"She is, she is." Tate agreed, flipping through multiple pictures of his daughter sleeping, sleeping, crying, sleeping, sleeping. Crying because she'd been sleeping and Tate had woken her up to take her picture. He was such a good dad and stuff. Cari had been especially livid with him.

"We celebrated yesterday. I'm being boring, right?" He didn't put the pictures away, though.

Oh. Cookies. This was shaping up to be a good feast. "Good evening, Hollinberry. Thank you for remembering I prefer oatmeal. Raisins?" He did NOT approve of raisins under most circumstances. He liked the little butterscotch oatmeal ones.

Oh, blonde one wanted to look at the pictures too. Tate gave Seren a grin before leaning in the other direction and handing off the stack of photos to Calista. Was there a cuter baby in the world? NO. No, there was not.

"Geneva."

Taters? What... was he some sort of side dish?

"Scabby. Get into a fight with a student?"

"Erm. Thank you, Gemma." Tate turned the bag around and around in his hands before setting it just to the side of his plate. Must be a Muggle thing, right?[/color]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kaos.Doodles

Dash made his way up to the staff table as diligently as a lazy person could. He appeared to be well rested, and his skin slightly tanned from the time spent outdoors in the hot sun. His eyes fell upon the students who were quickly filling up their house tables.

He hadn't missed sorting.

What a shame.

Just like the previous terms, Scabior had only arrived in the castle few hours before the start of the fast. What was the point in coming sooner? There was none, he was going to be in the stone building for ten months anyways. He had wanted to squeeze as much as he could out of his holiday.

Taking his seat he gave a nod to the professors, that were there. Bentley. Tate. William. Medea. A new female he hadn't had the chance of meeting yet...who seemed to be wearing feathers. And even to the Gryffindor prefect who never seemed to know where her seat was.

But it wasn't up here.

"Seren. Taters." Dash greeted his closest colleagues with thin smile, unintentionally showcasing the large gash on his lower lip.

As she waited for the Prefect from the Gryffindor House, apparently, Callie couldn't help but try and see what was going on at the far end of the table. A man had just arrived and he seemed to have a cut on his mouth. Perhaps he had fallen on the stairs too? She really needed to let the Headmaster know about that disappearing step, that certainly wasn't good or safe.

This man was proof of it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Josephina was jet-lagged. It was official. It wasn't her fault that she didn't arrive back in London until early evening on August 31st and then spent the next few hours getting packed and traveling to Hogwarts. Normally she would have been fine with the time difference, but as she dressed for the feast, she found herself dragging along, wishing the feast were over and she could go to sleep.

At least Eddie wasn't the type who would bother her and expect intensive conversation at the feast.

Walking between down the aisle next to the Hufflepuff table, she couldn't help but glance for the new faces, as tired as she was. And also wonder if she missed all the students getting sorted or only just most. It wasn't until she reached her seat when she suddenly remembered that Eddie wasn't coming back. Ugh. She was NOT looking forward to making small talk with a new Astronomy Professor. Her only saving grace was the two Astronomy Professors she'd sat next to during her tenure at Hogwarts, weren't big talkers. She'd only hope the same could be said for the new one.

She was soooo out of it, that she didn't even notice the feather-wearing blond in the Divination Professor's seat.

Oh there was another woman taking a seat on their end of the table, just on the other side of Willy. Looking past the water-spitter Calista leaned forward closer to the table so she was in sight and squeaked her greeting to the woman.

"Hey there, thought I would introduce myself--Calista Elwood, Divination. What's your name?" It was polite to make conversation at these things right, they didn't seem to be too formal or anything. If it was, at least she had dressed for it.

More patting of the feathers.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davvy_Wavvy

Sophia clicked her way into the Great Hall, tired but happy to be at the end of a very long journey here. Well it probably wouldn't have been as long if she hadn't made a few stops along the way, but here she was. She took a long look around the Great Hall, so familiar and yet..so different. Her eyes lingered on the HufflePuff table as she tried to spot her son.

He had better not be one of them using his outside voice inside or he would certainly would be made to answer for her. She turned her eyes to the Slytherin table where she had sat many years ago. Ah yes, memories.

At the end of her nostalgia, she made her way to her seat giving a nod to each professor she passed, before settling into her seat.

Oooh look at her outfit!

Callie hadn't seen such nice clothing on people in a while and this woman surely knew how to wear it. She followed her with her eyes and saw that she sat on the other side of Medea, only one place away. They definately were the more stylish side of the table now that she was here, after herself of course.

"Excuse me, but I love your outfit." She wouldn't wear it but this woman pulled it off well. "Calista Ellwood, but you can call me Callie. What do you teach?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeredithRodneyMckay

Isabelle had made her way to the staff table from the back door in the great hall. She was slightly later than she intended, having lost track of time unpacking. She was seriously considering leaving everything behind at the end of term, to save time at the beginning of the next. The kids surely wouldn't notice the same things in the practice room?

Clearing her throat, she walked up the steps and took a quick look at the table and it's occupants. She seemed to be the only person down her end right that minute, with Seren being her closest neighbour. Everyone else seemed to be down the other end - including a couple of new faces.

Smiling at them all, she called down a loud enough "Good evening everyone," and sat in her seat, pouring herself a goblet of water.

Oh and that one was pretty excited to be here, just like Callie.

She hadn't lived in a nice home, much less a Castle, since she left the Ministry and lost her flat almost two years ago, this woman seemed to know more people than she did so no wonder she was happy--she knew the comforts of the Castle.

"Hello there!" Callie called smally from her seat with a wave.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lezleighd

The Muggle Studies professor walked down the middle of the Great Hall. She glanced up at the ceiling and, even after four years of teaching and attending Hogwarts for seven, she was still in awe of the amazing roof in the Great Hall. She wished she could charm every ceiling in her house just like the ceiling in the Great Hall.

She brought her gaze from the ceiling back down with a smile, her usual excited smile that always seemed to be on her face and she clicked down the walk with excitement as she nodded her head at familiar student faces at the table giving out an occasional 'Hello' or 'How was your break' and answering those questions given to her as she went.

As she approached the Staff table, she glanced up and down quickly taking in old and new faces and lingering just for a second on the other end of the table to see a certain chair empty, for now atleast.

In her hand, she carried a little blue purse full of goody bags of Muggle candy for each of the professors.

