First dinner all over again((Slyths+plot people))

[kris]

((Continued from here.))

Kris shook his head sending droplets of water flying from his hair as they entered the Hogwarts castle. The rain had been… fitting so to say. Fitting both his and Sam’s moods and it had been a pleasant change. Everyone needed a chance to relax and drop the overly cheery mask they wore and rain give the perfect opportunity for that. Removing his right arm from Samantha’s shoulders Kris flicked his writ catching the wand gliding out of his sleeve before it would hit the floor. A few waves of his wand and a quick enchantment and Kris’s clothes were as dry as ever. Noticing that Samantha wasn’t quite as ready to dry her own clothes. Repeating the wand motion Kris dried Samantha’s clothes just as easily spending a few more moments sending a small whirlwind like spell to dry Samantha’s hair, even though he hadn’t bothered to do the same for himself. It was just a bit of water after all, so what arm could it do to him anyway? Giving the hours he spent outside daily despite the weather Kris’s health and body had hardened enough to keep him healthy. Why, he hadn’t really caught a cold for years by now!
“Don’t have a clue how that looks like now, but hair-do spells aren’t really my forte,” Kris said as he let his wand fall back into it’s secret pocket inside his sleeve before Kris placed his right arm easily around Samantha’s shoulders again without any intention to move it any time soon. It did seem as if Samantha needed all the moral support she could get. So even though such display of affection was rather unusual for Slytherins, Kris just didn’t care. Right now Samantha needed this, besides as the Slytherin house had been forced to learn – neither Samantha or Kris were really the most ordinary and cold Slytherins.

The tip of his walking can touching the floor with an almost playful click now and then Kris easily moved towards the Great Hall. Luckily the room was rather close to the castle doors. And the familiar hop of Morrigan’s slight weight did tell Kris when to learn as he had murmured “Great Hall and food” to the kitten. Kris couldn’t really tour the castle with the freedom he had before, but at the very least Morrigan had learned to lead him to the very basic location needed. SLytherin common room, library, Great Hall and the doors to outside being some of the places Morrigan could always lead Kris too. Humming the same tune he had sang outside absent-mindedly Kris didn’t bother Samantha with an conversation. In truth it would be his very first time to eat in the Great Hall after being blinded as well. Kris had dreaded eating in the room. He hated having everyone see the mistake, his inability to pick up food himself. But he had to do it sooner or later anyway and today was as good time as any other. Morrigan extracted her claws and Kris halted knowing he was most likely facing the Great Hall doors again.
“You ready to amaze them all?” Kris asked quietly shifting his hand a little to push Samantha’s chin a bit upwards with his thumb, “After all you are going to step in there in the arm of the most handsome boy in the whole school!” Grinning a bit boyishly at Samantha Kris leaned the side of his head against her hair for a moment, “It will be alright, sweetheart. Well up to a point where a Ravenclaw spitfire might throw an other hex or two at me, but do relax a little.”

Grinning slightly at the thought of Cleo Kris raised his head form Samantha’s hair and pushed the Great Hall doors open letting Samantha pass into the room first politely. Letting the doors swing closed behind himself Kris started moving towards the Slytehrin table with his arm still around Samantha’s shoulders knowing fully well that there were more than one person looking at them. He could always feel their eyes on the back of his head. Smirking lazily Kris shieldedly tugged on a strand of Samantha’s hair: “Oh, smile a little. Think of food. Sweet, glorious food that smells heavenly and tastes even better. And smile a little. Just for food, if you don’t want to smile for me?” Letting Samantha choose the location where she would want to sit at the Slytherin table Kris easily kept his pace right next to her. Besides Samantha had the benefit of seeing who they would be sitting near and where there were 2 suitable free seats.

[Samantha Driscoll]

"I'm ready to let you do that Kris," she said simply, allowing her mind to wander to dreams of the happy places he had described. She was reminded of how she'd felt in those few gloriously moments when she'd felt deliriously happy after she'd left her cell and before she'd realised they were taking her back to Hogwarts. She didn’t feel as happy as she had then – that had been a moment of release when there had been such a surge of feelings inside her she felt that she might explode, but somehow, she knew that the happiness she was deriving out of imagining herself on a beach was – what a strange to come into her mind but she could find no other way to describe it - safer. Neither of them said much on their way to the Great Hall, each lost in their thoughts.

She was still thinking about the moments they had danced in the rain. They'd seemed like moments stolen from someone else's life, something very foreign to her, and yet, she yearned to experience them once again just the same way a prisoner dreams of a freedom he has never known if he is given a few days of it. She didn’t know why she'd found them so exciting, certainly the Samantha of before Azkaban would have found the idea of dancing in the rain disgraceful if not completely insane. That word seemed to crop up all the time wherever she went. She was getting a grip though now, everything she was feeling and what she was about to do now must mean that.

They were at the doors of the Great Hall.

On the one hand, there the demons that suddenly plagued her as stood at the door of the hall. She knew how hurtful the words of Slytherins could be, how just one smirk or glance could hold so much contempt and disdain it made you wish you were miles away. What would they say when they saw a member of there own house return from Azkaban after her whole family had been destroyed? How would they look at her? And did she, right now, really feel like she still wanted to be part of them? She knew she'd seen everyone in her house before as being the only people she could consider her equals and the only ones who were intelligent, powerful, and worthy of her time. But now, after all she'd been through, everything she'd thought and been was under the microscope, being examined carefully, for the decisions and beliefs she'd been so set upon suddenly didn't seem so right after all. Then there was the warmth and the support that was Kris Graas' arm around her shoulders. There was his belief that she could do this if she tried enough. There was his acceptance and understanding of what she'd done, and also his admiration, which she till now couldn’t understand. So should she go into the Great Hall?

