#leviosaplot

BOOK I, CHAPTER II ✦ September 17th, 1945

The year has truly begun-- classes are in full swing and the buzz regarding Grindlewald’s defeat and Professor Achebe’s death has only finally begun to slow as a new wave of excitement has taken over as the students wait with bated breath to see who will being playing in the first Quidditch game of the year.

The students crowd outside Professor Brown’s classroom each morning crossing their fingers that they’ll be the first to catch a lucky glimpse of the first matchup. 

“I heard it’s going to be Gryfffindor vs. Slytherin,” a third year Ravenclaw announces rather confidently, "I’ve gone through the schedules of the past fifteen years and my calculations indicate it’s the most likely first match-up.”

“Bollocks-- I heard that Professor Brown told his 7th years it’s going to be Hufflepuff vs. Ravenclaw,” another responds with equal vigor. 

It’s only a matter of time before the remaining alternates are thrown out and the students are no further than they were when they began.

Finally, there’s a squeal from a group of 6th year girls as Professor Brown exits his classroom a neatly rolled banner tucked under each arm. To the right of his classroom door he unveils the first banner-- a pattern of yellow and black tacked against the ancient stone wall.

“Hufflepuff! It’s Hufflepuff!” a young girl calls out, alerting the group of the first team as they eagerly await to see who the badgers will be facing. 

Professor Brown takes his sweet time, savoring the excitement in the air as he slowly unrolls the second banner, only for it to appear blank as he returns to back to his classroom without a word, to the dismay (and anger) of the students. A blank banner? What was that to mean?

They wait a few minutes in mass confusion, but eventually begin to disperse, until only one student is left. Donned in deep green robes, hair slicked back Head Boy badge pinned to his chest, he is unmistakably Tom Riddle...the Tom Riddle. Gingerly removing his wand from his pocket, he steps toward the banner, examining it with a quiet smirk.

“Revelio.” 

And there it is-- the banner begins to change color, revealing House Slytherin in all it’s silver and green glory as Tom Riddle walks quietly away.

It’s bound to be a good game.

BOOK I, CHAPTER I ✦ September 1st, 1945

“For life and death are one, even as the river and the sea are one.” 

Armando Dippet stands before his students in the Great Hall in silence. He appears to be noticeably exhausted, impossibly dark circles marring his normally strict, albeit alert eyes. He raps his knuckles twice against his podium and all chatter and clamor comes to a halt as a sudden quiet befalls upon the students of Hogwarts. 

“Good evening students, I am afraid that I must begin this evening’s feast with some tragic news,” the headmaster reveals with a deep sigh, “As you may have noticed, Professor Achebe is notably absent from tonight’s feast. It is with deep sorrow that I relay to you that her body was found in Knockturn Alley and investigators have ruled her death to be connected to a string of muggleborn murders that have taken place over the summer. Her death is suspected to be the final murder at the hand of some of Gellert Grindelwald’s most fanatic followers.”

The announcement washes over the students like a tidal wave, as they turn to one another, hushed whispers filling the formerly silent hall. 

“Silence!” Dippet interrupts in deep boom, that echoes against the walls of the hall, “I was not finished. Due to the unexpected nature of Professor Achebe’s death, the Ministry of Magic has sent their Head Hit Wizard, Van Swindlehopper, to temporarily take over the post until we can find an appropriate replacement for Professor Achebe. Despite this change in professors, the ministry is urging students to continue in their arithmancy studies.”

Heads quickly turn to the unfamiliar face seated with the rest of the staff, as the students do their best to figure out what to make of the new professor. Professor Swindlehopper smiles widely in response to the newfound attention, offering a far from timid wave. It’s fair to say the immediate friendliness is a stark departure from what the thickly rimmed black glasses and deeply scared face might suggest.

“But perhaps more pressingly, it is with great honor that I announce that Gellert Grindelwald was captured late last night, all in thanks to our very own Professor Dumbledore--”

A fresh set gasps flood the hall, for this is startlingly new information-- Grindelwald? Deafeated?

“--As I was saying,” Headmaster Dippet is quick to interrupt once again, “He is now being detained in the top-most cell of Nurmengard and it is being seen to that he does not escape again. For this reason, Professor Dumbledore has been unable to join us tonight, but will return as soon as classes begin.”

“I urge to you all to enjoy this feast-- in honor of both Professor Achebe and Professor Dumbledore. May this be a year of great learning and peace.”

THE DASH IS NOW OPEN FOR INTERACTIONS