Unfortunately once again Liam had dashed off almost immediately after dropping her off at the station. Of course he'd gone through the possibly compulsory and scripted speech which went along the lines of 'Be careful, have a nice year, don't worry about which house you're sorted into, try your hardest in school and trial for the Quidditch team', only it seemed to go on for hour's in the eleven year old's mind.

The one thing that she didn't like about the fact that Liam left her was that she was alone, leaving her to scan the station to see if Sly was even here yet or whether she'd have to wait for who knows how long. After searching for about five minutes Kahlan almost gave up on finding him until she finally noticed where he was, messy hair and seeming to be deep in thought. A small grin spread across her face though, happy that he was in fact here as she half skipped over to him, her new kitten in her arms.

"Hey Parker" she greeted him, a small smirk on her face as she waited for him to turn and see her, once again wearing a pair of shorts, suspenders and a snapback she'd taken from her brother earlier.

Sylvester spun around at the familiar voice, a large grin forming on his face as he noticed what Kahlan was wearing - though he'd only met her once before at Diagon Alley it seemed quite typical of her from what he'd noticed, even going off the letters they'd been writing since they met. Shaking his head mockingly he forced the grin off his face, forcing a smirk to form on his face so that he could play her own game.

"Moriarty" he countered, before he spotted the small kitten in her arms. "Nice cat, what's it's name? How are you anyway?" at least this time he remembered to ask how she was feeling...

"Excited for Hogwarts yet or still unsure?" he continued to tease, the smirk still on his face though it was faltering a lot, quickly morphing back into a genuine smile displaying his own excitement and nerves of going, getting sorted and experiencing the school for himself after all the tales he'd been told about it.

Good, so Thomas was leaving. She gave him a small smirk as he retreated and then turned to Nate for further instruction.

Okay, so she could be his puppy dog (yeah, right) or she could stand their awkwardly while people moved around her. Great choices. As for making friends, that didn't seem to be an option. People just didn't seem to like her. Especially adults.

At least they could be (hopefully) getting on the stupid train soon. She just couldn't wait to get on the train and go start her new life as a Hogwarts student after having one summer worth of magic! (enter sarcasm here) Man, she wished she was in her pajama's and eating ice cream right now. Ice cream solved literally everything.

World War? Drop some chocolate ice cream on the soldiers. Hurricane? break out the banana split. Boyfriend break up with you? Time for a pint of chocolate chip.

Thinking of the flavors and the tastes of the treat, she missed her old home even more. She still wasn't used to everything yet, and she didn't want to get used to it. She wanted to go back to her actual parents. Not this stupid new life.

In frustration she kicked her cart, and while it didn't roll away (thank gosh) she jumped up and down in pain for a couple of seconds. She stubbed her little toe! Pain, pain, pain pain. That was pretty much all that went through her head at that second. Her school year was already off to a cool start. (enter sarcasm here)

Laura decided that she would see if she could find anyone to talk to, she hoped that she could find a first year or something so that she can speak to them and tell them all about life at Hogwarts and all about how they could have some fun, she really wanted to try her best to help a firstie out but first she would have to find one to help.

Elise had missed Kurumummy's hugs, especially since she had graduated. And her cookies, of course. It was really strange, going down for a feast and not seeing a batch of the Gryffindor's freshly baked cookies dancing around the Gryffindor table with her beaming proudly at them.

"Really?" she bubbled, her eyes sparking. Always? "Forever's a long time.... but thank you." Stepping properly away from her psuedo-mother, Elise bit her lip. She hadn't even told anyone about it yet, and to be honest, she didn't want to. But she would rather tell it herself than have Kurumi find out some other way.

"I... I'mquidditchcaptain." she whispered, unclenching her hand to show the badge that sat in it. That was all, but she wanted her to be the first person she told who wasn't actually related to her. Merlin knew how, because Elise was pretty certain that she didn't deserve to lead a team, much less to be able to train them and be an example. It was scary business.

"Yeah, but we gotta get on the train first," Tora said already walking towards the door. Hopefully the other girl would follow...

