Transfiguration's Office

Sevastyan nodded, realizing that his two specifically-named ideas were no good. The second actually worked to their favor, while the first was understandable yet frustrating. Raven eyebrows quirked at the mention of the genuine manuscript. "Vy is that? Blood vards?" he asked curiously. "Or vould you rather not say?" he added, not wanting to seem prying. It was known, by both of them, that the Kaminskis had a few skeletons in their closets... likely as literally even though it was meant figuratively.

Eglantine folded her hands. "Dunkel Eis is the ancient home of the Rosiers. It is called Dark Ice, for a reason. My ancestors wanted their home to be safe from prying eyes, so they built it entirely of magic and sunk it into a lake in Germany. The lake froze solid and now only on a full moon can the dark castle be seen underneath the ice." She shuddered. "My uncle once went to enter the castle to reclaim it for his own. He died, ripped apart by the beasts that are charmed to guard it." Still she continued.

"There is one entrance, a tunnel used by the Rosiers after the lake froze. It opens when the moon is full and the blood of Rosier is shed on its ice. The Heir is able to control the magical elements of the castle. The Blood Ire and the Slevins."

"Both getting there and around sound rather... problematic," Sevastyan agreed.

"So the heir can control the elements but not the creatures?" he questioned. Despite all the magic he grew up around, and the permafrost, Sevastyan had a little bit of a time wrapping his mind around the idea of a sunken castle within a frozen lake. He'd heard of stranger things, he supposed. Anything was possible with a little ingenuity and magic...

"If it is not too much trouble, could you tell me more about the Blood Ire and Slevins?" Sevastyan was always willing to learn, even as an adult.

"If you wish." she started. "The Blood Ire are a great deal like Griffins, only they cannot be tamed and they freeze the blood of their victims. They are about 2 meters in length and about half so much tall. The Slevins are a formless creature that manifest themselves as harmless plants with entangle and disembowel their victims."

"As for whether or not the Rosier Heir can control the creatures, I would not know. The last Rosier Heir was my Grandfather and he never mentioned if he could control the beasts. My father was a Rosier heir after his father, but he never ventured into the castle to my knowledge."

((Michael's mission... will get back to the previous bit soon! ^_^))

This mission, though it had the same destination, would require slightly more traffic planning, thought Michael. Firstly, the secret passage he'd taken led to a vast network that eventually connected to the correct floor... unfortunately he only knew the portraits of starting and finishing points, and had yet to memories the other stops in between. Secondly, he was now out in the wide open corridor. Obviously anyone not on an errand of secrecy would simply traverse these halls with little worry of who seen them. Third: what guarantee did he have that his target destination would be vacant? He might have to call in a favor to one of the ghosts in the hopes they could create enough of a distraction to divert and lead away the recipient of the item he now carried.

Yes, Michael was enjoying this unofficial job of his a bit much right now.

Wondering which route would be the least traveled at this time of day, the sixteen-year-old stared into the eyes of a rather creepy-looking statue at the end of the hall on the floor where Professor McKevin's office was located. How am I going to get to Professor DeLanquar's office with as few witnesses as possible? he wondered, not really thinking that he'd been imploring the statue for anything. However, Michael jumped about three feet high when he heard a series of crunches and ear-splitting cracks. Once everything was relatively silent again, the Hufflepuff grinned at the secret passage that hadn't been there before.

"Niiiiiice," Michael drawled gleefully and took off up the stairs and ignoring the rather unnerving sound that could very well have meant that the bricks holding these stairs up were magically returning to their place as he climbed. Just so long as the castle allowed him passage in piece, instead of in pieces, Michael could care less what became of the stones beneath his feet once their magical duty had been momentarily fulfilled.

If Michael didn't know any better, he would claim that he arrived at the appropriate place three times quicker by apparently asking the castle for shortcuts. He would have to tell his mostly-tardy friends about this method if they hadn't tried it already. Glancing back and forth as he stood in the threshold between secret corridor and the hallway, Michael suppressed a grin to find it mostly empty. Deciding to make his reason for coming up here look legitimate, he removed a sheet of parchment from his robes and quickly folded it into a smaller size. Donning the stance of a nonchalant student delivering a standard, unassuming message from one teacher to another, Michael stepped out into the hall made a beeline for the Transfiguration Professor's office, knocking twice on the warm-colored wood.

((assuming there is no answer....))

