"Yesss. They weren't too original with the name...it's spelled French-ly, though. I wasn't an original member--" he put a hand over his chest. "Mark Sparks and his mother, Pearl, started it." He grinned. "If I play anywhere fun, you all should come see me. You'd be able to see me...in my banjo element!" he chuckled and sipped his tea.

As for the brother of Dante, Paul didn't know much ABOUT the dead...kneazles? But he DID know who they were. Had to keep in with the times, you know? "I can't see you with a brother. You seem like an only child..." he found it quite curious.

"Naaaah. You wouldn't get in trouble. Just...a nice appropriate date, right?" he raaaaaaised an eyebrow and trusted Dante to know what he meant.



He would put something together in May at some point, if the rest of the Badgers wanted it, of course. Thought, he didn't see why they WOULDN'T. Sleepovers were FUN times! "My banjo is just fine, thanks for asking-" he gestured to it in the corner of his office. "I would definitely play it at a sleepover..." he grinned.

"Well, Miss Delgado, you do have a lot of time to think about that stuff, so I wouldn't worry TOO much about it. That's what Hogwarts is for! Not only to learn, but to feel out what your interests are...what you might want to be." Paul...had never really wanted to be a Herbology, per-se. But...after that year off...and going to school FOR Herbology...he just sort of fell into it. It was funny how things worked out like that...without any plans.



Har har har, Henric. Paul saw you laughing, boy. He merely smirked and tapped his chest repeatedly. "I am FINE thanks for asking, Henric." He made sure his desk was dry before taking another sip of tea to clear his throat. He took the napkin offered to him and dabbed at his mouth. "Overreaction, is all." He smirked.

He listened to him speak of Brady...hmm. "Well. He seems to have issue with both you and Norah...however, no issue with me. So it's not authority." He wondered..."I'm sure if you just continue to be kind...and friendly...he will grow on you, and you on him." He then pursed his lips. "There is...talk that the prefects had something to do with the food fight at the feast...however, I think that's ridiculous to think. Plus, NONE of my badgers...did anything so..." he shrugged, and seemed untroubled.

Leo was thinking of ways to get back at his sisters when Paul chose a convenient time to peek his head out the door. Standing up, Leo beamed broadly "Paul, I'm so glad you have time for me."

He followed his friend into his office still carrying the poor plants. Leo wasn't exactly sure what they were either. At least not the right one. The left one he guessed was a bouncing bulb. But even that was a wild guess. Letting his eyes trail around the office he could help but grin wide at all the books. "Nice collection of books Paul. And really the office feels very warm and homely. You've done good, I didn't know you were into interior design?"

Gesturing to the potted plants he was still carrying Leo asked "Would you like these plants as a gift Paul?"

It was not that bad for a band name. Dante had heard worst names. But really a mother named Pearl. This was starting to sound like a cartoon episodes or something."I don't think i can imagine you in your banjo element. So i just might have to do that" And he had never been told that before. So it was interesting to hear. Seemed like an only child. Dante quite liked that description.

"Well we are almost seven years apart. So maybe that is why. He is already out of school before i even got into here. But he is alright when he is not being well a wrockstar."

Dante gave him an understanding nod. He understood perfectly. Plus he had heard from a very reliable source that garden dates are pretty awesome. So maybe he should take Eureka there. She might like it.

"I understand Professor. It is your garden after all. It would probably be nice picnic or something. I would have to brainstorm ideas before actually asking."

And you know gather up the courage. But nobody needed to know that.

Haddie flipped through the books a bit, but the rest of the pages seemed to go back to the boring types of plants. Oh well. When she goes on expeditions with Rachel she'll just have to impose a no boring plant rule.

Flipping the book closed, Haddie tilted her head and looked up at Myers. "If that's true, why is there that secrecy thing the government has?"

Paul chuckled. "I always have time for you, old friend." He definitely took notice of the plant in Leo's arms and gestured at his desk for him to place it on. "Would you like any tea, Leo?" he asked in a warm manner.

HA!

