Welcome to Teppenpaw (cont'd from CH) on Teppenpaw Commons

Professor Henry Flatt

May 12, 2009 12:05 PM

Welcome to Teppenpaw (cont'd from CH) by Professor Henry Flatt

As Henry led the small group toward the Teppenpaw entrance, he was mindful to play tour guide, pointing out the entrance to the Labyrinth Gardens, the Library, and the portrait of Tavarius Mims who lorded over the House points still. He led them finally into the west bell tower, down one flight of stairs, up two more, and then down again, until he paused midway, his feet coming to rest over the small, diamond shaped chip he'd always used as a student to serve as a landmark. "Please gather round. This," he said, pointing to an innocuous piece of wall, "is the entrance to Teppenpaw's common room and the dormitory. This," he continued, gesturing to his feet, "is how you gain entrance. Watch closely."

He lifted his slacks, displaying a stretch of brown and black striped socks, and ran through the brief steps of the jig. It was only slightly humiliating to be running through the steps as an adult, but he remembered enjoying it as a first year. The entrance ritual only gradually grew cumbersome as he aged. The second his right foot finished its last tap, the wall opened and a patch of light fell over the stair. "The entrance to Teppenpaw, and how it's gained, are both secret. No one outside of your House is to know, all right?"

Henry stepped through the frame and waited until the last student had followed through. He gave them a moment to take in their surroundings: the fireplace charmed to grow or shrink depending upon the room's occupants, an assortment of couches and large chairs in varying degrees of maroon and gold, several low tables that were usually covered in studying materials, and two staircases that led toward the dormitories.

"Welcome to Teppenpaw House," he greeted, smiling. "I am your Head of House, Henry Flatt. I am also your History of Magic professor. You'll find my office through that doorway there." He pointed to a faint outline in the western wall. "Behind me, you'll see two sets of stairs. The left leads to the boys' dormitory, and the right leads to the girls'. There is no mixing beyond the Common Room, and if you try, well-" his smile grew amused. "I'd advise against it.

"As you already heard from the Headmistress, this year's Head Girl is our own Briony O'Leary. Your other prefects are Pepper Jones, Eaven Valentine, and Josiah Ashwood. Should you ever need assistance, or have any questions and you can't reach me, you can turn to any of them." Henry turned and gestured to the Common Room announcement board, still littered by the previous term's news. "Within the next few days, you'll see a posting for Quidditch sign-ups from the team captain, Hannah Laurent. As first years, you are not allowed to try out for the team. You will, however, receive flying lessons from Coach Fox, and I'm sure that if you ask nicely, Hannah won't mind you watching team practices. Keep an eye out, as well, for notices regarding this year's Midsummer Festival.

Henry removed the glasses he had switched to over the summer and rubbed his eyes; he'd made the change hoping it would give his figure a better semblance of authority. Instead, he merely looked younger than his thirty-five years, and his current gesture only further emphasized that. "Curfew is at 10pm; being caught in the halls will result in the loss of House points. Breakfast starts serving at 6am, and classes begin tomorrow. On that note, I have your class schedules here. . . Andrew Duell, here you go; Insomnia Zannicci, yours- please pass this to David Lancaster beside you; and Maiara Landon, there you go.

"Let's see now. . . questions- do you have any questions or concerns?"

0 Professor Henry Flatt Welcome to Teppenpaw (cont'd from CH) 0 Professor Henry Flatt 1 5

Andrew Duell

May 17, 2009 8:19 AM

A pleasure to be here by Andrew Duell

Andrew followed Professor Flatt and the rest of the new Teppenpaws through the school and before to long was completely lost. He whispered to someone nearby as they arrived at the west bell tower, "Do you think they're going to give us a map?"

His attention was snapped back as Professor Flatt indicated a perfectly ordinary section of the wall, and proceeded with his jig. Andrew was once more at a loss, what a peculiar locking mechanism on the door... He decided to once again simply accept it, and file it away in his head under 'Things to look into once he had a better grasp of what was going on.' It was starting to be a rather full file, and it was still the first day. He simply nodded along as Professor Flatt explained that no one else could know where the door was or how to open it.

As Andrew entered the room, the first thing he noticed was the fireplace, did it grow? The common room was really nice, especially compare to his mother's rather frugal apartment. It definitely had a charm to it that his father's place lacked. He was mildly curious what exactly happened if you went up the wrong stairs. Granted with everything else he'd seen so far, maybe that investigation could wait.

Quidditch? That's right, the school did have Quidditch teams. Interesting. Mom hadn't ever been a big fan of it, but since he'd seen it, Dad had been strangely enthralled by it. He himself didn't get terribly excited watching it, but actually playing it? That could be fun. Looks like he was going to have to wait a year to find out though.

Andrew accepted his schedule and looked it over, he recognized the locations of some of the classes from their tour, but he wasn't sure if he could find them again. When Professor Flatt asked for questions, he raised his hand, "Is there a map of the school?"

2 Andrew Duell A pleasure to be here 145 Andrew Duell 0 5

Professor Flatt

May 26, 2009 12:59 PM

I'm glad to hear it. by Professor Flatt

Henry focused his attention directly to the question asked- and its owner: Andrew Duell. Thankfully, his crew of first year Teppenpaws was a small one; while ever the hard worker, Henry's memory had never been his strongest trait. Excellent work ethic had taught him how to overcome that particular hurdle, and by far, repetition was the best aid. Other mnemonics had included creating couplets and other word associations, but he preferred to keep those to himself. It hardly seemed proper, as an adult in his thirties, to be over-heard whispering rhymes to himself.

"A map?" he repeated, pausing briefly to adjust his glasses. It was still disconcerting to be without his contact lenses. "Not officially. You'll find that after your first week, the school will seem much smaller than it does now. As you share most of your classes with the second years, you can always feel free to follow after them, or ask one of the prefects for assistance should you get lost."

Henry scanned the four faces looking up at him, a touch of sympathy forcing him to drop the stilted formality he'd enforced thus far. "Here's what I'll do. It's a bit late right now, but in the morning, if you all don't mind waking up a bit earlier than necessary, I'll take you on another round of the school before breakfast.You can bring paper and something to write with, and we'll make maps of our own."

0 Professor Flatt I'm glad to hear it. 0 Professor Flatt 0 5

Insomnia Zannicci

June 10, 2009 5:10 PM

That's a relief by Insomnia Zannicci

Insomnia listened, bemused, to the Professor, struggling to take in all that was being said whilst still rehearsing the steps of the jig in her mind. She could just picture the embarrassment of being stuck out in the corridor. And how on earth were they meant to keep the jig a secret? They weren't exactly going to blend in dancing jigs outside walls.

She accepted her timetable and handed over David's, before looking more closely at hers. Charms, Care of Magical Creatures and History of Magic sounded interesting. She'd always been good at History.

Insomnia looked more carefully around the room, enjoying the pleasant atmosphere that seemed to pervade it. She wondered who she'd be sharing with. She liked the idea of dorms - a much simpler way to spend time making friends than to have to go look for them.

Insomnia's attention was drawn back to the question and answer session. She smiled at the boy asking about maps, thankful that someone'd been brave enough to ask. But... No maps?! Oh, there'll be a tour in the morning. Insomnia breathed a sigh of relief. Just got to make sure I wake on time then, she mumbled to herself.

0 Insomnia Zannicci That's a relief 0 Insomnia Zannicci 0 5