Open Y40 Start of Year Feast!

[Katherine Alicastell]

The Sorting Ceremony drew to a close in an eruption of claps and cheers resounding throughout the Great Hall, as the last remaining first year made their way to their new house table. Katherine joined in on the final applause. The Sorting Hat had done its job well, as always. While not every student may have agreed with their house placement - and as with every year some did indeed some looked shocked or disappointed by the decision - they'd soon learn that they were put into their house for the qualities they possessed, whether they were aware of them yet or not. Their traits weren't always so obvious at first, Katherine herself was at times surprised by where the hat placed some of the students, but as time went on and the children developed, their house attributes became more recognizable. The Headmistress was confident they'd come to understand that.

Removing the patchy enchanted hat and the stool it now sat on, Katherine levitated both to the left of the stage and returned to her place behind the podium, raising her hands to command silence. A hush fell over the hall and Katherine began to move on, her voice magically amplified with a Sonorus Charm. "Thank you, students. Now, before we begin, I'd like to introduce myself, and some of the other staff here. I am your Headmistress, Professor Katherine Alicastell, and beside me -" She gestured toward the staff table behind her, where the other professors were seated. "Are your Heads of Houses. These professors are here to guide you and lead your respective houses. Your Head of House for Hufflepuff is Professor Landon Carter. For Gryffindor, Professor Cyndi Kingsley, and Professor Kahurangi Josephs for Ravenclaw. As many of you may have heard, Professor Styx has retired from his long tenure here at Hogwarts, so I would like everyone to welcome Professor Angel Castillo, who will be heading Slytherin House going forward. Many of you will already be familiar with him from some of your Herbology classes." She introduced each of them present as she spoke, ensuring the newly sorted first-years knew who to look for if they needed any assistance.

After speaking briefly of key points of interest throughout the school, the hospital wing and quidditch pitch among them, she moved on to conclude the ceremony. "Another reminder to those old and new that the forest is strictly off-limits to students, and those found wandering through it without supervision will be punished severely. Another announcement I'd like to make is this; The house-elves employed here are members of school staff, not your personal slaves. Some of you with house-elves in the family may think it appropriate to treat them that way. Let me assure you, it is not. Students are welcome to politely request food from the kitchens out of breakfast, lunch, and dinner hours. You are not welcome to demand it, nor are you welcome to help yourselves to the school's food supply without express permission from the elves or another member of staff. I hope I've made myself perfectly clear. With that said, I would like to welcome you all again to another fantastic year at Hogwarts. Stay out of trouble, study hard, and enjoy your time here. Now let the feast begin!" At once, the empty tables were filled with various foods - roast meats, potatoes, salads, and pies tirelessly prepared by the house elves working in the kitchens below, and Katherine returned to her seat at the center of the staff table.​

 

[Noelle Maxwell]

It was a bit strange to be joining the start of the term feast after being away for three years. What made it even stranger was where he was seated and how different his view was now compared to the times he was still a Hogwarts student. He knew the hall was great, hence the name, but it looked even bigger now, as if it was even possible, from where he was now. Seated at the end of the table, Noelle gazed upon the hundreds of students, including the newly sorted ones, who were now listening to the headmistress. He tried to search for @Linden Cullen among the sea of yellow in his old house table but he was a bit unsure how Lin would look now, he would have grown so much. He politely clapped along, silently hoping there was no need for introductions of new staff additions. Thankfully, only the heads of the houses were introduced and it was no surprise when his herbology professor was made the new Slytherin house. This made Noelle clapped more enthusiastically, glancing at Prof. Castillo. The usual reminders were there as always except for a new addition concerning the house-elves. This apparently was raised to some recent concerns that probably took place after the Hufflepuff left. After a couple more reminders, the feast began with the appearance of the food. Noelle thought he would not miss the spread prepared by the house-elves. He was wrong. Like a student in a Hufflepuff uniform, he dug in, pleased to see his favorite dishes back when he was still a student.

