Although Robert Bunbury cared very, very much for his wife's health and sanity, and for his own safety on their eventual trip back to Cairo, right now his biggest concern was not the size of Delilah's baby belly and how slowly she was wobbling around; his biggest concern was the wealth of memories that came flooding back in the moment he stepped inside his old school.

"Looks like they solved the money problems, huh honey," he murmured to Delilah as he tugged her around the Great Hall. Yeah yeah, there were shiny House tables and new banners; yeah yeah, there was food and a dance floor. That was all standard reunion stuff, and even though he hadn't been to one before, he wasn't THAT impressed yet. But the yearbooks? Spread out all around the Hall on fancy little displays?!

Well those were pretty neato for a nerd like him. "Looooook, it's my year!" he announced excitedly, giving her hand a squeeze and then dropping it to grab the 2063 yearbook. Hehe. "I don't even remember who the prefects were back then...." Of course he started rifling through it.

Delilah was certain that she hadn't even liked any of these people when she was a student here, so she wasn't quite sure how Robbie had managed to get her to agree to coming here with him, especially being about eight months pregnant now. HE was the one who said 'Hey, Delilah, wouldn't it be great to have another kid?!' Yet, AGAIN, SHE was the one doing all the work for the kid. She took a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and decided to try to be nice.

She could do it, sometimes, really, she could, it just took more effort than usual lately.

The climate change was doing weird things to her sinuses and she was definitely thirsty and already tired of being here, but she was trying. Delilah offered Robbie a smile and nodded. She rubbed absently at her belly and paused to look at the book that he was holding. "Did you find them?" The prefects, she meant.

Where was the water around here?

This was exciting, wasn't it?

Sure, the Great Hall wasn't the place he really wanted to be since he was back at Hogwarts, but since he doubted he was allowed to, or that Cece would want him to walk around the grounds or even the rest of the castle, he supposed it would just have to be good enough for now. Waylon gave his wife's hand a gentle squeeze and he flashed her a smile before stepping into the one room he regretted stepping into as soon as he stepped into it.

All those yearbooks.

All those dead TREES!

Was it too late to turn around and go somewhere else? It wasn't like he wanted to read any of those books anyway; he didn't even think he wrote in his. But, since Cece was still standing there and not saying anything about not wanting to read them, he figured that's where she wanted to be. Maybe he would read one of them then.

He tugged her over to where her book was. "Any mentions of me in your entry?" Snort. He doubted it.

He had lost his wife.

Given that fiery red hair that streamed behind her most of the time, one might think that was an impossibility and yet here he was, wifeless. Perhaps he ought to have brought a certain cat along, Gingersnapple would have been able to lead him right to her, even if it might have taken a small bribery in the form of fish. After all, there was probably something fishy at the buffet, after all there was always something fishy at Hogwarts.

... where was he? Well, no, that question he asked of himself wasn't so accurate, he knew where he was. He knew this place well. The entire building in fact. Several offices particularly well. This room though... he'd not been here since he was a child. There were yearbooks... many of them....And a Bunbury.... not his one, mind, but one. Unfair that his brother-in-law had no trouble keeping his wife in sight.

.... mind you, Delilah was hard to miss right now. Very round, she was. Very round. And that child thing that would eventually come out of there would be a niece or nephew of his. Had someone told him which yet? Ethan forgot these things sometimes. Possibly he should say hello, but this was supposed to be a reunion not a hang-about-with-family-members-you-saw-a-few-weeks-ago.

..... Annie was not in this room. Ethan went and poked at a yearbook. Maybe he'd find her inside one of those at the least.

For the first time since the opening feast Cece was actually happy to be entering the Great Hall. It had been years since her and Walon had been in this room together, and now she was there holding the hand of her husband. And later she planned on escorting him back to her office. No need for him to rush off tonight.

Oh look at all the yearbooks. And she was being pulled over to them. Someone sure was anxious to get a look at them wasn't he.

