...

Perfect... She was trying to be... amiable... friendly even. But she couldn't just sit and be quiet about this. "The tournament is a tradition. An Important one. Children need to grow. They need become strong witches and wizards. They can't just learn it out of a book. Physical experiences count for a lot. A scratch or two, burns, even broken bones will heal and go away. This tournament will stay with them forever." She said to him condescendingly.

"Death is forever, too, Hecate," he said coldly. "Or have you forgotten your history? The tournament has always been deadly and this year's was just as dangerous."

His words were sharp, his tone, however, level and calm.

"That tournament risked those children's lives. Not simply broken bones or scratches. Yes, give them experience. Give them challenges. But abusing children, risking their lives, and for sport is completely reprehensible."

"Maybe the headmaster would be interested to hear of your blatant mistrust in his, and the other two headmasters' competence to keep their students alive..." She said to the prim and proper man. "I do indeed know my history, Preston, and I know that the Headmaster does as well. That is why I am confident in his ability to have been able to intervene at each task, had that been necessary. He didn't send first years in there... He sent OF AGE wizards." Sweet Merlin...

Preston crossed his arms. "You misunderstand me. I respect Headmaster Tate a great deal and find him to be a very capable Head as headmasters and headmistresses before him have been as well. Students still died. Beasts for tasks in previous tournaments got loose and injured spectators. I was in favor of the tournament until I witnessed it. Just because it is a tradition - one that people have deemed too dangerous in the past - does not mean it isn't completely insane."

He lowered his voice so that others around him couldn't hear. His words were for her, only, as he leaned closer. "Let's be realistic. Being 17 and one day old does not make you more competent than being a week shy of 17 and underage. They are still our charges while they are in this school. It makes me wonder if you have any concern for their well-being at all, how dismissive you are of the risks they endured."

Straightening up, he'd decided that he'd had enough conversation. Any more would risk a scene. Turning to the students he had momentarily forgotten were there, he forced a smile.

"I find myself in need of food. Mister Lockhart, Miss Lovegoods, would you care to join me? I am interested in discussing your costumes some more."

And with that, he moved to step off the dias.

Coward...

So he says his piece and then runs away? Accusing someone of wrong doing, and then not sticking around for that person's side of the story. How... cowardly. He shouldn't be a dinosaur at all... He should have come dressed as a lion, with his tail between his legs. She made her way to the seat beside Risu she had vacated and sat down.

He had total respect in Tate? Right... It was his, and the school governors' decision to hold this tournament in the first place. And where did he get off in saying he wondered if she had any concern for the students' well-being at all? She had... some... She was glad no one died anyway... but she wouldn't coddle these student.

Urgh!

It was only because she was standing so close to them, that Arya listened in on the conversation between Lafay and Kingsley with a bit of disinterest. The tournament was over and her friend and housemate were safe, so it didn't bother her like it had before.

If anything it was Kingsley's opinion that kept her listening while she nommed the last of the pudding. Lafay's she already knew, for the most part at least. Neither of their opinions surprised her though.

The man had her full attention when he stood, and the small puff nodded her head when he mentioned food. She needed pie. "Love to, professor."

Er, what had happened? Treyen failed to pay attention at whatever Lafay and Kingsley were talking about, though it seemed pretty obvious that they were discussing something of importance and that they couldn't agree. Fair enough, not many agreed with Lafay, anywa.

The boy's eyes fell on Professor Kingsley when he asked them to join him. And Treyen nodded, soooo...without further ado, the boy nodded politely to Lafay and then followed up Arya and Kingsley away from the Staff table. He could use another tortilla.

Starting to go up to the table Michael see Professor Lafay eyes flashing DANGER!!!."Professor, Could I ask you a question"

...

She turned and looked at the child. "What is it Master White?" She asked him.

" I was coming up to say I like your costume and I didnt want to interrupt your Conversation with Professor Kingsley.But I did hear part of it...So my Question is do you know if he has any kid's of his own and do you ?"

Preston? Kids of his own? "I'm sorry Master White, I am not aware of Professor Kingsley's private life, you would need to ask him."

"Do you think that is why he might think we are made of egg shells professor,and you didnt answer the second part of my question,Do you have kids ?" moving closer so it would be harder for any one to over hear the conversation

"I am not sure what he thinks White, and I do not discuss my own personal life with students." She said curtly.

As hearing Lafay get all "grrrr" was entertaining to Constantine, her recent and rather curt response shook him from his stupor and willed him to look over to her. He found himself frowning though as it appeared she was being annoyed by a Hufflepuff. Grrr.

"That boy isn't being a problem to you, is he," he called over to Lafay, coldly staring at the young Hufflepuff as if telling him to go away while he still could.

"Actually Mister Masterson," She said looking at the boy with an evil smirk, "The boy was inquiring about personal information... are all your Hufflepuffs this rude?"

Letting the sting of her tone roll off of him "I think your right about kids. Having to risk somthing to gain real world knowledge.Like now I am risking my life to find out more about my favorite professor.If I just ran away like alot of the outher students when you use your authoritarian tone.I would never get to know the Person that was teaching me "

"Actually, no," he responded, crossing his arms as he continued to watch the young Hufflepuff. "It just appears to be a select few.." His voice faded away as the Puff spoke up again, his statement making Constantine raise an eyebrow. Pretty soon, Lafay wouldn't be the person he'd be risking anything with.

"Just say the word, Professor Lafay and I'll see to it that he goes away," he smiled as nicely as he could. It just ended up turning into a rather evil smirk.

"Risking your life?" She asked narrowing her eyes at him. "Flattered as I am by your assessment, I am not one that discloses personal information, especially not in public. Do not ask again."

smiling back at his head of house "Sir"
" I did not mean to ask a question that was out of order , I was raised that in social situations asking about ones family was quite acceptable,I was unaware that in the Uk this was considered rude ,so i do appolgise"

She turned to Masterson and smiled at him. It was quite sweet that he would take up for her in this manner. She turned back to the boy, "Apology accepted." She said shooing the boy off with her hand, "Now, listed to your Head of House, run along, find some cute little first year and ask them to dance. It is a ball, isn't it?"

giving a thumbs up to his head of house "See yall on the dance floor professor" taking a few steps away then turning back "I really did like your costume professor" giving a wave he heads off to dance with Em and Britt

"Thank you Master White," She said nodding her head in his direction, and it was indeed flattering that a first year had agreed with her on the TriWizard Tournament debate with the Transfiguration professor.

Constantine got up from his seat. He was figuring that now would be an excellent time to stop being such a bump on a log. "Err...Lafay?"

She turned and looked at the groundskeeper. "Yes... Masterson?" She said with her eyebrow high. Why was he standing?

Err.

"Would you like to dance?"