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On a raised dais situated at the farthest point of the Great Hall stands a long table where the members of the Hogwarts staff sit and enjoy their meal while casting a watchful eye out on the four House tables. Each staff member has an assigned, cushioned chair to sit on throughout the duration of the feast, though the more notable out of them all is the throne-like golden chair in the centre reserved for the headmaster.

Keep in mind that you should not be wandering up to the staff table if you are not a staff member before Headmaster Winterbottom has delivered his speech. Doing so may result in the loss of house points or other appropriate consequence before you even make it back to the dorms. If you wish to speak with someone who is seated up here, you will have to wait until after the speech has been said and there is food and drink on all of the tables. Make sure to keep your visit brief though -- the staff were also waiting on the food to appear and are just as hungry as you.

It sure felt nice to be back in the castle. Ean's boots clocked along the way to his usual seating as one of the first arrivals. Along his left eyebrow was a distinct line and a smaller scar near the top of his forehead. His summer had been exciting to say the least, though despite the injury and horrors his vacation ended happily. The rest of the month between the fun time with family, he had been itching to return to his home away from home. He thought of his kiddos that would be arriving in soon. His dear daughter, Zen, now only had one term left before she joined in the festivities here.

For now, Feirgrund took out the local paper to have a read. There seemed to be an ongoing article regarding some fashionista being sighted with a gentleman at a food shop. He quietly sipped his water while reading everything but the latest gossip.

Their sixth year as DADA professor, each as memorable as the last. It was safe to say that Dhruv was in high anticipation of what the new academic year would hold for them. There was a fifty-fifty chance it would be as eventful as the summer had been; with Hogwarts one can never tell. It was with those thoughts that they had arrived at the Great Hall for the Start-of-term Feast. Unsurprisingly, Dhruv was among the first to be there.

As Dhruv approached their seat, and Ean obviously, peering at the page which Ean was reading. “Ms. McLeod seems to be outdoing herself recently,’’ they remarked as they took their seat, a hand purposely but subtly brushing against Ean’s arm in the process. “She was quite a dedicated student from what I remember from her final year.” It had been the same year that they and Ean had started teaching at Hogwarts. And the only reason Dhruv knew about Aria’s and Akello’s domination of the published gossip was because of their memories of Aria here.

He might have been technically back at Hogwarts off and on for the last few weeks getting settled in both in his classrooms and personal spaces, but this…THIS evening was making Marcus feel. Well, a whole fix of feelings. It had been decades since the herbologist had been back at the school of his youth surrounded by the energy of the Start of Term feast. His three children had all passed through it in between for each of their seven years. And now he was back on the other side of things, getting ready to teach the next generation of students.

Nervous was an understatement, but he wasn’t letting it show on his face as he made his way from one of the side doorways and towards the staff dais. Two gentlemen who he had met at various staff gatherings were already there thankfully so it need not appear as his anxiousness had made him early. “Good evening,” he greeted with a polite smile as he stepped up to be level with them, pausing briefly to remember the layout of the seating arrangements. Alphabetical…which made it somewhat easier to think his colleagues with their subjects as he learned everything by counting chairs.

Even as a grown adult, Hadleigh had to admit it, summer break always went by so quickly. It had been filled with lots of special moments with her family in between even more travels where she got to tend to creatures. Nothing was better than time spent caring for creatures in need while her family was at her side.

"Hello everyone, how are you all this evening?" The creatures professor smiled warmly at the three men already sat at the staff dias. "How was everyone's summer? Eventful I'm sure?" Hady directed her question towards whomever felt like chatting a little before the Headmaster joined them and the speech was given.

First things first though, the brunette pulled out her chair at the table and settled herself down into it, hazel eyes briefly wandering over the house tables and students as they arrived.

Oh how WONDERFUL it always was to be back gracing the halls of Hogwarts.

Apollonia was certainly not letting the side down by appearing at the feast in her bright yellow robes of which the number that were in her wardrobe had grown exponentially over the summer. They were of course clashing with the purple trousers underneath but the thought hadn’t even crossed her mind that such colours should never be seen together. The shop assistant in Malkins had tried to be ever so helpful with her advice and steer the professor away from anything that might require a pair of sunglasses to look at, Fergersnout had thanked her for her consideration but bought it all anyway.

