There was a particular reason why he didn't want to be here, but he chose not to give it another thought and finally decided to step inside...

...and see no one inside.

Actually, that was kind of better. It gave him time to compose himself a little bit and...look out the window without even taking a seat? He just didn't know which seat to take. Never had he been in such a situation before.

He'd always run a little late for the Hogwarts Express, that's why he'd always had to join someone else's compartment. And now, it was empty, and he had no idea where to sit. Rufus had woken up too, and seemed frozen for Treyen's lack of...decision-making skills at the moment.

Plus...where was Arya??

Wanting first to drop of Walnut before making some rounds on the train looking for friends and some of the new students she had met on the platform, Kurumi made her way to the prefect compartment only to find that the door was ajar. Maybe her co-prefect would be there? She still didn't know who it was and she was beginning to have a sinking feeling about the whole thing.

Her eyes did brighten just a bit when she saw that Treyen was already in the compartment and tightened her grip around Walnut in her arms...just in case the feline wanted to try something again. Seemed that even after being shaved by the Headmaster himself that the stubby-legged cat hadn't learned his lesson.

"Hello, Treyen," Kurumi smiled, waving Walnut's paw instead of her own as she walked in. "Ready for another term?"

What?

The voice brought his mind to present time as he turned to around to see the person he'd been expecting that voice to belong to. He had to smile at Walnut, though. Or rather, Walnut's paw. That was...adorable.

He stayed in the same spot, even as he turned to face her. "Kurumi...," he started to say, eyes wandered around the empty space, "...truthfully...," because he could be totally honest with her, right? "...I'm not entirely sure." Hence why he didn't even know which seat to take.

Rufus, however, seemed to not have noticed the newcomer. The pygmy marmoset was still sleepy.

Kurumi tried not to giggle as Treyen resembled a lost cruppy in the middle of the prefect compartment. It wasn't like there were no seats for him to sit in, so what was the problem? Or maybe, the action of sitting down symbolized that the term had in fact started and he wasn't ready for that? Kurumi imagined that Treyen carried a heavy heart with him right now, with it being his seventh and final term at Hogwarts and all.

"Well, you always tell me that is alright to be unsure," she smiled as she knelt down to allow Walnut to scurry out of her arms and onto his throne by the window. It was Kurumi's favorite spot, sitting by the window, so perhaps the cat would allow her to share it with him later?

Walking up a little closer to Treyen now, she noticed that he once again didn't have his badge on. Suspicious? Why yes it was and only confirmed her lion senses. "You certainly will have a lot to think about as...Head Boy," she winked with extra emphasis on the Head Boy bit.

Does he now? Tell her that? Yes. But it was fairly different to be unsure of something that was as easy as sitting down, especially since it wasn't like he'll be sitting here forever, yes? Rounds still needed to be made.

"I guess." Treyen couldn't say she was suddenly wrong. Not when those had been his words in the past. His eyes did linger on her as she put Walnut down. Granted, he was mainly concerned as to where Walnut would go, that's why he kept looking at that.

Then Kurumi was Walnut-free, and the cat was near the window.

Wait, was that a wink? He chuckled, and also kept a small smile on his face, "If it's going to take me forever on the other decisions I need to make...then...," he trailed off, and didn't feel like continuing for some reason. It's not like he wasn't going to be a good Head Boy, but it was probably for the best that there was a Head Girl that will help with whatever it was they were in charge now. "Actually, never mind." He placed his bag on the upper compartment, and Rufus clung to it for dear life. The little creature was probably excited to be heading back to Hogwarts and wouldn't want to be left at the train, right?

"How was the summer?" Safe question. It will make her forget the fact that Treyen was still standing, yes?

Aha. So she was right. A small but confident smiled tickled the corners of her lips. "You will be just fine," she nodded, eyeing Rufus as the little monkey clung to Treyen's arm. Most likely afraid of Walnut, she reckoned. Nothing to be worried about. Walnut was only dangerous around shoes. "And....any problems and we all handle them together, right?" That sort of seemed to be the theme towards the end of the term last, at least...it had seemed that way to Kurumi with everything Professor Vindictus had been talking about with his lessons and activities.

She leaned in a bit and smiled a Rufus. "Hello again Rufus," she chirped, reaching her index finger out to scratch the top of his head. Merlin did she miss his former owner, but it was sort of nice remembering her.

