The Gryffindor Table 2025-2026

@Roland Domagoj Marin (red) and @Inés Ivonna (cadet blue)
Me: Cobalt blue (#0050b4)
WC: 487

Skylar and the boy turn to face the new girl. "Oh, don't be a stranger," he said smiling. "Roland," he introduced himself. "And this is Skylar, my friend I just met." Skylar nods along gives a little wave. She listens as they strike up a conversation.

"What about you? Did you like the Sorting Hat putting you here?" The girl, Inés, smiles as she asked. Roland, with his everlasting smile, also turned his head towards her.

Skylar shrugs. "Well, if I'm completely honest, I thought I would be a Ravenclaw. I enjoy learning and reading a lot, and my mom was also a Ravenclaw. I think even the Sorting Hat had a hard time deciding, because apparently I'm what people call a 'Hatstall.' My sorting took longer than five minutes. Sure didn't feel like it though.

However, I would say I do not mind being a Gryffindor. The Hat probably just saw something that I did not. After all, The Hat has its own reasoning for everything."

Skylar then lets out a little chuckle. "Pretty ironic, isn't it? My hair is blue, my name is literally blue, yet I am now a red. Though, perhaps it's a good thing. I do have what my dad says a 'strong personality.' If I were a Ravenclaw, I probably would have scared off all my roommates with my bold persona. A quiet lot, those Ravenclaws. I would suffocate in the silence!"

She then offers her friends a wide grin before basically inhaling her entire plate. Inés was right when she said the food was delicious. Oh, how Skylar loves food. She will eat anything given to her. She ate before getting on the train, she ate on the train, she ate a little at the boat house, and now she's eating at the Great Hall. Still, her appetite has not lessened one bit as she devours her plate.

Inés then asks about the dorms. “Oh, what if we are in the same dormitory? Do you know which one it is?"

Skylar thinks about it for a moment. She isn't quite sure yet but she heard about the different dorm options. "Well, I know there are four different dorms for the girls. I think it might be the same for boys?" She looks at Roland.

"Either way, I think we are supposed to sign up later once our Prefect leads us to the Gryffindor Tower. I heard its a long walk with a lot of stairs though." Skylar grimaces at thought of going up the winding staircase. "Imagine if we overslept! The rush from the tower to our class would be worse than a Quidditch workout!"

She then turns towards Roland and Inés. "Which classes are you guys most excited to take? I'm most excited for Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts. It seems really cool and useful."

After the long journey on the Hogwarts Express, my stomach was rumbling; I was very hungry. It has to be said, almost eight hours on a train is practically endless. When we arrived, we were taken across a dark lake in boats. Finally, we arrived in front of the castle, a gigantic building. Towers, windows, and countless other architectural features, each more fascinating than the last. I was so eager to discover all the secrets this magnificent castle held. My older brother and sister had spent seven years here, and now it was my turn to venture into Hogwarts. We went inside and walked through it, stopping in front of a large door. The Sorting Ceremony was about to begin. I was called to the middle. A hat was placed on my head; they called it the Sorting Hat. It muttered a few words and then, in a loud and confident voice, announced Gryffindor. Everyone applauded, and I sat down at their table. When the ceremony was over, our director gave a welcoming speech. As if by magic, a multitude of dishes appeared before us, each more delicious than the last! I began to eat with great appetite. The food was delicious. I would have liked to talk to others, but I didn't know who to approach....

As Emil listened to the chatter amongst the other students, he wished he could have been involved.

The girl who had identified herself as Skylar had a few things in common with him already. Mom was a Ravenclaw, and he himself thought he was going to be among the eagle-house as well. But the formerly black, now scarlet robes draped around him told no lies. In that, the would be Ravenclaw girl had that going for her at least. Her personality shone like the lion she now represented. The thing that was missing from his night was some sort of sign, something that would tell him for sure he wasn't mis-sorted somehow.

Although, he could only imagine that there were a fair amount of kids who felt that way their first time.

And yet, the conversation kept growing while the chances for him to enter naturally kept leaving. Every sip of pumpkin juice and every bite of the chicken in front of him was another moment ticking away until the Sorting Ceremony would end, along with his first chance of getting to make any kind of first impression.

He started to look around once more. To his left...

To his right...

'Too many kids, too many conversations.' He couldn't get that thought out of his head. There was too much stimulation for him to pinpoint who wouuld be the best target for conversation. His heart beat skipped, then paced. He couldn't let the night end without talking to someone.

