Great Hall

Great Hall
ground floor of hogwarts

The Great Hall in the Hogwarts Castle is the main gathering area in the school, which is located off the Entrance Hall. It is a large hall where students and teachers dined and congregated. Three meals a day are hosted in this hall, and it is also where students receive their daily owl post in the morning. Four long tables for each house take up majority fo the space in the gigantic room, which is lit by thousands and thousands of floating candles flickering near the ceiling.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha had been dancing the night away with Ant by her side before the two decided to wind down at one of the tables, instead chatting up a storm. It was refreshing seeing him having such a good time and subsequently having such a great time together. Her heart is quite full tonight and she's buzzing with love. How it could manage to grow without her bursting into a million pieces is unimaginable, but it will happen. Everything begins to slow down (even the music) and she still hasn't seen Rayy, so she messages them on Witchagram while explaining the situation to Ant for the first time. When he had mentioned them previously, it had been a bit weird to her, so she was worried mentioning it would be a poor idea before now. His expression is puzzling, but she doesn't have time to focus on it as she prompts him to help her find them. Marisha stands since her view from the chair was not necessarily advantageous. Upon spotting them, she excitedly wishes Ant goodbye before messaging them and waving once Rayy turns to see her. Her heart does indeed threaten to burst just at the sight of them, moving towards them as fast as her feet will let her. "Hey!" Marisha beams before bending around them and waving at their friends. When she's done with her hellos, she turns up to them still beaming. "Hi," she says, softer this time as her hands reach up for her face.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Rayy begins smiling immediately when their phone lights up with a text from Marisha. They had been having a fun night so far, but of course dancing with her was something they looked forward to. They had even mentioned it to their friends, who had begun teasing them nonstop. In fact, the moment they started smiling at their phone they had all started making fun of them. Thankfully though, after telling them to shut the fuck up, the group was well-behaved when she approached the table, save for Nettle nudging Rayy in the arm after Marisha waved. "Hello, Marisha!" they exclaim, excitedly standing from their seat. They wave goodbye to their little group before turning back towards their friend, "I'm so glad to see that Ant did not bore you to death." Rayy is joking, of course, but it occurs to them that Marisha would probably still appreciate a clarification. "I'm kidding, I'm kidding. You look like you had a lot of fun!" they say, "What did you get up to with our favorite not-so-little bug?" It is amusing to them that Marisha is so tiny and Ant is so tall, but then again their own height difference with Marisha is not very far off. It does not occur to Rayy as much, probably because they are always seated in the library. It is more apparent now, but it does not bother them. "I'm surprised he didn't have a date."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her smile dims slightly, appearing minimally offended by the dig at Ant's boringness. However, while she loves him, she understands why some people would find him drier than others. He *is*, but he isn't *boring*. Her smile brightens at the correction and she even laughs at the comment about his stature. Similarly, it had never occurred to her how much larger Rayy is, but she is used to it. "We danced! And then chatted for a while," she tells them, voice affectionate and bubbly. Obviously, she loves him. In fact, so much so that she glossed over the fact that it was odd he was dateless. "Oh, hmmm... I hadn't thought about it!" Marisha laughs though there's no clear reason why. Rayy seemingly turns off her ability to stop it. "He's the one who invited me," she clarifies, though she had the intentions of inviting him too. Considering Rayy had also wanted to go with her, it would feel disrespectful to mention it considering its irrelevance. "Maybe he isn't interested in starting frivolous *things* anymore?" she suggests, only comfortable doing so because of who she's talking to. Perhaps it's a prudish hope of hers, but also the phrase *things* is so offensive to her even as someone so dreadful of commitment.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

It is sweet to Rayy how evident it is that Ant and Marisha love each other. It's obvious from the way she talks about him, and also from the way the boy had been constantly badgering them last term about their intentions, whatever those may be. Rayy has not yet figured it out, but they are quite certain they are wholly platonic. Anyway, it is not something they are dwelling on at the moment because they are instead fixated on how great Marisha looks and how her smile only adds to her beauty. "It's great to hear you had a good time especially since this is your last Morp Hop!" Rayy says. It occurs to them, then, that this was their last chance to go to a dance with Marisha as their date but they do not focus too much on the thought. It's fine; they're getting at least one dance with her and Rayy is already more than happy to be able to spend this time with their friend. "And maybe he *is* tired of his *things*. It seems like a waste of energy, honestly."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