Samantha Driscoll chose the latter.

Samantha laughed, not for long, and while the nervousness was there in her laughter, it was the laughter of a sane person. "You wouldn’t have been able to hear me smile," she said matter-of-factly. "So I thought you deserved a little laugh," she said. Samantha knew that Kris was indeed handsome, but she didn’t really cared about that now. The brotherly way he was protecting her was what shone through right now and touched her.

Samantha walked into the Hall and stopped for a few moments. There were quite a few people there. Her eyes went directly to the Slytherin table. The green and silver decorations seemed so familiar and yet menacing at the same time. She sat down at the middle of the table and played with the hem of the tablecloth nervously, unsure what to do now, and waiting to hear the first insult, or perhaps the first question, she didn’t know, but to her it was like waiting for a bomb to explode.

((I've decided to open the post to all Slytherins. The more people post the happier I'll be – be a Slytherin and totally look down on Sam! The post is long because I've tried to summarise all she's been through for those of you who know nothing about her. Plot people from other houses you know yourselves.))

[sammy]

Cathy was bent over a book in the library, finishing up last minute homework. The sky was slowly turning to a darker, grayish color that she despised. The library itself was also horrible, being so quiet it made Cathy's own mind make noises. A steady ringing in her temple made her head-ache go into triple throb. The book on Potions didn't help much either; it was dull, really. Add this to the now blue liquid in your cauldron, blah, blah, blah. "The essence of this book gives you a terrible head-ache, beware," Cathy muttered under her breath, sighed, and turned over the page. Her ink bottle was nearly out and the sun's fading rays were beginning to disappear. It must be only what, six o'clock? And dark already? Just that wonderful winter weather in full throttle. Oh, yes, and it was raining. Joy. Cathy turned to the window and opened her mind to the steady patter-pitter of the rain against the window pane. At least it was some noise, but a never lasting rhythm wasn't exactly what she had been looking for. The whole thing seemed silly. Studying was not Cathy's thing; in fact she loathed every aspect of it; but that was the only way to get good grades, and Cathy wasn't about to let her smart kid grades go down.

She scribbled down a few more sentences to finish her essay and stood back to admire her work. It wasn't really a homework assignment, but a study guide. In stead of going through tons of books looking for the little details needed for the terrible O.W.L.'s, Cathy could simply whip out this sheet (tada!) and re-read it over. Simple as that. All this time wasted in the library wouldn't be... wasted. She would feel glad she did it after a few weeks. She closed the Potions book with a snap and looked down at her list. She had just finished one study guide for... Potions. Cross that out. All that was left was Charms, Care of Magical Creatures, History of Magic, Transfiguration... basically everything except potions. Yippee. Cathy gathered up her things, corked the ink bottle, and put everything into her bag carefully, making sure no papers got bent, the ink bottle didn't smash open, book corners got torn, etc. Things in Cathy's care wouldn't get brutally ignored, unlike some other Gryffindors. Cathy heaved her rather heavy shoulder-bag over her slim shoulders, and picked up the Potions book. After placing it back where she had found it, Cathy walked out of the library, grateful that it was over.

The loud pitter-patter of rain followed her as she made her way to the Gryffindor common room. Her stomach rumbled, making Cathy cross both arms over it and hold herself. She had been planning on skipping dinner tonight, but her stomach seemed to have a plan of its own. And Cathy never ignored her body, so what the heck? What could a little food hurt? Not only had she pigged out on lunch, but she was hungry now and would probably do the same as before. Maybe she was getting fat? A ballerina can't get fat, Cathy told herself, closing the case. She was a ballerina, so that meant she can't get fat. Done. Over. Nothing more to say. Cathy was always worried about her weight, and she had constant problems controlling it after starving herself for a day or two. Not that it didn't make sense but... The fat lady's portrait came into view and Cathy quickly said the password. It opened and allowed her to enter the hole into the common room. Cathy was only going here for one reason: To drop off the bothersome shoulder bag and relieve herself of any connection with books! Books, books, books! Cathy pulled off her bag after reaching her bed, and wanted to fling it across the room, but instead put it down carefully. Perfect. Cathy licked her lips and rubbed her once again growling stomach.

She was going to the Great Hall. She had tried to control her monstrous hunger, but had failed and had succumbed to it all. Food made her mouth water. Why had she skipped breakfast today but not lunch? She paused as she found that all she was doing was meandering down the halls, not really looking where she was going. Cathy sighed at her own stupidity, and leaned against the castle's walls for a moment. With her ear pressed to the cold stone, it made the rain seem louder. After a few moments of just listening to water, Cathy stood up straight, brushed down her red sweater, and was on her way again. She heard it before she saw it. The Great Hall. It always looked magnificent to Cathy. The four tables stood in the middle of the large hall, and Cathy went toward the Gryffindor one eagerly, only to stop dead. A couple was getting lots of attention at the moment. Cathy could feel most eyes on them as people ate their food. Cathy too, absorbed in the power of it, let her eyes wonder around the Great Hall, only to fall on the Slytherin table. There, she scanned until she saw the two. But one looked oddly... Sam! Cathy turned her feet toward them and slowly made her way to the Slytherin table, trying to look as casual as possible. When she reached them, she hesitated, but ended up tapping Sam's shoulder anyway. "Hey, Sam." Cathy greeted with a warm smile on her face. She pushed back some hair before continuing. "I just thought I'd... come over and say hi. Uh... how have you been doing? I haven't seen you around much lately."

