Max was whistling a happy tune as he tapped his door with his wand to activate his latest office addition - a magicked sign that flashed various messages so that he wouldn't have to endure the endless knocks on an unlocked door.

OPEN
Enter at your own risk!

Then there was the sound of the door unlocking and he went inside so that he could enjoy reading the sports section of the Daily Prophet before being bombarded by students.

The note thing? It said HOUSE PRIDE on it, so of course before Cela headed down a bazillion flights of stairs to her Head of House's office, she changed into her ZOMG I SUPPORT RAVENCLAW stuff.

Wheeeee! Pom-poms!

She also had a notebook and a quill so she could take notes on... something else.

She saw the sign but still knocked before stepping inside.

"Hello Professor Vindictus!" She practically saaaaang in greeting.

Vindictus grinned when he heard Cela and folded his newspaper neatly on his desk. "Hi, there Cela! Have a seat on the couch and help yourself to the sweets while we wait for the others to arrive."

"Thanks!" Cela launched herself at the couch and made herself comfortable. "I know we have stuff to talk about and stuff? But I was hoping to ask you for some expert advice about something, sir?"

"Ask away," Max replied and leaned back in his chair. Oh, PLEASE don't ask about relationship stuff. Please, please, PLEASE!

"I need tips about posing with broomsticks." Celandine informed her head of house seriously. "Not for me, for my friend Rai-rai who needs to learn to be a stud. So I thought it made sense to ask you about that. You're like an expert at posing and at being a stud!"

Vindictus sat there with a stupid smile on his face. Oh, noes! Was Cela serious? What happened to the intelligent young girl who shattered Plymouth's heart? Was she still on summer holiday?

It took him a brief moment to respond with a somewhat intelligent response. "Ah, I see. So, erm, have you, um, ever seen my advertisements for Broomsticks?"

See? A somewhat intelligent question from a man who modeled with Broomsticks for obscene amounts of Galleons.

"I do research, Professor." Celandine answered matter-of-factly. she added a smile in return and then in a whisper, "See, Raiden? My friend, he sort of isn't that confident? I sort of want to shock him into stepping up and saying what he wants instead of just going along with what people say. So, I'm making him pose for photographs so I can make posters to advertise how awesome he is. Auditioning for girlfriends. Until Raiden just... takes a big breath and... well... grows up I guess."

Ohhh they doubted her. They did.

Sometimes they forgot there was more behind that vapid smile than what first appeared, even though they knew she was book smart.

She beamed at Professor Vindictus and got ready to take notes.

He was still smiling. "Ah, so you have seen my advertisements over the years. I was beginning to worry that you forgot was the word 'research' meant." Now Vindictus was in a joking mood. "My best advice is for Raiden to practice the poses that are in the advertisements. In fact, you could position him if he stands there stiff as a tree."

But WAIT.

There was one super important thing he almost forgot.

"He's gotta practice his expressions in a mirror. Serious. Sporty. Victorious. Competitor. Irresistable. If he can't give face, then posting with a stick is pointless."

"Stiff... as... a ... tree." Cela wrote that down. "Expressions... serious.... sporty... victorious.... give face or.... stick is.... pointless. Got it." Celandine beamed at him thankfully.

"That will help."

"Does he have a 'Don't Mess With Me' look? If he does, then he can practice this look as he patrols the corridors," Vindictus suggested.

Hmmm. Did he?

"I haven't seen it." Cela mused. But then, don't-mess-with-me looks tended to be broken easily by a simple wibble/pout/foot stamp combo.

"I'll find out though. I'm good at researching stuff." Cela closed her notebook and adjusted the pom-poms in her lap.

Miles practically...well no practically he did, skip down the stairs until the last flight and decided the bannister would be a more more practical way to speedily exit the castle or else...the stairs anyway. Landing on his feet he sprinted toward his Head of Houses' office nearly plowing into a couple of trees as he looked around. It was just so...beautiful out.

