Minerva had seen a lot in her long life and yet fate seemed to think that before she could ever retire and spend the rest of her life relaxing in a nice tower with her books and her dogs, she had to be put through more paces than the headmaster before her. Dumbledore had been right when he said there were worse things than death (the fate that had been visited on both of her predecessors), but she didn't think that he imagined the school attacking students was something he had in mind. And after the reports that had trickled in on the morning of the first of November, the old woman had privately wished that Dumbledore was still alive so that he could deal with it. After all, telling twelve stuffy governors to "shove off" (in a more diplomatic way of course) with an Order of Merlin would be a lot easier if there was a string of impressive titles behind it. Unfortunately the Order was all Minerva had given that she had dedicated so much of her life to the school.

Which was why she was sitting at the head of the long table in the staffroom looking at the faces of her underlings colleagues along with pieces of what had once been a bludger and a helmet of one of the school's suits of armour. Some faces were apprehensive, others interested and the rest were somewhat harder to read. Though Teddy Lupin was squirming a bit. Perhaps he hasn't yet lost the habit of trying to avoid direct confrontation with his former teachers. she mused silently, suppressing a smile. How long did it take Neville to be able to look some of us in the eye? she wondered, Four years? Five? Shaking her head slightly, she pulled her mind back to the present and did a quick count of the table. Once she was satisfied that everyone was accounted for, she cleared her throat and began to speak. "Good afternoon everyone." she intoned as a beginning. "It is obviously no surprise what we are here to discuss, but I must press upon you that until we are able to properly piece everything together that we all keep news and speculation within these walls. I do not want a panic from parents or the governors over something that could only turn out to be an ancient protection that needs to be renewed."

After she finished speaking, she glanced around to each of the faces, resting slightly longer on the aged Hagrid. Though no longer a teacher, he still served the castle diligently, but his inability to keep important secrets was one of his greatest weaknesses. Which made Minerva much more inclined to suspect him. Some of the more newer appointments to the staff were also questionable, but that was more to do with the fact that she did not know them quite yet. Not to mention she wasn't quite sure if "the two young ones" (Teddy and Victorie) would be able to keep such a thing under wraps in family communications. Though she knew they had been good students in their time. Hopefully it would have a spill over effect. "When we last in October we were unable to determine what caused the bludger to escape the binding spell keeping it restricted to the Pitch. The fragments recovered did not provide anything useful. The same applies to Teddy's wand - while the spells used against the class were shown, we could not tell what caused the lapse in control. If any of you is an expert or knows an expert in wandlore, now would be the time to aid us with an opinion on what affected Teddy's wand in such a manner."

She hoped she wasn't putting the young man on the spot too much, but unfortunately it needed to be done. They were all involved one way or another. She knew Malloy was still smarting over the fact that somehow students had been able to enter his office without his wards being tampered with on Halloween night and Flitwick, though a patient soul, had not appreciated having to charm the suits of armour back together after Calais Aubrey, Selene Baker, Renna Cross, Zhou Davies, Mallory Quirke, Alina Weasley, Fred Weasley, Rose Weasley and Joyce Zabini-Bones had gotten to them. She had understood the need for self preservation, but how nine students - two of them prefects - had felt they had to reduce the Knights to a collection of spare parts was beyond her. She expected that kind of behaviour from Davies, Quirke and the Weasley boy, but when Rose Weasley and Renna Cross had been dragged up to her office along with Calais Aubrey, she had just about had a heart attack. "While I know most of the investigative work goes beyond some of your disciplines, I do feel that we might be able to piece some of this together using all of our skills. Besides, as an old colleague of mine used to say, there can never be too many eyes out."

Patty, despite the current events, was sitting quite relaxed in her chair. Leaning back, turned slightly towards Minerva, her hands lightly clasped on the table. Though her gaze was not upon the Headmistress, but rather the objects sitting in front of her. The shattered Bludger that took no less than five of the staff to stop. And also a helmet from one of the Armour suits that grace the Halls of Hogwarts. The unknown cause of these accidents unnerved Patty, but always she showed a steady calm on the outside. After all, it won't help the students if she was too be seen worried over something that could be easily fixed. But until the staff had a better idea what was happening with the school, it was best to remain cautious.

As Minerva began to speak, Patricia lifted her gaze to her superior, listening to everything she said. She nodded in agreement for the need of secrecy. Their task was already hard enough without added panic. Though she felt it wouldn't last long, after all, some students - if not all - would of already told their family of the happenings. But perhaps they only said that the staff are working on it and hopefully they've seen the last of it. Hopefully. The incident with the armour might just be the catalyst though, for Professor Longbottoms' daughter was seriously harmed, and her mother was the editor of the Daily Prophet. Not to mention it was one of her house students.