She decided to say hello to all of the professors already seated and began at the opposite end of the table from her and walked by each of the professors smiling and giving them a goody bag as she went....

Gemma smiled at the new face sitting beside Willy, she extended her hand, "Gemma Cerulean, Muggle Studies..." and with her other hand she laid down the goody bag of candy.

Another person, a woman.

Callie was glad to see so many women at the table, she certainly preferred the friendship with them rather than men because, well you couldn't flirt with friends and now that she wasn't too busy trying to scrape a living, she could focus on men again--oh and teach, right.

Ooh goody bag? Geez, they were really nice here. "Oh thank you, sorry I didn't bring anything for you." Unless she wanted a peacock feather, she was plum out of gifts. "It's lovely to meet you Gemma, Calista Elwood, Divination." She shook her outstretched hand with her own, more jingling was heard from her many bracelets.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roselyn

Her...auora?

"No, not on a regular basis." she admitted. She'd never been complimented on her...auora...before. Medea was still weighing in whether it'd be something she was fascinated with or not when she spoke up again. "I do meditate a great deal though, if it's vorth anything."

Oh, so she wouldn't have to go far to take a peak at some others in the area. "They are indeed lovely." she said, eying all of them, including the one given by the mother. Just as special. "I may take a few trips around there in the future." Perhaps to buy, or maybe just browse. She'll just wait and see.

"Oh." Well it must just be from her personality. She didn't always read people correctly but surely this woman did something that allowed for her auora to be pusling so positively.

And there it was.

"Meditation? That is definately it, that's a great form of exercise and it its amazing for your mental state." That was lovely, she might have to join her sometime.

"Thank you so much. I've thankfully been able to hold on to all of them and not...lose any." By lose, she meant sell in order to keep herself afloat on food and such but that wasn't proper Feats talk. "Oh well if you ever need a guide to find the good ones, just owl me." A shopping trip would be fun after a full year's salary.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Leobald walked into the Great Hall, feeling not tired but sort of excited and anticipant to see what his first term at the school would have in store. He had ended up coming here later than expected since he had made a quick visit at his sisters before apparating to Hogsmeade. Walking between the house tables his brown eyes darted off towards the Ravenclaw table where he had sat in his youth.

Leo's thoughts were jumbled with memories as he made his way up onto the staff dais. Taking his assigned seat he nodded to each of his new colleagues in turn. "Good evening everyone!"

Who was he?

The new man to take a seat by the guy with a cut on his mouth was definately a looker. Callie waited until he looked over her way before giving him a quick little smile and a wave.

She would need to meet with him later, for sure.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Oh, blonde one wanted to look at the pictures too. Tate gave Seren a grin before leaning in the other direction and handing off the stack of photos to Calista. Was there a cuter baby in the world? NO. No, there was not.

"Geneva."

Oh, flirtatious face off, the Headmaster is watching.

"Geneva, that's cute. Is it a family name?" She said as she took the photographs from him and began to flip through them and giggling at one of the crying ones. "Aww look at that face, not too happy in this one, is she?"

Babies were too cute! It brought Alfie to mind, but then Indigo. Ughh...

Blinking rapidly to keep herself alert, Fina glanced to her right at the woman who sat in Althea's seat. She seemed decent enough, but she did find it curious about how the woman seem to look first toward the Hufflepuff table, then Slytherin.

Did she know students already? Or was one of them this woman's former house? Whoever this woman be; but she did know one thing which was that she was teaching Charms. Unless she took the wrong seat?

"Josephina Hadley, Arithmancy Professor" she said, looking around William at the woman, by way of introduction. "Welcome aboard!" Now let's just hope that she wasn't particularly the chatty type, as she was just being friendly. Definitely still not in the mood to talk. Unless of course the House Elves could fill their goblets with some iced cappuccino.


Spotting Isabelle way down at the other end, she couldn't help but ADMIRE the woman's cheeriness. Clearly she wasn't lacking sleep. It was contagious a bit too, as she brightened slightly at her 'good evening', even tossing a brief smile down in her direction.

Just as she caught a goody bag (?) set before her, which caused Fina to look back in front of her to see Gemma. Oh so thoughtful the woman was. "Tea would be lovely.... but not tonight, as I'm quite exhausted." Heck, she wasn't even sure she'd be up for a visit to her students later. Nothing would beat a daybreak with their Head of House tomorrow, for sure. "But my break was great. Just the last 48 hours have been crazy."

Glancing back toward the Charms Professor and those nearby to her, it then dawned on her that .... there was a Divination Professor this term! Weird. Why it took her that long to realize it was beyond her?

And why had she not said something to Medea? Anything? Taking a sip of water, she again wished it were something caffeinated as she gave the Defense Professor a small smile and then looked past her slightly toward Tate.

He was sharing something. And she wanted to see. Cause you know, she was alll likeee way out in left field and stuff.

Pushing back in her seat ... she crept along the back of the seats and plopped into Max's seat.

"What's all the fuss about?" she asked innocently between the new Divination Professor - who's name she barely caught on as Calista at the time when she shifted down to check out what all the commotion was in the middle - and the Headmaster. Then directing this more to Tate, she said quietly, "Is it about that thing Mr Rasting handed in last term? The thing that Max lost?"

Yes, Cece was late, but it wasn't her fault. Someone had decided it would be funny to go into her hospital wing and rearrange everything, including all her healing potions... that were in a locked cabinet. She could tell this was not the work of a student, which left only one person she could think of that would do something like this to her.

Oliver Jenkins!

Entering the Great Hall from the entrance behind the staff table she immediately scanned the table looking for the culprit.

Of course, he wasn't there... yet. That's fine, she'll just sit in that empty seat between Professors Hadley and Williamson.

Not smiling at all she nodded at Professor Hadley before looking over at William. "Where's that no good friend of yours?" No hello, how was your summer, just straight to the point.

Oliver Jenkins wass going to pay for this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Deciding that she ought to set her other box of cookies down in front of the Headmaster as well, the one labeled "for staff," Kurumi did so and was blissfully unaware that there were not enough macaroons for everyone. The correct number having somehow slipped her memory while she had been baking.

"Professor Romanos, Professor Williamson, good evening," she said with a bow. She would be seeing both of them soon about various things. Professor Williamson needed to help her figure out Walnut's peeing problem and Professor Romanos to set up some more meditation lessons. They HAD been helping. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I'm Kurumi Hollingberry, one of the Gryffindor prefects.," Kurumi said with a polite bow towards the peacock the blonde professor and somehow managed to dodge the shower that had been Professor Williamson.