Anything to support her Badgers to win the house cup this year. Or at least serve as an inspiration to do so, she’d be proud of their efforts regardless but she WAS getting a little bored of seeing the same colour..

“The view looks strange from up here doesn’t it?” She spoke to Marcus as she took her seat next to the new Herbology professor before sending an enthusiastic wave down the table to the others already seated.

Gooooooooodness gracious HEAVENS above!

Why hadn't anyone alerted her to the time?!

Dismissing dear Algamus from assisting her with some final but VERY essential touches to the Astronomy Tower, Marion descended from floor to floor to floor through yet another floor until arriving at the ground floor and gliding her enchanting transparent through the occasional wall until she at laaaaaaast arrived at the Great Hall. She does apologize, dears, for the student or two or ten that she may have floated through in her haste. Fear not, she loathed the whole experience as much as you, love.

"Gooooood evening, DARLINGS," she greeted the table at large in her usual boisterous manner. Oh if only her seat were just ONE over so she could sit proper between two positively glorious stud muffins. However, seeing as she was a ghosts there really was no sitting to be had. Absolutely NOOOOOO offense meant to you, Hady darling. Marion was delighted to be joining beside you this term. She just could not help the young teenage girl still within the old dead ghost. "You all are looking absolutely ravishing and remarkably solid this evening." Extra winks towards you stud muffins - you knew who you were!

She took her seat floated above her seat before she turned her attention to Hady. "Now, tell me my dear. Do gnomes know how to climb stairs? I dooooooo believe I may have an infestation that needs dealt with but it could also very well be Peeves thinking he is being funny when he is faaaaaaaar from it."

Another year ... another summer of future Quidditch stars. Amelia had arrived to the staff table after many of her counterparts, having been distracted with some dungeon remodeling. She never knew why they insisted on resetting the dungeons to a dark dreariness each summer, having spent the last couple weeks brightening the corridors up with colours once more.

It was only when she felt her stomach grumbling that she glanced at the time and realized how late it had gotten. Time certainly did fly with redecorating, and the potions mistress had quickly scrambled to get more 'feast-ready', which today was just throwing on some dark purple robes over her yoga pants (which fortunately were concealed by the robes since pants were far too casual for an opening feast)

It was taking her seat that she realized Ms Callie Phlour was no longer beside her. In the young girl's place was an older gentleman that now that recalled at the staff meeting earlier this month, she had known him vaguely from decades ago.

"Good evening everyone," she said politely to her fellow staff, "Trust you all had a wondrously delightful summer."

Jeorge was never late.

Everyone else was too eager to be early; it made him look late.

Strolling behind the rushing women, or rather one rushing woman and one floating, the Muggle Studies Professor had no concerns about the time as he settled into his seat between Fergersnout and Carton. “Evenin’” he nodded at the already present faculty. His eyes scanned the assembled crowd and over to the sorting ceremony, at the eager or nervous faces on the young ones. Nothing to be concerned about, Hogwarts was a breeze or at least it had been for the former Ravenclaw anyway. Nowadays he had no particular affiliation with any of the houses, the kids would do well in any of them he was sure of it.

His greater concerns lay with how to ensure they take his subject seriously which is what his mind wandered to as he scratched at his bearded chin.

Another glorious summer had come and gone and the smile Wilber wore was unparalleled. His desire to travel all but obliterated in the wake of Clove’s passing, he had decided to put his big boy shoes on and don his most colorful pocket squares and revisit one of her favorite destinations: Marbella. He did not travel alone, of course, as it was a requirement that Earl be by his side whenever possible, but there had been a couple of hours of rough waters. Posing for a picture together, the delightfully charming young witch holding the camera had been counting down to “uno..dos..” and then the demiguise was suddenly gone and vanished without a tres. It turned out that Earl had spotted a nearby bush with too tantalizing to resist leaves that had to be savored immediately, but Wilber did wish the demiguise could have done so without his invisibility switched on.

His pleasantly sunkissed skin made his greying hair look even more like freshly powdered snow as he ascended the dais and hobbled his way behind the other’s chairs towards the headmaster’s position in the center with greetings of ‘good evening’ and tender pats to each’s shoulder as he passed. All but Marion, that is. “Oh fiddlesticks. I plum forgot to ask the house elves to distribute the jams and marmalades I procured for you all during my trip over the holiday,” he lamented loudly as he flopped into his seat with a muffled grunt. “Oh well, no matter. Seeing as the little dears are all jammed up this evening with feast preparations, I shall see to that in the morning.”

