Silvia had just been wondering if she should get up and walk around a bit to occupy herself when out of the corner of her eye she saw someone wave at her. He was an older student, but she did not remember seeing him around before. Sitting next to him was their new Ravenclaw prefect. Last year she likely would have just waved back and then dug herself into one of her books, but she was determined to break her usual antisocial tendencies. Well, it didn't hurt to have a few older friends to look up to. Taking his wave as an invitation, she scooted down the table to be closer.

"Hello," she said. "I'm Silvia. I don't think I've seen you around before."

Minerva smiled thinking about Damon. "He is so nice as well. I can't believe he thinks people wouldn't like him, or whatever it is. He is so wonderful and good hearted. I'm sorry I keep going on and on.."

Tay nodded, "I know right?" She sighed, "He needs more self esteem." Taylor shook her head, "Dont apoligze, i dont mind hearing you talk about how my cousin is all that." Taylor laughed and smiled.

Minerva smiled and then laughed a bit. "I just don't know what it is about him. I have had boyfriends before, Harvs and Justin, but there is just something different about him. I can't figure it out." she giggled again.

Tay nodded, "Yeah i know what you mean..." She sighed, "I cant figure out how we have gotton so close so fast, it is just something about him." Taylor laughed and smiled.

Minerva smiled, but could sense that feeling she had when she first met the group. She had to ask. "Hey Tay, what if things were different. Like he wasn't your cousin and Maxwell wasn't around. Would you date him? Just curious.."

Tay looked at her and shrugged, "I dont know... I mean Damon asked me the same question last term." She laughed. "Though you like him, so i wouldnt dare consider it but if you didnt, if he wasnt my cousin and if Maxwell wasnt around, i guess i would..... but i dont know but there is no point thinking about what ifs." Taylor shrugged.

So there you go- it was just some headache. And hunger. As Tate hadn’t given his speech yet, the food didn’t appear either. Truth be told, Gwen knew she had packed some chocolate frogs, but she would never go to the Common Room to get them. That was seven floors- and just to help someone? No thank you. ‘It will be up soon’, she finally said. As soon as the headmaster will announce that ‘don’t die’ part. Possibly.

Talking nonsense? ‘Yes you are’, she replied curtly, but actually with a smirk on her face. Pffft. What was wrong with some people? Gwen seriously thought there was always someone dying of starvation and had headaches before the feast actually started. Every time.

The fourth year then drew her attention to the house elf but couldn’t figure out why he was there. Was it the same elf from last year? Hmmm. She should have tried to keep up with these events. ‘Hmm?’, the Ravenclaw mumbled, turning her head back towards him. The goblet? ‘Just go ahead’, Gwendolyn replied.

‘I don’t believe I’ve seen you around last year?’, she mused. Nope. He definitely didn’t look familiar.

Minerva shrugged "I just wondered no biggie." she smiled at her friend. "I can't see why anyone wouldn't want to date him though." she smile and blushed a bit. "Ok your probably tired of talking about your cousin.. So what made you start liking Maxwell?"

Tay laughed, "Yeah neither can i." She nodded, "Yeah just a little/" Taylor laughed and smiled, "Well he helped me and he was kinda and sweet...."

Minerva smiled "Well then what made you want to date him? Come on I have spilled all my thoughts, your turn." she laughed a bit.

"No," She looked into the carrier once more, to confirm that it was a bunny, before turning her attention to the badged girl. A small shake left her head. "I just wanted to see what was in it. Not pet it." Why would she want to do that? "I'm Isidora! What's your name?"

Her attention was drawn from the older girl when a house elf came over and started to throw stuff. And she was being knocked into. "Mean to?" She finished his sentence, eyes a bit wide as she watched the house elf run off. "It's fine. We can blame the house elf this time." Grin. Next time though, it would be his fault.

Isidora made that clear with the LOOK she gave him.

"Do all the elves throw stuff?" Should she be watching out for them in the corridors? Oh she should probably be listening to that big man speak. Probably.

Mordred frowned and looked at the staff table. “How soon? Tomorrow night?” Psh. Really, these wizards should be considerate. At least put something light to eat on the table while the first years get sorted, and while the rest settles down. The pangs in his stomach were doing the talking for the boy. He was, after all a growing teenage boy and he could get really grumpy when he’s hungry.

Mordred looked at the girl and returned the smirk. “You’d do the same if you were in my place. Or worse.” He shrugged. Meh. Girls. They get too carried away when they feel physical pain. And demanding too! Mordred followed the girl's gaze at the elf and a scowl formed on his face. “Somebody dump that elf back in the kitchens where it belongs. I mean, really we’re in the middle of sorting and it’s asking to play with us?” He usually wouldn’t care about house elves. He’s got a personal one back at home, and it wasn’t as irritating as this one. Calen knew his place, but this baby elf is just too much. For Mordred, at least. “And what’s that he’s holding?” His eyes narrowed to get a better look. Was that an Orb? “Hopefully it doesn’t contain a prophecy.” He smirked. A mental note was made in his head now. “Do not come near that elf…or that orb.” He sighed and rubbed his temples.

