Start of sixth year? Vi was so ready. New hairstyle, new age, new temporary tattoo but she was still the same Holden with the same Lion robes. Sixth year was going to be a great year... She could just feel it, y'know? Olivia had a good vibe about it all. Being back at Hogwarts just felt wonderful. She beamed. She couldn't wait to catch up with some of her friends and housemates here at the table as most of them.

As she entered the hall, she made sure to wave to her Head of House up at the staff dais as well as both Professor Stewarts... Merlin. She just ended up waving to all the Professors. It was nice to see them again. She'd have to go up and say hello to them later during the evening for sure.

She took a seat at her relatively open house table, enjoying the peace and quiet. It wouldn't last forever because the start of term party and wild shenanigans would begin like they always do. This year she wasn't going to be too quiet and just observe the shenanigans. She didn't know what she'd do just yet. Perhaps she'd even join in?

Now where was the Lion crew?

By entering the great hall, Ava realized that now she's officially a seventh year student. Seven years had come so fast, Merlin! Although she's looking forward to graduate but still, it's sad to realize that next term she's not going to be back here anymore. So let's just make this year remarkable.

After changed her attire to school robe, she headed to the table where she belonged to, Gryffindor! Why on earth she's always early for the feast? Except that Ava was not really that early since Olivia was already there. The seventh year decided to sit next to her. "I hope this seat is not taken because I want to sit here." Meaning: hello and it's great to see you again. And since it would take a long time for the food appeared, she had prepared cookies just to fill her stomach. "Cookie?" She offered to Olivia.

Also. "I like your new hair." Why she hasn't noticed before?

It wasn't long before a fellow Gryffindor had shown up. And it had been Ava Burton! Noelle's bestie and a fantastic housemate. And a seventh year this year... No, no. Olivia wouldn't think of that. It was just the beginning of the year... No need to get sad and think about all of that. They had to enjoy this year for sure! She was glad to see Ava. Vi always enjoyed her company greatly. "Only taken by you!" she smiled, motioning to the seat beside her. It was all Ava's. Vi was just about to ask Ava about her summer when the wonderful seventh year had just offered her a cookie. Her tummy grumbled a little. Merlin. Cashews weren't nearly enough to fill the stomach of a growing girl. "I'd love one. Thanks! These smell great," she said as she happily took a cookie.

She had just taken a bite of the cookie when Ava said that she liked her new hair. Yeah, it was shorter and more curly for sure. It was much more manageable compared to what it had been last year... Frizzy, long, and all over the place. Shorter curly hair was much easier. She didn't want to chew while answering so she chewed and then replied. "Thanks! I thought it was time for a change. These cookies are delicious!" Seriously. She'd have to get a recipe. And Ava needed to open a bakery on the side. The girl had some serious baking skills. First the red velvet cupcakes.. Now these scrumptious cookies. "How was your summer? You said you had the internship, right? What else did you get up to?"

The train ride had been okay. Well, it had been okay after Derf had found her and given her a distraction, but there were still way too many things on Stasya’s mind. Way too many things than a twelve, almost thirteen year old could take, but she was trying. She was trying to be the best Gryffindor she could be, even if she knew there was going to be one less person at her house table to look up to. Hopefully Liv would be back before she knew it, even if deep down the slender blonde understood the reason for her older friend’s disappearance. At least she knew where Liv was. The other major disappearance in her life was less understood, which was why her grey-green eyes had flickered up toward the staff table even as she had walked over to the Gryffindor table. Okay. He was there. Hopefully she would get to talk things out and maybe Professor Hirsch could help her feel like maybe it wasn’t the end of the world.

She was really getting tired of feeling disappointed at the beginning of school. But first, her own table. Even she knew that students weren’t usually allowed up at the staff table this early in the feast, and she managed to give Olivia and Ava a smile as she passed the two older girls on her way to a seat. She was just going to try and make the best of things. Well, and maybe peek over to see if Henry or Derf were at the Hufflepuff table yet while she waited for Emmeline and everyone else to get there and give her another distraction. Gryffindors were good at that.

