*Let It Snow* (Alfie)

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie nodded to Rowena. He was quite impressed. He wondered how it must have felt to wake up everyday in such an extravagant palace. "Hmm," Alfie looked at Rowena carefully. She seemed so excited to be a Professor. He would have seen it as a mere job. He had little care for children. Unless they were his own. Despite what he did with his son. He narrowed his eyes at the thought. "It was for the best, my son." He whispered. Alfie had no way to realize what atrocities had befallen his own child. He hoped the boy made it to Hogwarts though.

Alfie seemed to stir when he realized he was leering at Rowena, "Apologies, I was lost in the past." He had never been so close to someone since his wife. Anyone had been expendable for Alfie's gain, even his only son.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena kept smiling at Alfie, as she waited for his answer, hoping he would accept the offer to have a dinner with her in more intimate surroundings. However, he seemed to be lost in his thoughts and Rowena waited patiently for any kind of reaction or comment. She enjoyed his company so much that she didn't mind just standing next to him in silence.

Rowena frowned as she heard him whisper something she couldn't quite hear or understand, but it probably didn't have anything to do with her, after all. The way he was leering at her, made her feel a bit nervous. "No need to apologize, it's alright." she whispered and started to walk towards the castle. "Shall we?"

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie followed her promptly. She might have told him she was leading him into a trap while he was reflecting a moment ago. But after having ignored her like he must have when he had daydreamed Alfie felt duty-bound to follow any command she might give. "Certainly. Just try not to bring up younger years again. It tends to put me in a trance." Alfie said it as a joke, but he really hoped she wouldn't. Even though he had removed some of his bad memories, he had kept parts that would help him remember to an extent. For instance, he remembered abandoning a son, but where and what the child looked like were a blur.

"Thank you. It seems we are late. Will they have missed you greatly?" Alfie had never truly had an obsession with tardiness as his father did. "Their loss either way, it seems." He said in a dark tone. Alfie had developed a habit of speaking in tones he hadn't meant to. It came with the fact that he decieved people alot.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena looked at Alfie carefully and raised her eyebrows slightly. "Oh, of course." she agreed and laughed. "It does happen, but one can only try not to dwell on the past, not too much at least." Something seemed to be bothering him, but Rowena didn't want to ask needless questions.

Rowena just shrugged at his question. "I'm certain that they didn't even notice I was gone. That's probably for the best." Rowena loved her students and her colleagues, but she didn't feel like listening to the noise of the crowd in the Great Hall. Rowena noticed his dark tone, but decided not to comment. "I have to agree with you, my lord. After all we can still have dinner, the house elves always work, no matter how late it is." They reached the heavy wooden door, leading to the Entrance Hall. Rowena opened it and lead the way up the stairs. She blushed slightly, after realizing she'd spent the last few minutes thinking how beautiful the tone of Alfie's voice was. Then she remembered that he was still carrying her books. "I'm sorry, I forgot... I hope I'm not bothering you." she said in a worried tone of voice.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie had never thought of his son like that before. When he had abandoned the boy, Alfie had convinced himself the boy was nothing more than scum. Alfie had forgotten how those thoughts had gotten into his head, of course he would get rid of any unfavorable mention of his father. He put the thought to the back of his mind as Rowena began to respond to him. He kept astride with Rowena. "Never had a house elf." Alfie smirked. "Not at all. I am quite fond of servitude." Alfie lied. Even though he should have been used to it. Everytime he shed one master another took its place.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena just nodded her head. "I've never had a house elf, either. My mother has always been quite good with housework spells... a threat, which unfortunately I haven't inherited." Rowena frowned, she was never fond of saying she wasn't good at something. "Perhaps I've just never even tried it." Rowena just shrugged and took her wand out, unlocking the door to her office. Though, I have to say I'm glad that we house elves here at Hogwarts, they make things easier." Rowena smiled and gestured to the door. "After you."

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie nodded and preceeded Rowena through the door. "Of course." Alfie would have normally insisted she enter first but between the walk and his day dreaming he had little energy left to put up much of a fight. "Interesting. I have been told that I am incompetent in transfiguring. I turned the self-appointed judge into a badly transfigured squirrel. Apparently he was thankful I was skilled enough to change him back." Alfie chuckled lightly in amusement. He waited to be seated. "I wouldn't worry. Everyone has imperfections, problems. Secrets. Most can't admit to them. That's the real crime." Alfie trailed off, aware he was describing himself.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena followed Alfie through the door and closed it behind them. She had to laugh at his words. "He probably looked better as a squirrel." she said and sat on an armchair near the fireplace. "Take a seat, please." she gently invited Alfie to join her. "That is true." she said with a sigh. "Everyone has secrets and problems." Rowena lowered her eyes, sadly, thinking of her daughter and their relationship. She was probably the worst mother in the world. She shrugged the thought away and smiled at her guest. "Would you like a cup of tea, or a whisky perhaps? Or would you like us to dine first?" she asked, looking up at him.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie drew a chair out and seated himself upon it. He noticed her depressed look after she admitted to more weaknesses and secrets. He had meant to make her more comfortable so he felt bad for having said what he did. But when she left the thought alone, Alfie did so as well. "We should probably have dinner first. I haven't had lunch, Uncle Fudge recomends not to for his dinner parties. He has Muggles prepare his food. A strange man."

