Ryder watched as the girl ate, before answering her question. "I'm a pureblood," he said, although, he knew that that was rare now...he couldn't think of anyone in his family that wasn't. Though, as he listened to all the noises around him, he realized that it wouldn't bother him here if he wasnt.

Sarah spun round in her seat when she heard someone say her name.A girl she recognised was talking to her,but where did she know her from? Her name was on the tip of her tongue as well...Livvy...Lanie...no Lizzie! That was it.
"Oh hi Lizzie,this is..." she was just about to finished the sentence when Ryder introduced himself. "Yeah," she laughed, "this is Ryder."
"So how are you Lizzie? Good summer?"

"Oh Charms was fun last year!" Sarah began,enthusiastically. "An incident with Professor Bunbury,Professor Ashby and a glue covered wall..." she snorted at the memory...very pleasent,Sarah,very pleasent. "It's an image I will have stuck in my head forever!"

Having now had her fill of main meal,Sarah pushed her plate back and shifted in her seat,eyeing up the chocolate pudding just to the left of her.No Sarah,let dinner go down first!
Live? huh? "Oh yes,I do actually.I live in Southampton,right at the very bottom of England.Takes a couple of hours to get to London for the train,nearly missed it today in fact,traffic jams." She rolled her eyes as she thought of the language her dad had come out with on the way.
"So where abouts are you from?"

"I'm sad I missed that," Ryder said honestly. But really, if he was being truthful, he had no idea who she was talking about. None of those proffesors names were familiar to him.

Cool, he thought, as she told him where she was from. "I know, generally, where that is," he said with a smile. "I'm actually staying in London right now.." he told her, coming to an abrupt stop. He'd rather be at home. But for now, he was on his own, with no one that he knew.

Ryder didn't like being interupted in the middle over conversations, but he turned around to be polite when he was spoken too. Even though his parents weren't here he couldn't disrespect them and not follow what they had taught him. Looking at the guy, he realized he was about his age. "I'm Ryder," he told him, before continuing, "I'm not to sure, I haven't been here for awhile. I missed my third year of school. Though, I do here that Quidditch is still quite popular."

Sarah looked at Ryder with a slightly confused expression.She got the distinct impression that he had no idea of the Professor's she was talking about. "Yeah it was funny.Were you not in that class last year then?" Yes she was being nosy,but he had her intrigued.Surely,being a fourth year,he'd know the teachers...unless he wasn't here last year,they were new after all.

"I'd love to be able to stay in London,it would make it easier when I need to go to Diagon Alley." Sarah scratched her head as she spoke,causing some of her long brown hair to fall from it's ponytail. "My family don't have enough money to do that,though,so we make a few trips over the summer."

She couldn't wait any longer.Reaching forward she grabbed a spoon and scooped off some of the delicious looking pudding.It was as she was putting her plate back down ready to eat that the troublemaker came back from the Dais and started talking to Ryder....

She shouldn't have said it but she couldn't stop herself...."Perhaps not annoying the Professors might be a start? You can have fun and be good at the same time you know." Oh yes it may have seemed that she had been ignoring the whole goings on at the Huffie table,but that was because she didn't want to get in trouble herself.
Normally she was a pleasent person,but Sarah couldn't understand why someone would get in trouble for no reason....and losing the house points.

Sarah went back to her pudding when Ryder responded to the boy,although he didn't sound too happy.

So he had missed his third year,that's why he didn't know the teachers.She felt slightly rude for asking him now,trouble is it can't be taken back.

Ricco could feel that the boy was irritated at him for interupting his conversation but he wanted to keep his attention for justa little longer, "How do you get onto the team exactly?" He asking as he thought about how much he loved Quidditch, with the fast faced action and the fans cheering at you. Ricco had played Quidditch a few times back home but it was nothing big just some friends out having some fun.

He had just been able to tell her, when Ricco had come up, so he guessed there was no need to tell her why now. "Well, I was...not here..during my third year," he said, hoping that she wouldn't ask anything else about it now..but he like her, she reminded him of one of his best friends. Weird.

"Staying in London isn't as good as it sounds," he told her, it could get quite boring by yourself. Hmm, he thought...something that she'd said to him reminded him about something...but he couldn't figure out what.

Ryder thought for a minute, before recalling what he could remember, and what his friend Kaitlynn had told him about it, she'd been on the team last year, so she had explained to him about most of it. "Well, when tryouts are being held, a notice goes up in our common room. And you just have to make sure that you show up to try out. The rest of it is up to the captain of them team whether or not you get on. I'm pretty sure her name is Kaika Lockhart," he told him, Kaitlynn had told him that, "I'm pretty sure that's here down there." He pointed down the table to a girl who looked like who Kaitlynn had described.

