Next Stop, Employment...

[Kane Garrett]

Kane's first stop was the Headmistress's office. He'd hoped to stop by his office first to drop off his duffel bag, but after questioning a couple students, he'd come to the conclusion that there wasn't a counselor to begin with, and so there wasn't an office. His next question had gotten an immediate response. Everyone knew where the Headmistress's office was.

Kane stood outside the door now, duffel in hand, and gave himself a quick mental look-over. His hair was a little shaggy, but then, he'd gotten off the Hogwarts Express less than an hour ago, so that was to be expected. He was wearing trousers rather than shorts, and a tee with sleeves, so his tattoos were well covered, but his robes were in his bag. He had yet to see another member of the faculty, so he didn't yet know if they were a requirement, or an option, and until he knew, he'd opt out.

He wasn't at the Headmistress's office just for directions, though. While he was here, he figured he'd talk to her about any specific issues that might be prominently cropping up in the school, and find out the official positions on some of the more commonly controversial issues. He had his own positions, of course, but he didn't want to get off on the wrong foot right away, so a little background would be good for everyone. With that decided, Kane knocked firmly and waited for a reply.

[Headmistress Hells]

Hells had been sat at her desk when the knock came, reading over a letter from her old friend in America. In light of the recent goings on at the school, Hells had decided the school was in need of a counsellor and thankfully she had found one in no time at all. Kane Garrett. The Letter of Recommendation had been sent by the headmistress of Thaumaturgy, Kiss, who Hells had grown to know and like during her time in America. They had remained firm friends and Hells felt a pang of regret for not keeping correspondance up more regularly.

Placing the letter down in front of her, Hells picked up her wand and gave it a little flick towards the door. Opening, she could see a young man stood waiting for her. "Come in!" She called out to him, assuming that this was the new staff member she had been waiting for.

[Kane Garrett]

Kane's lips curved into a smile as he walked through the door, his gaze taking in the Headmistress in a slow look that stopped just short of impropriety. Then he turned, pushed the door shut, and turned again, heading father into the office. That look, though it had definitely held a bit of the physical in it, had an entirely different intent. You could tell a lot about a person by the way they held themselves, by the way they looked at you, if you cared to pay attention. Kane's smile returned as he set his bag down by a chair facing the Headmistress's desk. "Kane Garrett," he introduced himself, extending one large, sun-bronzed hand toward her.

[Headmistress Hells]

Hells stood up from behind her desk and took his hand giving it a firm shake. Beaming, she gestured for him to take a seat, before sitting herself, her hands resting on the desk, her fingers loosely clasped. "Kane! Welcome to Hogwarts. Your journey was a pleasant one I hope? Would you care for a drink?" She asked, giving her new staff Wizard her full attention. On first impressions, Hells was impressed with what she saw. Although he looked young, his eyes told her another story, one that didn't need her to delve deeper within. Behind those brown eyes of his, she could see a maturity older then his 24 years. His recommendation was still sat on her desk, ready to be refered to if the need called, however, for now, she was willing to hear what he had to say.

[Kane Garrett]

Kane slouched back into the chair the Headmistress had gestured to, arranging himself comfortably. "I'll have whatever you've got," he said easily. His gaze left hers for a moment to look around her office, taking in any little details that might give away some clues about the woman in charge of the school and his career, but what he saw was devotion to the school itself. After a short time, his gaze returned to the Headmistress, and he set himself to conversation.

"I thought I'd touch base with you before I got settled in." Kane's lips quirked every so slightly in a self-deprecating smile, and his eyes shone lightly with humor. "I'd have gotten settled in first, but no one could point me toward my office. Anyway," he said, switching gears, "I wanted to talk to you about what the school needs, what's going on that I can help with. I'm afraid I haven't been in England long, but I hear the Daily Prophet's a good place to pick stuff up. Don't know how accurate that is, though."

[Headmistress Hells]

Hells flicked her wand, so that a tray of steaming tea appeared between them. Pouring him a cup, she smiled at his obvious dig at the lack of his office. "Help yourself to sugar and milk." She began, passing Kane his cup. "Your office is located on the second floor. You are the first counsellor we have had at the school. Usually the students have gone to either their head of house or myself. However, I saw to it that your office was made ready for you aswell as your living quarters, however I'm sure you will wish to decor it however takes your fancy." She paused as she filled her own cup, adding a little milk and just the one sugar. "As for what the school needs," She began, drawing her cup closer to herself, "We are in need of someone that will be unbiased and unjudgemental. We have mainly typical teenage angsts at the school - exams, school work, relationships. There are also the odd exceptions that may need more sensitivity. You can read the Daily Prophet by all means, however some of it is exaggerated greatly, chinese whispers that have formed into something bigger. I am sure your path will probably cross with it's editor before long." She lifted her cup to beneath her chin and blew gently on it's hot contents. "I understand that you will wish to work with complete confidentiality, however." She paused, her gaze firmly fixed on Kane's. "Should there be something that could affect the safety of my students or professors, than I hope you feel that you can come to me."

[Kane Garrett]

Kane inclined his head slightly in assent. Nothing the Headmistress had said surprised him or gave him concern. He took his tea straight, sipping once at the steaming contents before lowering the cup to speak. "That's the way I've worked before," he said. "Everything remains confidential unless it's illegal, or could put someone's life in danger. In either case, I'd try to stabilize the situation, and notify you as soon as possible."

