Put Down the Chalk and Get a Drink

[Professor Rajan Malik]

Weekends at Hogwarts hadn't been too exciting. Rajan was feeling a bit suffocated inside the walls of Hogwarts, and so earlier in the week, invited a few of the other professors to grab a few drinks at The Leaky Cauldron.

There was no question that he would pick something nice (and a bit expensive) to wear, along with his cologne and usual gelled up hair. Having arrived a few minutes early, he sat at the bar and ordered a drink.

Raj wondered who would actually show up. He hadn't gotten the chance to know the other professors, and he wasn't sure what their personalities were like. So far, he felt that Cadoc was pretty cool, considering he was a pretty decent quidditch player back in the days, and Raj was sure he still was consider he was the Quidditch Referee and Flying Instructor. Adimu seemed to be pretty laid back and cool also. Guillaume looked like he might be fun to hang with, and since he overheard some students complaining about Miranda, he was convinced that she was no fun.

He also looked forward to maybe meeting those professors that he hadn't gotten the chance to meet yet, so he took a gulp of his beer and waited for his co-workers to arrive.

[Professor Cadoc Brooks]

Cadoc had spent a lot of times in his room and on the Quidditch Pitch and not really elsewhere. He was excited to mingle with the teachers, especially Adimu and Raj since they were in school around the same time as him. He also wanted to meet the other teachers to see who was teaching though again, he heard students talking about Loveless like she was the plague.

He walked into the Leaky Cauldron wearing the normal clothes minus the grass and dirt stains and saw Rajan sitting at the bar nursing a beer. He smiled, or well, grimanced was the best he could do and walked over.

"Rajan!" He barked and the bartender almost jumped out of his skin at Cadoc's loud voice. "Thanks for inviting me out. Needed to get away from the school. Felt like I was a student again, only with more responsibilities and less fun!" Cadoc continued to bark and grunt, like a military sergent but was actually saying nice things about Rajan.

"What did you order?" He asked roughly and sat down next to him.

[Professor Paige Ashby]

Having arrived later than most of the professors Paige was honestly surprised that she managed to get her classroom together in time for the first day of classes. Just the trouble involved with moving from the States to Scotland had her completely out of order. She wasn't even considering the struggle her body was facing trying to get over the four hour time difference!

Considering those factors it was easy to believe Paige hadn't got around to meeting and greeting the rest of the staff. Oh she had tried but after classes she was too tired to even make a solid effort. It was just perfect timing that led to her running into Professor Malik and getting invited out for drinks. The perfect opportunity to make up for lost time!

Entering the Leaky Cauldron the sound of clicks from her bright red heels followed her in. Paige took a second for her eyes to explore the establishment, it looked the same as the last time she had visited. She noticed two men seated at the bar she managed to recognize Malik from behind. Smoothing out nonexistent wrinkles on her knee length black skirt she also checked her button down red top to make sure only a hint of cleavage was showing. A smile came over her face, perfection.

'Professor Malik thank you for inviting me out, I was starting to feel like a shut in.' Paige joked with a smile before taking a seat at the bar. Getting the attention of the bartender she ordered a Long Island Iced Tea, beer just wasn't her thing.

Rajan Malik looked familiar, and it was likely that they had attended Hogwarts around the same time. Still with the lack of memories of him, and Paige rarely forgot someone's name or face, he was probably a little older than her. On the other hand she recognized Cadoc the moment she noticed him. After all he had been on the Gryffindor quidditch team and was only a year ahead of her. How often had she rooted him on during games? She didn't think he ever noticed her, but she had had a small crush on him back in the day. They were never technically friends but that didn't keep Paige from talking to him even back then.

'I think I introduced myself when you invited me, but just in case I'm Paige Ashby. I'm teaching Muggle Studies - and Cadoc Brooks I certainly remember you but you might not remember me. Too many bludgers to the head perhaps?' She teased, last Paige had heard he was still playing Quidditch but ever since her marriage, and divorce, she had lost track of most former housemates.

[Professor Cadoc Brooks]

After Cadoc ordered a drink at the bar, he heard a female voice and then turned his head to see a brunette sit down next to him to order a long island ice tea. He furrowed his brow at her but then the realization that it was Paige Ashby, one of the most popular girls at Hogwarts when he attended an a year behind him.

"Muggle Studies!" Cadoc exclaimed gruffly sounded disapproving but since Cadoc was muggle born, he obviously couldn't be disappointed that someone was teaching the course. It was amusing to watch witch and wizards try their hands at telephones.

He smiled, or well grimanced again at the mention of bludgers to the head. "Well, it did seem like they were after me the last years I was playing." Cadoc joked back with her and took a swing of his drink.

