Title: Change
Chapter 4: The Sorting Summary: Time to see the houses. Nerves are running high.
The crowd jostled them as they tried to keep together. A particularly large boy forcing his way to the front pushed Gabrielle and Peter away from them. Lily jumped to see above the heads of the people around her. Her short stature limited what she could see and Gabrielle was gone. Lily hoped they would find each other later.
"Come on!" Remus pulled the sleeves of her robes. She hadn't noticed that the crowd had been moving before.
Gasps were heard all around as an expansive lake appeared before them. The water was dark navy blue and it was obviously very deep. An odd mist was drifting off the surface of the water almost giving a sense of foreboding. Even louder gasps were heard as a fleet of unmanned row boats landed on the shore in front of them. "Alright. Get yerselves in. Four ter each boat," the voice called.
They looked at each other and shrugged. Remus led Lily to one of the boats and helped her in. When they looked around they saw that they were the first people to venture over. As people saw that they were perfectly fine they followed their example and clamored to find an empty place. "Here comes the rabid wolves again," joked Remus. Lily scanned the crowd for Peter and Gabrielle.
A few boys in the crowd looked at Lily appreciatively. "Hey, let's get in that boat," a chocolate eyed young man said mischievously. He friend spotted where he was pointing and agreed.
"But I saw her first," said a boy with messy raven hair as they began making their way to the boat.
"I don't know James, it looks as if that bloke saw her before both of us." Remus and Lily were laughing nervously. The taller of the two boys pulled a blonde-haired boy out of the way and hopped into the boat, making it shake in the water. The messy haired boy settled down more carefully.
"James Potter," he said offering his hand to Lily. She took it apprehensively. His outgoing personality overwhelmed her.
"I'm Sirius Black," said the other boy with a silly grin.
Remus felt himself smiling back, though he wasn't sure why. "I'm Remus. This lovely lady is Lily." He gestured to her as she a blush rose to her cheeks. She looked down to hide her embarrassment.
Suddenly the boat started moving, causing them all to fall backwards. Lily ended up leaning on a very nervous Remus. He tried to recover by smiling and patting the top of her head playfully. Sirius gave him a sort of congratulatory wink and James looked oddly bothered. She quickly pulled herself back up. The four of them sat awkwardly looking at each other until the castle came into view.
"Amazing," Lily murmured as she examined the towers and the high walls with her emerald eyes. James was staring at her.
"So are you," Sirius said playfully. He was already shaping up to be a big flirt. He grinned until James elbowed him hard in the ribs. Remus raised an eyebrow at the two of them before turning to look at the castle as well. Lily didn't notice any of this because she was once again wondering about her home away from home.
"So what's going on between you two?" Sirius asked mischiviously.
Remus saw the look on James' face and quickly answered "Nothing. We just met on the train." Lily had been listening this time and her face fell. They landed on the opposite shore and Remus reached to help her out of the boat, but Sirius beat him two it. Lily giggled at his antics and walked ahead of the bunch.
"Earth to James, what's wrong with you? You wouldn't shut up on the train."
"N-nothing," he said staring ahead of them at Lily. Her head was raised up looking at the castle. She looked to be utterly blissful.
"You know I am just messing around, flirting with her." Oddly enough both Remus and James, who were not looking at each other, nodded. Sirius started to laugh and the two of them looked bewildered.
"What?" They kept asking. Sirius could only shake his head no. Remus gave up and decided to catch up to Lily. He didn't want her to be alone for too long, but just as he called her name out Gabrielle came over too. She was pulling a shocked looking Peter along behind her.
"What's up with him?" Remus asked as he pulled up comfortably beside his friends. Strand of Gabrielle's hairs were falling in her eyes and she looked exhausted.
"He is afraid of water," she said through gritted teeth. Back on the other shore she had had to push him into the boat and hold him there.
"Hey, you, snap out of it," Remus said, waving his hand in front of Peter's face. Peter looked around dazed, but he began to walk on his own and Gabrielle was relieved to let go of his sleeve.
"You think he needs some kind of medical attention or something?" Lily asked, finally breaking out of her silence.
"Possibly, but I am way to worn out to worry about it now."
