[Great Hall] A feast for the workers

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Addis smiled, noticing the look upon Kenna's face reminding of someone, but who. His insides were crying out for him to ask, but he had only met her, he would have to wait.

Suddenly seeing further Professor's enter the room, Addis looked over and smiled a warm greeting to them all. The times had changed and not a single Professor remained from his time as the Defence Against the Darts professor, though Dan Hubbles came shortly after he died, also taking the Head of Hufflepuff position. Leigh couldn't think of anyone better for that position, other than himself of course.

Addis now looked over at Dan and smiled, seeing the look on his face as the librarian tussled his hair and untied his tie. If anyone thought it, it seemed that the librarian had a slight crush on Dan. But it was then that Addis noticed that Professor Owen had entered the room. He had never spoken to her directly, his mission with the Rogues keeping his social life down quite a bit, though he did know of the relationship between her and Dan.

Tragically, like most working relationships, it did not last. Several months later, Addis could still see Dan suffering the effects. It was then that Addis took the initiative and clapped his hands, several showering sparks exploding amongst the room with loud pops and bangs as goblets and bottles of the finest wines appeared on each of the tables.

The effort drained him slightly, forcing him to sit back into his high backed chair and all he could do was smile calmly.

'Drink up everyone! I'm sure the food won't take much longer!' Addis said loudly, though scared that he had made a severe fool of himself.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Brianna smiled around the gloomy table. What a sorry bunch of teachers they were was the thought that passed through her mind. She noticed the glance that Everritt passed Hubbles and Marsh and noted that he had seen it too, the hurt that was all too apparent. Bree was finally approaching the point where even she, Brianna O'Donnell, was feeling down. She didn't like the feelings of grief, melancholiness and sorrow because they weren't happy and Brianna did not do well on not being happy.

Suddenly someone clapped their hands and sparks flew. Bree jumped and squeaked, her hands flying to her mouth. When she saw the bottles of wine and the goblets Bree relaxed and began to laugh at how silly she had been. Clearly Dia's melancholy was messing with her cool. Bree was happy for the reason to talk and quickly reached for the bottle in front of her. She took up the goblet in front of Dia, filled it, then reached for Kenna's, filled it, then reached for her own.

She set the bottle down in front of her and began to read the label. "My word, Everritt," Bree said, still hunched slightly, studying the label, "this is a very good bottle, and a 1973 bottle at that! I'm most impressed. This couldn't have come cheaply." She looked up at the Professor with a grand smile on her face. "And the appearance is well disserving of praise too." Bree picked up her goblet, sniffing the pungent aroma the wafted off the content of her goblet. She did so enjoy her wines. She sipped it slowly and swallowed slowly.

"Truly a fantastic year," Brianna said, grinning at Everritt, "Father would love it."

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'Thank you, O'Donnell. I have money to spare as my family can afford quite rare treats such as these rather easily.' Addis said in a comfortable reply, taking his own goblet and smelling the wine. He had had the wine shipped into the forest, a hidden place only where he knew, inlaid with enchantments and powerful spells that took him hours to conjure. With the hidden place now well sealed, any movement of his fingers, hands or a mere thought was all it took to summon what he knew was in there.

With little more than a slight bow in Prof O'Donnells way, Addis smiled calmly. 'My family has hoarded these bottles for years and for whatever purpose I do not know. The further a wine ages, the greater the taste and the desire.'

Addis remembered now one night when he spent it with his older cousin after meeting him at Hogwarts. Octavious showed him the bottle of wine he had smuggled out and allowed him to have a few glasses, the floating sensation he felt after the first sip was enough to put him in the hospital wing for a month, yet he kept drinking afterwards.

Addis laughed at the memory and the sheer glee he had felt at the warmth of the memory of his cousin. Now he saddened and his eyes revealed the hurt he had, though some people would never know why.

[michael123]

Mike had been strolling around the grounds idly, knowing full well a staff meal was going on but didnt particulary want to go to such a thing. Socialising with other people were not exactly what you would call Mike's best trait. Nevertheless, he felt, that as a fellow professor it was his duty to at least show his face.

He walked in on a conversation which he did not partake in. Instead he got himself a drink and sat listening to them all converse, thinking his thoughts in his own head and not bothering the others. Some of them were too carefree for Mike's liking and he was sure a lot of them would be stumbling out of here before the night was over. In anycase, he had another thing on his mind, he had heard rumours of a certain Gryffindor Girl who had taken a such liking to impersonating him. He was on his own little mission to catch her in her act. Though, at present, this was not working too well for him.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was trying to keep his eyes from wondering over towards Dia, the last time he was this close to her he smelt like a brewery and tears stained her perfect eyes. So instead he kept his focus upon Offley believing that it would help him to forget about a single person. However he soon had something else to distract him as Everritt summoned wine to the table and offered it to everyone, this was a different type of temptation.Dan had not had a drop of alcohol since New Year and to see it in front of him, other professors pouring it, drinking it made his taste buds tingle and for him to crave the substance. The wine itself war rare and would be a mere treat just to sip upon it, but he had to be strong he had gone to long without it would be a backwards step if he gave in now.

