The Doors
 

To enter quietly or to not and make an entrance instead, that indeed was the question that young Olivia Holden pondered as she waited by the door to enter. As she debated this decision, she decided to focus her mind on the beautiful large thick wooden doors. She placed her hand on one of the doors and took a deep breath in. It was surprising to think how calm and quiet this year at Hogwarts had been so far. There had been no portals, no growls, no Peeves (yet) around her. It was a good start to the year. Though for some reason, she had a feeling that this calm atmosphere would not last forever. Call it a premonition or just knowing Hogwarts history, she bit her lip and wondered what would happen this upcoming year. Friend drama? Perhaps. Boy drama? That certainly seemed likely. A lot of homework? That was a must. Staying out of too much trouble? Debatable.

So far the day was going by without much fuss. In fact this entire month was slipping right by without much of a problem. After the events of the previous term Camilla was just waiting for something to happen. Things only stayed calm around Hogwarts for so long. In all honesty though the women was enjoying the quiet. Just as she was going to enjoy some breakfast now.

Making her from her office to the Great Hall, heels clicking softly with each step. Reaching the large wooden doors that would give entrance to the tables inside upon which she could sit and eat she noticed the girl just standing there. "Is everything alright?," she questioned coming up beside her. Was there a reason to be just standing here in front of the doors and not going inside? Glancing around them everything seemed to be as it should be, so what was the trouble?

Olivia glanced up and looked at the person who had directed the question. Oh it was just Professor Stewart. Oh, yes, she was alright..... She thought she was. Smiling, she gave a small nod, "Oh yes, I'm alright, Professor." For she truly was okay, she was just lost in her thoughts and quieter than usual. "I was just thinking about last academic year with the portal... I just got stuck in thought." Olivia had been incredibly lucky to escape the portal and had been nervous when Ace hadn't come out immediately of the portal. Imagine a Hogwarts without Ace, Brent, or even any of the other kids that went in... That would have been too strange for her liking.

"How are you?" she asked, hoping to shift some of the attention off of her.

Camilla hoped she hadn't startled the girl by speaking to her suddenly when she didn't seem aware of anyone else being around. Lately that had become a thing for her, startling others even when she had been trying not to. The girl didn't appear to be surprised by her showing up and the confirmation that she was alright made the professor sigh in relief. "Well that's certainly good to hear." After last term she didn't want to hear about anything bad occurring for a long long time or even better...not at all. Ah, well that explained why she was just standing there. "I see. That happens sometimes with things that happen, like last term. Even though things are better now we can't help but wonder about the 'what if's'. We just have to thankful that everyone made it back." Their recovers were most likely ongoing for them but everyone handled things differently.

"I'm quite alright, how are you? Keeping up with all your lessons?" She stepped away from the door a little so that she wasn't in the way of anyone entering the Great Hall or coming out of it.

Olivia nodded in agreement. She completely agreed with the older lady. What ifs were always something that would forever remain in her mind. "Yes, that's true," she nodded in agreement with a small and somewhat unsure smile. She wasn't certain if things would be good this term but they couldn't get much worse than last term right? "Hopefully we wont have any monsters this year," she chuckled, trying to make light of her previous thoughts.

"Oh yes! Keeping up with most of them. I have one more assignment to finish for potions but I have four days until its due. Nothing has distracted me yet," she said with a happy smile. She wouldn't let these thoughts put her behind on her schoolwork. She had to continue to succeed no matter what. However, she should meet the new arrivals and spend some time getting to know them.

Also the arrival of the Illvermorny students was something else. "How long will the students from Illvermorny be here for? Do you know, Professor?" she asked.

Professor Stewart knew that what had happened last term would take time for the students and staff to heal from. Everyone dealt with things at their own pace in their own way. "If you need someone to speak with about things from last term I'm always available as if any of the other professors or even Healer Reed," she reminded her softly. Not everyone was up for talking about things but sometimes it helped. A small smile tugged at Cami's lips at Olivia's attempt at keeping things light. "I certainly hope not. The portal is closed and gone as is two of the poltergeists." So things should hopefully be much calmer this term.

