SHE WAS A GRYFFINDOR.

Lux knew that she liked this new Professor, and that like had just INCREASED because best House at Hogwarts. Lux was tempted to let the Professor know just HOW amazing she thought Lions were when she suddenly realized that Nicole was there too. Oops. It wasn't as if she was ignoring the girl, she had just been distracted was all. "Hello," she said to her new friend with a smile before stepping into the Professor's office.

Sweet Circe, this was one interesting room. Eyes darted from one muggle item to the other. These lessons would definitely be interesting judging by all the things the Professor had collected. Aww, there was a photo of her and who she'd guess to be her husband. How adorable! "This is one cool office."

The girl waited, absent-mindedly listening to the professor and Lux's conversation. The professor used to be a Gryffindor when she was at Hogwarts, and Nicole guessed Lux was a Hufflepuff by the colors of her uniform. Now, they needed a Slytherin to join the group, and they would have members from all four houses here! She looked up when the older girl greeted her. "Hi, Lux," she said. She did not blame her for not noticing her earlier, she had stayed pretty quiet when she was talking with the professor.

Nicole was surprised that she was invited in with Lux. She did not mind having a chat with both of them, in fact, it might be better than being alone with the professor. Who knows if she would be too scared in front of the professor to say a word? She walked into the office after the Hufflepuff with a smile at the professor.

The room looked nothing like a witch professor's office. The shelves were filled with muggle things that she recognized. Nicole could not take in everything at once, so she observed her surrounding items one by one. Her green eyes paused for a moment longer at the largest picture. She guessed the man was the professor's husband. "I agree," she said to Lux's comment. "Do all professors' offices look like this?" This was the first professor she had visited, and she was curious to know about other offices too.

"Oh, I'm Nicole, by the way. Nicole Holloway," she introduced herself to the professor. "I was walking around the castle, and I found myself here, so..." she swallowed, slightly embarrassed to say the next part. "I don't know where I am, or who you are. But I wanted to meet you, because you are my professor." By now, she had guessed the professor taught Muggle studies, and that would make her Professor... Moxley. Was she right?

Meredith headed for her desk and began fixing some tea for the girls as they looked around, enjoying their reactions to her set-up. "Not all professors have my excellent interior design skills," She deadpanned, pausing her work to give each a grin. "But really, we're given some liberties when getting our offices set up. I quite like to display my finds. Makes me feel at home."

The little claw, she was quite an honest one, wasn't she? Her candor made the muggle studies professor chuckle and she shook her head, clearly amused. "I like your honesty, Ms. Holloway, and you've found yourself in the office of your new muggle studies professor! I bet you've figured that much out by yourself by now." Lucky it hadn't been Maddox's office or the poor girl would've been all kinds of confused. Pathological liar, he was. It was a skill he LOVED to showcase to the youngins.

"Why don't you two take a seat and we can chat over a hot beverage. Do you take honey in your tea?" She held up an ridiculously large container of the stuff, evidently proud of it by her expression. "I've got a bee guy." She did indeed.

Smiling at Nicole, Lux thought it was adorable how her friend had admitted to ending up here randomly; not too many people would have admitted that to a Professor they had just met.

Once given permission, Lux sat down and continued to look around. "Have you always been interested in muggle things? Or was it something that developed later on?" She was interested to know, because the collection was rather impressive and had probably taken a long time to assemble.

The mention of tea with honey was interesting. Honestly she had never tried it before. "I'd love to try mine with honey, thanks." It sounded lovely. "Your husband is a beekeeper?" Pretty cool that she had a continuous supply of honey for her tea.

"Actually, my mum's a muggle. Got to experience the best of both worlds growing up." The professor added honey to her own cup and to the Hufflepuff's, giving the latter a stir before handing it over. She set the Ravenclaw's down as well, placing the honey within arms reach in case she wanted to try some too. "What about you? Have you got much experience with muggles, Ms. Carrington?"

"Callum is a cartoonist, actually." The brunette glanced over at the picture of the two of them and smiled fondly. "His best mate is the bee guy. Completely mad about them, he is. Poor man has been stung more times than I can count!" She chuckled and shrugged her shoulders. "To each his or her own, I say! Lucky he isn't allergic."

