when the sun goes down; { atticus }

[taylor]

taylor hummed lightly to herself as she walked down the corridor, her wand tip illuminated and held infront of her so that the light bounded off the walls and evaporated the darkness around her. it was late evening, perhaps around eleven, half eleven, and taylor had been assigned patrolling duties this night time. she didn't mind, she quite enjoyed strolling the castle after dark - it was peaceful and often she'd take the time out to go for a walk anyway. perhaps because of her flying days, she felt restless being inside too long sitting around, or perhaps just because she could.

she'd already walked along the ground floor and now she'd headed on up to the first floor. so far in her month working as the charms proffessor and head of slytherin she'd only ever caught one slytherin out of bed. a fifth year gryffindor who'd apparently taken on a dare to get a midnight snack from the kitchens. luckily for him and unluckily for him taylor had caught him - she was kind but fair, and she'd not been too harsh on him, saying how dissapointed she was with him and sending him back to bed with a weeks worth of detention.

but after the recent attack on poor hugo weasley the proffessors had planned double the amount of checks on the castle, so taylor had offered five nights a week to patrol the castle. she didn't mind being alone, but company perhaps would be nice. suddenly hearing something behind her, thinking it was possibly a student out of bed, taylor stopped and turned on the spot, lighted wand tip held high to see past the dark corridor to an approaching shape... "hello?" she called out quietly, raising one eyebrow slightly.

ooc , hope this is okay

[atti]

When the hallway he was walking in started to brighten, Atticus made sure to turn down the intensity of the light coming from his wand. For one, it wasn’t necessary anymore more, and besides, the corridors were dark and without torches for the most part so the only light that could possibly be illuminating his path would be his wand, or in this case someone else’s. If it was a student, he wouldn’t want to alert them too much of his presence, which was most likely he presumed. If it was anyone else, he wouldn’t want to blind them with the combination of their light and his... though it wasn’t as if he intended to blind a student either.

Carefully, making very little sound with his feet, though this came accidentally, he slowly approached the light, knowing that there would have to be someone that had cast it. It was a student, he presumed. They had an odd habit for wandering around every once in a while, which was dangerous for them, and against the rules. Usually, he wasn’t really one to be strict about it; he had done the same himself during his years at Beauxbatons. but the headmaster had put particular emphasis on recording and punishing any students found outside their dorms after curfew, and Atticus had never been one to disrespect orders. He was meticulous, and this would make the third student he caught out of bed in the last four times he had patrol duty; which was an all too high of a number to him. Those heads of houses should better control their students. Five years he’d been here so far, and he still wasn’t sure how to deal with the house division. It was a fair concept, but he thought it incited too much conflict and competition between he students, and that only led to-

He stopped abruptly as a figure came into his direct line of vision. “Good evening Mademoiselle Paxton,” he greeted in his slight but ever-present French accent. “I’m sorry to intrude. I was under dzee impression I had dzee first floor watch.”

[taylor]

as her wand tip lumminated the taller frame of another adult, taylor lowered it slightly, not wanting it to be pointing it right up into his face, and she lessened the brightness of the tip, and gazing up slightly into a familiar face. “Good evening Mademoiselle Paxton,” she smiled lightly and inclined her head lightly, hair falling forward slightly. "monsieur beaumont," she returned politely with a softly smile. mr.beaumont was and always had been such a gentleman since she'd started teaching.

“I’m sorry to intrude. I was under dzee impression I had dzee first floor watch.” taylor blinked and shook her head slightly. "oh it's no intrusion.." she said simply, quite glad that a student hadn't tried to wander the corridors at night, it was too dangerous right now. what with the student attack, nobody knew what was going to happen next. "oh my appologese, i was instructed to take the ground floor and first floor but perhaps there was a mix up." she said lightly, chewing her lower lip slightly. she hoped she hadn't inconvienienced him.

"perhaps would you like to double up ... i've already checked the ground floor but it would be nice to have company, if that would suit you of course mr. beaumont." she said gently, smiling lightly and glancing at him in the soft light of their wand tips. his accent was certainly alluring and he was much more interesting company than just herself or someone else, she was lucky to have come across him. they'd spoken a few times, and unable to help herself taylor had flirted a little with the handsome proffessor; he was a gentleman, polite and well spoken. she only hoped he didn't mind her imposing upon him, that was if he agreed to doubling up with her on this patrol at all. she certainly hoped so.

ooc , hope this is okay

[atti]

Atticus could clearly remember his first few months at Hogwarts. They were like he supposed every knew teacher’s was; he had been nervous, anxious and more than a little bit scared, and he wasn’t afraid to admit it. Not only had those months been his first teaching, but they had also been at a completely new school that he had never been in before, so he’d had to learn a completely new routine and how the school did things, as opposed to if he had taken a job at Beauxbatons. The staff at the school had served to quickly calm his worries, and he had always appreciated that. When Miss Paxton had come to join the staff at the beginning of the year he had welcomed her as he would have any other new staff member. He was kind to her, just as everyone else, and-

“Ah, I see. I have been assigned the first and second floors,”

[/color] he said. “A pleasant mix up dzen, yes?” he gave her one of his charming half-smiles and realized that maybe the tiny bit of flirting he’d been doing wouldn’t have happened had she been any other new student. He couldn’t deny that she was beautiful on the outside, but she was also intelligent and seemed to care deeply about her students, all of which was rather appealing to him.

