Back of the Train
 

There's plenty of seating at the back of the train. Grab a compartment with your friends, it's time to head back to Hogwarts!

With his suitcase packed full of books Theo had a little trouble getting it onto the train, however once he was on all that was left was to find a place to sit. Luckily he'd been one of the first to 'climb aboard' so there were still many open spots. He found a empty compartment pretty close to the doors, thinking it would take less time to get off the train too.

Once his luggage was safely away, Theo stretched, That thing has to weight a ton... He thought, as he plopped himself down on the seat. He looked around at the compartment, nothing had really changed from last year. Pulling a book from his smaller bag he reclined as much as he could and began to read.

Torin was having a real hard time trying to find an empty compartment for him to sit in. He wanted to be alone so he could read his book, so for once in his life, he was trying to avoid seeing his friends. There would be time for that later, when he was making his Prefect rounds again. Oh joy.

The first compartment that he saw wasn't empty, but it only had one person in it. A stranger, but it didn't really matter because it was all good with him.

"Mind if I join you?" he asked as he pushed the compartment door open. It was always best to be polite.

Jenn couldn't believe it was already time to get on the train! Seemed like only yesterday she was staying at the Leaky Caldron, talking to Kel, and making sure her pets behaved. Now, she was on her way back to Hogwarts and she was very, VERY excited.

So, making her way down the train with her black cat, Luna, trailing behind her, and her pygmy puff, Rave, snuggling on her shoulder, she spotted a empty area, and quickly took it, stuffing her luggage and such onto the upper area glad to have the weight of her shoulders and arms. Sighing, she plopped into the seat, Luna jumping up onto her lap, purring contently as Jenn scratched it's ears.

EEEP! Her BOOK!

Standing up quickly, making Luna hiss as she landed on the floor, Jenn jumped up to grab her bag, huffing at how insanely tall the racks were, until finally she caught the strap of the bag, and pulled it down. Setting it in the corner of her seat, she searched through it until she found her book. Grinning, she sat back down, patted her lap for Luna to sit back down on, and opened her book, content now.

Half way down a paragraph he didn't even bother looking up, "Sure..." Theo mumbled quickly. He moved his legs back over the side of the seat to make more room as he finished off the sentence.
Finally looking up he half-forced a smile at the guy. It's not that he didn't want company, he just hated having to stop reading halfway through a chapter. Whatever though, human interaction was important. "It's pretty busy at the front, huh?" Theo suggested, trying to make conversation.

"Yes. Yes, I know, father. I know. Yes. Okay. Goodbye. Goobye, mother. Okay. Yes. Goodbye."

Sheesh! What was with these people!? They had never really seen him off for school, and they decide to do it in his sixth year? I mean seriously. He was almost seventeen. He could take care of himself. And he didn't need his stuck up parents to tell him goodbye before he got onto the train.

Kel was now in a not-so-great mood. But, thankfully, he was now free of parental supervision for the next ten months! That was something he could be happy about. Plus, he'd be with Jenn, and all of his other friends. There ya go - there was a bright side! He was now sort of smiling as he lugged his trunk and owl cage down the train. The owl cage was the easy part, since Jasmine was perched haphazardly on Kel's left shoulder, one little taloned foot resting on Neige, making sure the pygmy puff didn't roll off Kel's shoulder.

Yes, Kel's pets had a very weird, love-hate relationship. He didn't try to understand it.

Sighing, not being able to find anyone he knew, Kel was about to turn around and go snag a seat at the front of the train. But just then, he happened to look into a compartment and see a familiar looking brunette head bent over a book. He quietly opened the door, willing Jasmine to keep her beak shut.

"Jenn!" he exclaimed as he dragged his trunk into the compartment. "Mind if I join you?" he paused in his dragging to smile over at his girlfriend, nodding his head in as much of a bow as he could do without dumping his animals onto the floor. He finished pulling his trunk in, put it up on the rack along with the owl cage, and then plopped onto the seat, stetching his legs out in front of him. "Hey, Jenn." he added, half-smiling.

Simon Leonarder De Simpson walked into an empty compartment and sat down he was scared, he hadn't been on a train before and he was wondering what was going to happen, he quickly took out a book and started to read it, he was so scared about his first year at Hogwarts and what would happen, he really hoped he would make some friends.

When Torin was told that he could sit - or more was mumbled at - he headed over to the seat across from the boy and sat down. Setting his stuff on the seat beside him, he nodded as the boy tried to make conversation with him. Gotta love awkward discussions, but he was good at meeting new people.

