Post by Thomas Baker on Jun 15, 2012 21:39:33 GMT -5
FEATURING:
----------------------------
STAFF:
- Marius Catherwood
- Larus Pontin
- Thomas Baker
- Sable Thanasis-Pontin
- Percy Morgan
- Helen Magnus
- Patricia Seaver
STUDENTS:
Gryffindor:
- Morvyn Huckleborn
- Emeline Pryce
- Blaine Underwood
- Marshall Leongrove
- Tate Dawson
Hufflepuff:
- Jacob Daubney
- Paige Coughlin
- Oliver Lynton
- Sanctus Sapiens
Ravenclaw:
- Liam Fallon
- Teagan Fallon
- Charlotte Storm
- Lara Rockford
- Olivia Torrsson
- Kylie Sinclair
-
Slytherin:
- Heather Jones
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Larus Pontin looked up from his seat in some odd rusty colored robes he thought looked pretty swag on him, but really they looked a little bit like they'd been chewed on by multiple moths "I sure am excited! As my house won the quidditch" he said loudly and grinned, leaning towards Thomas and waggling his eyebrows "didn't we Thomas? ....such a shame that you lost so terribly."
Thomas Baker, in a rare move, was clad in his most professional dress robes. Fitting for a head of house, but quite unlike his typical garb of muggle clothing. It was a conscious effort on the professor's part to leave an impression on the not-easily-impressed members of his House. Of course it made no difference to alleviate the slight sourness of Ravenlaw's last minute loss in not one, but BOTH school cups. "You like rubbing that in, don't you," he'd glance at Larus, smirking despite the the depressing fact that his friend was right.
Oliver Lynton jogged into the Great Hall, looking more than a little pleased as he took in the sight of the hourglasses at the other end. It was a brilliant day for Hufflepuffs everywhere. Or so Olly liked to think. Grinning, he'd slide onto an empty stretch of bench , from which he would look expectantly up at the staff table. --
Blaine Underwood would arrive in a knot of Gryffindor Quidditch players. His House, too, had much to celebrate, owing to their come from behind victory several weeks prior. The soon-to-be sixth year had been glowing with pride ever since. --
Liam Fallon, on the other hand, was the picture of gloominess. Scowling, the Ravenclaw had waited until the last possible second to leave the common room for the Great Hall. Now, he sat at the far end of the table, wishing they'd start the feast and get it over with already.
Kylie Sinclair skipped in rather cheerfully, her Ravenclaw robes donned on proudly. It was the end of the year feast, and she was so excited! Her hair was piled ontop of her head in a messy bun, her pygmy puff sitting on her shoulder. It was the nice one of course, the other was still too mean to come out of it's cage (She had bandages on her hands from trying to clean out it's cage). She slid into the seat next to her Ravenclaw mates, and giggled. "Oh, I can't wait!"
Marius Catherwood had been planning this entrance since Christmas. He knew it'd have to be the top, a grand finale to the year. Modesty be damned, he was Marius Catherwood after all. If nothing else, let them get some joy from mocking him, for because today, Marius didn't care. He had spent months working out the perfect enchantments and everything. And now it was time. He began by dimming the candles and the magical lights from the windows and skylight. Suddenly the doors smoothly but slowly pushed inward, a magical fog rolling in. As if on cue, a distant, ethereal chorus could be heard, Suddenly the moon shone through the artificial clouds on the skylight, illuminating Marius's handsome figure.
Marius Catherwood strode forward, golden flecks emanating from his steps. The shaft of moonlight moved with him, and he struck a dazzling smile, sure to make any fan faint. He moved forward in his most formal of gowns, a Serene DeYoung original, ornate, flowing, expensive, an so, so much fabric. With a flourish of his hands, the lights rose to their fullest and confetti in the colors of the four houses exploded from the sky, he moved to his chair and sat down, quite proud of his entrance.
Marshall Leongrove didn't find it easy admitting defeat, but in this case, there was no turning fate around. His badger-loving peers had leapt up and wrapped their little paws around victory and were now clutching onto it proudly. At the very least, Marshall found comfort in the fact that the winners were humble and kind, rather than snooty and boisterous, like some other houses. He smiled reassuringly at his fellow lions, knowing the summer vacation would leave him longing for their company.
Olivia Torsson spun into the Great Hall, singing. Hufflepuff may have won the House Cup and Ravenclaw may have gotten slaughtered in the both the House Cup and Quidditch Cup, but that didn't matter to her. It was the end of term feast which meant there were custard tarts, sausages, and pudding to hoard. But not necessarily in that order.
Jacob Daubney walked into the Great Hall and plopped himself at the Hufflepuff table, half-smiling and half-leering at his fellow housemates. It was Hufflepuff's night to shine! Man, we are so cool, he thought, picking up a fork and twirling it between his fingers.
Patricia Seaver sat at the head table and looked around the Great Hall. She didn't like the end-of-term feast. Too many chances for someone to get food poisoning and come to her as well as having to deal with people she normally wouldn't talk to AKA the other staff members. She gawped at the Headmaster as he flashily entered the room, thinking absolutely nothing but Oh...my...god.
Oliver Lynton applauded, eyes filled with admiration, as his Head of House passed by their table. Clearly a Marius Catherwood fanboy - but then, who wasn't? It's not like Hufflepuff had much of a choice, anyway, what with the Catherwood posters that were hung all over their common room. --
Liam Fallon and Blaine Underwood both watched Marius with less-than enthusiastic expressions on their faces. Liam, especially, who looked positively dour.
Sable Thanasis walked in, wearing her old pre-baby outfit, thought anyone paying attention would note that it seemed to have been let out since last year. Over the dress, covering up her low neckline was her green and black teaching robes, which helped to hide (or maybe enhance?) the lingering baby weight. She took her seat on the other side of the Headmaster's chair, and looked out toward the assembled students, then, as the lights dimmed around them, she shot a glance to her husband as if to ask him, 'Now what?' That was answered, however, once Catherwood entered. Ugh! Theatric prat.
Charlotte Storm sat with the other Ravenclaws, glancing over toward where Sanctus sat with his fellow Hufflepuffs and she grinned then she lifted her head up to acknowledge their current Headmaster's arrival... a bit too much in her opinion.
Heather Jones sat among the Slytherins, somewhat sulking because this feast didn't let them jump tables. She sighed, and let out a yawn when Marius did his who entrance bit, but still, should anyone clap for the man, she'd join in and politely clap along. ---
Tate Dawson was a bouncing ball of nervous energy. Two house awards to be given out and his was one of them! He giggled and waited while Headmaster Catherwood entered the hall, clapping at his good charmwork (he had to give the man credit where it was due), then waited for the more official bits to be got on with.
Helen Magnus almost spit her drink out at Pontin's banter, "quite the match if I must say!" Patting ol' Baker on the back, Magnus assured him there was always next year. Before another sound, the astounding entrance Catherwood (Headmaster) had made, certainly left the ever sarcastic Magnus...speechless. Unbeknownst of her own motions, the flask of fire whiskey nearly poured itself into her goblet as the muffled snorts were elated into the air. Lifting her goblet up, Magnus acknowledged the students and kept to her silence -- for now.
Emeline Pryce entered with a few of her dormmates, looking as though they had just rushed from the common rooms to make it on time. Slowing her rushed pace as she neared the front of the table, Emmie slid into the vacant spot between two other students, making sure that none of them were on the Quidditch team. She was excited that Gryffindor managed to secure the cup after so long, but if she heard one more person recount a single play of the match, she was going to hex them.
Sanctus Sapiens entered the hall quietly for his last house cup, taking in a deep breath as he looked around for Charlotte and smiled her way before he made his way to the chair, slowing as the dramatic effects swilled around the room. He scowled slightly at Marius but then his eyes found Professor Baker and he smiled at him as he sat down.
Thomas Baker forced a smile to Magnus as she mentioned Ravenclaw's disasterous loss. He may not have liked Quidditch, but he'd been caught up in the House rivalry none the less. Marius' entrance would create quite a stir amongst the Hall, including those at the staff table who had the best view of the spectacle. The Ravenclaw head's jaw would dro p automatically in evident dismay as he gaped at the sight. It would take him some effort, but he'd force himself to look professional and clap for the Headmaster.
Larus Pontin lifted his head to watch Marius' spectacle. He was somewhat in awe...not being a magic man too much himself. "Wow... would you look at that Thomas" he whispered and then looked past Marius to his wife, giving her a smile and a nod before leaning towards Marius "What a show off."
Oliver Lynton, to no one in particular, "Bloody amazing, isn't he? Catherwood, I mean." The third year would gush as he stared impatiently at the empty plate in front of him. Yes, Marius Catherwood was amazing, but could he possibly get on with announcing that the feast had begun? Olly was hungry, damnit. --
Blaine would immediately begin to recap the match with his fellow teammates. One track mind, this one.
Olivia Torsson blinked up at Headmaster Catherwood, clearly confused. "Is this dinner entertainment without the dinner? Why's he so bright? He looks like a Christmas tree gone haywire," she said loudly, her eyes glazing over at the thought: Christmas trees are nice. --
Jacob Daubney's eyes widened in awe and stared strangely at the Headmaster, fork held in his hand as if to stab the table in front of him. The charmwork was admirable, but maybe...possibly...this was overkill? He stared at the ecstatic Oliver beside him, who looked like he was about to have a heart attack from joy. Fanboy much? Jacob clapped just to be polite, but really? Cuckoo! --
Patricia Seaver snatched up her goblet and started to chug down her wine, avoiding her need to clap. She didn't normally drink, but when she did, it was to drown out whatever insanity was within ten feet of her. Even though people often ended up injured after she drank. What a disgusting man, she thought, hands gripping the goblet as if to strangle it.
Sanctus Sapiens looked over towards Oliver and sighed with exasperation but he didn't say anything negative about it "I suppose" he said quietly and looked back to the row of professors, just feeling in a really quiet mood on his last day as a student. He didn't look particularly happy but not sad either.
Marius Catherwood after sitting down and a couple cursory chats with his neighboring professors, Catherwood stood again, tapping his wand against an ornate goblet. "Ladies and gentlemen, students, colleagues, all. Here's to another exciting year at Hogwarts!" he raises his glass in a toast, "Now with the end of the year upon us, I must congratulate Gryffindor on their victory in the Quidditch cup!" he paused for the roars of applause from the Gryffindor table to die down, "And of course, great congratulations to my own house of Hufflepuff on their taking of the house cup, good show Hufflepuff!" There was raucous hooting and hollering from the Hufflepuff tables and less enthused applause from the others, "Now, without further ado, let the end of year feast, BEGIN!"
