Hogwarts MOO

End of Year Feast 1908-09

(OOC: 1908-09 school year.)

,-[ Hogwarts - Great Hall ]---------------------------------------------------.

Sarah McLeod waves nervously at Chris, hearing the curses, and remembering the recent events.

Chris Holloway shakes his head, "Wait for the Headmaster's end of year points first," he says to Clawn, "You never know how it's going to go."

Thomas D'Arcy glowers as he reaches out a slender, albeit it slightly trembling hand towards the filled tea-cup that sits on the table in front of him. He gently sips from the brew, scowling in a manner worthy of Grindelwald himself, brow creasing.

Where is the Headmaster?" Kokelia Makani asks those around her, "He should be here by now". Her hand dips into her purse and she pulls out a golden pocketwatch. It's reflections bounce off of the walls of the hall as she checks the time sullenly before re

Sylvie Winters walks quietly into the room, her robes a bit damp from the rain, though wet has become their usual state. She pauses not two steps inside, eyes half down as she looks quickly around the room, her gaze never stopping in one place long enough to meet anyone's eyes if they were looking.

Samuel Argentarius takes his seat at the Ravenclaw table. Avoiding food and drink, he silently waits for the final awarding of special points by the Headmaster. Maybe Ravenclaw might have a chance after all...

After pouring the steaming tea half-way up the cup and returning it to where it belongs, Isabelle Matria smiles brightly, grasping the tea in her hands. Turns her head to Kokelia furrowing her brow. "Yes, he really should be here." She says to Sabrina, with a small frown which soon dissolves into a grin. "Don't be silly. I will read all of them, but I can't say I will return many." Giggles. "Oh, and don't, don't you dare send Berriepie, I hate her. How could your father have such an owl?" She asks, scrunching up her nose.

Sabrina Hopkins giggles, "I don't know... I won't..." she says, smiling slightly. "He should... I wonder where he could be..." she says...

Tanna Finley pulls a small piece of candy out of the stash in her pocket, slipping it into her mouth as she just watches the room with wide eyes. Five years here, and still everything about it excites her.

Isabelle Matria's grin breaks into a smile as she sips the tea, allowing the warm liquid to sooth her throat which had been hurting, and allowing a blissful sigh to escape from her lips. "Oh, I just love tea." She says with a bright grin. "What do you want to do when you graduate, Sabrina?" She asks, watching her friend with wide eyes. She can't be leaving, I won't let her! Isabelle Matria thinks to herself, letting a small frown cross her face before sipping her tea again.

Jocelyn Montgomery frowns slightly as she glances around, not seeing the Headmaster anywhere. Shrugging a little, she puts the elastic band back in her pocket, finished de-braiding her hair. Spotting Thomas nearby with the almighty scowl on his face, she says to him, "Cheer up, Thomas. We didn't lose by that much."

Dwight Floens tilts his head as he continues to peer about, anxious to eat and head back home. He swings his chubby legs over the edge of his seat, turning in a way that allows him to stare at the entrance.

Thomas D'Arcy presses his lips into a thin, critical smirk. "A loss is a loss" he observes in clipped, mechanical tones, "No matter how you disguise it."

Sabrina Hopkins takes a sip of her tea. "Well, I've been thinking about it..." she stops and takes another sip of her tea. "Well, I think i'll have to think about it more... I'm going to go back and live with father for a while... While I think more... Because i'm not reallly sure... I've thought about it all year, but I still am not sure..." She says with a sigh. She takes another sip of tea.

Sylvie Winters shakes her head a bit, finally making her way toward the Slytherin table, with hardly a glance at anything else. Upon reaching it, she pauses, deciding where to sit out of the remaining empty places.

Isabelle Matria blinks. "I see --.." Is her rather confused reply. "Live with --- Fatherr?" She asks with a hint of a mocking confusation in it. (OOC: Sorry, don't think that is a word, oh well.)

Kokelia Makani opens her mouth and yawns a bit, covering it with one of her hands, she reaches towards the table and picks up a hot cup of tea, pouring it into her tea cup. She takes a sip, and looks towards the other staff members quietly.

Thomas D'Arcy glances up towards Sylvie, gesturing towards the empty spot beside him. "Please...It would be an honour" he murmurs, inclining his head to one side.

Sabrina Hopkins nods to Isabelle, "My father," she says...

Clawn Crater nods at Chris, "Yeah, who knows what could happen at the last minute.. So, are you excited about the Quidditch World Cup?"

Throughout the halls of Hogwarts, David Porter's voice is amplified. "Students, the end of term feast will be beginning in five minutes. Please proceed to the Great Hall. Make sure your bags are packed; the train will be leaving shortly thereafter!"

Sylvie Winters offers Thomas a quick, grateful smile as she moves toward him, taking the offered seat. After she sits down, she reaches to pour herself a cup of tea, apparently putting all her concentration into the task.

Samuel Argentarius grows mildly impatient as he awaits the arrival of the Headmaster. He idly takes some small sip of his tea before putting it away again. As he grows bored, he pulls out a small book from his robes and begins reading.

Sarah McLeod grins at the trunk placed conviniently at her feet, so that she has a footrest. She awaits the start of the feast. In her mind, it's the beginning of the end... Which is good in most ways.

Tanna Finley starts a bit at the voice, then smiles, turning to look around her. Bags... Oh, right. Not with her. But they are packed. Satisfied, she twists back around to face the table, looking up and down it's length.

Jocelyn Montgomery rolls her eyes, muttering, "You can't win all the time." However, she does know that trying to convince Thomas of this is futile, so she says nothing further. Hearing David's voice, she shifts slightly in her seat, her eyes again straying to other places about the hall, waiting for the feast to begin. Maybe there's still a chance they could win..

Chris Holloway glances at Clawn, then admits, "I'm still looking forward to it, but...not as much as I was before. Right now, I just want to go home. It's been a hard year."

Kai Tyrell shuffles in quietly, head bowed, dark blue eyes searching the room. She gives a short tug on her robes to straighten them out. Silently, she makes her way around the edge of the room to the Ravenclaw table and takes a seat. A small gray tabby tags along at her feet.

An eyebrow is arched, but quickly lowered as she sees the entrance of her aunt. "Hello, -- Ms. Linter!" Isabelle Matria says brightly. At the arrival of David she quiets down and sips her tea.

Clawn Crater nods, "It has, you've went through a lot... It was really wierd when uhhh... never mind.."

Devonny Verissa glances at the small bag at her feet, which holds only clothes, as she will /not/ be moving back and forth each year. Her eyes then scan the hall again, and a sigh floats through parted lips as she returns to looking along the staff table.

Sabrina Hopkins notices Hermonion and says, "Hello, Miss Linter!" but quiets as she sees Mister Porter enter.

A little uncomfortably, Chris Holloway nods to Clawn and says, "Uh, yeah."

Hermonion Linter rushes in, hurried. In her hand rests a rather large book, and a piece of parchment. Smiles at the both Isabelle and Sabrina. "Hello my dears." She calls out happily, making her way to the staff table and sitting down near Devonny. Her hair looks to be quite a mess, as she seems to have just come from the Library.

Dwight Floens, still staring out toward the hallway, nods as the feast is apparently starting. Rather awkwardly, he turns his bulk to face forward once more, eyes on the staff.

Damon Ulricht plods inward, and saying naught, leans by the door, showing a false interest in this event.

Kokelia Makani gives a bright smile towards Hermonion, giving her a big smile. "Hermonion!"

Devonny Verissa grins and waves at Hermonion, though her greeting is not quite as enthusiastic as Kokelia's.

Edana Wislan is uncontrollably fidgety by this time, and shifts the way she seats herself every thirty seconds. Her once pressed robe is wrinkled terribly, and even the normally calm shadow bat on her shoulder seems agitated. She has gotten her wand out by now, fiddling it between her two hands and occasionally twirling it between fingers, but nothing more than the momentary fuzz of glitter results from her play.

Sylvie Winters sets the teapot down, once her cup is about two thirds full. She wraps both hands around its small surface, staring quietly into the liquid, which, while not the most interesting thing, keeps her from having to look elsewhere.

Not noticing Kokelia at first, Hermonion now sees her. "Kokelia! Hello, how're you doing?" She asks with a bright smile at her friend. Hermonion Linter waves back to Devonny, although her attention is on Kokelia.

Ruth Cohen sits quietly at the Slytherin table, her ankles crossed and tucked under the bench, her elbows propped up on the table top. She rests her chin on top of her clasped hands and glances at the staff, waiting for the feast to get moving.

Thomas D'Arcy smiles dryly, as if he well aware of his rather stubborn, opinionated nature--and were proud of it as well. Nevertheless, it might be noted that the boy's grin is rather forced...as stiffly starched as the shirt he wears underneath his robes usually is.

David Porter moves into the Great Hall, quietly nodding about to several students with whom is a closely acquainted. Grinning to his fellow staff members, he pats some of them on the shoulder as he passes by, or stops to whisper a few words into their ear with a grin on his face all the while. Finally, he arrives at his place -- the chair at the center of the Staff Table. He stands behind it and looks about, quietly. This is the well-known signal for students to take their seats and for there to be quiet among those in the Great Hall. With hands behind his back, David Porter continues to grin as he looks over the crowd.

Sylvie Winters raises her head long enough to see that David actually is here, and to watch him walk to his seat. A slight nod is given in greeting, whether the man sees it or not, before she returns to watching the rather still surface of her tea.

Sarah McLeod silences herself, though that is not a long stretch, as she was not making much noise to begin with. She watches the Headmaster intently, waiting for his little speech (which must be coming).

Looking up at David, Isabelle Matria takes another sip of her tea, which is really disappearing quite fast. She sets the cup down on the table, still watching him.

Edana Wislan presses her lips tightly together, preventing herself from making sound... and attempts to restrain herself from making squeaks as she fidgets in her seat, wide grey eyes full attention to David.

Kokelia Makani looks up to the Headmaster, awaiting what should be a very interesting speech. She folds her hands in her laps, stopping to give some students a quieting looking.

Tanna Finley watches eagerly as the headmaster enters, whispering one last thing to a girl next to her before settling into an excited silence.

Zinnia Zeroth turns to look at the headmaster, awaiting his speech. More than that, she awaits the points, though she doesn't see how Hufflepuff could win now.

Hermonion Linter quiets as David comes in, throughing a last smile at Kokelia before looking at him, the smile still resting on her face. She brushes a small strand of hair out of her face, while still watching him.

Michael Hazeltine looks up at David when the headmaster makes his entrance. He nods politely, but seems unable to bring himself to share in the other man's good cheer.

Kai Tyrell straightens up in her seat as she watches the Headmaster enter and stand before the students. The gray tabby that followed her in hops onto the bench and sits next to her and also regaurds the headmaster. A pair of dark blue and a pair of bright yellow eyes watch intently and wait for Mr Porter to address the students.

Here we are at these tables, once more. It's hard to believe that another year is gone!" David Porter says cheerfully, the grin continuing. "Before we start the festivities of the feast, I must bore you with my endless babbling... It's been a great year! We've had our good times and our bad times this year, but we've certainly grown for the better, I think. I look out among you all and I realize that you've grown such much since you walked in here last September." At this, his eyes particularly go towards Sylvie, the school's newest professor. "I hope you all will enjoy the summer months before you... Hopefully your heads will have digested all the information you've received this year so that you will be ready to go next year..."

For himself, Thomas D'Arcy inclines his head towards the headmaster respectfully, then returns to glowering at his beverage. He rotates the tea-cup, examining the swirling dregs with a listless expression on his usually attentive features.

Emili Lordre lifts her eyes from the table top to give her attention to the headmaster when he begins to speak, as much as its worth. She's not said anything since her entrance, and doesn't plan to now, either. Petite hands are folded primly in her lap, having no irritating locks to brush back, or anxious situation to wring over.

Edana Wislan smiles proudly at David's beginning speech, as if he's addressing her in particular. The child sits up a bit straighter, eager for him to continue.

Isabelle Matria grins at the speech, knowing parts of it quite well. Taking her eyes off David for a moment, she looks in her teacup and finding enough for one more sip, she picks it up and takes the sip willingly. After this she sets the cup back down and looks once more at David intently.

David Porter quietly looks towards the board containing the points, and then looks back to the masses, smiling slightly. "If I understand my job correctly, I believe that it is my duty, and honor, to award the house cup... Currently the points stand thus: In fourth place, Hufflepuff with eighty-nine points." He glances towards the Hufflepuff table; he's not so proud of that. "In third place, Ravenclaw with one hundred and eighty points; in second place, Slytherin with two hundred and seventy-five points; and in first place, Gryffindor with a two hundred and eighty-two points!"

Rhea Aswynn has arrived.

Shaking her ringlets, which she has let grow out only a bit, Sarah McLeod takes her feet off of her trunk. Perhaps she thinks that would be a form of disrespect. Whatever the reason, she straightens up as she starts to clap for her house.

Sylvie Winters grips her cup a bit tighter, her only real reaction as she feels the Professor's eyes on her for a moment, and gives no other sign about how she thinks she, in particular, has grown, though a few of the worse things come unbidden to her mind. With an effort, she looks up and gives a quick smile, returning her attention to her tea once more as the topic changes to points.

Adam Black notices the glance at Sylvie and groans under his breath. New professor, old girlfriend. How awkward /this/ will be!

Damon Ulricht shows no anger or remorse to the house cup announcement; such social things are of no interest to him. In fact, it's unclear whether he's even listening to the speech.

Thomas D'Arcy continues swirling his tea, the only change being a slight, mournfully meditative crease of his erudite brow. How can /anyone/ possibly be so cheerful under the circumstances?

Ruth Cohen puts her face briefly in her hands. A great year, right. Only the most stressful and bizarre in her life so far. Next thing he'll be saying that it ended admirably...

Tanna Finley bounces once in her seat, eyes lighting up as Gryffindor is announced to be in first place. Of course, there are still additions, but even coming this far is enough to make her happy.

A small frown passes through Hermonion Linter's features, but soon disappears. She, however, sets down the book and piece of parchment on the table after realizing that she still had them in her hand. She looks back at David.

Devonny Verissa shrugs a bit indifferently at this news. Slytherin may have been her house, but she certainly wasn't going to make it public that she favored Slytherin a bit over other houses.

Edana Wislan suddenly claps, her tiny hands not making much noise, but her round cheeks pulled up in such a grin as one has never seen on the young girl. She's happy, but after a few minutest, she casts an apologetic glance toward the Slytherin table. She did make amends with one of them today... she could hardly over celebrate, and break that tenuous friendship now. So in light of that, the child calms herself and with a final quirk of a grin, halts her clapping.

Sarah McLeod halts her clapping, wanting only to /eat/. If Headmaster would just get /on with it, she thinks to herself, but waits patiently.

Nanami Leysee sighs and watches closely. She mutters "Ravenclaw's out of it, but no telling whether Slytherin or Gryffindor will win... I just hope we get some points this year, not getting any last year was embarrassing.."

Night Cyranio sighs, not very happy with Hufflepuff's house points either, he looks down to his cat Wind, who is sitting on the ground next to his feet, he glances around the Great Hall, looking for a familair face, but not having much luck in such a crowd.

Dwight Floens keeps his eyes plastered to the front, not so much as glancing at the table that will hopefully soon be filled with food. He reacts only little to the points, with the general feeling of 'well, I tried'. Of course he knows Slytherin is the best house, points or no.

Sabrina Hopkins sighs. Ravenclaw in third place? A frown passes over her face but then quickly disapears. She glances over at the Gryffindor table and smiles slightly, then turns back to the Headmaster.

Chris Holloway runs a hand through his hair, but otherwise says nothing.