Nicole glanced at the professor, who was making tea, before again turning her attention to observing the office. She was slightly disappointed to hear that not all professors had offices like this, but that would not stop her from visiting them. The way they decorated their rooms would show what type of a person they are. Nicole could tell from this office that Profesor Moxley was happy and muggle-loving. She was actually a bit like her.

The girl was glad the professor was not thinking that she was strange and dumb, on the contrary, she liked her candor. "Yeah, I guessed." Nicole said, nodding. She took a seat next to Lux when she was told and her eyes turned wide at the surprisingly big container of honey. She listened to the Hufflepuff's question quietly, interested in knowing the answer to it herself. "My mother is a muggle, too!" she said excitedly. "That is why I live in the muggle community," she added, wondering if she was talking too much about her personal life. She guessed she could do so, since they were all friendsies here.

Nicole reached over and took her cup of tea, thanking the professor. She had never tried tea with honey before, but her father liked it, and she was willing to give it a try. So after a sip of the hot tea, she added a bit of honey into it. Before she tried the new tea, she set the cup down onto the table and looked towards the picture of the professor and her husband. Professor Moxley must love her husband Callum to look at him so lovingly. Nicole winced at the mention of the bee guy getting stung. "And he still likes bees?" she asked. She had learned that people had strange obsessions, just like Professor Quigley's love for apples.

"Then you, my dear, are lucky." Meredith smiled at Nicole, pleased that some of her students were able to experience the best of both worlds. "It's always beneficial to get to experience both ways of life and perhaps it'll give you a greater appreciation for what you're able to do with magic."

"Love bees!" Moxley chuckled before taking a big sip of tea. "He says you can't be mad at them because it's in their nature to behave that way. Respect the bee, he says." Guy would've been a Gryffindor, she knew that much.

A muggle mom, huh. Lux found that rather interesting. "I'm half and half myself," she said as she watched the Professor finish making their teas. She accepted hers with a "Thanks!" before taking a sip. It was hot, but yummy. "Oh, yes. I live in a muggle neighbourhood and my parents have muggle businesses." So she definitely knew a fair bit about them.

A cartoonist? That was interesting! "Does he do stuff in newspapers?" Lux knew that there were cartoonists who did things for newspapers. They were called Comics though she didn't always find them funny. Her and Garfield did share a love of lasagna, however. So there was that. "Ouch, that has to hurt! He probably would have gotten along with our former groundskeeper, Mr. Kirby. He had beehives and consumed a lot of honey I believe." She wondered if he got stung a lot too. Probably, since it seemed to be an occupational hazard.

Well well, it seemed the three of them had quite a few things in common, yes? Meredith was pleased. Finding common ground with your students was important. In that you could connect with them and also in that you could figure out why there were driven to do the stuff they did. The last was particularly beneficial when figuring out some of the-well-more troublesome kiddos. "You've both got experience, then. You'll be ahead of the game in muggle studies!" They'd probably already realized this much.

"Callum? Oh he does all kinds of work! But yes, some of his stuff has appeared and wizarding and muggle newspapers." Could they tell how PROUD she was of her man? Gosh, he was just the bees knees. "Kirby, hmm.." Tapping her chin, the brunette looked off into the distance thoughtfully. "Name sounds familiar. Perhaps they do know each other!"

The Gryffindor was totally beaming back at his Muggle Studies Professor, like we're talking full force too. 'Of course' she remembered. Well, that was a good sign, was it not? Though he reckoned that the Herbology guy last term never forgot his name either, but that was for all the wrong reasons. But uh, he hadn't dropped any vases in this office yet, so there was still hope? He was determined, you see, DETERMINED to get one Professor to love him. It would come in handy later, he was sure. She'd go around and brag about him to all the other Professors, and then even Professor Bellaire would want to give him good marks as a result. Full proof. This plan was all kinds of full proof. He just had to be the best Zander Adair he could ever be and bingo. OWLs? Problem solved.

