Richard reclined in a chair in the living room, sipping from a cup of coffee. It was a habit that he had picked up during his years in the States, and he could admit that it was one he couldn’t be bothered to try and break. He was to meet with Kalmin shortly, and he could still feel his body trying to wake up.

He wasn’t as young as he had been, and he was pleased that he wouldn’t have to worry about too much dueling this this child. This child seemed like he would have other talents that could be played to. He had done some asking around about the name Ulrik in relation to Professor Gallows, and he had to admit that he was excited to find out what the two men found so interesting about the boy.

He set his cup down and picked up a note from one of his staffers on a motion that was being brought up to the Wizengamot and continued to wait for his first student of the morning.

Kalmin always got up early, he did not like to just lay around and do nothing. It made no sense to him, what could you accomplish by laying in bed, so he was up with the breaking daylight. By the time his lesson was about to start he had dressed, had a small walk around the grounds to learn them, and reviewed a few things in the books that he brought along.

He grabbed a quick breakfast, and made his way to living room. When he arrived at the living room he saw that Mr. Morrigan was sitting and reading something, and with the smell it seemed he was also enjoying a cup of coffee. He made his way up to a respectable distance away from him “Good Morning, Mr. Morrigan.” he gave a slight bow of his head “You have a fantastic home and thank you again for allowing me to stay here.”

He waited for the offer to take a seat, if he was offered. If not he would stand and wait his instructions. He was happy to be here and have a chance to learn something else. So he looked at Mr. Morrigan and waited to see what he would say.

Richard looked up at the sound of Kalmin's voice. "At least you seem nice and awake. I, personally, am finding it less and less to my liking to rise early. I suspect it has something to do with my age. It is a pleasure to have you and your friends here son, there's no need to thank me anymore."

He motioned to a chair across from him, "Have a seat lad, I suspect we're going to be doing a fair bit of speaking this morning. "

"I need to know what your two mentors have been teaching you. I have several ideas of things you may be interested in, but I am not yet sure how to tie it together into a comprehensive whole."

Kalmin took the seat as he was asked to do, and made himself comfortable since there was going to be a lot of talking. He was not surprised when Mr. Morrigan asked him to explain the training that he was receiving from Arik and Ulric. He was a little hesitant to tell him everything that he was learning, but it would be a waste of time if he was going to teach him something that he already knew.

“Well Professor Gallows and Master Ulric have been teaching me since I had the changed come on my thirteenth birthday. Master Ulric has been teaching me to control my ability to change my appearance and body dimensions. He is a strict Master and demands full attention when instructing, but I have been told he is one of the best Metamorphmagus there is. Professor Gallows has the same style of teaching and I have observed him keeping an eye on Master Ulric and his instruction over me.” Kalmin gave a quick sly smile, but quickly forced it away.

“As to what else they have been teaching me that really depends on who I am with. Mastere Ulric has been teaching me some different types of attack spells with some additional utility spells that he has learned. He also has been teaching me how to control my emotions and how to hide my intentions behind a barrier in my mind. When I am with Professor Gallows he has been instructing me with some defensive spells and also further instructs me on the mental control that must be maintained. They are also both very interested in the discovered blood line that I have, and have been testing me and my bloodline with various tests and rituals. There seems to be several oddities that I seem to have from this bloodline.” Kalmin sat and thought a little over what he had learned so far with his instructors.

“I believe that is all, is there any other question that you have for me?” He gave a nod and a smile to let him know that he was ready for any question he would ask.

Richard listened patiently as Kalmin described the instruction he had recieved. He made a note to look into the apparent mistrust between the two, but was intrigued by the grin the boy gave. He was impressed with his ability to hide it so fast, and chalked it up to the training he had recieved to this point as well has his home in Slytherin.

"What is this bloodline they have discovered in you? I'm not aware of this news leaving Hogwarts."

"Why are they training you? You are bright and, from what I hear, a quick study. But why would a Professor and his friend take such an interest in you? To train you beyond the ability to control your apparent shape shifting abilities? They also don't appear to be teaching you to any specific purpose which intrigues me as well. I have several ideas for you, but I am going to be forced to decide if I think it is in my best interest to fully devote myself to this as you already have a pair of mentors that seem to have some sort of idea for you. I will certainly teach you some spells that I think can be useful for you, but unless you are willing to give me an oath right now that you will not use anything I teach you against me or my interests, you will have to be patient with me while I work toward a decision about wether I should instruct you at all."

"Also, part of what I was going to be instructing you three in was Occlumency. That would require that I test your skill, and I would need your permission before doing so. So, tell me, did your teachers give you any knowledge that you would fear me seeing?"

Richard sat back to watch the boy's reaction. He knew that it could be disappointing to him that he wasn't necessarily going to recieve the same in depth training as his friends, but he hoped the boy would understand the need for discretion.

Kalmin was glad that the knowledge of his Bloodline had not traveled outside of the few Professors and Ulric. He figured if he was going to be trained by this man then it would be wise for him to know.

