Septimus has somehow lost track of his train companions. There always was that rush of students as they got off at the station, all seemingly going off in a dozen directions even though it really was only two. No bother though, seeing as he was pretty sure of his chances of seeing either Drew and Hanna again, likely at the feast, seeing as they were all Ravenclaws. Or the Ravenclaw Common Room, or dorms for Drew, when they moved on from the official gathering.

Stepping into the Great Hall it was clear he was early. Especially when he made his way over to the eagle table and found himself alone. "The first to arrive..." he absently mused aloud. That was a new experience. Not even the prefects were around as he took a seat on a empty bench, settling in and taking a view of the rest of the enormous room.

Off the train and into the feast! Having found something savoury during the train ride to counter the copious amounts of sweets she'd consumed, her stomach felt more settled. She did, however, feel the start of hunger rumbles. Sweets and some crisps weren't exactly filling.

She spotted Septimus and slid into the seat next to him. "Hello again," she said. She wanted the feast to start. If only they could have nibbles there, to enjoy whilst watching the sorting.

She remembered that Dizzy was here somewhere too. Hanna looked around at the people coming in, but didn't spot her just yet. She crossed her fingers in hopes to see her in Ravenclaw.

The Grey Lady was in her element because this term she had made a vow to get to greet the new arrivals. This was something she had been doing during the prior terms. The current new term for some good reason made her eager to continue her trend. Lady Helena gracefully floated over to the beloved Ravenclaw table when the students started to pour in. “Good evening.’’ Helena smiled a welcoming smile. “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Welcome to the new ones as well.’’

Smiling now, Ewan sat down, his body relaxing as he came to grips with the familiar surroundings that was Hogwarts. Looking around, he couldn't help but smile at the first years that were being sorted into their house for the first time. How times had changed. Briefly, he looked around and noted the prescence of his fellow Ravenclaw students. With a small nod, he continued to take in the magnificent hall that lay in front of him.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

Off the train and into the feast! Having found something savoury during the train ride to counter the copious amounts of sweets she'd consumed, her stomach felt more settled. She did, however, feel the start of hunger rumbles. Sweets and some crisps weren't exactly filling.

She spotted Septimus and slid into the seat next to him. "Hello again," she said. She wanted the feast to start. If only they could have nibbles there, to enjoy whilst watching the sorting.

She remembered that Dizzy was here somewhere too. Hanna looked around at the people coming in, but didn't spot her just yet. She crossed her fingers in hopes to see her in Ravenclaw.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Lady

The Grey Lady was in her element because this term she had made a vow to get to greet the new arrivals. This was something she had been doing during the prior terms. The current new term for some good reason made her eager to continue her trend. Lady Helena gracefully floated over to the beloved Ravenclaw table when the students started to pour in. “Good evening.’’ Helena smiled a welcoming smile. “Welcome to another year at Hogwarts. Welcome to the new ones as well.’’

See…there was Hanna, the boy turning to look at her as she took a seat beside him at the table. “Hey,” Septimus returned before her gaze seemed to trail around the Great Hall like he had been doing previously. He in turn returned his attention to the table just as the Grey Lady appeared at the Ravenclaw table. “Good evening, Lady Helena,” he greeted the Ravenclaw ghost with a polite smile.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GD2204

Smiling now, Ewan sat down, his body relaxing as he came to grips with the familiar surroundings that was Hogwarts. Looking around, he couldn't help but smile at the first years that were being sorted into their house for the first time. How times had changed. Briefly, he looked around and noted the prescence of his fellow Ravenclaw students. With a small nod, he continued to take in the magnificent hall that lay in front of him.

Oh look, a new sort. The first to Ravenclaw. “Welcome to Ravenclaw,” Septimus greeted the smiling first year. “I’m Septimus,” he added to be polite, even as his younger companion was clearly distracted by the sights of the Great Hall. Boy did he know that feeling.

Face still burning from her small reaction to the sorting hat (that happened in front of the whole school!), Dizzy made her way to the blue table, and paused. She was in Ravenclaw. Hanna and Nettie and Drew's house! They were here somewhere in the sea of faces, she just needed to...

Dizzy grinned as she spotted Hanna, and waved before skipping over and taking a seat next to the 3rd year. "You didn't tell me the hat speaks inside your head!" she chided Hanna, but by now the embarrassment was fading, leaving behind only the humor.

