(Staff Room) Meeting the Staff

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Since the time of his death, the staff at Hogwarts had changed considerably. No longer was Professor Wigglyfish Headmistress, no longer was any other professor stationed where they were. He sighed as he looked out the window and watched the students laze about on the Saturday, no classes for them. He grimaced at who would come to his own.

He had being in the Staff Room for hours, afraid to walk to halls of Hogwarts for several reasons, one of running into a Ministry official and hexing him to god knows where. He often stayed inside his office, classroom or in the Staff Room, but today he planned on meeting new staff, hence why he waited where he was.

He wondered on who would come first, possibly the Charms teacher Daniel Hubbles? Or even Headmaster Darrow? He didn't know, yet he had to meet staff to find out more news, as his few sources were scarce. He yawned once more, stretching out and letting off a sound that could only be described as a tiger yawning. He closed his mouth and let the subtle transformation begin, his eyes and throat changing slightly enough for someone to change their minds about him.

The door opened, his eyes flickered over towards it.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan was walking down the corridor trying to blend into the crowd, which was very difficult as he was a lot taller then others and clearly was not in the school uniform of everyone else. But no matter no one had noticed him or if they had they had not stopped him to talk. He was not in the mood to have to answer strings of questions about what they were doing in their next lesson, would they be able to get extensions on homework or people making snide remarks about how Professor Owen was.

Well that was until he heard someone shout his names, he did not know who they were or what they wanted and he did not care. Quickening his pace he tried to pretend he did not hear anything but they continued to shout his name. Looking around nervously for a room to jump into and hide he was dramatically relived to see the Staff room. With a large sight he ran towards the door and pushed it open stumbling it, quickly closing in behind him.
Breathing slightly heavier then normal he leaned against the door for a moment, that was before he realised he was not alone.

Standing up straight and pulling himself together Dan walked over towards the bookcase, only giving the other man a quick glance. He had not seen him before and so guessed that he must be maintenance as he could not think of who else it could be. He offered him a small smile and a rather tentative smile before Dan started to pretend to look at the rather empty bookcase.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh looked away and forced himself not to smile, though he barely hid it beneath a facade of seriousness. The Professor who had come through the door was possibly the only one who knew of his revival, his death and the rumours surrounding his ghost. He crossed his arms over his chest but held one hand out, circling his finger about as he whipped up several books towards the other Professor, but easily let them lower themselves before the Professor.

'Octavious Everritt, Professor of Wandless Magic.' He said, speaking in a warm and welcoming tone, his eyes ablaze with a sudden familiarity that he wondered if Daniel Hubbles would recognise from the drunken night he had saved the Ravenclaw girl.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan could not decided whether to pull out the book on how to look after your pet pixies or the true dangers of the Wigenwell potion. Although luckily his decision was cut short when he suddenly saw more books coming toward shim out the corner of his eye. Stepping back he watched them fall into place on the shelf and then turned around to face the other man who was now introducing himself as a fellow professor.
But something about him confused Dan, he had heard that tone before and the more he looked at the man the more he felt he had seen him before. Rubbing his stubble Dan took a few steps forward still thinking about where he knew the man from.

“Daniel Hubbles, I teach charms and I am Head of Hufflepuff house…excuse but do I know you from somewhere? Where you in the Hogshead a few nights ago with a tall blond?”

The only thing that sprung to Dan’s mind when he looked closely into the eyes of this man was the taste and smell of alcohol and slurred speech. Shrugging to himself Dan looked at the man with a wide gaze hoping his memory would not fail on him again.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh laughed a little, seeing the reaction on Professor Hubbles face. He died down the familiarity and looked calmly at the man who had taken the Head of Hufflepuff after his untimely death.

'No, I believe you may have mistaken me with my little brother, Markus. He has been a drinker for several years now, especially since having to leave the school and take residence in Hogsmeade.' Leigh said, playing his cards right. It was indeed Markus, but who was the tall blonde? Had Markus finally found himself a girl? A smile appeared calmly on his lips as he thought about Markus' lifestyle and actually settling down.

'I also may happen to appear familiar to you, my cousin held the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts before he died, as well as being Head of Hufflepuff. He told me that when he you were a student here, he was quite proud of you.' Leigh said, using his own memory. 'And seeing as how you've become a Professor yourself, he would hold further pride.'

He had to fight to hold the pride showing on his face, though he may have let slip control over his eyes.



((ooc: Is it ok about what I said about Daniel? I can easily change it if it's not.))

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

It had been a long morning and even thought it was Saturday Vicky was already tired and stressed. She had been in her office trying to sort through some papers but they were just such a mess she gave it up as a bad job. The students needed a lot of work. After throwing the papers back into her drawer she locked them up and stepped into the hall.

Checking the time she noticed that it was already a bit late and she still had not had any coffee yet and figured she'd head into the staff room for some. Seeing as it was Saturday she figured most of the students would be gone, playing outside or in their dormitories but no they were out in force and she was stopped so many times it seemed to take forever to get where she was going.