When Michael didn't receive an answer, he glanced about curiously. Had anyone seen him he had a kind of 'where is the professor' kind of look on his face. However, as no one was present, the look fell and he stepped inside...

The room hadn't changed much, though he did take note of the flowers within a very nice-looking vase. Michael wouldn't likely say such a thing to his friends, but he could muse about it to his heart's content without being teased. As silently as he was able to manage - for this was a "secret mission" of sorts - the young man strode up to the desk. The normal chair sat in its usual place, and he decided to take a seat in it while he unwrapped the parcel just as carefully as he had wrapped it. The eldest Blackwood child was almost afraid to set it down for fear that it would shatter. Just go easy... no clumsy stuff... Michael reassured himself, practically gritting his teeth and scrunching his eyes closed as he gingerly laid the fragile-looking crystal down.

Not hearing the tinkling of fragmentation, Michael opened his eyes and heaved a gigantic sigh of relief: it was still intact. Slowly removing his hands from the immediate area, as if a single disturbance in the air would cause it to break, Michael reversed the magic on his guitar pick and returned it to his pocket.

"Now, how did the Professor get you to stand up?" he whispered to the crystal rose. It had to be some sort of charm on the object itself. Standing from the seat, not realizing he'd slightly disturbed it from its normal position, Michael had been about to cautiously pick up the rose when he accidentally scattered yet another pile of parchments about on the floor.

Why does this always seem to happen right at this particular time?! he asked himself and, after scrabbling up the papers and placing them haphazardly back where they'd been, Michael once again confronted the rose.

"Don't break, don't break, don't break..." the lad chanted as he gently lifted the item from its resting place. Deciding in as much as the exact center of the desk as he could hope to determine would look nice, considering this was just one flowery item and not a bouquet of them, Michael held the rose in an upright position for a few seconds to see if the charm would take. .....Any time now, it would take effect.....

It wasn't doing anything...... Michael Blackwood was completely stumped as of what to do or say to make it work. He hadn't recognized the tune it had been charmed to convey.

Suddenly, an idea occurred to him. Why hadn't he thought about it before? "Eglantine..." he muttered quietly. Immediately, the rose left the security of his hands to float and turn in place all on its own. The grin of utter triumph was inescapable.

Mission Accomplished! he cheered mentally at his success, admiring the rose and taking a moment to absorb the tune. Concluding that he'd best not tarry any longer, Michael slowly walked out of the room. It was with a sense of trepidation that he left the rose where it stood, almost certain that it would fall and shatter at any moment should he even do so much as blink an eye.

Closing the door on his way out, Michael heaved a second sigh only this one had success thoroughly blended with the relief. With a spring in his step due to a second job well done, the Hufflepuff approached another statue and decided to try his luck...

"How about a staircase with a constant railing from here to Professor McKevin's office floor?" he whispered and thought this notion in the direction of the stone wizard. For some reason, this one didn't look nearly as creepy despite the large sculpted spidery-looking thing it was holding. After a whole two minutes of waiting, Michael realized he wasn't getting his wish. "Yeah, well... don't you go asking me any favors either, pal," he muttered, deciding to take a different secret passage back down. He'd have to backtrack a bit, but that wasn't a big deal.

((Before Yule Ball))

Horatio stepped into Eglantine's office, smiling when he saw Eglantine behind her desk in her wheelchair. She was carefully editing a paper, and did not look up as he entered.

"An bhfuil tu ag lorg duine eigin?" ((Are you looking for someone?)) she asked, teasing him gently. Horatio chuckled.

"Yes, I am. A ravishingly beautiful woman with pale skin, fair hair and a lovely smile. Seen anyone who matches that description, my dear?"

Eglantine set her quill down, gently massaging her cramped fingers.
"I didn't know you had met Miranda yet! She is probably in her office..." Horatio's face showed a great amount of confusion.

Who is Miranda? he wondered. Ah yes, the new school counselor, he remembered. Having not met her yet, Horatio sighed.
"No, although I am certain that our counselor is a lovely woman. I was seeking out an Eglantine Rose. The garden did not have one and I followed the delightful scent of one up here. Have you seen it? It must be around her somewhere." he dropped down on his hands and knees to look under the desk, smiling as he saw Eglantine cover her mouth to hide her smile.

"Ah yes, around here somewhere." he muttered. Still on hands and knees he made his way around the office, acting very much like his canine form. "Tell me when I'm getting warmer, all right, my dear.

