With the capture of Verandi Farley and several high-ranking Trossach members, the British wizarding world has finally caught a break. The rate of rogue werewolf attacks have started dropping at a steady rate and, hopefully, things will stay that way. The Ministry is starting to loosen some restrictions, like not arresting werewolves standing on the street for loitering, however there’s still an obvious power imbalance between wizardfolk and werewolves.
The Cotswolds pack are continuing to advocate for the rights of werewolves and petitioning to change the legislation that has been set in motion by the current Minister for Magic, whilst the remaining Trossachs members are trying to stay out of the spotlight and keep a low profile… for now.
Whilst the British wizarding world seems to have calmed down, the same cannot be said for over in Northern Europe where a rebellion of magical creatures has risen. The state of things has gotten so bad that the European Ministry has enacted protocols to protect those under eighteen whilst their adult witches and wizards fight to keep control of their countries.
Students from Durmstrang have been sent to Hogwarts to keep them safe and those not old enough to attend school have been sent to live with relatives or designated British Ministry officials outside of Europe for the time being.
Will the low rates of werewolf attacks in Britain continue? How long will Durmstrang students stay at Hogwarts? Will the creatures usurp the wizardfolk in Northern Europe? Only time will tell.
SEPTEMBER 2019 It's been a very long, eventful summer in the wizarding world. A baby was stolen, several high ranking Trossach members were imprisoned, and werewolf attacks have drastically dropped as a result. What will happen now school has returned?
MAY 2019 An attempt to capture the beta of the Trossachs has been launched. Were the Aurors successful in their mission? Go read more here!
Post by JACK O'CONNOR on Jun 19, 2019 14:04:27 GMT
Leaving the Great Hall after dinner and turning into the staff room, Jack let out a great big sigh as he eyed his desk, a mountain of paperwork piled up on it. It seemed never-ending and he just knew that it was going to take all damn night to tackle. But it was something he needed to do in order to enjoy his weekend. Hopefully... if she showed up this time, he'd be meeting Maggie in The Three Broomsticks early Sunday morning.
Feeling a draught creep underneath the door, Jack shivered before wandlessly and wordlessly waving his hand towards the fireplace in the corner, the ember flames coming alive immediately. At least he'd be warm, right? That was... something. Speaking of fireplaces, Jack was brought back to a conversation he had held not that long ago with a certain co-worker, his eyes travelling towards her desk. There was quite a bit of paperwork piled up on it, and it made him if perhaps she'd join him later tonight to do some grading. Hopefully.
Moving towards his own desk, Jack quickly summoned himself a mug of coffee, deliberating for a second before deciding that perhaps tea wouldn't be a bad idea either... especially if joined by a certain someone. She'd appreciate the gesture, right? It was very colleague-like, after all. Before he could change his mind, Jack summoned a pot of tea and a cup as well, setting it down on Zoe's desk. If she didn't show up, he'd offer it to the elves instead anyway.
6'0". IRISH. BIG HEART. LOYAL. BRAVE. WORKAHOLIC. BISEXUAL. SINGLE. distinguishing features: a big scar runs across jack's left cheek credit for award goes to ollie! <3
The days were getting shorter and it was harder for Zoe to get her fill of vitamin D. This day, though, she’d had a silly moment outside jumping in the myriad of puddles and even fell flat on her bottom. The clean up had taken Zoe a little longer than she’d expected because she’d figured out a very useful charm to use on the shower head and... oops. Zoe fixed her hair with the help of the warm wind charm (her mother would find it so weird that she didn’t need a hair dryer) and slipped into a knee length silky dress that clung to all the best parts of her well toned body which she capped off with heels because gosh darn those calves looked amazing in them. Zoe might not be the best, most accomplished witch at Hogwarts but she always looked her best.
