Odessa's heart began to pound in her chest as she saw the tall, thin man with short, spiked black hair, and thought he looked more handsome than she'd ever seen him. He wore forest green dress robes and walked toward them like he was strutting, staring straight into Odessa's eyes with a knowing look.
"Ode," he said in his soft, almost sinister sounding voice. "Long time. I guess Weasley's the lucky guy now, huh?"
"Sirius," said Odessa stiffly.
"How's it going, Sirius," Hastings said loudly. "We were just talking about—" Odessa elbowed Hastings in the arm. Grimacing, she said, "I'll just go see where Falcon's run off to. Hastings walked toward the other end of the great hall where she saw Falcon holding a punch cup and talking to a crowd of girls they'd graduated with ten years ago. In a huff, she shoved into the crowd and took possession of his arm, looking at the other women triumphantly.
"Hastings doesn't like him talking to other girls," Sirius observed.
"She's liked him since we were kids," said Odessa.
Sirius nodded. "I understand wanting to have someone all to yourself." He looked at her hard, and held out his hand. "You don't really want to dance with Weasley, do you?"
Tempted for only a moment, Odessa was about to take his hand. But at the last moment, she said, "I went with him, Sirius. I'm not going to ditch him. If you wanted to be with me, you should have asked me. You shouldn't have broken up with me in the first place. Why don't you go talk to Chantrell Finnegan? She misses you, I think."
Odessa turned her back on him and walked toward Harry Weasley, proud of herself, and cursing herself at the same time; why did she like the man? She opened her mouth to ask Harry to dance but then noticed he was not alone. Lassie was hanging onto his arm and every word as though he Dumbledore himself. Disgusted, Odessa headed towards the punch bowl and saw Sirius smirking at her while he flirted with Chantrell. Not to be outdone, Odessa scanned the room and saw Gary Thomas standing by the wall alone. Smiling, Odessa sauntered over to him, hoping that Sirius was watching her every move.
"Do you really think that I should? It seems kind of mean." Hastings looked up at Falcon.
"Trust me, it's not mean. McGonagall would be so grateful. She has every reason to fire Professor Dimmel, but no one to replace her. Besides, what could be better than working with me, Odessa and Sirius?"
"That's right," Hastings said, "I forgot that Sirius is the Transfiguration teacher. He's been here for awhile now, hasn't he?"
Falcon nodded, "Yup. He's the one who told me the nurse was taking a sabbatical and encouraged me to apply. He knew it wasn't something I wanted to do for the rest of my life, but a year would be some great experience under my robe. And working with Sirius would be a blast. And now that you and Odessa would be here – fantastic!"
"I'm not so sure." Hastings said slowly.
"Why not?"
"Because, from the looks of it, Odessa and Sirius are only seconds away from cursing each other."
Glancing behind him, Falcon saw Odessa dancing with Gary and Sirius dancing with Chantrell. With a nasty glance at Odessa, Sirius bent in and kissed Chantrell. Not to be outdone, Odessa pulled out her wand and cursed the floor. Hastings watched, amused, as Sirius and Chantrell fell over.
"Which spell was that?"
"Probably one she made up," Hastings said. "Sadly, ever since Odessa and Sirius broke up, she's had nothing better to do than to refine curses more to her liking. Unfortunately for Sirius, all of the refining has been done with the goal of getting back at him."
"I see. Well then, it should be an interesting year. Sure you want to miss it?"
Hastings smiled, "I think I'll go speak with Professor McGonagall right now. Would you excuse me please?"
"Of course," Falcon said. "There's plenty to keep me amused at the moment." He gestured towards Chantrell and Sirius, who seemed to have become stuck to the floor as Odessa sailed by gracefully in the arms of Gary.
Professor McGonagall was sitting at the head table, deep in discussion with Professor Binns, the ghost history teacher. McGonagall looked bored with the conversation and was drumming her fingers on the table, but Binns didn't seem to notice. Hastings sauntered up to the table and gave them both a big smile. Professor McGonagall looked at her and returned her smile. She still had the same horn rimmed glasses, and hair in a tight bun.
"Good evening, Miss Applespice," said the Headmistress.
"Good evening, Professor McGonagall," said Hastings.
"Has it really been four years since you were here last?"
"It has," said Hastings.
"I see you've healed up well," said the professor.
"Yes, I had a good Medi-Wizard. Your new school nurse, as a matter of fact."
"Oh, yes, Mr. Puddinghaste has been a God-send," said McGonagall, still making small talk. "You've been doing well at the Ministry of Magic, I hear?"
"Yes," said Hastings. "Not something I would like to do forever, but…"
"Would you care to take a walk with me?" asked McGonagall.
