General The Gryffindor Table 2018-2019

Emile was happy to see that Gwen seemed to be feeling a bit more comfortable. He was glad that she didn't feel awkward, and was actually laughing at his idiotic jokes. 

Gwen was right, he was writing down what different types of stalkers there were. Emile himself couldn't really think of any other types other than the creepy ones that hide behind trees and watch their victim. Unlike Gwen, he hadn't really experienced any physical danger. "Wait," He said, turning his head up and squinting bitterly at her. "There's people who think meeting celebrities solve all their problems? That's just sad." Emile wasn't even trying to be funny at this point, he just thought that was so, utterly pathetic. "I'm sorry that you've had to go through that, Gwen." He said, his voice a bit sad. 

Gwen seemed so well put together, and she spoke well, and looked great. He felt bad that someone that had been so nice to him, even though he acted like an idiot sometimes, would have to go through being stalked. And she was only 11!

"Well, let me try to brighten the conversation. Sorry for getting all depressed on you." He said. He quickly scribbled something down in his notebook, then turned back to Gwen. 

Emile wanted to tell her about his parents and his life before he came to Hogwarts. It wasn't all that bad, was it? But some of the kids in his old neighborhood made fun of him for it. Would Gwen think it was weird what they did? He decided to go halfway with his explanation–he didn't feel like getting depressing again. Just like Gwen had thought earlier, telling a lie wasn't going to do any good.

"Well, about me living with my grandparents...Let's just say I hav eccentric authors for parents, and now I'm living with my grandpa and grandma." He said plainly, and nodded to himself. 

"Anyway, yes! I do want to write a novel!" He said, a bit surprised that she actually seemed so interested in his dream. "I'm not sure what kind though. Maybe horror, like my mom. Or fantasy, like my dad. Maybe a fairytale..Or maybe non-fiction." He rambled. "Or maybe I don't know." He said finally. "I haven't decided yet. Sorry for rambling." He said guiltily. 

"So, how's Hogwarts treating you? I think this place is pretty cool." He had wondered how the celebrity had been doing in a place where probably most of the people already knew who she was. Except him, of course. He needed to watch more Muggle shows. Like that one...Friends. He decided he would think about that later and smiled at Gwen, waiting for her response.

"Oh, it's fine!" Gwen giggled a bit. "Like I said, I don't have a ton of experience with it myself. That's what security teams are for. Mom wanted to send them here with me, but obviously that wasn't going to fly." For the first time it struck her that she really was all alone here. Everywhere she had gone back home, there would be a guard waiting to fend off paparazzi and more nefarious characters. Of course in this place there were teachers, and ghosts, and moving suits of armor. It wasn't like she was totally unprotected. Still, it felt strange to know that there was no black-suited man standing watchfully on the other side of the massive doors. Even stranger, there was nobody watching her every move- save for the fanboy over at the Slytherin table whom she had noticed was still gawking. There was something more magical in this place than the... well, magic. Here she had a sense of freedom.

And a potential friend. She smiled warmly at Emile. He couldn't possibly know how thankful she was to have met him. Confident as she tended to appear, she had been extremely nervous setting foot in Hogwarts for the first time. It wasn't exactly what she had hoped... but it was better than she had feared. Gwen was happy to have met at least one person she could talk to normally. He was kind too, and really funny! She couldn't help but smile as he rambled on about the possibilities for his future novel.

The boy even seemed willing to open up a bit, sharing a few personal details about his past. "Authors, huh? That's really cool!"

She wondered why exactly being an author would keep someone from raising their child. Maybe it was the "eccentric" part that was important. Maybe they were pies who wrote secret documents, or magical rebels who inspired people with their words. Or journalists... journalists were always getting into trouble. The phrase "the pen is mightier than the sword" came to mind. Of course, it probably wasn't anything so fanciful, but the information he gave her was just vague enough to let her imagination run wild.

She was brought back to reality, however, by his sudden apology. "Oh, don't worry about that!" Gwen stated enthusiastically. She was about to say I'm just glad you're talking to me, but realized how ridiculously pathetic that would sound. She might be desperate for a friend in this strange place, but there was no reason to let her desperation show.

