A late dinner was in order. She'd been dealing with papers, animagi requests, misplaced books, an order for foxes gone wrong and a very unwelcome gift from a former colleague that she'd only too eagerly set fire to, so Nana was a little on edge tonight.

Still, you wouldn't have known from the woman's appearance which was immaculate as always. No, not even a hair out of place, the Transfiguration professor was the picture of professional grace this evening as she took her seat at the Dias. She'd have a glass of elderflower wine with her food tonight, that would set her nerves at ease, and so would a generous helping of that beautiful grilled salmon, the pureed cauliflower, and those terribly addicting garlicky greens.

Humming distractedly to herself, the poor thing had no idea that her calm little meal was absolutely about to take a complete and total turn for the worst.

James pretended like his late dinners were out of habit. Though in truth, there was nothing habitual about these late dinners of his. He purely chose this time because he knew for a fact no one on his list came to dinner at this time. Ol' Smelly normally opted for that raw meat and liver found in the kitchens, Poncho Paul's schedule was easy to pinpoint as the man only lived a few paces down from James' place on the grounds, and Nana... Well, Merlin forbid if Nana ever showed up to dinner late.

Which is exactly why he ought to be surprised about seeing her at the table at this hour.

But unfortunately, James wasn't a very patient man and eating late meant he was absolutely starving by this point. Man was on a mission and nothing and no one could stop him. So he only noticed exactly who he was sat next to as he scarfed down a piece of chicken.

........


Oh.

This was NOT a part of the plan.

"....... Nana," he said trying NOT to sound surprised. Not sure if that worked out, but at least the sound of panic was well hidden from his tone. "Don't normally see you here this late...." Er. Er... Food. Yes. That. Food. Not staring. Eating. Eating food. Because that was what he was here to do. Food.

Though equally as starved, Nana unlike her coworker, was not so invested that his presence went unnoticed. On the contrary, she was every bit aware of the CoMC Professor as he approached the dias and took the seat right beside her. Amaterasu, what was he doing. They did not speak. They barely even acknowledged one another and they most certainly did not sit beside one another at dinner. This was breaking their unspoken pact of avoidance. Sitting back in her seat, Nana took up her goblet and took a very long sip, her eyes decidedly settled on a nearby tapestry. Perhaps if she didn't so much as glance his way the man would allow them to sit in quiet awkwardness until they were both done with their food, or at least until enough time had passed that getting up wouldn't seem unnatural.

...... SIGH.

"James." She cleared her throat and took another draught of wine, eyes still avoiding him. It was taking all her will power not to blush or very quickly make an excuse and terry away. "Yes, well.... I had to postpone my dinner... I had a very busy evening." Her tone, thankfully, was far calmer than she herself felt and Nana took a moment to internally congratulate herself. Now that he mentioned it, Nana had been rather curious as to why exactly Draper so rarely supped with the other professors. She had for a little while believed herself to be the cause, but as the days wore on she became sure that this was not his only reason. James was not the kind to be bothered with others, no, he, like herself, was the more solitary type.

Putting down her goblet, Nana started digging into her food. Draper or not, she was very hungry and she wouldn't go to bed on an empty stomach.

James had taken a particular interest in the food on his plate. Though, he was very well aware of the discomfort in the air between them. He felt it too, by the way. Only, he was very good at keeping the discomfort hidden behind his confident demeanor. Food. That’s what he was focusing on. Not Nana Ichihara.

Though he was very invested in what she had to say for some particularly odd reason that he couldn’t quite place. He wanted to comment on the way she avoided any eye contact, though he was avoiding it too. He shifted in his seat, mentally cursing himself for choosing this one out of all the places he could’ve sat.

At her explanation, he raised a single brow in question. Busy evening? What could she possibly be busy with? Not that it mattered. Not that he cared. Just curious. Simply curious. His evenings weren’t as busy as he’d like them to be, honestly. And though he didn’t want to admit it… Not having made any friends on staff thus far has been horrible.

The silence was worst than the conversation, however forced, had been. Practically deafening it was, as the two professors sat and supped together in discomfort. Nana was almost praying that James would speak again, not because she wanted to talk to him or anything like that, no, absolutely not. Her silent plea was only on account of this horrendous quiet that had descended upon them and was surely more marked than the two speaking together.

Amaterasu, her head was completely empty, totally devoid of any and all conversation. think, think, think. She was a woman of grace, elegance and education- there had to be something for her to remark on??

