The Headmaster was right. It was good to be back. It had been a long day and a long time coming, but it was GOOD to be back at Hogwarts.

.... Even if Hogwarts was in shambles from being abandoned for a whole year. At present, the Slytherin Common Room was covered in dust bunnies, cobwebs and smelled a bit like must from sitting untouched under the lake all that time. This was precisely why he had made his way to the Common Room before the swarm of students could.

Piers waited inside the room, resisting the urge to lean against something because anything he leaned against would leave a dust print on his bum. He didn't want that.

When the swarm of Slytherin students arrived to the common room after their lovely feast, Piers was standing in the middle of the room, arms crossed, watching them and waiting for them all to get inside and realize how dirty and dingy this place was. More so than usual. "Everyone settle down! We have work to do." He paused and waited for some quiet, and then continued.

"As the Headmaster mentioned, the castle has been neglected for the last year. Before you all go to bed, you're all in charge of getting this place as clean as your nan's just before Sunday supper, alright? So, everybody pick a task. We've got cobwebs to be taken down, windows to be washed, rugs needing beating, couches needing a good vacuum, tables to be polished... In other words, plenty of work for everyone - and BEFORE you can moan and groan just remember it's better than sleeping in a broom closet, am I right?" YES. Yes, he was. It was a rhetorical question, but the answer was yes.

And he was counting on his two prefects to make sure everyone cooperated.

Fiona wasn't into cleaning all that much. However, due to having to sleep in an enchanted broom closet last year, she was willing to do what was needed. "Professor, I volunteer to wash the windows. Are we using magical or non-magical methods of cleaning?" she said as she silently hoped that magic was going to be used but she was also mentally preparing herself for the answer to not the one she was hoping for.

To be entirely honest? Nina was not entirely paying attention to the Headmaster's speech and had completely missed the briefing about the.... grime. But in all fairness, she usually gave their Headmaster her undivided attention! She was just... Distracted tonight. Which, by the way, was horribly inconvenient and she couldn't ever imagine being the type of person who was distracted all the time. It was absolutely horrible! Having experienced a moment of distraction, for quite possibly the first time in her life, Nina's respect for Calyx had grown tenfold. She had always thought Calyx to be hardworking, but with his sometimes tendency to get distracted it was honestly amazing that he was able to get so much done! Nina could never. It was why she NEVER got distracted, it would take away from her productivity. That would be a travesty.

This was not what she was thinking about in the moment, however. Instead, she was focusing all efforts on f r o w n i n g. Because the very last thing Nina wanted to do on her first night back was clean! AND the dust was agitating her allergies, which meant she could not stop sneezing. As none of this was at all anticipated (why hadn't they done a deep clean of the castle before students arrived, honestly!!), she didn't have any potions on hand to help her. Despite all efforts to keep her sneezing to a quiet, lady-like volume...

"ACHOO!"

She planned on standing here in the middle of the room, arms crossed and frown in place until this cleaning escapade was over. "Achoo!" Until she was making her way towards Professor Fuller-Thompson with a different plan entirely. "Professor, I would like to be ex-caHUSED!" She covered her mouth with her elbow, obviously. Sneezing profusely or not, she had manners.

If there is anything Jillian is good at, it's cleaning and organizing and quite frankly she enjoys these kind of stuff. So when the Headmaster talked about cleaning their common rooms, this was something she can definitely help with.

Reaching the common room she spotted Professor Pierson up front. He was his usual self with his typical 'arms across his chest' pose. The Slytherin common room does look like it needed cleaning- a ton of cleaning. Jillian stood silently sizing up the different types of the furniture in this big room. Hoping that they get to clean ALL of this- from top to bottom before bed time. She thought of what task she will be doing when the professor mentioned it, at this point her eyes laid on the sturdy study tables. It was quite large but she'll try to manage polishing that table clean. Her eyes also lingered on the couch and looking at it right now makes Jillian want to sneeze. That couch has gathered enough amount of dust bunnies so people ought to be careful if they don't want to be sneezing the entire time.

Cue, Nina's sneeze.

