Walking into the Common Room, Issy felt mixed feelings of anticipation and worry building in her stomach. Last term, the Common Room had NOT at all been a Common Room and had been covered in all sorts of flower paraphanlia and all sorts of icky stuff like that. Not that she expected that to be in there, this time, but she did find she rather expected SOMETHING of last term, to prove that it had really happened. The Hogwarts Brigade wouldn't even be around.

That familiar choked up feeling tightened her throat as she pushed into the Common Room, warning herself to not even bother looking for Juni, as obviously her best friend was gone. And of course, Hugo wasn't a Ravenclaw, so she she wouldn't have that new friend to go find. Maybe, instead, she should just wander the grounds and find him instead? But already it was too late and Issy had wandered into her Common Room, only to pause and freeze.

Why, hello there, Samson.

Freezing, she eyed him warily for a moment, before looking away, hoping all traces of her hazel eyes upon him would be gone. Samson didn't need to see that, resigned to not be his friend as she was, Issy was still watching him. It was a very hard battle to fight, after all! Their friendship had been complicated and it was still confusing in all sorts of ways.

For a moment, she remained standing there, maybe ten feet away from him, biting her lip and studying the gleam of the light on her new, shiny, shiny black shoes.

Stupid boys!

Her stomach, as her throat, too, constricted and she felt she might sieze up and die if she didn't breathe.

Meredith walked out of the girls dorm to the common room. The common room was a beautiful room, with a spectacular view. Amazed at how beautiful it was, Meredith walkd to the window and stared out of it. She could see Hogwarts and the land surrounding it. It all looked beautiful, maybe she would go outside sometime..
After a while, Meredith got a bit bored and decided she would go on exploring Hogwarts. She walked to the door of the common room and went out.

Samson's neck was getting absolutely tired with looking up from his chair to see who was going to enter the Common Room. He didn't know why he was doing it, but he was doing it anyway. Tired and rather irritated, he turned the couch around slightly so that he could easily see who was coming in out of the corner of his eye, and still feel the heat from the fire and enjoy it's calming glow.

Oh. Cue Issy as he sat back down.

His insides started to twist and turn, slowly at first, but then it became more and more rapid, as his decision whether to talk to her or not became more and more difficult. He wondered if she noticed him stare longer than he usually would. Would he talk to her? Should he talk to her? There was so much going on in his mind and he was so confused as to how she would react, and it might ruin is street cred to be so soft and whatever and, and, and...

"Hey, Issy!"

Well. That was easy. And it came out more cheerfully than he had expected. Eugh.

Ponessa arched an eyebrow and smiled slightly as Cale came in with floating pots--Now the strangest thing she'd seen him do, but she was sure to keep the cats out of his way. (He was prone to being clumsy)


She stood, Peeg jumping off her lap, and picked up her backpack, "I S'ppose I'll see you guys later," She nodded to the girls, "I have...a few things to take care of." She ascended the stairs, putting her backpack away, and came back down, striding out of the common room.

Zack walks in and notices no one here so he sits and waits

Emily walks into the common room and sets down her bag (finally). She slumps to the armchair by the fire and sinks into the comfortable- wait a minute. There's someone sitting nearby. Emily sits up quickly and says, "Hi, I'm Emily. What's your name?"

Livvy walked into the common room yawning. "Hey," she said to the boy and girl, the only people left in the common room. Livvy walked towrds the couch and plopped down.

Lisa walks into the Ravenclaw common room after another tiresome day, she notices Livvy,"Hi Livvy, hows it going?", she asked her.

Austin walked into the common room his bag slung over his shoulder and a book under his arm. Austin took his usual seat near the window far from the fireplace. Flipping open his book, he began to read. He took great comfort in being back at Hogwarts after a long summer.

"Hey," Emily said to the girl who had just walked in.

Samson turned from Issy for a while, a little distracted because of everyone coming and going from the Common Room. He looked at the boy and the two girls who were at the 'getting-to-know-you' stage. Were they ever going to progress?

"Hey," he snapped, narrowing his eyes slightly. "Are you guys going to say anything other that hey," he copied their tone of voice sarcastically, "Or are you going to stare at each other until someone else decides to say something for you?"

Sheesh. These people made him irritable. Of course, it wasn't like he was ever not irritable.

Nia walked into the Common Room, still amazed by it. She had no doubts that it was better than her twin brother's common room down in the dungeons. That just gave the impression of it being cold and dark and damp. Nope, this had to be much better with its warm fireplace, comfy armchairs and views of the grounds.

Seeing an irritable looking older guy, Nia crept between him and the older girl quietly, and made her way to the window. She looked out, watching some people around the grounds, wondering how she would make more friends at school. So far she hadn't done particularly well. Maybe when lessons started things would be easier.

