As a new student at Hogwarts, Paulina felt that it was probably a good idea for her to drop by and say hello to her new Professors. The only problem was that since she didn't have a map of Hogwarts, it was a little hard to know where to go in order to do that.

Somehow or another she had ended up on one of the topmost floor; maybe it was the Fifth or Sixth, she had no real idea.

Wandering down the corridor, she spotted a closed door that looked like it belonged to an office. Reading the sign proved her suspicions. Knock and wait for a response. She could do that. Paulina was shy, but she didn't think that a Professor would yell at her unless she did something seriously wrong. Or did they do things differently here?

Oh well. Nothing to it; she was here now so she had to follow through. Making a fist with her hand, she raised it to the door and knocked three times before waiting for an answer.

Beatrice was just potting about in her new office. She was sitting behind her desk, swiveling around and moving some of her hanging photographs about the place to see where they best looked. She sighed, and Beamer leaped up to her lap. "Hello my little pet," she said, rubbing her behind the ears. A loud purring sounded from the white kitten, making Beatrice smile.

Then, to her surprise, there was a knock at her door. Beatrice bounded towards the door, excited for the FIRST visitor, and opened it rather abruptly. There was a big smile on her face as she greeted the lass at the door. "Hello there, hello, would you like to come in?" she said with a heavy Scottish accent, stepping aside for the older lass. Beatrice guessed about sixth or seventh year.

He had debated and debated, wondering if he should inquire with the new professor on something he had been wondering about. Sure it wasn't Bellaire but that made it better...easier...right? Benny wasn't sure but at some point he had let his feet travel towards the transfiguration classroom and the corresponding office. Only to find he wasn't the only one there. The Hufflepuff girl from the feast...Paulina...was there as well and he offered a small friendly smile.

Despite being nervous and unsure about the professor he was in a better mood than he had been at the feast. "Hello..." Benny greeted. He was about to say something more when the door opened and the professor came to the doorway to greet her. Um...perhaps he should come wait...or come back? Since only she had been acknowledged. The seventh year stepping back as he tried to think on what to do.

...And then she noticed another student, a lad who looked about the same age as this lass in front of her. Beatrice extended her welcome to him, "Hello there, I didn't see you. Would you like to come in too?" Her warm smile was hopefully as welcoming as the scent of brownies coming out from the door. What an exciting first day of Hogwarts this was, TWO students here. Beatrice had been looking forward to meeting everyone who attended her lessons, but no time like the present. At least there would, hopefully, be a few familiar faces in the lessons.

SPOILER!!: York

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

...And then she noticed another student, a lad who looked about the same age as this lass in front of her. Beatrice extended her welcome to him, "Hello there, I didn't see you. Would you like to come in too?" Her warm smile was hopefully as welcoming as the scent of brownies coming out from the door. What an exciting first day of Hogwarts this was, TWO students here. Beatrice had been looking forward to meeting everyone who attended her lessons, but no time like the present. At least there would, hopefully, be a few familiar faces in the lessons.

Oh...he had been noticed, the seventh year stopping his retreat from the scene. "Hello Professor," he greeted back with a polite nod. "It's okay," Benny added to assume the woman, glancing to the Hufflepuff at the last question. Was it okay for them both to go inside the office at the same time? It was with him. "Only if it's alright with my fellow student," the Gryffindor remarked. Perhaps she had come to the professor for something personal and didn't want to share the time.

As the Professor opened the door, Paulina sent her a small smile.

"Hello, Professor. I a-a-ACHOO!" Oh gosh. She was having a sneezing fit. How embarrassing. And now Benny was there to see it. "Hello," she said to him before another sneeze could escape. Ugh, her eyes were watering and everything.

Oh. Head into her office? Paulina hadn't expected that to happen unless she got into trouble - but that didn't seem to be the case here. "I'd love to. I don't mind if - ACHOO - Benny comes in as well." He was cool and maybe they could all have a nice chat together...if she could stop sneezing.

"Do you have a cat, Professor?" Because she was allergic.

