---

Outfit

It had been a whirlwind first week and the start of the staff party was quickly approaching.  Adjusting a piece of tinsel on the tree, Arianna took a step back to take a final look around the restaurant which had been reserved for the staff that evening.  The party was scheduled to start shortly and the club had been transformed with soft glowing candles, elegant decorations in rich reds, greens, and golds, and if one looked up a charm had been used to give the illusion of falling snow.

The final preparation had fallen to her, and she had immediately considered The Signature the perfect location.  She had never believed in having a work party at the place where one worked, and the club would offer a bit of a refuge from where they all spent their days.

The Signature staff was already working on setting out appetizers and eggnog, and once everything seemed to be in place she made her way to the bar.  Ordering a hot buttered rum, she fiddled with the ruby ring on her right finger as she waited for the bartender to fix her drink.  Usually she wasn’t one to worry too much over appearance, yet she had stood in the mirror for an hour trying to pick out the right outfit and then another twenty minutes deciding to not wear her wedding band.  After keeping it on a chain around her neck all week it had seemed like a logical decision.

Offering the bartender a small smile when her drink was placed in front of her she turned to take in the room as a whole now that she had stepped back a bit from the main seating area.  With a little luck the evening would run smoothly, although she knew better then to really count on that.  Whenever alcohol was involved the unexpected tended to happen, although it had the promise to be a fun and enjoyable evening.

Hildegarde had never been into the whole 'staff get-together' thing; even during her time in the Ministry, she often made herself scare during such events. However, she was still relatively alone in Hogwarts, and Archer had said it'd do her good to mingle with her colleagues for a change. Her attendance was purely down to the fact that she had no prior arrangements, and sometimes, it was nice to be nice - even for someone like Hildegarde Austerlitz. Her intention was to head down early and leave accordingly after one or two drinks. She'd never been a big drinker, and there was her habit for perpetually remaining professional. It was time to kick back however now and again - it was Christmas time, after all.

Trotting through the door of the Signature, her dress code outside of Hogwarts was exactly the same as her professional garb. Dressed in a long jet-black cloak, her attire underneath consisted of a grey blazer, matching pencil skirt and a sensible white blouse. Her black polished shoes were comfortably practical, and not at all stylish. The only hint of colour was her bright cyan leather handbag; patent with an oversized golden buckle, Hildegarde's penchant for flamboyant handbags and purses had lasted well into her old age. Looking around, she realised that she was the first to arrive, and saw Miss Wickwood by the bar.

Taking a few confident steps towards her colleague, she removed her cloak, placing it over the back of a chair with her handbag on the seat. Smoothing down her blouse and skirt, she shuddered a little, the cold December air chilling her to the bone. Autumn was the season for Hildegarde, and winter just seemed like an annoying companion that refused to bid farewell.
"Wickwood," she greeted formally, bowing her head as she prepared to order a drink. "It would appear that I'm the first guest. Punctuality has always been a forte of mine," she said, obviously joking yet her face remained as stern as ever. Professor Austerlitz had always been known for a dry sense of humour.

How quaint, a Christmas gathering. Ignan had reserved comment on whether he was attending, content with eavesdropping on other conversations about it in the staff room to measure public opinion and possible levels of attendance subsequently. Hearing a good response, he had picked out something a little more tailored than his usual robes. A starched white collared shirt, waistcoat and freshly pressed trousers. Rather than make it look like he would be attending a funeral, he added a sprig of holly from the arrangement set by the house elves around his fireplace, as a button hole.

Upon arriving, he found it rather empty. He had forgotten how it was to arrive fashionably late, honestly, he was getting more impatient in his old age. One of the other newest members of staff, the school counselor, Arianna Wickwood, was by the bar, sporting an elegant, if not rather youthful red dress. Beside her was the rather more conservatively dressed, but always elegant Hildegarde Austerlitz, who taught History of Magic. Now there was a subject and discipline that was worth having a grounding in, Ignan considered, approaching the two ladies. As for counseling, did Hogwarts suddenly want to adopt a Muggle stance on what was healthy for a young teenager to see and do? Did they forget they were attending a magical school, and far more resilient than their Muggle counterparts?