"Hello!" she greeted the boys (Septimus and Ewan) near them. Dizzy's Dutch accent seemed slightly heightened tonight. "I'm Dizzy!"

Something floating in her periphery caught Dizzy's attention. Her eyes grew wide in excitement! "You're a ghost!" She announced to the Grey Lady. A bit obvious in hindsight, but..."Sorry, I always wanted to meet a ghost, and wasn't expecting to on my first night." So far Hogwarts was living up to what she'd been told to expect...which literally was everything. "I'm Dizzy...er...rather, Dizzy is my name."

Shera had fallen asleep on the train and only awoken once they'd arrived in Hogsmeade, so it wasn't surprising that she hadn't seen anyone yet. In fact, she was going to be more surprised if she recognised anyone. Or if they even recognised her after she had left Hogwarts after first year.

It was only a year though...

She was still just as amazed as she was the very first time that she walked into the great hall, making her way back to Ravenclaw table. She dropped herself near a boy (Septimus) that looked her age. "Evening," she greeted, a grin on her face as she brushed the insanely messy brown curls out of her eyes. She definitely didn't recognise that one, but maybe he'd remember her? There were also two girls (Hanna and Dizzy, one of which actually seemed familiar to her. "Hey... Hanna? Shera was somewhat certain that they'd had classes together in first year... Hanna and Nyx? Were those the two that explained muggle things to her? She also gave a nod at the other girl who she hadn't recognised. "I don't think I met you before, my name's Shera. Nice to meet you!"

"Good evening, Grey Lady. How are you doing this evening? Did anything interesting happen over the summer?" She paused her rambling for a moment to tilt her head to the side. It just ended with the curls falling in her face covering an eye. "Actually did anything interesting happen in the last year?"

She had some catching up to do.

And ooooh there was the first first year (Ewan). At least they wouldn't know how out of place Shera was feeling as well. She beamed, attempting to be somewhat welcoming. Whether she achieved that with her level of enthusiasm was another question entirely. "Welcome to Ravenclaw! How are you doing? I'm Shera by the way it's nice to meet you!"

Looking up now, Ewan couldn't help but notice that the table was slowly getting more and more crowded. Near, Ewan couldn't help but notice the accent of a first year Ravenclaw who had just been sorted. Not wanting to be rude, be answered her greeting "Hey Dizzy, I'm Ewan". Watching now, he couldn't help but notice her excitement at seeing the Grey Lady. He was the same last year. Except that was last year.

Turning to another first year now, Ewan couldn't help but be amused. She thought he was a first year. Honestly, he'd left half way through so I guess he was? No. This was his second year. Deciding not to make a scene, Ewan smiled at the girl and replied "Hey there, how was your summer? I'm Ewan. It's nice to meet you".

Once he had hopped off the carriages, Drewett made no other stop before making his way to his house table. Well, except for the loo and dropping his luggages, that is. With all that set, he directly went to his usual place at the Ravenclaw table.

Which was, unsurprisingly, at the far end of the table, his Rubik's Cube in one hand. He was never without his Rubik's Cube, and he knew the sorting ceremony would take a while.

He had his snacks tucked inside his pocket as well. Drew had learned his lessons to always bring extra food to the sorting ceremony. Sometimes the speech took forever, and the last thing he wanted was to draw attention to his grumbling stomach.

That sorting wasn't so bad at all to Tad. He did wish he had been warned about it speaking in his head making him feel crazy for a bit. He supposed it was something he had to figure out on his own like a number of things. He couldn't make out where Elisa was sitting so he just decided to choose the closest opening in the table.

"Hi.." He didn't need to tell his name again right? The sorting hat hadn't kept his name a secret after all. His eyes blinked at the ghost floating over to them, scanning around to see others to talk with. He wondered where that Alastair guy went when his eyes noticed something. "What's that?" He gestured towards the colorful object in (Drew)'s hand.

Jackson had managed to get to the Feast and boy could he use some sustenance. He had meant to get a few things from the trolley, but he hadn't had much of an opportunity. Stomach threatening to announce himself, Jackson made his way through the Great Hall and walked down the line of the Ravenclaw Table.

"Welcome Baby Claws!" he shouted down the table.
There were some faces a slight bit more familiar to him, to whom he smiled. He was just going to pretend he knew all of them. All. Of. Them.

