Anna 3
The platform is crowded when we get off, and the wind is cold and biting our skin, so the five of us huddle together to keep warm, and to avoid getting separated.
"First years!" A loud voice calls over the noise of the crowd. "First years this way!"
"Can anybody tell where that's coming from?" Astrid has to raise her voice considerably to be heard over the noise.
"I think it's- Yeah, I can see it. This way." Kristoff is the only one tall enough to see through the crowd, so he starts to lead the way, and we follow, pushing and shoving through the crush.
"First years over here! Try not to get trampled kids, cause I hate paperwork!" We finally get to the source of the shouting. He had to be at least nine feet tall, with really big hands and unruly reddish hair. Instead of robes, he had on red overalls with a broken strap, a plaid red t-shirt, and no shoes on. Another man was with him, and he was about half the height of the big man. He was wearing a light blue shirt, dark blue pants, steel toed work boots, and a light blue cap over neatly parted brown hair. His wand is hanging from a tool belt, like a hammer or something.
"Ralph! Don't say things like that! You are going to give these children the completely wrong idea about this fine school!" The small man turns towards us and all the other first years who have gathered around him and Ralph. "Hello kids! I am Felix, this is my brother Ralph, and we are the groundskeepers here at Hogwarts!"
"Yeah, we're gonna take you small-fries across the lake. Now c'mon, we're running late." Ralph took off at, what was to him, a leisurely stroll, but his long legs make it so the rest of us have to jog to keep up.
"Four to a boat everyone!" Felix calls out at the lake side
"And don't rock the boats! My jurisdiction stops where the water starts, and if you fall in and the squid gets you, I can't do anything to help you." Ralph hops into the largest boat, and Felix jumps in next to him, the shorter brother reprimanding the taller one as the boats start to float off. The five of us managed to squeeze into one boat undetected, and we all make it across without incident. Ralph and Felix are still arguing when we get out of the boats, and I don't think they notice when a tall witch with long brown hair and emerald green robes leads our group of first years away from the lake and towards the castle. She doesn't speak until we stop in front of a huge pair of doors.
"Good evening children." She has a thick Scottish accent that makes me think of Merida. "I am Professor DunBroch, the Transfiguration teacher and deputy headmistress at Hogwarts. I am also the head of Gryffindor House, and I hope to see many of you in my House by the end of tonight." Her brown eyes lock onto Merida's blue ones for an instant, and then she looks away "I am going to see if they are ready for the Sorting Ceremony. I shall return for you all when it is time to enter the Great Hall." Then, she disappeared through the giant doors.
"Aye, tha's my mum" Merida speaks before we can ask her the question that had formed in our minds. A moment later, Merida's mom is back, and she's leading us into the Great Hall. I'm so preoccupied trying to take in every detail of the Great Hall that I don't hear the Sorting Song, or notice that the singer happens to be a talking hat until the song is done and everyone starts clapping. Then Merida's mom starts reading names off of a list, and the kids walk up, the Hat goes on their head, and their House name is called out for everyone to hear. I'm the first one on the list.
"Arendelle, Anna" I walk towards the stool and the Hat, and it seems to take me an eternity to get there. And as soon as I sit down, it feels like he walk didn't last long enough. And then I feel a weight on my head, and everything goes dark as the Sorting Hat slips down over my eyes.
"Hmmmm… You're a tricky one, aren't you?" A small voice whispers in my ear.
What do you mean? I think back.
You're all over the place my dear. You have a good mind, a quick wit, and you are a very fast learner, aren't you? And you can be very clever and convincing when you want to be. You have a brave spirit and a reckless disregard for what people say you can and can't do. And we can't forget how determined and loyal you are, still knocking on your sister's door after all these years, no matter how sure you are that she won't answer.
I think that that's just me being stubborn. Dad says I get it from Mom's side of the family.
Yes, fascinating, but back to your House please. Others are waiting. Now, you would do well in any House, Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Slytherin, or Raven-
Not Ravenclaw! Please, any House but that! Don't stick me with her!
Why do you find the idea of being in the same House as your sister so appalling? Your love for her is one of the strongest parts of you. Wouldn't you want to be able to spend more time with her?
Not if it hurts her to be around me! I do love her, and I will keep trying to get through to her, but I wont put my wants and feelings above hers. I would jump into a pit of flaming snakes for my sister, you got that? I will do anything for her, even if she won't give me the time of day!