She gave out a soft chuckle at what professor said in the latter. Yeah, this is sooooo much better than that broom closet they had last year. It's good to be back at Hogwarts and it's awesome to be back in this amazing yet filled with cobwebs common room. Taking her usual scrunchie Jillian tied her black long hair up into a clean ponytail- tidying herself up before she starts cleaning of course. "Anyone is welcome to help me clean and polish the tables and the shelves" yes, everyone is welcome to pick up a rag and clean. The more the merrier? More like the sooner they do this, the better.

"Let me know if any of you need help" she spoke up as she made her way towards the table. The amount of small clumps of dust that gathered on top of the table is realllllly thick and the color? Eeewww. She needs water and a rag stat.

Curtis... CLEANING? Heck to the NO. Curtis arrived with the other housemates and phew, the amount of the dust. It was just all in the air and everything. He didn't even like cleaning up after himself let up other people's mess. Hmph.

Curtis seeing one of the other girl's sneezing prompted him the idea. "AAAACHOO" Making sure to hawk and spit out a loogie on the ground to add an effect. He covered his face with his robes and proceeded to walk ahead to the dorms. "AchoO!" ACCHOO!!" Out of the way boys and girls, he was getting out of here.

Kaiser had been relieved for the feast to be over so he could finally distance himself from all the people and either sleep, or give up on the attempt entirely and just sit by himself for a few hours. So returning to the common room to this was... an unpleasant surprise. Probably made obvious by his immediate frown.

He didn't care about grime and dirt and bad smells. It had been his life for the longest time, so why would it bother him now? Kaiser had no problems with cleaning or whatever - he'd not done much in his life, but he had no problems with trying it - but having to stick around all these people in close quarters when he wanted nothing more than to be on his own.. that, he had a problem with. Also, being ordered around and expected to do as he was bid was something he had never fully adjusted to. The proverbial dark cloud over his head intensified.

The broom closet wasn't looking too terrible right about now. It never had seemed all that bad to him at all, actually, but that wasn't the point.

Resisting the urge to make a comment about lacking that point of reference, with the nan and the Sunday supper (pretty easy given he didn't feel like saying a word), Kaiser cast a brief glance around the room, taking note of who was already here. He retrieved his wand from its makeshift holster up his sleeve and immediately removed himself from the gathering group to start scourgifying the dirt and dust from the various surfaces around the room, not once saying a single word.

The sooner they started, the quicker it would be finished. Trying to get out of it like some were doing, even just walking out, would make the whole thing take longer or attract unnecessary attention, bring unnecessary trouble. Pick your battles, Kaiser. Pick your battles.

Gunnar had been prepared for the state the common room would be in before he arrived and he wasn't exactly pleased that they'd have to clean before going to bed. It had been a very long day and he was tired, but he supposed it would feel better sleeping on clean sheets rather than dusty ones. And if they were all expected to pitch in, it would take no time at all. Where were the elves though? They could help out too since it was literally their job.

And he was one of the first ones to the common room, having led his younger housemates - particularly the first and second years and transfers - down to through the dungeons. So he was already present for Fuller-Thompson's mini speech as well as a pitiful display from a couple of his housemates.

"Absolutely not," he snapped at the boy (Curtis) who thought it perfectly fine to spit on the floor then leave it for someone else to clean up and walk towards the dorms. Disgusting. With a flick of his wand, he cast a barrier blocking the door to the boys dorm. A NEWT level shield charm, but he figured it would be effective enough to make his point. "Everyone is cleaning up. At the very least, you'll clean up after yourself." He didn't know this boy and would assume him to be a transfer as he didn't appear to be a first year, but he did not have the time or the energy for entitlement - not knowing that he was his Head of House's son. But even if he did, he would not care. As far as he was concerned, they were in this together and no one deserved special treatment.

"Anyone that has an issue with dust can certainly use a bubblehead charm." He spared a glance at Nina, disappointed with her trying to get out of this as well. "Older students should know how to cast that, and if you are someone who doesn't, ask an older student." They were Slytherins for Merlin's sake, and not whinging babies. "Pitch in, help out, and don't expect people to do it for you. The more we work together, the faster we get done." He didn't want to clean either, but he wasn't about to do someone else's work for them, or make someone else do his share.

