"Professor Minerva McGonagall..." Rosemary stated proudly with a strong twinkle in her eye.

Nika shrugged innocently. House points right. "Well I guess you're right...." HMPH. If only Nika wasn't competitive with the house points. "I wish their was a way that we could go without getting caught though." If only they had an invisibility cloak of some sort. "SO I guess after hours is out of the question...?"

"Yeah maybe... But I still don't think she liked me very much." Nika chuckled just thinking about it. "I'm not the best. You are!" She poked Emily lightly in the rib. Ah, best friends.

"Yeah it's the best way to get through!" Nika agreed. "Well I love the lake! But also the football field! I can't really choose. I guess I like them both the same amount." Nika explained. "Oh no! Why?!?! Oh poor thing! I'm going to owl him right after the feast. I hope he's alright."
"I'm so sorry Septimus." Nika patted him on the shoulder. "Me and my sister aren't really getting along anymore either. We were best friends until I got my letter to Hogwarts. She's sort of changed." And then after the holiday Nika couldn't even recognize her anymore.
"Yeah! It was my first time leaving England too.", She laughed. "Well I didn't really getting to go around so much because I was visiting a friend. We just stayed in the house they had there. But it was cool getting out of England for a change!" The airplane ride was the best. "Well she asked me not to go back to Hogwarts. But I couldn't say yes. She just doesn't understand." Or did Nika just not understand?

"Well I never said no..." she grinned evily stiring her soup "Mabye we could try to master a disillusionment charm or something? But I hear they're very hard to do..." Merlin, they needed a better plan than this. "Lets just sleep on it. Make plans in the common room?" Why did she have to care so much about house points?!

'She was the best. Great.' "Oh we're not going to have this argument again are we?" she chuckled and blew on her soup. This argument always happened between them. Who was the best. "Let's just say we bring out the best in each other and be done with it!" she laughed and ate some soup. Yum this was good soup. "Did you know house-elves work in the kitchens of Hogwarts?" That was random, but yeah, alright.

"That sounds awesome. Even if you didn't get around too much, it was probably wonderful to get out of England." Adelyn said, imagining what it would be like to actually get out of her hometown for once, besides going to school. "That's a lot to ask of you. It was probably hard to tell her no, huh?" She nodded, attempting to put herself in Nika's shoes; she didn't have any siblings, but her mum had asked her the same question before her third year, so she could kind of understand.

" Well hello Selina" Willam called out to her. " You must be good with animals" William said to Rosemary. I bet you will be a top student too" William said to Rosemary.

" You love the lake, that seems the place to go here" Willaim told Nika. " I do not call it a football field, I call it a soccer field." Willaim said to Nika. " Rex just could not handle losing hos third fiancee ayt HogWarts" William explained to Nika. I do not think Rex will ever be the same, Rene really hurt him a lot" William sighed.

As Christopher continued to wait for Levi (who was seeming quite glum) to respond, he felt something pointy jab him in the back. "Ow..." He mumbled softly to himself. He turned around to see a young girl looking expectantly at him. "Oh, sorry, am I in your seat?" He hadn't really been welcome anywhere, but he was used it by now. He glanced over at his friend... well they weren't exactly friends... but Levi. He seemed to take no notice, so Christopher began to stand up to let the small girl to have her seat back.

Christopher smiled and nodded. This girl was so awkward, but he thought she was just so adorable! Like a puppy or something! "Yes, of course! Most of my frineds call me Chris, actually. I'd be happy to introduce you to them, but they're a bit older than you. Why don't you just go talk to them? Making friends yourself is pretty important, you know!" Yes, Matilda would have a bit of trouble if she couldn't make friends on her own. "Do you have any nicknames I can call you? Perhaps Matti?" Heh, that was a good one.

Christopher began to feel a little uncomfortable when she asked his bloodstatus. "Well, I'm Muggleborn, but you probably shouldn't just go around asking bloodstatus. You shouldn't care whether someone is pureblood, Muggleborn, or half-blood. Prejudice isn't a good thing, little Matti."

Christopher glanced up at the sound of a tiny girl's voice. So many first year girls talked to him! It was a little strange, really..... "Yes, thanks. Are you? Congratulations on getting into Gryffindor, by the way." The third year grinned at her.

"Hi Tayla, I'm Christopher!" Making friends was actually pretty nice.

