The Great Hall: The Morning After the Tragedy

[Nasser Salah G6]

((This thread is for anybody who would like to post. I thought it would be interesting for each of us to post their impressions after the news.))

It was the morning after the tragedy. There was no laughter to be heard in the hall, none of the excitement as a new day begun at the school; it was like Nasser was in a different place. He took his usual place at the Gryffindor table depressed and thoughtful, looking around him at the others. There was the usual chorus of "Morning, Nasser" from his friends and fellow Gryffindors, but no happy smiles as they awaited the arrival of the Headmaster and their other teachers. Hermione had not yet arrived, and Nasser wondered whether she would feel up to leaving her bed that day. Even the first and second years were subdued, and there was none of the usual teasing.

Nasser looked across him at the other side of the room. The Hufflepuffs looked even worse than the Gryffindors; Brain Sullivan after all had been one of them, not only that but he was a person anybody would feel proud to have in their house. Nasser was reminded of the time when Cedric Diggory had died, he had been back in his third year during that time. It was in that moment that Nasser how realized how much he hated Lord Voldemort, and he was filled with a hatred so enormous that Nasser could not believe he could hate that much. It was then he realized how much they all needed to be united, and how much of a threat The Dark Lord was to all of them.

Harry Potter had not yet arrived, but Nasser now truly knew the meaning of the words he had spoken in their DA sessions, and how much they needed to prepare themselves for the days to come. Lord Voldemort had struck again, and nobody knew what would happen in the days to come.

[Kim Sullivan H4]

Back to normal, back to normal... over and over Kim kept repeating the words of her mother as she walked through the halls. She'd been sent back to school because she had to get back to normal things and stop thinking about the attack all the time. That was simply impossible for Kim. More and more she'd heard that the Death Eaters wanted Hermione and not Brian. So why did they kill him instead? It was because Hermione was friends with Harry that was why no doubt. They were always doing things and saving the world, so that's why they wanted them dead. Why Brian though, he didn't do that stuff, he wasn't even friends with Harry.

Down the staircase Kim walked silently and slowly, the usual bounce in her step was gone and the girl who normally couldn't be quiet for 2 seconds was now to all, a mute. It was entirely Hermione's fault, Kim nodded at that. If Hermione hadn't always butted into things that she wasn't suppose to then there would be no reason to attack her, that was true enough. Kim was in no mood to see Hermione, but if she should happen to see her, Kim would have no trouble ending her silence to tell Hermione just how wrong she was and how entirely her fault the whole thing was.

With a scowl on her face, Kim shoved open the door to the Great Hall and entered quietly and headed right to the Hufflepuff table. Sitting down on the bench so as she could face the Gryffindor table, Kim glared over and tried to find Hermione but she wasn't there. She was probably being protected by every professor now of course. That always happened, they could do whatever and get away with it. In silence Kimberly sat at the table, not bothering to get a plate or anything to eat at all. Simply sitting and waiting for the clock to ring and force her to march off to her first class of the day.

[Nasser Salah G6]

A forlorn figure made its way to the Hufflepuff table. It was Kimberly Sullivan. Nasser could not believe this was the same carefree light-hearted girl of yesterday. She sat down looking upset and depressed and said nothing to anyone. This was Kimberly who no-one could shut up. This was the same person who talked about everything under the sun whenever she could, now it was like that part of her never existed. Nasser was suddenly surprised as he watched her and noticed she took a quick glance at the Gryffindors, and she did not look sad. She looked fierce and alarming, and for the second time Nasser could not believe this was the same person he knew. He could not fathom why she glared so ferociously at them but she seemed not to find the person or thing she was looking for and she qucikly looked away from them.

Nasser looked over to see if Sethia Wagner had arrived. He wanted to make sure she was alright after this terrible news. Nasser then transferred his gaze to the Slytherins who were whispering conspirationally. They seemed to be up to something, and Nasser did not like the cunning and gleeful looks in their eyes. Whatever they were up to it was definitely no good. He noticed that Perseus had not joined their quiet conversation. He wished Dumbledore would hurry up and come; the presence of the Headmaster always soothed his nerves. You always felt safe when Albus Dumbledore was around. "It's going to be a long day" thought Nasser, looking around him at the downcast faces of the others.

[Melantha Aradia S7]

Melantha entered the Great Hall a day after the great news had reached her. She had quite the noticeable cheer in her smile as she progressed down the Slytherin table to her friends. Looking across the table she grinned at how the hall was so deadly silent this morning as everyone seemed to be upset for some reason. Then she spied her, that little girl who couldn't be quiet for a moment, the little sister of the one who was killed. Looking at her a bit longer a cruel thought ran across her mind as she watched the little girl glaring around. She appeared to be staring at the Gryffindor table. Perhaps she was looking for that mudblood Hermione. "Excuse me" she said to her friends as she got up and elegantly walked over to the Hufflepuff table, ignoring the stares of others.

