The Gryffindor Table 2024-2025

As a fresh Gryffindor, Lisa found her seat at the table, greeted by cheers from her new housemates. Her parents probably had a wager on which house she'd land in, and she was already looking forward to sending them an owl to share all the details of her first day at school... though it wasn't quite over yet, was it? More students joined the Gryffindor table beside her, and she joined in with the clapping, caught up in the excitement of the room. She eagerly took part in the opening ceremony, making small talk and introducing herself to her neighbours. Most importantly — "It's Lisa by the way, not Elisabeth," she made sure to clarify, her Irish country accent blending in with the hum of chatter around her, while she tried her best to remember everyone's names.

Before long, the sorting was done, and the table before her was piled high with the most amazing looking food - more than she’d ever seen in her life. Even more than Christmas with the whole family, and her Ma and all her sisters could go a bit mad with the cooking on days like that. All of her favourites were there too! She knew right then, this was going to be a great year. Remembering her manners, Lisa let the others around her dig in first... then, once the coast was clear, she figured no one would notice just how much a small girl like herself could pack away. But it was a long day travelling on not much more than chocolate frogs and she needed to get her strength back! Slow and steady, without drawing too much attention, all the while keeping up the friendly banter.

"Is it always like this? Surely not, it seems like an awful lot of waste," Lisa said to no one in particular, eyeing the mountain of food in front of them. She could hardly believe even a hall full of hungry students could get through all of it. Yet she didn’t sound the least bit guilty about it as she helped herself. "Did you guys know you'd be sorted into Gryffindor? I cannot wait to see the common room," she added with a contented sigh between her bites of food. Her Ma was also a Gryffindor, but her Daddy was a Hufflepuff... and he always swore they had the coziest common room, but how would he know that? Did he ever see Ma's? Suddenly, Lisa felt like she didn't want to explore that particular idea that night and possibly lose all of her appetite.

@Kim Sato

The sorting hat called out, and Accalia felt the words reverberating through her mind. It was not too long ago she'd been a doe-eyed youngster wondering what house she'd be sorted into, staring upon the fabled hat of legend as her mind raced through all the possibilities.

'Perhaps I will be in Ravenclaw like mum, or follow dad's steps into Hufflepuff. They both loved their houses,' she thought, watching as a few children were called up before her. She knew she would be one of the first of her year because of her alliterative name; it didn't matter whether they called by first or last after all it was an A all the way.

'Perhaps I will be in Slytherin like Uncle Jasper. I think Slytherin might be rather nice,' she mused, just as the hat called out, "Alastor." Accalia felt her stomach drop, butterflies scrambling to take purchase within.

'Oh no, what if I am a squib and my magical abilities have been flukes? I suppose I could become a day-carer,' she thought, watching as the student dubbed Alastor was sent away without a house, no magic to their name.

It had been all too short since that thought when "Accalia Avalos" was called, shattering her racing thoughts. The small girl stepped up, taking a seat down in front of all her fellow students. Her cheeks flushed in a mixture of embarrassment and excitement after all she'd never seen this many people all gathered before!
Not to mention at the moment all eyes were on her, wondering if she would join them like all the other students yet to come.

Then, the hat spoke into her mind, searching her deepest and truest self. It picked up her ambition, but also her lackadaisical nature and her intense dislike for forced study, immediately barring the gate from Ravenclaw. Her loyalty and honesty steered towards Hufflepuff, while her drive and ambitious streak nudged slowly towards Slytherin.
But no, beneath it all beat the heart of a lion, a brave, stout woman who would take the unforgivable curses for a friend and swiftly defend an enemy in need of help. Bravery, strength, these were the true essence of Accalia according to the sorting hat.

Then, the echoing voice declared, "GRYFFINDOR!" and Accalia stepped down from the podium. She gazed towards her uncle's house draped in green as she slithered by, sauntered past her father's house in gold, and shrunk past her mother's adorned in blue to be met by the dazzling scarlet of her new home away from home.