Anyone.

Hi, I'm Emil! It's nice to meet you! He'd closed his eyes and turned right, greeting the student who was next to him. He gave no thought to greeting someone with his eyes closed, but hoped they didn't think it too strange.

@Emil Roan

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡　 ༺❀༻　｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

Mentions: @Emil Roan and @Ténébra Lowfa

WC: 218

xxx

Hex code: #0050b4

꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱ ☾☼☽ +:｡.｡　 ༺❀༻　｡.｡:+☾☼☽ ꒰ᐢ. .ᐢ꒱

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

Skylar turns her head and listens to the conversation. The boy that sits near her just introduced himself as Emil, and he seems quite nervous and shy. She thinks he might have wanted to join her conversation with Roland and Inés, but she has not heard him say anything. She turns her attention to the other girl, Ténébra. Skylar tilts her head as she listens to the girl. Her name is very unique and the chains and jewelry she wears are nothing like Skylar has seen before. Ténébra, however, still wears it incredibly well.

Skylar debates on joining their conversation since Emil seemed like he had wanted to talk earlier, however she was slightly preoccupied. Her head turns and chimes into several of the conversations that were flowing around her. Finally, she happens to make eye contact with him and gives him a friendly smile.

"Hi! I'm Skylar. You're Emil, right?" She then turns towards the short-haired girl. "Love your name, by the way. Ténébra is a really unique name! Is there a special meaning behind it?" She asks. The more friends the merrier! At least that's what her dad says. Good thing Skylar does not mind socializing, another thing that probably made her more Gryffindor than Ravenclaw.

"So, how are you guys liking Hogwarts so far?"

✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧ ✩₊˚.⋆☾⋆⁺₊✧

"Hi, nice to meet you too. I’m Tenebra Lowfa!"

Oh! She responded!

"Nice to meet you, Tenebra! That's a nice name you've got." But what the boy noticed were the set of big blue eyes that looked right back at him. They almost claimed the room, which was saying something as their corner of the hall drowned in the scarlet robes of the new and older students. However, they weren't the only blue that was fighting against the sea of the lion's colors.

"Hi! I'm Skylar. You're Emil, right?"

Another student spoke to him! Apparently the color of the day had been blue and no one had told him otherwise. Was that a natural color? That was probably a question better left to a second conversation, if they ever got that far.

Yeah! Nice to meet you Skylar." The girl had been talking to everyone around her in the table, but the boy had appreciated being included. Her follow-up question had called his attention though. Big Blue Eyes, his new mnemonic for Tenebra, was only temporary until he was sure he could properly pronounce her name. Hearing about her name a few more times would probably help with that endeavor, as well as quench his own curiosity to the question.

But at least the pressure to be included was off. And with that, his appetite came roaring back and his stomach growled on queue.

Maybe that's why the hat put him in Gryffindor?

Reducio

WC: 415

Mention: @Roland Domagoj Marin @Skylar Blue @Emil Roan @Ténébra Lowfa
Color code: Red: Ronald, Cobalt blue: Skylar, Cadet blue: Me, Italic: Inés’s thoughts

As they continued talking, Inés felt her tension begin to ease. Both Ronald and Skylar seemed very affectionate. She was particularly taken with Skylar’s blue hair. Was it natural or did she dye it?

Truth be told, she wanted to dye her hair too, but her mother wouldn’t let her yet; « you are too young », her mother repeated each time Inés mentioned it.

"Pretty ironic, isn't it? My hair is blue, my name is literally blue, yet I am now a red. Though, perhaps it's a good thing. I do have what my dad says a 'strong personality.' If I were a Ravenclaw, I probably would have scared off all my roommates with my bold persona. A quiet lot, those Ravenclaws. I would suffocate in the silence!"

Inés couldn’t help but chuckle to Skylar’s way to talk about her chance to be in Ravenclaw. Herself never thought she would be in Ravenclaw, not because she was not “smart”. She hated these stereotypic allegations.


Oh, Gryffindors are only brave, Slytherins are only cunning, Ravenclaws are only clever, Hufflepuff are only kind and fragile, for heaven’s sake! How many times these stereotypes have been disproved through history, it was still continuing in 2025, and Inés felt like she was going to have a nervous breakdown whenever she hears them.