"Good evening ladies." Ignan greeted in a polite low tone, aware that he would be interrupting whatever smalltalk the two witches had begun at the bar. He saw Wickwood already cradled a drink.
"May I get either of you a drink? Hildegarde?" He asked his similar aged colleague with grace. It was about time the two of them spoke a little more than they did professionally. He'd been watching and hearing good things about her ways.
"One hopes the rest of the staff deign to honour us with their presence." He added with the slightest of smirks.

Arianna gave a small smile when Professor Austerlitz came through the door, the first of the staff to arrive.  She didn’t know the History of Magic terribly well as she was also new, but she had heard of her very respectable reputation.  She was strict, and Anna could respect that even if her own nature was of the more nurturing sort.  Not every student was going to respond in the same way to every style; it was simply a fact of life.  Some might do well with a firm hand; others needed a bit more encouragement.

The soft holiday themed background music came on as the older woman approached her and Arianna smirked slightly in appreciation at her comment about punctuality.  It was clear she had a bone dry sense of humor, and it was something the counselor could understand.  She had never been one to crack a joke, and was usually more apt to respond with a sarcasm laced quip.

“Well, I’m glad to see that you made it,” she responded, taking a sip of her drink.  “It seems most people like to be fashionably late to these events, but I’ve always valued promptness.  I’ve actually always loved this quote from William Shakespeare, ‘Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.’”

She looked up to see Ignan Storm walk through the door next, and she smiled in greeting.  Her understanding was that he was yet another new member of the staff hired by Snark.  She wasn’t really aware of either of the professors’ stances on having a counselor at Hogwarts, but she sipped her drink reminding herself that there would probably always be those who seemed opposed to the idea.  Sometimes children, and adults, needed an impartial party to talk to and she could provide that.

“Good evening,” she said in response.  “I’m content with my drink for the moment, but thank you.  I’m sure the stragglers will be along momentarily.”

He had been cautiously optimistic the evening would be without incident.  However, alcohol and frivolity rarely cultivated such occurrences.  It wasn’t often that Isaac ventured out to the Signature, but the few times he had gone to meet a friend or two for a drink it had been nice.  Walking in, he took a moment to take in the decorations as he removed his coat and set it on the back of a chair.  His eyes immediately found the two professors who had already arrived and as well as the school’s new counselor and one of his oldest friends.

He had spent the day at his parent’s home in Portree, and the idea of getting a bit lost in a party was appealing.  He would never be able to understand why his mother was so resistant to hiring someone to help her around the house and, specifically, with his father’s care.  Watching her in a constant state of motion, her exhaustion clear from the dark circles under her eyes, was becoming increasingly difficult.  With the holiday break approaching he also had a decision to make as to whether he could manage an extended visit or if it would be better to slip off to the little cottage he had bought years ago.  Approaching the bar he pushed all that aside, willing to not think on it too much for a few hours.

“Hello,” he said, nodding to the other two professors with a grin before turning to Arianna and giving her a broad grin.  “It looks like you did a wonderful job overseeing the final preparations for the evening.”  Glancing at the bartender when he approached he ordered a pint before turning back to his coworkers.

---

Polyvore Set

Landis didn't particularly like socializing, but that didn't mean he was incapable of it. So when he first heard of the staff party, the thought had made him sigh - but why not go? He'd been at Hogwarts for months now, and yet his relations with the other staff members were minute. It was something worth cultivating, and as social as a party was, it would be easier to make progress there. And for the other staff to see him talking and laughing... well, it could hardly hurt him. No one suspected him so far, but between his WBA allegience and Analiza's little project, appearing a loner might not be so good for him. Or his reputation.
 
When he walked through the door, he was a little surprised at the lack of other staff. Was he very early? Well, better to be early than late, he supposed, to he walked over to greet the others at the bar.
 
