The Welcoming Feast
September 1st, 1971
The Sorting Ceremony ended as Wilbert Wikes went to Slytherin, and Headmaster Dumbledore stood. His robes were a bright yellow, his hair was as white as snow, and James was strongly reminded of a lemon. He smiled down at the students and gave off a distinct feeling of power. Dumbledore began to speak.
“To our familiar faces, welcome back! To our new students, welcome to Hogwarts! I have a few announcements before we begin our Feast! First, I would like to welcome Professor Poursoon, our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor.”
There was rather unenthusiastic applause; Professor Poursoon looked rather strict.
Dumbledore spoke again, “Finally, I would like to welcome Professor Moore, who will be teaching Muggle Studies.”
The applause was more enthusiastic than before, and James thought Professor Moore looked much nicer than Poursoon. He noticed many Slytherins not clapping at all. James knew it was due to the subject he would be teaching.
What a bunch of arseholes.
Dumbledore waited for the applause to die down and resumed his speech. “Now, enjoy the Feast!”
The tables were at once filled with food, ranging from carrots to lamb chops. Lamb chops weren’t the only meat; there were also pork chops, roast beef, roast chicken, sausages, roasted turkey, roasted ham, and steak. There were various types of potatoes; roasted, boiled, and mashed, with plenty of gravy nearby. There were also multiple vegetables, such as carrots, peas, and sprouts, as well as chips.
James’ helped himself to the various foods, piling the roast beef, sausage, and shepherd’s pie onto his plate. He grinned at Sirius.
“Look at you, breaking family traditions. Maybe you’re alright after all.”
Sirius grinned back, looking incredibly proud of himself. “I told you I would. Good thing, too, If I had to be around any of those slimeballs more than I’ve already had to, I might’ve drowned myself in the gravy. Or thrown it on Lucius Malfoy. Probably both.” They both laughed, though they were interrupted by Marlene McKinnon.
“Lucius Malfoy?” She said, breaking away from her conversation with Remus Lupin and Peter Pettigrew. “You two don’t like him either?”
“Never met him,” James explained, “Heard rumors about him, and he looks weird.”
“Don’t like? I hate him.” Sirius said. “Thinks he’s better than everyone when he looks like he got drowned in snow. My cousin Narcissa’s infatuated with him, talks about him all the time. I hate it.” Sirius rolled his eyes.
“He threw our trunks out of the compartment we were sitting in.” Peter interjected, “I had to drag it down the train, and he and one of his friends hexed me behind the back.”
“Shocker, he has friends,” Sirius said.
James changed the subject in favor of asking everyone what their Quidditch team was.
“I need to be healed after I found out Sirius’ doesn’t like the Wasps. It’s a miracle I’m not in St. Mungos.”
“The Wasps aren’t bad, but the Tornados will always be the best,” Peter said.
“Agreed. My Uncle’s their Manager; he gets us tickets to all their games.” Marlene added.
“What about you, Remus?” Sirius asked. “We need an opinion without family bribery.”
Remus had been silent the entire time and spoke with a Welsh accent. “I guess the Harpies or Catapults. I don’t know much about Quidditch.”
“You don’t know much about Quidditch?” James exclaimed dramatically. “Don’t worry; I’ll make you an expert in no time!”
“How long till we learn Memory Charms?” Remus asked, causing most of them to erupt in laughter.
“If you don’t like Quidditch, how’d you get those scars then?” Sirius asked curiously. “I’d assumed you’d fallen off your broom into a tree or something.”
James did not notice any of Remus’ scars, but now that Sirius pointed them out, he saw them right along his cheek. Remus paled slightly.
“I had an unlucky encounter with a cat once. They don’t like me very much.”
Once everyone’s plates were empty, the platters of food disappeared and were replaced by dessert. James had been looking forward to this part all evening and dug into the apple pie.
“Not to jump to conclusions or anything, but I think Remus likes chocolate,” Sirius said through a spoonful of pudding. James looked over; Remus had filled his plate with every type of chocolate Hogwarts had to offer; chocolate eclairs, chocolate bars, chocolate cookies, chocolate chip cookies, fudge, and chocolate truffles.
Remus finished the cookie he had been eating. “It’s my favorite type of food.”
“We can tell.”
“Let the man enjoy his chocolate!” James said through a mouthful of apple pie.
“He could throw all of that chocolate in your hair, and no one would notice,” Sirius replied. “Hey, didn’t your dad literally invent Sleakeazy’s?” He added with a grin.
“Wait a second,” August McKinnon interjected, “You’re dad invented Sleekeasy's, and your hair looks like that?”
“Excuse you, I’m restoring the family name with my luscious locks.”
“My dad works with Boggarts, and your hair is still the most terrifying thing I’ve seen,” Remus replied.
They all laughed, and James decided to turn the conversation away from his hair. Too much discussion would dwindle its value, obviously.
“What about your Mum, what’s she do?” James asked Remus.
“Oh,” said Remus, “My Mum’s a muggle; she used to work at an insurance office.”
“What’s an insurance office?” James asked.
“I actually don’t really know.”
Dumbledore rose to speak again. “I hope you all enjoyed the Feast! I certainly enjoyed it myself. Before you all go off to bed, I have an important announcement to make. Some of you may have noticed a new addition to The Hogwarts Grounds, some of you may not have. This new addition is called The Whomping Willow, courtesy of our Herbology Department. As per its name, it is very dangerous. I strongly suggest you do not go near it unless you wish to break your limbs. Please heed my warning; I do not wish anyone to visit the Hospital Wing. Now with that out of the way, I will send you off to your dormitories. I wish you all a great term; Good Night!”
The students in the Great Hall rose, many muttering about The Whomping Willow.
“Why would Dumbledore add something if it was so dangerous?” Peter asked.
“Who knows?” Sirius replied, “Maybe he got sick of some of the students, hopes this new thing will take them out. Oh, I so hope some of those Slytherins get just a bit too close-”
“Sirius,” Remus said hurriedly, “That’d cause a lot of issues if someone got hit-”
“Sorry, Remus. But the image of Lucius Malfoy getting beat up by a plant makes me too happy.” James quite agreed.