She then glanced back at her own table and figured that she shouldn't linger here for too much longer.

First things first, William had to leannnnnnn out of his chair and gesture down the table toward Tater.

"Oi, Headman," he gave the guy a three-fingered wave. "OI. Pass those cookies down, eh?" Hollingberry made the BEST cookies. William was really hoping for some more dragon ones, personally, maybe even some dark chocolate and macadamia nut dragon ones.

After leaning back into his chair, he smiled warmly at Kurumi. "Evening, Kurumi, hope you had a nice summer."

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanialRadFAN01

One minute she was answering the flattering question about her dress and the next she was being sprayed by Merlin knows what was spewing from William's mouth.

"Arghh! William!" Calista shrieked, although not too loudly. What had gotten into him? "What are you going on about? Seriously! I didn't go out and rip the feathers out of their back's! And who's to say they weren't found already shed?"

She couldn't stand for this. She reached for her glass of water and contimplated hard whether or not to dump it's contents over the man's head--the latter was chosen and the cup was placed back on the wood top. She noticed his jacket, dragon skin. "Way to call the cauldron black! Look at your jacket Willy. Skin any dragons recently?" She hissed.

"You've practically ruined my dress, I hope you're happy." The Divination professor scowled at him and then pulled out her wand and began to dry it's feathers. Poor baby, she hadn't even gotten to wear this dress for more than an hour and it was almost destroyed. She was lucky it hadn't completely desingrated. "Yes well, don't let it happen again."

Or he would be missing that jacket of his. She could probably get some good money for it, that is if it survived.

"But YOU don't know whether or not they fell out naturally, DO YOU? And yet you still wore it." William pointed this out quietly, sadly, and still shaking his head. He didn't MEAN to ruin her dress; he was just... incredibly shocked by her attire! Sure it looked good on her but no excuses!!!

Oh of course she would comment on his hawt jacket. "For YOUR information," William answered stiffly, "I know for a FACT that this jacket came from a beautiful, black Hungarian Horntail who died naturally of old age. I used to be her primary caretaker back in the day at the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary. Her name was Sybil, and I wear this jacket as an homage to her memory."

He stuck his nose up in the air and calmly turned to the person who'd sat between him and Callie. Hmmph. Hopefully now he wouldn't NEED to talk to that feather-wearing fiend anymore.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davvy_Wavvy

Sophia clicked her way into the Great Hall, tired but happy to be at the end of a very long journey here. Well it probably wouldn't have been as long if she hadn't made a few stops along the way, but here she was. She took a long look around the Great Hall, so familiar and yet..so different. Her eyes lingered on the HufflePuff table as she tried to spot her son.

He had better not be one of them using his outside voice inside or he would certainly would be made to answer for her. She turned her eyes to the Slytherin table where she had sat many years ago. Ah yes, memories.

At the end of her nostalgia, she made her way to her seat giving a nod to each professor she passed, before settling into her seat.

William's eyebrows went up up up to his hair as Althea's sub ---- because yes, he was convinced that one day, she would be back --- joined them at the table. Sure he'd known about her new job and sure he was sad to no longer have somebody else to prank/tease/bother from time to time, but he was also very curious to get a feel for this new person.

Judging from her outfit and rather... stern? expression, Will was wondering if this woman wasn't just a different-looking version of good ol Thea.

"Hello," he greeted his 'meal-mate' yes he was going to start using that phrase now, thanks, Callie with a tiny smile. "Er, welcome to Hogwarts?" Welcome BACK to Hogwarts, maybe? He wouldn't know. This lady def looked a little older than him and ergo he had no recall of attending school with her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lezleighd

She smiled at Willy and placed a goody bag in front of him...she wondered if O had mentioned her to him over the summer or if they had talked about O visiting her in Florida for a couple of weeks...she pushed those thoughts out of her mind, "Well, W Cubed, I hope you had a good break and good travels."

Willy was distracted from his ruminations on the Charms position when good golly gee whiz, there was Gemma.

"Heyyy Gem," he greeted her warmly, taking the little bag off his plate. ONLY FOOD WAS SUPPOSED TO GO THERE. "I did, thanks, I think." Speaking of his travels only reminded him of the THING out in his BARN sitting in a FIRE that he needed to tend to, and Will started tapping his foot again.

"Did you enjoy your break?" He tilted his head at her. She looked... different for some reason. Also, she was reminding him of something he needed to ask Olly the next time he saw him.

IF he ever made it to the FEAST. Geez.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Leobald walked into the Great Hall, feeling not tired but sort of excited and anticipant to see what his first term at the school would have in store. He had ended up coming here later than expected since he had made a quick visit at his sisters before apparating to Hogsmeade. Walking between the house tables his brown eyes darted off towards the Ravenclaw table where he had sat in his youth.

Leo's thoughts were jumbled with memories as he made his way up onto the staff dais. Taking his assigned seat he nodded to each of his new colleagues in turn. "Good evening everyone!"

Resisting the urge to peek into his little blue bag right away, William tucked the thing under his chair and just as he looked up, he noticed the latest, newest staff arrival. Oh hey, he knew that guy! HE REMEMBERED BALDIE!

"Leobaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaald!" Willy called out gleefully, leaning down the table again and grinning wickedly as the apparent librarian took his place. "SUP BALDIE? Whatchu doin' here?"

Of course Will had no qualms about carrying on entire conversations with people half a table away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Yes, Cece was late, but it wasn't her fault. Someone had decided it would be funny to go into her hospital wing and rearrange everything, including all her healing potions... that were in a locked cabinet. She could tell this was not the work of a student, which left only one person she could think of that would do something like this to her.

Oliver Jenkins!

Entering the Great Hall from the entrance behind the staff table she immediately scanned the table looking for the culprit.

Of course, he wasn't there... yet. That's fine, she'll just sit in that empty seat between Professors Hadley and Williamson.

Not smiling at all she nodded at Professor Hadley before looking over at William. "Where's that no good friend of yours?" No hello, how was your summer, just straight to the point.

Oliver Jenkins wass going to pay for this one.

Or conversations with people right next to him. Jumping a little at the sudden sound of Cece's voice coming from seat right beside him, Willy turned his head and blinked at the blonde.