The trip to Hogwarts this term was a little more than the typical chill ride of yesteryear for the now floppy curled Prefect, for one thing his kneazle broke lose and started chasing down his other pet, a spindly leaf bug, as felines and critters often do. He sauntered into the Great Hall and made his way towards the Lion's table, his blue-green gaze sparkled when he saw who was already there. Of course Stasya and Ava are good friends and housemates, but that one lovely lady is what got him to smile that brilliant smile that lights up a room.

"Hey there...." he crooned at Olivia as he took the seat on the other side of her, since Ava sat on the other. "Hiya Ava! Cookies? What flavor are they this time? he asked jokingly, because he still remembered those canary cream ones. "Stas why so serious?" he teased the young Lioness, which if she knew her Muggle Studies, may have recognized that classic phrase.

But now his attention to the beholder of beauty "So how was your train ride Vi? Anything exciting happened? Aaaaand.... how's your tattoo holding up?" he was curious as he shifted his glance to one of her arms.

Its hard keeping track of your friends when you come into the Great Hall. Or maybe it was easy and Théo was an idiot. Which could very well be the case. But anyway Théo was here. Surrounded by older kids like usual. Maybe he should wait to come in here and just i dont know find someone he knows and walk over here with them. Good plan right? Maybe next time. Actually not all where older there was Stas. But one out of maybe four was eh he didnt want to do math right now.

"GUYS GUYS"

Theo loudly said jumping onto a bench

"WHATS UP?"

Was that cookies?

He then sat down looking around

Shay was a bundle of mixed feelings, as she entered the Great Hall for her second and final Opening Feast. She was happy to be back at school amongst her friends. At the same time, she was a bit sad that her last year at Hogwarts was upon her. It seemed as though she had just arrived at the school, well she pretty much had. Pushing those thoughts aside, she headed for the Gryffindor table. Watch out seventh year coming through

Spotting familiar faces, she broke into a smile. "Hey Ava, Olivia", she said as she sat down in the first empty space she saw. Checking out the rest of the Gryffindors, she addressed the prefect next. "Hi Tenacious. How's it going?" Stasya and Théodore got waves and smiles, before Shay turned her attention back to her nearest housemates (Ava and Olivia). "So ladies, how were your summers?" Shay couldn't wait to hear about Ava's internship.

Unable to find his stash of muggle candy (he suspected that he'd accidentally packed it in his trunks instead of his carry on bag) and unwilling to go for the typically moving wizard candy, Ronan was understandably hungry as he took a seat at the Gryffindor table. But he didn't let that sour his mood. Instead, he just looked around the Great Hall, taking it all in before issuing a greeting to his fellow housemates (as he had every year since his first).

"Hey guys!" he exclaimed, smoothing down his tie. "Hopefully the Headmistress will be quick with her speech tonight, non?" Yes, the hunger was very real with this one right now. Also, the thirst. One would think the school would at least provide them with water while they were waiting.

It was SO FUN walking into the Great Hall as a seventh year, honestly. Char was tempted to bespell her own fanfare just to make an occasion of it but she was too far in the moment to be bothered with that. Instead she just skipped in, beaming happily, did a pirouette, and then collapsed into her favorite spot as though she was about to PERISH of HUNGER. All these years and it still hadn't actually occurred to her to bring a snack while waiting for the feast to begin.

"Hi everyone? How were all your summ--COOKIES?! AVA can I HAVE ONE?" She could right? RIGHT? Look, she was STARVING over here.

Ah man it was GREAT to be back. Zoryn took an EXTRA long time getting back into the castle, making sure to say hello to all the appropriate people and places as she walked along. "HELLO STONE WALLS!!!" She gave them a nice pat before continuing her journey inside, "HELLO PORTRAITS," oh how she missed the lousy portraits. "OMG, HELLOOOOO COBWEBS," yes she missed those too.

