Harvey listened to Lilly.. as she squeezed him a little more.. Ok! what will others think.. well they were friends.. friends were allowed to do this.. he hugged Minnie all the time.. not recently though... so THATs what she was on about "Oh for that back at Rupert's place? well why didnt you say so.. and you were already forgiven the moment I left your room.. see thats why I didnt know what you meant.. cause in my mind you were already in my 'Forgiven' drawer.. thats why I didnt find you in the 'Must Forgive' or 'Do Not Forgive' drawers." Harvey chuckled "I guess everyone knows that since I do spend most of my time at that table and with quite a few Huffies.. maybe I need to hang out with some Gryffs too.. that way I can be 1/3 of each" he chuckled as he hugged her back.. he had never been hugged by Lilly before it was good to see that he meant that much to her as a friend.

This night is just the worst. Mordred never felt this kind of headache before. And the noise, the commotion and the elf who tried to play catch with him earlier didn’t help. Somebody should just throw the stupid ball to the staff table and get over the feast. He was by the way starving to death. As he fought the stupid headache, he was disrupted by a female voice.

“Ugh.” He lifted his head and squinted his eyes in pain. “What?” he turned his head to the direction of the voice and saw a girl about his age. “Am I okay? Do I look okay?” he said a tad irritated inside his head. “No.” he said flatly and rested his head once more in his hands.

“Dear Merlin, please bring out the food so that this madness will end already. Sincerely, Mordred.” He thought bitterly.

Adam watched the elf walk off after calling Louisa beautiful, the very apparent tears starting to form in his eyes when Louisa asked if he thought she had too hard. Adam looked back at Louisa and gave a small shake of the head. "No...I don't think you were too hard. After all he nearly managed to take both you and me out with one throw." Thank heavens for fast reflexes. "I think you have the right amount of toughness and sympathy slash fun for the job." Adam gave Louisa an encouraging smile which faded slightly when Louisa brought up the fact that it was his last year. "Yeah...I can't believe how quickly the whole thing went." Adam didn't particularly want to think about the end of this term because that meant addressing the very real problem of Adam not only finding a job, but finding a more suitable living arrangement than the magically enchanted dog house he was currently occupying. "Not to mention frightening...thinking about trying to get a job and find a place to live..." Adam trailed off, looking down at the ground for a moment before looking back up at Louisa. "On a more positive note you must be happy to not have to be worrying about the OWLs anymore. Quite a relief...is it not?"

Hmph. Gwen wasn't even surprised he was that grumpy. For all she cared, it could have been a lot worse... Judging her luck that day... So she simply tried very hard not to reply an extremely cold 'lovely' and make the situation even worse. Instead, the fourth year drew her attention back towards the normal people at that table. Psh. He should go see the healer, right? She could leave it like that, right? Gwen seriously wished she could think for once the same way as Ari and just act nice.

‘Do you need help?’ Well- the fourth year was almost sure he would never let her use some healing charms or spells on him, but still… wasn’t this one of those acceptable things to say? But maybe he wasn’t even sick. Juuuust drop it!, Gwendolyn told herself. As she waited for one of those flat answers from him, the Ravenclaw drew her attention towards the people standing close to the table and.... the house elf?

When did he appear? Seriously- for how long had the house elf been there? And why didn’t I notice until now? She was completely oblivious of what was going on.

Was it bad that he liked Louisa's description of Scabior and Lafay the most? Normally he had very little time for impolite, seemingly mean individuals, but as soon as it was known that they were experts in their fields his opinion changed; he couldn't help but feel that they were driven to act that way by being forced into proximity with people who knew nothing (or worse, didn't want to know anything) about their field of study.

"So far, it seems like a diverse group," he remarked. From hand-holders to wrist-slappers, as it were, "It's good that there's a balance. Don't get me wrong, it's wonderful to have professors who know what they're doing and won't take immature behaviour, but if those were the only professors at the school it could get a little tedi... no, I don't mean that. That would be fine with me."

It really, really would. After scrutinizing the last of the people Louisa had introduced so far -- the allegedly schizophrenic Herbology professor -- Neal turned his attention back to the prefect, "And the rest?"