Elan looked over at a couple of his fellow students. They seemed to be rather involved in a chat, but if he didn't make an effort, he'd never get to know anyone. Granted, one of them had just gotten in trouble, but Elan was not one to judge, so he slid over closer and grabbed at a cherry tartlet and began to munch on it as he watched them, to see if there would be a break in the conversation.

"I would hope no one else has! That is my nickname for you and I shall sue anyone who tries to grab your attention in my own personal way," he rubbed her head, not necessarily in the usual greeting or congratulations but more of a dog peeing to distinguish its 'territory'. Not that Varius was actually peeing on her...

He began rubbing his finger along his empty plate which proceeded to make a 'squeaking' noise as the grips of his fingers refused to move along the glass surface smoothly. "Hufflepuff always have the loonies. I am so glad that when I got put into the house, I was one of the normal ones," oh how clueless he was! "I'm sure we can win the house cup this term though if people just start BEHAVING," he said purposefully loud as a sort of warning to any listening Huffles.

So, he was claiming his territory without the need to pee and making it is own personal mission to threaten naughty huffies... he felt like the leader in a mafia. He was going to start one up... Mafhogmia... maybe it needed a better name? It could be worked on.

"Would you like to join my mafia?" he asked Cela and Lyra. Pretty random and they probably had no idea what he was up to, but he needed members!

Lyra then began oogling (since it appeared to be a popular word up at the staff table - the 'in' thing) the new Professor before advising one of her friends and this was when Varius tuned out. He didn't really care for people's problems unless it directly involved him. He was very selfless like that.

Where were the pork chops?

"Oh I see," she nodded.Having only just met Ryder she didn't want to go asking questions that would make him uncomfortable,and she could sense he didn't really want to go into the reasons why he hadn't been at Hogwarts last year...so she let the matter drop.

Sarah shrugged "I guess you're right,I mean you'd know after all," she smiled,before putting another spoonful of pudding into her mouth.What was with her today? Eating so much.... "Sometimes I do wish I was closer,though.But I do love where I live so it's sorta like being between a rock and a hardplace I guess." That was the expression right? Or did she just totally make that up?

Sarah carried on eating as she looked at Ryder who now seemed to have a thoughtful expression on his face.

Melanie glanced up, thrilled to be addressed...by anyone. She'd been getting a bit bored there, for a few seconds. The second year's eyes widened slightly as she realized how old the other girl, probably was. And taller...

Scary. She seemed nice enough though and she was a Hufflepuff which meant she, like, had to be nice by default, right?

"Hi!" she replied in a tone much quieter than the one she normally used. "It's Melanie." she answered, giving her a small smile as she extended a slender hand for Tazmin to shake.

That wasn't all though...Nooooo, the girl just had to go and say that. "No." she replied promptly trying not to sound to hostile. "I'm twelve, a second year for your information." she added matter-o-factually.

Geez the people just couldn't be consistent?! First the boy in Diagon Alley informed her she was going to knock over Gringotts and next she was mistaken for a first year... Humph. Melanie felt herself take on a rather irritated look, unable to help herself.

"EmaEmaEMA!!!" Melanie shouted, recognizing the now 3rd year girl sitting a few seats down the table. "Emmmmma!" she continued, trying to let out all her excitement. "Do ya member' me?" she asked hopefully, peeking around the backs of a few other Hufflepuffs. The girl was extremely happy to see so many familiar faces sitting around the great hall, especially her friends. Melanie had pretty much already forgotten about the gourmet food laying on the Hufflepuff table. She found it hard to eat when she was excited and right now she was beyond excited. This was what she'd wanted all summer and now she was finally here.

Nia had finally managed to make it to the Great Hall, and although her eyes first laid upon her own table, she headed towards a familiar face on the Hufflepuff. Grinning, Nia headed over to Elan and gently covered his eyes. "Room for one more?" she asked, a hint of a giggle in her voice.

Natasha came over to the Hufflepuff table, looking for a certain someone, and smiled when she saw Melanie. "Hey Melanie, mind if I sit here?" She asked her with a grin.

Then Nat spotted that Melanie was talking to Tammy! "Hey Tamzin," she said happily.

As the scent of her perfume hit his nostrils, his stomach began to flip inside of him. Her soft, coolish hands felt like a cooling salve against his eyes. His lips turning upward into a huge smile, Elan turned around and said, "Only if she's a pretty as you." He stood and hugged his friend and stood aside for her.

Julie sat at her seat staring at her food. She pushed around her potatoes. She had eaten wat to much on the train.

"Well, I guess that depends..." Nia replied with a twinkle in her eye, as a little colour flushed to her cheeks. She returned the hug with a grin, and slipped onto the bench beside where he'd been sitting. Nia had missed Elan on the train, she'd gotten used to his company over the few days they'd spent flying together and somehow hadn't managed to find him what with all the firsties everywhere. She'd settled for reading her book instead - one of a series she'd been reading over the summer. A bit of escapism perhaps from a baby brother and a twin brother who acted like a baby.

