Ella shurgged. 'Nothing really, just been having alook around.' She smiled. Reaching out, Ella took hold of a bit of Nika's bright red hair. 'your hair is booootiful!' Grinning, she dropped it again and went back to twirling her own very mad, very curly hair.

Ella's eyes were bright again. 'I still haven't sent a letter to mam aobut it.. Lullah's still at home. But she won't mind.' Ella grinned. Excitmenttttt.
Ella shrugged. 'She'll probably lock you in the shed then.. and make me bring you home every holiday we get..' Ella looked up slightly, checkingMatt's expression. He'd probably think she was being serious. Teheh.
Raising her eyebrows she began to jingle her bracelets about again. 'Merh, I sure you are.. in your own very special way..' Ella grinned. Going slightly cross-eyed Ella tried to look at her fringe. 'Eurgh,why won't it stop movingggg.' Once again, she pushed it to the side, scowling.

Ella laughed. 'Don't lie to me, you know you're freaky!'

Dom blushed ever so slightly as the other girl blushed. She was quite pretty! Oh no! Had he scared her? "It's okay. Don't worry about it. Nice to meet you Kurumi. If you don't mind. Thanks." he smiled as he took a seat by her. She really seemed like a sweet, nice person. He liked that. Maybe they could be.. friends?

What could he ask her...? Hmmmmmmmm.......
"So how long have you been at Hogwarts for? This is my first year yet I'm a fourth year." he explained.

Good thing she had decided to get rid of the book. Books were dangerous anyway. They were bad for people for they had many negative effects more than the known benefits of them. And one of them was it made one's brain get all fuzzy and apparently that was what was happening to poor Kurumi right now. Book germs were trying to take over her! So, she was behaving kinda weird like looking around the common room as if there was some dark creature about to attack her.

''Well...Kurumi, dear princess, are you all right?'' Yeaa, he had to ask that. He couldn't help the urge to do so. Yet hopefully things seemed to be all back in its order when she had started to talk about her summer. Ah, she was fine. Awesome! ''Sounds like a fun summer.'' the lion boy commented once the younger girl was done with her words. ''Travelling should have been nice. It's way better than being forced to sit in indoors and do nothing anyway.'' Eh, now did not that sound like...a very brutal thing to force someone?

And asking about his summer? Eh, practically it had sucked pretty much. First running away Ryan after listening to his lies, then trying to deal with dark wizards in Knockturn Alley resulting in being tortured and scarred then...well...some other problems.*sigh* At least he had had Evelyn. ''It was...a summer. Just an ordinary summer. Nothing worthy to mention did happen.''

Pfffft. He hated lying to those people he cared for.

Ahhhhhhhh...bahahahahhaha. Si, Si, Si, Si, Si. Wasn't he like...the best best friend ever? Hehehe. Definitely he was. ''Of course, you do!'' Josh exclaimed happily with a wide smirk as Simon mentioned how honoured he felt. ''Sorry for not being able to make you feel that unique feeling a little bit earlier. But as i said i am a very busy man.''

Trouble? Getting into trouble? Getting into too much trouble? ''Trouble? No no no, Si. Why would i include trouble in my schedule anyway? I am good now.'' Except the major girls problem of course which made him frown everytime he remembered about it. ''No trouble.''

Yet...

Hmmm...ha?

To be honest, at the first place, Josh could not really understand what the girl was saying since there seemed to be a problem with the words she had spoken which made it difficult for him to figure out what she meant. Was she reading books as well? Perhaps book germs were also getting over her. Too bad so many young girls were victims of text books.

Yet once she had corrected her words within the next ones, the Gryffindor boy smiled broadly right after laughing some as he, now, had figured what had happened. ''Too bad you have decided to change it.'' so he said playfully ''I do like trying different things but...the name Tayla might not go so well with me...i guess. It looks way better on you. Anyway, its nice to meet you Tayla. And i am Joshua Carter. Or just Josh.''

