Because it's either that or walking...

[Filtered to Kallen;]
Kallen, I... Are you alright? You left in such a hurry that I... Did I do something wrong?
[/Filter]

Raphael's demeanor has improved a bit. I think it has to do with the fact that I've so far protected him from Anna. I don't know what that says about me, of course, protecting Castiel's killer from what sounds like the only woman he ever cared about... I still don't think I should take him home as he is; it's taken him long enough to adjust to my office and my chambers; I don't think a kitten his age should be moved around quite so much.

As for Anna, she seems very restless lately. I've been sending her out on a lot of miscellaneous errands to get her out of my office, but insofar it hasn't worked much. She's always squawking at Raphael (when she isn't trying to attack him) and quite honestly, it's starting to worry me. And since sending her to the Owlry isn't an option, well...

Is anyone good with pets? Spencer's busy, and not many people are left in the castle, so... Castiel? You named them, right? Would it be too soon to ask for your assistance?

[[ strikes not hackable. Also, my internet has been really unreliable lately, so expect sporadic replies :< ]]

So... It's obvious we've... switched bodies. Somehow. I'd like to ask everyone to remain calm. If the Castle is indeed to blame for this, then it'll likely wear off soon.

This looks like... Miss Fa? I'm doing my best not to startle your family, but they're finding it hard to believe that I'm a professor...

...I guess this puts a bit of a damper on my summer plans.

[[Strikes are all 60~100% Hackable, depending on how close you are to him.]]

This is it, everyone! The final stretch! I hope you're all studying your hardest! I'm rooting for you all, even those of you whom I don't teach. And I'm not discussing the guests we had outside of that strange teacher and the rather sweet student. Castiel, this is directed at you.

As for me, I have some... rather strange news? My owl, Black, passed away last month. (And yes, his name was just "Black.") He was quite old, so I can't say I was too surprised. It's a bit sad, considering Grandpa got him for me, but, well... it's inevitable. Well, regardless, that isn't the strange part. The odd thing happened last weekend, when I decided to make a quick run to find a new one. That's not to say that the ones the school provides aren't excellent, but we tend to get a lot of post over the summer at home-- but I digress.

Long story short; as I was walking by, this owl began squawking incessantly at me. The owner of the store came to see what the fuss was about, and was surprised. It turns out the bird was a female Madgascar Red Owl, very expensive and for as long as the owner had her, she had always been very quiet. I assumed she didn't like me, but the moment the owner opened her cage, she flew up and perched on my shoulder, quiet as can be. I couldn't get her off to be honest, not without her squawking angrily again, so I ended up purchasing her, only... As soon as I got back to Hogwarts, she flew off my shoulders and that was that. I didn't even have time to give her a name.

She did reappear a few days later, of course, but she's a bit odd. For starters, she gets my mail wrong. I've been finding it in my office, in my room, in the classroom? And even in random places that I don't frequent very often. She's completely unpredictable; sometimes she'll fly in and perch on my shoulder once again, gazing at my surroundings like a hunter stalking its prey. It's more endearing than worrisome, I suppose, but I do hope she doesn't strike at anyone when she's looking like that. For some reason, she's oddly possessive of me.

In any case, if any of you happen to see any post addressed to me, can you stop by my office and hand it to me? I also need to buy a better perch for my owl, my shoulder is starting to hurt. I've been calling her "Red" for a few days now, but I don't want to continue my grandfather's trend of naming birds after colors. Do any of you have any suggestions?

[[ooc; if anyone wants to say they got some of Tobi's mail, feel free! It's probably all junk, bills, or letters from old co-workers who take pity on him. Unless you want to plot amoungst yourselves and have letters you might have sent Thobari end up in someone else's hands.]]

Hello, everyone! I'm back!

First of all, to all my students, I must apologize for my unnanounced absence. I got called away for a bit regarding my grandfather's estate, and the message seemed quite urgent, so I walked there as fast as I could.

And on that note, yes, I walked there. To Glasgow and from Glasgow. In retrospect, I can't imagine why I chose to do that instead of simply apparating. It would have been faster, and now my legs hurt a bit... Perhaps I was feeling nostalgic? My mind was in a difficult place, if I remember correctly, so that could have something to do with it. Walking has always cleared my head, at least.

