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Post by Tamis Raynor on Feb 25, 2008 20:32:53 GMT -5
12 May 2008 8:00 PM
The Staff Antechamber was a mixture of odds and ends; the horrid floral patterned sofa and the wooden chair that groaned threatening if one dared to apply one’s full weight to it. It was a combination of the misfit furniture that was not on par to the standards of Hogwarts, but was not yet deemed condemned. The house common rooms were outfitted with plush, cushioned chairs and polished sturdy rockers for students to sink into, and the staff members were left with the rag-tag faded oddments to gingerly sit half precariously on. It was irony defined, but proof that even a massive, well-funded institution like Hogwarts made budget cuts; especially of late.
The Headmistress of the before mentioned establishment was seated in a sun bleached red armchair with the stuffing exposed in various places. Or rather, she was trying to appear sitting comfortably without her legs twitching in tell-tale evidence that she would rather be standing. So far she was successfully, but only just barely. Her own comfort zone would to be to approach this thing standing with her feet grounded firmly on the floor and ready to take the blow of whatever might befall her. Alas, as an authority figure and ultimately the matriarch of the school, standing might invariably make others uncomfortable to sit while she stood. So she sat.
It was the first staff meeting called during Raynor’s “reign”; the first one period since Fiona had taken office in year two thousand and one. Most of the staff she therefore knew only formally or on a touch-and-go relationship if she had hired them. That alone was cause for anxiety. But on top of that, many of the staff members had been exposed to the Invasion months before. Many had already made their resignations; Norbrooks, Mason, Marcos, Justus… the instability was worrisome, if not unforeseen. How many more would leave? How many more would staff? And how many replacements could be found? Tamis was never one for riddles or guessing games. She would much rather get to the heart of a matter and know the blunt, hard facts so that she could retaliate. And therefore, she had done the unthinkable for the first time in seven years; she had “asked” for the Hogwarts faculty to convene at a common time, in a common place, for a common agenda.
Earlier that morning, parchment sealed with the Hogwarts crest had tracked down the various adult bodies in the castle that served on a payroll. They had floated after their addressed victim until they were opened, no matter where they were or how long it took ( Raynor had a return letter hours ago from the Caretaker concerning one’s privacy in the loo) until they were opened. They would similarly loom placidly over mentioned charges until exactly four minutes from now, and then go into a rampaging harassment until their appointee made an appearance in the Antechamber. It was a wonderful display of enchantment and Transfiguration that the Headmistress was proud of.
So now, shoving her worries and fears of the future aside, she dreaded waited patiently as the next four minutes to tick by, when soon, the various members of her staff would filter in and discuss the impending doom of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
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Desideria Tapia
Hogwarts Staff
LOA Hufflepuff Head of House Professor Potions
Posts: 225
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Post by Desideria Tapia on Feb 25, 2008 21:45:49 GMT -5
What a racketing mess. All morning long Desideria had been doing this and that to complete a few loose ends for classes nearing their ending of the term, having come in halfway through had made things awfully hard to get right into the swing of things, there were some things she would've taught students that she'd recently discovered were never taught, she had planned on testing students on potions they may never have heard of before, and now she had to find those ends in order to sort through and put to order many, many things. It was a terrible disgrace in the woman's mind, though it was possible the previous Potions Professor had a mind to teach them at different times than she would've, but it was still horrid.
And then on top of discovering such information, she'd been bothered with a damn piece of parchment that no matter how often she'd placed it on her desk to look at later, no matter how many sticking spells she'd used, or gluing potions, the damn thing would free itself in due time and flutter in her face. Understanding the letter was of importance, Desideria was a tad bit annoyed when she found something more to be of importance. And throughout her entire first period class the thing wouldn't stop pestering.
Finally, once the bell rang, she tore it open to see what was so important that it had to bob around her head, flitter in her ears, and make a complete nuisance of itself. Ridiculous it was. Though, a staff meeting, the first since she'd been hired was probably a good idea. Matters of importance for the next term, what in Merlin's name would they be discussing that was so important that a meeting had to be called on such short notice? It was a good thing she hadn't planned on experimenting that night. And after managing a good sticking charm on the darn thing, it only barely fluttered a little but at least it didn't pull itself free this time.
