Alessia turned her head away from Stinky, as Papa Valon was making his speech.

Unscheduled sabbatical for personal reason... why not tell these kids the truth: The headmaster came to his senses and instead of telling his bride to be he was having cold feet, he ran away, leaving her...

It was as she was thinking of herself that she heard of Truebridge's dismissal... She was glad mainly that he would go... but... a little confused on the why... As for Marcus, she wasn't really sure of what to think... Papa Valon knew best... and he was acting Headmaster now...

"Mr. Denton, please take your seat... this isn't a battle for you to fight." her tone was sweet but stern, "Miss Upstead, please do the same... Professor Lawson, will speak to you in due time, and if he cannot he will owl you..." She said to her Slytherin.

"Gentlemen..." She said to Marcus... though she included Ethan, "This isn't the place to argue... make your complaints formal if you must... but not in front of the students please." Papa Valon had probably already conferred with the education department...

A rush of noise filled Cari's ears with Professor Kazimeriz's announcement and receded. She wasn't sure she had heard right, but the reactions stirring around her told her that she had. Panic and rage seized her. All she wanted to do was blow a hole where the nasty old potions master was standing.

“Isn’t the place my foot!” Cari snapped at Less. She’d regret that later, but in the moment she had no remorse. She found herself on her feet with Ethan, clutching at his forearm. He wasn't hers, and that was fine, but if he could come to her rescue, she would return the favour, by MORGANA, she would stand up for him.

"Think carefully about this Valon," she said slowly, lowly, and with a careful hard edge to her voice. The mean nurse had never been THIS angry before. Not even with Marcus. "If you fire Ethan you will immediately lose exceptional talent on your staff, loathe though you are to admit it. If you demote Marcus, his talents will be wasted."

Cari to stopped breathe calmly and to grip the edge of the table with her free hand, so as to not start screaming like a banshee. She was sure she left indentations. "This is NOT the behaviour of responsible Headmaster, who has the best education of his students in mind. So despite my loyalty to you through family ties I now see you for what you are: small SMAAAAAALLL old man, bitter about past grudges, drunk on his tiny amount of power and using it to enact personal revenge, and I FOR ONE, refuse to work for such a man!"

How did it come to this? “So, if you fire Ethan,” she finished, with her chin high in the air, stepping probably closer to him than his idea of personal space would like, “I’m going with him.”

... she really didn't know the nurse well, or she would have never invited her to the sleepover last year... cause let's face it...

Cari.

Was.

Insane!!!

Who in their right mind would talk to their boss in that matter? And in front of the students none the less... It was rude and disrespectful... and not very nice at all! Papa Valon said nothing about Marcus being demoted... though... he didn't say what he'd be... But he was Iliana's fiancee... Her godfather wouldn't do that to her best friend... would he?

"That is your choice Caroline..." she said when the woman mentioned leaving with Ethan... Women... she never understood them. Did she NOT know that Ethan was seeing The Bunzmonster? Was she still hung up on him? Bunz could take Cari, no problem. That would be a fun duel to watch... hmmm, where was Bunzilla anyway?

Just as LouAnn made her way back down the table and towards Mr. Masterson, the booming voice of Professor Kazimeriz sounded throughout the Great Hall. LouAnn squeezed her eyes shut and quickly clasped her palms over her ears. Okay, so it wasn't really that loud, but it had startled her nonetheless.

She turned her attention towards the professor and listened carefully as he spoke. Her eyes flickered towards the Gryffindor table, and she gave all her fellow Lions a big smile as he congratulated them for the house cup. A smile went to the Hufflepuff table, too. They had played a good game, after all.

Such a happy End-of-Term Feast! Such a bittersweet moment---saying goodbye for the break but celebrating other things all the while! ...but wait. Whaa?

*blinkblinkblink*

Apparently the feast was also an appropriate time for chaos to erupt, as Professor Truebridge got fired, Professor Lawson demoted, and Healer Avalon---well, she just flat out quit. Wow. Way to take one for the team! So much for happiness and bittersweet moments. They should have just shipped Kazimeriz off to Australia when they had the chance. Not that they did have a chance, though---psh, they got Swelling Solution mixed up with Shrinking Solution! *sigh*

Not wanting to be right smack in the middle of things, LouAnn edged down the table a little further, giving Mr. Masterson a small smile as she did so. It's just little ole me...edging away from the scene of the crime.

