Althea had never been in the staffroom before, but then again the last time she was properly at Hogwarts, she'd been a student herself. But now she was quite content to make herself at home, and hopefully soon get to the bottom of this Daily Prophet thing.

For now though, she made herself a cup of tea, no milk, and sat herself in a comfortable chair with a copy of Achievements in Charming.

Seren was beside herself! She was so thrilled to be back at the Castle with the students. It had been far too quiet for the past week having come back early to tend to the gardens and greenhouses. Right now what she wanted most was a nice warm cup of tea and a chat. Perhaps catch up with Fina if she could.

Upon entering the staffroom, she noticed it wasn't empty... that in its own right was unusual. What made this phenomenon all the more exciting was that the person sitting at the table was one of the new staff members she hadn't yet been properly introduced to.

"Hi there.. I don't believe we've met yet, I'm Seren Bentley, Herbology Professor," she greeted, making herself a cup of peppermint tea before taking her usual seat at the table.

Althea looked up and essayed a smile. Well this one was friendly wasn't she?

"Althea Schirmer. Charms." Thea carefully marked her page and closed the periodical, placing it carefully on the table.

"Nice to meet you." She added, with perfectly correct manners, though there was definitely an element of herself kept in reserve. Althea sipped her tea in silence, apparently quite comfortable just being still.

"Pleasure to meet you Althea." Seren had watched as the woman closed her book. Perhaps she shouldn't have interupted. Oh well. Sipping on her own tea for a short while, Seren couldn't help but feel as though she'd seen this woman before. And by before she was not thinking of the feast. But it was clear she didn't know Althea. Perhaps she just had one of those faces.

"Settling in alright?" she asked, placing her cup on the table in front of her and relaxing her position on her seat.

Was it just Thea or was Seren giving her looks? Althea busied herself looking around the staff room and mentally comparing it to both her expectations and her imaginings. It was nice enough, if a bit shabby.

She sipped her tea quietly and turned her eyes on Seren again, giving the other woman a smile. "Yes, quite well. I have my rooms set up to my standards, and I suppose it makes it easier to get used to the castle having attended as a student, even if it was a while ago now, to be sure."

She hadn't noticed that Althea seemed uncomfortable in her presence. Just the opposite really, Seren thought things were going really well. It was nice to have some more estrogen around the place. Especially after the testosterone fuelled pirate frenzy they had last term. Merlin that was a nightmare!

It wasn't until Althea mentioned being a student here that Seren suddenly realised thats probably where she recognised her from... Or at least why she looked so familiar. She was pleased to here her new colleague was settling in nicely, no reason why she shouldn't.
"What year did you graduate?" she enquired wondering if they were here at the same time at all.

"Class of 2060." Althea answered with a brief smile. Time flew by, but she'd filled it as best she could.

As if curious about what was going on, her tattoo shifted up her body, to her neck, hidden only partially by her hair. The cockatrice curled there, looking for all the world like that had been where the ink had been needled to start with.

"You?" An assumption that Seren was a student here too, based on the question in the first place.

"Class of 2065... I was in Ravenclaw House," replied Seren, doing a little mental arithmatic- not that she was any good at it. But at least she knew for certain that they had actually been here at the same time, at one point or another. Althea must have graduated in her third or fourth year. How ever interesting. Then again most of the teachers that came through here had at one point or another been a student here as well.

Taking a few more sips of her tea she looked around the staffroom. Hhhmm it needed brightening up somewhat. Maybe she'd bring some flowers with her next time. She had no shortage of them.

"So was I." Althea answered, surprised somewhat, but relaxing a bit too. Ravenclaw. She could accept that. Understand that. She added a thoughtful smile. "I was a hatstall though. The thing couldn't decide where to put me." It had been torn between Ravenclaw and Slytherin. Six minutes she'd sat on the stool.

"Did you have much interest in Charms? I led the Charms club from 2057 until I graduated." Conversation. They were making it. "How long have you been teaching?"