"Certainly," said Hastings. McGonagall looked eager to be stealing away from Binns's conversation, and the two ladies walked toward the front entrance.
Once there, McGonagall hugged Hastings tightly. "It's been ever so long," she said.
Taken aback, Hastings said, "Well, I missed you too, Prof—"
"Oh, enough of that," said McGonagall. "Call me Minerva, Hastings. We were never so formal before you left—which, by the way, I was sad to see. Defense Against the Dark Arts hasn't been the same since. And don't tell me you actually like working in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office."
"Well, now that you mention it…"
"Because," continued Professor McGonagall, "If you're interested, Professor Dimmel will be leaving us next year."
"Professor Dimmel?" asked Hastings in feigned surprise. "I thought she was around for the long haul."
"Oh, no, that nitwit?" said the Professor. Hastings laughed, and so did McGonagall. "I trust you will tell no one I just said that."
"Of course not, Minerva," said Hastings. Sharing a laugh with her old Headmistress made Hastings long for the old days, remembering how she'd always thought of Professor McGonagall as a surrogate mother or grandmother. "I sure wouldn't mind coming back," she said.
"Oh, would you?" asked McGonagall. "It would mean the world to me and the other teachers. As well as some of the upper-classmen who miss you after an absence of four years."
"I would need to give notice," said Hastings.
"Already done," said McGonagall.
"Really? How did you…"
"I had a hunch you'd be willing to come back," said the professor. "And your personal belongings will be sent here straight away. You will live in the Teacher's dormitories as of this evening."
"But what about—"
"Miss Grace, Mr. Puddinghaste, and Mr. Potter have already agreed to stay as well. Everything has been settled, now that you have decided to join as well."
"Why, I don't know what to say!" said Hastings. In answer, after considering the things she might say, she pulled McGonagall into another hug, a big smile on her face.
Odessa scowled into her drink trying to figure out why Sirius would ask Chantrell to the ball. Sure she was tall, and thin, with long, silky black hair and a perfect figure, but she wasn't fun, she wasn't all that bright and she was only good for…well Odessa didn't want to think about the only thing she was good for. "Tramp," she muttered into her cup.
"I hope you don't mean me," a voice said behind her.
Jumping, Odessa turned around to find Hastings laughing at her.
"Well, you are a tramp, but no, I wasn't referring to you this time." Odessa smiled, "Did you speak with Professor McGonagall?"
"I did. And she had already given the Ministry my notice. Sly old lady, that one."
"Indeed." Odessa said. "Are you moving in tonight?"
"Yes. But the term just ended. I can't believe Professor Dimmel's moved all of her stuff out already."
"Actually, she moved out last week."
"How do you know that?"
Odessa smirked, "Let's just say a certain Transfiguration teacher broke her heart when he wasn't interested in her after he broke up with me. Something about her nose being to big."
"You're kidding!"
"Yes, I am. She was showing some first-years how to ward off some kind of creature and one of the students accidentally hit her with the spell. Falcon cited patient-medi-wizard confidentiality and wouldn't tell me what happened, but it was bad. I'm sure you can find out when the students return this fall."
"I'll have to remember to keep my guard up. So, had you always planned to move in tonight?"
Odessa shook her head, "No. I was going to move in next week. Professor McGonagall sent me an owl this afternoon asking if I would mind coming out early and help with some cleaning and stuff. Nothing big. Since House Elves were finally granted free status this year, McGonagall thought she'd give them sometime off during the summer. They protested of course so I have a feeling that I won't be doing much. But she wanted me here just in case they decide to take some time off. I was speaking with Falcon about it earlier and he volunteered to help as well. And then we volunteered you and Sirius – since we're all rather young compared to the rest of the staff." Odessa grinned. "I hope you don't mind."
"No, that's fine." Hastings said. "How're things with you and Sirius?"
"That cad? Just fine. How are things with Falcon?"
"Going well. I feel like I've known him for years."
"You have known him for years, you just rarely spoke to him," Odessa pointed out.
"You know what I mean. He…he's great."
"Well, I'm glad to hear it. And speaking of Falcon, go find him and spend your evening with him, not me. This cup of punch and I were having a wonderful time until you walked up."
"Are you sure?"
"I insist."
Hastings smiled, "Thanks Odessa. Have fun with your punch."
"I will. Trip Sirius for me if you see him."
"Sure thing!" Hastings left in search of Falcon.
"Might as well go unpack my bags," Odessa mumbled, scanning the dance floor and spotting Chantrell and Sirius together. "Not too much going on here." Tossing her cup, Odessa made her way to her new room.