She didn't have to wait for any time at all before the Potions Mistress opened the door to invite her inside. The title made her pause for a moment, not because it was incorrect, but because she'd been Professor or Headmistress for ages, and was now President... she so often had a more formal title. Was Lafay aware of that and purposefully trying to diminish her?

No, she wouldn't assume such things. Best start off on the right foot. "Thank you, Professor. You may call me Cassandra, of course." She slipped past the woman into the office and waited to be offered a seat.

"I appreciate the invitation to visit you. We didn't get a chance to speak when I last toured the castle."

"Of course. And you may call me Hecate, if you'd like." She said with a polite nod. "Yes, I apologize for not coming to introduce myself at the feast, but as head of house I need to keep my eyes on the table. You understand, of course." She said and poured two cups of tea. "I hope you will try the tea. It's my own blend of herbs. It soothes and calms nerves... the same way chamomile does, but it tastes far better." She motioned to a little comfy chair, one she'd conjured for the occasion.

Cassandra took the proffered chair with a little nod. One simply did not drink tea standing up. She crossed her ankles and smiled benignly, although it was amusing to spend time with a different Potions expert. With her gardening and Doyle's skills, she had her own tea blends, just as Lafay did.

"I hear that you've been ill. I won't insult you by asking who you've consulted, but I hope you're feeling better. It must be hard to keep up your day to day duties when you're feeling poorly."

"Excuse me just one moment." Hecate said and opened the door again.

"Mister Lagerty," She said with a nod. "Please come in... I'm glad you could accept my invitation. Please come in and join us." She then moved back to the center of the room.

"I have indeed been ill... but I try not to let it affect my teaching philosophy." She said and sat back down with her teacup. In the middle of the table was some lemon, sugar, sweetener, honey and milk. She took a dab of milk in her tea. "I have good students. That is essential when feeling under the weather. Your daughter is very promising in potion making... as I'm sure your husband is well aware."

Cassandra waited until the woman returned before lifting her cup to her lips. She never doctored her tea, especially not tea so specially crafted for flavor. "I hear you had trouble with your student leaders at the beginning of the term. I'm happy to hear you've managed to bring them around. I know I relied on my prefects when I was Head of House."

She sniffed the cup subtly. Interesting blend. "As for Genevieve... Doyle is very proud of her abilities, but more so of her curious mind and willingness to experiment. She thinks she's sneaky, but I have it on good authority that her pockets are always full of ingredients she wants to try." Probably some out of the Potions cupboard, to be honest.

The greeting he got from Madame Lafay-Greingoth was much more pleasant than he expected from the various complaints and scandals surrounding her past but that was fine by him. "Thank you Professor."

Harold stepped into the office as invited and took it in quickly before noticing he wasn't alone.
"Good day Cassandra." He smiled warmly at his collegue before taking a seat beside her. He had heard the butt end of their conversation about the President's daughter and it was good to hear that she was excelling at her new school.

The pub owner eyed the table full of tea and additions for it before looking at the Potions mistress. "May I?" he asked, extending a hand towards the table. He of all people knew how rude it was to take drinks without asking. He's cursed a few wizards before for doing that at the Broomsticks.

"Yes, well... That will not be happening again. I assure you." She said sipping her tea, "They have been reprimanded for their lack of attention and they are not going to disappoint me again."" She was sure of this. All three knew what would happen to them if they did.

"He certainly should be. Curiosity and willingness to experiment are key to becoming a successful potioneer. I sure hope she will be following in his footsteps." She said, and she really did see potential in the young girl. "Hows the tea? I find the liquorice bark gives it an added tang..."

Just as the man was extending his hands the tea pot began pouring into an empty cup. "It's Hecate. Please. And of course... but I've charmed the tea pot to do it for us." She said giving a soft smile to the man. "I hope you enjoy the blend. As I've told Cassandra, it's something I've created to soothe and calm... the same way chamomile does."

"Hops," Cassandra offered him a warm smile and a tilt of her head. She quite liked their treasurer, although they only seemed to meet on official occasions. He had a level head and seemed to see the school as she and Anj did, which was best. All like-minded.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Count DROOcula

"Yes, well... That will not be happening again. I assure you." She said sipping her tea, "They have been reprimanded for their lack of attention and they are not going to disappoint me again."" She was sure of this. All three knew what would happen to them if they did.

"He certainly should be. Curiosity and willingness to experiment are key to becoming a successful potioneer. I sure hope she will be following in his footsteps." She said, and she really did see potential in the young girl. "Hows the tea? I find the liquorice bark gives it an added tang..."

Oh, my... Lafay certainly sounded severe. Cassandra was willing to leave it to the Slytherin Head of House to handle her own students, even if one of them was the Minister of Magic's daughter which was a definite politic move and not something she would have permitted during her tenure.

"Genevieve... wants to be an Auror. We've convinced her to apply to university in a potions program, but I suspect we'll have another Auror in the family." And she wasn't displeased exactly, but that was a hard life and a dangerous one, and Vivi was still a baby. Her baby. "The tea is lovely. You'll have to share the blend with me."

"An Auror...? Truely? Well then it is you who should be proud of her the most. But I think I would worry too much if one of my daughters wanted to be an Auror. I don't care how talented and trained they are, I'd be too afraid..." She said and thought to her third husband. He had been one of the most talented Aurors on the force. "I certainly will send you some to you, if you wish."

"Yes well, thank you Hecate." Hops tilted his head in her direction as he waited for the tea pot to fill his cup and hoped the honey would do it's job too. As he sat there and the two women spoke of his collegues daughter, Harold inspected the small office. There were potion ingrediants and all sorts of things that wouldn't be found in your typical office but it came with her job he guessed. How someone could spend all day in the dungeons was beyond him.

Once his tea was poured he took a sip and spoke politely to the Slytherin Head of House. "Very good, Hecate, if I do say so. And you've made this yourself?" He certainly would need something to calm himself if he was stuck down here all the time, that was the Puff in him talking obviously.

Above all the talk of tea and the Branxton-Rae girl, Hops was starting to wonder what this meeting was about?

"We're both proud of her. Perhaps someday you and... your husband will have children of your own, and you'll see how it is," Cassandra nodded politely at the woman's attempt at a compliment. One didn't tell an adult what they could and could not do without ruining that relationship, and her daughters were adults now.

"But enough talk about the students... you wanted to meet with us?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harold Lagerty

"Yes well, thank you Hecate." Hops tilted his head in her direction as he waited for the tea pot to fill his cup and hoped the honey would do it's job too. As he sat there and the two women spoke of his collegues daughter, Harold inspected the small office. There were potion ingrediants and all sorts of things that wouldn't be found in your typical office but it came with her job he guessed. How someone could spend all day in the dungeons was beyond him.

Once his tea was poured he took a sip and spoke politely to the Slytherin Head of House. "Very good, Hecate, if I do say so. And you've made this yourself?" He certainly would need something to calm himself if he was stuck down here all the time, that was the Puff in him talking obviously.

Above all the talk of tea and the Branxton-Rae girl, Hops was starting to wonder what this meeting was about?

Cassandra shared a glance with Hops... thank Merlin he was here and they were of the same mind about things. If Mistress Lafay hoped to sway them to the Minister's viewpoint, she'd be sorely disappointed.

"Oh yes, I enjoy playing around with herbs, I also have a catnip blend that Professor Scabior enjoys." She nodded.

She shrugged. She has a child of her own, and she had Sierra, who now is her own. "Someday..." If she had that day. She sighed. She wasn't sure she'd be alive to watch both girls grow.

"I wanted to... meet with you?" She narrowed her eyes unsure of what that meant. "Oh. You wish to know why I called you here? I'm sorry, I thought I explained that in my owl. I just meant for you to meet and get to know me. It may sound a bit narcissistic, but I'm sure you have heard or read some non flattering things about me. I would like for you to form your own ideas of me." She said. "You can ask me questions if you wish, or we could continue chit chatting."

