[G.Hall] Start of Term Feast!

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Oh well it seemed like Dan had already mucked up the start of term missing out Lucas, and with a small laugh at the jabs that he could hear coming from the other Professors. Reaching out for his wine goblet Dan chuckled away to himself as he carried on hearing Luke’s explanation of why he had been clearly forgotten, it was of course a lie but then who was Dan going to argue the point across to? Dia and Will seemed to be emerged in their own conversation about holidaying in the South of France (which was where they had gone on holiday with Dia’s parents over the summer break) but thankfully Luck tried to get his attention once more and with a wide grin Dan leaned across and took hold of the paper flicking it open and immediately found himself laughing. Slouching back in his chair Dan put his feet up on the table, wine glass in one hand and letter in the other his cool blue eyes darted over the letter from Luke’s dragon.

However Dan never got to finish the letter as the grand oak doors to the Great Hall opened once more and a single figure walked in. Lowering the letter Dan swung his legs off the table and looked nervously over at Dia and Will who had also stopped their conversation and where watching the new entry. Dan new who it was and a sinking feeling filled him and his good mood seemed to vanish faster then a pebble sinking in water.

Leaning close to his wife Dan whispered gently in her ear “I best go and see what she wants.” He then kissed Dia lightly on the cheek before pushing himself out of his chair and heading over to where the member of the Ministry was now smugly sitting. Dan was not going to make this journey a waste, as he walked towards Lucas he ruffled the man’s hair and leaned over the side of his chair pushing the letter towards his cousin’s chest. “Sounds like Alice misses you.” Dan teased, laughing gently at Luke. “I told ya, you should have married her when you got the chance.”

With a cheeky wink Dan stood up straight once more and walked over towards Lucille with a frown pinching his brow. He knew he was going to have to be careful with what he said around her as if he said the wrong thing it would be his job on the line. “Good evening Miss Colby” Dan stood by the side of the table, a small smile upon his face. “I am glad you got our invitation.”

Of course nothing had been sent to her, and maybe this was the thin line that he knew he should not have been walking but when a Ministry Official struts into his hall, in his school and most likely purposely done to annoy him he just could not hold his tongue and the look he was getting from Dia was clear she did not approve of his approach.

[Prof. Victoria Potter]

Vicky had actually thought of missing the feast all together hell she hadn't even been sure she wanted to return to the school at all. After everything that happened last year she had doubts about her judgment. Last year had almost cost her everything. She made mistake after stupid mistake and it took a pregnancy scare to make her see reason, but at least she finally saw the light and that light led her to Warren. Their relationship had happened quite unexpectedly just when Vicky started to think all hope was lost he was there for her in a way no one else had ever been before. It was this that gave Vicky the strength to return to the school and resume her position.

The Start of Term feast was going to be difficult for her, having to see Dan and Dia at the staff table and pretend that all was right with the world. She had to keep picturing Warren and what he would say to her if he was there in front of her right now. He would probably tell her that everything would be fine and that she shouldn't worry, things between her and Dan were long over and had been forgotten about. Vicky had to keep that in mind as she dressed for the event. Finishing up by passing a brush through her long dark locks Vicky blinked a few times before heading out of her chambers.

She had to be ready for this because she had a long term to go. Walking down the halls Vicky felt the knot in her stomach grow more pronounced with every step taken. Biting her bottom lip became habit as she walked which caused her lip to swell slightly and turn red this she did not notice for her nerves were getting the better of her.

Closer and closer she came to the door that would lead into the Great Hall, at one point she shivered a bit her mind working over time thinking all eyes would be on her once she walked in. It was hard to imagine that everyone in the school knew, but she wouldn't put it past certain students to go blabbing off at the mouth even though that blabbing could ruin several lives. The door stood in front of her now and there was nothing else to do but walk in.

