OPENING CEREMONY (all students and staff)

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam had her hand on Seth's shoulder in a comforting way but caught the tail end of Rystain's story and thought to laugh and hope Seth laughed with her. But for now all she did was smile at him. Her lips curling upwards, her eyes warm, her manner serene, and it was as if she were proud of Rystain for some reason, as if the look was reserved for him and he had done something extraordinary. Sam thought the story might have been to cheer Seth up.

[Maxi Borale]

Sept 11, 2008 1:40:56 GMT -5 Rebecca "Bek" Caldwell said:

Bek walked into the Great Hall and looked around, not seeing many students there yet. The Gryffindor table had a couple of younger students, and also Alice Prewett and Frank Longbottom. The Slytherin table was crowded, and Bek saw Seth and Sam. It looked as though Seth was going through a little mental breakdown, but it also seemed that Sam had it under control, so Bek decided to question him later. A quick glance showed that Gage hadn't arrived at the Ravenclaw table yet, and then there was Maxi, all alone at the Hufflepuff table with her face on the table. Bek sighed. Somehow, she guessed that Seth's breakdown and Maxi's turmoil intertwined with each other.

Bek walked over to the side of the Gryffindor table that faced the Hufflepuffs. "Okay Maxi Borale, spill," Bek said, knowing Maxi too well. "What did little Nopho screw up now?"

Maxi laughed. Bek knew her too well. The blonde sat up and wiped tears from her deep blue eyes. She hadn't realized she had been crying.

"I think I love Seth," Maxi said, not really sure that she said the words. "I really think i do."

[Rebecca "Bek" Caldwell]

"Well," Bek said slowly. "No duh there sweetie," Bek smiled. She cast a dryiing charm on Maxi's face to dry the tears. Now her face was dry and shocked. "What, like this is new? Maxi, you and Seth have been playing cat and mouse for so long now that i've forgotton which is which!" Bek smiled and tucked Maxi's hair behind her ear. "Why din't you tell him? huh?"

[Frank Longbottom]

She watched Frank from the corner of her eyes admiring his features and wishing she was alone and could kiss him again. Not that she was brazen but she couldn't help herself where Frank was concerned and she knew she'd somehow managed a step forward in their friendship becoming more than friends and hoped it continued on that path.

Frank rested his cheek against the top of Alice's head. He had done that a few times before, but now it felt different however in a good sense. "Alice?" The thought of him telling her feelings for her crossed his mind. He had a burst of courage for the night, and he was going to use it, but not at the moment. He lifted his head off of hers and looked down at her. "I've got something I want to tell you later, so meet me after the ceremony out in the hall. I don't really want anyone else to hear." If he didn't tell her tonight, he wasn't sure if he'd ever tell her.

[Alice Prewett]

Alice looked up at him with a question in her eyes, she wasn't sure what he was wanting to talk to her about or if it was good or bad. But considering the way he'd had his head against hers it seemed unlikely it was some bad news. Maybe it was something he had forgotten about or he needed help studying. She looked into his eyes and saw and odd look in them she had seen the day they'd been caught in the rain and her breath caught. She was grateful she was sitting now because her knees turned to jelly under her and she thought she'd melt under that gaze. It was a mixture of adoration, hesitation, and hope she realized reflecting in his eyes and she could feel it's effects to her toes. She realized for the second time this week she felt more than friendship for him but she didn't want to say anything. She was worried he'd run again at the mearest mention of emotions, and she still wasn't even positive why he'd ignored her before for several weeks but she suspected he'd gotten scared like her cousin Andromeda had suggested might be the case. She really needed to talk to Rystain she thought suddenly, she had to tell him and make sure he'd hold up his end of their childhood pact now that she knew she was falling for Frank.

