Gryffindor Table

Gryffindor Table

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The Gryffindor table is on the far right of the room when walking in, and is next to the Hufflepuff table.

Walking into the Great hall was always an awe inspiring experience. The enchanted ceiling, the massive stone walls and long wooden house tables. The Gryffindor colors adorned the hall, signaling the winners of last year's house cup. A sense of pride warmed inside her. This term, being able to walk in with both legs working was a great feeling, after the months of limping and crutches. The mood was lighter, more happy and exciting then the last time she was in the castle.

After the horrors of last term, it seemed that many people were ready for a change. Matilda’s eyes roamed over the hall, finding friends, waving a hello. One set of eyes still missing, but she knew that would be the case.

As a fifth year, she was a seasoned veteran of the opening feast. The sorting, the speeches, the feast. Granted, last term's feast was a joke with sandwiches. If that happened again, the entire population would revolt.

Tilly found a spot at the Gryffindor table, smiling at her friends and housemates. All the faces staring back at her familiar. Some more than others. It felt like coming home, sitting at her house table waiting for the festivities to begin. Thankfully she wasn’t famished, after the bag of snacks she had consumed on the train.

Someone sat next to her, causing her eyes to turn in their direction. A warm smile greeted her neighbor. “Well hello there. Long time no see,” she said with a laugh, “how was your summer?”

Tulip walked into the great hall, with Poppy talking away at her side, it was something about which people were going to get a beating from her this term, Tulip wasn't listening she didn't fancy being an accessory to her sisters crimes. She didn't mind her younger sister wanting to speak with her, although she was sure there was some ulterior motive, Briar had pretty much said "goodbye losers the minute they got on the train to hang out with her weird Ravenclaw friends. Tulip glanced over to the Ravenclaw Table and saw her sister and said weird friends heads bent over some book. Talk about living up to the typical Ravenclaw stereotype, although Tulip doubted they were being academic she'd seen Briar's room at home, and her list of venomous creatures she wanted to own. She glanced at the Slytherin table, Rose was already holding court with her Slytherin friends, she knew her sister was hoping to become Head girl based on being pretty and popular and sucking up to professors. Of course the fact that she had zero personality, was actually mean and bullied younger students into becoming her minions had utter passed Rose by. Tulip hoped they picked someone else, anyone else, Hogwarts had been through enough disasters in the last few years it definitely didn't need her sister as the head girl.

She slid into a seat at the Gryffindor Table happy to be away from the hyperactive twittering of her sister. She wondered how many sweets she'd eaten on the train and as a result how many toilets in Hufflepuff would be magically cherry bombed before dawn. "Hello my lovelies" she greeted, she doubted the student numbers would have swelled since the incidents last term, she'd seen in the papers that there would be trials for those involved, maybe they'd not have enough teachers to actually staff the classes which would be great for her. "I see we have all been sent back here again." she mused, she was pretty sure that if they had Dementors running the place her parents would send her back on the train.

Morgan checked her robe pocket for her amphibian friend before stepping into the Great Hall. This term would be much like the last, only she was a year older. Perhaps she should stop carrying David around all the time, but… really, Morgan didn’t care.

Her dad, however, was to be her new Head of House, and really… she couldn’t think of anything less desirable than that. She loved her dad, and he knew that. But he already had the portraits watching her and reporting on her every move. Now he’d been even closer.

Which – she supposed – may not be a bad thing. But… still.

Morgan was worried about being suffocated.

Perhaps even more time outdoors is what she would need this term.

Approaching the Gryffindor table, she spotted Tilly. Morgan made her way over to the redhead and sat down next to her. She then pulled David out of her pocket and put him on the table right in front of her. Cleanliness? Meh. Who needed it.

“Do you think that David needs a faithful steed?” she asked randomly. “‘Cause I was thinkin’ I might find a turtle for him to ride around on. They can’t all be slow, can they?”

"Hello my lovelies" Tilly heard as Tulip sat down. "I see we have all been sent back here again."

Smiling at her dorm mate, Tilly nodded, “Yes, my favorite non-plant-flower, here we are again.” Before she could keep going, Morgan dropped in next to her and deposited David right in front of her. Thankfully, for all parties involved, Tilly loved the little toad.

“Do you think that David needs a faithful steed?” Morgan asked, as Tilly picked up the hopper and held him close. “Cause I was thinkin’ I might find a turtle for him to ride around on. They can’t all be slow, can they?”

Tilly laughed at the outlandish ideas that Morgan came up with. Frog leash, cooties being spread through snogging and now a faithful steed. Her entire body shook with laughter. “Morgan, how on earth are you going to get this precious amphibian to sit on a turtle? Not to mention, turtles can’t go up and down stairs and Hogwarts has a LOT of stairs. You should think bigger, your dad has to have something you could… um… borrow.”

Taking David, Tilly handed him back over to Morgan so that her little friend didn’t escape, which he was known for. There had been many occasions where David was not where he was supposed to be. “So Tulip, how was your summer? Happy to be back? Did you guys hear about the trials? I can't believe their charging the Professors? They saved those girls, why should they go to Azkaban?”

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!”