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Staff Table https://s26.postimg.cc/7rvtkzno9/staff-table-banner.jpg On a raised dais situated at the farthest point of the Great Hall stands a long table where the members of the Hogwarts staff sit and enjoy their meal while casting a watchful eye out on the four House tables. Each staff member has an assigned, cushioned chair to sit on throughout the duration of the feast, though the more notable out of them all is the throne-like golden chair in the centre reserved for the headmaster. |
Not one day into the start of term and already the headaches had started. Escorting the first years in the boats, Kamran had spotted an older, already-sorted student hitching an unauthorised ride. He'd pulled him up on it, only to be given a blatantly fake name. Come to find out, post-rebuke, that apparently it hadn't been fake at all - that would need checking, but if it were true, he had to wonder about some of these parents - and then he'd had a startlingly upset teenager on his hands. It had all been more or less dealt with, the student in question left with a friend, and the unsorted students had been safely delivered. Now Kamran sat at the staff table up on the dais, silently attempting to manifest candle-worthy levels of zen, and subtly massaging a point on his right temple with the tip of an index finger. All good, all fine. He calmly watched the students at their tables, taking just one more moment to ensure he was properly recentred before launching into any conversation with his colleagues. |
Summer had treated her well and it showed. The Charms Professor had a glow about her. Skin that was still sun kissed and eyes that were bright, alert. Dare one even say that she had a bit of pep in her step? Well, a holiday away was good for producing such things and she’d needed it. Making her way to the dais after ensuring her fur child, Isadora, was fed and comfortable in her office, Neva mentally prepared for yet another feast. Whatever surprises this year had in store for her, she was going to be ready for them. ”Evening, Kamran.” The poor guy didn’t look to be in the chatting mood, so she smiled and moved on, settling into her seat. |
Was Winston Kojo Robinson ready to teach in the private high school wizarding sector? Absolutely not. While his background had been in the university education, there was something alluring Scotland and what he could offer it. That and he could wear sweaters many more days than he could in Australia. And the fact that Monique had received a job offer she could not refuse (or would be foolish to do so), which meant taking their daughter with her. Really, all the cards - or numbers - just seemed to be pointing for him to take the Arithmancy post at Hogwarts. And why not? It had a good reputation and was building itself back stronger after the neo alliance takeover. So why was he nervous? Because it was in his nature to be nervous for any big life decisions. He was marveled immediately by the grandiose nature of the great hall, even though he'd been in the castle exactly two other times before - once, for his interview and the second to move in - and it took the man a minute to acquaint himself and move his body towards the dais that he'd been instructed to sit at. He smiled anxiously at the two already seated, whose names he had forgotten from their staff meeting already. "Evening... evening... Winston Robinson," he nodded, taking his seat, and pushed his glasses up out of nervous habit. And another habit took over, which was the small tapping of fingers on the table. "So uh... You've been teaching here long?" he asked casually, to Neva mostly since she was closer to him. |
All the creatures had been fed, and the birds seemed to be settling in, so Mia was as calm as a demiguise as she joined took her seat next to the Charms Professor. Luckily, she'd been to enough fundraising dinners with the Magical Creatures Sanctuary that she had feast-appropriate attire and even knew how to style her hair. Not that probably anyone but herself could tell the difference from her usual hairstyle, given how short it was. Still, despite the very small possibility of error with her hair, she checked it, then made sure her sleeves were pulled all the way to her wrists. All good. All was good. "Hello, Neva, Kamran, Winston," she greeted the other three with a smile, glad she could remember their names. "What a lovely way to start the school year, don't you think?" The Great Hall was certainly something...great. Still, she did her best to make eye contact and smile at each of the other professors, rather than getting too distracted by the enchanted ceiling. |