Eglantine nodded, eyes wide with speculation at what he was doing.
Horatio approached the door, until she softly murmured, "Colder." Turning he made his way toward the wall next to her desk. "Cold..." turning once again, Horatio crawled on, heading for her desk. "Warmer." she whispered, her breath coming in small gasps as he approached.

"There she is, my beautiful Eglantine rose." Horatio announced, using the desk to pull himself to his feet. He was not as young as he used to be and crawling about on the stone floor, carpet or not was tiring.
Blushing, Eglantine looked back at her paper.

"What was it you came in here for, Horatio?" she asked, her voice laced with a small amount of nervousness. With him standing directly over her, she could smell the masculine cologne he wore and the fresh smell of the grass which he liked to wore in his canine form.

Horatio bent down to be able to look her in the eye. At first, her eyes remained planted on the papers, but slowly they rose to look into his blue orbs.
"I came in here to see you, as there was nothing else to match you in all the world. I should know, I've seen everything in some shape or another."

"You don't really mean that..." Eglantine countered, fighting the blush and the overwhelming desire to flee the room. She knew she loved Horatio, of that she was certain. But at times, she feared him. Feared what he did to her when he was around her and what he was quickly replacing; her love and memory of Richard...

"I do...Ta tu go halainn...and someone should tell you that. I can only apologize that it's I who am telling you. Someone younger and far more handsome should wax poetry for pleasure and sing..." He was cut off by Eglantine's hand as she pressed it up against his mouth.

"Please don't." she muttered, part of her enjoying the words and the other part slowly dying. Richard had done almost the very same thing to her at many occasions, only he had done so in French, his native language.

"Why, is something wrong? An bhfuil pian ort?" ((do you have any pain?)) he asked, standing. She nodded.
"Yes, I have no small amount of pain. How can anyone stand the agony of a heart tearing itself into two parts?" Eglantine whispered, her eyes filling with tears.

Horatio sat on the desk, his mind whirling over what Eglantine had just said. Finally, he settled on the idea that she was having a hard time with her deceased husband... Having never been married, Horatio was lost. Of course he figured there would be a great sense of loyalty between any well married couple; but he had only had one love in his life before Eglantine and she had dumped him for another man which hardly was a good example of loyalty between partners.

"It doesn't have to tear itself, Eglantine. I am more than happy with whatever small part you will give me. I don't deserve fifty percent." Eglantine smiled, shaking her head.
"I am the one who doesn't deserve you. There is so much you do not know about me..." It was Horatio's turn to silence Eglantine, by placing a large hand up against her mouth.

"None of that." he muttered. "We love each other. No more running away, no more guilt trips and no more I don't deserve you...Just you and me and whatever comes from that."

"Whatever comes form that?" Eglantine whispered, her eyebrows rising almost suggestively. Horatio swallowed as she leaned forward as he knelt down. "Aren't you going to kiss me?" she asked softly. The History of Magic Professor beamed from ear to ear.

"With your permission, of course." he replied, leaning forward slightly.
Eglantine turned around slightly to face her papers again.
"I'm rather busy, actually." Horatio just about fell over at her statement. He had been looking forward to a certain activity.

"I'll see you at lunch?" Eglantine asked. Horatio nodded, numbly. Suddenly an idea struck him.

Careful due to her legs and hip and ribs, he tucked an arm around her back and then scooped her up into his arms. Not a word passed Eglantine's lips as she beamed up at him.

"Where shall I take you, eh?" he asked, heading for the door. Eglantine giggled softly.
"Anywhere you wish..." Horatio had to slam his leg in the door to keep his thoughts in check. Anywhere...too many possibilities.

Kiara walked up to Eglantines office and knocked. She was still wondering how Eglantine could hold a clue without knowing it.

"This is just weird" she mumbed wondering where Ciaran was going with this.

"Come in." Eglantine stated, softly. She hoped it would be anyone besides Horatio with a grumpy Edwin.

Kiara opened the door and walked inside. she still had no Idea what to say to the older witch other then to say Hello.

"Good afternoon Eglantine.... how are you doing" she asked.

Eglantine looked up from her papers, slightly confused as to why Kiara had come to visit. Maybe she was concerned about her health or in need of something else...

"I am fine." she stated, her quill scratching at the thick parchment. "How are you?"

Kiara smiled, though still had no Idea what to really say to her about the quest Ciaran had her on.