Pursing her lips, Nana straightened out her shoulders and dabbed at her lips with her cloth napkin. "... The Weather has been... Very pleasant... " She had never wanted to evaporate into nothing more than right now at this very moment. Nana cleared her throat and took another deep draught of her goblet to hide the flush of her cheek.

This damn silence was going to be the end of him.

How is it that a lack of conversation could be so excruciatingly loud? As he took another forkful of food, he couldn't help but hope that Nana would say something, anything to break this uncomfortable vow of silence. However, despite this hope, James knew he couldn't be the first to speak. It would mean admitting defeat. Or... Something equally as idiotic which he had made up in his head of course.

...This wasn't all in his head, was it? Either way, he wouldn't be the first to break.

No. He couldn't take it. Something had to be said. Fine. Fine. FINE. He'd do it. He'd--

Ah. Excellent. He knew she'd break first. There was never a doubt.

James couldn't help but grin slightly at her choice topic of conversation. Had the circumstances been a little different, he probably would've laughed out loud, done something to let her know how ridiculous it was. But the deafening silence had momentarily blocked any intelligent thought process because James Draper was about to go with it. "Very," he agreed, nodding his head. One thing he didn't do, however, was turn to face her. Nope. He kept his gaze straight ahead, facing all the house tables laid out in front of the dais. Yes, he was avoiding eye contact. Eye contact would mean admitting he felt awkward. He wasn't about to admit any sort of discomfort.

"Fall is one of the better seasons," he took another bite of his food. "Crisp." Crisp? That's the best he could do???? Fall is crisp.

Bloody hell, they were talking about the weather.

Small bites, she was taking small delicate bites and pretending like she had all the time in the world to devote to her dinner when all she wanted to do was abandon the plate and casually had for her bed, but it was too soon, wasn't it? Nana glanced discreetly at her ... It had barely been five minutes.

How on earth was she supposed to survive this? More inane weather talk? She abhorred talking about the weather, almost as much as she abhorred gossip and country music ( which was quite a bit ). Nana hadn't meant to- absolutely hadn't- her intention had been the opposite, actually- but she found herself glancing to James as he spoke. She took him in, specifically how he held himself as he ate and spoke. Ridiculous, she was being ridiculous.

Rude. Those thoughts creeping in were plain, and simple, rude. "Yes... Crisp. The foliage is... very lovely." Clearing her throat, Nana pulled her gaze from him before he could noticed and delicately dabbed her lips again, careful not to get any of her lipstick (Witchy Woman's Petulant Pink) on the napkin. "I'm fond of Spring as well... Beautiful time of year... And the clothes... " 10 minutes. She would leave after 10 minutes. She would politely excuse herself and no one would think anything of it. They could stand each other that long, couldn't they? Couldn't they? Nana was doubtful. "You can wear almost anything in the spring."

Searching her mind, Nana tried to think of [i]any other subject-[i] Perhaps- Well... "How.... Have you been enjoying your time here?" She was honestly rather curious. Had he been accosted by students asking about pet care? Had he become as enamored with the castle as nana herself had? It was something else, after all...

This was incredibly excruciating. Not that he’d be willing to admit it. By no means, hell he’d sit here all day if he had to. If it meant proving a point, that is. Though it was one of the most uncomfortable meals he had ever had to sit through in his entire life. And there were countless points in his Hogwarts career when he was made to sit alone and eat in a private detention room. But this was even beyond that. At least then the silence had been forced upon him.

This was technically a choice. Even the weather talk. The weather talk that was absolutely ridiculous, he may add.

Yet he found himself nodding at her commentary on the foliage. To avoid looking like even more of a fool, he took a long sip out of his goblet before allowing himself to comment on anything else. As he set down the now-nearly-empty goblet, he again returned his gaze to the unknown space in front of the dais. If one didn’t know better it could’ve been mistaken for looking down at the other house tables, however, if one were paying attention it would be clear that the gaze was one of avoidance. Intentional. Forced.

”I prefer the winter,” he would have commented further on her preference for the spring and how anything could be worn in those months. However, given the opportunity he would have made a highly inappropriate remark concerning what he’d like to see her wear. So instead he coughed as if to cover up any physical sign of that very thought. ”The cold keeps me..... alert.” Was it clear to Nana that James was horrid at speaking about the weather?

And despite wanting so desperately to put them both out of their misery, James didn’t dare think about leaving. He made sure to eat his food slowly so that Nana would finish first and therefore have to be the first to excuse herself. It was all about keeping the advantage, the upper hand. The next topic took him slightly by surprise and hardly anything was capable of surprising him these days. ”It’s been… interesting” well, interesting was a nice way of putting it. ”Nothing like a foodfight to give a warm ‘welcome’ into the year.” Clearly not meaning a word of it. ”And yourself? Do you like it here?”

