Minerva made her way into the middle of the train. She had never really sat in the middle before. It seemed like a pretty good place. Placing her trunk under the seat she sat down and sighed, Summer was officially here. People were on their last train ride from Hogwarts, and the rest were just going for a bit. Minerva watched out the window as others started coming onto the train.

She figured the rest of her group would be around soon. So she took the time to open up her letter and read it again. The excitement showing on her face. This was a new adventure that Minerva was very ready to do. She was so nervous about it though, she hoped she would do well and that they would all like her.

Ronnie dragged her trunk along the corridor of the train and carried her little cat carrier, glancing at all the compartments. "Merlin's Beard, this stupid trunk is way too heavy..." she muttered to herself, stopping in the middle of the corridor to rest. Jeez, this thing was making her arm really hurt! Either she had way too much stuff in it, or she needed to REALLY work out more.

Eh, it probably had way too much stuff. Ronnie would stick with that.

She sighed, looking to the compartment that was right next to where she stood. "Guess I'll sit in here," she mumbled, sliding it open. She grunted as she lifted her trunk and put it up and away. She then set the carrier down on the floor. She opened it and then collapsed into her seat. Her kitten Oliver hopped up and curled into a little ball beside her. She sighed, looking out the window.

First train ride ever.. and Ethan was fairly excited for it. Though he vaguely wondered how long before the novelty would wear off. This was meant to be a fairly long ride, right?

Messenger bag slung along his shoulder, Ethan pulled his trunk behind him as he slowly made his way through the corridor. He had been following behind Minerva since they had gotten off the carriage.. but he had lagged behind as he took in the sight. Not that it was all that exciting... just a new experience and he wanted to take it all in.

The boy stepped into the compartment he had seen Minnie walked into and he gave her a grin as he walked inside. "Do you want your trunk in the overhead?" he asked as he hoisted his own up there and noticed hers under the seat. He slid into the seat next to her and smiled at seeing the excitement on her face. He was pretty excited too thinking of what summer would hold and he glanced down at the letter in her hands. Was that.. ? He looked back up at her with a little grin. He could wait for her to tell him herself.

Minerva looked up as Ethan walked in, "Welcome to the train compartments" Oh her trunk.. why didn't she think of levitating it up there. Her mind was not thinking about her trunk at the moment, "If you want that would be great. It's a bit heavy, but that would give more leg room." She got up and turned facing her trunk. Pulling it out from under the seat.

She kissed his cheek as he sat down next to her and noticed him glancing at the letter. "I got an owl right before going to the carriage. I got the internship, so I'm in London all summer!" She couldn't hide the excitement in her voice. "So looks like I'm going to be going home with Ari when we get back to the station. It's going to be an amazing summer, but I'm so nervous to start this. I hope I'll be good and that they will like me." She blushed a bit knowing she was talking a bit quickly and probably to much. "Did you ever get an owl for your internship?" Minerva so hoped that he did, she wouldn't be able to handle if she was in London and he wasn't going to be.

Ethan took a cursory glance around the compartment. Definitely roomy, nice view from the window, seemed comfortable enough.. He glanced down at Minnie's trunk as she pulled it out. "Sure, I can get it up there for you," he said, getting up from his seat And hoisting her trunk up into the space next to his. That should make things a bit more comfortable for them.

As he sat back down, his smile grew. "Oh, Minnie, that's great!" Ethan enveloped Minerva in a hug as he wrapped his arms around her. He didn't doubt fora minute she would get that internship and he was really happy for her. The boy knew how much she had wanted it. Pulling back and still smiling widely, Ethan gave her nod. "I know you'll do great there.. It really sounds exciting." But he could see why she might be a bit nervous. Starting new things tended to make one feel that way, at least a little bit because of the unknown.

Sitting back slightly, he raised an eyebrow to her words. "An owl?" It wouldn't be very fair to keep her in suspense any longer.. not that he could, as the growing grin on his face most likely gave him away. "As a matter of fact, I got an owl today.." He pulled the folded letter out of his back pocket. "I got my internship too.. I guess you're stuck with me all summer," he added jokingly with a chuckle.