"Was I talking to you?" Cari replied in a sharp tone don't mess with me woman, now is not the time, barely sparing her a glance. She stared down at crippled old Kazimeriz.

"If you want me to go, stand your ground, fire Ethan, and I'll go. You see, I understand the meaning of loyalty," she threw at him, vindictively. "But what, no Healer, no History Professor? That's another two down out of a less than full compliment. Or have your filled the Astronomy Position? Or for that matter... have you accounted for Professor Ashby? I haven't seen him for MONTHS."

Actually... she had been. What with the foot comment... but there was no sense in discussing reason with someone insane... or a silly teenager in love... Get over him woman!

In fact Alessia merely kept quiet. She looked to the students and smiled at the Slytherin table. They needed to see she wasn't upset. They had done so well... since she started they had been in last place... and now second isn't bad...

Constantine grinned gently. "Well...you have to admit, you do deserve the detentions. You dropped a load of shrinkingwelling solution on the old man...you deserve a detention with me for LEAVING me there to fix the man. Oh well," Neo shrugged. "That was a rather...well established trick, I must admit."

Dominic looked over at the Defense Professor as he seemed to have joined their little ... charade. Of course he would want to interrupt; Lawson had every right to know about his position change and though it didn't particularly matter to Dominic, he had to say he was perplexed by it. Mostly because of the fact that Lawson was a good Defense Professor. It didn't even strike him as odd that the professor had been just as disrespectful to the old man as he had been; because technically the old man was disrespectful himself... with style, but disrespectful nonetheless.


What?! How could Truebridge remain so calm and collected when he was being asked to leave the End of Term feast, which was meant to celebrate another year gone. It was his last moments with the History Professor, as his professor, but he was being limited to even that. Yet he was right; okay, Truebridge was fired and he had to leave, but that didn't mean that he had to stay without Truebridge.

"As you wish," He conceded.


o.O

Who was she to tell to take their seat; it wasn't her decision. "No..." He paused, deliberating on his words. "But as a student, former or not, then I am allowed to express my displeasure at the changes."

Merlin, bless the healer! At least someone had some sense around here; clearly NOT the Runes Professor who seemed to prefer to keep things calm and 'not start anything'. What difference did it make? Something already HAD been started by the fact that the Headmaster had to make those announcements at the closing feast. If they didn't want to generate a response, then he should have waited till the students had boarded the train.

Dominic gave her a subtle smile of encouragement in her direction. Because Merlin knew that no matter what Kazimeriz said about examples ... he would be walking out with Truebridge, if he was really forced to leave.

"From. Your. Seat. Denton." She said with a growl behind her calm tone. Her eyes had the 'do-not-mess-with-a-werewolf-little-boy' look to them. "If I have to repeat myself, I will cast a banishing spell along with it, child." He would be addressed as a child until he started acting like a man... Head Boy my foot!

"Mr. Truebridge has been sacked, for reasons I have already stated. As for you... You and I shall have a private conference about where your talents will be best put to use; I am currently available directly after the feast, or if that is inconvenient to you I am happy to meet with you at any time over the summer holidays at your convenience." Kazimeriz nodded once a Lawson, smiling politely.

"Thank you, Mr. Truebridge. I appreciate your cooperation in this matter; I expected nothing less from you." He met Truebridge's eyes once again and in them, his expression still dispassionate... but with a more complex emotion more evident just under the surface. Something perhaps disappointed, or perhaps even just a trifle sad. Whatever it was, it was gone in a moment, and the man's stoic expression returned. He was doing what he had to do. It was for the greater good.

And then there was Caroline Avalon. He turned slowly from Truebridge to focus his attention on her; it was all he could do to keep from rolling his eyes. Just like an Avalon woman... can't shut them up even with a silencing charm. I'd always suspected the Avalons to be descended from banshees, or perhaps fwoopers, but this one, this is living proof.

