Reunion...Of a different sort.. {Zadiken}

[Kaliana Justice]

Lana stood at the window of her office, contemplating where to start the task of selecting professors for the new year when in reality she wanted to be in the muggle world right now riding one of the wild horses she had come to love dearly. "Ah, it can be put off until tomorrow." She groans to herself and makes her way down through the great hall and to the grounds outside. On her way through the East tower she visited the hospital wing where she saw a fourth year who's transfiguration spell had gone horribly wrong and was now half owl and who was slowly and painfully being turned back into himself. The east hall was deserted because most classes were still in session so Lana continued into the Great hall where the sky was laden with snow filled clouds just waiting to drop their cargo.



As she made her way out the castle doors she spied her destination, the forest where she hoped to catch another glimpse of the unicorn she had only seen once in her youth as a student there. Half way there she spotted a familiar figure in the shadows and did a double take. "No, not you, not now." she said to the figure as it was walking her way. A few feet in front of her stopped her high school sweet heart whom had broke her heart. Frozen with shock and dread she waited for the words he was yet to speak and thinks to herself "Maybe doing that paperwork would have been a good idea after all."

[Zadiken Anvion]

Zadiken had just apparated into the grounds, walking towards the school at a brisk pace. It was nice of the Ministry to offer this job here, but he hoped that the Headmaster wouldn't mind him just... barging in. He was a jerk to most, but that was mainly because the one he wanted to be close to was possibly somewhere in the world with a 12 year old child... his child. But what could he do? He had left like an idiot... and...

He shook the thought from his head, and continued walking, a large bag slung over his shoulder, and his white hair reflecting the overhead sunlight which was shrouded by semi-misty skies. Upsetting... he was hoping it would warm up a bit-

Then he heard a voice. A blast from the past that shook him to his very core. He slowly looked about forty-five degrees to the left and saw her.

Lana.

"What in the Holy Hell are you doing here?" he said, dropping his bag in shock. of course, he shook his head. "Uhm, uh, yeah... how's th-the kid...?" he said slowly, looking her in the eyes... God, those eyes. The very same eyes that wrapped him up in a secure and precious love that he wished would have never died...

But it was his fault anyways.

He waited for her response, eager and frightened to hear what she would say.

[Kaliana Justice]

Lana stood open mouthed as the guy she least wanted to see asked her what she was doing on her school grounds. What was SHE doing here, her JOB is what she was doing!.. she thought to herself. What gall he had, it seemed like he was still the same conceited jock jerk that he was when they were at school here. As if suddenly remembering his presence she jerked back and said a little more forcefully than she liked, "What am I doing here?! Better question is what makes you think you can just traipse through MY school uninvited?!"


After gaining more control over her vocal chords so she wouldn't betray exactly how bad seeing Zade again had upset her, especially during her virgin year as headmistress she answered his other know it all question. " Kid? What kid? What ARE you talking about?"


Glancing back toward the castle then back to the forest where she had so hoped to gain some peace for just a few minutes she stood undecided on where to go from here and impatiently waited for any response.

[Zadiken Anvion]

Zadiken's jaw dropped. What kid? "Wait. Lana... what do you mean, 'what kid?'" he asked, blinking. He walked over, regaining his composure, and looked her in the eyes. "You told me that day that... you were pregnant..." he said, heart sinking. What happened? Did something happen to her or the child?
A moment of silence between the two, and he reached out and took her hand. "I know it doesn't do a lot after all these years, but I'm sorry." he said quietly, looking into her eyes. He meant it. If there was one thing he learned, it was how much he missed her, and the child that apparently never existed. he was curious to this point, but decided some time and perhaps something strong to clear his mind would be in order first...
"Now onto other business... YOUR school? Meaning you're the Headmistress prodigy that took over? Now this is a surprise..." Surprise considering she's the second Slytherin to be Headmaster since Snape, he was impressed. He gave a small smile. "I'm proud of ya... you were always ambitious, and it seemed to pay off... sorry for my outburst a second ago. he apologized and looked down a bit, then looked back up at her.