The crowd was slowing down and suddenly they were standing in front of huge wooden doors. Someone knocked on them, presumably the same person the booming voice had belonged to and a tight bunned woman opened the door. "Ah! First years," she said in a strict voice. She pulled the door opened and put his arm out in welcoming. "Come in, come in now." The crowd started moving clumsily inside. It took at least five minutes before they were all standing in a huge hall. Candles floated above them and there was a staircase ahead. Whispers rippled through the crowd until the woman climbed to the top of the marble staircase and cleared her throat.
"Welcome to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." She held her arms wide open and still managed to look uptight. "You are soon to be sorted in front of the school. Be sure to make yourselves look as best you can. Soon you will be with your houses. They will be your family and hopefully friends throughout your seven years at school. I wish you good luck. And now, I must go attend to some business. I bid you good day. Or night, as I should say." Her eyes flashed as she finished and turned away. When she was out of sight the chatter started to roar again.
"My brother said that you have to answer a bunch of questions and if you get them wrong you have to be in Slytherin!" one kid shouted out excitedly.
One girl was being comforted by her friend because she crying hysterically. There was a guy somewhere complaining loudly that his robes were much too short and a girl somewhere complaining that her make up was still in her trunk.
"I heard you have to look into a mirror that knows everything and then it tells you about yourself and they put you in whatever house based on that."
"Isn't that the story snow white?"
"Snow white?"
"You haven't heard of it? Let me tell you about it..."
Sirius and James were standing perfectly calm. James fiddled with his hair for a moment and yawned. "This will be cake."
"I do agree and I have to say, I like cake."
"As do I, Sirius. As do I."
Lily's green eyes were full of worry. "Oh, I am so nervous. I should have studied the books harder. I hope I don't get stuck in a horrible house."
"Calm down Lily," Gabrielle told her. "I'm sure it will be fine."
"Do you think we'll be in the same house?" she asked nervously.
"I hope so," Remus replied. Peter dug in his pocket and pulled out a few jellybeans. It was hard to believe that he had any left after the way he had been eating them on the train.
"I just hope those people who locked me out of the compartment aren't with us." He looked around the crowd and spotted James and Sirius. "Hey! There they are," he pointed them out.
Meanwhile, Sirius and James didn't notice Lily giving them a disappointed look or Remus chuckling at them under his breath. "So James, what do you think about Remus for our idea?"
"I donno...he seems a little to goody-two-shoes."
"But he has potiental. He tamed that red-head,"
"Lily," James interjected.
"Yeah, Lily. Anyways, it's worth a try. What do you say about interviewing him over dinner?"
"Sounds pretty good to me. Let's just make sure Lily's not along with him. I know she is uptight by looking at her." James really was looking at her, out of the corner of his eye of course.
"Observant. I do believe that is a good quality to have in our business."
"And what business is that, Mr. Black."
"Pranking. What else?"
Another set of doors on their left opened and more voices were heard. Some of the students could see a huge hall full of people at five different tables. When the door opened a hush came over them. A friendly looking man across the room stood up and beckoned them in. Faces were peering at them from all sides. The man's warm voice was soon filling the room. "Hello first years. I am Headmaster Dumbledore. Welcome to our prestigious school. As you know, you are about to be sorted. Whatever hard test or challenge you might have been imagining can be erased now. I promise this will not be hard or painful in anyway." A few students chuckled and the man sat down though it seemed he should say more. The woman with stern eyes came out holding a stool and a very worn out hat. The faces around the hall began to settle down even more and stare at it. Most of the first years followed. Lily, Remus, and Gabrielle got the picture, but Peter was another story. He was busy picking out a few more jellybeans and he was looking at his handful. The stool was set in the center of the room and the hat was placed upon it. The woman moved aside and pulled a roll of parchment out before beginning to watch the hat with everyone else. To the surprise of all of the first years an opening near the brim of the hat started to sing.
"The year has come again And it's time for school Ladies and Gentlemen I'm the only tool
If you want a sorting You'd better call on me
Though I am not that sporting
I'm the best, you see
Four tables and four walls
Students are separate and divided
Four houses in these halls
Should Gryffindor be your seat
Godric picked them with pride
Bravery, daring, will to compete
They're always up for the ride
If Ravenclaw is your place
Rowena chose with care
Are you clever, intelligent with grace?
