He. Was. HERE.

Blaise Lyle Bellaire was officially on Hogwarts soil and was about to complete his first right of passage; the famed boat ride across the lake. EVERYONE knew how big this was which explained the boy's excited as he practically headed the group of First Years down to the boat. He didn't have time to stop and realize he didn't know where he was going in the dim light. All that mattered was getting to a boat and NOT being left behind.

It was a gamble having his quill and notepad float along next to him but Blaise was too anxious and couldn't bare the thought of missing even a moment. It should have been fine so long as no one bumped them...in theory.

"I CALL FIRST BOAT!!!!" So he could get their first, duh. Now where was his cousin? And Suri?? SHE PROMISED SHE WOULDN'T GET LOST!

Riley literally couldn't contain her excitement.

As soon as the Groundskeeper man told first years to follow him she was off like a rocket, following him down the steep, rocky path. She almost tripped a few times, but she was so focused on knowing where they were going, she barely even noticed. A BOAT? They were going on a boat to the castle? Wow. Wow, wow, wow. So cool.

"ME TOO," she shouted when another first year claimed the first boat. It was four to a boat she'd been told, so it wouldn't be a problem. PLUS she wanted to be one of the first ones there. After watching the boy climb into the boat, she followed suit, being careful not to wobble.

FINALLY!

Once the train had arrived at the Hogsmeade station, Ava followed the groundskeeper man excitedly. She's finally at Hogwarts, mate! HOGWARTS! She had been waiting for this since forever, you know?

And now... where would they head into? She just followed the groundskeeper man until she realized they're going to ride a BOAT to Hogwarts. COOL! "There's still a space for me, right? Count me in!" The brunette girl said to the fellow firsties and climbed into the boat. Where's Teddy by the way? She just didn't understand how could her twin brother walked very slowly like that, wasn't he excited?

"Waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaait!!!" Bentley flung himself unto the first boat, checking only for a second to ensure that his camera bag was still with him. "Phew"

He frowned at Blaise and bore his way between him and the other two girls that were there. "You were suppose to wait for me fat head!" Grrrr. "Wait and keep a seat and all that. What if I had gotten stuck with the second boat?" Just couldn't count on Blaise could you?

"Everyone huddle up so I can get a picture." He'd get the names later...or Blaise could actually since that was his job.

Nobody had told him that they would need to get in a boat to reach the school. Daxton had been aware that they were near some kind of large body of water - something about the air had felt different, though he couldn't explain what it was, given that he was all too focused on trying not to pay attention to the sounds of the footsteps and talking and breathing of all the first years around him - but he hadn't expected that they would need to cross it.

Daxton looked around, squinting in the near-darkness to try and see where the older students had gone. It was impossible to tell, only to see that they weren't here, so instead he looked at the boats again, his sense of unease growing.

Though he'd lived in a coastal village for the past few years, Daxton had never learnt to swim. Not in the sea, not in a lake, not in a pool, not anywhere. He lingered at the edge of the lake, scowling angrily which helpfully served to conceal his high state of anxiety. It helped that he really was furious about the entire matter.

He wasn't going to do it. Wasn't getting in one of those stupid little boats that looked as though they could easily sink at the slightest touch, or get flipped by an unruly first year who thought they were being funny, like Char. Was there another way of getting across? He did not want to get in one these.

Daxton stared around at the students assembled and loading themselves into the boats, and looked for the groundskeeper again. He was planning on demanding he find him another way across, before remembering he'd left his notebook with his luggage, not realising he wouldn't have the opportunity to retrieve it before they were all ushered off the train. Without that, communication was impossible, unless the man knew sign language.

His scowl deepened.

Blaise had only just gotten to the boat and thrown himself in when he heard others making the same claim. It didn't bother him on account of him already being there and it being impossible for him at this point to be the one left behind so the boy scooted right up to the front of the boat where he could Captain the Grand Ship that was bringing them to the mysterious but magnificent castle--'least that's how his quill was currently scribbling the story.

The boy watched as a girl he didn't know then one he'd briefly run into in Diagon both boarded. "Welcome aboard mateys." He greeted in his absolute BEST pirate's voice. "I be the Cap'n of this ship and I'll be makin' sure we get to the castle in one piece." It would be easy because he was gonna be best friends with the squid then THEY could have safe passage across.

A wide grin spread across his face when his cousin practically flung himself at the boat. "Mate, you made it!" Ignoring that whole fathead comment and he hoped his quill did too. "You wouldn't have gotten stuck on the second boat. I'm the Captain, I'd just make somebody walk the plank for you. DUH."

