Why Alec was so nervous about heading into the Prefect's compartment, he didn't know. All he knew was that... this was the compartment he had bypassed all these years and now... he had to sit inside there. With the other Prefects and Captains. He reached up and ruffled his hair. What if they didn't accept him and the new badge pinned to his shirt? Or thought that he wouldn't do a good job? ... Would he do a good job?

Why... was he nervous about a compartment?

Plucking up the very little courage he had, Alec headed over towards the door and pulled it open. "Hey every--"

... Oh. No one. Not even a Kneazle. Confused, he peeked out into the train corridor again before looking back at the compartment. Maybe he was just... early? Yeah. This could be a good sign. Head Boys shouldn't be late to things... right? ... Shrug. He headed over towards a seat and sat down right in the middle. There. Maybe being all alone in here could give him the time to prepare himself for a speech. Or... a greeting.

This was... hard. And he was nervous. So, naturally, he was going to eat. Pulling out a packet of sweets, he ripped it open and plopped a particularly sugar-coated sweet into his mouth. He sat back a little, too, to try and look cool less nervous and more casual. Someone would come along soon, right?

Yeah?

Please?

The badge was now on her shirt.

That was progress, right? She really was going to try the whole owning it thing Hulk was talking about and she figured actually wearing her badge properly was a start. Yup. Go, Bishop. See? She could totally do this.

Totally...

Biting her lip, the blonde wandered to the prefects' compartment, having stored her luggage and not run into any trouble on her way. Needless to say, she was happy no first years were terrorizing the train. She wasn't sure her stern looks were ready for wear just yet. She'd just have to practice on Lex or something. She had a feeling the Gryffindor got lots of stern looks so she'd be the best judge.

Oh hey, Head Boy Boyfriend was here. GRIN! The blonde slid open the compartment door and slipped inside, a nervous smile playing on her lips.

"Got enough for two?" Sweets. She needed sweets. Also, kisses for the boyfriend while no one was here, yes? Ella flopped down next to him and kissed his cheek before getting comfy. "Badge looks nice on you, Head Boy. It really compliments your hair and generally attractive face." Just saying.

Now the fun part of the train ride and find out who is going to be in the compartment besides the obvious people. Nigel still did not even know the other Prefect in Ravenclaw. Mysteries were pretty awesome.

Nigel entered the compartment and spied Ella and Alec both with the Head badges. Would you look at that. "Well if it isn't the head couple, Alec and Ella. Congrats" Nigel said smiling. It was kind of obvious when Nigel thought about it.

So it was just the three of us so far. Nigel took a seat waiting to see who would appear next.

It was time for them to ENTER ze compartment.

The sixth-year tucked the loose strands of hair behind her ear, checked her badge and robes then slid inside beaming at Theo and West who were by her side. See, just like they said, the three of them together.

Oooh, and was that Lex a couple of feet behind them. Yup. She sent a wink towards the Gryffindor before stepping inside. Better not to hold the four of them by the door. Keeping it peaceful. hehe.

"Hello," Because what else to say? Her brown eyes did a quick scan and she registered that it was an ordinary compartment. Then again, this was a train, what did she expect. She actually didn't know.

Now on to the people already present. Nigel! He got a smile and of course Ella And Alec! With shiny badges. Head Girl and Head boy. It was so fitting. "Congratulations, guys!" she told them as she walked further in and settled in. They just sit, right? Was it someone else's seat? Well, it was hers now. HA!

And definitely same seats as other compartments. First observation. More to come. Behold.

Dora still didn't pull that badge out of her pocket. She probably should. So people could know and stuff. But.... eh. She still wasn't feeling it. Plus technically, her job (by her standards) hadn't started yet since they weren't at school yet.

So no badge.

The sixth year made her way into the compartment and sat next to Nigel, carefully placing her bag in her lap. "Head couple?" She half smiled, half smirked. "Nice."

Cassia got a proper smile. "Hey, prefect."