Sable Thanasis snorted at Larus's comment. Of course she hoped that Catherwood caught it too. She returned her attention to the rows of students at the tables, and thought about how another year was coming to its end. Last year she was about to be married and had a baby on the way. Now, she had her family, and was looking forward to a getaway in Greece. And in September, the professor would be back in her Potions classroom with avengance! She lifted her cup in front of her, ready for a well deserved cold sip of wine. Oh wine, how she missed it! ---
Charlotte clapped for Professor Catherwood, and then she looked over toward Sanctus again. She'd be facing a year without him, next year, and it felt very bittersweet. She was glad for him, because he was graduating. He would be able to start following his dreams and his goals. Due to her transfer she was a year behind. It felt really juvenile. But she wasn't going to waste her year, either. She'd be visiting Sanctus, and writing him often. She smiled at him again, kissed her finger tip, then wiggled her finger in his direction. A sort of 'I'm still here for you' type signal.---
Heather humfed, then said to the closest student beside her, "He's a bloody Christmas tree." When the 'speech' had been delivered and food was made to appear, the Slytherin girl had an idea... Ooooh did she have an idea. Her lips curled up as the idea crossed her mind. YES!---
Tate clapped again, giving loud whoops and hollers for the congrats handed to Gryffindor for the Quidditch win. Then he clapped, in appreciation and true good natured happiness for Hufflepuff for their winning the House Cup. Then, as the food appeared, the boy with the bottomless appetite for sweets began to stuff his face.
Emeline Pryce looked down to where she could hear Blaine's voice, her eyebrows knitting as she listened to him. Quickly directing her attention back to the head table, Emmie stummed her fingers on the wooden top, waiting for the announcements to conclude so the feasting could begin. Yeah, yeah, Gryffindor won, yipee, and meh to Hufflepuff and the house cup (HOLY CRAP BANNERS), but her face lit up when the food arrived. Scaring her neighbors by diving immediately for the rolls, (is our Headmaster on fire?) Emmie grinned and promptly chucked it at Blaine's head, before ducking behind her poor housemate beside her.
Thomas Baker applauded politely. His face gave nothing away, but inside , the man felt quietly disappointed. If only Ravenclaw had held on to their lead. What a perfect way to end his first year as professor at the school. Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. The man clapped Larus on the shoulder in a supportive way. No sense sulking over what was a hard-earned victory on both Gryffindor and Ravenclaws' parts. That was until the hall was filled with Hufflepuff banners. Bloody -brilliant.-
Helen Magnus clapped lightly in celebrating dear Hufflepuff's win. As the goblet met the table, the food had appeared across the plate-filled hall. Feeling for dear ol' Ravenclaw & Slytherin's lack of winning anything this year, Magnus took it upon herself to say something...nice? Raising her goblet for a toast, her voice rang out, "and many congrats to our Ravenclaws & Slytherins -- in succeeding in yet another school year!" With a light flick of her wand, all the students had their goblets topped off with some good ol' butter beer. "Here's to all the good years in Hogwarts and many more to come!" Gulping down the sweet liquid, tainted with fire, Magnus continued to keep quite to herself -- in fear of obliterating someone with her dry humor.
Oliver Lynton whooped and cheered as the Headmaster proclaimed the feast had begun. The noise made by the Hufflepuff table would increase in volume as the yellow-and-black banners would appear above their heads. YES. Now those were decorations. If only they were permanent. --
Blaine, feeling the bread bounce off the back of his head, looked around with a shout of "Oi!". By the grin on his face, it was obvious that he was in far too good a mood to be annoyed. --
Liam ate his food in silence. Not much in the mood to listen to the happy banter of the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors.
Olivia Torsson squealed happily as the food appeared. Sausages, custard tarts, AND pudding? This is...this is...GLORIOUS! She started snatching at anything she could reach. If lady-like meant abandoning food, Olivia wanted no part in it. Unless they have something delicious. Like snacks. Snacks are good. --
Jacob cheered loudly, waving his wand wildly around. Then he saw...the pudding cups. Howling with happiness, he started scooping as much as he could reach. He needed some for when he was packing, for the train ride home, for a snack for when he was taking a break from snacking on the train ride home... --
Patricia Seaver came up from her goblet, successfully avoiding the headmaster, and rather flushed. She cackled, grabbed a leg of turkey, and covered it in rice pudding and gravy. Just the way she liked it. Putting up a mental block towards anyone who was willing to talk to Drunk Pat, Patricia coated her plate in an interesting assortment of everything.
Percy Morgan smirked quietly as the food appeared and the banners adorned the room. Little would he let everyone know, he was mildly pleased Hufflepuff had won. The look on Baker's face was quite entertaining, while he knew his old friend would get over it, seeing his reactions were priceless. He tucked in, eating little and eating slowly avoiding as much conversation as possible but making the idle smalltalk when it was demanded of him
Morvyn was sat somewhere down the bottom of the Gryffindor table but when the food arrived he ignored it and looked around the table. He couldn't see Blaine anywhere- THERE! he grinned and stood up, hiding behind the students as he scurried along the table and forced himself into a seat beside his fellow team member with a grin"Hey! Get a load of Catherwood eh? Isn't he great?" he looked up towards Marius and sighed with a frown, trying to catch the mans eye. He had no idea if he'd been forgotten or not.
Blaine had dove into some food almost the moment it had appeared at the table. With so many delicious things on the endless expanse of plates, he'd decided to fill his own with a little from each. "Oi! Morvyn," the fifth year would call as his fellow Beater ran up the aisle to sit beside him. "Ehhh.. sure?" Blaine shrugged in a mollifying gesture. He knew how much his friend idolized the professor and wasn't about to crush his hopes and dreams.
Sable Thanasis was drinking her wine and occasionally nibbling at food. Charlotte and Tate were both eating. But Heather Jones stood from her seat, lifting a plate full of very mush mashed potatoes and very gooey looking graving in one hand, while the other had her wand at her mouth, and she cast the Sonorous Charm. "FOOOOOOOD FIIIIIIIGHT!!" she declared, and threw the plate of food off in to the most random direction possible. It landed on someone on the right, was that a Gryffindor? Yep! It landed right on Tate's head. ----
Tate went still, wondering why he was covered in mashed potatoes and gravy....
Thomas Baker once the feast was called to order , tucked into his food, quaffing wine from his goblet every so often and talking to his colleagues whenever there was a lull in the meal. It was, of course, delicious. The house elves had quite outdone themselves this year, most likely due in part to the fact that Hufflepuff's dormitory was in close proximity to the kitchens. Biased much, House elves? At any rate, the man was clearly enjoying himself, the weariness of the past few weeks lifted in place of relaxed pleasure. That was of course until the two words every professor dreaded broke out. 'FOOD FIGHT'. "Miss Jones!" he'd call sharply as noise suddenly broke out all over the Hall.
Larus Pontin grinned as he heard the call for foodfight. YEAH FOOD FIGHT- not that he'd say that. He glanced at Thomas and cleared the grin off his face with a cough and sat up straight.
Marius Catherwood smiled at Larus's earlier comment, and was digging into his own food when he saw the infamous Heather Jones cry out two words that could ignite a firestorm like no other, "FOOD FIGHT" she had screamed and suddenly the room erupted into a barrage of food and noise. Pastries, puddings, potatoes, and more flew from one side to the other. Half the teachers looked mortified, and others conflicted onto whether or not to be entertained. Marius looked around, picked up his bowl of potatoes, walked over to the rather sour looking Thomas, and proceeded to dump the contents onto the man's head. "Professor Baker, with a strategy like that, you'll never win a food fight." He knew it was silly, but this might just be what the school needed to forget for a few minutes the ever growing shadows of reality.
Sable Thanasis's head jerked up when one of her own students declared something she'd not had the horror of witnessing. But when she did look up, she was met with the ramifcations. What on earth!? --
Tate stood, and not being one to back down to a challenge (and thinking it all to be in good fun, after all), he grabbed his plate full of sweets and frosting covered treats and threw it right back at Heather! ---
Charlotte's eyes went wide. Food Fight?! What!? Didn't that only happen in American schools? Still, it seemed it was happening! She wasn't about to let her house down though. She lifted her wand and cast a repelling sheild spell to keep food from her and called, "Get behind me!" --- Heather laughed and almost dodged the cake and sweets. She ended up getting hit in the side with it. Still, she ignored Professor Baker and grabbed up rolls and began flinging them in the direction of anyone who dared to fire back at her.
Patricia Seaver started giggling at boy covered in mashed potatoes. "Food fight, food fight, what's a party without a food fight?" she sang, and started drinking out of her goblet again. Patricia turned to Baker and started to giggle drunkenly at him. Potato. Pohw-taay-to. Potato is such a funny word. A tuber. Heh. Hehehe.
Larus Pontin had picked up a handfull of potato's at the same time as Marus and turned to shove them into Baker's face, only to be met with the sight of Marius doing something rather simelar and he broke out cackling loudly and grabbing a plate to use as a shield as food flew overhead.
Helen Magnus wiggled her wand, putting up a tiny shielding spill. There was no way this new vest was about to get a smear of food on it! Finding it rather entertaining, and knowing it was her duty to help put a stop to it...Magnus couldn't help herself. Without a moments notice, a pie had flew out of her hand and right into clean face of the Headmaster -- Marius Catherwood. Some had slid off onto dear Sable Thanasis but it was all too much for Magnus not to burst. Laughing quite loudly, Helen gasped at the sweet array of pie disaster, "oh my centaurs! What a mess I surely have made." With an 'innocent' look upon her face, Magnus attempted to sneak out through the back door.
Sanctus Sapiens was ducking and diving under food but the moment a pastrie collided with the side of his head he frowned and wiped it away ....a moment passed as he looked up at the teachers and then smiled with a shrug, standing up and grabbing a bunch of soft boiled potato's and he lobbed them across the room at the back of Catherwoods head. That'll teach you to attack Baker.
Morvyn grinned broadly the moment food started to fly and he grabbed at the back of Blaines head and started trying to push it down into the food "EAT IT! hahahaha" which was when some sort of sauce smacked him in the side of the nose "YUCK!"
Thomas Baker was too preoccupied with glaring at the ruckus to notice Marius until it was too late. "Hey!", he spluttered, finding himself suddenly covered with mashed potato. The man stared at the headmaster in indignant silence before he dissolved into a fit of snickering. He was only human, after all. Baker picked up a napkin to rub his face clean, but as he did so, his free hand would drift toward Larus' goblet. Then it would "ACCIDENTALLY brush into it, and knock it in the direction of the Gryffindor head's lap.
Percy Morgan tried to stay calm. He ate for a minute or two before he heard a pudding flying towards him, it was too little too late, and it smacked him right in the chest exploding all over his fine robes. For a fleeting moment he was angry, but then he just couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Estimating that the pudding came from the Slytherin table, he pointed his wand and caused a bowl of mashed potatoes to erupt, splattering everyone within a ten foot radius, he then looked to his colleagues, and saw Sable looking irritable and relatively unscathed, he slowly moved a fruit pie along the table before flipping it up right into the potion master's face, and snickering.
Olivia Torsson ducked under the table, and peered over the bench. No food fight was going to distract her from her sausages and other delicious delicacies. "Oh yeah, I like potatoes too." Sticking her head out in front of a flying lump of gravy-potato mash, Olivia's happy face was now potato-ey. --
Jacob grinned, face still in a pudding cup. The teachers were going nuts, Hufflepuff just won; how could this night get any better? He picked up a bowl of pudding and lobbed it in the general direction of the head table. He'd probably get in trouble for it, but oh well. School was over anyway.
