"You are as eloquent as you are good-looking, and that's saying something right there," Tate mumbled, giving Kade the eye roll he deserved. Shut your pie hole? Really? The Ministry was getting letters about that one for sure.

"Good day, Hogwarts students." That was a very promising start right there. "You may have noticed that I am a new face here at Hogwarts. In fact, you probably have noticed a number of new faces. Such is life, que sera sera, and all that. My name is Gaellen Tate, and I am the Headmaster."

He should probably introduce the new professors.

He didn't know the new professors.

"And here..." he gestured wildly to the table. "Here we have our returning staff, who are eager to help you settle back into your routines, and your new professors, who will require your patience and good will. Feel free to drop by their offices any time you seek council, just as I encourage you to drop by mine." Oh. But don't visit Thomas, because he probably bites... could he say that?

Probably not.

"So... anyway. Welcome back, and welcome for the first time to all the little firsties. I know we had a hard time of it last year, but chin up and steel your spine for another good year. They can't all be cake walks, can they? I sincerely doubt anyone will die this year, so that's already a silver lining. And perhaps you'll actually learn something. I occasionally did."

Chipper enough? What was he talking about?

"Can we eat yet?"

And the food appeared.