Maria was trying to not think about food since that'd made her even more hungry as Yukie arrived as a welcome distraction. Smiling over at the older girl Maria greeted "Hi Yukie! I had a lovely summer. I spent it with my brother and dads and I got new clothes, and even my own broom. I hope I don't fly it into the whomping willow. How was your summer?"

Spotting the younger boy's wave to her Maria smiled and asked over the table as the speech was still not happening. "Is there any class or club you are looking forward to taking/trying out Brandon?" She wouldn't be surprised if he said flying, dada or gobstones.

Why did seventh years have to be so tall? Maria wondered to herself as Dafydd took a seat near her, Jude and Keigh. "Hi Dafydd," she greeted with a small but kind smile. "Are you excited for classes to start tomorrow?"

Not good, not good at all. Of course she had now peeked Judes interest and he wanted to know all the things about her crush. Admitting that Kion attended Hogwarts was safe because hundreds of students went to the school. Nodding she confirmed quietly to just Jude. "Yes, he goes to Hogwarts...." She wasn't going to say year our house though it'd start the rumour mill for sure. "Thanks Jude," Maria beamed brightly. "We've waited a long time for this wedding to happen. It was postponed when my dad was mernapped." Thankfully that was behind them now in the past.

Turning to Jacoby she nodded "Yes, I did actually. It was a lovely summer spent in London with my family and friends. How was yours?" Why was the other boy moving around on the bench. Was he waiting for someone to get sorted perhaps?

Jasper's wide smile for some reason and willingness to chat made Maria dare to ask for crush advice from the older boy, but first she'd answer his other question. "I had a great summer too. I got to go to my first ever flying/quidditch camp. It was so fun, but I did give the teachers a scare, my balance isn't the best." Which isn't good on a broom. Anywho reaching up to curl a strand of hair around her finger as she asked "If you get giggly and warm around another person and your stomach flutters does that mean that you have a crush on them?"

Still trying to not think about the hunger sounds her stomach was making she turned her attention to Keighley asking quietly hoping that Jude didn't hear and would stop them."Want to go explore somewhere with me where we aren't supposed to go, sometime?"

Maria beamed when Desiree that she considered as one of her friends joined the badger table, sitting down near Yukie. Returning the wave with one of her own Maria called "Yes, I had a great summer, but it's good to be back at school. I didn't think it would be, but it is. How was your summer Desiree?"Before Maria could say anything else the Headmaster stood up to finally give his speech. Listening, she kept quiet during the speech, soaking in the words. When it was over Maria was about to reach for the bowl of mashed potatoes when she heard Desiree's question.

Turning to the slightly older girl she shook her head. "No, Headmaster Wintwerbottom didn't say who our new head of house is. Maybe it's one of the elder staffers like DeVries or Paton?" Until it was announced they could only speculate. Maria then focused on helping herself to fill her plate up with food before digging in.

As more students entered the Great Hall and more Hufflepuffs found their seats on their house table, Yukie continued to offer each and every one of them that she knew a smile. She was also more than ready to get her hands on the feast food when the time comes...because who wasn't? Hogwarts food just hit differently during feast times.

While she waited for ceremony to finish, Yukie indulged in more conversation. She was just really in the mood for interaction, maybe because of the first day vibes, but was always happy to be given attention. She turned to one of the first years she had greeted earlier. "Hi, Brandon! My name's Yukie. How are you liking your first day so far?" Not bad, right? Or at least, Yukie hoped.

Hi, you?? Yukie faked an offended face at the older Hufflepuff, Jude, but then followed it up with a bright grin. "Don't 'hi, you' me! You know my name!" She was just teasing. "Yes, please. Whenever you're not busy! Prepare something cool for me, alright?" Yukie tried not to continue that train of thought with a little sentiment on this term being Jude's last year at Hogwarts. It was faaaar too early in the term to even think about it.

"Jackson, hello!" Yukie greeted the other older boy with a smile. "I definitely am. Summer was a much needed break." Oh, summer. She'd get so happy looking back at it, even when it's only been recently. "Are you ready? It's your OWLs year!" It must be such a big deal, but Yukie still had an entire term to not think about her own OWLs. They were inevitable....but they are a problem for future Yukie.