“Mr. Morrigan the news of my Bloodline has not left the few Professors and Master Ulric, and to be honest I would like to keep it that way.” Kalmin got a saddened look on his face and looked down at the floor “I stand corrected there is one other person that knows about it and I hope that she keeps that information quiet as well” He raised his head to look back at Mr. Morrigan and the sadness was gone as if it never existed. “I will tell you that it has been discovered that I have Sidhe blood, and it seems to be a fair amount of it. Now I would like to have an Oath from you saying that you will keep this information quiet, at least until I say otherwise.” He smiled to take the edge off of the demand that he made.

“As to why Professor Gallows and Master Ulric are teaching me things, it is mostly because I was taken out of classes for a while so I could learn to control my new ability. While I was being taught control, they instructed me. I will say that I enjoyed it and wanted to learn more, and while I was returned to normal classes, I was not fast enough for me and I wanted to learn more.” Kalmin bought the sly smile back to his face. “Now I am not blind, I know that Master Ulric is extremely interested in my ability to Morph and it is different from his. He did tell me that mine is like water changing to the shape of thought, where his is force of will contorting the flesh to shape. He is a very talented Metamorph and even Arik is cautious of his ability. I also know that Professor Gallows is wants to know all about my Bloodline and everything that I can do with it. He does tests on me when he thinks I am not looking or expecting it, but I catch on every now and then. He always tells me afterwards so I think that is a test in itself. So I think my “Thirst” for knowledge is their way to keep me around so they can keep looking into me and sate their curiosity over me.”

He pondered a little when he was asked to offer an oath. He could not see a reason why he would not agree to the oath, he liked Tim and Mr. Morrigan and his family has never done anything to him.

“Mr. Morrigan I would like you to trust me and I have offered up information that I would not like others to know. I hope that starts the trust on both of our sides. I will also give you my word that I will not use your teachings to harm You or Yours as long as they do not try to harm Me or Mine.” Kalmin felt that weird tingle run the length of his body, and it made him shiver. He really should find out what that means. “As for your interests you will have to let me know what they are so that I do not go against them, though I do not see how a boy of my age could go against you plans or interests. But if you let me know I will keep to my word that I had state before.” Again the tingle, and the shiver.

“As for the Occlumency, I am willing to begin where you see is best. If that is a testing of my skill then I am ready when you are. I have acquired a book on the subject but it is difficult to learn with no proper instruction. As for information that they have given, I do not see anything that they would told me that would be secret. If you have no other questions, Master let the instruction begin.” He gave a brief smile.

Richard listened as Kalmin explained about his bloodline. “Of course, I can absolutely see how you would want to keep this knowledge to as few people as possible. I can’t imagine how many people would be interested in using you for their purposes were it to become general knowledge.” Richard pulled his wand and held it before him, “I, Richard Morrigan, swear on my life and magic to keep quiet the knowledge of Kalmin McFadden’s history and bloodline until I am given permission to spread the word by him.”

He nodded as Kalmin went on about the training that Gallows and Ulric had been giving to him. “These sound like interesting men Kalmin. I’m sure that you already know that you should be careful about what you take away from them. It sounds like they are running their own game, as I am sure you are aware.”

“Professor Gallows I know some about, as he is a teacher of my Grandson. He had potential to be a well-known international figure. He was approached several times by, both the magical government of Scandinavia, as well as the International Confederation of Wizards. It is more than a little bit odd that he decided to settle down at Hogwarts so early in his life. Your Master Ulric I have never done any research on, though I will now do some prying and see what I can find out about him as well.”

“I agree, there is little you could do at the current time that would be bad for the things that I am working on. However, it is not inconceivable that soon after you graduate from Hogwarts you could find yourself in a position to do severe harm to my interests. And there is much that you could tell your Masters that they could feasibly use against me if they felt the need to do so.”

Richard rose to his feet, “I feel that we have reached an accord, and I am content to move ahead with your training. I will lead off with a test of your Occlumency. I would like for you to attempt to repel or contain me for as long as you are able. When I break through I will dig for two minutes, the same amount of time I gave your friend Amber. If you have not thrown me out in the two minutes that I am allowing I will stop. Once we have gauged where you stand in your training, we will be able to continue with further instruction in the subject.”

Richard pointed his wand at Kalmin’s head, right between his eyes, and incanted, “Legilimens!”

Kalmin was glad that they could reach an agreement, he really did want to learn from this man. Everyone had a way of teaching and Kalmin could tell that he would enjoy the lessons, even if they would be hard.

When he told him that they would start with a testing of his Occlumency he started to prepare himself right away. He started to drop into the “Calm” that would overwhelm him. I was almost as if he detached himself from his emotions. He felt as if he put a wall around him to separate himself from everything else. Just as he felt it was secure he heard the word “Legilimens!”