Oh. Did she write about him? "Of course I mentioned you in my entry." He was William's best friend after all. Okay, so she didn't mention him in the way he was probably wondering about, but still, he was in her thoughts. "What about your entry? Any mentions of me in there?"

Yeah?

She really wrote about him?

Waylon wasn't going to believe it until he actually saw it. Which was why, as soon as they made it over to her yearbook, he began to flip quickly through the pages, to see if he could even find her entry. No. No. Not her. Maybe she should just look herself. It would be easier that way. He moved over to the side a little bit and pulled his wife closer to the book. He didn't think words were needed.

As for his entry.. he briefly glanced over at the book sitting right next to hers before his eyes were right back on Cece. It.. wasn't mandatory that they write in there, was it? Because that had been practically forever ago and he couldn't get into trouble for it now if it was, right?

Erm.. "I didn't write in mine. Nothing at all. It would've just been a whole waste of paper." Not to mention boring. The wasting of paper was more important, though. Anyway.. "I did get a superlative my first term as Groundskeeper! 'Most likely to ride the topiary'." Did she see that? He was so proud of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Colley

Delilah was certain that she hadn't even liked any of these people when she was a student here, so she wasn't quite sure how Robbie had managed to get her to agree to coming here with him, especially being about eight months pregnant now. HE was the one who said 'Hey, Delilah, wouldn't it be great to have another kid?!' Yet, AGAIN, SHE was the one doing all the work for the kid. She took a moment to pause, take a deep breath, and decided to try to be nice.

She could do it, sometimes, really, she could, it just took more effort than usual lately.

The climate change was doing weird things to her sinuses and she was definitely thirsty and already tired of being here, but she was trying. Delilah offered Robbie a smile and nodded. She rubbed absently at her belly and paused to look at the book that he was holding. "Did you find them?" The prefects, she meant.

Where was the water around here?

"Oh," hmmm, Robbie had almost forgotten Delilah was standing next to him. "Yeah, I did. From my last year, anyway. That term sucked. I'd forgotten how bloody awful my House was at Quidditch. I think we even forfeited a match due to sucking." Denver, or whatever that captain's name was, had been a horrible leader. No management skills at all.

Anyway. He looked up and around for something else to do. "Want to go find your year?" Surely Slytherin had gotten better since he had graduated and Delilah had been at Hogwarts... it didn't look like it from his glance at the House Points counter on his way in, but he had hopes...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Con_Stripes

He had lost his wife.

Given that fiery red hair that streamed behind her most of the time, one might think that was an impossibility and yet here he was, wifeless. Perhaps he ought to have brought a certain cat along, Gingersnapple would have been able to lead him right to her, even if it might have taken a small bribery in the form of fish. After all, there was probably something fishy at the buffet, after all there was always something fishy at Hogwarts.

... where was he? Well, no, that question he asked of himself wasn't so accurate, he knew where he was. He knew this place well. The entire building in fact. Several offices particularly well. This room though... he'd not been here since he was a child. There were yearbooks... many of them....And a Bunbury.... not his one, mind, but one. Unfair that his brother-in-law had no trouble keeping his wife in sight.

.... mind you, Delilah was hard to miss right now. Very round, she was. Very round. And that child thing that would eventually come out of there would be a niece or nephew of his. Had someone told him which yet? Ethan forgot these things sometimes. Possibly he should say hello, but this was supposed to be a reunion not a hang-about-with-family-members-you-saw-a-few-weeks-ago.

..... Annie was not in this room. Ethan went and poked at a yearbook. Maybe he'd find her inside one of those at the least.

But look at that. Another Slytherin (supposedly) that they were bumping into. "Hey, Zan," he lightly slapped his brother-in-law on the shoulder. "How are things?" If he was here, then his sister almost certainly was. Good man, hiding from her with his nose in a book while he could. Robbie almost felt bad for interrupting his reading, except this reunion was supposed to be a chance to bump into people and stuff.