Feeling someone sit beside her, Yukie turned to the side, her brain was thinking all the thoughts of who it could possible be, and she was pleased to see it was one her dormies. The one and only Desiree. "Hi, Des!" The littlest Rasting gave her a side hug. "A good summer, indeed. How have you been?" It was very much possible for Yukie to be listening to five different conversations at the same time at this point. She was a little nosey. You know, just a tad bit.

And then Maria! Yukie gave a little clap at the mention of new CLOTHES! She loved dressing up whenever she had the opportunity. "I love clothes. May I see them some time? I bet they're cute." If they weren't cute, then....not to worry! Nothing a bit of styling and sewing can't fix. "I spent most of it in Japan like all summers," she shared with anyone who was listening. Yukie contemplated on also sharing about her ice cream date with Luca, but she figured she'd keep that as a special thing of theirs instead. "Please don't fly into the Willow." She added as a bit of an afterthought.

Oh, speech time!

Yukie was curious about their new headmaster, and her first impression of him was that he gave good grandpa vibes. Her grandpa was still the best one out there, no bias at all, but that was the vibes she was getting. Wilber Winterbottom was a name she would not forget either. Thinking on Desiree's question about their new head of house, Yukie was sad to no longer see Professor Holden at the staff table. "I miss Professor Holden." She was a big fan. Who was going to offer her Holden knuts now! Alas, life went on, even after Professor Holden abandoned them all. Not to be dramatic or anything.

Jacoby smiled at her, "It was epic, trip back out to a small village in South America with my parents for a bit. Friends and family makes it a nice break away from things. I sometimes miss it." He did, but he also liked getting to see all the cool places that his mom and dad took him for work.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kolyander

As Jacoby and Jasper joined the table, Keigh waved at them both in greeting. Hey guys. How was your summer?" She was curious to hear all about her fellow Badgers exciting lives. Daniel and Yukie got smiles as well, thought the former seemed rather distracted?

He turned his head smiling at Keigh, it felt like forever since he'd seen her. "Ah good good. I'm sure you heard me tell Maria about South America. But what did you do this summer? I haven't missed you say that have I? He tried to be present when people were talking but sometimes his mind wandered and his ideas started getting ridiculous but ya know things happen.

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

You know what was weird for Jude? Hearing anyone, even Jacoby as his Housemate, {and he was called this on occasions} call him Ryder. Sure, he liked the name but the name his dad had chosen for him was not his first preference {no offense, dad!}. “Not bad. Quite anticipating this year, actually. One last chance to enjoy all things Hogwarts!” Make some more memories and all that jazz.

He grimaced the minute Ryder had left his mouth cause he knew that he went by Jude. But it was out and he'd just have to remember his preferred name next time. "Nothing like the NEWT year, right?" He hummed a bit, nodding his head making his hair bounce a bit. "Nothing like making memories here."

Scarlett was definitely feeling refreshed after the summer holidays. That didn't mean, however, that she would want to do another batch of OWLs or similar that year. No, thank you. A more chilled-out, sociable year sounded like the best option this time. Let the craziness of studies drown her again next year.

MEANWHILE, the sixth (WHAT) year was there mainly for the food. Was that bad? "Hiya!" She did say to some of her friends and acquaintances that were already at the Hufflepuff table as she took a seat just before the middle of the yellow table.

She tap, tap, tapped her finger tips on the table, hummed under her breath and rested her chin on the palm of her hand and her elbow on the table as she watched the newcomers be sorted, applauding every time a new kid joined the badger house.

In truth, she was curious to know more about the new staff, who she started studying from a distance.

It wasn’t long after the Headmaster’s speech that a paper airplane fleeeeeew its way from the Slytherin table to the Hufflepuff. It looped and dove down to its previous owner, a one Jasper Botros…

Her brother Jude was the best. Keigh couldn't say it enough or well.. think it enough? Whatever. It was fact. The way he always supported her no matter what the situation was, there wasn't anything better. She was going to miss having him at her side when he graduated at the end of the term. Was there anyway possible that maybe he would consider spending another two years here.. just so she wouldn't have to be without him? Chances weren't, no.. but she could hope. Having let go of Charlie, she slipped her hand into his to hold onto, her blue eyes catching that look on her brothers face. Without him even saying a word, she knew what he was thinking. "I'm good, Jude, honest. Everything's going to workout.. I know it will." Meaning things not only with Char but with a very special girl over at the Ravenclaw table. She was allowed to be happy right now and she wasn't going to let anything stop her from feeling that way. Or anyone.