Deciding to take a seat next to Walnut, Kurumi folded her legs under herself and sat Indian style on the seat, eyeing the one across from her. Unless, you know, Treyen wanted to stand for the entire trip. That was up to him. "Summer was good," she nodded. "I did a lot of traveling again, visiting Jonathan and then to Lexi and Salander's." But he knew that last bit. "Got some studying in for OWLs as well. Mother wasn't as overpowering this summer and sort of let me do more of what I wanted to." Which was odd, much appreciated, but odd.

How could she possibly know what was going on inside his head, eh? It was amazing, truth be told. It was also very much appreciated to have her support in this. All that was occupying his mind at the moment was...the fact that this train ride made it all so final. He will avoid his badge until it was necessary. Like, until he had his robes fully on, or something like that.

Treyen probably had to have his badge pinned to his robes when they were meant to be at the feast.

"Thanks, Kurumi." She was probably aware of why he was thanking her, right? Either way, he smiled. And if Rufus could smile, he'll probably have the same smile as Treyen. So, the little monkey enjoyed to be petted, eh? By pretty girls, at least. That was nice to know.

What wasn't so nice to know was that he could easily leave his side for one of those pretty girls. Yeah, Treyen noticed how Rufus almost took hold of Kurumi's hand...but didn't fully do so. Good. He was staying close to Treyen.

As soon as she started, the new Head Boy felt entirely ridiculous standing there, which is why he took a seat right at the middle, across Kurumi. "That's nice. The traveling bit. It's always fun to do so." At least on his behalf. "Ah, see, that's the one thing I should've done...," studying. He had NEWTs, didn't he?

Keefer poked his head into the compartment, his belongings beside him in the hall. He wasn't entirely sure he was allowed to be there. It was the Prefects' compartment after all, not the Captains' compartment. He quickly spotted Treyen.

"Hey, are Captains allowed in here? I wouldn't want to crash your party." He noticed Kurumi. "Oh, hello again, Kurumi. Long time no talk, eh?" Again with the awkward, in true Keefer style.

Distracted. For a moment. As his eyes left Kurumi and went to the person standing at the door.

"Hey, Keefer." The young man smiled, and shook his head, "No, no, Captains are welcomed." Like his girlfriend was also welcomed if she wanted to be here, and it wasn't because she was his girlfriend, but because she was a Captain as well.

WAIT.

WAIT! HE MISSED THAT?! "You're the Captain!" Hufflepuffs finally had a MALE Captain, eh? That had to mean something. They were probably going to take the Quidditch Cup this term. Hadley would be proud, no? "Congratulations!" Seriously, he was...extremely glad to know this. Especially since it was someone he was somewhat close to.

It was nice knowing that the awkwardness between them had finally left - it had certainly taken long enough. Although, it was still there whenever the Ravenclaw girl was around because Treyen often forgot everyone else was in the room, and that sometimes stung a little. Not that it was jealousy per say, she had just been the person swept under the rug for so long that any feeling that resembled that hurt.

Pushing THESE thoughts under the rug in her mind, Kurumi focused back on their conversation. "I do enjoy it. I never knew just how big the world was." Which was a very naive thing for a fifth year to say, but it was the truth. "Certainly makes me rethink going straight into the working world after graduation..." Her hands flew to her mouth. She probably shouldn't talk about graduation around Treyen seeing as...well...this was HIS year to do that. Truth be told, she didn't want to think about it either.
Thankfully, someone entered the compartment to end any awkwardness that may have occured from her comment. "Keefer, hey," she smiled from her seat with a small wave.

As so his question, well, her eyes went to Treyen. Last term Ellie had been in the compartment, so Kurumi supposed it was alright, but she really didn't know. What say you, Head Boy?

But Treyen had resolved the issue and Kurumi gestured around the compartment. There were still a lot of empty seats.

Selina wandered through the train as she passed each compartment. She saw loads of first years and returning students either finding their way into new niches or back into old ones to prepare for the coming school year. It was all very nice and well but all Selina really cared about was finding her best friend who she had only seen once the entire summer. Usually Kurumi spent most of her time on the train in the Prefect Compartment so Selina knew that she was not going to see her for the majority of the train ride if at all.

Then it hit her...

She was Captain now and she was allowed in the Prefects compartment. That was the most wonderful news she could have thought of at that moment. So as she finished walking down the corridor she saw the Prefects Compartment and just bounded right in. With a smile plastered on her face she threw open the door. There, sitting in the room very calmly, was Kurumi. Her hands went to her hips and she cocked her head a little, "Honestly Hollingberry. You don't write, you don't pop by. If I wasn't so stubborn I would have thought you were avoiding me this summer." She cracked a smile at the end to show her best friend that she was joking.

Her eyes averted at the end so she could just address the other two in the room, "Treyen, Keefer."

