Dante had an interesting train ride that was for sure. But he was one river..lake away from being at the Castle. So he was almost there. Dante just had to listen to this Groundkeeper guy. He looked like he could be frightened real easy. But he was taught not to judge a book by its cover.

So he might surprise Dante.

"So is there actually a Giant Squid in that Lake? My brother says it likes to eat people...He is probably lying. But it does not hurt to check"

Hopefully he does not get horrible boat-mates that push him in the lake. That would be awful and so not awesome.

Leo didn't know how, but somehow he'd lost the other first year girl that he'd met in the train. And his guitar had been taken from him and put with the other luggage. He couldn't wait to get it back, knowing someone else was handling it filled him with a sense of nervousness. But he'd have to get over that.

So he followed the voice calling for first years... awkwardly standing near another first year and hearing something about a squid...

Squid?!

Giant squid?!

What was wrong with this school? Is it even safe to have a lake with a giant squid?!

Now he really hoped he wouldn't fall in

Tessa didn't know what to say as she approached the lake, it was large and black. She spotted Leo, but didn't know if she should stay with him because he was the only other she knew or let him be, she didn't know if he was bothered by her or not.

Thornton looked around anxiously, eager to head to the castle and finally be sorted. He was also terribly hungry for some actual food, having only consumed candy - and some questionable candy at that - since leaving.

Not looking where he was going, he bumped into a student in front of him, jarring him out of his own head.

"Oh no! I'm so terribly sorry to have run into you like that. My sincere apologies!"

Leonard stumbled slightly when someone bumped into him but quickly managed to regain his balance once again, turning around to see the boy who was already apologizing to him. "Don't worry," he commented with a small smile on his face, his r's being rolled slightly through the faint accent he had. "I'm Leo, what's your name?"

Tessa noticed Leo talking to another boy and quickly scurried up to him, and stood at his side. "Hey," she said softly to Leo before turning to the other boy. "Hello," she replied louder to address the boy. "I'm Tessa," she said, holding out her hand.

Thornton smiled, extending his hand eagerly toward the boy, and then toward the girl "Thornton. Thornton Baines of the Wrexham Baines. Pleasure to make your acquaintance, Leo, Tessa."

He looked around, his eyes bright. Neither parent had gone to Hogwarts, but his father thought it important for building connections, rather than rely on the family and be educated at home, so he had little idea what to expect. Much like the candy, each thing would be a new experience.

"We're meant to take the boats, yes? Are we supposed to wait for instruction, do you think?" He paused, looking at the small size. "I see why they take our luggage for us..."

Wow. Long name, that's for sure. He looked quiet happy to be here, she could understand, it was so new to her, not just the school but the whole wizarding world. It amazed her, coming from such a small town, she would've never imagined something like this! She listened as he talked and shrugged, "Not exactly sure. I think we do, but I'm not really sure. What you think Leo?" she asked looking at the boy. Maybe he knew.

Dante just watched amused as the dude just bumped right into the other dude. It was pretty funny. He was not even watching where he was going. Was he just staring at the castle across the Lake. It was cool for like 5 seconds than become okay. Now everyone was being friendly and such and all Dante wanted was some food than sleep. Maybe some talking and that making friends thing after food. He was hungry.

"Whoever is in the boat with me better not be scared of the squid. I do not want to get pushed overboard because someone is scared"

Dante explained to all them here. Pretty obvious that they would get paired up. These boats look like the could hold three of them first years max.

Leo wouldnt admit it but he was definitely glad when he saw that Tessa had once again joined him. He felt a bit more confident after having found the other mugge born and Thornton announcing the full name made him feel as though the other boy came from some aristocratic family and already knew everything there was to know.

Yes, the girl from the train was definitely the one responsible for his new found confidence.

"It's also a pleasure to meet you he directed towards Thornton, before running his hand through his curly hair as he thought about Tessa's question. "Considering the amount of boats here and the fact that we've been called here I guess that it would make sense that we were taking the boats..." maybe...

And then the other boy made a comment, causing Leo to look over at him. "What, afraid it might eat you?" he commented sarcastically, thinking about the comment he made before.

