With the stench of mooncalf dung thoroughly eliminated from the air outside her office - and herself, of course, not that filthy smells like that ever hung around Bunbury - the professor returned to her office at last.

"Oh, Torin, you're... still here," she paused and blinked a few times at the boy and girl Hufflepuff. Hmm. Did they want something? More tea? She took a seat at her desk and poked her own cup with her wand to warm it up again. "Would you like some tea, Satine?"

Satine put on her extra best smile as Bunbury came into her office. Wow, that lady's got style....she was startled out of her thoughts when the Professor asked her a question.

"Sure, I'd love some tea. Thanks!" she said with a smile and she let her eyes lead slowly to the pink box....she was very anxious for the professor to see the shoes inside of.

He was glad that she at least remembered him. But then it would have been hard to forget the last time they were standing in this room.

"Its Torin. And I was here to speak to Professor Bunbury. Why are you here?""

And then the Professor was back. "Yes, I'm still here. I wasn't sure if I wanted to go out into.. whatever it was that was going on out there." But if she wanted him to leave he would.

"Oh there's nothing going on out there. Not anymore." Bunbury waved a hand like Cameron Karsten, his snout and buckets of dung were nothing.

Although....

"If you're looking for something to do, Torin," she sat up straigher and set a cup of tea down for Satine. "You could help spread the mooncalf dung around the mandrakes... since you are an older student I trust more than Karsten... out there, all alone in the greenhouses....

She sighed dramatically to emphasize the potential nightmares a third-year could get into. Was it sad that Bunbury actually trusted Torin "Stalker" Kane a little bit? He did save her shoes last term....

He nodded slowly at her not really sure if it was nothing or she was just saying that.

and now she was asking him to help her? Did that mean that she trusted and respected him as a student?

"Yes, Professor Bunbury. I could do that if you want me to." He couldn't say no to her. She was his favourite Professor.

"That would be lovely, Torin, thank you." Bunz inclined her head slightly toward the boy and then waited for him and... the Hufflepuff girl.... to go.

She turned back to Satine and smiled. "Where were we. Shall I open this box now? It's very pretty. Did you wrap it yourself?" Pink and polka dots were an absolutely enchanting combination in Bunbury's opinion. Not many things could top that.

He nodded at the Professor, knowing that it was time for him to leave. He headed outside and waited for Brody to catch up.

Satine smiled at the two students leaving the Professor's office. She was so excited for the Professor to open her gift.

Hearing the Professor talking to her, she smiled, "O yes, we went to LA this summer, and I saw these shoes in one of the windows on Rodeo Drive and just knew that they screamed you!" Satine knew that she was just beaming with her excitement. "I hope they are the right size....if not, my mom taught me a spell to shrink or stretch shoes." she said with a final pride.

"LA as in.... Los Angeles?" Bunbury quirked a brow at the girl and then slowly unwrapped the pretty paper. She wiggled the lid off the shoe box and then tilted her head to the right, then to the left as she admired the shoes.

At last, Anastasia lifted one very pink shoe out of the box and held it up to the light to admire it. "Well, I am a size 8," she told Satine with a nod. "And I do think these would match one of my favorite handbags quite well..."

Sure they were a bit louder than Annie wore, but MERLIN, they were PINK! So bright. Two patterns. Gold interior. Mmm yeah she liked them.

Annie carefully set the shoe on her desk and beamed across to Satine. What a rare happy moment. "Thank you, dear, you shouldn't have troubled yourself in purchasing these." Though duh, Bunz thought she was worth it.

Satine beamed at the Professor's reaction to the shoes. "Well, I couldn't resist. I knew that I was too young to wear such a great pair of heels, since I'm still learning how to walk in heels that big, but I loved them and thought of you...I just knew that you would like them and def deserve them after losing some last term in that yucky water. I'm glad you like them!" she said talking extremely fast with excitement.

"Oh you are just too sweet, Satine. Too sweet." Bunbury smiled again, not really sure what to say. It was true though... that Bunz deserved some nice shoes after last term's flooding... YUCK. Actually, she should just waterproof them right now...

