Ewww, History of Magic. She tried to gauge him when he pointed out that she was a Slytherin. Did he like Slytherins? She was so into figuring that out that she almost missed his comment about Slytherin losing points. Almost. "What?! We lost points?! Already?!" Oops. That was a bit loud. She couldn't help it though. What had they done? "Sorry, Sir", she said quickly, lest she loose points for being unruly at the staff table. "Would you happen to know what exactly we lost points for?"

"Oh apology accepted and so on and so forth." Ethan murmured, waving his hand in absent dismissal.

Truebridge cast a look at Professor Kazimeriz sitting beside him, " Ah I believe it was 'for sucking up; both blatant and most unbecoming a Slytherin', was it not, Professor Kazimeriz?" Ethan repeated the words almost verbatim as he smiled as politely as possible at the professor who still terrorised his dreams before turning back to Camira.

"Gryffindor lost points too." He observed, wondering if that would make the girl feel any better. "For bribing professors." Where was a Hufflepuff and a Ravenclaw for Kazimeriz target practice when Truebridge wanted attention drawn away from himself? Hmmm.

After having taken her seat, Alessia watched everyone quietly. There were a lot of students that came to the staff table... and Papa Valon wasn't too pleased with them, obviously... there was some... teaching assistant... girl? Odd...

She looked up to the headmaster and smiled. He put her at ease. She reached over and poured herself a glass of pumpkin juice. She turned to the headmaster and lifted the pitcher, as if to offer him some.

Ella lips stretched with a mischievous smile as the woman looked stunning, seeing her. Was she afraid of me? or afraid to get mess up with her..hair again? Yes..It seems, but not entirely. Long, blood red..springy hair. Aw...it's not suitable to you honourable professor. You looked better in green.

"You're welcome...professor..er..umm.." banana head? green pea? .."You have nice hair color..by the way.." Sarcasm. She took a step forward, hands closed on her sides, intact.. " I'm Ella Stone..final year ..." she beamed, "May I know about our next destination?" smiling at her, enjoying her nervous look

Hannah Leigh walked up to greet the professers, something she hadn't done since her first year. Professor Kazimeriz looked somewhat cross. Oh well.
"Hello! I'm Hannah Leigh James, if you don't remember me. But there are so many students!" she laughed. "About six thousand, I heard. I'm glad this year I can take more classes, I'm a third year."

Despite having to use stern looks to keep Max in check with the lady staff members, Macadrian's pleasant mood was undampened by any of the conflict around her. Of course, if she'd been at the other end of the table to hear how unfairly Professor Kazimeriz was treating the students, she probably would have flown off the handle and put him in his plce, right along side Alex. But alas, she was so oblivious to anything but her own good fortune that she didn't notice. While keeping her eye on the Hufflepuff table, Macadrian heard a familiar voice beside her.

With a large grin erupting on her face, "Anna, so good to see you! No need to worry. I'm feeling much much better than I was last term and certainly better than the last of our meetings." Macadrian quickly reflected on how Anna had to suffer through seeing Macadrian slip into a comatose state, all because of this cursed illness that she was suffering. Well, at least there was much less suffering now, even if there wasn't yet a cure.

"Thank you so very very much for everything you did last term. If you hadn't been there in my office and gone to get help, I might not be here right now. Because of your help, I was able to get myself into Mungo's for treatment and some testing to further the search for a cure. We've made great strides, though admittedly there is no cure yet. But we're working on it and they've come up with an advanced treatment which keeps my blood sugar much more stable than it has been in some time. So, in short, I'm doing very well. And I'd love to hear how your holidays were. Why don't you stop by my office when you get a chance soon and you can fill me in?"
Hearing a familiar voice, Macadrian turned her head to lay her eyes on Fabian's neice. It was odd having someone in Fabian's family here without Fabian being present. Not unpleasant by any means, but still odd. "Good evening, Lyra. Looking forward to a new term?"


Professor Shackleton heard a young voice asking for the Hufflepuff Head of House. Macadrian addressed him, "I am the Hufflepuff Head of House. Professor Macadrian Shackleton. Is there anything I can help you with, dear?"

