SPOILER!!: Molicious its ficticious

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

Mo flipped along spoon toward the Head Table before turning his attention back to Ethan with a grin. Now that Milton was gone, it was going to fall to poor Ethan to be Mo's role model, and that was a pretty hefty demand for anyone.

"No, not a good summer, actually, but I'm fine. Or I will be, so might as well start now." He put a knife on the catapult and sent it spinning toward the front of the Great Hall. "And yeah, I'm going out for the team again this year. Especially now that my fellow Beater has been made captain." He sort of felt like he owed it to Elise now.

"What about you... good summer? Going out for Quidditch?"



"Because the point is to throw them away. You don't reuse them. How can you tell anything is clean? These have never been in a mouth before, at least," Mo offered helpfully. Why be belligerent about something unimportant? There were plenty of things to be upset about, but silverware?



MIXED MESSAGES. She called him by his formal name and then winked at him like they were conspirators? What exactly was going on here? Mo winked back, albeit with great confusion, and nodded. "Dude. Okay."



"You have a sister? How old is she?" Mo flipped a cup upside down and filled it with some spare silverware, although he tried not to take any from someone who might NEEEEEED them. He did set another spoon beside Niamh, because she ought to at least TRY the catapult before deciding she couldn't do it.

"Switching was hard, yeah, and it still is hard. I'm behind in making friends, and they all have stories that I'm not part of, but it gets easier. It WILL get easier for you." He nudged at the spoon. "I do play, and maybe you do too. You can't tell until you give it a try."



"I haven't talked to Cassia yet." Mo considered his options and then squished Mika again. As friends do, obviously. Their plan, though... not here. This was the the wrong place for plotting. "How about we do a meet up later? Invite Lex, and I'll talk to Cassia. And... who else do you want to invite?"

He foisted the spoon on Mika insistently. Like, no, REALLY, she needed to try this catapult thing out. It was amazing. "We can do cupcakes, and when they reach the apex of their trajectory, we can apply an Impedimenta followed by a Levitation charm and float the cupcake down onto someone's plate. Easy as pie. Or easy as cupcakes, really.



"I thought I'd grown a beard and no one had told me," Mo stroked his chin. "Y'know? Like I'd suddenly turned 50 and had to be called by my proper name. Just Mo, please, Nigel. And yeah... seems like something might be up. But maybe it's just an adventure. Or the elves have the night off. What if they're celebrating a birthday or a wedding or something?"



"It's my very favoritest captain in the world," Mo turned his catapult and shot a plastic cup at her head. Y'know... if she was thirsty or whatever. "Congrats, Elise. You make the badge look better by wearing it." Oy, charm. This Branxton had it.

She just nodded and then was squished again. Which only caused her to laugh – well, giggle more like it. If no one would have heard her she so would have scolded herself for giggling. Because giggling was all girly and stuff. “I don’t know who else…lets keep it small for now” she nodded because small was a good plan. She didn’t want to get in trouble or anything. And besides she was kind of having a rough patch with that one friend she had been considering bringing…and she had no idea why. It wasn’t like she had threatened him or anything.

Oh wait, she had. “Oooh like levitated gift cakes! WE SHOULD SO DO THIS!” she excitedly whispered to the boy next to her. She took a nice BIG and rather pink cupcake and placed it onto the spoon and readied it for take off.

That was when of course she heard Mo talking about Beards. What? BEARDS? She just glanced over at him and with a rather confused look the girl tipped her head at the boy. She just laughed before commenting, “Nice imaginary beard…you know what I was rather in a weird mood at Weasley’s this summer and picked up a French Henchman mustache if you want it.” Since she had realized a french henchman stache wasn’t a thing for her.

She did not plan on looking like an evil Frenchman for a good long while. (how about forgever?)

SPOILER!!: Isobel

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaetha

"Hi!" Isobel replied, glad to actually be acknowledged. "Thanks, I'm happy to be in it." Perhaps happy wasn't quite the right word... honestly, she was just relieved she'd been Sorted at all and hadn't passed out in front of the whole school or something. There wasn't anything wrong with Ravenclaw, that she could think of, there just wasn't anything particularly great about it either.



Isobel smiled back at the older girl; she was feeling more accepted with two people being all welcoming. "Thanks!" she said in response to said welcome. "I'm Isobel Laning, as you probably heard during the Sorting." That is, if Mika had paid any attention. "It's nice to meet you." She actually had no idea how interesting the Sorting was to the older students. Would they enjoy seeing who was in their house for the next year, or was it just an annoying ritual they had to wait through before they could eat? Speaking of eating, she was starved.

"Er... sorry if this is rude in any way, but is the table usually set like, well, this?" Isobel indicated the plastic cups and utensils. After all, the last time she'd eaten out of a paper plate was last year at her muggle neighbour's barbecue party, and she sincerely hoped that Hogwarts didn't serve barbecue.

Mika smiled over to Isobel when she introduced herself. She was smart already for noticing the sketch table settings. “Nice to meet you Isobel! Yeah I heard a bit…but I wanted to make sure I heard it right…” she added with a little laugh. “At first I thought they had said Lemming…and that’s not a creature I’d want to share a name with.”

When she heard the question she just laughed and smiled again. “Yeah no, we usually have really nice goblets and stuff…I mean something sketchy is going on since we don’t normally have plastic cutlery – heck I’m surprised the school knew what plastic cutlery and muggle Dixie cups were.” She chuckled. “I just hope that we still have pumpkin juice – I mean its so good and pumpkin spice is the best flavor” she just nodded as a final note.

Pumpkin spice was needed.u

SPOILER!!: Aquila

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steelsheen

Oh so this is a new student. Aquila beamed at the girl, she knew how it felt like to be new too. “Its good to meet you Raven. What school were you from?” as for her name, she had mentioned it already hasn’t she? Yes she most certainly did.



“Hello Mika!” the young Claw waved back. Ah yes the trouble with her name with this one “Yes its Ah-kee-lah” she grinned. Should she say something about her last name? Maybe they could cover that for later “I have your cupcakes here.” she added, patting the small purse she had stuffed with sweets “I have more candies too—from the trolley.” half of which she doesn’t even know what its about. All she knows is that she shouldn’t starve while they waited for food. If they’re even going to be fed.



“So you are named after a constellation-- The Hunter!” she beamed. That made his cool factor go past the stratosphere in manner of speaking “I was named after a constellation too—well ok named after my sponsor—but she was named after the constellation.” And that’s pretty much the only thing they had in common. She met the old woman, and she found her to be even scarier than the High Mother if that was even possible.

Oh but Mo—rather Orion—has started building himself a pyramid out of those blue cups “Oh! A temple.” Yes that is what she calls it, she learned all about those from the Priestesses see. “More cups? Like how much more?” she asked, with her hands already collecting her own cup and Garricks—because it didn’t look like Garrick would want his anyway—and parked them near the blue structure. And then he goes saying something else “Uhm... whatsa cat-a-pull?” perplexed now, she was starting to wonder if she should’ve insisted on bringing the temple cat.




Prefect Ethan. Got it. “Ohhhh so Professor Cerulean gives that.” she had little understanding of Prefect concepts beyond the shiny badge, so go easy on her. But she does understand that Cerulean was her House Mother while she was at this school. So alls good. So far. “My name is Aquila Llywellyn.” she recited happily “I came here last term, Beezus and Spike welcomed me.”



“Whyyy?” she murmured to the new boy, completely naïve of the concept of malicious things that can be done with smelling.

She tilted her head to the side, she didn’t consider younger years that cant transfigure the plates “Oh...” well to be honest, her skill aint that much better either.



So this wasnt a usual thing with Hogwarts? Ok now she was totally confused. And as she gazed to the next table she realized that they too had similar dinnerware with slightly different cup colors. She was starting to give up on figuring the why, and more of—can these things actually be eated off of. And then suddenly “Where will we have the soup?” Like the awesome pumpkin soup. They aren’t actually going to have to drink it off the blue glasses are they?



She returned a smile on the new girl “I’m in my 3rd year....” she replied with a tilt of her head. Another transfer, maybe what she did last term wasn’t so odd after all after all “I transferred too, last term, I’m in my 3rd year now.”Nod nod “Which school did you come from?”

SPOILER!!: Nigel

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The banner? It was only then that the blonde Claw looked up and noticed the banners looking frayed. “Ohhh...” she breathed as she sat all wide eyed. Because she was still relatively new around here she didn’t even notice the banners upkeep looking any different until it was mentioned. But now she has noticed a few things and started to mumble “Does Hogwarts need fixing?” totally innocent question there.

Mika flushed a bit as she realized yeah she had messed up Aquila’s name and well, her name had been said properly. Yeah, that was only mildly embarrassing. “Oh thanks so much” she smiled embarrassedly over to the girl.

Her cheeks were not pink. Nope, not at all. “I have to say I love your name its so unique.” She smiled brightly. She had meant EVERY word. She just laughed when she heard her say she already had the cupcakes. “Oh good, they won’t go to waste!” She beamed, not that they would. She had cupcakes and she was sitting next to Mo.

Enough said.

“You don’t know what a catapult it?” Mika asked grinning as she pointed at the spoon with cupcake expertly positioned. “Watch this.” She beamed as she made her palm connect with the edge of the spoon – keeping the spoon on the table the cupcake soared up UP UP and began to ark itself through the great hall. “Impedimenta” she slowed it down. “it’s the flinging device” she added, with a smile. “Wingardium leviosa” she spoke the spell – and that infamous flick and swish of the wand she aided the cupcake until it landed gently in front of Professor Flamsteed.

SPOILER!!: NIGEL

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

SPOILER!!: Mika

Still, she’d gotten herself a little distracted and spotted Nigel moments later. She hadn’t seen him all last term – well, because she’d been a little busy attaching herself to the Hufflepuff house like a barnacle. “NIGEL! Hey!” She beamed at the guy she had met during the issues of last term, “So how are things?” She asked him smiling brightly.

Nigel was busy being hungry and wondering about his dinnerware that he had not even realized until he heard his name call and turned around to see that Mika was at the table. Nigel smiled, he had not talked to Mika since probably the beginning of last term. "Hey Mika. Things are alright." Nigel said as he picked up the empty paper plate in front of him. " No food yet and i barely ate anything on the train. But how are you".

Nigel did not really want to continue talking about the banner and the non silverware that was on the table[/B]

SPOILER!!: Mo

"I thought I'd grown a beard and no one had told me," Mo stroked his chin. "Y'know? Like I'd suddenly turned 50 and had to be called by my proper name. Just Mo, please, Nigel. And yeah... seems like something might be up. But maybe it's just an adventure. Or the elves have the night off. What if they're celebrating a birthday or a wedding or something?"

Nigel started to imagine Mo with a fully grown beard and thought it would be possible in the future. Who knows maybe even next year he would have one.

"Sure Mo". Nigel said nodding, still think about Mo's imaginary beard. "Just don't try and grown one or everyone will start calling you Marcus since you would look older."

Nigel was beginning to like Mo's ideas about the elves having a night off or its an adventure. Nigel did like a good adventure. "It would be awesome if it was adventure." Nigel said agreeing with him.