“I believe that would make dziss night much more enjoyable; to spend this rather dull time with a woman such as yourself,” he really couldn’t help himself. And for what it was worth, it was the absolute truth; though Atticus enjoyed quiet solitude every once in a while, he wouldn’t pass up such engaging company. After all, he wasn’t the type to just let a lady wander around dark corridors on her own either. It was dangerous, even as a school, given the events of recent weeks, he’d rather not head that the newest victim had been the newest addition to the faculty that he himself was quite fond of already.
[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/size][/blockquote]

[taylor]

“Ah, I see. I have been assigned the first and second floors, A pleasant mix up dzen, yes?” taylor caught his charming smile and grinned lightly, gazing up at him from beneath her thick lashes. "very pleasant.." she said in return, agreeing and unable to help responding to his lightly flirtatious comment with a flirtatious one of her own as she smiled softly, lips turned up at the corners.

though she had only known atticus for a month or so, she did rather enjoy his company. he was charming and intelligent and kind, three very good traits for a man to have. when she'd first arrived she learnt it was his first year of teaching also, which had made her feel a little more relieved - that she was not the only proffessor who had not taught before. though of course, she was a returning alumni to hogwarts, rather than someone from a completely different school. she admired atticus for that - it was hard enough intregrating yourself into the teaching system and getting a feel of your class and learning the best teaching methods, but to be in a completely new school - well it must have been incredibly hard. taylor had branched out and done her best to make him feel welcome, and it seemed that she may have flirted a little in doing so. but hey, who wouldn't flirt this atticus?

“I believe that would make dziss night much more enjoyable; to spend this rather dull time with a woman such as yourself,” taylor smiled lightly and inclined her head slightly in a small nod. "oh so it's entertainment you're looking for? i'll be sure to try and provide you with some." she said, still unable to help that lightly flirtatious lilt to her words. "shall we continue this way?" she asked, indicating toward the direction they'd both been heading before the encounter, turning her wand light toward the on-coming compressed dark.

ooc , hope this is okay

[atti]

Atticus had never really been able to resist the smile of a beautiful woman. He’d like to pretend he had enough will-power to do so, but unlike spells or enchantments, the impression left by a simply curve of shapely lips never really left someone, while magic could pass through them as quickly as it had come. One of the first things that Atticus had noticed about Mademoiselle Paxton had been her smile. He had seen thousands of people from all different walks of life in every corner of the globe, but each smile was different, just as well as Miss Paxton’s. There was something about the way she gently quirked the edges of her mouth up to show her pleasure that she got him going and made him want to grin himself. “I’m glad you agree,” he chuckled lightly, amused that she would think the same, and still mulling over the thought that he had made this gorgeous woman smile.

“Entertainment?” he asked, a tad bit confused, and he wasn’t too proud to show it. He did catch her slightly flirtatious tone and caught himself before embarrassing her. “No, dzat isn’t exactly what I meant... Simply your company would be enough.” In truth, he could find enjoyment in nearly anything, and if Miss Taylor had resolved herself to merely being polite and doing the civil thing and inviting him to join her, and it had not been out of want but common courtesy, he’d have been content just walking with her.

“As you wish,” he said, offering her his right arm as he had been taught always to do in the presence of a lady; his mother had indeed raised him properly as a young pureblood. He knew exactly how to treat people, particularly women, the way they deserved; with respect as every creature should. Though oddly, there were some rather disrespectful things he’d like to do with Miss Paxton.

[taylor]

“I’m glad you agree,” taylor raised an eyebrow lightly and indulged him with a large smile, the turning of her lips becoming a soft grin as she looked at him. " of course, why wouldn't i?" she asked lightly. she very much enjoyed atticus' company, and she was sure she'd made that known in subtle ways, both through compliments over the times they'd spent together, the odd passing flirtatious comment, and the way in which sometimes she happened to sought out his company on occasion, perhaps by simply sitting beside him during the meals at the proffessors top table, or by wandering toward his part of the castle on times after her lessons. he was an intelligent man to hold conversation with, and his accent certainly was charming, causing her ear to altomatically incline toward his smooth lyrics.