But anyway they were taking pictures so Blaise stood and got himself squished between both girls with wobbly steps then another grin. "Ready when you are." Hurry up so he could go back to his Captain seat.

Okay, so it was time for the boat phase. Yes, Aldous had broke the whole thing into phases. Not just arriving to the castle but the entire seven years he was going to spend here. Of course, there were phases and sub-phases. The boat was a sub-phase. Obviously.

Upon approaching the boats, he noticed a few kids who looked like his age. And since first years traveled alone it was safe to assume there were indeed his age. And they were taking a picture. Not to be rude but he had an important question and did not think he could wait until after they were done. "Excuse me, but does anyone know the maximum capacity for the boats?" Important question. He needed to know in order to decide whether he could join or go to a separate boat.

Oh, and there was someone who wasn't on the boat like him, a silent kid.[Daxton] Was he wondering about the capacity as well? Al casually stood next to him. "I think we should take another boat. Since we don't know the boats' capacity," So if the boy knew, now would be a good time to tell him.

By the time Riley had seated herself on the boat, another person was climbing in, this time one she recognised. AVA. "Ava, right?" She was probably right. It wasn't like she'd met that many people yet, so she didn't have the many names to remember.

Oh. OH. The first boy was talking. He was ... the captain of the ship? "I didn't know this tiny boat needed a captain," she said, looking around at it. It hardly looked like it needed a captain. And was he a self proclaimed captain, or was there some sort of job appointing thing that she hadn't been aware of? "Does the captain of our ship have a name? And why wouldn't we be getting to the castle safely?" She grinned to let him know that she was friendly and didn't mind that he was captain, and opened her mouth to ask another string of questions, but was interrupted by someone else climbing aboard.

This boy and the first boy seemed to know each other, she noticed. And, wow, he seemed ...... not mean, but, like, sorta. Calling someone fathead was not nice, but she didn't know them, so who knew, maybe that was the first boy's nickname? HEY WAIT. Make someone walk the plank? "Better not be me," she muttered, a little more apprehensive about the two boys now, and shuffled closer to Ava. But ... they were having a picture, and now that she thought about it, she wanted to remember as being one of the people on the first boat to Hogwarts in her year, so huddled up with the two more and pulled Ava with her.

CHEEEEEEEEESE.

But wait again. There was another boy who was interrupting their photo and asking a question. She could've ignored him, but a) that was mean and she wasn't a mean person, and b) when she asked questions, she liked getting answers, so why shouldn't she help him out? "I think it's four to a boat," she said, squinting at the Groundskeeper man for confirmation.

....speaking of Char, HERE WAS CHAR! Obviously she intended to be in a boat with DAVIE because he was her best friend, but ALSO she had run on ahead and so she was here and ready and--OOOH!

"Prince Daxton I'm so glad to see you didn't get assassinated this summer! Good on you! OH LETS GET IN THE BOAT! We have to save room for DAVIE though okay?"And who cared about maximum capacity? That one boy was asking too many questions! She was already aboard, after having LEAPT into the boat which rocked beneath her but the small blonde didn't seem to care. She sat right up front and tried not to bounce to much in her seat.

HOGWARTS!

"Get in unless you want to be LAST!"

Davie had stepped off the train like it was his first time EVER in Hogsmeade. It wasn't, of course, but he had enjoyed the ride anyway because this WAS his first time as a HOGWARTS kid.

"Chaaaaaaaaarlottttttttttteeeeeeee Kettttttt-le-burrrrrrrn," he called out as he trotted down to the edge of the black lake. THE BLACK LAKE. Hogwarts' lake. In just one short boat ride, he was going to be walking back into that castle. OHMYMERLIN he could hardly wait.

And there, THERE was his blonde BFF. "Charlotte, wait for me!" Davie scrambled into the boat and parked himself, adjusting his robes nervously. Who were these other people she was talking to and would they be nice to him? He looked around them with bright, but cautious, blue eyes.

Bentley made a face at his cousin to say that he really still didn't trust him for anything. Yeah yeah, luckily he SAVED HIMSELF! Thank you for nothing Blaise...insert side eyes. "yeah you would have better." Luckily he wouldn't have to watch anybody walk the plank today though.

"Yeah I don't want the boat to topple over so maybe you should go on boat number two with...."and that loud squeaky girl voice belonged to aha.."..Charlotte only.."he lowered his voice.."she's a bit bossy and that one!.." he pointed at Daxton.."doesn't talk very much at all..kinda weird.."

