SHADOWS OF SORROW [S.S]

24 - In the Shadow of his Trust

This chapter was designed, inspired and written with the song 'El tango de Roxanne' in mind. I do know it's not historically accurate but a lot of things in this story were changed in favor of inclusivity, gender neutrality and feminism so one single song from the future won't hurt anyone. I strongly advice to listen to it as soon as the opening ceremony dance starts for the best experience. For the Wattpad users it is available above. Enjoy darlings <3

The Great Hall has been transformed in a matter of hours. When the Slytherins sat at lunch, it looked the way it always did, the magical ceiling enlightened by floating candles and the four tables for each house packed with delicacies. The walls high and empty except for the windows overlooking the Black Lake. But now all the dining tables were gone, the place looking massive in comparison to earlier, filigree strings of crystals and silver decorating the ceiling, each one of them lowered to a different height, the light hitting every crystal like a raindrop and splitting into various rays of cold white, illuminating the space. The soft sound of violins and celli in the back of the Hall, the orchestra placed upon the dais where the High-Tables used to be, black curtains framing the tall windows in a beautifully draped manner. In Acknowledgement of the four Founders, there were banners hung upon the dais, each one of them in their significant color and portraying their representative animals. The dark green one with its silvery snake perfectly matching with Amaya's dress tonight. There were multiple tables to stand at, covered in black fabrics like a tablecloth, decorated with small candles in colorful blue, red, yellow or green glasses, each table designated to a house, even though Gryffindors stood at Slytherin tables with their Ravenclaw friends. Today it didn't matter where students were sorted, everybody got to enjoy everything. Vases with flowers were placed next to the doors, lilies, roses and forget me not mixed with greeneries, white stone statues of various magical creatures filling the empty spaces on the walls left and right. Professor Garlick definitely had a say in some of the decorations, the Herbology teacher at the very back, taking care of some yellow Malween bushes behind the orchestra, dressed in a light green gown, similar to her ordinary dresses, the witch's hat abandoned for the night.

"Miss Garlick tried to talk me into decorating the Hall with honking daffodils in honor of the Hufflepuff House colors... Glad I was able to stand my ground. Now it's just those yellow bushes." Riva muttered, her arm hooked onto Garrett Weasley, the Gryffindor looking around in just as much awe as Amaya. "It's beautiful Riv, even a few honking flowers wouldn't change that." The magical ceiling was transfigured into a starry night sky, the filigree strings of silver and crystal drops looking like the stars were falling out of the sky. "I never thought I'd say this, but I wish I could see..." Ominis sighed as his free hand laid upon Amaya's on his arm. "Especially today, wondering how magnificent you must be looking." His words were a mere whisper as Riva and Garret stepped further into the Great Hall, leaving the two Slytherins behind. Cressida and Amit have been running for their other friends the second the doors opened for them, her red curly hair easily distinguishable in the crowd. "I can tell you as much; we unintentionally match pretty well. The green accents on your suit with my green dress." She smiled up at her company, making him chuckle, a soft expression upon his face. "I'm glad. Let's see if we can find Zane or Sebastian." – "Zane Hillcroft?" Ominis nodded, relying on the girl to help him through the crowd the way she did when they were late for Transfiguration class. He chose to abandon his wand tonight, proofing his trust in Amaya. "How do you know them?" – "I don't. I just heard Riva talk about them back at the Slytherin complex, since they were planning the After Party together. She said Zane is incapable of making their own decisions." Ominis laughed at that, his face fixed upon the floor as they walked to some unknown location.

"They are exceptionally nice, but Riva is right about the decision-making. Zane has a hard time with responsibility on their shoulders."

"What's that supposed to mean?" A voice echoed right behind them, the Slytherins bodies tensing up and halting. "They are behind us, aren't they?" Ominis whispered, his words slightly closer to her ear, as she nodded against his head so he could feel it, the touch tensing him up even more. "By Salazar..." Gaunt turned on his heel, smiling neatly in the direction of the voice, Zane returning the smile in an amused manner. "Not to worry... you're right. I suck at this whole organization thing. Glad Riva helped me." They laughed as the shock in Amaya slowly eased, eyeing the girl Zane was with. An astounding Ravenclaw, dressed in layers of lavender silk and a diamond tiara upon her head. Was she royalty? "I am sure the Slytherin Common Room Party will be rumored to be the best this whole year again. It's always been. Although the Ravenclaw Parties were pretty close to winning last year." The girl in Lavender smiled at Ominis in a wicked manner. "Oh, we would have easily overtaken you if it weren't for that grouchy little house elf of Black who told on us. Crashing the party like a broom race through the streets of Hogsmeade." Her hand elegantly waved the Slytherins off, Zane rolling their eyes in amusement, hand snaking around the Ravenclaws waist to pull her closer. "Sure love. Let's fetch the others. I think I saw Samantha and Sebastian somewhere over at the tables."