It was like looking in a mirror.

Matt stared, wide-eyed. He'd never seen anyone eat like he did before... It was weird, watching all that delicious food piled up on one too-small plate and it not being him who was doing it. He figured girls didn't do stuff like that - that they were all prim and proper, manners and all that - but here was Zara, eating like a bloomin' pig. He couldn't stop a small chuckle from escaping his lips and a quick shake of his head before he turned back to his own over-flowing plate. Beautiful. All eggs and bacon and sausages, and bread and chips and pancakes and waffles, and beans and chocolate sauce. He licked his lips. Shooting a quick look at Zara, he began spooning huge heaps of food into his awaiting gob.

"Didn't... *nom* "...know..." *nom* "...that you..." *nom* "..loved.." *nom* "...your food..." *nom* "...so much." he said between bites. Oo, was that a bit of scrambled egg in his hair? Oh, yup. *flick*

Zara was drinking her hot chocolate sip by sip because it was too hot when Matt suddenly told her that. Then she got one big drink of it. "AHHH! TOO HOT! EEEEEEEEEP," she shouted as she swallowed the scorching hot chocolate. They didn't call it hot for nothing. She opened her mouth and fanned her hand in front of it, like what you do when you've just tasted a jalapeno. She shot a panicked glance at Matt, she needed something cold, like water perhaps or anything else.

Matt was in the middle of pouring a large dollop of squirty cream - with a little bit of pancake on the side - into his mouth when he heard Zara's yelp. Closing his mouth on the frothy white stuff, he frowned at her. Was she just being weird again? Then he spotted the hot chocolate and the hand fanning her mouth. AHHH. SHE WAS BURNING. PICKLES. He searched desperately for a cup of water, then spotting a jug a few seats down the table, he grabbed her empty glass and ran to fill it up, returning and placing his rump back onto the bench with a heavy thump. "HERE." he said frantically, tipping the cup back. Over her...face.

...

Oh dear.

It was seconds when Matt suddenly came to the rescue. But the water from the cup found her whole face instead of just her mouth. Argh, never mind that for now, her mouth needed some water in it. She took the cup from his hands and gulped it down.

Her face was soaked, and some dripped down to her clothes. She placed the now-empty cup on the table and grabbed a napkin, drying her face. She turned to Matt, "Erm, thanks. You know, for the water. And for the bath." She said, then giggled. She finished the rest of her food, so that she could go back up and change soon.

Ella swept into the Great Hall, her curls flying out behind her. She wasn't in a good mood. Flopping down on the bench, Ella loaded her plate with pasta. She was staaarving! And alone.. again.

Nika ran to the great hall ready to eat. Nika's hunnnnggrrry. She saw Ella sitting down at the table and plopped down in the seat across from her. "Heyyy Heyy!" She greeted her firstie friend cheerfully as she reached over to add some stuffs to her plate.

Looking up, Ella grinned. Yeyeye, Nikaaaa! 'GREETINGS!' teheh, she had missed Nika</3
'How's your day been?' Ella smiled, adding salad to her plate.

'You're doing a good thing. With all the stress with classes, we need a lot of energy. Not to mention moving around in the whole school. I still haven't gotten used to the moving staircase.' the girl sighed.

'Yes, Ariadne Marchbanks, or just Ari.' she introduced herself. 'What do you think about classes so far? That Shaw person terrifies me, I can't understand how he was allowed to teach.' Ari shook her head.

'That might be just an excuse.You might have planned a mischevious plot and you're about to put it in practice at the Gryffindor table.' Ariadne laughed. 'Now seriously, I'm very happy to see you.' she grinned.

'All right, I guess. But the Transfiguration Professor really scared me. Using a chainsaw in class? That's madness! Plus, so many things could have gone wrong.' she sighed. 'Otherwise, classes are interesting, and most people here are very nice. Have you made friends with any Slytherin firsties?' Ari asked Fee, secretly hoping she was still the blonde's favourite firstie.

Keira sat down at her house table- she was famished!! She happily dug into a plate of chicken legs, mashed potatoes, and cherry cake. She was only a first-year, and didn't know very many students yet. Maybe she'd meet some today!

Nika grinned widely at Ella as she got herself some mashed potatoes. "Jeez your so healthy!" She said as she looked at Ella's plate. Salad vs Potatoes= Healthy leafy stuff vs Starchy stuff. Salad wins. "My days been alright." she replied happily. "What about yours?"
Nika took a seat at the table and looked around for someone to talk to. Where are all of the Gryffindors from last term!?! She shrugged it off and decided to eat some mango. YUM. She heard a noise and looked up to see another student sitting down. "HI!" She said cheerfully.

Isabella sat down on a seat up the front of the hall, looking around at all the interesting and new food, which was different to what she usually got at home, peas and potatoes. This would be an interesting night, She sighed filling up her plate with roast chicken, baked potatoes and some chips. She started eating the chips, which started to fill her up. She smiled at the girl across from her and waited for someone to notice her.