Gram would be happy that Tora had already found someone to sit with. She believed the best friends were made on the train to Hogwarts. Tora was unsure if she also believed in this philosophy, but it was worth a shot if it meant making her grandmother happy and possibly making a new friend. All of her age mate friends were Muggles, and even then they weren't really [i]friends[/]. She couldn't talk to them about magic. But here at Hogwarts... well everyone could be magical here. She smiled. She knew it was going to be a great year.

"Ah, of course," Isobel replied, relieved that she wasn't being scorned with some sort of 'Hah, why would I want to sit with you? Not that she expected someone would actually say that, but she got paranoid when she was talking to people. It really was exhilarating, talking to people. She'd never really done it before. She was grinning and following the girl to the train when she spotted someone standing alone.

Emboldened by her newfound friendship-making skills, Isobel glanced at Potential New Friend and then back at the much-older-than-her Alone Girl. She stood on her tiptoes, smiled, and waved, then realised that Alone Girl was probably going to think she was trying to call her over for some reason. She wasn't, she was just trying to be friendly, but... hey, she guessed it couldn't hurt to have a friend in the older years? Too late now, anyway, so she kept waving and trying to think of something to say if-slash-when Alone Girl came over.

Epic.

Garrick had to do something epic this year. He smiled to himself when he thought about the Weasley sticky trainers in his trunk. THOSE could serve to do something epic. Blahh.

All he was SURE of was that this term was going to be different for sure.

And he found himself letting his thoughts drift to a certain girl... a girl whose hand had spent a lot of time in his on the alley... There he stood, GARRICK OGDEN, with a goofy grin on his face as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

Whatever she was doing to him he didn't mind.

Laura was just standing there thinking about things when suddenly she saw someone waving like crazy.

*blink* *blink*

Who was this girl waving to, she turned around to see if there was anyone behind her but there wasn't, surely the girl was a bit young to want to talk to her about anything, well anyway she decided to go an investigate and see why this girl wanted to speak to her.

"Hello." Laura smiled. "I'm Laura." Laura decided it was best to introduce herself. "Can I just ask do I have something on my top or anything you were waving like crazy back then." Laura giggled, it would be awful if she had something wrong with her appearance especially since she was starting her fifth year and this year she was going to try and behave and not land up in detention.

Blue allowed her cheek to be kissed by her father once more but she drew the LINE at the fifth goodbye hug from her mother. She ducked out of reach, grabbing her trolley. "I gotta gooooo. I need to find a place to sit." She waved and hurried off, not looking back. Clingy parents were clingy. And while it was sweet that they were going to miss her, Blue's neck was slightly heated and red with embarrassment.

She shuffled along, standing on her tip-toes to see over all the heads for Bliss or West or someone equally as awesome. OH. Someone decent. Blue strolled over, pushing her luggage, humming happily. "Hey you!" You know who you are.

"GARRICK. Wassup? Excited for getting homework again?"

It was exhilarating stuff.

This was it then.

After saying her goodbyes to all of her family, the seventh year walked through the wall and made her way towards the front of the train. She was ready, she could do this, no she would do this.

She took a breathe in and out then reached inside her bag for her new badge and slowly placed it on her shirt.

Deeep breathe in, deep breathe out.

Not just Captain Lochnessie anymore, she had to grow in those shoes. Grow up to become better, be the best that she could be. She was now Miss Dixon a role model to each and ever single child that would be boarding the train soon and that frightened her to death. Part of her kind of felt that the only reason why she had received her badge was due to the likewise hair and house that she had along with her Headmistress, but the other part of her knew she had some leadership skills that even though they were there would need to grow tremendously through out the year. But she could do this, she had to.

Breaaaathe in, breaaathe out...and possibly look really silly standing in the middle of a train station whilst doing so. Mellow. This was it this was Hogwarts 2080-2081.

