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[h3]Rosaline Hall 10:21 A.M.[/h3][/center]

The meeting had gone as Kate had anticipated, quite quickly. It seemed that the very moment she stepped foot into the room, being motioned to wait by Ronan himself as he didn't want to repeat himself (understandably), everyone was up and shuffling about, getting themselves ready and making preparations as to what was to come. And that's what had Kate's insides twisting themselves into very uncomfortable knots. [i]She[/i] was being sent on a mission too; paired up with Alberta, of all people, and going to Bristol - wherever that was. 

It wasn't as though going with Alberta was a [i]bad[/i] thing; Kate had nothing but the utmost respect for the hardened woman... but it was just that. Bertha was hardened (yet somehow compassionate), experienced and altogether intimidating for a person like Kate. She was an exceptional duelist, perhaps the best defender she had ever seen and Kate had [i]definitely[/i] seen her fair share of wands. That was how she came about knowing someone, by examining their wand. It was the wand that chose the wizard, becoming an extension of not just their magical capabilities, but who they were as a person. Very few people realized that anymore, deeming their wands as nothing more than tools, but Kate knew better.

There was so much to the meeting, so much that Kate was able to pick up on between the bits of conversation she [i]did[/i] manage to hear that it was all a blur - coupled by the growing feeling of anxiousness that nearly had each and every sound afterwards nothing more than a dull buzzing sound. She was going to be sick.

She kept her feet planted within the room, unable to move even if she wanted to for the time being, watching those within the meeting room pass her by as they went about their business leaving only her and Ronan for a few short moments.

She half expected him to say something to her, that by him putting up a finger to his lips signaling for her to wait meant that perhaps there was something that he wished to discuss but when the silence continued to buzz on, Kate figured that it would probably be best to leave him to his work rather than interrupt with the questions she had about what it was that they were to do later that day. Clearly, she had been wrong and he had nothing to say to her.

A bright blush crept over her cheeks as she tucked the book she had been holding tighter to her chest, willing her legs to move her to the exit, keeping her eyes down. Across the threshold, she paused and took a simple look back over her shoulder at their ever so sombre leader. Her head tilted to the side in a curious manner as she (by complete accident) let her thoughts take over her movements of getting out of the room. 

There was so much to him, and yet, she hardly knew anything. She doubted that [i]anyone[/i] knew much of their leader and perhaps that was the way he liked things. She very well could have pinned it on her curious nature, but she didn't want to be just [i]anyone[/i]. She [i]wanted[/i] to know him. Perhaps, that way, she might be able to help him.

Without even realizing it, she blew out a soft sigh as she collected herself once more and left the threshold of the meeting room, her feet carrying her to the one place she could walk to from anywhere within the Manor blindfolded.

The library.

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[h3]Rosaline Hall 11:30 A.M.[/h3][/center]

Kate had taken her time in getting to the library, wanting to shake off what she absolutely knew to be the look of naivety and anxiety on her face. Everyone within the Ashes was reasonably seasoned in these sort of things - missions - whereas Kate was very much always the 'behind the scenes' type of girl. She didn't want to come across that way, not when Ronan was putting his trust in her enough to send her into a situation that he even described as 'walking in blind.' This was her chance to prove herself that she belonged in the Ashes just as much as anyone else. And the thought was terrifying.

She managed to shake off her nerves by walking the subtle paths of the gardens out back, taking her time by admiring the flowers that grew there and the serenity that the lake in it's center brought. Before she knew it, an hour had passed, and if Viktor was ever going to get his book back, she knew she had to head back.

Walking towards the entrance of the library that was just in sight, Kate passed Alora who looked to have just been in the library, as she was holding a book just the same as Kate was. Kate offered a soft smile of 'hello' to her as they passed one another by and continued on into the library, heading towards the main desk though she didn't know why she bothered. Viktor was almost [i]never[/i] behind it - not one to play by the 'typical' rules. But at least it put her out in the open where he would be able to spot her... whatever isle he had gotten himself lost in this time.

