The halls were so quiet it almost felt like they were screaming due to the absence of chaos most often delivered by the students. Instead of loud chattering of gossip there was the quiet patterning of the house elves beginning to put the final touches on the school before the students arrived. Headmaster Adam chapeau was walking down from his office and towards the faculty lounge area behind the great hall. He was excited to see how the former students, now teachers would fair in their first year. Not many get a chance to attend school twice for the first time he mused with a smile.

Walking through a few more hallways and down another flight of stairs he opened a door with a smile to see… an empty room. Looking over on the wall he started to frown until he saw the clock which seemed more than happy to show him that he was nearly an hour early to the faculty meeting. While he decided to stay or go back to his office for a bit he let his mind wander and his feet carried him to the great hall. Elves bowed as he passed and he looked around at his magnificent home. The only thing that was really new was the four marble statues near the entrance of the hall. Each statue was one of the founding members of the school.

Excited for what was in store he walked along the tables and to the entrance where the statues stood. He smiled at the exquisite craftsmanship that went into carving each one. He made a mental note to send another thank you basket to the sculpture. As a house elf quickly rushed past him he smiled and gave a friendly nod which was unfortunately not returned due to the elf's face being blocked by a giant bundle of sheets headed towards the Slytherin dorms in the dungeon. He was soon followed by another train of elves loaded down with pillow covers, blankets, and what looked to be toilet paper.

With another 30 minutes to spare the Headmaster made his way back to the staff room and took to the large wing back chair which he sat in until he could begin to welcome the teachers as they arrived from whatever they were doing. He was sure some were busy with lesson plans, cleaning, moving in, or even just arriving. His smile grew bigger with each thought as he realized none of them had any idea what was in store for the students, this school, and its teachers.

He walked into the staff room to find that he was the first to arrive after the Headmaster himself. Of course he was early. He was Noah Cooper.

He’d spent the afternoon unpacking his belongings in his suite of rooms on the 1st floor. The thrill at using that concealed door in his office joining the multitude of emotions bubbling just under the surface of his otherwise collected demeanour. His large collection of houseplants quickly transformed the rooms into a jungle and he promptly covered the cold, stone floors with layers of thick, soft rugs. He released Minerva from her travel case and with a momentary frigid glare thrown in his direction she crept off to explore the rooms that were once inhabited by her namesake. In his office his books were unpacking themselves, shuffling themselves along the shelves to accommodate new additions in alphabetical order alongside the tomes he’d inherited alongside the room’s other furnishings. A few transformations of his own later and the room was distinctly lighter and the furniture more modern much to the tutted disapproval of a portrait or two. He left the rest of his belongings to unpack themselves and settled down to fill a binder with copies of his schemes of work for each year group to present to his new boss.

Leaving his suite an hour later, papers in hand he got dead-ended by the moving staircases twice. Apparently they weren’t any better for teachers. The short walk down had been bizarre to undertake in quiet. Even on the occasionally holiday period he had spent here there was always a hubbub of talk and laughter. Yet with not students the only voices he heard were the hushed conversations of portraits and ghosts. He had taken a detour to classroom 1B and walked around the room with fond memories. Deciding to keep the room’s layout the same he took a seat at the raised dais at the end of the room and smiled. He rubbed his hands along the smooth mahogany desk and couldn’t believe that he was sitting here - on the other side of the desk that he had looked up at the most for his entire schooling. He thought of his peers and drummed his fingers in excitement at seeing both Bex and Devin again and dread at seeing Disaster Ana. Yet apart from those three he had no idea who his other colleagues were.

And here he was, still in the metaphorical dark. As he stepped into the room he was impressed with the luxurious furnishings and tapestries, although couldn’t help but thinking that it was a very Gryffindor colour scheme… He noticed a bearded figure in one of the large winged chairs and suddenly found himself standing straighter and clearing his throat.
“Adam Chapeau, I presume?”

Adam Chapeau smiled and greeted Noah Cooper with an eager grin and friendly handshake. "So good to see you again!" He smile seemed relaxed and casual as he offered Noah his selection of a number of crackers and cheeses which had been brought in a few moments ago. "I figured with the new staff there were a few things we will need to get straightened out." He moved back over towards the fire place, but didn't sit down. "I will have some remarks about the faculty change, but I ask you to let me wait till everyone is here to answer any questions about those moves."

Just as the new headmaster was picking up a log and throwing it on the fire there was a knock on the door followed by it opening and Devin Coal walking through the threshold. He seemed to be in good spirits despite the fact that he was in rather gruff attire. He gave a friendly node to Noah and extended an eager handshake. "Good on you Noah when did you get in? He asked while sharing a few short pleasantries. They had plenty to catch up on, but that wasn't the reason for their congress.

