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On the way to the feast
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 06-02-08 13:51
On the dormitory Johanna was combing her hair.
“Come on Johanna or we are going to be late!”
“I’m coming Felicia, wait just a second please.”
It was their last night in Hogwarts and the End Term feast was going to start soon. She left the comb on the bed and went quickly to the common room where Felecia was waiting for her. With the rush she almost stumbled in Berengaria Montagu’s trunk which was on the middle of the room.
The common room was almost empty: most of the students had already gone to the feast.
“Let's go!” Said Felicia near the exit.
When they were on the corridor of the dungeon ready to go upstairs Johanna exclaimed:
“Wait! I forgot something.”
After saying the password she went again to the dormitory.
A few minutes later she was already next to Felicia who had followed her to inside the common room.
“What the hell is that on your neck?”
She pointed to the serpent-shaped pendent on Johanna’s neck. She smiled:
“Well, it was a gift from my father on Christmas. I think it’s a bit lame so I have never used it before. But tonight I’ll make an exception. You know, to show the others my pride to Slytherin.”
“If this was a normal day I’ll never let you use that in public. But you’re right, today that pendent deserves to be used. After all we won the House Cup!”
“I can’t believe that the two of you are still here chatting instead of being upstairs celebrating!”
Gus had just left the boys dormitory. Some 4th year students passed threw them on their way out to the feast.
“Come on let’s go enjoy our last night in this old castle. Tomorrow by this hour we’ll be again in the muggle world!”
They went to the Great Hall very happy. School was ending. Soon they’ll be on holidays and in their homes.
A Day That Should Be Fun
Author: Charisma Stone
Date: 06-02-08 19:04
Isma, Blake, 'Della and Eric all headed down from Gryffindor Tower to the Great Hall. Thankfully Hairy the Snide had not banned the "lesser" students of Hogwarts from attending, not that it made much difference. The meal for the "lessers" was still the same sub-par fare they'd had all school year, why would tonight be any different?
"Great, Slytherin won the house cup." Eric said as he plopped down next to Isma and cast a baleful glare at the abundance of food lining the gilded plates and platters on the Pures tables of all four houses.
"Do you think we will even be allowed to go home?" Della whispered under her breath and the foursome quickly sombered. None of them actually had family to go to, at least not that they knew of because quite literally all letters to and from any of the "lesser" students were never sent or received so they didn't know what had happened to their families.
"I'd go stay with Charlie, but I doubt I'd be allowed to leave Britain and spend the summer with him in France." Isma said softly, averting her gaze from the Carrow siblings who were patrolling through the hall along with a few of the other professors to ensure nothing like the "Christmas Protest" happened again.
It can be assured that anyone who dared defy the rules this time would, as numerous times before had proven, become victim of a curse from the Carrows or Professor Parkinson or even Yaxley himself. Snider on the other hand, at least as far as Isma knew had not yet lowered herself to cursing any of the students. However it was not an action she would not put past the grotesque Headmistress of Hogwarts.
"I wonder who they will get to teach Pures Herbology next year given that Professor Masterson was sacked so close to the end of the term." Blake commented, knowing well that he would never actually be in a pure class. "Probably someone of like mind as Professor Parkinson and the Carrows."
Yaxley made a sweep of the tables and the foursome hushed and turned their attention back to their meager meal. Some end of term feast this was, it wasn't like any of the older students had said it should be. Then again, what this year had been like it should have been?
End Of Term Feast (Harriet Snider)
Author: Harry Potter
Date: 06-02-08 19:56
The feast had been underway for only a little while when Harriet stands and taps a spoon against her crystal glass. The ding created is light, airy, and has a bell-like quality. The chatter immediately dies down, though Harriet suspects the rapidity is not so much from her dinging her glass as it is that she stood up. She does, afterall, command an imposing figure.
"Tonight is a celebration. First, it is a celebration for Slytherin. Slytherin House's end of term points are a whopping 638 compared to Ravenclaw's 273, Gryffindor's 210 and Hufflepuff's 69. Tonight we also officially celebrate Slytherin's victory in Quidditch.
This is a celebration of the excellent completion of a somewhat tumultuous year. Tonight we say goodbye to the seventh years, as I am confident none had to be retained.
This is a celebration of a new way of thought, a new approach to education.
I know that at some point during his end of term speeches, Albus Dumbledore would note those professors leaving. I shan't do that tonight. I shall only say that I am quite pleased that Ryland Yaxley has agreed to stay on as Deputy Headmaster."
