Originally Posted by Zoe
(Post 12119026)
A small smile grew on her face as she listened to her colleagues' returned greetings and responses. The ones that said that they were ready for the new term earned her approval instantaneously. "Excellent," Regina responded pleasantly. She hoped that they would continue to be just as prepared and professional in the months to come. It was another hope of hers that certain members of the staff joined that bandwagon.
That smile quickly became a forced one the moment she took in the creature on Arthur's shoulder and the man that the governors had hired as the school's deputy. The rat was a surprising sight. A thought quickly fleeted through her mind: had her predecessors allowed the staff to bring their animals to the table? She was about to ask Justin, but then Paul started to loudly wheeze like a kneazle. Her mouth opened to say that she was doing quite well, but she turned her head to those who were speaking to her before she suggested River take him upstairs to the hospital wing to drink a potion and find a new outfit.
When Viktor spoke, an eyebrow rose even though she tried to maintain an expressionless face. "When students are not present, Regina would be preferred. Otherwise Headmistress Hawthorne will do."
Imogen and Rosalyn's compliments on her attire made the smile genuine again. "Thank you, ladies," the American replied to the two professors. "You're too kind."
The creaking sound of the Great Hall doors opening then briefly caught the woman's attention. She glanced over just in time to see the first students enter the room and take their seats and, a few minutes later, another group gathered around near the stool. Her first observation of the sorting was that it wasn't as intense as it was back in Ilvermorny. The hat seemed to have made up its mind fairly quick for a lot of them, whether or not it was what the student wanted. Nonetheless, each student received recognition from her.
She almost did a double take when the two familiar names were called in succession and they each took their turn with the old hat. The Westwood boys were at Hogwarts now? A mental note was made to summon them to her office in the near future to see if they were adjusting to Hogwarts just as well as she was.
A sudden shout, not belonging to the Sorting Hat, startled her. Her head jerked to the side to face Paul who had just yelled at a Ravenclaw. For a moment Regina thought he was going to scold the girl for not being where she needed to be, but then he went on about how she didn't say hello to him and started talking about their summers. The woman placed a hand beneath her chin and stared at them, giving them both a look that screamed 'Is this really the appropriate time for this conversation?' She certainly did not think so.
Her gaze would have remained had there not been a commotion from the sea of green robes. There were three distinct voices that made her eye twitch. She had heard about the poltergeists, but she hoped that they were just rumours. One poltergeist, in her opinion, was one too many.
Once the roll was thrown, the Head Girl started yelling, and the Slytherin ghost made his appearance, she took her cue to stand from her seat and loudly walked around the table to the owl-shaped podium.
"Good evening, Hogwarts," Regina said intrepidly, pausing for a moment as her greeting echoed throughout the entire hall. "I would like to begin our feast by introducing my fellow colleagues who are new to the school this year. First and foremost is Professor Imogen Greyvson, who will be teaching you the magical properties of numbers in Arithmancy. Taking the Astronomy posting and guiding you through the galaxies is Professor Carolina Salvatore, and Professor Camilla Stewart is your go-to person for all matters concerning Transfiguration. Lastly, Mr. River Reed is the new healer who will keep you all in tip top shape over the course of the term. Please join me in welcoming these new faces."
Her hands clapped together, leading the applause for the new staff members. When there was a lull, she then added, "And please join me in congratulating Professor Paul Myers, who has accepted the position of Deputy Headmaster after several years of loyal service to the school as professor of Herbology and Hufflepuff Head of House." She applauded the man for his accomplishment, in spite of her feelings toward his choice of clothing and unnecessary shouting.
As the hall became quiet once more, she continued on with her last announcement. "After several years of being a curse-breaker and teaching Defence Against the Dark Arts at Ilvermorny School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for even longer," -- as well as other circumstances -- "I made the decision to cross over the pond for what I am sure will be a memorable experience. My name is Regina Hawthorne, and I am your new headmistress."
There was a brief moment for an applause, though the woman didn't allow for it to last long. Food was to be had before it went cold or the poltergeists did something that would force them to depart with empty stomachs.
"With all the introductions and updates behind us, I wish you all a school year full of many learning moments and great achievements." Unless they wanted to make an unpleasant appearance in her office. The choice was theirs. "In the meantime, I present to you our feast."
Following a graceful wave of her hand, food and drink materialized on each of the tables and the woman click-clacked her way back to her throne-like chair. |