Pushing open the door she first noticed that the place was packed. Of course it was, what had she been thinking. Then she noticed some new professors up at the staff table, lastly she noticed the Headmaster was occupied speaking to some other woman at the other end of the Hall. Actually, that was a huge relief to her she didn't have to worry about him at least for now. All she had to do now was decide where to sit, far away from Dia of course but...That's when she caught sight of Ashton she heard something about him returning to teach flying. This made Vicky wonder what happened to Hikaru the two of them had gotten on very well, at one point it looked like it could be something more, but it just never panned out.

Walking over she took the empty seat near the younger professor smiling as cheerfully as possible doing her best not to notice if anyone was staring at her. "So Ashton I see you've found your back to the school. Congratulations on your appointment as flying instructor." Grabbing a goblet she poured some wine into it and took a sip Vicky hadn't had a drop of drink in weeks trying to ween herself off the stuff but today she simply felt that she needed a little liquid courage. Taking a long sip the liquid both sweet and tart made its way down her throat warming her from the inside out. Suddenly her nerves were calmed. Yes liquid courage was the order of the night.

[healy]

Lucy was grimly eating the food set in front of her. The turkey was dry and she was not enjoying it. She put her fork down and looked out over the students eating. A few had noticed her presence, though she doubted they knew who she was, and what she was doing there.

Honestly, Lucy wasn't even sure what she was doing there. She was told to go to Hogwarts and watch it. Lucy wasn't sure what she was in store for, but she would do her best and get under the skin of the headmaster and under the skin of the school She would make it her bussiness to know everyone and to know everyone's business.

Lucille was thinking about how she was going to do this when she heard a voice behind her. "Ah, Headmaster. I was wondering when I was going to speak with you tonight." She said, without a smile. Lucy wasn't going to act like she wanted to be here, she had a job to do and that was that. "Dan, you know well enough that I was not invited but placed here." Lucy said, looking out into the sea of students. "I will do my job as I was told, and then I will be out of you hair." Lucy said with a sigh and turned to look at the headmaster. She stood and turned toward him. "Headmaster, I will not warn you because you know why I am here, but I have a job to do, and you know what the consequences could be." Lucy said, her face somber. "We will talk about this later, but now I am off to bed. Thank you for the lovely dinner." Lucy said before turning and leaving the hall to go back to the Hogshead.

[Rosalind Matthews]

The train ride to school sucked. Having a younger sister like Paige was simply a pain in the rear. Paige was one of those girls who thought she knew everything and didn't need to listen to anyone else's opinion. Normally Rosa just dealt with this ignored it mostly but today Paige had just gotten under her skin. The girl was determined to be a trouble maker, on the train ride she decided that she was going to seek revenge on the girl who had made fun of her at the end of last term apparently she had been planning this all summer. Rosa told of the plan after 10 minutes of being on the train tried desperately to talk her sister out of it. How would it look if she got into trouble before they even got to school. Rosa pleaded with her, almost got on her hands and knees and begged her but to no avail.

Paige's mind was set and Rosa had gotten tired of trying to be the voice of reason, so much so that she told Paige not to bother returning to their train car if she intended to go through with her plan. Her sister walked out and did not return, but moments after she was gone there was a commotion that Rosa had a sinking feeling her sister had something to do with it. Trying to ignore it all Rosa simply kept reading her book preparing for the new term. Paige could take care of herself.

They arrived at school, Paige did return to the train to get her belongings but said nothing to Rosa which suited her just fine. Walking into the corridors preparing to get off the train, there were whispers about what happened in Amy's car, Rosa knew the girl Paige had problems with was named Amy Delacruz. Shaking her head Rosa didn't bother listening to anymore and simply walked off the train. After arriving at school finally Rosa made her way straight to the Hall.

Taking a seat at the Ravenclaw table her eyes glancing around for her sister wondering if she was getting reprimanded. When the blonde Matthews walked in the hall Rosa breathed a sigh of relief no matter what she would always be big sis. Knowing that things were seemingly alright she could now focus on herself. Watching as the other students made their way into the hall. Soon the Headmaster gave his speech and Rosa listened to what didn't seem to make much sense to her, only thing that did was his announcement of a new professor. Erys Grace Rosa knew she was a former Slytherin and probably the biggest mean girl the school had ever seen.