The feature's of this prefect darken slightly. Third place? What a disgrace. She tsks a bit, but still listens intently. She takes her teacup again and puts it to her lips, attempting to get one more sip out of it. She doesn't. Frowning, she looks in it and sighs putting it down. She puts a hand to her head. She offers a tiny smile at the Gryffindor table, Isabelle Matria's congradulations. Her smile immediately disappears once she looks back to David. Hopefully they will get some points for doing some nice things during the year? A hopeful look appears on her face.

David Porter grins brightly towards the students who are cheerful at this announcement, and yes indeed, it is a thing worth cheering for. "Okay, that's great and all, but recent events in the dark wizard matter /must/ be taken into account." Now smiling, he begins to explain his changes. "Unfortunately, I hate to inform you that Hufflepuff was not a factor in recent events, and therefore will receive no points." Frowning slightly, he moves on. "Ravenclaw has done well... For Isabelle and Justin's work in trying to locate the teachers, and Siria helping to de-spell Ruth and Chris, I award seventy points." He continues on, quietly smiling at Ravenclaw, "For Emili's work in disenchanting Ruth Cohen and Chris Halloway, Ruth Cohen's work in de-spelling the staff members, and Thomas D'Arcy helping with the final takedown, I award eighty-five points." A slight pause, before he looks at Slytherin - tsktsk. "But, Gryffindor's presence cannot be denied this year... For Justin
and Tanna breaking into the staff room to get the teachers, Christiane's work in distracting Winterbourne, and Chris's bravery in delaying Winterbourne long enough for the staff to get together, I award 100 points."

Kokelia Makani nods to herself, thinking the points were awarded fairly. Though, she does send a bit of an upset look towards the Hufflepuff, and a small smile towards the Gryffindor table. At least one of her two favorite won.

Isabelle Matria opens her mouth. Well, at least Ravenclaw got some. She gulps unhappily, allowing a frown to darken her features once more.

Devonny Verissa practically /stares/ at Headmaster Porter, disbelieving. They won? In her first year? She doesn't dare clap, lest she jinx it and Headmaster wasn't finished yet, but when other students begin to clap, she joins in.

David Porter clears his throat, speaking through the noise and bustle. "So, I believe it's time to set the appropriate decorations..." He claps his hand, sending an eerie wave across the room. The room is now adorned in the colors for Gold and Red for Gryffindor, with two house banners hanging above both ends of the staff table, and the Hogwarts Crest banner hanging directly above David. "Congratulations, Gryffindor!"

Josiah Beinhorn smiles widely at the announcement. Last year Aurora, this year him! How great is this!? He cheers, though not loudly. He sits back down and remains quiet.

Sabrina Hopkins frowns again. She takes a tiny sip of tea. She sighs and looks around the room, then looking at the headmaster once more.

Kai Tyrell sighs, only slightly wistful about the points. House cup isn't really what matters in the long run. she supposes...And besides, there's always next year.

Edana Wislan restrains herself from such an outburst as last time, and instead of clapping, straightens herself up fully, with such a haughty grin, though exceedingly happy for HER house. Her eyes shine brighter as the decorations appear and she is just so proud... though hardly any of it was her doing.

Sylvie Winters lets go of her cup rather quickly, with the feeling her grip would break it if she didn't. She glances toward the people mentioned, with an obligatory congratulating nod, and murmurs a very soft, "Good job," to Thomas next to her. But after, it's only with a strong effort that she doesn't burry her head in her arms. At least she wasn't really mentioned, not after screwing up so badly, which she shall obviously never forgive herself for.

Michael Hazeltine listens to the Headmaster's announcements, then nods to the students seated at the Gryffindor table, as if to say well done. He applauds, facing them as he does so, the first hint of a smile he's had all night coming over his face.

Thomas D'Arcy sets down his tea-cup with small clatter, gently massaging his brow and looking rather ill. And not necessarily because of Gryffindor's victory, though that is certainly a factor. Points indeed...

A smile is tossed happily in Isabelle's direction, and a congratulating smile at Gryffindor. Sighs a bit, but she still smiles. Hermonion Linter tilts her head to the side, admiring the decorations. She always did love cats.

Zinnia Zeroth claps politely for Gryffindor. She feels disappointed

Micaela Goldbeck applauds politely, as she always does, though she looks faintly mystified at the students reactions. She's never been very interested in points, herself.

Kokelia Makani stands up and rightfully claps, a smile upon her face. She nods towards the Gryffindor table and then lowers herself back into her seat.

Nanami Leysee nods to herself. No mention of her, at least, which works for this once. She applauds for Gryffindor.

Tanna Finley nearly jumps out of her seat, giving a little squeal of a cheer, blushing a bit at her name. She looks at the group she's sitting with, a surprised expression on her face, mouth forming the words 'we won'.. then starts clapping hard.

Devonny Verissa continues to clap, though her palms are becoming a bit sore.

Isabelle Matria claps rather gently for Gryffindor, no heart in it at all. Well, you can't win 'em all. She breathes out, leaning back just a bit.

Emili Lordre's cheeks tinge red as her name is mentioned, shifting her gaze back down to her hands which partake in a brief session of polite applause for the Gryffindors. The interhouse competition never really held much intrigue for her, anyway.

Jocelyn Montgomery eyes the decorations, feeling mildly oppressed by the bright colors of the opposing house.

Chris Holloway eventually allows himself to be swept up in the enthusiasm of his housemates, and joins in the applause, if not quite the cheering and occasional whooping by some of the more raucous Gryffindors.

Thomas D'Arcy certainly does not clap, not being one to conceal the utter disdain he feels for the Gryffindor house in general. However, oddly for him, he fails to make any snide comment to his neighboring slytherins, instead choosing to sip at his tea and remain silent.

Kai Tyrell applauds Gryffindor politely, silently appraising the groups reactions. She can't help but notice one of the younger Gryffindors is rather bouncy. Perhaps someone has put a spell on her out of jealousy...

Sabrina Hopkins claps for Gryffindor politly, then stops after a minute and takes a sip of tea.

Hermonion Linter claps softly, tilting her head to the side as she looks at the decorations. She breathes in deeply, and then breathes out.

David Porter clears his throat, deliberately. "Students, students.... Settle down, please... I have one more announcement..." Chuckling softly, he looks towards the Gryffindor table. "Congratulations, again..." Then, he addresses the room as a whole. "I am pleased to announce that, for the 1909-10 term, your Head Boy will be Lucifer Brulagne and your Head Girl will be Tessa Loudown. Be sure to congratulate them when you see them." He looks towards his staff. "Now, let us eat, drink, and be merry! The train will be leaving at 6:30 PM, so be sure that you're packed and ready to go... Have a Relaxing Summer!" The Headmaster sits down, and as he does so, the tables are filled with luscious amounts of food.

Thomas D'Arcy rises as quickly as possible, though not so quickly so as to seem rude, then darts outside, curls almost seeming to bounce. Oh /wonderful/...and now that twit of a Loudown is Head Girl. Disaster and embarrassment /always/ come in clumps, it would appear.

Ruth Cohen claps and glances over towards the Gryffindor table, smiling faintly at those she knows. She's managed to get friends in most of the houses, so she doesn't feel too down by Slytherin's loss. She'd been expecting it, anyway. She /is/ surprised, however, by the announcement about the head boy and girl. She could've sworn that Nanami would make head girl, since Nell left. Ah well.

Kokelia Makani whistles at the mention of Tessa's name, and then turns to give a smile towards the Headmaster as he sits down. "Brilliant speech," she manages to say to him. She looks around the table as the delicacies appear.

Sylvie Winters claps for just a second, quietly but politely. With the knowledge that she simply can not stand up and leave, being head girl and all, but wondering how quickly after food is set she might go. Seeing Thomas rise, she says softly, "Wait.." Otherwise keeping her silence.

Sarah McLeod grins, as she finally stops clapping, and piles food onto her plate, vying to get the largest piece of... well... /everything/. She waves at Ruth, noticing the glace, but doesn't expect her to see it.

Sabrina Hopkins takes a scoop of marshed potatoes and a pork chop. She takes her knife and fork and begins to cut her meat. She puts down her knife and begins to eat.

Nanami Leysee sighs and puts her head down... Not entirely a surprise, but a very large disappointment. She'd worked so hard for it, too... Brianna wouldn't let her hear the end of it.

Thomas D'Arcy skids to a stop, then swivels, heading back towards Sylvie. "Yes?" he inquires, a bitter smile twisting at his features. "You wished to speak to me?"

Tanna Finley claps even more wildly, if possible, at the announcement of Tessa becoming head Girl. Only once she settles down... barely.. does she look over the assortment of food, a crazy grin on her face.

Jocelyn Montgomery sighs quietly, looking around the room then down at her food, thinking. Be merry? Hardly. As Thomas gets up abruptly she raises an eyebrow, but shrugs, beginning to serve herself.

Kokelia Makani reaches for a plate of candied yams, and she puts some on her plate. In between bites she murmurs, "Hermonion, it has been a while!"

Isabelle Matria's frown is lost as she smiles at the delicious food which appears. She carefully spoons some mashed potatoe, a bit of corn, and some turkey onto her plate, not to mention desert in advance. She takes a small slice of strawberry cake. She takes a small bite and chews with her mouth closed.

Kai Tyrell turns to the table, lays her napkin carefully in her lap, and begins to eat, first cutting her food daintily into small pieces before consuming them one by one. Eating is quite a tidy affair for her, and she finishes her food with surprising speed for one with such precise table manners.

Chris Holloway digs in with a will, helping himself to a goodly portion of all the various foodstuffs as they are passed around the table.

Sabrina Hopkins takes her last bite of mashed potatoes and pork chop. She takes a scoop of corn and begins to eat it. She finishes it after a while and takes a fruit tart and begins to eat it.

Hermonion Linter nods. "Indeed, it has. What a splendid gown, Kokelia. How has your teaching been?" She asks brightly, spooning some corn and different foods onto her plate before taking a bite of mashed pota toe and corn mixed together.

Larry McCloud grins and stares wide-eyed at the vast amounts of food laid out before him, as soon as the signals given, he piles it onto his plate, and begins eating like he hasn't eaten in weeks

Sylvie Winters reaches for her cup again, but only swishes it once before replacing it on the table. Her voice is nearly a whisper, only as loud as it needs to be for Thomas to hear. "Where are you headed? If you don't mind company, I'd join... Only if you don't mind." It seems the easiest polite way to walk out, away from the reminder that she turned into a failure this year.

Devonny Verissa scoops a small portion of everything on her plate, not outwardly aware of being spoken over. She eats small bites, but scans the hall still, hoping that maybe he will come...

Kokelia Makani takes a sip of some sparkling wine and responds, "Why thank you! Well, I plan to do more as the next year comes around, of course. Hopefully you will be able to visit my class sometime?" Her eyes turn towards the commotion with Thomas, and she can't help but roll her eyes in disgust as he prepares to leave so early.

Sabrina Hopkins finishes her food and sits back, watching everyone around her. She looks around the room, smiling slightly. She glances at Isabelle. She finishes her last bit of tea, making a bit of a face when she does as it is cold by now. She pours herself another glass of tea and spoons a bit of honey into it, stirring it and then taking a sip.

Isabelle Matria finishing the corn, she starts on the mashed potatoe, saying to Sabrina after she finishes chewing. "Well, we cannot win them all. I must say, Gryffindor deserved to win in a way." She offers with no happiness in her tone as she takes another bite of food.

Dwight Floens turns his attention to the food. -Finally-. He scoops up helpings of whatever he can reach, filling his plate rather high, though from the looks of him he'll have no trouble eating every bite of it.

Thomas D'Arcy sighs, nodding ever so slightly and offering his arm. "Well, I don't see any reason to /not/ allow you to come. People I never intended to introduce to my little spot have found out about it..."

Michael Hazeltine seems to be avoiding conversation at the staff table, though he doesn't avoid the food provided.

Neriva Nebulae comes in from Marble Staircase, with a warm, pleasant look on her face. The woman is quite elderly, and appears to have some trouble moving about. Having a very unique scent, her perfume smells expensive (and just a wee bit strong). Something about her a natural grandmother-like quality.

Kai Tyrell sips her tea slowly and uses her goblet as camouflage, peering at those around her from over the edge of the cup's rim.

Nanami Leysee sits back up, sighing. She says to Isabelle "I guess you're right. But I'm going to make sure we stomp them into the ground next year. I don't even care if we win..."

Sabrina Hopkins nods slowly. "Yes, They did," she says to Isabelle, her tone a bit more happy then it was earlier. She takes another sip of tea.

Hermonion Linter nods. "That would be wonderful." She says while pouring herself a spot of tea. "What will you be doing over the summer?" She asks with a bright smile as she takes a sip of her tea.

Isabelle Matria nods to Nanami with a smile and Sabrina. "We shall get it next year, I know we shall. We shall all be on our very best behavior, unlike some this year...." She casts a glare at some first year Ravenclaws who grin innocently. She rolls her eyes and sighs.

Kokelia Makani gives a smile at Neriva, remembering the day she met her. "I will be working at the Ministry no doubt," she giggles, "And yourself?". She silently urges the other staff members to participate in the conversation. She helps herself to a sweet tart for desert.

Sylvie Winters slides out of her seat. She hesitates a moment, as it seems like he might want to keep wherever it is secret, but she does wish to go. She takes the offered arm, giving a last glance to the room.

Neriva Nebulae slows comes into the room, carrying a wicker handbag (much like Sofia on the Golden Girls) on her right arm. Her steps are slow, as she feebly makes her way about. It's amazing that a women of her age is still moving about as good as she is, though. Her direction is towards the staff table, and unlike usual, her spectacles rest upon her nose. A grandmotherly smile goes to the children, and she excuses her tardiness.

Sabrina Hopkins sighs and whispers to Isabelle, "I'm going to head upstairs... I want to make sure everything's packed and ready..."

Isabelle Matria nods to Sabrina slowly, finishing the potatoes and taking a bite of the turkey. "I will be there in about an hour." She says quietly, making a random guess.

Emili Lordre, contrary to the general population of the school, ignores the food before her, satiating herself instead with a cup of tea. Sipping the warm liquid daintily, she allows her tepid gaze to wander, flitting over faces, yet taking in little. Lowering the cup from her lips, she sighs, reflecting upon the year with regret.

Sabrina Hopkins nods to Isabelle and stands up. She walks out of the great hall, towards the staircase.

Sabrina Hopkins walks out through `(N)orth'.

Chaya Tiki comes in, chirpy, cheerful, and- wait! /Chaya?/ Chirpy? Cheerful? No rock-hard expression or solemn mood? Weeiird...

Tanna Finley begins a conversation with her group of friends once more, hardly looking at the food that finds it's way to her plate. Everything here do delicious, it hardly matters what she ends up with.

Neriva Nebulae walks behind the staff table and begins to make her way towards the Gryffindor table. She smiles brightly at all of them, and finally reaches the table. "I'm just so pleased for all of you. So happy. Very thrilled." She grabs several Gryffindor's hands and squeezes them, lovingly. "I'm sure you're quite happy yourselves." As she smiles at them, her wrinkled face becomes more apparant.

Kai Tyrell spies Neriva Nebulae, most obviously the Astronomy/Astrology teacher from her robes, and watches the elderly woman move across the floor as Kai's cup is lowered and placed back on the table. Kai's dark blue eyes follow Professor Nebulae wondering desparately in her request to be put in the woman's class was accepted.

Larry McCloud waves over to Rhea as she enters and smiles one of those special smiles

Hermonion Linter thinks for a moment. "In most likeliness, I shall be looking at magical bookshops for more books for the Library." She smiles brightly. "But after that," she pauses. "I don't know. Wait for the next schoolyear to start, I guess." She says with a grin. She smiles at Neriva. "Hello." She offers happily.

