The large dining hall was abuzz with activity and conversations. Minor magics were being cast here and there, but everyone seemed more interested in catching up with friends, eating, or just looking around and taking it all in than doing anything too flashy. At the far end of the room a long table was set perpendicular to the student tables, and much of the faculty were seated there. The center chair that was reserved for Dean Void was empty, but almost all of the other teachers were seated there. Porfenshousen and Brandtweasel were talking to each other, and Isobel Khan was obviously listening to their conversation. Sprig, Brandersnatch, Walsh and X have cleared off part of the table and are in the middle of a game of 4-way 3-D mage chess. Walsh's king-side dragon was in position to block down much of the upper boards, but Sprig and X were building towards a St. George offense to break that control. Benenfort sat by himself trimming a small bonsai tree that moved and twisted in an unfelt wind. In addition to Void, Pontiflex and Shelton were noticeable absences.
The walls of the dining hall were decorated with large animated banners showing notable scenes of student activities and classes from last trimester. That time one of the Alchemy labs was completely filled with lavender scented foam for a nearly a day. When the student choir put of their performance of Pippin. A heard of griffin flying over the peak of the castle, students perched on their backs. A team of students on brooms flying in formation through an aerial obstacle course. A student's hand sticking out of the top of a hedge. A group of students gathered around a large amethyst colored dragon that was speaking while pointing to various parts of it's anatomy, Hegemon Pontiflex standing nearby. Dean Void speaking to a group of upperclassmen in a classroom. Major Shelton demonstrating a charm defense to a group of underclassmen. Scene after scene of a busy and apparently happy and harmonious school life.