Hogwarts MOO

Rathe Betrothal Feast

Winter's white cloaks the ground in silvery snow. Bleak and stark, the land is cold in its sleep but even in hibernation the holly, ivy and yew lend their glory to weary eyes in need of color. Stretching out in the horizon to the east is the pale shiver of water, the Menai Strait marking the edge of the island. Proud and stately, the Rathe manor sits alone and apart from the muggle community many miles distant. The building defies muggle architectural logic. Towers are stuck at odd angles in places where they ought not to belong and the citadel sprawls over the tall hill as if built into the ground itself. Clearly added to over the centuries, none of it is in absolute disrepair but the styles blend from pre-Roman occupation to late Victorian in a dizzying and haphazard fashion. Decked out in greens, there is also an enormous wreath above the entrance.

Through the spacious foyer is a wide hallway that has multiple sets of stairs, which like the house itself, is probably constructed with the aid of magic. The stairways lead in all sorts of crooked angles and one or two seem like they might be quite upside down. From here a maze of halls coils all through the manor and twists out of sight. Many of the rooms contain ancestral portraits, some of them depicting only one person but there are several that have couples or even couples and their adult children - all of them now gone from this world.

When the guests are finally summoned to the dinner it is within a medieval banquet hall that's been decked out for the occasion. It is the manor's own version of a great hall and stands in testament to the merry grandeur as well as bloody battles that took place once upon a time within these walls and upon the land. Long low tables are elegantly arranged but the patterns of china and crystal vary from table to table. In the far back there is a raised dais draped in green, black, and silver with the Rathe crest proudly featured. Behind the dais, and taking up the majority of the wall, is an ancient tapestry with rich detail depicting the bloody hunt of a dragon in front of what might be the Rathe manor.

To the left side of the dais is another set of doors, which are left open. Any who go in there will find a smaller feasting hall, probably the family's private dining quarters when they aren't standing on full ceremony. Within that room is a massive fireplace and tapestries cover every inch of wall space, some quite old and depicting the Roman invasion, others dealing with the capture of fanciful creatures. There is one entire wall that is notably bare and it looks as if one of the pieces were recently moved.

Satinka Rathe no longer lives in the Rathe manor, but her time here has made her immensely comfortable with the estate. This seems to give the woman an even stronger air of confidence as she approaches the front door to make her way inside. The young woman seems not to notice the decoration at all as she steps inside with her chum Nate Hunter following close behind. "My wee brother, engaged!" she comments with a slight smirk and a wave of her hand, seemingly ignorant of the irony of her calling her three-minutes-younger brother 'wee'.

In all of this excitement Astra is busy overseeing several small details before scurrying off to where the guests are actually going to be allowed to apparate onto the grounds. The one room, large enough to hold a comfortable gathering, is heavily guarded both by magic but also by hired hands to assist with any who might try to infiltrate. Gerald is in the background and taking a pointed interest in keeping things safe. For tonight he's allowed his daughter to take the lead and so she steps up to fill the role to the best of her ability. Her usual dour demeanor has faded and she puts on the face expected by society. Gone are her withdrawn tendencies but neither as she plays the welcoming host. Time passes as she circulates, making sure those who arrive are greeted duly before they are ushered further into the house to make themselves at home and find their respective rooms.

Smile is broadened as Satinka leads the way into the Manor. "Nice place you got here," Nate Hunter admires. "It's decorated. . . pretty-like." Flushing slightly as if to man-up his last comment he adds clearing his throat, "Very structurally sound. And. . . um. . . intact." He nods slightly at the notion of her brother getting married, "Just promise me you won't follow his lead and become all desperately domestic and get married yourself, alright Ms Rathe?"

Hope Rathe could not be more excited. In fact, she has been looking forward to today for weeks now. She tugs eagerly on Angelina Rathe's hand as she steps forward and takes in all the festive decorations. "So beautiful!" she comments, glancing up to Martin and then to Austin, stifling a snicker at the little boy's suit and tie, which look very out of place on him. Hope herself, if she were asked, looks gorgeous. Mummy took her shopping and they picked out the most lovely dress. Presently, Hope twirls on her toes and smiles. Her hair is curled for the occasion, and done up in pigtails. As if things weren't great enough already, Tess and Harper aren't here. They are being tended to by a nanny. Only Hope and Austin are mature enough to come to such a distinguished event. With that thought, Hope grins and looks once more to Austin. "How do you feel in that tuxedo, Austin?" Hope says with a grin.

Dressed in a fitting light blue floral gown, Vilivia Marqueen's hair is done up today in a tasteful bun rather than her normal pigtails. She wears a pair of white gloves to contrast with the blue. Around her neck is a silver necklace dangling from which is a silver butterfly. Her shoes are a somewhat darker blue than the dress and her bag matches the shoes. Vilivia enters alongside her parents her little face aglow from getting to wear such a formal dress and a tiny smidgeon of makeup and the prospect of seeing Seker for the first time. The little girl finally dawns her eyes upon him only to blush red and hide for a moment behind her mother. Melinda pushes her daughter out in front with a smile of encouragement and Vilivia curtsies to Seker gingerly.

"My tuxedo is awesome. Spies wear tuxedos. Dad told me so. I bet he wears one everyday at work--when he gets to work he changes into his tuxedo, it's like a uniform," Austin nods matter-of-factly. "Besides, I have to wear a uniform because I'm working for the Ministry. They've asked me to take on a very secret job and question /everyone/ at the party. An Auror's work is /never/ over." He nods sagely after describing his game for the night as he eyes the crowd for people to question. "/You/ can be my reporter sidekick. You get to ask people reporter questions, but the real questions are /mine/." He beams.

Olivia Geroff looks flustered to say the least as she arrives with her husband and the two oldest of her children. "Are you sure I look quite alright, Evan?" she asks her husband fussily, then almost instantly distracts herself with her two boys. "Stop tugging at your sleeves, Jason," she tells him gently and straightens the boy's cuffs, then his little bow tie. Once she seems satisfied with the appearance of her eldest children, she stands up and takes Evan's arm, looking about expectantly as they make their way into the main hall. Olivia takes a sharp breath as she takes in the grandeur of the decor and the added decorations. "This is... incredible," she tells her husband quietly, holding onto Christopher's hand a bit more tightly without meaning to.

Sylvie Winters-Geroff has been careful to dress in a most presentable and appropriate manner tonight, and from the gowns and dress robes on the rest of her family, has been careful to ensure none of them disgrace the family by looks. They've got enough going against them as it is. Upon entering, those too young to apparate on their own let go of older arms, and all the younger set bow or curtsy as appropriate - though the two very youngest have been left elsewhere. The adults, uncluding Matthew, Constance, Sylvie, and Ulaen, give more reserved greetings as equals as they are approached, then, with Sylvie taking her husband's arm, they head into the hall. Elsewhere, Evan responds to his wife's question with "You look lovely, Olivia," as he leads her in.

Satinka scoffs at Nate's suggestion. "Certainly not any time /soon/," she tells him with a grin, reaching over to take his arm and direct him further in. "The place could use a bit of updating. It is so /dreadfully/ old-fashioned, but mother and grandfather wouldn't let me touch it, I'm sure, even if I asked." She smirks a bit and, upon spotting her mother, she waves. "Hello mother! Grandfather!" Satinka approaches her mother and leans in to kiss the woman on the cheek. "You know Nate Hunter, of course," she tells them.

"Be on your best behaviour," Martin reprimands before any mischief has even transpired. He knows full well that there will likely be some mischief. Smoothing his own robes and adjusting his tie, he glances around the room. "Good turn out."

Standing alone in the grand room, Seker Rathe is noticeably nervous. He keeps looking around and checking his watch -- that is, until one family in particular arrives, and fairly offers their daughter to him, a small child in blue. Seker's heart races, not in love, but in foreboding. This was the girl he'd one day marry. His first impression is actually one of surprise. For some reason, he'd pictured her with blond hair. But, he decides now, things like that don't matter. After all, he probably isn't everything she expected, either. Seker has to bend over a little bit to offer his hand to the girl. "Vilivia Marqueen, I presume?" he asks politely, and kisses the gloved hand once it reaches his. "Seker Rathe," he states, rather obviously. "It's... it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Well we both know you'd do an excellent job. You do have excellent taste," Nate muses more to himself than Satinka. A nod is given to Astra and Gerald in greeting. "Thank-you for having me, Professor Rathe, Mister Rathe." He nods at each in turn. "Your house is splendid. I was just commenting to Satinka on the architecture."

Parents and wife both at hand, Samuel enters proudly, ignoring the guards to the best of his ability as he turns to walk into the main room with his wife and his parents likewise head in, moving their seperate ways. "Do you see the girl," he murmurs a quiet question to his wife Maple, looking about not at the decorations but the people present.

"Reporter sidekick?" Hope asks, wrinkling her nose momentarily. "Fine. I'll do it on one condition, and that's that you have to call me Winnie. Like my middle name, kind of like mum's last name before she was married. Winnie. Deal? If not, then I'll tell everyone here that you don't really work for the Ministry. Because you don't," Hope states curtly, "because you're five." With that, and a nod, Hope surveys the crowd of tall people. "Who should we interview first? And what are your... real... questions, anyways?"

Standing stiff and awkward, Quintus Helit doesn't seem to know what to do or say at this event; for the moment he seems to be moving extremely stiffly, walking through the area with a bit of a scowl at his lips and eyes constantly moving, inspecting all the little details - even though they have been checked a thousand times over by now, by much more qualified people than him, it feels like an important something to do.

Reaching for Seker's hand Vilivia blushes even deeper when her small gloved hand is kissed. "It's a pleasure for sure." She says in a small voice. Her normal talkative nature leaving her for the moment as she so mutely answers the young man. But a moment later she lets out a big breath and speaks up. "Oh you are just as handsome as I imagined you would be! This is going to be just perfect! I'll be married to you and I'll have your babies and it will be blissful! Just wait and see Seker!" And there is the Vilivia we all love and know talking a mile a minute.

As the other Geroffs arrive, Olivia looks slightly relieved. People she knows! She reluctantly lets go of her oldest child's hand and smooths her dress before she and Evan make their way over to the family. "Hello everyone," she tells them with a slightly forced smile. "Don't you all look just /lovely/," she tells them more happily, leaning in toward Evan a bit and reaching out to squeeze Constance's hand. She gives a smile to Alden Wexler, who has arrived along with Constance, though he does not look incredibly comfortable in his dress robes. "This should be an interesting party," she comments.

"Yes, I will call you Winni. Are you sure you don't want to be Win-a-fred?" Austin chuckles immaturely at his own joke. "Okay, fine Winnie. Well, we need to get to the bottom of this whole betrothal business. Like. . . who is this broad--that's spy talk for girl--that's supposed to marry Uncle Seker. And /why/ is he marrying her?" Glancing around the room, he points to Satinka. "Auntie Tinka should know something." Austin slides towards Satinka as inconspicuously as a five year old pretending to be a spy can. . . which isn't very inconspciuous.

Satinka doesn't linger long with her mother and grandfather, instead choosing to circulate. Once she is well away from them, she finally replies to Nate. "You know that and I know that, but how would I ever convince the stodgy old folks of that?" She sighs somewhat dramtically, then relinquishes Nate's arm. It is at this moment spots her brother. "Yoo hoo, Seker!" she calls and fairly skips over to the young man. "Hello, you!" she tells him cheerfully, leaning in to plant a kiss on his cheek as she had done with her mother. "And this must be the lucky miss Vilivia. Aren't you /precious/!" Satinka coos and leans down a bit. "I'm going to be your sister-in-law someday!"

He can't help but blush himself as Vilivia begins to gush about Seker's looks and their future together. He'd been a little unprepared for how informed she'd be about this whole thing. Had someone taken her aside and mentioned that she'd have his babies? And why were they always called /his/ babies? They'd be hers just as much! Seker's mind swims inside, but his cool exterior is more or less undisturbed. "It's a fine pleasure to meet you too, Vilivia. I'm... well I'm glad you're excited about... it. Us." He smiles. "I think we'll have a bright future, too."