As is his habit, Corin went to go check on the minutiae of Reunion proceedings, walking around the Great Hall. Walking.... and breathing. That used to be quite a challenge in his days as a young Eaglet. The man that stands here today, capable and in full use of his faculties was such a far cry from the sickly boy that spent more time at the Hospital Wing than in his own bed at the dorms.

And then suddenly he found himself at the area where Alumni either chuckle or cringe (often both). Full on trip down memory lane yeah? He made his way around display cases and stacks of yearbooks-- goodness it was almost like time travelling as his gaze kept moving down decades past.....

Finally he found his decade. Seven years of memories and people, and then almost by chance, found a yearbook where it featured all the new kids of that schoolyear. He narrowed his eyes as he lowered his head—was that him? His gaze shifted slightly to the faint reflection against the glass, the silver hair shining more prominently against the light. Time travelling, he’s doing it right now.

She had lost Alexis. Savannah had lost the bubbly, bouncy, ball that had currently taken over her best friend, and in her current condition (Lex's, not her own) one would have thought that were impossible. But she had managed it, and they had just arrived.

If the former Hufflepuff didn't know any better, she would have thought the blonde was trying to scare her.. again. For old times sake, and to cause that pre-mature heart attack they'd always joked about. Brushing those thoughts away, the thirty-five year old slowly ventured toward the display of yearbooks, all spread out by year around the room. 2065.. 2066.. 2067..

Might as well take a peek, before deciding it was time to go look for the former Gryffindor.

Okay so there was a good part of Kat who had been bouncing and excited for the day of the reunion to arrive. However as she stepped into the reception area, she couldn't help but wonder how much better it would have been if she had her husband there with her. Or at least one of her best friends. But alas, Wilson hadn't managed to get off with her and Beck was off somewhere with a ministry assignment. Even Celeste had been called away and wouldn't be around.

The healer remind herself that had to be someone who would be familiar to her there. So she opted to wander towards a section of room with displays stashed around. On closer look, they were the yearbooks and Kat let her eyes wander around as she absently walked in search of the years that would represent her own time at Hogwarts.

Had so many years really passed since she had graduated her seventh year?

Text Cut: IT'S SAVANNAH!

Quote:

Originally Posted by D.A Forever

She had lost Alexis. Savannah had lost the bubbly, bouncy, ball that had currently taken over her best friend, and in her current condition (Lex's, not her own) one would have thought that were impossible. But she had managed it, and they had just arrived.

If the former Hufflepuff didn't know any better, she would have thought the blonde was trying to scare her.. again. For old times sake, and to cause that pre-mature heart attack they'd always joked about. Brushing those thoughts away, the thirty-five year old slowly ventured toward the display of yearbooks, all spread out by year around the room. 2065.. 2066.. 2067..

Might as well take a peek, before deciding it was time to go look for the former Gryffindor.

Rachel had meandered away from the food table and over to the yearbook. It had been years since she'd looked back through all those photos and memories. Although her last term had left a bitter taste of Hogwarts, it still didn't manage to wash away all the good the school had done for her.

Nearing the book with her own graduating year, she thought better of it and moved one along. The past few yearbooks were much more pleasant, even if her then best friend hadn't been Head Girl in them. She was still so proud of her for that, despite not having seen Livvy since graduation. She was about to open up the yearbook when she realised with sudden clarity that she knew the woman standing a few meters away.

Oh, Merlin. It had been years. Rachel had been so young, it was a wonder she remembered her name. "Excuse me," she began, taking a step forward towards the brunette. "Are you by any changce Savannah Mae?" Awkward? Perhaps. Especially since the woman was most likely married and even if she was Savannah - which, Rachel was pretty sure she was, something about the eyes - she was probably no longer a Mae. But this was a reunion. These situations were bound to happen, no?