Getting off her patrol shift sophie's stomach was grumbling for food. It hadn't gone many hours since she last had something to eat but that didn't stop her from going into the great hall to eat a pancake or two with extra everything both jam and cream. Stopping a fight over a chocolate frog got your appetite going it seemed. Sophie sat down at the Gryffindor house table in the very middle to have a good lookout over the hall. She liked to know what was going on even if it didn't need her to get involved.

Sticking her tounge out, Ella pointed her fork at Nika. 'It's how it I rollll!'
Ella pulled a face. 'Not bad I guess.' Putting her fork down, Ella swept her hair back behind her.. again.

Ariadne looked around the Great Hall as it was filling up with hungry students of all ages. There was something about the girl who just sat at the Gryffindor table. Oh, yes, she was the Prefect, Ari remembered following her to the Common Room after the Start of Term feast. Moving closer to her, the firstie spoke: 'Hi, you are Sophie, right? I hope I'm not disturbing you, I just wanted to get to know you. I am Ariadne Marchbanks and I've just started my first year.' the tiny brunette introduced herself. 'It must be hard to be a Prefect, with all the responsibilities...' Ari let the statement hanging, hoping Sophie would describe her role in more detail.

"Yeah, I guess you are right." She smiled and took a sip of her pumpkin juice. She was almost done, just one butter croissant left.

"Nice to meet you Ari." She said as she reached out a hand for a handshake.

"Classes. The teachers terrify me so far. The first class with Professor Christiansen seemed weird. He turned almost half the class into vikings." Zara chuckled remembering it, "And he has an accent which I couldn't really understand at first. Then, there's the Potions class which is okay so far. Nothing really bad happened. Finally, there's Shaw. His chainsaw terrified me. And the look on his face is very...creepy." She continued. "I've heard that the teachers this term are very different from the ones last year." Zara said, remembering what Kurumi had told her about the really great and excellent professors of before. Zara sighed, she wished she'd met them. Oh well, she'd have to do with Shawty for now.

She liked Transfiguration, Charms and DADA. But the professors terrified her, except for Charms probably. She's heard the professor is brilliant there. Lord Borr for DADA? She was looking forward to it, but at the same time not really.

Nika raised an eyebrow as she looked at Ella and her pointy fork. "Not bad? You guess? Why do you guess Ella?" She asked the uncertain first year. "Is everything alright?" Not bad usually means it's been not such a good day, but it hasn't been the worst.

"Well I definitely wanna take Potions as well as Defense against the Dark Arts. Not sure about other classes. Maybe charms. What about you?" Asked Jordan.

Sophie was stuffing her mouth with pancake and was thinking about trying out one of the delicious looking sandwiches on the table when a first year scooted over several chairs to sit down next to her. Swallowing she beamed at the younger lion. "Hi, yes I’m Sophie." She pushed her book back into her backpack to read later. Focusing on the tiny brunette the 16 year old said "No, you’re not disturbing me at all. I’m always up for talking with a fellow house mate so what’s on your mind?" Sophie didn’t have to wait long before the girl who introduced herself as Ariadne continued. Taking a sip of pumpkin juice she washed down the pancake before speaking in a warm tone. "Pleased to meet you, Ariadne, how do you like Hogwarts so far?" Sophie paused for a moment to gather her thoughts before replying. "Being a prefect does have its responsibilities like going on patrol at different hours of the day and always being wary of trouble in classes and around the castle. I also help out where it’s needed and update the notice board in the common room with important news." Thinking she added thoughtfully "At times being a prefect can be hard if you for example have to step into a fight or something but most of the time it is fun when I get to chat with younger students like yourself or help someone out."

Zara looked up as Ari talked to another girl. This girl had a badge--ohh! A prefect, it was the lioness' prefect. She hadn't been seeing the girl prefect around, only Patroclus, so she decided to grab the opportunity and introduce herself, "Hi, Ms. Prefect," she smiled sheepishly, as she didn't really know her name. Zara didn't even know the names of the professors, only some of them. "I'm Zara. Danielle Zara Griffiths. It's nice to see you here."

Fee giggled at her little firstie and shook her head."Of course i am always planning evil things at the Gryffindor table",she laughed wiggling her eyebrows,"you know i am always up for something evil."Noo actually it was good that the two houses didnt find anymore.It would be really stupid and it was proved that snakes and lions could get along well,since Fee's friends mostly were out of these two houses."Awww i am happy to see you too",the girl nodded embracing the little on in a hug.

Ohhh the transfiguration professor scared her?Poor little Ari."Dont worry about the professors",the third year winked,"they can ge a little insane,especially the new ones but they would never do anything that could hamr us."Well better not to mention the huge scar on her boyfriend's shoulder that he got because Professor Vindictus didnt pay attention.It was a mistake."And you should know that i will be there to protect you,my little lion",the Slytherin smiled and nodded.There was no way anyone would hurt Ariadne without regretting it."Oh i made friends with a lot people already",the Slytherin nodded,"firsties too.What about you?"Hogwarts was such a great place to make friends.It was easy to find someone to talk to.

"Hi" Isabella said, unaware that she was butting in on someones conversation. Isabella finished off her meal and than grabbed a cone full of ice-cream and sprinkles that had just popped up in front of her. She licked it, And shivered. It was a cold ice-cream. duh.