And perhaps Peeves had been behind the mysterious disappearance of one of his juggling balls last term. It would be very much like the poltergeist to play such tricks on an old but spritely man such as himself.

Wilber’s eyes twinkled out over the Great Hall and sighed contently. He would wait just a bit more before he stood to give his ceremonious start of term speech.

Marcus was moving away from the Charms and Defense professors when they were joined by another. “Hello,” he echoed, returning her greeting. Creatures, the herbology professor registered as she moved to her seat. He wasn’t sure about the answer for the evening, but for the summer “Chaotic…but good.” Surely she of all professors understood the balanced dichotomy given magical creatures can make life as interesting as magical plants could.

Finally completing his journey to the correct spot on the table, Marcus was greeted by his nearest neighbor. Her brightly lit attire a stark contrast to his more subdued deep blue robes, the man having decided to represent his old house for the evening on a whim. Perhaps she was just attempting to do the same, he mused to himself as he recovered. . “That it does,” he remarked with a nod to the woman, looking back out over the students as they started to file in more and more. “It might take getting used to…” finally taking his own seat.

Just in time for two more women to join the table, one living and one well not so much so. “Good evening,” he responded across the table to the boisterous ghost, trying not to feel awkward at the added comment that was made. Though no doubt Lily or Ash would be amused if they heard about it. At least his other neighbor was also more subdued if not taken just a touch of surprised by his presence. Hopefully she wasn’t too close to the woman he had taken after and hold it against him. Marcus hadn’t known his fellow herbologist, but he did know the flying and potions instructor at least as a former classmate. “Good evening,” he returned with a polite smile. “Yes, it was fairly fern-tastic.”

Whoops…he had promised his kids no puns.

Saved by his fellow new professor who joined on the side of the badger head. “Good evening,” he echoed to the muggle studies professor. One he had vaguely picked up as a potential younger housemate of his. Still hadn’t had the chance to confirm as the headmaster made his arrival amongst his staff. “Good evening Headmaster,” he said as they exchanged greetings, the man someone Marcus had pegged as another former classmate though an elder which made him feel a little better on not being the eldest on staff.

Norman would have arrived at the feast sooner, had it not been for a particularly ill-timed floo call from his daughter. Honestly, Normandie would talk his ear off if she let him! Just like her mother… He chuckled softly to himself at the memory, absentmindedly fidgeting with his wedding ring.

Trying to be as inconspicuous as possible, he took his seat at the far end of the table just in time to hear the headmaster mention jams and marmalade. ”Good evening, all,” he greeted his colleagues with a polite nod to each person in turn. Turning toward the headmaster, he said, ”That's quite generous of you, Wilber. I take it you had an enjoyable holiday?”

He settled back into his seat, his bluish-green eyes scanning the house tables. So far the only sign of shenanigans he saw was a certain student who didn't belong at the Ravenclaw table. He shot a look in that direction, as if to say he wasn't blind to the situation, but he'd give Walles time to return to her own house table.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that his neighbor [Jeorge] appeared to be lost in thought. Rather than disturb said thoughts by talking, he spoke to the new herbology professor instead. ”Enjoying your first official day so far?” he asked.

Ean had taken to reading The Prophet more often, checking to see if certain summer events made the paper. Luckily, his eyes could only find clippings of the latest discounted deals in the shops. He'll have to clip some of those for later. Anyways, he didn't pay too much attention to gossip in a newspaper. Unless it was in The Quibbler, they often entertainingly fabricated things. Smiling as Dhruv joined his presence, patting their shoulder. "Indeed, she was always studious and offered to clean up after each lesson." Flipping the page as his eyes were still on the paper, "According to this edition, Ms. McLeod-Falade are working on buying a new collection of rubber ducks to decorate their family home." Passing the paper over for them to check out as he was essentially done with scoping the clippings. "I expect their saga is only getting started."

"Evening, Marcus," Ean greeted. If they were closer seated, he'd have given them a friendly pat on the upper back as he usually greeted his masculine colleagues. For now, an acknowledge will do. "Hello Hady," He gave a friendly smile. "Eventful is one way to describe it. I got to see even more places than usual."He said. There was a lot of good, bad, scary, but mostly good things in the end. "How was your summer?"He asked. Apollonia's entrance was also acknowledged, given her bright appearance it would be tragic for him to have missed out on giving her a wave and greeting. The same could be said for Amelia and Jeorge. He would have to speak with them later on sometime after the feast was concluded for another matter.