This was nerve recking exciting for the fifteen year old. He was nervous because...well, he was almost always nervous, and he was excited because he had a new set of responsibilities that came with the title of Prefect. He dragged his trunk, which for some reason seamed to be heavier than last year. He finally found the Prefect's compartment and stopped just outside the door.

What was he supposed to do? Just go inside and present himself? Why didn't this part come with along with a guide booklet. He sighed a nervous sigh and patted his left trouser pocket. Good, his small, pocket size notebook was in there. Yes, he was planning on taking notes on how to be a good Prefect.

He could hear voices from the other side of the door. Kennedy opened the door cautiously and tried making a quiet entrance, but accidentally lost grip of his trunk causing it to crash with door, sliding it wide open. He quickly tried to have hold of both the door and his trunk which in return left him in a weird, spread out position like Spider Man.


"S-Sorry," he said to the people inside. He didn't mean to make a really horrible and loud entrance. This was SO embarrassing. He picked up his trunk and gently placed it next to him. He mentally beg his face not to turn red, but it was too late. He was blushing madly and kept his head down.

EMBARRASSING!

"H-Hello," he said, waving lamely, but keeping his face down. No one needed to see his beet red face. He then stuck his hands into his pockets and played with the Prefect badge that was inside his right pocket.

And Treyen had been lucky enough to have traveled a fair share throughout his life. He knew what Kurumi meant. Even if they were a few years apart from said thought. But he understood, and that's what was important.

"It's still rather small." Never mind how incredibly big the world seemed to be, one always managed to find familiar faces whenever one traveled. And in the most unexpected places too.

Graduation. Great. Thanks for bringing that up. That was the same thought that made him rethink the seating arrangement for this compartment. "Does that mean that you'll be traveling instead?" he asked, with a small smile; it sounded like a very good idea, actually.

And...another addition.

"Hey Selina." He said, simply, with a smile and a nod, as he watched both Gryffindor girls. Why was Selina here, though?

**

As he was about to ask, someone else stepped inside...and made QUITE the entrance. Funny. Did he want some help, though? Treyen still remained seated, and asked nothing...why? Because the boy hadn't said anything except apologize.

"You're the new Prefect, right?" he asked, hoping to dear Merlin that the boy would look up. "I'm Treyen." In case the other one wouldn't know.

Ellie walked into the compartment, still playing with her flower. She really...didn't know what to do with it now. And...it was getting annoying, just holding it.

She lifted her head up to look at those already inside. "Hi," she said, waving the flower as a form of greeting. Some of these people she knew, some...she didn't, but she presumed they all belonged here for one reason or another.

"Do you want my flower?" she asked Treyen, taking a seat beside him.

Out of all of those in the compartment, Selina stood out to her most. The Sixth year grinned at the younger girl, "Captain, right?" It had to be.

Arya didn't have on her badge either.

As much as she had enjoyed making post-graduation plans over the summer, and even though she still hadn't completely wrapped her head around the fact that this was her last term at Hogwarts, something in her had, and wasn't ready to pin that badge on her chest. That would be the final fully cautious recognition that this was her last term, and she didn't need that right now.

She would save that for few days at the castle.

The prefect took a bit more time boarding than usual, even taking to stopping by the trolley before making her way to the prefect compartment, luggage in tow and familiar on her shoulders. A terribly hard thing to do considering how small and excited all the younger students (Merlin, they were all younger than her now, weren't they?) were in the corridor. She'd have to do a round early to make certain they were all behaving. Hehe.

"Hey guys!" She pushed the door to the prefect's compartment open, a little saddened by the fact that she only recognized a few faces, and that it would probably be that way with all the others yet to arrive.

No bestie returning to this task.

Treyen was there though, and that was always comforting. She took a seat by him, opposite of the girlfriend who got finger wiggles and grins, as did her favorite lion prefect. No hugs for the Head Boy this time. They both had creatures attached to them, and she had given him plenty over the summer to warrant not giving him one this time. This one time. Heh.

Giving his hand a gently squeeze though, she glanced at Rufus, smile widening a bit. "I think he's cuter sleeping." Never could say that enough.

Eino had spotted Ellie from outside, before even boarding the train. Her red hair swinging back and forth was difficult to miss. He made his way to the door, but his way was blocked by a young girl. He helped the shorter than average student board the train by holding her under her armpits and raising her until her feet touched the steps. Then, he jumped up himself, and return the girl's gratitude with a smile and nod.