What? She was a Ravenclaw too? ... Huh go figure. Seren only hoped Althea didn't remember her, or at least not too well. It seemed as though she didn't, so this put her mind at ease. She hadn't been the most studious Ravenclaw, and she was constantly in trouble for one thing or another- most not her fault. Hatstall. Well that wuld have been awkward and slightly embarassing. Thinking back to her own sorting she couldn't help but smile. "The hat considered placing me in Gryffindor, and I almost thought it would, but after a minute it decided I was a Ravenclaw." She shrugged. Personally she wouldn't have it any other way. She loved being a Ravenclaw and all her friends had been Ravenclaw's as well.

"Charms ... no not really. I spent most of my times out in the grounds. Either in the greenhouses or on the Quidditch Pitch." Gosh how she missed Quidditch, though spectating was just as exhilirating, she could hardly wait for the first game of term. Hopefully Ravenclaw could field a good team this year, she had faith in Ellie to lead them to victory. But it was just a thought, she would be happy no matter who won, so long as nobody got hurt.

"I wonder about that hat. If the charms on it are likely to last much longer." Althea said thoughtfully. It was strong magic, but magic by nature wasn't infinite.

"I was a reserve." Thea admitted with a smile. She didn't recall Seren but then Thea was always one to keep to herself. And with Seren, what, five years younger than her? There was no real reason that she'd have been on Althea's radar.

Seren laughed lightly, "Mm I've wondered about it too." But she wasn't overly concerned. It did its job, and she liked to believe that everything happened for a reason... so no matter how outdated the charms were if it was meant to be, then so it would be. But that was just her. "But of course charms isn't my area so I'm not all that concerned about it. Did you specialise?" Or was Althea one of those Every-Charm women?

"I was a reseve my first year, then I played as chaser." She didn't recall playing with Anthea.. but perhaps they did. She was always far too focused on the game to worry about names and whose nose was bleeding at the time. It was just her, the quaffle and those hoops. Nothing else mattered. Except their seeker of course.

"I did." She nodded, carefully taking note that Seren had disregarded one of her questions, possibly because she'd gotten herself excited about Quidditch or something. "I'm a Metal Charmer." She tapped the magazine in front of her and added, "Published and certified, though it has been a while since I solely worked as such." Since she also had had tenure at the University until she'd chosen to leave. People usually decided that made her mad when she told them that part.

"Oh how charming," Seren smiled at her pun, yes she could be funny on occasions. Or at least she thought so. But Althea was probably used to that one by now. "How did you get into that? Was it something you were interested in when you were younger?"

It was a curious thing, specialisation. Seren struggled with the concept. Though she favoured the flesh-eating varieties, she couldn't bring herself to limit herself to just that. No, she wanted to master the lot. That was her ambition, and one day she would. One step at a time. Next on her list... cross-pollination. She had always wanted to study it but between her travels and then Uni she never really had the time.

Early on in the term, Josephina had found it was one of the best times to make use of the staff room. Not terribly much to worry about and of course there was the exciting thrill from meeting her new colleagues. Though one of which, she had already discovered she knew from her own time at Hogwarts, she was anxious to see if there would be others.

Sliding into the room, first thing she noticed was that she was not alone. Seren was there, of whom she smiled at, along with the new Charms Professor, Althea. She mentally berated herself for forgetting her handbag, which contained the article in it. Hopefully Althea would have forgotten about it, but something told the brunette that Thea was not the type to just "let things go".

"Hello Seren. Thea." She said, smiling as she took a seat on one of the plushy armchairs. Unable to resist, she peered over to see what book Althea had in front of her. "That's a good one," she nodded, non-verbally casting the summoning charm for her handbag - which also contained her current book of the month.

Dash had been wandering around the castle- just for old times sake. He had expected somethings to change but everything still seemed just as it had during his first year. The rumors were probably true, the old castle clearly had not changed in centuries.

Passing by the staff room door he paused and turned to make his way inside. He had never been in the room before, so going in would be interesting.

"Hello Seren!" He said with a small nod as he entered the room. Noticing the other two woman- both of whom he had noticed during the feast, Dash also sent a nod their way. "I'm sorry, but I didn't catch both of your names?" His eyes darted from both the woman with books out. He was certain he had seen the brunette one before.