SPOILER!!: Beezus

"I'm actually bothered by both." It was like whoever was doing this was trying to stray away from Hogwarts tradition and although it was true that change is the only constant thing in this world, Beezus could've hoped that they took it slow. Not like this. Like...Boom! You don't get to eat in silver anymore... O.o

"I miss our silvers." For over five years now. The silverware had always been her confidante during meal time. This was making her sad. Meh.

"I agree" Nigel told her. He had not really thought about the silverware before. He did not like eating with plastic silverware in a great hall. Maybe on a picnic, but not here. Now he was getting tried of this talk about the table, so he decided to change topics. "You going to try out for quidditch this term?" He start playing with the paper plates and plastic forks waiting for the food . He did not want to break anything and risk losing points.

SPOILER!!: Aquila

The banner? It was only then that the blonde Claw looked up and noticed the banners looking frayed. “Ohhh...” she breathed as she sat all wide eyed. Because she was still relatively new around here she didn’t even notice the banners upkeep looking any different until it was mentioned. But now she has noticed a few things and started to mumble “Does Hogwarts need fixing?” totally innocent question there.

Nigel was surprised that she not noticed the banner before. But whatever it was not important. At least they had a banner. Nigel start to think her question and agreed with her. But thought it was the groundskeeper who fixed stuff here at hogwarts.

"Maybe, but i always thought that it was the caretakers or groundskeepers job to do that." Nigel said shrugging. He had no idea really.

When she heard the talk about the Banner Mika just glanced up. What on earth had happened? Had someone raided the banner for string so they could make blankets out of it? Was the school hemorrhaging funds?

“Why…that’s strange, we should repair it” she commented to both Nigel and Aquila. “Have the caretakers had their hours cut?” She asked slightly confused. It was no lie the greathall didn’t look as grand as it had last time she’d been in there. She smiled over to Nigel again.

Because she was just a smiler.

“Yeah take some” she smiled and placed the box open on the table. She had more of course in her trunk. “I do have more that’s just for claws and all in my trunk”…which would now be in her room right? Waiting to be devoured? She just beamed.

“So did you do anything fun over summer?” She asked eager to talk of something non-icky dinnerware related.

MOMENT OF SURPRISE.

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..........

.....

Was this seriously happening? GWEN? HUGGING? HIM? No really. Seriously now. I mean....jdsafkaohslrumfrhsdklcfmwsk!

O__O

Not that it hasn't happened before. Sure, she probably hugged him once because he did ask for it...but NOW? The boy was dumbfounded, with his mouth hanging open a bit as his thoughts were trying to process this. Okay Zeke, enough surprise moments.

Once he got over it (which I may tell you is VERY hard for him, knowing how BIG his ego is) the brown haired boy with a blushing face that almost seemed like it belonged in the garden along with those thorned roses blinked twice just to make sure it happened. Yeah. It happened alright.

Anyway. "Uhmmmm," his eyes wandered off to the staff table. "Not sure really." Then he picked up one of the plastic sporks that were still inside some kind of plastic wrapping along with tissue in it and began playing with the, erm, plasticware. Or whatever you call it. What was it with those cheap utensils and whatnot? Come to think of it, he's ALWAYS been waiting eagerly for the speech for the reason that food comes after it. But hey, he wasn't doing that for a change.

Well actually it wasn't just because it's his last year and he wants to behave and be nice. The real reason was that he had bought some food at the trolley from the train and brought it along with him. So there's that. If he got hungry he had spare food. "Have you ever..."

Totally absent-minded. His mind was floating wherever. And what's about to come out of his mouth is COMPLETELY his subconscious speaking for he has no idea what he's saying...because once again, the guy spaced out into outer space...or someplace else while he continued to play with the spork with his hands. "...had a boyfriend?" Blank eyes. Empty expression. Poker face. Surely he still hasn't realized what he just said.

"Thanks!" Zyanya said to Gwen who had just come talked to her. It was the girl she had met at the platform. The one with the black cat. Just like Amara.

"Hello. Nice to see you again." She said to her. It was a relief to meet someone she already knew. "Did you find your cat then?" She asked.

Zyanya heard another friendly voice. He smiled at her. "Hi. I'm Zyanya." She said smiling.

"Oh, you're a prefect? That's cool. I want to be a prefect one day. Do you know how I can be one?" She asked excitedly.

Zyanya saw another girl being sorted into Ravenclaw. She saw her coming nervously and sitting down alone. She could understand how the first year must be feeling. She walked upto the girl and said, "Hi. I'm a first year too.. She raised her hand to shake it. "I'm Zyanya." She added with a smile. They were in the same year after all.

Zyanya was busy talking when she felt someone tap her. It was Amara. She grinned at her twin sister and would have hugged her if so many people had not been there. "Hello." She said with a smile.

But something was wrong. Her sister was a bit sad. She knew the reason for it too. She stood up and took her sister's hands. "It's okay, Amara. Gryffindor is a great house too. You'll like it." She said, though she knew her sister was not going to take it easy. She had wanted to be in Slytherin so badly.

"Yeah. Amara's in Gryffindor." She said smiling. She was already missing her sister. "Um, Why are you called Beezus?" She asked to the prefect. Maybe there was some story behind it.


"Oh, I'm glad to be in Ravenclaw. It is the exact house I wanted to be in." She said smiling. She remembered how her mom used to say about her days in Ravenclaw. Yes, she was very proud to be in Ravenclaw.

"I'm from England only. But my name is an Arabic word. Zyanya in Arabic means eternal. My dad has done a lot of travelling around the world. So he named me and my twin in Arabic." She said to Eliza. Well, their names sounded so different after all.

What was with the staring, people? She wasn't really all that late for the feast. The headmistress hadn't even started her speech yet! Which of course meant that there was no food which was always a sad fact. On the subject of food, Elise looked down only to find a paper plate and plastic cutlery in the place of the usual porcelain and silverware. What was all this? Were the house elves on strike or something? OR were they just going fully Muggle, cause Elise didn't do well in Muggle environments.

Elise heard something whizzing towards her and Quidditch instincts kicking in, raised her hand and caught the offending piece of plastic inches away from her face. "Wh-" she muttered under her breath before looking up at a very familiar and really quite charming Branxton. "Favouritest isn't a word, Mo," she smirked with a small shrug. And the boy called himself a Ravenclaw.

... "And thank you." Cue the tomato face.

Then it was Beezus who noticed her not-so-sneaky appearance. Shoot. She should've known that the prefect would have seen her slip into the seat about fifteen minutes later than she should have and demanded a solid reason for her disappearance. Classic Beezus style, complete with the Castell-Demanding-Face.

"At the lake," she said simply, not even offering very much of an explanation. "I needed some space to think." That was all, Bee. Honestly. Elise didn't lie, especially not about trivial things like these. There was nothing to worry about.

A girl looked at her and stared right back. What was I? Lion Exhibit? She was going on to grab everyone's attention, throwing wishes. Gah, she might as well stand up and give a might Claw lecture. Amara wasn't sure if she could stand that.

To be on a safer side and not to get infamous with Claw as yet, she nodded to the senior girl.

"'Ello" she called, in a rather low tone. As she turned away, she glimpsed the shiny batch. OH! Not another point docking senior.

And another. This was getting tough. "Mhmm" she nodded as she looked at the too-cheerful-for-good girl. Pride, pride. Was there any end to it? "Yeah, one with the PRIDE" she said, spite filling the syllables. Don't let the lions hear you.

She turned from the cheery girl to the hyper girl at the mention of 'twin'. How intelligent. Smirk. "OH, and she's sitting right across you" she said, in an amused voice. "Doesn't that surprise you?" Claws, claws. And again, a shiny batch. NO! Why were all the seniors she saw had a batch? Wishy-washy. Point dockers. Uh-huh.

She nodded at the acknowledgement. Uh-huh, she was getting touchy-feely now. Amara cringed a bit. "Yeah..yeah..I'm fine. Great" she said, withdrawing her hand from her twin's hold. "Yes, I heard a lot about liking the pride already, save your breath sissy" And she smiled. The den was fine with her. Really fine. But only, Snake-ness was SO in that it took time to get over. "I've had enough lecture" she said, sighing. Pathetic. "Next one to lecture me is dead" she added with a grin.

She looked around at the people. The claws were a sort of rather silent lot. Many were talking much, unlike the lions who were all up and roaring. "Sup" she said, clapping her hands. "How's it going?" She sure did like to know about her twin's progress. After all she wasn't very used to speaking with others, was she?

"And..before I forget.." she trailed. She stood up, bowed low and looked up at her twin. "..uhm, you're cordially invited to the Lions Dine-out table whenever you wish" Swish. Smirk. She grinned at her twin. "Fro says you're welcome to our table. Nats says 'Hi' and I say beware of the lion pride talks" Yeah, don't listen to them. Boring. "Heh, yes.. We three made it to the same place" So fun.

Niamh found herself disappointed that the girl she was talking to wasn't in the same year as Niamh. She felt that they could have been good friends. Oh well, maybe they still could be. "Beauxbatons; where did you used to study?" Niamh shook her head in jovial disbelief. She laughed a little. Realising that Aquila may have thought that Niamh was laughing at her for some reason, the blonde hastened to explain. "I'm sorry, I was just thinking how bizarre it is that so many people here have transferred from other schools. Hogwarts must be very popular!"

The new Ravenclaw nodded. "Though I'm not French." She smiled at Gwen. "Thanks. I'm Niamh." The blonde-haired teen fiddled with the hem of her robe. "Everyone here seems very nice." She said, nervously. Niamh would never have admitted it, but she was terribly afraid.

Niamh laughed. She really liked this boy; he didn't seem to have any of the stiffness that Niamh herself was used to. Normally she would have disapproved, but Hogwarts was renowned for being a more social school, that prided itself on fun, not etiquette, like Beauxbatons. He seemed to fit here perfectly. Mo didn't seem to mind playing around and having fun. He wasn't at all strict with himself, and to Niamh's surprise, she found she liked that. "She's called Nieth. But people always pronounce it wrong and call her Neeth." Niamh laughed again. "She hates it. She's nearly seven, but you'd never tell if you met her." Smiling at Mo again, Niamh said warmly, "Maybe I could watch you play some time?" Looking down at the table, Niamh noticed a spoon that hadn't been there a moment ago. Staring at it, a thought began to form in her mind. "I should have more fun," With an evil grin on her face, she picked up the nearest spoon. "What should I do with this?"

Niamh smiled. "It's nice to meet you." A split second later, she spotted the shiny badge decorating the older girl's robes. "Oh.." She gasped in surprise. "You're a Prefect! I'm sorry, I didn't notice that before." Niamh fidgeted a bit, out of nerves. She was always a bit funny around people of authority over her. Nervy Niamh had been the somewhat unkind nickname her peers had given her in her first year of school life. She sincerely hoped she wouldn't be given it here as well. Shaking herself, Niamh remembered that it was her own fault for acting stupidly and attempted to continue the conversation as she would have had she not spotted the badge. "Thanks, it means light or radiance." She added, in response to Beatrice's comment about her name.

