*Narrator pov*
The attack and subsequent defeat at the Grand Canyon pushed the summit of the ICW back which is now arriving sooner only a scant few days away.
Herpo frowned as he thought over his plan to get both the light and dark of England to agree for once in their miserable lives. Not only that, but he was about to attempt to change a wizarding law set in stone for years, to give magical beings other than humans rights.
The creator of Basilisk stood from his seat leaving the soft comforting cushion behind as he walked over to the floo. He already informed his circle to dress in their finest robes and attend a meeting at Hogwarts. The smarter ones already had an idea of what was to be discussed just by the location.
Herpo threw a handful of powder into the floo and stepped through it calmly as he walked into Albus's office. Herpo didn't pay any mind to Albus not being in, most likely he was preparing for the meeting himself.
Herpo made his way down the spiral staircase and passed the gargoyles positioned at the entrance. The old wizard walked indifferently down the halls of Hogwarts his right hand extended as his fingers brushed against the castle walls.
The 'dark' wizard passed many classrooms that were full of students, he saw mass classes of healing magic, classes on the essential potions to carry at all times, and even old Flitwick was instructing on charm chains with another professor at his side.
'Yowie' the name appeared in Herpo's mind as he remembered Morpheus's dossier on everyone and everything inside of the castle
Herpo didn't linger as he traveled the halls every step taking him deeper and lower until finally, he saw the large doors of the great hall in sight.
He opened them slowly to reveal a room full of long tables, more tables than usual he could from the unusual way they were positioned. Suddenly one of the tables moved to the left joining one of the other ones making one massive table.
"Not quite right." he heard Albus say to Minerva
Herpo chuckled as he walked toward the pair, "Albus! Arranging the tables I see?"
The duo's heads snapped up, "Herpo!" Albus exclaimed a smile spreading across his face
Herpo had to conceal his snicker at the man before him. For someone who grew up with Morpheus of all people, he could tell when someone was faking a smile.
And oh was Albus faking. If not for Herpo's sway over the dark faction Albus would probably stay as far away from Herpo as possible.
"Indeed we are going over the table arrangements, we need something to shake things up hm?" Albus said as he surveyed the room
Herpo nodded agreeing with the Headmaster, "Indeed, how about you only have two tables, one for the students and the other for our guests?"
Albus gave a false chuckle, "Force them to interact with each other?"
Minerva actually perked up at the idea, "That might not be a bad idea, Albus. Since the first war started the students have been mingling with the other houses more. It might not be a bad idea to show the parents that even their children can get along why can't they?"
Albus nodded while waving his wand causing the tables to fly across the room combining into two.
"Alright now that we have taken care of the seating issue who wants to talk first when they arrive?"
A bell rang singling the students to head to the great hall.
The adults would be arriving anytime now.
***
They came, yawning, rumpled in their robes, dragging their feet down the stone corridors. Whispers floated through the air like the ghosts that lined the castle walls, but no one had answers. Only speculation.
The doors to the Great Hall were already open, and what the students saw made them hesitate for a heartbeat. The four long tables—Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, Hufflepuff, Slytherin—were gone. In their place stood two massive tables, stretching down the center of the room. It looked ancient, though no one had ever seen it before.
"Please sit at the table on the left," Minerva said using magic to enhance her voice so everyone could hear her perfectly
Slowly, curiously, they began to take their seats.
It was odd—very odd. Though students weren't technically forced to sit by House, most gravitated there out of habit. But today… today that pattern wasn't as rigid.
James Potter sat toward the center, his hair as wild as ever, shoulders tense. What stood out more than anything, though, was the figure beside him—Severus Snape, pale and brooding, his black eyes narrowed as he spoke in low, clipped tones.
Across from them, Narcissa Black sat with her hands folded neatly in her lap, her posture regal, her expression unreadable. Her icy eyes flicked from one group of students to another, studying them like a hawk. Beside her, a few younger Slytherins whispered nervously.
Down the table, Sirius Black had his boots kicked up on a bench. He looked half-bored, half-annoyed, and entirely unbothered. He was seated next to a Ravenclaw girl and a Hufflepuff boy, and they seemed to be engaging in casual banter, though Sirius's eyes occasionally drifted to his cousin Narcissa with a dark flicker of emotion.
A low hum of chatter filled the air—questions, rumors, uneasy laughter. But it all tapered off when the doors at the head of the Hall creaked open once more.
And the adults began to arrive.
At first, the students didn't know what to make of it. Professors? No. These were not professors. These were figures of power—prominent witches and wizards, Lords and Ladies, and Mothers and Fathers. And they were not arriving together.
First came the Light Faction. Figures dressed in robes of soft blues, silvers, and whites. Worn from battle or politics, but standing tall. Albus Dumbledore walked at the head after having fetched them, his presence radiating calm command. Beside him strode Lord Longbottom, and a few seats down sat Lord Potter, his magical eye twitching restlessly as he scanned every face in the room.
The Light Faction took their seats at the massive table on the right—but distinctly together. Clustered at one end, silent now, exchanging glances that said more than words ever could.
Then, not long after, the Dark Faction arrived.
Their robes were deeper—blacks, blood reds, emeralds that shimmered like oil slicks. Lord Mulciber, walked behind Herpo his head held high but an uncomfortable scrunch was creasing his eyes. Behind him came his allies.
They took their seats on the opposite end of the table. They didn't smile. They didn't nod. They simply sat.
Stark division. One end light. The other dark.
As Albus and Herpo joined Mivera in the front both looked out at the gathered group.
The task seemed daunting.
Herpo stepped forward, "Many of you know me." he said looking at the lords and ladies, "Many of you have heard my name but do not know my face." he said toward the students
"Allow me to properly greet you all, my name is Herpo, some call me Herpo The Foul. My brother Morpheus taught some of you while he worked here briefly. I realize most of you are curious to know why you are here so I will speak bluntly. What is happening in Britain is unacceptable, we are at war and yet you choose to fight each other in petty squabbles about the light and dark. It is preposterous, there is no light and there is no dark! There is only magic and it will die if you continue to act like you are better than each other!"
"No, I do not mean for you to become friends or allies but to at least agree that we need to band together to win, you all have history, and I know many have spilled blood of others here but if you do not work together if you do not grow out of this petty shadow war then more blood will spill. The blood of your children, your mothers, your cousins, your wives, your siblings, and your husbands."
"I ask what will it take for you to finally see eye to eye for the first time in years?"