Students, no, friends yet to be made, housemates and mentors cheered as she found a place to sit. Her heart still raced, her new colors mimicking her hair and the flush on her face. She was in! She made Gryffindor, and the ordeal was passed. All she had to do now was sit and watch as the remainder of her year group was sorted.

'Huh! I suppose there's a benefit to being an AA after all,' she chuckled to herself as she watched the remainder, cheering for more friends joining her house and other houses alike. She had made it, and now, now she could not wait to find what path her life would travel.

As she sat she found herself next to a girl introducing herself to her fellow students as Lisa she clapped her on the shoulder in a friendly greeting, listening to her eager questions she fed on the energy letting it rise within her too.

Pleased to meet ya Lisa, had no clue where I was going, my ma is a Raven an' my da' a Huffle, my unc fit in with the Slythers, as far as I know I am the first Gryff. she remarked in an energetic heavily accented tone, hoping that from this small interaction she would have found her very first friend in the school.

An older Asian student answered her question about the feast, and Lisa thought it was a funny way to put it, being so precise. Funny in a good way, like when a cute dork says something... well, cute. Except this guy was a good few years older, rather cool than cute. Probably not a dork. To Lisa, he seemed nearly like an adult, and his plain expression made him a bit intimidating... not that she was easily intimidated. "Makes sense for it to be a bit more special, being the first and all... like those boats. And what's your name? I'm Lisa Macailin." She decided to introduce herself again, just in case he forgot or wasn’t really paying attention... it had been a couple of minutes since her name was called, after all, and she didn’t want to be forgotten. Plus, she was curious about this older student, because... well, she just wanted to know everyone in her house, and he’d spoken to her.

They looked towards the Slytherin table at the same time and saw a fox scampering across it. Lisa found it quite entertaining as long as its paws didn’t end up in her plate. She loved animals as much as the next 11 year old girl, but she knew they were filthy. "And is THAT a common sight at the feast?" she asked rhetorically, not hiding her amusement. She quickly got distracted, though, as a girl with a rather unique name and heavy Scottish accent greeted her and answered another one of her questions. "Heya Accalia! My daddy was in Hufflepuff too, they might even know each other!" The blonde was quite at ease with both the physical contact and being so openly affectionate towards her father, even if it might raise a few eyebrows at a table full of older kids. She meant to clarify when exactly her parents went to Hogwarts but realized she couldn’t quite remember their ages... all grown-ups seemed to be the same age to her. Before she could decide what to say next, another person was sorted into Gryffindor, earning a rather disrespectful and completely uncalled-for comment from the Slytherin table.

"Dorks? How rude!" she gasped, as if genuinely offended, then lowered her voice to a conspiratorial yet very audible whisper. "But what’s he on about? Aren’t we supposed to be the cool house?" Lisa seemed genuinely confused that her house wasn't widely recognised as the best and was clearly expecting an explanation. She could think of a few ways to retort, but none at the moment that wouldn’t land her in detention on her first night if she were to shout them during the sorting ceremony across the entire Great Hall, with the Slytherin table being the furthest away from Gryffindor’s. Ah, what a gobshite. And so the centuries-long rivalry resumed, as it does every September, and Lisa... frankly, was a bit excited at the prospect? Hmm, did the elves add something to this pumpkin juice? She was buzzing.

Accalia let her keen gaze fall upon the exchange between Lisa and the older student, her mind a blur of thousands of thoughts, she was curious and interested in the elder boy’s quiet demeanor, he seemed to have a restrained energy that both aloof and yet somehow still attentive, his calm against the chaos of the sorting ceremony piquing her curiosity yet further.

Her gaze upon the boy was broken however when the fox began trotting across the Slytherin table, her attention now focused on this new distraction she couldn’t help but stifle a laugh.
The sight was hilarious and fun, after all animals often had a way of disrupting the crowd, a true natural chaos and Accalia absolutely adored exactly this kind of chaos after all it added an element of fun to what otherwise would have been a nerve-wracking night for many of the new students.