This was good. Keeping ahead of her lessons. "That's good. You don't want to fall behind when there's OWLs at the end of the term for you." She was prepared for them, wasn't she?

"From my understanding they will be here for the better part of the term." Lessons and all tests would continue on as normal.

Olivia was very grateful for thekind offer that Professor Stewart had Meade her. It always made her smile more knowing that her Professors actually cared about her a sister a person as well as her grades. "Thank you, I really appreciate the offer," she said and would take her up on it if need be.

Oh yes. Very busy with OWLs. "Yes, I can't fall behind on studying. Ive made a whole schedule and the hardest part will be sticking to it." Her brother had forced her to look at all of his scheduling techniques so that she could truly optimize her time as best as she's could. "Do you have any advice or tips for OWLs?" Any advice would be welcome!

Better part of the term? Gosh. They were certainly full of life. "They seem an interesting bunch, quite similar to us and yet also quite different." Olivia certainly felt a little overwhelmed by all the chaos at the Gryffindor table. She didn't mind chaos too much just as long as it could be somewhat managed.

Being a Professor meant more to her than just giving lessons and homework to her students. As much as she didn't want to pry into their lives and make anyone uncomfortable she liked for them to know that should they ever need to speak with her about anything she would be there to listen and/or help however possible. "It's my pleasure. I may not know everything about every topic but I like to think that I do know some things," she laughed softly. It was meant to be serious but also slightly joking.

OWLs and NEWTs were the years that students lost themselves in their students and lots of them cracked under the pressure. "A schedule is always useful but only if you plan to follow it." If it was something you had no intention on doing to begin with a schedule wouldn't be of much help. Did she have any tips? Just a few. "Take your time studying. Don't cram for an OWL the night before and remember that sometimes the answer to a problem or situation is the simplest one." Not everything had to be complex. "Remember to eat, don't skip meals and make sure that you get proper sleep and plenty of breaks in between. You also want time to do things you like, spend time with friends. It all doesn't have to be studying...to much studying doesn't always help." In other words pace herself and have fun too.

Camilla laughed softly. "They are young students just like all of you here. They may sound a bit different, like different hobbies or eat different food but you're all here to learn. Take the time to speak to some of them and the things you have in common might very well surprise you." After all the Ilvermorny kids needed the kids here to welcome them.

Finding herself a moment between honing her skills and attributes between studies, Valerie decided to venture away from the Hogwarts grounds (which she had rather taken a liking to) and sauntered inside the castle. Following familiar steps lead her to this Great Hall of theirs where she spotted the younger girl from the feast. The one that had happened to catch her eye for certain undisclosed reasons.

Swiftly approaching (almost as though walking on air despite her heavy combat boots) she was quick to take note of this one's bunny slippers and an uncharacteristic smile tugged at the left side of her lips. She recalled Shane owning a pair quite similar.

"Adorable," she said, stretching one of her slender fingers down at them.

Natalie's attention was directed to the tall, porcelain skinned girl from Ilvermorny as soon as she was in her line of vision. She had seen her at the Slytherin table when the competitors were announced but hadn't spoken to her... or anyone really, besides Brent. It had been too hectic and she was too small.

Her eyes followed the girl's pointed finger back down to her bunny slippers, her cheeks turning pink as she paused in the doorway.

"Thanks," she said timidly, though she didn't know if the comment was sincere or not. She had gotten these slippers for Christmas the year before, but her feet were starting to get too close to the edge from her small growth spurt. She'd have to put them on her Christmas list again.

One thing Valerie quite appreciated was the manner in which this youngster was not looking at her as though she belonged in some fish tank. She had been rather put off by all staring upon their arrival which had only added to her sour disposition over a good many other things.

