Well, he could put it this way....

This boy had the OPINION of a Gryffindor. Maybe that was why the hat chose him to sit here, with these colors that were better suited on a muggle jersey.

There was a brief pause in the opinion giving as the Headmaster gave his speech. Only a few words interested him. Food. Boat. Aboard. Traps. Hungry. Eat. Ohhh potatoes!

With a murmur of thanks, Mihkel retrieved the bowl from the other boy and began to wolf the mashed white stuff down. "I suppose that's a valid reason." He gave a shrug of his shoulders and shovelled another spoonful down. "Arms are generally a good thing attached."

Another spoonful and he put the empty bowl down, peering up at the staff dias as he tented his fingers. "But now a boat, on the Lake. With no traps?" He spared the boy beside him a wry grin. They could be a little Gryffindorish couldn't they?

Ahhhh finally a girl that she could get along with and talk about quiddich with. She smiled and listened to her as she talked. She totally understood. Her mother had given her money as a late birthday birthday present to get a broom. She had to use her brothers old broom, that was older then the schools. "I know. Mum gave me money to get a new broom as a late birthday present. I got a Firebolt 600."


Caroline seriously couldn't stop smiling as Carter talked it was great to hear his voice and see his face. She hugged him back not really wanting to let go but she did. "That's good." She smiled again.

She had missed him but she stayed pretty busy over the summer, wedding planning with Sarah, and Starr for Sarah's wedding to Casey. "Good... Stressful I didn't realize all of the responiblies of being the maid of honor." She laughed. "Other than that great. I know I wish we could have spent more time together over the summer."

Caroline loved hearing about Anya. Even though she didn't get to meet her over the summer. She enjoyed hearing Carter talk about her. Then way when she did get to meet her she would know alot about her. "Aww that's great I bet they were excited." She laughed a bit. "Anything else going on with you? Glad to be back?" She asked they had loads to catch up on.

Levi stared down at his untouched food. The more he watched the other Gryffindors interacting cheerfully, the more miserable he felt. He really needed more friends in this house. Most of his friends were in Slytherin and he couldn't help but want to sit at their table instead but it was getting too packed over there. He also didn't want to bother Cass so soon after that especially awkward train ride. He felt isolated over here, almost invisible. Who was he going to talk to? He had nothing in common with anybody and he wasn't about to pretend that he did. He wasn't that sort of person who melded themselves to fit in with the popular clique. He was better than that.

Still, he didn't want to be on his lonesome either. There had to have been somebody around here he could talk to but that would mean interrupting another conversation. He couldn't spot one person who was on their own like him. It really did a number on his self-esteem and he frowned. He wanted to slam his face into his mashed potatoes and just bury himself until the ceremony. Actually, that didn't seem like such a bad idea. It's not like anybody would take notice.

Before he could, Levi heard a familiar voice nearby. His dark eyes narrowed as he saw Christopher sitting a few seats away from him. He was talking to some other girl he hadn't met. Maybe he had taken an interest in her. Maybe it was a sibling. Either way, he was thrilled that he hadn't taken the chance to go and talk to a certain blonde instead. It was possible he had forgotten who she was. One could only hope.

The black fourth year averted his eyes again. He didn't dare think of approaching him or throwing a handful of mashed potatoes in his direction. It was too soon.

Kyle couldn't help but chuckle when Selina spouted out ideas of nicknames for the little feisty kitten...yes, all her suggestions sounded, well they all worked. She couldn't help but smile when Selina said she could call her Sely - it was like a right of passage being able to call a friend their most-desired nickname.

"Well, I'll be sure to call you Sely then" Kyle smiled, "and I don't mind the little titles of Ginger" she smiled happily. "My cheek hurts...I haven't been able to stop smiling almost all day you know the whole idea of being able to be at school with friends is just amazing" she smiled happily blushing as she said this. Not because of being near someone she might possibly like. Not at all. Just hearing herself say the statement out loud made her feel embarrassed.