O______o

If Aquila didn't bring it up, Beezus would NEVER had thought of that. Her eaglette was right. Where will they be putting the soup? The paper plate's were too shallow to be filled with something as soup. Merlin, Aquila and her was thinking the same thing now, eh? Which was: The soup will be in the cups. Please don't. Meh. "I.....have no idea but I do hope the Headmistress provides us with alternatives." Fingers crossed.

Beezus was still had her eyebrows together while she kept her eyes on the plasticwares that were scattered over the house tables yet she immediately snapped to face Nigel when he brought up Quidditch, her face contorted somewhat into an unreadable expression - almost a mixture of fear and guilt.

"Uhm. I....I....am not sure yet." Was it too obvious she was trying to avoid the subject? Inward sigh. "How about you?"

Another smile from Eliza? This gal seemed to never ran out of smiles. Of course, the brunette returned the gesture before moving on with the other people she was conversing with. She definitely had to talk to the younger eaglette soon. Maybe she can help out with the preparations.

Hmm. One of them curious folks. Beezus shifted in her seat to properly face the girl as she told her story. "Well...keeping it short, when my deceased sister was still very young, she couldn't say Beatrice. Whenever she said it, it would sound like Beezus. So, there you have it." Wink!

Oh, lookit! The twin was there. And there was something really different with this one than the one in their house. The Gryffindor twin was....feisty. That was totally not unusual around here. Offering her a smirk, "I don't see what's so surprising that. You're visiting your sister. It's actually sweet." Beezus may or may not have mixed that with a teeny tiny bit of sarcasm.

Beezus couldn't help but snort out a chuckle when Niamh noticed her badge. "Please don't apologize. It's okay, you know. I don't really like to flaunt it anyway." She reached out and patted the girl's arm for reassurance. But in all honesty, she didn't mind. It was fine if people didn't know what her position was. What's important was she was doing her responsibilities.

"Light or radiance? Wow. That's cool. My name means bringer of joy, apparently." More chuckling. Nah, just nah. Her? Bringer of joy? That was funny....more like trouble. "Oh, from what language is your name derived?" She just wanted to know. Curious Ravenclaw.

"Okay, but you should've told me or informed someone so we knew where to find you at least." No, she was not acting like she knew better. It was only a reminder because she was genuinely worried plus, she knew things that she was more than aware had pulled down her friend's spirits as of late.. "Also, you know that we are expected to proceed to the Great Hall and not wander around once we arrive at the school. You could have gotten in trouble." Beezus bit her lip after this but slowly smiled at Elise. "Please don't do that again." Pleeaaaase?

Zyanya grinned. She saw Amara cringe when tried to console her. Now she knew her sister was back to normal. That's what she had been aiming for. When Amara asked about her situation, she smiled proudly and said,"I know what you're thinking. But I have made some friends. Everyone here is so nice and friendly." She wanted to prove her sister wrong.

"Thanks for the invite. I'll visit there." She said with a sigh. "But its not fair. You three get to be together. Its easy for you." She knew Amara was trying to make her jealous. But she was not going to give in so easily. "But that won't be a problem. I have my own friends here now." She said to her sister, hands folded.


Deceased? Zyanya felt stupid for asking the question. Now she had probably upset Beezus. Obviously. She wanted to kick herself for even asking it. She didn't want to hurt anyone. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to hurt you."She said. But you have, you idiot. She realised it might be hard for her, especially with the talk on sisters. She tried to smile but realised it might be rude and said, "I really am sorry."

She did notice the smirk. Jeez Claws were close to the Lions. Huh. What did that lecture girl tell her about Claw smirk? Ah, never mind. As if I bother about it. She was now sure that this girl didn't know the difference between sarcasm and statements. Pity.

She wanted to keep her comments to herself, this one had a shiny prefect batch and Amara wasn't sure if she wanted to loose points just yet. She didn't want the already brooding lions to stare at wherever she went.

So, keep things as that. "Uh...how brainy" No, stop with that. She shook her head. This wasn't working well. Let's all skip the feelings part and jump to introduction. Yes. That way, no one is disturbed.

"I'm called Amara" she said, giving the girl a smirk+smile.

Amara nodded approvingly though she didn't understand what her twin meant by nice and friendly. Maybe they were good? Huh? "As long as you made friends" she said, still nodding. Everything is fine.

"Yeah..do come..maybe after the feast?" she suggested. Hunger was an important thing to be taken care of. Yesh, yesh. She really didn't bother about who was there in her house. She was fine with anyone. Really, anyone, even that lecture girl. "It doesn't matter and you know that" she said, looking at her twin. "Let's see if we have any combined class" she added. Surely her twin wanted to be with her. Did she?

Isobel smiled and waved back at the older Ravenclaw. She had no idea who she was, but always happy to accept a welcome! Gosh, everyone here was a lot nicer than expected! Hopefully they'd stay that way, and she wouldn't find that half the House hated her behind her back or something. That would be pretty awful.

"Yeah, I've gotten that a few times." It was kind of annoying, honestly, though Isobel supposed it wasn't necessarily their fault for mishearing. "Lemmings kind of creep me out, to be honest. I hate rodents." Why, exactly, did rats have to be an acceptable pet for Hogwarts students to have? Their weird, fleshy tails and skittery feet made her feel... eugh.

"Okay, well I'm glad it's not how things usually are, at least." Paper plates were cool and all, but they kind of killed the Hogwarts mood. A mystical, magical school, with a starry ceiling, floating candles and... plastic forks. Not all that cool-sounding. "I wonder why things are different this year." Perhaps the food would be compromised as well? Isobel hoped not, she'd heard its praise from her father often, usually griping about how he wished he had a house-elf. "I've never had pumpkin juice, but I hear it tastes delicious!"

Isobel stood up to shake hands with her fellow first year, smiling politely back. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Isobel." Huh. She could honestly say she'd never heard the name Zyanya before. It was pretty, though! "So, being a first year, are you as excited about actually being at Hogwarts as I am?" because let me tell you, she was pretty freaking excited.

Ethan's smile widened just a bit as the girl beamed back at him. She seemed awfully friendly and he chuckled a bit at her words. "I'm sure you're right.." he said with a shrug, especially since she was a housemate.. but who knew, really. There were a lot of people at Hogwarts, then add the people he knew at Beauxbatons. He was bound to forget someone he had met.

Still smiling a bit, he nodded as she then gave her own name. Oh.. but too many choices. He wasn't good at thinking up nicknames for other people, really.. and was Mika a shortened version of Amelia? It didn't really sound it.. "Nice to meet you too.. Mika." That was the choice he settled on as it seemed remotely familiar.. perhaps he heard someone else call her that in the common room or something?

Then he caught part of her conversation to Benjy. She was joking, right? Shaking his head, he told the girl, "Sorry, can't advocate the launching of cupcakes or.. really any food, for that matter." No matter how hilarious that might be.. just no to the food throwing? "Of course, cupcakes for eating purposes are an entirely different matter," he added with a grin.

Ethan nodded happily in return. "That we will.." He was rather excited to squeeze in a bit of fun between studying for NEWTs and he was happy to have found at least one Claw up for a good time. He glanced over to Benjy with dawning realization when Garrick nudged him. "Oh.. I didn't realize you two were related.. Good to know," he grinned. So the three of them could walk the walls now. He wondered if anyone else in their house could as well.

Ethan nodded at Christmas, agreeing that it did sound good.. probably because it was a good summer. Even better than the one before, he thought would be a fair bet. "So, going out for the team again? I got a fair amount of practice in over the summer," he said with a knowing smirk. They were competitors after all.

Ethan mirrored the younger girl's smile, but there was something about what she said that he could tell she was less than excited to be here. So, fourth year.. yes, that was about what he thought. Nodding a bit as Niamh spoke, he said, "I think you will like it here.. but it's understandable if it takes some time. I know it took me a while before I actually thought of Hogwarts as my school." He thought back to those first days as a newly transferred fifth year. Though he considered himself to be a remotely friendly bloke, it did take time to make friends, though now he wouldn't have it any other way. "Do you mind me asking why you transferred?"

Ethan glanced up again as another Ravenclaw was sorted, another girl.. seriously, where were all the new blokes? Not that he had anything against girls, he was just wondering.. Giving her a friendly smile as the girl approached the table, the 17 year old watched her for a moment as she sat down. She seemed a little nervous,which was understandable. Greeting the newly sorted Claw, he said, "Hi, there.. Welcome to Ravenclaw. I'm Ethan.."

While talking to Benjy, Ethan couldn't help but to have his attention diverted to the boy's toad as it sat in the cup.. funny little thing. "Hmm..?" he began as he heard the younger Claw address him and he turned his eyes back to the boy. "Oh.. right, shopping," the seventh year chuckled as he gestured to his new robes. "I did manage to get it all done just in time.. you too, I suppose?" The clothes shopping was the worst and why he put it off till last, though he was rather thankful it went off without a hitch even if the lines took forever.

Ethan frowned as he looked down at his own plate. Benjy had a fair point and it wasn't one that Ethan liked at all. He was hungry, his grumbling tummy confirmed that. "Well.. I imagine we will get fed.." he began slowly, though not very confidently at this point. "Else they wouldn't give us any place settings at all, right? Though with the state of them, I'm beginning to wonder exactly what we will be fed.." The last few feasts had been rather extravagant.. well, by the time they actually got to eat.. but if the place settings and the shabby state of the banner were any sign of things to come.. But as to who was cooking if the elves weren't, he couldn't answer that.

Ethan chuckled a bit. He had only been joking about the icebreaker theory, though it did seem to do the trick.. everyone was talking about it, good or bad. He nodded at Nigel's words. "You're probably right.. She'll probably have something to say about it in her speech." At least he hoped she did and didn't try to pretend like everything was normal. He lifted his eyes to the Staff table. She didn't look too thrilled, but he supposed it wasn't an expression much different from the one he normally saw from her.

Ethan nodded a bit during the conversation. Great summer, Diagon Alley.. seemed like the typical response. "Oh, really?" The boy's interest was slightly piqued at the mention of Gwen's traveling. "Which part of France? I have family there.. and I actually went to Beauxbatons a few years before coming here." When the question was turned on him, Ethan smiled a bit nostalgically thinking about it. "Oh, my summer was great.. Went to the US to visit Minerva for a couple weeks, then back home to Germany. We both had jobs there and got in some Quidditch training." They were busy.. but it was a great time and he wished it didn't have to end.

Ethan's eyes followed another young girl as she walked over to the table. A first year, possibly.. she seemed young enough.. though he was fairly sure she hadn't been sorted into Ravenclaw. Gryffindor, perhaps..? He thought he had seen her come from that table and she seemed to know one of the newly sorted Claws. Shrug. He could be friendly either way. "Hello there," he nodded to the little guest at their table before lifting his eyes to the staff table again. Still didn't look like the speech was going to be anytime soon.. which meant no food anytime soon. Sigh.

Ethan lifted his eyes as someone else came over to the table.. oh, the new Quidditch Captain. Was she literally the last person to come through the door? He watched her curiously as she sat down, not bothering to comment on her tardiness.. that was her own business. Instead he graced Elise with a friendly smile and nod as she greeted the table. "Hey there, Captain.. Got everything ready for Quidditch?" Which reminded him.. "I think I know of someone who'd be a good addition to the team.." Though of course that part was up to her, being captain and all, but he could certainly lead a new player in the right direction, yeah?

