It was always comforting to pour back into the Great Hall to the familiar sight of the charmed ceiling and the table of Professors--some of which she'd even missed!

Jessa followed the crowd in and though her eyes didn't dart about in wonder the way they had when she'd been a First Year taking it all in for the first time, there was still a level of wonder as the Third Year made her way to her table. Her legs had been grateful for the walk after being cooped up in the train for so long but now she was ready to plop down near the middle of the table as she always did and wait for the food.

Suffice to say the conversation with Slate had left her ravenous.

From her seat, she looked about the room, trying to spot her friends that took their places at their own tables.

She would need to go find Derf with the deadline on their discussion coming to maturity but she could wait and mingle with her housemates for a while first.

After the long train ride and the invisible (for him) carriage ride up to the castle, Mason was glad to be inside. He was pretty tired and couldn't wait till he could sleep in his bed.

But first the feast and sorting. He was particularly curious about the sorting of Daisy. A first year he had met on the train. Perhaps she'd become a newest addition to the claw family.

He sat down at the end of the table as he had been ..probably be...the first to arrive. He was pretty excited about the upcoming year. He was positive that his n.e.w.t learning schedule was something that was going to keep his stress level low, he only needed to match it with his classes and free time. But that was something for later. He was also pretty excited about the fact that Dora was going to help him out with his defensive magic. Anyone who had a Auror and ex Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher as an uncle was bound to be pretty good to learn from right?

Anyways, he debated whether he should continue reading his book he had been reading on the train or actually talk to his House mates.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

It was always comforting to pour back into the Great Hall to the familiar sight of the charmed ceiling and the table of Professors--some of which she'd even missed!

Jessa followed the crowd in and though her eyes didn't dart about in wonder the way they had when she'd been a First Year taking it all in for the first time, there was still a level of wonder as the Third Year made her way to her table. Her legs had been grateful for the walk after being cooped up in the train for so long but now she was ready to plop down near the middle of the table as she always did and wait for the food.

Suffice to say the conversation with Slate had left her ravenous.

From her seat, she looked about the room, trying to spot her friends that took their places at their own tables.

She would need to go find Derf with the deadline on their discussion coming to maturity but she could wait and mingle with her housemates for a while first.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLinJi

After the long train ride and the invisible (for him) carriage ride up to the castle, Mason was glad to be inside. He was pretty tired and couldn't wait till he could sleep in his bed.

But first the feast and sorting. He was particularly curious about the sorting of Daisy. A first year he had met on the train. Perhaps she'd become a newest addition to the claw family.

He sat down at the end of the table as he had been ..probably be...the first to arrive. He was pretty excited about the upcoming year. He was positive that his n.e.w.t learning schedule was something that was going to keep his stress level low, he only needed to match it with his classes and free time. But that was something for later. He was also pretty excited about the fact that Dora was going to help him out with his defensive magic. Anyone who had a Auror and ex Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher as an uncle was bound to be pretty good to learn from right?

Anyways, he debated whether he should continue reading his book he had been reading on the train or actually talk to his House mates.

Oh it was good to be back. Even with the looming OWLs that would be coming up at the end of the term all those months from now. Cassie was now a fifth year and the spunky Ravenclaw upperclassman was more than ready to live that to the fullest. She made her way into the Great Hall and towards her house table while her gaze flittered around the expansive room for familiar faces. None at Ravenclaw for the moment but surely that would change pretty soon. After all it was a big house just like the others and it was still pretty early in the evening.

Oh look…Levi was at Gryffindor marking a friend who’d made it to the feast. And then there was the returning professors she recognized among the obvious new ones. Was Arithmancy running late or absent for the evening? Or was she missing something? No doubt she'd find out soon enough.

“Hello,” she greeted the younger girl with a smile as she moved to take a nearby seat. “Hey,” she added to Mason as she caught sight of the seventh year. "Ready for a new term?"

If there was one thing to be said, it was that the Great Hall didn't take a tremendous amount of time to begin filling up. All the familiar faces flooding back in and at the very front those who had yet to be sorted among them. It was always so exciting! Remarkably the numbers remained about even each term and while she did wonder if this was the ultimate act of impartiality on the part of the hat or just coincidence, she didn't mind.

