PROFESSOR

1 - Welcome, New Students

   Another year begins at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry! As the first years pour in to the iconic Great Hall, they're met by their classmates and staff applauding their arrival. Professor Minerva McGonagall takes a stand at the head of the stairs, behind a stool sat on the first step.

  "Welcome to Hogwarts!" she began. "The start-of-term banquet will begin shortly, but before you take your seats in the Great Hall, you will be sorted into your houses. The Sorting is a very important ceremony because, while you are here, your house will be something like your family within Hogwarts." Minerva explained, as she did every year.

   After her speech, she began calling up first years, one by one, to place the Sorting Hat on their heads. Behind her sat a large table where all of the Hogwarts professors were seated, watching the ceremony unfold. To the left, Professor Albus Dumbledore, Head of Gryffindor house and teacher of Defense Against the Dark Arts. Seated beside him was former student, now close friend and fellow professor, Professor Newton Scamander, teacher of Care for Magical Creatures as well as the Head of Hufflepuff. Seated all the way to the right of the table, sat Professor Gellert Grindelwald, teacher of Potions, as well as a few other staff.

   When the ceremony finished, the school feasted and cheered. The students were all making new friends, catching up with friends from previous years, and some even sang the well-known Hogwarts alma mater, "Hoggy Warty Hogwarts". Of course once the song began, anyone who knew the words had to sing along! Nearly everyone did! Everyone but the first years, and Professor Grindelwald. Albus looked over, noticing Gellert seemed a bit uncomfortable. He wanted to go over and comfort him, but he knew that wasn't an option.

   "Professor Dumbledore! It's lovely to see you again!" a small Gryffindor girl spoke, breaking his attention away from Gellert and now aimed at her. He smiled at her presence. "Hello, Amira! It's lovely to see you as well! You had a good summer, I presume?"

   Albus had always been a student favorite at Hogwarts, and getting to reunite with them at the beginning of each school year was one thing he looked forward to most! Gellert, however, was new to the school and new to teaching. He'd never done any of this before, and he really didn't know anyone other than Albus. Though he did somewhat know of Minerva.

   The start of a new school year was going well, and everyone seemed to be happy and having a great time! As the students went to bed, the staff cleaned up the Great Hall before heading off to their own. Albus looked over to Gellert, seeing him admire the art hung around the walls. Albus smiled to himself, relaxing with the knowledge that Gellert seemed to be feeling more at ease.

   The next morning, Albus got to school a bit earlier than most teachers would. He liked to stroll the castle with his hands in his pockets, just to enjoy the peace and quiet. It was his time to admire the beauty of it all with no distractions whatsoever. He walked around for a bit, making his way to the hall that lead to the transfiguration courtyard when he was stopped abruptly. "Oh! Hey.." he smiled softly, looking up at Gellert. "Fancy seeing you here! How are you enjoying your time so far?"

Gellert looked around, still learning it all. "It's a lot to take in, but I like it."

   "I love it here. It's like a second home.." Albus spoke, looking at the scenery around them while Gellert moved his eyes to look at Albus. "Next to-" he stopped when their eyes met. Gellert gave him a gentle yet charming smile, which made Albus blush. The two paused for a moment before Albus spoke "We should..get going. Class will begin soon." Gellert grinned at him. "Yeah.. I'll see you soon...Professor." Albus blushed a deep shade of red at Gellert's response, watching as he left to head to his Potions class.