imperturbatus | 12 Flight is A Howler. At the big table in the front.

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12 Flight is A Howler. At the big table in the front.

[Great Hall, morning, interactions can take place after / later the day]

[It's been about ten days, since he had found out about Sousuke's shoulder having been cursed by his own father, and so far things have been peaceful in that regard. He's not naive enough to believe they will stay like that for long, but at least Sousuke is now really getting better, so he truly can't complain.

The first sign of a drastic dive downhill comes that morning, when he's enjoying his breakfast, and a hot black tea, along with the Daily Prophet, when the owls start streaming in, carrying the morning post. First there's nothing out of the ordinary, nothing that would prophesize the dawning of the apocalypse, until a rather huge owl lands in front of him, presenting him with a red envelope.

He stares at it for a total of three seconds, before snorting loudly.]

No, really?

[There is but a single person, who could have sent something like this to him - fair, besides his mother, but he seriously can't think of anything that would have her angry enough at him right now, to do this - and he quickly untangles the smoking envelope from the leg of the poor creature, tearing it apart, doing his best to not look too amused.]

PROFESSOR HARADA!

It's coach, please.

[Sano quips, when the heavy voice, tinted with a distinct Japanese accent hollers, drawing the attention of the entire hall. Oh, he can barely wait for that rumor mill.]

AS I AM SURE, BASED ON OUR PREVIOUS CORRESPONDENCE, YOU ARE AWARE OF THE ISSUE, THAT PROMPTED THIS LETTER, I WILL CUT STRAIGHT TO THE CHASE. I AM SEVERELY DISAPPOINTED BY YOUR ACTIONS AGAINST MY SON.

Towards. The proper preposition is 'towards'.

SO FAR I HAVE THOUGHT VERY HIGHLY OF THE HOGWARTS PROFESSORS, BUT MY OPINION HAS DROPPED CONSIDERABLY, BY YOUR FAULT. YOU HAVE INVOLVED YOURSELF IN ISSUES, THAT ARE BEYOND YOUR COMPETENCE AND ABOVE YOUR JUDGEMENT, AND HAVE ALL BUT RUINED MY SON'S FUTURE. I HAVE SPENT MUCH TIME AND ENERGY INTO THE EFFORTS OF SECURING MY SON A GOOD FUTURE, AND I WILL NOT STAND SEEING IT GONE TO NAUGHT. I HOPE YOU ARE AWARE THAT THIS WILL HAVE REPERCUSSIONS. YOU WILL HEAR FROM ME.

SINCERELY,

YAMAZAKI-SAN

[The letter burns to ashes with the last cry, sending the hall into an eerie silence. Sano doesn't think it was ever this quiet in there, in the entire history of Hogwarts. Everyone, every single person is looking at him.

He tries very, very hard not to laugh.

In order to conceal his grin, he takes a big sip of his tea, giving maximum effort into controlling his breathing, so he doesn't snort the hot liquid right out. Ah, nothing like the feeling of getting under someone's skin, enough to receive a howler, to make your day. He's aware of the looks the headmistress is sending him and he knows he's five seconds away from getting his head bitten off, but he can live with that.

Bring it on, he thinks.]

So, you suppose I'll be looking for a new job soon?

[He asks no one in particular, smirk still too wide. Without any other word, he dusts the ashes off his newspaper, raises it, to hide his shaking shoulders and the all-too-amused expression on his face, and continues reading.]

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[There's one pair of eyes who isn't looking at Sano and that's Sousuke who is covering his face in embarrassment. Really dad? Really?

Well, he was also delivered something. Two separate letters. One was from his mother that he read first - happy that she didn't have any kind of involvement in this and not even mad there's not much she can do about the situation from home since it would lead to more fighting and that's not what Sousuke wants either.

The second one is a demand from his father to return home, attached with a formal resignation letter for the school. There went his pleasant mood he got from his father's letter.

Well, it's most likely better if he wanrns Sano that they might be getting a visit from the man as well, so he waits outside the Great Hall for Sano, after finishing up eating.]

[Sano walks out of the Great Hall in an exceptionally good mood, whistling to himself, even in spite of the fact tat he spent the last half an hour listening to the headmistress yell at him. Right after he had finished eating, he'd been pulled into the backroom of the hall and requested to explain himself. Which he did.

And while McGonagall is a strict, merciless and frightening woman, she's also fair and understanding. She wasn't agreeing with his methods, but she had understood the reasons and he's not fired. He got his pay cut for this month, but he can deal. He's got something saved up.

He spots Sousuke right away, and walks towards him, smiling.]

I'm sorry, are you waiting for long? I just had the most pleasant talk with the headmistress. What did your letter say?

[He doesn't need to ask to know Sousuke got one. If Sano did, so did Sousuke.]

Just a few minutes or so.

[Sousuke had figured the Headmistress would want to talk with him, so he didn't exactly hurry out even if the Slytherin table had been murmuring about 'Yamazaki' and it was rather awkward to sit there.

