Open Post: Great Hall

[courageous_wit]

[When the students enter the Great Hall today, they will see it decked out in black and yellow banners, with the Hufflepuff badger in prominent display. There are also a few model badgers that are moving around

The house-elves went all out in the food, serving Hufflepuff lots of cakes and cookies and other delicious treats.

Although you are divided by your houses, it's such a great party that you can visit your friends and butt into other house conversations!]

[Gryffindor | Ravenclaw | Hufflepuff | Slytherin | staff table]

Comments

[lucre]

School is about achieving the credentials needed to secure your life after it.

[indirectcause]

And you think that's a game?

[lucre]

If there are winners and losers, yes.

[indirectcause]

Depends on what you count as winning. Getting to college? Getting a good job?

[lucre]

The best college and the best job. Better than your peers.

[indirectcause]

[He's had THAT drummed into him over and over the months before the outbreak. needing to do well, to get into a good college, get a good education. And now?]

...It really doesn't matter in the end. None of that does.

[lucre]

Tell me then, what does matter?

[indirectcause]

[It takes him a moment to respond. Staring a hole into the wood of the table]

Family. Either blood or just the people you come to see that way. Trying to keep them safe. Alive. That's what matters.

[lucre]

There are worse things than death.

[indirectcause]

I know.

[That came out a lot harsher than he intended and he winces]

Sorry. I've- well, I've seen some nasty shit.

[lucre]

[ She just smiles, sweet as ever, and moves to stand back up. Her job here is almost done. ]

Nastier than all these badgers on the wall?

[indirectcause]

[He's not even going to look at the stupid badgers]

Way, way worse.

[lucre]

Have my half.

[ She giggles too, leaning in to place a peck on his cheek as if it means nothing, judging by how quickly she then makes her exit. ]

[indirectcause]

[He'll just have a moment to inwardly keysmash because he's not exactly used to that sort of thing]

...Thanks?

[lucre]

[ Yes, good. She likes inciting that response, waving back as she walks over to the Slytherin table. ]