Her gaze landed on those to be sorted, particularly interested to see where a certain someone would end up after their brief encounter back on the train. He'd been an odd one...unstable in some ways but rather intriguing.

Blue eyes only returned to the table at the greeting by the upperclassman. Was she ready for the new term? "Am I ever! I've been waiting for this since the end of July in truth. 'm not a big fan of homework but I'll be the first to admit I missed this place and missed getting to have all my friends together." Not to mention so easily accessible. Sure, most of them actually resided in the dungeons and along the ground floor but even then, it was a lot closer than half way across the country.

"What about you? Are you excited? This is your OWL year, right?" Two years in this house, the girl new most of her Housemates if only by face, name or year.

Kitty accompanied the ravens to the Ravenclaw table and sat down somewhere near the middle, where she could be close to as many people as possible. Since she was a prefect she wanted to be welcome first years as soon as they were sorted. "Hey guys," she said to everyone nearby, smiling gently. "How was your summer?"

So it turned out that Daisy had not become a newest member of the Ravenclaw House but a Hufflepuff. No matter though, Mason still clapped his hands whenever one of the first years were getting sorted to congratulate them.

It wasn't long before his House mates joined the table as well and Mason waved towards Kitty who happened to sit nearby on the other side of the table. "It was relaxing" he said. "How was yours?"

Just then, he realised that Cassie was talking to him and he could faintly hear his mother talking in his head that this was the perfect opportunity to make at least some....friends...or as he liked to call it 'people he knew' "I think i'm ready, i got my study schedule for my exams already half planned out" he said half proud. He didn't bother to ask the question back as it was already being asked. His dark brown eyes then went to look at the other girl (Jessa) she was talking to and he held up his hand in greeting. "Hi"

Teddy was back! His OWL results had come, and he was very happy with them. It made a difference, considering when he had left at the end of term, his stress levels has been very high. But walking back through the castle, he was in a state of calm. Well, not super calm - there were a lot of people around. He sat in his usual spot, and pulled a book out of his robes. Just to read until there were other things he could put his focus on.

Rooney was feeling particularly confident after delivering his first meeting as Head Boy on the train. He felt that they had a good team of student leaders this year around (finally he wasn't questioning some of the appointments!!) and that they would be able to stick to plans and do exactly what they needed to. He'd ran into a few problems at the platform with some first years and had had to usher them towards the boats set up for them before jumping the last of the carriages to Hogwarts with students he didn't quite know. As always with the feast, he was giving his girlfriend time to catch up with her school friends and would speak to her tomorrow about everything. And give her her study timetable - because everyone needed one of those.

Before walking into the Great Hall, he checked that his new badge was pinned proudly to his chest and then strolled on in and straight to his house table. Roo offered a bunch of verbal greetings to those already there, exchanging pleasantries as he went.

Yeaaaaah. She had to abandon ship at her own table. Too many people! She was safer at the Ravenclaw table. Her eyes scanned the table in search of two people in particular, but she didn't find either familiar face. Hmmm. It didn't matter anyway, she had found MASON! Sliding into the seat next to him the blonde offered a big smile.

Possibly tinged with relief at her escape from the table of Hell. "Hey. I'm sitting with you, " she announced while plopping her chin on her arms dramatically. Why was the feast SO LONG?!

Mason shifted his body so that he was looking towards the staff table. A couple of new faces were present and the seventh year wondered who teached what subject when a boy with a badge walked past him and blocked his view for a second. But even in that second he had noticed the HB written on it. He followed him with his eyes to see who it was and sure enough it was Rooney. Pleased that a Ravenclaw was the new Head Boy, Mason made a mental note to congratulate the guy when they were up at the dormitory as they shared one anyways.

For now, the Ravenclaw looked to his side and realised that Dora had taken a seat next to him. He had not even seen her coming over... "okay..." was the only thing he could say as the girl sat down and he watched her put her chin on her arms dramatically. He laughed. "Are you hungry, tired or both?" cause he was both.

Then he saw something surprising. Well, maybe not that surprising for the Ravenclaw house but he rarely saw anyone except for himself reading a book in public. It was a guy (Teddy) sitting near him a bit to the right on the opposite side. Mason leaned forward and mimicked Dora's chin on the arm position but while she seemed to be sulking about the lack of food, he was trying to read the book title the guy was reading.