As Hannah Leigh waited for a teacher to respond, she held her new wand absentminfully. Hoping to conjure up something for the teachers, (She liked letting them know there appreciated) she flicked her wand hoping for a bouquet of roses.
Instead, there was a small silence for a second then, SPLASH! All of the teachers golbets came flying over and the teacher's respective drinks spilled! Hannah Leigh stood with her mouth open.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" she squeaked quickly. She tried to remember a spell that would clean the bevarages up, but nothing came. All she could do was look while her cheeks were burning a bright crimson.
"I'm so sorry!" she murmured again.

She was quickly taken up in conversation by others so, Rey merely noted her haggard appearance and gave her a grin before turning his attention back to Less

"I'm looking forward to it," he grinned and let his attention wander as she turned to converse with the ancient Mr. K.

"It's a fantastic likeness," Rey smiled at the by who had given them each a model. Mr. K was overly harsh with the boy, but Rey was pleased with the gift. "Thanks!"

Professor Bontecou leaned forward and motioned to the boy. "Don't worry about it," he winked and then sent him back to his table.

"What's that? Teaching assistant?" Rey asked confused. He was fairly certain he'd remember hiring a teaching assistant.

"Thanks, I'm parched and need to wet my whistle before the big speech," he grinned and pushed his goblet toward her.

Rey burst out laughing as he was completely soaked by the goblet which hadn't even been poured, yet. "WHOOPS!" he shouted and laughed some more. One wave of his wand corrected the student's error. "Better head back to the table. And remember, it's the thought that counts," he winked, still laughing.

Angela's eyes widened slightly as Alex and the much older professor began quite the heated argument. Oh my. She had to admit that it was very petty of him to act as though the rest of the staff were children and he had the responsibility to lord over them all. Even if it was obvious that he had more experience...much, much more experience, he certainly needed a class or two on respecting other people.

With a frown at the snatching of 5 points away from Anna, Angela clasped her hands together, her lips tightening into a line. Was this really going to turn into a house point fiasco at the staff table?

Apparently so, as Alex returned five points to Anna for helping a young Gryffindor back to the table.

Leaning close to Alex, Angela was on the verge of suggesting that they speak together later and that ignoring Kazimeriz would probably be the best action for now; but was stopped as she felt liquid splash onto her robes.

With a quiet gasp of surprise, she looked down, looked forward at her overturned goblet and then looked down again at the Ravenclaw standing nearby, her cheeks burning with shame.

With a wave of her own wand, Kohan cleaned up the mess from her robes and off the table. "It's fine dear." She remarked with a slight smile. "Accidents happen. Don't worry about it."

"Thank you for forgiving me,I'm sorry." Hannah smiled. She glanced at the other proffesers, and no one looked too mad, so Hannah returned. "Oops..."she muttered, embarrassed.

Iliana was sitting quietly, looking out over the Gryffindor table, reminiscing about the day her little twin sisters had started at Hogwarts. Oh how nervous they were that day. The thought brought a smile to her lips and she imagined there were probably a great many nervous students gathered in the Great Hall today. Bless them all.

Quite suddenly a splash of icy cold water brought her out of her daydreams. "OH!" she gasped, looking down at her newly soaked robes. She looked up and saw a young girl standing before her with look of horror in her eyes. Well here's one of the nervous dears now, she thought producing her wand from within her robes and giving it a quick wave to dry herself off. She smiled down affectionately at the Ravenclaw and said, "Don't worry yourself for a moment. It happens to the best of us. Though....maybe you should just put your wand away for awhile?" She added with a wink. "Just to be safe."

Just as Anna had turned to leave for her own house table once again, Professor Shackleton finally finished her previous conversation and took notice of her. Anna patted Chris on the back and whispered for him to just stay put a few moments longer. Poor Chris. He probably felt horrible for losing Gryffindor five points so quickly into the school year. Anna would have to talk to him later on and assure him that he would have many more opportunities to make up for the loss.

Anna smiled warmly and approached Professor Shackleton once again. Anna quickly eyed the grandfather's great-grandfather man. Surely he wouldn't deduct more house points for Anna addressing a professor who'd just addressed her? She hoped not. Five points was five too many, thank you very much.

"It's so good to see you, as well!" Anna exclaimed. "I've been so worried about you. I've asked around, but no one seemed to know anything about you. It's good to see you here today and looking better than ever!" Anna smiled when the professor let her know that she'd helped save her life. That moment ranked right up there with one of Anna's proudest moments. Anna nodded and contined to smile as Professor Shackleton gave her a quick update on her condition. "That great news, Professor! I'll be sure and drop by your office just as soon as we've both had a chance to get settled in once again. I've got lots to tell you!" Anna smiled once again and then added, "Have a great feast!"