Certainly they have a smart flare
Hufflepuff may be for you
Helga let her heart decide
Loyal to all and always true
Friends that never leave your side
Lastly should Slytherin be fit
Salazar sifted out his best
Cunning and the sharpest wit
Trying to beat the rest
So sit down right here
And put me on your head
Nothing for you to fear
I'll say where to make your bed!"
The entire hall burst into applause as the hat settled into silence again. James was trying not to look too impressed, but he was not successful. The first years were all clapping enthusiastically though they were all still nervous. The headmistress stood up again and held out a hand to silence them. "Albus, you may continue."
The woman with the parchment turned to face the unsorted students again. "When your name is called come up and put the hat on your head. Sit on the stool." She looked around the crowd and it seemed like she looked into each of their eyes all at once. With what was supposed to be a reassuring smile she started. "Abbot, Sean." A small looking boy ran over to the stool and pulled the hat over his head. It covered his eyes, but his mouth was moving into smiles and frowns as he waited. Suddenly the hat called out, "Hufflepuff!" One of the tables went up in cheers, as he was welcomed.
Sirius Black's name was called and he strutted up to the middle of the room. He didn't even bother to sit down when he put the hat on. Immediately "GRYFFINDOR" echoed and was meet with the celebration of one of the tables.
Remus looked at Lily. She was positively shaking by the time they got to the D's. "Delaney, Robert," was called and sorted into Slytherin and Lily was growing more and more nervous.
"Only a few more people," Lily said in an unnaturally squeaky voice. "I donno, I donno," she started to repeat.
Remus put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Calm. Down. It will be okay."
"Breath honey, breath," Gabrielle said from the other side of her.
"Evans, Lily."
She walked up to the stool. The word seemed to be slowing down. Her heart was racing and it seemed as if a million people were staring at her from a hundred feet in the air. She picked the hat up with her shaking hands and sat down. After a deep breath or ten she pulled the hat on and it feel over her eyes. "Well, well, the first thing I see is intelligence." When Lily heard the voice sounding like it had come from within her she narrowly missed falling off of the stool. "Sly too. Brave...but you haven't been too loyal to a friend or two. Not hufflepuff."
"Please be the good house, please..." she thought desperately.
"Hmm...The good house? I see that you want to fit in. The good house for you must be GRYFFINDOR!" It shouted the last word and the hall burst into applause. She got up shakily and put the hat down. It promptly fell off the stool, much to the enjoyment of everyone. Her face turned crimson and she rushed to her new table with hopes that it was really 'the good house for her.'
She sat down at the more empty side of the table near Sirius. If luck was with her, her friends would be joining her. She stared down at the stool as "Glarier, Fred" and "Illibera, Sarah," were sorted. She spaced out until the sound of the name "Leflayers, Gabrielle" met her ears. She watched her friend intently. What was only a few seconds seemed like forever as she waited for the verdict. "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted. Lily jumped up and yelled for her friend. When she realized that several people were looking at her she sat down blushing. Gabrielle joined her and Lily started to talk. She was cut off when Gabrielle pointed at the stool. Remus was now sitting with the hat over his eyes. Lily became anxious again waiting. When the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" again she contained herself to just clapping loudly. He took a spot across from her and the three high fived quickly.
The ceremony seemed to be going more quickly now that Lily's wishes had come true. She only half paid attention as "Moran, Doug" was sorted into Hufflepuff. People were beginning to complain of hunger as the time went on. Peter finally stopped eating the candy as he was called up. He looked around stupidly before putting the hat on. When he tried to sit down he missed the stool and hit the floor. It took an abnormally long time for the hat to sort him, but it finally called out "GRYFFINDOR!" As the table went up in cheers Gabrielle snorted. "I thought this was the house of bravery!"
The next few students were sorted into Ravenclaw. James Potter's name was called and he strode to the stool looking at the floor. By the way his actions had slown down it was obvious that he was nervous. The room was filled with cheers once again as James joined the Gryffindor table. He sat across from Sirius and they high-fived. For the rest of the ceremony the two boys whispered, sometimes glancing at Remus or Lily. Everyone was relieved when the headmaster stood again. "I know you are all ready to eat." People were glancing at the golden dishes that lined the table hungrily. "But as always, I have a few announcements. Filch would like me to remind you that there should be no magic in the corridors. The forbidden forest is FORBIDEN. Also, I would like to wish you all luck on the new year. Dig in!"
Chapter 4: The Sorting Summary: Time to see the houses. Nerves are running high.
