The Great Hall looked a tad on the empty side as Lexi Carlton approached the staff table. It wasn't very fashionably late to arrive so early, but at the same time, Lexi was just happy she was on time and not being forced to practically skate in one heel. She made a show out of looking out across the Great Hall, before she finally smoothed down the dress she was wearing and took her seat at the table.

No food. Not yet, at least. There was a tablecloth, though, so Lexi busied herself with the hem of it while she waited for conversation to strike up and get going. The conversation was always way better than the food anyway. A person could eat whenever they pleased, but this many people at a social gathering at one time? That was a once in a lifetime thing! Or...nine times in a lifetime so far. If you were Lexi, that is. Yup, seven years as a student and going on two as a staff member.

She drew in a soft sigh as she glanced down at the empty plate in front of her. She almost wished there was at least a potato there. Or a roll. A roll would be nice.

Viktoriya had found out from someone on the train who the Gryffindor Head of House was, and she thought that now - before the food arrived - might be a good time to go an get accquainted with her. A Poffessor Carlton, if she had been informed correctly. Apparently it was what new students did, introduce themselves to their Heads of Houses and such. Thing is, she had no idea how one would go about it. So she just walked up to Proffessor Carlton andgave the woman a warm smile

'Hallo, Proffessor Carlton,' she said, her Russian accent coming through very strongly indeed. Hopefully people would actually be able to understand her. 'I'm Viktoriya Johannsen, a new Gryffindor. I'm a Fifth year' she added, hoping the Proffessor wouldn't think she was being rude or imposing or anything. 'I thought I should introduce myself to my Head of House' she mumbled, embarrassed now. Eeeek.

New robes. Navy with shiny brass fastenings.

New dragon hide boots. Black. Shiny. Very fashionable.

Short golden-blonde hair with a few specks of silver scattered about, fashionably a teensy bit messy but moussed into submission.

Gleaming white teeth and an award-winning smile.

Designer sunglasses on . . . indoors.




It was a new term and Professor Maximus Vindictus was determined to start the year off in style . . . as usual. But this time, he wanted to look good for an obvious reason and he sighed dramatically as he took his customary seat to the right of the Headmaster's chair.

He noticed Lexi and took off his shades. "Ah, Lexi. Welcome back!" he grinned and put his shades away in his robe pocket. "Did you have a nice summer?"

No sooner had Lexi thought about how nice a roll would taste, she heard someone call to her from just in front of the table. She glanced up, unsure of who to expect, and came to face to face with...Viktoriya Johannsen, according to the Gryffindor who stood in front of her. "Miss Johannsen, I'm thrilled you came to say hello...and even more excited to see a brand new Lion here at Hogwarts!" she greeted. "I see introductions aren't in order on my end, as someone must have already told you my name. Helpful people, really. Anyway, it's so good to meet you! I think you'll love Hogwarts. I know I did...or, still do. When I was a student, though, I really didn't mind a new school year starting. After all, you get to see all your friends again." As an afterthought, she added, "Oh, and start your studies again, of course."

If Lexi didn't know better, she'd have guessed that the not-so-great Gilderoy Lockhart himself had miraculously strolled right on into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. She watched her former professor...and current co-worker...as he strolled up to the table as if Witch Weekly was awaiting an all important interview. To be honest, though, she wasn't too sure that Witch Weekly wasn't here, so she sort of discreetly turned and glanced up and down the table just in case she should strike a quick pose or something.

Nah. Nothing.

So why was this dude wearing sunglasses indoors? She shouldn't stare, though. Maybe he'd developed an eye condition over the summer and had pupils the size of oranges. Nope, no staring here. Not anymore, at least.

"Prof---... Max!" she said, correcting herself just in the nick of time. She cleared her throat and tried again. "Max, so good to see you! I had an excellent summer. I stayed around the house a lot, but it was by choice and not force. I was visiting with family. ...and you? Did you have a good summer, as well?"

"Excellent, excellent! Me? Well, I spent plenty of time with the family and relaxed on the beach in Fiji," he grinned and leaned back in his chair. "But it's good to be back."

His blue eyes scanned the Great Hall in search of any troublemakers and he inwardly winced as he noticed a few of the 'former' captains. But his smile remained frozen on his face as if nothing was out of the ordinary....

