Ronnie walked into the Great Hall and plopped down at the Gryffindor table. Hmph. She was in a grumpy mood. Her head hurt, she still felt a bit queasy and was totally upset about throwing up over at the platform in Hogsmeade. Blehh. That had been no fun at all. And quite embarrassing too. She had expected today to be fun and awesome, and it sure was at first but ever since that stupid train problem she had not been very happy.

She frowned looked down at the table glumly, waiting for the rest of the lions to join her. She just wanted to go curl up in her cozy bed in the dorm and go to sleep. Today had really tuckered her out.

Ira walked into the Great Hall, feeling excited. She couldn't help it! She was a fourth year now! She was literally feeling wanting to scream! She looked up at the enchanted ceiling, amazed as ever at the false sky. The Great Hall seemed as welcoming as ever!

Making her way towards the Gryffindor table, she looked around to see that she was a bit early. Better, meaning she could choose her own seat. But what fun was it to sit alone?

But there was a girl already sitting, a bit glum maybe. Ira went and sat next to her, and excitedly said, "Hey! I'm Ira!" Looking around, she commented to start small talk, "It feels great to be back right?"

Ronnie didn't notice the girl that had sat next to her until the girl spoke, making Ronnie jump a bit. She smiled a little. "Hey, I'm Ronnie." she mumbled. Merlin, what was wrong with Ronnie?! She was normally all crazy happy and friendly when meeting a new friend and right now she was just...not herself. She really did need some sleep!

She nodded slowly. "Yeah." she said with a sigh. She sat there, looking down at the table. She then turned to the girl, a sad look on her face. "I'm real sorry, I'm normally really happy and talkative and stuff...but right now, I think I just need some sleep. It's been a long and pretty annoying day."she said with a slight chuckle.

The girl did look tired. And uninterested. Ira wondered why? What could possible be wrong?

Ira smiled at Ronnie, but wondering if she was feeling sick maybe. "Are you okay? 'Cause you look.. sad!" And according to Ira, no one should be sad at the start of term feast. "Wanna tell me what happened? Did you break up with.. um.. someone?" She clicked her tongue, and said, "Oh come on! Cheer up! Hey see there, the sorting is on!"

What a day it had been! Ariadne had always hated trains, and now she hated them even more, if possible. She had a niggling feeling that something strange was going on. It was always the case at Hogwarts, but the train stopping, the Board of Governors joining the train ride AND the feast, portkeys...something just didn't add up. Maybe the Headmistress will shed some light on everything in her speech, Ari thought. And the speech better come soon, because after all those incidents, she was hungry.

Making her way to the Gryffindor table, Ariadne saw familiar faces here and there and nodded to everyone she recognized, taking a seat eventually, somewhere near the centre of the table. From her spot, she glanced at the staff table and noticed Professor Bentley, the Gryffindor Head of House. At least, some things hadn't changed. Ari didn't like change much, so it was good news for her.

Come on. Speech, then food.

The ringing in Kurumi's ears had subsided somewhere between Hogsmeade station and her helping some of the injured out of the carriages. Either that, or she was now too distracted with other thoughts and feelings to really notice it anymore. That and the throbbing of her head. What a day it had been...what a day...

And to think that the seventh year thought that the worst part of her day would have been the first years climbing the Hogwarts Express. That seemed like it was ages ago. Ages and some other person had experienced it.

The good thing about all this? All those negative thoughts and emotions that had been swimming through the Gryffindor's head about this being her last term and how she had - in her mind - failed her house - were long gone. Now all she wanted to do was sit down and have a nice BIG glass of pumpkin juice while trying to fit back in to some sort of routine. Granted, nothing was ever routine at Hogwarts.

And that was just as it should be.

Stopping at one end of the table, Kurumi smiled at the lions already present. "Evening Ari, Ira, and Ronnie," Kurumi somehow managed to chirp despite her exhaustion. Next thing out on the table was a rather large crimson box with gold details. Which could really only mean one thing: cookies. Banishing the lid with a wave of her wand, Kurumi swished and flicked it over the contents. The cookies within seemingly sprung to life and rose into the air above everyone's head but still within reach before she gave another wave of her wand and sent them dancing around the table - Kurumi's signature display since she was a second year. "Grab one if you want, you all deserve a little sugar boost after all that."