Yes, you get a wave! You get a smile!

Dorian had miraculously found the way to the Ravenclaw table without bumping in to any thing or anyone. And as he sat down, the dog eared the DADA textbook in his hand and placed it on the table besides his plate.

Finally looking up, the Ravenclaw said a quick "Hi everyone" as he scanned the table for familiar faces until the sorting ceremony began. He turned so he faced the little first years and unlike last year when he questioned if he had been that small as well, he now thought about whether they would survive this school...literally...

But, no life threatening situations had occured YET.

When the ceremony was over, the fourth year looked over had the staff table, sending a non-existent signal to the headmistress for the speech cause he was hungry.....wait...was that?!

A glimmer had caught his attention from the corner of his eyes and he looked in the direction to see that Jackson had become Prefect. He was too far away though and he did not want to break rules and shout so he made a mental note to congratulate him once they were in the common room. Professor Hirsch had probably already set up some kind of party like always.

Speaking of him....where was he? Not at the staff table... Ah, maybe he was just late.

And just as she was watching the sorting, there was the one and only ghost of the Ravenclaw tower. "Hello Lady Helena," Hanna greeted her. They were so lucky to have her as their house Ghost. The Bloody Baron scared her, and Nearly Headless Nick was too brave. She liked The Friar, but of course Lady Helena was her favourite. "How was your summer?"

Hanna clapped LOUDLY when Dizzy was sorted into the house. She beamed as her friend walked towards the table and next to her. "Welcome to Ravenclaw," she said excitedly. "Oh. Well... I kinda forgot about that..." It had been a little while since her sorting, and even then it barely spoke in her head. "You never have to do that again!" At least she didn't think so. When else in life would they have to be sorted?

Shera was there, too, and it was good to see the faces which were familiar. "Hello Shera! How was your summer?" She asked. Hanna had been so anti-social last year that she almost forgot everything that happened. Including her housemate not being there.

Hanna sent smiley waves to Drew, Jackson, and Dorian, too.


And when more first years joined, Hanna thought it was only nice to be welcoming to the new Ravenclaws. "Hello," she said to Ewan and Thadius as they joined. "I'm Hanna!"

Jackson was making his way back down the table and when he was approaching the Grey Lady, he gave her a bit of a bow. "Good evening," he greeted her. He always felt that she had this elegance about her. Jackson quite respected Lady Helena. He didn't voice it, but he was in awe of the fact that she was the daughter of Rowena Ravenclaw. Like... WHAT? Honestly, he thought it would have been awesome for the Founders to come back as ghosts themselves... There wouldn't be any more hat stalls probably. Spotting more claws he recognized, he resumed his hellos and smiles before picking a seat. He was quite ready to eat some of this feast.

Alastair followed after Thadius's very literal footsteps (honestly, how much mud could a pair of shoes have on them?) and arrived at the Ravenclaw table. Still grumpy about the sorting hat's rapid-fire decision, even though this was the house he was going to argue he belonged in, Alastair dropped down onto one of the benches and looked around at the other Ravenclaw students. He didn't think he'd ever been around so many people his own age in his life.

“Young Septimus. Is your mind prepped for another year?’’ Lady Helena smiled. “How is your mother?’’ Josephina was well remembered here at Hogwarts.

The arrival of twins held Helena’s interest. It wasn’t unusual to have siblings in the same House though twins together were a bonus. The Ravenclaw drew up herself to full height. “I am Lady Helena Ravenclaw, the House’s ghost. You may call me the Grey Lady or Lady Helena.’’ Her features softened. “That’s an interesting name you have, Dizzy.’’

“Mister Ban-Ari. What a lot of questions. I am quite well. Its a pleasure to be among you lot again. Not at all. It was rather a quiet summer. Less noisy too. Why yes. The Inferi attacked.’’ Transparent eyes blinked at him. Hadn’t he known?

“Welcome to Ravenclaw, Mr. Potter.’’ Here was another family that was familiar to her. Drew, Dorian , Alastair and Ewan all drew kind smiles from her as she looked in their directions.


“Jackson Thomas. A hearty congratulations to you. Well deserved.’’

“It was so quiet, Hanna. Now that you lot are back that’s all gone.’’ Helena smiled. “That’s not something I mind. I like having you all around. Did you have an enjoyable summer?’’