"It always is. Why I wanted to get away." He could always go see his friends later. "I'm Torin." Because it was right to tell someone your name when you are talking to them.

Savannah likes been in the back. That way, no one would notice her no matter whatever she do. Luckily, she got there early so there are bunch of empty compartments. She slipped into one and got out her notebook.

"To pass, adventurer, you must first perform a task for me. Not just any task, but one that will be of sure importants." the man in front of her replied, his face full of wrinkles and scars, his back permently humped. "What is this task you require of me?" she asked, eyeing him warily. "You must go to the land north and kill the..."

Jenn jumped nearly out of her skin, and her book dropped down onto the floor with a soft thud, as someone yelled her name. Honestly! Who in Merlin's lost pinky toe was yelling her name when clearly she was busy reading at the moment. So, looking over at the door, her eyes narrowed slightly, and her mouth in a firm frown, she glared at the person in front of her.

It happened to be Kel. Of coarse, who would, in their right mind, yell excitedly her name than him.

Her eyes softened, and her frown turned upside down as she watched him move around the compartment, until he finally rested on the seat, placing his feet on the opposite seat. "Well, I guess I must not mind, seeing how you've made your self at home." she replied, laughing softly to indicate she wasn't that mad at him. Bending over she picked up her book, placing it safely next to her. "So, how are you?" she asked, eyeing the book for a few seconds, then turning to look at Kel, smiling. "How's um...Ce...Ca...Ketr...De...Di...Dedi...Dadi...um.. .Sil...no, not Silvia that's my sister's name," she thought for a bit, "Um, that one girl your parents want you to marry." There we go that worked.

She's really expecting no one. Let's be friends.
 

OOC - Liam? Whit? Anyone?

Melissa walked down from the front. Too much tension. She wiped her forehead and looked for a compartment. She thought she would wait for a bit before looking for one again.

Placing his bookmark sideways in the book, marking where he had left off before stretching out his other hand across the compartment. “Theo.” He introduced, with a little more of a genuine smile. “Well, you've escaped it for a little while at least. But eventually more and more people will try and do what you did, then there'll be just as many people back her as there is up there.” He laughed a little, it was always the same, every year. "Aren't you a Prefect?
He hated small talk, the forced conversation that began every relationship. There should be a better way to get to know people.

Kel turned his head to grin mischeviously at Jenn. Her and her snide comments were... well, not annoying, because Jenn couldn't annoy Kel. More like... amusing. Yeah, that was it. He was amused.

He opened his mouth to ask something, just as Jenn started talking. Kel cocked an eyebrow questioningly as she muttered a lot of stuff he didn't really understand. He waited patiently for her to finish, and when she did, his eyes widened in surprise. He definitely had not been expecting that.

"Deliliah?" he asked, turning around so that he could face her. That was... a rather random question. And Kel thought Jenn didn't like hearing about Deliliah? Since, y'know, Kel had been practically betrothed to the girl his whole life. But, Jenn asked, so...why not tell her? It was an interesing story, anyway.

"I am happy to tell you she's...um, out of my life." There. That was a good start to the story.

Simon smiled as he walked down the corridor when he accidently bumped into someone, he turned and looked at the person and realised she was a girl. "I'm so sorry." Simon smiled. "I'm pr....Simon Leonarder De Simpson." He said as he held out a hand for the girl to shake.

Melissa thought that she'd better look for a compartment now or she would never find one. They are all full! She just felt someone bump into her. "It's alright," the person sounded male so she turned around and he was. "Nice to meet you wow, that's a long name. I'm Melissa Bellator but you can call me Lissa or Mel." she spoke to Simon. "Should we find a compartment?" she asked him.

Savannah stopped whatever she was doing and slide the door open. What was that noise? She saw A boy and a girl standing outside. "Hey, whatever you are doing, can you please keep the noise down? I'm doing something here." she said, trying hard to be nice, she does get annoyed easily.

Melissa looked at the girl who talked to her and Simon. Ouch no need to be harsh. "Sorry about that," she said, apologising, they were just talking. "Why don't we find a compartment?" she asked him.

Deliliah! That was her name! How come she couldn't think of it. Of coarse, she didn't go around remembering the names of girls that were trying to steal her man. Yup yup.

Woah....out of his life? How? Why?

Honestly Jenn was very confused. She knew Kel didn't like her, but it sounded like his parents absolutely loved that girl. Loved her so much they were wanting him to marry Deliliah. Mostly because she was rich, but anyway.....