((I hope it's okay that I posted now. I don't know if anyone was supposed to go before me, but I was in Cathy mood, so I thought now was as good a time as ever. ))

[kris]

Kris spared a slight smirk at the sound of Samantha’s laughter. Perhaps not the calm or happy sound Kris had ever heard, but it was laughter. “Thoughtful. Maybe I should just forget about everything else and let myself be pampered constantly? Could you see ma like an ancient Chinese emperor? Not really doing anything but ordering people to do what I want while I seat myself on fluffy pillows and don’t do anything but open my mouth when I want a grape? Interesting idea actually,” Kris idly mused as he followed Samantha and chose a place to sit down next to her making a mental note to send Dana a bouquet as he recognized her voice from the unordinarily quiet hall as her voice held a clear enough warning for people around her at the very least to continue speaking as they always had. Morrigan let out a content purr as she rubbed her head against Kris’s shoulder displaying very clearly that she glad to be out from the rain outside.

Kris could almost feel Sam’s nervousness… or it was more likely the quiet shifting of the table-cloth next to him he heard. But the point stayed the same. Leaning his elbow arrogantly on the table not caring about proper manners at the moment Kris let his left arm remain around Samantha’s shoulders. His right hand feeling the edge of the plate against his elbow Kris could locate the position of the goblet rather easily as he lowered his wrist and took hold of it. Twirling the goblet lazily in his hand it took a lot of willpower from Kris to unclench his jaw and keep his tone of voice easy-going. He hated being helpless like this and he hated even more asking for help or having to accept it. Using most of the self-control he did have Kris turned his head easily towards Sam rubbing her back with small comforting circles. “Any chance of coffee on the table?” Kris asked with an arched eye-brow as his stomach grumbled quietly again, “We did come here to eat, however amusing playing with the table-cloth might be.”

Hearing foot-steps approaching Kris turned his head a little his muscles tensing. Whoever came greeted Sam and Kris tilted his head for a mere fraction like a dog listening to some sound. The voice sounded familiar. Not something Kris knew, but familiar. Closing his eyes even though it wasn’t visible behind the black-shakes Kris concentrated on the voice. This year. Who had he talked to this year and paid attention to the voice. Library… the girl with the pudding-like name in Estonian in Slytherin… Dumas. Didn’t she not have a twin? A twin who was most certainly a Gryffindor. Kris bit back a sigh and avoided biting his tongue. Gryffindor at Slytherin table? Slyths might have a bit hard time swallowing both him and Sam at once… a Gryff coming to greet Sam would not look well. “Dumas,” Kris replied curtly as his hand continued to rub Samantha’s shoulders even if Kris himself had only relaxed about 3 strands of hair. “Sam?” Kris asked in a softer, friendlier and quieter town of voice from the girl sitting next to her. A question inquiring about the Gryff and how she was going to react to her and a reminder of Kris’s question about coffee and food.

[Mary Evans]

It was raining. Mary of course couldn’t see it because the Slytherin dungeons were under the lake and therefore had no windows. Water was a very receptive substance though and everyone down there was well aware of the rain. The plot unfolded as Mary flipped through the pages of the book with her thoughts firmly on the story. Soon enough though she became absolutely famished and unable to ignore the tightening of her stomach any longer. With a sorry sigh Mary read just one more page before placing her bookmark in and bringing the book down to her dorm room. She tossed it on the bed and brushed her hair slowly at her vanity. She smiled at the long red curls before leaving the room with a hop in her step.

Her heels clicked as Mary climbed the four flights of stairs it took to get to the front hall. Small groups of people were everywhere but it was obvious they were starting to fill the Great Hall by then. Puddles were dispersed through the front hall as well as people had obviously just come in from the rain and had stopped various places to drip dry apparently. The pounding of the rain thrashed against the huge main doors and Mary turned away to the Great Hall.

She swung open the door and was finally able to see the dark grey clouds dominating the sky. That wasn’t what automatically drew her attention though. As the door opened anyone would be able to tell – all breaths were bated. She smiled seeing Krissy Bear as she noticed he seemed to be the one getting all the attention. As she drew closer Mary was able to tell he was with Samantha – likely why everyone was making the extra fuss – and some girl who looked like that fifth year but quite obviously wasn’t judging by her demeanour.

Smiling unfazed Mary slipped into the seat across from Kris and smiled at Samantha while placing a hand on Kris’ shoulder to alert him to her presence. “Evening Samantha, Krissy Bear.” She said cheerfully before turning her head up to look at Catherine with her eyebrow raised. “Umm who are you and just what are you doing here? In case you forgot the first table – that’s the table that you see when you come into the Great Hall – this one here – is for Slytherins. That is a privilege not something you can just chose to be.”

