The Slytherin Table 2025-2026

September 1st | Slyherin Table

After the long Sorting Ceremony, a realization set in for Milica. This is it. A new place, a new start, and new people. Honestly, the girl hated the change. She was only here for her father anyway, but she refused to let him down.

Before sitting down, Milica took a quick glance around the table. There were some.. interesting looking people, to say the least. She did not recognize anyone, at least not yet. This would surely change soon though, unfortunately.

Milica gracefully and calmly sat down, a poker face stuck on her face. The feast that seemed to appear out of thin air was truly grand. She'd always lead a comfortable life, but never had she seen this much food gathered at one table. Now, it wouldn't be shown on her face, but she was actually quite nervous about this new life. Even when she used to try to, she was never able to fit in. It was safe to assume the same would happen at Hogwarts.

Thanks to her nerves, Milica was not at all hungry. She put some food on her plate for the show, and slowly took some bites, but she wasn't truly eating. The girl was more focussed on her surroundings, trying to drown out all the noises while still remaining vigilant.

Turned out, being vigilant was absolutely unnecessary when at a certain point, the 'peace' was disturbed by two light-haired boys who must have thought it to be a great idea to run in screaming 'SERPENTARD!' and 'RAVENCLOWN!'. This was a nightmare. The girl would not have her peace disturbed by these clowns. While she prayed for them not to walk over to her table, it was to no avail. One of the boys sat down right in the middle of the first-year group, close to where she was sitting.

She truly tried not to listen, to not pay attention to the loud boy - who she quickly learned his name is Colin - but it turned out to be quite difficult. When a red-haired boy, who she also assumed to be a first-year, made a snarky comment about his behavior, Milica silently agreed. She refused to acknowledge the situation out loud, but she did roll her eyes before looking away. She herself did not participate in the conversation: they didn't deserve to know her name.

The situation got increasingly difficult to ignore when Colin's cat started walking all around the table, sniffing at other students' food. Obviously, they didn't like that. Neither did Milica, but she wasn't eating anyway, and so she easily ignored the feline. The situation was threatening to get out of hand, but just as it seemed like fighting would ensue, the opposite happened as Colin started rambling about some nonsense out of nowhere. Finally, after Colin picked up the cat, one of the other students spoke up.

Milica couldn't help the judgmental look in her eyes when she looked around her and spoke up herself. "Finally, someone with at least half a brain. I'd prefer to not have my peace disturbed in the future, thank you very much".

Mentions: @Blaize Valerian @Colin McCoire @Silas Norwood @Brutus Palmer @Aiden Sinclair

OOC notes: Feel free to interact

Skylar walked slowly toward the Slytherin table. Her footsteps were louder in her mind. The silver snake banners were hanging above as its shadow followed her. It gave off a welcoming vibe, but she did not feel that way.

A hundred eyes pressed against her back, but she kept her gaze forward with each step. When she finally reached the table, the glow of candlelight cast reflections on silver goblets and plates, and the feast began.

The food smelled like roast meat and buttery bread. They were still warm, just like they came out of the oven. Still, Skylar’s appetite had tightened around her chest. Other students had been eating, didn’t talk or say anything, but never stopped staring at her at the same time.

The eyes around the table gazed at her and gazed toward the right side of the room, where her sisters and the Hufflepuff table were. For a moment, it felt too cold, but also looked like they had curiosity.

Many conversations were gossipping, voices low, but keep staring. There was no loud applause welcoming her like she had imagined if she sorted to the Hufflepuff. Instead, there was a space. Some might be a quiet of acceptance. So, she swallowed the air and acted like nothing worried her mind.


Her hand went straight to the food, and she was just eating. Skylar reached for a drink. Her fingers were a bit trembling, but she took a sip of pumpkin juice carefully. The sweetness on her tongue gave her a bit of courage. Her chin was up, and she was trying to glance toward the Hufflepuff table herself.

Then, she saw her sisters sitting there, whispering to each other with furrowed brows. That scene had tightened something inside her mind again.

She straightened her back and let out a sigh. She lifted a piece of bread to her plate. Skylar told herself she should stop worrying about what her family thinks. If this was meant to be her place, then she would make it hers.

While Rafal doubtless considers many of the traits and stereotypes associated with his house of snakes to be more than unfair, even he, at times, has to admit that a fair number of those impressions are well-earned. To name one, wand to his throat? The first to come to mind would be chaos.

The newly promoted second year does not believe it is at all far-fetched to expect that his fellow housemates would at the very least, wait till after the very first hour back at school is over to start causing ruckus, but it appears he was dearly mistaken on that case. The infamous Colin McCoire as the instigator - who Rafal admits, can be a riot at times, though the timing is far too off to give that impression at the moment. The first day of school, everyone is more tightly wound than usual.

