Something Extra to Talk About open

Dialogue: X | Thoughts: X

Reducio

Irina didn't had the best coming back to Hogwarts after the winter break. Things had went crazy and out of hand it reminded her why she used to be not so keen in meeting knew people, perhaps the Irina from the beginning of this school year had been wiser then what she had become now. Maybe is time to start focus on school and on her grades instead of in crazy relationships...some of those had done nothing to her personal goals or added anything relevantly good or productive to her young life. Obviously she was thinking about a particular dark-haired boy seated some spots to her right. She made a short glance towards him before giving another bite to her toast, a little more violently then what was needed to an harmless piece of bread with butter.

She gave an audible sigh and 'huff' while looking at the Ravenclaw table, to no one in particular, her eyes were not focusing at anything really...at least until Van Gogh entered her range of vision and looked back at her. "I like your sweater!" Irina said to Loops while he was taking the seat across from her, blocking her vision to the blue and bronze table. Not that she would complaining...all room was decorated in blue and bronze, since Ravenclaw had won the house cup that month. Not even to celebrate Christmas and New Year's Eve that guys got their noses out of books, it's impressive actually!

"Morning" her friend greeted her and the others at the Slytherin table as he was starting to serve himself for something to eat. Porridge was in his menu and she couldn't avoid making a disgusted grimace, "How can people eat that? It so...yeeek!" She said now with an amused smile. Smile that disappeared as soon as she saw her friends reaction... "What?!" she heard him splutter towards an older student that was reading the Daily Prophet. "What happened?" Irina asked concerned feeling a tendril of panic seeing the expression on her friend's face. Then she looked up at the ceiling looking for Luna, her family's owl. She always delivers her an exemplar of the wizard's newspaper. But that morning she seemed to be running later than usual.

"What's wrong Loops?" She asked narrowing her eyes towards the boy while he was giving back the newspaper to its not so looking pleased owner. "You- erm-- shouldn't believe everything you read in the papers." He was saying to the older Slytherin student. Loops seemed to be more disturbed then what would be considered normal for someone just reading a random article...she leaned towards her friend, so that he could hear her when she spoke to him in a low voice, "Loops...what is this about? What happened? Are you okay?..." Noticing that those were enough questions for just one round she stopped, her eyes searching for Loops' brown ones to try to understand if he was alright or whatever was bothering him so much. She waited until he got ready to talk to her.

@Rebecca Loops | @Colin McCoire | @Violet Grace | @Jannette Applebottom | @Lucian Mornstern

Others
Violet

Violet managed to wake up and go to the great hall not too late because of the extreme sleepiness she was feeling at that moment, so that was a win. She rubbed her eyes in sleepiness as she approached the slytherin table, sitting with her snek squad. She definitely needed coffee right now if she wanted to stay awake today! A delicious, preferably more sweet-y breakfast could make her feel better but unfortunately she was disappointed to see that the breakfast today was really bland, it would be nice if she at least cared to eat enough to not stay hungry this morning. She sighed. She kinda wished she wasn’t so choosy.

Rebecca approached their table wearing a Van Gogh themed sweater and Irina complimented it and Violet agreed with her. “Yeah! ..it is cute” she said with a smile. Then he said “Morning” and Vee and Irina said it back to him at the same time.

Violet noticed a disgusted grimace on Ree’s face. "How can people eat that? It so...yeeek!" She was talking about the Porridge at the menu. “Yeah, I know right?” Vee agreed with her again. “I tried it once but its just..not tasty at all. Its almost like eating nothing!” She made a disgusted face too involuntarily. “How can people like it. Food should be enjoyable!”

However her attention spot changed when she heard Rebecca gagging on his pumpkin juice.

“What?!”

“What happened?” Irina asked before Vee could.

Violet heard Rebecca saying to an older slytherin student to not believe everything written in the papers. He seemed disturbed and that made Vee curious. “What did it say?” She asked him, tilting her head.