In any case, I won't bore you all with the details of my trip because I'd really rather not talk about it, so, how has Hogwarts fared while I was away? Can't believe we lost. Damn. Studying hard, aren't we? If anyone is looking toward working on extra credit or needs help with DADA, my office hours should be posted at my door. I've extended the hours quite a bit to make up for lost time, so feel free to stop by!

[ooc; strikes hackabale to his friends/acquaintances. Except for that Quidditch bit. That's hackable to Gryffindors/Gryffindor teachers only. Also~! For anyone interested, how's about this? The Durandal's Pensieve broke. Getting it fixed took all the time Tobi was home, but he isn't about to admit to that because, well, what was his grandfather doing with a Pensieve, hmm?]

Goodness, I keep losing my journal. I believe it was in the kitchens? Whatever was it doing there? [ nervous scrawl. ]

How is everyone doing? I know it's been a while since the new term started, but everyone's been catching up in class, right? If you have any trouble, don't forget that I'm available in my office after class.

As for those transformations... I hope everyone's alright? I didn't exactly enjoy the experience. Being that small was extremely inconvenient.

((ooc; Thobari was a Mudkip. so I herd you liek him.))

Well, it certainly took me a while to find my journal, didn't it? I wish I knew how it got in the lake in the first place, but...

In any case, I'd like to remind my students that my lovely Teaching Assistant has dutifully posted the requirements for your next assignment. Remember to hand it in on the 15th, which is the day before the next field trip, so it should be easy to remember!

Speaking of field trips, I'll be joining you all as chaperon, since I know my way around the Ministry. We hardly got any field trips back in my days at Hogwarts, so be sure to make the best of it!

Why do we have to go by train, though? I-I wanted to meet you all there, but Dumbledore said that the train ride was "part of the fun." I'd rather that than the Knight Bus, that's for sure, but... None of you will mind if I pass out, right?

[Filtered to Staff]
It's my first time chaperoning a big event like this, should I be worried?
[/Filtered]

((This post is slightly ooc. Behind the cut, students will see their grades, and their grades only. If they have a note next to them, they will see that too.))

Alright, everyone! I have your grades here. I'll be sharing them with you each week so you can track your progress. If you have any problems with the grade you received, or think that I could be mistaken about something, please bring it up with me or Maron after class so we can schedule something.

( Gryffindors )

( Hufflepuffs )

Remember everyone, what matters in this class is that you do your best and remain engaged in the material. You won't all be Aurors someday, but that shouldn't make our class any less important!

In the meantime, I'll keep you posted on when the next assignment is due.

[Private\\Easily Hackable to Staff]
I'm... not going to address the strings that showed up for Valentine's Day. I have a feeling I know who they were connected to.
[/Private]

[Private Nigh-Impossible to hack]
Dark wizards killing innocents... I wonder if this is related to what happened ten years ago? If my mistakes from the past come back to haunt us... I won't forgive myself.
[/Private]

I'd like to extend my condolences to anyone who lost or knows anyone who lost a loved on in the attacks at Kent this week. If anyone needs someone to talk to, I know a bit about coping with loss, so... my door is always open.

If possible, I'd like to set up a moment of silence for the victims. I'm afraid I'm still quite new and wouldn't know how to get the word out, but if anyone would like to second my suggestion, I'm sure we can work something out. Perhaps before a meal in the Great Hall? I'm open to suggestions.

These attacks are unforgivable. It is during times like these that we must remain steadfast in our beliefs and band together to move forward. Although we cannot bring back those who have fallen, we can keep them alive by keeping their memories in our hearts.

[scrawled a little hastily]
Your assignments are still due on Sunday.

[Private to Miharu]
Miharu, if I could have a word with you.
[/Private]

Well, I'm certainly glad that's over with. Being fifteen made moving in rather difficult, not to mention that I felt more like a student than a teacher for a while... Thankfully I wasn't treated too cruelly, so that was an improvement.

In any case! I apologize for the delay, everyone. As you hopefully know, starting next Monday, I'll be teaching Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors in Defense Against the Dark Arts. If I could get a roll call set up in the meantime, that would be wonderful.

If all goes well, I'll have the rules and your assignments posted up by next week. In the meantime, if anyone wants to come talk to me about anything pertaining to the class, I'm available in my office most afternoons. Of course, you're free to stop me in the halls if you see me and have a question as well.

That's all for now. Hope to see you all next week.

A slightly more edited copy of this.

( let's get you sorted then, shall we? )