[sammy]

Cathy gave the boy sitting next to Sam a small smile. She didn't like the way he had said her last name like he knew her from somewhere. She most certainly had not conversed with him, and that was probably a good thing, judging by the way he acted. Cathy gave Sam a curious look but didn't respond to Kris Graas. Slyths with attitude were not something you could handle, even if you had one for a sister. Getting into a verbal fight with them was just a silly way to embarrass yourself. She tucked a light strand of hair behind her ear as she shifted uncomfortably on the spot. Should she sit or just leave now? Sam hadn't given her a sign yet, and the seconds seemed to tick by in minutes. She watched for a little while as Graas rubbed Sam's shoulders almost in a brotherly way. Okay, maybe it was time to leave. Cathy, feeling very out of place, was just about to make her escape when another Slytherin came to the table, this one was younger and had red hair. Cathy wanted her hair.

The girl - Cathy had no idea who she was - spoke about being a Slytherin was a privilege. How many times had Cathy heard that? It had been in a different version, of course. Slytherins were like broken record tape; It's a privilege, only the best deserve to be in Slytherin. "Yes, don't we all know that?" Cathy replied. "I think Slytherins make that perfectly clear whenever they meet someone other then themselves. I don't know if you repeat it to each other, but I'm sure almost everyone else knows exactly what you're talking about." She had to protect herself! She hoped Sam understood. She knew that these two were Sam's friends - and what was up with Krissy Bear? - Cathy gave Sam an overwhelmed look. She knew her reply had been weak and insignificant. But did she dare try to insult Sam's friends in front of her, while Cathy wanted to keep the small relationship the two had formed that night intact? She cast the two a glance that could be interpreted as confused and friendly at the same time. Oh, if only she knew what to do! "Um, I can leave if you want..." She told Sam in an undertone. She had eyes only for Sam, and tried to forget the others.

[Samantha Driscoll]

Samantha started when Cathy tapped her on the shoulder but calmed down when she recognised her. She was surprised that Cathy should come and approach her – after she'd seen her and the way she'd acted Samantha would have imagined Cathy would have avoided her. For a minute her attention was distracted from the tension she had been feeling and she only thought of the kindness in Cathy's eyes and smile as she answered her question. "I haven’t been spending much time in the castle. Outside its more – I didn’t really want to – it's my first time eating in the Great Hall since I've come back," she admitted finally, her fidgeting beginning to increase. She cast a scared look at the table. "I don’t feel as hungry as I did that time we were together," she said, turning back to Cathy. It was easier talking to her and trying to ignore the other eyes that were on her. She didn’t think of the fact that her talking to a Gryffindor was going to attract more attention, her thoughts were only that Cathy had come here because she wanted to talk to her, because she wasn't staring at her, though Samantha didn’t really know why she should.

A young Slytherin arrived at the table, one Samantha knew as she was Kris' person though they had never a real conversation. Samantha had always known she called Kris "Krissy Bear" but she hadn’t found quite so funny till now. There was no time to laugh though because the presence of Cathy at the Slytherin table was not going to continue without remark. Samantha listened to Cathy's answer, the words reminding her of the people she was sitting with and the old strong rivalry between Gryffindors and Slytherins. But she didn’t feel like she was one of the people she was sitting with. The glances she was getting, the fact that no-one had said anything to her, the way they'd been avoiding her in class all made her feel she was not one of these people even if she was still a Slytherin.

No. She was surprised at the sudden flare of emotion that she felt inside her – but she knew one thing and that was that she would push away Cathy or try and hurt her after she'd been there for her. She'd been there when Samantha was sure she wouldn’t be able to make it through the day – when all she wanted was to become invisible so that no-one at Hogwarts would look at her or mock her in any way. And so –

"Cathy, you stay," said Samantha. She didn’t smile as she said it; she didn’t say it as if it were a command or as if she were a Slytherin Queen and the other Slytherins had to obey her because of it, she just said it and looked Cathy in the eyes, her wanting her to stay evident in the look if not in her tired voice.

((Just give me a chance to get Charlie here before you post everyone. With no other Slytherins posting here I might just have to RP random Slytherins myself - I'll see what I can come up with and just put it in Charlie's post))

[urbino]

Terrence Urbino was a perfect example of what a Slytherin should be – and he was acutely aware of his own superiority. Descended from a long line of purebloods his heritage would make anyone proud, and the accomplishments and names of his family filled the newspapers almost daily. Terrence was no exception – smart, handsome, and cultured, he was well on his way to successful future in one of his parents numerous businesses and his grades at Hogwarts were impressive as he was very ambitious and took his studies very seriously. His friends and acquaintances at Hogwarts were all as promising as he was, though Terrence secretly knew that he did in fact stand out.

Enjoying his dinner in the Great Hall always proved to be difficult for Terrence, the food at Hogwarts really couldn’t compare at all to the food he was served when he was back at home. But at least he was in good company, that is, at his table of course, not the people of lower status and fewer skills than his at the other tables. Conversation at this table was always intellectually stimulating – which was more than you could say for any other table. But today's dinner was suddenly transformed from the usual into a horrid affair by the appearance of a Slytherin Terrence hadn’t seen in the Great Hall in a while. And what a shock it was to see her!

