Chapter 531 - Final Appointing (1/2)
On the sixth floor of Hogwarts, the figure of a petite witch in dark blue robes can be seen hunched over her desk. Professor Bathsheda Babbling, the professor of Ancient Runes, and now the new Head of Gryffindor, who let out a m.o.a.n of despair. Why even her crooked dark hat was even more crooked than usual! Scrunching her slightly crooked, button nose she sighed, before reaching for her cup of tea to only realize it was empty. With a frown she checked the teapot and found that it was empty.
Letting out a loud sigh, Bathsheda's pale hand rubbed her aching coffee colored hair causing her coiled hair to become rather disarray. There are the faint traces dark eyeshadows under her blue and brown colored eyes. Tired and rather hungry now, she rose to her feet collected the lists of parchment she was working on and heading downstairs towards the staff room.
The entire time heading downstairs, Bathesheda is mumbling to herself, ”Oh, no, you just could not say no, could you, Bathesheda? You just had to let yourself be talked into accepting the position. Why could not you use your infamous Gryffindor courage to tell the headmaster, NO!” Thankfully, there was no one around to hear her talking to herself, or else, she would never have lived it down!
With a loud sigh, Bathsheda kicked the staff room door open with her open causing the door to loudly thud against the stone wall. Still mumbling to herself, Bathesheda does not even realize that the long, paneled staff room is already occupied. She was about to let out a string of curses when she happened to look at hearing a rustle of clothes.
Glancing up, Bathesheda's eyes grew rather wide at seeing the three head of Houses, the Hogwarts Deputy, the caretaker and many new unknown faces. Feeling a burning red-hot flush creeping up her neck, she hastily says, ”Er, sorry, I'll just be going now.”
However, before she can turn away, the figure of Professor Minerva McGonagall pointedly says, ”You might as well have a seat, Professor Babbling. This saves me the trouble of sending a house elf to retrieve you as the following introductions will be relevant to you as you are the new Head of Gryffindor.”
There is a round of congratulatory voices as Bathesheda weakly smiles and takes a reluctant seat on one of the many mismatched furniture in the staff room. Carefully putting her parchment down along with her quill, and ink, she tries to look inconspicuous as possible. However, the eyes of the newcomers are all at present on her.
Professor McGonagall waves her hand at the figure seated next to her. Her engagement ring on her finger glints in the bright candle lights as she says, ”This is Professor Norman Hopkins, and he will be teaching first through fourth year Transfiguration.”
Bathesheda nods her head at the former Ravenclaw, who was once several years below her. Norma Hopkins was a muggleborn with a thirst with knowledge. His pointed nose would always be in some sort of book if she could recall correctly.
Norman Hopkins lips twitch in the briefest of smiles in recognition of Bathesheda. Much like Professor McGonagall, Norman Hopkins is a rather meticulous looking man with a strict demeanor. His only faults were his impressive cleft chin and heavily gelled hair.
Moving on Professor McGonagall continues, ”There seated at his side is Master Strauss with a dual degree in History of Magic and Care of Magical Creatures.”
Bathesheda's eyes grow eye in astonishment as she takes in the rather tanned middle-aged man with a scholarly air about him. Master Strass appears to be the pleasant sort as he flashes her a good-natured smile.
”Sitting next to him is Professor Manzil Snipe, who will be teaching Gobbledegook as a full-time professor.”