Olly and Blaine would immediately join in the chaos and lob food at whoever was within reach. Blaine in particular was having much success, being a Quidditch player and all. "'Ey!' He'd struggle half-heartedly as Morvyn attempted to 'feed' him his food. Before long he'd burst into laughter as his friend's plan had clearly backfired. -
Liam was not taking part in the festivities, but it had brought a devious smirk to the fifth year's face as he took on his preferred role of watching.
Sable Thanasis gasped loudly when Magnus's pie bits went on to her. Just moments before she'd been cackling at Baker and Catherwood's misfortunes of being covered in food. She turned her head to look at Helen, then shouted, "Faugh a ballagh!!" as she grabbed up a plate filled with some puree she didn't know of and flung it at Helen. --
Charlotte looked around and began picking up random pieces of food that had fallen to the floor and tossed them at anyone firing in her direction. ---
Tate had climbed up on the table and was doing rapid-fire with his wand, sending rolls, pastries, and mushy foods everywhere he could, while using his own plate as a sheild. --
Heather, the instigator, was still throwing food around and making her way around the tables, sweeping her arm at cups to send their contents spilling out.
Helen Magnus busts up with giggles as poor lil' Pontin suddenly found his trousers all wet. Baker sure had his way with goblets, as her goblest seemed to slip onto Baker's lap. 'Ooops' was mouthed off Helen's lips as she leaned very much to the right -- away from Thomas. Taking a few rolls in hand, Helen made herself ready for the next attack. Noticing the unscathed Professor Morgan, somehow and stack of flying rolls began falling on him like a downpour of hail -- soft and fluffy hail.
Marius Catherwood was laughing when suddenly he found his mouth filled with the pie that had landed right on his face, stumbling backwards, he rubbed the pastry off his face with his robes, he began flinging bread rolls at some of the students with military precision, until a THUD flings him forward into Thomas's plate. Someone hit him with a boiled potato! The nerve, he rose covered in potatoes, vegetables, and a bit of steak clinging to his face, now mixed with the pie. He looked over the room and saw Sanctus laughing so hard, it could have only been him. Levitating a jug of Butterbeer over the boy, it was quickly overturned and dumped all over the Hufflepuff.
Sanctus Sapiens laughed loudly and folded his arms as the drink was emptied all over him and he cupped his hands over his mouth "You have no idea how long i've wanted to throw a potato at you Professor!" he called with a grin. This was the best end of year ever. He picked up another soft potato and lobbed it over at Sable. --
Meanwhile Teagan Fallon was hiding under the table screaming something about Barbarians.
Percy Morgan laughed like he never had before. A booming thing that was, well, quite unexpected from the small man. He turned on helen, and caused the banana pudding to his right to explode in a manner that left her somewhat covered in the goopy substance.
Lara Rockford entered the Great Hall, unsuspecting. A little late for the ceremony, Lara had been hoping for some pudding and to polish off the remainder of the butterbeer. The shock that had come over her upon reaching the Ravenclaw table was evident. Her eyes bulged out of her head, the size of quarters. She gasped so hard and so loud it was audiable over the manic laughter of her class mates. There was food everywhere. Stunned Lara looked from one familliar face to the next. None seemed to notice her yet. She thought of taking a seat for a moment but, bah, what was the point? The bench was covered in assorted leftovers. "Oh my god, you guys!!" she exclaimed. Lara was afraid to look up at the Professor's, and her head of house. "All the butterbeer is gone!" she squealed in horror.
Sable Thanasis went to Larus's side and grabbed his hand, even if it was messy and covered with food. "Shall we retreat or try and end it?" she asked him, wondering what her Gryffindor husband would want to do. As a potato went her way, she raised a plate and it smashed against the platter, rather than on her. ---
Charlotte saw the dumping of Butterbeer on Sanctus. She stood up tall and, even though it got her a few peltings with flung food, she used her own wand to fling several plates of potatoes, some sticky, mushy candied figs, and a few pieces of meat, at the Headmaster. Dirty scoundrel to do that to her man!---
Heather saw the attacks going to Marius and it made her grin like mad. "YES!" she shouted, and started to send all her food-fire at him, too. --- Tate continued to fling food without discrimination. Everyone was a target! HA!
Thomas Baker ducked his head as food flew every which way. The Great Hall was a mess, food splattered all over every surface. Even the professor table was a mess, with virtually the entire faculty participating. Even Thomas, who had forgotten himself and was chortling between targeting his colleagues with bits of roll and stuffing and pudding. This was exactly what the man had needed after not having had much reason to let loose for quite some time.
Helen Magnus gasped at the slimey substance that had landed on her vest -- her NEW vest! Staring at Morgan, she couldn't help but to laugh at his retaliation. Upon the words of no butterbear, Magnus remembered her flaggon of fire whiskey, taking a swig whilst muttering, "at least I got me fire!"
-- A shrill 'skree' pierced the great hall as a large grey bird appeared in the hole that let the owls in for the news. A harpy eagle to be exact. Some silence fell amongst the various students as they looked up and most of them recognised the rare bird that had belonged to Headmaster Salvador, the kindly old man who had been headmaster until very recently. Till of course the new minister had retired him by force and then the headmaster had never been seen again. The large, grey eagle swooped down from the ledge over the entirety of the hall until it came down to land on the back of the headmasters chair with no note attached to it's legs. The bird opened it's large wings out for a moment and then looked down over the professors, looking a bit ragged for a bird that was once so perfectly feathered. --
Sable Thanasis saw the bird and fell silent as she felt a sickening feeling growing in her stomach and rising upward. Seeing Salvador's bird looking as if it'd been through hell could only mean that something was very very wrong. She stood up and, going over the table and up in front of the silenced student body, she called out, "All students, return to your common rooms. Clean yourselves up and stay in your houses until further notice. NOW," she demanded, at the end. So help her if anyone objected. Then she turned to the other Professors, and said, "Well? Are we allowed to use the Headmaster's office to contact our former Head?" Her eyes went to Marius. Would he actually step up and take some responsibility?
Thomas Baker froze mid-throw as the piercing cry rent the air, shortly followed by the form of the once-majestic eagle. An eagle that he was all too familiar with. Salvador. At once the man got to his feet , staring at the eagle as if he'd seen a ghost. Salvador had rarely been apart from the eagle that he'd affectionally tagged as 'Stratus'. The sight of the massive bird in such a poor state filled him with dread. This certainly warranted further investigation. Meanwhile, as Sable spoke to the student body, the professor would turn his attention to the bird. "Stratus." Baker murmured in a low voice, edging closer to the eagle.
Lara Rockford eyed Professor Magnus fire whiskey. For a moment she envisioned crossing the Great Hall ninja-style (running across the top of the tables) and swiping it. She shook that fantasy out of her head quick enough. Best not risk the detention or the broken bones. All though all that may be out the window, now. Lara wiped a space free of slop and sat herself down. She knocked on the wood of the table, shouting at it, "Hey house elves! Someone wants to actually consume butter beer!" As she did she heard the cry of the Headmaster's companion. She caught it as it soared loyally over to his master. Getting a good look at him now, she saw he was looking a bit rough. "Uh-oh..." Within moments she heard the command. "Go to your common room." Running to her friend Olivia, she whispered, "Whats going on!?"
Larus Pontin had been about to respond to Sable, he didn't want to end it or make a move to go, at all but then as the bird came down he noticed the change in the atmosphere and looked up "Sable i don't think everyone needs to go it's a bird- we havent done much yet- ...but the bird...well... Surely we don't have to end the entire ceremony!" he looked towards Thomas and watched closely.
Oliver Lynton let out a soft noise of protest. "Aww!" They were having so much fun, too. The dramatic tension that rippled up the staff table had clearly gone unnoticed by the third year. -- Liam's brow knitted with interest as he watched the trail of the eagle. It must have been something, to cause all of the professors to look as if they'd been punched. -- Blaine, meanwhile, picked up a couple of rolls and stuffed them in his bag. If the students were being sent out, he'd at least have something else to eat.
Sanctus Sapiens stood up again as the familiar eagle and stared with wide eyes. But ...if Stratus was here then where was Salvador? ....was....he dead? for some reason that was the only logical explanation the student could think of. --
Morvyn didn't seem ready to go "Wait it out a bit..." he said and eyed the bird but started piling drumsticks onto his plate and eating quite heavily incase they did have to leave.
Marius Catherwood moved to Sable's side, a grim look having washed over his face, "Sable, perhaps that's not the best idea, let us allow the feast to continue... Professor Morgan, Seaver, Magnus, supervise the feast, make sure no one leaves or enters! Thomas, if you could try and keep the bird from flying away. Sable, Larus, and Thomas, come with me to the headmaster's office," He hadn't known Slavador extremely well, but he had recognized his bird, and the incredible feeling of unease that washed over him left him nervous. As an adventurer, Marius had learned to trust his gut, and this wasn't a good feeling.
Sable Thanasis said, "Larus, you know as well as I do that the only reasons that Salvador's bird would come here is if there were an important message to give, or somethign was wrong. He doesn't have any letter, but he looks as if he's been through the seventh circle. Something's happened." She then turned her head and glared at Catherwood. She snorted, then said, "Fine," and began casting cleansing charms over herself and Larus. Might as well get cleaned up. ---
Heather waited quietly while the professors seemed to be getting in to some discussion. As a group of them began to leave, she noted others staying... Were they to remain then? She decided the food-fight was over and started to clean up, until of course the house elves began vanishing the mess and the goop covering the students and replacing all the food.
-- The eagle, Stratus, made weak croaking and squeaking sounds in its throat as it responded to Thomas and tilted its head both ways to examine him. The eagle edged its way along the back of the chair and then swooped down onto the table, kicking away plates as it clumsily clambered over them towards Baker and then sat down in front of him, letting out strange rumbles, the sort that seemed like a bird-of-prey purring sound. --
Olivia Torsson paled and stared up at the bird and the staff looking at it. Something couldn't be right. Especially since the professors looked terrified at the sight of it. The headmaster himself looked strangely at the bird, which was never a good sign. "Lara, I don't...think that's our current headmaster's pet. Why does it look like something tried to...?" she faltered, and continued staring at it. --
Patricia Seaver sobered up at the sight of the bird. She wasn't here when the previous headmaster was around, but knew and avoided the animals around the grounds to know that she's never seen it before. And no animal every looked like that unless they went through something terrible. She nodded at the Headmaster: "I'll supervise the kids."
Thomas Baker looked to the bird, continuing to speak softly to it. There was a distinct look of sadness in his eyes despite the smile that had twitched onto his face as the eagle had approached him. To him, the eagle and Salvador were inextricably linked, and seeing one without the other had previously been unthinkable. "Cmon, then," he began to slowly back away from the table while keeping his eyes fixed upon the great eagle.
While Olly and Liam had resumed their eating, Blaine busied himself by staring at the eagle. Birds of prey had always been fascinating to him, the larger raptors most of all. You couldn't get more majestic than a Harpy Eagle, and Blaine did not bother to hide the look of rapture on his face.
