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Tweak says, "Well, that's just stupid!"

Quentin Trimble (notyourdada) wrote in wished,
@ 2010-09-11 21:06:00

Entry tags:

!2003: 09, !incomplete, fleur delacour, quentin trimble

Who: Quentin Trimble and Fleur Delacour-Weasley.
When: September 11th. Evening.
Where: Hogwarts. Teacher's lounge.
What: A proper meeting?
Rating: Low, I should think.
Status: Incomplete/Closed.

After sorting out a fight between two Third Year boys of his House (a fight that was over a girl, it turned out - boys after his own heart), Quentin decided some quiet time was needed. Or at least some time that didn't involve people under the age of eighteen. The Prefects of the House were keen on their duties, and so Quentin left the Ravenclaw Common Room (where he had gone to see to the squabbling boys), and headed down the hall.

His footsteps echoed softly off the stone floors as he swept down the halls, which still had a few students in them, for curfew had not yet rolled around. The newest Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor walked surely, knowing exactly where he was going. One place where there was sure not to be a single student. The teacher's lounge.

When he reached it, he spoke the password to open the door and stepped through, letting the door shut behind him. He saw that he wasn't the only one in there. He and Fleur had met in passing - during a time when all the staff had been introduced, which had been a lot of names at once. He remembered hers, of course, because she was delightfully attractive. And he made a particular point of remembering the names of those who were delightfully attractive.

"Fleur," he greeted, the name rolling off his tongue like velvet, and he offered up a smile as he settled himself down in a chair.

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bleuet
2010-09-12 12:28 am UTC (link)

Usually, Fleur was very strict about spending her weekends at home. Teaching at Hogwarts was excellent, so far. Challenging, very challenging, but the sort that she liked meeting head on. That Saturday morning, however, she realized that she had forgotten an entire class' worth of assignments. They all needed thorough reviewing and marking by Monday, as the lesson that day was to be based heavily off of what had been assigned. She couldn't very well leave them go, so after spending most of the day with Bill and Victoire she had departed for Hogwarts in the late afternoon. With luck, she'd make it home for a late dinner.

Several hours later saw her in the teachers' lounge, with about a fourth of the papers left to review. It would take perhaps another hour or two, which was longer than she would have liked. Fleur was beginning to wonder if she'd be able to focus enough at home to finish them there when a greeting startled her out of her reveries.

She glanced up from the table she was occupying, several neat stacks of parchments spread before her and a quill in her hand. Ah, it was Trimble. She hadn't spoken with him much, but then there really wasn't much in the way of social time amongst the staff. Perhaps those who lived in the castle enjoyed each other's company more regularly, but Fleur rarely stayed longer than she had to. It was something she knew would probably do to change.

"Good afternoon, Quentin," she answered, her eyes flicking over to the clock on the wall. "Evening, it would seem."

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 12:31 am UTC (link)

She was a tidy thing, Quentin noticed as his gaze flickered over the stacks of paper she had around her. And then took in her appearance, being rather subtle about it, because she was a married lady. Not that that stopped him from flirting, of course, he just ddin't ogle as much, incase jealous husbands were jealous.

"Evening," he agreed with a chuckle. "The time slips away far too quickly on the weekends. Marking?" he guessed, lifting en eyebrow in question. It was either marking, or preparing lessons, and with the stack of parchments, it looked like the former. He was glad that he hadn't had too much marking to do... yet.

That would not last.

"And how are you settling in?" he asked, because he understood that she was new to being a Professor, the same as he was. They had that in common. Her husband and he had something in common as well, since Quentin had been a Cursebreaker before this.

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bleuet
2010-09-12 12:42 am UTC (link)

"Very well, thank you."

Fleur set her quill down. It would be rude to continue while speaking with someone, though she was a little tempted to ask him if he might let her get back to her marking. Getting home at a seemly hour was a priority for her right now. At the same time, this felt like one of the first opportunities she'd actually had to actually get to know a colleague. With another subtle glance at the clock, she relaxed her posture somewhat and looked at Quentin evenly.

