Open Office

[wwistful]

WHO: Murdoc Ampora and ANYONE
TONE: WELCOMING, it can vary!!
RATING: PG-13
WHEN: May 7th
WHERE: Murdoc's Office
WHAT: With exams coming up, Murdoc is spending more time in his office. Both because he's grading papers and because as Head of Slytherin it's his solemn duty to guide his students through hard times yadda yadda. He's there to answer questions.
STATUS: Ongoing

Exams have been coming up a long time, but Murdoc isn't surprised to see the majority students in a flurry of anxiety and fear. Despite his eagerness to watch students who failed to prepare crash and burn, he decides it would be best to extend his office hours on the off chance that students of any house need a little extra tutoring. Of course, priority falls to students in Slytherin, he's here to assist them with their big life choices and to discuss potential careers. He may or may not be a little eager to send everyone off to the Ministry, but he's interested in hearing what students believe they're capable of.

Today in particular he's come prepared. He has a large mug of very strong coffee by his side as he idly skims through some practise exam papers. His door is open, so anyone walking by will see him looking less than impressed and just a little bit bored. If you have a question, student or professor alike, now is probably the best time to get his attention.

Comments

[inkedbunny]

Bunny comes into the room quietly, then looks around the room slipping his hands into his pockets.

"Y'know, y'can really smell the stress in here. Dealin' with Slytherin's that hard, ey?"

He keeps looking around the room a moment more before looking at Murdoc at his desk with a watchful look, while his reason for being here was to try and borrow some, if not all of his anti-cheating quills for his theory exam it didn't hurt to at least offer some small talk before hand.

[wwistful]

Murdoc notices him enter, but he doesn't look up at him until he's addressed. Sort of. The comment earns him an unattractive snort and he glances up from his papers to quirk an eyebrow at his fellow staff member.

"Positively overwhelmin'." He rolls his eyes, taking a sip of his coffee. "I'm certain it will remain this peaceful until no less than a day before exams begin." His lack of faith in his students is disturbing, but at times, justified.

[inkedbunny]

Bunny grins from the dryness of his statement, then idly scratches at his cheek.

"Y'reckon? I've had a few of 'em commin' in askin' me questions."

He gives Murdoc an appraising look before continuing.

"But then, guess I'm more approachable t'the lil' tackas."

[wwistful]

"I suppose Slytherins are more independent, then." He answers in a cold tone, not appreciating the good hearted Australian teasing and ego stroking.

"Of course, you're terribly approachable when you meander into your coworkers offices and offhandedly insult them." He snorts to himself, giving Bunny a flat look. "Are you here for any other reason?"

[inkedbunny]

"Yeah, 'supose that could be part of it."

He raises an eyebrow at him curiously.

"Who insulting? Never said it was a bad thing, mate. Oh I'm still approachable, jus' putta sign on m'door sayin' I'll be back later."

Bunny gives himself a little grin at his preparedness of the situation.

"Oh, yeah. Well, I did have a reason. You wouldn't happen t'have any spare anti-cheatin' quills, would'ya? Looks like most'a mine've gone walk about."

[thisonetime_withkeith]

So fifth year is pretty important. That's a thing that's been drilled into everyone's head since the start of term. But the problem with that is Ellis just hasn't ever figured out anything he wants to do! There's so much to do and he doesn't even know really what there is all at the same time. It's confusing. It's confusing and he needs help. Which is why he's here, coming right on in without announcing himself or anything.

"Sir, ya got a minute? I gotta talk to ya about some stuff."

[wwistful]

Murdoc is understandably surprised when Ellis slips into his office. Well. Slips may be giving him too much credit, he manages to be loud about everything he does. He sits up, disregarding his grading so he can pay proper attention to Ellis. Which is to say he's staring him down, whether it's intentional or not is a mystery.

"I do." He answers, waving his wand so a chair in front of his desk moves backward, offering Ellis a place to sit. "What is it regardin', Mister Smith?"

[thisonetime_withkeith]

Ellis takes the seat as the chair is magically pulled out, and takes in a deep breath, "Well, y'see, sir. They keep tellin' me I need to figure out what I wanna do with my life, but... I just dunno!" he says, throwing up his hands dramatically. "I mean, I just... There're so many possibilities! Mama said I should be the minister, but... Eh, politics just ain't all that interestin', y'know?"

[wwistful]

Murdoc lifts an eyebrow at that, finding it just too difficult to refrain from making some sort of quip. "I'm sure that's the least of your worries." He retorts in a dry tone, keeping his expression perfectly bland as it he totally didn't just insult the poor boy's intelligence.

