#2 Dinner

Mathias straightened when he spotted Becca, giving her a friendly smile. 'Trouble? Oh, er...Not really. Just had a disagreement with the Whomping Willow but we talked it out,' he joked. A few scratches on his hands and face might say otherwise but he was too hungry to go into specifics right now. 

'Did you find what you were-' Mathias frowned and turned to see some commotion nearby. He sighed when seeing which houses were involved, no longer surprised - though he nodded when Becca excused herself to go prevent bloodshed. He'd have joined her but it was none of his business, plus Becca seemed to have it handled just fine.

Mathias was glad he didn't have many moments of conflict like that, though doubt it was only because he was fortunate to be in one of the two houses that didn't have a hatred for another in particular. 

Though Becca soon returned, Mathias watched Lailee walk away - a frown set on his face as he eyed Eleanor. He wasn't close enough to overhear everything but had a skill for eavesdropping and understood the gist of what was going on. He had no idea the circumstances regarding Lailee's adoption over the summer, but believed Eleanor was out of line. Of course, both sides said nasty things when they confronted each other but still, it seemed rather desperate to use something like adoption against another person. Mathias was adopted by his stepfather, after all - a man who loved him beyond all doubt. 

'Is she okay?' Mathias asked Becca, eyes lingering on Lailee's retreating form. 'Oh, uh...I just wanted to apologise for not meeting up with you.' He showed his smeared hands. 'I wrote it down and everything but, yeah. Anyway, I tried to find you but then dinner started and - I mean, food.' He gestured importantly to the house tables. 

'We should hang out again sometime though.' Mathias nodded, his stomach rumbling loudly enough for him to blush. 'I'll catch up with you later, okay? Sorry, again. I'll make it up to you!' He then hurried to the Ravenclaw table and sat down.

Thinking again, he stood and looked along the Hufflepuff table. First, he looked for any sign of his wayward sister who he didn't have much of a chance to talk to since the train. Not spotting her, he noticed Kieran and smirked. 'Oi, badger boy!' Mathias cupped his hands to raise his voice, trying not to recoil at the obvious attention he drew to himself. He had nothing else to say, just flashed Kieran a wide grin and waved. It confused several around him and Mathias was amused by it.

But then he was done being social. Food was more important. He tried to keep up a colour variety, as if subconsciously expecting his parents to just know if he filled up on chips and dessert. Taking a large gulp of pumpkin juice, Mathias happily ate his meal without any interest in those around him.

Though unaware of it, Avery had missed all the commotion by the doorway. She headed to the Slytherin table and considered where to sit. She coouldn't see Evan anywhere but didn't really try to find him, thinking he'd probably be really sick having her around by now. With a sigh, she headed towards the front and sat near a 5th year girl she didn't really know.

Avery glanced warily at her, realising it might have been a bad choice as that girl was often around Seabrook, but it would be too revealing to change her mind now. She wasn't right next to her, though still in hex range. Whatever, it wasn't as if they could do worst to her than all the stupid situations she got herself in anyway.

Avery ate her dinner in silence, though that's how every meal went for her. She made no effort to seek conversation or pay attention to anything than her own meal. It was rather lonely, but she was already used to that. Yet couldn't help wondering what Evan was doing and if maybe he wasn't so sick of her that they couldn't sit together during dinner? Nah, that was too hopeful.

Kier lazily watched the commotion by the door and gave a little smirk. He wasn’t sure what the Gryffindor had said, but he could sure see it’s effect on the other girl. Any other person and he might have felt a tad sympathetic, but after what the snake girl had said to Seabrook about him at the bridge... nah, as far as he was concerned she was getting her just deserts. Karma sure could be amusing sometimes.

At the familiar voice Kier lifted his head and looked over to the Ravenclaw table to see Mathias grinning, with a couple surprised onlookers staring at him. He couldn’t help but laugh and return the grin before also focusing a little on food, if only to not seem too odd. He straightened slightly and used his right arm to fill his plate with a few random things, once again depressed there was no bacon, before simply nibbling on a dinner roll and watching the others. His left arm, however, remained out of sight under the table.

Headmaster Rickard walked to the front of the staff table, clearing his throat to alert the students. General chatter subdued as many students turned their attention to him, wondering why he was addressing them during an otherwise ordinary dinner.

'As many of you are no doubt aware, earlier this evening someone set off a rather large display of enchanted fireworks.' Rickard glared around the room, though his gaze clearly lingered rather accusatory towards the Gryffindor table. 'These actions were reckless, unauthorised, and done in a clear disrespect for school rules - as well as the safety of others.'

