Gaston had seen what happened and followed the young Mr. Botros to the Slytherin table. He hoped his students wouldn't be annoyed at the intrusion, but he couldn't just sit by and let him be upset. Seeing his students in distress always sent him into overprotective dad teacher mode; there was nothign he could do about it! "My goodness!" he exclaimed. "Is everything alright?"

He realized only after he'd spoken what a ridiculous question it was. Obviously everything wasn't alright; otherwise the boy wouldn't be crying his eyes out right now. Still he didn't want to frighten the poor child, so he was trying to give him a chance to tell him what was bothering him in his own time. He wished he had a chocolate frog or something like that in his pocket to cheer the boy up, but unfortunately all the candy he had was back in his office. Comforting words would have to suffice for now.

Heeheehee!Peeves was cackling to himself as he zoomed into the Great Hall, a box full of snakes, frogs, and other slimy creatures tucked under his arm. Just wait til the studentsies got a load of what was inside!

But which table should he pick? Not the Gryffindorks! They wouldn't make a big enough fuss. And the Fluffypuffs would probably just pet the creatures.

Ooooh he had it! Snakes for all the ickle snakes and snakettes! This was too perfect. And look! Prissy Professor Poodle was here too! This just got better and better!

"Hey, everybody! Did ya miss me?" he yelled, hovering midair over the Slytherin table.

Now all he needed was for somebody to ask what was inside the box...

*GIGGLES*

GUESS WHO'S BACK, YO?

Storm floating around happily as the students arrived. The castle was very quiet without them and he's bored, yo. No one could be his prank target anymore. Seeing as the polter!daddy headed to the Slytherpoop people, he followed his way.

With a jar full of glitter glue on his hand.

"GLITTER ATTACK!!!" He dropped some of them to the students, and also the Professie who was also there.

HEHEHEHEHEHE!!!

Unlike his polter!daddy, he didn't need to greet them. Yes, Storm was kind of rude poltergeist.

Aside from the horrible mood that still followed him from the strain station like an annoying little poltergeist, Cornelius was BORED. Not even sight of the blabbering firstie attracted his attention or amuse him.

Instead he settled on tearing pieces of napkin and rolling them up into balls, and then proceeded to toss them at people. That entertained him for a while until another idea struck. He charmed the napkin balls mid-air with the sticking charm. Now he could keep track of how many housemates he'd hit without them noticing.

Salazar Slytherin would be so proud.

Speaking of poltergeist, there he was. And junior, too. Cornelius frowned. They were ugly. And as his currently fickle mind ran, Cornelius was glad to have come from an amazing gene pool.

Glitter attack? No thank you. Normally he wouldn't mind. On this occasion normal was thrown out the window. The boy produced an umbrella with his wand and turned so his back faced the poltergeists.

Their faces were adding to his already foul mood.

Dora couldn't help but laugh lightly at the babbling. She didn't mind it. In fact she found it endearing. Returning the cheek kiss and hug she settled back down and nodded. "I did. When I got home. I was all over the place. Sorry I didn't get them while I was on holiday, " she said apologetically. She had literally been a new place every week for a while there... and then Edinburgh for two weeks... then home a few days before school. It had been busy and amazing.

A blush colored her cheeks at her next words... "And I missed you. " And she had. A lot. It had been ages!

And then... LOADS of different PEOPLE came up and spoke to Echo... and completely acted like the girl sitting RIGHT next to her was chopped liver or sommat. Soooo she let her eyes wander over to the Botros girls. RULA AND JUNIA. She had missed her friend over the summer, so maybe she would go join them in a moment. Especially if this continued. Sighs.

Junia knew lots about lots and while she didn't talk to the older girl a lot, she knew exactly who she was. Her name was Kat and she was a fourth year and not in their house, but in Hufflepuff house, which was an okay place to be, in her opinion. With a smile, the third year waved some and nodded her head. "I'm happy about the food and being around friends so much. That's the best part about being back, I think." Did she agree?

"I always work hard," Junia informed seriously. "'S in my nature. Well, in my whole family's nature, really. We're a hardworking bunch." So yes, she liked to think she was on the right path to greatness.

"So, like, do you get any special privileges 'cause you're the head girl?" Asking for a friend, she was.

"I suppose summer is a big wedding season, then." Since, like, she was always hearing about people going to weddings during summer. She'd even been IN one. "My cousin, Hassan Botros, he married Kitty Emerson. She's super rich and has her own entourage and everything." The brunette nodded solemnly. "I think I'll have my own entourage someday. It sounds like a good way to get what you want." You know, because you were surrounded by people paid willing to help and all.



Anything else going on around her was quickly blocked out when Junia noticed Abey taking his place on the stool, oversized hat sitting right atop his head. He was being SORTED, did Ru SEE? The third year nudged her sister just in case and focused all her attention on her younger cousin. "Please be Hufflepuff, please be Hufflepuff, please be Hufflepuff." Not because she wouldn't like him in her own house, but because she knew Abey would wand to be like their grandfather and Hassan and the other Botros men. Tradition was important, after al-

...Wait, what?

