Cole entered the front carriage area after making sure that his sister was set up in the back carriage with her stuff. He didn’t want to have her hanging over him the whole ride. It wouldn’t be good for either of them. Shifting his grip on his cat carrier and renewing his grip on his trunk Cole pushed open the first empty carriage he found and headed inside. It was going to be long ride if his dad’s estimation was anything to go by. He really hoped he wouldn’t get sick or something else equally embarrassing in front of someone new. His step-mother had packed them lunches, but he was buying some cauldron cakes or something later on.

Taking a seat on the left side couch Cole let his white and black cat out it’s cat carrier beside him as he settled down close to the window. Stroking his cat absent-mindedly, he peered out the window for a moment thinking about his mother before he with a sigh got a sketchbook out of his backpack. Starting to draw he wondered if anyone would join him?

SPOILER!!: Cole! ^_^

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

Cole entered the front carriage area after making sure that his sister was set up in the back carriage with her stuff. He didn’t want to have her hanging over him the whole ride. It wouldn’t be good for either of them. Shifting his grip on his cat carrier and renewing his grip on his trunk Cole pushed open the first empty carriage he found and headed inside. It was going to be long ride if his dad’s estimation was anything to go by. He really hoped he wouldn’t get sick or something else equally embarrassing in front of someone new. His step-mother had packed them lunches, but he was buying some cauldron cakes or something later on.

Taking a seat on the left side couch Cole let his white and black cat out it’s cat carrier beside him as he settled down close to the window. Stroking his cat absent-mindedly, he peered out the window for a moment thinking about his mother before he with a sigh got a sketchbook out of his backpack. Starting to draw he wondered if anyone would join him?

Claudine was highly unsure of herself. The seating areas she had come across thus far were all occupied by at least one person and truth be told, she just wanted to do nothing but sit down and stare out of the windows. By herself. As usual, she wanted to be by herself. It irked her that her wish would go unfulfilled because at the moment, she was standing at an area that only housed one person. "That'll change no matter where I go,'' she said to herself and resigned to the fact.

With a quiet sigh, she made her way into the seating area without casting another look at the occupant. Claudine did not greet him as she was not one who usually spoke a lot. She simply planted herself on another free couch, near a window and as far away from the boy as possible.

She even took no notice of the cat.

And so this it...

Jillian did not think that summer will be over this fast but then with a blink of an eye it did and now she sees herself inside the seating area, ready to be transported back to school. But this time it's not like the students are all going back to Hogwarts. Nope, according to the news they're going to Beauxbaton. Did she study any French at all? She didn't, she technically forgot. Procrastinated as it was summer. Jillian figured that she can learn as she goes. Yes, that is her only plan. After her father and her exchange goodbyes she went inside and manages to get a seat. She did roam around a bit earlier but for now she just wanted to get a place where she can have her other stuff settled.

Obviously she sits next to the window. Looking at the scenery is the best thing when travelling. It can be fun. It also can be an inspiration for her if she decides to paint. She then place her bag on her lap and fix her hair.

Abra had felt apathetic at the Leaky Cauldron, after moving from her home without her parents. Auntie Lou had been great, and tried to make things fun and welcoming, but nothing could make Abra feel happy. So it was that today, on the day she would have been going to Hogwarts, that she would have been here with her parents, saying an excited or sad farewell. Unfortunately they weren't there, and she had already said goodbye to her Auntie. She felt neither excited nor sad. She felt nothing, really.

Heading onto the carriages from the front, she found a place to sit. There was already two people here - one that looked older, and one that looked possibly her age. People. She poked her head in and said "Um... hi. Do you mind if I sit here too?"

Cole slumped down against the couch comfortably as he got into the drawing of what he saw outside the carriage window; drawing the hills and wildlife and other things they passed. His cat had settled down on the seat beside him and was sleeping peacefully. Cole wished that he had that cat calm and not a head full of thoughts, emotions and worries all the time. Going to Beauxbatons was in some ways scary and exciting and sad and so much more.

When the door to his cubicle opened and a short dark haired girl about Isobel’s age entered silently and took a seat as far a way from him as possible Cole watched her silently perplexed. Who just entered a cubicle where someone already sat without even saying Hi and acknowledging the other person’s presence? Deciding not to be rude too Cole closed his sketchbook and looked over at the girl with a small kind smile pursing his lips. "Hi I’m Cole. I’m starting my fourth year. What year will you be in?"