He listened to her, including her disparaging remarks and her threat to go, then watched her turn on Alessia, sniping at her as well.

He smiled politely at the shrewish nurse, his voice low and even. "Healer Avalon, you are out of line. Your conduct in front of the students is extremely unprofessional and I will not have it. Even Professor Truebridge is behaving with more civility! Out of respect to your grandmother's memory, and for the sake of clarity, I will, however, comment on your statements."

"You need not worry about Professor Ashby. Professor Lawson is not being demoted; he will be making a lateral move that will allow him to utilize his unique experiences to teach the students things they might not learn otherwise. Professor Truebridge has been sacked, in the interest of the educational welfare of the students at this juncture. All positions have been, or are in the process of being, reviewed and will be staffed in ways that will give these students--" he made a grand sweeping gesture toward the hall filled with students "-- the finest, safest magical education in the wizarding world. But I do not answer to you; as Headmaster, I answer only to the Department of Magical Education, and to the students' parents... As does our new deputy Headmaster, Professor Maximus Vindictus... That is, if he will accept the position." He glanced to Max, still smiling pleasantly, before turning back to Miss Avalon.

He looked at her levelly, still speaking in calm tones. "And you, Miss Avalon... After your display of unprofessional conduct and insubordination, I do believe you no longer need answer to me. You need not bother to follow through with quitting your position: You're fired."

Reese nodded. "Okay," she said. "I just hope it won't be too long." It would hurt her more if she didn't spend time with Jake this summer when she promised him she would. Upon hearing Kazi's voice, she turned to face the Potions Master and listened closely when he began to say his speech. When the speech was over her, she was dumbfounded. Kazimeriz was DISMISSING Truebridge? That man had gone crazy. Completely crazy. It wouldn't be the same next term with Truebridge. He was one of her favorite professors.

She watched Lawson walked off towards Kazi, but she didn't move from her spot until Lupa told her to go back to her table. "Yes, Professor," she replied without hesitation. She turned around and headed straight back towards the Slytherin table.

Iliana held baby Jadyn close to her as she heard the carrying on of her colleagues. Whether in baby-bliss or not, she did cast Kazi a rather dismayed look when she heard him utter Marcus' name. She said nothing, for she knew by the look on the old man's face that her words would do no good. So she watched in shocked silence, unconsciously moving closer to Masterson, holding his daughter in a way to shield her from the adults' ghastly display.

"It already was the finest magical educational institution in the world," Caroline retorted, "before you started decimating the staff." She eyed him accusingly.

He was so petty, so small. Did he think that he was winning by firing her? "I'll indulge your attempt to save face, Headmaster Kazimeriz," she emphasized the title that he was obviously so proud of, "It amounts to the same thing in the end, and only I need to know that I stood on my morals. Have your petty victory Valon, since it means so much to you."

Cari let go of Ethan and stepped down from the dias, "I wouldn't want to be associated with this second-rate institution, where Headmasters are given to their personal biases, and there is no loyalty left among the staff," she hissed as she passed Kazimeriz. She understood now, why her Grandmamma bore such a grudge.

Casting a final glance at the few on the staff she might acutally miss, Neo, Max, in his pungent way... Marcus in an extremely complicated way, and Ethan who she didn't worry she would never see again so much as she was sad she would never see again with any frequency. But even if she could stay, he wouldn't be. This above all: to thine own self be true, she thought as she gazed around.

Caroline squared her shoulders, "I obviously don't belong here," she announced, as she turned on her heal and marched out of the Hall with her head held high.

When Caroline's voice joined the fray, Marcus gave a quick glance in her direction and then did a sort of double take.

Wait!

Wasn't Ethan with Annie?

He shook his head, this was not the time to be worrying about his friend's love life. Seems there was a bit of role reversal going on. Usually it was Marcus with all the women. Too busy thinking about this new development, he almost missed what Caroline had said.

She had actually said something nice about him. Marcus was tempted to place his hand on her forehead to see if she was feeling alright. He had been quite certain that she hated him.

Quitting? Was she mad?