Patty looked again to the objects on the table while Minerva took a breath. She was not around for any of the accidents. During the Bludger Attack, she was teaching, and so kept the students confined to the classroom, including the ones that were out in the corridor, she got to come in. She wasn't even aware of the Amour coming alive of their own accord until she heard the crashes of them falling apart. She shifted nervously in her seat. She so disliked not knowing what was going on! Clearly something was wrong with the magic that holds the school together. Like Minerva said, perhaps it is just one of the ancient spells needing renewed. As Minerva continued, Patty tried to work out some pattern to the accidents, but the only link is that so far objects have been 'possessed'. At being asked if she knew anything of, or anyone, about Wandlore, she shook her head. Not personally and whom she could trust not to leak out the problems the school are having.

She nodded in agreement as Minerva admitted that this particular investigation goes beyond their expertise. But she also agreed that with all of their heads working on the matter, surely there could be some break through. They need something to organise their thoughts and ideas first though... Taking her wand out of her robe pocket, she gave a casual flick towards the large mirror in the Staff Room, transfiguring it into a large blackboard. "There, we can have a mind-chart or something similar, to note ideas and possible links to the accidents. Like the fact that so far objects seem to be possessed." She explained. "We can even turn it back to a mirror and therefore hide it from anyone who is not a member of staff's prying eyes."

Teddy wasn't sure about this meeting. The whole idea made him uncomfortable and fidgety. His hair was a brown color today and lacked life. He just didn't feel up to the effort. He had maintained a mild yellow color during the lessons but that color weakened and fizzled out by the time the staff meeting commenced. Teddy well knew that these professors were now his colleges but some how he felt that he was facing his professors for something bad he had done, and instead of the obstinate 'innocent till proven guilty' cheeky attitude Teddy felt like he was a guilty party remorseful and waiting for his assigned punishment. It was all Teddy could do to keep his head up and meet people in the eye. He knew none of what had happened was his fault but certainly there was more he should have done?

Why had McGonagall hired him? He was little more than useless. Really his sixth years out stripped him in almost everything. It was a student who stopped his wand and it was a student his own family who practically ran his class. What should be questioning and exploratory learning turned out to be rote quotation of the text books and mini lectures by various students. It seemed like the high achievers got it all before it was taught and those less vocal and still learning were missing it all never having a true chance to step in on the learning process. Teddy had to be the worst teacher there by far. Why was he even at this meeting? He couldn't help any he had failed. Maybe he should start to seek out some blue collar job down on Diagon Alley. He was certain he could get a spot at Weasly Wizard Weezes. It was a family business after all.

Teddy let out a low sigh at this thought as Minerva began to speak. She brought up the fragments. Items he himself studied with little to no results. That was one Teddy failure. Then his wand, was mentioned and Teddy couldn't help it he slunk down in his seat a bit as he felt all eyes on him that was HUGE Teddy failure which counted a hundred times over. He just waited for the statement that he was sacked right then and there, but Minerva continued on while Teddy wished he could crawl into a hole and die, or at least sleep for a really long time.

The discussion was opened and Teddy had nothing to offer so he sat there quiet as discussion continued as he tried not to be sick though at the same time wishing he was so he could get out though that would be rich being sick in front of the whole staff and he really wouldn't have much of an escape seeing as the matron and Vic were there. So as Teddy quelled his nerves and mental berated himself he focused on the table hardly looking up to the idea thing that Blith created.

Sofie wasn’t exactly sure how she should feel sitting here with the other teachers. Her expertise was in dragons, not…oh wait…bludgers she knew about, those creepy snarling noises they made like they were alive was just…disturbing. And she had been in the front hall when the armor was dancing, just in time to pull the other Smith twin out of the fray. She had mixed feelings about that day, apparently she’d missed the chance to save Professor Longbottom’s daughter and perhaps if she hadn’t slept so late she could have. Still, grabbing one student from the fray was good enough and for students they’d been pretty resourceful. But puppeted wands and the like she was clueless, she wished she could pipe up and brag about how she had all the information a book somewhere but unless the staff wanted to know how a male Norwegian Ridgeback got it’s female into the mood to mate, or what the precise temperature to hatch a Welsh Green egg was, she felt rather useless. She slipped a finger through the hole in her earring and tugged it thoughtfully, playing with the brightly colored plastic, leaning back and wondering what she could possibly bring to this conversation. Apparently Teddy felt the same way if his hair were anything to go by. That was the moppiest shade of brown she had ever seen and that was saying something against her own brunette locks.