And there the girl who looked like to be Tayla's friend was talking. So as she did, Josh smiled at her as well. Ah, she her name was Danielle Zara Griffiths and seemingly she preferred to be called by her middle name. ''Well...well. It's nice to meet you too, Zara. And, as i just have mention to your friend, my name is Joshua Carter.''

Yeah, it was.

Hmm...Miss Marchbanks the curious firstie. It was already pretty natural for firsties to be curious, wasn't it? Yeaa, it was. Because...well...they were firsties. They asked losts of question for they needed to be informed about...stuff and Hogwarts was one place that held many of that stuff.

''It was, indeed, a good guess'' he said placing his tie on an empty part of the couch. ''I know i do look like a seventh year.'' He was supposed to be a seventh year after all. Yet...were there really any difference of looks between sixth and seventh years? He had no idea. But he was seventeen anyway so the girl was a good guesser. ''Yea, a total mystery. But it's not really a big deal if you ask me. People are exeggerating it. Perhaps there's really something behind it, i really don't know. But i think it doesn't deserve much attention.'' Mahahahah, laughing some at this point the lion boy went on ''I guess they will allow that since Tate said it was not dangerous or else. But everybody will just run to it once it's allowed and all the fun will be ruined.''

Because that was what people liked to do...stick their noses into business that they had no information even nothing else about. Especially some certain people in this common room. Pffft. ''It's nice to know you Ariadne. And, as i mentioned before, i am Joshua Carter.'' And his favourite thing in Hogwarts for past six years. Eh...this was definitely the Slytherin, Evelyn Flores who had been his bestest friend for years than lately became his girlfriend. However that had nothing to do with Hogwarts. So, find something else! ''Hmmmm....'' he thought over it some ''Outsides i think. I really do like spanding time in the grounds'' Definitely not classes. And he hated the library.

Library...ewwwww.

Duuuudeeeeeeeeeee....

A wide smirk appearing on his face, Josh looked up when Legend asked for everyone's attention. An announcement? Well...he wouldn't pay much attention if it was from a prefect yet since this was coming from Legend Chosen, one of the few real Gryffindors in this house in Josh's opinion, he was all ears. And whaaa?

Points? 15 points? Really? Pfffft.

''Legend, mate.'' the boy said taking the school uniform tie back to tie it around his head. For what? He had no idea. Hehehhe. ''You must know that i have a great respect for you now since you have beaten me at the losing points department this term.'' Bahahahahahaha!

Other than joking though, he had a few serious words to say as well. ''It's not a big deal, seriously. Points are not the only thing to present the house spirit and actually there are much more important stuff than the points and the stupid house cup it brings. Like being able to stand for what you believe right. Like being able to protect friends. Like being able to speak your true mind and show your true personality. If one is unable to do those but he has all the cups, do you think he'd be a worthy man? Not at all. Even Ravenclaw birdies do not care about points that much. I do pretty much understand you and one's honour and true personality is always more important than all the stupid cups in the world.''

Yea, that was his point. Plus 15 points were like a knut next to a bag of Galleons when compared to the points he had lost last term. Hehehhe.

" You like plants, so you must be good at Herbalogy" William told Alice." Do you swim or ski?" William asked Alice." Quidditch and skiing or two of my outdoor sports" William said to Alice,

" I guess I am taking yfirst year classes" William told Witsy." I hope I can take Potions and sit next to you in class" William said to Witsy." I am glad you and Rex are freinds" William explained to Witsy. " Psthways, meet me right after Transfu=iguration class" William smiled.

Zara listened attentive to what Kurumi was saying, nodding every now and then. There was Professor Zookara. Hmm, her name's unique. But it reminds me of a zoo and a mascara. Ooh, Muggle Studies, that should be interesting. So far, now, I've realized that everything Miss Jenkins every taught me was about the wizarding world without even me knowing until now.'

