There was no mistaking whose voice that was...

"Professor Vindictus! ...and how are you?" Anna asked, her words coming out before she even turned around. When she finally did turn, she, of course, came face to face with her Flying instructor and Quidditch official. "I hope your summer went well, sir. Ready for another year of Flying and Quidditch?" Of course Professor Vindictus was ready. Who was she kidding? As long as she'd known him...as long as she'd been attending Hogwarts...he'd been her instructor.

Anna went from smiling to frowning while Mr. Masterson talked about his little puppy, who apparently wasn't so little anymore. "That's too bad...about Roma missing the puppy, you know. Maybe your wife can bring the puppy to school sometimes, though," Anna suggested. "If you don't mind my asking, sir, when exactly did you get married? I must have missed that little bit of info. Oh, and did you know I'm getting married, too? Not anytime soon, of course, but the date's set for the summer after graduation." Smiling, she leaned in closer and showed him her ring. She was still a little giddy over it, of course.

"Same here. He's always been very nice and polite, and his classes are always a treat. I sure did enjoy that concert we went to last school year," Anna replied. She blushed and smiled when Mr. Masterson told her he thought they couldn't have made a better choice for Head Girl. "Really, sir? Wow. Thanks! That means a lot!"

"So, anything exciting going on with the grounds?" she asked.

"Hey there, Neo. Did I miss the speech?" Max asked without bothering to take a look and see who was at the table.

"Fantastic. Where in Merlin's Beard is your captain, Anna?" he asked and shoved a clipboard and rule book at the Head Girl. "I've been looking all over the Hall and she's nowhere to be seen. Make sure she gets these - its the Gryffindor tryout clipboard and a rule book. She needs to read the rules before tryouts begin." His mind was quick to change and it went from delivering tryout information to the captains (or in this case, the Head Girl who was an outstanding Keeper) to the thought of food. A growling stomach acknowledged the change in his train of thought. "Did you have a nice summer, Anna?" he asked and reached for an apple.

Constantine smiled amusedly. "I got married this summer," he answered, turning his head to look at Miss Kohan as well, seeing as she had been the first to ask the question. "I now have a Mrs," he was smiling brightly now, showing his proudness. "And, congratulations on your future one," he added, still smiling but his mind reeling. Merlin, he was 33 years old and had just gotten married. She was 17.

...

"Well...the bamboo forest is a little more populated this term," he thought, "and...everything else is pretty much normal. Any abnormalities...well, you'll just have to wait and see now won't you?," he smirked and leaned back in his chair.

"Not at all, my dear friend," he answered. "You're just in time...come, sit," he patted the sit next to him. "I'm sure Bontecou will arrive eventually."

Kazimeriz ignored the student-- Miss Northway, as he recalled -- and her question about his summer. It would hardly do to go into detail about his summer for the student's edification, after all. He finished climbing the dias up to the seats and turned to hear Bunbury talking to Jake. "Mister Upstead, you will answer the professor and then be silent; you are here for your own protection, not idle chit-chat and your friends do not belong at the dias." He glared at Miss Northway pointedly. " Professor Bunbury, it is a pleasure to see you as always. I trust your summer was pleasant. He nodded politely to her and took the closest empty seat to ProfessorBunbury. "During my morning constitution I noticed that the tentaculas are blossoming beautifully; you do lovely work." He poured a cup of tea, settling in.

"Alessia." Kazimeriz hissed reproachfully at his goddaughter, giving her a stern look as though correcting a toddler who was about to cross the line. She knew well what he was talking about, too.

Anna grew quiet while the groundskeeper and Flying instructor addressed one another. She knew better than to interrupt the professors while they were talking. Before Anna was even aware that the conversation had been redirected back to her, a clipboard and rule book was being shoved into her hands. Surprised, Anna stumbled for a bit and grabbed ahold of the clipboard and rule book, careful not to drop either. "Where's Paris? I...I'm actually not sure, sir," she said, turning and glancing briefly towards the Gryffindor table. I'm afraid I'm also on the lookout for my co-prefect, as well," she said. Anna nodded as she was instructed to hand the clipboard and rule book to Paris. "Right. I'll definitely make sure that she gets this," she replied.