When she’d gotten to the Great Hall though, Zoe found that the dinner rush was over and the staff and students were slowly leaving. Not one to get weighed down by silly little things like this, though, Zoe couldn’t help but grin as she noticed a particularly delicious morsel leave the Hall. She chewed her bottom lip as she glanced to the kitchens, considering if she should detour to find something proper to eat ... but no, it seemed she hungered for cuisine of a more... Irish flavour. And it had just left.
Calmly, Zoe made her way down the firelit hallways towards the staff room. Her heels had that familiar click-click of a confident woman striding down the halls, and she took the time to smile or wave at any of the people in the paintings that called out fondly to her as she passed. Once she arrived in the staff room, Zoe’s eyes glanced over the room quickly and just in time to see Jack make the fireplace come to life.
”Good evening, Deputy Headmaster O’Connor,” Zoe said cordially, clicking the staff room door shut behind her. She strode over to her own desk and found the pot of tea that he had prepared for her. ”Oh, wow, someone is looking after me!” she said brightly as she poured herself a large cup. ”However will I repay those incredibly kind... elves?” Zoe asked, a cheeky smile spreading slowly over her face as she took a seat behind her desk and looked over to her colleague.
The door creaked open moments after Jack had placed the tea on Miss Savage's desk, but that's not what had him lifting his head. No, instead it was the click-clack of heels on the ground, the ones that so clearly screamed 'Zoe' because she was just about the only Professor who dared to wear them on the grounds of Hogwarts. Gaze falling over her figure, Jack swallowed hard because Merlin's beard, had she been planning on going to go to dinner dressed like that? He would have spent the whole meal distracted by the way her dress clung to her curves, the way her heels accentuated the slim line of her calves... and now he was going to be sidetracked whilst marking homework instead.
Clearing his throat, realising he had been silent for far too long, Jack offered Zoe a small smile. "That's a very interesting choice of attire, Miss Savage. Planning on going to Hogsmeade after work?" he asked, raising his mug of coffee to his lips and taking a sip of it, letting it warm his insides. "Hope it's not too cold outside."
His eyes stayed on her, watching as she found the cup of tea, and as she broke into a cheeky smile, an equally mischievous comment accompanying it. "Well, Professor Savage, I believe when I spoke to the elves, they said there was no payment necessary except the pleasure of your company," Jack said, eyes sweeping over her once before, catching on those heels again. "Are you sure you don't want to take those off? From what I can recall... I said if we were to share a fireplace, you should be comfortable."
6'0". IRISH. BIG HEART. LOYAL. BRAVE. WORKAHOLIC. BISEXUAL. SINGLE. distinguishing features: a big scar runs across jack's left cheek credit for award goes to ollie! <3
Perfect. It didn't take more than a glance for Zoe to notice that hungry look in Jack's delicious eyes as he caught sight of her dress. The woman was not ashamed for Roo to admit that, on her way to the designated desk, she let her hips move a little more than necessary with each confident stride. After all if she had an audience she had an obligation to perform and the clearing of the throat that she heard was just that little bit more incentive that brought gave the woman cause to smile just a little. " 'interesting choice of attire', Deputy O'Connor?" Zoe asked with a raised brow, "it's a dress. I left my really interesting attire back in my bedroom. You're welcome to check if you don't believe me." She took that moment to give Jack a daring look before she turned back to the china on her desk.
"No plans for a trip into Hogsmeade, unfortunately I agree the weather's a little too nippy for that," she said with a practiced melancholy creeping into her tone as she turned to rest her buttocks on her desk to discuss those super kind elves as she took a long sip of her drink. "Awww aren't those little creatures sweet? I really must go find them to give them the uhh.. pleasure of my company. Do you think they'd like a hug too? I feel like this tea is so good, it deserves a hug as a thank you," Zoe closed her eyes for a moment and enjoyed the way the hot liquid slid down her throat.