I see. You have a fire in your heart girl, and I now know which House will best fan those flames. I will put you in- "GRYFFINDOR!" The last word is shouted out into the Hall.
I walk towards the cheering maroon and gold table on shaking legs, and wait to see where my new friends go.
Kristoff Bjorgman is the next of us five to be Sorted, and he is put in Hufflepuff after a moment.
I'm not sure the Hat even touches Merida DunBrochs fiery red curls before she joins me at the Gryffindor table.
Rapunzel Gothel is sent to the Ravenclaw table, almost as fast as Merida was sent to Gryffindors.
Astrid Hofferson is under the Hat for almost a full minute before the Hat finally decides to put her in Gryffindor.
I don't really pay attention to anyone else until Westergard, Hans becomes a Slytherin. I'm more interested in dinner. When the Headmaster stands up to give a speech or something like that, Merida point out all of the teachers to Astrid and me. The headmaster is a large man with an accent that's almost as thick as his beard. His name is Nicholas St. North. The Muggle Studies teacher, Professor Maurice, is a kind looking, round, and slightly eccentric little man. Herbology has three teachers, sisters Flora, Fauna, and Merriweather. Flora and Merriweather argue a lot, and Fauna just lets them let it out. Defense Against the Dark Arts is taught by a wizard who just goes by the Doctor. Apparently he comes back to school with a new face every year, and he's Ravenclaws Head.
Care of Magical Creatures is split between two teachers: Gobber the Belch (I kid you not, that is his real name) takes care of the big, dangerous, exciting creatures, and E. Aster Bunnymund, a wizard dressed in light grey robes, and who has a striking resemblance to Hugh Jackman. He does the smaller creatures. Potions is taught by the oldest, scariest looking lady I have ever seen in my life. Professor Yzma, the Head of Slytherin House. Gene. E Lamp, or Genie as everyone calls him, teaches Charms, and apparently really likes the color blue. A short golden-haired man who goes by Sandy takes care of Astronomy, and sitting next to him is Professor Facilier, the creepy Divinations teacher. Merida says that the students, and even the teachers call him the Shadowman behind his back. Ancient Runes is taught by the Hufflepuff Head, Professor Sultan. He has a daughter in Slytherin.
The Arithmancy teacher is a hot-headed man with a shock of white hair and bright blue eyes (That are usually narrowed into an angry scowl) named Donald Duck. Merida said her mom had invited him to dinner a few years ago when he started teaching at Hogwarts, and he sounded like he was gargling his soup the whole time, and they weren't even having soup! The flying teacher, Professor Toothiana, is a petite, pretty Indian woman with vibrant violet eyes and multi colored streaks in her dark, short hair. She barely looks old enough to be out of school. And last but not least, the History of Magic teacher, Professor Sourbill, a short, balding man with acid green eyes and a voice that can lull an angry dragon to sleep.
Astrid elbows us, and points at North, silently telling us to listen up.
"This year, for the first time in Hogwarts history, we will be making a junior Quidditch league, only for first years. While it will not be quite as intense as regular Quidditch, we feel it will give our younger students a chance to show their stuff, or to try something new. It will also give our team captains a chance to pick out some new talent for next year. The first practice will be this Friday, and all first years who want to participate will report to the Quidditch pitch during your free block. Professor Toothiana and the captains for each team will be out there waiting for you."
Astrid, Merida, and I all share excited looks. We had talked a bit about Quidditch and flying on the train, but Kristoff and Rapunzel were both a little lost, so we had changed the subject. I could tell they both wanted to do it, and so do I.
North says something about the Forbidden Forest, then, without warning, mounds of food appeared on the plates in front of us. I have never seen this much food before! At first I pace myself, trying not to look like a pig in front of my new friends, but neither Astrid or Merida is holding back, each one happily stuffing her face with the heartiest meats on the table, so I decide to stop pretending to be a well mannered princess, and eat like a starving 11-year-old girl. We somehow make it through dinner and dessert without exploding, but I start to regret that last slice of chocolate cake when the food vanishes and we start to head to the common room.