Gracefully she sat down next to the little girl and put her arm around her. Leaning close to her so that no one else could hear, Melantha whispered to her. "It's unfortunate that your brother died. Of course you know that if that mudblood Granger wasn't there, your brother would still be alive today." Melantha paused for a while as she looked down the Hufflepuff table and glared at the others who were now all staring at her with their mouths open in disbelief. After her words had hopefully sunk in, she leaned closer to Kim and continued. "There are some of us who are also upset with Granger and her behavior of late. We're planning on.." Melantha paused a moment as she searched for a nice way of stating what they were going to do. "We're going to teach a bit of a lesson in manners you see, she can be quite annoying can't she" Melantha stated that rather than asking.

Without waiting for a reply she took out a small piece of parchment and quill, quickly she scribed on it a few words. "Here" she said handing it to Kim "we're meeting at that time and place, show up if you want to help us." With that Melantha stood up and walked out of the Great Hall.

[Kim Sullivan H4]

Kim was shaken from her deep trance by someone sitting next to them and putting an arm around her. Looking over she saw it to be not a Hufflepuff but a Slytherin. Pulling back quickly Kim tried to get away from her firm grasp but found it little use as the older girl had her. Unable to leave, Kim listened to the girl speak and was taken back by her words. She seemed to understand exactly how Kim was feeling right now. Nodding slowing Kim agreed that Hermione did have a big part in Brian's death.

Sitting quietly, Kim saw the older girl pull out a parchment, write something on it then hand it to her. It was a time, and a place on the school grounds far from the main entrance. Stuffing the paper into her pocket, Kim looked up to ask some questions about this but the girl was already walking out the large door. Shrugging, Kim looked at the parchment once more and pondered going to this meeting.

[morganan]

Hendrix skipped up the stairs; she was in a simply delightful mood. The attacks and the recent meeting with her friends had completely lifted her spirits, the only thing that could make it worse was if the Dark Lord himself turned up and vanquished every mudblood and half-breed around. Her long brown hair was flying behind her, as she reached the landing of the bottom floor, there were many great features of having a dormitory in the dungeons below the school. She looked around her, everyone seemed slow low, so downtrodden, especially the mudbloods, she loved it, a smirk forming on her face. “Good morning,” she said cheerfully to a passer-by, who looked at her in shock, “Whatever is the matter?” she asked with a smile. Hendrix did not even wait for an answer she just sauntered her way to the Great Hall and breakfast.

She stepped into the hall, and looked around, her friends were there already, talking and planning she hoped, the other students all looked the same, sad and forlorn, how droll. She strolled her slender body over to the Slytherin table and her friends, “Great morning isn’t it?” she asked as she took her seat. She spent the next few minutes talking and laughing with the others, until she saw her Kimberly Sullivan enter the hall, her face cast in a scowl. Hendrix watched her, and then as she sat, a few minutes alter Melantha went over to speak to her, and Hendrix had a pretty good idea what the topic was about. Hendrix stood slowly, “Excuse me,” she said in a deliberate tone, as she moved from her seat and over to the Hufflepuff table, she just got the last few words Melantha spoke as she sat on the other side of Kim.

Hendrix put on her best sad face and then looked at Kim, “Hi,” she said in a comforting tone, “It was terrible to hear about you brother. A tragedy really, and just think it was all because he was with that Granger girl,” she shook her head sadly. “You know, if she wasn’t such a know-it-all, and always in other people’ affairs this probably wouldn’t have happened? Oh but you don’t mind me Kimberly, I am sure she has expressed her sorrow at what happened to Brian. Hasn’t she?” Hendrix looked at Kim, trying to fight back a smirk. “What am I saying of course she has? How silly of me. Kimberly if you ever want to talk, I am here. I know we have never really spoken, and you have probably heard terrible things about me, but I am not as bad as they paint me out to be.” She got up and began to move back to her seat, she looked back over her shoulder, “Tell me did anything happen to Granger? Or did she get off scot-free?” with that Hendrix left Kim alone and walked back to the Slytherin table, a huge smirk on her face, as she looked at Melantha.

[Nasser Salah G6]

Nasser could not believe what the Slytherin seventh year Hendrix Night said. "Whats's the matter? What's the matter?" thought Nasser to himself, getting angrier by the minute. His anger however became surprise as he watched two Slytherin girls approach Kimberly Sullivan, the sister of the dead boy. "What are they up to now?" he wondered. Nasser knew the Slytherins; they were so cunning and devious it was obvious they were up to no good. "They definitely have something in mind, and I don't think its that they just want to offer Kimberly there condolences," he thought, looking for Sethia. The Hufflepuff prefect might have heard them talking to Kimberly, and she might have an idea of what was going on. Kimberly after all had just lost her brother, and this was the perfect time for the Slytherins to try and use this oppurtunity.

[sethia]

Sethia walked down to the Great Hall, she had heard the news just minutes ago and she was in shock…Brian Sullivan was dead. How could that be, she had see him just a day or two ago, how could he be dead? The story as she heard it was, there had been an attack on Hermione and Brian in a store, some other people were killed as well, but there main target had been Hermione. Sethia walked slowly down the stair, her arms hanging at her sides, her foot landed softly on the stone floors of the entrance hall, everyone was in a sombre mood she could tell, they all were suffering the loss of one of their own.