"Paige I do remember you. You had the most creative signs for Gryffindor." Cadoc nodded and noted that some of the posters were given to him after a game as a keep sake. Of course, associating Paige with Quidditch, he wasn't going to forget her.

"Adlmu is here too. Remember her? Ravenclaw and was in the same year as me. She's teaching Divinations. Miranda Loveless is here too and teaching charms." Cadoc barked information and too a swing again.

[Professor Paige Ashby]

Sipping at her drink Paige smiled remembering the posters she made in school, she had one point considered enrolling in a Muggle art school. That was before she had married and adjusted to the role of housewife. Looking down at her hand she thought it looked strange without the wedding band, she had just stopped wearing it before coming back to England. She would probably be more hurt if she hadn't expected it to end eventually, Paige had just thought it would take a little longer.

'I actually came across my Gryffindor possessions the other day when I was unpacking, brought back memories. Hogwarts alone brings back memories, I've been living in the States for a decade. Feels strange to be home.' Still it was comforting to be somewhere so familiar even if most of the faces had changed.

When Cadoc started mentioning the names of her fellow professors she quickly matched a face up with the name. While she didn't know Adimu Ibori too well personally she couldn't forget the woman. The same went for Miranda Loveless but it was a lot less pleasant memory. Loveless had always rubbed Paige the wrong way, back in the day Paige had been studious to an extent but it hadn't been her life. Miranda Loveless was no fun.

'I had no idea, I've really have managed to keep cooped up in the classroom. Hopefully they'll join us, but it won't been too bad if I stuck drinking with just you two boys - men.' Paige corrected herself with a smile before taking another drink.

[Professor Rajan Malik]

Rajan heard his name and turned to see who was calling him (and who was doing it so loudly), and found Cadoc walking up to the bar. Very glad to see one of the more 'cool' teachers show up, Raj laughed at Cadoc's comment about feeling like a student at Hogwarts, but way less fun.

"Yeah, and to think, back in the days all I wanted was to get out of that place. Apparently, I couldn't handle being away too long, and now I'm back!" Raj joked.

Before he could answer Cadoc about what he had ordered, Rajan was distracted. Very distracted. Raj had ran in to Paige in the corridors earlier in the week and invited her out. He had noted that she was quite attractive, but seeing her out and about dressed up in clothes like this was a different story. For a second, he thought about calling 'dibs,' but realized exactly how inappropriate that was and kept it in his head.

"Oh, no problem, thought it'll be fun to hang out with adults and not a bunch of teenage students for once." Raj said with a smile in response to Paige's thanks.

He listened to Cadoc and Paige talk about their Gryffindor days and for a second wished that he was about 5 years younger so that he knew what they were talking about.

"Yeah, I know what you mean, right before you arrived, Cadoc and I were talking about how Hogwarts seem to be less fun now that we have responsibilities." Raj said as soon as he felt that he could say something.

"So have you all run into any problems teaching yet? Any 'bad' students?" He asked, making sure to talk about something that all three of them can chat about.

[Professor Paige Ashby]

Paige couldn't believe her luck, having drinks with a couple of handsome men. While her crush on Cadoc had ended after graduation he still had that athletic charm that had drawn her in and on the other hand Rajan Malik fit the dark handsome stranger role just perfectly. Plus he smelled delicious. Oh Paige had been without a man for over two years and was remembering quickly what it was like to be a young and attractive single female. She planned to keep things professional but she still got a kick out of the situation.

'I can't agree with you more, being surrounded by a bunch of hormonal teens. The way the talk I feel like I know far too much about their love lives! The fact that they have love lives, I certainly didn't have time during school.' Paige joked but it was true, at Hogwarts she had been so busy with school work and extracurriculars that cupid could never catch her.

With a big drink Paige considered her time back at Hogwarts thinking about what struck out to her. Really this time around was a lot easier than at her last school. At Salem Institute the students had decided to make a game out of picking on the new teacher. Hogwarts even after years of being gone felt like home to her.

'So far I've had no problems, but then again I've probably just jinxed myself. I did have one student who turned in a love note to me instead of his homework.' She confessed with a light and airy laugh, 'Perhaps he thought he'd get a better grade? I mean that's just what I need, some pint-sized Romeo.'

Going to take another drink Paige frowned realizing that she had finished it, definitely needed to drink slower if she wanted to make an good impression.

[Professor Cadoc Brooks]

Cadoc wasn't a good conversationalist and quickly realized that Rajan was going to outshine him in talking. Not that he was intentionally vying for the attention of Paige Ashby but he did like female attention now and again. Unfortunately Cadoc had little experience in that area. One girlfriend and she was so frustrated with his lack of social skills that she up and left him.