It doesn't occur to Marisha that this might be their last opportunity to attend a dance together. A part of her is disappointed by the fact that this is her last Morp, but it's been the best Morp so far and she might as well end on a high note! Her smile persists through her disappointment, shrugging it off. "Doesn't it?" Her face scrunches a little bit, but she doesn't want to seem too irritated by or involved with his business. "Hopefully he finds someone nice," she adds quietly, glancing over at him. It hasn't dawned on her that Ant can live apart from love. Controversially, she is not convinced that it's possible, but she supposes also that platonic love can fill that spot. Marisha turns to face Rayy, smile creeping into a bright grin. "Anyways, this is about us! My night wouldn't be complete without a dance from my knight in shining armor." Her head tilts to the side and she glances to the side, obviously kidding around with them. It just so happens that the band switches to their slow song right at that moment and her heart pitter patters within her chest with utter excitement. It's difficult to contain herself and her immediate jitteriness shows that off perfectly. "Do you know how to slow dance?" Something about them gives her the impression that they don't, but she would have them step on her toes a thousand times. It wouldn't matter.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

"It shouldn't be that hard." they say immediately as they notice the song choice, "Don't you just... sway?" It was not Rayy's intention to dance with Marisha during this portion of the night. They look around at the other students and while they're glancing around the venue, they lock eyes with Ant who smiles at Rayy knowingly before scoffing and getting up presumably to ask someone to dance. "I will not disappoint you, m'lady." they claim confidently, offering their hand for Marisha to take and leading her to their own little spot on the dance floor surrounded by other students. While Rayy is fairly certain they could last the entire song just admiring Marisha, really, they do not want this to be awkward for her especially since she is already having such a good night. They do not want to ruin that, obviously, so they come up with something to talk about as the two of them begin to slowly dance together. "How has the school year been so far?" they ask, "I've been meaning to visit the Head Dorms like you suggested. Maybe I will have time this week."

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

For once, her mind isn't focused on how her hand is surrounded by someone else's, but is instead admiring how soft their hand is. Her other hand drifts to touch the other side of it, very consciously though she doesn't understand this desire to hold them. It's foreign, but Rayy is someone she's bound to be comfortable around. "I know you won't," she reassures them, smiling before the two are stopped in the middle of the floor and have to position themselves. Her hands reach to rest against their shoulders, arms laying along their chest. With this increased contact, she becomes more aware of herself and forgets for a moment just what she is doing. When she comes to, she stares at Rayy in admiration. They're truly one of the prettiest people Marisha has ever seen. Both inside and out. "You should! School's been *wonderful*." Even if it's a bit strange, the various responsibilities that Hogwarts provides her with are far too satisfying to be anything short of *wonderful*. "It's so *exciting* we have Arithmancy together." Her grin is a bit cheesy at the thought. "Sofrocles loves me, so... If you're interested, then I can request for us to be assigned together?" Usually she wouldn't abuse this, but it's important to her that she gets as much time with them as possible. It would be a shame to waste this opportunity. "But how are your other classes?"

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Marisha finding school *wonderful* is so amusing to Rayy. It is so like her. One would think that being Head Girl is exhausting; Virgil certainly looks miserable 24/7, but Marisha is more than capable and also generally a much more pleasant person. "I will try! Then we can have breakfast somewhere more comfortable than the library." It would be nice, also, being able to spend time with Marisha without the librarian interrupting them or Eeku trying to strike up a conversation. "I would love to be paired together for Arithmancy! It's one of my better subjects, so I don't have to worry about letting you down. Perfect." Marisha is so intelligent and it greatly pleases Rayy that they have a shared elective. When she talks in class, they are captivated by how her mind works and it is so great being able to see her in action. "My other classes are good! I have more time to rest now." They make it a point to mention this because it seems to make Marisha very happy whenever they do get some sleep. "I actually sleep for a bit at night – " One or two hours, typically, but that is their insomnia's fault and not schoolwork keeping them up. " – instead of just taking power naps all the time. Are you proud?" They grin, hoping she is pleased with them.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Her heart flutters at the thought of spending her morning with them in the Head Dormitories, eating breakfast and reviewing for their courses. Their reassurance that they won't let her down amuses her because it feels impossible and out of reach for them, so Marisha giggles. Apart from the fact that Rayy is a wonderful person (and her *favorite* person), true disappointment is a difficult feeling to evoke from her. "You wouldn't disappoint me," she repeats, this time applied to Arithmancy. Rayy is so bright and their mind weaves through problems in a way hers doesn't. It's fascinating when she can get them to chat through it together. Working alongside them is something she will truly miss once she graduates, but she isn't willing to let herself get too worked up. Some tears start to form as she happily smiles up at them, but she bats them away and her smile brightens. "Aww, really?" Marisha has to resist the urge to pout, but she's overcome with happiness at the picture and it comes through for a brief moment before she's able to collect herself. Rayy's grin is so beautiful and glowing that she can't *not* grin while looking at them. "Rayy, that's so stellar and amazing. It must have felt so *nice* and *relaxing*." Sleep is important to her. It's just so soft and welcoming. God blessed humans with the ability to sleep even if Rayy might argue that the need to sleep is sort of a curse. "Oh, speaking of..." Marisha moves onto her tippy toes, tipping side to side on them as she brings her face closer to theirs and lowers her voice. "The Head Dormitories are super comfortable." If not for her profound purity complex, one might find it a bit suggestive especially as she grins and momentarily lifts her brows. Originally, she had planned on conspiring against them by not telling them her plan, but she decided that was too morally ambiguous.

