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Tweak says, "bite me, thats right, bite me!"

Cassandra Trelawney (blondemagic) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-03-07 16:56:00

Entry tags:

character: albus dumbledore, unused: cassandra trelawney

RP: Albus & Cassandra
Who: Albus Dumbledore & Cassandra Trelawney
When: March 7th, Late afternoon
Where: The Divination classroom
What: Old friends have tea.

There were a number of rules being broken by Albus and Cassandra and likely both knew them by heart. For one, a lady should never take even tea unchaperoned with a man of any status. Nevermind the disturbing lack of gloves that always followed her around. Her grandmother often went red in the face reminding her to put on her bloody gloves. Of course, one could not do what she was doing with the dried herbs she found in the classroom with gloves.

Nevermind the dust (there were enchanted feather dusters trying to clean the place up on their own), she had things to do. She had cleared off a few of the student tables, one set up for tea and the other being a small workspace. The bits she ground together in a pestle were a mixture of opium poppy, salvia, and a few magical herbs which were known to induce hallucinations - or open up the Inner Eye for guided prophecy. If all else failed to find the key, she would risk the oracular herbs nevermind the dangerous side effects that they could cause or the fragile state they left her in. She just... Wanted to be prepared.

And if she was mixing them just then so Albus would know her plan should all else fail, he'd either agree or talk her out of it. She wasn't sure which she would have preferred. Cassandra heard footsteps on the ladder so she set her pestle aside and wiped her hands on the skirt of her dress out of habit. A fond smile grew and as soon as he had sure footing, she had essentially launched herself at Albus, wrapping her arms around his middle in the friendliest, most familiar hug he was likely to get. "Have you gotten taller or have I gotten shorter?"

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blondemagic
2021-03-09 03:23 pm UTC (link)

"Just with the cleaning and sorting," she answered, watching him for a moment, "But I can handle that if--Well, I've never been good at the charms part." She had some things she was quite good at in that department but they had taken ages of practice and she just didn't have the time.

That was his news? She frowned slightly as she set the kettle aside, taking the time to fill a couple of tea infusers for their cups. She was being polite there - keeping her nose out of Albus's tea leaves. "That was... five years ago for me, Albus," the disappointment that it was all he trusted her with was obvious in her voice. Cassandra made an effort not to pry into his life but she did often know things that she ought not to and he knew that well enough.

Tea infusers in the chosen cups, she poured the steaming hot water over them as he rejoined her. "Yes... And those are only the prophecies I care to share. There are nearly twelve books hidden away. Full to the brim," Cassandra's exhaustion coated her voice, made her words tremble slightly. She had to set the kettle down, pinching the bridge of her nose once she had a hand free. "I'm trying so hard not to pry."

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-09 09:05 pm UTC (link)

"Allow me," Albus fished his wand from his pocket and flicked in in the direction of the first few tables, directing the layer of dust as it lifted like smoke and flew nearty out the window. It was still rather untidy, of course, but at least one wouldn't end up coughing up dirt if they were in here too long.

He felt the disappointment radiating off Cassandra as she busied herself with the tea. It wasn't a pleasant feeling. Albus supposed it was rather pointless keeping too many secrets from the blonde... even without the yet-to-be-published books in the library, his friend has more than enough ways to find out what he was keeping to himself. Although he wholeheartedly believed she wouldn't go looking, he also knew things tended to... appear to her.

Still, it did not mean he particularly wanted to encourage it.

"I'm afraid I'm rather dull," he told her, with a half hearted shrug. "I mainly teach. I've been working on an alchemy paper with Nicolas Flamel. Doing some work on dragons blood..." Albus waved his wand in the direction of a few more tables, watching as the dust was siphoned off.

He turned back to Cassie, sending her a concerned look. He did worry about her, and if she was having visions that regularly... it wouldn't be good for her. As if reading his mind, there was a dull clunk as she put the kettle back down, her hand flying to her face. With a frown and a couple of long strides, Albus was at her side. "Here." Taking her elbow, he gently steered her in the direction of the nearest chair. "Let me."

Turning back to the teacups, Albus busied himself with serving the drinks. When he spoke, he kept his gaze down on his ink-stained hands. "You may ask me anything, if you think it will help." He hesitated. "How are the visions these days?"

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blondemagic
2021-03-09 10:22 pm UTC (link)

"Ah, thank you," she responded quickly as Albus began taking care of the dust. That was so much more efficient and one of the stupid housekeeping spells she'd never actually managed to perfect. She always ended up getting a cloud of dust in her face and sneezing for a bloody week.

Albus calling himself dull would have been amusing any other time. He tried so hard but she wasn't sure there actually was a dull bone in his body no matter what everyone else thought of him. "How is old Flamel?" That man was a legend in his own right and she wouldn't have been surprised if most of their contemporaries considered him a myth. But he and Albus and she were in a strange sort of company.