As Anna turned to leave for what must have been the fourth or fifth time, she overheard her Potions professor, (who, from what little bit she'd gathered, was the new headmaster,) questioning the entire teaching assistant talk. Anna winced and threw head back slightly in defeat. How on Earth had this blasted "teaching assistant" rumor gotten started? Ugh. Anna looked up at Professor Truebridge and narrowed her eyes only slightly. Even though Anna wasn't completely a hundred percent sure how the rumor had gotten started, she was nearly a hundred percent sure. In the end, she'd have no one to blame but herself. Anna gave the professor/possible headmaster an apologetic smile and then headed off to join Chris once again.

Hannah smiled at the proffeser. Was she new? Hannah didn't remember her from last year. Of course, Hannah didn't remember a lot from last year except for spells and lessons.
"Thank you, proffeser." she said and turned around to leave.

"You didn't know about a teaching assistant?" She asked pouring him a glass.... the big speech... that would be exciting. She looked at the girl that was supposedly the teaching assistant and said. "Sweetheart? Who hired you?"

Professor Kazimeriz grinned openly in spite of her snappish commentary, which did not faze him at all. Typical Gryffindor-- the young lady was all sass and gumption... and in her haste to defend her house, she'd just handed him a weapon. This pleased the old gentleman greatly.

Professor Kazimeriz eyed the young Slytherin girl who announced herself. He said nothing, but merely peered at her intently.

"An accurate and astute assessment, Truebridge." Kazimeriz nodded to the young man at his side, still never taking his eyes off Camira. "If you were twenty years younger I would award your house 5 points. Alas."

Professor Kazimeriz scoffed inwardly. Of course he didn't remember her, he was also new to the school... and her estimate of the student body was grossly overstated. He nodded in greeting to her, but made a mental note that perhaps Hannah James was not to be one of his brighter students, and should possibly be kept away from sharp objects like quills and wands.

As he had suspected. He pulled his wand out quickly and dispatched the spilled liquid off his area of the table before it could spill onto him. Were there no bright, talented students in this school anymore? He sighed in dismay. Perhaps returning to academia was a mistake.

Anna shrugged and shook her head, still as confused as ever. She had honestly no clue how the whole teaching assistant rumor got started. "Nobody did, Professor. I'm honestly not sure where the confusion came in, myself," she truthfully answered. She eyed Professor Truebridge once again. She'd never told him she was a teaching assistant at Hogwarts. She'd told him she was a researcher at a local university. If he was responsible for people thinking she was some assistant, it was because he'd come up with that little idea all on his own.

Reese walked up to the staff table an glanced at all the teachers.She really wanted to meet some of the new Professors before the year started.She walked up to one of the Professors that was talking to a Ravenclaw.She put on a smile and said,"Hello Professor.I'm Reese Northway.I just wanted to take the time to welcome our new Professors."

"Sweetheart," she smiled at her and stood from the table, she made her way around the professors and took the girl under her arm. "How old are you... You're what? 5th? 6th?" She said with a smile. She turned to the History professor and said "Professor..." what had they called him? She couldn't remember, "Where did you hear the child was employed here?"

Anna's eyes widened as she noticed that this new Professor---whoever she may be---was heading down from the staff table and straight towards her. Anna winced, wishing she could just head back to her house table and hide their forever. She'd never once told anyone she was a Hogwarts employee, and she honestly had no idea why anyone seemed to think that. "I'll be seventeen in two weeks. I'm a sixth year," she said. Wishing she had an Invisibility Cloak, Anna winced once again as the woman addressed Professor Truebridge. Her face emotionless, Anna looked up at Professor Truebridge, staring into his eyes. He'd tell her the truth, wouldn't he? He'd tell her that Anna never said she was an assistant, right? ...and if that story about Diagon Alley came out, he'd tell her that Anna had no clue he was a professor, right?

Rey laughed at the whole fiasco and sipped his pumpkin juice. "You know, it doesn't really matter," he added to no one in particular before downing the rest in one gulp. He placed he cup down, pressed his palms to the table and stood up.

