Preparation (open)

[PROFESSOR ELENA CORTEZ]

Elena's full skirts flowed around her legs as she strode back across the empty classroom, wand in hand, a determined expression on her tanned face. She was preparing her first lesson of the term. Having travelled back to the castle days before the students would return, she had spent the majority of her time going over her lesson plans, and was unsure whether to include such a spell in lessons as early as tomorrow.

Imps were by no means fearsome creatures, but they were common and highly pesky, so it was always useful to know how to deal with them. The problem was, she wasn't sure unleashing a cage full of Imps on the class for their first lesson would be a very good way to welcome them back to school. Though, on the other hand, getting it out of the way before they became bogged down with too much work mid-term, might be a better idea. With a sigh, she ran a hand through her messed up hair, stray strands falling about her face, having come loose from the knot of curls at the back of her head. Biting her lip, she watched the pair of Imps she had captured on the ground scurrying about the room, looking for something to do.

They had tripped her too many times to count by now, and she had spent most of her practice session on the floor. It seemed all the relaxation and sun over the summer holidays had erased some of her teaching skills. 'No. Don't be silly,' she told herself, sternly. 'You're a good teacher.' Nodding to herself, she blew the loose hair from her face and shot a fearsome glare at the Imps, who were cackling over by the window. Raising her wand, she flicked it through the air in their direction, the willpower written all over her face indicating that they had no chance of escaping her spell. Within seconds, the pair went sailing backwards across the room, scrambling desperately at the walls for something to cling to, but to no avail. The cage behind them swung open, and they were flung unceremoniously inside, landing on their behinds and attempting to charge back out the door before she could shut it. Another swish of her wand sealed it tight, and the Imps were left to rattle the bars on the cage, shaking their fists angrily at her.

"Oh, hush," she told them, crossing the room to the table the cage sat upon. "It's not as if we haven't done this ten times already. You know I'll be letting you back out in a minute anyway. I need the practice." Grabbing her bottle of water from the window ledge, Elena took a few large gulps, enjoying the cool sensation on the back of her throat. Maybe she needed to wait a few lessons until she unleashed ten times the amount on her precious classroom, with unprepared students.

[PROFESSOR AVERY STARLING]

you'll stomach the hurt and break for him here,

- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- JUST HOW MUCH HE'S WORTH

[/font]

Creaking the classroom door open carefully, Avery peeked her head in. She watched silently as Elena hushed a couple of imps in a rattling cage. Ave remembered when she'd learnt about imps. Merlin they'd been pains in the arses to get into their cages, what was worse was half the class were freaking out and hiding under desks with the professor of the time yelling at them and deducting points for being cowardly and not participating in class work, but Ave hadn't minded, as much as it was annoying, it was also quite a blast. The more hectic and hands on a lesson, the better she had learnt in school and now? Now she could knock an army of imps out and into their cages nonverbally with two quick flicks of the wrist. You know, providing she had a wand in her hand.

"Hey Elena." She pipped up, letting herself into the classroom. It was strange being a teacher at Hogwarts. It had never been on Avery's to do list but she'd been at the school for five years and was loving it. There was nothing she'd rather do than teach Care of Magical Creatures to thirteen year olds and above. "I was just thinking I'd pop in and see how you're doing before the train load of students arrives and before lessons start up again tomorrow. I can clearly see you're in need of a human to chatter to. Not that there's too much wrong with imps, they'll just drive ya a lil' crazy!" She enthusiastically, closing the classroom door behind her.

"They what you've got planned for tomorrow?" She asked curiously. Avery was quite the competitive type and she saw teaching as a game. She wanted the students to learn and enjoy their lesson but most of all, she wanted her lessons to be most talked about among the student body. Now imps, that was going to be a tough one to top and if it was anything like her first experience with the critters had been like then Elena's class was certainly going to be more talked about in regards of excitement. Avery just hoped she had a few students in her class that knew about Quidditch because the stars of her lessons were globally known.