How could a Slytherin come into the room like this and conduct herself in such a manner? Terrence had truly not recognised her for she had none of the poise she had been known for before. Her hair hung like a lifeless curtain covering the sides of her gaunt ghostly face. It did not shine as Terrence remembered it, and in fact it looked as if had not been tended to it in days for it was tangled. Her eyes seemed too large for her face and were darting fearfully around the table like those of a frightened mouse. Terrence was appalled by the sight of her – had she completely forgotten what it was to be a Slytherin? How could she let herself fall to pieces like this? She wasn't the first person who'd gone to Azkaban and come out of it, some people had endured Azkaban for a good cause and Terrence respected that, and though he did not think Samantha had good cause he might have respected her had she risen above her problem and moved on.

He said nothing though as he saw the arm of Kris Graas, a fine upstanding Slytherin from a family of status and power in the magical world, protectively around her shoulders. He was inwardly fuming but as all Slytherins his face showed no emotion and he looked at her with a cold stare as he continued with his dinner. He could not understand Kris at all at the moment but he knew better than to start a fight at the table – such a notion was almost inconceivable. But then Samantha pushed it too far – a Gryffindor – a no-account, ordinary girl from a pureblood family who in Terrence's opinion brought them nothing but disgrace by being sorted into Gryffindor – came and addressed her and sat at their table as if she were her friend. Terrence was stunned for a moment, though of course a fourth year had immediately reacted to this disastrous action, but then Samantha's reaction drove him over the edge.

"So you bring disgrace to the House of Slytherin and then decide to saunter in here and join us as if you’d done nothing and not one of us makes a remark. But then you allow a Gryffindor, one whose own sister does not treat with respect to sit at this table as if she were worthy enough to join us? How much further do you intend to dirty our name, Driscoll? You ruined your own life and now you're here to ruin the reputation of this House?" he demanded, his voice low yet menacing. Long years in Slytherin meant that Terence had perfected the evil laugh, cold stare, and disdainful attitude they were well known for. He had never used them on a fellow housemate before, or at least never in the way he was now.

((OK, post people))

[sammy]

Cathy felt relief soar through her, and a dizzy light-headed feeling enveloped in her head. Sam had said yes. She smiled and sat down a little too quickly but all the same, she was sitting at the Slytherin table. The Slythie table! Who would have thought that would ever happen? In fact, it may have been the first time in many years, a Gryffindor sitting among Slytherins. Cathy had made a record, possibly. She gave Sam a smile, but soon she felt concerned. Her big air-head popped and the pieces fell away, perhaps blown away by her new thinking. Sam's friends wouldn't approve. She was a Queen, a seventh year... her reputation was on the line, and that certainly was a big thing among Slyths. Cathy could understand that. "I... don't want to cause trouble..." She told Sam, the smile on her face gone. Her eyes flickered around and she became unsure of herself. What should she do? Leave and do the right thing, letting Sam at least make her way back without harm? Inside, Cathy wanted to stay, and badly so, so badly it hurt. She wanted to stay with Sam and sit at the Slytherin table, and Sam would have sent her away if she hadn't wanted her to. Catherine knew it was wrong, but she remained firmly planted on the bench, until she heard a voice echo above her head.

At first she thought it was like a dream. Or more of a nightmare. The boy who was talking was like a nightmare, something fanciful and full of dreadful things to say. His body language was certainly not anything good, and it made Cathy wince back as if slapped. Her face burned as he mentioned Giselle and how she didn't even treat Cathy with respect. To her it sounded like she was some sort of slave or something, a servant bound by her wicked sister. She didn't know if any of the Slyths cared how bad that cut. Maybe Sam didn't even know, or understand. She just felt her eyes well up, the tears were daringly coming forth. No. Cathy gathered herself up with a deep swallow and then looked up at the boy with clear eyes and a set expression. "You're a..." How bad Cathy wanted to say it, the word bastard, but she just couldn't. It wasn't in her vocabulary, and her voice would certainly not amount to anything. Being soft and uncertain still, no matter how much Cathy tried to adopt the cold, selfish look. "If you came back from the place Sam went to, you would probably be putting those Slytherin robes you prize so much on backward and would probably look even worse then you do already, if that's possible. You should think before you speak, if you honestly knew anything you'd know that Sam has been through more then you can even imagine, and a little brat like yourself won't help her any. Your precious reputation is still in line, my darling, (a phrase Giselle had taught Cathy to use to annoy people) not that yours' is a good one, so I'd shut that abnormally large hole in your face." Cathy snapped, unconsciously wringing her hands under the table, the hands that wanted to slap that ugly expression off that equally disgusting face.

((I hope what Cathy said is okay. She did get a little defensive, I know, but the post wrote itself.))

[kris]

Kris was starting to have a bad feeling about it. A very-very-very bad feeling. „Mary,“ Kris replied with a nod to the greeting as he picked up a paper serviette from the table. A wave of his wand later it was a fully bloomed rose as Kris presented it to Mray who by the sound of it had taken a seat on the opposite side of the table. His wand disappearing back into his sleeve as quickly as it had appeared Kris wordlessly to the words of the girls around him. Reall,y it made him wonder why did he so often end up in such situations? First there was Cathy whose position in the Slytherin house was more than questionable now and the reactions that would greet her here were unpredictable. Then Mary who was a sister for him and now this wretched Gryff who did not help the situation at all, especially since she couldn’t keep her mouth shut and since Kris liked her sister. Kris kept her face blank small moving sounds of chair indicated that Cathy had obeyed to Sam’s wish and taken a seat. This was going to be titled a blasphemy. Kris silently figured if the situation would stay calm or blew up in all of their faces?