At 7:30, Desideria was hauling her portly body through the dungeons and up the stairs to the staff chamber, a place she hardly used. Her own preference was to keep in the dungeons with her beloved potion supplies. The hissing, popping, and other excessive noise from her office was a common occurrence since she'd arrived.
Arriving at the room a while after, the woman huffed a bit in breath as she looked around the room, surprised to see she was the first one to arrive on the scene. A few more moments could've been spent with the bubbling creation she'd had to remove from the heat and let cool while she attended this lovely party. It was a good thing she'd thought to bring her crocheting bag, at least she had something for her hands to do while she waited, and possibly she'd be able to complete the sweater she'd been working on for the last few weeks. And if she was even luckier, she'd be able to crochet right through the meeting.
"Good evening, 'Eadmistress," the woman called in greeting before spotting a place that would keep her in good vision of who came and likely the looks on their faces while business was gone over.
Taking a seat on a striped brown and yellow chair, one that groaned in protest to her weight, the Potions Professor brought out the yarn and hooks to begin. A putrid green and smoky gray were the colors she was using this time around. In her mind they looked rather nice together.
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Post by fauna on Feb 25, 2008 22:19:44 GMT -5
There had been no immediate reaction to the creamy white slip of paper creeping beneath the crack in her door and finding its way into her life. In fact the rather ditzy deputy headmistress had not even noticed the thing flying about her face. It was like not seeing the swarm of flies that was clearly making buzzing noises in your ears. No, instead the plump woman had simply dismissed it as a trick of her imagination caused by too much time spent around those fumes that filled every crevice in the greenhouses. The ambience, both magical and non-magical, in those building could really get one's head spinning from time to time if it was a particularly stifling day. It wasn't until later that morning that the woman finally recognized the thing for what it really was. While some may have found the accursed letter quite bothersome to their daily activities, Fauna found them to be quite a show of one's skill. Zooming all about her it had simply refused to give way to her proper work and thus she was forced to give her undivided attention to the thing before commencing her morning class preparations. Of course this was only a summons to the staff antechamber, but she was excited nonetheless. Getting to know these other professors was really difficult you know!
It was almost time for the meeting by the time Fauna found herself remembering that she was supposed to be there at a certain time. Oh, she was never good with times. Particularly dreadful with them. It was only by some sort of miracle worked by Merlin himself that she was able to get to her classes on time, and even that was a bit debatably as seen by the quickly thrown together manner in which she would often open her classes. This time was no exception. Dressed in her usual mix matched attire --which basically looked like her wardrobe threw up on her-- she made her way down, across, through, and up, the hallways to reach her destination. Only dropping here and there to reprimand -eh politely scold- a few students who were making such a carrying-on in the hallway. Some kind of wing banger or dooly bobber that was making a ruckus that goodness knew what would come of it, or what it even meant for that matter. At any rate this little sidetrack lasted all of three minutes before she continued to the meeting that requested her presence. Oh, the last time she had come face to face with her esteemed headmistress was when she was given the job in the first place or was there a time after that. Honestly working in a fully functional magical institution such as this was not working memories for her wonders --or wonders for her memories?
Fauna stopped yet again to force two of the older teens to stop from eating each others faces off. What an act of public display to commit at such a time of day. Sure on a Saturday afternoon out by the lake, or even on one of those romantic walks in the courtyard. But for Merlin's sake. She sighed and told the students to proceed on their way back to the common rooms. Children these days, she couldn't believe it. In her day children were much more well behaved and of course would never think to suck the lips off their partner before even making it ten steps from the Great Hall.
It was when Fauna strolled into the staff antechamber that her usual glamorous smile made its way back to her face. Despite the long day and end of the year drag she was feeling cheery at the moment. A meeting meant things were going to get done, and making sure things got done was always a good thing to do!
"Hello there Desideria, and you too Tamis!" she addressed both of them informally, as was her way. She sat her nice big tush on a rather ratty looking brown chair. Stuffing was threatening to squirt out of the sides and the seams were unraveling down to the leg of the chair, but goodness it was comfy --and the chair matched her loafers. The moment she sat the bottom of the chair seemed to sag, but she didn't notice. She just sat, looked, and waited.