"Caroline" Marcus said quietly, "Please think very carefully about what you are doing?" In other words don't throw away a very good career so hastily. Of course at any other time Marcus would probably have done the same thing but he was about to get married and then in the future children to support. So he really couldn't afford to be throwing away his job and besides that he really liked working at Hogwarts.

"Well I must have missed that part." But he didn't need the old man to tell him again, he knew exactly why the old man was firing Ethan. As for himself, he was probably lucky that he wasn't be ousted as well.

Was he insane???

Marcus was getting married in the summer and if the old man thought that he was going to cut his honeymoon short just so that he could have a meeting with him, that was clearly going to result in arguments then the old man had lost his marbles.

"Fine. I shall meet with you straight after the feast Professor." Oh there were so many more things he wanted to say right now but he bit his tongue. No, he'll save that for his meeting. "Oh and I'm sure you won't mind my bringing Iliana with me. I am pretty sure that my future wife would like to hear about this as well."

Ethan ignored Lupa completely, finding there to be no point whatsoever in acknowledging her or her words when she clearly had no idea what was going on.

Though did anyone? Lupa less than most.

He shot a look at Dominic when the Head boy continued to talk back to his elders, even if it was to Lupa who was not the sharpest crayon in the box.

And a blonde crayon to boot.

He shook his head just slightly hearing Kazimeriz comment that he'd 'already stated' reasons for his dismissal. He had not. The old man was tricky and had quite neatly avoided giving any reason whatsoever.

And Caroline... Ethan was startled by her sudden presence and obvious indignation and fury, though unlike Marcus he did not question her judgement even if it was a snap decision. She was perfectly capable of making her own choices and she was a good and loyal friend.

Her parting words surprised him further and he actually bristled slightly at her negative comments to Kazimeriz. Odd. But it was habit you understand. Once upon a time, Kazimeriz had been... well, he'd been something else to the young Ethan Truebridge.

He cleared his throat and straightened his back.

"Headmaster Kazimeriz." Ethan paused, almost wishing that hiding under the table was an option but then, when he thought about it he no longer felt the need to. Strange. Change was brewing in the air.

"I shall take my leave but before I go, I'd like to say my farewells to my st... former students, and make a request of you, Sir."

Copernicus approached the head table with Celandine's hand in his. It was, regrettably, his one last defiance to Headmaster Kazimeriz, who had once forced Celandine and Copernicus to shock each other whenever they touched. It wasn't his intention to rub Kazimeriz's face in it, but here he was and here she was and here they were. Yes.

At the dias, Copernicus let go of Cela's hand and stepped to Denton's side. Was it rude not to address the Headmaster in this situation? Perhaps, but he had nothing to say to the man. It was within his rights to do as he wanted with the staff, and Copernicus had long forgiven him for forcing him to spy. He was here for Truebridge, so that's who he addressed.

"Denton and I would be honored to escort you, sir. An honor guard."

Ethan glanced over his shoulder and nodded quietly at Copernicus, but his attention went right on back to the... so called Headmaster, a slightly challenging glint in his eyes. What would his answer be then?

Merlin's dullest crayon! I've never met an Avalon that wasn't an utter drama queen, but that one takes it to the point of histronics. And she was allegedly a Ravenclaw. Hrmph. He shook his head, watching her trounce off, and given her conduct, was actually quite relieved to see her go. It was one less grating thing to contend with.

Future wife?!?! Well, that's interesting. he thought.

"Not at all. The lovely Miss Morgan is always welcome in my office... and, of course, in the staff room." he added to let her know her job was safe. "After the feast, then. Thank you."

An honor guard? Merlin's favourite romance novels, could they be more melodramatic? he thought. Turning his attention to Truebridge, he raised an eyebrow, saying nothing. The eyebrow said it all: Make your request, and we shall see. I commit to nothing blindly.

He expected no answer yet, himself being a Slytherin, Ethan would not agree to something without hearing it first either.

"I request that you do not treat any student who feels the need to question your decision in this matter any differently than those who are unconcerned by my... dismissal."

In other words, avoid mocking them or treating his 'supporters' with the disdain and derision Kazimeriz was known for.