Some moment’s later another younger girl with reddish hair entered his cubicle. Was he a first year magnet or something? At least this one asked if she could join them unlike the other one. Gesturing around Cole said kindly "Hi, no I don’t mind. Come on in! The cubicle is supposed to be big enough for 6 student’s so there’s plenty of room." At least it said so on the notice he had read somewhere when he entered the carriage.

Young Balthamos sat alone in an empty carriage he found. His face was glued to the window as he gazed outside. The view was… okay.

He had some mixed feelings about this year. He had spent all last one being excited to finally attend Hogwarts, especially after hearing so many epic stories. He wanted to have his own stories and memories already. Life at home was pretty boring, being the oldest child meant less attention from everyone. In general, it wasn’t fun sitting at home listening to your young baby brother scream all day and your parents making weird nonsense noises to please him. Merlin! His brother is so annoying.

But around a week ago he was pleasantly informed that he wasn’t really going to Hogwarts, but to this fancy shmancy French school. “Pretty sticks”. Ughhh… all because of some fog. He had waited so long to be one of those kids on the boats and to be in the Ravenclaw common room like the rest of his family. All Boots are proud Ravenclaws, and he will be too.

Anyways, pardon my French but “c’est la vie”; Pretty Sticks here he comes.

Analiese walked into the seating area and tried to find somewhere that wasn't already occupied with someone. All she wanted to do was to look at the views; was that too much to ask? Finding that all the places were occupied by at least one person, she slid into the couch opposite a boy who looked about her age. She placed her briefcase next to her and gave a little smile to the boy. "Hi.", she quietly mustered. She looked out of the window and gazed at the view. It was quite picturesque and she would be drawing it if she hadn't forgotten to pack her sketchbook.

A week ago, when Analiese was informed she was attending Beauxbatons and not Hogwarts this year, she had mixed feelings. On one hand, she was looking forward to meeting new people. On the other, however, she had gotten used to Hogwarts last year. But it was all for the better. She would much rather go to France than remain at Hogwarts with all the menacing fog. Just thinking about it made her shiver with fear. It had killed two people! How can you not be scared of that?

A train. It was supposed to be a train, not a flying horse drawn carriage thingy. Naya was dreading the ride to school. As someone with more than a bit of a motion sickness issue, she was afraid that the journey would not end well. Adding to that stress was the fact that she was new to Hogwarts, knew no one and really wanted to make a good first impression.

Trying to take deep breaths in a non-obvious way, Naya looked for a place to hide sit, preferably alone. Her desire curl into a ball until they reached France did not seem to be a real possibility. The place was crowded, as she knew it would be. Finally, Naya spotted a girl sitting alone. She seemed to be about her age and hopefully was understanding.

Putting on a brave face, Naya approached the girl and said, “Hi, I’m Naya. Do you mind if I sit here.” Please, please please.

It is taking so long for their transportation to lift up or whatever, this would be the first time Jillian experience the Beauxbaton ride. Not that it really mattered to her but she is excited to see, who wouldn't. This seems fun. So while waiting for every student to go on board she decided to read the book that her dad packed for her just in case she needed to 'kill some time'. Taking it out of her bag, she skims through the back page, looks interesting and all. She then opens the book to its first page. Chapter 1. Jillian can hear more and more footsteps going around. The faster this ride fills, the sooner they will go to school.

Jillian notices a girl came up to where she was sitting and asked to sit. She smiles and nods while casually closing the book and putting it back in her bag. "Hi Naya..." she said. "I'm Jillian. Please take a seat" she gestured over the empty seats. Yes, she can choose from any of them. "Pleasure to meet you."

*Finally convincing his mother that she was not allowed on the carriage Jacen made his way over to a seat. Truth be told he was a little bummed out that his older sister wasn't there to see him off. His older sister Octavia graduated Hogwarts last year (Barely with all the drama). His older brother Ryhdian left for his 7th year to Durmstrang yesterday. Even though it would be lame to hang out with his other sister Abbigail a part of him wished he could. He highly doubted his sister would let him spend time with her and her 5th year friends. A few days before school she had even said that at school they were just students who didn't know each other unless there was a massive emergency, like someone dying..

He was glad that it was just his parents who saw him off. The twins Edmund and Ella who were 10 would have been okay but the younger twins Romulus and Remus who had just turned 3 would have been a massive nightmare. Jacen was positive that the two goblins would have found a way to hide in the carriages or something. But even now that he was alone he would have even taken the younger twins company. Taking a deep sigh he smiled and looked around at the other students looking for someone to talk to.*

Naya waited hopefully and was relieved when she was invited to sit down. With a grateful smile she chose a spot next to her newfound seat mate. “It’s nice to meet you too. I’m new to Hogwarts this year and you are the very first person I’ve met, so far.” Jillian seemed nice. Naya hoped that this was a sign that Hogwarts students were a nice and friendly lot.

