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Tweak says, "I'm fighting an octopus"

Padma Patil (lotusraven) wrote in hogwarts_dawn,
@ 2021-04-26 11:27:00

Entry tags:

character: padma patil, character: theodore nott

RP: Padma and Theo
Who: Padma Patil and Theo Nott
When: Monday, 25 April, 2038 - Late Morning
Where: Department of Mysteries office
What: Padma briefs Theo on department directives.

Need to make arrangements to get unspelled journals for research.

Padma's thoughts were focused on what would be needed to get her department up and running as soon as she got back to the office after the Department Heads meeting. And wouldn't that just burn those old men who'd had no qualms holding her back in her apprenticeship because she was a woman? Padma was honest enough with herself to admit to a sort of petty satisfaction at being handed the job. Peter had been very sweet about it, although she suspected some of that might have been his own sense of low self worth. She'd have to keep an eye things and make sure the talent she suspected was there didn't get lost.

But, for the morning, she was thinking of supplies and staffing, while she waited for Theo to arrive for their appointment.

She was inordinately pleased that he had sought her out about transferring. Though still only a journeyman, like herself, Theo had worked in the Time room and she was certain they would need that expertise the further they delved into the magic the castle was using to bring them back, not just the Death magic she herself had specialised in.

And for some reason that reminded her that she'd need to look into casting protection spells and spells against eavesdropping on the room they were using as an office. While they weren't to the point where oaths would be required -- despite her belief the ones she and Theo had taken before still held -- she did not think they wanted just anyone to poke around in some of the magics they were going to be exploring.

When the charm she'd set on the door to alert her of Theo's arrival chimed, she smiled from where she sat -- in a chair this time, parchment of organizational notes spread in front of her on the table -- and flicked the door open with another spell. "Good morning! Come in. How are you?"

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forgetme_nott
2021-04-27 03:10 am UTC (link)

Theo had been waiting for a while with his hands deep in his coat pockets as he wandered around outside for a half hour before ever coming near the office door. Ordering his thoughts was essential, he thought, seeing as though he did care more about this opportunity than he did about most things. Some preparation was needed.

He was always on time and thankfully Padma was in and ready as soon as he reached for the door handle.

"Don't you look oh so very official," he said with a smile, walking inside and closing the door behind him. He glanced around the space taking in what had been set aside. He was pleased to see he had not missed much, it appeared that things were still in the beginning stages and that was the most fortunate time to walk into anything.

Theo headed to the table where Padma sat, holding out his hand to shake her own before taking a seat. "I'm doing very well, better than I have in quite a while. Broader prospects and all that," he said happily taking a seat.

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lotusraven
2021-05-01 02:58 am UTC (link)

"Do I, then?" she asked with a light laugh. A thin lock had worked it's way loose from the messy bun she'd pulled her hair up into and she flicked it back into place with a finger before taking the offered hand. She wasn't sure what 'official' looked like. But, she'd always been a generally organized and detail-oriented person. So, getting her Is dotted and Ts crossed before diving into research mode quite happily was tantamount.

And Theo was one of those Ts.

Even she groaned inwardly at that pun.

"Well, I am glad to have contributed in some small way to that mood." Setting what she'd been working on aside, she turned in her chair so that she could give him her full attention. "Honestly, I was very serious about stealing you from Mr. Black. When it comes to this work, you're the only other one besides me who has been given the kind of access and training the research will require. Peter will be very good, I think. He and his friends did some amazing things as students. But, even Hogwarts didn't have the sort of resources we had in the Department."

And she really wanted to know what had happened to her veil. If the Ministry was gone, where had it gone? Legend was that the Ministry had been built in that location specifically because of that veil. Padma didn't know if it was true. But, she'd had hopes of being able to study it some day.

"That being said, I don't suppose you've had a chance to do any research into the castle and how it brought us here before I arrived and it decided to play Hide the Memories with all of our brains?"

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forgetme_nott
2021-05-01 01:17 pm UTC (link)

"Someone competent and talented always does," he said making sure firmly shake Padma's hand before settling into his seat. He thought it perfect to have a colleague in charge, someone who took the same oath as he had and would still hold the same value as it did for him. He always assumed it took a different sort to chose the mysteries. It held within it, for those who studied it, something poignant that one cherished and desired. Whatever it may be and however obscure, some great mystery, it hooked you or it didn't.

