☼ [Dictated/Action] ☼

[aphoenixsong]

[Albus is wandering about the library, summoning tomes to him with gentle flicks of his wrist. He catches them deftly and lays them on a table next to his journal.]

This library holds many interesting tomes. I should think I have learned more than my fair share about different worlds and I must admit that I feel humbled. My long experience seems to matter little in the face of so many stories.

[There is obvious regret in his voice.]

I wish I could be of more help. [He isn't used to being so...powerless.] I am a powerful Wizard who has seen his share of war and yet I am ill-equipped to protect those who are residing in this castle.

Yes, this experience has been humbling.

Comments

[sonatilove]

You're a wizard?

[priorities.]

[aphoenixsong]

I am. [And he is a proud one at that.]

[sonatilove]

Does that mean you can pull bunnies out of hats?

[aphoenixsong]

If I wish to, though I don't see why I would want to pull a rabbit out of one of my hats.

[sonatilove]

Because bunnies are amazing.

[aphoenixsong]

I do admit they are rather appealing.

[sonatilove]

Sonata likes them a lot. Sonata likes a lot of things.

[A beat.]

Hey, old man, there's all sorts of ways to help!

[aphoenixsong]

Are you Sonata? [He can't help but smile at her voice.] Do inform me how I can help best?

[sonatilove]

Yep! [she's rather cheery!!! :u] Calmly, justly, and correctly! Smiles and happiness for everyone. --That's the 00 way!

[aphoenixsong]

A pleasure to meet you, Miss Sonata. [He needs more of that.] So if I'm happier, I will help others?

[sonatilove]

You too! Uh-huh! When Sonata sings she can feel everyone's feelings! 00 sings to make everyone happy.

[aphoenixsong]

Would you sing for me?

[sonatilove]

Yeah! Definitely! And dance, too!

[aphoenixsong]

I would enjoy that greatly. Perhaps I could even give you a rabbit as payment.

1/2

[sonatilove]

Really?---

[sonatilove]

Sonata doesn't need paid! Idols sing for the people.

[aphoenixsong]

Regardless I think you could give a rabbit a good home.

[sonatilove]

Sonata's never had a pet before.

Old man, where are you? Sonata's gonna come sing for you now!

[aphoenixsong]

Then it's time you had one.

[He chuckles at the nickname.]

Can you find the entrance hall? I could meet you there.

[sonatilove]

Sis-sis would say I can't have one...

Uhuh! That's real easy. Sonata can get there in a flash!

[aphoenixsong]

Why would she say that?

I will be waiting.

[And he is true to his word. Not five minutes later, he is standing in the entrance hall, fabulously bright robes and all.]

[sonatilove]

'Cause she's a meanie! It's only Sonata here so she can do what she wants.

[And at about the same time a little girl in a pig outfit (tail and all) is bounding down the stairs!]

[aphoenixsong]

I have faith that you will care for the rabbit.

[He smiles faintly at the sight of her before producing a little rabbit in his hand.]

You are definitely a cheerful sight.

[sonatilove]

Sonata will try!

[It's hard to miss the newly dubbed old man. And she's kind of distracted by the rabbit for a moment as she flails... not so quietly, before blinking up.]

Cheerful? Sonata's always cheerful! Yep. Idols hafta be!

[aphoenixsong]

Tell me more about Idols. [He pets over the rabbit before setting it on the ground. It hops up to Sonata, tail wagging.]

[sonatilove]

[Oh no, distracted by bunny.]

Idols go out to see their fans and sing them their love!

[aphoenixsong]

So you are like a celebrity.

[He smiles as the bunny pawpaws at Sonata's leg.]

[sonatilove]

Celebrity? There's no celebrities where Sonata comes from.

[Picking up the bunny! And face kisses are a thing.]

00 are idols. There isn't anything fun to watch 'less you're from the comedy planet 'cause entertainment's banned.

