Ean felt refreshed. After the most pleasant summer on the cruise in the Carribean, it felt as though perhaps time had slowed down. September seemed to have arrived later than usual, he felt, or maybe it was alluding to the fact that every new experience causes time to feel slow compared to living your usual routine day-by-day.

He arrived early enough to see some already there and he gave his greetings. It was a shame that Hady wouldn't be seated next to him any longer, but the younger bloke taking over Care of Magical Creatures seemed pleasant enough. After taking his seat, he relaxed into the chair ready to greet the rest of his colleagues passing by and the incoming students following the Groundskeeper.


Kraetos came in with a small bag of cheese puffs in one hand. What? You didn't think the Professor could wait that long without having a little something to tide over until the main course arrived, did you? He parked himself into the seat immediately, looking at Ean next to him, he titled his head back in a quick "sup" motion. With a quick hello as well to any walking in his direction.

"Sorry, I didn't bring enough for everyone." But he could share a puff or two, if asked nicely. Munch, munch. Yummy. Don't worry, he kept a moist towelette to avoid cheese dust... for this feast at least.

He sat at the staff table almost as though the seat had been reserved for someone else and he had only agreed to fill it out of necessity. That wasn't the case, of course, and he would never have descended from teaching at the university level to here if it were. Headmaster Winterbottom would have sniffed out such reluctance immediately being the irritatingly perceptive grandfatherly figure that he was. The Great Hall looked much the same as it had decades ago but carried ghosts in its corners - and no, he was not meaning the boisterous Astronomy professor seated just two spots away from him nor any of the House ghosts. His memories of this place were haunted by grief, by the kind of loss a school ought to have prevented but hadn’t and, for a long time, he had sworn he would never return.

And yet... here he was.

Perhaps it was the result of the inevitability of cycles or the slow erosion of bitterness with age. Perhaps it was the small reassurance of watching his niece and nephew survive their own time within these walls more or less unscathed - Nyle - or perhaps it was an ache from his bindrune tattoos urging him back with a silent but persistent demand to mend what had once been broken here. Whatever the reason, he found himself at Hogwarts again... determined if nothing else to be the professor he himself had needed when he last strut these corridors. 'Professor Cox' was hardly a novelty and the title had followed him easily enough at wizarding university, but at Hogwarts it transmuted, heavy as lead.

He inclined his head toward Ean in acknowledgement but had his attention drawn to the stench wafting from down the table. "You may extend that generosity elsewhere," Cox said dryly while doing a poor job at side-eyeing the dusty orange polyester for the mouth his college was criminally enthusiastic about. "I’ll forgo my portion," and we’ll all pretend it was a noble sacrifice in him doing so, "but I imagine you’ll find someone else eager to indulge in my stead."

He'd spent enough years neutralizing hazardous substances in cauldrons and no desire to start doing the same at the dinner table.

The journey across the Lake with the first years had been uneventful. Even if there had been some sort of excitement {not that ‘ferrying’ the tiny students wasn’t exciting}, Dhruv was quite sure they would have been able to handle the situation in an even more timely manner. After all, the family vacation had rejuvenated them and they were quite ready to take on the new term, which included a new job description for them. Coming back to the first years… Dhruv had already become acquainted with a few already, a trend that had occurred since taking over as Groundskeeper. This trip around, he had been subjected to many questions by a shy boy named Levi. Levi wanted to know all about the Giant Squid; he seemed to fear falling in and being eaten. Or so Dhruv gathered from the way Levi bit his lower lip and stared into the Lake pensively.

Mercifully, the group had arrived safely, and the first years would soon be Sorted. That left Dhruv to head along to the Staff Table. “Good evening, everyone,’’ they greeted, their tone warm and friendly. They smiled at Elliot then did a slight double take at Kraetos and his cheesy snack before chuckling in amusement. “Quite hungry, aren’t you?” Dhruv then took their seat beside Ean. “We’re in for another interesting batch of first years,’’ they remarked to him.