She patted his leg comfortingly, whatever he needed to tell her she'd meet with him and find out but she knew she couldn't tell him her feelings until she was sure he wouldn't run away again. "Okay, Frank we can talk after we're out of here. I doubt I'll be picked anyways and we can just go somewhere private and talk if you want." She figured they'd likely just walk out together and go talk somewhere about whatever was on his mind and once again thought maybe it was something to do with studies, tests or maybe even about the Order they'd recently joined maybe he knew something he had to tell her about.

[Evelyn Turner]

((OOC: Sorry I zoned. LOL))

Sept 10, 2008 14:50:47 GMT -5 Alice Prewett said:

Alice turned her head towards Frank and wondered what he was thinking, he looked so calm and handsome there beside her. She couldn't imagine him anywhere else that would make her happy. "Why didn't you put you're name in the Goblet, Frank? I know you would have been a shoe-in to get it if you had. I wonder who will get picked though for the houses, didn't you put yours in too Evelyn?" She tried to include Evelyn in on the new conversation although she stayed right where she was, happy feeling Frank near her.

"Oh no. I know myself too well to put my name in for the tournament. I'd fail so quickly, it'd just embarrass Gryffindor. Actually, I don't know who did put their name in. Do either of you?"

[Alice Prewett]

Alice had just been about to ask Frank if something was wrong that he needed to talk to her about when Evelyn stopped daydreaming and answered her. She didn't mind though she liked Evelyn and wondered what was on her mind to be so distracted.

"Just a few, but not many of the other houses I'm afraid. I only saw a few people putting their names in when I was submitting mine. I know that Sam girl did in Slytherin and some younger Ravenclaw that I didn't know by name. I hope that Sam girl doesn't get picked though she thinks she's so special." she said it darkly which was uncharastic for her to show animosity for anyone unless it was one of her cousins she didn't like.

[Lyra Newbury]

Sept 11, 2008 2:41:31 GMT -5 Rystain Quandry said:

It's funny cause my parents were arranged too and have similar issues. That reminds me though... just yesterday I was having a conversation with Peves and one of the portraits in the hall outside one of my classes, Lady Morsales or something or other.. I don't really remember her name but they were arguing about something, anyways I got involved and had to explain to him that he can't leave sharp toothed jumping candies on the floor of the hallway just to see how many students will walk into it, no matter how funny he think it would be to see them get bitten by the candy. He started rambling how no one ever lets him have fun and then the portrait was trying to tell him to go put them in the headmaster's office instead. I think she has it out for him or something. Peves had to start acting like a baby moaning and groaning till he decided to go have a party with the ghosts or soemthing." He told his story and rolled his eyes whenever he mentioned Peves the spirit of chaos that was well known in the castle and how portraits are sometimes just as bad.

Rystain was grinning at Lyra with a lopsided smile.

At first Lyra had no idea how Rystain could have found a similarity in their parents' relationship and the relationship between Peeves and Lady Morsales. But as his story went on she understood, and laughed at Peeves' childlike idiocy. "He can't help it you know. He's not the brightest poltergeist in the castle." He was, in fact, the only poltergeist in the castle. "He had a party? And you didn't tell me? You know I'm trying to start a business here," she teased.

[Evelyn Turner]

"Does she?" Evelyn looked over to the Slytherin table where Sam was surrounded by people, all seeming to be having a decent time. But of course they would enjoy her company if she were full of herself. Most of them were. "I haven't spent any time with her. She seems a little too pompous for me." She gave Alice a sympathetic smile. For Alice to say something about someone else, it had to be true, and they had to have done something terrible.

[Rystain Quandry]

"Yeah it was some kind of non-living party, he wasn't very specific except he mentioned that it had something to do with deathday or something for the Bloody Barron. You could always take up party planning for the deceased, though I don't know how lucrative it would be without them having money to pay you. You could always do wizarding wedding reception parties those pay well I'm sure and maybe slightly more borring than a deathday party but at least they pay."

