All eagles....
 

As he swiftly made his way down from the staff dais Leo noted with relief that at least one of his newly appointed prefects were taking control and trying to restore some sort of quiet. Stopping at the head of the table Leo amplified his voice somewhat to be heard over the chatter and hysteria that was the eagle table. "Everyone who didn't have any part in the food fight please follow Prefect Wright back to the common room to get cleaned and warmed up! This feast is over!"

"Food and drink will be sent up by the house elves for those of you who didn't get a chance to eat before the food fight broke out. If anyone is injured or hurt please tell Prefect Wright and she'll provide assistance before I'll come up stairs." He nodded to Penelope as a signal to continue with the leading and ushering of the eagle student flock. Was it too much to ask Leo wondered in his mind's eye for a feast without some sort of drama?



Turning to his other prefect looking for answers and accurate information Leo asked "Thornton, who started the food fight? Did any of the eagles get involved in it? Am I right in assuming that you did your best to stop everyone from making the poor decision of joining in the food fight?"

Surveying the table Leo saw the mess of peas and potatoes and merlin knew what that was just everywhere.



Bending to under the table to where some of his eagles were still hiding out from the flying food and rain Leo said "It's safe to come out now. The food fight has ended. Please follow Prefect Wright back to the common room."

Leo's gaze trailed over the eagles under the table to stop on TiaMarie. Why was the school's head girl hiding under the table? Dissapointed he said "Ms Mancini, please come out from under there." He waited until she had crawled out until he instructed quite displeased. "Since you decided to hide instead of taking control of the table or in getting staff assistance like you should know you should as a newly appointed head student of this achool I task you to help me clean this food mess up. No buts or if's! The food needs to be cleaned up before we all go to bed." That was one thing he was not budging on. In fact. "All extra hands helping to clean the mess up would be appreciated." Leo instructed the eagles still here.



Did he hear the word FUN coming out of the mouth of a newly sorted eagle?

Turning Leo called after the leaving group of eagles. "Ms Denaker, can I please have a word with you?" Food fights were not FUN. They were nothing but a nuisance if you asked him. Cold food sticking everywhere was just eww.

Mentions of Rachel & Co.
 

Garreth was taking all of this food-fight stuff awfully well for someone who was nervous about something as trivial as getting on a train. And as if the food fight wasn't bad enough, one of the professors had fainted! Maybe it just hadn't really set in yet that his first ever Hogwarts feast had been practically spoiled by some Gryffindor hooligans. On the other hand, it could have just been all the pleasant conversation that was drawing his attention away from the facts.

Speaking of pleasant conversation

Ailsa sounded rather nervous. 'Maybe she's just really shaken up by the food fight. Or maybe she's worried about the professor.' he thought, socially oblivious as always. He intended to ask if she was alright, but cut off by the sound of a somewhat amplified voice! It couldn't be.. could it?



MERLIN'S BEARD, IT COULD AND IT WAS! The head librarian of Hogwarts himself, Mr. Leobald Kitridge was under this table mere feet away from Garreth. In an instant, the boy was overcome with emotion, similar to what he felt when he saw the Grey Lady for the first time. In a word, he was completely starstruck. He desperately wanted to say something in reply to the man, but could scarcely more than mutter a feint "Yes, sir." through his nervousness.



Eager to follow Mr. Kitridge's command, the eagle slipped out from under the table, turned and began to make his way towards the Prefect along with the others. The Shuffling crowd of students was more than a little disorienting, but he kept an eye on Rachel and company to make sure his friends weren't too far away.

sorry kiddos, we're being honest (Hallie & Kitty & a Rooney mention) + Julia
 

Annnnnnnd, there was Kitridge. Thornton winced as the man came over and asked if he'd done all he could to prevent people from participating. Had he? Had he?

"There.. there were two who went over to the Gryffindor Table after I asked everyone not to throw anything back," he said, trying not to sound so glum about it. He pointed out the student Kitridge had spoken to already, first (Hallie) and then the one that Penelope had had to go retrieve (Kitty). Looking on the not-so-bright side, Thornton clearly didn't appreciate that it had only been two and not the whole table. "Rooney knocked some things over after it started, but he wasn't part of the fight," Thornton added, looking at the food the boy had kicked. Thornton didn't think it was cause for punishment but he always didn't want to withhold information from his Head of House.