The good mood he was in when he got off the train? Gone. That anger that he had so effectively pushed down earlier during the feast was already starting to spill out. Perhaps cleaning would be a good outlet for it. And he would start with his favorite window looking into the lake.

And so Curtis ran with audible sneezes from his covered mouth up to the dorms. He would be safe and able to avoid all responsibility. Sounded like a plan right? Well, too bad for him an invisible wall blocked him. "AHHHCHOOO-OW!" What was this? Who did this to him? He momentarily forgot his sneezing as he saw the perpetrator. The Head Boy. More like PerpeTRAITOR. His eyes began to water as he thought of upsetting things. Oh this was great, allergies make your eyes water. Curtis decided, welp, if the Head Boy wanted to challenge him, he was getting one.

"ACHOO!" Curtis sat for a moment while others were being good and cleaning. There was no way he could get out of cleaning now. So what then? He can't let this Head Boy win at the humiliation. He was a big Meanie. "I... was going to-ACHOO!- Get some tissue to wipe my nose-ACHOO! and maybe some for that nice girl who I don't know she-ACHOOO is, but is suffering too so we could- ACHOOO help someway too." Wiping his nose off his robes, tears made his nose drip. "But I can always wipe it off the table with the dust and make my head explode if you'd like Mr. Head Boy." After all, how did he know he wasn't going to come back? Assumptions, assumptions. He did his very best poker face... minus the sneezing and tears flowing.

Wait a second. So the Headmaster was serious about them having to clean the castle? And they had to do it all before bed tonight? Isla wasn't a complainer, but this was going to break her. She was exhausted. Not only that, she was sure they were going to do all this by magic, but apparently they were going at it muggle style? Or, at least Isla was. She was brand new to magical school. She didn't even have one day under her belt.

So having said that...where were the washclothes?

As Isla looked around the room, she was suddenly tuned in to all the sneezing and snotting going on around her. Some boy (Curtis) had even spit on the floor, which caused Isla to wrinkle up her nose. Okay, he was cleaning that up. Sorry, dude. Her eyes widened as the Head Boy pretty much laid the hammer down on that one and blocked the boy from moving any further. On that note, she was heading to the other side of the room. No thanks to drama this early on.

Jillian had made an offer for anyone to come over and help her, so Isla thought it her best bet to go that way. "I'll help, Jillian," she said. "Do we have anything to clean with? I don't think they want a brand new firstie trying to cast cleaning spells."

Claudine came into the Common Room at the exact moment her Head of House asked them about that dratted broom closet. She could have groaned in disgust at the memory of that year long experience. She loathed that broom closet. This Room was certainly dusty and while she didn’t want to spend her time cleaning, she wasn’t going to spend her second year somewhere duty. Besides, the faster they get things over with, the better.

The Snakette was going to help and not be like those two older students that were trying to wriggle out of getting anything done. Good on the Head Boy for showing them who's boss. She was smirking about this as she edged closer into the room. Claudine’s wand was already out, ready to perform the Siphoning Charm that she had perfected towards the end of the previous school year.

The couches and chairs definitely needed some tending to.

But there was drama brewing between the Head Boy and the other guy.

Interesting.

Fiona decided to use magical methods for cleaning the windows when she witnessed a confrontation between some kid that looked only a couple of years older than her and the Head Boy. She silent hoped that the Head Boy would win because she was very annoyed and disgusted with the other boy's attitude.

She aimed her wand at the windows and began to perform a Scouring Charm on the windows, keeping an ear on the confrontation. What an exciting way to start the new term!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ginevra

Fiona wasn't into cleaning all that much. However, due to having to sleep in an enchanted broom closet last year, she was willing to do what was needed. "Professor, I volunteer to wash the windows. Are we using magical or non-magical methods of cleaning?" she said as she silently hoped that magic was going to be used but she was also mentally preparing herself for the answer to not the one she was hoping for.