Creeped out by the staring? Too bad.

This was what she loved about Mason, really. No questions, no judgement, he just rolled with whatever. It was SUCH a breath of fresh air. And it gained him a smile as he asked her if she was tired or hungry. "Neither... or hungry. I'm not sure. I just had to get away from my table is all. "

And he was mimicking her... and watching Teddy Burton. Ugh. Well, she wasn't sure about him... but she knew other family people and blah. Whatever. She gave him a polite nod before beginning to dig in her bag. "I think I have a packet of crisps in here somewhere. We could share, " she said to Mason as she continued to dig.

SPOILER!!: Jessa

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

If there was one thing to be said, it was that the Great Hall didn't take a tremendous amount of time to begin filling up. All the familiar faces flooding back in and at the very front those who had yet to be sorted among them. It was always so exciting! Remarkably the numbers remained about even each term and while she did wonder if this was the ultimate act of impartiality on the part of the hat or just coincidence, she didn't mind.

Her gaze landed on those to be sorted, particularly interested to see where a certain someone would end up after their brief encounter back on the train. He'd been an odd one...unstable in some ways but rather intriguing.

Blue eyes only returned to the table at the greeting by the upperclassman. Was she ready for the new term? "Am I ever! I've been waiting for this since the end of July in truth. 'm not a big fan of homework but I'll be the first to admit I missed this place and missed getting to have all my friends together." Not to mention so easily accessible. Sure, most of them actually resided in the dungeons and along the ground floor but even then, it was a lot closer than half way across the country.

"What about you? Are you excited? This is your OWL year, right?" Two years in this house, the girl new most of her Housemates if only by face, name or year.

Her greeting had gotten noticed by the girl, soon meeting her blue-eyed gaze as she turned it back towards the table. Cassie couldn’t help but lightly chuckle at the enthusiasm she was greeted back in response to her polite inquiry, absently nodding in agreement and understanding. Yep…she totally got the feeling. “Uh huh…majorly,” the fifth year remarked, following it up with a more solid nod. “Yep…that’s this year.” The first great challenge on the road to finding oneself. Which momentarily brought her attention to Hirsch up at the staff dais. She’d probably want to meet up with him to talk at some point.

And Marchant.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goblinfrog

Kitty accompanied the ravens to the Ravenclaw table and sat down somewhere near the middle, where she could be close to as many people as possible. Since she was a prefect she wanted to be welcome first years as soon as they were sorted. "Hey guys," she said to everyone nearby, smiling gently. "How was your summer?"

There was a prefect.

“Hello Kitty,” Cassie greeted her fellow fifth year and dorm mate as she joined the table. “It was great!” she answered, remembering the sunny days and fun activities that had almost been too good to swap for the school term. “How was yours?” she added, returning the favor and coincidentally echoing Mason.

SPOILER!!: Mason

Quote:

Originally Posted by DuckyLinJi

So it turned out that Daisy had not become a newest member of the Ravenclaw House but a Hufflepuff. No matter though, Mason still clapped his hands whenever one of the first years were getting sorted to congratulate them.

It wasn't long before his House mates joined the table as well and Mason waved towards Kitty who happened to sit nearby on the other side of the table. "It was relaxing" he said. "How was yours?"

Just then, he realised that Cassie was talking to him and he could faintly hear his mother talking in his head that this was the perfect opportunity to make at least some....friends...or as he liked to call it 'people he knew' "I think i'm ready, i got my study schedule for my exams already half planned out" he said half proud. He didn't bother to ask the question back as it was already being asked. His dark brown eyes then went to look at the other girl (Jessa) she was talking to and he held up his hand in greeting. "Hi"

Oooooh study schedules…that would be something to have. “Sounds like a good start,” Cassie mused with a nod. Better to spread things out than leaving it all to the last few months. Especially given the perchance for drama to hit Hogwarts during those times. She still had no clue how last year’s fifth and seventh years had concentrated in studying during the threat of the monster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

Teddy was back! His OWL results had come, and he was very happy with them. It made a difference, considering when he had left at the end of term, his stress levels has been very high. But walking back through the castle, he was in a state of calm. Well, not super calm - there were a lot of people around. He sat in his usual spot, and pulled a book out of his robes. Just to read until there were other things he could put his focus on.