[Kaliana Justice]

Lana jerked her hand from Zadiken's grasp. No, I told you I THOUGHT I was pregnant, at that point I wasn't sure, but I suspected." she said rather harshly. "And if I'm not mistaken in my memories of the horrible day, you left me, or am I completely wrong about that like I was wrong about how you felt......How we felt about each other?"this time she let the hurt ring true.

How dare he try to be nice now? Feeling herself getting angrier by the minute she starts to stalk off back to her office, glances over her shoulder and says "You're right, after all these years, I'm sorry doesn't even begin to cut it."

Stopping on her heel, she spun around and glared at Zadiken as if he had just morphed into the dragon of her everlasting fears, You never answered my question.... Exactly what are you doing traipsing around my school? And yes, I mean my school, as in I am headmistress as of the beginning of the current year and it has been mostly uneventful until now."She almost growled at him. Then continued on her way back to her office, "If you wish to continue this, I suggest we do it somewhere without prying eyes" she yelled over her shoulder as she made it to the castle doors and waited.

[Zadiken Anvion]

Zadiken was verbally punched in the face about forty times. This was... horrible. Not only was he wrong, he was WRONG. Good lord... he began following her to the Headmaster's office, looking at his shoes the entire time. He remembered the day he left... he was so scared that he had just ended his life... why though? How could he? He didn't know now... he just wanted to make amends with her and move on... and hopefully he'll have a job by the end of the day.
He matched her pace as they walked and he spoke. "I was appointed as Alchemy professor and Fencing director here. The Ministry wants me to keep an eye here for some reason." he said quietly, looking at her out of the corner of his eyes.
He took in her silence, and continued. "Anyways... I didn't know... I'm sorry... why didn't you Owl me? You always Owled me... I know I was a prat for not returning, but I just... I was scared. Probably not as much as you were though.." he looked at her as they arrived at the front of the office. "Come on... talk to me."

[Kaliana Justice]

Lana turned as they made it to the door of her office, "Talk to you? Owl you? Excuse me?!" she gritted her teeth as she looked him dead in the eyes. She muttered the password, "Ever flavor beans", and waited as the staircase made it's decent. Lost in thought she barely heard that the ministry had appointed Zadiken and climbed on the stairs then waited for him to follow.

After gaining entrance to her office she jumped, "The minister did what?! Without contacting me or even mentioning it in passing?? Why would they do something like that, and we don't even HAVE and alchemy class here." Completely confused, Lana sits down in her chair, not even waiting for a reply. "And for your information, I didn't owl you because I left the wizarding world and everything magic that I had meant anything behind, so I didn't have an owl and thus no way of contacting you. I had to begin to get over you, my feelings for you, and what you made me feel like before I even thought of coming back here." She laid her head in her hands and placed both on her desk, and waited through the onslaught of emotions that suddenly came flooding back, ones that were long buried she had thought.

[Zadiken Anvion]

He sat there, knowing she was heartbroken, and sighed. He reached into his jacket pocket, and pulled out a small necklace, something he had intended to give her back then.
"Lana. Forgive me for everything." he said quietly. He slowly turned, looking back over his shoulder once. "I've broken your heart, and that's unforgivable. The Ministry sent me back here primarily to look for something, but I wanted to teach Alchemy so badly... I thought I'd give these students a chance to enjoy this subject." he looked down as he stood, eyes closed, remembering the look on her face as he left. "I won't leave you again, Lana. I won't ever do that to you." He dropped the necklace on the desk in front of her and turned to walk out. "I'm going to prepare the class room and my curriculum." he said.

