The Gathering.
Dinner in the Great Hall was instantly a raucous affair. So many people all gathered together, established groups of friends and old colleagues sharing news. Then there were new people to meet. A hive of clashing colours and complimentary personalities, Albus loved it.
He dug into a pocket for a humbug and came out with a handful of Black Jacks, frowning he realised that he was being watched. It made a change from being the watcher. Looking up he met the eyes of a mischievous looking old lady in pink robes who just raised her eyebrows at him and smiled. Her smile crinkled the wrinkles around her eyes and Albus thought that he had never seen a merrier face, a face made just for laughing. She must be one of the teachers that Reuben had hired on his behalf. He offered her a Black Jack. He was surprised and pleased beyond measure when a minute later she stuck her newly black tongue out at him and wrinkled her nose and eyes again in mirth.
Clyde Julliet had instantly made friends with Sirius. The two were thick as thieves and had been investigating the newer aspects of the castle together after they had bumped into each other, quite literally, whilst setting up their classrooms. Sirius hadn't had this much fun in a long time, he also hadn't made a new friend in a long time. The other Arithmancy professor turned up shortly before dinner, an old friend of Talia's whom neither Remus nor Sirius had met. Baina Ull had a wiry mane of soft brown hair, was obviously athletic and gave the appearance of just having rushed from something exciting and possibly dangerous. It was not a common look for the average magical mathematician, sorry arithmancer.
Severus was arguing in sign language with Daisy. Reuben and Draco occasionally signed something to her, both looked exasperated. It gradually got around that she didn't want to eat food prepared by the house elves; there was a distinct lack of sympathy. Severus seemed to win her round in the end though as she began to sulkily nibble on the abundant feast.
Ron and Irma quickly became inseparable and Harry could spot a mutual attraction easily enough to know when to give a little space. He was currently surrounded by the new Primary school teachers, which could be nice if they weren't alternating between cooing about his old "Boy Who Lived" status and gushing about how wonderful Snape was. Obviously they had all worked for Reuben before but Harry could not for the life of him see Severus Snape putting up with the simpering nonsense of Erin Plankworth, Suki Scuttlemore and Mary Hungerford. The nursery teacher, Ariel Dippet seemed nice. She was apparently the great-granddaughter of Dumbledore's predecessor. She didn't seem too talkative though, so Harry tried to talk to the other great-granddaughter on the staff, Constance Merrythought. Sadly, she didn't share her great-grandfather's passion for Defence.
Another new Professor was the Senior English teacher, one Devorah Daba, an elderly woman with grey curls and bright green eyes. She was dressed in pale pink velvet robes and was currently deep in conversation with Dumbledore.
Professor McGonagall's, strike that, Milligan's husband seemed rather insular. Like a stockier Filch but more quiet than miserable. In fact he seemed to be getting on rather well with Angus Filch, who appeared far pleasanter than his father, at least in appearance anyway.
Eventually Harry was rescued by the new astronomy Professor. Carson Winters seemed just as desperate to escape from Auriga Sinistra as Harry was to get away from the squealing groupies. They were all settling into their final places as Dumbledore clanked a spoon against a goblet and stood.
"Welcome to Hogwarts, all of you. Whether you have been here before or not, it is an honour to have each and every one of you here now. You have all been hand picked as the best of the best, so please do try to see the positive qualities in each other and put any past animosities well behind you. Now, I would like you all to raise a glass to those who were unable to be here. To Josey Hestatin, Muggle Studies and Irma Pince, Librarian extraordinaire who have sadly passed away and to Argus Filch, may he enjoy his well earned retirement. Professor Binns is finally resting in peace and I would very much like you to keep Viola Vector in your thoughts. She was struck down by Parkinson's Disease and needs all the positive thoughts that can be offered. On a happier note, we are now only awaiting the arrival of Professor Granger, whom I have been informed will be bringing a colleague with her to fill our remaining History Professorship. We have a full house. The parchment by each place setting contains the names and positions of everyone on the staff, which should ease things a little to begin with. Don't be afraid to say that you have forgotten someone's name, there are bound to be a few days where we all forget. That said, let's tuck in and tomorrow we can start getting ready for the children."
The feast continued in the noisy manner in which it had begun. The staff were all anxious to meet those that they did not yet know and seats were swapped with indigestion inducing regularity. Sirius and Harry were both battling for a seat next to Talia when the doors of the Great Hall slammed back on their hinges. It was definitely a magical opening as there was no-one standing on the other side. Albus was just raising his wand to close the doors when a swoosh of colour stopped him mid-flick.
The flying carpet swooped over their heads, hovered over the middle of the room and slowly settled, depositing it's two occupants carefully onto the Hall floor. Ron and Harry were out of their seats in an eyeblink.
"Alright Hermione?"
"Never better darling, never bloody better. Any idea where my room is, so I can send this thing off to unload?"
"Professors' Tower, third floor, next to Luna's rooms."
The carpet took off out the doors again in search of the rooms.
"We'll sort your rooms out later Anwar, when we've got time to separate all our personal belongings from the dig stuff. Oh, hello everybody. I'm Hermione Granger, History of Magic and this is Anwar Nazif. He's been my number one aide in Egypt and he'll be the other History Professor."
Leaning over to Ron and Harry, she whispered to them as the assembled staff all got a look at the imposing woman in desert combats and the exquisitely crafted man beside her. If she was an image of Britannia with the original Empire spirit, then he was certainly the exotic mystery that ought to accompany such an adventurous appetite.
"Anwar also helped me out with that other matter. Phillip will not be a happy man when he awakes tomorrow."
"What have you done Mione?"
"That Ron, you will have to ply me with Butterbeer and Honeydukes chocolate to get me to tell. Merlin, I've missed English food. Tell me there's wine with this meal, because I swear I will die if I don't have alcohol right now."
Harry offered the Egyptian his hand and made room for him at the table. They were deep in conversation about Egyptian magic by the time Hermione made it all the way around the table introducing herself and meeting new people. She was barely able to get a word in edgeways as the two babbled on about star alignments affecting large shields.
Albus sighed and leaned back in his chair. He looked around at his gathered flock and twinkled like the North Star. It was beginning.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxThe Endxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx