Bullies (Char and Dick)

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:01 am

Charlotte had been called in to see Professor Romain about an issue that had been bothering some students in the Slytherin dorms, of course she knew all about this and wasn't about to just put her hands up and be helpful, no that always made it worse.

She would just leave them alone and they would eventually go away. Get bored. Find another student to pick on.

Knocking swiftly on Professor Romain's door Charlotte wore her own paintsplashed jeans and tshirt and her hair was up in a high pony to keep it away from her face while she had been working on her latest picture. Waiting for him to answer Charlotte sighed softly.

by **Richard Romain** Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:11 am

Richard had been hearing rather, frankly, disturbing things about the members of his house. He had reports, from numerous students and professors, that there was a problem with bullying in his house. Having hated bullies his entire life, Richard found this to be an insult to him personally. He had been inviting students too his office to discuss the matter, making sure not to make it obvious what they were discussing. Arriving late at his office, he walked up behind Charlotte silently as she knocked. When she sighed he smiled and spoke into her ear from behind,

"I hear the guy is often late." he said, amused as he unlocked his office and gestured for Charlotte to go in, "Let's step inside shall we Char?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:17 am

When Charlotte heard a voice from behind her so suddenly she jumped, and even went as far to gripping her wand through her robes incase it was those bullies again that she needed to fend off from her, biting her lip she smiled as she saw that it was only Professor Romain.

"Hello professor! You're not late I only just got here."

Smiling slightly wider Charlotte walked into the office and looked around, it could use with a few paintings, maybe he would like the one she was about to finish?

With a cautious glance at the chairs Charlotte sat down and her smile faltered a little.

"So, what can I do for you Professor?"

by **Richard Romain** Wed Jan 04, 2012 4:23 am

Richard saw what her immediate reaction to being surprised was but tried to put it out of his mind for now. She would tell him when she was ready. He smiled back at her,

"Well good!" he replied with a chuckle, "I don't like to be late after all."

As he saw Charlotte looking around the bare walls of his office he smiled a little bit and chuckled lightly at her question. Pretending to be thinking he pointed to a very bare wall,

"Well I was thinking about a painting of a sea view there and maybe one of a forest over there..." he joked before sitting down at his desk, "Ah not much Char. Just wanted to catch up really. How you been keeping Char? No trouble at home right?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:13 am

The way that Richard chuckled made Charlotte more at ease because she thought that it was more likely to mean he was in a good mood and that she wasn't here for anything bad even though she had assumed what she had been brought here for anyway.

"Oh?! You want some paintings commissioned I see!" she said enthusiastically

When Richard began to say what ones that he wanted, frowning a little at the 'sea view' idea not thinking it would go very well but it wasn't her office.

"I can do that."

A little crestfallen Charlotte pouted slightly at looked up at Richard, despite his smile this whole situation made her very nervous so she played with the ends of her long hair and smiled.

"Oh okay, no no I'm very happy at home, Cobalt is a good a daddy I could have dreamed of."

by **Richard Romain** Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:21 am

Richard was really rather tired and with any other student he would probably be very short/angry with the student, regardless of the subject. But Charlotte was different. She was his favourite student and almost a member of his family so he was very happy to see her,

"Yes please!" he replied just as happily and enthusiastically as Charlotte seemed to be about the idea, "That would be lovely! Your artwork would do wonders for this room. Can you believe that some students find the room intimidating?"

He smiled, happy that her homelife was good. He eye-smiled,

"Good! Otherwise I'd have to kill him!" he joked, sticking his tongue out before yawning a little bit, "I swear... these extra classes will be the death of me. You got any major stress Char?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:32 am

Charlotte was very glad that she found someone who loved her art work as much as she did and she smiled happily, and she couldn't wait to get started on the paintings that she was just commissioned, of course she would do them for free. Richard was like her uncle!

"Yes, yes I can believe that Professor, after all it's a bit dark, and a bit scary, and some students are scared of you."

Sticking her own Tongue out Charlotte frowned a little, what extra classes? Who had been missing from her lessons?

"You have a lot of covers to do recently? That must be tough...I could help, cover Divination or History of Magic, I know a lot about Wizard Art!" Charlotte offered.

With a small pause, Charlotte thought, and then she lied: "No, not any major stress, just little things you know, nothing I can't handle."

by **Richard Romain** Wed Jan 04, 2012 5:50 am

Richard was very glad that he didn't have the same problem that quite a lot of parents and family members had about children or teenager's artwork. Where they had to pretend it was good to spare their feelings. Why? Because Charlotte's artwork was actually good! Not good for her age, just plain good! She was easily on the same level as some paid artists,

"Scared of me?" he asked, pretending to be shocked before putting a hand into a drawer, "Why would students be afraid of a professor who gives them..."

