Vlad and his peers were guests at this school, and they had all been taught to thoroughly respect their elders and anyone opening up their doors to them.

Unless, of course, those people were muggles or mudbloods. Either way, if Vlad only ignored the fact that statistically there HAD to be some here, then it would be okay.

So, he stood before the staff table, clicked his heels once and bowed low to the adults. "I vould like to thank you for velcoming us into this school. Ve are looking forvward to our stay here. My name is Vladimir Petrov."

Lie. He'd already encountered a particularly rude student. At least some here were intimidated by them. "Though many Hogvarts students appear too involved in affairs of the heart, we are sure ve vill keep up with our studies very well here. I look forward to visiting your library."

With that, Vlad repeated his bow directly at the Hogwarts headmaster, only for longer. "Headmaster Tate," he greeted as he stood, a little smile on his face.

And then... "You vill all love Headmaster Sputnik."

And with that, Vlad waited to be excused again.

He gave both the women next to him a friendly grin as he slid into his seat at the Staff Table. Who would have thought that he was going to end up as a teacher?! Though...at least it was away from...America. Yes, away from America. Far away from America. Which was just great. Perfect actually.

Not that he knew any of his fellow staff yet...apart from Fina of course...and...wait...was that-?! Jeremy squinted slightly while leaning forward in his seat to make out the face of the woman who was sitting next to Fina. Could it be-?! Right at that moment the Headmaster decided it was the time to welcome the heads and students from the other two schools. Perfect timing. Not.

Still, this was exciting.

Applauding with everybody else, he let his hazel eyes rest on the entering students for a moment before turning his attention back to the people next to him. "Hi, I'm Jeremy. Jeremy Zookara. Muggle Studies." He introduced himself to the two (Hecate and Kimber)...and everybody else within hearing distance.

Kimber Donovan sat silently in her seat, surveying the crowds of students as they chattered away at their tables. Since arriving at the staff table she had only offered an acknowledging smile to one person - The Headmaster.

Though the arrival of the visiting schools did produce a modest smile, the librarian had kept quite expressionless. 'So many new faces,' she thought, letting out a quiet sigh.
Hearing someone address her, Kimber turned in her chair (still no sign of a smile). "Kimber Donovan, Librarian," she said, offering her hand. "Pleasure to meet you."

Nolan looked up from the arrival of the students when he noticed someone standing above him...well, sort of. He was sitting, she was standing so she was kind of taller than him. "Oh, hello Miss Rhodes! I do hope you had a pleasant summer," he said with a smile. He glanced around and noticed some of the professors sending students away, and while he hated to cut the conversation short, he was utterly terrified of what Zitnik would do if he thought Nolan was ignoring his students. EEEP.

"I hate to be rude and I'd love to catch up, but I believe we're trying to clear the area to allow our guests to introduce themselves. I'm sure your prefects would appreciate it if you went and welcomed the students at your house table to our castle," he told her with a smile.

Ahh, one of the visiting students, how interesting! Nolan took a sip of pumpkin juice as the boy introduced himself. "It's very nice to meet you Mister Petrov, I do hope you enjoy your time in our castle. We're happy to have you," he said with a smile. He chose to brush off the boy's comment about Hogwarts students being too involved in affairs of the heart...what was he implying anyways? That the students were too caught up in their own love lives?

Eh. Probably true.

He just smiled politely when he assured them they would LOVE the Headmaster. Nolan...had his doubts about that. He just seemed...scary, for lack of a better word.

OH.

..MY.

...GOD.

Cameron stared at the Professor. And then she stared a little more. Was that a .. flush coming on?

*swooooooooooooon*

He was absolutely gorgeous. So gorgeous in fact, that she left her table and like 15 First years to go and talk to him. NEVER in her life had Cameron been so suck-up as to go and talk to the teachers at the staff table before classes had even started.

It was a first.

Man.. he was droolworthy.

