easier said than done [JAMINSON]

[Keith Blackwood]

Sitting in a chair Keith stared at the dusty blackboard of an empty classroom, it reminded him of when he was younger and attended Hogwarts as a student, no matter what old Professor Flitwick did he could never get the blackboard completely clean. Driven by his need for everything to be neat and tidy Keith stood up, pushed the chair back and walked towards the blackboard. Wordlessly he summoned a blackboard rubber and started scrubbing, he could have easily used his wand but Keith found that doing chores such as these were sort of...relaxing.

When Keith heard the thud of feet meaning that someone was coming his way he hurled around, instinctively dropping the rubber.

When he saw who it was he relaxed, just a little bit but he relaxed all the same.

"Oh it's yo - ," realizing that probably wasn't the best way to start a conversation Keith managed to force up a smile and motion the newcomer to sit.

[Jaminson Redpaw]

James walked to an empty classroom while singing "Let It Snow". He wore a red shirt with a christmas tree, loose jeans, a cloak and a hat with a pineapple on it. In his right hand was a bag with several things inside.

"Hello Keith or Mr. Blackwood if you'd prefer." James greeted the younger man with a smile "You don't have to force yourself to smile and be polite you know! True feelings may hurt more but they feel more natural than fake ones."

James took a seat and pulled out a cigar, it was a very bad habit that he wasn't proud of and was trying to quit. So far, he only needed the tobacco once a week which was pretty good progress.

"I hope you don't mind if I smoke. It's a bad habit I started about 11 years ago..." James sighed sadly "Anyway, what do you need of me professor?"

[Keith Blackwood]

Keith let his smile slip, almost grateful for Jaminson being so...intuitive. Eyeing the cigar in the other Professor's hand with obvious distaste Keith shook his head, although his thoughts spoke oppostie to what he let out.

"Not at all Mister Redpaw, or Jaminson if you prefer, Keith is acceptable, Mister Blackwood is far too formal for a fellow colleague." Keith almost wanted to roll his eyes at his pleasantry, it wasn't that he didn't usually have it, it was just, he was so formal, it reminded him shakily of his mother when talking to other people, she didn't dare seem like a weirdo as young people would put it.

Keith paused, not exactly sure on how to tell Jaminson, a man he barely knew, that he wanted him to pretend to be a student's father, appearance and all.

"Have you ever heard of the Polyjuice Potion Professor?" That was a silly question, everyone ages six and up (maybe even younger in some cases) knew what the Polyjuice Potion was from the tales of the legendary "Golden Trio", a better question would be if the other Professor had ever acquainted himself with the potion but Keith knew that was far too rash.

[Jaminson Redpaw]

James noticed Keith's distaste with his cigar and decided to relive his addiction later. For now, he got out a sugar quill and started sucking on it. Better to be addicted to sugar quills than cigars after all.

"If you'd prefer you may call me James. Almost everyone calls me that." James grinned "Or Red, Redpaw, Curtis whatever floats your boat!"

James had to stop himself from laughing at Keith's question. Know the Polyjuice Potion? Of course he did! Being the History of Magic professor he knew how the Golden Trio was fond of using it. Not to mention James himself had a few personal contacts with the potion.

"Of course!" James exclaimed happily "In fact, I brewed the potion for a dare in my younger years... It took awhile but the after results? Hilarious and pleasing! The sill also came in handy later on... Why do you ask?"

[Keith Blackwood]

Keith was almost intrigued - no intrigued was too much of a strong word, almost interested as to when Jaminson had a name such as his why he would be called "Curtis" Keith supposed that logically perhaps his middle name was Curtis. For someone who was in Hufflepuff Keith relied too much on logic, rather than loyalty, but he did value loyalty over logic...sometimes.

That was it, Keith braced himself, judging by how Jaminson reacted earlier to his forced smile Keith had no doubt that he would see through any straight lie he told, but Keith had already planned beforehand just in case that happened.

"Well you see, I have this friend," not a direct lie, hopefully he wouldn't stammer like he usually did, "and she, well, she doesn't have the best relationship with her father." Again, not a complete lie but an understatement.

Keith grabbed the nearest chair and sat down on it, releasing a deep breath before resuming speaking once more.

"As far as she can remember she's never received any praise, or any type of compassion from him, I've been...thinking about this for over fifteen years, taking notes, scrutinizing the behavior of her father, but I fear I've waited too long, she knows me too well. All the people I know that could possibly...act like him are overseas, or too far away..." Keith paused to take another deep breath, "I - I know this is sudden, hopefully you understand where I'm leading?"

Keith mentally berated himself, it was foolish, there was no way it would happen, his mind filled with pessimistic thoughts Keith almost missed what Jaminson said next.

[Jaminson Redpaw]

James listened carefully, not missing a single word that came out of Keith's mouth.

"Of course I'll do it!" James said a bit seriously "I know what it's like... Well, kind of but I understand!"

James took this matter a bit personally mainly due to his own self and mistakes. After Tania died he gave away his children to be adopted. It was the most foolish mistake he ever made in his whole life. James lived through the regret everyday and tried to understand the pain his own children would go through when he told them the truth. It was a very lonely, dissapointing feeling indeed.

"How do you want me to start?" James asked "Oh yes, need a bit more specific information if you want me to do this. I promise I won't tell anyone else of this little adventure..."

His tone now was slightly sad but James somehow covered it up.

[Keith Blackwood]

Keith was a bit overwhelmed if not shocked at Jaminson's enthusiasm, he was almost about to ask him if he were sure when Jaminson started asking him for details, and Keith was reassured that Jaminson was not going to back out of this.

"Well, I assume you've heard of Cormac McLaggen?" Keith was a bit uneasy, wondering if Jaminson would still be so enthusiastic once he realized he would have to lie to a student and (according to what he heard around Hogwarts) one of his best. "Well...his daughter is the "friend" I was talking about and..." Keith momentarily lost his confidence but he pushed on, knowing that in the end, it would be worth it.

"He's usually reserved, reluctant to distance himself from his work except to talk to his son, but that doesn't really matter, the point is you have to convince Nadia that you've reformed, that you're willing to spend as much time with her and that, well what do ordinary fathers do."

Keith hoped that his fake confidence reassured Jaminson if he had any doubts, he wanted this to happen, and badly.

[Jaminson Redpaw]

"Nope! Haven't heard of him before. Though I do know the last name..." James thought out loud "Nadia, right? Well then, the job sounds worthy enough!"

His voice shook slightly at his last sentence. If only he could do that with his own kids. To let them finally know and finlly trust him. But life just had to take a different turn...

"I think you've found the perfect player for your role." James smiled sadly "I know the feeling of being hated and considered untrustworthy by your own flesh and blood. So, do you have Polyjuice potion so we can start on this plan?"

He decided to fade his own problems into the background so he could focus on helping Keith and Nadia. James wanted to make others happy, especially for the holidays. Isn't that what the holidays were about? Being happy?

[Keith Blackwood]

Keith was once again taken aback and the enthusiasm Jaminson presented, but quickly gathered himself as he took out of his robes a small vial of Polyjuice, a small vial was all that was needed anyway.

With a small sigh Keith passed the vial to Jaminson, "you don't have long, one hour, after that, get out of there, please, and tomorrow's the day, don't worry about how she or you are going to get there. By there I mean a meadow near the McLaggen estate, remember you know that place inside out, don't feign ignorance on anything. I've arranged a portkey already." Realizing that he was rambling Keith bowed his head and made to leave, he had done his work, it was up to Jaminson now.