Vaughn walked along the table with shoulders slightly hunched and head down trying to go as unnoticed as possible despite his tall frame. A swirl of conflicting thoughts was causing a sharp pain to stab just behind his right temple. Not an unusual occurrence these last few weeks. Finding a spare seat he sat down and absently started to bat a ball of rolled up paper between his hands.

Well, LouAnn could certainly tell one thing for sure---her housemates seemed to be friendly, outgoing people. At least she didn't imagine herself having a whole lot of trouble finding anyone to talk to. When a boy sitting near her wrinkled his eyebrows at her, LouAnn widened her's at him and gave him a questioning expression. Had the Jelly Slugs she'd eaten on the train dyed her lips a bright blue or something? She relaxed when he questioned if they'd ever met. She shook her head no. She didn't think they'd met before, although the boy did seem a little familiar. "I---I'm sorry, but I don't think so," she replied. "No time like the present, though. I'm LouAnn Purple, a fifth year."

LouAnn had imagined Em was a first year, as the girl definitely looked a few years younger than she did. "Well, I guess you and I will have to learn the ropes together, then," she replied. "So what are you looking forward to the most? Have you heard a lot about the school?" She glanced towards the staff table as she spoke, wondering if the groundskeeper and Quidditch official she'd met in Diagon Alley had arrived yet. LouAnn didn't see them, but then again, not too many of the professors seemed to be in the Great Hall yet. She was really anxious to meet them, too!

One of the girls she'd met in The Leaky Cauldron questioned her sorting, and LouAnn simply shrugged in reply. "To be honest, I find it a little interesting, too. Mum was in Slytherin and Dad was a Ravenclaw. I was expecting Ravenclaw, but I love Gryffindor all the same," she remarked. What was the girl's name? Cela? Hmm...maybe LouAnn would just wait and see what one of the other's called her. Oh, wait! Daphne! Daphne it was! "Nice to see you again, Daphne. How was the end of your summer?"

LouAnn's eyes flickered to a boy who'd plopped down in a nearby seat. This was one she'd definitely never seen before---neither in Diagon Alley nor the train. He seemed a bit...angry? lost? confused? unhappy? LouAnn couldn't quite put her finger on it, but he was definitely not in the greatest of moods. "Hi," she softly said, unsure of whether or not he wanted to be bothered. "I'm LouAnn. What's your name?"

Legend lifted his head up as he saw an older boy sit down. Who was this dude? He didn't know him! Was he a Gryffindor? Taking a quick glace at the boys clothes Legend didn't have to ask. Red. Gold. Duh of course he was. "Hey who are you? What are you doing? Can I erm-play?" He was an eleven year old boy and he was bored...what else was there to do but bother a total stranger?

Jack jumped and looked up when he heard a familiar voice. Ohhh, it was Daphne who had arrived. Jack couldn't remember the last time he had seen her...was it transfiguration? And the whole koala arm catastrophe? Perhaps. "Hi Daphne," he said, wrinkling his brows a bit in confusion with her remark. What did THAT mean? Was she implying that he was uncool? THAT was not very nice!

Or--he could be overanaylzing. As usual. "How was your summer?" he asked, trying to make conversation. She seemed to know LouAnn already...WHERE HAD HE SEEN HER BEFORE? He KNEW she was familiar...but if they had never met where did he see her?

"I'm Jack Fritzera," he said, introducing himself again, even though he had just told her his name a few seconds ago. Ahh well. "Quidditch Captain. Are you--new?" he asked. She looked WAY too old to be a first year. Transfer maybe?

Ohhhh, it was THAT little child again. He saw movement out of the corner of his eye and spotted Legend, troublemaker extraordinaire who had given Anna problems last term. Hmpf. "Legend," he said with a tiny head nodd. Not much more emotion than that.

''Quidditch Captain?'' Josh looked up when the two words were pronounced. He looked around curiously ''That's cool! Who's the Quidditch captain?'' he asked whole the table with his loud and clear voice. He could not wait to meet the captain since he'd been dreaming of being on a Quidditch team for years. He was good at sports in general especially Muggle Football one and he was sure he could manage playing Quidditch, as well. At least he was going to try his chance. The next year if uncessfull in one going on till his very last year at this school.