Understatement of the century.

Once the cookies were on their way around the table, Kurumi flopped down into her seat and turned her attention towards the Sorting that had already begun....and just in time to catch two new Gryffindors joining the pride. Kurumi was back up on her feet, clapping loudly for the pair...when she recognized them as two of the first years from the platform. Heh, well well well....now she knew their names. "Congratulations and welcome to Gryffindor!"

What a day this had turned out to be. Quite an adventure really with all the chaos happening Tag was surprised he managed to make it to the feast. The day had felt as it had been dragging on forever, time slowly passing them by that, this morning didn't even seem to exist in his memory, as all the other events had topped his morning.

He walked up to the Gryffindor table ever so slowly, as any sudden movements disrupted his growling stomach. Tag's gloomy, long face than disappeared as a wide smile swept over his lips. Forgetting about his weak stomach he made his way much quicker and snatched a cookie before he even sat down. All his hunger and tiredness and exhaustion seemed to never existed as the delicious sugar filled him up. He felt much better now, with some solid-though snack food filling up his stomach. Just as he opened his mouth to tell Kurumi how delicious and how thankful he was for the cookie she stood up and started to clap.

Tag looked around himself, a bit out of it and saw two Gryffindors make their way over to the table. Very slowly, and still confused he followed suit behind Kurumi and imitated what she was doing. She was smart-so she wasn't doing anything wrong.

"Hi Kurumi. These cookies are really great-and I appreciate the little snack." The leprechaun said with a small smile towards the now big girl seventh year Kurumi.

Sarah hurried to join the table, she wanted a good view of the Sorting Ceremony in order to see into which house her brother was sorted. She really wanted him to be in Gryiffondo,r that would tip the scales in the favour of Gryffindor. Among her siblings sorted so far there were three Ravenclaws and three Gryffindors. If her brother James was to be a lion, then the lions will out number the claws.
She sat down at her table. "Hey Ronnie, Ira and Kurumi... been quite day. My first stop in the castle was the bathroom, I needed to clean off my hands. They got grazed when I landed hands down on the Hogsmede platform." she held out her hands, which were now clean. "Kurumi, can I have a cookie PLEASE?" she asked.
She then turned to the other girl who she did not know YET. The girl (Ariadne) had gorgeous long dark hair. "Hello," Sarah said brightly, "My name is Sarah - what is yours?" That sounded dodge, yet Sarah meant well.

"Hello Sarah," Kurumi smiled, greeted the not-so-little lion as she came to the table. "Glad to see you made it." Kurumi hadn't been able to keep an eye on everyone on the platform - of course, that would be an impossible task - so she was glad that one more of her lions looked as though she didn't need to see the scary Healer. "Oh, of course. Take as many as you would like. Just be sure to save room for the feast. The house elves always put a lot of effort into the meals," she added with a wink.

Kurumi turned around when she heard her name and smiled softly at her half magical creature friend. "Tag, hey," Kurumi greeted, offering him a small wave. "You're welcome. I couldn't not bring cookies, you know, one last time." To an opening feast at least. There was still the end of term feast...but she was getting ahead of herself.

"How was your first travel by portkey? You hold on tight like I told you to?"

Angel slowly made her way to Gryffindor table... not seeing Lex sitting there yet... oh god she was the only first year that she could see. Trying to at least fake some sense of confidence so she didn't look like she was completely scared she smiled, sitting herself down at the table while she looked in awe at all the cookies floating in the air, wondering who'd made them... none of the other houses seemed to have them!

Seeing others ask, or just take the cookies she sat there awkwardly before she saw another girl ask an older girl for a cookie so she decided rather than just take one - in case she couldn't - she'd ask first!

"Um... is it okay if I have one?" she asked the older girl nervously, not sure how to address her, so with her bright blue eyes doing the best puppy eyes she could muster for the occasion!

He took another bite out of the cookie as she explained she couldn't miss out on bringing beginning of the term feast cookies for her final year. "Of course not. And you didn't fail to deliver. Very excellent." He commented as he held the cookie aloft, wiggling it in his hand after taking yet another bite.

It was an odd. Like going through the toilet paper roll thingy-like being sucked through a telescope. He then half stuck out his tongue at her in a cute way because she had informed him and strictly told him to not let go of the portkey. Which he had wanted to do so badly. Tag found this portkey device his only chance of being the Doctor and exploring the world, all of time and space. But Kurumi advised him not to-so he grudgingly listened."Unfortunately, I held on as you said. I could've seen the world you know." He said with a hint of fake sadness.