"Loops...what is this about? What happened? Are you okay?..." Irina seemed to wanna know the answer too, Violet assumed they both realized there was something odd about Rebecca’s behaviour.

@Rebecca Loops@Irina Sousa

Attire: Usual school day attire: robes, shirt (buttons mismatched), tie (undone), kilt, neck ring, no shoes.

Reducio

Colin had been in a dream since last evening! It had been such an amazing dream, too! He and Clair sitting at the Slytherin table yesterday evening and --- oh my goodness! The best thing about the dream is that it was all real! They had really sat here. They had really talked. The memory of it had been seared into Colin's memory. And his heart soared as it had never done before!

This could explain why any groggy young Slytherins already at the table could hear joyous whoops coming from beyond the great hall the morning after Christmas holiday! Colin came charging into the place after a nice morning run in the crisp Highland air. "YEEEEEEEOOOOHHH!!!" Colin cried as his bare feet thumped against the cool stones of the hall floor. Heading straight for where the Snek Squad was assembling, he called out to them: "VEERINALOOOOOPS!!" Rebecca Loops looked quite upset about something, Colin noted. Probably not enough sausage in his diet.

Coming up behind Loops at a run, he wrapped his arms around his friend and shook him in a fierce hug! "LOOPS! You made it back from muggledom! How was your Christmas? Does Santa visit muggle houses, even? Me and Rina and Niffler waited up aaaallll night to catch Santa in the common room until we fell asleep anyway!" Colin jumped up onto the wooden bench then crouched down and, bopping his to some inner music, at last sat more or less properly.

"WHOA! Flummery!" Colin scooped out a bowlful of the delicious oat porridge before piling some bacon and sausage and eggs onto his plate. "Hey Veee!!! RIIIINA!!" He picked a couple strands of long grass out of his hair. "Why do you all look so glum, eh?" He gave Loops a nudge in his ribs. "Did something happen?" He looked around. "Where's Niffler? It's not like that lassie to miss a meal!"

@Rebecca Loops | @Irina Sousa | @Violet Grace | @Jannette Applebottom

Rebecca met Violet and Irina's questioning looks, not sure how to explain. "I was in Diagon Alley on the day of the explosion. I mean-- I was right there, getting an owl from the Menagerie."

He cringed a little, realizing that sounded more dramatic than he'd meant it to be. "I'm fine! Obviously! I'm not hurt or anything, it was just a weird way for a Friday afternoon to end up, but the way the Prophet is making it sound--" he pointed at the offending newspaper. "They're making it seem like it was some big political statement from somebody, but it wasn't!"

Rebecca shook his head, trying to put his logic into words. "If I were part of a group that wanted to scare people, then I'd announce who I was when I did the scaring. Like with Voldemort's lot in the nineties, they had a signature, they'd leave a Dark Mark hovering over the crime scene. Every time. There was nothing like that with Diagon Alley, just an exploded shop. The Prophet's just... I don't know. Lying?"

He shrugged, a little nervously. "I mean, you know I think the Ministry's a bunch of stuck-ups, but this is--"

At that moment Rebecca felt himself scooped up by a gangly pair of arms and shaken about like a limp kitten. "ACK!" Rebecca yelped, but he was grinning. He only knew of one boy who would attack him like this.

"LOOPS! You made it back from muggledom! How was your Christmas? Does Santa visit muggle houses, even? Me and Rina and Niffler waited up allll night to catch Santa in the common room until we fell asleep anyway!" Colin babbled as he yanked Rebecca by the scruff of his sweater.

Rebecca attempted to answer the rapid-fire questions as best he could. "Yes, good, yes, and Christ, what were you even planning on doing once you caught the old man? Hold him for ransom?"

It did him no good, as Colin was immediately distracted by the enticing smell of breakfast. Rebecca shivered, Colin's arms were cold and judging by the bits of lawn he had plastered all over his legs and feet, he'd been out this morning running on the grounds like a madman.