Barry saw a girl he identified as Theos sister he walked over and said "Hi your Nia right?" he didn`t mension Lucus he didn`t know what she would think of him if he said that "The names Barry Weasly I`m a third year"

Samson raised is brow as another girl walked between him and the other girls he was snapping at. Ah, first years. Why did they have to be so timid? It wasn't like he acted that way during his first year. Eh. Perhaps he should be the one to set an example.

"Is there anything interesting going on at the grounds at this time of day?" he asked the girl rather dully, crossing his legs and propping his chin on his hand on the arm rest.

Nia looked up at the boy who approached her. "Yes I am," she said with a frown, wondering how he knew her name. She flicked her blonde hair back over over shoulder as he introduced himself. "Good to meet you Barry. And I'm interested, how'd you know who I am?" she asked with a curious look.

Nia turned away from Barry, to the boy that looked irritable. He was speaking to her? She bit her lip, her usual brash nature ebbing away. Older years could be quite scary.

"Not a lot," she said quietly. "People dotted her and there, chatting in groups. A few by the lake, others heading down the pathways..."

"It`s always good to be curious I can tell you`ve been sorted into the right house" said Barry "I saw you with your brother Lucus he seemed like a nice boy bso I thought I`d introduce myself to you."

Barry raised a brow when a boy who seemed annoyed or something walked over he nodded to him and said in barley a whisper "Pleasure"

Samson yawned in his seat, and adjusted himself again. The girl was acting so... blah. Was she intimidated by him? For a moment, he wanted to tell the girl to snap out of it. It wasn't like he was going to eat her alive or anything.

But, just as quickly as he thought it, is mind changed. It was kind of nice to be intimidating for a change. After all, not all of the people he and Gavin talked to were afraid. This, in fact, would be a first.

"Then why do you even bother wasting your time looking out the window when you could be so much more productive?" He didn't expect her to answer that, either. He leaned closer to her and narrowed his eyes, gripping the arm rest so he wouldn't fall over. "Do you know what they do to unproductive Ravenclaws?" He muttered quietly to her, trying to scare her even in the slightest.

Oh. And he decided to ignore that other guy, too. Barry, was he? He looked creepy. And stalkerish. Imagine! Knowing this girl's name without the knowledge of the girl herself. Of course, he had to admit, that was kind of cool. Heh.

Nia smiled at the compliment. "Cheers, I think I have too. I wanted to be in Ravenclaw when Mum and Dad said about the houses. Well as long as my brother wasn't." Her cheeks flushed slightly as she realised how others might see that statement, before looking puzzled. "Lucas? I think you mean Theo!" She laughed. "But they seem to go around as a pair, so I'm not surprised you got them muddled."

Nia looked at the boy wide mouthed. "More productive? But lessons haven't started yet!" She put her hands on her hips, and eyed him carefully. There was no way this guy was going to intimidate her, because then she'd be like Theo, and that was not going to happen. Nia was nothing like her crybaby of a brother, and would do almost anything to prove it. Her turquoise eyes looked determined.

"No I don't!" she said, "But since I won't be one, I'm not sure I need to know either." Nia smirked. "Unless you feel like telling me of course...?"

Barry said "I always wanted to follow my dads footsteps and become a ravenclaw." Barry smiled he felt the same way about Daniel he was that annoying little brother afterall. Barry was embaressed when she told him that he got mixed up "Yes Theo thats who I meant yes they have alot in commen I`ve noticed"

"Its easy to be more productive read a book visit a professer talk and learn a little about someone learning is everywhere" he said agreeing with the boys coment then he looked at the boy and said "Hi it seems as if you didn`t see me Barrys the name you are?"

Nia nodded. "For me it was my Mum, my Dad was in Hufflepuff. And they thought I'd be a Ravenclaw or Slytherin. Theo they couldn't tell. He only started wanting to be in Slytherin because of Lucas." She rolled her eyes.

"Don't worry. They're like two peas in a pod...more like brothers than me and Theo are twins. Theo and I are nothing alike." She shook her head and pulled a face.

Ponessa re-entered the common room, shivering. The sun had just set, and it was very cold outside. She sat on the floor, which turned into laying on the floor, a few feet from the fireplace. "Mmmm..."

It was very warm, but she was still numb. It was times like this when she wanted to sit and chat with her friends, but so far, she had only seen a few of them.

Qaz and HiJinx entered the Common Room. It was fairly quiet for this time of night...especially since classes hadn't started yet.

Qaz settled into a nice comfortable chair...and HiJinx, being such a well mannered Tabby, waited until she was settled before he pounced on her lap.