Kris squeezed Sam’s shoulder once before letting his hand drop from her shoulder. It was partially a comforting move to let sam know that he was still here and would stay by her shoulder. But at the same time it was a warning for Sam not to push it. How had the Gryffindor-Dumas and Sam met anyway?
„Having friends and choosing who you socialize with when alone is personal option. At this table you are also part of something bigger and represent your house, so friends should understand diferent times and places,“ Kris commented silently being sure to keep his voice so low enough to only reach Sam, Mary and Catherine his tone of voice clearly disapproving. If Sam found comfort from associating with Catherine.... then it was her choice and Kris wouldn’t comment about it. But inviting a Gryffindor here was taking it a step too far.

One more cold voice cut into the conversation and Kris had to forcefulyl stop himself from rubbing his temples as he could feel a migraine starting. Kris didn’t comment on Urbino’s choice of words. Bringing a Gryffindor to sit here was disgraceful. And once again the wollen-headed idiocy of Gryffs showed as the girl just couldn’t keep her mouth closed.
„Dumas? Remeber those words you uttered about not bringing on trouble? Well, it would be helpful if you just kept your mouth shut, as you’re playing with more than our reputations. You are the stranger here and while you fail to understand that it would be a favour for everyone if you just got lost, you will at the very least play by the rules that work here,“ Kris snapped icily now completely sure the situation would blow up in their faces. The only question was when. Whatever happened to Sam it would influence Kris just as badly. And considering the career choices most of the 7th year Slytherins did – there could be more at stake than just their reputations. Who knows when some imbecil would decide to prove to Voldemort that he or she would be faithful and in his fanatic belief drop a knife or a fatal curse at either of them. Kris owuld very much like to still be able to graduate from Hogwarts.
„Urbino, take a seat before you gather even more unwanted attention. Sam, mind pouring coffee?“ Kris asked his tone bleak of all emotions. He would stay by Sam’s side as he had promised and he would step in when things got too harsh. But Sam should still remember how to fend for herself. And the Slytherin house would have let things slide, had she not invited Cathy to sit here. As Kris very strongly disapproved this decision as well, he wouldn’t protect Sam from this accusation. Sam was still part of the Slytherin house and therefore she still had to oblige to it’s main rules. Or at the very least not break them openly.

[Charles Driscoll H7]

((I have yet to RP the talk mentioned between Julius and Charlie))

Charles was feeling something he didn’t usually at all – hungry. Actually looking forward to food – usually he just ate because it was time for a meal, and especially this year so much had happened that hadn't exactly helped in working up his appetite. Some people turned to food for comfort – positively gorged themselves to fill that emptiness one was often left with when one felt unsuccessful or deeply disappointed – but it worked the other way round for him – he lost his appetite whenever he was sad. And that was had been happening to him lately – one sad event after the other, one painful discovery after the other. But today – today, he was feeling happy. Not on cloud nine happy, just satisfied, enjoying the uneventful day, not bored because noting had cropped up out of the blue, not at all - he was just happy to finish his homework, go to the library, practise some Quidditch, all of which he had done in the company of a certain Hufflepuff – Ivy Tunstall - who had made these ordinary everyday activities seem all the more enjoyable. Now as he headed to the Great Hall – quite late for dinner – all he wanted was to eat, perhaps chat a little with his friends, and then perhaps a nap – no excitement, just a quiet day – make that a quiet and peaceful day.

At first he couldn’t tell that anything at all was wrong. He was lost in his own thoughts and usually when he walked his steps were invariably straight from the door to the Hufflepuff table – he had never had reason, never even imagined a scenario where he would have had reason to do anything but that. But then he noticed all eyes were on the Slytherin table – even his own house members seemed to be taking an unusual interest in whatever was going on there and Charles looked over at the table to see what the reason behind this behaviour was. His breath caught in his chest.

Samantha – but what a different Samantha than the one he knew! It hurt him so much to see her like this and he suddenly felt tears prickle in his eyes and he could do nothing to stop them. She looked like a walking skeleton, like skin stretched on bone and her threadbare sweater hung around her like a cloak. Her hair was lifeless and untamed and her gaunt face – it scared him to death - how different it looked! He stood there paralysed, wanting to run to her and yet there was a voice in his head that told him to stay where he was because he knew she hadn’t wanted to see him at during the past month, that she had not come to him for support and love and care when he had wanted so much to give it and had imagined there was nothing more she needed. The number of times he had tried to catch her after class, or in the Hospital Wing, the expression on Madam Pomfrey's face when she had told him Samantha was not allowed any visitors even if he was her brother, Professor Foxcroft telling him to give her time and space if she needed them. He'd been ready to give her that after the talk with the Professor – but why had she gone to the Slytherin table – why had she felt that after she left the Hospital Wing the first person to talk to was anybody but her brother?