Paul Myers, INTERIOR DESIGN? HECK NO! "I had Milton's help, don't get your hopes up, Leo," he smirked and began to make himself a pot of tea. "If it was left up to me it'd be a mess...a big fat mess with little decoration." But he was glad Milton was handy with that sort of thing. It was why their home looked so nice.

How could he turn down PLANTS? "Sure, sure--I'd love them--I do hope you didn't buy them just for me, though--merlin, save your money!"




"Well...Dante..." Paul summoned a pair of sunglasses that were resting on his windowsill. He placed them on his face and nodded. "Totally cool. I am totally cool in my banjo element!" and he tried to pose, but the sunglasses slid CLEAN off his face and clattered to the floor. "WHOOOOOPS--" he quickly scooped them up, folded them, and then back on the desk they went!

NOTHING TO SEE HERE, DANTE.

Ahem.

"Ahhh. I have a younger sister--so I have no idea what that is like. I do know that we fought a lot as children but now...we're pretty close." And his sister's children were like his own.

The garden would make a nice date, Paul agreed. "Well...if you need ay ADVICE...women apparently like rose petals..." he smirked. Just a rumor, though. "Who's the lucky lady?"

Paul wasn't...sure how to answer her. "Well..some things are too big to hide from muggles...and...the secrecy is in place so that muggles do not try to take advantage of our magic...or try to harm us for our magic...those old witch trials from all those years ago...were because muggles knew about us, or least they THOUGHT they did..." He shrugged.

Was that an adequate enough answer for the young Ravenclaw?

Hugo nodded "Yeah, she moved there about a year ago" which worked for him because she could visit her and go to Spain often. He shook his head " I don't like to tan, at least not that much" no thank you. Oh and Myers just noticed his hair color "Dot did it" and that brought him to another topic "Professor, you saw the hag at the feast? Do you think she really can tell the future?"

He was in a band? Never saw that coming "You do? That's cool. Your band should play here someday" yes. He hates clothes "He doesn't wear clothes, then?" that was maybe a little too private to ask but oh well. He understood it that way and it was weird. Hugo smiled at Myer's compliment, "You think? Thank you professor" and that was why he was his favorite professor. And also because he was fun to talk to.

Smiling at Paul he gratefully walked over to set down the two plants on his friends desk. It wasn't that they were heavy or anything it was just that Leo wasn't certain if they'd suddenly would attack him. Turning to his friend he nodded warmly "I'd love some tea. If you are already brewing some?"

Grinning Leo responded. "It's the same with my office, Cassie has had her feminine influence on it but it's still has it bookcases and fishing equipment. It's been dubbed homely and warm by some students, but I don't know if it's because of my decorating or Cassie's." Not that it mattered really. If it made the students open up to him and feel more at ease then Leo wasn't going to change it.

Visibly shuddering at Paul's comment Leo said gesturing to the plants and shaking his head. "I never buy plants. We Kitridges are notoriously bad at caring for plants especially my siblings and I. The exception is our mother that keeps dropping plants on us out of the blue."

"I passed my OWL and NEWT Herbology exams with good grades but that doesn't mean that plants don't scare me. They always end up withering and dyeing on me. So I gift you the plants for their own sake. I'm not even sure exactly what they are." Leo finished off. He was knowledgeable about many things but plants weren't something he had kept up with.

Professor Myers 'overreaction' was something he would certainly enjoy seeing again. Darn, it would make such a hilarious candid-shot, don't you think?! Hehe... oh well...it was fun while it lasted. He kept his grin to the bare minimum,"No problem professor... I didn't mean to sound impudent..."and continued,"of course, I will not disappoint you."

What?! HAH! Good one, professor. He would rather shave his head bald than being kind to that kid! For now, Henric could only smile reluctantly at Professor Myers. Henric's strong opinion about Brady didn't waver, however, he knew better not to let his guard down whenever little Mr.McSassypants is concerned. He blinked to what Professor Myers said next," I-I don't think so, professor...it's kind of hard to pinpoint who exactly is to blame for the mess at the great hall...but I'm positive we prefects did not plan it, if that is what you mean, professor?" Certainly not him.