Little boy had murmured something that Daphne's ears did not catch. Her eyes though, had caught the movement of his lips and although she was no lip reader from his expression alone, the blond could tell he wasn't feeling particularly happy at the moment. He wasn't the only one, it seemed, as another older boy arrived and--didn't bother greeting anyone.

Sigh. Boys were so grumpy this year for some reason.

"Oh, well, sometimes it happens," said Daphne disregarding the manner with a wave of her hand. "My Father was a Ravenclaw," she informed with a sudden tensing of her jaw. That didn't help him be any less---er. Whatever. It wasn't worth thinking over. "Mother was a Hufflepuff."

And that pretty much settled it. Seeing as LouAnn and Jack had both asked her virtually the same question, she pressed her lips into a sort of self-satisfied smirk. Of course they were interested. Of course.

"Oh, Summer was wonderful," cooed Daphne, cheeks suddenly splashing with color as she fiddled with the hem of her skirt. "Celandine and I had a good time."

Giggle. Giggle. As she tried to quiet her secretive mirth behind a hand, Hopton turned her hazel eyes once more on the as of yet nameless boy. "Hello," she greeted pulling down her hand. "Daphne Hopton," announced the blond and held out a hand in his direction.

Hover. Hover.

Her attention was caught by--some loud one. Blinking at him, Daphne smiled awkwardly. "Jack is, the Quidditch Captain. Jack."

He....had said that, hadn't he?

Vaughn started, snapped out of his musing by the sound of a soft voice. A female voice. Co-ed school sure was going to be different. Looking slightly abashed a small lop-sided grin appeared. "Uhh, hi. Vaughn. Anders. I'm uh... a 6th year. New to the school though. I-", he stopped, unsure of how much he should say. His normally very slight accent sounded strange and stronger surrounded by non familiar voices.

Hearing a younger boy speak he looked over then down at his hands realising what he was doing. Smoothly the paper disappeared inside his robes. "Another time perhaps." He looked at the boy thinking him gutsy for someone so small looking. "Vaughn," was all he said this time, with a small nod.

Legend heard someone say his name and turned his head. The second year sighed. Ew. It was Jack. He was even worse than Free Willy. But at least he was a Gryffindor. "Jack." He said just as stiffly as the older boy. Unable to hold back what was on his mind another comment popped out. "So seriously whats with you and always hanging around these girls?" Legends eyes turned to the girl he had never met before and the blond one, the one he always thought looked a little stuck up.

Legend had to admit it was only TWO girls....but still...they were girls. And anytime there was more than one girl, it became very annoying.

Ah! That new dude spoke again. The young Gryffindor frowned as the guy said another time. He would have even made a big deal but...this guy seemed to have that cool vibe to him. Maybe it was the name? Hopefully he wouldn't turn into another Jack. "Fine, I'm Legend nice...meeting you Vaughn...I guess."

Em nodded shyly at the girl, "Yeah, I guess we will. As for what I'm looking forward to the most... Probably the classes and the Quidditch matches. I've heard a bit about the school; both my parents went here, so I've heard about it basically since I was born," Em chuckled. "What about you? Did you transfer? How come you're just being sorted today if you're a fifth year?... NOt meaning to pry, just curious..."

Ohhh, ANOTHER person interested in Quidditch? YAY! Jack was beyond ecstatic at the moment. There were so many eager new students, ready to try out this year. He LOVED it!

He nodded as Daphne got to the boy first, pointing him out. Jack chuckled sheepishly. "That's me, Jack Fritzera," he said, holding out a hand and grinning at the boy. "You interested in trying out?" he asked. He assumed so...why else would he be asking who he was?

Jack raised his eyebrows and grinned. Daphne and CELA? On holiday? TOGETHER? Oh, the mischief that must have ensued! Especially when Daphne started blushing and giggling. That Cela had to be a bad influence on her, it was certain. "Really? With Cela? That sounds like it would have been quite an adventure," he said with a chuckle.

