An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Though the sun shone bright that morning, the temperature had dropped as if to remind them that October was at its end. Hallowe'en decorations were minimal and easily overlooked, though those who'd attended Hogwarts in the past knew that would change.
Student chatter and excitement filled the hall. However, it wasn't the arrival of Hallowe'en that drew their primary interest - but rather the presence of a rather unexpected yet well-known and admired guest.
Neith Xcalyn, one of the Ministry's most famous and esteemed Aurors, was by the Head Table talking with Professors Rivera and McGonagall. Everything about her demonstrated grace and authority, which was inspiring yet mostly just intimidating. Several students, particularly older ones who perhaps had ambitions to join the Ministry someday, often craned to get a better view or tried to look important in hope she'd notice them.
The occasional student did venture to say hello, though few were brave enough to. Those with keen observational skills may see there were also several students who did their best to go unnoticed. After all, not everyone was a fan of Aurors or the duties they dedicated their lives to. Several Slytherins in particular kept their heads down as if nothing of interest was going on.
What chatter did divert from the presence of Neith Xcalyn was about Quidditch tryouts that day, both which were previously delayed - but had since been confirmed to definitely be taking place today. It seemed the Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff captains weren't able to make it to try-outs, but substitutes will be running the events and those decisions will be final.
Word had just spread that (by captains requests) Professor Rivera would be overseeing Ravenclaw, and Sophia Rhynhart was assigned to oversee Hufflepuff.
Student schedules were magically assigned to everyone who sat at their house table.
Morning Homework Session All years
Ravenclaw: Quidditch try-outs are this morning.
Night Event Hallowe'en Feast
Hufflepuff: Quidditch try-outs are this afternoon.
Owl Post will arrive soon with the Daily Prophet. The homework session thread will be available once breakfast ends. All students must attend it before having free time.
When breakfast/lunch ends, a thread will be made to start Quidditch try-outs. Any members of that house are welcome to attend. School brooms are used for these events, regardless if a character has their own or not.
Note:An annual party plot (for an exclusive afternoon event) will soon begin, hosted by Tobias Twiggs and @mackenzie . This was pre-planned by members and approved by staff. Full details will become available in the Member Network board once breakfast ends. Though optional, all 1st year students are welcome to participate and get involved once it's started. As of right now, they have no knowledge of this event.
Post by Lindsey Bryce on Jun 19, 2020 20:51:14 GMT 10
Lindsey had gone to sleep late, mostly due to giving Rose a hand with her Homework. The Teepom Plant, which was used for Honeyvine Tea or in cakes, something her grandmother enjoyed doing personally. Lindsey smiled at the memory of eating one of those cakes as a child, but pushed it aside as she headed towards the door of the Great Hall. Once she was there, she took a look around at all the whispering and then saw her...
Neith Xcalyn? Why was she here? Lindsey knew enough about the ministry to know the woman was a famous auror. Why in the world would she be here of all places? Looking over at the Professor, Lindsey made an choice to place herself towards the front of the table, mostly because she wanted to hear what was going on. Lindsey didn't want to be an auror, she wanted to be a healer, like her mother, but healers could easily work closely to Aurors and help them if needed.
Taking out her letter to her parents, she wrote a quick post script at the bottom to tell them what was going on and who was there. With that finished, she folded it and placed her plate in front, grabbing some sausages and eggs for breakfast. She needed something hearty with how tired she was, especially if she was going to get her Homework completed.
Last Edit: Jun 19, 2020 21:22:32 GMT 10 by Lindsey Bryce
Amelia was groggy this morning... The whole event with the marshmallows last night had made her dead to the world, but she drug herself out of bed and moved like death to the great hall. As she stifled a yawn, she turned into the great hall and was met by the sounds of chattering. To be honest, she wasn't even paying attention to the chattering, her eyes half closed before she found a place in her normal.
Looking up, finally, she noticed why everyone was so chattering and raised a brow at seeing Neith Xcalyn at the Staff table with the professors. Why was she here? Did Anjay know? Well, this was interesting, especially with the conversation from the night prior. Rubbing the back of her neck, she groaned at the tense muscles from sleeping oddly and looked down, wondering if her parents would have her a letter.
Grabbing a bowl, she put some fruit into the bowl and then some oatmeal, trying to at least manage something healthy. She kept a close eye out for Tobias, but also for Jade, Tiana, Jacob and Anjay. Jacob had come to the common room in a flurry the night prior, she was a little worried about him.