The tone of the conversation changed when Professor Vindictus's stomach growled. Anna smiled and laughed softly. "Hungry, sir?" she half-joked. Come to think of it, Anna was starting to get a bit hungry herself. She'd talked to anyone and everyone since she arrived, but maybe it was time for a good drumstick or something when she returned to the house table. "Oh, I did have a nice summer. It's good that I'm well-relaxed now, though," she said. "NEWTs year and all..."

"Well, please accept my rather late congratulations," Anna said. Getting married seemed so fairy tale-ish. When she was younger, Anna wanted to marry a real Prince Charming and live in a castle with the Queen and Kind. Well, Cale was pretty much a Prince Charming, and Anna attended school in a castle, so if she thought really hard about things and used her imaigination, she supposed that her childhood dream really did come true in a weird sort of way. A few seconds later, she realized she'd allowed herself to drift off a bit, and she blinked her eyes and refocused. "Oh, erm...thank you," she said. "I'll be nearly nineteen at the time of the wedding, since my eighteenth birthday is in two weeks. Caleb will be nearly twenty. My how times flies..."

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathi

Alice got a sudden idea of going to meet the professors. It seems weird but there was no other way to pass the time since she was getting bored all with formal talks and chichats.

She excused herself from George and Sarah, "I'll be back guys, behave." she smiled before went on her feet.

Slowly she apporached the staff table, stood there, choosing which one she should be talking with. A beautiful redhead attracted her who was sitting at the corner of the staff table. EAsy to reach. Haha.

Alice walked over, "Hello Professor!" she smiled shyly, as smoothened her robes, still didnt miss to notice the boy who she met at the DA. She smiled at him too..formally said, "Hi!"

Okay....so now the children were swarming on her. Fantastic. Anatasia shot a random glare to Marcus since he had last been at the tables, surely he had something to do with this.

She smoothed her face into a neutral expression and nodded at the young girl greeting her. "Hello...miss...." Erm, right. Maybe they had a question or something?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitterz

Still smiling, he continued, "so like you are a Professor here? What do you teach?" She was so pretty. And she looked so young. It was no fair that she was a teacher! Dani was going to tease him relentlessly. Sigh.

He was going to ask her another question when suddenly he heard someone else talking to redhead. Trying his best not to frown, he turned his head to the girl he had met in DA and said, "hey."

Ah yes, they did have questions. And this boy wasn't too bright, now was he?

"Yes....that would be why I'm sitting at the staff table," Bunbunz answered the boy with an eyebrow raise. "I teach Herbology. So like, you a new student here?" Duh he must have been if he didn't already recognize THE Anastasia R. Bunbury.

Quote:

Originally Posted by XanaSnape

Kazimeriz ignored the student-- Miss Northway, as he recalled -- and her question about his summer. It would hardly do to go into detail about his summer for the student's edification, after all. He finished climbing the dias up to the seats and turned to hear Bunbury talking to Jake. "Mister Upstead, you will answer the professor and then be silent; you are here for your own protection, not idle chit-chat and your friends do not belong at the dias." He glared at Miss Northway pointedly. " Professor Bunbury, it is a pleasure to see you as always. I trust your summer was pleasant. He nodded politely to her and took the closest empty seat to ProfessorBunbury. "During my morning constitution I noticed that the tentaculas are blossoming beautifully; you do lovely work." He poured a cup of tea, settling in.

Anastasia's other brow raised a bit as Kazimeriz reprimanded Jake just then. Interesting, so he was the reason the boy was here...of course, who else would willingly drag a student to the dias with them? Honestly.

"Yes, it was a most interesting summer...I suppose yours was relaxing as well?" the redhead responded, watching the old man take a seat. Oh great, now he was trying to sit by her....WHYWHYWHYmerlinWHY?!

But at least he knew the way to her heart was by complimenting her horticulture. Annie put a hand toward her heart like she was touched, when actually she was a bit surprised. "Thank you..." Hmm, now she had to say something semi-nice back? "How are your quarters in the dungeons? Not too drafty, I hope." Or actually, maybe they were nice and mildewy. Heh. She didn't really care.

When she was about the ask the same question it was too late. The boy asked the same one to that professor. Energy saved.