He smiled and nodded. "I'm pleased to say that I am officially stolen. I corresponded with Mr Black and he was very gracious about it. It's fortunate Scorpius Malfoy kept me in the loop. I feel like I may have been a little salty had I seen it posted before I had a chance to work my way in," he said with a small laugh. "The resources are abysmal at present, but much has been accomplished with less in history. As for Peter, his personal history is very connected to this place, so his insight is interesting to me. Although aside from what everyone knows, I don't know too much about him. All in time I suppose."

It was miserable in a way he thought, that they had to start from scratch. He could almost close his eyes and hear clocks ticking in the time room, the whoosh of spells being cast and the occasional backfire. But most of all he could picture all the things he had once taken for granted.

"I have. I've kept track of some things," he answered. More than a few things in truth a wall's worth in his room. "I've also formulated several theories, and of course I am building a method of detection. I believe I mentioned it in my journal when we wrote last," he said pleasantly. "However I have mentioned my interest several times previous but that went nowhere. But in the gesture of full disclosure, you should know, or have already picked up on the fact that Potter doesn't trust me much. I suspect the same can be said of Weasley and Granger. So it is only fair to say, in case it ever becomes an issue, that I told you so."

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lotusraven
2021-05-02 06:33 pm UTC (link)

"Flattery, Mr. Nott." His words drew out another light bubble of laughter and a teasing smile as they shook hands before he sat down. Theo didn't strike her as another one of the 'old boys' club' researchers who had proliferated their department and Padma was grateful for that. His assistance with the research would be invaluable and she was used to working with men who thought their genitals made them better than a witch. But, it would be so much more pleasant and productive for all of them to be able to work like equals.

"Have no fear, had you not reached out to me this weekend, you would have been hearing from me today. But, I shall have to remember to thank Scorpius for being so helpful in keeping you less salty." When Peter had first approached her about starting the department, Theo had been one of her first thoughts for those who could be asked to join them. She had no doubts about Peter's ability or skills. But, Theo was an Unspeakable. He had the training and prior access to information the same as she. "Having had Hermione's memories for awhile, I know a bit more about what Peter and his friends accomplished. Honestly, I would love to bring all four of them in to work on this. Along with Professor Snape, Professor Dumbeldore, and my sister. But, I've been given the impression our Minister is less interested in research of any kind, unsurprisingly."

Figuring out the hows and whys of the castle's magic in putting them in this situation seemed far more important than staffing law enforcement or even establishing relations with other countries at this point. What good would any of that do them if they were trapped in this school, turned into puppets of the castle itself, for the rest of their lives?

Still, she couldn't help the pleased smile as Theo went on, speaking like a true researcher. "If we're being honest, I don't think those three truly trust anyone much, even those of us in D.A. or those from the Order. I wouldn't take it personally. I was under the same impression myself after arriving. Peter was the one who convinced me to try it by approaching Ron first and only presenting the more practical benefits they could understand. I would be very interested in hearing your theories, however. I think both our specialities from before will end up being deeply involved in whatever is going on with this castle, whether Harry likes it or not."

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forgetme_nott
2021-05-03 01:57 pm UTC (link)

It was flattering to him to that his skills would of been sought out. Theo knew he had a reputation for being somewhat madcap in his department, but results were results and what a shame it was really that Padma had not been given the same clout as her male peers in her own research successes. Quality was quality. Talent was talent. Assuming it had anything to do with gender, seemed to trivial a thought to even entertain.

The list of desirables gave him pause. He felt that everyone likely was brought to the castle for a specific purpose, he might not have seen it in everyone yet, but it was there. It just may not be evident at present. Of all mentioned Snape was the only one he felt conflicted about. He had purposefully not sought him out. He had been good to those sorted into his house, not to mention a bloody brilliant teacher. He did however more than most deserve his peace and he was reticent to interrupt it with anything. His own curiosity included. Dumbledore on the other hand, he'd love to pick his brain. He'd seen Albus around, quietly passing by and unassumingly taking notice of everything. Or so Theo assumed. He often watched from afar as well, it wasn't hard to notice that in another. Not to mention from what he heard that the man had pulled the greatest long con in wizarding history. A mind like that would be phenomenal to get a peek at. The so called Marauders, he did at least have one question for one of them, but that was satisfying his own nosy nature more than anything else.

