Clara felt a surge of anger building up within her the minute she saw Bentley make a face at her after she had rolled her eyes at him. She clenched her fists fighting the urge to chuck her shoe at him or throw a punch, but soon realizing she's better than him so she doesn't need to exude her anger....at least for now.

Giving him a judgmental glare as he was questioning her sitting beside Blaise. Even though Blaise wouldn't want her to say anything ill of Bentley right now, she at least mimed him in a condescending tone, "Yes seriously. I'm sorry is that a pro-", she bit her tongue not finishing her sentence for Blaise's sake.

Before she knew it Blaise had wrapped his arm around her waist, that was new. The redhead's attention was then on the ghost of her house, Nearly Headless Nick who had popped up into the middle of the table. Tuning out the ridiculousness that is Bentley Moore she asked, "Did you have a nice summer Sir Nicholas?"

Genny gave her robes a tug towards her to prevent them from falling off her shoulders. "Hi! UHm, well someone thought I was going to be a liiiiittle taller than this this year." Her mom. "And yeah, I don't like the measuring tape so... I faked my measurements..." So technically, she did this to herself.

Also Ace got a look from her when he laughed at her stumbling. Gosh.

Hmm? Genny turned to the person who poked her arm. Oh she was unfamiliar and obviously one of the younger ones. Aw. Must be a firstie, she could say she saw her during the sorting ceremony. "Hmm? Oh! Oh, you know professor Flamsteed?" She must be a second year then. "UHm, he left." Nodnod. "I don't think we know why, he must've been offered a better job." Like, traveling around space? Because only that would top Hogwarts okay? Okay.

"Hiya, Trixie!" Wave wave. "It's been niiiiice, a little too short but--" Shrug. "--better than nothing." Not that she didn't enjoy Hogwarts, she did. But summer was more freedom and she went exploring the grounds around their home and just a lot more fun than books and studying. Ekh.

Mhmmm mhmmm mhmmmmmmm. Genny listened to Blaise's weak excuse of returning back. "I see. You look quite thrilled to be back, too." She chuckled, but definitely sympathized with the boy. If someone didn't want to do something, they shouldn't be forced to do it. Even if it was about school. ESPECIALLY about school, even.

Oh here came his cousin... and they got busy with the other girl and stuff, so Genny was distracted by the professor approaching their table..



Their new head of house made it to their table. He looked a lot older than Flamsteed (who was being missed terribly right now, he had a quirky personality that was just fun to watch from all the way over here ugh). "It was pretty fun! I'm sad it ended!" Genny replied to the old man brightly. She was not afraid to admit to her professor that she was fond of summer. A lot. But look at him all cute with a mouse over his head and the stuttering. Aw. Could he tolerate all the hype in Gryffindor? Did he realize what they were handing him when he applied for the job? Genny was personally going to dial it down for the old guy. It was a promise. Mhm.

Timmy was looking up at the table when suddenly a couple of students told him that it was boring and just had adults up there. Still to him it was a big table and looked out at everything so why not go and sit up there. "This table is grand, but I like seeing everything." Timmy replied to them both,

Timmy then spotted this old man who had appeared. "Are you the servant?" Timmy had heard that there were servants in this place and he totally wanted to see one.

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRG!" Timmy nearly jumped out of his skin when this ghost appeared and started talking, seriously maybe he should have read more of the Hogwarts History book before arriving, in the muggle world ghosts do not talk, well in films they do. "Eh!! Hi?" Timmy had no idea what to say to this talking ghost, "Are you like Casper?" Oh was Casper really because if so he totally want to meet them.

Jill shrank back from the tone of the upper year (Blaise) who answered, taken aback. From what she'd seen so far she thought the school was pretty cool, and given the overwhelming amount of chatter among the older students it seemed like the students liked each other well enough. "Um, okay, thanks?" she said turning red as she turned back to her plate. It was just her luck the student to notice her question seemed to hate her already.

The answer from the other upper year (Geneva) was much nicer, although it didn't have near as much an exciting reason for leaving as she would have hoped. "Oh! No, I didn't know him, just everyone seems really upset he's gone..." She must be making a good impression on the older students, asking ridiculous question. She was about to say more, but...

She couldn't help it - she let out a short, high shriek as a head appeared right in front of her. Pearly white and see-through it couldn't- it wasn't a ghost was it? But Sir Nicholas introduced himself as a ghost, and she didn't know any living people who were that colour. She swallowed, hard, trying to get her heart to stop racing. "Nice to meet you, Sir Nicholas," she said in a quiet voice, eyes wide, "And thanks. I'm Jill Smith."

Bloody hell. Self driving boats, floating candles, ghosts. Jill was going to have to re-think her expectations for magic school, and re-think them fast. At least there was another boy who seemed surprised to see the ghost, and was asking about Casper the Ghost. Was he a new student too?