There were a lot of other first years that needed to be sorted, but Drew had seen them since last term and there were always a lot. Even when he tried to concentrate and pay attention to all individual sortings, his already long attention span couldn't do it. He, instead, glanced around to see if he knew any of the new people who had joined. His green eyes fell on a familiar girl, and he realised that it was Dizzy. The third year raised a hand to wave a bit at her. If she could see, or not. It didn't matter. He usually wasn't visible from this corner of the table.

"G-good evening, L-Lady Helena..." Drew greeted as their house ghost passed by him. He used to be skeptical of them, and the thought of passing through a ghost was both scary and intriguing to him.

But given that the speech was going to take longer again, Drew went back to solving his cube. He still had his grilled cheese sandwich inside his robes' pocket, which he was willing to share with a friend. He briefly wondered where Mackenzie was, in that case. However, his attention was caught by another voice. Drew looked up and saw a first year. A curious one, at that. "Hi... uh, welcome t-to Ravenclaw," he said, almost awkwardly. He hadn't expected one to notice him, but alas. "Uhm... i-it's a R-rubik's Cube... and you t-try to sssolve it."

Ewan may not have been a first year, and perhaps his 'how was your summer' should have given it away. Shera was too oblivious to notice any of the things that pointed towards Ewan not being a first year. It was going to be that way until he pointed out the truth to her, or someone else told her about her mistake first. At least they could laugh about it then.

"Pretty good," she responded, beaming at the younger boy. Summer was always fun. This one more so considering she knew that she'd be back at Hogwarts. "How was your summer Ewan?"

Shera had expected that maybe Hanna would have the same issue and have trouble remembering what her name was. But somehow the other Ravenclaw didn't. In fact, the other Ravenclaw hadn't even said anything about Shera not being there for an entire year. Somehow, Shera was happy about that. She grinned at the other girl. "It was great! Didn't get up to all that much though. How was your summer?"

Her blue eyes shifted at the sight of a new arrival (Alastair). "Hey there, welcome to Ravenclaw!" she greeted, beaming at the first year. Could she get a smile in return? "My name's Shera by the way, nice to meet you! How are you feeling?"

Shera's head tilted to the side as what the Grey Lady had said was sinking into her mind. Inferi had attacked? What had happened over the last year? Clearly she picked the wrong year to go missing. Her eyes darted across the hall in order to see if she could quickly locate all the other people that she could remember, including Professors. There was no way that she could work it out though. "Inferi attacked Hogwarts?" she repeated, completely dumbfounded at the thought.

Then another first year (Thadius) caught her attention asking another boy (Drew) about a colourful thing that he was holding. "So, uh, how does one solve it?"

The length of time it took for the sorting to happen, followed by the speech, up to the point that food appeared was always a bit of a long haul. Still, Chloe could bear it cheerfully enough, since she remembered the excitement of her own sorting and she knew it was rude to eat before the Headmistress.

But she was HUNGRY. She hadn't had anything since the chocolate frog on the train, and right now, that felt like days ago. So if the normally chipper sixth year was less than bubbly, it was probably because she could feel her stomach eating itself from the inside out.

Nettie was running just a TAD late to the feast. She'd had a great train ride and met some new people, got to catch up with a couple of people, and had pulled in to the station all ready to see her old housemates - until Rudy got out of his carrier and climbed onto the luggage rack in her car. It had taken FOREVER to get him down, as he had for some reason gotten scared and decided to huddle in the corner where her little arms couldn't reach. She'd been too embarrassed to ask for help, and when she finally admitted to herself she couldn't do it - everyone had already gone. Eventually she'd gotten him down, and now she was BASICALLY DYING of hunger.

Hurrying in to the Great Hall, she immediately made a beeline for her house table. She grinned and took a seat. "Hey everyone!" she greeted the group at large. "And bonjour Lady Helena," she added with a smile, greeting the house ghost as well. Couldn't forget her!

"OH! Dizzy! You got sorted into Ravenclaw!" she let out an excited yell when she noticed the girl she'd met in Diagon Alley was there. She then turned to her plate and noticed...it was still empty. UGH. COME ONNNN.

"Realllyyyy? No food yet?" she let out a small groan as she frowned at the empty dishes. She'd hoped she'd spent enough time messing around trying to capture her cat that she would miss all the boring speech stuff...

