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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 21, 2008 22:48:14 GMT -5
Bellatrix left the Dark Lord with her next mission ahead of her. But before she could even think about how to get the girls to go with her, she had to get the job. She apparated to Hogsmeade, just outside the gates of Hogwarts, and then walked up the drive to the castle. Having taken Professor Rothschild's classes before, she knew just where to go. Hopefully the professor would be there. The door to her classroom was shut and Bella knocked loudly on the oak. As she waited, she fixed her hair and straightened her robes. She needed to look professional and like she really wanted the position, and being frazzled would not get that point across very well.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on May 22, 2008 15:36:55 GMT -5
Isabella was exhausted. Between caring for Conor (who refused to sleep through the night) and teaching her classes, she was getting seriously run down. She didn't want to quit her job, but one thing was clear: she needed more help. She she had put out an advertisement, searching for a teaching assistant. At this moment, she was interviewing one of the applicants.
This girl, only a few years out of Hogwarts, was one of the most promising applicants she had seen so far. She was almost prepared to offer the young woman the job right on the spot, but she didn't. Just as she was finishing up the interview, she heard a knock on the door. "Just a few minutes!" she called as she turned back to the young woman.
"Just a few more questions," she said with a smile. "Now, according to your records, you were studying to be an Auror. Why now do you want to take a job as a teaching assistant?"
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 22, 2008 15:45:02 GMT -5
Andromeda Black smiled in return. She couldn't very well tell the woman the real reason she was applying for the job. Her boss, Vincent Corrigan, had told her that she should apply for the job in order to protect the Rothschilds from a possible Death Eater attack. She was supposed to stay close to them, watch them, and protect them by any means necessary.
All in all, it was a difficult task for her first official assignment. Especially since she had to remain undercover to do it. "Yes, I was studying to be an auror," she replied pleasantly. "And I still want to be one some day, but I've been told I need to get more experience and practice with my magic and knowledge, and I thought working with someone as skilled in Defense as yourself would help me with that," she replied. "Besides, I love kids. My sister and my cousins are all attending school here, so I could keep an eye on them, you know?"
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on May 22, 2008 15:56:54 GMT -5
Isabella nodded. "That makes sense," she said with a smile. She sifted through the papers in front of her for a minute, checking to see if she had any additional questions. "Well, I guess that pretty much covers everything," she said at last. She stood up at her desk and walked around to shake Andromeda's hand. "Thank you so much for coming in, Miss Black. I'm sure I'll be owling you soon."
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 22, 2008 16:00:19 GMT -5
Andromeda stood up and shook Ms. Rothschild's hand enthusiastically. "Thanks so much," she said. "It was a pleasure to meet you, and I'm looking forward to hearing from you." She walked to the door. "I'll just send in the next applicant for you."
But when she opened the door, she was very surprised to see who was standing on the other side. It was her own sister, Bellatrix, who she hadn't seen in more than a year. Immediately, she broke into a bright smile. "Bella!" she said excitedly. "I can't believe you're here... how have you been?"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 22, 2008 16:12:46 GMT -5
Forced to wait in the hall, Bella leaned against the door and attempted to hear the conversation on the other side. The voices were muffled by the wood, but Bella was able to make out two women's voices. There was another applicant. She knew this could be a problem but it was not anything she wasn't prepared for. The Dark Lord had given her permission to do whatever was necessary to procure this position, and she intended to.
Bella was still listening at the door when it suddenly opened. Surprised, she jumped back, only to be taken by surprise once again. It was her sister who had been applying for her job! Bellatrix nearly fell over with shock. "Andromeda! What are you doing here?!" She ignored her sister's own questions and spoke with a demanding voice, requiring hers to be answered first.
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 22, 2008 16:16:16 GMT -5
Andromeda laughed at Bella's stunned expression. It wasn't often that Bellatrix was taken by surprise in anything, so it was especially strange to see that look on her sister's face. "Well, I'm applying for the job, silly," she said as if it should have been obvious. "The same as you, apparently. Unless I heard wrong you got left back a year... but I know you're smarter than that. You're my sister, after all. So seriously, how have you been? I've really missed you and Cissa."