"There's my wayward daughter! I thought you'd never arrive." Teasing gently Astra returns Satinka's kiss before stepping back and eyeing Nate with that quick critical gaze. "So you're the young gentleman who stole Abe's place tonight." There's a nod of approval before she adds, "You are more than allowed to just call me Astra. We are no longer in school." The woman turns away to greet each family in turn in case she's missed anyone, but she doesn't linger over long as the other family to the engagement arrives. "Ah the young couple have already met." Beaming at her son and the little girl she exchanges some pleasantries before looking around for Quintus.

"Thanks . . . Astra," the name feels awkward on his lips. Following Satinka, Nate gives Astra and Gerald a slight wave before heading towards the groom. He eyes the bride-to-be and just arches a single eyebrow, saying nothing. Not now, anyways. "Congrats, Seker, Vilivia. Quite the party. So--uh--how old are you little lady?"

Eyes narrowing, Hope utters, "Never, /ever/ call me Win-a-fred." That said, she nods about Austin's investigation. "Auntie Tinka should know about some things, yeah..." she agrees. "Well, you're the hot-shot auror, aren't you? Why don't you take the lead?" Hope asks, her shy nature manifesting itself at the prospect of talking to adults that aren't her parents.

"Brandon, keep an eye out for Miss Marqueen to greet her; she is in your house, yes? And remember," she lowers her voice significantly, "she /is/ 'Miss Marqueen' while here." Sylvie likely does need to be quite so worried over her children, but she won't take any chances at this feast. As Evan and Olivia approach, she smiles warmly at the couple. "Glad to see you've made it." Vanessa is already eagerly looking around for her same-age newphews, and after greeting his brother and sister-in-law, James excuses himself from the family's side to see if anyone he knows from Slytherin - or others his year - have shown up.

"Oh you must be Satinka!" Vilivia looks excited. "I've never had a sister before that'll be really great. We can share stories and do each others hair and nails. At least I think thats what sisters do." Vilivia can't seem to contain herself and her parents mingle with the other adults in the crowd, they seem to have cornered Charles Harper to talk to him for a bit. To Nate Vilivia smiles and answers "I'm eleven going on twelve." And turns her attention back to Seker "Oh it will be I just know it! If you don't believe me ask my Mummy. She can see the future and Im just sure we'll have a happy marriage!"

Sidling up beside Satinka, Austin looks up at his aunt expectantly. "Auntie Tinka! I have questions! You must answer them because. . . I'm . . . a spy." Probably not a good idea to tell everyone you're a spy, Austin. "First. . . who is the bride-to-be in this shindig? Second. . . um. . ." he lifts a finger to his lips ". . . uh . . . I forgot." Putting his finger to his lips he considers again, "Oh yes! Why is Uncle Seker marrying her?"

Eventually, Quintus moves to his own fiancee's side and places a hand, gently, on her shoulder, still looking around the party. In a soft undertone, he remarks, "There's a lot of people here, and not all that many that I know personally... or would care to." He nods his head slightly in acknowledgement to someone or another, his brow creasing slightly as he tries his best to recall why he knows that person or why they are looking at him.

Groaning, Seker goes through the motions of pushing Satinka and her sisterly kiss away, but what results is a very half-hearted effort. In truth, Seker is very happy to see his sister out and about /without/ "Abe". "S'tinka," Seker complains briefly as Satinka fusses over Vilivia. "She isn't a Pekinese dog," he mutters, but stops when Vilivia seems so receptive to the attention. Glancing back to Satinka, he remarks, "You... look good. I haven't seen much of you lately... how are you?"

As Vanessa makes an appearance, Olivia's sons seem to show more interest in the party and less interest in fussing over their dress robes. "If you're careful of your robes, you can play with Vanessa," she tells them, watching as Jason wrenches himself away from Evan to quickly join his 'aunt', and Christopher, the calmer one, merely walks over. They eye the girl for a moment before both of them smile and then Olivia's attention returns to the adults. "I wasn't sure about coming. I almost didn't fit into these robes," Olivia laments a bit, blushing dark red at admitting her own insecurity. She is over this in a moment, however. "Everyone looks simply lovely. I don't think I've ever seen the children so cleaned up all at once." The woman laughs a little bit as she says this, exchanging a look with one of the older in-laws.

Samuel Floens moves about the room, greeting people here and there as he comes to them. Soon enough Maple pulls at his arm, just gently, and nods toward the group congregating around Seker and Vilivia. "That must be her." They stand and watch for a moment, until opportunity presents itself to get a good look at her, then move on to keep circulating.

Giggling at Austin's interrogation, Hope adds, "I heard she's a first year at Hogwarts! But Uncle Seker is /old/! How come they're marrying each other?" Hope has no idea that the aforementioned first year student is standing right beside her now, and Hope pulls on her own pigtails as she waits for their answers, amused at how her hair feels.

Satinka merely manages to stare at Vilivia for a moment in a bit of shock. "Well, once you're married to my brother we can see about doing /all/ of that, if you want," she acquiesces, though she gives a very pointed look to Nate as a way of distracting herself from the uproarious laughter that those who know her quite well can likely see bubbling up. It is fortunate for both Satinka and Vilivia that Martin's children have chosen this moment to interrup. "Oh, a /spy/ are you?" She leans down and reaches out to tweak Hope's nose as she grins at Austin. "Well, why don't you tell me about it in a few minutes." Turning her attention back to Seker for a moment. "Why /thank you/, darling brother," the young woman states, patting her hair vainly. "I'm doing quite well. Busy as usual! If I'm not in the robes shop every other day, I can't seem to get them to do /anything/ the way that I want." She sighs dramatically. "How is your shop doing?" she asks him cordially, before looking with wide eyes to the youngest Rathes. "That's just how things are done, little girl," she tells Hope, clearing her throat a bit. "Say hello to Miss Marqueen, Austin and Hope-y. She's going to be your aunt someday!"

Looking down at hope Vilivia smiles wide. "Im a first year yeah. Seker and I are going to wait till Im grown up before we're married though. Otherwise it'd just be bad." Vilivia giggles at this and looks around the party seeing so many people and noticing the attention she's recieving she blushes once again. She greets a few more people as they come to meet her shaking hands and curtsying when appropriate.

People are beginning to trickle out of the guarded room, but enough people still mingle that it isn't an issue. A few children from other families run right out shrieking at the top of their lungs as they decide to go play and explore rather than stay close to their parents. Astra just fixes the smile onto her face and passes greetings to those who might say anything as they pass by. Turning her head toward Quintus, she dips her voice quietly enough to be heard by him but keeping her tone low enough that it would be difficult to overhear. "You know I'm not a social creature either Quintus, but it's our duty to see to them and their needs." Reaching up to touch his hand she smiles reassuringly. "I don't know most of them either, but to not invite certain families would be snubbing we can't afford to do. We'll get through this tonight and tomorrow and leave the rest of the affair in father's hands. Besides," she grins a little more, "shouldn't your own family be arriving?"

"A first year?" Austin wrinkles his nose. "Isn't that illegal? That seems like something I should make an arrest for." Pursing his lips together he then asks, "We have questions for you!" He wrinkles his nose as he's introduced to the bride, "I have questions!" His declaration is loud, but not overly demanding. "Bride, why are you marrying my uncle? Uncle, why are you marrying bride?"

Sylvie Winters-Geroff cannot help but give her youngest present a quick look and quiet reminder, "Manners," before she moves off to play with Christopher and Jason. Brandon also chooses this moment to take his leave, moving to join Seker and Vilivia, though he waits a step or two away for a proper chance to say hello. "Take a good look; you know what'll happen when we get home!" Evan answers Olivia, as Sylvie shakes her head a bit. "Give them /some/ credit. Olivia, we ought to have a portrait done, before they grow out of these outfits. I'd like to have something with the whole family together."

"Oh... no, I don't THINK they are," Quintus comments, creasing his brow and turning to look at Astra again. "Not right now, anyway... maybe they'll be coming along later." His tone is quite evasive, and he clears his throat and continues on with, "Oh - you," he steps towards someone else, speaking much louder now. "It's very good to see you again, it's been much too long."

"Oh, that would be just /wonderful/," Olivia agrees, watching as the three children run off. "Perhaps you could do one, Constance?" the woman asks her sister-in-law pleasantly. Though Constance doesn't look entirely /pleased/ at the prospect, she smiles never-the-less. "Perhaps I could work on it. It would be difficult, though - it's hard enough to convince adults to sit or stand still for long enough." She chuckles a bit. "Perhaps if you got one of those muggle photographs of them, I could give it a try." She snickers a bit. "But it could be done." She pauses. "I would even do it for free," she feels the need to add, as if she would consider anything else for her family members.

Relieved at having an actual quiet night away from work, Martin is just enjoying the evening. "Enjoying yourself, Ang? It's a good party. There are certainly a lot of people here." He bites his bottom lip. He's been distracted lately and he knows it. Everything going on has only compounded his exhausted appearance.

"Shop's going well--" Seker starts, but looks down to Austin and Hope (who appears none to pleased at being referred to as Hope-y) as the boy yells for attention. "Inside voice, Austin," Seker says gently as he crouches down to be more at the children's level. "This is my bride, her name's Vilivia," he says slowly so he's sure they've understood. "We thought our families should be good friends, so if I marry her, it'll be like our families are connected. Do you see? And then, if we have children," he says as if it's an option not to, "they'll be related to both families. Kind of neat, huh?"

As the five year old Auror questions her Vilivia just giggles. "Because he's handsome and because our familys would be good for each other. Why else would I marry him?" She asks the younger boy in return. Her eyes now settle on Brandon remembering him from the Ravenclaw gathering. "Hello Brandon!" She says loudley enough for him to hear her over the crowd of people.

"I don't want to have children," Austin thinks aloud. "They'd probably all scream like Death Harpy." He shudders. "Guess what, Uncle Seker?! She got to stay with the nanny so we get quiets tonight!" Of course, Austin isn't entirely quiet anyways. "Why is she so much little than you, Uncle Seker? Are you getting married tomorrow?" He frowns a bit and then adds, "I heard some people talking and heard that we're supposed to 'keep bloodlines pure'. What does that mean?"

Eyebrows are arched at the children who've approached. Nate sighs as Satinka introduces the children to Vilivia. "Nothing like observing someone else's chldren. Just glad I don't have any." That he knows about, anyways. He chuckles a bit as he glances down at the kids. "Not our usual crowd, but still entertaining," he muses.

Feeling a little overwhelmed by all the people, even if they are mostly her family, Hope decides it'd be a good idea to set eyes on her parents just to make sure they're still here. She finally catches sight of them, not too far away. Angelina Rathe is nodding, with a smile. "Not often you get so many families in one room... physically!" the woman notes, unaware that her children are interrogating the bride and groom-to-be. Hope, at her brother's chattering, turns back to the conversation and adds, "Yeah, we heard grandpa Gerald mention that. If you married someone else would your blood go rotten?" she asks, horrified at the idea.

Satinka leans back from the younger set to give a look to Nate. "Certainly /not/ our set," she comments and shakes her head. "These kids have a lot to learn if they're going to survive in /this/ family." She sighs. "I've got to teach at least little Hopey there some manners and tact or she will /never/ succeed in society!" Satinka crosses her arms across her front. "Well, it will be an entertaining evening for certain, if all this keeps up." She chuckles and watches as Austin peppers them with more questions. "That means that wizards should only marry wizards, Austin," she tells him. "So someday, you'll grow up and you'll marry a girl who comes from only wizard parents, not muggles." She smiles pleasantly to the boy.

Fondly kissing Quintus's hand Astra doesn't try to stretch up to reach him since he's now busy greeting someone else. "Thank you for putting up with this." She practically whispers it before whirling around and scanning the room. Many of those who have arrived are already here and she notes the youngest of the Rathe. "My /grandchildren/ are here!" Bursting with the joy she learned at her "greybeard's" knee, Astra mimics the Frenchman very well even if she isn't as tall or rotund as the bearded gentleman who is, more likely than not, somewhere making himself friendly with those he knows and those he does not. Swooping over to where Austin and Hope she falls right onto her knees before grabbing each one in opposite arms. "How are the littlest troublemakers?!" Acting quickly she doesn't kiss them but gives each of them a wet sloppy lick on the cheek before releasing them with a fit of laughter. "Do you think they make a fine couple?"