Maybe? She thought well that wasn't a definitive answer but she didn't mind. Yawning slightly she continued to smile a little less enthusiastically. "Well - I think we came to that conclusion when she didn't attack you on the train...she pranced haughtily around for a while in the carriage it was rather funny" yes and even hissed at some first years who was now a Ravenclaw - he'd tried to pull at the poor thing's whiskers.

When Simon answered telling her his summer was good should couldn't help but smile good summers were the best really - still deep down there was a gnawing feeling in the pit of her stomach. She did hope that the little conversation she had hinted to with Caroline didn't go - well...noticed? Yeah that was it, she didn't want him to realize what that conversation was about.

Can you say awkward? Taking a deep breath and changing her mental tact she made to respond...witty, something witty. Nothing came to her mind.

"Well I'm glad you had a good summer" she smiled. Then the other idea that had originally made her want to run over to the Gryffindor table - because of their brevity that is was to ask a certain sly little question. A question that could tempt even the most perilous of minds - or scare friends who knew her to be as clumsy and ill lucked as she normally was.

"Oh gosh I almost forgot!" She squeaked happily - well it was louder than a squeak but not as obnoxious and annoying as a squawk - it was more an oddly adorable sound. Then as she realized how loud she had been she blushed, pulling her tone back severely.

"the boat you know the one in the middle of the Black Lake" she explained her eyes twinkling excitedly. Boy did she want to know what it was about, how it had gotten there - what treasures were on it. "anyone want to investigate it with me?" She asked, batting her extremely long eye lashes as she spoke. The sly flirt move she didn't even realize she was even doing.

Christopher couldn't believe what he was hearing. Some one else's mother, whom he had never met, wanted them to live with her? It sounded too good to be true. He bet it was, he'd always had rotten luck, and although he was sure this had nothing to do with being lucky, he was equal sure that things probably wouldn't work out. But he couldn't help be excited. A home! Other than Hogwarts, that is, but it was still a home where he'd be welcome, maybe even loved! It sounded so wonderful! His heart was racing. "Hopefully things won't come to that, but that broomshed sounds so wonderful. Thank you." He could have his own room, too! Wow, he'd never had that before. He'd always shared one with his sister, a curtain made up of a sheet tacked to the walls and ceiling the only thing dividing their areas for privacy.

Christopher felt the conversation close, and things were beginning to feel almost awkard. He looked around for another conversation to start up, but got nothing. He glanced around seeing eating... friends.... couples..... Couples? A smirk slid onto the Gryffindor's face and he asked, "So Selina, how're things going with boys? Stealing hearts on the Quidditch field?" He teased the girl like a sibling, now that they probably would be close to that.

Giving a shrug she simply nodded a bit. Whatevs. Evelyn was determined to dislike her for whatever reason that she did NOT KNOW... there was nothing she could do about it. SIGH. While it made her extremely unhappy, there was just... nothing she could do to change the girl's mind... clearly.

"That would be lovely. I would like to see it. I like horses. Never had one, but my parents take me riding when I am home... whenever that is," she said and wiped stubbornly at her eyes again.

"You looking forward to this term? Maybe we will have more pyromancy classes or something... or maybe we can build a big fire on the grounds..." she said almost timidly.



Looking away for a moment she spotted that poor lost girl from the train! OH she must be a Gryffindor!! YAYAYAYAY!

Shouting to her she called out, "KATRINA!! WELCOME TO GRYFFINDOR!! You should come join me when you get a chance..." She would guide the young one... she needed it, apparently.

[QUOTE=McFeisty;10315892][spoiler=Selina, Simon & Caroline ]



Caroline chuckled when Kyle said that she cheeks hurt. She knew the feeling she couldn't stop smiling either especially when Carter come to join. She noted Kyle's blush. They really didn't get into talking much about Her and Simon, when they met at the cafe.

Caroline had zoned out during the rest of the conovestion, until she heard about the boat on the lake. She didn't even realize that Kyle was the one who was talking about it. "I know. I wonder what is going on with it." She made shifty eyes at Kyle, maybe perphs she had a new partner in crime, since Katie her other partner in crime was well. She just tried not to think about it. "I do."

