Marie made her way into the Great Hall for her fifth start of term feast. Her fifth year as a Slytherin. It seemed like yesterday she was only eleven and now here she was starting her OWL year. If she didn't have Jimmy to help her study and get through this term she might be a little worried. With him encouraging her though she knew she would do a good job.

After glancing at the Ravenclaw table and not seeing Jimmy there yet she made her way to the Slytherin table. Hmm, where to sit. With her She-Snake friends that's where. Spotting Evelyn sitting with... not Destiny but some little girl she went and sat with them. Of course she sat so her back was to the wall, that way she would be able to see everyone that came in.

"Hey Ev, who's your little friend here?" She asked while looking between the two girls sitting across from her.

And where was Destiny?

Professor Ethan Truebridge, complete with the usual dark glasses, walked into the Great Hall, the double doors opening before him ponderously, perhaps wondering if the man would ‘exit’ through the window like he had once before, saving said door from the necessity of opening again.

He paused on the threshold and looked to the Dais.

Ah.

Well that was a thing, wasn’t it? Sitting in what would be his new spot, wouldn’t be simple, not for the man who saw how things used to be, and who used to sit where and… why was there a man in Max’s seat?

It smelled of ministry in here and yet… not. A puzzle for another day, for another brain. Rather than head to the staff table, Truebridge turned his attention to one that was far more constant, and felt more like home. The Slytherin table, naturally.

Those who were first year when he last taught at Hogwarts would be third years now, and many students had graduated of course. There were still hundreds of familiar faces at all four tables, and he remembered the names too, but it was Slytherin he was interested in at that moment.

He stood quietly, just observing. Had they kept their spirit? Had they kept their pride and ambition and not let it waste away like he had found after his return from Azkaban?

More importantly perhaps, had Lafay set any more of them on fire? And why were there so many students from other houses there, interrupting all the green?

Slytherins. Friendly bunch.

Marie had no sooner sat down when she felt like someone was watching them. Slowly turning her head towards the door she hoped she was going to find her favorite 'Claw looking at her but that wasn't to be. However, who she did see brought a smile to her face.

Professor Truebridge was back!!!

Turning back to Evelyn she said in a rather cheery voice. "Hey Ev, look who's back." She knew he would bring a smile to Ev's face, even if she was having a bad day.

If they were lucky he would come talk to them. If not, well they would just have to follow him to the staff table.

Slowly turning her gaze away Candy Store Girl, Evelyn's gaze settled on her she-snake friend before raising a brow.

Hmm, that was a good question. "I don't know." she muttered, shrugging her shoulders before lifting up her now goblet and taking a sip of water. Not before, inspecting it first though. Had to make sure it didn't smell funny or look like there was anything put into it. But, it was safe in the end. Hopefully.

Some poisons worked slowly in the system.

However, setting her goblet down, the Slytherin frowned even more at the sudden change of Marie's tone before automatically glancing towards the staff table. What?! WHO!? Was Lawson back!?

Seeing him not up at the staff table though, Evelyn continued to search for this supposed person. "Where?" 'Cause she was giving up on the search-

...

Ohmymerlin.

ProfessorTruebridgeistotallystandingthereisn'the!?

HE WAS BACK!? Was he back? Visiting? Back for revenge?! Teaching? Investigating? BACK??

Not realizing until a few moments later that she had a rather large smile on her face, well...larger than what she normally did, the Slytherin let loose of her grip on her table before glancing back to Marie. Did she totally see Truebridge standing right there!?

'Cause he was...!!!

-giggle-

The odd thing about children was how quickly they changed. Grew and all. Still, some faces were unmistakable.

Hello there, Marie and Evelyn. And where was Destiny?

Ethan Truebridge even pushed his glasses up into his hair. Then, after a lengthy pause, he inclined his head in greeting.

And actually smiled.

Helena stopped eating and stared discreetly at the new figure, who seemed to be fond of the slytherins. "Professor Truebridge?" she asked herself quietly. "Why is everyone acting so weird?"

"You ate a cauldron cake before we arrived?" Elliot asked. "Next term I should probably eat something before I aboard to the train or buy something from the trolley." he sighed. He really didn't have any ideas that the speech and the sorting could took this long. "I'm sure you do" he rolled his eyes. Actually he didn't want someone hear his stomach grumble especially a girl.

An idiot? Then Elliot saw Robin almost made a jar of juice fell, he laughed at this. "Yup definitely an idiot" he chuckled. "Why you choose a ferret over a cat?" he asked. "Most girls usually have a cat as their pet." he said "and cat was more easier trained than a ferret" he added. Not that he didn't like the girl ferret, he just curious.