"Evening, Marion," Ean said to the not-so-new arrival. It was a change for him to refer to his former Professor as now colleague. Having her Astronomy lesson back in his third year of schooling. As for her compliment, "You're looking bluetiful this evening." Returning the flattery. Hearing about the gnomes, he glanced at Dhruv to see their reaction to the ordeal, though he imagined Hady could handle it on her own.

Wilber arrived followed by Norman, both he also acknowledged with a friendly wave and greeting. Jams and Marmalades? "That sounds delicious, Headmaster. What flavours shall we be expecting?" He'll definitely be saving some for his office and send some to Zen, Beatrice, and Firash, in that exact order.

Dhruv had suggested Ean not to obsess with those events, that it was in the past. But at the same time, they understood why he wanted to check the papers ever so often. Now seated, they focused their gaze on the rest of the pages that the paper was currently open to. “She was rather helpful. It’s nice to see her doing so well for herself now.” As was the case of many, many students that had passed through Hogwarts. Dhruv collected the paper, opening it up to the sports section. “Rubber ducks?” they asked with a chuckle. “Another edition or another publishing will say it’s actually ceramic swans or something of the sort.” Honestly, the silliness that was written at times. Dhruv did not envy anyone who’s life was forced into the usually critical public’s eyes. “Reckon we’ll have any more dramatics involving the Sorting Hat like we did last year?” Dhruv was referring to the incident involving Paul Rocker last year.

Their remaining colleagues were filing in now and Dhruv made sure to return each of their greetings. First up was the new Herbology professor. “Good evening,’’ Dhruv replied kindly because the poor guy clearly was nervous. They hoped that he would be able to settle in comfortably and be at ease soon. “Hello, Hady.” There was always a bright smile for one of their closest friends. “I’ll tell you all about it later,’’ they added to Ean’s words. The DADA professor's attention was drawn to the clashing colours approaching the table. Of course it was Apollonia with her outrageous colour combos {the good sort}. They returned her wave then greeted the next arrival. Obviously they did not know just what Marion was thinking about them and Ean but Dhruv would have been highly amused, though… her constant winks did the job too. “Good evening, Marion,’’ they replied, thinking yet again how interesting it is to have a ghost as a colleague this term. Their lips twitched in a smile at Ean’s twist on the compliment. An eyebrow was arched at the mention of the gnomes and when his gaze met Ean’s. Dhruv would be more than happy to render help to Hady if need be.

Greetings were returned to Amelia, Jeorge, Norman and finally, Wilbur. The pat to the shoulder was acknowledged and upon hearing about jams and marmalades, echoed the sentiments of the others. “Thank you, Wilbur. That’s thoughtful.”

Good evening indeed! As much as he had enjoyed the copious amounts of sunshine, it felt lovely being back in the more temperate climate that England had to offer. “I certainly did,” he nodded to the Transfiguration professor. “Though methinks Earl enjoyed the trip more than myself at times.” Quite good that the Ravenclaw head of house had superior eyesight to Wilber as the greying man would be lucky to distinguish a unicorn from a nundu at this distance. Swiveling his entire body to look at the Charms professor, Wilber rubbed his white fuzz masquerading itself as a beard to help shake that information loose from his thoughts. “Oh well I couldn’t quite help myself and bought the lot, you see. Quince, apricot and lavender, fig, bitter orange, and redcurrant … the list goes on and on, dear. Some do have a smidgen of chili or pepper in them for a pleasant sort of kick unless you do not favor spice so absolutely check the labels before indulging.” He surely had brought back enough for everyone to take home two jars at least and anything left could be put in the staff room to have with a snack and cup of tea.

Rubbing his knees as the Sorting came to a close and the infamous hat escorted back to his office, Wilber gave the Great Hall another proud look over before standing. “Be just a moment,” he smiled at his colleagues while making his way out from behind the table with a jovial couple of pats to his rumbling tummy. “Thinking of going on a seafood diet, meaning I see food, and I eat it.” He had young people to address now, you see. Now standing behind the owl lectern, Wilber raised both his hands high and waited for all the youthful jabbering to quiet. “Welcome one, welcome ALL to what will surely be another wonderful year at Hogwarts. Additional welcoming sentiments to our first years and transfers and a wholehearted congratulations on the results of your Sortings. Your housemates and heads of house are eager to make your acquaintances as you embark on your unique journeys here and join the universal pilgrimage towards that bright and auspicious horizon called the future.”