Man.

Zoryn LOVED this place. "IT'S SO GOOD TO BE BACK," she did a very dramatic twirl as she made her way into the Great Hall at last, and threw her hands up into the air. "HELLO PLACE WHERE WE EAT ALL OF OUR MEALS EVERY DAY!" She gave the place an extra beam before making a point of walking by EACH house table and greeting them appropriately as she went. "HEY HEY, RAVENCLAW! HEY HUFFLEPUFF!! Ugh. Slytherin," Zor wrinkled her nose as she passed by that one and then sped up towards Gryffindor.

"AND LAST BUT NOT LEAST, THE TABLE OF ALL TABLEEEEEESSSSS! MY HOME, MY HEART, MY FAAAAAAVE," she gave the long, rectangular table a hug (sort of) before grinning at it like a proud mother. "I'm never leaving ever again." Never ever. Zor was camping out here next summer.

Anyways.

She booped all of her friends on the head (Olivia, Stas, Prefect Tenacious) and waved to the rest of the lions. But really, she spent her energy making a run for a spot on the bench right next to Théo!!!! "YOOOOOOOOOOO, WHAT UP MY DUDE?!?!"

And more and more Lions were joining them! Hooray! Olivia smiled as Stasya joined them but couldn't help but notice that she wore a rather serious facial expression on her pretty face. Huh? She wondered what was bothering the girl but decided not to press the issue because it was the feast and they were here to have fun and she was distracted by a very special someone taking the seat next to her. His hair was slightly longer than the last time she saw him. Hello to you too, Tenacius Salander. Every time she saw him, she still felt butterflies. "Hey stranger," she sung back to him. Merlin. Had it only been a week ago since she had last seen him? It felt much longer!! Vi pursed her lips when he asked her if anything excited happened on the train. "Hm... Well I did see Matt and then met a couple of excited and interesting younger students," she said with a nod. In fact, she met a first year that licked doors ...or train compartment doors (she still wasn't sure about it all) but still was somewhat delightful with all of his twirls. He was certainly an individual and she admired that. In any case... "I think you, Mr. Parole Officer." Vi touched Ace's hand gently as she called him that affectionate name that she had oh so graciously bestowed upon him when she had discovered that he was a Prefect. She didn't fully understand the concept of Prefects but enjoyed the teasing that could ensue from it. "And the rest of the Prefects are going to have your hands full this year but it will be fun." At the mention of her tattoo, she smiled proudly about it. Yes, quiet Olivia Holden had gotten a tattoo. She turned her right arm over so that her palm was facing the ceiling and then rolled up her robe slightly to show the curved arrows. She gently traced the arrows with her fingertip carefully. "I think its holding up well... I didn't get in trouble with my parents for it. How are your... swallows?" she asked, stopping herself from touching his collarbone cause that wasn't appropriate at the House Feast, right touching her own collarbone. Vi was curious to hear about how his parents reacted to it all.

Before she could ask the wonderful Ace any more questions, Theo had joined too. "Heya Theo!" she said. "Ava's cookies. They're delicious." Seriously Ava needed to open a small cookie store on the side here at Hogwarts. She'd make so much money. Then she returned his question, "What's up with you?"

Theo was soon followed by Shay. She smiled at the older girl. "Hey Shay!" Then she was asked about her and Ava's summers. "Wonderful. Really wonderful," she said with a very happy smile. "I worked at a local cafe and volunteered at a muggle museum." She had been too young to apply to the Ministry internship. Those were the problems of being born in August, huh? Still she was still able to have one of the best summers ever. "How was yours?"

And then Ronan joined them! He got a smile and wave. "Yes, I'm also hoping that food will be soon." Though Ava's magical cookie was helping tide her over. And before she could ask anything else, Charlotte!was over here and asking for cookies! See Ava really ought to open a business now. People were asking for the goods. She should start charging. "Hi! Summer was good. How was yours?" she asked the older girl. Merlin. SO MANY PEOPLE WERE HERE.