"Yeah, well, Hufflepuffs can't be great at everything, love." Her back was sore and she still had no water, but Delilah was STILL being nice. STILL. BEING. NICE. Okay? She should win a freaking medal for it, too. She patted Robbie's arm helpfully, as if that would make the Hufflepuffs be less lame. It wasn't going to help a single thing, but she was trying.

She moved her focus over to the other man and gave him an acknowledging nod. Yeah, he was here too, and he didn't have water either. This was just the most fun thing next to giving birth that she'd ever done.

"Hufflepuff?" Robbie repeated in amazement, with an astonished, gaping mouth to match. "HUFFLEPUFF?!" He'd been being hush-hush at first but not right now. Right now he was insulted and couldn't care less if the whole Great Hall heard him. "I was in Slytherin, thank you very much, the most noble House of my ancestors and my kin, except for that ugly sister of mine." He was positively hissing like a little snake at Delilah's HUFFLEPUFFY assumption.

He narrowed his eyes at her. "Let's just see how well your Hufflepuff House did, dear. Class of '69, was it?" He edged away from Ethan with a polite smile and over toward the newer yearbooks...

And yes, he knew very well that his wife was no Puffer.

Emmaleigh had been sitting over at one of the tables when she saw a flash of silver milling about. Was that him? She jumped to her feet immediately and tried to see if it was. and it was! Beaming, she excused herself from those she was with and hurried to that beacon of silver. "Uncle Corin!" she said colliding with him and giving him a big tight hug. "I didn't know you were going to be here. Is Vick here too?" She noticed the book he had been looking at before she had ran into him, literally. "Is this your yearbook?" she asked, leaning forward as he did to look at the picture on the page. "Is that you?"

How has it already been six years since he graduated? How...? It felt like yesterday he thought he had stepped into this castle for the last time. Of course, that wasn't he case having stayed here about two years ago due to Ministry business and now. He was never going to escape Hogwarts...that was...an ominous thought. In a way.

Walking toward the yearbooks, not the ones dated during his era, but the ones of his father, his finger ran horizontally along the spines, feeling the weathered, but well-kept material. Crazy how everything worked out in the end. He'd left a legacy behind and now his little sister would. GAH!

He pulled out a specific yearbook and skimmed through it, flipping the pages to the Slytherin section...

.........."What?" What? What had she said? Hufflepuff? Well, obviously she knew that Robbie was not a Hufflepuff. She had not married a Hufflepuff. But honestly, she wasn't very sure why she had said that. Was she getting dehydrated? She was very thirsty. "Of course. Slytherin. Right." RIGHT. They were both Slytherins.

Right?

Was she a Hufflepuff?

No. No way in hell.

Every single time he thought he was out of Hogwarts for good, he somehow always ended back in the castle. What was this, the third time now? Clearly Everett Scabior was cursed, despite the fact that every footstep he had taken in the building had been on his own free will.

This time was slightly different from the other two times however. For one, after tonight Dash would leave the castle again and not have to spend another night in the drafty rooms.

And two,

Althea was now by his side.

Though not at the moment, after all she was a governor she had things to do and he hadn't expected to say glued on to her the whole night (that would not be pleasant). But in general she was and as a bonus she was not upset with him. Yes, it was revolutionary. Though the first was something he planned on keeping the same for the rest of his life, and the second would probably only last this one baby free night. Drifting away to the yearbook he ran his hand along the pages before opening it up.

Given the amount of times Charely arrived here both as a student as a parent and guardian, there was only a flicker of the nostalgic feeling remaining. He decided to take a stroll over toward to the display that held the many yearbooks. The older ones were quite faded and worn compared to the last three decades, but nothing unexpected. His son and daughter-in-law were in good spirits with old friends at their respectable tables, so he wasn't going to disturb them with this just yet.

..Ah.

It took a good number of careful page turning before he found his older self. He could remember the very first day he was sorted into Hufflepuff and the fun times he had. Rather than get too lost into the memories, he continued flipping to see other familiar faces.

