It had been a long day all that travelling on the train and not to mention the boat trip across the lake. Blair would have been much happier joining the older students in the carriages, thank you very much.

Okay, now to find the Gryffindor table and take her place. Noticing the red and gold banner above the table and remembering what she heard on the train assumed this must be the one.

The table appeared to be filling up rapidly. Blair recognised some of the other as first years from waiting to be sorted. Straightening her robe she took her seat and looked up and down the table.

Woooaaaahhh! Was that an actual ghost? That would take some getting used to.

Back to observing. What was all this chat about spiders??

Time to make herself noticed, "Hi everyone, I'm Blair Anderson. First year."

Okay, okay so as useless as his notes were… He DID know exactly which short person the “Something Kettleburn” girl was. She was the one that wasn’t at this table because she was the one declaring that she was a Ravenclaw, total Gryffindor move by the way. Which made things ten times worse than Zander could’ve ever feared because this Something Kettleburn was very reminiscent of the last Something Kettleburn that Zander had to deal with. And you know, for once Zander was hoping for a quiet year in Gryffindor House. Hadn’t he been allowed just ONE YEAR without a Zahra running around??? Whose idea of a funny prank was this? Because Zander was tallying up the votes and they’re voted off the island.

But seeing as she was at the Ravenclaw table, it’d be a problem passed down to them, he was sure. Benzi would take care of it. And if not Benzi, then Sophie. Surely together the two of them could handle it. She was out of his sphere of influence, not his problem.

Speaking of the short people, Ava. That one was the Ava one right??? Or was she Blaise? Was Blaise a boy or a girl??? Man. He should’ve noted down more details, no wonder he failed his DADA OWL. Geeez. ”Oh, uh, my name’s Zander… You can call me Zander,” Well obviously because his name was Zander but… You know what he meant, just not Mr. Head Boy. That was weird. ”Oh yeah, heh, right..” He was gonna put the notes in his pocket now before anyone else noticed them. Didn’t need a bunch of short people attacking him on the first day. Ahem. Plus the notes were stupid. They didn’t even DO anything to help. Gum? ”Sure, I’ll take a piece. See, she already liked him and was offering gum. What a good sign. He wasn’t hated yet. Ha. Already doing better than sixth year.

Adi was still around though and Merlin, the guy had friends everywhere didn’t he? Oh. OH he was probably here for AJ now that he thought about it. Made sense. Except normally he’d be here to visit with Benny too and… Zander hadn’t seen his dormmate yet so weird. ”Hey, Adi,” the Gryffindor gave the boy a goofy smile to mask the sudden awkward feeling he was getting in the pit of hist stomach. Adi should’ve gotten the Head Boy badge. It’s what he had been telling Sophie all summer. ”Oh, y’know, she’s good. She’s great, actually! Gonna be living in the Creature’s Pens again actually. You’re welcome to take her out when you visit some time, if you want… Just don’t let her run too far ‘cause she doesn’t really know when to stop.” He chuckled. Ahem. Annnnnyyyywaaaaaaays. ”Hope you had a good summer, though.”

The Gryffindor ran another hand through his hair, still trying to tame it from the run inside. Still failing at it too by the way. ”Oh, this?” he followed Youngi’s finger that pointed over to the badge sitting on his robes. Yes. This. The only badge he was wearing. S i g h. ”Thanks, Yoongi,” and YES he did remember the waterslide incident, kind of hard to forget when his ears were still ringing from the boy’s wailing. Hehehe. The thought brought a small grin to the older Gryffindor’s face. ”Thank Merlin you can finally relax, huh? No OWLs to worry about this year.” If only Zander was as lucky. Sigh.

And y’know, sitting near the first year end of the table had one big disadvantage: Being roped into AJ’s world domination plot yet again. Or creature domination plot more like it. Didn’t the acromantulas turn her off to the forbidden forrest yet? TWO YEARS IN A ROW, AJ!! Come on! ”Hey, AJ.” He gave her a small nod, opting to run another hand through his hair absentmindedly. Merlin. Couldn’t she drop the unicorn thing? ”Thanks,” he smiled. ”Hope you had a nice summer,” hopefully better than Angel’s anyways. She looked like she was on the wrong end of a ‘sadness emotion potion’.

And in all the chaos (well not chaos yet, but y’know Hogwarts… it’ll strike any minute now) he hadn’t even seen Nemo and Damien make their appearance. But surely they’d all get to talk later in the night. Maybe at the welcome party or something…?

Except he DID see Sophie Brown from the Ravenclaw table. Only because he just happened to be conveniently starring at her to begin with aheeeeem. But that was besides the point. Because she was giving him that look. That look that meant she wasn’t going to handle this situation and wanted him to do it instead. Couldn’t they just give the girl a break? Let her be in ignorant bliss for like point five seconds before someone had to step in and break her big ol’ GRYFFINDOR heart? ‘Cause honestly, the Professors were gonna do that anyways when they put her into detention because with a name like Kettleburn it was bound to happen let’s be real, so might as well let them break her heart on this one too.

