Hufflepuffs. Ikenna Gevrik knew not of them.

His gaze slowly focused on the features of the student in front of him, who had to be one of the older ones if his height was any indication. His manners hardly seemed indicant of his age but from their first eye contact, Ikenna could sense troubled waters beneath the boy's confident veneer.

"Ikenna Gevrik, Special Security Liaison to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry."

One eyebrow slowly raised in question as Ikenna's gaze locked on Jake's. "And you are..?"

Hmm. A boy with one too many surnames?

That was a name Jake wasn't even going to attempt to repeat.

He didn't for ONCE consider that the man had any power pertaining to eye contact or whatever, even though he knew of legilimancy and the like... after all, why would he?

Jake's eyes hadn't been locked on the man's at first, but kind of darting around his face and stuff... he wasn't good with eye contact at all, and glanced over at Truebridge a couple of times as well, but once his they made eye contact he stuck with it as a matter of principle, no matter how much eye contact with anyone made Jake feel nervous and anxious.

"Jake," he responded simply, no physical indication of any emotions or difficulties or a need to put his sunglasses back on. He left out his surname.

But back to the matter at hand. "So... you're here as a member of security," Jake spoke, the statement just verging on a question. "Not as the deputy head?"

Jake glanced over at Vindictus, and then at Truebridge again, before looking back at... Ikea or whoever he was.

"Why do we need security?"

Kay, Zoe, Con, Ikenna Bo-benna
 

"Delightful," Tate responded without even glancing in that direction. What was he on about? Ghosts and eagles?

"Sent by the Ministry to be a glorified babysitter? Call it what you want... that's a Ministry employee. I'm not paying you and nothing I ask of you will direct you one way or the other."

Tate shoved back from the table a bit more violently than he intended and glanced at the professors who were chatting amicably. What was the matter with this lot? Didn't they care at all about what was going on in the world?

"Mr. Upstead, welcome back. I suggest you address our guest with a sir, just as you would with the rest of the staff."

Was it odd that he felt some relief knowing he had Ethan back at Hogwarts? Tate raised an eyebrow and nodded a greeting in the man's direction as he took a seat.

"Good to have you back with us, Ethan. I hope Annie is well."

Tate snorted a bit and studied the table top, refusing to make eye contact with anyone until he had collected himself. Nope. Not collecting himself any time soon.

"At your leave, Mr. Ikenna... can we proceed with the speech?"

"I am hurt, Ethan, that you would think I wouldn't mean it." She said to him... She'd meant it the first time.


"Is that what you are Mister Gevrik," She said with a smirk, pretending not to know the man. "And Master Morgan, is it? Now? Seems to have a good question." She said, "Why DO we need security...?"


"Oh, Headmaster, isn't that the way you came to Hogwarts? As a glorified babysitter?" She smiled at him, "Look where it got you..." She may have to watch her step around Truebridge, but Tate should be worried about his job around Ikenna...

Max overheard the stranger state his name to Jake and he turned slightly in his chair so that his back was towards the Ministry employee.

"Did he just say his name was Ikea Garlic?" he snickered in a low voice to Ethan but it was loud enough for only Tate and Lafay to overhear. "No wonder he's angry at the world."

Special Security Liason? Overhearing that, Ethan Truebridge frowned slightly.

Why, after so many years of trouble, was the ministry only JUST getting around to something like that? Especially since, at least to his knowledge, the past few terms had been relatively peaceful. Did this have something to do with the Quidditch Pitches?

He returned Jake's look calmly, but was curious to hear the man's answer too. Ethan sipped his water and nudged his sunglasses down again, relaxing into his chair.
"Yes. She's... she's well." Zan answered quietly. Hmm. Was it just him or was Gaellen Tate just a little put out by their 'security' guest?


Yeah he was getting just a touch better at reading the man.

"Hurt?" He glanced at Lafay. "I don't hurt anyone intentionally, Hecate."

But the Slytherin side of his brain pointed out that accidents, oh so unfortunately, happened.

Hmm? A glorified babysitter? She had a point there.

"Ike..." Ethan half murmured a repetition and thought about it seriously. No. he hadn't said that but...

"I like Garlic." Truebridge commented quietly, eyes flicking to Tate from behind his stunna shades.

Easy, man.

Perhaps the ones dressed in yellow were a nervous lot, Ikenna noted. They certainly weren't the 'brainy' group.