"I am fine, pretty good actually spent the day with Tav, it was a interesting morning to say the least. Umm I just wanted to stop by and talk I guess. We haven't done that in a while"

She though that perhaps just talking would give her the information Ciaran was hinting at.

Eglantine set her quill down. She could do this later. Speaking with Kiara, the Headmistress and her friend came first.
"Ah very well." she stated softly, motioning for Kiara to be seated. "It is good you came down. We need your signature for the final bits of paperwork." she opened her desk and pulled a neatly arranged folder out. Setting it in front of Kiara, she opened it. The first three pages were Ministry babble; followed by Eglantine's will and several more papers.

"Sign the last three." she muttered, handing Kiara her quill.

Kiara blinked "Is this for what I think it is?" she asked in awe as she signed the papers. the papers that could be the most important papers her she had signed in her life.

"What will this fully mean anyway?" she asked. She wasn't a expert in family law as she was in criminal.

Eglantine smiled. "It means that officially you are my heir and daughter. At the time of my death or extreme illness, you have the full ability to do with my estate anything that you wish." she reached across the desk to take Kiara's hand in her slightly trembling ones. "You can officially add DeLanquar to your name anytime you wish." She was obviously very happy.

Kiara smiled, A member of a family, a real family at last, she laugh lightly as she cupped Eglantine's shaky hand into her more steady once and said her name.

"Hmm.. Kiara Alexandra LestrangeRiddle-Delanquar.... Kiara.. Delanquar. I like it better then Riddle to say the least. Thank you Eglantine, never in my wildest dreams could I think this could happen. I am certianly glad it did" she said with a nod still smiling.

Eglantine laughed softly. "DeLanquar does suit you." she smiled. "I'm so happy you like the arrangement."

Kiara nodded "Of course I do I finally have a family again. You know I love you Eglantine" she said with a big smile on her face.

Leaning in closer she said " But you better not plan on leaving any time soon...... I want this to last." she said.

Just as she was about to lean back something caught her eye, a piece of paper sticking on the wheel of Eglantines chair.

Still smiling she tried to summon it but her spell was resisted.

"Damn"

"Umm this is going to sound really strange and out of the blue, but I just found something I have been looking for... there is a piece of paper on the wheel of you chair... umm could I have it please?" she asked blushing.

She couldn't think of any other way to get it without having Eglantine think she was a nutter.

Eglantine raised an eyebrow. "A piece of paper on my wheelchair?" she repeated, wincing as she bent to glance at the wheel. Cutting the paper loose with a talon like envelope opener, she laid it on her desk for Kiara to take.
"How did it get taped to my wheelchair, Kiara?" she asked, her voice serious, despite the fact that she found the situation slightly humorous.

Kiara blushed even more, "Well I am not exactly sure... I know who is behind it a certain Scott who has some explaining to do on how he put all these clues everywhere.." she said sheepishly.

"Once I find where he is leading me anyway" she said as she picked up the paper.

Eglantine nodded, still slightly puzzled. Ciaran McConn had better be careful now that Kiara was her official daughter, it he broke her heart or hurt her in any way...Eglantine would make sure he got hell for it.

The piece of paper read: "You've looked long and hard for this... now look in the room where we first kissed..."

Kiara smiled "The astronomy tower..."

Looking back at Eglantine she said "Wow, I can't believe how fast my family is growing, and it all started with you Eglantine.... thank you" then she paused.

"By the way does my being your offical daugher mean I have to call you mother?" she asked with the biggest of smiles on her face.

Eglantine chuckled softly. "You are welcome, my dear. But I hardly did anything. It was mostly Horatio's idea." At Kiara's comment on calling her mother, she paled. But seeing the smile on the younger woman's face erased the worry that she had not been pleased with the idea.
"You don't have to do anything." she replied, carefully. "But I would be honoured if you choose to."

Kiara laughed "I would take some getting used to though wouldn't it. I am already honrored by the title., and your accptance. I will be sure to thank Horatio later" paused a moment she added.

"He is becoming as much apart of this family as anyone..... it feels wonderful... wow I never,....this could happen." she said become so ecited she could hardly push a senctence out.

"I feel more complete, I thank you both... letting me into you hearts"

Eglantine levitated herself into a standing position. "And you as well, my dear. No woman or man could be more blessed than to have you loving them." she sighed.
"He's waiting, you know."

Kiara's smile brightend and she gave Eglanrine a gentle hug so not to hurt any sore area. "Thank you" she whispered before turning to leave.