Sadie marched up to the front of the hall toward the staff table. She was here to make a complaint. Yes well she wasn't in a great mood to begin with but it wouldn't hurt to give her opinion on something as dreadful as these...school uniforms. So she came to see if anything could be done to make them more girlie. Or rather ask permission if she could change a few things.

"Excuse me," the tall blond said to the staff members she had spotted so far. "If the Head of Slytherin by chance around here yet?" she asked, not knowing who was who in this school yet. Hmm...she had to keep her eye on Duncan as well.

Oh, the Start of Term Feast. Preston smiled as he made his way through the hall toward the staff table. His eyes scanning the tables of students as they filled, he had yet to be disappointed in anyone's behavior.

That would probably not last long.

Ever as ruffley as before, he clasped his hands behind his back as he approached, stopping first to address those who had already arrived. A quick glance alerted him to students in earshot, and so his address was formal.

"Good evening, Professors," he said with a nod. "I hope you are both well."

Tate slid into his seat and eyed the students as they settled in at their various tables. It was going to be a long term... so long as no one died.

It was likely that someone was going to die, actually, considering that they were bringing in dangerous stuff and... well. Stuff.

Tate glanced at Max and gave him a slow nod. You... go forth and do your deputy work.

Katie walked up to the Staff Table, she had a smile, Finally, she made it to the table. *Gulp* Katie had gone all shy, what was with her? Snap out of it Kate! "Hello, Im Katie, I cant wait to take the classes you teach" Katie said, had she said that right? I hope so, Katie looked at them waiting for them to respond, she wanted to talk for a bit so she could get to know the Professors, and stay in there good books.

Sophrina stared at Katie; wow she was brave to just speak up like that. Sophrina took a deep breath and introduced herself, "Hi, I'm Sophrina Sapphire, first year." she shily smiled.

Max caught Tate's glance and nodded. Time to get to work. He rose out of his seat and picked something up.

He knew that all eyes were upon him.

Adeline ran to follow Katie. "Hi" she said softly to Katie, not wanting to disturb the professors. Adeline gulped. She was a pro at this, but not to wizard teachers. She walked up to the table. "Hi!" she said with a sweet smile. "I'm Adeline Ann Morey, and it is a plesure to meet you all. I am excited to take your classes and learn magic!" she said even more sweetly with a bigger smile.

"Ladies," Headmaster Tate leaned forward in his chair and gave each of the girls a short nod. "I'm so happy that you've come to Hogwarts this year, and I can assure you that you have quite a term ahead of you. If you'll return to your seats, the sorting ceremony is about to begin."

Ahh, another year. Had it already been a YEAR since he first set foot in this place as a professor?? Time was just FLYING by. As he headed to the Staff table, he glanced around the Great Hall, catching glimpses of students from last year that he recognized, as well as many new faces. He couldn't wait to start his classes!

Last year, he had been sitting by himself for sometime, but found that both of his neighbors were already there. "Hello Lexi," he said with a smile, addressing them both as he squeezed into his chair between the two. He hadn't talked to the Flying Professor much at all last term when he sat next to him, so hopefully they could have polite conversation this time around. Plus all those crazy Slytherins wouldn't disrupt them this time. He hoped. Instead he just smiled at him, since he looked like...he was about to do something important. Hmmm. He WAS standing up...speech maybe?

"Hello Headmaster," he added with a smile to Tate, who sat two seats down. He then turned to the Transfiguration professor, who was standing nearby talking to Lexi and Max. "And hello to you too, Professor," he added with a smile, since he didn't think they...actually met last term.

OOOOH sorting was coming up. Nolan leaned back in his chair and waited...he was ready to see who the new Huffies were!

Eliza joined Katie and Sophrina, but she straightaway headed to the Transfiguration proffessor, Proffessor Kingsley. Someone had been kind enough on the train to tell her who everyone was and what they looked like, so he knew who was who... hopefullly. 'Good evening, Proffessor Kingsley' she said politely, slightly nervous about meeting all of the Proffessors 'I'm Eliza Summers, a first year Slytherin, and I just wanted to say I'm really looking forward to Transfiguration lessons this term!' she enthused, genuinely excited about it. It was something she'd wanted to do since she was at least seven...

Brant noticed the large amount of ladies at the staff dias, and it looked like something was about to start so Brant quickly went up to the gaggle of ladies and said "Come on ladies, let me escourt you to your house tables." putting out a hand so they got the hint so he could follow after them. while nodding at the staff trying to hide a blush.