"She's, out of your life?" Jenn finally said. "How did that happen? Did you step on her foot this time with a steletto?" she asked, laughing as she remember that incident he had told her. She had thought that was both hillarious, and also painful at the time he had told her that story. But now at this story, she was both awed, and confused by it.

Simon smiled at Melissa. "Your a girl aren't you?" He asked, well he just decided that he'd best make sure. "I'm glad your alright." He smiled as he looked around the corridor it was getting a bit crowded. "I know it is, I sometimes forget my own name." He giggled. "You can call me Simon." He looked at her, she looked like a first year. "Hi Mel, are you a first year too?" He asked. "I think that we should."

"All right." said Savannah. And she slide the door close again and took out her notebook again. It's brand new, but she has no idea what she's gonna do with it. It's got a silver background with a black stallion on it. She loved it.

OOC - Whit?

Mel narrowed her eyebrows. "Last time I checked. Really?" she spoke bewildered, well it was long. "Sure, I'll call you that. Good lets get moving." she spoke moving down the long way. She couldn't find any empty ones but one compartment caught her eye, two boys who seemed nice, hopefully they will let her stay in there. "Mind if we sit here?" she asked peeking in, they definitely looked older than her. "I'm Melissa Bellator by the way but you can shorten it to Lissa or Mel if you want."

Chase walked far to the back of the tRAIN.She walked past many full compartments and found one with Savvanah in it. Ugh. She walked in and sat down.She sat her cat Naumi at her feet. "hi"She said darkly.

"Out of my life," Kel began, then stopped talking as Jenn kept talking. His mind went blank as she brought up The Incident. Ohh, memories of that day still gave him goosebumps. And not the good kind, either. Bad goosebumps. As it was now, Kel shuddered.

"No." he said finally, getting his train of thought back. "I don't wear stilettos, Jenn." he told her softly, as if telling her unexpected, horrible news. "And it wasn't even my - oh, wait. Yes it was." he frowned. Technically, it wasn't his fault. If his parents hadn't have been so marriage this and marriage that, he wouldn't have snapped. But a sixteen year old boy can only take so much unwanted marriage talk before he snaps.

"It's a short story, really." he told her with a shrug. "My mother and her mother going on and on about our wedding-" he shuddered, "-and our fathers were going on and on about our money-" he rolled his eyes, "-and she was trying to act all cute- like she actually wanted it." he rolled his eyes again. Even he knew that Deliliah had hated him ever since he'd called her Jenn.

"And, well...I got tired of it." he shrugged again. "Actually, I stood up from the table very quickly, and I scared my poor little house elf. Then I kinda started yelling something along the lines of 'I'm not marrying her, I don't even like her, I'm in love with Jenn...' that kind of thing." he could feel heat rising up his neck as he told her this, but he continued. "And, after my mom got herself breathing again, I was grounded to my room and I guess the wedding plans were cancelled."

Svannah looked up at her. "If you hate me so much, then why did you sit by me?" she said, trying to hide her notebook.

Evan, without even kissing his parents or waving a farewell although they shouted after him and his mother even cried, got on the train in again a desperate mood. He should be happy, considering he was finally leaving home for 10 months and wouldn't see his evil parents. But with the events in the summer, he was torn between his hatred towards his parents, and facing Marie and Carter couple. He knew that if he saw Anfield Road everytime he got out of his house, he'd go nuts, so he chose Marie/Carter couple, even though he knew it'd hurt him much too. He hoped they'd be easier to move on.

He found an empty compartment, dragging his luggage carelessly. He didn't really care if it tore. He didn't pretty much care anything about Hogwarts these days. He hardly lifted his luggage, but didn't even think about lifting it with magic. He was red-faced in the end, and sat down immediately next to the door. He was careful to avoid window in order not to see his parents. Closing his eyes, he leaned back and sighed. This year would be too long.

Simon smiled. "That's good." he smiled. "I'm really glad that you are okay with you." Simon smiled. "I wouldn't ask anyone to call me my full name." he giggled. "That what I gave you isn't my full name, I might tell you it one day." He laughed as they walked down the corridor, he followed Mel to a compartment where there were other people in there, he decided he'd wait to talk he was a bit nervous.

He smiled at the boy named Theo. He seemed pretty cool despite being awkward with small talk. And people that were awkward with small talk sometimes made him awkward with it too. Hmm.

"Well, I've come here to escape my friends for a bit, so you never know." Not that he would have minded if people joined. He would never say no to any of his friends unless it was Reese. "Yes, I am a Prefect." He looked down at his Badge.

