Drusilla enters the well organized office. First thing she notices is the pleasant scent of books. When Professor looks up from his parcment and motions with his hand to the chairs before his desk, Drusilla sits as is wished making a neat curtsey before doing so.

"I am Drusilla Black, a fourth year Slytherin student. I just wanted to wellcome You to Hogwarts, Professor Fox," she says politely. "Arithmancy is one of my favourite subjects, and judging by this well organized room, I´m sure You´ll be a skillfull teacher at this branch. I´m looking forward to your classes and hoping to learn a lot, as I have from your predecessors. We have had exellent Arithmancy Professors."

Looks at the Professor long enough to notice he looks like a respectable kind of oldish man, the kind with whom you´re not likely to get into trouble with as long as you behave yourself. Content with what she sees, Drusilla gets up, nods politely and heads to the door, as the professor seems to be a bit confused with all the students coming and going. He, of course, must have terribly lot to do before the classes start, Drusilla thinks to herself.

Erica made her way down the Arithmancy corridor, casually wondering how the new professor was. She still had preference towards former Professor Bree since Bree was the only professor that Erica had been able to instill her complete and utter trust in before she was thrown out by Leiden. In an unusual move, Erica stopped a little ways before the office door and read the rules for the classroom that the professor had put up. Her eyebrows shot up at the sense of humor the professor seemed to exhume within his writing. Honestly, she thought. With names like Blither-in, Dudder-puff and Boring-claw, I wonder...

Approaching the office door, she knocked politely and waited for the professor to let her enter. In the meantime, she settled herself against the wall next to the door and started doing her DADA homework for the Headmistress. If there was anything that she was behind in, it was DADA, so she didn't want to fool around and hand in something that wasn't her best on this subject.

Professor Fox looked up as he finished his writing. Noticing the girl having had sat down, he finally looked up when she finished talking. "Mmm hmm... Mmmm hmmm..." He mumbled as he nodded along. "Well, I'm certainly glad you are looking forward to Arithmancy. Have a good day Ms. Black," he said as she got up and left.

He stood up and went over to his blackboard with some of his papers, and began to start writing a complicated looking set of numbers and strange symbols. Having heard the knock on the door while Drusilla was in his office, he simply called out without turning his attention, "Yes. Please come in." At which point the door gently opened up.

Having heard the professor summon her inside the office, Erica carefully rolled up her homework and put her things away in her bag before standing up and entering. Her eyes traveled around the neat, tidy office in curiousity and excitement. She could never really get rid of her curiousity, despite what had happened with the Ministry last term and seeing the symbols and numbers on the board, she immediately inquired about them.

"Oooh. What's that? Is that going to be our first lesson?"

Realizing too late that her mouth had gotten the best of her, she blushed and looked away from Fox for a moment, criticizing herself in her head.

"Um...sorry about that...being so inquisitive and all. I'm Erica Arbon, third year."

"Ah yes. Welcome," Professor Fox said, without turning his attention away from the board, "I will be with you in a moment." He finished writing a line on the board, then, with a tap of his wand he said "sifr" and the numbers and symbols seemed to melt away into the blackboard. He dusted his hands off and sat down. "No, I'm afraid that was far too complicated for your first lesson Ms. Arbon." He sighed quietly then removed his glasses and set them on the desk before him. "Now then. How may I help you Ms. Arbon?"

Erica nodded and approached the professor's desk after he sat down, opting to stand since she wasn't invited to do the same.

"Um, well, I wanted to introduce myself and find out what we were going to be learning in class this term, and..."

...and find out more about you and what you know, she thought. She would've done all this on the bus if Alex hadn't greeted her there. She stood, fumbling for words to say that would cover the immense silence that followed her last word, thinking that she was really doing a very good job at blowing this chance. Sighing, she gave up and let him have it. It seemed that she really couldn't handle the pressure.

"Professor, how much do you know about what happened in this school these last few terms?"

Professor Fox raised his eyebrow at the girl. Somehow he wasn't surprised, these students seemed to think rather highly of themselves. "Well consider yourself introduced Ms. Arbon," he said looking at her rather sternly. "I know I have a job to do at this school, and that is to teach you students Arithmancy in whatever manner I see best for your benefit. Furthermore, I know that the school has capable staff and faculty." He leaned over his desk slightly, further decreasing the distance between he and the student, "What has happened at this school in the last few terms while it may be found upsetting by some, and indeed certain things have been tragic, it is not something that a student such as yourself need concern herself with. Now, I caution you Ms. Arbon, that if I find you questioning the abilities or authority of myself or any of my peers, I will have short use for you." He leaned back in his chair, "Now. Is that a clear enough answer for you? Or do we need to have a discussion about this with your head of house?" He sighed and put his glasses back on, "Is there anything else I can help you with then?"