Devin then walked over to a happy Adam Chapeau. They had meet earlier in the week when Devin arrived. "Good Evening headmaster." Devin said. "I take it the clurichaun in the cellar has been taken care of. Just had to remind the little guy that there were far better and well stocked bars in Hogsmeade. Should earn me a few free ales when I go and kick him out of there later on." The two laughed and as if they were tuned to magical timing some wine was brought in and places next to the cheese and food.

"As I said to your friend Noah we will wait till the others gather and we can begin. For now I would love to hear of your exploits since leaving these hallowed halls." Adam said with excitement. Anyone who had talked to him since he arrived to take the Headmaster post was quick to learn that he loved hearing stories from everyone.

It wasn't like she was late. Psht. OK. It wasn't like she was late on purpose. Arriving back at her alma mater went smoothly - smoother than she expected to be honest. And it wasn't like she was without company; luckily for her Dani was able to sneak away from her busy schedule to travel with Bex in order to help her with settling in as the new Herbology professor. It was still so surreal to the Hex - she didn't think she would get this opportunity.

"I'll catch up with you after my meeting! Promise, we'll head into town and get some fire whiskey~!" Bex called over her shoulder as she rushed down the empty corridors, nearly tripping over herself in the process. Her thoughts repelled her back to the past when she use to run down these same halls, dodging and weaving between talkative students, earning eye rolls and less than pleasant words from frazzled portraits. Though she still received some choice words spoken in huffiness from the paintings lining the walls, she couldn't stop the burst of laughter that came with it all.

There was a shriek of laughter that drowned out her own caused her to slow to a stop and look around for the familiar face. A cockscomb appeared before Bex could see anything else phase through the stone walls of the corridor. She new that hat all too well; having been one of the few students he seemed to take a liking to.

A wide grin split her face as she stood there, waiting for the rest of him to appear, "Ayya there Peevsie! Long time no see!"

It took the poltergeist a moment or two before he finally acknowledged the blonde, inked up woman below him. But once he did that Cheshire like grin took over his features completely and he swooped down to get a better look at her, "My, my, my~ If it isn't my little Hex of a Bex! You're back! Here to cause some more trouble, I hope?" He accentuated his question by poking her cheek before floating upside down.

Bex chuckled and pushed his hand away lightly before starting on her way again, back down the halls. She was really going to be late if she stayed too much longer. Though, she didn't have to worry about him leaving her - Peeves was nothing if not curious by nature. "There's always time for trouble, dear Peevsie~! However, I'm late for a meeting with the Headmaster and the other professors-,"

His entire ethereal form seemed to light up at the words, "Professor you say?! Does that mean my little Hex is going to be teaching here?! Torturing all the ickle firsties with her friend Peeves?" Bex only had time to roll her eyes and smile before the Bloody Baron made his appearance and dragged Peeves away - just not before tipping his head towards her.

As soon as they were both gone she switched gears and began to race down the halls once more, taking corners a little too quickly and nearly running straight into the ground - on more than one occasion. She tried to conjure up exactly where the lounge was that she was suppose to meet the others but she was drawing a blank. If anything, and at this rate, she was going to definitely be late and cause a scene and that's not really what she wanted going into this new adventure. Not yet at least.

Hey eyes caught sight of a familiar looking door and without too much thought behind it and with a lack of grace she possessed, Bex stumbled through the door and into the lounge, falling onto the rugged floor. Thankfully, yes it was the correct room, she discovered as she looked around. However, she wasn't the only one - she knew she wouldn't be. But now, she had eyes on her and it just served to fuel her embarrassment. Hopping up quickly, she dusted herself off, brushed a strand or two outta her eyes and gave a very sheepish smile, "Ayya! I'm Rebekah Bierman, the new Herbology professor. Nice to meet ya."

As Rebekah Bierman tumbled into the room, she interrupted a somewhat dry story the new headmaster was telling. “Goodness my dear are you okay!” he said somewhat bewildered by the commotion. “please remember we are expected to stay upright!” Adam then, along with Devin who was closest helped her back onto her feet.

“Looking fit Rebekah.” Devin said with a smile. “Let me introduce you to the new headmaster. This is Adam Chapeau. He was just telling us about his most recent visit to Hogsmeade.” His tone was warm enough, but his face clearly showed that the story was not holding much interest. “I believe he was about to go into the candy shop.”

“Yes well I can finish that story later Professor.” Adam said still concerned with Rebekah “Let’s get you something to drink and a seat under you.” He then walked her over to the fireplace and set her down in the empty wingback chair. “Of course the ending isn’t worth skipping.” Adam then pulled out a few candies and put them on the table.

“Is this everyone or who are we missing?” Adam mused rhetorically.