Merlin. This was the part Javier hated. Small talk. While part of him was excited to meet the staff face to face, and see the school again, and get started teaching and doing a job that he actually ENJOYED for once - the other part was terrified. Particularly of this feast. He had never been a fan of these huge feasts as a student, and he was somewhat comforted to find out that apparently his feelings had not changed. It was, truly, the small talk that got to him. Couldn't he just eat his meal in PEACE? Why did every moment of silence need to be filled with mindless chatter? Glancing at Cami as he passed the Ravenclaw table, and making good on his promise to not embarrass her, he simply smiled at his daughter before heading up to the dias. "Evening," he said gruffly to those who were already situated before finding his spot down at the end. Well. Maybe if no one else came by to sit with him he'd get his wish of eating his meal quietly... |
Hogwarts... We meet again, thought the former Slytherin as he gazed upon the Great Hall. The students’ return had certainly brought the school to life both in energy and volume. The energy was infectious and energized his being. It even caused him to crack a smile and to walk with even the slightest pep in his step towards the Dais. It was a confidence boost or perhaps a comforting boost (if that was a thing- who knew? Perhaps he coined a new term). Even though he would never show it, the confidence boost was much appreciated and needed because he had been dreading how to greet his peers. The first greeting of peers and students was the critical in managing his brand. He had brainstormed the ideas, debated it, and weighed both pros and cons in his mind. Eventually he arrived at the decision to keep it simple. “G’day,” he greeted the group before he quickly quizzed himself on all of his peers’ names. Neva, Kamran, Javier, Winston, and Mia. Nailed it. Then he made his way over to the seat that he had been instructed to sit in. He was located next to Kamran, who looked deep in thought or perhaps meditation. “Shenanigans ensuing already?” he asked Kamran before letting his gaze travel around the room. It was odd to be back. But was it truly odd to be back or was he just overthinking it? Hmm... He debated the issue in his mind. Simon had supposed that it might have been odd to see the school again through an adult’s viewpoint. In fact, he had often wondered if it would be similar to his experience of going back to Disney World as an adult and not finding things as magical as they once were when he was a child. His sapphire blue eyes scanned the room, observing the students at various tables. Some students were chatting and sharing stories about the summer whilst others were sitting in silence and perhaps deep in thought or simply staring at the wall, waiting for the feast to be over to dig into the food. Fortunately there had been no shenanigans started yet. However, all data points led to the hypothesis that returning to Hogwarts as an adult would not be similar to returning to Disney World. Conclusion: still just as magical. |
After making sure her dear Guinevere was settled in her office, Rosalie entered the Great Hall, making her way up to the dais. She took quick note of her daughter sitting at the Gryffindor table, pointedly keeping her back facing her, and an amused smile crossed Rosalie's face. Hopefully Sera would get used to the idea of her working here, but it would take time, she was sure. Regardless, Rosalie was looking forward to the coming year. And so her focus turned to her colleagues already seated at the table. "Good evening, everyone." They each received a warm smile as she passed by, finally taking her seat beside Javier. "How are you tonight, Javier?" she asked. |
There were too many new faces, change was in the air and there was no Schmoe. It was a thing she had told herself she would not think about - but how could she have avoided it when he wasn't sitting next to her as always was beyond her. Nonethless, she smiled at the new person sitting in his seat as she sat down, before her eyes shifted to the hufflepuff table and then the Slytherin table. Andromeda was capable enough, June was sure the Hufflepuffs were in good hands - but Gabby's departure had certainly left a void - one she knew won't be easy to fill. All in good time though. All in good time. "Hello, everyone - lovely evening, no?" Here we go. |
Beginning of school years were always amazing. It was so weird how an educator's brain worked. Summer was delightful and you never wanted it to end, not that they didn't love their jobs and the children, but the break was always much needed and always went to quickly. Wanting summer so badly it was interesting how the brain switched once an educator stepped into their classroom and got started, Meda felt that as she finished up in her office and made her way to the feast. She felt the excitement she had felt every year since becoming an educator, this year was no exception. Walking into the hall she glanced around and smiled at all that was there already, new faces and old she gave them all a warm greeting. "Good evening everyone, isn't it a lovely evening for a feast." It was a lovely evening, she had taken a little walk earlier. "How is everyone doing?" |