"Gather up quickly!!!! We don't have all day and I need to get a shot of the squid!" Yes he was yelling but he needed all of them to listen. He had some shots to get and the opportunity would not miss him.

CLICK CLICK CLICK!

"Boat two!" yes they were boat two.

CLICK CLICK CLICK.

Ava heard somebody mentioned her name. Turning around, the brunette girl saw a familiar face. "Hi Riley!" She greeted that girl. Though she's not kind of person who's difficult on making friends, but still it's nice to see familiar faces around.

"Oh, Hello captain!" She said to that boy. "Where's your telescope then? Don't the captain always have that thing to... you know, see if we're on a right route to the castle." Like in the muggle movie. Also beard and fake arms with the curvy hook. Wait... it was just a movie, not in real life. DUH!

And there's another boy came to their boat with a camera. WOW!!! She wasn't judging when he called the other boy fathead. Maybe they're already closed way before so it's like a special nickname like, she loved calling her twin brother as Teddy bear. And he's taking the picture of them! Ava put on her best smile and huddled up with them. Wasn't it cool? "May I have a copy once you've finished developing the pic, please?" She said to him.

While they're busy taking picture, there's a boy (Aldous) came to them. "I'm sorry, but I think it's only for four people." She looked at her boat and it's already full. He didn't want to take a risk to be in this boat and maybe... it's gonna be sunk due to overcapacity.

Lucas looked around and climbed into a boat. He stood on it, looking about at the many different faces on the other boats. He didn't see anyone he knew... Lupin might not be coming this year which made him sad and then he knew Philipe was somewhere but he wouldn't be on the boat... nope... his cousin was a year older and would go on whatever the second year children goes on. He pouted and sat down. His sister never told him how lonely Hogwarts was at first... but then again his sister was a social butterfly and probably already had plenty of friends by this point in the journey.

That had been a long train ride and Henry couldn't help but to be tired. He might have even fallen asleep for a part of it, even if he had been a combination of anxious and excited. There was just something about a long train ride that had the tendency to lull an 11 year old boy to sleep.

But they were at Hogwarts now! Or at least the train station that led to Hogwarts, and Henry covered a yawn behind his hand as he turned his eyes towards the voice calling for first years. Well, that was him and he headed that way wondering what was to happen next. Oh, right. The boats. He vaguely remembered his parents mentioning them and looked around for a suitable one.

There were a couple that were already full plus a ton that were empty. Obviously the full ones were out, but the empty ones weren't much fun. He glanced behind him but didn't see any of his new friends. But as he stepped tentatively towards one of the boats, he saw there was one with just one boy in it. Maybe that one would be okay to right across the lake in.

"Hi," he said to the other boy as he carefully stepped in and took a seat, putting on a smile. "Okay if I join you?" He was being friendly and polite, though he figured it probably wasn't necessary to ask. The boats were for all the first years, including him. "My name's Henry."

Some were in a boat already, including Bentley, a boy Daxton had met in Diagon Alley the day Char had stolen his card. He watched that group for a moment, trying to get a read on just how reliable these wooden death traps were, but it was impossible to say for sure.

At first, Daxton could see why it might be wise to find out the maximum capacity of these boats, but in actuality all the first years differed in height and weight, and considering they were all reasonably small to start with, a little difference might just make... well, a big difference. He wanted the maximum capacity provided in proper measurements. Pounds or kilos, it didn't matter which, as long as it was precise. Not something so vague and unreliable as 'four to a boat'.

Daxton took a look at the kid next to him. Taking a different boat would be a good idea, but for two things: 1. Daxton wasn't getting into a boat at all, and 2. if he was, he wasn't planning on sharing with anyone, especially someone he didn't know. What exactly would stop this other boy from trying to knock Daxton out, or rock the boat and tip it over?

... Char was here. It was impossible not to notice her as she dashed past him, all but yelling about those assassins again (Daxton cast another suspicious look at the boy next to him). She jumped right into the nearest boat, proving him absolutely correct in his worries about them rocking and tipping. What the... she was even bouncing while sitting inside.

Daxton deadpanned. The mere thought of sitting in a boat with Char sent literal shivers through him. If he had to ride in a boat with her, he knew that this would be the end. He would die tonight, crossing this lake. He wouldn't even know what House he'd have been sorted into.