Shoulder tapping. Ethan looked up when his brother-in-law addressed him and after a slightly too long moment, he nodded. "Things are good." Possibly. He suspected that any sort of elaboration or feel that he should really break down what Robbie meant by 'things' was unnecessary. "I lost Annie." Somewhere. Somehow. He'd lost HIS Hufflepuff, as it was.

... he regarded Delilah and tried not to be to wary of the belly. Pregnant women were dangerous creatures. Annie had been worse than a nundu. He still had nightmares. Ethan Truebridge inclined his head respectfully at her and said nothing. Safer that way.

He'd found himself in this yearbook. About twelve or so years old, in his Slytherin robes. Very unsettling. He could see his son in his own face. He wondered if Annie had seen it, this old yearbook. Could he take it from here? Hmm. Take the book to Annie, wherever she was. Maybe he would go sit in her office, take a plate, let her find him. She would have pictures of David in there, he could compare the pictures properly.

He went back to examining it, leaving the Bunbury branch of his family to do as they pleased.

Because that was what Bunburys did, in his experience.

She wasn't really sure where to start. It was a kind of last minute decision to go to this thing, though she had been debating for quite some time now. But she last minute found a nice dress, found someone to watch her daughter (disregarding her "but I'm thirteen, mom!" complaints), slipped on some heels and showed up to the party.

After grabbing a glass of water, Kat kept walking. She saw some people going into the room off to the side of the Great Hall and followed them. Inside she saw tons of yearbooks from the past and also the donation center. There were a few people observing the yearbooks and she happened to peer over one man's shoulder just as he was looking at a picture of..... himself? "Was that you?" she asked with a grin as he turned the page, stepping beside him. She didn't even want to know what she looked like that long ago.

No, Marilyn did not miss Hogwarts...but she'd reasoned with herself that she could make a quick appearance and then leave. Not to be antisocial, but...the blonde just preferred to be at home with Olivia; binge eating oreo ice cream and watching Disney movies. That's what happened when you raised a child. You stopped caring about...all of this. Whatever 'this' was.

...but before getting to the 'appearance' bit, the blonde had paused to view yearbooks. Not any she'd have personally been in...but the more recent ones. It interested her to see how Hogwarts was holding up these days...since...Wow, she'd be packing Olivia soon enough to come to this place.

She was growing up so fast.

..........Though, reading about the dementor!issue from a few years ago was giving her second thoughts. Merlin, a man had died...

Cassie ended up wandering away from her date. She figured why not relive some memories by flicking through the yearbook....not that being at Hogwarts wasn't doing a good job of that already.

She had so many wonderful memories of school, she'd do it over again and wouldn't change a single thing...well...maybe one thing..

Shouldn't she be feeling more excited about being back though?

"Pssssssst!"

This particular issue was riveting...There had been something in the school's ice cream supply that had cause some sort of mental break....And that poor man who'd died. It was just terrible reading about death...He'd been so handsome, too. Why did it always seem to be the best looking ones? Couldn't beauty be spared?

...and someone was clearly trying to get her attention.

Finally turning from the yearbook, the blonde blinked...but then grinned widely. One person she wasn't opposed to seeing..."What?!" STAGE WHISPER!

Fee still couldn't believe she was actually here...this was crazy. They all had spent their teenage years here and it was such a great feeling to be back, to see all the people again. Even though it was still kind off sad some of them couldn't make it the blonde was sure this was gonna be a blast.

Wandering around a little just taking it all in, she passed the yearbook display. Oh wow...the yearbook. Maybe she could find hers? The journalist had nooo idea what she had put in there but it surely would be fun to read.

Coming closer Fee noticed a dude standing there and he looked really familiar from behind. Yes people could look familiar for behind. She had to see his face. Approaching him she took a discrete look.

OH MY GOD!

"Kennedy?!?!?!?!" Was this for real?!