There is a short stint with Colin and his cat, tame considering the person involved in question. Rafal does not see the need to speak up himself, and instead continues to make short work of his apple pie - since unsurprisingly, a fair number of fellow students have already grown disgruntled, and few seem to harbour qualms toward expressing such. Rafal cannot say he is at all familiar with Colin on a personal level, but the boy does seem to hold an uncanny knack for bringing out either the best or worse in others.

It is when the girl next to him speaks, that Rafal’s attention is at last drawn from his exquisite dessert. He glances sideways toward the source of the steely voice, swallows the last bits of the pie, and considers his new housemate. Freshly sorted into Slytherin, she had been silent up until the events which drew everyone’s attention. Dark hair, pale skin, smoky eyes - she certainly commits to an aesthetic. He is indisputably intrigued.

No reason not to go for it. He clears his throat. "Um, hello." Straightening up, Rafal adjusts himself so that he is facing more towards the girl’s general direction. He tries for a friendly smile. Classic. "Welcome to Hogwarts. I’m Rafal, how about you?"

Interacting with @Milica Vranekova || Mentioning @Colin McCoire

September 1st | Slyherin Table

She should've known the people around her wouldn't leave it at that. After Milica spoke up, letting the table know of her disgruntled feelings of being disturbed, she expected the others to leave her alone. Ignore her. As she preferred.

As fate would happen, the opposite was true. She was still mindlessly stabbing her food with her fork, trying to blend in, when she heard a sound come out of the person sitting next to her. Her head snapped towards him immediately, taking in the stranger.

Milica is quite tall for her age, towering over most first years during the Sorting Ceremony. Imagine her surprise when she had to look up to look into the boy's eyes. The boy's green-blue eyes and curly blonde hair truly stood out to her. If she cared, she would realize this was actually quite a handsome boy. Fortunately, she doesn't.

The boy seemed to straighten up before introducing himself to her. He had a smile on his face, one which Milica couldn't place. Why is he smiling at her? Strangers never smiled at Milica. Well, they did, but only when they wanted something. What could this boy - Rafal - want from her? Was he dangerous?

Milica managed to keep the suspicious look off her face, opting for a blank expression instead. The only way to find out is to play along. Keep your friends close, but keep your enemies closer, her mother always said to her. She responded calmly, backed up by her own fake confidence. "It's Milica. I'm.. better, now that all the ruckus is cleared."

It was her turn to clear her throat now. Honestly, she didn't know what to say, as this potential killer had quite a charm to him. Even though she pretended not to care, she was genuinely quite intrigued by this boy. "I assume you're not in your first year. What year are you?"

Mentions: @Rafal Devereux

OOC notes: it's not you, it's her

The girl’s reaction is instantaneous - her head snaps toward him sharply, head tilting upwards to meet his eyes. Rafal would be lying if he said her piercing gaze does not unnerve him, if ever so slightly; though in an anomalous turn, the fact only further invigorates the boy, rather than hamper his intrigue.

Her name is Milica, and she… is an enigma, for Rafal, contrary to the norm, cannot deduce any emotion, nor potential insights into her mind from the frustrating blank mask the girl has chosen to don. Vexing, but not altogether unexpected - the snakes were always an austere bunch. When one looks at it that way, perhaps it is fortunate that the house still has overtly obtrusive occupants such as Colin.

Well, no matter. Rafal is patient. He keeps up his amiable countenance, nods sympathetically in response to her words. "I can imagine. This probably isn’t the most ideal introduction to your new house, especially with our testy reputation and all." Flashing a quick grin, he adds jokingly, "Don’t worry, most of us don’t have such devilish pets. As a whole, we’re more into tarantulas. Or the occasional Emerald Gazer."

"Aye, that’s right." Props to Milica for the precise assumption, though to be fair, it wasn’t exactly much of a secret. "Second year here, so I’m not a whole lot older than yourself." A short pause falls where Rafal considers his next words, twirling his fork around his fingers absentmindedly. Oh, yes! "So, how are you finding this place so far? The food is dead good, right?"

Interacting with @Milica Vranekova

September 1st | Slyherin Table

Overall, the boy seated next to Milica surprised her. She was never the best conversationalist, yet here she was, engaging in actual conversation. The reason why he spoke to her was still unclear though. Hence, she didn't let her guard down, even though he didn't seem like a threat. After all, one never knows what the person across from them is actually thinking.

As Rafal spoke, Milica listened intently, her face finally showing a sliver of interest. "Tarantulas, huh.." This reminded her of her pet spider at home: Onyx. Her parents told her he couldn't come with her to Hogwarts. Apparently, that would 'scare the other students'. Jokes on you, dad.

Not once during the conversation did Milica nod or make sounds to let Rafal know she was actually listening. She just stared at him while he was talking. Well, she learned that her earlier assumption appeared to be correct: the boy was indeed not a first year. To be fair, she actually thought he'd be a third year, but there was no reason to tell him that. A win is a win.