Erica's eyes widened in rage as she heard Fox's words become more and more toward the range of terrifying. If this was her first or second term, Erica would most certainly have cowered in terror, bid the professor a hasty goodbye and stay out of his sight for as long as she lived, but it wasn't. She knew what had transpired last term, better than Professor Fox seemed to, and it was every right her business as the next person to know. She was tired of being pushed around and bullied and used for the benefit of others and felt herself rage in a way she never had before.

"I know you've been sent here to teach Arithmancy. I have no problems learning it from you, your next door neighbor or a rubber chicken from Zonko's. But all I asked is a simple question and I get a threat in response. It's obvious you don't know how much the student body suffered when the Ministry was here, how much agony and pain they put every single person through. Why is it none of my business? Or the business of any student that was affected by those horrible people? Why?!?"

Professor Fox took off his glasses and began cleaning them with a nearby handkerchief. He let out a tired sigh and looked at the young student. She obviously had enthusiasm, he had to admit.
"Well. You certainly feel strongly about the subject Ms. Arbon," he sighed again before continuing, "It's only right I give you a full and proper answer and audience as well. So... Why don't you go on about your regular business, and when I have decided your detention schedule for the rest of the week, I will notify you, and we will discuss it then. Furthermore, I am asking you to bring the following note to your head of house, and to please explain to your house mates why it is you lost them 5 hard earned house points." He stood up, and indicated the door.
"I do not know how much lenience your previous teachers have tolerated. I however will not tolerate this kind of impudence." He looked at her sternly, "Like it or not Ms. Arbon, I am your teacher, and that merits a certain degree of respect. When I say a matter is closed, I expect it to stay closed. I applaud curiosity, but not foolishness." He then walked over to the door and held it open for her. "I will notify you of your detention when it has been decided. And don't forget your note." He said, holding out a small piece of paper.

Erica stood there and let the idea of detention and lost house points wash over her. She was still shaking with rage and those things seemed petty at the moment. The more important point was that she was getting answers. Right now, there were more questions than answers to alot of things and if Fox could provide, Erica would gladly hear them, even if she had to spend time in detention to do it. She accepted the note from the professor and grunted a response that was supposed to indicate a yes and turned on her heel, heading out of the office to see her head of house.

Professor Fox shook his head to himself, closing the door behind her as she left. He walked back to his desk and sat down quietly. Pulling off his glasses and rubbing the bridge of his nose thoroughly, he sighed to himself. Were all the students here this disrespectful? Professor Fox shook the thought out of his mind and went back to writing.

Diana was just on her way to Professor's Fox's office when she felt someone brush past her. She looked up to see her friend Erica, with just enough view to see Erica's face full of anger. "Oh my.." she breathed. She was beginning rethink of visiting this professor. Perhaps he not might be the most pleasant? Taking deep breaths, she gathered all the courage she could muster. She timidly knocked on the door.

Professor Fox looked up from his desk and said promptly, "Yes. Come in." His door then quietly opened, and he motioned politely to one of the seats in front of him. He took his glasses off and set them on top of some papers he was working on at the time. "What can I do for you, Ms....." he asked, searching for her name.

"My name is Diana Wei, fifth year Ravenclaw, p-professor," said Diana, stammering a little. "There's nothing you can do for me really, so I apologise if I am bothering you, but I usually like to introduce myself to new teachers. Or perhaps get to know them a bit if they wish," she added. Already, her legs felt unstable due to her nervousness.

Professor Fox looked up at the girl, looking at her carefully. "I see Ms. Wei. Well, if you wish, please have a seat and introduce yourself."

Diana would have preferred to stand, but daring not to cross the teacher, she sat down on a seat he offered her. She kept a straight face, resisting all urges to laugh at herself.

"Thank you, professor. I don't plan to stay long, so I won't be taking up much of your time. I have already said that I am a fifth year," she continued. She pondered whether or not she should tell the professor that she is actually nineteen and should have been a seventh year and/or graduated, but neverthess, she is sure that the professor had already noticed that she looked slightly too old to be a fifth-year due to her late-bloomer circumstances. She decided that she shall not say it. It would be pointless to point it out if he had already noticed.

"My parents and my gran are originally born the US, but my parents have immigrated to this country. However, my parents passed away two years ago, so I am currently living with my gran back in the US."

Professor Fox looked at the student for moment. He thought it was rather strange that an American would be attending Hogwarts, but it was a famous school, and not all together unheard of. "I see Ms. Wei. Well, it was nice meeting you, I hope to see you in my Arithmancy class then. Unless you have any specific questions for me." He nodded to her politely.

Erica rolled her eyes to herself as she once again made her way down the Arithmancy corridor to Fox's office. There were about a billion places that she would've rather been, but unfortunately, none of them would give satisfactory answers to her questions. She stopped right in front of the office door and searched around in her bag until she found the homework that was assigned in class and gave it another glance before knocking on the door and waiting for a response.

