Derry nodded... she wasn't exactly sure what else she was supposed to say on the subject... To be honest, she wasn't exactly sure what she was supposed to say on any subject... So she usually didn't.

...Oh. Okay. So he was sitting with her... so... um... carrying on reading would be rude, right? Derry put her bookmark in place and closed her book, putting it carefully back into her bag and moving up a bit so the boy could sit down properly.

Okay......... conversation? Or just sitting here in awkward silence. Neither of them sounded particularly easy so... "I'm Derry." she said, smiling back at him and fiddling with the tatty sleeve of her jumper. "I'm new... if it wasn't... um... obvious..."

"West Odessa." Because y'know, she had said her name so... yep. That was his. West intentionally didn't look at her book and was glad when she put it away. It was for the best and had nothing to do with the actual book.

He looked down at her all thoughtful like and then smiled cheerfully. "Well it wasn't but it makes sense. I mean... I kinda know everyone and everyone knows me so it'd be weird if you weren't knew and had been hanging about all this time with me not knowing who you are."

No really. He paid attention and was usually in the thick of things himself. That was how this Odessa rolled.

"Where'd you come from then? Like before." Beaux or something? Hmmm?

He hadn't said anything when she explained and only shrugged so she was more than happy to drop that part of the conversation. He was definitely not what she'd expected that was for sure! It'd be nice to have him in Slytherin, if that's where he got sorted, to be honest.

"Definitely go exploring." she said nodding "You'll find so much more than what I even said. Though I do recommend staying out of the forest." she said pulling a face "I got talked into going in there and we were nearly attacked by an acromantula and then got detention for going in there in the first place." That had been downright scary!

So.. yeah.. Wade had made it through the wall, without a problem. Just to make sure, he looked at the clock whilst pushing his trolley along.. there was plenty of time left, thankfully. He only stopped to begin unloading his luggage for the train.

After saying his farewells to Harvey, who had taken the day off to make sure that the Hufflepuff got through Platform 9 3/4's, Oakey continued on down. Mindfully watching everyone as he walked by. His Owl, Valentine still sitting on top of his head and resting as he always did would hopefully stay this way all the way to Hogwarts, and not find any reason to wake up and go berserk on him.
Honestly there was really only one person he was looking for, and that was Ariana, who by now had to be back from her 'Hellish' trip in America. No sign of her though, so he just continued to push his cart further down the platform.

Natasha looked up as the boy approached her. "Hi." She responded. "Yes, this is my first year." She said both nervous and excited.

The badge he wore caught her attention. "What does the badge mean?" Natasha asked with polite curiosity. She needed to get her curiosity under control before it got her into trouble.

Gwendolyn just made her way along the platform, not really minding to look at the people she was passing by. Actually, she was meaning to find some of her friends, but she was aware of the fact that she probably won’t manage to recognize anyone because of the crowd. Students everywhere. And all the hyperactive firsties. Gwen just wished she could be all happy now to be going back… but… seventh year… It sounded weird.

Still trying to shake that thought out of her mind, the Ravenclaw took a few more steps, but suddenly stopped, avoiding to bump into someone. It was Wade. ‘Hi’, she greeted the Hufflepuff with a small grin.

Elise looked around nervously as she crossed the magical barrier to the Magical World as she'd done every term for the previous five years that she'd attended Hogwarts. The idea of entering her sixth year already frightened her to bits, especially with NEWTs to think about and all the new responsibilities she was given. Adjusting the pet carrier atop her trunk, she tried to scan the platform for Chris or perhaps even Kat, but to no success.

The one person she did find, however, was Oakey. Squinting a little, she noticed that his badge no longer read 'Prefect' but something else. Starting with a 'h', ending with a 'y'. She let out a small laugh at th her stupidity. Of course Oakey would get Head Boy.

"Hey, Oakey?" she grinned, giving him a small wave. "I like your badge. It suits you." Her own badge, resting comfortably in her pocket until she boarded the train at least. That was if she even got onto the train, considering that Oakey had a tendency to push her in front of things that spouted smoke. Quite like dragons and trains.

So tackling someone to the ground was a totally acceptable way of greeting them, yeah? And it was definitely Captain-ish behavior, obviously. And now Ella was sort of squishing Alec on the cold hard ground which she felt a bit bad about. The blonde smiled sheepishly down at the boy and poked his cheek gently. "I guess I was a bit too excited?" Heh. And he was talking and laughing so he wasn't hurt or anything which was a relief. "Sorry about that." BEAM.