When Rafal paused, Milica started getting nervous. She actually hadn't contributed much to the conversation and wasn't sure what to do here. Keep engaging in conversation? It wasn't even that horrible, besides the fact that she was speaking to a wizard. Still, what would she say? During this mental battle, she grabbed her fork once again and stabbed it into her food, actually taking it to her mouth and eating it this time, as a way to keep herself from physically fidgeting.

After the short pause which actually felt like hours, the boy spoke up again. "Hogwarts.. it's okay." In truth, it was better than okay. "I must admit, I was mesmerized by the Great Lake on the way over here. However, the people are loud and distracting. I just wish they could be less.. annoying." Here she was, complaining about people again. Typical. "The food is fine, I guess. At least it's not poisoned." While most people would interpret this as a joke, Milica had a serious look in her eyes. "So Rafal, as an older year, do you have any tips to survive this place?"

Mentions: @Rafal Devereux

OOC notes: none

The more time Rafal spends with this girl, the more he wishes to know. As he speaks, Milica’s countenance remains inscrutable, giving nothing away. She simply stares, eyes as fortified as the rest of her. The second year loves it. He is now invested. Digging deep into mysteries, uncovering secrets - that is the sort of thing which revitalises him. And the new Slytherin certainly fits into that category.

It does not take a genius to see that silence, however momentary, can be classified into the list of things that puts Rafal’s new friend off her stroke. He mentally files this fun fact away for later. One never knows whatever seemingly inconsequential detail may end up useful. Not much of a list, considering the entire index consists of exactly one bullet point - but it’s a start.

Ah. The Great Lake. "Solid choice," he offers. "I’ve been here a year, and it’s still one of my favourite places." Raising an eyebrow at Milica’s proclamation, Rafal can’t help but feel a sense of begrudging veneration from the girl’s incredible forthrightness. No beating around the bush, as they say. How exactly should one respond to a statement such as that, however?

When in doubt, everybody loves to be told they’re right. He dons a visage of contemplation, gaze fixed ruminatively on some spot behind her head. "I suppose you are not incorrect about that." Eyes drifting back to fix on Milica, he adds, somewhat earnestly, "Poison symptoms can take hours to manifest, with some slow-acting versions working by delayed reaction." A pause. "So none of us are out of the woods just yet."

Ah. The classic imprinting of wisdom to the younger generation. A trope in almost all non-fiction books, though Rafal is technically only a year older. He has nothing substantial to offer. "Well," Not completely barren, however. "If you’re going to be spending a lot of time at the lake, don’t decide it’s a good idea to go for swims." Rafal has heard stories.

"There’s a lot of very dark, slimy, creatures there - " he glances at Milica. "- though I do have a feeling you’re not exactly the type to be put off by that. But they’re always looking to try out new recipes, so unless you wanna end up in some sort of mermaid seaweed burrito, steer clear."

A lull. "Herman’s nice, though."

Interacting with @Milica Vranekova

Milica couldn't help but feel a tinge of pride when she found out that the older boy shared her intrigue of the Great Lake. She knew she was a great judge of places, and this only confirmed it. A slight hint of a smile appeared on her face. The decision on the question that had been silently troubling her mind ever since the start of the conversation was finally made: Rafal was friendly. He was not to be underestimated though, as shown by his follow-up on her comment about poison. She couldn't let her guard down completely. Still, she was almost certain he meant her no harm, at least not for now. Besides, his company was not entirely unpleasant. Overall, this could be counted as her first positive interaction ever since she said goodbye to her parents this morning. Milica - Wizarding World: 1-0, she mused.

Still, his comment about poison surprised her. Was this true? Whatever the answer, was this a joke? Obviously, if this was the truth, it was good to know. Due to her non-magical upbringing, she knew she was one step behind most people at Hogwarts. Perhaps it would be a good idea to spend some time with knowledgeable people, at least to get her own grasp of the Wizarding World up to par. "Well, I'll be sure to keep that in mind," she responded, narrowing her eyes at the thought of other students trying to poison her.

Thankfully, for her sanity, the conversation shifted back to the lake. Apparently, it's not a good idea to go for a swim in there. Rafal said something about dark creatures, but Milica only listened with half an ear. "I'd love to take a plunge in the Great Lake one day," she started off uncharacteristically dreamily. "But I don't want to get into trouble, so perhaps I'll steer clear of it for now."

She was looking at her plate again when Rafal suddenly made some comment about a Herman. "Herman?" she questioned, intrigue and suspicion in her voice. "Is he another student here?" In all honesty, Milica was impressed by the older boy's experiences at Hogwarts. At this point, it was clear to her that acquaintancing herself with Rafal was in her best interest. Therefore, there was a sliver of hope that the two would meet - and speak - again after the feast. For now though, she was done socializing. The day had been long and her mind had a lot of new impressions to take in. After the boy's response, she looked back at her plate tiredly, effectively stopping the conversation. She truly hoped that he would not take it too personal.

Mentions: @Rafal Devereux

OOC notes: none