Gryffindor. Gyrffindor. Abraham Botros Jr. was a Gryffindor and he was now in tears and Junia L. Botros did NOT approve of that. It didn't help that now her favorite younger cousin was saying the sorting hat had been mean to him. To HIM, her Abey! THE OUTRAGE! At that very moment, Junia vowed to be enemies with the hat forever more and for those who doubted you could hold a grudge against a hat, well, they didn't know HER at ALL.

"Don't cry, Abey. We'll take care of you!" She said seriously, her eyes big and filled with as much rage as a Junia could have in her little thirteen year old body. It was only after shooting a dirty look to the dumb old hat that the third year noticed the professor had come over and asking the silliest question of ALL time. Why was it that adults did that-ask the very thing that was clearly OBVIOUS? Junia supposed they just liked to force kids into talking about their feelings because it made them feel useful or something. Waste of breath, really.

"The hat didn't even take what he wanted into account!" The brunette explained to the Charms professor. "And there's also the small fact that him being in Gryffindor is, like, something entirely new for our family." She paused, her brow furrowing slightly. "But you know, I just realized, all my friends are in that house, Abey..." So maybe it wasn't the worst thing in the entirely world and universe. Maybe. "And, you know, Lilian did okay when she was in Ravenclaw, so maybe you're a trendsetter just like her." Also maybe.

And because the professor didn't know Abey or know how to not ask silly questions, Junia looked to Rula for some immediate backup.

HELP?




Speaking of help...maybe it was good the professor was here, after all. They'd need him to shoo the poltergeists who'd just turned her into a glitter!snake. It was a good look and all, but not for an opening feast.

Rula giggled a little at Junia's reply. "Well, we can't have that now, can we? I'll go steal food from the kitchen for you if it comes to that." No starving here today!

Abey hadn't been called for the sorting yet, so Rula turned her attention to the table for now - and then she heard her name. Oh, Kat! She grinned. "Hey! Ready for the most part, I guess." Starting this term wasn't quite as exciting as she'd imagined it would be at the last feast, but it wasn't a complete let down yet either. Still loads that she was happy about. "What about you?"

After glancing up at the dais - still someone else being sorted and not Abey - she looked around again and spotted Dora further down the table. She offered a smile and wave to her friend. They definitely need to catch up soon!

And then - finally! - Abey's name was called, and Rula's attention went solely towards her cousin, watching as it...seemed to take...a little while? And Abey looked like he was getting more and more agitated as time went on. It was going to be fine though, yes? Once the hat finally called out its decision-

...Gryffindor?

Huh. Hm. Well...that was definitely unexpected. Not awful though. Yes?

Except seeing Abey cry like that WAS awful and heartbreaking.

Rula wrapped her arms around him immediately when he sat next to her. The hat was mean? Well that was just rude. It was one thing to sort him into a house he didn't expect, but to be mean about it too? That was NOT okay.

"Shhh, it's okay," she soothed, rubbing his back gently.

And then Professor Marchand was there. That was unexpected, but Rula appreciated it. It was nice to know there were others that cared about her cousin too. She nodded at Junia's answer since that pretty much covered it. "He wanted to be in Hufflepuff," she added.

And then what Junia said to Abey was also good. "That's true. And we're all still proud of you, no matter what house you're in. You don't have to be a Hufflepuff to be an awesome Botros." Botroses were already awesome, regardless of house or school or anything! "And imagine how excited Alice will be!" And that would make Abey happy too, right?

But before she could think of anything else to say, Peeves was there. And the new poltergeist too. This was definitely NOT a good time.

"Peeves, can't you-" No chance to actually finish, thanks to the glitter glue the new one was throwing everywhere - hitting her right in the face.

Merlin's. Beard.

Colt nodded at Skylar, "Yeah mine was pretty good you can say." He said referencing to his badge. "I did what I wanted to do if you count playing sports that is.." That was his favorite past time that is for sure. "How was your summer? Anything exciting?" Yup he was learning this small talk thing. It was something he needed to get used to.

Now onto his fellow snake Brent. He was not surprised to hear that. I mean who would want to transfer schools? He raised his eyebrows at that news. Woah then she was a flaky girlfriend. She shouldn't have dumped him. "She knows she can write you right? Like send you owls and keep in contact. Unless she was the clingy the type?" he suggested. "That's kind of like my story, I was a transfer from Durmstrang but then I moved and went to Hogwarts. My father and mother both got jobs near here." He didn't really want to mention that his father was military general and his mother was a hunter/hair stylist. That should be kept private. "Your parents got jobs in the ministry yeah?" Sounds like the logical option. "Yeah it is.." he looked around and got an idea. "I mean we could prank them if you want..." he trailed off when he heard a familiar voice.

He lifted his head up to the air and saw Peeves and a new ghost called Storm? Storm what a bloody stupid name. He rolled his eyes and muttered to Brent, "I'll be back.." and he got his wand at the ready. "Hey you beavis and butthead!" he mentioned the ghosts. He knew the ghosts would never get the reference. He saw Storm through the glitter on the students and he sighed. Man could he get a break? He saw Peeves have a box in his hand and said, "Accio!" and it zoomed toward him. "I'll take that.." and he put it under his arm. He made a note not to open that. He saw Storm and he warned him, "Storm don't let me use this.." he said raising his wand. He wondered where in the bloody merlin Natalia is?