“Well, I’d say you’re right there!” Accalia chimed in after Lisa’s comment giving Kim a quick nod of acknowledgment.

“This whole feast is a bit of a blast, but I reckon it’s to remind us that this place is full of surprises, and we never know quite what we’ll find.” Switching her gaze back to the fox for a second “Although, a fox at the table? Not exactly common, but it sure makes things interesting! I wonder if it likes playing fetch!”

"It would be awesome if they did know each other, da told me that Hogwarts has a way of bringing families together again and again, so there's every likelihood one of the older professors may have a tale around them that they might be able to share, or, y'know we could just ask 'em next time we send them an owl?"

Breaking from that she leaned in, glancing between Lisa and Kim, trying to help lighten the conversation. “You’ve been here a while, right?” she asked Kim, her curiosity once again focused. “I get the feeling you’ve seen your fair share of odd things in this place. I mean, who better to know what Hogwarts has in store for us than a senior?”

Accalia was still buzzing with energy from the Sorting and the grandiosity of her new home, but her instinct to get to know her peers, especially older ones, had kicked in, she could see that Kim was guarded, maybe a bit distant even, but there was something else, it pulled at her, there seemed to be a deeper story behind his quiet demeanor, and she certainly wasn’t one to shy away from peeling back layers to get to know people.

As Lisa’s excitement bounced between subjects, Accalia couldn’t help but chuckle at her new friend’s exuberance.
She admired the way Lisa navigated the social aspect of the feast, engaging with everyone around her, it was clear that Lisa would be the kind of person who would thrive in the Gryffindor common room, always surrounded by people, always keeping things lively.

When the subject returned to the Slytherins, and that cheeky comment about being “dorks,” Accalia grinned conspiratorially, nudging Lisa playfully, trying to keep the mood light.
“Yeah, they can talk all they want, but they know they’re outmatched, after all we're here now right?” she proclaimed with a wink. “And besides, we’ve got the best house spirit. Can’t beat that.”

Her eyes flickered back to the boy for a moment, wondering what his take was on the inter-house rivalries, she particularly noticed how the boy was intensely focusing on the Ravenclaw table. “But hey, you, uhh… what’s your name? I imagine you’ve got some stories to tell from your time here yeah? care to give two sweet young gals your thoughts” she added, her voice playful but sincere.
“I reckon we could learn a thing or two from someone who’s been through a few of these ceremonies. You know, any advice for us first-years? Apart from avoiding runaway foxes, of course.”

She settled back slightly in her seat, still energized but now more grounded in the conversation, after all she wasn’t just here to observe; she was here to connect, to find her footing among her peers, and to make friends. She could already tell that Lisa would be a great one, probably one of the best, especially with her apparent matching infectious enthusiasm and easygoing nature, heck even their own dads may have been friends once, the boy, well, he was a nut to crack when she got to it.

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Kim nodded at Lisa's words. "Kim Aoki." He replied to her question. That was the name he was going by now and had been ever since his first year at Hogwarts. It was to protect himself from getting taken advantage of by those who wanted favors from his parents. That was when both Lisa and Accalia paid attention to the red fox scampering around on top of the Slytherin table in the distance. At Lisa's words of whether this was a common sight and Accalia asking about whether the fox knew how to play fetch, the corners of Kim's lips twitched as if he was about to smile. But he didn't. Still, it had been an amusing comment, and he looked over at them. "It's probably a student, that fox over there. There are those who study to become Animagus." He said.

"That fox is most likely one of them. I wouldn't guess it's an actual fox because if a wild animal had come into the castle and infiltrated the feast like this, it would have been taken care of by staff already." Kim told them. Regarding Colin's 'dork' comment, the fourth year refrained from commenting about this. But Accalia responded to Lisa's remark about this. Personally, Kim had always thought Gryffindor wasn't the 'cool' House but the 'brave' and 'courageous' House. For him, the dark haired teen didn't really think he embodied those traits and it was a mystery as to why he'd been chosen for the House. But the Hat knew best and almost everyone over the years had come to realize the Hat really did know what it was doing with them.

