Little Miss-That-Could (Hoggy Rebirthed)

[Ritual Lobotomy]

VIRGILIUS HILDEGARD

Location: Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room
Time of day: Saturday morning
Interactions:
Shiori Matsushita - @Sailor Arti

"There better be a valid reason you're waking me up so early in a day, Virgilius."

There was only one person in Hogwarts that would go through the effort to address him with his full name, and it wasn't even remotely looking like one.

"My apologies," Virgil smirked lightly, proceeding through the corridor just outside of Headmaster's chambers towards the Faculty Room. "We happen to have a young one that you are yet to sort. I reckon it's better sooner than later."

"I reckon I did not have my coffee yet. I cannot guarantee the accuracy of my judgment," the Sorting Hat continued to fuss groggily. Professor Hildegard was quick to get over the fact that hats did not need to drink coffee to start their day. Instead, he addressed the more important narrative at hand. "And I reckon that you are known to be quite accurate, even at your worst."

"Oh, bite your tongue, Hildegard. There is no such thing as 'bad' with this Hat. Say, how did I miss this one yesterday then?"

"I am afraid it is a bit more complicated than that. You could say we've got ourselves another transfer."

"Bah, Merlin's beard! What has Hogwarts become? So complicated. So. Very. Complicated. Back in my days, students were planted and grown here. Now we're importing developed intellect. Shame. Absolute shame," the Hat continued to nag, but throughout all the years spent in Hogwarts, Virgil had learned it wasn't to be taken personally. It was merely what it did. It complained - a lot.

"I am quite certain the girl will be of your liking," Virgil offered patiently, finally closing in on the Faculty Room. The Hat sighed and groaned, displeased. "Oh, alright! I suppose we will be sorting that out soon enough. Won't we?" It paused before it let out a chuckle. "You heard what I did there?" It chuckled again, referring to the pun it just made.

"Ah, clever," Virgil praised it politely, sounding as excited as it was expected from him.

"It is," the Hat confirmed shamelessly. "Don't ask me how. I do not know how I do it. I am just like that. Clever."

Who was he to differ? What Virgil really thought of it was irrelevant, as long as the Sorting Hat was in the best mood possible for his cranky self. The little one worked her smart little head off not to disappoint him. It would have been a sad thing if he was to disappoint her now because he did not do his best to set everything up as ideally as possible. How long has it been now? He genuinely wondered. It felt like forever since the first time she asked him to go to school and then never stopped asking. At the same time, it felt like yesterday that he finally managed to fight it out and bring her home. For the same of all those days leading to this one, he would do it all over again.

Shiori was an unexpected addition to his life, the one that he somewhat jealously kept for himself and now was about to set free into the world. Perhaps he had no idea how nervous he was about it until he took the Hat to determine the next few significant years in a young girl's life. He never believed in anything short of a fact, and this morning, he had every reason to cross his fingers and hope for the best. It was as they said; the biggest temptations made the strongest believers.

Granted, he had no doubts that the Sorting Hat would execute its judgment correctly. It all came down to whether he had succeeded as a parent or not. Only time would tell, and waiting for it was excruciating. In his mind, he would never be as good as she perhaps deserved, but he certainly had done his best. Wandless magic came off as a handy tool when one's hands were full. Casting a wordless, wandless charm, Virgil had opened the Faculty Room's door just before he stepped through them.

"Wonderful! Very nice!" The Hat praised Virgil as it was carried in. With a brief "Thank you," he closed the door behind him and brought the Hat to the middle of the room, putting it on a designated tall stool.

"I say this is cozy. Very cozy. A bit of a mess for my taste. Regardless, a fine place to be in," it mumbled on, referring to the room it was brought in. "The Headmaster's is no better if I am honest..."

Professor Hildegard agreed on instinct, occupied with the incredible urge to suddenly charm all the visible things into order before his daughter would arrive. Everything had to be in its place. As perfect as it gets.

"Merlin's beard, Virgilius! All this rearranging is making my head spin," it grumbled behind Virgil's back. The vampire smiled, pleased.

 

[Nemopedia]

Euphoria Script; IM Fell Great Primer; Fjord One;

x

Adelaide Rosier

Headmaster Pyre had sent her a howler. At seven in the morning, much earlier than the bells toiled for breakfast on a Saturday, much later than what Adelaide usually woke at, she had received a howler that informed the new DADA teacher that there was something happening in the Faculty Room. Much earlier than Adelaide was ready to face anyone at all, or to feel like socialising.

With a deep sigh and dragging feet Adelaide had made her way down to the cursed room, dressed to the prim and ready to face whatever it was the headmaster needed her for in the full professionality she was known for.

What she didn't expect was to see the Sorting Hat along with professor Hildegard, the latter busily cleaning and sorting out the rather messy Faculty Room as the hat was filling in the silence. A sorting? Adelaide wondered what student had arrived just short after the official sorting ceremony but just before the official start of the school year.

"It seems," the female spoke carefully, catching the attention and startle from the hat, "that the headmaster has mistaken me for his maid." The words weren't in contempt, though she did wish that headmaster Pyre had sent her something else but a howler while she was doing something so delicate. Alas, it was to be expected from the rambunctious man, more so than from her former househead.

"Morning Sorting hat, professor Hildegard," Adelaide flashed them both a smile as she gave both a slight bow, "up early, I see. I hope not because of a certain howler that is going around?" the female continued with a slight smile before she set to work with a gesture towards one particularly messy corner at the hearth.