Speaking of one of those former fifth years.

Cass noticed Teddy as he took a seat further down the table. She offered him a polite smile, cutting off a verbal greeting as he took out a book to read. To each their own on how they spent the feast and she wasn’t about to interrupt a fellow Ravenclaw as they tried to read.

SPOILER!!: Rooney

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shanners

Rooney was feeling particularly confident after delivering his first meeting as Head Boy on the train. He felt that they had a good team of student leaders this year around (finally he wasn't questioning some of the appointments!!) and that they would be able to stick to plans and do exactly what they needed to. He'd ran into a few problems at the platform with some first years and had had to usher them towards the boats set up for them before jumping the last of the carriages to Hogwarts with students he didn't quite know. As always with the feast, he was giving his girlfriend time to catch up with her school friends and would speak to her tomorrow about everything. And give her her study timetable - because everyone needed one of those.

Before walking into the Great Hall, he checked that his new badge was pinned proudly to his chest and then strolled on in and straight to his house table. Roo offered a bunch of verbal greetings to those already there, exchanging pleasantries as he went.

And there was Rooney the other prefect.

No…wait a minute…that badge was different. HEAD BOY!

“Hello Rooney,” she greeted the seventh year as he joined the fray of the Ravenclaw table. “Congrats on the Head Boy!” Cassie added with a smile. Woot! The house of Rowena Ravenclaw had earned one of the heads this term. A nice change from previous years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erindipity

Yeaaaaah. She had to abandon ship at her own table. Too many people! She was safer at the Ravenclaw table. Her eyes scanned the table in search of two people in particular, but she didn't find either familiar face. Hmmm. It didn't matter anyway, she had found MASON! Sliding into the seat next to him the blonde offered a big smile.

Possibly tinged with relief at her escape from the table of Hell. "Hey. I'm sitting with you, " she announced while plopping her chin on her arms dramatically. Why was the feast SO LONG?!

And now a Gryffindor had joined the table though neither of her friends from Godric’s house. “Hi…” Cassie greeted simply, nodding at the pronouncement of the girl sitting there. Fine by her as long as none of the professors decided to keep the houses apart and cause trouble.

As Aurora sat down at her new house table, she was rather intimidated to see all the older students there. Would they accept her? Would they talk to her? Would they say she was too quiet and disregard her completely once they got to know her?

She took a deep breath and blew it out. That was too many questions for the first night and she was hungry.

She noticed a girl from Gryffindor come and sit at their table. Cool, you could sit wherever you liked. Not that she wanted to move, she was elated with being in Ravenclaw and not Gryffindor like all of her family before her.

Lorelei took her place at the Ravenclaw table and looked around. The Great Hall and the Sorting were everything that her parents had told her and more. She wasn't in the least bit surprised about having been Sorted into Ravenclaw; her father had been Sorted there before her, so it was becoming a bit of a family tradition.

The train ride had been a long one. For the most part she had been in her compartment by herself, although every now and then a few students would sit with her. Lorelei wondered if she would make friends with anyone or if her books would become her only company.

Don't think about it, she thought to herself.It's only the first night here. Other first years are probably feeling the same way you are. It's normal.

Was it, though? Even the other first years apparently knew some of the older students. Lorelei sighed. Only time would tell.

Even with her attention now divided between here and the lion table, she still watched the others of her house slowly trickling in. There were her prefects, both of whom got a smile but it was evident Rooney got a wider and more enthusiastic one. He was great, really, and was super helpful back when she'd been a Firstie who was constantly lost in the corridors. Amazing how much smaller the castle got by the year--and quite a relief too. "My summer was alright. Had a lot of fun and got to see my friends a whole bunch." In reply to Kitty's question before turning a beam to Rooney, she would even lean over onto the table a bit in order to catch his attention. "What about you Rooney? Did you enjoy your summer too? Any spectacular performances?" She did enjoy the impromptu ones he sometimes gave.

"Hi Mason!" She returned, having caught the older boy's greeting. He'd seemed a little preoccupied when he'd taken his seat, leaving her uncertain as to whether or not he'd have been up for a conversation but now he surely seemed to be. "You've already got your exam schedule up? That's positively wild." It reminded her of Chloe. Speaking of, where was the girl?

