South End of the Platform
 

Anyone? ^_^
 

Weeee somebody disturb her!
 

Derry was clinging to her dad's hand as they walked through the barrier. Walls just weren't supposed to do that..! Walls were supposed to be... well..... solid. She just about managed to let go of his hand as they neared the other end of the platform, and she stared stood there, staring at the ground and fiddling with the loose threads in her oversized cardigan.

"Hey... Where's my little Merry Derry gone? Smile, lass..." her dad was saying, stroking her hair a little. But Derry didn't really feel like smiling...

"Dad... w-what if I faint d-during the sorting or... or... or... what if I can't speak to people a-and..." she gulped. "My s-st-stutter keeps coming back..." Her fingers were gripping her newest book so tight that her knuckles had gone white, she didn't want to go and live with loads of people she didn't know.

"Derryth... calm down, Lass... it's all okay." said Fergus, giving her a reassuring smile. "Your mam and I will write whenever we can... want me to wait with you? I'm sure they won't mind if I'm a little late..." Okay... they probably would, but this was his daughter and she came first.

"No... it's okay, daddy... you should go." she muttered, and bit her lip nervously. Honestly? She really really didn't want to be alone. But she didn't want to seem like a baby, and she knew her dad couldn't afford to be late so early on in his new job. "I love you." She put the book on top of Lando's basket and hugged her dad tighter than ever.

Fergus nodded, he knew he should go. "If you say so, Merry." he said with a grin, and hugged her back. "I love you too."

"I do say so, Gandalf." she replied, laughing a little. So what if her and her dad were Lord of the Rings geeks... that was totally fine. She waved as her dad hugged her one last time and headed back to the muggle world. Siiiigh.

Then she sat down on top of her trunk and opened her book, sticking her nose in it.

We see you, boyfriend. And anyone else!! ^_^
 

So...she was wearing a badge. Yup, that was probably the only difference one would notice about Ella Bishop as she made her way along the South End of the platform. Oh and she might be a few inches taller too but she was still pretty short. Hmph. Weren't almost-sixteen year olds meant to be taller? The blonde thought so but eh, she wasn't short she was just fun sized, OKAY?

Okay.

Where was everyone, anyway? Ella had just had a semi-tearful goodbye with her little brother who had refused to let go of her leg as she entered the station. Frown. Seeing your Dad pry your little brother off you kind of took a toll on you, yeah? And so the badger really wanted friends right now and possibly hugs too. Yeah, hugs sounded nice.

Speaking of nice hugs...GRIN!

"HAIR WHIPPER!"

ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! As fast as one can zoom with a trunk

Tackle!Hug

Back of the train...that was safe right? Man if he kept this up people would stay away from him because they'd think he was weird. He looked behind him to find his father walking casually through the wall and rolled his eyes.

Warren, his hands still in his pockets walked onto the platform and looked down at his son. "If you need anything don't hesitate to owl us." He let a smile come on his face and placed his hand on Jame's shoulder. "Do try to stay out of trouble. If you get in trouble here I can't save you from the professor's or your mother's wrath."

James nodded and hesitating for a second wrapped both his arms around his father in a hug. "I'll stay safe. I promise." He said knowing that was his father's real worry. He didn't know everything about his father's past but his mum had told him some things which made him understand why his father acted the way he did at times.

Warren nodded and hugged his son back. "I've got to go save the world," he said jokingly, well half jokingly. Kneeling down to his sons height he smiled fondly then ruffled his hair and walked back through the archway to head to work.

James sighed and watched as his father left and looked around. Great. Not a single soul he knew since his brother wasn't going here.

Aww the man was leaving now, poor ickle firstie. Okay he looked a little older than firstie, but obviously he was new to the platform. Pushing her cart to where she could find it easily but still be able to do whatever without dragging it around, she headed for the boy. "You're not going to cry are you?" Merlin, just, please don't. She didn't need another blubbering boy like Dan had been the summer before!

"I'm Zoe." Yeah the least she could do was introduce herself. That way at least aunt Cece would still believe she had proper manners. She didn't see aunt Cece anywhere hopefully she wouldn't be joining them on the train AGAIN this term. That just wasn't right to have a professor on the train.

Stuffing her hands into her robes she looked around. No Dan yet...or Ronnie. And thank merlin no Laura either.

James looked at the girl who had yelled at him before and frowned. "What kind of ludicrous question is that?" Hmph this girl seemed rather rude. Was everyone that way?

"I'm James," he said with a nod almost mimicking his father's. Watching as she looked around he raised an eyebrow. "Waiting for someone?"

Whoever wants him...
 

Garrick was not impressed with the speed in which summer holiday FLEW by. It was criminal really. He was a bit sulky as he stood on the platform with his skateboard in hand. THAT he had NOT allowed to be put on the train for him. Frowning as he looked for Benjy he shook his head and just... well he just stood there.

Given his track record with people in Diagon Alley he opted to keep to himself for the time being. SIGHS.

Alec placed a hand over his tummy and gave it an affectionate pat. There there, tummy, you will get food later. Later being aboard the train when he could bound along towards the Food Trolley and buy LOTS of 'sugary delights', as Tag put them once. Unless... did he... have some with him? Shaking his head, the boy reached over and was just about to have a look through his bag when...

...

Only one person called him that. Ever.

Alec turned his attention away from his bag and looked up to GRIN WIDELY at the person who was zooming over towards him. Here was his favourite person ever, apart from his Dad. Maybe. Who knew. Either way, this girl was still really important to him and seeing her here made him happier than the words 'free ice cream'.

So he opened out his arms, ready to give her a BIG SUPER HUG when...

"ELL- AAAARGH!"

All of a sudden, he felt himself lose balance, something that didn’t really happen to him too much before. Not really. He wasn’t particularly clumsy but now… he was falling... falling... falling...

OOMPH!

And he was lying there on the cold hard ground, his grey-blue eyes staring upwards for a couple of seconds before diverting themselves towards the blonde girl. He blinked a couple of times at her, the grin spreading across his face again. "Well... that was a great way to greet each other!" he said before letting a small chuckle escape his lips.

Also, he missed her. Like a lot. Did he mention that?

Okay that brought on a whole other smirk. "Well, that's what the younger students have done every time I've seen them say good bye to their parents." Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she just stared at him and eyed him up and down. "You're not a firstie are you?" Yep nosy, and proud of it.

Tilting her head in a slight nod. "Oh no, just seeing if I know anyone yet. Not too many people are around though." Well the kid was definitely better than Dan had been and not bad looking though she wasn't taking that much of notice

Pat!
 

James looked around himself and spotted an older boy looking by himself. Should he go say hi? Was that not okay since he was younger? Instead he shoved his hands into his jean pockets and looked at the girl who was...SMIRKING?! Now what did he say? And why was she looking at him that way it was kind of creepy.

He shifted slightly and shrugged, "I don't think so..." How old was a...firstie? Sounded like a baby or something and he was NOT a baby. "I'm twelve. I'll be thirteen in a couple months." Maybe that meant something to her.

"Are we early then?" Why would his dad drop him off early? This seemed like some form of cruel and unusual punishment...maybe it was. His mum really had been mad at him when he left.

"A firstie is eleven and usually just starting at Hogwarts." Hmm, nope not firstie, "You're a second year then." she said brightly "I would think unless you haven't had any wizard training, then I don't know what you would be." Shaking her head, no matter, it wasn't her problem. "I'm a second year, and will be thirteen just before Christmas."

Shrugged "My mum just dropped me off I didn't really look at the time. Train leaves at eleven." Maybe she was early, who knew. She'd been anxious for the train and to head back to school. "I assume you'll be sorted with the first years, any house preference?"

Okay....man this girl talked a lot. "I have wizard training," he said almost with a scoff. He was a Rodemiere after all, can't have an Auror dad without learning something. "I guess that makes me a second year too. My birthday is in October," he said with a smile.

Then there were more questions..... "I um...I'm not sure? Mum said dad was a Slytherin when he was here but dad doesn't talk much about his past so I don't know what that means. I think mum was a Griffindor." He sat down on top of his trunk on his cart and watched everyone along the platform.

"Good. Then you should be at least a second year." she said nodding. October, hmm so a little older than she was. And he did have a nice smile too. ERGH, yeah what did she care about that? Flashing him a smile in return, she at least got rid of the smirk she tended to have around younger students. Because she was no longer a firstie felt she deserved to be able to have that smirk.