Only she didn't really care, did she? Her head was starting to pulse fiercely. The visions were nearly constant - little everyday things that meant and did nothing at all. But they both knew that if they kept up at the rate they did, the visions would probably kill her. Her muttered thanks was soft as she settled in the chair with his assistance.

"I may ask," she agreed with a faint smile, "But that doesn't mean you'll answer." Cassandra knew how that particular game worked. She'd played it herself so many times. So for now, she allowed him his distraction, "My head is... readjusting. Painful but nothing Seen because my timeline is wrong. It's nearly fixed."

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-10 10:25 pm UTC (link)

"Very well," Albus replied mildly. "He'll be 600 this year, you know. He and Perenelle keep trying to take me to the opera." He had managed to avoid that particular form of torture for a while now, but he wasn't sure how much longer he would be able to make excuses. Flamel could be very persistent, in a way only the immortal seem to have the time for.

Even this level of gentle small talk was not doing much to disguise the discomfort Cassie was in. Albus frowned at her, although he rather doubted she could see it. Quickly finishing up making the teas, he carried them over, placing both cups on the table before folding his long body into the remaining seat.

"Can I do anything?" He asked, leaning forward enough to get a proper look in her face. She even looked unwell. "Is there anything you need?"

The professor looked around the room as he spoke, just in case any of the surrounding equipment might do the job. His bright blue gaze alighted on the pestle and mortor on a nearby surface. The mixture of herbs resting next to it was rather suspicious, but he decided to leave that particular line of questioning alone for now.

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blondemagic
2021-03-11 07:26 am UTC (link)

"I would say 'you should go' but here we are," and there were no operas to go to at the moment - as far as she knew. Especially not with old friends like that. "If anything, it'd be quite the nap." Or maybe he would have found that he liked it. Probably not.

She waved a hand slightly dismissively, adjusting the way she sat so she could more comfortably bob the tea infuser around in the hot water. "I need sleep but you know how difficult that can be to come by," she met his gaze for a moment, a hint of a smile growing, "Give me a few days and I'll be right as rain, I'm sure."

Cassandra had followed his gaze around the room. It didn't take a Seer to see that hint of a squint, the suspicion in his eyes. "The oracular herbs," she offered unprompted, "I most likely won't need them but I like to have them - just in case." Even if they did cause her to have horrible hallucinations and a bit of a mild psychotic episode. They were so useful when one was desperate for answers. "You can tell me how much you disapprove but it won't matter and you know it."

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-11 04:36 pm UTC (link)

Albus didn't return the smile. He would never admit it, but there was something about Cassandra which reminded him no small amount of Ariana. It was more than the cloud of fair hair and delicate appearance - they both contained something in them that, uncontrolled, could very well be their undoing. Perhaps that was why he felt so uneasy seeing his friend in such a state. "If you say so," he replied, uncertainly.

Still, he was sure his opinion on the contents of the mortar was obvious enough from his expression. He did, of course, know that he was unlikey to dissuade her from using such measures if she felt it necessary - Cassie had always been stubborn - but it certainly didn't mean he had to like it.

"You know what I think, I'm sure," he finally said, absently rubbing the knot of bone in the bridge of his nose. "Will you at least permit me to be there if you do go ahead?" At least then he might be able to help should things take an unpleasant turn.

Carefully removing the diffuser, Albus lifted the teacup to his lips, blowing over the top before taking a sip. "Have you had a chance to speak to many of our other residents?" He asked, knowing when a change of subject was required. "I believe they think we're positively ancient."

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blondemagic
2021-03-12 05:54 am UTC (link)

Her smile faltered as she looked into his eyes, took in the small changes in his expression. They both knew what could happen if it went on for too long but maybe there was some modern magic that could help her. She just had to go looking - if she could find the time. There would be so much to do.

"I wouldn't have it any other way, Albus," she insisted quickly, "I was actually planning on calling for you should they become necessary. You're the only one I trust with it." The state they would put Cassandra in was... Dangerous, to say the least. Vulnerable. Some men of... Darker persuasions would take advantage of a Seer in that state.

Cassandra allowed her tea to steep a little longer, trailing her finger around the rim of the cup. "Not really. Savannah and Harry. She's very opinionated and he's..." her head tilted to one side as she stared into the tea, "Complex. So much destiny heaped on one boy. It isn't right." She blinked, drawing herself out of the depths of the amber liquid, and shook her head slightly to clear away the cobwebs. "Compared to them, we are." She lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper, "I've been told I can wear trousers now and no one will care."

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-13 01:36 pm UTC (link)

He nodded carefully. "Alright then." It wasn't an ideal solution, a long way from it. It he supposed it would have to do. Albus could only hope that things moved on and they made progress before such measures became necessary. With the group of people they had here, surely it was only a matter of time?

"Oh? I haven't had too much to do with Mr Potter," he admitted. "I believe he had some kind of relationship with my older self, but I don't know many details. It seems to be a common theme here." He was much more comfortable discussing his future than his past, it seemed. Perhaps because it had yet to happen, at least to him, there was some degree of separation there.