Stroking his back, Qaz said 'Now wasn't that a wonderful walk. We sure missed this place, didn't we?' HiJinx showed agreement by rubbing his head against her chin...and purring.

'I never thought I could miss anywhere this much....huh, big guy?' Qaz mused. 'You know, that you're going to be on your own more this year....right? OWL year, you know. Maybe you'll meet a new friend....there must be a lot of new playmates for you this year....of yeah...you'll have fun, I'm sure.'

Qaz put her head back and let her mind wander....so wonderful to be back here....

Mind wandering, she came back to the present with a start...and made HiJinx jump....better hurry, or she'd be late for Arithmancy!

Why did these innocent first years always have to be their own heroes? Why couldn't they just learn to play along like the little vulnerable firsties they were?

Ah, but of course, where would the fun be in that?

Samson huffed, then chuckled a little darkly as he shook his head. "That's what you think. Classes have already started. They always start when the students least expect them to. That's why you have to do some intense advanced reading if you wanna be able to catch up." He then stretched out in front of him, and looked abruptly back at the girl. "You do want to live up to your House name, don't you? I mean, can you imagine how embarassing that would be? For the first time in a hundred or so centuries, one girl screws up, and your name goes down in history as the girl who tainted Ravenclaw's name. Shaaaame."

He simply loved that taunt.

"Oh. And don't be so cocky-confident, baby. A lot of screwy things happen when you think you're all but off the hook. I suggest you watch your back. I won't be telling you anything." Yeah, as if he was going to crumble under her little insult. He'd heard way, way, WAY better.

Samson then heard the other boy talk. Eh, so much for trying to ignore him.

"There, see? At least this guy knows that reading is beneficial. You should learn from him more, girl. It'll help you survive Hogwarts. I mean, from what I'm seeing right now, you don't stand a fighting chance," he directed to the girl, as he pointed to the stalker boy.

Then he turned to the boy. "Well, I was trying to not to start any conversations, but it was getting so boring. I guess I'll just have to settle for you, won't I?" Sam shrugged. "Barry, huh? Nice. I'm..." Ah, he loved playing the same game every year. No one seemed to ever figure the truth out. "...Call me Watson."

Nia looked at the boy with a frown furrowed into her eyebrows and pursed lips. The guy gave a weird sort of chuckle, and she scowled. Nia was not used to being put down. No, she loved to be in control and she was sure this guy was having her on...wasn't he? She was sure her timetable didn't start properly for another day yet.

"B-b-but I've already read some of my textbooks," she said, wondering what sort of 'advanced' reading he was on about. She watched him stretch with a slight look of digust on her face. He didn't even know who she was, or her background, and he was doubting her? Surely housemates were meant to support each other? She gave a small "Hmph!" for no particular reason, before replying to his following words. They were similar to the scathing words Nia had been taunting Theo will over the summer, making him doubt whether he was magical at all. She gave a small smirk, though swapped it quickly for a smile lest the guy wanted to be a bit funny about it.

"Of course I want to live up to the house name...more than anything I want to beat my brother in Slytherin." She glared at the thought of Theo gloating to her about the Snakes beating them. "And I won't be the one girl that let's this house down, since I know we didn't exactly win the House Cup last year, did we? I'm going to help as much as possible." She looked at him matter of factly, before shrugging.

"Cocky confident? Really?" Nia raised an eyebrow, wondering whether to take it as a compliment or not. "Watch my back? I'll be fine thanks...though I admit I'm confused why you won't tell me. Surely it would be better for the Ravens if you did? Save me going down the wrong path and all that?" He might be older than her, but Nia wouldn't be beaten. Oh no. She had a competitiveness that had been developed over every year of her life that Theo had got more attention than her - which was all of them , since he was the 'cute' one. Pah!
"I have been reading!" Nia stressed. Surely that was obvious from the fact she'd been sorted into Ravenclaw? It was her favourite thing to do, other than paly quidditch with her dad. She'd read Hogwarts, A History as soon as she could, and many times since, and had started on her school books when she got home from Diagon Alley. It was the easiest way to avoid playing (or being pestered by) her brother. "And we'll see if I stand a fighting chance...I'm open to bets..." She gave a small snigger, her turquoise eyes sparkling.

"Watson? Interesting..." She looked at him thoughtfully, it didn't really sound like a first name, and just made her think of Sherlock Holmes. She gave a small chuckle at the thought.

Head buried in a book, Celandine made her way into the common room and sat in a vacant chair, managing to step around the other students and take her seat without looking up once.

She was still only the tiniest way through her ever- increasing to-do-list, but couldn't resist reading for just a little while. She had been thinking of going outside to read, but as sitting in the common room was on her to-do-list she thought she could at least tick that off her list.