Bliss sulked all the way as she made her way down the train corridor, towards the middle cars. All the ones up there were taken and she NEEDED to be alone. So she could cry. MELLOW. Today had NOT been her day, and in between having to say goodbye to everyone, Blue had decided not to come over to her house and it was only a few days previously when she found out the her Dad was once again in hospital. Not good at all.

Once she reached an empty compartment, she slid in and shut the door behind her. Would that make it clear that she didn't want to be disturbed, or would she have to stick a note to the door window. Eh. She left it how it was and sat down, placing Twitch's cage down and she brought her guitar on to her lap. She was in a sad song mood and...well...why not. In a slightly shaky, but still strong voice, she began to sing.

You felt the gravity of tempered grace,
Falling into empty space,
No one there to catch you in their arms,
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope, but failure’s all you've known.

The moment he got on the train, Nathan was remembering the start of the term - when he had been pulling Delphi on the train .. finding a compartment and all.

And noow .. a year later .. so much had changed.

He had a ... girlfriend.

She had a boyfriend ..

Wow.

And he was finding a compartment alone. Entering the empty one, he got in and slid the door shut and collapsed on the seat. He felt tiiiired. Yep, he was definitely sleeping through the journey.

Delphinia had been running a bit behind, having got into a tangle at the carriage.. quite literally. But that was a story for another time, and at the moment she had a best friend to catch.

She'd seen him just before he boarded the train, but she was too far behind to even shout at him. It took a moment to get her luggage squared away, and then stroll along the corridor peeking into random compartments until she found the right one.

And thankfully, he was alone. Not that she could have said much if his girlfriend was there, but.. well, the train had always been their time to sit alone and talk before they were to be seperated for several weeks. Smile growing on her lips, Delphinia slid the compartment door open and tossed her bag into the seat opposite him, then plopped right beside him. "You didn't wait for me!"

Alright. This ride was taking forever and she needed more candy. It was either she get more candy or risk falling asleep and missing something potentially very epic. Definitely time for more candy! Slipping out of her own car with Felix safely tucked under her arm she made her way down the train. Where was that lady with the bloody candy? Didn't she know a kid in withdrawl when she saw one?!?!?

Entering the middle of the train she scowled a bit at not seeing her even then. This was getting ridiculous. She continued walking, stroking Felix so he'd stay calm but stopped at a closed compartment door when she could have sworn that she heard singing...singing...? Didn't mean much to her but then she recognized the voice and threw the door open immediately. "Blissy!Face, I've been looking for you since the carriages! Where have you been?!" If she was off with her other friends then she should just know that the 12 year old was crushed!

"And watch'ya singin'?" Juuuuuust curious because her friend didn't seem happy!

So many feelings surrounded the song as she sang it. Especially the last lines. You build up hope, but failures all you've known. That was exactly how she felt right now, exactly. She always hoped for things and they never worked out. She did have lots of good things in her life, but often they didn't work out either. OH WELL. Focus on the good things.

AHAHA. Speak of the devil and the devil shall appear. One good thing in her life, Alexa. Her Lexi-boo. She jumped up from her seat and nearly threw her guitar aside, before moving quickly across the compartment and pulling Lex into a very tight hug. "I'm sorry, I couldn't find you, so I decided to chill here," she explained to the girl. Honestly, Bliss HAD looked for her, but she hadn't been in a very good mood, so she'd given up quite quickly.

"I was playing and singing, Iridescent," Bliss said and BEAMed at Lex. The first year girl was the only person that could make Bliss SO happy. Even though she wasn't in a very good mood, Lex had managed to bring a smile to her face. Well, good for her. A random thought occurred to Bliss. That Alexa was almost like...not quite her child, though she cared about her that much, but a sister.

<3

Mick was all smiles as he hopped on the Hogwarts Express, feeling as though it had been yesterday when he got off the train and saw the school for the first in his life. His first year at a real school (even though he's a fifth year) is officially over. Last summer, his father and aunt agreed that if he didn't like it, he can go back to being home-schooled. For the first few months, that option may have been possible. But now, Mick cannot wait for the following term. It's all good.