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Post by Devin Brady on Feb 25, 2008 23:55:38 GMT -5
It was odd that out of all people in the world it had been Devin's letter that malfunctioned. As soon as his had arrived it began to immediately attack him, something he was far from fond of. He had simply been sitting in his, get this, sitting area reading over a spell book he hadn't looked at in years when in flew a letter. To his surprise he had hardly finished the letter when it began to blatantly harass him. There of course was only one person to possibly blame for this heinous crime, Tamis Raynor. Of course he did have to applaud her on some fine Transfiguration, and he was one to know... he did teach it.
So after a nice time spent counteracting the spells, Devin decided he better clean up, soot was never good for a meeting, especially one in which Raynor would be present. He was sure she had set him up, and he could just see her waiting for his arrival. Waiting for him to show up a mess, hair astray looking a mess. Devin Brady would however not tolerate that, he would come in looking as if nothing happened at all, at least he would not look disheveled.
So instead of walking in looking like he had been attacked by a fireplace, he walked in looking as if he hadn't even been fazed. His black robes, were plain, but crisp. His hair combed, his face shaven. He looked near perfect, without making himself stand out too much, just as he wanted. The only thing that a trained eye might catch, would be his right hand, scrunched up in a fist. If they were really good they might even see the burnt looking piece of paper in the hand. Or even see him place it in front of her while whispering, "I seemed to have burnt my note, hardly finished reading it when it attacked me. Wouldn't have any clue what happened would you Tamis?" His voice so pleasant, yet with a hint of mockery. Just as he wanted.
He smiled and went to sit down in a good seat. One with general access to everyone, not too far away from Raynor... but surely not too close. It was when he walked up to his seat of choice when he noticed how ugly and uncomfortable looking it was. He just stopped himself from jumping back, and instead took out his wand. With a few quick wand movements and a light tap, the chair transformed. Now instead of a ugly old chair, sat a plush comfortable one... much more suitable.
"Hello all," he said in a light tone, nodding.
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Allegra Thornton
Hogwarts Staff
Administrative Assistant Witch
^it's just me^
Posts: 2,420
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Post by Allegra Thornton on Feb 26, 2008 0:10:17 GMT -5
Allegra's note had been promptly opened and read as soon as it had made its appearance over her breakfast plate. She noted the meeting in her agenda and as soon as she had, the folded piece of parchment made itself fairly unobtrussive just above her left shoulder, where it stayed quietly until after dinner time. At precisely 7:45, it tickled her ear a bit, making the nineteen year old girl giggle a little, but did nothing more. There was no need to as she was already on her way to the staff room, notebook and quill in hand, just in case notes needed to be taken.
She slipped in quietly, taking a seat by the window, doing her best not to call attention to herself. Yes, she was part of the staff, but it always felt a little odd to her, being in the room with the Professors. She wasn't sure why. They hadn't been this intimidating while she was a student.
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Post by chadwick on Feb 26, 2008 7:08:29 GMT -5
Chad had ignored his letter since the early morning and had managed to hold off on acknowledging it. He was now asleep, with the envelope prodding him in the side of the heads, begging to be noticed. Finally, Chad sighed and rolled over, nearly having the thing poke him in the eye before opening it and starting to read. The thing was damn long and Chad didn't have the patience, for at attention span to get through it. However, it seemed rather important so he rolled off the couch of the staff lounge and checked himself in the mirror. Sporting the new shaved head haircut, Chad didn't have much to worry about. He looked fairly presentable and flattened down his shirt and jeans before making his way to the staff antechamber.
Arriving, Chad looked around at the assembled staff, not really knowing any of them except Allegra. But she was someone he didn't really have any desire to see as of that moment. He went with not noticing her as he made his way around the chamber, nodding to all the other members of staff he didn't know as he found himself a seat. The chair looked suspicious, but Chad took a chance and sat in it anyways. It groaned and swayed dangerously, but he braved it out, making himself as comfortable as he could.