And then looked up again when he heard the voice of a girl. He turned to her. "Of course you can join us. I'm Torin." He made a mental note of her name and then saw a boy with her. He raised his brow slightly. This one seemed a bit shy. Oh well.

Mel smiled at Simon. "Well that would be a mouthful. Wait that isn't your full name! How long is it!" Mel exclaimed shocked.

Melissa smiled when the older boy told her that they could come in. "Nice to meet you Torin," she smiled at him and sat down gesturing Simon to do the same thing. She looked at the two older boys. Torin seemed to look older. "What year are you guys starting this year?" she asked them. "I'm a first year."

Jen stumbles onto the train feeling awkward and knowing no one. she opened up a random compartment and saw a nice looking girl sitting by herself. "Hello, my name is jen." she said shyly. "Mind if i join you? i don't know anyone here."

The summer was over too quickly for his taste. He liked laying out by the pool getting a tan, though he didn't need it. His perfectly brown skin was dark enough but he just like laying by the pool sipping chocolate milk and watching his little brothers splash around.

The parties they had thrown at the house when their dad finally moved back home was the stuff of legends. Even Paris had spent more time at home than she did her apartment. All in all it was an amazing summer and he was sad to be leaving home and heading back to Hogwarts once again.

He walked down the train corridor looking for an empty compartment. He didn't see anyone he recognized so it was just safer to sit alone. He had a good sugar buzz going and he was a almost spinning as his eyes darted around quickly.

He found one and practically rip the door off the track in his sugary haze trying to get inside. He was going to have to lay off the sugar quills. He sank down into a seat, but he couldn't sit still his hands were shaking and he needed to move. He jumped up and started pacing around the compartment.

Simon looked at Mel." Oh there's a few more things in the name." He giggled, "I'll tell you the full name later." Simon laughed as he looked at Mel. "So what you looking forward to most about Hogwarts."

Simon nodded at Torin and then sat down.

Escape his friends? "Why would you need to escape your friends?" Wasn't the object of having friends to be around them? Keeping to himself mostly Theo didn't have a whole lot of friends but he never really saw a problem with that. And if this guy, Torin (right?), wanted to escape from his friends maybe Theo had the right idea..

Before Theo could finish his thought the two kids that were out in the hall asked to join him and Torin. They looked at each other in agreence before saying yes to the two. "I'm Theo." He added to girl Melissa, he was going to have a fun time remembering all these names. "I'm a fifth year this year."

Ericks walked down the train untill he reached the back.

Finally it was time to go back to school. Marie was actually excited to be going back now. For the longest time she tried convincing her parents to let her be home schooled but they wouldn't even listen to that idea. Now home schooling was the furthest thing from her mind. All she was thinking about now was seeing Carter.

She kissed her parents and her grandparents good-bye then boarded the back of the train. She looked in all the compartments hoping to find Carter but she didn't see him anywhere. She was sure they had said they were going to meet in the back so maybe he just wasn't on board yet. She made her way back through the train and spotted someone with blonde hair sitting by himself in a compartment. Thinking it was Carter she went in and said "Hey, I was beginning to think you weren't here yet" She then noticed that it wasn't Carter, it was... Evan. "Oh, sorry, I thought you were... someone else." She turned to leave feeling pretty sure he wouldn't want to talk to her after the way he had just left when he seen her hug Carter. Where was Carter anyway? She wanted him now.

Jen sighed and in relief and walked ina and sat down in front of the girl. "Thanks." she said sweetly. "I'm really sorry to bug you but what's your name?"

He smiled at the new girl and her friend. "Nice to meet you too." And she was a First Year. Not surprising as she looked to be about that age. And so did her friend. "I'm a Seventh Year." And he didn't really like it. He didn't want to Graduate really. Oh well. It happened.

And Theo seemed to be rather confused. "Well, I wanted some alone time. Usually I'm the life of the party." And that was true. He was even staying away from Brody right now. Not that he had been able to find her anyway.

Ericks Ebony sat down in one of the compartments and strained to hear what nearby students were saying. He took out his wand and started shooting sparks randomly around.

Chase thought for a moment. "I don't know"She said. She grabbed Savannah's notebook, and scanned trhe cover,wow."Nice"She said, her voice oozing with sarcasm.

"What you serious?" Mel asked Simon. How longer can it get. "Good, erm Quidditch the most, it will be cool to see a game. What about you?" she asked him.

"Nice to meet you Theo," Melissa smiled at him. "Fifth year huh? So you've got O.W.L.S?" she asked wanting to know more about Hogwarts.