For Sarika, it had been a quiet yet remarkable summer filled with lots of peace and roses. And tea, of course. However, it went without saying that she was quite delighted to be back at Hogwarts. Her second year of teaching at the prestigious School! She could hardly wait to dive into her lessons and to meet the first years and transferring students. The only dark cloud that hovered was Krittika and Kartik having graduated now. She’d miss the twins but they were off to start the next chapter in their own lives.

“Hello, good evening.” the short woman chirped, announcing her arrival. “It’s quite wonderful to be back.” It wasn’t a question, though now she did throw a questioning look at Kraetos. It was unusual to see a Staffer having a snack at the table before the Feast. But if that made him happy, then so be it! Just as long as he put away the snacks before the students arrived. “Welcome to your first Hogwarts Feast as professor.” This was directed at Kraetos and Elliot. Sari moved a tad further down the table. “Ean, Dhruv." She offered them a smile before taking her assigned seat.

Wilber entered the Great Hall with everyone with ease as the enchanted ceiling's starlight skies reflected off his shiny head. The new head polish worked magnificently as a suitable crown for him with the new term’s beginning.

Taking his seat at the center of the table, Wilber folded his hands and allowed his gaze to drift across the hall, where the first years would shortly begin filing nervously toward their fate as Dhruv made their way over, casting a warmth in the air. The Slytherins should happily find themselves remaining in responsible hands this term.

For a brief moment, memory softened his expression, but when he spoke, it was with quiet strength, pitched just enough for the staff nearby to hear. "Another year, my friends, and another chance to guide, to shape, and perhaps to surprise ourselves along the way. May we meet it with patience… and perhaps," his eyes twinkled at Kraetos, "a touch of restraint, at least until the roast arrives. Otherwise, we might all be in grate danger of turning dinner into a duel.." The Headmaster's lips twitched into a smile. "I see Hogwarts’ traditions are in safe hands, though I might have imagined the Feast itself would be temptation enough without an opening act." The words held no rebuke, only the gentle ribbing of one who had seen countless oddities grace these halls and welcomed each as part of the school’s charm.

His gaze moved with care over the staff table, first noting Ean’s refreshed demeanor; surely his no longer teaching Muggle Studies added to that relief? Cox’s presence indeed prickled his concerned senses; perhaps it was the badger in him as well that persisted in his need to take care of things?

Gently nodding in their direction, he would welcome anything they wished to share privately after as they mingled with the others. Sarika's cheerful energy drew another smile from him, as did the rest that greeted him before taking their seats. For now, he would enjoy the new students getting sorted in their respective houses.

Marcus was beginning to think he was always going to be one of the last arrivals at feasts. If it wasn’t getting waylaid in the greenhouses for one thing or another (despite the fact that the whole of them had been thoroughly gone through for any potential troublemakers after last terms fiasco) he was nitpicking something up in Ravenclaw tower wanting once more to make sure everything was just right for his house. It was the detail-oriented part of his mind working overtime despite making sure it didn’t wander off all together. At least the doorknocker had assured him the first riddle wouldn’t be too complicated for the new arrivals.

“Good evening everyone,” he greeted with a smile as he made his way along the dais to take his seat. New faces he had met previously at various meetings mixed with familiar colleagues with a…interesting vibe.


That time already?

One minute she was ahead of the game and the next…the next she was spotting the lights from the 1st year boats on the castle side of the lake from her office window signaling it was later than she thought. Way to go, Aurora. Careful not to rush too much to not appear winded, the older woman made her way down the back staircase to appear behind the staff table just as the doors of the Great Hall were opened for students. She took a deep breath to gather herself and took in all those already gathered before her. New faces and old, though two still missing from the table, one being her new neighbor for Muggle Studies.

“Good evening,” she greeted as she stepped up to the last chair. “September 1st already..." she mused with a soft chuckle as she sensed something in the air. " Hopefully everyone had a nice summer.”


"Yes, indeed I did," Marcus remarked to Aurora as she capped off the end of the table. Though sometimes far to quickly it went.

A relaxing and enjoyable summer passed seemingly in the blink of an eye, and another term was upon them once more. Incredible how fast that happened and how surprising it was, even when she was aware of it. Vashti was content though, ready for another year of teaching.

