Well, what a nice event the Board of Governors had pulled together. Anastasia click-clacked into the Great Hall with her arms folded over her sweater. It felt a bit drafty for the end of September, but that must be because all these GUESTS kept opening and closing the door to the castle! Goodness. One would think most of them had been raised in a barn, not in a fine establishment like THIS one.

She looked around to see if her husband was still coming, but not seeing him right away, wandered over to check out a shiny box. Oh? What was this? A SCHOLARSHIP center for DONATIONS for HOGWARTS STUDENTS?! About damn time, in her opinion! The Headmistress made a soft clicking sound to herself and leaned over to read the directions for the box. Hmm. Whose idea was this? Schirmer's?

Miles walked up to the donation box table and looked at it. His eyes moving to the woman that was standing there. "You know...I think this is a fantastic idea. Kid's deserve an education." He smiled UP at the woman and held his hand out. "Lord Miles Vorkosigan. Pleasure to meet you....Mrs....?" Yup he added the Lord now because well dang it he was proud of that. At least he didn't add Ambassador's son or try to use it to pick up women like Ivan did. Speaking of Ivan.... He looked around and spotted his cousin dancing with his new wife and smiled. He had a bet for how long that would last and hopefully he would win or else it wouldn't be fun at all!

He grabbed a donation form and took out his check book. "What would you say the average donation should be?" He asked her not looking at her. He knew how much he was going to put but was curious.

Entering the reception area of the hall, Kayla raised her eyebrows at the huge sign that stood right in the centre so that no one could miss it. She turned to her husband with a wry smile. "Nothing like getting your point across." Sure she thought it was a good idea but the way it was set up kind of made her feel guilty if she didn't contribute.

"Shall we make a donation before heading inside?"

As she approached the donation table, Becca picked up a leaflet and read through it. Oh, they were trying to make sure more of the kids went to university? She totally agreed with that! She hoped her kids would go eventually, but wasn't going to push them into it. It was just nice to have the option. A smile played over her lips as she filled out the cheque. Pausing on the amount, she bit her lip. Was ten galleons too little? Oh gosh. Hm, maybe she should find Gid and ask what he thought before she finished filling it out? She turned to look around the hall and had her gaze drawn by red hair. Was this the woman who was supposedly her double? How interesting.

Now, where was her husband? Probably off somewhere trying to forget his school days.

"Only one student?" Nicholai asked, raising one eyebrow as he examined the display in front of them. He wasn't one to part with his money just because some sign begged for it, particularly when there wasn't more information forthcoming. How was a worthy student chosen? Were they means tested? Wouldn't it defeat the purpose if the student chosen happened to be from a wealthy family already?

"If you like, Mon Coeur." Yes, his tone was somewhat dismissive, but if Kayla wished to, they would. He'd just prefer more detail himself.

This was amazing, Beck could tell that the governors had really put together a nice event. Now he wasn't one to not donate a little money to such events like this. It made him happy and he figured that it would be going to Hogwarts and education anyways so what would be so bad about it? Beck made his way over to the donation center. He looked around at the people that were there and gave them all a smile. He wasn't sure how much he was going to be donating so he knew that he would have to think on it for a minute or two. Beck kind of felt over dressed but he had a seen a guy that was wearing a full on tuxedo. It was hard to dress for this event because he didn't know if it was formal, semiformal or casual. So this guy just stuck with semiformal. That was the way to go.

Kayla slipped an arm around her husband's waist. "I know that tone Nicholai." She had been with him long enough to know what he was thinking. Well she liked to think she did. "I can tell that you are not keen."

While she liked that he gave her what she wanted, what women wouldn't? Kayla was not about to do something that Nicholai didn't want to do. "Perhaps we should talk to one of the Governors and get some more information." That sounded like the sensible thing to do, right?

"It seems a little slapdash to me." That was all. Thrown together without much regard, but yes, he was willing to chat to a governor or two and see what their take on it was, perhaps they'd convince him. "We could sponsor a student fully ourselves when it comes right down to it." More than one, really. "If we felt it worthwhile."

Really, he'd rather look at taking an apprentice. Wouldn't hurt since his own son was hardly interested in following in his footsteps not that Nico minded. However, Professor Doyle Branxton had once sponsored his entry into MESOP, it had crossed Nico's mind to do the same someday, but only for the supremely deserving.

"Do you suppose Michael will consider university?" Nobody in Nico's family actually had gone. They were pretty old school. Purebloods. Wealthy. It had just been less common in the past and there wasn't anything wrong with that. It had nothing to do with their collective ability. The closest family who had gone through university were Copernicus and Plymouth, but no Toussaints, yet.