Tag: Miss Elena Cortez
Word Count: three nine two
Listening To: Three Evils||Coheed and Cambria
Outfit: Click Me
Comments: I hope this is okay, I figured they've been working together for a while now so they'd know one another

[PROFESSOR ELENA CORTEZ]

[ooc: That's fine. It totally makes sense for them to know each other. =)]






Elena heard the door open long before she head Professor Starling's voice. It was that sensation of being watched that told her she had company. You know, the one where you can just feel the life force of the other person behind you, without even needing sight or sound to give it away. She supposed not everyone got that sensation, but Elena always had. She often startled people who were trying to sneak up on her by speaking to them when they thought she had no idea they were there.

A smile found her face as she turned to greet her colleague. Avery taught Care of Magical Creatures there at the school, and she wasn't too much older than Elena herself, which made it a little easier for them to get along. Also, they had to be on good terms, since they both had positions as Heads of House. It seemed the pair of them had an agenda filled with breaking stereotypes and being overly passionate.

"Hola, Avery," she gave a small wave as the other woman entered the room and closed the door behind her. "I must admit, I would appreciate the company. These little terrors are a little disgruntled for such things as pleasantries." As if to prove her point, the two Imps paused in their cage rattling antics, and simultaneously raised a middle finger at the newcomer, their faces twisted into angry scowls. They really were hideous, Elena allowed as she frowned down at them.

"Ahhh, maybe not," she answered Avery's question with apprehension. "I am still trying to decide." Over the past two years, Elena had gotten to know quite a bit about her fellow Professors and the other Hogwarts staff. She was quite intuitive, to say the least, and had almost instantly picked up on the competitiveness of the woman sharing the empty classroom with her at present. She knew Avery was probably sizing up her lesson plans, but the thought merely amused her. Elena was fiery, yes, but it didn't really bother her to have someone prying into her job on such a superficial scale. If it came down to it, Elena would wipe the floor in any competition. She hated to be challenged or to have anyone try to make her look a fool, or worse.... inadequate. She was surely not that.

"Do you have all of your lessons sorted?" she asked, conversationally, placing her water bottle back on the window ledge and undoing the clip that held her hair, letting it fall loose down her back in dark waves, before she swept it up again, pulling it back into some sort of neat arrangement atop her head. "You're welcome to borrow my Imps if you like," she offered with a light laugh. "I wouldn't mind getting rid of them in the least." Her voice was menacing with the words, Elena's dark eyes glaring at the tiny monsters. She would never harm them, unless she absolutely had to, but she couldn't deny that it would be fun to watch them get those sickening smiles wiped off their faces by her students.

[PROFESSOR AVERY STARLING]

living on your knees, conformity, or dying on your feet,

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- FOR HONESTY

[/font]

Elena seemed pleased for the company and Avery really couldn't blame the dear. Imps weren't the best company and just as Elena had finished talking, they flipped Avery the bird each. At least the cage had stopped rattling for a moment, that was relaxing to the ears. Perhaps a brief silencing spell on the cage and the Imps would be handy, that way they could rattle about as much as they liked and not make a sound. Then again they'd probably be able to roll their cage to the floor and start rolling for your ankles and you'd never even hear them coming. They were sneaky devils like that, so in Avery's mind the best thing to do was either get away from them or temporarily put a quick 'immobulus' on the blighters, that was also the best way to get them into their cages she found.

Avery nodded when Elena asked if she, Avery, had all her lessons sorted. "Yep, I'm all sorted for the rest of the year." She said, looking about the empty classroom and figuring that Elena probably had a fair bit more planing to do if she hadn't even gotten her first lesson planned properly yet. Avery wasn't one for telling people what to do, but she really did think that Elena probably should get her arse into gear considering lessons started up again tomorrow. Still, it wasn't an opinion Avery was going to share, it was just something she was thinking about as she looked about the classroom, noticing all the things the Imps may very well damage if it wasn't all secured down in its place. If Elena did use Imps, then Avery hoped Elena would fasten all her valuables to there spots, or bring the class into the room. Those Imps were right pests and Avery was somewhat glad now that she didn't have to teach students about them.

"I think I'm gonna go ahead and let you keep them there Imps. My students and I are going to have enough to do without catching those little trouble makers. Oh and speaking of little trouble makers, I'm head of Slytherin!" She said with a grin. "I applied for the position at the end of last year and low and behold, McGonagall gave me the job! Though she's probably already talked to you and the other heads of houses about it but still! Very exciting news that I love sharing!" She grinned with a bounce and few excited claps of her hands, clapping lightly so as not to disturb the Imps more.