With a sigh, Thornton brushed some peas from his shoulder, which reminded him... "Julia was helpful," he added, referencing the first year who had begun brushing food off the prefect while he'd tried to establish order.

This whole night was a right disaster. The Hall was a mess, Kitridge was apparently upset with Tia, Thornton had demonstrated exactly how lousy a prefect (he thought) he was. And it wasn't even over yet.

"..I can stay and help clean."

It's Haddie Thorton, with two "d's" :P
 

Haddie's back had been turned to the raised dais in the front of the Hall. She hadn't seen Mr. Kitridge approach, hadn't realized the danger she was in until his words washed over her like ice.

The girl gulped, and turned around. Her mouth opened as if she were about to launch into some elaborately concocted excuse that would confuse him into thinking she was innocent, but thought better of it. This man was in charge of the smart house at Hogwarts, not one of her silly elementary school teachers that had a shorter attention span than she did. After a moment she nodded and step forward, looking anywhere but Mr. Kitridge's eyes.

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmbiguouslyMe (Post 11853239) "There.. there were two who went over to the Gryffindor Table after I asked everyone not to throw anything back," he said, trying not to sound so glum about it. He pointed out the student Kitridge had spoken to already, first (Hallie) and then the one that Penelope had had to go retrieve (Kitty).

"Exactly!" Haddie saw an opening and took it without hesitation or thought. "He only said not to throw anything. And I didn't actually, um..." The moment she said it, she realized it was a mistake. Mr. Kitridge clearly wasn't the type of man that would let her off on a technicality. Her nerve faltered. "...throw... anything." Hadley became intensely fascinated by Mr. Kitridge's shoes. And the bit of mashed potatoes and gravy next to his shoes that vaguely looked like an eagle choking on, well, mashed potatoes. "Sir."

Janelle was having a good time meeting her new housemates. Finally the Headmistresses speech happened and the glorious food had appeared. She had just filled her plate and was about to dig in when all you know what broke loose. Food was flying everywhere and students were on tables, under tables and everwhere in between. Now Janelle liked a food fight as much as the next person, but the opening feast did not seem like the best time or place.

Janelle just chalked it up to another crazy first day at Hogwarts. So far at opening feasts she had been: soaking wet from a jump in the lake, witnessed a fight at the Ravenclaw table and been in the midst of a food fight. The feast would be downright boring if there was no drama.

Things were crazy. Most of the food seemed to be coming from the Gryffindor direction.........until some Ravenclaw firsties decided to jump into the fray. Oh, this was not going to end well. Before she knew it, the sky was falling, in the form of rain and Professor Flamsteed was as red as his suit. Well, Janelle had certainly come full circle. First feast, soaking wet. Current feast soaking wet. This time though, she knew the hot air/drying spell. After drying herself, she looked for any younger students who needed to be dried off.

When Mr. Kitridge arrived and sent everyone of to the Common Room, it was clear that the feast was over. Looking at the mess, Janelle answered the call. "I'll help clean up Mr. Kitridge." With magic, it shouldn't take too long........hopefully.

+ mention for Goblinfrog
 

Straightening up as Thornton provided him with some information Leo listened attentively. Reaching out to pat the senior boy on the shoulder Leo said to invoke some light in the madness and confidence in his prefect. "I'm grateful that you tried to stop everyone from retaliating Thornton, I really am! Everyone is responsible for their own actions though so don't beat yourself up. If you hadn't said or done what you did then Ravenclaw might be a mirror of Gryffindor house right now and not just having 2 partcipants in the food fight who will get a fair punishment."

Looking over at the departing eagles in Penelope's wake he called out before they made it to the Great Hall doors trying to spot Kitty's dark head. "Kitty Valentine? Ms Valentine could you come back over here please? I'd like a word with you about your involvement in the food fight."

Refocusing on Thornton he said "All cleaning help is greatly appreciated, maybe you could start scrubbing off the food from the chairs?"



Flashing Julia a big smile Leo said "Thornton just told me how helpful you'd been to him when the food fight broke out. I thank you for that Julia. Are you willing to stay behind and help us clean up the food sticking everywhere?"