Mordred looked at the girl once more. “I transferred last year to Durmstrang, but I was here for my first two years.” He explained. Vague, but that’ll do. Who is she anyway? “I believe I have seen you before. With Ari?” he asked as he looked across the hall and to the Gryffindor table. “I’m Mordred, by the way. Mordred Mordaunt. Fourth year.” He extended his hand to the girl to shake hands. He didn’t have to mention which house he belongs to. The emerald green trim on his school robe and tie were a giveaway.

...drinking water that quickly probably wasn't healthy. While Neal didn't know dietary books as well as he did others, he was fairly sure that there was something about straining one's esophagus and putting undue pressure on one's trachea. Plus it could cause hiccups.

"Hmm... well, I did hear that he used to be a part of the international law enforcement team, so I suppose he comes by that honestly enough." It was an interesting concept, to have a former law enforcer as the headmaster instead of simply promoting the oldest, most bookish of the professors when the previous headmaster either retired or otherwise vacated the post. The headmaster was, after all, more in charge of keeping things running and ensuring the school's safety than teaching students.

"Ah, well I'm sorry your favourite is no longer here." It wasn't as though she'd spontaneously choose a new one, right? She didn't seem to be that kind of person, though perhaps he was judging prematurely.

There now, see? That was a perfectly fine way to introduce oneself; friendly, to the point, and lacking in an insane owl on one's head. Encouraged, Neal replied, "I'm Neal. I've just transferred to Hogwarts this year."

He indicated Louisa with his free hand, the other still holding the water goblet, "Louisa was just describing the staff for me. Apparently there are quite a few new ones." Which was a little overwhelming, given how many the prefect had already talked about. Considering Neal was used to having four people teach him everything, the staff table was starting to look like it contained roughly forty.

Jordan shrugged slightly as he sat down at the table, "I've been feeling a bit wierd ever since the Summer, but I'm sure I'll be fine soon." he said, as he looked around in the direction of the kid who'd been staring at them, he knew of their situation? That was impossible! But then again, nothing seemed to be impossible recently. The boy was now freaking out over some blue light, so Jordan used his powers gto turn his own eyes the same colour as the blue light, and spoke to the boy. "I know we're so beautiful but its just creepy to stare kid," his now-blue eyes piercing into the younger boy, this was the most Jordan-like thing he'd done in a while.

Tay laughed and smiled. She twisted her ring instead of her hair since it was too short now, "Well he was very kind to me, he didnt know my secret and he actually liked be without knowing it, he is sweet and a little romantic, he was cute and he helped me a bit." She shrugged.

Mika looked up at Louisa as she asked if she did have a lot to say. Of course she did. She was Amelia Kaikoura Johanson for Merlin's Sake. She was AMAZING.

But the first year went with the humble route - "Yeah I guess" however when she asked if her sister was Joao's girlfriend she just had to sit there and think for a moment.

"Ah no - they were 'friends' I think...she just didn't like how he you know... had a girlfriend and seemed to not care? She's one of those GIRL POWER girls" she added the girl power line with as much UMPH as possible punching her arm up into the air.

FOOOOOD. It had appeared - there was a ministry examiner coming? She wondered who it would be.

It wasn't until she tuned back into what Louisa and Nealen were talking about that she realized Professor Vindictus was the Professor her cousin Kyleigh had told her about. The one she had pined over while possessed by a pirate. "Ooooh! My Cousin Kyleihg was possessed and her pirate was in love with his pirate and she always got jealous and stormed off" she giggled. "Why girls do that I don't know boys are just....gross" she finished by crinkling her nose. "Soooooo is it a gooood thing I didn't catch the orby?" She asked Louisa eyes wide.

It being magical kind of made her want to touch it all the more.

Morgana turned to see who had spoken to her. She saw an older girl and tried to smile back. "Yeah, it's better this way."

Not enough time in the world? Louisa's eyebrows were raised at this, "Anything I can help you with?" half-heartedly asked. Like.. were his shoes too tight? His robes had a hole in an awkward place? He needed to go to the hospital wing? Louisa wasn't even sure if those were the kind of things she should do as Prefect... those were for some house-elf to help him with. But yeah, she should at least ask. "I haven't seen you around here before. You're new right?" With a serious smile she added, "Welcome to Ravenclaw." Boring.

Looking down at the badge on her chest that was drawing the attention off herself so much this day, Louisa sighed and shrugged. "I don't think so. This just means I'm a Prefect. Someone with responsibility." Blah blah blah. Satisfied now?

Louisa glanced sideways at the staff table, "I wish the headmaster gets on with his speech already. I'm hungry." Not too much. Mika had given her enough cookies to shut her stomach up.



"Yes. I've heard." About Tate's per-occupation. She also read that article accusing him of raising cookoos in his head, the idiot reporter. "Tis all right, he caused me to get the first detention in my life ever..." she offered a weak smile as if this helps her detesting Roslund a bit. It doesn't.

Before she spoke again, the headmaster had risen and started talking. Louisa's eyes fell on the man as she listened to him talking about.. the orb. Huh. The girl listened patiently until he stepped down and FOOD at last. "Finally," she murmured before digging in...

