Opening Speech (Triwizard Plot)

[Abagail "Abbie" Dreyer]

Abbie walked the great hall before the students arrived. Making sure everything was as perfect as she could recall. It had been ten years since she had taken a step inside Hogwart's doors. It was taking the help of her memories as well as the help from old Headmaster's journals. The ones in the portraits within her office walls had enough to say that her ears were ringing by the time she ran out of her office. She decided to just do it her way and from what she could visualize, considering this was of a special occasion. Not only was there going to be new first years, as well as returning students from previous years, ( which she figured she would need to learn the faces , though she knew it probably wouldn't happen ) , But as well as Triwizard tournament.

She was eagerly dancing in her shoes, to announce the event in the first place. Technically it wasn't the right year and time to have one take place, nor was it Hogwart's turn to host it. It was much more, her idea and tournament then any other. She pitched her views upon it and the other schools had agreed to participate. The times have changed since the last 50 years and it seemed only rational to let old traditions change as well. Or at least in her new world views.

The night sky reflected upon the ceiling as candles lite the room in a light gloomy glow. The students piled in as the night started one by one. Some with eager bright faces, and others with scared cat like features. She could spot the bullies already and the book smart Ravenclaws. It was entertaining in her eyes, how the different houses were so much a like in house, yet different from another. You could almost scan a student in view and tell where they belonged without even asking their name. Which in that reason, almost found the sorting hat to be a bit unnecessary, but it was an entertaining tradition in the least.

The hat ceremony was fair enough and went smoothly. As the students cheered and watched as their new classmates joined each of their tables loyally. Everyone was calming down and anticipating the feast that would soon be laid down in front of them. Abbie herself was excited about the food. It was one of the things she did miss most about this place. The memories in this hall alone were enough to bring an uplifting smile upon her face. But also bring sorrow and a chill down to her marrow, for the unfortunate times as well. Memories... funny how they control your emotions and mood ever so easily. The food appeared soon after in which a great amount of moans, forks flicking sounds, and much deserved excitement filled the air. The food was as amazing as she remembered, and the endless amounts of pumpkin juice, turkey legs, and bread pudding was enough to make one want to never stop eating even as one might start to want to throw up.

As most belly's were now soar and filled too much, it was almost time to end the night. But a speech from her was much anticipated. She stood up from her throne of a chair within the middle of the professors table. Her hair in golden blond locks bouncy and soft as usual. She was dressed in a midnight dark blue robes. She wore no pointy hat or anything of the sort, it just wasn't stylish enough for her liking. Though she loved a cute hat any day, just not a big tall pointy cone one. She wasn't much for traditions in general as much as she liked to make her own traditions. Morals were only meant to be broke in most cases as well as rules in her dictionary. She wasn't the most likely candidate to be the head bitch in charge of a school for learning student minds, yet here she stood. She herself wasn't exactly in the believing status neither.

She smiled around at the students trying to seem sweet and charming. She figured winning over their hearts in the beginning might go over a little more for her benefit then just being a complete dick. She lifted one hand into the air as a sign for silence. Most of the students caught on quickly and within a minute or two the room was filled with the silence that could hear every slight movement in the hall. She spoke up loudly not wanting to microphone her voice over the student body as she felt it lightly annoying to hear her voice that loudly. A nice powerful voice roared from her lips as she started her speech,"Welcome to Hogwarts. New and old. I am excited to be here this year and hope to get to know you all, hopefully in good settings only." She gave a sharp stern look over the audience to prove she wasn't just sweet and cute.

"I'd like to start off by reminding you all that after dark, you should be within your respectful houses. Also to remind you all that the Forest in the grounds is off limits to students, as is the village of Hogsmeade to all below third year. Now, let's welcome all returning and new Professors this year with a nice round of applause." She clapped herself as she bowed once to her left and once to her right to each side of the table of Professors.

"I am also excited to announce the even that will be taking place here this year! I have arranged a Triwizard Tournament!" She said a little too over anxious. The room buzzed with noise for some time before it came back to silence. "But it will be taken place a little differently this time around. It's not really the old Triwizard Tournament many of you are aware of from past events in history. There will be no goblet of fire." She she spoke those last words, the room buzzed again in half excitement and half shout's of anguish. "Now now, hear me out." She interjected as the room roared back and forth in 'no's' and 'awes'. "Each year within each house will have try-outs and dueling battles until a winner is found for each year. Then we will conclude a winner from each house. Then finally, we will have yet more challeneges to determine the Hogwarts Champion that will be battling against students from Durmstrang Institute, and the Beauxbatons Academy of Magic. The events will take all place here on our grounds and winner's will be judged by chosen Professors and other wanted Judges.

Now even though I did state all years will be allowed to participate in the beginning stages, only a sixth or seventh year will be allowed to be the champion. It is only for the fun of participating that all years are allowed in the beginning. Even more since they will probably be winged out as they are not of enough advance magic to win such a duel against a sixth or seventh year.

Now, with all that said. Have a brilliant evening and sleep well for the coming days ahead." And with that ending she turned and disappeared from view of the hall.

((For replies about this speech or RPing to this speech, please responded in your respected house table thread. Professors are allowed to Respond here.))