"First years!" I see a blonde girl stand up towards the end of our table. She has a nice face, with brown eyes and thick, expressive eyebrows, "I'm Rose Tyler, one of your Prefects, and if you'll follow me I'll show you to the common room. Don't get lost, and don't push other kids around! I don't want anyone hurt!" Rose walks out of the Great Hall, and all of us Gryffindor first years follow her, like a herd of cats. And, just like in Harry Potter, we follow her up to the portrait of the Fat Lady, and Astrid, Merida and I go up the right hand staircase. Our stuff is already in our room, and it turns out we're the only first year Gryffindor girls. The rest are all boys.
"Well, what now?" Astrid says after we all change into our pajamas. "I don't know about you two, but I'm too wired to go to sleep."
An idea pops into my head like a flying pillow. "Well then," I say, and I feel my mouth curve into a feral smile "there's only one thing to do." I leap to my feet and throw my pillow at Astrid, hard enough that it knocks her backward onto Merida's lap. The three of us freeze for a moment, and I think I've gone too far too fast.
"Ooh it is on now pigtails!" Astrid throws one of Merida's pillows at me, and It narrowly misses me when I duck. The war is on, and I am loving it. We throw and dodge, swing and parry, attack and counterattack. Bedsheets are sent flying, trunks are used to gain extra height, and beds are bounced on and off of as the three of us duke it out in a free for all. Nothing is sacred as we battle, and somewhere along the road the combat turns to the most ugly and below the belt kind of fighting known to the 11-year-old world : tickling.
The war between the kingdoms of Hofferson, Arendelle, and DunBroch is cut short when an angry third year named Donna Noble throws the door open
"I don't CARE that your mum's the bleeding deputy headmistress! If you don't pipe down I will head straight to her rooms and bring her up here to shut you three up if you don't PIPE DOWN RIGHT NOW! Some of us civilized girls are TRYING TO SLEEP!" Then she slams the door and marches up the stairs. The three of us look at eachother, glance around at the disaster zone our room has become, and at the tangled mess we are on the floor...and start to laugh. I don't know how long we do, but we don't seem to be able to stop
"Did you see her face!"
"Your face is almost as red as your hair!"
"Oh my gosh!"
Eventually our laughter subsides into mild giggles, and Merida is the first to stand up, "We should probably turn in fer the night. If she's serious about gettin my mum, we'll probably get detention fer a month!" She helps pull us to our feet, and we start to gather our scattered bedding.
"I'm glad we got Sorted together." Merida says. "you two are a lot 'o fun!" I turn to look at my two new friends, and I can't stop my self. Tears sting my eyes as I throw my arms around the other two girls.
"Oh!'
"Erm."
They both look surprised when I pull back.
"Sorry, it's just that, well, you guys and Kristoff and Rapunzel are the first friends I've really ever made."
"Really?" Astrid says "What about school?"
"Home schooled. When I was five and Elsa was eight, Mom and Dad pulled her out of her elementary school, didn't enroll me in public school, and Mom started teaching us."
"What about the other kids in yer neighborhood?"
"They stopped letting us go outside after we moved. I was born in Norway, and Mom and Dad both went to Durmstrangs, but for some reason we completely uprooted and moved here to England. We have a big backyard, and a pretty big house, so I got plenty of exercise, but no friends."
"What about your sister, um, Elise?"
"Elsa got her own room when we moved, and she never comes out of it. I can even count all the words that Elsa's said to me in the past six years on one hand and still have fingers left over."
"No need to exaggerate lass."
No, really. Her catchphrase has become 'Go away Anna'" I hold up a finger for each word.
"Wow. That just sounds horrible."
I sigh. "Well, it's not the best, but that doesn't matter now. Now I'm here, and I have you guys. We can be sisters! You two, and me, and Rapunzel, and-"
"And Kristoff too?" Astrid cuts in. We all giggle.
"He can be our brother! It'll be perfect!" I flop backwards onto my bed. "It'll all be just perfect." I sit up again "Thanks you guys, for helping me with my trunk, and for wanting me to sit by you. You're good friends."
"Well Anna, I'm glad ye almost fell out of the train." Merida says "And gave us a reason to help you wi' your trunk"
We all settle in and trade our goodnights, and as I quickly drift off to sleep, I'm certain of one thing. This is going to be a good year.
Elsa 4
Everyone got off the train in front of the glassy lake. Nobody would ever guess that there is a monster underneath the ever still water until it rises to the surface, forcing its way out to the open. It makes for good fun scaring the first years, but it is also a symbol of the darkness hidden in each of us, waiting to be discovered. It is just a matter of time and that scares me.