Christopher looked back up at Selina, and she looked mortified. Almost like she'd seen a ghost. Maybe she knew the reason as to why he couldn't get ahold of Violet all summer! Wait, was she sweating? Selina wasn't one to get get really worried about anything unless it was serious. Had Violet just ignored him and he was starting to guess? He sure hoped not. "Baltimore is only about four or five, I only have had him for three years." He was pretty sure that was not a long time. "Selina, I work at animal shelters, volunteer at Veterinary Clinics, and read about this kind of thing all the time. My owl is fine, unless someone has cursed him, which would be completely absurd."

Selina grew paler at this. Now he was starting to get a little freaked out. "Selina....... Is everything all right?" Uh oh.

Christopher looked up and saw a bold green badge flashing at him, setting itself apart from the rest of the scarlet ones surrounding him. He glanced upward and saw the blonde walking in his direction. "Feenella!" He smiled up at her, but the smile soon faded at his nickname. "Oh ha- ha- ha-. Very funny!" He teased her. His younger sister's nickname for him was mortifying, and Feenella knew how he hated it so. "So apart from calling me embarassing nicknames, have you been having a fun feast?"

Levi seemed quite glum. He barely acknowledged Christopher, really. All the third year got from the older boy was a quick nod and two words. "Well, it wasn't the best." He shrugged. Atleast his mum had been somewhat less abusive. Somewhat. That's when he noticed a long, thin scar running down the dark boy's face. "Oh, my, Levi are you alright?" He asked nodding towards the scar, his voice full of concern. It reminded him too much of the large gash on the back of his own head. Not to mention the bruises and other cuts covering the rest of him. But he didn't want to asume anything, so if Levi really was in the same situation as him, Christopher would not press the matter. He didn't like talking about it either. Plus Levi had seemed less than friendly towards him lately, and he didn't need any other reason for the older boy to be upset.

Levi studied his fork as though he had never seen one before in his life. He tried to pretend it was the most fascinating thing in the world to him. He was short on alternatives to talking to this kid. For a brief moment, he wished he was more popular. Maybe then he could have distracted himself with a large group of people and somehow disappear within it. Better yet, he was starting to regret his inward thirst for acknowledgement. He didn't want to be noticed now. He didn't want to attempt to shoot the breeze with this little twerp. They had nothing in common and he knew it well. He had never been a good actor when it came to hiding his emotions about certain people, whether it was love or animosity. He urged himself to keep a neutral expression, finally putting down the fork.

So his summer wasn't that great? Levi wanted to roll his eyes. The kid had plenty of lively friends trying to converse to him now. What was he complaining about? "Yeah," he said flatly in response to his question about the cut. "I really...couldn't be better..."

Simon listened intently to Kyle as she laid out her plans for the boat exploration. He chuckled as Ginger rolled onto her back for a little while before turning back and moving as if ready to leave his lap. The seventh year watched the kitchen, freezing in place as she started to climb afraid of startling her and getting clawed to pieces in the process if she got scared by his movements. "Well you're certainly adventureous..." he mused with a laugh, feeling her nose against the skin and hairs on his neck, quite amused by the little feline.

The Gryffindor reached a hand up to pet her once she was settled on his shoulder. "Bet you have a nice view there," Simon added lowering his hand back to the table. He made a note to make sure to secure the feline if he ever were to move or get up from his seat for he didn't want her to fall from such a height.

"Nika! Hi! I'm so glad you're wearing the necklace! Now all of your shoes and other items will be safe." They tiny girl sighed with relief. Those silly nargles were crazing about thieving. "How're you?" She hoped Nika was well. The bruise on her head was all gone! Shame, it'd gone so nicely with her bright pink hair.

Elyon's eyes lit up when she saw the beautiful book. "Oh Nika! Now we really can sing together! Oh I knew you would! I'd get one myself, but all of my things are second hand and I couldn't afford it." She smiled brightly, so eager to sing with her friend in Gobbledygook, or mermish. Whatever Nika preferred.

"Oof!" Elyon was nearly knocked out of her seat the moment she sat down. "Sely!" She beamed at her friend, so glad to feel welcomed back! "I'm a vegan now," she stated randomly. All things were random when she was around. She stirred around a small salad, not eating it though. She was too excited about being back.

"William! You scared me!" Elyon nearly jumped out of her seat when she! She had so many questions! "You know Rex!??!? I love that boy! He's one of my only friends! I miss him.... How is he? How's the studio? Renee? The cottage?" Oh how she missed her dance partner so! "I know you, silly! We met in Diagon Alley! Rex said I'm a good dancer?" That meant so much to her! Especially now that she had to go back to dancing by herself.

