First years were fun, truly and the newest one (Mercer) seemed to have a whole bunch of energy. But then, er, he supposed he should have said the second to newest one? As there was another sort who made his way to the table and... sort of collapsed on the table in front of him (Milo). Evan eyed the boy, concerned. Others were already greeting him though, and lest his problem be similar to getting overwhelmed, the fifth year did not want to exacerbate that. So instead... he just observed.

At least, that was until Dahlia got his attention again by answering his query regarding her summer. New York, was it? That was an area he'd never actually made it to when they were in the States, but he certainly heard it was quite the sight. "Did you all have a good time? What'd you end up doing while you were there?" As for him... anything new? Not really, if truth were to be told. They did their normal summer camp and while his sister's went off to various camps, he stayed at home and studied and did more independent research. Outside of hanging out with a few people a couple of times, it had remained a fairly boring season for the boy. "Same old, same old in the Nam residence. Thanks for asking though."

Summer by a lake certainly sounded pleasant, Ig. "That sounds like a good time. Enjoy the visit with your grandparents?" He probably should have thought ahead on if there was anything exciting he actually did over summer, but as it was his answer remained the same for how utterly mundane it had been. "Went to the beach and some U17 quidditch games, but that's about it." But that was alright, he didn't regret the quiet - he just supposed he wished he had something a little more interesting -- in a positive light -- to report.

Attention shifted to Lisa as his eyes narrowed the slightest bit. Had she seen something? She was clearly fishing, and he couldn't tell if that's because she wished her older brother was slightly more interesting... or she just somehow KNEW things. Either way, he simply stared at her, not offering anything further on his train ride. But hers however... well that certainly got his attention. Why was it that all the people she just listed about hanging out with were BOYS? He could feel a headache coming on as he realized he was fast approaching the season in which his sister's were going to probably both starting having crushes, being on the receiving end of crushes and possible even... dating?? Being the most overbearing was not his style, but he was still protective. And perhaps a little disconcerted with the thought his sisters would have their first kisses before he did. Oof. "Sounds like it was really busy. Did you see Remy or V or Serena at all on the train too?"

The familiarity between the transfer student, Nerina, and Lisa surprised him momentarily. But then again, he remembered who he was dealing with and it was honestly not a shock his sister had already made friends with the new students. He wasn't sure what to do in response to a wink, so instead he just smiled a bit wider and gave another nod in her direction. "Where were you at before you transferred to Hogwarts?" He asked out of politeness and an effort to get to know new year mate but seeing Ignacio's sudden interest, Evan merely smiled a bit to himself and turned his attention away in order to let them chat. Suited him just fine, because that meant he did not miss any of Sam's reaction.

Evan did not usually find delight in surprising people, but truthfully Sammy's reaction WAS a little funny and the fifth year couldn't help but give a small chuckle. Truthfully, he probably was missing something to the story but so was Evan because he had no idea still what he had done to earn Jude's sister's ire. He'd wondered briefly if it had been that she liked him, but in light of other events he was fairly certain now that that was not the case. "If I knew more of the story behind the reasoning I'd be happy to share it but... I've got nothing. The same has happened to my older brother, so I think it might just be a Nam curse." Watch out, Maya. If it went in age order, she'd be next. "Anyways, I hope you're ready for study sessions this year!" Had already told Margaret he'd be hosting some and was well prepared for them already.

Even if this was literally only the opening feast.

Again, gaze settled back on the newest Eagle (Milo), catching his response. He... died? "Are you not feeling well?" It was the only thing the older boy could think to ask, because he was... clearly very much alive but maybe he was in pain and not just overwhelmed as he had previously thought.

Oh, but speech time. Hearing Professor - er.. . Headmaster Kazmi begin his introduction, Evan was feeling more and more hopeful as he spoke. Cursebreakers seemed a normal precaution following the ... well, curse of last term. But what really got his attention and a smile from the boy, was the fact that it was specifically stated the Board of Governor's would not be allowed on the school grounds. Good riddance, considering he was still displeased regarding their placement of Healer Poppy and their attempts at justification of her qualifications. They'd even tried to insinuate that she was better than Professor Peralta, whose presence was already missed at the head table. With the other usual warnings, food had arrived and he eagerly started to tuck in. He quite looked forward to the fill the belly and then good night sleep suggestion. Smart man their Headmaster was.

The train ride has been…predictable but not in a bad way really. Ingrid had spent most of it alone, sitting next to the window trying to read her book for the most part but the odd visitor did appear from time to time which was a pleasant surprise. It had annoyed the fifth Ravenclaw that one of those visitors hadn’t in fact been her brother (Adam). The one time she wanted the little dweeb to actually come and annoy her and he was nowhere to be seen. Typical. Just typical.

