Professor Zerod Grimp was seen as a lot of things due to his teaching style and general personality. He was a bit intimidating, even a bit scary. He was tough on the students and as Slytherin Head of House, he kept a close eye on said House. Many didn't like him, and for the most part, Grimp didn't really care if they did or not. Some were so put off by Grimp, upon first encountering him and having classes with him, they assumed he could very well be a dark wizard... or could have been at one time anyway.

The truth was underneath the gruff exterior, Grimp was a good and noble man. He had never been and never would be a dark wizard. In fact he despised them and their dark magic with every fiber of his being. For decades he was an Auror, loyal to the Ministry. Hr fought well for them, and with his help, many dark wizards and dark witches were put away in Azkaban. Unfortunately, his career as an Auror ended when a dark witch named Cora Veltrino cursed his leg before he finally managed to take her down and lock her away as well.

Grimp genuinely wanted to aid students as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. He wanted them to be prepared when they went out into the world, and that was why he was so hard on them in his classes. Now, with the recent news about Liam Ollivander, he wanted to make sure the students were safe and able to defend themselves. Being a member of the legendary Order of the Phoenix, he was of course not only concerned about those in his House, but all the students at Hogwarts, as well as every good wizard and witch in their world.

Grimp decided it was best to meet individually with all the Heads of Houses. He sent Professor Walker, the Charms Professor and Head of Ravenclaw House, an owl to meet him in his office first.
BRANDON MICHAEL WALKER

The news of the most greatest wandmaker in Diagon Alley been mssing took a effect on everyone, but while that indeed was something big, Brandon Walker knew one thing. He had to be there for the students, and for the staff members of Hogwarts. There was a duty that had to be done and showing fear would show the students a bad example. Nothing could change that. Sooner or later the ministry had to find out where he was, and if that wasn't going to happen he knew there was once the order of the Phoenix.

Not a long time ago there was once a dark wizard, everyone who has been old enough to been through it can tell the story of the Wizarding War. The boy who lived Harry Potter and the Dark Lord himself. He just hoped History wasn't going to repeat himself. While looking through the books of Charms to find out what the students had learned the last few years from the former Charms Professor he got a note. A owl flew to his window and tabbed his beak lightly on the glass window. It was a brown owl as he headed over to the window. "Well isn't it a bit early for you to bring around notes."Brandon said as he petted the owl. The paw of the owl had a note attached as he took it gently off. He petted the owl once more as it flew away back to his place.

Brandon then closed the window as he opened the note that was send to him. He saw the writing style as he knew it could not be anyone more then Professor Zerod Grimp. The German DADA professor and Slytherin head of house. The man was considered as a honorable Auror and Professor, some students even thought he was pure evil and that you shouldn't mess with him. Bryan knew better as he closed the books and leaving his office.

Walking down the stairs a few minutes later he was at the office of Zerod Grimp. Three knocks on the door as he opened the door. "Good to see you again Zerod. You wanted to see me?"He said as he closed the door behind him.

@grimp

When Grimp earned Professor Walker knock, he was about to grab his cane to get up and walk over to answer it. His bad leg made it harder and harder to walk as he got older, but he never complained about having to. However, Professor Walker had done him a favor by stepping inside. Grimp let go of his cane and clasped his hands together as he sat at the desk.

"Ja, Professor Walker, I wanted to see you," he said in his strong German accent. While some of the Professors called each other by their first names when they weren't around the students, Grimp usually stuck to official titles, an old habit from his days in the Ministry, as well as his upbringing in a small wizarding village near Hamburg, Germany. "I would offer you tea, but the House Elves have been granted a brief holiday before school begins and I did not care to go down and get the pot myself." Grimp then pulled out a bottle of Quintin Black and two glasses. "Besides, given the nature of the discussion we are about to have, perhaps this will be more appropriate, ja?" Grimp filled his own glass, then moved the bottle and the other glass over to Walker.

"Now to business," said Grimp. "You are no doubt aware of the recent incident with Liam Ollivander in Diagon Alley. While the Ministry is trying to put if off as an isolated incident that will be taken care, I am far too old and have seen far too much to agree. When there is a spark during peace time, a flame usually follows and spreads, and this one has every potential of spreading to Hogwarts. As Head of Slytherin, I feel it is necessary to take extra precautions with my House this year. As Head of Ravenclaw, I suggest you do the same, professor."

BRANDON MICHAEL WALKER

Professor Walker headed inside the office as he looked at the elderly man in front of him. He knew that Professor Grimp was a elderly man that rather spoke with last names then speaking the first names. Brandon could understand that and he was okay with it. When the next few words were spoken Brandon knew this talk was going to be different. The day that Ollivander was missing, it hit the Wizarding world much, in fact it did make him aware of the situation that was involved. "No worries about the tea, but I don't think I will be taking a drink either. I need my mind with the situation and this talk."He said as he gave a smile to the professor. "Thank you for asking."He said.

Brandon listened to Zerod Grimp the professor of DADA and also known for his many years as Auror. Things have changed ever since stuff happened in Diagon Alley. He knew that, and most staff members knew it. Ollivander was a great man and a great wizard. He cared about the students and the many adults that visited him once when they were a teenager for his wands. Nothing was going to change those thoughts, but while he went missing that was taking some sparks. Sparks that surely would spread to a flame and flames become fires that can't be stopped. At least he just hoped that History did not repeat itself. A next Wizarding world at Hogwarts was going to be another day in his book.

"Yes indeed I am very much aware of what is happening. While the ministry takes the time to hide it, nothing will stop a dark wizard to put a flame on. While I know most of my students, and seeing how they react on charms and you could have seen it in the DADA classes. Some fear the dark arts. But of course I will take a look at the students and take extra precautions. Anything to help the students and the school."Brandon said as he looked at Zerod.