Last Edit: Jun 19, 2020 21:19:23 GMT 10 by Deleted
Jamie had sprung out of bed rather early this morning, not wanting to miss the owls coming in for Breakfast, as he had a letter to his parents, though mostly his dad. Grabbing what he needed for the Homework Session, he packed his bag and headed towards the stairs, passing a few drowsy looking students as they made their own way to the Great Hall. As he arrived, he did a quick look for his siblings and then shrugged before he went to his table. It was funny that he had yet to be invited to any other table except for Ravenclaw and that kind of annoyed him.
Yes, he was different, but not that different. The chatter around him was loud, but he pulled out his letter and put his bag at his feet once he was seated. Reading over the letter, he smiled before folding it again.
Dear Dad & Mom, I miss you both so much. Thank you dad for the parcels on what's going on with everything we love. How is everything going with our projects? I'd really like to work on something when I get home. I know I have to be here, because of the magic stuff, but I would so much rather be back home with you, attending a normal school. I feel so much like an outsider. Grace seems to be doing great and seems to have a lot of friends, but here I am, barely spoken to by anyone.
We have Homework today and I am learning a lot, but just miss you guys and home.
Love, Jamie
The chattering finally seemed to penetrate his thoughts, making him realize that someone was here that was new. As he looked towards the direction everyone else was, he saw Neith Xcalyn with the professors. He was young, but knew a little about her being famous, but that was about it. Turning his head around to see some of his classmates, he grabbed a bowl and put some cereal in it before grabbing the milk.
Last Edit: Jun 19, 2020 21:27:02 GMT 10 by Deleted
Post by Tobias Twiggs on Jun 19, 2020 21:14:59 GMT 10
Waking up had been a struggle that morning for Toby, he'd slept in and when one of his dormmates had finally thought to wake him, he grabbed the nearest thing (his pillow) and threw it at whomever it was. It had taken him several long minutes to sluggishly sit up in his bed and pull on some fresh school robes- but eventually he was ready to face the day, although he wouldn't be in the best mood doing it.
Heading down to the great hall at a snails pace to what he was usually like in the mornings, he hoped that breakfast would give him some extra energy so that he wasn't in danger of falling asleep in class and getting an undeserved detention. He made it to the Gryffindor table without incident and immediately grabbed a slice of toast and his schedule for the day.
Perching on the bench, he ate his toast slowly- as if the action was using too much energry to truly be enjoyable. It wasn't until he'd finished that first slice of toast that he finally glanced down at his timetable. He'd forgotten it was halloween so no classes for the day, all he had to endure was a homework session first thing.
Not even the promise of the evening feast was enough to drag the first year from his stinker of a mood though.
The marshmallow hangover not withstanding, Anjay had slept pretty well and was ready to tackle a new day. Anjay wasn't the type to linger in bed after waking up- it wasn't really the Xcalyn way- so he'd jumped in the shower, styled his hair and pulled on a fresh pair of school robes.
He wasn't the very first person in the castle awake, but he was certainly among the early bird crowd of people heading into the Great Hall. There seemed to be a certain kind of energy in the castle this morning, probably due to the excitement about Halloween. Anjay was certainly ready to see what the day had in store.
He was contemplating what he would have for breakfast- some fruit, some oats, perhaps an omelette- when he headed towards the Gryffindor table to sit next to Amy. She looked just an tired as he did from their marshmallow adventure last night. There was a bit more commotion happening up at the staff table than usual, Rivera and McGonagall were talking with... his mother?
Anjay had to do a double take... no, two double takes. What was his mother doing here? He scanned his brain and couldn't remember a previous time she'd come to Hogwarts. He battled the conflicting emotions of feeling happy to see his mother and feeling embarrassed that she was here. But why should he be embarrassed? That was a natural reaction for someone his age, he supposed, even if he was proud of his parents and proud to be an Xcalyn.
He debated for two or three minutes about what to do when he decided he couldn't not go up and say hello. She would never let him live it down if he did. Taking a deep breath, he rose from the Gryffindor table and made his way up to the Head Table.
He nodded amicably at McGonagall and Rivera, greeting them both with a cheery "Good morning, Professor," before he turned to his mother. He smiled at her but didn't reach out for a hug... the other kids were still watching. "Good morning mom," he said to her with a chuckle. "Wasn't expecting to see you here this morning."
'Yes, I expect that was always an option but we'd rather take it one step at a time...' Neith trailed off, turning towards Anjay's voice. 'Do excuse me, it appears my eldest has finally chosen to acknowledge his mother,' she joked, giving him a strong embrace in full awareness that it was probably embarrassing to him.