Shaking off the last one, she got her handle on the door turned and slipped in. Now she could get some piece and quiet. Leaning back against the door she hadn't looked up yet but when she did it was to find Professor Daniel Hubbles and another man she had never seen before having a conversation.

Placing a smile on her face she said.

'Oh hello there Daniel, and um...Well I'm Victoria and you are?'

She asked the other gentleman.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

He smiled slightly as he awaited Professor Hubbles reply, but was soon cut off when another exhausted teacher entered the room, her face riddled with stress. He noticed that she reasserted herself and walked calmly towards them, confidence in her stride.

'I am Octavious, Professor of Wandless Magic.' He said, introducing himself. He bowed forward formally and resumed standing, a pleasureable smile on his face. 'I was just introducing myself to... Daniel, wasn't it?' He laughed a little and opened his hand, a kettle of freshly brewed coffee appearing suddenly and grasped its handle, a small smile appearing on his face.

'Coffee?' He offered, as several cups and saucers appeared on the table behind him. He stepped out of the way and used his hand to offer them a seat.

[croll]

Unlike the rest of the faculty at Hogwarts, Caroline was full of energy. She maintained it with grace however, not one to bounce around the halls like a drunken baboon. But dont get her wrong, if she heard a cool tune, she wouldn't hesitate to dance a little. That struck most as a little odd, but it didn't phase her in the least. What did irk her was that she wasn't aquainted with the rest of the staff yet. She didn't like sitting in the staff room sipping coffee and gossiping, which was why she wasn't seen there. Caroline preferred water to caffeine, anyway.

Slipping confidently into the room, she glanced around, noticing Victoria imediately. They had met in Hogsmeade a while ago. "Hey Victoria!" Croll greeted cheerfully, waving to her before striding calmly over. "Hello Daniel." Sure she got his name right, she looked at the other gentleman, whom she hadn't seen before. Smiling at him, she nodded her head, "I dont believe we've met. I'm Caroline Croll, I teach Defense Against the Dark Arts." Unfortunately she hadn't been present during the introductions, so he'd have to do it again. But she had been there for the coffee part, and, knowing the offer wasn't addressed to her, remained quiet. Instead, she summoned a glass of water, drinking it healthily.

The staff always had coffee to keep their energy levels up, when Caroline usually drank water. She had plenty of enthusiasm and such, when it came to lessons and teaching. "You dont mind me joining you, do you?" The woman asked casually, sure they wouldn't mind. The more the merrier, right?[/color]

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Vicky had forgotten all about wandless magic classes. She knew someone had been hired but she had yet to meet the person until now. Smiling at Octavious she walked further into the room and watched the cups and coffee appear. Not one to shy away from the hot stuff she said.

'Ah coffee I needed some of that. Thanks.'

As she went to pour herself a cup she noticed the door opening again in walked Caroline Croll Vicky smiled widely again and waved back at the pretty blonde. It seemed this was turning into a bit of a gathering now. Sitting down she took her cup and put it to her lips taking a sip. It was divine. Watching the others she wondered if anyone else was going to pop up.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh smiled at Victoria, glad she had taken his offer, but what of Daniel? He supposed if he wanted one, he would take one at one point or another.

'Yes, coffee, the social drink.' Leigh said to Victoria, whilst his eyes glanced at the opening door. He noticed that an energetic woman walked into the room, an ecstatic smile on her face. He didn't know her, she had to be new like him.

He noticed that she wondered over to him and introduced herself as Caroline Croll, Defence Against The Dark Arts professors. His eyes closed slightly towards her, feeling his chest tighten in anger. That had been his job when he was his true self, but now he was little more than a Wandless magic professor, though he was teaching once more he wanted one of the more mainstream classes, but he knew Wandless Magic was not taught at the school anymore, so he decided to revive the subject and allow those to learn within the limits of a train professional.

'I am Octavious Everritt, Wandless Magic Professor.' Leigh said, bowing formally at the new woman. He stood back up and placed his hand out to his side, offering her a seat, noticing that Victoria had already taken a seat and poured herself a coffee. Though he knew Caroline had a bottle of water with her, the seat was inevitably a sign of good faith. 'A seat?'

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

As Octavious through into the equation of this mysterious man being someone else, namely his little brother Dan could not help but think and to be honest it puzzled him greatly. There was something about this man that just seemed familiar and then he went and threw another aspect in by mentioning his cousin. Dan had only met Leigh Addis once and that was when he was drunk.
Dan drifted off into a confusing pattern of thought trying to match people together, finding some form of connection between them and try to make sense of it all. But the problem was that ever since he had mentioned Leigh he could not stop getting that chilling glare out of his mind.