There was another newly sorted Ravenclaw…one that Hanna had apparently already met given the girl’s interaction with his year mate. Dizzy. That was an interesting name. Not that Septimus was all too normal itself. “Hi Dizzy…I’m Septimus,” the third year said, returning the greeting. “Welcome to Hogwarts.” He was about to answer Dizzy’s question, but the Ravenclaw ghost answered it herself.

The table was filling up including the spot next to him that had just been taken by another third year girl. (Shera) “Good evening,” he returned her greeting. Opening Feast were always good evenings, at least the ones he had attended that he could be sure of. And maybe the ones his mum told about. Turning to a dormmate as he was added, thankfully adding to the boys gathered around, he nodded to him. Drew Septimus seemed to remember. “Hey.”

And then there was an older boy (Jackson) that the third year had seen around. Septimus waved back as he passed, eventually noticing the prefect pin on the boy’s robes. So that would be the new male prefect for Ravenclaw. He made a note of the face to keep an eye out for him later tonight and anytime after that he might need a prefect.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grey Lady

“Young Septimus. Is your mind prepped for another year?’’ Lady Helena smiled. “How is your mother?’’ Josephina was well remembered here at Hogwarts.

Of course Lady Helena remembered him. “Yep…as prepped as its gonna be,” he remarked with a nod. And his mum. “She’s doing well,” Septimus assured the ghost. She might miss the castle and her students from time to time but she was alright. “I’ll let her know you asked of her.” That was a polite response…right?

Now inside the Great Hall, Jessa could confirm that she’d been right to stay outside for as long as she did. It was so crowded in here—as she supposed it always was—and the sudden assault on her senses sent her reeling somewhat.

Rather than draw further attention to herself, Jessa took the spot at the very end of the table, the one right by the double doors she’d just entered. From there, she kept her eyes on the men as they made their way to the front.

She watched the quiet one hand over a letter but couldn’t see all that much from her spot at the back of the table.

Watching the table before her filled with Ravenclaws she knew she was meant to be greeting and new ones she was meant to be welcoming just made the young girl feel all the more overwhelmed. Looking around, the absences were glaringly obvious. All the 7th years she’s befriended, none sat at the table now and it made her feel quite alone. Add to that the sinking feeling these men brought in their wake and it made for a rather uneasy Head Girl.

Could they go to their common rooms now? Reset and try this feast again tomorrow?

Tad turned his head in the direction of the Baby Claws. Oh, he (Jackson) was one of the older students who redirected him on where to go for the boats. "Hi, you can call me Tad or Taddy." He was wondering about that badge.. oh wait. He remembered Chloe and Elisa mentioning about people with badges. "Are you a Prefect? That's cool."

"Hi Hanna. I'm Tad or Taddy, which ever you like." Tad thought she seemed nice. "What year are you in?" She didn't seem old to him.

Tad's eyes did find Alastair eventually, giving him a friendly smile. "That hat was pretty weird, don't you think?" He did notice that the hat didn't get to stay very long on his head. "Did it... say anything else to you?" Sure, it seemed nosy but how else could he know things without asking.

"Hi..." Tad blinked back up at her. His mother did mention a ghost and how it was rude to just stare up at them like that. But at the moment he wasn't scared just... taken aback. His only experience around a ghost before was at the Primary Wizarding School but at enough distance. He overheard her giving another student permission to call her by either names. "Grey Lady.... you look cool! I mean, awesome."

A rubiks cube. Tad blinked at Drew, "Cool." Another girl (Shera) nearby asked him the next question on his mind. "Yeah, is it hard to solve?"

Looking around Tad could see two men heading towards the Staff Table. He blinked at them. "Who are they?" He wondered aloud. Were they teachers too?

Her sixth year, Connor's fourth and Jace's first.

Gosh this was going to be a trying year.

It was hard enough having one sibling witness her failing miserably at a social life but now her 'tell their parents everything' younger brother was at school with them, which meant everyone at home would become aware of how badly she was failing.

All in all, she cheered loudly and even stood up when he was sorted into Gryffindor. Her parents would be proud, in fact she'd have to send an owl off letting them know once the feast was over.

Magnolia glanced over at the Hufflepuff table.

Ugh...if only Farah was in the same house as her. It was lame not having any friends in her own house.

Where was the food? She needed a distraction.