And then she heard ZORYN SPINNET ENTER THE PREMISE. She swore that she could have heard the girl before she actually saw her. The girl got a happy smile accompanied by a knowing look as if to say: We need to chat later about you know what. This was a matter of utmost importance after all. They needed to set up auditions. Well Zoryn set up auditions and Olivia watch the masterpiece unfold. Was it bad that she was encouraging such a behaviour?.... Not at all.

Jonas could practically hear Zoryn come in even before she got here. He just sighed and learned to just accept it. He pretended like the train thing towards the end anyway, didn't happen as he passed by giving her a small wave before going to his table.

Sir Nicholas glided into the Great Hall with a smile on his face. The start of a new term never failed to put the ghost in a merry mood! "Good evening,
Gryffindors!" he greeted the students of his most esteemed house. He bowed to each of the ladies in turn, and the gentlemen received friendly smiles.

"And hello to you too,Jonas!" he added quickly upon noticing the Slytherin.

"I trust all of you enjoyed your vacation," he said. "Is everyone ready for the new term?"

What was that delicious smell? It seemed Ava had prepared cookies. Oh, if only he could sample some! One of the pitfalls of being dead...

She grinned as Olivia complimented her cookies. "Thank you. It's just a regular chocolate chip cookies though." The Gryffindor was glad to provide the cookies because you know, they had a long train ride but then waiting for the headmistress' speech before the meal. "Short hair looks good on you. I'm thinking to cut mine but.. I don't think I'm ready yet." Ava loved her long dark hair so much. Cutting it would be such a huge decision and not to mention if she would look good if her hair was shorter. "Not much, just hanging out with Phillip and Noelle... Celebrating birthday with my siblings since we're all born in July. How about you and your OWL results?"

Ava couldn't help but raised her eyebrow when Tenacius asked about the cookies. "Just old-fashioned chocolate chip, no other addition." Was he still going to bring up the time when he got the canary cream cupcake? Merlin, it was like... five years ago! "Feel free to prove it if you don't believe me, prefect. Anyway, did you have a good summer?" but then when he mentioned about Olivia getting a tattoo, the seventh year couldn't help but turned at her. "YOU GOT A TATTOO??? CAN I SEE IT?"

Calm down, Burton.

Then she noticed someone else had joined her. "Hey Shay!" She greeted her roomie and gave her a little hug. Merlin, she missed this girl so much! "My summer is good, mostly just doing the internship at MLE and was fun, although we didn't really involve in their work but it's good. I got to shadow an auror there." And it made Ava was 98 percent sure to apply for their YATI program next year... although Noelle did change her mind but it wouldn't stop her. She would still support her bestie no matter what. "So, do you meet a cute guy on your summer holiday?" She asked Shay while wiggling her eyebrows.

More people came and Ava just gave a casual hello and wave to them(Theo, Ronan, Stas, Zoryn) and Char. "Sure, help yourself!" She grinned and offered the cookies. See? Bringing cookies to the table was a good thing. "My summer was good, I spent my time by interning for auror division at MLE." She probably knew a bit since her cousins were working there, right? "How's yours? Having fun with motorcycle riding?" This was just remind her about her plan to have driving lessons and probably it would happen next year when she graduated.

And hello, Sir Nick! She waved to the ghost.

He broke into an easy grin at the mention of the Solo fanboy "Matt! How is he doin' anyway? Still trying to be a cool Space Pirate?" he chuckled "And 'interesting' younger kids?... like interesting as in smart or or interesting as in.... strange?" it was a genuine question, although he couldnt help but snicker at the thought of some weirdo new kid doing strange things. Also that Vi called him by his nickname, but mostly looking forward to what kind of ridiculousness is in store for him.