This year was going to be a most exciting year for Avery. She was looking forward to her lessons with her students and to taking charge of Slytherin House. Her first duties were going to include sorting out the Slytherin quidditch team, known for being brutal but that was okay by Avery, it was a hard game that you had to be prepared for, however she was going to have to try and dull that masculine, hard image Slytherin had. Sure there were a few pretty girls in the house, but with the burley boys and the even burlier girls giving it a rough image, steps were going to need to be taken to ensure though house wasn't feared but rather respected. That was what Avery wanted to do anyway, whether it happened or not was another matter. Still, she would have her input whether they liked it or not.

Tag: Miss Elena Cortez
Word Count: five nine four
Listening To: Damage Inc.||Metallica
Outfit: Click Me

[PROFESSOR ELENA CORTEZ]

Elena was not one bit surprised when Avery informed her she could keep the Imps for herself. She presumed she was going to have to release them in the wild somewhere that wasn't too populated. She would have sold them once she was done with the brats, but the thought that the buyer might have less than honorary intentions for their future made her reluctant. She'd hate to have something like that on her conscience. Her karma would be destroyed.

She stood, hands on hips in her usual pose as she half listened to Avery, the other half of her attention on tomorrow, and what she was going to do. She knew it was naughty of her to be dithering over her lessons at such a late stage, but Elena found she always worked best when she had to just fly by the seat of her pants. Too much organization was a killer for her enthusiasm. Thus, she knew she would probably decide in the morning, about an hour before her lesson started. She smiled warmly as the other woman excitedly announced that she had won the position of Slytherin Head of House. Elena already knew this, of course, she had even had to cast a vote on whether she thought the woman capable of the job. Naturally, she had voted for her. She found it refreshing, the idea of having someone light and fun to rule the house with the bad reputation. They could do with a good revamp, as far as Elena was concerned. Just like Hufflepuff, which the Spanish woman was doing her best to invoke a bit more power and respect into. Merlin knew the Hufflepuff's needed a bit of respect.

"So I heard," she replied, crossing the room to the giddy Avery and wrapping her in a congratulatory hug. "I'm really happy for you. You will be good for that poor House. Maybe it will encourage those students to smile more. I think they think themselves incapable of being upbeat and friendly." She rolled her eyes and shook her head at the thought. They surely did seem to think they had to live up to the sullen, cold reputation of Slytherin House. Elena found it quite irritating to teach them. Surely it wouldn't kill them to smile and be kind and affectionate every now and then.

Realizing she was still tangled in a hug with the other woman, Elena quickly let go. Bustling off to the windows and cracking one open to let fresh air sweep through the room. She hadn't realized how hot and bothered she had gotten in her little self-improvement session. Considering it was a lot colder than the weather she was used to, in Spain, Elena reached up to feel her forehead. Maybe she was coming down with something. Pushing the thought away, as she did with all negative things that threatened to ruin her plans, she continued with talk of Avery's news.

"We should go into Hogsmeade and celebrate," she announced, with great enthusiasm. Elena loved spending long nights in The Three Broomsticks, singing and dancing and laughing until she was too tired to even speak properly. "At the weekend maybe. Invite the rest of the staff. It will be fun." She beamed at Avery, happily, hoping the woman would agree to the idea. Elena herself, considered it to be a rather marvelous idea. But then, she would. She always became overly enthused about her own brainwaves.

[PROFESSOR AVERY STARLING]

tried to give you kiss but you push me,

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- AND I FALL

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Avery couldn't agree more with Elena. She would be good for the house. It had such a dark and frightening reputation that need a bit of a make-over, and that was what Avery was planning on doing, sure it wouldn't just happen over night, but she was going to give it her best shot at showing that just because someone is ambitious and cunning, doesn't mean they're a nasty person. She wanted to bring empathy and understanding to the house most of all as these seemed to be the area's that most of the student's struggled with, though how she was going to do that with out subjecting them all to therapy, she didn't know. Maybe some group exercise? Probably not, still, it was going to be something she would work towards, who knew, maybe her being head of Slytherin house might entice more, soft natured people to it, sure it was ultimately the sorting hat's decision, but maybe she could have a word with it? See if he couldn't just chuck her a few less-harsh-minded students to get them off to a good start this year.