A sudden thought struck Daxton. If he didn't get on a boat, did that mean that he wouldn't get to go to Hogwarts? Before he could ruminated on that for very long, the shore began to fill up with more first years swarming towards the remaining boats. Daxton took an instinctive step towards the boat that Char and Davie were in and away from the children he did not recognise, but still didn't climb aboard. He couldn't even claim an empty boat, because someone would definitely join him.

Daxton just stood there, by Char and Davie's boat and the possible assassin but still very much on the shore, not knowing quite how to solve this dilemma.

And Bentley was taking pictures.

Of course he was.

HOGWARTS! HOOOOOOOOGWARRRRT!

Olly's entire body was filled to the brim with excitement. He honestly felt like he was about to explode because he just couldn't take it. He was finally there. He could see Hogwarts castle in the distance. He was standing in front of the black lake, home of the giant squid, and part of the Hogwarts grounds. This was it. His grin took control of his entire face.

"Hi Blaise!" He spotted the boy he'd met in Diagon Alley and gave him an enthusiastic wave. But he didn't make an attempt to get into his boat, seeing as it already looked full enough to sink. It probably wouldn't, it was magic after all. And it would make for a good story, but Olly did not feel like walking into Hogwarts with his clothes soaking wet.

Oliver grinned at the other first years too, the ones he didn't know but wanted to be friends with. The person he was REALLY looking for was his sister. Where was Ellery? COME ON! Olly just wanted to go to Hogwarts!

YAYAYAYAYAYAYAYA HOGWARTS.

Two girls think it's four people. Aldous didn't understand why one of them was apologizing. She shouldn't be, she just answered his question. The boy nodded at the two girls. And the camera boy was stating the obvious. "I wouldn't want the boat to topple over either," Duh. His eyes next trailed to the girl named Charlotte who was bossy according to camera boy. The information was noted including the bit about the silent kid. Camera boy seemed to have a lot of information about people. Aldous welcomed information of ALL kinds. You never know when it's needed.

Although he wasn't quite satisfied with the vague answer he decided to let it drop. "Okay, so four people it is," Aldous nodded at the people in the first boat and turned to the second one where the blonde girl just hopped in there. He didn't plan on getting there last so he joined the girl. And a friend of the girl joined as well. The first year glanced back at the silent kid and wondered if he was going to join them. "Don't you wanna join?" He seemed to take a step towards the boat but then stopped.

"I am Aldous," He announced if anyone was interested in this piece of information. His father told him to introduce himself all the time. And now that he got that out of the way he started examining the boat from the inside. Must be a magical and unique boat!

Chloe tried not to be judgemental but she really wasn't keen on the fact that first years had to take boats-- the long way to the castle-- when all the older kids got to get to school and start before them. She just wanted to be at the castle already. A whole summer of waiting was now being prolonged by a boat.

It didn't help that she didn't know a single face at the docks. It made her antsy. She was so used to Clara being at her side that she felt extremely bare without her twin.

But she was confident and calm....enough. She was determined to fake it until she made it. No one else needed to know what was going on in her head.

Including....

....Chloe was fine, cool and collected the whole time. All readers of this were tricked...understood? She was fine. Just fine.

A little lost at the docks, though, which is perfectly acceptable for a first year.

He glanced up as soon as the boat rocked just the slightest amount. He scanned the boy over a few times and raised an eyebrow. "Well... seeing as you are already joining me before I even answered... I suppose you could join me not that there is much choice in the matter..." He gestured and glanced away, scanning the water surrounding them. He was searching for something but he didn't find it so he just sighed and looked back at the boy. "Henry... hmmm... I have an older brother named Henry... hopefully you are nothing like him because he is rather mean and stupid..." He swung his legs and looked at the boy, "I am Lucas by the way..." Lucas tilted his head and looked at the boy. "What house do you want to be sorted into?

No, there wasn't much choice as the boats were for all the first years, unreserved, but it didn't mean the other kid needed to be rude about it. "I was just being polite," Henry shrugged. "We don't have assigned seats." Nor were there enough boats for each kid to get his own, so the boy didn't need to act like he should grant permission.

Glancing up at the dock, he saw his kneazle standing there looking down at them in the boat. "Come on, Chewbacca." Henry waited for him to jump in, but when he didn't, he reached up, causing the boat to rock gently and took hold of the animal before placing him on his lap. Must be afraid of the water, but the boy didn't exactly blame him. The lake was kind of big.