She thought that Professor Bilth’s idea was worth a mention, a blackboard for certain thoughts could be useful. Suddenly Sofie had an idea and awkwardly waved her hand to get attention from the Headmistress. “Um, hi…uh, anyway…” she was so much better at lecturing at her students, so why was she having such a hard time speaking? Was it because she was really an outside and didn’t quite belong? Forget not having attended Hogwarts she wasn’t even British for Merlin’s sake…. “Uh I was just wondering, I mean I know that students have been questioned but I guess the point I’m trying to make is…” she took a deep breath and decided to show some of that Dragonvale pride she’d long since buried after discovering her also Dragonvale boyfriend was a liar and a crook. “When I was a student, I lied…a lot…well I guess I still do to a certain point but what I’m trying to say is that, when you were 15, 16, 17 did you really trust the adults around you? I mean sure we’re more magically proficient but most teenagers still feel that we have our heads up our asses, respectfully speaking.” She mentioned quickly. “If I were a student and this stuff had happened to me, no way would I give the full story to some adult, it would be far more fun to try and figure it out on my own. So maybe the best theories lay with those that have experienced the accidents the most? I’m not saying that we put the students in charge no, no, no but we have to. Um…I dunno, figure out how to finesse the information out of them?” She trailed off and blushed, sitting back further in her seat.

She did believe it though! Students…okay as her experience as a student, she’d been notorious for late night raiding parties and other adventure seeking venues. It was just…what students did! She believed there were a precious handful that would tell the truth under normal circumstances and less than that when things got weird. Everyone wanted to be a hero, plain and simple. Popularity was something students fed off of like Dragons liked raw meat and having been one of the “popular kids” she could honestly say that she’d loved it. Frankly, it WAS all it was cracked up to be and those that said differently were just bitter. Why not aim for the spotlight? Why not try and be the hero? So far everything that had happened had only been marginally dangerous. Teddy’s wand going berserk was frightening and could have been worse but hadn’t been, and dancing armor was easy to take care of with the proper freezing spells. Rogue bludgers were scary but part of every day life if you were a lover of the sport. Maybe someone out there had a theory they didn’t want to share because they had big plans, tricking the students into revealing their theories would be the hard part.

Gerry folded his arms across his chest, doing his very best not to glower. He felt quite certain that the curious incidents plaguing his school were nothing short of an indictment of his magic skills, particularly the ability of his students to enter his office without either suffering the consequences of his wards or picking them apart. Not only was his ego wounded (a far more dreadful affair than wounded students, if he were entirely honest about it), but he had been envisioning the headlines that would generate from the moment it had been discovered. And his own fallibility aside, he was certain that the merest hint of suspicious activity within these walls would mean a clamor for the school to close until the source of the disturbances had been discovered. The very idea he might be forced to return to his parents cottage sent shudders of revulsion through the Potion's Master; he was fond of his family, but he loathed their flock of sheep, and he knew his parents would rope him into helping should he go back.

He had already endured two years of Hogwarts closing, and though that was years ago the delay in his education and subsequent graduation still grated on him; it was hardly fair to force any of his own students to go through that when he had despised having to do it himself. So he was, for once, entirely in agreement with McGonagall: Nobody outside of Hogwarts should know a thing, or else the press would bring the public down upon them in a whirlwind of unjust accusations and exaggerated claims of injuries. Not that many people had been injured, and besides, even when there was no suspicions of sinister activity students were constantly visiting the hospital wings. Duels with fellow students, and accidents brought about by inexperienced magic users attempting spells beyond them were simply natural. He had seen plenty of cauldrons boiling over, and potions exploding, in his thirteen years of teaching, usually due to negligence rather than mysterious outside forces.

"Oh, possession, eh, that's easy then, just ask the ghosts," He waved a hand in dismissal at Patricia's idea. He was curiously inclined to believe that any being capable of possession could not possibly make it into Hogwarts, previous unexplained events notwithstanding; whatever was causing these problems had to be another witch or wizard. Of course, this meant the culprit was probably in this room with them, but an inside job was easier for him to swallow, when it came to school security, than some outside force they had no knowledge of.

