|
|
The Sorting Ceremony: Part Two
Author: Minerva McGonagall
Date: 10-11-14 17:50
Professor Flitwick read the next name off the scroll. "Cornington Marchbanks!"
The youngest of the Marchbanks siblings stepped forward and awaited the Sorting Hat's decision with a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "Hmm…," it said. "You aim to please… you're helpful… I know just what to do with you! HUFFLEPUFF!"
With a grin, Cornington leapt off the stool and joined his new housemates at the long table.
"Gerry Martini-Blackwell!"
A boy with floppy brown hair sat down on the three-legged stool. "A bit mischievous, yes… a bit lazy… energetic, full of courage… You belong in GRYFFINDOR!"
Pleased with the Sorting Hat's proclamation, Gerry left the dais with a big smile on his face.
"Patricia McCourt!"
The sister of Sophie strode forward confidently because she knew what she wanted and intended on getting it. She put thoughts of Ravenclaw House in her head before Professor Flitwick even settled the Sorting Hat over her ears.
"Interesting… yes, very interesting… Determined to be a Ravenclaw, are you? I see great ambition, perhaps a little cunning… but also intelligence. Yes… better be RAVENCLAW!"
Patricia was beyond ecstatic and nearly left the stool with the hat still on her head.
"Eirene McLaggen!"
A girl with long brown hair came forward, also exuding confidence, and sat down on the stool. She put the hat onto her head herself and listened intently to the Sorting Hat's murmurings.
"Self-assured, forthright, zealous… You belong in SLYTHERIN!"
Eirene seemed satisfied with the hat's choice and went to sit with her new housemates.
"Crew Morgan!"
The friend to Sagitta and Remedy sat down on the stool. The Sorting Hat said, "Not lacking for energy, are you? Active, athletic… inquisitive, a good friend… Where to put you… But you want to be in Slytherin?" Like Patricia wanting to be in Ravenclaw so very desperately, Crew didn't want to be separated from his friends. He wanted the hat to put him in Slytherin with Sagitta. "You would make a fine Gryffindor, very fine, indeed… Hmm… Very well… SLYTHERIN!"
Next came Augusta Rushworth, who was sorted into "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Calliope Torres!"
The sister to Lev followed Augusta into "GRYFFINDOR!"
"Sylvestor Trainor!"
"Hmm… high aspirations… determination… ambition… better be SLYTHERIN!"
William Wentworth went to "GRYFFINDOR!" next, and the last student to be sorted, Edmund Woodhouse, joined "HUFFLEPUFF!"
Professor Flitwick quickly rolled up the scroll and set the stool and hat aside before joining the other staff at the High Table.
Once he was seated beside her, Professor McGonagall stood up and greeted the assembled students. "Good evening," she said. "I would like to welcome you to Hogwarts and to the Start of Term Feast. For those of you who do not know me, I am Professor McGonagall, Headmistress. New students should be aware that the Forbidden Forest is off limits. Anyone caught in those woods, if you should survive, will lose House Points and receive detention."
She paused and thought about Professor Somerset, whose unexplained absence had some worried and others wondering. Professor McGonagall did not want to think that he had gone back to the dark side, but it was in his history…
She cleared her throat and said, "Professor Grubbly-Plank has kindly agreed to fill in for Professor Somerset in his absence."
There was a smattering of applause as the substitute rose from her chair and gave a little wave.
"Finally, I wish to announce that Quidditch Trials will take place on Saturday, September 13th. Anyone with questions about the tryouts should see Professor Krum. On the following Saturday, the 20th of September, sponsors and club members will be on hand to discuss the various clubs and organizations offered at Hogwarts. I think this will be of special interest to our newest students.
"Once again, welcome to another year. Let the feast begin!"
(Titus) At the Feast
Author: Tiberius Nott
Date: 10-12-14 03:53
Once Professor McGonagall finished her speech, the delicious food cooked by the school's house elves appeared in the empty golden platters. Most of the first years were awed by this, but Titus was already used to it. He started by filling his plate with chips and lamb chops, avoiding the vegetables such as carrots and peas. He had never been a fan of vegetables and during the summer his aunt Cecelia had given him a hard time, always wanting him to eat them.
