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On a raised dais situated at the farthest point of the Great Hall stands a long table where the members of the Hogwarts staff sit and enjoy their meal while casting a watchful eye out on the four House tables. Each staff member has an assigned, cushioned chair to sit on throughout the duration of the feast, though the more notable out of them all is the throne-like golden chair in the centre reserved for the headmaster.

Keep in mind that you should not be wandering up to the staff table if you are not a staff member before Headmaster Winterbottom has delivered his speech. Doing so may result in the loss of house points or other appropriate consequence before you even make it back to the dorms. If you wish to speak with someone who is seated up here, you will have to wait until after the speech has been said and there is food and drink on all of the tables. Make sure to keep your visit brief though -- the staff were also waiting on the food to appear and are just as hungry as you.

With three years of teaching at Hogwarts wrapped, Dhruv was quite looking forward to the fourth. Though... they would not like to have a repeat of last term's chaos for themself nor for anyone else. While they were no longer feeling guilty about that part of their life, it had taken a great deal mentally to convince themself they had not been at fault for being rude and unfair to the students.

They instead focused now on the four House Tables which would soon enough be filled. Was it weird that Dhruv already was eager to start the lessons off? Maybe, maybe not. Either way, they were just pleased to be here. Teaching at Hogwarts was fastly creeping up to number one as their favourite job!

With her first year of teaching firmly behind her, Apollonia was looking forward to another term of educating the young witches and wizards minds into the wonders of history. She wasn’t naive to the fact that many found history to be mind numbingly boring, hence why the over-eccentric Professor was a dab hand at sprinkling in a sense of controlled chaos into her lessons coupled with her baffling dress sense and ridiculous nicknames she afforded everyone.

The start-of-term feast was not exempt from her attempts at bringing a splash of colour to the proceedings. Her bright orange (reversible she’d have you know) robes skimmed the floor as she sat at her assigned seat, a friendly pat given to Dhruv as she passed by their seat. A tip of her bright pink feathery witches hat was directed at her new neighbour who had taken over from Ean now he had migrated over to Charms. There would be no chaos caused by an escapee spider this feast.. hopefully.

One year as potions mistress behind her and some more brightening of the dungeons over the summer, Amelia was geared up for another term. She might not have had the eccentric style of Apollonia, but she could hold her in terms of not wearing neutrals. With a floral robe set that grazed the floor, Amelia took her seat at the one end, nodding to Dhruv, pleased to see mostly familiar faces among the dais once more. Although Ean had left her side to resume a seat at the other end, she did have to admit her new neighbor was quite easy on the eyes even if she was happily married. Not that Ean wasn't good looking, but him being quite literally her children's age ...

She glanced down at the house tables as they began to fill up, eager to see in particular all those who would be joining the Hufflepuffs, although she definitely was fond of all the houses.

"You ready?" She asked to Apollonia mostly since she was closest, although anyone could answer. Because even though it was her second year as potions, third teaching at Hogwarts, somehow she didn't feel ready.

Two things brightened the spirit of a headmaster. One was having a tidy castle and two was having qualified staff returning and not needing to recruit new staff. Only having one new hire was indeed a win for this old man's spirits.

Settling into his chair in the center, he surveyed his colleagues, pleased they hadn't shied away from his jokes too much yet. There was the students getting sorted, but needing the ice breaker even though he was quite familiar with most of the colleagues it always helped for small talk.

"As our dear new young friends are getting sorted, can anyone tell me why the teacher wore sunglasses to school?" He asked among the professors seated.

It was nice to be back at Hogwarts again for Ean. From his summer ending on a positive note. If not for the subtle reminder of his old seat being already filled, old habits would've caused him to move in that direction. Not that he was the territorial type, the newer Professor was already a decent bloke when they met earlier. He usual greetings were given as he made his way to his seat, "Long time no see, Dhruv," Giving a soft wink to his friend.

It was also nice to see the Headmaster continue the traditional quiz. He smiled before giving the Lions his watchful eye while thinking up the answer.