[Samantha Driscoll]

Samantha had known she was going to hear all the words she heard from Terrence. But she hadn’t reckoned for the arrival of Cathy and having to deal with the problem of her sitting here with her – and the words of Terrence stung her, the look in his eyes hurt as much as she had been expecting – but she found she really couldn’t defend herself against him, she was too tired to, and it had taken all her strength to come here and then ask Cathy to stay and now she had to say something to Terrence when she knew he had every right to accuse her. But Cathy was defending her – after all that Terrence had said, after all the accusations and the insults – and something stirred inside Samantha. She might not have anything to say, she might still blame herself for what had happened, but there were people who understood her motives and understood what she'd been through – Kris and Cathy. Kris was saying nothing now and Samantha knew he wouldn’t, she knew he was going to stand for a Gryffindor being allowed at their table, but still that meant she had to fend for herself, and she wasn't yet ready for that. And Kris was actually asking Cathy to leave – Samantha knew he was trying to smooth the argument but Samantha knew she could no longer sit here after what Terrence had said – why sit at a table where was not welcome when someone else was ready to talk and eat with her whatever she had done? Cathy didn’t say to her the things Terrence had and Samantha knew she never would.

Samantha rose from the table, her decision made. She was leaving. Cathy couldn’t stay because Sam didn't want to subject her to further humiliation, Kris was helping, but he couldn’t help her with Cathy, so that meant her only two supporters were out of the picture. Without looking at anyone and then thinking she'd better tell Kris she was leaving she turned on the spot and in that moment the door to the Great Hall opened. Her brother was walking into the room and Samantha put her hand to her head. She couldn’t deal with this. She was beginning to feel a little dizzy and she steadied herself against the table and then Charles looked at the Slytherin table her. Their eyes met across the hall. She said nothing, and did nothing, emotions building inside her, thoughts racing through her mind, colliding inside her head and for a moment she thought she would faint because so much was going on and she had no idea how to deal with it. She stared at Charles and for once her eyes that for so long had known no expression conveyed how tired, lost, and confused she felt. She didn't drop her eyes from his gaze as it seemed to her all the world was against her at this moment – she had nowhere else to look.

((No-one post just yet, please))

[Charles Driscoll H7]

He felt a pain in his chest as he witnessed her expression – and all the doubts and the retributions disappeared in a flash to be replaced by one powerful feeling – he was going to help her. She was his sister and she needed him, it was as simple as that. That lost confused look had taken it all away, he just wanted to hug his sister and tell her that everything was fine, that nothing was worth all that, that they had each other and their parents be damned wherever they were. He ran to her wishing he could get to her faster, everything else gone from his mind. He arrived at the Slytherin table and ran around it to get to her. He didn’t notice in his haste that one of his shirt buttons got caught in the table cloth and before he knew it a bowl of soup was pulled in the direction of the Gryffindor girl sitting beside Samantha, heading straight for her lap.

[Samantha Driscoll]

Why had she ever thought she couldn’t talk to him or that he would reprimand her? She smiled at her brother as she realised how much he wanted to help her, a small smile but a smile nonetheless but then it disappeared in a flash. She just had time to register the impending disaster and act before it was too late. Instinctively and before she realised what she was doing her wand was out of her sleeve and an incantation flew out of her mouth. "Wingardium Leviosa!" Samantha stared at the bowl of soup fly higher and higher, unable to believe what she was seeing. She was doing magic – with her wand – with her dirty filthy wand that she used to cast that horrible curse and inflict excruciating pain on another person – and it was working. She'd felt a rush of energy inside her – an indescribable thrill that was reminiscent of the first time she'd used a wand. But this reality was too much to grasp or understand – too much after today. Samantha collapsed and fell to the ground in a heap, finally escaping to that world where everything was blank and there was nothing more she had to face.

[kris]

Kris wanted to throw his head back and just howl out loud. Or maybe loose his mind and go on a rampage cursing everyone in the room. Or at the very least he wanted his coffee. And he had a migraine. And the situation wasn’t helping him any. Kris wondered sullenly if anyone would even notice if he laid down, slammed his fists onto the floor and threw a temper tantrum. The scraping of the legs of a chair on the floor was heard and Kris actually growled. “Watch it, you are really starting to turn into a wild animal,” came a mocking voice and Kris felt his scowl deepen as Cleo’s familiar voice sounded near him as she slipped her fingers into his hair yanking Kris’s head forward. Without giving Kris a chance to protest Cleo placed the tip of her wand at the nape of his neck murmuring a spell that lessened the throbbing pain in his scull. A relief Kris was not ready to thank for, no matter how grateful he was inside.
But he really did feel as if he was missing out on something as Wingardium Leviosa sounded from Sam.

“Kris. I hope you have kept your armor polished and shining. Because you will need it now. Your friend just passed out. Not very gracefully I’m afraid. But she created a rather artistic heap on the floor after a long look exchanged by her and a Hufflepuff trampling this way while dragging along half the food on the table. It was really like in films. Breath-taking look, as if time itself slowed down around themselves,” Cleo commented with some irony in her voice as Kris snarled standing up and crouching down next to Sam.
“Shove it, Cleopatra. And you wouldn’t make a good commentator. And I’m not a bloody hero,” Kris snapped at Cleo even though his fingers smoothing back strands of hair from Samantha’s face were tender. Pulling Samantha slightly up and against himself Kris tucked one of his arms securely around her back shifting himself so that Samantha’s head fell onto his shoulder. Slipping his other arm under her knees Kris breathed in before standing up straight feeling a bit better now without his migraine. Even if he still wanted to scream on the top of his lungs.
“Charlie, you have had a good enough background for you to be able to afford some manners. Do learn to walk without creating disasters. Cleo, bring my wretched coffee, Terrence shut up and stop making an even bigger scene,” Kris snapped over his shoulder as he walked towards the Great Hall doors while carrying Samantha in his arms. It had been a very short but very eventful lunch. And very much lacking food as the quiet grumble from Kris’s stomach reminded him.
“I’m afraid that your sister might not hang in air while I free on of my arms to open the door,” Kris seemed with a sneer to his left side where footsteps that were most certainly Charlie’s were sounding from as the clicking of Cleo’s heels as she approached them with Kris’s coffee cup were coming form behind Kris. Hearing the door being opened Kris walked forward turning sideways for a moment so as to not bang Samantha’s head on the wall as he turned to take the shortest way to the Hospital Wing.