“Can somebody put a silencio spell on everybody for five minutes?” he said to himself as the noise amplified once more. The great hall seemed like the carnival he attended two years ago. Whatever happened to this place?

As he continued to battle with the splitting headache, the same voice asked him again if he needed anything. "I need a potion to make this headache go away." he replied instantly. “Food will be great too.” He added.

“Seriously Mordaunt, that was very polite of you.” A tiny voice inside his head said. He has all the reason to be arrogant, since he’s a Slytherin—but he must be careful too since he’s sitting at the Ravenclaw table.

All right, scratch that. Take two.

“I’m sorry, I’m talking nonsense.” He said as he uncovered his face and forced a smile. Yep, he better act nice or these people’s ‘claws’ will be all over him. He doesn’t like that idea one bit. “Mind if I drink from this goblet?” he asked as he pointed at the empty cup in front of him. Yes, it’s Hogwarts property—and it’s on the Rav’s table, so it was logical to ask permission, riiiight? Right.

He better be on the safe side.

"Anytime...." She trailed off. Tay began to tap her fingers like she was at a piano to a song in her head then shook her head and stopped. It wasnt the right motion.... Taylor would need to be at a piano to hear the right motion. She looked back up at Minerva, "So how are you?"

Nate simply looked up and nodded at Jez with a smile on his face when she asked about the new term. Sure, Pam seemed a bit apathetic about it, but it was still exciting. They were third years, which meant they could now take on extra classes! Not that more work was necessarily good, but now they had some choice in what they would be studying, and Nate liked that freedom, especially after the confinement of the summer. Thinking of summer, Nate couldn't even remember what had gone on for the last couple of months. He could remember up to burying Kieran--how could he ever forget that--but that was it. After that, everything was blank up until the moment he first saw the familiar, inviting sight of the Great Hall. He couldn't even remember how they had been found by Team Wolf, or why Lex wasn't with them to bury Kieran, but that could wait for next summer. Meanwhile, he was glad to forget about it. Nate watched as Jez volleyed a ball with a smaller-than-usual house elf, taking on pretty much the same expression as Pam when the creature left. "So, where's Jordan? Over at the Gryffindor table?" he asked. He had expected Jordan to follow them to the Ravvie table, even if he just so happened to be a Lion. "Also, when is the food going to be here? Every year it seems to appear later and later..." he added in a grumble. Maybe he was hungrier because he had scarcely eaten in the last weeks of summer, but he couldn't remember that ordeal. All he knew was that he was pretty hungry, and he didn't want to wait for the food in any way.

Jordan approached the Ravenclaws, moving away from the Gryffindor table to join his friends in the other house, the ones who he had spent his Summer with. Jez, Pam and Nate, he needed to be with them right now. He was still sporting a large lump on his temple which had been making his metamorphmagus abilities go slightly haywire and he was moving extremely stiffly like an old man. "Hey guys," he said to the trio, sitting down with them. The holidays had changed him slightly, he wasn't upbeat and happy all of the time now... It was a weird sort of Jordan. He couldn't even muster a smile at the small, playful elf. He looked at Nate, "Here I am, the Gryffindors got boring," he half smiled.

"I don't think he was aiming at us, anyways. He probably was just playing catch with students." Like he'd said he was. Only it wasn't the time or the place. So yeah, Louisa was convinced that she hadn't been too hard on him. Then why was she thinking too much about it? GASP! She can't be seriously being a gentle big girl, can she? D:

Louisa's attention snapped back to her bes-- err... boyfriend? The girl didn't answer him at once because this notion was echoing inside her head. Adam, who was her best friend for two years and a half, is now her boyfriend. Or something like that. Her mind reached inside her chest and observed her heart beats, they were the same as they'd always been. No changes. Even her head was thinking the same. Her tongue, too, spoke the same way with the same words. There was only one explanation to this; she either was acting like his girlfriend all this time or she didn't start acting like one yet...

... although how she was supposed to do that, Louisa had no idea.

"We'll look for an apartment together." she meant to console him but the words went out wrong and she quickly added, "Not like live together, but you know.." COUGH. ".. I can help you out. Maybe ask Jason about it too." Her stepdad did have real estate agents as friends. "Don't feel down because of it, Adam. You have to accept it as part of your life. Your choice." Even if it wasn't technically his choice for real.