She showed him her tattoo though, and he pressed closer to her to take a look. Yeah totally getting into her personal space heh "It is holding up really well, even for the delicate design like yours...." on her delicate arm and just everything lovely and delicate that Vi Holden is. But oh she asked about his own pair of inks. He grinned, loosened his tie and tugged on his dress shirt so she can see the swallows at the bottom of his neck "The lady used a heckuva lot of ink on mine, so its really sticking around for a bit for sure. And no, my folks still dont know about this yet. They didnt seem to notice so I sure heck wasnt gonna call their attention to it." he laughed.

Ava seems to have noticed their little talk, although seems to be very much taken with Vi's tats. He sneakily leaned away a tiny bit to let Vi take all that attention hehe. Nothing to see on him. Nope just enjoying another cookie the Gryffindor Prankster made, who claims that these are pretty mundane morsels "Needs more chocolate chips." he joked between mouthfuls.

And was that a bop on his head? He turned to look and laughed when he realized it was "--Z! Had a great summer yeah?. He saw the other Gryffindors started coming up too-- Theo and Ronan, and their soon to be grads Shay and Char "Hey guys! Welcome back!" he greeted them all.

Their friendly neighborhood House Ghost have joined them too "Hello Sir Nicholas! Yeah cant wait for tomorrow Sir. Bring it!"

"Regular chocolate chips are perfect. Sometimes there can be too many chocolate chips." She said finishing up her cookie. Ah it was so good. That would keep her content until the end of the Headmistress' speech. Olivia touched her shorter hair when Ava mentioned that it looked good on her. "Thanks!" AND THEN Ava mentioned that she was debating cutting hers short. THAT WAS EXCITING! But she did have such beautiful dark long hair that always seemed to sit perfectly. "Your long hair is beautiful. How short would you cut it?" Were they talking pixie or shoulder length or somewhere in between? Hanging out with Noelle and Philip and family sounded amazing. "That sounds like an awesome summer," she beamed. It really did sound terrific and relaxing. Family time was important. "OWLS were really good," she said with a smile. They were really good. Her lowest grade had been an Acceptable and that was in her subject (Ancient Runes) that she had been terrified about failing at. However, she didn't. Thank MERLIN. "My summer was great thanks! I worked at a local cafe, volunteered at a museum, and got to spend time with Etta and quite a bit of time with Ace."

Speaking of Tenacius, he had her full attention. "Matt seeems well. He was busy stocking up on candy at the food trolley. He apparently always has extra candy on him," she said and then laughed when he asked if Matt was still being a cool Space Pirate. "I don't know but he seemed like h was in fine form." She didn't really know if he was still really playing at being Solo these days. They were all sixteen.. older but still kids basically. Speaking of kids and all... Well she had had an interesting run in with a few of them. "I'd say a mix of both... but a couple who were adorable and really excited for Hogwarts. One who was very eager and sweet to me and the other who was...." Vi paused, struggling to phrase this next statement. She bit her lip and lowered her voice. "This one kid likes to lick things..." That was strange indeed. She still couldn't believe that he had licked the window.

And then Tenacius was very, very, very, very, very, VERY (did she mention how very close?) close to her. It wasn't like she didn't enjoy him being so close... Vi just... she felt.... butterflies. Pink dusted her cheeks and she nearly found herself unable to string words together because he was just so... so CLOSE. Erm. Tempted to kiss him, she was. She couldn't think. Delicate design? Yeah it was delicate. She was glad nodding was an acceptable form of communication. "Oh yeah..." She had finally found words. Then she watched as he loosened his tie so that she could see the swallows. Wow. Those were very visible. "It looks really good," she said as she moved closer to gently touch the swallows, deciding to ignore everything and everyone else in this moment. Ah so his folks still didn't know? "How do you think they'd react?" she asked.