Or could he just pretend like he didn’t even know she was called for Gryffindor? ‘Cause with his notes stuffed in his pockets there was virtually no proof that he was even paying attention in the first place. It’s a really good thing Zander had mastered the ‘dopey’ look from day one. He was the best at not knowing. It was his number one skill in life.

So he looked back at Sophie Brown and gave her a pleading look, meant to say ‘please soph, not now’. And also ‘DIDN’T YOU HEAR SHE’S A KETTLEBURN? I can’t deal with those,’ except that one would probably be a little harder to figure out so we didn’t expect she’d follow on that front. But the first part. That he was sticking too. And also okay, okay… He supposed the Something Kettleburn girl situation was basically his problem, but couldn’t they wait a little longer until everyone settled down just a bit?

Nemo looked next to him at the happy surprise of Damien's appearance. He could tell the other Lion had a lot on his mind. Of course Nemo wouldn't bring it up, he knew it was Rorie. Never one to lie about his feelings, he wasn't sad to see her gone. Mr. Grimm was positive Damien could do better. Find someone to match his happiness level.

Also he thought that He was the only person with a few screws loose that Damien needed in his life. But of course his friend was hurting nonetheless.

"Ready if you are, Mate." Flashing his smile that he thought only got more handsome recently. But smiling made the new bits of facial hair around his lips itch. It was a bit of maintenance Nemo hadn't accounted for as it was fairly new. He didn't know it, but he needed to shave. Instead he itched his face a little and put an arm around Damien's shoulder. "We need an adventure, a crazy story to tell people about when we leave."

"Blaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaise!" Bwahahahaha! This was a mixture of running and excited air pumping and flailing as he ran towards the Gryffindor table towards his cousin. "Blaise I made it into Gryffindor too!!!!" He squeezed in next to his cousin, pushing whoever was on the other side of him over. He needed the spot next to his cousin thank you very much.

"Feel here.." He took his cousin's hand and placed it over his thumping heart. "Man I was so nervous. That hat almost put me in Hufflepuff too." His shoulder slumped a little as he relaxed. "Anyways, I'm glad that's over." He looked around the table for any familiar faces. Pictures! It was time for pictures.

Ben stood up on his bench and pulled his camera out. It was a good time to get a group shot of his new house mate.

"EVERYONE SAY CHEESE!!!!!" And if they didn't, they'd still get their pictures taken and he'd keep it if their faces looked funny in it.

It stung a bit, the realization that this was the last time she would be here for a start of term feast. Her last welcome to the school and everything all of the emotions were hitting her in waves. Nick, she was going to miss him. “Hello Sir Nicholas,” she nodded her head at the ghost and grinned.

Looking around at all of the students in her care now she couldn’t help but grin. Zeke was going to have a following wasn’t he? “Zander we’ve got so many new kids!” she was partly freaking out but the rest of it was excitement, nerves, happiness, and a feint growing sadness as her friends were kind of…gone? Emmy, Kace, and well Bianca and Benny Blane were the ones that hurt the most. But she could get in contact with them with their mirrors…but now, right now, all she had to do was put a smile on her face and welcome the fresh blood and later give them a crash course in how to survive the school…or just how to survive in general.

“Marsha hey did you have a good summer?” She asked and grinned at the younger girl, turning to the girl next to her she just smiled. “Hi welcome to Gryffindor…Riley right?” She asked as she had been listening to the sorting even though her brain had wandered off on her after a few of the names…there were quite a few people. “Adi….c’mon don’t you have Puff’s to welcome?” She huffed at the Hufflepuff and grinned to him. Obviously he was welcome. He was like Lux, right? An honorary Gryffindor?

“Damien hey, how are you?” Puck asked grinning over to him. It was nice having him there even if it would have been even more awesome if Rorie was there too. When the little guy yelled Say Cheese she just grinned. Cute. They needed more photographers.

"Welcome to gryffindor everyone," she smiled and really wanted to like throw confetti cause gryffindor was the BEST!

She got Gryffindor. SHE GOT GRYFFINDOR! What?! Larissa was surprised, happy and so very confused about being put in Gryffindor. Her mother was in Hufflepuff, her father was a Ravenclaw, her brother was a Slytherin and her sister was a Slytherin. Here she was getting Gryffindor. She would have to owl her parents if they hadn't left for their vacation yet. She was now the odd one of the family. It had been a very long time since there had been a Gryffindor in her family. Most of her family were either Ravenclaws or Hufflepuffs.

