[Chapter 4 - The Feast]

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With the welcoming feast only days away, Genevieve was given the task of making the flower arrangements for the great hall.

She had spent all morning in the gardens picking flowers and greenery to decorate the usually bland eating area. With her basket full of luscious plants, she headed back to the great hall, admiring the wild life that surrounded her.

Genevieve strolled up the main aisle of the hall and placed her basket on the head table. She took out her wand and transfigured some spare chairs into delicate and elegant vases each representing their respected houses.

She took the flowers out of the wicker basket and placed them down in the table based on the values of the houses. See, Genevieve's family were known for their knowledge of the language of flowers.

Each family member was named after a flower. Her mother was a Rowle who married a Blackwell and had Genevieve.  Adelaide, her mother was soon disowned by her family as Cedar, her father was not a "respectable" pure blood. They gave birth to two beautiful daughters soon after marriage. The eldest, Amaryllis was an aruor with the ministry, achieving O's in all her N.E.W.T.S.

Genevieve was the only family member not to be named directly after a flower, there had been some distance cousins but none from the main branch. Her mother named her after her great-grandmother and keeping with tradition, she selected Valerian as her middle name.

"An accommodating disposition." Is what Genevieve recalls her childhood as.

"An accommodating disposition." Is what she was told when she told her parents she wanted to be a teacher, not an aruor like her elder sister.

Suddenly snapping back into reality, Genevieve started adjusting the flowers in the vases, her thoughts still lingering on her family. After an hour or two, she had finished the flowers.

For the Gryffindor tables, she chose black Poplar, oak leaves and monkshood, representing courage, bravery and chivalry.

For Hufflepuff, she decided on dock, ox-eye and rudbeckia, portraying patience and justice associated with the house.

For Ravenclaw, she selected walnut flower, clematis, marigolds and meadow lychnis depicting intelligence, creativity and wit.

And finally, for Slytherin, she picked out mountain laurel and mock orange signifying, ambition and resourcefulness in the house.

The staff table was decorated with clear vases full of ivy and some white flowers with different textures.

After finishing she stood back, admiring her work before heading down to the kitchens for some well-deserved lunch.

~*~*~*~*~*~

The day of the welcoming feast flew by as the first day of the term began. Genevieve, along with other professors, were finishing the final details on classrooms and corridors, ready for the first year's coming later in the evening.

Genevieve was in her classroom, located on the 5th floor by the west wing of the school. While she was putting up some diagrams and posters, she failed to notice a dark silhouette creeping up behind her.

"The feast is about to begin."

Genevieve nearly fell from the stool she was standing on, leaning against the wall the for support.

"OH FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN DID ANYONE TEACH YOU TO KNOCK FIRST!?" she shouted, regaining her breath.

"Well, it's much more enjoyable scaring you."

"Can't say I agree, Severus" Genevieve retorted back, full of sarcasm.

"Do you have to sneer every time you speak with that vulgar mouth of yours?" Severus implied, escorting her to the hall, per the Headmasters orders.

"No, but it makes it much more fun getting you to tick," she replied smirking, arriving at the door to the great hall.

"Like you can get a reaction from me,"

"Oh I can and I will"

They both room their seats at opposite ends of the high table, still annoyed at the presence of each other.

The table was arranged so that nine people could be seated at the front and three on either side.

Dumbledore was perched in the middle of a large, gold-coloured 'throne'. To his left was Professors Flitwick, Sprout, Genevieve with Madam Pomfrey closest to the door at the end. Perpendicular to Poppy was Rubius Hagrid and Professors Sinatra and Kettleburn. On Dumbledore's right was Professors McGonagall, Hooch, Quirrell and Snape with Professors Vector, Burgage and Binns perpendicular to Snape.

With the hall now a sea of students, McGonagall got up from her seat, ready to bring the incoming first-years to the magnificent feast.

"I must say, you've outdone yourself with the decorations, Professor Blackwell" Dumbledore complimented on her outstanding work.

"Thank you headmaster" she replied politely, blushing slightly at the attention she was given.

"Excellent work don't you think Severus?" Dumbledore now asking the sour-faced man at the other end of the table.

"Oh simply wonderful" he answered back sarcastically turning back to his plate, not before seeing Genevieve pulling a face in his direction.

Before Albus could reprimand Severus for his rude comment, McGonagall paced back up the aisle, first year's hurrying up behind her.

"Now when I call your name, you sit on the stool, I shall place the sorting hat on your head and you shall be sorted into your houses."

A few murmurs began amongst the newcomers but stopped when the first name was called out.

"Diego Caplan"

A small, dark-haired boy stepped up to the sorting hat

"Hufflepuff"

This went on for many minutes until eventually all the students were sorted into their respective houses. Gryffindor gained six new students, Hufflepuff four, Ravenclaw four and Slytherin gained five students.

"Now for a few starts of term announcements" Dumbledore stood at the eagle podium.

"I would like to welcome a new member to our staff, Professor Blackwell who will be teaching Theory of Magic."

Genevieve waved a hand to the students, indicating who she was.

"Yes welcome Professor but I have another announcement, Professor Snape will now be taking over as head of Slytherin house"

A great boom of applause and cheering came from the Slytherin table.

"Now let's tuck in"

Mounds of food appeared on the tables, as if by magic.

~*~*~*~*~*~

After a glorious meal, Genevieve headed up to her dormitory, turning info the night too tired to play the piano.

The night went by peacefully only the sound of silence could be heard around the castle.

The world was at a standstill, if only for a few hours.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Yes, another update done now at 1065 words !!

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Peace out bruh :)