He nodded approvingly at Sofie's suggestion that students were inherently dishonest and mistrustful of adults. This was a reasonable enough assumption, one supported by his own memories of adolescence. "As well they should look at us with a jaundiced eye, I'm spiking their pumpkin juice with Veritaserum and marching every last one of them up to my office for questioning. Not like any of them are any good at Occlumency, they won't be able to stop it, and if I use the weak stuff the mental damage'll only be temporary. Nobody'll even notice." He did not, in fact, intend to actually execute this particular plan, but he derived a vicious glee at the thought of forcibly extracting information from the trespassing miscreants who had so violated his sense of worth as a wizard.

Yes Teddy was kind of in a funk and feeling rather down about himself but there were times when his sensibility and nobility would give his moping self a swift kick in the rump and take over. It was what happened on Halloween. Teddy had been feeling down but the safety of the girls took over and Teddy was in a way his normal self and this was one of those times.

Teddy perked up and listened to what Sophie and Malloy had to say. It was his breaking part particularly after what Malloy said he couldn't help but speak up. His hair gaining a bit of vibrancy as he spoke, "Oi, leave the kids be! They don't need that too. Being one of the youngest here I feel I need to speak for them. When I was their age, I admit, yes I lied, a LOT. I was at times a right terror as some of you may recall but at the same time I don't feel it's fair to state that they are all lying. I know a lot of these kids. I mean half the school is practically my family, not to say I'm great at this whole teaching thing but I think I might actually know a lot of them a lot better than any of you. And I think a lot of them are telling the truth I mean I myself have been there for many of them and it's a lot like as they say. Beyond that if the students are onto something and not telling us we should let them keep going to some degree I mean they are more on top of it than we are. It was a student who stopped my wand. They were the ones to figure out all the other accidents really save for the bludger, I personally am willing to tip my hat to potentially superior minds."

Teddy felt better for getting that off his chest but before he was done he had one more thing to say because it was bugging the crap out of him. "Oh, Malloy, get over yourself. Those girls wound up there by accident just as I found my way into Sophie's room by accident when I was aiming for my room that Halloween. Sorry Sophie for not telling you earlier, so much has been going on, and it didn't seem important at the time, nothing happened but a quick exit." There Teddy had said his peace, he may have been a bit rude but he was tired of people whom he just knew were innocent being blamed. Teddy hardly even put stock in the Malfoy rumor. He didn't know Malfoy but the way his wand felt just indicated it was something more than the students, and he would stand up for them till the bitter end even if he was the only one.

Victoire rushed through the halls, glad that most of the students were outside on such a pretty day. "Of course I have to be late to a meeting!" she silently berated herself. Finally, she could see the staff room doors up ahead. Vic smiled slightly at the gargoyles that stood on either side of the door. One had a large chunk of stone missing from it's wing, one of the only signs left at the school from the infamous Battle for which she was named. Opening the door, she slipped inside, closing it softly behind her. She turned to face her fellow staff members and saw that they hadn't started yet. "Thank Merlin!" she thought, moving towards the empty seat next to Teddy.

Vic took her seat quietly. She listened intently as Minerva began to speak. Sitting among many of her former teachers was strange and though school had been in session for a few months, she still hadn't gotten quite used to it. She turned to look at Teddy, who looked exceedingly nervous, at least to her. She smiled slightly at him, reaching over to squeeze his hand reassuringly. She knew it wasn't his fault, but the guilt seemed to hover over his head like a storm cloud. She smiled as Sofie began to talk. The smile was quickly wiped away by Malloy's words. She had never liked her former professor, despite loving the subject that he taught, and the dislike was only strengthened by his words. Playing out the scenario in her head, Victoire mentally flinched, her temper flaring.

Her mind was racing with the memories of all the injured students that she had helped Madame Moss Aisha to treat. She shook her head as the memory of Ally resurfaced. All the blood, her little sister's normally bright smile gone from her fa- No! She shook her head slightly, ridding herself of such thoughts, letting Teddy's words filter through the memories, bringing her back to the present situation. She sat up straighter and addressed her colleague. "Those kids have been through enough already without us interrogating them! We want the students to trust us, do we not? The scenario you propose would only push their trust even farther from us. It could push any progress we've made or could have made even further back." Vic leaned back in her chair, blushing slightly at her outburst, letting her anger ebb away.