Entering just behind Aurora, she headed for her seat beside Marcus and the seat of the new Muggle Studies professor, offering a smile and "Good evening," to all who were already seated. She was amused to see one of their new professors snacking on a bag of cheese puffs. An interesting choice, but if Wilber saw no reason to ask Kraetos to put them away, then she saw no problem with it either. She couldn't blame anyone for desiring a snack to tide themselves over until the feast began; her stomach didn't hesitate to rumble quietly at the thought. But it wouldn't be long now that the students were entering to take their seats.

"I did as well," she replied to Aurora's mention of having a nice summer. "Did you go on holiday anywhere? Anything exciting happen?" These questions she offered to both Marcus and Aurora, if they wanted to discuss their summers.

OOOOOOOOOH, THE FIASCO.

OOOOOOOOOOOH THE SHAAAAAAAAAAAME.

GOODNEDSS GRACIOUS HEAVENS ABOVE THE INDIGNITY!

Not even the long, languid passage of summer nor the merciful absence of all the little living DARLING reminders could hope to quell Marion’s woes. For what was summer to a ghost? Time was no balm nor was it a healer. It was NOTHING but a yawning CHASM in which one had NOTHING but time to GNAW upon one’s regrets, embroider one’s embarrassments, polish each mistake until it positively gleamed like a cursed jewel or a pair of stylish new shoes. Existing became absolute theatre of missteps performed endlessly in the echo chamber of memory. Only the likes of Peeves, who had not a single regret to his name, could endure such TORTURE―though, of course, that was suuuuuuuuurely because he was a poltergeist and thus exempt from the dreadful business of reflection.

OH Oh OOOOOOOOOOOOH if OOOOOOOOOONLY!

And now even the newest of little darlings—those bright-eyed babes still waiting to don the Sorting Hat—would surely know the grisly truth of her own end, given that the trauma had been on FUUUUUUUUUUUULL display last term and the nature that Hogwarts ran on gossip faster than broomsticks on match day. Subtlety, ALAS, had never been her strong suit in life and death had only made her louder.


She beamed regardless, her voice as chipper as starlight when she greeted colleagues with singsong hellos and exaggerated waves. “A positively HAPPY SEPTEMBER, my DEARS!” she trilled, careful to project cheer rather than let the silence betray her. Inside she shrank, but outwardly she sparkled as she always did―and the fact that there was candlelight and herself translucent assisted in the endeavor.

BUT wallowing never looked good on a woman a ghost. Espeeeeeecially not when there were far more enjoyable things to notice. Like, for instance: the fact that Hogwarts’ staff had become rather overrun with absolute stud muffins. It was enough to distract her, at least for the length of a song, and she momentarily allowed herself be lightly scandalized by how beards, of ALL things, had become the latest trend. Great thickets of them which had Marion privately thought the faculty table looked less like a gathering of learned minds and more like a well-dressed wizarding lumberjack convention. Oh bless her, she was going to have a hard time telling some of these handsome gentlemen apart from a distance but certainly had no difficulties now as she floated on her chair sandwiched between two of them. “So many beards gathered in one place, it’s practically a hedge! Though most are more like manicured topiaries than wild brambles. Elliot, dear, you COULD make a BIT more effort.”

She was all smiles now, of course, and SHOULD her smile wavered now and then, well, that was only a trick of the candlelight.

“Oh, cheesepuffs! Well, I shan’t be partaking for… obvious reasons,” she nodded with a flutter of her transparent hands. Same reasons, actually, that she would not be chiming in on the summer vacation small talk, “but the Headmaster is entirely right, you know! One mustn’t go and ruin their very first Hogwarts feast of the term with premature puffery. Such an absolute SHAME to squander stomach space before the roast even makes its entrance!”

The summer was mostly uneventful, other than spending time with her niece and nephew which is always a hoot. It did feel good to be back at Hogwarts though, albeit at the other end of the staff dais from last year. But she need to focus on her passion for quidditch and flying for the interim. Although in Hady's resignation and with her move, it was nearly a guys versus girls. Swap Marcus and Marion. Speaking of Marion, the mention of the beards had caught her attention in that moment because she hadn't noticed most of the male colleagues were bearded. Interesting.