"There are many options to consider, but we can narrow it down. What are your interests? Which classes do you do well in?"

[truestsciences]

Eridan doesn't need to see Murdoc. He's not a fifth year, and his grades are pretty good in DADA. He doesn't even have any sort of personal emergency he should bring to his father, but the fact of the matter is...he's more then a little bored. Notes and homework can only offer so much entertainment, he's read all of the books he has in the castle, and Murdoc's office is the closest thing.

So that's where he is, raising an eyebrow at his father as he flops down into a chair across from his desk. "Are you really sure leavin' your door open is the smartest thing? What if someone decides to draw on your face when you fall asleep." Because, really, Eridan is sure that's inevitable.

[wwistful]

Eridan does need to see Murdoc. Murdoc is his father and he misses him terribly. Regardless of whether Eridan has OWLs, he's sure to have assignments or exams of some form. Though it probably won't prove to be all that much of a challenge. Murdoc on the other hand? Exams all the way across the board. Prepping and setting assignments and doing all sorts of helpful things as Head of House, he's been kind of a ghost lately!

So, when Eridan waltzes in, he can't help smiling. Even if it's a tiny, pathetic little smile. "That's what the coffee is for." He nods to it. "Professors aren't paid to sleep, you know."

[truestsciences]

He slooowly raises an eyebrow. Murdoc looks...well, kind of like shit. Probably from all the work he's been doing, but that's not going to stop Eridan from making a comment about it. "Is it goin' to make you look any better?"

He stretches his legs out, picking at the hem of his sweater. It's been...a really long time since he's spoken to his father one on one. Between his studies and his father's work increasing as the semester ended, there just hasn't been a time where Eridan felt like he could just come sit and chat with Murdoc and now he just feels awkward.

[wwistful]

"Excuse me?" Murdoc doesn't even pretend he isn't offended by that comment. He sits up in his chair, as if sitting up straight will make him look any less exhausted. "I couldn't possibly look any better than I do now." He retorts, narrowing his eyes which basically makes him look like he's squinting tiredly at the boy.

"Are you here to insult me further or do you have a question?" Or. You know. A hug or something for your poor old man.

[helmetdoesnothing]

He spent a good five minutes rocking back and forth on his heels just out of sight of the door before he decided to knock lightly against the frame. The noise almost startled him, raising the hairs on the back of his neck despite the fact he should have expected it.

Mituna had a higher opinion of Murdoc than most, not least because he tended to take things at face value and the professor had always been pleasant, if a little abrupt with him. What had happened during the odd event of the previous month had only affirmed his attachment to this particular teacher.

"Um.. thir?" ... Murdoc was probably going to need that coffee.

[wwistful]

Murdoc had spent the entire time entirely unaware of this. Despite having an open office, he does have aa painful amount of work to power through. Between assisting all of the Slytherins and everyone taking his DADA class, making sure his own children are prepared and dedicating a little time to his equally busy boyfriend. Well. He's scared to tally up the hours of sleep he's had because whatever is keeping him awake might just stop working.

His head snaps upward as he hears the knock and he smiles a little as he sees Mituna approach. It's funny, you'd think the boy would grate on his nerves too much for him to favour him in anyway...and he does. He bugs him a lot. Overall, he tends to manipulate the fatherly side of Murdoc. The one that didn't pay enough attention to his own kids so now he feels the need to collect them.

"Captor." He nods. "Did you have a question for me?"

[helmetdoesnothing]

Oh, a smile.. well that's a good sign, right? Anyone would think that Mituna would be a source of constant irritation to Murdoc, with both his manner and his consistent struggles with his studies. No one could say he didn't try, and to those who knew what he was capable of before it had to be a sorry thing to watch, but Professor Ampora wasn't particularly renowned for his patience.

He nodded, moving into the room and closing his fingers around the back of the chair across from Murdoc. His fingers tap in slight agitation.

"Well, not ekthactly." A pause, and he frowned. "I need thome help."

[wwistful]

It's either a good sign or a dangerous sign when it comes to Murdoc, but it's most certainly a pleasant if not somewhat strained smile. He's obviously tired, but he's not unhappy to see Mituna. In fact, he'd rather been hoping the boy would visit of his own volition, he can't help but worry a little for the lad.

"That's what I'm here for." He pushes his paperwork to the side and links his fingers together. "Why don't you take a seat?"