Rolling gracefully off her boyfriend, the fifteen year old stood and dusted herself off before extending a hand. "I'll help you up, yeah? It's the least I can do." Y'know, after literally sweeping him off his feet. "I betcha didn't know I was that strong, huh?" Grin.

Oh and she missed him too. Lots, actually. He probably guessed that from the greeting though, right?

He liked that she said it wasn't fair. Showed she had standards. Like... if they ever had to duel for DADA he didn't think she would cheat. That was a plus.


It was okay that she mentioned it, really. He smiled softly at her as she spoke. It was... nice to know that she felt something? Yeah. Nice. Not nice that it was a bad feeling, per say. But yeah. Heh. And she was doing an intense looking thing and normally this would have caused him to squirm, but right now he was really liking it. Letting his own eyes wander over her face he paused on her lips. They were nice. BLUSH. Oh... she used his words? Pulling his eyes up to hers he beamed. "I like that." Especially the we're part.

And all the while he had his eyes closed he could still see her face. WHAT DID THAT MEAN? Weird. It was like she was imprinted on his eyelids. Not bad, though. He could get used to that. She was glad, too. WOOT! This earned her a BIG BEAMING smile.

She was speaking... she got his FULL attention. And he, like she so often did for him, let her finish speaking completely before he spoke. "You have a very pretty name, Lotus Acacia." He mulled over the rest of the information and smiled at her. "Benjy, as much as we bicker, is my best friend." He didn't think he had ever admitted that aloud. And she was a third year... in WHICH house? It didn't matter to him at all. He had made friends in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff so far that he knew of. And then there was that transfer that would soon find out. But he let his curiosity go on, because apparently she wasn't ready to tell him. "I would like to go into the forest sometime. Perhaps we can go explore together?" He was interested to see if he could come across a centaur or an acromantula.

Wait... so... "Does this mean you will sit with me on the train?" BEAM!!!

At some point he was going to have to get his things onto the train. Pushing his cart all the way down to the luggage compartment seemed like the best way to put it all away though so on he went. Until he heard a familiar voice. "Oh Hi Elise." Oakey said waving to the blonde Ravenclaw Girl. He looked down at his badge then back to her slightly suspicious at her mentioning of his newly found burden of Head Boy. It almost sounded like she was being sarcastic. You could never tell what went on in a Ravenclaws head though. "You think so?"
Hadn't she stopped talking him since their internship two summers ago? What brought this on?

Wade was about done with loading his stuff..Hmm? Wade looked wildly around stopping to see, ah.. He returned the Ravenclaw a bright smile."Hiya Gwen.. good summer?"

Rory Ashworth, seventh year Ravenclaw, walked into to the platform. As usual he walked quickly and upright, with his shoulders down and chin up. Since he had a snobbish personality he liked showing off his height, and he always tried to be as tall as he could, especially in public. In one hand he had his large luggage while in the other he was holding his scarf (since he's very skinny he often gets cold) and a small book, with a black leather cover.

The Ravenclaw continued walking towards the south platform. While walking he saw two first years chattering and laughing. They were probably babbling about how excited they are, since it is their first year at Hogwarts. Ughhh... Rory rolled his bright blue eyes, we wondered if also he was so enthused at his first year. Maybe... but probably not. Rory never liked children, children are simply irritating and always talking in squeaky voices. They sometimes made him nauseous. "Ignore them Rory... Simply ignore them..." he mumbled to himself as continued to walk. Not even daring himself to look back. He preferred more mature people (teenagers and older) especially clever mature people.

Rory stopped for a moment, and put his scarf over his neck, but he didn't wrap it since it wasn't so cold, yet. He turned his head, looking for his friend, Joanna. Then he remembered that Joanna had graduated. Once again he had forgotten. Joanna was his best friend, and it was difficult for him to except the fact that she won't attend Hogwarts anymore... or at all. He had known Joanna ever since he was a second year, and they have been friends ever since. He sighed, he should stop thinking about her and look for his other friends. He doesn't want to depress himself already on the first day of school. He was already depressed enough form the fact that he needs to wake up every morning.

He sighed again, and bit his lower lip, he knew that he wasn't late for the train since there were more students in the platform, but still after seven years he doesn't know when the train arrives... idiot. The Ravenclaw crossed his arms and looked at his muggle watch, counting the seconds minutes, hoping the train will arrive any time soon.