Kokelia Makani hopefully awaits Neriva to join the table, as she loves the antics of that woman. Her fork still navigates food towards her mouth as she tries to keep a conversation, "So will there be any new staff additions for the next year?"

Tanna Finley glances toward Neriva, her face lighting up once more, though it never really was dim. If anything, the excitable girl is on a true emotional high today.

Jocelyn Montgomery looks up from her plate, which is empty. Of course, it had hardly been full from the start, so she hasn't eaten all that much. Spotting Chaya, she raises an eyebrow at the other girl's apparently cheerful mood - odd.

Rhea Aswynn enters the Great Hall excitedly, running late like always. She smiles at Larry and waves to him, then she walks over to Night taps him on the shoulder saying " 'ello Night, I'm late again, I was searching the castle again for Star before we left tonight. She hasn't been back for a long time...maybe she headed home already."

Chaya Tiki smiles perkily to Jocelyn, seeing the raised eyebrow. Her long, blonde hair to her thighs seems to almost bounce as she smiles, and her owl-like features are chirpy. Apparently, /some/one has had too much sugar for their own good...

Sarah McLeod gobbles all the food up, and then loads some more on her plate, barely speaking between mouthfuls.

Jocelyn Montgomery stares at Chaya. Now /that's/ disturbing. However, the girl shifts over slightly so that there's more room on the bench beside her, and gestures for Chaya to join the table.

Neriva Nebulae begins to move back towards the staff table, her steps still slow as usual, but with a softer expression on her face. Finally reaching the staff table, she sits down, sighing greatly with the relief of being off of her feet. She sets her handbag on the table, gleaming out towards the multitudes of students, and then turning to her fellow staff members. "Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen," he soft, delicately and intricately refined British accent have more texture than the voices of moth. "I bought a little something for each of you..." Opening her bottomless handbag, she takes out several pewter figurines. One has to do with a librarian, one being a minniature cauldron, and the other having to do with Arithmancy, and so on. Each of the figurines as a little person who is with the object that has to do with the subject. Delicate fingers hand them out to her comrades. "I hope you like them," she says with a content grin.

Dwight Floens, now that food is present, keeps his eyes on the plate. He eats quickly, and the pile he's collected disappears just as fast, only to be replaced. When it comes to eating, he's a bottomless pit, and he -never- had a need for social interaction.

Hermonion Linter smiles brightly. "Like it? I love it. Thank you so much!" She says brightly, with a wide smile. And to Kokelia, "I don't know." She answers calmly.

Michael Hazeltine nods to Neriva politely, and says, "Afternoon Neriva. And, ah, thank you." That possibly being one of the longest sentence he's uttered today.

Kokelia Makani jumps up and attempts to smother the frail teacher in a huge hug. "Thank you!"

Sarah McLeod nods, and says, "Why, thank you," at her gift. She had not been expecting something like this...

Isabelle Matria gets up, finishing all of her food. She waves to everyone in the Great Hall, and runs out. Hmm, what does Sabrina want her for? With this in mind she quickly runs out of the room and out of sight as from jumps up the stairs.

Larry McCloud follows some of his fellow peers and eats like the world is ending. It's amazing where he finds time to breathe, but some how, it's managed.

Chaya Tiki nods cheerily, plopping down next to Jocelyn with a smile. "Thanks!" She chirps, resettling her robes a bit and nearly bouncing, it seems, for some unknown and unfathomable reason. Can you say... disturbing?

Kai Tyrell sighs and takes her eyes from Professor Nebulae as she finishes the last of her tea. Very pertly, she dabs her mouth with her napkin and then folds the latter neatly on the table. She still has some packing to do, so with that, she stands and steps out of the Hall.

Night Cyranio after hearing about Star he says "Well I hope Star is okay..." then he holds out a hand with a brownie in it to Rhea and says "Im not really hungry, want it?" then he says "Kayla has not eaten a single one, after all that work from making them too!"

Neriva Nebulae oofs slightly as she is embraced by Kokelia. Hardly expecting his, she bursts into a calm (and refined; isn't everything refined with her?) laughter. "Be careful, my dear. It would be horrible for me to have my blood pressure go up," she warns. Chuckling softly, she returns the embrace and then looks to the rest of the staff members, quite proud to be a part of this staff. "I love you all," her genuine, melodious voice says.

Jocelyn Montgomery stares at Chaya with silver-grey eyes, as if trying to figure out what's made her so - cheerful, all of a sudden. Deciding this is one mystery even she cannot solve, she asks quietly, "What's gotten into you, Chaya? You're so...happy.." She says 'happy' almost as if it were something unknown to the world.

Wont Regret gets up from the Gryffindor table and leaves the room.

Kokelia Makani looks up and lets go of Neriva, "I really appreciate this, you are like the mother I never had!" the young teacher squeals, she then takes a seat and motions for Neriva to sit down. "Eat my dear!"

Michael Hazeltine eyes Neriva and grunts noncommitally in reply.

Larry McCloud finishes eating, obviously eating a little too much. He makes his way over to Michael Hazeltine, extends a hand of greeting and smiles, "It's been a pleasure this year sir. You've done a good job with the Gryffindors."

Rhea Aswynn smiles polietlly to Night and says to him "Sure, I'd love one!" Then she says "Even though I'm worried about her, I'm sure she can take care of herself. Anyways have you seen Ulysses lately." she begins to nibble on the end of the brownie waiting for a reply, she's beginning to realize why Night was always worried about Ulysses.

Neriva Nebulae grins at Kokelia and pats softly, and then frowns deeply towards Michael, respectfully denying the offer of food. She's a very, very tiny lady. It's hard to believe she eats at all. "My dear, what is wrong? Your house won the house cup, and you're here with all of us... Oh well, some rest and relaxation will do your heart good; I know we all need it. It's been a long year!"

Kokelia Makani turns and wonders if Michael will grace the presence of their conversation, a slight gleam in her eyes as she stares.

Night Cyranio suddenly, after hearing the name 'Ulysses' he says "Actually, I was eating a brownie in the Kitchen yesterday, and Ulysses was there, at first I thought It was a mirage or something close to that point, but I found out it really was him" then he says "Ulysses ate one of the brownies I made too!"

Devonny Verissa stands up, checking her pocket watch again. "It has been fun chatting with you all," she says, "but I must be on my way... There are a few little things I must attend to before I leave." With that, she walks out the door,.

Hermonion Linter frowns as her eyes are drawn towards Michael as well. How could he be unhappy on a wonderfully happy day like this? "Bye, Devonny!" She calls after the teacher.

Silvramord flutters into the hall and settles down on one of the rafters, gracing many of the cheerful staff members with a curiously baleful glance as he ruffles his feathers. If a bird were capable of looking indignant, this one certainly would.

Jocelyn Montgomery watches as Devonny leaves, frowning slightly at the woman's retreating back, but her eyes return to Chaya quickly.

Michael Hazeltine nods to Larry, and shakes the boy's hand, "This victory is entirely the students' work, lad. Congratulations."

Emili Lordre finishes her tea in good time, setting down the cup gently and pushing it away. Once more does a sigh pass through her lips, and with it a momentary wave of fatigue seems to pass over her. Shadows beneath her eyes become evident, her pallor ashen, and frailty making her seem like nothing more than one of the porcelain figurines Neriva bestowed upon her fellow staff members. However, the moment is short-lived, hardly noticable in fact, and the girl rises from her seat with subconcious grace, and without a word of departure, slips back out through the doors of the hall.

Rhea Aswynn grins at Night and says "Really? That's wonderful! I'm so glad he's ok." Then she gets closer to Night and says quietly to him, "I'm really sorry about all the fight we had this year, about Ulysses and about...well /everything/. This year was a tough one. I finally understand how worried someone can get about their pet, or 'friend'. I'm glad we made it through this year in one piece" Then she smiles again grabs a cup of juice and drinks it, she nudges Night and says "Have you seen Kayla recently, I wonder where she is?"

Kokelia Makani lets her hopeful look go, it seems Michael has no intention of speaking anytime soon. Standing up, she grabs her gloves and prepares to leave, holding her trail as she goes. "I suppose I should go pack.. I'm spending my next few months at the Ministry Quarters.. not too shabby I suppose. I will be there to watch the train go off, though."

Larry McCloud smile back at Michael and heads towards the hallway, he looks around the room, and waves to everyone, then takes off upstairs to finish packing

Chaya Tiki whistles chirpily [is that a word?] and looks around the room, eyes eventually straying to the magical ceiling, showing weather and sky. "Always loved that," She remarked, more to herself than anyone at the table. "Always thought this place was stuffy and cramped, but that ceiling always made me feel better..." With a cheerful shrug, she begins to whistle again and look around at the people.

Michael Hazeltine waits a moment more before answering Neriva's question. He turns to face her and Kokelia, and pauses to choose his words before speaking again. "I'm very glad that Gryffindor won the house cup," he says quietly, "But I'd be happier if Ebiroth Tudor were still around. I'm sorry if I'm being a bit of a wet blanket today, but.." he shrugs.

Nanami Leysee sighs. "Where are we supposed to meet with Professor Goldbeck, anyway..?"

Night Cyranio says "I have not seen Kayla in a while" then after a pause he says "Maybe she is in this room, but busy talking to one of her other friends?" he glances around the Great Hall, wondering if he could catch a glimpse of Kayla, but has no luck.

Michael Hazeltine pushes aside his plate, being done eating. As Neriva leaves, he also excuses himself, nodding politely to Kokelia and all the other remaining staff members as he goes.

Hermonion Linter gets up, smiling at the remaining people in the Great Hall and quickly walks out, her loose strands of hair moving about as she runs.

Dwight Floens finally finishes stuffing his pudgy face, and pushes his plate back, standing up. He simply must go make sure he has everything. With hardly a glance around him, he saunters out.

Ravenclaw Meet and Greet

The Divination classroom is looking quite festive with blue and bronze streamers draped about the room. A few scattered balloons are attached here and there, some bearing the Ravenclaw crest and others with the Ravenclaw eagle on them alone. The desks and chairs are all pushed out of the way against the walls, and they are covered with blue tablecloths that have bronze edging. There are trays of cookies and small cakes on the tables as well as a small assortment of sweets - courtesy of Cordial Confections - laid out neatly. There are white teacups with stripes in blue and bronze up toward the top of the cup. There are extra large tea pots set out which will magically refill themselves when they are emptied of their contents. Bonnie Kensington stands near her desk, which has also been pushed out of the way, eyeing her work with pleasure in her eyes. Instead of in her normal, drab teacher's garb, the woman has dressed for the occasion in light gray robes with blue flowers which
are just slightly dressier than her normal robes.

Josie Wexler skips cheerfully toward the Divination classroom. This will be only her second time coming to the classroom, even though her house head's office is connected to it. The girl climbs up the ladder and, upon noticing she is one of the first to arrive, stands a bit awkwardly near the doorway. She is without any crutch of sister or cousin in this situation - not a single one of them is a Ravenclaw, so the girl is uncertain what to do at this moment. Spotting some tea, she decides to help herself, and it is only as she finishes pouring herself a cup of tea that she realizes that she hasn't greeted the teacher. "Oh, hullo, Professor Kensington," the girl greets the woman politely.

Making her way to the divination classroom Vilivia smiles at the decor. "Oh wow! Everything is all bronze and blue. Is this how divination class always looks?" She takes her time looking around the classroom. "I'm taking Divination as soon as I am old enough." She looks to Professor Kensington. "My mother is a seer so I want to learn how to see the future too. My Mom says I may have the gift so I'll try really hard to make her proud." Vilivia skips over to serve herself a bit of cake and poor herself some tea. Today her hair is pulled up in only two pigtails rather than the three she was wearing at the tea party earlier. She's dressed in an actual dress rather than a robe, a little matching blue rose patterned dress, gloves and socks.

Brandon Geroff has put on a blue and bronze raven pin for the occassion, stuck neatly on his robes under his left shoulder. This being specifically a social occassion, his usual student trappings have been left elsewhere, with the additional benefit of leaving his arms much more free than usual to climb up into the room. He moves far enough from the entrance to let those behind him in, then takes a moment to search the room, finally spotting Bonnie. He just barely opens his mouth to address her, but realizes someone else is speaking, and simply bows instead, before turning to see who else is around the room that he might greet.

Marching up the pathway to the Divination Tower, Ravus held a sour look on his face, with his thin lips pursed. His eyebrows were furrowed as he finally entered the room, which had been decorated with the Ravenclaw colors. Absentmindedly running his hand against his blue dread tips, the young man began to look around. As the dark colored eyes roamed the room, they quickly found themselves landing on the Marqueen girl. Shaking his head, Ravus glowered at their similar hairstyles, as he too had divided his dreadlocks into two sections, and placed them in pigtails on either side. His clothing was still rather school-like, as he was a collared blue shirt, with a white robe over it, and his house insignia on his left breast. Taking a step deeper into the room, the young man pulled forth a chair, as he plopped down with a vengeance, still hating to be in the fake fortune tellers room.

Since classes are not in session Otto has left off his black school robe and has come dressed, instead, in his favored crushed velvet robe of hunter's green. While the seventh year is a common enough sight among the Commons he generally doesn't hang around his housemates seeing as most of his friends seem to be in other Houses. However, he's not about to turn aside a meet-and-greet especially with his own Head-of-House and so he dutifully arrives. Before actually entering the room he can be seen in the company of his best friend Tommy Darian and he pauses outside the Divination room and has some words with the Slytherin. Apparently whatever he had to say doesn't go over very well and shortly thereafter the boys begin a small, but heated argument before Tommy tosses his hair and flounces away. Otto watches after his friend but rather than calling out he rolls his eyes and finally enters the room. Despite everything he still carries his sewing satchel with him and sets it again
st a wall before greeting the Professor. "Hello Professor Kensington." Bright and cheerful he limps his way over to get a cup of tea, but otherwise seems at a loss as to how to actually /socialize/.

"Welcome, hello, thank you," Bonnie responds to the various students who greet her as they come through the door. Spotting a particularly dour first year, Bonnie watches him for a moment, but being as he is not harming anything or anyone at this moment, she lets his moodiness go unmentioned. "Welcome to my classroom, everyone!" she speaks up, attempting to raise her voice above the din of so many Ravenclaw students packed into one room. "Before you begin to mingle and get to know your new housemates, I hope that I might speak to you all for just a moment." She pauses, waiting for the noise to die down a little, as this was clearly not a request. "I'm sure we will have a very good term this year, and I just want to congratulate everyone who had excellent showings in their classes last year. I think, however, that we can do better. You are all Ravenclaws, and as such I expect you to uphold the tradition of academic excellence for our house. Even if you do not naturally have the
aptitude for high marks, I hope that you will strive your best to improve upon last year's scores whereever possible." She pauses once more. "In addition, I think that Ravenclaw stands a good chance at winning the house cup this year. We need to strive our best /not/ to get into trouble. Any student who loses house points outside of class, or who loses points due to disruption or bad behavior will have a detention with me on top of whatever punishment is recieved prior to that. I want to make it very clear that I will not stand for any troublemaking nonsense amongst Ravenclaws. As Ravenclaws, you are /all/ above that." Bonnie's face is stern as she gives this warning, then after allowing the statement to sink in suitably, she smiles a bit. "That said, I hope you will all enjoy the refreshments and get to know your fellow Ravenclaws. Unity is our most important asset!" The woman concludes and smiles again, taking a few steps forward to acquire some tea and cookies for hersel
f.

Since this is only the second year that Bonnie has been her head of house, Josie is a bit taken aback by the strong language of her house head. However, she is still an excitable girl and the idea that her house in the greatest and the best seems to puff her up with pride and she nods emphatically as the teacher talks. "Wow, she's really serious about Ravenclaw," she remarks to the student closest to her. "I had Divination with her the other day and she was absolutely /fantastic/. I can't /wait/ to learn more about seeing the future!" The girl nods excitedly and leans over to take a cookie. "Hello, Otto," The girl greets the older boy in slight awe, trying her best not to let her eyes linger on his slight disfigurement.