Sighing, he hands over the letter to Sano, so he can read it himself; ]

Sousuke,

I have been informed that you know about the curse. Know that I was thinking of what's best for you when I devised such plan. I had wished there was another way, but you are far too stubborn about that stupid sports.

I am very displeased and have decided that your time in Hogwarts is now over. There is a resignation letter you must deliver straight to Headmistress McGonagall after signing it. Once you do, I will arrange your transportation back home.

Before that happens, you are to not practice your Legilimency with Professor Harada.

Sincerely,
Your father,
Yamazaki Kenshiro

[As promised, the formal resignation letter is with the letter.]

[Sano reads the letter, smile never dropping from his lips. Honestly, it's neither news, nor surprising, it's nothing he hasn't been prepared for, or hasn't expected.]

Quite the stubborn man, ain't he? I see where you get it from.

[He jokes, handing the letter back to Sousuke, after reading it.]

Don't make that face. It's not like you could have expected anything else. I wasn't joking when I said this would be a war. The question is, what do you want to do now. This is just the start and from here it will get only worse. Do you still want to see it through, to the end? Have you got what it takes?

[He knows Sousuke does, but does Sousuke know it as well?]

[Sousuke almost always looks grumpy, he can't help it, really. Though he is upset that his father is even more stubborn and idiotic than he thought he would be.

To demonstrate what he wants to do, Sousuke casually rips the parchment apart into small pieces, along with the resignation letter, before using a vanishing spell on the pieces.]

I'm not backing down, that's for sure. He can come here if he wants, but I'm not going with him.

[Sano's eyes shine with pride, when he sees Sousuke rip apart the paper.]

If he comes here, we can have a shouting match. It's been a while since I yelled myself out, and your dad seems like a worthy opponent.

[To say that Sano is enjoying himself is something of an understatement. Maybe because he know hard times are ahead, he needs to keep up his good mood somehow. But there's something he wanted to talk to Sousuke about.]

It's strange, ain't it? Sometimes parents try to push their kids into one direction, and only end up pushing them away from it. Me Ma wanted me to become an auror as well. I didn't exactly hate the idea and was entertaining the idea even, for a while, but I just wanted to be too much like me Dad, who was an athlete, to really consider it. She wasn't happy about it, but she didn't really mind at first. But then Dad left and with each passing year she insisted more and more, until I completely hated the idea and failed my exams on purpose, just not to be able to become one.

Recently I started wondering, if that was the right choice. Being an auror is a good job, protecting people, keeping the community safe... I believe I would have enjoyed it, if I had become one. Don't misunderstand I loved playing, and I love teaching, and I don't regret anything. It's just that I let my choices be influenced by my stubbornness and hot head, and now I wonder, if I chose something I wanted more, or chose something that would just spite me Ma.

I'm not telling you to reconsider, I just want you to be sure, that this is what you truly wish for, not just something you're stubborn about.

[He knows Sousuke is serious about quidditch, he can tell by the way the kid plays, or how he clings to every straw of hope to be able to play it in the future. But he doesn't want Sousuke to wake up one day, asking himself the same questions, as Sano asks himself. He'd rather Sousuke makes his choice untainted with anger, stubbornness and hurt.]

He deserves it.

[It's clear that his father has crossed the line, so Sousuke doesn't even feel like yelling at him would be that bad. Not that it would change anything, but at least he'd get owned in public and that would feel good.

Sousuke listens to Sano's talk in all quiet. A lot of it is something that resonates with his own decisions and what was going on with the whole family situation. Sure he hated his father now and has always thought that pushing the whole Auror thing on him as just stupid and idiotic, but... seeing how passionate Rin was about it had made him think that it wouldn't be so bad. As a secondary choice, if something goes wrong with Quidditch.

He might be at a war with his father now, but that didn't mean he should close all the doors around him.]

Actually, I've recently started to think that I'll actually write the subject needed to become an Auror. There's no telling what happens in the future, so keeping another option for a career is always ideal, right? And I don't dislike the idea of being able to work beside Rin one day, perhaps.

[Sano smiles, as he listens to Sousuke. It's a good thing that the kid has his head on better than he had had at that age. And what Sousuke says is completely true, with the prime example right there.]

You're completely right. You can never know what will happen. One day you're guarding the hoops, or sending the bludger into your opponent's head, the other... well, the other you're teaching flying to a bunch of eleven years old.

[He has to laugh at the way that sounds. From pro player to kid teacher, but it proves that no one can predict anything. Not even a true seer.]

It's a good thing to keep your options open. You never know if there's a bridge you'll have to cross again, so better not burn it.

[Daphne had kept her eyes down during the whole incident, eating her soup quietly. Once she was sure the howler was over, she placed the spoon down before moving to get up.]

I assume you got involved with something and now a parent is angry at you?

[She had to take a guess.]

[A crooked smile plays on Sano's lips, when he turns to Daphne to answer the question.]

Aye, you could say that. But don't worry about it, it's not like I didn't expect this. I just got back what I gave. The score is even now.