 

[Ajaccio Skey]

Ajaccio was sitting at the Ravenclaw table, he couldn't believe that he'd just watched his last sorting, after all, he was never going to come back to this school once he left, he'd never be a teacher. So, watching the students get sorted one last time had been bittersweet, he could imagine that a lot of the next few months would be filled with bittersweet things, moments that he would hold on to for a while but that would be the last of them. It was odd that six years had passed since his own, and that he'd be graduating, but he was looking forward to starting his adult life when he did. His last big real holiday had been fun, the highlight of going to Paris was Nicole had been really something. He nodded along to the words, impressed by the fact Professor Castillo was taking over for Professor Styx, he wondered what that would be like for him and for the slytherins. But after the usual words of advice the food appeared and he was able to just get stuck in. Grabbing vegetables to fill his plate.​

 

[Leia Hume]

Leia had applauded loudly for each of the newly sorted first years into slytherin house. She made sure she was sitting in view of them, with the prefect badge on her uniform. Leia thought it was very important that first years know who there prefects are and sitting close by would help gather then up for going back to the dorm at the end of the feast. She glanced at the head mistress as the woman began speaking. LEia was very curious as to who the new head of Slytherin was going to be. Honestly, she was glad to see the back of Professor Styx, he'd always unnerved her. She was quite glad with who it was, she didn't know the professor well, but she'd passed her herbology OWL well, so had to assume that put him in good favour.​

 

[Lumio Skey]

Lumio hadn't done as badly on his OWLs as he had expected, he hadn't done as well as others he was sure, but Lumio was rather proud of himself for having at least passed his OWLs. Lumio had cheered loudly for the new gryffindors that were joining his house. He could spot his boyfriend sitting across the way and could spot the lack of prefect badge on his boyfriend's uniform, but perhaps there was a chance that he just couldn't spot it. He barely listened to what was being said by the professor, the new head of slytherin was cool, but it wasn't going to affect him much at all, not being in Slytherin. The teen was glad when the food appeared. He could at least be distracted by food. ​

 

[Liusaidh Styx]

Liusaidh had the badge pinned to her uniform, proudly so. She had been so surprised by the prefect badge but she was definitely going to make the most of it. Liusaidh hadn't cared much for the sorting, there had only been one familiar name, Natalia's sister. She had been disappointed that the girl hadn't been placed into slytherin, since Liusaidh would've enjoyed having her around, from what she remember Natalia's sister had been way more interesting that her. Liusaidh barely listened to what was being said, she didn't really care about the new head of house, since she knew she'd be meeting him soon enough and instead just grabbed some food when it appeared and was able to eat quickly. ​

 

[Molly Burke]

Molly was excited for the new year. She no longer was one of the youngest students at school. But Molly was excited to meet the new first years, and she definitely was going to try and make friends with the first years, The sorting was a bit boring, as it took a while to get through, but she always clapped and cheered excitedly when a first-year was sorted into Hufflepuff. When all the boring and important stuff had come to an end, and they were allowed to start eating, Molly hurriedly took as much food as she could. The food stacked up onto her plate and then began to eat. She then turned to the person next to her. "How was your break? Anything interesting?"

 

[Branson Archer]

Branson felt some disappointed as sorting drew to an end, he could see his sisters across the way sitting at the gryffindor table, rather than with him. He had figured that they probably wouldn't both get into his house with him, but he was surprised they'd been sorted together and admittedly while he was happy they were together he was almost a little disappointed that he was alone in his house and they were together, he'd always been a bit alone. Bran knew they'd be happy and he was happy for them, but he just felt a bit left out. He focused his attention as the head mistress as she was speaking, he glanced towards the new professor of Slytherin, he didn't know the man, having never been taught by him, but he was sure it would be fine. Bran was glad when the food finally appear and he was able to just eat. Branson was ready for this year to begin. ​

 

[Pixie Longmire]

Pixie was glad to be back at school, the new semester was going to bring so many interesting things, but she just had to get beyond this feast. Sorting could be interesting, and so long as she was at the back of the great hall but there were just so many people and she felt so overwhelmed by it all, but there was no easy way to duck out until the food appeared and as always sorting took forever and the head mistress was speaking for a while. Only when the food appeared and the meal was underway would she be able to duck out and she would the moment that she could. ​

 

[Eugene Nestor]

Eugene was hungry. The day had been long and the sorting, though fun had been long, longer than the one from last year and his one too, and it definitely wasn't more to do with the fact he was really ready to eat. Eugene applauded loudly for each of the students, listening out for names like those of his friends to spot any prospective siblings of friends but he didn't pick out any. Eugene was listening along to what the headmistress was saying, but his fingers were drumming the table lightly, just super ready for the food to appear and so the moment it did, Eugene was taking a plate of food and loading it on to his plate eagerly. He was just going to get stuck in. There would be time for chat later. ​

 

[Nolan Burke]

Nolan had been super hyped for the new year and for some reason he had a feeling that this upcoming year was going to be a good one. He was excited to see his mates again, as he hadn't really seen them over the break. Nolan cheered when a new student was sorted into the house, always cool to have new students added to their house. He listened to the professor, even though what she had been saying had practically been the same as the year before. Nothing new. Nolan once the food appeared, the Hufflepuff began to eat, as he had been starving since the train ride over here.