Then Olivia remained quiet as she listened to Ava and Tenacius speak. She loved how his eye danced with excitement and the teasing smile he wore... "HUH?" she jumped. Ava was looking at her and Ace had slid slightly away. Oh. TATTOO. She's with it now. She was more than happy to talk about it the tattoo. "I was nervous about it at first because I don't like needles..." She was terrified of needles, TBH. "But Ace and the shopkeeper, Dory, helped convince me to give it a go. I decided to take a risk." And she couldn't have been more happy about her decision. Then Olivia tugged up her sleeve to show Ava the curved arrow tattoo on the inside of her right wrist. "It's a temporary tattoo but it's a symbol about perseverance. You should see Ace's," she added with a nudge to Mr. Tenacius Salander.

And then she was distracted by Sir Nicholas was here! "Hey Sir Nicholas!" she greeted, bobbing her head a little in a form of a bow. "I hope you had a great summer! Yes, I'm excited for tomorrow and this year." And everything that awaited her. All the possibilities.

It was hard to believe that she was starting her second year at Hogwarts already; sometimes it felt like it was just yesterday that someone had crammed the Sorting Hat on her head and she waited anxiously to see which table she would join. She had to admit, though, that there had been other times over the past year -- a LOT of other times -- that time had seemed to slow to a crawl and it felt like she'd never be free of..certain things. BUT the summer had mostly been pretty fun and full of adventures!

Emmeline trailed behind most of the crowd, kind of dragging her feet a bit as everyone surged towards the Great Hall after they got out of the carriages. She was thinking too much again, and she wasn't super ready to smile and act all happy yet. She had kind of accidentally avoided everyone on the train for that same reason and so the twelve-year-old took several deep breaths in the entrance hall before pasting a smile across her face and entering the Great Hall slowly.

Her eyes darted around the Hall as she walked towards the Gryffindor table. She checked that Derf was at the Hufflepuff table first, to make super sure he'd gotten here okay. She'd probably wander over there before everyone went to their common rooms. Then her eyes shot automatically to the staff table and to Cami; her guardian had been the nicest person ever ALL summer, but Emmeline still couldn't shake the lingering doubts in her mind that the Transfiguration teacher would wake up one day and realize she'd made a mistake.

The second year finally scanned her own House table, trying to force herself NOT to look for a certain boy in her year, waving at all of the older kids before dropping into the seat across from Stasya. She noticed the ghost a bit late, and called: "Hiii Sir Nicholas!", before turning her full attention to her best friend. Stasya didn't look super happy herself tonight, and Emmeline frowned a bit at the expression on the other girl's face before saying: "Hey Stas! How's it going?" She felt even guiltier now that she hadn't gone looking for Stasya on the train.

Before Jonas got to his table, however, Sir Nicholas talked to him.
"Good evening Sir Nicholas," Jonas smiled. "Not really," Jonas said. "The summer was too short," he said.

Practically moments after she’d even thought about wanting distractions, Stasya had noticed Ace arriving, but his teasing hadn’t done much more than get a momentary smile from her. No, she didn’t quite get the reference even if she’d taken Muggle Studies. Too much on her mind, but the mention of cookies had also gotten her attention. She hadn’t noticed that Ava had cookies. Maybe that would cheer her up. Chocolate chip cookies usually did, even if she was still feeling the news she wasn’t telling anyone before she could talk to Professor Hirsch. She just didn’t think she could manage to get it out before then, and she was still hoping the professor could help her figure out how to get through it.

Oh, and there was Théo. The slightly older boy got another smile from her, but otherwise she didn’t say anything. The question had been way too open-ended for her right now, when she wasn’t really sure what was up. Besides, there was Shay, Ronan and Char, who all got smiles from her before she’d craned her neck as she felt a boop on her head only to see Zoryn going over to Théo and just generally being Zoryn. Hi Zoryn. She got a smile too, plus some amusement as Jonas the Slytherin seemed to appear almost right after her like usual. That was just curious, even if he hadn’t stopped at the table. Sir Nicholas had seen him though.