Professor Bontecou rubbed the bridge of his nose, bumping his glasses up to his forehead a few times in the process. He settled he dirty things back ino place and cleared his throat. When that clearly wasn't going to do it, he tapped his glass with a spoon for attention. Then, he cleared his throat again. "Well, here we are again or for the first time, I guess, if you're a new student," he grinned. "I'm Professor Reynard bontecou, potions master and recently appointed headmaster. I can only hope to be half the leader the great Cassandra Rae was and that you'll all bear with me as I become accustomed to my new role."

He was starting to babble and this wasn't going anywhere in the direction he'd practiced. Oops. Okay, kiddos are starving and now his stomach was gumbling, too so he'd better make it quick. "So, well, I guess now's the time I welcome all the returning professors and the new ones as well. We've got quite the line up this term with Miss Lupa for Runes, Ian Ashby for Charms, Mr. Truebridge filling the crazy shoes of Professor Lainey," he began and then started getting off track again. He really needed to stop fan boying over Rae and Lainey. He cleared his throat again, "Iliana Morgan as Care of Magical Creatures teacher, Anastasia Bunbury in herbology, the venerated and esteemed Professor Kazimeriz as defense teacher, and last, but certainly not least, the lovely Meredith Brooks-Byron manning... well, womanning, the infirmary."

"Well, I guess that's it for introductions. I look forward to a productive term and enjoy the food!" he finished up his speech with a wild flourish of a hand gesture and then sat down feeling like an idiot, but beaming and quite pleased and amused anyway.

"Well, that's that," he said, speaking to his now full plate

"Hufflepuff, ah, the best house that exists," Anastasia commented with a grin, not a bit of bias coloring her tone. "It was nice meeting you as well; I hope to see you in the greenhouses," she added, nodding as the fashionista excused herself from the table. There, now Annie could say she had met one nice, polite teenager. Perhaps there were more out there, more students like Lyra Noir? Smart and snazzy dressers? She could always hope.

Speaking of hope, there was another Slytherin clearly hoping to earn some brownie points or something. Tut tut, Annie thought, eying the girl up and down before tilting her head in some form of approval.

"Greetings," she addressed the girl at last. "I'm Professor Bunbury, Herbology." She nodded briefly at the girl and then turned as the one from Diagon Alley started speaking again.

Hmm, perhaps Anastasia had misjudged this one at first? Not entirely, of course, because she was never wrong....but this girl did just compliment Annie, and she was never one to shy away from the limelight.

"Thank you, Ms. Stone," Annie simpered, flicking her hair over her shoulder. She was starting to relax at Hogwarts already. "I'm afraid I don't know what you mean by destination, dear." She blinked at the girl quizzically. "I suppose after the feast you would head back to your common room, of course, if that's what you mean by destination....surely you would know that as a--" How old did she say she was, again? "--as a seventh year." Annie smirked and without waiting for the girl to answer, picked up her fork again to charm it clean.

Still being as sneaky as possible, Annie tapped her fork with the tip of her wand and grinned as it sparkled brighter than Ethan's now.

"Hmm, you would know," she muttered to his side comment. Why, look at that fork though! Annie simply had to hold it up to the light to admire her reflection in it. As gorgeous as possible, of course.

Still admiring her reflection, Anastasia was so absorbed in herself that she didn't even notice the little Ravenclaw babbling at them - until and ice cold splash of water landed on her lap.

"UGH!" Annie exclaimed, trying to back out of her chair - she didn't get far though, and when she felt a slight tug around her ankles, she just sat still instead. "Messy...little...brats...." she growled to herself, quickly whipping out her wand to vanish the water away. She would have reprimanded the girl more sternly if she hadn't left the table already. Hmmph. That one would probably knock over half of her potted plants in the greenhouse if she ever attended Herbology lessons...grr.

Once the mess was all dried up, Annie sat up again and listened carefully to Reynard's speech. He was another somewhat, ah, goofy one - but very nice at least. And quite the talented potion maker. Annie waited for him to finish his speech and then applauded politely, smiling of course when her name was mentioned.

"I'm sure you'll make an excellent Headmaster," she had to mention, leaning down the table a bit to smile at Rey. She made a mental note to stop by his potions cupboard sometime....just to chat, of course, and perhaps getting to know her ah, boss better wouldn't be such a bad idea...

Ethan merely shifted in his seat, nodding once. He didn't notice the drinks spilt everywhere since by the time his attention was diverted from scary memories, it had been cleaned up.