"That's very generous." Of course she knew this about him already, but this was quite a big thing. "And I'm guessing you wouldn't just throw money at the sponsored student either. You would need to know how well your money is being invested." It wouldn't surprise her if the sponsored student was around their house every Sunday for dinner.

And really, what was one more child? The Toussaint clan was often together especially when the kids were home from school. And there were a lot of kids. Speaking of kids, the twins were at school now, maybe it was time for her to get to know them. Maybe.

Kayla shook herself from her reverie and let out a laugh. "I doubt it. He doesn't even like school. He only attends his classes and studies because of the threat of not being able to see Zahra." She began moving away from the donation sign. "But then again, he could surprise us. He's been known to do that." It was hard to keep up with their older son.

"Has spoken to you about what he would like to do after school has finished?"

So that was the headmistress... He smiled at those he past and had noticed the one who looked almost like a double to Becca. If he hadn't known what his wife was wearing he might have gotten confused. Though he wondered how she'd respond if he did say that to her. Smirking a little he walked up behind Becca and said "Hello headmistress" near her ear. He wasn't sure what they should do for a donation though. He was never good at coming up with amounts for donating and usually went by what he heard others discussing.

Something Anastasia had not considered in coming to this event was the possibility of running into former students.... and this one, this young man who was introducing himself as a Lord was certainly a student who had been here during her tenure as Herbology professor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinn-O-Bun

Miles walked up to the donation box table and looked at it. His eyes moving to the woman that was standing there. "You know...I think this is a fantastic idea. Kid's deserve an education." He smiled UP at the woman and held his hand out. "Lord Miles Vorkosigan. Pleasure to meet you....Mrs....?" Yup he added the Lord now because well dang it he was proud of that. At least he didn't add Ambassador's son or try to use it to pick up women like Ivan did. Speaking of Ivan.... He looked around and spotted his cousin dancing with his new wife and smiled. He had a bet for how long that would last and hopefully he would win or else it wouldn't be fun at all!

He grabbed a donation form and took out his check book. "What would you say the average donation should be?" He asked her not looking at her. He knew how much he was going to put but was curious.

She cleared her throat. "I agree, Miles." No she was NOT going to address him as a Lord. There were no royals in the Wizarding World, and plus, the fancy title only reminded her of one gassy "lord" who had nearly ruined her first stint at Hogwarts. Hmmph!

"Headmistress Anastasia Truebridge," she finished her sentence with a polite but firm shaking of his hand. Oh, he was really going to donate now, was he? But a Lord should know never to ask the appropriate amount... Annie nearly clucked at the man. "Whatever you feel comfortable donating is what I'm SURE the school would be grateful to have. Don't drain your Gringotts vault on our account." She laughed, because obviously that would be impossible for someone with such a fancy title, amirite?!

The redhead politely looked away while the Lord finished his donation paper, and to her surprise she appeared to be accidentally looking in a mirror. !!!!!! What! What was this sorcery, this woman wearing the same blazer and jeans she had just worn last summer. Anastasia touched her hair as if making sure it was still there.

"You have great taste in fashion, dear," she moved around the donation box to casually mention this to the woman. Oh, and was that her husband, whispering in her ear? He looked familiar for some reason as well. Reminded her of Gaellen Tate, actually. Weiiiiiiiiiiird. She was officially weiiiiiiirded out by these two and moved down the line to the next couple there.

Oh! She knew this face too. "Kayla Winters, Hufflepuff Prefect," she said crisply, almost as if reciting a roster. Yes, this girl --- well, woman --- had been a student back when she had taught Herbology. "Trying to decide whether or not to donate?" The Headmistress' eyes flicked to the man with her, but she didn't recognize him as quickly. "When doubt, just say yes," she joked but without even a trace of a smile.

In all seriousness, really.... yes, they should donate. Wizarding university was even better than Hogwarts' education, especially at the University of Cairo.

Tia was walking by the donation centre and thought about time and thinking about when her daughter was going to be going to Hogwarts because she would know that her daughter would go to Hogwarts cause she had already made up her mind about it she was thinking about Beauxbatons but it would have been hard not to see her daughter is she was in France and being rich as she was from her qudditch playing days she had no problems at all with donating a bit of money

Slipping away from her husband momentarily, Kurumi had her way towards the donation center with a small envelope in hand sealed shut with the wax crest of the Ridgebit Hatchery Centre & Research Institution where the young dragonologist now worked. With her own world still very much in transition - now working in the UK instead of Romania and being a working mom among these transitions - it made being back at Hogwarts all the more surreal. Compared to others, it had hardly been any time at all since she had walked the halls. But, to her, it had seemed like forever ago.