"My cousin wears a pair quite similar," she offered as an extension of their small talk. "Can hardly pry them off his feet even to go to school." And, on occasion, had slipped out of the house with them still on and was becoming quite the incident in the Kronshagen home according to their latest letter. Yes, the Wampus was missing real riveting news being away at wizarding school and now overseas. "Pity I am not permitted to charm the bottoms of his to prevent wear and tear." Perhaps a little bit of advice being given infused in her words.

Natalie still had her dinner rolls in her hands, but she didn't mind the small talk. She just hoped the American girl didn't think she was weird for running off with rolls in her bunny slippers.

Though apparently she didn't seem to mind since her cousin apparently wore a similar pair. More often than she did, too, it sounded like. Natalie looked back down at her slipper-clad feet, inspecting the condition of her slippers. "Maybe I should do that..." she said thoughtfully. Though, she didn't know of such a charm and would have to do some research.

But wait. "You know the charm?" she asked, looking up at the girl. Maybe she could help her out. Natalie didn't want her slippers to get worn out before she got a new pair.

She had noted the dinner rolls and could hardly fault anyone for slipping food out of a dining hall having done so at Ilvermorny multiple times herself. Although her stolen sustenance of choice tended to be more along the fresh fruit variety.

Nodding slightly, Valerie moved to remove the clip holding her hair up for a quick readjustment. Freeing her silky white locks and permitting them a rare chance to pour over her shoulders like chilled milk, Valerie gave the girl's bunny slippers another glance over. "I do." And if this youngster was hoping for more she would need to seek it.

"Thank you." Olivia chuckled a little at Professor Stewart's comment about not knowing everything but that she did know some things. That comment reminded her greatly of her father. He was an engineer so he often described himself as knowing a little maths, physics, and chemistry but not everything. She smiled softly.

Olivia felt as if she ought to be writing these suggestions down. Fortunately, she had a pretty sharp memory. NO cramming. Yes, cramming seemed like a horrible idea. If she did it, she felt as if she stress herself out more and remember less due to how stressed she felt. Overcomplicating would be hard not to do. Olivia had a terrible history of overcomplicating problems in elementary school esepcially in regards to mathematics. After Professor Newton had given her the advice, Olivia nodded. So essentially balance and rigor was important. Food, study, sleep, and social. All four in equilibrium would be hard to manage but she would have to work at it. "Alright, I'll do that! I think my hardest challenge will be not overcomplicating problems." She could work on that.

Professor Stewart was right again. These overseas students were away from home and probably felt very weird being in Hogwarts with a group of students that they didn't know. "Woudl it be possible to organize a group event between both schools? I think that would help with getting to know others though that could also hinder the process if people are uber competitive about the competition." Olivia wasn't competitive academically. She was only competitive over board and card games.

Camilla smiled glad that she had been able to make her laugh even just a little bit. It was true that she didn't know everything there was to know, no one did. She did however know her fair share of information and she was always willing to share what she did know as well as learn new things too.

Like with anything else in life a balance was nice to have when it came to studying. Overdoing it was sure to give the girl a headache and cause her to panic and forget everything she already did know. "You'll do fine. Treat these exams like every other exam and do your best." Camilla smiled. "I would have to say that you're not the only one that does that. We tend to make things bigger then what it needs to be but if you keep to a schedule and don't push yourself to hard you won't have that problem."

A group event? They were having the IMPS that was an event but as the women listened she quickly realized what Olivia was getting at. "That's a lovely idea. What would you suggest?" Maybe they could come up with something and she could run the idea by Regina.

Olivia nodded, gladdened by the suggestion to treat this exam like ever other exam that she had taken. OWLS weren't that special. Well they were but just don't treat them in that way. She smiled. "Yeah, I will try to not push myself too hard." Finding balance seemed like a better idea than overworking herself.

What did she suggest? Olivia blanked. Well... Team building? No that could earn an eye roll from her fellow peers. Maybe like a dance or something? Not everyone liked dancing though. "Maybe a group dinner or perhaps a ball? I know not everyone likes dancing but it could be something fun." It could also help ease the champions minds perhaps with all the stress from the competition. Though it would take a lot of coordination. It was only an idea though. There were probably better ideas for an event like that.