It probably went without saying, but Malachi was more comfortable returning this term. After all the chaos and war, the man honestly needed the term before to ease him back into things. It was a year that allowed him to see--by and large--the school had not changed. The students, while themselves changed, had not changed all that much either. The disaster the term had turned into was...pretty welcomed. It provided some consistency without throwing him into the deep end fresh out of pulling him out of what had been a horrid darkness. The Headmaster actually felt...good about this term. He wasn't under any illusion there wouldn't be any problems but he felt genuinely prepared to tackle nearly anything. Malachi had steadily fallen back into routines and the meetings with the staff the week before school also gave him renewed confidence in his staff and the process. With this confidence, the man sank into his seat in the centre of the dais. "Evening, everyone." It was anyone's guess as to how long the good mood could last. Even Upstead at the wrong table got little more than a non-verbal lifting of the Slytherin by their robes--literally focusing his magic on the outer layers to plop them where they belonged. "The board members will start arriving in the morning." He informed, not missing a beat. "The project should be underway by the end of the week." |
"Evening, Neva, Winston." Though he hadn't exactly struggled with this last year, it was much easier to remember the names of his colleagues when he was not the new boy at the table. The students had taken longer, but he'd been on top of it. Now it was only new colleagues, transfers, and first years to commit to memory. Much easier. Kamran was... he was going to stop thinking about names now. Most everyone got a nod or 'good evening' or a 'lovely evening, yes'. It wasn't that he didn't particularly want to talk, more that he simply preferred not to lean across or behind people and call down the table to strike up a conversation with anyone more than a few seats away. The new History of Magic professor, Simon, was sat immediately to Kamran's left, which made things easier. "Of course," he said lightly. "But then, I suppose it wouldn't feel like Hogwarts, otherwise." Slytherins, honestly. Kamran had no qualms about thinking it, given he'd been one of them, and had known his fair share of trouble once upon a time. Turning his attention to the table in question, Kamran noted... ... nothing at all. He followed the headmaster's lead, left things unremarked upon, and instead nodded in acknowledgement. "Looking forward to it." True enough, though Kamran was prepared for these kids to regard anything new with the utmost suspicion. And who could blame them, after everything, not to mention that Poppy woman trying to turn them all into dough-for-brains zen zombies. |
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As Trent sat down and informed them that the Board would be there in the morning, Javi blinked for a second. OH. Right. That project. It was...nice, but didn't directly affect him so, it was hardly a blip on his radar to be honest. "Excited to be here?" he asked Rosalie, deciding to just play into the small talk and get it over with. |
He noticed Rosalie, his former schoolmate and one he’d kept in touch with over the years, out the corner of his eye when she entered. Simon would naturally have catch her later to catch up. In the meantime, he opted to give her a small wave and smile in greeting. Shortly after Rosalie joined them, Andromeda and June joined. “Evening!” he greeted them, offering a nod as they joined before his gaze went back out to look out at the student body. As June sat down beside him, he nodded to her question of it being a lovely evening. “Rather lovely,” he nodded to June’s question and then bit his tongue as he stopped himself from asking a rather obvious question to pose her. The last name was too much of a coincidence not to ask. However, he maintained his composure and did not ask her. He then focused on Andromeda’s question and gave her a quick reply whilst she was standing for he thought it’d be rude to shout a reply over his neighbor. “Well. Thanks.” Simon found himself not having much more time to offer anything else because Kamran spoke. Ah shenanigans had already transpired. Simon couldn’t help but chuckle when his peer mentioned that it wouldn’t be Hogwarts without the shenanigans. Before he could say much else, Trent had arrived and was addressing them. Ah yes, right... the project... how exciting! He liked projects