 

[Valencia Addington]

Valencia had been dreading coming back to school. Sure, she was happy to see some familiar faces around school and whatnot, but she was not excited for it one bit. She had hoped that she was allowed to turn back the other way, and she didn't need to go. The Ravenclaw sighed as the sorting had begun, not really interested if she was being honest, but politely clapped as the students had been sorted into Ravenclaw. Once the food had appeared, Valencia waited for everyone else to take their food, and then began to take her serving and ate it.

 

[Valeria Iglesias]

Valeria had never seen a sorting before, she'd been sorted in private with the other transfers, so she'd been able to watch the sorting. It was interesting. For every name and student whose name that it belonged to Val had decided to try and guess where they might end up. She hadn't been right a lot, but she'd always only had a one in four chance of being right. She thought it was cute, but could admit she was a little glad that she hadn't had to be sorted in front of everyone else. Valeria liked attention but it was different when she didn't know a little of what the outcome might be. Valeria focused her attention on the headmistress as she spoke. She leant forward and looked to the different head of houses, making sure to know which was hers and then she nodded to the rules the woman was laying down and then the food appeared. Val had been to feasts before but this really was something. It was a lot! She could hardly pick what to eat first. ​

 

[Abigail Payne]

Abigail was nervous. The castle had been a lot bigger than she had anticipated. Abby thought that the great hall having hanging lights was interesting. There were so many things to remember. She nodded when the headmistress had spoken about the rules, not wanting to break any, especially since she only just arrived here. When the food had appeared and they were allowed to eat, Abby nervously started to get some food, wondering what she'd be doing next after this.

 

[Seamus Reid]

Seamus was sitting at the Slytherin table as he was supposed to and was glancing over at his brother at Ravenclaw. They'd had a fine holiday int he end and it was nice to rest and be able to recoperate, but he knew that he'd need to now watch his brother to make sure that he was sleeping fine and was doing okay. More so than last year, Seamus had a whole set of things he wanted to do, from joining the quidditch to just ensuring that his brother was okay. To getting more out there himself, and deciding what he'd do with his life. The slytherin only caught the end of what the professor was saying before the food was then presented, he realised he'd missed who his new head of house was. He'd find out soon enough anyway, so he just began looking at food, trying to find something he'd like. ​

 

[Aurora Archer]

Aurora felt like her heart was never going to stop hammering so fast. Despite being one of the first people sorted she felt like she was never going to come down from this, she had Rosie by her side, was in the house she wanted and it was all perfect. She couldn't have imagined things going better for her. The gryffindor smiled to herself as she listened to what the headmistress said, but she'd heard this all before from Bran and knew the heads of houses - apart from the new one - from her dad. She was almost a little disappointed she'd meet the infamous Professor Styx, but part of her was glad too. The food appeared and Aurora started looking around. She spotted a first in front of her and smiled, "Hi, I'm Aurora," she introduced as she put some food on her plate.
@Abigail Payne ​

 

[Issac Jacobs]

Issac couldn't believe that this was his last year at Hogwarts. He was even shocked that he had made it this far. It was a little weird to not have his sister join him this year, but he was sure that he could do this just fine. As the sorting had begun, his stomach had slowly begun to rumble, he had hoped that nobody else around him had heard it. His mind was elsewhere when the headmistress had spoken about the rules. He knew the rules already, though it wasn't like he was gonna follow them. When the food appeared, he hurriedly began to take some for placing them on his plate, wanting his rumbling stomach to calm down.

 

[Leonardo Orr]

Leonardo was glad to be back at school, he had never thought he'd be happy to be able to be surrounded by people and classes, and people he was awkward around, but it was better than being at home, where he didn't really have anyone. As the sorting had gone on, at least one name had stood out to him and he frowned a little. He was sure that was the name of someone who'd been at his old muggle school. He'd had no idea she was magic - if that was the same person. The hufflepuff listened along to headmistress and was glad when the food appeared. The person next to him immediately started talk and after a beat of silence, Leo realised she'd been speaking to him. "Oh...it was fine, revised. Nothing interesting" he replied, "You?"
@Molly Burke ​

 

[Rosie Archer]

Rosie was so happy, she was sat between Aurora and her friend, Xinyi. She was in gryffindor and it was good. The girl couldn't help but find her brother at the ravenclaw table and waved at him from where she was sitting. She was a little disappointed that her brother wasn't with them, but she had doubted she would've ever made ravenclaw house. If her sister had, and she hadn't she would've been a little upset. She would've still had Xinyi but her twin was her twin. Rosie leaned in, stopping her conversation with Xinyi to be sure she could listen to what was being said, to put faces to names and to know the rules she would have to follow and then the food appeared and she began looking around to see what was on offer and what she wanted to eat. ​

 

[Nicole Fisk]

Nicole couldn't hardly believe it was her final year this year, and that things were somehow already off to such an off-kilter start. First she and Ajax had been passed over as the best head couple ever, Styx had retired, leaving them with the upper year Herbology professor in charge, not to mention one of their new prefects was arguably one of the most troublesome girls in their entire house.

