Cela ducked her head under the table in consternation. "Chocolate." she repeated with a bright smile, "It's like good for dementors... and teenage angst." she added helpfully.

Kazimeriz came to a stop where the student sat crying and stooped down, leaning heavily on his cane, peering at her. "It seems dreadfully uncomfortable down there. Are you almost finished?"

"Ah... Helping your fellow housemate, how kind." he raised an eyebrow. "Rest assured your behavior will... knot go unnoticed... whether or not it appears to go over without a hitch." He smiled at her, knowing that she would catch his double meaning.

Mariel grinned at Lyra. Who knew she could be so sneaky. "That's actually a pretty decent broom. A newer model than the one I've got. Good luck, I hope you make the team. But I'll tell you, competition is pretty fierce especially for Ravenclaw." She knew that from experience and from watching the other teams' try outs. Leaning closer, she said quietly, "Just don't let Vindictus find out you brought that."
Oh his reaction was priceless. Mariel was doubled over with laughter. "I suppose..." she managed between gales of laughter, "that there... are.. people on.. smaller islands too... that haven't seen... the ocean." Finally calming down, she added, "I suppose I'm not that sheltered. I have been to the beach... You're just too funny, Nathaniel."

"Dresden Dolls, huh?" she said eyeing his shirt curiously. "Dresden is in Germany, yet they're from the States... curious," she mused aloud. "Well, you'll have to let me listen to them sometime. I love all sorts of music."

Mariel leaned back in her seat only to have her foot kick something. Something large. Curiously peering under the table, she noticed an older girl sitting there, crying. "Are you alright?" she asked. Normally Mariel shied away from all sorts of crying, but a girl hiding under the table made her concerned. Looking past her, she also noticed another face peering under the table, but this one had sweets. "Is that chocolate?" Mariel, eyes wide as saucers, asked the face. Chocolate was only second best to lemondrops.

Lyra turned to Lasca and whispered to her, "Are you going to try out for Quidditch...with your own broom?"

one of the few things that really spoke to her soul....

'Chocolate!'

Qaz crawled out from under the table...still trying to hide under her robe...

'That's always good for my soul...thanks!' she glowed, taking the offered chocolate.

'As a 6th, I should behave better, but this has been one weird opening feast....'

then Qaz turned and saw the Professor that was there.....OMG.....

Tobi glared at Cale but said nothing. He decided to instead concentrate on his dinner, which had no rhyme or reason to it - on his plate was both his main course and his desert. the fact that he had attacked a piece of blueberry pie before finishing his roast pork was a sign that he was NOT in a good mood.

"I recommend you try the roast Pork," Tobi leaned back to advise his fellow 7th year. "And the sweet potatoes, they're first rate."

Yes, a conversation about food. This is how the opening feast was supposed to go. I mean really there were far more interesting things to talk about, like for instance, the fact that there were Ghosts in the castle for the first time in, oh, say 70 years...

Or the fact that Celadine, that crazy third year he had met on the train, was under the table trying to feed a very distraught Qaz some chocolate - oh look they both just popped up like gophers.

Man Qaz looks freaked... Is the new DADA Professor THAT bad?

Nathaniel was still red after being embarrassed by Mariel. He looked at her and chuckled. :You got me Mariel. Good job. I'll have to be on my toes around you from now on.." he trailed off. He highly doubted that she'd like The Dresden Dolls. They were a rather alternative band... "Sure. I'll let you listen to them" he smiled. "Do you like the beach?"

Qaz stammered....'Umph, oh yes sir, Professor sir....I'm certainly finished with, well, without, I mean, yes, sir'

Cela turned and plastered on her best Nicholai-super-slytherin-mask. She lifted her chin as the most distinguished professor she had seen in her life addressed her, his meaning unmistakeable.

"I'll always help those that need helping, Sir." she paused, "And I won't forget my..." Cela paused, "P...lace." Cela traced a figure eight on the table with her finger. She waited a split second and stood up to introduce herself, "I'm Celandine Toussaint, 3rd Year."

Cela turned slightly and offered up a selection of chocolate and Candy with a smile.

"Thats okay." Cela answered happily, "Really, most sixth years do strange things. I know because my brother and Will were sixth years last term." Cela answered seriously, offering another smile before turning her attention back to Kazimeriz.

Qaz caught something in her ear about 6th years and wills....not quite sure....

She took a deep breath and said, 'I'm so sorry Professor...you caught me off guard. My name is Qaz Windsong. I heard the introduction of the new Professors, but it was too bad that they didn't say who was who...which one might you be???'

Qaz knew that she sounded like a kiss-up as soon as she said it, but it was too late now....

