Dumbledore waved his arms, and plates of food appeared on the table. "Woah!" Lucy gasped, never seeing this much food. "Nice!" Gray sung, leaning over for the chicken. "Sweet! Two feasts in a row!" Ron gleefully rubbed his hands together and started grab the closest foods to him. Gajeel just stared at the food, unimpressed. He then shrugged and dug into the beef and lamb. "FINALLY, I haven't eaten all day!" Natsu stood up, then grabbed everything he could hold into his arms.
"Thish ish sho delishioush!" Natsu happily chewed. "Wow, he's eating more than Ron!" A bushy haired girl gawked. Natsu looked at his new friends just sitting and staring at him. "What'sh wrong?" Natsu asked, looking at all of them. Hermione broke the awkwardness and introduced herself. "Hermione Granger, nice to meet you." She said in a formal fashion, extending her hand. "Hi Hermione! Nice to meet you too!" Natsu grinned shaking her hand with his greasy one. "Right…" Hermione muttered, feeling a bit disgusted. "Welcome Natsu. I'm Seamus." The boy further down waved. Natsu smiled and waved back. "Natsu." He said back. The others stayed silent, as they really needed no introduction. After all, they were some of the most famous wizards out there. Or at least, a member of a well respected family. Natsu looked at them wondering why they were silent. "So who are you guys?" He asked. Actually, more like blurted. Everyone sharply turned their heads at Natsu in disbelief. "Wait, you don't know who they are?" Hermione asked surprised, pointing at the boys. "Should I?" Natsu asked tilting his head.
"Natsu!" Natsu froze a bit when he heard Lucy's voice. He looked up, and saw Lucy at the other table across him. Her hand was over her mouth and head hung low. "Were you listening at all? They're famous families within the Wizarding World here." Lucy moved her eyes to look at Natsu. Who was still drawing a blank. She sighed, and began explaining. "See the three red heads across you? They're from the Weasley family. Their father works for the Ministry of Magic. In other words, their version of the Magic Council. The black haired boy sitting next to them is Neville Longbo-" Lucy then stopped herself, and sighed. "Natsu, please do not laugh or make fun of his name. He is Neville Longbottom." Natsu's cheeks puffed, trying not to laugh. As everyone looked at him, he knew he had to let it off somehow without laughing. Natsu pretended to let out a burp, as it was the only thing he could think of. Hermione scrunched up her nose and gagged, the smell ever so pungent. "Sorry Hermione." Natsu laughed, along with Ron and the twins. "His family is well respected, so please restrain yourself." Lucy sighed. "And lastly, the boy with the glasses next to you, that's Harry Potter, the main student we must protect. You got all that?" Natsu subtly looked at Lucy and nodded, before talking with his new house members again.
Lucy sighed, relieved that her whisper met the dragon's ear. "Natsu can be such a dolt sometimes…." She sighed. "So Lucy, where are you from?" Two girls, one Asian and one Indian, across her asked. "Oh I'm from….Manchester…" Lucy said after thinking which English cities and towns she was told of. The Indian girl raised her eyebrow. "Manchester?" She repeated. Lucy nodded. "So are you Muggle born or half-born then?" The Asian asked Lucy. "Alright brain, don't fail me now!" The girl was still looking at her waiting for an answer. "I'm half-born…" Lucy said, slightly uncomfortable by this girl's stare. And she wasn't wrong. Lucy's father wasn't a wizard, but her mother was. "I see…" Silence between them after that. The Asian girl fidgeted a bit, looking like she wanted to say something to Lucy, but didn't have the courage to. "Cho Chang." Lucy looked at the Indian girl, who looked at her Asian friend. "That's her name. She can be a bit shy around new people. My name is Padma Patil. Welcome to Ravenclaw Lucy." Padma smiled, Cho giving a small smile as well. Lucy smiled back at her new friends. "Thank you!" She smiled.