Fourth year, Destiny Boothe pads into the Divination Classroom--just a bit late (as usual). A demure smile on her lips. Her long brown hair has been combed neatly for this particular gathering. Very quietly, she quietly stands in the back as professor Kensington speaks. And then she leans towards one of her housemates and whispers, "We really are fortunate to have her aren't we?" She presses her lips together and then adds to herself more than anyone else, "I would given anything to have the Sight like Professor Kensington." She strolls over to the table with the tea and retrieves herself a cup.

Taking the cake Vilivia places it on a saucer and then goes about pouring herself some tea as well. She turns to see that Ravus has come to the gathering. "Oh Mophead!" She says softly smiling. "I see you've decided to wear some pigtails. I didn't know you admired me so." Because only Vilivia has ever had pigtails apparently. She looks to Otto as Tommy and he have their tiff. "Oh is your boyfriend mad Otto?" The girl know s his name from the gossip circulating about Hogwart's favorite imaginary couple. "Maybe if you save him some cake you can play kissy face makeup later." The Professors small speech is met with an agreeable smile from the small girl. "here here!" she cheers raising her teacup as she sits down in a chair.

Listening intently to the Professor's speech as he takes a few sips of his tea Otto looks more and more uncomfortable. First, he reddens at the mention of poor marks and then he shuffles a few feet one side at the mention of getting into trouble outside of class. Turning his face to one side he makes sure not to keep looking at Bonnie and suddenly seems much more interested in randomly glancing around the room. All told his body language speaks more loudly than any words could that he feels all too keenly aware that those words probably hold a lot of weight given his own time at the school. Fidgeting a few more steps in place his discomfort is mostly expelled by Josie and he smiles happily in her direction, his earlier mood now dissipated. "Hello Josie! It's good to see you." Since the girl is the one who greeted him and he's unsure still how to mingle he makes his way over to her with his shuffling limp, blatantly oblivious to anyone who might have the gall to openly stare.
It's only when Tommy's name is mentioned that he looks over in Vilivia's direction with a confused look. "No, but I'm sure he'd like that. I prefer girls."

Brandon Geroff waits until his House Head has finished speaking before moving again - indeed, he barely moves a muscle as he listens. Once she has finished he smiles and turns to look both for a table and a proper social encounter. Otto is the first to catch his eye, but as Josie greets him, he heads for the girl who just came in instead. Taking a cup from beside Destiny's, he reaches for teapot and gestures as if to pour. "This year is starting well for you?"

The girl's eyes close as she takes a sip of her tea. "Divine," she smiles before she nods at Brandon. "Yes! It's been really excellent so far," she grins. "Fourth year is not very different from third year, but I'm enjoying it so far! I think next year when I have OWLs it will be different--more pressure, at least." She takes another sip, and after swallowing and returning her cup to the saucer she counters the question, "And you? You're having a good year so far?"

Destiny's eyes close as she takes a sip of her tea. "Divine," she smiles before she nods at Brandon. "Yes! It's been really excellent so far," she grins. "Fourth year is not very different from third year, but I'm enjoying it so far! I think next year when I have OWLs it will be different--more pressure, at least." She takes another sip, and after swallowing and returning her cup to the saucer she counters the question, "And you? You're having a good year so far?"

As Bonnie takes her first sip of tea, she sighs happily, then takes a bite of a cookie. Once she has finished chewing, the woman begins to circulate, coming to a stop near Vilivia. "You're a first year, am I right?" The woman asks, full well knowing the answer. "Miss Marqueen, am I right?" she asks, sounding confident though the woman cannot be perfectly confident in her guess. She smiles vaguely at the girl, as much of a smile as the woman ever really gets. "How are you enjoying Ravenclaw so far?" she asks cordially to the first year.

Josie looks a tad confused at the exchange between Vilivia and Otto, and she looks from one to the other, quite puzzled for a moment, before shrugging. "How are you?" She asks the older boy, then quirks her head a bit. "She's one of those first years, isn't she?" she tacks on, rather unsubtly. "What a strange comment to make." As she spots Destiny, she gives a little wave with a few candies in her hand. "Hi, Destiny!" she greets her housemate, then follows that up with, "Hi, Brandon!"

"Oh Yes, I'm Vilivia. Ravenclaw is just lovely." Vilivia says this before taking a bite of cake. "Mmmm this is good. Cordial Confections yeah?" She looks back at Professor Kensington. "I'm really enjoying school. I think Ravenclaw was the perfect house for me. That hat really knows it's stuff that's for sure. looking back to Otto Vilivia tilts her head. "Oh but I heard you two were snog buddies or something. At least that's what everyone was saying." "I did wonder what an Atwell would be doing with a Darien though." "Talk about a bad match."

Brandon Geroff takes a sip of his own tea, placing it back down carefully. Don't gulp, don't spill, move slowly; he's being particularly careful at this gathering, as it's not just class or a meal in the Great Hall. "Fifth year does take a bit more work, from what I've heard," he agrees, though only being in third and not too worried about it. "I am.. I've particularly enjoyed starting my new classes," he nods his head toward Bonnie, as it's her room they're in, "including Divination." He turns - still carefully - at Josie's voice. "Hello!"

"Huh? Oh. I wasn't really listening to her nattering. I guess Tommy is mad, but I am so *sick* of everyone thinking we're an item. He's the one that prefers boys. Not me." Sipping at his tea, Otto probably speaks a little too much and a little too loudly but socializing isn't his best suit, but he's better at it now than when he was eleven. "Yeah, she's a Marqueen and oh-my-gods she won't stop talking about her marriage contract. I heard that the Headmistress's son hasn't even /signed/ it yet so who knows if she really /is/ betrothed and who really cares?" "It's not like the wedding is going to happen /tomorrow/." Screwing up his nose and shuffling this time to ease his leg and back he's just about to say something to Josie again when Vilivia's words sting his ears. "Shut /up/ Marqueen. Just because you care so much who's snogging who doesn't mean the rest of us do." Making a face he finally addresses Josie as he looks toward Destiny and Brandon as they're also greeted, "Was
your summer good then? Liking the new year?"

"Hello Josie," Destiny grins and nods at the girl in greeting, "This is a nice little Ravenclaw party." She grins at her housemates and then timidly sips at her tea again. She nods at bit at the mention of enjoying Divination. "Professor Kensington really is brilliant," she glances over at the teacher to make sure her attention is otherwise occupied. Lowering her voice she adds, "She's a very patient woman. I truly have no talent with Divination, but she's gracious enough to teach me anyways." Her cheeks flush and she shrugs a bit. Admitting her personal failings isn't one of Destiny's habits. She offers Otto a small smile, "It was a lovely summer for me. I spent it with my grandparents in the country. And yours?" And then she adds as an afterthought, "I am enjoying the year as well."

"Well, I'm glad to hear that," Bonnie replies cheerfully, sipping her tea carefully. "Yes, I picked up a moderate supply when I visited Diagon Alley this summer. This was prior to the destruction, of course." She shakes her head sadly as she remembers the news. "Do you really think you ought to be speaking of good matches and bad matches?" Bonnie questions, looking from Vilivia to the target of her conversation - Otto. "Hello, Otto," The woman greets warmly, with a bit of a sly grin on her face, almost as if she's implying that her earlier words were meant for him. "Have we forgotten the speech about unity already?" She asks loudly, with a bit of a tsk. "Come come, have more tea." The comment is more of an order to stop the bickering than to actually have more tea, and with that, Bonnie shakes her head, moving on to another group of students nearby, greeting all of them by name as she approaches.

"Oh," Josie answers and is struck dumb as to how to respond to this, not having been exposed much to the matters of love and relationships at all - other than her parents and aunts and uncles, let alone those between those of the same gender. She doesn't linger long on her thoughts about this, however, instead shrugging and becoming more cheerful. "Oh, it was brilliant. Mum let me help out in the shop. I swept up through the day, and I helped customers with their orders, and sometimes she even let me watch it all by myself!" Josie looks particularly proud at this as she pops one of the sweets into her mouth. "Divination seems like it will be /so/ great. I hope I have the sight. Maybe I could become a Divinator someday!" This is more to Brandon and Destiny than to Otto, as the other two were the ones discussing the class.

"Shut up?" Vilivia seems a little hurt by these words and puts her teacup down hard on it's saucer. "Well I'd expect that kind of language from a Darien but not an Atwell! Your family is supposed to be really good!" Vilivia sighs hearing the Professor talk about unity. "But Professor he told me to shut up. That was so rude of him. I can't understand why boys have to be so bloody rude! What if his Mummy or Daddy heard him speaking to me like that?" She looks at Otto poiniently. "I doubt the Atwells would like it one bit. Talking to a Marqueen that way." "Really!"

"Perhaps it will show later," is Brandon's quietly murmured reply. "We haven't really started -learning- yet of course, so no chance to see whether I do have any gift or skill." He takes another small sip of tea while Destiny responds to Otto, placing the cup back on the saucer and cradling in carefully, then stepping forward one step toward Otto and Josie. "It's an amazing gift - to have any sort of guidance." "How are you, Otto?"

"I'm sure you'll have more of a talent for Divination than myself," Destiny assures Josie with a half-smirk. She grins at Brandon, "It truly is." A side-glance is given to Vilivia as she complains to the Professor. "Miss Marqueen," she begins, "I can tell you are a lady of good breeding. Ladies of good breeding never tattle." Where did she get this logic? Who knows! "Plus pointing out his impoliteness could be characterized as. . . impolite. Could it not?"

"Busy, busy, busy but pretty good otherwise. Tommy's dad drags us /everywhere/ and then I've gotten an apprenticeship at Talari's tailoring so it's all been kind of whirlwind. At least NEWT classes are still going well. I'm *so* glad to be done with OWLs. They're really dreadful, but now I'm kind of panicked over NEWTs." Otto stops his conversation cold when he hears Bonnie and he turns a deeper shade of red than previously, "Hello ma'am," "uh. . .no. Sorry." The apology is just honest enough not to be politic but he shoots a pointed look in Vilivia's direction as the girl actually speaks at him again. Some of us are at least polite enough to keep our noses out of other people's business." /." It takes a lot to get the young man's anger up but it is slowly rising. The way he clenches, rather than holds, his cup gives some indication to his rapidly heating senses. Grinding his teeth, he forcibly drinks down some more tea before turning back to Josie, Destiny, and Brandon, "I'm
well enough save for *certain* present company who won't keep her mouth /shut/." "I swear I'm going to make it through this year if it kills me."

"But you didn't have to go on about ... relationships and all that," Josie comments with a slight shrug, then returns her attention to the others with whom she had already been speaking. "Oh, you're quite right, Brandon," Josie agrees with a quick nod. "I was reading something about Professor Kensington the other day," Josie mentions to Brandon, then looks around carefully to see if the woman in question is nearby. Seeing that she has moved along to another portion of the classroom, the girl continues. "I guess she actually /owned/ her own Divination shop for /eleven/ years, and she worked there for a long long time before that. Isn't that amazing?" she breathes with excitement. "She /must/ be /very/ good, in that case. And I can tell that she means business. I bet we take the house cup for SURE!" Josie beams as she says this, then pops another candy into her mouth. "You've only this one last year, though. I'm sure it won't be /so/ bad. I'm sure I won't want to leave at all w
hen I'm a seventh year. I love it here!"

"Eleven years?" Brandon considers this for a moment. "Of course, I never questioned her ability, but she really -must- be quite good. I assume it was a successful shop.." The last bit is quiet, almost hesitant, not so much a question as just general musing. "Which NEWTs will you be taking, Otto?" If any of the more hostile conversation has been noticed, Brandon shows no outword sign of hearing it. "I think I will want to get out and into the world when it's time."

Destiny's words are considered for a moment by Vilivia. "But if I don't tell him he's being rude he won't know now will he?" The girl sees this as a perfectly logical idea. "And I'm of good breeding! But that doesn't mean I have to be a door matt." The girl huffs and looks at her tea before sipping at it again. She looks to Otto as he speaks of her and glares daggers at him. "Clearly I've misjudged you Mister Atwell." "I apologize profusely for my misconduct." The little eleven year old says this through clenched teeth.

With a sigh Destiny counters, "You say that, Miss Marqueen, but there is a in of command that such behaviour should be addressed by." She tilts her head and then asks, "I imagine that /you/ wouldn't want to listen to a five year old, would you? You are six years younger than Otto." She shrugs a bit. "And I'm not suggesting you be a doormat, but Lovely, the world doesn't revolve around you and your impending nuptials. If this is a keen topic of conversation for you over the next six years, I'm guessing Mister Atwell won't be the only one telling you to 'shut up'." She shrugs again, sighs, and then sips at her tea.

"School wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for bullies, brats, and know-it-alls, but I'm glad to be an adult." Otto's time in school hasn't been that bad, but his temper is currently getting the better of him and marring his otherwise cheerful nature. A first year really shouldn't be able to ruffle an older student so badly, but for some reason the Marqueen is managing to do just that and not even intentionally. "I never did take Divination. I don't have the talent for most things at all, but I'm NEWT level Art, Charms, and Transfiguration. I plan on eventually setting up my own shop and designing clothing. Talari has been an absolutely wonderful master to work under and I hope I can be as good, if not better, than him in time." Another swallow of tea and the young man is trying hard to ignore Vilivia as he continues with his conversation. "I didn't even know she had a shop for eleven years. That's a /long/ time! Maybe I should ask her what my future holds." It's a joke mostly,
but not at Bonnie's expense or her abilities. "Knowing my luck, she'd say 'You will have children just like yourself.'"

"So, are you really betrothed already?" Josie asks Vilivia in some attempt to change the girl's line of conversation. "Aren't you only eleven?" the third year asks with widened eyes. She turns her attention back to Brandon and the others, then nods. "I imagine she /must/ have been good or it wouldn't have stayed open for so long. The book wasn't very specific about it, though. It just said that she passed it on to one of her assistants when she came to teach here. And she's been /here/ since 1925." Josie widens her eyes again. "I was only /one year old/ in 1925!" As Otto makes a joke, Josie giggles. "I bet she could tell you, but only if she /wanted/ to." As Otto completes his statement, however, the girl looks more serious. "Oh. Well, er..."

Brandon Geroff chuckles. "Would that be such a bad thing?" he asks Otto, not really expecting an answer - at least, not more than a flippant, 'I barely know you' type. "Designing clothing would be interesting. I imagine you'd have a lot of options open as you get into it." He is still, perhaps obviously at this point, ignoring the other conversation going on around him.

"Why I never!" Is Vilivia's response to what Destiny has to say next. Luckily Josie has switched topics to her favorite. "Oh yes I'm going to be Miss Seker Rathe when I graduate." Vilivia smiles and then pauses. "Well that's if my Seker agrees and signs the papers. But I'm sure he will know a good match when he sees it." Vilivia begins biting into the cake again now distracted from feeling persecuted. "This cake really is lovely. I just love sweet things don't you?" She asks Josie. She then sighs and looks to Otto. "I really am sorry I beleived such silly rumours. Of course Darien isn't your boyfriend. That's such a childish rumour isn't it?"

Eyes are rolled at Vilivia's response, but Destiny won't apologize. Finishing her cup of tea, Destiny sighs and returns the cup and saucer to the table. "Well it was lovely seeing all of you here today." She offers her peers a small grin. "Unfortunately, I have to write a report on an infamous Dark Wizard and the library is calling my name." She offers a general wave to everyone and pads out the doorway and down the hall.

