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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A splendid summer had come and gone, as Wilber once more was at the helm of the luminous Great Hall. Deciding to continue his travels this summer with a Mediterranean cruise, not complete without his trusty travel companion. Although Wilber was sure that that Earl was less than pleased with the rocky waters of the sea as the demiguise seemed less than thrilled with the motion. Every time he tried to snap a picture with his companion, the demiguise had a knack for disappearing. Often found moments later in his cabin.

Sunkissed skin with a cruise-appropriate Hawaiian shirt - the edges of which slightly visible under his robes, he lovingly patted his colleague's shoulders as he hobbled his way towards the center seat. "Don't let me forget, I've got floral shirts for each of you in the staff room." Well, save for Marion, as he doubted she'd benefit from such an item.

Watching the sorting ceremony taking place with the little dears was such an enjoyable part of the job. Pushing his glasses up with his knuckle, Wilber rubbed at his temples giving a proud look over before standing. "One moment," he smiled at his colleagues, wanting full well to catch up on their summers but if he waited any longer to give his speech they might not have time for food.

Now standing behind the lectern, he raised his hands high to quiet the youthful jabbering. "Good evening young dears, welcome welcome. To what will surely be another delightful year at Hogwarts. To all the first years and transfers, additional welcome sentiments and congratulations on your sortings. Your housemates and heads of houses are eager to make your acquaintances and offer you a welcoming hand should you need it in the vast halls"

A brief pause for everyone to look around at their new housemates and he was off to some more speech giving. "I would often remind my dear sweet wife, the trick to juggling was in determining which balls are made of rubber and which of glass. Rubber will bounce back. Glass is fragile and must be handled with care. This is true of the friendships and connections forged here, to be gentle with each other. Be gentle with your professors, eager to impart their wisdom to you." There were no new faces joining them on the dais which was strange but the stability should be a welcomed change. There was one thing to address, "Later this year we will have the opportunity for a valuable lesson that I trust you will find quite stimulating. More to come at a later date."

"A reminder that classes begin tomorrow morning at 8am, so remember to get plentiful sleep between your dreams and weekend fun. For the strategic-minded students, Professor Feirgrund and Professor Leroy will be posting about Gobstones sign-ups sometime next week and Professor Adara will be hosting Quidditch tryouts for the athletic sort in the near future as well. Keep your eyes open and wide for these updates and the plethora of other clubs available to broaden your minds." He grinned, clasping his hands together dramatically. "Now enough of my ramblings as I trust your tummies are a rumbling and the house elves have prepared a delicious feast. If any student can tell me why cheeses never have to worry about anything, then there are some honeydukes sweeties and perhaps something extra awaiting for you." He concluded with a couple claps of his hands to make the food appear at each table. "Eat up, my dears and enjoy."

Never in all her days had she been so late in making her way to the Great Hall for a feast. Unfortunately her dear sweet snake was very much under the weather and in its older age, Hadleigh was more than a touch concerned to it. Not to mention she looked to check-in with all the creatures as she settled herself back into the groove of the school term once more.

Thankfully, she had managed to make it to the staff dais before all the students came pouring in. Soft polite greetings had been given to all of her fellow colleagues as she slid into her seat. Any real talk with any of them would have to wait a few moments longer. Hady's attention shifting from each of the house tables to the sorting. So many bright familiar faces and many new ones that she couldn't wait to shower all her creature knowledge upon.

The speech Wilber gave each year always brought a smile to her face, for it meant the new term was officially underway! Annnnd of course they could now eat, it had been such a long day. The usual silly question that Wilber normally asked the staff had now been directed at the students. Now this was completely new and she was more than curious how many of the students would guess it correctly. Don't mind her as she scanned the tables once more to see who would answer.

The herbology professor was definitely in agreement with Dhruv on that idea. A relatively peaceful year focused on learning was always a good thing, his gaze flitting to the other tables as more and more students arrived. Marcus drew his attention back to the staff table as Amelia came up beside him. “For certain,” he agreed with a nod. “Less concern of not meeting expectations.” He was a bit better confident in himself and handling what arose. It helped he hadn’t completely lost it when faced with the colorless drama last term. As for how his summer was…

“Great summer…how about yours?”

The question was asked as he felt the headmaster’s pat on his shoulder alerting him to the older man’s presence. Wilber certainly appeared to have a good summer as well if his coloring and playful fabric beneath his robes was any indication. “Good evening, headmaster,” Marcus greeted, before raising an eyebrow at the mention of their own floral shirts awaiting them. The herbologist suddenly having the vague picture of blending into his surroundings if he ever wore one around certain greenhouses. He shook the idea from his mind as the sorting hat got to work, clapping for the various students and trying not to be more enthusiastic for the Ravenclaws. Old habits die hard. Then with the headmaster’s speech, the term officially began, Marcus pouring himself something to drink as the food arrived.

Why did cheese not worry indeed…

Norman had arrived before the headmaster’s speech, greeting his colleagues with a polite nod upon arrival. He sat quietly in his chair at the far end of the dais, too lost in thought for idle small talk. The start of a new term… what was this, his twelfth? Thirteenth? He’d lost track of the years. As with the start of every term, there was so much to do. Lessons to plan and new students to meet.

He watched the sorting ceremony, applauding politely for the new students. It looked like a promising bunch of new Ravenclaws this year! HIs bluish-green monetarily flicked toward the Ravenclaw table. So far, so good… no shenanigans, unless one counted a little shouting. He’d let it slide for the time being.

He blinked, jerked out of his thoughts by the headmaster’s voice. Did he say… floral shirts? Norman smiled slightly, biting back a laugh. For all he knew, the older man was probably kidding, but it sounded exactly like something his daughter would do. Normandie was always trying to get him to dress in brighter colors! It was only then that he realized he hadn’t heard the obligatory start of term riddle yet. What, no dad jokes this year?

Ah, there was the dad joke. He listened to the headmaster’s speech, unsure whether to laugh or groan at the riddle tacked on to the end. A slight smile spread across his face as he overheard one of the students answer. Hehe, good one. Not waiting to hear if that was the correct answer, he dug into the feast in front of him.