He was genuinely interested. Was she better adjusted than he was?

It hadn't taken the ever observant third year long to figure out the schedules of the professors when it came to eating. Who ate in the office's, who went to the kitchens, who ate in the great hall, and how often they did for. This was valuable information for a kid who liked to eat his meals in the Headmistresses seat.

When he was sure he would have the entire staff dais to himself, Bastien made his way over to the center seat as if he owned it and settled down. The staff didn't have better food or anything. He just liked the seat, and the small bit of rebellion that came with not sitting at his assigned table.

He had been doing this long enough that the house elves always put something vegan or vegetarian on the table for him, and today was no exception. Vegan burgers and sweet potato fries. Yuuum.

Going to the kitchens or the Great Hall was an everyday thing for Hugo, but not like normal people who ate three meals, he visited these places very often and was thinking of suggesting on making a common room located in the kitchens, that way he wouldn't bother walking that much.

He loved how the house elves would get him anything to eat, it was heaven. The prefect sat down on his house table but noticed a not staff member on the staff table, the boy was from Slytherin too but younger than him and he figured out that if a younger student could sit there, then he The Prefect could too. And that's what he did. "What's up?" said with a nod and sat down.

Quote:

Originally Posted by grangerfan8

It hadn't taken the ever observant third year long to figure out the schedules of the professors when it came to eating. Who ate in the office's, who went to the kitchens, who ate in the great hall, and how often they did for. This was valuable information for a kid who liked to eat his meals in the Headmistresses seat.

When he was sure he would have the entire staff dais to himself, Bastien made his way over to the center seat as if he owned it and settled down. The staff didn't have better food or anything. He just liked the seat, and the small bit of rebellion that came with not sitting at his assigned table.

He had been doing this long enough that the house elves always put something vegan or vegetarian on the table for him, and today was no exception. Vegan burgers and sweet potato fries. Yuuum.

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeasleyGirl

Going to the kitchens or the Great Hall was an everyday thing for Hugo, but not like normal people who ate three meals, he visited these places very often and was thinking of suggesting on making a common room located in the kitchens, that way he wouldn't bother walking that much.

He loved how the house elves would get him anything to eat, it was heaven. The prefect sat down on his house table but noticed a not staff member on the staff table, the boy was from Slytherin too but younger than him and he figured out that if a younger student could sit there, then he The Prefect could too. And that's what he did. "What's up?" said with a nod and sat down.

The thing about Hogwarts was that things were always unpredictable. Always.

While the astronomy professor did stick to a strict schedule - arguably more so than any of his other colleagues - things did come up. Mostly Astronomer Royal duties and, well, personal matters were on the increase as well.

Thus, he had had to take an unexpected day trip to London to listen to an exoplanet presentation that had gone on much longer than anticipated due to poor organization on the candidate and disordered index cards. All of which had the man in a bit of a foul mood and just wanting to sit down to a nice quiet meal in the Great Hall...

Uh..........

"Meri-berry, did you do something to your hair?" he asked casually of the student sitting in the woman's seat. Of course, forget-me-not blue eyes were also cast towards the prefect.

Bastien noticed his house prefect entering the great hall, having the best seat in the hall, but made no friendly or welcoming gestures at him until he decided to brave the staff dais. "Nothing much. You?" He nodded his head at him, approving of his picking the defense professor's seat. If he was going to go with any other one, then that would be it.

Nothing could beat the headmistress' seat though.

It was impossible to miss the professor, and what was he doing here anyway? This wasn't his usual lunch hour. Professor's should really just stick to their schedules. "Yes, professor. I did. Thank you for noticing." He was equally causal, unfazed by getting caught. He wasn't really doing anything bad. "Care to join us?"

In this seat he could keep an eye on everyone in the room but this was not his priority right now. Hugo was here because of the food but the view was cool though. "Same, just hungry" casually said "Why don't you sit in the house table?" asked curiously.

But before he could get an answer from Bastien, professor Flamsteed appeared. "What's up, professor?" and waved at him. Probably Flamsteed didn't actually mind joining them since this was the staff table but yeah, he should stay.

SPOILER!!: the two pseudo professors

Quote:

Originally Posted by grangerfan8

Bastien noticed his house prefect entering the great hall, having the best seat in the hall, but made no friendly or welcoming gestures at him until he decided to brave the staff dais. "Nothing much. You?" He nodded his head at him, approving of his picking the defense professor's seat. If he was going to go with any other one, then that would be it.