When she opened her eyes once more, Zoe followed Jack's gaze to her heels and laughed when he brought up a very hot discussion they'd had previously. "But Deputy O'Connor, I would feel practically naked without my heels," she gave a chuckle, her grin making her cheeks dimple as she expertly lifted her leg until her foot was placed very delicately on the side of Jack's desk. "I do recall that conversation and I believe that as host, you get to dictate dress code. So if you want these off..." she motioned to her shoes with her eyes, whilst biting her bottom lip, "I might need a little help. My hands are full."
They were definitely full because Zoe had made sure she was holding her tea cup with one hand poised delicately just an inch above its saucer.
The tantalizing swing of Zoe's hips had Jack wanting to stare long and hard but... Merlin, he really shouldn't. Luckily, his gaze was torn away from her saying it was merely a dress. Immediately, a teasing smile tweaked at Jack's lips. "An interesting dress then, Zoe," Jack said, making it sound like he was conceding when, in fact, it was not 'just' a dress. It clung to every bit of her, as he'd noticed before. But then she was inviting him to check her bedroom, find her more 'interesting attire' and Jack's brows raised. "Funny, I have some interesting attire in my bedroom too. A whole trunk full, in fact. How about you go and check mine, I'll go check yours, and we can meet compare?"
Jack did not miss the intonation in Zoe's voice when she said 'nippy' and his lips twitched yet again. Was that right? "It most certainly is nippy outside, however... it's perfect weather for a hug," Jack agreed, "or keep warm somehow. I'd suggest that if you were to give the, uh, little creatures a hug, then you should close the door or make sure it's blacked out at least. Apparently there's spies around the castle, or so I've heard through the rumour mill." There was a twinkle in his eye as he spoke because the idea of being watched provided him with great amusement. After all, people didn't always know what they were watching. Things were easily misconstrued.
Jack wanted to ask Zoe if she didn't feel naked already in that slip of clothing she wore, but he refrained... especially as suddenly, she was swinging her foot onto his desk. A very... high up angle that made him think of just how high she could... clearing his throat, Jack stopped that train of thought in it's tracks and mulled over what she was saying. They were just shoes, right? No harm in giving her assistance. "If it would make you more comfortable... then I'd be happy to oblige," Jack said, before placing one of his warm, large hands on her ankle. It was definitely tempting to slide it up further towards her thigh, but she hadn't given him permission to do that. With nimble fingers, Jack undid the buckle of one heel, slowly sliding it off and letting the shoe clatter to the ground. Touching her, even just like this, made hot, prickly desire course through his body and Jack's eyes darkened as they glanced up at her next. "The other one?"
6'0". IRISH. BIG HEART. LOYAL. BRAVE. WORKAHOLIC. BISEXUAL. SINGLE. distinguishing features: a big scar runs across jack's left cheek credit for award goes to ollie! <3
The twinkle in Jack's eyes lit a fire deep within Zoe because she'd love to see them looking up at her from... "How very enticing. Although, knowing you're a cheeky little Gryffindor, I feel it quite prudent to supervise your search of my room," especially so that, when Jack was done she could throw him down and.. "you know, so that I can ensure the only funny business that occurs includes me." She smiled and tucked a long lock of chocolate brown hair behind one ear, then slowly traced it all the way down where the tendril of hair fell lightly on her chest. "You weren't … by any chance... looking for an excuse to get me into your bedroom, were you Jack?" Her innocence was carefully portrayed on her rounded features as she took a sip and whispered, "no excuse required," as if she were simply cooling down her cup with a breath of air.
"Definitely perfect weather for indoor activities, I agree," Zoe agreed and as Jack told her to conduct her business behind closed doors, her left brow arched as she turned to look at the door that she had very fortunately closed behind her. Lifting the side of her silken skirt up to the top of her thigh, Zoe was able to untuck her wand out of the top of her thigh high, lace topped stockings and then very slowly returned the dress skirt down once again. "Colloportus," Zoe said as she pointed the wand to the door, because it was unfortunately beyond her as a witch to open and close doors wandlessly. "Good thinking. Oh wait, now the door's locked with just the two of us in here what am I going to do about that hug? To keep me … warm." She turned her bright blue eyes back to Jack then and shivered noticeably. The silk skirt shifted as she did, so that any creases left from when she had retrieved her wand was now definitely smoothed out.