Lara Rockford gulped. Reading the faces of their elders, she could tell. Something was not right. She watched as the creature gestured meaningfully. It was obviously trying to communicate. She felt a cold chill through her body. There was some sort of meaning to it's presence. Something monumental that she saw the Professors react to. She looked to Olivia again, "Whose bird is it?" she queried.
Percy Morgan quickly cleaned himself off and nodded quietly at the headmaster, he began helping the students clean off as he quietly sealed the main doors of the great hall. His charmwork might not have been as great as the headmasters, but it would hold in a time of need.
Marius Catherwood glared at Sable "The last thing we need is the students in a crazed panic, let them at least attempt to pretend nothings wrong and enjoy their feast, not lock them up in their dormitory and leave them to themselves. Now let's be swift, quickly now, to the headmasters office. He quickly set off out the back door, and began making his way to the headmaster's office.
-- Stratus would stand, with some difficulty. There was no pain, just exhaustion as the bird stumbled back onto its feet and opened its wings out again, batting them at the air a few times and then instead of flying it glided down off the edge of the table and hobbled past Thomas to the back door that lead to the other room of meeting and pecked at the door, expectantly watching Thomas. --
Larus Pontin stood up and watched the eagle before looking back to Marius and Sable "Well, we should- go have this meeting then" he said and stepped out from behind his chair to follow, smiling at the students.
Thomas Baker, looking grim, followed at a safe distance behind the injured bird. Lost in his thoughts, the man did not look at the expectant and fearful faces of the students that watched him as he made his way around the back of the high table.
-- Exit Larus Pontin, Marius Catherwood, Thomas Baker, and Sable Thanasis --
Sanctus Sapiens was watching everything in his standing position with deep worry and he slipped slowly back down into his seat and looked towards Oliver "That's Stratus.... where's Salvador?" he asked with worry and looked back over to watch the professors go. --
Morvyn watched the professors go and leaned towards Blaine "I kind of want to know what's going on. There's another entrance..... i bet we could...." but then maybe Marius would be angry and that'd be bad.
Heather Jones didn't say anything as she resumed eating as if she'd never started the food fight... The atmosphere of fun had been drained out of the whole hall, it seemed. ---
Charlotte was stunned. She didn't know what to make of it all. Still as everyone began to, with some confusion, return to their chairs and resume the feast, she did, too, though she shot a look to Sanctus, that said she was worried as well.
Tate got off the table when they'd been told to leave, but before he could, he took his seat again at the Gryffindor table and began to pick at the food on his plate. What was all that about?
Oliver Lynton stopped eating for a moment and pondered the older boy's question. With the exit of the four heads of house, the mood had noticably shifted in the Hall, students all around them putting their heads together in quiet conversation. "Dunno. Must not be good, if those four had to leave." --
Blaine looked at his friend , shocked by the suggestion. "Are you nuts? D'you know what they'd to do us if we did?"
Lara Rockford watched the Professors file out of the room after the bird. Her stomach was sick. When she was sure they were gone, Lara looked to her class mates That bird was trying to send their Professors a message of it's own. Pontin's reassuring smile didn't fool her and Baker didn't even try to hide his dismay. Lara had read Hogwart's, A History dozens of times. The things that occured inside of these walls was Epic. Would the students of those golden days just stood by while forces threatoned their school? "No! We have to do something." She looked to Morvyn and completely serious, said. "Let's go."
Morvyn smirked "Only if they caught us...." he said quietly but then looked towards Lara, startled by her sudden encouragement and grinned "Ok but - come on Blaine! we wont get caught. We're just investigating....really!" he grabbed at his friend and yanked him out of his seat, grabbing a cake on the way up.
Lara Rockford rolled her eyes and tugged on Olivia, "Come on." she turned to the others and adjusted her robes. "We'll just charm ourselves. Use a spell that makes us inconspicuous." after a moment she added, "And be quiet!"
Already frowning at Morvyn, Blaine would look even more dismayed as the Ravenclaw chimed in. "Guys." he'd hiss, with a sharp nod in the direction of the staff table. It would be nothing short of suicide to do what the Ravenclaw girl was suggesting.
Heather Jones looked up from her plate to see Morvyn following some blonde girl from Ravenclaw... What was he doing!? She frowned, then got up from her own seat and went after them, grabbing at Morvyn's sleeve. "Oi," she said, "What are you doing? Who's she and why are you following her like a puppy? Let's just go eat."
Olivia Torsson pulled away from Lara and frowned. "I guess I could go, but I'm running if we hear that door open," she said and followed after Lara. She was 11. This type of thing was reserved for kids in books and super heroes, although if you count magic, Hogwarts students count. Olivia creeped after Lara and glared at the back of her head.
Helen Magnus had gotten lost in her own mind of thoughts. Before realizing it, most of the professors had gone or moved around. Yawning a slight, Magnus waved to Morgan and began to stalk away. "I will be over here, just resting my eyes for a moment, aye!" Sitting at the far end of the tables, Magnus leaned against the wall and 'watched' the students converse.
Percy Morgan was helping the other professors clean when it became a little much for him and his back started aching. He sat down and peered over the great halls. While the room seemed to pick up a little, he knew it was a low buzz all discussing what was going on. He watched all the students, he assumed something was afoot. He knew these kids well enough to know their tenacity couldn't be quelshed by a simple stern warning.
Emeline Pryce had stayed quiet for the most part since the feast had started, hazel eyes watching the head table intently, especially since the disturbance that was the eagle occurred. As whispers began to arise, Emmie looked around her, wringing her hands a little anxiously. When Sanctus mentioned eavesdropping, Emmie cocked an eyebrow at him. "I'unno, that sounds like a bad idea." And Emeline was no stranger to bad ideas. It had to be questionable if even she was doubtful about it.
Olivia Torsson hissed at Emeline. She was really getting into this whole spy business, and now somebody else was trying to ruin it? Either Olivia ruins it or nobody ruins it. "Interesting things are a-foot! Plots and mysteries and things! Bad ideas be darned!" --
Jacob Daubney was indisposed. Pudding cups. All the pudding cups.
Morvyn frowned and slumped back down, looking over at the professors and then to Lara "Blaine's right" he looked over at Heather sharply "woah- Heather it's not like that- i never even spoke to her before i was just...i want to know what's going on" he huffed and then folded his arms irritably "lets just enjoy the rest of the ceremony...maybe ill get a chance to ask Professor Catherwood over the holidays.... cake!"
Heather Jones smiled and said, "Yeah. I mean, he might be mad if you just poked your nose in and things, right now. Or he might tell you about it later, right?" She plunked down beside Morvyn- that's right. She's breakin' more rules!- and she grabbed an empty plate, got some more food again, and resumed her eating. ---
Tate sighed and looked around, wondering how Teagan was holding up, and of course still curious about what was going on with the Heads of the Houses. What were they doing?! What had happened with Salvador's poor bird? He hoped it wasn't anything to do with the Cult again. Things had become so peaceful...
Lara Rockford sighed sadly. A little disheartened, this wasn't going how she'd hoped. What happened to the spirit of adventure? It's what made Hogwart's, Hogwart's. What was the point of standing around letting evil forces infiltrate their school? Lara decided she might as well be honest. She could see the situation was being managed. "Well, no one is being forced to follow me." She winked at Olivia, so that she knew she wasn't angry at her. She turned to face those in disagreement, and to the suddenly audiable Emeline. "Don't worry about it," before continuing to Blaine with a snort, "We don't know each other" Lara went on, with only a stubborness she could possess. "Even if I have to stand quietly in the background, I can't just let Dark things take over Hogwart's and make our Professors scared for their lives and for the School." With that, she went to find her own way.
Blaine muttered to Morvyn in an undertone. "I thought Ravenclaws were s'posed to be the smart ones." He shook his head and stared after the Ravenclaw girl as she made her attempt to sneak away. What a fool. --
Liam frowned as Lara moved past him and headed after the professors. Stupid, stupid girl. At least term and ended, which meant that no points could be taken.
Morvyn leaned back towards Blaine and muttered "...but i thought we were supposed to be the brave stupid ones" he smirked and shook his head "it's a weird year" he said and leaned onto the table, eating far too much . ---
Teagan had appeared once the eagle had stopped the food fight and whilst being concerned she was more interested in brushing her fingers through her hair than some dumb animal, but she did look across towards Tate and spotted him, leaning towards Liam and whispering "It's Tate Dawson, over there" she said quietly --
Sanctus was quiet now and deep in thought, glad to be cleaned off but concerned, deeply so, so much that he'd stopped eating and was looking at the table.
Emeline Pryce rolled her eyes at Olivia and Lara - did they think that now the school year was all but over, that it would be fine to do whatever they wanted? "And they say Ravenclaws are smart," the fifth year scoffed before stuffing another roll in her mouth. Cheeks puffed from a full mouth, she watched the two take off, looking almost comical with that scowl on her face. And geez, another short post, but Emeline's player is going to type a bunch of nonsense to make the post look longer. Do any of you know where your Sternocleidomastodeus is? It's in your neck to jaw, and is part of the mastication process, which is the process of chewing. It also helps you move your head down and side to side. How about that?
Heather Jones continued to sit with Morvyn and enjoy the rest of the ceremony's feast. ---
Tate saw Teagan come in and he jumped up, grabbing his plate with him, and sat down beside her. "Hey! You won't believe what you missed! There was a big food fight in here after the whole 'congrats Gryffindor and Hufflepuff' thing, then Headmaster Salvador's bird flew in! Poor thing looked absolutely aweful. Some folks are worried, because it made Catherwood, and the Heads all leave... What do you make of it? --
Charlotte left her house's table go to over to Hufflepuff's, and sat beside Sanctus, touching his shoulder. "Hey. I'm worried too." Then she slid her arm around his waist and leaned on the young man.
Oliver Lynton and Blaine Underwood went back to their respective plates, the latter glancing occasionally to the door that the professors had left through. --
Liam Fallon , having finally decided it safe to tuck into his food, followed his sister's gaze to the young
Gryffindor. Wait just a minute. That was who... ? Liam raised his eyebrows questioningly at his sister.
Sanctus Sapiens looked up at Charlotte and gave a weak smile "I never wanted Salvador to go, let alone this....do you think he's...dead...?" he asked quietly "I guess i shouldn't be killing the mood though, it's my last day i should enjoy it" he said and then slowly slid some butterbeer towards himself -- Teagan whispered "The boy that im going to visi- Hi Tate" she said quickly, he'd appeared out of nowhere "Have you ever...met my brother?" she didnt dishearten him by mentioning she didn't give two hoots about the eagle thing..
Jacob Daubney picked up is new stock of pudding cups from the feast. What an eventful feast. A dramatic giant bird, a stash of goodies, a food fight, and winning the House Cup? It was too bad about the bird, but at least it was interesting. He waved at the Hufflepuffs and left for the common room, mentally designating which flavour he should save for home.
Patricia Seaver groaned and clutched her head. The wine was catching up to her a bit, and she staggered out the door, waving vaguely backwards. Students were pretty much leaving anyway, as the feast was finishing up.