Trying to ease her anxiety, Naya thought that talking might keep her mind off of the carriage ride. “So Jillian, what year is this for you? Have you been at Hogwarts all along?” If so, maybe she could get some idea of what to expect. Naya had heard things, but not from people who were really in the position to know. “I’ll be a fourth year.” A fourth year that felt like a first year because actually, that’s what she was........a first year at Hogwarts anyway. Naya had a lot more questions, but she figured she should take a breath and let Jillian speak.

SPOILER!!: Cole & Abra! <3

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jessiqua

Abra had felt apathetic at the Leaky Cauldron, after moving from her home without her parents. Auntie Lou had been great, and tried to make things fun and welcoming, but nothing could make Abra feel happy. So it was that today, on the day she would have been going to Hogwarts, that she would have been here with her parents, saying an excited or sad farewell. Unfortunately they weren't there, and she had already said goodbye to her Auntie. She felt neither excited nor sad. She felt nothing, really.

Heading onto the carriages from the front, she found a place to sit. There was already two people here - one that looked older, and one that looked possibly her age. People. She poked her head in and said "Um... hi. Do you mind if I sit here too?"

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nordic Witch

SPOILER!!: Claudine & Abra

Cole slumped down against the couch comfortably as he got into the drawing of what he saw outside the carriage window; drawing the hills and wildlife and other things they passed. His cat had settled down on the seat beside him and was sleeping peacefully. Cole wished that he had that cat calm and not a head full of thoughts, emotions and worries all the time. Going to Beauxbatons was in some ways scary and exciting and sad and so much more.

When the door to his cubicle opened and a short dark haired girl about Isobel’s age entered silently and took a seat as far a way from him as possible Cole watched her silently perplexed. Who just entered a cubicle where someone already sat without even saying Hi and acknowledging the other person’s presence? Deciding not to be rude too Cole closed his sketchbook and looked over at the girl with a small kind smile pursing his lips. "Hi I’m Cole. I’m starting my fourth year. What year will you be in?"

Some moment’s later another younger girl with reddish hair entered his cubicle. Was he a first year magnet or something? At least this one asked if she could join them unlike the other one. Gesturing around Cole said kindly "Hi, no I don’t mind. Come on in! The cubicle is supposed to be big enough for 6 student’s so there’s plenty of room." At least it said so on the notice he had read somewhere when he entered the carriage.

Claudine began to think of the journey ahead to Beauxbatons. Admittedly, she was very disappointed about not being able to go to Hogwarts. As a matter of fact, she had sulked a great deal about it when the news had been relayed to her. She was still sulky but she would rather be safe than be in the way of some dangerous and unknown mist. The eleven-year-old absently toyed with the holster that held her new wand, lost in her own thoughts... which were soon disturbed by the other occupant. With an inward sigh, Claudine slowly adjusted herself so that she faced the boy. While she had hoped to be left alone and did not usually initiate conversation, she was not completely rude in the way that she would ignore him. “Hi,’’ she said, dark eyes fixed on his face. “Claudine. I’ll be a first year.’’

The intense gaze shifted to the new comer. Great. More people. Claudine felt momentarily horrified when she realised that Cole was right: six persons could be housed here. Aw, darn! She just shrugged at the girl. It didn’t matter now. Claudine was going to be sitting here with company it seemed.

Well this was definitely not a train...huh....interesting no matte-

OH THERE WERE ABRAXANS!!!!! COULD SHE PET ONE? OR FEED THEM?

....No?

Maybe after they arrived??????

The redhead reluctantly made her way into the carriages that would be transporting the students to school after admiring the beautiful Abraxans for what seemed like an eternity. Her big eyes scanned around at the many unrecognizable faces around her as they all seemed to be scrambling to find a seat before they departed. There would certainly be enough seats for everyone wouldn't there?

.............

....But what if there wasn't?

No, no need to panic...

She tucked some hair behind her ear as her blue eyes began to look for a seat that wasn't already taken or filled up to maximum. Lucky enough for her, it didn't appear that seats were actually filling up too quickly, at least not in the front carriages anyway. And AHA, her luck had not run out, there was an empty carriage not filled yet...which would mean she'd have the perfect opportunity to grab a window seat where she could watch outside as they traveled the skies.

Settling comfortably into one of the window seats, she let out a happy sigh. It was when she she had settled down she decided to look back out of the window of the carriage to see if anyone might join her. New friends perhaps?