"I know, but I wanted to, Professor!" HEHE. It was working right? She liked him? "And I'll keep that noted." He sent her another smile as he followed her right into the office, still holding the cupcake in his hand. As he made his way in-- Oh, Merlin. She kept A LOT of stuff in here. There was stuff EVERYWHERE. He took a second to look around the room entirely, before nearing her desk- where he'd set down the cupcake 'n stuff. "Your office looks great, Professor." Uh. A bit overwhelming actually. He wasn't quite sure if he was much of a fan, but erm, for the sake of the good side, he'd pretend.

Ah, the many sacrifices this Fifth Year made. See how dedicated he was? SUPER dedicated. He looked around for a second longer before his eyes fell on one large frame in particular. "Oh, who's that.. If er, if you don't mind me asking?" Probably her husband or something, that much he could tell. Though, it was always polite to ask. Not to mention, people LOVED talking about themselves well, people who weren't Zander Adair because no. And if he took a point to play interested, then she'd probably like him even more.

Snort! Meredith was used to mixed reactions in relation to her little collecting problem. And by problem she meant hobby. And by hobby...she meant passion. Sure it made things a bit cluttered at times but really, she wouldn't part with any of the items she'd found over the years. They'd made her fall in love with muggles and their whacky, genius brains. "I'm glad you like it." The brunette smiled at the boy and settled behind her desk, reaching for the cupcake.

She did love talking about herself, this much was true. Wanna know WHY? Because she was awesome! Awesome enough to score a dream guy, that was for sure. "That looker is Callum Moxley, my husband." Meredith looked fondly at the picture and then back at the boy across from her. "I'll tell you something, Mr. Adair, life just isn't as fun without someone you love by yourside." Look at her, offering up nuggest of knowledge for free.


Well, maybe not free...the cupcake had clearly won her over.

Her husband, see he was right. Wouldn't be the first time. Maybe like the second time. Zander wasn't right about a lot of things, okay? This was one of his few victories. "Oh, well, you two look very happy together." And he wasn't just saying that either. They both looked positively... jolly? In love? INSERTOTHERADJECTIVESHERE??

As for her little nugget of knowledge though. That really hit him. Hit him hard. Sent him into a downward spiral of complete madness, actually. He wanted a fun life. He really, REALLY wanted a fun life. But... He didn't exactly love anyone yet. Not like she liked her Callum Moxley-- that's what his name was right? Of course Kevin was his best mate, but... He didn't love, the fourth year. That was strictly a brofriendship. And well, Sophie Brown was great too... But... LOVE? WHAT IF HE COUDN'T FIND ANYONE TO LOVE?! Would he have a boring life??? Oh Merlin, his head was starting to do funny things. Funny-not-so-funny, hurty things. "How do you know if you love someone, though?" 'Cause how could he keep that person by his side if he didn't even know who that person was??? Sure he loved his mum... But she was all the way in London. And he was all the way in... in... Well at Hogwarts wherever they were.

Sweet Circe, she'd completely freaked Adair out! That's all she needed was this kid ending up in the hospital wing over some panic attack she'd caused. She'd never hear the end of it. No, she needed to remedy this situation.

"Quit your worrying, Adair! You've got plenty of time to find love!" He was what, fourteen? She could never be sure with these kids and their baby faces and bellyaching. Once she was positive he wasn't going to cry, she gave a smile and continued. "You'll know when it happens and it's not something to rush, beleeeeeive me!" She was wise beyond her years! And still extremely young, thank you. "Just worry about you and be yourself and when the time is right, it'll happen."

The Gryffindor was EXPLODING with thoughts-- if that much wasn't already obvious-- WHAT IF LOVE DIDN'T HAPPEN FOR HIM??? HUH? Oh. How'd she know he was worrying? Was he doing the thing again...? That face of extreme WHAA and the big eyes. Was he doing that thing again? Yeah, probably. Ahem. He really had to work on this whole being transparent thing... Maybe that's why Kevin was such a better lier than he was... Or maybe that was just based on genetics or something. Only Merlin would know that one. Anyways. He was quitting his worrying TRYING TO AT LEAST BECAUSE IT WASN'T THAT EASY. "I-uh-Okay, Professor."