[[OutOfCharacter: Feel free to stop him. XD]]

[Kaliana Justice]

Lana sat up as Zadiken made to leave her office and was at war with herself when she said "Zadiken wait. I'm sorry, you showing up here out of the blue, after never expecting to see you again, kind of brought back things I buried long ago." She was still in the dark as to what he meant when he said there was something here the ministry wanted. After all, they had helped rebuild the castle after its ruin in the war. Trying to keep it impersonal she asked again. "What is here exactly that the ministry wants? I need this much if I am going to allow you to be around my students let alone teach. Then she looked down at the necklace he had dropped on the desk and slowly fingered it, how beautiful it was, then jerked her hand back not ready to trust him yet again with so much, even friendship. She looked at him and whispered a barely audible, "Don't make promises you can't keep Zadiken, not this time, not anymore."

[Zadiken Anvion]

Zadiken looked at her and looked down. "Do you not even read your mail?" he summoned a piece of paper in his hands and handed it to her. "The Ministry supposes that Salazar Slytherin wasn't the only one with a "Chamber of Secrets", as per the chamber opened by Voldemort, and then Potter. Sources in the Department of Secrets have revealed the possibility that the other three founders had Chambers themselves... and want to open them." he sighed. "I don't like it. It's why I volunteered to come here... I love this school because it reminds me of us." he admitted.
He walked over to the window and looked out.
"Godric Gryffindor apparently hid his in a Room that could give you anything you needed. Helga Hufflepuff reportedly under a tree that lashed back. Rowena Ravenclaw supposedly hid hers somewhere in the lake. We aren't sure which lake, the Black Lake or Hogwarts Lake... either way, Aurellis is up to something, and being the rebel I am, I cannot comfortably let him toss one of his lacky's in here and screw around with this school." he crossed his arms. "If you're ok with it, I have a colleague that I trust more than anything. I'd like for you to appoint him Gamekeeper, and if anything goes south... We'll have him to cover the outside." Zadiken's trust with the ministry was... not good. Considering the recent change in power... he wanted to protect the school, and now, Kaliana...

[Kaliana Justice]

" You mean to tell me, there are more Chambers in the school? And that the ministry for some reason wants to get their mangy paws on whatever is housed within them? Why would they want to do that?" Lana asked Zadiken, as she stared open mouthed at all he had implied and whom he had implicated in his admission. She walked over to stand facing him. " And this 'colleague' of yours, why do you want him here, for the ministry? If that's the case, then no, he can stay off my grounds." Lana had developed a mistrust in the ministry since the new Minister had taken office, and the 'appointment' of Zadiken without so much as a note to her as his appearance was disconcerting....

"As for reading the post, yes I do, but had decided to take a stroll in the Forest to clear my head of some troubling thoughts and was on my way to do that when you apparated just outside the grounds." Glancing at the necklace once again Lana shuddered as more remembered feelings flooded her body. A little uneasy since Zadiken had admitted he thought of "us", she stepped close to her desk and looked at a few of the moving pictures on the wall. Wondering if she should bring up the troubling events that she'd had a feeling was coming for some time, she let her gaze travel to Zadiken as he was looking out at the grounds. His looks hadn't changed much from fourteen years ago, though he had filled out some, or as muggles call it.... Buffed up..

" You didn't research before accepting the 'appointment'? You didn't know I was headmistress here? I suppose whatever comes will come, and we must deal with it accordingly.... Whether it be another ministry screw up, another 'dark lord', or some kind of mutant creature within the Forest.... But what does that have to do with me and this school? Why not just let the ministry have their look-see and leave it at that? I can handle myself, ya know.. You made sure of that long ago." Hoping he would some how let on how he felt about her in the past, if that was true or not... And how he wanted to manage this since they would be in such close proximity for the first time in fourteen years..... Lana turned quickly away from studying his profile and felt a blush rise though she fought hard to control it.

