 Bathes in Maple Syrup | Dancing Lobster | Moy Pomidor | Seneca's Beard | That Is So Fetch!
By now the sorting ceremony had ended, which meant that the floor was now hers. Regina had everything already outlined in her mind: a cheerful welcome, an update that their Inferi infestation problem was no more as a number of Ministry employees removed them permanently, that Quidditch tryouts would be starting in no time at all, introduce the new staff members and changes, and then bid everyone a good first night at the castle and a great school term. But, of course, things at Hogwarts rarely ever went as planned.
Though her outward appearance may have fooled anyone into thinking she was not surprised, the sight of the two men making their way up to the staff dais was raising numerous questions in her mind. The biggest one had to do with what they were doing here. She certainly wasn't expecting any visitors to be attending the feast.
And she certainly wasn't expecting the older of the two to act like he owned the place. Why was he pointing at the empty seat beside her? That was meant for the Divination professor, who was a bit preoccupied at the moment in the forest taking care of centaur matters with his kind.
But then a letter was handed over to her. A blank stare was directed at the man standing before her as she took hold of the envelope. Her eyes then flicked down, taking in the Board of Governors seal, and then returned to the man. The headmistress took in a deep breath and broke the seal.
She read the letter's contents not once but twice. The first read was met with utter shock, but the message managed to sink in after the second. Truth be told, Regina wasn't sure how to react. She wanted to rip up the letter and throw it in the man's face. This was her school, these were her staff, these were her students -- Hogwarts had become her home. But, at the same time, she knew better. She had no choice but to comply with the request that was made in the letter.
Without saying a single word, the woman gradually rose from her seat and walked out of the Great Hall, somehow managing to keep her composure until she was out of sight.
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