When it sorted them.

Not that he spoke any of his thoughts out loud to the girls. Kim nodded as Accalia asked if he'd been there for awhile and inquired about him seeing odd things around the place.

"You could say that. There are lots of things to experience when at Hogwarts, it's a truly magical place." He agreed, took a deep breath and then let it out slowly, trying to gather himself together a little more. For the rookies Kim needed to be more forthcoming because it didn't seem as if any of the other higher year students there intended on interacting with them. At least not right now. Still, it was hard for him to start up conversations and make people feel comfortable. Because after not talking to anyone for over a year, unless it had to do with class or at one of the clubs he ran, Kim was not used to this anymore. Thankfully, it seemed as if Lisa and Accalia were fine talking with eachother for now, which allowed his attention to drift momentarily over a little.

To the Ravenclaw table where his best friend was. It was only when Accalia spoke to him again that Kim's attention returned to the two girls again. Advice for first years? "There's a lot you'll learn here. But I think the best part is not expecting anything beforehand. It'll increase your enthusiasm about the subjects. Outside your dorms, there's a bulletin board with a list of all the rules. That's important to always keep an eye on. Getting to know the teachers is also a good idea. Might help you in the long run. Also, outside of class and homework, there are a bunch of clubs you can join. I actually run a good number of them, so it would be nice if you could join some of them if you have time." Kim said.

He attempted to smile. But it was only a vague wisp of one. Still, it was better than not trying at all.

Glancing over at Lisa, Kim nodded to her. "My clubs are all looking for new members, so feel free to drop by and check things out, along with your friends." He told her.

Enchanted Backpack Inventory:
Notebook, Sketchbook, Sprig of Lavender, Stalk of Vanilla, Allergy Potion, Chocolate Frogs, Hair Dyes & Accessories, Hair Scissors, Tissues, Parchment Paper, Quills & Inkwells, Self-inking Quill, Books, Flute, Wand, Silver Arrow [+3 all stats] and various other items.

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coded by Romeo Giovanni Marchonné

A student animagus?

"And you can learn to do that at Hogwarts?" Lisa didn’t bother hiding her doubt even as she glanced back at the fox. Wasn’t this ability supposed to be insanely hard to learn, even for grown wizards? Nobody she knew could do it, not a single one of her uncles or aunts. Maybe she could be the first in the family? Lisa pictured herself turning into an animal, slipping into places that would normally be off-limits, avoiding danger, and staying hidden. It’d be useful, no doubt - fun, too - but somehow, she didn’t think she had it in her. If not the talent, she definitely lacked the discipline.

"He might still fetch, seems like a playful little fella." She replied, keeping her amused tone. Could Accalia be coaxed into asking him later, Lisa wondered? She'd definitely like to see that. Even knowing the fox was actually a person, it was still hard for her to think of him that way. As for those smug Slytherins, Lisa wanted nothing more than to take them down the first chance she got, but she knew the easiest way to do that was through homework. She wasn’t confident she could manage it with sheer willpower alone, so she just winked in response to Accalia’s words.

"I'll just ask my parents directly. Did they say your name is Avalon?" While the professors might be willing to tell Lisa about it, she wasn’t comfortable bringing up the topic with adult strangers... maybe in a few years? Somehow, the possibility that her teachers knew her parents made her feel a little vulnerable. "Hey Kim, did your parents go to Hogwarts?" Judging by his slight foreign accent, she suspected they didn’t, but she’d be just as happy to hear about some foreign school. If he didn’t want to share, that’d be fine too, though she couldn’t see why he’d want to keep something like that a secret. Besides, he didn’t need to say anything to give away bits about himself.