As he hears Vilivia's greeting, Brandon steps up to Vilivia and the rest of the group, nodding his head in greeting. "Hello, Miss Marqueen, and congratulations. Who else do I have the pleasure of meeting?" Across the room, Sylvie glances at Delaney, the only child still with her, and who doesn't seem ready to run off just yet. But she doesn't try to force, just looks back up at Olivia and Constance in particular. "I was hoping you would be in it; though, we could get a photograph," her voice is somewhat more quiet at the word, "that would solve a couple problems." Ulaen, by her side, just seems tolerant of the idea, while Matthew seems amused.

Nodding gently at his sister's answer about bloodlines, Seker suddenly thinks of Saphia, his muggleborn friend who helped him out so much in school. No use looking for her in this crowd even if she was held in some esteem by his mother. Apart from the Minister and her family, Seker could only see old wizarding blood here.

"Miss Marqueen?" Vilivia mouth silently curious as to why Brandon calls her this. But then she remembers the formalness of the event and blushes a little at her own ignorance. "It's a pleasure Mister Geroff to see you at such an eloquent little get together." Her eyes fall on Astra as she comes near. "Hello Professor Rathe. I mean um... future mother in law...." She giggles and smiles as Satinka explains why they must keep their blood pure.

And then Astra walks up to the children and licks them on the cheek. "Ewwww! Grandma Astra, that's yucky!" Austin cringes, but recovers quickly. "Oh! We're great! I'm a Ministry spy and Hope is my sidekick reporter for the Daily Prophet. And right now we're questioning Uncle Seker." And then changing his expression, he turns to Seker without missing a beat, adding to Hope's comment about the bloodlines and Gerald, "Yeah, except he used another word. . ." Austin looks up at the ceiling trying to remember. "Oh yeah! He said that mudbloods would make that blood dirty. Or something. Sounds like they would make it dirty, anyways." Of course, Austin uses this word callously. He doesn't know what it means.

"Oh, BLAH! Grandma Astra!!" exclaims Hope, wiping her cheek off with the back of her wrist. "That isn't grown-up behaviour!" The girl is grinning ear to ear even as she chides, and nods finally at the question. "They're a good couple." She listens to Austin's reply, and nods. This is what she's heard, too.

"Well, who would paint it, if I were in it? The photograph might work out that way, though I'm not sure that I could capture my /own/ essence as successfully as I could everyone else." Constance seems to only consider this for a few moments. "We can perhaps work out the details later." She smiles. "Tonight is a night for celebration for the, er, happy couple. We ought to give our regards," she comments. Olivia shrugs a bit at this, looking over toward where the group has gathered. "I suppose we should," she agrees.

With a smile at Vilivia, Brandon answers, "It's a pleasure to be here." He carefully ignores what the youngest Rathe's are saying - he was warned ahead of time - though he does bow to Astra as she comes up to the group. "Headmistress." He is not paying attention to his mother at the moment, though at Constance's comment, Sylvie does look over to see Brandon always there. "We can discuss it at home," Sylvie agrees, turning to make her way over as to the happy couple as well.

Looking /shocked/ at Hope's reaction Astra looks around "Oh that wasn't grownup? Oh dear me! Oh what. . ." the hell did Austin just say? Staring wide-eyed at the little boy the woman scrabbles back to her feet and looks around to make sure certain people didn't hear a certain term that just dropped out of the boy's mouth. She's not angry so much as truly shocked now and the earlier feigning is real now. Shaking her head seriously she grabs Austin, turns him to face her, and crouches so that she's making direct eye-contact. "Do not use that term ever again. It is not something one uses in public or in polite society. I don't care what Gerald says you are not to mimic him in /this/. Do you understand?" Glancing at Brandon she winces in his direction, but it's the only indication that she is aware of what is going on around her.

Winceing for poor Austin as he's gently reprimanded it was the same lesson Vilivia herself only learned not to long ago. She doesn't say anything but continues to greet folks as they introduce themselves to her. "Seker what do you think we should name our first child?" Vilivia asks this suddenly from nowhere as if it were just the most natural thing to bring up the first time meeting your future husband.

Entirely unsure what he's done wrong Austin nods a bit at Astra equally shocked. Pouting a bit at getting reprimanded even if it's not a harsh reprimand, Austin sulks, "I didn't mean to. I just want to know stuff. I won't say it again. I promise." He pouts some more, exposing two green sad-puppy-dog-eyes as he does so.

With a taken aback glance to Vilivia, Seker merely replies, "Oh! Um..." before looking around and shrugging a little. "I... hadn't thought much about that, Vilivia," Seker admits. "I think we should wait until we're... married... to discuss things like that, alright?" He cant help but smile. It was easy to forget she was only eleven. Seker half expected her to act like an adult, but as it were, she's rather charming.

"Oh I suppose you're right. That will give me plenty of time to think of a better name than Sue-anne." Vilivia giggles and looks into the crowd again spotting her parents moving around amongst the people. She decides to stay put in her little comfort zone built of the small group of people for now.

Ruffling the boy's hair Astra is all smiles again as she stands up and takes Austin with her. Flipping him upside down she manhandles him as she dangles him by his legs. "I've caught an Auror! Sylvie! I found a wild Auror running around my house and now I don't know what to do with him! Help! I think he might be rabid!"Astra calls out to the Minister with a beaming smile as she notices the other woman's approach. "He was caught trying to abduct Vilivia and give her a kiss and he was setting questions upon Seker! Don't you /train/ your Aurors anymore?" Clearly having far too much fun at the boy's expense she even goes so far as try to walk with him still being dangled.

Finally getting up the courage to make her way over to the Rathes, who seem to have all clumped together, Olivia looks to Evan as if to say 'let's go,' and turns to walk over to greet the guests of honor. She smiles to Brandon as she gets over to the group. As Asra turns the young boy upside down, Olivia seems slightly taken aback. This is a different side to her former headmistress than she is used to seeing, and she blushes a bit. "Er, hullo, Professor," she greets Astra and giggles a little, despite herself.

As Astra begins to manhandle the child, Quintus looks up and watches the two for a moment; his lip curls slightly with just a hint of a smile, and while he doesn't say anything or draw any nearer, he's clearly drawn in by the sight of her playing with the boy. A moment later, though, he looks up and away, his attention apparently having been drawn by someone talking, and he wanders across to go and speak with them.

A slight smile in response to Astra's look is the only acknowledgement Brandon Geroff gives that he's noticed anything amiss. His next words are to Vilivia again, a simple and quiet, "Excuse me," as he takes his leave to allow her to greet those coming up behind him. That done, he moves off to find others his age, just in time for his mother to walk up to the group in his place, along with others in the family. Sylvie for her part laughs quietly as she approaches Astra. "I try, but there's just no help for some." Nearby, Evan grins at Olivia's expression. "Sounds like he ought to go on trial; /abducting/ the bride to be?"

Giggling as Astra picks him up, Austin beams. "I'm really strong!!" he giggles some more. "Minister, I'm a good guy!" He grins. "I'm really well trained too! I can use all kinds of spells. Like. . . grow-a-long-nose-a-cus!" He grins. He knows no magic. He's heard his parents say spells but it's all nonsense to him.

Nodding cheerfully to Astra, Hope's smile fades as she witnesses her Grandma's stern reproach to that word Austin said. But, over as quickly as it happened, her little brother is suspended suddenly by his legs and being kidded around with. Hope shrieks with laughter as she points at the up-side down boy. "Austin got caught! Austin got caught!" she sings, still laughing.

Samuel Floens and his wife have not disappear, nay, nor have his parents. His parents have by now found another couple to converse with, and Samuel and Maple are still circling, mainly enjoying each other's company. They find themselves eventually approaching a group - near where Quintus is approaching from the other side - and pause to greet those they know, and make introductions to those they don't.

His son's giggles and daughters singing catches Martin's attention. He chuckles lightly at both of his children. He pads over to Hope and bends down to scoop up his daughter. In short order she'd be too big to be picked up. "He's not caught. . . just. . . being taken for questioning. Good Aurors never get caught." He winks.

"Putting an Auror on trial? Only if I get to be wizengamot and executioner." "I hereby find Austin Rathe guilty of being five years old, being a rabid Auror, and being a bag of giggles." Pretending like she's going to drop the boy on his head Astra just winds up resting him gently against the floor before setting him down. That doesn't mean he's free because she kneels right by him, "Your sentence is to be. . ." "tickled!" And as she shouts that out she proceeds to tickle the boy's side and stomach. When about ten seconds have passed she stands up, fusses with her robes and grins at everyone. "Sorry for that. The Aurors and Hit-Wizards always need to be put in their place, but I think I can handle anything they try." "I hope everyone is well?"

"Grow-a-long-nose-a-cus?" Sylvie Geroff repeats after Austin, amused. "That's not one of my spells. Who's been teaching you, sir, and what do you plan to /do/ with that spell?" Though, of course, with what follows, it may be hard for him to answer. It is Evan who is first to answer Astra, as his mother is busy speaking to the child. "We've been quite well, thank you," he says, with a glance at Olivia in case she'd like to add anything. "And yourself, Professor Rathe? Aside from taking down unruly aurors?"

"Oh, very," Olivia adds, slightly dumbly, watching as Astra plays with her grandchild. It is at this that Olivia feels the sudden urge to look about for her sons, and detatching from Evan momentarily, she puts up a hand and wanders away. It's a moment or two before she returns with Jason on one side and Christopher on the other, with Vanessa following behind. "Say hello, boys," she tells the boys, who mumble greetings in response, looking at the other little girl nearby and the boy who seems to have been caught.

Speals of laughter are emitted from Austin's mouth as Astra tickles him. "Hahaha!" Curling into a little ball the boy's laughter just gets louder. With a grin he chuckles at Astra, "I know my place! I protect the streets of Diagon Alley. Just like Dad." He stands to his feet and says this rather proudly.

Smirking, Hope adds, "Except dad does it just a little better than you, Austin, 'cause you're five." She nods at this, and looks mutely at the other children, shyness overtaking her and stepping back a few feet. She looks to Austin automatically, almost for protection, and seeing how naturally laid-back he is, stops moving away.

As six year old Vanessa approaches with her nephews and Olivia, she moves to stand beside Sylvie, who gives her a slight push. The girls looks startled for a moment, then curtsies quickly, grinning at Astra and the two new children. Delaney, on Sylvie's other side, has already done the same - though at ten, much less outgoing about it.

"I'm well enough. I can't believe we have so many people here. It's good to have company and to hear children filling the halls with laughter." Astra smiles faintly before looking down at her grandson, "Oh very good. See you remember it or the tickle-monster-of-doom will unleash its wrath upon you. I asked Quintus to cage one and now I hold it in special reserve on the grounds." Speaking very sincerely without cracking a grin she keeps the deadpan expression before addressing the adults again. "It is very good to see all of you." Looking around for Quintus, she waves in his direction but isn't sure that she's gotten his attention. "My own fiance seems to be roaming around or else I'd introduce you."

Eventually, Quintus catches Astra's eye and moves back to her side; he looks a little lost at where the conversation is going, but he smiles politely to Sylvie and nods his head slightly to her, extending a hand to her. "Pleasure to meet you," he murmurs, clearing his throat softly, before glancing at Astra; he doesn't say anything to her but his expression indicates that he's been feeling a little lost in interacting with these people.

"Yeah, Dad's bigger is all. One day I will be just as good as Dad. Or better." Austin squeezes his eyes shut determined to be better than Martin. "I love Mum too though. You can be like Mum. I'll be like Dad."

Perking a brow at her little brother, Hope only shrugs and nods slightly. "If you say so. Mum's great." She seems to sort of lose herself in thought about this, the girl is suddenly angry, as Hope realizes that Austin hasn't been holding up his end of the bargain for some time. "Wait a minute! You've been calling me Hope all this time! You said you'd call me Winnie!" the girl exclaims, furrowing her brow. "If you want me as your side-kick reporter, you have to call me Winnie. You /said/ you would, Austin Martin! You said!"

Sylvie Winters-Geroff extends her hand as well, nodding to Quintus. "Pleasure's all mine. Let me introduce some of my family..." she runs through names of those that are currently standing with her, pausing as she reaches Vanessa, at which point, for both Astra and the girl's benefit, she speaks this child's full name, "...and Vanessa Astra Geroff." She reaches to place a hand on the girl's shoulder, but Vanessa laughs and shrugs away, looking curiously at Hope. "Is your name Winnie? What are you reporting?"