SO back to being a firstie, then. "Yeah, he's been here for ages, and he was really good. So much fun and he would play with us and let us play with his rock pet. It is such a loss he's gone." Genny let out a sad sigh, but she wasn't going to bask in those feelings with an excited firstie. She should probably get her name instead of calling her the firstie, "I'm Genny, by the way. You can ask me anything about Hogwarts if you don't know anyone here." She beamed.

Then their house ghost came. Genny grinned at him and waved. "Hey Sir Nicholas!" She and the ghost were chummies since day one in Hogwarts. The firstie looked like.... well, like she's seen a ghost. Heh. Poor thing.

Bentley rolled his eyes at his cousin. This was ridiculous, there was just no winning with Blaise these days.

"Okay so you're going to have to make up your mind. You basically forbid me from talking to Chloe and you're okay with me dating but just not with Mel? There is absolutely no winning with you. I don't even know what your problem is with Mel. She's nice.....and drama free." Wasn't that their whole aim? To have a chill drama free term?

Accept it???

Bentley sighed dramatically. "He's really my parents problem, not mine. They made him." He shrugged.

And duh Blaise, of course he was talking about Sir Nicholas. He was being awfully familiar with his cousin. "Headless Nick." He responded dryly.

He returned Blaise's nudge and stuck his tongue out at Clara rather immaturely. He didn't care though because she was the spawn of Satan. He supposed maybe his cousin would find out for himself soon.

He propped his elbow on the table and dropped his chin into the middle of his palm, then sighed.

"This is going to be a looooong feast."

The hand around Clara served MANY purposes. Yes, he did like being able to hold her like this and the waist was preferred because of how conspicuous the shoulder was but, it also made it all too easy to nudge her if need be. Kinda like how he would apparently constantly need to be elbowing his cousin tonight. Just his luck.

"You don't have to thank me." He told the First Year. It wasn't as if he'd done her a favour; it simply bothered him that someone who knew little to nothing about Professor Airey would presume to ask anything--would presume to act like she cared. Still, he wasn't trying to ruin the feast for anyone else, least of all someone new so the boy thought it best to instead turn his attention back to Genny and what he could only assume to be her saracastic words. "I'll get over it within the fortnight, I suppose. Then it's just counting down the days til summer." That was the usual plan.

"If you want to see everything." Eyes back on this kid (Timmy), why not get yourself a bigger chair. You'll only get yourself in trouble trying to sit up there and you'll cost us for it."[/b]

And when he could no longer find people to ignore his cousin by talking to them, Blaise's gaze fell on his cousin again. He was right. There was no winning and Mel was nice and they had agreed they didn't want drama but, "It's different. You know it is. Yes, Mel is nice but by existing and dating you she is drama. Know why? Because for all the warning I'll warn you and for all the brave faces you put on, you still like Chloe." He glanced to Clara, wondering if this should even be discussed with her sitting there but at the same time, he wouldn't tell her to leave. "You're the moth, she's the flame." Only one of those remained unharmed in this relationship, Bentley. Hint, it wasn't the moth. "I just....I don't know--you don't know but I can tell this won't end well and Merlin help me if you wake me up at ridiculous o'clock in the morning to tell me the cycle's starting over again." The cycle, you know, the: I broke up with Mel because me and Chloe are gonna work things out. Or the: stupid Chloe, I started dating Mel again because once again, Chloe has found a way to have me questioning my manhood.

"And cut that out." The tongue sticking, the everything. He looked between the two. "I'm not saying you have to be friends, in fact I honestly don't care but I'd like if you two could be civilized about not liking each other because I won't deal." Like....at all. [b]"Me and Nick are cool though. He filled me in on stuff I missed when I got to the feast end of last term.

His tone lightened deliberately as he spoke to Clara. "We should take a walk after the food." Or before. Didn't matter. Chances were there would be something in the Common Room after and he'd like some alone time with her before having to deal with all of them. Truthfully, Blaise loved his housemates--just not the first night back. He didn't love anything on his first night back.

Once the train had arrived at the station, the Head Boy disappeared out of sight. Quite literally. As far as anyone knew, he had made a mad dash for the loo ... or was flying around the castle on the back of a thestral ... or he had snuck down to the kitchens to "taste test" the elves' cooking. Though would anyone suspect that had been in the Great Hall the entire time, silently watching everyone from his safe spot under a Disillusionment Charm?

It was genius really. Frankie didn't know why he hadn't thought of doing this AGES ago. But, being that it was his last Start-of-Term Feast ever, it seemed only fitting for him to go through with this spur-of-the-moment plan now. At least it would keep him entertained until the food arrived.

Kaycee was the first to arrive at the lions' table, which didn't surprise him in the least, and he was amused when she unknowingly sat a few feet from him. He was tempted to slide over to her and whisper that he was there just so she could be in the loop. But his moment of opportunity quickly fled from him as a sullen Blaise arrived and a crazy energized Olivia practically tackled the prefect.