There was hope for the kid yet! Maybe he wouldn't be a Hufflepuff then! "Slytherin's the best house, everyone knows that. So maybe you'll be lucky and be in the same as your dad was." Gryffindor? Eh, well you had to be brave to be there, and there was no way she was brave for that, the forest had proved that last term with the acromantula. "My family's always been Slytherin. Err....except for my cousin, Jacen. Hopefully his brother's better and sticks with the family's house."

"I guess..." Well at least she seemed to think that him being a second year was better than him being a firstie judging by the smirk turning to a smile.

Did everyone have this idea about the houses? "So...if I get into another house does that make me some evil being that shouldn't exist?" he asked raising an eyebrow slightly in her direction. "If the paranoia my dad has is any sign of what Slytherin house does to a person I think I'll pass. Though him being an Auror probably has more to do with that than anything else I guess. But what's wrong with the other houses? I heard the Ravenclaws are the smartest. I've still no idea what a Hufflepuff is though..."

Snorting she shook her head "No, everyone gets sorted into the house they belong. I just think Slytherin's the best, but I'm partial to that." Tilting her head curiously at his words. "Paranoia? Really? I haven't seen that in the time I was there. No paranoia, that I know of anyway. Yes, Ravenclaws are the smartest, Gryffindors are the bravest and Hufflepuff's well they...according to auntie, their just puffers, who give hugs to random people."

"Auror you say?" Hmmm, nice! She'd never actually met an auror, that she knew of. And here she'd seen an auror and not even known it! "That's awesome!"

*snags*
 

Garrick was still so busy sulking a bit to himself that he not only didn't see the younger boy looking his way, but he also hadn't spotted Lottie. Ack. He had long pulled out a book and half read, half let his mind wander when he heard his name... both first AND middle.

Frowning he closed the book and turned his head. Upon seeing her smiling at him his cheeks blazed furiously. "I didn't m-m-mean to," he said quietly, averting his eyes ever so slightly.

He was still really embarrassed by his... invasion of her personal space. It wasn't necessarily intentional... he just felt comfortable and just... did something stupid really. He was still unclear as to whether it had been his hand or him leaning his head on her shoulder which had been a line crosser...

To be on the safe side he tucked his book into his bag, cheeks still flaming, and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. Just in case.

Hmm...that made sense in a way. One should be loyal to their own house. No paranoia so far. Guess that's a good thing for him. He did not want to turn into how his dad acted. He couldn't help but laugh at her description as to what a Hufflepuff was. "So you're safe in any house but the huggers. I'm not too keen on the whole..hugging bit. Personal space you know."

She seemed awfully excited about his dad being an Auror. "Yeah, he won't talk about it though. Mum says he's been an Auror for as long as she's known him and has had to deal with a lot of things. He used to be the Head Auror person at one point in time mum says. He also was Quidditch captain for Slytherin. That's the one thing he willingly talks about. How mum broke his nose once. Maybe you know of him. His name is Warren Rodemiere. Which makes me James Rodemiere." He said with a shrug. She probably didn't. Not with how forthcoming dad wasn't about certain things.

Pulling a face she wrinkled her nose "Yeah pretty much." Shrugging "I know a few Hufflepuffs, obviously being I have a cousin there but I'm not all that fond of them." Okay that was rude to say "Erm, fond of the house I mean." Eh...really bad cover up there. Dan and Jacen weren't that bad. And neither had tried hugging her. Though a few other Hufflepuffs had, they just hadn't managed to 'catch' her, she was too fast.

Listening as he explained how his dad didn't talk much about being an auror, that was kind of sad. She'd want to know EVERYTHING about his job if it were her! She thought aurors were like completely awesome! Wait, WHAT? "Your dad is Warren Rodemiere???" Her eyes had widened and her jaw dropped. Her dad had mentioned him once or twice, and the fact that he was Warren's son! "Merlin! How....just..." Shaking her head she didn't even know what to say. "Wow!" she said in amazement.

James raised an eyebrow again at the girl...what had she said her name was...Zoe? Something like that anyway. "You really don't like Hufflepuffs do you?" He said with a slight chuckle as he kicked his foot at a loose strap on the cart. "Let's hope I'm not in that house then.

He was focused on trying to wrap the strap around the pole when he heard her tone change and looked up to find her eyes wide and jaw dropped. "Uh...yeah...?" What had he said? "Why is that amazing exactly?" And why did she look like she'd seen a celebrity or something. This was just...weird...

"They're okay I guess. Just don't tell my auntie I said that." Pulling a face again she shook her head "I'll never live that one down if she finds that out. I know a few that are alright but I try to steer away from them." She wondered why he'd hope he wasn't in that house just because she said that. Hmm...curious.

How could he be so calm about that? Did he really not know who his dad was? Wow, that was just weird. "He's like one of the most famous aurors like in the history of the ministry! His dad was the minister of magic I think and something happened to him, and after that he trained to become an auror, and he's like TOUGH tough." Shaking her head "You didn't know that?"

He could practically feel her eyes on him and it made him squirm slightly. It was no big deal? Finally turning his eyes to her he knit his brows together for a moment. "I'm sorry for... whatever I did wrong... and for running off like I did. It was rather rude of me." It WAS a big deal that he had gotten her into trouble. IT WAS.

Now. He had apologized... so he could be somewhat normal and drop the awkward turtle thing he had going, yeah? Probably not right away, but he would try. His cheeks were still slightly crimson as he pulled his hands from his pockets and reached out for his stuff.

Stopping just short he smiled, finally. "Why don't you have them? I have more of them." And he did. It was always wise to have backups. "You can practice your aim and then we can... maybe we can play with them at school?" He was not going to be presumptuous. Nope.

"I will definitely buy you a butterbeer, Lotus. I owe you." His smile was a bit bigger and his shoulders relaxed a bit. He did, however, realize he still had his hand outreached to her... but didn't move it just yet.

"I won't tell. Promise." James moved from kicking at the lose strap to kicking at the wheel trying to get it to spin around in a full rotation. "Why exactly do you try and stay away from them? The whole hugging thing?"

He did what now? James blinked at the girl. "I...um...no I didn't." Hmmm...that explained a good deal but not everything. So his dad was like...famous. How could he use this to his advantage? "How do you know all this?" If his dad was that involved in things some of it had to be confidential and stuff right?

Breathing a sigh of relief, she hoped that he kept that promise. Glancing around she still didn't see auntie anywhere, so she was safe. "The hugging thing is the main reason, another is auntie she wouldn't be pleased with me if I became close friends with one." She wasn't friends with one at all, she was sure. Though Dan was the closest if she did say she had a friend in Hufflepuff.

She just blinked back at him, in pure amazement. The poor kid! Merlin if others found out they might just react the same way she had! "My father is an obliviator and remembers him from when he first joined the ministry, he's mentioned him a few times, especially when my brother Eric said he wanted to become an auror."

James stared at the girl unblinking and uncomprehending. "Why..would she care who you're friends with? That makes no sense at all." At least he didn't have to worry about his family caring who he was friends with.

"An obliviator? That's cool. That's like having a super power. I'll erase your memory!!!" He said jumping up into a super hero pose. He laughed and sat back down on his trunk with a grin. "Okay...so enough of my dad...tell me stuff about the school I should know."

Shrugging she twisted her mouth and wrinkled her nose. "I don't know but she does. Something about not embarrassing the family or something." Eh, she didn't mind, it meant she stayed away from Laura. Which auntie had pretty much told her she had to do anyway.

"Mhmm!" Giggling at James jumping up and striking a pose she totally hadn't expected him to do that! Well this was so much better than what she thought he was when she'd first met him! "Hmmm, well there's house elves that work in the kitchens preparing all our food. A forest full of scary creatures and a big lake that has merpeople in it."

BLINK.

Garrick tilted his head to the side ever so slightly and watched her with a grin in place. "I would have pushed you back." Fact. He had no qualms about pushing people who deserved it. And had she pushed him, well she would have deserved being pushed back. NODS.

"Did you do something wrong? Are you kidding. I... I was quite rude. I made you uncomfortable, did I not? Like... invaded personal space? Crossed a boundary?" She HAD told him he was too close. It had embarrassed him SO badly and he was ashamed of having made her uncomfortable.

Nod. And her confirmation, which was apparently needed, brought an even more relaxed Garrick to the surface. His smile was lopsided and genuine and all that jazz.

He gave a slight shrug at her thanking him. It was no big deal, really. "You seemed to enjoy it a lot. If you run out of marbles let me know. I will have my brother owl me some." They could share. He did NOT mind sharing with Lottie. Which was odd... since he HATED sharing with most anyone else.

AND WHOA. WHOOOOOOOA. Garrick swallowed audibly and his already reddened cheeks turned an even more impressive shade of crimson when she planted the little kiss. He felt suddenly very bashful. Dropping his gaze he chuckled slightly and without really another thought of it he squeezed her hand gently.

