Dora didn't feel bad or anything for not finding her friends on the train or carriage rides, 'cause she didn't PURPOSELY avoid them or anything, it was just that she was really into the book she was reading, and candy she was eating, and so finding her friends didn't even cross her mind. Mainly because she was going to be living with them for the next nine months. They could have all of her time then.

The girl didn't skip SO much as she used to on account of her being a proper teenager and all, but she was bouncing a little as she made her way to the Ravenclaw table and settled into a seat that made viewing both the sortings and other tables real easy. She needed to see her friends. She was thinking about them now. Rubbing her shiny lips together, she let her eyes graze over the Hufflepuff table.

After getting as far away from the thestrals as quickly as he could, Milton relaxed a little when he made it to the great hall. Finally. It was warm and familiar, and truth be told... he kinda missed this place over the summer. He didn't know how he would feel in a few months, but at that moment, he was glad to be back.

Obviously, he was sort of early. There was only a handful of people in the hall. And another table? What, were they adding a new house or something? No... there were older people there. Milton watched the unfamiliar people at the extra table before giving up his train of thought and figuring out where he wanted to sit. He noted the younger girl down the table and took a seat several feet away.

His eyes wandered to the Slytherin table. He was looking for Taryn, whom he hadn't seen since the platform in London. That girl was good at hiding when she wanted to. He just hoped she was okay.

After dropping his things and placing Elise in the care of one of the House Elves, Ethan walked into the Great hall, green eyes first falling on the Head table.. and extra table? That was somewhat curious, he thought, as he eyed the people sitting there. His eyes drifted to the staff, wondering who their Head of House was going to be and who would replace some of the vacant spots.

He headed over to the Ravenclaw table where there was a grand total of two Ravenclaws sitting there. Really? Had he gotten there that early.. just when he thought he was running late getting the cat situated.. No matter, the 6th year sat himself directly in between the two and directed his eyes towards the Hufflepuff table. Minerva was already there and he lifted his fingers in a casual wave. He figured they needed to make an appearance at their own respective tables to see old friends and greet new members, then they could sit together.

He first turned to the girl on one side of him. "Hi.. I don't believe we've met.. I'm Ethan," he said, giving the younger girl an appraising sort of look. He had definitely seen her last term, whether in the common room or in class.. but he didn't really know her. Why not meet now..?

Then he turned to the boy on his other side. This person he knew, though they hadn't been acquainted.. but he was familiar with the Quidditch captain for that reason.. and also the uh, Umbrella Vinora situation. "You're Milton, right? ..I'm Ethan." He was planning on trying out for Quidditch this term, so might as well get the intros over with now.

Orr practically skipped to the Ravenclaw table. She couldn't believe that she was about to start her third year at Hogwarts. Eagerly anticipating the 1st year's sorting, she recalled her own sorting just two years previously. She had been very nervous.

She sat down at the table among her fellow housemates.

Eagerly, Mathilda approached the Ravenclaw table after having been sorted. Suddenly, the confusion and the overwhelmingness she had felt since stepping into Diagon Alley disappeared. These feelings were replaced by pride and a sense of belonging as she waved to the students sitting at the table.

As she sat in one of the remaining empty seats, she noticed that she was the youngest person there. Of course! None of the other first years had been sorted into Ravenclaw yet. She eyed the remaining sorting candidates with anticipation. Who would be joining her? Which of these wizards and witches would she soon befriend?

As the sorting continued, Mathilda took in her surroundings. The Great Hall, most notably its ceiling, was gorgeous. There were six tables in all. Four of them were obviously attributed to each of the houses. The fifth and sixth tables hosted adults. Perhaps the staff members? She turned to her fellow housemates, feeling as though she had a million questions to ask. "Who are those people? Will they be our teachers? Are they nice?", she inquired enthusiastically. Mathilda couldn't wait to attend her first class at Hogwarts.

Orr turned towards the newest member of Ravenclaw. "Yes, those are our teachers. Welcome to Ravenclaw, what is your name? I'm Aurora but everyone calls me Orr."

Feast time.

After a bit of a struggle during the carriage ride to the castle because of the thestrals, the new Prefect sauntered to the Great Hall clad in Ravenclaw robes. Her hair was up on its usual ponytail with only a few strands escaping near her ears.

Immediately noticing the presence of an extra table, her eyebrows forked. And as she walked towards the Ravenclaw Table, her eyes observed the adults. Right. They were candidates for the Board of Governors. That matter completely slipped off her mind during the summer so she didn't get a chance to be involved, but looks as if the candidates were taking the first step in trying to win over the hearts of them Hogwarts people....or were they just here for the food?

Speaking of food, her attention turned to their quite empty table which would be laden with food soon.

Smiling, nodding and waving to the few already there, the brunette retired to a seat.

Where were her eagles at?