She looked at Elan. "Good ride up?" she asked, partly eyeing the food on the table. Funny how sitting on a train doing nothing could make you so hungry.

Ana was so happy to be at Hogwarts again. Not that she didn't liked the summer, it was cool but Hogwarts is...magic!
And this food is magical too!
Ana was eating everything that her eyes saw, and it was goood!
After a long time eating she decided to stop or otherwise she would be end up very sick!
She turned her head to her friends and was about to start talking to them when her eyes caught the hourglasses. Minus! Again!
Hufflepuff and Gryffindor. Great... she thought. Well at least it was not a record, since last year, if she remembers well, all houses started with minus.

She looked to her friend Lanie who was right next to her and asked "Why the negative points? Do you Know?" She had been so focused on the food that she had obviously missed something. Lanie seemed extremely excited too, maybe like Ana she doesn't know.

Ryder looked over a younger boy that was sitting not that far from him. He had a curious look on his face. Turning to him, he said, "Hi, I'm Ryder, is the tartlet good?"

He was pulled out of his thoughts as she started talking again. He nodded his head, agreeing with her. He felt so full as he got started on dessert. Not really knowing much about her, he asked, "So you siad you were a third year, have you been at Hogwarts all those years?"

Cy looked sharply to his right as some other girl spoke to him. He laughed at her ridiculous idea. “You KIDDING me? Thah’ world is small as it is. Once I get thah’ done, I’ll work on over to thah’ universe.” He concluded that statement with a nod.

The young Aussie had the full attention of this older girl now, for the time being. “Me’ names’ Cy.” He stated as if it were something important. “I’m guessin’ you’ve got a name too, eh?” He raised an eyebrow and grinned wryly.

Looking back to Will, Cy shrugged. “Not much mate, just glad to be off that bloody train.” It was SO boring, and the only thing he could think about the whole time was getting to the castle. He DID make one girl sit on a whoopee cushion though; his dark eyes flared over in the direction of Lyra Noir.

“Ah’, yeah I’ll keep an eye out. What’sit look like?” Cy took another large swig of his pumpkin juice.

Melanie looked up as she recognized a familiar voice, one she had heard not so long ago. "Hey Nat." she greeted happily, giving her small wave as she reached the table, a content grin spread across her face. "Is it okay if I call you that?" she asked uncertainly.

"Course' you can." she answered, scooting over to make room for her, patting the seat.

Melanie gave her a sorta surprised look as she greeted Tazmin, the girl who'd....insinuated she was too small for her age which she hadn't appreciated too much even if it was true. So they knew each other...? All of a sudden it clicked though, Tazmin was the girl who'd pulled her a away to speak to her during the train ride. she could have slapped herself on the forehead, for not recognizing that earlier. Melnaie looked curiously from one to the other, seeing somewhat of a resemblance... "You guys related?" she asked, curiously through a bite of pizza, looking up at the two girls.

Melanie jumped slightly, hearing a voice behind her. Of course, this one was very familiar as well. "Oh...Hey Ana. you scared me there for a second." she said, biting her lip, but somehow smiling anyway.

Though Melanie wasn't sure how Ana could see the hourglasses from hear, she frowned slightly as she mentioned they were already in the negatives. Well, that was certainly no way to start a term. Not at all...Ugh. They could only hope they'd get them back during classes, which they probably would, right? Afterall last year all the houses had began with negative points.

"No clue." Melanie answered, shrugging, a puzzled expression on her face, her brows pulling in slightly. "Are we the only ones?" she asked Ana, a bit hopeful in spite of herself.

Cedric walks towards the table as he seat next to a girl he didn't know,As he sit he took the pumpkin juice.He was so thirsty after the long and tiring journey.

Kaika frowned, she never kid. Well, no, yes, she never kid. And the nerves of this little boy. Ha. It was just beyond amusement. However, her eyes widened a bit, "The universe? Yeah, right, I'm sure you'll take over that" because what was the greatest way to deal with the insane? Getting along with whatever they were saying, no?

Hey, as long as it didn't compromise her, no problem.

"Cy" she repeated, and nodded, "Any chance that has a last name?" her head was tilted to one side, as if that made her listen more clearly. But, yes, that never worked. Unless Quidditch was on the table.

Aha. We've got ourselves a know-it-all. "Well, sure I do...don't we all have names?" of course, it was a rhetorical question, and being the smart boy this one was he could easily know that. "But you may call me Captain" and that couldn't have sounded prouder than anything in the world right now.