It was so nice to be back again. And with several years of teaching already under her beneath her robes, this Professor was more than ready to return to what had become a steady routine for her. Hadleigh was quite looking forward to starting the term off on the right foot with all of the students and hopefully getting back into the good graces of those she may have unnerved last year when she wasn't quite herself. She had every intention of keeping away from mirrors that might be glitchy, one never could be too safe.

"Good evening everyone, I hope you all had a wonderful summer," Hady smiled warmly at each of her colleagues as she joined them all on the Staff Dias. Settling into her usual set, the brunette professor poured herself some water as she looked out across the Great Hall at the students sitting at the tables.

Norman was back for the start of his tenth term teaching at Hogwarts. Merlin, where had the time gone?! It seemed like his first day was only yesterday! Compared with that first year marked by the Neo Alliance takeover, everything that followed was a walk in the park. Last term was a bit chaotic. He still cringed at his other half’s antics, though he felt more embarrassed than guilty. As silly as his other half was, at least he wasn’t cruel to the students.

He made his way to his usual seat at the far end of the dais, nodding politely to each of his colleagues as he went. “Good evening, all,” he greeted. “Have a good summer?” The question was primarily addressed to Amelia and Apollonia, as they were seated closest to him. Pleasantries out of the way, his aquamarine eyes scanned the house tables for any signs of shenanigans. So far, so good.

Apollonia, in Dhruv’s opinion, was doing one heck of a job in keeping the students entertained during her lessons and about Wizarding History in general. Clearly she was rather capable! Her dazzling robe this evening caught their attention the moment she stepped into the Hall; Apollonia definitely knew how to make a grand entrance! “You’re working that colour with perfection, Apollonia,’’ Dhruv commented, which was also a response to the pat. As always, Amelia looked wonderful. These ladies certainly knew how to be fashionable!

There was the person whose company Dhruv was most looking forward to having! “Right? It certainly has been a while.” They were playing right back, of course, given the fact that the two had been a lot in each other’s presence over the summer. Swinging back into the requirements of being a Hogwarts professor would do a good deal to help Ean continue to not dwell on what had happened in his life. As Hadleigh greeted them, Dhruv responded with a bright smile. Norman was also on the receiving end of one.

Then there was Wilber with the usual dad jokes; jokes which Dhruv normally would fail to figure out. However, this particular question made him eye the Head questioningly. “Was it because they happened to be the DADA professor?” By now their colleagues knew that they had an affinity with sunglasses though tonight {of course} they were wearing their spectacles!

Apollonia had not once in her life been described as ‘fashionable’, not even when she was a young tadpole swimming her way through her own education at Hogwarts. Despite the requisite for wearing her Hufflepuff uniform, she would often be seen in brightly coloured spectacles or over-the-top hair accessories that were certainly not ‘of the time’ and aged her unnecessarily. Not that she was bothered by any comments made towards her, Fergersnout was unapologetically Fergersnout. “Oh this dusty old thing?” she chuckled, pretending to wipe off a speck of dirt from the eccentric robes. “Hogwarts could always do with a splash of colour, don’t you think?” she asked Dhruv. He’d certainly need his sunglasses when she was around.

The other Professors who had nodded a greeting towards her received one in return. It was more of a tip of the feathery hat than a nod, a formality that her fellows were likely to be used to by now. Amelia, who was located on the other side of their brand new table companion, was equally against the drab and dreary traditionalism of Hogwarts and was sporting a fantastic robe of her own. The History of Magic Professor nodded towards her approvingly. “About as ready as an overspilling cauldron.” That was to say that she was more than prepared for the year ahead, not that her ‘preparation’ was quite up to scratch as some of the more organised Professors and seemed to often take a detour from their original intention. Nevertheless she was ready.

Norman came next and the characteristic nod from Apollonia was the greeting although this time a bright pink feather floated off from her hat and landed in her thankfully empty goblet. “It was splendiferous!” she replied, choosing not to go into more detail quite yet in case anything were to go awry during the feast as was the instance last time.

Wilber, of course, broke the pleasantries with his idea of a stand-up routine. His jokes often fell flat amongst the staff but there was no harm in humouring him. “I have no idea” And neither did anyone else by the silence (with the exception of Dhruv’s comment which flew straight over Fergersnout’s head).