Time to scope out this new Professor who was taking his BELOVED Bellaire's place!

Seriously though... Adi wished that she had hung on at least until after this year. He had grown so accustomed to her and though he was quick to adapt to changes, he was sure adjusting to the new Professor's method of teaching might take a while.

The Hufflepuff knocked smartly on the door, waiting for the woman to open up. What would she be like? Strict? Pleasant? Bubbly like Professor Cassie? Adi couldn't wait to find out!

Now onto to check out the new Professor who was taking Queen Bellaire's spot. It was surprising that there was no waiting area or comfy couches like Professor Q had last term. But that man knew about laziness and comfort. He was awesome.

Dante knocked on the door.

Hopefully she was strict. You need strict Professors or anything can happen.

It was true.

Beatrice was looking between the two students, wondering whether any of them wanted to come in, together or separately, when the sneezing started. Her head looked to the young lass, having a sneezing fit. She frowned, wondering if she was getting ill, until she asked about a cat. Beatrice looked down as Beamer started circling her legs. "Oh dear," she muttered. "Yes I do. Not to worry, I have many a friend and family allergic to cats. Please do come in, both of you," she gestured to one side where her lounge chairs were set up. There was a bowl of Bertie Bott's on the table between the chairs. "I have something for that, if you trust taking it from a stranger." She went over to her desk and found her vials of anti-allergen potion that she carried with her.

"Here, lass, try this," She said, offering the potion. She had looked at Beamer and pointed to her desk, which was where the cat was now.

"Now, what can I do for both of you?" she asked with a smile. Surely they didn't need help already... unless they were seventh years here for tips for NEWTs.



Beatrice was just pouring some cat food into a bowl for for Beamer, who had been trying to hint for her to do so for the past 15 minutes. The cat practically leapt onto the bowl to eat its food, when there was another knock on the door. She had no shoes on, but they were under her desk. Once they were on, she opened it, wondering if it was a Professor or a student, and happily noticed it was the Hufflepuff Prefect. Yes, she read the newsletters. "Hello," she said happily. "You must be... Aditya Rehman?" She said, confident that it was in fact him. "Please do come in," she said, standing aside so he could get through.



And just as she was about to take a sip of her hot chocolate, there was another knock. Beatrice smiled at the wooden sound of the knock and walked over to the door, swinging it open. She smiled at the student, "Hello, dear," she greeted, "Would you like to come in? I've got a pot of hot chocolate in there, care to join me?" Beatrice didn't think this student could possibly be there to talk about NEWTs. OWLs perhaps? Or was it just to meet her, compare her to the previous Professor? Either way, Beatrice was thrilled to get to know her students before lessons started.

Well he had never been called dear in his life. So THAT was a first. Though hot chocolate did sound good. So Dante just shrugged the Dear off and said.

"Yeah and hot chocolate sounds awesome"

And yeah it was WAY to early for Dante to even think about OWLs. That was a whole year away. Nope not even thinking about it. He had questions. Transfig questions and just questions in general.

"Interesting Office, you have here Professor."

He did have questions on Tranfig related topics. But those could wait.

First there was one sneeze...

And then another as Paulina greeted him and assured both him and the professor that she was fine with him coming in as well. However it was her sneezing fit that had the Gryffindor concerned. "Are you alri--?" He asked, breaking off when she questioned about cats shortly before one was revealed. Oh...that could be the cause. It was a shame that he didn't still carry anti-allergen potion on him like he had taken to last term when he had proven to be allergic to cobwebs. But alas his last vial was in his trunk for emergencies.

However Professor York was the hero, providing some for the Hufflepuff. Yay to her! Surely she was more trustworthy than others that came to mind.

Benny took the invitation, entering the office and following the woman. He took in his surroundings before being brought back to the reason for their appearance in her office. The young man wasn't aware of Paulina's reason, but his hadn't been forgotten. " I wanted to...inquire about help in possibly training to be an animagus." There....it was out there.