Shaking her head almost sadly, Hope glances to Austin before replying, "Well, my name /is/ Hope... but my middle name is Winnifred. And my mum, before she got married to my dad, her last name was Whynn and I think that sounds lovely. I wanted my /brother/ to call me Winnie, my reporter name, while we tried to figure out why Uncle Seker, he's so old, why he was marrying... V'liva." She nods.

"Sylvie this is Quintus Helit, Quintus our Minister - Sylvie Winters-Geroff. She's an old and dear friend of mine. I'm glad you two can finally meet in person." Astra's about to speak more but the children catch her attention again and she watches them quietly before turning back to the adults. She raises her eyebrows at Vanessa's middle name before quirking a smile. "I'd make more introductions but Quintus and everyone else should know each other if in passing if nothing else." Smiling she takes the man's arm and glances up at him with as reassuring a look as she can muster.

Having been standing back watching the hijinks with the children, Satinka finally steps forward and takes a look at Quintus. "I see you still haven't taken my advice, old man," is her greeting to her future step-father. "Oh, fancy that, mother. She's named for /you/," the young woman comments with a chuckle and grins down at the girl and the other children. "My, there /are/ a lot of children at this party." She looks over to Nate, who is still standing nearby. "Must be company for the bride-to-be," she tells him relatively quietly, though Satinka has no apparent shame at her own amusement about the whole thing.

Vanessa nods quite seriously to Hope. "You've got a special name for being a reporter? That's neat. I should get a job and then I can have another name." Pausing, she looks up to her sister. "Delaney, what do you think, I could be a plant keeper." She doesn't wait for an answer however, and looks back at Hope. "So did you find out?"

At Satinka's words, Quintus looks down at what he's wearing; he has dispensed with the potato sack for now and is wearing a white silk shirt with trousers, and his nicest cloak. At first he looks to be about to justify his choice in clothing, but then he just makes a disparaging scoffing sound and looks to Sylvie, adding, "That's a... fine name for a child."

Hope simply nods, explaining, "It's got something to do with blood. And children and families. Actually, come to think of it, we didn't really find out. Austin?" she asks, looking for her brother only to find that he's run off somewhere. She feels exposed suddenly, and wraps her arms around her waist. "I think I should find my mum now. It was nice to meet you," she says, remembering her manners shortly before running off to locate the rest of her family.

"Family, my dear, means children and children are the safeguard of our future." Astra gently reminds her daughter of her own views on such things but the smile is fond. Pressing a hand to her lips she turns away to hide a fit of laughter at Satinka's words to Quintus, but she's doing a poor job as her shoulders shake to reveal the laughs that she can't quite swallow. Wiping at her eyes she turns back and straightens her posture. "Hope is also a fine name for a child. One of Erica's children had that name and I was always fond of the name." But as Hope now wanders off she gives a small sigh.

Sylvie Winters-Geroff nods again, glancing at the children as they talk. "I like to have each of my kids named after someone," she clarifies, lest it seem too strange. "Hope is a beautiful name." As Hope runs off, Vanessa falls back to stand beside Delaney, the two beginning a quiet debate over whether they should go have a look around. For the moment, Delaney seems to be winning, staying right where she is.

"Pish tosh," Satinka responds with a wave of her hand. "Looks like all fun and games to me," the young woman responds with a smirk to her mother. "I wonder. Why don't we use sensible names like... like... Agrippina and... Euripides," Satinka asks, putting on her straightest of straight faces as she looks to those around her for an answer. "I think that would certainly add more flavor to these safeguards, don't you think?"

"I like plants," Christopher agrees, looking at Vanessa with a bit of a smile. "Can I be a plant keeper, too?" Olivia smiles at her son and gives him a nudge toward his aunts, doing the same for her other son to follow. Olivia, of course, recognizes Satinka, but not having known the girl personally at all and not at all understanding the other young woman. "We've done the same until Melia," Olivia chimes in. "I just liked the names. Though, I suppose Elaine and Ellen are close enough to be related." She looks to Evan for confirmation, then glances around at the other children.

Vanessa watches Christopher and Jason come over. "I /suppose/," the girl says dramatically, then grins. "But I get the ones that eat people." Beside her, Delaney is attempting to pay more attention to the adult conversation than that of the other children, though it becomes more difficult as others cluster around. However she is still able to hear Evan say, for Olivia's benefit, "They are quite close. Both versions of Helen, if I recall."

"You're absolutely right! From now I shall refer to you as Dhumavati!" Astra grins wickedly at Satinka before smiling again, "And Quintus shall be known as Ganesha! Sylvie can be," rubbing her chin she finally settles on "Providentia". "Those names are much more interesting than our regular boring ones!" Looking around to get a good fix on who is where and what is going on she finally comments, "I have to admit to liking fanciful names. Satinka is a name from the natives of America and Seker is Egyptian. I rather broke with tradition, but if I had a second son he would have had father's name. There are just some things that I find I can't bring myself to meddle with."

Raising just a slight eyebrow at Astra, Quintus is quiet for a moment - and then, a shake of his head and the simple word, "No." is all he offers by way of response. He clears his throat, then adds, "If we have another child, she won't be named something like Aphrodite or... whatever. It'll be a good, proper name."

"Moth/er/, I already /have/ an interesting name," the young woman decides to point out before Astra gets to the point of doing so herself. "Anyway, you understand my meaning. Names should have more spice!" Satinka looks to Quintus with a pointed expression. "What's insensible about Aphrodite? It's a fine name!"

"Providentia?" Sylvie repeats, raising her eyebrows at Astra. "Very well. And what shall we call you.. do you care for Athenasia?" .. "We've mostly gone for the 'normal' names. The most unusual, I think, are Melinda's; Emilia and Justinian." And even those she's heard used before.

"Seker and Satinka *are* fine proper names - /Quintus/." "I was thinking something to match Seker like Ereshkigal perhaps." Astra's views of good strong names are perhaps touched by fancy that she doesn't often reveal in public, but tonight is not a night for her usual face. "Don't mind him Satinka, he's just grumpy that his parents weren't more interesting. They may as well named him Fiver." "If I /do/ have another son it won't have Gerald's name since it won't be a Rathe so you hardly need to worry about that, but I was thinking Saraswati for a girl would be sweet or Mohit for a boy." At the mention of Justinian she twitches involuntarily "Sanctimonia".

"It's Latin," Quintus replies gruffly, narrowing his brows at Astra with a bit of a frown. After a moment, he adds, "Yes, but at least it's a - well, anyway. Something normal would be nice. Like... Mary." He folds his arms, glancing back to Sylvie and Satinka, forcing a faint smile at the two.

"Mary?" Grimacing openly the woman wrinkles her nose, "That would go so well. Satinka, Seker, Astra, Quintus and /Mary/. Oh yes, my that works wonderfully." Grudgingly she adds, "Though it would work fine with the rest - Peter, Gerald, and Cedric all had fairly normal names I suppose but they're strong good names. Interesting and not /bland/. A name should have character. What kind of character does Mary have? It sounds like a simpering thing that I'd want to lock in a closet." "Mary simply won't do. Sylvie works. We could certainly use Erica and Sylvie or Edana. All strong fine womanly names that don't make me think of someone who snivels." While part of it is meant to be flattery it really is said with conviction. "Or we could go for /Welsh/ names." "But this all besides the point since we're speaking about theoretical children."

Sylvie Winters-Geroff smiles at Astra, taking a moment to search her memory for particularly Welsh names. "Ceridwen, Isolde, Rhianon.. Nothing wrong with Welsh names. Evan, for that matter, is Welsh," though certainly not female! She turns to look at Ulaen briefly. "I rather like Rhianon."

Banister Sliding

Keelan Wheyre desperatly tries not to let her lips twitch, but she knows something she isn't sharing(though it's about herself), and so merely nods, "Well, I hope when Ravenclaw plays against Gryffindor your flying is any good against their to-be Keeper." Keelan is confident he'll make it, after all, "or else you're in for a hard-learned lesson. Then, I suppose I've never seen you fly.. though I have heard from a person or so," she admirably doesn't flick her eyes to Emmaline, "you're remarkably good at boasting." With this Keelan slides into a seat and reaches for something to eat, completly ignoring him now. Brynne's smile is returned warmly and, after shifting a bit to settle into her seat, she inquires, "How is everyone on this lovely morning? Don't make those faces, misery loves company and he'll never leave."

Humming to herself, Eloise Peabody makes her entrance into the Great Hall jovially, nearly skipping. She surveys the room thoughtfully, attempting to recognize at least one or two faces in the crowd. As it turns out, she does in fact recognize someone- Brynne, from the sorting feast- but is thrown off upon realizing she's sitting at the Slytherin table, of all places. As she was instructed by her uninformed first-year counterparts /not/ to socialize with Slytherin, she tentatively sits at the Gryffindor table, close enough to listen in on the older students.

A grin forming on his face, Derrow Gahnarath breaks into a low chuckle, after a moment he's laughing, and soon he's laughing so hard that he's started banging his fist against the doorframe, tears streaming down his face. Derrow Gahnarath, laughing? Is it possible? He begins to hold his ribs, fearing an organ might shift within his merriment. After a few minutes, he manages to regain his composure, though his face is still quite red. He starts slowly, speaking quietly, "Emma, you're a hypocrite. You've become exactly what you call me. /My/ opinions of myself are too high? Shall I repeat /your/ little tirade from last night? Good Lord. Yes, when I see Brynne make the House Team, then I really will cry, cry for her House for having such a little talent pool. Good day ladies, keep working on those quips, I love dissecting them." With that, he turns and walks out of the hall.

Saints preserve us, will Yvonne Chamberlain never have a break? Of course not. She's the nurse. Nurses always have the worst job at the very beginning of the school year. Students falling down the stairs, then falling down more stairs. Problems with their wands and trying to be the hero, quaffing potions from potions class. Oy. The young woman strides into the hall however, with a light spring in her step, though her eyes look rather tired and battered.
Moving up to the Faculty table, she does not stop at all to speak with any of the students, but heads straight to sit down, and merely observe.

Its seems like everyone else is fighting with Derrow, and Lisbeth Vandersen isn't one to be left out. "Oh.. what is the big deal with Quidditch? Astra Rathe send =me= an invitation and I can't even fly. They probably just needed another name to fill the list. Besides, is =just= a stupid game." She then tries to get the conversation back to adventures. "You said there was more to it Brynne? Shall we go to, um, somewhere secret.." She glances back at Derrow to see if being left out of secret places might bother the boy " and you can tell us the rest?" Of course the boy runs out, "Typical" She grumbles, then turns back toward her group.

He is a snot," remarks Keelan Wheyre, now that he's gone. Later she might call him something long and nasty to his face, or perhaps she'll just continue to be polite and therefore give him nothing in which to sink his little hooks. "A scavenger for attention, my Auntie Mandy calls that type. It's too bad your team has to put up with him, Emma." She pauses to take a bite of whatever it is she's snagged for herself-a pastry, it seems. Wiping the crumbs from her mouth, Sltyherin-girl raises an eyebrow at Lisbeth, "Did she really? I'd be very excited to be asked to be on the team. However, I'll be trying out." She gives a shrug, then, and continues with breakfast.

If she were still a first year, she might cry. If she were still a first year, she might throw a nasty little tantrum. But no more shall that type of behavior rule the life of Brynne Lysaer, for she is a Second year student. (someone knock her off her pedestal, PLEASE) She turns back towards Lisbeth, Emmaline and Keelan as Derrow takes his parting shot and leaves, muttering under her breath. "What a coward. He can't even stay to hear out my word." She shrugs, and smiles again, pulling out her parchment for Keelan. "This is a letter from Professor Sanctimonia. Or Agent Sanctimonia now. We should go somewhere else so I can tell you all about it. It's just... /too/ noisy in here, and I don't want to have to raise my voice." She nods, lying straight through her teeth, and looking around the room. Eloise, the first year who Brynne Lysaer saw at the feast is given a rather friendly smile and an enthusiastic wave with her letter hand.

