"Evening, Lindsay. Quite chipper this evening I see." It was always refreshing to see his students showing up to the lessons ready to learn and jump into the thick of things. Of course, today's lesson was different in that they already more or less knew what they were getting into, but he was glad to see it left the girl no less enthused.



"Good evening Jones. I'll have to ask you to move closer. The seats in the stands are for the duel, not for sitting during the class. There are plenty of spots here by Lindsay."

Why the boy would choose to move all the way was beyond him but as it wouldn't serve him well once the lesson started, there was no need to leave him there. Come on, move it over.



He was about to return the boy's greeting...when he said that.

Suddenly, the man's face fell and he looked anything but pleased. "You've seen him, too?" Try as he did, the Headmaster hadn't managed to run into any of the founders the students had reported seeing but it sounded like they were still going around causing problems...like the problems that saw to the destruction of his arena.

"You're not required to bow to him, or anyone else here, outside of duels. Do be careful, though." He had yet to know what they wanted or the full extent of what they were capable of.



"Good evening, Blaze." Calm, cool and collected as always. Most times, it didn't seem like anything bothered the Slytherin and it was quite the trait to be coveted in this climate where founders were apparently running loose. He needed more calm, cool and collected students. Ones that would stop and think when they saw dead people walking around. Ones that weren't likely to do what they said. Here's to looking at you Grantham.



Ah the silent Ravenclaw. Were it not for the fact that words sometimes escaped her lips and that she did verbally perform the spells required thus far for the term, the Headmaster may have thought her inaudible. It would've been like dealing with another Spence, only in this case he wouldn't have been forewarned. Malachi returned a polite nod to her, not missing where she'd chosen to stand. Not the most social, was she?



How curious.

Malachi watched the Slytherin enter the arena and heard the quiver in her voice. It left him just a tad concerned. "You alright, Bellchant?" He asked, the sincerity and concern both quite evident in his tone. It was duelling. More than half the students had been eager to GET to it. It made it easier to forget the apprehension some held toward it. "It'll be fine." She had his word.

Her definition of fine might have made all the difference in such a promise but as far as he could help it, she wouldn't go home in pieces. Perfectly fine.



And another. Yikes.

"Chin up, James. It won't end up like last time." He remembered how....frustrated the girl had gotten. Resorting to physical violence...the embarrassment that had set in. Honestly, he was half sure she'd have skipped this lesson and taken the resulting detention. But here she was.

"You'll do great." Again, this was dependent on the student's definition but for him, she'd do great if she remained conscious. Easy enough, yeah?



Oh Merlin, a third. Three in a row had to be a sign. A sign of what, he hadn't a clue but the man's concern seemed to be going nowhere anytime soon.

Had so many of his students really remained so apprehensive? Most of the lessons leading up to this one had been in an attempt to get them prepared for the "final showdown" as it were but now the man was wondering how well of a job he'd actually done with that.

"I appreciate you trying to hold it together, Dakest." It could be worse. He'd seen the boy mid-panic before. This, yeah this could be worse. He'd take this...whatever this was.



One of his...was he allowed to say it? Favourites weren't meant to be a thing. He'd never admit it, but he did quite like this one. "Thanks again for your help in the arena, Castillo. It was much appreciated." With what a mess it had all been, Malachi was sure his heart would've failed him entirely and he'd be in Mungo's right now recovering.

It still baffled him how readily some of the students listened to perfect strangers not meant to be walking anymore. It made him happier to have students like her.



This one got a raise of his brow. "It wouldn't hurt to offer acknowledgement when you enter a room and find others there." As much as the words were a suggestion, the tone and the look Malachi gave the girl was enough to convey its true meaning. It was something he hoped she would remember the next time she came to his lesson and one he hoped she would promptly remedy.

A simple "good evening" was all that was needed. It wasn't difficult.



"Evening, Vance. You look quite ready for the duel." It was a nice change from the several students who'd walked in looking like the sky was falling and the world was coming to an end. He hoped the boy's high spirits would serve him well later during the duel. If nothing else, it couldn't be worse than what occurred with the dummies.



And the other Slytherin he had to thank for helping to get this place back into proper form--and for using his brain. One might have thought something like that was...expected but his students had proven otherwise.

"Evening Rasting, good work with the arena." He and Castillo had done a good job helping the younger offenders. They didn't have to, but he was glad they did anyway.



Speaking of offenders, here came one of them now. He hoped the boy had learned his lesson and wouldn't go blindly destroying school property in future. It wouldn't not go over as lightly next time.

"Evening, Simpson."



His growing Precious Bean #3. He suspected by the end of the year, the title would be gone entirely. Kids, they just kept doing that growing thing. Even his son was doing that growing thing. It was the absolute wurst.

"Evening Summers. Keep that up and you'll win regardless of the outcome." Meaning the chipper attitude she'd walked into the arena with. Not everyone was quite so...enthused about this evening, so it was nice to see those who were.



And the second offender. There was a part of the Headmaster that went on edge when the girl walked into the room. Some protective inner voice that wanted her to leave before she could break anything else but...Malachi suspected she had learned her lesson, even just a little bit. Enough to not destroy school property. Perhaps even enough to acknowledge that Godric Gryffindor walking the castles was a sign something was WRONG and not the saviour sent to usher them into the new era of schooling.

Nothing good ever came when the dead started walking. He returned her nod, cautious but willing to give her a second chance.