N'aaaaaaw. She was actually a cutie.

A sad cutie.

Astrid blinked at the little girl. "You look lonely. Lonely isn't okay," she said. She knew the feeling, by the way. Back when she had the "ickle firstie in Beauxbatons and I want my dad" feeling, you know. But not anymore because she was used to it, except today because Hogwarts was a new environment and just really different from Beauxbatons. She already missed Cleo too, and Astrid hoped she'd see her best friend again.

"No problem," she grinned. "I can stay with you if you want. My pet Pygmy Puff wouldn't mind too. He likes everyone." Astrid pointed at Peewee, who happily sat on the soon-to-be sixth year's bag.

Hayley looked up at the tall person and blinked right back at her. How could she tell that Hayley was lonely? Was she being obvious again? She probably was. "I think I just miss my sister. A lot." And this was a whole new school and she was supposed to find new friends, other than Hayden. "She's going to Durmstrang."

Her face broke into a small grin when the tall!Person pointed at her pet and said she would stay, though. "Would you really?" she asked, bouncing a little on the balls of her feet. "I have a pet too, though! She's sleeping, but her name's Marshmallow." Cue the overly excited pointing at the pet carrier on top of her trunk. Marshmallow had a pink carrier, she did.

Marshmallow was she squishiest, whitest kitty ever and he was almost as good as the real stuff. She was a lot happier now, see?

Oh, sisters. Astrid didn't really understand that kind of bond because she was an only child, but she tried to be a really good listener. She wondered if missing Cleo was the same thing as missing a sister, because Astrid did consider Cleo as a sister to her. Like a twin, even. "That's okay. You'll be able to see her soon, right? I mean... Christmas Break, you know? The wait does seem long but it'll be worth it." she said. Was she inspirational now? And Durmstrang! "Some people in Durmstrang are really awesome. She's in good hands, for sure."

"Yeah, I would really," Astrid beaaamed. She did tell her that, right? She didn't break promises either, so it was all good. Astrid had a thing for trusting people ever since stuff happened in Beauxbatons and like meeeh let's not talk about that anymore, k? "You do? What kind of pet?" And the word 'Marshmallow' made her hungry and crave for them now.

... "Will Marshmallow bite me or something if I peeked into her carrier?" Cos curious Astrid was curious.

Dora's response got a smile out of her. There was always that bit of uncertainty when one approached someone else taking a walk. The subtle sense that you might be bothering them. That didn't seem to be the case though which she was glad for because she'd tried the whole walking around alone thing and it was dreadfully boring.

She had a point in saying that. Lex hadn't met many kneazles but the ones she did all seemed to grouch even if only a little. Felix hardly grouched. Only time she really saw it was right after she took him out of a cage. "Yeah, that's legit reason enough." Lex agreed highly amused by the idea of Felix becoming the victim for once. Merlin knew the feline had a habit of attacking everything. It might have been a good change, or not good necessarily...but yeah. "You should see him with Mags--Lottie's Pygmy Puff. We're hoping they'll be friends soon but she won't have to worry about him this ride. He'll be in another Compartment." Even if she didn't stay the whole ride in the Prefect Compartment, her kneazle would.

"It's funny. You're probably the first one to say that since I've gotten here." For some strange reason that she couldn't fathom, people were hopping excited to board the train and head to school. The feast was all and good but what about what came next? Like say....OWLs? "Me either, not particularly anyway. I'm excited about some of it, but in general...no."

This tall!Person seemed to just what to say to make Hayley feel better, she did. Christmas break seemed like forever away, but she was going to have to survive for her sister's sake. She could do it, because tall!Person had faith in her and she needed some motivation to live on. She was totally being overdramatic. "Okaaay," she said, nodding. "Christmas break. Are you going home then too?"

Hayley was just about to tell tall!Person what kind of pet Marshmallow was when she asked if Marshmallow would bite her if she peeked into her carrier. "Marshmallow would never bite," she said, shaking her head rather violently. "She'd probably snuggle you. She's very fluffy and she likes snuggling people a lot."