Though she hadn't noticed the staff room door open, she immediately recognised the voice, and smiled brightly as her friend and colleague joined them.
"Fina! so good to see you again, how were your holidays?" Without even thinking Seren summoned the pot of tea she'd left on the counter and another cup.
"Tea?" She offered. When there was Seren, there was tea.



She was rather enjoying the womanly company, when another colleague joined them. Start of term was always the best time to be in the staff room, but after a while it went quiet, with all the classes and homework assignments building up. She already felt a headache coming on, and sipped on her tea.

"Dash, so good of you to join us, tea?" she offered.

Why the twenty questions? Althea paused before answering. "I always had a knack for Charms, and for Alchemy. It is a natural combination of the two disciplines." And why not do what you were good at, right?

"This?" Thea eyed the periodical in front of her, an issue from perhaps six months earlier. One of the featured studies was her own. Althea eyed Josephina speculatively, wondering if she knew that.

"About that article..." She leaned forward and smiled politely. "I would still rather like to see it."

It took a time for Althea to recognise the man, who didn't acknowledge any recognition in return. She narrowed her eyes as she answered with an introduction. "Althea Schirmer."

She'd just pretend like she didn't know him either then. Sure she'd changed since school, but not that much, surely? "And who might you be?"

So much for squeezing in some reading time. Not long after she settled into her chair, someone entered behind her, who seemed familiar with Seren. There was also a vague familiarity about him in his facial expressions. Had she seen him? She was nearly positive he was NOT in Hufflepuff with herself, as Beth was. No. She would have recognized him quicker had that been the case.

"I didn't say my name." Fina said, suddenly breaking away from her thoughts. "Josephina Hadley. And you are?" Nevermind subjects; she wasn't teaching him.

No wonder Alex got along with Seren so well; her sister was just as loud and bubbly as Seren was. Though with Alex, she'd grown up with it so she had been accustomed to it. Though if there was one thing she definitely enjoyed of her colleague, it was the herbologist's love of peppermint and tea.

"My holidays were swell. Visited Maya in Mexico for a couple weeks..." It didn't really occur to Fina that Seren had no idea who Maya Saylen was. "And then just spent some time with the family. How about you, Seren? How were your holidays?"

"I'd love some tea, thank you." Of course she would. When didn't Fina enjoy tea?

Fina nodded as Thea confirmed what she had been referring to. She had been rather vague in what was good. "Yes. There were some interesting finds in there." She did like to keep up with some new Charms information, even if she no longer taught the subject.

Deliberating over whether she ought to play dumb about her next comment, Fina thought otherwise. Althea, after all, hadn't phrased it in a question but that genuine curiosity in which Josephina found compelling. "Of course . . . " Well even if she wasn't going to be reading her book, at least her handbag had some use. Tate wouldn't be too mad at her for sharing the blasted article, right?

"Here." She removed the folded newspaper and held it out.

"Oh right, of course."
Seren was beginning to get the impressiong that Althea wasn't the chatting type. Shame.

"Maya?... Sorry I'm not sure I know who that is." Family member? School friend? But it was lovely to hear she'd had a lovely time. Mexico would have been fascinating!
"Oh the usual really... brilliant as always. Went back to Australia for a couple of weeks, then went to visit the family in Wales... spend a few days at home before coming back here." And a good thing she did too, the greenhouses were in a dreadful state. She didn't even want imagine how stressful it would have been had she not rturned early.

Seren sipped her tea after pouring one for Fina.
Gosh she loved the smell of fresh peppermint. So clean and crisp, and very good for circulation.

"Tea? Yes of course!" Dash smiled. Although he would never admit it, he was a bit of a tea fanatic. Taking a seat, next to Seren, Dash was secretly glad that Vindictus had not been in the staff room. He had been avoiding the other man. "I've been working on that nickname.." He trailed off because he had gotten no where.

Althea Schirmer. Got it. Wait- Everett took a double take at the woman before speaking again. "You were a Ravenclaw weren't you?" He asked slowly before breaking out in a smile. Because really...what were the chances of two people having the exact same name.

"Everett Scabior. But I'm guessing you already knew that. You Claws tend to be abnormally sharp."

Well, that was obvious. Everett bit his tongue, trying to stop himself from making a stupid sarcastic remark. It didn't work. "Of course you didn't. What was I thinking?" He had been talking about catching her name at the feast, and he was sure she probably knew that but he said nothing else.

