Sugar Sugar

[Eduardo Orbon]

Eduardo, unlike his students, was not primping nor preening for the night’s festivities. He wore a suit almost every day so it was natural for him to be dressed as such while he was set to chaperon along with his colleagues. The man had only been to balls and galas as an adult because he had been homeschooled as a child so he felt that his students were quite lucky to experience such a thing. The man had assisted with the set up for the evening and eagerly awaited the children who would be able to celebrate the end of their examinations which he knew that they all deserved, especially his students who had all done so well in his first class teaching at Hogwarts New Zealand. Such hard work deserved as much fun as the professors could give them so he didn’t dread it as much as some might think a thirty-something man might. He stood waiting for the festivities to begin when he walked over to his housemate and colleague, slinging an arm over his shoulder. Eduardo grinned and said, “Hey man. You good?” The Astronomy professor knew he was missing some of the evening hours much to his dismay but the man knew that when the ball was over he could convince Jonathon to join him after too.

 

[Jon Phillips]

The yule ball would have been something Jon dreaded every year if he attended Hogwarts. Luckily for him, there wasn't a beauxbatons equivalent to the event and he could enjoy the ball in all it's festive glory almost completely free of anxiety as an adult while chaperoning the students. He was in the midst of serving himself a glass of punch when Eduardo approached him, slinging an arm around his shoulders. The gesture was comfortable enough for Jon to not feel awkward to he simply lent slightly into the other man, and answered "Hell yeah. I'm good." before sipping leisurely from his glass of sugary, red punch. "Are you good?" He asked Eduardo in return. "Do you want some punch?" he also asked as he sipped once again from his glass. The muggle studies professor was already enjoying the night, and it had barely started. He couldn't wait to see what the rest of the night would hold and all the fun the students attending were sure to have.​

 

[Eduardo Orbon]

Eduardo took his arm from around Jon’s shoulders and grinned widely at the man as he looked over their colleagues, noticing a few familiar faces while they spoke and offering what he could in the way of polite nods in their direction. He wouldn’t mind more company from other professors but it was clear that the two suited men were the closest thus far - perhaps more than the two he knew to be family in one way or another. They were scary men though so he was hardly going to ask. The Astronomy professor put his attention back onto Jon and said, answering both questions, “Yes, yes. That’d be great.” He wasn’t entirely certain what flavour or what even was in the punch but that had hardly ever mattered to him in the past as he was a bit of a fan of sugary treats.

 

[Kennedy Pratt]

This was Kennedy's first yule ball at Hogwarts New Zealand and after dressing in a long black dress with side cutouts she was beginning to wish she had asked for a more specific dress code other than 'formal.' She was used to dressing in evening gowns for functions but had forgotten that this was a school event and perhaps should've dressed a little more modestly, for a teacher and all. Either way she hadn't bought any other dress as a backup so she would just deal with the repercussions later if there were any. Walking over to the punch bowl to grab a cup, the blonde saw someone she recognized and felt relieved at the prospect of having someone to hang out with at this event. "Hello Eduardo," she greeted the older man and then glanced over at the other professor whom she didn't know yet.​

 

[Jon Phillips]

Jon placed his glass of punch momentarily on the table so he could pour a glass for Eduardo. He picked the ladle from the bowl and filled the glass to the brim in the same way he filled his own glass and then carefully handed it to Eduardo so it wasn't spilled. "Cheers" Jon said, picking his own glass and sipping from it. He smiled at his fellow professor and now housemate as he sipped again and then looked towards the other professor that joined them. Jon nodded in acknowledgement towards her, not sure if she was attempting to snob him or if she just did not know what else to do because neither of them had been formally introduced. After realizing that, Jon took initiative and held his free hand towards the blonde woman. "I'm Jon, I teach Muggle studies." He said with a smile akin to the one he showed to Eduardo moments earlier. ​

 

[Eduardo Orbon]

Eduardo's train of thought was utterly derailed when Kennedy approached. He smiled at her, amazed at how well she had cleaned up for the formal occasion. It was so much so that he'd forgotten to introduce Jon to the blonde woman. "Hello," he returned, a small smile on his lips at her as he took a sip from the sugary drink. It was at this moment that he had remembered how rude he had just been so he shook his head at himself and said, "Jon this is Kennedy. She teaches Divination. Kennedy meet Jon." He smiled tepidly, though it was no hint as to how enjoyable this night was sure to be with company such as this.