Now while he waited for the ghosts to attack and he wondered if McLeod saw this, he turned his attention to Oliver. "True man, I think we remember the names the head of house and the teachers yell out constantly." I mean Colt could have been included last term. Woaahh now this information was golden. He spent his summer with two gorgeous girls? He pfft in amazement. "Dudee that's awesome." he bumped him in the shoulder lightly. "Well I guess we can double date then if they are here in hogwarts.." he suggested. "Oh my summer was pretty alright. Spent time with the girlfriend and did sports camps.." You know the usual. Insert shrug here.

He looked over at Elle and she seemed less tense. He nodded and thought a quiet summer was nice. I mean not everyone was the same. Some people like to be more relaxed. "Well I thought a girl like you would be traveling the world and going to the beaches.." She seemed like the type.

Her poltermen were SOOOOOOOOOOOOO dashing! Miffy admired them. She was right behind them. “WHEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!’’ A long burst of whee to announce her presence as well as a loud *GIGGLEGIGGLE*

“Isn’t he ADORABLEEEEEEE?” Miffy screeched at the top of her lungs when her polterbaby dropped glitter on everyone. “JUST LIKE HIS MOMMY AND DADDY!’’ Miffy let out a sob. SHE WAS A PROUD MOMMY!

“MY STORM IS THE MOST PRECIOUS!’’

*sob*

Riiiight. Slate had a feeling that the female person was just being polite. He didn't like that. He would have been fine if she had just said it was a thing that happened to have met him. That wouldn't be a lie. And then she was looking at some guy.

Was that her boyfriend? Boring. She was one of those girls, wasn't she?

"Hi..." Slate said when another person introduced herself. "Thanks, I guess." He still wasn't sure what this house thing meant. He supposed it was important though if they handled it on the first day. Weird, again. What sort of ritual was that?

He pondered the statement before lowering his voice, "Nothing is going to sing to me, right?" Because that was his main issue at the moment. He was not about to be part of some Disney feelgood musical.

At least this one was his age. Having older people ask if he was confused was not very pleasant and honestly felt demeaning. It was even worse that they were welcoming. He was nearly accosted by a mind reading talking possessed piece of clothing, he didn't need an older sister figure at the moment.

He made a face. Everyone would find out? That sounded, again, very invasive. Was there no privacy laws at this school? "That makes you sound diseased? Are you diseased? Are we all diseased?" Was that magic and these special schools were about? "My mom did seem too surprised? I'm not sure what to make of that though." And that was really all he was willing to get into with someone he just met.

-------------

ESPECIALLY when there was glitter and floating things in the sky. Were those token ghosts? Like, that green thing from Ghostbusters? He pondered this while absently almost watching. They were rather loud, weren't they? He hoped they didn't stay around long. He was bored of them already. He went back to poking his fork.

Even though everything was TERRIBLE actually and the worst thing that could ever possiblly happen ever had actually just happened, there was something about returning to Junia and Rula's company that made things feel even just a little better. They were like a little piece of home.

Abey clung tight to Rula and really did try to stop crying so much now that he was in their familiar company. But actually it was all just so sad and the WORST thing in the WORLD. As Rula hugged him back, Abey could make out the voice (because he couldn't see because his face was all on Rula's robes) of someone much older, who sounded very much like they might be a proper in charge grown-up, and he tried again to not be such a baby about it. Luckily, Rula and Junia were on hand to explain the problem which was good actually because actually Abey didn't want to talk about it at all.

As it turned out, his cousins were both his saviours in even more ways. First, he found himself peeking over at Junia, still blubbering just a little bit because actually it was really really hard to make himself stop crying actually.

All her friends... in Gryffindor? Junia wasn't stupid or anything, Abey knew. She knew how to choose good people as her friends, meaning that if all her friends were Gryffindors, then... well... it meant something for sure. And of course... Lilian. She hadn't been a disappointment or anything for breaking the tradition... And actually, even Eureka sort of had, too, even if she had stayed within the Hufflepuff/Slytherin trend. But still...

"I didn't..." he replied, mumbling just a little, and still sniffling, though his tears had actually slowed down an awful lot already. "... I d-didn't want to be... d-different..." Even SO, his initial (and totally irrational and unfounded) fears he had had, about being disowned from the family for breaking what he had convinced himself were the rules, were starting to fade away. Everyone loved Lilian still, after all. And of course they did. She was amazing.

Rula was right, too, and her reassurances that they were still proud meant so so so so so much, especially because she was practically a grown-up and therefore was even closer to knowing everything. Oh, but he had so wanted to be a Hufflepuff, had had his heart set on it. Again, Abey's lower lip trembled as he snuggled right up to Rula, and more tears threatened to fall, until...

"Alice..." Alice... ALICE! Abey's Alice (also West's Alice on account of them being married and all) had been a Gryffindor, and she was one of the BEST people in the whole widest big wide great huge MASSIVE world. The thought of her reaction had Abey perking up at once, and he reached up to wipe his eyes, and glanced across at that teacher-man-person. Was he going to make him leave and go sit at the correct Gryffindor house table?