While to the other two he might have admitted he was a bit nervous, he didnt like rude people. And if there were two things a big family had taught him it was sarcasm and how to make a good bluff.

Thornton nodded as Tessa spoke, but his attention was drawn by the unknown boy carrying on about the squid. Clearly creatures lived in the lake, it was simply too large to be devoid of life.

"I'm certain that if we're meant to take the boat and if there is a squid in the lake, that it is a perfectly safe endeavor." He nodded, resolutely. "No reputable institution would put that students at risk in that manner."

He walked over to the boy he had not yet met and extended his hand. "Thornton Baines, pleasure to meet you. Your name?" He smiled widely, but cast a surprised look at Leo. That tone was... unfamiliar. He supposed it was what his father called sarcasm, which he had been taught was most inappropriate. His brow wrinkled and he ceased his conversation, unsure of how to respond.

Tessa was happy to admit that she had actually found a friend. She expected she'd be left alone, like she was at her old school. She watched Leo talk to the new boy with the extremely long name, it would take her a while to memorize.

Tessa nodded, she clearly wasn't thinking, of course the boats! She heard the other boy's comment and paled, a squid? A giant man-eating squid? Her eyes widened, "he's joking right?" She hoped there wasn't a squid, she wasn't good with squids. She gulped at Leo's comment, would he look down at her about her fright of the squid. She looked to Leo, hoping he hadn't noticed any reaction from her. If he wasn't afraid, she'd want to be with him for the crossing. "Leo? Can I ride with you?" she asked, hoping he wouldn't reject her.

Well it might be totally harmless or it might be a man eating squid. Dante did not know or trust what people are telling him until he saw it for himself. Even the Groundskeeper he did not trust. Looked like he could just use a cup of tea. "Slightly and i don't want to get soaked before i get to the Castle." Dante said rolling his eyes. Sarcasm gets really old fast when your brother uses it all the time.

But this other dude was okay. He had no fear and was a bit too polite. Not that Dante minded. "Dante. Nice to meet you" Dante said shaking his hand. Maybe one day this will move up to a fist bump. But Thornton was pretty cool so far. Might just call him Thorn since Thornton was just a long name and will be a pain to keep saying in the future.

Maybe he was joking or maybe he was not. There is only the Groundskeeper's word on it or you will have to get pushed over to find out. "The only sure fire way to find out is jump in the lake and see what the squid does"

It was the truth.

Tessa over heard his name. "Dante? Like that old book?" she asked, she knew it was older than her mother, her grandmother and herself put together, at least she thought. Dante seemed a little too snooty for her opinion and hoped he wouldn't really comment on her short, shivering figure, she was cold. "Are you going to jump in the lake then?" she asked?

Leo immediately picked up on how the comment about the squid made Tessa nervous and gave the other muggleborn a smile. "Thornton's right, Hogwarts is meant to be one of the best schools so they wouldnt put their students at risk" he commented, hoping that what he was sating was true.

Seeing all the formalities of another introduction, and how the other boy had responded to sarcasm Leo decided to put the rudeness the other boy had displayed before behibd him and held put his hand to shake Dante's. "I'm Leo" the Italian boy said simply with a smile.

Leo's smile put her at ease, at least for a while. As soon as Leo had introduced himself, Tessa had realized she hadn't told Dante her name. "I'm Tessa," she smiled at him. "So do we get in now? Or..." she stated, not knowing what to do exactly. She glanced towards the boat and back at the group with wondering eyes.

Everyone was panicking for no reason. That was Brooklyn’s take on the situation near the lake. People were worried about a mythical squid that obviously wasn’t choosing to make its presence known one way or the other, and all she wanted was to be back in her little corner of the train compartment with her book. At least there she hadn’t had to deal with stupidity, but she had sidled over to the boy who had first talked about said squid anyway, Tywin on her shoulder as usual. She hadn’t been about to deprive her kitten of a boat ride, or make him feel like just another part of her luggage, shipped to Hogwarts as if he had no feelings whatsoever. besides, if there really was a giant man-eating squid, she wanted every protection she could get.