"Okay, see THAT, I am all about," Zack admitted, mischievous grin growing across his face. "Can you just imagine how cool a great black ship would be? How cool it would be to like, hang out there?"

He might be a strange candidate for Gryffindor, but he did rather have a thing for trouble.

Trouble was way more fun than... well most things.

Selina tried to keep her mouth shut from her amazement at how amazing it was to have a girl to talk Quidditch with. Caroline and her were going to get on quite well, she could tell. She just hoped, if she made the team, that the two would not let competition get the better of them. "I have a firebolt too! I grew up on a firebolt. They are my Dad's favorite brand, he likes how sturdy they are on the hilt. Makes sharp turns easier."

Turning to Kyle she said, "I'm in. You know how I am with adventure. And id we get in a bit of trouble on the way I can always say that I was forced by the two older students in the group... Simon... Kyle," Selina joked, "No seriously though, I'm in. I have a craving for getting to know what is going on in the Ministry. Borr creeps me out."

Selina blushed under Chris' question and stole Simon a quick glance. He was, as usual, flirting with Kyle. She looked down in her lap and reminded herself that she was twelve and he was seventeen, "No, no boys. Just Quidditch. You know I have to keep a close eye on my practice. Once I conquer the field than I will work on boys... until then... nothing."

She smirked and asked, "What about you....?"

"Well I found tracks of where-pups, I went to track them just to observe not for game, but it was dark and..." She kinda shrugged off the ending to that statement, not really wanting to think about the rest. It was a long evening she supposed.

She felt relieved knowing she wasn't the only one slightly oblivious, "Oh good then." She laughed. "I hope this year's better than the last." She looked around noticing all the new faces.

Witsy looked in front of her noticing some odd shaped food. She picked up what looked like a crescent moon with some sort of filling, "I swear I could eat this whole table, but in fine company I shouldn't attempt that." She started to laugh. "What are you looking forward to this year?

She heard a voice and started waving her head around as if trying not to drown. She managed to see a waving hand and smiled excitedly back. She quickly pulled out her quill and a piece of parchment and began to write. *Meet me in the garden tomorrow; we can figure out schedules then. It'll be like old times* she drew a smiley face at the end. She lifted her wand and whispered into the paper cupped in her hands and it flew in his direction. She couldn't wait to catch up.

"Heather! It's lovely!" she smiled taking the charm bracelet and examining it more closely. "I love it." Kurumi threw her arms around Heather and hugged her close. "I have something for you as well," she smiled as she dug through her robe's pockets for a small white envelope and handed it to her friend. "It's a charm to help with studies and exams."

Kurumi giggled and set her glass of pumpkin juice on the table. "Selina, you don't need to try to be cute. You already are plenty cute without batting your eyelashes at me." That, and it kind of freaked her out.

"Ready as I'll ever be," Kurumi shrugged totally missing the mark of what Selina was trying to get at. "I actually had a normal conversation with mother about pyromancy and she taught me a little about what she did as a shrine priestess. Interesting techniques considering that all of the priestesses were all non-magical." She paused and looked at Selina before hunching her shoulders and tugging on her hair. "Oh, you were talking about something else," she mumbled. "Um, I could use a study buddy..."

"Well, you do a very good job at it," Kurumi nodded as she hugged Lexi's arm. She really was glad to have met Lexi at the study tables and had actually spent time doing research about how to successfully remove antlers should the problem arise again. "Just because others like me doesn't mean they would ever be able to replace you," Kurumi said looking up at Lexi and noticing a dimness in her eyes. "You really are one in a million."

"Don't worry, you'll have plenty of time for boys when you're older, because if anyone were to hurt you I may have to bore them to death with nerdy literature, as I don't believe in violence (I'm a lover, not a fighter) and have no chance of winning in a fight." He grinned, and continued. "But in all seriousness, I'm here for you if you need me," though he continued to grin anyway, in a not-so-serious manner.

