[ CHAPTER VII (7): "THE GREAT HALL AND BASIC ETIQUETTE FOR EATING" ]
[ "Why does she keep staring at me...?!" ] Whispering those words to himself, Torrin who's oblivious to what women are thinking, couldn't help but wonder why Prefect Parkinson kept staring at him about 10 plus seats away from him.
Even though the both of them hadn't been talking to one another since a day ago, and even though he didn't do a single thing to provoke her since they split up after the impromptu bet— which both parties agreed with, him on the losing side.
[ "Hey, Torrin, you saying something?" ]
[ PHINEAS ROBERT TYLER LVL. 1 ]
[ "Nothing Phineas, just remembered something funny." ] He answered the kid which was significantly smaller than him, sitting beside him eating a pudding and mashed potatoes as breakfast. Funnily enough, the child was friendly to him— who helped lead him to the Great Hall early in the morning when he forgot directions.
Ironically, the first-year Phineas who lived in the castle for a week is more knowledgeable about the layout of the castle compared to the fifth-year Torrin, which is really a lost soul running around in Hogwarts; akin to that of a first-year in everything other than his height and grade level.
Either way, Torrin doesn't care, as he then points at a stack of corn nearby nearly out of reach. Luckily it's near his newfound friend, so he asked for a favor. [ "Pass me those corns can you?" ] Much more worried instead about breakfast, because at the moment, it's more like a buffet to him.
[ "Oh... Uhh, alright." ] Phineas, nonethewiser about Torrin's original orphanage life and stinginess about finishing food, did the thing he knows best and followed what the older person said to him. Moving the plate of corn near Torrin for reach.
And immediately when he noticed it, he didn't know, perhaps out of habit or fear that the food would disappear suddenly. Torrin grabbed a handful and placed it on his impromptu plate, which has a stack of half eaten pancakes in it.
[ "Thank you." ]
[ "You're... welcome." ]
Ignoring the weird stares his receiving, Torrin continued eating, because from the knowledge of his— food on the Great Hall usually disappears after a set of time. A week ago, the timeline of this universe wise, the Start-of-Term Feast happened.
Food wise, the Great Hall was filled to the brim with them, cooked by House Elves which does unpaid labor with a smile to their face, funnily enough. How does Torrin know? That is because he read the books, and also watched the first movie.
In comparison to that, the food for today was tame, but still extravagant and more in quantity and quality in comparison to the food he ate in the orphanage. Thus the eating of food like a dog, and also the fear of it disappearing, like in the movies.
Sensing the bewilderment in the gaze of his friend, and also the other Slytherins around him— all underclassmen because apparently there's this sort of unspoken rule in the House about the same year level eating together, most of the time.
Something which Torrin didn't know, so now, he could be seen sitting amidst the dozens or so first, second, and third, some fourth years which are shorter than him. Easily making him stand out, and also noticeable to the other students eating. He then quickly explained his reasoning.
[ "Remember this, Phineas." ] He said, pausing slightly to shove a whole thick slice of pancake with butter on the top onto his mouth. Easily swallowing it amidst resistance, before then continuing his advice. [ "Always eat everything without leaving a single crumb, it's appreciation for the art of cooking, and also a form of compliment to the chef which worked hard on the dish. No matter how simple." ]
He doesn't know if the House Elves are listening, or if they could hear him, see him, or know what is happening. But still, he'll still eat like hell because the cooking is just that great. The advice he gave? Does he believe it? Absolutely he does, and at the moment that applies most definitely to Hogwarts, where the chefs there are genuinely happy to cook— and him genuinely happy to eat. A win-win.
Torrin glanced one-by-one on the bewildered students staring at him, all Slytherin because of the gap between the long tables. Before then smiling as he grabbed a plate of sausage nearby, [ "Bon appétit, Slytherins." ] Chowing down with as much dignity he could muster, which is very little.
[ -----| SCENE BREAK |----- ]
After having a hearty meal, Torrin walked out of the Great Hall with a potful of belly and reignited enthusiasm for studying. You see, the day before when he entered the Great Hall he was excited, like a first-year, albeit that excitement was hidden.
Then after he sat on one of the corners which others seemed to avoid, a great thing for him. Then became surprised when the food appeared out of nowhere, which he then ate. But unlike what happened earlier, he was composed, copying how the other Slytherins ate. Which was... fun?