--- For the remainder of the feast, the students would chat idly about their summer plans, before the remaining professors would send them to their common rooms for the evening. --
----------------------------
STAFF:
- Marius Catherwood
- Larus Pontin
- Thomas Baker
- Sable Thanasis-Pontin
- Percy Morgan
- Helen Magnus
- Patricia Seaver
STUDENTS:
Gryffindor:
- Morvyn Huckleborn
- Emeline Pryce
- Blaine Underwood
- Marshall Leongrove
- Tate Dawson
Hufflepuff:
- Jacob Daubney
- Paige Coughlin
- Oliver Lynton
- Sanctus Sapiens
Ravenclaw:
- Liam Fallon
- Teagan Fallon
- Charlotte Storm
- Lara Rockford
- Olivia Torrsson
- Kylie Sinclair
-
Slytherin:
- Heather Jones
--------------------------------------------------------
Larus Pontin looked up from his seat in some odd rusty colored robes he thought looked pretty swag on him, but really they looked a little bit like they'd been chewed on by multiple moths "I sure am excited! As my house won the quidditch" he said loudly and grinned, leaning towards Thomas and waggling his eyebrows "didn't we Thomas? ....such a shame that you lost so terribly."
Thomas Baker, in a rare move, was clad in his most professional dress robes. Fitting for a head of house, but quite unlike his typical garb of muggle clothing. It was a conscious effort on the professor's part to leave an impression on the not-easily-impressed members of his House. Of course it made no difference to alleviate the slight sourness of Ravenlaw's last minute loss in not one, but BOTH school cups. "You like rubbing that in, don't you," he'd glance at Larus, smirking despite the the depressing fact that his friend was right.
Oliver Lynton jogged into the Great Hall, looking more than a little pleased as he took in the sight of the hourglasses at the other end. It was a brilliant day for Hufflepuffs everywhere. Or so Olly liked to think. Grinning, he'd slide onto an empty stretch of bench , from which he would look expectantly up at the staff table. --
Blaine Underwood would arrive in a knot of Gryffindor Quidditch players. His House, too, had much to celebrate, owing to their come from behind victory several weeks prior. The soon-to-be sixth year had been glowing with pride ever since. --
Liam Fallon, on the other hand, was the picture of gloominess. Scowling, the Ravenclaw had waited until the last possible second to leave the common room for the Great Hall. Now, he sat at the far end of the table, wishing they'd start the feast and get it over with already.
Kylie Sinclair skipped in rather cheerfully, her Ravenclaw robes donned on proudly. It was the end of the year feast, and she was so excited! Her hair was piled ontop of her head in a messy bun, her pygmy puff sitting on her shoulder. It was the nice one of course, the other was still too mean to come out of it's cage (She had bandages on her hands from trying to clean out it's cage). She slid into the seat next to her Ravenclaw mates, and giggled. "Oh, I can't wait!"
Marius Catherwood had been planning this entrance since Christmas. He knew it'd have to be the top, a grand finale to the year. Modesty be damned, he was Marius Catherwood after all. If nothing else, let them get some joy from mocking him, for because today, Marius didn't care. He had spent months working out the perfect enchantments and everything. And now it was time. He began by dimming the candles and the magical lights from the windows and skylight. Suddenly the doors smoothly but slowly pushed inward, a magical fog rolling in. As if on cue, a distant, ethereal chorus could be heard, Suddenly the moon shone through the artificial clouds on the skylight, illuminating Marius's handsome figure.
Marius Catherwood strode forward, golden flecks emanating from his steps. The shaft of moonlight moved with him, and he struck a dazzling smile, sure to make any fan faint. He moved forward in his most formal of gowns, a Serene DeYoung original, ornate, flowing, expensive, an so, so much fabric. With a flourish of his hands, the lights rose to their fullest and confetti in the colors of the four houses exploded from the sky, he moved to his chair and sat down, quite proud of his entrance.
Marshall Leongrove didn't find it easy admitting defeat, but in this case, there was no turning fate around. His badger-loving peers had leapt up and wrapped their little paws around victory and were now clutching onto it proudly. At the very least, Marshall found comfort in the fact that the winners were humble and kind, rather than snooty and boisterous, like some other houses. He smiled reassuringly at his fellow lions, knowing the summer vacation would leave him longing for their company.
Olivia Torsson spun into the Great Hall, singing. Hufflepuff may have won the House Cup and Ravenclaw may have gotten slaughtered in the both the House Cup and Quidditch Cup, but that didn't matter to her. It was the end of term feast which meant there were custard tarts, sausages, and pudding to hoard. But not necessarily in that order.
Jacob Daubney walked into the Great Hall and plopped himself at the Hufflepuff table, half-smiling and half-leering at his fellow housemates. It was Hufflepuff's night to shine! Man, we are so cool, he thought, picking up a fork and twirling it between his fingers.
Patricia Seaver sat at the head table and looked around the Great Hall. She didn't like the end-of-term feast. Too many chances for someone to get food poisoning and come to her as well as having to deal with people she normally wouldn't talk to AKA the other staff members. She gawped at the Headmaster as he flashily entered the room, thinking absolutely nothing but Oh...my...god.
Oliver Lynton applauded, eyes filled with admiration, as his Head of House passed by their table. Clearly a Marius Catherwood fanboy - but then, who wasn't? It's not like Hufflepuff had much of a choice, anyway, what with the Catherwood posters that were hung all over their common room. --
Liam Fallon and Blaine Underwood both watched Marius with less-than enthusiastic expressions on their faces. Liam, especially, who looked positively dour.
Sable Thanasis walked in, wearing her old pre-baby outfit, thought anyone paying attention would note that it seemed to have been let out since last year. Over the dress, covering up her low neckline was her green and black teaching robes, which helped to hide (or maybe enhance?) the lingering baby weight. She took her seat on the other side of the Headmaster's chair, and looked out toward the assembled students, then, as the lights dimmed around them, she shot a glance to her husband as if to ask him, 'Now what?' That was answered, however, once Catherwood entered. Ugh! Theatric prat.
Charlotte Storm sat with the other Ravenclaws, glancing over toward where Sanctus sat with his fellow Hufflepuffs and she grinned then she lifted her head up to acknowledge their current Headmaster's arrival... a bit too much in her opinion.
Heather Jones sat among the Slytherins, somewhat sulking because this feast didn't let them jump tables. She sighed, and let out a yawn when Marius did his who entrance bit, but still, should anyone clap for the man, she'd join in and politely clap along. ---
Tate Dawson was a bouncing ball of nervous energy. Two house awards to be given out and his was one of them! He giggled and waited while Headmaster Catherwood entered the hall, clapping at his good charmwork (he had to give the man credit where it was due), then waited for the more official bits to be got on with.
Helen Magnus almost spit her drink out at Pontin's banter, "quite the match if I must say!" Patting ol' Baker on the back, Magnus assured him there was always next year. Before another sound, the astounding entrance Catherwood (Headmaster) had made, certainly left the ever sarcastic Magnus...speechless. Unbeknownst of her own motions, the flask of fire whiskey nearly poured itself into her goblet as the muffled snorts were elated into the air. Lifting her goblet up, Magnus acknowledged the students and kept to her silence -- for now.
Emeline Pryce entered with a few of her dormmates, looking as though they had just rushed from the common rooms to make it on time. Slowing her rushed pace as she neared the front of the table, Emmie slid into the vacant spot between two other students, making sure that none of them were on the Quidditch team. She was excited that Gryffindor managed to secure the cup after so long, but if she heard one more person recount a single play of the match, she was going to hex them.
Sanctus Sapiens entered the hall quietly for his last house cup, taking in a deep breath as he looked around for Charlotte and smiled her way before he made his way to the chair, slowing as the dramatic effects swilled around the room. He scowled slightly at Marius but then his eyes found Professor Baker and he smiled at him as he sat down.
Thomas Baker forced a smile to Magnus as she mentioned Ravenclaw's disasterous loss. He may not have liked Quidditch, but he'd been caught up in the House rivalry none the less. Marius' entrance would create quite a stir amongst the Hall, including those at the staff table who had the best view of the spectacle. The Ravenclaw head's jaw would dro p automatically in evident dismay as he gaped at the sight. It would take him some effort, but he'd force himself to look professional and clap for the Headmaster.
Larus Pontin lifted his head to watch Marius' spectacle. He was somewhat in awe...not being a magic man too much himself. "Wow... would you look at that Thomas" he whispered and then looked past Marius to his wife, giving her a smile and a nod before leaning towards Marius "What a show off."
Oliver Lynton, to no one in particular, "Bloody amazing, isn't he? Catherwood, I mean." The third year would gush as he stared impatiently at the empty plate in front of him. Yes, Marius Catherwood was amazing, but could he possibly get on with announcing that the feast had begun? Olly was hungry, damnit. --
Blaine would immediately begin to recap the match with his fellow teammates. One track mind, this one.
Olivia Torsson blinked up at Headmaster Catherwood, clearly confused. "Is this dinner entertainment without the dinner? Why's he so bright? He looks like a Christmas tree gone haywire," she said loudly, her eyes glazing over at the thought: Christmas trees are nice. --
Jacob Daubney's eyes widened in awe and stared strangely at the Headmaster, fork held in his hand as if to stab the table in front of him. The charmwork was admirable, but maybe...possibly...this was overkill? He stared at the ecstatic Oliver beside him, who looked like he was about to have a heart attack from joy. Fanboy much? Jacob clapped just to be polite, but really? Cuckoo! --
Patricia Seaver snatched up her goblet and started to chug down her wine, avoiding her need to clap. She didn't normally drink, but when she did, it was to drown out whatever insanity was within ten feet of her. Even though people often ended up injured after she drank. What a disgusting man, she thought, hands gripping the goblet as if to strangle it.
Sanctus Sapiens looked over towards Oliver and sighed with exasperation but he didn't say anything negative about it "I suppose" he said quietly and looked back to the row of professors, just feeling in a really quiet mood on his last day as a student. He didn't look particularly happy but not sad either.
Marius Catherwood after sitting down and a couple cursory chats with his neighboring professors, Catherwood stood again, tapping his wand against an ornate goblet. "Ladies and gentlemen, students, colleagues, all. Here's to another exciting year at Hogwarts!" he raises his glass in a toast, "Now with the end of the year upon us, I must congratulate Gryffindor on their victory in the Quidditch cup!" he paused for the roars of applause from the Gryffindor table to die down, "And of course, great congratulations to my own house of Hufflepuff on their taking of the house cup, good show Hufflepuff!" There was raucous hooting and hollering from the Hufflepuff tables and less enthused applause from the others, "Now, without further ado, let the end of year feast, BEGIN!"