Christopher laughed. "I'm not really the kind of guy who goes around stealing boys' hearts, you know me."

"Things are going great with Violet though. I really missed her over the summer. She didn't get any of my post, and I didn't get any of hers," he said, frowning slightly. He wondered why the mail hadn't gone through, they were usijg owls after all.

Oh PERFECT! A fellow explorer. Would be a lot better than his waddling brother, that was for sure.

Grinning, ear to ear, Mihkel leaned in a little bit as if sharing a secret that the rest of the world should know. After all, mysterious black ship. Traps. Disarmed. It was a mystery for investigation and everyone should do their own investigating. Winners came out on top yes? Or something like that.

Yes, apparently he was making a secret, school wide competition. Heh. And the best thing? Only he knew about it. Home base advantage for the win!!

"Have you heard anything more about it? How DOES a ship end up in the lake any ways?" Besides the obvious reasons of course. "And why would someone just LEAVE it there. It's like a muggle forgetting where they parked their car!" The nerve! Well not really, because it just made Hogwarts that much more interesting!

"Oh, I could only imagine." Carter said with a chuckle. He didn't know anything (quite literally) about weddings, but he'd always heard that women stress out over it.

He chuckled again. "Oh. I think it's safe to say that. They went on a little walk along the stream in the park after they got their trophy." He could still see the look on the little boys face after Anya landed a surprise kiss on his cheek.

Poor kid. He had no idea what to do next.

"Oh. Nothing else really happened." he said. "I saw some of my old football mates. Oh. And I did catch up with an old friend. You'll have to meet her sometime. She was at Beauxbatons, but she's back now. She's been pretty much my best friend since first year."

Well, girl best friend anyway. Nothing could quite compare to the housemate/teammate relationship that he, Patroclus, Rafe, and Josh had.

He quickly scanned the Ravenclaw table looking for Mina. She wasn't there... which meant that she was at the Slytherin table with Evan. Which meant... he'd have to introduce Caroline to her later.

Zara thought about this for a while. What was she excited about in Hogwarts? She leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table while her hands were in soft fists. Then she rested her cheeks on her hands.

What was she excited about? The flying, maybe? Or probably the spells and magic she would get to do. Maybe it was playing Quidditch. Was it finally being allowed to meet new friend? Or maybe it was because it's her first time to go out of their mansion since she was always locked up in the gates of their mansion, watching children outside happily playing with each other. It could possibly be sleeping away from home and being independent for once. Perhaps it was because she was finally going to an actual school. Or it could be the learning experience. Or, it could be because she was taking her first step towards becoming a great and successful witch and wizard like her mum and dad. Well, whatever she was excited about and looking forward to, no one knows, not even Zara herself.

"I think it would be the whole idea of learning magic along with new friends so that one day I'd be able to become a successful witch." Zara smiled and yawned. Her eyes filled with tears. Quickly, she rubbed them off. She was surely getting sleepy.

Zara stood up from her spot at the Gryffindor table and looked for an empty seat. She needed a little space from all that was going on. She ate too much, now she sat alone. The people near her were too busy with their conversations to notice her. Her thoughts began to drift away beginning from her owl Eirwen, to her parents left at home, to her home, to the train, and finally, to Hogwarts.

"I could just see it now. The headlines reading- Hogwart's student dies by Shakespeare. Only you would have that super power, Chris." Selina joked and then she rolled her eyes at his comment about boys. He would say something to that affect.

When he brought up Violet Selina smiled. She was glad that they were both good. After Nathan and the way the two had ended things at the end of last term she was nervous for her friend. When he mentioned the post she was confused, no letters. Than it hit her, "Chris? Were you sending the letters to Violet's house? She stayed at Whitley this summer, that's my house. She wouldn't have gotten your letters if you sent them to her via her house."

Selina was so glad to stop her smiling as she rubbed her jaw in smooth circles. When Kurumi said she was plenty cute without trying Selina smiled and squinted her eyes, "Thanks. Am I cute now?" Selina shot her friend her tongue hanging from her mouth like a dog.

