Voluntarily Compulsory Staff Meeting

[Leon Snow]

Oh crud. He was late. He forgot all about the letter. He started to rush down the hallways to see himself running through a crowd of ghosts, though he could just run through them. " 'Ello Mr. Snow," said one of the ghosts. However, Leon had ignored him. Had he not wish he have done that, but he was late for the meeting. Not sure how he got his schedule mixed up, but we'll worry about that later. It was a matter of steps before he made it down to the Ground Floor.

As he was at the door of the Staff Antechamber, he started gasping for breath. As he started to sigh, he fixed his tie on his robes, then walking inside the chamber. "Sorry I'm late. Please excuse my tardiness," he said giving a hand and stood by somewhere.

[gabriellamcdonell]

A new day had come and with it was the beginning of the most busiest day Gabriella had encountered since her arrival at Hogwarts Castle. Fair enough, any day in the Hospital Wing served as a busy day, but this day in itself had her run off her feet with more work than she was willing to admit that she couldn't cope with. Priorities were going to be key that day and when Gabriella entered into the Wing with the days list of chores she had set out to achieve, she set out doing what she thought needed to be done first.

However, Gabriella hadn't counted on the steady stream of students visiting the Hospital Wing with the ends of winter colds and the start of summer ones and also the students who were just a little stressed over exams looming wanting to be fixed up then and there. Gabriella also hadn't counted on the annoying little piece of parchment that had wandered into the Hospital Wing at the same time the students had as well. Running back and forth between the students that Gabriella had thought needed her attention the most- the student that was having an anxiety attack and was emitting smoke from her mouth certainly did need it- the nurse rummaged through the cupboards until she had found the right potion for the girl... the same cupboards that she had wrote on her to-do list that morning and one that Gabriella needed to make her own again.

A frown crossed her face while she watched the girl take the potion. Gabriella hadn't seen Jonathan McAvoy since they last had a discussion and she hoped he hadn't left on her account. Forgetting about that for the meantime and her mind re-focusing on the student in front of her, Gabriella was relived to see the potion had worked and a smile was on the young girl's face. "Off you go and no more worrying, okay?" Gabriella said to the girl, before rushing over to the next student. Finally, late afternoon had came around and with it the end of students entering into the Hospital Wing- for the meantime. Gabriella took this moment to attend to the out-of sorts cupboard but still found that annoying piece of parchment was battering at her and the nurse sighed, while she reluctantly left the cupboards and opened up the letter.

Blue orbs reading over the letter Gabriella read why the parchment was so persistent in annoying her and her eyes looked to the clock that was above the door to the Hospital Wing. The nurse only had a measly half hour to get ready and attend the staff meeting and such perfection couldn't really be achieved in that time. Somehow though, Nurse Gabriella had achieved the perfection she stood by and she walked down through the first floor and onto the ground floor, finally arriving at the staff antechamber. No hair out of place, both shoes matching and the blue nurse's uniform she had on which Gabriella deemed a must for such a meeting. Only thing she hadn't counted on, was that the room all ready held a bunch of her co-workers and the Headmistress herself.

Deciding it would be best to knock on the edge of the wall, as it seemed she was interrupting the meeting, Gabriella waited until she was asked to come in rather than enter it, knowing that that was proper manners to do so, but feeling rather awkward nonetheless for standing in front of a bunch people she hardly knew.

[fauna]

The room began to fill up with more of the esteemed staff of Hogwarts School. Some of these people she had seen around and others of them she had heard but never spoken to. Then there were still the ones whose faces her lovely eyes had never beheld. As deputy headmistress it should have been her job to get to know all the people in this room, but as a person who found it hard to keep her wits about her, she could hardly begin to plan her lesson on time; let alone learning all the correct names of the staff. Still yet Fauna was glad to be meeting them. As the room filled with the soft hum of chatter she found herself thinking about why they were being called here in the first place. Of course she had her guesses but neither of them she could be sure about. Some more polite exchanges took place before everything started to get underway. When Tamis spoke, Fauna listened.

"Thank you all for coming,” Tamis began, “a few of us still are not here. But I do not know how long this will be and do not want to tarry and keep everyone here longer than necessary." The lady looked around and indeed saw that there were people missing. Let's see, there was the one fellow who would probably forget his left hand if it wasn't attached to him, and then there was the one fellow with the smooth moves --and Fauna would admit it-- the looks to back it up. There were a couple of others who she was having trouble placing but she would sure they would turn up eventually. That would reflect badly upon the students if some of their professors could not be prompt to their own meeting. "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.”

