Armand raised a brow. "First of all, I have no idea what this... ABC Cafe is. For another, I have no intention of a coup." He glanced at the other students, vaguely wondering as to what some of them might think of that idea. "I cannot speak for the students who have asked this of me, but I've no intentions of coming into further conflict with Professor Forrester. After all, then what sort of role model would I be? Talking of house unity, and then turning against the head of house." He shook his head. "I am here as a former student, and nothing more. The original reason for the classes at all was because Slytherin House refused to work together, were losing house points, and consistently came in last. I simply want to see my old house win the cup." He chuckled lightly. "And as for you, I think you are much smarter than you are letting on. Though your questions are not unappreciated. In fact, perhaps it clarifies for everyone here just why we are meeting." He looked over the other students, wondering what many of them were thinking of all of this. And how many of them truly understood what was going on.

A coup? Did Erikson mentioned a coup? "I'm up for a coup." Maybe he should've said that. "I think you would be a much better head of house than Forrester anyday." He wanted to show support for Erikson, "Plus I have more contact with you than him. I am Quidditch Captain and I have had no word from him at all this year."

"I don't think I've spoken more than a few sentences to Professor Forrester," Excelsior said honestly. "And those few sentences were on greeting him in Astronomy class. He kind of intimidates me, to tell you the truth."

Armand frowned, hearing Marco. "We're not having a coup. Though..." He looked about at the students. "How do you feel about his interaction with you, then? Any of you. He actually did say he might have another office near the common room if you all wished him to be more accessible." He may have to have another talk with Forrester. He knew the students had been favoring him lately, but until now he hadn't seen just how much some of the students were unhappy with him. It would explain the students' reluctance with Forrester. Perhaps there was something he could do to improve relations as well.

"I would be more than willing to work with Professor Forrestor, it's just that he seems so - so unapproachable," said Excelsior softly. Other than his love of the space program, Excelsior knew very little about Professor Forrester.

"He doesn't even talk to me. He is meant to check that I am doing my job, and he doesn't do that. I could be training my team to become an army for Lord Voldemortist for all he knows," Marco huffed.

"Professor Forrester isn't unapproachable, Black..." Cassandra said, "He's been very good to me, he's also been very very supportive of me when other students from other houses... mistreated me..." Attacked was the right word, but Cassandra didn't want to seem weak.

She turned to Marco. "That isn't funny Marco!" Cassandra snapped.

Claudian came into the room late. It wasn't in his original projection to come. He had, as of late, felt a bit disenchanted with Slytherin House. Well, not so much the house, ...exactly.
He bowed his head apologetically at Professor Erikson and took a seat near Marco, whose comment he found great amusement in.

"You really think I want to be training my team to be an army,Cassandra?" Marco frowned, "It was just an example."

"Okay," said Excelsior, "It sounds like a plan. I just don't want anyone to get in trouble, that's all." By not getting in trouble, Excelsior didn't mean just the students, either. Lately he was worried about the staff, as well.

Armand went around to his desk, pulling out some parchment and a quill. "Well, I can assure you that Forrester does care... He's likely just rather busy. Being head of house and all..." He wrote down what the students said, making sure he took down their words. "I'll bring this up to Professor Forrester, if you two wish. And if nothing else, I can always act as an intermediary, so that you can always come to me if you do not want to approach him on a subject."

He looked up to see Claudian enter the room. Hmm... One more than he thought he'd ever get. Even if he was late. "Claudian, what do you think of Professor Forrester?"

"It sounds okay to me," Excelsior said. "Professor Forrester has always given me good marks for my work, I must say that, so I'm sure he must be fair. I'm sure he's a very busy man, especially with his involvement with the space program. If he wants to be involved with this and he wants to help, then I'm all for it."

"Professor Forrester?" He tried to think. "Isn't he our head of house or something?"

Armand blinked at Claudian. Did he actually have to ask that question? "Yes, Claudian. Professor Forrester is your head of house. Surely you know something of that."