[toocoolforthis]

Dirk isn't the kind of student who goes to teachers if he can help it. He prefers to get all of his information in class and figure out anything else on his own- it doesn't matter if he has an intelligent question to ask, it's one of those things his pride will rarely take.

But he has been gone for much of the school year, and although he's caught up in his classes, he really ought to check in with his professor to make sure, shouldn't he? Besides, this year is the OWLs, and after those, he'll have to think about his future, and what he wants to do. He needs someone to talk with about that who isn't Bro. He needs to feel like his plan is solid before he brings it to Bro. And who better to talk to than his Head of House, right?

That's what finally brings him to Murdoc's office, where he raps his knuckles against the doorframe. "'Sup, professor?" If there's one good thing about dealing with Murdoc in school, it's that he doesn't have to figure out what to call him.

[wwistful]

Murdoc is sort of aware of this already. Given that he's both his DADA professor, his head of house AND his father's boyfriend, he has a vague understanding of the kind of person Dirk is. He rarely needs to worry about his reluctance to seek help, anyway. Dirk is perfectly capable and intelligent, he's hardly the type to pester Murdoc with meaningless questions.

So, when he looks up to see Dirk in his doorframe, he can't help but raise an eyebrow. He's surprised, of course! But he's also curious. If it's important enough for Dirk to come to him of his own volition, it must make for an interesting meeting.

"Strider." He half smiles, look how friendly he is!! "Is there somethin' I can assist you with?"

[toocoolforthis]

"Nothing pressing." It's true. He's been mulling over this for weeks and he'd be perfectly content to ponder it for several more, if he couldn't talk to Murdoc now. It's not like he wouldn't get the chance to talk to him during the summer, if any of the things his Bro has implied are true, anyway. "It can wait if you're chained to your paperwork."

Nevertheless, he steps into the room, sliding his hands into the pockets of his robes. "It's about next year, and potentially beyond that."

[wwistful]

"Certainly not."

And with that, he's setting his quill down into his ink well and threads his fingers together. Honestly, he'd look a bit like an anime villain if his hair were a bit stranger. He doesn't want to wast the opporunity to both bond a little with his boyfriend's son and pry a little into the life of one of his favourite students.

"Have you made plans already?" He lifts that curious brow again. He's already learnt how independent Dirk tends to be, so he's eager to hear why he needs his assistance in particular.

[starspangledavenger]

Steve heard word that Professor Ampora had extended his office hours for the day and seeing as his course was one of the O.W.L.s Steve was concerned over, he thought it'd be smart to check it out. It was only a quick detour to swing by the office and upon seeing the door open, he decided to speak with the professor about his concerns, maybe get some advice.

He gave the doorjamb a quick knock, "Good afternoon, Professor. Do you have a moment?" He stood just on the outside of the threshold, waiting for affirmation before crossing into the office.

[wwistful]

With such a large amount of students, it would be impossible for Murdoc to be anything short of flat out. He's the Slytherin Head of House and the professor of a staple class, quite a few people are relying on him and in turn, he needs to trust his staff and students will be capable. Thankfully, he's lucky enough to teach a considerable amount of bright and well mannered students. Though he doesn't know Steve well, he is a particular favourite of his simply for his work ethic.

He looks up as Steve knocks, nodding at the question and beckoning for Steve to step into the room and toward his desk. "Is there somethin' I can help you with, Mister Rogers?"

[starspangledavenger]

Once given permission, Steve enters, giving the corners of the room a quick glance, as if checking for threats, but really, it's something natural to him after living with Kneazels for the last five years. Although those particular few creatures are fond of him, they like to sneak attack at any given chance. He's learned his lesson.

Making his way to the desk, he does take note of the room, but returns his attention quickly to his professor, as to not seem he's wasting the man's time. He makes sure to keep his tone polite and respectful, since he doesn't know this professor well enough to adopt a more casual manner of conversation. "Professor, I was hoping to ask you a question in regards to the upcoming O.W.L.s exam for Defense Against the Dark Arts."

[wwistful]

Murdoc raises an eyebrow as Steve glances around, wondering if he thinks he sets traps for the students when they come for help. Actually, now that he thinks about it, setting traps that go off as students enter wouldn't be the worst idea he ever had. For class, that is. That'd keep them on their toes!

He watches the boy as he looks around, scribbling a few more notes before putting his quill away alltogether and knitting his fingers together. "I'm listenin'." He half smiles, but it doesn't really make him less intimidating.