Hops could feel his collegue's eyes on him as the Potions Mistress spoke to them about bettering her image in their eyes. It wasn't what he had originally expected but he was still intrigued. She coudn't possibly beleive that a few cups of tea could make them forget the time she set students on fire or the other incidents that filled her file.

"Oh, that's wonderful of you. I just wanted to ask, now that you've married the Minister, you still plan on continuing your position here at Hogwarts and not turning the title in to be a stay at home mother for his child?" He tried to not make it sound rude but he wanted answers.

Cassandra had read the woman's owl, and she hadn't known whether to believe her or not. At least she appeared generally honest in that she wanted them to get to know her and come to their own opinions of her, but it was hard to trust the wife of the Minister of Magic wasn't trying to manipulate them. It didn't help that Doyle reported that Genevieve had serious reservations about the woman's abilities in the classroom, something her daughter wouldn't report to Cassandra but would have no trouble explaining to her father in one of their chatty potions-related owls.

She paused to let Hops ask his question first, her eyebrows going up. "I didn't realize you were pregnant, Professor Lafay. You really must let Doyle send you some of his special teas. He developed them when I was carrying Marcus Orion, and I was fit as a fiddle up to the day of delivery." Really, Hops... a woman could be a professional AND a mother. Cassandra had done it for years.

"I'd like more information about your educational philosophy, as well as your vision for this program in the coming years."

"I've been married for over a year now and I haven't turned in my title yet." She smiled and sipped her tea. "Sierra is in school here, so I'd see her more if I was working, though I do not show favoritism towards her. I treat her the way I would any other Hogwarts student..." He did mean Sierra... right? "If you mean the baby... well, I believe I can perform my job and be a mother... I'm doing it now."

"I was pregnant." She said smiling. "There was a complication due to my illness... but Ariadne was born this past Christmas day, healthy and smiling. She is with her father, at the ministry... there is a great new nursery there." She hadn't seen the child since she was born. No use in the baby seeing her ill... or bonding with her if this last attempt at a cure didn't work. "Thank you for offering though. As for my educational philosophy, I believe that every child has the ability to learn potion making if they pay attention and are pushed to grow intellectually. As an educator, I help students meet their fullest potential not by codling them, but by providing the best education they can get. I support risk-taking, sharing of ideas and experimentation, as long as I am present to watch over them. I do this by acting as a guide, allowing their natural curiosity to direct their learning, and making them start over if they do not follow direction. I do not believe in merely theoretical classes, I like to provide these young witches and wizards with the practical brewing of potions and the testing of them in the classroom setting, so I may oversee the process and correct mistakes. It may be harsh, but it's how I find I challenge them to do better."

She put down her tea and looked Cassandra in the eye, and with a very serious tone continued. "As for myself, I must confess, I never saw myself as a teacher, or for that matter, a mother. In truth, I never liked children, but teaching provides an opportunity for continual learning and growth. I do get a sense of pride and accomplishment when my former students write to me and tell me of their successes. One of my hopes as an educator is to instill a love of potion making in a few of them, as it enables me to share my own passion for it." She broke her gaze and reached for something to eat, but her hand stopped before it touched the food. Her stomach wouldn't handle it... so she went back to her tea. Sipped it and then said. "My vision for this program is simple, I will continue to teach useful potions, the basics and the newer ones, to students, but as I am doing now, teach them how to create potions. I hope that answered your question," whether she agreed with her views or not.

She heard a knock. "I'm sorry, it's the duty of a head of house to be available at any time for her students." This would also allow them to see her with the students. She opened the door with her wand and said "Come in Captain Montmorency, Miss Logan, Miss McIntyre."