Owen was trying to familiarize himself with Hogwarts things and places and people and that included Professors. His mates said most of them didn't mind getting visits from them students; most of them actually liked it. So Owen was going to do some visiting. He was going to start with the new ones...like him! Hehe. And between the new Herbology and Transfiguration Professors, he chose to visit the latter first. He heard she gave out treats. It made his food!senses tingle. He was so excited to find out what treats the woman had in store.

Practically bouncing on his heels, the first year Hufflepuff knocked.

TOK. TOK. TOK.

WOAH!

The Transfiguration lady knew his name!

Adi squinted at her slightly. She was obviously trying to get into his good books. Yeah, that's what he told himself. And she was SO cheery! Cool! But he was still suspicious of her somewhat. He knew she wasn't trying to take Bellaire's place but that's how he saw it.

His face broke into a genuine grin, however. He couldn't help it. It was his thing. "Hello, Professor York.'' Of course he knew her name, too. Adi scanned the office after heading in. "Pretty comfy place you've got here.'' He spotted the cat. Awh! York had a fluffball! "What his name? Or her?'' Could he hold it?

Benny was about to ask her if she was alright - which was really sweet of him - when the Professor found a potion for her to take. Obviously it was anti-allergen potion, and Paulina was sure that she could trust a teacher because they wouldn't harm students.

"Tha-a-a-ACHOO. Thanks." As soon as she stopped sneezing for a moment, the entire contents were downed. This should have her feeling symptom free for a year if memory served correct, and that was something she really appreciated. Maybe it would be a good idea for her to make sure to take the stuff whenever the previous dose wore off, because cats were very common and sneezing was not pleasant.

Benny was here about learning to become an animagus, and Paulina had to admit that was why she had come as well. Or well...as soon as he had mentioned it, she remembered that animagi was something that interested her. How cool would it be if she could turn into an animal like a bird? Just no cats. "Well, I wanted to say hello. But I would also like to learn about being an animagus," she admitted.

Beatrice wasn't surprised that the hot chocolate lured the student into her office. One flick of her wand, and a mug of creamy hot chocolate was levitating itself towards him. She gave an approving smile to him, as he said her office was interesting. "Thank you. I prefer having my own furniture. It's big enough to do everything I need, really." Socialise, mark work, talk with students, Beamer had enough room to walk around, and she could play music whenever she wanted. All in all, she was very satisfied with it.

She walked back towards the white leather lounge chairs in the corner, hoping the student would follow. "Now, I'm afraid I don't know your name," she said, hoping he would go from being 'the student' in her head, to having a name. Well, of course he had a name.



Beatrice tried not to smile at the sneezy thanks, but failed. The sneezes usually came at the perfect time. She was glad the student didn't sneeze with the potion in her mouth. That would have been messy, and perhaps a little funny as well. Once it was all downed, Beatrice beckoned the two students over to the lounge chairs. She waited for them to sit first.

It turned out both students had come to learn about how to become animagi. Beatrice settled back into her chair with her hands clasped in front, and looked between the two students. "What are your names? And Years?" she asked, curious. It was a very difficult subject, becoming an animagi, and Beatrice felt she should know their names. It seemed they were here for information on how to become an animagus, so that they may one day become an animagus, rather than just curious information. She had all of the information regarding the process, though she had never had a desire to do so herself. However, the subject of human transformation was one of her favourites, and she just loved to talk about it. She couldn't help but smile proudly at the students, who wanted to learn about such a difficult subject.



Beatrice just smiled, raising an eyebrow slightly as he squinted at her. Did he not expect his professor to know the names of each house prefect? "Do you need glasses, dear?" she asked, lightheartedly.

She was glad his face broke into a grin. She wasn't fussed by much, but a grilling by a student she did not want. She did a little curtsy and said "Please, call me Beatrice," waving invisible things from the air. No formalities in this office, it made her feel too strict. She smiled proudly at his comment regarding her office. "I think so too," she agreed, looking around. Yes, she was quite happy with the current layout. The Headmaster had been right when he said she could change it every few months, and the thought of doing so had made her feel much more comfortable to leave it as it was.

