Originally Posted by Colley ♥

Originally Posted by Liisa

[B]Kimber tilted her head towards Hecate - where Max couldn't see her - and smiled. It was good to see Hecate was back and the daydreaming gone.

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Tate waited for the boy to depart before finally standing. Time to deliver the speech and let the poor kiddos have their dinner. He waited a long moment for the room to fall as silent as could be expected before speaking.

"Students! Welcome back to Hogwarts for yet another exciting term. As I'm sure you've seen from the empty seats at this table and the sprinkling of new faces, we have undergone many changes in the staffing for this term. I would like to take a moment to welcome our new staff members, and to let you know that those empty chairs will be filled by Ministry provided staff members who were hand selected by Lord Berty Borr." Lord indeed... the man was meddling in his school, and Tate wasn't sure how he felt about that.

No, he was sure... he didn't like it.

"Those staff members will not be holding office hours at Hogwarts, so I suggest you form study groups if you need additional assistance in those subject areas. My training room from last term is still available for those who want to work on their Defense development, and we will do what is necessary in any areas you may feel necessary. Please be frank with us as the term goes onward." And he expected to hear plenty of complaints, but hey... he could only do so much.

"I'm sure many of you read the Daily Prophet over the summer, and you are probably well aware of the ship currently floating on Black Lake. After extensive magical investigation, I feel fairly confident the ship is free of traps and spells and sturdy enough to be explored. More information will come on that later, but I think we can expect an opportunity to go aboard later in the year." After Max got through with it, of course. Hehe.

"I know it's been a long day, and you're all quite hungry, so let me shut up and sit down and let you get around to stuffing your faces. I wish you all a good meal and a good night to follow, and I hope we have a good year." Free of deaths and all that. Tate clapped his hands and food appeared on each table.

"Eat!"

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

"S-S-Sorry!" Kurumi squeaked bowing a few times deeply. "I didn't mean to offend you, Professor Lafay." She added a few more bows and made a mental note to look up potions using apples at a later date. At least she had been accurate in her analysis.