"Not just a member of security," he corrected Jake in a slow, warning tone. No, he was not the deputy headmaster either. Keep going, boy, you'll get there.

Now why did they need security? Gevrik didn't seem to blink or move his head yet he knew precisely who the Hufflepuff was looking toward, and that small movement made him smirk.

Ethan Alexander Truebridge would have his turn.

For now, he still had to deal with the less-mature children at the table. Surprisingly, they were the ones allowed to sit there.

"Tate," Ikenna would not give Gaellen 'Casey' Tate his respect until the man actually earned it. "is correct, Jake Upstead...Lawson...Morgan? Take a moment to think upon why Hogwarts might need an upgrade...or two...in security."

He finally turned his head to glare squarely at Tate's profile. "Mr. Gevrik, actually. I would appreciate it if you introduced me correctly." That would included NOT pronouncing his name as Garlic.

Vindictus.

Ikenna covered the sound of his chuckle with a fake cough. "Ah, hello again, Potions Mistress Lafay." His bitter expression was softening slightly as he looked from Hecate back toward Jake. Vindictus really was ageing if he thought he wouldn't be overhead by the Ghost.

"Since a few of you seem to be...confused at the moment, I think it would be best if everyone calmly returned to their seats and refrained from saying anything they will regret later."

He stood up next to Tate. "It's time for the speech."

"Thank you," Jake said simply, before adding with the slightest curiosity, "With all due respect, sir, I wouldn't address all the staff as 'sir'."

The boy looked to Lafay and then to Welton and then gave a glance at the other female staff, being genuinely sincere and NOT a smart alek.

Yet.

"It's Morgan," Jake nodded and spoke sharply. Did he really need reminding of the summer? Meanwhile, Jake looked back to Ikea for his answer.

He couldn't help it... it couldn't be helped. Jake grinned slightly and looked between Vindictus and Truebridge. He knew that Ikea's name wasn't really Ikea Garlic, but he actually got the joke, if it was a joke and not a simple mistake.

Truebridge's words were just the icing on the cake. Jake was glad the bloke was back... made him feel a lot better about Hogwarts. Safer, for sure.



"You didn't answer my question," Jake said quickly and without really thinking. He had no idea what was happening, the dude would need to spell it out... Jake did not understand tones of voice, even warning tones, and he didn't do reading between the lin-

WHAT THE WHAT?

He said his names. He KNEW his names. Jake hid the surprise but his mind suddenly raced with surprise, anger and some genuine sadness. He heard about the speech and took a step back, pushing his sunglasses back onto his eyes and sitting at the end of the Huffie table closest to the Staff Table.

He would get his answer, he supposed. But for now... he'd watch the man.

"Sir," Jake added under his breath to himself. Had to be 'polite', he supposed.

She smirked at the name. "I don't think he's angry... I think Mr. Gevrik has quite the smile." She said.

She turned to the man and then looked at Tate again, then back at the man... "No one told me we were having another tournament..." Why else would there be a french man here. "But it is nice to make your aquantance."

Really?

He was going there...

Fine.

"No. You do not." And dropped it there, now in her mind she was thinking of saying, You're the one who abandons ship and leaves the students who she was such a danger to at her mercy. She smirked.

She smiled at Ikenna. "Mr. Gevrik, welcome to Hogwarts. If there is anything I can do for you, please... let me know." She smiled. Maybe he was here because Ethan was back... he was an ex-convict...

"Morgan. Back to your seat, the Headmaster is giving his speech." She said pointing to the Hufflepuff table.

...Uh...huh. Lily smiled at Treyen. She had caught his slip up there, but he was a child, she would not be embarrassing him infront of the whole staff and, well, the whole school.

"Yes, we did. Miss Carlton and I, that is. I'm thinking about putting some of the pictures in the hospital." Pretty scenery was always a calming thing, and her Hawaii pictures would look fabulous with the "special" yellow walls, courtesy of Casey Tate. "Beautiful is definitely the right word."

Lily trailed her eyes to the newcomer, "Oh, did they now?" She laughed and nodded, "Well, they were right. I am, and it is lovely to meet you Mr. Smith."

Surely she didn't need to introduce herself.

Ellie smiled. Hawaii had always seemed lovely. She should go there. But apparently, she needed to get some gelato in Italy first.

Err....

Talk about a blow to the stomach. Really.