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Had it been anyone else, Rayy would have teased them incessantly about how inappropriate that sounds but it is Marisha and they are well aware she does not mean it like that. Besides, they are friends and would probably not get up to much beyond talking besides studying or chess. "I'm glad I've pleased you. You know I would do anything for you." they say, theatrics and all. They do not say anything about sleep being nice and relaxing. It still feels unnecessary to them – Marisha is correct in assuming Rayy would argue it is a curse of human existence. What is the point of living when you need to spend around a third of your life asleep? Seems wasteful. "*My* dormitories are also super comfortable," they say in turn, teasing as they match her tone of voice. "Well, maybe not *super*. They're okay. They are *adequately* comfortable." they correct themselves, laughing. "I feel like I'd be abusing my friendship with the Head Girl if I went over to your dormitory to nap. What would you even do while I was asleep, hm?" They do not want to bore Marisha like that, of course.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha knows (or at least believes) that Rayy is kidding around, but she would do just about anything for them. It's a simple truth and not something she has ever had to truly consider. When they inquire about what she would in the situation of them sleeping, she falters and she glances down towards their smile before reconnecting her gaze with theirs. "Study! Or there are a lot of options: complete my rounds is one! Another one could be leaving to get us something to eat, so it's there when you're done resting. I could practice chess... or listen to music." Her words run smoothly together, listing everything off as it comes to her though she tries to remain put together. There is not much of a need to remain perfect in front of Rayy and she's far more comfortable letting her words just run. "Rest! We could rest together," she adds, seeming a bit smug. Marisha has been limiting her sleep more so far this term for the simple reason that her responsibilities are far more consuming. It doesn't mean she's exhausted, but it's not the carefully planned 8 hours she's used to and it has made her curious about the efficiency of napping between classes. "We could do other things there too. We wouldn't have to just rest, but that's what dormitories are for. It's not *abusing* anything."

Rayy Stone

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

This time, at the mention of 'other things', Rayy's lips actually quirk up into a smile but they say nothing of it. They wonder absent-mindedly if Marisha has made this offer to her other friends and pray that they do not misinterpret or point it out because that would surely scandalize her, but also Rayy is quite confident in Marisha's ability to select her closer companions and they doubt any of them would want to embarrass her like that, even in such a small way. "Maybe you're right." they say. It would be nice getting away from their dormitory, even though Rayy adores their roommates. They are all great, but they can get noisy at times especially during the day (which is the *correct* time for noise, really, but Rayy's sleeping schedule is terrible). "Next weekend, we can make a day of it. I'll bring breakfast then we can spend the *whole* day together." It is more appealing to them than going to Hogsmeade to work at the Post Office again. They have been so consistent in going to work in the past that they are sure they would get a day off should they ask for one. Being able to spend the day with Marisha would surely be worth it.

Marisha Gorski

ravenclaw, seventh year § head girl
ateleia

Marisha beams with excitement. Rayy's existence simply brings her so much happiness and their presence fills her heart with love. Imagining a whole day with them by her side is indescribably wonderful and she is already set on planning it out and ensuring she will be able to. For a brief moment, focusing on this leads her to forget to respond entirely and she just admires them silently from below, grinning at them. They're such a beautiful person. They're such *light*. However, when she remembers, it registers clearly in her eyes and she gleams with embarrassment. "I would really, really love that." Marisha smiles before her face scrunches up and her swaying becomes a little more dramatic. When she's done, her head falls against their chest and she's at peace until it occurs to her what's going on. Her head lifts again, deciding that watching them would be the preferred thing to do. "I can switch my rounds with someone. I'll be all yours."