[Great Hall] A feast for the workers

[Prof. Hikaru Tanaka]

Hikaru wandered down to the Great Hall, having recieved a note from Headmaster Darrow about the staff dinner. Entering the room, the young Asian looked around at all the teachers. "Hello everyone. How are you?" he asked as he took a seat at the end of the table.

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Bree chuckled on and when Dan addressed her, Bree waved a hand defensively. She meant no offense, ever, but particularly now. "I'm sorry, Hubbles," the woman chuckled. She could often find something to laugh about in any situation and that was the way she liked it. If you can't laugh, you are in the wrong room, her mother had always told her, another joyful woman. "It's just strange that you would be turning a new left especially after ..."

Suddenly the joy was gone from her face, the laugh gone out of her eyes as she looked to Dia. She had not meant to take it that far and she was concerned that even though she had caught her flippant remark early that the damage was already done. Dia had her shoulder turned to Bree and was conversing with Vance so she hoped her friend had not heard her. Soon they were joined by yet another new staff member, a dwarf by the looks of him and she assumed he was the new healer.

Bree seized the opportunity to bury her face in her wine glass. If she had not stopped her mouth from running off with her there might have been some crying and running out. Dia would never have forgiven her for that misstep. Neither would she have forgiven herself. Brianna knew that she would have to talk to Dia about moving on but now was not the time to address that and so she left it.

"Nish," Bree said suddenly, after a slight lull in the healer and the charms professor's conversation, "how are you liking the castle? Found everything to your satisfaction? Enough toad stools and whatever elses you may need?" Bree never understood how people used potions to heal but she knew they worked and had to respect them for that. "Tanaka? Right?" Bree said to the next new comer, another youngster by the looks of him. "Very well, thank you." She sipped her wine again and smiled at the present company.

[Offley Marsh]

Offley gave a small courteous nod as the other professors entered the room and joined the morbid looking group that was meant to be the Hogwarts staff. It was clear that if you wanted to work at this school you needed some form of depression. Even her Dan was not his normal self no matter how much he acted to be the tough man if you looked deep into his eyes you could see the hurt and pain and before she knew it Offley was staring over at Professor Owen with a menacing glare over the top of her goblet.

However she was soon distracted by Daniel’s hand movement of his chin, turning her head a small smile filled her face as she gazed on at her old school friend as he talked to the new healer, that was before Professor O’Donnell started to talk to Mr Nish, so Offley took her chance. Placing her goblet down on the table Offley reached out and wrapped her arms around the Charms professors’ neck and rested her head on his shoulder planting a small kiss on his jaw.

“Why is everybody in this room so morbid Daniel?”

A flirtatious grin was filling the librarians face as she looked upon the man who haunted her dreams night and day, waiting for his response.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan heard what Bree had said and it felt like someone had punched him straight in the stomach. She suddenly felt sick, all the air seemed to escape from his lungs and his mind could focus on nothing else. He managed to give a quick glace at his fellow Professor but found it hard to look at her seeing as she had just treaded on an area that he really did not he want to enter again but one thing was for sure, Bree had worked out his reasons.

By the time he had regained his composure Bree was addressing Nish into conversation and before he knew it Offley had her arms around his neck. Even though he knew Dia was only sitting across the way from him Dan could not help but grin it was nice to feel someone else’s touch even if it was Offley’s .

“Not everybody is morbid Offley. Everritt and Darling as conversing, Bree is just talking to everyone, I have been having a conversation with you and Nish and Dia…” Dan broke off and gave a nervous cough. “Dia is talking to Vance and the Headmaster is…is….excuse me Offley.”

Dan planted a kiss on the side of Offley’s fair face before lifting her arms over his head and pushing himself out of his chair and walking over to where the headmaster was sitting. There was still a spare chair on one side of him so slowly Dan lowered himself down into it already feeling the nerves raising in his chest. He was unable to hold Darrow’s gaze, Dan felt like what he was about to say was betraying the trust Darrow had in the man, he had given Dan so many chances and now he was going to throw it back in his face.

“Headmaster I…I…” Dan could not find the words, he kept tripping up over his own tongue. Taking a deep breath and an emotionless face he raised his head and look directly at Headmaster Darorw. “I thought I best tell you in advance that you will need to look for a new Charms Professor for the next term.”