Zara made a mental note to take this all in mind was classes started. Avoid making Professor Lafay mad at you. Okay, that was easy. She hopes. But what was with the drag-- stuff? Zara raised her left eyebrow as Kurumi had said it. Anyways, she ignored it first, probably some nickname they had for the terror teacher. "Wow. So I guess they're all almost brilliant. From the Ministry? Now they're interfering with our school? That's just..weird. Where did all the former professors go?" She asked. Come to think of it, maybe there was something happening around them, something wrong. Whatever it was, Zara wasn't planning to get involved in it one way or another.

"Gee, thanks Kurumi." Zara smiled sheepishly again. Why has she been doing that so often lately? "You're really nice to entertain me, a first year. Most of the other students from higher grades usually avoid us."

AAAAAAAAAAH. YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO! Christmas at the Eden's residence. Zara wondered it must be like. It sounds lots of son, considering how many people were gonna be there. Ella must be lucky to have so many brothers. Zara always wanted one, it's good to have a brother, even just one. Zara never felt what it was like to have a brother, or a sister is also a good idea. Oh well, better leave that thought later.

"All right!" Zara shouted, but not too loud. She was happy, excited. Her eyes were shining. AHHH! She can't wait, she can't wait. "We'll do lots of stuff there. STILL CAN'T WAIT! Haha." She really can't wait, to be honest. Zara was jumping at her seat, all bouncy and jumpy. Talk about being hyper. "Ohh, who else is coming?" She grinned.

Zara nodded and smiled back again. "It's nice to meet you too Joshua Carter. I mean, Joshua. Joshua's fine right? Or do you want Josh?"

She didn't have any more energy to really have an interesting conversation, so she decided to settle it with just a Q and A, like they expected first years to be. Curious and boring.

Ella burst out laughing at her; she really didn't get why she was so excited. 'Matt's going to come. That's about it. Unless you count almost my whole family...' Ella grinned. She liked Christmas. 'Oh, and you and Matt are having a go on my ponio..' ella grinned, rubbin her bracelets randomly on her wrist.

Zara blinked innocently as Ella was laughing out loud. Now why was she laughing, exactly? "OHH. MATT." She said with a smirk on her face. "Matt just hugged someone this morning, Ella." She said, then whispered, "Just thought you should know." Then she winked.

"Ohh and what's a ponio, exactly?" Raising her left eyebrow as sh asked.

Ella raised her eyebrows, her expression completely blank. 'Um.. okay. That's.. lovely.' Ella was confused. She wrinkled her nose. 'A PONYYY!' Ella was shocked. 'My boootiful pony horse!' Ella grinned, flipping her long curls back from her face.

"It does seem weird don't you think? He's freaked out by girls yet you see him in a pathway where a lot of students are passing through, hugging a girl." She observed. Well, it was true. Matt wasn't the guy for girls. He's just a guy for...what was he for? For trouble, right.

A PONY?! HOLY POTTER! Zara squealed. She loved ponies! "Oh yeyeyeyey! Now I really can't wait any longer. I love ponies!"

Ella shrugged. [B['He's just a baba!'[/B] Ella grinned at Zara.

'Yusss, he's called Prince!' And Ella missed Prince very much.. 'He can be a bit naughty.. but he'll be fine with you and Matt..' She hoped.. Ella giggled.

Awww. So cute. "Prince. Wow, it's a nice name, sounds so royal and everything." Zara liked it, very much. "Honestly, Ella how many pets do you have? You seem to have so many."

'Three chickens, an owl, a cat and two dog...' Ella frowned, thinking. 'Buuut, we found Henry, Cosmo and Duke.. somebody gave me Prince when he was a foalie.. and we bought Lullah.' Ella grinned. 'Do you not have any pets?..'

Three chickens, an owl, a cat... Zara kept track of the number and the animals but she got off track. There were so many!

"W-O-W." She said, emphasizing the syllabication of it. "My first and only pet was Eirwen. Our family had a pet dog before I was born, but I don't know what happened to it. I never asked my parents about that dog."

"He hasn't written to me either..." Septimus once again became lost in thought. "I wonder how he's doing in Mexico City..."

