Mister Akumu, the brand spankin' new ticket collector for the Hogwarts Express, stood in the front car of the red train. Face completely expressionless, the man held his hat upside down in front of him, keeping his eyes on the door to WATCH the kids as the poured in.

And there he stood. Waiting. Silently.

Watching.

Step. Step. lick.. Step. Step. lick.

Ariana was here, she was late and had walked into the station almost right as the train pulled up so she had a Cupcake in hand and was eating it as breakfast until the snacks came around. she had woken up a LOT later then expected and really hoped to see Oakey and Hudson and everyone else before the train but she decided to sleep..
naturally.. So she missed the chill time before the train. She figured she can just find everyone on the train since they had a day journey and catch up them.. yeah.. she'd do that.

Walking onto the train she totally missed the guy standing there and walked right past him heading to the back of the car. She was in no mood to chit chat with who ever this may be, weather he be someone of importance or not, she really just could care less.
Taking another Lick of the icing on her cupcake she raised both of her eyebrows and pushed her bag back up on her shoulder that held her robes and what not.

Bring it on sixth year.

There she was, the first one of the day. Mister Akumu shook his hat at the girl and WATCHED her very closely. Yes, he watched her as she walked on right past him.

Well, that was NOT OKAY. Mister Akumu followed after the girl with the cupcake, clucking his tongue and grunting at her. "Ticket!" he said loudly, shaking his hat at her.

Troy making his grand debut in the Hogwarts Express for the first time! Rummaging through his pocket he searched for the ticket that would allow him to board this magical ride. He was quite nervous more like extremely nervous since this was his first time, but not his time being around people.

Making his way he spotted the ticket collector standing in the front car, doing what his job obviously consisted of: collecting tickets. Troy approached the ticket collector who seemed sort of like a statue, motionless and quiet.

"Ticket." Troy held up his ticket, he scanned his surroundings. Very alert, young lad.

Skip, skip, hoorah! Skip, skip, hoorah!

Fiiiiiiinally. No parents. Just her and Thor, her trusty kneazle. Peyton jubilantly skipped her way to the train and stopped when she saw a MAN. What was a MAN doing here? She didn't remember the MAN last term. Had she unintentionally snuck in to the Hogwarts Express without knowing?

...Awesome.

Then she saw Ariana and...the MAN was chasing her. "Mister! I got my tiiiicket," she said with a GRIN, and waved it in the air. "Oh, and that's Ariana. She's cool." Not like she was some Durmstrang barbarian sneaking into the train. FYI.

Wade first boarded the train, he didn't recognize the man who stood at attention.. Ah, must be new. If it wasn't for the uniform.. Heh, Wade smirked at the thought that had came to him as he took out his ticket that had been in his pants pocket.

As calmly as possible, Wade walked up to the gentleman. "Hello," Showing his ticket, before asking quite seriously. "are you selling treats as well, sir?" Just incase the food trolley just happened to move up here.

Minding her own business. thats all she was really doing. just minding her own business for onve and goibg to find a suitable compartment to occupy. she took a bite out. Of her cupcake when she noticed she was being.....


Followed

By the creepy guy from the front door she assumed was a statue or something "bloody hell!" she said jumping and turning around quickly to adress the person who was so rudelyyyyyy yelling at her... "it helps if you say please or excuse me or something. she told the man as she held onto her ticket in her hand in front of the guy as if taunting or teasing him in a way ...


She licked the icing on her cupcake once more as she looked at the man.

He watched this one carefully as the ticket was offered to him, not accepting it right away but instead leaning over to peer into the boy's eyes for several long and uncomfortable seconds. Without another word, the man swiped the ticket, punched it, and shoved it back in the boy's face.

Take. It.
Cool was not in Mister Akumu's vocabulary and the continued blank expression on his face showed this.

Snatching the ticket from the girl, he punched it as well and thrust it back in her face.

Stare. STAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE.

"Ticket," he said in an icy tone while pronouncing each syllable with equally chilling precision.
His eyes narrowed, honing in on the girl.

"Ticket," he repeated, his tone agitated as he just stood there waiting for her her to hand the ticket over with his palm facing up.

He would not repeat himself again.

You know, he could have hit her in her face. Well, that's what Peyton thought when he thrust the ticket back. And apparently he didn't seem to know or care that Ariana was cool. She was a Slytherin, most importantly, a QUIDDITCH player. Ahem.

Mister MAN probably didn't know that.

