12 O'clock Appointment

[Caira LaPointe]

She was seated behind her desk, scribbling furiously away on a piece of parchment that was destined for the Ministry of Magic. The Ministry was intending on stationing two officials within Hogwarts to keep an eye out for suspicious things. The letter in which she had received was not a happy one for her to read, not at all. The letter described several of the events which had taken place since the beginning of the year, more specifically referencing to the deaths of a number of students that attended the school, and the fact that they have become aware of the dark activity brewing within the Forbidden Forest. Yes, Dementors were nothing to take lightly, but Caira didn't care about that. All she cared about was keeping the Ministry out of her school, out of her space. If she were to continue to serve her dark mistress, the Ministry would only make it harder and get in her way.

She glanced at a clock which was sitting at the edge of her desk. Almost noon... She thought as she put the finishing touches on her letter. She tri-folded it and then placed it into a parchment envelope, pouring a bit of blue wax onto the flap, and then impressing her seal upon it; a royal crown. She laid the letter down in front of her and inscribed upon the front: The Minister of Magic.

Leaning back into her comfy chair, she let out an elongated sigh. She hoped that her words would change the Minister's mind, although she wasn't banking on it. She would be under the close scrutiny of Ministry officials and there was nothing she could do but hope, hope that Dark Phoenix wouldn't torture her endlessly for allowing such a setback to occur. She ran her delicate hands down the front of her silken, violet purple robes, accented with a lilac swirls, and floral stitching, smoothing it out as she glanced at the clock once more. Noon. Her appointment was about to start.

She was meeting with the new Groundskeeper, to go over the rules of the school and what she expects of her. Hopefully this young girl, Dixie, would be able to keep up with the responsibilities necessary. Glancing out the window, the sun was shining fiercely through the clouds, illuminating the soft, white slopes that were the grounds covered in snow. She marveled at the beauty of it all, but she prayed for spring to come early. There was nothing better to her than the smell of fresh flowers and rain.

[dixie]

Dixie swept her hair away from her face so she could have a better look at the foyer of the huge...castle. The fact that the school was a castle had surprised Dixie. People had told her that Hogwarts was big and gorgeous, but this actually took her breath away. Portraits were hung everywhere, some of them empty while others were over filled with people and animals. Four hourglasses also hung on the wall and were filled with some find of stone, each of a certain color. One was yellow, another scarlet, another blue, and the last green. A few teenagers stood examining them. The tallest one tried to hide his wand as he pulled it out of his robes and pointed it at the green one. Dixie could see him mutter something and then get blasted back. She started to laugh but quickly covered it with a cough when the students shot her a dirty look.

She turned her back on the students and pulled out a piece of parchment out of her jeans pocket. She was supposed to meet the headmistress of Hogwarts, her new boss, at noon. Looking down at her clothes, she suddenly wished that she would have stopped to put on something more crisp and classy during her trip here. Even the students look more professional than I do. Her faded jeans had holes in the knees, along with a few paint stains. Her shirt was one she had bought years ago when she first moved to Nashville and Dixie's hair was down for once due to her rubber band breaking during the nights travel. It fell below her shoulders in loose curls and straight pieces.

Seeing a gargoyle statue out the corner of her eye, she pushed the thought of how she looked to the back of her mind. It looked a bit different than the ones she had seen on cathedrals. This must be the one that leads to Ms LaPointe's office. Dixie walked over toward it, trying to think of what the password was. It had rubbed off of the note she had received. The gargoyle was, of course, a grey color and had what looked like rubies for eyes. She muttered something to herself and the statue moved. It startled her at first but quickly realized that something in the muttered sentence had to of been the password.

"Stupid, freaky gargoyle." Dixie said to herself walking up the winding staircase. The steps ended at a large wooden door. Dixie started to just walk in like she would have back home, but stopped and knocked firmly on the door.

[Caira LaPointe]

Caira had been straightening things up in her office when she heard the knock. As she made her way to the door, she turned for one last glance to see if everything was in perfect position. No trophy out of place, her desk, organized, as it seldom was cluttered, her clocks were ticking monotonously, a small fire blazing, and the chairs positioned perfectly across from each other, a small table in between looking bare and open for something to be set upon it.

She shook her head, causing her brown hair to bounce around her shoulders. She snapped her fingers quickly and there was a small cracking noise. She looked down at her feet where the house elf had apparated, looking up at her with gigantic, blinking eyes.

"Ahh, Brickle, Please go and fetch a treat platter for our guest, she's outside. Be quick about it." She commanded in a rather quick tone, while keeping her pleasantness in tact. The house elf nodded and disapparated with a crack.