Abey may have been being slowly (VERY slowly) coaxed out of his utter devastation over the matter, but he was still very much dwelling on his Hufflepuff failure, and about how the Hat really HAD been so very mean, and really actually only being with his cousins was making him feel better, because they always knew the perfect things to say. Perhaps he could be allowed to stay with them for the feast. And then for forever afterwards too actually.

Before he could voice his concerns - though Abey wasn't sure he would have voiced them directly to the scary teacher person directly - there was a VERY unexpected turn of events. Abey gaped up at the poltergeists, having heard a lot about them - Peeves especially - but never having seen any of their kind before. He thought them... actually, sort of funny.

Staring up at them with his mouth wide open, however... turned out to be a mistake.

Glitter. Glitter glue. On his face, on his robes, in his hair. In his MOUTH. GLITTER in his MOUTH.

"PUH!" Abey tried to spit it back out, wiping at his tongue and mouth with his robe sleeve. "Blech!" It tasted icky, okay?

Suddenly VERY much distracted from his Sorting WOES (never fear, he would get back to those later), Abey picked up a spoon from the table and checked his reflection in the back of it, which had escaped the glitter assault. Glittery hair, glittery tear streaks down his face, and - Abey bared his teeth and stuck out his tongue - yep, glittery mouth still in full effect. In fact, with these teeth, he could be in the running for Witch Weekly's Most Charming Smile Award.

Nobody seemed very happy about the presence of the polterfamily, but Abey couldn't help it. His new glitter makeover was enough to elicit just the tiiiiniest tearful giggle from him.

Floating on over was the Baron. "Welcome to Slytherin!" The highly respected ghost would first rang out to the newly sorted students. Rather, that is the exact sort of entrance that felt appropriate here.

But alas, three unwelcome pests have arrived making his ghostly smile turn opposite. That's right, he wasn't feeling so welcoming anymore. "Now really!" The Baron exclaimed at the poltergeists family, "You know full well you're forbidden to disturb students at the Great Hall, Peeves, now you may take yourself along with your little family and go." He still had his chains right at the ready to escort them out.

Oh, he looked all kinds of excited. It sort of made Katy feel bad. Sort of a little bit, but not enough to clarify to him. Katy twirled a curl around her finger and tried to gauge how much crying might happen later. Not much. Slytherin, after all, and he probably didn't have tear ducts after all the time in the California sun.

"Brent. What's your first favorite? If you say Divination, I will actually pour pumpkin juice over your surfer boy hairdo."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Peeves

Heeheehee!Peeves was cackling to himself as he zoomed into the Great Hall, a box full of snakes, frogs, and other slimy creatures tucked under his arm. Just wait til the studentsies got a load of what was inside!

But which table should he pick? Not the Gryffindorks! They wouldn't make a big enough fuss. And the Fluffypuffs would probably just pet the creatures.

Ooooh he had it! Snakes for all the ickle snakes and snakettes! This was too perfect. And look! Prissy Professor Poodle was here too! This just got better and better!

"Hey, everybody! Did ya miss me?" he yelled, hovering midair over the Slytherin table.

Now all he needed was for somebody to ask what was inside the box...

What was this fresh new hell? Katy sat up at the appearance of the poltergeists and then considered crawling back under the table when she realized they were heading toward the Slytherin table. Why not bother the Hufflepuffs? They cried more easily. Or the Gryffindors, who always rose to the bait...

Erm. Katy wound up and threw roll at Mr. Peeves, right at his stupid nose. "I never miss, sir."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bloody Baron

Floating on over was the Baron. "Welcome to Slytherin!" The highly respected ghost would first rang out to the newly sorted students. Rather, that is the exact sort of entrance that felt appropriate here.

But alas, three unwelcome pests have arrived making his ghostly smile turn opposite. That's right, he wasn't feeling so welcoming anymore. "Now really!" The Baron exclaimed at the poltergeists family, "You know full well you're forbidden to disturb students at the Great Hall, Peeves, now you may take yourself along with your little family and go." He still had his chains right at the ready to escort them out.

Oh, thank MERLIN. Someone with some sense. Katy waggled her fingers at the ghost. She'd always heard he was pretty taciturn, but if he wanted to speak up and scold the poltergeists, there was no way Katy would protest it. "Give 'em hell, Blood-o."

Nat tried to follow her conversation. So she had a nephew and her sister was getting married and then did, but then did. Okay she thought she got that. "Well it seems you had a great summer. My summer was amazing. I worked at a record label and hung out with the band mostly." It was super busy and she loved it.


Someone that shared her love for Arithmancy, this was fantastic. Start them young should be a thing for this subject. "Well if you ever want to do figures or need any help don't hesitate to find me. I love to sit and do calculations." Finding people's life paths were one of her favorite pass times. Her eyes narrowed a bit as the girl questioned her choices, "Because I'm an amazing singer and my band is fantastic. We are going to be famous. You can't be all that famous doing Arithmancy. It's not my passion, music is." She had to give the girl a smile as she said her band was probably good. Ah yeah it was the best. The next big thing since TDK walked these corridors.