And he didn't let it go as he looked back up at her. "Lotus, I will buy you a butterbeer whenever you want." WHAT DID THAT MEAN EVEN? Why was he having little heart jumpy things? And was his palm sweating? He cared not. He simply held her hand tighter and SMILED. Really big goofy smiles for Lotus Wisteria.

Eyerolling. Lottie got it. Heh. "Pleeeease. I am muscular and stuff." Not REALLY. But he wasn't like... scrawny or anything. He may have even flexed his free arm a bit at her, with a cheeky sort of grin to boot. HEHEH. Of course he was only being silly for her benefit. "Well I think you are capable of it." She was kind of awesome...

Unexpected? His head tilted ever so slightly again. Had it.. surprised her? He watched her closely and smiled some more. Shaking his head he floundered for words for a moment... "You did absolutely nothing wrong, Lotus." Nothing. She was awesome... hadn't he thought that in the last minute and a half or so?

Nodding he chuckled. "Yep. He's older and decided he didn't want to... take over the family stuff," he said and cast a glance around before leaning in. "He's the black sheep type ya know?" Hence HIS being the one slated to do the family stuff. SIGHS.

And helllloooo blushing again. He laughed heartily this time, though. "You make me lose my train of thought sometimes," he said honestly.


...

"No. Lottie sounds too... normal. You're a flower. Special. I will call you Lotus if you don't mind." She was NOT a Lottie to him.

Hmm...interesting. So her family was like...wizard snobs then? Huh. Well they existed in all walks of life right? So why not wizard world. Shrugging he kicked at the wheel of his cart again and frowned as it wouldn't go around.

James grinned as he got a giggle out of Zoe. One for him. House elves who make food...big forest to go explore in and a lake to go hang out with the fishy people. This place sounded AWESOME. "Mental note to go exploring then," he said with a smirk of his own toward her.

Garrick laughed and shook his head. "It [i]is[i] a matter of will. Besides, you could just use your wand to knock me over and well, muscles don't matter then do they?" Seeee. She was capable.

"You did?" This made Garrick's heart do weird jumpy things again. And like... what was that supposed to mean? "Well as long as everything's fine. You're fine. I'm okay... and we're okay?" That was rambling for you, Miss Lotus. They could work on not feeling bad together, yeah? Like she could meet Sophocles when they got on the train... he was a big old baby and he thought he might be keen on Lotus, too. Or he HOPED so anyway.

He wasn't sure WHY she giggled, but he knew that he wanted to make her do so again. Because... well... he wasn't sure of that, either. But he liked it. His eyes twinkled as nodded her head. It was nice to have someone GET him like she seemed to. And she didn't ask unnecessary questions like people often did. She only asked JUST ENOUGH. And that was awesome.

Nodding his head his smile went lopsided once more. "I am sure you don't. It just happens. And that's okay." He couldn't explain it, but she made all the weird stuff... alright. Giving her hand a slight squeeze he closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Trying to get his train of thought back in order. Heh.

Opening them once more he caught her averting her eyes and the blushing. He did as before and gave her a moment to compose herself. "Grand. I am glad I crashed into you, Lotus," he said as he rubbed his thumb across her knuckles quickly. Then he swung their hands a little bit and let the silence stretch...

"Do you want to tell me a little bit about yourself?" he asked. If she didn't he wouldn't mind. He would be content learning as he went.

The moment Daichi had walked through the brick wall barrier, he had turned his luggage cart to go to the south end of the platform. He didn't know why but he always went to this side of the platform first. Perhaps it was a habit of his?

His chocolate brown eyes looked at the red train in front of him, already blowing smoke despite it not being time yet. And looking at the clock hanging on the wall he noted that he was pretty early. Good. The more time he had to take everything in again. You know, last year and all that.

He looked around because he first wanted to see if he saw any of his friends. He did see students he had seen during classes but never talked to. Mweh, his friends were no where in sight. The slytherin puffed his cheeks and with puffed out cheeks he found a little girl.

He had never seen her before plus she looked around the age of eleven or twelve... Mweh, why not say hi right? He turned his cart again and walked to where the girl was while using his left hand to turn his Prefect badge around so it said P instead of d. "Hey there" he smiled. "first time going to Hogwarts?"

She gave no sign of excitement at all. If there was any, it was well shrouded. She stood silently at the platform, looking at the different students, waiting for her lazy sister to come soon. She had tactfully escaped the whole my-daugters-have-grown episode of her mother, bade good-bye to her dad and pushed her trolley away. She couldn't stand the sight of Zyanya and mom hugging each other and promising to write every other day. Honestly, it was only Hogwarts.

She sighed. The platform was rapidly filling with students and her twin was nowhere to be seen. She tapped her trolley and looked around for a sign of her.

"Good bye, mom." Zyanya said, teary-eyed. It was the first time she was going away from her home for so long. Of course, Amara was with her. But still she would miss her parents. She looked around, breaking up from her mom's embrace, but Amara was nowhere to be seen. She sighed. Amara was probably a bit frustrated. Her twin hated any emotional situation and was always keen on avoiding them. Waving to her parents one last time, Zyanya pushed her trolley in search of her sister.

She did spot her, five minutes later, teary-eyed and pushing her trolley so slowly that one would think she was half-sleeping. Amara glared daggers at her. "What took you SO long?" she demanded as she moved towards her sister, leaving her trolley where it was.

She went near her twin and snatched the trolley from her. She couldn't bear the slowness of it. She pushed it faster, moving towards where her's was. "All crying done?" she asked, teasingly.

"Shut up." Zyanya said to her sister. She was not even in the mood to yell at her sister. "You are an emotionless creature. I am not. So let me do my own things. Don't you dare make fun of it, Amara." She said, glaring at her twin sister. She was really excited about going to Hogwarts. She didn't want to spoil that.

Amara scowled. But she grinned the next moment. It wasn't usual that her twin just passed her teasing without a yell. She looked surprised, but masked her expression with a smirk. "What? Did the crying make you a softie?" she asked, as she pulled the trolley.

She stopped when they reached her own trolley and handed it to her twin. Her twin was still distraught. "Oh come on! Enough with the emotion thingy" she said, shaking her head in disbelief. She couldn't imagine how people can be so.. pathetic? "I reckon you'll be in Hufflepuff" she said, thinking. Aunt Isobel had been a Huffie and she had always cried for every other thing. Over emotional, and she hated her. "Ofcourse, maybe you'll be a Ravenclaw like mum" she guessed. With her always following on mum's footsteps.

Zyanya smiled a little. She was curious about which house she would be in. Dad was a Slytherin and Mom a Ravenclaw. But personally she felt that she would be a Ravenclaw. Amara was definitely going to Slytherin. Not only because her sister was so like her father, but Amara was cunning. She would make a perfect Slytherin. Their parents had assured that they were okay with any house they would be in. Zyanya wondered if she might be in Hufflepuff. But she wasn't like Aunt Isobel. "I bet you'll be in Slytherin. That's what you want, don't you?"

Amara looked smug. Her eyes looked far away with a twinkle in them. Ofcourse, I'll be a Slytherin. She nodded. "Slytherin is going to be my place" she said, definitely.

She wondered how it would be like, Slytherin. Father had been a star student for the house. He had boasted of it many a times to Amara in their dungeons, while making potions. Amara was always around him while he was there, making potions. The subtle art fascinated her. The glimmering liquids and the different aromas. She wished to be in Slytherin, grow up to be a potion maker. Like father.

So anyways, here he was about to start another term.

It wasn't even new and exciting anymore y'know? EVEN IF he was definitely looking forward to seeing his mates, especially Theo. ESPECIALLY THEO because his summer had been severely lacking. It was hard to go from seeing someone every day when you woke up and before you went to sleep and in classes and on the pitch and EVERYWHERE to only getting to see them a couple of times. And there had been DEVELOPMENTS not all of them pleasant, but almost all of which the tall fourteen year old wanted very much to talk to his best friend about.

The one that actually WAS his best friend and not the one that was FALSE. So.

Anyways he was thinking about all these important things and casually looking around to see if anyone important jumped into his vision, but instead there was just some girl with a book right in his way and all.

...

.....

........

"Y'know, the trunks go on the train." Helpful, Odessa.

Zyanya could feel Amara's delight. She knew her sister was thinking about potions. That was Amara's favourite subject. Just like their father. But she resented the subject. It was an awesome thing but just did not excite her. Not after her potions mishap in her childhood when she had accidentally dropped the cauldron and the potion her father was stirring had drenched the entire room. It took a whole week to completely clean the room. It took a month before she could step into the room without fear. Of course, her father had been cool about it. But Amara used to tease her as clumsy. Maybe she was a bit clumsy. But not anymore. She would show her clumsiness in school. Not in front of everyone. Zyanya was definitely going to do great in potions.

