Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Will shifted uneasily. Professor Forrester was really a nice gentleman in his experience, but he'd never had a direct issue like this to bring to him. "I'll do so, of course. Thank you, sir. I think it'd help if we knew why this is happening... and... er.... " Just say it. He ran a hand through his hair nervously. "Some of the rules kind of-- well, they're a bit lousy. I mean, no girls, I totally get- I don't like it but I understand it. And curfews and stuff. But-- I really can't write to my friends back home? And... well... we really can't dress up in the suits of armor?" Ah, there's the heart of it. Will looked at him, really upset about these rules. "Will we have any voice at all in changing any rules that we find to be ...problematic?" He looked at him plaintively.

Originally Posted by Berty Borr

Lord Borr, obviously the most important man in the Great Hall, approached the table. He was as large as he was important, a great swell of a man. A great man. The greatest man to ever live - right under the Minister. His cane's tap against the hardwood floors preceded him, as did his brown clad belly that was striped with plaid suspenders.

He took a deep breath and liked what he smelled. Men. A school of properly (or after he was finished with them) bred men. Men that would walk in his footsteps and try to be as great as him. Oh they could try...


Finally, Lord Berty Borr reached the Staff Table. He shoved some kid out of his way and preceded. He clapped his hands for attention (as if that were needed and everyone wasn't already looking at him), "Your attention! Your attention up here!" Lord Borr raised his cane once and let it slap down against the table in a loud, startling crack.

"Welcome, Men! Welcome to Cooper's School of Magic for Young Wizards. This is a proud, proud day indeed! Do you know what I see before me? Do you?" He paused in case anyone needed a chance to look around see.

"I see a change! A change from the uneducated boys that other school turned out. I see the future of the Ministry, and it is as bright as the day! I see no frilly perfumed distractions," Lord Borr glanced around to be sure of that," and I see law abiding champions!" Lord Borr raised his fist in the air, his speech growing more and more animated. Spit was flying from his over eager lips. "We are back on track and greatness will be achieved in this newly built monument to the Minister."

Lord Borr began to clap. His clap started slow, then started picking up a pace. "A round of applause for our Minister, Brennan Cooper!!"

Originally Posted by Jenster

Ignatius strode up to the staff table. He looked across the table. He spotted a rather plump fellow. He recognised the face from something to do with the Ministry, but he wasn't sure what the fellow did. He smiled and headed towards the plump man. "Erm excuse me Sir, but I do not find the conditions at the Slytherin Table to my liking. There has already been theft by another house. And I see that the napkins are not made of silk. I use silk napkins, and nothing else."

Originally Posted by Berty Borr

Lord Borr jerked Mr. Wendleworth down to sit on his knee anyway. He offered his other knee, father figure and role model extraordinairre that he was, to Mr. Potter. "Let me tell you boys something. And you listen good. You don't have to settle for anything! Ever! If you thrive to be great and find yourself a good role model to follow behind," Lord Borr reached his hand up to snap his suspenders and insinuate himself, "you can truly BE an important person! With your silk napkins! WITH GOLD NAPKINS!" Lord Borr ruffled little Mr. Wendleworth's hair. "It might interest you to know that I, Lord Borr, was a Hufflepuff in my day. And look at me! TRULY GET A GOOD LOOK BOYS! I am great. I am important. And if you stick with me, you might follow suit!" After another phlegmy breather, he continued, "Why if I were you I'd be out back in the forest right now! Cutting down trees and fashioning myself a THRONE worthy of me!" These boys were obviously not up to what he had been as boy - but with his help - they could be.

Bless them, one and all.

Originally Posted by Berty Borr

Lord Borr curled his sausage sized finger towards himself, beckoning young Mr. Wendleworth towards him. "Come here, my boy. I'll let you in on a secret. Come here, don't be shy - that's what they are over at the girls' school - shy babies. Be a man and come here. Let Lord Borr thrust some knowledge upon you, give you some perspective, and teach you a lesson." Lord Borr patted his knee and welcomed Mr. Wendleworth to sit upon it like a grandson might be beckoned to his grandfather.

Before he could get Kingston settled though, there was another young man at his side. Two, actually. Lord Borr truly was very busy and very important. "Son, I'm sorry to hear that. But you know what I like to hear? You know what I'm hearing? I'm hearing ALL GOOD THINGS! I hear you all wanting better! THE BEST! I LIKE IT!" Lord Borr had the manic spitting again. "Professor Branxton! These boys want SILK napkins!"