"After all, they only see what you allow them to." And intend for them to. Obviously Kazimeriz had chosen to dismiss him in front of the students for a reason.

Final revenge or some such thing.

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'd like to give my regards to my...the students." He glanced at Dominic and Copernicus again and then back at Kazimeriz. Would any student ever stand by him in the same way?

Ethan would have, once.

Max had no idea what Kazimeriz was saying because the elderly man often had lengthy speeches for every situation. He had learned long ago (first year, to be exact) to tune out the man. So it was natural for him to respond when he heard Kazi say his name. "YES!" Vindictus answered rather loudly so that Kazi would assume he was paying attention.

Kazimeriz choked back a snort of derisive laughter. He simply couldn't help it. He faked a cough to cover it up, intentionally doing a very poor job of covering himself. He sputtered, "Eh-erm...ahem... excuse me, please. I fear I am badly allergic to melodramatic martyrdom and false altruism. Do forgive me. Ahem." he choked again, chuckling. Cough, cough. Though he had yet to be seated, he reached over for his glass of water and took a sip, tapping his chest with his ancient fist to clear his lungs. "Erm. Much better. Terribly sorry about that, Mr. Truebridge. Yes, well... I assure you, Mr. Truebridge, I will continue to treat the students in the manner which I deem fair and appropriate, regardless of your desire to have your minions given extra special attention. Now, you will please leave our castle before the charm on your termination papers takes effect. I would hate see you humiliated in front of your 'honor' guard." He smirked at Denton and Kettleburn.


Kazimeriz grinned. "Even Deputy Headmaster Vindictus--" he grinned as he bestowed the title on Max for the first time "agrees. Glad to have you on board, Maximus. You've earned it. As your first official duty, would you like the honor of helping Mr. Truebridge find the egress?" He smirked, levitating Truebridge's charmed notice of termination over to Max, placing them by his plate. Once the papers were delivered by a staff member into Truebridge's hand, it would enact a charm that would banish him from the castle grounds in the least dignified way possible.

Ethan did not say a word in response to this. It was classic Krazimeriz. There was no point arguing or saying anything in rebuttal. Truebridge was not planning on allowing Kazimeriz to anger him.

He eyed Max and the papers and simply held out his hand and waited.

Max gulped as the papers were levitated next to his plate. Uh, oh. The old man was serious. A few other colorful epithets flittered through his mind as he looked over at Ethan and again at the official paperwork. Poor guy.

It took him a few minutes, but Max finally rose from his seat and took the papers with him as he walked over to where Ethan was seated at the Staff Table. "Hate to do this, mate, but the old guy is serious," Vindictus said with remorse and placed the papers in Truebridge's outstretched hand.

*ahem*

Oh, Merlin Me! What am I about to do?

Those were the thoughts going through her mind as LouAnn Purple once again edged back down the staff table---away from Mr. Masterson and towards Professors Truebridge and Kazimeriz. "Professor Truebridge? Umm, hi," she said, her voice growing small on the last two words. Well that wouldn't do, now would it? If she was going to a Gryffindor about this whole thing, she'd have to do it with confidence. Besides, she'd just been issued a detention for every Tuesday of next school year, so at this point, what did she have to lose? Wednesdays?

*ahem*

"Professor Truebridge, I guess now would be my only opportunity to let you know how very much I enjoyed your classes this school year. I'm only sorry to hear that I will now receive just one year of instruction under you and not the three I would have. You challenged me to think outside the box, which is something I didn't think I'd ever find myself doing," she said, coming to a stop just beside Copernicus. "I'd be happy to walk with you, as well."

Gulp.

Head up, back straight, Raiden approached the staff table. He had been set to just... let things go, but the disrespect being shown to a man who had helped him rather a lot was just... it was too much. Seeing Cope and Dom up there, and now LouAnn had approached as well, Raiden had gotten up the courage to approach the Staff Table. Cope and Dom and LouAnn were going to escort him? Well... Raiden wanted to as well.

"I'd like to walk with you too, sir," he said quietly, firmly. "You were never anything but a good Professor to me and all your other students."

There wasn't much he could say in this situation but... well. At least he could do this.