YUP.

But then, that made Hayley wonder about other things. Like tall!Person's name, because she couldn't call her tall!Person forever. "What's your name, though, tall!Person?" Did she just say that out loud? "I meant miss. What's your name, miss?"

Astrid really hoped that all those stuff she was saying made the younger girl feel better. Because Merlin knew that she talked a lot. Like seriously, she'd sent the Howlers to shame... minus the unpleasant stuff. Astrid would never say bad stuff, no. "Of course I am," she replied to the girl. "I'm going home to my Dad and I might even visit my best friend." And now Astrid was the sad one. She missed Cleo and Beauxbatons. Sniffle.

"She sounds like a really nice pet," Astrid said. AND FLUFFY TOO. Fluffy was important because furry pets meant nice cuddle buddies. That was a thing, by the way. She liked those. "So... does that give me permission to peek or something?" She was being obvious that she wanted to see the sleeping kitty. Heh.

Her name. OH RIGHT SHE HAD FORGOTTEN THAT. Oops. "I'm Astrid," she said with a curtsey. Yeah, old habits die hard but this one wasn't going anywhere. She'd grown up making this a thing, so yep. Tall!Person? LOL. 5'3" was sooo not tall, hello... but for the little girl's sake, she'll play along with it. "What's your name?"

Ooooh, she was going home too! Hayley supposed that a lot of people went home for Christmas, because Christmas time was family time. It'd be sad for the people who didn't get to go home, though, because there wouldn't be many people left in Hogwarts. "That sounds nice!" she beamed, but then tall!Person sniffled and Hayley frowned a little. "Do you need a hug?"

Hugs made everything better, y'know.

"She IS a nice pet! The best, actually!" Hayley was proud of her Marshmallow, mmhmm. "Suuure, if you want to!" Nod nod nod. Hayley even unlocked the pet carrier so that tall!Person could take Marshmallow out if she wanted to. On second thought, she reached inside and took the sleeping Marshmallow out herself. She could nap some more on the train if she had to.

Holding the fluffy white kitty out for tall!Person whose name was Astrid to take, she beamed and sort-of-curtsied back. "I'm Hayley, like the comet." Hayley quite liked being named after a shooting star, see?

Meh. Thinking about Christmas made it seem like a long time, even if it was just three months from now. She'll have to hold tight and all. And the little girl. N'aaaw. Precious. Astrid wanted to know if she could keep her. "Yeah, it is nice. I already miss my best friend so I am looking forward to it." A sad smile grew on her face. Sad, yeah. And a hug. The soon-to-be sixth year thought about it. "If you wouldn't mind." She'd need it, sort of, but it'll make her better somehow.

AND LOOKIT. AWW. CUTIE KITTY. Astrid had starry eyes right now and touched the kitty's fur. SO SOFT OMG. "She has nice fur," she said. "Like Peewee over here." Astrid proudly showed her Pygmy Puff to the little girl. SEE? Nice fur. Very nice. Fluffy.

Oh hey. She got a curtsey right back. Does that make her special or something? Astrid beamed, because she couldn't help it. "OH THE COMET." Stars and heavenly bodies fascinated her a lot. Shiny stuff up the sky and all. Really pretty, you see? "I like your name." Stamp of approval all over it. And... Astrid... wasn't a name of a star. Boo. Sad life.

Hayley smiled a little. Astrid and her were both not going to be with their best friends this term. That was sad and definitely needed a hug, yes. Hayley shook her head, as if to say that of course she didn't mind before wrapping her arms around Astrid and giving her a biiiig hug without another word.

The younger brunette giggled when Astrid started stroking Marshmallow's fur. She couldn't help it! "She doooes," Hayley nodded, placing the still-groggy kitty back into her carrier. Did she mention that it was bright pink? "Peewee? That's a nice name for a Pygmy Puff," she said, stroking the small creature with one finger. Ooooooh! SO SOFT!