Nika smiled cheerfully waiting for him to finish his little introduction. "Nice to meet Hunter! So what year are you in?" She asked curiously. He sure looks around her age. Nika sure hoped he wasn't way older than her. Because he's kind of cute . Hehe.

"OKAY!" Nika said excitedly. "I had one in Diagon Alley." She explained remembering the boy who had bought her one. "It was really good!" Nika twirled a strand of hair around her fingers as she thought of something else to talk about. "Sooo Willie, what do you like about it here the best so far?"
Nika's smile grew bigger. Oh only a year apart. "I'm a second year!" She said straightening her back proudly. Even though she is only 12 she felt so grown up. "And I'm so glad to be back here!" she said bouncing out of excitement.
Nika nodded her head slowly. "Yeah we were." Even though she had only met him last year she felt like she knew him for a lifetime. He even mentioned her in his 7th year note in that giant book they kept. "Yeah I cried a lot at the end of the feast term because I knew I would miss him, but I guess I have to move on right? Besides if he owls me back we can stay in touch." She hoped.

"Quidditch?" Nika asked bewildered. "Me?" Well yes she has an interest but no she can't really play. "Yeah it looks like a lot of fun, but there's a problem. I can't fly." she admitted. "I'm just so bad at it! But maybe if I can learn how to fly properly I might start playing!" She said with a smile. "But for now I'll stay on the ground playing football." Her favorite sport of all. "So are you excited about playing? You were on the team last term right?"
Nika returned her friend's smile. "Why thank you!" She said happily. "I was actually having second thoughts about dying it last year. But then I decided to and I'm glad I did because I like it this color!" Besides not only was it her favorite color, but most of her friends liked it as well. "I want to grow it out though. Because it's pretty short right now." Up to her shoulders still pretty short... well in Nika's mind it was.

Legend rolled his eyes. "First year or not, there were like 11 players on the team counting myself. It isn't that hard to remember 10 people." Nope. It wasn't. Especially when one of the 10 people was a small firstie who actually was good.

"Good! You better be good. I heard there are a bunch of people who might want your spot."Legend nodded. "I don't think I'm gonna be on the team this year."

Legend chuckled. Now THAT made him sound cool. "Er- not really. I was in the hospital for about a month after one big injury. Messed up my leg, wrist, spine." It was a BIG injury. But that was what happened when you played Muggle Sports.




"I know right? Whenever you come back to Hogwarts its SO fun. Until you start getting homework of course." That was tortue. Gah. Legend was reminded once again about his NEWT year.

"Thank you, thank you." He bowed, she HAD clapped right? "Course I will! Earning points is easy enough. Just suck up to Professors and BAM an instant 10 right there." So simple. He was surprised that Tate had ONLY taken away 15.



"Thanks, I hear that all the time." Legend? Woah. What kind of name was that? He had heard it all. He supposed it was a cool name but he was SO used to it that...it was just his name. Nothing else. Not really cool. "Really? Well there are a lot of us." Friendly sixth and seventh years! Yup!

"Well..not really a Professor. More like the Headmaster." Legend grinned. It was like making a big bang. Getting points taken away from the head honcho himself. "We'll gain them back, don't worry." He nodded as he said this.

Leaving Hogwarts? Woah. Legend was actually taken back by the question. "Er- I'm actually not sure. I could do anything really." He really DID have to start thinking about that. "What about you?" He was joking as he asked this of course.


Legend resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Twice as much as he lost? Wow. "So 30. Sure Pat, I'll gain 30 points by the end of the term." He laughed. 30. He had actually earned about 70 last term so that was pretty easy. If the other boy wanted point then fine. Legend didn't care.



"Sorry man! You can lose the first points of the term next year." He grinned as he said it. It wasn't a competition. It was just funny. There were after all JUST points.