Beatrice looked down at Beamer, "She. It's Beamer, she's very friendly." The cat was the biggest Puffer she had ever met, which was saying something.



Beatrice looked up from her lesson plans as she heard a knock at her door. She put the parchment into her office drawer, in case it was a student, and walked over to open it. Standing there was a younger lad, and Beatrice simply beamed at the dear. "Hello," she said, standing aside, "Please come in!"

She realised she hadn't yet opened some of her sweets, so she walked over to the fireplace and opened a bag of marshmallows, filling a bowl with them, then opened a box of Bertie Bott's and opened them into another bowl. Her favourite. She threw one into the air and caught it in her mouth. The moment she bit into it, her face scrunched up in disgust. "Vomit," she gasped, reaching for her water goblet and gulping it down. Hopefully there was only one in the packet.

She gestured to the two bowls, "Would you fancy a bit of a pick-me-up?" she asked. She always needed a pick-me-up.

"I'm sorry I don't remember your name," she said, hoping he would tell her. Of course she had heard all of the first years names during the sorting, but there were so many of them. "But I do remember you were sorted into Hufflepuff! My old house," she added with a smile. "Congratulations. How are you finding your way around so far?" Beatrice remembered what it was like being a first year, trying to navigate the castle. It could get very overwhelming!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

Beatrice tried not to smile at the sneezy thanks, but failed. The sneezes usually came at the perfect time. She was glad the student didn't sneeze with the potion in her mouth. That would have been messy, and perhaps a little funny as well. Once it was all downed, Beatrice beckoned the two students over to the lounge chairs. She waited for them to sit first.

It turned out both students had come to learn about how to become animagi. Beatrice settled back into her chair with her hands clasped in front, and looked between the two students. "What are your names? And Years?" she asked, curious. It was a very difficult subject, becoming an animagi, and Beatrice felt she should know their names. It seemed they were here for information on how to become an animagus, so that they may one day become an animagus, rather than just curious information. She had all of the information regarding the process, though she had never had a desire to do so herself. However, the subject of human transformation was one of her favourites, and she just loved to talk about it. She couldn't help but smile proudly at the students, who wanted to learn about such a difficult subject.

Would you look at that? They both wanted to learn about becoming animagi. What a cool coincidence? Not to mention that it turned out that it surely was fine that they came in together else the professor have to do or say anything that she had to twice. Benny moved to take the offered seat, figuring Paulina to take the other and noticed the woman looking between the two of them. Whoops...they had forgotten their manners amongst the sneezing. "I'm sorry..." he politely apologized, not wanting to be thought rude.

"I'm Benjamin Atreyu...and a seventh year." It still garnished a mix of pride and concern to think of himself on his final year of schooling. Well before university.

"Thank You"

When someone gives you free hot chocolate you had to thank them. It was free food after all and not given by strangers. and the office certainly was nice. Nicest of the ones he has seen so far this term.

"I'm Dante. Nice to meet you Professor"

Guess it was time to get to the part o why he was here other than the now hot chocolate in his hands and it was delicious.

"I wanted to know about Human Transfiguration. I know it is too advanced for me to even attempt. I just wanted to know about it"

Dante said shrugging.

It sounded cool and all. So why not ask.

Feeling the potion take effect, Paulina smiled at the professor before taking a seat in the lounge chair beside Benny's.

In a way it was good that they were here together for the same purpose because not only did she have someone she knew with her, but it saved the professor from having to discuss the topic with them separately. Maybe Paulina wouldn't become an Animagus - one could never know after all - but the possibility was all to real..

It was a wonderful goal to aspire to.

"My name is Paulina Holiday and I am a Seventh Year too," she said as she realized that she had failed to introduce herself earlier. Blame it on the cat allergies.

