As Liam left his classroom, the soft echoes of his footsteps reverberated through the corridor, the sound a comforting reminder of the castle’s timelessness. The warm glow of sunlight streamed through the tall, arched windows, casting long shadows across the ancient stone walls and creating patterns that danced along the floor. The castle seemed to hum with a quiet energy, as if it, too, was preparing for the flurry of activity that would soon come with the start of the school year.

Descending the grand staircase, Liam’s thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a familiar house-elf with a slight pop. The elf, with his large, round eyes and a pristine tea towel adorned with the Hogwarts crest, bowed deeply in greeting.

"Good afternoon, Professor Wexford, sir," the elf said in a high-pitched voice, his tone filled with respect. "Lunch is ready in the Great Hall. Is there anything Master Wexford would be needing?"

Liam smiled warmly, immediately recognizing the elf. "Thank you, Thimble. I was just heading down for lunch. I don't need anything at the moment, but I appreciate you asking."

Thimble beamed with pride, his eyes shining brightly. "It is always a pleasure to serve, Professor Wexford. If Master Wexford needs anything, Thimble is always here to help."

"I’ll keep that in mind, Thimble," Liam replied, his voice filled with gratitude.

With a final bow, Thimble vanished, leaving Liam to continue his walk through the quiet castle. The encounter was a pleasant reminder of the life and magic that made Hogwarts so special. As he approached the Great Hall, the inviting aroma of freshly prepared food grew stronger, making his stomach growl in anticipation. He found himself looking forward to the company of the few professors who, like him, were already at the castle, busy with preparations for the new school year.

Reaching the ground floor, Liam turned and entered the side door that led to the Great Hall. His eyes scanned the vast room, noting its emptiness save for one other person in attendance. To his delight, he spotted Miles Kennedy, a fellow Hufflepuff, strolling along the student tables.

[color=fff200]"Miles!"[/color] Liam called out with a smile, his voice echoing slightly in the expansive hall. It was always a treat to see a friendly face, especially one from his old house.

With a flick of his wand, Liam pulled a chair from the teachers' table and arranged it so that they could sit together, making the room feel a bit less vast. While Miles was a few years older, he had been one of the Hufflepuffs that younger students like Liam had looked up to. It was good to see him again after all these years. Both had led lives that were deeply connected to the Muggle world, though Liam’s ties to the magical world had remained more frequent and intricate.

As Liam walked over to shake his old housemate’s hand, the door to the Great Hall opened again, and in walked Alvis Hawes.

[color=fff200]"Alvis as well!"[/color] Liam exclaimed, his smile broadening. He knew Alvis better, as they were closer in age. The Ravenclaw had been friends with some of Liam’s friends in Hufflepuff, so their paths had often crossed during their school days.

[color=fff200]"It seems everyone is finally starting to show up,"[/color] Liam remarked as he gave them both a hearty handshake. [color=fff200]"You wouldn’t believe the number of meals I’ve had by myself here this week. The food’s been hearty, but the company—well, let’s just say the students have either been too annoyed to chat or too scared to ask what I’m doing here."[/color]

He chuckled, a warm sound that filled the room, and looked at his two old friends. He was about to speculate on their new roles at the school but decided a more direct approach might be better. [color=fff200]"So, you ended up getting a call as well?[/color]" Liam asked, genuinely curious, eager to reconnect and learn more about their journeys since their school days.

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