Smoothing out the envelope against herself, she looked down at the donation form and pursed her lips. "Hmmm," she muttered to herself as she tapped the quill against the tip of her nose.

Cale was obviously going to donate to the Board of Governors - Hogwarts was without a doubt the best wizarding institution in the WORLD, and now that he had another child who would be attending in the future, he wanted to be sure they had all the galleons they needed to keep being amazing.

It was also a little thank you for making his son prefect. Hehe. He couldn't help but grin at that thought. If only Sophie had gotten prefect too! How fun would that have been - a set of twin prefects!

As he approached the table, however, his attention was turned towards a couple talking nearby - oh, he knew them all right. He grinned and approached them with a wave. "Kayla! Nico! I was wondering if I'd run into you two here," he told them with a smile. Since Anna had quit the potions business, he hadn't seen much of the Toussaints - not that he was complaining THAT much. Nico was very tolerable...in small doses.

Ryden did not want to be here.

Or at least that's what she kept telling herself as she'd gotten dressed in this god awful dress and tried to make something of her hair. The invitation in and of itself had been a huge surprise, but after a bit of thinking she supposed it made sense. She had after all taken both her OWLs and NEWTs, which were both unique to the Hogwarts curriculum. That was probably why.

Sticking her hands into the hidden pockets of her dress, Ryden meandered over to the donation center and eyed it. Giving money to students who needed it sounded like it could qualify for her One Good Deed a Week thing she had going. Not thinking twice about it, Ryden plucked an available quill and quickly filled out the form. She had too much of this stuff anyways. Better spend it here.

Cracking her knuckles once she was through, she was about to head over to the food section when her eye caught a very familiar looking woman [Kurumi].

Had she perhaps known her? She definitely hadn't been any of Orlando's friends, at least not the prominent ones because those she remembered well. Perhaps a dorm mate? ... Nah. Folding her hands, Ryden proceeded to stare unabashedly at the girl as her mind ran through all the memories she possessed of her time here in the castle.

[color="Blue"] Miles grinned as she called him by his first name instead. FANTASTIC! He bounced slightly and shook her hand "Splendid! The Headmistress! Always fancied women being in charge here rather than men. They seem to care more about the students. Always important to care about the students."

He chuckled as she wouldn't answer his question. "I'm sure the school would be appreciative of anything," he said as he filled out the form from a pen in his pocket. Because quills were so out. The muggle's had some pretty neat and handy stuff at times. "But that doesn't mean that any amount is appropriate by any means." A smirk came to his lips as he wrote in the amount and he looked over his shoulder at Ivan. Oh this was going to be fun. Purposely writing in lower than the amount he actually wanted to donate he dropped both in the box. "Pleasure to see you again Ms. Truebridge." With that he walked off in search of his gorgeous wife who was probably eating or sitting down...or both. Most likely both being pregnant.

Her head tilted a little and she bit her bottom lip to stifle the giggle from his whisper. "Shush, idiot." she swatted at him. It wasn't often he crept up on her. She was about to ask him about her idea for a donation amount when she saw the Headmistress looking at her. Smiling back at the woman, Becca raised the quill in greeting, though she had no idea why she'd done that. "Oh, thank you. You do too." She was sure she owned that outfit... It was definitely somewhere in her wardrobe. How did she even describe that anomaly? Weird unrelated twins? Yeah, lets go with that. Weird unrelated twins.

Her eyes went back to the paper. "I was going to go with 200 galleons, what do you think?" she asked Gid, wondering if he'd agree. It wasn't a small amount, but it wasn't their entire bank account either.

He laughed softly and stood up again but his hand rested on her shoulder. He looked up as he heard someone else speak and gave her a smile. Ah ha! The headmistress. Hmm her outfit did look familiar. What was the look to him for...? He glanced behind him wondering if it was for someone else not realizing he looked like prior headmaster, as it was before he'd come back to England He nodded at the amount she gave. It was a good amount he thought. They weren't super rich but they weren't bad off either. And this would definitely help students going into the academy! "Sounds like a good amount to me." he agreed.