It was hardly her fault he'd grown out of being that eager little boy who trailed after her around the house all day. But 5 or 15, he was her child and she'll be damned if she didn't hug him when given the opportunity.
The Professors headed to the staff table, giving them space to talk. Headmaster Rickard was nearby, speaking importantly to another Ministry worker - though one Anjay didn't recognise at all.
'I've spoken to your sisters and your brother already this morning.' Neith tutted her son, mercifully releasing him from her "mummy hug". She rested her hands on his shoulders, and leaned back to get a good look at him. She fussed with his tie, straightening it as if they were in the privacy of their living room and not in front of the entire school.
In the context of the moment, this wasn't typical behaviour for her. Anjay's parents were usually mindful of the public eye and respectful of their children's preferences or comfort levels - thus is was clear that any embarrassment he suffered right now was punishment for not seeking her out sooner, and likely for not writing home as often as he used to. It was a firm reminder of family loyalty and obligation.
'No, I wasn't expecting to be here myself, if I'm honest,' Neith added, her professionalism returning. 'Your father got called out to a raid last-minute. Our co-worker who was meant to oversee things here today had a bad reaction to some confiscated plants. I volunteered after that.' Her smile implied she'd missed him and his siblings.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Jun 19, 2020 22:01:17 GMT 10
Grace woke up excited for Halloween. She expected her costume to come today, so she could even be able to wear one. She decided she'd let Marcia tag along with her today, and had gently picked up the rat and placed her inside her pocket. She walked downstairs, seeing that Breakfast had already started. There was an unfamiliar face, but Grace quickly realized that it was Neith Xcalyn. Didn't she have an Xcalyn classmate? She considered this to herself.
She looked around for Gerald before seeing he wasn't here. Jamie was, though. "Hey Toby." Grace said casually, placing a few food items on the plate. She then realized that he seemed rather tired. Huh. She wondered about that. She hadn't seen him in the common room that night, but then again, she hadn't wanted to stay too long there anyways. Marcia had mazes to go through and treats to eat.
"Aw. A homework session." she muttered, quietly disappointed. She had, for some reason, considered the whole day of Halloween free time. Well, that was fine. She could probably still do her homework fast enough. She wondered what else she would do, really hoping that Gerald had sent that later.
Post by Arthur Hocking on Jun 19, 2020 22:13:40 GMT 10
Arthur's hands still felt rather sore, but at least he hadn't been to the Hospital Wing. He made his way down to the Hufflepuff table, considering the date. He knew his younger cousin would be trick or treating, maybe even his older cousin would be taking her along. He missed Muggle Halloween, but he had already been getting a bit old for it when he went to Hogwarts his first year.
He sat at the Hufflepuff table, trying to grab his breakfast quickly. Eggs, some toast. Yeah, that was nice. He allowed himself a moment of peace, and wondered if Elara would come down to see him. Or yell at him. At least Professor Snape had seemed in a better mood. His eyes went to the staff table to see what, if anything, the professor was doing. Instead he spotted a new face, a different woman. Who was that? Arthur stabbed his egg and started chewing as he wondered who it was. A new professor, maybe?
Many if not most students would have died of embarrassment at having their mother in the school for any reason at all, but to be hugged and accosted and fussed over in such a public way? For most people it would have been too much... but not Anjay. For one, he knew this was out of character for his mother. But most importantly, he could never feel any shame about anything concerning his family. He was too proud.
Her use of the word "finally" to his professors let him know that she expected him to come greet her first thing... of course she would have been watching him and noticed his hesitation. Whatever. He didn't let it bother him. Sometimes being an Xcalyn could come with a feeling of being micromanaged and observed, but the perks outweighed any perceived annoyance.
Hearing that his father was out on a raid sent a slight chill down his spine. When Anjay was a boy he'd taken the news with excitement; images of his father slaying enemies with impressive displays of magic had occupied his daydreams back then. But he was older now and his father was older, too, and the world seemed to be becoming a more and more dangerous place.
"Oversee what things?" he asked curiously, unaware of anything out of the ordinary here at Hogwarts. It was Halloween, but as far as he knew there wasn't anything going on that would require Ministry oversight. The whole situation was strange, and he wanted answers.
Tom dragged his tired body into the Great Hall at a snail's pace, still exhausted from the full day he'd had yesterday. He hadn't slept well, he'd had a strange dream where the cat he'd rescued and taken to Hagrid's was rolling around close to a mountain's edge playing with a silver medallion. Innocent enough but it still gave him a strange feeling inside.