He didn't know why he'd thought of weddings, he certainly had no desire to marry anyone but Alice had crossed his mind at that moment and he needed to talk to her later about something related and he thought about trying to catch her after dinner tonight if he could catch her away from Frank for a moment or two just to let her know that he was keeping his agreement with her if she had found someone she loved. But other than a quick glance at Alice, with Frank's head resting against hers, he didn't show his thoughts and gave his full attention back to his own table.

[Frank Longbottom]

He hoped that Alice would feel the same way about him because he didn't want to make a fool of himself, putting it all out there. Although, once he told her tonight, then he didn't have to worry about being awkward around her, unless afterwords she detested him. He didn't really think that Alice would detest him because she responded to everything he did and vice versa.

"Don't doubt yourself Alice," he replied. "You never know. There might be a surprise and your doubts may come true." He gave her a wink. "Besides, I have faith in you."

Frank looked in between the Evelyn and Alice as they spoke about Sam. He kept his comments to himself. After all, he had been tutoring her.

[Alice Prewett]

Alice had blushed at Frank when he complimented her and purposely bumped him with her shoulder in his ribs since it was so conveinent with his arm around her other shoulder though it was light and only meant as a show of her slight embarrisment of his praise. Not that she didn't enjoy every word of it, because she relished the thought that he had so much faith in her. The question was did the Goblet of Fire? She had wondered what it looked for in a champion, surely only those who would be most capable would be chosen that had submitted their names but still she wondered. Then she burried her blushing face into his side so he wouldn't notice that she'd enjoyed his compliments so much.. she could feel her cheeks flaming hot and knew they had to be stained with red by now.

Then as Alice spoke about Sam and responded to her question she had forgotten her embarrisment and didn't notice Frank going quiet at the mention of Sam.

[Sirius Black]

Sept 10, 2008 23:10:30 GMT -5 Kris Lupin said:

Sept 10, 2008 16:29:16 GMT -5 Sirius Black said:

Sirius and Remus walked down to the Great Hall together. Somehow James and Peter had gone ahead of them. Upon entering the Great Hall, Sirius immediately noticed that there was a kind of energy in the air, like something was about to happen. The tables were all curiously decorated, as well. Interesting....

As they approached the Gryffindor table, Sirius stumbled slightly. Kris was there, but so was Amy. They weren't sitting near each other, and there was plenty of room next to Kris. But then, there was also plenty of room next to Amy. Sirius gulped.

Of course, he knew he had to sit with Kris. But it shouldn't have felt like such an... obligation. After all, he noticed, she looked really pretty today. But then... so did Amy.

He was a mess.

He broke into one of his trademark smiled and headed over to sit between James and Kris. "Hey," he said, leaning in to kiss Kris on the cheek. "You look pretty tonight."

Kris beamed, she knew if she polished up he'd think she was better! "Oh Sirius, you're so cute." she giggled and felt as high as the ceiling.
"How was your classes today?" she asked not really thinking about how she had all the same classes more or less, she didn't take dueling, she had enough with she already had to deal with. As far as she concerned she didn't have to learn something like that.

(LOL... I love how you're making her so vapid...)

Sirius grinned at her."Thanks," he said. "Hey, have you met my cousin, Alice?" He signalled over to Alice, who was a few seats down from them. "She's one of my cool cousins. Alice, this is my girlfriend, Kris, and my best friends, James, Remus, and Peter."

[Kris Lupin]

Kris beamed, he's introducing me to his family! His nice family! in her mind she already heard wedding bells and such. "Hi! It's nice to meet you!"
Of course she already mostly knew James and Peter and Remus was her brother of course!
"Oh Hi Remus!" she smiled she hadn't felt happier till now. *Tell me if I need to edit it, I'm being rushed! (

[Alice Prewett]

Alice turned her attention to the younger students not far from them, close enough to talk without raising her voice as her cousin Sirius introduced his little buddies she'd seen him around with alot lately. She wondered at the girlfriend who seem such an odd choice for him to have made based on what she'd seen of the girl so far. She'd have to ask him about her later, she didn't realize that they were actually officially dating. 'Was she the only one who hadn't dated anyone until after turning seventeen?' Alice wondered though she still wasn't dating anyone even if Frank had become closer.