He knew none of them well. Four early-comers, and all of them were fairly recent additions to the school, benefit of Analiza's new administration. Of Storm and Austerlitz he knew enough to admire; had Landis been a professor instead of the librarian, he likely would have adopted a similarly strict teaching style. He only knew Arianna by face, and was aware that she was the school counseler, a post which he found puzzling but not unnecessary. Frasier was one of his fellow Heads, and also the professor of Muggle studies - a post which he did find quite unnecessary.
 
"Good evening," he said. His voice was as low as ever, but there was warmth in it, and he smiled as he met each of their eyes. "I don't believe we've been introduced - I'm Landis Morgan, the librarian and Head of Slytherin House."
 
He was wearing one of his many suits, his blonde hair loose and shining against the black of his dress jacket. Informal details like the holly in Storm's buttonhole, which Landis noticed, inspired no similar desire for holiday cheer in him.

Outfit (the gray one)

Declan wasn't sure why he was attending the staff party. He was not particularly close with any of his colleagues, keeping mostly to himself and working on the job. It was not easy to adjust to the profession, and he found it far more challenging than he had originally thought it to be. And now he had to worry about the mid term project- which seemed to be causing more than a few problems around the campus. Apparently other professors also found the presence of the eggs in their lasses to be somewhat disruptive... That was a part of the project that Declan, admittedly, had no fully considered upon assigning it.

Still, if every other staff member was in attendence and Declan decided to remain at the castle brooding it would not bode well. Thus he donned a gray set that he was rather fond of and carefully parted his hair to the side. He missed the extra two inches of height that his normal boots added. (It was necessary to wear boots when dealing with magical creatures after all.) So he stood his true height- barely cresting five feet four inches tall.

He was not familiar with the club. Ever since the entire fiasco with Kathryn he had not really gone out nor sought out the companionship of women. Regardless of what her father had thought and the rumors, he had truly cared for the woman, and had been looking forward to having a family. Perhaps then he could feel somewhat vindicated in his own situation of having been disowned and put off to live with his aunt. Declan had promised to himself he would never do that to any of his children. And now his son was four, and he had never met him. He had tried, though, tried like hell...

That wasn't an appropriate line of thought for a party though. He entered, surveying those in attendence. Though he did not exactly prescribe to the entire mess of pureblood propoganda he had been raised on, Declan could not help but to find himself drawn toward the head of Slytherin and the two Durmstrang professors. Wickwood was a recent addition, like himself, and she was indeed a very beautiful woman- though he knew very little about her. Since everyone seemed to be gathered in the same area, Declan approached the bar, somewhat awkwardly. He never was sure how to behave in social situations anymore. His manners and breeding were unquestionable, but since he was rarely a part of the social world (very few purebloods invited him to anything anymore) Declan found himself feeling somewhat fidgety.

He did not order a drink, (Declan very rarely partook of any alcoholic beverages, he did not like what it did to his head or his mood) but instead offered a very small smile to everyone. "Good evening," he greeted. "Miss Austerlitz, Miss Wickwood- both of you are looking very nice tonight." Always greet the ladies first, and always offer them compliments. Hildegarde did not look any different than normal, but that was no reason to disregard a woman who obviously commanded respect.

Gifts? Check. Proper outfit planning with Aileen? Double check. Even if it meant that her cheeks would probably remain flushed throughout the evening as she wondered if she should have dressed more conservatively. But some of the other female professors were really marking the occasion with a bang and it didn't take much for the arithmancy professor to fall in line and go the stylish fashionista look.

Attempting to make it through a night in spikey heels was the least she could do to be a agreeable.

Though Myrni had planned her outfit with Aileen, she had actually returned to her home with Nate in order to prepare. She had actually been hoping that in seeing her outfit for the event, he might be enticed to accompany her. Unfortunately, he was slated to work that night. And no amount of coy sashaying on her part could persuade the dutiful Auror to back out on his obligation. A disappointed Myrni had kept from reprimanding him that one of his obligations was to keep his future wife happy.