Avery gave Elena a hug back and was grinning from ear to ear, proud of herself for getting this position. "Yeah, I sometimes think that, I remember a couple of nasty ones when I was in school. Merlin they were trouble makers but hopefully having a woman in charge might just go ahead and soften the image a little, no need to have another man dressed in black that has so little to do with them. They need nurturing." She said, almost as if it were another interview but it wasn't and it was how she felt about the matter. Avery wasn't sure when the last Slytherin head of house was a female, but things needed brightening up. It was probably a bad idea to go into this thing too cheerful, she'd get no respect that way and she did not want her new house turning on her already. She at least needed one day of smoothness before things started going to hell.

Avery nodded her head in agreement at the idea of drinks at the weekend. "That sounds great! It'll be brilliant fun!" She enthused back, loving Elena more because of her genuine enthusiasm. All though Avery was a little fake sometimes, she loved it when others were positively genuine and such excitement was contagious in Avery's opinion, though Avery was quite excited at the idea of drinks with her colleagues. "I think I'm gonna run and sort out an outfit for the weekend. I should probably hang up my clothes. I arrived yesterday and the majority are still in my trunk, though in all fairness I do have to charm my wardrobe bigger, I have quite a lot of clothes." She admitted, she was a bit of a shopaholic sometimes. "You gonna be all right with those guys?" She said, indicating to the imps that had gone quiet and started trying to work there way out of the cage by messing with the lock.

Tag: Miss Elena Cortez
Word Count: five three one
Listening To: You Would Give Me Kiss If I Were on Soccer Team||Group X
Outfit: Click Me

[PROFESSOR ELENA CORTEZ]

Elena's brows pulled together in a frown as she realized Avery's words would apply to her, too. She would need to find something to wear! Well, of course, she had lots of things that she could wear, but they were all rather old and, well.... she didn't want to turn up looking like she did on a normal day about the castle. If she was going to go out, she wanted to go all out, so to speak.

She gave a distracted nod as Avery asked if she would be alright handling the Imps on her own. Little did she realize that they were desperately trying to pick the lock of their cage, and almost on the brink of succeeding. She did a double take as she glanced at them, mouth forming a small 'o' as she noticed what the little blighters were up to. With a glare, she pulled out her wand, which had been tucked safely into a hidden pocket in her long skirts, and pointed it at them.

"Do you really think I am so stupid?" she asked the pair, scathingly. "If you want to keep your heads attached to your necks, you had better sit down and behave." With a forceful flick from her wand, they flew away from the bars of the cage and landed on their bums, a small line of rope appearing from out of thin air and snaking itself around their middles, holding them in place. Rolling her eyes to the heavens, Elena found herself more and more reluctant to have them and the rest of their friends in her classroom tomorrow. Especially now that she had some weekend fun to look forward to. The thought of tackling pests just seemed to put a bit of a damper on things.

She returned to Avery. "I would scour my own wardrobe," she said, with a grimace, "but I am afraid most of the things in there need mending or ironing or cleaning." A crafty smirk crept up to the corners of her deep red lips, to be quickly replaced with an overly casual act of nonchalance. "I suppose I will just have to go and buy myself something new...." Yes, a definite trip into Hogsmeade was in her near future, and though she felt extremely naughty for planning to spend a small fortune in Gladrags, Elena couldn't help but feel devilishly delighted at the prospect.

[PROFESSOR AVERY STARLING]

now you're here and everything's changing,

- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- SUDDENLY MEANS SO MUCH

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It was wrong of Avery to enjoy the imps getting thrown back a little and tied up with rope, but those were the consequences for being naughty. If it were the other way around Avery was sure the imps would have burnt off their hair by now and given them a wedgie somehow, imps were surprisingly strong compared to their size, something Avery wasn't too fond of, but on the other hand, she did have a soft spot for them, sort of, no one else would want them, they were pests, but at the same time that made her want to care for them, and if she thought she could get them to behave themselves then maybe she'd take them on, and then some more, nah, then she'd be known as the crazy imp lady. She didn't want that.

