9th flight is the hard life of a Hogwarts teacher

[fireredspear]

A) Around - Anywhere you want, Quidditch Pitch, Hallways, Flying Lessons, Private Lessons, etc.

[As March comes around and the days are getting visibly longer again, the students grow livelier, regaining their energy. Sano was feeling the change in the air as well, feeling a bit more energized with each day that the St. Patrick's Day came closer. He thinks if he hears the Augurey's, that happen to nest near his house in Kerry, cry one more time, he'll go crazy.

His step is more brisk than usual, when he walks the hallways of Hogwarts, on his way to his next lesson, Hogsmead, or the Pitch, grin somehow more relaxed and brighter, as he whistles to himself, obviously in a good mood.]

B) Semi-private areas - In his office, or his room, doing what he won't show in public: Tiredness, exhaustion, neck pain, occasional fatigue.

[But with the slowly approaching spring and the students' returned liveliness, his job is getting more challenging again. His cute little first years are getting really good at flying as well and more daring in height and distances, thus he needs to pay more attention to them.

Quidditch season is still in it's peak as the battle for house points gets more and more merciless each time. So does the training. And aside that, there are a few more things to worry him, like the fact that a certain Hufflepuff Keeper girl seems rather down nowadays, or that a certain Slytherin beater isn't telling the entire truth about his physical condition, and a certain Vampire (not talking about Jirou) is still a major pain in the ass and a full-time duty. Seriously, like an old, stubborn-as-a-mule grandpa, demanding attention.

Not to mention, aside all these troubles, his body is starting to betray him again. The familiar neck pain, that gets worse as the Quidditch season progresses is back, but he can't really lean back and relax anymore until it goes away, with the increasing load of paperwork that the second half of the school year brings with itself. At least Fai's potion helps him keep his fatigue in check, for every time he spends long hours on his broom. He needs to buy the Potions Master a good fire whiskey next time he's back in Kerry.

There are times, when he just sits in his office slumped over his desk, trying to ignore the slowly building mountain of paperwork next to him, massaging his neck, wondering if it's worth the pain to take a quick nap right there. When it gets too much, he'll open a bottle of the whiskey he keeps stashed away, hidden in one of the drawers of his desk. Even when he's in his room he rarely has much time to relax, as he makes a point that students can approach him anytime, with anything.

Not to mention, he still has private lessons to teach, several times a week, which he sincerely enjoys, but it makes getting up and out of bed on Saturdays really hard. Usually those private lessons entail some sort of physical activity, like additional flight training, or specialize quidditch lessons, maybe a few dancing lessons, but this year there's one that's sorta unusual, in the sense, that people don't ask him to teach them that often.]

C) Closed to Sousuke: Legilimency

[When Sousuke asked him to train the beater in legilimency, it surprised Sano. It's not a secret he's got that skill, though that's more thanks to his mother's pestering rather than his own accord, even if he has to admit, it comes in handy many times. Especially in a match. And if he thinks about it, it sorta made sense that a guy like Yamazaki would like to learn it, given the fact what kind of friends the boy had. Neither Matsuoka or Adela were the open type, and you never could be sure about half of the Slytherin team. Always up to something, always hiding a secret or two.

Well, not that Yamazaki was an exception there. Sometimes it gave Sano a headache to watch the beater's 'hand slip' and almost bash the other beater's head off with hi bat. 'Accidentally', of course. That and the fact that Yamazaki's stance had changed. Where it had been once full of dynamics, his entire body moving to deflect the bludger, much like a whip, now he only used his lower arm. Sano didn't believe a word about the healed shoulder and he didn't need legilimency to figure it out. He had been around enough beaters in his life to know, who was at full power and who wasn't.

So he had accepted Yamazaki's request, thinking how this was a great opportunity to talk some sense into the kid. Maybe teach him a thing or two about lies and pretending. They were supposed to have a lesson soon, so Sano took out the Pensieve he had borrowed from the headmistress' office, to deposit some of his memories in there. If he was about to let Yamazaki into his head, there were things the kid didn't need to see. And Sano had failed all the occlumency ever attempted to be taught to him.]

Comments

A) Quidditch Pitch

[duelistking]

[Yami didn't quite understand why he decided to want to join the team. Maybe it was because he was bored, maybe because he wanted a challenge of another game he had never played before, or it could be something else. Whatever it was, Yami found himself at the pitch ready to practice for the day. All he had to do was waiting for whoever was meant to come and help him figure it out.]

[fireredspear]

[Chest with the playing balls slung over his shoulder, Sano makes his way to the pitch, whistling to himself. He doesn't expect to find a certain blonde Gryffindor loitering about the pitch, dressed for practice.]

Ain't this a surprise. What gives?

[Curious?]

[duelistking]

[He pretty much gets that a lot, but it had been a while since he first asked about the game.]

I was considering perhaps actually playing the game.

[fireredspear]

[Sano can't help himself from smirking, as he sets the chest down.]

Gotten curious, did you?

[Well, he's happy. Quidditch is... so much more than a sport. A philosophy... A religion... For someone it can be a whole life, even.]

Welcome then! I hope you'll have fun.