"Is your girlfriend in Ravenclaw?" Lisa asked casually when she noticed him glancing longingly towards their table. Since he was a few years older than her, she thought that was very likely - and no reason to feel embarrassed or ashamed. In fact, she could still remember how boastful her cousin had been while talking about his own sweetheart... and how jealous she’d felt having to listen to it. A tinge of nostalgia hit her as she remembered how they used to play together as kids. He had other friends now, and it was hard for Lisa to accept that sometimes.

"Oh?" Prompted by Accalia to talk about Hogwarts, Kim shared some interesting things. Lisa wasn’t planning to spend all her free time studying, so joining a club sounded like a brilliant idea. Surely at least one of them would suit her interests? "Tell us more about the clubs. You say you run many of them yourself?" He must be a pretty dedicated guy, so probably quite popular at school, too. He certainly had the looks for it. Better stay on his good side, then. "What year are you?"

─────As the conversation continued and Kim mentioned that the fox was likely an animagus Accalia found herself further intrigued.
"Wait... someone actually turned into a fox?" she asked.
"I mean, I’ve heard of it, but it's supposed to be incredibly hard, right? Like a generational talent? Does this mean I can learn to be a wolf?" She exchanged a glance with Lisa, who seemed equally surprised.

Keeping her focus on the red fox over at the Slytherin table she pondered aloud while her eyes followed what she now thought may be a student taking a different form, thinking over a few possibilities.
"A playful Animagus, huh? I still wanna know if he’d play fetch," she mused through her grin, her tone light, teasing, as she looked at Lisa. "I wouldn’t mind seeing him try. Do you think if I went and asked him?"

When Kim mentioned the various clubs, Accalia’s interest shifted back fully to the conversation with her dinner pals, she'd already known she was wanting to go for Quidditch and that there was a fitness club on the grounds from discussions with her dad, but here was a student directly leading clubs, if she was going to get the scoop it was the best opportunity to ask direct.
So with a slight tilt of her head and eager to hear more she spoke up.
"Running clubs sounds like a lot of responsibility," she remarked, impressed. "What kind of clubs are we talking about?" She couldn't imagine having the time to run several clubs alongside the regular Hogwarts workload and her workouts but then again, Accalia wasn't one to shy away from a challenge, and Kim didn’t seem like the type who took his responsibilities lightly

"You must really be into this school, huh?" Accalia asked with a slight smirk, appreciating his dedication. "Or are you secretly running Hogwarts from behind the scenes and haven't told us yet? Headmaster Kim" Her grin widened as she gently teased him, not meaning to be rude but unable to hold back as her playful nature took over.

Thinking about joining some of the clubs herself even though she usually wasn't one to go out of her way to participate in structured activities, the idea of being a part of a group with shared interests was admittedly very hard to resist.
Besides, she was always up for trying new things, especially if they involved competition or something that would physically tax her.

"Spill the beans, I bet there's something in there that will catch my attention, if it's something exciting especially, doubly so!" She prodded, eager to get the lay of the clubs on offer.

At Lisa's questioning she nodded "Yep Accalia Avalon of the Avalon lineage, known for our muscles more than our brains, apparently we are an old lineage that originated with a knight-king something that married into magic eons ago, a rather romantic tale of chivalry and protecting a powerful witch, if you'd believe such a thing" she scoffed, she was prepared to believe practically anything she was told, but her own family history, surely that was just fairy-tales.

As Lisa brought up the concept of Kim's girlfriend being over in Ravenclaw, Accalia was intrigued, she was a romantic at heart and admittedly the idea of getting a girlfriend herself while at school was in her heart, she'd love a sweeping tale of romance, of passion and swooning and all the lovey dovey stuff that her parents constantly carried on about at home made her heart flutter in a way she'd never show on the surface, casting her gaze to the Ravenclaw table she tried to picture which girl would be paired to Kim, doing his best to follow his glances and yet again she found her mind wandering as she imagined different scenarios — stolen moments in the library, secret hand-holding in the corridors, maybe even a dramatic, wind-swept confession under the stars, smiling faintly at the thought, the corners of her mouth tugging up as she daydreamed about the possibility of finding something like that for herself.