Oh, what a predicament...

One night, a crash, loud and violent, shook the foundations of Crowley's little tower atop Night Raven College. And by the next morning, he was a guardian, for a mere child had crashed into his living room like a shooting star.

With no way to return to their homeland, Crowley took it upon himself to house them while he—or rather, his staff—found a solution to this predicament. Until then, they were his legal child.

Though his generosity knows no bounds, it was originally a reluctant choice. He was a headmage, not a father. But perhaps, a child in his life was what was lacking, a responsibility he simply couldn't ignore; a glimmer in a school of arrogant, self-centred scholars.

"...that way, we can send them home-" Professor Divus paused as he noticed the other's distant gaze. "Headmage. Are you listening?" Divus snapped his gloved fingers before Crowley's face.

In truth, Crowley hadn't heard a word of the report, his mind drifting the moment the topic of sending his child home was brought up.

The passage of time had blinded him to the inevitability that his staff, all capable mages, would eventually find a way to send ~~his~~ the child home. Part of him had hoped it was a one-way trip; whether that made him selfish, he cared not.

"Yes yes," Crowley waved his hand dismissively, leaning back in his chair while he spoke. "Leave the papers here and I'll look over them," Divus warned him not to delay informing the child, but Crowley paid it little mind. He'd tell them when he was ready.

The professor left Crowley with his thoughts and the sound of quiet ticking from the various clocks in his office. To return them to their true home, or keep them here... A magnanimous headmage would send them away in a heartbeat, but I... cannot.

Crowley knew that was a lie. He could, but he wouldn't. His door rattled as it was knocked. He swept the papers into his desk before adjusting himself, wearing a practised smile. "Enter!"