Because it's either that or walking...

It seems I left my journal in my suitcase all this time. That's quite a shame; I actually think trying to make Lemon Drops was a lot of fun. I'll have to try again when I get back to school and find some time. Though with my new duties, this may be easier said than done?

In any case, The conference has been instructive and things have been... good. I'm certainly looking forward to the new year.

[ SOMEONE seems happy. Unfortunately, no, he didn't "get lucky," but he did make out up with Kallen. Annnnd, since they're sharing the same room; there be cuddles. Lots of cuddles. Because that's just how they roll. ]

Well, thankfully that crazy journal business is over. I hear some people were getting attacked? That's unfortunate. My journal seemed to be taking pity on me very affectionate, to be honest. I suppose it doesn't blame me for losing it those times earlier in the year.

In any case, it's worth mentioning that I've taken in a second cat, at least partially. I think? Castiel entrusted Lilith to me, and although she's blind, you'd never guess that by how she acts. She and Raphael fight almost constantly, but they're from the same litter, so it's playful I hope. I've had to separate her and Raphael several times now; he's much larger than her, since she's been alone all this time... I sincerely hope the two get along eventually. Well, Lilith seems to particularly enjoy being around Castiel, so maybe if she only sleeps and eats in my room, it will be alright.

...It's a little funny; at the beginning of the school year, I never would have guessed I'd be dealing with two kittens and a still headstrong owl. Cats are... well, they're certainly a handful. [unhackable (50% to Maron)] At least it gives me something to think about outside of Yukimi and... less pleasant things. [/unhackable]

Speaking of owls, Anna finally decided to give me the invitation to the Teacher's Conference. It's in Monaco!? H-how are we even going to get there...? Please don't say "portkey," please.

( Private. Unless you're Castiel, Maron or Kallen. In which case, you can probably hack like three words of this. Oh and Gabe can hack it too, BUT Thobari didn't exactly plan that. )

[Filtered to Castiel]
I actually have something I wanted to ask you as well, if you don't mind...

[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 :< ]]

[[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.]]

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]