i'm still standing

Callista McGonagall Carson Thirty Three Years Old Halfblood Ancient Runes Professor Gryffindor Alumni

[trinitytrelawney]

"Over here– smile big!" Trin encouraged as she held the camera up to photograph the other. "Want to take a look at it? I think it turned out really good," she smiled, pulling the photos up on the viewfinder and moving closer to the other to show them what she'd taken.

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"Oh um, no," Callista turned away, "I'd rather you didn't take photos of me, please. Are you able to delete that?"

[orionmacmillanbones]

"So, do I get to hear all the juicy details or not? You should know by now that I can keep a secret, it's actually practically my job description so come on. Enquiring minds want to know."

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"Of my divorce? I'm afraid there aren't any juicy details to share," Callista replied, laughing a little, "Sorry to disappoint."

“It’s something I would expect you probably remember anyway.” Though he’d had more reason to use them back then. These days, not so much it seemed. “No, no set plans. Maybe something will take me pleasantly by surprise though.”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

Callista smiled, "Yeah, I do. Though I don't like to assume," she replied, "What? Like surprise yourself with a trip or winning the lottery?" she asked, laughing softly.

[elenaflcres]

“I’m sure there are some out there who are not as passionate as we are,” Elena replied. “Some people are forced or coaxed into pursuing certain professions. We’re lucky that most, if not all, of our coworkers are dedicated to what they do.”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"I hate that," Callista said, "We see it so much in the job. It's so obvious when children aren't keen on the subjects they choose for their N.E.W.T.s," she continued, sighing softly, "It's the one gift my mother gave me, not trying to choose my path for me."

[marcuscarson]

callistaxmcgonagall​:

“Actually, in education, it can be a judgement on my teaching if there’s a pattern,” Callista pointed out, “Of course, I do. It’s not the easiest of jobs, especially with everything going on, but I do love it,” she replied, shrugging, “So no big plans then, just taking a break when you need it?”

“I like to save my days for when I need them. Or I have a specific plan.” Neither of which were something he had set ideas for at the moment. Maybe he would take himself away at some point to get a bit of a breather but he wasn’t in any rush. Besides, he’d found it cost more to take the time during the days schools were out. He’d rather not have to spend excess money.

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"I don't blame you for that," Callista replied, "It's cheaper when you go at another time," she continued in agreement, "So no set plans then. Fair enough."

[elenaflcres]

“I totally get that,” Elena replied. “I’m the same. Honestly, I need to be occupied otherwise I kind of lose my sense of self,” she admitted. “Me? I’m excited to be back in classes again. I really do love my job.”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"I can't imagine anyone going into teaching who didn't love it," Callista replied, "I mean, if you didn't, it's not the same as being stuck in a dead end job, is it?" she smiled, "Not to sound too negative about it that is."

[elenaflcres]

callistaxmcgonagall​:

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” Callista replied, “I don’t have many people questioning my motives to drink though. Maybe that comes with teaching,” she joked.

“Now that’s something to think on,” Elena shot back playfully after Callista’s joke. “Speaking of, how are you feeling about September being just around the corner?”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"I suppose I am looking forward to it," Callista said, "I don't always do well with too much time on my hands. What about you?"

[mcsterjackscndaltcn]

"Then I welcome your expertise. By all means, join me for the next game." Jackson encouraged warmly, motioning about the table as he finished off sinking the balls on the table of the game he'd been in the process of completing.

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"You won't be saying that in a minute when I wipe the floor with you," Callista joked, smiling as she grabbed the other cue, "You break. Might as well give you some advantage."

[mcsterjackscndaltcn]

"I see. Have you ever played pool before, Callista?" Given how curious she seemed to be about the game anyway.

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"Many, many times," Callista replied, "It was a constant when I was on my travels. Pretty much everywhere had it somewhere," she explained, "I got quite good at it too."

[callistaxmcgonagall]

elenaflcres​:

“I suppose we didn’t, you’re right,” she nodded with a laugh. “But if somebody asks, at least we’ve got a response to give them?”

“Yes, I suppose you’re right,” Callista replied, “I don’t have many people questioning my motives to drink though. Maybe that comes with teaching,” she joked.

[callistaxmcgonagall]

cyrusclearwater​:

“I understand that,” he spoke sympathetically when Callista shared how she could relate to Hunter’s situation right now. “I think right now he just needs some space. It’s hard because I know personally I wish there was more I could be doing, but like you said, we don’t want to push him either.”