*Walking in Matty couldn't help but smile. He could careless about going back to Hogwarts. He would much rather be at home with his kids. What he did like was that the most beautiful woman was on his arm. When Marie first brought up the reunion he was a little unsure, but once she showed him the dress she was going to wear he figured why fight it. Marie was always beautiful but tonight she was stunning. Now seeing Marie the way she was made him a little proud. He had landed the hottest girl in his year at school and still loved her like mad.*

"I know I've said this before but you look amazing tonight."
*He whispered down to Marie. As he looked up he saw the last person he wanted to see.*


"Dragon dung on a stick... I had no idea she would be here."
*Matty was not a fan of Kayla after all that happened. He may not be best mates with his uncle either but at least he came back and was trying. That was when it hit him... Gabben was going to be here. Looking back over to Marie he gave her a sad smile.*
"Marie... he's gonna be here too. If he see's her-..."
*Well nothing would happen but he knew that it would be wicked painful for his uncle that was for sure.*

"Generous, but not ridiculous." Nico agreed. There would probably be some fool who committed to donating some ostentatious amount just for show. Such gestures could end up being offensive in some ways, since it made those who could only afford a small amount feel like their contribution was irrelevant even if it was all they could do. Better then, if you were going to go the extreme route, to donate anonymously, or at least privately. There was an art to these things.

"You know me too well. I don't believe in hand outs." But if someone earned it... then that was different.

If Nico were a mind reader he'd have agreed with his wife. He'd made it clear that though he could hardly approve of certain decisions Kayla had made, he did not wish his own children to be deprived of their family. Family was everything to all Toussaints, one day he hoped Kayla would choose to make that step herself and really take on board that particular aspect of being a Toussaint.

"There's much worse I could do. He's lucky I'm as lenient as I am. A few weeks with his grandfather might scare him straight... and the old man has mellowed with age." Less inclined toward casual murder in other words.

"He hasn't. I suppose its time I press him on that." If Michael thought for one minute he could waft about doing nothing on his money then he was sorely mistaken. Even Adriano had a career to support his old wastrel lifestyle, and Nicholai would not see his son take after his brother in that way.

The headmistress... Nicholai knew enough to know who she was. He knew of her, rather than knowing her personally, since he'd actually left the year prior to her beginning as Herbology professor, to his wife, his sister, and many of his other friend and family.

"Kayla Winters-Toussaint now." He provided smoothly, the polite smile on his face not giving away his dislike of that unnecessary hyphen, but then he'd barely expected Kayla to do that much, once upon a time. "I'm Nicholai, I don't believe we've had the pleasure of meeting, Headmistress, though I know you are fairly close with my younger sister Celandine, and my good friend Plymouth Morgan." Name to a face perhaps? Who knew if either of them had mentioned Nico over the years, or if the redhead in front of him was particularly inclined to remember if they had.

"I'd like to know more about where the money will go and how any scholarships would be awarded before I commit to donating." He'd donate substantially if it seemed worthwhile, just not publicly. "Though I'm more than willing to support the Board in their efforts to establish such schemes, in theory."

Ahhh it was Mr. Sideburns himself, the Gryffindor who had taken twice as long as anyone else to grow up. Nicholai couldn't help but wonder if Anna was coming and if so, if he could get a rise out of Cale like he used to do just for the fun of it.

....Probably. He still had his charm.

"Newell. I heard your son was made prefect this year. Congratulations." Would never cease to amaze him that Cale had ended up with a son in Slytherin while his own son had ended up Gryffindor. The hat had a sense of humour, apparently.

"Is Anna joining you tonight?" He rarely saw her since she'd decided to sell up the majority of her shares in the company, though half of her former name was still on the door, so to speak.

He really would love to see her.

No, she supposed it wasn't ridiculous at all. They did have an obscene amount of money so it would probably be good of them to be charitable with some of it. Kayla grinned at him and gave him a nudge with her elbow. "Such a slave driver."She teased, although she agreed with him wholeheartedly.

Personally, she hoped that Nico was just using Arnaud as an idle threat because she didn't think that Michael would be able to handle his grandfather. She had a feeling that it had taken her son quite a while to adjust to Durmstrang. "Well...let's just give him a chance to prove himself first, shall we?" Arnaud scared the crap out of her and she was not easily scared about anything. She did not want to put her son through that.

She really had become a softy.

"I thought for a moment there that he might want to try professional Quidditch." But he had only been interested in playing for one year. "I have this awful feeling that he's going to jump from job to job for a while before settling down." Which she was sure that Nicholai would not like.



And Kayla definitely knew this face as well. The last time she had come face to face with the red head had been on the Quidditch pitch where she had threatened the woman for not looking after her son. "Headmistress Truebridge. Lovely to see you again." It was amazing how well she could lie and also be pleasant.

