Lord Borr curled his sausage sized finger towards himself, beckoning young Mr. Wendleworth towards him. "Come here, my boy. I'll let you in on a secret. Come here, don't be shy - that's what they are over at the girls' school - shy babies. Be a man and come here. Let Lord Borr thrust some knowledge upon you, give you some perspective, and teach you a lesson." Lord Borr patted his knee and welcomed Mr. Wendleworth to sit upon it like a grandson might be beckoned to his grandfather.

Before he could get Kingston settled though, there was another young man at his side. Two, actually. Lord Borr truly was very busy and very important. "Son, I'm sorry to hear that. But you know what I like to hear? You know what I'm hearing? I'm hearing ALL GOOD THINGS! I hear you all wanting better! THE BEST! I LIKE IT!" Lord Borr had the manic spitting again. "Professor Branxton! These boys want SILK napkins!"

Ignatius smiled, "I am glad Sir. Only the best will do for me Sir." He ran his hands down the front of his shirt, flattening any creases. He flicked any spit that had hit him. Disgusting habit. "You seem a rather jovial fellow. One everyone should get to know. Distinguished, been to many parties. That is what I love. A classy man."

His eyes widened when the man beckoned Kingston towards him. Oh dear, what was he going to do now? A bit hesitant, he moved a bit closer to the man, but stared at him once he patted his knee to sit on. Raising his brow at the fat man, Kingston crossed his arm and gave him a look. "I prefer standing, Sir. As I am not a child of five."

From the Slytherin table Trey cheered loudly for what Ignatius had just done! Trey liked Ignatius' style it was quite similar to his and would have to strike up a conversation with him, as Trey would love to compare thoughts on things. Then Trey yelled "Cheers for Lord Borr! The man who can deliver us greatness!"

Roland smirked from the slytherin table watching the scene up at the staff table. He watched as the Kingston the fool from Hufflepuff tried to equal himself with Slytherin. Tough luck old chum Roland thought to himself as he saw Lord Borr ridiculing Kingston.

Lord Borr jerked Mr. Wendleworth down to sit on his knee anyway. He offered his other knee, father figure and role model extraordinairre that he was, to Mr. Potter. "Let me tell you boys something. And you listen good. You don't have to settle for anything! Ever! If you thrive to be great and find yourself a good role model to follow behind," Lord Borr reached his hand up to snap his suspenders and insinuate himself, "you can truly BE an important person! With your silk napkins! WITH GOLD NAPKINS!" Lord Borr ruffled little Mr. Wendleworth's hair. "It might interest you to know that I, Lord Borr, was a Hufflepuff in my day. And look at me! TRULY GET A GOOD LOOK BOYS! I am great. I am important. And if you stick with me, you might follow suit!" After another phlegmy breather, he continued, "Why if I were you I'd be out back in the forest right now! Cutting down trees and fashioning myself a THRONE worthy of me!" These boys were obviously not up to what he had been as boy - but with his help - they could be.

Bless them, one and all.

Will grinned. Oh, Ignatius... you only serve to make me more and more impressed. He decided to run with it. "Thank you sir... I quite agree with Ignatius' assessment of you. Perhaps, if we're able to obtain the silk linens and other fine things more befitting our station, we could pass these inferior items off to the other Houses? Because really, it's a bit offensive to have to dine with them sitting there, eating in squallor... it kills the appetite, really, as it's very distasteful to observe them eating like swine in a barn. We strive to be men of your stature, after all, and so must have the best so we become accustomed to it."

Ignatius eyed Berty. Had that guy just offered him the other knee? Creepy. Oh well. He was a good crowd to get involved with. He perched himself precariously on the edge of Borr's other knee. He had a feeling he would be dragged otherwise, and he wasn't about to be manhandled by such a large fellow.

"Oh no. One should never use gold napkins. Silk with gold stitching perhaps, but never gold. It would be such a waste. And a wooden throne. You are obviously getting your substances mixed up. It should be gold for a throne." He smiled, "I will never settle for anything that isn't the best. And why go out and cut down the trees, when you can get someone else to do it for you?" House elves were best at that, or younger students.

