turn and leave right on the spot.  However, that thought, minuscule as it was, quickly vanished from her thoughts.  Of course she was capable enough for this task!  She was a native Korean for goodness sakes, if anything she should be most confident translating the ancient tome.  As for Professor Austerlitz?  Well, it was still a bit too soon to be making assumptions about the older woman.  Besides, Yoona was here to translate, not become chummy with the Hogwarts professor. 

Yoona entered Hildegarde’s office and took a quick look at her surroundings.  Although the room was an office, if Yoona hadn’t known so before hand, she would have possibly mistaken it as a mini-library.  The numerous amount of books that filled the bookshelves along with the busts of the Greek Gods definitely gave Yoona that feel of a library-like atmosphere.  This sort of setting seemed to fit Hildegarde perfectly, from Yoona’s quick first impression of her.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you as well, Professor.  I am honored that you have called me out today, and hope I can be of service.”  Yoona’s respectful tone was prominent in her response as her eyes  turned back toward Hildegarde.  “Shall we get started?”

Hildegarde rearranged some sheets of parchment on her desk, her eyes not even bothering to meet Miss Yoo's as she gazed around the office. This was a common reaction. Most other professors were content with a pokey little room and a few photo frames of 'family and friends'; please, Hogwarts was not a place of twee quaintness. It was a place of learning, of academia, of research - and one needed an office so grand that it matched this notion. Hildegarde had become accustomed to the compliments 'lovely study' or 'oh wow, isn't it grand' but these phrases quickly lost their novelty; it was usually a timid colleague or a petulant student seeking a good grade. Flattery was not welcome.

"Please, take a seat," she shrilly replied, and it sounded more like a military order than an invitation. This was serious work, work that could benefit someone with such youthful potential; Professor Austerlitz had forged many a career, but destroyed it also. Fiona and Gabby had found a beneficial treasure underneath the harsh tutelage of Hildegarde Austerlitz, but countless other assistants had insulted the old scholar with a lazy attitude and a penchant for back chat. "I appreciate your eagerness, Yoo. A very good sign." Again, the witch was being honest, but there was something hauntingly unnerving about Hildegarde - as if her temper had been bubbling away for a thousand years. The fact that she already referred to Yoona by her last name said it all.

"Now, this is very important work, and much of the content you'll be reading is allegorical in detail. My proficiency in Korean is akin to a troll performing Swan Lake, so please, bear with me. Think of the scripture as poetry, as a metaphor that needs unearthing." Professor Austerlitz raised an eyebrow as she explained this to Miss Yoo, expressing every word with succint pronunciation. Instructions were to be said only once. Sliding the large and dusty book over to the translator, a spindly hand gently tapped the jade green leather of its cover. "You're the third person of modern times to ever gaze upon this, Yoo."