First up, Rebecca Davenport. Fauna had not seen much of the woman personally, but she was sure that she existed. She had to admit too that the woman did not look at all how she pictured a magizoology professor would look.... Then again what does a magizoology teacher look like? Perhaps it was the arrhythmic part she resembled. At least she looked like a Rebecca. Anyway, next! Before anyone could be next another staff member managed to attend, and after him still yet another. The latter just stood by the door way and knocked on the wall, her way of being polite Fauna supposed. Fauna looked around the room at first before deciding she would go. She stood, allowing a reprieve for the stuffing to seep back into the cushion of the chair, then spoke up, not feeling the least bit self-conscious for doing so.

"Hello deary. Come come in! Take a sit anywhere. Both of you. You haven't missed much, we've only just started. I'm Fauna Hectis, herbology professor, deputy headmistress, and since this is my first time meeting some of you, I just want to say that it's nice to finally meet all of you and I look forward to hopefully getting to you better." She thought for a moment but that was all. She sat down, again the stuffing spilled out, but this time even more so. Almost as if it was trying to escape the sudden pressure of her fanny in the chair.

[Desideria Tapia]

Not truly be a hermit? Sending an odd look at the slightly younger woman, Desideria was not sure she understood, but this probably wasn't the right place to inquire to what she meant either. Another time, that was all there was to it, ask another time. For if one was to live alone, that was the most basic of definitions of what a hermit was, of course, there were more complex descriptions to make understandings of, but the most basic of the most basic was that of living alone.

Well, supposedly one couldn't help who they fell in love with, so whether two co-workers or not, Desideria couldn't give a correct answer. As far as she knew there was nothing in their code of conduct at the school stating there was to be no foolery between co-workers. Though, if they did do their job, why shouldn't they think of such things? As long as it didn't interfere with their employment, nor the students, nor anything else of such importance, such as safety, did it really matter? They were foolish to begin with if they were on that track. "I couldn't say for certain, but I wouldn't really know."

Crocheting bit after bit, Tapia kept her pudgy fingers wrapped inside the yarn, releasing when hooking, tightening and loosening here and there with each new braid. It was fairly simple, but sometimes she wasn't sure when she'd have time to finish her little projects and this was a perfect time, she could easily listen and participate while working away. When she was experimenting she was required to keep full attention on her potions, wouldn't want to blow the dungeons out with anything, the Slytherins wouldn't be none too pleased. And the woman doubted the Hufflepuffs would be either.

And finally the slightest of sounds coming from the Headmistress indicated the beginning of the meeting which suited Desideria just fine. And she began with...introductions? The woman supposed it was a good start, after all, how many in the room did she really know? van Aller, Raynor, she'd seen the Deputy on occasion, and there was a man missing, the one with the ferret, he wasn't there yet. No, that was about all she knew of the staff. Of course, she'd seen other in passing but to know them? Let alone their names? Hardly.

And one brave soul started right in. Rebecca Davenport, Magizoology did she say? In Desideria's day it'd been Care of Magical Creatures, though she supposed a name didn't matter. And now that she knew who was in that particular department, she'd have to talk to her at some point about securing a few feathers from Hippogriff she'd heard the Professor kept.

And then a man walked in, tardy. And a woman followed not long after and merely stood in the doorway. Tsk, tsk. Good thing they weren't students.

Next to stand up to plate was Fauna. She seemed a jolly woman, eager and excited. Like a child with a lolly for the first time. It was good to know there were such excitable souls on the staff. And as she retook her seat on the bit of furniture she'd claimed, Desideria felt the need to be next.

Standing, as Fauna had done as it was a right and proper thing to do to make sure all knew whose body a voice embodied.

"Desideria Tapia, Potions Professor, it's a pleasure to all." Not too overly done, not nearly as excited as the Deputy had been, but she too took her seat, though the chair protested, and looked around the room expectantly waiting for the next victim. Perhaps Annemarie would be good to go?

[viola]

Neither would Annemarie, but it only seemed logical that an on the job relationship would get in the way, or in the least case be distracting. Shaking her head, Annemarie shrugged and sighed slightly. But who was she to say what one did with their lives? As long as they were being respectful and not causing any distress for others because of their relations, it probably was all right to be seeing someone. Annemarie was glad though that above all else, she was kept out of that scenario. The only man she could ever see herself with was God, and that was fine with her.

As Desideria worked with her yarn, Annemarie’s eyes followed her ever move. It was fascinating when people could work with string and turn it into anything but the colored chords it came from. Annemarie could not do it, nor did she have the patience really for it. There were just certain talents people had, and van Aller had nothing of that sort.

When the Head Mistress spoke up to begin the meeting, Annemarie smiled sweetly and looked toward where Professor Raynor sat. It was true, some staff were missing, and Annemarie could only wonder what had distracted Morey this time in the towers. She stifled a laugh of sorts, and turned away from the Head Mistress in order not to look rude. Morey was such a character; and from what Annemarie had found, a very good friend to her.