"Who said i had suspicious thoughts?" Hyun snapped, rather stupidly because he had but didn't like admitting it. Hyun took a seat near the end of the table and listened with some interest about this ...cookie girl? Weren't there any house elves that made food? why would this girl make cookies for people she didn't even know? Confusing question popped in randomly in Hyun's head which give him a headache slightly. "I'll try to remember" he mumbled while rubbing his temple when Alex said to befriend this cookie girl. Hmm maybe not a bad idea, getting free cookies were never bad.



Looking up from where he was seated, Hyun could barely hear the whisper of apology but her face told everything. She looked panicked which had Hyun smirk a little. He loved people getting panicked in front of him but the apologizing , no way. Looking mildly disgusted as the girl stuttered, yes even stuttered an apology . She even bowed to him! several times! He felt like some kind of King. "Well, atleast you have something you like doing..." he said as the girl told him she enjoyed baking cookies. "And the cookies are rather good" he nodded his head but did not give her a smile, Hyun didn't like smiling so why would he now? Besides the sentence he just said and the nod of his head was something Hyun rarely did so she should feel lucky. "I'm Hyun" he just said with a tiny nod back at her.

Taking another cookie from the box , Hyun ate it and let his gaze fall on the table again. Why were some people staring at one side? Following their gazes, Hyun noticed an older looking man standing at their House table. He didn't look like a student so he had to be a professor....wait...was he suppose to say hello? He didn't know how things went at Hogwarts.

Katie smiled as she saw TayTay

"Hey girlie, yeah, its great to be back to my second home" Katie giggled, SHE LOVED HOGWARTS SOOO MUCH.

So Evelyn was sitting with some little kid that she didn't know? Why? This was not the Evelyn she knew. Eh, she didn't have time to worry about that now though.

-----

Seeing the look on Evelyn's face when she spotted Truebridge made Marie giggle. Yeah she had a feeling he would bring a smile to the Slytherin's face.

Looking back over at Truebridge she herself couldn't help but smile... especially when he nodded and smiled at them... like he really smiled at them.

"Hey Ev, how about we go welcome back our favorite Head of House." Even if Truebridge wasn't going to be their HoH this term he was still her favorite. He would be the one she would go to if she needed help with anything. There was no way she was going to go to Professor LaFlame. Not when Professor Truebridge was around.

"I know! It does almost feel like a second home now." Tay said, looking round at everyone- she loved how this place buzzed with happy energy- well, there were the few occasional people at her table that she didn't think were capable of radiating any happy energy, but, oh well! They were Slytherin after all. "Ohmygoshh. I couldn't help but start on that cake you gave me- it is delish!" she said to Katie with a big grin- the cake was amazing, but she could only eat really sweet things like that in small goes. So she was really savouring it. "That is definately some talented baking!" she laughed.

Did Marie see that too?

He totally just smiled at them. Or in their general direction, it could have been at anyone really, but...it was totally them!

Of course, that only made Evelyn smile even more before clearing her throat and sitting up straight. Erm, right. She was not about to have a fangirl moment. Tapping her fingers on the table, her gaze moved back to her She-Snake friend before staring at her in confusion.

What? Maybe she was missing something here.

"How about we go welcome back Truebridge instead." Yea, she was definitely missing something here. Heck, Evelyn didn't know Marie finally enjoyed Lafay as their head of house. But, good for her. The woman did scare Evelyn, but on the other hand, she was actually alright. No fire on skin though. Keeep it away.

Passing through the huge doors, Evan finally entered the beloved Great Hall, and halted at the door to breath in the air. He'd missed here so much, even though he still wished the summer could have been a bit longer with Mina. Still, here was his home, and he was just glad to be back with a sparkling badge on his chest. Yes, he was past his OWLs, did fairly well, and now he was ready for the new term and prefect duties. Yup, everything cool.

After absorbing the air, he made his way to the Slytherin Table, which was already packed with people. Wow. So many firsties this term! Or it was his failure to recognise faces from last year. Smiling at every people, his eyes searched for Marie immediately. There she was, though she was with Evelyn--smirk, even though Finn wasn't around too, Josh still couldn't find her--and... he gasped. TRUEBRIDGE! Right HERE! He grinned at that GREAT news, and grinned at the man too. It was good to have him back. No, it was amazing. What class did he teach, though? Not something silly like Divination, he dearly hoped. His eyes travelled to the staff table with hope to see Lawson too, but he couldn't. Eh, Truebridge was enough for now. You couldn't always have everything.