Once inside, he could still see the back of Ellie's head, so he followed it, but she was fast. For all he knew she could be riding her broomstick in the train, and at that pace she would arrive in Hogwarts before the rest of them. He made his way through a series of excited first years, and less than excited ones, too, and finally came across the door Ellie had entered. Prefect's Compartment. He looked at the sign and sighed. He really did want to say "hi" to her, at least.

With disappointment written all over his face, Eino turned back. He went from compartment to compartment looking for Hugo, but he was no where to be found. Sighing deeply for the millionth time, he came across a compartment, and a sign. Prefect's Compartment. "Dear me... I am a prefect." He said, more or less, to Ino (he was quite fond of talking to himself, but he did look down at the cat). He swung the door to the compartment open. "Hello." He announce right after double checking to make sure his badge was visible. When his head swung back up, hers was the first face he recognized. "Oh, hello Ellie, what a surprise seeing you here!" And what a surprise it was! He said as he sat himself down close to her, and placed Ino on his lap. Despite feeling comfortable, and quate happy, which he did announce by saying "I feel happy" to everyone with a series of head bobs, he still couldn't fight the feeling that he had forgotten something.

Ellie mirrored Arya's movement, sending the Hufflepuff prefect smiles and finger wiggles, as well.

But Arya was soon followed by someone that was unexpected by the captain. Eino. And he practically flashed that badge of his. A badge he did NOT tell her about.

So Ellie wasn't even given the chance to give Treyen the flower, had he wanted it, for she flung her arms around the blonde that sat on her other side. The flower crushed between the seat back and Eino's back, but Ellie didn't even notice. "Eino!! You're a Prefect!!!" She exclaimed this rather loudly into his shoulder. In case he didn't notice.

Eino's eyes widened and he darted back a little. Not on purpose, but as a reflex to decrease the possibility of temporary deafness. "I am." He replied slightly confused as to why she found the need to yell in the first place. Or maybe she wasn't speaking so loudly, and his ear were extra sensitive. Ino had been licking his ears an awful lot lately. "I mean, I AM." He shouted the last two words with the same emphasis he had put on them "am" as he had done last time. He didn't return Ellie's hug because he was too busy containing Ino in her carriage. The cat didn't enjoy sudden movements. It always triggered a fight or flight situation, and she more than often opted for the former, evidence by her hiss and her miserable attempt at clawing the girl from the carriage. "How was your summer?" He inquired, having forgotten all about the shouting and the hugging.

Kurumi raised an eyebrow just as Walnut let out a rather loud snore. Well, good to know that he was out like a light and that no one's shoes were in danger, yeah? "Well, Skylar, I do believe that the name of this compartment is Prefect's Compartment. No mention of a captain anywhere," she teased back, sticking out her tongue in a ridiculously childish manner. Not that it really mattered what the name was. They were all student leaders and all important contributors to school life. But...that didn't mean that she wasn't allowed to tease her best friend back though.

Making sure that she didn't disturb Walnut as she got up, Kurumi hopped to her feet and practically leaped across the compartment to hug the red head. "Just in case I didn't make that clear when we were at the Leaky Cauldron, congratulations."
Arms still wrapped around Selina in a mild death grip, Kurumi peaked around her head to see a Slytherin boy that she recognized from Dueling Club last term.

"Kennedy!" she smiled with a small wave. Wait...was he Salander's replacement? Talk about opposide ends of the spectrum if that were true!
More people entered the compartment and Kurumi smiled at each of them with a small wave here and there before returning her attention to Treyen as he spoke again.

"Sort of like that ride at Disneyland," she nodded, remembering the trip she had taken two summers ago to visit Conan. Speaking of Conan...where had he gone? That was one Puff that she hadn't expected to vanish on her, but he had and she missed him a lot. "It...um...had a song about the world being small."

She DID notice the hint of a frown at the mention of graduation. Way to go Kurumi, way to go. "Possibly," she nodded. "Furthering my education also seems like a good idea. Heading to university I mean. Jonathan's father actually was the one who suggested that to me."

And then Eino walked in and Kurumi's eyes lit up a bit. She hadn't seen Eino for what seemed like ages, but he appeared to have his own personal agenda and went right up to Ellie. Still, Kurumi smiled when she noticed the cat in his arms. Hopefully...Walnut would remain sleeping. He was rather territorial these days.

No. She hadn't released him yet. "Eino, that's fantastic!!!" She squeezed him harder.

Ellie was completely oblivious to the cat, by the way.

NOW she let him go, leaning back, more onto Treyen. She looked at the crushed flower in her hand before answering Eino's question. The flower...it was crushed. Well...now what was she supposed to do with it? She bit her lip pondering this, and glanced back at Treyen to see if he had pockets or something where she could put it.