Xana met the professor's eyes with her own, laughing softly and blushing slightly. 'Oh, sublime -- well played.' She thought with admiration. 'And how very, very Slytherin....'

"Well, I do thank you for the compliment, sir... I'm only trying to make sure that I am fully cognizant of the... situation... here-- and any potential... ramifications of involvement therein." She smiled knowingly at him. She wondered if the other students were understanding... "Though you can of course understand my... grievous error in judgement... it's just that for a study meeting, so few students thought to bring textbooks." She quirked an eyebrow at him and smiled, locking eyes with him.

Cassandra turned to Xana... Her eyes had fire behind them. Her hand shot in the air. "Professor Erikson, I'll speak to Forrester if you wish me to." She said looking at him.

Armand smirked. The little devil! She knew exactly what was going on. "Why yes, Xana. Though it is a matter of what we are studying. I, myself, rarely teach from a textbook. Perhaps you can see what I mean at the next Herbology class. I prefer to teach from personal experience, you see. But as I mentioned before, this was a study group of the students' choosing, thus, we can always study whatever you wish. Straying from recent Hogwarts history is always rather a relief, after all." He looked about. "Admittedly, we got off topic, but I'm sure you can understand my worry at the dissension between the house and Professor Forrester."

He looked over to Cassandra, who had volunteered her services in dealing with Forrester. "If you wish to do so, Cassandra. And it would be good to have someone to speak up on behalf of the student body when talking to the Head of House."

Xana lowered her eyes, then locked eyes again with the professor, grinning. Brilliant. Sir, my admiration for you grows with every word you say... and especially the ones you're omitting, she thought.

"Of course sir. And as Herbology is a favourite subject of mine... I'll look forward to... personally experiencing your teachings." she smiled sweetly. "And may I just say, and I think I speak for our entire house when I say this, that your... concern for harmony and camraderie within our House is touching and extremely appreciated, especially in these sensitive times."

She smiled at him.

Claudian was struggling to answer Professor Eriksons question. He was grateful to the intersecting of his reply by Xana and Eriksons back and forth.

'Good. Cassandra was going to Forrester.'

Cassandra's eyes went wide. This wasn't happening... Erikson didn't just.. flirt with her... No... Why couldn't SHE ever be his favorite... First Kennedy, then Jasmine, now Xana! Why did he never notice her!

Cassandra stood. "Professor Erikson... I'm... I'm not feeling very well... If the... study... session..." she said trying not to call it a class, "continues, I will get Black's notes..."

"Why my dear, I am grateful for your appreciations," he said, with an elegant and graceful bow, his eyes never leaving hers. Oh, this would have been a lovely example for Slytherin 101. "And if I may say, I look forward to seeing you in my class. It will be most gratifying having your insight added amongst the students."

Their palaver was disrupted by Cassandra's speaking. He came back to himself and turned to her, frowning slightly. "Are you alright, my dear? I can always get you something."

"No..." She said blushing and looking down to the floor. "I think I need something to settle my..." nerves! "stomach," She said rubbing her foot on her calf. She remembered last term when he carried her to the Hospital wing... why couldn't he be that way now...

Xana blushed again and grinned at his genteel bow. "I wouldn't miss it. And actually-- I've been meaning to ask your advice on some extra-curricular studies I've been exploring... dealing with pharamacobotany and its place in magickal herbology. Especially as we've never had the pleasure before, if I might speak with you after this meeting, I'd appreciate it-- I'd love to set a meeting up with you."

He pulled some peppermint from his pocket, handing it to her, and smoothed her hair lightly. "Here. Go on and rest yourself, piccola mia. We can always talk later."

He nodded to Xana, almost disappointed that the moment was broken. "Of course. My office is usually open to students. I would be happy to speak with you at the end of our little meeting here."

Extra-curricular studies!!! Cassandra was seething.

She took the peppermint and held it in her fist to her heart. She nodded and blushed. Piccola mia... it didn't sound half as velvety right now... He would soon call Xana something sweet...

She turned away and walked out of the office. Had she been facing them they would have seem the tear steaking her cheek.