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Post by viola on Feb 26, 2008 8:53:27 GMT -5
Her door was always open, and on this particular day Annemarie almost wished it hadn’t been. Not that it would seem it would have stopped the notice any, but at the same time Annemarie could only hope that it would have delayed it a bit from bothering her. Between Morey’s conversation with her about the students all hoping she would have some sort of an accident, and just the tension she felt with the some of the staff in general, Annemarie really wasn’t looking forward to getting together with the lot of them and discussing anything.
What if Alfonz Jedynak was there? She could only hope Chadwick Embers would not have a plate of potatoes anywhere near him. And then there was the fact that even though Devin Brady had not said anything to her about the house point dilemma with Felicity Hjort, she really didn’t want to get into that discussion. She wouldn’t take it back, nor change it even if she could. But for the first time in her life, Annemarie was feeling a bit guilty for reprimanding a student.
It had to be that she was coming down with some kind of sickness. Either that, or just with the way she was feeling…she was guilty for leaving her sisterhood. Otherwiswe, when did Annemarie van Aller, Head of Slytherin house, ever feel guilty about doing something right? She rolled her eyes frustrated like at her desk without even realizing she was doing it. The letter was to the point and more like an asking, though Annemarie knew it wouldn’t look good if she didn’t show. Sighing, Annemarie got herself ready that evening for it, hoping that all would go well and she could find a nice seat beside one of the professors that didn’t mind that she was there.
Walking down the flight of stairs, to the staff antechamber, Annemarie pasted a rather fake, but enthusiastic smile upon her face as best she could. Wonders and worries went through her head about what, if anything, other professors had heard students saying about her. Maybe Morey was just more in tune to hear what the children were saying, or just know in general due to his field. Annemarie could only hoped that her friend would be there that night. He always seemed to calm her nerves.
Entering the room, she could see that the room was filling up rather fast and though she knew some, others she didn’t, and there were even those she wished she hadn’t ever known. Nodding at some, ignoring others, Annemarie found herself wandering over to Tapia’s side and taking a seat near her in another chair.
But she said nothing as she looked around the room, making eye contact with some and smiling, and at others she still completely ignored. Some of it was because she didn’t know them, but mostly, it was because she had had a run in with them in the past and thought nothing nice about them. So, respectfully, she kept her thoughts to herself and her mouth shut. If one had nothing nice to say about another, one didn’t say anything at all.
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Allegra Thornton
Hogwarts Staff
Administrative Assistant Witch
^it's just me^
Posts: 2,420
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Post by Allegra Thornton on Feb 27, 2008 21:04:23 GMT -5
As more staff members entered, Allegra took notice, mentally ticking off who still needed to arrive. At the entrance of Chad, she looked up and tried to smile in his direction, still seeing no reason that would keep her from being friendly towards the quidditch ref. Her old boyfriend had returned to London and she had been happy to see him. The meeting had been awkward, especially when Chad had entered the conversation, but Kellen had handled it with grace. Chad, on the other hand, had acted overly-possessive and had gone off pouting.
Of course, Chad decided to continue his childish behavior this day, and at his obvious snub, she rolled her eyes and went back to her paperwork. She was starting to see that it was a good thing Kellen had come back when he had. Even if she and Kellen never dated again, she was sure she didn't want to be with anyone who acted like Chad was acting. He really had no reason to be that jealous over what had just been a hug between old friends. If Chad had wanted any right to be that possessive over her, he should have been a real man and asked her to be his girlfriend a month ago.
So that was that, the former Ravenclaw decided. Of course she would be pleasant, but she was done trying to make things better. When he wanted to be a grown-up, he would. She continued scratching away on her notepad, only briefly looking up when another body entered.
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Post by chadwick on Feb 28, 2008 6:30:11 GMT -5
Chad turned his head slightly and looked back in the direction of Allegra. He missed her, and he didn't want to be acting like this. He knew it was an overreaction and didn't quite understand why he'd done it in the first place. It was stupid and childish and now he knew Allegra would probably not be speaking to him after another childish display. With another sigh, Chad leaned forward, his chair announcing to the room that he had done so with a loud, pained groan. The quidditch ref tried to ignore it as his elbows found his knees and he picked at his nails nervously, glancing up at Allegra a few times.
