Headmistress Cassandra Rae-Branxton felt a bit peculiar in her poodle skirt and fuzzy sweater, but she wanted to fit in with the students. She took a seat at table and settled the girls on their mat underneath. They had, at Genevieve's insistence, dressed like socks. She wasn't sure how they were meant to look like socks, but they said they did and Cassandra believed them.

She took a sip of butterbeer and glanced around at the dancing students. Perhaps she would dance later.

Fabian hurried towards the staff for his parched status, he needed a drink as soon as possible. He didn't even realize he was one of the first to arrive until he gulped down a glass of water.

"Pardon me Headmistress" he croaked once he spotted the Headmistress with two socks, "you look lovely tonight!" he added with a smile taking in her poodle skirt by tilting his head. Oh! Those were her kids, not socks. Good he didn't say anything about that accidentally, "Children!" he inclined his head in greeting towards the two twins.

"Lovely ball! I must say, never had much fun in a while"

"Have you already danced a bit? You seem particularly worn, and I would guess you've been showing these children how to dance." She grinned up at him, even as she hear Sophia explaining to Genevieve about the doggy on her skirt. It involved a lot of tugging on her clothing.

"Aye oh Aye! Been dancing for a while with the staff's charming ladies" he broke into a grin, "their quite the type to drain you" he chuckled lightly, better not explain the drama aspect and Macadrian thinking she was fired part. "Students dance rather well" he waved a hand indifferently, "all this new techno moves confuse me".

"I don't know how they manage to dance techno moves to American classic oldies, but these students are nothing if not extremely creative." She gazed longingly at the floor. Maybe Doyle would show up soon. "You've had a busy term. I hope not too busy." They'd made their peace, afterall.

Fabian started pouring himself and the Headmistress some juice. "Oh Aye, they are the creative bunch and I better use this summer to catch up before they claim me to old age!" he broke off in a chuckle again. "Not so busy, but busy enough to keep me company" he grinned in the Headmistress direction, "How was your year? I hope Aggie didn't give you too much of a hard time?"

"Dear Aggie... we had trouble, but I think it's all been resolved. If we hear from Brennan, we'll know differently," she pulled Genevieve out from between her petticoats and settled her back on the mat. "You're going to be hard to replace on the grounds, but I'm sure you'll keep an eye on them from your new position."

"I'll try to speak with Brennan if you wish me to, indirectly of course. I would be able to extract something from him" he broke off thoughtfully, more than likely knowing whats going inside Brennan's thoughts after Aggie's report. "Oh nay, I'm sure the new Groundskeeper will be just as good. You picked us after extensive interviews after all" he grinned remembering his interview with the Headmistress, "I'll keep an eye as long as you need me ma'am" he inclined his head again in respect.

Armand made his way up to the Staff table, leading Damian by the hand. He glanced to Cassandra somewhat nervously, wondering how things went after he'd left the meeting. Armand himself was dressed as a Christmas tree... sort of. His robes certainly seemed to resemble them with the many layers that were present. And little Damian was dressed at a star. It seemed like a good idea at the time, considering the boy's love of riding on his father's shoulders. Of course, the boy chose that time to refuse the ride.

Cassandra walked up to the table staff table from the Slytherin one. She bowed her head to the professors that had seated themselves, and then to the young child with professor Erikson... his son.

"Professor Erikson?" She asked, her eyes still on the little boy. "I... Could I... speak with you?" She swallowed and looked at the Headmistress and Clark. "Alone?" She added.

Armand raised a brow, but nodded. "I'm sure you won't mind my son along. I can almost guarantee he won't speak a work. Unless there's anything... obscene you needed to say."

"Obscene?!? No... No... Although..." Cassandra swallowed hard... she looked at the strap on her shoes. "You may feel the need to react in that manner. In which case I could cast Muffliato and spare the boy." She said looking up at him, keeping her head angled downwards.