There was this intense moment after Zoe had lifted up her foot before Jack where he cleared his throat and for a second, Zoe wondered if she'd pushed the man's boundaries a little too far. Thankfully, she was wrong to worry and his hands were at her ankle and sending tingles up her leg. The woman's smile was full of desire as he said that he'd happily assist her, her bottom lip sucking into her own mouth as she watched his nimble fingers and revelled in every feather-light touch. For once, Zoe was silent as she wriggled her toes in their stockings once they were free of the confines of her heels. Without hesitation, she lifted her high heeled foot elegantly onto Jack's desk where the other had been - sneakily she had put the bare one very gently on the Deputy's knee.
"I'm almost comfortable, thank you Jack," Zoe breathed as he finished her shoes. "How can I ever show you my gratitude?" she had placed the teacup and saucer back on the desk whilst he worked, under the 'thin slip of a dress' it was easy to see that her breathing was that little more shallow than usual. She wanted to slip herself onto his lap and cover his neck in hot kisses until she had the opportunity to hug him shirtless. "Or... seeing as the door's closed, I can give you a 'thank you' hug?"
"Oh, is that so? What happens if I misbehave? Will I be locked in your room and left to grovel on my knees, asking for forgiveness? I could think of worst punishments," Jack said, eyes shining with amusement because, well... it definitely wasn't a position he was opposed to taking, especially in front of someone that made his body run a few degrees hotter every time he saw them. When Zoe's playing with her hair before trailing it down, down, down, Jack's eyes were drawn towards it like a bee to nectar and where her finger landed was so, so sweet. Her question of whether he was looking for an excuse had Jack lifting his coffee to his lips in an act of contemplation, although really it was an excuse to keep her in anticipation. Then finally, he returned, "Perhaps I was just curious about the many wonders your bedroom holds, Ms. Savage. Maybe since I don't need an excuse, you can give me a tour at your leisure."
For a split second when Zoe started rucking up her skirt, Jack thought she was going to slip the entire garment straight over head. It was wishful thinking, he soon discovered, as she simply withdrew her wand from her... god, from her smooth tan thigh instead. Was she trying to kill him by giving him glimpses of her body, usually hidden by material? It felt like that, but then Zoe was locking the door, and claiming she needed to be kept warm. A hug... it was very possibly overstepping professional boundaries, but they had been skirting around said boundaries for months now. "I suppose a hug will be alright... as long as you don't tell Almir. He'd be jealous, I'm certain of it," Jack joked, trying his best to cut through the tension between them.
Zoe's eyes felt like they were burning into his hands with the intense way she kept staring at them, but Jack's eyes lingered on her lips instead, watching as she sucked at them. As she lifted her heeled foot onto his desk, it didn't escape his attention that her bare had made it's way onto his knee. This time, Jack made work of undoing her shoe with one hand, whilst the other dared to ghost over Zoe's bare ankle, moving up until finally it rested on her shin, right beneath her knee. A few more inches upwards, and his hand would skirt onto her thigh but that was perhaps too daring. He didn't want to touch her without her explicit permission.
"What would make you comfortable, instead of just 'almost'?" Jack murmured in reply. Zoe's suggestion of... a 'thank you' hug was tempting, very tempting, and his eyes raked over her, breathing her form in again, noting the way her breathing had changed, the way her smile had dropped in favour of an intense expression instead. He wanted to say 'no, I am your superior,' but that's not what left his mouth. "As long as our hug strictly stays in this room and the knowledge of it is kept just between us, then yes."