"I like YOURS too!" she grinned, fiddling with her hair a little. "It sounds like Asteroid and that's from outer space too!" They even had things in common. Like their names and the fact that they were in outer space. Or the fact that they both had pets with sooooft fur. Yes, Astrid and Hayley had a LOT in common.

And the hug came. Aww. Astrid hugged right back, because maybe Hayley would need it since she won't see her sister and stuff. Yup. They'd both benefit from it anyway so it was all good. She appreciated the hug, by the way.

Astrid kept stroking Marshmallow's fur out of fascination. She was super fascinated of it, yes. Super fluffy and pretty. "You think so?" the brunette smiled. She didn't mind the name Peewee at all. "I got Peewee from the Adoption Fair thing at Diagon Alley this summer. The dudge at the table told me they found Peewee in a garbage can." And now Astrid pouted. She was glad Peewee was happy now and in good condition. Nice blue fur now, you know? And silky too because Astrid was a good Pygmy Puff!Mama.

OH RIGHT. ASTEROID. Why didn't she think of that earlier? Goshhhh. "Yeah! Comets and asteroids are kinda same too, like pretty shiny bright stuff crossing the sky." Astrid wanted to jump but like... yeah, lots of people watching them. Heh. Outer space buddies, for the WIN!

Miss Astrid was a good hugger, Hayley observed as she clung to the older girl. She was her first Hogwarts friend, yup. She could do this whole making friends thing. It was just that she was going to miss her best friend, her sister. For now, though, she'd just relish the comfort of the hug because Miss Astrid gave good hugs.

"Mmhmm," she nodded, her ponytail bouncing with her as she did. "A garbage can?" she asked, her eyes widening as her gaze flickered between the older brunette and the bright blue pygmy puff. "That's awful! I wanted to go for the adoption fair too, but my momma said that I wouldn't be able to bring another pet to Hogwarts so it's just me and Marshmallow." NOD NOD.

"Comets and asteroids ARE kinda the same," she beamed. "Doesn't a comet happen when an asteroid's near the sun or something like that?" Which meant that they were even MORE the same than just pretty shiny bright stuff crossing the sky. Weren't they just the coolest?

Very much so. But it wasn't the only reason and they both knew it. Still, sitting together was officially not an option since Dora had no plan on restraining her pet for an entire ride. Though it did make her wonder what pets would be in the prefects compartment. "Yeah, you guys already call dibs on who's sitting where?" That was... weird. And confusing. Dora gave her confused looks. "She should be worried about her pygmy puff getting eaten. I hear that's a thing."

"And I mean every word of it." There was really nothing exciting about becoming prefect and carrying around that badge. The badge that she should probably be wearing but... it was hard putting that thing on. "The only reason to ever be excited about being back is getting to bee with all our friends on a regular basis again." Not much else to be excited about besides that. She reached into her pocket and absently touched the badge.

Having Dora mention her caging Felix got her wondering about that Prefect Compartment. Cassia still had Snaty but he would be caged...Atole too she assumed and she didn't know what ever it was Theo or West had if they even had anything--did Mo still have Titus? Yeah, see this was getting inconvenient now and she was beginning to think Mags wouldn't be getting that promised break afterall.

"Who? Me and Lottie? We usually sit at the back of the train and Mags usually stays up in the luggage rack with Lottie's bags for half the ride...just until Felix gives up." Seemed like a good enough strategy. "He hasn't made any serious attempts at Mag's life, thankfully. He knows what's good for him 'cause Lottie's prepared to transfigure his Pygmy Puff eating butt if he does." An interesting idea but perhaps not for Felix.

Her and Dora were clearly on the same wavelength here. "I've been saying that for the past week." To people having the nerve to ask her whether or not she was excited to return to school. "Maybe I'd be more enthused if the past term didn't suck so much." All those foreigners and that love potion, not exactly fun times. "You figure we'll have more shoddy luck this term?"