"Summer certainly flew by." If Wilbur can be over making cheese puns, she was going to integrate flying into her own speech. "While I'd normally complain on if you don't have enough to share, you shouldn't be bringing them... as much as I love cheese puffs, my digestive system doesn't agree with them," she mused, at the new creatures professor. Lactose intolerant problems.

Ean personally was quite alright with partaking in snacks, but he wasn't that hungry to ask for a cheese puff. "It's alright Kraetos, I won't hold that against you." He said. The thought of a delicious set of grilled chicken and beef dripped in gravy with rice was appetizing enough.

When Dhruv had settled in, "Welcome back.. I hope neither gave any trouble this round?" It wasn't uncommon for some to already give trouble or perhaps take a dip into the lake. Ean then looked in the direction of his hair for a moment, "Hang on a moment," His left hand reached out to grab something above the Groundskeeper's head, but whatever he was grabbing it wasn't visible to anyone. It looked like he was holding onto something before shifting the position of it. "There, now your green crown is perfectly set as the new Head of House." Ean would've done the same for dear Wilber, but with the students trickling in, there wasn't a discreet way of doing so, and it would look unprofessional for him to get up out of his seat prior to the speech.

Ean was anticipating a joke from Wilber, but a good pun had the edges of his mouth twitch in appreciation. With acknowledgements already made with the other E, oh, he nearly missed Ravi's entrance earlier. Who was just as enthusiastic about the term beginning. "Evening." His next set of greetings extended to Aurora, Jasmine, Marcus and Sarika as well as Vashti. It was the makings of a good evening.. and good ol' Marion. He had to fight back the laugh. It was true, this side of the table was sporting a beard. "It's quite a shame you are unable to join us in the hedge style, Marion, I imagine it would look just as fashionable on you." He said with a friendly wink.

His eyes glanced over at the house tables. Unsurprisingly, Idris seemed to be clinging to Jan, which was a bittersweet reminder that Jan was in his final year. "The Slytherin table is looking extra colourful this early." Perfectly understandable for the two brothers to make the most of the school year together. Wait, was that a cat? He may have to look into this, even though it wasn't his table. Speaking of his table, why was there a bird... oh... Canary creams, it looked like. Well, if the side effects persist after the speech, he might stop by the Gryffindor table for a wellness check.


Dear, dear.. Kraetos likely should've gotten snacks for everyone with the attention he brought himself on it. Munch, munch. Luckily, no one asked for him to share. "If you say so." He replied to both Cox and Ean. He finished his snack before the students arrived giving him enough time to clean his hands and wipe the cheese dust off his beard. Food had a habit for burying itself there. Jasmine, how sad, that she couldn't comfortably enjoy dairy. "I hear cheddar is one of the more tolerable cheeses, like Cheez-its. But I hear a Pepper-Up potion is great for settling the side effects before they appear." Glancing briefly at Ean in case he would confirm or not. "Oh, thank you." Sarika was as lovely as she looked, not that she was the only one whose good appearance matched their personality.

Both Wilber and Marion's jovial and enthusiatic response well, he wasn't surprised. Merely taking their advice if that's what they are calling it with grace. "I'll keep that in mind." Maybe next time he'll bring some flaming hot cheetos, now that would give a zest. "You sure know how to gas us up, Marion. Perhaps I could repay your kindness after the feast?" He was particularly interested in wondering what it's like for a Ghost to be fed or attempt to be fed.. Among other queries with Ghosts. Do they enjoy getting high with ascention and how far they can go?

"Appreciated,” he replied dryly to Sarika, the corner of his mouth barely twitching. His eyes swept the hall, lingering a moment down the staff table before shifting to student body beyond. His eyes fell on his niece first, nose in a book as always, before searching for his nephew and not finding him seated along the bench currently. "Never thought I’d be in this position."