Ah, look. A willing volunteer. Piers was pleased that SOME students were rising up to the cause and just getting the task done. The sooner it was done, the sooner they could go to bed. "Whichever method you would like," he responded pleasantly to the girl.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charely Potter

And so Curtis ran with audible sneezes from his covered mouth up to the dorms. He would be safe and able to avoid all responsibility. Sounded like a plan right? Well, too bad for him an invisible wall blocked him. "AHHHCHOOO-OW!" What was this? Who did this to him? He momentarily forgot his sneezing as he saw the perpetrator. The Head Boy. More like PerpeTRAITOR. His eyes began to water as he thought of upsetting things. Oh this was great, allergies make your eyes water. Curtis decided, welp, if the Head Boy wanted to challenge him, he was getting one.

"ACHOO!" Curtis sat for a moment while others were being good and cleaning. There was no way he could get out of cleaning now. So what then? He can't let this Head Boy win at the humiliation. He was a big Meanie. "I... was going to-ACHOO!- Get some tissue to wipe my nose-ACHOO! and maybe some for that nice girl who I don't know she-ACHOOO is, but is suffering too so we could- ACHOOO help someway too." Wiping his nose off his robes, tears made his nose drip. "But I can always wipe it off the table with the dust and make my head explode if you'd like Mr. Head Boy." After all, how did he know he wasn't going to come back? Assumptions, assumptions. He did his very best poker face... minus the sneezing and tears flowing.

And then pleasantness flew out the window when his son started acting like.... THAT.

Piers reached over and grabbed Curtis by the ear as he talked back to the Head Boy (who did a rather nice job at scolding him, he had to say) and dragged him over to his side. Keeping a nice grip on his ear, Piers lowered his voice to murmur to Curtis about what WAS and what was NOT going to happen. "Watch your mouth, son. Stop your games. Just because you're my son does not make you exempt from anything. Get to work. Another word and I'll assign you to detention with somebody who will not be as nice as me." And then he let go of his ear, gave the Head Boy a nod, and casually looked about the room as if nothing had happened.



"Oh, did I mention?" Piers said aloud for everyone to hear, "I brought second dessert! The sooner we finish the sooner we can eat cookies." Because bribery DID work and he was not above it.

Fiona was getting into cleaning the windows when she saw Professor Fuller-Thompson disciplining the troublesome boy. Fiona couldn't recall a time when she saw her Head of House this angry and was momentarily distracted by this, causing the window in front of her to be covered in more soap suds than she had planned.

Luckily, it was a particularly grimy window so it was all good in the end. After the windows were cleaned to perfection, Fiona spotted some nearby cobwebs and decided to tackle those next. While she was removing the cobwebs, she heard cookies being mentioned. She didn't eat much at the feast so she wasn't going to deny herself the chance to have some yummy cookies.

“EW!” Nina practically SQUEALED when that boy (Curtis) practically mocked her sneeze and then proceeded to SPIT on the floor. That was the most disgusting thing she had ever seen and there was absolutely no way that she could possibly stay here and clean after that. That was far grosser than any grime. She made a face at him to let him know that she thought that much, too. The look on her face only faltered when Gunnar suggested the bubblehead charm and gave her what could only be described as a disappointed glance.

She felt… embarrassed to say the least. She gave him a sheepish look, right before sneezing again. No, she did not want to clean. No, she did not want to use a bubblehead charm that would make her look so incredibly foolish in front of her entire house. But because she didn’t want to draw any attention to herself, she moved to the corner to begin dusting… Though she did hear that idiotic boy speak back to Gunnar. What kind of audacity did he possess? Honestly, some boys were remarkably stupid. This one, included.

She did like that he called her nice though. That was maybe the one good thing he had done since stepping foot into the common room. She smiled at that, very pleased. And while Nina pretended to take great interest in cleaning and trying not to sneeze, she was peeking from the corner of her eyes to see what was going on between the dumb boy, Gunnar, and Professor Fuller-Thompson. She was curious and needed to know!