Text colour: #B4AAB6

 

[Ritual Lobotomy]

VIRGILIUS HILDEGARD

Location: Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room
Time of day: Saturday morning
Interactions:
Shiori Matsushita - @Sailor Arti
Adelaide Rosier - @Nemopedia

As the Sorting hat filled in the silence with the anecdotes, Virgil kept politely nodding even to those that, granted, made no sense to him. Busy with the task at hand, he did not make much effort to correct or question the things he was being told. Whatever kept the old wise thing happy. He was more than content with doing it.

The same way he politely ignored the Hat's blabbering, Virgil also had no immediate reaction to the approaching footsteps just before the person walked into the Faculty Room.

With a pair of ears a hunter would have, he was distinguishing footsteps for decades, not only their sound but also the individuality whenever it could be applied. Miss Rosier's were as measured out and even as always. To also find them slower and warier now that she had returned felt bittersweet. Life happened. It was the order of things. Regardless, it was unfortunate.

"It seems that the headmaster has mistaken me for his maid," Adelaide spoke up. As soft-spoken as it was, it managed to snap the Hat out of its latest story. It mumbled to itself and switched its attention to the woman.

"Ah! I believe we have a company, Virgilius," the Hat announced dramatically, and it was hard to tell whether it was displeasure or approval. Professor Hildegard would argue the latter. It was known to be very fond of attention, and he just provided it with a delightful encore after yesterday's feast.

"Professor Rosier! Lovely as ever. Welcome, welcome! Wonderful of you to come and see me again." The Sorting hat wasted no time to sell the show that was yet to start, while Virgil took his time with neatly charming the files away and storing them properly before acknowledging the newcomer.

"Morning Sorting hat, professor Hildegard, up early, I see. I hope not because of a certain howler that is going around?" she greeted, and Virgil nodded respectfully, responding to her courtesy with a smirk.

"Professor Rosier, good morning to you too," Virgil greeted in return. "I do have to apologize. When I suggested to Pyre that other professors' presence would be appreciated, I certainly did not recommend howlers. I should have made myself more clear, it seems." The attendance was a thoughtful gest, although snatching colleagues out of their beds was not his preferred way of roping them into it.

"I promise you, you are not obliged to do anything but attend and make yourself comfortable," professor Hildegard offered, turning back to laying another pile of papers into their place.

"Merlin's beard, Virgilius! Let her help. We will be here till tomorrow otherwise," the Sorting hat grumbled from where it sat.

"Now, I am not that bad, am I?" The question was a dry jest, and yet the speed of Hat's witty response managed to have the man admit the point. "You've been adjusting a potted plant for fifteen minutes, Virgilius. I have my doubts." Was it indeed that long, or was it dramatically enhanced? As much as he'd argue it, Sorting hat knew its time well.

"I see. Well," Virgil responded humbly, once again referring to Adelaide. "Unless, of course, you insist."

 

[Sailor Arti]

Wilbur Langley, Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room

Tags: Virgil Hildegard - (@Ritual Lobotomy) , Adelaide Rosier - (@Nemopedia)

Wilbur had actually managed to sleep well for once, which was quite surprising. Classes hadn't started just yet so he was still able to get some decent sleep. And it paid off that he had already stressed and prepared his lesson plans before this point. So he actually had free time.

Today he didn't get to sleep in because he had been officially requested to report to the Faculty Room. The letter he received from his owl didn't detail why but the request had come from Headmaster Pyre himself so Will naturally assumed it was something of slight importance at least. Then again, it was Headmaster Pyre, notoriously known for being a troll.

Will sighed as he walked with his hands in his pockets. Today was a tea day he believed. He didn't need the morning cup of joe since he was already awake and alert so tea would do just fine. As he approached the Faculty Room he could hear voices from inside. It would seem the others had beaten him here.

"Looks like a party in here," came Will's soft morning baritone. "Good morning all," he said with a brief smile and wave to everyone in the room. "So, what has the headmaster gathered us all here for?" he said as he began to make his way towards the back room to prepare himself a pot of tea.

Seeing the sorting hat in the room certainly brought it's own share of questions but he could piece some things together on his own. He was just hopping that the other's would be able to fill him in on the stuff he was missing.

Why do I feel like I'm running
- Always chasing after something -

 

[Nemopedia]

Euphoria Script; IM Fell Great Primer; Fjord One;

x

Adelaide Rosier

Professor Rosier, the address startled her. Unused as she was to be called a 'professor' at all, but even more so by the man that addressed her, the memories of their rendezvous last night breezed back where she could hear him try her name, almost as if he was shy. An opportunity she had smattered herself, both with the way she left the man in the hallways and in the way she entered the room.

But there was no time to linger on and lament what had passed on. Instead Adelaide readjusted herself, that smile of adulthood gracing her features again as she gave him a short shake of the head.

"It is a show of congeniality, not?" she responded, continuing the task at hand as she helped Hildegard, her eyes going over that pot of plant that he had been nervously fidgeting. It certainly did catch her attention that the hat called Hildegard by his first name so easily, wedging the knife that she had inserted into her heart even deeper as she sucked in a breath, deciding to focus herself on the situation at hand instead as she threw curious eyes upon her old professor.

"I do wonder what has made you so flustered. It is quite a rare sight," and with that inquiry in the air, professional yet a little personal, but not too much so, nicely balanced and nothing too awkward, Adelaide awaited his answer.

But should there have been any awkwardness at all it was quickly solved with the arrival of Will, his changed appearance never failing to surprise Adelaide still as she had to quickly remind herself that this was indeed the senior she used to hang out with in the library.