Keigh smiled softly and gave a small nod of her head at Maria's question. "Absolutely. Do you have anywhere specific in mind or just.. want to explore?" There were reason's for her soft tone of voice and careful wording right then. Should anyone happen to overhear them she didn't want them to know exactly what was being spoken of. At least not until she herself knew what the younger girl was thinking. Being as close as she was to Maria and Desiree, Keigh was able to hear the girls mention their thoughts on their new Head of House. Now this was something that she somewhat knew.. well not whom their's would be but who it wouldn't be. "I don't know who ours is but it's not Professor Paton. She's the Gryffindor's Head of House this year." She had known that for a little while now. Perks of being the professor's cousin.

Shifting a little on the bench so she could face Jacoby when he spoke to her again, the blonde smiled. "I did, how was it? Really different than anywhere around here, I'm sure?" She loved hearing about new places and was ready to take lots of mental notes on what he told her. When she graduated in a few years she had every intention of traveling around for her career and getting to see the world as she did so. "My summer was really great. Loads of time with my family, friends and partners. And even more time spent training for and partaking in as many MMA events as I could manage." So basically it was a typical summer for her.

Spotting Scarlett a little ways down the table, Keigh smiled and waved at the slightly older girl in greeting.

Shortly after the new Headmaster's speech, as soon as he thought he could politely slip away from the Staff Table, Tapio made his way down to the Hufflepuff table to introduce himeself (for he'd noticed that Winterbottom had neglected to announce the head of house changes, though far be it from Tapio to correct the man on his first night).

"Greetings, House Hufflepuff!" he exclaimed as he reached the head of the badgers' table. "Please don't interrupt what you're doing, but I just wanted to say hello and let you know that I will be your new Head of House this term. I know I wasn't a badger myself, since I didn't attend school at Hogwarts as a boy, but I've always felt that if I had, I would have been in Hufflepuff. At any rate, please feel free to come see me in my office down near the greenhouses if you need anything, and good luck in the new school year." Tapio shifted his bandaged arm in its sling as he surveyed the students seated at the table. He hoped they would be all right with this; the young were sometimes more upset by changes than adults.

Wiley was a tad bit overwhelmed with all the people and food and just the magic of Hogwarts, but it was a good kind of overwhelmed. It was all amazing and exciting, and he was busy shoveling the delicious food into his mouth when his attention was diverted by the tall man (Tapio) who let them know he was his very own head of house. Cool!

"Wow, you're really tall," Wiley blurted out in evident observation. But he was kind of in awe about it. "What's your name?" Because he hadn't said and Wiley being new didn't already know it. "Mine's Wiley Whittebrook." Sometimes he liked to say his whole name because of how cool it sounded all together like that. "Did you get hurt?" he asked in honest curiosity, his eyes falling to the man's bandaged arm in the sling.

Ah yes, his name--Tapio had forgotten that the new students wouldn't know that. See how easy it was to forget things at the feast? Now he and Winterburn had something in common. "Sorry, my name is Professor Tapio DeVries, and I will also be your Herbology professor. And the school librarian. And yes, I suppose I am a bit taller than average, it's just the way I was born." Tapio smiled at all the questions and, glancing down at his arm, added, "Oh, I just had a little accident while on holiday in Japan just before school started. I'm sure our new school healer will be able to put it to rights very soon. But thank you for asking. And welcome--or welcome back--to Hogwarts!"

While he was answering the questions of one of the new Hufflepuffs, Tapio followed the trajectory of the not-unnoticed paper airplane over to the Slytherin table and than cocked his head over at Jasper. "And Mr. Botros, do please advise your friend to refrain from using this form of communication in the Great Hall--don't want to put someone's eye out, do we?" And with that, Tapio looked around to see if anyone had any more questions before returning to his seat at the staff table (he didn't want to miss pudding!)