Quietly, he snuck his way over to the head of the table, closest to the staff dais, where he was bound to not be run into. From there he could see everything: Dora arrived, followed by Char, Ace, Genny, Marsha, two first years he didn't know, Trixie, and Bentley ... Professor Newton announced he was their new Head of House ... Dora left all of a sudden ... Clara took a seat next to Blaise, though she looked annoyed that Bentley was there ... a grumpy Lancelot found a spot next to Marsha ... and Sir Nick made his traditional popping-through-the-middle-of-the-table appearance.

It was those grumpy and sad looking ones that caught his attention the most. What in Merlin's beard was wrong with these Gryffindors? They were supposed to be the LIFE OF THE PARTY! Obviously they needed a few good laughs.

On the move once again, he flicked his wand in a series of motions, not uttering a single word, as he made his way down the table. In one direction went a tickling charm, next a hex that would turn someone's hair into antlers, a Babbling Curse followed that one, then a spell that'd make the victim uncontrollably sing, after that one that would sprout flowers if it hit someone, and lastly was a jinx that would encase someone's head inside a pumpkin.

Satisfied and now at the other end of the table, Frankie looked to watch everything unfold. But his attention was quickly captured by the green robes that were sticking out amongst all the red. Had his girlfriend been there the entire time? The blond couldn't help but sneak up behind Hady and gently blow in her ear.

Toddles walkies through hall. Yes Toddles does. Toddles see if studenties needs helps. Toddles knows foods readies soon. Toddles sees studenties toddles knows a bits. Toddles sees news master and mistresses. Toddles hears studenties talking and Toddles likes to help.

"Can Toddles helps masters and mistresses?"

Art smiled warmly at Miss Phillips. "Thank you, I-I appreciate your vote of co-confidence," he said with a chuckle. Oh, but he BEAMED at the mention of tea. He gave a sneaky touch of his nose, because he had PLANS. "I'd very much like a tea party, Miss Phillips."

"Thank you Miss Jenkins," Art said in reply. "We're lo-looking forward to uhh... t-to being back in the Gryffindor tower. It's been..." he paused to think "I believe 44 years since I was last there."

Art gave a confused little smile to Miss Umbridge, who... he thought for a moment there was just walking off because... well, he didn't know why. These things seemed to slip over the unobservant Arthur Newton. "Thank you Mis Umbridge," he said, as she walked off.

"Ooohhhhho, Miss Lynch! I didn't think I'd s-see you here," he chuckled. Well it was good to see her. "We had a v-a very nice summer thank you. I became a Pop." He was most excited that he now had a granddaughter. His very first granddaughter. He had spoiled her with Pop cuddles, and he couldn't wait to see her again. In fact, he had just put up a very large, animated photo of her in his office. "And how was your summer?" he asked.

Art gave a nod of his head. "I'm very glad your summer was awesome Mr Salander," he said with a grin. To him it just seemed that Mr Salander was happy to be back. It didn't even twig that he was amused about what he was wearing. He had been expecting mixed response from the Gryffindors about the departure of Professor Flamsteed, and the fact that his position of Head of House had to be replaced. Of course. This was understandable. But Art wasn't great at picking up social clues, so he just went on with it. He gave a happy grin to the thumbs up of the young Gryffindor.

"Well... well I'm glad to hear Mr Bellaire," Art said. He had been expecting the young man not to be there. Of course he was happy to see him. He seemed a bit distracted, and Art wasn't one to push it. So, he gave the young man a small smile and left it at that. He'd have to have a chat with him at some stage, regarding the things of the previous terms, but that would wait.

He was about to turn to Miss Jillian Smith, of whom he had seen sorted, when Mr Bellaire, and his apparent foul attitude, beat him to it. Art was not one to get mad, but his eye twitched. Art cleared his throat. "Miss Smith, err.. w-welcome to Gryffindor, firstly. Secondly... P-Professor Flamsteed resigned from his post at Hogwarts because it was simply his time to leave. He had new opportunities." He turned to Mr Bellaire. "Mr Bellaire, I d-do not appreciate h-hearing you sp-speaking of Hogwarts like that. This place is-is-is not stupid. There is... well, sometimes things aren't as-as-as we uhh... we want them to go but... it isn't what I'd like you to spread as rubbish. P-please t-try to... to..." to what? Change his opinion? Pretend to be happy? He cleared his throat again. "Please refrain from... from... passing your negativity on to the first years before they are able to make their own opinions on the castle." He shoved his hands into his pockets and blinked a few times, looking at the young man. Great Scott, he didn't LIKE using his adult voice.

Art lifted his eyebrows, up into his hairline, as the House Ghost appeared. Coming from the TABLE. He blinked at the ghost, and broke into laughter. He remembered seeing the old ghost do that when he was a student. "Good evening Sir N-Nicholas," Art said. And he bowed his head slightly, not too much as he still had a bad back. He didn't want to be popping it out of alignment right then and there on the first day back. "I ap-appreciate that," he added.

Art couldn't withhold a chuckle at Miss Tate's words. "W-well I-I'll tell you there Miss Tate, I... well... I'm glad to be back. I miss it here, in the castle. But... but I welcomed a granddaughter this summer and it was very hard to leave her." He smiled at the young lioness, but added "I'm glad you had a nice summer. Are you heading back home for Christmas?" he asked. At least that would be something to look forward to, if she was preferring to be at home than at the castle.