"Yes, marking. I am afraid my students hate me already" she went on matter-of-factly, as though the possibility that her students didn't like her hardly mattered. "I have been assigning essays since the first week of classes. Perhaps I do not yet know what is an appropriate work load for the start of term."

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 12:45 am UTC (link)

Quentin waved a hand in the air, a dismissive gesture, as if to say 'don't worry about it'. Which he said with words moments later - or close enough to it.

"I think that's a good idea. Keep them busy from the start - keep them on their toes." Rather than starting off light and letting the students think that would be the habit for the year. Especially for the younger years who didn't know better, and for whom OWLs and NEWTs were something far far in the future.

"Of course it does make more work for you as well," he said with a knowing curl to his lips as he threaded his hands together over his stomach, slouching back in his chair. Making himself comfortable. "Something of a trade off, I suppose."

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bleuet
2010-09-12 12:51 am UTC (link)

Fleur gave a curt nod, the sort of gesture reserved for those she didn't know well. She still had a habit of coming off as distant and even a bit cold to anyone whose character she had yet to judge.

"It is. But I do like it. The work, I mean." She ran a hand back through her hair before reaching up to tie it back into a sleek ponytail. "Although it is difficult to do it anywhere but here. I have a little girl at home, and she is very demanding of my attentions when I am around."

A small smile tugged at the corners of Fleur's mouth as she thought about earlier today. When she had left for the castle, Victoire was sitting atop Bill's back, and seemed to be pretending he was some sort of unicorn that she had tamed.

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 12:54 am UTC (link)

"I've found it quite interesting as well," Quentin replied. He hadn't been sure what he would think of teaching - but had seen it as a new challenge and had taken it for that reason. But thus far, he was enjoying himself, for the most part. There were little things about it he didn't like, but the same could be true of any job.

"A daughter?" he said, sounding surprised. Well! She hardly looked like somebody's mother. Although now that she mentioned it, he did recall something about Bill Weasley having a child. Through the vague gossip vine that twisted through society.

"I'm sure you'll get into the flow of things soon enough and it won't be as much work to do here," he guessed. The start of a new job was often the most difficult. A smile quirked the corners of his lips as well. "And I'm sure you've enchanted your classes already. The boys especially."

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bleuet
2010-09-12 01:01 am UTC (link)

If there was one thing Fleur was very much prone to, it was flattery. Her seeming sense of entitlement to it had certainly lessened with the years, but when it came unbidden she often had to force herself not to try and warrant more.

"Yes, well," she said quickly, unable to hide a satisfied look. "It was a concern of mine, I will admit. And my accent. It has gotten much better for all the year I have been away from Toulon but I thought some of the students might have trouble."

In an attempt to reign herself in, she turned the conversation back to something less focused on her. "I think it has been good for Victoire, though. I have read that it is easier to learn languages when one is younger."

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 01:04 am UTC (link)

"I wouldn't be concerned - you should use the tools that you have at your disposal," Quentin murmured. And beauty was undoubtedly one of those tools. The sort of beauty that was unmatched by the most of the rest of the world. If it helped keep students' attention, well, why not use it?

"Oh I think most will follow. A French accent always sounds so fetching." Yes, he was quite good with flattery, and didn't mind handing it out when it was due. It did grease the wheels so very well.

"I've heard the same, and I believe it's true. The mind is so maleable when we are young." And then became set in its ways as one aged. "Do you visit France, often?" he asked her curiously. He had been a few times, and quite enjoyed the country.

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bleuet
2010-09-12 01:15 am UTC (link)

Without thinking about it, Fleur sat up a bit straighter in her seat before leaning forward, chin lifted and hands folded before her on the tabletop. Though it was certainly a bit early to make any judgments on Quentin, he had a way with words that Fleur was finding quite satisfactory.

"Not as often as I would like." Especially now that both she and Bill were employed, and had a toddler, it was difficult to plan any longer trips spur of the moment as they used to be able to. "We went last year, toward the end of the summer, to visit my family. It is not always easy to find the time. My sister may visit over the Christmas holiday, though." She tilted her head inquiringly. "Have you done much traveling?"

