To Ben, the Deputy Headmaster was not just a stranger. No, Keiran Hayes had become something of an important figure in the confused, ex-Death Eater's mind. So when he had shown up at Rose's office at Hogwarts, intending to simply chat with her after everything had changed, he was shocked to see the man standing there. After having seen pictures of the man in Baldric's rooms, it was all the more bizarre to see Keiran looking so conflicted and lost. The older man's hand was in his jacket pocket, and he was peering at Rose's office door as though he wanted to ask for help but couldn't quite bring himself to do so.
Ben, however, was almost equally conflicted, if not more so. Ben was inadvertently the reason why Keiran was currently leaning on his cane and looking so torn up on the inside. But he also owed Keiran everything, considering the man had given Baldric the money needed to free him from Azkaban after Clarence had put the blame on Ben. He felt almost obligated to address the professor, so he began approaching just as Keiran drew his hand out of his pocket and reached to knock at the door. Unfortunately, his greeting escaped just as Keiran's knuckles met the wood, sending out two quick knocks before the turned and furrowed his brow at Bentley.
"Sorry, but... do I know you?" Keiran asked, lifting a brow with clear confusion written in his gaze.
Ben faltered, only managing to get out, "No, but you know my... um, my fiancé." Even Ben's eyes widened at the fact that he had said it out loud, but he finally mustered an additional word: "Bae."
Keiran's eyebrows drew together in slight anger, but he released a breath and let his shoulders relax as he accepted the fact that he was looking at the man who had caused so much trouble. But Ben had tried to warn them. He had kept Baldric from being cursed during the battle. And he had taken the fall for his father's actions, and Keiran trusted Baldric's opinion enough to know that this man could not be that bad. Rather, he chose to trust Baldric, and knew that if it went wrong, the professor and his wife would be there to make sure they sorted it out.
"Fiancé? That's new," he offered vaguely, trying to keep a friendly tone in his voice. Right before Ben could explain what had happened, or try to offer an apology, there was a rattle on the other side of the wooden door, indicative of a turning handle.
Would Ben be expected to wait while Keiran talked to Rose? He wouldn't really mind, but it did make him wonder what was wrong enough with Keiran that the man was seeking out help. Hopefully Rose wouldn't be angry with him for showing up without warning, and hopefully she would give him a hint as to what was wrong with the professor so he could give Baldric some kind of warning if things weren't going well.
by Lucien Holt Wed Nov 19, 2014 2:40 am