She looked at the boy kind of weirdly wondering how he got food before the speech. Maybe he snuck it in. Smart kid if he did. "I always make sure to bring snacks with me for the train. The trolley always is just sugar quills for me."


So she really was going to be ganged up on by these two. "You two really don't know me all that well." A smirk playing on her lips. Seriously she'd love to hear them say this with Dot around. Natalia Franks-Mundie becoming a stick int he mud because of a badge, really? "Are you wanting to make a potion for me Katy?" Was the girl trying to poison her now that she had a badge or just being nice? She was a snake, so Nat had to wonder. "My summer was amazing. I was super busy with working, friends, the boyfriend, and the band." Always needing to put the band in there of course.

"Oh yes he had very nice things to say about you. He was a cute kid. He'll do well in Hufflepuff." She glanced over to the other table. That was no surprise that he was in that house. He would certainly fit in. If he needed help she could always introduce him to Henry, but she was sure he didn't need any help. "So I know things about your brother, but what about you? Are you excited to be here?" Small talk was good, right?

"Yes, I had an internship with a record label this summer. I got to work with so many great people. Plus I work at the music store in Diagon Alley. It was my second summer there." She loved working there and was excited to have hopefully convinced her boss to keep her on for next summer too. "Oh that sounds fun. I got to go on holiday with Dot. So that was a great time." She didn't know if Oliver knew the past prefect or not, but Nat was always liking to brag that Dot was her close friend. She was going to be so famous one day.


He hadn't seen Vince either, well that was weird. "He had to be here somewhere. Maybe we can ask Sha, do a birthday celebration with him later. You do know we officially got introduced and really started to get to know each other a year ago today on the train." She leaned and kissed his cheek. Vince always had the birthday thing in one of the compartments and she smiled thinking about how Cal barely said two words to her last year when she first walked into the compartment. He was so cute all nervous like that. Her smile grew as he said about putting a head girl smile on, "This head girl smile is exhausted. All this social is rough. I'm going to need sleep after the feast is over and I still have to give the first years a tour and show them to their dorms." So much work this badge thing was.. goodness.

Shaking her head she knew it, she knew it. Did he see she was sitting right near her boyfriend? Yes, she was with him. Not all the attention James, sorry. "You are not short, just young." She remembered that irritated him over the summer at the shop. She would use that to get to him for the hell of it. It was fun to annoy him. "Kelly is our keyboard player in the band, my best friend, and my dorm mate here." Her eyes searching for the blonde who should be at the table by now.

Her grin was growing at the look of possible horror on Ellie's face. Her roommate should know by now that Natalia was probably the wildest of the bunch in their dorm. She was always finding things for them to do and pushing them all out of their comfort zone. The topics they spoke about when it was just the girls. She couldn't help but chuckle to herself thinking about it. "Oh I don't know, we can think of something, but for now let's have a late night with music and food in the dorm after this. What do you think? We can play truth or dare." That could be fun.



She sat with the rest of the Slytherins having a really good time. Who would have thought she could be this social, have no anxiety issues, no problems at all. She had truly come a long way. She was in probably one of the best moods she had been in a very long time and that was when it was about to go way down really quick.

GLITTER!!!!!

Why was glitter on her? Then she heard them. NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO, NO they were not coming to ruin the feast. NO they were not going to bother HER slytherins. She glared at all of them and stood from her seat. She was not dealing with this at all.

"Buzz off you three. You aren't Slytherins so go away." She glanced around to make sure the first years were alright, though she figured they'd probably like the glitter.

She pulled her wand. By now Peeves should know what was coming from her. She wasn't afraid to send it at him. "We are trying to enjoy the evening if you could please go away."

She said please... see she could be nice to them. Looking at the Baron, she smirked back at the three. "I think you should listen to the Bloody Baron." A laugh did happen when Katy threw something at them. "Nice shot" but knowing Peeves Nat gripped her wand tighter.

((My bad! I assumed the food was out. Oh well))
Jonas shrugged. "Yeah. Well..." he was than destracted by peeves and the others.
"Seriously guys! Go away!" Jonas shoited waving them off like buzzards.

Brent was still in disbelief that Professor Hawthorne was sitting up at that staff table---in GREAT BRITAIN. At HOGWARTS. "Duuuude. She was my Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Ilvermorny. I had no idea she was transferring here, too," he explained. He wondered if she knew he and Kane were here. Probably so. Headmistresses knew everything. He raised his eyebrows and turned back toward James. "You're a transfer, too?" he asked. "Where from?"



...and then all of the above happened, which Brent was totally not expecting. In all the mild chaos involving the big move, he had failed to read up about the school he'd be attending. He should have probably done that. He had no idea about Peeves and the gang, and therefore had no advanced warning whatsoever. At least the others might have seen him coming.

Nope. Not Brent.

He ended up with a head full of glitter glue, making this the SECOND time since he got to Great Britain that something was unexpectedly poured over his hair. "DUUUUUUUDE," he said to the poltergeist. "That was my hair-do!" There was no amount of combs in the world that would fix this mess now.

...and then his mom came along and basically praised the whole thing. Wait...ghosts had moms?