After jumping up and down in pain for about ten seconds, Tanner decided she had to find something to do. She didn't want to stand on the platform alone this whole time and look awkward. Following Nate around, however? Not going to happen. Maybe she should look for something fun to do? Like maybe find some friends? Wait out her time? Cry again about the clothes she had to wear? Find something to eat? (she woke up too late this morning for breakfast) Read one of the Hogwarts books that she'd have to figure out how to skim through sometime this year? All viable options. (although some were probably not too smart at this time)

Deciding her fate, she gave the cart a little push and started walking from her spot. She didn't care about Nate or his friends, as long as she made some of her own this year. The shopkeeper in Madame Malkins was right, she had to form her own path. She became adamant on this saying since she left the shop, even writing it on her left hand to remember it better. She needed to decide what path she would take, and even though she had no clue what she was doing, she was going to figure it out piece by piece.

If Garrick was able to read minds he would have likely been rather upset with being classified as DECENT. HEHEHE. But he couldn't, so he smiled real big at Blue and waved.

"I was just thinking to myself that I didn't have enough homework this summer." Heh. For real, though... he didn't mind the homework. It was sleeping in the dorms with all those smelly kids that he was not keen on.

Just thinking about it caused him to wrinkle his nose a bit.

"How was the rest of your holiday? Eat anymore vomit beans?" CACKLE.

She smiled, watching as Jory pet Oliver. She then laughed as Oliver gave Jory's pets a long stare. "Behave, alright?" she said, kissing his head and handing him over to Jory to hold.

"I was just thinking the same thing." she said, glancing at where the train should be any moment. She was pretty eager to get on the train and to Hogwarts. Hopefully they'd have new things to explore outside. "Do you think there'll be any new things on the grounds? They seem to add new stuff every year." she said thoughtfully, turning back to Jory. It was always exciting seeing what new things were there.

Ever since Nerida had returned for the summer, her mother had been telling the whole wizarding hospital that Nerida had done amazing on her owls and well Nerida not wanting to disappoint had done just that, but that made things between her and her sister tensed...They were still kinda tensed.

Nerida walked onto the north end of the platform, she tucked a stray strand of her blonde hair behind her hair, wondering if she could find anybody she knew, or maybe someone would come and find her that she didn't know. And maybe her parents would leave her be,

And now the platform was getting crowded. Seriously, where was the train already? It seemed to be running behind schedule. Or maybe her sense of time was messed up. That was completely possible after all the nights of staying up late and other shenanigans that went on during the summer.

Oh look, there was someone else that was all by themselves. Which meant that Sky would have someone to talk to to pass the time. Someone that wasn't a weird firstie because this girl seemed familiar. Wasn't she in her year? Or around it? Nerida, she thought. "Hello there! Sixth year, Ravenclaw right?"

Jory took hold of Oliver. He generally wasn't a fan of cats but this one was somehow different. In what way, he didn't know but he liked Oliver. "So, what were you up to this summer, Oliver? Did Ronnie and her family drive you crazy with their music? Did she try to make you get too fat?'' He joking examined Oliver. "Nope, you're just the way we like you.'' Oliver just stared at him as if he were an alien. "Okay, I'll shut up now.'' The cat meowed in agreement and turned it's attention back to Furball.

"I hope so,'' the seventh year said. "But the duck pond is one of the best places, right?'' He grinned. He, Ronnie ans Oliver often hung out there. He and Ronnie feeding the hungry ducks and Oliver staring hungrily at them. Another place he would miss very much is the Lake, his favourite spot on the Ground. "If they do add anything new, I wonder what I would be. Any guesses, Ronnie?'' he asked. The Groundskeeper really had a lot of work to do around the Grounds but he managed it very well.

Hmmm. Someone seemed to be a little bit of a downer. She really did mean it. Elise would always be someone she would look out for - even when they were much older and no one really needed any looking out for. So Kurumi just smiled at the Ravenclaw.

