"Yup, California dreamin means exactly that-- great surfing, great climate, great sights, great foo--" then he stopped himself short, and spun his head towards hers. Did she just say "What do you mean you've got no parents?" he blurted confused then realized that may have been a little too forward. Softening his town he uttered "I mean, you're orphaned?"

His eyes shifted to the side as he saw the yellow gemstones retreat in the Hufflepuff hourglass this time, his face a picture of astonished confusion. "Now the Puffs lost points this time what the heck?...." he muttered, rapping his knuckles against the Badgers' hourglass. So confounded was he that he nearly missed Maddox' question "Huh?... Oh, yeah these hourglasses, they're the school house points. You earn points for your house if you do well in class, submit homework, help around the school when needed, stuff like that. The house with the most points wins the House cup." he nodded "Slytherin won it a couple terms back when I transferred." he added proudly as he buried his hands in his pockets. A well earned self-pride given that he helped get them there. Truth.