Though he wasn't actually satisfied with her answer at all. When the time is right? BUT WHAT IF THE TIME WAS NEVER RIGHT, y'know? And how would he KNOW? He didn't know lots of things! Like he didn't know what an Ancient Rune even was, or what he ate for breakfast, or how many minutes you're supposed to put on the microwave when you're heating up last nights pizza. Heck, sometimes he didn't even know what all he knew. It was complicated. And it made his head hurt. And... You know what? He was just going to stop thinking about it now.

He coughed a little hoping that it'd distract her from his pink cheeks, "Anyways, I-uh- I mostly wanted to stop by to say congratulations on your lessons and all... Classes tend to go a bit... Uh wonky whenever there's a new Professor.." Had she heard about the Professor Catman's terrible run? Or what about Wicked Walton from the year before though he totally deserved all the chaos and Zander wished he could make the man endure even more? "But you, you handled it real nicely." AND could he have some extra credit points and be talked about in front of all the other Professors for ahem OWLs reasons?

"A bit more convincingly, Mr. Adair! You look like you might faint right here." And fainting wasn't allowed. Kid was nearly as dramatic as Airey! "Let me fix you some tea." She wasn't taking no for an answer.

Busying herself with fixing their beverages, the Muggle Studies professor missed the Gryffindor's blushing and good thing, too. She was one to point out such things on occasion, if only to enjoy the person's reaction. Moxley never blushed. She simply turned a healthy shade of pink from time to time. It was most definitely not the same thing.

"Is wonky the word for what the lot of you did to professor Quigley?" The brunette turned and raised an eyebrow before pouring their tea into two mugs. Handing Zander one, Meredith settled in her seat with her own cup and took a long sip. "But thank you, Mr. Adair. I'm glad everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves and my teaching." Pause. "NOT that I had any doubts. I'm a naturally loveable person."

A little more convincing? Uh. Right. BUT HE WASN'T CONVINCED?!?! And he was also a very bad liar, apparently. He had never really gotten around to trying it out all too much, but between the looks Kevin gave him lately and then a few terms ago when people noticed how weird he had been at any mention of Beautiful Bentley... Yeah. MUSTN'T TELL LIES. Not because he didn't believe in that type of thing. But really just because he couldn't. Plain 'n simple. "I-um-uh... Sorry, Professor," he looked back down at his feet for a moment before perking his head up at the sound of tea.

Hm. Tea was always welcomed, actually. So yes he wasn't going to deny that offer. He was also just glad that she was keeping busy while his blushing began to calm down a bit. There. Now he didn't look-erm- as flustered as before. She hadn't really sensed the fact that he was that off, had she?

"Uh... Perhaps not, Professor," the Gryffindor sheepishly brought a single hand to the back of his neck, massaging it nervously. "But, just so you know... I, myself, didn't take any part in it," Zander was actually kind of disapproving about the whole situation. Well, uh, until he noticed it was his best mate AND his CoPrefect involved... In which case he just focused entirely on getting that blasted jar off Dot's hand because it seemed like the appropriate thing to do at a time like that. Yup. Of course when he found out about the flesh eating slugs that had made an appearance in Kevin's detention... Maybe Catman deserved it... "Oh, thank you Professor," he gently bowed his head (whut) as he took hold of the mug.

Staring down at the liquid for a moment before looking up in time to watch her take a long sip. ???? Wasn't it hot? Or uh... Could he drink it now too? ..... He waited for a second, just to see if Professor Moxley could handle it herself before deciding to take a sip of his own. Ahem.

"It was a lot of fun and... Sometimes people think that Muggle Studies is boring 'n all... So it's just refreshing to have fun lessons once in a while, you know? Teaches people that Muggles can be fun too." Not that he thought it was-- Okay, Zander thought every class was mostly boring. Except for creatures. And occasionally Herbology. But most of them. Though he would NEVER admit this to a Professor. He learned the hard way over the summer after admitting it to two UNSORTED Ravenclaws. #NEVERAGAIN. They were serious about their learning. "And I guess that's important to me since I come from a whole world of them... My parents are both nonmagical." Also might've slipped that in so that she'd be all impressed. A muggleborn who still showed up to Muggle Studies?! What a rarity. What a PRIZE student he was. But it also had to do with certain reasons that he brought up in class too.