He nodded in agreement to the names. "I'd would love to know more about your sister's abilities in truth. They are very interesting to me," he said almost wistfully. What a fun thing to put to the test. He wondered how precise it was, how much was raw fact and the rest intuition. Theo imagined holding a apple in his left hand behind his back, and telling Parvati it was in his right and seeing if she could tell if it was the truth or a lie. It sounded like endless fun. "The Minister is busy playing war games," he said with a roll of his eyes. Harry was the minister not our minister in his mind. He didn't vote for him.

"I take very little personally. I'd have to be somewhat invested to care," he admitted freely. "I've speculated on several key things, firstly the likelihood of some sort of web of connectivity based on the order of arrivals. Which then lead me to think those who vanished had some reason to be cast out. I can compile that for you in a written report as in it's current state it isn't likely easy to follow. It's a little disjointed. I tend to work in bursts as thoughts and ideas come. I have to organize it," he explained. And just in general declutter his room as it was in it's present state a chaotic mess.

"I can say I don't believe it is time magic at play in all things here. In some obvious ways of course. And if you open a window, the breeze gets in. If you open a gateway in time than something detectable will get in. Which is why I've been focusing my efforts there. It is tangible and useful. I suppose you could sell it to Potter as some element of defense. But in truth to me, handling what is happening here in some capacity might give the international world more reason to want to work with us. Why bother with a ragtag bunch of witches and wizards from somewhere that is likely seen as a blight. Not to mention knowing when someone arrives, so preparations can be made is just wise. Who knows who will come and from in the middle of what and when."

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lotusraven
2021-05-04 12:03 am UTC (link)

Padma believed you could learn a lot about a person from watching them think. It was always gratifying when a person thought before speaking, at least about important subjects. But, watching the way their eyes shifted, the tiny expressions that flitted across their face chasing one thought after the next, told as much about a person as the words that eventually followed the thoughts.

Take Theo, for example. She could tell he was pleased with her assessment of him from the little light in his eyes. But, then his thoughts turned serious as she mentioned the others whose skills she would very much like to put to task with aiding in their research and she couldn't help but wonder what those thoughts were that could bring such an expression. Was it something about those names in particular? Or had her words trigger some unrelated thought that could plague him?

People were puzzles as much as the magic they undertook to explain.

"You could try asking her about them," Padma replied to the words he spoke aloud, setting her own musings on his musings aside. She had no particular affinity for or inclination toward the prophetic arts herself. But, she could understand where some, like Theo, might find it fascinating. As long as they didn't treat her sister like a test subject.

Harry's lack of leadership ability, however, was a moot point and one she was happy to let drop in favour of listening to Theo discuss his theories. It was interesting to see how his thoughts intersected with hers in some places and diverged in others. "I would be very interested in seeing your thoughts on the connectivity. I had begun to think along those same lines myself while considering the question of who and why, both for those brought here and those sent back. It will interesting to see if our ideas line up or if we each picked up different threads of the web." She smiled. "Any good researcher's notes are disjointed to begin with, I believe. Organization comes later when you're able to review what came to you in that first rush and frenzy of tracking information. I understand that apart from the inventory goings on, another part of the fourth floor was set aside for research. I intend to take control of as much of that space as I can for us to work. This office is nice for meetings and an official base, but hardly adequate for our needs, I think. Not even enough room for me on this table with all my books," she added with a laugh. Unlike Peter, she was fairly certain Theo would have encountered that sight at least once or twice during their shared school days.

Nodding, she leaned back in her chair to let the rest of his hypotheses tumble around in her head along with her own. "I agree that it's not just time magic and not everything is related to time magic. I think the actual mechanics of bring us here or sending us back will find roots in both time and death magic. But, that doesn't explain things like the memory swap are more likely outside both realms." She smirked softly. "I don't have to sell it to Harry, now. We let Ron do that for us after Peter spoke with him. Harry says we can study the castle's magic to prepare for future arrivals and mischief like the memory swap. I think we start there and see where it takes us." The department's agenda had never been one hundred percent in sync with the Ministry's, although they did research on the Ministry's behalf. So much was kept secret even within the Ministry and for good reason. She would need to look into what she needed to do in order to get some of those policies and procedures back into place moving forward. She knew there were some old spells and oaths involved in almost every aspect of secrecy and disclosure for the department. But, a lot of them had been the purview of the Head and Deputy Head. She'd need to see what had survived.

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