Alice said hello to them all at once and moved away from Frank reluctantly so she could talk without looking rude about it and in turn said, "it's nice to finally meet you all by name at least. Don't let Sirius get you guys into too much mischief though if I know him, cause I'd like to keep our house points this year." She said that pointedly to her cousin with a wink and a chuckle. She'd just recently found a book with the cover switched in the library that she was sure had Sirius's name all over it especially since she'd told him she was going there to find that book earlier in the day. She wouldn't put it past his little pranks.

"by the way you know Frank and Evelyn already right?" She motioned to her two friends just to make sure but she thought that everyone knew them especially her cousin who had been around at least when she was with them.

She had many cousins being in the unenviable position of being in both the prewett and black family tree.. but of all of them three stood out as her favorites, Molly, Sirius and Andromeda. She was closer in age to the three of them and they all had similiar ideals that often went against family traditions and perceptions. Luckily she didn't have the stigma of the Black family surname to contend with like Andi and Sirius did. Her mother had been a Black but luckily Alice had escaped that fate for the most part. She also liked Molly's twin brothers but they were older and she didn't have as much interaction with them.

Alice let her hand slip into Frank's after she introduced them to Sirius and his friends, so he didn't have to feel bad that his arm wasn't around her anymore, if he did that is but she wasn't sure how he felt and she was still a bit confused but tha was for a later time to deal with.

((is it just me or do Sirius and Alice's characters look really family related face resemblances??))

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha had no clue that she was being talked about, but really it wouldn't surprise her, did that make her pompous? She wasn't sure, she didn't *want* people to talk about her, sometimes they had the most horrible things to say. But so was life.

She watched Rystain as he kept with his story, her hand still on Seth's shoulder, her ear open for Justine's comments and a smile for Severus every now and then, she could have sworn she saw mischief in the boy's eyes and that endeared him to her immediately. Then there was Lyra, she had a lot of life in her, that was a good thing.

Yes Sam had smiles for everyone tonight some were faked others were real. She wondered when her brother would show up, when the ceremony would start...when she would finally know if she was chosen or not.

Then it happened again, a sudden chill up her spine as if someone was watching her. She looked around the room to see it was only Evelyn, and she couldn't read the girl's look, only that she returned a comment to Alice...oh bloody perfect I heal your arm and you spread rumors about me behind my back because your jealous and you think I'm after your Frank, who isn't even your boyfriend yet.

The whole lover's tangle was ridiculous to Sam, if you liked someone spit it out! Her hand tightened a bit on Seth's shoulder but not enough to hurt just enough to be aware of. Seth and Maxi, Frank and Alice, she sighed, I don't want any part of your love. I don't want love at all.

[Seth Inophen]

Seth had started to feel a bit better and was listening to the other convorsations at the table when he felt a small squeeze on his shoulder. He looked at Sam, she was smiling, but her eyes were out of focus, as if she were here, but somewhere else as well.

"You alright there Sam?"

[Samantha Montgomery]

Sam laughed lightening her hand on Seth's shoulder, "Of course Seth. Although I'll tell you what." she said looking back at Maxi, " Why don't I help you come up with something really special for Maxi hmm? Oh I know! You can ask her to the dance!" she said with a bright smile.

[Seth Inophen]

Seth had choked on a sip of water he had taken. "Dance?" he asked in disbelief. "Sam, that's a brilliant idea and all but..." he looked back at Maxi and Bek, then turned to Sam. "I can't dance! At all, even the slightest."

[Samantha Montgomery]

"I'll teach you." she offered, she could teach him the basic steps well enough that he wouldn't be embarrassed to dance with Maxi, " It's easy as pie." she promised, " Besides it doesn't matter how well you dance, just how close you hold her." she promised, and it was true, a guy could not have a clue but if he held a girl and stared in their eyes they'd be dancing in the clouds.