Ethan raised an eyebrow as Mo flipped a spoon alongside the table. Bored..? Perhaps, and he could hardly blame the little bloke.. the feasts were rather dull especially since they waited forever to actually feed them.. but flying projectiles in crowd this size probably wasn't the kid's best idea. As long as it stayed to the table though, probably wouldn't do much harm..

He tilted his head slightly when the boy spoke. At least he was honest.. most people seemed to give the same stock answer when faced with that question. Still.. "Sorry to hear that.. you'll be ok? Anything I can do to help you out?" He nodded at his words. "No time like the present, right?" And all that tomorrow is a new day stuff.. It often sounded trite, but he did believe it to an extent. And then.. Ethan's eyes followed the path of the plastic utensil as it flied across the Great Hall, then he turned back to Mo.

"As cool as your contraption is," he said, glancing down at the little catapult, which he had to admit was pretty awesome. "I don't think it's a good idea to send the table settings across the room" he said with a shrug. "You know, if you hit the wrong person, you might start a plastic cutlery war.." Though now that he said it aloud, it sounded remotely entertaining and he probably wasn't dissuading the younger boy at all now. "Besides, you need those things to eat with.. do you really want to use them now that they've been on the floor?" At least that much was enough to turn Ethan off of it, plastic was bad enough without it being on the floor previously, which looked far dirtier than usual.

"Great summer.." he said with a nod. "Did some traveling, some working.. still managed to have time for fun though. Oh, and got in some Quidditch training, so yes.. I will be going out for the team again," he grinned, also happy that Mo would be doing the same. They had a great team last year, would be equally as great if some of the same players were there this year as well.

Ethan watched the girl for a moment as she seemed to be trying to place him as well. He tried to think back over his shopping excursions to Diagon Alley. Had she told him her name then? He didn't think so, and if she had, he didn't remember.. "Yeah, Ravenclaw is a great house to be in.." he said with a grin. Then he hesitated, not wanting to be rude, but he had to ask. "Sorry.. I didn't catch your name.."

Ethan nodded. Yeah, it was plastic.. he knew that. It was a muggle thing, yeah? But he had gotten familiar with muggle things recently.. "I don't care much for it either," he agreed with Beezus' words. Not that because it was muggle-ish, but more because it seemed so cheap. He shrugged. "I don't know.. I mean, what happened to the plates and things we normally have? Why get something new?" And a downgrade at that. Shrugging again, he said, "It's whatever, I guess.. I'm just hungry. I hope the Headmistress gets on with her speech so we can eat. Then maybe she'll explain."

Ethan nodded to the younger Claw as she understood his words. "Yeah, from our Head of House." Though he wasn't completely sure if she made that decision on her own or if it was a collaboration. "Nice to meet you, Aquila Llywellyn," he said as she offered her name. "I do remember seeing you last term.. common room, perhaps." Oh, he sorta felt bad as she told him that the other prefects ad welcomed her.. he supposed he should have to. But he would get to know her now. "So are you a second year, then?" Though she did seem a bit older than that, maybe a transfer last term?

Ethan's grin turned into laughter as Eliza described his aunt. "Yes, really into Quidditch.. that's certainly one way to describe it." He knew she was just crazy about the game and thought everyone else should be as well, even to the point where she was just plain annoying at times. "Honestly, I think she just likes to have the chance to play again.. I know she doesn't much anymore. But she seems to like training younger players.. especially Ravenclaws," he added with a wink. She had really whipped him into shape last summer.. and somewhat this past summer as well. "Well, I'm glad you're going to try out," he continued. "I do think you did rather well over the summer.. was it your first time playing? Especially so if then.." He was starting to get excited thinking of the upcoming season.. funny, he had never been this into the game until he started playing for Ravenclaw last term. He made a mental note to introduce Eliza to Elise later. He really thought she might be an asset to the team.

Ethan listened as Eliza sorted out her own thoughts aloud on the poorly condition of their table as he continued looking at his own place setting. No, he was fairly sure it wasn't any sort of punishment and the magic..? He looked up at her at the mention. "No, I don't think that's it either," he started slowly. Magic just didn't work that way, did it? He did know that charms could lose their effectiveness over time and that sometimes magic couldn't be used if there were certain protections in place, but those sorts of things didn't seem to be the case here. What would be the point of coming here anyway if magic couldn't be used? "I do think it has to do with the money somehow.. but that much money? I don't think it was just used improperly.." He frowned then picked up the disposable plate to look at it. "Besides.. what happened to the plates we had from last term? They should already be here.. not like they would have to use money on them.." No, something really odd was going on and it was starting to gnaw away at him. He nodded to her last words. "Me too.. hopefully the headmistress will speak soon so we can eat.. and maybe she'll explain."
As he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye, Ethan turned and his eyes widened in horror to see a cupcake flying through the air. Oh, no she didn't! He watched, a bit stunned as it soared to the staff table, then watched curiously as Mika hit the cupcake with several spells before it landed in front of Professor Flamsteed. He blinked, then looked at the professor for any sort of reaction and, finding none, turned back to the younger Claw girl. "So.. the spellwork was pretty impressive.." he started with an amused smirk. "And I have to say that's an interesting way to deliver sweets.." He leaned closer. "But please don't do that again.. you don't want to give anyone else any ideas." Because then there would be a food fight for sure. Thankfully it had worked out though and there was not icing all over Flamsteed's suit or Trubridge's hair. Oh what were these little Claws doing to himalready, just on the first day back?

"Nice to meet you, Zyanya," Ethan said, returning the girl's smile. He tilted his head to listen to her a bit, then chuckled lightly. "Well, first you have to be older.. at least fifth year. And I guess you just need to be a good leader, someone for younger students to look up to.." He paused for a moment. Was that really him though? Apparently Cerulean thought so, but he wasn't completely sure about her at times.. "Just do your best at school and be a good friend to other students.." That was good advice for anyone though, yeah?

At first when Tora sat down at the Ravenclaw table, her new House, she didn't recognize anyone. Then Isobel had been sorted (also to Ravenclaw!) and had sat down next to another familiar figure a little ways away. Was that...? Yes- it was! Tora got up and moved next to Isobel squeezing herself inbetween her and another student.
"Hey Isobel! You got Ravenclaw too? I really tried to convince that Hat that I was a Hufflepuff, but it wouldn't listen..." Tora said to Isobel, then continued turning to the familiar figure she had noticed earlier. "I don't know if you remember me- but we met at Ollivanders? Hi!"

Tora was starving. She looked down at the table settings and wondered why they were all... cheap? Gram hadn't mentioned anything about plastic and paper placeware. Maybe it was a new thing... Tora's mind went spinning off into all the possible reasons she could think of that would answer the question: Why?

Christmas smiled at Ethan and said "Yeah that is my plan to try out for the team again, just need to get out onto the pitch again to get the rust out i haven't flown much all summer"

Taylor yawned and sat down at the Ravenclaw table. She pushed around her food, not paying much attention at all to the people around her.

Almost immediately after the Headmistress finishes her speech, the tables in the Great Hall are suddenly filled with food. But the first thing you will notice is that the food doesn’t seem to have its usual deliciously glowing aura about it. The food seems rather mediocre at best. In fact, the chicken is dry and flavorless, the mashed potatoes are a sloppy, boring mess, the broccoli hardly seems cooked at all - and there’s not even cheese on it! And on top of that, the butterless bread looks more like bricks of charcoal. Not only does the food look and taste somewhat unappetizing, there’s hardly any variety.

On the bright side, there’s loads of ice cream! Bowls and bowls and bowls of ice cream have appeared along the center of the table amongst the lousy dinner dishes. Good thing your mother isn’t here to make sure you eat your undercooked broccoli before dessert!

Ticket taker? This got a head tilt in her general direction. "No. Can't say I did... We have never had a ticket taker before." And with the state of thing around the school he found it hard to believe that they would take on another person to pay... Ridiculous.

"My summer was great, though. We went to the beach and stuff. It was great." BEAMS. "How was yours?"




Garrick watched the toad for a long minute before turning to smile at his cousin. "My hair is always perfect... Not even a moron patting me could mess it up" HMPH.

"I certainly hope she doesn't find it to be appropriate behaviour. I am not keen on being treated like a child by someone one year older than myself." Not. Cool.

FIDGET. "Nahhh. I wasn't alone per say. Lotus found me." He squirmed a little bit and looked toward the Hufflepuff table once again. Heh. And the TOAD. Hehehe. "He's always been able to move faster than you can pay attention to him, Ben."

And back to Transfiguration talk. "Well I am sure we COULD. Or I could at least. I am better at Transfiguration than you are." Might have been a challenge, that. "Oooh the Sticky Trainers. We should all try them. But we'll have to make sure there are no fun suckers around." There may have been a pointed look directed at a certain girl... Miiiiiight.

"One can tell if dishes have been cleaned... and clothes..." Was this kid simple or something? Garrick was suddenly disinterested in him. Be gone.

Garrick blinked a few times at the girl with the weird hair. "Even smelling things can make you sick." Where was the crazy crop of Ravenclaws coming from? Merlin.

"Would you like me to Transfigure your plate for you?" he asked with a beaming Ogden smile in place. He was guessing she would like something she could see herself in. Most girls liked to look at themselves anyway...

Garrick felt someone staring at him...

Turning around he looked at... the one from the train. The barger. The one who probably thought Garrick was some crazy violent thing. SIGHS.

Giving her a small smile he nodded in her direction. She would have to see for herself that family could fight and be okay...

Smiling brightly at Ethan he nodded his head. "Yep. Cousins. We have always been around one another, though. More like siblings." He liked Benjy more than his own brother anyway. Heh.

"And like I said, we'll do some fun stuff. As long as we can do so without interruption." Yeah, Beezus, that was kind of directed at you. She seemed to be WAY too wound up and hell bent on making everyone miserable. HMPH.

Nigel could tell that she did not really want to talk about quidditch that much. So Nigel told her. "I'm thinking about it. But i don't know for sure if i am going to try out yet." He continued to play with the plates still waiting for food.



Nigel looked at the box wondering what type of wonderful food was inside. HE looked inside and saw some amazing cupcakes. "These look amazing". Nigel beamed. He was really hungry after all. He took one and immediately started to eat it. After a minute it was gone and he went on to answer Mika's question.

"My summer was alright. I did not do much other than read and see some awesome movies. What about you. Do anything interesting over the summer?"

Nigel wanted to ask her for another. But he did not want to seem like a pig.



Nigel agreed with Ethan. He would just wait till the speech and forget about it till then. "So how was your summer?".

Nigel could not wait for the semester to start after his boring summer.


FINALLY the food was here. Nigel took one look down and was disappointed. It looked like leftovers. Bad leftovers. Like the kind that sit in your fridge for weeks because you forgot about it.

The only bright spot was there was a ton of ice cream. Nigel could give with that if he was a first year. But he want something of substance to eat. Not just Ice Cream. The chicken looked dry and pretty bad. Maybe chicken and ice cream together.

Nigel took some chicken and mashed potatoes and put them on his plate. He then took some ice cream and pour on the chicken and potatoes. This might turn out to either be an awesome idea or a horrible one.