... "Wasn't the orb.." she swallowed her bite and looked at the boy, "..he's talking about the same one that house-elf kid was playing catch with?" Her eyes looked distant a bit as she conjured the short-term memory. "It is." Back to her food as she shook her head disapprovingly, "That house-elf kid will cause a lot of havoc this term. I feel it." He barely showed up last term which was good, having him all talking and playing with students was not very tempting. In Louisa's eyes.

Oooh! Lookie a kid joining them! Louisa flashed a smile at the girl, "Hey Silvia." The Prefect went on eating whatever her plate had as Nealan talked to the girl and indirectly introduced Louisa to her. Good. He could deal with younger one as Louisa munched on this delish mashed potatoes. Mhhhmmmm.



Louisa's mouth, which was FULL of food, hanged open. India.. was.. upset.. because.. he.. had.. a.. girlfriend.. and.. didn't.. care? The girl's mouth closed as she swallowed slowly the food and looked down at her plate. Her FULL plate that was now not drool inducing anymore. Pushing it away and crossing her arms over her chest, Louisa fell silent.

And didn't answer the young girl's further comments. Her mind was racing and doing puzzles solving, asking more questions, and seething.

Louisa smiled back, "I'm Louisa. Louisa Carter, sixth year Ravenclaw." Did she have to say that she was the female Prefect and would help the girl in whatever it is she needed help with? Probably not. The badge said it all, right? Unless the girl was new and needed some information? Yeah, it seemed so.

Louisa stretched her hand toward the new girl for a friendly shake.

Bethan sat down at the looooooooooong table with a feast that could feed an army! She was very happy that she got sorted into

Ravenclaw!

Which meant she was smart, what a compliment! She always wanted to be a Ravenclaw!!

Bethan tried to contain her excitement and started to stare at the wonderful display of delicious food! Even though she still had the strong taste of sugar in her mouth from all the sweets she had eaten on the train. But it all smelt so tasty!

She looked around for anyone she knew. She didn't really pay attention to the rest of the Sorting, she was too busy freaking out the whole time. It was very weird having a hat that moved and talked on her head, and that read all of your thoughts. There was some pretty private stuff in their that she wouldn't want the Sorting Hat to shout out to everyone in the Great Hall!

"No, he probably wasn't, but still. He's just lucky that we happen to have the quick reflexes that we do. It could have hit an unsuspecting first year or something, you know?" Adam said with a small shrug. He was in a significantly better mood now that they were back at Hogwarts, and he was under the safe and comfortable walls of security that Adam felt he had strongly lacked for most of his life. The truth was that Adam had known deep down as soon as he got the first letter from his grandfather that things with that situation were going to go down. He could tell that his grandfather was willing to give up anything for his son, which Adam figured was what most father's would do, but seeing as Adam hadn't had that kind of father the whole territory was foreign to him.

As Adam looked up at Louisa to hear her thoughts on the whole thing he realized a rather odd expression on her face. Scooting over a little so that no one else could hear him, Adam cleared his throat slightly. "You know Louisa, you don't have to start acting any differently now that we're dating," Adam said with a smile. "I don't know if that's what you're thinking about, but I've noticed that you seem to get this expression of uncertainty, like maybe you're supposed to be acting in a different way now that we're not just best friends anymore, but Louisa, we are still best friends. At the core of our relationship you will always be my best friend no matter what, and I don't want you to think now that we're dating that you need to undergo some kind of drastic personality change. I've grown an affection for my best friend Louisa, not some other girl, so...yeah," Adam concluded lamely. Maybe that was a bit too much, but Adam could feel some of the uncertainty with Louisa and he wanted to make sure she was comfortable. After all he certainly didn't want their relationship causing her stress!

At the comment about finding an apartment, Adam gave Louisa a little smirk at her implication that they would look to buy one together. "I know what you mean," Adam said with a little chuckle. "I picked up some pamphlets not that long ago with some available apartments near the ministry. Maybe over one of the holidays or something we can go and look together?" Adam offered. "After all I have a feeling you'll have more of an eye for this thing that I will. I'm sure you won't let me end up in a cardboard box or anything," Adam said with another smirk.

Minerva frowned a bit. "Tay do many people treat you badly or different because of who you are?" that didn't settle well with her. Taylor was a great person and that made Minerva mad thinking that people might do that to her.

Tay shrugged, "I get insulted by some because they think it makes me a snob and by others, they fake a friendship or try to date me since they think it will get them into papers and that they could get anything." She sighed a little. "That is why i dont like telling people who i am...."

"Taylor that's horrible, people can be such jerks. Who cares who or what you are. You are a great person and if anyone tried to be mean to you or take advantage of you, they are messing with the wrong person." she smiled a little not meaning to get all irritated, but she hated when people didn't treat her friends right. "Well I hope you know I would never do that. Trin told me first year, but I could have cared less to be honest." she shrugged "Maybe it's the American in me." she gave a small smile.

Tay nodded, "Yeah...." Then she smiled, "Of course i know you would never do that." Taylor laughed and grinned, "Yeah maybe it is the American in you." She hugged her friend, "Thanks."