The crazy spark known as team spirit was a fickle thing in Hogwarts. What had started as a team cheer ended in at least three spells being cast and a few coarse words being thrown as well. Devin saw the whole thing getting beyond out of hand, especially when Lucine stood up and nearly raised her voice. Looking back at the short series of events. The destruction of the Gryffindor scarfs was the real thorn in the whole thing. Though it seemed likely to be the work of someone who was a poor sport about last years games, Devin regrettably figured it was just someone who was feeling the joy in the room was spoiling their emo-life view.

The more playful counter to the Gryffindor spirit was cast by Alyssa. While their relationship was entirely based on the fact that friction can only cause fire the two also seemed to have something amounting to frenemies. The most damning evidence being the wink and spell combo. When thinking back on all the advice his family had given Alyssa always made Devin remember what his dad said when his son was starting to date. "There are going to be women in your life that are just bad for you. They will put you through a ringer and likely knock you down a peg. Don't let that stop you. If I had I don't think you would be around." 

Mostly these thoughts were in the very back of Devin's mind as he had to deal with Alyssa quickly. Letting her get the last word or even wink never sat well with him. More than anything it was the honest spirit of competition that drove him to spar with her so often. With the muting hex lifted he quickly shouted a short retort after he saw Alyssa finish speaking to Hannah. "Hey Alyssa I finally figured out who you remind me of. You ever read the comic Archie? You are totally Veronica!"

The insult was bad in nearly every sense other than the fact that Devin was using it on Alyssa. For just about everyone in the magical world would have no idea what it meant. It was like he was speaking a different language. That fact meant Devin and possibly only Jay who was also from the States knew what he had just said. Still he gave the joke a good laugh. He wasn't as sly as to throw a wink her way. Lord knows she might just poke the eye out with her wand. Devin then turned to Lucine who had started lecturing the Gold and Crimson around her. The act wasn't completely in line with her normal personality, but Devin wasn't about to stop someone midrant. 

"Alright, Alright Lucine we get it. It isn't like we are trying to steal the show from the first years. If anything we are just showing them why they should want to be a Gryffindor. I guess you could say it is a sales pitch. After all if you want to have fun with your friends at school it is hard to beat this house." Devin flashed a diplomatic smile towards Lucine and some of the other onlookers. "It got out of hand. The whole fireworks was a rotten apple in the bunch. I am sure the professors will deal with whomever thought burning stuff was reasonable. Damaging your scarf was childish and I can assure you it wasn't any of us." Devin threw an affirming look up and down the Gryffindor Quidditch team. "Still I can get you a new one if you agree to grab a butter beer with me next Hogsmeade trip. My treat."

With Devin intervening the whole ruckus had started to die down. The hall gradually returned to the normal loud roar of the first meal back at Hogwarts. The first years still had their 'deer in the headlights' look they do every year. Shortly a professor came up and started to sort the new first year students. One by one the students were sorted with each house cheering for their newest members. As one of the Gryffindor prefects Devin was charged with welcoming the lion cubs. As such he excused himself from his friends Luc and Jay and made his way down to the head of the table. He sat down and every time the hat said Gryffindor he jumped up and cheered extra loud.