Sarah chucked at her prefects remarked. "Thank you" she said, grabbing a cookie. With her mouth busy chomping Sarah began speaking - after all women can multi-task! It did not look bad, it just that her speech was a bit garbled. "Yummy..." she said, "the house elves have nothing to worry about. My mom says I have a bottomless stomach." she said, rubbing her ever-so-petite middle. She was very petite, which was surprising as she ate a lot! Yet she was a picky eater as well.




Sarah saw a girl who had just been sorted to Gryffindor join her table. She was a first year. Sarah had decided that she was going to be nice and welcoming to the first years. After all, her lonely welcoming feast last year was still fresh in her mind. "Hello, My name is Sarah Edwards, I am a second year. What is your name?" she ask with a friendly smile.

Looking up Angel saw another girl who'd started talking to her and didn't seem too much older, and seeing the smile she grinned back at the other girl rather happily. "Hi, I'm Angel" she said happily. "Angel Wyatt, but a lot of people call me Annie" she continued to say... it was true, ever since she was little Andrew had called her that and then everyone else ended up calling her it.

Not that she cared, she found the nickname quite... cool in a way!

Sarah liked it when people smiled. "Then, hello Annie." She was going to say that her owl's name was similar - Angelina. Yet she decided that not everyone like it when an Animal has the same or similar name to them...
"How are you doing after the incident on the train today?" Sarah asked genuinely. Thankfully she was not hurt so much, although her knees ached, they were grazed, yet Sarah knew that she was lucky to get off so lightly. People were injured more then she was, so she did not complain. After al, everything was for the best!

Hmmm...Kurumi probably should make a sign or something that told everyone it was okay for people to just snatch one of the dancing cookies out of the air. Or maybe she should have tried charming them to sing a song that implied as such. Something to think about for the end of the term feast. "Of course, I bakes them for everyone," Kurumi nodded. "Welcome to Gryffindor, I'm Kurumi Hollingberry, one of your prefects." And Kurumi bowed her head towards the girl in greeting.

Ug...she hated introducing herself that way...it always made younger students panic...or start acting too formally around her.

Kurumi ended up blushing just a little when Tag complimented her. Even after all this time she still didn't know how to handle such things - probably never would really. "Well, I'm glad you like them," she said with an almost trademark Lockhartian wink. Thanks for rubbing off on her, Treyen. Hopefully some more of his confidence would as well. Kurumi could really use some of that right now.

Kurumi nearly snorted at the way in which Tag explained what it was like to travel by portkey, only she somehow managed to contain herself to a loud giggle instead. It was rather accurate, now that she got to thinking about it. "Tag, you know you can't actually go to any other location than the one the portkey was made for, right? They just go to one place." Letting go of a portkey could be...very bad though. "How about we save your world traveling until you can apparate?"
Kurumi relaxed a little more into her seat as Sarah nibbled on the cookie. Good. This was calm and not chaotic like things had been...well...ALL day. "Well, that's good. Between you, Selina, and Penelope the house elves will have their work cut out for them I imagine." Yes, this was good. Normal conversation. No climbing. Nothing exploding. Just...conversation and crimson and gold decor all around. "How was your summer? You ready for your second year?"

The train incident came up again, causing Angel to blush a bit. "Well I kinda hit my head but that's better now... I guess that was part of the reason I got to meet... or rather hold Millie until we got to the boats" she said excitedly. "Wombats are just too adorable... how are you after that? I think a lot of people got injured in that... do they even know what happened?"

Angel knew she was rambling, but it was partially because Millie was adorable and partially because she was actually worried about whether or not everyone was alright and what even caused the entire incident... something she doubted any of the students would really know but still...

SPOILER!!: Kurumi

ooc: can't be bothered to figure out how to properly edit it but she answered in the above post!

Then she noticed the student that she'd asked about taking a cookie replied and she grinned plucking one out of the air and taking a bite happily as stopped herself from just stuffing it into her mouth. "Hmm... they're delicious" she complimented before continuing. "So you make them every year for everyone?" she continued to ask with childish curiosity.