6'0". IRISH. BIG HEART. LOYAL. BRAVE. WORKAHOLIC. BISEXUAL. SINGLE. distinguishing features: a big scar runs across jack's left cheek credit for award goes to ollie! <3
The mental image of Mr O'Connor on his knees in front of her was far too enticing, she averted her eyes as her cheeks flushed with a bright pink. In her mind, she could already feel her fingertips running through his auburn hair as she brought that head of his... "I'm not sure it's a punishment if you'd like it," she turned her eyes back to him, "so I'll have to find something better for you to do on your knees in my room."Do you have any suggestions? was the question that she let hang between them as she watched that delicious man take the longest drink of coffee she'd ever experienced in her entire life. "I can always make time for you, Jack. Maybe if you have some free time this evening..."
So he had consented to a hug and Zoe laughed at the idea that Almir would be jealous for being left out. She had plans for Almir to turn those hugs into something far more friendly than he currently meant them to be. "Oh I don't know... there's plenty of hugs to go around," Zoe gave a little shrug, poking the very tip of her tongue out playfully because damn she loved when Jack played around with her. "Besides, it might help for the big boy to know there's a bit of healthy competition when it comes to hugs at Hogwarts."
The toes on her wriggled her foot a little further onto Jack's leg after a moment or two passed, daring to inch just that bit more of her body to touch the man when he had not objected. She paused only as his hand slid up her leg and Zoe's breath caught in her throat because even if he hadn't actually touched her, it was as if he'd electrified her whole body. In fact, Zoe was disappointed when he stopped beneath the knee, but in a form of encouragement she let that breath she'd been holding onto out in a very breathy moan. Jesus, she needed those hands...
As Jack was asking his question of her, Zoe had grown a little bolder still and put one hand on the one beneath her knee. Gently she guided it over her knee and expertly snaked it under the hem of her silk skirt to trace up her thigh a little more. "Jack, I'm not the kind of girl that... hugs and tells," Zoe said with a very cheeky, grin as she slid off her desk and stood very close to the man she desired.
Slowly she let the foot on his lap slip down the other side of his lap and hitched her skirt up so that the lace tops of her hosiery was exposed. Of course it was all in aid of Zoe being able to effectively straddle Jack, but she paused there for a good few moments, hovering above the man's lap. "Your lap looks far mmore comfortable, so warm... and inviting," she could feel his legs between her own and she ached to feel more of the man if he would... let her.
Post by JACK O'CONNOR on Jul 31, 2019 10:13:35 GMT
Jack could definitely think of all the things he could do to Zoe on his knees, quite enthusiastically so as well. His mind raced with the possibilities and this time, he wasn't subtle as he let his eyes rake up from her dainty ankle, lingering on her body which... Merlin, yes, he was going to state again how bloody ravishing she was in that dress... and finally he met her eyes. "I can think of a few things... but I'm not sure they'd be very good punishments either," he said, letting the words 'because I'd like doing them' stay silent. She was a clever woman, she'd pick up on what he was saying. "I think maybe I could squeeze you in this evening... if you're willing to give me a tour, that is. I'd love to learn the insides out of your bedroom. I'm a quick learner."
"'Big boy'?" Jack repeated, letting out a laugh at the nickname. He wondered if Zoe would ever say that to Almir's face... although, it was apt. Almir was quite large which he was sure was both a blessing and a curse. He smiled, shaking his head. "Perhaps you and he ought to have a hugging competition - with... permission, of course. I hope he's not a sore loser though... I don't really want to fill out a grievance form for a part-giant sobbing over losing a hugging contest." At this point, Jack's small smile had transformed into an outright grin at the thought. It did make him curious though, in a strange way. Who, out of the faculty, would prefer a hug from Almir or from Zoe?
The noise that escaped Zoe when Jack's fingers skimmed over her calf had a shudder running up Jack's spine because fuck, if she sounded like this with a simple touch to her leg, what would she sound like in bed? He wanted, more than ever, to know. His eyes darkened with intensity as he studied her face, hand about to slide further upwards when suddenly, she was laying her hand over his, guiding it upwards until it rested on her thigh. Just a few more inches and he'd be...