Larissa looked around at the Gryffindor table. She didn't know where she wanted to sit or even where she should sit in the first place. She had met one rude girl that she thought was in Slytherin because of her attitude but maybe she was wrong. Rissa felt like she didn't belong in Gryffindor. Nothing about her screamed brave but maybe the hat does know bed? She wasn't too sure about that though. While lost in her thoughts Larissa just stood at the front of the table looking for a place to sit or possibly a place where she wouldn't feel as if she was in the way.

Last start of term feast.

The first of many last. She really wasn't ready for this. She was positive that she was the only seventh year to come back, seeing that she seen no other seventh years on the train. And she had heard rumor wise about many other professors quitting over the summer. She didn't hear which ones or anything.

Curiously she glanced up at the staff table. Let's see.... no BellIaire? Thompson? GLENNDOWNER? Say what? Well that was quiet a staff change. She was sad. Even about Bellaire. This was already going to be an interesting year.

She plopped down in a seat. Honestly she didn't want to be here. She wasn't in the mood to deal with these people. She was ready to get to the year over with and get out. It was already decided. Then she got that sense of oh crap, it's seventh year feeling. Ugh. She would have totally skipped the feast if it wasn't for the food. Food was love. Food was friends. Food was life. Food was all that really mattered at the moment. She really didn't care about anything else. She laid her head down on the table. Fooooood. Coooome to meeeeee.

"...and I'm planting a tree tomorrow at lunch if you'd like to join me." They two girls had been chatting nonstop since leaving the carriages; Reagan still practically vibrating from her sheer joy at FINALLY being back.

...AND...!!! Everything was JUST as beautiful and VIBRANT as she remembered! Openly BEAMING up at the enchanted ceiling with its floating candles and full-mooned night sky, Rea grasped at Iselin's hand...only to pull it back a second later. "Oh, I'm sorry. I should've asked first."...but she was just so...terribly delighted, Rea could hardly help herself.

Were her eyes watering just a little? Yes. Yes, they were...but they were happy tears! All the happy!

...and she was joining her new friend at the Gryffindor table. There was plenty of time to reunite with her fellow Ravenclaws later.

"Plant a tree?" Izzy looked at the girl and smiled. "That would be fun." getting dirty and all. Dirt. Cool. She liked that. Rea wasnt afraid to get dirty which made her smile grow even wider. Sure Iselin had perfect hair and her nails done and would be seen in heels over anything else 96% of the time but she was an overall tomboy deeo down and wasnt afraid to tie her hair back and ruin her manicure.

She looked down as the girl grabbed at her hand in her excitment.... Well.... Meh... That brought back some off memories the girl would much rather not remember but Rea was different. She could tell.

"Oh it is alright." permission for physical contact granted.... "Are you alright?" she saw the tears well up in the girls eyes as she went with her to he lion table and she thought for a moment that something was wrong. Was it her, did she do something wrong?!

It was only fitting that Ava had joined their clan. She... belonged.

"Ava!" he replied in the same manner as she had greeted him. "Welcome to Gryffindor," because duh, it was a good thing. He watched curiously as she offered Zander... HEAD BOY Zander, her gum. Merlin this would be fun. And he accepted!

Zeke watched, eyes bright with anticipation of what was to come next...



His immediate response to Adi's question - the first part at least was, "Great," because he was. But... gobstones? "Super ready, I guess, considering I won't be playing anymore." Yeah, awkward much? He just wasn't all that INTO the game anymore. Effort. AND... there were better things to do with ones time.

"Had a good summer?" Summer's were great, grand even, there was seldom anyone who didn't enjoy their summer.



He was quite at his leisure, where he was, and with the peeps in his vicinity. However, he would never object to seeing an AJ. Her signature 'Sup' got an amused grin from him, because lets face it, friends was something he DID miss over the break, AJ included. "N'much dudey," he replied, "sup with you?" Wasn't it just grand to be back?


He could help but briefly turn his attention to the staff table, there were so many new faces up there. He didn't have a problem with change, but it most certainly was an inconvenience.



It was when he felt a warm body claim the seat beside him that his gaze returned to investigate.

Oh. HI KAYCEE. Her comment was received with a nod, because there was no harm in being a little happy, now was there? "It's great to be back, don't you think?" he replied with a question to start, "Or would you prefer I look miserable?"

He winked here. Cause he knew that she knew things, but what he didn't know was how much she knew of things... or whatever. At any rate, they were comrades in this, it was their secret as much as it was his and Maggie's.



Feeling eyes on him, Zeke looked up in time to see Puck turn away. She had prefecting duties apparently. Sucked to be her.

She was cool beans though, so he'd have to catch up with her later.

GRYFFINDOR!!!!

Noelle bounced to the Gryffindor table with a big grin on her face. She was beaming from ear to ear. Of course she had fallen on her face... TWICE in front of the whole school but she saw someone else had done the same thing. So she was in the clear.