Of course, just as the Head Mistress continued, some late-comers decided to show. Annemarie shook her head in slight disgust. Being late was so disrespectful. Neither of which Annemarie knew but both of which were invited in by the Deputy, and this was all after Rebecca Davenport had introduced herself. Fauna was next, and was filled with incredible light and happiness from what Annemarie could see as her attention was turned toward her. As if she had lived through a lot, but rarely did anything ever turn her attitude about life to misery. It was nice to see that there were still some of those people around.

Of course, brave Desideria was next, taking a stand and introducing herself as well. Van Aller wasn’t sure quite why she stood, for she though Fauna had stood to welcome in the late-comers and introducing herself at the same time only seemed proper. Annemarie didn’t know, but as Desideria sat back in her seat and looked around, it almost seemed as if by default it was Annemarie’s turn. She was sitting right next to the potions professor, after all.

Clearing her throat just slightly she looked around the room, a nervous smile graced her features. Why was she nervous? It wasn’t like they all had committed anything horrible against her…just one or two of them. And one, wasn’t even in the room. Thoughts of the young Jedynak flooded through her mind and all they had discussed at one time or another. A man so filled with cloudiness…Annemarie was just overwhelming pleased that he above all else was not there. “I’m Annemarie Viola van Aller, Muggle Studies Professor and Head of House for Slytherin.” Was she supposed to include that she was head of house? Did they all know, and therefore she had just made a complete fool of herself?

Annemarie shrugged, her smile slightly faded as she sunk back as far as she could into her chair. She didn’t like being the center of attention. Or rather, she didn’t like to be center in this crowd of people.

[gabriellamcdonell]

So in Gabriella went, feeling suddenly more stifled than she was just waiting outside the door. Funny, Gabriella was sure she could feel some tension inside the room and she wondered if the Headmistress had all ready bared her scary side that Gabriella had actually heard of from the students themselves while she was attending to them. The nurse herself was afraid for that side even though she hadn't done nothing wrong, but only for what she had heard from the students wasn't exactly what she expected to hear about a Headmistress.

Then again... Gabriella really wasn't sure what she was expecting from the Headmistress, she didn't know the lady and was just going on assumptions that she heard from children... children, however much some might think silly, always seemed to get the right impression of a person the first time. Well, most of the time, anyways. Quickly taking a seat next to the woman that introduced herself as Fauna and the Deputy, her blue eyes scanned the room and found the Headmistress herself at the front of the room.

The Headmistress didn't look like the scary merchant that the children described to her, but Gabriella could understand why some of them were scared of her. All though, the Headmistress hardly looked like she just had been shouting at the other staff members... so maybe the tension was just her for her imperfect way that she had indeed came late to the staff meeting- apparently, she would have to now go back and make herself more organized for surprises as well as the ordinary.

Ears listening, it appeared that some of the staff members seemed to be introducing themselves. First Fauna, then the Potions Professor, Desideria, then another Professor called Annemarie introduced herself and Gabriella wandered if she should as well. Standing up from her seat, she had decided rather than wander about it, she would do it. "Hi everybody, my names Gabriella McDonnell, I'm one of the nurses" With that, she quickly sat back down as quickly as she stood up, no need for anyone to pay more attention to her than it was necessary.

[chadwick]

Chad watched Allegra smile at hime, although he didn't think she was exactly happy to hear he wanted to talk to her. He'd really blown it with Allegra and it didn't look like there was anything he could do to fix his bonehead move. With a sigh, his attention was drawn to the meeting in progress and Raynor speaking.

Chad turned to each of the staff members that spoke, realizing that he actually didn't know anyone. That worried him a little, because he thought he was rather familiar with his co-workers. However, he was wrong. As the last woman spoke, there was a short silence that followed it. Finding his voice somehow, Chad spoke and introduced himself as well.
"Hi, I'm Chad Embers," the young American introduced himself, rising to his feet for a moment, "I'm the Quidditch referee and flying instructor." He sat back down with a nod and slight smile at everyone.

[Allegra Thornton]

Allegra continued with her note taking, silently scribbling who came in, what time they arrived, what was said. As each person spoke, she glanced up to get a good look at them, trying her best to stick the face to the name. Many of the staff members hardly ever ventured from their quarters and classrooms, so it was hard to know who was who. It was finally nice to see who these people actually were.

Allegra didn't bother speaking up, knowing it didn't really matter if they knew who she was or not. Instead, she waited to see who else would introduce themselves. After Chad, there were only a few more left and then they could get down to the real business.