Titus was seated next to Bruno Tate and Mary MacKenny. He felt a bit out of place next to his other friends: Petula and Niccolo were very close to each other and it seemed that Anton's behavior towards Valeria was changing and she was becoming the center of his world, although he did not admit so. Titus was not stupid and he could see he was the odd man out. And so he decided to respectfully keep his distance from them.
"What electives did you choose?" Bruno asked Titus, maliciously stealing the pumpkin juice jar, before one of the first years could reach it. He filled his cup with it.
"Ancient Runes and Arithmancy & Divination."
"I picked Muggle Studies and Care of Magical Creatures."
"They both sound boring."
"Really? What about Ancient Runes? You'll have to carry a rune dictionary all around the castle, extra weight in your bag. And my father told me you do nothing but memorize and translate runes. It's a very theoretical class."
"Well at least I won't have to go out to the barn during rainy days, or in winter. I will be inside comfortably seated inside a warm classroom while you'll probably end up catching a cold. What about you Mary? Have you chosen Care with Magical Creatures as well?"
Mary shook her head.
"No. I've chosen Muggle Studies and Arithmancy & Divination."
And she said nothing else. Mary MacKenny had always kept things to herself. She didn't talk much and although she was not impolite, it always seemed that she preferred to eat her dinner in silence than socializing with the other Slytherins. Titus gave her some space and he asked Bruno what sort of teacher he thought Professor Grubbly-Plank was.
"I have no idea. I just hope she won't send us lots of homework. If I make it to the Quidditch team, I will be busy with the practices."
"So you're planning on going to the trials?"
"Yes. What about you?"
"I'm not sure yet…"
Titus wanted to play Quidditch for the Slytherin team. The Quidditch players always had a certain status around the school. By now he had fully recovered from the car accident he had two summers ago. The only marks left had been a few ugly scars on his body, a matter of esthetic that the healers from St. Mungo's found no need to remove. However, he was having some doubts about going to the trials. First, he did not want to pass by the shame of trying out and not being chosen. That would be too humiliating. And second, if he made the team it meant practices after classes, whether the weather was good or not. Quidditch was a hard game and he knew he would have sore muscles and it would be a matter of time until he was hit by a bludger and pay a visit to the Hospital Wing. There was also the matter of playing with other people. Titus was aware he was not the best team player on earth. He knew he would blame others for his flaws and irritate himself with ease. He did not imagine himself practicing Quidditch under the orders of a bossy team captain, who would probably upset him. Titus wanted the glory and the prestige of being a Quidditch player, but he didn't want the effort and sacrifices that came with it.
He served himself with more chips and he amused himself by watching Bruno telling a couple of scared first years about what would happen if any of them lost any house points. He told them that the prefects would send them to a room in the dungeons where they would be tortured.
"The last student going inside that room had lost a hand…"
"You're lying!" One of the girls said, bravely facing Bruno.
"No I'm not. Don't you remember that girl who lost a hand, Titus? What was her name? Violet something…"
"Violet Holmes," Titus made up, trying not to laugh. "She left the school, poor dear."
Table Talk
Author: Illyria
Date: 10-12-14 12:48
Illyria sat at the High Table with the other staff members and their families or guests and looked around at all the new and familiar faces at the four long house tables. The Start of Term was always her favorite time of year, because it was a time for starting fresh and getting to know her newest students. Some of the new students carried familiar names, being the younger siblings of existing students. Others she didn't recognize at all. Illyria looked forward to getting to know all of them.
Beside her sat Marzi and Weston. They posed her questions about her summer, which had been busy but also relaxing. Illyria had started out the summer in Mumbai where her parents and sister Erigone lived. Nathan had come along, which marked the first time they had officially gone on holiday together. Illyria had worried her parents would put on an act with Nathan in their home, but they were actually quite kind and forgiving. Perhaps enough time had passed since the love quadrangle between Illyria, Nathan, Urania, and Gustavo for bygones to simply be bygones.
When Nathan departed early due to work, Illyria had thought her parents would finally say what they really thought about the relationship, but they had remained positive in his absence. Illyria hadn't expected their overwhelming support, but it seemed that maybe they realized true love couldn't ever be thwarted. The Jones parents also probably saw how well Illyria and Nathan fit together. The relationship may have started at the wrong time and on the wrong foot, but everything about it now seemed perfectly right.
Marzi grinned at Illyria. "You can't stop smiling," she remarked.