Finally, he stood up, his chair announcing that too, and made his way over to where she was. He pulled a safer-looking chair to himself and sat next to her. She looked concentrated, with a rather cute expression on her face as well. Chad reached out and touched her hand lightly. "Can I talk to you after this?" he asked her, already able to hear desperation in his tone, "Please?"
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Desideria Tapia
Hogwarts Staff
LOA Hufflepuff Head of House Professor Potions
Posts: 225
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Post by Desideria Tapia on Feb 28, 2008 13:39:23 GMT -5
"Evening Fauna," Desideria greeted the woman in return as she started counting stitches, making sure not to go to many over or too many under. The woman wasn't great at crocheting, or knitting, but she could do well enough to make a sweater look like a sweater without any excessive holes. Keeping the dark brown orbs gazing down on her yarn, the Potions Professor tried not to let herself become too distracted by the entering bodies, ones she knew, but most she didn't. Living in the dungeons, where her experiments took place, she hadn't done much to get out to meet and become lively with too many of the other staff members. In fact, she really had only met just a few. Faces were recognizable, but most definitely not distinguished by name.
Loop...Double Stitch...Hook, it was all so confusing, but nonetheless, it kept her hands from being idle. Something she couldn't stand were idle hands. Even twiddling thumbs were better than doing absolutely nothing with the things. They were available to create, to be used, not to sit idly at one's side or in one's lap.
"Why, 'ello deary," she spoke to the Muggle Studies Professor who took up the un-occupied seat on her side, glancing up to smile. "It's been while, 'ow've you been?" There'd been a few times she'd seen Annemarie around the corridors, but mostly it was when one or both of them were bustling on by the other. Desideria had no idea teaching would be such hard work at times, though she couldn't say she didn't enjoy it.
While re-counting over the stitches made in her length of the sweater, she heard a rather desperate voice. It was low, but there was that pleading in it. Turning to see what was going on, being nosy and not minding at all, she squinted and crinkled her nose. It was disgusting, emotions only got in the way of things, reason why Desideria never bothered with anything but her potions half the time. At least you didn't have to worry about them up and leaving, and if they did, then you better be sure to chase it down.
Turning her attention back to the younger woman, Desideria rolled her dark eyes. "Young love, disgusting, despicable, and unnecessary," she muttered in low tones, only meant for the other woman's ears. While she really had no idea what was going on, she knew that tone of voice, the same one she'd heard her mother use before on men, and they on her. "A person is better off just becoming a hermit."
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Allegra Thornton
Hogwarts Staff
Administrative Assistant Witch
^it's just me^
Posts: 2,420
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Post by Allegra Thornton on Feb 28, 2008 20:29:19 GMT -5
She could have snapped, she could have refused, she could have pulled her hand away from his touch. She was that angry at him for how he had behaved. But she didn't. She wasn't sure if it was because she wanted to show him the class and maturity he hadn't been able to give or if she just didn't have the heart to be mean to him. It was probably a little of both.
"Of course," she answered simply, looking over at him and trying a small smile on for size. While she was curious about what he needed to say to her, this was neither the time nor place for the discussion. She quickly looked back to her notes and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, really hoping he didn't try to talk to her about it in the middle of the staff meeting. She already felt out of place sitting there surrounded by so many old people. No need to add drama to the mix.
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Post by viola on Feb 29, 2008 14:46:30 GMT -5
“Oh, you know…I’m alright,” Annemarie nodded slowly and shrugged as she said so, answering Desideria’s greeting. A slight sigh escaped her as her eyes wandered to every person in the room, letting them linger slightly longer on Gryffindor’s Head of House before moving on to the others. Maybe it was just men in general that made her slightly nervous, but then Annemarie asked herself why Morey didn’t make her feel the same way. It was probably his calm demeanor and gentle heart. That was probably it.
Of course as she moved toward the slightly younger that dwelled within the room with all of the professors, Annemarie’s face scowled not only because of the public display of some kind of affection Chadwick was showing toward the young Allegra Thornton, but also because instantly Annemarie van Aller knew that whatever was going on, the young woman was better off without such a disrespecting and unknowledgeable man, such as the young Embers had showed himself to be to her.