"Iunno," he shrugged, giving her a head-to-toe glance and then shrugging. "I'm not my fake brother's keeper." Besides, even if he DID know he wasn't about to tell HER and have to witness his two friends getting into another fight with each other. "You look good, by the way. How was Sweden?"

Vindictus was still walking with a slight limp thanks to the Hufflepuff Seeker smashing into his right knee at the end of the Championship game. He nodded at his precious Ravenclaws as he made his way towards the Staff table, but he stopped and stared at the staff ensemble.

Who were these people? he thought as he scratched the top of his head. His seat was empty (which was good) and Tate was sitting to his left while Hecate was banished to the end. Max shrugged his shoulders and shook his head as he resumed walking towards the table.

Once he arrived, he slipped into his seat and happened to overhear Josephina's question to Tate.

"Yeah, where's my shiny trophy, Tate?" he asked.

"She's my family, so I suppose it is," Tate said absently as he took the pictures back. Geneva. Genny.

"She just woke up in that one. It's hard to take pictures when they're awake because they're always so interesting and busy. I'd rather not sit back and watch."

"No," Tate settled back in his seat, leaving the photos there for Fina to examine if she so desired. There... she had to go and spoil his good mood with questions about that.

"It isn't about that thing at all. As a matter of fact, that thing is safely locked up in my office as I await a specialist from the Ministry. We were discussing how my daughter is the most adorable baby ever born in the entire history of adorable babies. Certainly not our troublesome little orb from last term." Troublesome, indeed. His own theories remained untested, but Tate was hoping to have things resolved soon.

Hecate was just bored...

Bored, bored, bored...

There were new professors at the school...

She sipped her water and looked at the Slytherin table.

... Why was that elf there?

Sophia looked to the sound of the voice. Another young professor, blonde pretty, even looked to be fresh out of uni. She didn't turn up her nose at her, not yet, especially since she came bearing compliments. She bit back the first resort that came to her which was; of course you love my outift, I'm the classy Sophia Bellaire.

"Thank you. I'm Sophia Bellaire, you can call me Mrs.Bellaire...Miss? Ellwood." Eyed.

Hadley? The name was familiar to her. Ah yes, Tyler had a lot to say about this one when he returned home from his first year at school. She seemed to be a respectable sort of woman, which meant she would be afforded a smile.

"Pleasure to meet you. Sophia Bellaire, Charms professor." But she was sure the woman learned that by now right?

"And thank you, it's an honour to be here." Naturally.

They were all subjected to scrutiny. ALL of them and this young man was no different. He certainly got a once over and his tone and pitch were noted. This one had an obnoxious air about him but she could live with that as long as he didn't get fresh with her that is.

She gave him a little nod and a smile..a semi smile.

"Hello and thank you. Professor Bellaire, and you are?" Be polite and introduce yourself with your name man.

Before Fina heard Max, she felt his weight on her as she simultaneously attempted - but failed - to move to the side in time. "Oof. Would you look at your seat before you sit?"

Eh? What was that Tate? She strained to get a look at Tate as he mentioned something about a specialist from the Ministry. But apparently that wasn't what the fuss was all about? It was about him flaunting pictures of his baby. Well that was just very ..... Gryffindor of him.

"Troublesome orb? Why?" She asked, perplexed. What was so special about this particular orb anyway? It was just something found. "Were there problems or something with it?"

Kurumi bowed her head in gratitude, cheeks flushing just a little bit at the new professor's compliment, but frowned slightly when the professor did not introduce herself in return. Perhaps she would just be Professor Peacock for the time being? She did have a lot of soggy feathers.

Oh! Divination professor. That meant that Theroes wasn't returning, not that the prefect had too much contact with him seeing as he didn't keep an office at Hogwarts. "Of course, professor," Kurumi said with a smile. Sure, Kurumi did not like the subject all that much. Guess work and not possessing the inner eye or whatever was not something that the Gryffindor found appealing. She only went there for Selina anyway.

Train ride. Right. Well, long wasn't the word that she would have used to describe it, so no was the answer she offered. "Not really, professor," she said with a nervous smile. Chaotic and insane were the words that came to mind. Walnut was to blame...for it all.

"I look forward to your lessons again, professor. I think I will be stopping by your office later in the week to discuss a few things, if that is alright." Plus, Kurumi wanted to visit her kitties again. Especially drooling one. She liked him.

Kurumi bowed once more in the Headmaster's direction. Truth was if she hadn't seen the memo in her cookie recipe book, the lion shaped bookmark with HEADMASTER written on it in her calligraphic writing on the oatmeal raisin recipe page, Kurumi may have forgotten. Which wasn't like her at all. Forgetting a person's favorite cookie. Still, crisis had been averted so all was well.

"You're welcome, Headmaster." She should probably start heading back to her table so the man could make his speech, right?

Blushing just a bit as Professor Williamson commanded asked the Headmaster to pass the cookies in his direction, she swayed in place just a little for no real reason other than she was still fighting her inner fangirl in the man's presence.

HE HAD TOUCHED A DRAGON!

When he asked about summer, Kurumi looked down at her badge to remind herself that she was a prefect and would not cry at the feast before she looked back at the CoMC professor. "I'm just glad to be back at Hogwarts," she smiled weakly. "I'll...be bringing Walnut by your office again....professor."

That about explained it all. And none of it was good.

-----------------

Taking a look around the staff table again and noting that everyone was present, Kurumi politely bowed and then turned around to head back to her own table.

"Shush, Max," Tate shook his head at the man. His shiny trophy? Was he ignoring everything that had happened last term or over the summer? Pretending he cared more about some silly bauble than anything else? Always the jokester, that Vindictus was.

As for Fina's question... "Not a single problem that I can see, although I don't want to handle the thing. I haven't had much exposure, but it looks remarkably like a prophecy orb like they keep at the Ministry, and those are all charmed to drive a person mad. You can ask Cece, as she checked your prefect over, but no one seems mad." Stupid, though... there was so much stupid going around these days.

He nudged to towards the edge of HIS seat. "My seat, Fina. Yours is over there," Vindictus said and pointed to her empty seat. "For the record, I did not lose it. I tripped on an exposed tree root and when I fell, I twisted my already-injured knee thanks to your reckless Seeker. There was no broken glass, if that's what you're worried about."

Max refrained from replying to Tate's shushing and he tuned out the rest of the conversation about the orb. Blah, blah, blah. If it was one of those freaky orbs, then three of us would be sitting in St. Mungo's wearing straight jackets and being fed Jello while sitting in a padded room.