And Ellie had only just started to like Carlton. Well, she had always liked her, but she was starting to feel more..relaxed around her. And then she LEAVES.

"Please do," Send a letter, that is. Ellie couldn't send one to her herself. Reyn, however, was getting a letter as soon as she'd gotten to the common room.

It was enough? Treyen was right. Meanie professor wasn't worth that much energy.

And then Treyen made a rather odd comment to Moretti.

BAHAHA.

Ellie bit her lip to keep her from laughing out loud. Treyen was truly...a BOY. She eyed him a bit, too, kind of...shocked that he slipped. But it was FUNNY.

And she'd have to keep an eye on him.

Keep smirking, Lafay. The governors could keep her here, but they didn't have to keep her as Head of House or in the position she currently enjoyed.

"I guess we're all moving up into positions beyond our own expectations, Professor. I would ask you to mind your house and not my business, though." They typically required more attention than he did from the woman.

"Well. Send her my love. And Cari's." That should get the woman's dander up, even if it was well intentioned. She didn't want love or anything else from Caroline.

"And... keep your eyes open. Join Max and I for drinks later."

"I think my point was made, Mr. Upstead, regardless of semantics. But you're being unaccountably rude, and now it is time to return to your seat. I'm sure you are free to visit me after the feast if required."

"Excellent advice, Mister Gevrik," Tate gave the man an oddly formal bow before he rose lazily from his own seat. He swept out his hands for silence, enjoying the way students stopped chattering at his gesture.

You see that, Lafay? If he was just a figurehead, they wouldn't acknowledge him. These students weren't idiot pawns to be played in someone else's game.

"If I can have your attention, students... if you can bear with me for a few moments of business chatter, there is a bountiful feast as reward on the other side. I welcome you back to Hogwarts once again. To returning students, you will see new faces at the staff table. Please make every effort to welcome staff members and students to our home. To new students... the rules at Hogwarts are simple and we will make every effort to make them clear. First and foremost, make good choices and do not die."

Always always... do not die.

"In addition to our new staff, we also welcome Mr. Ikenna Gevrik to Hogwarts. He will be serving as... a special security consultant and is very interested in making the school as safe as possible. It is my desire that you make him welcome and listen to everything he has to say. It is, of course, your own responsibility to way those things you hear against your own conscience and make decisions that are right for yourself."

And... did Gevrik want to say anything? Hmm?

Could this girl read minds? Bad cliché, Jared observed, given how that could not make much of a difference in this situation. He'd assume he'd let his facial expressions give his thoughts away, though having always found it not just easy, but natural, to maintain a neutral expression in circumstances such as this, that surprised him.

"I'll take you on your word, Satine." He gave her an easy smile. Head back? Ah. "Enjoy the rest of the evening."

Jared smiled, an easy half-smile, and raised his goblet to her.

Times like these, Jared mused why he he had never attempted to learn Legilimency. The reason came back to him a millisecond later, and he dropped his train of thought at once. "Should I take that to mean that you chase students away from pumpkins, and let owls loose in the classroom?" Since she looked like the type to care, too. "Although -" He half-smiled again - "looks can be deceiving."

Lazy grin.

The Healer, Jared noted in a detached, distant sort of fashion, was beautiful. He raised his goblet to her.

"Enchanté," he said lightly, she being seated too far for a proper introduction.

Oh look. Free entertainment, resumed. Jared's lips twitched but, if he had any thoughts on the matter, he kept them to himself.

Plenty of time ahead.


There was a lull in conversation as Tate rose to his feet, and Jared fell into an easy silence as he listened to the man's speech. His mouth curved into an amused smile at the sentence that preceded the first real pause - do not die - but, other than that, he maintained a neutral expression on his face.

for my favorite Dragon Lady XD - oops, didn't see the speech beginning...
 

Kurumi swallowed hard and carried the box of cookies towards Dragon Lady. Did she even like sugar? As Head of Slytherin House, the woman would probably think she had poisoned them or put something in them to have them explode - that seemed to be the trend with everyone else at the Slytherin Table anyway.

Knowing that a stuttering greeting would likely grant her a one-way trip into a scary nightmare, Kurumi calmed herself down as best she could before addressing the Potions Mistress.

"G-Good evening, Professor Lafay," Kurumi said nervously, but with not as much stuttering as she usually had when addressing her. She slowly held the cookies out in front of her, you know, just in case she had missed her rather awkward introduction previously. "Thank you for everything you taught me last term. I," she swallowed before finishing her thought. She was being polite, didn't have to mean she was 100% serious. "...I'm looking forward to another term of potions." And to finish things off, a nice deep bow.

