Fifth Year.

And he didn't really know how to feel about it. Fifth year meant turning sixteen, which was actually just around the corner for the Hufflepuff, and another year at Hogwarts wasn't a bad thing but fifth year also meant OWLs and extra studying and less time eating ice cream. So... yeah. Alec was very confused about how he was feeling about this coming year.

Something else he was confused about was why there weren't that many people here.

His grey-blue eyes swept the platform as he pushed his trolley towards the south end, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion. It was probably times like these that he was secretly glad about his tall stature because looking around and trying to find a familiar face wasn't too hard. Maybe. Hufflepuffs were meant to be particularly good finders and all.

But there weren't that many people here and definitely no one he knew as of yet. It was actually pretty much empty. This fact made the expression on the nearly sixteen fifteen year old's face shift so that the confusion was replaced with a small frown. He came to a stop and sort of... stood there awkwardly, a glimmer of hope for someone to come bursting through the barrier wall. He wanted people. And friends. And PEOPLE. ... And maybe some ice cream as well.

Speaking of, would there be ice cream at the feast? HMM...

And speaking of that... grumble grumble went his tummy.

Derry was clinging to her dad's hand as they walked through the barrier. Walls just weren't supposed to do that..! Walls were supposed to be... well..... solid. She just about managed to let go of his hand as they neared the other end of the platform, and she stared stood there, staring at the ground and fiddling with the loose threads in her oversized cardigan.

"Hey... Where's my little Merry Derry gone? Smile, lass..." her dad was saying, stroking her hair a little. But Derry didn't really feel like smiling...

"Dad... w-what if I faint d-during the sorting or... or... or... what if I can't speak to people a-and..." she gulped. "My s-st-stutter keeps coming back..." Her fingers were gripping her newest book so tight that her knuckles had gone white, she didn't want to go and live with loads of people she didn't know.

"Derryth... calm down, Lass... it's all okay." said Fergus, giving her a reassuring smile. "Your mam and I will write whenever we can... want me to wait with you? I'm sure they won't mind if I'm a little late..." Okay... they probably would, but this was his daughter and she came first.

"No... it's okay, daddy... you should go." she muttered, and bit her lip nervously. Honestly? She really really didn't want to be alone. But she didn't want to seem like a baby, and she knew her dad couldn't afford to be late so early on in his new job. "I love you." She put the book on top of Lando's basket and hugged her dad tighter than ever.

Fergus nodded, he knew he should go. "If you say so, Merry." he said with a grin, and hugged her back. "I love you too."

"I do say so, Gandalf." she replied, laughing a little. So what if her and her dad were Lord of the Rings geeks... that was totally fine. She waved as her dad hugged her one last time and headed back to the muggle world. Siiiigh.

Then she sat down on top of her trunk and opened her book, sticking her nose in it.

So...she was wearing a badge. Yup, that was probably the only difference one would notice about Ella Bishop as she made her way along the South End of the platform. Oh and she might be a few inches taller too but she was still pretty short. Hmph. Weren't almost-sixteen year olds meant to be taller? The blonde thought so but eh, she wasn't short she was just fun sized, OKAY?

Okay.

Where was everyone, anyway? Ella had just had a semi-tearful goodbye with her little brother who had refused to let go of her leg as she entered the station. Frown. Seeing your Dad pry your little brother off you kind of took a toll on you, yeah? And so the badger really wanted friends right now and possibly hugs too. Yeah, hugs sounded nice.

Speaking of nice hugs...GRIN!

"HAIR WHIPPER!"

ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM! As fast as one can zoom with a trunk

Tackle!Hug

Back of the train...that was safe right? Man if he kept this up people would stay away from him because they'd think he was weird. He looked behind him to find his father walking casually through the wall and rolled his eyes.

Warren, his hands still in his pockets walked onto the platform and looked down at his son. "If you need anything don't hesitate to owl us." He let a smile come on his face and placed his hand on Jame's shoulder. "Do try to stay out of trouble. If you get in trouble here I can't save you from the professor's or your mother's wrath."

James nodded and hesitating for a second wrapped both his arms around his father in a hug. "I'll stay safe. I promise." He said knowing that was his father's real worry. He didn't know everything about his father's past but his mum had told him some things which made him understand why his father acted the way he did at times.

Warren nodded and hugged his son back. "I've got to go save the world," he said jokingly, well half jokingly. Kneeling down to his sons height he smiled fondly then ruffled his hair and walked back through the archway to head to work.

James sighed and watched as his father left and looked around. Great. Not a single soul he knew since his brother wasn't going here.