This was one time that Lex couldn't go about dragging her feet. Her trunk happened to be quite heavy, what with all the books she'd actually have to be reading and a fussy kneazle. After getting her stuff dumped in the lugguage compartment, and making a stop at the food trolley, the Gryffindor headed for the place she'd already snuck into once before--but with good reasoning, obviously. Couldn't say goodbye to a bunch of people that stay in an exclusive compartment unless you entered said compartment.

Approaching the door, badge still fixed in her pocket, she spotted Cassia heading in and it got her smiling some...even in spite of the company she was entering with. Lex took a deep breath then made her way inside in time to hear something about a 'Head Couple'? Her eyes shot to Ella and Alec immediately. Well that was new! "Congrats on that you two!" She said with a grin.

She tossed her candy bag onto one of the seats by the window, obviously claiming it. "Hey Nigel."

Cassia got an extra wide grin because hello, prefect compartment--Dora????? Lex tilted her head and stared. "...Hey Dora..." Curious, very curious. There were two explanations, either Theo or Alice was letting her ride in here, or much like her, she just wasn't wearing a badge either. Very curious.

West was doing a really good job of not giving horrified looks about Alexa but that was because he already knew, thanks to Cassia and all that. In fact he knew about all of the appointments, Slytherins knew things and found things out and... it was for the best. He'd sort of hang with Theo a bit JUST to make sure his best mate would be... well. Y'know. Not TOO stroppy. For Alexa badge, and Dora dumping reasons.

And Dora got a big smile. Happy smile. Hiiiii.

And y'know, he just took a moment because he'd not got to do this the previous term at the beginning of year, and it hadn't felt right at the end of the year, but this term.... all his. His right.

So because of all that last term he understood about not wanting to wear a badge, that it could be loaded. West wasn't going to let that bring HIM down though and he was wearing his badge proudly on his lapel.

... probably wouldn't stay in here that long though, even though, bar Cambridge, he considered all the people who were supposed to be here legit as varying degrees of friends and all. For one thing he'd need food, for another, he had plenty of other people that he wanted to see.

So West gave smiles and nods all around, even to Alexa, apparently in a good mood. Nigel got a fist bump, and then West chose a seat.

Theo tagged along way behind his fellow Slytherin buds, because every inch that they got closer to the prefects' compartment, the more he dreaded it. Hopefully they'd be the first ones there to claim the spot. That was generally how it worked, right? But nope, as soon as Cassia opened the door, he could see that she was already chattering her hellos to a bunch of people. He pressed his eyes shut and sighed before following.

The first person he noticed was a face that he hadn't expected. What was Alec Summers doing in here?

HEAD BOY?

Theo eyed his badge, and couldn't help but be annoyed that Alec and Ella were here, together, being all leader-y... together. Did they ever have a day when they weren't TOGETHER? Ugh, let it go, Theodore. His eyes glazed over the obvious suspect next. Dora. Who looked super lovely as usual, only this time, he couldn't do whatever he usually did with her. A snog, a hug, holding hands. Nothing.

He couldn't even say hello.

Nope, not gonna happen.

In fact, the only people that even got half a smile was Nigel and Ella. Obviously, Alexa got the usual glare. Who in their right mind would give HER a badge? Theo looked at West all needy-like, but wasn't sure exactly what he wanted his best friend to do about it. So he decided to just SIT and be quiet.

The first person to come in and make him break out of his thoughts? Head Girlfriend person. Alec grinned, albeit a little nervously but the grin was still there. "Yeah! Want some?" he asked, holding out the packet of sweets towards her. Also, compliments were welcomed. "Yours looks great on you too, you know," Nudge. And the fact that she complimented his hair and face made him want to kiss her... which... hey. They were the only ones in the compart--

... No they weren't.

Alec's eyes turned to look over at the newcomer. Head couple? That... was a bit true, wasn't it? "Thanks, Nigel!" ... Man? Mate? Were they mates? Whatever, grins were given. "You had a good summer?" There was going to be a lot of that question going around today, especially at the feast. And more congratulations.