"Summer was excellent. How was yours?"

So...this was the prefect compartment?

Vashti was a little hesitant to enter, though not entirely sure why. All the prefects she knew were nice, so it wasn't like they were going to kick her out or anything. And yet...what if they did? What if they didn't like her as Head Girl? Maybe she should just avoid the prefect compartment for now and wander around the rest of the train instead. She had a few friends to meet...

But no. She had to come to this one first, and there was no reason to go wandering about like a fool. So as she took a deep breath, she laid her hand on the door handle and opened, her other hand going to her pocket where her badge was.

She tried to smile. "Uh... Hey everyone."

"Right-o!" he said, as Treyen acknowledged that he was allowed to be there. He began to set down his things when Treyen exploded got excited behind him. "Yeah, I got Captain! Imagine that, a guy is the Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain!" he joked. "Hopefully we can pull in that Cup this year! It was a shame to lose Kita, but I'm hopeful that we can find a decent replacement..." He stared pointedly at Treyen. It wasn't a hint, or anything.

"Hey yourself!" He finished stowing his belongings and was about to seat himself when someone else walked in.

"Welcome, Selina. Have a good holiday? Besides the lack of seeing Kurumi, that is." Or maybe he shouldn't have said that. It seemed to be a bit of a sore subject.

Keefer looked up to see the new arrival. It was a Ravenclaw Prefect, Vashti he thought. But she would be a seventh year now, so did that mean...? No, he wouldn't ask. That would be embarrassing if he were wrong.

"Welcome, Vashti! Good holiday?"

Wait, does she even know who I am? "I'm Keefer Marius, by the way. New Hufflepuff Quidditch Captain. I don't think we've officially met."

Hmm, so there was a special compartment for Prefects. Kimalia felt a little silly not bothering to check it out earlier. Looking into her jumper she took the captain badge and pinned it on the outside. All the cool kids with badges were allowed in, right? Right! And just in case, she brought a basket of colorful sugar quills.

Opening the door, Kimalia stepped in to take in the scenery. Some people she recognized from Quidditch matches, some from her classes. "Hey guys!" Smiling sweetly, "Well, I brought some sugar quills to save you all the long queue." Everybody loved free sweets in her eyes. If not well, sad case for them! She wasted no time in setting the basket down for them to take and finding a seat to sit in.



Turning to the apparently nervous perfect. Hmm, well this is a guy and in Slytherin, and she briefly remembered Aurora mentioning her boyfriend as the new prefect. "You're Kennedy aren't you." It was more of a statement than a question. He was pretty cute blushing like that, Kimalia wondered if he had any other cute single friends of his own for her, hehehe. "Aurora mentioned a great deal about you."



"It's nice seeing you guys off the field." And not in a restless and messy state. With all the mud, snow fights and everything.



"Nice job on being the new heads." This was an interesting combo, one is in her brother's old house, and the other in her mum's. But nothing much else to note, since she wondered if they'll be able to lead their house like last term's did.



"Hey Eino," surprisingly a name she remembered, "Thanks again with helping the party decorations, even if it was so long ago." A good thanks came a long way, at least that's what her parents insisted. But enough about them..



Ohh this girl Kimalia knew, mentally giggling at the memories, "Hey, you're the girl who spat an apple at Evelyn last term and who caught Lola's curler once, right?" then adding. "That was quite bold of you."

Kurumi turned her head when she heard someone else enter the compartment and her smile widened. "Vashti!" Kurumi smiled, still hugging Selina like there was no tomorrow, but offering the seventh year a wave nonetheless. She then spotted the shiny badge on her and her eyes widened more. "You're Head Girl?! Congratulations!"

Kurumi giggled and was about to say something when Keefer addressed Selina. Oh dear, he didn't have a reading on Selina and her sense of humor. This was going to be interesting to watch. She best make some popcorn. "Selina wasn't being serious," she laughed. The pair of them were joined at the hip, even if there was an ocean between the two of them for part of the summer.

And then someone else walked in wearing the Slytherin Quidditch Captain badge. Wait... WHERE WAS LOLA?! Kurumi was supposed to feed that girl cookies because as Queen of the Flobberworms she needed them to survive...or something.

"I didn't exactly...do that," Kurumi said, chewing on her bottom lip just a tad. "She told me to spit it out and I did." See, just like a good house elf, following directions and all that. As for the curler, well, that was currently in her little treasure box back in the dorms filled with Hogwarts memories.