Aww the man was leaving now, poor ickle firstie. Okay he looked a little older than firstie, but obviously he was new to the platform. Pushing her cart to where she could find it easily but still be able to do whatever without dragging it around, she headed for the boy. "You're not going to cry are you?" Merlin, just, please don't. She didn't need another blubbering boy like Dan had been the summer before!

"I'm Zoe." Yeah the least she could do was introduce herself. That way at least aunt Cece would still believe she had proper manners. She didn't see aunt Cece anywhere hopefully she wouldn't be joining them on the train AGAIN this term. That just wasn't right to have a professor on the train.

Stuffing her hands into her robes she looked around. No Dan yet...or Ronnie. And thank merlin no Laura either.

James looked at the girl who had yelled at him before and frowned. "What kind of ludicrous question is that?" Hmph this girl seemed rather rude. Was everyone that way?

"I'm James," he said with a nod almost mimicking his father's. Watching as she looked around he raised an eyebrow. "Waiting for someone?"

Garrick was not impressed with the speed in which summer holiday FLEW by. It was criminal really. He was a bit sulky as he stood on the platform with his skateboard in hand. THAT he had NOT allowed to be put on the train for him. Frowning as he looked for Benjy he shook his head and just... well he just stood there.

Given his track record with people in Diagon Alley he opted to keep to himself for the time being. SIGHS.

Alec placed a hand over his tummy and gave it an affectionate pat. There there, tummy, you will get food later. Later being aboard the train when he could bound along towards the Food Trolley and buy LOTS of 'sugary delights', as Tag put them once. Unless... did he... have some with him? Shaking his head, the boy reached over and was just about to have a look through his bag when...

...

Only one person called him that. Ever.

Alec turned his attention away from his bag and looked up to GRIN WIDELY at the person who was zooming over towards him. Here was his favourite person ever, apart from his Dad. Maybe. Who knew. Either way, this girl was still really important to him and seeing her here made him happier than the words 'free ice cream'.

So he opened out his arms, ready to give her a BIG SUPER HUG when...

"ELL- AAAARGH!"

All of a sudden, he felt himself lose balance, something that didn’t really happen to him too much before. Not really. He wasn’t particularly clumsy but now… he was falling... falling... falling...

OOMPH!

And he was lying there on the cold hard ground, his grey-blue eyes staring upwards for a couple of seconds before diverting themselves towards the blonde girl. He blinked a couple of times at her, the grin spreading across his face again. "Well... that was a great way to greet each other!" he said before letting a small chuckle escape his lips.

Also, he missed her. Like a lot. Did he mention that?

Okay that brought on a whole other smirk. "Well, that's what the younger students have done every time I've seen them say good bye to their parents." Flipping her hair over her shoulder, she just stared at him and eyed him up and down. "You're not a firstie are you?" Yep nosy, and proud of it.

Tilting her head in a slight nod. "Oh no, just seeing if I know anyone yet. Not too many people are around though." Well the kid was definitely better than Dan had been and not bad looking though she wasn't taking that much of notice

Taryn Hayden walked along the platform looking for someone specific. It was sort of odd to be back here now when everyone else was getting ready to go off to Hogwarts and she was NOT. But hey, she was sure glad that she wasn't. Life was much more fun when you were all grown up. With these thoughts in mind, Taryn drifted off to the side, away from the crowd and adjusted the bags that she was carrying. Now, where was that little sister of hers, hmm? A proper goodbye needed to be carried out here!

Little sister, wherefore art thou?

James looked around himself and spotted an older boy looking by himself. Should he go say hi? Was that not okay since he was younger? Instead he shoved his hands into his jean pockets and looked at the girl who was...SMIRKING?! Now what did he say? And why was she looking at him that way it was kind of creepy.

He shifted slightly and shrugged, "I don't think so..." How old was a...firstie? Sounded like a baby or something and he was NOT a baby. "I'm twelve. I'll be thirteen in a couple months." Maybe that meant something to her.

"Are we early then?" Why would his dad drop him off early? This seemed like some form of cruel and unusual punishment...maybe it was. His mum really had been mad at him when he left.

"A firstie is eleven and usually just starting at Hogwarts." Hmm, nope not firstie, "You're a second year then." she said brightly "I would think unless you haven't had any wizard training, then I don't know what you would be." Shaking her head, no matter, it wasn't her problem. "I'm a second year, and will be thirteen just before Christmas."

Shrugged "My mum just dropped me off I didn't really look at the time. Train leaves at eleven." Maybe she was early, who knew. She'd been anxious for the train and to head back to school. "I assume you'll be sorted with the first years, any house preference?"