She smiled at the woman and wasn't sure how to respond to that, but was saved the trouble when Nicholai stepped in. Although she did let out a small cough which she covered with her hand. The hyphenated name still irked her husband.



Their names were being called and Kayla turned in the direction of the voice and raised her eyebrows in surprise. She didn't really know Cale that well and she knew that he and Nico didn't really get on that well.

"Hello Cale, it's good to see you." She smiled politely at the man and couldn't help but notice that his hair wasn't as fluffy as it used to be when he was at school. And even though Nico was being polite also, she could just feel the mischief in him. "Behave." She whispered out of the corner of her mouth.



While Nico spoke with Cale, Kayla took the opportunity to gaze around the reception area and she wished she hadn't. Her body stiffened immediately the moment her gaze landed on Matthias.

Great! That's all she needed. A reminder of the past she was trying to forget.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Con_Stripes

Ahhh it was Mr. Sideburns himself, the Gryffindor who had taken twice as long as anyone else to grow up. Nicholai couldn't help but wonder if Anna was coming and if so, if he could get a rise out of Cale like he used to do just for the fun of it.

....Probably. He still had his charm.

"Newell. I heard your son was made prefect this year. Congratulations." Would never cease to amaze him that Cale had ended up with a son in Slytherin while his own son had ended up Gryffindor. The hat had a sense of humour, apparently.

"Is Anna joining you tonight?" He rarely saw her since she'd decided to sell up the majority of her shares in the company, though half of her former name was still on the door, so to speak.

He really would love to see her.

"Thank you, we're quite proud," Cale said with a smile. There used to be a time when Nico could push all of Cale's buttons, but he liked to think that he was no longer vulnerable to such childish antics. "How is your son doing?" he added, remembering that Caleb had mentioned knowing the boy, but not really being as close with him as some of his Slytherin friends.

And of COURSE Nico asked about Anna. Just like old times. Well, you couldn't get a rise out of Mr. Curly Haired Prefect that easily anymore, Toussaint! Go ahead, comment on my hair, I'd love to see you try. Hehe.

"Unfortunately not," Cale replied with a sigh. He was bummed his wife couldn't be there - he was sure she'd LOVE to catch up with all her friends and professors. "We couldn't find a babysitter for Levi, so she volunteered to stay home," he explained. That boy was already causing them more trouble at one than the twins had put together at that age....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mell

Their names were being called and Kayla turned in the direction of the voice and raised her eyebrows in surprise. She didn't really know Cale that well and she knew that he and Nico didn't really get on that well.

"Hello Cale, it's good to see you." She smiled politely at the man and couldn't help but notice that his hair wasn't as fluffy as it used to be when he was at school. And even though Nico was being polite also, she could just feel the mischief in him. "Behave." She whispered out of the corner of her mouth.

"Good to see you too...how is everything?" he asked politely. He knew Kayla only through Nico, really, but he found that Nico tended to be...better behaved around his wife. Just an observation.

It felt weird being back at Hogwarts, but Brody liked it. She did like it. It was distraction from all the bad stuff that had happened in the last year. But life finally get like it was getting back to normal. It was also quite nice to dress up for once, and leave her kids at her mom's. Of course Brody loved her kids, but it was nice to get out of the house, and have some fun for once. The ex-hufflepuff headed over to the donation area first. She wanted to make a small donation. She hadn't gone to university herself, but she knew it wasn't a easy, or low cost thing. She hummed, as she stood by the table, and glanced up at a man who was there. "Thinking of donating?"

Despite the tension that was still there between her and her husband, Marie entered the reunion with a smile on her face. She wasn't about to let him ruin this night. Of course if he kept telling her how amazing she looked he just might earn himself a few wife points. "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself." Then again she had been the one to pick out his clothes. If she would have let him have his way he would be there in jeans and trainers.

Dragon dung what?

"You had no idea who would be here?" And he who is gonna be there too? Was this supposed to be a guessing game or what. because she was not in the mood for games.

Then she seen her.

Kayla!

There were SO many things Marie wanted to say to that woman, but tonight was not the night. She was there to have a good time, not argue with some pathetic excuse for a woman who abandoned two of her children only to move on and raise the other one as if he was her only child. Yeah, great mother material there.

Looping her arm with her husband's, she started to walk away from that table. "They are not our problem. Gabben is a big boy. I'm sure he can handle himself." And if he couldn't, well again, it wasn't her problem now was it.