Mariel pulled her head out from under the table as the other two came out. Her eyes grew wide as an elderly man, one that she assumed was a new professor, addressed them both somewhat curtly. Doing her best to keep an eye on the events unfolding in front of her, she turned to the girl with the sweets. Raising an eyebrow at the large selection the girl possessed, Mariel took a small piece of chocolate. Returning her smile, she said, "Thanks, I haven't had any chocolate in two days." Which was an eternity to the young girl.
Glancing over quickly at Nathaniel, she gave hima small smile. Although his reaction had been plain hilarious, her curiosity over the new professor at their table immediately silenced her laughter. "Yes, I do love the beach," she answered him. 'When I can get there, that is." Her father rarely wanted to go and she wasn't allowed to go alone. Hopefully that would change next summer since she would be older.

Nathaniel pushed his plate away and pulled out his iPod from his backpack. Dare he ask Mariel if she knew what it was? "Got the hots for the new Professor Mariel?" he asked with a grin and a giggle. "And when you go to the beach what is your favorite thing to do? Please don't tell me you just lay out and tan.". He hated those girls that just laid out all day and tanned and did nothing else.What a waste of going to the beach.. or so he thought. "Any idea when this Feast is going to be over? I'm so tired. I only got back home the night before coming here." he said as he yawned.

"I am glad to hear it. Kindly see to it that your backside remains on the Ravenclaw bench where it belongs for the duration of this feast, so we shall have no further reason for outbursts of emotion."


Kazimeriz turned to face the two first years who had brought brooms. "The rules clearly state that first years are not allowed brooms. Ten points from each of you (ooc: Riverlynn, potterhead23) for blatant violations of rules, and you are both to turn your brooms in to the Quidditch official by dawn or face further ramifications." He said sternly, turning to Mariel. "And fifteen points from you for encouraging your housemates to conspire against a professor and break school rules." He glared at her, then returned his gaze to Celadine and Qaz.

His face broke out into a huge, genuine smile, easily tripling the number of wrinkles on it, at her play on words and the fact that she did in fact possess a mind sharp enough to catch his meaning. Finally a student who showed some promise. "Enchanted, Miss Toussaint. Enchanted." He bowed to her, and then offered a small nod to acknowledge Qaz as well. "I am Professor Kazimeriz, your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. I trust I shall be seeing you both in my class. And that I shall be seeing no further outbursts from you, Miss Windsong." he said with a raise of eyebrow.

He turned back to the first years, his face resuming a stern, creepy, expression. "Brooms by dawn. I will be checking to see that they have been surrendered and I assure you, you do not want to face my displeasure."

Cela lifted her chin as points were taken away from her housemates, not saying a word on the matter. She'd earn 'em aaaaall back. She had last term to make up for after all.

Cela actually blushed as Professor Kazimeriz bowed to her, but kept her wits about her enough to offer a small curtsey in return, "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir." she paused and her eyes widened hopefully, "Oh I'll be there; do you offer extra tutoring in dueling? My brother was supposed to show me things this year." Cela frowned slightly and watched in fascination at the expression on his face as he talked to the first years.

Sophia sees Nate over at the Ravenclaw table and hurries over to visit with him. "Nate!!! Sophia called. "How are you!? How were your holidays?" Sophia hugged his neck and kissed his cheek.

Nathaniel saw Sophia and smiled. They hadn't seen much of each other over the holidays since he was traveling. He'd brought back some gifts from his travelings for her. "They were awesome...yours?". He scooted over so Sophia could sit down. "Sophia.. have you met Mariel? She's a second year as well. And really cool... despite the fact that she embarrassed the mess out of me". He smiled at her. Oh how he had missed his Sophia.

"Perhaps arrangements could be made. I do also allow opportunities for open studio dueling in the arena, which many find to be most enlightening." He leaned on his cane, shifting his weight. His bad hip was beginning to ache. "Would you be so kind as to see an old man back to the staff table?" He offered her his free arm (the one not leaning on his cane).

"Mine were ok, but I didn't travel as much as you did. I just stayed in town and, well, you know me... partied a little. Ok, well, a little is an understatement." Sophia said, laughing at herself. "We may have met last year, but I can't remember. How are you, Mariel?" Sophia shakes Mariel's hand and puts an arm around Nate's waist. "Embarrassed, you!? Never..." Sophia laughed at Nate. "What did you do, Mariel!? Good job." Sophia winked at Mariel.

"Oh that would be so... awesome!" Cela enthused, barely containing her bouncing, "Yes, Sir, certainly." she paused, took off her shoes and placed them neatly under her seat before taking his arm. Deciding to explain as she led him to the staff table Cela spoke in an earnest voice, "I glisseo charmed my shoes so I can skate around and get to classes fast and," she lowered her voice and admitted, "sometimes just skate around the corridors for funsies. So just incase, I thought I'd take them off so I don't accidently slip and knock you down Professor, even though there are sticking charms too; you can never be too careful."