[Archibald Nish]

A jug of water was an arm stretch away and Archi reached for it. His arm was too short so he stood up on the chair and stretched over the table, gasping the handle of the jug with his small hand. Lifting it carefully, as not to spill, he poured a glass for himself before setting the jug down again. He curious, he thought, that no one offered to help him though if they had he would have refused. Archibald had always been this height and had learned to live with it. He had rarely needed help before so why would he needed it now?

Taking a seat again on his pile of books, Archibald took a sip of his water. It was cool and refreshing. Just the ticket. His name was said from across the round table and Archibald looked over to the woman that was addressing him. Once again the thought came to him that everyone knew who he was and just why they did also crossed his mind again. He smirked when she mentioned toadstools. Daniel stood up and Archibald watched him for a moment before remembering the toadstools and turning back.

"Yes, I have found enough of what I need, thank you for inquiring." He set his goblet down before continuing. "And the castle is almost exactly as I remember it, though I'm certain some walls have moved themselves. Everyone is friendly, I have decided, and I am quite comfortable. Nothing more I can ask for, really." He eyed the woman for a moment and came to the conclusion that she too was friendly so sent her a rough smile.

[mayella]

Her curiosity had gotten the best of her, once again. She had been sitting peacefully in her room when a letter was sent to her from Headmaster Darrow along with a short list of the other teachers since she was still rather new to the school. Mayella had stared and waited for nearly an hour, wondering or not it was some immature prank. But when she decided to put on her nicest robes and come, she saw that it was indeed not.

A surprising wave of shyness hit her and she had to pause to compose herself to stop herself from stuttering. "Good evening, all. Sorry I'm late." She said calmly, and looked around for a spot to sit. She paused and took a seat next to a young lady who she guessed to be Miss Darling, who was talking to another man. May looked down at the table, a little shy that she didn't really know anyone here, besides Hikaru. But all-in-all, they seemed like quite a happy and lively bunch, much like the staff from when she was still in Hogwarts. 'Leave it to Darrow to find good a good staff.'

When she looked up, she noticed a dwarfed man--Nish, the healer he must be--reaching for the water and was tempted to help him out, if she hadn't known how full of pride vertically challenged people could be. They'd never ask for help, so she just smiled timidly when he reached it quite fine and continued his socializing.

[Thought I'd join the fun -sigh-]

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Addis smiled when he was spoken to, but he soon felt different about the festivities as more people arrived. He didn't quite know many of these people and where their loyalties lie, but as he took a deep sip of his wine, one that he had secretly brought to the school, he watched everyone with a careful gleem in his eye.

The only person here who knew who he was, was Professor Darrow and seeing the Headmaster in person was quite a grand feat. He knew that Darrow was a man of his word and no Ministry official had yet come across to him and tried to kill or arrest him. Either way, the official would have died quickly. He took another sip of his wine and put his goblet down and noticed that Dan was now walking around to Darrow.

With an inclination of knowing what was happening, Addis pulled himself from his seat, excusing himself from Darling and made his way quickly to Darrow and Dan, intercepting before Darrow could reply. He quickly wiped his hand over his mouth to erase any alcoholic smell from it.

'My fellow Professor,' Addis said quietly, just loudly enough so that only Dan and Darrow could hear him. He put his arm around Dan's shoulders before continuing. 'I believe what your problem is, is you must'nt retire from teaching, just take an extended break to clear your mind. You are a great man, great teacher and the Hufflepuff students absolutely adore you. I believe we have all suffered what you are feeling, so my advice is, do not retire, just take a holiday.'

Addis looked at Darrow and gave his Headmaster a wink, encouraging the man to agree with him.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

The next voice Dan heard however was not Headmaster Darrow but that of Professor Everritt. With a small frown Dan moved his gaze from one man to the other particular when the Professor placed his arm around Dan's shoulder and started to talk in hushed voices about taking a vacation then continue teaching. However there were some things that Dan was rather touched by, how his fellow Professor called his a great teacher and that he had a way with the Hufflepuff’s and Dan would have extended the compliment to the man if he had not the determination to leave the castle.

“Professor Everritt I thank you for what you have said but teaching was never going to be a career of me. I…I only came here to recover from my escapes in Brazil and I stayed longer then I planned but now seems a good time to leave.”

