For several years now, Pecari and Teppenpaw first years had been lead around by the hand on their first day of classes. Crotalus and Aladren, on the other hand, had always allowed their firsties to sink or swim on their own, which Lila had always thought was the better policy. School was just a way to prepare for life, and who would take them by the hand or go out of their ways to guide them through the early stages of the greater game? Besides, most first years were boring, irritating, and useless. There was nothing whatsoever to be gained by befriending them.
All of this was going through Lila's mind as, exhausted to the bone after never going more than half-asleep the night before, she stood by the common room entrance to guide the first years to Potions. She'd put a notice on the door for the girls' dorm and, unable to reach the boys' half, found a charm to hang one up in front of their hallway. This had been done before she'd finally gone to bed, which was very good because it made it so she couldn't back out. If she'd left it off, she wasn't sure restoring her play-besmirched reputation would have seemed worth it.
Since she was stuck, though, and knew that a proper young lady could never seem affected by something as mundane as the need for sleep anyway, Lila had put extra effort into her appearance. Her pressed robes were centered, her hair was perfectly straight, her skirt was red and gray plaid, and her low heels were shined so well that, at need, Lila thought she could use them as a mirror. Her best diamonds sparkled in her ears, and her eyeliner had been carefully selected to hide the slightly bloodshot look of her eyes. Her appearance was a little too neat, which was of course just how she liked it.
She gathered in first years as she saw them, talking to the little things chirpily and filing away their names as fully as her still-groggy brain would let her. She'd need to make a list later and go over it, comparing it to back issues of Which Witch and Witch Weekly and writing back to her mother for more detail. It was not a prospect she in any way relished.
Finally, she glanced at her watch. She didn't have a class, which made doing this even more of a sacrifice, but she was determined to get them there early. It would look better in the professor's eyes, and never mind that the professor was only Fawcett. It wasn't like he was going anywhere after so long, and he had to have made some friends on staff after a three-year run of teaching half their classes.
"Good morning," she said brightly as one last small person joined the group. "I'm Lila St. Martin, Crotalus prefect." Dear Merlin, this chirpiness was going to give her a worse headache than the sleep deprivation. "Seventh year. If you don't remember where it is after last night, I'll show you how to get to the Cascade Hall, and then I'll show you how to get to Potions. That's your first class, and it's going to be taught by Professor Fawcett. He's only a substitute, but don't worry; he taught for half of last year, and they say he's a genius at...everything." She really had no idea about Fawcett, but it sounded good. Her mother had said he was a Magisociologist of some repute, but since that title was Greek to Lila, it hadn't helped.
"Everyone ready? We want to get to class with time to spare so we make a good impression. Let's go." Trusting her badge to compel their obedience, Lila turned and lead the way out past Günter the Zombie.
OOC: No need to post here if you don't want to; you can just say Lila took you to breakfast and then got you to Potions ridiculously early if you want. Additionally, a warm welcome to Crotalus for all of you.
16Lila St. MartinExtending myself for once (First years!)80Lila St. Martin15