He took another sip of tea, then regretted it as her hushed tone very nearly made him chuckle. "I have heard a rumour," he smiled, swallowing. "Things seem much more... liberal here. I believe you can probably put your search for a husband to one side for now."

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blondemagic
2021-03-13 05:45 pm UTC (link)

"Of course, he does, Albus. You do enjoy being where you oughtn't be," she arched an eyebrow but smiled along with the statement. Albus Dumbledore had a lot of things kept hidden in special little boxes that he would open when and where he needed them to be - or not at all, collecting dust for his own safety. She said none of this, of course, but just tilted her head slightly as she studied his face. "You really should be careful. Not everyone will understand."

She blinked and looked away, likely not realizing she'd said anything at all. It was an occupational hazard, so to speak. "Well, that's good. Gran was starting to insist I ask you and we both know what a terrible idea that would have been," alright, now she was just ribbing him, trying to see if she could get him to choke on his tea as she sipped her own finally.

"What do you believe the castle has planned for us?" she asked, "Outside of it being lonely or some such." She wouldn't call it ridiculous nonsense. Hogwarts had more secrets than even Albus and herself put together.

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-14 06:49 am UTC (link)

"I don't know what you mean," Albua replied, offhandedly, taking another sip of his tea. He didn't respond to her other comment, choosing instead to file it away for proper contemplation later on. Perhaps.

That did make him cough a little. Perhaps that was a small positive to the life he has carved for himself.. no elderly relatives to worry about his persistent bachelorhood. He was more than happy for people to announce him married to his job - it was true, after all. It had to be, all things considered.

"Terrible for you, I'm sure," Albus agreed, once recovered. "We must agree I would make a horrible husband. Yoh deserve far better."

Ah, now this was more his speed. Albus put his cup down for a moment, settling back thoughtfully in his chair and fixing her with a bright blue stare. "I'm not sure. I was speaking to Professor Snape about it. He seems to think the castle feels abandoned. I'm not entirely sure it's so innocent, for lack of a better word. Don't misunderstand me..." He pushed some hair out of his face.

"I'm not sure the castle's motivations will make a whole lot of difference in the long run, but surely it needs magic to survive."

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blondemagic
2021-03-14 07:31 am UTC (link)

Cassandra laughed as he dismissed her comment - a sound that only increased when he actually sputtered a bit as she continued. "Terrible for both of us for different reasons, I think," she corrected mildly, sipping her tea. It was always a question of what she did and didn't know and whether or not she was playing at knowing more than she actually did. Chess, in its most complicated form.

But she hit a topic that he was pleased with, clearly. That was the Albus she really knew. Anyone else might have felt unnerved by holding his gaze so strongly but blue met blue. While she might not have been as infinitely clever as Albus, she knew how to ask questions.

"So a vampire at its basest form and sad, empty walls on the other side - but not necessarily at its most complicated," she huffed a soft breath, frowning slightly at her cup, "After all, we're assuming it's the castle doing it. What if it's not?"

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-14 07:57 am UTC (link)

Albus eyed her over his teacup, catching her eye for a second. He never quite knew how much Cassandra was aware of. Certain aspects of his life were... well, he preferred them kept to himself, and even then he did his best to bury them. Cassie's abilities meant he wasn't sure he managed to do that as well with her than with everyone else.

Still, it was irrelevant.

"Quite." He stared at her thoughtfully, for the moment forgetting the teacup steaming gently on the table.

"That's true... I would be surprised, only because everything else seems so dead." He had been surprised on his few trips out the castle. "Apart from Gingotts and such places out of wizard control, of course. But that doesn't mean much. Although what else would benefit from having us here?"

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blondemagic
2021-03-14 08:05 pm UTC (link)

She didn't like the what-ifs. Normally, a surprise was a novel thing for her but when it came to their lives, it wasn't, well, fun. Her fingers tapped lightly on her cup, the rhythm of no consequence but at least it was steady - like the drone of a metronome, seeking to bring them focus.

"Of course, it seems dead. It is dead. Wizarding Britain is now an extraordinarily large cemetery," her tone was sharp but it wasn't meant for him. The Ministry was incompetent to be sure but how could they have let it get this bad? "I haven't a clue, Albus, but I would suggest that it's not particularly my job to figure that out. That would be the likes of you and the others. Those who like solving a mystery." Cassandra would try to stay out of the way unless she learned something they needed to know.

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oddmenttweak
2021-03-16 12:02 pm UTC (link)

Albus smiled, taking no offence at the sharp tone. "I dare say you're right." He took a final sip of tea, draining the cup and placing it back down with a careful 'clink'. It was all something to think on, at any rate.

"Mysteries aside," he continued. "I'm glad you're here, as selfish as that is." Sitting back, he looked around the room again. It was strange to think that it had belonged to one of Cassandra's descendants. Perhaps that meant she did manage to find a partner to her liking back at home. He rather hoped so.

"Is there anything else to do here?" He asked. "Or perhaps you could join me for a walk in the grounds before the weather turns?"

It was Scotland in March, after all.

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