Derry was in Wonderland right now. She was re-reading Alice in Wonderland for the millionth time and trying not to notice that the platform was filling up and she'd have to move soon... She was laughing to herself about the sneezing pig!baby when she heard someone's voice. Uh oh... were they talking to her?

She looked up with wide eyes at this new person... umm... what was she supposed to say to that? The truth was that she had forgotten to ask her dad to help, and she couldn't lift it by herself... and she wasn't sure if she was allowed to do magic here or if she had to wait until they were in the castle, but her brain wouldn't let her say that... come on, try and speak... he probably already thinks you're strange... "I... I know that..." she managed, picking nervously at the annoying loose thread in her sleeve. "I um... I can't lift it..." she admitted after a second. She should have asked her dad to put the featherweight charm on it or something. She could do all these charms - sort of - but she still didn't know if she was allowed yet... It was so much easier to be homeschooled. WHY DID THEY HAVE TO SEND HER AWAAAAAAY?!

"Yeah?" So was he supposed to flex now and strut about and offer to lift it for her? Sounded too much like work though. So nah. Nah. Actually sitting on a trunk didn't seem like a bad idea. Maybe she'd move over, this girl, and let him sit too.

West just casually sat down on the edge of her trunk, not bothering to ask, a friendly smile happened instead. "Fair enough."

Also SIGH did there have to be a book in front of his face with the name 'Alice' on it? Really? Why, universe? Why?

Derry nodded... she wasn't exactly sure what else she was supposed to say on the subject... To be honest, she wasn't exactly sure what she was supposed to say on any subject... So she usually didn't.

...Oh. Okay. So he was sitting with her... so... um... carrying on reading would be rude, right? Derry put her bookmark in place and closed her book, putting it carefully back into her bag and moving up a bit so the boy could sit down properly.

Okay......... conversation? Or just sitting here in awkward silence. Neither of them sounded particularly easy so... "I'm Derry." she said, smiling back at him and fiddling with the tatty sleeve of her jumper. "I'm new... if it wasn't... um... obvious..."

"West Odessa." Because y'know, she had said her name so... yep. That was his. West intentionally didn't look at her book and was glad when she put it away. It was for the best and had nothing to do with the actual book.

He looked down at her all thoughtful like and then smiled cheerfully. "Well it wasn't but it makes sense. I mean... I kinda know everyone and everyone knows me so it'd be weird if you weren't knew and had been hanging about all this time with me not knowing who you are."

No really. He paid attention and was usually in the thick of things himself. That was how this Odessa rolled.

"Where'd you come from then? Like before." Beaux or something? Hmmm?

He hadn't said anything when she explained and only shrugged so she was more than happy to drop that part of the conversation. He was definitely not what she'd expected that was for sure! It'd be nice to have him in Slytherin, if that's where he got sorted, to be honest.

"Definitely go exploring." she said nodding "You'll find so much more than what I even said. Though I do recommend staying out of the forest." she said pulling a face "I got talked into going in there and we were nearly attacked by an acromantula and then got detention for going in there in the first place." That had been downright scary!

For Roxy :D
 

So.. yeah.. Wade had made it through the wall, without a problem. Just to make sure, he looked at the clock whilst pushing his trolley along.. there was plenty of time left, thankfully. He only stopped to begin unloading his luggage for the train.

Iceblossom22
 

After saying his farewells to Harvey, who had taken the day off to make sure that the Hufflepuff got through Platform 9 3/4's, Oakey continued on down. Mindfully watching everyone as he walked by. His Owl, Valentine still sitting on top of his head and resting as he always did would hopefully stay this way all the way to Hogwarts, and not find any reason to wake up and go berserk on him.
Honestly there was really only one person he was looking for, and that was Ariana, who by now had to be back from her 'Hellish' trip in America. No sign of her though, so he just continued to push his cart further down the platform.

Natasha looked up as the boy approached her. "Hi." She responded. "Yes, this is my first year." She said both nervous and excited.

The badge he wore caught her attention. "What does the badge mean?" Natasha asked with polite curiosity. She needed to get her curiosity under control before it got her into trouble.

Gwendolyn just made her way along the platform, not really minding to look at the people she was passing by. Actually, she was meaning to find some of her friends, but she was aware of the fact that she probably won’t manage to recognize anyone because of the crowd. Students everywhere. And all the hyperactive firsties. Gwen just wished she could be all happy now to be going back… but… seventh year… It sounded weird.

Still trying to shake that thought out of her mind, the Ravenclaw took a few more steps, but suddenly stopped, avoiding to bump into someone. It was Wade. ‘Hi’, she greeted the Hufflepuff with a small grin.

Elise looked around nervously as she crossed the magical barrier to the Magical World as she'd done every term for the previous five years that she'd attended Hogwarts. The idea of entering her sixth year already frightened her to bits, especially with NEWTs to think about and all the new responsibilities she was given. Adjusting the pet carrier atop her trunk, she tried to scan the platform for Chris or perhaps even Kat, but to no success.

The one person she did find, however, was Oakey. Squinting a little, she noticed that his badge no longer read 'Prefect' but something else. Starting with a 'h', ending with a 'y'. She let out a small laugh at th her stupidity. Of course Oakey would get Head Boy.

"Hey, Oakey?" she grinned, giving him a small wave. "I like your badge. It suits you." Her own badge, resting comfortably in her pocket until she boarded the train at least. That was if she even got onto the train, considering that Oakey had a tendency to push her in front of things that spouted smoke. Quite like dragons and trains.

So tackling someone to the ground was a totally acceptable way of greeting them, yeah? And it was definitely Captain-ish behavior, obviously. And now Ella was sort of squishing Alec on the cold hard ground which she felt a bit bad about. The blonde smiled sheepishly down at the boy and poked his cheek gently. "I guess I was a bit too excited?" Heh. And he was talking and laughing so he wasn't hurt or anything which was a relief. "Sorry about that." BEAM.

Rolling gracefully off her boyfriend, the fifteen year old stood and dusted herself off before extending a hand. "I'll help you up, yeah? It's the least I can do." Y'know, after literally sweeping him off his feet. "I betcha didn't know I was that strong, huh?" Grin.

Oh and she missed him too. Lots, actually. He probably guessed that from the greeting though, right?

He liked that she said it wasn't fair. Showed she had standards. Like... if they ever had to duel for DADA he didn't think she would cheat. That was a plus.


It was okay that she mentioned it, really. He smiled softly at her as she spoke. It was... nice to know that she felt something? Yeah. Nice. Not nice that it was a bad feeling, per say. But yeah. Heh. And she was doing an intense looking thing and normally this would have caused him to squirm, but right now he was really liking it. Letting his own eyes wander over her face he paused on her lips. They were nice. BLUSH. Oh... she used his words? Pulling his eyes up to hers he beamed. "I like that." Especially the we're part.

And all the while he had his eyes closed he could still see her face. WHAT DID THAT MEAN? Weird. It was like she was imprinted on his eyelids. Not bad, though. He could get used to that. She was glad, too. WOOT! This earned her a BIG BEAMING smile.

She was speaking... she got his FULL attention. And he, like she so often did for him, let her finish speaking completely before he spoke. "You have a very pretty name, Lotus Acacia." He mulled over the rest of the information and smiled at her. "Benjy, as much as we bicker, is my best friend." He didn't think he had ever admitted that aloud. And she was a third year... in WHICH house? It didn't matter to him at all. He had made friends in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff so far that he knew of. And then there was that transfer that would soon find out. But he let his curiosity go on, because apparently she wasn't ready to tell him. "I would like to go into the forest sometime. Perhaps we can go explore together?" He was interested to see if he could come across a centaur or an acromantula.

Wait... so... "Does this mean you will sit with me on the train?" BEAM!!!

At some point he was going to have to get his things onto the train. Pushing his cart all the way down to the luggage compartment seemed like the best way to put it all away though so on he went. Until he heard a familiar voice. "Oh Hi Elise." Oakey said waving to the blonde Ravenclaw Girl. He looked down at his badge then back to her slightly suspicious at her mentioning of his newly found burden of Head Boy. It almost sounded like she was being sarcastic. You could never tell what went on in a Ravenclaws head though. "You think so?"
Hadn't she stopped talking him since their internship two summers ago? What brought this on?