Her fellow Hufflepuffs could thank her when they had their sleepover it was her idea. Yes. But she wouldn't brag. Nope she was above that. Oh good. That's a relief. "That's great. Maybe I can play the piano? If you can get me one there. We could play together." Oh that would be fun. Yes. Oh oh oh. And Brady can play the guitar. He could join them. Fun fun fun.

Kat nodded. She agreed a lot. She had the next seven years to decided what she liked, and what she wanted to do. Plenty of time. "I'm just here to enjoy everything here. Are there clubs here to join? Dueling club I know of already because of my older brother." And she had done that so far.

Dante was actually speechless at what Professor Paul was doing. This was just beyond anything Dante expected coming in here today. He broke out deeply laughing. This was just too hilarious. Almost as hilarious as Hugo getting turned into a ginger.

" Hahaha...oh i'm sorry Professor"

Oh he had a sibling also. Well that was a tiny bit interesting. But he was the older one so less interesting. Oh he did not need advice. He had people to go to for that. But it was appreciated. But women are like rose petals. He would have to remember that.

"Her Name is Eureka. She is in your House"

He apparently had a soft spot for hufflepuffs.

"It makes you feel things. Ergo, magic." Kaycee said with a grin. She was also pretty sure that was the appropriate time to use the word ergo. Which, was wayyy more fun than it should be to say.

She grinned. "Hey there Charles Fluffington." she said in a singsong voice that she had specially reserved for animals. "I actually don't mind. I like dogs. I have one actually."

Not at Hogwarts, obviously. But back home.

Two years. If Kaycee were the type to actually distinguish between an adult dog and a puppy that would matter. But instead, all dogs were puppies to her. Why? Because 'Nawww! Lookatdapuppppyyyy.' was so much fun to say.

Paul shook his head. "I don't either...but then again, I just burn too easily. And then the peeling thing happens and...yeah. I'd rather not deal with all that." It was just awful! He raised an eyebrow, though. "Miss Wojack-Gusey? Why?" he asked curiously. "Did you want red hair? I am not sure it's quite your color, m'boy, I can't lie." He just..no. Hugo needed to go all natural once more, yes. Few people could pull off the unnatural red look...

So odd.

"Nahh. The dog hates them, like I said...he would wiggle until they came off...or just whine at me until I took them off for him." He rolled his eyes a bit.



Paul nodded. "I'm always making tea, Leo." He chuckled. It seemed like every time someone came to his office he just had to make some...plus whenever he wanted to work on his personal things, he looked tea. Or grading. Or reading the paper.

Everything required tea, didn't it?

He listened to his friend explain Cassie's...decorating skills. Hehe. "Milton at least knows how to make it look...not feminine. Perks of dating a man--" he smiled. "Typically we're into the same...sort of look. Unfortunately, we can't share clothes because we don't wear the same things at all." It was a common question he got. 'Do you guys share clothes?' Nahhh.

Paul went to sit at his desk while the tea brewed and eyed the plant. "Hmm...nothing too dangerous..." he said as he pulled out his wand and lifted a leaf with it. It didn't move...too aggressively. "It's on the tip of my tongue...give me a minute..." he chuckled.



He believed Henric. About not disappointing him AND about the damn food fight.

"Well. I figured." He pursed his lips in a displeased fashion. "Prefects...getting blamed...codswallop." He rolled his eyes a bit and sipped his tea. "I knew you all were too good for that."

Anyways.

"If you don't want to talk about anything else...I just wanted to lecture you, m'boy. I apologize if I scared you at all, Henrc." And once more, a pleasant smile graced Paul's lips.



Paul smiled. "Well..maybe. Is there a piano in the music room?" Paul really needed to make it up to the music room. He hadn't gone at all last term with...new teacher craziness. This term he was much more settled, and thus...it should happen!

Clubs! Paul nodded. "I think so...Gobstones...I know Mr. Kitridge holds a book club, I believe..." He didn't know if SNAC existed since..Cassie left and he doubted the hag wanted to have a Divination club, really.