Thornton also mentioned Rooney, but right now Leo had to focus on one of the food fighters.



It was a huge relief when the rain stopped pouring. Ending his protego spell Leo put it back into its holster as Haddie approached and made excuses for her actions and didn't want to meet his gaze. To him that spoke volumes of guilt more than her words did. "Are you sure you are telling me the whole truth Ms Denaker? If you didn't throw any food then explain to me why you went over to the Gryffindor table in the first place, ignoring prefect orders? Prefect Bains just attested to your involvement in the food fight Ms Denker and I believe him." Not to mention that he had seen a lot from up on the dais. "Do yourself a favour and tell me the truth now and your punishment will be more lenient then it could be." Just detention seemed fitting, but if Haddie kept lying then Leo saw no other reason than to take points away too.



Turning to Janelle he smiled gratefully. "Thank you for offering Janelle. Please start cleaning up food that is lying everywhere on the table. Feel free to use magic. It'd be good practice for you." It was the first day of the new school year so charm spell practie would just help hone her skills.

Mentions of Rachel and crew and, of course, Kitridge.
 

Abby looked at some of her fellow housemates offering to stay behind to help clean up and said "Mr Kitridge sir i am offering to help clean up the great hall if you need many hands" Abby liked her head of house and wanted to show that she was willing to help clean

I see all of the replies to Rach but just replying to Haddie & Kitridge ^_^
 

A feeling of dread came over Kitty as she heard Mr. Kitridge call her back- who was also talking to Haddie. What kind of punishment was he going to give them? Kitty had never been punished by a teacher before - not even at her old school in Romania.

He asked her about her involvement in the food fight. Looking down at the floor, Kitty answered in a slightly trembling tone (Haddie was clearly much braver than she was when facing possible punishment), "I only got involved because one of the Gryffindor's ruined my hair and messed up my make up - it's not like I started it. He was the only one who I threw food back at, and it was just grapes. I'm sorry anyway."

Mr Kitridge and Haddie too!
 

More girls offered to help clean up the food mess. Glancing to them briefly with a smile pursing on his lips he said "Thank you Ms Denaker and Ms Valentine you can both help Ms Guidry and Prefect Baines with scrubbing away the food that has stuck to the table and chairs. Feel free to use magic if you know the incantation to the cleaning spell."


It took no genius to understand that Haddie was grasping for straws to make the story she was sticking with believable even if it felt like a big stretch of the real thruth. The loop hole excuse was worthy of a yearbook mention Leo had to admit. He was about to respond to Haddie when a brown haired girl with freckles on her face by the name of Rachel Watson if memory served crawled out from under the eagle table to defend her friend. A noble act. And she had made good points too when she spoke up Leo had to admit. At least one claw used her wits on this night. Would haddie be smart and apologize?

While Rachel had interjected to plead for Haddie, the second food fight particpant showed up to explain her actions and apologize. Leo would respond to her first. "Apology accepted Ms Valentine however in the future I expect you to use your common sense and wits before you act on your impulses. Retaliation no matter the circumstance is never ever a good option it just gets you into more trouble. And this food fight ruined the feast for many of your peers and that is not something to be proud of."

"I will deduct 10 house points from you for your part in the food fight Ms Valentine and I expect you to report to me at the front desk in the library tomorrow morning after breakfast for a cleaning duty is that clear?

You are now free to go back to the Ravenclaw common room to get cleaned up and get some sleep Ms Valentine."

Turning to Haddie he said "Ms Denaker, I expect to hear an apology from you. Your actions tonight ruined the feast for many of your peers and that is nothing to be proud of. Retaliation no matter the circumstance never ever leads to something good, just more trouble for yourself."

"I will deduct 10 house points from you Ms Denaker for your part in the food fight and I expect you to report to me at the front desk in the library tomorrow morning after breakfast for cleaning duty is that clear? Now if you just apologize i can let you go with your friend Ms Watson to the get cleaned up and get some sleep in the common room."

And Leo would be able to focus on the rest of the clean up before he went for a very late dinner in his office.