Beaming! A beaming Professor! Owen made the good choice to visit her first. He gave her a return!beam as he stepped inside the office...and followed the woman over to wherever she was heading. IT WAS TRUE! She had treats. Owen was ecstatic upon seeing all those bags of munchies and everything else. Mallows, Bertie Bott's! Whoa! Food catching! So cool. How about the flavor? Anticipating and.........Ewwwwwwwwww. Vomit. "Ack. That was unlucky of you, Professor maa'm." Owen was fond of food. But not vomit-flavored food.

She was offering? Score! He was so not going to say no. "Thank you, Professor maa'm. I think I'll pick from the flavored beans. See if I'm as unlucky." His turn then. Eyeing the treat in question with suspicion (Bertie Bott's were the epitome of suspicion), Owen picked a blue-colored one and deftly placed it in his mouth. Munch, munch. O_o "Soaaap! Ack!" That did not end well. "I guess marshmallows are a safer choice, Professor maa'm." With that, Owen scooped some mallows and stuffed it in.

He cleared his mouth first before answering the woman. "My name is Owen Thyago Montezor, Professor maa'm." And yes, he was in Hufflepuff...she was too, before? "A fellow badger." Grin. "I'm very much liking everything, Professor maa'm. My housemates are awesome and nice. The classes are all so exciting and I get to visit the Kitchens and cook sometimes." Can he get another handful of marshmallows? "You'll be teaching Transfiguration, right Professor maa'm?"

Whut? Glasses? He had his glasses- oh, no. He had actually forgotten to put them on! Adi had taken them off when he had splashed water on his face in the Prefect's Bathroom before heading over here. The missing glasses would explain the slight ache starting up behind his eyes. "I've got them, thank you.'' He grinned and he pulled them out of his pocket. There! He now had two extra pairs of eyes.

Um, um, ummmm! Was he supposed to bow? Why not? It was thing Adi would do if any girl or woman had curtsied to him. So bending from the waist up happened before he straightened up. Okay, maybe the woman wasn't so bad. WOAH! First name... he was allowed to call her by her first name! He felt very up there. You know, like one of the cool kids. Oh, wait. He was ALREADY one of the cool kids. The COOLER kids then. "If you insist, Beatrice. And you can call me Adi. It's great to meet you! I heard you're a Hufflepuff, too?''

The Puffer turned his attention to Beamer. "Heya, Beamer!'' He looked back at Beatrice. "Can I hold her? She wouldn't mind, right?" All creatures liked him. At least 99.99% of them.

Beatrice smiled and nodded at the two students as they said their names and years. "Well then, Benjamin and Paulina. So you're both interested in becoming registered animagi?" she confirmed. Merlin, this was exciting. "I can't stress enough just how difficult the process is. It may take years to complete, and takes a great deal of concentration." She paused. "Do either of you know much about the transformation yet?" she asked, curious.

As they were setting down for quite a serious discussion, Beatrice thought anyway, she summoned her bowl of Bertie Bott's beans, and with a wave of her wand, summoned her self-heating pot of tea down on the table with three mugs. "Tea or beans?" she asked, pouring the tea out. She just loved a good cup of tea.



"Most welcome," Beatrice said in reply to his thanks. "Dante," Beatrice repeated, setting it into her mind, "It's lovely to meet you." Beatrice sipped at her drink, not wanting to rush anything. Whether Dante was here merely to meet his new professor, or to ask a question, she was sure it would be revealed in due time. But to savour the flavour of the hot chocolate was important, too, of course.

Though it wasn't lone before Dante revealed his reason for visiting. Human Transfiguration. "What year are you in, Dante?" she asked. It was a tough subject, but she was always happy to speak about it. "Is there anything specific you would like to know?"



Beatrice nodded in agreement, it certainly was most unlucky. Ack indeed! And now it was the laddie's turn to try a bean, and Beatrice waited eagerly to see what flavour he would get. Good or bad? She loved this bit, seeing the reactions on the consumers face. She laughed at his reaction, "Not a very pleasant flavour, soap," she agreed. Beatrice nodded in agreement, fishing out two sticks to roast the marshmallows on. She handed one to the boy and offered him the bowl of marshmallows before she poked two onto her roasting stick and hovered it over the fire.