Wade was about done with loading his stuff..Hmm? Wade looked wildly around stopping to see, ah.. He returned the Ravenclaw a bright smile."Hiya Gwen.. good summer?"

Rory Ashworth, seventh year Ravenclaw, walked into to the platform. As usual he walked quickly and upright, with his shoulders down and chin up. Since he had a snobbish personality he liked showing off his height, and he always tried to be as tall as he could, especially in public. In one hand he had his large luggage while in the other he was holding his scarf (since he's very skinny he often gets cold) and a small book, with a black leather cover.

The Ravenclaw continued walking towards the south platform. While walking he saw two first years chattering and laughing. They were probably babbling about how excited they are, since it is their first year at Hogwarts. Ughhh... Rory rolled his bright blue eyes, we wondered if also he was so enthused at his first year. Maybe... but probably not. Rory never liked children, children are simply irritating and always talking in squeaky voices. They sometimes made him nauseous. "Ignore them Rory... Simply ignore them..." he mumbled to himself as continued to walk. Not even daring himself to look back. He preferred more mature people (teenagers and older) especially clever mature people.

Rory stopped for a moment, and put his scarf over his neck, but he didn't wrap it since it wasn't so cold, yet. He turned his head, looking for his friend, Joanna. Then he remembered that Joanna had graduated. Once again he had forgotten. Joanna was his best friend, and it was difficult for him to except the fact that she won't attend Hogwarts anymore... or at all. He had known Joanna ever since he was a second year, and they have been friends ever since. He sighed, he should stop thinking about her and look for his other friends. He doesn't want to depress himself already on the first day of school. He was already depressed enough form the fact that he needs to wake up every morning.

He sighed again, and bit his lower lip, he knew that he wasn't late for the train since there were more students in the platform, but still after seven years he doesn't know when the train arrives... idiot. The Ravenclaw crossed his arms and looked at his muggle watch, counting the seconds minutes, hoping the train will arrive any time soon.

Daichi laughed softly hearing her voice. He remembered when it had been his first year going to Hogwarts. He had been so excited and.. Hyper... "oh you must be excited!" he smiled before he sighed. He looked around the platform, feeling a bit sad. "This will be my last year" it was actually funny talking to someone who was just starting her school years when his own was almost ending.

He shook his head a little to bring his mind back to earth. He turned his eyes to the little girl again and then at the badge on his chest. "It's a Prefect badge. Which means i am one of the student leaders in the school" he would have to give the badge back after the end of the year though... "I'm the Prefect for Slytherin" speaking of houses "Which house do you think you'll go to?"

She did know about that right? Meeeeep! What if she was muggle born?!

"I don't have a clue what house I will be in." Natasha answered. "Does it matter that much?" Natasha asked. She had heard so many passing conversations all centered around that same question.

Wait, did he say it was his last year? What happened after school was finished? She would be going back to her mentor, but what did others do? "What happens after you graduate?" She asked, wondering what sort of job awaited all these students.

This was a great way to start off the year, wasn't it? Yep. Although, Alec didn't really mind being knocked over like this. He grinned back at her and let out another chuckle at the girl's words. A bit too excited? That sounded about right. "You were excited to see me?" Or the getting to Hogwarts bit? ... Probably both. Maybe. "You don't have to apologise, Ells!"

When she rolled off of him, Alec grinned some more and propped up on his elbows, his grey-blue eyes glued to the blonde girl. "Thanks, Ells!" he said, taking hold of her hand -- it was so soft -- and pulling himself up so that he was standing right in front of her. He did have half a mind to pull her back down again but... that might have been a little mean and they were in the middle of a platform so... "Not at all! Have you been working out, Captain?"

Also... he was forgetting something. Yep. The Hufflepuff shook his head like a puppy before leaning over and wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. Super hugs!

Ella rolled her eyes at Alec before grinning. "Of course I'm excited to see you." Wasn't that obvious? "I missed you lots, y'know." That was probably an understatement but eh, it'd do. The blonde simply shrugged at the not having to apologize thing. It wasn't right to knock someone down and not say sorry, yeah? Even if they didn't mind being knocked down in the first place.

He looked cute down there, all hair ruffly and smiley and looking up at her. It was really a shame she didn't have a camera. "Anytime," She said with a smile as she tugged on his hand and helped him to his feet. She kept hold of it too, lacing her fingers with his. He'd probably be stuck with her for a while so he'd better get used to it. Grin. "Only if you count walking Dino with Oakey. I'm more of a sit on the couch with ice cream type girl."

HUGS!

Ella wrapped her arms around her boyfriend and squeezed him tightly. After a few minutes she smiled up at him and said, "I've missed these too."

For some reason, everything the girl did seemed to make him laugh, even the slight rolling of the eyes that she was doing. It was just... funny. "Well... good because I'm excited to see you too!" Like REALLY. Going back to Hogwarts meant seeing a lot more of his girlfriend which was always awesome. "I've missed you too. Like lots!" And this part wasn't funny at all. NOPE.

The fact that the girl was keeping a hold of his hand made the boy look down at their hands and grin a little. This was just like old times, before the whole summer thing wedged itself in and forced the two to go two seperate ways for two months. Not fair, that was. "I think that counts. ... And how is Oakey, by the way?" he asked, his eyes now on her face while his fingers played around with hers, "Funny, that's my favourite type of girl."

... Maybe he had bumped his head... maybe.

... Did he mention how much he liked hugging her? Because he did. Especially when she hugged him back tightly. "Yeah?" he whispered, looking down at her and grinning some more, "Maybe you'll get lots more of those then?"

Was she smiling like an idiot right now? Probably. It was the whole having a boyfriend thing...it made her all brainless and giddy and smiley. At least that wasn't such a bad thing, right? He didn't mind it? "I'm glad to hear it." Grin. Really glad. Also, "Well now that we're going back you're sort of stuck with me so..." So the missing her thing could be over nowish.

Ella followed Alec's gaze down to their hands and gave his a little squeeze. It was adorable, the way he looked down nearly every time they did this as if he was surprised it was happening. "Really? Well...then yeah, I worked out loads." Grin. "Oakey is good. He's dragged a ladder up to my window so he can come and go as he pleases." Which had made for some interesting encounters. Shuffle. The blonde blushed a little at his next comment, nudging him gently. "Well you're pretty lucky then because you happen to be dating that type." BEAM.

And then the whispering thing happened and Ella became even more brainless than before and just smiled sheepishly at the hair ruffler. Lots more hugs? "I'd be okay with that, y'know." Nodnod. VERY okay with it. Oh and she wasn't letting go yet, okay?

Okay.

The smiling thing she was doing? Alec really liked that. It sort of lit up her whole face when she was smiling like that and the boy usually ended up staring at her for quite a while at times. Like he needed another reason to stare at her. ... Moving on... "Yeah?" he said, tilting his head to the side, "I wouldn't have it any other way." GRIN. "Oh, hey! This means blanket forts and trips to the kitchen, right?" FOR ICE CREAM.

And there was that laughing thing. Again. Alec looked away and grinned widely, trying his hardest not to laugh too much. "Well... good because it'll be useful for your Ellasaurus moments!" Did he know what he was saying? Nope. ... Ladder? His eyes cast back to the blonde and he tilted his head. "Really? Is the ladder still there?" ... GRIN. "So you agree that I'm lucky to be dating you?" Were they finally agreeing on something linked to compliments?

"Yeah? Awesome!" GRIN. "Erm... so did you have a good summer?" Because that was one of those must-ask questions when it was the end of the summer holidays, apparently.

Even though she had been quite confused a few moments ago, on whether she was happy to be going back… or sad because this was her last year. But ehh. That feeling started going away. She was OBVIOUSLY happy to be going back to Hogwarts. Heh. Still with a smirk on her face, the Ravenclaw waited for some reply from Wade.

Please no questions about this being her seventh and final year…

Phew. Summer holiday. ‘Great’, she started saying. ‘I actually haven’t traveled much. Just went to France for a couple of weeks to see my best friend’ Heh. That had been the best part of the holiday. But anyway, she had mostly been around Diagon Alley. ‘How about you?’


After she crossed the wall, Gwendolyn started making her way along the train platform, mumbling an ‘excuse me’, ‘sorry’, from time to time when she accidentally bumped into someone. She passed by some of the students she had seen before, and even some of the people she knew quite well, but everyone was busy talking to other people, and Gwen didn’t want to interrupt. But anyway, what caught her attention… or, better said, who, was a group of firsties. Heh. Hyperactive firsties. Although she generally disliked the fact they were so enthusiastic and loud and all so happy, she was quite jealous of the fact that they were super happy to be going back… while she was worrying that this was her final year.