She nodded, "No, actually, I kind of agree." Except for Scabior. "But wait, it gets more interesting." Coz there are even more peculiar professors to talk about. Louisa's eyes were on the staff again, "The lady next to professor Bentley is the Healer. I've never had contact with her but I've heard she doesn't joke around." Like ever. The Ravenclaw hesitated before dropping the next gossip, "Last term, the Apparecium unveiled a suspicious dance before her and the Care of Magical Creatures professor at the three broomsticks. People said they were flirting but no one knows for sure." So yeah, Louisa was both a bookworm AND a gossip craver.

Aaanyways, "The man next to her is Murdoch, the groundskeeper. I don't really communicate with him either." But she thinks he's hot. She left that out, though. "On the other side of headmaster Tate is Vindictus, I don't know if you know him. He's out Head of House, the Quidditch related administrator and the Flying professor." Louisa was looking at Nealan now, "I think he' s very cool and balanced. You know, he's firm when necessary and flexible when needed." Oh and just for kicks, "He was possessed by a pirate spirit once, too." See, their Head of House was cool.

"I don't know the blonde lady sitting next to him but the brunette one after her is professor Romanos." Sighing Louisa was ready to talk about the teacher of her weakest subject, "She's the Defense Against Dark Arts professor. It's her second term in Hogwarts. She's very quiet helpful and... accented woman." Meeting Nealan's eyes Louisa emphasized, "Literally accented. And she likes Yoga a lot. Makes us do it just a little at the beginning of each class to calm down." Never worked with Louisa's poor skills at this subject though.

Skipping the woman next to Romanos, Louisa went on with her spiel, "Professor Williamson is the closest man sitting next to her. He's the Care of Magical Creatures professor. I think he's professor Scabior's friend too, I'm not sure. Professor Williamson hadn't hit his growth spurt yet deep down despite the muscle and deep voice." Louisa snorted at this, "He's very playful and rather witty when it comes to pranks and whatnot. Just... be careful to check your butt for any 'I'm a dork' sign whenever after you're with him." The girl gave Nealan a serious look. She. Was. Serious.

And Hadley was next. Louisa had a separate story for this one but she refrained from bringing the poor boy to tears on his first day at Hogwarts, "Professor Josephine Hadley is the Arithmancy teacher. She's lovely but can be... moody." Hence the UNFAIR detention she'd given Louisa and Paulie last term. Grrr. Quickly averting her gaze to the last professor, the Prefect spoke, "And lastly professor Jenkins, the Ancient Runes teacher. He's very serious and kind of... too confident too." Not that Louisa minded.

She needed a huge glass of water.

Andrew sat down at the table with his food. He looked around and was a little scared. This was his first WIZARD school. He had been kicked out of 18 MUGGLE schools. He starts to eat a bite of his food when he almost chokes. IT WAS JEZABEL BLACK AND FRIENDS!!!!!!!!!!!! He had heard about the assassins after them. Trying not to get involved he swallows and looks away. Andrew wonders wear his friend Blue was a peculier girl she was yes she was.........Well they could be in the same house that would be good then he could talk to her again.

Minerva looked at Taylor and sighed "Horrible actually." she didn't mean to let it out, but there it was.. "I mean I guess not horrible, I just don't know what I am. I have been up and down so much with everything going on. I guess Damon told you what happened at your house last night?"

Tay frown slightly, "Im sorry to hear that, i hope all will be okay." She gave her friend a hug to comfort her. Taylor shook her head, "No he didnt tell me anything. I didnt see him much. I spent the night in Lori's room and he was already sleeping by the time i came to the household and then i left before he got up so we didnt even say night at the party."

Minerva looked at her in shock, she knew he had to have talked to her. "I kissed Damon last night, he didn't tell you?"

"Ooooooooh that." She laughed, "I thought you were talking about something else." Taylor nodded, "Yeah ruined the moment i was having with Maxwell because of it." She grimaced and frowned.