It was like Tate thought that taking points away from him would make him go and cry in a corner. Legend was just happy that he hadn't gotten detention. As Josh continued to speak, the blond's mouth opened slightly. Josh, honestly knew what he was talking about. "Dude. Those are the wisest words I have ever heard. You should be a motivational speaker." He chuckled.

Matt stared at her. And she thought he was mad. What was with the world? It was trying to drive him mental, he knew it. Mad Zara. Mad Zara laughing like a chimpanzee, one which had just obtained all the bananas it could ever wish for.

He peered at her curiously from beneath his fringe. "Are you alright?" he asked with a sheepish chuckle. Maybe she suffered in the morning too..Except, it was her sanity that was affected, not her hair. He looked instinctively upwards, shaking his head at the spiky locks pointing to the ceiling.

Turning just a slightly darker shade of pink, Kurumi smiled when Patroclus said he would put it on his book bag. Her hair came next in turning pink as the older Gryffindor pinched her cheeks. It surprised her and her eyes grew large for an instant.

"I-I-It was lovely," she said pinching herself on the leg to pull herself together. "It was so rich of culture and history. I've never seen anything like it. Although...my favorite place we actually a large comic book museum. There, they have ever single volume of every comic ever written in Japan! I actually stayed the entire day there reading." And her brothers had gone off to chase geisha. "I heard that you had an adventure this summer yourself," she smiled looking over at Lexi who still owed her a presentation on their trip.
"I haven't really stopped," she replied shaking her head. "It's just that I don't bring my supplies when I come to Hogwarts. Classes and studying take up most of my time and the time I am not doing those things I would rather spend with friends or baking." Especially now. "Every time I go home for the holidays I practice and spar with my brothers. I ran a short clinic this summer for young kids actually." She sighed and leaned back against the sofa as she continued to nibble on her s'more. "My brothers have no interest in keeping up the dojo, erm, the school my mother's family has run for generations. I-I feel like it is my responsibility to do so..."

Scooting over a bit as Dom sat down, Kurumi set her book on the end table. She could get back to studying in the girls' dormitory later.

"This is my third year," she smiled as she began to idly play with her hair. "Oh? You are a transfer student as well?" she asked tucking her legs under her and turning to face him. "Welcome to Hogwarts!"
Kurumi frowned a bit. "You were forced to stay indoors?" At least, that seemed to be implied from his tone.

Then Josh's tone changed even more. She wanted to pretend that she knew Josh inside and out and that each change in his tone and body language told her exactly what he was thinking and feeling, but the truth was that she didn't really. She did know that he liked chocolate though! And she still had the wrapper tucked away in a small box to prove it.

"You? An ordinary summer?" she laughed. Somehow, that didn't seem all that possible. Ordinary for Josh probably meant that he got himself into more trouble than he did at Hogwarts.
"Several just went to explore new areas of their life," she said sadly thinking about Professor Saylen. "A few, well, we never did find out what happened to them...namely the Herbology Professor. He was at the feast and then, literally, the next day had already vanished. Professor Vindictus had taken over the post of Herbology, as well as continued to be our Flying instructor...it had been terrifying..."

Shrugging her shoulders again, Kurumi sighed. "I am not sure why the Ministry is here. I was invited to a part in Diagon Alley last year being held by Lord Borr. He is our new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. At that time, he canceled all exams, OWLs and NEWTS. Father mentioned some shifty business going on within the Ministry as well. Father is a reporter for the Daily Prophet."

Kurumi shook her head and waved her hands around for emphasis. "I am sure they are not avoiding you," she coaxed looking around the room and noting the older students who had become like family to her. She couldn't imagine what it would be like in another year and they had all graduated. "There are plenty of older students who would love to get to know first years. Lexi, is one of them. I call her my Mama Lion. Patroclus is one of our prefects and is very friendly." She wasn't so sure where their other prefect was. She hardly ever saw her around, which was rather odd given the position she held. "Simon is our Quidditch captain and like a big brother to me as well." Kurumi paused to smile at Zara. "I am sure any of them would love to get to know you."