He whipped his hand out of the drawer quickly, holding a large bar of galaxy chocolate out for Charlotte,

"Chocolate!" he finished with a chuckle, "No, but seriously, your art will make this office so much better."

Richard pouted at Charlotte, having seen through her lie,

"I gave you chocolate... why lie to me?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:12 am

As Richard looked shocked Charlotte bit her lip and wondered if he was being serious or not, yet, when he said that he gave his students chocolate Charlotte grinned happily and took the altogether forgein chocolate from him, looking at it oddly.

"Oooooh this looks lovely! Thank you Professor."

Unwrapping the chocolate swiftly Charlotte broke off a square and popped it into her mouth, it was lovely! Closing her eyes to savour the taste Charlotte sighed happily.

"That's good stuff."

Charlottes eyes widened a little bit and she shook her head not knowing if she should tell the truth or not, after all Richard was so clever he probably already knew but there needed to be that certainty. For her to admit to it.

"What did you really bring me here for Uncle?"

by **Richard Romain** Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:23 am

Richard smiled happily as Charlotte took the muggle chocolate and had some of it. Her reaction was expected but it was still lovely to hear that she enjoyed the gift he'd gotten her. He had to admit that galaxy chocolate was a favourite of his,

"It is, isn't it?" he grinned a little, "Even Briony loves this stuff and she really doesn't like muggles."

Richard smiled faintly when Charlotte seemed to catch onto the real reason as to why he called her to his office. She was a very clever girl after all. His faint smile faded slightly,

"You know why Charlotte." he told her quietly, "I invited you to my office because we have a problem in our house. Bullying."

His eyes narrowed as he glanced out of the window, so as not to direct his anger at Charlotte,

"I don't like bullies Charlotte. I was bullied as a child you see." he turned to her with a small frown, "I know what it's like and I want to make sure no one else feels like that."

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Jan 04, 2012 6:13 pm

Charlotte nodded softly and broke off another piece and she slipped it into her mouth, she left it in there this time so that it can melt in her mouth, purring at the lovely taste she almost forgot what she was in here for but the decrease in Richards smile brought it back.

"Oh, I see, that's terrible Uncle, are you trying to find out who they are or something?"

Still smiling slightly Charlotte finished the chocolate and slipped the rest of the bar into her bag, wondering what on Earth she was supposed to do she just sat there and listened as Richard spoke, her red eyes calmed slightly and Charlotte relaxed.

Nothing was going to happen to her in here.

"Thats a very nice sentiment Sir, but I'm afraid I can't help you."

by **Richard Romain** Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:39 am

Seeing that Charlotte was loving the glaxay chocolate, Richard grinned. It was perhaps the best thing muggles had ever done for the world. Sometimes he was convinced a wizard or witch had a hand in making it. He smiled a little bit more and shrugged,

"Yes that's the end goal but my first priority is to help anyone who is currently being bullied." He told her with a small smile, "The bullies won't go anywhere and I want to help people who are being hurt."

Richard paused for a second before smiling a little wider and stood up from his chair. Moving around the desk, he sat on the edge of the desk,

"Well fair enough then Char." he told her with a big smile, "But how about you do me a favour alright?"

He grinned a little bit,

"I'd like to commision a painting. Well, more than one actually." He waved at the office, "Not for the office but for my home. I'm willing to pay you 200 galleons."

by **Charlotte Smith** Sat Jan 07, 2012 7:51 pm

At the subject of bullying being continued Charlotte didn't really know what to do so she just stayed quiet, but she felt for sure that she could feel her cat ears coming up out of her head she was so nervous, even though it was only Uncle Richard.

When he moved forwards to sit in front of his desk Charlottes heart slammed in her chest and she wondered what he was going to say next.

Extremely thankful when it was not what she thought it was going to be, Charlotte smiled slightly and stopped her nervous sucking on her lip piercing, it was something that she really didn't mind doing, painting, and for her Uncle shed do anything.

"You would? That's great! I'll do my best to make them perfect for you Uncle! How many and what of?" she asked happily but her mouth dropped open, shed never seen so many galleons never mind owned them herself "But Uncle Richard, I would do it for free!"

by **Richard Romain** Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:22 am

He knew that she was very nervous right now. Of course she was nervous, he knew about the bullying issue in his House and he knew that it was mainly in the girl dorms no less. It was highly likely that Charlotte herself was being bullied but he knew that she wasn't a bully herself.

He knew that when he mentioned paintings that she was going to get a lot more relaxed now that they were talking about painting. Richard grinned happily,

"I'd like about... 5 paintings if you could. And can I have 2 paintings of my house and 3 of Briony and me if you can. But can you base one off this photo?" he handed her a wedding photo of him and Briony beside a beautiful tudor house, "And I insist you take the money."

by **Charlotte Smith** Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:32 am

Charlotte looked happy now that the subject was more focused on something that didn't make her feel like she was being studied under a microscope, looking through her bag for her parchment Charlotte scribbled down what she was going to do for Richard.