“Which classes are you guys most excited to take? I'm most excited for Charms and Defense Against the Dark Arts. It seems really cool and useful.”

With Skylar’s question Inés turned back to earth from her thoughts.
“Aye, DADA sounds pretty interestin’, but I’m more excited for Herbology I think. I love learnin’ about wee creatures, and plants. Now we’ll learn how to use them too, that’s fascinatin’!”

The chatting flowed as they ate their food. When Emil and Ténébra, as Inés heard them over, joined to conversation as Skylar talked to them.

”Hi guys! I’m Inés—really nice to meet ye all!” Inés added with a big smile.

Ténébra… such a cool name

"So, how are you guys liking Hogwarts so far?"

As Skylar asked more questions to get to know them better Inés grabbed her pumpkin juice and slightly turned to Emil to hear them well enough.
Although, she later put the glass back on the table with a disgusted expression. What kind of juice is this?

But a bad pumpkin juice would not stop her from making new friends.

Date: Monday, September 1st, 2025
Time: Evening

After being sorted by the hat, I move to the Gryffindor table. It is full with people sitting shoulder to shoulder. I move towards the far back to sit around those who do not quite fit in yet. It is not that I refuse to interact with those who are now my house, the problem is that I didn't know how.

As I take a seat, I nod to those around me quietly. As I begin to eat, my mind is running over everything and making a plan. We will go to the dormitories next and I will find my room. I stop myself and consider, I will probably have a roommate or roommates. That will be interesting to maneuver. I have never had to share a room before.

Tomorrow, classes would begin. That was what I looked forward to the most... learning to use the magic I have within. Growing up and reading stories, I had always wanted to be an Auror. My father, however, wants me to enter into politics. As he put it, "A true man makes a difference to the entirety of wizard kind, not out on some half cocked adventure where he can get killed".

I shake my head slowly, lost in my own thoughts. I was not going to go into politics, and that would kill any connection he and I have left. I look up as the prefects come through to gather up the first years and show us to the dormitories. I finish my food and stand, joining them.

After chatting for a few moments with other people, I turned around and noticed a young boy with fiery red hair and big green eyes. He seemed lost in thought, and I wondered what he could be thinking, but one thing was for sure: I thought it was a shame he wasn't joining any of the conversations. I know I'm a pretty sociable girl, but I know that's not the case for everyone. But I didn't want him to feel alone on the first day of school, so I greeted him and said:

"Hi, I'm Ténébra Lowfa! And you? Are you happy to be in Gryffindor?"

I hoped he would reply, because I didn't know who to talk to either. I didn't want to admit it, but I felt really lost in front of everyone. I was used to the peace and quiet of my home, my countryside, the peace and quiet of the Cotswolds. But here, although it was in the countryside, there were many more people and I wasn't used to it; I used to go to the school in my village, so I felt strange having to be with so many people. But I was going to get used to it soon, I just need to acclimatize!

@Éric Phillips

Date: Monday, September 1st, 2025
Time: Evening
@Ténébra Lowfa

I noticed her before she spoke. Not in the way most people notice someone. It was not because she was loud or trying to draw attention, but because she hesitated just slightly. The kind of hesitation most people would miss, caught somewhere between wanting to speak and not being entirely sure how and by the time she introduced herself, I was already looking at her.

“Ténébra,” I repeated quietly… more to place the name than anything else. It was unusual and unique. “Eric Phillips”

My voice came out even and calm, the way it always did. The Gryffindor table buzzed around us, plates shifting, voices rising, the Great Hall brighter and louder than anything I was used to. For a moment, her question lingered... Happy to be in Gryffindor.

I glanced down the length of the table, at students already settling in as if they belonged here, then back at her.

“I think…” I paused because I wanted to answer it properly. “I’m still deciding.”

My tone stayed calm, steady, but there was a faint honesty in it I didn’t try to hide.
“It’s a lot. More than I expected.”

I studied her for a moment, the way she carried herself, the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her words had come a little too quickly, like she was trying to fill the space before it filled her.

“You don’t seem entirely certain either,” I said, not bluntly, but not avoiding it. It wasn’t meant to call her out. Just to acknowledge what was already there.

“It’s different from what you’re used to,” I added. “That doesn’t go away straight away.”

There is a small pause, then I get quieter, “But you called out to me anyway.”

That mattered. I glanced briefly at the empty spot beside me, then back at her.

“You can sit here, if you want.”