Not letting that deter her however, she made her way into the Great Hall in plenty of time and made her way over to the Ravenclaw table. Flashing a small smile to all of her friends, she sat herself down next to…she wasn’t even sure herself at the moment such was her current train of thought. Her mind was fully on her need to talk to her brother about their father and mother and how she’d need to possibly convince him to talk to their father with her to find out…something about her. Would he be reluctant? She honestly didn’t know because they never really talked about her, following their dad’s model.

Finally looking up, she peered around her and noticed that the crowd around her had actually gotten bigger thanks to a few first years or rather, first year Ravenclaws but not in first year? Weird. They were always so small. Well, not that small because she herself wasn’t exactly a giant like some people she knew.

Looking around, everyone seemed to be fully involved in a conversation and just…social, like she usually would be but today, it just seemed so hard to her, like she’d forgotten how to talk to people over the summer and be her usually cheerful self somehow. Double tucking her long, straight hair behind her ears, she waited for a moment as the speech started and did her best to listen to it but took very little of it in as her eyes wandered to the ceiling and the night sky there. It was so bright and shiny. When the food finally arrived, she quietly pulled forward some of her favourite dishes and got to work filling her plate despite her appetite not really being at the forefront of her mind and began to eat.

Peeking over the lens of his camera as Dahlia made her way over, Cooper offered her a warm smile and little finger wave in response to her 'hey' but was otherwise preoccupied with snapping a couple of pictures of Sammy and his friends to send off to Cecelia later. "Well...that is a point," he mused while manuevering his way around to stand behind Sammy. With a swish and flick and Fixate, Cooper hovered the camera in front of them and reached over to set the timer. The camera blinked for a few seconds before taking a couple of pictures of the duo. "There. I'll make sure she gets a copy of that too." And maybe save a couple of these and others he took tonight for Yearbook too.

His heart also could not help but swell at the reception Mercer was getting, which he deserved every ounce of, and he offered Evan a proud sort of beam and Ashley an appreciative smile right back. Was she doing okay, by the way? The avoiding eye contact was...well...

"Nerina! I had a feeling but still...it's something else getting to see it actually manifest!" Gosh darnnit, so he HAD missed at least part of her sorting after all. That little Gryffindor had cost him after all and there would be a certain kind of guilt rooted in his chest until he felt he had sufficiently made up for it. Starting now by easily fulfilling her request. "Of course, wouldn't dream of anything else! Strike a couple of poses," he chuckled while readying his camera again. He, of course, knew that she knew how to do that. And, well, he didn't want to be a party pooper...but the one fellow (Ignacio) was sort of stealing a bit of his older cousin thunder here. Though Cooper supposed that he had shown her the ropes on the train and given her plenty of insight...so it was a GOOD thing that peers, yearmates, were keen to help her feel welcome and situated but, well, he was protective and in so many ways (just like Kinsay) Nerina was still his little cousin who he had helped changed diapers for. So he just smiled at the exchange and did his best not to meddle or be THAT older brother figure.

And was he even surprised Lisa already seemed to know Nerina? Not at all. That little claw seemed to have wings that never exhausted and had her flittering from place to place faster than a portkey or apparition. A smile, with a little peel of his pearly whites, went in her direction as well.

Anyway, time for another introduction as he looped an arm around Nerina's shoulders after taking pictures. "And this is my cousin, Nerina. She just transferred here and is a budding beauty guru in the making and passionately charming." As somebody had already caught on to, so it seemed. Looking at you, Ignacio. "So...ditto," he added with another chuckle before giving the top of her head a little peck and unraveling his arm from around her to sit proper...and then in his next breath there was a Mercer using him as a jungle gym. Sure, just a few months ago or so Cooper was still giving Mercer and Marina piggyback rides around the loch and occasionally hoisting them on to his shoulders so they could see something or reach a particular branch in a tree with more ease...but the bench and table were already cramped quarters, so it was a bit tricky. "Okay okay...I promise. No more pictures, bud," he laughed while managing to get Mercer in an affectionate sort of headlock to ruffle his little brother's hair a bit. "Or...at least refrain until the food gets here." Because a picture of the spread was a must...and then Cooper would forget about the camera until the had properly gorged himself.

Was he curious about a secret Branxton treasure? Yes and no, but not in the way his brother was at least. Cooper had no real need for any sort of possessions...but if there was a memoir of some sort, something with knowledge from the past that could better the here and now and days to come...then that would be pretty cool. "Maybe there is a family time capsule," he mused aloud, wishful thinking more than anything. "And we could add something to it when we find it...and then put it back." For future generations to find and continue to build upon. These were the sorts of things the seventh year dwelled upon. "It's probably leave a roll of negatives."