How about........no?

No was a nice and concise word that was the perfect accumulation of how Eiji felt about all of this. The relief he had felt previously of being back at Hogwarts, something he had never imagined him actually experiencing, was quickly dissipating like ash into a boiling cauldron. He did not want to spend his first night back cleaning the common room. In fact, he didn't want to spend his first night back with his fellow Slytherins period but, seeing as every house was tasked with cleaning their common rooms, what he actually wanted to be doing wouldn't be on the table regardless.

The only, repeat, only thing that had his feet moving towards any display of effort was Gunnar barking at that one fellow and certainly NOT because of the promise of any cookies. "...you can have my share," he grumbled at Nina as he walked behind her and towards some of the portholes with a damp rag to clean the glass. At least he could be looking out into the Black Lake and its calming dark waters while he worked. Even if it was bloody impossible to see anything out of the windows at this hour.

So those crocodile tears of his? They became real now as Curtis was dragged into a corner. This was so UNFAIR. He couldn't get away with anything with his father Professor around. Not that he was expecting any different, but the random spell that nearly cost him his wonderful genes was a little too far. Why did he have to clean up other people's messes? Didn't the Professors have ALL this time to do so while they were gone? Or the people who supposedly cleared the castle of monsters? Yeah, them. He should write to the Minister about this. People with real allergies were suffering on their first night back.

Curtis looked over at the Head Boy, he was probably smirking at this. Happy to put a little snake down in front of everyone. That stupid badge of his is the only reason he had to be so mean to him. Curtis thought all these things while being dragged away giving him the dirtiest look ever. So all that stuff he was hearing now? Yeah, yeah, yeah, clean up. Fine. Looking up at his father, he kept a straight face before wiping his face in one fast swipe. Detention didn't scare him. Nothing scared him. He just... Well.. something was going to be done. Maybe not now or tomorrow but something.

Curtis then walked away when he was allowed to but over to the pile of fake snot he spat out. His robe was dirty anyway, so he went on all fours to wipe that up. No, he wasn't going to use his wand. If he got his wand out now, he did not want to use it for cleaning at that very moment... He then looked up back at that Head Boy and smiled. Teeth showing and all.

The vibe given out by most of the people in this room is not fun at all. Is this a Slytherin thing? S I G H. Let's just get over this. It also didn't go unnoticed to her when someone-- well not just someone, their head of the house's son spitted. D I S G U S T I N G. Ewwww. Jillian is not going anywhere near that area now, thank you very much. She's not going to participate in any of the 'dilemma' or whatever that is. Besides Curtis' dad is giving him the time out for acting like a child.

Anyway...
Peace of mind.

Jillian immediately turned her stoic face into a smile when the first year came to help her with the cleaning. That's better, she needs all the help she can get from anyone who is willing. "Hi there. Isla, right?" from the opening feast. She remembers the little one getting all hyped up in becoming a Slytherin. Awesome. She needs that kind of spirit around her. She handed her a damped washcloth for her to use. "Are you familiar with any spells?" specifically the cleaning charm? She could be that kid you know- that read her books in advance to be well prepared for the semester. They're allowed to use any method of cleaning after all. "But if you're not familiar with spells, we can clean the tables and the shelves with washcloth" either way is fine.

DING. Another smile formed on her lips when Professor Fuller-Thompson mentioned cookies. YAAAAY. That would go great with milk or tea.... or both, milk tea.

Things were... happening, in the common room. Mildly interesting things, probably. For some people. Kaiser, however, could not bring himself to care, or watch, or even be just a little bit entertained. He was too tired; physically, emotionally, spiritually.

There had, however, been a moment - half a moment, really - when Kaiser had started to look around, but reversed the action before his head had turned more than a few degrees. It had been the mention of 'Head Boy' that had done it, and Kaiser had instinctively tried to eye the badge to confirm. But the moment quickly passed.

"Scourgify," he muttered, casting on the walls, chairs, shelves, lamps, in the crevices of the snake carvings. "Tergeo." He alternated between the two as he went, until it turned into a mindless sort of task. Good for getting it done, he supposed, though it did free his mind up for other things which were less good.