Art looked down to another of the new students who had been sorted. Timmy Jones. Who... was asking if he, Arthur Newton, was a servant? Art opened and closed his mouth a few times before he knelt down to be able to speak to Mr Jones a bit better. His knees cracked and he grimaced slightly, but once he was down, it was okay. "Er.. M-mr Jones, w-we don't have... servants here at the castle. I am Professor Newton. I teach Potions here, and I'm also the-the Gryffindor Head of House, so I... I, along with the Prefect over there, Miss Richards, and the Head Boy, Mr Paton, err.. l-lead the house of Gryffindor. But... no," he said with an amused twinkle in his eye. "I'm not a servant. Y-you do your own work here, dear boy." With a grunt, he stood up and shook his knees out.

And little Toodles was there! "Good evening T-Toodles," Art said to the House Elf.

He'd thought it was the end of the conversation once he'd replied about his summer, except...now he was getting a whole speech about the castle and colouring the perspective of the younger students. Blaise stared blankly at the man, doing his best to bite his tongue because YES Hogwarts was stupid and YES it was rubbish but he was apparently the only one who thought so. It was just as well everyone else enjoy it, he still wished he'd be allowed to leave. This place was the worst.

See, the thing about Hogwarts was, you could never get too comfy. When things started going....somewhat alright, one should always know that something was about to go horribly wrong. Take right now for instance. Nothing seemed out of the ordinary, the Professors were sat up at their table, save Professor Newton here who was clearly hell bent on ensuring he was even less thrilled to be here, First Years were being dumb, Sir Nick was as lively as ever but then suddenly......

"Row row row your boat gently down the stream."

What......the bloody hell......was going on.....?

"Merrily merrily merrily merrily, life is but a dream!" Brown eyes went wide with shock but it took him very little time to figure out what had happened. Somehow...someone....somewhere at the table had thrown a jinx at him--not just any but cantis. He looked both up and down but no one had their wands out??? What honestly was this?? and WH--

"Hogwarts, Hogwarts, Hoggy Warty Hogwarts, teach us something please, whether we be old and bald, or young with scabby knees." The Fourth Year clamped both hands over his mouth in a vein effort to stop the abhorrent noise but for all his efforts, it only seemed to make things WORSE. "Our heads could do with filling, with some interesting stuff, for now they're bare and full of air, dead flies and bits of fluff." Why did this always happen?? WHY did people insist on using magic on him????????

Blaise looked about, giving pleading looks in the hope SOMEONE would get this thing off him, while a steady flow of anger began rising within him. Nothing could have made him angrier in the moment and to think he'd thought today couldn't get any worse.

Jill tried and failed not to make a grimace at the stuck up upper year. Could he not recognize sarcasm? The professor addressing noticing only made matters worse, but at the very least he seemed to agree with her that this 'Mr Bellaire's attitude needed an adjustment. For that and that alone she shot the professor a smile. He seemed nice, even if everyone so far seemed to prefer this Professor Flamsteed.

The girl beside her was nice too, much nicer than Bellaire. That made one friendly face at the table at least, since the professor was likely to have to go sit with the other teachers soon. "Nice to meet you, Genny," Jill said, returning the grin with one of her own. She's trying to figure out which of the multitude of questions she has that is the most pressing when the ghost pops out of the table. All thoughts of questions fly from her head, quite quickly too.

As if things weren't confusing enough already, Bellaire started singing 'row row row your boat' for no rhyme nor reason that she could see. Just as she was starting to giggle about that (hey, she wasn't above laughing at someone making a fool out of themselves) something hit her and she found she had a lap full of flowers. Where had they come from?

She'd found the question she was going to ask. "Um, Genny, where did these flowers come from?" She paused, considering, and added, "And is every meal like this?" They didn't even have their food yet!

She could feel the anger boiling over her as she sat there having to listen to Bentley's voice, it was so irritating. Clara was struggling with all her might not to unleash her fury on him but boy was he asking for it. Especially when she saw him childishly stick his tongue out at her. BUT he was especially asking for it when she'd heard mention of her twin sister's name.

She whipped her head around immediately to look at Bentley & Blaise, crossing her arms, with a very pointed look. Oh no no. Lifting her hand to stop that discussion to say to the both of them, more directed towards Bentley, "You will not mention my sister's name. She shouldn't even be a thought or topic of discussion. That's my sister you're talking about & this will stop right now." Especially since Bentley was the one with a girlfriend now because he found it SO necessary to have one, so the fact that he's still talking about Chloe is silly all on its own.

Suddenly Blaise was giving her & Bentley what seemed like a talking to about how they were acting & wanted them to at least act civil. She couldn't help but mutter, "That won't be a problem for me...Him however.." Then he was suggesting that they go for walk after the feast & she was immediately nodding her head. "That would be brilliant." Any excuse to get away from Bentley Moore tonight sounded brilliant. Mhm.

