Staff Table

[Wilber Winterbottom]

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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.

[FearlessLeader19]

To say it hadn’t been an exciting summer with wonderful changes would have been putting things way out of context. They had thought that the big change in their life would have warranted more time to get adjusted to but they had been pleasantly surprised when they learned that this didn’t have to be the case. It definitely helped that they had been surrounded by friendly faces as they all moved into the house together. Though now it couldn’t be exactly referred to as a ‘house’ when it had become a ‘home’.

“How badly does Zen want to be a Gryffindor?” Dhruv asked Ean as they settled into their assigned seat. The Great Hall was currently student-free but that would obviously change soon. The DADA professor took this moment to enjoy the last moments before the good chaos began, while silently willing it to be a peaceful term.

[Charely Potter]

Ean was quite content heading into the castle. The summer was fun despite not going on the yearly road-trip adventure. A break from last year's near-death experience did him a world of good, especially with the new changes and improvements to where he lived. And another major factor, his baby girl finally was joining them at Hogwarts. Forgive him for looking too happy at the moment.

After settling with the greetings to his colleagues and taking his usual seat, Ean flipped through his Wizard Monthly magazine. When Dhruv asked, "Well, yesterday it was Slytherin, but this morning she's been debating between Gryffindor and Hufflepuff. Have to say, I'd be fine with any choice." He just worried that she would end up in Ravenclaw since she wouldn't have anyone familiar to bond with within the common room right away. His baby girl had been feeling left out for far too long. Of course, it'll take a mighty effort for him to stay seated if she ends up in Gryffindor. "Do me a favour, if the hat shouts Gryffindor, you have my permission to hold me down in the seat." Because the urge to jump up might take some physical effort. How he managed with Idris was something else, who seemed interested in hanging with the Hufflepuffs.

At the moment, he'd relax until the ceremony took place.

[Holmesian Feline]

To say the summer seemed have gone so fast would have been an understatement. It was a blink and you missed it couple of months for certain. Not to say he and Ash hadn’t gotten plenty of time to spend together at home and out and about with one or more of their grown kids. It was quite pleasant after his absence while teaching. But now he was back with his students and Marcus was thankfully feeling less nervous than he had felt just one year ago as he made his way towards the now familiar staff table. The herbology professor couldn’t help the smile that graced his features at the two colleagues already present there for the evening. It seemed they always were the first to arrive.

“Good evening,” he greeted the gentlemen as he crossed towards the center of the dais and his own seat. "Another fascinating year to come...hmmm" A new start...a fresh bunch of students joining them.

[PhoenixRising]

The summer certainly went fast when one kept busy with coaching duties. Win or lose, she was always thrilled to see the growth of the young students in their quidditch careers - particularly ones she'd seen during the year achieving new heights in the summer league. There was the fiasco in Flourish with her nieces and nephew, but fortunately she patched Ariadne up.

Making her way down the far end of the table, per usual, she made a point of greeting those colleagues - Ean, Dhruv - as she she didn't normally get to chat with them during the feast.

Taking a seat beside Marcus, she smiled warmly at her neighbor. "Feels good to be a veteran staff now, I bet, huh?" As opposed to the newbie. "Good summer?" Sorting was beginning soon and she'd have to watch carefully as her nieces were among them having recently transferred. Although she knew they'd owl their parents with their houses, didn't make it less eager for her to want to know their results.

[FearlessLeader19]

Happiness looked more than great on Ean, so there was no need for any apology when it came to that. The said happiness was quite contagious as Dhruv themself was over the moon that Zen was finally able to join Jan and Id at Hogwarts. The response given to the question made Dhruv chuckle rather heartily. “I like that she’s indecisive. It’s clear that she’s happy to be here, and whichever House she ends up in, she’ll be an asset to.” This time around, actual laughter - the soft sort - escaped them. “You can count on me,’’ Dhruv remarked, already scheming on the best methods to comply with Ean’s request. “Fair warning though, I just might let you embarrass yourself first.” They bit back another laugh and turned their attention to the other staffers who were making their way to the table.

“Hello, Marcus,’’ Dhruv greeted. They too were thinking along the same line of the Herbology professor being at ease this time around. “Hopefully a peaceful one too.” Last year’s dramatics were still fresh in their mind. “Hi, Amelia.” They’d be able to chat more as the term wore on. And in any case, the Sorting was now in progress.