“Hi Sir Nicholas!,” she called out, nodding in response to his question. She was ready for the term, definitely. Especially since she had cookies, leaning over to quietly take one as Ava had offered them. Yay cookie.

She’d started munching even as Emmeline had arrived and plopped down in the seat across from her. “Okay, I guess. I’m glad to be back at Hogwarts,” she said, giving her a smile that disappeared as she’d glanced up at the staff table again. She’d noticed the lack of her bestie on the train, even if she’d had a Derf anyway and a Scamander and maybe a Picketta. And Dobby and Albus, of course, who wer safely down in the barn now. Huh. She hadn’t thought about how many creatures had been in the train compartment before now. But she hadn’t begrudged Emmeline for being occupied elsewhere. She had her now.

How was it already start of fifth year? Evie thought to herself as she sat down at the long table in the great hall. She felt as though she had just finished sorting for first year. Evie remembered the scolding her parents had given her for not being more social during her first four years. Her father reminiscing of his Hogwarts days and all the friends he had during his schooling.

The brunette sighed to herself, she couldn't help that she would rather focus on school work. She wanted to know everything she could before her time here was over. Glancing down the table though, she was quite embarrassed that she honestly did not know anyone's name. Sure they looked familiar but the fifteen year old drew a blank on names.

Pressing her lips together into a line she took a deep calming breath and reached into her bag pulling out a book her mother had given her just before she departed on the train. She had already read half of it during the ride alone. Her mother knew Evie loved to read about History, both Wizarding and Muggle so it was only in her nature to have given her this book about the Salem Witch Trials.

Opening the book and placing the book mark on the table it wasn't long before the shy girl was lost again into the pages of her open book.

STOMP

STOMP

STOMP

STOMP

Beau Montague was here. Gryffindor, hello. With a SIGH, the first year sat down at the table he was supposed to feast at for SEVEN years and realised JUST how boring that idea was. JUST. HOW. BORING. The same people? The same angle? The same view of this big room for seven. whole. years. ?!!!?!????!?!!! THIS WASN'T FAIR. This house system was POOPS and QUAFFLES and BORING. This was going to be no fun at all. And because he was SO ANNOYED, Beau did not sit near his big sister.

Instead he picked up a knife and fork and started to bang on the empty plate in front of him. "WE WANT FOOD. WE WANT FOOD. WE WANT FOOD. WE. WANT. FOOOOOOOOOD." Noooooowwwwwwwwwwww.

Before he got ALL the MEATS with the Headmistress -- did anyone else think it was unfair that she had blue eyes? Wasn't that FAVOURITISM to the BLUE house? The avatar people. Not the simpsons or the aliens or these people at this stupid table of "lions". None of them LOOKED like lions. Weren't any roaring over here.

MAN. THIS STUNK.

Thomas was bored and totally wanted to go home already, at least at home he could just get anything to eat when he wanted to. Now, where was the head of house so he could complain about this awful service. "OKAY, Who's in charge here?" Thomas would love to find out because well he wanted to know.

He couldnt help but snicker a bit on Vi mentioning Matt stockpiling on candies "You sure he was just stockpiling them or smuggling them in?" But it was good that his Star Wars lesser half seems to be doing well post vacation. And then she said about those interesting kiddos were both smart and strange-- Tenacius began to smile at that because those usually made the funnest Hogwartians when Vi added that a kid liked to lick things. "What like a connoisseur sampling stuff?--" he gestured with his finger as if he's sampling icing on a cake "-- or like a cat?" meaning tongue on everything?

He wasnt gonna pretend like he didnt find it thrilling Vi making contact with the swallows, but he did make an honest to goodness effort to control his physical reactions, for the sake of herself and for the sake of everyone on the table seeing him possibly making a fool of himself. "Thanks" he smiled quietly. Her approval meant a lot. Oh his parents? "Honestly I dunno..." he chuckled as he started to redo his tie back in place ".... I am hoping my Dad will be ok with this. Like maybe eventually. I mean he's a bit rock n roll he understands what it feels right? My Mom though.... she might scrub this off me -- and thats even if its permanent." he laughed. So yeah definitely gonna delay telling the parental unit for as long as he can.