After a few minutes of looking around and not finding Laura at the front, he shrugged his shoulders and continued further down the middle of the train; not too many people but still kind of lively. Mick went by a comparment with two familiar faces and knocked on the window, waving to Ethan and Minnie. Tempting it was to sit with them; but as he adjusted one of the straps of his favorite old backpack, he saw someone sitting alone with a kitty. Kitty! Kitty! Kitty! He has a unconditional love for kitties.

Mick turned to his friends and mouthed that he'll be next door; he felt like hanging out with someone new for a bit before he'll join them. And she's got a kitty. He turned to the other compatrment and knocked on the window before sliding the door open a little bit. "Excuse me? Mind if I take a seat?" he asked the girl.

Okay. She felt a little better now. Bliss wasn't sulky!looking anymore and she was even giving her a hug! BEAM. Heh. A hug that Felix didn't seem to like very much. She watched the poor kneazle who was caught in the middle as she screeched and wiggled out of her group. She giggled a bit. "That's not nice, Blissy!Face gives great hugs!" She grinned over at the girl. "Don't mind him, he doesn't fancy hugs that much." She shrugged a bit at her explanation for leaving her completely stranded. "It's fine I guess. The thestrals were pretty good company." Better than the people she rode with, that's for sure. "And the important thing's that I found you!" GRIN. She would have been devastated if she thought she lost her Blissy!Face.

She gave her a puzzled look. "The song doesn't seem very happy though..." She wiggled out of the hug then took a seat, placing Felix in her lap where he snuggled up and made himself more comfortable. "are you okay?" Then she patted the seat next to her, a seat that was officially Bliss' so they could have a good talk because well...it would still be a good bit more time before they got to. A talk would do them both some good. Lex loved Bliss and she wanted to know why she couldn't pick something more along the lines of 'The Happy Song' to song. Clearly something was wrong....

Or maybe she just really missed her home. Don't be saaaad Blissy!Face. Just a few more hours!!!

Minerva felt Ethan's arms go around her and she hugged him back excitedly, yes this was going to be a fun new adventure and she couldn't wait. Plus the thought of the fun they were going to have with friends and hanging out with each other made her even more thrilled. Smiling as he pulled from the hug she blushed a little, "Well thank you, I hope I can do as well as you think." She always felt good on the amount of confidence others had in her, now if she had the confidence in herself as well. This experience was hopefully going to help her with that as well.

Then she looked curiously as Ethan said about an owl and seeing his grin get bigger Minerva just knew he had great news and then he did. Hugging him this time Minerva couldn't hold in the excitement and bounced a bit. "That's awesome Ethan. This is just going to be the best summer. I can't wait for all the plans and all the fun." She let him out of the hug and smiled. "So you said you will stay with your Aunt then or was it grandfather?" She was trying to remember, either way he would be close and that's all that mattered to her.

She then heard a knock on the window and turned, oh it was Mick. Smiling she waved for him to come in. It might be fun to sit with him and Laura, but then she saw him look away and then mouth something about being next door. Hmmm maybe Laura was not wanting to sit with them or maybe he found another person. Minerva smiled and gave him an okay then turned back towards Ethan.

He shouldn't have been as surprised when he heard her voice but still Nathan felt a little shocked. BUT a smile .. as per usual .. did stretch on his lips.

"No .. I was late. I thought you already got on .." he said, patting the seat next to him. For the first time though, he wasn't sure if she would take a seat next to him. Ever since she had told him bout the boyfriend and the he had seen him .. Nathan couldn't really shake off the thought of him whenever she was around him ... or not around him.

"End of term, yet again .." he pointed out the obvious. "Any plans for the summer?"