but then word of the Board filled within him dread for no good reason save for the fact that he preferred to teach his lessons without intrusions or unnecessary guests. Hopefully they wouldn’t stick around for one of his lessons. It’d be a distraction. And the students need any more distractions in his class. Nevertheless, he appreciated the information from Malachi. “Noted,” he nodded, restraining himself from adding a salute. He had turned his gaze back out to the body of students before looking back to Kamran as he had not forgotten what his peer had said. Simon had had unfortunate timing in responding to his peer. “A Slytherin, I take it, was the troublemaker?” he suspected. It was his first guess after all, he, too, had been a member of the house of Green. If not a Slytherin, it was definitely a Gryffindor. “I didn’t find any troublemakers yet. I did meet a young Hufflepuff boy out in the Entrance Hall who was hanging around. Nose stuck in a book.. Very engrossed he was.” He chuckled. It reminded him of himself at that age. Much preferred the company of books to people save at the age of twelve. The quiet bookworm, of course, had his life turned upside down when he met his good friends in his third year. |
He's been here the whole time! *whistles innocently* Would there ever be a nice, quiet term at Hogwarts? Norman thought as he'd entered the great hall. Probably not… in the past two terms, he'd seen a blood supremacist takeover and an evil healer basically drugging the students. Of course, it was nothing the battle-hardened ex-MACUSA Auror couldn't handle. He was more concerned for the kids… not that he would ever let on. Softer emotions like that were best left hidden deep in his heart where they belonged! “Good evening, all,” he’d greeted his colleagues upon arrival, taking his seat at the far end of the table. His aquamarine eyes scanned the table, observing the people gathered. So many new faces this term… and most of them in close proximity to him! Was he supposed to be a one-man welcome wagon? He mentally ran through the names… Javier, Rosalie, Simon, and Mia and Winston at the other end. See? He remembered. He may be solitary, but he wasn’t oblivious. He gave each of the new staff a polite nod of acknowledgement but for the time being said nothing. If any of them wanted to engage in conversation, they were free to approach him, but… let’s just say small talk wasn’t his strong suit. Malachi’s words also received a nod. Right… the same Board of Governors who dumped that perky peppy Poppy on them last term. Call him cynical, but he didn’t have high hopes for this project. From everything he’d heard about it, it sounded completely unnecessary, but who was he to argue? The thought crossed his mind to ask Malachi if he’d like some assistance in greeting the Board when they arrived, but there was no point in shouting down the table. It could wait. Instead, he turned his attention to the house tables, the Ravenclaw one in particular. No shenanigans yet as far as he could see… good! |
*manipulates time just a little, ahem* Was he looking forward to further board interference? Not hardly. After the inconvenience that was Healer Poppy, Malachi felt the school was due having the Board of Governors taking a step back and letting them try to handle things themselves. That they insisted on further interference was nothing but a further inconvenience. Now, was he surprised Upstead simply moved back to the Gryffindor table? Again, no. Malachi watched with a detached calm for a moment, watched his lions speak with Upstead, waited to see if any would try to get his attention. When none did, Malachi pushed up from his seat. "If you'll all excuse me a moment." With that, he headed from the dais and down to the Gryffindor table and the problematic student. ________________________________ There. Sorted, as much as it could be for the night. Malachi headed back to the dais and resumed his seat. "Before we have further interruptions, I think it's about time we got this feast underway." Especially now with the last of the students having been sorted. The Headmaster tapped at the rim of his goblet with his fork, waiting only long enough for the students to settle. Voice appropriate in volume, he began. "Good evening. Let me welcome you all, new and returning, to what will most likely be a magical and ...eventful year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. A special welcome to our new members, both staff and students alike. I hope you will soon come to see Hogwarts as your home away from home." And that they would treat it that way. "Some of you, I see, have already started to push the bounds of the institution so I'll take the time to remind you, this is a school. Schools have rules. If you would not like to be at this school, come have a talk with me and we can have