As his thoughts wandered, his eyes fell on some pictures that were being passed around. What?!

"Why didn't I get the memo about this being show-and-tell? You have got to see my latest portfolio."

Grin.

Dash didn't really have a problem with Gemma. He hadn't spoken to the woman enough to determine her faults, or if she was actually one of those rare useful individuals. So he raised his glass to her, accepting the bag with a small smile. "Likewise." Or maybe not. It depended really.

Dash's attention flickered to his left side where a new man had sat down. Last term the seat had been empty, but now it seemed that Hogwarts finally had a librarian? The man did look somewhat familiar. "Raise your voice just a bit, I don't think everyone in the hall has heard you yet." Really, was the man trying to shout down the the other end of the table.

"Oh, how did you know?" Dash asked sarcastically, already bored of the feast. His interest seemed to seemed quicker each year. "I managed to break a couple of their bones but to not worry. Students are quite disposable." He motioned with his hands to the tables below. Hundreds of little people to replace any that were injured or died.

...Was that an elf down there?

'I think'...well that sounded like it was the perfect entrance to a good story..."You think?" she said cocking her right eyebrow up, "That sounds like trouble and knowing you and the other two stooges you hang around with that's prolly exactly what it was..." she said teasingly glancing down towards the last seat at the table that was still vacant.

Did she have fun over the break...that was a good question and she wasn't sure what the safe answer would be...she tilted her head slightly, "Yes, very much fun...soaking up the sun and learning to surf and staying out of trouble..." she said the last with a little bit of sarcasm in her voice.



She smiled at the woman...tea tonite...o goodness...she was sooo tired that this wasn't an option for her either, "O I agree..I'm about ready to just crash...I really wish we didn't start classes right away...would like a couple more days to get everything put together and organized..." and she just really wanted some peace and quiet for a little while before the children came in and started...being nosey children...she tuned back in to hear the end of the statement..."Good to hear, I hope you got some rest before the last 48 hours..." she noticed the professor did look extra tired compared to her usual self, "I hope everything is okay...and if you need help with anything please don't be afraid to ask...I'm not very good at anything other than History and MS, but I can always act like I'm good at other subjects..." she said teasingly.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanialRadFAN01

Ooh goody bag? Geez, they were really nice here. "Oh thank you, sorry I didn't bring anything for you." Unless she wanted a peacock feather, she was plum out of gifts. "It's lovely to meet you Gemma, Calista Elwood, Divination." She shook her outstretched hand with her own, more jingling was heard from her many bracelets.

The professor shook the woman's hand and was instantly drawn to the bracelets. Gemma loved loved loved them so much that she almost missed the woman's name. She smiled and said, "Well it is great to meet you...and I love your bracelets..." she said glancing up and just now noticing the feather the woman was wearing...yes she instantly knew she was going to like this one...she liked people with fashion sense and as she quickly glanced up and down the table she was reacquainted with the fact that not many of the at the table had fashion sense....or atleast good fashion sense..."And, you said Divination....I am impressed...you not only have fashion sense, but you also have an interesting and challenging subject..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"Erm. Thank you, Gemma." Tate turned the bag around and around in his hands before setting it just to the side of his plate. Must be a Muggle thing, right?

Gemma started to walk off and stopped a little bit on the other side of the Headmaster and glanced over her shoulder as she heard the Headmaster speaking of his family...had she ever really heard him do that before...no not really and he had pictures...

She glanced over her shoulder at the portrait and smiled...yes he was right...the baby was a cutey patootie...she instantly made a mental note to put together a basket of Muggle baby goodies for the man but her train of thought was interrupted with the introduction of the odd item from the last term...at this mention, she couldn't help but eavesdrop a little bit more.

The Historian in her made her nosey about the object, so she paused and listened in on the conversation.

Gemma smiled at Medea, "Thank you, mine was great, but I am happy to be back...i've spent so many years here that Hogwarts is more my home than my own home..."

The professor could tell that this new face was a little hesitant about Gemma. And she had to admit that she wasn't impressed by her handshake...she had been raised to always give a firm handshake to anyone. Gemma almost laughed as the woman introduced herself...did anyone else think it was funny that she said Charmed and was the Charms Professor...but she kept from laughing and just smiled, "Well it is nice to meet you Sophia. We should meet for tea once the term gets started and things settle down a bit..." she said genuinely to the woman. Gemma was all about being the official welcoming committee.

Tate was distracted by Max, but of course he didn't have Max sit on him either.

Prophecy orbs made one crazy? Clearly this was why she never understand the noble art of Divination. Divining with numbers was more definitive. "But do all Orbs drive you mad?" Surely Calista would know? "And we do have a resident Divination expert in the building now." You know. They could like have her look at it before the Ministry expert got here.

Cece? Huh. When did she end up over there next to her spot? She called over.... "Ce? Come here, would you?" Because she couldn't very well stand up and all.

"I know where my seat is," Fina mumbled beneath him. "It was just for a moment, because you hadn't arrived yet." Seriously? Did he just call her seeker RECKLESS??! HOW RUDE! "And please, save the Quidditch talk for later. Besides, weren't you a professional player for years?" So obviously, if he was any good, he should have been able to DODGE the seekers. Oh wait, there was the minor detail of his reflexes slowing down.... granted she knew better than to voice that...


"And if the portfolio is of you, then we have the real you right here, so we wouldn't need to see anything." Obviously. Now enough about you, Max. The world doesn't revolve around you.

Jezzabelle made a nervous step up to the staff table. Last term she had came to introduce herself and had been snapped at by the Flying Professor, but this time is was something more important than an introduction. Taking a deep breath she approached the Headmaster keeping a weary eye on the Professor in question who happened to be sitting right next to him.

"Headmaster. I hate to interrupt your conversation but I think there is something you should know." She felt like a snitch, a really bad one at that. However, if the orb broke or if anything happened to someone because the elf threw it too hard. "Toddles has a glass orb like object he said that he found in your office, well he said he found it in the room with the spinning gargoyle." Goodness she was rambling. "It's small and pretty light. He swear he just found it and I tried to bring it up here but he snatched it out of my hand and ran off before I could catch him." She hoped she was doing the right thing by coming here and not chasing after the elf in question.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PhoenixRising

Glancing back toward the Charms Professor and those nearby to her, it then dawned on her that .... there was a Divination Professor this term! Weird. Why it took her that long to realize it was beyond her?