Daichi laughed softly hearing her voice. He remembered when it had been his first year going to Hogwarts. He had been so excited and.. Hyper... "oh you must be excited!" he smiled before he sighed. He looked around the platform, feeling a bit sad. "This will be my last year" it was actually funny talking to someone who was just starting her school years when his own was almost ending.

He shook his head a little to bring his mind back to earth. He turned his eyes to the little girl again and then at the badge on his chest. "It's a Prefect badge. Which means i am one of the student leaders in the school" he would have to give the badge back after the end of the year though... "I'm the Prefect for Slytherin" speaking of houses "Which house do you think you'll go to?"

She did know about that right? Meeeeep! What if she was muggle born?!

"I don't have a clue what house I will be in." Natasha answered. "Does it matter that much?" Natasha asked. She had heard so many passing conversations all centered around that same question.

Wait, did he say it was his last year? What happened after school was finished? She would be going back to her mentor, but what did others do? "What happens after you graduate?" She asked, wondering what sort of job awaited all these students.

Text Cut: THEYARE.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

He liked that she said it wasn't fair. Showed she had standards. Like... if they ever had to duel for DADA he didn't think she would cheat. That was a plus.


It was okay that she mentioned it, really. He smiled softly at her as she spoke. It was... nice to know that she felt something? Yeah. Nice. Not nice that it was a bad feeling, per say. But yeah. Heh. And she was doing an intense looking thing and normally this would have caused him to squirm, but right now he was really liking it. Letting his own eyes wander over her face he paused on her lips. They were nice. BLUSH. Oh... she used his words? Pulling his eyes up to hers he beamed. "I like that." Especially the we're part.

And all the while he had his eyes closed he could still see her face. WHAT DID THAT MEAN? Weird. It was like she was imprinted on his eyelids. Not bad, though. He could get used to that. She was glad, too. WOOT! This earned her a BIG BEAMING smile.

She was speaking... she got his FULL attention. And he, like she so often did for him, let her finish speaking completely before he spoke. "You have a very pretty name, Lotus Acacia." He mulled over the rest of the information and smiled at her. "Benjy, as much as we bicker, is my best friend." He didn't think he had ever admitted that aloud. And she was a third year... in WHICH house? It didn't matter to him at all. He had made friends in Gryffindor and Hufflepuff so far that he knew of. And then there was that transfer that would soon find out. But he let his curiosity go on, because apparently she wasn't ready to tell him. "I would like to go into the forest sometime. Perhaps we can go explore together?" He was interested to see if he could come across a centaur or an acromantula.

Wait... so... "Does this mean you will sit with me on the train?" BEAM!!!

Question. Weren't Hufflepuffs supposed to be...well, famous is not the word...but didn't they usually have a preference for fair play? If so, then that was probably ONE thing she could share with them. Of course, fair play depended on other things as well. All's fair in love and war, right? Sort of. She didn't agree much with that saying, though.

So, remember how she was lost in his eyes? Well, that made it easier for her to notice where his eyes had actually paused. But it was entirely normal for them to stop at her lips while she was talking, so it didn't really matter. Just as it was totally normal as well for her eyes to move to his lips when he replied. Quickly, her eyes turned to his after that, and she smiled.

Lottie...didn't know how to describe this, really. She was smiling a lot in his presence, and seemed to enjoy his smiles as well.

Oh? Well, that was something she paid little attention to, honestly. So, she shrugged, "Trees and flowers, not the God of dreams," she replied, smirking a little. Hmmm? Lottie tilted her head to one side as she looked at him. Benjy? She was hoping it was a person, and not some pet that may end up eating Mags. "I'm afraid I don't know who Benjy is...," which was her way of asking who Benjy was. At this point, it should be a person. And no, no Houses yet. He'll find out sooner than later, surely.

The Forbidden Forest again? Heh. Oh, the Groundskeeper WILL kill her. She didn't actually answer Garrick, she simply smirked. "Once I get my butterbeer." GRANTED, he'd already said he will. So, never mind. She'll probably figure out a proper excuse for the Groundskeeper while she's on the train with Lex. She couldn't use Mags as an excuse this time. And MILTON wasn't at Hogwarts anymore. Seriously, the one time you need him, and he's not there.

But yes, Garrick, we'll go to the forest with you. Except...she looked at him curiously, "You don't climb trees, do you?" Very important question.