He raised a brow but moved over to the side, away from the others. "Piccola mia, I don't see how there is anything you could have done that is so terrible."

She followed him to the side, she breathed in deep.

"Oh... I wouldn't be so sure..." She said, her voice going up at the end, as if she was ready to cry, but held it.

"I..." No, Cassandra... from the beginning... she thought to herself. "Do you remember my visit to Professor DeLuca's office, early in the year?" She asked hesitantly.

He nodded, shifting Damian to the other hand as he went to look at something. "I do. What of it?"

"Well... I actually arrived a few minutes earlier... and heard voices... particularly... your voice." She swallows again... trying to breathe through the nervousness and stomach crap she seemed to be having.

"I... was going to knock as not to... not to eaves drop... but I heard you say that, well," her voice went to a whisper, "that you and professor DeLuca were having relations and that you dreaded when your wife would find out."

He wouldn't hurt me... he wouldn't... she kept telling herself. "I assumed the worst..." She began to tear up and looked at his chest. "I don't know why... I just... did." Her eyes went down to his shoes... Italian Leather... the man had taste.

"I sort of... confided... in a few friends... who I probably shouldn't have confided it." She held her stomach. "With the coffee that DeLuc- PROFESSOR DeLuca was giving you... and knowing your devotion to your wife... we... well... she's DeLuca... the amortentia rumor then made it's rounds..."

Cassandra closed her eyes, bracing herself... a tear trickling down her pallid cheek, "I'm... I'm so very sorry." She told him.

Armand blinked. That's where the rumor came from? "Well, I suppose that I appreciate your defense of my honor, but you really should have come to Ally and I on the matter. I think a lot of this could have been settled simply from getting to know Professor De Luca." He sighed. "Well, things have settled, at least. With any luck, I think this will not have any lasting repercussions. Though I certainly hope you've learned your lesson on getting all the information before running off half-cocked."

Cassandra nodded. "I feel awful for not having come to you. I realize that would have been the best thing to do, but... would you have confronted a married professor or his supposed Mistress if you were me?" Especially if you were crushing on said professor?

"No." He glanced about and cleared his throat a little. "I would have listened in longer." He nudged her, wanting to end the conversation before he said something to get himself into trouble. "Anyway, it's all said and done now, so you should run off and enjoy the dance. Don't worry about it."

She smiled... "Thank you professor..." She said looking back up to him. She wanted to ask if it would have been inappropriate for her to ask him for a dance, but knowing he couldn't have said yes, because of Damian, she didn't.

Instead she bent down and kissed the little boy's brow. One Erikson is better than none... "You must be Damian... it's nice to meet you little one." Then turning on her heels she waved at the professor and said "Thanks again!"

Armand smiled and watched her run off, though he found himself a little curious. Hadn't she met Damian before? Ah well... it seemed Damian wanted to be on his shoulders at last. He lifted the boy, and the Christmas tree now had a topper.

Natasha tried to be as inconspicuous as possible as she threaded her way towards the Christmas Tree and her little Star. At Armand's insistence and Damian's little cries of delight, she found herself dressed as an angel. It was really quite embarrassing...and her cheeks flushed hotly when one of her wings knocked over a goblet. Thank goodness it was empty.

"Oh Armand!" she moaned in despair, "I would have much rather attend as a Ball!"

"You know you could have made it easier on yourself and dressed up in something that wasn't so big Nat." Allegra snorted as she walked up to the Christmas Tree and Angel. She chose something simple to wear in the form of a blue dress. If anyone asked, she was Wendy from Peter Pan. She knew of this story because she had overheard her cousin reading it to his child one night. With the dress came heels, which made Ally stand a good two inches taller than normal so Natasha was even shorter than she normally was.

Natasha had to look up at her best friend, which lessened the effectiveness of the dark scowl. Well...the stupid halo and wings quite ruined the effect, too. "Where's your costume? You can't possibly let me go through this alone."