"Welcome to Hufflepuff House Gray. My name is Cedric Diggory. I'm in Fourth Year." Gray smiled and shook Cedric's held out hand. "Nice to meet you Cedric." Gray smiled. "We're honored to have you Gray. Oh! Where are my manners. I'm Susan Bones. First Year." The blondish red haired girl extended her arm over the table with her palm open. "Nice to meet you as well Susan." Gray smiled at her, shaking her hand as well. Susan could feel her cheeks blush and heart swell as Gray took her hand. "So Gray, what was with the random strip earlier? I swear that was really fast. Like in a flash you were in your underwear." Cedric asked, curious. Gray awkwardly rubbed the back of his head and chuckled. "It's a bit of a long story." He said embarrassed. "Well I must say, I've never seen anyone do that before. Did you see Snape's face? Priceless! I take my hat off to you sir. Oh, I'm Justin Finch-Fletchley. Welcome to Hufflepuff Gray." Gray smiled and waved at Justin. "Yo!" Gray called out. "So Gray, where are you from?" Cedric asked, after swallowing his chicken. "Me? I'm from London. Muggle born." Gray replied. Honestly, he was just throwing random cities and terminologies Dumbledore gave them this morning. Justin sat up straight, eyes glinting. "Really?! So am I! Muggle born, that is." Gray smiled, eyebrow lifted. "Really?"
Draco turned his head back to the table after eavesdropping on the new kid at Hufflepuff. "Great. Another Mud-blood. Just what this school needs." Draco complained, shaking his head. "What is this world coming to…" He sighed. Draco then turned to Gajeel, who was silently eating. Draco smiled slyly, wanting to put this new recruit to the test. "So Gajeel. Tell us. What do you think about the mud-bloods?" Gajeel turned his head to Draco confused. "Mud-blood?" He repeated blinking. "Yes. Mud-bloods." Draco repeated, smiling that sly smile. Gajeel honestly had no idea what mud-bloods were. Judging from the name, it probably mean something like dirty blood. "Well? Gajeel?" Draco provoked, still waiting for the answer. Gajeel kept his cool and shrugged. "I don't know. Cheap I guess." He replied, not really knowing who or what he was talking about. Draco and the other Slytherin kids sat back, somewhat impressed at what Gajeel had called the Muggle-borns. "Cheap? Why have I never thought of that? Great answer Gajeel. You may be a Slytherin through and through then." Draco said, quite pleased. But Draco still wanted to test his loyalty to Slytherin. "He may have some promise. But still, I feel like he's hiding something I'll get close to him, then see what he's hiding. Then I can report it to father." Draco thought to himself. "My name is Draco Malfoy. The two over there is Crabbe and Doyle." Draco pointed to to the two fat kids across them, stuffing their faces with meat and cream. "Why does Slytherin need you two in it? We don't need fatsos in our house." A dark haired girl sitting next to Doyle sneered at the two greedy guts. "You shut your stupid mouth Pansy!" Crabbe yelled at her food spitting food in her face. 'How about swallowing the food before talking?" Pansy snapped at him. "How about you swallow your tongue before you talk?" Doyle provoked her, Crabbe laughing at his joke. Pansy growled at them, then threw chicken skin at their heads. Crabbe and Doyle shivered as the oil dripped down their foreheads, just as Pansy went back to her dinner as if nothing ever happened.
Erza sat at the table eating her dinner, keeping a close eyes on the students, any odd behaviors stirring. The first one she immediately put on her watch list, was the blond boy talking to Gajeel. She didn't know exactly what, but there something off about that boy. But then again, he seemed a bit too young to be associated with such evil forces. But you never know. The other students seemed alright, but she should make sure to keep a close eye on them all. "Everyone seems quite fine. However, that blond boy over there….I can't put my finger on it, but there's something wrong with him." Erza turned to Makarov who was still leaning against the wall next to the Slytherin Table. He nodded at Erza, hearing her through telepathy. He agreed. There was definitely something off with that boy. "But who's to say that teachers aren't involved either" Erza brought a gauntlet filled with wine up to her lips. She took a sip, and moved her eyes up and down the teacher's table. From what Erza saw, there seemed to be no problems. Wendy was happily conversing with Professor Sprout and the School Nurse, Poppy Pomfrey. Probably talking about medicine and healing. Levy was talking and smiling to Professor Flitwick, whilst Mirajane was being sweet as usual to Professor Quirrell. He was stuttering a bit though. Probably a speech impediment. Erza then noticed a shabby figure on the other side of the room. He was hunching, scanning the room up and down. He seemed extremely unhygienic, and had a mean look on his face. Erza didn't take her eyes off him. Another person to keep watch on.
