Chris grinned as he took his seat for the headmaster's speech. It was always entertaining, the best part probably being the looks on the first years' faces as it was delivered. He awaited the headmaster eagerly, as the the vice headmistress introduced herself. Finally, it started.

[b]”...What a bunch of plebeian newspawns..."[/b]

Here it was. The first sentence, perfect. The first years were already looking around for the source of the voice, which was typical. 

"[b]"...that they can harness that horrible excuse of a personality of your’s, and cover for your faults... Oh, that was close. I nearly coughed up my breakfast.”[/b] 

Chris was chuckling to himself, as was most of the other fifth year class. They'd become used to these speeches after being at the school so long. It almost seemed like a tradition; the first years were always hyperactive and baffled by the strange events, and by fifth year, calmed down into acceptance. Suddenly, a first year raised his hand. 

Chris bit his lip. [i]'Big mistake,'[/i] he thought, [i]'either incredibly brave, or incredibly stupid.'[/i] He watched as the first-year asked the question. He winced a bit, preparing himself for the onslaught that would be the headmaster's rant. The headmaster chastised the large amount of new students that had caused all the commotion outside (that Chris did his best to ignore at the time), and then concluded with a short comment about rooms. Chris felt a slight twinge of sadness; his previous partner had graduated the year before him. It wasn't a problem in the past, but it now left him partner-less. And the fact that most of the other 5th years had paired with someone in their own grade, it meant he'd probably end up paired with someone younger. He wouldn't mind, he decided, so long as they weren't a [i]total[/i] idiot. He waited for the ceremony to conclude, but slipped out of the hall a little early to avoid the huge crowd of students that would come pouring out. 

He took a spot just outside, in the next hallway, and unzipped his jacket. He didn't really have anything to do at the moment, not having planned on even [i]being[/i] at the school that day. [i]'Some of the fresh meat will probably need help...'[/i] He leaned up against the wall, waiting for the freshmen to pour into the hall. Once they did, he would occasionally call out, "If anyone needs help with anything, right here!"