Nothing could beat the headmistress' seat though.

It was impossible to miss the professor, and what was he doing here anyway? This wasn't his usual lunch hour. Professor's should really just stick to their schedules. "Yes, professor. I did. Thank you for noticing." He was equally causal, unfazed by getting caught. He wasn't really doing anything bad. "Care to join us?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by WeasleyGirl

In this seat he could keep an eye on everyone in the room but this was not his priority right now. Hugo was here because of the food but the view was cool though. "Same, just hungry" casually said "Why don't you sit in the house table?" asked curiously.

But before he could get an answer from Bastien, professor Flamsteed appeared. "What's up, professor?" and waved at him. Probably Flamsteed didn't actually mind joining them since this was the staff table but yeah, he should stay.

Foul mood aside, the Astronomy professor actually cracked a tight lip smile at the boys. At least the one was showing a bit of a sense of humor in his response and with the real Meri-berry not utilizing her seat at the moment there was no real reason to give either the third degree. Rather like a philosophical thought experiment, when one got to thinking of things -observation and knowledge of reality.

"Quite welcome," he chuckled as he began to move towards his own seat. Pebbles would appreciate the lack of faculty at the table right now. She too could have her own seat.

He gave a quick glance up towards the ceiling. "I do believe that that," he said, indicating with his index fingers. "Is a magical manifestation of NGC 7293. Otherwise known as the Helix Nebula."

Stellar question.

She felt like they were playing some game. One in which the loser was the one who looked first, or flinched first- Nana wasn't exactly sure, but she didn't think she enjoyed it all that much. It felt dangerous, and Nana was no gryffindor, she did not court danger, or tease it, and she most certainly did not look it in the eye as they shared a very awkward meal. Tucking back her hair behind her ear, Nana turned her attention back to her plate. This was all absolutely ridiculous, and so was carrying on this conversation for longer than necessary, but now that the conversation had shifted... Well, Nana found herself keenly interested.

Not about the layers and the clothes, but about his opinion. "I do love winter... the snow, the freshness in the air." She nodded along with him, unaware of the murkier thoughts her fellow professor was fighting. "Summer... Has it's moments... I have a new bathing suit I purchased in fall that I've been quite keen to wear." Why was she telling him about her bathing suit? why was she still sitting there and discussing the weather? It was Hogwart's latest mystery.

The Professor Laughed. Honestly laughed, not a chuckle or simper, but a loud, surprised, bright laugh that caught the Japanese woman completely off guard. She cleared her throat, cheeks tinging. "No, not, certainly not... Just the welcome I'd been hoping for... " Nana snidely remarked, lips curved into an amused little sneer. Thank goodness he'd realized the insanity of the opening feast too, Nana had felt like the lone nurse in an insane asylum that night. "... It's been.. Very strange, but I find I'm getting used to it... You must admit, the castle is... quite something else." It was impossible not to fall in love with it, at least it was in Nana's eyes.

In some ways it was a game. It always was, wasn't it? And more than that, it was a game that James was keen on winning. Though, he always did... Didn't he? However, it was proving to be more of a challenge this time. Nana was a capable opponent. And whether it was intentional or not, James was sure she was playing with the intention to win. He had clearly met his match, something he had noticed since their very first interaction. Nana wouldn't let him win without putting up a fight, yet she did so all whilst prim and perfect. So bloody infuriating how she managed to remain so unfazed.

However his thoughts had moved elsewhere and he was far too grateful that she decided to elaborate on the seasons. Gave time for James to let his mind travel without a need to surface. He passively listened as she went on about the winter, deciding that he changed his mind, the warmer months were better for other reasons. Other reasons and thoughts that resurfaced thanks to the comments about her new-- THUD. The Creatures Professor forced a tight-lipped-smile, pushing down on the table with his hands. Luckily his thigh only slightly throbbed after springing up and making contact the underside of the dais. Ahem. He cleared his throat, "I hear the lake is a nice swimming spot," and very conveniently located near James' office. Interesting. She should test out her new bathing suit there. Enable him some more.

Her laugh caught him off guard, something Nana was incredibly good at doing as of late, and James couldn't help but grin a little. A good-natured one. Not one of malice or cheek. And though he wouldn't call Nana a friend, even he would admit that she had her head in the right place. Actually, he was all too grateful that Nana felt the same way he did. Some of the other Professors were absolute lunatics. "It is," he agreed, nodding his head but still looking forward. "Took it for granted as a kid," mostly due to his lack of sensibility and utter idiocy as a 15 year old. It was funny too because James didn't normally talk like this. Sounding old and thoughtful, it's not something he did. But here he was. Funny how uncomfortable situations force you into strange behaviors.