Now, to see if Dragon Lady hexed her or made the cookies explode herself.

iSorry Ern, but this is just reeeeal quick...we leave, anyway =)
 

Mmmmhmmmm.

Nolan who?

She definitely should! And he could even help her do so if she wanted to...but for now he only nodded and smiled yet again. Yup, she could hang any pictures she wanted in the Hospital Wing, after all, that was her territory, no?

It wasn't until Ellie spoke that he noticed who he was leaned on to, and slightly blushed, straightening himself.

"Er, yeah, you should do so," he said, to the Healer, and heard the 'speech' word not too far away. "I'll see you around, Healer Moretti," there was only one nod and then he eyed Ellie.

Mmmm....time to go, yes?

And why was Ellie eying him like that, anyway? "What?" he shrugged, did she not like being used as a wall? She should say so if she didn't. "We should go," he said, gesturing toward their tables.

And then...he was off BEFORE the speech. >.<

The Slytherin house ghost went and stood behind the headmaster. That's where his support was going... he then turned to the end of the table and nodded to Lafay. He was Head. He saw Truebridge and nodded to him... and then to Max.

Charlie shivered as the Baron settled and nodded - not from any sense of cold.

Just a sense of the creeps.

Swallowing hard, Charlie watched out of the corner of his eye. "Always hated that ghost," he muttered under his breath, recalling, more fondly, his experiences with the Grey Lady.

He grumbled and glared at the man who came in looking like he'd just been on the field of battle. Which side was he on?

Now that was SHORT.

Did Tate leave the real speech on his desk?

The silence that followed irked Max and so he decided to liven up the place a bit. So he put his hands together rather loudly.

CLAP. CLAP. CLAP.

But Tate should be proud of Vindictus - the man refrained from whistling and shouting 'Tell 'em like it is, Tatertot!'

Applause was harmless. Now could we eat?

This girl was sweet ... particularly with those special coffee cups. Speaking of which, she should take one and see what her favorite color was today. Because like all things in life, the favorite color was not permanent. It was reflective over a combination of things, mostly centered around your numbers. Upon the cup touching her finger tips, it changed to a light pink color. Interesting...

"Outstanding? Wow! You can certainly bet I look forward to seeing you in class then." Josephina said as she watched the chatter taking place at the student tables. Let them enjoy the feast now, because the Arithmancy professor had feelings the jolly banter wouldn't last past the month.


"The fact that several students continue to bear successful scores on the exams is probably a strong indicator that either they learned something or the exams are too lazy." And Josephina honestly did NOT want to place her bets on the latter. She definitely preferred to believe, at least until proven otherwise. "Italy is a beautiful country. Perhaps you could come for a visit sometime." And that was Fina's strange way of inviting her colleague to travel with her. "Invigorating ... yes. That's one of putting it." Especially with the news headlines and all. Much was happening...

If Kurumi hadn't been looking forward to her subject than well, grades were misleading and Hadley would have been far too disappointed. She smiled at the young Gryffindor. "Of course, no problem."

And then after some silence and more glancing around at her discretion - listening in on other students as they approached the other professors - Josephina heard the Gryffindor speak again, except this time about her former colleagues. Sniffles. "Professors Markovic and Carlton, I suppose have decided to leave employment at Hogwarts and move onto pursuing other opportunities." And wherever they were, Josephina truly did hope that they were content.

Whoever that new Professor was - and judging by her sitting in Nolan's seat, she gathered it was Divination - Josephina liked her already. There was something about her smile and quiet tone that offered her a sense of comfort. Perhaps she might even prove usefulness . . .

Apparently she almost made him choke on his juice. OH dear! But hey, she wasn't the one who told him to take a drink before looking in her direction! That was his own fault. Shaking her head at him and sighing subtly in relief when he regained control of his respiratory system she returned the grin with a sheepish one of her own and mouthed a quick, I'm sorry to him.

The sorry for that laughing fit and perhaps also because of a certain Ikenna.


Though the addition of another Professor taking a seat at the dias distracted Fina momentarily from Ikenna and Jeremy. Mostly because she knew him; Ethan Truebridge. He had taught Defense in her first year teaching at Hogwarts.

