Laura just stared at what she was looking at in front of her, surely this had got to be a joke, seriously could the school just do this without telling anyone, well she was tired and she would look around later to see if there was anyway of getting out of paying but for now she just wanted to go to bed, she just hoped she didn't have to pay to go to lessons or she probably wouldn't go, she would just stay in the common room and eat the food that was in her trunk even if it was just chocolate and cakes.

Jory tapped the barrels that lead the way to the Puff common Room. He expected the entrance to appear but all he got were... what was this? A line of turnstiles? Completely puzzled, Jory stared at them. It was then he noticed the hole at the top of one of the turnstiles. "Gotta pay,'' he muttered. Of course. It made sense given all the cuts.

"Hey, Lauren,'' he said, now noticing the girl in front of him. "How are you?''

The Puffer now examined the hole. "Small enough for a knut,'' he noted. He fished into his pocket, praying he had some money, a knut more specifically, left after spending at the Food Trolley on the train.

Jory pulled out some coins and scanned them for knuts. He breathed in relief. He had a few. Making a mental note to always keep a set of knuts in his pockets from now on, he dropped the coin into the hole. Instantly, the turnstile unlocked, giving him room to head to the common room. "Need a knut?'' he asked Lauren, holding out his hand.

The feast was over! O-V-E-R! Over.

Skipping. Skipping. Walking. Slow walking.

STOPS.

What was going on here? It's like going on the subway in New York City. Nashville had been there once but he didn't think Hogwarts had this kind of technology. This was muggle stuff that he had seen at some transportation places. From what Nashville had heard from other students that you needed a password not money to get into the common rooms so what was going one here? Nashville saw a girl and looked at her. What was her name? Laura? Yes, the one that doesn't know about the TARDIS. Then there was some random guy there. "I have to pay? I wasn't told this." Nashville frowned, his Brazilian accent becoming a bit thick.

"Is this normally like this?"

Minerva walked towards the common room tired and just ready to rest, but got a surprise when she got to the common room entrance. "What.. is.. this?" Seriously, was the school that bad.. First the elves, then the dishes, and now this. She looked around at the others that were there, seeing them as shocked as her. Looking at what was needed she wondered if the poor first year muggleborns would even have the money to get in. The staff did not think this through did they.

She reached into her bag and pulled out her small wallet, sorting through between her different forms of muggle money and then to her wizard money. Pulling out a knut she dropped it in the slot and headed to the common room more grouchy then she wished she was for the beginning of term.

Laura looked at the guy. "No this isn't normal." Laura decided in the end she wasn't going to pay to get into the Common Room, she would sleep here technically she wasn't doing anything wrong. "I think I'll sleep here for tonight and then see if my mother can send a tent over tomorrow so I can sleep somewhere else." Laura wasn't going to pay to get anything.

"I REFUSE TO PAY TO SLEEP ANYWHERE AND THAT IS THAT!" Laura would get Ella to send her some stuff out of her trunk when her friend got here, because she would do that for her right.

Laura looked at Jory. "I don't need a Knut I have a few, but on principle I refuse to pay to sleep somewhere." Laura said truthfully, "I'd rather sleep here than pay to get in somewhere.

Ella came to an abrupt halt as she noticed her fellow badgers checking out the...turnstiles? "I...but this..." What in Merlin's beard? The blonde figured money was tight given what she'd seen in the great hall but this was just wrong. What about those students who didn't have money to spare?

Frown.

Digging around in her robe pocket, the blonde pulled out some money and eyed it carefully. She'd worked hard at the zoo all summer and it looked like she'd be sharing her earnings with her housemates...not that she minded. She just didn't understand why they had to resort to this. Wouldn't another fundraiser do?

"I've got some extra knuts here...if anyone needs the money," She announced, tucking a strand of blonde hair behind her ear. Also, "This is going to be an expensive term." Oh and, "Best for us not to panic just yet, yeah? We...should get inside and figure out how to make this work."

