A/N: A little shorter than the previous chapter, we're still setting the stage for this little story! But, proper plot is on the way, I promise :)

And, also, thank you for your patience! Now that the chaos of the last few months is coming to an end, it should be far easier to consistently update!

_._

The American high school system blending into a British private academy, something that she never thought she'd ever encounter, is manageable.

The fact that she'd be teaching on the second fourth floor, with an elevator that hardly worked at the best of times, is doable.

The realization that she would either be playing the accompaniment or conducting far more than she'd be singing was a relief she handled quite gracefully.

So, if it's not the job description, the work environment, or the organizational structure, what could possibly stop her in tracks?

Well, simply put?

The auditorium.

She can handle the four flights of stairs and the stuffy classrooms that await. She's quite alright with managing her way through the music library, even though his "organized" system could use some work. And there's no problem in regards to taking the smaller of the choir rooms to rehearse, especially since she had no expectation in that regard.

But this is an auditorium that stole her breath the moment he opened the door. They had abandoned the lunch break in order to finish up her tour of the school, something that was just an unorthodox as an uncompleted school tour in Mr. Carson's opinion. And, once she stepped down onto the main floor of the auditorium, all she could do was stare in wonder because she hadn't entered such a grand space in decades.

It's definitely an auditorium made for a grand and prestigious institution. Gleaming with elegance, she could quickly tell it confidently seats over 1,000 people. It's a space that caused a familiar fire to spark within her once more. It's a glamorous fire that crackles at the fact that she can feel the history of the school melding into these chairs before her. It's a hypnotic scene where she can breathe in the traditions of the school, traditions that can be found seeping into every crevice - including the fire-curtain that's at least half a century old. And it is these such facts, it is this experience of such an mesmerizing fire, that Elsie's begins to remember her original reasons for taking to the stage.

And the best part: she's not the only one who changed upon entering this enthralling space.

When Mr. Carson shows her this space, she can see the pride overtake his voice and can feel his own enthusiasm spark to life. In his explanations of the auditorium and school's history, explanations far more thorough than Mrs. Patmore ever gave her, it becomes clear that his knowledge of the space is deeper than perhaps even the library's. There's hints of riveting stories within his voice, stories that only truly come to life within this stylish sanctuary.

And it's at this point that Elsie knows she's not going to be leaving this academy any time soon - not if she can help it. It's in this moment that that she realizes that she has no intention of just doing a decent job for sixteen weeks and the calling it a day. She now wants to walk away feeling like she's made a tangible, positive difference. She craves to feel as though she was of real help to some aspect of this institution.

Within the last five minutes of touring the room, she felt more lively than she has in a very long time. And long after she left this auditorium, that liveliness was determined to grow into a roaring fire - a blaze of persistency to do anything she could to make this semester a success.

_._

"For the love of," Anna Smith was many things: a kind soul, a quick wit, a passionate student, and…

And, apparently someone who was going to be late to class.

Now, normally, choir wouldn't be high on the list of classes one should never be late to. But if Mr. Carson were in charge of the class, or worse, Mrs. Butte, then one should endeavor to never be-

"Excuse me, but is this the way to the choir room?"

She turned, "Yup, it's just up this way," and started taking the stairs once more - not really paying a terrible amount of attention to her new companion.

"Thank you." He smiled, following her with ease. "Someone had said something about a second fourth floor, but I didn't really think there was one."

She snickered softly in agreement, recalling her first time trekking up these stairs. "Yes, it is a bit confusing. But once you get it, it never leaves you."

He nodded in agreement, and that's when she noticed the cane. Unusual for a teenager to walk around with a cane, but it wasn't her place to judge.

Rather, it was her place to get to class within the next two minutes.

_._

"I'm afraid, students, that Mrs. Butte will not be joining us this semester." Mr. Carson intoned solemnly, oblivious to the fact that ninth-tenths of the room now seemed to radiate relief at this.

"What happened to Mrs. Butte, Mr. Carson?" He sharply met the inquisitive gaze of Jimmy, one of the most frustrating tenors in the mixed chorus.

"She fell ill, James. And that is all there is to it." It was childish, but the choir director thoroughly enjoyed watching his student narrow his eyes at the formal use of his name. "As such, Mrs. Hughes has been kind enough to step in at the final hour and offer her timely assistance."

At this, all the students in the room turned to her. But, having already explained this unusual situation to eighty young women in the previous class, Mrs. Hughes hardly batted an eye at the newfound curiosity.

"Now, I'm sure you will show Mrs. Hughes the same amount of respect that you would show Mrs. Butte or myself." They stiffened at this, most students recognizing the infamous "this section of the school is my domain and you will behave with the utmost decorum whilst you remain here" voice. After all, it was the tone that drew only the most serious student towards the second fourth floor.

"And if I hear of a single incidence of disrespect," He let the warning fall into a dramatic silence, making sure they were all aware of the unspoken disciplinary consequences. After a few seconds, Mr. Carson caught a meaningful look from his colleague in question, a look that informed him that she wanted to speak to the class. As such, he gestured to front of the room - content to let her speak.

"Mr. Carson," She stepped forth, perfectly capable of defending herself and perfectly fine with not scaring these students half to death. The students in question immediately made a double take at least, shocked that someone in this building was allowed to essentially interrupt their stern director during one of his infamous lectures. "I'm sure that we can show them that same respect we ask of by trusting them to act in a mature fashion. Furthermore," She paused, letting her own smile shift into something a bit sterner.

"I'm equally sure that they understand the need for such respect. And, as such, I suspect we will have no problems."

Her message was clear:

She was not going to be Mr. Carson. And, they were still going to give her just as much respect.

_._

"Well, she's no Mrs. Butte." Sarah O'Brien muttered under her breath as Mr. Carson explained the same old routine he'd been explaining for probably the last century.

"You've certainly got that right. But just who is Mrs. Hughes?" Thomas was intrigued but, unlike many of the students, he refrained from being impressed with her attitude just yet. Many a teacher could fake an attitude for a day or two. And this was just the first hour.

"Search me."

Well, in any case, Thomas intended to find out.

_._

Mary sat in the front, watching the whole interaction with feigned interest. As with everything in school, the beginning was always the dullest part.

There'd be an explanation of the choir rehearsal system and a breakdown of any changes - if there are indeed any. That would be followed by a lecture on "the propriety required for those involved in chorale studies within this fine institution", and then all students are either voiced or re-voiced.

Mary knew the schedule by heart, memorized the propriety speech two years ago, knew she was a solid first soprano, etcetera.

The only thing that was a mystery to her was just who the woman standing next to Mr. Carson really was.

And, just how much vexation that woman would potentially cause the eldest Crawley daughter.

_._

"What is it you said that Mrs. Hughes is known for, Mrs. Patmore?" It seemed the orchestra and band teachers never had so much reason to properly converse until this year.

"Solo work, Mrs. Bird. Solo work, and some choir work here and there. But if you want her specialty for teaching, that would be a cappella music." The orchestra director looked rather shocked at this.

"I'm sorry, Mrs. Patmore, I must've misheard you. Did you mean to tell me we've just hired someone who will be invested in 'Glee Clubs' and the likes?" Mrs. Patmore scoffed at this assessment, getting ready to defend her friend.

"I'll have you know," She started, "That there's a lot more to it than just 'Glee Clubs and the likes'."

Not very likely. "Whatever you say, Mrs. Patmore."

One thing was for sure:

This would be quite the semester.