"I think it's all fascinating! I haven't seen much real magic before. Aside from shopping in Diagon Alley of course." She pulled out the wand she had received from Ollivander's, observing it closely. "Great adventures" the man had said. This wand was drawn to people who went on great adventures. With all of the craziness that went on here, and how everyone treated it all as normal, she had to wonder just what was meant by that.

"It's all a little overwhelming..." she admitted. "I hope I'm... you know, good at it."

"Well, no need to worry. For the great Emile will be here to protect you." He said dramatically, and struck a pose. "Not really, but I'm always here if you need anything." He said with a grin.

Gwen didn't really seem to mind his habitual rambling. He rambled quite a lot. Usually people could get very annoyed with it very quickly. Gwen didn't know how much he appreciated a friend who could let him talk like a crazy writer, which he basically was. Emile smiled back at Gwen when she smiled at him. For Emile, the redhead was his first actual friend, and he was happy that she was. 

"Maybe. Their books are written with such feeling...but their sense of adventure also has a lot of feeling..Sorry, I don't really know where I was going with that sentence." He shook his head a bit and fiddled with his fingers. "My mom writes horror, like I said. My dad writes fantasy." He explained. "We can talk about my crazy parents later." He said, wanting to change the subject. He made a mental note that he would open up to her about them later.

"Diagon Alley is something else, to say the least. Even for me. Even though I grew up with all the magic around me, it was my first time there. It was surreal, and amazing." He said with a childish smile. When she pulled her wand out, he felt an instinct to, too. He stared at his wand.

"It's all a little overwhelming. I hope I'm... you know, good at it." Gwen said. Emile could definitely empathize with that. "Well, I can confidently tell you you're not the only one who feels that way." He assured her. In fact, thats exactly how he felt. He didn't know much except the basics of wizardry. 

"My parents always told me that there's magic in everyone. I'm sure you'll do amazing in all of your classes." He said with a determined look on his face. His green eyes had a tiny sparkle in them. 

Gwen nodded gratefully. "I hope you're right!" Honestly, she had been so concerned with the social aspects of moving to a new school that she hadn't stopped to consider the exact nuances of her education here. She thought of the schoolbooks in her baggage, which had been taken from her before the sorting ceremony. Come to think of it, they were all about strange and magical subjects. Care of Magical Creatures, History of Magic, Defense Against the Dark Arts- all of these were in her syllabus. But what about math? English? Science? Perhaps Muggle sciences were seen as primitive to this world (though she had noticed a lack of computer technology about), but surely they would need to learn some basic worldly skills in school right?

Realizing what she was internally complaining about, she stopped herself. Who would want to go to normal school when they could spend all day learning magic?! This was any eleven year old's dream come true! "You know, it's funny... I've never been this excited for school before!" Truth be told she hadn't actually been to a school before aside from charity performances. But she had done her best to avoid her private lessons whenever possible.

"I honestly don't even know where to start though..." She trailed off. There were so many strange and mystical events that she was about to encounter every day. "Defense Against the Dark Arts sounds interesting. Ominous, but interesting. Oh and transfiguration and-"

She was about to say flying, but suddenly fell silent. That was one particular class that she was not looking forward to. Of course she held the same curiosity as ever person who longed to soar through the sky, but Gwen had a feeling that she would not take well to it. Unfortunately, she was absolutely terrified of heights. She quickly looked to change the subject.

"What classes are you looking forward to?"

"I'm sure I am right!" He said with a big smile. "I'm not very good at magic myself either. Maybe we can figure all this out together." He suggested. And he wasn't lying. Supposedly his wand was very hard to control, and on top of that he really only knew basics. Just like Gwen, he was pretty much a clean slate waiting to learn all that he could in his seven years here.

"Same here!" He chimed. As a child, his parents had always traveled around, so it was decided Emile would be homeschooled by them. And when he went to live with his grandparents, they did the same thing his parents did. He had not learned any science or a foreign language. He knew some math, of course. Obviously he was well versed in literature and history from all the readings he did. He had never really experienced actual school before though. He was excited to go to all his classes and get his assignments and study! Be normal, basically. And Hogwarts seemed like a great place to do so. 