After being sorted and making sure Dorcas was safe and sound outside, Audrey walked quickly over to the Ravenclaw table. The four and a half foot tall girl pulled at the sleeves of her sweater in nervousness. She was neither surprised nor disappointed at the hat's choice. She quite liked the idea of being in the 'smart' house. Plus blue was her favourite colour.

She saw the girl she'd been sitting with at the train. She didn't want to bother Lily by following her around, especially since she'd been so nice to her already. Audrey bit her lip, now quite red from the times she'd already bit it today, and sat with the first years but in the closest spot to Lily.

Audrey, once again, didn't feel like eating. She had a billion questions to ask, but for now just tried to smile and look friendly. 'I hope they don't all hate me', she thought.

Rowan hated being late but, thanks to her cat Panda, seemed to be making a habit of it. Looking around, she realized that she was actually a bit early for a change. It was so good to be back! A huge grin spread across her face as she made her way to her house table and sat in her favorite spot.

After dropping some cookies off to the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff table Kurumi's errand girl Selina moved to the 'Claw table to hand out her best friend's present. It had been kind of an amazing moment when Kurumi had handed Selina the tin full of cookies to give to the houses. Kind of like a passing of the torch or something cheesy like that. Kurumi's blessing was the best one that she had received of all of her congrats. It was all sentimental and beautiful and MERLIN, she was going to miss her best friend.

Shaking of the nostalgia, she approached the Ravenclaw table and briefly scanned for Vivi. Oh yeah, she was not going to be donning the Ravenclaw colors this year. That was a weird thought. The redhead had only spent one full year with her new found best friend and yet, it was like Hogwarts was not the same without her. The girl knew HOW to make an impression. Merlin, she missed her too. GAH!

Placing down the tin, Selina stood up on the Ravenclaw bench and pointed down at the tin and all subtle like yelled, "COOKIES FROM KURUMI! IF YOU WANT 'EM.. THEY'RE HERE!" She felt like that was nice and subtle.

Milton was busy staring off in space, so he wasn't paying attention to who else had arrived at the table. His eyes wandered the hall, still waiting to find Taryn sneak in. Maybe she wouldn't even come... Hearing his name pulled him out from space. Milton turned his head and saw that quite a few more Eagles had taken a seat, and one of them was talking to him. "Oh. Yeah, Milton Shacklebolt." Most people knew that, though. A year ago, Milton would say it was because he was sexy. But now it was probably just because he almost got devoured by a vicious man-eating plant. "Nice to meet you." Milton stuck his hand out for Ethan to shake. He had seen the guy around before, but they had never met officially.

Elliot was tired...the bickering on the train ride with Max...was tiring. Elliot was just...exhausted. Mehhh. She wanted tea...and some salad...maybe an apple. She wasn't looking forward to the feast. She just wanted to go up to the common room and go to SLEEP. Maybe talk with Bee. Where was Beezus anyways? She glanced around and saw her....waved. Meh.

She had a lot of catching up to do with her prefect.

PREFECT! She was happy for Bee, she really was. If anyone deserved to be prefect...it was Beatrice! Hehe.

She plopped down in a seat near her and sighed. Where was Max...they had just been together literally...but they had gotten separated in the hoards of children all entering the Great Hall. Elliot felt old. She was one of the older students now. It felt weird. Like...she had a moment...

Then it went awaaaaay. No more feeling all...feels, Elliot. No no NO!

She leaned back in her chair and crossed her arms over her chest...glancing around...looking at all of the old faces...and the new ones. Hmm. Interesting. Ravenclaw felt weird without a few of the older students she had gotten used to...

Ehh.

People come and go. Might as well get used to it, Elliot.

Okay, now she had to fiiiind...

"Blondie!" she called out to Elliot, pushing her way past a few first or second years to get to her. She ruffled the girls hair just to annoy her and moved over to sit next to her. "You alright?" she asked with a huge grin on her face.

"Oh! Music!" Aurora dug into her bag and grabbed a bunch of music sheets. Most of them were pretty famous pieces of music, but one had her name written at the top. Because she really wanted to see how it sounded okay? Hehehe. "Here you go."

Addy kind of didn't like the feast, but she decided perhaps her last year she should grace the world of Hogwarts with her presence. Heh. Sliding into a seat next to Milton she smiled and nudged him gently.

AND WHY WAS SELINA OFFERING COOKIES?!?!? Addy LOVED cookies but tried to avoid such delectable little treats at all costs. Sighing she propped her chin in the palm of her hand and silently wondered if she had any sugar free cookies? They probably tasted like cardboard even if she did. BLAH!

Eyes cut over to Milton she said, "How was your holiday?"

Elliot looked up, blondie...Oh, of course it was "GINGER!" She cried, smiling a bit up at her. Then Rora took a seat and she smirked, nodding. "Yes...all right. Max and I had our own compartment...so the train ride was nice.." she nodded, looking around for Max...they had fought just a bit on the train, but their fights always ended well. Yes, they typically made up...