Peyton peered from around the ticket, and popped a lollipop into her mouth instead of taking the ticket. "Will I be needing it? Because if I don't you can keep it." Like a keep-sake. And it wasn't like she was going to sneak anyone else in.

Staaaaaaare.

Finally the train arrives. Juliet has just finished putting all of her huge luggage into the luggage compartment area and is now walking around the train to find herself an empty compartment for her to relax in. There weren't too many students going up yet so at least she could dive in one compartment the moment she sees one.

She stepped inside the compartment and tossed her small bag on one corner. Then she flopped over the comfortable chair and let out a big sigh. She can't believe it, after this train stops it's official she will be a sixth year. Wow. Time flies so fast just like that.

Then she glanced over to the window, the view should be lovely today.

Finally having managed to get his luggage onto the train and somehow ended up ahead of Kahlan so sighing he resigned himself to going towards the nearest empty compartment he found, throwing himself down on the seat as he waited for her to show up again - knowing that she would.

Laura walked onto the train and then saw this guy. "WHO THE?!!!!!!!!!!" Laura hadn't seen this person before, was he someone important or not, maybe someone from the Ministry wanted a ride on the Hogwarts Express, or maybe it was someone famous going to tell them some lovely stories.

Or Maybe

*Blink*

Okay so it was just a boring new ticket collector, that wasn't cool, there she was getting her hopes up of someone famous coming to Hogwarts and in the end it just was a boring ticket collector. "Here's my ticket sir." Laura handed the ticket over to him, now did she get the ticket back or some sort of receipt she had no idea.

In the time that Kahlan had been split from the boy that she was getting to know quite well she'd somehow managed to drag her trunk onto the train, unfortunately almost dropping Chachi a few times in the process - much to the witch's distress. Walking down the corridor she peeked through the compartment windows while stroking the kittens black and white striped fur as she tried to find Sylvester.

Finally she noticed the compartment he was in and with a grin she opened the door, letting herself fall down onto the side opposite from Sylvester, the kitten finding itself a comfortable spot on her stomach while she continued playing with it's fur.

"I guess we're really going to Hogwarts now... kinda exciting isn't it?" the blonde asked him, a grin on her face. "So, you never answered my question, do you also like music?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjhm

Finally the train arrives. Juliet has just finished putting all of her huge luggage into the luggage compartment area and is now walking around the train to find herself an empty compartment for her to relax in. There weren't too many students going up yet so at least she could dive in one compartment the moment she sees one.

She stepped inside the compartment and tossed her small bag on one corner. Then she flopped over the comfortable chair and let out a big sigh. She can't believe it, after this train stops it's official she will be a sixth year. Wow. Time flies so fast just like that.

Then she glanced over to the window, the view should be lovely today.

Oh, look! The train finally arrived! It meant that she's officially a Hogwarts students, well not so official since she hadn't sorted to any house. But at least, she boarded on train to school. And just Hogwarts students did that. She was very excited to start her new term in Hogwarts, enough said.

After putting her luggage at the luggage compartment, Christina looked for a compartment. She didn't think that there's anyone who wanted to share a compartment with her, who was a completely stranger so she preferred to find an empty one. She walked to the front cars one since she didn't like sitting at the back one.

While she was looking for an empty compartment, she noticed that someone's familiar who was sitting alone at one of the compartment. Juliet, that girl whom she met at the Diagon Alley, yeah it was her. Well, if she could share a compartment with someone that you'd known before why did you need to find an empty one, Christina? She thought. She smiled and decided to enter Juliet's compartment. "Hey, finally we met again." she greeted her. Hopefully she didn't be bother of her presence. "Do you mind if I sit here?" She asked. Don't worry, I'm not gonna be very noisy and annoying.

Juliet was enjoying the scenery for now, on the window that is. Summer is nice but then again no one likes the weather hot. So yes, she is wishing that it would go faster, so she can enjoy autumn already. Juliet placed her bag onto her lap as she started to search for her handkerchief. Forehead is currently sweating and she doesn't like that.

Wipe. Wipe.

Then someone opened the door and went inside her compartment. Juliet immediately face the person and found a familiar face. Ohhh, of course she remembers her. "Hey... Christina, right?" she smiled at the younger one. "Not at all... please" she gestured her hand to the empty seat infront of her. "It's a long ride, it'd be nice to have some company" she added. It's true, Hogwarts is quite far away, they can talk about anything they want or buy something on that trolley. Where is she anyway?

"How are you?" that was a good conversation starter.