“I’m not quite sure if anyone can truly become a hermit,” Annemarie said, looking to the side at Desideria and moving closer to her as well, so that she was the only one who could hear her. God always was with them, no matter if one believed he was or not in her opinion. But this was not the time, nor the place for that discussion and Annemarie knew that. However, she did have to agree. The contact between the two…whatever they were, was much more than any old biddy, as Annemarie sometimes felt like around these children, wanted to see.
“Is it even appropriate to show such affections as co-workers?” Annemarie asked Desideria. “You’d think it would get in the way of doing one’s job properly.” Again, she looked back to the two young people and the girl throw Embers a smile. The Head of Slytherin did her best not to roll her eyes as if she too was some youngster. But as she looked back towards Tapia, an eyebrow raised and her eyes rolled.
Annemarie found that after the couple of months she was having, she just couldn’t help it anymore.
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Rebecca Davenport
Hogwarts Staff
Ravenclaw Head of House Professor COMC & Arithmancy
watch where you step please
Posts: 698
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Post by Rebecca Davenport on Mar 2, 2008 20:51:28 GMT -5
Becca's mornings were always a little hectic, but this particular morning had seemed unusually so. As she had been going about her daily feeding schedules, one of the exotic birds she kept had somehow gotten out of its cage and insisted on flapping around her face, terribly upsetting both the Abraxan and the Hippogriff. Becca finally caught the little bugger and put it back into its cage where it banged against the door and even tried to slip through the cracks.
"Don't even try it!" Becca scolded the silly little bird. "I have those things charmed escape proof. Raising a fuss is not going to get you your breakfast any faster. I'll feed you when it's your turn and not a minute before." Most of the creatures were very good about waiting until the professor got to them, but this one continued fluttering about madly, insisting on her attention.
Becca was not neglectful when it came to her creatures, far from it. But she also knew the importance of proper training. If she gave into a creature's temper tantrums, it would become spoiled. The little bird could wait a few moments while she took care of the others.
It was an hour later that she finally circled back to the cage. While she had been going about her routine, it had occured to her that she didn't keep any thin, parchment coloured birds and so she was a little curious about what it was and why it had been pesetering her so. Had it been injured, it would have cowered. If it had been angry or frightened, it would have tried to injure her. It had done neither, so Becca assumed it had been hungry.
But as she approached the cage, it started fussing even more. "Now, I can't open the door with you acting so," she told the little bird. "You obviously aren't hurt, and keeping you in there will keep you safe... as well as everyone else. So I suppose you'll stay there until you have settled down." She really hated leaving the little thing, but what else could she do? She would check on it again at the evening feeding time. It obviously had enough energy to sustain it until then.
She had checked on the little bird through out the day and every visit just seemed to infuriate the thing even more. Once Becca even tried to let it go, thinking it had realized its mistake in coming into the stable and now wished to leave. As soon as it was let out, it went back to fluttering about her face, knocking her glasses to the floor and getting caught up in her hair. Becca had no other choice but to lock it back up again. Fortunately, she managed to slip in some food and water into the cage as well. A lot of good it did. As soon as the door was shut, the little bird knocked both over, making a mess and soaking itself through.
So at 7:45 that evening, Becca found herself wandering into the staff room to partake in one last cup of tea before heading across the grounds and doing the last feed of the day. Perhaps the bird would be settled by then. If not, she was afraid she'd have to cast a charm on it so she could figure out what it was and what was so wrong with it.
The staff room was unusually full and she smiled placidly at her co-workers who seemed to be involved in their own conversations. She didn't mind the company of other people, but with so many in the room, there weren't too many places to sit and drink her tea. She took up a lumpy chair agaisnt the wall and admired the cracks in the plaster as she sipped from her cup.
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Post by Tamis Raynor on Mar 3, 2008 20:08:20 GMT -5
To learn about someone, do not talk to them. That was practically an auror proverb when tracking a suspect. Coming out and opening confronting an individual caused tension; one naturally does not act normally in such situations. The best thing to do was to stay low, keep inconspicuous, and watch the suspect in their natural habitat, paying close attention to interactions and body language. While (for the most part) she did not consider her staff “suspects”, the technique was usefully in trying to gauge a little bit about them.