"He's doing fantastic," she sighed leaning back in her seat and folding her arms across her chest. "A new transfer student named CeCe is friends with him." And about to be so much more when a certain person's visions came true.

Zara caught her breathe, she was about to stop laughing. She sure looked like an escape from the mental hospital. She was panting, breathe uneven. Then Matt had to ask if she was alright, this ruined her concentration again as she replied, "I'm good." And started laughing like a lunatic again. Good was certainly the magic word for the day.

Listening to Kurumi's narration of what happened to the past professors, especially to their Herbology Professor. It was scary, the mysterious disappearance of him and all that. "Did Headmaster Tate ever explain why he was gone?"

Lord Borr. Yeap, Zara had certainly heard that name more than once before. First at home, next by Mordred, and a whole lot. Guess he really is someone everyone knows off. Wonder why he's called Lord. She decided to ask Kurumi that too. "That's so cool, you're father's a reporter. Lord Borr, hm? Why is he called Lord anyway? Sorry for the questions. After all, I am only a first year. Yup, under the category of first is the word curiosity." Zara smiled, hoping Kurumi didn't mind all her questions.

"Oh not all of them. I guess there are some exceptions. I've spoken to uhm..let's see. There's Joshua Carter and the friendly prefect Patroclus. They're very nice, like you said. But the other seem like they have a world of their own, choosing their friends and all. I'm too scared to come near them." Zara admitted. Being a Gryffindor, she was expected to be brave. Now, Zara's wondering if Kurumi had any doubts of why Zara was sorted into Gryffindor if she couldn't even be brave enough to socialize.

She'd stopped. ...Oh, nope, there she goes again...

Matt rolled his eyes, watching her out of the corner of his eye in amusement. His stomach rumbled hungrily, and he bit his lip, the hunger pains suddenly going mental in his gut. He looked back down at Zara, his arms leaning on the back of the sofa. He grinned as she continued to laugh - "mad one this one" he thought to himself with a small shake of his head. "C'mon." he said, rounding the sofa and grabbing her by the arm. He pulled her to her feet, smiling. "I'm hungry."

Still laughing, Zara could've sworn she heard a lion's roar somewhere. Then Matt grabbed her suddenly, Zara's eyes widened. She wasn't finished laughing and she had to find out where the lion was! "I'm hungry," he said. OH. That's the lion. Yeap, he was a Gryffindor. He took care of a lion in his stomach. "Okay, okay, I'm coming," she said in between chuckles as she walked away with Matt.

Elle was sitting alone in a corner with one of her books, looking for a few familiar faces, she noticed Zara and Nika, but they were both in conversations with others. So, she was about to start reading again when someone made some kind of announcement about losing 15 points. Seriously? Were people angry over that? By what Elle had heard, earning points was super easy. So she just smiled at the guy, and started reading again.

Ronnie looked around the room. She saw fourth year Alliana looking around. She looked terribly lonely, so Ronnie decided to talk to her, maybe make a friend.

"Hi! I'm Ronnie!" she said grinning, with her hand out.

Christopher was even more confused when she started giggling. "What? What now!?" Pfft. Girls.

Christopher laughed. "More like 100% of the time!" And now she was looking like she was about to cry. Had he said something to offend her? Then she went off and began to babble about how she didn't believe in Seers. This obviously was a lie, Selina was not good at hidding that. But he knew something was more to it. Something important. "Selina, what's up? Because you and I both know it isn't true that you don't believe in Seers. Elyon's told me how brilliant you are in Divination. And you're flat out bad at hiding things from me." He smirked at this last part.

"The piano and violin are pretty similar." Cove said. She din't exactly know how similar other than certain notes... "I don't know about playing guitar and the fiddle, but the fiddle is just a violin. So, I think it's almost as simple." She shrugged her shoulders. "I can play, soccer, beach volleyball, football, I can wrestle prety well. Most of my siblings are boys."

"Oh, that's cool. I only know that I'm quarter Korean." Cove said. She smiled at Kurumi. "So what do you like to do?"