A tap here with her wand, and a tap there, and all was good. Bunz looked back up at Satine and found it amusing that the girl was rambling rather excitedly. Now she needed to give the girl something in return, right? Wasn't that how gift-giving worked?

Turning her chair slightly toward the window, Bunbury scooped up a tiny little pink pot with a rounded little bump of a cactus sitting inside. She set it on the middle of the desk and nodded at Satine.

"I want you to have this.... because...." um, well what to say? Because the girl had saved her shoes last year AND given her more this year? "Because it blooms pink."

There. Bunz could be something resembling nice once in a while.

Satine smiled at the Professor as she headed towards the window and grabbed something and turned around carrying a little cactus. "Wow, Professor! Thanks! You really didn't have to get me anything, but I really appreciate it." She looked at the cactus and imagined a beautiful pink bloom on it. "Is there a special way that I need to care for it?" she knew about normal cacti, but she wasn't sure if this was a special magical species that might require dung or rats for nutrition or something crazy like that.

Oh whew, she liked the little cactus. Success! This gift-giving thing was easy!

"I'm glad you like it," Bunbury nodded slowly. "No, no special directions or care for it... just water it very very little very very seldom. But I'm sure you knew that already." Yep, Satine was pretty good at Herbology.

Speaking of Herbology though, was that a knock outside the door? Anastasia glanced toward the empty spot over her mantelpiece and then stood. "Hmm, I think I have some more visitors."

No Catnappers, hopefully.

And...one moment she was out, the next she was in.

Nice.

Or not so nice, depending if you liked Bunbury's office. She liked Kapoor's, though, even if things are usually a bit messier than she'd rather they be, Kaika didn't even mind the small pink piece that stood alone in that office...the only thing was, that the Divination was too far up...

Er, anyway...she took a seat, and waited for Professor Bunbury to turn her attention back inside.

Bunbury stepped back inside her office and set the #cupcakes and box of teacups on her desk, but off to the side. She didn't want to fidget with them in front of a guest, though she was about dying from curiosity. Who had brought the #cupcakes? Why had he/she brought her #cupcakes? Had she missed a note regarding the #cupcakes?

But back to Lockhart.

"Well, Kaika," she slipped into her seat and folded her fingers into a steeple. "What brings you out to my office today?"

Kaika? Well, that was weird. And unexpected.

Still, the Hufflepuff Captain smiled, and instantly started with some chatter, "First of all, I hope you had a nice summer, Professor" even if it was already November and she entirely had missed the first Herbology class of the year, "Secondly, the reason" she nodded, placed a nicely presented box in the table and began going through her new bag, which totally matched her shoes, by the way.

"It's not really school related, but I'll start at the beginning" because it was the best part, "I went to Quidditch Summer Camp this...er, summer" she'd just noticed the redundancy, "Back in America" yes, it was important to say where, "And, while we spent most of our time playing Quidditch, and getting to know people from other countries, and...some of us shopped..." that's why her fashion sense was quite different from other years, if not entirely, but very classic still, "...we also made a few experiments regarding a few magical subjects" Potions was involved, and also Herbology, "Mostly, experimental lessons" such as the ones at Hogwarts, of course...aha! Kaika found the picture, "Anyway, my group and me...we...sort of crossed Alihotsy and dahlias as a Herbology experiment" she nodded, was she giving too much info? It didn't matter, but she placed the picture in the table for Bunbury to see.

Whatever the reason, the dahlias seemed a bit, or a lot, cheery, and the people around the plant, which was Kaika's group of people seemed happy with the result and were waving at whoever was seeing the picture, Professor Bunbury in this case.

"I only wanted to show you the outcome" she nodded, quite proud, "Since I didn't feel like making the little.." or not so little, "...plant leave with me, one of my American friends is keeping an eye on it" and says that the plant is growing even more beatiful, but pictures haven't been received. Sigh.