Astrid really appreciated the hug, that's for sure. She hugged back and sort of clung to the young girl. At least now their sadness was taken away by the hug, yeah? Hopefully it was the same for Hayley. Still didn't change the fact that Cleo wasn't here, but it was better than sulking about it all day and night.

But a smile grew on Astrid's face. Sort of. Until the garbage can thing was brought up. Poor Peewee. The brunette sort of stroked her pygmy puff's fur for a moment to show how much she lalaloved her pet even if he had a dark past. "Yeah, a garbage can. He's lucky enough to be saved," she said. Still felt bad for the little guy, just saying, but he's in a happy home. "There were a lot of pets there, but Marshmallow is probably enough for now. She's pretty okay." AND FLUFFY. Never forget fluffy.

... Really? Comet = Asteroids + Near the Sun? WHOOOA. Astrid wasn't the best in Astronomy, but she tried her best. It was a somehow fave subject for her, but Flying will still be her number 1 even if that wasn't exactly a subject. "I don't know..." Astrid said. Man, she felt guilty for not knowing. "But if that's true, that'd be SO COOL." REALLY COOL. YEAH. SUPER.

Hayley eventually released Astrid from that really tight hug, but the smile remained on her face. Sure, Hayden wasn't going to Hogwarts and the chances that owling her would be recieved well were minimal, but there was Christmas and she was going to make other friends and maybe that would make the hurt sting less. Whatever it was, she was going to have to try, rather than just let the hurt fester until she couldn't take it any more.

"I know," she said, inclining her head a little to look at Peewee properly. "He's lucky to have an owner like you too, y'know? My momma works a lot so getting another pet wouldn't be easy for her, but I'm going to save a lot of animals when I'm older." Animals had feelings too, and they were so sweet and loyal that it was hard not to love them.

Hayley blinked a few times, tilting her head the other way as she tried to remember. Was it actually something else being near the sun that was a comet? She wasn't even sure. "I think so?" she said, sounding quite confused. "I'll check the Astronomy textbook later and tell you, though." YEP. She couldn't be feeding Astrid the wrong facts because that would be MEAN, and Hayley didn't do mean.

So the hug was released. Well, of course it had to be. There will be more hugs to come and all that, right? Yes, duh. Nobody could ever run out of hugs. Ahem... anywaaaaay...

Hehehehe. Hayley was flattering. Of course, she was a good owner and all that. She wasn't going to deny that... otherwise Peewee and her pets at home would've left her. THAT would've been humiliating and sad at the same time. "Thank you." Astrid had to say that because her dad taught her to be good and manners and stuff. "What animals do you plan on getting soon?" Like a... HIPPOGRIFF? THAT WOULD BE SO COOL. Actually, all creatures were cool, except unicorns. Sucks for you, Tag Kildare.

Oh... okay. So they both weren't sure. Heh. Maybe they'd learn about asteroids and comets in Astronomy class this term? That way, Astrid would totally look forward to learning them since it was about HER and Hayley. And then... BOOM BRILLIANT IDEA ALERT. "We can be the Outer Space Duo!" Because that was awesome and totally a thing. No big deal. It did sound fun!

And... just because she felt like she needed to ask, "Do you need help with your luggage?" She could make it shrink and stuff because she totally spent her summer learning new stuff. Yes.

Miss Astrid giggled and Hayley blushed just a little, ducking her head for a moment until she didn't feel her cheeks growing warm any more. "You're welcome," she said, stroking the top of Peewee's head somewhat gingerly. Oooh, Miss Astrid was talking about animals! "I don't know," she shrugged. "I just want to make sure that no animal ever ends up in a trashcan again."

Her sheepish smile brightened when Astrid said that they could be the Outer Space Duo and she started bouncing again, just a little, on the balls of her feet. "We can? That sounds so uh-maaazing, the Outer Space Duo!" Hayley kinda flailed a little too. "Can you imagine it?" They could even sit together in Astronomy! EEP!