A brief pause to allow for a humble round of applause instigated by himself and he was off on some more speech giving. “My dear wife would often say that dreaming is how we prepare for the future, so never stop dreaming and go to sleep Wilber,” he chuckled and swiftly wiped away at the corner of his eye. “So dream big and dream in abundance, young people, but I must remind you all that Patented Daydream Charms are strictly prohibited in the classroom and their usage during such times an insult to your professors and the expertise they are so enthralled to share with you.” He paused to give the mass of young impressional faces one of his more stern looks and even peered over the rim of his thick black spectacles. “And speaking of professors, we have two new faces joining us as the helm of this fine vessel this term, so if you will all please join me in a round of applause as we welcome Professor Marcus Cole as your new professor of Herbology and Professor Marion Burbage as she glides into the role of Astronomy professor. Good luck professors, we are rooting for you both.” And another pause for another round of applause.

“A reminder that classes begin Monday morning at 8, so remember to get copious amounts of sleep in between all your dreaming and weekend fun. Professor Feirgrund and Professor Leroy will be posting Gobstone sign-ups on the school’s bulletin board sometime next week and Professor Adara will be hosting a quidditch tryout in the immediate future as well. Enthusiastic youths best keep both eyes open and wide for those updates as well as consider the plethora of other clubs and organizations available to widen your minds and strengthen your perspectives,” he explained with a wink and clasped his hands together with a dramatic SMACK. “Now, I am certain you are all quite tired of hearing my voice and ready to have your tummies filled by all the delectable dishes prepared by the house elves. Thus, if any student can tell me what you call a bagel that can fly without the aid of magic then there is a handful of butterscotch candies and a little something extra special awaiting you. Eat your fill, my dears,” he finally concluded with a robust couple of claps of his hands to make the food appear at each table. “Truly, eat up and cheers to a new year at Hogwarts!”

If Amelia was blessed in the art of Legilmency she would have agreed with Jeorge in that a wizard was never late. Truth be told, arriving before the feast and the sorting ceremony meant they were not late. She nodded at him in greeting, as she glanced over toward Wilber who had delighted in summer vacation if his skin tone wasn't enough a giveaway. While she hadn't a destination summer, it delighted her that her colleagues were able to take part in such. What was the ramblings about jams and marmalades though? In his sun-kissed frenzy he seemed to have been lax with the customary dad joke, but his jolly demeanor was enough. "Raspberry jam in the morning does sound lovely, thank you," Amelia admitted, patting his fingers in return when they touched her shoulder. Or as she head the list of a few items rattled off to Ean, she glanced over again. "Or well perhaps some fig and bitter orange sounds intriguing." It'd probably do her well to have something unique from raspberry.

Though she didn't recall Marcus too much from their school days, if he recalled anything of her she was never the type to hold grudges. Unless you were a Slytherin named Cassandra, but even grudges with her old nemesis was long forgotten. She smiled though at his pun. "Fern-tastic, huh? As long as you didn't go stir-crazy awaiting your return." Little less obvious subject connection with hers.

The transfiguration professor got a nod as well, but there would be time to catch up on summer later. Anyone more than a seat away, she really hated to chit-chat with as it felt strained. That included Ean, whom she caught his wave and would definitely be speaking with him later. Likewise for Dhruv.

Grateful to not be involved too much with chatter as the head bossman was about to begin his customary opening speech now that the sorting ceremony had concluded. Seafood diet. Har har. Although if one asked her, it was her favorite sort of diet. She applauded discreetly at his welcome to the first years and transfers, eager particularly to see if any would show promise in flying. Particularly with Wilber's mention of Gobstones sign-ups and Quidditch tryouts in the immediate future. No time to deliberate too long as there was that customary dad joke. A bagel that can fly without magic?? Wait. Is that what she thought it was ?? She studied the headman and glanced over to Jeorge, thinking as muggle studies professor perhaps he'd know this. Which after a moment, she was fairly sure she knew the answer.