What choice did they have? If the older kids freaked what would the younger ones think?

Oakey was in the lead, he just directed the whole of Badger First Years into the kitchen when he spotted the line forming at the barrels? He looked behind him then pushed forward yelling "Head Boy, let me pass, what's the hold up?" when he spotted the the Turnstiles he froze in place. Was this a joke? Cause if it was, Laura really stepped up her game.

He sour lemon glared at Laura, before turning to Ella who seemed to be speaking to the group as a whole as well. "What is this?" Oakey leaned down and whispered to the Captain. "Also, I could use a knut to get in and out." He was not going to do this all term, and the Kitchen Sink over yonder was looking mighty comfy about now.

Laura was wondering what to do next when suddenly she felt someone glaring at her. "OH YEAH RIGHT!" Laura snapped. "JUST BECAUSE THERE'S A HOLD UP OAKEY YOU BLAME ME!" Laura was really annoyed now, why was it every-time something happened the first thing he did was blame her, seriously she had to power to make turnstiles appear.

Just like everyone else, Kaiden stopped and looked at the turnstiles. This was weird. Why did they have to pay to get in? Money honestly wasn't a problem, but if the state of affairs got back to his parents. Well, they had sent him to Salem once, and he really didn't want to go back.

Hearing the blonde, he moved over to her. "Keeper Lady.... Whats happening? Is this more trying to make people unhappy?" He nodded at her statement of working things out. "That sounds smart. But, I think that girl had a point." he said pointing to LAURA. "Giving them money would only encourage things."

Ella watched Oakey, a look of mild concern on her face. She shrugged her shoulders at his question and whispered back, "I don't know but we need to think of a plan." And maybe speak to Hadley about this...probably sooner than later. As for the knuts.. "Here." The blonde dropped two into his hand and looked around at the others with a nervous smile.

Nobody panic, yeah?

Ella looked at Kaiden and shrugged. "I'm honestly not sure, Kaiden...I just don't know." But yeah, this was definitely going to make more people angry. As for Laura being right, the blonde shrugged yet again. "I get that but what are we supposed to do? Even if we decide to camp out out here we'll still need supplies."

What? "Laura cool your Jets." Seriously he was just assessing the situation, "If it's not your fault then fine." Maybe he should head back to the First years and give them a fair warning though not to make any bets with her. He was not pulling any of out of the Forbidden Forrest this year.

Oakey pocketed the two knuts quickly. "Ella don't give anymore of your savings just yet." He then turned to the crowd outside the common room."Guys if you don't have the money to get in, hold on. We need to think of a System. No one is sleeping in the Kitchen yet." There was only one House Elf working the Kitchen now. If they all camped out here, they would only get in the way, and slow him/her down more.

*O____________________o*

Someone say what now?

*Blink*

Was this a dream, had someone just said that she was right.

"Ella Bishop!" Laura shook her friend. "Tell me now if I am dreaming or not!" Laura had never heard someone actually agreeing with her before seriously this was new to her, what was she supposed to do now, jump up and party or what?

Laura just stared at Oakey, surely he should have known that she had no power to create turnstiles, it was like the lockout again when he blamed her for it, but seriously she wasn't that bad honest.

Laura took out a handful of knuts that she had from earlier. "Oakey if you go anywhere near any first year, give them these." Laura handed Oakey them over, she was sure some of the first years wouldn't have any with them.

Ella eyed Oakey for a minute, debating on protesting, and then nodded. "Okay, I'll hold off on that." Because if he had a better plan, she wanted to hear it. As for sleeping in the kitchens, Ella tried not to laugh. "I suppose you've already reserved the sink?" Snort.

And then she was being shaken. "Merlin Laura, you're going to give me whiplash." Was she dreaming about what, exactly? "I don't...know what you mean but nope, this is real life." Just saying.