Nigel took one bite and thought it was not that bad and could be a lot worse.

He didn't seem to remember where he met her either, which kind of pleased Raven a little. "Sorry, my name is Raven. Fits my house." She laughed. "What is your name? Ethan, right? And you're a fourth year?" At least that is what she thought he told her at the Quidditch shop. She remembered his name now, just not his year.



Well that sounded a little unfair to her. Adults weren't going to Hogwarts, so the students should get to have a bigger say. Then again, Raven hadn't voted at all and she didn't even know the names of the governors that won. She glanced towards the table again. "Who are the new teachers?"

"Thanks, nice to meet you too." Raven grinned back at her. "Um..my school was just called the Romanian School of Witchcraft. It was an all girls school. I didn't really like it, there was a nasty older girl named Jo-Jo who had a gang who picked on everyone. I like Hogwarts so far much better." She looked up at the table. "Are any of these teachers new?"

"I don't have any brothers or sisters or anything like that who came here. My uncle came here when he went to school, but I don't think you would remember him." Haha. "It was his idea. The main reason I transferred was because my parents had to move to Scotland, so I couldn't really keep going there. But I like that I switched. The other school was dominated by a bully teacher. She used to be a student but then she went right on became a teacher. Everyone knew she was a dark witch, but no one could prove it. She could make life miserable for everyone. I like it much better here, and I've only been here a few days."

Enough about her. "Do you know anyone here?"


Raven was starting to feel even hungrier than she was. So maybe flipping the spoon didn't help, but she was glad she had done it. Still, she ignored the growling in her stomach for now because she was plenty occupied talking to all the awesome ravens.

Just then the food appeared. Finally! She took some of the closest foods and inhaled first and then tasted it. Eh...maybe it wasn't THE best, but she was still hungry.

Then she saw the ice cream. "YAAAAAAAAYYYYYY!!!" She screamed and took a large helping. This was perfect. "Thank you house elves!"

SPOILER!!: Amara

Quote:

Originally Posted by dansgurl

A girl looked at her and stared right back. What was I? Lion Exhibit? She was going on to grab everyone's attention, throwing wishes. Gah, she might as well stand up and give a might Claw lecture. Amara wasn't sure if she could stand that.

To be on a safer side and not to get infamous with Claw as yet, she nodded to the senior girl.

"'Ello" she called, in a rather low tone. As she turned away, she glimpsed the shiny batch. OH! Not another point docking senior.



And another. This was getting tough. "Mhmm" she nodded as she looked at the too-cheerful-for-good girl. Pride, pride. Was there any end to it? "Yeah, one with the PRIDE" she said, spite filling the syllables. Don't let the lions hear you.



She turned from the cheery girl to the hyper girl at the mention of 'twin'. How intelligent. Smirk. "OH, and she's sitting right across you" she said, in an amused voice. "Doesn't that surprise you?" Claws, claws. And again, a shiny batch. NO! Why were all the seniors she saw had a batch? Wishy-washy. Point dockers. Uh-huh.



She nodded at the acknowledgement. Uh-huh, she was getting touchy-feely now. Amara cringed a bit. "Yeah..yeah..I'm fine. Great" she said, withdrawing her hand from her twin's hold. "Yes, I heard a lot about liking the pride already, save your breath sissy" And she smiled. The den was fine with her. Really fine. But only, Snake-ness was SO in that it took time to get over. "I've had enough lecture" she said, sighing. Pathetic. "Next one to lecture me is dead" she added with a grin.

She looked around at the people. The claws were a sort of rather silent lot. Many were talking much, unlike the lions who were all up and roaring. "Sup" she said, clapping her hands. "How's it going?" She sure did like to know about her twin's progress. After all she wasn't very used to speaking with others, was she?

"And..before I forget.." she trailed. She stood up, bowed low and looked up at her twin. "..uhm, you're cordially invited to the Lions Dine-out table whenever you wish" Swish. Smirk. She grinned at her twin. "Fro says you're welcome to our table. Nats says 'Hi' and I say beware of the lion pride talks" Yeah, don't listen to them. Boring. "Heh, yes.. We three made it to the same place" So fun.

Mika just glanced over to Amara and smiled kindly. “Well I hope they treat you well over there” she chuckled, “you ugh want a cupcake?” She asked kindly. She brushed her hand through her hair and glanced over at the girl once more.

SPOILER!!: Isobel

Quote:

Originally Posted by aaetha

Isobel smiled and waved back at the older Ravenclaw. She had no idea who she was, but always happy to accept a welcome! Gosh, everyone here was a lot nicer than expected! Hopefully they'd stay that way, and she wouldn't find that half the House hated her behind her back or something. That would be pretty awful.



"Yeah, I've gotten that a few times." It was kind of annoying, honestly, though Isobel supposed it wasn't necessarily their fault for mishearing. "Lemmings kind of creep me out, to be honest. I hate rodents." Why, exactly, did rats have to be an acceptable pet for Hogwarts students to have? Their weird, fleshy tails and skittery feet made her feel... eugh.

"Okay, well I'm glad it's not how things usually are, at least." Paper plates were cool and all, but they kind of killed the Hogwarts mood. A mystical, magical school, with a starry ceiling, floating candles and... plastic forks. Not all that cool-sounding. "I wonder why things are different this year." Perhaps the food would be compromised as well? Isobel hoped not, she'd heard its praise from her father often, usually griping about how he wished he had a house-elf. "I've never had pumpkin juice, but I hear it tastes delicious!"



Isobel stood up to shake hands with her fellow first year, smiling politely back. "It's nice to meet you! I'm Isobel." Huh. She could honestly say she'd never heard the name Zyanya before. It was pretty, though! "So, being a first year, are you as excited about actually being at Hogwarts as I am?" because let me tell you, she was pretty freaking excited.

Mika smiled over to the little Isobel as she commented about hating rodents. “Yeah I completely get that” she chuckled and ran her hand through her hair. “I have no idea why it is different, I mean…I guess it could have something to do with that grumpy ticket man” she grumbled slightly as she brought up Mr. Akumu.

“Yeah its pretty good hopefully they have some when the food finally comes” she chuckled and smiled brightly.

SPOILER!!: Ethan

Quote:

Originally Posted by emjay

Ethan's smile widened just a bit as the girl beamed back at him. She seemed awfully friendly and he chuckled a bit at her words. "I'm sure you're right.." he said with a shrug, especially since she was a housemate.. but who knew, really. There were a lot of people at Hogwarts, then add the people he knew at Beauxbatons. He was bound to forget someone he had met.

Still smiling a bit, he nodded as she then gave her own name. Oh.. but too many choices. He wasn't good at thinking up nicknames for other people, really.. and was Mika a shortened version of Amelia? It didn't really sound it.. "Nice to meet you too.. Mika." That was the choice he settled on as it seemed remotely familiar.. perhaps he heard someone else call her that in the common room or something?

Then he caught part of her conversation to Benjy. She was joking, right? Shaking his head, he told the girl, "Sorry, can't advocate the launching of cupcakes or.. really any food, for that matter." No matter how hilarious that might be.. just no to the food throwing? "Of course, cupcakes for eating purposes are an entirely different matter," he added with a grin.

Ethan nodded happily in return. "That we will.." He was rather excited to squeeze in a bit of fun between studying for NEWTs and he was happy to have found at least one Claw up for a good time. He glanced over to Benjy with dawning realization when Garrick nudged him. "Oh.. I didn't realize you two were related.. Good to know," he grinned. So the three of them could walk the walls now. He wondered if anyone else in their house could as well.

Ethan nodded at Christmas, agreeing that it did sound good.. probably because it was a good summer. Even better than the one before, he thought would be a fair bet. "So, going out for the team again? I got a fair amount of practice in over the summer," he said with a knowing smirk. They were competitors after all.

Ethan mirrored the younger girl's smile, but there was something about what she said that he could tell she was less than excited to be here. So, fourth year.. yes, that was about what he thought. Nodding a bit as Niamh spoke, he said, "I think you will like it here.. but it's understandable if it takes some time. I know it took me a while before I actually thought of Hogwarts as my school." He thought back to those first days as a newly transferred fifth year. Though he considered himself to be a remotely friendly bloke, it did take time to make friends, though now he wouldn't have it any other way. "Do you mind me asking why you transferred?"

Ethan glanced up again as another Ravenclaw was sorted, another girl.. seriously, where were all the new blokes? Not that he had anything against girls, he was just wondering.. Giving her a friendly smile as the girl approached the table, the 17 year old watched her for a moment as she sat down. She seemed a little nervous,which was understandable. Greeting the newly sorted Claw, he said, "Hi, there.. Welcome to Ravenclaw. I'm Ethan.."

While talking to Benjy, Ethan couldn't help but to have his attention diverted to the boy's toad as it sat in the cup.. funny little thing. "Hmm..?" he began as he heard the younger Claw address him and he turned his eyes back to the boy. "Oh.. right, shopping," the seventh year chuckled as he gestured to his new robes. "I did manage to get it all done just in time.. you too, I suppose?" The clothes shopping was the worst and why he put it off till last, though he was rather thankful it went off without a hitch even if the lines took forever.

Ethan frowned as he looked down at his own plate. Benjy had a fair point and it wasn't one that Ethan liked at all. He was hungry, his grumbling tummy confirmed that. "Well.. I imagine we will get fed.." he began slowly, though not very confidently at this point. "Else they wouldn't give us any place settings at all, right? Though with the state of them, I'm beginning to wonder exactly what we will be fed.." The last few feasts had been rather extravagant.. well, by the time they actually got to eat.. but if the place settings and the shabby state of the banner were any sign of things to come.. But as to who was cooking if the elves weren't, he couldn't answer that.

Ethan chuckled a bit. He had only been joking about the icebreaker theory, though it did seem to do the trick.. everyone was talking about it, good or bad. He nodded at Nigel's words. "You're probably right.. She'll probably have something to say about it in her speech." At least he hoped she did and didn't try to pretend like everything was normal. He lifted his eyes to the Staff table. She didn't look too thrilled, but he supposed it wasn't an expression much different from the one he normally saw from her.

Ethan nodded a bit during the conversation. Great summer, Diagon Alley.. seemed like the typical response. "Oh, really?" The boy's interest was slightly piqued at the mention of Gwen's traveling. "Which part of France? I have family there.. and I actually went to Beauxbatons a few years before coming here." When the question was turned on him, Ethan smiled a bit nostalgically thinking about it. "Oh, my summer was great.. Went to the US to visit Minerva for a couple weeks, then back home to Germany. We both had jobs there and got in some Quidditch training." They were busy.. but it was a great time and he wished it didn't have to end.

Ethan's eyes followed another young girl as she walked over to the table. A first year, possibly.. she seemed young enough.. though he was fairly sure she hadn't been sorted into Ravenclaw. Gryffindor, perhaps..? He thought he had seen her come from that table and she seemed to know one of the newly sorted Claws. Shrug. He could be friendly either way. "Hello there," he nodded to the little guest at their table before lifting his eyes to the staff table again. Still didn't look like the speech was going to be anytime soon.. which meant no food anytime soon. Sigh.

