Merlin. Another year older, another year at Hogwarts. Despite being well into his thirties, he couldn’t get over how with every passing year, how young the students started to look. Babies. All babies. Even the seventh years… Babies… that was right. His thoughts flitted to his wife. And once again… he and his wife were expecting. Leaving home had been more difficult than ever but he had a job to do. Students to teach and keep an eye on. There was always something happening at Hogwarts especially after last term with the plant and the summer spent with investigating… The castle always had more secrets to explore.

Simon found himself stopping at the Entrance Hall this year to check on the house elves and see if there were any lingering students or students avoiding the feast. Hopefully all who stopped by here knew that they’d have to be in the Great Hall for the Headmaster’s speech. Last term, he had run into Mr Yoon on the staircase reading a novel.

This year, the Entrance Hall seemed fairly quiet save for the few elves that were moving suitcases around.

He’d linger here a little longer in case a few troublemakers and rule benders decided to linger here too long. He checked his pocket watch, noting the time. He’d move on from here in seven minutes so he could get to his seat at the Staff Table.

Not going in there. Moose refused to sit at his Slytherin Table, not while they were there sitting with everyone. It just was NOT an option. Besides he knew exactly how he'd react, and honestly nobody would want that around them during the Feast. So out here he stayed to keep his own emotional rage in check. Which was just a lit fuse a few inches short of the going off...usually always. But of course with a Professor right in here with him, Moose would need to keep himself away from the Entrance Hall door. He wanted to keep out here and away from any kind of trouble. Even if it meant trouble with Holden.

This of course kept him from looking into the feast. To watch for anyone or anything else that might be going on in the massive room in front of him. Instead he tucked himself away into a corner to avoid eyeline with the the History of Magic Professor occasionally peaking around the corner to see others enter into the Great Hall and take glimpses in of the everything before needing to poke back around a corner should the Professor look back in his direction.

Freddie wasn't sure where his twin snuck off to, but it was fine. He had other things to do that would make this year fun, fun, fun. Almost entering in, he could see a familiar Slytherin lurking. But why? There was Professor Holden, but hmm... this was piquing his interest.

Slowly sneaking behind the fifth year, Freddie whispered, "Hey... what are we waiting for?" Hopefully he didn't scare him. He was a Gryffindor and had LOTS of Slytherin connections. Did he have something planned? Could he be a part of it? His eyes looked in wonder at the possibility.

He would miss his chance to see where that Sloth Kid would be sorted too. Moose's whole plan to get that information went straight down the drain. Damn you Nemesis Upstead! And how dare they be so chummy with Kinsay, and how Kinsay be so chummy with them!!

He continued to occasionally peak from around the corner, but was startled when he heard a voice right beside him. "OH! crud..."
He swung around real fast and pushed this other boy beside him onto the wall "Shhhh!" Moose's shushing was harsh and anger filled. His arm out stretched and pinning them."I just refuse to go into the Feast." With Professor Holden right there. They would no doubt make him go in, and so Moose attempted to hide himself around the corner in the Entrance Hall.

She wasn't going to cry. Nope, nope, nope. Serena refused. Yet, her eyes thought differently and by the time she was out of the Great Hall, tears threatened to overflow. Serena was stubborn and before they made their way down her cheeks, she pressed the sleeves of her robes to her eyes.

What in the name of Salazar Slytherin happen in there?

Serena scanned her brain and analyzed what just transpired, but all that swirled around her mind was that Lisa had a crush on Jasper and may possibly be dating Daniel. It was all too triggering. Of course, it wasn't the same as when her mother forgot about her existence, but it reminded her of that helpless feeling of loneliness. Of not being wanted. Which, of course, was ridiculous because Lisa liked her. They were best friends.

"Uuugh!" she mumbled against her sleeves, still pressed to her face as she leaned against the wall next to the Great Hall doors. She was unaware of anything else going on around her. Too many emotions to focus on. That and she didn't want anyone to see her eyes all red.

Only two pesky students so far. Yes, he saw you, Mr. Stoover and company but he was pretending not to react by making chit chat with the house elves. Pleasant enough.