Brent sat back down at the table, a mild shower of glitter flowing at his side. Wonderful. WON. DER. FUL. "I don't suppose you know a charm?" he asked the Head Boy. He attempted conversation, which was slightly hard considering he'd been just glitter!attacked by a freaking poltergeist. "Oh, I'm sure she knows how to write," Brent said. "She just didn't want to. I guess she just wanted a boyfriend who was right there with her." Like he had been. He paused when Colt began to tell a similar story. "Sorry, man. I know how it feels." He shrugged when Colt mentioned pranking. "Huh? You mean...you still enjoy a good prank even with that badge?" ... "Cool!" He had totally ended up in the party house!



...and then there was another ghost, who basically came along and put the others right in their places. Now where was this ghost a minute ago when the whole glitter shower happened? Since he had no idea who any of these ghosts were, Brent just sat back and watched the action unfold. Was there going to be a ghost fight right here at the house table on day one of the school year?

Awesome!



There was a pause in his conversation with Katy, which was followed by his name in that same tone of voice she's said it in before. Brent. Was his name that unusual or something? Hopefully she didn't have some weird ex-boyfriend with the same exact name or something. Brent briefly entertained a few thoughts before focusing on her actual question.

"Defense Against the Dark Arts," he proudly answered. Number one best subject ever right there. He put his hand over his heart and faked being extremely hurt by her next comment. "Man, Katy. You British girls really know how to hit us where it hurts." His hair. "It's not Divination, but would you believe having pumpkin juice poured over my head would be the third time something like that has happened since I moved here this summer?"

Was his hair some kind of target or something?



Kane was a really nice little brother. Come to think of it, he really never did anything annoying like most little did. "He's a cool kid," Brent agreed. And as much as he liked Kane, Brent was glad the Head Girl was asking a little about him now. He shrugged. "It's turning out better than I expected," he said. "Nothing against Hogwarts. It's just...I don't know if you've ever had to move or anything like that, but it's not always an exciting thing to happen. I hated it at first, and I'm really just getting used to it." Honesty. He was showing it. Deep down inside, though, he knew he just hadn't given Hogwarts a fair chance and if he was being truthful, it was turning out to be pretty cool.

*CACKLES!!*

Look at them, being a glitter!snake. Storm had never been very happy with this. He didn't know what his father had planned with the box and stuffs, but pretty sure that his plan couldn't beat the glitter attack.

BOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!

Seeing a glittery head boy stole Peeves' box, the polter!kid tried to steal it back from him. "Give it back to me, you fool big head boy!"

*BLOWS RASPBERRIES*

Sinead took a long moment to stare assessingly at Natalia after she spoke, trying to reconcile the idea of somebody who loved to sit and do calculations with somebody who thought it was more important to be a famous singer. Well- she was the Head Girl, wasn't she? That decision must have been made for a reason. A bit of singing couldn't hurt- there were few enough people who enjoyed maths and Arithmancy out there, at least according to her primary school experiences.
"Thank you. Do we get to start Arithmancy in first year? Because if we don't then I think we should. Even if some people aren't clever enough to yet- I think it's definitely as important as Transfiguration or Charms. And I know there's not an Arithmancy textbook on the kit list, but I bought one anyway because-"

She was broken off in the middle of her self-righteous tirade by the sudden arrival of several squealing, translucent figures. She scarcely had time to process their arrival before something splatted against her shoulder and she looked down to find it coated in- glitter? As Natalia stood to confront one of the trio, and another ghost appeared seemingly out of nowhere to do the same, she realised that these must be the poltergeists her stepbrother had told her about. Apparently there only used to be one, and then it had children-? She had no idea. Sadly they hadn't yet brought out a newly revised edition of Hogwarts: A History to address these happenings.



She was still halfway distracted by the poltergeists as Slate spoke to her, but after a minute his words filtered through to her consciousness and she turned to regard him with utter bemusement. Diseased? Weren't they supposed to educate the muggle-borns about what magic was before they arrived at Hogwarts?

Before she had much of a chance to respond, though, somebody stood at the staff table and began to address the school. Sinead listened intently, her eyes flitting across to take in the different teachers- she hoped they were good, she couldn't wait to start lessons. And the headmistress was from Ilvermorny? That was excellent- she'd never met a foreign witch or wizard before.

Soon enough the speech was over and food had appeared before them, littering the table with an unimaginable feast. She hesitated only a moment before reaching forwards over what seemed to be a platter of savoury muffins to help herself to a wide dish of rice. As she piled it neatly onto a corner of her plate, she glanced back over at Slate, the globule of glitter glue on her shoulder already forgotten.
"I don't know what makes you think we'd be diseased," she said with an exaggerated note of patience. Honestly- it wasn't like being a muggle-born made you stupid, how could he think that? "I mean, if your parents are muggles, how could they not be surprised to have a wizard for a son..? Anyway, it doesn't matter. You have magic, just like everyone else, or you wouldn't have been sent the letter. And you'll settle in soon. You'll learn about magic. Especially because we're in Slytherin. Everyone here will do well." It hadn't taken long for a sense of house pride to ingrain itself in Sinead and she already had some slight delusions of grandeur about her house's achievements and her part within that.