Turning back to the other boy now known as Lucas, Henry shrugged again. "Well, I guess you're in luck because I'm not mean or stupid." That was kind of a weird thing to say to someone you just met, Henry thought, but he didn't think much more about it. "Hufflepuff," he said matter of factly. "That's where my family was and they said it's the most fun there." It had a secret passage to the kitchens and they had the best Quidditch team, though he didn't know if they were going to have Quidditch this year or not.

He frowned slightly, "I didn't mean to be rude if that is what you were implying by saying you were just trying to be polite... and I know that we don't have assigned seats... I was just trying to state that there is no reason to ask since you were already joining anyways its not like this boat is full... there is plenty of room..." Lucas eyed the boy then he was shouting to a kneazle named Chewbacca. What a weird pet name... and how lucky is he to have a kneazle! Lucas had wanted a kneazle but his mother insisted that he brought an owl. He sighed and looked at the boy, holding onto the edge as the boy rocked the boat. Lucas gritted his teeth and eyed the water below him. His sister had told horror stories about Hogwarts and how he better beware of the water and though he doubted that most of them were true, he was not going to take the risk of finding out. He eyed the boy after the boat stopped rocking and became still. "I suppose that is good...' He tried to stop his face from showing his disgust at the house that the boy named. "Oh... well... if it is anything like what my mother has told me... then I suppose that will be a good house..." He looked away and wiggled his feet a little, growing bored of just sitting on a boat. He wanted to get under that sorting hat!

Well, this was going to be one magical night. Justin had been waiting out for a little while before he could hear the faint whistle of the train about to make its approach. Sweetness. And before he knew it, the train had docked with all the students spilling out.

"First years, this way!" Gesturing with his held out lantern. They could see, right?

Hah, he didn't even need to shout out where they needed to go as the younger ones were already rushing past him to get onto the boats. Justin then folded his arms with a little smirk as he watched them. "Oiii, be careful. Those boats weren't made for rocking."

As for the amount of people, "You got that right, up to four per boat. There's some life vests tucked inside, so you'll have a harder time being sucked into the water in case you slip in." He was kidding about that.. or was he? Well, now Justin searched around to see any looks-like-loners around here. It was pretty dark out still as he had his only lantern about for sight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Felixir

Some were in a boat already, including Bentley, a boy Daxton had met in Diagon Alley the day Char had stolen his card. He watched that group for a moment, trying to get a read on just how reliable these wooden death traps were, but it was impossible to say for sure.

At first, Daxton could see why it might be wise to find out the maximum capacity of these boats, but in actuality all the first years differed in height and weight, and considering they were all reasonably small to start with, a little difference might just make... well, a big difference. He wanted the maximum capacity provided in proper measurements. Pounds or kilos, it didn't matter which, as long as it was precise. Not something so vague and unreliable as 'four to a boat'.

Daxton took a look at the kid next to him. Taking a different boat would be a good idea, but for two things: 1. Daxton wasn't getting into a boat at all, and 2. if he was, he wasn't planning on sharing with anyone, especially someone he didn't know. What exactly would stop this other boy from trying to knock Daxton out, or rock the boat and tip it over?

... Char was here. It was impossible not to notice her as she dashed past him, all but yelling about those assassins again (Daxton cast another suspicious look at the boy next to him). She jumped right into the nearest boat, proving him absolutely correct in his worries about them rocking and tipping. What the... she was even bouncing while sitting inside.

Daxton deadpanned. The mere thought of sitting in a boat with Char sent literal shivers through him. If he had to ride in a boat with her, he knew that this would be the end. He would die tonight, crossing this lake. He wouldn't even know what House he'd have been sorted into.

A sudden thought struck Daxton. If he didn't get on a boat, did that mean that he wouldn't get to go to Hogwarts? Before he could ruminated on that for very long, the shore began to fill up with more first years swarming towards the remaining boats. Daxton took an instinctive step towards the boat that Char and Davie were in and away from the children he did not recognise, but still didn't climb aboard. He couldn't even claim an empty boat, because someone would definitely join him.

Daxton just stood there, by Char and Davie's boat and the possible assassin but still very much on the shore, not knowing quite how to solve this dilemma.

And Bentley was taking pictures.

Of course he was.

This kid though. He felt the eyes on him earlier, but was preeeetty quiet. Nervous jitters, eh? Justin was horrible with reading minds unless he put himself in their shoes. Which usually didn't work out since this one had different size than him after all these years. But it wouldn't hurt trying, yeah? They had plenty of time. "The boat won't chew and spit you out into the water, if you're worried about that."