He was about to ask the older years to come out but stopped when he heard more footsteps. “Miss Balthazar Santos..” she called out to her, eyes widened when he saw her appearance. He quickly saw the red eyes which gave him pause. He reached into his pocket and procure a handkerchief. He slowly walked over and then leaned against the same wall as she before he offered the handkerchief to her. “You may want one..”

It was probably a dumb idea to ask any more questions of a crying teenage girl… they could be quite ferocious beings. And after growing up with Agatha, he decided not to enrage her. “I won’t ask if everything is alright.” Cause he knew the answer already. Things weren’t okay.

A few more students came by and he ushered them away, distracting them from the young Slytherin to give her space. Speaking of observers, he addressed them now. “Come out, those of you hidden in shadows. It’s time to be in the Great Hall unless you wish to write an essay on the Goblin Wars thrice over….”

Not only was it the two of them, but a girl came in visibly upset (from the one moment he chanced a peek). Freddie found himself pinned by the Slytherin Moose's arm telling him to SHUSH. Which he didn't find necessary, "Why?" Okay, maybe it was necessary in this case. But he didn't understand why they were hiding. Was he avoiding somebody important? Other than the angry Professor who demanded they come out.

Stuff.. Freddie thought, not like he could move while still being pinned. Given the time limit they have to come out... though he just might have some idea on how to get them out of trouble. Ding, ding, light bulb. "How about some puking pastilles? They're in my pocket." Why did he have some? Well, there was a reason he was looking for his twin Frankie earlier, for secret reasons, no longer secret around here. Hopefully, this Snake boy had an inkling on why he was being offered this.

He would say more but he was supposed to be quiet... a few moments ago. Ahem.

It was safe to say that Noah took his own sweet time, since it was going to be his last time riding the carriages towards Hogwarts. Besides, welcome feasts usually take a long time before it started, so he was quite confident that he'd make it just in time for the feast... and for the little shenanigan he planned with Christianna.

Speaking of his fellow Gryffindor, Noah lost her among the crowd, which was easy, all things considered, and so he decided to go up the stairs to get into position-- wait for Stover. As he went his way up the stairs, he immediately turned around to go down again as soon as he saw Professor Holden. Of all the professors to be patrolling tonight, it had to be him. Merlin.

For now, he kept hidden in the shadows far away from where the professor stood, waiting for Christianna to show up. He'd need to update his friend about the current situation.

He'd been had!! If this Gryffindor hadn't snuck up on him like that, then he wouldn't have yelped like that so briefly and he would have remained hidden. But now he'd be forced to go into the Great Hall and that...no it was not an option. He will not share the same table with Nemesis. Not in a millions years. Lots of things would need to be done and said in his favor if Moose would even consider it.

For the time being, he had hoped that perhaps the Crying Girl from his house, Serena. Would continue to cry and keep Professor Holden Occupied while he dealt with Freddie. "Puking pastilles?" Moose looked at him oddly, pulling his arm off the Gryffindor. He did not trust the name of these treats. Yeah he knew what Freddie was trying to do. He had never had one of these before, but magic did what magic does (surprises him, makes him mad...you know.) "Go on then, quick hand one over." He extended his hand out.

His back was turned away from the wall. Unaware of anyone else who might be lingering behind them.

Keep crying Serena! Whatever it was that upset you, Moose hoped it was majorly serious to keep Professor Holden occupied just a bit longer.

Serena wasn't flat out crying. Her eyes were simply leaking into the sleeves of her robes. When she heard footsteps they went back up to cover her eyes. The only reason she didn't lash out at the person who decided to park themselves beside her, was because she recognized Professor Holden's voice.

A hand quickly reached out for the offered handkerchief, along with a mumbled 'thank you.' She dabbed her eyes and willed her eyes to stop the leaking. "Things aren't okay," she agreed in a shaky voice. He was cool. For not asking her what was wrong and what was causing her tears. Ten points for you, Professor Holden.

There were others here?!

Serena quickly turned her body away from spectators' eyes and inched towards the professor. No one was allowed to see her cry. She'd hex them if she had to. Except Professor Holden. She wiped her eyes quickly, took in deep breath and squared her shoulders. "I'm fine now. Thank you." The Slytherin managed to replace her heartbroken face and replaced it with a stoic mask.

She peeked into the direction the professor had spoken and then turned back to the Great Hall. She'd just sit at the way back and brave the rest of the night until they were able to go to their dorms.