Ravenclaw Table

Ravenclaw Table

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The Ravenclaw table is situated between Hufflepuff on the right and Slytherin on the left, though there is a wide space between Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff due to the aisle to the Staff Table.

Walking into the Great Hall was difficult. Everything was loud. The lights were bright. There were friends hugging, laughter, nervous looking first years. It was all so much.

As people passed Everleigh to find a seat with friends, random students bumping against her caused her hands to shake. Sweat began to drip down her back, her face was flushed and her eyes were dilated. Ever was three point two seconds away from a full blow panic attack.

The dizziness came first. Lightheaded, hard to concentrate.

There was a humming in her ears, hard to make out actual words. Her head was on a swivel, trying to find something. A person? A spot to sit? A corner to hide in? Not even Everleigh knew what she was looking for.

A hand wrapped around hers, causing a jolt of fear to shock her body. The dizziness caused her to sway to the left, but thankfully the friendly face didn’t let her fall. Not just a friendly face, the one face in the world that anchored Ever to the Earth. Alice. If she said anything, Ever didn’t hear it. Her hand clung to her sister with a death grip. Never wanting to let go.

Everleigh wouldn't be sitting at the Ravenclaw table tonight like normal. Off to the Hufflepuff table she went.

((Power Play Okayed by Alice))

The train ride had been awesome. He’d gotten to sit and catch up with friends. He ate more candy than he had the whole summer combined. A detail he’d be embarrassed to advertise as it hadn’t been that much. However, he enjoyed every piece of candy that had him more than awake and ready for the lull that would likely be the opening feast.

Then he made his way calmly to the castle and now situated in a spot towards the front of Ravenclaw table. His eyes still searching the room for Cassian as he wanted to show the older year he looked up to so much his prefect badge. He just knew when head boy was announced it would be Cassian. He also knew that sitting at the front would have him ready if any of the newly sorted first years had questions. Now he had a prefect badge he was trying to think what Cassian would do and he knew his friend would just be in the right place. Naturally, he wished he actually remembered what Cassian did last term. Thankfully, he had a year before Cassian graduated so he could watch and mimic the older boy into doing things as right was possible.

As if he was going to do something like be a prefect there was no sense in doing it wrong.

Plus, it was the first time in his life he had this much spotlight on himself with others looking. Usually he just stuck to his own ways and ignored most things in pursuit of things that interested him. Which would likely have him be late to the feast unless someone at the carriages pulled him towards the great hall to see the sort. As he always wanted to check out the clock tower the first night - which this year would likely wait till tomorrow.

As he pulled himself from his thoughts and looked around the table, he was unsure what to say to those around him. He really didn’t want to talk about his summer in front of any first years. So that meant he couldn’t ask others about there’s. Being at the table would have to be enough.

He clapped for every newly sorted Ravenclaw and said “ Welcome to Ravenclaw “ to each of them excitedly.

After Gideon took his seat next to her, Ruby cleared her throat and stood up, smoothing the skirt of her dress down. She smiled warmly. She felt a bit more comfortable here this term, and yet also felt unsure of herself. Mostly because of the looming trials starting at the end of the month.

But that was for then. For now, she had to welcome the students back.

“Hello, everyone. I am so happy to see so many more of you this term!” Despite the ordeal of last term, it seemed the wizarding parents felt more secure sending their students back to Hogwarts. Surely it had to do with the presence of aurors.

“For those of you who are new this term, I am Ruby Haswell, your Headmistress, and Gideon Blackwood is your Deputy Head Master. We have shaken things up a bit this term with your Heads of Houses and professors. For Gryffindor, your Head of House is Maddox Barlowe. He is also teaching Charms this term, and is leading Spellcaster’s Society. Hufflepuff’s new Head of House is Roisin Byrne, who is also teaching Defense Against the Dark Arts. Julia Laurence is still the librarian, but also teaching Potions this term and is also the Head of Ravenclaw. And Professor Blackwood is now the Head of Slytherin and will be teaching Applied Magic.”

There were always so many formalities to get out of the way before everyone could dig into the food. She felt bad taking so long, but there was a lot to go over. “We have a new Head Nurse this term, Ms. Josephine Graham (NPC). Astronomy is back, now being taught by Hatiie Finch (NPC).” Ruby continued, listing all of the other new professors for the term.

A clean house, a fresh start. With just the lingering trials hanging over their heads.

“Unfortunately, after the happenings of last term, the powers that be have decided that we once again forgo Quidditch and Duelling. But luckily I have been assured, and seen to it, that we do have real food tonight, once all of the announcements are done.”

Ruby smiled. It’d been hell when the food didn’t work right and everyone had to eat sandwiches for days. “I know that last term was quite… eventful and I wanted to reassure everyone that Hogwarts has been searched from top to bottom by the Ministry, and there should be no other magical mishaps. Also, there will be aurors patrolling throughout the day and night to ensure the safety of everyone here, so don’t be distracted by their presence.”

The Headmistress then shifted on her feet and grinned. “And now, for your Prefects and Head Boy and Head Girl! For Gryffindor, we have Matilda Nordstrom and Tulip Asquith. Hufflepuff is Benji Laurence and Alice Ravenstone. Ravenclaw is Kaitlyn Dwyer and Oilibhéar Ó Coigligh. And Slytherin is Alan McCarthy and Ruth Elliot. Our Head Boy and Head Girl this year is Ethan Rowe and Susan Whitfield! Congratulations, everyone.”

After a pause, she nodded as the food appeared on the tables. “Now, we feast! Welcome to Hogwarts!”