Before taking another step, the seventh year checked to see if she had everything with her. Luggage… sketchbook… newspaper to keep her busy on the train if she won’t find any of her friends… Yes. All of them here. And… one last thing- the cat…

O_____________o

Where was Jinx?!? Her eyes started going wiiiide when she realized that the black cat wasn’t next to her anymore. Quickly, the seventh year started looking around, hoping she would manage to spot Jinx. Oh. Look. There he was! Gwen was relieved that she didn’t have to search much in order to find the black cat. She made her way in that direction, taking Jinx in her arms, and then turned around…

…and bumped into someone.

Ugh. Why were people standing in her way?! ‘Sorry’, she mumbled as she looked back at the person. Wait… she was almost certain she had see him before. Or maybe not?

Amara turned in a swish. Did I just hear Slytherin? She saw a tall guy and a little girl, probably my year, talking. She signalled to her twin and walked towards the tall guy. "Are you Slytherin?" she asked, trying to sound polite. Ofcourse she was polite, but her voice and look weren't exactly helping. When she saw his gleaming Slytherin badge, she was nothing but impressed. A slytherin prefect. Perfect. "I'm Amara Kaul" she said, smiling at the guy. "And I hope I'm in Slytherin" she added. Like father.

She looked at the girl and smiled. "Hi to you too" she said, "I guess you're a first year too?" she asked. The girl wasn't sure about the houses. "I don't think it matters much" she said thoughtfully. "Though it matters for me to be in Slytherin" she added. "But mum says all the houses are great" Well, that's mum.

James looked thoughtful around wondering why he hadn't seen his brother yet and why his dad had made him go by himself. Maybe they were afraid they would break something else before they left.

"That's that spider like thing right? Sounds pretty awesome if you ask me. Maybe you could be my tour guide. Show me and my brother around...assuming he gets here." James stood up on the cart wobbling slightly as it started to move and looked around. "Wonder if he got in worse trouble than I did." Oh no..they wouldn't keep him from coming here right? They hadn't been THAT bad surely.

*wanders*
 

Beezus Castell pushed through the crowd of Hogwarts students accompanied by their friends and families, mumbling Excuse me's and I'm sorry's all along the way. Her Aunt Belinda was sending her off this time but as the woman had bumped into someone she knew and they got talking, Beezus went ahead to find a spot where she could conveniently wait for the train to arrive.

Nearing a post, the brunette unlogged one of her trunks from the push cart and slumped against the wall where she perched on afterwards.

She gathered her hair and dragged to her left shoulder before allowing her back to lean on the wall as she crossed her arms. There were familiar faces everywhere and there were those new ones who looked excited but at the same time nervous. That was a good combination.

Chuckle.

Wonder which ones will be sorted into Ravenclaw?

Hmm.

"I don't think it matters THAT much" he shrugged. "Every house is great and the people in them are all nice" okay that was a lie. This was school, there were a few who you'd rather not cross path with but he wasn't going to tell that now. Not wanting to scare the girl on her first day eh? "I'm actually a hufflepuff" he grinned, remembering his own sorting. "But i kind of begged the hat to put me in Slytherin" which was really cool that it worked. "My name is Daichi by the way, Daichi Katharos" he smiled and bowed his head but then remembered that others found that weird and quickly held out his hand for her to shake.

What happens after you graduate?

A question that the Slytherin has been worrying about since Diagon Alley opened up. Personally, he did not know what he wanted to do. His father keeps pushing him to go and work at the Ministry but he isn't sure if he wants that... "Well, you can work at the Ministry of Magic. Or find a job in a store or something..i honestly don't know what i want to do after school" he sighed.


Looking up, or rather down, as he heard another voice from the side and his eyes saw another little kid. She seemed to be around the same age as the other girl and he suddenly got the whole baby-sitter feel wash over him. "I am..." he answered slowly, a little surprised at her question. The beaming look on the girl's face was kind of freaking him out. Like he was some sort of prize or something. And then he got why she was so beaming. Of course, she wanted to go to the same house like him! cause he was awesome and people followed him naturally of course, of course.

"Well then i hope i see you in Slytherin as well" Amara? strange name.. "And i'm Daichi Katharos"

Elise's fingers fidgeted nervously, not quite being able to stay still. The train was taking far too long to get to the station and the silence was quickly getting awkward. Her gaze snapped back towards Oakey as he asked her if she thought so. "Of course I do," she smiled, shrugging. "Why would I lie about something like that?" She didn't even like lying in the first place, and it made no sense for her to lie about something so important.

"You won't push any first years in front of dragons, will you?" she asked, eyeing him a bit skeptically. Just checking. Who knew what Hufflepuffs could do. The niceness was just a facade, it was. They were dangerous

Nodding "Yeah, like HUGE spider type thing. It's not so awesome when they appear out of no where in the darkness, clicking their pincers and looking at you like you're a light snack." Shuddering at the memory she shook her head "Really scary!" Grinning she nodded "I would like to be the tour guide, show you all the places at Hogwarts. You have a brother? Is he older or younger?"

Oh? He'd gotten in trouble? Oops, well at least he didn't have an evil auntie at Hogwarts who was there to spy on her and tattle to her mum! "What did you do that was so bad?" she asked snickering.

He didn't mind being stuck? Grin. He'd probably regret that later or something but for right now, Ella was really happy to hear it. Wait- BOYFRIENDSAYWHATTTTTT? Nodnod.BEAM! "Blanket forts and trips to the kitchen are a must, okay?" Like A MUST. "Even if we're slaving away studying for the OWLs we'll still make time for that stuff. Promise." And she was just going to assume he was promising too.

For some reason Ella didn't even mind when Alec was laughing at her. His laugh was nice, Alec's was, and she liked seeing him happy. ...Even if it meant him giggling over something silly she'd done. "I'm thinking there will be lots of those moments what with this Captaining thing." So she hoped he liked Ellasaurus just as much as plain old Ella. "Really! I...think so? I never took it down and I don't think he did." So yup, Aegis was probably using it to sneak into her room and O__o Merlin! "Wait...no. I just-" Grin. "I did agree to that, didn't I?" What was THIS?

Summer had been okay and Ella smiled up at the boy, head tilted to the side. "Well there were lots of elephants and tea and family so that was nice." Nod. "There wasn't nearly enough you, though." Just saying. "What about yours?" And excuse her while she brought her hands up to play with his shirt. He didn't mind, right?

The Crayest
 

Well take what complements he could get he supposed. He hadn't received any 'Oh Your Head Boy! HOW COOL's!!' yet so Elise's would do for now. "Thanks then." He gave her a genuine smile, and nod. Continuing to listen to her question...
"What?" There was clearly something more to this than him pushing First Years into Dragons. This was a grudge, he remembered. "That was an accident. It's not a hobby of mine." Seriously this Ravenclaw was no different than the other CrayClaws, and Elise had just proven to be a special kind of crazy.

West Odessa. That was a cool name. Sounded like it was fun to say too... Odessaaaa. Should she have said her surname too? Cause Ferrier wasn't that interesting. But the moment had passed so... She wanted to write his name down just in case, but people seemed to get creeped out when she did that, so she just tried to commit it to memory instead.

It wasn't obvious? Well... that was good. Right? Was it..? Maybe. Derry's head was still in Wonderland. She wondered if it was really uncool to have tea parties at Hogwarts... maybe she should wait until she had friends before she suggested it. Was she too old for tea parties? She didn't care. She wanted one... ooooh she could make that lavender lemonade that her mum made for her when she'd been riding all day.

Derry, West Odesssssssssa is talking to you, pay attention. Where did she come from? "Um, Edinburgh actually..." Wasn't it obvious..? Or maybe she hadn't spoke enough for him to get her accent... Her dad had brought her to London to buy her school stuff and to get the train, because he said she had to even though they were from Scotland. Something about meeting people... "My dad used to teach me magic at home..." She didn't mention the fact she also had to go to muggle school sometimes... she got the feeling it would seem weird to magical people...

"Cool," Wade lightly nodded while smiling, visiting friends was always good. Especially in France. "do anything exciting there?".

Hmm, his summer "Not bad, spent time back in Norway with the family." Though he and has dad didn't live their anymore, they still had ties to visit there.

Anyone?
 

She made her way through the crowds, never once letting go off her trolley which held her trunk, her owl Eric, and her kneazle Gwen. Ali was excited! She may not be showing it but it was amazing to finally be going to a school that didn't have people speaking French all the time, whether she was raised in France for most of her life or not, she was never good at speaking French. She always stuttered and embarrassed herself which of course led to her being laughed at and she hated being laughed at. But it was okay, she was good with hexes.