Beatrice nodded once, trying not to frown. What a long name! "Owen," she said, with a smile and a nod. Did she have to worry about the other names? She never liked formalities anyway. So, it was time to correct the first year badger. "Just call me Beatrice, dear... Owen," she said. Though she thought it was very sweet of the lad to call her Professor maa'm. YES! Fellow badger. She loved meeting badgers.

Beatrice was happy to hear Owen was enjoying being at Hogwarts so far, and enjoyed his housemates. That was always a good sign, having to spend seven years with them it was best to get along with them. She let out a lady chuckle, "I always did enjoy the close proximity to the kitchens, being in Hufflepuff," she agreed. It was always good during exam years, when she was awake studying to pop in for a late night snack. "Yes, I'm the new Transfiguration Professor. Have you ever done much with transfiguration?" she asked. She didn't know whether he had muggle or magical parents, so perhaps he had never heard of it until receiving his letter.



OH! He did actually have glasses! Beatrice smiled as she watched him put on his glasses. And then he bowed, and Beatrice couldn't help but let out a chuckle, snorting in the process. Yes, she did insist, and she much preferred hearing her first name being spoken by the students rather than Professor York. "Adi, well it's a pleasure to meet you," she said warmly. "Yes! I was a former Hufflepuff. Some of my very best memories were within the Hufflepuff common room." She felt nostalgic thinking back to it, actually.

Beatrice nodded, "Absolutely, she loves the attention." Beamer would probably be walking around with her head held high at the attention, especially attention from a Hufflepuff, AND a prefect. The thought made Beatrice smile.

Yep, that was his name. Unique name he guessed from peoples reactions when he says it. Whatever, it is just his name.

"I'm a Fourth Year, Professor"

Yep, fourth year already. It felt like yesterday he was a third year. But fourth year has been pretty good so far.

"Well i wanted to know about like the half transfiguration in animals like a shark or something awesome like that. Not full on animagus. That is a whole other topic that could wait till at least my last term here."

Animagi were awesome too. But that was way too advanced for him.

"Very true, Professor maa'm." Of all the flavors...the two of them got unpleasant ones. How unlucky. "My favorite are the toffee flavors. How about you, Professor maa'm, what's your favorite Bertie Bott's flavor?" The young badger asked as he accepted the bowl of marshmallows and stick and followed the woman's lead.

Beatrice? Only? Owen stared at the woman and her perfect blonde hair for quite a few seconds. He can't just call her by her first name. That would be too informal. She was older than him, obviously, and she was also his Professor. That warranted a title. "But Professor maa'm, I'm not really comfortable with calling you by your first name alone. Back at home we even have titles for both older and younger siblings. So...can I just use Professor Beatrice? Or Professor B?" So it was shorter. He had a feeling she only wanted to make his life easier.

Everyone in Hufflepuff seemed to like that fact. That their common room was very close to the Kitchens. Kind of like a home court advantage. Owen grinned at her because, hersheys, that chuckle...Owen liked this Professor a lot already. At her question, Owen shook his head. "I've heard and read of the concept...what it does...but I haven't tried any sort of transfiguration myself." And because he was curious. "Can you...can you turn into an animal, Professor maa'm?" There was a term for that, he just forgot what.

Interested in becoming registered animagi

The idea reiterated outloud by the professor and including the registered part made it feel all so real and more exciting. If that were possible. "Yes Professor," Ben confirmed with a nod of his own. Might as well go all the way as long as his skills allowed him to manage it. The "O" on his Transfiguration OWL gave him a slight boost of confidence. As for the difficulty, time and concentration, he was aware of it and it hadn't stopped him as much as dealing with Bellaire had. "I've read upon on it some."

Mr. Kittridge liked him.

As things settled and York went to work as host, Benny happened to notice Paulina was sounding more normal with her own answers. "Tea...thank you," he said, accepting the offered mug that the woman had poured. Tea was good and would hopefully help some of the nervously excited butterflies that were threatening to fly.