[G.Hall] Snakes and Pancakes [Open]

[Noah Yves]

Noah stretched out his legs lazily, the Daily Prophet snug under his arm as he settled on the bench at the Slytherin table. He didn't look up as he gathered himself his breakfast, making his smirk almost invisible except to those that were staring intently... and most students were.

"This paper has really lost its flare," Noah stated mournfully to the nearest Slytherin, turning the pages dismissively, "Have you noticed the sharp decline in gossip and lies? I almost feel like I'm reading something credible. It's disappointing, really."

Setting it down, Noah took a brief look around for Narcissus. As usual, the Slytherin was relishing in his beauty sleep, and so the Gryffindor continued to attract stares as he lounged comfortably in the snake pit.

[Julianna Farraday]

Julianna had heard enough of the argument going on in her room. Girls fighting over boys was a wee bit pathetic there was no need for it, boys would come and go so why sit there fawning or fighting over them. Julia had just shaken her head and gotten up left the room and threw on some clothes. Once she was dressed she thought that she would sit in the common room and do some studying. Of course that wasn't going to happen either a gaggle of first years was already down there running amok and acting, well like first years. Rolling her eyes Julia figured the best place for her to go was the Great Hall, at least there she could get some food even if she wasn't going to get any piece and quiet.

Entering the cavernous room with its four house tables Julia headed for Gryffindor's table ready to gnash on some toast or something. Walking slowly she past a familiar figure, but the figure was sitting in the wrong place. Julia had to do a double take before it sunk in that Noah was sitting at the Gryffindor table. What in Merlin's beard was he doing over there. Not only was he sitting there but he was trying to have a conversation with some of them and that was going about as well as could be expected.

Julia wondered if Noah was OK, if he knew what he was doing or where he was. Unable to help herself Julia walked over to the snakes table garnering a few nasty looks. Standing next to Noah she lowered her mouth down to his ear to whisper "You do know where you're sitting don't you" her voice full of concern, but her voice wasn't the only one that sounded concerned. Several other students Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs alike were looking at them.

"Noah maybe we should take a seat at our own table, have a nice little chat and all that." Julia wondered if he knew what he was doing, maybe he had been confunded or something, because why would he willingly take a seat at the Slytherin table.

[Noah Yves]

The breath that exhaled against his ear made Noah grin. He shrugged his shoulders before turning around, regarding Julianna innocently. "I'm fairly sure I'm in the Great Hall eating breakfast," he remarked thoughtfully. "And I'm even more certain I'd like you to join me." With a smile, he slid down the bench until he was sitting right next to one of the Slytherins around them and made a decent amount of space for Julianna to sit down.

Of course, she didn't look too comfortable, and the look of concern on her face made Noah let out a slight laugh. "It's okay, Farraday," he replied amiably, as if reading her thoughts, "I'm fine, there's no need to get the Nurse." Noticing an abusive look directed at him from across the table, Noah grinned. "At least, not yet anyway."

Shoving the Daily Prophet aside, Noah nodded toward the empty spot once more. "Come on, I have a suspicion the house-elves send better pancakes to the Slytherin table and thoroughly believe we should investigate."

[Julianna Farraday]

Julianna was thinking that Noah had no idea what he was doing but it was obvious he knew very well. Maybe he had a death wish or something because she really couldn't see any other reason why he would want to sit there having an entire table stare him down, some even looked like they were ready to hex him at any minute. Julia bit her bottom lip as Noah simply asked her to join him. The very idea of having a seat at that table made her insides crawl.

"Are you truly sure you're OK Noah I mean do you know what table you're at. I think we're one step away from being blown to smithereens." This comment was made because of the two big blokes sitting at the end of the table who kept caressing their wands and looking at the two of them as if they had just crawled out from under a rock. "Noah really I think we should get back to our own table before someone tries to take us out." Julianna was looking around the place nervously.

He moved over for her to sit, this was probably an even worse idea than anything else he had come up with so far. Julia was about to say no when she heard a couple of snakes talking about mudbloods sitting at their table. Julia wasn't one but she still hated the word just the same. Just for that Julia stared at Noah "You know what I think I will join you, this table looks as if it could use some class." Taking the seat offered Julia plopped down and grinned happily even though she was anything but.

