After decades working at the school it was easy to spot the signs of the students fussing over some matter or another. The tell tale signs of gossip showed up as clearly as a fireworks charm. Whispers and pointed looks at students in the Great Hall, clustered students whispering as they walked to classes, and of course the endless heads put together to whisper during classes, no matter how many times Ellsworth tried to part them. It was better in those days to make it a work day. Which, after one look at the students heading to and from breakfast Ellsworth had already decided was the case today.

Ellsworth was reworking a lesson plan in his mind as he headed to breakfast, less worried about the gossip of the moment then the lessons he would have to teach, when he spotted one of the first years on the floor scrambling to pick up her papers. It looked like Jeremiah’s girl, Tansy.

While Ellsworth did not have favorite students, a point he was very strict on, he did have a tendency of watching out for the children of other staff members. Himself having had children, and now grandchildren, go through the school. He would have stopped regardless, but Miss Tatting was a good girl regardless of the situation and it appeared she wasn’t having a very good morning so far. Shame, it was pretty early in the day still.

Ellsworth removed his wand from the sleeve of his robe and cast a simple spell to collect the papers from around Miss Tatting and into his hand. “Miss Tatting, are you alright?” Clearly she wasn’t but young girls weren’t always the most willing to admit that he’d found. Something about pride. Well phfff on that. She looked like she needed a cup of hot chocolate and a good cheering regardless of what was going on.