[duelistking]

I've always been one to play a game. So a curiosity has always been there.

[He's probably played more dangerous games than this as well, so really he shouldn't really complain.]

Though you can consider me to be a fast learner, so hopefully I'll be able to catch up training wise.

A) Quidditch Pitch

[princeofdemons]

[When Sano would arrive at the pitch would be surprised to find Baldur sitting on the side lines, on the bench, leaning backward slightly. His red eyes glanced over slightly, spotting the teacher.]

Should have guessed the Quidditch Professor would be the first to arrive.

[fireredspear]

Coach.

[Sano corrects the kid without thinking about it and grins.]

Naturally. Though I'm surprised to see you here. Any mischief planned, or hidden agenda there?

[Though, the last time they met, Baldur seemed to have a rather big fun with the bludgers and quite the amount of pent up energy, so considering that, it's not that much of a surprise.]

[princeofdemons]

Alright, coach. Also no mischief, here willingly even though I am currently bored.

[He had been sitting there for at least five minutes after all.]

[fireredspear]

[He chuckles, sounding the slightest bit dark, like Baldure has zero idea what he's got coming at himself.]

Don't worry, you won't be bored for too long. How about you help me set practice up while we wait for the others?

[princeofdemons]

[He paused for a moment. What exactly was there to set up.]

Set up what exactly?

A) Hallway

[allthericeballs]

[Hanayo nervously walked down the hallway, mainly keeping to herself. Scrolls covered her arms as she had been making her way to her next lesson. That was until one school slowly rolled off, causing a domino affect and sending all the others rolling about. Her books however were still in her arms as she scrambled to start gather them all.]

I'm sorry, sorry for stopping you from going anywhere [She didn't want to be a bother to anyone but she did have to pick them all up first. She didn't even notice who had been close by.]

[fireredspear]

[He's heading to his office when he notice a student dropping a bunch of scrolls, the parchment scattering around the hallway. He doesn't even think about it, helping her gather her things right away, smiling as she apologizes.]

That's alright, I'm in no rush.

[He says, handing her the gathered scrolls.]

Do you need help carrying anything?

[He's got that time.]

[allthericeballs]

[She adjusted her glasses, pushing them up against her nose before gather some more scrolls and holding them firmly in her arms.]

No, it's alright I can carry it myself.

[Once she grabbed the last one she stood up straight before looking over, suddenly realizing it wasn't another student who had helped her.]

Ah! Your the Quidditch Coach, Harada Sanosuke, right?

[Considering she never did anything that involved flying after the first year, she never really been around where the other might have gone.]

[fireredspear]

Are you sure?

[He asks, watching those slender arms wrap around that mountain of books and scrolls.]

It would be easier if there's two of us.

[He grins when the realization hits her face. It's too cute, but there's nothing to fear from him. He doesn't bite and certainly doesn't mind helping. She also got herself plus points for not adding that blasted 'professor' in front of his name.]

Yup, that's me.

[((ooc: Unless she's a second year, she wouldn't remember any lessons with him. Sano's only in his second teaching year ^^ Of course it's okay if she knows him though.))]

[allthericeballs]

[OOC: She knows him because she's a famous witches and wizards fanatic in this AU. So odds are she has probably read about him somewhere.]

[Hanayo was never one to usually meet someone she was pretty sure she read about at least once or twice. So upon that realization she was quick to feel even more nervous. Why was there such a big name talking to her when she didn't play the game or anything.]

I-It's fine, really... [Checking she was holding them correctly, she realized once again she couldn't see.]

Maybe not.

A) Hallway

[artisticthief]

[Daisuke was carrying his notebook which had the word 'Mother' on the front of it. He was planning on making his way to the Owlry in order to send it out before mothers day, which he only discovered recently was a thing in this country and it was pretty soon.

He soon stopped as he heard footsteps close to the corner he was about to turn, only to see the teacher walk by.]

Good morning, Professor.

[fireredspear]

[Sano turns at the greeting, smiling as he sees Daisuke.]

Good morning, Niwa. Stop calling me professor.

[The response is completely automatic by now, almost a part of the greeting. He notices the notebook the boy is holding and smiles.]

Sending a gift to your mother?

[Mother's day would be soon after all. Even if he and his mother weren't in the best of relationships, he couldn't deny that she raised him and had taken care of him, so he always sent her an enchanted post card at least. The ones with the smelling flowers. He needed to do that soon.]

I'm sure she'll be happy.

[artisticthief]

So-Sorry. I just thing it's polite and something I am use to calling teachers.

[He nodded slightly, shifting the gift slightly in his arms.]

Yeah since I heard Mother's Day was coming up, I figured it best to send it now so it can get there in time.

[If she would like it or not is another matter altogether.]

I find I have to be careful what I send though.

[fireredspear]

It's okay.

[He says with a smile and ruffles Daisuke's hair.]

It's just that a mere flying instructor doesn't really deserve the title.

[More amazing people than him were called 'Professor'... And it still sounded too formal.He much preferred being called 'coach', 'sir', or just Sano, by anyone who had enough guts to call him by his first name.

He laughs, when he hears about needing to be careful and honestly, he can understand that very well.]