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjhm

Juliet was enjoying the scenery for now, on the window that is. Summer is nice but then again no one likes the weather hot. So yes, she is wishing that it would go faster, so she can enjoy autumn already. Juliet placed her bag onto her lap as she started to search for her handkerchief. Forehead is currently sweating and she doesn't like that.

Wipe. Wipe.

Then someone opened the door and went inside her compartment. Juliet immediately face the person and found a familiar face. Ohhh, of course she remembers her. "Hey... Christina, right?" she smiled at the younger one. "Not at all... please" she gestured her hand to the empty seat infront of her. "It's a long ride, it'd be nice to have some company" she added. It's true, Hogwarts is quite far away, they can talk about anything they want or buy something on that trolley. Where is she anyway?

"How are you?" that was a good conversation starter.

"Yes, it is." It was such a good thing that she still remembered her name, right? Of course, it is. Both of them share similarities and it was rare for Christina to find a person who shared them except her and maybe Juliet was thought the same too, so how could they forgot about each other? She smiled as she was allowed to be in the same compartment with her. "Thank you." Yeah, it was nice to meet someone that you could chat with while you're having a long journey.

So, how are you?

Such a common line to start a conversation, huh? Well, it was... basic. "Well, I'm fine. Seems like I start enjoying live here." Yeah, England wasn't bad at all. The people were nice and friendly, she didn't find any difficulties to speak here since she just need English which she was very good at, and everything else. Though she still missed France (especially the pastries) but she loved England. "I'm really looking forward to arrive at Hogwarts." The more she heard the stories about Hogwarts made her excitement level to start her new term increased. Seriously.

"Well. How about you?" She asked her back. "Are you excited to come back?"

Theo had told her that before they entered the compartment, she should give the ticket to the ticket collector at the front of the train. Holding out her hand containing a ticket she said, "Hello, this is my ticket." Iris is rather difficult to hold in her left hand only while her right hand holding her ticket.

Compartment hunting, right, she needed to do that so she left Lottie, who kinda look upset but she couldn't figure why, to get the luggage put away while she found a suitable one. Felix, most certain did not count as such and would still be riding in her arms. He was never one for a cage.

Lex sprung into the train and hardly took notice of the man standing there. She'd never seen him before so he probably had nothing to do with her anyway. Grown ups in general had nothing to do with her. She didn't particularly like that set of people.

She did find it a little curious that everyone seemed to be having a conversation with him though so maybe she could wait a bit more before going off--just not too much longer just in case. She walked almost right into him and noticed the lack of a smile. "My Daddy says you'll get frown lines and your face will freeze like that if you don't smile. I didn't believe him at first but I see them gnawing their way onto my step-mum's face." Pause. "Did someone kick you in the shin?" Why else wouldn't he be bouncy happy on a train full of kids?

As Forrest was able to breath more properly (though tears still rolled down his face) he walked a little towards the inside of the train to find himself an empty compartment as he peeked at every window to look at his family. It was his fifth step inside the train when he almost bumped into a figure taller than him. He gasped lightly and tore his eyes off the window reluctantly to look at what he had almost crashed into.

A man to collect ticket.

HIS TICKET!

In his panic, he let go of the holder of his wheel-bag without balancing it on its wheels and legs and it fell heavily on its back, the holder scratching his bare leg. He gasped again as something like 'Stupid!' was heard. He couldn't even check on his leg though (but it sure hurt a lot!) and started to look inside his pockets. He heard a few students behind him too and he panicked further, at the very verge of breaking down again. Where had he put it? Did he even take it anyway? He'd simply taken it for granted that if he was able to see the train, he would be a natural passenger anyway, but it only hit him now that probably every wizard could see it and they would sure need a ticket.

After a few tears rolling down his cheeks and a few forgotten Muggle coins falling on the ground, he found the paper intact in the pocket he'd searched for three times before. Giggling a little crazily out of adrenaline, he thrust it towards the man's chest and looked at his face with a maniac happiness.

Aanya's head bobbed up and down as she nodded and pretended to listen to her mother, but really, her eyes were fixed on the Hogwarts Express. At last, she was here, and she was going to Hogwarts. It had been sooooooo annoying listening to her cousins brag about the school, telling her that she had to do a series of complicated tasks in front of the school to be accepted and sorted, and that she wasn't even smart enough to get it.

...

HA. HA.

After giving her parents a hug and a kiss each, the eleven year old stepped on the train and then attempted to pull her extremely heavy trunk onto the train all on her own and refused her parents' help when they offered it, insisting that since she was a big girl now, she was perfectly capable of handling her affairs on her own . So they simply watched as she attempted to lift the trunk off the floor.