So the red headed woman was a Herbology teacher. Good eventhough she was not strong in that subject, not that she didnt like to mess up with mud and seeds..but still..no specific reasons, she shrugged.

"Glad you're thinking on the same line like me," she smiled, noticed his facial expression. Was not he comfortable?! Or did he think i'm interfere or something? She couldnt help but took another glance at him unawaringly.
The woman seemed nice but might be in different thoughts of something or someone. Alice cleared her throat slightly, "I'm Alice, new to Hogwarts," her voice was polite, not a disturbing one.

She studied her features, quite attractive though, "Do you like your profession here?" she added, had no idea why she asked this to her. Strange!

"Oh really? Well, I so happen to love plants and have quite the green thumb. So I think that you might be my favourite Professor." He winked knowingly. Yeah, he so was making this up on the spot. But how would she know? Now he just had to hope that he wouldn't kill anything in that class.

He smiled at the girl from DA. But it was rather forced. "Indeed." Now she was asking his next question! No fair! He had to think of a new one. "So what's your name, Professor?" He couldn't call her gorgeous redhead forever.

It was a bit of an understatement to say that Lars was easily distracted from conversations. Even a conversation with someone he already knew was quickly forgotten in favor of watching... other conversations. Conversations among students returning from summer were so refreshing. Yes indeed, and--

Oh. Had The woman introduced herself? Is that what she was waiting for, a response? Lars scratched his nose and tried to remember what his distracted self had heard the woman say.

"Herbology?" Lars repeated much later, still a bit oblivious to the others seated or standing around the staff table. "That's... interesting." Plants. Lovely. "I teach transfiguration. Not much in common between the two." Why, the two subjects did not even have the same medium. One used the ground, the other used a wand. There was a lot of difference there. But the Woman--Lars had missed her name again--probably did not care about all the ways in which the two subjects differed. Instead of elaborating, Lars reached out, grabbed a bunch of grabes, and began to eat them one by one.

"They truly are," Antonio agreed. "And thank you, I'm glad you like the name. Brittany does have very good taste, even though she chose me." He laughed at his own joke. "But then, teaching the students, that's a blessing, too." Again, Antonio's mind wandered to the two boys who weren't here this term and would never be here again, Jack and John Moiser. Life did go on, but he knew he would never forget what had happened last term, or the two twins.

Antonio noticed Anna Greingoth at the Staff Table. "Hello, Anna, how are you?", he asked. She was a fine example of how a prefect should conduct themself, hopefully she could help straighten up some of her fellow classmates this term. Gryffindor was off to a poor start.

Quote:

Originally Posted by mathi

The woman seemed nice but might be in different thoughts of something or someone. Alice cleared her throat slightly, "I'm Alice, new to Hogwarts," her voice was polite, not a disturbing one.

She studied her features, quite attractive though, "Do you like your profession here?" she added, had no idea why she asked this to her. Strange!

"Alice, a new Hufflepuff," Annie commented, nodding at the girl's robes. "Congratulations."

She picked up her water glass and took a light sip. Perhaps since the students were new they didn't really um, realize that visiting the teacher's table was odd?

And the questions she asked were even odder. "Yes...I enjoy sharing my knowledge of plants both magical and mundane..." Anastasia answered carefully. "Do you like being a student here so far?" That would be her tactic; answer each question with a question in the hopes of annoying the students away.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whitterz

"Oh really? Well, I so happen to love plants and have quite the green thumb. So I think that you might be my favourite Professor." He winked knowingly. Yeah, he so was making this up on the spot. But how would she know? Now he just had to hope that he wouldn't kill anything in that class.

He smiled at the girl from DA. But it was rather forced. "Indeed." Now she was asking his next question! No fair! He had to think of a new one. "So what's your name, Professor?" He couldn't call her gorgeous redhead forever.

Annie turned her head back to the handsome young man. "That is wonderful to hear, Mr....." Green Thumb. Mister Green Thumb.

