Holiday Dinner (OPEN TO ALL STUDENTS)

[professors]

The great hall was decorated in full. There was mistletoe placed in various locations, Trees dressed ornately, and different colored candles lit the hall from above their heads. Professor Albus Dumbledore had been at Hogwarts for many years, and he enjoyed every aspect of it. He still had to admit that this was his favorite time of year, a time where unity was encouraged and peace reigned. It was much appreciated, even if it was only for a moments time. He looked around at the four tables, each lined with students he believed had more potential than they were aware of. For once he did not see them as students in separate houses, but as different people. Of course the house division still existed, that was obvious by the students sitting in their usual groups...some talking with other groups while others stuck to their own.

For a few minutes he allowed his students to talk amongst themselves before he stood in an attempt to capture their attention. When that didn’t work he cast a sonorus charm on himself then said “SILENCE!” His magically enhanced voice making him sounding much louder than he really had been. Instantly the great hall started quieting down and the headmaster was able to speak without being interrupted “This meal has been graciously prepared for us before you all head home for the holiday, I do hope you enjoy it. Following dinner our Christmas ball will be held here in the great hall, you will be allowed two hours to get ready for that. I suggest you use it wisely.” This was aimed at the girls, particularly the older ones who seemed to take longer to prepare themselves. He looked around at the students once more , saying “Dig in.” before removing the charm and sitting back down in his seat. The reaction was instantaneous, the minute the headmaster sat down the students were back to chatting as they filled their plates. He couldn’t help but smile as they enjoyed themselves, for many had no idea that the outside world was beginning to change.




((OOC: Basically Hogwarts is having a Holiday dinner and Christmas ball to give the students some peace, the wizarding world outside of Hogwarts is beginning to change. This thread is open to everyone, and precedes the Christmas Ball. ))

[sirius orion black]

The spirit of the holidays was in the air. The Hogwarts students and staff alike can smell it. It was impossible not to- not with all the decorations and excitement that filled the Great Hall. The excitement of the students, whose anticipation were running high for the ball and for the upcoming holiday, was apparent by the sound of the loud animated chatters from each of the house tables. The students were incredibly loud in such a way that it was not impossible to tell which house was contributing to the overall noise the most. In fact, the hall's noise was more than enough to cover Sirius Black's rather loud bark-like laughter. His laughter, was reduced to softer snickers when Dumbledore commanded everyone to be silent. "Oh shut up Moony." He mouthed to Remus, who was apparently the reason why he just laughed, as he elbowed Peter to stop him from laughing. However, James had made a face right across from him causing both him and Peter to double over in silent laughter.

Upon recovering, Sirius, like the rest of the student body, turned to Dumbledore and listened to his opening remarks. He could not help but grin rather widely at the old man when he said they must use the time to prepare wisely. "We'll use it well, alright." He muttered devilishly, stealing a glance at his friends, a mischievous glint in his eyes. Of course, Sirius Black will not need long preparation time for the ball. He was just going to put on his dress robes and run a hand through his black hair. That would take about five minutes. But, just like always, the preparation time would not only be spent dressing up for the occasion. Sirius had other things to do with that two hours, like brainstorming and setting up a last minute but awesome prank. Time was never an issue with the Marauders. They were creative and talented enough to cause trouble even if they did not have much time. Extra time had always been just an added bonus.

The next thing he knew the food appeared and the holiday dinner began. Sirius wasted no time and dug in. Despite the fact that he disliked his parents and their blood-purist traditions, some of the Black aristocratic manners that had been drilled into his brain, like table manners, were retained. It was evident in the way he forked his ham and sliced his cheese. After a few bites, he turned to his friends. "So, what do you guys have in mind?" Sirius said, eyeing his friends meaningfully, gray eyes held its signature naughty glint. The Black heir needed not be specific with his inquiry. It was obvious that he was referring to pranking ideas just by looking in his eyes.

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