Colin nudged Rebecca gently in the ribs. "Why do you all look so glum, eh? Did something happen?"

Rebecca took another bite of food and grimaced. "Something odd in the Daily Prophet, the Ministry's hamming up a story about S.C.A.R.A.B., y'know, the squib rights group?" He spoke through a mouthful of toast, then swallowed before continuing. "And it's not even the first time, I heard my dad talking about the attack on the Hogwarts Express last year, the prophet put that on SCAR too, but there's no way a squib could have gotten off the train without apparating. It's fear-mongering."

(Rebecca wasn't 100% sure what fear-mongering meant, but it's what his sister had said at the time, and it sounded like the right word.)

He leaned his chin onto Colin's shoulder as he stole a bite of bacon and hummed thoughtfully as he chewed. "I don't usually read the Daily Prophet, my family's subscribed to the Quibbler anyway, but it's all wrong. Writing about this sort of thing-- they're trying to make SCAR seem bad just because they're the only ones who have anything negative to say about how the ministry is treating half-breeds and squibs."

Reducio

Oufit: trousers + blue sweater

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Name: Jannette Applebottom
Date: Early January
Location: Great Hall
Outfit: Slytherin Uniform

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It sucked that the break went by so quickly, she honestly couldn’t believe it. Over the past two weeks, Jannette Applebottom had a pretty good 2022. She met new friends, experienced a win in the monthly house cup, and most importantly, got gifts from Santa. But, like everything in life, all good things have to end. Now, the spring semester is here. Maybe next year Jannette will ask good o’l Santa for a time turner so she could repeat Winter Break forever!

Heading to the great hall, Jannette waddled in as a typical first-year would. Hogwarts felt different now Winter break is over, students were already swarmed into the place like flies. Jannette quickly searched around for her friends at the table cloaked with emerald green and silver; seats were always a warzone, and Jannette wanted to make sure no one took her seat (Like really didn't anyone know the untold rules that once someone sits in a seat it’s their seat forever!) Luckily, the brunette found the iconic Snek Squad group together.

With a wide smile showing her dimples, Jannette walks her Snek Squad friend listening to them talk about Santa. “Aye, AND we were gonna prove once ‘n fer all dah ‘e exis’s.”¹ She chortled, from behind the group, “Sorry fer bein’ la’e oi 'ad teh feed Melrose 'n she was purrin' loike crazy!”² She sighed in relief, “Oh t’ank Merlin t’eres still a seat…”³ Murmuring to herself, the Niffler would plop herself down. Taking a bowl she’d get her favorite breakfast meal in all of Scotland, porridge! As she was doing so, Rebecca was continuing a conversation that was happening.

"Something odd in the Daily Prophet, the Ministry's hamming up a story about S.C.A.R.A.B., y'know, the squib rights group? And it's not even the first time, I heard my dad talking about the attack on the Hogwarts Express last year, the prophet put that on SCAR too, but there's no way a squib could have gotten off the train without apparating. It's fear-mongering."

Politics at the Slytherin table. Great, just what she needed in the morning! She’d tilt her head seeming a little confused, “Fear-Mongerin’...? Wha’s dah mean?”⁴ She said, looking at Colin before taking a spoonful of the mushy food and stuffing her cheeks. SCAR was an iffy topic, that Jannette didn’t want to touch. While her family agreed with the belief that SCAR has their execution on the other hand when it came violence was something her Mom and Dad have always viewed as wrong. Though it shouldn’t be surprising, the Applebottom family has always been a privileged status-quo Pureblooded family…

As Rebecca continued talking, Jannette decided it was probably in her best interest to wait to see what the other had to say about this whole SCAR situation. While she wanted to believe Rebecca about the whole train and bombing incident, she really didn’t know much of the facts of this whole situation. Instead, the girl stirs her porridge around, her lips pursed as she waits for her friend's response.