[his_nemesis]

[Harry could not overhear Dumbledore speaking, as he walked past the library. He often frequented the library, as Remus sometimes visited also. The part about him sitting beneath the table to read got Harry rather confused at times.

He made his way over to greet his late headmaster.]

Professor? Is everything alright?

[aphoenixsong]

[Albus visibly brightens when he sees Harry. He crosses his arms in front of him and smiles sedately.]

Everything is as well as it could be, Harry. How are you doing?

[his_nemesis]

Well, I couldn't help over hearing you talk about not being enough help to the castle. [He doesn't want you overdoing it again, Albus. You already take far too much responsibility on and try to do it all on your own. A bit like this boy wizard here too.]

I'm fine. At least, I think I am. I met Remus Lupin the other day, but he wasn't the one we both know. He is much younger, my age in fact. It's a bit strange actually.

[aphoenixsong]

I apologize. [He sighs quietly and takes a seat.] It is difficult for me to watch others suffer. [Particularly when he has no control or plan in place to make things better.] I have wanted to research more about this castle, but information is scarce.

Ah yes. Mr. Lupin is quite kind. I'm glad your paths crossed.

[his_nemesis]

Nobody can be suffering more than yourself, sir. Like you said, you were dying just before Snape killed you. Surely, you can't feel obligated to help every single person in the castle. You already do enough as it is. [Maybe he is speaking for himself also. Burden can be a horrid thing.]

He is. He said I look like my dad even more than he thought.

[aphoenixsong]

But I do. [He is a leader; he is a man filled with regrets.] I have done very little since I arrived. For a short while, it felt like a vacation. However now - [He sees people suffering.] I feel restless.

Well you do take after James. However I can clearly see your mother in you as well.

[his_nemesis]

What sort of suffering are we talking about here? Most people I have spoken to seem happy they are here, even. They can summon anything they wish and are happy to let the castle do their bidding. I've always been taught that things that are free usually come with a price. I know about the losses and such, it's just...there has to be something sinister about this place, sir.

Is this what you mean by suffering? Or am I just guessing randomly?

[aphoenixsong]

I have seen a number of residents paying for their wishes. Not all of the payments seem to fit what they wished for - in fact, it seems like the castle likes to have fun where that is concerned.

[He nods faintly.] There is something sinister about it.

[papillo]

Who do we need to protect them from?

[aphoenixsong]

Those who control the castle I should think.

[papillo]

Would that not be as simple as walking out the door?

dictated

[littlebityeah]

... Am I mishearing, or did you just say you're a wizard?

dictated

[aphoenixsong]

You did not mishear.

voice

[footnote]

[Aziraphale is delighted to hear of another wizard in the castle, and most certainly hopes they can share tricks and techniques with one another. But there is another, far more important matter to attend to first.]

The library, did you say, sir? I must confess I haven't seen one anywhere, despite being told there was one.

[Probably because it's his loss, unable to find a place that houses books without being physically guided there.]

voice

[aphoenixsong]

I did indeed. [He can't help but sound a little amused.] Shall I draw you a map? It really is quite large. I would suggest everyone visit it during their stay in the castle.

[footnote]

I would certainly appreciate that, my dear man, thank you!

[He sounds as excited as a child at Christmas, if said child was named Cedric and was really a 43 year old bank manager.]

Dictated to this man.

[rose_of_battle]

What happened wasn't your fault. You shouldn't feel guilty. Or humbled.

Dictated to this woman.

[aphoenixsong]

Someone who has power and is unable to use it would surely feel this way eventually. Unless they lack empathy on some level, which I am, sometimes, sad to say I do not.

Dictated to this man.

[rose_of_battle]

[Oh, she can understand that, and even before he had said anything, she had known he wasn't uncaring--just from his entry alone.]

But, if you didn't know anything about what was happening, or going to happen, or to who, then you shouldn't beat yourself up over it.

[A beat.]

These Gentlemen knew exactly what they were doing.

[Because how can you find out someone needs help if they can't tell you?]