She had hoped that by changing the topic to a more serious matter Kurumi would understand her dilemma. Unfortunately Kurumi was confused by Selina's allusion. "That sounds interesting. You got your Mom involved in your work at Hogwarts. That's a big step Kurumi."

Finally Kurumi got it and Selina nodded slowly, "Yeah I could use a partner to help me with the subject. I can't seem to be able to control the study habits of it. I can only really focus when my body wants to. I wish I could make myself focus whenever I wanted."

Simon paused in his petting of the feline on his lap, the repetative motion getting a little tiresome especcially as the food arrived at the end of the headmaster's speech. "Well the maybe was for something else but no bother," he corrected, pushing the issue and topic away as they dealt with dinner. He had bigger thinsg to think on like the fact that the useless Lord Borr was now teaching his favorite subject.

Merlin help us....help me...how will I pass NEWTS...if they even have them this term?

The captain wasn't in the greatest mood about it put was trying to keep neutral, occasionally petting Ginger between bites as he listened to the rest of the conversation around him, perking up at the mention of the ship in the Black Lake.

"I'd certainly be curious to look it over...perhaps try and find out where it came from," Simon answered with a one armed shrug. He might not be the one who like to push the limits of right and wrong in school but had been deemed safe and allowed and his curiousity was beating out the thought that something was up at the moment.

"All I know is what I read in the Prophet," Zack admitted.

He didn't know much about how ships show up in the middle of lakes, but he had a theory.

He always had a theory.

"My best guess is that that the students who had to take they're big ship back to Durmstrang all those years ago- you know when Harry Potter was in the Triwizard tounament?- they messed it up somehow, and that's not REALLY a big black ship at all, but like a ghost of it... or something. A Magical Impression or something that just NOW bubbled up to the surface."

Could be right? Could also be that he'd get O's in Divination this year... Actually no, the ghost ship was a more likely scenario.

As boys are known to do, Zack had forgotten all about his disdain for Gryffindor and that this boy might be a real and proper Gryffindor. "Zack Thorne," he introduced himself, pushing his open hand toward this other boy for a shake.

"We should definitely take the time to er - investigate the ship together" Kyle smiled over to Caroline happy someone had taken the bate - she was ready for an epic seventh year. And when Selina agreed as well her excitement seemed to be bubbling over - she was smiling again but this time with her eyes. The mischievous glint was oh so happy. "Alright then, the aye's have it" she spoke her tone happy almost comical.

Smiling over to Simon she nodded. "I'm mainly interested on where it came from - I heard it looks like, and quite possibly was the boat from Durmstrang...or so I've heard" she explained her tone softer and less excited now.

She glanced over as she saw Selina and Caroline talking about Quidditch - aw that was just perfect, this way Sely had someone to hang with after - after she and Simon left. Frowning slightly at the thought.

Caroline's jaw dropped, she couldn't believe that she didn't put two and two together. Selina's dad, was as pro quidditch player. She should have known the way that girl can play quidditch. She wasn't going tp say anything in less in came up or something. "I love my firebolt." She smiled and nodded.

She listened in as Selina talked to Kyle about the boat out on the lake. It sounded like they had some planning to do with this. "I totally in, Kyle and Simon is older then me so I can used that exucse too." She stuck her tonuge out being silly. "Me too. Borr totally creeps me out."

Caroline laughed, "A walk by the stream huh? Sounds like we'll have to take some walks by the lake." She winked she really liked the throught of that.

"I played quidditch with your Captatin and your teammate Selina this summer. Went to New York to see my sister. Spent time with a few friends." She chuckled to herself, or out loud which ever. "That's great, It's good to have friends come back, after they've left." She tried not to think about Katie and Selena, she missed them already. She wished they would come back. "I hope I can meet her soon." Caroline looked around absent-mindly, looking for people she knew.

" You are welcome" William told Matilda." Yes. the password to the fat lady will be revealed to us" William said to Matilda.