The crowd jostled them as they tried to keep together. A particularly large boy forcing his way to the front pushed Gabrielle and Peter away from them. Lily jumped to see above the heads of the people around her. Her short stature limited what she could see and Gabrielle was gone. Lily hoped they would find each other later.
"Come on!" Remus pulled the sleeves of her robes. She hadn't noticed that the crowd had been moving before.
Gasps were heard all around as an expansive lake appeared before them. The water was dark navy blue and it was obviously very deep. An odd mist was drifting off the surface of the water almost giving a sense of foreboding. Even louder gasps were heard as a fleet of unmanned row boats landed on the shore in front of them. "Alright. Get yerselves in. Four ter each boat," the voice called.
They looked at each other and shrugged. Remus led Lily to one of the boats and helped her in. When they looked around they saw that they were the first people to venture over. As people saw that they were perfectly fine they followed their example and clamored to find an empty place. "Here comes the rabid wolves again," joked Remus. Lily scanned the crowd for Peter and Gabrielle.
A few boys in the crowd looked at Lily appreciatively. "Hey, let's get in that boat," a chocolate eyed young man said mischievously. He friend spotted where he was pointing and agreed.
"But I saw her first," said a boy with messy raven hair as they began making their way to the boat.
"I don't know James, it looks as if that bloke saw her before both of us." Remus and Lily were laughing nervously. The taller of the two boys pulled a blonde-haired boy out of the way and hopped into the boat, making it shake in the water. The messy haired boy settled down more carefully.
"James Potter," he said offering his hand to Lily. She took it apprehensively. His outgoing personality overwhelmed her.
"I'm Sirius Black," said the other boy with a silly grin.
Remus felt himself smiling back, though he wasn't sure why. "I'm Remus. This lovely lady is Lily." He gestured to her as she a blush rose to her cheeks. She looked down to hide her embarrassment.
Suddenly the boat started moving, causing them all to fall backwards. Lily ended up leaning on a very nervous Remus. He tried to recover by smiling and patting the top of her head playfully. Sirius gave him a sort of congratulatory wink and James looked oddly bothered. She quickly pulled herself back up. The four of them sat awkwardly looking at each other until the castle came into view.
"Amazing," Lily murmured as she examined the towers and the high walls with her emerald eyes. James was staring at her.
"So are you," Sirius said playfully. He was already shaping up to be a big flirt. He grinned until James elbowed him hard in the ribs. Remus raised an eyebrow at the two of them before turning to look at the castle as well. Lily didn't notice any of this because she was once again wondering about her home away from home.
"So what's going on between you two?" Sirius asked mischiviously.
Remus saw the look on James' face and quickly answered "Nothing. We just met on the train." Lily had been listening this time and her face fell. They landed on the opposite shore and Remus reached to help her out of the boat, but Sirius beat him two it. Lily giggled at his antics and walked ahead of the bunch.
"Earth to James, what's wrong with you? You wouldn't shut up on the train."
"N-nothing," he said staring ahead of them at Lily. Her head was raised up looking at the castle. She looked to be utterly blissful.
"You know I am just messing around, flirting with her." Oddly enough both Remus and James, who were not looking at each other, nodded. Sirius started to laugh and the two of them looked bewildered.
"What?" They kept asking. Sirius could only shake his head no. Remus gave up and decided to catch up to Lily. He didn't want her to be alone for too long, but just as he called her name out Gabrielle came over too. She was pulling a shocked looking Peter along behind her.
"What's up with him?" Remus asked as he pulled up comfortably beside his friends. Strand of Gabrielle's hairs were falling in her eyes and she looked exhausted.
"He is afraid of water," she said through gritted teeth. Back on the other shore she had had to push him into the boat and hold him there.
"Hey, you, snap out of it," Remus said, waving his hand in front of Peter's face. Peter looked around dazed, but he began to walk on his own and Gabrielle was relieved to let go of his sleeve.
"You think he needs some kind of medical attention or something?" Lily asked, finally breaking out of her silence.
"Possibly, but I am way to worn out to worry about it now."