He's a coward, he did the same thing last night. He doesn't even have the courage of his...of his...beliefs...to stand and defend them." Yes, that was exactly what Professor Fallon would say about the likes of Derrow. Glancing up at Brynne Emmaline Braedenton shakes off the Threatening-Boy's presence. The lout. Forcing a smile she nods to Brynne. "We can go to Godwinknoll. No one usually bothers us there."

A dark mist hangs over the area as Slazzurus Khalleria bows his head in respect of those in the room, and turns to sit in a chair. No smile crosses his face. Every movement of his is tense and erratic. His is no good mood, and he frowns slightly at the merriness happening around him for he is the only morose person in the room, or so he thinks. However, he cannot blame others for their good fortune. Shrugging at this, he pulls up his hood, and fingers his vest again. Nonetheless, his heartbreaking expression is not seen for the shrouding hood he owns covers all of his face. Drawing a book from his pocket, he puts his hand on the cover and lets it lie on the table, with a sad, miserable, yet enchanting look vibrating from him. No words can define his mood as of now. Yet he is still righteous and honorable, for the good have their bad times, as well as the wicked who may also have their good times.

Slazzurus Khalleria takes a seat at the Ravenclaw Table.
Slazzurus Khalleria says, "Hello"
Slazzurus Khalleria stands up from the Ravenclaw Table.
Slazzurus Khalleria takes a seat at the Staff Table.
Slazzurus Khalleria says, "Hello, Nurse."
Slazzurus Khalleria says, "How are you doing, Mz. Chamberlain?"
Slazzurus Khalleria nods his head, and starts to leave the table.
Slazzurus Khalleria stands up from the Staff Table.
Slazzurus Khalleria walks out through `(N)orth'.
Slazzurus Khalleria comes in from Narrow Corridor.
Slazzurus Khalleria whispers something to Brynne Lysaer
Slazzurus Khalleria whispers something to Brynne Lysaer

A forced smile appears on Slazzurus Khalleria's face. The school is much too big for him to memorize such passages.

Lisbeth Vandersen shifts, then stands from where she is seated at the Slytherin table with her friends. Pausing once to scowl at Slazzurus' antics she grumbles a, "This isn't a barn. Show some manners!" Then puts on a smile and turns back to her group. "The 'knoll then? And Brynnie can tell us all about the rest of that note."

Slazzurus Khalleria frowns, and bows toward the Lisbeth. "Sorry, just got up from my dorm. Late sleeper." He sighes slowly, and eyes south with a vigilant stare.

Oh the impropriety to approach a /Second/ year student without proper introduction. You could be severely reprimanded for doing that in the real world as well, but hey, it's modern, it's 1913. Brynne Lysaer just blinks as Slazzurus approaches her, and turns to him with a rather blank expression. "I'm sorry, I was just going to leave with my friends. Perhaps you should ask one of your house prefects to show you the way around." She shrugs, then turns back to her friends. "Let's go to the 'knoll."

Keelan Wheyre finishes off her breakfast and stands with a nod, "I don't care for sticking around here past breakfast anyway, so let's go to the 'knoll." She nearly forgets her duty as part of the Welcoming Committee, and 'accidently' forgot her pin this morning.. but the Slytherin girl manages to give a weak smile and nod of acknowledgment of their prescense to the younger students. Catch her later and she might /talk/ to them, and what a privilage
that will be. Or not.

Slazzurus Khalleria nods, and wanders around the Great hall with a bored expression his face. A slight scowl appears on his face, and he flicks back his cloaks. Examining the ceiling and the walls, he raises an eyebrow. "Strange material to make a school out of." He blinks, and suddenly notices Emmaline, who he'd met in the commons room before. "Hi, Emmaline. Care to show me around the Brick Prison?" The boy grins slightly at his own name for Hogwarts.

Slazzurus Khalleria eyes the walls closer... "Make that Stone Prison."

Slazzurus Khalleria whispers something to Emmaline Braedenton

Lisbeth Vandersen hmpfs once at Slazzarus, then starts to head for the dorms. So far she is free from Secondyear-itis, but she isn't exactly showing it at the moment. Sure, she wants to be nice to first years. But does she really have to be nice to such ill bred first years as ones hat sit down at the =Staff= table? Why, its a shock that Nurse woman didn't take some points off of Ravenclaw for such disrespect. "Look, Boy." She makes the word 'boy' into an insult. "We are busy doing important things. Emmaline has better things to do then lead you around the school. You know when I was a first year, we all wandered around and explored on our own. Have you tried that." Ok, maybe Secondyear-itis is catching after all.

To the 'knoll." She liked how that sounded. Rising to her feet she glances at Slazzarus and shakes her head, "We haven't been introduced, have we?" It was so impolite to call someone by name when you haven't met them. But he was a Firstie so Emma just smiles and shakes her head, "I'm sorry. I have plans with my friends. I'm going with them just now. Maybe later." Emmaline Braedenton gives another fleeting smile and stands with her friends.

Bernard Nightingale saunters into the room, hands thrust deep into his pockets, a rather giddy smile firmly plastered across his features. Suger high? Undoubtedly, for the lad was seen to devour half-a-dozen custard tarts at breakfast. But then, when hasn't he been seen smiling?

Slazzurus Khalleria shrugs, and eyes north. Stopping to take a look at his watch, he shrugs yet again, a dark mood hanging over him. Sighing heavily, he wonders when the older termers would stop calling him 'an ickle little firstie'.

Or maybe they won't head to Godwinknoll yet. Now that Slazzurus has decided to stay and ask Emmaline instead. Didn't Brynne Lysaer specify a /prefect/? Maybe she didn't. She nods at Lisbeth, Keelan and Emmaline, still clutching the parchment in her hands from Agent Sanctimonia. Important stuff it holds, and other secret things that other people /cannot/ see, other than her friends. "Let's go. Let's hurry..." she whispers quietly to the three girls, standing up from the Slytherin table and frowning at Slazzurus. "Of the nerve. To /sit/ at the staff table? It's just unheard of."

Perhaps stunned by the fact that Brynne was indeed sitting at the Slytherin table- how could it not be her, she waved- Eloise Peabody doesn't make much of a move to acknowledge her back, only smiling oddly after a much longer than polite while. It seems her fellow first years truly have poisoned her toward Slytherin, for the moment.

Slazzurus Khalleria comes in from Narrow Corridor.

Bernard Nightingale pauses, seemingly shocked, as the ravenclaw trots through the room too many times for comfort. "Crikey" he marvels, offering a low whistle. "What d'you suppose is the matter with 'im? Running to and fro like some sort of pop-eyed penguin?"

Slazzurus Khalleria bows his head slightly in respect, knowing the little regard the older terms give him. Striding to his table in a slow fashion, and sighs. He stops just as he reaches the table. "I'm not a bird, that's one, and I'm not pop-eyed, that's two. If I am such, then I am a spell-casting 'pop-eyed penguin'." Slazzurus imitates Bernard's voice perfectly, and grins as he reads from his book.

Slazzurus Khalleria opens The Dark Arts to Section one.
Slazzurus Khalleria sets The Dark Arts aside.
Slazzurus Khalleria takes a seat at the Ravenclaw Table.
Slazzurus Khalleria stands up from the Ravenclaw Table.

Bernard Nightingale stares at Slazzurus, just long enough to make his amused disapproval known. "Aren't most penguins spell-casting? My sister told me that they water-proof themselves so their skin doesn't get icky and wrinkled. I know /mine/ does if I'm in a tub for more than arf an hour."

Slazzurus Khalleria says, "I'm going to check out that dungeon cell, Bernard. Want to come? I'm trying to find an ickle little secret passageway."

Slazzurus Khalleria gives a very quick wave, and in a flash, he is gone, racing north at such a speed that could beat ANY pop-eyed penguin.

Slazzurus Khalleria walks out through `(N)orth'.

Lisbeth Vandersen snorts and doesn't think Slazz's imitiation was that perfect. As her friends seem to be lingering a moment under the distraction that is the Ravenclaw boy (she is starting to get dizzy herself from all of his comings and goings) she turns to look at Bernard and offers the boy a smile, then heads out of the hall with her friends.

Brynne Lysaer smiles again at Eloise, even greeting the girl. "Hi Eloise, bye Eloise," before waving again and leaving the room, her eyes trying to focus on anything /but/ the moving First Year Ravenclaw. She follows Lisbeth and Emmaline out of the room, heading for the 'knoll.

Bernard Nightingale offers an elaborate shudder that would make anyone proud. "No thanks" he calls after the retreating ravenclaw. "Secret passageways are bound to be dirty and all covered with spider-webs and stuff."

Slazzurus Khalleria comes in from Narrow Corridor.

With a sleepy looking kitten clutched tightly in her arms, engulfed in the folds of her robe sleeves, a wide-eyed Faith Menhier slips quietly into the room. "Though I'd never fin' it again," she murmurs to herself, voice carrying little farther than her own ears. She pauses to look around, assuring herself that this is indeed the Great Hall, before wandering toward the Hufflepuff table.

Slazzurus Khalleria frowns and says, "Any fellow first years want to come and explore with me? I'm a bit bored." He eyes all the cracks in the floor and walls curiously, deciding if he should pry them open and check for trapdoors. His curiousity, however, doesn't seem to be as strong as his will not to get in trouble.

Slazzurus Khalleria says, "Anyone at all?"

Bernard Nightingale gazes wistfully at the slytherin table. "Why must you go poking about in these nasty...things? I heard there are going to be fruit tortes for tea, and it would not be too improper to raid the kitchens. And I haven't had my elevenses yet."

Yvonne Chamberlain stands up from the staff table, and rubs her eyes wearily after taking her spectacles off. She was not immune to the activities of the hall, and she is about as dizzy as the next person, watching Slazzurus walk in and out of the room. She heads for the service table to retrieve herself some coffee, or some strong tea, covering a yawn with her slender hand.

Slazzurus Khalleria shrugs and frowns yet again. Wonder why he has such strong muscles? He starts to race off to the west again, wondering if any one should follow him would say 'Aye'. "I'm off to the Owlery, anyone want me to drop off their owl there?"

Eloise Peabody watches Slazzurus intently. My that boy is odd- perhaps he's one of those infernal Slytherins the other girls were going on about so incessantly. The other boy though- he's all right indeed. She stands, not wanting to be the only one reclined. To Bernard, she exclaims, "Your skin does that?! You must be a great wizard. I bet you'll have your own card in no time." This aficianado of Chocolate Frogs can relate anything back to them, it seems- without allowing any of their calories to show on her body. Perhaps /that/ is a little magical ability she can call her own.

Slazzurus Khalleria sighs and shrugs, his feet barely touching the floor as he flies out the west entrance.
Slazzurus Khalleria walks out through `(W)est'.

Bernard Nightingale stares at Slazzurus for a few more moments, then turns his attention to Eloise. "Doesn't your skin wrinkle in the bath-tub? Mine does, horribly. Uncle used to say that I would end up like one of his dried prunes." A shudder of revulsion. "I don't much like prunes, they always make me feel a tad funny. I far prefer peaches, apples, and plums."

Enter Claire McCullough, who, as always, is loaded down with books, and foreboding-looking ones at that. Balancing somehow at the top of this incredible pile is a scroll, pre-measured at five feet. She stumbles (somehow) to her table, over her own large feet and with her lack of vision, sets the books down...oh...so...carefully without them tipping over, and then sets her bookbag next to them. She sees Eloise, who she recognizes from her house, and waves at her. Then she sees Yvonne, and smiles widly, going to the Nurse's side. "Hallo Yv...I mean, Nurse Chamberlain," she says with a small giggle at her slip-up.

Slazzurus Khalleria comes in from Entrance Hall; Northern Section.
Slazzurus Khalleria says, "I have a decent knowledge now of the first and second floors."
Slazzurus Khalleria says, "And of course, the third floor, the Owlery is there."
Slazzurus Khalleria suddenly stops, and slows down. "I'm sorry, did I interrupt anything?" The boy quickly stammers a dozen apologies at the same thing, and decides to sit still for a while.
Slazzurus Khalleria takes a seat at the Ravenclaw Table.
Slazzurus Khalleria stands up from the Ravenclaw Table.