Ethan lifted his eyes as someone else came over to the table.. oh, the new Quidditch Captain. Was she literally the last person to come through the door? He watched her curiously as she sat down, not bothering to comment on her tardiness.. that was her own business. Instead he graced Elise with a friendly smile and nod as she greeted the table. "Hey there, Captain.. Got everything ready for Quidditch?" Which reminded him.. "I think I know of someone who'd be a good addition to the team.." Though of course that part was up to her, being captain and all, but he could certainly lead a new player in the right direction, yeah?

Ethan raised an eyebrow as Mo flipped a spoon alongside the table. Bored..? Perhaps, and he could hardly blame the little bloke.. the feasts were rather dull especially since they waited forever to actually feed them.. but flying projectiles in crowd this size probably wasn't the kid's best idea. As long as it stayed to the table though, probably wouldn't do much harm..

He tilted his head slightly when the boy spoke. At least he was honest.. most people seemed to give the same stock answer when faced with that question. Still.. "Sorry to hear that.. you'll be ok? Anything I can do to help you out?" He nodded at his words. "No time like the present, right?" And all that tomorrow is a new day stuff.. It often sounded trite, but he did believe it to an extent. And then.. Ethan's eyes followed the path of the plastic utensil as it flied across the Great Hall, then he turned back to Mo.

"As cool as your contraption is," he said, glancing down at the little catapult, which he had to admit was pretty awesome. "I don't think it's a good idea to send the table settings across the room" he said with a shrug. "You know, if you hit the wrong person, you might start a plastic cutlery war.." Though now that he said it aloud, it sounded remotely entertaining and he probably wasn't dissuading the younger boy at all now. "Besides, you need those things to eat with.. do you really want to use them now that they've been on the floor?" At least that much was enough to turn Ethan off of it, plastic was bad enough without it being on the floor previously, which looked far dirtier than usual.

"Great summer.." he said with a nod. "Did some traveling, some working.. still managed to have time for fun though. Oh, and got in some Quidditch training, so yes.. I will be going out for the team again," he grinned, also happy that Mo would be doing the same. They had a great team last year, would be equally as great if some of the same players were there this year as well.

Ethan watched the girl for a moment as she seemed to be trying to place him as well. He tried to think back over his shopping excursions to Diagon Alley. Had she told him her name then? He didn't think so, and if she had, he didn't remember.. "Yeah, Ravenclaw is a great house to be in.." he said with a grin. Then he hesitated, not wanting to be rude, but he had to ask. "Sorry.. I didn't catch your name.."

Ethan nodded. Yeah, it was plastic.. he knew that. It was a muggle thing, yeah? But he had gotten familiar with muggle things recently.. "I don't care much for it either," he agreed with Beezus' words. Not that because it was muggle-ish, but more because it seemed so cheap. He shrugged. "I don't know.. I mean, what happened to the plates and things we normally have? Why get something new?" And a downgrade at that. Shrugging again, he said, "It's whatever, I guess.. I'm just hungry. I hope the Headmistress gets on with her speech so we can eat. Then maybe she'll explain."

Ethan nodded to the younger Claw as she understood his words. "Yeah, from our Head of House." Though he wasn't completely sure if she made that decision on her own or if it was a collaboration. "Nice to meet you, Aquila Llywellyn," he said as she offered her name. "I do remember seeing you last term.. common room, perhaps." Oh, he sorta felt bad as she told him that the other prefects ad welcomed her.. he supposed he should have to. But he would get to know her now. "So are you a second year, then?" Though she did seem a bit older than that, maybe a transfer last term?

Ethan's grin turned into laughter as Eliza described his aunt. "Yes, really into Quidditch.. that's certainly one way to describe it." He knew she was just crazy about the game and thought everyone else should be as well, even to the point where she was just plain annoying at times. "Honestly, I think she just likes to have the chance to play again.. I know she doesn't much anymore. But she seems to like training younger players.. especially Ravenclaws," he added with a wink. She had really whipped him into shape last summer.. and somewhat this past summer as well. "Well, I'm glad you're going to try out," he continued. "I do think you did rather well over the summer.. was it your first time playing? Especially so if then.." He was starting to get excited thinking of the upcoming season.. funny, he had never been this into the game until he started playing for Ravenclaw last term. He made a mental note to introduce Eliza to Elise later. He really thought she might be an asset to the team.

Ethan listened as Eliza sorted out her own thoughts aloud on the poorly condition of their table as he continued looking at his own place setting. No, he was fairly sure it wasn't any sort of punishment and the magic..? He looked up at her at the mention. "No, I don't think that's it either," he started slowly. Magic just didn't work that way, did it? He did know that charms could lose their effectiveness over time and that sometimes magic couldn't be used if there were certain protections in place, but those sorts of things didn't seem to be the case here. What would be the point of coming here anyway if magic couldn't be used? "I do think it has to do with the money somehow.. but that much money? I don't think it was just used improperly.." He frowned then picked up the disposable plate to look at it. "Besides.. what happened to the plates we had from last term? They should already be here.. not like they would have to use money on them.." No, something really odd was going on and it was starting to gnaw away at him. He nodded to her last words. "Me too.. hopefully the headmistress will speak soon so we can eat.. and maybe she'll explain."
As he caught a movement out of the corner of his eye, Ethan turned and his eyes widened in horror to see a cupcake flying through the air. Oh, no she didn't! He watched, a bit stunned as it soared to the staff table, then watched curiously as Mika hit the cupcake with several spells before it landed in front of Professor Flamsteed. He blinked, then looked at the professor for any sort of reaction and, finding none, turned back to the younger Claw girl. "So.. the spellwork was pretty impressive.." he started with an amused smirk. "And I have to say that's an interesting way to deliver sweets.." He leaned closer. "But please don't do that again.. you don't want to give anyone else any ideas." Because then there would be a food fight for sure. Thankfully it had worked out though and there was not icing all over Flamsteed's suit or Trubridge's hair. Oh what were these little Claws doing to himalready, just on the first day back?

"Nice to meet you, Zyanya," Ethan said, returning the girl's smile. He tilted his head to listen to her a bit, then chuckled lightly. "Well, first you have to be older.. at least fifth year. And I guess you just need to be a good leader, someone for younger students to look up to.." He paused for a moment. Was that really him though? Apparently Cerulean thought so, but he wasn't completely sure about her at times.. "Just do your best at school and be a good friend to other students.." That was good advice for anyone though, yeah?

Mika just glanced over to Ethan, she couldn’t help but chuckle when he agreed that she was probably right. She beamed again when he called her Mika. “Well…we could launch them as gifts – attach parachute to them so they fall onto every plate” she offered with a shrug.

Though once he turned and spoke to Garrick, Christmas and all the others around him she just tuned out slightly. Then, of course with her luck, he had noticed the bit about the cupcakes. Yep he was not a fan of her mischief right.

“Aw thanks yeah it was fun” she chuckled. Though when he commented about not doing it again. “Well c’mon wheres the fun in that? Ravenclaw’s are so smart and we can do anything really” she chuckled slightly.

SPOILER!!: Disgusting Food and Stuff

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Narrator

Almost immediately after the Headmistress finishes her speech, the tables in the Great Hall are suddenly filled with food. But the first thing you will notice is that the food doesn’t seem to have its usual deliciously glowing aura about it. The food seems rather mediocre at best. In fact, the chicken is dry and flavorless, the mashed potatoes are a sloppy, boring mess, the broccoli hardly seems cooked at all - and there’s not even cheese on it! And on top of that, the butterless bread looks more like bricks of charcoal. Not only does the food look and taste somewhat unappetizing, there’s hardly any variety.

On the bright side, there’s loads of ice cream! Bowls and bowls and bowls of ice cream have appeared along the center of the table amongst the lousy dinner dishes. Good thing your mother isn’t here to make sure you eat your undercooked broccoli before dessert!

The food had appeared. Mika just glanced at the rolls, chicken, and broccoli. “Oh goodness, I think I’m just going to eat ice cream…you might be right Ethan delivering cupcakes is a waste – especially when the food looks…so, gross.” She crinkled her nose and glanced at the foods.

"Well, it's sort of a complicated story. I don't think my parents were pointing at the sky and trying to debate whether I looked more like a Cassiopeia or an Orion. It sort of came together that way," Mo rubbed his growling stomach. Did he sound irritable? He didn't feel irritable, but maybe he SOUNDED irritable. "What's a sponsor? Your life is so... different."

He eyed the cup pyramid speculatively. How much taller could they even make it? "Hard to say how many more cups we need, but I think we're about to make people mad if we deprive them of drink receptacles. I guess that makes it tall enough for now. And a catapult..." He leaned back so Aquila could add the last of their cups. "It's a weapon of war. This thing here..." Mo pointed to his tiny little creation.

"I'm going to grow a mustache instead," Mo rubbed his top lip and grinned. "Don't you think I'll look awfully manly with a mustache? Hmm?" But he really did NOT want to be called Marcus like people were mad at him or didn't know him. Unless it was just a preference and then, somehow, was relegated to being a nickname of sorts.

The thing about Mika, other than the fact that she had a real cute giggle, was that she was always a sport. About everything - pranks and catapults and GENIUS IDEAS and even really bad ideas. She was always a willing participant.

"Yes, levitating gift cakes," Mo agreed eagerly. He turned the catapult to face the head table and pointed it right at... hm. Who? Who needed a cupcake in their life? The Headmistress? Sure, 'cause the cupcake was PINK. "To Truebridge, then. I'll go up and intercept with the levitating spell, and you can shoot it, okay?" He positioned it back and forth and back... there. Perfect.

"And if you have a mustache, I mustache you to give it to me immediately."

Oh, hmm... first of all, favoritest wasn't a word, but it was cute. He was being cute. WHY was she not appreciating the cute? Mo scooted down toward Elise and leaned in a bit, giving her an elbow to the ribs. "You should look more excited. And pleased to see me, because I am quite entertaining. I might even play Quidditch for you this term if you treat me nicely."

"I have two sisters myself. Genevieve and Sophia. They're 18. Twins, if you believe it, so I was pretty much tortured my entire childhood," Mo watched the girl study the spoon, a slow grin spreading across his face as she finally gave in and picked it up. SEE? Ravenclawesome again.

"You can be the test case. Put it here on the catapult and then you hit the lever and it flies... oh, anywhere you want. We're going to send a cupcake to the Headmistress." Mo gestured for the girl to take a shot, since the catapult was already lined up and everything.

"I'm okay. Just... figuring stuff out, I guess," Mo pulled faces at Ethan, although they weren't really FOR Ethan. They were for Mo, and his being bad at... things. And at Ethan a tiny little bit for bringing it up. But it was nice he asked. Most people didn't ask, they just let you sit and look miserable.

"I'm glad you're going out for Quidditch again this term. I really think we can take the whole thing this time around, especially with Elise in charge and looking so mean-faced about it. Maybe she's a biter now too." He put up his hands protectively around the catapult as he talked, obviously aware that the older boy didn't really approve of it.

"I'm just going to let Niamh shoot one more spoon, and then we're going to air-mail a cupcake to the Headmistress. It'll be super fast and no one will get hurt and we'll even get a smile from her, which is amazing because she has a stone face like those big heads in Easter Island. But a prettier face. Did you actually know those stone faces have bodies, but they're buried underground? I'm talking a lot." Words... kept coming out of his mouth.