Sparkly eyes.. a kind face.. and all manleh..

She hadn't even realised she was right in front of him AND staring.

Erm..

*MEEEEEEEP*

"...*coughAHEMcough*Ohhhhhhh... goodevening Professor." That was subtle right? Yep. Oh merlinnnn..

Oh and he had curlyish hair. Oh man.. Cameron sighhhhhhed. She prayed, hoped, wished - BEGGED that he was taking ANY class she was taking.

Oh man..

Katie walked up to the staff table alone this time, she was a bit shy, but, she had to do this, she breathed in and said "Good evening Professors, sorry to disturb you but do any of you know when we will be going to the common rooms?" Katie asked, she had the wanted to go to the common room ever since she got to Hogwarts, "By the way I cant wait for Defense against the dark arts class" Katie added not exactly addressing it to a certain person as she didnt know which one taught what, Katie made sure she had a smile on her face as she wanted to stay in there good books.

Leilani nodded. "Of course, sir." She said, and headed back to her own table. Oh whyyyyy had he asked her to do the one thing she couldn't? She was terrible at meeting people. Seriously. There were still only a handful of Hogwarts students she knew. Like... Six. Uuuuugh. Okay, let's go then. Prepare to meet Leilani Rhode... WOOT!

Blah. Blah. Blah. That's what Lexi wanted to say to anyone and every who'd been to the beach this summer. She'd thought spending time with her siblings would amount to the best summer ever, but all Allie and Ty had wanted to do was sit around and talk about their jobs and the such. Lexi had wanted to visit...Hawaii, for instance. Next summer, she was owling LILY to make plans. "Mmhmm, yes, it is good to be back, and I'm happy to hear that you had a great summer," she commented. With those sunglasses, perhaps he never really left Fiji at all. His mindset seemed to still be there, at least...

"Professor Kingsley," Lexi greeted, giving the man a little nod before she was separated from him by nearly an entire table length. She'd ask how his summer had been, but seeing as she'd seen him in the staff room just a few weeks prior, she petty much knew didn't even have to ask about his summer. "I'm doing just fine, thanks. I hope the same for you, of course."

Seeing Nolan snag the seat next to her, Lexi turned to her friend with a smile on her face. "Hey, Nolan. How ya doing?" she asked. He seemed in a pretty good mood...a much better mood than he'd been in when they'd met in Diagon Alley. "Doing much better, I'm guessing?" Yeah, that's right, Nolan Reynolds. Lexi Carlton was on to you and your not-so-happy mood in Diagon Alley.

Oh, and this was...someone new, yup. Lexi turned her attention away from Nolan and toward the lady who'd just made her way up to the table. "Hi, there. I'm Alexia Carlton, Charms professor. You can call me Lexi, though," she said. The woman appeared to be polite, but one could never really tell. If she wasn't polite, though...well then just pin a rose on her nose.


...aww. There was Lily, all the way down the table. Well, she wasn't that far away, but Lexi would have to yell to speak to her, and that was no good.

...

...and Sage was next to Lily, as well, which meant that two of the people she really, really wanted to talk to were just too far down the blasted table. She smiled and waved to both before turned toward some Durmstrang kid who'd come to say hello.

"Oh, it's nice to meet you, Mr. Petrov. I'm Professor Carlton, the Charms professor," she replied. It was nice of the kid to come say hello, even if he did have a headmaster with the last name Sputnik. Sputnik! Ha ha! The name sounded sort of...

...Oh. Nevermind. Cancel that, change of plans, etc., etc. The Durmstrang professor looked scary, especially with that loud, banging stick that accompanied him. Far be it from Lexi to get a good laugh out of someone like that.

Mental note...stay on Sputnik's good side.

"Yes, I find that to be true internationally, though... teenagers all over the world care a bit too much about romance and not enough about studying and planning for the future. If you're interested in learning, I tip my metaphorical hat to you," Tate nodded at the boy with a repressed grin.