And he was back. Something that Fina was sure that the Headmaster was pleased about as well.

"Welcome back, Ethan." Josephina greeted, albeit late compared to some of the other professors. So had Tate decided Defense was too much for him or was Ethan multi-talented and taking up post in one of the other subject areas?

Only time will tell.


Security at Hogwarts? Josephina raised an eyebrow at the man, which was probably because in her connections with him, he hadn't mentioned much about being at Hogwarts this term. Then again, he hadn't mentioned much at all, come to think of it.

So perhaps Special Security was rather fitting then.

And just like that ... it was speech time, which meant something else was near: FOOD! Oh yea, and you couldn't go wrong some delicious potatoes or pasta or rice or ... oh soooo many possibilities with food and it was all so yum!

Listening to the Headmaster speak, at his close she tilted her head slightly. Own responsibility to way those things you hear against your own conscience and make decisions that are right for yourself. Truer words could honestly not have been spoken. They could speak whatever they wanted but the students would ultimately be the ones to either take those words to heart or toss them in the garbage and form their own words.

As a masterful, focused man often does, Ikenna ignored those around him still trying to address him and waited for Casey Tate's introduction. He stiffly returned the 'bow', or whatever that awkward jerking was, and then turned out toward the students.

"Thank you for that welcome, Headmaster Tate. I am, as he said, Mr. Ikenna Gevrik, Special Security Liaison to the School." He extended a warm smile toward the assembled students and bowed in their direction as well, though at the same time he swept his arms out, he also cast a nonverbal sticking charm at Vindictus' hands in mid-clap.

With the clapping stopped and a dead silence in the Hall, Ikenna straightened back up with a genuinely friendly expression.

"Those of you who can recall events of the past, from a flooding school to an underground fight club, will find it easy to see why the Ministry of Magic has concerns about security around its most precious asset: the bodies and minds of our future leaders. Those of you who may be younger will at the least realize that a heightened sense of safety and security around the castle will not only allow everyone to sleep better at night, but it will also pre-empt any future warnings from your professors, such as orders to 'do not die.'"

Gevrik's beetle-like eyes glittered for a moment with amusement as he cracked a smile, and then he continued onward in a most amicable tone.

"Perhaps some of your good, safe choices this year will lead to good rewards, not only for you, your professors or your house-mates, but perhaps also for the betterment of all mankind. The times are changing swiftly and as the Headmaster said, I can only ask that you lend me your ears and remain open-minded this school year, for you will all find that I am not your typical dose of Ministry intervention."

No, Ikenna Gevrik could be something much more sinister...but he did not drop the smile from his face or the friendliness in his tone...yet.

"Again, I appreciate Hogwarts opening its doors to me and I can only hope that you will all also open your minds and hearts, for I hold the safety and security of us all very dear in mine."

He bowed his head once more to signify the end of his speech and then smoothly slid back down into his seat.

Oh... woops. "Nothing. Nevermind..." Obviously she had been wrong. "I'm Potion Mistress and Slytherin Head of House Hecate Lafay... and you are..." French obviously...

She simply nodded at the Headmaster. She wasn't going to let his words affect her. She was keeping an eye at the table, even if she didn't need to. She had a great pair of prefects, a wonderful head girl, and a talented quidditch captain. We may be moving into positions beyond expectations, but he couldn't say she wasn't doing a fine job. Both years she was Head of House, both years, Slytherin got the house cup.

She whispered to Truebridge, "They are doing great you know. My snakes. And I don't even need to deduct 50 points from the lot of them at the feast to make them behave..."

... famous last words...

Well said... she clapped. As was customary.

Who. What. Was. That! Who in their right mind would show up to dinner, let alone a FEAST like that! Probably the new groundskeeper. Someone needed to hose him down... now... where was her wand. Potions Lab. Right.

Well well well... hear THAT Headmaster? The girl, and NOT a Slytherin, was thanking her for everything that she taught, and was looking forward to classes. "Thank you, Miss Hollingberry. Cookies... Lovely. Please return to your seat now, and I'll see you in class soon" She said nodding to the child. Oh Oh Oh... whipped cream on the ice cream that was today? "Headmaster? Would you care for one of the cookie my Gryffindor student gifted me?"

"Baron, always a pleasure." She said to the ghost.

"I don't think he's fond of you either..." Hecate said not looking up from her glass.

Also well put. She clapped again and nodded knowingly.