Eventually she had left their house with a playful pout on her lips and arrived at Signature  not too long afterward. Determined to enjoy herself, Myrni smoothed out the skirt of her black cocktail dress and made her way (awkwardly stumbling rather) to the area in which the Hogwart's staff would be congregating for the evening.

On her way to the others who had arrived, she had grabbed a glass of eggnog and quickly took a sip, enjoying the smooth, milky taste. One sip was hardly enough to take the edge off, but the glass kept her hands from fidgeting and sipping the liquid prevented her from being tempted to begin aimlessly prattling as she finally stepped up to her colleagues.

Myrni naturally gravitated to the sides of Isaac and Arianna, since they seemed to be similar to her in disposition and interests, but she did flash the other professors very warm smiles in turn. "Hello all. It's wonderful to see everyone outside of the stress of classes and teaching." She paused and looked around for a moment, admiring Arianna's work. Then, wishing to avoid an awkward silence of any kind, she suggested, "Soo....would anyone care to engage in singing some carols?"

As Aileen walked into Signature, she admired the decorations Arianna had arranged, thankful that at least someone (other than herself, of course) on staff had good taste. The location was to her liking as well. They'd all seen enough of the Great Hall and the Staff room during the school year, so it was nice to socialize in a posh place like Signature.

Aileen was less excited about the socializing aspect, because a few of the other professors annoyed her a great deal and she didn't wish to see them during her free time. However, she and Myrni had convinced each other to go, and it was better to show up and chit chat for a few hours than to avoid coming and give the professors a chance to gossip behind her back.

When she saw a fair amount of people already gathered, the first thing Aileen did, as always, was inspect people's clothing. Some seemed to be dressed to the nines, while others didn't look much different at all. For a moment Aileen worried that she looked like she was trying too hard, wearing a black slinky number with a few glitzy accessories, and her hair carefully curled. She hung up her cloak on the rack and told herself it was better to be overdressed, to look 'positively smashing' as her sister Abby had put it, than the opposite.

She headed over towards the group and stood next to Myrni, noting that Nate was nowhere in sight. Aileen didn't comment on it though, not while the other professors were around to hear it.

"Evening," Aileen greeted the group, glancing at Arianna. "Everything looks lovely," she told the counselor with a polite smile. It was nice to give a sincere compliment for a change.

"Myrni, I told you you couldn't go wrong with that dress," Aileen teased her good-naturedly, thinking that the Arithmany professor looked slightly nervous and might need some practice walking in heels, but that was alright.

Cillian had not really been looking forward to the staff party but Demetri had promised it would be a good night so Cillian had agreed. He had gone back to his apartment in Hogsmeade to get ready. He had spent a ridiculous amount of time looking through all his drawers and closet to try and find something suitable to wear. He didn't usually do the whole dressing up thing so there wasn't much of it in his wardrobe. He no longer had family functions to go to since almost his entire family tree had been wiped out during the second war and he didn't usually go out on dates. Finally settling on a nice shirt he didn't even know he had and a pair of slacks Cillian topped the look off with a hat. Unfortunately he only had running shoes to wear but at least he was able to match his shoelaces to his shirt.

Cillian entered the Signature a little nervously. Demetri hadn't shown up yet and he was pretty much the only person on Staff that Cillian talked to, aside from Penny Lane but even she was still a stranger to him. Having lived in Hogsmeade for the past eight years Cillian wasn't a stranger when it came to the place which at least helped him feel somewhat comfortable about the night.

He made his way over to bar ordering himself a beer and looked to his colleagues wondering if he should attempt to engage them or let someone make their way over to him. He still hadn't really broken out of his awkward shy stage from his adolescence. He had no idea how to start a conversation even though he was fully capable of carrying on one once it got started. Sipping his beer Cillian stayed a few feet away from his fellow teachers deciding to let them do the awkward conversation starting.

