Themis grinned, confirming his identification. He always was a bright one. Themis remembered him from combined classes in potions, especially. It was no surprise that alchemy had called to him. There was something so Slytherin about that.

She made a habit of coming to the castle at least once a week during the summer holiday, needing her routine to continue. That, and she wouldn't miss out on uninterrupted time in the library, still one of her favorite locations. She knew that one of her new colleagues was arriving soon, but the portraits had been especially vague about his identity. "This is a pleasure, indeed. I will do us both a kindness and not tell you exactly how many years that has been, Professor."

Themis stepped into the room. Having decided that getting a measure of this boy-turned-man was worth her time, she nodded toward the serving set she saw already placed on a table. "Tea, thank you." And, with a conspiratory grin, as if offering him a secret, she added, "Two sugars, no cream." She may have matured, but her tea tastes had not.

His confidence was reassuring. He still carried himself like some noble knight in a muggle story. She found this familiar and amusing. Why did men seem so much more apt to reach adulthood with their self-assurance intact? Perhaps she would ask one someday.

"I recognize you, but not your companion here." She added, genuinely curious about the opaque creature near him.

---