“It’s definitely not something you want to push someone about. I know I can relate,” Callista agreed. Her father’s death was not news to anyone despite how long ago it had happened, “I just hope he’s dealing with it in a healthy way. Grief can be so overwhelming it’s dangerous.”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

cclmmccarthy​:

“Ah well then I suppose that’s a good thing then.” Because if he had, clearly it meant he had no issue with crossing boundaries. If there was anything he was learning about himself, it was that he was a gentleman… at least in the memories he couldn’t remember. “That’s what they tell me yes. I can’t remember anything really at the moment. Some things seem vaguely familiar when they get mentioned but beyond that… zip.”

“Well crap,” Callista replied, sighing, “That is... I don’t even think annoying is the right word. Do they know if you’ll get the memory back or when?”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

marcuscarson​:

“They are human Callista, they are going to make mistakes and some plain don’t listen. That’s not a judgement on your teaching.” He pointed out when she commented on how that made her wonder about her own teaching. Teenagers really could be idiots sometimes but then so could many adults. “But something keeps you doing it so you must love it more than you hate it at the end of the day.” All jobs had some downsides to them. “I’ll be working given I don’t run by the summer holidays in the same way you do. The benefit of not having children of my own at the moment I suppose. I might take a few days off here and there though.”

“Actually, in education, it can be a judgement on my teaching if there’s a pattern,” Callista pointed out, “Of course, I do. It’s not the easiest of jobs, especially with everything going on, but I do love it,” she replied, shrugging, “So no big plans then, just taking a break when you need it?”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

diana-rosier​:

“Just thought I’d add my two knuts since you were complaining out loud in a public place,” Diana replied, shrugging. If it was someone else, she knew she would had stayed quiet, but when it came to Callista she was simply not able to stop herself. She wasn’t going to be hostile of course, but there was certainly no reason to be nice. “Yes, I’m sure that a bit of heat is truly insufferable. A lot of people are unemployed and have your qualifications, maybe ask them to switch?” She offered, her voice sounding overly sweet. “And I’m sure you know the answer to your question.”

“Muttering to myself is not a crime,” Callista replied, “Surprised you’d even want to engage in a conversation with me,” she added with some level of snark, “So because I have a job and people are worse off, I’m not allowed to complain? Never said I wasn’t grateful for the job but comparing yourself to someone in entirely different situations doesn’t change anything,” she paused, I doubt you’ve never complained about your job. Perhaps you should consider switching if you feel so strongly about it,” she was not sounding overly sweet. That wasn’t Callista’s style and she could see right through the other, “What do you want from me? I certainly don’t owe you an apology. I’ve made my amends with Marcus, not that it’s any of your business. If you don’t like me, ignore me. No skin off my back. I’m not in the mood to get in a cat fight over a man. Not really my style so you can get your kicks elsewhere.” 

[mcsterjackscndaltcn]

"Don't worry, I'll be done soon enough and then you can have the table." Jackson assured the person hovering not too far away. He was surprised they hadn't put their coins down already to reserve it but maybe they were just seeing how long the game would last. The way Jackson pocketed a ball smoothly a moment later probably gave them a good idea.

[callistaxmcgonagall]

"No, no, I'm just watching," Callista replied, "I would put a coin down if I wanted to play."

[callistaxmcgonagall]

marcuscarson​:

It had taken a long time for Marcus to let go on his anger with what had happened between him and Callista but it’d happened with the help of friends. Now he felt so much lighter for it, he wished he’d been able to do it long ago, even if he hadn’t been ready for it at the time. It was better for both of them. “You’re welcome. It seemed you could do with it. Honestly, a lot of paperwork comes with my role too but I’m glad I never chose to be a teacher.” Marcus admitted with a little laugh. “But how are you? Other than the paperwork I mean.”

Callista was filled with hope all of a sudden. A kind of hope she had lost a long time ago. The pair had been good as friends, possibly better than when they were as a couple (before she fucked things up anyway). Perhaps friends wasn’t too far out of reach for them, “I think paperwork would be nicer. Grading is just tedious and frustrating because if they get something wrong, it makes me rethink all of my teaching and how hard I worked with a given student on something goes down the drain sometimes,” she explained, “But then when they get it right, it’s awesome and gratifying,” she shrugged, “I’m good though. Looking forward to summer despite having no plans. What about you?”

[callistaxmcgonagall]

crlandclcckhart​:

“Then people have been far too ungrateful towards you and have taken you for granted.” Orlando answered, more appreciative of the gesture and less bothered by what books she had brought. He would enjoy them regardless. “Of course. Something of this nature is never going to be a happy occasion. I’m glad you’ve not been personally impacted however. That’s one thing to take away from this mess. I suppose we’ll have to work on helping put everything and everyone back together after this.” It was the least they could do after all.

“I think it’s more tied to going through a divorce and my own self-worth,” Callista replied in her standard, brutally honest way, “Yeah,” she agreed, smiling softly, “It’s part of my job to help put the kids back together after this and make them feel safe when things are definitely not safe. I also have to think about all the students I’m responsible for right now.”