Sit with him? He told her to stick with him, right? And she supposed she could do so, but..., "I told Lex I'll sit with her...," her eyes on him, "...but I can sit with you as well." It was a LONG ride to Hogwarts, after all. She'd suggest them sitting together, but that wasn't really up to her, it was more up to Lex.

This was a great way to start off the year, wasn't it? Yep. Although, Alec didn't really mind being knocked over like this. He grinned back at her and let out another chuckle at the girl's words. A bit too excited? That sounded about right. "You were excited to see me?" Or the getting to Hogwarts bit? ... Probably both. Maybe. "You don't have to apologise, Ells!"

When she rolled off of him, Alec grinned some more and propped up on his elbows, his grey-blue eyes glued to the blonde girl. "Thanks, Ells!" he said, taking hold of her hand -- it was so soft -- and pulling himself up so that he was standing right in front of her. He did have half a mind to pull her back down again but... that might have been a little mean and they were in the middle of a platform so... "Not at all! Have you been working out, Captain?"

Also... he was forgetting something. Yep. The Hufflepuff shook his head like a puppy before leaning over and wrapping his arms around his girlfriend. Super hugs!

Ella rolled her eyes at Alec before grinning. "Of course I'm excited to see you." Wasn't that obvious? "I missed you lots, y'know." That was probably an understatement but eh, it'd do. The blonde simply shrugged at the not having to apologize thing. It wasn't right to knock someone down and not say sorry, yeah? Even if they didn't mind being knocked down in the first place.

He looked cute down there, all hair ruffly and smiley and looking up at her. It was really a shame she didn't have a camera. "Anytime," She said with a smile as she tugged on his hand and helped him to his feet. She kept hold of it too, lacing her fingers with his. He'd probably be stuck with her for a while so he'd better get used to it. Grin. "Only if you count walking Dino with Oakey. I'm more of a sit on the couch with ice cream type girl."

HUGS!

Ella wrapped her arms around her boyfriend and squeezed him tightly. After a few minutes she smiled up at him and said, "I've missed these too."

For some reason, everything the girl did seemed to make him laugh, even the slight rolling of the eyes that she was doing. It was just... funny. "Well... good because I'm excited to see you too!" Like REALLY. Going back to Hogwarts meant seeing a lot more of his girlfriend which was always awesome. "I've missed you too. Like lots!" And this part wasn't funny at all. NOPE.

The fact that the girl was keeping a hold of his hand made the boy look down at their hands and grin a little. This was just like old times, before the whole summer thing wedged itself in and forced the two to go two seperate ways for two months. Not fair, that was. "I think that counts. ... And how is Oakey, by the way?" he asked, his eyes now on her face while his fingers played around with hers, "Funny, that's my favourite type of girl."

... Maybe he had bumped his head... maybe.

... Did he mention how much he liked hugging her? Because he did. Especially when she hugged him back tightly. "Yeah?" he whispered, looking down at her and grinning some more, "Maybe you'll get lots more of those then?"

Was she smiling like an idiot right now? Probably. It was the whole having a boyfriend thing...it made her all brainless and giddy and smiley. At least that wasn't such a bad thing, right? He didn't mind it? "I'm glad to hear it." Grin. Really glad. Also, "Well now that we're going back you're sort of stuck with me so..." So the missing her thing could be over nowish.

Ella followed Alec's gaze down to their hands and gave his a little squeeze. It was adorable, the way he looked down nearly every time they did this as if he was surprised it was happening. "Really? Well...then yeah, I worked out loads." Grin. "Oakey is good. He's dragged a ladder up to my window so he can come and go as he pleases." Which had made for some interesting encounters. Shuffle. The blonde blushed a little at his next comment, nudging him gently. "Well you're pretty lucky then because you happen to be dating that type." BEAM.

And then the whispering thing happened and Ella became even more brainless than before and just smiled sheepishly at the hair ruffler. Lots more hugs? "I'd be okay with that, y'know." Nodnod. VERY okay with it. Oh and she wasn't letting go yet, okay?

Okay.

The smiling thing she was doing? Alec really liked that. It sort of lit up her whole face when she was smiling like that and the boy usually ended up staring at her for quite a while at times. Like he needed another reason to stare at her. ... Moving on... "Yeah?" he said, tilting his head to the side, "I wouldn't have it any other way." GRIN. "Oh, hey! This means blanket forts and trips to the kitchen, right?" FOR ICE CREAM.