[Noah Yves]

Noah laughed pleasantly, offering Julianna a sincere nod. "Indeed it does," looking exaggeratedly apologetic, Noah lowered his voice to a whisper that was laced with amusement. "I'm not too good at providing that, I'm afraid."

But he had the Slytherins to thank for Julianna's company, and so he grinned at the two menacing figures impishly. "You know, I can see why the house-elves cater so well to these guys. They like they want nothing more than to use random objects as bludgers." Smirking, Noah looked over at Julianna. "It's too bad they don't look very coordinated, or they might've had the chance."

The Great Hall had grown increasingly noisier, students forgetting to gawk at the two Gryffindors as they eventually became immersed in their own lives. "Hey, look," Noah mused, his tone fighting to be heard amongst the aimless chatter in the Hall. Grabbing the paper from where it was flickering against the butter, Noah read the lines interestedly.

"A Longhorn escaped from Romania," scanning the page for details, the Gryffindor raised a brow. "A bloodthirsty one apparently. Wouldn't it be terrifying to see that? Just some dragon flying across continents - imagine the muggles." It was wrong, but Noah couldn't help but enjoy the mental image.

[Willa Abbott]

Surprising, isnt it, that Willa Abbott had not made her usual clumsy entrance? If she weren't on her toes she might have blown their cover completely, but oh no, she had stepped up her A game and was ready to rock. "Hey guys!" She waved to them happily, taking a seat next to Julianna and waggling her eyebrows as if silently hinting to her that she would act as their back-up, knowing full well if the Snakes' quidditch captain were here she would break them to pieces. Not to mention what Miss Grace would do, were she not in a position she could get fired for eviscerating students. Hell, I'd drink to that! Willa thought with a contented grin, raising her glass of pumpkin juice as if saluting the idea that they were safe. Though life was no fun without a good scare, hey?

"So forgive me for asking.. But why are we sitting over here? It smells like someone crawled under the table and died." The Gryffindor whispered conspiratorially, staring with exaggerated contempt at the wrought iron goblets the snakes drank out of, which were hideously dreary in comparison to the fine gold ones the Gryffindors used. She leaned closer towards them excitedly, eyes sparkling at the idea that they were planning something fiercely entertaining. Her chest was perilously close to drowning in a plate of maple-syrup-soaked pancakes, but the prospect of having a bit of fun made her completely oblivious to it. "Because you know, we havent done much lately and I've been itching for it, yeah?"

Willa leaned back, thankfully before her shirt got wet and sticky from the food, choosing instead to reach for a bowl of hashbrowns. The Slytherin sitting opposite from her stared at her incredulously before sneering and shaking their head, probably thinking Abbott was going to get hers before the meal was over.

[Narcissus Drachen]

‘I wouldn’t mind meeting this Mr Longhorn.’ A perfectly groom hand slid onto Willa and Julianna’s shoulders, giving an encouraging squeeze. A whisper in Julianna's ear: ‘There are far too many short snouts around here, wouldn’t you agree?’

Narcissus’s entrance, little to anyone’s astonishment, was met with perhaps more vehemence than the Gryffindors’. Smiling indulgently, the Slytherin gently parted Willa and Julianna to make room for himself, slipping into place with as much fuss as possible. All eyes returned to the pride of lions and their traitorous snake, and Narcissus felt shamelessly privileged to now be literally the centre of the morning’s little controversy. ‘Oh, these?’ He suddenly exclaimed, gesturing to the three Gryffindors with an enlightened expression at his House mates. ‘Don’t mind these. They’re just none of your business.’

Leaning across Willa with little regard for her hashbrowns, Narcissus grinned at Noah. ‘Good morning, best friend forever.’

[Noah Yves]

"Actually, you've been replaced," Noah smirked at Narcissus. "I've decided to make best friends with less beautiful people. They require less sleep than you do." Signaling with his thumb, Noah pointed nonchalantly at a hooked nose and unnamed Slytherin that was seated a few persons away. "He's the perfect candidate, don't you think?"