Grinning now at his own thoughts about his "destiny" Otto takes a sip, "Meaning I agree with you Josie. She probably wouldn't tell me unless she wanted to and tell me something along those lines instead." Considering Brandon the older boy shakes his head, "No, it wouldn't be so bad really, but I can only guess at how many times Tommy's dad has said that to us when we've been," "little angels." "I want a successful career, a wife, and about five or six children. I think that would be the best sort of life really." His mood quickly returning to happier spirits he even deigns to consider Vilivia in the conversation, "Not really childish as poorly informed. People will say /anything/ even if it isn't true."

"That's true I suppose." Vilivia replies to Otto before finishing up her cake. She stands to get some of the candies to try them next. After all it's a party and whats a party without candy? The girl pops a peice into her mouth and grins closeing her eyes. "That's so good! I wish I knew how to make my own candy with magic! Can you make candy with magic? I think that would be the best spell ever." The girl mimics some wand movements as if trying to create a spell off the top of her head for just such an effect.

"Well, my mum uses magic to make the candies," Josie answers. "Well, okay, mum doesn't do it - Auntie Maura does it, but it's all the same, right? They also use some kind of potions, but mummy doesn't let me watch very often. She says I'll get in the way." The girl sighs dramatically at this. "These are sweets from my mummy's shop, though. See the little blue and purple stripes? Those are Cordial Confections colors!" The girl says this proudly, unwrapping a hard candy and popping it into her mouth with a giggle. The girl turns as Otto speaks and beams. "That sounds like a good life to me! Except for the wife. I don't think I want a wife myself." The girl shrugs as she mentions this, then giggles. "I'm not sure I want lots of kids, though. Mummy has lots of kids and so does uncle Freddie and that makes a /lot/ of us at Christmas time, and we can only open our presents /one at a time/. Can you imagine? It takes /forever/. Ugh!"

Brandon Geroff laughs quietly. "We've never tried one at a time; though we do pass them out so it's -somewhat- organized. It'd probably take us all of Christmas and the day after to go one at a time though." Turning for the table that is now behind him, Brandon sets his cup down to find a piece of cake. He may be trying hard to keep his manners, but he is thirteen, and he spends a moment just enjoying the sweetness rather than trying to elaborate any further.

"I never really thought how candies were made, but I guess it would take a lot of ability like any other skill." Otto decides to finally try some of the candy too and takes a few pieces, not so secretly pocketing all but one. Opening it up he pops it into his mouth, "Tommy's dad always has tons of the stuff around the house but we're not allowed to eat /his precious candy/. He's got some sort of arrangement with your mom I think, or did, or something. I hope the shop is okay." Furrowing his brow the older boy dosen't let the discussion linger there, "I think Mister Darian would marry candy if he could." This is said with both some level of sincerity but mostly when he says it he just grins. Finishing off the food in his mouth he too laughs at Josie's talk of family, "There were five kids in my family, but my parents waited a really long time to have us and then spaced us out. I think five or six kids would be grand but only if I had the means to support them. Otherwise maybe
I'd be okay with one or two."

"Maybe I should try to learn how to make candy from your Mummy Josie! Do you think she would give me lessons?" Vilivia looks over the party and giggles before looking back to the girl. "I'm the only child and I have a big family too. Well I'm my Mummy and Daddy's only child. I have cousins and stuff. But not as many as you seem to. At Christmas time we just open our presents all at the same time because it turns into a real frenzy with paper and wrapping everywhere." Vilivia listens to Otto and smiles "I hope I have about five children. I want a big family of my own. And I think my Mummy and Daddy are thinking of trying for a boy. It'd be fun having a baby brother to play with."

"I wish they would just let us open them all at once after everyone has theirs," Josie says with a sigh. "I mean, there are nine of us! I'm glad everyone opens presents before we go to Gramma Jo's house to have our supper. It would take /forever/ if all the cousins were there, too." Josie sighs very dramatically at the mere /thought/ of all the Wexler kin getting together and opening presents. "I think I know him," Josie answers thoughtfully. "Mr. Darian comes in a lot for big orders of sweets." The girl pauses, thinking sadly of the damage to the shop. "The front windows were busted up and had to be replaced - nobody could charm them back, I guess, and then mum had to get a new sign made. Nobody got hurt, though. Mum says it's a blessing that there wasn't more damage done. We only lost the front displays of sweets and things." She shrugs and finishes off her tea, then cranes her neck to see if there's a line near one of the tea pots. As Vilivia speaks, Josie giggles. "I'll l
et you have one of mine!" she offers with a laugh. "I have three of them!"

Brandon Geroff finishes his bite of cake, and wipes the crumbs from his lips. "We do have all the cousins," he responds specifically to Josie's comment, a smile on his face. The expression changes to concern as topic turns to the destruction. "It is a good thing no one was hurt. It must have been a bit of work even just to replace the front." Almost as an afterthought, he adds his own input on Vilivia's desire. "It's great having baby brothers! And sisters. Any siblings, really."

The topic of Christmas is something that Otto strives to avoid and so he listens happily enough to the descriptions of what he considers grand times, but he doesn't talk about his own experiences with the holiday. Instead, he addresses Josie with a nod "I'm glad no one was hurt, but I am sorry there was any damage at all done." Helping himself to a handful of candy he pockets all of it this time and takes up a slice of cake acting as if what he's just done is perfectly normal. Wrapping that up it also disappears into a pocket and he grins. "Oh I just dote on my little sister. She's a second year though so I don't know that I'll get away with it much longer. Younger siblings are okay but older ones are a bit of a pain. Especially if they are know-it-all bully brats." "Just don't be like that to any sibling you have."

"I'd just adore having a little brother or sister!" Vilivia says to the group now that the topic is siblings and Christmas. "I'm sorry to hear the shop was damaged. I hope everything gets back to working order soon though. I can't imagine the world going without Cordial Confections for too long without going absoloutly mad with grief." The girl's tone is dead serious on this issue.

"Indeed, it would be a tragic loss," Bonnie agrees, returning unexpectedly to the conversation at hand. The teacher inside the woman can't help but add, "Of course, this is what happens when good witches and wizards lose sight of what is /truly/ good and lose the value of their fellow person." She nods seriously as she takes a sip from her cup. "I am certainly glad to hear that Cordial Confections survived the ordeal relatively unscathed. I'm not sure I would have found as wonderful a replacement in the Honeydukes line of sweets, though they are certainly not a horrible variety."

When Otto reaches the point of stuffing -cake- in his pocket, Brandon can't help but stare for a moment, eyebrows raised in surprise. He doesn't comment however, and quickly pulls his eyes away once he realizes what he is doing. Mustn't stare! And that includes asking questions about anything getting squished. Trying to recover himself, he latches onto the continued talk of family as an easy thing to continue. "I don't mind older siblings either generally. They can be a pain at times," he finally concedes, as if that's the most he can politely say, "but it's nice having others around so much." .. "It would be.. quite a loss, for any shop to be chased out, due to this sort of thing."

"I guess it really is a lot more dangerous out there than I thought. Bullies are one thing but," Otto breaks thought long enough to refresh his cup of tea and take a sip, "Dark Wizards are another. That's scarier than NEWTs." The boy frets a bit over the thought but not liking to dwell on the topic he tries to plow on. "Family is just good all around, but I guess we don't really get to choose our siblings." Grinning at the thought, "getting to trade in old siblings on a new style would be nice. I wouldn't mind a nicer brother or another sister. Sisters are just much better than brothers, but well, maybe not. Tommy's more of a brother to me than William by this point."

"I'm /never/ that way with my siblings!" Josie assures Otto. "I'm the oldest of all of us. I'm four minutes older than Essie! And then the rest of us are stair steps down. Gilbert is seven this year - he's the youngest." Josie is trying to be reassuring, but with so many siblings and with Josie's nature, it's inevitable that she's been bossy to them at /some/ point. "I guess that's why you don't like him in /that/ way, isn't it, Otto? That makes a lot of sense. It wouldn't do to feel /that way/ about your own brother!" Josie shakes her head fervently at this, and her curls bounce around unchecked. "I need more tea," the third year announces, wandering over to one of the tables and pouring herself another cup, taking this chance to acquire a few cookies before she rejoins the group.

After pocketing some candy herself Vilivia miles and looks to the others. "Well I'd better get going. I have homework that needs finishing and I was hoping to do some studying for charms." Vilivia drinks the rest of her tea and smiles looking to the others. "I'm really glad I came and got to know more of my fellow Ravenclaws. We'll all be such good friends I'm sure!" Vilivia turns and starts to leave before curtsying a goodbye to the Professor and the others.

Moving at a brisk pace, a fifth year Ravenclaw girl, Joscelyn Myatt, enters the Divination classroom - a place that, from her expression when she enters, she has plainly never really been before - and looks around at the gathered group, calling out to the group, "Sorry I'm late!" Her brow creases as she considers the roomful of people, and she wraps her arms around herself awkwardly, looking around. Spying no one in particular that she wants to talk to, she hurries to the table of sweets, sampling a few while she studies the walls of the classroom, inspecting the decorations as if to wonder whether that's normal for the room, or just a feature for the meet and greet.

"Dark wizards are much worse than anything we'll see here," Brandon answers, then pauses, a frown starting to form as he thinks. "I hope." The thoughtfull and worried expression does not quickly fade, and he attempts to hide it by a quick murmur of "Excuse me.." and turning around to refill his tea cup, which he takes his time doing.

"Yeah, well Josie you're a lot nicer than William was. I'm pretty sure someone bounced him on his head as a baby because he's still a mean git. Teasing and bossing is normal stuff but he was just plain old /mean/." Otto sips his tea again and thinks over what Josie said "I suppose? But I just don't like boys /that way/ at all. I'm so sick of the jokes that because I'm good with domestic stuff and I like things to look *just so* I must be interested in boys. It's stupid." "I guess that's really why I'll be glad to leave is because I'm sick of the jokes and the stares and the rumors, but I guess it won't change out in the world. It'll just be different. It's like bullies. They still exist out there but they seem to get worse. That's what Dark Wizards are, bullies gone from bad to worse." It's an oversimplification perhaps but it's one that fits for Otto. Looking around he decides to grab some more candy out of a different bowl and that bunch too gets put into a different pocket
, but he takes a piece for himself this time.

With a mouthful of sweets, Joscelyn turns to look at Otto, swallowing hurriedly and making hand motions as though she intends to say something just as soon as she's done eating. Once she has swallowed, she pipes up with a careful, "There's nothing wrong with liking boys and just because grandma says it is doesn't mean it's true, or you should hide it if you are!" She smiles sympathetically to Otto - one gets the impression that if they were standing a bit closer, she'd pat him on the shoulder - before turning back to the table of sweets.

"She's a bit strange," Josie says very quietly, then shrugs, as Otto's speech draws her attention. "Well... I don't want to be a dark wizard," she tells him, biting her lip, then biting a cookie. "They're what did the bad things to Diagon Alley," she tells them through her mouthful of cookie. "And I don't want to be like /that/." She nods decisively and then turns her attention to Joscelyn. "Hullo," she finally greets the latecomer. In an attempt to change the subject, Josie asks, "Do you lot suppose we'll get the house cup this year?"

After getting his tea, Brandon leaves the group and the table, taking a moment to wander the room and look for somewhere else to mingle. However, he winds back in the same group, though at a different side of it, unconsciously finding a spot nearby the teacher to stand. He's managed to hide whatever bothered him, and responds to the last thing said as he walks back up. "I don't see why we shouldn't; at least, why we shouldn't be able to."

Deciding to follow suit with the others Otto doesn't say anything about liking or disliking boys, but instead gives a noncommittal shrug about the House cup. "I suppose we can. There's certainly nothing stopping us doing that unless some of us get caught doing things we oughtn't." Not about to admit to anything himself he takes another sip of the tea and looks around the room.

"You're not going to frame some of the other houses and make them lose points, are you?" Joscelyn asks Otto - though her words alone may sound like a disapproval chastise, she is smiling quite brightly and her tone is almost hopeful. "That would be very wrong, but I think it would work." This last bit is added quite earnestly... before she hurries away to get herself a drink of some sort.

"Hey that's a really good idea!" Otto hadn't consider /that/ option but now that Joscelyn brings it up he comments to himself "Tommy would be better at it though." Glancing at the teacher he coughs and finishes his next cup of tea. "Except we'd never do something like that." The seventh year hasn't been caught out too often doing things he shouldn't, but those times he has been caught it's always been with his partner in crime.

"Well, what if we got caught? Then we'd lose even more points," Josie points out. "Maybe we can just do things that will earn points," the third year muses, taking a bite of another cookie. "I don't know what we could do other than answer questions in class, though. That's the only way I've managed to earn any points." She sighs. "Maybe it's hopeless. Maybe we just don't have the right... something, like some of the other houses have." Josie seems to get despondent over the idea suddenly.

Waving a hand at Josie's comments, Bonnie scoffs. "Ceratainly not. Haven't we already discussed that Ravenclaw is among the better houses? You'll just have to use your wits to ensure that you edge out the other houses in earning points," Bonnie tells the girl, then directs her attention to Joscelyn and Otto, choosing not to say anything of their 'scheme' at this time, though each student does get a rather pointed look.

"There would be ways to get around that," Joscelyn points out to Josie, as she wanders back with her cup of tea, which she sips at mildly, glancing sidelong at Bonnie before continuing. "For a start, if we weren't directly involved it would be simple enough, we just... sort of set up the situation and then scarper to the library for an alibi, it would be easy enough." She clears her throat and adds, "Speaking purely academically - hypothetically - not at all practically, of course." She smiles at Bonnie sweetly.

"If you're really worried about it," Brandon looks at Otto, trying not to make it -too- plain by his expression what he thinks of that idea, "start a.." Give him a second to think. "A club or something. To assist others around the school." Joscelyn gets about the same look that Otto did, though he says nothing.

"That could work out," Josie mentions, finishing off her second cookie. "We could go around doing good deeds, and then maybe we would earn points for it." She pauses. "Is that the wrong motive, though? Would that negate the good deeds if we knew we were doing them to earn points?" Josie, instead of getting hyper with her sugar rush, is getting philosophical. "It's a good idea, though, and it would certainly /achieve/ good, and that would be nearly the same as having a pure motive, right?"

"I don't think I have the talent for that kind of deception." Shaking his head Otto puts down his cup and takes another piece of cake, taking care to wrap that one too, and put it in a different pocket from the original piece. "I'm not much good at answering questions in class, but I'm not too bad at these days. Maybe if I manage to do really well in class or something I can get us a few more points." "Or maybe I could volunteer to clean classrooms or something that might be worthwhile. I think Professor Helit, err, Professor Phoebe Helit, might be okay with that."

Joscelyn eyes Otto for a moment, before shaking her head slightly and rolling her eyes at him, her expression suddenly one of more distaste. "Well, that's good, because I wasn't encouraging that course of action... but still, one would think that you'd have learned something in, what, six years of being a Ravenclaw?" She turns to look at Bonnie and affects a smile again - look, she's being sweet.

Brandon Geroff openly gapes at Otto this time. Some things just haven't been trained out of him yet. "Are you..." It takes him a second to find his words. "Yes, if you went around doing deeds such as cleaning, it certainly couldn't hurt anything. And if it didn't get points, it would still be useful." He stops, eyeing the group in general, particularly Otto, then shakes his head. "Excuse me, please... I'm sure I'll see you all around tomorrow." Taking his leave, he turns from that group to find Bonnie, making a quick bow to her once he approaches. "Thank you Professor Kinsington, I've had a lovely time."