Dante was totally laughing at Paul, and there Herbologist couldn't even BLAME him. Pfffft. He just snorted."It's fine. I was being spazzy." So..it was excused...this time.

"Eureka! Yes she is! Eureka Botros..." his face fell slightly. "You better be nice to her, Mr. Barrington! Extremely nice. Respectful. Nice. RESPECTFUL." the boy was a snake. Paul KNEW about Slytherin boys, yes he did! He pointed at his eyes with his two fingers....and then pointed at Dante's. "Watching you, m'boy." But then he smirked and relaxed visibly.



"Emotional magic and real magic are quite different things--but I know what you mean," he smiled pleasantly and watched his dog...because he didn't want Charles to like, JUMP on Kaycee or anything. The dog could like..hurt her on accident if he did that! He was quite equitable. Side-eyeing you, Charles.

"You do? What kind? What's the name? All the details. please, Miss Richards." He grinned.

She stared at him blankly for a second. Adults. She'd have thought dancing pineapples would be something big enough to notice, but... whatever. Haddie shrugged and crammed a couple biscuits in her mouth.

"Okay," she said when her mouth was finally clear enough for her to speak. "I just wanted to say 'Hi' and 'Thank you'." Haddie stood up and walked over to the dog. If he wasn't going to come to her, she'd go to him. "That was it." After a few minutes of petting the dog, Haddie stood up. She wanted to explore some more before her next class. "Thanks again, Professor Myers. See you in class!"

Okay Dante was completely done smiling, laughing, and thinking about that not cool..smooth move. He was done and now he had cause for concern. It seemed like he had to be the one careful about Eureka. Everyone will kill him if he messed this up. Way too much pressure man. And did he seriously do the i'm watching you look look.

Oh merlin he did.

"I am respectful to her and somewhat nice. As nice as i can be. I am just new to this whole dating thing. So i'm trying"

He did like to tease and he knew about he being related to the previous Headmaster. Just like she knew who his brother was. oh merlin now he had a Professor watching him. This was something new. Though it looked like he was SOMEWHAT kidding. Dante could never tell with Professor Paul. Unlike Professor Draper.

"I will be careful. You are not the first person to say that. But i think i like the challenge. Got anymore interesting plants this year Professor?"

Usually Esme would wait patiently for her Professor Head of House to see them, but this was just too...curious and creepy for her to follow the standard protocol.

The Professor was such a softy that surely he wouldn't mind it. Or so she hoped.

After knocking on the door, she opened it and stepped inside knowing that Scarlett and Garreth were right behind her. Normally she would be curious enough to look at the surroundings - as this was her first time being here - but at the moment she had other concerns.

"Hope we aren't bothering you, sir. This doll fell against my leg while I was sitting at the Hufflepuff table. We think that someone must have lost her - probably a fellow Puff." Since it was their table... But since people from Slytherin, Ravenclaw, and Slytherin stopped by too, it could be anyone's really.

Scarlett had never been in a professors office before - it was WEIRD. Like being invited into someone's house or something. She smiled as she entered and Esme went right into why they were there, and Scarlett nodded along until she chimed in as well.

"We figure someone has to be looking for her - she's really old and probably an heirloom," she added. And also probably worth a LOT of money. Scarlett didn't want to say it, but if she had something that old, she'd probably have sold it to buy clothes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayquilz

This was a quiet student. He didn't mind quiet, he just didn't really know what to say. He was fine with sitting in silence..but most normal people were not.

"You will, I'm sure. Which subjects do you think you'll be best suited for, m'dear?" he asked, smiling away. "I was always good at Herbology, obviously, and Potions...and Creatures a bit, too."

He could be chatty for the both of them.

..And he took another biscuit. Yum yum.

Olivia quietly munched on the other biscuit in her possession, not sure what to say at the moment. But thankfully Professor Myers was nice enough to continue it on with another topic or rather a question to prod the topic along. "I'm not entirely sure," the Ravenclaw admitted truthfully. In some ways she hadn't had that much exposure to any one subject that stuck out to her.