It wouldn't be long before the four of them would have to retreat. Noah wasn't one to pretend he had the wand strength to hold back fifty bulky Slytherins, and Narcissus' stamina was meant for other things. Deciding to enjoy the time they had, however, Noah turned his attention to Willa.

"You do deserve some excitement, Abbott - you managed to enter the Great Hall on your feet rather than in someone's lap." Looking somewhat forlorn, Noah added teasingly, "I'm not sure whether I should be impressed or disappointed."

[Julianna Farraday]

The whole thing seemed so odd as if they were in some sort of dream. This was crazy, not only was there one Gryffindor sitting at the Slytherin table but two. Julia had now joined Noah because of a nasty remark that had been made by one of the nasty snakes. So now Julia was in the middle of all the insanity people staring at them, Slytherins staring wishing them ill will. Her morning had started badly and it seemed to be continuing that way. Noah spoke and Julia simply nodded trying not to take her eyes off the other Slytherins lest they be attacked while they weren't looking.

As if things weren't odd enough they attracted another Gryffindor to join them, this time Willa Abbott who found what they were doing odd as well. Julia was starting to find this whole thing funny it was now like a running joke, three little Gryffindors landing in a den of snakes would they make it out unscathed. So far no one had done anything, but that was probably because Erys wasn't at the staff table yet and Kristiana seemed to be absent from the table as well. It wouldn't take long though Julia could feel it. Looking over at Willa she said "well we're trying to get ourselves killed today that's what I think we're doing." But despite herself Julia laughed when Willa said it smelled like something died under the table. "I agree with you there,"

Before she could say anything else she felt a hand on her shoulder and looking around she found Narcissus was the culprit but unlike his fellow snakes he seemed happy to have them there and she couldn't help but feel a little comforted by that.

Soon they were joking around at the table, after Noah's joke about Willa Julia had to chime in "Ah well the lap wouldn't have been good enough for our Miss Abbott the floor most likely but it would be a spectacular tumble. Though I say this with love my sweet Willa" Julia loved Willa despite all her clumsiness.

[Willa Abbott]

Though somewhat surprised at Narcissus' touch Willa neither jumped nor tensed, simply glancing his way before shoving a piece of toast in her mouth--hashbrowns abandoned long before he decided to plant himself in between her and Julianna. At her friends' teasing barbs she rolled her eyes, her expression that of a hurt Gryffindor with the common knowledge everything was in jest. "You know, one of these days while you're laughing at me I'm going to break something." Truly, she was just lucky up until now. "I'll drink to that!" A nearby pudgy Slytherin raised his goblet snarkily, slurping it back without regard to the little dribblets that had dripped down on to his shirt. Staring half-digusted, half-fascinated, Willa managed to tear herself away back to their conversation, unable to swallow anything else after that image.

"You have enough girls falling on your lap without my addition." She laughed, winking knowingly at Noah before attempting a sip of water. Alright, that went down well enough.. Perhaps she wasn't that disgusted by the fat Snake after all. Silently withdrawing her wand from her sleeve she whispered a quiet cantation, though she should have checked where she was aiming before she sent it flying. Due to this mistake Noah's shoes vanished into squids that wrapped their little tentacles up his pant legs, almost squeeing with delight. He had made two little friends and he hadn't even finished breakfast yet.

[Noah Yves]

Noah, quite seriously, raised his goblet in turn. "Cheers," he added, making a show of sharing a drink with the overweight Slytherin. Though the other didn't seem to feel the same warmth at this gesture that Noah did, the Gryffindor took a hearty drink anyway.

Finally setting his goblet down, Noah replaced it with Willa's half-eaten toast. By the looks of her expression, she wouldn't be needing it. "Not a single falter, Abbott? You're ruining tradition," he grinned, about to take a bite of his stolen breakfast when his companion finally succumbed to her natural instincts.

Noah stared at his newly transfigured shoes, transfixed. They squealed at him, happily enjoying the soles of his feet, and he let out a laugh. Choosing the one with the dreamier expression, Noah struggled for a full minute to pull it off his foot.

"You know, Narcissus," he turned to his friend with an expression void of amusement, but his hilarity was evident in his voice. "I'm naming this one after you."