"I'm Angel Wyatt, but people call me Annie... nice to meet you Kurumi!" she actually meant it, she'd already felt welcome before but everyone just seemed so nice!!! Being happy to meet people within asking for a cookie seemed quite legitimate... to Angel at least!

Ira looked away from Ronnie as other lions came to the table. Which made her even more excited than she was. It was so good to see those familiar faces after a vacation! Ira nodded and smiled wide at each as they settled down.

And of course, came Kurumi and her cookies! Followed by Sarah. Ira waved at them and said, "Hey Kurumi! Hey Sarah! Your vacations went well?" she asked, smiling at them. "Those cookies look great Kurumi!" Ira commented, taking a cookie, and munching at it, "And they taste great too!" Saying that, Ira bent forwards and grabbed another. They really were tasty. AND she was really very hungry.

In between bites of the cookie, Ira listened to Sarah, "You didn't get bruised, did you?" she asked in concern. Because she herself had little scratches on her knees.

Sarah laughed again, nearly choking on the cookie. "I guess they do! My mother thought when she had me she would not have to cook as much as she had to for my brothers. Yet my appetite soon surprised her! I eat as much as my brothers. My muggle grandmother once took my siblings and I out to a pizza shop, where there was a special deal. You paid a 6 pounds and you can eat all the pizza slices you want. They were big pizza slices, yet I made the pizza shop loose out - had about 7 pieces, which is equivalent to more then one family-sized pizza! I was slightly stuffed afterwards. My one brother had 12 slices though" she smiled again thinking of that memory. "So you can say I eat a lot!" Hopefully Kurumi would not think bady of her and her eating habits. "Summer was great, a bit lonely. I was used to being in Hogwarts with other girls, yet other then Diagon Alley I never saw any girls that were not family members! Second Year is sounding a bit daunting, yet I am ready for the challenge! It will be less scary then my firs year, hopefully. Because now I know people, luckily. And my baby brother James is in Hogwarts now. Waiting to be sorted - hopefully he is in Gryffindor!" Sarah said, her eyes scanning the place where the sorting ceremony was taking place.



Sarah looked at her younger friend with concern "I am glad you are doing better" she said. "I got away with a few scrapes and bruises, yet I cleaned them up fairly quickly." Wombats were adorable? Sarah liked animals best when they were babies... "I don't think they do, or if they did - would they tell us? If it was a muggle world, I would say the train broke down, yet the train is probably magical, so maybe it is some sort of magic that is interfering with it" Dark magic -yet she did not want o frighten the younger girl.


by now her cookie was finished and she wanted another, yet she was too scared to ask

Cheeks rising in color once again, Kurumi bowed her head in appreciation before answering her question. "Every opening an closing feast," she nodded. These particular cookies that is. These were special Gryffindor crest cookies that were only made for feasts. "Besides the common room and the library, the Hogwarts kitchens are where I spend a lot of my time." The house elves were always very accommodating. In fact, Kurumi needed to make a quick stop there after the feast to say hello to Nimma and the others.

"Annie, nice to meet you too," Kurumi replied. "How was your sorting?" Kurumi had only been able to hear the hat declare her a Gryffindor - which was hard to miss considering how loud that hat could be.

"Ira!" Kurumi chirped, waving at the younger lioness. Merlin, wait, when had she grown so much? Wasn't she just a first...no, that was a while ago that Ira had been a first year. Where did the time go? "Just try not to get too full before the feast actually begins!"

That....was a lot of pizza...

Kurumi sort of just looked at Sarah for a moment, processing the whole pizza story and trying to imagine eating that much. Kurumi had seen Selina stuff her face with just about anything and everything whereas Kurumi had a rather dainty stomach. "That IS a lot of pizza..."

Laughing softly, Kurumi nodded her head slightly at the second year's words. Kurumi knew what it was like to find summer a little lonely - not having all your friends around. Her summer had been good, perhaps the best she had had in a long time...if not ever. "I am sure you will do just fine with your second year. You did Gryffindor proud your first year to be sure," she said encouragingly. "Oh really? I'll keep my fingers crossed for you...that is...what people do, right? When they want something? Crossing your fingers I mean."

Kurumi had learned that over the summer from Lewis. It wasn't something that they did in Japan, so she was still a little unfamiliar with the custom.