Eloise Peabody nods slowly. "Oh, yes, I thought you said something else. I wrinkle in water too." She grins almost apologetically and shrugs. "What's your name, by the way? I'm Eloise Peabody. Gryffindor. Everyone has been saying it's the best house. I think they're right, I mean, I really like it." She winces, realizing she hadn't seen Bernard in her commons or at her house table. "But the other houses must be good too. I mean, this is Hogwarts, after all." It seems she forgot somewhere along the line that she inquired of his name, as she kept talking- though were it to be volunteered, she'd be happy to hear it.

As the Hufflepuff firstie stops by her table, not yet choosing to sit, she lowers her hands to let the kitten tumble onto the seat. "Now don't you go too far," she tells it, while the creature, of course, pays no attention and scampers off across the room. As for Faith Menhier, she turns to watch the other students. Slazzurus is offered a curious look, yet she says nothing yet - just attempts to listen.

Slazzurus Khalleria smiles and tilts his head slightly toward his pet owl, who seems awkward sitting on his falconry glove. "Slazzurus Swordspell Maximus Khalleria... that's my full name. Call me Slazz."

Bernard Nightingale offers his right hand...a slender, delicate, porcelain appendage, whose grip of steel often surprises those who are unacquainted with it. "Bernard Nightingale, Slytherin" he replies cheerily. "Anyhow, how about we go scrumping? And then sliding down banisters, after which we can break for our luncheon, then visit the owls. Followed by...chocolate cake, perhaps? And then we can visit the lake and go for a swim, and by then it will be tea-time."

Slazzurus Khalleria eyes Bernard. "A swim in the lake? I'll come. I still wish I had my sword. Took some fencing lessons when I moved from the States to the London." Slazz nods slowly. "Heard there some beasts who probably want your flesh for dinner. Watch out. Like I said, can I come? Otherwise, I'd try to find someone who'd teach me how to fly. Quite dangerous, and I might need Mz. Chamberlain's assistance." He eyes the nurse gratefully, wondering what he'd probably break /trying/ to play Quidditch... A nose? An arm? A leg?

Parading about in her paper cat's eyes mask, raven locks tucked up under a beret, the Gryffindor quadruplet waltzes into the Great Hall in spirits a great deal better than this morning, and the day previous. She is still, of course, immensely distraught over the separation from her sisters...but Kitty's promises on revenge upon the hat have cheered Verdine Verlegt up immensely. "Good afternoon," she greets airily, skipping over to the
Ravenclaw table. She's Aurea. Really. Yep.

Morag Minter wanders the length of the table, trailing her fingers along the wood. Pausing near the group, she stops and smiles, giving Bernard a curious glance. The words 'chocolate cake' resonate in her brain like echos in a cavern "Some of those banisters are awfully.... curvey" she offers to anyone and possible no one.

Shaking Bernard's hand carefully, Eloise Peabody makes a concerted effort to not be affected by his house affiliation. They're all people, after all, right? Continuing with their conversation, Eloise Peabody responds, though her talk has become a bit more forced. "Er, very nice to meet you, Bernard. All of that sounds like fun." And against her better judgment, "I'd love to go do all of that."

Slazzurus Khalleria grins. "Like I said, anyone have the time for giving me some flying lessons?" He still wonders if he could borrow a broom somewhere. Pulling his raven black hair back, he shrugs, and starts to leave.

Bernard Nightingale appears notably taken aback, and lowers his voice. "They do say that all sorts of demons come from America" he confides, to anyone who might be listening. Nevertheless, he brightens quickly, and beams a smile at the entire room. "Are there any fruit-orchards? Scrumpings no good without them, you know. I s'ppose we could start on the banisters..."

Flying lessons?" Verdine Verlegt pipes up eagerly, dropping the mask from her face for a moment before remembering the reservations of her Ravenclaw sister. "I mean, uhm, flying lessons. How very droll." Raising the bit of paper to her face again, the girl slumps into her seat, peering after Slazzurus wistfully. Pretending to be Aurea is going to be harder than she
thought. Must speak to Carmine about this.

Morag Minter nods at Bernard "It doesn't matter which to do first" and she extends her hand "Morag" and continuing in one breath " I saw choke cherry trees - can you scrump choke cherries" she doesn't know.

Faith Menhier clasps her hands before her, almost fidgeting a bit as they twist into a comfortable position. The Hufflie begins to lean back onto the edge of the table, then stops, instead taking a small and curious step forward and turning her eyes on Bernard and Eloise. "I've no idea, truly," she admits in response to the question, 'drawn in' by the smile. "Would you mind overly if I joined you two? What're we talking about?"

Cecelia Remington hurries in, trailing books and other debris as she lopes over to her house table. "Gah." is the breathless greeting to the other occupants, the child having apparently little or no self consciousness. "-So- many stairs! I swear it takes me a week to get down to dinner." she complains good naturedly, a red ribboned ringlet thrown over her shoulder carelessly.

Eloise Peabody shrugs genially, almost forgetting the boy's a Slytherin. Offering a grin to Morag, she remarks, "Maybe, if there are the choke cherries, there's something else somewhere else too?" She ignores Bernard's demon comment, not knowing how to respond- and writing off the behaviour as a peculiarity to Slytherins that must be ignored. As the other students gather round, she makes sure to greet them all in turn with a smile. "We were planning on having a bit of fun. Er...scrumping? And sliding down banisters."

Bernard Nightingale sighs, the brilliance of his smile fading somewhat. "I don't suppose that fruit is in season" he confesses, conceivably crestfallen. "But...." Every misfortune has a silver lining. "That means we can slide down the banisters right away! I've even got a few wooden boxes we can use. My guardian thought them more practical than carpet-bags."

Morag Minter nods at Eloise encouragingly and then gives Bernard a worried smile "There should be something, somewhere" she agrees "It'll be fun" she adds - ready for fun now after the mad rush and panic of the last fortnight "What do you use the boxes for though - do they balance?"

Abigail Golden walks in smileing. She overhears somethin about sliding down banisters and her smile grows bigger. She walks over to the crowd and mid way there she points at her arm with her wand and there pops a huge blanket. As she reaches the crowd she smiles and says. "Hello there. NOt getting into trouble I hope..."

Eloise Peabody brightens, having not been entirely clear on scrumping- but perfectly well versed in the art of banister sliding. "Really? I didn't bring anything like that here...my mother insisted that I should only have what the letter said. Oh, and a few little things, I guess, but no boxes or anything. And she went to Hogwarts, so I figured she knew." The Gryffindor shrugs, having gone on about that more for conversation's sake than a real worry or care.

Cecelia Remington folds her arms, the table apparently empty of interesting people. Slipping off it, eyes shift over the room accordingly before landing on a bunch of sociable-looking first years. She saunters up to the gaggle: Morag, Eloise, Bernard et al. "I'm Cecy Remington." is announced with boundless enthusiasm. "Can I join you lot? I'm one of the new ones.. I assume you all are too?"

Bernard Nightingale sniffs elaborately. "The boxes are for sitting in" he replies, before turning to Abigail, his expression one of utter innocence. "Trouble? Certainly not. Trouble is to be avoided at all cost." A sage nod, before he darts towards the exit. "I'll get the boxes."

Abigail Golden 's smiles fades. "Darn I was hopeing I could join you on those slippery railings. It's been quite some time sence I have used this." She holds up the blanket and her head hangs. Abi's pretty good at acting sad.

Sounds like fun," Faith Menhier admits, smiling slightly at the group. She's spent so much time wandering around lost that she's not had time for good old fun. "I've only got bags with me, and nothing good for.." For whatever that is for, which Morag has so nicely asked for her. Stepping the rest of the way toward the other first years, she lifts her hand to Cecelia, and sets about introducing herself as well. It might be a good idea, after all. "Faith. Faith Menhier. I'm a Hufflepuff."

Morag Minter is unsure how one uses boxes or blankets for sliding down banisters, but she doesn't comment, although a worried look starts to grow and she begins to gnaw on her bottom lip "I slid down banisters at home. We had a wonderful one - very fast" she nods at Faith and Abigail, tossing her own name into the mix "Morag Millicent Minter. I'm from Cardiff."

Nice to meet you." Cecelia Remington beams at Faith, before catching snippets of the conversation in hand. "Bannister sliding? That sounds fun." she adds hopefully, inviting herself in with customary confidence. She joins the crowd of first years properly, adding to faith: "I'm in Gryffindor." with only a touch of house pride. "Cardiff? I'm from.. well, everywhere, really. I was born in Surrey, though. But I haven't been back since I was born. My Papa's a soldier, you see."

Aritt Codune walks in after a long day in his common room waiting for people to talk to, looks around and sees his friend Emma Warren from the Leaky Cauldron, "Hey Emma, you having fun here too?"

Emma Warren looks at the boy, waving. "Hello Aritt!" she smiles. "I am having a great time. I need to go to the Gyffindor towe, to find my sister. Would you like to come?"

Aritt Codune nods his head and says, "Lets go then."

Faith Menhier gives Cecelia a nod, raising a hand to flip back the hair that slides over her shoulder. "You can come, if you like. He's got some boxes, I think, and we're all going up to the top floor." She stops with a slight, worried frown, looking after the departed Slytherin. "I'd better hurry and follow him though, or I'll /never/ find my way up. 'Less you're able to lead me, of course." "If you're coming."

Sliiiide-flop. Carmine Verlegt descends the stairs on her heels, bumping from one plinth to the next, her skirts flumping with her each time. The girl wears a small white paper mask that looks rather like a cat's eyes, and a burgundy beret that obscures her hair. She glances around surrepticiously, before wandering over to the Hufflepuff table with a whistle.

Morag Minter grins at Faith and nods at Cecelia as she turns to follow Bernard "My papa is a professor at the University. It was nice to meet you". She waves "Well see you".

Still retaining her wistful little air, Verdine Verlegt, acting as Aurea Verlegt, watches (through her own mask, of course) the small crowd about Bernard disperse, presumably off to commence the bits of mischief she overheard. So preoccupied with the misfortunes of being a Ravenclaw, that she doesn't pick upon her sister's presence for a full thirty seconds. Then, of course, she perks up and practically flies from the Ravenclaw table over to the Hufflepuff table. "Ki...Zaza!"

Zaza who? Oh! Kitty turns, and winks at her sister from beyond the mask - before she fears for her safety and ducks behind the table to avoid being crushed to Verdine's chest. "Of course, Reed...how did you like the sorting?" Carmine Verlegt's chipper tones are impossible to obscure...so she may have trouble there. However, her eye colour is similar to that of her Hufflepuff sister, so she plays it off. "How are you getting along with all the
smarty-pants-puff-n'-stuffs?"

Cecelia Remington shakes a ribboned head as the students trail off, in two minds whether to follow or stay where she is. "Are you going to go?" she asks Faith as Morag disappears, dark eyes taking in the remaining students. "How are they going to use boxes to slide down bannisters anyway? Wouldn't that just slow them up?" she muses, her tone becoming lighter as she thinks out loud.

Oh, it was positively...uhm...well, it was all right, I suppose..." Desperate for her sister's ability to string together words, and uncertain of the 'new' quads' position on that horrible, horrible sorting, Verdine Verlegt stumbles over her answer. "And they're not smarty pants! We all read books together, and stuff." Well, she's getting better.

Looking toward the door as Morag also departs, and watching her means of getting upstairs disappear, Faith Menhier shrugs before turning back to Cecelia. "I mean to.. It ought to be fun, really. And I don't know what the boxes are for, but he did mention them, so I assume he knows." She reaches out the, meaning to tug gently on her companion's sleeve. "You /should/ come.. Maybe by the time we get up there, we can figure it out."

Carmine Verlegt tries not to giggle...but it comes out. "Well...we just...um...putter around, mainly." She leans close to 'Aurea,' to whisper, "My house is so BORING." True both for Slytherin, and Hufflepuff, as far as she can see. "Have you met your house head yet?"

Alright then." Cecelia Remington wrinkles her nose before making her way out of the hall, loping in front of faith. Her destination, apparently, is the seventh floor staircase.

,-[ Hogwarts - Seventh Floor ]------------------------------------------------.

Bernard Nightingale has amassed a rather large pile of wooden boxes, and is already comfortably seated in one, scone in hand. It would appear that he has come prepared, for there is a rather large, platter-ful of the pastries on the ground beside him. "Have a scone? I've got blueberry and raspberry, but that's it I fear."

