Deviled Eggs || Faculty & Staff Meeting

2 September 1920
After dinner

Ruby leaned back in her chair and tilted her head to one side, then the other in an attempt to loosen the tension she’d developed over the past few hours. Every day, it seemed, she found more of a mess that the previous Headmaster had left in his wake. Who the hell in their right mind thought that it was a good idea to bring Muggles into Hogwarts? She respected them, just as much as he did, but this was not the environment for such beings. Everyone knew that.

And now the students were at risk; the low headcount was proof of that. She’d been a bit more optimistic about the situation before the Opening Feast last night, however after the debacle that had become the kitchens… the term was already cursed and it had barely even begun. Thankfully, though, the staff at Hogwarts were now people she could count on; a lot of aurors, including herself, would be walking the halls this term, ready to protect the students at a moment’s notice.

Ruby had been hopeful that the kitchen issue would be solved by breakfast… and then when that didn’t happen, by lunch… and then dinner… But nothing.

Gideon had been trying relentlessly to fix the issue, and she appreciated his hard work, but so far nothing had worked.

Ruby picked up the wine she had brought with her and poured it in her wine glass, then took a sip. She didn’t have an official agenda for the meeting, but she did want the others to know how much she appreciated them and to come up with some sort of plan to combat the wonkiness that this term was turning out to be.

On the other table in the room were trays of appetizer type foods that she had delivered from Hogsmeade for the staff. It wasn’t anything fancy, however she was sure they’d be thrilled to see something other than sandwiches and fruit. And, of course, any of them were more than welcome to bring any spirits they may want to partake in.

She set her glass down and stood up, making her way to the trays of food. She picked up a deviled egg and popped it in her mouth.

All day.

ALL. FUCKING. DAY. He had been in the kitchens working on the magic fuckery that was plaguing the castle. One more meal of sandwiches and the students were going to mutiny. They may not have the numbers, or the skill, but they had the passion. As a betting man, Gideon would put his money on the children. No question. Those rabid beasts were crafty.

Unfortunately, it was time for a break. The staff meeting would be beginning shortly, even if the things on the agenda could have been an owl, it was important to build a cohesive team. Or something like that. He was just making headway on the ovens when the elf ran in telling him it was almost time.

Walking into the staff room, Gideon looked completely out of place. Gone was his typical three piece suit, fine fabrics free of wrinkles. In its place, a light grey button up shirt, sleeves folded up exposing the snake and crest tattoo on his left forearm. His hair was completely disheveled from hours of running his hands through it in annoyance and frustration. There were burn marks and food splattered here and there, and a faint smell of burnt garlic wafted behind him as he walked.

Seeing the Head Mistress standing alone, Gideon walked towards her, “Ruby,” he said, tipping his chin in greeting. “The sinks, pantry, cold storage and dish storage seem to be in order. I have the ovens to finish up and the cutlery seems to be out for blood. Most is under control, but there are two forks and a bread knife that are still stalking me.”

Popping a stuffed mushroom into his mouth and pouring two fingers of scotch he went to take his seat. Then, he turned and made it three fingers. He’d earned it.

Maddox couldn't understand the apprehension of his colleagues where the students were concerned. Many hadn't returned, but there were still more than enough to constitute a headache. His lessons today had a few less of them grumbling about manual labour or trying to get themselves and the creatures killed, but nowhere near low enough to grant the man some peace.

Left up to him, he'd pack a few more of them up and send them home, finally make the castle as desolate as the other professors liked to lament it was. Unfortunately--a word used rather loosely here--he wasn't in charge.

That position belonged to the woman with her wine glass poised when he entered the room. "No one told me it was a party. I might have declined." Graciously, of course. A few of them had already gone out the night before, and after he'd returned, there were a few creatures in need of his care. The nocturnal sort were the neediest in his opinion. It hadn't been nearly enough time to recover before another social gathering was thrust upon him, this one mandated by his job title.