He paused to allow the information to sink in for anyone who somehow didn't know what had happened, while also pretending not to hear various sniggers that followed. Despite his no-nonsense approach and firm disagreement with what happened, there was a distinct lack of anger one might expect. A few older students noticed it, straightening in their seats with increased interest.

'Although staff confidently suspect the identities of those behind the event, no witnesses have come forward,' Rickard continued. 'Nor do we expect them to. Nevertheless, an inconsiderate and foolish action such as this cannot go unpunished or without consequence. Fireworks of any kind are henceforth banned to the highest degree - anyone caught with one will be placed in detention with Mr Filch, and cost their house fifty points per item.'

There was an outcry at that, but he ignored it and raised a hand to settle the noise again. 'While you're all here and paying attention, I would also like to make an unrelated announcement.' Rickard glanced at the staff table, then resumed. 'Professor Hathmore has arranged to host duelling sessions for those interested in training in wand combat - further information about these sessions and sign-ups will be released at a later date, but we hope to provide further opportunities for students to test and improve their skills.'

He paused again, his tone turning rather cryptic. 'I daresay you're going to need it.'

Rickard returned to the staff table and resumed his dinner, allowing the Great Hall to fill with active chatter once again. Professors Snape and McGonagall eyed the Gryffindor table, before each forcing their attention back to their colleagues. 

Dani had gotten lost and ended up late to dinner, but at least she'd made it back into the school. From there, it was easy to find the Great Hall again, and from there all she had to do was find the Slytherin table. She still had that package she needed to deliver. Why had the owl given it to her, again? Oh, well.

Unfortunately, she had no idea who Lucas even was. She frowned, trying to look for someone who might be looking for her. Eventually, though, she had to just steel her nerves and approach a random Slytherin. "Excuse me, can you tell me where Lucas Mardling is? I'm supposed to deliver something."

Marrow just watched all this social interaction thinking to himself do colors matter this much. in his hands a spoon eating pudding watching really unsure on what was going on. thralled by the others he couldn't tell if they were friends are flirting with each other. Thinking it was time to introduce him self he spoke very loud so all could hear him"HI IM MARROW BELDWALKER ".he thought instantly head up back straight and with confidence.

After telling Mathias that she definitely wanted to make plans to hang out again sometime, she moved to the Slytherin table and sat across from Lailee, staring at the other girl to make sure she was alright after her altercation with Eleanor. It would do no good to ask if she was alright, she knew she’d never receive an honest answer. She eyed her roommate toying with food rather than eating it, and she grabbed a spoonful of green beans and drumstick and dropped them onto Lailee’s plate, “Eat up, you may be mad now and not so hungry, but by the time you’re ready to go to sleep you’ll be famished.”

Becca loaded her own plate with a bit of potatoes, carrots and chicken, making sure to save some room for dessert afterwards. She meticulously ate one item before moving to another, making a face at some of the student around her who were a bit more enthusiastic in their mealtime habits.

She was surprised when the Headmaster addressed them, as it was uncommon for him to do so unless it was a special occasion. As he spoke of the fireworks prank that any student with half a brain would know originated from Gryffindor, laying out consequences for those who ignored the ban, Rebecca gently kicked Lailee under the table, whispering, “Don’t you wish you had some to plant on that git Bernard just so we could turn her in?”

Her playfulness and teasing tone abruptly stopped when Rickard changed the subject to dueling. She listened carefully, not missing the part where he spoke of the necessity of the skill, and raised an eyebrow at the statement. Even without further details, she was interested in dueling practise, as she never knew what the future held and when the skill would come in handy.

She finished her plate, drinking her pumpkin juice and eyeing her roommate once more, now with more curiosity than concern. Becca knew that Eleanor’s adoption comment had been upsetting to Lailee, and even though it wasn’t her business, she wanted to know more about the circumstances. She wasn’t familiar with many people who had been adopted by whole other families before, except for those who were removed and placed in foster care when she was living in the muggle world, and wondered what could have led to the change. It was hard for her to admit that she had lived in the same room as the other girl for most of the year for years and didn’t know. She vaguely wondered if all houses were made up of roommates who were super secretive and private or if that was a Slytherin-only thing.

She looked up when a little Gryffindor loudly spoke and rolled her eyes, thinking it was just like a baby lion cub to be loud and proud just like the older ones, but on a less hostile basis. She supposed the little guy would learn, soon enough.