And there was that laughing thing. Again. Alec looked away and grinned widely, trying his hardest not to laugh too much. "Well... good because it'll be useful for your Ellasaurus moments!" Did he know what he was saying? Nope. ... Ladder? His eyes cast back to the blonde and he tilted his head. "Really? Is the ladder still there?" ... GRIN. "So you agree that I'm lucky to be dating you?" Were they finally agreeing on something linked to compliments?

"Yeah? Awesome!" GRIN. "Erm... so did you have a good summer?" Because that was one of those must-ask questions when it was the end of the summer holidays, apparently.

Even though she had been quite confused a few moments ago, on whether she was happy to be going back… or sad because this was her last year. But ehh. That feeling started going away. She was OBVIOUSLY happy to be going back to Hogwarts. Heh. Still with a smirk on her face, the Ravenclaw waited for some reply from Wade.

Please no questions about this being her seventh and final year…

Phew. Summer holiday. ‘Great’, she started saying. ‘I actually haven’t traveled much. Just went to France for a couple of weeks to see my best friend’ Heh. That had been the best part of the holiday. But anyway, she had mostly been around Diagon Alley. ‘How about you?’


After she crossed the wall, Gwendolyn started making her way along the train platform, mumbling an ‘excuse me’, ‘sorry’, from time to time when she accidentally bumped into someone. She passed by some of the students she had seen before, and even some of the people she knew quite well, but everyone was busy talking to other people, and Gwen didn’t want to interrupt. But anyway, what caught her attention… or, better said, who, was a group of firsties. Heh. Hyperactive firsties. Although she generally disliked the fact they were so enthusiastic and loud and all so happy, she was quite jealous of the fact that they were super happy to be going back… while she was worrying that this was her final year.

Before taking another step, the seventh year checked to see if she had everything with her. Luggage… sketchbook… newspaper to keep her busy on the train if she won’t find any of her friends… Yes. All of them here. And… one last thing- the cat…

O_____________o

Where was Jinx?!? Her eyes started going wiiiide when she realized that the black cat wasn’t next to her anymore. Quickly, the seventh year started looking around, hoping she would manage to spot Jinx. Oh. Look. There he was! Gwen was relieved that she didn’t have to search much in order to find the black cat. She made her way in that direction, taking Jinx in her arms, and then turned around…

…and bumped into someone.

Ugh. Why were people standing in her way?! ‘Sorry’, she mumbled as she looked back at the person. Wait… she was almost certain she had see him before. Or maybe not?

Amara turned in a swish. Did I just hear Slytherin? She saw a tall guy and a little girl, probably my year, talking. She signalled to her twin and walked towards the tall guy. "Are you Slytherin?" she asked, trying to sound polite. Ofcourse she was polite, but her voice and look weren't exactly helping. When she saw his gleaming Slytherin badge, she was nothing but impressed. A slytherin prefect. Perfect. "I'm Amara Kaul" she said, smiling at the guy. "And I hope I'm in Slytherin" she added. Like father.

She looked at the girl and smiled. "Hi to you too" she said, "I guess you're a first year too?" she asked. The girl wasn't sure about the houses. "I don't think it matters much" she said thoughtfully. "Though it matters for me to be in Slytherin" she added. "But mum says all the houses are great" Well, that's mum.

James looked thoughtful around wondering why he hadn't seen his brother yet and why his dad had made him go by himself. Maybe they were afraid they would break something else before they left.

"That's that spider like thing right? Sounds pretty awesome if you ask me. Maybe you could be my tour guide. Show me and my brother around...assuming he gets here." James stood up on the cart wobbling slightly as it started to move and looked around. "Wonder if he got in worse trouble than I did." Oh no..they wouldn't keep him from coming here right? They hadn't been THAT bad surely.

Beezus Castell pushed through the crowd of Hogwarts students accompanied by their friends and families, mumbling Excuse me's and I'm sorry's all along the way. Her Aunt Belinda was sending her off this time but as the woman had bumped into someone she knew and they got talking, Beezus went ahead to find a spot where she could conveniently wait for the train to arrive.

Nearing a post, the brunette unlogged one of her trunks from the push cart and slumped against the wall where she perched on afterwards.

She gathered her hair and dragged to her left shoulder before allowing her back to lean on the wall as she crossed her arms. There were familiar faces everywhere and there were those new ones who looked excited but at the same time nervous. That was a good combination.

Chuckle.

Wonder which ones will be sorted into Ravenclaw?

Hmm.