Silvia was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, surprised that her stomach hadn't started growling yet. While the sorting ceremony was interesting to watch, she really wanted the feast to hurry up and start. She had been too busy on the train going over the list of all the spells she wanted to try as soon as the term started, as well as reading her textbooks, to eat more than a few chocolate frogs. She was excited to be back, and glad that she was no longer one of the new students.

The young Ravenclaw turned her attention to the staff table and scanned over it. Most of the professors were the same, but there were a few new ones there as well. Suddenly she stiffined slightly. The astronomy professor seat was empty! She hoped that whoever was teaching it this year was just running a little late. It was her favorite subject.

Silvia turned and looked around the Ravenclaw table. She had been a bit shy last year and only made a few friends. Maybe it was time to make a few more friends?

Marie walked up to her friends. "Hey Taylor, hey Minnie. How's life?"

Minerva laughed a bit "Sorry, but you know I am good like that on timing." "Did he also tell you that he told me if this other girl says no he would maybe see where are feelings go?"


"Hey Marie, well you know us always up and down." she tried to give her new friend a smile.

Tay looked up, "Hey Marie....." She sighed, "Delightful...." There was sacrasm in her voice and she wasnt her usual bubbly, talkative self, "And you?" Taylor looked at Min, "Its fine, i dont know why he told me it is urgent that he talked to me." She sighed, then nodded, "Yeah he did. I think it is wrong that he is doing this to you. I feel bad that you are his second choice, he couldnt even let you be the first choice."

Neal didn't blame her for needing that water, and while he couldn't read her mind, she was looking a little parched after all that talking. While he filled her goblet, he commented, "The last I checked, being possessed by a deceased pirate wasn't something to include on a resume. But fine, I take your point." Vindictus was cool. That seemed to be the point.

"You seem to have glossed over the headmaster." The man was pretty important, what with running the school, hiring the professors, and whatnot. Neal handed her the full goblet, with a look that said she could take her time before answering further.

While taking a drink of his own water (after inspecting it for candle drippings, as it had been a while since he'd poured it), Neal glanced around the table at the other Ravenclaws and noticed one who seemed to be sitting alone in the crowd. Partially because Louisa was a prefect and seemed to be promoting friend-making, and partially because he was subconsciously on a mission to find a younger student who wasn't off in the head, he smiled and offered her a wave.

Marie grinned. "Well at least y'all are honest." She ran her fingers through her hair. "I'm good, just ready for classes to start." She frowned at the mention of Damon. "Minnie, is that true? He said that if things didn't work out with the girl, he'd see how he felt about you?"

Lily nodded slowly as she practically stared at Tay's head. It just wasn't the Taylor that she had known... not the Tay that had spent hours with her in the hospital wing the previous year. "I guess I like it.... it's just different..." She said shrugging. She was not going to hurt her best friend's feelings during the feast... that was not going to happen.

Spike wasn't his usual excited self at the feast. He was struggling to muster up the slightest smile...even at the thought of quidditch. Sure, he was often a bit surly on the train ride, missing the space and people and woods and freedom of the summer holidays. But it never usually lasted quite this badly, or this long, into the feast. The amount of candy he consumed on the train usually had least some effect.

And this, ladies and gentleman, was down to one simple reason: he was now officially a FIFTH year.

...no more pretending he was just an old fourth year, as he had all summer, pretending that the impending DOOM didn't exist. Because now it did. And it'd happened.

Fifth year meant exams. And work. And boring things. Like his parents expecting good grades - and therefore probably some remedial lessons to boot. He wasn't looking forward to it.

Hmph.

And with all that, he sat grumpily waiting for food. Lips pursed, arms folded across his chest, and curls everywhere. Probably fortunate, that last bit, else he might be entirely unrecognisable.

Tay nodded, "Yeah same i am wanting my classes now...." She sighed, "It will be a good distraction." To Lily, she smiled and laughed, "Yeah it is a bit. I was getting a bit bored and it just felt right. So how was your summer?"

Minerva shook her head yes to Marie and then looked at Taylor, so it wasn't just in her head she looked down. "Well I'm glad someone else feels the same way, I mean I am happy he likes me and I don't really look at it I guess as second, well maybe I do, but my problem is how am I going to be with him when we see this girl knowing he is looking at her wishing I was her?"