"Yeah." Dani stood up and headed back toward the compartment, the last place on the planet she wanted to go. She turned at the door. "So I guess I shouldn't start my attempts at pranking on her?" She asked jokingly, trying to clear her head. A small giggle escaped her as she re-entered the compartment.

Nate shot her a glance as she joked about pulling pranks on lasca. He laughed and patted her on the back with another chuckle. "You pull any pranks on her.. o ill have some pulled on you." he said with a wink as he sat down.

ooc: sorry its taking so long to post

Dani laughed. "I'd like to see you try." She sent him a confident look and smiled challengingly. Sitting back in her spot she picked up Pandora and set her back in her lap. She was going to ignore how she felt. He was just another person. She could do this. As she started stroking Pandoras feathers she remembered the box of chocolate she had bought in Diagon Alley. Pulling it out of her shoulder bag she offered some to Nate and the others.


ooc: its okay :]

Lasca smiled as Nate and Dani came back into the compartment. The owl that Dani owned was quite beautiful and she could tell the girl adored it. Tundra pawed at her hand trying to get her to play and she giggled as he leapt around on her lap.

"Everything okay?" She glanced between the two and grinned when Dani offered her some chocolate. "Thank you." She took one of the smaller pieces and popped it into her mouth.

Dani smiled, "Everything's fine. Thanks for asking." Pandora was in a playful mood, nibbling on her fingers when she tried to pet her. She laughed quietly. Trying to stay true to her promise to Nate she asked, "How do you like Hogwarts?" It seemed like a good question. She looked at the older girl and patiently waited for an answer.

Nate laughed at Dani as she challenged him. "Just know you prank her and ill prank you." he said wiggling his eyebrows at her playfully. He knew he could do it. He had things up his sleeve aint noone seen.

Nate looked at Lasca with a smile. "Everythings great. " he said walking over to her adn sitting down next to her. "So tell me.. how you like pranks?" he asked glancing back at Dani witha sly smile.

Julie walked to her compartment and opened her door, she stared at her compartment. It looked so boring. She sighed and walked in. She sat biting of a licorice wand. She savored the flavor. She stared out the window.

Lasca smiled at them both and couldn't help laughing. They had both asked a question at the same time. "Okay I'll answer Dani first because she's a lady." She winked at Nate and then returned her attention to the young first year.

"Hogwarts is like no other place in the world and I have been around. The classes, the common rooms, everything about it is grand. It's like a second home." One that she was itching to get back to.

Her expression turned wary, and suspicious. "Pranks? I don't much care for them, they tend to humiliate the person on the recieveing end more often then not." Then her expression turned thoughtful. "Although to be fair I think that small ones with good natured fun behind them could be harmless. As long as they are among friends. Why do you ask?"

There was something in his face that made her go on alert. She looked over at Dani as well. She remembered the same look on Kevin's face when he had tried to get her to help him with a prank of his own. She hadn't understood pranks were until then. Thankfully she had been able to talk him out of it.

Dani shot a knowing glance at Nate. "Wow. That sounds amazing." She smiled. "I hope I fit in." She looked at Nate to see his response to Lascas answer about the pranks. She couldn't help but giggle at the thought of Mr Prank-King and Ms. Eww-Pranks together. At least it would be interesting. She had a feeling it would be fun watching Lasca try to convince Nate that pranks were bad.

Hogwarts like no other place? Nate just liked the sound of that. He needed a new scenery. he needed to get away from his old problems. He smiled at Dani nodding in agreement with what she said. "Yeah i hope that i fit in too." he muttered adn looked at Lasca.

SHE DIDNT LIKE PRANKS? Nates mouth gaped open. "Wel.. you might not like me then. I like pranks.. not the kind that make peole cry or anything but i like pranks. ITs just a natural gift. That spell i used on gabben.. it was a prank spell." he explained shaking his head in shock.

Laughing lightly, she gave Dani a tender look. "Everyone at Hogwarts is extremely nice. There are a few odd balls and arguments here and there but other then that its great. I'm sure you will find a place where you fit. There's something there for everyone."

She found it so interesting that she too had worried about that exact same thing one her first trip up to Hogwarts. Her own fears had been put to rest by Mariel and Sarah and still held true. Lasca was possitive the same would stand for the young first year.

When Nate spoke a small shadow crossed her face. This was yet another moment where her upbringing set her apart from her peers. "Well to be honest I didn't know what a prank was until last year. Papa brought me up in a specific way, inherant to where we live." She said a litte defensively. It was frustrating sometimes, how people discounted her because of her upbringing.