Bliss beamed back at her Alexa. When she was happy, Bliss was happy. It was pretty simple. Yes? The almost-third-year squeezed Lex tightly and then took a step back as she felt something...wriggle? OH. Bliss blinked and then giggled slightly. It was just Lex's kneazle. "Thanks, Lexi-boo," Bliss exclaimed cheerfully. Who cares if the kneazle doesn't like her hugs, Lex matter the most. "It's okay," she said with a nod, looking down at the little kneazle.

Without thinking, Bliss burst out, "You can see the Thestrals?" She stared at Lex. That meant that she'd seen death, that...that wasn't good. She really hoped the little firstie meant something else, like, she knew she was there, but couldn't see them, like Bliss. But she doubted it. No one should see death that young, especially NOT her friends and her Lex for that matter. It was unjust and not right. Bliss hoped that she'd never, ever, ever 'see' a Thestral in her life. Because...Well, yeah.

Anyway, back to happiness and stuff. Or maybe not. "Well, it wasn't really. Because I wasn't happy," she explained, before BEAMing widely at Lex. "But I am NOW," she finished. Lex wriggled out of the hug and Bliss took a second to stare idly out of the train window before sitting down next to her little sister friend. "I...I'm fine. Sort of," she said. MELLOW. She didn't really feel like explaining more than that. She wasn't sure how it would sound if she said it out loud either. Beside, it didn't matter how she was. "How are YOU?" She asked, eyeing Lex carefully. It definitely mattered how HER Lexi-boo was doing.

HUH.

Oh, he was running late too? Well thank goodness they both made it on the train before it left the station. "I was running to get here on time." Delphinia stated, matter-of-factly. Because now that she was on the train, and he was on the train, it was all fun and games and laughs. It would not have been funny if they'd missed their ride home. Or.. their ride into London, rather.

At his patting the seat next to him to invite her over to his side, Delpinia's smile grew a bit as she rose from her seat and crossed to him, leaving her bag on the other side. "Yet again," She repeated after him, plopping down right at his side and brought her feet in mostily tucked under her. "Uhm.." Summer. They hadn't really gotten a chance to talk about that before, had they? Delphi kind of looked away, allowing her green eyes to gaze at the floor.. the seat opposite.. the window. "I'm going home to Artemis and Brett first, and then I think I'm going to take a few weeks and go back to Greece." Pause. "And going to see you in between those, I hope. What are your plans? Anything exciting?"

Horned frog cage in tow, Pao made his way down the crowded corridor. He had been meaning to make his way to the back, but... Gosh, this is too crowded. I just can't be bothered. Spotting an open compartment, he opened the door and sought shelter inside, away from the masses of students high on sugar and summer break.

"Gosh, that was crazy, Thomas!" he said, sharing his thoughts with his reptilian friend. The boy double checked the latch on the cage, not wanting a repeat of what had happened the last time he'd taken Thomas on the train.

And she did sit next to him. Nathan's smile grew a little more and heart warmed. "Those are a lot of plans .." he mused, picking on the lace hanging from his jacket. "Of course you will see me .. that's a given."

When she asked him about his own plans, Nathan shrugged a little. "I think I will see my new sister .. hang there for a while .. and then back to Uncle .. I don't really have anything planned .. still, I will have lots to say in my letters." he smiled, tunring to look at her.

It was just so easy to talk to her. It hit him .. every single time.

FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!

Erm... more specifically... SWEETS.

Because sweets and a long journey went hand in hand. And he had come prepared for this particular journey. Nodnod. But... he could always get more from the Food Trolley, if he wanted to. That was a good idea! The food trolley ALWAYS had a LOT of nice sweets!

... Maybe... Oakey was right. He really did eat a lot of junk food.

...

NAH!

And speaking of the Food Trolley, something... seemed... to be going on there. There was a lot of people there and a shout and-

OH HERE WAS HIS FAVOURITE KEEPER DUDE!

GRIN FOR MANCINI. And... the Food Trolley can wait. Alec wandered over towards the compartment door and peered in. Pao... was sitting on his own? Oh... that was sad. Dude was AWESOME.