"Yes and your jibes are very endearing and clever. In fact, I've never /ever/ heard anyone remark on how I'm too dull to be in this House." Perhaps its age or perhaps it's something else that makes Otto so tetchy today and he picks up a napkin to wipe his fingers. "In fact, you're right. This has suddenly become far too dull for me." He can't quip too well very often but he's secretly rather pleased at that even if it's not /terribly/ clever or sharp. Helping himself to /another/ handful of candy that he adds to the pocket where he just put the cake the turns to find the Professor. "Professor Kensington thanks for the party. I really enjoyed myself," shooting a glance at Joscelyn before looking back to Bonnie, "at least for awhile." "I should get going and work on my art projects." "I'll see you later Josie!" Heading to where he set aside his sewing satchel he picks it up before leaving.

"Quite right," Bonnie agrees as Brandon makes his exit. She notes the thinning of students and then takes a look at the wall clock that she has mounted nearby. "Everyone, it has been quite lovely having you all here. I hope you have gotten to know the first years and perhaps made new alliances with some of the other students in your ouse this evening." The woman smiles a bit at the group of students, setting her teacup down on a nearby desk. "I think it's time you all got back to the commonroom and got to work on improving those marks, hmm?" Bonnie is not even the slightest bit subtle about her suggestion as she starts to usher some of the more resistant students toward the door.

"Touch-eeee," Joscelyn replies, a little snidely, scowling at Otto; it could hardly be plainer that she thinks he's overreacting, her expression bordering on sulky as he moves to leave. As Bonnie encourages everyone to make their way out, she turns to look at some of the other students, particularly Josie, and asks her in a stage whisper, "That boy is completely overreacting to what I said! What a little... girlpants!"

Josie herself takes this moment to swipe a few cookies and some sweets from the table, hastily finishing her tea before she makes her way toward the door. "Hey, wait for me!" she calls to some of the other third years who have made it down the ladder before her. "'Bye, Professor! See you at Divination!" With this, the girl makes her way down the ladder and out of the classroom.

No one seems to be interested in Joscelyn's opinions on Otto's reactions to her words, and soon she's the only student actually left in the classroom; this seems to make the girl quite uncomfortable, so she ceases picking over the sweets and hurries away downstairs, just mumbling a quick, "Nice party." to the Head of House.

Once the classroom is cleared out, Bonnie breathes a sigh. There are teacups all over, and remnants of cake and empty cookie trays are all that is left of the once orderly display. Crumbs litter the floor, and while the Divination teacher takes all of this in, she doesn't linger on it. She knows it will get cleaned up. Meanwhile, the woman herself has earned a good sleep, so she, too, sets down her tea cup and makes her way out of her own classroom, headed toward her private quarters.

Sorting Day: Parker’s Perspective

"Come /on/, you guys!" Josie calls loudly as the group of Wexler and Fallon kids gets onto the train. Josie and Essie are arm-in-arm as usual as they make their way onto the train and find a compartment. "In here," Josie tells her siblings and cousins as she ducks into compartment four on the train. She and Essie take the window seats quickly, and Charlotte and Arnold follow them in, then Parker and his younger sister Adelia. Oliver Wexler pokes his head in, and seeing so many of his cousins in one place, decides he would be better off /elsewhere/ and quickly continues on down the train in pursuit of a less family-filled compartment. "It's /so/ exciting! I can't /wait/ to see what my new clases are like. Don't you think so?"

Toby Darling walks down the cooridor looking for a compartment to plant himself in for the ride to Hogwarts. He's on his own having not met too many people yet so he's got his eyes open for anyone he might recognize. It's a long ride, after all! He spots that familiar face in Josie. Unfortunately for Toby she's surrounded by a LOT of people. None the less he pokes his head into the compartment. "Uh, mind if I sit with you?" he asks the room as he gazes from person to person to person to person... "I mean, is there room?"

"Sure there's room!" Parker replies with a grin and points to the room between the others. Everyone is still fairly young and therefore does not take up as much space as some of the older students would. "You could sit by me, chap, there's room right here!" Parker's energy would be overwhelming to most, but in particular he'd be off-putting to a quieter child. "Oh, Toby!" Josie recognizes the boy from her day helping in the shop. "Hi, Toby! Come over here and sit by me!" She beams at the boy and pushes Arnold over on the seat to make room for the firstie. "Okay, so this is Essie - Estelle - she's my twin. That's Charlotte, she's a year younger, and this is Arnold. He's starting Hogwarts this year, too! That's Parker there, he's a second year this year - Gryffindor, and that's Adelia, she's his sister and she's also starting at Hogwarts. Essie is in Hufflepuff and Charlotte is in Slytherin, and I'm a Ravenclaw, /of course/," the girl states, as if this is /incredibly/ obvious.

It has taken Indira almost until the last possible moment to escape from her doting parents, who even now are still standing on the platform with her younger sister, waving to her and her older brothers. The older boys split off from her quickly and find their own compartments without even seeing that their sister is well-situated. Indira, however, seems to be managing just fine without the boys and pops into the first compartment she finds that doesn't seem to be /completely/ full, though with Indira's entrance into it, compartment four could very well be considered /totally/ full. "Hello," she greets everyone within as she stows her things. Once she has her things well-stowed, she takes her seat next to Adelia, right at the edge of the door. "I'm Indira," she tells the group fairly quietly, looking at each of them in turn and studying them closely.

Toby's eyes widen at the energy directed toward him by Parker. He smiles politely but doesn't move toward the boy. Instead his eyes fall on Josie and, thankfully for him, she remembers him. He takes her up on the newly created seat next to her and shoehorns his way in. As Josie gives the introductions he smiles, nods, and gives a quick "hello" to everyone and as Indira enters he gives a wave. "So, are you all related?" Toby asks the compartment. "You have a big family!"

Giggling, Josie nods and shrugs. "Well, there are nine of us, and then Parker's my cousin," at this, Parker nods and grins, "and he's got, um... how many siblings have you got, Parker?" The boy grins and pipes up, "Eight!" he says cheerfully. Josie continues, "And Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Kalika have four, and Uncle Basil and Auntie Sybil have four, too, but only one of them is /our/ age. The others are all old." The Wexler-child nods and grins at the boy. "How many siblings have you got? Is your family very large?"

Indira's own eyes grow wide as Josie describes the extent of her family, and she looks from one to another to another, taking in the family resemblence with slight shock. "You're all /related/?" The first year seems to be genuinely in shock as she leans back against the seat, pulling her legs up to sit cross-legged. "I've only got three siblings - my two older brothers are here already and Kala won't start school for a few years yet. I thought we were a big family... wowee!"

Toby's eyes grow large. "Eight?! There are nine of you? Wow! I'm an only child." He lets this statement hang for a moment. He's learned that those with large families often have a hard time imagining such a solitary existence and it often takes a few moments for this grim fate to sink in. "I've been an only child my whole life." Toby turns his attention to Indira, who looks to also be new to this Hogwarts thing. "That's still a big family to me!"

"I can't /imagine/ what it must be like to not have any /siblings/!" Parker comments. "Who do you /play/ with?" the boy asks at full volume. There is no concept of 'inside voice' with Parker. "Adelia and I have /good/ times, right?" he asks his sister, who looks up from her book only long enough to nod with him and give a smile. "Hi," she tells Indira with a sweet smile, reaching her sweets bag toward the girl in a silent offer. "We have lots of fun at home," Essie pipes up. "Dad comes up with games and we all play them, or sometimes we'll just play games on our own. I think I would get /so/ bored if I were an only child!" Josie nods emphatically in agreement and pats Toby on the shoulder. "It's okay, though. You'll have LOTS of company at Hogwarts!"

"I suppose you're right," Indira comments to Toby. "But in comparison it makes our family seem /tiny/." She shrugs, then glances to Adelia. "Thanks," she says quietly, reaching into the bag and pulling out a peppermint toad to nibble on. She smiles genuinely at the girl next to her, then returns her attention to the rest of the group. "What kinds of games do you play? I love to play Wizard's Chess. I can almost /always/ beat Jasper at it. He's not very good, though. He doesn't pay close enough attention." As if trying to make a joke, Indira's attention is diverted and she looks out into the corridor at something in the distance that seems slightly more interesting than the conversation at hand.

"I love wizard's chess!" Toby gushes. "I'm really bad at it, though. My dad and I played a game just the other day and he finished me off in about 20 moves." He sighs. "But! The best part was when his knight jumped off his horse, walked over a few squares and sliced by bishop's head clean off! It fell to the board and rolled around a few squares until the horse kicked it off the board! So. Great!"

The group giggles at the mental picture that Toby has described to them, and Josie grins. "Well, you'll both have to play with me sometime. I adore Wizard's chess, but Essie never wants to play with me anymore --" at this, Essie interrupts. "She beats me /every time/! It's no fun that way." The girl shakes her head and shrugs. "I can't help it!" Josie protests. "You just don't /practice/ enough!" It's a moment before Essie looks over at Indira. "You mentioned Jasper - Jasper Montgomery, do you mean? Is that your brother?" Josie pats Toby on the shoulder again. "You can play chess with me, though. We'll have scads of fun! /Especially/ if you're in Ravenclaw. You should be, you know. It's the best house /ever/!"

"Oh, yes," Indira answers, slightly startled. Someone knows her brother? "And my oldest brother is Lawson. He's in Hufflepuff. Jasper is a Gryffindor. I hope I'm a Gryffindor, too. Both mum and dad were Gryffindors." The girl leans forward and looks toward Toby. "Hey, uh..." she pauses and looks completely lost for a moment. "Um..." It is a long moment before Indira actually seems to recover and remember what it is that she forgot. "Oh, what house do you suppose you'll be in?"

"I'm not completely sure," Toby replies. "My father was in Gryffindor and my mother is a Muggle. So, maybe Gryffindor?" Toby shrugs. "They're all just as good as the next, aren't they? Well, except Ravenclaw. I hear they're the best house /ever/." He nudges Josie. "Where do you suppose you'll be?"

"Gryffindor is /so great/!" Parker tells the group at full volume, once again, very excited about it. "My dad was in Gryffindor, too. I'm a Gryffindor! Hey, I know your brother! He's nice!" Josie giggles at Toby's statement and nods enthusiastically. "I love Ravenclaw. /My/ mum was in Ravenclaw, but dad was a Gryffindor so I guess that would be okay, too, if you have to go somewhere else." The girl giggles. "I mean, Essie's a Hufflepuff and Charlotte's a Slytherin so I guess /those/ are okay, too, or else my sisters have to not be okay. And that's not right!" She nods seriously about this. "I suppose the hat knows best, though," she mentions and giggles. "Have you heard much about the hat?" She gives a knowing glance to her already sorted relatives and grins.

"I think maybe Gryffindor, but I'm not sure," Indira answers Toby's question somewhat noncommitally. "My brother Jasper's a Gryffindor, and my mum and dad were Gryffindors, but I'm not sure how to know what house I'll be in." The girl bites her lip a bit as Josie asks her question. "My brothers won't tell me anything about ---," her attention diverts and she neglects to finish the sentence, instead staring out the window, as if trying to see something, despite the fact that it's a bit dark outside now.

Toby stretches his neck to peek out the window, too. "I think we're getting close!" he cries, louder than he has been yet today. "I think I can see a village! Look!" He points with a finger, getting close to whacking other compartmentmates in the face with his hand. "Hogsmeade, right?" He is noticably more bubbly than he has been. "It won't be long now!"

"Hurrah!" Josie cheers, clapping excitedly. "I love Hogwarts. I'm going to take extra classes this year. I'm taking Divination, Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. I thought about taking Ancient Runes but I don't want to have /too/ many classes," she states, nodding. Parker, too, seems to be quite excited about their approach to Hogwarts. "I am /so/ going out for Quidditch this year. I'm going to be the CAPTAIN by the time I'm a fourth year, just WATCH! Cousin Briony was on Quidditch when she was at Hogwarts! I'm going to be on Quidditch, /too/, but I'm not going to quit like she did. Who wants to be a silly old announcer, ANYWAY?!" Parker's enthusiasm doesn't wane as he continues his conversation, and in fact he nearly trips over Toby in his attempt to get over toward the window to see the arriving town. "There it is! I can see Hogsmeade!" "Sit /down/, Parker!" Josie and Charlotte tell him simultaneously, and sufficiently cowed by his female cousins, Parker does as
he's told and takes his seat again, though he continues to crane and try to see the town as it gets closer.

"Oh, wow!" Indira comments excitedly, "I've never been to Hogsmeade before! I've heard of it, though. I hear Honeydukes has really good sweets." She pauses. "I guess I won't find out for a few years, though, right?" As the train comes to a halt, Indira stands up and makes her way into the corridor with the rest of the students on the train who do exactly the same thing as the train comes to a stop.

As the train stops, all the Wexlers and Fallons seem to get up simultaneously, and in their usual cluster of confusion, the group of them make their way out into the corridor, chattering to one another excitedly as they all head off of the train.

Toby stands, brabs his belongings, and pushes his way into the cooridor with the mass of other students in his compartment. He apologizes several times for hitting those around him with elbows, bags, and other heavy things.

When the train pulls in to the station, Professor Quintus Helit is waiting on the platform, a brightly lit lantern in his hand which he idly swings back and forth. There doesn't seem to be any protective cover or windguard on it, but the light doesn't so much as flicker as he swings it from side to side. As students start filing off the train, he calls out in a gruff, projecting voice, "Alright, kids, first years this way! No, not that way, this way! Over here!" He raises the lantern above his head so he's more visible, beckoning to the smaller students with his other hand. "New first years, this way please!"

Seraphina is among the first of the students to exit the train, having left her compartment before the train arrived at the station. She pauses for a moment, listening to what Professor Helit has to say before she continues down the platform toward the carriages.

Caught in a mass of students, Danielle pads off the train, holding a book tightly to her chest and a small bag slung over her shoulder, and she looks up at the school with wonderment. As Professor Helit beckons to the first year students, she slips off to the side, looking for the alternative methods into the school - there's a trace of excitement behind her moody pouting, and her whole expression just lights up as she sees the carriages.

Piling out of the train with the rest of the students Vilivia Marqueen can easily see Professor Helit's lantern and make out his instructions. "Oh he's almost as handsome as Seker." She says softly before twisting a finger through one of her pigtails. She moves over to line up near the Professor and waits for his further instructions.

As the school comes into view, Courtney's mouth drops open, and he stares up at the castle in shock; whatever he was expecting, this isn't it. Oh, no, this isn't it at all. He casts his gaze around for someone to hang onto, and he can't seem to help himself but scoff at Vilivia. "He looks grouchy," he corrects her, though he does move to follow her closely. "Does Seker look that grouchy, too?"

Quinn Branigan is adjusting to wearing robes that are *gasp* black and he keeps smoothing them down, adjusting his eye patch and moving to follow where Quintus gestures and what not. He just looks a bit uncertain now as he sees people and counts people in his head.

Indira's eyes grow wide as she looks at all the students and tries to take in the activity around her. She hears the call for first years and wanders toward the direction of the voice until she comes to stand before Quintus. The girl seems dumbstruck as she stares at him for a moment, then her attention is diverted by all of the other first years surrounding her.

He's just Quinn? What was a Quinn? Anastacia mused thoughtfully over this word, for it boggled her that his costume choice had such a weird name. Nevertheless, Anastacia exits the train with the thought of the strange boy sinking deeply in her mind. She throws a quick look over her shoulder to see if the costumed boy was following her. Turning her head back to look at the crowd of students again, Anastacia gives the yelling adult a curious look and heads in his direction. She was not even going to comment on what he was wearing, figuring that everyone wears strange things in this school.

The Wexler and Fallon clan all exit the train in a big clump, with the exception of Oliver who seems to be keeping his distance from the lot of them. The chatter among the group dies down as Quintus speaks, then the older kids move off toward the carriages as Adelia, Arnold and Oliver remain behind with the rest of the firsties.