Kaiser vaguely registered the offer of cookies but, for some reason, found himself just as uninterested as he had been in The Drama™. Strange, really, given he usually devoured anything in his immediate vicinity. He just wanted to shift this grime and get it over with.

If this boy was trying to play on his sympathies, he chose the wrong person. Unimpressed, Gunnar's face remained impassive other than the singular raised eyebrow as the new kid (Curtis) gave him some sob story about needing tissues and how his head might explode, complete with what he was certain were fake sneezes. He was just about to suggest he try out for the drama club and then actually cast the bubblehead charm for him, when his Head of House dragged the boy away to apparently reprimand him himself.

That had been somewhat curious and Gunnar paused as he watched the interaction a moment. No, he actually wasn't smirking, but he kept his eyes on Fuller-Thompson a moment longer before giving him a return nod and getting back to work.

And as it seemed that there were no others trying to make excuses or get out of their fair share and no one who needed assistance with a bubblehead charm, Gunnar returned to his favorite porthole window and window seat. As he was a seventh year, of course he was using magic to clean them. But if the boy who had to be reprimanded both by him and Fuller-Thompson was smiling at him? Gunnar certainly didn't notice. He hadn't given him another thought nor had he spared him another glance.

As he finished up his window, he paused to look through it, having missed the peaceful tranquility of the Black Lake. But hearing his Head of House's words, he glanced at him over his shoulder. "Thank you, Professor. That's very kind." He probably wouldn't indulge as he simply wanted to do his share and go to bed, but he did have manners.

With a little pop Beezley was in the common room looking at all the students. Her big ears back and a rag in her hand. "So sorry studenties and master that the castle is still a messy. Beezley tried to get it cleaned, Beezley wanted it cleaned before now, but there was so much Beezley couldn't get to." She wanted to help though so she started to dust a table near her with her dirty rag.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charely Potter

So those crocodile tears of his? They became real now as Curtis was dragged into a corner. This was so UNFAIR. He couldn't get away with anything with his father Professor around. Not that he was expecting any different, but the random spell that nearly cost him his wonderful genes was a little too far. Why did he have to clean up other people's messes? Didn't the Professors have ALL this time to do so while they were gone? Or the people who supposedly cleared the castle of monsters? Yeah, them. He should write to the Minister about this. People with real allergies were suffering on their first night back.

Curtis looked over at the Head Boy, he was probably smirking at this. Happy to put a little snake down in front of everyone. That stupid badge of his is the only reason he had to be so mean to him. Curtis thought all these things while being dragged away giving him the dirtiest look ever. So all that stuff he was hearing now? Yeah, yeah, yeah, clean up. Fine. Looking up at his father, he kept a straight face before wiping his face in one fast swipe. Detention didn't scare him. Nothing scared him. He just... Well.. something was going to be done. Maybe not now or tomorrow but something.

Curtis then walked away when he was allowed to but over to the pile of fake snot he spat out. His robe was dirty anyway, so he went on all fours to wipe that up. No, he wasn't going to use his wand. If he got his wand out now, he did not want to use it for cleaning at that very moment... He then looked up back at that Head Boy and smiled. Teeth showing and all.

He didn't believe ANY of those tears for a second. This boy was old enough to take responsibilities for his actions, and if that made him cry... then they needed to have a more serious talk. Decidedly pleased that Curtis didn't talk back to him, Piers let go of the boy's ear and watched him get back to work. Yes, he knew people were watching and he could tell that some of them were concerned, but they were probably more irritated by Curtis than anything.

But he wouldn't stand for Curtis' entitlement. Piers himself had been his own bit of a nightmare when he was a student, but Merlin, he wasn't THAT bad, was he?

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjay

If this boy was trying to play on his sympathies, he chose the wrong person. Unimpressed, Gunnar's face remained impassive other than the singular raised eyebrow as the new kid (Curtis) gave him some sob story about needing tissues and how his head might explode, complete with what he was certain were fake sneezes. He was just about to suggest he try out for the drama club and then actually cast the bubblehead charm for him, when his Head of House dragged the boy away to apparently reprimand him himself.