Quote:

Originally Posted by fanficfanatict

Chloe tried not to be judgemental but she really wasn't keen on the fact that first years had to take boats-- the long way to the castle-- when all the older kids got to get to school and start before them. She just wanted to be at the castle already. A whole summer of waiting was now being prolonged by a boat.

It didn't help that she didn't know a single face at the docks. It made her antsy. She was so used to Clara being at her side that she felt extremely bare without her twin.

But she was confident and calm....enough. She was determined to fake it until she made it. No one else needed to know what was going on in her head.

Including....

....Chloe was fine, cool and collected the whole time. All readers of this were tricked...understood? She was fine. Just fine.

A little lost at the docks, though, which is perfectly acceptable for a first year.

Eyes just following where the eyes were looking towards. Yep. "The water does look nice, doesn't it. Are you a first year?" This will be quick if so.

THAT WAS HER NAME! AND it was being said by her best friend! Char wrapped her arm around Davie's shoulder companionably when he joined her in the boat and beamed all around. They were clearly PROS about this. They knew ALL about the boats. ALL about them. And they were finally getting to be ON them as STUDENTS and wasn't it the BEST?

"I waited! I mean, I got on the boat first, but I saved you this seat! I did! I wouldn't have let it go without you, Davie!" Char informed the bespectacled boy loyally.

And what was Daxton doing? What was he doing!!! He was just standing there and another boy was getting in and that was okay, and his name was Aldous apparently and Charlotte smiled at him as big as she could and stuck her hand out to shake because she had manners.

"I'm Charlotte Kettleburn, and this is my best friend David TRUEBRIDGE, his mum used to be the boss here, so we know everything." Basically.

"Prince Daxton! Hurry up and get on the boat or you might get left behind! And THEN who will protect you from the assassins? You'll be safest at Hogwarts you know." She knew. She knew this because even though people had DIED at Hogwarts, her mum had said if you were smart then you wouldn't die. Unless you were a Hufflepuff sometimes, though Charlotte didn't really understand the logic of that. Wasn't the last one that died a Slytherin? Oh well, she was smart, so she wouldn't die. Daxton also wouldn't because... she was smart. Clearly.

"You don't EVEN need to worry about falling in because even if you can't swim," And she had her suspicions about this based on his reluctance to REALLY embrace being in the fountain in Diagon Alley, "Well Bartholomew Henry would SAVE your life. He's a lovely gentlesquid, very mannered and distinguished. You have to be polite to him, and if you are then he'll be polite back, and maybe you will be able to shake his tentacle and OH I REALLY WOULD LOVE TO SHAKE HIS TENTACLE!" Wouldn't that be the BEST!? "He's a HERO you know, he's helped save Hogwarts like at least a dozen times, right Davie?" Char looked at her best friend but didn't stop to let him speak, "I don't know how old he is, but I'm quite sure he's looking SMASHING for his age!"

Why wasn't Daxton getting in the boat yet?!!!!

Boat two? Boat two! That was them! They were in the second boat! Charlotte waved over at Bentley, recognizing him immediately even if his face WAS mostly covered with camera, and then she struck a pose. Because he wanted more pictures of her, right?

"Bentley! HI BENTLEY!"



And there was an adult speaking. But Charlotte was too busy to do much listening right yet. She was BESIDE herself. BESIIIIIIIIIIIDE herself.

The listening would come in a bit. After she calmed herself down, and after Daxton Prince got in the boat.

Owen couldn't identify if he was excited (who wouldn't? This WAS Hogwarts!) or nervous (he could feel his belly jiggling from all the nerves of a new environment) or scared (was it safe to travel by boat at night?) or sad (vacation was officially over, no more yummy meals cooked by Mama) or what. He was feeling aaaaaaaaaaall at the same time.

This was all so new to him.

He barely knew anyone.

Thankfully, Sushi, his pet goldfish was there with him that he didn't feel so alone. Now where to?

A man over there was signalling for them first years. Okaaaaaaay. Heading there right now.

Whoa. Boats?!

So it was true? That first years get to Hogwarts by boats? He knew of it but he didn't think that it was actually what was going to happen. Also there was...mini-chaos. Rocking boats and all. They seemed like a very active bunch and he wanted to join in somewhat. But there was no more space because apparently only four people fit on a boat.

"Which boat? Which boat?" Owen asked himself.

But a more important question here was...would he be able to fit on a boat?

Dundundundun.