In fact, why wait for after the feast they should just go no-

...........

Why in the world was Blaise suddenly....singing?

......

Singing though? Did this really seem the appropriate time?

Maybe he was trying to lighten the mood with -

"OW!" She suddenly cried out feeling her hair begin to twist on her head in multiple directions. "Who in the world is - OW!" It felt like someone was yanking on her hair without her realizing or did someone just cast a hex on her or something?! Her nerves getting the better of her, "Whoever is doing that it's not funny!" Yet it seemed like no one was stepping up to claim their attack on her, lucky for them.

After what seemed like an eternity, the twisting finally stopped...but her hair wasn't falling back down passed her shoulders the way it was before. She made a puzzled look & lifted her hands to see if her hair hand been charmed to float above her or something but then suddenly stopped when she realized...that her hair was styled in some strange fashion. Her puzzled look only continued as her hands started rising higher as she felt her hair more. The redhead's mouth dropped as she looked back to the now suddenly musically gifted Blaise & asked, "What's happened to my hair Blaise?"

Okay, yes, fine, it had take Sam a little while to get to the feast. After the fiasco last year, and after being lectured by Tenacius earlier, the third year had taken her time making sure her owl was okay. She was not keen on getting any letters from her sister on proper owl care. So before she would go feed herself, she made sure how owl was full, on proper owl food, not just part of a floor hotdog.

When she did make it to the feast, she slid into the seat beside Ace just in time to hear the headmaster speak. So, he was still here. From what he had said last term, she had kinda thought that he would only be here for one term. Interesting. Taking her seat once they were allowed sit, she filled her plate with all sorts of food, and leaning over she asked "Did I miss anything? and also, I fed Muffin. And where is Flamstead? Why did he say that ghost was teaching Astronomy?" These were serious questions here

"Is that so?" Nick asked Blaise. "Well I sincerely hope you don't go disappearing again without a goodbye." Ahem. He offered a half smile to the boy, anyway. "You're not leaving are you? No, we're to secure that house cup this term. You will help, won't you?" All Gryffindors on board.

Nick looked between the two love-birds with a curious eye. "Ahhh something brewed over the summer I see," he observed, of Blaise and Clara. Nick sighed. "Summer is my least favourite time of the year. A quiet Hogwarts is not as fun I'm afraid. What about you, Clara?"

Nick floated right in front of Bentley, his neck right in the middle of the plate. "I, dear boy, am friends with every worthy Gryffindor," he said clearly. "Are you a Gryffindor worthy of my friendship?" He gave a nod to Bentley who had kindly referred to their friendship as "cool".



Nick merely smiled at the frightened first year. "SIR Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington at your service, young Gryffindor." He frowned at the mention of someone Nick wasn't familiar with. "Casper?" he asked, licking his fingers to groom his moustache. "Who is this Casper you speak of?"



Nick plugged both ears with his fingers, wiggled them around, and yanked them back out. "A little lower, if you don't mind. I might be nearly headless, but I rather not become nearly deaf too." But once the young Gryffindor seemed over the shock, Nick offered her a smile, and a slight tilt of his head, uplifting the severed end. "Jill Smith, pleasure to meet another fine worthy Gryffindor."



"Hello there Genny," Nick said, floating down to another friendly face. "And how was your summer? Full of food I hope," he said with a longing sigh.



Nick was in the middle of talking to someone when he felt something shoot through him. He looked down, quite startled because this was an altogether new feeling. "SOMEONE SHOT A SPELL AT ME!" he yelled. Looking around, he took in the sudden mayhem. Young Blaise was singing a song, flowers were appearing all around the young Jill Smith, Clara's hair was doing all sorts. "Only a coward hides themselves from their victims," he said clearly. "Show yourself right now," he demanded. Whoever it was CERTAINLY was not a Gryffindor. Not a courageous Gryffindor.

Ok so there were some WEIRD things suddenly going on at the Gryffindor table, and really Tenacius found that all sorts of amusing, Blaise suddenly breaking out into a song when clearly he didnt want to, a head full of flowers, all the strange things. It was much needed levity to which the Gryffindor Ace appreciated. His thanks to whoever it was.

And then their House Ghost now made a visit "Ey Sir Nick!" the Curly Top greeted the specter with his usual joviality "We're back! You're not gonna be lonely anymore." he added, recalling their previous conversation. Also Sir Nick getting shot with a spell through him. That was hilarious ok? Ace is laughing.

Oh oh a visit from a little one "Hey there Toddles! How have you been?" man can he just say that house elves really help in making him feel like home, not just because of what they do, but their presence is very B&B like, where elves were everywhere. "Yeah can you make this glass like extra large?" he asked as he wiggled the drinking vessel in front of the elf "....big glass, less hassle for me when I eat." also he has always drunk out of a pint sized glass since he was a kid. its just a thing with him.

