The Leave of Absence

An errie feeling fell over Thaor as he ascended the stairway to the headmasters office. He hadn't been in the part of the castle since the last battle. Ironically enough, the man whom occupied the office to where Thaor was heading, was the man Thaor was in search of during that battle.

Focus Thaor thought to himself. He needed to keep his defenses raised, occlumency was his strong suit, and that would help him during this meeting with the Headmaster. Once Thaor reached the top of the stairs, he knocked on the door, and waited for Doyle to let him in.

(Brilliant... I finally have something to do with Doyle )

He had been watching TV. He always does that when there is nothing to do, and there usually isn't. He stopped watching those blasted soap operas when they killed his favourite character. He started watching Drama series after that - it did not matter whether they were legal, medical or police procedural... he needed a good life story to occupy him. Not that he would care about them, they wouldn't even make him forget his life story (he was satisfied with his life)... they just occupied his mind. He wasn't bored and that was all that mattered.

He had heard footsteps long before the person knocked. It was a man, an older male, tall, but not exceptionally, someone cold. He was in a hurry and he did not want to be here. Probably one of the Dark Army staff members. He had learned how to deduce based on such evidence long before. It helped both during his medical studies and his life. He drew his wand, but continued to watch TV. If someone wanted to play, he was always up for it. ''You better be a girl scout in a mini skirt and with large b... askets of cookies. I hate being bothered!'', Doyle said, giving the person a signal to enter.

Thaor chuckled as Doyle gave him a signal to enter. Sorry to disappoint you Headmaster, but I am not a girl scout, and I don't have cookies, I suppose I could put on a mini-skirt if you really wanted. But I'm afraid my legs would be blindingly white. Thaor said with a laugh.Thaor walked into the room and took a seat across from Doyle. But on a more serious note, I've come to have a rather important talk with you. Thaor said, the smile from his face turning into a rather emotionless look.

I'm requesting a temporary leave of absence. You see, they've just found both my mother's, and my brother Walker's will. I'm the only one in the family left, so I need to go take care of all of that. My mother's will be easy, she lived in London, Walker, lived in Australia however, so that will take a bit of time. Thaor said, his face remaining emotionless.

''Don't be an idiot, Elldir. No one wants to even imagine you in a mini skirt, yet alone see you'', Doyle commented, still concentrated on the television set. He then heard what his apprentice had to say and nodded a couple of times. ''You request a leave of absence to gather blood money? Fine with me. You are free to leave... you are also free not to return. But, before signing you off, I have to ask... who is going to replace you while you are away?'', Doyle asked. He never even looked at the man.

If it's truly a leave of absence, and I will be returning, I have a couple people in mind. If you're firing me, then I suppose it's your damn job to figure that out, now isn't it? Thaor said, his face showing no emotions. And the money I could care less about, my vault is pretty full on it's own at Gringotts, it's the house, library, and all that stuff that I'll need to take care of. I'm glad you're in touch with your sensitive side Doyle. Thaor said, glaring into Doyle's eyes.

''I'm not firing you, you moron... I just said that you are welcome to stay wherever you are going. I asked you whom you picked to replace you while you are... absent'', Doyle repeated, looking at strange, seemingly stupid, man. ''Oh, I have no doubt that you've already collected enough blood money to secure all your needs... but, why would someone like you care about a certain mass of cellulose and a brick construction? I mean, I am sure you already have a big enough library and I am sure you already have enough houses stolen from the muggles and wizards you've killed... directly or indirectly... what would a man like you do with cellulose and bricks?'', he inquired.