As stimulating as the conversation was, cheese puff discourse was already beginning to grate and linger like the stubborn and artificial dust of the snack itself. Cox had no interest in further adding his voice to the parade discourse and digestive confessions - it was all the same shade of orange noise to him. As for the polite volley of summer recaps further down the table, he felt no particular urge to join that either. His own summer had been marked not by leisure but with stacks of parchment in the form of essays and thesis proposals from his last collection of university students. Most had been tediously predictable in their mediocrity, save for a single thesis that at least attempted something of substance: an analysis of how the rune Eihwaz was invoked in early alchemical treatises to frame the transformation of volatile reagents. It was, he supposed, the only thing from the term worth remembering. He had smothered most pages in red ink with annotations and corrections, save for one he had simply scrawled over with an order to scrap it entirely and start again, before sending them back by owl and spending the remainder of his summer divided between extended family obligations and his own research into potion residuals and their impact on magical ecological systems. Not exactly the sort of pleasantries the moment called for, but it did remind him that he had a proposal of his own to write up and present to the Ministry next chance he had.

Still, he was actively trying to take his step sister's advice and not appear completely detached from his colleagues to endure and partake in small talk the way one might add an inert stabilizer to a volatile mixture: irrelevant to the final product, but necessary to keep things from curdling. Marion provided him with one such stabilizer, though the reaction was less than ideal. She called him by his first name...something he despised. It was far too intimate, a word once reserved only for the few who had known the darker truths of his past, and the ghost was most certainly not one of them. None of his colleagues were, though he could hardly expect them to remain ignorant forever given the practicalities. Her commentary on his beard was no better and dismissing it as inferior only stiffened his resolve to let it grow wilder as an unmanicured snarl of stubbornness. He did, however, keep all of this where it belonged: unsaid. Though did allow himself an even clipped quip.

"Brambles serve their purpose, don’t they?"

They smiled fondly in response to Ean’s welcome as they made themself comfortable in their seat. “No trouble that couldn’t be handled,’’ they replied modestly. “A girl took a fine dip but was rescued without much drama.” At least they didn’t consider it dramatic as they had dealt with worse before. “I also met a pair of best friends. Levi and Diallo. Levi’s more quiet, in my opinion, but he had many questions about the Lake and the Giant Squid. Diallo, on the other hand, had questions about the Castle and things repairing themselves within if broken.’’ Dhruv could tell Ean about other students they had interacted with but figured, as usual, they’d continue the tradition of letting Ean learn about them from firsthand interactions.

Their gaze turned into a questioning one as Ean reached out. Was Dhruv bewildered? Yes, but they would find out soon enough what this was all about; they were patient enough. How right they were! Their bright smile reappeared in a heartbeat. “Ah, thank you, Ean. I trust that it sits neatly upon my head as your red one." Cue them gazing just above Ean's head.

Dhruv didn’t know it then but they arrived quite shortly after the Headmaster. They noted the older man seemingly lost in thought and so opted not to break into his focus. The Groundskeeper did know Wilber’s feelings about them taking over as Slytherin Head {they did already miss Hady, still} but would have felt humbled yet again if they knew what the older man was currently thinking. Their eyes darted to Wilber, their mouth twitching into a small smirk. That punny joke they understood. The words of wisdom were quite welcome, however; it was a great way to motivate the staff. “Patience, restraint and a fine roast… an excellent recipe for the year ahead, Headmaster.” Probably cheese puffs would eventually join that list.

As Dhruv settled fully in to await the feast, they acknowledged the other colleagues joining them with a nod or a verbal greeting: there was Sarika, Marcus, Aurora, Marion {her excited comment about beards made them chuckle heartily} and Jasmine. Aside from the adults, they were also paying attention to the House tables so when Ean mentioned Slytherin’s being colourful, they knew just what they meant. “It certainly is,’’ they commented, thinking that Idris might be inwardly taking this year as Jan’s final one quite hard. Knowing the Lion, it would only be a matter of time before every bit of emotion seeped onto his sleeve for the world to see. Dhruv’s thoughts were interrupted by… a partial feline? “The things these students get up to,’’ they remarked, slight amusement colouring their tone. There didn’t seem to be an immediate need for either situation at the Snake nor Lion table but they made a mental note to check in with JT. “You’re going to have your hands full with at least one ‘patient’ tonight, Ean.” Because Dhruv had every intention of sending the fifth year his way.