“Entertainment?” taylor looked at him and bit her lip. she hadn't meant to confusion, and now she felt a little stupid. "oh, i meant conversation... to ward off any inpending boredem?" she smiled lightly, certainly having found the lonely wander along the corridors a tad boring without talk with another. “No, dzat isn’t exactly what I meant... Simply your company would be enough.” taylor inclined her head slightly in a respectful nod and smiled at him, finding his grin simply too hard to resist and grinning back. oh they could stand here all day and grin at each other, couldn't they. it was odd, there was obviously some feeling of attraction between them, with the smiling, the looks, the flirting, but it was all so subtle, so innocent taylor couldn't quite be sure. she did rather like atticus, but how could she be certain he returned any such feelings? "well you have my company, anytime." she said lightly, trying hard to not make it flirtatious.

“As you wish,” taylor smiled and made to link her arm lightly around his offered right arm, flicking her wand slightly and brightening the light a little now that it wasn't pointed at atticus, and helped to illuminate the darkness before them. glancing toward atticus she smiled gently. "so, how have you been , monsieur beaumont?" she asked politely.

ooc , hope this is okay

[atti]

He pondered her question for a moment; why couldn’t she believe it was a good mistake? Obviously she was a gorgeous woman who was probably busy and had many things to do, why she showed particular interest in him still baffled him, but he was not complaining. He considered himself a very lucky man to have the relationship he did with her. Her favour for him had been rather obvious in a discreet way; he was almost certain that not many others had picked up on it as he did. Then again, he had been keeping a particular eye out for her since they’d been introduced. She had intrigued him, gotten his attention from the very beginning. It seemed like every time she was in proximity, she pulled sort of invisible string that brought his eyes and attention to her. It was all rather resplendent and frightening all together. Some small part of him, the small part that still retained rational thought when he was in her presence and kept him able to form coherent conversation, was telling him it wasn’t normal to be so taken with someone after having known them for such a short time.

“Hmm, I’m not quite sure,” he answered. “But surely, a beautiful, intelligent woman like yourself would ‘ave better dzings to do than to wander a dark corridor with a lonely young man, not worthy of your company,” he chuckled, silently hoping she didn’t decide she had better things to do than walk with him.

“Ah, well, at least I am assured that your conversation will be intellectual and stimulating.” Why did he always sound like such a dork around her? Sure, he was eloquent and liked speaking properly, but some things he said just sounded terrible in his mind after her spoke to her. It was almost as if the filter between his mind and mouth disappeared around her and he just spoke what came to mind.

“I ‘ave been doing rather well, thank you,” he responded, pulling his own wand out and lighting it. “How has your first month been so far?”

[taylor]

“Hmm, I’m not quite sure, But surely, a beautiful, intelligent woman like yourself would ‘ave better dzings to do than to wander a dark corridor with a lonely young man, not worthy of your company,” taylor blushed faintly at his compliments and glanced at him with a soft, indulging smile. "there's nowhere i'd rather be right now, monsieur beaumont, let me assure you ... i much prefer your company to any others.." perhaps that had been too bold, but taylor had never exactly been shy or nervous, she was slightly outspoken, outgoing and confident.

“Ah, well, at least I am assured that your conversation will be intellectual and stimulating.” she glanced back to atticus and smile lightly. "i'll try my best." she said with a grin, always having like atticus' elongated speach - he prefered it to most people's mumbling dribble going on and on about pointless, uninteresting things. at least with atticus, he spoke like a true gentleman, he was always interesting and polite ... just all around, much better company in her opinion.

“I ‘ave been doing rather well, thank you,” she nodded and smiled lightly. “How has your first month been so far?" taylor thought about it for a moment then looked at him. "hectic ... i think that's the best way to describe it. you know how it is - classes to teach, homework to mark... and after that attack.." taylor frowned slightly and shook her head. she was walking close to him, arms still linked lightly, and her hip accidently brushed his, a flash of heat touching her cheeks, taylor glanced at atticus..".. sorry." she appologised lightly, though she wasn't honestly sorry at all, and actually there was more she'd like to do than just brush hips with the handsome french-man...but she shouldn't go there.

ooc , hope this is okay

[atti]

Atticus has learned a very valuable lesson a very long time ago when he was still living with his parents in the Beaumont manor. For days and days on end, he and his brother would simply watch their father deal with foreign delegates in their home, and saw their mother do the same. After a while, it was obvious that some sort of pattern emerged; his father would say a few nice things about the person or their country, squash a few critiques in the middle, and polish it off with a statement of global appreciation. Obviously, it was the compliments and flattery that got his father what he wanted, and for a very long time, it was a tactic that Atticus had used to get exactly what he wanted too. But he was young and not as well-versed as his father, and more often than not, his plan would fall through. For a long while he had questioned why it didn’t work for him, until he realized that although he did it for personal gain, everything that his father pointed out was true and sincere, something that Atticus hadn’t always been. Since then, he had taken to flattery a lot; it always made people smile and feel good, but everything she said that sincere and true.