Mercer calling out to a friend swung Cooper's attention around to see a boy using a plate as a pillow. Must be terribly exhausted from the trip here, the train could take a lot out of you if you were not use to it. "Ah, so this must be the other member of the Triple M Squad," he smiled while scooting a bit closer. Cooper's suspicious were confirmed too, with Milo proclaiming he died on the train. Died, in this case, obviously meaning exhaustion. "I'm Cooper, Mercer's big brother. Welcome to Ravenclaw. Mercer has told me a little about you," he smiled wide. He was just so glad Mercer had friends already! Even if he found Mitsuki to be a bit...odd.

But somewhere in between all this, Hogwarts new headmaster gave his speech and the food blessedly appeared before them. Which, of course, meant that it was time for a picture of the table. And, ONLY because he had it in hand already, he turned the lens towards Mercer and Milo. "Last one until the common room, I promise," he laughed for his little brother's benefit. "Then we can all tuck in to the feast."

And Cooper would be piling his plate full of mashed potatoes and roast beef.

"So...smile, you two," he instructed while lifting the camera to his eye once more.

And through the camera he spotted Ingrid looking...somber. He had often found himself sharing the barn and other creature spaces over the years, but she tended not to look so melancholy. "Everything okay there, Ingrid?"

Everyone was being extremely nice, like extremely. There really wasn't a reason for Sirius to be panicking, but its not something he could always control. Especially, not in a place this crowded. He could feel all the different energies and it was overwhelming as heck! The 13 year old tried to focus on the friendly faces and force a smile, all the while attempting to reply with eloquent responses that would establish that underneath this panic, is a rather nice boy. The smile dropped when he saw Ash's face fall. "Wait--No." He backtracked, trying to speak over the roaring voices in The Great Hall, "I didn't mean--". Oh, no. He didn't mean to make her sad. It was an accident! This agonizing feeling bubbled in his legs, rolling up into his chest like tidal wave that was about to--"EXCUSE ME, I HAVE TO RETURN SOME VIDEOTAPES." Sirius blurted, bolting straight up in his seat.

He froze, only managing a small, nervous chuckle at Saturn and hightailed out of The Great Hall without another word.

Ash was impressed that so many people smiled back at her. It didn't... she wasn't used to that. She... she always wanted that. Should she make some more people do that? She waved at Nerina, who looked nice, and turned to-

"Siri, wait-" Ok. So. When people said "I didn't mean it like that", it usually meant that they accidentally meant it like that. Ash was prepared to give the benefit of the doubt and all... but she couldn't say so. Because Siri was gone now with an extremely unconvincing excuse and probably everyone was looking at her now and it was her fault- oh, of course she had to make accidental eye contact with Saturn . Her face flushed, she muttered an apology only for them to hear. "S.... Sorry..."

Was the speech going on right now? Ash was not paying attention.

Nerina poses were practiced and as professional-looking as someone who learned them from fashion magazines could possibly look. Cooper was the best sport for indulging her, too. They both knew she could be a bit much when it came to this sort of thing, but she really did want her parents to have a part in this moment, even if it was just a picture of her first night. Her dad, in particular, she could picture getting all emotional over it. Big softy.

Also, the way Cooper introduced her to the group was impossibly perfect and had her preening. "He really loves me, obviously," She added and then gave her older cousin an affectionate nudge. She loved him, too. A lot. He was good people, that Cooper was. King of the Claws as far as she was concerned.

"I say if you don't find anything, Mercer, we make our own family treasure. Leave stuff in it like Coop said" It was a great idea. "I'd leave my most favorite hair care tips, obviously. Also probably some lip gloss because future Morettis need to take care of their pouts."

The fact that Mercer knew the droopy boy was excellent news because it freed Nerina up to put her focus elsewhere. Preferably on people closer to her age and ones not talking about being dead. Did that little one really think he was a ghost? Strange.

"Well thank you, Sam." She preferred Sam over Sammy, she'd decided. Also, he was cute. "I must say, your hair is incredibly well taken care of." She appreciated that in a person.

"Oh, I was at a smaller school in Italy, actually." Nerina offered Evan a smile and a shrug. "It was beautiful and the food was good, but I really wanted to see what all the fuss about Hogwarts was about. Plus, my family goes here." And she wanted a new adventure. That too.

And food. Finally food. Nerina listened attentively enough to the speech, but what she'd really been looking forward to was the spread that showed up on their table just after. She was starved.