 

[Kennedy Pratt]

Kennedy had been excited to see the Astronomy professor and chat with him at the yule ball, but when she had seen that he was already with company, she worried she would be intruding or wouldn't be wanted around. But as soon as the other man introduced himself, and then Eduardo introduced her to him, the blonde smiled bigger this time. "Nice to meet you Jon," she said as she held out her hand for him to shake it. "Are you a new professor too?" she asked the Muggle Studies professor. Since she had mostly kept to herself in the year that she started here, she didn't know many of the professors yet, old or new. Either way, it was clear that even though Eduardo was newer to the castle than she was by a semester, he was definitely much more social than her, and tonight seemed like a good night to rectify that.​

 

[Aeon Summers]

The Yule Ball used to be an exciting event, more so when Aeon was a student himself, dancing and having a good time with his friends, Brodie in particular come fifth year, and sneaking off to the Room of Requirement afterwards. Back when he thought he'd only experience it for seven years, the novelty had not worn off. Since becoming a professor, the impact lessened after each year. Now he spent most of his time there dancing and drinking solely with Kida, the only other professor there he generally went out of his way to spend time with. Everyone else he'd spoken to seemed to suck the fun out of every conversation, or didn't stay long enough to befriend.

Dressed in formal robes of royal purple, the animagus entered the hall, already looking for his cousin over the people already gathered. In failing to spot her, the man headed over towards the punch table, already attracting a small group of particularly fresher faced educators. Reaching it, he caught on to the tail end of the conversation, and helped himself to a glass as he greeted them. "I don't know if you're still considered new if you last the semester. The way the school goes through staff members is ridiculous. The only people who don't leave are the ones everyone actually wants gone." He commented, withdrawing a flask from his pockets and emptying its contents into his punch. "I mean, have you met Kalif? Or Kingsley?" He tsked, glancing briefly toward the front of the hall. Not even a petition could get rid of her, despite the fact she'd punished an entire house of students for the actions of a few. Being buddy buddy with the Headmistress obviously had its perks.

 

[Jon Phillips]

Jon was about to answer Kennedy's question until yet another professor who Jon knew by face though not name, joined them, interrupting with his own two cents. In most other circumstances Jon would have minded such an interruption but what the other guy was sharing to the group was interesting to say the least so Jon was glad to stay quiet as he continued to drink from his glass of punch. Meeting Kalif or Kingsley was not something Jon had done 'officially' and after hearing the other professor's comments, he wasn't sure if he wanted to. Like most other professors, Jon was not oblivious to the amount of staff the school went through in a year and the amount of instability that must be brushing off on all the students, but he had not once considered that staying longer than a semester could be a problem. "Never met them officially to be honest." Jon said after clearing his throat. "Anyway, Kennedy, I've been teaching a few years now. Not really 'new' in comparison to everyone else." He directed his attention back towards Kennedy and smiled politely until his curiosity got the better of him. He looked back towards the professor that most recently joined them and asked "Why would anyone want Kalif or Kingsley gone? I know Kalif is intimidating but he seems to get his work done." with a shrug. It probably wasn't the smartest question to ask but Jon had never been the smartest person when it came to socializing.
​

 

[Kennedy Pratt]

Kennedy was delighted at the addition of another professor simply for his comments alone, and raised a curious eyebrow at the sight of him bringing out a flask. Suddenly the yule ball got a lot more interesting; she had transfigured her own flask into a clutch purse, which she currently held in her hands, but she hadn't felt the need to use it just yet. It intrigued her that this professor felt his punch needed the addition so soon, simply due to this conversation. She could deduce from his comment that he was obviously not a newer professor so there was a sly smile on her face when she said, "What does that say about you then, if you're still here?" She cocked her head to the side, studying the other professor with a playful smirk on her face, and was glad that Jon asked the same question burning in her mind; school gossip was much better when it was about professors instead of students.​