So after Jake had decided to tell him about Ethan and Annie having urges to like watch each other all the time, Marcus just knew he couldn't let the opportunity pass him by without ribbing her about it.

He strolled up to her office with hands in his pockets and whistling a tune from his band days. The one song which he knew she hated and he of course loved. Not bothering to knock on the door, he just pushed it open and lent up against the door frame and kept up his whistling, with a knowing smile on his lips.

How had he gone this long without coming down to torment her? Axe and Bunz...a match made in hell!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian

Kaika? Well, that was weird. And unexpected.

Still, the Hufflepuff Captain smiled, and instantly started with some chatter, "First of all, I hope you had a nice summer, Professor" even if it was already November and she entirely had missed the first Herbology class of the year, "Secondly, the reason" she nodded, placed a nicely presented box in the table and began going through her new bag, which totally matched her shoes, by the way.

"It's not really school related, but I'll start at the beginning" because it was the best part, "I went to Quidditch Summer Camp this...er, summer" she'd just noticed the redundancy, "Back in America" yes, it was important to say where, "And, while we spent most of our time playing Quidditch, and getting to know people from other countries, and...some of us shopped..." that's why her fashion sense was quite different from other years, if not entirely, but very classic still, "...we also made a few experiments regarding a few magical subjects" Potions was involved, and also Herbology, "Mostly, experimental lessons" such as the ones at Hogwarts, of course...aha! Kaika found the picture, "Anyway, my group and me...we...sort of crossed Alihotsy and dahlias as a Herbology experiment" she nodded, was she giving too much info? It didn't matter, but she placed the picture in the table for Bunbury to see.

Whatever the reason, the dahlias seemed a bit, or a lot, cheery, and the people around the plant, which was Kaika's group of people seemed happy with the result and were waving at whoever was seeing the picture, Professor Bunbury in this case.

"I only wanted to show you the outcome" she nodded, quite proud, "Since I didn't feel like making the little.." or not so little, "...plant leave with me, one of my American friends is keeping an eye on it" and says that the plant is growing even more beatiful, but pictures haven't been received. Sigh.

"Hmm yes, I had a lovely summer," Bunbury answered slowly, watching Kaika carefully as the girl started to talk. Why did everyone always want to know about Annie's summers?

Regardless, she had now placed another box on Bunz's desk. Third box today. Mmm mmm bribery via boxes. Worked wonders on that redhead. Wondering what was in the box, Anastasia tried to focus on what the Hufflepuff was saying instead of on, for example, the #cupcakes to her right sitting on top of a box of teacups and the new box in front of her which had come out of the Burberry bag on the girl's shoulder....

Distractions.

"Alihosty and dahlias," she repeated, tapping her fingers on the desk to resist opening the lid of the box. "I do love alihosty... that sounds like an interesting combination....although you didn't bring it back here. Hmm." Bunbury leaned forward nevertheless to examine the photograph from Kaika.

"It was probably wise to leave it in America," she agreed, curiously watching as all the children in the photo seemed happy as happy as the plant was. Mmkay. "Dahlias aren't native to England... and hybrids or cross-breeds can encounter a multitude of problems.... what was the purpose behind this experiment, Miss Lockhart?"

Annie looked up from the photo and then noticed a lurking figure in the doorway. "If I might ask....

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiegirl

So after Jake had decided to tell him about Ethan and Annie having urges to like watch each other all the time, Marcus just knew he couldn't let the opportunity pass him by without ribbing her about it.

He strolled up to her office with hands in his pockets and whistling a tune from his band days. The one song which he knew she hated and he of course loved. Not bothering to knock on the door, he just pushed it open and lent up against the door frame and kept up his whistling, with a knowing smile on his lips.

How had he gone this long without coming down to torment her? Axe and Bunz...a match made in hell!!!

"....why are YOU here?" No knocking, ignoring the waiting area, just welcoming himself in. Typical Axe. Bunbury temporarily forgot Kaika was there for educational reasons because....

Marcus was smirking. AND whistling. WHISTLING AND SMIRKING. And Annie didn't like that.

