After several games of noisy exploding snap, the staff gathered themselves
together and started to walk up to the Hogwarts' castle. Bethany watched
the castle getting larger with such fascination that it was difficult to
believe she had lived there for seven years. This was her home, this was
where she belonged. Turning to smile at Lupin she realised that he must be
feeling the same as her, his eyes were firmly fixed on the castle and there
was a slight smile across his face. Bethany looked back to the castle
without saying anything to disturb Lupin's train of thought.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" boomed Dumbledore as they entered the through the large wooden doors. "Luggage has already been taken to your rooms. Previous staff are free to go and unpack; new professors to follow me please."
Bethany, Lupin and the three other new professors followed Dumbledore up to his office. The stone gargoyle jumped out of the way when Dumbledore announced "Humbug", revealing a moving spiral staircase. The six of them stepped onto the magical stairs and at the top stepped into Dumbledore's office. The large room was filled with paintings of previous headmasters and headmistresses, the majority of whom were snoring contentedly, although some looked at the newcomers with interest.
Dumbledore gave a small flick of his wand and produced five chairs for his professors. "I'm glad that you all made it to the school without incidence, and I hope that you will all have long and happy careers here. The other professors are used to the routine of getting things ready for the arrival of the students, but other than Remus here, none of you have taught before. As I said in the Three Broomsticks, the purpose of this week is ensure that you are familiar with your surroundings, your collegues and proceedures. During the next week lesson plans for the coming year need to be prepared, all equipment must be checked and anything that you require that is not available in the school must be ordered in.
"In a moment I will take you to your quarters for the next year, but first I shall do the introductions. The other staff are already aware of who each of you are and what you shall be teaching, but you probably have little idea as to who each other are. This gentleman here is Remus Lupin, and the young lady to his right is Bethany Wilson. They are the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professors. Next to Miss Wilson is Elizabeth Woodcroft, our new History of Magic professor," the middle-aged woman gave a nervous smile to the others who were now staring at her. "Taking over divination this year is Morgen Halla, and finally, the young lady at the end is going to be teaching Herbology with Professor Sprout, Lilith Aculeus."
Bethany's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Lilith, from the Apothecary shop in Knockturn Alley. She knew she'd recognised her form somewhere, but it hadn't occurred to her that it was merely from shopping. Without her goggles and with a scarf over her head it was almost difficult to identify her with the almost scary looking shop assistant.
Lilith flashed a grin around the room and gave a little wave. "I think a couple of you might have met me before in my father's shop in Knockturn Alley. And I know that Hagrid was the reason we introduced a loyalty card!" Any nerves or surprise that were in the room were dispelled, and Dumbledore continued his speech. "There are rooms to be allocated still. The house elves have prepared the rooms, but there has been no decision made over who receives which room – I always feel that's something best left to the individual. That is to be the first requirement for today. After that there are secret passages for you to explore, passwords to learn, and portraits to meet. Advice on handling Peeves and the other resident ghosts will also be given this week.
But for now, the rooms..."
And with that Dumbledore rose out of his chair and lead his new professors back down the spiral staircase.
"Welcome to Hogwarts!" boomed Dumbledore as they entered the through the large wooden doors. "Luggage has already been taken to your rooms. Previous staff are free to go and unpack; new professors to follow me please."
Bethany, Lupin and the three other new professors followed Dumbledore up to his office. The stone gargoyle jumped out of the way when Dumbledore announced "Humbug", revealing a moving spiral staircase. The six of them stepped onto the magical stairs and at the top stepped into Dumbledore's office. The large room was filled with paintings of previous headmasters and headmistresses, the majority of whom were snoring contentedly, although some looked at the newcomers with interest.
Dumbledore gave a small flick of his wand and produced five chairs for his professors. "I'm glad that you all made it to the school without incidence, and I hope that you will all have long and happy careers here. The other professors are used to the routine of getting things ready for the arrival of the students, but other than Remus here, none of you have taught before. As I said in the Three Broomsticks, the purpose of this week is ensure that you are familiar with your surroundings, your collegues and proceedures. During the next week lesson plans for the coming year need to be prepared, all equipment must be checked and anything that you require that is not available in the school must be ordered in.
"In a moment I will take you to your quarters for the next year, but first I shall do the introductions. The other staff are already aware of who each of you are and what you shall be teaching, but you probably have little idea as to who each other are. This gentleman here is Remus Lupin, and the young lady to his right is Bethany Wilson. They are the new Defence Against the Dark Arts professors. Next to Miss Wilson is Elizabeth Woodcroft, our new History of Magic professor," the middle-aged woman gave a nervous smile to the others who were now staring at her. "Taking over divination this year is Morgen Halla, and finally, the young lady at the end is going to be teaching Herbology with Professor Sprout, Lilith Aculeus."
Bethany's eyes nearly popped out of her head. Lilith, from the Apothecary shop in Knockturn Alley. She knew she'd recognised her form somewhere, but it hadn't occurred to her that it was merely from shopping. Without her goggles and with a scarf over her head it was almost difficult to identify her with the almost scary looking shop assistant.
Lilith flashed a grin around the room and gave a little wave. "I think a couple of you might have met me before in my father's shop in Knockturn Alley. And I know that Hagrid was the reason we introduced a loyalty card!" Any nerves or surprise that were in the room were dispelled, and Dumbledore continued his speech. "There are rooms to be allocated still. The house elves have prepared the rooms, but there has been no decision made over who receives which room – I always feel that's something best left to the individual. That is to be the first requirement for today. After that there are secret passages for you to explore, passwords to learn, and portraits to meet. Advice on handling Peeves and the other resident ghosts will also be given this week.
But for now, the rooms..."
And with that Dumbledore rose out of his chair and lead his new professors back down the spiral staircase.