[Zadiken Anvion]

"All I have is this paper." Zadiken said, snapping his fingers, causing it to appear in his hands out of hers. "So, no, I didn't research." He looked at the paper and paced for a bit.
"My colleague's name is Tony Dedrian. He is one of my most trusted friends... had a bit of a rough patch lately, and really needs something a little less... dangerous. This is solely for me, Lana, so I beg of you, let him come and work here."
He walked back over to her and set the paper down.
"It's encrypted. These are not the real locations... because it says Slytherin's is within a closet in this office." he smiled. "So, that means these are... riddles? I don't know... I wish I had some lemon juice... maybe there's something invisible on the paper that we cannot see..." he looked down at it and though hard for a moment, then looked back to her.
"You got any ideas? I mean... you got picked for this job for a reason. Let's see what you can do." he said, giving her a warm smile. He knew she was smart, and incredible at puzzles, considering they had figured out every secret passage in the school for... various reasons.
He sat in the chair and stretched, letting her look at the paper, and awaiting her response.

[Kaliana Justice]

"I guess before I can make any judgement calls on this pal of yours I will have to meet with him, if you say he is only here on your accord. "

Lana sat and thought deeply about any passages they had previously uncovered and fought back another blush as she remembered why they had sought them out. She knew there were no secret passages heading up to that office, so that was ruled out. A frown crosses her face at the mention of lemon juice. She wonders, " Do you think that might actually work?"

As Lana had been outside previously and the interior of the castle was much warmer she was beginning to get too hot, so she took her wand out of her robes and took her heavy robes off, revealing a muggle type spaghetti strap tank.
" Ah, I was just kidding...." She grabs her wand off the desk and lightly taps the parchment saying, " Reveal your secrets", and waits to see what happens.

She turns to the window in the chair and watches as the fading sunlight bounces bright purples and reds off of the clouds in the brisk night. She closes her eyes and lets her head fall against her chair in exhaustion, and groans. "Well?"

[Zadiken Anvion]

"Well? It's a hole in the- Ooo! Something's happening!" he said, pointing at the paper.

It began hovering in the air and glowed, several words etched in the space around it much like a muggle hologram.

FOR THOSE WHO SEEK THE SECRETS OF OUR CASTLE, TAKE HEED AT THESE WORDS...

If you break me
I do not stop working,
If you touch me
I may be snared,
If you lose me
Nothing will matter.



Zadiken watched as the paper fluttered to the floor.

"... It's a Riddle Scroll!!" he said, snapping his fingers. "It's like a lockbox! It's key is the answer to the riddle!!" He was ecstatic. He was one step closer to solving this! He began pacing the office, muttering to himself the meaning of the riddle, and working out possible clues. It had to be something overtly difficult. Something... unexpected.

he continued to pace slowly, focused and determined to solve this.

[Kaliana Justice]

Lana opened her eyes at Zadiken's exclamation, and looked at the paper..... As the words started dancing across the paper, her eyes seemed to take on an almost purple hue because of how deeply she was concentrating, coupled with the dying embers of the sun reflecting off a mirror in the room.

With the riddle fully revealed, she sat and contemplated while watching Zadiken run around like a little kid just given his first lollypop, and sighed loudly. When the answer came to her, it felt like a slap to the face. How ironic and just completely unwanted at the present time. She looks at Zadiken, and a dark almost sadness crosses her features.

" The answer is your heart."

She turns her chair away from the still excited man whom at one time had held hers and closes her eyes as a tear falls onto her cheek. She swipes at it fiercely as if it had purposely fell just to anger her. She never does this, never lets anyone see her cry.

Hopefully back in control of her emotions, she turns to face the paper, and sees Zadiken standing open mouthed and his glaring eyes going back and forth between her and the parchment that was in the middle of telling all it's secrets. She whispers, "Well, it was the answer it seems, now to see what it tells us...."

Wishing she had been wrong, she continues to stare at the paper, avoiding Zadiken's eyes at all costs... Then she wonders, " If the riddle was that simple, what else do we have to do? After all, you're the master in this area.. "