Rosa wasn't sure how she felt about this, but then you couldn't go around judging people just because of rumors. Hopefully she would be good at her job and she wouldn't be the kind who goes around giving her old house the upper hand in classes. After a while Rosa felt hungry so she started in on the food, not really paying any attention to the others.

[Professor Ashton Laurent]

Hearing a familiar voice, Ash turned away from Hannah and Erys to see Victoria Potter, the Charms professor and head of Gryffindor. "Hey Vicky." he replied, greeting the other professor with a smile. He beamed with pride when she congratulated him on his appointment as flying teacher. "Thanks. I was actually really surprised when Dan offered the job. In fact, I had thought about turning it down, but I figured since I love the school so much, why not?"

Taking a sip of wine, he continued, "I heard Hikaru is now teaching a class he made up himself. Don't remember the name of it though. Should be interesting either way. Not often we get orginal classes around here."

He smiled at Vicky. "So, how've you been?" glancing down towards the end of the table, he saw the ministry woman. He was glad he was far from the end "Wonder what she wants? Probably to tell us we're all incompetent fools or some other jackassed opinion." he muttered darkly to Victoria, making sure no one else heard him.

It was no secret that Ashton held a grudge against the ministry and that he rarely trusted anyone who was associated with them. Of course it wouldn't do for him to get fired on his first night on the job, simply for disagreeing with a ministry official. Thus why, he had to make sure no one but Vicky was listening.

[Professor Daniel Hubbles]

Dan guessed that to many of the normal onlookers in the world he seemed, most likely, as one of the worst Headmasters the school has ever had! He was immature, obnoxious and lazy who had the self belief that a charming smile and a bit of sweet talk could get him out of any situation and into bed with anything with a pulse. His little welcoming speech today was the perfect example, walking all over the staff stable, insulting his fellow colleagues and all in all wanting to have the spotlight firmly on him. Of course these statements where partly true as that is what Dan believes the people want to see of him and expect him to do. However the man who was now standing in front of the Ministry Official was deadly serious and was then likely going to show a bit of weakness in the front of authority.

Of course the main sign that this was Dan Hubbles in ‘Headmaster mode’ was that his lopsided grin had vanished, his face looked tired with wrinkles appearing that should really not be present on a healthy thirty year old. Blinking slowly his cool blue-grey eyes focused upon Lucille as he dared not even to wet his dry, chapped lips with his tongue. He took every word that she spoke seriously but it seemed that Lucille was not treating him as the court jester that he so often played to and with her short sharp warning Dan knew exactly what she meant.

As Ms Colby left Dan continued to stand next to the empty space at the staff table, his gaze fixed upon the half empty plate of Turkey as he felt his stomach slowly dropping. Even the walk back to his chair in the centre of the staff table was, well not Dan. He did not ruffle Luke’s hair, did not even give Vicky a passing glance and in fact he only registered that his wife was still sitting next to him when Dia gently placed her hand on his arm as if she was trying to wake him from his day dream.

“Dan…sweetheart.” Her voice was in low hushed tones as a look of concern pinched her brow. “What did she say?”
“Nothing I did not know already.” Dan answered back placidly as he squirmed in his high back chair in an attempt to make himself comfortable.
“You mean she…?” Dia’s quiet voice was laced with concern as she dared not even speak the end of the sentence.
“No.” Dan managed a soft chuckle in an attempt to comfort Dia and finally brought himself to look at his wife. He took hold of the hand that Dia had placed on his arm and he gave it a small squeeze in reassurance. “She merely reminded me there would be consequences.” It was not ‘Headmaster Hubbles’ that now sat at the staff table but ‘Mr Hubbles’ who’s sole purpose in life was to bring a smile to the face of the women he loved. “I shall just have to be on my best behaviour.” He teased but it did not seem to bring that smile onto Dia’s face. In fact she removed her hand from Dan’s and turned back to the plate of food which was now less then appetising.
“It is not you I am worried about.” She gave a small sigh and a reluctant smile tugged at the corner of her mouth. “Which must be a first.”