[Narcissus Drachen]

As Willa and Noah frolicked in a new game under the table, the plump Slytherin rose. His unsmiling stare settled into Narcissus’s with a telling, comfortable gleam, but Narcissus had known long before reaching the table that someone wanted to take revenge on him today. He had not known it would be in retaliation to a new crime, however. Their eyes remained fused until the boy vanished from the Hall, intent upon doing unmentionable things to Narcissus's posessions. His pale-bronze lips hardened with anticipation.

Something curiously fleshy hooked over his arm. Narcissus glanced to see a boneless, milky mass attempting to gain his attention. ‘I do suffer for you,’ he thought aloud, allowing Willa and Noah’s love child to squeeze his finger with the same thin tolerance he had for all infants. ‘And this is vile, thank Merlin it wasn’t twins—’ A small, watery squeak came from under the table. Willa received one of Narcissus’s more potent glares.

‘Avifors!’

Before any of them could respond, the two squids imploded, transforming into seventeen bright green birds. Unknown as to who issued the hex, the Slytherin table jeered in triumph. 'Well, actually,' Narcissus's fluid fingers reached into the air, closing around one feathery ball. 'I must prefer this.'

[Julianna Farraday]

Julianna was still sitting at the wrong table. Why in the world wasn't she where it was safe now. The looks and the vibes she was getting sitting there at the Slytherin table were enough to make her tremble. She wasn't too fond of Slytherins one because they were just mean and nasty and two because of Edgecombe, that woman head of Slytherin was one of the nastiest ones there was. Julia couldn't stand her and maybe that was part of her bias against the snakes. Of course Julianna was smart enough to know that you couldn't judge a book by it's cover.

Narcissus could have been nasty to them, but instead he was trying to make them comfortable in the most uncomfortable situation. Julianna's eyes kept darting around waiting just waiting for something to happen as she knew it would, the issue was when. It didn't take a long time before she heard Narcissus say "avifors" Julia looked around curious. "Yeah this is a crappy idea" she muttered to herself.

[Noah Yves]

The cheers of the Slytherins around them resulted in Noah hiding a rather humoured grin. "Really, Narcissus," his palm brushed a seemingly frail and delicate bird, before his fingers closed over it gently. "You really are quite dramatic... And they all look like you."

The misplaced Gryffindor then smiled brilliantly, feeling wings try to take flight in his palm. Deciding not to deprive the solitary creature any longer, he unfurled his fist and watched as it flew toward the magical ceiling, depicting cloudless blue skies. Fifteen birds followed, green blurs speeding straight above, and Noah marveled at how they seemed to mould into the scenery, becoming a permanent part of the Great Hall.

Besides the one that pecked affectionately at Narcissus' knuckle, looking rather attached. Noah lowered his gaze, only to raise a brow in return.

"That one rather likes you," He stated, mirth circling his eyes like the birds had circled the ceiling only moments ago. Leaning an elbow on Julianna's shoulder, sensing her discomfort and trying to put it at rest, Noah smirked. "Must be a female," he said this quite convincingly, and wouldn't have been surprised if it had been true.

[Narcissus Drachen]

Narcissus smiled reassuringly at Julianna, though there was certainly something portentous in the gold of his eyes. ‘I think it’s the best idea you’ve ever had, Farraday,’ he replied in all seriousness, lending Noah his own coquettish lift of the brow before placing the bird on Julianna’s shoulder. It remained there for a moment, tiny black eyes judging the expanse of its new, false-cloud cage. The four of them watched as it joined its siblings, finally losing sight of them in the rafters.

‘I wonder whose job it’ll be to get them down later.’ He exchanged eyes with Noah, the silent language of conspirators. They had spent years communicating in this fashion before eventually decoding it as unconsummated friendship – they had seen no reason to deny it since. ‘Perhaps I should’ve conjured some ruby ones to take back to my dorm. They’d remind me of you, Yves – making a mess of my hair and chasing around after anything edible...’ he cast a knowing look over Willa, now desiring something much more filling.

Narcissus's wand against Noah’s throat. ‘Pass the bacon, lion cub.’ Snake eyes stirred down the length of the table, but Narcissus’s were the only ones truly alive.