The interview [August 29th]

Mary had been busy preparing for the school year when he head mistres had contacted her about Rose's application. Mary's first thoughts hadn't been pretty. Especially with Jillian choosing Rose over her. Then she'd thought about it, and decided to entertain the concept and see where it went.

"Rose Belmont was once a witch, just as I was. I have no confirmation, but her appearance pegs her as part Veela. Her path was slightly differen to minet, though. She is a practitioner of blood magic now. We are opposites, in so many ways, rivals perhaps, at least politically and spiritually. She runs a bookstore in Knockturn Alley with a colleague, as a front for their clan and sect's operations here in London, and as her foothold within the wizarding world. She values knowledge. Anything more I would only be speculating. I had no knowledge that she had any musical talent."

Mary was being kind. She wouldn't mention the Tremere's connection to Jillian.

McGonagoll had listened to everything her Muggle Studies Professor had to say stoically. Before she had a chance to say anything else they heard the knock at the door.

"Do come in," she called out in her usual authorarive tone and straightened up as the woman entered. The extent of her years showed on her face but she wore it well and with no regret even while sharing a room with two woman who had obtained a form of eternal youth and beauty. "Thank you for your application and for showing up on time." she replied, waving for Rose to take a seat.

She observed to woman through her spectacles carefully, corfirming what Mary had said to be true. "Let us get down to business, shall we?" she asked as soon as Rose was seated, "Your background check was informative, Mr. Duvall was rather descriptive in his opinion of you." McGonagall's tone was neutral itself as she spoke, no sign of emotion on her face as she looked at Rose directly. "You attended Hogwarts briefly around a century ago to better your English, did you not? May I ask what you know of the school currently?"

"I would also be interested in hearing of your experience in interacting with children. You never married or had children, am I right? The location of your establishment does not suggest you get many student visitors. It makes me curious as to how well you deal with children and why you have decided to start teaching." She leans back in her chair and adjusts her glasses, "Could you demonstrate one of your vampiric abilities for me?"

Rose sat down in front of the two professors, setting down a black violin case next to her chair. She had expected that she would have to demonstrate at least some of her skills during this interview and, considering she was applying to teach a music class, music skills seemed pretty much straightforward requirement.

Of course, the Tremere had also expected it wouldn’t be as simple as that. She was after all, Kindred and she could not claim to have taught in a magic college before.

As Headmistress Mc Gonagall mentioned Quentin Duvall, a barely there smile formed on the Regent’s lips. He’d been consulted about her, just as she thought he’d be. She also appreciated Mc Gonagall’s detached tone as she spoke and the way she chose her words to make her statement both precise and yet devoided of any specific information.

She listened to Mc Gonagall’s comment about her attending Hogwarts for a semester and nodded in agreement. "That’s correct. I felt very lucky to be given this opportunity. Especially since Hogwarts’ Quidditch teams, at least at the time, were among the best one, especially compared to Beauxbâtons’ teams." If she knew about the time she’d spent on Hogwarts’ campus, no doubt she knew about her scholarship at Beauxbâtons. "I’m led to believe the French Quidditch level has improved since them." Or so Nikolaus liked to tell her.

"What I know is that Hogwarts was established around the 10th century. It welcomes children with magical abilities from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, and Ireland who are enrolled at birth, though their acceptance is later confirmed around the age of eleven. The school's motto is Draco Dormiens Nvnqvam Titillandvs, which I’ve always found particularly interesting. It conveys the meaning that, although flirting with danger or trying to tame wild beasts can be appealing, one should never get too comfortable or confident around danger." Or it might, well, backfire. In that regard, it would not be wise to try and tickle a sleeping vampire.

She paused. "Students spend in average seven years at Hogwarts and are instructed in various branches of magic, such as Transfiguration, Defence Against the Dark Arts, Charms, Potions, Astronomy, History of Magic, and Herbology. There are also optional subjects such as Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, and Muggle Studies. Those choices are pretty similar to the ones offered in Beauxbâtons." She briefly turned to Mary. "Muggle studies include some teaching about other sentient magical creatures such as vampires," She then turned back to Mc Gonagall, "and music. Since those classes don’t require the teacher to be able to perform magic, the positions are open to non-wizards. I also seem to remember that Hogwarts use to have a choir, though I can’t be sure whether or not it’s still the case."

When she was done, she looked down for a moment, before saying in a softer tone. "In my opinion, Hogwarts’ students are also taught way more than just academic topics. Whether it is because of the tournaments they take part in, or because some of them had to fight during a war…" Some memories flooded her mind as she was reminded of the wars she took part in herself and the one she only saw the aftermath of. "…they’re taught values. The importance of being able to rely on each other and at the same time the ability to see through others’ lies. The importance of knowledge and the fact that all things that give one power come at a cost."

She looked back up at Mc Gonagall. She’d also read the news regarding the dismise of Quinn McGriffin but she was pretty sure the headmistress was not interested in her opinion about that. Not in the frame of this interview at least.

When Mc Gonagall pointed out the fact that Rose never married or had children, the Tremere remained impassible, though admittedly the fact that she’d never be able to bear a child was one of the few things she regretted about being Kindred.

"I never married or had children before being embraced, no. But, I’ve been raised in a family with a lot of children and in which big family gathering were a tradition. I used to have a younger sister myself but I'd have to say that studying was never a priority for her, in contrast to me. We both loved music, though." You could even say that if there ever was anything Céleste and her ever bonded over, it was music. "It’s a passion we took from our mother."