"Can't I?" Illyria asked, but she really couldn't. Everything seemed to be falling into place in her personal life. She couldn't help but be happy.
She turned the tables on Marzi and Weston and asked them about their summer. They had gone to Sydney to visit Marzi's old stomping grounds and so that the boys could see their grandfather's grave. It had been years since Marzi had last been there herself, and she'd been surprised by how emotional the visit had made her feel. Percival would never get to meet her boys, and that knowledge saddened her deeply.
With the conversation having turned grave, it inevitably turned to the mystery surrounding their missing colleague. Neither Illyria nor Marzi had been at Hogwarts during Ethan's first tenure, when all his troubles had taken place. Knowing him, they could hardly picture him doing terrible, evil things, but it was a fact that he had done them. What was to say he hadn't fallen back into old habits?
"Do you think the rumors are true?" Illyria asked. "Do you think he's joined her?"
Marzi frowned. "I don't know… I really don't." As an afterthought she added, "I hope not."
Illyria nodded and swirled her spoon through the stew in front of her. She also hoped Ethan hadn't joined the Death Eaters, but if he hadn't gone evil, then where was he?
A New Hufflepuff (Cornington)
Author: Phinfilius
Date: 10-12-14 17:34
With events throughout the school year that allow family and friends to visit Hogwarts, Cornington Marchbanks isn't as in awe of being here as some are or as he would have been if attending years ago before the school began hosting such events. From what his parents have said, such occasions were rare when they were students.
Though not awed by Hogwarts itself or even the enchanted ceiling here in the Great Hall, being met at the train by the huge, hairy Hagrid, crossing the lake in boats, marching into the Great Hall with the other newcomers, and then being Sorted, seeing the Sorting Hat in action after hearing about it for years has all been something of a thrill. Cornington had never given much thought as to which of the Hogwarts houses he'd become a member of because various members of his large, extended family have represented each of the four. He has heard positives and negatives about each house and though he thinks Slytherin would be the poorest fit for him, if that's where he'd been Sorted he'd be happy and make the most of it.
After a brief welcome speech by Headmistress McGonagall, the feast officially begins. Once more Cornington experiences a little bit of a thrill. Attending those events to which family and friends are invited might involve lots of good food but never in the form of a feast. Quidditch matches here also don't involve a broad selection of food. That might be fun and interesting though, come to think of it.
Eyeing a platter of what looks to be pork loin, he asks the person on his left to pass it down. The person is another new student, Edmund or Edward something. Accepting the platter Cornington says, "Thanks. I'm Cornington Marchbanks."
"Edmund Woodhouse." Edmund waves his fork about. "Can you believe all this?"
"It is something, isn't it?"
Another new boy to their house is on Edmund's other side. He joins the conversation with, "Rex Applewhite. Either of you have brothers or sisters here? My sister Savannah is in Gryffindor."
Edmund shakes his head. "Not me."
Cornington spoons runner beans onto his plate while replying, "Over there are my sister Hydrangea and brother Leonine. Barontaine is in Slytherin." He points further down the Hufflepuff table. "That's my cousin Augustus Hodfuffer and that girl there is our cousin Gloriaspasiana Hodfuffer."
Edmund grins around a mouthful of scalloped potatoes. "Your family has some odd names."
"You don't know the half of it." He returns Edmund's grin.
Rex, leaning forward to get a better look at Cornington. "Weren't we on the same giant gobstones team last year at Fall Fair?"
Cornington studies Rex's face then nods, hastily swallowing a bite of some sort of tasty casserole. "Yeah, pretty sure."
"Giant gobstones?" Edmund asks.
Rex and Cornington explain the game sometimes found at some Hogwarts events, describing the large spheres that hold a person, how exasperating but bloody fun it is getting the thing to move, and playing in matches with others inside their own spheres, colliding into each other.
By the time the three boys are filling their plates for seconds they're discussing Quidditch and whether to try out for the Huffelpuff team and talking about the pros and cons of having signed up for Fitness & Athletics, which Cornington and Rex have done but Edmund has not. Reaching for more of that tasty casserole, even though he has no idea what exactly it is, Cornington is glad he's getting on with these two who are both classmates and roommates. He's also thinking he should stop eating so much of the main meal so he has room for whatever sweets are served for pudding.