That had been somewhat curious and Gunnar paused as he watched the interaction a moment. No, he actually wasn't smirking, but he kept his eyes on Fuller-Thompson a moment longer before giving him a return nod and getting back to work.

And as it seemed that there were no others trying to make excuses or get out of their fair share and no one who needed assistance with a bubblehead charm, Gunnar returned to his favorite porthole window and window seat. As he was a seventh year, of course he was using magic to clean them. But if the boy who had to be reprimanded both by him and Fuller-Thompson was smiling at him? Gunnar certainly didn't notice. He hadn't given him another thought nor had he spared him another glance.

As he finished up his window, he paused to look through it, having missed the peaceful tranquility of the Black Lake. But hearing his Head of House's words, he glanced at him over his shoulder. "Thank you, Professor. That's very kind." He probably wouldn't indulge as he simply wanted to do his share and go to bed, but he did have manners.

After a few minutes, Piers went back over to Gunnar and spoke to him in a low voice. "I don't know if you know, but Curtis is my son. If he acts up like that again, I want you to notify me immediately, alright?" Clearly Piers was going to have to be on his kid all year to make sure he didn't tick everybody off.

Piers patted Gunnar's shoulder and then went over to one of the study tables that he himself had cleaned off first and waved his wand, revealing a few plates of cookies that had been waiting for them. "Alright everyone, finish up what you're doing and then come get a cookie. And then get back to work." Just because there was a house elf there now didn't mean they were done working.

"Mmhmm," Isla said with a nod. She was still kind of distracted with what was going on between that one boy (Curtis) and their Head of House. Isla didn't know much about Fuller, but he seemed pretty strict about rules and stuff. He was pretty much letting Curtis have it for giving an attitude. She refocused her attention on cleaning when Jillian promptly handed her a washrag. Did she know any spells? "Umm, kind of?" she said, sounding really unsure of herself. "I mean, I grew up in a magical family, so I've seen plenty of spells. I've just never used them myself."

"Scourgify, right?" she asked. "I should probably stick with a washcloth for now. If I accidentally blow up this table or something, I might be next on Fuller's ear-pulling list." Again, being a firstie, she had no clue that Curtis was Fuller's son. Had she, she might have looked at the situation much differently. On that note, she plopped the washrag on the nearest table and started scrubbing away.

She'd heard the offer for cookies, but she'd literally just eaten at the feast. After the ride to Hogwarts and a full stomach, she just wanted her bed and nothing else. What was that the headmaster had said about classes? 8 AM? Ugh.

With a little pop, a house elf appeared, and for some reason, Isla found herself mesmerized with seeing one in person. Sure, she was pureblood, and sure, she was raised in a magical family. They'd never had a house elf, though. Suddenly, Isla felt really bad for complaining about all the work she had to do, even if all of it had been silent complaining.

"It's okay! Really!" she tried to assure the elf. Everybody needs a break now and then. Even house elves. "We're all pitching in together, and we'll get it done." They weren't all pitching in, but at the same time, Isla could understand why somebody would be in a bad mood right about now. It'd probably be even worse at 8 AM. "I'm Isla Bellchant," she told the elf.

Fiona was dealing with a particularly stubborn cobweb when she heard a small pop which indicated the presence of a house-elf. "Don't feel bad, Beezley. I think that rag needs cleaning though. What do you think?"

After finishing with the stubborn cobweb, Fiona went over to one of the plates of cookies and grabbed a cookie for herself. She munched on it, her eyes scanning for anything else that needed cleaning. "Does anyone need a hand?" she asked her fellow Slytherins after finishing her little refreshment.

"Beezley appreciates the mistresses being so kind. Beezley adores the mistresses and misters and wants to have everything very shiny and clean for them." She went about dusting as much as she could. She really wanted to make sure she did her part and helped work.

Hearing about cookies she turned, "Master if juice or more cookies are needed Beezley can help with that too."