[Don't look too accomplished, he chants in his head. Or else you might have your head ripped off a second time.]

I'm not even going to ask what exactly you did. Not my business, so long as it wasn't illegal, which I doubt.

[Because she it would be her business, but she figured she knew them enough to know that would not be the case.]

[Sano chuckles, and replies through a self-assured smirk.]

Oh don't worry. I just prevented a douchebag father to control his son's decisions, which might have ticked him off. Oh and I sent him a howler on top of it, which might have been unnecessary, but felt good. Who by the balls of a dullahan puts a curse on their own kid?

[Well Daphne could understand a teacher having to step in, however she already knew that had not been the best way for him to have handled it.]

It was nice that you help, but sending a howler was probably in very bad taste. That could have been something the student could of done themselves.

[Sano snickers, because yes, she's probably right, a teacher should presumably know better, but so should a parent. Yamazaki-san has been more-or-less asking for it and Sano can't bring himself to feel bad. Besides, it's not like he's known for being reasonable. Alright, most of the time he is, but there are times when he chooses not to be, because it wouldn't be a good thing in the long run. Because there are more important things than keeping face and sticking to the rules.]

Maybe, but I can't really say I regret it.

[He answers with a sheepish smile.]

Yamazaki-san deserved every bit of it. Besides what you're proposing is a little nonsensical and wouldn't lead to anything. A son sending his father a howler sounds more like a spoiled and immature brat. If a teacher sends a parent a howler, now that's where the fun starts.

[She sighed slightly.]

Yes, but however the parent can then pull his son out of the school because they will have an actual reason to. Plus adding that there are other things the parent would be allowed to do because of said actions. [Suddenly her tone is very stern, you should not have said fun.]

I don't care what is going on, but sending a parent a howler and saying that is wrong. If the student asked you to do it, then I guess that would be understandable. However saying that is where the fun begins is immature and you need to grow up a little more.

[Sano chuckles when he sees her expression change. It figures. It's neither surprising, nor does it upset him much. He likes and respects Daphne, but he's aware that their opinions, priorities and the way they view things differs greatly. It's really like they're diametral opposites.]

So? Then Sousuke will go to another school.

[he shrugs his shoulder. That's not the point, neither is it important.]

It doesn't matter, where he is, as long as he's able to follow his own dreams and goals. It doesn't change that what his father did is wrong. Only someone who has no idea how it is to be cursed, is able to curse their own child. If he wasn't prepared to face the consequences of that, he's the one who's immature.

[And if someone knows how it is to be cursed, it's Sano. And if a parent is willing to do that to his kid, it has nothing to do with love. It's ignorant, arrogant and possessive, cruel on top of it. And Sano wouldn't be Sano, if he didn't attempt to point it out to the guy. Maybe he shouldn't have screamed it, a normal letter would have probably sufficed, but he's always had a hot and hard head, he thinks with an amused snort, before turning to Daphne with a smile.]

And you're wrong when you say it would be understandable, if the kid asked me to do it. It would be all the same. It isn't the reason that matters, but the consequence.

[No matter your reasons, if the consequences of your action affected people, you had to take responsibility for them.]

If it costs me my job, then so be it, but I won't sit around and do nothing, if a parent is being an asshole to their kids, just because someone once said it's wrong and improper. Sometimes what's improper is also necessary. Worrying about propriety, when you're facing injustice is just a convenient excuse why not to act.

[And he really can't imagine she'd be one to just let it pass like that either.]

Life isn't just about sticking to the rules, without questioning if they are right. Sometimes the rules are wrong. And sometimes they are right, but you still break them, because it's right at the time. The important thing is, you're ready to deal.

[One couldn't live their entire life, fearing the trouble they'd get by breaking the rules, or by sticking to them, just to avoid having to act, or just because they are rules and rules are to be followed. Well, at least he couldn't. He gives Daphne a smile. He knows he's a hopeless moralist, and he knows his temper and stubbornness tends to get better of his sense, reason and patience, but when a kid is in trouble, he just can't stay cool headed.]

Maybe I need to grow up, but you in turn need to loosen up a little.

[He doesn't mean it in a bad way, but he does sometimes think, that Daphne is strict to a fault. But that's just his opinion. He also can't say she's wrong.]

Still could have done it on a more mature level. However I won't be loosening up when it comes down to work. If the job was all fun and games nothing would get done.

[But the only time she loosens up is when she is by herself anyway which is when she isn't working. Which is probably why no noe has ever seen it.]

[Hikaru is just laughing because oh my god this is hilarious. He will definitely be laughing even when he exists the Great Hall. Best entertainment.]

[The entire situation is more amusing with a few students sharing that opinion, so Sano exits the great hall with a grin on his face. After a chat with Sousuke, he starts heading back to his office, as he suddenly notices one of the twins a few feet away, still laughing.]

Someone's in a good mood. I'm glad I could provide you with so much amusement.

[It's not hard to tell it's him, who's the source of laughter. The kid has been cackling nonstop since the howler.]

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