Sable Thanasis snorted at Larus's comment. Of course she hoped that Catherwood caught it too. She returned her attention to the rows of students at the tables, and thought about how another year was coming to its end. Last year she was about to be married and had a baby on the way. Now, she had her family, and was looking forward to a getaway in Greece. And in September, the professor would be back in her Potions classroom with avengance! She lifted her cup in front of her, ready for a well deserved cold sip of wine. Oh wine, how she missed it! ---
Charlotte clapped for Professor Catherwood, and then she looked over toward Sanctus again. She'd be facing a year without him, next year, and it felt very bittersweet. She was glad for him, because he was graduating. He would be able to start following his dreams and his goals. Due to her transfer she was a year behind. It felt really juvenile. But she wasn't going to waste her year, either. She'd be visiting Sanctus, and writing him often. She smiled at him again, kissed her finger tip, then wiggled her finger in his direction. A sort of 'I'm still here for you' type signal.---
Heather humfed, then said to the closest student beside her, "He's a bloody Christmas tree." When the 'speech' had been delivered and food was made to appear, the Slytherin girl had an idea... Ooooh did she have an idea. Her lips curled up as the idea crossed her mind. YES!---
Tate clapped again, giving loud whoops and hollers for the congrats handed to Gryffindor for the Quidditch win. Then he clapped, in appreciation and true good natured happiness for Hufflepuff for their winning the House Cup. Then, as the food appeared, the boy with the bottomless appetite for sweets began to stuff his face.
Emeline Pryce looked down to where she could hear Blaine's voice, her eyebrows knitting as she listened to him. Quickly directing her attention back to the head table, Emmie stummed her fingers on the wooden top, waiting for the announcements to conclude so the feasting could begin. Yeah, yeah, Gryffindor won, yipee, and meh to Hufflepuff and the house cup (HOLY CRAP BANNERS), but her face lit up when the food arrived. Scaring her neighbors by diving immediately for the rolls, (is our Headmaster on fire?) Emmie grinned and promptly chucked it at Blaine's head, before ducking behind her poor housemate beside her.
Thomas Baker applauded politely. His face gave nothing away, but inside , the man felt quietly disappointed. If only Ravenclaw had held on to their lead. What a perfect way to end his first year as professor at the school. Oh, well. Can't win 'em all. The man clapped Larus on the shoulder in a supportive way. No sense sulking over what was a hard-earned victory on both Gryffindor and Ravenclaws' parts. That was until the hall was filled with Hufflepuff banners. Bloody -brilliant.-
Helen Magnus clapped lightly in celebrating dear Hufflepuff's win. As the goblet met the table, the food had appeared across the plate-filled hall. Feeling for dear ol' Ravenclaw & Slytherin's lack of winning anything this year, Magnus took it upon herself to say something...nice? Raising her goblet for a toast, her voice rang out, "and many congrats to our Ravenclaws & Slytherins -- in succeeding in yet another school year!" With a light flick of her wand, all the students had their goblets topped off with some good ol' butter beer. "Here's to all the good years in Hogwarts and many more to come!" Gulping down the sweet liquid, tainted with fire, Magnus continued to keep quite to herself -- in fear of obliterating someone with her dry humor.
Oliver Lynton whooped and cheered as the Headmaster proclaimed the feast had begun. The noise made by the Hufflepuff table would increase in volume as the yellow-and-black banners would appear above their heads. YES. Now those were decorations. If only they were permanent. --
Blaine, feeling the bread bounce off the back of his head, looked around with a shout of "Oi!". By the grin on his face, it was obvious that he was in far too good a mood to be annoyed. --
Liam ate his food in silence. Not much in the mood to listen to the happy banter of the Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors.
Olivia Torsson squealed happily as the food appeared. Sausages, custard tarts, AND pudding? This is...this is...GLORIOUS! She started snatching at anything she could reach. If lady-like meant abandoning food, Olivia wanted no part in it. Unless they have something delicious. Like snacks. Snacks are good. --
Jacob cheered loudly, waving his wand wildly around. Then he saw...the pudding cups. Howling with happiness, he started scooping as much as he could reach. He needed some for when he was packing, for the train ride home, for a snack for when he was taking a break from snacking on the train ride home... --
Patricia Seaver came up from her goblet, successfully avoiding the headmaster, and rather flushed. She cackled, grabbed a leg of turkey, and covered it in rice pudding and gravy. Just the way she liked it. Putting up a mental block towards anyone who was willing to talk to Drunk Pat, Patricia coated her plate in an interesting assortment of everything.
Percy Morgan smirked quietly as the food appeared and the banners adorned the room. Little would he let everyone know, he was mildly pleased Hufflepuff had won. The look on Baker's face was quite entertaining, while he knew his old friend would get over it, seeing his reactions were priceless. He tucked in, eating little and eating slowly avoiding as much conversation as possible but making the idle smalltalk when it was demanded of him
Morvyn was sat somewhere down the bottom of the Gryffindor table but when the food arrived he ignored it and looked around the table. He couldn't see Blaine anywhere- THERE! he grinned and stood up, hiding behind the students as he scurried along the table and forced himself into a seat beside his fellow team member with a grin"Hey! Get a load of Catherwood eh? Isn't he great?" he looked up towards Marius and sighed with a frown, trying to catch the mans eye. He had no idea if he'd been forgotten or not.
Blaine had dove into some food almost the moment it had appeared at the table. With so many delicious things on the endless expanse of plates, he'd decided to fill his own with a little from each. "Oi! Morvyn," the fifth year would call as his fellow Beater ran up the aisle to sit beside him. "Ehhh.. sure?" Blaine shrugged in a mollifying gesture. He knew how much his friend idolized the professor and wasn't about to crush his hopes and dreams.
Sable Thanasis was drinking her wine and occasionally nibbling at food. Charlotte and Tate were both eating. But Heather Jones stood from her seat, lifting a plate full of very mush mashed potatoes and very gooey looking graving in one hand, while the other had her wand at her mouth, and she cast the Sonorous Charm. "FOOOOOOOD FIIIIIIIGHT!!" she declared, and threw the plate of food off in to the most random direction possible. It landed on someone on the right, was that a Gryffindor? Yep! It landed right on Tate's head. ----
Tate went still, wondering why he was covered in mashed potatoes and gravy....
Thomas Baker once the feast was called to order , tucked into his food, quaffing wine from his goblet every so often and talking to his colleagues whenever there was a lull in the meal. It was, of course, delicious. The house elves had quite outdone themselves this year, most likely due in part to the fact that Hufflepuff's dormitory was in close proximity to the kitchens. Biased much, House elves? At any rate, the man was clearly enjoying himself, the weariness of the past few weeks lifted in place of relaxed pleasure. That was of course until the two words every professor dreaded broke out. 'FOOD FIGHT'. "Miss Jones!" he'd call sharply as noise suddenly broke out all over the Hall.
Larus Pontin grinned as he heard the call for foodfight. YEAH FOOD FIGHT- not that he'd say that. He glanced at Thomas and cleared the grin off his face with a cough and sat up straight.
Marius Catherwood smiled at Larus's earlier comment, and was digging into his own food when he saw the infamous Heather Jones cry out two words that could ignite a firestorm like no other, "FOOD FIGHT" she had screamed and suddenly the room erupted into a barrage of food and noise. Pastries, puddings, potatoes, and more flew from one side to the other. Half the teachers looked mortified, and others conflicted onto whether or not to be entertained. Marius looked around, picked up his bowl of potatoes, walked over to the rather sour looking Thomas, and proceeded to dump the contents onto the man's head. "Professor Baker, with a strategy like that, you'll never win a food fight." He knew it was silly, but this might just be what the school needed to forget for a few minutes the ever growing shadows of reality.
Sable Thanasis's head jerked up when one of her own students declared something she'd not had the horror of witnessing. But when she did look up, she was met with the ramifcations. What on earth!? --
Tate stood, and not being one to back down to a challenge (and thinking it all to be in good fun, after all), he grabbed his plate full of sweets and frosting covered treats and threw it right back at Heather! ---
Charlotte's eyes went wide. Food Fight?! What!? Didn't that only happen in American schools? Still, it seemed it was happening! She wasn't about to let her house down though. She lifted her wand and cast a repelling sheild spell to keep food from her and called, "Get behind me!" --- Heather laughed and almost dodged the cake and sweets. She ended up getting hit in the side with it. Still, she ignored Professor Baker and grabbed up rolls and began flinging them in the direction of anyone who dared to fire back at her.
Patricia Seaver started giggling at boy covered in mashed potatoes. "Food fight, food fight, what's a party without a food fight?" she sang, and started drinking out of her goblet again. Patricia turned to Baker and started to giggle drunkenly at him. Potato. Pohw-taay-to. Potato is such a funny word. A tuber. Heh. Hehehe.
Larus Pontin had picked up a handfull of potato's at the same time as Marus and turned to shove them into Baker's face, only to be met with the sight of Marius doing something rather simelar and he broke out cackling loudly and grabbing a plate to use as a shield as food flew overhead.
Helen Magnus wiggled her wand, putting up a tiny shielding spill. There was no way this new vest was about to get a smear of food on it! Finding it rather entertaining, and knowing it was her duty to help put a stop to it...Magnus couldn't help herself. Without a moments notice, a pie had flew out of her hand and right into clean face of the Headmaster -- Marius Catherwood. Some had slid off onto dear Sable Thanasis but it was all too much for Magnus not to burst. Laughing quite loudly, Helen gasped at the sweet array of pie disaster, "oh my centaurs! What a mess I surely have made." With an 'innocent' look upon her face, Magnus attempted to sneak out through the back door.
Sanctus Sapiens was ducking and diving under food but the moment a pastrie collided with the side of his head he frowned and wiped it away ....a moment passed as he looked up at the teachers and then smiled with a shrug, standing up and grabbing a bunch of soft boiled potato's and he lobbed them across the room at the back of Catherwoods head. That'll teach you to attack Baker.
Morvyn grinned broadly the moment food started to fly and he grabbed at the back of Blaines head and started trying to push it down into the food "EAT IT! hahahaha" which was when some sort of sauce smacked him in the side of the nose "YUCK!"
Thomas Baker was too preoccupied with glaring at the ruckus to notice Marius until it was too late. "Hey!", he spluttered, finding himself suddenly covered with mashed potato. The man stared at the headmaster in indignant silence before he dissolved into a fit of snickering. He was only human, after all. Baker picked up a napkin to rub his face clean, but as he did so, his free hand would drift toward Larus' goblet. Then it would "ACCIDENTALLY brush into it, and knock it in the direction of the Gryffindor head's lap.
Percy Morgan tried to stay calm. He ate for a minute or two before he heard a pudding flying towards him, it was too little too late, and it smacked him right in the chest exploding all over his fine robes. For a fleeting moment he was angry, but then he just couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all. Estimating that the pudding came from the Slytherin table, he pointed his wand and caused a bowl of mashed potatoes to erupt, splattering everyone within a ten foot radius, he then looked to his colleagues, and saw Sable looking irritable and relatively unscathed, he slowly moved a fruit pie along the table before flipping it up right into the potion master's face, and snickering.
Olivia Torsson ducked under the table, and peered over the bench. No food fight was going to distract her from her sausages and other delicious delicacies. "Oh yeah, I like potatoes too." Sticking her head out in front of a flying lump of gravy-potato mash, Olivia's happy face was now potato-ey. --
Jacob grinned, face still in a pudding cup. The teachers were going nuts, Hufflepuff just won; how could this night get any better? He picked up a bowl of pudding and lobbed it in the general direction of the head table. He'd probably get in trouble for it, but oh well. School was over anyway.