Professor Fox sighed as he stood back and looked at his blackboard. None of this was making any sense, he would have to start over again. Hearing a knock, he tiredly said, "Yes. Please come in." He then turned around, still standing, glad to have a distraction from his work. "Ah. Ms. Arbon, please come in."

Erica sighed and breathed deeply before entering Fox's office. She vowed not to lose her temper again around the professor and seeing as how Hufflepuff was in last place, she felt it would be good advice to just lay low and not do anything stupid or rash. She gave a rather sheepish, embarassed look at the ground, the blackboard, anywhere but the professor standing before her as she addressed the problem.

"Thanks, Professor. I have a little problem with the homework. It's the last question. I-I...I've never really given it any thought before."

Professor Fox nodded thoughtfully. "Ah. I see." He pulled out his chair and motioned to the one before his desk. "You will forgive me Ms. Arbon, but I'm rather tired, and I think you'll find the older one gets, the sadder one's physique gets. Now then.... The last problem..." He set his glasses down and reached into a nearby drawer, pulling out some parchment. "Ah. Yes, I see the problem." Giving Erica a thoughtful look again he said, "Well Ms. Arbon. You are only a third year, so you have plenty of time to decide. But, what do you enjoy doing is the real question?"

Erica nodded and took the seat that the professor motioned to as the conversation continued. Errr...., she thought to herself. What was she good at? Scrambling her brains for anything, she came up sadly short. Was there anything that she really did enjoy doing in the school? How could she really know what anything was, most of it being taught by the Ministry, and pitifully at that.

"Well, professor, see the thing is, I don't really know. You see, I'm a muggleborn and still trying to find my way around the Wizarding world, let alone trying to figure out a prospective job in it. That and I don't have a very good grasp on a lot of these subjects because of..."

She hesitated at this point. Bashing the Ministry officials in the presense of one of their own was not a good idea. Especially not one who lectured her on that exact same topic in detention.

"...because of the circumstances of the last term and a half. I'm honestly at a loss as to how to answer your question entirely."

She found it bizarre and strange that she was coming to Professor Fox, for what sounded like, career advice. She sighed and squirmed in her seat, waiting for a response.

Professor Fox seemed to almost brighten, though he still gave off his as always standoffish demeanor. "I see, I see, I see. Well, I will simply note that you have clearly learned from your previous mistake. A trait I think you'll find I find as admirable as any. I think that merits... Oh, one house point for Hufflepuff," he said, waving his wand briefly. "There are numerous jobs in the magical world at your fingertips Ms. Arbon. If I may say so, in my opinion you seem to have a natural talent for Arithmancy. Your questions in class were certainly well thought out. I think you'll find much of research and curse and code breaking is simply asking questions and learning from your mistakes." He leaned back in his chair, letting out a tired sigh, "However. As I am not you, I certainly cannot speak for you. So, I would suggest that what you do is enjoy your third year here at Hogwarts, and keep taking the courses you enjoy until you decide what you would like to do. Also, I might add that there is nothing to prevent you from taking jobs in the non-wizarding world. Why, my brother Merlin is a cook, if you can believe that." He gave a funny look, as if the memory of having eaten something that didn't sit right came to him. "At any rate, for now, 'I don't know for certain quite yet' is a perfectly acceptable answer. I hope that answered your question. I know I have a tendency to drone on."

Erica's eyes looked skeptically at Fox while he did his grandoise display of giving Hufflepuff one single point. For reasons unknown, that little action irked her. She almost wanted to snap back and say something sarcastic just to spite him. It took all of her inner strength to hold it in and listen to everything else the professor had to say.

Erica's eyes shot up with surprise as she sat stunned in her seat as Fox continued. The professor's words about her having a natural talent in Arithmancy was the biggest surprise out of him yet. It was one that she was not expecting as she felt she did poorly in that first class, but she took the mental note down to check more throughly in a career concerning curse breaking. It sounded interesting to her anyway.

"Really? A natural talent? I wouldn't have thought so. I mean, I thought the questions I asked were stupid. Nadia's were smart and in depth and informative, but mine, well, I didn't think so. As for a job outside of the Wizarding world, I couldn't even imagine wanting one now that I've seen what I've seen and learned what I have. It would just feel unnatural to me to give all this up and go back to a life like that. I do know that's not what I want."

Pulling her bag open, Erica pulled out a quill and ink bottle and hurriedly noted down everything on the homework parchment still in her hand. She'd rewrite everything in her Common Room before turning it in. Smiling, she replaced everything back in her bag and stood up, ready to leave.

"Yes, Professor. Thank you. You've answered my question and then some. I'm glad we were able to talk without getting into an argument for once."

She turned from the desk and was almost out of the door when one last question seized her curiousity. She hurriedly turned back to Fox.

"Um, I do have one more question, Professor. Just out of curiousity, what made you want to come to Hogwarts and teach? What told you that this was your calling in life?"

"And oh, I was born here. But true, I should have..." Diana trailed off. "But nevermind, I should get to my duties. See you class." She bowed out as she left the office.