Morning Ride (Open)

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Professor Grimp had few hobbies. Back when he was an Auror and now with him being a Professor, he did not really have the luxury of "free time." However, he always made sure to visit his black horse, Ichabod, at the stables and walk him a bit. On Sunday mornings, with classes not being held and his office work mostly done, he would go horseback riding on Ichabod. He had fond memories of the horse serving him well when he tracked Dark Wizards and Witches who hide out in open, rural areas. And it was nice to know he could ride his four-legged friend for the simple joy of it now.

Ichabod brought out a side of the Professor rarely seen inside the school. To the students, he was serious and hard-edged. But his voice was very gentle and kind around Ichabod. Open the door to the horse's stable, Grimp greeted him.

"Guten Morgen, Ichabod," he said. "Are you well? Hagrid keeping you well fed, ja?" Grimp chuckled a bit at this as he stroked the horse's nose. "He takes good care of you. I could trust you with no one better. Except for our dearest Letta, ja? She always took good care of you. I know, I miss her too." Letta was Grimp's wife, who passed on two years before. She was the only other being than Ichabod that Grimp showed his gentle side too. He loved and missed her dearly. "Come now, my friend. Let us have our Sunday morning ride."

Soon, Grimp had Ichabod saddled and was riding him. They were in an open area near the stables where students and adults could ride horses. Those on foot knew to keep watch when walking about there.

[ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY]

The morning was perfect for a run, with the sun shining and the pearly white clouds in the sky. It was Sunday, and because of that there were no classes or events going on. After getting herself out of bed and dressing in proper attire which consisted of athletic shorts and a tank top with sneakers, Rose Weasley made her way out of the castle. Glancing up at the sky once she was out the doors, she smiled at the positively lovely weather. The sun beat down on her face and for a moment, she just closed her eyes and took it in. She breathed in the fresh morning air, opened her eyes and then tied back her hair in a ponytail just as she started to jog.

Rose always started off slow before she picked up the pace, and when she ran, she usually went for at least an hour. No, she didn't run for a straight hour. She paced herself with a mix of walking, jogging, and running. She wasn't going to wear herself out too much. She'd like to have enough energy left to do things with her friends that day. Maybe she'd even see Scorpius at some point. The young Gryffindor always enjoyed seeing her boyfriend. There never was a moment she wished he wasn't around. Even if he showed up and disturbed her morning run, she'd be happy to stop what she was doing to make new plans with him.

As she continued down the path she always ran, the horse stables got more visible by each step. She loved to view the horses as she ran by. Sometimes she would even stop to pet them and feed them a carrot or something before she continued on. Her eyes caught sight of something coming her way, but she was too late in moving out of the way gracefully. With a cry out, she jumped to the side only to land on the ground. It was a horse, and someone was riding it. Rose let out a sigh as she rolled over onto her back and then continued to lie there staring up at the sky, deciding the grass was much more comfortable at the moment. It was her fault anyway. She should have been paying attention.

@grimp

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The ride was going pleasantly enough. Grimp had Ichabod pick up some speed, enjoying the wind in his face. However, a young woman suddenly jogged out, causing Ichabod to neigh wildly and raise the front half of his body. Fortunately, the only thing that fell from the horse was the black fedora on Grimp's head. Once the Professor calmed his horse, he stepped off. Grimp didn't need any special affinity to tame Ichabod when the horse was wild. It came from years of training and friendship with the horse.

Fixing his sunglasses, he stepped over to see just who got in his way. A Gryffindor... and a Weasley to boot. He didn't hate the Weasleys, but being a Slytherin alumni and head of Slytherin House, he wasn't their best friend either. Still, he offered a hand to help Rose up.

"Fraulein Weasley!" he said with a combination of anger and fear that the girl could be harmed. The man had a heart after all, despite his tough exterior and somewhat dark personality. "Have you taken leave of your quick senses, child? This area of the grounds is used for horse-back riding, and is no place for those who wish to do otherwise."

Grimp held himself up with his cane, which he held in one hand while he rode. He needed a cane ever since his latter days as an Auror. A run-in with a Dark Wizard almost cost him his leg. Fortunately, he survived with it, but the injury caused a permanent limp.

"Well then," he said to Rose. "Are you alright or do I need to escort you to the nurse?"

ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY

[ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY]

A figure soon appeared over Rose and it didn't take her long to realize who exactly it was. Professor Grimp, resident Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor. Despite some of his methods of teaching and his harsh attitude, Rose quite liked the fellow. He was interesting to say the least, and the auburn haired girl appreciated that about him. It kept class interesting which helped in the long run. There was nothing like trying to get through a boring class. Those classes only made it that much harder to not only concentrate but to learn. It was annoying. But still, Rose kept up and she had good marks in all of her classes.

Taking the professors hand, she allowed him to help her to her feet, a weak smile on her face. Rose knew she was probably going to hear it now. She was ready for the lecture to come about running around the area where people rode. Rose winced slightly when he said her last name in a raised tone. She couldn't tell if he was completely angry at her, or what was going on. He was a hard man to read sometimes. She wanted to apologize and explain her reasoning for being out there, but she thought it would be rude to cut him off, so she listened to his words and nodded to let him know she was listening.

"I apologize Professor." She said sincerely, hoping he wasn't too mad at her. She didn't want the incident to determine a bad reputation in his eyes. She wanted to be liked by her teachers. "I run this way because I like to see the horses and sometimes I stop to feed them. Nothing like this usually happens. I know I should have been paying better attention." Rose told him, her words coming out quickly. She was holding her ground, but that didn't mean she wasn't at least a little nervous. "It won't happen again."

Looking down for a moment, her eyes caught sight of his hat that was still lying on the ground. She took  a few steps toward it and picked it up, before returning to her spot and holding it out to it's rightful owner. "I'm sorry again, and thank you for your concern, but I don't believe I'm injured." A warmer smile appeared on her lips as she loosened up a bit. "Are you well Professor?"

@grimp

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Alright, so some of the Weasleys were more likable than others. Rose was a respectful girl, and a very bright girl. And she was always attentive and enthusiastic in class. She didn't act uncomfortable around him as some students did. Though he rarely cared about what those particular students had to say.

He could also respect that Rose enjoyed being around the horses, and even helped feed them. Perhaps she had fed Ichabod. He couldn't fully dislike someone who liked horses. Grimp finally gave her a stuff bow.

"Apology accepted, Fraulein Weasley," he said. "But ja, we must prevent such a thing from happening again. The next time, one of us could be seriously injured... perhaps worse. Ichabod can be fierce when he feels threatened. He was a match for many a dark wizard in his youth... our youth rather."

Grimp then bowed again when Rose handed him his hat. He brushed it off and placed it back on his head.

"Danke scheon, fraulein," he said. He simply nodded when she thanked him for his concern though. Grimp didn't want to come off as showing too much of a warm personality. He enjoyed the grim vibe he gave off. It served him quite well as an Auror when he had to think as dark wizards did in order to catch dark wizards.

He did speak when she asked if he was well.

"Aside from recovering from our little scare, I am well, ja," he said. "Und you, Fraulein Weasley? Ready for your exams? Mine will not be an easy one and I hope you have studied hard."

ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY

[ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY]

A smile swept over her lips when the professor had accepted her apology. It meant she wasn't exactly on his bad side. That was the last thing she needed. Rose nodded in response to his comment, agreeing that such a thing should not happen again. "I apologize again Professor Grimp. I never intended to get in the way or to put someone in danger." Rose was usually a very careful and cautious girl, as well as serious. She wasn't one to joke around and she could be a bit bossy at times, but if you didn't like that, then you didn't have to acknowledge her. The only people that brought out her goofy side was her best friend, her boyfriend, and some of her family.

The fact that the horse had such a history intrigued her, making her want to know more. "Really?" She asked, hoping he would elaborate on what he meant. "That's very interesting." Her eyes left the professor for a moment as she scanned the horse. Rose loved animals, horses included. They were very beautiful creatures. "He's a handsome horse. Is he yours?"

When Professor Grimp took his hat, Rose wasn't completely sure what he said as it was in a different language, but she was somewhat positive he was saying thank you. "You're very welcome." If she was wrong, boy would that be embarrassing! But it didn't matter so much. Rose believed that under that hard exterior, he was just a soft teddy bear waiting to come out. Maybe not, but she'd like to think so. After all, he wasn't being as gruff then as he usually was in class.