The whistling stopped and a small smirk played across Axe's lips. "Now Annie, what kind of greeting is that? Perhaps if I were someone else." he raised his eyebrows at her and the smirk just got a lot wider.

Marcus sauntered into her office and threw himself into a vacant seat. "I've just been speaking with Jake Upstead. Tsk, tsk Annie what have you been doing?"

A lovely summer. Yes, clearly, or...whatever. She wasn't really into knowing the details, but it was considered an appropriate question, or a very common one between Hogwarts peeps.

The box she'd carried from outside seemed to be Bunbury's main focus. Actually, Kaika would be acting that same way if she didn't know what was in it. Not that she would've carried it inside without knowing who it was from. Anyway...ooohhh...she liked Alihotsy? No, loved Alihotsy. Odd, because Kaika did as well, and she never thought she could have something in common with Bunbury.

Kaika nodded, and was going to explain further on the experiment when...

...Bunbury stole her words.

AGAIN?! What is it with Lawson? Is he to be in every office Kaika visits?! Please, let her know, and she won't visit any Professor.

"Oh..." and her voice sounded bored, "...hello Professor" were they allowed to step into HIS office without noticing him they were? Probably not. So, it was very rude of him to enter like this. VERY, very rude. Even if she wasn't very fond of Bunbury, but still....

...how annoying...he was.

The kind of greeting unannounced people get!

He wasn't quite bright, was he? Well, he was bright enough to be the DADA Professor, so, yeah..

Her eyes widened, though, at the mention of her most beloved Hufflepuff. AGAIN. Jake. Her head turned from Lawson to Bunbury as soon as Lawson finished speaking.

Quote:

Originally Posted by aussiegirl

The whistling stopped and a small smirk played across Axe's lips. "Now Annie, what kind of greeting is that? Perhaps if I were someone else." he raised his eyebrows at her and the smirk just got a lot wider.

Marcus sauntered into her office and threw himself into a vacant seat. "I've just been speaking with Jake Upstead. Tsk, tsk Annie what have you been doing?"

"I actually had better ruder greetings in mind, Axe, but seeing as you just invited yourself in...." and flopped on my furniture and acted like you owned the place... what the heck?

Annie wasn't gaping but she was confused. How could anyone a) speak to Jake Upstead? That implied that the boy was capable of carrying on conversations with adults that didn't involve IRRITATING THEM.

And b) what was Marcus up to? What had he been doing if he thought she was doing something? Annie didn't like having more questions than answers.

Biting back the urge to just get up and go shove Marcus out of her office and/or dump his silly behind out of her chair, Anastasia settled for an expression of cool indifference as she answered him.

"I do lots of things, Marcus, none of which are any of your concern and none of which involve interrupting a meeting between esteemed professor and intelligent student." She politely folded her hands and settled back in her chair to get a better look at the other professor. "Though I don't suppose I could expect you to understand such a meeting, if you regularly speak to the likes of Upstead."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lockhartian

A lovely summer. Yes, clearly, or...whatever. She wasn't really into knowing the details, but it was considered an appropriate question, or a very common one between Hogwarts peeps.

The box she'd carried from outside seemed to be Bunbury's main focus. Actually, Kaika would be acting that same way if she didn't know what was in it. Not that she would've carried it inside without knowing who it was from. Anyway...ooohhh...she liked Alihotsy? No, loved Alihotsy. Odd, because Kaika did as well, and she never thought she could have something in common with Bunbury.

Kaika nodded, and was going to explain further on the experiment when...



...Bunbury stole her words.

AGAIN?! What is it with Lawson? Is he to be in every office Kaika visits?! Please, let her know, and she won't visit any Professor.

"Oh..." and her voice sounded bored, "...hello Professor" were they allowed to step into HIS office without noticing him they were? Probably not. So, it was very rude of him to enter like this. VERY, very rude. Even if she wasn't very fond of Bunbury, but still....

...how annoying...he was.

The kind of greeting unannounced people get!

He wasn't quite bright, was he? Well, he was bright enough to be the DADA Professor, so, yeah..