Speeches were had, and now Ace realized why all the new faces. Theres a part of him that was all sad face, because apparently it wasnt just Airey that left-- Drapers was gone too, so was pretty ProfeSora, and Professor Chichi and even Professor Tanner wtf how was he supposed to brag on her his new broom??....and and... sighs. Must be the year of the moving on eh?

Oh hey Sammy's here! "Headmaster just gave the speech, we have a whole bunch of new Profs...." he nudged his head at the staff table. "No... Professor Flamsteed is gone, Professor Newton is our new Gryffindor Head and Madame Burbage is re-taking her old class."

Pause. "Where have you been?" which was code for Did you make sure to look after you owl?

She had been in the middle of saying hi to people but then everything got soooo distracting and Charlotte got confused (but not alarmed) at the chaos and found her gaze drifting around to the other tables. Certain people got kisses blown and/or enthusiastic waves, and then the next thing she knew the headmaster was talking and okay why did he say stuff weird? It was weird, but anyways FOOD!

She had no time to pay attention to anyone's angst right now because her stomach was making noises and really they should ALL just stop being worried about things and just EAT!

Oh yes. And belated noticing who the new head of house was! SHE HAD MORE QUESTIONS FOR HIM. WAS HE PREPARED? Char waved her HEAD from side to side in Professor Newton's direction (her hands were busy loading her plate) and then filled her mouth with a big bite from a bread roll.

This she chewed while finally looking around.

"Oh Sir Nick!"p Charlotte exclaimed at the house ghost, "why does it matter if a spell hits you? You're already dead!" JUST saying!

Oh look and there were FIRSTIES too. When had they shown up?

Here it was...the lecture..the nagging...the 'this is a bad idea Bentley..' He didn't want to hear it. He, Phillip and Blaise had already discussed this over the summer and his decision was final. He and Chloe weren't even friends anymore so why was it such a bad idea dating Mel? They were perfectly comfortable with their contract and he was sure, whether they worked out or not, there would be NO drama.

"I'm not going to wake you up, because we're not going to talk about this again. This is it. This is the end of this conversation...and please don't talk about Mel." Not unless he was saying very nice and encouraging things about her.

Bentley rolled his eyes at Clara.. It was the most epic triple eyeroll of his life. He literally had to bite his lip to not sing her sister's name in her face.

"I'm not the wild one here Blaise...SHE is." Completely wild.

Bentley tilted his head at Sir Nicholas and observed the ghost for a little bit. Well then, he didn't know that it worked like that really.

"What do you mean?" He asked as he poked a finger through Nick's hair casually. "If I wasn't worthy I wouldn't have been sorted into Gryffindor in a nano second."

And just like that..their semi peaceful evening was over. Some git had started something and now it was bound to get ugly because Bentley Moore was never one to take anything laying down. Nope.

He could hear Blaise singing...horribly by the way..but he couldn't see anything because there was suddenly darkness and the overwhelming smell of pumpkin. He didn't even like pumpkin!!!

But he did hear Toddles. "Toddles..Toddles! Break this thing off my head!.." Oh no..bad idea....house elves were a bit too enthusiastic sometimes. " No no no..nevermind." He banged his head against the table breaking the pumpkin case from his head.

"THAT'S IT!" Bentley climbed on top of the table. "WHO THE BLOODY HELL IS TOSSING SPELLS AROUND?!"

Peeves floated his way to the Feast in his best Hawaiian shirt. Tis a special occasion and he had to look his best. He might be a little late but who cares. He was just going to float over to the where the cranky old Headmaster was because he has an announcement to make. BIG ANNOUNCEMENT. But look at all the fun happening at the Lions Table. He felt left out. Good thing he brought some fun with him.

"LION LIONS LIONS WHY THEY ALWAYS LYING . WHEEEEEEEEEE!"

He unleashed a shower of dungbombs on them cackling the entire time.

"NO NEED FOR MAGIC. PEEVES IS HERE TO SAVE THE DAY"

To the Staff Table he goes.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA "

Well, at least SOMEONE was finding this mockery humorous. "Good evening Ace," Nick started, feeling rather abashed at the shooting of spells, and the WORDS those young Lions were saying. But Ace momentarily snapped Nick out of his slump. He lent in closer to the young Lion and said "Between you and I, I spent a great deal of the summer avoiding The Bloody Baron. The mockery was unbearable at times." Nick hated it when the man gloated.



"Yes, and thank YOU for reminding me of that fact," Nick said to the young lioness who, he remembered quite vividly, was DETERMINED to be a Ravenclaw during her sorting. "That's besides the point," he added, nonchalantly. "I do not appreciate being shot at with spells." He leaned in closer to her, "Who did it? Do you know? It's wholly uncivilised."



Nick blinked at the young Gryffindor who had, undoubtedly, made the Gryffindor spectre stop. He rested his elbow on Bentley's plate and rested his head upon his hand. The ruffles were't enough to completely hide the nick in his neck. "You will have to forgive me dear boy, SOMEONE or someTHING has stolen my good ruff." The ghost was in a touchy mood. "Could I enlist your help to find it?" he enquired.