Harriet pauses, sweeping her gaze over the entire Great Hall before finishing with, "May you all have as excellent a summer as I shall have and, for those of you returning in the fall, I do so look forward to seeing your faces come September 1st."
Harriet retakes her throne-like seat, ready to eat more of the wonderful main course food and looking forward already to the dessert offerings.
Another Year Done
Author: Oreileah McCoi
Date: 06-03-08 16:47
Orei sat next to Maddie, and they were talking wishing that they could be sitting with the rest of Gryffindor house like it usually is at the End of Term Feast, but the segregation of the school kind of kept that from happening. Just like the various patrolling professors kept another repeat of Christmas from happening.
She picked at a few bits and pieces of her meal, still unbelieving that Professor Masterson and Areilla Beck had been sacked and kicked out of school respectively. True, they brought it upon themselves, but still, was it really necessary for Ariella to be expelled so close to the end of her school career?
Orei sighed and sipped her pumpkin juice and finished off a bit of her pot roast and potatoes before honestly entertaining the idea of heading back to Gryffindor Tower for the night. As it was, it was maddening that the entire Hall was bedecked in Slytherin green, black and silver. Like any member of that house needed their egos stroked any more. As it was the Slytherin Pures were arrogant sots and took it out on even their own nons.
"I am seriously thinking of calling it a night. It isn't like it used to be, but then again what this year has been what it used to be like when Dumbledore was here. Of course she isn't going to announce the professors that are leaving, they are all the ones she doesn't like, and all the ones that teach the ones who are forced to live in near squaller." Orei said the last under her breath so only Maddie would hear and finished off her pumpkin juice.
"Stay Orei, seriously. I mean, this could be the last even remotely decent end of term feast we could have. I mean, even though next year is our last year." Maddie said, tugging Orei back into her seat and prodding her lightly. "Stay, come."
"Alright. I'll stay. I need to send an Owl to Brett let him know that I'll be at the house in Hogsmeade tomorrow, since Mom and Dad are still in Japan. I don't think that they plan on moving back." Orei said refilling her glass of pumpkin juice and sipping it, debating on another small portion of pot roast and potatoes or having something else.
Whispering
Author: Illyria
Date: 06-03-08 18:02
At the dining table for the less important professors, Illyria listened to Snider's speech, sure that every word the Headmistress spoke held more meaning. Unfortunately, she couldn't guess with any certainty what lay behind Snider's veiled speech. She waited until Snider resumed sitting to lean toward Marzipan and quietly voice her concerns.
"I have a bad feeling about this."
Marzi, nibbling on a dinner roll, sighed. "Something's definitely up. I just wish I knew what to expect."
"You know what I think?" Illyria asked, leaning in closer and lowering her voice so much that Marzipan couldn't even make out every word in the frantic whispering that followed. "I bet most of the children who return home tomorrow won't come back next year. I think those with parents or family still around will probably refuse to put them on the train to Hogwarts in the fall. Who would want to send their children here, after what this place has become? I don't even think it's a conducive learning environment for the Pures!"
She took a quick breath and shifted her gaze first to Snider, then Yaxley, and some of the other less popular teachers at Hogwarts before continuing to whisper in Marzi's ear. "I think we should flee tomorrow the moment the Hogwarts Express leaves Hogsmeade Station. Just think about it. Almost every other so-called adult non in the world has been sent away. Why haven't we? When is our turn? We should leave before we're Snatched."
Marzi nibbled on her roll some more before answering. "I think that would be wise."
Illyria nodded and leaned back in her chair. Her voice, no longer the softest of whispers, but nonetheless still low, caught in her throat as she said, "Then I suppose this is goodbye."
Both women would likely see each other tomorrow, in the Great Hall at breakfast or on the platform, seeing off the students. But they knew that if each really decided to run away tomorrow, there would be no time for a proper goodbye. Illyria picked up her goblet and sipped, thinking about which essentials she ought to pack tonight so that she could leave without delay tomorrow.
Complaining about the food
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 06-04-08 14:04
Although the food was the same, tonight it has a different taste for Johanna. It had the taste of victory and proud.
Tonight she decided to put her doubts and worries away. She didn’t want to think if her parents would be at the station tomorrow to take her home. Or if she would return to Hogwarts next fall…
Tonight it was a glory night. Slytherin had won the two cups! Like all the Slytherins she just couldn’t hide a smile especially when she looked to the students from the other houses.
The decoration of the Great Hall was just superb. Green and silver everywhere.
“Oh my … what a great feast.”