Hadley? Suddenly the gears in his brain began to turn. Ah! Another person from his school days. "Josephina Hadley? As in the Josephina who could always be found in the library?" He knew his fellow bookworms. "Everett-or...Dash actually. Yes. Dash Scabior." He didn't even go by his legal name at school.

To accquaint himself with the castle Edvard had after classes been walking around aimlessley talking to portraits and even some not so frightened student's. With a telescope under his arm he had soon gotten lost, it was inevitable since his sense of direction had never been top class. Asking for directions from student's who passed by had only lead him in an even wronger direction.

After walking for atleast a good 2 hours Edvard finally found the staff room located on the ground floor. His feet were aching badly and the telescope he was carrying was at this point weighing tons. Opening the door he was more focused on the staff sitting in there then the ground and therefore didn't see the threashold and with his usual luck jammed his right foot right into it. Falling forwards he managed to keep a secure hold on the telescope as he landed on the cold, stone floor with a big "thump!"

"Usually." She agreed with a quick smile. "Perhaps, if you're truly interested, I could show you a few interesting studies. I have some other journals in my rooms." And now the woman could brush her off and show she'd only been making small talk, though Althea meant the offer truly.

"Thank you." Althea took the paper and unfolded it scanning for the article.

... which was lucky because apparently Seren had no interest in pursuing conversation or sharing anything about herself. Well that was fine. Althea found the article and began to read it.

"Sharp, maybe. Or perhaps I just have a better memory." She eyed him over the newspaper, and her cockatrice tattoo, peeking over her collar did too, then it disappeared beneath the fabric, only to reappear on her wrist, as if it were trying to see the newspaper instead.

She should lighten up on him. She'd changed rather drastically from her Hogwarts days. The giant glasses had gone for one thing.

Althea did smile and WAS about to say something conversational, but then the article caught her attention and she glared at the newspaper.

"A Blacksmith?" Ridiculous. She snapped the paper shut crossly and slid it across the table to Josephina, crossing her arms across her chest and causing her tattoo to retreat in apparent alarm under her sleeve once more.

Hogwarts was DAMNED lucky to have her and the Daily Prophet CLEARLY hadn't done any research.

Thea didn't much care about the slander towards whoever the former healer was, or the Law Enforcement branch of the ministry, or even towards Tate who had already turned Althea frosty towards him, but she was proud of her own achievements and immediately irritated to be reduced to 'blacksmith' when really there was so much more to what she did and she truly WAS the best in her damned field.

She sipped her drink and sat there trying to calm herself down, but building into a frosty sort of tension all the same, as if the temperature of the room had suddenly dropped several degrees.

It was lucky Eddie chose that moment to show up.

"Oh!" She stood up and rushed over.

And then?

"Is the telescope alright?" He was fine. He was breathing, wasn't he? Thea offered her hand, but her attention was fully on the telescope. She did metal better than she did people after all, even if she was rather fond of Edvard.

Seren had barely waited long enough for Dash to respond before she poured him a tea anyway. Honestly what person in their right mind would refuse?

The corners of her lips turned up at the mention of her nickname situation. Turning her attention from her cup, to Dash, she tried to read his facial expressions... but she was no good at that sort of thing. Had he thought of something? It would be an impressive feat if he had.
"And? ... How is that going?" she asked.

On another note, now that she had the attention of her new colleague she wondered how he was settling in. The girls here could be quite... hormaonal?
"So how are you settling in? The girls aren't giving you a hard time are they?" Because he was clearly... handsome, why wouldn't they fangirl over him?

Awkward.... Seren just smiled... then continued sipping her tea.

Hearing the door to the staff room open, Seren turned in her seat slightly to see who it was. She still had her teacup in her hands.

Eeeeppp.... It had been Edvard....

She had gotten a bit of a shock watching him fall. Was he alright? She placed her cup down and almost got out of her seat when Althea got around to it first.

Seriously... was she for real? Seren rolled her eyes a little.

"You alright Edvard?" she asked in a concerned tone, never mind the telescope, they could be fixed, but people could hurt!