Nick watched the pumpkin kerfuffle play out. There was, of course, not a thing he could have done to help. "Welcome back," he said to Bentley as his face became visible again.

"But REALLY, who is that doing these spells? At the Start of term FEAST. It's quite uncouth, you know," he said to the thin air around him. He wasn't sure if it was a Gryffindor, another student, a Professor, Merlin forbid, or - no - it was NOT Peeves. No, it couldn't be.

Where was Frankie? It was strange that he wasn't around at all. He was the Head Boy for crying out loud! Hady's gaze had wandered over the entire Great Hall several times in search of him. Letting out a small sigh she turned her hazel eyes back onto those sitting at the table. She would just keep an eye on them for a bit longer until the blonde arrived.

When no one seemed to fully notice her appearance at their table she didn't let it get to her. Rather she smiled warmly choosing to greet the houses ghost. "Good evening Sir Nicholas, I hope you are doing well?" She had remembered this time and used his full first name. There would be no slip-ups from her this evening.

A small but very noticeable voice instantly caught the brunettes attention and with a large smile she turned to it. "Hello Toddles! It's so nice to see you again!" He was one of the few house elves she had gotten to know a bit over the last few years. She would have to get down to the kitchens really soon and say hello to the others as well.

Hady gave a soft laugh. How she hadn't been seen in her Slytherin robes in the center of a mass of red was odd but it did happen. Little things weren't always the first to be spotted. "That's perfectly alright Sir, I'm easily missed at times." It happened when one was shorter then most of their fellow peers. Oohhhh! He had become a pop! "That's wonderful Professor!" She recalled now him mentioning last term that he was to become a pop soon. Babies were wonderful and the mention of one sent a small pang to her heart making her think of her baby brother and sister. It hadn't even been a full day and she missed them both. Sigh. "My summer was nothing shy of amazing. I can now change to my animal form anytime with very little effort, I'd like to show you sometime." When they weren't at the feast with tons of people around of course.

Everything seemed to be going well. A bit of raised voices but nothing major really. And then there was some strange happenings. Blaise was suddenly singing, a little first year (Jillian) had flowers on her lap, another girl (Clara) had antlers and Sir Nicholas was now shouting. OH geez... Hady was confused her eyes moving over the table in search of anyone with a wand. What is going on?!

Honestly she wanted to laugh. It was funny but she couldn't. The Head Girl fixed things like this. It was her job.

Something had to be done and quickly. Hady made a quick movement of her right wrist, her wand slipping from it's holster into her hand. A small breath of air on her ear startled her before she could even do anything and she jumped slightly taking a step backwards. Right into Frankie. She could feel herself collide with something or someone and she frowned. Once more she glanced around for someone as she raised her wand pointing it at each of those affected by the unseen spells (Blaise, Jillian, Clara, and Bentley). "Finite," she cast softly in turn at each one of them to cancel out the spells that had been cast. Bentley had a cleaning charm sent his way since he had seemed to have gotten rid of the pumpkin problem.

If he thought things were going terribly before, he hadn't gotten a good look at the table. Things were happening EVERYWHERE!! He tried nodding along to what Bentley said, he'd gotten it, no more discussing it. No more waking up at weird hours. No talking about Mel. He could do that, he could do all that and you'd never hear another drop of it from him--especially not right now while he was making his way through the school's song. How was it possible that NO ONE thought to stop him??? No one?? Anyone????

His eyes grew exceptionally wide when Clara....when her hair....when.......

Oh. Merlin.

Even if he could answer her, he didn't think he'd know how to. There were just some things that would otherwise leave you speechless so all he could do was reach for the silver platter at the centre of the table and hold it up for her to have a look at....at.....um........whoa there. They should have gone for the walk. He should have gotten up the moment he suggested it. She'd just been saying it was a good idea when all THIS happened. Couple seconds earlier and they might have been able to avoid.....all this.

The Firstie had it easy, getting flowers like that but the muffled yells brought his gaze back to his cousin...who now had a pumpkin head??? Sir Nicholas' words were lost in all this chaos. Something about leaving and the house cup. He supposed he'd have to ask him about it later when the spectre wasn't yelling about the culprit showing themselves.

As if the night weren't horrid enough, he could hardly get a word of the Headmaster's speech because Peeves happened. The food was here, it should have been a happy moment but he was still singing and now the entire table smelled like dung. Why did this always happen? Why did the lions never get to enjoy their feasts? Granted that one year, it'd been his and Bentley's doing but without fail, every feast after that went wrong! It was like they were cursed! Damned! It was all this bloody castle's FAULT.

Finally, relief. Just as quickly as it began, the singing was over and the boy had never been happier to shut up in his entire life.