Ginny was so lost, she sat at the end of the table eating quietly. She sat chewing slowly, listening to the conversations around her.

At this, Ginny perked up. This girl seemed to be very smart about the school, seeing as she was related to one of the greatest professors of all time.
"Uhm, hello, I don't want to sound rude butting into your conversation, but you're related to Professor McGonagall? My parents love her so much. I don't think they ever had her as a Professor, but they've read so much on her, they could probably write a biography themselves," Ginny babbled, giggling slightly. She hoped this girl wouldn't think she was crazy, which, didn't seem likely.

Alliana looked around hoping someone would talk to her. She had been so alone since she'd gotten here. Though it was kinda her fault for not stepping up and talking to people either. She continured looking around hoping to find someone.

Matilda: Can you please stop calling me Matti, because that is a man's name and I am female and also a girl and not a boy or a man? Ouch this stomachache is getting even worse by every minute. No I don't have a nickname and sorry that I asked your bloodstatus. I am started to get a bit tired too. I don't mind if they are older. Age is just a number one thing which I had heard from one muggle.I know that making friends is important to every person but I guess I am bit shy too.

Selina did not let go of her friend until she randomly uttered that she was a began. Selina threw her long red hair back with laughter. She had missed Elyie so much. Something about how innocent and whimsical always made Selina smile. She never had worry with Elyie that she was being judged. Elyie accepted everyone, "Really? What brought that choice on?"

Chris knew something was off, he was smart. It was one of the traits Selina respected about him deeply, but right now she wished he wasn't so astute. She couldn't lie to him but then again nothing was going on with Nathan and Violet. Her cousin merely had a crush on her. If it was really a problem it would be his girlfriend's job to have that conversation with him. Yet Selina had spent all summer with Violet, all she thought about bog wise was Chris. He had no competition, honestly. So later she would just give Violet her letter when she remembered and then he could talk to Violet. Good plan.

"Nothing's wrong. It was probably just my cousin Nathan or Sam. They always love to tamper with the post. That was most likely it. Why?"

Caroline grinned, she noticed the blush but didn't say anything. She did rather enjoyed making him or watching him blush. Frowning a bit now, and patting him on the back, She had forgotten about him not getting to stay in contact with the magical world to much during the summer.

"Yeah, I did! I got a Firebolt 600. I spent what I had left of my birthday money to get it."She smiled. She liked it, better than using Casey's old one.

Just when Kurumi had stopped joking, Selina began whacking her back and Kurumi's body went so far forward that her face was nearly in what was left of her meal.

"I'm fine," she replied just a little unsure as to which factor Selina was talking about. She could breath again, so that was already a positive. "Father helped me a lot. He taught me some things that help me control emotions when...studying...becomes too much for me to handle."

Kurumi looked around the Great Hall and saw that many students were making their way back to their common rooms.

"Selina, I'll meet you back in the common room," she said as she stood. "There is something I need to do first."

And with that, she left the Great Hall.

Nika's smile just widened and in her eyes was a mischievous glint. Hehe. "Alright! Let's sleep on it and see what we can come up with!" Who knows maybe they might be able to concoct a full proof plan. Besides earning back the points wouldn't be that hard...

"You're right! We bring out the best in each other Em." Nika agreed and poured herself some of that yummy looking soup. The little Gryffie took a small spoon full and let out a small, "ow!" She realized that she didn't leave the soup enough time to cool down. Smart. "'Ow now my ton urts." She stuck out her tongue and tried her best to examine it. But it's kinda hard to see your own tongue so she didn't have much luck.

" 'ats a ouse elf?" Nika kept her tongue stuck out of her mouth. Hopefully Emily would be able to understand the weird jumbled up words. Deciding that it was probably too hard to understand she placed her tongue back where it belonged, her mouth, and started over. "What's a house elf?"