As she watched the bustling people, it was then that she caught sight of her mother and father who had not taken their eyes off of their only daughter since she had parted with them after an emotional goodbye. She gave a reassuring smile and wave to her clearly upset parents, more so for her mother's sake since she seemed to be more outward about her daughter leaving for school, unlike her calm father who was doing very well to keep her mother at a somewhat tame composure. To help calm her mother, she gestured with her hands that she promised to write to them as often as she could. Promise!

Giving one last wave, she began to settle back into her seat only to get up again almost forgetting to grab her book out of her bag that her father had given her about Quidditch to read in case she suffered from anh type of boredom on the travel there. Maybe it wouldn't hurt to start reading it now, while she waited to depart?

Abra offered a small smile as she entered the seating area, taking a seat on the other end of the lounge from Cole. There was just something about the other girl that didn't radiate warmth. She tucked her bag under the seat, taking out a bottle for a drink of water and a book, which for now she tucked next to her. She'd overheard the girl introducing herself as Claudine, and the boy as Cole. Looking over to the girl, Abra said "I'm a first year too." She was sure it was pretty obvious, being that everyone else seemed to know people, and she wasn't on the same size level as the other students in older years.

Jillian smile got bigger when the girl joins her and as she went on with telling her that she is currently new to Hogwarts. Jillian nods and listens to her attentively. "Well... this year we are going to Beauxbaton instead of Hogwarts" she looks at her. "I hope you're ready for that" Jillian herself is taking time with this change. She's so used to Hogwarts that she is not that sure about this change of school. Nevertheless Jillian thrives in change. "I'm happy to hear that. I'll be here if you need any help at all" fingers crossed. Jillian is not am expert herself but she will try her best.

"I'm currently in fifth year" she said Naya. Naya is a year younger than Jillian but that doesn't matter. She notices that the girl seems shy so Jillian shakes her head and smiles once more "Don't worry about it. Fourth year is fun. And you will have more friends before you know it." she chuckles softly. "Tell me, what do you do for fun?" conversation starter and all.

Cole was thinking about his mum’s former house Papillionesse and if he’d get to be placed there too when the girl who had arrived first (Claudine) decided to grace him with an introduction. He quickly averted his gaze away from the girl’s dark eyes since they we’re very creepy and intense. He focused on her wand holster instead, if he had to look somewhere. "Okay, cool. My sister Isobel will be a first year too."

He gladly turned his attention to the other girl with reddish hair that announced that she’d be a first year too. After putting away his sketchbook in his backpack even though he would have enjoyed drawing more that conversing with 11 year girls he felt obligated as an older student to be polite. Drumming his fingers on his laps Cole asked his gaze switching between the girls "So um are you two excited to be going to Beauxbatons? To learn magic and french?"

The eleven-year old’s face was still glued to the window when he heard the simple “Hi”.

Balthamos slowly distanced his face from the window leaving a large stain on it. He wasn’t going to clean it, so he didn’t really care. He observed the girl awkwardly whilst tilting his head a bit. She seemed around his age, probably a first year as well. He gave another quick glance outside to the mediocre view before saying, “It’s not that pretty”. He got the feeling the girl liked what she saw beyond the window, obviously he didn't.

Analiese distanced her face from the window when she heard the boy speak to her. " It is quite pretty. Depends on the way you look at it.", she simply replied. She glanced back out of the window before introducing herself. "I'm Analiese.", she plainly said. Normally she found it easy to speak to new people, but for some reason this was different. It was very... awkward. That would summarise it. Not to be rude or anything, but it was.probably because the boy had a quite antisocial flair about him.

"So,", Analiese said, breaking the uncomfortable silence, "Are you excited to go to Beauxbatons?"

*Looking around he saw a girl sit down and wave to her parents. At first she looked super excited for a moment before she found her seat. Jacen walked over and sat down across from her. Be confident, don't be shy, be nice.*
"Hi there, I'm Jacen Youngblood. Are you a first year student too?"

Naya continued to focus on the conversation. Mind over matter, yeah? Yes, they were going to Beauxbatons. Of course she knew that, but Naya was still a “Hogwarts student” now and she wanted to learn all about that place. The fact that they wouldn’t be there physically this year added a whole ‘nother level of anxiety. “Hmmm”, Naya said. I don’t know if I’m ready for Beauxbatons or not. Guess we’ll find out soon enough.” Smiling at Jillian, Naya said, Thanks for the offer to help me though.”. It was nice to know that she had someone to turn to, if need be.