“Is your life always this thrilling? Really, girls passing out, love-triangles, curses, dark secrets and really fast food because you have to run to catch it. Or at today’s case to get out of it’s way. Turn left here,” Cleo commented cheerily from Kris’s side making Kris growl quietly again as he snapped with annoyance, “Shut up both of you.” Surprisingly he was even listened to with the only words being uttered from here on were Cleo’s direction to watch out for some door or statue or corner. Entering the Hospital Wing that surprisingly was empty Kris felt Cleo’s fingers touch his hand as she directed him towards where Samantha must have been sleeping during the school-year so far. Laying Samantha gently on the bed with a bit of relief, as hwile not heavy Sam did still weigh a little, Kris pulled off her shoes and threw a light cover over her body. Whirling around Kris grabbed hold of Charlie’s shoulder: “Just give me an excuse to curse you.” Kris hissed out between his teeth as he forcefully dragged Charlie to a more distant corner where he pulled of his sunglasses and bowed slightly so that their faces where on the same level. He had discovered that his black eyes scared people, making him seem even more heartless. Why not take advantage of this and impress Charlie while he was already being forced to deal with the boy.
“Have you ever seen Azkaban? Sam came out of it in a shockingly good shape even, so will you show a tiniest shred of common sense and actually try to make sure you don’t hurt her any more? It’s not easy for her either, but she promised to deal with you, however slow she would have wanted to take things after you two had spoken again. Killing you would hurt Sam a bit too much so I wouldn't do that. But one reckless word, action or even a thought from you and I swear I WILL bury you into the ground up to your waist and leave you there without any food or water for 2 days and I’ll enjoy it.” Turning Kris put his sunglasses back one while he made his way back towards the Hospital Wing door wanting to get out of here before madam P came out of her office to see what was happening.

“So, would you fight a dragon for me as a hero?” Cleo asked with a slight smirk in her tone as she handed Kris a coffee cup falling into step next to her. “Shut up, Cleopatra,” was Kris’ reply which didn’t hinder Cleo at all though: “No, don’t want dragons. Fire might ruin your shining armour. How about a 3-headed hydra?” “Shut up, Cleopatra,” came the snarled answer again but Kris pulled open the door for Cleo politely none the less, his hand falling almost possessively as well as protectingly onto Cleo’s lower back as he guided Cleo out, closing the door behind himself.


((Well, I suppose I should be grateful you weren't on the railing of Hogwarts tallest tower, when you decided to pass out. I would have hated to have Kris jump down that after Sam. And Kris is NOT a bloody hero!))

[Mary Evans]

((Okay sorry I am so behind but… well anyways. And this reply I know is not complete because… I don’t know what’s going on actually. How did Charlie get to the hospital wing? So I will reply Mary hexing Kris in the hospital wing if he went or that whole bit wouldn’t have happened and I will have Mary stay with Charlie in the Great Hall if that’s where he is. If one of you could let me know that would be great )

Mary rolled her eyes at the Gryffindor’s pitiful response but did not argue the point further as Samantha gave her permission to be there. Totally out of line of course but unfortunately Mary, being only a fourth year, did not have the power to go over Samantha’s head no matter how wrong her judgment call in this case.

An older ((I am assuming?)) boy then came up and started to make a thing of it. He was right of course, in most cases Mary would have voiced her support for him, but this wasn’t any other case… Charlie cared for Samantha, which meant Mary couldn’t do anything to hurt her. SO Mary sat quietly munching on some strawberries as Kris made a thing with the boy and started barking for coffee. Of course Mary would have been more than fine getting some for him, but he never addressed her so she kept to herself feeling rather out of place – of course nobody could be as out of place as the silly Gryffindor still sitting there. Mary smirked at the thought of how the girl must be feeling now – likely regretting placing herself here where she didn’t belong and was the furthest thing from welcome.

Sooner than she knew what was happening Charlie started over. Mary did not quite know what to do with this new development as a bowl of soup made it’s way over to the Gryffindor. Samantha then preformed a simple spell and passed out. “Charlie” Mary said part in surprise, partly in greeting, and partly in sympathy trying to console him for the fact that his sister had just passed out in the Great Hall.

A girl then came up behind Kris, the annoying one form the train. She spoke to Kris as though they had a longstanding thing between them and Mary simply glared at her. If she didn’t know better Mary would have withdrew her wand at the annoying girl right then and there as Kris told her to get lost. “Can’t you see you’re just in the way you insufferable brat? Get away, what business is it of yours what goes on at the Slytherin table? Who invited you, filthy muggle lover?” Mary snarled at the girl.