Maddox sank into one of the chairs, hooking his foot around the one next to him, in silent show it was taken. Egregious as it was for Julia to have him arrive before her--where was that Laurence promptness?--he supposed he should ensure she was favorably positioned away from the main fanfare, namely the head and her deputy. When the meeting started, all eyes would be on them while they waited to be reminded that, no, in fact, they could not go home and that all missing students really did still have to be reported so.

What was the point of a broken castle if all the bothersome bureaucracy remained?

"Hard working man," Maddox quipped, listening to Gideon rattle off a list of all the improvements he'd made to the kitchens. "Better get it all done soon. I've heard there's a castle breakout in the works I'd rather not be involved in."

Chasing children who wanted to be free to go graze in the forbidden forest until such a time as they found themselves on the menu wasn't an article in the contract he'd signed.

Her kitten heels were pulling double-shifts today. Julia had walked the entire length of the library and the Restricted Section six times over, making sure everything was orderly and back in its place. Much to her horror, Julia had found on her return that Nicholas had not only released her wards on the Restricted Section so that even the tiniest of first years could enter unaccompanied, but that in the last few months of his lunacy he'd completely thrown the catalogue by the wayside and allowed books to be shoved anywhere someone could find a place.

Random shelves, under tables, on top of shelves, in desk drawers, in random piles on the floor. She'd even found a few books nestled in the damn chandelier. It was anarchy in its worst form. To reduce her beloved books to things that could just be strewn about...

The woman took a deep breath as she walked into the staff room, resolute in letting her irritation go before she had to mingle amongst her co-workers. Making a good impression on them wasn't at the top of her priority list - she was here to do a job, as they all were, and as long as they could be professional that was all that really mattered. She was here for the kids - not to make friends.

Speaking of friends.

“Is this how you woo women now? Furniture acquisition?” She smiled as she slid into the chair that Maddox had his foot hooked around. Her eyes drifted to Gideon and Ruby, the only other two who had arrived so far. She hadn't caught what they'd all been discussing before she entered the room, only the last bit of Maddox's quip about a mutiny.

"Don't encourage them, mon soleil," she joked, giving Ruby a friendly smile to indicate she was only teasing. "If they get this place all fixed up, we'll keep our jobs and won't be able to go home."

Roufas made his way into the staff room, finding himself a plush chair in a less than well-lit corner of the room. Headmistress Haswell was here, along with Deputy Blackwood and Professors Laurence and Maddox. Socializing. What a joy. But, there was food. Roufas set down a bottle of bourbon in front of his colleagues, cradling another in his arm as he made his way to the food. He was certainly hungry after the day he'd had.

Surely, he had been able to maintain order in his class, but it had exhausted him. He wasn't quite sure how any of them did it. The students seemed more like emotional vampires, feeding off of him. By the end of the year they might have him drained dry. One Slytherin girl in particular had earned his ire, and perhaps a bit of his admiration. She didn't have a problem speaking her mind, which he did respect. But her methodology left a bit to be desired. Roufas dismissed the thoughts as he drew closer to the food table, hearing the Headmistress and Deputy Blackwood converse, the others chiming in. "Ruby," he thought to himself, his inner monologue carrying the tone of the vilest curse as he thought her name to himself. Roufas had not conversed with Ruby more than he needed to from the moment he had arrived at the castle and found out that she would be hisboss this time. There was nothing there but trouble waiting to happen. Although it might otherwise be an intriguing diversion to dive head long into that trouble he knew was brewing just under the surface, he knew better to leave well enough alone.

Gathering his plate, and wordlessly returning to his quiet, slightly darker corner of the room, Roufas sat there in his comfortable chair. He munched on hors d'oeuvres, particularly fond of the deviled eggs. Sitting the plate on the small table beside him, Roufas uncorked the bourbon bottle he still carried with him and poured the amber liquid into a glass. Corking the bottle and setting it down, he sipped his drink and sighed contentedly as the vanilla rich notes, highlighted by the caramel and smoky after tasted warmed him deep within. Regarding each of his newfound colleagues with a somewhat questioning glance, Roufas finally spoke. "Well, Gideon, I know what you've been up to, but don't worry. I'm sure there's a silver lining to all this. How was everyone else's day," he asked as he chuckled.