That was the best advice she could give her students. OWLs were important, sure but they weren't worth making ones self sick over. Pacing ones self in studying and taking time out for other things in between was the best thing anyone could do. "I'm positive that you will do well on the exams, Miss Holden. Just remember that when you're taking the written part answer all the questions you know the answer to first and then come back to the ones you might not be sure of."

The look on the girls face when she asked for a suggestion was enough to make Camilla laugh. Coming up with something like that on the spot wasn't easy for most people. However, Olivia did come up with two decent ideas. "A dinner would be fairly easy but I don't know how much fun that would be. Now a ball sounds more interesting, I'll see what the Headmistress thinks," Cami replied a small twinkle in her eye at the thought. It would certainly promote interaction between all the houses, the two schools and staff alike.

Olivia smiled at Professor Stewart's kind words about doing well on her exams. It made her feel more confident in her abilities. "Thank you, I will do that then." Answer the questions she knew and was confident on and then move on to the ones she didn't feel to confident about. If she did it that way, then she would have more time to deduce the answers to the questions she wasn't completely sure of. Fantastic. She liked this plan.

She also liked the idea of the ball too. It would be fun to hang out with friends and make new ones but she also liked it cause she could go dancing with someone. She didn't particularly like dancing but she would make an exception for a ball. "I agree! A ball would be a lot of fun. I don't have any ideas about a theme though."

"You're welcome. I can only hope that my studying techniques are of help to you," she smiled in return glad to be of help to one of her students. Everyone was different though and what worked for one person didn't always work for another so she was curious to know whether or not her tips would truly help Olivia out or not as the end of the term drew nearer.

Having a ball for the students and staff would be nice but it would take some planning and with the IMPS already set to take place, Cami didn't know if this would truly happen. "It most certainly would but it's not something I can say will happen for sure. There's the IMPS already taking place this term but I will mention it to Regina and see what she thinks. If it's something that can't happen maybe we can come up with something simpler." What she wasn't sure just then but a little big of brainstorming wouldn't be to hard.

She was feeling more confident already and would definefly take these tips in stride.

Olivia nodded. She understood that with the IMPS that everyone was super busy. It made perfect sense to her that it may not be a possibility. "Alright, I understand if it can't happen and would be up for brainstorming and helping if need be." Either way, she just hoped that they could do something as a group all together. That'd be nice so that they could get to know each other without getting too competitive.

Professor Stewart had a very good feeling that she would be taking those tips to heart and using them throughout the year. This is what she enjoyed as a professor, being able to give her students the materials they needed to go as far as they pushed themselves.

All the transfiguration women could do was run the idea by Regina and see what she had to say. It never hurt to ask. "If it's not something that can take place this term I'll see if something else can be done. I don't see why a simple gathering of sorts can't happen." If it was kept simple then maybe it wouldn't be a problem and a lot of planning wouldn't have to go into it either.

Olivia grinned at Professor Stewart's comment. Running the idea past the mistress was all that Olivia could ask for. She was definitely grateful that Professor Stewart was doing such a thing. "Thank you Professor Stewart. I do appreciate it." Olivia was excited either way if it happened or didn't. She was bound to meet more Illvermornians. And who knew? Perhaps she'd become good friends with them? It would all happen in time.

"Professor Stewart, did you have a competition like this when you were at school?" she asked with a curious glance.

"It's not at all a problem, with any luck something can be done and everyone will be making some new friends." That was part of the reasoning behind this competition anyhow. And to here there was no better way to promote the interactions between schools then something fun. Lets just hope the other staff and headmistress saw things the same way.

Camilla shook her head. "Not in my time, no. It is my understanding that these competitions only happen so often." There was many years between competitions such as this way from what she knew. Being the adventurous type of person that she was there was no doubt in her mind thought that had there have been one while she was at Hogwarts she would have wanted to partake in it.