Gaston listened intently as Junia and Rula explained the situation. He'd guessed that the boy was upset over his sorting, but it turned out there was a bit more to it than that. From what he'd gathered from the girls' words, it sounded like Mr. Botros didn't want to be in Gryffindor because it went against some family tradition. "I understand," he said... more than his students knew. He was the first wizard in his family, and there was a time when he'd been afraid of his parents' reactions. His heart went out to the poor boy; he reminded him a lot of himself at that age.

He would've assured Mr. Botros that his family would be proud of him no matter which house he went to, but the girls beat him to it. Just as well... it would probably hold more meaning coming from them anyway. He seemed to calm down a bit, and Gaston was glad of that. He smiled as the boy looked at him and bent so that his eyes were level with his student's, hoping the gesture would make him seem a little less intimidating. "Hello there - may I call you Abey?" he said. He didn't usually use his students' first names, but it seemed strange to call him Mr. Botros when he was trying to comfort him. "I'm Professor Marchand. I'm so sorry you weren't put in the house you wanted. It's always disappointing when things don't go according to plan, but sometimes they turn out even better in the end." This was something he'd learned firsthand; his first year at Hogwarts hadn't started off the way he'd expected either. "It might not seem like it now, but I promise one day you'll find something good in this-"

Gaston would've gone on, but Peeves's loud cackling cut him off. He inwardly groaned. Oh Merlin, not him! Not now! "Excuse me for a moment," he said, his eyes flashing like bluebell flames as he rose to his full height. He was about to order Peeves to go away when Storm appeared and showered everyone at the Slytherin table, including Mr. Botros and himself, in a cloud of glitter. Ooh, that floating nightmare was going to pay for that! There was only so much meanness Gaston could tolerate...

His hand automatically went to his wand, but the Head Boy and Head Girl had already drawn theirs. He glanced apprehensively back at Mr. Botros, half-expecting the boy to start crying again, but instead he was giggling a little. That was a pleasant surprise! He lowered his wand; seeing that the boy wasn't upset made him slightly less inclined to hex Storm into oblivion, and he thought Mr. Winchester and Miss Franks-Mundie did an effective job getting the point across. He gave each of them an appreciative smile.

Satisfied that the Head Boy, the Head Girl, and the Bloody Baron, who was now ordering Peeves and his family to leave, had things under control, Gaston turned his attention back to the little Gryffindor. "You may stay with Rula and Junia for now; join the Gryffindor table whenever you're ready," he said, gesturing toward the other table. "They're all very friendly, and I'm sure they'd love to meet you."

Pooooey! Who cared what the Baron thought? Miffy wasn’t scared of him. Not even the students who did not appreciate them being their. Miffy *GIGGLEGIGGLED*. She glided along after her polterbaby. “You’ll have to do better than throwing rolls at us girly!!!!!!!!’’ Did she (Katherine) think a roll would do any good? “WE SHAN’T GO AWAY JUST BECAUSE A HEAD GIRL SAYS SO!!!’’ *GIGGLE*

Miffy flipped over and over in pure glee!! “AWWWWWWWWWWW STORMY BABAYYYYYY! YOUR PRANK IS SOOOOOOOO PRECIOUS AND SO CUUUUUUTEEEEEE!!!!! ISN’T HE PEEVSIEPOOOOOO?’’ Miffy adoringly looked at her polterhubster.

WHEEEEE!!! Peeves squealed with glee. He couldn't wait to watch all the Slytherins slihter out of the great hall when they saw what was inside the box, but before he had a chance -

Really, glitter? That was the best you could come up with, Storm?! Here, let a real poltergiest show you how it's done!

Peeves started to open the box, but nobody was paying attention to him. And now Bighead Boy was trying to take his box away! "OH NO YOU DON'T!" He held on for dear life, but it was no use.

And now Storm was trying to steal his box. He was NOT having that! He'd already been shown up once by this little polter!twerp! "THAT'S MINE!!!"

He grabbed the box full of slimy things and dumped it in Bighead Boy's lap. "Aww, you're no fun! Later, Slytherpoops!" he screeched, dive-bombing their heads as he zoomed out again. That'll show them to ignore him!

These stupid poltergeist. Natalia had enough of them last term. Why didn't they move to their own house or something. That's what married people did, didn't they? Her wand was being gripped tighter and tighter as they cackled and moved around. The roll wasn't good enough, well she wondered how a little shock therapy would feel to them.

She watched as Colt actually did something and got the box Peeves had. That seemed to tick of Peeves enough that he was leaving, "WATCH YOUR HEAD!" Yelling down the table as he flew out of the Great Hall. Thank Merlin one down two to go. She looked around seeing a Professor at their table, wait... she was hoping to see him and talk to him about the album that had come into the music shop this summer, but no, right now wasn't the time. She had to deal with Storm and Miffy.


"Hold tight to that Colt." They could get it to the headmistress or their head of house. Now it was time to get these weirdo's out of here before a first year got hurt. "Hey Storm want to have some fun?" A smirk was crossing the head girls face. Her wand pointed straight at him, "Skurge"

Poltergeist weren't the only ones that could annoy. She could annoy right back.