(Patricia) At the Ravenclaw Table
Author: Sophie McCourt
Date: 10-13-14 03:21
Patricia felt almost as if she was floating, such was the happiness she was feeling about being sorted into Ravenclaw. She couldn't stop grinning as she had dinner and started to get to know better her house mates. Sadly, Caleb was seated almost at the other end of the table, but she had seen him clap his hands when the Sorting Hat had decided her fate. Caleb had also retribute the small wave she had given him, when she seated herself and that was a very good sign that he was happy that they were now on the same house.
The only thing that didn't make this the perfect day was Susan Fricks. She had also been sorted into Ravenclaw and Patricia couldn't believe that now she would have to share her dormitory with that girl. The two girls did not get along in the train at all. Patricia started to dislike her the moment Susan had throw a fit about her cat, Buttercup. From there things only got worse. Susan's nervous behavior annoyed Patricia and it seemed that everything that came out of her mouth just irritated her even more. The environment at the compartment only got better when some other first year students had joined in.
Patricia looked around trying to remember to which house they had been sorted at. Barbie Bones and Anderson Acker became Gryffindors, while Fitzwilliam Bates occupied the Slytherin table. Charles Fairfax was the only one from the compartment that besides her and Susan had became a Ravenclaw. There were a couple of other first years in the compartment but right now Patricia couldn't recall their names and it was hard to locate them in the sea of heads that was the Great Hall.
"So you also have siblings in Ravenclaw?" Susan asked to a girl that was named Ingrid Hyland.
"Yes. Hope, she's over there, right next to that girl with braids, and Bran. Bran was the Ravenclaw's seeker last year."
Patricia looked to where Ingrid was pointing at. Bran Hyland could not be that much older than them. Then she remembered Sophie mentioning that the Ravenclaw seeker was just a first year. She asked Ingrid if that was true, and she confirmed it.
"Yes, exactly," then Ingrid looked to the Hufflepuff table where a boy was waving at her. "That's Rex Applewhite," she told the two girls waving back at him. "He wanted to be in the same house as I," she explained them. But Rex didn't seem very upset for not ending up at Ravenclaw. He was already talking again with his new companions.
"You can relate yourself with members of the other houses, right? Or is it not recommended?" Susan asked, in that insecure tone so distinctive of hers, which was enough to irritate Patricia.
"Oh yes, of course!" Ingrid assured her. "Hope, has a group of friends from all the other houses."
"You can even sit in a different house table most of the times," Patricia told Susan. "Sophie did that all the time to have lunch with Caleb. At times he would sit with her at the Hufflepuff table as well," she added, hoping Caleb would not to that often now that she was here and she had no excuse to sit with the Hufflepuffs. Unless she wanted to have lunch with Sophie, which was something Patricia didn't really wanted to.
"Well I prefer to only get along with Ravenclaws," Charles Fairfax said, giving his contribute to the conversation.
Susan opened her eyes shocked, while Ingrid started naming the disadvantages of not making friends from people of the other houses. Patricia thought to herself that she didn't really mind being friends with just Ravenclaws. As long as she was able to being friends with Cable nothing else really mattered.
First Year Gryffindors
Author: Gerry
Date: 10-13-14 09:56
Gerry sat with the other first years at the Gryffindor table and talked in between taking generous bites of all the delicious dinner offerings. He speared a plump sausage and declared, "I think I might tryout for the Quidditch team."
"I think I will too," said William Wentworth, seated beside him, "except I don't exactly know what Quidditch is." He'd heard about the sport while on the train, and although he had a picture of it in his head, he had never seen or heard of Quidditch till earlier that day. "It sounds fun."
"It is," Gerry agreed. "My dad played when he was at Hogwarts, and he was also a Gryffindor."
"What about your mum?" asked Anderson Acker.
"Gryffindor, but she told me the Sorting Hat almost put her in Ravenclaw," Gerry replied. "I had a feeling the Sorting Hat wouldn't put me there."
"Why's that?" Will asked.
"Didn't you hear what it said in its song?" Gerry questioned. "Only smart, hardworking students go to Ravenclaw. My mum's the librarian in the village, so it makes sense that the Hat almost put her in Ravenclaw. I'm not really sure why he leaned toward Gryffindor in the end."
"Is the Sorting Hat truly a he?" queried Augusta Rushworth a bit dubiously.
