Originally Posted by
Zoe 
Ahh, and then the stragglers had arrived. Regina eyes followed those who had arrived after her. Not a hint of coolness could be found in them, however. They were actually rather warm, for everyone had arrived before the students started to flood into the room. Half of her focus was on them, watching as the returning students found their seats and the newcomers started to congregate around the Sorting Hat.
The other half of her attention was still on her colleagues, returning Haraldur, River, Kaysha, Kalen, Ciara (long time no see), and Tristan's individual form of greetings with a simple nod of her head. The Divination professor received a smile for complimenting her dress, as did the Defence professor. Gaston also received a quick nod, but she wasn't able to analyze his stiffened posture for his significant other was walking by. The woman managed to slip out a "I'm doing quite well" (in response to both Roderik and Rosalyn) before the History of Magic professor take her place a few chairs away from her and Paul, of course, snagged the opportunity to say something to her.
There was a deadpan silence between his question and her response. She wondered, while watching the tail end of the sorting take place, if this was his way of segwaying into trying to convince her to let the school partake in those wild ideas of his. So, hoping to prolong that topic of conversation, she decided to keep things short and sweet, answering both questions simultaneously. "Quite pleasant. I've kept myself busy, as I always do." The man could interpret that however he wanted. She knew that her summer visit to Egypt had been pleasant (though short), and that all the communication and planning going on once she had turned to Britain kept her on her toes.
Speaking of the communication and planning she had been doing lately, she was about to take the opportune moment to rise and take her spot at the podium. But the unwanted presence of a student made her train of thought freeze, which caused her to miss Camilla's greeting from down at the end of the table. The woman's eyebrow rose ... and then her eyes widened at the words that came out of Ms. Diggory's mouth. Even River got a look. He would love to discuss it later? The fact that the girl was at their table, before the speech had been given, was not appreciated, and her words were something she wished she had not heard.
Before the Slytherin skedaddled off to the table (because she wouldn't be getting away with that so easily), Regina, since River wasn't, stated, "Actually, Ms. Diggory, I find the subject matter of this revelation that you felt so compelled to share to be highly inappropriate. This is not the type of conversation you should be having with any adult. Furthermore, you are well aware that students should not be approaching the staff table until after I give my speech. Ten points will be taken from Slytherin."
Honestly. What was the matter with some of these kids? Did they not think about their words and actions before they were said or done? It certainly was a shame.
No longer looking at the girl, the headmistress took that as her cue to deliver her speech. Hopefully a certain announcement she was going to make and the arrival of food would keep everyone preoccupied and foolishness at bay. Loudly, the woman walked to the front of the dais and looked out at the throng of students before her.
"Good evening," her voice rang throughout the entire hall as a smile grew on her face. As usual, she waited before the chitter chatter to die down before continuing. "I have some important updates to share with you all before we dive into the first feast of the new school year.
"My first order of business is to inform you all of some staff changes that have been made. As you can see, some of the faces from last term are not here with us tonight and new faces have taken their place. Teaching Astronomy will be Professor Keiyona Berkovich; Care of Magical Creatures, Professor Tristan Wayland; Potions, Professor Ciara Canterbury; and I will be taking on Ancient Runes. In addition, Mr. Haraldur Balvinsson is our new groundskeeper and flying instructor, while Mr. Kalen Kennedy is our new librarian and Ms. Sylvia Grimblehawk is our new caretaker. Please join me in welcoming our new staff members."
Regina clapped her hands together and then waited for the applause to die down.
"Next, I would like to take a moment to mention that Gryffindor and Slytherin have new Heads of House. Professor Marchand will be taking the lions under his wing while Professor Vance will be taking the snakes under hers. Both Houses are in very capable hands, and I know that they will be welcomed with open arms."
Another moment of applause was had. Once the applause died down, the headmistress purposefully paused, looking at the crowd with that same smile on her face, for dramatic affect.
"My final announcement is that all extra-curricular sporting activities will not take place this year," Regina began, wanting to get that initial shock out of the way. Whatever the students' reactions were, the headmistress paid no attention to because she continued on, "This is due to Hogwarts playing host to a special event. It is with great pleasure that we will be welcoming my alma mater and former place of employment, Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, to our campus to participate in the International Magical Pupil Standoff, or IMPS. This is an inter-school competition designed over the summer by a number of staff from both schools with the purpose of strengthening the relationship between our sister schools and showcasing the knowledge and aptitude of our students.
"Due to the advanced nature and potential danger involved, it has been decided that two students, one male and one female, from each House aged fifteen and above have the odds of being selected to participate in the challenges designed for this competition. Further information about the IMPS and the selection of the representatives of each school will be revealed when our visitors from Ilvermorny arrive in October.
"Now, I know some of you could eat an entire hippogriff at this time, so I will leave you with your thoughts and anticipations. Eat up, sleep tight, and make this term a great one," Regina concluded with a single clap of her hands, causing food to appear on the plates and liquids to fill the goblets on the table, before she made her way back to her seat to enjoy the meal herself.