Kazimeriz smiled again. "Very thoughtful, dear. My brittle hip is grateful, as am I. Your charm is clever, but there is the issue of safety and abiding by the rules. Though to my recollection, there are no rules against glisseo-charmed shoes at this facility..." He paused, considering. "Still, safety is of course paramount. Please let my warning glide through your thoughts before you use these shoes in my presence." Oh, but she reminded him of his own Penelope... and of Alessia, of course. He sloooowly shuffled back toward the table, allowing her to lead him and then stepping gently back up on the dias. He turned to face her. "Ten points... to Ravenclaw. Five for your focus on academics, and five for being both considerate and respectful. Thank you, dear." He turned and walked toward his seat again.

Nathaniel sighed "Oh,Sophia,you're so funny! We have to make up for the lost summer." he said as he smiled at her. "Did you miss me..hmm?" he giggled. "I have presents for you..later. Don't want to be rude. Oh and I brought Vincent instead of the owl this year" he took a sip from of pumpkin juice from his goblet. He didn't know how much PDA they'd get away with the staff..

Elizabeth closed her eyes for a second as Robert apologized for his comment about Bella, feeling even more mortified that he had fallen for her look. The comment hadn't really hurt, since she knew her cat adored her. Usually. When she didn't force her to be places she didn't want to be. "I know . . .," she said faintly as he assured her it had been a joke. "You don't need to apologize for it."

She reopened her eyes, determined to at least make a better show of eating, and shoved the bread pile over to one side of her plate to add some roasted chicken to her plate. Taking a bite, she swallowed before replying to his comment. "I wasn't bored. Maybe a bit overwhelmed by everything, but you have to admit this is all pretty weird." She trailed off as she saw Robert watching Mari from across the table, and snuck a peek to see her friend was talking to a Slytherin that she vaguely thought she'd seen before but never actually met. And then Robert stood up and looped around the table to go over to Mari and the boy, so she quickly took a sip of her pumpkin juice to disguise the fact she'd been watching.

Glancing over at Ludo, she saw he was pushing his food around too, and realized he'd been pretty much silent since the introduction between him and Robert. feeling horrible at the thought of being seen as ignoring him, she tilted her head to try and catch his eye. "Not hungry anymore?," she asked gently, before changing the subject. "So, what're you looking forward to now that we're at Hogwarts?" It was a stupid question, but she had no idea what else to ask. Especially since she still had one ear tuned into the discussion from across the table.

When she heard the Slytherin excuse himself to go back to his own table, she found her head turning slightly to watch as he left, noting the expressions on both Mari's and Robert's faces, then leaned over toward Ludo again slightly. "Do you know who that boy is?," she asked in a whisper, "Cause he seems to have said or done something to disturb Mari and Robert."

But then she heard an argument erupt between the two others, and before she could even get a response from Ludo, Robert had stormed back over. At his question, she shook her head minutely, suddenly feeling like she wasn't hungry anymore. "I don't . . . think . . . that would be . . . a very good idea," she said haltingly, still watching Mari and feeling like somehow she had been part of the reason for their fight and wanting to disappear for a while.

Vaguely, she realized Mari had returned to sit by Ludo, evidently determined to pretend Robert, at least, didn't exist, and she registered the question her friend had asked. Hoping the anger didn't extend to herself, she leaned over again, still ignoring the food she had been so determined to eat earlier. "Well, since I'm the one to have started this whole discussion about Professor Truebridge, I want to say something. I don't know that he retired from acting just to come here and teach. I don't think he's actually done any acting for years now." She paused, feeling completely surreal, and her voice grew steadily quieter. "At least, I haven't seen anything about him acting lately . . ." As she trailed off again, she turned back to stare at her plate.

"Of course I missed you! You shouldn't have gotten me any presents, you know. Its just not fair that you got to go to all of those places. Just the postcards you sent me were enough!!" Sophia squealed at the mention of Vincent. "He's such a cutie, my favorite cat indeed!!!"

Nathaniel blushed. "Anyways. What all did you do? Besides tan.." he said winking at her. "Did you see my mum at all? I've not seen her or the twins. How is your family". He smiled. "I am so darn tired.". He looked at his reflection in the spoon to make sure he looked good.

"I haven't tanned that much!!" Sophia gasped, laughing. "I just hung out with all our muggle friends, mostly. Good fun. I saw her some over the summer, but only in random places." Sophia wondered why Nate was so tired, and laughed at his vanity when she caught him checking his reflection.