And just across from her sat yet another older student (Teddy), this one more preoccupied than Mason had seemed by virtue of the fact he was reading.

"What's that about?" Was it a good read?

The girl found herself sinking lower into her seat at the appearance of the Gryffindor from the train (Dora). The abrasive one that she didn't particularly fancy having another run in with. Just play it cool, she was talking to Mason and probably wouldn't even see her. It was the best she could hope for.

She would distract herself with her conversations, like Cassie here and her OWLs. "I know students who spent the whole year studying even though the exams aren't til the summer draws closer. D'you think you'll be in the Library til odd hours too? D'you need any help?" As it happened, she tended to be in the library at odd hours too...albeit for different reasons.

Oh! The girl from the train! (Aurora) Jessa grinned over at the girl as she took a seat, remembering the fun they'd had back on the train. It'd been brilliant while it lasted. "Welcome to Ravenclaw! You'll really like it here I think. The Knocker takes some getting used to but once you get the hang of it, you might only get locked out half the time." Which was pretty promising stuff if you asked her. Seconds late, another of the newly sorted joined them (Lorelei). So MANY!"Welcome! Are you excited about the sorting?"

Lorelei turned, startled at the voice, but smiled at the other girl. "The Sorting was great. My father was in Ravenclaw also, so it's becoming a bit of a family tradition." She became quiet a moment later. "We have to answer riddles to get into the common room? Dad didn't tell me...I'm lousy at riddles."

"That's neat. I bet he'll be thrilled when you write home to him about it--if you decide to." She didn't presume to know the relationship others had with their parents. Her years had taught her to expect the unexpected even in the most mundane situations. You just never knew, y'know? "Dad's family was all Slytherin, til my sister got Gryffindor and now me with Ravenclaw. I'm pretty sure my grandparents were less distressed with my placement than hers though."

The silence didn't go unnoticed, but rather than try to fill it, Jessa allowed the girl to gather her thoughts. It could all be a little overwhelming if you really thought about it and there were certainly a lot of things to internalize while all....this happened around them.

The Third Year gave a firm nod at the next question, not nearly as bummed as she used to be by the process. "Don't worry about it, I'm not that great at them either. Too literal for my own good half the time but there's always others willing to help. I've been locked out a couple times. Just gotta wait for a housemate to come by, they'll help you get in."

Unless they didn't know the answer either in which case you'd have to wait for another other housemate.

With Olly safely on her shoulder, Sam glanced along the Ravenclaw table, wondering where to sit. Having ended up in one of the last carriages from Hogsmeade, it was already pretty full. And then her gaze fell on Dora and Mason, and Sam gave a bemused look.

Over to the blue table already...? Seemed like the term was off to a good start then.

Walking down the table, Sam gave a 'Congrats' to the new Head Boy as she passed, and a few hellos to returning friends. Oh! And there were already some new firsties at the table. How exciting. "Welcome! Welcome!" she greeted them (Aurora and Lorelai), raising her hand for a high five. She was the cool-totally-not-stressed-about-OWLs fifth year, 'kay?

"Someone forget to eat on the train?" she commented at the rummaging, as she slipped into the seat opposite the Gryffindor with a grin. "Hi Mason. What'd I miss?"

Okay so her plan to escape to a table where people would leave her alone... seemed to have backfired. Yep. As was evident by the first person to speak. How odd. "Hi... " she said in response... adding an eye roll with it as she turned her attention back to Mason. Only to be pulled away from him and to the girl from the train.

Hmph.

That Ravenclaw was R U D E. Just EXPECTING people to move out of her way as though she was Dumbledore parting a crowd with his bellow. Pssh. No. Dora wiggled her fingers at the girl and gave a small grin. Yep, this term was gonna be FUN.

And lastly her attention went to a new girl. Her expression softened quite a bit as she looked at the first year. "Hey, Aurora. I heard them call your name for sorting. Congratulations on getting Ravenclaw, " she said pleasantly. Yep. See! She was absolutely a lovely person when people deserved it.



Like Sam. She always deserved Dora niceness. Most of the time anyway. Yeah.