He looked at the new boy who had joined the table, the blond one that LouAnn and Legend were talking to. Hmmm, another transfer? There were quite a few of them this term. Jack knew almost everyone by face and he was sure he had never seen him before. "Hiya mate! Jack Fritzera," he said introducing himself to the new guy and holding out a hand.

Legend's voice made him turn his head to the boy and raise his eyebrows. Soooo what if he hung out with girls? He liked girls! Especially Reese. He shrugged. "I dunno, I just have more girl friends than guy friends..." he explained. Guhhhh. Sooooo true. "Is that a problem or something?" he asked. Jack had always been under the impression that having gal pals was a GOOD thing.

Alexandra walked slowly to the Gryffindor table to join her fellow housemates. She was awful shy and kept her eyes down while she took a seat near some others at the house table. She lifted her head and tucked her long blonde hair behind her ear and sighed. She was scared, but she put on a smile and looked down the table.

Vaughn looked at the girl cooly. He didn't know why, but his first instinct was that of dislike. There was just something about her. Brushing it aside he reached out and shook her hand feeling the calluses on his palms scratch her skin. "Vaughn". Yes, keeping it simple was definitely best he thought.

His right eyebrow rose. "Legend? Interesting name." He wondered if it was a nickname the kid had decided to call himself, or if it really was his name. Either way it somehow seemed to fit.

Josh looked up in another direction as a girl who looked way older than him replied his question. ''Thank youu!'' he told her smiling widely ''I wanted to tell him that the other house team members' expression will be exactly like the expresion you do when you smell the sweaty sock you used to wear a lot once i join the team and we be the champion!'' he laughed loudly.

He turned to spot the owner of the next voice. Another elder student (naturally) looking at him, he shoke heads with him. ''Me Joshua Carter'' he said confidently ''Master of dreadful jokes and muggle ball bouncers. Nice to meet ya.'' he laughed some again before going on his words ''And yes i cannot wait for it. I hope it wont be a trouble that we are not allowed our own brooms. Because i have not discovered how to fly without one yet!''

Hearing Jack introduce himself for the second time, LouAnn smiled, then lightly laughed. She'd pegged Jack as a funny little fellow, someone who'd amuse her by just being his natural self. She started to remark that she'd heard his introduction the first time, but she stopped herself when she realized those words might come out sounding a little more harsh than she'd intend for them to. "Quidditch captain, hmm? I played at one of my old schools. The one I attended just before I was home-schooled. I don't think I'll play here at Hogwarts, but you have my word that I'll show up and support the team," she promised. Was she new? What'd he think she'd been doing? Hiding in the corners for five long years? Come to think of it, she actually had been in hiding for five long years. Le sigh. "I'm a transfer student, so that's why I had to get sorted with the first years."

LouAnn nodded as Daphne told about how her father had been a Ravenclaw, while her mother had been a Hufflepuff. Oh, maybe Daphne's father knew LouAnn's father! They'd been in the same house, after all. "Oh, maybe your dad knows---nevermind," she said, remembering at the last minute that she was the kid without a last name. Supposedly, that is. She shrugged then added, "I guess it does happen sometimes, then. Maybe my brother will end up being in Hufflepuff and that'll put all four of my family members in a different house." If Lucas even got to attend Hogwarts, that is. "Celandine? She's the girl who was with you in The Leaky Cauldron, right?" LouAnn questioned. She remembered Daphne so clearly stating that Cela was her best friend. LouAnn hadn't intended on stealing her best friend, of course. LouAnn just wanted to make friends period. "So what'd you and Cela do? ...and where is she? Is she a Gryffindor, too?"

Within the first few seconds of their conversation, LouAnn picked up on the fact that Vaughn seemed to be a pretty mysterious guy. Not that LouAnn was one to talk, but Vaughn just seemed...different to her. In a good way, of course! LouAnn liked people who were different and unique. They kept things interesting. "Hi, Vaughn," she said with a polite smile. "I'm new to the school, too...a transfer from being home-schooled. What brings you here to Hogwarts?"