"Seventh year? So you are going to Graduate soon right?" she asked him but by the look on his face, he didn't want leave Hogwarts. "Come on Torin, cheer up you have all this year to enjoy," well, except for N.E.W.T.S. She actually wanted to get to know Torin better but he would have to leave next year, perphase they could see each other sometime after maybe. "So what houses are you in?" Melissa asked Torin and Theo.

'Cartwright, with one of his pretty dribbles again... goes past United defence once--' Evan opened his eyes at the voice, a little bit angry that he was disturbed, and his anger rose with addition of pain--as if he wasn't already feeling--when he realised it was Marie. He didn't understand at first what she was saying, though it all sank in after her last sentence. He smiled crookedly. "I'm not dumb, Marie." he said, trying to keep the bitterness away, though he didn't know if Marie sensed it. "That 'someone' is Carter." Obviously. She didn't have to hide it. Thank God, he was clever enough to understand the things he saw, and the words he heard. The throbbing pain in his heart was too much, but he still managed to keep it out of his face. Way to go.

"And you can sit here." he went on, but regretted saying it immediately. She apparently didn't want to. Or else, she wouldn't turn so fast. But now that he couldn't take it back, he decided to complete his sentence. "Unless Carter doesn't want you to." And that was rude, there was a small hint that he clearly thought Carter was mean. He hoped Marie wouldn't notice it. "Or you have... someone else to sit with." With all he got to say, he closed his eyes again and acted as if he didn't care what she was doing.

"Yeah I'm serious." Simon giggled. "I am looking forward to Quidditch and Muggle Studies, I've heard Quidditch is very good." Simon looked around and nodded at everyone, he was only happy talking to Mel at the moment, he was to scared at the moment to talk to the others.

She smiled and held her hand out in a polite manner. "My name is Victoria Rogers. What is your name?" She examined the girl and noticed how shy she was acting.She must be a first year like me...She thought.

Mel laughed at him, wondering what his full name was. Today wasn't that bad, she had met some cool people but she kinda missed Kai, she hadn't seen him since Thursday. "Muggle Studies? I won't need that, I'm muggle-born. Yeah me too but it would be good to see it. Well," she said getting up. "I'm going to get something from the trolley." She spoke opening the door and walking out.

OOC - Last post of the night, I needs to go to sleep. Will continue this when I wake up.

Jen smiled and took Victoria's hand. "I'm Jen Burns-Potter." she said, sounding a bit more confident. "Are you a first year?"

Kevin was wandering along the back of the train when he saw an older girl sitting on her own and peeked into her compartment and said "Mind if i join you" Kevin hoped that the girl didn't mind but he had to ask just to be sure

Marie turned back around when Evan talked to her.

What?!

"I never said you were stupid, and yes... I was looking for Carter." There was no point in hiding it now, Evan already knew there was something going on with her and Carter. Really... he said she could sit with him... how awkward would that be. "You seriously want me to sit in here... with you?" She thought about it for a minute, did she want to sit there and risk arguing with him? "No, Carter won't care if I sit here." she said maybe a little too sarcastically. "The question is, will you care if he sits here with me?" Because if he did care then she wouldn't be sitting here for long, she would find another compartment to sit in. Which she would probably do anyway once Carter boarded the train. It would just be too wierd sitting in the same compartment with Carter and Evan.

"I'm Muggle Born to, but I still love to see what the Wizard have made of us." He giggled, as he looked around the compartment, it seemed like the others weren't talking, he wondered what Torin thought of the school but he still was scared. "Okay see you when you come back." He smiled as she left.

She nodded. "I am."

Mittens looked up at Jen in a curious manner, blinking her large blue eyes.

Becca watched with mild curiosity as many people passed her compartment. Everyone seemed to be walking with a friend or just did not peer inside her room. Halfway giving up and assuming she would spend the ride back to Hogwarts alone with her thoughts, nerves, and anticipation, she returned her attention to the scenery outside.

Until a younger male saved her from boredom! "Yeah, that's cool with me." If he had been with someone she would have taken her legs down from the seat, but she remained in her very comfortable, lazy position. "I'm Becca, by the way." She extended her arm. "Becca Parker." Hooray for new friends...?

"That's a cute cat you've got there." Jen said and nodded at the cat. "I chose to get an owl. her name is minerva." Jen pointed to the cage in which her snowy owl was being kept. "So, are you in ravenclaw too? it would sure be nice to know someone in my house." Jen said hopefully.