Finding the office he threw it open not bothering to knock and walked in with a large grin and his arms wide, "I'm here don't anyone worry it was just a cracked rib...or two...maybe even three but..." His eyes caught Cela and he went up to her with a grin and wrapped his arms around her tightly, "HI CELA!" That potion he was given was having the exact reaction it normally did...hyperness beyond belief.

Looking up he spotted Vindictus looking surprised as if he hadn't expected him there. But...oh yes...he was in his office. "Hi professor V." Oh yes that'll be his new nickname. "Has anyone seen Masterson I have to thank him for taking me to the hospital wing and..." He opened his mouth feeling parched and shook his head, "Does anyone have any water?" He found a seat and sat on the arm of the chair instead of actually in it giggling slightly, "This term's starting out just great don't you think? I just know we'll win the cups this term." He looked around expectantly waiting for someone to speak. They would speak right? He wouldn't have to keep them all entertained right? Well...he could if he had to.

Just before Max could respond to Cela, Miles came bounding into his office. "That's the spirit, Miles! Now, if anyone's thirsty, there's a pitcher of water on the console next to a plate of shortbread. Help yourselves." And we'll get started once Adrienne and Olivia get here.

Several minutes after Miles' arrival at Professor Vindictus' office, Adrienne walked up to the door. Then, at both the sign on it and the voices from inside, she walked in. She felt bad being a little late, but after getting the owl, she had decided to change into a more demure pair of shoes. Just in case, even though she was fairly certain that Professor Vindictus probably knew about her little thing with shoes. She knew both Cela and Miles did, at least, and both of them would most likely also be at the meeting.

"Hi, Professor Vindictus," she said with a smile as she saw who was inside, "Cela, Miles." Noticing the shortbread on the console, she went over and delicately picked a piece up before heading for a seat near Cela. "Are we waiting for Livvy to arrive?," she asked then, glancing at Miles as if she expected him to bounce off the walls or something. Following him out here had been an interesting experience.

Moments after receiving an owl from her Head of House, Livvy tried her best to make her way around and towards his office. She failed at that. Quite miserably so. She was just the type to become distracted. So distracted that she could end up on the opposite end of the castle and not know how she had gotten there and why she had in the first place. She didn't do that, of course. PSH. Of course not. No matter what distractions had occurred or what routes she took or what places she ended up at, Livvy managed to finally make her way out onto the grounds and towards the Quidditch Pitch.

Sure enough, she could see the man's lil' hut area coming up into view. Mhm. It made her think. This was his office... where was his bedroom? Did he sleep in his office? Was their a secret passageway to his bedroom? OHWAIT. Where did professor's sleep? Should Head Girls know this stuff? But Livvy certainly didn't. The most that she paid attention to the professors was when they taught their lessons or they were caught schnuugggling with another professor. No names will be mentioned.

Putting that aside, she skipped on over to the door and knocked on it lightly, before swinging it open. "Hiya Professor Vindictus. Hey Cela. Adrienne. Miles." Greetings over with, Livvy smiled brightly at them all before taking a seat next to where the other three were.

Yayyyyy for hugs.

Cela didn't even bother questioning why Miles was in a hugging mood, she just hugged him back cheerfully then used one of her pom poms to wave at Adrienne and Livvy when they arrived.

She was so ready with her house spirit.

Also... ready for shortbread. Cela used her wand to wordlessly levitate a piece over. Then she used her wand to wind her hair into a messy bun, speared the wand through it to hold it in place, and got down to the important business of nomming the shortbread while pausing every now and then to smile at the others, including Vindictus of course.

That man had the best advice.

Miles kicked his feet back and forth as he sat on the edge of the chair waiting for SOMETHING to happen. It was like a snooze fest in here and then. YAY! Shoegirl!!!! Smiling at Adrienne he hoped off the arm of the chair and went to get some water. He was really thirsty. And then Livvy came in and YESSS. "YAY we're all here. Now let's get this party started."

He drank all of the water swiftly and then poured himself another one. "So here's what we've gotta do," he said rapidly sitting on the arm of his chair again and bouncing slightly, "We've gotta win the cups and how do we do that. Doing the homework, getting others to do the homework and behave themselves, that last part might be hard for some I know but we need it. We put all of ourselves into being the BEST and we can win!" Yup that was how it was done.