He did so to appear not out of place very quickly, and also because he just arrived there in that world, in that universe, in that House on the same day. In so doing, the food disappeared before he could even feel full. Which made him sad.
This made him toss and turn on the bed that night, thinking about the many varieties of food that he could have eaten— the British cuisine, really. So, after waking up, aside from studying books which is mostly beyond his current comprehension.
He then with the help of his newfound friend, went to the Great Hall and enact his revenge on the dish which the House Elves made. And also because he doesn't want the already cooked food to go to waste, he doesn't know where that food goes after they disappear after the set time for eating.
Perhaps the leftover food gets destroyed, or thrown away, or eaten by rats and pests, things of that sort. Which is all equally terrifying to Torrin who enjoys good cooking, even more so free good cooking no matter who cooks.
Oh, and the only reason why he was pulled out of his eating spree was because of his small Slytherin friend. He has class after breakfast, and judging by the small slip of paper on his hand. Phineas has Charms, and then Astrology in the night, both of which seem to be two hours long. [ "Charms?" ]
[ "Yeah, first time. It says here... third-floor." ] Exactly 7 days ago, last week, it was the Start-of-Term Feast, so they didn't have any class that day. Only exploring. And on that day being vacant, the first-years didn't get to experience Charms. Thus this week being their first Charms Class.
And funnily enough, Torrin, a fifth-year, spawned in that same said floor in the Hospital Wing. And the only reason why he realized his in Hogwarts, is because of students exiting that same said Charms Classroom— Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff Students if he isn't remembering incorrectly.
[ "How about you, Torrin?" ]
[ "Apparently Herbology, afternoon." ]
[ "Oh, Herbology. I loved that subject." ]
Contrary to his friend's enthusiasm, Torrin isn't happy about Herbology. As he had yet to study anything related to that subject as of yet, only ever having skimmed through the fifth-year book that the original Torrin had, primarily because of the complicated and wanky terms inside of the book.
Afternoon i.e. three hours long of lecture from 3:00PM to 6:00PM, from what the slip of note is saying inside of his pocket. And to win the bet he had made with a certain someone, he would need to study in advance. Preferably in the Library, but he doesn't know where that is.
[ "Let's go, Phineas." ] Staring the walk, he led Phineas past the many decorations of Hogwarts and into the Grand Staircase which was apparently just a minute walk from the Great Hall.
He wanted to linger longer, especially because he could hear two magical portraits gossiping to one another, but no, he needs to get to the Slytherin's Dormitory to get his book about Herbology, and study. So he turned left, and was instantly greeted by the scene of staircases moving on their own.
[ GRAND STAIRCASE ]
[ "I-I don't know which stairs lead to the third-floor." ]
[ "Huh?" ] Torrin paused, then realized that anyone other than him doesn't know which directions the staircases moves. So he gave a simple glance at it using his cheat, before then giving directions.
[ "Take that one, follow that Ravenclaw Student over there. You see her?" ]
[ "Oh, uhh, which one?" ] Fair point, there's dozens or-so of Ravenclaws climbing or descending the Grand Staircase either alone, or in a group.
[ "The one with glasses and a stack of books." ] Torrin said one last time, before then moving in another direction— to the Dungeon where the Slytherin Common Room is situated.
[ "You sure about this?!" ] Phineas yelled, unsure and doubtful if he should believe what his senior said. Because last time, when he asked for directions, he got lost due to a senior giving the wrong direction.
[ "Yeah!" ] He assured his underclassmen with a smile, which may or may not have caused more distrust than trust. [ "I'm gonna go study in my room, don't try to find me." ]
He paused before descending, as he then turned to remind his friend about something important. [ "Oh, and uhh- in Charms, it's gonna be Levi-O-sa and not Levio-SA." ] He should know, he has knowledge of both the books and movies, and also with self study the day prior. [ "Good luck!" ]
[ "Thanks...?" ]
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[ FUN FACT: The Great Hall in the Hogwarts Castle was the main gathering area in the school, which was located off the Entrance Hall. It was a large hall where students and teachers dined and congregated. Three meals a day were hosted in this hall. The students also receive their daily owl post inside of the Great Hall. The Sorting Ceremony, Start-of-Term Feast, Hallowe'en Feast, and other events also happens here— like the Triwizard Cup picking of lots in the fourth book. ]
[ 11/01/2025 ]
[ 11/02/2025 ]