A Sad State of Affairs (ALL STUDENTS, STAFF)

[Samantha Montgomery]

Samantha couldn't blame Lani for leaving, "Had enough of Charlotte's sparkling personality?" she asked glancing back down to where Charlotte and Dorian had been left. She heard some of Charlotte's answers and had to prevent herself from rolling her eyes, especially because Charlotte stole half of that snark from her and that had been years ago, the least Char could have done was be original.

[Charlotte Monroe]

"I think we made her cry." Charlotte said with faux-contrition, she wore her worried features for a millisecond before brushing the encounter off her shoulders. There was hardly any joy from a victory like that, there was a saying that when you were dead lie down, oh but for heaven's sake don't pout about it.

[Leilani Evetts]

Lani hesitated when he said the seat was reserved. Damn it, she would make a fool of herself yet-

And then he was helping her into the seat, and she wasn't quite sure what happened, but she was thankful for it.

She glanced at Sam, fully expecting to get some of the same attitude from her, and was pleasantly surprised when she didn't.

"Yes, she's... charming."

[Narcissa Black]

Narcissa headed to dinner with Regulus by her side. She didn't want to eat by herself tonight, so why not bring someone worth talking to?

Upon entering the Great Hall, the atmosphere hit her before she actually took a step in. Everyone's faces seemed solemn, of course except for the Slytherin table. They seemed to be talking amongest themselves while everyone else seemed to be off. Narcissa looked curiously around, before taking a few steps towards the Slytherin table. Sitting close to the others, she took a seat, with Regulus sitting across from her.

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Really is." Sam said still watching the girl with an amused expression before turning towards Lani and nodding, she knew they had gotten off on the wrong foot, but if the expression in Rystain's eye told her anything it was that he cared about Lani, and since Rystain was one of her few friends, that meant that she cared about Lani, enough anyway to get a second impression.

[Rystain Quandry]

Rystain slid Lani closer without really realizing he had done it, it was an unconsious need to have her closer. "Don't let her get to you, I know I'd never let her get her claws on me. There's some things even I wouldn't do." He said it softly so that only Sam and Lani could hear him.

[Andrea Holmes]

Andrea walked into the Great Hall, the permanent frown stuck on her face as always. At seeing the black decor, she frowned even more. Great, someone died. Probably some old professor. Like she really cared. She glanced around, trying to get some indication of what had happened, but found no clue. SO she headed to the Slytherin table and sat down next to Regulus. "Hi, Regulus," she said, smiling hopefully.

[Regulus Black]

Regulus took his seat across from Narcissa and looked around. Someone died. Great. That might everyone in the other houses were going to be sad. It was sort of strange that all the other houses were quiet, and Slytherin was the one that was talking instead of looking sad like the other ones, but Regulus didn't care. He probably didn't even know who it was, and they probably deserved it, who knew?

Once Andrea entered, Regulus smiled at her. "Hello Andrea," he said. She needed to smile more. That frown that was permanently stuck on her face didn't do anything for her. "How are you this evening?"

[Voltaire Rothschild]

Voltaire made his away down to the Great Hall. He hoped that Isa would listen to him and stay with their son away from the black banners and the sad news. He didn't figure it'd do Connor any good to hear someone else besides himself wailing. He didn't want to leave her alone either, but one of them had to make an appearance. He entered through the professor's side door and sat down at the table, nodding to the Professors who either stood up as he approached or that simply nodding in his direction.

[Rafe Colby]

Rafe didn't notice any of these things as he walked into the Great Hall. He simply noticed Sam, sitting at the Slytherin table, next to Rystain. He scowled. He hated that guy. Seth was also nearby, he noted. Perfect.

He chose a seat next to a quiet-looking brunette who didn't quite seem to fit the mold of the "model-perfect" Slytherin girl. From here he could watch Sam from a distance, without the interference of those two losers. He was going to have to do something about them.