[color=seagreen]"Can I help you, Ms. Ollivander?"[/color] The Librarian's silky voice rolled out of nowhere as he strolled out into the main area mere feet from her. Viktor wore a curious expression on his face, a single brow raised inquisitively, his eyes appearing to search her; trying to read her like an old manuscript. He toyed with his wand deftly between his fingers, a simple gesture to pass the time, most likely, though otherwise appeared focused on her. 

Kate startled slightly at his voice, but her mind quickly came to terms on who it was before she turned her body to look over at the librarian. She gave Viktor a soft, shy smile and nodded her head a few times, releasing the book she had held to her chest and handed it out towards him.

[color=darkkhaki]"Yes, I just wanted to get this back to you."[/color]

Taking the book in a single hand, Viktor's eyes darted down to the front cover for a fraction of a second before looking back up at Kate. [color=seagreen]"Hm....It's only been a day, Ms. Ollivander. Read through it that quickly?"[/color] He asked with an amused smirk, tucking the book underneath his arm while the other hand went to his coat, hiding his wand somewhere inside it. 

Kate let out a quiet, almost nervous sounding laugh as she reached her hand up to tuck a lock of her brown hair behind her ear, seeming to not know what to do with her hand now that it wasn't holding onto a book.

[color=darkkhaki]"Heh, I uh, I have a lot of... time... on my hands?" she said, though it came out as more of a question, sounding somewhat unsure of her answer. [color=darkkhaki]"You know, to uh, read."[/i] she then added on, sounding a little more confident as she was able to clarify what she meant before, though that didn't make it any less awkward.

[color=seagreen]"I can respect a speed reader when I see one."[/color] Viktor replied with a continued half-smile, turning to return the book to its proper place. 

Though his back was turned to her, he continued speaking, [color=seagreen]"So, apparently you and I will be working together - looking for this 'David Howell' fellow. Not sure what use Alberta could have for a wand-maker and librarian....but I suppose we'll figure that out soon enough...What are your thoughts?"[/color] He asked in a curious tone, disappearing behind one of the many shelves, the obvious sound of books fumbling signaling his attempt to replace the book. 

[color=darkkhaki]"I... pardon?"[/color] Kate blinked a couple times, taking note that she had left her lips parted slightly and closed them back up as she tilted her head to watch Viktor from behind. It seemed that she wasn't the only one that was having doubts as to what she would be useful for out there - she hadn't been expecting that. Nor was she expecting to be asked about it so upfront. [color=darkkhaki]"Oh! Um..."[/color] She paused to cross her arms over her chest and let her hip rest against the high front counter of the library. [color=darkkhaki]"I um... I think that whatever Ronan has planned, he wouldn't do so without thinking it over properly first. I... I trust him, and I trust he has a plan. For both of us."[/color]

[color=seagreen]"That's the base answer, Ms. Ollivander."[/color] Viktor replied, his head appearing from behind the shelf to eye her. Though his words may have had a disappointed connotation to them, his tone was nothing less than conversational. 

[color=seagreen]"Dig a little deeper. Ask the questions everyone thinks but never asks, look for hints, subtleties in the words. You'll usually be surprised at what you find."[/color] He added with a small wink and a smile before disappearing once more. 

Quirking an eyebrow, though nodding her head a few times to indicate that she not only understood what he was saying to her, but agreed as well, Kate gently pushed herself off from leaning against the front desk to cross over to the bookshelves that Viktor had disappeared behind.