LouAnn turned towards Em and listened while she talked about what she was looking forward to and how her parents, like LouAnn's parents, had once come to Hogwarts. "Classes...now that's something I'm looking forward to, as well. It's going to be a nice change from being home-schooled. That got sort of boring after a while. I missed being around people my age a lot," she explained. "Anyway, that's why I just got sorted today. I've never been to Hogwarts before, so I wasn't in a house. I'm glad to be in Gryffindor now, though. I felt sort of out of place in Diagon Alley, but now I feel a little more like a normal student." Sort of. Would life ever actually be normal for LouAnn, though?

Vaughn felt his eyes tighten involuntarily before smoothing his face. "I come from a boys school back home in Sweden. But I'll be here at Hogwarts for my final two years. At least that's the plan for now." His eyes flicked down and back up again. He couldn't think of anything else to say. This whole being surrounded by girls thing was new. And weird.

The eleven year old could do nothing but roll his eyes. Was Jack stupid or something? Wait. He already knew the answer to that. "Yeah it is! Girls are....ew. Why would you want more friends that are girls. WHATS WRONG WITH YOU?!" He leaned over the table and knocked Jack on the forehead. The guy needed a reality check.

"Of course it it it's mine. And i'm an interesting guy. Duh."Legend said with another eye roll. Vaughn was already starting to bore him. Maybe he was just one of those guys who acted cool but really wasn't. Bah. Looking across the Great Hall Legend wondered if there was a Ravenclaw there that he had not seen in months.

Rafe sat across from Chris. "What's up man?" he said as he held his hand up for a high five. "This is crazy! I can't believe I'm at Hogwarts! I'm ready to start some magic..." his stomach growled, "...on second thought I can settle for some food right now!" Rafe laughed as he rubbed his stomach.

He was absolutely ecstatic. So, he didn't get the house he was hoping for. That didn't matter anymore! He was at Hogwarts. He was a wizard and he couldn't wait to try new things!

Rafe looked down the table. There were definitely a lot of students much older than him. It was a bit intimidating.

Honestly, she tried to smile at the boy when he gave her an odd sort of look. That kind of look people would wear while conspiratorially whispering to other people about you.

Daphne would know. She used to do it often. Clearing her throat, the blond scratched an itching spot on her collarbone. Maybe she was just being paranoid. It wouldn't be the first time.

Someone liked working with his hands a lot.

Shaking his hand briefly, Daphne Hopton retrieved her hand gently. That had been an interesting introduction. Only a first name given when she had been sure to give both of hers. All the same, at least he was polite.

"Nice to meet you Vaughn," chirped Daphne in her best gracious hostess voice. "Welcome to Hogwarts."

........

..............

"That's...rather lovely," commented Daphne with a wrinkled brow. "Poetic even. Eh. Right, Jack?" asked Daphne loudly turning to stare wide-eyed at Fritzera. He was handling this one, right? She didn't have to keep talking about dirty socks with him, did she?

LouAnn, Daphne noticed had the gift of gab. Hazel eyes sparkling with laughter, Miss Hopton nodded enthusiastically as she spoke, nodding here and then. To be quite honest, she didn't grasp most of it. The din in the Great Hall was a little distracting.

"Celandine and I--learned a few things about being a lady," informed Daphne with a little smile. Everything else wasn't something she needed to say. "There was a ball."

Sigh. It had been lovely.

What wasn't lovely was how that little boy had just knocked Jack Fritzera on the head. O_o

Jack blinked in surprise and looked at Daphne, who was just as in awe about what Josh had just said as he was. Once the mental image hit, though, he burst into laughter. "I really HOPE I get to see that expression on their faces," he said with a grin. He wanted a cup more than ANYTHING, he really did. "And don't worry about the broom thing, mate, you can use a school broom," he said with a nodd. Those brooms weren't TOO horrid. They would do.

"A ball? You mean like...one of those balls where you had to wear big poofy dresses and put your hair up in a bun?" he asked. Awww, that sounded fun! Not that he was ever going to admit that, though. Noooooooo. He'd never admit that he knew how to ballroom dance either. It wasn't manly. He had facial hair now...he needed to be manly!

Jack just rolled his eyes, and winced when out of no where, Legend knocked him on the head. HE HAD A BRUISE THERE! He let out a little squeak and covered his injured head, glaring at the dude. "You'll LIKE girls soon, I guarantee it," he grumbled. "And when you do you're gonna be SOOOO jealous of me!" he added with a frown. NOW he remembered why Legend annoyeeeeed him and Anna.