"Ahh! Cold!" Natsu shivered, as if a ghost had just passed through him. "Oh, that would be Sir Nicholas. He must've come to say hello!" Seamus smiled looking around. "Who now?" Natsu asked. "Nearly Headless Nick. Our house ghost." Fred explained, smiling mischievously. "...Ghost?" Natsu repeated, not believing the word that was just said. "Why hello new comer!" An old man dressed in a cape and frilly outfit flew into Natsu's face, greeting him with a smile. "GAH!" Natsu screamed out of fright and fell backwards on his seat. Everyone around him laughed and giggled at his actions. "Oh, terribly sorry. Didn't mean to frighten you. I am Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington." Natsu looked at the ghost with a blank look on his face, trying to comprehend the name. "Who…" He muttered, sweat dropping about the name. "Sir Nicholas. Or Nearly Headless Nick." Neville confirmed. "Oh right! Wait, nearly headless…?" Natsu realised. "Ah yes, because of this." Nicolas then grabbed the right side of his head with his left hand stretching over his head. He then pulled his neck right open, only connected by a string of muscle and flesh. His pulse was still beating inside his neck, which caused Natsu to turn all white, trying not to scream. "I-I see…" He said with a shiver. "Hey wait, why didn't the others scream?!" Natsu got back on his seat, then eyed at his team mates. They were all distracted, by talking and not looking at Natsu's direction. Natsu sighed and continued to eat. "Guess that explains that." Natsu solemnly thought. "Well enjoy your meal. I'm going to say hello to the new Gryffindor teacher." Nick waved goodbye and floated towards Erza. Natsu nearly choked then turned his head to Erza.
"Good evening madam." Erza looked up, and saw the ghost dangling before her eyes. "Ah, Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington I presume. Professor McGonagall was just talking about you. Is it true you're nearly headless?" She asked, calm and strong. "Why yes it is. Like so…" And Nicholas pulled his head off once more. Wendy and Levy screamed and nearly fainted, whilst Mira smiled and simply said. "Oh my goodness." Lucy, Gajeel, and Gray heard the screaming at the front and turned their attention to them. What she saw, made her blood curdle. "KYA! WHAT IN THE…!" She shrieked. "Oh, don't worry Lucy. That's Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. He's Gryffindor's ghost." A boy calmly replied. "U-Uh-huh…" Lucy stuttered, before almost passing out. Gray and Gajeel stared at the ghost, food dropping from their open mouths. "What the…" They said simultaneously. "Oh that's Nearly Headless Nick. Gryffindor's ghost. Don't worry, he's completely harmless." Susan smiled at Gray. Gajeel overheard the conversation between Susan and Gray, as he had a feeling the Slytherin kids wouldn't tell him what was going on.
Erza nodded and smiled. "Very interesting. I look forward to working with you." "Likewise." The ghost replied and floated off. "Are you for real?! Someone could have at least warned me before hand!" Natsu thought furiously, as he munched through his food. The others just watched him eat, wondering what was wrong with him.
"So does each house have a ghost?" Gray asked Justin and Cedric. "Why yes they do!" A hearty voice enthusiastically said behind Gray. Gray felt a shiver like no other running up his spine and above his head. "Fat Friar! Good to see you again!" Cedric waved above and behind Gray. Gray slowly turned around and looked up, and saw a fat man wearing brown robes, a cross necklace, and holding a silver gauntlet. "Gray, this is Fat Friar. He's Hufflepuff's ghost." Susan explained to him. "I-I see...Hello…" Gray waved at the friar, who immediately zoomed down to Gray, observing the silver necklace around his neck. Gray slightly leaned back, slightly spooked by the ghost. Sure First Master was like a ghost, but she wasn't transparent and wasn't this creepy. "Umm…" Gray started nervously. "Oh, I'm sorry. Didn't mean to pry. Just observing your necklace is all." The Friar explained smiling, then floated away to say hello to Wendy. "R-Right…" Gray stuttered, before turning to Wendy. She seemed a bit frightened a bit at first, but then began to smile at him. Gray smiled to himself, knowing Wendy was fine.