[color=darkkhaki]"So, um... what about you?"[/color] Kate asked, finding that once again, her curiosity was getting the better of her, forgoing her shy behavior and driving her to find out more about the people that she had been living with for the past year. She knew she wouldn't be getting any answers about Ronan or anyone else anytime soon, but she could start with Viktor. [color=darkkhaki]"Everyone [i]thinks[/i] you're just a simple librarian, but I'm willing to bet that there is more to you than that, isn't there? Hints, subtleties and all..."[/color]

Letting out a contemplative sigh, Viktor eyed Kate curiously, though couldn't help as another smile tugged at the corner of his lips. [color=seagreen]"There's more to all of us, isn't there? No one is what they seem. At least not [i]truly[/i]. As for meg, I like to envision myself as a...collector, a purveyor of things and objects. Certain things shouldn't be allowed into the hands of Death Eaters. That's where I come in."[/color] He explained, albeit slightly vaguely. 

[color=seagreen]"But I can't give you too many hints, now can I? That would ruin the game."[/color] He added, planting both hands, now free, into his coat pockets with a rather pleased expression. 

Kate let out a soft laugh, unable to help the slight blush that crept across her cheeks as her eyes looked away from Viktor and to the space of the floor between them. It wasn't the sort of response she was expecting, but it was better than nothing. She crossed her arms back across her chest, holding tightly as though she were attempting to give herself a hug simply for the sheer satisfaction of comfort before she brought her eyes to look back up at the librarian.

[color=darkkhaki]"Yes, I suppose so."[/color] she agreed, nodding her head a few times before letting her gaze fall back down to the floor. She shifted her weight awkwardly from one leg to the other as a multitude of other thoughts now began to fill her mind, though none were relevant enough to bring up with Viktor. At least, not right now. Well... there might have just been one thought... 

[color=darkkhaki]"So, I um... I was wondering..."[/color] Kate once more forced her eyes back up to Viktor, freeing her right hand to tuck a loose strand of her hair behind her ear as she swallowed, trying to find her words. [color=darkkhaki]"Back at Hogwarts, there was an, um, restricted section in the library; one that was accessible only to the staff and a few select students for, ah, justifiable reasons..."[/color] She shifted her weight again and tucked the strand of hair back behind her ear that didn't want to stay in place. [color=darkkhaki]"Is there anything like that [i]here[/i]? In this library? I um... I've read a lot of what you have... not for just personal entertainment but research and, well... I was wondering if you might have anything that... isn't exactly open to just anyone here?"[/color].

[color=seagreen]"You're looking for books on the Dark Arts."[/color] Viktor replied, phrased more as a statement than an inquiry. 

He eyed the young woman curiously, as though attempting to read past her expression, into her thoughts, her motives, as though he was reading her mind.

[color=seagreen]"We try not go keep many books on the Dark Arts here, if we can. Take it as a....personal statement against the Dark Lord's regime."[/color] Viktor replied, though his fixed gaze on her was...slightly wary. 

[color=seagreen]"You've come to me before on self-made spells, Ms. Ollivander, a rare craft. I should wonder why you'd be interested in a Restricted Section."[/color] He added coyly with a smirk, though that look in his eyes never left. 

[color=darkkhaki]"Well... not Dark Arts... [i]exactly[/i]."[/color] Kate replied, feeling her face growing rather hot. The topic of Viktor's gift as a Legilimens had been whispered through the halls, though there wasn't any concrete proof that he was one, not that she spent much time talking with others about those who lived within the manor. Still though, Kate had to wonder by the way he was looking at her, scrutinizing, voicing her thoughts, however vague. [color=darkkhaki]"I... I wasn't able to really find anything, um, relevant in the book you gave me about self-made spells. I was hoping that... that there might be something on self-made [i]curses[/i] instead?"[/color]

[color=seagreen]"Curses, eh? You don't seem the Cursing type. Then again.....the best ones don't."[/color] Viktor replied with a somewhat more joking look in his eyes before turning with a small flourish towards the deeper confines of the library, motioning with a single hand for her to follow behind. 