"Good morning," Adelaide had said in kind, a pause following as she realised that she had no clue how to address her senior. In the past where they had been students it had always been easy enough; Langley, formally after his surname, but then eventually and gradually it had become; Wilbur and then Will. But what of it now? Gulping Adelaide realised that she still had a lot of catching up to do before that initial awkwardness would be over as she sighed to herself, brows rising in kind as she exhaled once more.

"I was just inquiring pr-- myself," she stated, quickly changing the script of her sentence as she turned back to Hildegard, "I was just about to get an answer," Adelaide followed.

Text colour: #B4AAB6

 

[Ritual Lobotomy]

VIRGILIUS HILDEGARD

Location: Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room
Time of day: Saturday morning
Interactions:
Wilbur Langley - @Sailor Arti
Adelaide Rosier - @Nemopedia


"Well, I won't be saying 'no' to that," Virgil responded with a jest. "Especially considering some of us seem to have places to be."

"I've heard your smart mouth talking, Virgilius," the hat responded almost immediately behind Virgil, assessing with accuracy that a jab was thrown its way. "You are in a painfully good mood this morning, and I am having a hard time deciding whether I appreciate it or not," it mumbled, lifting its eyebrow fashioned out of tattered wrinkles of the cloth. Professor Hildegard chuckled in response.

It wasn't often that his more carefree side could be seen, and therefore he did nothing to deny the hat its ponderings. It wouldn't possibly understand. Things had to be perfect, including the cursed plant in a pot that seemed to be driving him crazy without any apparent reason.

Briefly occupied with his thoughts, Virgil only really registered Adelaide when she found herself next to him, taking the pot out of his hands. Then, following up on his good mood, he allowed her to have it without a complaint, something almost unheard of with Hildegard, considering his constant need to be in control of things that concerned him. It was a confusing combination of the directness of Adelaide's glare and her question that distracted him from reacting right away. An unusual and barely noticeable delay.

Barely, but not completely.

"Would you look at that," the hat mumbled behind the two, seemingly curious about the unexpected progression. "And just like that, Virgilius will not be complaining. Fascinating," it commented smugly. Strategically ignoring it, Hildegard proceeded to respond, restoring his confident posture. "Rare for a reason, I'd argue. But a special occasion requires a different approach. Participating in the sorting of other children is fantastic, of course," he hesitated. Not because he had doubts about his decision, but because the proper weight of the obligation he took on briefly made itself clear to him. He was to become a parent, be known as one, and be referred to for all of the things in the realm of raising a young being. But even with all of that in mind, he felt lucky first and insecure second.

"But it is not every day that you get to sort your own d-"

The door opened once again, letting through another familiar face. Professor Langley announced his presence politely, seemingly unbothered by the early rise on the weekend, a small thing that Virgilius appreciated given the unexpected way his request to Pyre was taken. But really, what did he think would happen? As soon as he had mentioned anything to Pyre, he found himself regretting not being more literal and to the point.

Nodding in response to Wilbur, Virgil felt the need to nudge confused Adelaide in the right direction. It was a slight relief to know that her confusion was not only his fault. He had hoped that it would have been a bit less awkward between old friends, but the time has indeed flown by faster than he was aware.

"Good morning, Wilbur. Thank you for coming," Virgil addressed him clearly as an unspecified example that he believed miss Rosier would have been aware of. "I am sorry for the rough start. However, I do appreciate you being here." Although it may have sounded like a formal greeting wrapped in obligatory politeness, Hildegard's was genuine. But instead of redirecting the conversation, now there were two. Understandably so, both of his younger colleagues wanted to know what was it that got them out of their beds so early on Saturday.

"Yes, yes she was," Virgil admitted, referring to Adelaide's input and weighting out his following words before speaking up. "And considering you've made an effort to come, I at the very least owe you an explanation." Once deciding on it, there was no turning back. Virgil was ready to make his reason known.

"Initially, Shiori was to be sorted along with others on yesterday's ceremony," he began. First, a name. "But I have decided that, perhaps, it would have been more beneficial for her to be sorted individually considering her... unorthodox status." Then, reasoning.

"You could say I am only slightly biased in my assessment," he admitted with a dose of sarcasm. 'Only slightly' kept him awake for nights on end. "But I never had to sort my own daughter before. I believe it is at least justifiable," he added nonchalantly as if the facts spoken of were already common knowledge.

 

[DayDreamer]

Location: Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room
Time of day: Saturday morning

One of the things that even those not entirely familiar would understand first was that madam Watkins was in no way a morning person. The success of her activities highly depended on the hour of the day. If it so happened that the class had to be early in the morning, the students would have been the first to complain. And for a good reason. Early bird Caia was the worst Caia to handle.

But every once in a while, certain people could not give less damn about her preferences. Most of the time, any early-rising would have been prevented or delayed by simply blasting the alarm clock to bits. Per habit, she did so that morning as well. Except, this time, blowing the pesky little thing up did not stop the noise. On the contrary, the noise first turned coherent, then too loud and demanding to ignore.

"...To the meeting in the Faculty Room on this Saturday morning..."

A voice proceeded to shout above her head even after few swings that certainly hooked the pest that swayed around.

"Bloody prick!" With the shout, Caia sat up straight on the bed.

"Are you listening? Are you listening? Good!"

She had no choice but to listen. With bedhead and annoyed expression, madam Watkins looked even crazier, waving her arms around as if she was battling a very annoying fly.

"And now that I got your attention get to the faculty room. Knowing you, you're already late!"

