IC/OOC: Welcoming Feast WHO: Everyone WHERE: The Great Hall WHEN: Evening of September 1st, 1997 WHAT: OOC/IC Log
Along the wall on the Gryffindor side was a great banner in purple with white lettering saying COOPERATION IS KEY. As students filed in it glistened to call attention to it. The students would see the staff on the high table, and flanking the middle were Amycus and Alecto Carrow, the new Dark Arts and Muggle Studies professors. Despite their lumpy appearance and their too-bright smiles, they are dressed just as immaculately as the rest of the staff (Hagrid was missing…). Just after the students arrived and began taking their seats, they excused themselves from the table and walked into the side room. Moments later a line of nervous-looking first years filed into the Great Hall. There was a smaller number of students this year that anyone looking for a difference would find.
"Go on," said Alecto Carrow. She had a calm sort of voice as she nudged the first student that would be sorted forward. "Appleby, Aaron!"--Who went to Hufflepuff. There was obviously something exciting for her about being able to call out the students and handle the hat. Amycus Carrow stood with those in the back of the line, his wheezy giggle being heard just once as he rounded them up to keep going forward. The students were eventually all sorted and that was that, everyone was at their tables.
The food appeared on the table -- Ah, the one blessed thing normal from last year's welcoming feast. Conversations abounded -- although some were hushed -- and the food was speedily devoured. Some had been starving, counting on the trolley lady to supply them with some edibles before the dinner. As the last few plates were being cleared, some students started to wonder if the new headmaster was going to make an appearance.
But he did. With his dark robes fluttering behind him, Severus Snape entered from the back of the Great Hall and strode between Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw's tables to reach the podium at the front of the room. He was silent there for a moment as he put both his hands on the wood. It was an odd sight, Severus Snape in the place that Headmaster Dumbledore had stood just one year ago. It seemed as though he would never speak, but when he did, his voice was the same cool drawl that it had ever been.
"Doubtless you have been concerned at the delays in lists and announcements over the course of the summer. It has been troublesome to put together what, with the death of Headmaster Dumbledore, had fallen apart." He paused before continuing. "There have been changes to Hogwarts, yes. In staff, in curriculum, and in expectations. Concerning the first," he gestured at both new professors in one sweeping motion of his hand. "We have the Professors Carrow. They are brother and sister and are united in educating all of you. They will be teaching Dark Arts and Muggle Studies. Yes… There is the change in curriculum. It has been decided by the Board of Governors that you will be learning the history and practical work of the Dark Arts," he continued to speak over any protestations from the students. "And Muggle Studies has changed. It has implemented the use of the journals that you received before returning to Hogwarts. They will be used to facilitate discussions on Muggles and their lifestyle and prejudices. Both of these classes are now compulsory and you will be punished for refusing to attend and participate in them."
And with that, it seemed he was done with that discussion. He called forth Ernie, Pansy, Seamus and Parvati. He introduced Ernie and Pansy as Head Boy and Girl, and then Parvati and Seamus as the replacement prefects for Gryffindor.
"Concerning expectations…" he said. "Due to safety concerns, we are being especially strict regarding curfews. Be within your house by nine o'clock, and lights out will be ten o'clock." He took a deep breath, and as he was already stepping off the platform he said, "That is all."
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