The Welcoming Feast: New Friends

[Headmaster Dumbledore]

Albus Dumbledore surveyed the crowd of eager young students, many of whom he recognized and others, he looked forward to getting to know. As Headmaster, it was always rewarding to examine the faces of his students and to know that someday, through the teaching of his fine staff, these students would grow to be powerful members of society. These children, even the ones who looked sad and lost and terrified, would one day change the world. It always made him beam with pride.

"Good evening. Now that the Sorting has been completed, I would like to welcome all of the first year students to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. It is my sincerest hope that you will grow to love these halls as I have grown to love them, and as many before you have grown to love them. I would also like to say welcome back to my returning students! I hope that this year will be rewarding and enjoyable for each and every one of you," Dumbledore called in a jovial voice, quieting the students down.

"Now, as is customary, there are a few rules that I, unfortunately, must tell you about. First off, The Forbidden Forest is off-limits. It is a very dangerous place, especially for first years. Further, I must ask that you stay way from a new, and very large, tree on the grounds that we call the Whomping Willow. It has rather...er, shall we say, violent tendencies. Our caretaker, Mr. Argus Filch, has also requested that I remind you that magic is not allowed in the corridors under any circumstances." Dumbledore thought hard to himself. He was pretty sure that he had stated all of the rules. Except..

"OH! Also, my dear students, I'd like for you to welcome our new professors for this term. They will be teaching you many wonderful things and I am sure you will come to love them. That is all. You may eat!" Dumbledore clapped his hands and a wonderful feast appeared on all the tables. Some of the students, mostly those who had been born of Muggle families, nearly fainted from the shock. Dumbledore smiled; they would certainly have to get used to the impossible around here.

Finally able to relax, Dumbledore took his seat at the Head Table and dug into his own food, happy to be have Hogwarts filled with students again.

[Night Grey]

Night Grey sat down at the Slytherin table and was all smiles. This was a very interesting school, floating candles and ghosts were everywhere! She thought to her self that she could really get used to this.

The petite female was about 4'8" when she stood but was must smaller when she sat. She sat on her knees to help her be more comfortable at the table (those of you short people what what I am talking about)

She listened intently to Dumbledore and when he mentioned the whomping willow her mind jumped thinking, its true the trees will kill us all! She stopped for just and second and then giggled silently, no more weird sci-fi movies for her.

When the headmaster had finished his speech and the food suddenly appeared her jaw dropped, I will definitely like it here

Her gaze drifted around to look at the large hall and all the students. She hoped that she would make friends relatively soon being lonely wasn't fun.

[Astin Descartes]

Astin sat a little awkwardly at the Hufflepuff table. The only person so far he'd spoken to was his new bitter rival, and he didn't even have that to fall back on, seeing as Dastan whatever-his-name-was was in Slytherin.

Astin rested his chin in his palm, elbow on the table-- just like Mom always told him not to do. Seriously, this kinda blew. It seemed like Hufflepuff consisted only of his upperclassman, and everyone knew each other.

Really, this house thing is a dumb idea, he decided while he chewed on his lower lip bitterly.

[roxannemonster]

Roxanne sat and fondly listened to the Headmaster. Well, I know where to not hang out now! she thought. After all, she was the Princess, she didn't want to go off and die by some infernal tree. Or worse, be some filthy creature's meal. Roxie shuddered at the thought.

Sitting at the Slytherin table, she felt out of place. Her mother was a Gryffindor and sure, she was cunning and used to getting her way, but Slytherin? She felt like a criminal. After all, her house was a basement dungeon. Gross. She smiled and looked over the cast of teachers. She thought that they might do a good job, although she felt she deserved to be taught by the best.

Either way, she sighed and reexamined her table. A few students, like one girl who just kept smiling, put her on edge. Why so cheery all the time? It made no sense to Roxie. But, on the other hand, her table had a few good looking males. She smiled and winked at some, while picking at the salad she wanted from the table.

[Night Grey]

Night looked over to the blonde female picking at her salad, "Alo, I'm Night Grey." she held out her small hand with a smile. She didn't see how anyone could not be happy to be here.

[Gwenivere Anderson]

Gwen sat at the table at the head of the great hall with the other teachers. It was her first year here, so she had never sat at this table before, "what a wierd feeling, after sitting at the ravenclaw table for seven years."