MOVE, STUPID TRUNK, MOVE!

Urgh.

She hadn't realised her trunk would be THIS heavy when she had been packing it, or she wouldn't have packed the novels.

Finally, after blocking the way for about half a minute, the girl was able to lift the trunk up a little, but before she could get it all the way up, the trunk slipped from her hands and hit the ground again ...

Juliet took her hat off as she could no longer bear the summer heat. Merlin's beard, how hot is it right now? Was it going to get higher? The temperature that is. Then she took the scrunchy on her bag as she tied her hair into a high pony tail. Yes, that's nicer. A breeze at the back of her neck is really delightful than just hot and sweat.

Juliet smiled at Christina, she forgot how she was just starting to live in London. However, she never forgot about the France thing. "That's nice to hear" Juliet just lives in her uncle's house in London. Her father never saw the reason for staying in London too. "Looking forward as well" yup and this time she'll be in the sixth year too. That should be fun. No more OWLs and no NEWTs yet. All Juliet needs to do was sit back and relax. "You should get your appetite ready. The moment we reach Hogwarts, a feast will be served" and Juliet knows that Christina will enjoy that the most. She sure did when she came to Hogwarts.

"I'm so excited to go back. I miss Hogwarts already" don't they all? "You should totally visit the Whomping Willow when you have the time" maybe she has heard stories of it from her family.

Lex was waiting and just watching the man that was watching people. He was kinda rude when she thought about it. Kinda really rude because it was rude to stare. Not that she could particularly say anything. She liked staring. Her eyes enjoyed taking in things with avid curiosity, hence why she had no problem staring back.

Vaguely she heard little grunts and scuffles but she wasn't paying attention because she was being a good watcher and watching the man. It wasn't until something suddenly KNOCK down HARD on her foot that she finally took notice of anything.

Ow...Owww...OWWWWWW!!

"Merlin's BEARD!!!" Lex kicked the trunk off with her available foot, her eye twitching ever so slightly. It took her a moment to compose herself before looking up for the culprit. The train was leaving the station, she could hex their face of, yes?

Looking over she saw a small person. Well not all that small 'cause she wasn't very tall but yeah, one of those...er...new ones. Could be a firstie, second year tops--she needed some of those. Smile Lex. It would pay off. "Hai!!" She forced on a smile, trying to forget the throbbing in her foot. "You should get that to the luggage compartment before you hurt someone else with that thing." GRIN. See? She could be nice.

Oops.

See, now, this was probably why she should have let her parents help her with her trunk instead of shooing them away. Now, she had gone ahead and dropped this monstrosity on another person's foot. "I am so, SO sorry," she said, trying to pull her trunk up onto the train again, but then the girl smiled and, after a moment of uncertainly blinking at the older girl, Aanya returned the smile.

Well, wasn't she nice.

And this was after Aanya had possibly fractured her foot.

The luggage compartment? She had no idea where that was. "Oh. Right." Nodded the little girl vigorously, then followed with, "Could you, maybe, show me where the luggage compartment is?"

Because obviously, the little one had been so excited about getting on the train that she hadn't noticed that there was a luggage compartment. Neither had the girl noticed that no one else was trying to shove their trunks onto the train like she was.

Stupid. Stupid. Stupid.

And here she thought she was Ravenclaw material.

Clenching his jaw, the man simply turned around and walked away from the girl without another word.
Walking by the open compartment, Mister Akumu walked in unannounced and staaaaaaaaaaaaared at the girl. "Ticket," he said in an cold tone. Now.
Yet another one. Thrusting his hat out at this one to get their attention, the man cocked his neck to the side to crack it in agitation. "Ticket."
Unceremoniously snatching the girl's ticket, he punched it and quickly handed it back to her. Without waiting for her to take it from him, he dropped it and continued to walk through the corridor.
Looming outside the compartment for several icy seconds, he entered and clicked his tongue a few times. "Ticket."
Not going to be noisy and annoying? Too late. "Ticket," he demanded.

Grabbing the ticket from her, he quickly punched it and returned it to her without saying a word.

Cocking his neck to the side and giving it a rather loud crack, he staaaaaaaaaaaaaaared at the girl with the same stony expression.

"Ticket."
Expression neither rising nor falling at this one's flailing, he seized the boy's ticket and punched it. Grunting, he returned it to the boy and then walked away.

Children were creepy.
Stare. STAAAAAAAAAAAAAARE.

Watching as this one dropped her trunk, Mister Akumu stepped to the side to avoid all the unnecessary chaos. "TICKET!" he said loudly at her.