She was observing him now that Maddox's class was being mentioned. She'd heard, of course. Being friends with the guy and all. And as much as Meredith Moxley enjoyed teasing him, he didn't deserve what had gone on. If any of the kiddos tried that in HER class-Well, they wouldn't be happy with the outcome. "I'm glad to hear that, Mr. Adair. I'm a firm believer that you don't have to like all of your professors, but you should respect them." After a firm nod, her face softened. Being stern wasn't really her THING but she could be when she NEEDED to be. Also, the whole head bowing thing? Meredith let out a small laugh and shook her head. That made her feel like a QUEEN, did he know? She enjoyed it. Queen Meredith Moxley of Muggle Studies. Could she maybe get the kids to call her that...?

"We're not all that different and really, muggles are quite brave. As a Gryffindor, I've always appreciated that. Facing life without magic is hard, I imagine. That's why it's so beneficial for you lot to learn about them. To see how they work around the no-magic thing. To learn they're different but do all the things we do, so not really so different that we can't all get on." And see? Another child with non-magical parents. They seemed to be gravitating towards her recently, not that she minded. "My mum's a muggle. S'why I've always enjoyed learning about them. It's fascinating, the things they come up with!"

Though Zander did agree about the respect bit... He had quite a few things to say on the topic of Professor Q. Like the fact that the man didn't respect Kevin and if he did, then FLESH EATING slugs are a horrible way of showing it. Though, Professor Moxley did seem to like the guy and... If he wanted her to also like this guy this guy being lil'Fifth Year maybePrefect over here then he probably shouldn't push it, huh? So instead of bringing the Kevin thing up like he so wanted to he just nodded. "I'm also a believer-uh-of that.. a firm one.. A firm believer of that, Professor." Man. Words were hard. "I don't really know what all went wrong to be honest... I was trying to get a jar off someone's hand." He had an alibi. Mhm. Perfectly timed by the way, thank you Dot. So please excuse us from anything you have possibly heard about that incident, please? And think of us around exam time. Please and thank you. Xoxo, Z. AHEM. Whuut.

Zander took another sip of his tea as he listened-- TO WOAH WAIT, "You're a Gryffindor!?" Did she know that he was one toooo? Uh. Wait. Obviously. Uh. Right. Robes. ANYWAYS. Moving on, it made sense that she'd be a Gryffindor, 'cause well... She was at the welcome party and all that. Though, it could have just been a coincidence considering the fact that Professor Q had said he was there to check the ropes. Like maybe she was there for the chocolate frogs. 'Cause that's why Zander had been there-- well other than the fact that he was required to lead all the new lions up to the... yeaaah.

Meredith just watched the blonde boy with an amused expression. Kid was a NATURAL suck-up and if he was willing to agree with her all the time and get her stuff, who was SHE to call him out on it? INSTEAD she'd just enjoy the fact that the Gryffindor wanted to get on her good side and revel in the fact that if she wanted, she could TOTALLY freak him out by pretending to be mad at him. Heh. Being a professor was AWESOME. "Sounds like you had a TOUGH lesson too, Mr. Adair." She feigned sympathy and then took another sip of her tea. Oh yes, this kid was humorous. She'd keep him.

"Of COURSE!" Meredith slammed a fist down on her desk and the top drawer popped open, revealing a small Gryffindor flag. She reached in and pulled it out, her face full of pride as she placed it in front of the kid. "Best house in the school!" She probably wasn't supposed to be biased but PSH, that just wasn't going to happen. Surely Annie knew that when she'd hired her.

"Anything else you wanted to discuss today, Zander?"

The Gryffindor took another sip of his tea, before looking up at Professor M. "Yeah, it really was, Professor." Not even realizing that she was her sympathy was completely feigned and everything. The Prefect never got around to picking up on these things. Ahem. Or maybe he did pick up on 'em.... But got good at pretending or something? A skill he probably picked up after hanging out with Kevin for so long. There was just a point where you had to pretend the sympathy was genuine, y'know? Or else you'd be disappointed with all the reactions and-- Ahem. Rambling. Well, in his mind.