She chuckled at his obvious compliment, not that it bothered her one bit, and then answered his next question. "Professor Anastasia R. Bunbury. I do hope to see you in my classes, proving your green thumb, dear."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Waddles

It was a bit of an understatement to say that Lars was easily distracted from conversations. Even a conversation with someone he already knew was quickly forgotten in favor of watching... other conversations. Conversations among students returning from summer were so refreshing. Yes indeed, and--

Oh. Had The woman introduced herself? Is that what she was waiting for, a response? Lars scratched his nose and tried to remember what his distracted self had heard the woman say.

"Herbology?" Lars repeated much later, still a bit oblivious to the others seated or standing around the staff table. "That's... interesting." Plants. Lovely. "I teach transfiguration. Not much in common between the two." Why, the two subjects did not even have the same medium. One used the ground, the other used a wand. There was a lot of difference there. But the Woman--Lars had missed her name again--probably did not care about all the ways in which the two subjects differed. Instead of elaborating, Lars reached out, grabbed a bunch of grapes, and began to eat them one by one.

Well well, Herbology was the subject this evening, was it? "Yes, you have a point about that," Bunbunz said as she watched Lars nibble grapes.

So he was replacing Alex. Interesting, not exactly what Annie would've pegged him for. He seemed rather absent minded to remember complex transfiguration spells. "Do you like plants, Mr. Lars?" She was thinking of bringing him something in a pink pot, like a welcome-to-Hogwarts gift...or a nice bottle o' gillywater, if she figured out that recipe anytime soon.

Aw..the boy seemed so odd. He could be a good stage artist. Alice gasped at his straight attack of words on the Herbology Professor. Shaking her head she leaned in, "Hey, are you trying to be nice to her?" whispered.
Alice looked down at her own robes. Shiny Hufflepuff robes. She smiled at her comments, "Thanks Professor."

She looked nervous. Was not she?! Alice remained calm and shy untill the professor came back to earth from her dream land or dream universe.

Now she asked her a question. Very well. That's why she was appointed as a professor. Alice nodded, "Yeah, so far. But for future it's all in the hands of my Professors," she puased, looking at her, "and my fellow students," now looked at the boy who was standing beside her.

And where were his manners? The beauty did not know his name. "Mr. Torin Kane. I'm in Hufflepuff." He did not know why he had thrown that in. "What House were you in?" He hoped it was the same one as he was.

Crap! She wanted to see his skills. Not the wisest move on his part. "I assure you, you will be impressed." He gave her a big grin and hoped that he could make her think he was as good as he said he was. "And you have a lovely name by the way." hehe.

And then the girl was whispering in his ear. Sighing, he frowned at her question. He whispered back, "yes, I am. Now will you please go away?" He hated being rude generally, but this girl was seriously taking the Prof's attention away from him.

Daniel stood from his spot at the Gryffindor table and approached the teacher's table. He went to talk to Professor Dumont. He had a lot of question, especially about muggles.

He hesitated a bit. "Ahmm, Professor. Can you help me with something?" he said.

"Oh, Professor Dumont! I was hoping to get a word with you," Anna said, beaming at her new Head-of-House. "I'm doing quite well, thank you. How've you been?" Anna hated that Gryffindor had already sort of let the professor down with their loss of points. She was confident that he believed they'd work hard to gain additional points to make up for those lost, though. "I hear a 'Welcome to Gryffindor' is in order, yes? Our new Head-of-House, I'm told. I look forward to working with you, and hey, if I can assist you in any way, do let me know!"

Antonio smiled. "Hi, Daniel, how are you? Sure, I would be more than happy to help you, that is, if I can." He laughed.

"I've been great, thank you, Anna," Antonio said. "And thank you for your welcome to me as new Head of House. I look forward to working with you this term, of course, and while we're on the subject, I believe congratulations are in order for you as well. I think you are going to do a superb job as Head Girl. And you can be certain that I will come to you with anything I might need, and I know that you will do the same should you need anything from me. My door is always open, and both you and Chris can come to me if you have any questions or need any help at all. As can the other students, of course."