"Bit o' needle and thread, a quick spell and you're done! Though shopping does sound like the more fun option." Avery admitted, in fact she might possibly go shopping herself. No! Avery told herself off, she couldn't go shopping, she had to save for a trip to New Zealand over the Summer holidays. It was only going to be for a few weeks and she'd certainly have a place to stay, but that meant she had to limit herself with what she was going to be spending money on.

"If push comes to shove, you're more than welcome to check out my wardrobe and see if there's anything in there you fancy." She offered, thinking that Elena would probably just go shopping, after all, what girl didn't love to shop for new clothes really?! Sometimes trying things on was a pain and getting started, but once you got into the swing of it how could anyone not love it? Avery was going to need a man with plenty of money when she got married, she needed someone that was going to be able to support her season-changing wardrobe collections, after all once she was married, she wouldn't have to be so careful about saving, he could think about that, right?

Tag: Miss Elena Cortez
Word Count: three six one
Listening To: The Day Before You||Rascal Flatts
Outfit: Click Me

[PROFESSOR ELENA CORTEZ]

Elena's eyebrows raised a little at the notion of borrowing some of Avery's clothes. Although she was by no means fat, Elena had curves that would probably not fit into the other woman's dresses or whatever she were to borrow. At least, that was Elena's view on the matter. Though she was very grateful for the offer. She didn't have many people in England that would do such a thing for her, and it was quite warming to know that Avery was inclined to be so kind to her.

With a shake of her head, she brushed away the offer. "Don't be silly," she hushed, waving her hand dismissively. "I wouldn't want to put you out." There was a hefty dose of truth in her words, but Elena couldn't help but admit to the other half of her reasoning. "Besides, you are stealing my excuse to spoil myself with a new dress!" she accused with a huge smile and a playfully stern expression.

Pulling her wand out, she strode back across the room, turning to face the Imps cage which now sat opposite her and a good few feet away. She had to get back to work, whether she had an audience or not. Maybe multitasking would be good for her. Gossiping and putting critters in their place. Surely it was the new brain workout that she needed? Well, the worst it could do was set a few Imps free around the castle, and Merlin knew there were enough cats around the place to sort that problem out, though Elena shunned the mental image that tagged along with the thought. With a swish of her wand, the cage was unlocked, the tiny door swinging open, inviting the terrors to make a break for freedom.

[PROFESSOR AVERY STARLING]

it's the little things that'll get us by,

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- AND HOLD US TOGETHER

[/font]

Avery chuckled and nodded her head, yeah, it was nice for someone to offer but buying new clothes was always much more fun, it was always great to see the new things out there and every now and then, pick up something a little vintage that would still work in this day and age. Avery was really feeling that maybe she'd go shopping too, just to get one new thing, she had to save so she should see this as a goodbye to shopping, one last thing to remember all the fun she'd had over the years, and while she was not dying it sure felt like it when she decided she couldn't shop any more.

Despite having given herself a goo reason to shop, Avery knew better and knew she shouldn't, every penny had to be saved for a trip to New Zealand. She was going to need plenty of spending money when she was over there and she was going to need money for a place to say and ways to travel while she was over there, because as much as apparition was the easiest way to go, you just missed out on so much amazing scenery, it wasn't something she wanted to do while on holiday. She wanted to enjoy every moment of it.

"Well I'd hate to deprive you of shopping. Have a good day Elena and I'll catch you at the feast." She said with a smile. "And I'll organise that outing to Hogsmeade." She said cheerily, excited about her new position and celebrating with her co-workers. Though they'd have to decide on who was going to have to stay back at the castle and hold down the fort, no doubt Minerva would probably offer, the school was a like a baby to her now she was in charge, though she'd been in charge since the end of Avery's first year at Hogwarts. Avery's first y ear at Hogwarts had been when Severus Snape had been headmaster and the castle had been faced with dark times. Avery remembered her parents doubting sending her to school but Avery had wanted to go, it was Hogwarts after all no matter who ran it and there were still good teachers about and with the thought, Avery gave Elena a wave and headed out of the classroom, deciding she'd best get ready for the feast later.

Tag: Miss Elena Cortez
Word Count: four one one
Listening To: Our Time Is Coming||Brooks & Dunn
Outfit: Click Me