Kevin shook Becca's hand and said "Pleasure to meet you Becca, I am Kevin McKay" Kevin could tell that she was glad to have some company

Evan couldn't help but laugh maybe too sarcastically with one eyebrow raised. "Oh really?" Marie didn't say it, but he was pretty positve she meant it. But no, he wouldn't argue. Because that would not help anything. On the contrary, it'd make him furious and annoyed, and Marie sad. He was already annoyed that Marie actually tried to hide their relationship. If she was so 'honest', she should have told so. But telling that she'd kissed Carter, and then being scared and not telling they were dating was not nice at all.

"I didn't say I particularly wanted. Just stated that I would not mind." There was a difference. He didn't want Marie to think he still wanted her, which he did, it was more of pride. Although majority of his brain wanted her to go away, because he didn't think he could bear it if she was to be with Carter again, but a small part still wanted to talk to her.

"Oh right. Perfect guy." Crap. He didn't mean to say it out loud. Maybe she didn't hear it, he hoped, but he knew too well that it was an empty compartment and everthing was clearly heard. Though it was an answer to her sarcasm. Stupid Carter.

"Whatever." he said with a shrug. Not. He'd of course care if they sat in the same compartment--it was foolish of her to ask, them holding hands and -disgustingly- kissing, and him only watching. It was funny that it didn't feel disgusting when he kissed, but he was pretty disgusted when the others did. And especially the thought of Carter kissing Marie. But if he had endured the thought of missing becoming a world star footballer, he could as well endure their PDA. If only the road wasn't so long...

Alice found a compartment and sat down. Thankfully she was away from the mass of people in the station, she didnt like crowds very much.

Victoria smiled. "Cute owl, and my kitten is name Mittens. Anyway, I thought we got sorted when we got to Hogwarts?" She remembered her conversation with Vashti, and she was sure that they held a Sorting ceremony at the school to place the first year students.

Jen gave out a nervous laugh. "Oh, that's right! I forgot about that. My mum said that i would most likely be in ravenclaw because of my knowledge of magic. she started teaching me at a young age." She smiled at Mittens who was still staring at her. "Are you waiting for someone else?"

She giggled. "Don't worry...and yeah, I was waiting for someone that I met in Diagon Alley a few weeks ago. She said that we should meet on the train, but I haven't seen her yet. She was the one who told me about Hogwarts. But, I don't mind you sitting here at all." She smiled softly in reassurance.

Mittens meowed and went to Jen.

Mariel's barging in... hope you don't mind ;)
 

Mariel dragged her trunk and owl cage through the corridor of the back end of the train - her usual spot. She was in a weird mood. It seemed strange coming back to Hogwarts after spending over a year at Durmstrang. Would she still have friends here? Sarah and Nancy - and even Nathaniel - seemed so different to her. They had changed, she had changed... and now she felt so out of place. Maybe it was a mistake coming back. Well, she was here now so she had to make the best of it.

Moodily, she glanced in compartment after compartment as she slowly walked through. Unfamiliar face after unfamiliar face greeted her as she sighed heavily looking for any sign of familiarity - or empty compartment. She wasn't exactly in the mood to make new friends - although she knew the time for that would come lest she spend the year alone as her friends all seemed too busy with their own stuff.

Suddenly the sixth year stopped as she peeked through a window and saw a remotely familiar girl about her own age. Squinting through the glass, the Ravenclaw girl determined that this person was indeed her own housemate, in fact one that she had briefly played Quidditch with on their House team. But when was the last time she had talked to her? At least a year and a half ago and Mariel wasn't completely sure of her name. Something that started with a B... Beth Ann? Uh, no, she was fairly certain that wasn't it, but she wasn't going to ask either and be completely embarassed at her faux pas. No, she was sure it would come to her soon enough and avoid the embarassment. At least the girl was familiar enough to her and that was all she needed as an invitation to join her.

Pulling her belongings behind her, Mariel plastered on a smile and walked through the door. "Hey, how's it going?" she said as cheerfully as she could muster and planted herself down on the bench across from Name-That-Starts-With-B girl. "You don't mind if I sit?" Not that she was going to get up if she said otherwise, but Mariel remembered that this girl was pretty cool and could probably care less if she joined her.

As she leaned back, the nearly 17 year old nearly jumped with a start as she just then noticed another person in the compartment - where had he been hiding? Another one that looked familiar and this one she knew his name after spending a summer with him at Lasca's American ranch a few years ago. Though it had been a while and he definitely looked older, Mariel knew exactly who he was. "Kevin? How have you been?" she asked with a grin. Okay, maybe this ride won't be so bad now that she was with a couple people that weren't complete strangers.