'Now why didn't I notice the croissants?' the girl asked, in a revolted tone, and then chuckled, taking one. Mmm. It tasted just like the ones she had eaten in France two years ago when she went there on holiday with her mother.

Ari smiled and shook Zara's hand. 'Lovely meeting you.' the brunette nodded. 'Do you dislike your first name or is it just that you like your middle name more?' she wondered. 'My middle name is Lydia, and I love it, but I got used to Ari, so...' she explained.

'Yes, the whole viking thing was rather weird, but the way he stormed out of the class so suddenly was even more so. What do you think about that owl?' Ari asked Zara. 'And yeah, I was expecting Lafay to be much worse, from what I've heard. In the end, the only one who terrifies me is Shaw. I'm convinced he's totally insane.' the girl concluded. 'I wonder if the headmaster is aware that he used a chainsaw in class. Maybe he can do something about it.' Or maybe not.

'I'm happy to get to meet you, Sophie.' Ari said, sincerely. 'I am very pleased to meet any of my housemates, actually.' And now, to answer the older girl's question.

'Oh, yes! I adore Hogwarts! I've made so many friends here, which is amazing, because it's a totally new experience to know so many people, since I grew up in a small village, living only with my mother, and I haven't got any siblings.' she confessed. 'Plus, the castle and the grounds are fantastic. And learning how to use our magic is fantastic as well.' the firstie added. 'What's your favourite thing here?' she wanted to find out.

'Yes, I guess responsibilities are counterbalanced by getting to know your housemates, and the fame which comes with the title. How long have you been a Prefect?' Ariadne wondered.



'Hehe, I haven't met anyone whom I can describe as truly evil. And you are the farthest from that.' she said with honesty. But that didn't completely rule out the possibility that the Slytherin was up to something. Not something bad, but rather mischevious. And that's what Ari should be doing too, as a proud Gryffindor. Something mischevious. Hehe.

'Fee? Do you think we could do something fun together? Like a prank, but not with bad consequences?' the firstie asked, innocently. 'Thanks, but I'm brave enough myself.' she replied, confidently. 'All the other Professors are okay, it's just the Transfiguration one that's weird. He doesn't scare me, his behaviour is just...unsettling.' the girl explained. 'Yeah, I've made lots of friends!' she replied, proudly. 'Have you met my friend Mordred? He's a first year Slytherin.' Ariadne wanted to know.

"Maybe because there are just too much food on this table, and might I add all of them are very tasty." She smiled.

And proceeding to Ari's next question, Zara replied, "I've been getting that question a lot." Then she grinned, "It's just that back at home they call me Danielle. It's my first time to be out of home, besides the trip to Diagon Alley where we had to buy my supplies. So, I decided to use my other name, for a change. And I felt that Zara was being useless so I thought of trying it out since it's remained unused for the past eleven years."

Hmm the owl? "Well, the message was rather intriguing. I wonder what it said." She simply stated and wondered once again. Now what might it have said? Probably from the Ministry. Was the school being attacked like what Shaw had said? Zara shrugged the thought off. Then she chuckled at Ari's words. "Well, maybe. But I'm sure he meant no harm. Just to emphasize the fact not to call him anything besides Shaw I guess."

Ms Prefect? First Sophie didn't adhear since she was talking to Ariadne but then when the new first year introduced herself Sophie turned her attention to her. Beaming she responded "Pleased to meet you Zara. Do call me Sophie and not Ms prefect." Keeping the smile on her face she asked gesturing towards Ariadne "Do you two know each other?" It they did then it was good since everyone needed friends at Hogwarts. "How do you like school so far Zara? Enjoying the classes?"

At least the girl was sincere. Sophie wondered if she had been like that in her first year too; eager to meet anyone in her house. It was nice to hear that Ariadne was settling in well and had already started to established many friendships. Sophie had been a bit more reserved in her first year okay with kindling freindships with just a few people in her house. Crurious she asked Ariadne "Have you made friends in the other houses too?" If not maybe the house stereoypes and rivalries had blossomed up again.

Ariadne was an only child which was a little different from her upbrining with siblings. Thoughtfully she said "To be an only child has its advantages i guess whereas a being one of 3 siblings like i am you've got limited privacy but also it's advantages but maybe different ones." Erm, there here trail of thought went awry again. Hopefully the first year would get the gist of what she meant. Sidestepping the heritage question she had on her toungue Sophie instead said "My favourite thing is to hang out with friends and or house mates, play gobstones when it is given, and of course to borrow books from the library. I'm a big reader."

Fame?? Sophie blinked and watered her lips before she answered "I wouldn't say I'm famous. I'm known yes but not famous. If i saw myself as that I wouldn't to be able to perform my prefect duties very well and I don't think i'd be very approachable either. I'm Sophie first and foremost prefect second."

Nika looked up from her plate of food and her conversation with Ella to see another girl looking at her. "Hiya!" She replied as cheerfully as ever. She added some more mashed potatoes to her plate and smiled at the girl. "I'm Nika!"