He wasn't too late. Thank goodness for small miracles.

The taste of grilled cheese still lingered on his tongue as he took a quick peak around the staff room to get a head count on how acceptably late he was. It seemed, by his count, that he wasn't the last and therefor wouldn't take the brunt of whatever it was that would happen to the last person. Not that it mattered, or at least so he thought. The castle being in such disrepair and short on staff probably floated to the top of the list of things to worry about.

His timeliness was probably quite low, by comparison.

Just in time to listen to the kitchen's repair, Emil managed to find a seat that was empty on both sides and claim it as his own. A deep sigh escaped as his butt found the chair, exhausted from all the magic he had cast in the last twelve hours. His office was woefully underenchanted and that was before he'd managed to place his own little piece of himself a couple dozen feet under the floorboard. The potions storecase, the rare ingredients, all of it seemed to be veritably open to the public. Just restoring the prior wards was job enough, not to mention the runic enchantment that he tacked on for good measure. But to his surprise, there seemed to be a need for a wolfbane potion among the castles' occupants. A rare brew, rarer ingredients, and even factoring in those were provided it was truly laborous.

Plus, his patrol in the evening would keep him for a while longer. He was really looking forward to continuing it. His exhaustion, however, was closing in. Maybe he'd have to get to his book tomorrow.

"Good evening everyone," he muttered softly as he took a deep breath and collected himself. There wasn't too much he could imagine the staff meeting saying that was relevant but these sort of things were part of the life of a professor. Whether this meeting could have been an owl or not remained to be seen. The plate of food did nothing to appease him, less the taste of his earlier sandwich be overpowered.

A staff meeting had been announced, and a staff meeting she would attend.

Etain was used to meetings, albeit those held in the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. These tended to consist of Dark Wizards or Witches, cabals, and the practice of the Dark Arts in general. Names were assigned, research was done, more research was done, followed by more meetings, more research, and then, if all that digging and fact checking was accurate—Etain prided herself on being uncompromisingly thorough—the person or persons in question would be dealt with.

It was simpler than it sounded.

Dressed in a deep blue frock with a dark golden shawl, the ebony-haired woman made her way to the meeting, albeit in no real hurry. The castle felt different since the last time she was there, and though something had been diminished. If Etain had to guess, that was likely from what the previous Headmaster and his cohorts had done to the castle. She didn’t have to be a Diviner to know things felt different. The Transfiguration Classroom had this same feeling when she passed her emerald gaze upon it.

That was just fine with her. Rather than constant spells here and there, she rewove things to her liking in the office and classroom through ritual magic. Her words had taken on a metaphysical nature, her syllables merely threading reality itself. What had been broken could be repaired in one form or another.

Stepping into the room, she noted the food, the drink, and the gathered faculty. Giving a warm, cordial nod to everyone, she took her seat and waited for things to begin.

Hearing her name, Ruby turned and smiled at her Deputy as he approached her. Her blue eyes scanned over his appearance – how completely disheveled he was. And… What was that smell? She recognized it… but it wasn’t very good. She was used to Gideon’s appearance being impeccable, along with him always smelling clean.

“The sinks, pantry, cold storage and dish storage seem to be in order. I have the ovens to finish up and the cutlery seems to be out for blood. Most is under control, but there are two forks and a bread knife that are still stalking me.”

“Do you think the ovens will be good by breakfast?” Ruby asked, watching Gideon as if she was trying to read the amount of honesty with which he spoke to her. She really hoped they were; she was sick of the complaints from the students and just, well, getting sick of the kitchens being bamboozled at all.

"Hard working man. Better get it all done soon. I've heard there's a castle breakout in the works I'd rather not be involved in."

Ruby shook her head and sighed, though she wouldn’t be surprised if it happened if it took much longer for the students to get real food. She’d request enough from Hogsmeade for the whole castle, but that’d be a bit too much to ask of the shops there.

"Don't encourage them, mon soleil. If they get this place all fixed up, we'll keep our jobs and won't be able to go home."