Her eyes widened, though, at the mention of her most beloved Hufflepuff. AGAIN. Jake. Her head turned from Lawson to Bunbury as soon as Lawson finished speaking.

And see, Kaika didn't like Marcus either. Annie's blue eyes just flickered to the other girl, noting her expression, before returning to Marcus. And now the redhead was smirking just a little bit.

"I'm sorry for the interruption, dear, but evidently Lawson has something he feels is more pressing than the details of your experiment. Disregard him. He was an absolute failure at Herbology."

....that was a safe enough assumption, eh.

Between Kazi and Bunbury, Lawson should totally watch his back.

Esteemed? Well, why not? After all, she'd said 'intelligent student'. Nice move there, but no need to make Kaika agree on more things, she'll take anyone else's side if they were standing against Lawson, except if it was Borr...or Melita! EEK! NOT Melita! Cookies...no good.

Ouch. That was mean. Why refer to Jake in such a way? Not...nice. However, Kaika recalled the many practices...and all the times Jake didn't listen...but that wasn't new because Dominic didn't either. All Hufflepuff boys had issues with listening if one might consider the recent tryouts and Rusty.

Her mind was brought back from Quidditch when she was spoken to.

Kaika smiled and nodded, "Evidently" she said, simply, not even bothering on telling whether she was referring to the experiment part or the failure at Herbology. Not like he cared anyway. And that was obvious, given the fact that he strode inside, unannounced...unannounced...not even a patronus...unannounced...the perks of being a Professor, huh?

Leaning against the chair she actually started to notice how Herbology-girl called Marcus Lawson. Axe. Was she really that distracted as to not notice such a thing until now? Yes.

Oh the Hufflepuff quidditch captain was here too. How long had she been sitting there? Marcus, chuckled at the greeting he got from the girl. Guess you just can't be adored by everyone. "Oh..."he gave the Huffie an identical bored look..."hello Kaika." Maybe he should apologise for interrupting...nah!!!

Marcus turned his head and let his eyes rest on the woman who might have been his wife. Finally he had something to thank Jimmy for. Especially after listening to her go on and on about how he was interrupting her conversation and blah, blah, blah. he finally tuned out her constant dribble.

"Oh yes we wouldn't want to interrupt your talk on shoes and this season's handbags." Marcus rolled his eyes at Annie. "And I remember the things that you used to do Professor Bunbury. So I'll ask you, what have you done to Jake?" Because apparently Kazi, says he had nothing to do with Jake's behavior and so the only other person that could cause a person to snap would be the woman in front of him.

Oh that was just RUDE. Anastasia did other things than talk about handbags, firstly, and secondly, conversations about shoes ALWAYS came before discussing handbags and scarves and sunglasses and so on and so forth.

Duh.

Her eyes narrowing at mention of the Devil Child, Bunbury chose to ignore Marcus for a moment and turn instead to Kaika. "I'm sorry, dear, but could I ask you to step out into the hall for a moment? I hate to ask - it's ever so impolite - but the sooner I speak with Professor Lawson in private the sooner he'll stop annoying us all."

Well, that was the plan. And so Anastasia turned her head back to staring down Marcus. She wasn't about to discuss problem students in front of another student, much less one from the same House and Quidditch team.

Well, he did seem comfortable enough in the office.

An eyebrow was raised. Kaika never discussed shoes nor handbags, but she wasn't going to reply to that, he was still a Professor, nonetheless, and respect was clearly necessary in order to, well, not losing points. And Merlin knows she didn't want to face Dominic or Tammy for losing points. Nope.

But....WHAT? 'What have you done to Jake?' Did she do something to him?

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO....She was never going to find out!

"Er, sure, Professor...just call when you're done" she nodded, with a small smile on her face. Had Bunbury actually done something to Jake? Her Jake? That sweet little Huffie boy couldn't hurt a snitch...a snitch!

Regardless, Professor Lawson was wanted outside, then...she stood up and followed Professor Bunbury's request.