What was the bloody rush? What did she have to do with any of it? She was teaching them little teenage gremlins to fly, for crying out loud! Why did it matter to her where this one student will be sorted?

Unable to ignore the intruder envelope, Caia swore under her breath and stumbled out of bed, reaching for her wand.

"Confringio!" She shouted unnecessarily loud, aiming her overly-excited wand toward the howler. First, it inflated like a balloon. Then, it popped into a cloud of numerous paper bits that slowly descended to the floor all over the room.

"Hah," Caia exclaimed and flipped the wand between her fingers, blowing onto its top like it was a smoking gun. And just as fast as the howler woke her up, she felt drowsy again.

"Five more minutes never harmed anyone, eh?" She asked rhetorically, sitting back onto the bed and allowing her body to drop down onto the covers in the most unflattering manner. The bliss of sudden silence brought a smirk to her face as her eyes closed.

One minute.

Two.

Ten?

Or maybe it was only ten seconds - as it felt as such - before the blue orbs darted back open with a new wave of shouts approaching.

"And just for good measure, leave the attitude behind."

"Mother of- Yer doin' my nut in! Away, an bile yer heid," she groaned, defeated. With her head still heavy, Caia sat up and grabbed the howler with a yawn. "Alright then, but the attitude stays."

***
An oversized black hoodie with legs and fiery hair moved through the hallway, grumbling under her breath. It was Saturday. Who in their right mind would do this on Saturday morning? Perhaps if her mind was even remotely functional, she would have come to a decent conclusion.

But it was the law: no conclusions were to be made until a cup of coffee was received.

With her eyes open but seeing practically nothing, she only managed to halt in time before she went nose-first into the figure that suddenly appeared.

The moment she acknowledged the person, Caia felt better about the fact that someone had it just as bad.

"You too, huh?"

The question had brought Skylar off the string of curses she was dishing the now strangled Howler that laid lifeless in her fist. She had ran out of english curses just as she had rounded up the path from Hagrid's Hut and now she had continued with rather colorful and inventive ways in Japanese.

The COMC professor looked rather disheveled and, in fact, bits of fluffy and vegetation were sticking out of her hair. Unlike her firecracker colleague, Skylar had been up and running in the Forbidden Forest since before the crack of dawn, carrying out her creature keeper duties before it was time for breakfast. She had been finally making some real progress with an Augurey, hoping to locate its nest so she would be able to keep an eye on the population lurking in the Forbidden forest when the blasted envelope ambushed them and shrieked something about her presence being highly requested in the faculty room ASAP, and scaring the bird into hopping away in the process.

"Apparently so." Skylar replied to her friend while setting the envelope wordlessly on fire, ashes scattering away by a bewitched gust of wind. "This better be worth it or five months of work have gone to waste!" She growled and reached up to grab her wand, letting her long hair down in the process as the wand served as a hair stick at the same time. With a fluid twirl of her wand over and around her head, she got rid of the odds bits and pieces that the little Howler ambush had gifted her with during her fall from the tree.

"Are there all gone?" She asked Caia as she ruffled her hair a little bit while still climbing up the stairs to the Faculty room. It wouldn't be long before they arrived at their destination, but Skylar could still make herself more presentable. Sure she was in cargo pants, boots, and parka, but she didn't have to look like a Forest Troll to fit the nature-loving stereotype.

While she struggled to get her sleeping head up to speed with the conversation and an actual speed at which they were approaching the Faculty room, it took a moment before the question registered with Caia. "Huh? What? Oh!" Being shorter than her colleague, madam Watkins at least made a decent effort to prop up onto her toes and squint at Skylar's messy locks. The front, while messy, was clear of branches and foliage. The back, however…

"Um, yep!" Caia spoke up, staring at an intertwined mess of hair, branches, some feathers and something Caia hoped wasn't a cobweb staring back at her. Or maybe it was better off being only a cobweb… "Squeaky clean here," she announced again, playing dumb. "That bird surely rubbed off on you, didn't it?" The word play that also pointed out Skylar's efforts towards the creature were a jab at the feathers that still lingered around. Muffling a snort, Caia cleared her throat and picked up the pace. "This better be bloody good," she mumbled once she finally was able to smell fresh coffee lingering in the air.

"Mhm!" Skylar agree as she place her wand between her lips and moved her hands to remade her bun. That's when she felt it. More feathers and bits of bush. "Fuck wyou two!" She gritted through her teeth as she paused briefly, trying to fix the mess and allowing Caia to take the lead and open the door for them. They sure were a funny sight to the occupants of the room. An oversized sweater and a hair wrestler entered the room…. That would have made a good joke starting line.

 

[Sailor Arti]

Shiori Matsushita, outfit, Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room

Tags: Virgil Hildegard - (@Ritual Lobotomy),

Today was the big day. The day Shiori had dreamed of all her life. Or, well, maybe not all her life. But she certainly had been dreaming about this for a while. She could barely even sleep the night before. Well, let's be honest, she didn't sleep much anyway, but that was besides the point.

She was disappointed that she wouldn't be able to get sorted with everyone else. She'd always dreamt of the experience of the feast and the sorting ceremony. Ever since her father told her about it but apparently it wasn't meant to be for her. She was quite upset about it, even entertaining sneaking off. But she didn't want to disobey her father.

After all, he had done so much for her, provided for her, took her in and raised her when he didn't have to. She didn't want to repay his kindness by causing a problem for him at his work. So, this early Saturday morning was her time to shine. Her own private sorting, something she could be proud of, even if it wasn't what she always dreamed of.