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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 22, 2008 16:36:09 GMT -5
"Bullocks. I missed Narcissa and so I visited her not even a week ago. When was the last time we saw you, eh? Visits and owls; that's what real families do. They don't run off to work for the Ministry, leaving her kin to deal with family matters." Bella's eyes narrowed. Andromeda had always been a little off, in Bella's opinion. And although Andi had been too slow to realize it, Bella never really felt connected to her sister.
But this attitude certainly wouldn't get her the job, and it wouldn't make things any easier with Andromeda if she kept it up. Afterall, she had to get this job, and if Andromeda wouldn't back off...well it wouldn't matter that they were sisters. She'd have the job. Bella's voice softened. "Speaking of the Ministry, shouldn't you be working on your training instead of busying yourself here at the castle? Leave this job for me Andi, give me something for mum to be proud of me for. Not all of us have the skills to be an...auror."
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 22, 2008 23:57:03 GMT -5
"Oh, come on, Bella, don't be like that," Andromeda said, knowing full well that this was exactly how Bellatrix always was. "I wanted to see you, but ever since Dad pretty much disowned me, I really haven't been able to get anywhere close to you guys. And I wasn't sure how you felt about it--about me--so I thought it best to stay away. But believe me, I've wanted to see you both, so much." She didn't mention that she'd gone to visit Sirius over the summer.
When Bella asked about her training, Andi allowed a guilty frown to cross her lips. "Yeah, about the training... I tried, but I don't think I'm ready for it. Honestly, I'm kinda rethinking my decision. But seriously... good luck with your interview, Bella. I know you're smart and talented.... if there's anyone more deserving of the job than me, it would be you."
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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 23, 2008 0:05:15 GMT -5
Bella scowled again. How dare Andromeda try to play the pity card with her! She had made her bed and as far as Bellatrix was concerne, she could lay in it. "You know Andromeda, I really don't hae time for this right now. I have an interview to get on with. And don't worry, you won't have to wonder whether you get it or not. You won't." Bella forced the scowl from her face and adopted a pleasant look. It was as if she had never seen her sister when she pushed past Andromeda and let herself into Isabella's room.
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Post by Andromeda Tonks on May 23, 2008 0:14:32 GMT -5
Andromeda stared after her for a long moment, a worried frown creasing her face. It seemed that their father's prejudices had indeed rubbed off on Bellatrix, as she had always feared they would. But maybe there was hope. This job could be good for Bella, if she were to get it. She could work with a good woman like Isabella, a woman who sacrificed everything to switch sides for good. She would be working closely with children. And the healing atmosphere of Hogwarts might make Bella see things a little differently. At least, she hoped they would.
Andi sighed and turned away from the door. While she was here, she could at least try to meet with Narcissa, and maybe Sirius and Regulus as well.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on May 23, 2008 0:26:12 GMT -5
Isabella vaguely heard the exchange taking place outside of her office, but paid it no mind. But as the girl strolled purposefully into her office, she looked up at the new applicant with surprise.
She was a former student, having just graduated in the summer. Isa remembered her as a good student. She smiled. "Welcome," she said politely. "I take it you've come to apply for the job.... Bellatrix, right?"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 23, 2008 0:30:39 GMT -5
Bella nodded politely, a natural smile across her face. "Yes ma'am. But I prefer Bella, if you don't mind. Bellatrix makes me sound so stern." She laughed lightly before taking the seat in front of the professor's desk. "I hope you haven't filled the position yet. I would love the opportunity to work with you." The words spilled from Bellatrix with ease. She had spent many formal parties having to be polite and respectable, and although it was not in Bella's nature to be either of these things, she was able to fake it flawlessly.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on May 23, 2008 0:46:00 GMT -5
Isabella smiled. "It's a good thing most people call me Isa, then. It could get confusing with two Bellas around," she replied lightly. She liked the girl's directness, and of course a little bit of flattery never hurt, either. "I still have a few more applicants to see, so I haven't made any decisions just yet." She took out a parchment and quill and prepared to jot down a few notes.
"So, tell me, Bella, what makes you think you're the best applicant for this position?" she began.