"I mean I like talking or just listening to by grandfather about history," she remarked with a shrug. "And mum's subject...transfiguration...is pretty cool." Aurora Nairne was even an animangus which was even cooler.

"Well..no problem. Any time, Hadley." Heh, he chuckled because she seemed to be enjoying those biscuits quite a bit. "Well...if that is all, my dear, I will see you in class!" he smiled, stood up, and led her to the door. "It really was nice chatting with you...please come back!"

She seemed like such a nice girl! Clever, too.



Paul listened...and nodded. Slytherins just woooooorried him. But Dante really did seem like he had his head in the right place...for the most part. Even if he was a bit..goofy. Goofy was not the right word, but Paul couldn't think of a better one right now.

"Ahh..new...well." That was really sweet and innocent and stuff. "I'm sure you'll do just fine. YOU SHOULD BUY HER RANDOM FLOWERS." Paul clapped. "Significant others love that nonsense!" he said with a wide smile. "It'll charm her so much!" Was Dante taking notes on how to be ROMANTIC because he totally should. Paul was like......almost certain he was practically Cupid at this point, After Yoongi and Norah...and then the incident with Zeke and Maggie...and now he was giving dear, dear Dante advice.

Yep, Cupid.



Paul nodded calmly, sipping his tea ever so often as the young girl spoke. There was something about first years he really admired. So innocent, naive in a good way..ahh.

"Well, you might find that you're quite good at both, m'dear," he said with a tiny smile in her direction. He glanced at his watch, though, and sighed. "Ahhh...look at the time...I should be taking Charles out for a walk--did you want to discuss anything else? If not...well, my door is always open! I hope you know that!"



Paul had been getting ready to take Charles for a little stroll, getting the leash and collar ready, when he the knock. He was about to go tell whoever it was that he would be riiiiiiight back when...his door...opened.

And students barged right in.

Without...INVITATION. Paul wasn't mad--he was sure they had good reason--he merely pursed his lips and raised an eyebrow in their direction. Hopefully...their explanation was good. Nothing this small could bother him, but...Fluffington really needed his walk!

"Ah...what do I owe this pleasure, girls?" he asked. Then..he squinted at the doll. Hmph. "Oh..uh...it does look fairly old..." he gestured them to have a seat in front of his desk. Paul waved his wand and conjured another chair identical to the wickers in the office already. "Well--let me see it then--" he held out his hand for the doll.

Grinning Leo said as he walked around a bit in Paul's office looking at the decorations. "Isn't it sort of assumed that you like drinking tea considering your profession as Herbology professor?" Or was that just something he had gotten into his head that was wrong? If he was right it was the same for Cassie wasn't it? He'd have to ask.

Taking a seat in one of the chairs in front of Paul's desk Leo asked. "Then you never go shopping for clothes with Milton?" He never bought clothes with Cassie. Cassie did that with Nessa unless it was for Jackson and Leo liked to shop alone.

Eyes trailing over to the plant on Paul's desk Leo shrugged. "It wouldn't surprise me if the plant is somewhat dangerous. My mother doesn't really check available info on the plants before she buys them. If it looks pretty enough she takes at least one." It was becoming a problem.

Kaycee instantly perked up. She LOVED talking about her dog. Her precious baby. Ugh, she missed him.

"His name is Kason. He's three now. He's a little white Pomeranian." She smiled to herself. "Just a precious white fluffball of perfection."

And now, that was not an exaggeration.

"My parents got him for me a few years ago." In case he cared about that part.

As Scarlett chimed in on the doll probably being an heirloom, Esme nodded. It seemed that they were all in agreement here which was a good thing - especially since she had kind of barged in on her Head of House. Oops? At least he didn't seem MAD about it which was good; she would have felt bad about it otherwise.

This intruding thing was so not Hufflepuff of her.

After taking a seat in one of the chairs, she handed the doll over to him. Honestly she was happy to be rid of it since it was rather creepy.