And why had she not said something to Medea? Anything? Taking a sip of water, she again wished it were something caffeinated as she gave the Defense Professor a small smile and then looked past her slightly toward Tate.

He was sharing something. And she wanted to see. Cause you know, she was alll likeee way out in left field and stuff.

Pushing back in her seat ... she crept along the back of the seats and plopped into Max's seat.

"What's all the fuss about?" she asked innocently between the new Divination Professor - who's name she barely caught on as Calista at the time when she shifted down to check out what all the commotion was in the middle - and the Headmaster. Then directing this more to Tate, she said quietly, "Is it about that thing Mr Rasting handed in last term? The thing that Max lost?"

Ummm...really?

Did that woman not hear her speaking? Apparently Callie had thought too soon when she admired the kindness of her collegues like the two women down on the other end of the table or Medea and the woman with the gift bags.

She would watch out for this one. And ugh...she was coming over here now?

Quote:

Originally Posted by The1HBIC

Yes, Cece was late, but it wasn't her fault. Someone had decided it would be funny to go into her hospital wing and rearrange everything, including all her healing potions... that were in a locked cabinet. She could tell this was not the work of a student, which left only one person she could think of that would do something like this to her.

Oliver Jenkins!

Entering the Great Hall from the entrance behind the staff table she immediately scanned the table looking for the culprit.

Of course, he wasn't there... yet. That's fine, she'll just sit in that empty seat between Professors Hadley and Williamson.

Not smiling at all she nodded at Professor Hadley before looking over at William. "Where's that no good friend of yours?" No hello, how was your summer, just straight to the point.

Oliver Jenkins wass going to pay for this one.

Another blonde was exciting!

For some odd reason Calista's appreciation for Headmaster Tate just swelled inside of her at the idea that he like to employ blondes, they certainly were better to look at for the students. This one seemed fiesty at the moment, whispering to Willy about something that she couldn't make out.

She would have to make a point to talk to her soon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BanaBatGirl

"But YOU don't know whether or not they fell out naturally, DO YOU? And yet you still wore it." William pointed this out quietly, sadly, and still shaking his head. He didn't MEAN to ruin her dress; he was just... incredibly shocked by her attire! Sure it looked good on her but no excuses!!!

Oh of course she would comment on his hawt jacket. "For YOUR information," William answered stiffly, "I know for a FACT that this jacket came from a beautiful, black Hungarian Horntail who died naturally of old age. I used to be her primary caretaker back in the day at the Romanian Dragon Sanctuary. Her name was Sybil, and I wear this jacket as an homage to her memory."

He stuck his nose up in the air and calmly turned to the person who'd sat between him and Callie. Hmmph. Hopefully now he wouldn't NEED to talk to that feather-wearing fiend anymore.

Resisting the urge to peek into his little blue bag right away, William tucked the thing under his chair and just as he looked up, he noticed the latest, newest staff arrival. Oh hey, he knew that guy! HE REMEMBERED BALDIE!

"Leobaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaald!" Willy called out gleefully, leaning down the table again and grinning wickedly as the apparent librarian took his place. "SUP BALDIE? Whatchu doin' here?"

Of course Will had no qualms about carrying on entire conversations with people half a table away.

"Well....I guess you are kind of right." Callie said after thinking for a second. That didn't give him any right to try and destroy it, the feathers were already removed there would be no need to mess them up now. The deed was done. "If you would like, I can be sure to ask how the feathers were retrieved before buying from now on, happy?"

...

"Sybil the dragon?" The divination professor eyed him. She wasn't sure if he was just trying to make her feel bad for accusing him of the same thing or if he was serious. If he was, it was a very touching and sad story, if not he deserved an award. "Well I'm sorry to hear that William. You will have to tell me more about her later when you help me stick these feathers back on my dress." Yes she was going to collect the fallen feathers and one night force him to fix it.

With that she was ready to end there talking for a bit but was distracted when he suddenly shouted 'Baldie' at the man she had just made googley eyes at.

"Wait, Willy, you know him? Who is he?" She asked eagerly, her anger set aside.

Quote:

Originally Posted by demented_death_eater

Vindictus was still walking with a slight limp thanks to the Hufflepuff Seeker smashing into his right knee at the end of the Championship game. He nodded at his precious Ravenclaws as he made his way towards the Staff table, but he stopped and stared at the staff ensemble.

Who were these people? he thought as he scratched the top of his head. His seat was empty (which was good) and Tate was sitting to his left while Hecate was banished to the end. Max shrugged his shoulders and shook his head as he resumed walking towards the table.

Once he arrived, he slipped into his seat and happened to overhear Josephina's question to Tate.

"Yeah, where's my shiny trophy, Tate?" he asked.

Oh who was he?

Wait a minute. Callie tried to remember where she had seen this man before. Perahps in the Alley one day, was he a past customer? No.

"Maximus Vindictus? Do you teach here?" She was so starstruck right now. THe woman wasn't too up on her Quidditch nowaways but who didn't know this man?! Good thing she was dressed nicely.

Oh and she got to sit beside him?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"She's my family, so I suppose it is," Tate said absently as he took the pictures back. Geneva. Genny.

"She just woke up in that one. It's hard to take pictures when they're awake because they're always so interesting and busy. I'd rather not sit back and watch."

Heh. Yeah, that's not what she meant but he was paying her so she just smiled and nodded.

"Awww I see. Well she's a lovely girl and she's lucky to have such a proud father." It was true. It made her sad that she didn't have her father around anymore. Best to try and keep her mind off of that for now, today was a happy one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Droo

Hecate was just bored...

Bored, bored, bored...

There were new professors at the school...

She sipped her water and looked at the Slytherin table.

... Why was that elf there?

After the slightly awkward moment with the Headmaster, Callie's eyes landed on the woman who was sitting beside the lady who had shouted hello to all of them, at the other end of the table. She didn't look like she was having fun at all.

That was strange.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Davvy_Wavvy

Sophia looked to the sound of the voice. Another young professor, blonde pretty, even looked to be fresh out of uni. She didn't turn up her nose at her, not yet, especially since she came bearing compliments. She bit back the first resort that came to her which was; of course you love my outift, I'm the classy Sophia Bellaire.

"Thank you. I'm Sophia Bellaire, you can call me Mrs.Bellaire...Miss? Ellwood." Eyed.