Yes, she was little more proper but that didn't mean she didn't know how to have fun. There were just somethings that she had never been taught.

Dani burst into laughter at the look on his face. She caught his eye so he would see the I TOLD YOU SO she so badly wanted to say. Her laughter had scared Pandora who took off from her lap and started flapping around the compartment. She finally managed to contain her laughter, realizing that this would be way more interesting than she had thought.

Nates eyebrows furrowed a bit as Lasca got defensive. That was not what Nate was intending to do. "No no no no no" he said holding his hands up in an effort to take back what he had said. "Thats not what i meant. I didnt mean to upset." he said and sucked out some air trying to get her to understand. He ran a hand through his hair and turned back to her. "Ok .. its like this. I like how you are. Your intriguing. Thats kinda why..." he let his voice drift and looked away. They had only just met.. he shouldnt be admitting to liking her so soon. "But i like how you are. Its just that pranks are my thing. You dont have to like them. Its cool. I probably wont like one of the things you do." he said trying to help the situation but it didnt seem to be doing anything. He sighed adn gave a look at Dani.. her face showed pure gleee. He shook his head with a small smile sending her a look that plainly said.. help me!

Over hearing the conversation the others in the compartment were having, Lacey knew that the first year would fit in fine with the others she was going to be with. "Dani, was it? Don't mean to be rude and bud into your conversation but, Dani you'll fit in fine, everyone always does, am I right, guys?" Lacey asked the group.

After her little detour to the food trolley, Mariel set about once again to find Lasca. Peeking through the windows of the compartments as she made her way through the crowded corridor, the third year took a bite of the pumpkin pastie that she had been craving earlier. Still no sign of her best friend. Certainly she couldn't have gotten that far ahead of her, could she? Then again, Mariel did spend a significant amount of time in conversation near the trolley. A smile tugged at the corners of her lips recalling the previous event, until she willed it away out of sheer confusion. Just why would she be so quick to be smiling?

And now she was almost to the front of the train. Just when she was about to give up and head back to her previous compartment, Mariel spotted a familiar face in the window of one of the compartments.

"There you are," the Ravenclaw exclaimed as she opened the door and set her eyes upon Lasca. She stepped inside and collapsed upon the seat next to her. "I've been looking everywhere for you." Just then she noticed other people - ones that she did not know - were also present in the compartment as well. "Hello," she said to them collectively as she gave them a tired wave. She hoped they didn't mind her seating herself among them, but even if they did, she was there now and wasn't about to leave.

A small smile crossed her lips as she watched Nate valiantly try and make her feel better it worked. She still couldn't help the amused smile that came with watching him. He was just too cute when he was frustrated and floundering.

Looking down at her hands, she gave a small laugh. "It's okay. I maybe got a little too defensive. I have had a time of trying to learn all the new things that other people have known since they were kids. I was raised in Transylvania and we do things very differently there. The language, the mannerisms, everything is different."

Her eyes sparkled with mischief. "Besides, I might get into pranking. As long as it isn't harmful or hurtful." She had to make the clarification, she didn't ever want to hurt someone intentionaly.

Looking over at Lacey she nodded in agreement. She had only just met the Gryffindor but she liked her immensely.

Just then someone opened the door to the compartment and Lasca gave a happy laugh. "Hey! Your here and you found me!" She laughed as her best friend plopped down next to her.

"Oh! This is Nate, Lacey, and Dani." She pointed them all out in turn. "Everyone, this is my very best friend Mariel."

Turning to her fellow Claw she nudged her with her elbow. "Where have you been?" She noticed the treat in her hand and giggled. "Stuffing your face I see? And I bet you didn't even bring me any!" She huffed dramatically.

"Hello, Mariel. It's nice to meet you. I'm Lacey Callagher." Lacey introduced herself.

When Lacey noticed Lasca nod at her, she liked the girl within a millisecond. Lasca and Pyralis had to be the two most nicest Ravenclaw students' she had ever met.

Nate gave a smile as a boiterous girl came into the compartment and sat down on the other side of Lasca. He gave her a smile. "Hey Im Nate" he said after Lasca had already introduced him.

He glanced back at Lasca a small smile on his lips. He couldnt help but fel flustered. But everything was still alright between them which was good. ITs the way he wanted it.

ooc: I got time for one mroe post and then i have tohead off.

Mariel grinned at Lasca as she seemed happy to see her. Maybe now they could have a proper conversation - now that they were almost at Hogwarts. "Hi, Lacey, Nate, Dani," she said to each with a smile as Lasca introduced her to everyone in the compartment. Good. They already knew her name so she wouldn't have to say it yet again today. She couldn't remember ever meeting so many people in one day. There just had to be extra new students this year - much more than usual.