“I’m glad you enjoy my company, Mademoiselle,” he proclaimed in a low voice. If questioned, he’d blame it on the darkness and night, not wanting to disturb the sereness that had fallen over the castle, but in truth he’d done it just to be able to gage her reaction. “I assure you; dze feeling eez mutual.”

“Zat’s dze way I believe it is for everyone. I am sorry dzat you had to deal with dzat during your first month,” he nodded at his own statement. He couldn’t deny that his breath hitched when he hip brushed his. Intentional or not, it had incited quite the reaction in his for such a small touch. “No don’t-” he said, much too fast. He paused to take a calming breath and opened his mouth again. “Don’t apologize. No one’s hurt, nothing bad happened,” he gave her a small smile, letting her know that really, truly, he hadn’t minded at all, but had to turn away in moments, more than a little ashamed at the reaction that such a small touch had created in him.



( ooc : sorry it took forever, i was on a small hiatus )

[taylor]

“I’m glad you enjoy my company, Mademoiselle,” she smiled lightly, feeling her heart flutter slightly at the tone of his voice, swallowing and glancing up at him. "and who wouldn't?" she asked lightly, honestly wondering who in their right mind wouldn't enjoy the company of the handsome atticus beaumont... she was just lucky that he wanted to spend some time with her. she smiled lightly as she gaze down the hallway, catching nothing out of the ordinary and gathering that the students had been smart enough to stay in bed tonight.. she pushed aside the thought that her and atticus were technically all alone right now..and continued to walk beside him quietly.

“I assure you; dze feeling eez mutual.” she nodded polietly and glanced at him, sure that he was about to continue and not dissapointed as he did. “Zat’s dze way I believe it is for everyone. I am sorry dzat you had to deal with dzat during your first month,” she nodded again. "very true... but therre's no need to appologise." she said with a gentle smile. it was not his fault of course! besides she'd chosen this career ... even if it had been a little impromptu after the quidditch accident but still, she'd known the amount of work that would be involved, and she'd still chosen to become a proffessor.

she heard his small hitch in breath and glanced at him, a small grin threatening to tug at his lips as her heart raced slightly .. knowing that she'd caused such a reaction was.. a little on the exciting side she had to amit. “No don’t-” she glanced at him, a light grin still upon her face as she heard his words rush out of his perfect lips, and then he had to take a breath. “Don’t apologize. No one’s hurt, nothing bad happened,” she raised her eyebrows slightly and looked at him. "no nothing bad happened..." she said, unable to help that slightly flirtious lilt to the words, as she looked at him and this time, quite deliberately, made to brush her hip against his a second time...


ooc , tis fine xDD hehe

[atti]

“Oh, I’m sure there’s someone somewhere who doesn’t enjoy having me around, though I cannot see why,” he boasted lightly, obviously wanting to make himself appear better in her eyes. He had obviously encountered people throughout his travels, and even years at home, that did not take well to him, or he to them. Generally, he was an agreeable person, and tried to remain on his best behaviour no matter who was around, but every once in a while he just couldn’t help himself. Just as he felt right now, with Taylor; like he couldn’t quite control his movements or what he said, that everything was dictated by what she did and how he felt he should respond to please her.

“Still, it’s horrible that these things have been happening whilst you are here,”

[/color]he began. No one should have to deal with what was going on during their first year of teaching, particularly a lovely woman like Miss Paxton. From the looks of her, yes she was a strong woman, which was probably one of the things that had attracted him to her, yet he still felt the ever-present need to protect her, regardless if she needed it or not. "I wish you hadn't had with it."

He knew he was doomed the moment she realized how he had reacted to his touch. It was beyond embarrassing, and disrespectful to boot. He was finding it increasingly difficult to concentrate on the task at hand with her in such close proximity, and found himself watching her rather than inspecting the corridors for out of bed students. So when she made to brush her hip against his once more, he had already been able to anticipate the action, and had used his years as an avid performer of the art of duelling and speed to take hold of her waist by wrapping his arm around her. “Now, now, Mademoiselle,” he said in a disapproving but teasing tone while holding her close. “We wouldn’t want to begin something we don’t intend to finish, would we?”