She bounded to a bench and slide onto the bench. She waved energetically at all the other Gryffindors at the table. She wasnt shy.. and she had a bad habit of oversharing and over talking, but she was friendly enough. "Im Noelle Grace Summers! THE Noelle Grace Summers!" She announced to anyone with ear shot. "Oh my Merlin! Im a Gryffindor!!" Again, she was telling whoever would dare listen to the ickle firstie. "Mum told me I would be. She told me! She was a Hufflepuff but she said I would be a Gryffindor!" Now, she was just babbling, but she got that way when she was over excited.

Her eyes danced across the Gryffindor table now, examining the others that she would call her House mates. Mum had told her that these would be the best friends she would ever have for the next 7 terms. Mum was still friends with her first year friend. She was determined to do the same. Now, lets make some friends.

Okay so maybe sitting staring at the plate in front of her and around waiting on the food wasn't going to make the food get here any faster. Staring was happening though. Food wasn't. Sad times. She was really starting to wonder why she even came back this term. So far it had been completely pointless and the speech hasn't even been given yet.

Cinna spotted the girl that rode the carriages in with her. She was very rude about it too. Did she like to stand around or something or was she really that confused about what to do? "If you're not a first year. What year are you in?" She never answered her in the carriages. Rude she was rude. "You can sit down you know?" It was kinda of annoying to be stood over. She didn't like it. No one stood over her.

He didn't know why Dora and Ava were looking at each other like that or why Dora was yelling about Howlers and trouble but he DID wanna know and almost asked too. Only thing stopping him was the girl suddenly asking him about the squid! Oh! He'd all but forgotten about him in all the nerves and worry over being a Gryffindor. "It sucks, he didn't even pop a tentacle out to say hello. Me and Suri are gonna go looking for him later--you can come too!" They could ALL go because maybe he liked an audience and would have wanted to make an appearance if he knew TONS of people had come to see him.

He turned next to Ava who'd been asking about his cousin in the middle of all her excitement at them being sorted together. The boy grinned widely. "He'll be here ANY MINUTE. Just need the hat to get itself together." It was a little confused earlier...or maybe Blaise was the one confused but that was all behind him now because he was officially a LION! "Now we just need the food and this night will be PERFECT."

Even while he was trying to focus on the only two people he currently knew, every now and then his eyes drifted to the other students at the table who'd been nice enough to welcome him to the house. There was so many of them. The boy half wondered HOW he would get to know them all but he left that to his quill and notepad that had settled on the table near him, scribbling away furiously trying to capture everything that was going on.

Being as easily distracted as he was, it was a grand thing the quill knew how to write on its own because Blaise was all and completely taken in by the GHOST at their table. "Whoaa...." He leaned in a little closer to his writing implements. "Don't miss a single word he says." The boy straightened some. "I don't reckon you'd be opposed to an interview, Sir?" Please? PLEASE?

From the corner of his eyes he caught that one boy (Zander) watching that Charlotte girl who'd been yelling Ravenclaw at the hat. He was calling it the best house ever and the boy had no complaints--questions though, he had a few of those and his quill was ready to take the answers. "Does the best house get to eat first?" Currently all the tables were empty and his tummy was rumbling in unpleasant ways. Was this any way to treat champions?

He MIGHT have heard whatever answer was offered up if his cousin hadn't come hollering down the aisle at the top of his lungs. The boy didn't mind though, he was too busy grinning and bouncing in his seat because he and his cousin had gone through the worst of it! The hat gave them what they wanted and that was the end of that. No take backs; it was totally a rule! "Mate, I swear it almost made me a Ravenclaw, I had to be arguing the whole time--caught it all in my notepad." He said, nodding toward his prized possession and in that moment Bentley had decided it was picture time. The only logical thing to do at a time like this? Jump into the pretty girl's (AJ) lap and smile widely and go 'CHEESE'. DUH.

Taking a seat with Iselin, Rea slowly wiped at her face; not at all abashed at her own tears. Emotions were natural, and hers were happy ones. So, why be embarrassed?

Sniff, sniff...

"I'm just so relieved to be back. It's like coming home, you know?"...Of course, it had completely been her own fault she'd left in the first place...but there still weren't any regrets. Reagan didn't believe in them. "I'm better than okay, I promise." Did her new friend see the bright smile beneath the tears?...because it was most certainly there.

After a few moments of collecting herself, where she used the end of her robe!sleeve to dry her face, Rea continued about the tree-planting venture. "I'm wanting to do either a Royal Empress or European Chestnut, though, I'm torn between the two." Both were so useful, and long growth periods weren't game-changers since they had magic at their disposal.

...which reminded her...

She didn't see Professor Bentley at the staff table. Did that mean there was a new Herbology Professor?! If so, Reagan would need to befriend this person ASAP! As well as...a new CoMC Professor? She didn't see Professor Thompson, either.

Ellery was already beaming at all her new housemates, waving at them and grinning and envisioning how GOOD her hair was going to look with the scarves, but then it was her brother's sorting. They DID go back to back, of course.