Waving at the man and greeting him cheerfully ("Welcome back, professor!"), he walked towards the middle as he waved at Marie and even Evelyn. Now that Truebridge was here, he felt even more alive and smiled at the people he didn't know. Spotting Iris and Trixie somewhere, he beamed at them too, though didn't make his way there. They appeared to be having a discussion or something, and he didn't want to interrupt.

He sat among some people he didn't know, with his back to the wall, and just watched the Great Hall.

It was amazing to be back in here.

Alex looked up when a girl talked to him and smiled back at her. Head Girl? Huh, didn't Emma say that it was her sister? They had the same last name after all.

"Thanks." he said happily. Yes, he was happy that he was wearing his Slytherin robes. Because he was just that awesome to be sorted in Slytherin. "I'm Alex Reed." he nodded. He didn't have any cool way to introduce himself like she did, Head Girl. Not that he wanted to be Head Girl, he was a boy after all but... still. Yeah.

Alex laughed and nodded his head. "I know right, so not such a big surprise." he grinned. Obnoxious? Perhaps a little bit.

"So how does it feel being back at Hogwarts?"

Whaat?! Alex was freaking, in a cool collected way of course but still freaking. This was some kind of trick that someone played on him. Right? Right. Still he could should be nice to the guy, himself, the person... Or whatever it was going on.

"Um hi, I'm Alex." he introduced himself. Aaoowkward!

Alex crossed his arms watching Selena with one raised eyebrow. "Noo." he said with a shake of his head. As if he would be sorted in Hufflepuff, his whole family had been in Slytherin. He belonged there, not with the huffies. Perhaps Selena did, she ate the whole table.

"Have fun eating alone hypergirl." he ruffled her hair with a kind smile before taking off. Puh-lease, now where were his friends at...

Aha! There she was.

"Noo firsties beware." he chuckled. Poor little firsite, all traumatized. Wonder what house that kid got sorted into? Then again, he had screamed at Fee, and stolen their cake. Well at least he could have.

He grinned widely and nodded at her compliment. "It really does." he chuckled. Because green was his colour, oh yeah. At least it would be now. "So are you happy to be back?"

Alex recognized a familiar voice and turned his head towards the source of the sound. "Hey Nai/Adventure Girl." he grinned walking up to her. "Guess who got sorted in your house?" he winked. Like, it wasn't a hard question but still, perhaps it was a trick question. Oh, oh should he hide his Slytherin clothes?

"Taytay!" Alex laughed walking over to her, how had he lost all his friends on the way to Hogwarts. Well, it didn't matter he had found them now. *snuggles those cute friends* "I got Slytherin." surprise, surprise!

"You've been in Japan all summer?" Alex asked surprised, he would have missed his friends so much if he had been in New York all the time. Ah and Adam, he hadn't actually met that guy (which perhaps was kind of weird) but he knew who it was. Fee's friend. Not that everyone wasn't, his bestie sure knew... Everyone.

He tilted his head and gave Hyun a quick glare. "He's not as intimidating as he thinks." he winked at Kurumi and nudged her side.

"I did." Alex shrugged with a grin. Because he didn't look suspicious at all when he wanted to attack a package of cookise. Uh-uh, that was totally normal behaviour. Right.

"So you got sorted in Slytherin, happy?" he asked him. Well, he knew that Hyun wasn't thrilled to go Hogwarts but if he was forced to then at least he had ended up in the best house. Yeah, Slytherin was the best without doubt.

Jamie smiled and said,"Yeah. Kind of. I just hope I'm not going to completely fail." She was being honest. Even her dad once said she was known too be a slacker."What classes would you say you like the best?"

She gave him a smile in return and then Jamie shrugged, "Well Astronomy would be the class I'd fail. I don't see any pictures in the night sky. Just stars." She finished her cup of tea and decided maybe she was a little hungry after all. She grabbed a little here and there and began to slowly eat.

Her family. There was a story in itself. "My family is...well there are no words to really describe them. Mum was in Hufflepuff. Dad was in Gryffindor. They don't work because they took and early retirement plan. So I guess thats it in a nutshell." She took another bite of food and swallowed. "What about your family?" He was going to be a good friend. The next seven years didn't seem so scary now.

Fee started laughing silently when Simon didnt stop complaining about him being hungr.That boy was soo obnoxious.But cool obnoxious.Shaking her head at his sudden excitement about the last piece of cauldron cake she had the blonde took it out and placed it right before her friend."But dont get caught",she winked.No idea if they were allowed to eat when the headmaster was talking.But she couldnt just let him die here right?!Haha, good point Fee."Finally you stopped whining",she giggled,"boys and food."