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 01:18 am UTC (link)

"Time does go by quickly," Quentin had to agree to that. When one was busy, it just zipped by, the days falling away into weeks, into months and then it was another year. Not that he particularly wanted to slow days of drudgery that never seemed to end. No, he liked his swiftness and his excitement.

"Quite a bit," he replied, inclining his head in a nod. "Before this I was a Cursebreaker - as is your husband, I believe?" Really, it was a shame that such a lovely creature had a husband at all! What a waste! "Which lead to a great deal of travel." To much of the rest of Europe, and parts of Africa and Asia, largely. "It is taking some getting used to, staying in one place."

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bleuet
2010-09-12 01:30 am UTC (link)

"Yes. Bill is still a Cursebreaker." She confirmed him with a touch of pride. "He helped me get a position at Gringotts' after we met, but his work often took him abroad." Something she had frequently rather envied. Although she had at first found much to complain about on her first trip to England as a mere student, she had since then cultivated a great interest in travel.

"Where else have you been?" she asked, genuinely interested now.

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 01:34 am UTC (link)

"And how is Bill?" Quentin asked, more to be polite and foster friendship than anything else. But who knew, perhaps she would say he was horrid and that they were on the outs. Unlikely, given that note of pride in her voice, but a man could hope!

"Quite a number of places. Russia, Romania, Turkey," he began to list off countries. "India quite a bit. Israel. Cyprus." He looked a bit rueful, knowing it was quite a charmingly boyish expression (and thus adopting it on purpose), "And many other countries, but only very briefly in a number of cases."

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bleuet
2010-09-12 01:49 am UTC (link)

"Oh, he is very well," she told him. "Working hard, of course. You must remember it can be a very demanding position."

She nodded politely as Quentin ticked off a short list of foreign countries. Fleur felt a familiar inkling of envy mixed with admiration. She wanted to ask more about his travels, but thought that might seem overeager, and if there was one thing Fleur did not do, it was pander to others.

"It sounds as though you have been very fortunate." That seemed like a proper response. The talk of her family made her wonder. "And you? Do you have a family of your own?" She somewhat thought he must not, or he'd have mentioned them, but it was something to ask anyway.

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 01:54 am UTC (link)

"I do well remember," Quentin said, another grin sliding across his face. Always hard work, always very busy. But always an adventure as well, and never short of excitement.

He shook his head when she asked about family, because that was one thing he certainly did not have. "No," he replied. "I've yet to meet the right woman." In truth, he wasn't sure how he felt about those sorts of things at all. Marriage seemed so binding, and children... well, he liked children well enough, when they belonged to other people. And he suspected that one day he would want one or two of his own. To carry on the family name and all that.

But that day was not today.

"I'm sure it will happen eventually," he said easily, because that seemed the right thing to say. "But there's no rush." He certainly enjoyed the single life! Oh yes.

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bleuet
2010-09-12 02:02 am UTC (link)

"I was very fortunate to meet Bill when I did," she said. "Very young, too. But I do not feel like I rushed into anything. We have been very happy. It is strange to think how many years have already passed."

Sometimes she wondered what her life would have been like if she hadn't been a champion that year, or if she hadn't even qualified to make the journey from Beauxbatons at all. Would she still be living in France? Would she even be married? It was odd to try and picture a different life.

Fleur smiled. "Life is always surprising. I never thought I would be a teacher but now see where I am."

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notyourdada
2010-09-12 02:04 am UTC (link)

She must have been young when she married, because she was young now - younger than he was, Quentin was sure of that, although he didn't know her precise age. And he was still young, really. Especially given the ages witches and wizards could live to.

"I think that's not uncommon with Wars," he commented thoughtfully. "War makes everything so much more urgent." Especially in matters of love. Why wait for years to get married when your true love could die in that time? Things were so uncertain, and needed to be grasped onto while you could.

"It is - and that makes it interesting. The surprises. I would hate a dull life," Quentin declared. And smiled in that charming way of his. "I don't think teaching will ever be dull." It would be many, many things, but boring would not be one of them.

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