You know WHAT? It was a REALLY good thing that he was nearly done with his tea because Professor Moxley COMPLETELY startled him with the fist slamming. If his mug had been as full as it was when he had started on it, there would be tea ALL OVER his trousers. But luckily. Ahem. Still recovering from that COUGH heart attack COUGH by the way. "Uh, totally, Professor?" Still kinda freaked out, you know? Remind him to never bring up something she's this passionate about ever again. She got kind of creepy terrifying? There was some crazy in her eyes, he saw it. It was there, okay?

"Oh, well, I guess that was it, really... Unless there's anything you need my help with?" Just another opportunity to flaunt the fact that he was willing to lend an extra hand in exchange for good scores and being bragged about. "M'always around if you ever need anyone to do anything for you, Professor. Just trying to make your first year as Professor as comfortable as I can." MHM.

HEH. Meredith was tickled that she'd freaked the boy out but also quite worried he was going to choke and so she watched him carefully. Y'know, in case she had to use her muscles to give the kid some kind of heimlich maneuver! Muggles had an answer for everything! Luckily, he seemed okay after a bit of a coughing fit. Crisis averted!

Oh gosh. Oh Zander. PLEASE. Meredith fought a smile as best she could but it was SO hard. She'd never met a bigger teacher's pet in her entire life. Kid could write a BOOK and it made her want to laugh and tell him to knock it off but it WAS benefiting her so she was torn. GAH. Her inner struggle lasted ALL of two seconds before she responded, "I'll make you a list, Mr. Adair! It's always good to have some help. Especially with me being BRAND new to the teaching thing. I SO appreciate your offer. You're a true star." That's right, Moxley. Build him up and get him wrapped around your little finger. He'd be a full-fledged minion in NO time at all!

He. Hehe. Hehehehe.

"Now why don't you go do yourself some homework. A good student like you should be keeping up with his studies." Professors were meant to say stuff like that, right?

SEE she was even smiling. She totally liked him. HA. That meant coming all the way over here was completely worth it. It physically pained him to go visit Professors, so you know.. It would've been pointless if none of this worked in the way that he needed it to. But it did. Alas, there was still hope. Thank. Merlin. "Of course, Professor! Anytime!!" An entire list??? If he had known that she was going to give him an entire list of--WAIT, DID YAH HEAR THAT?

He was a true star.

This was awesome!!! Ahem. Uh, it was cool. He was chill. Yeah. Totally. It was worth it.

"Oh-uh-yeah, homework." Sigh. Abouuuut that. The Gryffindor slowly got up out of his chair and quickly sipped the last bit of tea that remained in the mug. Then, setting it down at the very edge of her desk he looked up and gave Professor Moxley a HUGE goofy grin. "Well, thanks for the tea and everything, Professor! See you around!" Zander Adair out, yo.

Turning his gaze away from the clocks once more, Toby looked back at Moxley and nodded, managing a smile too. Tea. Yes. They should do that.

He stepped into the office and immediately found himself trying to look at everything all at once. Entering a room full of THINGS always seemed to have that effect. The thing about having an easily distracted brain was that it did quite like to look at anything and everything and distract itself as much as possible. Toby was occupied for a good few moments, standing there and staring, before he remembered where he was and looked at Professor Moxley again.

"That's a lot of stuff," he said.

Yes. Thank you, Captain Obvious.

Moxley was used to this reaction, yeah? And so the brunette scooted around the Hufflepuff and made her way over to the desk. She busied herself with preparing the tea for the two of them while Tobias took in all he could. She encouraged this, actually. It was nice to share your treasures with others. Providing they didn't try to take them, of course.

"I'm a collector." Meredith smiled and gestured for the boy to sit, placing his tea cup down in front of the empty chair meant for him. "And I know it looks a mess in here but it's organized chaos, I promise." Her husband had nearly had a heart attack when he saw the pictures but he was the opposite of her in lots of ways. Neat as a pin, he was.

"You're probably wondering why I asked you here," She'd taken a seat by this point, hands wrapped around her own cup of steaming tea. "Truth is, I just wanted to make sure everything is okay. Y'looked a bit down during my last lesson."