"I'm glad to hear you are well Professor, aside from the scare of course." She told him, a smile still in tact. "I am doing just fine, thank you." She answered, pausing in thought before she answered his question. "Of course I am ready seeing as I've been studying a lot. Actually, that was probably what I was going to do after my morning run." She said, not trying to come off as a suck up. She was being completely honest with him. Rose was a smart girl and her grades were a priority to her. She wasn't going to let any of her exams slip through her fingers. She felt ready.

@grimp

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Grimp gave a slight chuckle when Rose apologized again and said it wasn't her intent to endanger anyone.

"We wizards and witches focus far too much on intentions as the cause for most tragedies when some of the worst of said tragedies happen by accident," he said. "The fire that nearly destroyed Ancient Rome began as an accident. But think nothing more of it, Fraulein Weasley. In this case, there was no tragedy. We move on and learn for the next time, ja?"

Grimp turned and pat Ichabod as Rose asked about his ownership of the horse.

"Nicht, not at one time," he said. "He was assigned to me by the Ministry. However, we bonded, and both retired together. I asked if I could take care of him, and since the Ministry could not use him, they granted by request. Ichabod does not have many years ahead of him, but I wish to make them fond ones for him."

The gentleness came out in Grimp's voice again, though he didn't seem to mind revealing it to Rose.

Grimp then nodded when Rose said she was going to study. He believed her as she had done well in his class.

"Gut, Frulein Weasley, very gut," he said. "I am sure you will do well on the exam." He wanted to tell her that he did indeed think she was a good student and that he was impressed with her work, but Grimp was not one to ramble on with compliments. "I am returning Ichabod to the stables, and then making my way back to the school. You may walk with me if you wish unless you desire to continue with your exercise."

ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY

[ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY]

It was nice to hear the professor chuckle. Rose wasn't sure she ever heard him laugh, and it brought a brighter smile to her lips. She wondered if any other students got to see him on this level before? It was nice, to be out of the classroom and talking informally. Nodding, she agreed with what he said. "You're right, Professor Grimp. And yes, we... Well I, seeing as this was my fault, will try to avoid more accidents. We don't want any tragedies happening." She chuckled herself, enjoying the conversation she was having with her Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor.

A sweet feeling came when he talked of taking the horse. He really was the teddy bear she thought he could be. He just didn't like to show it, which she didn't understand why. He was such a nice man. But maybe it was because students were cruel and a lot of them take advantage of those that are nice. He probably knew that in order to keep their respect and attention, he would have to be hard on them. It was all understandable. "That's amazing Professor. I'm sure Ichabod really appreciates it, and you."

Rose smiled at his compliment. "Thank you Professor Grimp." She said, smiling up at him. Rose never felt a bond with him before, but she could feel it now and she was going to miss the older man when she left Hogwarts. Stepping forward, she gave the man a hug, before pulling back soon after. She wasn't sure he was fond of hugging, so she kept it brief. "I will miss you when I leave Professor. And, um, I think I'm going to continue on my run. In that direction." She told him, pointing away from the stables with a laugh. "Have a great day Sir." She told him, before taking off again, down a different path than she was used to, but one she still knew.

@grimp

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(Aaand wrapping it up)

Grimp simply nodded as Rose said she would avoid future accidents. He believed she would. The girl had a good head on her shoulders after all. And Merlin knew Grimp had made his share of mistakes in the past, and some of them had some pretty hard consequences. There were some parts of his early days as an Auror that he would rather forget.

Grimp then nodded as Rose said that Ichabod must have appreciated Grimp's affection for him. Grimp patted his horse and chuckled a bit.

"But we cannot let it go to his head, ja?" said Grimp. "Horses like himself have a lot of pride, and who can blame them?"

When Rose thanked him for the compliment, Grimp simply said "Bitte schon" and nothing more. He was not one to give heavy compliments and therefore his response to gratitude to those compliments was a simple "You're welcome."

When Rose said she would miss him, Grimp simply tipped his hat, but he said nothing directly to her. But he hoped the tip of the hat spoke for him. However, as Rose stepped away to continue her exercise, Grimp secretly let out a bit of the emotion he had just bottled up.

"Ja, and I will miss you too, Fraulein Weasley. I will miss you too," he whispered softly. There were few students who Grimp KNEW would do well after graduation. Rose was one of those few.

ROSE MINERVA WEASLEY