Year/Job
Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor
I had been lost to you, sunlight. And flew like a moth to you, sunlight. |
Animagus
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Post by Iola Walker on Jan 24, 2024 21:06:44 GMT -8
It was a bright and, uncharacteristically sunny, December morning when Iola woke to a very impatient Pandora sitting firmly on her chest, yowling. “Panda!” Iola exclaimed, picking the calico up and gently setting the yowling cat on the ground. “I’ll get you some food! Some patience, love,” she spoke softly to the cat, which seemed to calm her. At least she stopped screaming so damn loudly so damn early. Iola rubbed the sleep out of her eyes, swung her legs over the side of the bed, and promptly stood up, stretching her tired limbs. It was bright enough with the curtains closed, though Iola was feeling particularly good today, despite the rude awakening. So, she opened up the curtains for the first time in weeks and let the light shine through. She stood there for a moment, basking in the warm sunlight and took a slow, deep breath. Yes, so she’s been doing some meditation exercises. Annie says they’re good for her. After a while, a sort of calm rushed through her and she smiled. That’s better. No more jitters.
Iola made her way into the crowded bathroom to freshen up (after giving the impatient Pandora her breakfast). “’Scuse me, Gabby,” she muttered as she squeezed behind her to get to the shower. “I hope you’ll be done soon, I’m going to shower,” Iola said as she turned the shower on, letting the water heat up. Once Gabby was gone, Iola stripped herself of her clothes and stepped into the shower. For several minutes she just stood there, letting the warm water wash off her nightmares. While she was making progress re-assimilating to life in the Wizarding world, Iola still had scars that only time could heal. Those scars reopened each night to pour salt on her wounds. And she had to admit, the meditation techniques were really starting to help. So, her new routine was just this, pure and simple. Meditation and a long, warm shower to help her set the mood for the day. She doubted anyone would recognize her now, if they were to see how much she’s changed. And she had to admit, she was starting to like the changes.
Iola spent the next half hour in the bathroom doing her hair and makeup, nothing too fancy, and dressed herself in dark blue robes. She tucked her wand in her pocket and headed downstairs for a little breakfast. Merry was there, drunk. Not much of a surprise, but even less so these days. Iola patted him gently on the shoulder as she moved past him slouched on the kitchen counter before opening the fridge to find some eggs. Over the past several weeks, Iola has been more kind to Merry than she ever was before. Perhaps it was because she now understood how hard life was, or out of guilt for not being here to defend their father; Iola wasn’t sure. Yes, she said their father. She may have been adopted, but Iola knows who her true family is. It’s a shame, really, she only realized it eight years too late.
After whipping up something for breakfast, scarfing it down, and grabbing a hot cup of tea, Iola set off to start her day. You see, today was a special day. For today, Iola was going to get a job.
Yes, you read that right. See, lately Iola has felt that she’s been missing something, something very important and dear to her… and she finally decided that… it must be the semblance of a normal life! She wanted a normal life, the life she missed out on. She wanted to go on dates, maybe with a particular Auror, have a job, do the things her friends are doing. So, Iola applied for the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. Her second choice is Charms should it not pan out, but Iola was remaining optimistic. Okay, I know it’s weird to put Iola and optimistic in the same sentence. I'm still getting used to it. Anyways, she hoped that her interview with McGonagall will help convince the witch to hire her on. She had plenty of experience, old allegiances aside. After all, Professor and former Headmaster Snape had been a Death Eater. Did Iola intend to be honest during her interview? Yes, she did. There was no need to hide it anymore. The cursed tattoo still remains on her left forearm, but it doesn’t define her anymore. If it even ever did. After all those years trying so hard to earn a place in their ranks, all that time she spent pushing others away when she could have been forming connections. All that time, and once she joined the Death Eaters, she realized she never felt more alone.
The point is, Iola has changed for the better and she was damned determined to prove it. Iola turned on the spot and disappeared with a loud CRACK!
Iola landed gracefully on the edge of Hogsmeade Village. No one paid her any mind as she began her ascent to Hogwarts castle. The brunette pulled at her robes, bringing them closer to her body as she trudged up the cobbled path, her high heeled boots clicking against the stone. The air was cold and the wind was icy in the shade of the castle, but still Iola pressed on, finally making it to the steps of the castle.
Her footsteps echoed along the corridors as she marched herself to the Headmistress’ office, she reached her hand in her pocket, fingers grasping the furled up piece of parchment residing there. She unfurled it as she walked, taking one more look at the green ink written on the parchment before rolling it back up and putting it back in her robes. Soon, she stood outside the statue guarding the entrance to the Headmistress’ quarters. “Biscuit,” She said to the statue. After a moment, it began to move and revealed a circular staircase going up. Iola stepped on one of the moving steps and allowed herself to be carried skyward.
“Why should we give you this position?”
Iola thought for a moment before speaking, “I’ve had six years experience running from dark witches and wizards,” she began. “I also know the effects of the Dark arts and how they can influence a young mind. I want to prevent my story from happening to someone else by being an example. I won’t deny my past, nor try to excuse it,” Iola was starting to grow more confident. “All I’ll say on the matter is this: I’m not defined by who I was. I have evolved and changed these many years, and I will spend every day proving it to you, if you’ll take me on.” She could have sworn she saw a proud smile on McGonagall’s lips, but that must have been a trick of the light because it was gone the next second. “You’ll have to register yourself,” she said pointedly, her eyes fixed on Iola’s knowingly. “Yes, of course Headmistress,” Iola replied with a small smile. After all, she had already revealed herself to Lilith… what was the rest of the wizarding world?
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