More congratulations were in order since... hey! Here was someone else who was new to the team, yeah? "Thanks, Cassia," he said, grinning at her, "Prefect... congrats to you too!" Prefect Somerlad. ... Somerlad was very close to Summers, did she know?

Head Couple was probably going to be catch on. Maybe. This was the second person who had referred to them as that. Not that the seventh year minded; Head Couple sounded... powerful. "Thanks, Dora!" Grins for you too, Dora. ... And a slightly confused expression because she... wasn't a Prefect, was she? The boy couldn't see a badge on her. So wha--

CANDY GIRL.

... Ahem. "Thanks, Candy Girl!" GRIN. ... Oh. She wasn't wearing a badge either. And here his inner proud brother moment was about to come out. But if she wasn't wearing one... and neither was Dora... were they allowed to sit in here? Did he have the heart to have to tell them to get out if they weren't allowed? ... Not really.

The boy didn't have long to ponder on this since even more people had headed into the compartment. West got grins and a nod in return before Alec looked over at...

... Oh. Awkward. GULP.

THIS was probably what he was most worried about. Did he think that things would be okay again? Maybe. They had sat next to each other that one time in a History of Magic class. ... Not... that Alec was keeping tabs. He smiled a little at Theo before looking away determinedly. Was this awkward? Very. Was he going to diffuse the tension? ... Well... he was going to try.

"So... did everyone have a good summer?" And did anyone want any sweets?

Sophie inwardly giggled to herself as she approached the prefect's compartment. This was gonna be GOOD. The train hadn't even docked at the station yet, and if her plan unfolded as she saw fit, Cutty Mordaunt would be in a heap of trouble! She couldn't wait to see the look on his face when an army of prefects cornered him in the Great Hall! So the school was cracking down on types of pets allowed, hmm? Excellent.

She paused just outside the compartment door and re-checked her copy of Fantastical Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Bwah haha! This ought to get the train to hopping!

Sophie knocked on the door then slid it open just enough to fit her tiny body in the open frame. "Excuse me," she said. AHEM and stuff.

OH MY MERLIN!!!!

...

Alexa Cambridge was given a BADGE?! ... PARTYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!

Okay, anyway. That wasn't what was important here. What was important was Cutty Mordaunt and the team of billywigs he supposedly snuck on the train. Of course he really hadn't. Not as far as she knew, at least. "Have you seen a few billywigs?" she innocently asked. "A boy named Cutty Mordaunt accidentally released a few." She made sure to clearly pronounce his name at a volume no one was sure to miss.

Yeah, glaring Theo, completely expected and she didn't really care. All he did was glare, she didn't expect anything else. Not much anyway. West wasn't all that surprizing with his acknowledging nod either. He'd proven he could act in a civil manner when called for so she nodded back and that was that, wasn't it? Nothing else she really had to say to them so her attention turned back to Hair Boy...who was looking a bit confused. Seeing as she got a grin she'd dismiss the other look. Nothing life threatening.

"I had an interesting and slightly odd summer." She said in reply to him. "Got myself a flying carpe--"

She paused as the door swung open and watched Sophie as she stepped in. Merlin don't let there be something wrong. She'd already figure if something went down it'd be the worst considering the last thing she wanted to do EVER was duck for cover and ride things out. Being responsible and wanting others to do that she'd have to do it too.

.....Billywigs though? Where was this going--oh. There. It was going there.

"Neat! How many? Did he say where?" And a mental facepalm because that wasn't the correct response. Ugh. Lex cleared her throat, figuring she was probably meant to try that again. "Did anyone get stung?" Nice Cutty, real nice. Of all the things to let go in a train.

Bentley had slipped away very quickly when his grandma was busy with the boy. Candy girl had left and he needed to find her. His grandma had only given him four bermie beans and he'd eaten those in no time and she said no more.