She glaced around at all the faces of the students, how would she ever memorizes all of their names! She leaned forward and peeked around Professor Slughorn to try and get Amancio's attention.

[roxannemonster]

"Alo, I'm Night Grey"

Roxanne was sort of startled that the small girl who was always smiling and putting her on edge was talking. And worse, she was talking to Roxie herself.

Of all my luck... she thought to herself, whining. Nonetheless, this girl had talked to her. And she was going to be in the same dorm room, so it wouldn't be wise to be rude. What if this little creeper was spiteful? So, after examining the girl with the hand out at her, she finally waved and said, "Hey. Name's Roxanne." She pointed at herself with Roxanne, then took another bite out of her salad.

"Pretty big place, huh?"

[Night Grey]

"Pretty big place, huh?"


"I think its rather lovely here." She spoke cheerfully but was not stupid as she pulled her hand away that was not taken. She looked around, "rather lovely indeed"

Her years in the orphanage had taught her many things like the signs in humans when they were unsure how to react to you. She would not we swain from her currently joyous mood.

"was anyone in your family magical?"

Rule one of meeting new people: ask them about themselves.

[Annalise Montressor]

Anna skipped into the hall as Dumbledore finished speaking. She wondered fleetingly if he could tell what she was. Master Dattly had said that Dumbledore was very clever. Lots of the Fair Folk respected him, even if he was a human and a wizard. Smiling and sitting down with her fellow Ravenclaws, she began to enjoy some chocolate pudding.

[roxannemonster]

Roxie held back from making a face of annoyance. She reminded herself that this girl could possibly be crazy. If she was, she could be dangerous in the same dorm, so Roxie had to play nice. Play nice! was repeating itself like a mantra in her head.

"Anyone in my family? Why yes, my mother, her parents, and so on. My mother's side is highly magical. My father's just a muggle. My two brothers? Squibs!" She let out a laugh as she said squibs. "They hate me for it." With this, Roxie winked. She loved having something her brothers didn't.

"And yourself? You seem sort of clueless." She didn't really mean it to be insulting, but kind of said it in an arrogant tone.

[Severus Snape]

Severus said goodbye to Lily and watched, a little sadly, as she drifted off to the Gryffindor table. He sighed and made his way toward his fellow Slytherins. A few girls were already there, talking and eating. He spooned up a bit of the closest thing to him, chewing thoughtfully as he listened to Dumbledore and thought about the way that James kid had stared at Lily earlier. He didn't like it. Not one bit. If he knows what's good for him he'll leave her alone. Lily wouldn't go out with someone like that...would she?

[Dastan Cross]

Dastan sat sullenly at the end of the Slytherin Table, munching on some Shepherd's Pie. There were a couple of chatty girls at his table, which he was trying in vain to ignore. Who put them in Slytherin anyway? They didn't seem like the type. Then again, the whole strengths of Slytherins lay in their cunning and their sneakiness. Perhaps these chatty selves were their covers. Whatever the case, the Sorting Hat's words were final.

Glancing around the Great Hall, Dastan found his dark eyes landing on the boy from earlier, who he had discovered was named Astin during the Sorting. Naturally, he had ended up in Hufflepuff: the Loser House. It seemed like Poetic Justice. Smirking, Dastan took another bite of his food, sizing up the others in the room.

[Night Grey]

"I don't know to tell you the truth... I'm an orphan" she shrugged and when she saw the sallow skinned boy sit she felt her heart beat quicken.
She looked to him. "Hi there, I'm Night... Are you okay from what happened by the lake? I was a bit worried" she offered her hand to him to shake.

[Severus Snape]

Severus blinked when Night turned and started talking to him. "Uh...yeah I'm fine. Thanks for helping me," he managed to say. Why was she paying so much attention to him? Usually people just avoided him.

"I just fell...nothing too problematic." He chanced a small, shy smile. He wasn't used to dealing with people and it was a bit embarassing. "And the kid that fell seems to be fine, so..." He looked down at his plate.

[Amancio Calzadilla]

Professor Amancio Calzadilla scanned the sea of faces. Seeing everyone's grinning and cheerful disposition was enough to put a soft, small smile on his own. He felt honored to be entrusted with teaching such promising young minds.

Gwenivere down the line leaned into the middle of the table, catching his eye. He offered her a hesitant smile in return; although she seemed nice enough, he was a little wary around her for some reason that he couldn't quite put his finger on.