The door opened and The Professor was talking to someone else.. did she have other's in her office right now!? 'shoot shoot shoot.' she thought. though this COULD give her an advantage. lafay wouldn't get all crazy on her. though the fourth year HAD stayed out of trouble this term. ugh and she was still slowly bleeding and she could swear her nose was bruising a bit ugh. lord let this be quick and painless! She nodded too the two others in the room and her Head of House as well, as she followed Dylan into the room. 'don't speak unless spoken too' the captains voice rang in her head.

Dylan stepped into the office before the two girls, first noting the guests Professor Lafay was entertaining. The two were older...a man and a woman...Yet, the woman looked oddly familiar. Perhaps he'd seen her in Diagon Alley? Gringotts? She's looked classy...

Unfortunately, Dylan didn't offer a second glance at the man. He wasn't nearly as interesting to look at.

Throat clearing...

"Professor, I was making my way towards the pitch when I happened across these two mid-altercation."...Had they entered the room yet? The Slytherin didn't look to see...

Taylor stepped in sheeply. She glanced down at her feet, not wanting to make Lafay mad... she would be in enough trouble as it was. Tay stayed silent like the captain warned.

"Captain Montmorency, Miss Logan, Miss McIntyre, I'm sure you know the president of our Board of Governors, Cassandra Rae-Branxton and the treasurer, Harold Lagerty?" She said looking at the students. She looked at Logan and noticed the blood.

"Explain yourselves." She ordered the two girls.

Tay glanced up at the president and treasurer. She grimaced and then looked at Lafay, "I admit that I might have punched her once but I warned her. I should have gone to a teacher about it but Logan would not stop harassing me and I was tired of it. I tried to walk away but she called me a wimp." Taylor grimaced, "And my pride and anger took over but it was just one little punch. It wasnt even hard." Tay crossed her arms and glared at Ariana.

Ariana Nodded to the two guest Lafay had in her office as Taylor began to speak and Ariana was so pleased with what she had said. she pretty much set herself up for this one. as Taylor spoke the water works slowly started. the Slytherin waited until the Ravenclaw was done speaking and until Lafay looked at it as if giving her permission to begin. 'Professor I." tears we're falling like magic now as she stopped trying to have the blood come from her nose. it ran down her face slowly and ew.. " i was mearly having a conversation With miss McIntyre here when we had a disagreement about something and she began to walk away from me and i simply stated that walking away from the disagreement wasn't going to solve it and that we should talk it out." sob sob sob. but the girl kept it together she didn't look too pathetic she didn't seem like she was crying for attention either, just like she was hurt and in some pain "then she turned around and just Punched me. I simply walked away from her at that point. i was afraid she'd keep hitting me honestly professor" she was scared oh so so scared that the Ravenclaw would hit her again. she illustrated that by taking one small step to the side to be a bit further from the girl as she glared at her.. see! she was ready to hit her again!

Tay rolled her eyes, "Bull crap, Ariana. If you were so scared of me hitting you, you wouldnt have harass me and called me a wimp." She glanced at the professor, "Professor, she is obviously faking it. I mean she always hated me ever since we met. I never punched her in my life other than that one time." A glare was sent to Ariana. "She is a little lieing manipulating brat!" Taylor crossed her arms then grew silent.

Dylan eyed the two as they began to talk, semi-rolling his eyes at Logan. Seriously...

Crying was gross...and girls crying just freaked him out...

...And the girl that punched his team member was mouthy.

"Language."...because the Slytherin Captain didn't think she deserved having him use her last name. "You are rude."

...And 'negative', he wasn't sorry for saying so.

Tay glanced at Dylan and her glance turned into a glare, "If you think that is rude then you should hear how your precious little quidditch player talks about me." Hmph! How about those apples? Snakes are really dumb.

Ariana frowned at what was going on and the NERVE this ravenclaw had.. didn't she REMEMBER what the captain had told her just MOMENTS before.. Not to speak unless spoken too. Ariana put her head down and let the tears calm down a bit as she sniffled and held her nose a bit which was aching now. ughh. Brave move there McIntyre.. Brave move.