Looking down, she realized her shoe was untied and she pulled herself and her trolley a bit away from the crowd as she bent down to tie it up. Standing back up she looked herself over to make sure that she was all in order and acceptably presentable - what can she say, her mum is a fashion freak, it's been ingrained into her head since she was a kid - and she smirked a little knowing that it would annoy her mum that she wasn't wearing a dress, like a true "lady" would. She just rolled her eyes and scoffed a bit at the idea of herself ever being a lady.

“I am Natasha Black.” She exchanged. While the older fashioned head bow appealed to her so much more, she extended her and exchanged a hand shake with out hesitation. Her mentor was old fashioned, so she was much more accustomed to gestures that would, in the current day, be considered odd.

“The only job I really know of is the Auror's.” Natasha added thinking back. No other jobs had ever been mentioned, that she could remember.


“Hello, nice to meet you.” Natasha said. “Yes, I am a first year.” She said with a smile. It was a relief to not be the only one.

“Why Slytherin?” Natasha wondered. “I am not sure what house I want to be in.” She explained. She hoped she did not come off rude. She had no opinions, good or bad about the houses, but clearly others did. What set the houses apart from each other?

ooc: very sorry if i did this wrong, I have never replied to more than person at the same time before :)

Raven had just said goodbye to her mother and was now suddenly feeling a little shy as she looked at ALL of the other students. They all seemed to know each other so well, and they all seemed to be friends. She was relieved whenever she spotted a boy of girl just standing to the side. She knew that was mean, but she didn't want to be the only one.

Isidora took her sweet precious time saying goodbye to her uncle before arriving on the plateform alone, pushing her luggage cart. It probably wasn't the best idea to say goodbye to him so soon, but she didn't wanna have him around in case she ran into... well anyone, but mostly Theo, and so she suffered pushing the cart. Right until some nice man helped her load it up into the train.

Now with that done, she wandered around to hopefully find her friends since she had the time, and ended up finding one that she hadn't expecting to see again so soon. "Taryn!" She shouted the girl's name and bound across the plateform to her, greeting with a hug that was reserved just for her. "Why are you hear of all places?" Weren't graduates supposed to avoid places like this for a few months at least?

The way she got excited about the idea of blanket forts and trips to the kitchens. It was pretty nice, actually, and it always made Alec grin just seeing how excited she was about those. "Absolutely!" GRIN. "I don't think we can go a whole year without doing either one of those," It was like going a whole year without ice cream. That was just WEIRD. ... OWLs. Frown. "Oh yeah! Promise!" he said, nodding enthusiastically at her, "We'd... probably go mad if we studied too much." Plus he'd be really unhappy if he didn't get to see her.

Captaining. Did he mention how PROUD he was that his girlfriend was the new Quidditch Captain? Because he was! VERY proud! Nodnod. "Yeah? Well... that's not a bad thing," he said, grinning, "And the badge looks good on you, you know." Just saying. ... "Really? I hope... no one trips over the ladder!" Or go up on it. It would probably be a really awkward encounter if someone went up on it and it turned out that her Gran was cleaning the room. "Yeah, you did!" HE HAD WON! ... Nearly. "I'm... glad we sorted that out." GRIN GRIN GRIN.

Elephants and tea and family... nodnod. "But it's awesome because you got an elephant wave!" The girl had probably made a mistake telling Alec this because he was not going to let it go. Never. "There wasn't nearly enough of you in mine, either," As for his... "Mine was great! Erm... I think Dad was really happy to meet you." Also, that shirt playing thing she was doing? It was kind of making his heart beat uncontrollably fast...

Once he had certain.. things in order, Ethan headed towards the South End of the Platform before getting on the train. He was certain he had seen Minerva head that way after being separated from her and he hoped he'd be able to spot her in the crowd. He walked briskly through the station dragging his trunk behind him and Elise padding the ground in front of him. The 17 year old walked a few paces in front of his mother, slightly annoyed that she had come to see him off. He was an adult.. he could do that himself. Goodbyes from home were plenty in his opinion.

"Ethan," Meloria McCarthy, hissed at the boy from a few paces behind. She kept her voice low, not wanting to embarrass him too badly.. along with herself.. but honestly, was it too much to ask that her only son be polite enough to acknowledge her presence? She walked briskly as well, slightly faster so that she was now beside him, glancing about the crowded platform. She nodded at what seemed like a familiar face.. had she gone to school with her years before? The other woman appeared to be sending off a first year. Meloria could hardly believe that her own child was now a seventh year. And she wasn't that old.. well, she certainly didn't look it, she thought with the hint of a smirk. As the boy in front of her stopped and seemed to be looking around, she took the opportunity to speak. "It's your last year.. I just want to see you off, allow me that much?"

Ethan stopped, his green eyes searching the faces for a specific one. Not finding her yet, he turned back to his mother at his side, his expression softening as she spoke. "I know, Mum.. I appreciate it.. It's just.. do you see any other seventh years with their mothers here?" While he did appreciate the gesture, it was slightly embarrassing.

Taryn was almost starting to wonder if she'd missed Dora. She really didn't want to have to sneak onto the train and hunt her down, but she had been considering it for a moment. These presents were important and so was having a proper goodbye. They'd never had to do this before.

"Dora!" YAAAAAAAY! She squeezed the girl tightly and kissed her hair too, hehee. "I'm here to see, you, DUH!" She grinned, "This is the first time I'm not going to Hogwarts with you, so I thought we needed a proper farewell." Yep, totally adult and everything. "Plus, I brought presents!" She lifted both of the bags and wiggled them. Presents were the BEST.

Minerva shoved her sunglasses in her bag and was tossing things around in it as she walked. Where the heck did that go.. She was so frustrated over it. Stopping she looked around.. where had she wondered to? Was she loosing it today completely. Once she looked up she saw Ethan and his mother and walked over to them. "Sorry about that.. I was wait.." she looked around. Now where did fluffy go.. Yes, Minerva decided she was loosing it or she lost it, one or the other she was about to stomp her foot like a three year old if she lost one more thing.

"Has anyone seen.. Just as she was about to ask she saw the pink ball of fluff, "Oh never mind there she is." picking up Fluffy she pushed the puff onto her shoulder. "Now if only my Ipod was as easy to find and Laura.. I have seem to miss place her as well." She looked around for her friend seeing if she could find her anywhere. She had been watching her like a hawk for the last week or so since she found her in a cafe in Germany. Looking back Ethan's mom Minerva smiled, "Thank you again Mrs. McCarthy for letting me stay this summer, I had a great time, plus thank you for helping me get that job at the hospital it was such a great experience." She was very grateful for Ethan's parents the last two summers, it was really nice of them to put up with her so much.

Meloria frowned slightly at her son's words. "Ethan, you can get over it.. I just want to say goodbye, then I will be on my way," she said, her voice faltering a bit. She thought back to the first time she sent him off to Beauxbatons six years ago. Where had the time go? Seemed like just yesterday that he was that nervous 11 year old. And now he was an adult.

The blonde put a hand on the side of each of his arms and looked at him for a moment, giving him an approving smile. He was taller than her already.. well, he had been for some time.. but it was as if she was looking at him for the first time as his own person. Soon, he'd be off on his own with his own life. Meloria's hands left his arms and her green eyes left his face as she saw a movement coming towards them. "Oh.. there's Minerva.." she told her son, knowing he had been looking for her again.

Ethan knew his mother was right, but that didn't mean he liked it. But he would be polite and humor her and he gave a very slight nod to her words. Now what was she doing? The boy raised an eyebrow as his mother stood in front of him, just looking at him. He gave her a kind of half-smile as he stood there awkwardly then turned as she mentioned Minerva's name.

"Oh, there you are.." he started, grin on his face which soon faltered as he continued watching her. Why did she seem so flustered? Seen..? Ethan raised an eyebrow before his eyes landed on Fluffy and he chuckled. "Might want to use that tracking charm I put on Elise." He glanced down at the Siamese sitting patiently at his feet. He wondered how long that would last. Oh.. now wondered she seemed so flustered with everything seeming misplaced. "Well, I haven't seen Laura.. but you did leave this on the kitchen counter," he said, suddenly remembering he had picked up her ipod before leaving, and he pulled it from his pocket to hand to her. "Figured you'd want that," he added with a grin.

Meloria smiled warmly at Minerva as she spoke. "It was our pleasure to have you," she said to the girl. Really, other than an incident that needed to be addressed, she had been a delightful guest.. well-mannered, helpful, and even rivaled the house elf in cooking. "I'm glad you enjoyed yourself and Healer Schmidt tells me what a fine addition you were this summer." Her green eyes looked to Ethan than back to Minerva, smiling a bit at both. "Do know that you're welcome to visit any time you like.."