Dan shot a small smile to both to Everritt and Darrow. It was clearly a good time to leave as this meal was proving that him and Dia could not even be in the same castle as each other let alone in the same room.

“Anyway I have achieved a lot in my two and half years. Charms grades have gone up, Hufflepuff may win the house up for a third year in a row which for me is a great honour and anyway Girty leaves at the end of the year we were thinking of travelling…maybe going back to Brail, back to the rainforest."

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'Alas, I have tried.' Addis said, pulling himself from Dan. 'It would be great if you were to remain, I'm sure that many students would be fazed by your absence.'

Deep down, Addis knew that Dan would leave, but he also knew of the dedication Girty had for the school, which threw in some doubt that she would leave the school entirely as well. Addis had just recently revealed himself to her, after she came asking questions about the Rogues. He felt it was his right to reveal himself, and now that he had done so he knew Girty would help him and vice versa.

'Girty is a rather gifted young lady, much like her older brother. I'm sure she would do well in whatever ventures she follows.' Addis said, continuing. He looked at Professor Darrow and frowned slightly. 'Professor, there are further matters in which I need to discuss with you in our meeting tomorrow.'

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

He felt Everritt remove his arm from around him and admit defeat. Dan let out a small sigh of relief he was pleased that the Professor wanted him to stay but it just highlighted how hard it would be to leave the school, but he had not choice he had to. It was then he said something cryptic about Girty he could guess what he meant and he always took joy in hearing praise for his little sister and he would make sure that the message was replayed back to her in time. With a weary smile at Everritt Dan looked back at the Professor only to hear that he needed to talk to about a meeting and he thought that he would not disturb them and his own little problem was trifling.

Dan pushed himself off the chair and stood up nodding his head in acknowledgement of both Darrow and Everritt and he silently turned to head back to his seat, but that was when his gaze past over Professor Owen once more. Her conversation with the potions professors seemed to have dried up and Dan suddenly had an urge to go over and talk to her. The last thing he had said to her was that their relationship had been ‘fun’ and then he followed it up with a cheesy wink before walking away and his decisions on that day had haunted him for the 154 days in which they had been apart.
The same sensation started inside once again he went lighted head as his heart stopped beating nothing else in the room seemed to mater at the point. He needed to go over to her but as he took the first few steps in her direction alarm bells started in his head and he froze on the spot.

He had no right to go and talk to Dia as it was his mistake they were like this, his actions that had caused all of this pain and now he was about to waltz over towards her acting as if nothing had happened. Dan’s mouth went dry and the palms of his hands began to tingle as the nerves crept in. All the promises he had given her had turned to dust, all the trust they had was wiped out in one drunken night but the problem was he had had the time to think about it and understand the full affects of what he had done. For once in his life Dan would take full responsibility and face up to Dia one last time, he needed to hope he still had a chance as he loved her too much just to walk away.

With a deep breath Dan put one foot in front of the other and walked slowly around the table until he reached the back of Professor Vance’s chair. This was the moment there was no turning back, he felt the eyes of some of the staff upon him as he gave a gentle cough to clear his throat in hope that it would help shake off the chance of his voice failing on him.

“Professor Owen I was wondering if I might be able to have a word with you.”

[Prof. Hikaru Tanaka]

Hikaru smiled over at Professor Hubbles and walked over to him, "Excuse me professor, forgive me for interrupting, but I couldn't help but overhear, and I wanted to say that it will be a shame to see you go. I know I'm new here, but I've heard alot of great things about you, and was hoping that we could get to know eachother better. So, it'll be a shame to see you go. Oh, I'm Hikaru Tanaka by the way- Occlumency."

[Prof Brianna O'Donnell]

Bree sipped her wine and listened to Nish. She found it fascinating how much could be said that lead up to so little. The wine was at least an exciting diversion. Her attention soon wained to Hubbles as he stood and moved to the Headmaster. She watched him closely as he spoke to Darrow and Everritt. It was odd, the expression on Dan's face. She had never seen it before and she looked to Dia, worried that she might be the cause but Dia seemed preoccupied.

Turning back to Nish, Bree smiled. "I'm glad it is so," she said slowly, reaching for the wine bottle and topping her goblet up. "When I first arrived here it felt the same with me but after a short while you get reacquainted with the place. That's when you know you're back where you belong." She smiled and sipped from her refilled goblet.