"I'm not completely sure either..." He agreed. He had the slightest idea of where to start. He'd heard of all his subjects before, and read up on some of them. Though when he read, he read for pleasure most of the time–not knowledge. 

So, like most of his other knowings, he had a basic understanding of all his subjects, but wasn't well versed in them. He made a mental note that he would definitely be spending more time in the library than he already had been. He needed to start reading even more. 

"Defense against the dark arts sounds so fascinating! I've heard past stories of many frightening things in the classroom though." A shiver suddenly went down his spine. "I hope we don't do anything with Boggarts..." He mumbled bitterly. Deep down, he knew they would probably be somewhere in his lessons, but he could dream.

When Gwen suddenly cut off, he was curious to know what she was about to say, but he didn't want to press, so he moved onto the next subject. "What classes are you looking forward to?" Gwen questioned. 

"Herbology and flying!" Said Emile without any hesitation. "I love nature, and I'm so excited to be able to fly! Can you believe it? My family never let me use the broom. They said it was too dangerous." He said with the roll of his green eyes. "And, like I said, I've always loved nature. Herbology will finally give me a chance to learn more about it hands on!" He said, almost dream like. 

"Are there any classes you're looking forward to? Other than Defense Against the Dark Arts or Transfiguration?" He asked, tilting his head a bit. 

Gwen grimaced at the mention of flying. If anything was going to bring down her grades, it would be that class. She had heard many fantastical things about it though. People bragging abut broomsticks and tricks, how fast they could fly and how far they could hit something called a "bludger". Flying was, quite frankly, huge. She studied Emile, wondering for a second if she should ask him about it. He must have grown up with these sports. Then again,, he didn't strike her as the sporty type.

"Hmm..." she paused, trying to think of which other classes she was most excited for. "Well, I suppose Care of Magical Creatures will be pretty fun! I read some of the textbook, and it was pretty shocking to see that unicorns exist." She giggled. "I've ridden horses before, but imagine trotting about on a unicorn! Or a dragon!" Gwen somehow felt that would be easier for her than riding on a broomstick, though she was only an ignorant child. The thought of a massive barrier of scale and flesh between herself and the ground was quite a bit more comforting than a mere stick between her legs.

She listened as her knew friend expressed his interest in their self-defense class. "Defense Against the Dark Arts..." it certainly sounded ominous. Gwen wasn't so sure she wanted to see the dark side of the wizarding world just yet. The sorting hat had put her in the house of the brave, but she didn't feel particularly courageous. She could only hope that in time she would develop those qualities which the magical hat has somehow found within her.

Something he said did catch her attention though.

"Um... Emile? What's a Boggart?"

Gwen looked like she was troubled after he mentioned flying, but he didn't want to push on the issue and decided to keep going with the conversation. Maybe she thought she wouldn't do well in the class? To Emile, he thought she seemed extremely intelligent, he was pretty sure she would be getting good grades in every class. For himself...he wasn't set on having perfect grades. 

Emile started to notice how different the muggle world and wizarding worlds really were. He grew up being told that unicorns were real, and that Unicorns had to be protected because their blood was very good. He grew up being told to beware of dragons in certain places of the earth. In turn, Gwen was probably taught a multitude of things he had no idea about. Like how to use a cell phone, or how to use the subway. 

"Magical creatures is sure to be interesting! I hope we get to see a unicorn or a dragon. That would be amazing!" Even though he had grown up knowing these things were real, sadly he had never actually seen any of the creatures she mentioned in real life. In that sense, they were on the same page. 

"I've ridden horses before, but imagine trotting about on a unicorn! Or a dragon!" She said excitedly. Emile made a worried expression. "Maybe you'd be able to trot on unicorns, but dragons are scary, fire breathing beasts. Unless they've been trained or are born nice." He said, becoming more quiet as he thought about it. "Maybe it would be fun to ride a dragon." He said, starting to think even harder. He wrote all of this down in his notebook. It could be a good story maybe. "Hold on, one second.." He said, then finished and turned up to look at Gwen again.

