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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 10, 2007 19:41:00 GMT -5
Professor Cooper knocks loudly on HeadmAster Trinn's door, and waits for a reply. He is very nervous for this outcome.
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Post by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore on Jan 10, 2007 19:57:31 GMT -5
Headmaster Trinn had been engaged in a conversation with several of the school's previous headmasters - with their paintings anyway - but they all fell silent the moment the round of knocking resounded through the circular office. As they settled down to feign sleep, a perplexed Trinn called,
"Come in."
The door swung open of its own accord to admit the visitor.
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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 10, 2007 20:08:41 GMT -5
Professor Cooper walks into the door, and looks at the Headmaster.
"Sir? Am I interrupting anything?"
Professor Cooper takes a few steps forward.
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Post by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore on Jan 10, 2007 20:15:10 GMT -5
"No, you have come at a very convenient time,"
Headmaster Trinn assured Professor Cooper.
"In any case, I can always make time for my professors. Now, have a seat and tell me what is troubling you."
He gestured toward one of the leather chairs before his expansive desk. He had apparently cottoned on the younger man's nervousness.
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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 10, 2007 20:21:16 GMT -5
Professor Cooper takes a seat in a chair, and begins to talk.
"Well, Sir. I have thought, and thought, and thought.......I decided that I should...as much as it hurts me to say this, since I LOVE Hogwarts.....retire. I decided to give it one more month.....I was a student here at this school, with my love interest Professor Avallone. Anyways, I don't know if I can handle it anymore sir."
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Post by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore on Jan 10, 2007 20:32:59 GMT -5
The Headmaster could practically hear ominous music playing in the background as Cooper began to speak. He surveyed the professor gravely for a few moments, hands folded upon the desk top, before he spoke with a tone of regret,
"I wish you would have come to me about this sooner, before you came to your decision."
In a more brisk fashion, he went on,
"Still, I must attempt to sway you. You are an asset to this school and I shall not let you go willingly. Tell me, what has brought you to this state of mind that you want to give up?"
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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 10, 2007 20:42:38 GMT -5
Professor Cooper has tears in his eyes.
"Listen, sir. I love Hogwarts with my life. It was my favorite school. It still is. I just don't know if I can handle it. I meAN, teaching is my passion.....but I bet you'll find someone better. Listen, I'm going to tell my classes that I am out of here close to a month, and they should be expecting new professors. Good Day sir."
Professor Cooper turns to the door, and sighs.
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Post by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore on Jan 10, 2007 20:56:14 GMT -5
"I don't remember dismissing you,"
Said Headmaster Trinn calmly.
"Until I accept your resignation, I am still your employer and do not wish to close this meeting so quickly. Return to your seat, Eric."
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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 10, 2007 20:59:20 GMT -5
Prof. Cooper sits back in his seat.
"I don't have anything further to say about this, sir. What else is there to explain?"
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Post by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore on Jan 10, 2007 21:21:38 GMT -5
"Quite a lot it seems,"
Replied Headmaster Trinn solomnly. Without a word about it, he gave his wand a little wave, summoning forth a silver tray set with a pair of butterbeers. Sending one of the comforting drinks to sit in front of Cooper, he took one himself and finally continued,
"If you have been pushed into early retirement from teaching, there must be several factors. Can we not discuss them and find a way to work this out so that you may stay? Surely, you do not want to abandon you students or your House without a second thought?"
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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 10, 2007 21:30:23 GMT -5
Professor Cooper pushes his butterbeer away.
"No thank you, sir. I am not thirsty. anyways. I love my students, AND my house. Gryffindor is a great house. Weasley, Granger, the fat lady, and nearly headless nick. Anyways, I don't know what else to teach my students, sir. And, I am a half-blood. I hear that I hate muggleborns? I don't know who did...but someone said it...and I don't like accusations like that. And another thing. Your DADA professor is weird. Don't ask me why."
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Post by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore on Jan 10, 2007 21:48:00 GMT -5
The Headmaster said implacably,
"New lesson plans can always be thought up. If not by you alone, then the rest of the professors and myself can help. I am confident in saying that none will refuse you, especially if it means keeping a good professor in hogwarts. Two new professors and a new Gryffindor Head of House will be extremely difficult to find on such short notice, not to mention how difficult it will be for the students to adjust."
He frowned at the second issue.
"I don't know who would say such a thing either. If I find out, that personh will be punished, of course; you know such talk is not tolerated in Hogwarts. You should not let rumors get the better of you. If some of the more colorful rumors about me are to be beleived, I was a grave-robbing hit-Wizard before I came here to teach. It goes with being in any society."
Headmaster Trinn couldn't help but chuckle at the last bit. With a second thought to that particular subject, he added a slightly troubled sigh.
"I won't disagree with you on that. However, I don't see why you should let Alexandre chase you away. Besides, he is the Slytherin Head of House so you can always expect that the two of you won't be the best of friends."
He sighed for a second time and rubbed at his temple for a moment before contemplating Eric Cooper with a calculating expression.
"All those problems aside, what will Professor Avallone think of you abandoning the school?"
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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 10, 2007 21:56:41 GMT -5
Professor Cooper sighs.
"Well, sir. She doesn't want me to leave the school. I don't even want to go. I have had so many memories here. As a child, and a teacher. You have a bunch of bright students. Miss Granger, Miss Porter, Miss Cantari, Mr. McKelvey, and others. I don't think I am getting to the other professors, or the students. I don't know."
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Post by Headmaster Albus Dumbledore on Jan 11, 2007 21:10:53 GMT -5
Seizing upon any doubt about Cooper's leaving, Headmaster Trinn said,
"If you don't know, then why don't you pay close attention in the coming weeks and make absolutely sure. I can't force you to stay if you truly don't want to, but I would appreciate it if you gave it your all before coming to a concrete decision."
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Post by Professor Eric Cooper on Jan 11, 2007 21:14:53 GMT -5
Professor Cooper stares at the Headmaster.
"Sir, I will think it over."
Cooper leaves the room, to wonder.
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