Her attention was sharply drawn back to Hubbles. He was now walking towards them. He addressed Dia and Bree quickly pushed her chair back and into Hubbles' way. She lifted a hand in front of him to stop him. "Professor Hubbles," she said defiantly, with no joy in her face, "haven't you done enough damage already." It wasn't a question. She was daring him to try get past her because she wasn't adverse to hitting a man who deserved it. "I suggest you leave her alone."

Just then the new Occlumency teacher stepped in the way. Bree glared at Hubbles over the man's shoulder. She didn't need to say anything else. She sat down again and pulled her chair in, picking her goblet up again and taking a sip.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

It was funny how Dan managed to overlook Professor O’Donnell; Dia had been the centre of all his attention he did not think that her closest friend would make a stand to prevent any more hurt. As the sound of the chair scarped across the flag stone flooring of the made Dan clench his jaw and swallowed hard ‘This could be nasty’ he thought to himself and Bree stood up to him. He was as pleasantly surprised however as she did not raise her voice, but then she did not need to there was enough persuasion and truth in what she said.
Trying to look over her shoulder Dan saw that back of Dia’s head and he let out a small sigh and nodded his head. He had done enough damage and instead of causing a scene in front of the other Professors Dan gave Bree a small smile and slowly turned around to walk away only to find himself face to face with the Occlumency Professor.

Trying not to frown in all the confusion of what just had happened Dan listened to him and he could not help but smile as he mentioned how sad he would be if Dan was to leave, his reputation really did precede him. Putting an arm around the younger Professors shoulder he pulled him along with him to the other side of the table not wanting to stand near Dia longer then he had too.

“Thank you Hikaru but we all need to move in life but I still have a few months in the castle so do not fear. But please tell me…” A wider grin filled Dan’s face as he was trying to cover up his pain by acting like his older self. “What are these great things you have heard about me?”

He gave a soft chuckle and offered the man a chair next to him seeing that Offley was now sitting in his chair seemingly pretending to be in conversation with Archie.

[Prof. Hikaru Tanaka]

Hikaru gave a small laugh, "Oh, I don't know if I should tell you, wouldn't want your head to get too big now would we?" he teased, smirking slightly. Then in all seriousness, said, "I've heard from some of the students, and other professors even, about what a great teacher you are."

[Carrieanne Darke]

Carrieanne had finished up a little bit of paperwork and decided to head down to the Great Hall for a quick bite to eat. Before she even got up from the chair to leave, she had placed the papers into the folders and stacked them till she was finished. A few minutes had passed and she was finished with the paperwork. Sliding the chair back and stood up to walk over to the filing cabinet, with the folders in her arm she began to file them into the appropriate areas. Being that she was quick in filing things, it didn't take Carrieanne to finish it.

Her stomach growled a little from being a little hungry, so to move things along she had turned on her heel and moved the chair back under the desk that way she could get going. Headed toward the door, Carrieanne looked back to make sure she didn't forget anything or for that matter forget to put things away; which she didn't thankfully. As she stepped out into the hallway, she reached around feeling her hair touch the skin of her cheek making it tickle some and pulled the door shut. She began to walk down the corridor toward the stairs that lead down to the ground floor where the Great Hall was located at.

Carrieanne managed to make it to the steps hearing the clicking of her heels echoing through corridor and began to walk down the stairs holding the railing with her right hand. It would be really embarrassing if she were to misstep and take a tumble down them, so she walked down gracefully. Her thoughts shuffled through her mind of what she needed to finish up when she returned from eating, she chuckled thinking to herself of the list she created that sat in the left pocket of her dress pants. "So organized, but such a scatterbrain." she muttered to herself. She had made her way down the stairs and to the entrance of the Great Hall.

It was the sound of students and other staff members that filled her ears with noise and the smell of food that filled her nose with the desire to fulfill her hunger. Making her way through the double doors, she walked straight up the center to the staff table and took a seat and rubbed her temples with her fingertips. Taking the available plate, she reached out in front of her and picked up a piece of bread, a few slices of meat, and few other things and placed them on her plate. In someone elses view, it would look as if it was just a little bit, but to Carrieanne it was a lot. Turning her head toward the other staff members, she gave them a smile and a gentle nod of her head as a form of hello. With that, she turned back to her plate and began to eat.