Snippet #2004065

Sam walked to his common room shortly after the Nurse put his hand right, as he reached the Ferre Common room he made a bee line for his own personal dorm. Being a Seventh Year he had his own quarters rather than sharing a hallway with other students he had to climb some of the stairs to the upper spire and enter his own small section of the spire, many other rooms above him and even more below. He opened his door and entered, not worrying about his luggage as he knew it would be there. He took off his blazer and hung it on the back of his desk chair before turning to his room which lacked any of his personality. He reached to his right side and drew his wand form the holster he had there (a gift from one of his father’s friends when they heard he had aspirations of being an Auror) and flicked it causing all his luggage to open. He whispered Accio Robe which brought his robe from a nearby open chest and then grabbed a briefcase like bag that held his books and supplies. He would have changed out of his more formal clothing into some more casual, well, casual for Sam for the day but he didn’t really have time for that and breakfast so he decided to suffer in the less comfortable shoes.

As he left the room he flicked his wand once again and several posters, books, and other personal items flew gently from the luggage and came to rest on hooks and placement areas already about the room, instantly making the room his. He would unpack later that day; he had a free period since he wouldn’t be taking Divination anymore.

Sam also had to see to his other duties as a Prefect, assuming he still held the position as he was late to the start of term and started a fight last year, and had to get the necessary signatures for his ‘little project’ he’d been working on recently. He gave a glance at the mirror and checked his teeth and his body odour as well to ensure he didn’t smell. He’d showered before apparating to the boat so he still was fresh, though he hadn’t slept since his last day in the UK. He just shrugged it off and made a note to head to Castellum later that evening and, if everything went as planned, he’d need to get some business taken care of. “And maybe a glass of Firewiskey to top off the day…” he mused. He’d taken to the alcoholic beverage since he had turned Seventeen and was legally able to buy it. His Tutor had often topped the day off with a glass and that was one habit Sam had taken too. Not to say Sam was an alcoholic, though he may need two glasses tonight to get the buzz he’d desire to forget the drama of the pre-dawn boat ride.

Sam headed down from his dorm to the Ferre Common room and at last waved hello and shook hands with some friends who he’d ignored heading up, apologizing for his rudeness. One asked if he’d be trying out for the Quodpot team again and he chuckled, “I don’t know, I’m a bit rusty this year, didn’t really fly at all this summer, but we’ll see. Now if yall will excuse me I’m a gonna go get dome grub.” He slapped his friend on the shoulder before heading down the stairs to the Great hall again. He headed over to the Ferre table and sat, taking a mug of hot water he took out a tea bag he had in his pocket, one he always had, and steeped the leaves in the liquid. Unfortunately the water had cooled slightly so he tapped the glass with his wand to heat it up while putting three spoons of sugar in it.

“You’re going to turn into a diabetic if you keep that up, Sam.” A sixth year who had an obvious northern city accent (Boston by the sound of it) joked as he glanced up form a wizarding sports magazine.

“Oh come on now, Kyle, you know us southerners gotta have our sweet tea, anything less is just wrong.” Sam commented with a smile before grabbing some bacon and eggs, grits and a biscuit, “These biscuits might not be from home but they’re pretty damn good… you should try one Kyle, rolls just don’t give you the texture.” Sam commented and the other boy just rolled his eyes. “Any o’ yall have the paper?” Sam asked before taking another sip of his tea. One of the girls nearby slid him a copy with a smile and he thanked her.

“What was all the ruckus between you and Delilah about, Sam?” the younger fifth year girl who had passed him the paper asked, to this Sam just sighed and looked at her with a meaningless smile trying to be friendly.

“I’d rather not get into it right now Becky, maybe another time…” but without missing a beat he turned the subject away before she could continue to push as she normally did, “How was your grandmother? You said you were going to spend the first few weeks of summer with her right?”

She instantly went into a colourful commentary of her summer with her potion loving grandmother and Sam paid decent attention though he ate and read the paper at the same time. He was listening to her and made sure to let her know that but his true mind was elsewhere as he read about some herbology salesman who ran a huge farm in the Midwest being killed in a strange way. He couldn’t help but wonder why that herbologist and why the man’s name seemed familiar before a small tap came at his shoulder making him turn to look rather suddenly. The small boy who had tapped him jumped slightly as Sam turned to him but Sam did his best to be friendly. The kid was obviously a second year, “Oh, I’m sorry buddy, didn’t see ya there, Greg right?” Sam asked racking his memory of the first years from the past term.

The kid nodded and cleared his throat, “No problem Sam…” the boy said, Sam politely waited for him to continue but the boy just kind of stood there, after a moment Sam cleared his throat, making the boy jump again as he realized he had forgotten why he had come over and he held out a letter. “Right, sorry, Professor Ryther asked me to give you this.” He said. Sam thanked him and took the parcel, the boy’s friends calling to him so he didn’t just stand there awkwardly.

“Pft…Second years…” Kyle commented as he cut another piece of ham from his plate.

Sam glanced up at him as he was opening the letter and raised an eyebrow, “You were a second year once… as I recall that was the year you fell down the main stairs and knocked Professor Hutson over.” Sam commented with a smile, some laughing at the memory, Kyle just flicked a crumb of a roll at Sam who chuckled lightly. As he drew out the letter and read it leisurely.

To Samuel Halford,

It’s come to the attention of the Headmaster that you were late to the Start of Term this year, he wishes to speak with you about this at your earliest convenience.

Sincerely,

Professor Ryther

PS: As for that matter you discussed with me last term, yes, I’d support such a club. I suggest you speak with the Headmaster.

Sam read it once more and slightly let his smile fall. “At your earliest convenience…” Sam knew that really meant get your butt up there ASAP and so he finished his tea and eggs swiftly and after having cleaned his plate in a matter of moments (there wasn’t much left when he got the letter so he didn’t have to be obstinately rude in his eating) wiped his mouth and got up, excusing himself from his friends and heading with the letter toward the headmaster’s office. He arrived a moment later at the ornate doorway to the head honcho’s quarters and knocked lightly. Waiting patiently for the door to open allowing him entry.