"It sounded like one, didn't it?" replied Will.
"But hats don't have any gender," Augusta said.
"I don't know about that," Will replied. "A frilly, lacy hat is a she and not a he as far as I'm concerned."
Augusta shrugged.
Gerry remarked, "I wonder how many times the hat couldn't decide between houses tonight. You notice it took longer to place certain students."
"Whereas others were placed almost immediately, like you," Augusta said, indicating to Anderson.
It was Anderson's turn to shrug. "All my older sisters are Gryffindors, and we more or less have the same personalities."
That got the new students talking about if they were only children or had siblings. Gerry found it very easy to make conversation with the other new Gryffindors and decided everything was going very well so far at Hogwarts, at least as far as making friends was concerned.
I Love You
Author: Amanda Reynolds
Date: 10-13-14 14:49
Amanda sat in the Great Hall next to Elliot with Darren on the other side of Elliot. Moving her foot next to Elliot's she began playing footsie with him. She ran her foot across his foot and up his leg slightly. He started to return the playfulness when he realized it was Amanda and he stopped and looked at her. He cocked an eye brow and just stared at her.
Blushing crimson Amanda looked away and whispered that she was sorry.
"Its okay, Amanda I just…you're my best friend. I think of you as a sister and nothing more." He glanced at Darren who wasn't paying attention because he was too busy eating.
Closing her eyes she sighed softly and wished that Elliot was not gay. She had been in love with him for as long as she could remember.
"I love you, Elliot."
"I love you too."
"No, I mean I really love you."
This time it was Elliot's turn to sigh. He sighed and looked around at Darren again and then back to Amanda. "I am with Darren." He said. "I love you, Sweetie, but I love you as a friend. When we get out of school I want to ask Darren to marry me."
Tears flooded Amanda's eyes despite the fact that she was trying really hard not to cry. She looked away from Elliot and stared down at her plate and wished she had never said anything to him. Now things were awkward and strange.
Thoughts Of Quidditch (Hunter & Jade)
Author: Emerald Green
Date: 10-13-14 19:48
Slowing down his eating, aware that it won't be long before the first of the desserts start appearing on the table, Hunter asks Madoc, "You wouldn't to know why Professor Somerset isn't here, would you?"
"No. I've not heard my aunt say anything about him."
From nearby sixth year Liam Murray asks, "What does it matter? You don't have him this year."
"That doesn't mean I can't care."
Liam shakes his head. "Yeah, sorry. That came out wrong."
A girl, Hunter thinks she's one of the second years but isn't sure, on the opposite side of the table asks, "Trying out for the Gryffindor team, Hunter? Madoc?"
Both boys reply at the same time, "Yes!"
This simple question creates a discussion about sitting in the same vicinity is trying out, just spectating, or skipping the trials altogether. There is one empty position to fill, that of Hunter Rabnott's who graduated though under the current system everyone else from last term's team has to try out. Their positions on the team aren't guaranteed. Glancing up and down the table, Hunter wonders if in addition to Madoc and he the other four will be trying out again.
Another thought occurs to him. If he makes the Gryffindor team again, this will be the first time since Hunter was chosen as keeper that it won't be necessary to distinguish him from the other Hunter.
Over at the Ravenclaw table Jade is having similar thoughts on Quidditch. Ravenclaw, too, lost one member. Alastor Jenkins would have left Hogwarts a year before if not for horrible events before Jade was even old enough to be a student here. There's no telling who would have had his chaser spot this past school year if he'd graduated as originally scheduled.
Looking around now, she has no idea who'll be the best fit for the position. She's seen a number in her house playing Quidditch, either from previous Quidditch trials or from friendly matches or even in Fitness & Athletics when Quidditch was part of the curriculum. Several come to Jade's mind who'd do well on the house team.
Like her twin, Jade also wonders if everyone else from this past team will be trying out and of those who do, which ones will be picked. She's confident she'll do well but there's always the possibility someone will outshine her for some reason or another.
Jade's attention is dragged to Penny Puckett when her friend and roommate says, "You've not said a word yet about your sister's wedding. I want to hear all the details."
Launching into a description of the wedding, where it was held, what Olive and she wore, the flowers, the food, and everything else she can think to tell, before Jade knows it, the table is covered with a wide selection of desserts. Working her way through small tastings of a variety of the sweets, Jade continues talking about the wedding as Penny asks question after question.