Originally Posted by Berty Borr

"Do not pity them," Lord Borr shook his head. He had no knee to offer this distinguished looking young man or he would have. "Do not offer them your charity. They're men and they'll have to learn what life deals them! I'm sure Minister Cooper would not pity them and I certainly do not. So, you should not either."



Lord Borr frowned and dropped his knee out from the boy. He faked a cramp. "Terribly sorry about that. Terribly sorry. Trick knee." This boy, who was just that - a boy, was not worthy of a gold throne. What EXACTLY had he done? NOTHING. He needed to learn his place, and as Lord Borr saw it, it was beneath him on the floor at the moment. "Perhaps I'll have you do it for me," Lord Borr smiled his wicked smile. He liked this boy, but he would learn his place.



"Sure, my young man. Go sit back at your table and eat up. Too skinny and scrawny for my likings, and if you ever want to court a young woman - you need to grow some! Go! Sit! EAT! And I will see you, Mr. Wendleworth in my lounge later. You too," Lord Borr pointed at the Prefect boy. He did not extend the invitation to Mr. Potter.

Originally Posted by Jenster

Something suddenly happened and Ignatius found himself falling to the floor. Before he could rectify any mistake on his part, he had landed in the dust and the dirt. The cheek of this large fellow. He glared at the man from the floor, "Such a distinguished man does not have a trick knee, nor does he say he does, so he can use it to his advantage." He carefully picked himself up and dusted himself down. "You want me to make you a throne? Then you will have to provide me with the tools."

Originally Posted by Jenster

"I am not questioning your authority, if I were, I would say something suggesting that you were inncorrect at something. Like your treatment of that fellow. But I have not," Ignatius said, still brushing down his robes. He rubbed where the Lord had poked him with his cane, "That, Sir, is child abuse. Teachers in the muggle world are not allowed to touch a child in anyway at all. Therefore it would be befitting that you do not touch me. Even if you are a Lord, you have no right to touch my person in anyway." He stood firmly in his spot, not heading back to the table.

Originally Posted by Biochemkris

"It truly will be an honor to work with you, Sir," Doyle blndly replied and then turned with a sigh toward the chaos.

"I shall owl the minister at the conclusion of the feast," he added, taking off his glasses and cleaning them. So much for kicking that habit.


And enough was enough. Professor Branxton stood tall and tapped his spoon on his goblet. "May I have your attention please. It is time to take your seats. This is the staff table, not a soap box. If you have a problem with any of the professors or your treatment, please feel free to owl home to your parents. The Ministry has gone to a lot of trouble to construct this new school for the betterment of your education regardless of your opinions. Now, regardless of your personal views, the staff deserves your respect and there will be consequences if you do not do so. The feast will begin shortly. I thank you for your patience."

And with that, he sat back down on his little stool. Did the students think they were the only ones with grievances? He sighed and shook his head at his own thoughts. Maybe he had never actually warmed up to the children and teaching at all. Maybe it had only been Cassandra's presence which had kept him from running screaming from the school.

Originally Posted by Berty Borr

With that speech, Lord Borr gave whiny Potter another jab, harder, with his cane. "You heard Professor Doyle and more importantly - you heard me," Spit went everywhere at Lord Borr's hissing. "Sit down!"

Lazily he lounged in his throne of a chair. "Well said, Professor Doyle." He gave a lazy yawn that said he wasn't all that impressed, but at least approved of the message.

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Will nodded at the headmaster and returned to his seat, giving Professors Borr and Forrester each a respectful nod as he did so.

Originally Posted by Jenster

"You aren't the boss of me," Ignatius said, grabbing hold of the end of the cane as it was thrust into his side. "You aren't Headmaster. You are a lowly teacher. No better than the rest of the adults. I thought you were a respectable gentleman when I first set eyes on you. But now, all I see you as, is a bully. Nothing more than an overgrown child, picking on those younger than yourself because you lack the control." He pulled the cane away from the large man, "And the only way to get rid of a bully, is to stand up to them." He brought the cane down on his knee, breaking it in half. "I shall return to my table as Professor Branxton requested." He whipped round, dropping the cane on the floor, and headed back to his table.