[/blockquote][/blockquote][/justify][/size][/blockquote]

[taylor]

“Oh, I’m sure there’s someone somewhere who doesn’t enjoy having me around, though I cannot see why,” she laughed lightly, indulging him with a grin as the light sound danced along the corridor quietly - not wanting to be too loud of course, in case she happened to wake someone. "neither can i, mr.beaumont.." she grinned lightly, glancing at him from beneath her lashes, a slightly flirtatious look no doubt. she was throwing caution to the wind a little now. the complete solitude the two had and his equally rather flirtatious and boastful nature had her responding without nessassarily meaning to. well who wouldn't flirt with him? she could not understand how someone could not enjoy his company, and she did mean it when she'd spoken just before...

“Still, it’s horrible that these things have been happening whilst you are here,” taylor nodded slowly, the teasing abolished for the moment as they touched upon a more serious subject. "true.. i possibly have not seen hogwarts greatest hours as a professor yet... outrageous that a student would attack another like that... but we'll catch them." taylor's voice took on a slightly steely undertone in her detirmination. if there was one thing she was passionate about, it was the safety and well being of her students. what was worse for her was that she knew most were looking upon her slytherin house - as she was the head - as the cuplrits, and though taylor disliked how thoughts and fingers pointed straight to them, she'd taken care to try and keep them disaplined, and rebuild a new name for the slytherin house. after all she had come from that house herself, and she would hardly decribe herself as some sly self-preserving ... well she didn't want to swear. "I wish you hadn't had with it."

she glanced at atticus in surprise, not having expected the words from him but smiling gently. "i wish it hadn't happened in general.." she said sadly, sighing lightly and shaking her head. at least nothing more had come of it - no further students attacked or such. if only they could find the culprit...

she grinned at him as his arm wrapped firmly around her waist, not at all bothered or bashful that he'd caught her out. instead she molded against his stronger torso as he pulled her close, gazing up at him and grinning slightly. “Now, now, Mademoiselle,” she cocked her head slightly, feinging an innocent expression. "whatever did i do, moinsieur beaumont..?" she questioned, her tone light and teasing in return. “We wouldn’t want to begin something we don’t intend to finish, would we?” she raised her eyebrows and gazed at him. "oh i think we would..." she said quietly, lips turning up at the corners slightly.."and who says i don't intend to finish .. ?" she asked, a half smile on her lips as she continued to gaze up at him, all pretence of her non-flirting abolished... there was no doubt that she was flirting with the fellow professor now, and she didn't care. she liked this man..and she planned on getting him...

[atti]

He chuckled lightly, quite pleased with himself at the moment. He had gotten her agreement on his rather friendly nature, and was enjoying her coy little ploy very much. “Ah, it seems we are at an impasse then,” he began jokingly. “We agree that someone may not like me; but haven’t a reason why... I suppose it could be that I am currently stealing Hogwarts’ most lovely teacher for my own, at the present time. That would surely be reason enough to dislike me.” If she was going to flirt, he had no problem reciprocating it. After all, most of what he’d been saying had been to impress her, if only vaguely. When he saw that she was following his train of thought and reciprocating, it only made him want to try harder and encourage her to do the same. Usually, his advances weren’t quite so blatant, but something about him made him feel like he urgently needed her at his side, especially with everything going on; he felt a strong urge to protect her.

“Hopefully,” he nodded in agreement. “This will not occur again, and the students and faculty can finish the rest of the year in safety. And with the Tournament going on; no one needs anything else to worry about... especially new teachers who deserve nothing less than a perfect year.” He has spoken completely serious until the very end, unable to resist the urge to tack up something nice, that he perfectly agreed with. “There must be something that motivated the student to do it. Hogwarts students understand, for the most part, that violence is not condoned. Only under extreme cases do their little brawls go that far.” For the past while since the attack had happened, he’d taken it upon himself to do a little sleuthing, looking into students that had track records of violence and anger, can had come up with quite a few names. His prodding was quite discreet, and he wasn’t sure if anyone had noticed his little inquiries yet.

She was a sly one, he’d give her that, but it just made her all the more interesting in his eyes. She was someone who could keep up with his level of intellect, and he never found himself deluding his words when he spoke with her, as he’d have to do with women he’d romanced in the past. None of them had worked out, and he was almost fearing that anything with Miss Paxton wouldn’t either, but he had had such a strong attraction to her right off the bat, he could feel that somehow this was different. “Ah, that I wouldn’t know, would I mademoiselle? It was you that did it, after all.” She was challenging him verbally, physically, but what she didn’t know was that she was challenging his control, which was slowly wearing thin. “Mmm, I was assuming of course, but sometimes my assumptions prove to be false,” he finished, staring directly into her thinly veiled eyes with his own. Caution was slowly being thrown to the wind, and he knew they were both starting to forget the consequences of this. Whatever this was.