She stole a glance quickly in the full length mirror off in a corner, and smoothed her robes down the front. She loved the feel of silk and velvet. Sweeping her hair behind her shoulders, and shaking it a bit, she returned to the door.

When she opened it, she had expected to see Ms. Adams in full professional attire, perhaps some neutral robes, or at least a decent, presentable outfit. What she was faced with now, was a rather youthful girl, quite pretty, but definitely in shabby-chic. Caira's smile was frozen on her face however as she greeted the girl and showed her into the office.

Caira took a seat at the chair facing the door and gestured to the seat in front of her to Dixie. She looked down at the table in front of her and smiled inwardly at the fact that Brickle had indeed been quick about bringing up a tray of goodies for her guest, for she hadn't even heard him apparate back in or disapparate out. Reaching forward, she plucked a small wafer off of the tray of treacle, fudge, cookies, tarts, and whatever else anyone could think of being piled upon a silver platter of sweets.

She took in Dixie's image. Perhaps a bit of encouragement from a figure of authority and poise would get her on track, After all, she was quite young, and there was nothing wrong with the way she looked in the casual sense, but this was business, and she would have to impress upon the new-hire that there was a dress code for the staff.

"Please, do have a seat, Ms. Adams." She said sweetly as she nibbled on her sugary wafer. "I hope your travel from the states was well?" She inquired after finishing the wafer.

[dixie]

Three thoughts ran through Dixie's mind almost simultaneously as the door opened: Don't think about your clothes...here goes nothin... "shit". She didn't realize that her last thought had slipped out until her mouth formed the word and it was too late. Nervously, Dix ran her hair through her hair and half grinned. The woman who opened the door was much younger than she had expected. She thought that a person running a school this old and with the reputation it had would have to be at least in their sixties. Perhaps since Ms LaPointe was still young, she'd let Dixie's speech slide, but she highly doubted it. Nevertheless, Dix followed her into the office.

The smile that was spread across her new employers face made Dixie involuntarily think again about her clothing. Caira had on very pretty purple colored robes and her brown curls bounced as she walked. After she grabbed a wafer from a tray and gestured at a chair, Dixie knew that she was going to get a lecture on her attire. Wonder how much a good set of robes cost here?

"Thanks." She sat down stiffly and soaked her surroundings in. It was a rather pretty but to organized for her taste. "Well, it was a nice trip when I came, however that was almost two years ago. I was living in Ireland, but I've moved back recently. Dixie's position stiffened even more remembering the reasons that drove her to come back. Quickly, she changed the subject, "What exactly do I do as grounds keeper?"

[Caira LaPointe]

Caira listened attentively as she had finished her wafer, and then pulled out her wand, giving it a gentle, majestic flick toward the tea pot over in the corner. It lifted off of the stand, along with a couple tea cups and they zipped over to the main table.

"That's splendid to hear. Some tea?" She offered with yet, another brilliant smile. She did not let Dixie respond as she proceeded to pour her a cup anyway, still maintaining her smile. As she set the tea pot down, and conjured up a miniature basin of sugar, she added a couple teaspoons full to her own cup and then brought it up to her lips, delicately sipping.

"Mmm, just right." She chimed. Setting her cup down on her saucer, she sat upright and looked at Dixie straight in the face.

"Of course, of course, lets talk business. Duties include maintaining the grounds, for appearance purposes, to a high standard of quality. The lawns must be trimmed, the hedges manicured, and the property pertaining to the grounds in general is now in your care. Please see to it that the gardens are watered every so often, our flowers are quite beautiful when spring comes around. It's a quite pleasant place to be on a marvelous day, I must say, but I digress...Dixie...how old are you again?" She asked as she tilted her head, further scrutinizing the young lady.

Such responsibility for someone her age was outstanding if she could achieve success, but Caira did have her doubts. Of course, she wouldn't have hired her if she didn't think she could get the job done.

[dixie]

Her posture was still stiff as Dixie reached for the cup of tea. "Thanks." She muttered again. Usually, she would have declined the drink, but considering she hadn't been able to eat or drink anything this morning and the cup was already poured, she gratefully took a rather long sip. The warm liquid felt good going down her throat. She took another drink, this time much smaller, while she tired to listen to her job description.

Trimming lawns, manicuring hedges, watering the gardens...thank goodness she had taken a liking to working outdoors. In Ireland she had had a beautiful garden. It was full or roses and daises and gorgeous trees. I wonder if this is all going to have to be by hand... Figuring it wouldn't do any good just to think Dixie asked, "Ma'am, is all of this supposed to be done with magic? Or does it even matter?" Dixie said it a bit more nice than she had meant. She didn't want Caira to think she was a push over, but then she didn't need her to think that she was a stuck up teenager.