Cecelia Remington appears, a tad out of breath once again. You run all the way downstairs: spend ten minutes in the hall, and then lope up them all again. She leans against the wall as Faith appears, not far behind her. "So." she addresses Bernard and his boxes. "What are all these for? Are we going to slide down the -stairs- or the -bannisters?" inquires Cecy, clearly perplexed. "Else won't the boxes fall of the banisters and we'll all slide to our doom?"

Bernard Nightingale merely offers an enigmatic shrug. "I was thinking we might to both, just to see which one is more amusing. Besides, sliding down bannisters is supposed to wear out one's pants, and I don't have many pairs."

Faith Menhier peeks in behind Cecelia, blinking at Bernard and his set-up. "Are there many more floors to this place?" She, perhaps, is also slightly short on breath. Running around and climbing stairs are definitely not the same. The girl snags one of the pastries in a hand, taking a nibble of the edge. "Where'd you get these from? And are you really going to use boxes on the banister, or just the stairs themself? I don't suppose we could manage to go /all/ the way down at once.."

What about those moving staircase?" Cecelia Remington peers down the set they've just come up, as if hoping it will suddenly turn on it's head or join to some other corridor. It doesn't, and she looks disappointed, but continues regardless: "I've heard about them. And I saw one, a prefect pointed it out. They'd be wizard fun to climb down, don't you think?"

Bernard Nightingale leans forward, causing his box to tip ever so slightly. "Crikey...why don't we slide down one of 'em? I noticed a levitation charm in our textbooks, but I've never gotten to cast it. D'you suppose it might help with the sliding?"

Morag Minter is huffing and puffing as she climbs up "Gosh it's easy to get lost in here don't ya think" and in the same breath "I just past a bunch of seconders - do you think they are plotting something and why is everyone so cranky. I would have thought that everyone would be happy to be back at school - I can't wait to start classes, can you?". She pauses just long enough to look around "They warned us against being on the moving staircases, but if they move without you knowing it, how can you tell?"

I don't know." Cecelia Remington replies wonderingly to Morag, peering down the stairs once again before turning back to Bernard. "I think we should." she agrees solidely, picking up a box and expecting it for sturdiness. "This one looks good enough. Cast a charm on it." she commands, a dimple appearing in one cheek. "I mean.. I don't know how to do any magic yet, myself."

What if you fell off the end?" Faith Menhier inquires a bit dubiously. Any doubt is pushed aside by Bernard's suggestion, however, spells being something to catch her attention. "Do you think you could manage? I've not had chance to try any charms, to tell the truth." "I don't know how you could tell. I suppose you just hope it doesn't." Another bite of her pastry
finishes off the sentence, gaze drifting to the stairs.

Morag Minter boggles a little at the thought of casting a charm or anything actually "Can we" she asks almost breathlessly.

Bernard Nightingale fumbles around in his pockets for his wand, temporarily holding his pastry in his mouth. "I dunno 'ow oo ast a arm" he mutters, finally locating the object. "But, it certainly can't hurt to try, right? They wouldn't try to teach us /dangerous/ things. Not yet."

Cecelia Remington holds her own wand out, though with less poised elegance and more 'grapple for dear life in case it escapes' in the stance of her fingers. "What's the charm then, boy wonder?" she asks Bernard cheerfully, labelling him as the bright spark of the group as the aims the willow instrument at the nearest box. "Where did you get all the food from?" she asks the crowd, looking hopefully for picniv hidden amongst the debris.

I pinched it from the kitchens" is Bernard Nightingale's cheerful reply. "As for the charm...umm. I think it is Wingidsium Levora...or something like that. Maybe if you mumble the phrase it'll work. That always worked on my old school teachers."

Faith Menhier points out helpfully, "They /haven't/ tried to teach it, yet." Oh well. Her free hand is employed in grabbing one of the boxes and drawing it closer to her, then dropping it at her feet as she pulls out her own wand. Worth a try, at least. "Wingsi-what levora?"

Morag Minter blinks at Faith and Bernard respectively and then bend her head and fumbles for her own wand "It's Levora isn't it?". Wishing she'd brought a textbook she gently holds her wand, frowning at it slightly. Lifting her head she asks suddenly "What electives are you going to take". Again, this is asked generally and not specifically.

Wingsiumardra Loveisae." is the very mumbled attempt of Cecelia Remington's, the words running in to each other and the spell, needless to say, having very little effect. "Wingadsium Levora." she repeats, the inflexions different this time but no more successful. "Oh, one of you people try." she complains good naturedly, stepping out of the way of the boxes.

Bernard Nightingale scratches his head ever so slightly, then points his wand at the box. "Wingidsium Levora...Win/gid/sium Levora. /Win/gidsium levor/a/." A pause, as he examines the tip of his wand. "Oh, you /stupid/ git!" he cries, waving his wand about wildly. A poof of smoke, a loud bang...and we are left with one very-astonished, soot-begrimed Bernard Nightingale.

Jumping back, Morag squeals as the puff of smoke eminates from Bernard. Coughing and waving her hand in front of her face she shakes her head, giggling "Are you alright Bernard!"

Faith Menhier swallows the last bit of her pasty, then switches the hand her wand is in. "Wingigidium.. no.. Wingidsium. Wingidsium Leviosa?" she murmurs, mostly to herself, after listening to the other attempts to cast it. There, she's got it. Maybe. She jumps at the bang, then peers at Bernard with an almost amused expression - if she wasn't worried, she'd not be able to hold back a giggle of her own. "Are.. Are you all right? You're awful dirty. But if you're not hurt, I'll try, maybe."

Waving away the last puff of smoke, Morag Minter shakes her head and glances between Faith and Bernard "Maybe we should just try it the old fashioned way and slide" breaking a neck, leg, or both likely "Or we could just sit in the box and slide down the stairs." she glances down the winding staircase "that might be fun" she adds, somewhat dubiously.

Bernard Nightingale coughs dejectedly...but he, too, is unable to restrain a giddy giggle. "Actually, it was kind of fun" he replies, cheerily. "Not certain how it happened...If it weren't for the soot I'd do it again."

Cecelia Remington cackles witchily at the soot encrusted bernard. "Wow. At least something happened." she comforts, nodding towards Faith. "Yours sounded right. Do it again." she commands, finding a seat on an upturned box while she waits for something to happen. Actually helping would be far too much like hard work.

Fun? Might as well give it a go, then. "Wingidisium Leviora!" Faith Menhier demands, accompanied by a rather wild wave of her wand at her own box. It doesn't seem to do much. Her second, even more insistant attempt, follows; "Wingideriusm Levoria!" As nothing still happens, she sighs. "Am I doing something /wrong/?"

Oh, I shall." Almost slipping off the railing as she speaks, Cecelia maintains a brittle smile as she replies. She lets go, the newly polish bannister taking to being slid down rather well, it must be said. Gaining speed, it is only towards the bottom that she loses her balance, a petticoat catching a nail loose in the wood, Not only does it eject Cecelia Remington from the railing, it also rips the cherished lace of the petticoat, leaving it hanging rather forlornly from the stairwell. For the child's part, she is bruised and dazed but not too injured. "I'm okay!" she calls up cheerfully to her companions, lest they be anxious.

Bernard Nightingale smiles sheepishly, and turns to Faith. "Would you like to go next, or should I?" he inquires softly.

Dropping her box, the Hufflepuff instead moves toward the banister, following the earlier lead of the Gryffindor. "Oh, let me. Unless you mind, of course. It does look fun.. We had no good banisters at home. Not long like this." Faith Menhier grabs on to pull herself to a perch, stopping there to look at Bernard. Must be absolutely sure he doesn't mind waiting.

Bernard Nightingale nods, offering a grin as he approaches the railing. "Good luck" he murmurs. "Very well then. Away with you."

Faith Menhier clambers up onto the railing, not managing the best of grips before she starts to slide down. And she has not the luck to stop herself and hang on better, either, which provides for a rather wild ride down.. at least, as wild as sliding down a banister is capable of getting. She makes it a good deal of the way before coming to a landing, ending seated on one of the stairs, one arm still above her holding on. "Not the best of tries, I think.." She calls up, letting to scoot away from the rail.

Bernard Nightingale impishly tosses a leg over the banister, then slips away with a wild shriek. Nevertheless, to his credit, he offers Faith a tip of an imaginary cap as he sails by...and out of sight.

Look Out Below!

A nice Mid-August day in 1906 finds Charles Harper wandering away from his father Abbot as the auror goes up to the Rathe's townhouse paying a visit. Charles seems a bit more healthy looking than the last time anyone has seen him in London his trip to Paris having done him well. "Astra!" He calls for his younger friend knowing she must be about somewhere. "Im here. Come on out!" The boy's glasses glare in the sunlight and his thick black hair is combed straight back to keep out of his face. He has with him a small pinwheel that he lifts to his mouth and blows against causing it to spin some.

The Rathe townhouse is fair in size and although it is their city dwelling it still has enough land to keep an active child busy out-of-doors for a little while. Left unattended by her own parents Astra has been occupying herself by tree climbing and so has seen the whole business with Abbot, Charles, and her parents. Once the adults are safely out of earshot and eyesight the girl comes clambering down a few branches, grabs a handful of leaves and twigs and giggling drops them where she hopes will land smack on top of Charles. "Hi CHUCK!" The girl shouts this welcome and then proceeds to climb out onto the branch. "Whatchya doing here?"

Nice day that it is, Dwight has managed to escape for a bit of a walk - and a sketch. As he walks down the road he carries with him a couple rolls of parchment, a bottle of ink in his pocket and the end of a quill peeking out. Nothing else, for the stout child prefers to avoid the extra work of lugging things around whenever possible. Presumably parents must be somewhere nearby, but the child is walking alone, and slowly, looking at each of the townhouses critically as he moves.

The twigs and branches collecting in his hair are of course a surprise and Charles looks up into the tree while brushing them from his scalp. "Hey! What are you doing up there Astra?" "My father came to visit your father so I'm out here visiting you." He rolls his eyes as he thought it was rather obvious why he was there. "And don't call me Chuck. Charles is a highly distinguished name. Chuck is what you call riff raff and we don't invite them round for tea." Without wasting another breath Charles begins clambering up the tree as well, though admittedly in a clumsy sort of way. Grunting as he finally makes his way up to Astra's branch Charles is somewhat out of breath already. "My this is high up....." He grins taking notice of the boy walking alone down the street. "Watch this..." He whispers fiendishly to Astra. He takes some sort of gooey green blob from his pocket and tosses it out of the tree at the other boy before quickly scurrying away inside of the foliage.

Already performing gymnastics of a sort Astra has maneuvered herself so that she's hanging from her knees. Fearless of possible injury is it is part because she knows the trees on the property very well but also because she's confident in her childishness. She doesn't immediately see what Charles is about because she's busy hanging upside down in the most uncivil of fashions, but the lone boy has caught her attention too. It isn't until the green blob goes flying in Dwight's direction that she shrieks a laugh and grabbing for another branch takes the time to pull herself right side up. "Chuck! You're going to get us into trouble! I can't *believe* I'm stuck babysitting such a /brat/." She is always so well behaved, like for instance, now as she calls out. "Someone has flying boogies!"

Dwight Floens stops short as he is hit with a.. well, a green, gooey, blob-y, disgusting sort of whatever-it-is. His eyes dart upward in the direction the blob-y what'sit must have come from, and he stares up at the tree, trying to see through the branches. "I demand that you stop this -instant-." Having issued his command to whomever happens to be up there, his attention turns his now dirty sleeve. He raises a hand as though to brush off the mess, but hesitates, not wishing to touch it. Finally he pulls a handkerchief from a pocket and carefully removes the goo, frowning the entire time.

"Careful! That stuff will eat through your shoes!" Yells Charles in a high voice trying to sound like Astra but failing. He giggles and peers out from the branches, his balance on the branch somewhat wavering. He looks to Astra and laughs at her flying boogie comment. He whispers to her "It's just molding clay. I made some" He watches the older boy from the safety of the tree feeling quite invincible due to it's hiding him.