"Oh, you must be Lucy. Welcome to Ravenclaw dear." Lucy turned to the side, and saw a pale, blue woman standing next to her, hands resting on the lower half of the dress, the fingers softly intertwined. She then placed her right hand on her chest and slightly bowed. "I am The Gray Lady. Ravenclaw's ghost." Lucy looked at her for a bit, then jolted up, as she was in the presence of a noble like being. "Oh, it's a pleasure to meet you!" Lucy hastily said, bowing vigorously. The Gray Lady chuckled a bit, her right hand fingers touching her lips. "Such manners. Now you kids better be nice to your new house member, alright?" Helena told the kids behind Lucy, who all smiled and nodded. Helena then turned around and walked towards Levy. "She doesn't like flying that much." Cho simply stated, before going silent again. Lucy continued to watch her walk down the hall towards Levy. She seemed really friendly and nice. And seeing Levy smile at her a few seconds into the conversation, Levy seemed to think so as well.
Gajeel looked around, seeing the three other houses with their ghosts. "So who's our house ghost?" Gajeel asked in between bites. "Tis I. The Bloody Baron." Gajeel lifted his head up and saw a well presented man wearing a gray curly wig, dressed in old fancy clothes. "You must be Mister Gajeel. I bid you welcome to this fine establishment, and we are deeply honored to have you in the winning house." The Baron took a deep bow to Gajeel as he welcomed him into the house. "You don't seem that bloody to me buddy." Gajeel gruffly stated. "In time I shall say. I do hope you will help us defeat the other houses and keep our winning streak strong and healthy. We've been winning for six years in row. You hear that Sir Nick! Six years!" The Baron yelled triumphantly and flew off to taunt Sir Nicholas. Mirajane smiled at her house ghost, loving his enthusiasm. "Goodness me!" She smiled.
"Children! Children!" Everyone shushed, and turned to the front. "I hope you will welcome our new teachers and students with great love and nurturance. As they are only one day late, they will still be learning along with the First Years. The time is now to rest for tomorrow. Goodnight students, and have a fantastic year. Dismissed." As Dumbledore clapped his hands, the food on the table disappeared. "Hey no fair! I wanted to try the stuffed pork next…." Natsu whined. "Don't worry." Ron whispered to him, and showed Natsu his pocket. Inside was a wrapped hanky that smelt of… "Stuffed pork! Yum! Thanks Ron!" Ron smiled at his new friend and whispered that they will eat it as soon as they get back to the dorms. Natsu mischievously chuckled as got up and walked with his house.
As all the houses went their ways, the four student spies looked at each other one more time, and gave a subtle nod before exiting the main hall. Lucy saw her house turn right, and so she followed the crowd. Gray was the same and followed his house as they turned left, cool as he could be. Gryffindor and Slytherin walked together for a while, not a word keeping a good six feet (2 metres) in distance between them. "Well this is intense eh Salamander?" Gajeel whispered extremely low under his breath. "Yeah...Like there's some bad blood between the houses or something." Natsu replied, his voice the same as Gajeel's. "Heh. Kinda reminds me of old times, eh Salamander?" Gajeel pointed out, the tension kind of reminding him of the bad blood between Phantom Lord and Fairy Tail, all those years ago. "I guess so." Natsu replied, and hummed. "Is something the matter Natsu?" Harry asked him, noticing Natsu's blind stare into the ceiling. "Huh? Oh no. Just wondering why Slytherin and Gryffindor aren't talking to each other." Harry, Ron, Hermione, Seamus, and Neville, looked at each other, like they knew something Natsu didn't. "We'll tell you later." Hermione whispered to the new recruit. The two houses continued walking side by side, the members of each house avoiding eye contact with the other house. The only members who constantly looked at each other, was Natsu and Gajeel who both had no idea what was happening, and why it was so. Soon, the two houses reached a tower of stairways, decorated with paintings and brightly lit with torches. "Woah…" Gajeel and Natsu gasped. As Gryffindor began to move up the stairs, Hermione leaned into Natsu's ear and whispered. "Beware the stairs." And walked off. Natsu was confused by what she meant and turned to Gajeel, who also happened to catch the warning, and merely shrugged as he followed his house down the stairs.