Appreciating the friendly smile from Julia, Ruby raised her brows and made her way to the table. She picked up her wine glass, downed what was left and then poured more before settling into the chair at the head of the table. Almost everyone was there.

He had walked in during the chit chat, got some food, got some drink, and sat in the back corner as if he was here just to observe. As she scanned the room, she narrowed her eyes slightly at him but didn’t pause. Why did he have to be here? Only a few more were missing…

Once Emil and Etain joined, Ruby cleared her throat and sat up straighter. “I appreciate everyone joining, and please do enjoy the hors d'oeuvres and spirits before you return to your quarters,” the Headmistress said and motioned to the trays of food and various bottles of liquor and wine.

“Gideon, as you can surmise, has been working tirelessly in the kitchens trying to fix whatever it is that Holloway did. I fear that this will not be the only issue we see pop up this term, so I do need everyone to be vigilant and please report to me the second you notice something amiss,” she added and sighed. “I really thought that we had things under control before term began, but…” she shook her head and tapped her fingers on the table top.

“Do keep in mind that a lot of eyes are on us… the Minister of course, and the parents… We must be thorough on our patrols at night as well to ensure everyone’s safety. That is the top priority. Hogwarts has been an institution for well over nine-hundred years, and I will not allow it to crumble now.” It almost felt as if they were readying for war, but Merlin… she hoped it did not come to that.

“Also, if you have noticed any of your students becoming extra… irritated, please keep an eye on them.” Of course some were getting extra irritated, honestly she couldn’t blame any of them. “You said that you were working on the ovens, and everything else was in order?” she asked of her deputy as she took another sip of her wine.

“Do you think the ovens will be good by breakfast?” he shrugged. Time would tell, but things were looking up. “I guess we'll find out.”

Gideon had downed most of his drink, but thought it best to stop with one. Although the bottle was sitting there calling his name. "Hard working man. Better get it all done soon. I've heard there's a castle breakout in the works I'd rather not be involved in."

Lifting his glass in a salute to Maddox, he took another sip, nursing the last of it for a bit longer. “Much more of this and I’ll lead the charge.”

As the rest of the staff made their way in. Some later than others, Gideon sat in silence, watching his peers. Cataloging who was friends with who. The Muggle Studies Professor seemed to be friends with no one, except the flask in his breast pocket. His eyes were bloodshot, hand shook. He might be one to keep an eye on.

"Well, Gideon, I know what you've been up to, but don't worry. I'm sure there's a silver lining to all this.” Another sip of his whisky, only to find that his glass was empty. Fuck it, the Deputy got up and got another drink. “The only ‘silver’ lining I see is the cold storage is fixed. I’m having a massive bowl of ice cream when this is over.”

Sitting back down, taking another sip, feeling the cool liquid burn a trail down his throat and into his empty stomach, Gideon looked at Professor Bourne sitting across from him and smirked, “Fudge Ripple.”

Watching the last two walk in, Roan and Battersea, Gideon sat up straighter as Ruby brought the meeting to order.

“Gideon, as you can surmise, has been working tirelessly in the kitchens trying to fix whatever it is that Holloway did. I fear that this will not be the only issue we see pop up this term, so I do need everyone to be vigilant and please report to me the second you notice something amiss, I really thought that we had things under control before term began, but…” Ruby looked frustrated by the state of the castle on night one of the term. He could relate, because so was he.

“Do keep in mind that a lot of eyes are on us… the Minister of course, and the parents… We must be thorough on our patrols at night as well to ensure everyone’s safety. That is the top priority. Hogwarts has been an institution for well over nine-hundred years, and I will not allow it to crumble now.” With the mention of eyes on them, his back stiffened. The thought that others were judging them while having to fix the mistakes of another grated on his nerves.

“You said that you were working on the ovens, and everything else was in order?” Brought out of his musings, Gideon stood up and paced the area.

“Yes, all that’s left is the ovens and the remaining cutlery. The elves have been very helpful, they continue to clean up and organize, so that once the magic is righted, meal service can resume as planned. We are hoping for tomorrow morning.”