The fourteen year old shook his head and opened the compartment door with his right hand, the left one clutching onto a jumbo bag of sweets. "Pao!" Like KA-POW! "Erm... mind if I join you?" Sweets were the peace offering, yes?

Ethan put his arms around Minnie again as she hugged him. He thought she might be as excited as he was to find out that little piece of information. "Yeah, I'm really looking forward to summer now, I think it's going to be great." And now that they both had their plans finalized, it looked like they might be able to see each other as often as they did now. Pulling back, he listened to her question and nodded. "Well, yeah.. both actually. It's my grandfather's house.. but my aunt moved back in a few months ago. He's really sick and needs some extra help." His features clouded over briefly before hearing a knock at their window which made him turn his head.

Oh it was Mick.. Ethan smiled and waved back, then watched curiously as he mouthed something about next door and kept walking. He wasn't going to sit with them? That was okay for a little while, he supposed.. he certainly wouldn't mind a some alone time with his girlfriend. But he would have to find him at some point. They had things to talk about.

Turning back to Minnie, Ethan rummaged through his messenger bag and pulled out a Reese's peanut butter cup. He still had a few left from the package she had sent him. "Do you want one?" he asked as he tore open the package, still getting a kick out of the fact that there were two to a package. He stuck his hand in his pocket then pulled out the metal badger she had lent him a few weeks. Holding it out to her, he said, "I should return this to you.. Thanks for letting me borrow it. Just the extra bit of luck I needed, I think."

Sitting back in his seat, the boy took a bite of the candy. So good.. Chocolate and peanut butter was just the best combination ever. He savored the candy for a moment before turning back to Minerva. "So.." he began with the hint of a mischievous grin. "I'm pretty sure I promised to give you something else.."

Ronnie looked up as she heard the door slide open. Oh, thank Merlin! She had been afraid she'd be sitting by herself for a while...which was something she just could NOT stand. She hated being alone.

She nodded at the boy when he asked if he could sit with her. "I don't mind at all! Go ahead." she said, smiling at him and gesturing to the seat across from her. "I'm Ronnie by the way." she added.

It was good that Bliss wasn't all that offended by Felix. He meant no harm usually...he just didn't like being squashed was all. Maybe one day he'd learn that hardly being able to breath during a hug meant you were well loved. A lesson she wouldn't be the one to teach him because he had claws and sharp teeth! She swung her feet merrily, watching the country-side go by until she was suddenly pulled back to the current conversation. She looked over at Bliss for a moment before answering with a nod.

"I can. I've been able to see them since I was six." Now they just seemed like any other normal occurence in nature. The question, however, reminded her that they were not and that only a few could see them. "I suppose you can't. Good." It meant that Blissy!Face never had to witness anything like she did. Wonderful news considering Lex didn't think bad things were supposed to happen to her Bliss. The girl was much too sweet! Bad things could happen to just about everyone else--but not her.

She raised a puzzled eyebrow at her when she sat and was suddenly all smiles and happiness. Weeeeird. That was a fast recovery if you asked her! Naturally she wasn't convinced but she knew better than to keep prying when Bliss was obviously trying to avoid it. "I'm glad you're okay now!" GRIN, even if she wouldn't tell her what was bugging her. "And I guess I'm just a bit nervous about going home..." Was nervous the right word...? Maybe anxious...that sounded more like it. She was ANXIOUS to see everything that changed because she knew she wasn't going home to the same place she left.

Awesome! Mick stepped inside, sliding his backpack off and placing it on the seat before sitting next to it. "Nice to meet you, I'm Mick," he said, holding his hand out to shake.

He took a quick glance at the cat that was resting comfortably next to Ronnie. It reminded him of his own cat at home, Janet - a kind of old Siamese cat that loves it when people come over. "So, does he have a name?" he asked, gesturing the kitten.

Laura walked up towards the door, she had been looking for Mick but wasn't sure where he would be, she was still in a bit of shock about what a friend had said to her, she knocked on the door when she saw Minerva and Ethan. "Hello you two." Laura smiled. "Have either of you seen Mick anywhere?" Laura wanted to speak to him but first she would have to find him.