" We will get to bed, do not worry" William told Jordan." Why are you so tired?" William asked Jordan.

" You are very welcome" William told Zara. I am in my first year" William said to Zara." I really enjoy being around you" William smiled at Zara.

" I like Witsy" William told her. " I am glad you gave me a hug and Rex wiill really like what you said about him" Williamsaid to Witsy." This is my first year and I am having fun brcause I met a lot of Rex's friend's here" William explained to Witsy. He hugged Witsy back, " CAn I tell yo uwhat happened to Rex?" William asked Witsy.

" Thanks for saying I am fun" William told Chris." We like the same team" William said to Chris.Are you going to try out for Quidditch this term?" Wiliam asked Chris.

" The food and company is good" William told Nika."When do classes start?" William asked Nika. Thanks for saying I am nice and Rex is a nice guy, too" Wiliam said to Nika.

" Sit next to me" William called out to Zara. " I do not like anyone to be alone" Wiliam said to Zara." Are you feeling ok?" William asked Zara.

For a good moment, Mihkel watched the boy with rising interest. That, was a GOOD theory. Reaching out he gave Zack's hand a firm shake. "Mihkel Garrison. And yes, I'm related to the waddling twinkie of a boy, Noah Garrison. Avoid him if you can.....like the plauge." Seriously dude. Do it. Or was it don't do it? Hmmm.

Either way a shrug of his shoulders and his hand was back to surprise, surprise, dealing out more food for himself. "So, WHY aren't you in Ravenclaw? That theory of yours is pretty good."

Selina smiled at Carloine who avoided the topic of her father. Whenever she mentioned that her father was Jake Skylar, Chaser for the Fowlmouth Falcons, it seemed like people forgot that Selina was a person. She became the name that her father had built. She wanted to accomplish things on her own and experience all of her life experiences without her own person being hindered because of her Dad's job, "It's a great broom."

When the topic moved to the boat Selina joked, "Aye aye Captain Kyle... alliteration without even trying. Well done Selina," she said patting herself on the back.

"So when is the mission?"

Christopher smiled when she waved, and bent down to write him a note. She seemed quite cheerful, which was a good sign so far. No years probably meant that for now, Air was okay. And that was a relief. Seeing Wisteria sad made Christopher sad too, she was such a sweet girl! She definitely did not deserve to cry.

When the short Gryffindor shot a paper over to him by rolling it up and whispering into it, Christopher grinned. It was quite an impressive trick! He delicately unrolled the slip of parchment, and read the message. Tomorrow in the garden, just like old times. That sounded good to Christopher. As long as there were no tears. That would not do. He flipped the paper over and pulled out his own quill, writing: Sounds great! See you there! (:
He added the smiley for extra affect. It made everything so cheerful!

Christopher chuckled at her newpaper headline. "I would be the most nerdy yet intelligent thirteen year old super villan to walk the Earth." He droned jokingly. He laughed again when she rolled her eyes at him. Such a fiesty little girl!

She began to smile at him at the new of Violet, but it was suddenly washed away by a look of fear, maybe worry. "Everything alright?" He looked at her intently yet nervously, twiddling his thumbs. "Oh!" He let a sigh escape. He thought she had been worried about something much more serious than mail- though he hadn't the slightest clue of what that might be. "I just told Baltimore to take it to Violet. But we've used him before, and he's never failed to send a letter. I wonder if I should take him to the vet.... But I haven't been getting anything fron her either! So unless she hasn't written, there might be a mail problem." He shrugged. Too late to fix that now! He could just talk to her if he needed to tell her something!

"I'm enjoying being with you too." Zara smiled, her eyes twinkling, revealing the gray-ish color of them as the lights from the floating candles made them shine even brighter along with her smile.

"Sure thing." Zara sat next to William. He was really nice. "Thanks, you're really nice you know. I'm fine, I just feel like I want to meet new people. The higher years seem to be ignoring me. I want to meet them, but they're so hard to approach."