Zoe's words cut through his thoughts and with a dry throat, Jack swallowed hard, watching the swing of her hips as she drew closer and the way she hitched up her skirt to reveal the creamy skin of her thighs. It felt almost as though he was dreaming, but the warmth of Zoe's body as she moved her legs either side of his thighs, not quite sitting down, told him otherwise. It wasn't right, this wasn't... he was her boss, but she was so...
"Bugger it," he muttered, shaking his head. Denying something that seemed so wonderful, so tempting, was foolish. All of his professionalism went out the window as he reached out, gripping Zoe's hips and yanking her down onto his lap. One of his hands skimmed up her back mere seconds later until it was tangling into her soft locks of hair, twisting just a little. "Hope you were telling the truth about not hugging and telling," he said, right before he crashed his lips against hers in a searing, passionate kiss. He'd wanted this for so long, and nothing seemed as this moment right now.
6'0". IRISH. BIG HEART. LOYAL. BRAVE. WORKAHOLIC. BISEXUAL. SINGLE. distinguishing features: a big scar runs across jack's left cheek credit for award goes to ollie! <3
There was a thrill that coursed through Zoe, like a wave of pleasure when a particular battery operated contraption was first turned on, whenever another person looked her over with the same hunger she saw in Jack. It made her heart race and her finger tips tingle, let alone other physiological happenings that cannot be described for rating purposes. Instead, we’ll focus on the flirtatious giggle that Zoe let out at the mention of her bedroom. How delightfully naughty to have the sexiest man on campus be at her disposal in her own domain. ”How gracious of you Jack, I know you’re a very busy man,” she said with the hint of tongue-in-cheek. She motioned with her eyes to the mountain of paperwork on his desk, just to accentuate how busy he was and finally gave him her most alluring smile because yes, she appreciated that he spent his little free time checking her out. ”I hope you have a decent amount of spare time this evening. There’s quite a few things I’d like to show you ... in my room.”
As Jack laughed at her description of Almir, Zoe laughed right back. ”Yes, a very big boy - my drottin I think it’s uhh Swedish for friend?” It wasn’t, but she’d never been corrected. Zoe tilted her head to the side as Jack suggested a hugging contest between herself and Almir. ”Oh I don’t think it’s any real contest - who wouldn’t adore a hug from the Big Man himself? Besides, I’m handicapped by being the new chick on campus.”
He didn’t pull away from her guiding hands. Zoe kept her eyes on his; by God if only she could apparate the pair of them into her bedroom ... but then this dance was just as delicious. He didn’t stop her straddling his legs either. Instead he watched her with hungry eyes and Zoe was damned well thankful that she’d locked the staff room door not two minutes prior because when Jack finally responded it was everything she could have hoped for.
Zoe’s grin rivalled that of a crocodile as she felt his hands brought her down upon him. Bugger it indeed! Zoe gasped as he tangled a hand into her hair and she ran her hands up from his shoulders and up his neck, her fingernails not shy about grazing his skin. ”Mmmm,” she nodded her promise as he came to her, her hands pulling him just as eagerly into that first hot kiss.
He tasted like coffee, yet this coffee-phobe couldn’t get enough. With difficulty, Zoe pulled her lips far enough away to hurriedly whisper, ”my room. Five minutes.” Her bright eyes flickered open, to look into Jack’s as if she could see into his soul in that brief moment, and she dove back in for another passionate kiss.
With a slight tug of Jack’s bottom lip with her teeth, Zoe expertly slips herself from off of the man’s lap, fixed her smudged lippy and smoothed down her dress. ”Ooh, I better not forget these,” Zoe stretched to pick her heels up from where he’d disposed of them and promptly alohamora’d herself out of the room. ”Good evening Jack.”Five minutes.