And........Jillian was a fifth year. Cool. That would make her knowledgeable about fourth year things. Good to know. When the subject turned to fun, Naya was all ears. “Well, I like to do a lot of things. I love being outside, so anything that has to do with the outdoors is good to me. I like to swim, run......and I love to paint. It’s very relaxing to me. Oh and believe it or not, I like to try new things.” She liked to try new things, just not new schools. Activities, yes. Places, not so much. “What do you like to do in your free time?” Then Naya added, “And where are you from?” Just out of curiosity.

“I’m Balthamos,” the boy introduced himself. He didn’t want to talk about the view outside. Which eleven-year-old would actively want to chat about landscape and cloudy skies? Not him for sure.

“Am I excited to go to Beauxbatons?” Balthamos mumbled Analiese’s question to himself, looking outside again. The answer was obvious. “Like… wha’ever,” he remarked carelessly with an exaggerated shrug. “Honestly, I would’ve preferred my first year to be at Hogwarts, ya’ know,” he added while turning his head back to her with a gentle smirk “You know with the boats, the train and everythin’”.

“Are you a first year as well?” Balthamos asked out of curiosity, she seemed to be nice and not a lunatic. Since he knew absolutely no one, a familiar face would be nice, for a start.

Jillian chuckles lightly while looking at Naya. She understands, she totally relates to what she will be going through. Although since Naya is new she will definitely adjust a lot better than someone who has been going to Hogwarts for years. "you said you are new at hogwarts right?" she asks "before Hogwarts where were you? If you don't mind me asking." she adds. Of course everyone has their reasons. She could be someone who transferred from a different school OR someone who went through home schooling. That happens.

Jillian nods once again " Yes, don't worry. You and I can hang out at Beauxbaton"

She listened to Naya as she lists all of the things she enjoyed doing. She's the outdoorsy type, Jillian is just the same. That's perfect if they do decide to hang out they can go out to the garden or pathways or whatever it is Beauxbaton has to offer for them. But by the looks of the entourage of their transportation, everything about this school is fancy. Jillian's smile beamed when Naya mentions painting. "oh my gosh... I love to paint" que in her fangirling. "During the summer all I did was paint. We should paint for fun some time" yes? YES.

where are you from?

"I'm from England." she answered Naya. "born and raised. How about you?"

Naya was enjoying her time with Jillian. It was almost enough to make her forget that she was on a flying horse drawn carriage........almost. And then Jillian asked about her school history. Well that was a long and complicated story to get into. Naya decided to go with the most recent information on her résumé. There was time for the rest of the saga later. “I’ve been home schooled for a while and I hated it. Don’t get me wrong. I like my alone time as much as the next person, but I’d really rather be around people.” She guessed she was about to get her chance at that.

Naya got excited when Jillian said she liked to paint. “You do? That’s awesome! We absolutely have to paint together sometime! I like to paint lots of different things, but since I like to be outside, I really love to paint the things I see outside. The trees, the ocean, any kind of pretty scenery.” Yes, they must have a painting play date soon. Naya hoped that there was a lot to see and paint around Beauxbatons.

So Jillian was from England. “I like England. There is so much to see and do. I haven’t been many places, but hopefully I’ll get to see more of the country.” Naya liked to travel, visit lots of places. She just wasn’t a fan of moving to new places. As for her.......”I’m from the US, Florida to be exact.” How she ended up at Hogwarts/Beauxbatons was part of the long story and that was a story for another day. For now though, Naya was just happy to have met someone who shared her interests. They would definitely have to hang out at school.

So Jillian was right that Naya was home-schooled. Well not entirely, she was also thinking that she was a transferred student. She smiled listening to Naya talk about it "Wow, home school" she said. Not that Jillian knows how or what it feels like. She has never been in that situation. Sure when she was a lot younger a tutor would come into their home and teach her but it wasn't too serious. Jillian barely had exams. She was allowed to be lazy. "My father was once home schooled too and just like you, he also thought it was boring." Jillian shared "Did your parents decided this or did you beg to go to Hogwarts?" she added. Did they duel? Or flip a coin or something?

Jillian's pitch is a lot higher. She enjoys having to talk to someone who also loves the same thing she does. In this case, painting. Jillian is enjoying this company a lot and yes she definitely agrees to Naya's suggestion about them painting some other time. "We should" her smile beaming than ever. "That's great. We're the same. I enjoy going outdoors for painting." she nods. "I'm excited." She is very excited.

Florida...

Jillian has never been outside of Europe. She's been to Asia and other parts of Europe to visit relatives but that's pretty much it. "I've always wanted to visit the US" some of her friends have been there and they usually have fun stories to tell. "So what's it like there?" she asks. "I guess less rain right?" she chuckled.