Olly and Blaine would immediately join in the chaos and lob food at whoever was within reach. Blaine in particular was having much success, being a Quidditch player and all. "'Ey!' He'd struggle half-heartedly as Morvyn attempted to 'feed' him his food. Before long he'd burst into laughter as his friend's plan had clearly backfired. -
Liam was not taking part in the festivities, but it had brought a devious smirk to the fifth year's face as he took on his preferred role of watching.
Sable Thanasis gasped loudly when Magnus's pie bits went on to her. Just moments before she'd been cackling at Baker and Catherwood's misfortunes of being covered in food. She turned her head to look at Helen, then shouted, "Faugh a ballagh!!" as she grabbed up a plate filled with some puree she didn't know of and flung it at Helen. --
Charlotte looked around and began picking up random pieces of food that had fallen to the floor and tossed them at anyone firing in her direction. ---
Tate had climbed up on the table and was doing rapid-fire with his wand, sending rolls, pastries, and mushy foods everywhere he could, while using his own plate as a sheild. --
Heather, the instigator, was still throwing food around and making her way around the tables, sweeping her arm at cups to send their contents spilling out.
Helen Magnus busts up with giggles as poor lil' Pontin suddenly found his trousers all wet. Baker sure had his way with goblets, as her goblest seemed to slip onto Baker's lap. 'Ooops' was mouthed off Helen's lips as she leaned very much to the right -- away from Thomas. Taking a few rolls in hand, Helen made herself ready for the next attack. Noticing the unscathed Professor Morgan, somehow and stack of flying rolls began falling on him like a downpour of hail -- soft and fluffy hail.
Marius Catherwood was laughing when suddenly he found his mouth filled with the pie that had landed right on his face, stumbling backwards, he rubbed the pastry off his face with his robes, he began flinging bread rolls at some of the students with military precision, until a THUD flings him forward into Thomas's plate. Someone hit him with a boiled potato! The nerve, he rose covered in potatoes, vegetables, and a bit of steak clinging to his face, now mixed with the pie. He looked over the room and saw Sanctus laughing so hard, it could have only been him. Levitating a jug of Butterbeer over the boy, it was quickly overturned and dumped all over the Hufflepuff.
Sanctus Sapiens laughed loudly and folded his arms as the drink was emptied all over him and he cupped his hands over his mouth "You have no idea how long i've wanted to throw a potato at you Professor!" he called with a grin. This was the best end of year ever. He picked up another soft potato and lobbed it over at Sable. --
Meanwhile Teagan Fallon was hiding under the table screaming something about Barbarians.
Percy Morgan laughed like he never had before. A booming thing that was, well, quite unexpected from the small man. He turned on helen, and caused the banana pudding to his right to explode in a manner that left her somewhat covered in the goopy substance.
Lara Rockford entered the Great Hall, unsuspecting. A little late for the ceremony, Lara had been hoping for some pudding and to polish off the remainder of the butterbeer. The shock that had come over her upon reaching the Ravenclaw table was evident. Her eyes bulged out of her head, the size of quarters. She gasped so hard and so loud it was audiable over the manic laughter of her class mates. There was food everywhere. Stunned Lara looked from one familliar face to the next. None seemed to notice her yet. She thought of taking a seat for a moment but, bah, what was the point? The bench was covered in assorted leftovers. "Oh my god, you guys!!" she exclaimed. Lara was afraid to look up at the Professor's, and her head of house. "All the butterbeer is gone!" she squealed in horror.
Sable Thanasis went to Larus's side and grabbed his hand, even if it was messy and covered with food. "Shall we retreat or try and end it?" she asked him, wondering what her Gryffindor husband would want to do. As a potato went her way, she raised a plate and it smashed against the platter, rather than on her. ---
Charlotte saw the dumping of Butterbeer on Sanctus. She stood up tall and, even though it got her a few peltings with flung food, she used her own wand to fling several plates of potatoes, some sticky, mushy candied figs, and a few pieces of meat, at the Headmaster. Dirty scoundrel to do that to her man!---
Heather saw the attacks going to Marius and it made her grin like mad. "YES!" she shouted, and started to send all her food-fire at him, too. --- Tate continued to fling food without discrimination. Everyone was a target! HA!
Thomas Baker ducked his head as food flew every which way. The Great Hall was a mess, food splattered all over every surface. Even the professor table was a mess, with virtually the entire faculty participating. Even Thomas, who had forgotten himself and was chortling between targeting his colleagues with bits of roll and stuffing and pudding. This was exactly what the man had needed after not having had much reason to let loose for quite some time.
Helen Magnus gasped at the slimey substance that had landed on her vest -- her NEW vest! Staring at Morgan, she couldn't help but to laugh at his retaliation. Upon the words of no butterbear, Magnus remembered her flaggon of fire whiskey, taking a swig whilst muttering, "at least I got me fire!"
-- A shrill 'skree' pierced the great hall as a large grey bird appeared in the hole that let the owls in for the news. A harpy eagle to be exact. Some silence fell amongst the various students as they looked up and most of them recognised the rare bird that had belonged to Headmaster Salvador, the kindly old man who had been headmaster until very recently. Till of course the new minister had retired him by force and then the headmaster had never been seen again. The large, grey eagle swooped down from the ledge over the entirety of the hall until it came down to land on the back of the headmasters chair with no note attached to it's legs. The bird opened it's large wings out for a moment and then looked down over the professors, looking a bit ragged for a bird that was once so perfectly feathered. --
Sable Thanasis saw the bird and fell silent as she felt a sickening feeling growing in her stomach and rising upward. Seeing Salvador's bird looking as if it'd been through hell could only mean that something was very very wrong. She stood up and, going over the table and up in front of the silenced student body, she called out, "All students, return to your common rooms. Clean yourselves up and stay in your houses until further notice. NOW," she demanded, at the end. So help her if anyone objected. Then she turned to the other Professors, and said, "Well? Are we allowed to use the Headmaster's office to contact our former Head?" Her eyes went to Marius. Would he actually step up and take some responsibility?
Thomas Baker froze mid-throw as the piercing cry rent the air, shortly followed by the form of the once-majestic eagle. An eagle that he was all too familiar with. Salvador. At once the man got to his feet , staring at the eagle as if he'd seen a ghost. Salvador had rarely been apart from the eagle that he'd affectionally tagged as 'Stratus'. The sight of the massive bird in such a poor state filled him with dread. This certainly warranted further investigation. Meanwhile, as Sable spoke to the student body, the professor would turn his attention to the bird. "Stratus." Baker murmured in a low voice, edging closer to the eagle.
Lara Rockford eyed Professor Magnus fire whiskey. For a moment she envisioned crossing the Great Hall ninja-style (running across the top of the tables) and swiping it. She shook that fantasy out of her head quick enough. Best not risk the detention or the broken bones. All though all that may be out the window, now. Lara wiped a space free of slop and sat herself down. She knocked on the wood of the table, shouting at it, "Hey house elves! Someone wants to actually consume butter beer!" As she did she heard the cry of the Headmaster's companion. She caught it as it soared loyally over to his master. Getting a good look at him now, she saw he was looking a bit rough. "Uh-oh..." Within moments she heard the command. "Go to your common room." Running to her friend Olivia, she whispered, "Whats going on!?"
Larus Pontin had been about to respond to Sable, he didn't want to end it or make a move to go, at all but then as the bird came down he noticed the change in the atmosphere and looked up "Sable i don't think everyone needs to go it's a bird- we havent done much yet- ...but the bird...well... Surely we don't have to end the entire ceremony!" he looked towards Thomas and watched closely.
Oliver Lynton let out a soft noise of protest. "Aww!" They were having so much fun, too. The dramatic tension that rippled up the staff table had clearly gone unnoticed by the third year. -- Liam's brow knitted with interest as he watched the trail of the eagle. It must have been something, to cause all of the professors to look as if they'd been punched. -- Blaine, meanwhile, picked up a couple of rolls and stuffed them in his bag. If the students were being sent out, he'd at least have something else to eat.
Sanctus Sapiens stood up again as the familiar eagle and stared with wide eyes. But ...if Stratus was here then where was Salvador? ....was....he dead? for some reason that was the only logical explanation the student could think of. --
Morvyn didn't seem ready to go "Wait it out a bit..." he said and eyed the bird but started piling drumsticks onto his plate and eating quite heavily incase they did have to leave.
Marius Catherwood moved to Sable's side, a grim look having washed over his face, "Sable, perhaps that's not the best idea, let us allow the feast to continue... Professor Morgan, Seaver, Magnus, supervise the feast, make sure no one leaves or enters! Thomas, if you could try and keep the bird from flying away. Sable, Larus, and Thomas, come with me to the headmaster's office," He hadn't known Slavador extremely well, but he had recognized his bird, and the incredible feeling of unease that washed over him left him nervous. As an adventurer, Marius had learned to trust his gut, and this wasn't a good feeling.
Sable Thanasis said, "Larus, you know as well as I do that the only reasons that Salvador's bird would come here is if there were an important message to give, or somethign was wrong. He doesn't have any letter, but he looks as if he's been through the seventh circle. Something's happened." She then turned her head and glared at Catherwood. She snorted, then said, "Fine," and began casting cleansing charms over herself and Larus. Might as well get cleaned up. ---
Heather waited quietly while the professors seemed to be getting in to some discussion. As a group of them began to leave, she noted others staying... Were they to remain then? She decided the food-fight was over and started to clean up, until of course the house elves began vanishing the mess and the goop covering the students and replacing all the food.
-- The eagle, Stratus, made weak croaking and squeaking sounds in its throat as it responded to Thomas and tilted its head both ways to examine him. The eagle edged its way along the back of the chair and then swooped down onto the table, kicking away plates as it clumsily clambered over them towards Baker and then sat down in front of him, letting out strange rumbles, the sort that seemed like a bird-of-prey purring sound. --
Olivia Torsson paled and stared up at the bird and the staff looking at it. Something couldn't be right. Especially since the professors looked terrified at the sight of it. The headmaster himself looked strangely at the bird, which was never a good sign. "Lara, I don't...think that's our current headmaster's pet. Why does it look like something tried to...?" she faltered, and continued staring at it. --
Patricia Seaver sobered up at the sight of the bird. She wasn't here when the previous headmaster was around, but knew and avoided the animals around the grounds to know that she's never seen it before. And no animal every looked like that unless they went through something terrible. She nodded at the Headmaster: "I'll supervise the kids."
Thomas Baker looked to the bird, continuing to speak softly to it. There was a distinct look of sadness in his eyes despite the smile that had twitched onto his face as the eagle had approached him. To him, the eagle and Salvador were inextricably linked, and seeing one without the other had previously been unthinkable. "Cmon, then," he began to slowly back away from the table while keeping his eyes fixed upon the great eagle.
While Olly and Liam had resumed their eating, Blaine busied himself by staring at the eagle. Birds of prey had always been fascinating to him, the larger raptors most of all. You couldn't get more majestic than a Harpy Eagle, and Blaine did not bother to hide the look of rapture on his face.