So during this time stuck in his own little world Dan failed to notice that not only was he being offered to sit down but also that two more people has entered the room. He saw Victoria and gave her a small smile and hello but he failed to notice Caroline until she addressed him. It was then he made the decision not to just stand there like a muppet but actually try to be sociable and sit down and have some of the coffee that Octavious had offered. With a small smile at Victoria Dan sat down next to her holding onto this mug as if it was his only chance of escape, but he knew he would have to come up with some form of conversation.

“Octavious I bet you have a lot of interest for your lesson then. It is not everyday the students get to do wandless magic.”

After he managed to find something to say Dan started to wish he had not said anything. Not only was it a very stupid and dull thing to say there was not much his fellow professor could say in response. So instead of dwelling on this fact Dan decided to drink his coffee waiting for someone else to say something.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh had watched Daniel out of the corner of his eye for several moments, seeing the man disturbed by some thoughts. His eyes widened a little at what he had said, what he had done, but it was truly all part of his cover, was it not? He had to play the part of his cousin, referring to himself as a dead man. He only said his own name in referrence to he being the former Hufflepuff Head of House, as well as a former Professor. Had Daniel fused them together to get at who he truly was? Daniel was smart, when sober.

Suddenly snapping back to his own attention, Leigh smiled and nodded in reply, looking cautiously out the window for a moment.

'Yes, yes, there are quite a few students wanting to learn how to control wandless magic, but because of the Ministry presence at the school at present, I have been unduly forced to limit the years on the students. Only 6th years and above are allowed to learn the control, and then the list is limited down to who shows the greatest potential.' He said, coughing a little after had spoke. Had he spoken as himself, or as Octavious? A frightened look filled his face at the thought.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan listened to what his fellow professor had to say, but he was taken a back slightly as his voice did sound the same as it had done only moments before. It was only the odd word, almost as if it was an actor slipping out of a fake accent they were trying to put on. Maybe Dan was being paranoid, his mind wanting there to be a mystery or a huge revelation but he did not recognise either of the voices.

Nervously running his hang through his hair Dan looked around at everyone and took a sip of his drink wondering if anyone else had noticed, almost as reassurance that he was not going as crazy as he had feared. But the one thing Dan took from it was to make a mental note and get Girty joined up to that class as quick as possible.

“Well good luck with that. I find the higher years to be the more annoying classes to teach. They think they know everything and so act like they do too and to be honest a flobberworm could know more. I swear some of those students lake the basic common sense that any human being should have.”

Dan looked around once more at the other professors resent almost looking for conformation about what he was chatting on about. It happened quite often that Dan would break off into a rant about his students, he held very little compassion of the non Hufflepuff’s and it showed a lot.

[summer]

Autumn pushed open the staff room door, buried in the autobiography of Celestina Warbeck. Oh how she loved her music. Autumn could remember her parents tuning in to the British channel every Christmas eve to hear her sing. Just as she was humming "A Cauldron Full of Hot, Strong Love" Autumn entered the staff room.

Looking up from her book, she saw a population of the school's Professors. A broad smile widened on her face, and she let out a laugh. "Sorry, it's such a good song." She said to the others. Autumn Joy was the new Care of Magical Creatures Professor. Seeing as the new term had just begun she was just that, new. She had become familiar with most of the other staff members, but some names still slipped her mind.

"How are you all? Dan, Victoria, Caroline?" Autumn said, jumping into the conversation. Seeing a new professor, one newer than herself, or at least one she hadn't had the pleasure of meeting yet, she grinned. "I'm sorry, we have not met yet." She said, extending her wand hand. "Autumn Joy. Care of Magical Creatures. I see you all have some coffee. Where can I grab a cup?" She asked happily.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh smiled and nodded in an appreciative way at what Daniel said, though he couldn't help but notice the look on his fellow mans face, one of uncomfort and nervousness. He reached forward and took his own cup, sitting down as briskly and took a sip, enjoying the simmering tang that a hot coffee can bring one.

'I find the older students are more willing to learn magic, as their skills broaden as they age.' Leigh said, smiling as he spoke. 'I find that the Hufflepuff's are amongst the easiest to teach, I believe it is the just loyalty that the Sorting Hat sees in them that allows me to teach them so openly.'

He didn't continue on after that, for if he did he would reveal who he truly was and if he did, he did not know that curse that Darrow had put into his side of the spell, if Darrow had put one in.

Soon the door opened again, Leigh's eyes wafting over towards the door and seeing a singing professor entering, soon introducing herself as Autumn Joy, Care For Magical Creatures Professor. He smiled at her and shook her hand gently.

'I am Octavious, Wandless Magic Professor.' He had said for the fourth time that day already. He heard her question for a cup of coffee and smiled, flicking his wrist once and a cup appearing in the palm of his hand. 'Here is one for you, the pot is enchanted to refill itself when empty of the same liquid, so there is an infinite amount of coffee in there.' He put down the cup and clicked his fingers, the pot springing to life and pouring the coffee into the cup itself.