The crowd was slowing down and suddenly they were standing in front of huge wooden doors. Someone knocked on them, presumably the same person the booming voice had belonged to and a tight bunned woman opened the door. "Ah! First years," she said in a strict voice. She pulled the door opened and put his arm out in welcoming. "Come in, come in now." The crowd started moving clumsily inside. It took at least five minutes before they were all standing in a huge hall. Candles floated above them and there was a staircase ahead. Whispers rippled through the crowd until the woman climbed to the top of the marble staircase and cleared her throat.
"Welcome to Hogwart's School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." She held her arms wide open and still managed to look uptight. "You are soon to be sorted in front of the school. Be sure to make yourselves look as best you can. Soon you will be with your houses. They will be your family and hopefully friends throughout your seven years at school. I wish you good luck. And now, I must go attend to some business. I bid you good day. Or night, as I should say." Her eyes flashed as she finished and turned away. When she was out of sight the chatter started to roar again.
"My brother said that you have to answer a bunch of questions and if you get them wrong you have to be in Slytherin!" one kid shouted out excitedly.
One girl was being comforted by her friend because she crying hysterically. There was a guy somewhere complaining loudly that his robes were much too short and a girl somewhere complaining that her make up was still in her trunk.
"I heard you have to look into a mirror that knows everything and then it tells you about yourself and they put you in whatever house based on that."
"Isn't that the story snow white?"
"Snow white?"
"You haven't heard of it? Let me tell you about it..."
Sirius and James were standing perfectly calm. James fiddled with his hair for a moment and yawned. "This will be cake."
"I do agree and I have to say, I like cake."
"As do I, Sirius. As do I."
Lily's green eyes were full of worry. "Oh, I am so nervous. I should have studied the books harder. I hope I don't get stuck in a horrible house."
"Calm down Lily," Gabrielle told her. "I'm sure it will be fine."
"Do you think we'll be in the same house?" she asked nervously.
"I hope so," Remus replied. Peter dug in his pocket and pulled out a few jellybeans. It was hard to believe that he had any left after the way he had been eating them on the train.
"I just hope those people who locked me out of the compartment aren't with us." He looked around the crowd and spotted James and Sirius. "Hey! There they are," he pointed them out.
Meanwhile, Sirius and James didn't notice Lily giving them a disappointed look or Remus chuckling at them under his breath. "So James, what do you think about Remus for our idea?"
"I donno...he seems a little to goody-two-shoes."
"But he has potiental. He tamed that red-head,"
"Lily," James interjected.
"Yeah, Lily. Anyways, it's worth a try. What do you say about interviewing him over dinner?"
"Sounds pretty good to me. Let's just make sure Lily's not along with him. I know she is uptight by looking at her." James really was looking at her, out of the corner of his eye of course.
"Observant. I do believe that is a good quality to have in our business."
"And what business is that, Mr. Black."
"Pranking. What else?"
Another set of doors on their left opened and more voices were heard. Some of the students could see a huge hall full of people at five different tables. When the door opened a hush came over them. A friendly looking man across the room stood up and beckoned them in. Faces were peering at them from all sides. The man's warm voice was soon filling the room. "Hello first years. I am Headmaster Dumbledore. Welcome to our prestigious school. As you know, you are about to be sorted. Whatever hard test or challenge you might have been imagining can be erased now. I promise this will not be hard or painful in anyway." A few students chuckled and the man sat down though it seemed he should say more. The woman with stern eyes came out holding a stool and a very worn out hat. The faces around the hall began to settle down even more and stare at it. Most of the first years followed. Lily, Remus, and Gabrielle got the picture, but Peter was another story. He was busy picking out a few more jellybeans and he was looking at his handful. The stool was set in the center of the room and the hat was placed upon it. The woman moved aside and pulled a roll of parchment out before beginning to watch the hat with everyone else. To the surprise of all of the first years an opening near the brim of the hat started to sing.
"The year has come again And it's time for school Ladies and Gentlemen I'm the only tool
If you want a sorting You'd better call on me
Though I am not that sporting
I'm the best, you see
Four tables and four walls
Students are separate and divided
Four houses in these halls
Should Gryffindor be your seat
Godric picked them with pride
Bravery, daring, will to compete
They're always up for the ride
If Ravenclaw is your place
Rowena chose with care
Are you clever, intelligent with grace?
Certainly they have a smart flare
Hufflepuff may be for you
Helga let her heart decide
Loyal to all and always true
Friends that never leave your side
Lastly should Slytherin be fit
Salazar sifted out his best
Cunning and the sharpest wit
Trying to beat the rest
So sit down right here
And put me on your head
Nothing for you to fear
I'll say where to make your bed!"