Oh. Um.. Her luggage? Hayley smiled sheepishly and took another bite out of her chocolate. "You don't mind? I mean.. I have a trolley and I can push it and stuff. It's not like you don't have your own luggage and yeah." She was rambling again. Speaking OF Miss Astrid's stuff, where was it?

Kevin's left hazel and right dark brown eyes literally widened the moment he and his parents had entered the concourse. He'd never traveled with the train before, why would he? but that was not why his eyes were widening. It was the places where he could buy FOOD. He was already chewing on a chocolate frog and during their walk over here he had had a couple of them. His parents had forbidden him to snack though because he was supposed to be on a diet. PFT! So he had been sneaking in bites of chocolate his parents didn't know he had in his pockets.

It was difficult though, he had to time each bite when his parents weren't looking and had to wipe his mouth quickly to not leave any evidence. But that was what made it so much fun! It was like a mini adventure wasn't it? Secret agent style!

As he swallowed the piece of chocolate, he made sure his face was clean and turned to his mother and father, trying to look innocent. "Moooom? daaaad?" he asked and pointed to the food in the windows. "Can i have one? i mean, its a special day today!" His parents though, told him no. Not because they were mean which in Kevin's eyes they were but because they cared about him. Kevin grumbled some words under his breath and turned around, his heterochromia eyes still looking at the food.

Soon! He will be at Hogwarts and he could eat whatever he wanted 'cause his parents couldn't check. This thought made him cheer up but he pretended to still be sulking. Hogwarts fooood...soooon! They continued to walk with Kevin's Luggage and the eleven year old wondered how many of these people around him were muggles and how many were wizards and witches.

Peewee liked the stroking. The little pygmy puff was making that obvious cos he looked like he was smiling, which also made Astrid smile. Yeah. The effects of pets on their owners kinda thing. And animals... awwwww. That was so cute! "I don't really think any animal would want to end up in the garbage can, yeah?" Animals had feelings too, just like witches and wizards did. They need love and care as well so animals are definitely not too different from humans.

AND YES. Outer Space Duo because that sounded super cool, yeah? "So you're up for it then?" Because, obviously, Astrid definitely was up for the duo thing! HECK YEAH. Imagine? She tried to imagine it, yes. "Totally. I can imagine us stargazing and searching for comets and asteroids in the sky because that's cool, right?" REALLY COOL, if you asked Astrid.

"Well, of course I don't mind," she said. She wouldn't have asked if she didn't wanna do it anyway, right? Plus, it was an offer. She can totally decline it if she wanted to carry it on her own. No big deal. "Oh, I do have my own luggage buuuut..." Astrid pointed at her backpack. "They're all in there. My dad charmed it so that a LOT of things can be placed inside. Maybe even a grandfather clock could fit in it. Cool, right?" What was that charm again? Some extension-expansion charm thingy. But anyway, she beamed.

Grabs Kevin
 

Sander was still trying to figure out his way around the station. He felt like he was one of those younger children who were staring around in a awe at the station.

Hey at least they were lucky, their parents came with it them. He was still having a hard time trying to locate Calisto but knew that she's eventually show up.

Looking around he noticed a younger boy sneaking in bites of a piece of chocolate when his parents weren't looking but who was eyeing the larger food displays through the window.

Sander laughed. He remembered a time when he was hungry all the time no matter how often he ate, & his parents refused to give in to his cravings.

So he walked up to the boy...in a friendly way of course...don't want the boy to think I'm some kind of perv...

And said to him,"You like what's in there too huh? Me too. But I'm going to hold off until I get on the train, because I heard they have good food there. Maybe you can share some of mine because I know I won't be able to eat the whole lot of them, and I'll most likely buy more than I can eat. Wanna share? " he offered the younger boy.

And he was telling the truth. He ways bought more than he could it.

