Norrell may be a difficult person to stomach at the best of times -- grating, petty, often described as turning things into an unbearable history lesson and entirely fixated on his own issues. Yet the Norrell who sits at his desk waiting for Simon is a little different too. His eyes flit up nervously as Simon enters, darting between him and the man at the door escorting him. Deciding that it must be safe, finally, he nods and the door is closed quietly, leaving the two of them in the study together.

Even his private room here in the Norrellite coven is like something of a small library. Nearly every wall carries books and artefacts, and the room is filled with magic -- seeming to seep out of every surface. He shuffles his papers, studying Simon a few seconds longer before dropping his eyes to his notes and beginning to write.

"I understand," he begins, as gently as he can -- which ends up being somewhat awkward, as delicate is not Norrell's forte. "That you have had a difficult start to your year."