this arranged." It wasn't a difficult process. "I can assure you all, there will be enough to do without you making unnecessary trouble for yourself and the school staff." There may have been a brief glance over at the Slytherin table but...he was mostly talking to everyone. "On that note, when you see something that shouldn't be happening, don't simply mill about and let it happen. Find someone if the situation is too much for you to handle but it's everyone's responsibility to see to the rules being followed as best they can. I don't want anyone drawing their wands at each other, no fighting either. If you can't resolve it with words, find a professor." And while that was meant for his lions, it also went for everyone else. "I'd like to take the time to welcome our new members of staff. From the right, we have Professor Jordan Strum reprising his role as Ancient Runes Professor after his year away from the castle, Professor Mia Paszek will be taking over the role of Care of Magical Creatures while Professor Simon Holden will take on the role of History of Magic. In Muggle Studies, we have Rosalee Applewood as professor and Javier Hernandez as Potions Master." He paused between each, allowing them time to acknowledge themselves for the students before continuing on to the next. "We should all also expect to see a bit more of our Board of Governors this term. We will be beginning a project within the week. Look out for more on that, later." He didn't even cringe, see? He was coping. "For the new among us, I'd like to make mention of a certain forest at the very edge of the school grounds. Real big, hard to miss, very forbidden. It's not the place for a stroll or a picnic or an adventure. Don't go in there. You may be eaten or end up wishing you were." While he considered whether he'd save them or not. "Lastly, I do hope you have a good term. Get some sleep, it's been a long day and you'll be seeing me first thing in the morning. Falling asleep in my class is....rather il-advised. Now then, let's eat!" And just like that, there was food. His favourite part of the feast. |
She quietly watched the first years and smiled as they were sorted. She felt all sorts of ways taking on the Hufflepuff Head of House this term, but proud was the biggest of all the emotions. She wasn't sure what was going on at the Lion table, but Meda decided she wouldn't bother much with it. Smiling at the headmaster she nodded at his comment about the board. She was excited for some new things, but after Poppy and her little stunt, she hoped it wouldn't be too many new things. She found herself not using scented candles nearly as much since all that went on. As the headmaster moved to do the speech and then the food came to the tables Meda clapped and then started to eat. |
Board interference was the last thing on June Flamsteed's mind - albeit it being alarming, considering the fiasco with Healer Poppy the term before - but at the moment? she was more miffed by what was going with Nemesis Upstead. Was she surprised? Not really. Was she already tired of their antics? Yes. She'd be lying if she said it wasn't strangely satisfying to see Trent fly him back to his table - but she was sure this was exactly the reaction Nemesis was aiming for. In a twisted sense, it was like giving them validation - which was also why she was not surprised when they continued to slip back to the gryffindor table. On instinct she wanted to fly him back, maybe even super glue him there - but she didn't, because after watching them enough - she didn't think Nemesis Upstead could be just ....forced in line like so. ....maybe she needed to have a conversation with Trent, a thing she decided for sure when the headmaster walked away to deal with the entire thing in person. Disappointed - even more so with the reminder that this kid was once her favorite and how she still cared, she tore her eyes away from the table and looked at Trent as he joined them again, "can we talk about this tomorrow?" This being ..... Nemesis Upstead. For now though ... it was probably best to go back to the feast. |
Casual small talk wasn't really Winston's cup of tea, as he continued fidgeting and lighting tapping his foot And then over to Malachi, who disappeared briefly to the table with the scarlet and gold robes, before returning to give his speech. If he'd been more outspoken, he'd might have noticed his name was forgotten in the introduction, but alas, Winston was never one for that kind of conflict. Instead his focus was on the mention of a big project coming soon? And board of Governors will be arriving? More names for him to learn, of which he hoped they'd have the decency to wear name tags. The food looked every bit as amazing as he'd heard about, which left his forgotten name in the past. |
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