She was giving him all the reassuring smiles, making a heart with her hands, et cetera, when all of a sudden…

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAH!!!! Real funny, Dr. Hat," she said, looking around and shrugging. Hats could make jokes too, she supposed. But nobody else was smiling - or at least not at the hat. She turned in horror back to her brother, but he was heading to the WRONG house table, a.k.a. NOT GRYFFINDOR.

"DR. HAT," she practically screeched inside her head, hands clamped over her ears. Ohno ohno ohno. In all of her "what if"s about Hogwarts, her brother NOT being in her house was NEVER one of them. When the hat didn't reply inside her head, she stood up, turned around, and ran towards the Slytherin table.

Slytherin. Green wasn't good for a Borzekowski-Thomas, didn't the hat know that?

Kaycee smiled a little. "No. Happy is good. We should talk more about it later." Because Kaycee knew better than to openly discuss personal business. She was a good friend like that.

And, boy, were there things that could be discussed. The summer made for good conversation. The whole being dumped thing also made for interesting cheering up. It didn't really make her feel better, but she did understand Maggie loads better, so that was cool.

She shrugged. Was it great to be back? "I like not having to check in with the parental units all the time." Other than that.... she wasn't excited or anything. She just hoped the term would be good, all things considered.

"Quite splendid, thank you for asking," the ghost smiled in return. "Especially now that it seems you have finally learned my preference in name." He glided a bit down the table, waving at students as he passed them. "How are the Hufflepuffs doing?"


"OH! Look who it is! Delightful to see you back with in these walls!" he greeted the young Miss. "It was enjoyable enough, but the castle never is quite the same without all of your presences."

Sir Nicholas returned the nod offered by the fourth year. And, thanks to his ruff, his head did not wobble at all and traumatize any first years.

"Yes, thank you," he nodded towards her. "I trust yours was as well?"


"SAY THAT LAST BIT A LITTLE BIT LOUDER!" Sir Nicholas encouraged with a toothy semitransparent smile as he floated much closer to the Head Boy. He could not help himself and moved to give the boy a congratulatory pat on the back. Which, naturally, meant that his hand went right through Zander's back and out through his chest.


"I prefer, Sir NickOLAS, if you please," he corrected the girl. "And what may I call you?"


"Perhaps a bit too quiet. I much prefer this atmosphere."

Although there were some benefits to the castle being a bit more private over the summer. Beneficial, but not entirely fruitful.

Sir Nicholas cast a fleeting glance towards the staff table, thankful that ghosts could not blush.


"Good evening! Fifth year already," Sir Nicholas mused. The dreaded OWL term.



Cheese.

Oh how he longed to experience the taste on his tongue once more...

Smiling, Sir Nicholas posed for the picture. As he would for any and all photography opportunities, in case the young man was wondering. Hopefully his specter self would appear on the film.

It reminded him of a young man from years and years ago...


"Good evening, Puck," he smiled to the seventh year as he took a look about the table. "Perhaps it would be wise of you to assist one of your housemates not in proper attire?" The ghost gestured towards her fellow seventh year.

Before one of the professors caused a scene about it, hmmm?

The seventh year in question might've been sitting away from the commotion surrounding the first years, but she could still hear what was going on. Particularly when the house ghost decided to make a slight stink about her clothes. And made the mistake of mentioning it to Prefect Puck. Hey, at least she was wearing some clothes. Besides, in Heather's eyes, her lack of uniform was nothing compared to basically leading a fellow student to their death by ignoring the fact that they were about to enter the Forbidden Forest. So, yeah, the ghost was receiving the stank face for that comment.

"Maybe it would be of more assistance if someone were to inform the people in charge that an announcement on the train of when we're close to Hogsmeade would be helpful. You know, for those of us that fall asleep." Hint, hint.

Hours of countryside could be incredibly boring to city folk.

Okaaaaaayyyy. That was not the reaction she was expected from Angel. She remembered that the girl was more cheerful when they're a firstie. But maybe she's matured now? Probably. Did she asked something? Blinks. What's wrong with her? "Are you okay? Do you need to see the Healer?" At frist she thought sitting next to Angle would be a great idea compare to sit next to the loud first year over there but she just couldn't take the gloomy aura that came from Angel.

And then she saw an older dude (Zander) with a badge showed up. Candice thought he's the Gryffindor Male Prefect but when she looked closer its. Head Boy badge. Cool. The Head Boy was a Gryffindor. She wondered who got the Head Girl badge. "Congratulation on being Head Boy." Who ever your name is. She remembered she saw him once when she's a first year but she couldn't remembered his name. Z something.

Candice attention went back to Ava. "Yeah. pretty cool, huh?" At least one of first year was little sane. And not loud. "Sure. Sure." They didn't get a chance to finish their game last time. But she was pretty sure that Hogwarts didn't have table hockey anywhere. Oh wait. They have ROR, maybe they have one of those there.