"I'm sure we'll love your Headmaster, and I want to extend an invitation to you and your classmates. Please feel free to attend any class that interests you. You cannot earn house points, unfortunately, but the learning is the same." He nodded in dismissal to the boy.

"We're about to begin the feast," Tate nodded at the starstruck Gryffindor prefect. What was she doing up here ogling things like a first year? Her head of house needed to take her firmly in hand.

"Please return to your seat."

And here was a little one. Tate gave her a nod. "After the feast, of course. I'm going to give a speech, and then we'll eat. There will be lots of food and things... I think you'll enjoy it. And once you're so full you can't eat another bite, we'll send you off to discover your new common room."

"Thank you, I cant wait to go my common room" Katie said, she bowed a little, uhh, why did she bow? Anyway, she went back to the slytherin table and made sure that everyone would be quiet when he made his speech but for now, lets just talk.

Hehehehhee. Lily stifled another giggle as she sat back in her seat, covering her mouth lightly with her hand, so not to show off the silly grin she was wearing.

Hehehe.

AHEM.

Be professional, Moretti.

................Hehehhee. Okay, it was a lost cause. Lifting her eyes expectantly, she eyed up Tate. Was he going to do his Headmaster thing now? Did she need to stop giggling? Heh.

"Lexi." She 'WHISPERED', leaning back a little bit in her seat. She had SEEN the woman look at her. She knew she would hear her.

Why was giggling contagious? As soon as Lexi happened to glance down the table and catch Lil's eye, she saw...laughing...and it made her want to laugh, too. She covered her own mouth and tried to glance away for a split second...long enough to settle her case of the giggles.

Why was Lil at the opposite end of the table again? Oh, yeah. Some seating chart had put her there. Lexi uncovered her mouth and turned toward Lil again. "What?" she whispered back. This seating arrangement did not accommodate best friendships, did it? Not that Lexi was here for social hour anyway...professionalism, professionalism...but she didn't see any reason to keep quiet now.

After seeing each of her students find spots at tables with ease, Maximillienne made her way towards the staff table. "Bonjour, Headmaster Tate. Is there a seat for me here," she asked, grinning. Hmm, she was kind of hoping it would be between him and that blonde haired man.

Female professors giggling like schoolgirls.

Another one sneezing and spreading germs.

And students who seemed unable to locate their tables.


Vindictus sighed and leaned back in his chair. "Well, how 'bout it Tate? The natives are getting restless," he casually remarked. "Or are you waiting for the visiting heads to take a seat?"

"Risu," she said and smiled at the man. It was nice to see a friendly face at the staff table... even though it was his.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him. Sage. He was glancing at her. Sweet as that may be, it was highly unprofessional. This was the staff table... at the beginning of term feast. She raised an eyebrow and glanced to the headmaster trying to make him understand he needed to be professional.

She looked up. "Yes... Professor Zookara. Nice to meet you." She said not giving him her hand. "I... had a little accident... I hope you don't mind."

"Miss Donovan..." she said looking over her way. "I have borrowed a few books from the restricted section, during the summer... I will return them promptly tomorrow." She said to her.

I should be sitting to the left of the Hogwarts Headmaster, and not that sulking man, thought Zitnik as he approached the Staff Table.

"Pardon me, Headmaster Tate, but where do you wish for myself and Headmaster Enzo to sit?" he asked.

While waiting for a response, he carefully eyed each of the professors and wondered who would be honored to be seated next to him.

"Thank you," Vlad nodded politely, and gave the man a mini-bow. "I look forvard to attending your classes."

'Cause he vou-... would.

Vlad could only smile politely and bend his neck slightly to the woman. Charms... interesting. A highly underestimated subject. He didn't push the conversation though, because this was the STAFF table and he didn't want to outstay his welcome in any way.