"Um... Emile? What's a Boggart?" Gwen said, after a bit. Emile stopped for a moment, thinking of a way he could explain that might not completely freak her out. He knew he freaked out when he first learned they would probably do a unit on it during his time here. "It's...this thing. That basically becomes your worst fear. Like embodies it. So if your scared of clowns it becomes a giant clown or something." He tried to explain. "But if we have a unit on it we learn spells on how to attack it so it'll be fine. I hope. 

"That does sound scary." Scary, yes. Fascinating, also yes. The little celebrity couldn't help but wonder how this creature would appear to her. Would it be a mob of uncontrollable fans? A report card full of failed marks? Perhaps the monster she had been certain lived in the corner of her closet until she had turned six? It was hard to pinpoint a greatest fear in Gwen's life. She was not exactly brave, to be sure. She just didn't know which of the many things that made her nervous would appear before her. And they would encounter one of these in class...?

"Well, it'll have to be fine," she said, more to reassure herself than the boy next to her. "I mean, we've got magic, right? And the teachers here wouldn't put us in any actual danger." She herself had not heard of the terrifying adventures that young Harry Potter and his friends had gone through at the school, or she may have thought differently. Keeping a 3-headed dog in the basement, leaving strange cursed objects lying around, the competition where they forced children to go up against dragons... none of these things were known to the half-blood girl. This was a school, and schools were meant to protect and educate, right?

As if to confirm her faith in them, the professors began to rise from their chairs. The plates and cups cleared themselves, and the Prefects began giving out directions.

"Oh!" she smiled at Emile. "I guess it's time to go see our new home for a bit. It was awesome to meet you, we should hang out sometime!"

Emile was also wondering what exactly his boggart would be. He was deathly scared of thunder and lightning, though no one knew about that side of him except for himself. He shuddered at the thought. Maybe it would have to do with his grandpa? Of his parents leaving? He wasn't sure how a creature could embody disapproving parents or a terminally ill grandfather, but nevertheless those things were able on the table as what his boggart would potentially be. He didn't really want to think too much about that type of thing right now, it was his first dinner, and he was determined it would be happy! 

"Well, it'll have to be fine. I mean, we've got magic, right? And the teachers here wouldn't put us in any actual danger." Gwen said, and this reassured Emile a bit. He knew that the teachers always had the student's best interest at heart, but somehow danger always seemed to find Hogwarts sometimes. Harry Potter being a prime example of this. Unlike Gwen, he knew the stories about what had happened years prior. He was hoping he wouldn't have to experience any of that. His hopes were pretty high, Hogwarts had seemed to be pretty safe since those events. 

"I'm sure it will be. These are some top wizards here. And we've got the ministry if we really need it." He said to her, and partly to himself, like Gwen had before. "And if anything happens, you have me the Great Emile to protect you." He said to lighten up the mood, even though he knew what he had just said was utterly cringey. "I'm sorry you had to hear that." He said with a weak laugh. 

Suddenly, voices of prefects and professors were telling everyone that it was time to go back to their dorms. Emile was overjoyed he would finally be able to sleep. He was exhausted. But on the other hand he was a bit disappointed his and Gwen's conversation was over. He made a mental note that they should hang out again. "It was great meeting you too! And yes, lets definitely hang out soon." Emile said, getting up from the table. "I'll see you around the common room. Sleep well, Gwen!" Emile said, leaving with everyone else and waving to her with a big smile. 

Lucian entered the Great Hall, keeping her typical air of confidence that she carried with her always, her hands relaxed and by her strides, her stride long and powerful for her young age, her robes swishing behind her as she made her way to the Gryffindor table. She gave the Slytherin table a quick, sideways glance, seeing all the students in their green and silver, watching them converse casually with each other. That was where she truly belonged; although she was becoming slowly more accepting to her house and the people in it, she still hadn't told her family about the change in tradition, and wasn't sure how to go about it.
Sitting down at a decently empty spot at the Gryffindor table, Lucian grabbed an English muffin, spreading a thin layer of jam on it, as well as pouring herself a cup of pumpkin juice, her favorite beverage. Despite never having quite the affinity for food that her older brother Oberron had, Lucian had always been able to appreciate the small things when it came to food. She pulled out a clean, creaseless piece of parchment from her robes pocket, as well as a quill and some ink, and began to address the letter breaking her Sorting experience to her Slytherin family.