OH FOOD. HOORAY. Mo immediately pivoted in his seat, drew in his paper plate, and started to fill it. He didn't care that the broccoli was a soggy mess, the chicken looked like it had did several times over, or the potatoes were watery. He was a boy and he would eat. He would even smile about it.

But Merlin, this was NOT usual Hogwarts fare, and he felt like Raven and Niamh needed to know this. "This..." He swallowed before speaking again. "This is not right. The food is usually much better. It'll be much better... I promise. But if you can't eat this, I have a sandwich in my satchel left over from lunch. Let me know."

So apparently all this cheap stuff wasn't normal. But it was supposed to be like this for a WHOLE YEAR?! Washing and cleaning the dishes shouldn't be hard- she could just find and practice a spell or something to clean them right up. But what about the food? Livable, but Tora really would prefer something much much better.

Oh and the fact that these were their assigned flatware? well. There needs to be a name on them then. Luckily she usually carried one with her. She reached into her bag and pulled it out before neatly printing

TORA GALLAWAY~FIRST YEAR~RAVENCLAW

in big letters on everything.

One thing (or well the thing at the forefront of her mind) was that why didn't anyone transfigure everything into china, or something semi-nice? Just so it wasn't completely disgusting when it got food soaked into it. She thought about it for a bit and the only reason she could find that people wouldn't transfigure their plates was because there wasn't a spell to do so. Eh. It wouldn't hurt to ask one of the older students.
"You know, I wonder why no one has transfigured their flatware yet? You know, into something more... durable?" she said to the table at large.

SPOILER!!: Garrick

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Ticket taker? This got a head tilt in her general direction. "No. Can't say I did... We have never had a ticket taker before." And with the state of thing around the school he found it hard to believe that they would take on another person to pay... Ridiculous.

"My summer was great, though. We went to the beach and stuff. It was great." BEAMS. "How was yours?"




Garrick watched the toad for a long minute before turning to smile at his cousin. "My hair is always perfect... Not even a moron patting me could mess it up" HMPH.

"I certainly hope she doesn't find it to be appropriate behaviour. I am not keen on being treated like a child by someone one year older than myself." Not. Cool.

FIDGET. "Nahhh. I wasn't alone per say. Lotus found me." He squirmed a little bit and looked toward the Hufflepuff table once again. Heh. And the TOAD. Hehehe. "He's always been able to move faster than you can pay attention to him, Ben."

And back to Transfiguration talk. "Well I am sure we COULD. Or I could at least. I am better at Transfiguration than you are." Might have been a challenge, that. "Oooh the Sticky Trainers. We should all try them. But we'll have to make sure there are no fun suckers around." There may have been a pointed look directed at a certain girl... Miiiiiight.



"One can tell if dishes have been cleaned... and clothes..." Was this kid simple or something? Garrick was suddenly disinterested in him. Be gone.



Garrick blinked a few times at the girl with the weird hair. "Even smelling things can make you sick." Where was the crazy crop of Ravenclaws coming from? Merlin.

"Would you like me to Transfigure your plate for you?" he asked with a beaming Ogden smile in place. He was guessing she would like something she could see herself in. Most girls liked to look at themselves anyway...



Garrick felt someone staring at him...

Turning around he looked at... the one from the train. The barger. The one who probably thought Garrick was some crazy violent thing. SIGHS.

Giving her a small smile he nodded in her direction. She would have to see for herself that family could fight and be okay...



Smiling brightly at Ethan he nodded his head. "Yep. Cousins. We have always been around one another, though. More like siblings." He liked Benjy more than his own brother anyway. Heh.

"And like I said, we'll do some fun stuff. As long as we can do so without interruption." Yeah, Beezus, that was kind of directed at you. She seemed to be WAY too wound up and hell bent on making everyone miserable. HMPH.

Mika couldn’t help but notice that head tilting. Yeah she had gotten the What you talking ‘bout Willis face. TYPICAL face for her to get none the less but, seriously, it was annoying. She hated that face. “Yeah and the ticket taker was so, mean…” she frowned at the idea of him.

He ate her cupcake.

That was rude. And rude wasn’t cool. Mika listened to Garrick answer about his summer and just chuckled. “You must have had a great summer then…the bean eh?” She asked, and smiled brightly. “My summer was pretty awesome we went to Australia for a bit and then we moved to London and I spent time in Diagon Alley.” She smiled brightly.

“Oh and I found this cool book store and café thing and ate a bunch of books – I mean…” she flushed. No she had not eaten books. She was not crazy or anything.

SPOILER!!: nigel

Quote:

Originally Posted by Meizzner

SPOILER!!: Beezus

Beezus was still had her eyebrows together while she kept her eyes on the plasticwares that were scattered over the house tables yet she immediately snapped to face Nigel when he brought up Quidditch, her face contorted somewhat into an unreadable expression - almost a mixture of fear and guilt.

"Uhm. I....I....am not sure yet." Was it too obvious she was trying to avoid the subject? Inward sigh. "How about you?"

Nigel could tell that she did not really want to talk about quidditch that much. So Nigel told her. "I'm thinking about it. But i don't know for sure if i am going to try out yet." He continued to play with the plates still waiting for food.

SPOILER!!: MIKA!

When she heard the talk about the Banner Mika just glanced up. What on earth had happened? Had someone raided the banner for string so they could make blankets out of it? Was the school hemorrhaging funds?

“Why…that’s strange, we should repair it” she commented to both Nigel and Aquila. “Have the caretakers had their hours cut?” She asked slightly confused. It was no lie the greathall didn’t look as grand as it had last time she’d been in there. She smiled over to Nigel again.

Because she was just a smiler.

“Yeah take some” she smiled and placed the box open on the table. She had more of course in her trunk. “I do have more that’s just for claws and all in my trunk”…which would now be in her room right? Waiting to be devoured? She just beamed.

“So did you do anything fun over summer?” She asked eager to talk of something non-icky dinnerware related.

Nigel looked at the box wondering what type of wonderful food was inside. HE looked inside and saw some amazing cupcakes. "These look amazing". Nigel beamed. He was really hungry after all. He took one and immediately started to eat it. After a minute it was gone and he went on to answer Mika's question.

"My summer was alright. I did not do much other than read and see some awesome movies. What about you. Do anything interesting over the summer?"

Nigel wanted to ask her for another. But he did not want to seem like a pig.

SPOILER!!: Ethan

Ethan chuckled a bit. He had only been joking about the icebreaker theory, though it did seem to do the trick.. everyone was talking about it, good or bad. He nodded at Nigel's words. "You're probably right.. She'll probably have something to say about it in her speech." At least he hoped she did and didn't try to pretend like everything was normal. He lifted his eyes to the Staff table. She didn't look too thrilled, but he supposed it wasn't an expression much different from the one he normally saw from her.

Nigel agreed with Ethan. He would just wait till the speech and forget about it till then. "So how was your summer?".

Nigel could not wait for the semester to start after his boring summer.

SPOILER!!: The Narrator

Almost immediately after the Headmistress finishes her speech, the tables in the Great Hall are suddenly filled with food. But the first thing you will notice is that the food doesn’t seem to have its usual deliciously glowing aura about it. The food seems rather mediocre at best. In fact, the chicken is dry and flavorless, the mashed potatoes are a sloppy, boring mess, the broccoli hardly seems cooked at all - and there’s not even cheese on it! And on top of that, the butterless bread looks more like bricks of charcoal. Not only does the food look and taste somewhat unappetizing, there’s hardly any variety.

On the bright side, there’s loads of ice cream! Bowls and bowls and bowls of ice cream have appeared along the center of the table amongst the lousy dinner dishes. Good thing your mother isn’t here to make sure you eat your undercooked broccoli before dessert!

FINALLY the food was here. Nigel took one look down and was disappointed. It looked like leftovers. Bad leftovers. Like the kind that sit in your fridge for weeks because you forgot about it.

The only bright spot was there was a ton of ice cream. Nigel could give with that if he was a first year. But he want something of substance to eat. Not just Ice Cream. The chicken looked dry and pretty bad. Maybe chicken and ice cream together.

Nigel took some chicken and mashed potatoes and put them on his plate. He then took some ice cream and pour on the chicken and potatoes. This might turn out to either be an awesome idea or a horrible one.

Nigel took one bite and thought it was not that bad and could be a lot worse.

“I know right? I got them at this café and bookstore” she smiled. Yeah she hoped no one else had heard about the book eating. Because that had never happened. She didn’t eat books. Nope.

She did not want to get a nickname like book eater…or something equally as embarrassing. She just BEAMED over to Nigel again. “Yeah I had an interesting summer we traveled a bit – I stopped off and visited my cousin Georgiana in New York City for a week and we went to the big skyscraper thingy there.” Yes she had forgotten the name.

“But I mean I liked just hanging around and having fun with friends more.” She laughed.

SPOILER!!: Mmmmmmacabre

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cassirin

"Well, it's sort of a complicated story. I don't think my parents were pointing at the sky and trying to debate whether I looked more like a Cassiopeia or an Orion. It sort of came together that way," Mo rubbed his growling stomach. Did he sound irritable? He didn't feel irritable, but maybe he SOUNDED irritable. "What's a sponsor? Your life is so... different."

He eyed the cup pyramid speculatively. How much taller could they even make it? "Hard to say how many more cups we need, but I think we're about to make people mad if we deprive them of drink receptacles. I guess that makes it tall enough for now. And a catapult..." He leaned back so Aquila could add the last of their cups. "It's a weapon of war. This thing here..." Mo pointed to his tiny little creation.



"I'm going to grow a mustache instead," Mo rubbed his top lip and grinned. "Don't you think I'll look awfully manly with a mustache? Hmm?" But he really did NOT want to be called Marcus like people were mad at him or didn't know him. Unless it was just a preference and then, somehow, was relegated to being a nickname of sorts.



The thing about Mika, other than the fact that she had a real cute giggle, was that she was always a sport. About everything - pranks and catapults and GENIUS IDEAS and even really bad ideas. She was always a willing participant.

"Yes, levitating gift cakes," Mo agreed eagerly. He turned the catapult to face the head table and pointed it right at... hm. Who? Who needed a cupcake in their life? The Headmistress? Sure, 'cause the cupcake was PINK. "To Truebridge, then. I'll go up and intercept with the levitating spell, and you can shoot it, okay?" He positioned it back and forth and back... there. Perfect.

"And if you have a mustache, I mustache you to give it to me immediately."



Oh, hmm... first of all, favoritest wasn't a word, but it was cute. He was being cute. WHY was she not appreciating the cute? Mo scooted down toward Elise and leaned in a bit, giving her an elbow to the ribs. "You should look more excited. And pleased to see me, because I am quite entertaining. I might even play Quidditch for you this term if you treat me nicely."



"I have two sisters myself. Genevieve and Sophia. They're 18. Twins, if you believe it, so I was pretty much tortured my entire childhood," Mo watched the girl study the spoon, a slow grin spreading across his face as she finally gave in and picked it up. SEE? Ravenclawesome again.

"You can be the test case. Put it here on the catapult and then you hit the lever and it flies... oh, anywhere you want. We're going to send a cupcake to the Headmistress." Mo gestured for the girl to take a shot, since the catapult was already lined up and everything.