Two of his house? This was going to be easy. Houses were extremely simple to paint Becausr they were factual, however, the three other paintings were going to be much more difficult.

"So, you want two of your house, and three of you and Headmistress Romain."

Nodding Charlotte took the wedding picture and looked at the details on it she was a little confused about the picture, was it one of the house or one of them together, with a furrowed brow she slipped it into her bag and made sure it was safe.

"Is that one of you two together, or onexod the house?"

Now her barriers were down, and she was more likely to answer questions.

by **Richard Romain** Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:43 am

He knew that she was a lot happier now but in the end he would have to ask her about the bullying going on in his House. It was a problem and he needed to sort it out as quickly as possible. So his idea was that he would make her happy before he had to make her uncomfortable. He grinned happily,

"That's right." he agreed with a happy nod, "I know you'll try to make me look better than I am but try to be brutally honest."

He paused in thought for a moment before shaking his head. To be honest he just wanted their wedding photo in portrait form so that they could hang it up in the house somewhere,

"Don't worry, just paint it as is if you can." he chuckled a little bit, "I'm just wanting to show it off in my house is all."

Deciding to push on a little bit he grinned,

"You're a great artist by anyone's standards Charlotte, this means a lot to me." he smiled, "Your dormates know how good you are?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:51 am

Charlotte giggled softly and moved closer to Richard hesitating slightly before she reached out and hugged him around the middle, with a small kiss to his cheek Charlotte resolved to make these paintings the best that she had ever done.

Poking Richards face where there were frown lines Charlotte smiled wryly.

"You need to stop frowning so much Uncle, look at those lines! You'll need some cosmetic spells soon to keep Headmistress Briony happy." Charlotte joked

When he said that he just wanted it as a portrait Charlitte nodded, one more of the house and three more of those two together, after all, they were a very good couple they suited each other well although she had never really spoke with Headmistress Briony.

"Okay, I'll make sure that I try my very best for you guys, I want this to look good in your home!"

Still very happy Charlotte nodded her head:

"Some of them do, my friend, Pyxis wants me to draw her, and Tess knows too."

by **Richard Romain** Mon Jan 09, 2012 1:57 am

Richard smiled happily as Charlotte giggled, he was really rather protective of this little girl. She was so very kind and sweet. He blinked a few times when she hugged him before lightly hugging her back. He smiled and snapped playfully at her finger when she poked him,

"Oh you're being so mean!" he joked lightly before sticking his tongue out at her, "I'm a man with the 'rugged' look. Frown lines are a natural part of looking feral and intimidating sometimes."

Richard smiled happily and ruggled Charlotte's hair affectionately. He'd heard from Cobalt that she rather enjoyed it when he did it and he wanted to test to see if he was allowed to do it too. He grinned happily,

"With you painting them they'll be beautiful!" he declared happily, "You're a brilliant artist Char."

Hugging Charlotte lightly, Richard smiled,

"That's great Char!" he told her, honestly very happy for her, "What about the other girls in your dorm?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:09 am

Charlotte couldn't help but feel happy when Uncle Richie hugged her back, she realised that she hadn't really done this with him before so it might have been a bit out of the blue, glad that he didn't really seem to mind she pouted when he tried to bite after her finger.

With a sharp flick to his nose Charlotte looked like she had accomplished something and pulled her tongue out at him.

"Uh-huh...sure they are Uncle sure they are, but wouldn't it be nice to...you know...not have such massive ones? I'm sure that Mrs. Romain would agree."

Teasing him very much Charlotte giggled again but pouted once more as he ruffled her hair, not cool, Cobalt must have told him that she let him do it so he had decided to try his luck at it. Glaring up at him Charlotte moved her head.

"Brilliant artists don't like it when you do that to their hair."

Charlotte smiled softly and thought about the other girls in her dorm, one in specific who, although wasn't what she would call a bully, definately had the potential to be, but who was she to judge, maybe she was just having a hard time settling in.

"They're mostly okay, I get on with most of them, you can't like everyone after all."

by **Richard Romain** Mon Jan 09, 2012 2:19 am

Richard hadn't thought about it before but this was the first time he'd hugged Charlotte even if they had shown their affection in other ways. It was odd that they'd never hugged before though, especially since he was her 'uncle' after all. He wiggled his nose when she flicked it and stuck his tongue out at her,

"Yes well if Mrs Romain has a problem with them I'm sure I can fix them." he chuckled a little before before giving her a joking wink, "I'm just awesome like that."

Richard laughed a little bit when she pouted at the hair ruffling and pretended to pout, as if hurt that she hadn't let him do it. He stuck his tongue out at her again,

"Well brilliant artists have just rufflable hair." he countered jokingly before rolling his eyes playfully, "But alright, I'll refrain from doing so."