[taylor]

“Ah, it seems we are at an impasse then,” she smiled lightly, inclining her head. "indeed we have.."..she heard him go on. “We agree that someone may not like me; but haven’t a reason why... I suppose it could be that I am currently stealing Hogwarts’ most lovely teacher for my own, at the present time. That would surely be reason enough to dislike me.” taylor raised her eyebrows languidly at him and half grinned, looking up at him. "for your own?" she repeted, choosing to cheekily catch him out on his words, even if he had not meant it that way. "whatever are you implying monsier beaumont?" she said, grinning lightly as they continued to wander along the empty corridor, not even the portraits stirred in their glinting gold frames.

“Hopefully,” she watched him nod. “This will not occur again, and the students and faculty can finish the rest of the year in safety. And with the Tournament going on; no one needs anything else to worry about... especially new teachers who deserve nothing less than a perfect year.” she nodded in agreement to the first part, smiling gently as she gathered he meant her toward the end, glancing at him but still thinking upon the serious manner with sincerity. “There must be something that motivated the student to do it. Hogwarts students understand, for the most part, that violence is not condoned. Only under extreme cases do their little brawls go that far.”

taylor chewed her lower lip, glancing off into the distant entourage of dark infront of them that their alight wand tips could not quite envelop. "i have to admit i spoke to my slytherins... i understand that many have pointed their fingers toward them, and though on occasion such accusations have turned out correct.. there is no need to altomatically assume." taylor sighed, a slight frown touching her features, her mouth set in a slightly unhappy line. "after all, i was raised a slytherin, but i would never think of attacking another in such a way .. and i certainly am no blood purist. it's time for slytherin to be accepted ... i just wish i could disregard my own suspicions of a couple of my house that are ... " she didn't know how to put it. "..causing me concern.." she added after a pause, shaking her head slightly.

a small group of students of hers, she'd noted, revolved around a seventh year by the name of olivia, and it concerned her. taylor was a firm but very fair head of house, her door always open and she did her best to be a nice head of house, whilst keeping the slythies in line..but something wasn't right, she could feel it and she dislike that it was something within her own house and she couldn't figure out what..sort it out. she felt powerless - something she disliked feeling very much - and particulary ... like she was failing her slytherins.

“Ah, that I wouldn’t know, would I mademoiselle? It was you that did it, after all.” she raised her eyebrows slightly and grinned flirtatiously. "and so what if i did hmmm ? what are you going to do about it monsier beaumont ... ? " she was challenging him - in a friendly, subtle hint but it was there. she could see his control and she could see it diminishing. she looked up at him almost expectantly, even her soft gaze, tghere was a fire behind it.. and that fire was all for the handsome man holding her close, teasing him. “Mmm, I was assuming of course, but sometimes my assumptions prove to be false,” she grinned, unable to help but press slightly closer to him, her heart beating slight erratically at the contact, eyes never leaving his. "yeah they were... " she said quietly, a half smile on her face as she looked up at him, abandonning any pretense that she was't flirting now and that she certainly had feelings for atticus that were strengthing with every beat of her heart beside him..

[atti]

Leave it to this little vixen to twist his words in a way he’d never intended them to be taken. All he’d simply meant was that he was monopolizing her time, which could be spent doing other things, but she had gone and turned it around on him. Not to say that with careful consideration in the few seconds after he’d commented it, he hadn’t thought of what he’d said in that way, but nonetheless, that hadn’t been his intention. Though he had to admit... “Mademoiselle,” he chuckled lightly, amused at the way she’d taken his comment. “You know that what you are thinking is not what I meant... Though I must say, having you for myself is quite an appealing prospect.”

“I’ve never understood why Hogwarts divides its students this way. It seems as if it creates more conflict than unison, especially with, as you say, how certain houses were viewed in the past,” he said gravelly. Since Atticus began teaching at Hogwarts, he’d never really liked the way the students were separated. Sure, it put them among people like them, but didn’t it just separate them from others further? He’d respected their way of doing things though, and gone through the processes of giving and deducting house points and enjoying their house vs. house quidditch matches, and kept his opinion to himself, just as he did on most things. “I assure you, I’ve no prejudice against your house or its students. I’m sure these students you are speaking about, would arouse concern if they had been in any other house, not just because they are in slytherin.”

Abruptly, his steps ceased, and his hand slid across her back as he turned to face her as he stared into her eyes. He may have muttered something about how beautiful they were, but he wasn’t entirely sure; he was transfixed like a man possessed. “Well, Mademoiselle, I may do something inappropriate like kiss you,” he whispered huskily as his eyes flicked down to her smooth, plump lips, wondering just how it would feel to have them pressed against his. She tested his control and wore it thin just as no one ever had. He had known her for such little time, and the pull was incredible. “If that is so...” Softly, he laid his forehead against hers and stared back, his eyes alight with a passion he hadn’t felt in a very long time.