Sitting at the house table as sorting wrapped up, Nicole tried not to catch herself frowning too pensively. It was their first night back, she was sure there was plenty of time to turn the semester around still. She cast a glance down the table, smiling at Leia when she spotted her, glad at least one of the other prefects was a bit more in line with what Nicole would have expected. "Hopefully we can pick up any slack together this year, aye?" She asked the girl. "Assuming my NEWTs don't kill me," she added with a self-conscious laugh. @Leia Hume

 

[Kasim Safir]

Kas had mostly zoned out during sorting, tucking his chin into his hand and watching the clouds whirl in the ceiling overhead. He knew in the back of his mind that this would be the last time he'd see a sorting ceremony here, but the thought didn't particularly bother him; he'd seen enough of it when it was his turn to get sorted, the extra six were pretty much overkill at this point. Besides, something much more interesting was sitting on Connor's robes this year and Kas was busy thinking what would be the best way to enchant Connor's shiny new Head Boy badge rather than listening to the opening speeches. He'd settled on 'd*ckhead boy' just as the food appeared on their plates, grinning quietly to himself as he started filling his plate.

 

[Cameron Roswell]

Cameron knew it was stupid to get his hopes up that he'd be sorted with his friends, it was just his luck that he'd end up in a completely different house. At least the girls hadn't all ended up in the same house, he thought bitterly, making his way to the Slytherin table cautiously. And at least he did know one person in his house, Cameron mused, sitting wordlessly next to Ngawaiata while they waited for the rest of the sorting to finish and the feast to start. He was sure Margo and Isadora had probably been watching him from their house tables while he'd waited in line and Cameron swiveled in his seat, craning his neck to try and spot where they'd gone before being distracted as the Headmistress addressed the room. It seemed pretty standard stuff, heads of houses, which Cameron figured were important, and then some warnings about the forest and the kitchens. "Who cares about a dumb forest anyway," he said flatly, glad when food finally appeared, not realizing how hungry he'd been until his nerves about sorting had settled and he'd sat down again.

 

[Abigail Payne]

Abby looked up when she noticed someone was speaking to her, which she presumed was a first-year like her, as she had seen her amongst the crowd of first years she'd been in before the sorting had begun. "Oh, um... Hi" Abby says shyly with a shy wave, a tint of red appearing on her cheeks. "I'm Abigail, but you can call me Abby," Abigail says with a shyly smile. "Y-you a first year?"

@Aurora Archer

 

[Molly Burke]

Molly smiled at Leonardo as he spoke about his break. "Oh, I see," Molly says as she nods, a bit disappointed that he hadn't really explained much about his break. However, the Hufflepuff smiled brightly as he had returned the question. "My break was okay! Went on a family trip and got a cat" Molly says with a giggle, as she takes a bite of her food. She was excited about her new pet, and couldn't wait to show off her new pet to her friends and whatnot.

@Leonardo Orr

 

[Professor Emmaline Hopkins]

Emmaline was happy to be back at Hogwarts, even more so now that she did not have to cook. The extra bonus this year was that she made prefect, something she assumed was just out of her grasp. She had her badge pinned on her uniform proudly as she took her seat at the Gryffindor table near her friends. She wondered how they would feel about her being a prefect. Of course she was quite the rule follower, but to be able to take points away from those who broke the rules was another step entirely, one that Emmaline did not feel comfortable with. She would have to get used to it if she was going to be the best prefect ever, lead by example.

The young Gryffindor girl watched the sorting ceremony. She hadn't known anyone getting sorted in a few years now, not after her younger sister. But it was still nice to watch. Emmaline made sure to clap at every first year that had been sorted into her own house, a small polite clap. When that was all said in done, plenty of new students in each house, the feast began. Emmaline began to pile her plate with food, food that was obviously better tasting than anything she had cooked over break. Filling up most her plate with mash potatoes that were real, over break she had basically only ate instant ones that you could microwave. Certainly this was much much better. The young girl continued to eat, gazing around every once and awhile for a familiar face.