My first year I had unsuspectingly climbed onto the water in the wooden boat. River joined me with a glint in her eyes that told me she was waiting for a legend she had been told while sitting around the older girls feet, hearing of their adventures to the far off place of evil tests and hard work. I kept my eyes open, the suspense killing me, but not daring to ask and ruin the surprise River will still get from not truly acknowledging to herself that it existed.
We had made it halfway across the lake when the first victim screamed. The girl was to my left. She had lovely caramel skin and her thick brown hair was pulled up in a tight bun tied with a lime green ribbon. Her robes were clearly hand me downs as they were ragged at the bottom, but she had such a confidence about her that, even with a look of terror strewn across her face, it was evident she could handle anything.
A boy in my boat, with mussed brown hair, started to laugh as the girl screamed. He stretched out trying to seem cool and put his feet up on the side of the boat. As the creature came into his sight, his eyes grew and as he nervously fidgeted he lost his balance and fell into the water, bringing River and I with him.
I hit the still, chilled water with a swirl of bubbles and ripples. Resurfacing, my annoyance was willed away by the sound of River laughing. I turned back to see a large squid rising out of the water. I gasped at the sight before me, more in wonderment than fear, then turned back to my current situation with a harsh glare in the boy's direction. My glare softened to realize that the boy, now as soaked as I was, had turned bright red. We tread water as we flipped the boat back over. The squid had once again disappeared into the depths of the water. Right before I heaved myself back into the safety of the boat, something slimy caught hold underneath me. I was pushed out of the water effortlessly and back into the boat. Soon River with wild eyes and he boy who had flipped us followed suit with the help of our suction cupped friend.
Even after everything had settled down River was still raving about how cool the whole ordeal was. The boy who had flipped us watched the water the rest of the trip. After we had reached land, he quickly left our sides and met up with a pair of red headed twins who automatically gave him a hard time. The boy was quick on his feet as he verbally dodged all their attacks, and I found him to be intriguingly well at hiding his true feelings.
Turns out the girl who had originally screamed was a girl named Tiana. She is one of the hardest working in our class. She is definitely doing way better than the carefree Flynn that made me go to my sorting ceremony sopping wet.
I boarded the magical horseless carriages with my friends. On our way to the castle we discussed the feast that is being prepared as we speak, in a hectic Hogwarts kitchen. It was everyone's favorite meal of the year because we always go into it starving.
Since my little group of friends is composed of other houses, we knew we were just biding our time until departure. Entering the main hall, I ducked my head and crossed my arms at the memories of all the times my secret was almost exposed in this room.
River put her hand on my back, so I looked up and smiled at her. She mouthed "All well?" I nodded back.
Everyone crowded into the dining room, so we, reluctantly, dispersed. I went and sat about halfway down the table with my closest Ravenclaw 'friends' who were reading books. I muttered a quick hello and none of them even looked up. Towards the back sat the jocks group, the front was home to the socially adept achievers, and the shy, quiet ones took refuge in the middle. I find it funny how these groups emerge inside each larger block and even funnier how I don't seem to belong in any of them.
That being said, each table had a varying amount of students in each category. Gryffindor had the pranksters toward the back, giggling over the new releases in Weasley's Wizard Wheezes, inspired by the way too popular book, Harry Potter, the Socials in the front making quite the racket, and in the center was the too cool and tough looking boys, the nerdish people, and the normal Gryffindors, the ones who actually pass as people you can hang out with.
Slytherin was pretty basic, with the intimidating ones in the back and the more manageable ones in the front. River and Jack sat somewhere in the middle. Hufflepuff you have to search to find variation, but even though it's subtle, it's there. For the most part they are all kind, caring people. As you work your way to the front they get a tad bit more subtle and goofy.
What I find the most fascinating about the whole thing is all the stereotypes for each table. Ravenclaw is nerdy and annoying, while Gryffindor is outgoing and more on the dull side of the witts stick. Hufflepuff is goofy and loyal and Slytherins are all around bad. Obviously some people follow these stereotypes or they wouldn't be stereotypes, but in many cases they are wrong.
I return to the book Harry Potter once more for a great example of what I mean. Hermione Granger, according to the stereotypes, should have been a Ravenclaw, but she was a Gryffindor. Harry was blessed that she was because otherwise he wouldn't have gotten anywhere.