Isabella walked on to the platform and heard the two kids in front of her talking about spiders. She shedder and hoped that she had heard wrong. Spiders were ok but not where she couldnt see them. They were hair an creepy. Looking around at all the others, Isabella was alot of people saying their good byes. 'glad my parents said goodbye at the home.' She thought.

Waves at Ella and Alec...
 

Putting her hand on Fluffy she thought for a moment, "A tracking charm might not be a bad idea, especially now that Damon isn't going to be around with Grim or Pixel.She isn't going to have her little friends in the dorm, she might wonder out to look for Elise." She was a little worried about her little puff this term. She had her two friends to play with while Minerva wasn't around last term, but this term they were gone and she had become good friends with Elise this summer, but they would be in two different area of the castle. She would have to get her some play dates so she wouldn't be to lonely.

Still looking around she spotted Alec and Ella and smiled, giving them a quick wave she made sure to make a note that she would go speak with them soon. Now back to looking for Laura, "She better not have taken off again, I can't send that Owl to her mom if I lost her after promising to bring her to the train." No that really wouldn't be good. She looked at him and couldn't help but hug him and kiss his cheek, "Oh my I thought I lost it.. I know I can't use it at Hogwarts, but I like to have it and my phone in my bag with me." All of the sudden realizing she was hugging and kissing Ethan in front of his mom she quickly back up a bit and blushed, "Sorry" She looked to the ground a bit embarrassed, she wanted no more awkward moments with his mother. The ones she did were enough.

Minerva was happy that Ethan's mom didn't mind her around all summer. She really liked being there and didn't want to do anything for them to not want her there. Eyes lighting up a bit with her words, "She really thought I did alright there?" That excited Min, finally feeling like she could really say she knew what she wanted for the future, she had these two in front of her to thank for that. Giving a smile towards Ethan she knew this summer made her realize exactly what she wanted. "Well I really enjoyed working with everyone and if I can and it works out I would love to do it again next summer." Glancing again at Ethan she knew it would probably be determined if he was around or off on some plant thing next summer. Giving another small smile to Ethan's mom, Minerva felt a little sad to be not going back to their house, it had really become a kind of home feeling to her this year. "Well thank you for the offer, I do really enjoy being there. Plus, I'll probably be around during breaks with Ethan, if that's alright with him and you of course."

Jory wasn't ready to board the Train as yet so he stood in a corner watching all the students going about their business. It always made him laugh tp see two of them coliding into each other in their mad rush. The scrreches of cats, croak of frogs and hoots of owls sometimes drove him crazy. It all sounded so noisy together. But he was going to miss all of this come next year. He saw lots of familiar faces.

That's when the seventh year noticed a girl standing not far from where he was. She looked only a few years younger. But he didn't know her. Not that he knew everyone that went to Hogwarts. "Er, hi there,'' Jory called to the girl and hoping she won't think he was creepy or anything. "New to Hogwarts?''

Lucas huffed as he walked towards the South End of the station. They had broken a vase, a vase and his Mother had given him a full dressing down. Of course, James had conveniently disappeared after the fact and Lucas had felt the full brunt of his Mum's anger. He hated being yelled at and it was worse when it was only him alone to take it - nevermind the fact that it'd been his idea to try playing football inside. He squirmed uncomfortably as he walked down the platform, trying to spot his brother. He didn't want to be left all alone on the train. Where was the sod anyway?
When he spotted the tall, blonde lump, he pushed past a couple of crying twins and punched him in the arm.

"Morning, Loser. Nice of you to stick around for the aftermath." As he stopped, he spotted the female by his side. Oh, of course, Lucas thought to himself, with a small smirk.

"Hello," he said, politely, with a nod at the girl. "M'name's Lucas."

Ethan nodded. That tracking charm was quite useful, especially after he had first gotten Elise and she wanted to explore before actually getting to know where she belonged. And she had a fair point about the two wanting to see each other. "We'll have to schedule some play dates, "I think," he said with a grin as he watched Elise wander off, chasing a butterfly.

Green eyes wandered to the faces in the crowd, looking for the one Minerva mentioned. "I'm sure she's around here somewhere.. where's the last you saw her?" Laura was certainly an odd character, but she was Min's friend so he was concerned.. he'd look out for her too. He grinned at her kiss on the cheek, hugging her back at chuckling at her words. "That's what I figured.. I picked it up as soon as I saw it. Good thing I went back for that second cup of espresso before we left," he said with a wink. "It's just too bad it won't work where we're going.." He did get attached to that thing over the summer. He looked at her curiously as she suddenly backed away, then realizing and giving his mum a sheepish grin before averting his eyes. He knew it probably wasn't a big deal, but was slightly uncomfortable for some reason all the same.

Meloria watched the two teenagers interact, hanging back just a bit. They really were adorable.. she thought Minerva suited Ethan quite well. She chuckled a bit as they seemed a little awkward to show even the slightest affection in front of her, though she was sure she knew what it was about. "No need to apologize dear," she said with a smile. She nodded a little and smiled a bit broader. "Oh, yes.. she was quite impressed with your eagerness to learn as well as your kindness with the patients." The blonde woman nodded again. "I'll be sure to let her know.. and let you know if the position would be available again. And yes, I would hope to see you both during Christmas break again." Her absolute favorite time of the year.. what would it be without her only child? Pulling out her camera, she gave Ethan a grin. "Alright, you two.. stand closer together.. I want to get a picture before I go."

Ethan and Minerva
 

Bay had made it past the wall of doom. She was still a bit shaken up but the worst part was over...right? Her little body shivered again as he mind replayed having to run at a seemingly solid wall. That had probably been one of the most scary moments in her short life. And to think...she would have to do that again...six more times!

Shaking her head Bay went back to pushing her trolley. The train was here but she wasn't quite sure how to get her things on board. People were everywhere and pushing every which way. The 11 year old got turned around and then shoved. Stomping her foot she shoved the person who had shoved her and then stopped her trolley.

How rude!

Feeling dejected and totally alone Bay sat down hard on the end of her trolley and put her head in her hands. So far her day sucked....

Hmm, prefect guy. "So then you're a model student of the school, I suppose?" she asked, with a grin. Prefects and Heads always had a reputation of being very good students. She had a good idea that she wasn't going to be in the good books, no way. "Mhmm, is the head boy Slytherin too?" she asked. That would be a model house then.

"Daichi?" she asked, giving him a stare. "Well, what does that supposed to mean anyway?" It wasn't like she had a common name, still Daichi looked alien, didn't it?

"And to you too, Natasha" she said, smiling. "I'm Amara" She looked at her as she put her question. Slytherin. Why Slytherin? "Well.. My father was in Slytherin and he's told me how cool the house is" she said, grinning. "And Amara sound synonymous to cool, doesn't it?" Well, ofcourse it was. "But seriously, I think that house would fit me best"

"Any house is good" she said, "Ravenclaw is for the brainy ones, Gryffindor is for the courageous ones, though they can be foolishly brave sometimes" she said, smirking. "Slytherin is for the ambitious ones and the rest go to Hufflepuff" she said, that's what her mother had explained to her. "So where do you think you'll fit?" she asked, casually.

Zyanya stared at her twin sister. Amara was busy talking to two students she had just met. Zyanya was getting bored. She wanted to go talk but she was a bit shy when it came to new people. But still she plucked up some courage and walked up to where they were standing. She smiled and said,"Hello! I'm Zyanya Kaul. Amara's sister.

The first one was a tall guy who was probably in his sixth or seventh year and he wore a prefect badge. Wow."Hi...You are a prefect? That is so awesome! Do you know how I can become one? I was hoping I could be one.

"And hello, you must be in first year too. I heard you guys talking about houses. Don't listen to my sister's opinions. Mum says all houses are good. It doesn't matter which one you're in." She said, smiling at the girl.

She saw Zyanya come up and talk to Daichi. When she asked him how to become a prefect, she stiffed a giggle. Always to be at the top. "Oh come on Zyan, one does not just ask others how to become a prefect!" she said, winking. "And to think of it, hasn't dad said that you can't be one until fifth year?" she mused. What was with the asking then? "Oh, I bet you'll be one anyway" she said, giving her an odd look. With all the studying and responsible thingy.

She stared at her twin in disbelief. "You actually talked?" she mouthed to her sister and grinned. But when she heard the accusation to Natasha, she glared. "Whaaa?" she protested. "I didn't even say anything bad about the houses! I just said you could be at any" she justified. "Only that Slytherin is super cool" Yeah and not to mention I'll be in it.