Night Before a New Term
Author: Lawrence Masterson
Date: 10-14-14 12:47
Another school year had begun, and the Start of Term Feast was very nearly at it's end. The sorting ceremony had been simple, and with all the new students at their tables, and the speech done, the House Elves at the castle had truly out done themselves this year. Despite the joy of the occasion, there was a bit of worry and concern that lingered over the staff table at the absence of one of their own from the table.
Eventually the evening wound down, and as the Prefects began showing the new students to their respective houses, Lawrence helped Ariella from her chair and the pair of them headed back up to their quarters.
Earlier today Lawrence had spent time getting the greenhouse ready for his first class of the term which would be the new class of fifth years, Gryffindor and Hufflepuff would, would be meeting at ten a.m. in the greenhouse. Everything was prepared, and he intended on spending the evening relaxing with his wife and imagining what his life will be in a few short months when they get to welcome their new baby boy or girl.
They already had a nursery set up in their quarters, and everything was ready, and all that was missing was their new family member. The pair of them were currently sitting on the couch, listening to the WWN and fighting the urge to fall asleep on the couch but not yet having the energy to head into bed.
Eventually though, they would cut the WWN off, and ultimately head into bed. Ariella had work in the morning and Lawrence had his first class of the term.
Pathetic
Author: Johanna Steele
Date: 10-14-14 14:16
Johanna's dark eyes were focused at the Gryffindor table. To be more precise they were staring at Eric Ling, who was laughing out loud about a joke told by one of his house mates. His smile was gorgeous and he turned to the boy next to him and repeated the joke, with the help of gestures. Johanna couldn't see with detail Eric's hands but she knew he had strong good looking hands because she recalled that summer afternoon when he knocked at the Steeles' door with a few envelopes in his hand that belonged to the family, a mistake by the new mailman who got confused with the address. That made her think about the time she had seen him mowing the front lawn…
"Earth to Johanna!" Felicia called "Could you pass me one of those chocolate éclairs, please? Thank you! And by the way to where were you looking at?"
"Nowhere in particular," she lied, trying to take Eric Ling out of her mind.
There was a deep silence between Gus, Johanna and Felicia. The three of them have spent almost the entire feast in a gloomy state. Felicia didn't have Baltus around, while there was no Mark for Gus to implicate with or complain about. He did not even mention the Quidditch trials, or expressed the faith he had that this year Slytherin would win both the House and Quidditch cup, like he did every year. Johanna on her hand was lost in her own thoughts about the upcoming NEWTs, her new duties as Head Girl and of course the silly Eric Ling. She decided to take another look at the Gryffindor table but then she stopped herself. Instead she said:
"Kate's half-sister was sorted into Hufflepuff."
"What's her name again?" Gus asked, eating a second piece of chocolate cake.
"Tessa. Tessa Filby."
"No one will know they are related then."
Gus was obviously thinking about Igraine when he spoke. His relationship with his half-sister was nonexistent. He did not speak to Igraine at all, but Johanna had caught him at the Hogwarts Express checking the compartment his half-sister was at. Last year Gus would always make sure Igraine was at the Slytherin common room in the evenings instead of wondering around the castle at forbidden hours. He might pretend he didn't want anything to do with Igraine, but at the very button of his soul he did care for her, even if just a little bit.
"Well but Kate gets along with her sister," Johanna pointed out.
"Well right now she is getting along with Hugo," Felicia teased.
The three of them looked at the Hufflepuff table, where Kate and Hugo were seated together. They were looking at each other, completely away from the rest of the world, at least on that moment. Gus looked away and the two girls copied him. Some students had already finished their meal and were leaving the Great Hall. Polly Potts, one of Gus' ex-girlfriends was one of those students. Polly's friends, Bianca Bonfamille and Catriona Amherst, had already graduated from Hogwarts and at the moment she was alone. She glanced at Gus, and kept walking. He swallowed the last bit of pie in a rush and stood up.
"Hey, where are you going?" Johanna asked.
"Make a round," he replied and followed Polly away from the Great Hall.
"I bet the supply cabinet was missing Gus already," Felicia teased once again.
But Johanna was barely listening to her and thinking about what Gus was or not about to do with Polly, because now who was passing by was Eric and pathetically she only had eyes for his good looks.