Except she still didn’t believe it was true. She could play with the people who were scared though, easily. “He probably only eats stupid people,” she offered, flicking a ginger strand of hair over her shoulder and feeling her kitten’s claws dig into her shoulder as well. The boy who had spoken sarcastically got a glance from her, though, and the other two. Maybe not all of the first years were being ridiculous. She wasn’t about to worry about things that she couldn’t see, plus, the man who had called them all over here hadn’t said if they should be scared. Of course, he looked like he could be scared as well, but he was still an adult. who hadn’t said anything to make her think he really was a scaredy-cat.

Dante for one was not panicking. He was just cautious, like of clowns. You can never be too careful around them. They are always thinking something evil when they smile. Was True. "I don't know about any book. I know of a video game though." See he could have normal conversations. Dante was not going to try and say anything more. But really all the stories he heard. Hogwarts was the least safe place ever. The only thing going for the school is nobody had died in quite a while. He has done his research.

"Hey Leo, I'm Dante"

Might as well just make sure he did not mishear his name or something. Than probably another crazy girl appeared ready to bother him. Only eats stupid people. "Interesting" Well none of them were necessarily stupid. So maybe the Groundskeeper first. Though he must to pretty smart to become Groundskeeper....maybe. Definitely not sharing a boat with her. She would push him over a laugh. That was the vibe he was getting from her. Though if there was magic to make your clothes warm again. It would be somewhat okay.

Tessa glanced at the new first year who had come to joined them. She giggled softly at her comment, feeling more at ease. She smiled at the girl, before sticking out a bold hand and proclaiming, "I'm Tessa." she responded. She smiled at the rest of her companions, hoping they at least be decent to the girl. She knew Leo probably would, but wasn't sure about long-name-boy.

Hearing another girl comment on the squid Leo turned to her with a smile, quick to introduce himself to the other girl, holding his hand out to shake hers after all he'd already learnt the British werent huggers. "I'm Leo, what's your name?" he asked her a large smile on his face.

"There's a video game? he asked th other boy, not really believing it. Like Tessa he'd heard of the book, his mum loved it and he'd read the entire thing. Turning his attention back to Tessa he shrugged at her question about getting into the boats. "I suppose so... I mean that would be why they are here..." he added the last bit mainly as an afterthought. "Ladies first" he directed at Tessa, and the girl who he didnt know yet with a boyish grin and a melodramatic bow, before seriously offering his hand to help them get in the boat.

Thornton wasnt the only one who could play at being a gentlemen.

And as an Italian, Leo was most certainly a gentleman.

Tessa laughed as Leo made an award-winning flourish holding out his hand. Tessa grabbed onto it, her hand was slightly sweaty as she climbed into the boat and sat near the front. "Thank you my fine sir," she laughed, looking at Leo. She smiled widely, her book still firmly at her side and then smiled at the others. "Do you guys need help in then?" she smiled widely.
She was going to enjoy this boat ride.

Thornton waited until Tessa was securely in the boat before moving toward it. "I think I should be able to manage it," he said, sounding far more confident than he felt. Stepping into a boat while wearing robes was not new to him, but it also wasn't necessarily the easiest thing.

Tentatively stepping off the dock with one foot, Thornton leaned to put his weight on the foot now in the boat, wobbling slightly. Quickly, before he could be too worried about it, he swung his second leg over, thankful that he'd kept his balance.

Now in the boat, he moved to sit, so as to make room for others.

"You're welcome milady" Leo responded to Tessa, throwing a boyish grin her way. After watching Thornton get into the boat a bit wobbly he paused for a moment before he himself got in, thankful that he had done similar things before and managing to mostly keep his balance as he also sat himself inside of the boat.

"Well... Only a bit longer and then we'll be at Hogwarts!" he said in excitement, a bit less nervous now that he had found himself a couple of friends. Maybe this would actually be an amazing thing!

After Leo got in and she laughed. "We're still going to be friends after school starts, right?" she asked, with a big, hopeful grin on her face. She really enjoyed Leo's company and the long-named-boy seemed decent, okay, maybe not exactly decent but okay. "So, what house you guys think you're going to be in?" Tessa hoped they'd be in her house at least. Even if not, as long as she could still talk to them, that'd be okay. "So, where you guys from?" she asked.