[taylor]

she heard him chuckle and looked up at him with a small smile. “You know that what you are thinking is not what I meant... Though I must say, having you for myself is quite an appealing prospect.” she nodded lightly to the first part; indeed she had known what he meant, but she'd liked to play on his words, tease a little. she had to agree with him there... she certainly found even the idea of her being all for him was appealing...though taylor had never and would never approve of the idea that women were just ornaments; to be owned and viewed as pretty things, she knew atticus would never dream of being like that...and besides, taylor was too strong a woman to ever be repressed in such a way.

“I’ve never understood why Hogwarts divides its students this way. It seems as if it creates more conflict than unison, especially with, as you say, how certain houses were viewed in the past,” taylor chewed her lip. "it was an old tradition...when the four founders came together..they would each only teach certain students..and the tradition continued on. it certainly has created conflicts in the past..and i daresay it will continue to create more.." she sighed, shaking her head. it wasn't right that students were sectioned into such ways... they grew into what they thought they needed to become to be true to their house..it wasn't fair on the students - slytherins who were brave like gryffindors but believed they had to be sly..ravenclaws cramming for tests desperate to live up to the smart name of ravenclaw...

“I assure you, I’ve no prejudice against your house or its students. I’m sure these students you are speaking about, would arouse concern if they had been in any other house, not just because they are in slytherin.” she nodded and looked at him. "thank you...and i never expected you too..it's the students..." she sighed and frowned slightly. "true...only i think people are a little quick to point toward "the snakes" " she shook her head but really, it was not as though she could do anything about it. people would always have their expectations and opinions..it did no good and there was no right or others to try and change that.

the mood changed abruptly, all thoughts of the previous conversation flying from her mind as she looked up at him, heat radiating out from the place on her back his large hand touched, filling her with a warmth right to her fingertips. “Well, Mademoiselle, I may do something inappropriate like kiss you,” her breath hitched slightly, catching his glance to her lips and feeling her heart skip a beat. she may be able to tease him but he sure as heck could do it right back. "then why don't you...?" she whispered back, a clear invitation. “If that is so...” she watched as he lent forward, their foreheads pressed gently together, eyes caught by each other's gaze it seemed. taylor could see his passion and it reflected back in her own firey gaze, as she found her control waver. she gazed at him, the smallest smile upon her parted lips as she made to move her lips just inches from him..and then she stopped, just those inches apart and grinned...having to use all her self control not to close the distance herself...

[atti]

Atticus couldn’t help the smirk that spread across his lips as she nodded slightly to his statement. For some reason the will to possess her and make her his was altogether much too strong for his liking. He hadn’t known her truly for very long. Yes, his first impression of her had been that she was absolutely breathtaking, and he wanted to get to know her better. This true feeling of, of whatever he was feeling, hadn’t really began until later, when he had gotten to know her a little better after a few nice talks they had which, of course, had been punctuated by slight flirting, that he really hadn’t objected to at all. It had been innocent, probably mindless, until he had gotten to know her and decided she was very interesting, intelligent, and caring, and not just beautiful for her outer appearance as when he had first seen her.

“I see,” he listened intently. “I had thought it was something as such. At Beauxbatons we were never really concerned about the histories of the other schools. I hadn’t concerned myself with it much either; the house division belongs to the school and I see no reason to protest against it. Though I must say: you shouldn’t expect the students to rid themselves of the prejudice when it is the founding base of their respective houses.” He profited from a pause to purse his lips and continue. Usually he didn’t speak too much on his opinions, but he found Taylor rather easy to speak to, and found no reason to hide anything from her. “Of course they’ve come to respect and enjoy the students of the other houses, I presume, but they shall always align better with those of their houses; it is a natural thing that cannot be helped.” He had seen it so many times before, not only when traveling to far off lands, but just in his own home. When a pureblood walked over the threshold of Beaumont manor, he could tell it was easier for his father to be comfortable with them, after all, it was something they had in common, and when people had something in common, it was automatically something that connected them instead of having to delve deeper to find something else, something that was more complex than blood or the house they’d been sorted into.

“Of course,” he nodded in agreement. Most of the professors had let go of their houses after graduating, though he couldn’t help but notice that certain ones were a little biased when it came to the quidditch matches, regardless if they were the head of house or not. He had, however, seen a few of the students who seemed to have a complete disregard for their houses in the means that they didn’t care of which other people came from and didn’t automatically see the other houses as they were always presented. “I don’t know if it’s all the students, some of them don’t seem to regard your house as such.”