Shiori had gotten dressed and undressed at least 50 times. Suddenly second guessing what she had picked out for herself. Still, she had managed to somehow pick something decent. At least she thought so before she was rushed out of her home by her family. She had to be on time today or she'd make her father look bad and she didn't want that.

Seeing Hogwarts for herself made her realize just how her imagination didn't do this place justice. It almost brought her to tears just finally stepping foot here. Finally, a place she could belong and experience and make new friends. But most of all, a place where she could learn to properly control her magic.

She was supposed to meet in the Faculty Room as she was being escorted around by the energetic Headmaster. If she was honest, she had been so nervous she hadn't been paying much attention to anything he was saying. But it also seemed like he never ran out of things to talk about which was a lot to take in but nice because it gave her time to think.

As they approached the room the Headmaster patted her shoulder before saying he would come back to check on her in a bit. Apparently he had something to do but now that she was being left alone her nerves were really getting to her. She gently knocked on the door but when there was no answer.

She waited for a moment wondering if she should knock again but couldn't bring herself to. But she didn't want to just stand out here, they were waiting on her right. She sighed as she hugged her arms around herself and closed her eyes. She quickly sunk into a shadow and quickly traversed the wispy darkness before finding something familiar.

Her father's shadow was one she was used to and it brought her comfort as she grabbed hold and nestled herself into it. She felt her anxiety begin to calm now that she was close and focused on trying to prepare herself to introduce herself to everyone. This was the first time she'd be really interacting with people outside of her family so she had a lot to be nervous about.

--

More tags: Skylar Anderson - (@DayDreamer),
Adelaide Rosier - (@Nemopedia)

This side of moon could
take you out of the darkness

 

[Ritual Lobotomy]

VIRGILIUS HILDEGARD & CAIA WATKINS​

Location: Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room
Time of day: Saturday morning
Interactions:
Shiori Matsushita; Wilbur Langley - @Sailor Arti
Adelaide Rosier - @Nemopedia
Skylar Anderson - @DayDreamer​

It was still hilarious to Caia to hear her American colleague swear with such passion even a whole year after. In response, the Firecracker laughed aloud and sent an accentuated air smooch Skylar's way, followed by a wink.

"You could say I am only slightly biased in my assessment," reached her ears as she burst through the door, ready to give the jester piece of mind. "But I never had to sort my own daughter before. I believe it is at least justifiable."

Who? What? Huh?

Whatever she was about to say was lost on her. So instead, she stood at the entrance for a moment, registering the sentence and pairing it up with the face. Virgil, Addy, Will. All were there for what she had imagined was the same reason.

"Heh! Aye!" It came out loud and defiant when she identified Virgil as the speaker. "And I'm the bloody Queen of England," she scoffed, finally entering. Crossing his arms, Virgil said nothing. By now, he was aware that any provided explanation would fall on deaf ears until Caia truly wanted one. "No joke. Just got crowned last week," she mumbled on, passing through the room.

"Given your usual persuasion techniques, I am inclined to believe you, Your Majesty," Virgil jested dryly, turning to greet Skylar that walked into the room. Madam Firecracker responded with a hand gesture of dismissal. "Out of the way, handsome," she casually referred to Will as she stepped around and walked behind him. "The Queen needs her damn coffee."

While foulmouthed, Caia was hardly in a severe threatening mood. Even more so because her morning coffee fix still evaded her, and she had only one goal: follow it to the back. She would deal with jesters after.

"I swear, Virgil. If Pyre talked you into this bullshit, I'll stuff your desk with garlic. I can't feckin' believe we fell for this jobby."

"Merlin's beard, child. You're making my head hurt," the hat complained about the noise, growing impatient with the wait.

The mumbling continued from the back, mixed with other tornado sounds that were Caia preparing the beverage. Through it all, Virgil's ear twitched towards the door, but with all the ruckus created, he was no longer sure that what he had heard was anything else but one out of many sounds within the room.

"Well, if Pea-," Virgil bit his tongue. "If Shiori survives madam Watkins, by the level of maturity, her peers should not be an issue," he finished his thought with a chuckle.

"I heard that, Hildegard!" Caia sounded once again from behind the wall. "But, don't you worry, I'm all fine and dandy with imaginary friends and family. Lots of experience there."

Any further discussion has been brought to a halt on Virgil's side. A familiar gust sneaked up behind him. While none could do so without getting noticed, and Virgil was not exactly a fan of the practice, he allowed it to happen. Although, to be fair, everything he thought he would not tolerate with his child fell apart so quickly that it was embarrassing to think of.

With the knowledge that the little girl that she was grew up to be a young lady hungry for new adventures, he did not mind keeping small whimsical moments such as that one. Undoubtedly, it was a lot to take in. After her first arrival to the country, then to his family home, it was the third significant change in her short life, and Virgil had no heart to tell her to cope with it otherwise. Or maybe he just enjoyed it as well.

"Hm," he acknowledged her presence against his back. "And to think she insisted on going headfirst into the Great Hall with everyone else," he spoke with a slight tease, referring to Shiori's shy entrance. Gradually, the neutrality of his face has been replaced with a softer expression. He reached behind his back.

"Now, what did we say about sneaking in?" Virgil asked what still seemed to be no one in particular. It was a teaching moment, but as far from a scold as it could be. "That's quite alright. We'll work on it," he reassured further, landing his hand gently against the top of Shiori's silky hair that emerged from the shadow.

He patiently allowed her to take her time while also urging her to respect everyone else's - a necessary balance to master for more than just a simple introduction. And Shiori was an apt student. Proud of everything she had managed to achieve throughout the years, Virgil was confident in her. He was there to provide support, but the girl was to introduce herself in whichever way she felt fit.