[color=seagreen]"I tend not to keep a 'Restricted Section' here, and most of the....especially dark volumes are kept in Ronan's inventory, but I have a few things here that might be worth looking at. I warn you, though, Ms. Ollivander...Curses are specifically Dark Magic. I am loath to think of the long-term consequences of using your own custom Curses."[/color] The Librarian warned in a suddenly serious tone before motioning to a more sparsely filled shelf and planting both hands in his coat pockets. 

Nearly tripping over her own two feet as her body seemed to move to follow Viktor on impulse, her mind had been playing 'catchup' and just a fraction too late. She recovered quickly, however. Physically it was nothing more than a slight stumble, not even noticeable unless someone was [i]really[/i] looking and thankfully Viktor had his back to her. She followed after quickly, managing to catch up, able to cross a fair amount of distance in a short amount of time despite the heels on her feet.

[color=darkkhaki]"Oh! Oh no! Not for me!"[/color] Kate was quick to reply, a genuine tone of surprise coming from her, seemingly surprised herself that someone would even think she would be capable of looking into something as dark as curses. [color=darkkhaki]"No, no [i]charms[/i] are my thing. Charms are good, nothing like... like [i]that[/i]" Sighing to herself, realizing now that she wasn't making a bit of sense, she started over. [color=darkkhaki]"I simply wanted to research them, find out how they are made, and how... how they can be... cured..."[/color] Her voice was betraying her. Despite how much she wanted to keep what she was up to a secret, she was a terrible, [i]terrible[/i] liar. And she wasn't even lying. She couldn't even bring herself to do so, but the allusiveness of her words might as well have spelt out what she was [i]really[/i] up to on her forehead.

[color=seagreen]"Curing curses? You have ambition, Ms. Ollivander....perhaps Slytherin would have suited you."[/color] Viktor replied in a bemused manner, crossing one leg over the other. 

[color=seagreen]"You can look at what you can, but I'm afraid the road to curing Curses is a long and toilsome one. If anyone could have done it before -- before all this, it could have been Dumbledore."[/color] Viktor added in a more sombre tone, speaking the late Headmaster's name with a sort of hushed reverence. 

Kate couldn't help the nervous laugh that came up through her throat. While she had many friends who came from the Slytherin house, she knew for certain that it was not a place she would have been able to thrive very well.

[color=darkkhaki]"Oh, no, Ravenclaw suited me just fine. Everyone in my family came from Ravenclaw, my father, he-"[/color] Kate cut herself off short, a shooting pain coursing up through her chest and to her heart at the recollection of her father. He was gone, as well as the rest of her family, grandfather included. She had failed to protect the wand shop when it had been under siege from The Dark Lord's followers and when she awoke, Garrick was gone... and so was everyone else. That had been over a year ago, and still nothing. In all reality, they were probably dead. That thought had Kate swallowing a forming lump in her throat, giving herself a moment before she looked back to Viktor. [color=darkkhaki]"You, uh, you said you might have something?"[/color] she asked quietly, now wanting to focus on the topic at hand.

Eying Kate curiously as she appeared to go lost in thought, Viktor quirked his eyebrow briefly but otherwise said nothing, merely motioning towards the same shelf. [color=seagreen]"Look to your heart's content. See if there's something that might interest you. As for myself...I'm less of a combatant, so Curses never really piqued my interest so to speak, ergo I cannot exactly [i]recommend[/i] a book."[/color] He added with a roll of his eyes at his own shortcoming. 

Nodding her head a few times to let him know that she understood, Kate brushed past him to take a look at the old tomes on the shelves in which he had led her to. He was right, of course, there wasn't very much, but it was better than nothing. She turned her head to look back at him, a flicker of a smile turning up the corners of her lips.

[color=darkkhaki]"Thank you, Viktor. I'll let you know if I find something worth checking out."[/color]

[color=seagreen]"Take your time, Katherine."[/color] The Librarian added on a final note, using her first name (or at least, the lengthened version of it) for what seemed to be the very first time before he strolled off towards the main area of the library, leaving her to search in peace.