The Marauders Rise (II)

The Welcoming Feast

September 1, 1973

In the Great Hall, MINERVA finishes calling out the last of the first-years' names, ending the annual Sorting Ceremony. She gathers up the scroll, the stool, and the Hat and carries them from the Hall. ALBUS stands up at the podium, and everyone in the Hall begins to quiet down.

ALBUS: Welcome, to another year at Hogwarts! Now that we have all eaten our fill, I have just a few start-of-term announcements. Our new caretaker, Mr. Filch, has released an updated list of banned magical objects, most of which include Zonko's products. First-years are reminded that the Forbidden Forest is strictly out-of-bounds. For those qualified students interested in DisApparating lessons-

As ALBUS continues to speak, NARCISSA removes her hat and leans over the Slytherin table.

NARCISSA: (quietly) Do you know who got Head Boy and Girl?

MAFALDA: Didn't you hear? Pandora from Ravenclaw got Head Girl.

NARCISSA: Oh, thank God.

MAFALDA: And Head Boy is uh- that kid from Gryffindor-

LUCIUS: (whispering) Fabian Prewett.

NARCISSA: Okay, good. I was about to say, we really did not need another Dolores Umbridge breathing down our necks this whole year.

LUCIUS: Yeah, Pandora will be fine

From the front of the hall, ALBUS is towards the end of his speech.

ALBUS: And finally, I have information that I believe is rightfully owed to you as inhabitants of Hogwarts. One year ago, this Castle was infiltrated by Dark wizards.

A now heavy silence has fallen upon the Hogwarts students as they listen intently to ALBUS'S words.

ALBUS: (continuing) The breach was unexpected, and many students' lives were put at risk. As Headmaster, it is my job to ensure that this never happens again. Security around the Castle has been doubled by placement of Aurors at any and all entrances to the Castle. Students are advised to never travel alone when attending outdoor classes, and to respect the rules of curfew. This Castle is your home, and as such it is your right to learn the ways of magic in a safe environment. Now off to bed, pip pip!

The students begin to rise from the four tables, and conversation sparks up quickly.

SIRIUS: (taking one last bite of pudding) Well, that was cheerful.

JAMES: Rules were meant to be broken. What say we break out the Map later tonight?

REMUS: Definitely not.

SIRIUS: Oh, come on, Remus.

REMUS: Not on the first night, the teachers'll be patrolling the corridors for ages!

JAMES: I say we go for it. What do you think, Peter?

PETER: (nervously) Well, it is a bit dangerous- maybe just for a bit-

JAMES: (smiling) Three yeses, that's all we need. Let's do this.

SIRIUS: Yeah, mate. (He high-fives JAMES, and the four friends begin to make their way out of the Hall with the rest of the students).

Soon, LILY approaches them from behind and shoves JAMES forcefully.

LILY: (spitefully) That was a pretty rubbish thing you did on the train.

JAMES: Oh, come on, Evans, he had it coming-

LILY: He was minding his own business, the way you should have been!

JAMES: What do you see in him, anyway, Evans?

LILY: Just leave him alone, won't you? You're so immature.

She goes ahead of them, and JAMES stares longingly after her.

SIRIUS: She'll come around, mate.

REMUS: Yeah, don't worry about her. Come on, let's break out that Map, shall we?

JAMES: Yeah. Good idea, let's go.