Yeah she didn't share Adi's excitement. Seriously what's a Puffer doing here? He's a Gryffindor for today? HELL NO! Someone please take this Puffer away. "I do mind actually." So shoo. Go back to your Badger's cave. What did they call Badger's house anyway? "Nope. Its wasting my money." And beside the guy on the magazine was not that hot.

When she was talking to the Hufflepuff Prefect, she saw the other Valentines triplets (AJ). "Hi, AJ." She gave the girl a small wave. Did AJ said she need to talk to Angel? What about? Hmm...Now she's curious. Let it go, Candice! Its not your business. "It went very well. Thank you very much." Sh was back to not-so-shinny England so it went very well. "How about you? How's your summer?" And why did AJ and Adi looked VERY friendly? BROWS.

Candice attention diverted when she heard someone calling her name. Huh? Who? She turned around and looked what the cat's dragged in (Colt). "Colt, right?" She saw him a few times when she's in Durmstrang. "Nope. And I guess I'm not the only one, huh?" Smirks. "Too boring and too small for me." Hogwarts castle was MUCH bigger than Durmstrang. She looked at Colt closely. "You got sorted to Slytherin. Congratulations!" She kinda wished that he's a Gryffindor but....Oh well, they could still hang out sometime.

Then heard someone (Bentley) was yelling CHEESE.

Oh. Picture time.

"CHEESE!"

She hoped her hair looked alright in that picture.

Delightful to see you back with in these walls! GRIN. She. That's why Sir Nicholas is her favorite ghost. "Its great to be back again." SO great. "But you get the whole castle for yourself. It must be fun." Well, sure he had to share it with other ghost and house elves but still.

And looked another ickle coming towards their table (Noelle). She seem very energetic. All waving and smiling. Firstie are SO innocent. "Hi, Noelle. Welcome to the Lion's Den" Candice gave the ickle a small wave and a smile. That's friendly enough, right? And then the first year started talking about her mom and how she told her that she'd end up in Gryffindor. "Well, I guess your mom is right after all." How cute.

Goodness. So many Gryffindor students this term, he wondered if the tables could fit all of them at once. *Yup...mentally chuckling on that.* Anyhooo, Henric was there to give his greetings to the new first years and transfers. He knew some of them atleast during his summer spent in Diagon Alley. He wished he brought along strawberry jam rolls for each of them right now. He spotted familiar faces over the red's table including Adi's girlfriend AJ,peculiar Angel, headboy Zander, prettyYoongi and more. He gave them all a Hufflepuff spirit wave.

He then spotted the Dora kid/kebab stealer and Ava, who beaten him in a game of FIFA football ONCE. Oh and the new quiet girl he met at the bookstore,she was here too?! Her name was Rissa, was it?
"Hi guys, congratulations for being sorted into Gryffindor."*GRINS*
Wait....wasn't that Candice over there? The mighty super prideful Gryffindor as he would dubbed her. "You...aren't you a little mean to us, we Hufflepuffs have the right to be here coz' we are brilliant,"he commented, half-jokingly of course.

Keane grabbed the closest empty seat he could find at the Gryffindor Table after the Hat took it's fair time sorting him out. He was sure it would be instantaneous he watched a few first years who's head the hat barely touched before him.

The Feast wasn't being a total dreg of course. The crowd of students was easy for him to blend into. he could easily toss his hood and just watch everyone and everything, and not be bothered while doing so.

The Mysterious McGinnis Boy hunched his back and kept his head low. Eyeing everyone around him taking in the sights of the Great Hall, and all the Witches Wizards, Ghosts, and whatever else graced them with their presence... surrounding him.

Angel suddenly heard her sister speaking to her and she looked down at the table. She didn't really want to talk about anything to anyone. She loved her sister dearly but she wasn't sure she was ready to talk about anything at all to do with a certain someone.

Angel just couldn't get the saying "We need to talk!" out of her head, she looked at her sister for a few seconds before she looked at Candice, this was just going to be very hard and she thought it might be better to just go hide in the dorm. "I suppose we do." Angel sighed, she knew that it would be best to get her feelings out but she wasn't sure about if now was the right time.

Angel thought about what the house ghost said to her, technically her awesome had been good, and she thought about what she had done in the summer. "I went to a summer camp." Angel thought about the camp and the friends she had made. "I went and explored loads of plants and learnt how to become an explorer." Angel couldn't wait to go around the world exploring different plants. Though she knew she still had three years left of school which was hopefully going to be fun.

Angel looked at her friend Candice as she spoke "Sorry, I've just had some drama happen on the train." Angel hoped her friend wasn't mad with her for dragging her down. "I'm glad your back though." Angel gave her friend a weak smile. "I hope we can hang out a bit." Angel then thought about the healer. "No I don't think the healer can help me with my problem." Angel thought the Healer would probably tell her to get over it.

