The Lady Returns

[Faye Vedette]

The large, Smokey pub was just as Faye remembered it. As always it took a moment for her eyes to adjust to the gloom that hung heavily like a veil over her eyes, but as she began to push her way between the snuggly placed dark wood chairs and tables, the soft chit chat of old warlocks and the occasional giddy clan of witches around one small table bought a small smile to her soft face. This was a Hogsmede alright.

It had been roughly a month since Faye had made a quick appearance in the village, and she had hoped not to run into any familiar faces, but to her surprise she had - of course, he had been an unlikely one. Jonathan had no doubt spread the word that she had returned to Scotland after nearly a year of being absent, and so she had chosen to keep a low profile, renting a room in the top of the Three Broomsticks, only leaving it when absolutely necessary.

Slipping her velvet hood down to her shoulders and tucking a thick lock of dark hair behind one ear, Faye smiled warmly at the barmaid, a woman whom it had taken a while to recognise Faye again. 'Meade, please.' she requested, planning on having a quick drink before retreating back up to her room for another two days...

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace had taken a walk into Hogsmeade earlier that morning and she had been mulling in and out of shops all day, buying a few oddments as she went. Growing tired, Grace went to The Three Broomsticks, wanting to rest her acing feet.

She pushed the door open and headed for the bar. Seeing the bartender helping a lady near the other end of the bar, Grace simply sat down and waited, putting her bags on the ground. She leaned on the bar and tapped her hand, lacking her usual patience. She huffed a sigh and looked to the bar tender again.

Grace's eyes went wide. She stared at the lady the bar tender was helping. Grace could hardly believe her eyes, in fact she didn't. Slowly standing up, Grace walked towards the lady at the bar. She had her hood down now and she could not have been anyone else. Standing next to the lady, Grace whispered, "Professor Vedette?"

[Mikkel Delling]

For the first time in his life, Mikkel ventured into the famous wizarding village of Hogsmeade. It had taken him a while to settle into Hogwarts, but now that he knew some friendly faces by their first name, he decided it was time he familiarized himself with the local people and visited the Scottish village that was known throughout Britain and parts of continental Europe.

After a delightful day of visiting every little shop he passed by and the Shrieking Shack, (he knew of the Animagi that spent time there and had pecked around himself,) Mikkel found himself a tired fellow and decided he would go for a drink at The Three Broomsticks as the folk at the Hog¡¦s Head did not look very inviting, and the frills at Puddifoot¡¦s were enough of a warning.

Weighed down with volumes on Transfiguration and Animagi, sweet goods that resembled fishing tools and a box full of equipment to pamper his wand, Mikkel entered the bustling pub and realized he must have looked like those serial shopper¡¦s Witch¡¦s Weekly often interviewed. Shuffling over to the counter as best he could, Mikkel realized the blonde girl next to the dark-haired lady was none other than Grace Marks, a student he had been exchanging owls with concerning his area of expertise.

¡§So we meet, Grace. I¡¦m Mikkel Delling, the Animagi Professor.¡¨ He said as he slipped into the stool beside her, dropping his bags onto the ground.

[Faye Vedette]

Someone appeared at the side of Faye's vision. For a moment they seemed to linger, unsure, and thinking it must have been some scoundrel whom had come to offer her the drink she already had, Faye chose to stare straight ahead and refuse to acknowledge them at all.

It was only when the bright, charming voice of one Grace Marks chirped in her ear did Faye looked round, her eyes luminous with surprise. 'Oh my goodness, Grace?' She smiled broadly and with a soft laugh and pulled her old student into a strong embrace. 'Oh you haven't changed a bit, Grace - you're as beautiful as ever!' The woman beamed happily, holding the Hufflepuff by the shoulders. 'Head Girl?' She remarked, looking at the golden badge fastened to her robes. 'Well isn't that something? You thoroughly deserve it of course. You're so smart!'

Faye could not bring herself to get over how pleased she was to see Grace, the first student she had come across in almost a year since leaving Hogwarts. She remembered proudly that Grace had been one of her top students while teaching - but that pride soon bubbled away to be replaced by shame as she remembered how she had failed Grace, abandoning her at such a critical time. 'Dear Grace, I -'

A man appeared now, his accent immediately noticeable. Had Grace come to the Three Broomsticks to meet this man? Faye looked at her for a moment, wondering if Grace had not yet realised the man was a little too old for her, but upon him introducing himself as one Mikkel Delling, Animagi professor, Faye could not help but give a small laugh. Not only had she met one of her favourite students today, she was also sitting before her successor! Faye turned to him on her chair, unsure whether she should interrupt the two of them or introduce herself...

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace grinned broadly as she realised with pleasant surprise it was Faye Vedette. She giggled in speechless amazement and hugged the woman back warmly. She could hardly believe that it was Faye. She stared in utter amazement at her favourite teacher in the entire world.

When Faye noticed her Head Girl Badge, Grace beamed proudly. She was incredibly glad she could share it with Faye but when the smile faded from Faye's face, Grace frowned. She looked at Faye with concern, "what is it-"

She stopped talking and turned upon hearing her name. A tall man stood in front of her. Grace, eyes wide, was in shock at a strange man knowing who she was. But when he introduced himself as the Animagi Professor, Grace's features relaxed and she smiled. "Oh," she sighed, "Professor, of course! Good to meet you too." She extended her hand politely.

Then she realised she was amidst two Professor's, and of the same subject too! She felt kind of awkward standing between them and she didn't know what to do. Thinking she should at least do something. "Um," she stuttered, "Professor, this is Prof Faye Vedette and Professor, this is Prof Mikkel Delling."

[Mikkel Delling]

Chuckling inwardly at the blonde girl's momentary shock, Mikkel smiled widely in an attempt to resist laughing aloud. For once his resilience was up to the job, and he was able to take Grace's outstretched hand and peck it lightly in a single smooth motion.

Faye Vedette ... The name rang a bell in his head, but it took the Hufflepuff's repetition of "Professor" to confirm his suspicion. The cloaked lady was in fact, his predecessor and an object of affection for a Jon he had met the other day. Starsmore, I think it was ... He also recalled that he had worried about his position as the Animagi Professor of Hogwarts, but judging by this first encounter, she was a civil witch and once a lovable tutor. Merlin, that's even more to live up to.

"Pleased to meet you too, Ms. Vedette." He said, taking one snow-white hand and doing the same unto her. The situation was probably most awkward for the young Hufflepuff as she was, simply put, sandwiched between two unfamiliar wizards. Suppressing the urge to ask Faye about her past, how she happened upon Animagi, her methods of teaching the subject ... Mikkel stirred the conversation towards what he hoped was home ground for the blonde girl.

"I see you know each other quite well, how long did you learn from Ms. Vedette, Grace?"

[Prof Grace Marks]

Grace could not have blushed more when the professor kissed her on the hand. Not quite what I was going for! she thought in surprise. She sighed in relief when the professor turned to Faye. She breathed slowly, trying to relax. It is alright, Gracie, just relax. There's nothing to be so stressed about.

She looked back at Faye, questions and doubts rushing through her brain, wanting to ask all of them at once. But she knew that that would be rude. She frowned slightly and stared at the bar, trying to clam her racing mind. Prof Delling's voice was calming and, when he spoke, her thoughts and gaze turned to him. "It wasn't very long, in fact," she said slowly, "a few months I guess. I can't really remember how long exactly." She turned to Faye, hoping she might be able to answer the man better.