With a small sideways glance at each other they seemed to have read one another’s minds as Dia knew exactly what Dan was about to do as Dan knew Dia was not going to pass comment. But once more the Headmaster was out of his seat, walking down the other stretch of the staff table this time, but once again his eyes were locked on not his fellow professors but the Hufflepuff house table. Thankfully his first target was sitting right near the top and with a small tap on Ellie Rook’s shoulder he bent down and muttered in her ear “Follow me.”
He did not turn to see if she had listened, instead he headed straight over to the Gryffindor table and did exactly the same thing to Max Hennerdale before walking back up past the staff table and towards the small wooden door at the back of the room, pushing it open and waited for his Head Boy and Head Girl to enter. He was once more in 'Headmaster mode'

[Ellie Rook]

Ellie had added not only potatoes to her plate, but some nice meatloaf. It was a plain meal, nothing spectacular, but she was satisfied and almost full. However, she mentally noted to save room for cherry cheesecake.Ellie took a sip of the water in the goblet in front of her when she heard the click clack of shoes on the stone floor. Ellie turned toward the door and saw a woman walk toward the staff table and without an inhibitions she walked right up and sat down, beginning to eat.

Ellie immediately tried to catch the eye of the the Headmaster, but he was too taken away with the woman himself. Ellie could tell that by the look on his face he was surprised, unhappy, and a little worried. Ellie then tried to catch the eye of the Head Boy, Maxi, but a tall Hufflepuff on the other side of the bench was blocking her view of the Gryffindor table.

Ellie kept her eye on Hubbles and the woman as then began to talk. She cut herself a peice of cheesecake, for she couldn't help but pass the goodness away. Her fork slowly dug into the cake, when the woman stood up and said her final words to Professor Hubbles. Ellie starred at them and at Hubbles as he began to walk back to his wife. There seemed nothing for Ellie to do at that moment. They seemed to have a little chat and Ellie went back to her cake.

The creamy cake with sweet cheery topping had just entered her mouth when she felt a tap on her shoulder. She looked up to see the Headmaster right there. Ellie swallowed, but as she did a whisper flooded her ear. She immediately put her fork down and follow the Professor who had walked away quickly, and gotten Maxi in the same manor.

Ellie followed him up the staff table, which was her first time being on the platform, and into the small room in back. Ellie wasn't sure what was going on, but by the time the Head Girl caught up with the Headmaster, they were in the room. "It there a problem already?" Ellie asked, thinking that it was going to be a long year if the trouble was going to start already, even before the first homework assignment was handed out.

[Paige Matthews]

Paige was so glad to get away from her sister the two of them were simply so different that sometimes Paige thought they were from a different planet. The two of them argued over the stupidest things because Paige enjoyed having fun whereas Rosa would much rather sit with her head buried in some boring school book as if that was going to teach her anything interesting. Paige didn't care that was her prerogative but she wasn't going to hold her back. So Paige got mad and left their train car she did what she had to do and she had a good time doing it.

When the train pulled into the station Paige got off and didn't care to look for her sister instead she found some friends and took the carriage up to the school with them. They all arrived tired and hungry Paige just hoped there weren't going to be a lot of long speeches made because who wanted that. Luck for them Headmaster Hubbles made it sort of short and sweet though he did show them all why some thought he was absolutely batty.

No matter the only thing she was worried about was where the food was she was simply starved. When it appeared she went at it like a bat out of hell. Pulling plates toward her she dipped into a little bit of everything. Her plate was full so full that some stared at her. Paige simply ignored them all and started to eat. Sometimes people were annoying, didn't the have anything better to do then worry about what she was eating. For mercies sake its not as if she ate that way everyday she couldn't possibly or she would be huge and that's certainly not what she wanted.