"Just to the snack trolley," Mariel answered her fellow Claw. Well, obviously, she thought, stifling a laugh as she looked down at her pumpkin pastie. Taking a bite, she nodded. She still had three chocolate frogs in her pocket after eating one herself and giving one to Keltan. "Actually I did," she said with mock poshness after swallowing her first bite, pretending she had meant to give that very frog to Lasca all along, and she tossed the frog her way. "So what'd I miss?" she asked the group. Certainly they had to be talking about something exciting, right? She hoped anyway, or she'd make it exciting - at least in her eyes- with talk of Quidditch.

Lasca laughed and caught the chocolate frog. Her favorite candy to date. Quickly she unwrapped the package and devoured the gold within. Savoring the taste she gave Mariel a half hug in appreciation.

Finished with the frog, she laughed a little at her best friends question. "Nate and Dani here apparently like pranking, and Dani is worried she won't fit in at Hogwarts. Me and Lacey were explaining how nice everyone is." Her smile turned mischievious as she glanced at Mariel.

"I don't think we have talked about Quidditch yet, I think we were saving that topic for the Great Ravenclaw Seeker." She couldn't keep the smile from her face. She was going to try out for the team this year if only to appease Mariel. They both loved the game but Lasca wasn't sure she had what it took to make the team.

"Yeah, Dani was wondering if she would fit in and what it was like." Lacey told Mariel. "You have a awesome friend here Mariel, she's very kind." Lacey said smiling at Lasca.

Blushing at the compliment she fiddled with the hem of her skirt. "Thank you. I think you are quite kind as well. I think I have a few new friends and you are one of them."

This day had turned out to be excellent and she couldn't wait to see what the rest had to offer. She was getting hungry but didn't want to eat anything large. The feast that awaited them would be reward for her time spent waiting.

She glanced out the window to check their progress and couldn't help that her eyes strayed to Nate. They tended to do that when he was around.

Mariel nodded as Lasca talked about what the other three had been discussing with her and she glanced at each one to try and remember their names. Nate was obviously the boy and he looked to be about her age. He and the little one, Dani, apparently liked pranks, which she didn't have an opinion about one way or another. As long as it wasn't on her and she wasn't getting in trouble. And Dani was also apprehensive about Hogwarts, which seemed appropriate to Mariel as she figured the younger one was a first year. Most firsties probably felt that way, although she didn't remember feeling quite so anxious.

Glancing up at her, she said with a shrug, "I don't think you have anything to worry about. Looks like you've already made some friends and term hasn't even started." Unless she was hiding some deep, dark secret. Mariel watched her with eyes slightly narrowed contemplating that thought before shrugging yet again. Even if she did plenty of people did as well, Mariel included.

Turning towards Nate, the third year said, "So is Nate short for Nathaniel? I have a good friend called Nathaniel, but he likes to go by Nate. I don't call him that cuz I like the name Nathaniel better." She looked at him appraisingly as she tilted her head. "I can call you Nate though. I can't have two Nathaniels. Too confusing," she added, more to herslef than to anyone else as she subtly shook her head.

Then she looked over to Lacey as she spoke. Smiling in return, she nodded in agreement. "Yes, I know. Lasca is one of the nicest people I know. I knew we'd be best friends when I first met her." She looked at the older girl for a moment as she realized she hadn't seen her around school. "What you are you in? You aren't a Ravenclaw are you? I don't remember seeing you in the common room."

Ohhh and then topic turned to Quidditch! Yay! But of course what Lasca said made her blush, and this time it wasn't because... um, nevermind. "I'm really the Keeper," she told everyone with a nod. "I just got to fill in as Seeker once during a game last year." And even though that was exciting, she felt more suited for Keeping. But she'd gladly take whatever position Willow thought she was best at.

Dani turned and stared out the window again. The view was so pretty. She hated the way guys got all stupid around girls they liked. It was just frustrating. Pandora had settled down and was in her lap again.

She turned back and smiled at Mariel. "I want to try to play Quidditch. My friend Ari said I'm too small though." She had so many questions about Quidditch but didn't know what to ask first.

"That's how it was with me and my fiance-" Lacey quickly noticed what she said. She also noticed while she was saying it she was playing with the three stone diamond ring, on a chain aroung her neck, with the words 'Love Does Last Forever ~Alex' carved on the inside. "Uhh.." She couldn't think of what to say, this wasn't going to be a good thing.