[Yukiteru Kojiro]

James Ziler was there as well as Abbie, early for the sake of beating the rush (he hated being in the midst of crowds. It disheveled him and made him nervous) and sat in his spot, the Potions master and Head of Slytherin House. He looked over at his table and wondered, really wondered how he, a Hufflepuff alumni, was chosen for this position. But then again, he knew he could trust Abbie's decision, so he usually left it at he question, and that was all.
He looked out to the students, noticing other Professors sitting down and enjoying a drink of Pumpkin juice and the like. He rather enjoyed it as well, but barely touched it. It was not a night for him to be merry, that was for sure.
He listened to her speech, applauding at all the right spots and smiling at all of the Student's reactions to the Triwizard Tournament. He looked forward to it, knowing that this year would be enjoyable, giving the students an escape from classwork and the like, a deviation from the norm, if you will.
Full from the cuisine, he stood as everyone else did, walked over to Abbie and nodded. "Charming speech, I do say. I'm glad you've made me a part of this school once again." he said respectfully. "I look forward to working with you." he would then turn his attention to the Slytherin Table, knowing it was up to him to get them to the Dungeons where the common room was located.
"Well, goodnight, Professor." he said, giving a nod and making his way towards the Slytherin Table.

[Professor Ben Travers]

Ben had arrived early to dinner in hopes to catch the Headmistress before her speech. He had a few things he needed to clear up with her. However, his timing was off and he had missed his chance. Ben figured it didn't matter when they talked, just that they did.

As he ate, he kept glancing at the Headmistress. She was much younger than he was, and ever so eager to divulge the secret she was keeping. Many of his fellow Professors were far older as well, but Abagail Dreyer had earned his respect and the respect of many others.

He kept silent during her speech, gazing at the crowd and gaging their reactions. It seemed that this was going to be a rather interesting year and all of the students were enthused. Truth be told, he was rather interested as well. He couldn't wait to see some of his old friends who were Professors at Beaxbatons and Durmstrang. His old friend, Kiro, was the Transfiguration Professor at Durmstrang and the two of them would always compete to create new Transfiguration spells. So far, Ben was ahead of Kiro by two, and he was still working on his gemstone spell to make that lead three.

After the speech, every student began buzzing about the excitement that lay ahead. Ben knew this was his chance, and he stood up and walked toward her chair, sitting at her left side. The Ancient Runes Professor had just left when he said, "Headmistress, I have a few things I'd like to discuss with you. I don't believe we cleared it up during the meeting yesterday, but I would like to preside over the dueling competitions for the preliminary rounds. I understand when we get to the final student from each house, we should have other Professors help referee, but I believe I can handle the first rounds on my own. I wasn't sure exactly how you'd want to handle this, so I wanted to bring it up to you."

[Gabriele Hedy]

Gabriele had arrived at the school for her first year of teaching. She was the newley appointed Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, and the Gryffindor Head of House. She had no clue what this school would be like, as she had come from Durmstrang. She wasn't the ordinary teacher, most of the teachers were either Irish, British, or Scotish, or some other form of that. She was German, and had attended Durmstrang, and they had a very different way of teaching. She would do her best though to get herself used to teaching at Hogwarts. She had arrived early, and took her spot at the head table. She looked around at the empty, but slowly filling Great Hall. She looked at the teachers table seeing two teachers already. Ben, and James. They seemed happy to be there, but she was there to teach, not to be happy or make many friends.

She watched towards the main door seeing the Headmistress stride into the great hall and make her way up to her seat. She had sat down and the Sorting ceremony began. She watched as her students were sorted into Gryffindor. She mostly watched that table trying to learn all of the faces. She was good at learning faces and once she was sure she knew most of the faces she looked over to the other tables. She took notice of the Slytherins and then Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs. She let out a subtle sigh as she began to eat her food infront of her. She wasn't that hungry, mostly due to nerves and wanting to give a good first impression. She was an average sized woman with long light brown hair. She, in her eyes, was very attractive.

She took a sip of her Pumpkin Juice and looked towards the Headmistress as she began her speech. She listened to Abbie talk about this year, she seemed to be extra Giddy. Gabriele wondered why, and then she heard Abbie say she had planned for a Tri-Wizard Tournament. This peaked Gabrieles intrests. She said that it would be between Hogwarts, Beauxbatons, and Durmstrang. Gabriele smiled abit after hearing Durmstrang would be attending the tournament. She would get to see some of her old teachers, if they haven't retired. She looked forward to this year, but then she also remembered she had her job to do. She had to teach students to Defend against Dark Spells, and Magic. She sighed for a moment and then watched as Abbie got up and left. Gabriele stood up and went to the Gryffindor Table and led them towards the Gryffindor Tower, with the help of Prefects.

[Abagail "Abbie" Dreyer]

As she turned to leave from the table, Professors were already b-lining their way to wards her. She smiled nicely at her new comrades eying each of them up in regards to if they were all good hires or not. When taking this job she had figured most of the staff would be already in hands but apparently that wasn't the case. Most of the staff here was all new. Which kinda could be a bad thing or a good thing. But the most important thing was to have the right staff in place in the first place.

She nodded a thank you to James as he acknowledged her speech. "As do I," she said in return to getting to work with him. With that he turned to leave in which she wanted to soon follow but another Professor approached her. "Ah, yes. Professor Travers. Hum. That can be arranged, you are after all the dueling Professor. I'm sure that will be fine. Meet me in my office to further discuss this." She smiled and turned away to advance out of the room as the students were hurrying off to their dorms.