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Reducio

1. “Aye, AND we were gonna prove once and for all dah he exists.”
2. “Sorry for being late I had the feed Melrose and she was purring like crazy!”
3. “Oh thank Merlin there's still a seat…”
4. “Fear-Mongering...? What does that mean?”

Interacting
@Colin McCoire
@Rebecca Loops
@Violet Grace
@Irina Sousa

Dialogue: X | Thoughts: X

Reducio

Violet noticed Loops sudden change of mood too, and joined her in concern and asking him what had happen. Their friend looked at them and started to explain what had he witnessed at Diagonal Alley during winter break. Irina lifted her hand to cover her mouth in shock, her eyes searching for some marks or injuries on her friend that she hadn’t noticed yet. Maybe he realised that and decided to assure them that he was okay.

“but the way the Prophet is making it sound--" he pointed at the newspaper now at his rightful owner’s hands, “They're making it seem like it was some big political statement from somebody, but it wasn't!" He stated.

“It wasn’t? But that sounds exactly something that they would use SCARAB’s name to blame!” Irina exclaimed rightly. But Rebecca shook his head and continued, “If I were part of a group that wanted to scare people, then I'd announce who I was when I did the scaring.” He said, like he was thinking out loud with her and Vee. “I know what you mean Loops, that’s why I think it is a political statement! You know there’s still a lot of powerful pureblood’s families in the ministry,” she said with a serious expression looking at her friend, “But some of them lost their prestige positions at the ministry being replaced by Muggle-borns and half-bloods. Because their family name no longer is more important then their competence!” She finished hoping that what she was saying wasn’t being heard by others then their inner circle, as a werewolf she was told since very young to be careful with her words and with who she was talking too. Loops shrugged seeming nervous, maybe he shared from her thoughts that somehow that talk was something dangerous to speak about in a room full with so many people.

"I mean, you know I think the Ministry's a bunch of stuck-ups, but this is--" Loops was continue to say, but a very enthusiastic Colin decided to show up at that moment. “VEERINALOOOOOPS!!" She heard him call for them before hugging Loops and shook him in a tight embrace. Irina thought that was actually cute, the strong bond between her friends. Colin was feeling extremely happy that morning, Irina wondered about what could had possibly happened to put him in such a mood. He told Loops about his adventure with her and Jannette at the Snek Fort. They really tried to stay awake to catch Santa, but the mission was quite impossible to conclude for the young snakes. "Hey Veee!!! RIIIINA!!" He said after serve himself from more of that tasteless food and sit at the bench at their table, "Why do you all look so glum, eh? Did something happen?" He said looking around searching for Janny. And like he had the power to summon her, the brunette girl with her characteristic round glasses appeared! She said she got late because she had to feed Melrose first. A small smile came to Ree’s lips when she imagined the fluffy and lazy cat.

Rebecca then started to explain again what had they been talking about. He also made reference to the previous attack at the Hogwarts Express. Rina remembered reading something about it in her dad’s newspaper. He always told her to be informed about the world where she was living in, perhaps because it was not a friendly world for people like her, for people like SCARAB’s members. She felt a feeling of injustice at hearing Loops’ words about the article and all that incidents. She thought she should send a letter to her parents, see what they have to say about it. “As I was saying that is something made by powerful and influential people. At least organised by them!” She said in almost a whisper, “They are afraid of losing more power! They know that once we became to be all equals things are going to change drastically! And they don’t want that change to happen!” She finished looking from Loops to all of them at a time, before she turn her gaze towards her plate. Somehow that conversation was overwhelming her, she was part of that minority and she knew that her future was tightly bond to all those events.

@Rebecca Loops | @Colin McCoire | @Violet Grace | @Jannette Applebottom

Rebecca started to explain the situation about the day of the explosion in Diagon Alley, which Vee read about a bit. When she realized he was right there during the explosion, it might have made her looked shocked like Irina was. So Rebecca immediately assured he was totally fine.Then he said that the Prophet was making it sound political..when it wasnt, at least according to Rebecca himself.