Her eyes widened a bit when she took a step back. Hmm? What was this abou ---- "Wait...what?" Kurumi said, her eyes widening just a bit more when she heard what had come next. "You're the....YOU'RE THE NEW RAVENCLAW QUIDDITCH CAPTAIN?!" A giant smile spread across her face and she wrapped the girl back up in another hug. About time there was a captain that she liked - Ravenclaw had a terrible track record in the Gryffindor's mind. "Congratulations! That's great news! I know you will be brilliant."

SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEZE!

Tora realized the girl wasn't following her so she turned around to see her off waving to some other girl. Wait- wasn't the girl supposed to be alone? She crossed her arms. Well there goes one potential friend, and although that annoyed her, she was mad that the other girl had lied to her! There was no reason for that at all... They had just met and they shouldn't have anything against each other yet. Fine. If she wants to go sit with her friend (who didn't even look her age) she could. It wasn't any of Tora's business! She turned on her heel and started to stomp off.

Two seconds later she was wondering who the other girl's friend was. And why the other girl lied to her. If she lied at all... maybe she was just being friendly to some other stranger.

Agh. Tora marched all the way back down the platform to where the girl was standing. "Who's your friend? I thought you said you were alone?" She asked trying not to sound too accusatory. She was curious now, and although still a bit miffed, not angry in the slightest.

Troy was holding onto the stroller handle with one hand, as his older sister maneuvered it. He was incredibly nervous! It was going to be his first time being away from people/family for so long, it was new territory. He wasn't good with change, it tickled him in the wrong way.

"Nervous?" Demi smiled as she looked down at her little brother. Sure at first she may not have been on board with having a new sibling in her life, that she not only had to accept but to take care. But now Troy's really grown on her, he reminded her so much of their late father whom she still mourned in secrecy.

"Little." Troy gulped and nodded, he didn't want to be away.

"Don't be, Kid. You'll be just fine, you'll be home for the holidays." Demi smiled. Her smile always caused him to smile.

"Will you write to me?" Troy feared being left alone.

"Every day, even Allie will finger paint OWLs for you." Demi tapped Troy on his head and gave him the assurance, that he wasn't going to be left alone.

"Okay." Troy smiled showing of his cute front teeth, very determined to start this year. He had packed his backpack with so much of his muggle toys and gadgets.

She laughed as Jory spoke to Oliver. "Actually, Ollie likes our music. He seems to enjoy it....unless we get too loud." she added with a smirk. It was true...everytime they'd play, he'd run down to the garage and curl up on the couch and sleep as he listened to them play.

She laughed again as Jory joked around some more. He sure was funny. She smiled. She was glad to have him as a friend, he was pretty cool.

She grinned at what he said about the duck pond and nodded in agreement. "Of course!" she squealed. The little duckies were SOO cute! She then thought when he asked his next question. "Maybe a big garden or something?" she said. "What about you? What do you think they'd add?" she asked.

For Anyone

Another summer had passed and Oichi was on her way to the train station that would take her back to Hogwarts. But this time she did not feel so elated to be going back. Her OWL results were really starting to make her think she was not a very competent witch. Still she held her head high as she got out of her car with her trunk and walked into the station. She was determined to make the most of the two years she had left even feeling a bit forlorn now.

Laura decided to go for a walk and was walking when she suddenly spotted someone she hadn't seen for ages, not since the salon last term. "OICHI!!!!!!!!!" Laura screamed. "How have you been?" Laura ran over to her friend. "I think a better question would be where have you been?" Laura hugged her friend.

Oichi's eyes popped open as she saw a friend of hers she had not seen in forever even at Hogwarts the previous term with so much extra studying. A lot of good that did. But whatever. "Hey Laura, it's good to see you. I was studying a lot last term with my OWLs. I think I may have over done it a bit. So how was you're summer? I've missed you, we have so much catching up to do!".

Laura smiled at Oichi. "It's been way too long and I agree we have loads to catch up on, wait until you here all the news I have for you." Laura giggled. "I hope we can do something fun this term together it would be awesome if we could." Laura hugged her friend agian. "My summer well it was okay in the end bad start but better towards the end." Laura smiled. "I've missed you too." Laura pouted. "How was your summer?"