“Yes, although the food could be better” replied Felicia in a low voice because Professor Parkinson passed near them.
“Don’t say that. I think it’s better them the other days…”
“Wake up! Don’t you see the Pures’ tables? That’s what I call food. When I return home the first thing I’ll do is to ask my mother to cook me anything!”
Johanna looked at her plate. The potatoes were a bit salty and the beef was overcooked.
She lifted up her head and said:
“Please don’t ruin the night with that issue. Let’s forget about and pretend that the food is good.”
“Yes Felicia, stop being so negative. We are the champions!” supported Gus.
Felicia didn’t say anything. She just dropped her cutlery on her plate, finishing her meal.
Johanna didn’t become offended. She knew her friend was right and also that her complains weren’t only because of the food. She just preferred to forget all those difficulties related to Nons. It was so much easier!
Another Letter
Author: Lysander Stratford
Date: 06-04-08 18:06
Charlotte picked up a small piece of chicken with her fingers and put it into her mouth, grinning at Lysander as she chewed. Lysander, smiling at his daughter, took a sip of his beer and then cut up some more chicken for Charlotte before helping himself to some rice.
"Shicken," Charlotte announced, holding up a new piece after she finished chewing.
"Yes, chicken," Lysander replied. "If you eat everything on your plate, we can have ice cream for dessert."
"Yum, yum!"
Lysander chuckled and proceeded to clean off his own plate, hoping Charlotte would copy him. She worked through the rest of the small amount of chicken Lysander had cut for her and moved on to candied carrots, when there was a knock on the door. Lysander turned his head toward it in time to see the mail slot open and an envelope to slip through the opening and land on the tile floor.
He got up, picked up the envelope and nearly cursed aloud. The letter bore the same Wolf seal Lysander had seen on a letter some weeks ago. He frowned and then raised his eyes to meet Charlotte's questioning gaze.
"Post?"
Lysander shook his head. "Rubbish," and he threw the envelope, unopened, into the bin in the kitchen.
Charlotte continued to eat her carrots and when she ate the last one, she announced, "All gone."
Lysander turned his fuming gaze from the rubbish bin and smiled at Charlotte. "Do you want ice cream now?"
"Mmm-hmm!"
The envelope temporarily forgotten, Lysander fixed Charlotte a small bowl of chocolate ice cream and a bigger one for himself. He sat back down at the kitchen table next to Charlotte, not for the first time wishing his dearly departed wife had been her mother and not the woman who currently lived on the other side of the world.
(Kate) First End of Term Feast
Author: Bronwyn Dewhurst
Date: 06-05-08 17:51
Kate ate in silence, only half-listening to the conversations around her. She looked around the Great Hall, gazing at the seventh years somewhat enviously, for they were finished with Hogwarts and would now go on to bigger and better things––as long as they were purebloods. She hated to think what might happen to the nons. Would they get Snatched as soon as they stepped off the train in London? Would Kate get Snatched, or would she be forced to endure another dreadful year at Hogwarts. She honestly couldn't say which horror she preferred.
Her gaze flickered to the Head Table next, where Professor Snider sat looking pompous and extremely pleased with herself. Kate had heard a rumor that Snider used to be in Hufflepuff House, just like Kate herself, but she could hardly believe it. Snider reminded Kate of many of the Slytherins she knew. Upon thinking about them, she shifted her gaze to the Slytherin table. She saw Mark sitting next to Taran Tremaine at the pureblood table. Gus sat with Johanna Steele and Felicia Flaversham. After all these months, he seemed to have acclimated well to his new situation. No longer did he stand in the shadow of natural-born leader Mark. And no longer did he need Kate as his confidant.
Kate supposed she didn't mind terribly. She'd never considered him her friend, since he'd treated her quite badly in the beginning. Still, there'd been a time when they'd held common ground and gotten along. In a way, she was happy for him. One needed allies these days, and it seemed as if he'd found them in the two Slytherin girls.
"Are you glad to be going home tomorrow?" asked Demetrius Whitmore, who was seated next to her at the table.
Kate snapped out of her reverie and nodded. "I can't wait to see my dad. You?"
"I don't know. I don't think I have anyone at home waiting for me. I haven't received any letters from my family in months."
Kate felt bad for Demetrius. Students without pureblood parents seemed at a loss since they didn't know who would or wouldn't be waiting for them at King's Cross Station tomorrow. Kate considered herself lucky to have a pureblood father. At least she didn't have to worry about him not meeting her at the train station tomorrow night.