........

"Mrs. Bellaire it's a pleasure to meet you." She was NOT her teacher, why did she have to call her that? "And yes, you can call me that, I'm not married." And she really didn't want to. After her fling with Indigo had gone south she hadn't really dated much, and marriage was nowhere near the front of her mind after leaving the Ministry.

"What do you teach here?" she asked partially out of curiousity but mostly to change the subject from the strange formality of the woman's title.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sweetpinkpixie

Kurumi bowed her head in gratitude, cheeks flushing just a little bit at the new professor's compliment, but frowned slightly when the professor did not introduce herself in return. Perhaps she would just be Professor Peacock for the time being? She did have a lot of soggy feathers.

Oh! Divination professor. That meant that Theroes wasn't returning, not that the prefect had too much contact with him seeing as he didn't keep an office at Hogwarts. "Of course, professor," Kurumi said with a smile. Sure, Kurumi did not like the subject all that much. Guess work and not possessing the inner eye or whatever was not something that the Gryffindor found appealing. She only went there for Selina anyway.
-----------------

Taking a look around the staff table again and noting that everyone was present, Kurumi politely bowed and then turned around to head back to her own table.

"Brilliant. I just know you will enjoy them!" Callie smiled again as she brushed the cookie crumbs from the table top.

Before she was able to talk much more to the girl, she had turned to leave after chatting with some other professors. "Oh Kurumi, don't forget to tell the others to look for the Divination Notices, tell them Professor Elwood is excited to meet them soon." She best get to know the students now before lessons.

One student name down...a ton to go.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lezleighd

The professor shook the woman's hand and was instantly drawn to the bracelets. Gemma loved loved loved them so much that she almost missed the woman's name. She smiled and said, "Well it is great to meet you...and I love your bracelets..." she said glancing up and just now noticing the feather the woman was wearing...yes she instantly knew she was going to like this one...she liked people with fashion sense and as she quickly glanced up and down the table she was reacquainted with the fact that not many of the at the table had fashion sense....or atleast good fashion sense..."And, you said Divination....I am impressed...you not only have fashion sense, but you also have an interesting and challenging subject..."

"Thank you, Medea here was just saying the same thing. I guess I will have to show you where to get some for you own too." She chuckled, her teeth showing bright against her light pink lipstick.

She was impressed? But she hadn't even done anything yet? "Really? Thanks so much, you're too kind. Do you enjoy Divination too?" she was ready to geek out with her about tarot cards and crystal balls and missed the comment about her clothing.[/color]

Drawing her attention away from Tate and the others for a moment, she saw Gemma drop something on the table in front of her. What the?
"Oh thank you, I had a wonderful break, and yourself? Did you get up to anything exciting?" she asked whilst inspecting the bag of goodies.

"Dash," she replied with a nod and a bright bright smile.
"Enjoyed your summer?"

Looking past Dash, Seren saw a new face had joined their ranks. "Hello!" she welcomed brightly, "Welcome."
There was something about the man that was familiar, but she couldn't pinpoint what it was.

Seren was jealous. Just mildly jealous, at the absolutely adorable pictures. Children really were adorable, though she couldn't see them in her future any time soon. No.. her plants were her children. If only she'd brought along the picture she took of a rather handsome Spanish Fiend Fir. Such a lovely spruce....

Blinking, Seren snapped out of her thoughts. Now wasn't the time to think about infant flesh eating trees.
"Boring? No no! Not at all."

Seren smiled brightly at the arrival of one of her Prefects. Though, something seemed out of place. Had she gotten a hair cut? Maybe she grew some? Or ... well either way, she didn't look like the same Kurumi.
"No no no, thank you for continuing your role.. and it's always such a pleasure to see you." Not only because of the baked goods of course. Though they were amazing perks. Seren could already smell them, making her stomach grumble a bit.

Glancing over the faces of the colleagues sitting on the other end Leoblad got eye contact with Sophia that he met in Diagon Alley; a pleasant woman who seemed to have her priorities in check. He inclined his head in her direction deciding to seek her out later for a chat.

There were a number of pretty ladies spread out across the staff dais. One of them was a beautiful blonde decked out in what looked to be from where Leobald sitting some kind of feathery dress. Shooting the blond a quick wave accompanied by a warm smile he wondered silently what she taught, probably not Astronomy.

Oh sweet Merlin NOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

NO, please don't let it be who i fear it is? Tracing the voice back to the source, Leo's face faltered. Lovely, one of his least favourite old school buddies was teaching at Hogwarts too. Fate was cruel. Hoping that the whole assembled staff hadn't heard the little Baldie comment that had slipped out of William's big mouth Leobald waved in Willy's general direction as if saying 'Hi, it’s nice to see you too. I'm not shouting across a table.'
If they had been seated on the same side as William he would have gladly chatted with his old school mate about not calling him baldie but alas they didn't so Leo didn't shout back. Hopefully the two other musketeers didn't also work here, if they did he had to prank proof the library and his office ASAP!

He wasn't shouting' was Leo's first reaction to the uttered comment coming from the man beside him. Furrowing his brows he replied calmly "I wasn't shouting. I was merely being polite." Really looking at the man to his left now since he seemed familiar Leo exclaimed when he remembered "Hi Dash. Why so grumpy tonight?" Pointing to the cut he asked "Accident on route here?" If Willy was here and Dash was here, who else could be here? Straining his neck to see the faces of the assembled staff he quickly gave up. The lighting was too damp.

Yeah he was late and it was all William's fault. Oliver had been in a good mood when he had arrived at Hogwarts. His summer, while it hadn't been that great at the beginning, it had certainly been awesome the second half. All thanks to a few certain women. But back to his mood that had declined after he had decided to go down to his friend's hut so that they could walk to the feast together.

He hadn't seen William in the past few weeks which was weird because they both shared a house but ever since his friend started bringing all those animals home, Oliver had taken to staying elsewhere. Him and animals just did not get on.

Once again, he was getting off track. He had gone down to William's abode only to find that he had already left for the feast and for some reason, one Oliver didn't quite understand, he had gone around to the barn to make sure everything was going okay. He had helped his friend bring it back after all and while he wasn't a fan of it, he would hate to see all that effort be wasted.

So here he was striding his way up to the staff table, clenching and unclenching his left hand. When he finally reached the staff table, Oliver gave Hadley a curt nod. "Hello Josephina. Hope you had a good summer."