Grabbing some pumpkin juice and and taking her first sip to was down some of what she ate, Paige glanced around the great hall seeing some new faces at the staff table as well as some old ones. Their cousin Will was there, Paige smiled she would have to make time to talk to him they never seemed to get the chance. Then she looked over at the Ravenclaw table and saw Rosa there Paige wondered if she was sitting there quietly or if she was trying to make conversation, but from Paige's vantage point it didn't seem like it . Oh well that was her problem Paige was striking up a convo with the girl to her left not really paying much attention to the goings on with the Headmaster and the strange older lady.

[Max Hennerdale]

Max looked across to Bryn who seemed to be telling some tale about something Brooke did in the holidays, and judging by her reddening face, it was not a story she wanted him to tell. Max laughed along with the rest, feeling oddly at ease, not under any immediate stress. Unlike last year, he shuddered at the very thought of it. He began to eat his food --after being reminded by Kieran that it was actually there-- and looked around the great hall.

His eyes fell on Girty, but they did not linger there for more than a moment. Instead he looked down at his plate of food and began to eat his way through it. Swallowing a carrot, just in time as what Ollie said to Kieran about Rie made him choke, "Ollie! That's my cousin you're talking about!" Ollie just laughed but unfortunatly, Max didnt see the funny side as his cousin flushed scarlett. Sure, she knew about him but he didnt want to know about her, that was wrong on so many levels. Shaking his blonde head he returned to gazing lazily around the Great Hall. His eyes found Ash and he wasnt sure exactly how he felt about him being back in the castle. Instead of dwelling on it he looked away and gave another shake of his head. The problem between waiting for the desert to come was a bit boring. Max's head full of his own thoughts he forgot to contribute to any given conversation.

Tap tap.

He looked up to see the Headmaster who asked him to follow him, at first a sinking feeling fell into his stomach as he looked over at Girty, feeling worried until he saw Ellie was coming too. So obviously Dan wasnt about to chew him out which was good. What would he use in his defence? Still, the worry didnt completely vanish, instead it changed into worry of what could be so important as to make Max miss his double chocolate fudge desert! He better be rewarded for missing the best part of the dinner, that was all he could say.

Walking through the door after Ellie, Max went and stood by the wall. His arms folded across his chest and one of his feet on the wall as his back leant lazily against it. He was feeling tired now and more than ready for his bed. Ellie asked the question before Max had even formed a word in his mind. "What's going on?" Usually Max would be more serious, but tiredness made him think only of his nice, warm, comfy bed.

[Alexis Heart]

Alexis was glad they were almost to the school. She was hungry so hungry she hadn't eaten since leaving home, not even when the woman with the trolley offered up all of her favorite goodies. The brunette Ravenclaw had been waiting for the feast for days now. It was always her favorite part of going back to school all the food, the conversations. Thats is what she was hoping for when she walked into the Great Hall just a nice relaxing evening of good food and friends. Of course you can't always get what you want now can you. It was crazy not completely chaotic but just not a normal feast. Their Headmaster was a very distracting human being, he was like a human yo yo up and down you never knew if you keep up with him or not.

Tonight was no different he seemed to be in high spirits on this night, not that she could blame him. Being back to school was highly exciting so maybe he was just excited. Alexis was hoping that food would come soon she was hungry now and her stomach was letting her know it. Maybe the Headmaster would forgo his speech this year so they could go ahead and eat, but no he didn't seem to want to settle down anytime soon.

Alexis was trying to be patient and soon the patience paid off the food was on the table and Alexis tucked in the food just as good as she remembered it and she couldn't have been happier and she wasn't paying any attention to anything else going on around her. Even when the strange woman walked in and seemed to make the Headmaster nervous she had no idea. People around were now talking but for the moment she didn't partake in any of that at least until all her food was done.

[Rian Calhoun Winters]

As it was the start of a brand new year here at Hogwarts, Rian was very excited. The previous year he'd been kind of down because he no longer had his lovely sister with him but this time round he felt much more sure of himself. He'd gotten to see both his older brother, Gallaghar, and his older sister, London, over the holidays along with a whole host of his family. It was wonderful. But, that was in the past, in the here and now, Rian was at the illustrious Gryffindor table surrounded by other beaming Gryffindor friends; how else should they be with the House Cup on their mantle? Still, Rian was looking forward to yet another year of kicking those silly Puffball's butts into oblivion and taking the cup from them again.