Becca sat back with her fingers laced behind her head and got herself re-situated. An awkward silence quickly followed. "...So, uh, tell me about yourself?" It was weird for her to be making conversation with someone so willingly. But really, she WAS trying hard to make the best of this term. To do that, one has to start it out positively, right?

And then! Aha! Another person! And even better, a fellow Ravenclaw. Becca took her legs off the seat immediately and sat like a normal person. "Hey Mariel," Becca gave an approving nod, remembering the sixth year from Quidditch way back in the day. While she didn't talk to very many people, she still could place any name with a face. "Sup?"

"Hi there, Mittens!" Jen grinned and softly petted the pretty cat on the head. "She's so cute." Jen said and looked back at Victoria. "Anyway, do you mind if i meet your friend?"

Walking on to the train Kay was a little worried. She looked into a compartment and saw no one was there. 'Good' She thought walking into closeing the door. She would wait for Rex. They still had a lot to talk about and He never said anything to her about her answer. "Maybe it wasn't the answer he wanted or maybe it was to fast. Maybe he didn't understand what she had said. Kay had said it really fast. Sighing she watched out the train window and hoped Rex found her soon.

Kevin smiled at Becca and said "Well i am a fifth year Slytherin from Dundee and well i like to play qudditch" Kevin couldnt think of anything else to say to Becca when he heard a familiar voice from within in the compartment and turned round to see Marial and smiled and said "Hey Marial i have been alright thanks" Kevin thought that this term was going to be pretty good

She giggled. "Thanks. And I would like you to meet her. If we don't see her on the train, then we'll see her at Hogwarts. Especially if we get into Ravenclaw."

Jen smiled. "Thanks." She said, feeling relieved. "I'm glad i have at least one friend that i know before going into Hogwarts." Jen was still stroking Mittens absentmindedly.

Mind if I join the partehhh? ^______^
 

Chase yawned as Savannah bored her. She got up and walked, trying to find another compartment. She saw Kevin who she talked to in Diagon Alley. She pulled open their door and noticed three girls. WHat House? She turned to Kevin and looked up. Yeah he was sitting down and she still had to look up, that's bad."Hi Kevin"She said smiling.

Ellie walked through the train, glancing into the compartments, wondering where she should sit. And also wondering where she might find the snack cart. Her dad had said they have the best sorts of snacks. Although Ellie couldn't think of them having anything she hadn't gotten before.

Victoria smiled. "And I have two friends going in. You'll like Vashti as well."

Mittens purred at the petting.

"So tell me about you." Jen said and patted Mittens on the head.

Kevin smiled when he saw Chase and said "Oh hi Chase" Kevin shook his head and thought to himself i am really popular so far

After saying a final farewell to her parents, Vashti jumped onto the train and went about searching for someone familiar to sit with. Hopefully she'd find Victoria and Nina and then they could all sit together. If only she knew where they were. Humm.

Glancing into each compartment as she passed by, she eventually found one with a familiar face and an unfamiliar one. Hurray, a new person she could meet! Grinning broadly, she opened the compartment door and said, "Hey, Victoria and Victoria's friend!" She plopped down on the seat beside Victoria then turned to the other girl. "I'm Vashti. Who are you?"

Jen smiled with a little more courage than she had before. "Hello, Vashti, my name is Jen. It's very nice to meet you." She lended her hand out toward her.

Be my friend??
 

Seeing a couple of first year looking girls together and another girl looking around her age, Ellie entered a compartment.

"Hello, my name is Ellie Stone. Could I join you?" she asked. She was eager to make friends. She loved people.

Victoria giggled. "Good to see you here, Vashti. I was beginning to worry that I wouldn't be able to see you until we got to Hogwarts." Now, she was glad. Her friend was there and met her other new friend, which made things better for her.

Jen grinned as she met a third person. This was so much fun! "Of course! it's all right with me." Jen said brightly. "I'm Jen, by the way." She said and held her hand out to her. "It's very nice to meet you."

o'course! :)
 

Vashti grinned, accepting Jen's hand and shaking it. "Nice to meet you too, Jen! Are you a first year? I don't remember seeing you last term."

Turning to see another unfamiliar girl enter, Vashti gave her a welcoming smile. "Certainly! It's nice to meet you, Ellie. I'm Vashti. Are you new here?"

Vashti grinned at Victoria. "Good to see you too!" It was then that she noticed the little kitten sitting in the compartment as well. She gasped, her eyes lighting up. "Is that your kitty? Awwww, she's so cute!"