He didn't wait for her reply as his gaze went to the women sitting on the other side of the Arithmancy Professor and his jaw clenched slightly. "You lost or something Tillstrom? I do believe your seat is way up there." He said pointing to the opposite end of the table. "Or have you forgotten how the alphabet works?" His mood was was not a happy one and he couldn't even take the time to enjoy the little re-arranging he had done in her office.

And then his eyes rested on his friend. "Your little project is getting close to completion." While he was being cryptic, Oliver had utmost confidence that William knew what he was talking about. If he didn't then Olly was happy to smack him upside the head to help him remember. "I thought I'd check on it for you." Because that's how much of a good friend he was. "And I received another injury." Did Willy remember the first injury he had received? Hmm, did he? Hmmm?

Oliver was so fixated on his friend at the moment that he hadn't taken any notice of the new staff members. Oh well, there was a whole term to get to know them. If he wanted to, that is.

Okay, so apparently Professor Hadley didn't want to sit next to her. Cece just sat down and the woman was leaving. What was that all about? Sure she was in a bad mood but that mood wasn't directed at the Arithmancy professor. No, it was directed at the friend of none other than...

...the jumpy one on her other side.

Not his brother's keeper? "Well maybe you should start being his keeper... and keeping him OUT of the hospital wing." And she didn't miss him looking her over either... and complimenting her. "Thanks," I think. Was he just trying to distract her from thinking about that vermin that should be sitting two seats away from her? "Sweden was peaceful. How was your...?" Stopping mid question she looked to her right.

"YOU!"

Glaring at the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor Cece felt as if she could shoot daggers from her eyes. "How DARE you talk to me like that! If anyone is lost or has forgotten how things work around here it's YOU! Did you seriously think I wouldn't know it was YOU that did that little re-arranging act in my office?" That's right, she wasn't asking if he did it, she was telling him he did it.

She may be blonde but she's not stupid.

She smiled at the woman, "That's great to hear..." she paused as she glanced out at the different tables as it seemed there was a little bit of commotion going on....and then continued figuring the Headmaster or Heads of Houses would take care of the uproar. "Mine was great...soaking up sun and enjoying the beach and waves...I'm not going to lie it was almost perfect..." yes there were only a couple of things that would've made it more amazing... "But nothing too exciting...which is just fine with me...I figure most of my excitement always happens here at Hogwarts..." she thought about the orb that had been mentioned earlier and wondered if that might be her excitement this term. Hogwarts never seemed to fail to have something going on, "And you? Did you do anything crazy over the break?" she said with a little nod.

Gemma cocked her head to the side and raised her left eyebrow as the woman made her comment about fashion...was the woman suggesting that she would introduce Gemma to a new store or was she saying that Gemma needed some Fashion Sense...she glanced down at her pant suit and lacy heels and knew the woman must've just been talking about the feathers because she was fashionable...or atleast she was known for being fashionable...surely she wasn't getting to that odd age where she was out of touch...

She pushed the thoughts out of her head..."I would love to go shopping with you...maybe we could share tips...shoes are my favorites..." she figured this would fill out the situation a little better...but she did have to admit it was nice to have another person that understood smiling and dressing nicely...

The professor really wasn't sure what to say...did she enjoy Divination...ummm...did anyone other than the Divination professor really enjoy Divination...actually Gemma was just being kind when she had said that but she was impressed because not everyone could teach that curriculum..."Well, I have to admit that I'm not the most talented in that area, but I did enjoy the class when I attended Hogwarts back in the day...I think that's why I'm always impressed by those that have that talent because it is one I have never understood....developed..." she said the last quickly hoping that her first word didn't offend, "But I think it would be interesting to attend a few lessons...and maybe we could even do a joint class eventually over the differences between wizarding ideas of Divination and the Muggle views of them..." her mind was already spinning on this idea...that was Gemma always thinking about her classes...which explained why she didn't have many friends on the staff after three terms...she was always focused on her lessons.

She smiled and the woman and then looked up to notice a familiar smile walking down the middle of the Great Hall.



Gemma instantly smiled and perked up a little bit more than usual. She felt butterflies in her stomach as she watch O walking towards the table...she felt like a teenager again....how lame was she...

She smiled at him as he walked hoping to catch his eye...surely he would glance at her...and then...he didn't...she shook her head left and right a little bit and figure it was just because he was anxious to speak with one of his buddies...but then the other side of her brain instantly started stressing that maybe he was going to act like nothing happened over the summer or he was going to make it all awkward now. Why had she not thought this through before this point?

Trying not to stress herself out or over analyze anything, she focused back in on her conversations with the other staffers and made a mental note to let him make the first line of contact....yes that sounded like a safe plan...

The skipping first year was making her way over to the staff table her mind set on giving each and EVERY staff member (especially the pretty ones) cookies. If they were mean to her and asked her if she was crazy and made them herself she'd just ignore them and walk off.

After all. Her mother did tell her not to talk to ANYONE if she had nothing good to say. No that wasn't it. It was don't say anything unless you have something good to say. Pfft. Ignore sounded better, much better.

"HELLO" She Squealed as she stopped infront of the molting lady. Molting wasn't cool - and were those real she wondered for a moment.

She wanted nothing more than to reach over and feel those feathers. They looked real - and they were pluming off her dress like she was molting. It was funny. Mika giggled a little bit.

"Cookies?" She asked holding up the rainbow colored unicorn cookies. So what if cookie girl looked crazy.

Whose to say she wasn't? "I'm Mika!" She smiled twirled and put the cookie box on the table. There now people could take their pick on which delicious multicolored treat they wanted to eat.

Out of the corner of her eye, Gemma spotted a girl hopping...almost literally...up to the Staff Table. She smiled at the little girl...she had to be a first year because she was so little but what nerves the girl had. Most first years were so nervous the first night that they just barely ate...or talked...and they hardly ever came to the staff table...A smile spread across the professor's face...yes she was like this first year when she had first come to Hogwarts.

Gemma reached into her bag of Muggle candy goody bags and pulled out one of her extras and leaned up and smiled towards the girl as she placed the bag on the edge of the table, "Did you say Mika?" she asked trying to pronounce it just as the girl had. "I would love a unicorn cookie...do you by chance have a pink or purpleish one?" she said motioning to the girl to come visit...yes this goody bag would be a fair trade for one of the yummy cookies...