At first he was going to respond with something about the United States but then Rajan interjected with what Cadoc and him were talking about earlier, then asked about any bad students. Paige mentioned a pint-size Romeo and Cadoc subconsciously sized himself up next to Rajan. Cadoc was only 5'6 and Raj had 4 more inches on him. Cadoc had what one would call Napoleon Complex but it manifested itself in different ways, hence the loud talking and stocky appearance, though Cadoc had bigger bones than most.

"Hrm.. no bad students for me." Cadoc quipped and then furrowed his brows. "But there is this one girl who is afraid of flying and is in my class for her OWLS. I don't quite understand how she managed to get this far without flying decently." He nodded gruffly and took a sip again of his beer. It felt good to drink again on a regular basis. It had been years he had to balance his party days with training and games. It was never good to be hung over for practice.

"Though I did heard of the name Thom Seivert. Apparently he has been wrecking havoc for quite some time." Thom's twin brother Loki was in his flying class and had to look up to the boy. Cadoc didn't like it but he knew he was certainly the better quidditch player.

[Professor Adimu Ibori]

Adimu hoped the time given to meet for drinks wasn't meant to be kept to the minute, as she was running slightly late. Her leather ankle boots clicked rather visciously on the cobbled floor below her as she made her way to the pub. She'd ran late on finishing her lesson plans and thus had a seriously short time to get ready. She'd hastily applied some make-up, slipped on a colourful maxi dress. Having also noticed the rather cold looking weather outside, she'd decided to slip on a coat too. An ankle length, pale orange woolen robe sort of thing, with bright orange and yellow faux fur erupting from the sleeves and neckline. She looked rather eccentric to say the least and would definitely catch a few looks. Still, she wasn't bothered, she dressed how she pleased herself.

Having eventually reached the door, she swung it open and stepped into the welcoming warmth of the pub. Revelling in its comfort she racked the pub for her fellow teachers and simply failed to find them.

"Rajan?" she yelled blindly, catching the attention of a few nearby tables.
"Cadoc?".

[Professor Miranda Loveless]

Miranda hear about few teachers meeting at the Leaky Cauldron and reflected on whether or not she should attempt to let her hair down for a night. Alcohol was not something partook in, but there were other options to drink there. Additionally, all her lesson plans were ready and the evening was free. She could stalk the halls for students misbehaving or do something to stretch her legs.

Putting on a nice blouse and a skirt that reached the top her knee and sensible shoes. She put on a fair amount of make up for a night out, but nothing to make her look like a tramp. With a simple wave her wand, her hair wound itself into a perfect bun. She looked, in a word, pretty. But she had no intention of using this seek out a man for the evening. Such a thing would be a distraction to her work this semester.

After arriving to the Leaky Cauldron, Miranda saw where the other teachers were meeting and made her way over. She noticed that at the same time, Adimu had arrived. She gave the fellow Ravenclaw a smile and walked over with her.

"Good evening, Adimu," she said politely. Looking over to the other teachers, she gave everyone a polite wave. "Raj, Cadoc, good evening." She was unaware of who the other teacher in the group. "Good evening," she said to her. "Miranda Loveless, Professor of Charms."

[Professor Adimu Ibori]

Adimu smiled as Miranda entered the pub. She was dressed rather minimal, and the contrast between their outfits made Adimu stick out like a sore thumb. She looked around the pub and realised that most people were wearing rather dim coloured robes and maybe she overdressed for the occasion. She pulled her coat tight to her, rather self consciously and returned the greeting.

"Evening Miranda, I hope you're well," she replied warmly.

Miranda then continued to locate their fellow teachers straight away, something Adimu had simply failed to do. She felt even more self conscious, now that she'd made such a trivial mistake and walked to their table rather bashfully.

"Well hello everyone, please excuse my rather erm, needless shouting there. Let's blame it on the fact that I've been locked in my office all afternoon yes?" she joked and flashed everyone at the table a warm smile and pulled up a stool at the table.

[Professor Cadoc Brooks]

Cadoc turned around when he heard his name being called and then spotted Miranda and Adimu coming towards the pair. Miranda he only had a brief association with and vaguely remembered her from school, unlike Rajan who was head boy at one point.

Cadoc grunted in response to Adimu's apology, though he was really trying to laugh and put Adimu at rest for her inability to find the teachers at the Leaky Cauldron. Cadoc had a hard time showing appropriate emotions. They all came out as grunts, groans and barks.

"Adimu! I'm glad you could get out. No reason to be cooped up in that tower when you can be down here." Cadoc raised his beer to her and took another drink again. He was getting to the bottle and he needed to order another one soon.