It was strange to look about the table and see how many faces had been replaced over the years. While it seemed like she, Filius, Sybill (who had seemed to have ignored the summons into "the mundane"), Rubeus, Aurora and Septima had been there for ages (she was not counting Cuthbert or Irma since Cuthbert didn't much care for the present and Irma hadn't left that library in at least sixty odd years) other chairs seemed to have new faces every time she turned around. In fact there were days where she half expected to see Charity Burbage strolling back in all excited about some muggle she had met over the break or Severus to stroll in and ask why there was someone sitting in his chair. Poppy retired, Rubeus' reflexes are slowing, so many died. she reflected, going over many of the faces in her mind. Though if she was honest, she didn't really miss Argus all that much and with the old curse on the DADA job, there were some she had never gotten to know at all. However it was a comfort to see that she had been able to make the necessary replacements with competent individuals. Even the three new recruits (even if Miss Weasley was only temporary) were showing potential. They just needed to be broken in a little...

Of course no sooner than she had had this thought than Gerard decided to announce that doing a mass Veritaserum influenced interrogation would be the way to go after Sofie had finished mentioning how most students tended to be dishonest to their teachers to protect themselves from punishment for minor rule breaking. Sure she had those laced lemon drops stored in a cupboard in her office, but that was for a one on one deal and only for extreme circumstances. At least that was what Dumbledore's portrait had said. Then Teddy - who was the least removed teacher from his student days - made an indignant outburst in defense of the students. In particular the two seventh years who wound up in Gerard's office. Though the old woman understood the desire to keep students out, the girls had not been trying to get in. In fact from the sounds of things, no one had managed to navigate the sublevels at all on Halloween night. Baker - who had been shaking like a leaf for ending up in the office for the second time in two weeks in regards to the incidents - had babbled on about some game and how she and Wood were only trying to get back to the main dungeon hallway. "I am inclined to agree with Teddy and Victorie. We don't want the students to feel that we are going to treat them all as suspects in these matters. If concrete," she emphasized the word for Gerard's benefit. "Evidence leads us to a particular student or set of students, then we can proceed in that direction."

She sighed and resisted the urge to put her head in her hands. The job of running the school was harder than anyone ever could imagine. Oh she knew that there were plenty of people - her current potions master included - who thought that they could do her job so much better. In fact there were times where she wanted to offer to let the person try it for a week and see how they made out. After all any given day could be quiet but it was downright impossible for seven of them to happen in a row. After almost sixty consecutive years, Minerva knew this to be a fact. A solid, undeniable fact. She almost pitied Patricia who would be taking her place soon. The poor woman didn't need that stress before her time. Especially if future years continued like this one. "However it is imperative that we do take steps to determine just what is going on. And go about it in a civilized manner, both towards the students and each other." The last had a meaningful look directed at both Teddy and Gerard. "We do no good if we fight amongst ourselves over a course of action." Sensing an impatient movement from Neville, she added "And though you may not agree, I still wish to hold you all to a vow of silence. A panic among the parents and the public is the last thing we need."

Gavin was already in the staffroom when an emergency meeting was called. This couldn’t be good. He wasn’t a big fan of meetings in general but when they were considered and emergency, then they really wouldn’t be good. He sat up in one of the chairs as everyone else filed in. It was just weird seeing all of the other professors there. Half the time it was usually two people or three in there at one time; now it seemed like it was a bit too crowded for him. Obviously, he wasn’t going to leave because it was a meeting that McGonagall had called together. He wasn’t going to be leaving anytime soon. There was a sort of uncomfortable silence for Gavin. He didn’t know exactly what this meeting was about but he had a feeling he wouldn’t be speaking up much. Gavin was usually a huge talker, half the time you couldn’t get him to shut up, his gob didn’t stop for anything, but right now, he was being as quiet as he could be. His friends were probably wondering what the hell was wrong with him. He watched McGonagall as she addressed them all. He had to agree with her on everything she said. While she was getting older she was also getting wiser. Gavin could talk a lot yes, but he wasn’t the kind of guy to just go spilling things to people. He didn’t want the parents in a tizzy just as much as the next person because he knew that if this happened when he was still a student, his parents would have flipped out and taken him out of Hogwarts. He didn’t want that to happen to any of the students. He looked around the room. Everyone else seemed to be in agreement… or at least they weren’t speaking up if they didn’t agree.