"Yeah, very." Nika said as she rolled a carrot around on her plate. "I feel like a bad person because she was telling me how much she misses me when I'm gone. I feel so guilty." Nika admitted. She loves her sister dearly. They did everything with each other before Hogwarts. Now they are living two separate lives. "A part of me feels like I did the wrong thing. But I couldn't leave Hogwarts. I feel like I finally belong somewhere, ya know?"
Nika nodded her head enthusiastically. "It is! Everyone hangs out there plus you'll get to meet Mr. Squides!" Nika sighed thinking about Rex once more. "Poor Rex. Last time he needed help getting through this I was there, but now we are so far apart and oh I just hope everything turns out alright with him." Nika took a deep breath. "So Rene left him for sure?"
"Thank goodness! I wouldn't want my shoes to go missing! I like them too much.", Nika giggled. "But I was thinking of maybe giving an old pair to the nargles for christmas. I don't know incase they'd want it or something because I really loves all sorts of animals." Nika replied happily. "So Elyon, do you think you can help me become a vegetarian?" Elyon had told Nika that she was a vegetarian in their first year and Nika had been thinking about it every since. "I really love animals and so I want to stop eating them because it's just cruel. But I can't do it on my own. It's just too hard for me. It would be nice to have someone's support?" Nika genuinely hoped that Elyon would help her in this task.

"Yeah! I wouldn't miss the opportunity to sing with my friend!" She pipped up excitedly. "Besides learning a new language will be fun! and I love to sing so it would be double fun!!" And she would be with her friend, triple fun! "I bought it with the money I got from my birthday and I just couldn't wait to show you!" Her parents knew her too well to just get her clothes. Nika liked buying unusual things for her birthday presents.
Nika noticed someone who seemed to be isolated and disconnected from the rest of the table. "Well this just isn't right. As the new 'Hogwarts Gryffindor Welcome Comitte' " Even though it's not actually made yet, "I pride myself in talking to all Gryffindorians and making them feel welcome." Nika thought as she walked up to the girl. "Hiya!" Nika said as she took the seat opposite from the other Gryffie. "I'm Nika Adler!"

Selina felt much better when Kurumi was okay. She knew that her hit to resuscitate her life was a little hard, but she panicked. What was she supposed to do when someone was dying? Try not to help? No, she had to try... but perhaps it was a hard.

She was happy that Kurumi was beginning to see her gift as special. Ever since she had revealed that she was, well, special Selina had tried to show her that her gift was fantastic. Bloody fantastic. It was a gift for sure.

Just as she was about to respond Kurumi spotted something and with a quick word was gone. Slight confused Selina whispered, "Well bye."

Kyle couldn't help but chuckle when Selina commented about being a Gryffindors - and her lack of patients when it came to adventures.

"Well, we don't have to study it - that was just my inner Ravenclaw speaking" she laughed smiling. Sighing she smiled.

Glancing over to Simon she couldn't help but chuckle - it seemed Ginger really did like him; watching as she climbed up his shirt and brushed up against him.

She couldn't help but smile softly as he pet the little one - he seemed gentle with her, and Kyle rather liked seeing that gentle was good. When he commented on the view she had she couldn't help but laugh, "Yeah I bet she does have a great view - all the food in front of her" she remarked with a smile.

Ginger pressed her little head further into his hand as he pet her.

She rather liked being pet.

Leaning forward and lifting her little hips up the small thing looked as if she was about to jump.

Reaching over Kyle scooped up the small kitten off of Simon's shoulder. "Don't even think of jumping little one" she spoke her tone soft, she just didn't want anything to happen to her little Ginger. "So...I think I might be heading off soon - anyways, have fun both of you" she smiled, as she stood up the little kitten finding a nice seat in the pocket of her sweater.

"Wow. That's brilliant!" Carter said happily. "Looks like friendly races won't be so friendly anymore." he said with a little laugh. She did own the nicer broom now after all. This meant he'd have to get a little competitive.

"I'm excited to see it in action. Hopefully they open the pitch for joy rides." The pitch was open last term and he hoped it remained that way.

"So are you planning on trying out for the house team?"

" Who is Mr Squides?" William asked Nika." I judt do not know how rex is feeling right now" William said to Nika. Rene left Rex for sure, no doubt about it" William sighed. "Do you think I will like the lake?" William asked Nika.

" Sorry about scaring you" Willaim told Elyon. " Rex is a good guy and my cousin" William said to Elyon." Rex isvery depressed right now because Rene just left him and never came back" William explained to Elyon."Can you teach me some dance moves?" William asked Elyon." We did meet at Diagon Alley" William smiled.

"Hate to admit it, but I'm a bit of a nerd. I study alot, and crazy things always come up during the school year. I'm afraid of committing to the team and then letting everyone down," Chris explained. It broke her heart not to play last term. "You'll love playing here though. It's fantastic."