He didn't know how it happened, but he knew it was quick as he now found himself on Borr's lap. What in the world...? Kingston's eyes were wide as eggplants if it were possible as he stared at the man, not believing what he had just done. Kingston tried to get up from the mans' lap, but he couldn't as the man seemed to have a good hold on him. Grumbling under his breath, he watched as he offered his other lap to the Slytherin.

Once the man ruffled Kingston's hair, he gave a small jump. Well that was unexpected! Kingston never liked anyone touching him, and this was far too much. "Sir, I would love to hear more about your glorious days." Kingston said, trying not to sound disgusted. "It would mean the world to me. May I please stand up, Sir?" Kingston asked, trying not to sound desperate.

"Do not pity them," Lord Borr shook his head. He had no knee to offer this distinguished looking young man or he would have. "Do not offer them your charity. They're men and they'll have to learn what life deals them! I'm sure Minister Cooper would not pity them and I certainly do not. So, you should not either."

Lord Borr frowned and dropped his knee out from the boy. He faked a cramp. "Terribly sorry about that. Terribly sorry. Trick knee." This boy, who was just that - a boy, was not worthy of a gold throne. What EXACTLY had he done? NOTHING. He needed to learn his place, and as Lord Borr saw it, it was beneath him on the floor at the moment. "Perhaps I'll have you do it for me," Lord Borr smiled his wicked smile. He liked this boy, but he would learn his place.

"Sure, my young man. Go sit back at your table and eat up. Too skinny and scrawny for my likings, and if you ever want to court a young woman - you need to grow some! Go! Sit! EAT! And I will see you, Mr. Wendleworth in my lounge later. You too," Lord Borr pointed at the Prefect boy. He did not extend the invitation to Mr. Potter.

Something suddenly happened and Ignatius found himself falling to the floor. Before he could rectify any mistake on his part, he had landed in the dust and the dirt. The cheek of this large fellow. He glared at the man from the floor, "Such a distinguished man does not have a trick knee, nor does he say he does, so he can use it to his advantage." He carefully picked himself up and dusted himself down. "You want me to make you a throne? Then you will have to provide me with the tools."

"Yes sir; I'll certainly take your lessons to heart. Though I must admit it was less a matter of pity and more a matter of it just being distasteful to see, like dining on a five course meal while sitting in a barn. Perhaps it will help us build character, though I am concerned that it might affect the appetites of my House mates." he said politely. Oh well, he had tried.

He watched with surprise as Ignatius was dumped unceremoniously on his... Well, dumped. Will took note; this professor was extremely fickle. He'd try to tread carefully.

"I'd be honoured, sir." He smiled and bowed his head politely.

Kingston was very thankful when the man had given him permission to stand up. As he did so, he stared at the man once he told him how skinny and scrawny he was. Of course he was skinny. Kingston was a vegan and he did not eat meat at all. "Bu--Si--" He tried to interrupted, but the man seemed too excited to even listen to him. With a sigh, he gave him a nod. This was the second time he asked him to come to the lounge. Actually, this was an order.

"May you have a delightful evening, Sir." Kingston said with a bow. Seconds later, he moved away from his spot and back to his table.

That was not what he expected at all.

Alex sighed watching all of the bi-play going on. "Oh ya this was a good idea. Bottle up all of the testosterone in the school and take away the Estrogen that was thinning it." he shook his head, "This is going to be a long, bloody term."

"Do not question me or my authority or my joints." Lord Borr's chins jutted out and he was done with these boys. He needed a nap and a good meal and not necessarily in that order. "Since you seem to know everything anyway, answer your own question. But answer at it your own table. GO." He poked the boy with his cane to get him moving.

Barry had come up to see the person in charge the plump fellow was it yes he had brought hima box of chocolates he went up to him and bowed. "Good evening sir I came to intruduce myself. I amd Barry Weasly a second year Rvenclaw."

Finn watched the display with Lord Borr with disgust. He was absolutely aghast, first that the genders had been separated. Further, he was mortified that the Hufflepuffs had been penalized for an errant rabbit.