Alfie grinned at Rowena, "I heard you have a daughter. Must be strange instructing her formally. Personally, I would send my children abroad for schooling. If I had any, that is." Alfie disliked the subject because of the business with his abandoned child. But he was curious about Rowena's life.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

For some reason Rowena felt a bit warmer when Alfie sat next to her. She nodded her head in response, finally realizing how hungry she was. "I'm sure Helga will make something for us." she smiled, taking her wand. A silver eagle appeared and flew out the window, taking her message to Helga. Something about Alfie's presence made the performing of a Patronus Charm easier. Rowena raised her eyebrows, surprised. She thought that nobody from Alfie's family would have any contact with Muggles."Muggles?That's... interesting." she said, uncertain of what else she might say.

When he mentioned Helena, Rowena smiled. "Yes, she is thirteen." she said "I don't know, it is a bit strange, but I got used to it. Oh, I couldn't send her abroad, I couldn't... well, she's all I have." she whispered, shrugging.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie merely mumbled something unintelligible when Rowena spoke of the half breed. He coughed afterward and apologized, "Sorry. Had something in my throat." Alfie had no problem with Muggle servants. But a half blood that he was supposed to see as an equal was simply outrageous. He watched her curiously as Rowena perfectly casted a Patronus Charm. "My. Such admirable skill. I've always had trouble with that spell myself."

"Ah. Quite young yet." Alfie wondered if there were ways to deal with the girl without getting his own hands dirty. His brainnstorm led him to corrupting her possible lovers. "Had to worry about boys yet? I would find myself unwilling to let a daughter out of my sight. I might take back what I said before."

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

"Excuse me?" Rowena frowned slightly when Alfie mumbled something incoherent. She just nodded her head when he coughed. Rowena had to smile, trying to look modest. "Well, they say that the Patronus Charm is the hardest to cast properly. You just have to concentrate and think of something that makes you happy." Rowena blushed, since she was thinking of Alfie while casting the spell.

"Oh, yes... well, I have to say that Helena is... well, special. It's hard to live up to her expectations. But, like you've said, she's still young." Rowena smiled at his words. "Then you understand why I didn't send her abroad." Two large silver plates appeared in front of them, followed by a dessert and two glasses, filled with dark liquid. "Oh, our dinner is served."

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie watched Rowena closely. She hadn't told him anything he had been hoping for. Despite that he decided not to pry. "Wonderful," Alfie remarked about their dinner. He had grown quite hungry by now. He had to admit that it smelled better than he had expected. He ran his hand over his head actually casting a cleaning spell on his hands as he lowered them. Alfie smirked, "Charms can be useful." Alfie undid the buttons on his sleeves and rolled them up one after the other with wandless, non-verbal magic. He found it silly that a man who did not need a wand at all should have to worry about this Elder Wand so much.

"Before all of this Hogwarts business, I was a bit of a nuisance to my father. A silly kid with no direction, you know all that. Running away for exotic places and such. Travelling, I think they call it now. What did you do before working at Hogwarts?" Alfie was happy with his job as a governor, but like any respectable dark wizard, he desired more power and greater prestige. He had originally looked down upon dark wizards, especially his father. He saw them all as cowards. It was probably the wand, or just how far Alfie's father's influence really reached that brought Alfie into the darkness. He had not thought on the subject before now. Something about Rowena made him recall his brighter youth.

[Rowena Ravenclaw]

Rowena reached for the glass and took a sip, her eyes never leaving Alfie's. She was quite impressed with the man, his neatness, his manners; he actually did everything with style. "Indeed. I personally consider Charms most important and quite useful for any witch or wizard. That’s why I decided to teach the subject." she said with a smile, taking another sip. Rowena wasn't sure what she was drinking, though it might have been wine; she was too busy staring at Alfie and listening to his voice.

Rowena smiled as she thought of her youth and childhood. "I was a rather stubborn child. More intelligent than the most, which I realized quite early." Rowena smirked, sipping her drink again, it tasted really sweet. “I can’t quite say that I had a particularly interesting or eventful youth. My husband was the one with adventurous spirit and crazy ideas, but when he died...” Rowena stopped and shrugged, taking another sip. She’d already drunk nearly half a glass, without realizing what she was doing. “I actually joined the others in making the school only to get away from my old life and memories. Now I can’t imagine my life without Hogwarts and my students.” Rowena shrugged again. She was starting to feel a bit dizzy; perhaps she’d had too much wine on an empty stomach.

[Melkor 'Alfie' Valenceus]

Alfie made a polite gesture with his hand, bending forward and nodding to Rowena at the same time. He could see that she liked him, which made him feel less guilty for having a crush on her. He smiled and joined her as she drank, "Mmhm. Very good. So, you enjoy it here? That's good, I do as well." Alfie lied about the drink. It tasted bitter. Though it was strange Rowena seemed to enjoy hers or was she merely being polite as well?

Alfie then picked up his fork. He cautiously inspected the meal before scooping a forkful of meat into his mouth. He smiled when Rowena spoke of her past. "Well, I am no longer the adventerous type. Perhaps I will try to buy something ancient every once in awhile but never seriously.

Alfie took another bite from his plate then looked up at Rowena. She looked dizzy so he leaned over and put an arm on her shoulder. "You really should eat first, dear. Or was it your plan to lure me here for drinking instead?" Alfie laughed. He would hardly mind if she had. He might've tried the same if had the chance for her.