Lara Rockford gulped. Reading the faces of their elders, she could tell. Something was not right. She watched as the creature gestured meaningfully. It was obviously trying to communicate. She felt a cold chill through her body. There was some sort of meaning to it's presence. Something monumental that she saw the Professors react to. She looked to Olivia again, "Whose bird is it?" she queried.
Percy Morgan quickly cleaned himself off and nodded quietly at the headmaster, he began helping the students clean off as he quietly sealed the main doors of the great hall. His charmwork might not have been as great as the headmasters, but it would hold in a time of need.
Marius Catherwood glared at Sable "The last thing we need is the students in a crazed panic, let them at least attempt to pretend nothings wrong and enjoy their feast, not lock them up in their dormitory and leave them to themselves. Now let's be swift, quickly now, to the headmasters office. He quickly set off out the back door, and began making his way to the headmaster's office.
-- Stratus would stand, with some difficulty. There was no pain, just exhaustion as the bird stumbled back onto its feet and opened its wings out again, batting them at the air a few times and then instead of flying it glided down off the edge of the table and hobbled past Thomas to the back door that lead to the other room of meeting and pecked at the door, expectantly watching Thomas. --
Larus Pontin stood up and watched the eagle before looking back to Marius and Sable "Well, we should- go have this meeting then" he said and stepped out from behind his chair to follow, smiling at the students.
Thomas Baker, looking grim, followed at a safe distance behind the injured bird. Lost in his thoughts, the man did not look at the expectant and fearful faces of the students that watched him as he made his way around the back of the high table.
-- Exit Larus Pontin, Marius Catherwood, Thomas Baker, and Sable Thanasis --
Sanctus Sapiens was watching everything in his standing position with deep worry and he slipped slowly back down into his seat and looked towards Oliver "That's Stratus.... where's Salvador?" he asked with worry and looked back over to watch the professors go. --
Morvyn watched the professors go and leaned towards Blaine "I kind of want to know what's going on. There's another entrance..... i bet we could...." but then maybe Marius would be angry and that'd be bad.
Heather Jones didn't say anything as she resumed eating as if she'd never started the food fight... The atmosphere of fun had been drained out of the whole hall, it seemed. ---
Charlotte was stunned. She didn't know what to make of it all. Still as everyone began to, with some confusion, return to their chairs and resume the feast, she did, too, though she shot a look to Sanctus, that said she was worried as well.
Tate got off the table when they'd been told to leave, but before he could, he took his seat again at the Gryffindor table and began to pick at the food on his plate. What was all that about?
Oliver Lynton stopped eating for a moment and pondered the older boy's question. With the exit of the four heads of house, the mood had noticably shifted in the Hall, students all around them putting their heads together in quiet conversation. "Dunno. Must not be good, if those four had to leave." --
Blaine looked at his friend , shocked by the suggestion. "Are you nuts? D'you know what they'd to do us if we did?"
Lara Rockford watched the Professors file out of the room after the bird. Her stomach was sick. When she was sure they were gone, Lara looked to her class mates That bird was trying to send their Professors a message of it's own. Pontin's reassuring smile didn't fool her and Baker didn't even try to hide his dismay. Lara had read Hogwart's, A History dozens of times. The things that occured inside of these walls was Epic. Would the students of those golden days just stood by while forces threatoned their school? "No! We have to do something." She looked to Morvyn and completely serious, said. "Let's go."
Morvyn smirked "Only if they caught us...." he said quietly but then looked towards Lara, startled by her sudden encouragement and grinned "Ok but - come on Blaine! we wont get caught. We're just investigating....really!" he grabbed at his friend and yanked him out of his seat, grabbing a cake on the way up.
Lara Rockford rolled her eyes and tugged on Olivia, "Come on." she turned to the others and adjusted her robes. "We'll just charm ourselves. Use a spell that makes us inconspicuous." after a moment she added, "And be quiet!"
Already frowning at Morvyn, Blaine would look even more dismayed as the Ravenclaw chimed in. "Guys." he'd hiss, with a sharp nod in the direction of the staff table. It would be nothing short of suicide to do what the Ravenclaw girl was suggesting.
Heather Jones looked up from her plate to see Morvyn following some blonde girl from Ravenclaw... What was he doing!? She frowned, then got up from her own seat and went after them, grabbing at Morvyn's sleeve. "Oi," she said, "What are you doing? Who's she and why are you following her like a puppy? Let's just go eat."
Olivia Torsson pulled away from Lara and frowned. "I guess I could go, but I'm running if we hear that door open," she said and followed after Lara. She was 11. This type of thing was reserved for kids in books and super heroes, although if you count magic, Hogwarts students count. Olivia creeped after Lara and glared at the back of her head.
Helen Magnus had gotten lost in her own mind of thoughts. Before realizing it, most of the professors had gone or moved around. Yawning a slight, Magnus waved to Morgan and began to stalk away. "I will be over here, just resting my eyes for a moment, aye!" Sitting at the far end of the tables, Magnus leaned against the wall and 'watched' the students converse.
Percy Morgan was helping the other professors clean when it became a little much for him and his back started aching. He sat down and peered over the great halls. While the room seemed to pick up a little, he knew it was a low buzz all discussing what was going on. He watched all the students, he assumed something was afoot. He knew these kids well enough to know their tenacity couldn't be quelshed by a simple stern warning.
Emeline Pryce had stayed quiet for the most part since the feast had started, hazel eyes watching the head table intently, especially since the disturbance that was the eagle occurred. As whispers began to arise, Emmie looked around her, wringing her hands a little anxiously. When Sanctus mentioned eavesdropping, Emmie cocked an eyebrow at him. "I'unno, that sounds like a bad idea." And Emeline was no stranger to bad ideas. It had to be questionable if even she was doubtful about it.
Olivia Torsson hissed at Emeline. She was really getting into this whole spy business, and now somebody else was trying to ruin it? Either Olivia ruins it or nobody ruins it. "Interesting things are a-foot! Plots and mysteries and things! Bad ideas be darned!" --
Jacob Daubney was indisposed. Pudding cups. All the pudding cups.
Morvyn frowned and slumped back down, looking over at the professors and then to Lara "Blaine's right" he looked over at Heather sharply "woah- Heather it's not like that- i never even spoke to her before i was just...i want to know what's going on" he huffed and then folded his arms irritably "lets just enjoy the rest of the ceremony...maybe ill get a chance to ask Professor Catherwood over the holidays.... cake!"
Heather Jones smiled and said, "Yeah. I mean, he might be mad if you just poked your nose in and things, right now. Or he might tell you about it later, right?" She plunked down beside Morvyn- that's right. She's breakin' more rules!- and she grabbed an empty plate, got some more food again, and resumed her eating. ---
Tate sighed and looked around, wondering how Teagan was holding up, and of course still curious about what was going on with the Heads of the Houses. What were they doing?! What had happened with Salvador's poor bird? He hoped it wasn't anything to do with the Cult again. Things had become so peaceful...
Lara Rockford sighed sadly. A little disheartened, this wasn't going how she'd hoped. What happened to the spirit of adventure? It's what made Hogwart's, Hogwart's. What was the point of standing around letting evil forces infiltrate their school? Lara decided she might as well be honest. She could see the situation was being managed. "Well, no one is being forced to follow me." She winked at Olivia, so that she knew she wasn't angry at her. She turned to face those in disagreement, and to the suddenly audiable Emeline. "Don't worry about it," before continuing to Blaine with a snort, "We don't know each other" Lara went on, with only a stubborness she could possess. "Even if I have to stand quietly in the background, I can't just let Dark things take over Hogwart's and make our Professors scared for their lives and for the School." With that, she went to find her own way.
Blaine muttered to Morvyn in an undertone. "I thought Ravenclaws were s'posed to be the smart ones." He shook his head and stared after the Ravenclaw girl as she made her attempt to sneak away. What a fool. --
Liam frowned as Lara moved past him and headed after the professors. Stupid, stupid girl. At least term and ended, which meant that no points could be taken.
Morvyn leaned back towards Blaine and muttered "...but i thought we were supposed to be the brave stupid ones" he smirked and shook his head "it's a weird year" he said and leaned onto the table, eating far too much . ---
Teagan had appeared once the eagle had stopped the food fight and whilst being concerned she was more interested in brushing her fingers through her hair than some dumb animal, but she did look across towards Tate and spotted him, leaning towards Liam and whispering "It's Tate Dawson, over there" she said quietly --
Sanctus was quiet now and deep in thought, glad to be cleaned off but concerned, deeply so, so much that he'd stopped eating and was looking at the table.
Emeline Pryce rolled her eyes at Olivia and Lara - did they think that now the school year was all but over, that it would be fine to do whatever they wanted? "And they say Ravenclaws are smart," the fifth year scoffed before stuffing another roll in her mouth. Cheeks puffed from a full mouth, she watched the two take off, looking almost comical with that scowl on her face. And geez, another short post, but Emeline's player is going to type a bunch of nonsense to make the post look longer. Do any of you know where your Sternocleidomastodeus is? It's in your neck to jaw, and is part of the mastication process, which is the process of chewing. It also helps you move your head down and side to side. How about that?
Heather Jones continued to sit with Morvyn and enjoy the rest of the ceremony's feast. ---
Tate saw Teagan come in and he jumped up, grabbing his plate with him, and sat down beside her. "Hey! You won't believe what you missed! There was a big food fight in here after the whole 'congrats Gryffindor and Hufflepuff' thing, then Headmaster Salvador's bird flew in! Poor thing looked absolutely aweful. Some folks are worried, because it made Catherwood, and the Heads all leave... What do you make of it? --
Charlotte left her house's table go to over to Hufflepuff's, and sat beside Sanctus, touching his shoulder. "Hey. I'm worried too." Then she slid her arm around his waist and leaned on the young man.
Oliver Lynton and Blaine Underwood went back to their respective plates, the latter glancing occasionally to the door that the professors had left through. --
Liam Fallon , having finally decided it safe to tuck into his food, followed his sister's gaze to the young
Gryffindor. Wait just a minute. That was who... ? Liam raised his eyebrows questioningly at his sister.
Sanctus Sapiens looked up at Charlotte and gave a weak smile "I never wanted Salvador to go, let alone this....do you think he's...dead...?" he asked quietly "I guess i shouldn't be killing the mood though, it's my last day i should enjoy it" he said and then slowly slid some butterbeer towards himself -- Teagan whispered "The boy that im going to visi- Hi Tate" she said quickly, he'd appeared out of nowhere "Have you ever...met my brother?" she didnt dishearten him by mentioning she didn't give two hoots about the eagle thing..
Jacob Daubney picked up is new stock of pudding cups from the feast. What an eventful feast. A dramatic giant bird, a stash of goodies, a food fight, and winning the House Cup? It was too bad about the bird, but at least it was interesting. He waved at the Hufflepuffs and left for the common room, mentally designating which flavour he should save for home.
Patricia Seaver groaned and clutched her head. The wine was catching up to her a bit, and she staggered out the door, waving vaguely backwards. Students were pretty much leaving anyway, as the feast was finishing up.
--- For the remainder of the feast, the students would chat idly about their summer plans, before the remaining professors would send them to their common rooms for the evening. --