The were almost being friendly civil.

Sir Nicholas had tried not to let the unsettling nature of recent events read as concern across his ghostly features, but there was no denying the new energy about the castle recently.

Strange yet....familiar energy...which only made the ghost more restless on the subject.

Floating about the Great Hall, as per usual during the dinner hour, Sir Nicholas glided to the staff dais and hovered in place hoping to catch the glance of his fellow house specters.

The Grey Lady was feeling perturbed due to the new energy about the castle and the recent events. It made her worry for the safety of her eagles and all the students.

It was not the Hag that had come and gone. It was something else. A new surge of energy that made her jumpy and moody.

Floating into the Great Hall, during the dinner hour, Helena glided towards the Ravenclaw Table as per her usual when she spotted Sir Nick hovering by the staff dais.

Gliding towards him, hoping he could sooth her mood Helena called out as she floated nearer, a softness in her voice. "Good evening Sir Nicholas."

The Friar was running a little late because he had taken to staring too long out of that third floor corridor window. On nice days, he loved to see the birds outside, enjoying their freedom in flight. It was peaceful.

Things in the castle were not peaceful. Unsettling energies...things he could sense...but he had not spoken aloud about any of it to anyone. No professor nor ghost that dwelled here.

He was pleased to see Nick and Helena there already. "Hello and good day to you both!" he said with as cheerful a smile he could manage.

Sir Nicholas' posture noticeable straightened with the appearance of Helena and he even puffed out his chest a bit more to look all the more impressive. "Good evening, Lady Helena," he greeted with a polite bow. One look at her informed him that she could feel it too.

Alas. Not the feeling he wished to speak with her about.

"You've noticed as well?"

"Friar, good evening." he nodded as the jolly ghoast of Hufflepuff house glided towards them. "Have you seen the Baron? Is he perhaps once again off trying to keep Peeves at bay?"

Quite unsuccessfully, if Sir Nicholas said so himself. The poltergeist had been up to more dastardly deeds than usual....and that it had been going on for months now.

Helena couldn't help but feel flattered by how Nick reacted to her arrival. It warmed when there was so many things that were distressing lately. Curtsying politely in turn she almost extend one of her hands elegantly to get a kiss but thought better of it. It was not the place for pleasantries of the heart. They were here to discuss something more alarming. The unsettling new energy.

Looking into Nick's eyes Helena nodded, twinning her hands around themselves. "Yes, I have. It is making me very perturbed. I don't like it."

When Alfred, the cheerful ghost of Hufflepuff floated up to them Helena smiled faintly at him and curtsied politely. "Good evening Friar, have you felt it too?"

Things should be but weren't peaceful in the castle. Was it all Peeves doing?

Alfred did not miss the looks exchanged by his two ghostly companions. Love made him very happy indeed, so he even managed a smile at this. Hmpph. He wouldn't make any comments, though, lest he embarrass them.

He shook his head at Sir Nicolas. "I have not seen him...but maybe so. I did tell him we were going to have a chat about things, though..." he sighed. He didn't like this energy, not at all. He nodded at Helena. "Yes...I have. It's odd. It's more than odd. It's...frankly, I'm a little off-put by it. Peeves? Peeves is causing more rabble-rousing than usual? I can't...quite make out what it is."

He felt muddled by the recent events. And Peeves was always doing random acts of terrorizing, so why did...they all feel such a weird energy right now?

"They have become a bit more grand over time, have they not?" Sir Nicholas said, mostly thinking aloud than seeking a reply. "Vanishing toilet paper and slippery corridors at first to more lavish instances recently. "

The ghost could still hear the screams of Professor Flamsteed echoing through the corridors.

"I would attest such actions to his being bored, but..." the ghost paused for a moment to weigh the options, each seemingly more implausible than the next. "...do either of you suppose there is a connection? This unsavory energy and Peeves lashing out more."

The distinct sound of chains rattling could be heard by those nearby as the Bloody Baron made his entrance. "Good evening.. pardon my tardiness." He was the type to be punctual as he acknowledged them. The eyes as usual lingered longer on the Lady.

Of course his presence would be needed. Peeves. "Does there ever need to be a connection for it to be Peeves?" It was for pure dramatics if one asked the Baron on all these pranks. "..Are you suggesting another Peeves is about?" As if one was enough.