(Gryffindor) Having taking Mariot's words to heart, Taylor has been strangely quiet since arriving at Hogwarts. Her friends had even asked her about the next protest and she didn't even have an answer for them. Sitting at the Gryffindor table, with her elbow resting on the table and her chin resting in her hand, Taylor sighs deeply. Straightening in her seat, the girl lifts sher hand and bites her lip. Finally, the girl forces on a smile, turning to one of her housemates she states (still through the forced smile), "I hope we get all of the good ones."

(Gryffindor) Parker bounds into the great hall ahead of his cousins, having run nearly the whole way, and he comes to sit close to the head of the table, looking incredibly excited. "MY SISTER IS BEING SORTED THIS TERM!" he tells nobody in particular at full volume. "Isn't it /exciting/?"

(Gryffindor) Rolling her eyes at Parker, Taylor sighs rather loudly, "Boys!" She shakes her head at Parker emphatically, "Lower your voice! Don't disgrace our house--I'm glad you're glad that you're sister is being sorted." She purses her lips together, "If you were a girl, you'd never get away with such a /loud/ display." Taylor seems to forget that Bonnie didn't give her detention at her loud protest last spring. . .

(Gryffindor) Parker is taken aback by Taylor's statemnt and she seems to have stopped him in his tracks. "Uh... what?" he asks her, quieting down slightly, though it's likely only temprary. "What do you mean if I was a girl? I'm a boy! I'm not a /girl/!" Parker, in his continued excitement, seems to have missed Taylor's point. "What's your name?" he asks. "Mine's Parker. I'm going to try out for /Quidditch/ this year. I'll be captain in a couple of years, I bet you!"

(Gryffindor) Rolling her eyes Taylor, beckons the younger student to take a seat, "Sit. Look, because you're male you get away with things that a girl never word. Girls can't get away with being loud or rambunctious, but boys can." With a sigh she clears her throat to introduce herself, "I'm Taylor. And I might play Quidditch this year as well--it's one of the few activities girls are allowed to be aggressive in." Pressing her lips together, she examines Parker scrutinously. "I hope the captain doesn't choose people based on gender. . ."

(Gryffindor) Parker looks puzzled at Taylor's comments. "But my cousins are all as loud as I am," he comments, though it's hardly possible for even a group of his cousins to be quite as loud as energetic as he is all on his own. "My cousin Briony played Quidditch for Gryffindor when /she/ was at school. Then she quit to be an announcer. She does announcing on the /wireless/. I hope my sister will be in Gryffindor just like me. My dad was in Gryffindor, too. He didn't play Quidditch, though. He's just a boring old reporter at the Daily Prophet. I want to be a QUIDDITCH STAR!"

(Gryffindor) "Just. . . be. . . quiet. Calm down," and then as an afterthought the fifth year adds, "Please." Pressing her lips together Taylor narrows her eyes, "So are you a Wexler or a Goden? I've heard Briony Wexler-Goden on the wireless. She's brilliant. Most Quidditch related media people tend to be male, but I adore her." With a sigh she rolls her eyes, "Well, we'll have to wait and see where your sister ends up after she's sorted." And rolling her eyes once more, "Men are all the same, all wanting to be the best at everything." She forgets for this moment that she /also/ tries to be the best at everything.

Quintus Helit enters the Great Hall with an entourage of damp, cold and otherwise muddled about first years following behind him. He doesn't say anything, just motions for them to stay in line, and to remain well-behaved. He nods, very slightly, to Astra as he catches her eye, but otherwise just remains stoic.

As Quintus leads them into the hall, Courtney's eyes just about pop out of his head. His jaw drops open and his eyes go wide, and he can hardly tear his eyes from the expansive hall, the lovely ceiling, and the sheer number of people watching him. It's a wonder he doesn't run into the student ahead of him!

When Vilivia enters the Great Hall she looks around and then eventually up at the ceiling in wonder. "Oh my but that's pretty! Look Courtney! It's the sky!" She reaches out and points and nearly bumps into another firstie in front of her. "Oh sorry! But just look up!" She cries and stares with mouth wide open at the magical ceiling.

The little girl stares at the massive great hall with slight anxiety in her green eyes as she follows the students in. She could feel her fingers shaking nervously, for she was still dwelling upon the fact that they had to do a test. Biting her lip to keep it from quivering in nervousness, she tries to walk as slow as possible in order to perhaps take the test last. Yes, she thinks, everyone just move in front of me. Maybe I'll go unnoticed.

As the group is herded into the Great Hall, Indira finds herself shocked by the grandeur of the room. No description from her brothers could have prepared her for this. "Wow," she whispers as she follows the group down the hall toward the front, gawking openly at the charmed ceiling until she comes to a stop with the rest of the group. It's at this moment that she realizes just how many other people are in the hall, and shuts her mouth with a start, her eyes widening. Well, it looks like this is the end for her. "I'll never pass the test in front of so many people!" the girl comments in utter shock to her companions.

(Gryffindor) "What do you mean?" Parker asks, looking totally puzzled. It's at this moment that the doors open and the group of new first years are brought into the hall. "Hi, Adelia!" he calls as quietly as Parker can manage to his younger sister, neglecting to answer any other of Taylor's questions or make response to any of her comments.

Toby looks up at the ceiling at Vilivia's words and he, too, goes open-mouthed. He tears his eyes away from the ceiling and looks around the room nervously. So many eyes. Why is that girl staring at him? Does he have something on his face? He wipes his face. Is his hair messed up? He pats his head. Are his shoes untied? He looks at his feet. Nope. Tied. Everyone stop staring!

Walking in with a calm expression Celeste's eyes widen a bit at the sight of her surounding but she continues forward her face hiding most of her excitment as she walks in near the end of the line her golden braid swinging behind her. She takes a deep breath as they come to a halt and looks up a moment before retuning her gaze straight ahead once more.

Quinn Branigan adjusts his eye patch and looks up at the ceiling with a soft gasp and then a happy smile. He stays with who he's supposed to stay with and he doesn't say much. He is just taking everything in.

The hat sits on a stool in the front of the hall, and as everyone comes to a stop and the hall quiets down, the hat seems to become animated as it prepares to sing.

(Gryffindor) "I mean--" Taylor begins, but is interrupted by the doors of the Great Hall opening. The fifth year perks up as her lips curl upwards into a broad grin. She does enjoy watching the Sorting every year. This is her fourth year as a spectator, but the whole practice never gets old. Stretching her neck, she inspects the first years raising her eyebrow. She turns to Parker and asks quietly, "Which one is your sister?" And then she looks at each student in turn. "I'm betting those three end up in Gryffindor--" she points to Indira, Celeste, and Vilivia. A keen observer might notice that she's only pointed out girls.

As the sorting hat finishes its song, Avery Fallon applauds for a moment, then clears her throat and procures a parchment from inside her robe pocket. She waits just a moment for the noise in the Great Hall to die down some, then states clearly that "Aldridge, Susan" will be the first to be sorted.

Sookie takes a seat on the stool and puts the sorting hat onto her head. There is a moment of near-silence while the hat deliberates until it finally announces that Sookie belongs in Hufflepuff!

After Sookie steps down to her table, Avery waits just a moment before announcing that the next student to be sorted is "Becton, Ravus." Ravus steps up to the hat and places it on his head. The hall is silent for a moment, save for some rustling and quiet whispers, until finally the hat announces that Ravus belongs in Ravenclaw! The boy gets off of the stool, places the hat back on it, then makes his way to Ravenclaw table.

"Bell, Anastacia," follows after Ravus takes his seat. Avery opens her scroll a bit more, then waits as this next student is sorted.

Anastacia moves nervously towards the once singing hat, wondering if this was the dreaded test giver. Her green eyes flicker with uncertainty, but she manages to keep a small smile on her lips as she walks up to the stool, picks up the hat, sits down upon the stool and places the large hat upon her head. Please don't eat me if I don't get this test right, she thinks, waiting apprehensively for the hat to speak its decision.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat, agreeing wholeheartedly with the decision of Slytherin.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat and thinks "yes, I want to be in Slytherin."

Anastacia removes the hat from her head and steps off from the stool and dashes over to the Slytherin Table to take a seat. Whew. It wasn't a test.

As Anastacia leaves the stool and goes to sit at her house table, Avery waits just a moment, then announces that the next student to be sorted is "Branigan, Quincy."

Quinn Branigan just cringes at his full name being said but he makes his way towards the hat and what not. Quincy, the bane of his name existence.

Quinn Branigan breathes and removes the hat, places it back on the stool and makes his way towards the appropriate table. Chuckling softly to himself, he waves and gets comfy.

When the hat is done deliberating and Quinn leaves the hat and the stool, Avery opens the scroll still more, then glances over the group of first years queued up. "Brennan, Niamh," follows Quinn in the queue.

Niamh steps up to the hat, placing it gingerly on her head. Silence pervades the hall for a moment before the hat makes its final decision. "Slytherin!" it announces. Niamh jumps off of the stool, placing the hat gently onto the stool once again, then walks quickly toward the Slytherin table.

Avery waits for the girl to be seated before stating that "Daniels, Ramsey" should take his turn.

Ramsey steps up to the hat and places it on his head, taking his turn at this sorting test. The hat deliberates for a moment before announcing to the hall that Ramsey belongs in Slytherin!

When Ramsey finally steps down from the stool and goes to his table, Avery opens her scroll just a bit more and announces that it is "Darling, Tobias" who must approach the hat next.

Toby's attention is drawn and he jumps with a start. He gives a quick look around and thinks to himself "What!? Am I in trouble? What'd I do?" Nobody calls him Tobias unless he's done something wrong. He makes his way to the front of the room as all of the others have and takes his seat.

Toby stands up with a smile, takes off the hat, and heads toward his seat. That wasn't so bad! But that girl at Hufflepuff is still staring at him. He takes a seat with the Gryffindors and sighs a sigh of relief.

Once Toby is sorted and he walks away from the stool, Avery announces that "Fallon, Arnold," is the next to be sorted. Only the slightest flicker of recognition registers as the boy steps up to the hat.

The hat is silent while it deliberates over Arnold Fallon, then it announces loud and clear that the boy belongs in Slytherin! After waiting for the applause to die down once again, Avery Fallon announces that "Levitt, Noreen" will be sorted.

Noreen takes her own turn on the stool, wearing the ancient hat. The girl looks terrified and her face is a peculiar green color, indicating that she may be about to get sick. Fortunately, the hat finishes deciding over Miss Levitt and announces that she should join the ranks of Gryffindor!

Avery applauds gently with the students of her house for a moment, then falls silent while waiting for the noise to abate. Once Noreen is settled at her table, it is "Llewellyn, Lavender"'s turn.

Lavender walks slowly to the hat and places it atop her head with very deliberate movements. Despite her slowness in approaching the hat, it stays for but a moment on her head before announcing that she, too, belongs in Gryffindor! With the same deliberation, she removes the hat and walks very steadily but quite slowly to her house table.

Once again, Avery pauses to applaud for her newest student, then she pauses to let the noise diminish. She clears her throat gently before announcing that "Marqueen, Vilivia" is next to be sorted.

Watching as student after student puts on the hat, Vilivia seems rather calm now that her name is called. After all moments ago she was nervous about the test but it seems everyone else is getting through alright and so she has no reason t fret anymore. She takes her tie and sits down the hat falling over her black pigtails blocking her eyes she tilts her head making a bit of a face wondering how many people have worn this old hat before her but reamains quiet about that.

Once the hat has announced her house Vilivia is quick to slip off the hat and run to her new house's table, Ravenclaw. She takes her seat grinning from ear to ear.

Once Vilivia has taken her place with her new housemates, Avery opens the scroll more and glances over it. "Marsden, Allen" is next on the list. The boy trips over his robes as he makes his way up to the hat, looking more exited than fearful. He scrambles up onto the seat and waits for just a moment.

The hat announces that Allan belongs in Gryffindor and the boy's face lights up. He takes the hat off, placing it haphazardly onto the stool before running down to his table. He slides a bit, nearly falling over, before he manages to scramble into a seat.

Avery Fallon stifles a smile as she applauds for the newest Gryffindor. The Astronomy teacher is more than halfway through her scroll at this point. She looks down at it for the next name, then tells the hall that it is "Moffet, Courtney"'s turn.

Shaking a little with nervous expectation, Courtney does not so much walk as stumble across the hall to the Sorting Hat, taking his seat and cramming the hat on his head, his eyes scrunched tightly shut. If he can't see them, they can't see him - and if they can't see him, getting tested and tried by the Hat can't be that big a deal! The relative nonchalance of those students who have already experienced it doesn't make it any better -- in fact, it seems to make him all the more tense!

When Mr. Moffet takes his seat, Avery declares that "Montgomery, Indira" is next to be sorted.

Jumping a bit when her name is called, Indira steps up to the stool slowly. Just before she puts the hat over her head, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. After a moment, she finally manages to place the sorting hat atop her head.

Now that it's over, Indira lets her breath out and jumps up from the stool. She places the hat carefully back onto the stool and grins a little bit as she practically runs over to Slytherin table and takes her place among its ranks.

After Indira joins the ranks of her new house, Avery pulls the scroll down more, then states the next name aloud for the hall: "Nolan, Celeste".

Celeste Nolan Looks at the hat with a curious stare before slowly stepping up to the stool and placing the hat neatly atop her head. She glances out at those in the room her expression showing a slight mixture of nervous excitement. She draws a deep breath trying her very best to remain calm.

As Celeste takes her place at her house table, Avery lengthens the scroll once again and takes just a moment to roll the top portion down, so as to make it less unwieldly. "Powell, Charlotte," is determined to be the next up to be sorted.

Charlotte takes her turn at the hat, plopping the hat onto her head. The hall is quiet while the hat decides Charlotte's home for the next seven years. It is another long moment before it finally declares that she belongs in Ravenclaw!

Avery Fallon waits for Charlotte to take her seat with the Ravenclaws before she calls out the next name: "Saunders, Leonard".

Leonard moves toward the stool and places the hat on his head as he sits down. The hat seems to ponder only a second before announcing that Leonard will go to Gryffindor!

Once Leonard has taken his seat with the Gryffindors, Avery announces that it is "Smithe, Lucia" who must next approach the sorting hat.

Having remained somewhat isolated and quiet for the train ride and the trip across the lake, the girl with the strange eyes leaned to the child next to her after the hat ceased it's song and murmured with no small amount of amazement, "Is it me, or did that had just talk?" It wouldn't be the first time, after all, that Lucy's nearly-blind eyes had decieved her. Unlike a great deal of her classmates, however, she doesn't appear outwardly nervous. In fact, she seems quite content, smiling quietly to herself as she waits and shifting about from foot to foot as she turns her colorless eyes toward the crowd of unsorted students, then those at their long tables, and then back again. When her name is called, she turns her gaze toward Professor Fallon and nods, having to take a moment to focus her weak vision so as to approach without bumping in to anyone. It takes her another long moment to work her way in to the seat and to place the hat on her head.

Lucy Smithe slides off the stool and takes the hat off her head, placing it neatly -- and quite carefully -- back on the stool where she found it, before turning and looking at the tables. Needing some help to be directed to her seat. But after a moment, she finds it well enough and takes her place with her new Hogwarts family.

Avery finds herself applauding once again as this lates student joins her house, then she pauses and waits for Lucy to take her seat. As silence comes over the students again, she states that "Toft, Albert" is the next in the queue.

Albert looks startled as his name is called, and he hesitates a moment, staring at the hat, before he finally approaches it. He places it on his head, and the hat takes a long moment before it tells the hall that Albert belongs in Slytherin!

The boy looks relieved as he removes the hat from his head and even grins while he walks to take his place at the Slytherin table. Another sign of recognition crosses Avery's face only briefly as she tells those in the Great Hall that "Wexler, Adelia" will be sorted next.