Max laughed heartily at Miles's enthusiasm. "I want to thank each of you for coming to this meeting so that we can discuss our strategies to restore glory to Ravenclaw. Our first topic is the HOUSE CUP."

He paused and looked at all four of his trusted leaders. "I'm sure all of you remember the feeling of being number one for most of the term and then that sinking feeling at the pit of your stomach as we took a nose-dive to third place." Yep, leave it to Vindictus to be blunt. "Since Ravenclaw's aren't bottom-dwellers, what is our plan to reclaim the cup that's rightfully ours?"

With one more glance at Miles, wondering exactly what had made him so hyper, Adrienne finally brought her full attention back to Professor Vindictus. "The House Cup, right," she said, wanting to sigh a little as he spoke about what had happened last term. That was part of what made her so nervous about this term, and then it reminded her of the conversation with Miles and Fia at the feast. "Well, as the Quidditch captain, and I'd imagine Miles, Cela and Livvy would agree, considering their positions in the school, I think we need to seriously motivate all the students. To participate, do homework, everything we can think of to gain points and preferably not lose them. I mean, after last term the other houses know that we aren't infallible, so we're really going to have to work at it. But at least a lot of the new students seem receptive to motivation, and want to do well." As she finished talking, she glanced at the others, a little worried she'd stepped on toes, but then took a bite of her shortbread to occupy herself. And let the others speak as well.

Miles sat on the edge of the chair arm eagerly listening to Vindictus. Hearing him ask what their plan was he bounced in his seat and looked around. "Well...we...um..." was he allowed to speak? He looked around at everyone who seemed to be in their own little worlds except Shoe Girl who just stated what he'd just said and shrugged, "We get everyone involved. Make sure homework is done. Any extra credit." He bounced slightly with a giggle, "Umm...make sure no one gets in trouble of course."

Miles hyperness caught Livvy off guard. Since when had he become such an enthusiastic fellerr? Was he okay? Was he sick? Was he taking excitement medications or something? But Livvy didn't ponder on that. Trying to figure out whether or not someone was insane, was not her job. That was the Healer's job. Not hers. Absolutely not. Then again... a little spirit didn't do any harm, right? But still... it was odd.

UGH. The House Cup.

Boy was Professor Vindictus right on the spot! The feeling of winning so many times... and thenn.... failing. Though technically they didn't fail. They just didn't win. Livvy just wanted to strangle someone. She wanted the House Cup so badly this term!

She just blinked and nodded her head, listening to what Adrienne and Miles had to say. Did he just giggle? AGAIN? Scratching her head briefly in wonderment, she opened her mouth to speak up. "Like Adrienne and Miles had stated already, our job should be to try and get the students to become as involved as possible this term. I know that after our little... drop... last term, many of us have become more determined in winning the Cup this term and many new students have such goals also. I remember someone mentioning this at the House table..." Livvy glanced over at Cela briefly. "Do you remember?... Well... someone wanted to have a study session for Ravenclaws only. It might help out more. Might get some students to do their homework when it'll be with fellow Housemates. And that'd give us more of an opportunity to focus on each other and each other's studies. Just a thought."

One corner of the office suddenly became icy cold and Helena Ravenclaw floated into the room. "Studying would be beneficial as would class attendance and participation," she added to the conversation that had already begun.

Miles nearly fell off the arm of the chair he'd been bouncing on when he heard someone in the corner and had to catch himself with a wince as he felt a sharp pain in his side again. Oh right...would be painful for a few days. Giggling he perched himself back on the arm of the chair and grinned at the Grey Lady, "Brilliant idea. Top notch." He bounced again slightly forgetting all about his side again. "How about...Study groups for specific classes!" Marvelous idea. Spectacular. Hmm...he was feeling slightly thirsty again. Standing up he went over toward the water pitcher and poured some more into a glass. "Or by year!" OH that's even better.