Hubbles was on top of the staff table before he knew it. Prue, sitting across from him, burst out laughing and was shushed by a number of people. This made Rian chuckled and he tried to give her a playful kick under the table but he wasn't really sure who's leg he hit. He gave a quick wink to Addy and turned to listen to Hubbles. Not that he did much listening. Rian sprawled his arm over the table, propping his check against his fist, while wistfully stroking his empty plate. He wasn't hungry or anything, he'd practically eaten himself stupid on the train already, but there was no meal like the Start of Term Feast at Hogwarts ... unless it was his Grandmamma's Sunday roast in which case there was none like that. Rian floated away on a day dream, lulled by the sound of Hubbles' voice but then

blam!

Food!

Rian quickly sat up, eying practically everything he could reach, trying to decide what he should go for first. Thinking of the Sunday roast made him think of lamb and he searched for that while listening to the twins. Rian laughed his hearty support of Addy's words and nodded. "We are amazing," he concurred, "but I don't know that Hubbles help much either." Vegetables, mash, gravy, lamb, beans, roast pumpkin, and anything else in reach was soon piling up on Rian's plate. He stabbed a bean and dangled it in front of his mouth before adding, "maybe we are too scary?" The sixth year shoved the bean in his mouth thoughtfully before digging in.

[Olivia Holt]

It was the first year that Liv did not have to travel all the way to King's Cross Station from her home town in Australia. This year Liv was a full blown legal witch, and although she was only a sixth year, her parents had allowed her to get her apparating license. Now it had only taken fifteen seconds to get from her front porch to a alley behind the train station. Her mother had gone with her, being the only one able to travel along side her. Soon the train departed and with a final wave, Liv had found a box with her friends and settled into the freedom of going to Hogwarts again.

The train ride seemed to pass by in the blink of an eye, and soon Liv found herself sitting in the Great Hall, happyily surrounded by red and gold decorations. Liv had almost forgotten about the Gryffindor victory over the summer, but this was a nice last hurrah to the winner who had finally kicked Hufflepuff butt.

Liv was seated along side her fellow Gryffindors as Hubble gave his speech. A couple new teachers we introduced. Liv smiled at Addy as she piled steaming chicken pot pie on her plate. She licked her finger on which gravy had spattered. "No, they're just afraid of you Rian." Liv said, picking up her fork, and happily, truly, beginning her sixth year at Hogwarts with a jab at the boy and a mouthful of Hogwart-y goodness.

[Julianna Farraday]

The goodbyes she received at home were the same as every year. Her father cried and her mother looked as if she didn't want Julia to return. Sometimes she thought her mother was keeping a big secret from both her and her father, and whatever that secret was it had something to do with Hogwarts. Julia tried to ask her time and time again, but was told that there was nothing she was hiding and that Julia should focus on school instead of adult issues. The answer in her opinion was condescending and somewhat patronizing. Julia didn't think of herself as a child, she had seen things most adults would probably cringe at yet her mother was treating her as if she were a baby who had just started walking and needed to be guarded to make sure she didn't fall.

School gave her a bit of a time out from all that secrecy. Julia did vow that one day she would find out the truth one way or the other. So the whole train ride back to school she tried to figure out what it could possibly be, each notion as ridiculous as the next until finally she decided to give it up as a bad job. There was no way she was going to find out that day anyway. So she enjoyed the rest of the ride to school and when the Prefects passed by telling the students to put on their robes Julia did just that, glad to be in her old black and red again.

The trip to the castle took no time at all, Julia found herself in the huge hallway the candles lit all around them glimmering like jewels. Then she entered the Great Hall where the magical ceiling reflected the night outside. Julia couldn't help but take a deep breath everything about the school was beautiful Julia had her issues there yes, but the school itself was just spectacular and she loved being there.