That's when she heard it, the speech was happening. She glared at the poltergeist and kept her wand on them, but she tried to listen to the speech. Once the food was on the table though she took a seat near Cal. Her brown eyes still on Storm and Miffy, but she was starving too. Looking back at Sinead she smiled, "First years I think can take the course. I have seen them in there before." She knew Miranda had been there first term. "If not I could always help you a bit with it until you can take it."

Chuckling a bit at Brent's words she put some potatoes on her plate, "I transferred here my fourth term. Was from Australia before moving in with my father. So I get where you are coming from though I hated my old school and have had nothing but good here." She loved Hogwarts and the majority of the people here.


Letting Jonas keep eating, she did the same.

Well this term was starting off just great. He never dreamed to be covered in glitter. He looked at his robes and they were all sparkly. He looked like he was barfed out of a tea party palace or something. He looked around and saw everyone was covered and he couldn't clean it just yet. He needed to take action. Before he began to hex Storm he saw the bloody baron made his appearance. About time the ghost came here. The only one peeves ever feared. Wait a minute he had a family. Who would want to date him? He was baffled but let it go. When he had his wand in the air and Natalia finally came and helped him. I mean he could take just peeves on but three of them was too much. They were clever little things.

Once he shook out the glitter and let the bloody baron and Natalie take over, he turned towards Brent and shrugged. "I honestly don't know a spell that would work. I mean I don't wanna add fuel to the fire.." he said observing the situation. "I know the bloody baron is taking care of it." He heard his take on it and he shrugged and seemed obvious to him. "Dude you don't need her. I mean she seemed like the clingy type. You def find a chick here. There is a lot of good ones.." he winked. He gestured around the whole great hall. "Mann of course I enjoy a good prank..I mean that will never be let go!" He even had a few ideas. "I am sure you are loving this right now being attacked with glitter prank from peeves.." he said brushing his hair still.

Colt saw Storm realize he stole peeves box. He shook his head and said, "NICE TRY. TRY AGAIN.." He wasn't that stupid. Then he noticed the Charms Professor, Mr. Laurent coming into help. He sighed with relief and back away a bit with his wand held raised. "Nice to see you Mr. Laurent.." he bowed his head. Then as soon as he saw Peeves and was aiming at him, he felt something slimy fall on his lap. "Oh mother of merlin..." he muttered. That little brat spilled something on his lap. He shook his head and believed that Peeves would do something like this. He turned to Natalia and shrugged, "I guess thats what happens when I hold on tight.." he said referencing to his slimy lap. "Want some?" he offered.

He asked the Bloody Baron, "Hey Baron, could you do me a favor and do something in revenge to Peeves for me?" Only request he would ever ask out of a ghost.

Someone was getting more confident, which in all honesty, Sky supposed that was why he was placed in Slytherin. It didn't take him long in the least to get comfortable, which was a good thing for sure. "At Hogwarts, before we can eat, the Headmistress has to give a few words of welcome and introductions and all that. But ... It doesn't usually take this long," and just as soon as she said it, the new headmistress rose and gave a few words and food was here. Finally. Perhaps she should have said something sooner about being hungry, hah.


Oliver. Sky nodded at that, committing it to memory. "Ah, well that's a pity. You should try to meet more people. I can help, maybe, if you want," Sky nodded curtly, propping her hands under her chin and her elbows on the table. She was ninety-nine percent sure that he was older than her, but that didn't mean much if he was shy and didn't know how to go about meeting people? Either that or he was super smart and a bookworm. Or both. "My summer was good, but I'm ... I'm glad to be back." Though she missed her nephew, but oh well. She'd have to survive and Christmas wasn't all too far away.




Before Skylar could respond to anything Junia was saying about an entourage like how she hoped she might still be friends with Junia and be a part of it there was a crying first year in Rula's robes and he was a mess. And then the Charms Professor was there. And well Sky just figured she should probably leave them alone because she didn't really know what was going on - except that he wanted Hufflepuff apparently and got Gryffindor - and well yea. Best to let Rula and Junia handle things and she keep quiet... because there were other shenanigans happening around her anyway


"Sports are good. What sort of sports do you like to play?" Because they could maybe play a game sometime? Maybe? "New nephew. Almost went to my sister's wedding, but then they didn't have a wedding, but she's still married anyway and yea. It was a good summer though." Except for like the last day, but she wasn't ready to talk about that yet.


....

or wasn't ready to talk about anything really. Because like poltergeists. And polter!kid dropping GLITTER on all the Slytherins. She liked glitter, it was a good look, but she didn't really want to wear it NOW, when she was tired and groggy and well not in this way where it was just everywhere and not in the right places.

Not cool. Sky just gave him an evil eye look, because her house ghost and head students were handling him, so no need for another hand in the mix.

"It's a good thing. Trust me. Slytherins are born to be winners. We're a good bunch. I can explain more about the house thing later though," Because clearly the kid didn't read Hogwarts, A History before coming. And didn't have magical siblings or something to explain to him any of it.

"Nothing that shouldn't sing will... if that's what you mean," Sky laughed. "Like, no inanimate objects singing. Although we could use magic to make it, if you wanted...." But it was different then what he was referring to, Sky was sure of it.

"Good to hear! I'm glad," Sky nodded at the older girl. Yay for productive summers.