Sethia made her way into the Great Hall and was on her way to the Hufflepuff talbe when she saw an unbelievable sight, Hendrix Night and Melantha Aradia talking to Kimberly Sullivan, Brian’s sister. Sethia stood there stunned, and she was not the only one by the looks of things, everyone was curious as to why these two cold-hearted Slytherin girls would want to talk to Kim. Sethia watched the two as the circled like sharks to blood, around Kim, Sethia did not want to get into anything with them at that point, knowing their feelings on muggle-borns. Sethia looked across the table and spotted Nasser, her newly acquainted friend, she gave him a weak smile and then looked back at Kim.

Once the Slytherin girls left Sethia got up and went over to Kim, “Hey Kim. How you holding up?” Sethia knew how it was to lose someone who was dear to you, she had been there before and hoped that she could help.

[Nasser Salah G6]

Nasser was looking at the Ravenclaw table, but he couldn't see any of his friends. Looking back at the Hufflepuffs, he noticed that Sethia had arrived. She gave Nasser a weak smile which Nasser returned and then she went up to Kimberly. Sethia of course looked a bit stunned, but at least she was able to smile. As Nasser knew, she had learned the hard way how to cope with sadness. Nasser was sure it wasn't easy, but look at Sethia now, a prefect and a good student.

She did not approach her until the Slytherins left, and Nasser did not think she heard what they were telling Kimberly. Both the seventh years looked pleased about something, and Nasser did not like that look. He wondered just what they were planning now. This last attack was having its effect on the school. Nasser would have to watch his step, especially around the Slytherins.

[Kim Sullivan H4]

Kim listened intently as the second Slytherin girl spoke to her. Again it all made good sense as she got up and walked away it finally hit her. She was quite right, Hermione had gotten away without a scratch! Looking down at the little bit of parchment i her hand she studied the location and time of the meeting. It was later today and she would be free at the time.

As she sat there looking at the note she heard a more familiar voice address her. Quickly stuffing the parchment into her pocket, Kim nodded slightly at Sethia. "I'm fine" she lied as she took a plate. Now that she had this note, it provided her with something of a reason for living and as such she realized how hungry she was. Putting a few things on her plate she began to eat as she lazily looked around the room and once more glared at the Gryffindors, waiting for Hermione to enter, or Harry, or a Weasley, it really didn't matter much to Kim for she considered them all about the same. Just a bunch of do gooders who are always into things they shouldn't be.

[Squall]

Dean Thomas walked into the Great Hall thinking " Oh man not Brian. He was a good friend and a good person." He saw Brians little sister and walked over to her and said " Hello , I knew your brother well and he was a very good friend. If you need anything just ask me , I'll be glad to help." and walked over to the Gryffindor table and sat with Nasser. He said " I can't believe it. I mean an attack in broad daylight. Harry was right we do have to be prepared for anything. What do you think?"

[Nasser Salah G6]

Nasser looked at Dean who had just arrived, and sighed heavily. His thoughts were still preoccupied with what was happening at the Hufflepuff table. The usually cheerful Nasser looked at Dean and replied "I think its definitely time we prepared ourselves. You-Know-Who is not our only enemy you know. A lot of Death Eaters are out there, and a lot of their children are here at Hogwarts. We'll have to watch our steps, especially muggle-borns like me. Like you said this attack happened in broad daylight. Who knows what's going to happen next?" he said, his voice slightly louder than usual.

It did not look like Professor Dumbledore was going to discuss the attack. Nasser stuck his fork into some scrambled eggs, feeling like he would rather eat nothing. Kimberly was still giving the Gryffindors several murderous looks. Nasser wondered if the Slytherins had anything to do with it. He noticed her start eating after they left, this was a bit surprising since she had looked like she did not feel like eating a few minutes ago. Feeling like the bell would never ring and they would never leave the Hall he put his fork down and asked Dean "Did you know Brian?"

[Squall]

Dean said " Yeah , I knew Brian well. He was a year older than me and he was also going with Hermione. We played Quidditch against each other and both had the same interest , but he was always cheerful and good to everybody he knew. If he was here right now he would be smiling and laughing and be carefree. Man he was a very good friend. Did you know him?"

[Nasser Salah G6]

"Well no not personally," replied Nasser. "I mean I'd seen him on the Quidditch pitch and in corridors and stuff, but we never talk... I mean talked to each other. However everybody had a good word to say about him and expected him do well in the future. I know about him and Hermione. I haven't seen her since we heard about the attack. I wonder how she's holding up." Thinking once again that he'd like to go and comfort his new friend Sethia, who must have known Brian since they were in the same house, Nasser thought about Brian's others friends and how they must feel right now. "Who else was friends with him? I mean you saw him in class and you say you guys were friends, so you must know that."

The conversation was only making both of them more miserable. Nasser wished again the bell would ring and they could go back to resuming their normal life. If there was such a thing as a normal life anymore.