And then the question came that Dixie dreaded...the one about her age. "I'm nineteen." She said, her voice sounded a bit offended at the look that she was receiving. She might be one of the youngest of the Hogwarts, but she wasn't incapable of working and doing a good job. "I might be young in years Ms. LaPointe, however, I can grantee you that I've had experiences that most 25-year-olds haven't."


((ooc:sorry its not very long...i was kind of rushed))

[Caira LaPointe]

(ooc: I understand, we all have those times, but please remember to double check and spell check your posts, the above has quite a few errors)

"Done by hand? Oh goodness no, dear. Magic is always embraced at Hogwarts, we are a magic school, after all." She said with a hearty laugh, throwing her head back gently, allowing her luxurious, brown locks to bounce around her shoulders. "Of course, you may do certain things by hand, some things are easier that way, more hand-eye coordination you see. But we'll see how you do after a week's time, and I'll give you an evaluation to let you know how you're doing, what you need to work on, your strengths, et cetera." she said with a brisk nod and a warm smile. She brought her tea cup up to her lips and indulged in a somewhat longer sip than usual, savoring the delicious tee with honey on her taste buds for a sinful acquisition of pleasure. Setting down the cup and saucer, she received her answer, and to her ears, it sounded as if she had offended the young girl. It was a concern after all, nineteen is so young, and practically fresh out of school. Her eyebrows raised slightly as Dixie continued.

When she finally finished, Caira smiled at her. "I didn't mean to offend you, dear girl. I was just simply remarking on the fact that you look so young, and I was going to stress upon the fact that you must remain professional. I have a feeling a majority of the male student body may perhaps get...distracted from their studies...while in your company. You are quite a very pretty girl. Any form of interloping between yourself and a student is grounds for immediate termination and eviction from the premesis." She wasn't trying to scare or intimidate the girl, but more impress upon her the fact that she was now a staff-member.

"Miss Adams, make no mistake, I hired you because I feel that you are qualified for this job. There is no need to justify your experiences to me, as I have reviewed your resume. I feel very confident in your abilities and am eager to be working with you. Please note that you may feel free to drop by my office at any time if you need anything at all. I suppose I should give you a tour of the school, in case you do need something and I'm not around or available...." She mused as she looked across the room at a stack of papers on her desk.

[dixie]

Most could be done by magic, that made Dixie quite happy. She remembered her garden in Ireland. It had been beautiful, if she did think so herself. She had gotten rather good at doing the small things around the flowers with magic, after all she was out there everyday trying to prefect her gardening skills and cursing herslef when she messed up. Dix continued her walk down memory lane, remembering being outside for hours, sweating in the sun and wanting to get everything just right. Usually, she'd be outside when Phillip got home. She look up and see him walking up the concrete walk way, smiling at her proudly. He would come into the garden, give her a kiss hello and tell that he loved her. But that had all ended too soon. Rain was the only thing that could keep Dixie out of her garden and it was raining that day. She saw Phil coming up the long pathway, instead of the bright smile on his face theire was a look of worry. Then there was a flash and Phillip was on the ground.

As soon as her last thought went though her mind, Dixie cringed. She hadn't meant to think about him, she usually avoided thinking of him or anything that reminded he of him. Instead of, sinking into a depression, like she usually did when she thought of Phil, Dixie just moved her hands together and played with the ring on her hand. She took it off her finger and held it where the light reflected off the initails ingraved inside the ring, P.S.B.

Any form of interloping between yourself and a student...

Her head jerked up when Caira's statement reached Dixie's ears. She couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Ms. LaPointe, you don't have to worry about that at all. I can promise you that." Interlopings between her and a student was absolutly ridiculas. A romantic relationship was the last thing that Dixie was looking for. Her heart wouldn't be able to handle the feeling of replacing Phillip. Especailly with a student. "No thank you." Dixie almost too quickly at Caria's offer to give her a tour. She tried to cover by adding, "I'd rather find my way around by myself. Plus, I can see that you are very busy." She gestured to the stack of papers that Caira looked at. She hadn't lied, though. Dixie was the type to find her way by herself, maybe stopping for directions a few times and Caira did look like she was swamped with work.

"I suppose I will let myself out also. Thank you for the job and nice to meet you. I should really go unpack too...Where exactly am I staying?" Even though the promise of shelter was one of the main reasons that the job at Hogwarts had appealed to Dixie so much, the question of where was was supposed to be staying had just donned on her.