Sarika kept peering curiously at Kraetos. She couldn’t quite figure out if he was serious about sharing his Cheese Puffs. The new addition to the team seemed rather fond of the snack. “Tell you what, Kraetos. How about we have tea one afternoon. You can bring all the Cheese Puffs you like.” It would be an unconventional sort of afternoon tea, since these puffs weren't of the pastry sort. But wasn’t that all in the small joys of life, to partake in what was different at least once?

Her response to seeing Wilber - her face lighting up - one would think that the Divination professor had not seen the man earlier. But it couldn’t be helped because in the one year that she had thought here, Sarika had grown very fond of the man. She enjoyed his jovial and calming nature. It reminded her of the meditation sessions she and Dhruv shared together as the mood was always similar, especially when they bonded over a certain similarity they shared. “Wise words, Headmaster,’’ she remarked, absently swinging her feet which dangled slightly above the ground. As interesting as a food fight sounded, this would not be the time for one.

Ah, there were more colleagues filing in. They were each greeted verbally. “My summer was quite lovely,’’ Sari remarked to Marcus, her thoughts turning to the lovely beds of roses she and Laz had put together. Her partner was always so wonderful, doing the little things to make her happy.

What a majestic evening, quite one for the records as Wilber greeted more of his colleagues that completed the table earlier. Ahem. He couldn't resist the chuckling from the hedges Marion referenced. Goodness, he for certain wasn't expecting to be part of a little rugged competition. "Perhaps we shall invest in some Sleekeazy's Beard Tonic to match the length of Kraetos?" Speaking of goodness gracious, it was high time for the speech to commence. As the last student completed their sorting, with the hat and seat was collected to be stowed away.

Headmaster Winterbottom rose from his seat at the center of the High Table, arms spreading wide as his voice, warm as ever, carried across the Great Hall when he reached the podium. "Welcome, welcome, to another year at Hogwarts! It does my heart good to see this Hall once more filled with bright, familiar, and perhaps some furry faces. Along with those who have just begun their Hogwarts journey. May this term bring you knowledge, laughter, and friendships that last a lifetime."

He paused, eyes crinkling as he glanced along the staff table. "As always, the turning of the year brings with it a few changes. Joining our esteemed faculty, Professor Cox, joins us as the new Ancient Runes Professor and Potions Master. Professor Jasmine Springer, who joined us last year, will now be dedicating her passion within the skies as our Flying Instructor. In her stead, we welcome Professor Ravi Prasad to the post of Arithmancy." His gaze shifted toward Kraetos Menon, the faintest of smiles playing on his lips. "Professor Kraetos Menon takes up the mantle of Care of Magical Creatures, while Professor Bleu Berry shall guide you all in the wonders of Muggle Studies." He folded his hands behind his back. "In addition, I am pleased to announce your esteemed Professor Dhruv Khanna as the new Head of Slytherin House, while I myself shall have the honor of serving as your Head for Hufflepuff. I know each of you will do your utmost to ensure your House is a place of belonging and pride. Contrary to the belief, Quidditch and Gobstones has not been cancelled for the year, so be sure to check your notice boards for tryouts and naturally take part in our wonderful extracuriculars."

The starry skies above flickered gently, catching in the polish of his bald head as he inclined it toward the students. "This year, I trust, will be one of peace and tranquility, the kind of steady waters in which diligent study may flourish. But Hogwarts being Hogwarts, surprises do have a way of finding us. On that note, I must remind each of you that the Forbidden Forest is and shall remain firmly out-of-bounds. I do mean firmly; it is not the sort of place one can simply leaf without consequence." Pausing to allow a ripple of good-natured chuckling should it follow, and Wilber’s eyes twinkled as he added, "And while last term’s… creative attempt at a castle-wide slumber party was spirited, perhaps such enterprises are best discussed with your Heads of House before you bring blankets to the corridors again. For this is the year of creativity and unity."

He raised his goblet, his tone softening back into gentle strength. "So let us meet this year with diligence, kindness, and a touch of patience.. though I suspect even patience will not hold out long against the delights about to appear. May this feast, and the year ahead, be every bit as nourishing as we hope. And remember.... don’t let your studies turn into a pumpkin past midnight; keep on top of them."

With a clap, the empty tables in the Great Hall were filled with many delicious dishes. Dig it, students and staff!