Mothers can be terrifying, right? What did you get, if I may ask?

[artisticthief]

I guess I considered being a flying instructor still being a teacher or professor because it's still a lesson. But I guess that's just me.

[Moving the book slightly he held it in his hands.]

My mum can only be terrifying is she's worried. But for the gift I just made a photo album with muggle pictures of her in her past and one drawing I put in there as well.

C is for closed

[overexertion]

[Sousuke was a little nervous about actually having a lesson on legilimency with Sano. He trusted the professor, but he'd only attempted it with his father before... so it would be weird actually trying to enter someone else's mind.

It was a fact that he wanted to learn though, so he spent some time getting prepared before knocking on the door to his office. After getting a permission to enter, he did and closed the door behind him.]

Good afternoon, professor.

[fireredspear]

Good afternoon, Yamazaki.

[Sano greets him, as he's closing the cabinet with the pensieve, before turning to the student.]

And for the sake of repeating myself, will you just drop that bloody 'professor'? Call me whatever, just not that.

[He hates the title, but stopping people from calling him that is really tiring. However, he thinks with an amused snicker, it might be awkward to have that much formality between them, considering what they were about to do.]

You'll be taking a lot of trips through my mind from now on, you might want to switch to something less formal. You get to know a person really well, if you see what's in their mind, so one day you might just call me 'Sano' on accident, or it will become downward strange to call me 'professor'.

[He motions to the comfy sofa chair, which he had moved from it's spot at his table next to the fireplace and duplicated it, for them to be comfortable during the exercise and things to be less awkward. No matter how he tried, Sano couldn't imagine them doing this with him sitting behind his table, or standing up, facing each other, like in a duel.]

So tell me, what brought this on? Any specific reason why you're interested in legilimency?

[He asks when they're sitting down, just to satisfy his curiosity. And because it was always good to know, before teaching a skill so specific and potentially dangerous to someone, why they wanted to possess it.]

[overexertion]

[Well, Sousuke is more used called Sano, well, Sano, even before these lessons. Just not at Sano, since it would have sounds disrespectful... even if he used first name basis on people he respected.]

Understood. I'll keep that in mind.

[He sits down on one of the sofa chairs. The question really doesn't come as a surprise.]

All men in my family adapt at legilimency. I started training with my father last summer and he hoped I would take training with a teacher here. [He pauses, before adding a clarification.] I'm not only doing it because of family obligations. I am also interested in learning because I want to be able to help. I can't help anyone if I don't know when I need to.

[fireredspear]

[Sano nods, acknowledging that as a good reason. He's been more-or-less forced into it by his mother, who wanted him to take up Auror as his career path, but it had become an useful skill and Sano wasn't exactly regretting learning it. Occlumency lessons have been the greater disaster.]

You're doing it for the good of others. That's a good way to start.

[He smiles, not having the least problem with teaching Sousuke. And the boy had prior experience and some predisposition as well, that made it easier. They could gloss over the basics.]

Because see, no matter your reasoning, legilimency is one of the most invasive procedures a wizard, or witch can resort to. Sure, it doesn't hurt - usually, and most of the time your targets are unaware you're even doing it, but that doesn't change the fact that the mind is the most private place of any living being conscious of their existence. You wouldn't be thinking half of your thoughts, if you knew there was another person who was seeing them in that very moment, right? So I recommend you don't do it, unless it becomes necessary, or you got the explicit permission. But then again, this is just my personal sentiment. There are probably a ton of legilimens out there who would laugh at this and ask me what good is a skill for, if you don't use it.

[He adds with a conceding chuckle.]

Whatever. As long as you understand what you're doing and respect other's privacy, you'll be fine. And it goes without saying, for training purposes, you've got my permission. But you should know I'm one of those who will be aware of another presence in my mind, so aside these lessons, at your own risk.

[He says with a crooked smile, that's neither challenging, nor warning. It's in Sousuke's hands what he decides to do.]

And of course, the skill comes with certain perks, like being able to tell apart a lie from the truth, even without necessarily entering that person's mind... Which reminds me, how's that shoulder of your's again? Honest answer, this time, please.

[Though, to be completely fair, he hadn't exactly needed legilimency to know that one. He could tell just by looking at how Sousuke played. Quirk of being friends with many beaters.]

[overexertion]

[Sousuke listens to what Sano is saying and nodding, agreeing with what he's saying. There's no way he would use legilimency against someone's will if it wasn't absolutely necessary. So it was easy to agree to how Sano viewed things.

Even if it was tempting to look into some of his friends' minds, but he wouldn't. If they were hiding things, they had their reasons and he wanted to trust them that they would tell him... but he also wanted the power to act if things got too bad.

At the question about his shoulder, Sousuke cringed. Of course Sano would have seen right through him about that one. It's not like he'd want to lie to a teacher - especially not one he respected - but he also didn't like admitting things weren't okay.]

I can play as long as the games don't become too long and even then I'm going to need treatment after every game. [It would suck if the opponent teams found out about that and used it- oh way, that's more of a Slytherin way anyway.]

I've decided to give up on becoming a professional anyway.