But candy girl had more and he wanted it so he followed behind her.

"Candy!" He said tugging on her shorts.

For a split second, Sophie sort of lost her confidence and nearly turned around and bolted. It was no use, though. What was said had been said, so now she had to follow through with it.

HAHA!

Only Lex would be excited to hear about the so-called billywig escape. "TONS! There were literally TONS!" Sophie said, picking up on the excitement. She paused and contained herself. "No, really. There were just a few." There. That was much more believable. Had anyone gotten stung? "Err, ...I don't know. They'd be floating by now, wouldn't they?" To add to the story, Sophie stuck her head outside the compartment. "No one's floating," she reported.

"...but the BILLYWIGS! They're at large!"

Candy Girl was the first to speak up. Good. Awesome. He could count on her to save the day from... awkwardness. Alec turned to face her, welcoming the distraction with open arms. ... Wait. Flying what now? Carpet? Where did she manage to get one of those from?

Before he could do anything other than open his mouth to ask, there was another distraction, this time in the form of a young girl. Billywigs? Those creatures that could sting you? And caused... giddiness? Alec blinked, his complexion turning a little paler than usual. And who was Cutty Mordaunt?

... There was no time for that. He... needed to do something right? Breathe... breathe...

... Great. They weren't even at Hogwarts yet and there were already people being stung and floating around. "If we... round them up, nobody else has to get stung," he said, eyes leaving the young girl's face to look around at the others, "We could keep them safe and then take them up to the Creatures Professor when we get to Hogwarts." Did they like the plan? Would it work? Grey-blue eyes went back to--

... More younger kids were here. What was going on?

Nigel was to busy saying congrats to all the new Prefects/Captains, greeting everyone, fist bumping West, and nodding at Theo to realize that just like last tern. The Prefect Carriage was crazy.

Nigel listened to the small girl talk about billywigs and some random kid who supposedly let them lose in the train. Right then from the corner of his eye he saw another kid enter the carriage. Sigh. This was suppose to be for prefect and captains only. Just leave them alone till they reached the school. Nothing dangerous really ever happens on the train. But Nigel probably just jinxed himself.

Nigel suspected she was lying about that. But he really just did not want to do any work right now. So he was strongly hoping she was lying.

"Are we sure there are even some billywigs on this train. Or is this the better safe then sorry approach?"

Which means more work for all of them. Just great.

Kaiden had stored his things in the luggage compartment, and just wandered the corridors for a while He wasn't wearing his badge, but had it shoved in his pocket. Eventually, his feet brought him to the prefect's compartment. He had been kind of avoiding it because of nerve reasons, but he was supposed to be here right? At least for a little while yes?

Except, there were a lot of people around, and little people, at that. Like Alexa. And those other two there, and that girl seemed to be causing some sort of... problem. Squeezing into the compartment, he rubbed the back of his neck. "Er, hey." he greeted the others. "Whats going on?"

EXCELLENT!

This wild goose chase that the Head Huffie was over there suggesting was just what Sophie had had in mind. She had to try extra hard to keep a grin from spreading widely across her face.

"Keep them safe?!" Sophie exclaimed. She was thinking more along the lines of free potions ingredients. Wait. There were NO BILLYWIGS. She had to keep reminding herself of that, or else she'd fall for her own prank.

She really should have talked Caleb into doing some background screaming.



Sophie could sense the Ravenclaw might no be buying this. PSH. Ravenclaws. Leave it to the librarians to spoil all the fun. "It's a better safe than sorry approach," she boldly confirmed.

...and she should get out of here before someone nominates her to go and catch them.



"A boy named Cutty Mordaunt accidentally released a few billywigs in the train," she said again.

Better go catch them!

TONS of them? Whoa. Lex was impressed, the look on her face said she was impressed, only problem was....she wasn't MEANT to be impressed. This was going to be harder than she thought--....

Hm...?