Anna waited patiently while the professor spoke to Daniel. She wondered what sort of questions Daniel had, and whether or not she could answer them, too, but she didn't ask any questions. Instead, she turned back to Professor Dumont. "You're quite welcome. I'm glad to hear your summer has been nice, as well," she said. "Thank you for the congratulations! Being Head Girl is truly a great opportunity to have during my very last year here at Hogwarts. Graduation...eek! I'm a bit nervous about that." She nodded to the professor and rocked back and forth on her heels a little. "Sure thing. I look forward to your classes, by the way! A carnival one year...a concert the next! I'm not sure what you can do to top that, but I'm confident you'll think of something."

Didn't anyone know how much Jake hated assumptions?!

"Well then, I guess that's settled," Jake snapped, looking away from the girl and back to the staff. Jeeeeez, he never got a break, did he? Everyone... always... forever yap-yap-yapping!

Cruel world.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoroRAWRR

Anastasia took another sip of her water (it kept her from having to speak to Marcus) and glanced down at Jake again.

Erm, the poor lad looked like he needed a distraction, since he kept shooting death glares at Kazi. "How was the uh, rest of your summer, Mr. Upstead?" Annie tried to ask kindly. Tried being the key phrase here, since she really didn't understand the meaning of the word nice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Definition of Evil ^^

Kazimeriz ignored the student-- Miss Northway, as he recalled -- and her question about his summer. It would hardly do to go into detail about his summer for the student's edification, after all. He finished climbing the dias up to the seats and turned to hear Bunbury talking to Jake. "Mister Upstead, you will answer the professor and then be silent; you are here for your own protection, not idle chit-chat and your friends do not belong at the dias." He glared at Miss Northway pointedly. " Professor Bunbury, it is a pleasure to see you as always. I trust your summer was pleasant. He nodded politely to her and took the closest empty seat to ProfessorBunbury. "During my morning constitution I noticed that the tentaculas are blossoming beautifully; you do lovely work." He poured a cup of tea, settling in.

As he started to open his mouth to respond to Professor Bunbury, Jake heard that annoyingly familiar OLD voice apprehend him AGAIN! Whipping his head round, Jake felt the anger bubble inside of him and that evil monster who always seemed to beat up the nice side of his head, go all RAWRRRRR!!!!!

"But... sir!" Jake exclaimed indignantly, furrowing his brow at the man. He didn't understand him at ALL. What was the reason Jake was here for? How was he supposed to deal with those people like Ricco and whoever else.

But then, you are here for your protection.

"So, because I need to be protected, I'm not allowed to-" he broke off, raising his hands as though he was surrendering. "Okay, fine, fine, whatever," he breathed, casting one last look at the EVIL MAN teacher and directing his gaze back to Bunbury.

"My summer was okay, thank you, Professor..." he nodded, reluctant at having to kill the conversation. "It was my birthday yesterday... it was good... while it lasted."

Cue death glare at Kazi.

"How about y- oh... never mind," Jake had been about to ask Bunbury a question back, but Kazi had told him to be SILENT for no apparent reason.

One more look, this time directed at Professor Morgan, but with sorrowful, pleading... and apologetic eyes, Jake said just one more word, "Sorry," and stared up at the ceiling, fiddling and twitching nervously... restlessly.

Reese turned to Professor Bunbury. Did she not remember her name? By the way she said 'hello' to her made it feel like she didn't remember her. Even though she had classes with her last term and they also met at one of the Quidditch games with Cale. Oh, well. "Sorry, Professor. I'm Reese Upstead. You probably don't remember me from last term," she told her, but then she heard that voice that scared her so much.

She turned the Professor Kazimeriz and smiled. She stood there and listened to him talk and when he turned to her and glared, she nodded her head. Maybe it was best for her to go now. If Jake wasn't suppose to chit-chat with anyone, then there practically was no use to be up here. "Ummm- sorry, sir. I'll just be going now," she said, looking at Jake. "I'll catch up with you later."

She took one last look at everyone then turned around and headed back to her table. She hoped Jack and Cam were still there since she just left them to go talk with Jake.

Caroline's eyes widened. Whaaaaa? Was this man not aware that she had all the social skills of a yeti? That he might just as well have asked her this in gobbledygook for all the sense it made to her? And since when did she know how to offer moral support?

"Weeelll..." she stammered. "I don't really know what my schedule is going to be like. If the children are particularly..." heedless, insane, foolish? "boisterous I could be very busy. And I don't know how occupied the Head Nurse means to keep me. But if I can, I'd like to come."