@grimp

Zerod Grimp could not help but let out a laugh when Walker stated that he needed to be in right mind for this discussion. Grimp rarely laughed. Hell, he rarely smiled. When he did laugh, it was not a pleasant one. It had been known to send shivers up people's spines. A lot of things Grimp did accomplished that though. He was once taught to think as dark wizards did in order to catch them, and it was quite possible that some of that stuck with him over the years.

"You may think otherwise when I am finished, Professor," he said before sipping from his own glass. "But we shall see." He was joking with the Professor, another thing he rarely did. And like the laugh, when he did joke, his humor was grim. He hoped that his colleague was well used to that from him by now. He didn't want to run the man off after all.

He then of course went over the current situation and sat back as Walker gave his response to it all. Grimp had to agree that the Ministry seemed to be hiding some things. Malfoy had tried to calm the public, but Grimp wondered what the Minister was truly thinking about the situation, given Malfoy's past with the dark forces.

"It is good that they fear the Dark Arts... to an extent," he said. "Fear means they hate that form of magic, that they wish to learn to combat it in order to survive. However, that same fear can force them to embrace the dark arts in order not to be destroyed by them. That is what we must be cautious of. As you know, my own House has had a history of producing a number of dark witches and wizards. Your House has been guilty of the same itself, ja?"

BRANDON MICHAEL WALKER

For once it was good to see his fellow colleague laughing. The stories were true about Zerod, and the more he spoke with Zerod the more he knew some students were right. Zerod never laughed or rather laughed, but this. This particular sentence made him laugh. While the experience was with Zerod, Brandon was younger but not naive he knew when he had to help and he sure was going to not let that get away.

Looking over at the elderly Professor he gave a smile as he heard the words he spoke. "I have seen and heard many things, this conversation will not need a glass. At least not for me, but you may do it."He said as he looked at Zerod. Looking at Zerod taking a drink from what he offered, Brandon himself took some water as that was mostly stuff he drank. It was fresh and he enjoyed it very much.

"Some things change in the future, and some stay the same. All the houses except Hufflepuff had great dark wizards in them. Some survived and grew older in the prison, some died on the battlefield. Both sides have lost so much Zerod. I might have been a young boy, but I have seen the dangers of the Darkness. It will consume anything that isn't strong enough, and it is even more dangerous for those who fear them. It will consume the students and that is what worries me."He said as he looked at Zerod. "There is nothing that can stop the fear these students have. But what we can do as teachers, is give them the hope. The hope Minerva once gave to these students."He said looking at Zerod. "She knew that even in the darkest time, there was always a light. We need to be that light for the students."Walker once said again knowing that he was going to give his students the hope they needed.


@grimp

When Walker said he had seen and heard many things in his time and managed to get through it sober, Grimp stopped laughing and looked at the man coldly.

"And I have seen things in my time that would drive a sober man to drink," he said before taking a rather large sip of his drink. "But again, I respect your decision." Zerod meant that, but the look remained in his eyes. It wasn't any aggression towards his colleague. It was the look Grimp took on when he had to talk about such things. His fellow members in the Order of the Phoenix saw it quite a bit.

Grimp then listened as Walker spoke. He was Head of Ravenclaw House and Grimp expected him to come up with some intelligent, well-thought response. He was right about the Darkness taking advantage of the fear of the students and how they needed hope. But Grimp felt that the combination of both would make them the strongest.

"They will find hope when they learn how to control their fear and use it to their advantage," he said. "Why do you think I spend an entire week having my students contend with Boggarts? But you are right, Professor. Hope will be what keeps them from being consumed in the end. Our one-time Headmistress indeed proved this time and time again, as did Professor Dumbledore."

Zerod finished his drink and was about to pour another when he thought the better of it. He had two other Head of Houses to meet with after all.

"There is one more thing that will be of help to your House," he said. "Each House has their strong points. Gryffindor has its courage, Hufflpuff its loyalty and hard work, my own House its cunning... and then there is yours, Professor. Your students have been gifted with intellect and among the very brightest at the school. Should times become darker, you as Head of House must show them how to use their gift as a weapon."

BRANDON MICHAEL WALKER

What Brandon has said came probably the wrong way at Zerod, as the laughing suddenly stopped and the ice cold look went over to him. "And I have seen things in my time that would drive a sober man to drink," He heard Zerod say as he looked at him. "But again, I respect your decision." At least Grimp was a bit serious and at least respected that he didn't want to drink. Yet the look in his eyes did show the coldness he hasn't seen much from people. Yet it didn't make him afraid as he knew Zerod by now.

"Training them for Boggarts might be okay, but out there it isn't enough. We both know that Zerod." He said. "I am happy that you at least show them how to resist there fear, but out there once they fear again a simple spell won't safe them from that fear, and that is where we come in." He said looking to Zerod. Things weren't going to be easy out there, but Brandon knew that his intelligent will come into this picture for his students. They needed the help they could. "My classes are spells, all I can do is teach them how to use them. How to protect against them, but any dark wizard out there knows a duel vs a student is easy. Any dark curse or unforgivable curse will take them down."He said.

He looked at how he said about the houses. "Indeed the houses need to work together. Every house has its gift, I will help you with the plan. I got some bright students out there, that can take magic to another level. I will prepare them, not as a weapon, but the gift they have to become greater." He said as he looked at him. "When solving problems, dig at the roots instead of hacking at the leaves" He said knowing that he had to let them grow and take the roots, instead of hacking around the lessons with leaves. They needed to get to business and he was ready to do it for the school.


@grimp