He stepped up on top of the staff table and as loudly as he could muster he cried out. "Boys of the former Hogwarts. We have been swindled, bamaboozled and otherwise lied to by those charged to educate! We were given to the idea that we would be returning to a school like we had attended previously. Instead, we are now being educated by boorish oafs who use thier age and girth to bully us. I say that it is time to raise our voices loudly and let it be known that we refuse substandard education and bullies for professors. It is a travesty to be subjected to the whims of a Minister who is more concerned with pleasing his new bride than educating the young. What say you, men?" He looked to the others, hoping they would support him.

"I am not questioning your authority, if I were, I would say something suggesting that you were inncorrect at something. Like your treatment of that fellow. But I have not," Ignatius said, still brushing down his robes. He rubbed where the Lord had poked him with his cane, "That, Sir, is child abuse. Teachers in the muggle world are not allowed to touch a child in anyway at all. Therefore it would be befitting that you do not touch me. Even if you are a Lord, you have no right to touch my person in anyway." He stood firmly in his spot, not heading back to the table.

"I believe that you are a fool." Alex replied, "You assumed, as did all of us, that we would be returning to Hogwarts. I heard no one promise that we would be. You also are impatient. We have not seen any 'teaching' much less any that is substandard. to have a call to arms now is as I have said foolish of you at best. I say you get down, shut up and keep your nose clean, since you have now pointed out that you are a decenter and will most likely be watched and used as a 'fall guy' for trouble."

Finn looked over at the boy and sneered. "Easy to say that from your nice table and cushioned seat. Wouldn't want to make the Slytherins unhappy. Point me out as you wish, but I was not seeking promises. I was seeking Hogwarts. When we left last year, what indication was there that this would happen. The indications are that Gryffindor and Hufflepuff are not going to be treated equally. I get that at home. I'll not have it here."

Finn wanted to toss something in the general direction of this boy.

"It truly will be an honor to work with you, Sir," Doyle blndly replied and then turned with a sigh toward the chaos.
"I shall owl the minister at the conclusion of the feast," he added, taking off his glasses and cleaning them. So much for kicking that habit.
And enough was enough. Professor Branxton stood tall and tapped his spoon on his goblet. "May I have your attention please. It is time to take your seats. This is the staff table, not a soap box. If you have a problem with any of the professors or your treatment, please feel free to owl home to your parents. The Ministry has gone to a lot of trouble to construct this new school for the betterment of your education regardless of your opinions. Now, regardless of your personal views, the staff deserves your respect and there will be consequences if you do not do so. The feast will begin shortly. I thank you for your patience."

And with that, he sat back down on his little stool. Did the students think they were the only ones with grievances? He sighed and shook his head at his own thoughts. Maybe he had never actually warmed up to the children and teaching at all. Maybe it had only been Cassandra's presence which had kept him from running screaming from the school.

Alex smiled like a wolf that was about to eat a chicken. "As our gratious host has pointed out, If you don't like it...change it. There was no indication of this last year. As to my nice table and cushioned seat. It's horrible to be judged based on your house isn't. 'Slytherin only turns out dark wizards', Slytherin can't be trusted', 'Slytherin is evil', Slytherins have put up with that kind of bias since the beggining. Expecially when Voldemorte came from our house. We have dealt with it, so can you."

Alex bowed to the staff table in general and went back to the slytherin table.

Finn knew that battle was not to be one in one sitting. Glaring at the Slythie who looked as if he had eaten a firstie, he made his way back to the horrible huffie table. Stupid changes. he thought to himself.

Before he got too far though, he turned back to Prof. Branxton and asked. "Sir, when will all this be explained and why the disparity in the seating situation?"

With that speech, Lord Borr gave whiny Potter another jab, harder, with his cane. "You heard Professor Doyle and more importantly - you heard me," Spit went everywhere at Lord Borr's hissing. "Sit down!"

Lazily he lounged in his throne of a chair. "Well said, Professor Doyle." He gave a lazy yawn that said he wasn't all that impressed, but at least approved of the message.

Will nodded at the headmaster and returned to his seat, giving Professors Borr and Forrester each a respectful nod as he did so.