“It wasn’t? But that sounds exactly something that they would use SCARAB’s name to blame!” Irina disagreed with him though.

Violet wasn't too knowledgable about the SCARAB thing, she knew what it was about.However Vee wasn't sure about what Irina believed and neither was Rebecca as he continued to explain that " “If I were part of a group that wanted to scare people, then I'd announce who I was when I did the scaring.”


“I know what you mean Loops, that’s why I think it is a political statement! You know there’s still a lot of powerful pureblood’s families in the ministry but some of them lost their prestige positions at the ministry being replaced by Muggle-borns and half-bloods. Because their family name no longer is more important then their competence!” Irina said with a serious expression.

Vee felt a bit uncomfortable suddenly, she was a half-blood and some people just didn't like half-bloods,let alone a muggle-born. Vee was on the side that everybody with any blood type should be given a chance in magic, and those ones who are not pure-bloods definitely should not be killed!

She didn't know what to add on so she felt kinda out of place.

Loops continued to say something but he was interrupted by a very enthusiastic Colin McCoire.

“VEERINALOOOOOPS!!"

Colin hugged and shook Rebecca with embrace, it would actually be a cute friendship moment if i was the right time. Then he looked back at the squad and asked why everyone looked so glum.

Then Jannette appeared sith a wide smile.

“Sorry fer bein’ la’e oi 'ad teh feed Melrose 'n she was purrin' loike crazy!”

At the mention of a cute cat Violet smiled slightly and said "That's cute" She wished she had a cat with her at Hogwarts, while it was getting seemingly more and more dangerous with all the happenings in the wizarding world..

Rebecca continued, talking about the main issue today and Ree added her own thoughts about it, she looked kind of uncomfortable?

Violet wanted to ask how was she so sure but instead she turned to Rebecca and asked "Well.. what do you remember about that day? Explosion day? Anything suspicious?"in hopes of finding something helpful..

Colin chowed down on breakfast and fidgeted with his raven feather braid as Loops and Rina talked about some kind of explosion in London! And then mentions of Squibs, which Colin knew something about, scarab beetles, the Ministry, which Loops seemed to think were a load of prats, and a train heist to boot! For a moment Colin thought he was writing a murder mystery story or something! But when he talked about actually being in Diagon Alley for the explosion bit, Colin dropped his fork and focused on his friend.

"WHOA. You mean you've actually been in an explosion Loops!? THAT'S WICKED!!" He pounded Rebecca playfully on the shoulder. "Do you have any scars? Did it look like the explosions they have in the moving pictures? BOOOOOWWWWUUUUUMMMM!!!" Colin slammed his hand down onto the table, catching the plate of toasted bread and jelly flying on its edge, sending it into the air, much of which landed on Jannette and Violet's plates! He threw his arms in the air and collapsed into Rebecca's side, imitating being thrown by the force of it. "That's mad! Why would anyone do that? And what do scarab beetles have to do with it? Aren't they Egyptian?"

As Rebecca's story unfolded, it became clear to Colin that the Daily Prophet was at the center of the controversy, and also that Loops seemed to share the same abysmally low opinion of the rag. "Hah! The Daily Prophet!? My Seanmamó says the Prophet is the best paper in the country, if only for its size and super absorbent qualities!" Colin sat up straight and wagged his finger in the air as imitating her: "Laddie, she says, that rag absorbs lies and cat piss in equal quantities! Well, she don't hold with the Ministry at all. Load of prats and gits the lot of em." He laughed nervously. He'd never told anyone about his Ma. "For all my Ma works for the Ministry. She's a Highlands Liason."

"And what's this about scarabs? What do they have to do with Squibs!? I think Squibs are cool." Colin closed his eyes and took a bite of sausage. He nodded his head in time to some inner music. After a while, he said: "Squibs are magical, you know. Blimey this is good sausage!"

@Rebecca Loops | @Irina Sousa | @Violet Grace | @Jannette Applebottom