Ethan turned his head and regarded Anna with a straight face. Gryffindors were fun. That thought made him look toward the Gryffindor table. He hoped there were plenty of them taking his class.

"Hmmm?" Ethan turned his head as a woman approached with Anna in tow, "5th or 6th year hmm? My mistake." He tapped his chin thoughtfully, "Now I wonder where I got that impression from?" He offered a small smile to the woman, "Truebridge, History of Magic."

"Seventeen in two weeks! Well, quite grown up aren't you, Anna?" Truebridge offered up a crooked smile and nodded amiably, "I suppose I misheard, yes? I can't quite remember... it was that you wanted to be a researcher when you grew up, yes? It's a pity, I'm sure you would make an excellent teaching assistant. Gryffindors seem to like teaching." Ethan noted, though mollycoddling was more the word he was thinking. Slowly he took off his shades and offered a wink to Anna. No hard feelings.

"I hope to see you front and centre in my classes, Anna." Truebridge added, replacing his sunglasse and turning his head inquisitively as the headmaster began to speak.

Truebridge nodded politely out at the students who were listening to the speech, before stretching and eyeing up his food again. Hmmm. Mashed potatoes.

"What was that?" Ethan turned his head and smiled pleasantly, "I would know, wouldn't I?" he agreed. Lucky he and Bunbury were wearing shades or the shine from that fork would be positively blinding. Hmmm. Mashed potatoes.

Antonio looked around the staff table at all the new professors and staff who had joined them for this term. Many of the staff from the last term had left and while he would miss them, he welcomed the opportunity to meet and work with new people, as well. This term was starting out great already, after all he already had his daughter back with him, things were bound to work out for him. He turned and smiled at all his fellow staff and raised a hand in greeting.

He then took a look around at all the students in the Great Hall, many of whom he knew and recognized. He wondered if they were ready for what he had planned for them this term, how they would enjoy it. Hopefully it was going to be a fun experience for them, as well.

Blatant sucking up? That was against school rules now? Of course she didn't approve of such tactics, but was a personal disdain for a person's character really grounds for point loss? Apparently the new professors thought so. Great. "Ah. lovely", she said dryly, the disdain still clear on her face.

And wha? Gryffindor lost points for bribery? Unbelievable. Okay, true, she was pleased that Gryffindor lost points, but she had a feeling that the staff was grossly misinterpreting the actions of the students. Which was not good. Though she wasn't going to say anything about it. She was not going to be responsible for losing more points for Slytherin.

She turned to look at the professor who seemed to have some uncontrollable impulse to take points. Hmmm...he looked like the type. And he was staring at her too. What was up with that? "And you teach what, exactly", she asked, finally speaking to him. Truth be told, she was a bit nervous. He seemed the type who would take points for asking a question...or anything really.

And now she was being eyed by some other new professor. Really, how they'd been managed to get hired when they clearly had some ogling issues to resolve first was beyond her. Ooooh, but Herbology! "Oooh, Herbology. I was wondering who was going to take over. What are we learning this term? I've really been hoping to go into the physiological significance of the plants' principal metabolic systems and how magical plants differ in that way from muggle plants", she said enthusiastically. Herbology was almost as great as potions.

After she finished talking, she quickly cast a wary look at Professor Kazimeriz. That was not a suck up attempt and he had better not treat it as such.

Anastasia had stopped admiring her fork and started using it, digging into some delicious-looking asparagus. She chuckled and shook her head at Ethan.

"Do you always answer a question with a question?" She asked curiously, not really caring whether he answered or not. But every lady knew how to continue a conversation. Duh.

"Yes, Herbology is simply the best subject out there," Anastasia declared proudly, sticking her nose up in the air just a bit. "We're learning, ah, a lot this term," she said slowly, being careful not to reveal any of her lesson plans since none of her plans were really set in stone anyways.

But then the girl went on to actually mention something intelligent AND entirely accurate. How could she know that several of Annie's classes would revolve around contrasting Muggle and Magical Plants? "Two points to you for that bit of brilliance, Ms. Yaxley," Anastasia said brightly, beaming at the girl. Why look at that, Annie was surprising herself, just giving out points like that. "I hope to see you in the greenhouses this term, perhaps researching or experimenting if you so desire...." Or if you do know what you're talking about, at least.