By the time Ignan had purchased drinks, the room had filled up a little, even if the staff were surprisingly bashful to speak to each other, Ignan noted.

"Good evening," A young chap introduced himself in a low voice meeting Ignan's eye amongst other.
"I don't believe we've been introduced - I'm Landis Morgan, the librarian and Head of Slytherin House."

Ignan politely extended his hand to Landis to shake.
"Ignan Storm, Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor." He replied, giving the young man a nod. "Good to finally meet the person behind the well stocked Defence section of the library, if you'll take that as a compliment." Ignan told Landis with a slight smirk.

"Soo....would anyone care to engage in singing some carols?"

"I think, perhaps, it takes a little more drinking before that sort of activity can commence." Ignan replied to the suggestion by Mynri. "Don't want to scare the stragglers off either." He added in a lower voice, audible to those nearest.

"If you don't mind me saying Landis, you're quite a young man to be locking himself in a castle to tend to books. Though I don't doubt it is a challenging job, I have rarely come across a young man taking any interest in such pursuits." It was a good idea for him to know the librarian, especially if he also headed up Slytherin house, the most similarly minded to the Durmstrang's students. Besides, Landis had shown a willing to introduce himself to the others, despite the fact many of his colleagues looked like they'd rather face a room full of hungry lions than speak to their older counterparts.

Much to her relief, more of the staff arrived and it seemed they started to divide off a bit in groups for conversation.  She gave a smile to the Care of Magical Creatures professor, not correcting his use of ‘Miss’ instead of  ‘Mrs.’  She would let them assume whatever they wanted at this point, it was easier then saying, I’m currently separated.  She was starting to think she should simply start getting herself used to the idea of being a ‘Miss’ again anyway.

“Thank you,” she said, and was then distracted when Myrni Levartain approached her and Isaac.  She had heard good things about the Arithmancy professor and even teased Isaac a bit when he mentioned going to London with her for holiday shopping.  He had been quick to remind her that Myrni was engaged, although Anna couldn’t help noticing the fact that her fiancé was not at her side that evening.

When she mentioned singing carols she opened her mouth to respond, but was beaten to it by Professor Storm.  She thought she caught something about scaring off stragglers in his mumbling and she refrained from allowing her smile to falter into a slight frown.  She wanted to try to be open minded about all of her coworkers, and not immediately assume Storm was simply some cranky old killjoy.  Her smile though quickly turned into a mischievous grin as she looked over at Myrni.

“I’ve never been terribly musical,” she began.  “But, I can say without any hesitation that Isaac has always had a very pleasant singing voice.  Maybe we can convince him to join you.”  Aileen Reid approached then and she thanked her for her compliments.  She was glad to see that the other women had risen to the occasion making her feel a little less self conscious about her own wardrobe choice.

Graham reasonably assumed to himself that whoever was in charge of the party, Wickwood it seemed, would know not to expect anyone to arrive on time.  Certainly not when they could be doing things, other more valuable things with that same time.  The only  incentive to attend was to not make waves in an already unstable environment, and alcohol.  Although his adventures with spirits had landed him in trouble lately, this one was surely to be safer.  After all, there were certain to be no children in attendance.

He arrived late, eying the group of assembled well-dressed people at the bar.  None of them looked the part of the haggled, overly stressed professor they maintained on an everyday basis.  Except the more regal of the adults, Professors Austerlitz and Storm.  He hoped he aged half as gracefully.  Of course, he hadn't yet, which meant he could still ogle Wickwood, Reid--although he'd never let on, and the surprisingly fetching Miss-to-be-Mrs. Levartian.  Graham slicked back his pomaded hair, fidgeted with his clothing and approached the bar.  To see Fraiser.  Cuthbert he could stand, even Declan despite his relations outside the castle, but not Fraiser, especially not when he sang.