This year round, Ariadne had only met one eleven-year-old before the Sorting, who she was sure would end up in Gryffindor. Since she hadn't been there the previous year, she had really missed seeing the ceremony and cheering on the new housemates. It was even better to see old friends again, nevertheless. 'Hey, Kurumi! How are you?' Ariadne smiled brightly. She had missed the girl so much. Kurumi had been like a mentor to all the younger Lions, as the firsties would soon find out.

Bless her, the Prefect had baked her signature cookies again. 'You're amazing! You do know that, right?' Ari said whilst taking a cookie. They had served delicious food at Beauxbatons too, everything from croissants to parfaits, but nothing compared to Kurumi's cookies. Especially at a time like this.

'What do you make of today's events?' Ariadne asked the older girl. 'What could've happened to the train that was impossible to fix?' And was it just a coincidence that the train broke down with all those important people on it?



The younger students were so cute! Chatty, eager to share their experiences. Not long ago, Ariadne had been just like that. To some extent, she still was. 'Are you all right now?' she asked the newcomer symphathetically, having overheard what she had said about her landing in Hogsmeade.

'I'm Ari. Ariadne Marchbanks, that is. Lovely to meet you, Sarah.' the fifteen-year-old introduced herself with a smile and scooted over to make room for the other Gryffindors who hadn't arrived yet.

Fee got a bit boring during the headmistresses speech and decided to wander around, maybe she would find some of her friends who were just as bored. The speech before you could dig into your food was always the worst, you were hungry and it took so long until it was finished. But then again it was lovely to see all the ickle firsties being sorted and welcomed into their houses. Really the cutest. The blonde would miss that sooo much. Someone should video tape the following years for her. Seriously.


Looking around the seventh year hoped to see a familiar face to chat to, nothing better than a nice little chat when you were bored. Unfortunately Cass had fallen asleep at the Slytherin table and the blonde coulnt find Kennedy or anyone there. Hopefully this wouldnt happen to her here, she might would have to go mental otherwise.

Maxwell walked into the hall, a few cuts and scrapes from his portkey ride on his face. He took a seat at his normal spot on the table. He needed a new start this term, the summer was awful he not only lost his girl but his mother. He sat there waiting for food, wondering where Jordan was. He hadn't seen him on the train.

Alice wobbled into Great Hall on her splint. She had been given a pair of crutches to walk on until she could visit the Healer. She didn't really care if she had come into the Feast looking really awkward— on crutches, with a large fiberglass splint. She had adjusted to them very quickly; it wasn't that hard to walk on them. As soon as she entered the Hall, she headed for the Gryffindor table. That was where Kurumi-Cookie would be, right? And maybe.. no. Melanie couldn't have been sorted yet! But Alice wanted her to be in Gryffindor.

Keeping an eye out for her other friend, Alice made her way over to Kurumi on her crutches. "Kurumi!" Her Hogwarts Momma looked as happy as ever, handing out cookies and welcoming new students. She pulled one of the cookie platter and popped it into her mouth. Mhmm. They tasted even better when Alice wasn't in pain.

Melanie grinned as she walked over to the Gryffindor table. That was the one with the red banners and stuff. The nervous feeling was gone and was replaced with another fluttery feeling - excitement. She tried not to giggle as she walked over, looking around it for familiar faces. Queen Alice wasn't here, or Melanie couldn't see her, so she supposed the girl was getting proper treatment with the nurse or healer or something. Melanie couldn't believe it now, she was actually here... at Hogwarts. All thoughts about the train and the accidents that had happened left her mind as she looked up at the candles floating around.

She was at Hogwarts. Where was she supposed to sit though?

Melanie looked around the table again, smile frozen on her face. She was so happy right then. Especially since she spotted a familiar blonde head talking to the elder student from before. "QUEEN ALICE!!!!" Melanie exclaimed, beaming. She wasn't sure if her smile could get any bigger as she raced over hugging the girl, careful not to make her lose her balance or anything. "Are you alright? Does it still hurt? You're in one piece right?" Melanie asked. Alice had made her worry big time with the broken leg and she was still a bit worried about her being here. "Shouldn't you be resting? You should be with a healer or something," Melanie added. She was unable to frown though because her Queen Alice was here.

Oh cookies. Melanie glanced at the cookies. Was she allowed to take one? They looked really pretty... hehe...