Kane took another sip of tea, then went on. "It's my practice not to judge, and to treat every student as an individual. Two kids with the same problem might get entirely different advice based on their personalities and their needs. I'll admit to having assigned some detentions to kids Headmistress Malfoy sent me, but I prefer to get to the root of the problem, remove the cause instead of the symptom."

[Headmistress Hells]

Hells sat, listening intently and nodding as he spoke. "I am glad you think that way." She said, when he paused long enough for her to speak. "Every student here is an individual, with their own ideas and take on things. What may be nothing to one, could be immense to another. But please,." She added, feeling that he had not quite finished. "continue if you would." She picked up her tea and sipped it slowly, her eyes still locked on to Kane. She was glad her initial impressions of him were impressive as she felt confident this man would be a good addition to her school.

[Kane Garrett]

"I'd like to know the school's stand on a couple of the more common issues that came up at TAIM," Kane said, getting down to business now that he'd given her his philosophy. "Some schools, the one I went to for example, took a don't talk about it and it doesn't happen approach to teen sex, alcohol consumption and recreational drug use. TAIM was a lot more open-minded than that and took the approach that education and support can do a lot to prevent things." Kane didn't say what things he meant; he didn't know the Headmistress's stand, and so he allowed her to decide for herself what he meant, or to dismiss it as he went on. "Does Hogwarts have any official policy I should know about?" Not that his own personal policy would change, but it would give him an idea about how quiet he'd need to keep those policies.

[Headmistress Hells]

"You mean, do we sweep it under the carpet and hope it goes away?" She said, laughing. "No. We don't. We are aware that there are students here that are more, how can I put this.. involved, than others. We don't completely condone what happens, but we do give a few of the students some discretion, all depending, of course, on their age. If we feel the need to step in, then we will. We had a situation a little while ago between a professor and his student. I am sure you can imagine what went on, but that is just one example of what we don't allow. The professor lost his job, her parents were informed and although we did what we could, we had to leave it to her parents to decide the main outcome. Unfortunately, the professor went array and took his own life. I cannot say it was a surprise. He was a troubled man." Pity flashed before her eyes, before she closed them briefly, removing all trace. "I do not know how much of this school's history you are aware of, however it is filled with some wonderful and victorious events but also filled with some terrible, terrible occurances. I can, however, reiterate that I make the final decision on major problems. I am willing to listen of course before I make my decisions, but my word will be final." She smiled kindly at Kane, not wishing to make him feel threatened or over-powered. The school was her life and she worried and cared for everyone inside it. What happens to them affected her and she could not step aside completely.

[Kane Garrett]

Again, Kane nodded his head in assent. Considering the dire state of the only issues he would have to notify her about--the risk of suicide or murder, illegal activity--he had no arguments. "I was never one to meekly submit to authority," Kane admitted, "but I don't rage against it. I know my position, and I won't take it for granted, and I won't take yours for granted, either." He'd had his wild youth, but he'd moved on, grown up a little since then. He respected the Headmistress's authority, plain and simple, and it showed in his steady gaze.

Kane let his words settle, let the understanding rest, before going on. "I guess that brings us to the question of how much comes with my position," he said, thinking through his words even as he spoke. "I'd like to organize group sessions, as the need arises, maybe meet with students in Hogsmeade on occasion, if the weather suits. I find that kids open up more when they're relaxed, and everyone has a different environment that relaxes them." He stopped there, his eyes looking his question. Any thoughts or opinions?

[Headmistress Hells]

"That sounds good to me." Hells answered, hearing his unspoken question. "I often feel that we are like one big family and of course, there are always arguements and disagreements, but there are rewards and enjoyments too. I am happy for you to do what you feel will help the students and staff at this school. An owl sent to me will be sufficient and I will only intervene if necessary." She smiled broadly, impressed by his own confidence and assured that he would not abuse his powers and let her or the school down. "Now, is there anything that you will need? Other then your office of course, which is ready and waiting for you!" She had no concerns and felt that he was probably eager to get to his quarters and relax.

[Kane Garrett]

Kane shook his head, his lips curving easily in response to the Headmistress's smile. "As far as I'm concerned, everything is copacetic," he said. "I'll take the morning to get set up, and put out the word by this afternoon, see who bites. I don't know the students yet, so if there's anyone in particular, well," he shrugged. "Don't hesitate to send them my way for an introduction. Otherwise, I'll be around." Kane reached for his duffel, grabbing hold of the handles as he pushed to his feet. "It was nice meeting you, Headmistress," he said, pausing a moment as he mentally recalled the location she'd given him. Then he inclined his head in farewell, and left, closing the door softly behind him.

[Headmistress Hells]

Watching him go, Hells felt optimistic that Kane would settle in well at the school. She knew it may take sometime for Kane to get anyone that was truely in need of help. For a while he would probably find he was subject of curiousity more then anything else. But given time, Hells knew that Kane would be a huge benefit for the school. Smiling to herself, she took out some parchment from her desk, dipped her quill into the ink and glanced at the letter of recommendation. Now was a better time then any to catch up on her correspondance and let her old friend know that Kane had arrived safely.