"Come now. Come say hello as you've practiced," he smirked, gently nudging Shiori forward.

 

[Nemopedia]

Euphoria Script; IM Fell Great Primer; Fjord One;

x

Adelaide Rosier

A new student, and not any, one of Hildegard's own making, or so Adelaide believed when she listened to the fond description of the girl and even the word 'daughter' being dropped. Adelaide would never have guessed that her old professor would have a child this grown and ready for Hogwarts already, never having known that the man had anything akin to a family at all.

But he was a man after all, and it was only natural.

"Is this to explain your fast friendship with the hat? To beckon him into sorting your daughter into the house you are responsible for?" Adelaide remarked, a grin in her voice as she smiled softly. It had come as a surprise, yes, but there had also been nearly a decade between her own graduation and the present time. Of course much could have happened and professor Hildegard had never been the sort to let himself out privately.

"Congratulations on entering her into Hogwarts. Of course I will be hoping for Ravenclaw as well, a daughter of yours is surely going to be a great addition, perhaps with even more fame and triumph," Adelaide continued before a boisterous voice followed into the room, belonging to none other than a certain redhead she only recently reconciled with.

Perhaps there hadn't been that many changes over the years of her absence. An inquiring eye shot up into the direction of Hildegard before it turned back onto Caia who was already fetching her coffee, before it landed on a smaller figure, a young female that had found herself in the room and whom Adelaide didn't recognise from the banquet last night.

A shy figure, reminiscent of what Adelaide had been like herself upon entering Hogwarts. The female smiled at the girl, hoping to ease her somewhat as she watched Hildegard interact with his daughter, edging her own to say hello before Adelaide decided that it was perhaps easier to say hello first.

"Adelaide Rosier, seems like we will be starting anew together," she introduced herself, a hand stretched out to the other that she only knew as 'Shiori'.

"I will be your Defence Against the Dark Arts professor," Adelaide continued warmly, hoping that she wasn't too stiff, or too forward for the other.

Text colour: #B4AAB6

 

[DayDreamer]

It seemed like this was an entire faculty event. As she entered the room, allowing Caia to have the immediate and loud reaction to a piece of information that sounded completely outlandish and even ridiculous knowing Hildegard, Skylar took her wand out of her mouth and got rid of the final pieces of nature stuck in her hair. Now she was back to her moment's notice nature treading self. Clean and ready for some tea.

It wasn't hard to put two and two together. She had been awake before most of them most likely. A sorting ceremony for one. And apparently Hildegard's own daughter. "Mornin' everyone!" She greeted the people - and hat - present as she closed the door and made her way to her favorite corner. She Accio'ed her mug along with her stash of white tea leaves and put the appropriate amount of the aromatic little things before allowing the cup to hover behind her. She frowned a little at the sight of a very neatly stack of piles and journals were placed on the table next to her self-claimed personal office away from the office, an armchair of well-worn velvet with the comfiest of cushions.
"I bet the Howler was Pyre's idea but what have I said about you organizing my stuff Virgil-san?" Skylar huffed and grabbed hold of the mug, now steaming with hot tea. It wasn't often that Skylar used the Japanese name honorifics. She usually did not slip up a lot between the two languages but, when she did, it was either a form of affection or a sign of fed-up irritation.

"Come now. Come say hello as you've practiced," Was Virgil's response to her question and she looked up from the disorganized mess that was now her stuff -in her eyes- to look at Virgil only to find a small figure clinging on to him. A small figure dressed in blatant modern Japanese fashion with a name to match. "Nanda?!" Was Skylar's confused response that escaped her as her eyes danced from Virgil to Shiori and then back to Virgil as Adelaide Rosier was the first one to address the girl. A girl who had appeared in the room when the door was closed. And that door was quite squeaky considering its age. Nobody could apparate within the castle besides the headmaster, which only left one other option. Shadow travel. The little one was a vampire just like Virgil and another guy Skylar met during her gap year. And she was shy.

"Don't mind the loud firecracker," Skylar said to Shiori after getting over her initial surprise, though in her mind she was already broadcasting her questions to Virgil. Since when did he of all people had a daughter ready for Hogwarts? "I'm Skylar Anderson and that is Caia Watkins" She introduced the both of them. "I'll be your teacher on all things creatures and she will show you how to ride a broomstick." She finished with a smirk and took a sip from her tea.

-------------------
OOC: Kinda meh, but I must get back in the groove!

 

[Sailor Arti]

Shiori Matsushita, outfit, Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room

Tags: Virgil Hildegard - (@Ritual Lobotomy),

Will himself had been too busy to really pay attention to the commotion that was happening outside. Focusing rather on making sure he also had his brew of choice in hand before tackling whatever waited for him outside. Of course, he heard Caia's entrance, who wouldn't when she was loud enough to heard from the neighboring country over. He chuckled to himself as he worked quickly. That was just part of her charm he supposed.

He knew she would be in the break room with him eventually as well which is why he made sure he was wrapping up by the time she addressed him. "Out of the way, handsome," she casually referred to Will as she stepped around and walked behind him. "The Queen needs her damn coffee."

"Yes, yes your majesty." he quipped as he moved to the side to begin doctoring up his morning brew. Meanwhile, outside and still hidden in Virgil's shadow Shiori took in the unique scene w
ith everyone. They were all a much livelier bunch than she had imagined, but then again her father had warned her of such.

