Post by Headmaster Dumbledore on Sept 2, 2006 17:00:56 GMT
Albus Dumbledore made his way up the aisle separating the Ravenclaw House table and the Slytherin House table. The candles floated high above the tables, giving off a brilliant glow. Above the candles the enchanted sky twinkled clearly, mimicking the weather outside exactly. This was the first time in awhile the ceiling had been as clear as it was tonight. For the past couple of years, the opening feast’s weather had not been nice. It added great effect to his speech, however, when it was storming. Tonight – would be like no other night, and this year would be like no other year. He could feel it.
When he reached the staff table, he picked up a grape and put into his mouth before turning around and facing the hall which was empty but soon to be filled with chattering students and eager new first years. Every year, Albus got the same feeling in the pit of his stomach – and every year it made him that much more anxious to start. Slowly the doors opened to reveal a large crowd of students chatting with each other – catching up on things that were missed throughout the summer. They all headed to their tables and took their seats, but the noise didn’t die down until Albus held up both his hands and his voice boomed over everyone, “Good evening, everyone!” He then took his seat and waited for the sorting to begin. Tables erupted with cheers – and when the sorting was finished he made his way back up to the podium, where the noise greeted him once more.
Albus held up his hands again and they all stopped talking and turned to look at him, so many faces blinking with happiness. He grinned and set his hands down, “Welcome to another great year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am sure that you all are as hungry as I am,” he smiled again while a little bit of laughter came out of some students, “but there are first a few things I must address and let be made known to the incoming flow of first years.” He heard a groan from someone in the audience but they were hushed by a friend. “As most of you already know, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to everyone. It is a very dangerous place and you should not, for any reason, venture into it. Doing so will result in loss of house points and detentions. With that said, there is something else I would like to speak about.”
“Hogwarts is one school, we are all united. Whether you are a Hufflepuff, make friends with a Ravenclaw. Even if you are a Gryffindor, speak to a Slytherin. There is no wrong in making alliances, or having someone there for support in case it is needed. With everything that has been going on in the wizarding world, we need to be strong and be together as much as we possibly can. So, again, I ask you – set aside your differences and make this school whole.” He peered over his half-moon shaped glasses at everyone of the students, letting the silence swallow his words. Then he grinned, “Now, enjoy the feast! In the morning, we will begin another year of classes and fun.”
When he reached the staff table, he picked up a grape and put into his mouth before turning around and facing the hall which was empty but soon to be filled with chattering students and eager new first years. Every year, Albus got the same feeling in the pit of his stomach – and every year it made him that much more anxious to start. Slowly the doors opened to reveal a large crowd of students chatting with each other – catching up on things that were missed throughout the summer. They all headed to their tables and took their seats, but the noise didn’t die down until Albus held up both his hands and his voice boomed over everyone, “Good evening, everyone!” He then took his seat and waited for the sorting to begin. Tables erupted with cheers – and when the sorting was finished he made his way back up to the podium, where the noise greeted him once more.
Albus held up his hands again and they all stopped talking and turned to look at him, so many faces blinking with happiness. He grinned and set his hands down, “Welcome to another great year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. I am sure that you all are as hungry as I am,” he smiled again while a little bit of laughter came out of some students, “but there are first a few things I must address and let be made known to the incoming flow of first years.” He heard a groan from someone in the audience but they were hushed by a friend. “As most of you already know, the Forbidden Forest is off limits to everyone. It is a very dangerous place and you should not, for any reason, venture into it. Doing so will result in loss of house points and detentions. With that said, there is something else I would like to speak about.”
“Hogwarts is one school, we are all united. Whether you are a Hufflepuff, make friends with a Ravenclaw. Even if you are a Gryffindor, speak to a Slytherin. There is no wrong in making alliances, or having someone there for support in case it is needed. With everything that has been going on in the wizarding world, we need to be strong and be together as much as we possibly can. So, again, I ask you – set aside your differences and make this school whole.” He peered over his half-moon shaped glasses at everyone of the students, letting the silence swallow his words. Then he grinned, “Now, enjoy the feast! In the morning, we will begin another year of classes and fun.”