“You do not by chance have anything that is not alcoholic up those sleeves would you Everritt?” Dan shot the other Professor a timid smile “I don’t drink.”

It was then he expected a bombardment of insults and jokes to fly his way. Dan Hubbles without a drink in his hand was a very rare sight indeed and his drunken exploits were known around the school however he had nothing to gain by having a drink and everything to lose. Turning back to Offley he grinned happily at her.

“You can have some though Off. I will not crumble and dive for your drink at the mere smell of it.”

It was only then did Dan notice that another Professor had entered. Shooting him a small smile Dan noticed that the man seemed to lost in his own thoughts to even notice such a small gesture as a smile.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Addis looked over at Dan and smiled. 'Nothing alcoholic for you? My dear man, you ask and you shall receive.' He reached into his robe, clicked his finger and pulled out a bottle of non alcoholic wine. He cast the hover charm on it and sent it over to Dan.

'No alcohol, my fellow Professor, but it is wine nonetheless. You shan't be drinking water at a celebration like this.' Addis said, smiling warmly at his fellow Professor.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Brianna was impressed that Everitt would be so open about his family's wealth. A man who didn't care about showing off was indeed a man to be reckoned with. She enjoyed reckoning with people because that meant socialising and having fun and that she enjoyed tremendously. Bree always enjoyed being with people, no matter her mood, and she was certain many knew that already.

Taking another sip of her glass of wine, Bree smiled. "And right they were to hoard such treasures," Brianna said with a wide grin on her face. "Truly wonderful." She suddenly realised she was being dreamy and shook herself back to the Great Hall to see Mike Vance join the table. She was honestly shocked to see him at any sort of gathering other then a class. She had heard many stories from the student but thought that all he needed was a smile.

"Evening Vance," Brianna said warmly, sending a radiant smile his way. "Wonderful that you could join us." She heard men’s voices coming from Dan and Everitt and turned to them. Her jaw dropped and she began to laugh, all thoughts of Moping Dia forgotten. "Dan? Are you serious?" the professor chuckled. She had to set her glass down she was laughing so hard.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Everritt was a good man and Dan could not help but grin as a bottle of non alcoholic wine floated over towards him. Raising his eyebrows Dan tried to read the label noticing that it was from a good vineyard even if it did not have any alcohol in it. Reaching out Dan took hold of the bottle, pulling out the cork and giving it a quick sniff. It smelt like wine and after pouring some into the goblet in front of him Dan even concluded it tasted like wine.

“Thank you Everritt it…it is…having fun there Bree?”

Dan was slightly distracted by the sight and sound of Bree O’Donnell laughing and as he expected not believing him about not drinking. With a lopsided smile Dan looked directly at Bree picking up his goblet and watching the liquid move from side to side.

“Do you not believe me sweetheart? Well…I can not blame you. Nobody else believes me…well expect Paul. He lost one of his best customers, but my liver is thankful for it.”

Dan shot Dia a quick glance but after seeing little improvement in her attitude Dan decided that he was going to have a good time and enjoy the meal that the headmaster had laid out for them.

[Professor Dia Hubbles]

Dia had busied herself with studying the table. She had not been interested in anything that was going on, least of all the talking and conversation that was passing between those present. Dia took the glass of wine that was put in front of her by Bree. Dia had been riding on Bree's kindness and willingness to give of her time but Dia was beginning to think that she was imposing on her. She felt brushed off by Brianna as she listened to Bree and Octavious talk but she didn't mind.

Taking the glass in hand, Dia kept her eyes down and slowly imbibed the wine, concentrating on what was in the glass and nothing else. What did she care if Octavious was wealthy or if Bree knew everything there was to know about wines or ... or if Dan was no longer drinking. She wanted to shut herself away and never see a single person there.

When Mike joined the table Dia looked to him, her face bleak and stony. "Evening Mike," she said softly, "I didn't expect to see you here." She wanted to add that she had not expected to be there herself but that plan had crumbled. She didn't mention it, it wasn't necessary. Dia set her glass down, wanting to not seem too distraught, and sent Mike a small smile.

[kenna]

When the wine appeared in front of them she smiled but shook her head and refused, "I'm sorry Professor Everritt, but I'm not much of a drinker either. Never have been actually. And as much as I'd like to drink the non-alcoholic beverage, I'd feel much more comfortable with acqua," she said, not being able to keep her italian inside, "err... I mean," she said pausing, trying to remember the word, "water," she finally said.