"HA!" he laughed a little at Leo's thought. "Well..not ALL of us like tea, Leo, just like not all librarians actually like to read, you know." Some were only in it for the peace and quiet and stability of the job. "Coffee is a plant, too, you know, and not everyone likes coffee. I don't like coffee--" BLEGH it was so harsh.

"We do go shopping together just...go our separate ways, typically. It would cause too many unnecessary arguments, mostly because Milton thinks he can dictate my STYLE." PFFFT. Paul wouldn't have any of that! He was still poking and prodding the plant, too, until it stopped moving and relaxed after Paul touched a very particular spot.

"I don't think it's dangerous, mostly because it was let into the school. So it can't be too bad." Right? "It looks like a harmless leaf eater of some sort...so harmless to us, but it does enjoy eating its own kind, meaning other plants." Cannibalistic plants, man.

Paul heard the tea finish and quickly went to pour them both a cup.

A white Pomeranian. Paul had to squint and think of what the heck kind of dog that was! "Oh...are those the really puffy ones? Fluffy?" cute little buggers they were. She had just called him a fluffball.

"I like when dogs are really furry--more fun to pet them! And ahh...and who primarily cares for the dog while you're here, then?" he asked curiously.

Paul took it ever so carefully and examined it very thoroughly. It looked pretty typical...just old...but in VERY good condition, Merlin. "And you just...found it on the floor, Esme?" that was odd. "A doll this nice and...breakable should be be carried around..." hmmm.

He set it on his lap while he examined her ringleted hair, twisting the strands beneath his finger. "The hair feels so...real." It was unsettling for Paul. He shivered.

All of the sudden, Paul's pooch, Charles Fluffington, began barking furiously at Paul, baring his teeth and EVERYTHING. And when he lunged for Paul--the Herbologist had NEVER seen his dog behave in this way before--Paul jumped up to dodge out of the way, the doll clattering to the floor as he did so. Charles, so aggressive SECONDS ago, suddenly skidded to a halt and ran back to his bed, tail between his legs, whining loudly.

"Bloody dog--what in MERLIN'S PANTS--"

While the attention was on the frightened dog, the doll quickly made her escape.

Shutting the door behind her, she slipped out of the office before the humans could see.

Not a trace. She was gone.

Esme watched quietly as Professor Myers began to inspect the doll.

He was right - it WAS in immaculate condition for something that clearly was rather old. The thought hadn't occurred to her previously, and she wondered why that would be the case... "Yes, sir. More like I was sitting at the table and it bumped into my leg." She supposed that she had either knocked into it inadvertently or - no. There was no way that it moved on its own. Dolls weren't ALIVE.

The comment about the hair gave her the heebie-jeebies, but before she could comment further she was interrupted by the Professor's dog.

Normally the animals made her happy, but this was different... like the dog was SENSING something. "Dog's have a sixth sense..." she commented as she nervously looked at the doll. If it was triggering that kind of response, did that mean there was something wrong with it? But how could something be wrong with a DOLL? She was so confused...

Suddenly Professor Myers was being lunged at and the doll was knocked to the floor before the dog scampered off. "Are you all right, Professor?" she asked feeling slightly concerned before looking back over to - "Hey! Where did it go?"

Scarlett had been quietly observing as the older Hufflepuff girl handed over the doll to the professor, and then stepped back a few steps when she saw how Myers' dog reacted to the doll. She knew it was kind of creepy looking, but was it really THAT creepy? Her dog would just take it and fling it around and break it, not behave like THAT...

"Ok, that's REALLY spooky, almost like...I dunno, the dog thought it was real or something," she said with a shrug. But then - hey, Esme was right, it was gone! The dog hadn't grabbed it and ran away with it, that was certain...but it was gone. She didn't have it. Esme didn't have it. Myers didn't look like he had it...

"You don't think it...ran away do you?" she asked quietly. It wasn't the CRAZIEST thing to happen at this school but...could it seriously have run away? "Maybe it's charmed, and that's why he freaked out," she suggested, pointing to the dog. But why would someone have a charmed doll running around the castle?

This was all so weird.