Angel was about to continue when someone shouted cheese, she wasn't really in the mood for her picture taken and so she just sat there whilst it seemed Candice was making sure her hair was perfect, normally she would have done it herself but she didn't care what her hair looked like at the minute, her face was tear stained and she was sure she looked a mess at the moment.

Angel then waved at Zander and a few other students, she then saw her other sister Abby who also got a small wave from her, she then looked at the staff table to see if she could figure out who was new and who had left. She kept her ear open in case someone spoke to her.

She turned to Adi, "Zhenny, she used to be Slytherin and just graduated last term." Ava did remember that this guy was sort of her sister's closest friends. Zhenny had told them (yeah them, she and Teddy of course.) before. "Oh, you're welcome! Help yourself." She mischievously grinned when the Hufflepuff guy decided to take her 'gum',

Little Ava????

Did this not-so beautiful Yoongi dude just called her little? And why his elbow was in her head. WOAH. "First, I am not little so don't you dare call me Little Ava. And second, it's rude to put your elbow on someone's head." She got the rid of Yoongi's arm and slightly twisted it. "And I don't think I'm gonna ask something to you because you don't seem a helpful guy and... you're just a pretty face with nothing inside."

Oops. That was rude, Ava Burton!

The brunette girl then saw another older girl (AJ) welcomed her and talked about unicorn hunting party. "Is that a real activity?" She asked curiously. Because unicorns were cool and she was excited if that really happened.

She spotted two first year fellows joined the Gryffindor, a girl named Blair and Bentley!, still with his camera of course. She smiled and waved at Blair. "Hey there, I'm Ava, it's nice to meet you." And once Bentley asked them to smile because he's gonna take photo, the brunette girl put on her best smiled and make a 'Peace' sign with her finger.

CHEESE!

So the Mr. Head Boy had a name, Zander. "Okay then, Mr. Head Boy... I mean, Zander. Yeah, Zander. I'm Ava Burton." She introduced herself. It seemed like this guy looked confused or dunno. Maybe that's why he had a note, she didn't know what he did just write there but apparently it wasn't her business. "Help yourself." She said as she offered him the shock gum. And why Zeke watched at her when she offered the gum to Zander? Oh right, he's one of her prank victim. Better not to reveal it, Zeke!

HEHEHEHE.

And there's the female prefect too. She just smiled and gave a small wave to her. She wouldn't offer her the prank because from what she experienced, older girls didn't appreciate the prank and took it very seriously. And it wasn't fun.

Now we just need the food and this night will be PERFECT

"Oh yes, we need food. Merlin, I'm so hungry." Ava said to Blaise. "You and Bentley seem very close. You guys are friends before, or you two are related?" She asked curiously. Because if they were related, it sounded fun to be in a same house. At some point she wished that Teddy and her were in a same house too but it sounded impossible. Her twin brother fitted in Ravenclaw while herself... she was here, in Gryffindor and she's very happy about it. She slightly looked at Teddy from her seat and smiled at him. She also spotted another girl who introducing herself as Noelle Summers, Ava just smiled and waved at her.

Sir Nicholas? Actually it sounded a little bit ancient, but if the ghost wanted her to call him that, alright. "Sir Nicholas, okay. I'm Ava." She introduced herself.

"Yeah, it's cool. We are cool, though." She said to Candice. Playing the hockey table with her was pretty fun, too bad that they didn't have a chance to finish since Teddy asked him to leave because her mother was looking for her.

There was another Hufflepuff boy came to Gryffindor table. It seemed like the Hufflepuffs loved to say hello to everyone, why didn't they also say hello to the staffs there? Oh look, it's Henric! "Hey there, United fan. Hope we can play FIFA again sometime because I love to kick your butt." Hehehehe. Well, though it seemed that at the last game he went easy on her.

Did…did AJ just call him a Gentleman?

Yoongi tried not to laugh at that. He was hardly a gentleman but if she wanted to call him that he would play along. He straightened his back and Gryffindor tie and bowed his head, making some kind of flourish with his hand. “A good evening to you too , lady” lol lol “Ready for a spiffing new year?”

More students came to sit at the Gryffindor table and Yoongi wondered if they could perhaps all wear nametags. Cause he wouldn’t be able to keep them apart. Luckily, that wasn’t his job but he felt slightly bad for Zander who seemed to be writing down everything. Poor guy. “Ah yes, I’m glad that is over” the OWLS studying he meant. “I still can’t believe I fainted during my DADA practical but I still got an E!” he scratched the back of his head in slight confusion but then shrugged his shoulders. “What you writing there?” he asked though he already knew. Just keeping the conversation going.