With all of his chocolate gone now, Kevin was still eyeing the many kinds of food in the shops and his stomach growled. "Stomach just wait a little more" he said to it as he and his parents walked closer to the wall to get at the platform they needed.

His mind went to the opening feast that he knew he would be at soon. As a pureblood, his parents had told him quite some stories about Hogwarts so that he was prepared. Still in thought, he wasn't aware that an older guy had walked up to him until he spoke.

Blinking his two different colored eyes, Kevin craned his neck to look at the tall person. And then he spoke about FOOD being on the train. His parents NEVER told him that! He looked at them for a second before he turned back. "There's food on the train? totally epic!" A noise behind him made him roll his heterochromia eyes because he knew his father had just cleared his throat as a subtle reminder to not eat so much.

"Okay, I'm not sharing MY food though, Gigantor" yes Ravenclaw dude he met in DA, there's a new Gigantor. "Sharing is for losers ...which makes you one as well i guess ..are you?" Perfectly normal question right?

Avis tried not to look too eager as she waited for the Hogwarts Express. She had said goodbye to her parents before entering the platform and her parents, knowing how independent she was, allowed her to go on alone. She had already loaded her trunk and her owl Franque, and was now leaning against the wall people watching. There were so many families milling about, loading luggage, saying tearful goodbyes, and doing a last minute check of school list supplies. She didn't know anyone here, as her parents were muggles, and was a bit nervous as to what was to come. Avis supposed that if she acted confident and didn't stick out too much that she would have no problems meeting someone to talk to.

Mj, but anyone is welcome to play!!
 

It was time to go back :woot:!!!!! Bart was thrilled! He had a lame summer. His parents were so overly protective after the stroke stuff. He was glad to have freedom, but it took so much energy to convince them to let him go back. He was not getting a private tutor like they had suggested. NO WAY! He needed to see his friends and Culloden. Though he still wasn't sure if Culloden was on good terms with him. It was an odd thing the last time he saw the man.

"Would you be quiet you dumb owl." He tired to shush Frump, but the owl seemed overly excited as well. Happy to have convinced his mother to say their goodbyes at the wall this year the thirteen year old bopped along trying to find one of his friends. Any of his friends. Where were they? He hadn't seen Luc since he came back from Australia. Brown eyes kept searching he'd find someone sooner or later. If not Toad and Frump would be good enough company for now.

There was something different about going to Hogwarts this year, though Brynn couldn't quite put her finger on it. Was it because she was older? Maybe. But she was sure the birthday makeover she had gotten with Fern had certainly contributed to that. She felt mature in her age appropriate tween makeup (which was really nothing more than a compact with just a hint of glitter and flavored lip gloss) and dressed in her new signature color - turquoise.

Her mother had still accompanied her to the train station of course, but she hung back a bit after giving Brynn a handful of sickles to get some snacks before boarding. As she headed to the concessions she noticed Bart just ahead. She hadn't gotten to see this best friend all that often this summer, maybe he'd want to share a compartment with her.

"Hey Bart!" she called towards him cheerfully, giving a wave as she neared. "I'm going to get some snacks, want to get something?" She probably had enough to pay if he didn't.

Getting more and more frustrated at the hooting owl Bart was about to put something over his cage when he heard his name. Glancing up he smiled and waved at his best friend. "Hey Brynny!" Half expecting to say hi to her mom he glanced around. []b "You get away from your mum already?"[/b] and was she wearing something sparkly on her? "Do you do an art project before you left?" She had glitter on her did she know?

Snack he could certainly eat, but he was always eating these days. Nothing better to do when you are stuck at home. "Sure snacks sound good." He put his hand in his pocket to dish out his money. "Here hold him." Handing over Toad as he went back into his pocket to grab the money. "Where is the pygmy puff?" She didn't leave it at home did she? His eyes lit up a bit, "One of the dogs ate it didn't they?" That would be so cool.