Lex glanced down at the tugging by her shorts--HOLY KNEAZLE Nooooooooooooo. Lex blinked down at Bellaire's grandkid. Oh sweet merlin. What was he doing here? Bellaire told her to watch him...at the trolley. She said nothing about Lex playing babysitter, especially not to some delusional kid with the idea that he'd be getting candy from Alexa Cambridge any time soon. "I already said no, now shoo, we have a billywig problem." Shooooo. Lex made fanning motions, willing him to go away. There would be no candy for him today or any other day for that matter.

Now then, where was she? Oh right, watching Sophie check outside for floating kids. None so far was a good sign...disappointing, but good nonetheless.

Lex looked to Alec. "Keep them safe? You mean like in here with us? I vote we put them in a bag or something then adhaero them to Cutty's hand til we get to school." They weren't their problem, they were only meant to keep the others safe. It wasn't that big a deal.

"Sophie's right Nigel, it is better safe than sorry." But only because she was starting to like the idea of a billywig hunt. Something epic she could do WITH the badge.

Just had to think of what to do with this kid. Ugh. "Go find your grandmother." Bug off.

Head boy boyfriend was cute, did he know? Plus he shared and Ella was taking full advantage of that right now. "You're the best, you know." It was fact. Yup, and she was totally stuffing her face full of Alec's sweets as the rest of the student leaders wandered into the compartment. Oh hey.

Nigel was the first in and Ella smiled sheepishly at the 'Head Couple' title. Was that going to become a thing now or? Ella wasn't sure she liked it much. She did like Nigel, though. His hair too. "Thank you!" On the congratulations, that is.

And then there was a Cassia. Aw. Ella really liked her. Not that they'd hung out much but the girl just seemed like a good person to have around, y'know? "Thanks. Congrats to you too, Prefect!" Grin! So far so good.

Dora was incredibly hard to read, did she know? The whole smirking thing made Ella wonder if she approved or disapproved of their head couple status but she did give the Ravenclaw a smile...and a tilted head. She must have a badge too, right? Just not rocking it, then. Ella got that, she did.

Lex! "Thank you!" She was nice, Lex was. And was she a prefect too or? She wasn't wearing her badge but that didn't mean anything. Maybe she just wasn't ready to rock it or whatever. Or maybe Dora and Lex were just boycotting the use of exclusive compartments. That...would be something, wouldn't it? Hm.

Quiet West was quiet. He was also extremely tall and it sort of reminded Ella of how ridiculously short she was. Merlin, she'd need a step stool to try and lead anyone anywhere. Good thing her boyfriend person was her partner in this whole thing. He'd totally need to cart her around on his back. Yup, that was going to be a thing. Anyway, West got a big smile from Ella.

And Theo. Theo looked...not so happy which of course made Ella worried. She did that a lot, the worrying thing. She'd also noticed the lack of greeting to Dora. Hm. She was just...not going to question that. None of her business. Nope. She did give him a smile, though. A big one because it looked like he could use it.

Speaking of smiles, the boyfriend got a big one for asking about everyone's summers when-

...

....

Oh Merlin.

Ella just squinted at the younger girl going on about Billywigs and raised her eyebrows. She recognized her from classes but couldn't recall her name. She also thought it was WAY too early in the term for a Billywig outbreak. Just...no.

And ZOMG who was the little kiddo tugging on Lex's pants? What a CUTIE pie. All focus was lost because N'AWWW. LITTLE GUY. "Does he belong to you, Lex?" COULD SHE SQUISH HIS FACE?!

Focus, Ella.

Nigel had a point. Ella hadn't seen any evidence of anything on her way to the compartment and they hadn't exactly been sitting for too long now, yeah? And Ella was totally going to kiss her boyfriend's face for suggesting that if there were billywigs, they be safely brought to the Creatures Professor. He also looked a bit pale so Ella gave Alec's hand a reassuring squeeze and then focused on the Slytherin again.

"What's your name?" Because really, Ella wanted to know who she was dealing with before she went off hunting Billywigs.

