Tapio was seldom first to anything in the castle anymore, not since he'd moved his quarters and office out onto the grounds. But tonight he was not in a hurry anyway. He enjoyed taking his time and savoring the moment, as it were. He edged his big frame along the back of the staff table towards his place on the far end, greeting his colleagues, many of whom were already seated, as he went.
"Good evening, Celeste. No, no big plans, just a quiet summer at home with the family this year." Which was just fine with Tapio, who was missing his home and family. "Any exciting plans yourself?"
"Hello, Ean, Dhruv, we've made it through another year, eh?"
Passing behind the Headmaster in the center, Tapio gave a respectful nod--he'd already been talking to Winterbottom at length in his office earlier in the week. Finally Tapio reached his own seat on the other side and settled gingerly down in his place. Even after six years, he never quite trusted that the chairs would hold him. "Good evening, Apollonia. Very elegant robes you're wearing this time." The History of Magic teacher always came out in style, though perhaps a few well-chosen flowers would make it even better.
Looking out across the Great Hall, Tapio looked at all the tables, the students starting to trickle in, then up above to the colorful House banners hanging from the rafters, and above it all, the magical ceiling, currently charmed to look like the clear night sky outside. This was a truly wonderful place and Tapio felt lucky to have been able to be here to have seen it. |