Like Adi, another none Gryffindor student appeared at their table. Were they all lost or something? Or was it normal to go from table to table? He waved at Abby , the girl he shared a carriage with earlier and then turned his attention to Nick. Well, he got what he meant. The castle being quiet over the summer could get a bit boring. But what on earth was he supposed to say about his answer though? He didn’t know so he just nodded and watched him look over at the staff table, for whatever reason.

“Ow!” Yoongi gasped as his arm was suddenly twisted slightly and he looked down at Ava holding it. What had THAT been about? Oh right, he forgot how fierce LITTLE gryffindors could be, Merlin’s Beard. “I was just making a point” he shrugged as he rubbed his arm. “…….a pretty face with nothing inside? Well, I’ll take the pretty face part as a compliment but that I don’t seem helpful? You are very mistaken” he pointed around him, as if he was showing her the kingdom like in that muggle animated lion movie, ah a classic that one was. “See these people? Some of them wouldn’t have been here if it wasn’t for me….and some others” he muttered the last part under his breath and then stuck out his chest, held his head high and spoke in a rather pompous voice “Yes, you are looking at one of the selfless and helpful rescuers who rescued the students and Headmistress out of the forbidden forest when they were taken by giant acromantulas last year” ha! See? He was helpful. “Don’t judge a book by its cover, oh tall Ava” heh

Marsha was trying not to bounce in her seat, honest. It was a more reserved excitement than she felt this time last year which had been mixed with anxiety and nerves… this year there was just excitement. Especially with no Bellaire… did that mean that she might understand Transfiguration now? Or at least have a chance? Though no Glendower and Thompson and Quiggley made her want to pout and cry and throw a fit… but she was sure that the replacement teachers would be great too.

”Hiya! How are you?” Sha smiled at the younger girl (Ava). ”I’m Marsha. I’m a Second year. If you ever need anything just ask… either me or any of us really. We’ll do our best to help.” Grins happened as she motioned up and down the table. Though as she looked up and down the table her eyes fell over Yoongi who she had spent the train ride with, and Angel who looked like she needed a hug or two… Hmm. They both got smiles and waves, and she made a thought to go and talk to Angel later in the Common Room.

”Sir Nick! Good evening.” She smiled wide at the ghost that had just appeared through the middle of the table. ”Did you have a good Summer? Did you get to do anything interesting?” Yup, their House ghost was awesome, Marsha wouldn’t let anyone say otherwise, hehe.

So, even if she was sad at having left her Mam, Tad and little Alis all over again… seeing all of her friends across the room was making her feel so much better. She could see Dot and Benzi and Sara (all of whom were sporting something glinting on their uniforms… DID THEY MAKE PREFECT? OH MY GRIFFFIN!!! That needed looking into later).... There was Brian and Kate and Lance and Rusty and Zander and Puck and Noel and Hayley and her aunts Alyssa, Rayne and Jaymie. Soooo this year was already looking better even if some of her favourite teachers and aunts had left last term.

Oh! Talking of friends she grinned at AJ as she stood behind her. Slipping from her seat, she even stood up to give the older Lion a hug. Her arms wrapped instantly around AJ’s waist as she smiled. ”Hey AJ.” Clingcling. ”Yeah, I got to ride a lot, which was awesome… and I went to Diagon Alley a lot as well, which was fun. What about you?” She asked, pulling back a little to look up at her. AJ was awesome and totally the big sister that she never had.

Though once their conversation was over, she sat back down in her space grinning at the sole fact she was surrounded by friends. In fact, Zander whom she had seen in the hall a few minutes before had just sat down opposite her. ”Hey Zander!” She offered him a slight wave of her hand at the same time as she answered him. ”I wonder who our new Creature’s Professor is?” she asked him, as she once again looked at the empty chair. She knew that Zander loved creatures - it was something they had bonded over last year… the same as her and Adi. Yupyup.

Smiling, she grinned back at the girl who had just sat next to her (Riley). Hadn’t the hat just called out Ravenclaw? Hmm… Oh well, with a slight wave of her hand though, she introduced herself. ”Hi, I’m Marsha… Did I hear the sorting hat call you Riley?” It was only polite to make sure that she had heard the girls name right, especially when she had been talking to AJ - she could have easily mishead.

Looking up and away from the girl for a minute as she heard a familiar voice calling out her name, she grinned at Puck as she walked towards her. ”Puck! Hi! Yeah, it was good. Managed to keep myself busy even if all I wanted to do was practise magic.” … but Sha knew that was probably what most of the school faced over Summer unless they were lucky enough to be seventeen… That really did seem like ages away… Also… why wasn’t she seventeen yet?

Looking back to Riley she grinned before she looked around the table again. She waved at the first years that looked her way and then noticed one of the older girls (Larissa) who had just joined them and had been sorted into Gryffindor. She got a smile and a wave too. Sha was too far down the table to talk to her, but that could happen later if the girl didn’t mind talking to second years.