Kenna blushed from embarassment, "It's hard remembering I'm not back at home," she explained. Kenna looked around at everyone, 'At least some are enjoying themselves,' she thought to herself.[/color]

[Archibald Nish]

Though Archi had not been at Hogwarts long but he had received a note from Professor Darrow inviting him to a dinner with the rest of the staff. It was an interesting thing, having dinner with the staff that he rarely saw. He liked to keep to himself and didn't spend much time in the staff room. He always felt judged and for his stature, Archi didn't like being looked down upon. He thought it a good opportunity to meet the staff he had not met yet (which was everyone) and mingle.

There was emergency just before eight o'clock and he was held back for a few minutes but as soon as he had dealt with it he left for the Great Hall. When he arrived there were already a number of teachers and staff members present. Walking slowly, his head held high, Archi moved towards the circular table. He seated himself next to a man he knew to have the name Hubbles. Archi pulled him into a seat and realised he was looking directly at the table. Quickly pulling out his wand, Archi summoned a few books and set them on the chair he was sitting on so he could see.

"Good evening, all," Mr Nish greeted wryly.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was a little relieved to hear that another one of the staff present was not going to be drinking. The thought that everyone else around would be getting drunk and he would be the only sober one was not at all appealing to him but now at least he would be able to have a conversation with someone, even if they looked the same age as his sister.
Trying to push that thought to the back of his wind Dan reached forward taking hold of his goblet savouring the taste almost trying to trick his own mind that it was in fact alcoholic. It however seemed a hopeless task so placing the goblet back on the table Dan glanced over at Darrow wondering if it would be better to get the whole thing over and done with before the food arrived and he was about to rise out of his seat when another member of staff entered the room and sat down next to him.

“Evening Mr Nish. Glad you can join us. I guess then you have no serious traumas to deal with…oh no wait I am in one piece so things must be fine.”

Dan chuckled softly to his own little joke, he seemed to have a habit of getting involved in fights and scraps which would result him sitting in one of the beds in the hospital wing. Girty joked that he only did it for the attention while his mother would moan that he was to reckless with and should take more care, what ever the reason he was just happy not to be losing anymore blood.

[Archibald Nish]

Archibald was waiting for someone to respond and it always crossed his mind who it might be. Perhaps it would be Professor Darrow, being Headmaster surely he would be the first to greet him. Perhaps one of the woman, one of the more cheery looking ones? But no, it was, to no surprise, Professor Hubbles who returned the greeting. It was no surprise as these two men had met before, a night not too long ago and Professor Hubbles had been unconscious. A most enlightening night to Nish's mind.

"No," Archi agreed, "nothing too serious or as serious as yours. Merely a few hexes which are easily remedied, the number of Nosebleed Nougat to skive on class has certainly increased but it is easily dealt with and they don't miss much class." Archi had his short stumpy fingers locked together as he spoke and kept eye contact with Prof Hubbles. "Are you experiencing any side effects from the draught I gave you? Or feeling any pain from your little escapade?" These were the sorts of questions that one in Archibald's position asked but he didn't want to be more specific as he was unaware how many people knew of his attack.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan could not help but automatically run his hand over his jaw where he guessed he had been thumped that night. There was no pain, not even any sign of bruising anymore which was always a good sign as it meant it stopped the prying students asking how he managed to get those bruises, the only thing he could think of was that he fell down the steps on the way to the kitchen, luckily many believed him.

“None that I have noticed anyway. Girty has kept me on soft foods as she is worried about my teeth but apart from my pride being slightly bruised I am feeling good.”

There was the small fact of his aching heart and the pits of depression he would drop into from time to time but that had nothing to do with his late night escapes, this was all to do with the woman that was sitting on the other side of the table to him. Letting out a long breath and moving uncomfortably in his chair Dan forced himself to stop looking at Dia and concentrate on his co-worker next to him putting on a small smile.

“Can I get you a drink Mr Nish it has all been provided by Professor Everritt and from what Professor O’Donnell has been saying it is rather nice stuff.”

[Archibald Nish]

The focus on Archi's face was apparent and he did so, he concentrated hard on Daniel Hubbles' face and on his alone so that he would not be drawn to seeing the people looking at him. That was one thing Archibald couldn't stand was the staring and whispering behind hands. Prof Hubbles had always been all-business with Mr Nish and that was the way Archibald liked it. He wasn't a centimental man and didn't see the value in it. He listened to Prof Hubbles talk about his teeth and pride and he was glad those were things he didn't have any sway over.

"That is most reassuring to hear, Professor Hubbles," Nish said with what might have been called a confident smirk on his face. Hearing that there were no side effects was always wonderful news him. It had happened once that the side effects to the remedy were more severe then the symptoms. That had been one busy day but he had learnt from it and taught himself to follow up on students that came in.

When he was offered what he assumed to be wine, as there were numerous wine bottles on the table, Archi looked away from Professor Hubbles and to the bottles, each in turn, contemplating his decision. He turned back to Hubbles after a moment and shook his head. "I am going to decline, thank you Professor Everritt," Nish nodded to the man near the Headmaster who he assumed was Everritt. "I will take a glass of water if it is available." Archi looked around the table hopefully.