Also, "Hey Kaiden!" He...wasn't wearing his badge, did he know? Ella sort of looked at him expectantly. She wanted him to be proud of it. She did.

"Is he a friend of yours, this Cutty kid?" Because friends were supposed to have friends' back and this girl was throwing that kid under the Hogwarts Express. Also, "Kaiden just got here. Hey Kaid? See anything flying around out there, student or creature?"

Oh, Alexa was here now too. Was she like, following her or something? Dora knew she hinted that she approved of the girl and all, but really. She didn't like stalkers. If she kept this up during the school year she'd set up traps. For her own amusement.

"Hey, Alexa." Yeah, she'd still get one of those.

And of course she was aware of everyone as they walked in, but well... she didn't really know what to say to West. Or even if smiling back was the proper response. Did he forget what happened so quickly? No. No, this was West. He was like her in always remembering. Which is why the smile was confusing.

Adding that to the list.

"........ Hi, Theo." Hi. She glanced warily at him. They said they'd be friends, remember? She was still hoping for that.

She was glad for the distraction that was Alec, even if she couldn't bring anymore smiles to her face. She was glad. "That badge looks really good on you." Did he know?

Those kids coming in though, Dora made disapproving faces at them all cohabiting the same space as her. She wasn't helping. Unhelpful prefect.

Also not listening.

Where was HER best?

tee hee.

Yup, everything gets put on hold for the billywig problem. BWAH HAHA.

Sophie stood by as the scene continued to unfold. It only occurred to her every once in a while that she very well might get into trouble for this. There could be a huge compartment fire or something, and yet--here were the prefects, busy with billywigs that didn't even exist. "Oh, adhering them to Cutty's hands sounds like a perfect idea!" she agreed. Sticking the bag to his head would be even funnier.

She grinned when PREFECT Cambridge declared her being right in saying they would be better off being safe than sorry. This was great!



Ohh, they were asking her name now. Hmm...

Sophie thought about giving a fake name. Mildred Wolfcrier. Yes, that's what she's say her name was!

"Mmm... Sophie Newell," she finally said. SHAME. Now they had a name to put with her face, and it'd be easier to track her down. Was Cutty her friend? She had to think about that one. If she said yes, they'd wonder why she was ratting him out. If she said no, they'd think she was just doing this because she was his arch enemy or something.

"We're housemates," she finally said. There. That was a safe answer.

OH, NO. This Kaiden! He was going to blow the plan! "Err...I'll take my leave now and go see what's going on," she said, edging toward the door.

Right. Her name was Mildred Wolfcrier, and she knew nothing.

Perfect Compartment!? Well James was Perfect so he could go in correct?!! James was the definition of perfect. The first year opened up the door seeing everyone he smirked. "Yes seems I am not the only one that is perfect!!" Though it looked lie he was the only youngin in the compartment too. "I am James Castle, and I am perfect. So I belong in here!!!" Now who was everyone else??

O_O

BAH HAHAHAHAHA!

Sophie tried to giggle but at the same time, she managed to bite her bottom lip and keep her composure. "Well done, kid. Well done," she said, and then she followed that up by patting him on the back. He'd managed to make a complete fool of himself and given her a whole new idea for fun.

"Are you really PERFECT, James Castle?" she asked. "I've been searching all over for a perfect person, and here you are standing right in front of me." She had no idea what she was about to encourage this kid to do, but it was bound to be fun. "Step right out in the corridor, and let's have a talk."

James started at the girl. Why was she being so weird!! "Eh, thanks!" Why was she touching him... Pat on the back! He was going to start getting suspicious if this wak job didn't stop.

"Why yes I am...If you get rid of all the bad pranks I did to the people I don't like.. Then yes I am perfect." why did she emphasize perfect.

"Well I am pretty perfect but I think Id rather stay where I belong, in the Perfect Compartment. Can't you tell me in here, or must we go out into the corridor?"