He greeted young Emmeline with his usual cheerful wave as she joined them, and with her sitting across from Stasya she can hopefully make the gloomy cloud hanging about the girl dissipate. He also greeted the other Gryffindor gal (Evie) before she loses herself in her book.

And then two first years comes in (Beau and Thomas)-- and just as he was about to welcome them brightly to the Lion fam they both looked incredibly disgruntled about being there... Welp, he couldnt understand what the kids these days are hearing about Gryffindors to always seem so put off being sorted with them. It was a disturbing trend that he's noticing. And being a dyed to the wool Gryffindor that he was.... he stood up, went to where they sat and clasped them both on the shoulders to roll out a jubilant, boisterous red-blooded Lionesque greeting "WELCOME TO GRYFFINDOR!!"

Stasya wasn't a very good liar. Not that Emmeline thought she was lying lying, exactly, but it was the same sort of "I'm okay" lie that she herself had told her friends loads of times last term. At least, she thought that's what Stasya's answer was like. But she definitely caught the other girl looking at the staff table and FROWNING. So, Emmeline took a minute to scan the staff table super carefully before she said anything, but she didn't really see what Stasya was looking for.

Weren't there more teachers up there last term? She thought there had been, and her mood lifted slightly 'cause what if this meant that some classes would be cancelled??? But she didn't see why that would upset her best friend, so she trained her blue eyes on Stasya and smiled before replying: "Me too. It'll be a SUPER fun term!!" She'd try super hard to make sure of that for Stasya and for their other friends and for herself. Emmeline paused to rummage around in one of her robe pockets and pulled out a chocolate frog. Grinning again, she held it out towards Stasya and asked, "Want some chocolate, Stas? How're Dobby and Albus?" She imagined that Stasya might feel a little sad at her pets being stuck in the barn now, the same way Emmeline did herself, but hopefully thinking about the creatures would cheer Stasya up a little too. That was her whole mission tonight.

Before she could think of anything else to do or say, an older girl whose name she didn't know (Evie) had joined the table and promptly gotten lost in a book. Emmeline blinked a little in confusion; she thought only Ravenclaws did stuff like that. She was about to poke the girl to see if she was lost or something when a reallllly loud, RUDE first year boy (Beau) joined their table too. She raised an eyebrow at him, and shot Stasya a "can you believe this boy?" look across the table. Then ANOTHER boy was Sorted into Gryffindor and he joined their end of the table too (Thomas). He wanted to know who was in charge but at least he wasn't all rude like the other boy. Maybe the first boy was SUUUPER hungry or something? Anyways, Mr. Ace came over and started welcoming them both to the House, so Emmeline grinned at all three boys and chimed in, "He's in charge here." She pointed at Mr. Ace so the first years couldn't miss who she meant. Well...he sort of was anyway. She went on to say, "Welcome to Gryffindor! What're your names?" to the first year boys after that. She was still polite and stuff, mhm.

A few minutes later, the headmistress had stood up to make her speech and Emmeline zeroed in on her with laserlike focus; she was super sure that the headmistress would reveal something cool or important in her speech like she had done last year. She did announce that extra-curriculars would be coming back this year, which Emmeline supposed was pretty cool, but the rest of the speech was short and...not all that cool. They were still going to have Astronomy and Potions lessons, ugh. She really wasn't sure how to feel about all that -- especially about who the new Potions master was -- but she was soon distracted by the LOADS and LOADS of food that had finally appeared on their table! The second year started scooping food onto her plate without any more delay, though she did keep an eye on Stasya to see if her bestie was eating and stuff. You know, in case whatever was bothering her was SUPER serious like that.