 "Some of us would rather enjoy the holiday without Fraiser's unquestionably melodic trillings," he quipped, not wanting to start off the evening on a solidly bad foot.  "Isn't there a piano here somewhere? They must have a musician on hand somewhere.  Did you arrange any musical entertainment, Wickwood?" He asked, realizing only belatedly his question resembled an affront to her party-planning prowess.  He just wanted something, anything to shut down the possibility of singing.  It was one of the most horrid activities any human could press upon another.  And if someone asked him to sing, by Rowena's Tiara he would poison them the minute he returned to the castle.

"Ignan Storm, Defence Against the Dark Arts Professor. Good to finally meet the person behind the well stocked Defence section of the library, if you'll take that as a compliment."

Landis answered Ignan's smirk with a wry smile of his own. "Thank you. It's a pleasure to meet you as well - the formidable Professor Storm." His smile grew a little wider, a little slier, with a touch of quiet humor. "Where were you when I was in school, that's what I'd like to know."

As they spoke, Landis caught sight of other staff members filtering in slowly, all drawn inevitably towards the bar and the group that'd congregated there. Some of the women had obviously done their absolute best. Landis found this slightly silly, that they'd go to the nines for this little party, but since he was in formal wear nearly all of the time he probably had no place to judge. They did look lovely, he supposed.

"Soo....would anyone care to engage in singing some carols?"

Oh, dear Merlin. Landis had hoped things would not degrade to that so soon. Friendly, pleasant, even charming - he could all pull off, but he drew the line at singing carols. Of all the insipid holiday traditions... His smile didn't waver, but it did become perhaps a bit strained. Fortunately he was not the only one who objected to the idea. Besides the (politely phrased) suggestion of Storm's, the ambling approach of Bombay added another voice of dissent.

Speaking of Storm - Landis turned back to the older man, pleased despite himself that Ignan seemed as willing to converse with him as he was to converse with Ignan.

"If you don't mind me saying Landis, you're quite a young man to be locking himself in a castle to tend to books. Though I don't doubt it is a challenging job, I have rarely come across a young man taking any interest in such pursuits."

A little familiar, perhaps, calling him by his first name, but Landis didn't care. The prattling of his contemporaries was often vapid and despicably dull, but Ignan Storm was a well-read, intelligent man, and conversation with him was no chore.

Since he hadn't yet gotten himself a drink, he was free to spread his hands, shrug a little. "It caters to my tastes and strengths, and leaves me plenty of time to attend to my House. I can't think of a worthier pursuit than that." Particularly because, before he'd applied for the position of Head, there'd been none. That rankled the Slytherin alumni more than anything. Of course, there was power in being the Head of House, especially under a friendly regime like Analiza's, but more than that, there was old loyalty to his house, and deep disapproval that it had no staff member to defend it. Landis didn't view morals as much other than interesting philosophical debate fodder, but considering the reputation and isolation Slytherin house already attracted... it had been wrong for things to be as they were. "Don't worry." The glint of teeth as he smiled. "I get out."

Myrni's eyes lit up as Aileen stepped inside Signature and the woman looked fabulous in her dress, which was not unexpected given how much of a fashion plate the Ancient Runes professor was known for being, a far cry from Myrni's more subdued or practical day-to-day look. As such, when Aileen bestowed a compliment, Myrni was quite pleased with her effort for the evening. Of course, time would tell how well she handled the heels for the remainder of the event.

Myrni breathed a thank you in her friend's direction before returning her attention to the other professors assembled. She also briefly took note of some of the late arrivals, including Graham Bombay. Knowing their often contentious interactions, most recently regarding their head of house duties, she inwardly groaned.

The arithmancy professor was visibly disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm with which her colleagues met the singing suggestion. She had thought perhaps some of them might be ready and willing to have a good time. But she conceded, silently, that it might be a wee bit premature. Professor Storm was correct in his assessment. Perhaps more drinking would yield more enthusiasm later on.

With a sigh and a nod, she saw that her glass had become empty and decided to return to the bar in search of something else. "Would anyone care for a refill on their drink? I think I am going to try the spiced meade next. But I'd be happy to grab something for whoever needs more refreshment."