Brodie solumnly walked into his common room. Sure, the house seemed somewhat fitting, but he had been hoping to get into Ravenclaw for obvious reasons. He looked around then looked at the turnstiles, Oh, wonderful for the flat broke guy... He sighed, switching from his parents homeschooling him was starting to seem like a mistake. Sure, he was excited, but he was flat broke with barely any money, this thing would probably take the money had had for the rest of the year... He put a knut into the thing though and went into his common room.

Hogwarts was officially going mad.

With disbelief Ness stared at the paying stations before her. She didn't like it that was for one thing, as for the other she wanted to know who was up to it. Was all the strangeness at Hogwarts linked? And if so, why would this all be happening? Something money wise was not right with Hogwarts.

Taking a breathe in and then one out, Ness neared the crowd and listened to them all freaking out. She felt the exact same, she felt scared worried and for one didn't know what to do about this whole pay system, but she wouldn't show it. Instead she did her best to look strong and alright.

Pout she began to think of her own solution ideas. What she wanted to do was just pay for everyone and it would all be over...for now, but she knew she needed to do more. These were her kiddos, all of them.

"Um...Oakey?" She gulped as came up with the best she could think of. "Maybe we should go look for Truebridge, or you want me to go alone?"It was whispered because she didn't want the others to hear yet and she was kinda nervous. Not to mention that the thought of going to Truebridge alone scared her a little, which was why she hoped he'd join her.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Ella looked at Kaiden and shrugged. "I'm honestly not sure, Kaiden...I just don't know." But yeah, this was definitely going to make more people angry. As for Laura being right, the blonde shrugged yet again. "I get that but what are we supposed to do? Even if we decide to camp out out here we'll still need supplies."

Kaiden frowned. This all sucked. "Yeah..." he said trailing off. "Well, the kitchens have supplies yeah? like food and stuff. And we could... er... I don't know. Didn't someone say they slept in the great hall?" or there was that place they had made a blanked fort last term for Miks birthday.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJ ExpelliarMOOSE

Oakey pocketed the two knuts quickly. "Ella don't give anymore of your savings just yet." He then turned to the crowd outside the common room."Guys if you don't have the money to get in, hold on. We need to think of a System. No one is sleeping in the Kitchen yet." There was only one House Elf working the Kitchen now. If they all camped out here, they would only get in the way, and slow him/her down more.

He... seemed to have a plan. or well, hopefully he did. "Does this mean you have a plan?" because his plan was to NOT pay to enter the common room. That was dumb. "But there are better places to sleep than the kitchen." that seemed gross.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Harry174

*O____________________o*

Someone say what now?

*Blink*

Was this a dream, had someone just said that she was right.

"Ella Bishop!" Laura shook her friend. "Tell me now if I am dreaming or not!" Laura had never heard someone actually agreeing with her before seriously this was new to her, what was she supposed to do now, jump up and party or what?

Laura just stared at Oakey, surely he should have known that she had no power to create turnstiles, it was like the lockout again when he blamed her for it, but seriously she wasn't that bad honest.

Laura took out a handful of knuts that she had from earlier. "Oakey if you go anywhere near any first year, give them these." Laura handed Oakey them over, she was sure some of the first years wouldn't have any with them.

Kaiden got all wide eyed when that girl started flailing and stuff. Seriously, just because she had a good point didn't mean she had to do all that. "I just meant, its dumb to have to pay. Can't we get rid of these things?"

LA LA LA, SWEETS! LA LA LA, ICE CREAM! LA LA LA, CUDDLES ON THE COUCH?

Ahem.

Alec bounded along the corridor that led to the common room with his cutlery in his hands. He would go and wash it later and maybe see who the only house elf left was. And give them a hug for staying behind and... yeah. He'd probably go and pick up some more ice cream afterwards as well just because... well... ICE CREAM.

