"We can start after your interview but before that travesty of a conversation at the feast, where you joked about house bias and I gave an unnecessary pep talk," Tate took her hand without rising and gave it one firm shake before letting go again. "Obviously the interview went well, as I thought highly enough of you to invite you here full time."

She clearly didn't want the lemon drop, and Tate dropped the packet back into the candy basket. "And it's a pleasure to see you again, Professor Cerulean. You may call me Headmaster or Tate for now, although once we become more comfortable with one another, you may want to call me Casey."