[Rystain Quandry]

Unfortunatly Rystain saw Rafe enter and he imediately leaned over and whispered to Sam, "you're personal fan club just showed up and he doesn't look thrilled with your company." He could see the boy scowling and he only smirked in return.

[Gilderoy Lockhart]

Gilderoy entered the Great Hall and was very upset to see the black draping. He didn't look at all good in black. The dark color reflected poorly on his skin and created unnatural shadows.

He didn't think at all about why the hall was decorated in black, and he didn't notice the serious atmosphere, either. So he walked up to the Slytherin table, oblivious, and sat down.

"What's going on?" he said loudly. "It seems like everyone needs to smile!"

[Leilani Evetts]

Lani waved off Rystain's concern. "She's not getting to me. It's just her and Ryan combined... it can be a little much. Besides, I rather like this side of the table."

She fell silent, sitting so close to Rystain and just watching. She saw the scowl that Rafe had given Rystain, or was it directed at Sam? She couldn't tell, and then heard Rystain's words to the girl.

What was that all about? She wondered it, but she didn't ask.

[Severus Snape]

Severus trudged into the Great Hall, he had to put effort in every step. He hadn't been very hungry since he talked to Natalie in the tree. He had been chewing on regret and hadn't had the stomach for much real food. Talking the Rabastan just aggravated him more, he was given so much hell over herd mentally! He sat down at the table and then looked up, black drapes, he felt a chill race down his arms and pushed any real feeling about another dead person away and settled with a disgruntled sigh of yet another speech about evil and danger and such. Surreptitiously he looked toward the Ravenclaw table and saw Natalie wilted with all the extra feeling. He suddenly felt very dishonest and even more guilty, then he was mad at himself, why did he feel like that?! he didn't kill anyone!

[Samantha Montgomery]

"Bleh." she almost made the comment, that if the Black banners had to be for a death why couldn'tve it been Rafe's but she held back and sighed, " Just so you know now that you've made yourself my champion I'll be heartbroken if you leave." she warned teasingly although there was a thread of truth in her voice that was asking him not to leave her with Rafe.

[Kris Lupin]

Kris got ready for dinner as she always did, but she was too nervous to wait for Sirius in the common room. She thought with horror that maybe he didn't wait for her and was already down in the Great Hall talking with other girls and she dashed on some bubble gum lip gloss and went down to the hall.
When she entered it was bleak and sad looking and she felt like a glowing rose in a cave. It was so spooky! she went straight for her table and her usual spot and did a nervous little wave to everyone and a squeak of hello.

[Gia Campbell]

Gia walked slowly to the Great Hall. She had no idea what was going on, but she hadn't seen Katie in three days. Her stomach was already twisted in knots, hoping that her friend would send her an owl or something, telling her where she was. Maybe it was a family emergency... or she was sick. She'd already visted the Hospital Wing looking for her, but couldn't find her anywhere.

So when she saw the black decorations, fear gripped her heart. Something had happened... something very, very wrong. She scanned the Gryffindor table for some sign of Katie, but saw no trace of her. This was not good. She walked over to the table and sat down numbly.

[Minerva McGonagall]

Professor McGonagall saw Gia Campbell enter the hall and sit down. She knew it was Katie's friend and she needed to be told in private what had happend. She got up and walked over to the girl. "Ms Campbell, can I see you a moment in the antechamber?" She waited for the girl to get up and follow her before leading her away into the room off to the side and back behind the staff tables to tell her the news about Katie's death.

[Gia Campbell]

Gia felt her heart leap into her throat. She had a very bad feeling about this. Biting down on her lower lip, she nodded quietly and stood up, then folllowed Professor McGonagall to the antechamber.

"This... this is about Katie, isn't it? Did... did she have a death in the family?"

[Minerva McGonagall]

Putting her hand on the girl's shoulder she spoke softly, "Katie is dead, Gia. She was murdered by the killing curse." She wanted Gia to know the truth, and the simplest terms were best when she knew that Gia's reaction would be grief.