"Hm," Came her father's quieted acknowledgement, "And to think she insisted on going headfirst into the Great Hall with everyone else," Shiori huffed as she let her thoughts caress her father's own mind while she remained hidden. "This and that are of no correlation! It would've been different if I was around children my age." she said with a pout as she spoke in his mind.

"Now, what did we say about sneaking in?" an inaudible sigh escaped her lips, he was right. Old habit were hard to break but he and Shiori had worked meticulously so that she needn't rely on those habits anymore. As if reading her mind he continued, "That's quite alright. We'll work on it," Shiori materialized in a wisp as the shadows around her lingered before eventually disappearing. It seemed she still had a lot to work on.

Her father's reassuring pat on her head helped give her some confidence back though. "Gomen'nasai(sorry)" she said softly as she lowered her head. "Come now. Come say hello as you've practiced," Virgil said as he gently nudged Shiori forward, removing her from her hiding place behind him.

Shiori gulped as she gripped her hands tightly in front of her. Despite all the practice she was still clamming up in front of all of them. It was so embarrassing. Squeezing her eyes shut she tried to will herself to speak but her voice wouldn't come out. Before she could look to Virgil for assistance once more someone else took pity on her first.

"Adelaide Rosier, seems like we will be starting anew together," the dark haired woman introduced herself with a smile and an extended hand. "I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," she continued and Shiori nodded. "O-oh. Nice to meet you!" she said as she gently took her hand in hers and shook it.

"Don't mind the loud firecracker," another woman spoke up as she approached. Did she perhaps mean the red haired woman that self-proclaimed herself as queen? "I'm Skylar Anderson and that is Caia Watkins" she continued, "I'll be your teacher on all things creatures and she will show you how to ride a broomstick."

Flustered when Shiori realized she still hadn't properly introduced herself she nodded before bowing slightly towards the faculty. "Nice to meet you all. I'm Shiori Matsushita. I'll be in your care this year, please take care of me." she finally said before glancing back at Virgil for approval. Meanwhile Wilbur had been leaning against the doorframe watching the exchange.

Just like everyone else, he had a hard time accepting the fact that suddenly Hildegard of all people had an offspring. He'd be inclined to call his bluff had he not been staring at the young girl as soon as she appeared from behind him. His facial expression held all the questions he didn't actually voice before he cleared his through. "Nice to meet you too, Shiori. I'm Wilbur Langley and I'll be your History of Magic and Ancient Studies Professor. I look forward to seeing how you'll perform in class."

Shiori loved history, back home she was constantly was asking questions to her family or reading books. So when her eyes sparkled at his introduction it was no surprise.

--
Text Color: #dfaab2
More tags: Skylar Anderson - (@DayDreamer),
Adelaide Rosier - (@Nemopedia)

This side of moon could
take you out of the darkness

 

[Ritual Lobotomy]

VIRGILIUS HILDEGARD & CAIA WATKINS
Location: Hogwarts Castle - Faculty Room
Time of day: Saturday morning
Interactions:
Shiori Matsushita; Wilbur Langley - @Sailor Arti
Adelaide Rosier - @Nemopedia
Skylar Anderson - @DayDreamer

While expected from each of them individually, the reaction from his colleagues was nothing less amusing. Understandably, Shiori was apprehensive of meeting the ones supposed to guide her on her way. After years of hard work, it felt like it was only natural for her to receive further knowledge from those that knew more. A lively, rowdy bunch, but a bunch that he would trust his daughter to in a heartbeat. Well. The second or the third one. On the first one, he would probably rethink his decisions.​

"Is this to explain your fast friendship with the hat?" professor Rosier inquired with a smirk. "To beckon him into sorting your daughter into the house you are responsible for?" Virgil received the jest with a subtle smirk of his own, but, regardless, he unconsciously adjusted his posture to a stiffer, prouder one.

"Professor Rosier. I would've never," he responded with a glint in his eye. Indeed, such a topic rose from the conversation more than once before the decision to sort Shiori was finalized. But even if the hat could have been bought, it was hard to believe that Hildegard would have done anything to disrespect its authority. Hard, but not out of the question. Even with a straight moral compass, Virgil didn't live in a delusion that living by it was the only correct thing to do. So, maybe he had mentioned it. Once or twice. Casually.

"Congratulations on entering her into Hogwarts," she proceeded. "Of course, I will be hoping for Ravenclaw as well, a daughter of yours is surely going to be a great addition, perhaps with even more fame and triumph," His heart proudly skipped a single beat while he nodded politely. Initially, his desire for Shiori to be sorted into Ravenclaw was a selfish one. Regardless of Ambrosia and Scarlet pressuring him - to the best of their abilities - to let the girl breathe, Hildegard had a hard time letting it go. She seemed so very fragile still. She brought in a brilliant mind and a wonderful soul when the world had only brought cruelty and limitations. Finally, letting her fly was a difficult decision to make, but a crucial one nevertheless.

A small figure warily made a step forward amidst the chaos his younger colleagues caused in a split second. It was a small blessing that Adelaide just happened to be the first one she would greet. Arguably the one with the calmest, most polite approach. Something Shiori needed to open up to the room. After the moment of hesitation, acting on the politeness required, Shiori responded, short but sweet.

As if the girl's chirpy voice was a calling card, Caia's attention snapped back to the events in the faculty room. Out of nowhere, she peeked behind Wilbur, her cup of coffee still halfway up to her mouth. "Dammit, Langley. One job," she mumbled, lifting herself on the tip of her toes. When the hell did the boy get so tall? Who permitted him? She barely could get a good glimpse over his shoulder. He was always a perfect height to spy behind, and then he just decided her needs were no longer important. Outrageous!

