Originally Posted by Wilber Winterbottom
(Post 12572296)
Wilber chuckled warmly as greetings flowed in from his colleagues, and his eyes wandered briefly to the napkin-wrapped toffee now nestled beside his plate ー best to save that until dessert and not spoil the flavor of the steamed cauliflower. “Yes, it seems Earl is indeed joining us this evening,” He confirmed to Norman with a touch of fond exasperation, glancing sidelong as the shimmer of his familiar made an approving hum. “In spite of reminders of the rules, I may add. Marion, my dear, I advise negotiating gently if you see a suspicious shape beneath you upon your spectral seat. He’s become rather territorial since the spring equinox.” Very unfortunate, indeed. He had no choice but to retire a couple of potted plants from his office due to the demiguise marking the space ー the smell had been rather horrific for a time.
At Hady’s question, the headmaster’s eyes twinkled. “As tradition dictates, Earl and I will be migrating to somewhere tropical. Sun-drenched, rich with the hum of unfamiliar instruments, and hopefully very forgiving of a man attempting to learn steelpan while accompanied by a demiguise with a tambourine fixation. I will be sure to report back on our musical progress during our first staff meeting before the beginning of next term…assuming, that is, any is made at all.” He made a valiant attempt to continue, at the very least inquire about the Care of Magical Creatures professor’s plans, but Marion’s voice soared once again, and he was fairly certain he saw several goblets tremble as a result.
“Yes, yes, DAH-ling. We do enjoy your enthusiasm,” he called out, leaning forward over the table slightly and jokingly cupping his right ear. “But unless I cast Sonorus upon myself and someone provides a more expansive hydration station nearby, as I rather did not enjoy going hoarse the last time, I will need you to settle down for just a moment. I’ve a speech to deliver soon.”
Soon, or perhaps now? Wilber gave the Great Hall another generous look over ー young people basking in laughter and celebrating their trials and triumphs of another year at Hogwarts, the room full of stories ー all beneath the shimmering deep, dusky twilight enchanted sky. While true that scarlet and gold were the dominating colors tonight, and yet every table buzzed with the energy of a term well-lived. Yes, now seemed the appropriate time to rise from his seat before his own slight peckishness turned into something a bit more ravenous.
Wilber approached the podium and paused just a moment to straighten his robes ー and pocket a bit of demiguise hair Earl had shed earlier. Casting a warm look across the Great Hall, he raised his hands and waited for all to settle down. “Before dessert gains sentience and decides to tango, let us bring this term to a close as we always should: together. I must say, you all make for a marvelous sight tonight. It has been quite the year, full of remarkable effort, courageous growth, and thankfully minimal acromantula-related injuries.” He paused to pick out a few choice students from the crowd. “And on that note, I am pleased to report our resident colony in the Forbidden Forest has remained…shall we just say…mellow since the beginning of term.” Pausing, his eyes twinkled in the direction of the Hufflepuff and Gryffindor tables. “We credit this, in part, to reports from the magnificant centaurs. They shared that a couple of flocks of Fwoopers took up residence near the acromantula lair, which seems to have satisfied both their hunger and their rather eccentric taste in noise. I shan’t elaborate.”
He paused, holding space for a few scattered laughs, and rubbed his balding head with his palm while he nodded solemnly before continuing. “I would like to extend a heartfelt congratulations to our graduating seventh years. You’ve made it. Through exams and essays, heartbreak and Herbology, Quidditch victories, and Potions disasters…you’ve persevered. You’ve left your mark on these ancient halls, and I, for one, cannot wait to read your Memory Book entries later this evening. Please remember, the more embarrassing the anecdote, the more likely I am to give you a wink and a biscuit at your alumni brunch.” He smiled, cheekily, and took a moment to laugh at his own humor. “Now, to the matter of House honors! I offer a roaring congratulations to Gryffindor for winning the House Cup this year and breaking a five-year streak of Slytherin dominance. An extraordinary feat and well-earned. BUT let us not forget our serpentine scholars who soared to victory and claimed the Quidditch Cup with spectacular broomwork and teamwork. The Gobstones Cup belongs to Gryffindor as well this term, and if anyone on the team would be so kind as to instruct the other Gobstones youths on how best to dodge exploding gunk…do pass it along. The house elves especially would appreciate not cleaning up little dripped trails of stench after matches.”
Wilber cleared his throat with a playful glance towards those who might be taking any celebrations a little too robustly ー he still had more to say, you see.
“While it is expected we bid farewell to our seventh years, we also must bid farewell to several of our beloved professors…each of whom leaves behind not only a legacy, but bits and bobs the castle won’t soon forget and notes I’ve yet to decode.” He straightened slightly, hands on either side of the podium and fingers curled gently over the edges, tone revenant and warm. “To Professor Carton, our steadfast Transfiguration Professor, who will be stepping away to spend more time with his growing family. We wish you joy, peace, and all the cuddles that come with grandparenthood. To Professors Conrad and Rook, our bright stars of Arithmancy and Divination, you both leave us in pursuit of magical studies elsewhere. We wish you continued success and expect postcards, possibly in riddle form. To Professor Adara, who has taught both Flying and Potions with both precision and patience will be departing to focus on family, though will continue as the U-17 English Quidditch coach. Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence win championships, and we are certain you will continue to bring these qualities beyond the Hogwarts pitch. And finally, to Professor Fergersnout, whose History of Magic lectures were equally riveting and insightful, rumor has it we may see your name light up the Phoenix Theater marquee. We await the debut of ‘The Goblin Rebellions: A Tap Musical’ with bated breath.”
The headmaster gave a proud smile, pausing to step back from the podium to offer these professors the round of applause they were due ー don’t dilly dally in joining in too, youths!
“Now, a brief word of caution to our returning students. I implore you to prepare yourselves for the road ahead ー though what precisely to prepare for, I cannot say. Perhaps an extra umbrella. Perhaps a sturdier sense of humor. Almost certainly both. Peeves may have mellowed slightly, perhaps in an odd gesture of solidarity with the acromantulas, but the castle has a curious way of keeping us on our toes, doesn’t it? One never quite knows what may be lurking around the next corridor…or in the next Yorkshire pudding.”
He returned his hands to the podium, leaning forward upon it once more. “And for those of you eligible or soon-to-be-eligible for Apparition, I highly recommend tuning into the next ‘Wands to Know’ broadcast on the WWN. You’ll thank me later for it.” And with that, his hands came together in a final clasp. “Be proud of what you’ve achieved this year. Be kind to yourselves. And remember this as well: no matter where the road takes you next, you’ll always have a place here at Hogwarts. Thank you, and now, at least, let the feast begin!”
He gave a warm nod as, right on cue, his stomach rumbled like a thunderstorm. The golden platters filled with food and within moments so did the air with laughter. Wilber sat again, immediately reaching out for a bit of steamed cauliflower when the entire bowl began making its way off the table.
“Earl!”
|