Thank Merlin.

She took the sheet and scanned it over...not realizing it had Aurora's name on top until she flipped it over and then back again...oh? She looked up at her favorite redhead and raised her eyebrows. "Your own stuff...interesting..I hope it's good," she teased, smirking just a bit more at this...

Ethan was growing bored. His table was quiet and he was hungry.. would they have to wait as long as they did at last term's closing feast before they could eat? He certainly hoped not as his stomach was starting to grumble. He propped his head up on his arm and alternated between watching the sorting ceremony and watching the random Claw wander over to their table. Where was everyone?

The sixth year glanced up as someone joined their House table. She looked vaguely familiar.. "Hi there.." he gave her an acknowledging nod as the girl chose a seat not far from him. "I think I've seen you around last term," he began. Common room.. classes.. whatever.. he wasn't entirely sure. "But I don't think I ever caught your name.." And maybe that was because he was sure she was quite a bit younger? Second year, third year.. something like that. "I'm Ethan, by the way.."

Lightly tapping his fingers on the table, Ethan turned his green eyes back to the sorting hat as another girl was being sorted. Oh, Ravenclaw! First one of the term as far as he could tell and he politely applauded as the first year headed towards them.

"Welcome to Ravenclaw," he said brightly, grinning a bit as the girl took her seat. He vaguely listened to the interaction between this girl and the one he just spoke to, then shrugged. Nice was a relative term, he thought.. "As long as you pay attention and work hard, you'll be fine," he told the younger girl. An enthusiastic student.. a good addition to the house.

And the next few sorted were not new Claws, so that was getting boring for him. Though he did watch with interest as Susan was being sorted, then shot her a grin as she got Hufflepuff. That would make Min happy..

Tearing his eyes away from the sorting ceremony, the 6th year glanced over at the next person to sit down. Another who he knew by sight and name, though he was fairly certain that they had never spoken. Still.. it would be nice to be better acquainted with the members of his House.. especially the student leaders. "Hey.. it's Beezus, isn't it?" He gave the girl a little smile as she took a seat. "I heard you were our new Prefect," he added, gesturing towards the badge on her robes. "Congrats.." And that reminded him of Spike.. where was he? He was sure to still be the other Claw Prefect, right?

Ethan turned towards the dais again as he heard the sorting hat shout out Ravenclaw. Another new Claw? Ethan applauded the new girl as she walked over and gave her a friendly smile as she sat down.

"Hey.. welcome to Ravenclaw," he nodded to the little first year. She seemed a bit nervous, but he certainly didn't blame her.. it could be an overwhelming experience. "I'm Ethan.. sixth year," he added as a manner of introduction. And no, he did not feel the need to add that it was only his second term at Hogwarts.

Green eyes wandered up to the staff table again. Come on Headmistress, he pleaded in his mind. Give your speech so we can eat.. Stomach grumbling again, the boy watched as another girl joined their table.

Huh.. this one didn't even look familiar.. and she was too old to be a first year. His mind went briefly to transfer student.. but she seemed far too comfortable with her surroundings to be new. Shrugging off his lack of observance, he gave the girl an acknowledging nod as she sat down. "Hello there.."

Ethan watch with curious interest as the former Gryffindor Quidditch captain wandered over. His eyes soon fell on the badge on the front of her robes.. oh, wait. She was Head Girl now, not Quidditch captain? Well, that was interesting.. He watched as she set down a tin then glanced at her as she yelled something about cookies. Cookies? Yes, please.. and thank you. The boy was starving and that might just tide him over a bit before it was time to really eat.

Rising from his place at the table, the sixth year wandered over to the tin and picked up a house-specific cookie. "Hey, thanks.." he called after the Head Girl, but he wasn't sure if she had heard him, being on her way already. The boy headed back to his seat as he took a bite. Not bad..

Ethan finished his bite of cookie and brushed off a few crumbs from his robes before shaking the older boy's hand. "Nice to finally meet you, Milton," he nodded, smiling a little. The Captain seemed super distracted, but he didn't feel it his place to comment. Instead, he said, "Hey.. let me know when tryouts are?" He was still captain, right? A quick glance at his robes told him yes.. and he vaguely wondered how Quidditch might be different with a new person in charge. His eyes wandered up to the staff table, just wondering which of the new faces would be the new official.

Turning back to his table, he noticed that Elliot was now seated there.. and she seemed to be in a mood. He offered her a friendly little wave in the way of lifting his fingers in a casual manner and thought about asking about her summer. But as she was engrossed in conversation with a Slytherin girl, figured he'd maybe talk to her later. Maybe. His eyes wandered back over to the Hufflepuff table. Maybe it was time to head over there..