Plus, after all the changes that were already taking place at the feast, being able to go down to the Kitchens for some ice cream would make it seem as if everything was still pretty much normal, yeah? No plastic cutlery, no resignation of house elves and certainly no-

...

What was going on?! Seeing as, you know, there was a huge line by the barrels. Surely, so many people couldn't have forgotten the tapping rhythm, yeah? So what was-

BLINK.

HOLD THE SNITCH.

"What?!" These... turnstiles? Is that what they were called? Well, whatever they were, they looked like those ticket collecting machines that you could find at train stations. You know, the ones where you insert your ticket and then the thing opens and you get to go through. Those.

"We have to pay?!" he asked, looking around at the people that were there with wide eyes, "Really?" Frown. And what was this talk about sleeping in the kitchens?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

"We have to pay?!" he asked, looking around at the people that were there with wide eyes, "Really?" Frown. And what was this talk about sleeping in the kitchens?

No, she was not following Alec, she just happened to arrive after him. It was all a coincidence, really. But she did manage to hear his words and looked up at the sight of a small crowd of students in front.

Er, they could keep walking, you know? Instead of being there walking the entran--Oh. "Pay for what?" And then she noticed.

Whaaaaat was this?

Blink.

No way. She had to pay to get into a place full of yellow stuff? You know how ridiculous that sounded, right? Oakey, what do you plan to do about this?

Eyes on you, Mr. HEAD BOY.

Oakey smiled at Ella, and pat her on the shoulder. "You know me too well." Really though that sink was his if he couldn't pay to get in at some point.

He looked over to Kaiden, the boy was on the Quidditch team with him last year, and he was a pretty good chaser too. "I'm working on one, give me a moment."
Oakey paced back and forth in place for a while before he was stopped again.
What was Laura doing? "No one is giving out knuts to anyone yet. let me think now Laura." There had to be a generous way to do this without anyone wasting their own money on one another.

Then Renesmee walked up to him, whispered something into his ears. He gave her a quick nod then returned his attention to everyone else trying to come up with a good sollution.


There! That he still had that! Why had Oakey comepletely forgotten about that jar He took his wand out and with a quick flick he said "accio Jar." With only a moment to blink the Jar filled halfway up with knuts and sickles flew out of the common room where his belongings were placed for him during the feast. He grabbed at it with both hands and his chest and held it close. "We'll use these for now, just the knuts." Oakey had not yet figured out what to do with his cuss jar when he started it a few terms back. It was mostly just to keep Dylan, and Max Lupin from saying things around first years, whose ears were too little for their discussions. After a while he didn't know what to do with it, and the coins just sat in the jar doing nothing. Now they could be of use, and Oakey had no problem parting with them. Especially now. "Just enough to get yourself in an out once, and only if you don't have the knuts, or if you need change."

With that he set the Jar down on one of the barrells. He quickly took out a quill and scribbled out the words written on the jar before, and replaced it with. 'Access Knuts, Take only if you can't pay.'
He stepped out of the way, and hoped that the Hufflepuffs here understund the Trust System. He would not be happy if he heard a first years pockets filled with money grab knuts from his jar.

Ugh! Long day + little to no food + all the excitement = a very tired little Bay. Following the stream if yellow that had exited the hall together the first year shuffled along behind, not really paying attention to where they were going. Every few feet she issued a yawn and her eyes grew more heavy. Despite the growling in her stomach all Bay wanted to do was curl up in bed and sleep.

Brought up short Bay almost ran into the person in front of her. Lifting her drowzy eyes she took in the gathered crowd with a frown. What was all the fuss about? Ducking through a few small gaps Bay was confronted with the problem.

What? She'd have to pay to get to her bed? But....but....but.....

Her green eyes watered a bit and she bit her lip. Blinking quickly the 11 year old tried to get herself under control, not an easy task considering the empty hole that was her belly and her depleted energy level. Sniffing she looked around at all the tall people around her. Feeling utter dejected and starting to have second thoughts about this school, Bay turned and sank down against the wall.