"Yees 200",the Slytherin chuckled,"you know i am smart like that and have all those random knowledge."Actually she had asked at Honeydukes when there were these two boys talking about how many chocolate frogs it needed to be full."Uuuummm we should try it out Simon",she laughed,"i am up for it."Chocolate was always good right?!How could Fee miss that?!

"Ohhh you really touched my heart Macalister",Fee laughed when he got into dramatic mode.He was such a moron but she liked that about him.But to be honest it was really cute how he called her one of his fave freinds.Hehe.

Fee squealed when she heard her best malies voice."Woaahh Rex",she ran up to him,"i missed you.Where have you been?"Okay maybe she was still angry that he didnt tell her about the wedding but still."I am good what about you?"

Fee looked up when she heard her name.Ohh it was Adam the lion.Hehe."I hear you talking about me",she winked and came up to plop down next to him,"what is it?"

"Not a whole cauldron cake but a piece",Fee nodded,"i still have one if you want it."Typical,guys were always starving and graving for food.Haha."Oh well you should have asked my how long it takes",the blonde said,"but the headmaster is in a good mood so he wont let us wait too long."Hopefully, because the little girl was getting a little hungry too.But she would never admit it,no no girl."Yeees maybe i could sing to it then",she giggled.Elliot shouldnt be embarrased, not in fron of Fee.Tey were friends so nothing wrong.

"Ohh yeeess firsties better be nice to us",Fee chuckled.They werent really evil but if a firstie screamed at them what could they do? Pat it on the head and tell him he was a good kid?!Pff."I wonder what house he had gotten into",the blonde laughed.Not Hufflepuff not that was sure.

"Yees green is our colour",the Slytherin nodded,"but than again wouldnt we look good in any colour?"Okay yes they would but no need to get others jealous.Hehe.Vain much?!"Yeees i am really happy",she said excitedly,"cant wait to show you all the places."

Kurumi stood back for a second watching the boys go at it. Who knew that a simple box of cookies could cause an argument? Maybe it would have helped if she had left a note, but, judging from most of the Slytherin's reactions it seemed like a note would have made them even more suspicious. Sigh.

"It's no big deal, Alex," Kurumi whispered in response to Hyun's apparent fear of free cookies. "It's nice to meet you Hyun," Kurumi said smiling slightly back. The fact that he didn't smile was a little scary, but this seemed to be a pattern with most of the Slytherin upperclassmen she knew. All the younger ones seemed to be sugar addicted ferrets.

Tay looked up when she heard a familiar voice- and her fave nickname. Oooh fabulouso- Alex! She smiled at him- "Yay! I'm proud of you!" she said, slightly sarcastically with a big grin. She was glad he had been put in Slytherin- the more friends in her house, the better. "It's going to be awesome my lovely." she said to him- she didn't know if he was nervous or anything about his first term here, but he had no need to be- he was already fitting in amazingly well. She pushed back her loose curls behind her ear and patted the space on the bench next to her for him to sit down on. "It's so weird that you're actually here now." she admitted, playing with her goblet and then nearly spilling it everywhere, so she just left it alone. "But awesome, very awesome! So, how did you find the journey?" she asked him curiously- "I bet you're so excited to start lessons right?" she laughed, smiling at him.

Salander sauntered through the large doors and took in the now crowded Great Hall. He eyed firsties and transferees, seemingly sticking out from how "the vets" usually behaved. He had to smirk, he couldnt have been that much of a noob last year could he?

Dont answer that.

He started to make his way towards his favorite seat when he spotted a box sitting on one end of the table. He peered in and the smirk broke into a smile-- Kurumi's cookies. Only she can make something this awesome! He took a handful of them and set them down on a plate. Then he took the entire box.

What? Nothing on it says to take one only right?




He made his way up the table, and spotted Marie and Evelyn already at their usual seats. "Hello ladies..." he crooned as he set the box just by his plate. Just then his eye caught the young girl he was helping on the platform "Sierra!" he uttered surprised but obviously very pleased "You got sorted into Slytherin? Congratulations!" he got one of the Slytherin cookies out and handed it to her "Here, something to welcome you to this most awesome house."

He turned his attention back to the 5th year girls when he noticed them talking excitedly over a man looking at their table. He furrowed his brows at said person and couldnt recall ever seeing him before. "Who dat?" he asked them, tilting his head at the direction of the stranger.

Katie blushed, OH NOES! Katie was blushing and that was bad, she didn't want people to know she baked, "I'll make sure the bakery gets your comment" Katie smiled.