Just as she was sitting, Rowan noticed the boy nod to her. Was he speaking to her? "Hello," she smiled. "I don't believe we have met." She offered the boy her hand and said, "I'm Rowan. Rowan Fir.. er Smithson." She didn't think she would ever get accustomed to her new name.

Spike finally made his way into the hall, and eyes were pulled briefly away from his own table to the extra one that had been added. Who were all those people? They were too old to be Hogwarts students, and there was still plenty of space at the staff table.

With a shrug, he headed towards his usual general area of the table, though he scowled when he saw Beezus there. Her earlier words still ringing in his ears, Spike turned and walked back a few paces, before sliding on to the bench next to Ethan. Pushing his thoughts, and worries, about his co-Prefect to the back of his mind, Spike forced a smile on his face. This was his last opening feast, and he had Ravenclaws new and old to welcome to the castle.

"Hey Ethan," he said jovially. "Good summer? Grow anything exciting?"

After staring off in space again, Milton was slightly startled when he felt someone nudge his arm. He blinked a few times until he recognized Addy right next to him. Uh oh. Milton liked her, generally. But she tended to be... energetic. And he wasn't really in the mood for crazy people right now.

"Hey," he said with a faint smile. And of course, the question. "It was... fine." The first two-thirds were great. The last part was absolutely horrible. So it kind of averaged out to fine. Yep.

This Ethan guy seemed cool enough. He was just about to wonder if he was any good at quidditch, but Ethan suggested it first. "Yeah, sure. I'll be posting a notice up in the common room in the next couple days, so keep an eye out for it." Milton gave Ethan a smile and a nod. Hopefully he would get to meet the new Quidditch official soon. And hopefully they were cool.

Bounce.

Bounce. BOUNCE. Bounce.

BOUNCE. Darwin jumped into the Great Hall and practically danced his way over to the Ravenclaw Table. So he didn't really dance, but his speed and bouncy movements were almost such that someone might mistake him for it. Not that he really cared right then. Nope, he was wayyyyy too happy to be back at school to care, because being back at school meant he could see his friends and stuff.

Stopping at his house's table, the fourteen year old scanned it for someone he knew, and failing to do so he plonked himself down on the end and pulled a plate towards him. Maybe the seeing his friends thing would have to wait.

Rowan couldn't help but notice the boy bouncing his way to the table. She giggled to herself. "Looks like someone is as happy as I am to be back," she said. "Hi. I'm Rowan. And you are?" She surprised herself a bit as she was usually rather shy, but many of her friends had graduated and she was feeling a tad bit lonely.

Aquila Llywelyn felt lost. Maybe because right after getting off the High Mother's boat she immediately got lost just trying to find these supposed carriages pulled by invisible horses. Well she spent a good long time, dragging her wheeled trunk all around the dirt just looking for said carriages but the only ones she saw were those being pulled by the most sorry looking hornless unicorns she has ever seen.

She likes unicorns, so she got on the carriage anyway.

After a few more aimless walking all around castle, gawking and bumping into various people going about their busy ways she finally found this biiiig room that had the most number of kids she has ever seen. Kids just like her! Completely clueless about the procedures of sorting she plopped herself at one end of the table, poking at the empty plates and goblets "Ooohhh shiny!" So so different from the dull dented bowls she was used to back at the island.

Then suddenly she drew her hand back. Was she supposed to touch these? There were so pretty and expensive looking. Surely they some sort of decoration only meant to be seen and not held-- like a tea shop! Of course she has never actually been in in a tea shop. She has only seen one in a postcard, something she was lucky to have received as a birthday present. Oh and look-- all the other tables were decorated that way too.

Was this room a biiiiiig tea shop?

Belle went to go explore the tables and meet new faces from different houses. Belle saw everyone talking and chattering. She even noticed Ethan was becoming more popular. She smiled and was chuckling to herself. She was enjoying watching Ethan get all the attention.

When Ethan was by his lonesome for a split second, Belle tapped him on the back and shoulder. "Hey it is me, you missed me?"

Dora openly stared at Milton, once she'd finished looking over at all the other house tables and that extra one (could they go visit that table and be nosey? hmm). Openly stared. For her own reasons.



"Hi. We haven't met, but I've seen you around." You know. The castle and the common room. She was observant. And not bothered by his appraisal since she was doing one of her own. "I'm Dora." Just Dora and nothing else.

Her ears perked up at the sound of Kurumi cookies, but since she was still enjoying the taste of her new lip gloss, the young girl opted to pass. She would eat when the real food came along.



Dora just kind of openly observed these two people, the bouncing boy and the blue girl who just looked confused, without words or any welcoming gestures. They were interesting TOO, but she was really waiting on certain friends to come into the great hall, and couldn't be too distracted by others. Still, since her friend wasn't here yet, she would just stare at these two some more.