"Not I, Headmaster Tate," Vlad replied, the omnipresent scowl on his face. It was there when he didn't smile. But he did smile somewhat at the next thing (but it was a scaaaaary smile, with his brow still furrowed). "I am sure my schoolmates vould all be delighted. Ve are not fussed about points and such. I for one vill look forvard to the experience of foreign learning. Thank you, again, for opening your doors to us all," Vlad finished, clicked his heels and bowed once more, before taking a half-step back, turning and heading back to his own table.

"Headmaster Tate..." she said standing and holding her arm, "I'd be happy to give up my seat and go sit with my students at the Slytherin Table..." She smiled at the Durmstrang Headmaster.

"Here now, Max. Budge over for the beautiful lady," Tate gave Max a level look and waved his hand a bit. Scoooot over. "I'll get to it in just a minute. You're hungry, huh?"

He stood and gestured for Headmistress Enzo to take a seat. "Please, Headmistress... Max will take good care of you."

He waved at Neo to budge over on the other side. "Have a seat right here, Headmaster. Mr. Masterson is our groundskeeper and can keep you entertained with tales from the grounds."

Tate waited for the other Heads to have a seat before he raised his hands to get the attention of the students. "I have just a few words for you... we're starting later than usual due to the magnificent entrances of our guests. Obviously, this term is going to be busy and quite exciting. I hope you'll make our guests welcome, and I hope you will take an opportunity to get to know them and to learn more about their cultures. Headmaster Zitnik and Headmistress Enzo have traveled a great distance with their four champions, and we are pleased to have them."

He waited a moment before continuing. "Our own champions will be selected very soon. Sometime in the next few days, the Goblet of Fire will be set up in the Entrance Hall. Any student who will be turning 17 during this school year is eligible to put their name into the Goble, which will select four Hogwarts candidates from that pool. By putting your name in the Goblet, you acknowledge the understanding that you are putting yourself into peril. I don't intend anyone to die... but it happens. An age line will be set up around the Goblet, as per usual, to repel anyone not old enough."

Another pause. "I regret to inform the students that Quidditch will be suspended for the term, but we hope to resume it next term. On that cheery note, I welcome all our new students and staff members, bid you eat and drink while the food is abundant, and then... to bed!" He clapped and the tables were suddenly laden with food. The feasting could begin.

Max nodded and moved over one seat so that the French lady could sit next to Tate. At least he was giving his seat up to a beautiful woman. Poor Neo.

"Headmistress Enzo, my customary seat is yours," he said gallantly and motioned for her to have a seat.

But before he could make idle chat with the woman, Tate began to speak. And he gave THE announcement - the one that he was dreading. Part of him wanted to crawl under the table and hide from the prefect-captains who were probably wondering WHY they had shiny prefect badges and NOT their captain badges.

Yikes!

Dabbing at her watery eyes with the handkerchief, she sniffled again and looked at her blond neighbor. Cold? Actually she was feeling rather sweaty, but it'd be inappropriate to be wearing a tank top and shorts. Curse her flu-like symptoms. "Unfortunately," she muttered. "And no time to get a potion before the feast." Ugh.

She was rather quiet and reserved; traits that Fina already found very approving. "I'm Josephina Hadley, Arithmancy Professor." She said by way of introduction. Would have offered her hand, but you know, germs. Icky. So just a small smile was offered instead by way of consolation.

Taking in the Astronomy professor who sat to her left, she nodded respectfully at him, another sniffle escaping her. "Risu," Fina greeted, though admittedly, had not spoken much to him last term. It was still nice to see a familiar face next to her. "Did you enjoy your summer break?"

Glancing away from the Astronomy professor, Fina caught a familiar Slytherin girl from her peripheral vision as she let out a small sneeze into the handkerchief. She managed a small smile, as Nolan directed her back toward her house table. He did have a good point.



An all-too familiar voice caused Josephina to turn her head and squint all the way down the table at the other end. Amazing that even from the opposite end of the table, she would recognize that face anyway. Sugar!shop man was a teacher?!