"We were discussing bad students. A topic I think we can all talk about." He noted gruffly and although he already noticed Paige Ashby, it was hard to not notice Adimu and Miranda. However they were both significantly taller than him and Cadoc knew that most women liked the handsome tall men. Though when he was professionally playing, many women dated him regardless of how short he was but now he didn't have that hold anymore.

Not that these teachers would care that he use to professionally play. He was the Gryffindor Seeker that knocked Miranda's books into the stands that one fateful game but Cadoc was still flabbergasted that she was trying to study!

[Professor Paige Ashby]

'I'm not too surprised, I went through school never properly learning to fly a broom, you'd probably laugh if you saw me. Eventually it was agreed that it wasn't going to get any better.' Paige admitted before ordering another drink.

It had been hard for Paige to give up and admit that she couldn't master something. Eventually though she had decided it just wasn't meant to be. Really she hadn't worried about it until returning to Hogwarts, being able to fly wouldn't have impressed Jon.

Brought out of her thoughts by the addition of two more women to their party she couldn't help noticing the difference between the two. From the moment she saw Adimu it brought a smile to her face, Paige had an apprication for people willing to have their own style. Meanwhile she couldn't help wondering if Loveless ever wore her hair down.

'I'm Paige Ashby, I'm teaching Muggle Studies.' She offered up the introduction with a bright smile. 'I don't know Cadoc, Thom Seivert isn't in any of my classes. Perhaps I got lucky?'

[Professor Rajan Malik]

"It looks like you're going to need another one." Rajan commented with a smile when he noticed that Paige was done with her drink.

He listened as Cadoc started talking about a student named Thom Seivert. He knew that Thom was in his class and from the student's appearance, could possibly be a trouble maker.

Soon, he heard his name being called, and turned to see Adimu had joined them, and Miranda was not far behind.

"Hello, ladies. Nice to see you've come to join us." He greeted them and watched everyone mingle. He was pretty glad that he had set up this whole thing so that everyone could break the ice.

"And what would you all like to drink?" He asked Adimu and Miranda politely. He had finished his, and was about to order another one, and felt that it wouldn't hurt to get the new arriving teachers along with his.

"And at the pace Paige is going, she'll probably be done with hers before our drinks arrive." He said jokingly.

"Only kidding." He added just in case she was one of those women that don't get jokes too often.

[Professor Miranda Loveless]

"A pleasure to meet you, Paige," Miranda said as she took a seat amongst the other professors. She looked around the group and was impressed at the amount of women who out numbered the males. Looking at the types of drinks, Miranda was quite sure she was not having any alcoholic beverages. She looked over at Raj and gave a soft smile.

"I'll simply have a tea for now," she said plainly. Sure it was not much of an actual "drink", but she was not about to lose her inhibitions around the other teachers. That would make for horrible gossip or anything that the little Slytherin newspaper could write. Ironically enough, they were discussing problem students.

"Seivert? I don't know of Thom. Any relation to Eva?" she said raising an eyebrow. "That is a Ravenclaw who can be a problem if not watched," she said seriously. "A party girl in the disguise of a scholar. However, I know of another problem student," she said pulling out a copy of The Snitch

"Brusseau. Seth Brusseau. The head writer for the school paper," she said while motioning to an article about the arrival of the new teachers. "I think you'll find this article intriguing, but we can read that later if you all like."

[Professor Paige Ashby]

Blushing slightly at Rajan's comment about her rapid drinking that didn't keep her from laughing. 'That sounds like a comment from a man intimidated by a woman who could out-drink him.' She teased in return, playfully batting her eye lashes.

Truth be told she was starting to feel uncomfortable with all this talk about the students. Of course it was perfectly okay to share your troubles on a listening ear but it was starting to sound like they were comparing notes. What Paige didn't want was an us against them sort of mentality developing with her fellow professors or the students. Perhaps she was too soft of a professor, but she was there to teach, not to sniff out troublemakers.

'I do have Mister Brusseau in my class and I'm certain he's harmless. If anything he's just guilty of helping spread gossip, surely if things get too far we could just have him removed from the school paper? Typically I'm against censorship but it's just the school paper.' Paige had little interest in the article, what could he possibly know about her that she wasn't free to tell the world?

[Professor Miranda Loveless]

Miranda raised an eyebrow at Paige but said nothing immediately. She was guessing that Paige hadn't had the privilege of seeing Seth in action. Miranda picked up the paper and put it back in her robe. "Just don't be caught off guard," she said to teacher sternly but also sincerely.

Miranda took a seat and looked amongst her fellow teachers. "Aside from any problem students, are there any who are ones to watch in terms of good behavior and grades?" she said waiting for her tea to arrive.