"Don't you go mimicking me Chucky!" Astra pretty much bellows that out as much as a little girl /can/ bellow so it's actually more of a shriek but she's trying very hard to impersonate her father and his infamous temper. Even so another laugh escapes from her at Dwight's words and his fussy ways. "We have a right little proper gentleman in our midst!" "We'd best be careful or he might want to *duel* us." "Be careful knave! You know not the twin terrors that you address!" Hopping just a little on the branch to give away their location, the girl eyes Charles sidelong and then gives another wicked little jolt. "Don't fall Chuck! You wouldn't want to break that skull of yours and have all your smarts leak out onto the ground!" "Then your dad will cry because you'll be the class dummy!"

Dwight Floens finishes taking care of the problem on his sleeve, shakes the handkerchief out, then carefully folds it and returns it to his pocket. Only then does he resume his scrutiny of the tree top, glaring up at those who address him - or attempting to, if only he could see them. "Knave?" The poor child is competely astounded by the word. "You mustn't call me that. -My- family is one of the most important in all the world, and also -we're- pureblood, and also my father will kill you." He finishes this little speech, and almost as an afterthought, adds, "And you two aren't scary at all."

In a mocking tone, much worse than the mock Astra tone Charles replies "My Daddy is the bestest wizard in all the world and you better watch out because he's got a big wand and he'll kill you with it! Also I am so scared that Im going to stand in the street and argue with the trees in someone's front yard." He giggles some before continuing. "I think I might just go get my Daddy to kill this mean old tree but not before I wet my pants and run home crying!" Charles holds the branch tighter rolling his eyes at Astra's comment.

"Knave knave knave who lives in a cave and isn't at all brave and certainly can't shave." Astra is having fun with words and happily plays with their sounds as she calls out to taunt Dwight some more. "The knave he rants and raves but all we do is wave." "He doesn't bathe and kind of smells like a grave!" Another fit of delighted giggles finds the girl scrambling around to hang by her knees again. "Hello mister-flying-boogies! I, the fearless mastermind am not afraid of /you/ or your father. /My/ father is bigger n' braver n' meaner n' scarier than both yours *and* Chuckles's dads put /together/. Plus he's got top secret stuff at the Ministry *and* he can kill everyone!" "Plus, I'm also a pureblood and so is my henchman Chuckie. I could use another henchman and since you're pureblood I *guess* I could let you be one." "But I don't know. You're kind of fussy. It /was/ just boogies."

Too astonished by this turn of events to fully comprehend what is going on, Dwight has a rather delayed reaction to the teasing. First, he just stands and stares some more. "If you're scared of the tree then you shouldn't be in it." Is the idea that /he's/ being teased that hard to wrap his head around? "At least I know how to be/have/. I don't think /I've/ acted like that since I was /seven/." His voice softens just a bit, to a more considering rather than just angry tone, for the next comment; for with all of his many years, he has to come up with a proper answer. "I won't be your henchman. That's like a servant, and I'm going to own servants one day. But I could be your..." he trails off, his nine years' experience failing him. "We could have tea when we're older."

"Im not her henchmen. She's my henchmen." Comes Charles' protest. He takes a chance on dangling from his knees as Astra does. "You can be my Henchman. Don't let Astra fool you her dad isn't that tough. My father is the one who is a real man. He's an auror and everything." Charles adds a moment later "I'm going to be an Auror too some day. And all Astra is going to is marry someone and have their babies because that's what women do!" He giggles looking sidelong to his friend. He doesn't seem to notice at first that his glasses are slideing off his face due to gravity. Though eventually he does and pushes them back up on the bridge of his nose.

Scowling at the other boy Astra does the mature thing and sticks her tongue right out at Dwight. "I wouldn't want to take tea with a stinky boy who thinks he's so smart. You're too fussy and I bet you can't even climb a tree." But it's what Charles says that gets her off-guard "Why you stupid little boy!" Shrieking again the girl scrabbles up and gives the branch a nastier jolt as she hangs on as tightly as possible. "I hope you break your skull you little brat!" "I am not going to be a baby machine for /anyone/ not /ever/!" "My mother isn't and she works in the Ministry too! Top secret stuff but different than father's." For all her claims the girl really doesn't /know/ what either of her parents /do/ for work at the Ministry. She's still as mad as ever though and to make her point she bounces again on the branch so hard that she very nearly topples herself headlong onto the ground. Even so, she's not deterred. "Chuck Harper is the stupidest boy to ever live!" Grabbing her
own fall with both hands she has to take a moment before scrabbling down to the next branch. To those who might be watching it's clear she knows exactly what she's doing and doesn't seem the least bit worried that the boy might fall out of the tree and hurt himself.

"I won't be anyone's henchman," Dwight answers proudly, "not hers or yours. And I don't wish any either; I have house elves for that sort of thing, so /neither/ of you may be mine." So there. Stepping closer, he tilts his head farther up, really perfering to have an unobscured view of who he is talking to. "I wouldn't /want/ to climb a tree; it's dirty, and I bet you've got bugs all over you. You're no better than dirty bug infested mudbloods with, with, with spots on you!" He takes another step closer as he continues to speak, voice rising, until Astra begins her shrieking. As long as someone is keeping the silence away, he can quiet down - and he's already given the worst insult he could think of.

"Hey quit it Astra!" Calls Charles franticy trying to scramble up the branch again. But each times she gives it a jolt his grip is broken. "Stop! You're going to make me fall!" And then as if fate were listening his knees let go and the boy drops to the ground like a sack of potatos. An ugly thud is heard followed by the boy's wailing as he lies on the front lawn beneath the tree. He reaches for his face to find that his glasses have fallen off and as he crawls slowly to his knees to find them there is an ominous crunch in the grass beneath his knees. "Oh no...." He says through his tears. "My glasses..." He turns pale and lifts his leg showing that the glasses are crushed. "My father is going to kill me Astra!" he shrieks.

"You deserved it you little brat! How /dare/ you insinuate anything!" For her age Astra has a great grasp of vocabulary, but that isn't terribly surprising given the era and the quality of education. Jumping to the next branch down, the girl is surveying the damage with absolutely no remorse for the boy who went and got hurt. Looking to the door of her house and then over to Dwight she narrows her eyes. "And I amn't a mudblood either you filthy little wretch." Dropping to the next branch she's still high enough up that a tumble will hurt and certainly filthy her clothing, but she isn't so terribly high up that it's absolutely dangerous. Glancing to the door and back to Dwight she makes a huffing sound before letting *go* of the branches that support her and tumbling down near to, but not on top of Charles. The fall may have been planned, but her injuries are not staged. What she did she did on purpose. Her own screams are loud, shrill and piercing and she screams as she grabs
one leg. "You're a big meanie head Charles and I'm going to /tell/ on you!"

"I'm not the one who's /filthy/," Dwight replies, but that's about all that he has time for. He stays for a moment to watch the ensuing scene, but is smart enough at nine to show a better side of himself around adults than those his own age, and he isn't going to wait to see what these two say about him when the commotion draws out a parent or two. "Told you," he remarks into the middle of the screaming, then turns, not bothering to run with his bulk but walking back down the way he came at, for him, a fairly decent speed.

Its about this time between the two children yelling in pain that a parent does show up. Abbot Harper though not as impressivley built as Astra's father, still quite imposing. "Whats going on out here Charles?" He says impatiently looking to his son. "Why are you wallowing on the ground....." Then he sees the shattered glasses and Astra. "Dad Astra pushed me out of the tree! And I fell and my glasses broke." He is quick to tell the truth, a lot of fear playing in his voice. "I asked her to stop but she wouldn't!"

Hiding her face if not her own yelling, Astra took to the time to weigh what was going on. Her own parents are again absent, which really isn't unusual and she's quite used to it by now, but Abbot is another story. With her parents still in the house she decides to put on the full waterworks. This would never /ever/ work on her parents but she's hoping that maybe someone other than Arnauld will fall for the act. Shaking, crying, and now yelling Astra doesn't get up or move much other than to rock back and forth to support her injured limb. Her own tumble may not have been as bad, but she's still small for her size. "Did not! I did not you little liar! You were the one being mean to /me/." Wiping at her eyes the heels of her palms the girl snivels. "Charles Harper is a big old meanie head!" "I don't like you anymore!" Scuffling among the two isn't unknown and the girl has vowed enmity upon Charles ten times in one day and the very next minute forgetting this and putting it beh
ind her, but that doesn't stop her now from declaring: "You're my nemesis Charles Harper!" Because that doesn't sound at all ridiculous to her eight year old ears.

"Charles Danforth Harper!" Yells Abbot seeing the crying mess that Astra is. "How many times have I told you that you are to treat girls with respect and dignity!" Abbot walks past his own crying son and moves to pick Astra up off the ground. "There there dear. Let me get you inside. Then Im taking Charles home. I think you've both had quite enough for the day." Abbot glares at his son before walking with Astra in his arms toward the Rathe town house leaving his son sitting and crying in the dirt until he returns.

Discussing Misbehavior

(OOC: 1907-08 school year. One of the more amusing aspects of coded spells. If I recall, Philip had disconnected, and so we could NOT have cast anything to stop the spell.... but it's much more amusing (even if out of character!) picturing them just standing over the poor kid having a casual conversation about his affliction.)

+---[ Hogwarts - Marble Staircase ]------------------------------------------+

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

Philip Tsang squirms about, giggling and sobbing for breath.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

Daryn D'Arcy arches a careful eyebrow. "Thank you for your prompt response, Prefect." A finger is outstretched towards the...ticklish Gryffindor. "Look what the bird dragged in for us."

-----------insert same coded spells effects as above----------------

Sylvie Winters comes quickly into the room. Eyes go to Daryn, then just as quickly to the Gryffindor. "Most interesting."

Philip Tsang squirms about, giggling and sobbing for breath.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

Philip Tsang squirms about, giggling and sobbing for breath.

-------------insert even more coded spell... a couple left in here for effect--------------------

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Daryn D'Arcy clasps his hands behind his back, eyeing the Gryffindor dolefully. "What do you recommend that we do? I suppose we could tell the headmaster about this...incident."

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

--------------- honestly, this poor kid...more laughing!------------------

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Sylvie Winters nods slightly. "I do think he would do something about it." She falls silent for a second, regarding the laughing boy. Then, "Do we know it was a Gryffindor who cast the spell, or merely that this one was affected by it?"

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

-------------and we're not going to recommend helping him---------------------

Philip Tsang squirms about, giggling and sobbing for breath.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Daryn D'Arcy shrugs a little. "Does it matter? No Slytherin would have cast it, of that I am utterly certain." Eyes flicker to the boy in a little amusement. "And even if he blames it on someone else, would the Headmaster necessarily believe him?"

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

--------------------cut out an entire page worth of rolling and laughing-----------------------

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Sylvie Winters smiles a tiny bit. "Not nessisarily, and as he seems to be.. all alone here... I doubt he could lay blame on anyone else effectively."

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

--------- and yet still more -------------------------

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Daryn D'Arcy smiles again, a little more than Sylvie. "You are quite correct in that...I doubt he can blame anyone without an extensive search into his previous behavior...which I have heard is not as...spotless as it ought to be."

Philip Tsang squirms about, giggling and sobbing for breath.

------------------- really, it's amazing this kid hasn't fainted... cut another page worth-----------

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

Sylvie Winters watches the Gryffindor a bit more, and nods. "Oh, I know his record isn't spotless. Any search into previous behavior would.. not help him at all, if he tried to prove innocence."

Philip Tsang rolls about, laughing hysterically.

------------- aaaaaaaaaaaaaaand... more laughing, about 2 pages this time ---------------------

Daryn D'Arcy bites his lip a little. "In view of my possible imminent departure, perhaps you ought to send a notice to the headmaster...This is an...interesting development."

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

--------------- we're all really quite lucky he's still alive ---------------------

Philip Tsang squirms about, giggling and sobbing for breath.

Sylvie Winters sighs and nods slightly. She quickly starts to look for her supplies, not wanting to look at Daryn, she hasn't said anything about his.. departure.. yet. Pulling out the ever-ready quill and parchment, she starts to write a quick message.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

Philip Tsang struggles about, gasping for air and laughing simultaneously.

------------ one more page... I finally @gagged him --------------

Marjorie Prestilda comes in from the exit called `(Up)stairs', looking pretty cheery.

Marjorie Prestilda sighs lightly, going down the stairs. "Hogwarts."