Flora came to Great Hall with excitement. Tens of thousands of candle light shining across the hall. The sound of metal plates clash and noise of people talking around the hall echoes.Most of people had been here already.She walked to the Slytherin. table and sat down. When she saw a girl probably the same year with her,she was sitting ,talking with the boys that she does not know She walked up the courage to introduce herself to them,still excited. ."Hello I'm Flora Hunter,What are you guys name?" She asked confidently.

Hyun looked up as Alex glared at him. Heh , he had to admit that he liked this kid. He actually dared to comment against him and give him glares. Yup Hyun liked this kid. Having a hint of a smirk on his lips, Hyun watched how Alex nudged Kurumi and he gave a soft chuckle.

"I guess i'm happy, i mean, i don't know much about the houses but i'm glad i'm in this house, it sounds like far the best." Hyun said with a grin and then pointed at Kurumi's badge, which was obviously different. "Which house is that?" he asked to Alex because he had the feeling that the girl was feeling intimidated by him.

"It's nice to meet you too, Kurumi" he finally said, happy that the girl had stopped stuttering apologizes. Pointing at the box of cookies, Hyun looked back at the girl with a curious expression on his face. "Uhm...why do you make cookies for people? I mean, not that they aren't good or anything...just curious" Yes just curious, he didn't get why anyone would be so nice.

Back at Durmstrang if anyone would give away free cookies you were bound to have been jinxed when you ate them, so it wasn't a wonder why Hyun was suspisious about it all. Besides, you won't see Hyun walking around, giving cookies to everyone. He shivered at as the image crossed his mind and he quickly grabbed a goblet from the table to pour in some juice trying to focus on pouring in the juice in the goblet rather than imagining himself as a nice sweet guy.

As Evan watched the Great Hall, and, of course, the Sorting, he noticed it was that little girl who had called... Cedrid? A Puffer. He grinned at that, and sat more straight in his chair to watch the girl's sorting properly. He hoped she wouldn't end up in Hufflepuff though, like her brother did. Nooo, she deserved Slytherin. It'd be a shame if she was sorted into Hufflepuff.

The Hat finally decided at last, and even he clapped at the decision. That was good. Smiling at her as she walked up to this table, he got up to greet her, and walked up to where she sat.

"Congratulations on making it into the best house," he winked. "We've already met at the train, but," He had to chuckle at that, "I'm Evan Cartwright. Your prefect this term." She must have figured that much out, but further instructions wouldn't hurt.

Zoey looked over and gave her a grin, and leaving it at that. She'd talk to Iris again once she wasn't so busy with people. Seriously though, rainbow butterflies- way cool.

She looked over as an older man came over to their table. He didn't say anything. He just watched. She had to sort of smile at that. He was probobly a Professor or something of the sort- important anyways.

Hmm, how come he didn't get a shiny badge?

"My point exactly." Alex smirked. Aw, like they could ever hurt the small firsties. They were all small, adorable, shy and... Tiny! Really tiny, he had actually been afraid of squising a little girl before under his shoe. Poor girl. "You know for their own good."

He looked around them searching the little bugger kid that had been freaking out in the train, but nope. He must be invisible. Or in the kitchen somewhere stealing other people's cakes. Sounded like him, perhaps he could tell a prefect or the Head Girl or Head Boy? Heh, he got the power. Kind of.

"Have no idea... Do you see him?" he asked his best friend.

He looked at Fee and smirked widely. "That's true we would." he chuckled. Hm, perhaps yellow wasn't quite his colour but he could pull it off. Obnoxious but hey, it was true. "Oh me neither, and you promised to show me all the cool places." he nodded. She had prooomised him.

Alex grinned and sat down next to Taylor with a little sigh. "Hopefully this year will be awesome." he winked. It had to be. Like had to be awesome.

"I know right? Almost surreal but here I am." he chuckled. After hearing so much about Hogwarts it was weird that he was actually there, he was pretty glad he was though. Apart from all the lessons and exams he would have fun.

The train ride had been good, even though he had met Ellie so late... "It was good but it started so early don't you think?" he chuckled. Did it have to leave so early in the morning? *yawn*

"Well, I'm not really excited about the lessons actually. I have been to a magical school before you know." he winked.

"It is." Alex smirked letting his gaze trail down the Slytherin table, yes he was definitely glad he was in Slytherin. Even though he had many friends from the other houses too.

He watched where Hyun pointed and then nodded over to the Lion's table. "That's Gryffindor." he nodded. "Where the brave ones dwell... Or whatever I honsetly don't remember but they're pretty cool." he nodded watching the Gryffindors across the room. Even though Gryffindor and Slytherin had hated each other in the past *cough*, they were pretty cool. Some of them.

"Why?" he asked looking back at Hyun curiously.