Shame those students had to interrupt her conversation with him, or she might have actually found that out on her own. Or even learned his name. Well technically they didn't interrupt, but she wasn't about to let them carry on the way they were. So she interrupted them . . . and her lovely conversation. And he still owed her that ice cream too. Pout.

She'll just have to blame it on him for getting sick; he didn't buy her ice cream.

...

And there was the first of the foreign students, who came up to introduce himself. A rather polite young lad, Fina decided, giving him a small smile, as he turned to head back to his table.

Figures she would miss introducing herself. Curse sickness and Sugar!man for messing with her brain and reducing her focus.

Unless.... "Yes, lovely to meet you, Mr Petrov. Enjoy your time here at Hogwarts," Fina called to him. "I'm Professor Hadley, the Arithmancy Professor. As Headmaster Tate mentioned, you're more than welcome to attend Arithmancy lessons if it interests you."

His gaze fell on the attractive woman who spoke and Jozef respectfully nodded in her direction.

"Tales from the grounds. How lovely," Zitnik remarked sarcastically and stared at the man. Was he deaf? Maybe he should accept the offer to sit by the woman at the other end of the table. Perhaps she could entertain him with tales of dangerous potions....

Finally, it was FOOOOOD time! Nolan smiled at the Durmstrang boy who said he'd be attending his lessons...they'd be at their lessons? Interesting, he had not anticipated that. Then again, he had been so absorbed in his personal life over the summer that it was possible he could have totally missed the memo.

As he glanced around the table, chewing on his bread roll and eyeing up the new professors, he noticed that Josephina Hadley looked extremely under the weather. He smiled at her and gave her a little wave across the table. "Allergies or a cold?" he asked. Hopefully not the flu. He'd had one near brush with that in DA, he did NOT need another.

"Hey Lexi," Nolan said with a smile, taking a swig of pumpkin juice. He looked back at her and wrinkled his eyebrows. Doing better? What on Earth was she on about? He remained puzzled for a few minutes until he remembered their meeting in Diagon Alley, when he'd been extremely...well, moody. Over Ginger, of course. Since things had only improved slightly, and he was still not entirely in the mood to talk about it, he just smiled and shook his head.

"Doing better? I have no idea what you're talking about," he told her simply. She couldn't MAKE him tell her what was wrong! Not unless she slipped some truth potion in his drink.

"Will he now?" Maximillienne raised an interested eyebrow at this...Max that the Headmaster had referred too. "I guess I will have to take your word for it, Headmaster."

"How very kind of you, Monsieur," she smiled at him, moving to sit down in his chair with grace and poise. "Merci," she then added, tucking herself in as Gaellen said his speech to the crowd of students.

"A wonderful speech, Monsieur Tate. Mmm, et the food looks merveilleux."

Hehe. She seemed... surprise. When you're in Hogwarts, expect plenty of complaisant students striding towards you just to say hi. Yeah, they were that awesome. "You can call me Cedric if you please, Professor," he remarked, and smiled genuinely.

"And oh, yes, the feast is really good. I hope you're enjoying yourself, professor. But..." He trailed off, purposely. Things that he was about to say shouldn't be heard by anyone but the person he was intending to pass his message on. Cedric moved closer to the professor and muttered in almost hoarse whisperings, "If not, unfortunately. Why not talk to the guy I just talked to and let him make your day, Ma'am?" She wouldn't regret it. Ced was sure. He always was.

But...

Please. Don't. Give. Him. A. Detention. Pweeeze.
Cedric turned to Professor Masterson, and readied himself to be glared at. And wahh, he hadn't expect the unexpected! The man was shunning him off, and was giving him that menacing stare. "I think you're alright, sir... I mean you are right, yep." He best be going now. Really.

"Bye professors. Have fun," he ventured in a very neutral tone. He then turned and paved his way to their house table.

Better to tease a drunkard than the man who lives in the hut.