Finding herself at the Gryffindor table Julia took an empty seat by two people. Offering up a huge smile she was soon distracted by the Headmaster giving his speech and introducing them to some new teachers. Wow Julia was shocked to see former Slytherin Erys Grace sitting behind the staff table. Time flies when you're at Hogwarts she thought. After the speaking was all done and over with Julia got the opportunity to dig into some food. Her stomach growled as she looked around at all the treats on the table. She took a little bit of all of her favorites until her plate was full. This was usually the only time she ever really overindulged herself and why not they were all there celebrating being back at school.

[Rian Calhoun Winters]

Shovel, shovel, shovel went Rian’s food into his mouth. He scarcely seemed to take breaths between mouthfuls of anything his fork scrapped up. The sixth year indiscriminately put anything he picked up in his mouth: lamp, chicken, sheppard’s pie, vegetables and mashed potatoes in one and variations of that next and after that and after that. It was quite a sight to behold but Rian didn’t even notice. He was staring off towards the Hufflepuff table ... at a pretty young thing with long dark locks.

Dropping his fork, Rian straightened and reached for his goblet of pumpkin juice. He took a big gulp to wash all the food down before smiling at her. He had caught her eye and he shot her a playful wink, still grinning broadly. But Olivia’s voice broke into his thoughts and Ri couldn’t help but through his head back and laugh. The hearty sound resounded around the hall, along with all the other hundreds of voices, and he patted Liv on the back. “Good one, Livvie,” Rian chuckled, with a little more show than usual. He wanted to show this Hufflepuff he had girls that were his friends and that they liked him. Some girls seemed to swoon at that.

“Well, they’re not afraid of you, that’s for sure.” Rian had taken a moment, sipped from his goblet a little more sedately, before speaking again. He smiled at Liv and nodded. “You’re far too nice, my dear Olive Tree, and there’s nothing to be done for it.” Rian hunched his back, bending his shoulder to his chin, and he put on the silly, rasping voice of a mad scientist’s helper. “So Ri-ri must be nasty enough for the both of us, yes he must.” He nodded his head and rubbed his hands together fast enough like he was trying to start a fire.

Rian loved to put on imitations of people, he found them very amusing and he burst out laughing, not noticing if anyone else laughed too. He refilled his goblet from the jug that was in front of him, then offered for those around him and poured for those who wanted. “I’m just messing with ya, Liv,” Rian added after a moment, nudging her gently with his elbow, “you’re lovely and everyone knows it.” A rare moment of earnestness, Rian gave Olivia a small smile, before recovering himself and digging into his food again.

[Erys Grace]

At the former Ravenclaw's conspiratorial whisper Erys glanced down at her plate, pursing her lips in thought. "If theres any left over with everyone wolfing down their plates, then I'm go." She returned quietly, though why she was plotting with him she had no idea. Perhaps for a bit of fun after the debacle with Ricky last term? Perhaps. Pushing this thought out of her mind however as normal conversation resumed and food appeared, she watched at the expanded--and very different view--from her spot at the professors' table. Every single student who was gouging their mouths with food could be seen from here, great bouncing balls of.. Bad stuff. Her stomach rolled threateningly and she set down her fork beside her plate, resting her clasped hands on her lap. She'd have to catch the late feast, if she couldn't force herself to down this.

The Snake shook her head slightly to clear it, deciding instead to down a glass of pumpkin juice before beginning to pick at the meat on her plate. Delicious as it was, she could only handle it slowly, in fear of throwing it back up again. Nerves? Erys Grace did not get nerves. Though even then she looked paler than her usual complexion, and she knew it might begin to show sooner or later. Deciding to focus on the snippets of speech floating all around her she downed another glass as if it were a releasing alcohol, though it definitely was not, she'd have to catch up with some at The Three Broomsticks.

Running her tongue along her bottom lip and simply watching what was going on, she probably missed some conversation directed to her. If she did or not though she couldn't tell, zoning out had been successful.[/color]