After a failed attempt to see what was happening, she stepped further outwards, scanning the room. A small figure that wasn't there five minutes ago caught her attention, and she blinked at it as if she had just seen an improbable apparition. It seemed like Virgil's imaginary offspring just materialized in the world.

She spoke up right after Sky expressed her surprise.

"Nanda?!"

"Nani the fuck, indeed. What?!"

Both Virgil and Sky somehow managed to acknowledge her inquiry simultaneously: Virgil with silent judgment, and Sky with an open dismissal that made Caia pout briefly.

"Don't mind the loud firecracker," Skylar spoke up, and Caia scoffed.

"Geez, none taken, Anderson."

But at least the pain-in-the-butt announced her to the child so she wouldn't have to be in a rush to redirect her thoughts right away. Shiori Matsushita. The girl introduced herself with a bunch of other polite additional words that were possibly relevant but probably not important. What was important was the aerodynamic potential of the girl's slim body.

Stepping fully into the room, madam Watkins nodded with perhaps an over-expressed enthusiasm as she sipped her coffee since Virgil's immediate reaction was a disapproving headshake.

"Of course, they will do what they do best. Take care of you," Virgil emphasized subtly, eyeing the Magpie. She couldn't help herself. There was a new shiny toy in the house, and she wanted to join in on the fun the only way she knew how. Regardless, Virgil's cue was clear, provoking a light-hearted, snarky response from the redhead.

"I stand corrected, Hildegard. Cute kid. Takes after her mother, I see. Better luck next time."

"I would hope so," Virgil responded calmly. Caia squinted her icy-blue orbs at Hildegard over her "Snitches get Stitches" mug. She had so many questions. Before she came back with a witty remark, Wilbur spoke up with an introduction of his own, throwing her out of her mouthy mood. Clearing her throat, she returned to her coffee, moving to make herself comfortable in one of the nearby chairs set up for the show.

"Well, Shiori," she addressed the girl as she sunk into the chair, throwing one leg over the other in a relaxed manner. "Whatever dad told you about me, I assure you he's mistaken," she winked. "We're gonna get you flying in no time." As overwhelming and exciting as all of their offers were, it was already obvious who the girl's favorite may have been. If her excited gaze was saying anything.

Completely understandable. Caia glanced at Wilbur and smirked before hiding her face behind the giant mug. She felt it heating up, building onto the warmth of the coffee.

"Dammit, Langley," came to mind again.

Hildegard smirked knowingly, laying a hand against Shiori's raven hair. "I am sure you will get along wonderfully with professor Langley."

"And, I am sure she will also get along wonderfully with the rest of her house," the Hat added with a passive-aggressive undertone, addressing the time it took to get it done finally. "If we manage to sort the child at all. Ideally by the end of this decade."

"I believe we should allow the Headmaster some time," Virgil suggested, to which Hat responded with a deep frown and a low grumble.

"Ugh!" Caia agreed with the sentiment, throwing her head back dramatically. "Typical. Every bloody time." Pyre wasn't exactly known for his care for taking things seriously at the exact time they were supposed to be taken seriously.

"Fine," she exhaled. "For saving all of us from collectively suffocating with boredom while he drags his old behind here..." she announced, lifting her mug.

"In times of old when I was new
And Hogwarts barely started," she began the song with a smug smirk, and the Hat perked up.

"Come on, you beautiful old piece of cr-cloth. I know you wanna," Caia teased it, grinning widely.

"The founders of our noble school
Thought never to be parted:
United by a common goal,
They had the selfsame yearning," she proceeded loud and proud, at which point the Hat finally gave in, taking over.

"To make the world's best magic school
And pass along their learning..."

"There you go!" madam Watkins encouraged it to sing further, getting back to her coffee with a mischievous smirk.

"You're welcome! We're going to be here for a while."

"Do you see what I have to deal with?" Virgil mentally shared with Shiori, squeezing her shoulder protectively. Perhaps it was a slightly inconvenient tradition they hoped to avoid, but the true spirit of sorting was an equal measure of pride and awkwardness.

 

[Nemopedia]

Euphoria Script; IM Fell Great Primer; Fjord One;

x

Adelaide Rosier

After sending out howlers to all of the faculty members that were not Virgil, Pyre had wisely hidden himself a good while when the young vampire introduced herself, entering the faculty room after some reluctance and an encouragement from the headmaster. A good while, but eventually he knew he had to come out to perform his duties as the headmaster.

"Alright lads and lasses," the man clapped his hands, waltzing into the room with booming steps for the man did nothing quietly, or even mutedly, "let's get a sorting ready!" he called, and with that he picked up the sorting hat with such a casual flip that even the old rag groaned and huffed at the manhandling of Hogwarts' headmaster.

Not that he cared, Pyre hated going through the many formalities as he dropped the hat on Shiori's head, a wink sent her way before he took a step back.

"Now, what will it be?" he smiled, though Pyre felt that he had a deep inclination as to what it was going to be, "anyone willing to make bets?" he called around the room before his eyes landed on Caia, already knowing that she would be in.

Adelaide couldn't help but heave a huff at that, her head slightly shaking as she crossed her arms, waiting for the hat to sort the new student into one of the four houses. It hadn't escaped the DADA professor that the girl had a different surname from her colleague, making her wonder what exactly the relationship between the two was like. Adopted, or divorced? There were so many possibilities and the female once more realised how little she knew her colleagues and how much time she had missed with those she had once considered her closest relations.

Text colour: #B4AAB6