Nod, meaning yes? To go alone, or wait for him? And on second thought was her idea, even a good idea? Maybe bothering Bunz wouldn't be good, she probably knew about this..and even at the feast mentioned things wouldn't be the same right? But still, this...it was just too much. To actually expect people to pay? Just no.

As for what Oakey had just come up with, she smiled slightly. Good thinking, he got a thumbs up and a donation too. She added the few knuts she had on her robes inside the jar, hoping soon she'd be able to get more from her trunk that was not to be seen.

Buut back to getting adult help. Nervously she bit her lip and went closer to Oakey again. "I..maybe not Truebridge..she probably knows." She went back to whispering once more. Maybe Hadley? Or maybe..anyone? Merlin nothing was helping. "Um..should we try though? Or we could go to Hadley? Or maybe Truebridge...Idon'tknow"Nobody was hearing this yet right, because the last thing Ness wanted was for people to see that inside she was absolutely freaking out.

Staaay calm, staaay calm.

Alec frowned slightly and dug his hands into his pockets as he watched Oakey doing... something with that Cuss Jar of his. This had to be the weirdest way to start the new school term. Definitely.

"That's really nice of you, you know," he said, looking directly at the Head Boy with a smile on his face. Just saying. "Erm... and... are people allowed to contribute to that jar?" Although... that question might have been a silly one since LochNessie had added some in herself.

And would it be safe here? ... Dude had a lot of questions.

Oh and hey Lottie, where did you come from?

...

BLINK.

Unhappy girls... made him uncomfortable. Really. Or just unhappy people. And wasn't this the girl he had talked to briefly at the Start of Term Feast? ... Bay, right?

"Hey..." he whispered, bending down until he was sort of crouching in front of the girl, "Erm... I have some sweets with me but... there's a problem. There's a little too much for one boy to have so do you think you could do me a favour and help me finish them off? I promise not to hog all of them," Grin. Hopefully she'd be a candy loving first year otherwise... this would be slightly awkward.

Okay so...the first years looked completely freaked and well, Loch Nessie looked like she was going to have a panic attack. This wasn't good. Ella eyed Oakey as he got his cuss jar and she BEAMED at the Head Boy. That was really really good thinking. The blonde headed over and dropped the few extra knuts she had in there too, just to help the cause.

She then nodded to Kaiden. "Yeah, we can definitely stock up on food in the kitchen and I can bake...sort of. That means we won't like..starve or anything." Thank Merlin.

Noting Alec, the blonde walked over to him and slipped a knut into his hand. "You'll need this." He got a small but warm smile as well.

Oh and one of the ickles seemed to be on the verge of tears. "Hey there, it's okay." The sixteen year old said, bending down to speak to the girl. "Do you like gummy worms? I've got some on me and I wouldn't mind sharing." Oh and hey, it seems Ella and Alec were total braintwins because as she was offering sweets, so was he. The blonde turned and grinned at the boy, shaking her head. Did this happen to other couples too? And did this firsty think Badgers were crazy sweet pushers or something? Heh.

"Thats good." he said nodding at the blonde. "I don't want to starve. And with the food we had at supper, we just might. Though, if it was just one house elf cooking it all... well, that was still pretty impressive." even if he couldn't stomach it. "I have my tent and stuff in my trunk." he shrugged. not like it did him any good where it was.

Kaiden just nodded when Oakey dude said he was working on a plan. That was good. They needed some sort of something. And then... a jar? "Thats the plan?" Kaiden asked. That was just you know, doing what they wanted. "So... we're just going to pay? or are we just getting our things?" Because that would be the best plan. Get your things and get out. "Do you think two people can get through the things at one time? By squeezing together or something?" They should try that too.

Seeing the red headed girl, Kaiden saddled up to her. "Hey Captain. Do you... need any help with anything? I can do stuff. Help and all."