The proximity of her lips was driving him mad. Though he could not glance down to look at them, and instead stared in her eyes, his own seemed hypersensitive to the location of hers, and were just itching to touch them. She advanced her lips toward his, and he couldn’t help but think how inappropriate this was that he had only known her for a complete month, at most. And his next thought was that he simply didn’t care, and closed the gap between them quickly, not responding to her question, sealing his lips to hers in a soft caress, not at all passionate as their flirting may have suggested. After all, he didn’t want to push her too quickly.

[taylor]

she noticed his smirk but made no comment, only raising her eyebrows very slightly. something about that smirk had her thinking that perhaps monsier. beaumont liked the idea of him being hers... “I see,” she looked at him and nodded lightly. “I had thought it was something as such. At Beauxbatons we were never really concerned about the histories of the other schools. I hadn’t concerned myself with it much either; the house division belongs to the school and I see no reason to protest against it. Though I must say: you shouldn’t expect the students to rid themselves of the prejudice when it is the founding base of their respective houses.”

she looked at him lightly, nodding slightly. she understood completely what he was saying, and she wasn't like some people who were set in their ways - she was open minded, and open to discussion on things. “Of course they’ve come to respect and enjoy the students of the other houses, I presume, but they shall always align better with those of their houses; it is a natural thing that cannot be helped.” she chewed her lip in thought as they moved. "i suppose they believe that by keeping it.. students are placed with other students of the same .. interests, personality so to speak.. but then we're hardly allowing much diversity by doing this, are we.." taylor sighed lightly and shook her head, a slight frown touching her featues.

“I don’t know if it’s all the students, some of them don’t seem to regard your house as such.” taylor chewed her lip and looked at him. "mm .. but we have done our share of bad deeds in the past... slytherin has a lot to make up before it can be trusted... but they were the mistakes of our forefathers and such, i think it .. unfair.. that slytherin are often so highly disregarded by people. though it proves that being pure blood - as most slytherins are - does not lend you much in the world.." she shook her head slightly but otherwise she was done with her small .. rant? it wasn't much of a rant more an expression of opinion ..

.. she knew she was driving him a little crazy with the proximity of her lips in regards to his, but she couldn't help. she was far too much a tease to just let him get what he wanted right off...but oh was he going to get what he wanted as he closed the distance. the press of his lips was surprisingly sweet, not filled with the passion of their flirting but something much softer than that, a gentle brush that filled taylor with warmth, spreading from her lips right to the tips of her toes. unable to help herself, her arms made to wind gently around his neck, reaching up on her tip toes all the better to press her lips slightly firmer to his own soft pair...

[atti]

“I don’t think it would do much good to abolish the houses either. It’s been a tradition here for some time, I’m guessing, and I presume that children grow up dreaming of sitting on that chair and being sorted by that Hat. It would be terrible to take that away from a child,” he said thoughtfully, wondering if children actually thought about it. When he was young, he’d only worried about actually getting into the school; unlike Hogwarts that accepted everyone, Beauxbatons had certain criteria that needed to be met. Yes, most children did meet it, it was simply a matter of literacy and basic understanding of magic, but they had nothing to really look forward to school except classes and learning, while the students here at Hogwarts went through a special process just in their first day.

“Ah, the sins of the father are the sins of the son,” he nodded, understanding completely what the students of Slytherin were going through. People were judged based on the deeds of their ancestors, usually their parents, but the Slytherin house had generations to make up for, it seemed, from the few stories he’d heard before starting his teaching career, and then the lot of them he had heard after joining the faculty. Though he did not regard the traits that characterized their house as particularly bad, it seemed that the role of ‘bad guys’ had fallen upon the house in many instances, and some had even taken the position in stride, which may be one of the sources of the problem. “Though it may take time, but I’m sure the perception that people have of your house can be mended,” he seemed rather sure of the opinion, when reality, he wasn’t entirely sure. Some things couldn’t be fixed, he knew, and people were very judgmental in their views sometimes. “It can move you forward if you use it appropriately.” After all, he had taken advantage of his blood status quite a few times in the past. People seemed more inclined to entrust the history and secrets of their family or species to man they knew had just as many.

His hands seemed to move of their own accord as he felt hers move on him, one went to her waist to pull her body closer to his, and the other moved up to the back of her neck to entangle his long fingers in the hair there. He felt as if he should move away, release her and her lips, keep it as innocent as possible, but instead he pulled her closer and moved his lips against hers with more force, inserting much more passion and want than he had originally intended to. Such lips had never touched his; their taste invaded his mouth and clouded his senses with her, very thoughts of her, some innocent and some not so much until the very idea had him panting as he pulled away from her slightly before diving back in, using his tongue to coax her lips open. He wanted to taste all of her.