Oh Heavens dear faculty, was no one able to answer today’s riddle?

Wilber looked between each of his Professors expectantly, Dhruv piping up to offer an explanation of it being because he was often seen in sunglasses which if Wilber were to replicate would only make his vision considerably worse. He was clumsy enough without the added hindrance of the castle being even darker. “No that’s not quite it. It’s because his students were too bright!” he chuckled to himself, pleased with the delivery. Perhaps this one was a little too on the nose for a group of the finest educators.

Nevermind.

It had come to the time of the evening where one must address his staff and students as a whole. The elderly man stood up from his seat, joints creaking as he made himself loud and proud. The Headmaster cleared his throat loudly, the sound reverberating down the long tables and bouncing its way off of the stone walls to fill every available space. There was a surprising amount of sound coming from a relatively short man. “Settle down young ones” Came the beginning of his speech as he awaited silence to befall the Great Hall.

“Welcome back to another year at Hogwarts and to those of you who are joining us for the first time, a very warm welcome to our hallowed halls. We hope that your experience at Hogwarts will enrich your minds with the wonders of magic, companionship and festivities.”

“There is little change to our educational team this year with the exception of Professor Leroy assuming the mantle for Muggle Studies as Professor Feirgrund champions Charms. Registration for extra-curricular activities will remain open for the next week ranging from ancient languages, through to art and drama and advanced classes for those looking for a particular challenge. We believe there is something for everyone at Hogwarts but make sure to keep your eye on the ball and don’t juggle too much with your time.” The chortle the Headmaster let out echoed through the silence. Juggling puns would never become tiresome, he was a amateur professional Juggler in a past life he’d have you know.

“Now I am sure you are all hankering for your dinner after your long journey and so I will not take up much longer of your time. We understand that being back at Hogwarts will be particularly exciting and you may be tempted to wander off the steady path but remember that this is first and foremost an establishment of education and your Professors and I expect you all to obey the rules and respect our decisions.”

“Enough of the formalities, let the festivities commence!” His chubby wrinkled hands clapped together as simultaneously a feast fit for a gaggle of ravenous teenagers appeared on each of the tables. He returned back down in his seat, pushing his thick rimmed glasses up with his knuckle as his eyes lit up from staring at the feast before him.

“Cookies, my favourite!”

Maybe not when she was young but as an adult, Dhruv confidently bestowed Apollonia with the ‘fashionista’ title. They themself had not a negative thing to say about her choice in clothing, type or colour. One should live their life loudly, proudly and unapologetically, after all. Dhruv laughed humorously as she pretended to wipe a bit of the robe clean. “Always, in Hogwarts and life in general,’’ they responded, nodding with one hundred percent agreement.

It was not them alone who hadn’t figured out the joke from Wilber. The DADA professor, however, managed to grasp the humour rather quickly. They laughed. “It would explain why I’m usually itching to wear mine during my lesson.” They lapsed into silence for a bit, listening to the chatter just before the speech was given. There wasn’t actually any surprise on their part that there were a few juggling puns thrown into the mix. Dhruv allowed themself to grin at the realisation.

“I think I’ll have a cookie or two for my dessert,’’ they conversationally relayed to Wilber. “Save me a few.” That was a joke, of course; they weren’t insinuating that the Headmaster would eat them all. Dhruv then tucked into his plateful of food. They hadn’t understood just how hungry they were until the aromas of the various foods hit them.

Tapio nodded absent-mindedly to the headmaster and all the staff as he took his place. He looked glum this evening, very uncharacteristic of him. Even the promise of elf-baked cookies failed to cheer him up.

Tapio was worried about his youngest son again. Apparently he had taken up with a new friend, a boy this time, and was talking of leaving school yet again to wander who knew where. Tapio didn't care much who he fell in love with, boy or girl, as long as he found someone who wouldn't get him into trouble. But his son was unfortunately easily influenced by those he loved and seemed to have a habit of falling for the wrong person. And the lad was getting too old to be getting into scrapes now.

Most of all, Tapio was worried about his beloved Isla, who was beside herself with worry (and also in a bit of a temper by the time Tapio left for Hogwarts--perhaps returning to the safety of the castle might not be so bad after all).