Each of the houses also regard the different characters with highly opposing opinions. Ravenclaw believes that Hermione did almost all the work and Harry just took the credit. Gryffindors celebrated him obviously, he showed such stupid bravery and broke a million rules, what better to impress them. Hufflepuffs really vary and Slytherin hates Harry and the mockery he makes of their house, the book really fired up that whole Slytherin, Gryffindor rivalry. Personally, I find the book completely ridiculous. Sure dark magic exists, but not on the scale presented. It's just a little too far fetched for this peaceful school, where the biggest thing that happened last year was when Eric in an attempt to catch the ball fell off his broom, allowing the Slytherins to get it and make one last score winning the biggest game of the year.
I heard a couple stomachs growl around me and cracked a smile. The waiting through the ceremony was pure torture, and the first years haven't even entered the Great Hall yet.
Finally, the first years entered in a long line with Anna in the very front, the curse of having a last name starting with an A. Our transfiguration teacher led the way with her long scroll in hand covered from top to bottom with the names the magical quill had selected for this year and a black hat. The entire hall fell into silence.
The witch placed the hat gently on the wooden stool. Every year the hat burst into the song it had been working on all of the previous year.
My first year had been so scary. I remember standing in the front separated from River who was toward the back. The fact that the hat talked excited most the muggle borns and half bloods, while the pure bloods stood there stone faced trying to show that they knew it was going to talk. It made me feel sick. The entire room made me feel a bit nauseous. Then it began to sing:
"The houses grow and flourish in time..."
That was all I remembered before everything seemed to swim in front of me. I suddenly felt very cold from the water still dripping from my clothes, and I never get all that cold. I was awaken by the entire room bursting into applause and suddenly my eyes worked again. Just in time too, because the witch dressed in green then called my name.
"Arendelle, Elsa!"
I felt numb as I picked my way to the hat, it felt like forever before I actually made it to the hat weighed a ton in my hands as I placed it on my head.
Once on my head I heard a voice that seemed to come from inside me. Well aren't you powerful dear? My already racing heart sped. Nono. Don't fear. I won't share what you have done such an amazing job to keep quiet. That takes a lot of wit and willpower, especially against your sister. Anyway who could I tell?
Ummmm thank you? I thought.
No problem. Then aloud he screeched Ravenclaw!
The table filled with blue and copper erupted into cheers for me. Me! I smiled at the thought and went to join my new school family. When I got there some girls smiled and others congratulated me then everything grew a deathly silent as it was for the next poor victim.
Now that the adrenaline had passed the students getting assigned seemed to take forever, yet fascinating at the same time. Not every student took a long time, some the hat barely touched their heads before it shouted out the future that was made for them.
Finally, when there were only a couple students left, the name "Williams Melody!" as called. At first I had been confused when my friend made her way across to the stool then remembered that was her real name. She sat with the hat on her head for a bit and I wondered what it was discussing with her. I secretly prayed she would be in Ravenclaw and when the hat proclaimed "Slytherin!" I felt crushed, but pushed my feelings aside and clapped for her wholeheartedly. The last couple students got placed then the supervising witch standing akimbo shifted and grabbed the hat and stool and whisked it all away.
I was brought back to reality as the hat began to sing this year's song,
"The houses are made to unite us inside,
for friendships and relationships to abide.
It is grouped by compatibility,
Slytherin clever, Hufflepuff has loyalty,
Ravenclaw's wit cannot be compared, and
Gryffindor's bravery makes them not care.
These groups allow Hogwarts to continue to work,
with leadership and the point system perks.
There is no problem a house cannot solve,
but think of the power if the entire school was involved.
Something lurks beyond the walls,
of these dank old hallowed halls.
Between the trees a darkness lies,
with scouts and allies at their sides.
Teamwork is great, teamwork is swell.
It's the only way things can be well.
Words that are written have power within,
but it's not understood until things look grim.
Everyone around us seem fine and alright.
That we are too trusting is our major plight.
This is a warning to watch our hearts,
and cleanse our morals before the challenges start.
The entire room hesitated for just a moment at the unusually dark song then began to cheer, hoot, and holler for the hat, who seemed to take a bow less jubilantly than usual.