Cari's jaw dropped before she quickly snapped it shut. Because curiosity evidently DID kill the intern. I should be keeping to the Hospital Wing like a good little Healer.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mistress Vondella

Forrester then turned to another girl, whose robes indicated she was working in the Hospital wing, had Merry left already? Not that he could blame her, of course. "Hello, ....Miss? " he left the question hanging there as yet another round of babble started. Oh dear. Why was he always in the middle of these things?

Oh distraction!!!! Cari turned her red face from Marcus and leaned down the table to introduce herself to the man she couldn't remember AT ALL. "HIIII!" she said too loudly. "Caroline Avalon. And I'm sorry, I don't remember your name, I'm really bad about that."

Eeeep!

She was still very embarrassed around certain staff members, but she sat tried not to let it on. She nodded toward Vindictus, hoping he wouldn't engage her in conversation.

Alessia shut up and sat back. She wasn't really sure what she'd done wrong, but she always did as he told her.

"Yes, I agree..." Alessia said afraid of speaking the wrong thing to the wrong person.

For the second time that evening Ott went to the staff table.

"Excuse me, professors, but we need a little help at our table. There's a young Hufflepuff, I believe his name is Willie, who has his head in our pudding bowl and he's being very rude. And also threatening to harm us."

Knowing he sounded like he was tattling, he felt there was no other choice. "I think he may need a calming drought." he adds.

Still jiggling his feet up and down in restlessness, Jake's ears suddenly picked up on a familiar name. Willie? That couldn't be... no, wait... it definitely could. Willie Crocker was a dead cert to be making trouble at a feast.

Without thinking, Jake leapt to his feet. He had already gone two steps when he remembered what he was doing here. Then he had a dilemma. Go to Willie and sheild him from the most probable teacher to step in, the evil monster Kazi... or stay here, let Willie get in trouble... and maybe have some company?

Chewing on his thumbnail, Jake looked uncertainly between the student who had approached, Kazi, the other teachers and Willie, rooted to the spot. Something in the back of his mind told him to stay put. It would not be good to get in trouble.

But a more Hufflepuff side of him told Jake to help his friend, and not stay concerned with himself.

GAHHH!!!!!

Almost subconsiously, Jake shuffled back a step, still looking round uncertainly, glancing back at where he had sat, still chewing on his thumbnail.

"I can understand your being nervous about graduating, I think everyone is, because it's such a huge change and a big step. But you are going to be just fine, trust me. Do you know what field you might want to pursue upon your graduation?" Antonio wondered how Anna was getting along with Cale gone, having graduated a year before Anna. He was fairly certain that the two of them had a long and happy future together, he could tell. "And I'm really glad you have a chance to be Head Girl. As far as topping the class of last year, that's going to be a tough one, but we'll see what we can come up with." He smiled.

"No, not too drafty or damp. Thank you." It was. But Kazimeriz was not about to complain to a lady about his living quarters, even though the wet chill of the air caused his arthritis to ache in spite of his potions. He smiled congenially at her, his livery lips pulling back to reveal those fang-like white teeth. "Professor, if I may be so bold... It is a well known fact that potions and herbology are sister disciplines. As such, I am hoping to work quite closely with you this term in order to provide the most well rounded education to our young pupils in both subjects. Would you join me for tea tomorrow to discuss this and other issues of curriculum? I think it would be mutually rewarding." He smiled again at her, his eyes gleaming darkly.

"Transfiguration- quite the enjoyable topic to teach. I was a transfiguration instructor many years ago at this very school. What is your philosophy in the instruction of transfiguration?" Kazimeriz asked, quite interested in the newcomer's approach to teaching the subject.

Kazimeriz returned Jake's death glare with a stony stare of his own. Let the boy stew a while... it built character.

Kazimeriz smiled slightly at Alessia, pleased at her obedience. He didn't want her around the new DADA teacher or any of Truebridge's dangerous conspiring associates. Not his god-daughter. Never.


"I will handle this. Bring him to me immediately." Kazimeriz told the boy coldly. Crocker needed a firm hand, and by Merlin, he was going to get one.