Brilliant feast. Absolutely WONDERFUL feast. Couldn't have expected worst if he'd sat down on the train and deliberately made a list. With as much control as he could muster, the boy shot to his feet, shooting his new 'Head of House' a decidedly unamused look. "This place is rubbish and rubbish things like this keep happening." The anger dripped liberally into his tone, a sure sign he'd seen enough of the castle for the year and was over it all. The hunger he'd been nursing all evening all but disappeared. The table smelled bad, they were clearly under attack by some childish idiot and he would not deal. Consequently, the boy stepped out from the bench and marched out of the Great Hall, seething as he went.

He didn't care to share a meal with anyone, he didn't care to walk up to the tower with anyone. He didn't care to BE here.

Just after blowing in Hady's ear, his gaze turned to those who had been hit my his spells. He stifled a laugh from escaping his lips the moment Blaise started singing, when Clara's hair turned into antlers, and then Bentley's head was now inside a pumpkin. Though Frankie couldn't understand their reactions. Why were they so ticked off? What had happened was absolutely HILARIOUS. Didn't they have a sense of humor or a funny bone? Merlin...

It seemed like the only ones that were moderately amused where that one first year and Ace. Though the former seemed oddly confused about there now being a bunch of flowers in her lap. The Head Boy stood there, still disillusioned, dumbfounded, especially when Sir Nick went on his little rampage. He was being cowardly and uncouth? Well, that was a matter of perspective. The blond meant well. Really.

He was about to face the music and make his presence known when all of a sudden Hady backed up into him, catching him by surprise. "Careful! I'm right here!" he exclaimed without thinking twice before speaking. Well, there went his cover.

With a wave of his wand, the seventh year materialized into view. "Sorry, you lot," he said quietly, looking at the ghost and those who were now back to their normal selves thanks to Hady ... and then he watched Blaise furiously walk off. Great, just great. "I was only trying to lighten the mood since some of you are being such buzzkills. Obviously that backfired. My bad."

Though the dungbombs that were falling from the sky were NOT his doing. Ugh. Peeves. Frankie quickly flicked his wand, stopping the bombs midair before they whacked someone in the face and really made matters worse. The stink bombs vanished with a wave of his wand. They didn't need that dreadful smell lingering over them anymore and ruining their appetites now that the food had arrived.

Food. The boy really wanted to plop down and dive right in, but he knew that would have to wait for a moment.

Frankie gave a look to Hady, hoping she'd understand that he meant well by all of this. Then he turned toward Newton. "If you want to take the badge away, sir, I'll understand," he muttered. "Perhaps I should have just stuck with the flowers." The blond paused for a moment before adding, "And later I will talk to Blaise."

A note, clearly meant for Miss Olivia Phillips, landed right in her lap, folded neatly with a flower sticker keeping it shut. The flower sticker was glittered, and when the note was to be opened, glitter would fall onto it's recipient's lap. The note said:

Quote:

Olivia,

It is Professor Myers. This is a top secret note. Do not let others read it. I request your presence in my office tomorrow morning, before lessons. Do not tell anyone. It is of UTMOST importance, I assure you. Fix your gaze on a certain new professor, Professor Gaston Marchand....keep him in mind. His name is Gaston, dear girl.

That is all. Have a good feast.

-Professor Myers.

Clara was frantic now wanting to know what had happened to her hair & Blaise currently not telling her was only making her paranoid. She was about to repeat what she had asked him in a louder tone before he had lifted one of the plates in front of her face & that was when she had seen her reflection. If her mouth could detach to drop to the floor, it definitely would have at that exact moment. Her hair had been charmed to resemble the antlers of a stag.

WHAT WAS GOING ON!

She didn't know which way to turn now seeing as to how much chaos was unfolding before her at the Gryffindor Table currently. From what she could see, Blaise was still singing, some girl had flowers sprouting in her lap, Sir Nicholas was now shouting because unfortunately one of those spells had been cast through him & he did not seem to fancy that at all.

And......Bentley's head was encased in a pumpkin...

...Alright now THAT was funny..

Clara watched as he tried to bang his head against the table to bust the pumpkin open to free his head & she couldn't help it but laugh at his misfortune. "Serves you right!" Just then Peeves had appeared at the table & he had cast a bunch of dungbombs in the air that were destined to drop on their heads before flying away towards the Staff Table.

Oh great.

Just then her hair had suddenly untwisted & untangled itself before her fiery locks finally had dropped passed her shoulders once again as they had done before. It looked as if the Head Girl had ended everyone's torment thankfully. Before she could say anything, the Head Boy had appeared before the table & announced that he was sorry. Sorry for what?

WAIT, IT WAS HIM THAT CAST ALL OF THAT CHAOS?!

Clara stood prepared to give him an earful of how she did not find that humorous at all...except for Bentley's pumpkin head, but still what he did with her hair..that wasn't funny. But before she chew the Head Boy's ear off, Blaise, who was not longer trying to be a singer, had stood up to speak to their new Head of House about how this place was rubbish before watching him get up to walk away from the Gryffindor Table. She hesitated only for a second before she was standing up herself. Shooting a very pointed look at the Head Boy, Clara quickly trailed behind Blaise to find him, mentally preparing to find him still cross.