Caroline smiled happily. She was proud of her broom, next to hwe new pet Pygmy puff, skittles it was the best thing that she bought with her birthday money. "Yeah, Who's been playing quidditch for their house team since forever." She really didn't think that she would beat Carter in a race. He was pretty good.

"If your lucky maybe I'll let you take it for a lap or two." She wrinkled up her nose, and grinned. He would have to be a good boy though, a very good boy. Hehe. She had this sudden rush of silliness. Don't know if that's a good thing or not.

Caroline kind of didn't want to answer that question yet but she did. "Yeah, I'm going to try it tryout....mmm planning to try out." She smiled slightly and chuckled. What was wrong with her first silly and now she could form a sentence properly.

She was planning on it. She didn't want them to get all to competitive, but she was sure that it wouldn't matter if she did make the team. They would still get along great. That's one she really liked about Carter, no fighting or arugements. That was a first in any relartionships. She hoped it stayed that way.

Christopher couldn't help but laugh at Matilda's reaction to the nickname. He held up his hands defensively, still chuckling. "I'm sorry I promise I won't call you that if you don't want me to," he said with a joking wink. "Aww your stomach hurts? Do you need to go to the hospital wing?" Yikes. That would stink to have to go to the infirmary after only a few hours if being at Hogwarts. "And don't worry about making friends. I'm pretty shy too, but you'll meet lots of new people in the dorms, classes, and even in the corridors and the Great Hal! I know you'll make friends, Matti Matilda." The thirteen year old gave her a reassuring smile.

"Oh, that's good then...." Christopher frowned still, looking worried. He wasn't going to press the older boy about why he was so upset, but he was starting to feel a little agitated by Levi's rude behaviour towards him. They'd been fine when they first met, and out of nowhere, the dark Gryffindor began acting very cold towards him. He could atleast pretend to be polite. "Look, I'm not trying to be rude or anything, but I just have to ask you this. What have I done to make you so upset? I'm really sorry, but I just don't see why we can't be friendly towards one another," Christopher said, exhasperated by Levi's behaviour. He had problems at home too, but he wasn't going around acting like a jerk. Christopher had been polite as he could, but now he just wanted to find out what Levi's problem was. Maybe then he could atleast try to fix it.

Christopher sighed in relief. "Oh thank goodness, Selina Skylar you had me really worried for a second! You looked as if the worst had happened!" So it was just one of Selina's cousins. He'd worried that Violet had ignored him, or thrown out all of his post, or that his owl had been cursed or had developed some sort of brain damage. Selina must'ce just over-reacted at first.

These cousins did sound quite interesting. He wanted to know a bit more about Selina's family, they all seemed so close from what she'd described. [/B]"So your cousins? What are they like? Do they go to Hogwarts?"[/B] The young Gryffindor wondered what it'd be like to have a big family with aunts and uncles and tons and tons of cousins. After all, he only had a sister and his parents. They were a pretty small family.

Carter laughed. "Oh, it hasn't been forever." he said still chuckling. "Just... you know, since first year."

Which, might as well had been forever.

"Hey, but don't forget, I have to try out too, like everybody else."

"Oh really?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. "And what would I have to do to gain that privilege?"

"Good for you." he said. "It's a lot of fun. I hope you make it." he said. He honestly did hope she did. Some of his best school experiences were from being on the team.

"What position do you play?" he asked. He was actually surprised the topic hadn't come up before.

Selina did feel guilty keeping the entire truth from Chris, but she wasn't lying. She was just withholding some of the truth so it wasn't as bad, was it? It couldn't be. She was just keeping both of her friends in their blissful oblivion. That was a good thing on her part, she was not a bad person.

"My family? Oh well I have ten cousins. They are all boys. Um well I have two cousins on my Mom's side. Her sister Carine's kids- Abraham and Marius. Then the lot on my Dad's side is great. Okay there is my Uncle Jace's kids who are Nathan and Darrien. Darrien graduated Durmstrang last year and Darrien is three years older than me. Then my Aunt Jennette's kids are the best. They are typical Skylar's, all of 'em. It's Leonard, Stephen, and Samuel or Sam. Then my Uncle Jeremy's kids are Collin, Ephraim, and Brian. Um they all go to Durmstrang because my Uncle Jace teaches DADA there. I only go to Hogwarts because my parents wanted me to."