Okay....man this girl talked a lot. "I have wizard training," he said almost with a scoff. He was a Rodemiere after all, can't have an Auror dad without learning something. "I guess that makes me a second year too. My birthday is in October," he said with a smile.

Then there were more questions..... "I um...I'm not sure? Mum said dad was a Slytherin when he was here but dad doesn't talk much about his past so I don't know what that means. I think mum was a Griffindor." He sat down on top of his trunk on his cart and watched everyone along the platform.

"Good. Then you should be at least a second year." she said nodding. October, hmm so a little older than she was. And he did have a nice smile too. ERGH, yeah what did she care about that? Flashing him a smile in return, she at least got rid of the smirk she tended to have around younger students. Because she was no longer a firstie felt she deserved to be able to have that smirk.

There was hope for the kid yet! Maybe he wouldn't be a Hufflepuff then! "Slytherin's the best house, everyone knows that. So maybe you'll be lucky and be in the same as your dad was." Gryffindor? Eh, well you had to be brave to be there, and there was no way she was brave for that, the forest had proved that last term with the acromantula. "My family's always been Slytherin. Err....except for my cousin, Jacen. Hopefully his brother's better and sticks with the family's house."

"I guess..." Well at least she seemed to think that him being a second year was better than him being a firstie judging by the smirk turning to a smile.

Did everyone have this idea about the houses? "So...if I get into another house does that make me some evil being that shouldn't exist?" he asked raising an eyebrow slightly in her direction. "If the paranoia my dad has is any sign of what Slytherin house does to a person I think I'll pass. Though him being an Auror probably has more to do with that than anything else I guess. But what's wrong with the other houses? I heard the Ravenclaws are the smartest. I've still no idea what a Hufflepuff is though..."

Snorting she shook her head "No, everyone gets sorted into the house they belong. I just think Slytherin's the best, but I'm partial to that." Tilting her head curiously at his words. "Paranoia? Really? I haven't seen that in the time I was there. No paranoia, that I know of anyway. Yes, Ravenclaws are the smartest, Gryffindors are the bravest and Hufflepuff's well they...according to auntie, their just puffers, who give hugs to random people."

"Auror you say?" Hmmm, nice! She'd never actually met an auror, that she knew of. And here she'd seen an auror and not even known it! "That's awesome!"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Garrick was not impressed with the speed in which summer holiday FLEW by. It was criminal really. He was a bit sulky as he stood on the platform with his skateboard in hand. THAT he had NOT allowed to be put on the train for him. Frowning as he looked for Benjy he shook his head and just... well he just stood there.

Given his track record with people in Diagon Alley he opted to keep to himself for the time being. SIGHS.

Lex was impossible! She couldn't find her, and Lottie was extremely positive that her letter to Lex specifically said that they were supposed to meet on the platform before taking the train back to Hogwarts...well, guess that's not going to happen if Lex is nowhere to be seen. Lottie was even keeping an eye out for Felix. And her pygmy puff in her bag, just in case.

Then she saw Alec. And she beamed...and totally didn't go to him because, well, he was with Ella, and...she found someone she'd be looking forward to see, truth be told.

So to him she went.

"Garrick Morpheus, you got me in trouble." Her tone was actually nice. And it was true, he got her a lecture, that was no fun. Lottie stood next to him. Eyes on him. Smiling.

Garrick was still so busy sulking a bit to himself that he not only didn't see the younger boy looking his way, but he also hadn't spotted Lottie. Ack. He had long pulled out a book and half read, half let his mind wander when he heard his name... both first AND middle.

Frowning he closed the book and turned his head. Upon seeing her smiling at him his cheeks blazed furiously. "I didn't m-m-mean to," he said quietly, averting his eyes ever so slightly.

He was still really embarrassed by his... invasion of her personal space. It wasn't necessarily intentional... he just felt comfortable and just... did something stupid really. He was still unclear as to whether it had been his hand or him leaning his head on her shoulder which had been a line crosser...

To be on the safe side he tucked his book into his bag, cheeks still flaming, and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. Just in case.

Hmm...that made sense in a way. One should be loyal to their own house. No paranoia so far. Guess that's a good thing for him. He did not want to turn into how his dad acted. He couldn't help but laugh at her description as to what a Hufflepuff was. "So you're safe in any house but the huggers. I'm not too keen on the whole..hugging bit. Personal space you know."

She seemed awfully excited about his dad being an Auror. "Yeah, he won't talk about it though. Mum says he's been an Auror for as long as she's known him and has had to deal with a lot of things. He used to be the Head Auror person at one point in time mum says. He also was Quidditch captain for Slytherin. That's the one thing he willingly talks about. How mum broke his nose once. Maybe you know of him. His name is Warren Rodemiere. Which makes me James Rodemiere." He said with a shrug. She probably didn't. Not with how forthcoming dad wasn't about certain things.