"I'm okay. Just... figuring stuff out, I guess," Mo pulled faces at Ethan, although they weren't really FOR Ethan. They were for Mo, and his being bad at... things. And at Ethan a tiny little bit for bringing it up. But it was nice he asked. Most people didn't ask, they just let you sit and look miserable.

"I'm glad you're going out for Quidditch again this term. I really think we can take the whole thing this time around, especially with Elise in charge and looking so mean-faced about it. Maybe she's a biter now too." He put up his hands protectively around the catapult as he talked, obviously aware that the older boy didn't really approve of it.

"I'm just going to let Niamh shoot one more spoon, and then we're going to air-mail a cupcake to the Headmistress. It'll be super fast and no one will get hurt and we'll even get a smile from her, which is amazing because she has a stone face like those big heads in Easter Island. But a prettier face. Did you actually know those stone faces have bodies, but they're buried underground? I'm talking a lot." Words... kept coming out of his mouth.



OH FOOD. HOORAY. Mo immediately pivoted in his seat, drew in his paper plate, and started to fill it. He didn't care that the broccoli was a soggy mess, the chicken looked like it had did several times over, or the potatoes were watery. He was a boy and he would eat. He would even smile about it.

But Merlin, this was NOT usual Hogwarts fare, and he felt like Raven and Niamh needed to know this. "This..." He swallowed before speaking again. "This is not right. The food is usually much better. It'll be much better... I promise. But if you can't eat this, I have a sandwich in my satchel left over from lunch. Let me know."

When Mo pointed the cupcake to Professor Truebridge Mika just beamed. She beamed at the idea and sent Ethan a little sorry smile. It was an innocent look even though she was defying his idea of not throwing more cupcakes.

These were gifts. She positioned what seemed like a regular pink cupcake on the catapult but it was special. It had the logo of the cupcakery on it painted onto a small chocolate wafer. Yep. Little did they know it the magenta cupcake was a flying advertisement for awesome.

She was about to send the cupcake on its merry way when Mo mustached- well, asked for the mustache. And she couldn’t help but laugh. Giggle, laugh snort…yep, all the true signs of an authentic Johanson laugh. Her face was almost as bright as the cupcake by the end of that laugh.

“He-he-heeerreee” she stammered out between laughs. Her laugher was not going to end. Nope. Never. Mo was an expert at this making people laugh thing. She handed over the Frenchman’s mustache kit and just laughed. “Okay on th-“ she laughed a bit more, “three.” She finally stammered out. “One – two – open threeee!” she announced and immediately sent the cupcake soaring to the ceiling. Yep it wasn’t on the best trajectory at first.

“Impedementa” the girl pointed her wand at it and slowed the cupcake’s decent down. “Wingardium leviosa” she finally got in before the laughter hit again. Luckily the cupcake had been positioned perfectly before the laughter and was still slowly making its decent. Because, obviously the claw girl wouldn’t be able to cast that spell again. She watched in awe, laughing still, as the cupcake landed gently infront of the headmistress.

“THERE” she proudly smiled. “Mo! We did it!” She squealed. When she heard him commenting about the food she just nodded. “Yeah, um…it looks like the food was made my I don’t know? A take out place?” Mika offered with a shrug. “Or a bag of frozen cheese-free broccoli.” Though she had never been a fan of broccoli to begin with. She was more of a carrot girl.

She could feel a pair of eyes following her, eying her move. She wasn't there to blow up the whole place. For the record, she had no idea how to do it, with a wand that is. Smirk. She glanced at him. Shiny shiny. Oh another batch-holder. Almost everyone she saw was wearing a batch. How did Hogwarts choose their leaders?

OH you there. Come here!
You don't have a shiny batch? Tut-tut.
Let's give you one.
There! Nice and shiny.
SMIRK.SMIRK.

The older guy seemed to be judging her. She was about to ask what his problem was, when he addressed her. Oh, just reaching out to people. Prefect problems. "Hi to you too" she said, she meant it to come out polite. It did, but in a mangled form. "I'm here to visit my twin" And not to blow up anything yet. She looked at him, daring him to cross-question. Huh.

They treat me well. With pride lectures. "No, they're fine....good" she said, looking at the girl. "Very accommodating" Yes, with bright eye-prickling red and gold. She then nodded.

And the girl offered her cup-cake. Really? She eyed the cake. No, NEVER take anything that comes too kind and easy. They had just met, and the girl was trying to be nice. Don't get your wrong side out. The girl didn't look like someone who wanted trouble. But never believe too easily. Even Puffers have some fun. Okay, careful. "Uhm..yeah, sounds good" she said, accepting the offer. You idiot.

Hmm, Nigel had a point “Oh yes... the Caretaker.” She hasn’t been out around the grounds yet so she had no idea in what state the rest of the school was in “I was told last term that Elves took care of most everything.” Nod nod. Although now that she’s looked around it looked like they got to the castle even before the Elves could prep things for them. Or so she thought.




Curious head tilting. Mika suddenly turned bright pink, and Aquila had no idea why. Obviously the mispronouncing of her name has gone over her head. Or maybe she just got so used to it by now. But the other blond got a big grin on her next statement “Thank you!” *BEAMS* “I like your name too!” Indeed she did, it was easy to remember, at least for her.




Head tilting for this one too. “Oh... they were inspired to name you after The Hunter.” nod nod, that makes sense to her. And again if he sounded irritable, that flew way past her head too. That’s just how she rolls.

Oh he asked about being her sponsor “Uhm, she help me with lots’n lotsa things.... her family I mean. Some people found me somewhere and she arranged for me to live with the Priestesses.” A product of Vanderbilt philanthropy this one. “Is my life so different?” she murmured with those big eyes, twisting the end of her curls on the tip of her finger “Surely there must be others raised in an island of women.” Yeah totally doesn’t see anything odd about that.




Oh ok so that’s as tall as it would go. But for some reason Aquila wanted to build wider and taller. Was she trying to make something that would remind her of home? Maybe. But now her eyes grows large with “Weapon of war??” she gasped then eyes those seemingly innocent spoon-forky things. Then Mika demo’d the whole thing and got this little girl gawking—the cupcake... it FLEW. And then it stopped in mid-air, and then landed on the Professors’ table. Wait... that last one didn’t look quite—

“How did you do that?” she breathed as she looked to Mika. The whole catch-levitating trick. That intrigued her.




So this one came from a school this young one couldn’t pronounce, much less spell, at least not yet “Ohhhh....Bow-buh... Where’s that?” she asked all inquisitive now. It sounded like it was on Venus or something—which she was told is not all that impossible to get to given her kind of magic. “I... I studied at the temple....I mean Priestesses taught me. I grew up with them in our small island near Wales.” And now she was giggling. Another curious head tilt from this blond. Then she finally realized what was so amusing to the other Claw “Oh yeahhhhh... there does seem to be a lot of transfers. The Priestesses told me that Hogwarts is the best school that can help me with my magic. I guess Priestess magic is a little different from mine.” That’s why they sent her here, instead of keeping her back home.



Prefect Bee looked surprised, and that got this little Claw all head tilting curious too. She loved soup, almost as much if not more than tea, and naturally that just had to be considered since she couldn’t even imagine a meal without some kind of broth at the very least.


She nodded meekly in turn. Indeed she may have met most of her housemates in the common room, but this young one was so shy and quite distracted last term she hardly got a chance to meet or talk to anybody face to face “I’m in my 3rd year.” she said “I moved here last term, was accepted as a second year.” Yep, and a small miracle in itself too given her skill set.



“Romanian? You’re from Romania?” she leaned forward curiously. Did she know any schools from Romania? No, but she knew Priestesses and apprentices from there. “An all-girls’ school!” oh yeah she can definitely relate with this one “... In my island, there’s just women.” And really she didn’t see anything odd with that, but off-islanders always regarded them as strange. “Ohhhh someone was mean to you at your old school?” see that has never happened to Aquila before, there were mean Priestesses, but that’s not quite the same. Looking at the Professor’s table she nodded her head “Some of them are.... and uhm, some are not there anymore....” she mumbled sadly. Alas she was much too new and distracted to immediately remember their names from last term.



Oh! Strange boy offered to transfigure her plates “Uhm...” she wanted to say yes... but it was a NEW BOY and she was too shy to simply allow him to do her a favor. Priestesses always told her she should be self reliant “Uhm... I... I can try to do it....” At least she should try to do it on her own first “Thank you though for offering uhmmm....Whats your name?”




Ok so there were new Professors, two of which looked familiar. Her jaw swung open—they were those people from last term—their visitors. It wasn’t long after that their food materialized, and the young Claw found herself staring at them. Yes she noticed—they weren’t as mouthwatering as last term... in fact, it quite reminded her of food from back home. Simple and unchanged if possible.

It was easy to think that this young one would be as disappointed with the meal as most others are BUT this was where her humble roots comes in handy. She took a piece of the charcoal dinner rolls and started scraping off the burned bits. She helped herself with the sloppy potatoes onto her paper plate then started breaking off the dinner rolls however way she can, laying the pieces along the soggiest parts. Rock solid bread? Not any more once they’re done with the potatoes. The broccoli she took a few clumps of—she did like broccoli you know—and buried the heads upside down onto the steaming potatoes. It will cook somehow, if only just a bit more.

And it wasn’t long until she had pretty decent mashed potato pile, softened dinner rolls and bearable broccoli. Not quite the Hogwarts meal of last term, but hey it’s a better dinner than just ice cream.

Of course she will be getting a helping of that too. At least dessert will still be Hogwarts-awesome.

"Oh sure!" Zyanya said merrily. She wasn't going to miss a chance to be with her sister. Not now when they were in different houses. They were not going to see each other a lot. That's sad. She looked up at Amara sadly. She didn't say her feelings as she knew exactly how her twin would react. She immediately broke into a smile and hugged her sister before she could stop herself. She looked at her sister to see her reaction. She hoped it would not drive Amara away.

"Oh, its nice to meet you too. I was starting to get afraid there was no other first year till you came up." She said with a smile. She did not have to be alone now. "Of course! I'm excited too. I can't wait for school to start. Its all so interesting." Zyanya said to her fellow first year. She obviously was thrilled so much that she could jump around the Great Hall yelling I'm in Hogwarts!

Oh, I'll be sure to do all you said, exactly as you said." Zyanya said, a mad gleam in her eyes. More than anything she wanted to be a prefect. Though she was years away from it, she had always wanted to be one. And she would become too. Unlike Amara said. She would prove her sister wrong. "By the way, why is the banner so old? I suppose the banner is not usually like this?" She asked to the prefect. He might know something about it. She had been nervous at first that she had not noticed the surroundings but then as she got better she saw it and couldn't figure the reason for it.

Zyanya had been getting really hungry while the headmistress had been talking. Her stomach growled. She had barely eaten at the train as her appetite and her nervousness had a strong connection. But now she was groaning with hunger.

When the food appeared, she did not feel so hungry anymore. The food did not look er appetising. Still, she had to eat. She filled her plate with some mashed potatoes and some bread. She decided to ease her hunger with icecreams. Atleast they looked delicious. This was the great feast mom was talking about?