Julia was about to follow the other prefect and the rest of the first years to their common room, when she heard Thornton mentioning her and then the older man who'd come storming over—who was maybe the House Dad or something?—asked her about cleaning up. Well. Well. As much as she wanted to protest that she hadn’t made the mess, and really that tidying up one’s prefect was a lot different than cleaning up food, especially food one hadn’t yet so much as nibbled…

…Haddie just had points taken from their House, and that didn’t sound good either. So. Julia mustered up an enthusiastic ”Okay!" and spent a few moments scrounging around in her pockets before emerging with a hair elastic and tying back her hair. Because if this professor was the House Dad, and Thornton was the House Big Brother, it was best to do what they said, right? Right.

…

Ew though. Julia wrinkled up her nose and set to work picking up discarded, soggy rolls from the floor. Not quite sure what to do with them once they were in hand, she asked, ”Do we have a garbage bag?”

Leo doubted how sincere the apology from Haddie was but at least she had uttered one. "Apology accepted Ms Denaker. I sincerely hope for your sake that you'll keep that promise. Don't forget to report to the library after breakfast. Now you are free to go get some sleep in Ravenclaw Tower on the seventh floor, Prefect Wright will show you to your dorms when you get there."

With that Leo turned away from the girls, pulled out his wand and attacked the mess.

Abby got to work cleaning the table with her wand out and performing the cleaning spell Scourgify so she was glad that she offered to clean up after others had ruined the feast for the others

Janelle listened to Mr. Kitridge's instructions. Good practice. Yes, she supposed getting rid of the mess would make good cleaning spell practice. Just one thing she wondered though. Why were the perpretrators heading off to bed and not cleaning up the soggy mess that they were a part of? Oh well, it wasn't her job to judge.

Taking our her wand, Janelle directed it at a section of the table and said, "Scourgify". Magic was awesome! She couldn't imagine how long this job would take if they had to do it muggle style. They'd be here all night. As her stomach began to rumble, Janelle looked down at all of the ruined food. What a waste. Maybe she still had a few snacks left in her backpack.

While the Ravenclaw Head of House lectured the Eagles that had participated in the feast-spoiling food fight of furious feast-spoiling - say that five times fast! - Garreth, the freshly crowned Claw curiously poked his head through the great hall's massive doorway. There they were! Rachel, and a few of the friends he had made on the way to Hogwarts!

Of course Garreth had hurried to do as Mr. Kitridge had suggested, but half way through the hallway towards the staircases, he'd paused and turned back. He couldn't very well leave Rachel & company behind, could he? He'd waited a moment, thinking they were right behind him, but when a whole two minutes had passed, and they hadn't even left tithe great hall, he came to investigate. He immediately noticed some students working on cleaning up the mess, and eager to impress Mr. Kitridge overcame his nerve with a wave towards him and the others. "Do- do you guys need any help?" he offered just barely loud enough to be heard clearly.

He was glad Rachel was there so that even if his help wasn't required, at least he wouldn't have to walk back to the common room by himself.

While under the table, Tia heard a small voice next to her asking to be shown the common room. Oh bless his Ravenclaw soul. She nodded at him, "Soon, young one, soon." But then heard Penelope's voice calling to those under the table and saying to follow her up to the towers. She was about to climb out from under the table, though not with the young ones because she very well knew the way to the towers by now, but as a way to "take up the rear" for the stragglers in the hall, but before she could do so she heard the voice of one she wasn't sure she wanted to hear. Her head of house.


Cringing at his words, she closed her eyes a moment, debating her choice of words back to him. She wasn't 'hiding' though like he said, but rather she had ushered others under the table with her to keep them safe and away from harm. It didn't particularly matter though what her excuse was, because Kitridge was unhappy with her and she felt like a failure. Perhaps she should just hand him her badge back to give to Moxley.

"I'm sorry, Mister Kitridge, I ... " Tia said, averting her gaze away from his. "I was taking control and trying to keep the Ravenclaws out of sight and safe though." She murmured quietly, fiddling with unpinning her badge to hand over to him. But then spoke up more loudly, "Of course I'll help clean it up." Especially if it meant she wasn't going to be a disappointment to her house head anymore. That was the last thing she wanted in her final year was to get on his bad side; she needed a good recommendation for whatever followed Hogwarts.