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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 23, 2008 0:55:09 GMT -5
She had more applicants left to interview? How many people could want to work for this yellow-bellied cow? Rothschild was surely just saying that to test Bella. That had to be it. Bella could not believe anyone was stupid enough to actually desire this position. Other than Andromeda of course.
"Well, as you know I am only just out of Hogwarts myself. So understand what it's like to actually still be a student. I think connecting with the students is very important. It creates a greater desire for the information. And Defense...well there certainly isn't anything more important in these trying days." Bella truly did believe that. It was only with a clear understanding of what you are fighting can you defeat it. But she wasn't about to say that during an interview. "I also have prided myself on my Defense skills. I'm sure you remember my excellent marks, every year till graduation. And I was a member of the dueling club which was excellent practice."
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on May 23, 2008 1:01:32 GMT -5
Isabella was pleased with Bella's answers, and she jotted down some enthusiastic notes. "Very good," she said, smiling. "You're right, when you connect with the students, they are more willing to learn and have a better attitude. Tell me, how do you think you would relate with the students? What are some of the ways you would go about establishing a rapport with them?"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 23, 2008 1:13:11 GMT -5
Bella had not been expecting Isabella to be so prepared. She never really thought much of her as a teacher. And she clearly needed Charles to even get her child back. Perhaps her husband had prepared these questions. She appeared to be using some sort of cheat sheet. But then again, that brain dead idiot wouldn't be able to come up with anything more than 'what's your name?' so it couldn't have been him. While all these thoughts ran through her head, she never once let them show on her face or in her posture. Bellatrix was the perfect liar.
"Well, I already have relationships with many of the older students, who have always come to me for guidance and help. Of course I wouldn't let my personal feelings get in the way of any business. I now when to keep things separate." She added the last part as an afterthought, not wanting Rothschild to turn her down because she was chummy with the Slytherins. "And with the others I don't already know, I am willing to make myself available to them whenever they need me. Openness, I believe, is the key to a good relationship. Plus it will be easier for them to trust me, seeing as how I'm nearly their age. Some of your older applicants," Bella didn't say it, but she was speaking about Andromeda, "might not have that advantage."
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on May 23, 2008 18:51:16 GMT -5
Isabella was impressed again, and began jotting down more notes. It was interesting--since she had announced the position, she had seen a number of candidates that did not impress her at all. But now, the last two in a row were very promising. And they were both named Black... Sisters, perhaps? There was definitely a similarity about them.
Isabella looked up at Bellatrix for a brief moment, trying to remember the girl from her classes the previous year. She couldn't remember her being in any trouble, but she did hang around frequently with Lucius Malfoy. This concerned her. "You'd mostly be grading papers and checking over homework," Isabella said, "and helping out in class to make sure the students are all understanding the lessons. On some occasions, though, you may be needed to actually teach a class. Students can be frustrating at times, talking, laughing, passing notes. How do you think you'll handle that kind of situation?"
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Post by Bellatrix Black on May 25, 2008 13:18:25 GMT -5
Bella nodded as Rothschild listed her possible duties, pretending she was interested in all this trash. And at the professor's question Bella's first and truthful answer would have been to curse the sniveling brats, but of course she couldn't say that. So instead she once again spun a web of fantastic, peace-loving lies. "Well one of things that was most influential to me as a student was simply when the professor caught my eye again, usually with some fantastic new spell I hadn't seen performed before. Just knowing I could be taught to perform such a fete, I always paid closer attention. And of course, if that doesn't work there is always the threat of more homework. Believe me, with the amount of work students have already, knowing there could be more would straighten any class up." She had to take special care to not sound hateful when using the word 'threat' as she was sure harshness would not help her obtain the position. And although she disliked her sister, receiving the job as Rothschild's first choice would be so much easier than dealing with her sister if Andromeda were to get it.
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Post by Isabella Rothschild on May 25, 2008 23:39:36 GMT -5
Isabella liked her answer, especially the first part about impressing the students with a new trick. She wrote down a few more notes before looking up at Bellatrix. "Very good," she said. "Now, Bellatrix, can you tell me, what do you hope to get out of this job? Besides the paycheck, of course. What kind of experience are you hoping to gain from this?"
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