Victoria smiled at Ellie. "Hello, Ellie. My name is Victoria. Are you new at Hogwarts as well?"

Ellie nodded to everyone in turn as she greeted them and smiled.

"Yeah. Are you all first years?" she asked.

"Well, i am." Jen said and smiled warmly at Ellie. "Are you?"

Vashti shook her head. "No, I'm a second year. I was a first year last term. Obviously." She grinned. "So if any of you have any questions about Hogwarts, I'd be happy to answer them if I can," she added.

"Are you in Ravenclaw, then?" Jen asked Vashti curiously.

"Hey, Ellie you can sit down next to me if you'd like." Jen said and moved Minerva's cage onto the floor to make room for her.

Ellie nodded. Oh, she was looking to meet older kids as well. She wanted to be well known (and liked) by everyone.

"I see." she laughed. "My father's told me a bunch. My bed time stories when I was younger basically consisted solely of his Hogwart's adventures. What house are you in?" she asked Vashti. Obviously the other's, like her, wouldn't know yet.

"I'm a first year as well." She replied, smiling. "Maybe the three of us can be in Ravenclaw with Vashti."

Mittens meowed as she looked at Vashti and Ellie curiously.

Jen laughed. "I surely hope so." She said and grinned at the three girls that she had just befriended. "Being in the same house would be so much fun!"

Victoria smiled. "Indeed."

Vashti nodded. "Yep. I'm a Ravenclaw. It's a great house; you guys would love it if you get sorted there! I hope you do. That'd be so much fun!"

Hearing the cat meow, Vashti's head turned in the tiny creature's direction and she grinned broadly again. "Kitty!" She reached a hand out to pet her. "This is your cat, isn't it, Victoria?"

"So, Ellie, which house were you hoping to be sorted in?" Jen asked curiously.

Victoria smiled and nodded. "It is. This is Mittens." Mittens sniffed the hand before purring at the petting.

"Either Gryffindor or Ravenclaw." she said shortly, then added, "But I really don't care much. All houses have pretty excellent backgrounds. Although, I don't know much about Hufflepuff. Maybe there's something in the library about that. My dad, sorry I know I'll be talking a lot about him- we're close you see, well, he had a few friends from there who have visited. He also mocks that house too, though." Well, NOW she was just rambling. She watched the kitty.

"She's cuter than I thought she would be!" Vashti replied, gently picking up the little kitten and setting her in lap, continuing to pet her. "I wish I could get a cat."

"I feel exactly the same way." Jen said and smiled. "My mum always said that those two houses were the best. I really, really do not want to be in Slytherin though, no offense to anyone in that house, but I just don't feel like i would fit in much with them." Great, i was babbling...

Victoria frowned slightly as Ellie kept mentioning about her father, making her remember her own father who abandoned his wife and daughter. When Vashti spoke up about Mittens, she smiled slightly. "Well, me and you can share her while we're in Hogwarts."

"Did you get an animal?" Jen asked Vashti curiously.

Vashti noticed Victoria's frown but decided not to mention it in front of the others. So she smiled at her friend's next comment. "You have no choice but to share her with me because I'll force you," she teased.

She shook her head. "No, I couldn't. My dad's allergic to cats, Mum hates rats, and since I live in a Muggle neighborhood, it'd be kind of difficult keeping an owl as a pet. Muggles don't usually have owls, so it could give me away."

"Aww." Jen said and frowned, sympathizing with Vashti. "Well, if you ever feel the need to use an owl, Minerva really loves people and i'm sure she'd love to get to know you." Jen smiled and nodded toward her snowy owl in her cage on the floor.

"Mhm." Ellie nodded. "I don't know, though. I feel the same, but I'm trying not to judge. There have been very respectable people that came from Slytherin. My dad had a best friend from before he went to Hogwarts, who was also a wizard, and he ended up in Slytherin while my dad went to Gryffindor." she laughed. "From the stereotypes, it seems rather odd. But now he's my godfather and comes to dinner at least once a week, and we always celebrate Christmas together."

Ellie was completely oblivious to Victoria's expression, though she was usually quite observant. She was probably just nervous with this whole situation.

g2g :( see you guys tomorrow!
 

Vashti smiled. "That'd be great, thanks! I'd love to get to know Minerva too." She glanced over at the owl in the cage, admiring how pretty the bird could be. Not so unlike an eagle, the mascot of Ravenclaw and one of the reasons she liked the house so much.

She giggled. "Maybe I should start feeling sorry for Mittens." She teased back.