The first to enter was Tapia, complete with – knitting equipment? At least Raynor believed it was knitting. She had never been the homemaker, personally. She failed rather miserably at anything mundane. The woman gave her a greeting, which she responded with a polite bob of her head and a murmured response. The Potions mistress neither places herself too far nor to close to herself to the door or the Headmistress, but the fact that she brought something to keep her busy suggested a-less-than-motivated attitude toward the meeting.
Next was Fauna, and despite herself, a smirk pulled at Tamis’ lips when the Deputy came ambling in, cheerful and chipper as ever. “Good evening, Fauna,” she responded. The woman’s good nature was half the reason she had excelled to Deputy; it was the perfect balance to Raynor’s stiffer, more formal one. That, and she had been one of Tam’s most – vocal was not the right word – flamboyant defenders when she had been arrested. She was the staff member she trusted the most, second possibly to Brady.
And, speak of the devil; he arrived close on Fauna’s heels. He arrived in an apparent attempt at nonchalance. It might have been successful, except the knuckles clutching one of her prized letters where sporting a lovely shade of white, and the vein in the side of his throat was so tight, Raynor believed it might burst. As subtle as they were, they had been exactly what she was looking for. Expression free of emotion, she waited calmly as he approached her, letting the remains drop into her lap.
"I seemed to have burnt my note, hardly finished reading it when it attacked me. Wouldn't have any clue what happened would you Tamis?"
A mischievous spark lit dully in the depth of her gray eyes, hinting at the woman that always lurked beneath the surface, but that was always suffocated by her own hand. Her face, however, was still quite neutral, as was her tone. “I might. I hope it did not give you too much trouble.”
When he moved off, he stationed himself closest to the Headmistress thus far, which was not surprising – entirely. He transfigured his seating, which suggested a snobbier personality with materialist things, but she already knew that. Her eyes diverted as Allegra walked in, much quieter than Tam ever remembered the girl being, secluding herself near to the window. Awkwardness? Insecurities? It bothered the Headmistress, but she did not draw attention to situation – someone else did it for her.
Embers greeted the staff, ignored Allegra’s presence all together, and then fidgety found a chair, complimented by an eye roll from Allegra. A low key arrival on van Aller’s part as she surprisingly enough sat close to Tapia. A clique? She had not been aware Tapia poked her head out of the dungeons often enough. And then, Embers was on the move again, making quite the display. It produced a fair amount of subsequent eye rolling, sharp glances of disapproval from van Aller and Tapia’s corner, and a good deal of whispered gossip there too. It was perhaps a good thing she could not hear the conversation, or Raynor’s own ears might have turned a brilliant shade of red from guilt. She shoved thoughts of a couple of weeks ago away, grateful when Rebecca’s arrival broke her train of thought.
There was a tension in the room that needed to be cut before it got too big. The staff was more acquainted then she thought.
She cleared her throat.
“Thank you all for coming,” she started, “a few of us still are not here,” Morey Jules, Marvin Atwood, and she noted with a bit of surprise, Alfonz Jedynak. It would not have been what she considered characteristic of the latter. “But I do not know how long this will be and do not want to tarry and keep everyone here longer than necessary.
But before we proceed any further, I would like everyone to introduce themselves, as I believe the vast majority of our number does not know each other.”
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Rebecca Davenport
Hogwarts Staff
Ravenclaw Head of House Professor COMC & Arithmancy
watch where you step please
Posts: 698
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Post by Rebecca Davenport on Mar 3, 2008 21:49:06 GMT -5
Tamis started speaking, sounding quite official, and Becca turned in the Headmistress' direction, blinking in confusion as if the woman had just announced that the Hippogriff were dancing in the fields. That, of course, was absurd. The Hippogriff wouldn't be doing their mating dances for another two months yet.
"Oh, is it a meeting?" she asked, turning away from the wall which actually had been quite interesting and facing the rest of the group. She smiled calmly at the rest of the staff and introduced herself, unmindful of any strange looks she might be getting. "Rebecca Davenport. Arithmancy and Magizoology."
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