"Oh, Ok, Thank you... Sir" Katie said not knowing who he was, wait, is he sitting in the big chair? He is the Headmaster! *gulp*

Adeline's perfect word popped out of her mouth. "Ok, I'll head right back, sir, and thank you! I can't wait to start these wonderful classes" she smiled widely and skipped out. Yes! She made the perfect first impression!

She blushed and said. "Thank you oh so very much!" she said wit a huge grin. Wait to Hogwarts see's the real side of adeline. MWAHAHHAHAHAHHAHAHAHHA

Sylvie gave her surroundings a quite glance as she entered the Great Hall and moved toward her seat. It had been years since she had last been in that room, let alone the castle. It was surreal for her, but the feeling would lessen over time. She was pretty sure of it, yes it was the newness of her position that made her feel as so.

Coming upon the staff table, Sylvie offered as nod to all that were there. She was still rather new and was still unsure as to how she was to greet some of her new colleagues. It wasn't the first time she had met many of them. No, she had memories of some from her time as a student, but that was some thirteen years ago. How does one truly greet someone that you hadn't seen in such a long time?

Pondering the thought in her head, she slide into her seat and let her eyes wander the hall as the children began to flow through the doors.

Preston looked to the Divination professor and nodded in greeting. "Good evening, Professor." Preston didn't care much for Divination, but the man seemed personable enough.

He was about to speak more when, first, Tate spoke to the girls in front of the table, and then a girl spoke to him.

Turning, a bit surprised that a first year had recognized him, he turned to face her. "Pleasure to meet you, Miss Summers. I am glad you're looking forward to my lessons." He paused, before leaning over to speak to her quietly.

"But, the Headmaster asked the other young ladies up here to take their seats, so you should as well."

He gestured toward the tables with a tilt of his head.

Dizzy. That was really the only way Josephina could describe her present feelings. Of course she had used apparition before and this wasn't even her first term on staff, but as she took her usual start-of-term feast seat in the second to the end spot, she felt queasy. Her hazel eyes perused her colleagues, noting many familiar faces had returned, along with the occasional new one.

Naturally she had heard that they were losing several professors, which made her curious to know who these new faces would be. But now was not the time to be curious. It was sorting ceremony time, which should lead to her being delighted at seeing the students. Ugh . . . she had two and a half months to get sick and her body waits until NOW to decide she's not gonna feel well. Well that figures. Goosebumps on her arms from chills, she forced a smile at the eager minds who greeted them.

Perhaps the healer brought some pepperup potion with her?

Huh.

This was...different.

She had known things would get busy soon, but she hadn't realised HOW busy it would get when the students started trickling into the Great Hall.

Striding towards the Staff Table with purpose, she glanced around, but kept her focus at the adults already sitting down. Finally, she arrived and smiled kindly at everyone. "Good day." She nodded at everyone, finding her seat and getting comfortable in it.


Well now...what was going to happen now?
No doubt Maya was curious. The magical school in Mexico was nothing like this school. And Mexico, she had really noticed, was waaaaay different than this country.

Tate watched Max prance around with a smirk on his face. The man was undoubtedly amusing... and a good Deputy to boot. He uncrossed his arms and shifted uncomfortably, an unseen signal seeming to have caught his attention and made him a bit anxious.

Eh. It was time. He stood and raised a hand. "I intend to give a very long and boring speech later, but it has come to my attention that we have some very special visitors who are eager to join us this evening for dinner. As many of you know, Hogwarts is hosting a Triwizard Tournament this year. In a few days, the Goblet of Fire will begin accepting names of potential champions. For now, however, I would like to welcome Headmaster Zitnik and his students from Durmstrang. Headmaster...?"

Tate turned to face the doors of the Great Hall.

It was a new term and new short little midgets were running around all excited about getting sorted. That was what Legend found interesting.

That and well something else that he had spotted from his seat at the Gryffindor table. Making his way over to all the Professor's (they were missing so many?) he grinned at them individually and stopped right as he reached Vindictus. "Hey Professor V." Legend said staring at the man up and down. "Just wanted to ask...I mean...I like your clothes and all but...did your mom dress you this morning?" What? It was an innocent question. People were always trying to bring dragon hide boots into style.