It started by feeling like a pressure that was on his wall, and that wall was connected to his head. He had felt this before with Arik and Ulric but they had used a different word. He was not sure how long he held that wall but eventually it was like a hot needle going through a wall of wax. Then the memories started…

He was a baby and he could feel wet on his face and could remember the overwhelming smell of the forest.

He was four and he realized that he did not have parents like all the other kids that were normal.

He was six and he was told he was not going to be adopted because he behaved different from other kids.

He was eight and he got beat by the older kids because he stood up and protected another child from getting teased.

He was eight and he snuck into the rooms of the kids that beat him and put poison ivy in there underwear drawer.

He was ten and he saw Siofra for the first time and shook her hand and felt the warmth and tingle that ran up his arm.

He was 12 and he pulled his wand to protect himself from bullies from the orphanage and without words spells were cast on them to make them have boils and knocking them back with blasts of force or entrapping them in tree branches or grass.

He was 12 and he was talking with Amber and they got closer and closer and then she kissed him.

He was 13 and he was dreaming of his father but could never see his face. Then he bent down and kissed him on each of his eyes and he felt the burning…

‘That is mine, and you may not see him.’ Kalmin thought to himself ‘Get out of my memory!’ He forced himself to try to push Richard out. He threw all his will into do it, he did not know if it worked or not. He only knew that when he came back to his senses he was on his knees on the floor. He was breathing hard like he had run 10 miles without rest. He raised his head to look at Mr. Morrigan an there was an intensity to his look that came through in his eyes, it was like they had a glow about them.

He quickly gathered his composure and nodded to Mr. Morrigan as he regained his breath.

Richard's spell washed through the practically non-existant protections surrounding the boy's mind and he watched the memories roll past his vision, until he happened upon the vision of the man leaning over the McFadden boy when he began to feel the pressure of Kalmin actually fighting to try and expel him. It would have been a simple matter to avoid the thrust, but Richard had already gotten what he needed to know about the boy's training, and a little bit more. He rode the embarrassment and magic out of the boy's memories.

"Your mentors have given you a solid grounding in Occlumency Mr. McFadden, you should be pleased. It is a difficult and obscure branch of magic. One that will not be taught at your school unless you are able to find a practitioner to take you under their wing."

He settled back in his chair in the sitting room and continued, "As to some of the other things I saw, your affinity for silent casting is formidable, I myself, had no luck with it until well into my sixth year. There are many who never master the tricks of it."

"From what I have seen, I can think of several things that I could teach you. But, I find I know much less about you than I do any of the others here. You have received training from men who set themselves on their paths very early in life. Perhaps you are of a similar mold. What do you see yourself doing with your life Mr. McFadden? Perhaps I can help you attain some of those goals?"

Kalmin nodded as Mr. Morrigan recounted what he had learned and how he thought it when. Kalmin knew it would do him no good to let his emotions get the better of him now.

“Mr. Morrigan thank you for the compliment and I mean no disrespect from this, but a solid grounding did not keep you out of my memories. I tried to retain the calm that I was taught but that did not seem to work to well. I think I can see where your talent resides, and I would be honored if you would teach me more about Occlumency.”

“Mr. Morrigan I do not know how silent casting is going to help me at all compared to say Ambers gift for attack spells and Josh is a wiz with defense, as much as he does not realize it. Tim seems to fit right into everything and everyone likes him, and he has a very quick mind on him. These are all talents that can be used for something. I can cast silently every spell that I know, I don’t think about it, it just happens. Nobody really knows me, except everyone here. It is like I can walk around invisible sometimes where people will look right at me but not notice that I am there. So how is this going to help me with anything?” He sounded as if he was just stating facts, there was no whining or hurt in his voice.

“As to what I want to do, well when I first got to Hogwarts I talk with a professor and I wanted to do something outside. But since all the changes that have happened to me, I am not sure anymore. Right now I want a direction, I would love to have a goal or a purpose. If you can help with that as well I would listen.” He thought for a little bit, as he sat there and looked inward. “There are some things about me you should know if you wish to help me. I love the woods and nature itself, I am a lot stronger than most my age and I look older ever since I had my change. If I get hurt or cut it heals really quickly, I have not been sick since I had my change and I really did not get sick before, but I just feel healthier. I also get this unusual tingle when the ghosts of Hogwarts are near me.”

“I hope all that helps you understand me a little more, if you have any more questions for me please just ask.” he folded his hands into his lap to show that he was done.

Richard nodded, "Do not worry that you skills were not able to keep me out. I have spent the greater part of my life honing my talents in the mind arts, and at the risk of sounding conceited, I suspect there are precious few who would be able to keep me out if I truly wanted in."

Richard raised his eyebrow as Kalmin spoke, "You don't see moving about unnoticed and unmarked as a benefit? I know many man who would have killed for that to be the case. You are currently viewing it as a curse, as a detriment. I can teach you spells that will allow you to take that and make it a part of who you are and what you do."

"There will never be a lack of options for one who can pass unnoticed. Is that what you would like to work with?" He sat back and waited for a response from Kalmin.