The same witch as my first year, hesitated at the hat's words for just a moment before reading off the first name, "Arendelle, Anna!" My sister in her cute little pigtail braids walked to the stool and put the hat on. It slipped over her eyes and my heart began to race. Don't ask me what it was racing or if I was winning or not because that I don't know, but I do know that Anna's fate resided in these next few moments.
The words the hat spoke to me once upon a time in my first year came back to me again, "Who am I ever going to tell?" and I wondered why it was taking so long. She didn't seem distressed… wait did her hands just clench? I chewed on my lip for what felt like an eternity, then finally the hat called out "Gryffindor!" Relief flooded me. I found River at her table and she gave me a smug look and mouthed 'told ya so.' I hid from Anna's view as she joined her table, even though I knew she wasn't looking for me. After Anna, a girl with puffy, carmine hair caught my attention plus a couple others, but otherwise I tuned out most of it. When students were placed in Ravenclaw I politely clapped with a smile as the newbie joined our table. One very pretty first year Ravenclaw did catch my attention because of how long and gorgeous her hair was.
Finally, the last name was called, some westergad person, and the Transfiguration teacher, Professor Eleanor, swept the hat and stool out of the room. It was time for the speech and the feast.
Our headmaster stood, as he did every year, to deliver a couple announcements, but it never lasts long because he is as hungry as we are. "Welcome to another wonderful year at Hogwarts! Before we enjoy this year's feast, I have a few small announcements to make. First off, I would like to thank the ingenious pupils who made a timed two pound dung bomb and left it in the staff room, set to go off fifteen minutes after the train left on the last day of school last year."
I glanced over to the back of the Gryffindor table where they were all giggling and giving each other questioning looks. It was then that I realized my mistake and looked not at the Gryffindor table, but to the Slytherin and Hufflepuff tables where I found River, Jack, and Hiccup trying to conceal their laughter.
Headmaster North continued "I thought it was funny, but my opinion was not shared by all my fellow teachers." He pointedly looked at Professor Eleanor, who had her arms crossed and the entire room laughed. The three accomplices finally able to let their laughter out laughed almost as hard as the redheaded first year at the Gryffindor table. Eleanor stood stoic at first, then cracked a smile.
Our headmaster continued on with an announcement about Quidditch and I glanced over to Anna. I was sure she wanted to partake in the Quidditch team, but no first year had ever been allowed on. Jack and River managed to make it their second year which is pretty fantastic and I was sure Anna would too.
"Speaking of lessons..." North continued after rattling on about some Quidditch performance thing to prepare the first years and for captains to appraise the fresh meat. "like every year you are starting classes, so please be nice." We all knew the two houses he was referring to with the Gryffindor, Slytherin rivalry continuing strong.
"And lastly, I don't know why I must repeat this every year, but the forbidden forest is strictly off limits to all students, unless accompanied by a teacher." He paused to give a pointed look at River and Jack, who last year had snuck off to find some berry they needed for a prank last year. River had a curiously smug look on her face and Jack feigned surprise. I giggled, then sighed.
Finally North concluded it with "Let's eat!" Food suddenly began to appear on the table. The entire hall erupted in noise between cheers and chatter and grabbing of food.
Looking up and down my table, I realized I have been here for three years and don't know a single person at my table. I can't help but wonder what it would have been like if River had been placed in Ravenclaw. I would have a friend that could sit with me at lunch and during my classes, but then she couldn't introduce me to Jack and then I would have never met Hiccup. I guess things are as they should be. I grew up in isolation, so it shouldn't bother me now.
Anyway, no friends in my house will protect me. It will protect my sanity and keep me from being hated. Non-existence is better than hatred. Right?
The little meal group I sat on the outskirts of all had their books out. I had heard of a couple of the titles including the Hunger Games and Divergent. When I read those over the summer I enjoyed them. All the books were for fun of course. After tonight they only read fun books Tuesdays and Thursdays. Weekends they got a choice.
Seeing an opportunity that I knew I probably shouldn't take, I turned to the girl reading the Hunger Games."What team are you?" She glanced up in my direction, surprised. "Gale or Peeta, I mean…"
"Oh actually I'm team Gale." She responded and it was like turning on an on switch. All the girls heads flicked up and they all started talking at once.
"No! you must not have read the ending…"
"Oh my gosh me too! I love Gale!"
"Peeta all the way! He is so sweet!"
"Good for you!"
"How can you sit there and defend what he did?!"
I gave up and sat back loading my plate with food. This is going to be long year.