She made another small pause, the memories of her past so close to the surface that she felt lucky none of the woman in front of her had Auspex.

"Well, I used to tutor other students when I was at Beauxbâtons, though admittedly that was quite a while ago. I was quite the 'bookworm' at the time, if you’ll pardon the expression, and I’m afraid I still am. …Which would explain the fact I now own a bookstore, I guess." She added with a soft chuckle. She didn’t comment on Mc Gonagall’s remark about her not having many student visitors, because it was the truth. Although she had had a couple over the course of the summer, it was far from representing the majority of her visitors and she’d had just as many Hogwarts’ professor visitors over the same period, though she considered it would have not been tactful to mention that either.

"I’m told students from Ravenclaw end up making excellent teachers. If Beauxbâtons had had an equivalent of Ravenclaw, I’m certain that’s where I’d have been sorted. And if the Camarilla has any equivalent of it, it’d be Clan Tremere, and that’s the one I was embraced in. I think learning new things is one of the most exciting things there is in life and, the way I see it, teaching is as much about sharing knowledge with students as it is about sharing with them the love of learning new things. I remember how it was being a child. Children can tell if you’re just 'teaching' or if you actually enjoy the subject you’re telling them about. That’s why I think I could do well teaching a music class, if given the opportunity. Because my students would see it’s not just a job to me."

When the headmistress asked if she could demonstrate one of her vampiric abilities, Rose did not seem surprised. She’d expected that question although it was not directly related to her application. The Tremere had known Mc Gonagall would take this opportunity to know what kind of Kindred she was. She most likely had asked the same from Mary upon hiring her, unless she already knew her well enough beforehand not to have to ask.

Rose’s expression remained very serious as she answered. "I suppose I could offer to try and read your mind or to communicate with you telepathically if you’d allow me to do so," The Tremere assumed it was probably what her Sabbat counterpart expected her to do. "Or I could demonstrate something less intrusive. Whichever would seem more relevant to you."

Mary listened to Rose. She thought she had an inkling as to what 'new things' arose hoped to introduce, but she wasn't going to open her mouth just yet. She had a truce with this woman and her clan within the city, but Hogwarts wasn't London.

"Yes, I'd love to hear you play. I wasn't aware you indulged." Mary's comment was genuine. She loved music, but wasn't overly good at it herself. It was the very reason she even entertained the idea of supporting Rose's employment st the school. They badly needed a music program again.

McGonagall had nodded her acceptance of Rose's knowledge and of her demonstrating both musical and vampiric abilities. She had half expected the vampire to refuse to demonstrate her powers. She leant forward as the violin was removed from its case, only mildly curious about its unusual decoration.

As Rose began to play she became intrigued and the faintest hint of a smile flickered at the corner of her mouth. Her gazed fixed on the vampires face and hands as she played, taking in her counternance and fluidity of movement. She did not expect the woman to move around while playing but the moment she stepped through her chair the reason became clear and McGonagall sat up more. She knew from her time with Kestrel that vampires possessed some truly remarkable abilities and this like her collegues shadow abilities certainly ranked as one of the most impressive she had seen.

She caught the smile and nodded appreciatively as Rose sat down, "Very interesting. I had not expected such a choice of song but it certainly showed both ability and your dedication to your playing." she allowed a faint smile to cross her lips, "As for your vampiric ability, I am similarly impressed. I have a few questions however, would you do the same if a student asked what abilities you possess? I assume you realise that using powers to affect the minds of students is strictly forbidden after all."

"Do you have any remarks to make, Professor?" she asked, looking to Mary.

Rose politely nodded in thanks to both women in front of her as they complimented her on her performance. As she was preparing for this interview, the Tremere had taken the time to think of a music piece and of a ritual that would match and show how good she was at both her 'arts'. She was satisfied to see she had chosen well. Still she didn't look smug, just accomplished.

"Yes, I'm aware of that and I believe it would break the Accord." Rose answered Professor Mc Gonagall. "Now, when you say 'affects the mind', does that include reading minds or only mind powers that tamper with thoughts or memories?" And even so, she'd still be able to read auras or detect lies because those two abilities didn't actually involve reading minds. She would just look at them and know. "My sect in general and my clan in particular take upholding what we call 'the Masquerade' very seriously. I'd only demonstrate my abilities to someone who'd know to keep it to themselves." And who would know better than expect her to reveal any Tremere secret, such as 'how' the ritual worked. "Also, I do believe that Kindred Disciplines, just like wizard magic, are not meant to be used for vain reasons, such as to impress or to scare. Therefore, if a student randomly asked me to demonstrate one of my vampiric abilities, I'd most likely refuse." A pause, before she turned to Mary. "But if it is part of their instruction, I might agree to demonstrate one of them, such as the one I showed you today."

"You're correct in assuming my classes could only take place after sunset, so they'd be evening or night classes, obviously." The Tremere pondered the rest of Mary's question a moment. "I do not believe music classes have to be as frequent as other classes may be. After all, students are only going to take this as a minor subject, and since it's a new class, it would be hard to predict how many students are actually going to enroll. I believe it'd be okay for a student to have one music class per week at most, or even one every two weeks. So, if that seems okay to you, I can propose to spend one to two consecutive nights a week or, preferably, two to three consecutive nights every other week." Rose wasn't about to let down her other responsibilities towards her clan and, to a lesser extent, her business. She was not too worried about the bookshop but she enjoyed being there. Also, she had her own research to conduct. "Of course, if it turns out I underestimated Hogwarts students' interest in music, I'll do my uttermost to try and spare more nights."