He slumped down next to Lindsey with barely a hello, immediately biting into a piece of bacon. He finished that one and reached for another one, feeling a little more awake now that he had some food in him, and went to talk to Lindsey when he noticed everyone's attention was focused up at the front of the room. Who was standing at the front of the Head Table?
"Who is that?" Tom asked Lindsey. He had grown up in the Muggle world and returned there every summer; there were so many well known witches and wizards that Tom had simply never heard of.
Post by Elizabeth Doren on Jun 19, 2020 22:32:26 GMT 10
Elizabeth had awoken, as she usually did, early enough. She spent time tidying herself up in the mirror in order to appear her best, as she usually did, and wondered what today would bring. She anxiously awaited a response from her parents, but she went down to breakfast calm and collected. She saw Neith Xcalyn, the Auror, speaking with a boy from Elizabeth's year.
Interesting. Though it was none of Elizabeth's business she couldn't help but be intrigued. Aurors, at the school? Something must be wrong at the school. Elizabeth tried to consider the recent news. The missing Auror. Earlier than that, the Muggle disturbances. Was there a connection? Elizabeth grabbed a piece of fruit and then some cereal, as she would have at home, as she considered both Xcalyn's appearance and today's schedule.
Elizabeth had considered the Ministry, but she was uncertain of her parents' approval on the matter. She would have to write them today about what they thought of certain jobs, as well as about Neith Xcalyn. Would they even be interested? Elizabeth wondered as she ate her cereal.
Neith shared a less-than-friendly look with Professor Hathmore, who wandered into the Great Hall almost late for breakfast. He sat in his usual seat, and proceeded to ignore her yet speared his eggs rather unnecessarily.
She was aware of Professor Fairburn being equally unimpressed with her and her co-worker's presence, but suspected that was more in relation to the Ministry's previous efforts to threaten the future of the Beast Reserve. That wasn't Neith's department, though she had voted against it's proposed closure.
'Nothing to worry about,' Neith reassured Anjay. It wasn't the typical "mother reassuring child" tone, as the Xcalyn family believed in keeping their children prepared for the realities of the world and its dangers. They didn't sugarcoat, and she wasn't about to start now.
She fixed his tie again. 'I suspect you'll hear all about it in today's Daily Prophet. Your father did an interview for it as well,' Neith said. She met his gaze, her expression serious. 'Things are changing, Anjay. You need to think about your future, now more than ever.'
Elara had risen early that morning, the night before she'd retired to her dormitory early to work on her homework and reading some more of the book she'd taken from the library earlier that day. Then she'd gone to bed before any of her classmates had even entertained the possibility of sleep- of course she'd wanted to get a good nights rest for Quidditch try-outs the next day... Something she was still mad about having been postponed.
Entering the hall, she was in a relatively good mood and she doubted very much it could be ruined- even if as she turned towards the Hufflepuff table, she saw Arthur had already arrived. He was her friend- probably the best one she had since Hanna wasn't currently speaking to her, but she did wish he hadn't attempted to blow her and her potion up the previous day. Still, she thought it would only be polite if she asked him how his detention with Snape had gone.
"Morning Arthur" she greeted him pleasantly, sitting beside him and beginning to help herself to some scrambled eggs. "How did detention go?" she wouldn't know anything about how detentions worked, having never received one before... She doubted they were enjoyable and with Snape in charge of this one, she was amazed Arthur felt like coming down to breakfast at all.
Post by Arthur Hocking on Jun 19, 2020 23:02:06 GMT 10
Arthur grinned at Elara. "Morning." he greeted. He expected the question. After all, it wasn't like anything interesting had happened to him besides that since Dinner last night. He had already thought about how to describe the detention. He rubbed his hands together, trying to soothe a bit of the soreness.
"So, he had these filthy, foul cauldrons, and I had to wash all of them out." he held out his hands for Elara to look at. He thought about the other events of that night as well, and lowered his voice, whispering to Elara. "Professor Hathmore came in, and he started talking about, like, maps and stuff. He said some really ominous stuff...like, about loyalty." Arthur pulled out a quill and drew the crest from the book from last night on a piece of paper. "And he handed him a letter, and then a book with this on the front. Is it a magical thing?" he asked. Arthur wanted to check with Elara before checking with the librarian.
"And he left, and then I heard arguing...I couldn't tell who it was, but I saw Professor Fairburn like, run past then." Arthur was glad he had something exciting to share with Elara, as well as someone to talk to about what he thought was going on.
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