Jack looked over at Chris, who was now talking with another new student. Hmmm, this one looked like he could swing a beaters bat pretty well. And he was kind of hairy, just like Jack. He was like a mini-Jack! Oh yeah, Jack was DEFINITELY going to try and scoop this one up.

"Hey there, welcome to Gryffindor!" he said with a grin, holding out a hand for a handshake. "I'm Jack Fritzera," he said, introducing himself. He wouldn't go into Quidditch yet...he didn't want to scare any new recruits away by being too in their face about it.

Listening to the kid talk and seeing him casually hit a boy Vaughn thought must be around his own age - who was wearing some kind of shiny and important looking badge no less - made him change his mind. The boy was not brave, just a brat. And an unwise one considering he was surrounded by older students who were much larger and able to do magic. He quietly thanked the formal sounding blonde girl before glancing around the hall trying to determine when the food was coming.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Miss Lissy Lou

Jack looked over at Chris, who was now talking with another new student. Hmmm, this one looked like he could swing a beaters bat pretty well. And he was kind of hairy, just like Jack. He was like a mini-Jack! Oh yeah, Jack was DEFINITELY going to try and scoop this one up.

"Hey there, welcome to Gryffindor!" he said with a grin, holding out a hand for a handshake. "I'm Jack Fritzera," he said, introducing himself. He wouldn't go into Quidditch yet...he didn't want to scare any new recruits away by being too in their face about it.

Rafe took the man's hand happily and gave a firm handshake in return. "I'm Rafe Lycaon, first year...which is why you said welcome...duh!" He smacked his hand to his forehead. Then, he just laughed it off. Wow, it was such a relief to feel welcomed, especially by older students.

Hmm...this guy looks like he would have connections, he definitely seemed popular and he knew Chris, one of the coolest Quidditch-knowing guys ever, so that made him also too. Jack seemed like a pretty cool guy, and he already had one thing in common and it was their scruffy faces. He chuckled at the thought. "This is like one big happy family!" Rafe said with a grin ear to ear.

Jack liked opening up to people more--WHY hadn't he done this before? It was so fun! He glanced to his side and noticed another older transfer student looking at Legend...probably watching the kid and wondering why he was so immature. He held out his hand yet again to the boy and smiled. "Hi, I'm Jack Fritzera...welcome to Gryffindor!" he said with a grin. Jack wanted to know ALL these new Gryffies. He remembered what it felt like to be alone--and it was no fun.

"First year?" he asked. "I swear I thought you were a transfer, you look at least third year," he said with a laugh. "And yeah, we are all pretty close, I guess," he explained. He had never really noticed how well all the Gryffies seemed to get along...no one was ever really arguing with each other. Except Cale and Anna that one year. THAT had been entertaining! "We all get along pretty well. I know Chris from Quidditch and Daphne from class...and we have a LOT of great new students this term," he added with a head nod. A gleam appeared in his eye as he pictured winning BOTH cups...oh, how wonderful that would be!

Vaughn looked at the boys semi-beard and briefly thought of his own inability to grow facial hair. Not that he really minded... it was just that back home...-. He snapped out of it mentally berating himself. "Hey, Vaughn Anders, thanks for the welcome. What year are you in?"

Danny was still a little shocked as he walked over to the Gryffindor House Table. Did the sorting hat place him in the right house? Gryffindor was known for being brave weren't they? Danny Edwards wasn't brave. Nervously, he looked around for a spot to sit and spotted one near a group of older kids. He took a steady breath and sat down near them.

He knew a few people in Gryffindor already, but he couldn't find them anywhere. So instead he sat down by himself, glancing around at his fellow house mates. They were all so much bigger than him! It was intimidating, and he tried not to make eye contact with anybody.

Tori found a spot near the top of the table. She sat by a couple first years and a few of the older Gryffindors. She felt so happy and like she had found something new but it was there all along. Tori was becoming whole as she swam deeper into the wizarding world, a Gryffindor student of Hogwarts. She sat smiling as she watched the other first years get sorted.