He looked up again when Patty had spoken up. She did have an excellent idea. Gavin just didn’t have any ideas. He wasn’t really being himself today and that worried him. He always had something to say, even if it didn’t really pertain to the subject, he’d find a way to make it pertain. He jumped from his thoughts when someone else started talking. It was Sofie, his dear friend. He leaned forward, propped his elbow on the table and rested his head on his hand. He had to agree with Sofie as well. Well, part of what she said. He doubted that the students who were involved with the accidents would want to speak of them again. He didn’t even want to speak of them again. He hadn’t really been involved with any of them, thankfully. He also doubted that even if they did just sit them down to talk about it, that, like she had said before, they would tell the truth. When he was in school Gavin didn’t really do anything bad. He was there to learn and he loved learning. So, he was mainly studying. But, if something that was happening now happened to him when he was younger, he’d be frightened to speak about it in fear that they were judging him and just waiting for him to stop talking so they could accuse him of something.

He did a bit of a cringe when the next person spoke up. Gerard Malloy, Gavin’s favorite person. Okay, so Gavin didn’t hate anyone, but he really didn’t like Malloy. They were opposites and Gavin understood that but sometimes he looked at Sofie like she was like a prize that he had to win. Sofie was one of Gavin’s best friends and he was just making sure she was going to be all right and he really couldn’t see that happening if she ever did get together with Malloy. There was his over protective trait popping out again. Sofie was like another sister to Gavin and he just wanted to make sure she was going to be okay. After listening to Malloy’s terrible and very, very wrong suggestion, he was going to speak up but Teddy had beat him to the punch. At least Gavin wasn’t the only one who thought Malloy was a haughty jerk. That’s probably one of the many reasons why Gavin and Teddy were best friends. He smiled inwardly at Teddy’s last comment. He really did like Teddy. He was going to speak up again, but he wasn’t quick enough. Victoire put her two cents in and she made a valid point. Why corner the students if they don’t trust us now? He agreed whole-heartedly.

He turned back to McGonagall as she started talking again. Everyone, except Malloy, had made a pretty valid point in one way or another. Now, it was his turn. “I think I’m going to have to agree with Teddy and Victoire as well. I understand where you’re coming from Sofie, but I think if we tried to talk to them about it, it would just sort of push them away. If I had experienced these accidents first hand and had the misfortune of getting injured, I really wouldn’t want to talk about it either. I also agree to the vow of silence. I think it’s safe to say that having the parents in a tizzy is the last thing any of us want.” He said, lightly pushing his glasses back up his nose. “I do think we would benefit from talking to the students about it, but I just don’t think they’d all cooperate and I think a few of them would just revert back into a shell and not say anything.” He added.

As Patty suggested the idea of possession, the piece of chalk wrote it upon the board as if by itself. She leaned back once more in her chair, listening to the other Professors and staff members. At Gerry's dismissal of her idea - well, she didn't see him come up with anything - she tried hard not to roll her eyes up at him. Though asking the ghosts is a good idea, that much she could grudgingly agree with. "Perhaps we should ask them if they've notice anything - the Portraits also, after all, we shouldn't take them for granted..." She suggested mildly. Her attention was diverted towards a nervous voice trying to gain their attention. It was Sofie, one of the newer members of the staff.

Patty agreed with Sofies ducement that some of the more curious students would want to work thing out themselves. But the thing was, it was potentially a dangerous business. Before she knew it, Gerald had suggested something she never would think to do, and Teddy jumped in, fired up. She stayed calm, the only sign of her thoughts being a hand running across her forehead. Naturally she agreed with both Teddy and Victoire. The students shouldn't be interrogated, they would indeed feel like suspects, and that was the last thing she wanted. Still, they wanted the students talking to them... "I think an open door policy might help a little, at least that way the students know they can come to us if they wish, without feeling that we'd force information out of them. If we all use this, then the students can chose who they are most comfortable with. It wouldn't necessary have to be their Head of House..." She suggested after everyone had calmed down.

"As for the students leading the investigations, Sofie, I'm a little wary. It could be risky, and we'd have to keep an eye on them. I don't know about the rest of the Houses, but I know a group in mine would of no doubt started... Already they have been caught out of bounds. I'm sure most of you know of whom I speak." Merlin knows the number of times the Smiths have been caught. It was distracting them from their studies. But then since the accidents began, nearly all the students were distracted from their studies. Not a good thing. "The students are distracted, many grades have dropped as a result, we need to find away to assure the students. I don't want anyone failing where they wouldn't usually. Do you?" But how they would go about this, Patty was not sure yet.

Patty agreed that they should keep the parents - most certainly the governors - in the dark. At least until they had a better idea of what is causing the accidents. The thing is it might be harder to keep the parents in the dark. How many students have already written home of the strange happenings? Patty voiced these thoughts. "Keeping quiet is all very well, but how do we know the students themselves haven't already written home of them? I know we haven't had any letters from the parents, but it could only be a matter of time..."