Ooooh....someone lost something? As usual. But poor boy. Hopefully he'll find whatever it was he lost, at least people were helping him look. That was something.

Noticing some girl was standing there, then dried off her robes, Simone of course, blushed. GOLLY DAY WHAT was with all this BLUSHING already! Simone smiled with a sigh. "Thank you so much."

Kaika. What an interesting name. She smiled sheepishly before replying with, "Well its nice to meet you, and thank you." Hopefully she would get to talk to this girl some more. She seemed very nice.







Simone smiled at the girl, who also seemed to be a new student. YAY! She wasnt the only one! She giggled again, before replying, "It's alright Danika," another interesting name, "we all have our moments." She was still rubbing the throbing pain in her arm, but wasnt sure if it was the smartest thing to do. "Really? Where did you transfer from?" She asked with extreme interest.

Dominic frowned at the attitude the boy Ricco had then just decided to give him. One minute he was all friendly and whatever, introducing himself, and the next, he snaps at him. Honestly, there was no need for such rudeness. Out of desperation, the sixth year searched the Hall for something to distract himself. Until he felt someone KICKING his legs.

But fortunately, the situation was 'handled' by Professor Kazimeriz coming to the rescue. If you could really call it that. More just answering to Jacob pleading about someone to come save him and blah blah blah. The hufflepuff did find it slightly amusing, but also felt remorse for the second year too because he knew first-hand how crazy and uptight Kazimeriz was. Granted with Trubridge's advice, he liked to think he and the ancient one were on 'better terms' now, but who knew.

And then. Cringing. The bellow of Kazimeriz's voice which rang all too familiarly in the Prefect's head. Santos, you will come with me as well-- and 20 points for violence against another student! Oh yes, the professors weren't the only ones going to be giving Ricco Santos a hard time this term.


Back to Jake now that Ricco was handled. Oh wait. The boy was summoned to the dias to be "protected". Looking onward up at the staff table, Dominic sighed and realized he had some persuasion to do later in the common room. Poor Jacob; just lost his role model. His friend.

But it was true and Jacob had said moments prior that he trusted him. So why didn't he trust him now?


Oh. The first year responded to his welcome. Turning back to her, Dominic couldn't help but notice the sweet and innocent aura radiating from her. Perhaps this was what Winters had meant?

"You're welcome. Any questions, don't hesitate to ask," Dom replied, nodding at her before realizing he had not even introduced himself. "Uh... sorry, I'm Dominic Denton. One of your House Prefects." He explained casually.

Dominic then heard someone else -- a female's voice of course -- speaking in his direction. He looked around to make sure she had indeed been talking to him, this 'Alice' girl, before her question dawned on him. Of course she would be; he was wearing the prefect's badge. "Dominic. Dominic Denton. Nice to meet you," the sixth year replied, nonchalantly. "Well..." He looked around cautiously before leaning in. "The procedure would be, if you're in Hufflepuff and you know what is good for you, then you best behave. If one of the other houses, then I really don't care." Dominic made careful mention to emphasize on 'Hufflepuff' and 'behave', loud enough for others to hear.


Speaking of others... Dominic couldn't help but overhear the flying professor yelling for Kaika, which caused him to turn his head in interest. Especially when the Professor then mentioned something about 'Denton' and 'a few hairs out of place'. Whatever that meant... Vindictus and his confusing metaphors.

But his attempt at deciphering Vindictus' metaphors was interrupted by a slightly raised but familiar and welcoming voice. One of the few 'older' guys in Hufflepuff, who didn't appear to be whiny or needy, which was refreshing. "Hey Ryder," Subtle warmth creeping along his facial muscles. "The rest of my summer was too short, but I'm glad to be back." Minus the points that he just watched Kazi dock from Santos who was a deadman if he survived detention that is. "How about you? Enjoying Hogwarts thus far?" Wait, Ryder was new, right? Oh, so he hoped. He couldn't keep people straight whether they were just new to him or actually new to the school.

Ay, ay, ay… this girl seemed like she doubted his abilities? Silly girl, the female species was never right about ANYTHING. Cy knew sarcasm when he heard it, oh yes. “Yup, and if you’re lucky I won’t store you undah’ ground.” He grinned wryly up in the older girls direction. Girls took up too much space, talking about stupid things, so he’d just put them somewhere where he didn’t have to see them as much!

Last name? Yes, Cy had himself a last name. DUH. Everyone did, but Cy hated his last name. It tied him to his father whom he despised. “Yeh’, Andrus, Cy Andrus. Has a good ring to it, doesn’ it?” It would look nice on billboards one day.

Do we all have names? Cy’s dark brown eyes wondered to the ceiling in thought. PSHHH. “Captain, eh, why exactly would I call you thah’?” His forrowed eyes looked at her in deep speculation.