Pulling a face she wrinkled her nose "Yeah pretty much." Shrugging "I know a few Hufflepuffs, obviously being I have a cousin there but I'm not all that fond of them." Okay that was rude to say "Erm, fond of the house I mean." Eh...really bad cover up there. Dan and Jacen weren't that bad. And neither had tried hugging her. Though a few other Hufflepuffs had, they just hadn't managed to 'catch' her, she was too fast.

Listening as he explained how his dad didn't talk much about being an auror, that was kind of sad. She'd want to know EVERYTHING about his job if it were her! She thought aurors were like completely awesome! Wait, WHAT? "Your dad is Warren Rodemiere???" Her eyes had widened and her jaw dropped. Her dad had mentioned him once or twice, and the fact that he was Warren's son! "Merlin! How....just..." Shaking her head she didn't even know what to say. "Wow!" she said in amazement.

Text Cut: Awwww (this is me, not Lottie)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eriin

Garrick was still so busy sulking a bit to himself that he not only didn't see the younger boy looking his way, but he also hadn't spotted Lottie. Ack. He had long pulled out a book and half read, half let his mind wander when he heard his name... both first AND middle.

Frowning he closed the book and turned his head. Upon seeing her smiling at him his cheeks blazed furiously. "I didn't m-m-mean to," he said quietly, averting his eyes ever so slightly.

He was still really embarrassed by his... invasion of her personal space. It wasn't necessarily intentional... he just felt comfortable and just... did something stupid really. He was still unclear as to whether it had been his hand or him leaning his head on her shoulder which had been a line crosser...

To be on the safe side he tucked his book into his bag, cheeks still flaming, and shoved his hands into his jean pockets. Just in case.

There we go again. Red cheeks. Was that what he'd been referring to when he mentioned girls? Well, Lottie was still smiling...until she noticed his reaction.

"It's...no big deal, actually." Did it seem like she didn't in trouble too often? Because she often did. And was an artist at tuning out some lectures...when she knew they were well deserved, but...hey, was something wrong?

Her eyes stayed on him, nothing was being said, and...she was merely standing there, sort of watching his every move. It was rather awkward, truth be told, and then she noticed that he was pocketing his hands. Too bad. She'd very much like to hold them.

Or never mind. "You--," come on, Lotus, really? Focus. "You forgot something that belongs to you." Her voice was clear, and her hands soon found his belongings inside the not-too-packed bag. Oops, sorry Mags. "I believe this is yours," she smiled, offering him the slingshot and the bag of marbles, "Also, you still owe me a butterbeer." BEAM.

James raised an eyebrow again at the girl...what had she said her name was...Zoe? Something like that anyway. "You really don't like Hufflepuffs do you?" He said with a slight chuckle as he kicked his foot at a loose strap on the cart. "Let's hope I'm not in that house then.

He was focused on trying to wrap the strap around the pole when he heard her tone change and looked up to find her eyes wide and jaw dropped. "Uh...yeah...?" What had he said? "Why is that amazing exactly?" And why did she look like she'd seen a celebrity or something. This was just...weird...

"They're okay I guess. Just don't tell my auntie I said that." Pulling a face again she shook her head "I'll never live that one down if she finds that out. I know a few that are alright but I try to steer away from them." She wondered why he'd hope he wasn't in that house just because she said that. Hmm...curious.

How could he be so calm about that? Did he really not know who his dad was? Wow, that was just weird. "He's like one of the most famous aurors like in the history of the ministry! His dad was the minister of magic I think and something happened to him, and after that he trained to become an auror, and he's like TOUGH tough." Shaking her head "You didn't know that?"

He could practically feel her eyes on him and it made him squirm slightly. It was no big deal? Finally turning his eyes to her he knit his brows together for a moment. "I'm sorry for... whatever I did wrong... and for running off like I did. It was rather rude of me." It WAS a big deal that he had gotten her into trouble. IT WAS.

Now. He had apologized... so he could be somewhat normal and drop the awkward turtle thing he had going, yeah? Probably not right away, but he would try. His cheeks were still slightly crimson as he pulled his hands from his pockets and reached out for his stuff.

Stopping just short he smiled, finally. "Why don't you have them? I have more of them." And he did. It was always wise to have backups. "You can practice your aim and then we can... maybe we can play with them at school?" He was not going to be presumptuous. Nope.

"I will definitely buy you a butterbeer, Lotus. I owe you." His smile was a bit bigger and his shoulders relaxed a bit. He did, however, realize he still had his hand outreached to her... but didn't move it just yet.