"I ate. Just Mason is on about starving and dying so I thought I'd share my crisps. " THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

And she was kind of hungry herself. Not much though.

"Also, where have you been? " With that insufferable girl? Dora certainly hoped not. Ugh. And yes had she noticed that Dora had already bowed out from dinner at her own table? It was stupid over there.

"Starving AND dying?" Sam looked at the older boy doubtfully. "Well, I'm sorreh to hear that." Sure, Sam was hungry too. But she was saving herself for the feast. Hogwarts' food held a special place in her heart, and she sure planned to sample at least a little bit of everything before bed.

"Just got stuck getting off the train," Sam said with a shrug. And no, she hadn't been held up by Astrea. "You know what it's like as they then make you wait for all the stragglers." The ones that somehow hadn't spotted that they were nearing the castle, despite the announcements, and were still gathering up their exploding snap cards and leftover candy. "Had a real friendly thestral to pass the time with though."

And she wasn't that late. Just late enough for table switching to have already occurred, apparently. "Gryffie table turned stupid already?"

When Kirk arrived at his house table he could tell things will be different this year. He was nearly fifteen years old for one and his connections were shortening at castle with his Uncle Justin no longer watching him on the grounds.. but he still had both Slytherin and Ravenclaw's head keeping their eyes on him. Well that was fine with him as he sat with his back leaning against the table casually to watch the enchanted ceiling. The stars were beginning to showcase as he waited for the food to appear after the new set of first years got sorted.

Kirk's housemates were engrossed in their own conversations. That was cool. Just as cool as the enchanted stars up at the ceiling were. Maybe tonight he could spot Cygnus or Cassiopeia.. It was too bad his camera was packed away somewhere now that he thought of it.

Finally producing the packet of crisps she passed them down to Mason with an exaggerated eye roll. "He would totally pass out before he starved to death. He's fine, " she said with a chuckle. Like for real. Chill out.

But honestly she appreciated his dramatics.

And no, Dora wasn't familiar with this, seeing as she was typically one of the first to arrive at her table every feast. Nerves made her punctual it seemed. Not that she'd admit that the feasts made her nervous. Nope. "Stragglers..."the blonde made a mental note to maybe be last off the train some time just to see what it was all about.

"Just a lot of insincere OMG I MISSED YOU! GOOD TO SEE YOU! HOW WAS YOUR SUMMER?! " she said in a rather upbeat, peppy, saccharine sweet tone. Ugh. "I wasn't up for it. " Seeing as she wasn't FAKE she didn't tend to act as though she missed people she hadn't even given a second thought about.

Lorelei drummed her fingers on the table, hearing her stomach growl loudly. She wondered why there was a delay in eating. Was there a speech that had to be made? She hoped not, as all she really wanted to do at that moment was eat as much as she liked, then head off to bed. Classes started early, and she wanted to be at her best when they did.

Positively wild?

Mason raised an eyebrow at Jessa before shaking his head with a small laugh. "Thanks" he said to both her and Cassie. "I wanted a head start because i know myself and procrastinate till the last moment and stress out. I want a stress free exam year this time" cause o.w.ls had been a nightmare.

He turned to look at the Gryffindor table to see why Dora had fled. But he honestly saw no reason at the moment. Should he ask if something had happened? Or was he intruding because she hadn't shared anything yet? Or was that what girls did? Stay silent about it and expect someone else to notice? That was ridiculous... No, he'd ask only if she started besides, he was in no mood for drama.

Speaking of drama, Mason pushed himself upright and dramatically rolled his eyes when Dora mentioned to Sam he was 'starving and dying' "Don't exaggerate, Dora. I am neither starving nor dying. Though i do wished the Headmistress would hurry up..." he said before he turned to Sam. "Hey, had a good summer?"

When the Gryffindor finally found her bag of crisps he first didn't want to grab some to show that he was not THAT hungry as she let it out to be. But then his stomach betraye----wait, had it been his stomach? Mason turned and saw a small Ravenclaw (Lorelei), probably a first year, drumming her fingers on the table next to him. He was positive that it had been her growling stomach and not his so when Dora passed down the bag of crisps to him he took some for himself and then handed the bag to the girl. "Want some?" Dora wouldn't mind right? He'd fight her if she did. and probably lose like last time