The entire hall burst into applause as the hat settled into silence again. James was trying not to look too impressed, but he was not successful. The first years were all clapping enthusiastically though they were all still nervous. The headmistress stood up again and held out a hand to silence them. "Albus, you may continue."
The woman with the parchment turned to face the unsorted students again. "When your name is called come up and put the hat on your head. Sit on the stool." She looked around the crowd and it seemed like she looked into each of their eyes all at once. With what was supposed to be a reassuring smile she started. "Abbot, Sean." A small looking boy ran over to the stool and pulled the hat over his head. It covered his eyes, but his mouth was moving into smiles and frowns as he waited. Suddenly the hat called out, "Hufflepuff!" One of the tables went up in cheers, as he was welcomed.
Sirius Black's name was called and he strutted up to the middle of the room. He didn't even bother to sit down when he put the hat on. Immediately "GRYFFINDOR" echoed and was meet with the celebration of one of the tables.
Remus looked at Lily. She was positively shaking by the time they got to the D's. "Delaney, Robert," was called and sorted into Slytherin and Lily was growing more and more nervous.
"Only a few more people," Lily said in an unnaturally squeaky voice. "I donno, I donno," she started to repeat.
Remus put his hands on her shoulders and looked her in the eye. "Calm. Down. It will be okay."
"Breath honey, breath," Gabrielle said from the other side of her.
"Evans, Lily."
She walked up to the stool. The word seemed to be slowing down. Her heart was racing and it seemed as if a million people were staring at her from a hundred feet in the air. She picked the hat up with her shaking hands and sat down. After a deep breath or ten she pulled the hat on and it feel over her eyes. "Well, well, the first thing I see is intelligence." When Lily heard the voice sounding like it had come from within her she narrowly missed falling off of the stool. "Sly too. Brave...but you haven't been too loyal to a friend or two. Not hufflepuff."
"Please be the good house, please..." she thought desperately.
"Hmm...The good house? I see that you want to fit in. The good house for you must be GRYFFINDOR!" It shouted the last word and the hall burst into applause. She got up shakily and put the hat down. It promptly fell off the stool, much to the enjoyment of everyone. Her face turned crimson and she rushed to her new table with hopes that it was really 'the good house for her.'
She sat down at the more empty side of the table near Sirius. If luck was with her, her friends would be joining her. She stared down at the stool as "Glarier, Fred" and "Illibera, Sarah," were sorted. She spaced out until the sound of the name "Leflayers, Gabrielle" met her ears. She watched her friend intently. What was only a few seconds seemed like forever as she waited for the verdict. "GRYFFINDOR!" the hat shouted. Lily jumped up and yelled for her friend. When she realized that several people were looking at her she sat down blushing. Gabrielle joined her and Lily started to talk. She was cut off when Gabrielle pointed at the stool. Remus was now sitting with the hat over his eyes. Lily became anxious again waiting. When the hat shouted "GRYFFINDOR!" again she contained herself to just clapping loudly. He took a spot across from her and the three high fived quickly.
The ceremony seemed to be going more quickly now that Lily's wishes had come true. She only half paid attention as "Moran, Doug" was sorted into Hufflepuff. People were beginning to complain of hunger as the time went on. Peter finally stopped eating the candy as he was called up. He looked around stupidly before putting the hat on. When he tried to sit down he missed the stool and hit the floor. It took an abnormally long time for the hat to sort him, but it finally called out "GRYFFINDOR!" As the table went up in cheers Gabrielle snorted. "I thought this was the house of bravery!"
The next few students were sorted into Ravenclaw. James Potter's name was called and he strode to the stool looking at the floor. By the way his actions had slown down it was obvious that he was nervous. The room was filled with cheers once again as James joined the Gryffindor table. He sat across from Sirius and they high-fived. For the rest of the ceremony the two boys whispered, sometimes glancing at Remus or Lily. Everyone was relieved when the headmaster stood again. "I know you are all ready to eat." People were glancing at the golden dishes that lined the table hungrily. "But as always, I have a few announcements. Filch would like me to remind you that there should be no magic in the corridors. The forbidden forest is FORBIDEN. Also, I would like to wish you all luck on the new year. Dig in!"