Richard laughed a little bit at that and nodded,

"Don't I know it... I tell you my time at school was full of people who you couldn't like." he yawned a little bit, "Know any of the boys in the House yet?"

by **Charlotte Smith** Mon Jan 09, 2012 9:31 pm

Charlotte raised her eyebrow, it seemed that he was trying to act silly in order to make himself more approachable, it was working and she squeezed him once more in the hug before letting go, rolling her eyes playfully Charlotte giggled:

"Yeah, of course, because you're that awesome."

When he pouted Charlotte raised her eyebrows slightly, Charlotte wondered just what he was so upset about for a moment and if she had done something wrong, but upon Richard pulling his tongue at her she giggled again.

"Thank you very much, after all you don't want to steal my awesome away by rubbing my hair too much, only Cobalt can do that."

When Uncle Richard asked her if she knew any of the boys in the house yet Charlotte smiled and shook her head, she hadn't even seen one, as if they were some mythical creature that evaded being seen by girls.

"No, I haven't met a boy yet in my house, I only really talk to Airen."

by **Richard Romain** Mon Jan 09, 2012 11:15 pm

Richard smiled happily when Charlotte gave him a small squeeze back in the hug but he chuckled a little bit at what she said. He stuck his tongue out at her,

"Damn right I'm that awesome." he joked before rolling his eyes, "Who else do you know that can turn their skin into metal eh?"

Richard adopted an exaggerated thoughtful expression as he looked at her hair. He stuck his tongue out at her again,

"So rubbing your hair takes the awesome out of it?" he joked before holding his hand close to her hair, "Maybe I need to steal some to make up for my frown lines."

When she shook her head to indicate that she hadn't seen a boy in her year, Richard smiled as well. To be fair he hadn't seen many either. He could recall a single boy, by the name of Ivano, if he was remembering correctly but, it seemed, that girls were more cunning this year,

"Ah yes! Airen!" he winked at her teasingly, "How is the young gryffindor? I trust the House isn't giving you any hardship for talking to him."

by **Charlotte Smith** Tue Jan 10, 2012 7:47 pm

Charlotte raised her eyebrows, and although she had not known this she was a little freaked out by it, and in her opinion it wasn't cool in the least, she thought that something cool was going to be like, being able to make cats out of thin air.

"No offense Uncle Richie, but that's not cool, that's weird."

Flinching away from him as he held his hand a little too near her hair to be comfortable Charlotte pouted at his teasing, she really didn't like it when people ruffled her long hair, so quickly she changed her appearance to a pixie crop so that he could ruffle away.

"You can ruffle it now, if you want to, I just don't like it when people ruffle my long hair it makes it all knotty and weird."

Biting her lip Charlotte blushed slightly at the mention of Airen, she didn't exactly know why, but she did miss him sometimes, because they weren't in the same house.

"He is doing okay I think, and no...no they haven't." Not yet anyway, she thought.

by **Richard Romain** Fri Jan 13, 2012 6:36 am

Richard pouted as she mocked his power. True, it wasn't actually a power. It was more like a very advanced and complex series of transfiguration but still. He stuck his tongue out at her,

"You're no fun." he smirked, "What about the power to turn into any element at all in the periodic table of elements huh?"

Richard pouted before simply poking her cheek lightly and leaning back with a small sigh. It had annoyed her so Richard made a mental note not to do it again. He waved his hand at her as he yawned a little bit,

"Don't worry, I'll stop now." he told her before covering his mouth with his hand and yawning deeper, "God... covering those lessons has still got me tired... hey... did I do alright in the lessons I covered do you think?"

Richard chuckled a little when she blushed but decided not to push his luck. He simply raised an eyebrow and looked amused,

"Well then... I do hope the poor boy is doing well." he grinned a little, "You be sure to see him as much as you can alright? I'm sure he'll appreciate it."

by **Charlotte Smith** Mon Jan 16, 2012 7:48 pm

Charlotte raised her eyebrow and she shook her head at Richard, that was still -in her books anyway- not cool, then she noticed just how mean she seemed to have been to Richard and decided that she would humor him even if she didn't think it was all that impressive.

"Yes Uncle Richie, that's very cool."

Nodding her head slowly Charlotte giggled, unable to keep a straight face through her blatant lie. But then just how tired he seemed to be dawned on her, the subsitute lessons had really taken it out of him...

"Yes you did wonderfully! It's really poor how all the Professors just decided to take off like that isn't it?"

Charlotte smiled wider and nodded her head, it would not be a hardship to go and see Airen as much as she could, after all they were good friends and they rarely got to see each other now a days.

"I will! It's hard though, because all the professors segregate the houses so we can't sit next to each other during classes any more, which is sad...but I'll make sure to try really hard to see him."