Adelia's face turns red as she walks quickly toward the hat, her robes clenched in her hands. She reluctantly lets them go in order to put the hat on her head as she takes her seat on the stool. The hat settles for a moment, then calls out: Gryffindor!

The girl wastes no time in removing the hat and placing it back on the stool before running down to join her brother at Gryffindor table. Avery waits a moment for the applaus and cheers to die down, then finally calls out the last name on her list: "Wexler, Oliver".

Oliver has waited through everyone else's sortings, and he has certainly gotten impatient. He walks quickly to the hat and pulls it down hard on his head, covering his eyes with it. The hat bows out his ears, it is pulled down so low. This comical sight does not last long, however, since the hat quickly announces that Oliver will belong in Ravenclaw!

The final applaus takes a moment longer than all the rest, so Avery takes this moment to finish rolling up her scroll and then turns and takes her seat at the faculty table. This year's sorting ceremony is now complete.

As the Sorting itself concludes, Astra rises from her seat at the faculty table and stands to face the vast hall and its many occupants. There's a beat between her standing up and her actual address of the students, but when she does speak it is clear and calm, using the natural acoustics of the room to make herself heard rather than magical spells. Turning to nod at Avery, she smiles tightly to the woman before shooting a smile to Quintus. "Thank you Professor Helit for your help with the Sorting and my gratitude to Professor Fallon for your assistance with bringing the first years safely to the school, it's always an exciting task." Addressing the school again, the headmistress draws herself up and continues. "I'm very glad to see you all back and hope that you've had a wonderful summer. For our new students, welcome to your new home. I'm sure that your fellow Housemates will help you get settled in quickly and comfortably." Pausing to look at the many faces, some new and m
any familiar, she grins sharply and gives a moment before she launches on.

The mood of her tone sobers but she continues the speech with the same efficient crisp pace. After a short span, she retrieves a piece of paper. Reading off the paper, she then continues. "Prefect picks for the fifth year students are as follows." "Congratulations to Gryffindor: Aaron Chapman and Marilyn Bennett. Congratulations to Ravenclaw: Anita McClure and Kirby Anderson. Congratulations to Slytherin: Iudhael Lleision and Melwyn Gwenap." "And congratulations to Hufflepuff: Robyn Donald and Gregory Warren." Coughing a little, she sets down the paper and takes another drink from her goblet. "I'm sure the seventh years are excited to know who will become the Head Boy and Head Girl for this year." Taking delight in this news, Astra purposely pauses to retrieve and sip from the goblet in her hand. Glancing over the various tables, she finishes this part of the speech with, "Congratulations are especially in order to Gryffindor Prefect, Colin Kavanagh who is Head Boy this year
and no less congratulations are in order to Hufflepuff Prefect Avril Mottershead who will be serving as Head Girl." Only now does the woman allow herself a brief respite to grin widely and watch any reactions that might take place.

(Gryffindor) Parker cheers loudly when his sister is sorted to Gryffindor and joins him at the table. "Wow, lots of Gryffindors!" the boy comments loudly during the final applause, apparently not noticing that the other houses have gotten many students as well. He manages to stifle himself just in time to hear Astra begin speaking.

Once things have settled back down, Astra clears her throat. "Of course, school wouldn't be school without a list of rules and regulations now would it? Your parents have charged us with the task of taking care of you and so we do our best to imitate them most times." "I know you're all *thrilled* over that!" The dry humor comes slowly to her, but she finally seems to be getting into the good spirits of the Sorting feast. "With that said I'm charged with telling you all that a list of banned items is posted on the Caretaker's office door and you'd do well to familiarize yourself with it. In addition, there is to be no running in the hallways." "Use of magic in the hallways or on the outside grounds without supervision or explicit permission by a teacher is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with accordingly." "As usual, the Forbidden Forest is exactly that - Forbidden and trespassers *will* be dealt with harshly." "Third year students and above are reminded to have their p
ermission slips to Hogsmeade signed and ready for the first weekend. Anyone who doesn't have this will not be allowed off school grounds." Clearing her throat, she looks around the hall. "Returning students know how I deal with rule breakers, I trust none of you will want to come to my office?" "Don't worry, you'll get to eat soon, but I have a few more announcements to make."

Waiting for about a minute to let students discuss among themselves, Astra finally holds up her hand for attention. "I have just a few more notices and reminders before we get to the pleasant task of eating." "I am also to inform you that all greenhouses are off limits to students unless you have express permission to be there outside of class." "Finally, there is to be absolutely no magical toys, candy, trinkets, or anything else of magical nature brought into Muggle Studies. If any of these items are found upon your person, Professor Helit will confiscate and dispose of them." Then taking one more very brief pause she then ends, "It looks to be an exciting and vibrant new term. I sincerely hope each of you finds as much fun as you do challenges." "Now let's eat."

(Gryffindor) "I think everyone got lots of students," Taylor observes clucking her tongue at Parker after the Headmistress finishes speaking. She raises her eyebrows at the new students and waves to them, "I'm Taylor." It's a quick introduction and then she adds as an afterthought, "Fifth year." She forces a smile which quickly fades as she examines the boys. After clucking her tongue again, she just sighs.

(Gryffindor) "Hi, I'm PARKER!" the boy tells the new students with a big grin. "This is my sister Adelia," he tells the others, not giving the girl a chance to speak for herself. As the food appears in front of him, he gasps in excitement and the boy, though he's still quite thin, fills his plate with as much food as he can get onto it, beginning to eat immediately with huge shovelfuls of food.

(Gryffindor) Rolling her eyes at Parker, Taylor puts some food on her plate--not a lot mind you. "Be careful or you'll choke. Smaller bites can help you avoid that fate," she observes as she watches the boy shove food into his mouth. She nibbles at her food, trying to model how to take small bites and /not/ talk whilst eating.

(Gryffindor) "Nebr chokt 'fore," Parker tells her, smiling with one cheek full of food as he takes another bite of food. "Stop it, Parker," Adelia tells him fairly quietly, elbowing him gently in the side to get her brother to slow down. Adelia herself takes only as much food as she figures she'll eat, or maybe just a teensy bit more than that, and looks at Taylor closely, modeling the older girl's style of eating, though being Parker's sister, she isn't accustomed to such dainty behavior.

(Gryffindor) "Doesn't matter if you haven't choked before," Taylor tut-tuts. "All it takes is once." She offers Adelia a smile. "See, look at your sister, she's eating like a person, not an animal that doesn't know better. She's a good example, Parker. I bet she'll be a prefect one day." That said, Taylor finishes her plate of food.

Standing up from the faculty table, Astra looks over her fellow colleagues and then out to the sea of student faces. "As most of the returning students should know, I'm not one to stand on excessive formality after the Sorting feast. I'm going to retire myself for the evening. Prefects, when the younger students seem full and ready take them to their dormitories. I know that the first day here is always exciting, but do try to get some sleep tonight. You'll be better prepared for your classes." Brushing down her robes and stepping down from the dais the small woman takes her leave of the hall without so much as a sideways glance to any of the tables she passes.

(Gryffindor) Parker eats fairly quickly and manages to completely clean his plate, then he reaches out and grabs a couple of cookies and shoves them into his pocket for later, grinning impishly at Taylor. "It's okay. I always chew my food /completely/ before I swallow it, so I'm sure I won't choke on it!" he tells the older girl, shrugging at Adelia ambiguously. "I don't see why I should eat so /slow/. It takes so long!" Parker's voice soars over the volume of those in his immediate vicinity, despite his sister's best efforts to keep his volume under control.

(Gryffindor) "Lower your voice, Parker!" Taylor urges as she glances around to see if anyone from the other tables is reacting her her loud housemate. "There's a lot of new students this term and it's important that you set a good example for them!" She sighs and then motions to several of the new students at their table. "And eating slow is better for digestion and you'll end up eating less which is supposed to be better for your stomach. And then you won't need potions for an upset stomach." She forces a pleasant smile. "Seriously, didn't your Mum tell you any of this when you lived at home?"

(Gryffindor) "I never get upset stomachs!" Parker tells the older girl with a wide grin as he reaches for another cookie, taking a big bite out of this one. It's clear that the boy doesn't manage to overeat, and he looks around at all the first years. "What's so bad about being normal volume?" the oblivious child asks. "We shouldn't all have to whisper all the time! Besides, it's LOUD in here!" he replies, his volume dipping then rising again as he says that.

(Gryffindor) Hitting her forehead with the palm of her hand, Taylor has little to tell Parker other than, "Hush, Parker! Hush!" She bites her lower lip and peers around the room again. "I know it's loud in here, but not everyone is interested in what you have to say about eating or talking loud." She frowns slightly. "I'm not telling you to whisper, I'm asking you--as a more experienced, older student--to turn the volume down a bit. Yelling doesn't get anyone anywhere. It doesn't work in protests and it certainly doesn't make Gryffindor look smart."

(Gryffindor) "How do you know it doesn't work in protests?" the oblivious boy asks. "Have you tried it? I bet it would work /really/ well. You'd get EVERYONE'S attention!" Parker dissolves into giggles as he shouts a bit, then mumbles "What?" as Adelia elbows him again. "Hey, is it time to go to the commonroom yet? I want to see my new bed!"

(Gryffindor) Sighing, Taylor nods, "Yes, I've tried it. I've tried it many, many, many, many times. And it rarely gets anyone's attention. I'm trying new tactics now." She purses her lips together and shakes her head, "It really doesn't work. No matter how loud I get they never respond." With a sigh, the girl bites her bottom lip and nods at Adelia, "You can go to the common room once you're done--Headmistress said so. I'm sure Parker can show you the way if none of the prefects are ready--"

(Gryffindor) "Oh, let's /go/, Adelia! I want to see my new bed! I'll show you the way!" The boy stands up from the table, reaching out to take another handful of cookies and pushing them into his other pocket. He waits only just a moment for his sister to stand up from the table, then grabs her hand, pulling her quickly out of the Great Hall and on their way to their commonroom, ignoring completely the fact that he doesn't yet know the new house password.

Parker Wexler climbs through the hole in the wall behind the portrait.

Sorting Day: Indira’s Perspective

"Sure there's room!" Parker replies with a grin and points to the room between the others. Everyone is still fairly young and therefore does not take up as much space as some of the older students would. "You could sit by me, chap, there's room right here!" Parker's energy would be overwhelming to most, but in particular he'd be off-putting to a quieter child. "Oh, Toby!" Josie recognizes the boy from her day helping in the shop. "Hi, Toby! Come over here and sit by me!" She beams at the boy and pushes Arnold over on the seat to make room for the firstie. "Okay, so this is Essie - Estelle - she's my twin. That's Charlotte, she's a year younger, and this is Arnold. He's starting Hogwarts this year, too! That's Parker there, he's a second year this year - Gryffindor, and that's Adelia, she's his sister and she's also starting at Hogwarts. Essie is in Hufflepuff and Charlotte is in Slytherin, and I'm a Ravenclaw, /of course/," the girl states, as if this is /incredibly/ obvious.

It has taken Indira almost until the last possible moment to escape from her doting parents, who even now are still standing on the platform with her younger sister, waving to her and her older brothers. The older boys split off from her quickly and find their own compartments without even seeing that their sister is well-situated. Indira, however, seems to be managing just fine without the boys and pops into the first compartment she finds that doesn't seem to be /completely/ full, though with Indira's entrance into it, compartment four could very well be considered /totally/ full. "Hello," she greets everyone within as she stows her things. Once she has her things well-stowed, she takes her seat next to Adelia, right at the edge of the door. "I'm Indira," she tells the group fairly quietly, looking at each of them in turn and studying them closely.

Toby's eyes widen at the energy directed toward him by Parker. He smiles politely but doesn't move toward the boy. Instead his eyes fall on Josie and, thankfully for him, she remembers him. He takes her up on the newly created seat next to her and shoehorns his way in. As Josie gives the introductions he smiles, nods, and gives a quick "hello" to everyone and as Indira enters he gives a wave. "So, are you all related?" Toby asks the compartment. "You have a big family!"

Giggling, Josie nods and shrugs. "Well, there are nine of us, and then Parker's my cousin," at this, Parker nods and grins, "and he's got, um... how many siblings have you got, Parker?" The boy grins and pipes up, "Eight!" he says cheerfully. Josie continues, "And Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Kalika have four, and Uncle Basil and Auntie Sybil have four, too, but only one of them is /our/ age. The others are all old." The Wexler-child nods and grins at the boy. "How many siblings have you got? Is your family very large?"

Indira's own eyes grow wide as Josie describes the extent of her family, and she looks from one to another to another, taking in the family resemblence with slight shock. "You're all /related/?" The first year seems to be genuinely in shock as she leans back against the seat, pulling her legs up to sit cross-legged. "I've only got three siblings - my two older brothers are here already and Kala won't start school for a few years yet. I thought we were a big family... wowee!"

Toby's eyes grow large. "Eight?! There are nine of you? Wow! I'm an only child." He lets this statement hang for a moment. He's learned that those with large families often have a hard time imagining such a solitary existence and it often takes a few moments for this grim fate to sink in. "I've been an only child my whole life." Toby turns his attention to Indira, who looks to also be new to this Hogwarts thing. "That's still a big family to me!"

"I can't /imagine/ what it must be like to not have any /siblings/!" Parker comments. "Who do you /play/ with?" the boy asks at full volume. There is no concept of 'inside voice' with Parker. "Adelia and I have /good/ times, right?" he asks his sister, who looks up from her book only long enough to nod with him and give a smile. "Hi," she tells Indira with a sweet smile, reaching her sweets bag toward the girl in a silent offer. "We have lots of fun at home," Essie pipes up. "Dad comes up with games and we all play them, or sometimes we'll just play games on our own. I think I would get /so/ bored if I were an only child!" Josie nods emphatically in agreement and pats Toby on the shoulder. "It's okay, though. You'll have LOTS of company at Hogwarts!"

"I suppose you're right," Indira comments to Toby. "But in comparison it makes our family seem /tiny/." She shrugs, then glances to Adelia. "Thanks," she says quietly, reaching into the bag and pulling out a peppermint toad to nibble on. She smiles genuinely at the girl next to her, then returns her attention to the rest of the group. "What kinds of games do you play? I love to play Wizard's Chess. I can almost /always/ beat Jasper at it. He's not very good, though. He doesn't pay close enough attention." As if trying to make a joke, Indira's attention is diverted and she looks out into the corridor at something in the distance that seems slightly more interesting than the conversation at hand.

"I love wizard's chess!" Toby gushes. "I'm really bad at it, though. My dad and I played a game just the other day and he finished me off in about 20 moves." He sighs. "But! The best part was when his knight jumped off his horse, walked over a few squares and sliced by bishop's head clean off! It fell to the board and rolled around a few squares until the horse kicked it off the board! So. Great!"

The group giggles at the mental picture that Toby has described to them, and Josie grins. "Well, you'll both have to play with me sometime. I adore Wizard's chess, but Essie never wants to play with me anymore --" at this, Essie interrupts. "She beats me /every time/! It's no fun that way." The girl shakes her head and shrugs. "I can't help it!" Josie protests. "You just don't /practice/ enough!" It's a moment before Essie looks over at Indira. "You mentioned Jasper - Jasper Montgomery, do you mean? Is that your brother?" Josie pats Toby on the shoulder again. "You can play chess with me, though. We'll have scads of fun! /Especially/ if you're in Ravenclaw. You should be, you know. It's the best house /ever/!"

"Oh, yes," Indira answers, slightly startled. Someone knows her brother? "And my oldest brother is Lawson. He's in Hufflepuff. Jasper is a Gryffindor. I hope I'm a Gryffindor, too. Both mum and dad were Gryffindors." The girl leans forward and looks toward Toby. "Hey, uh..." she pauses and looks completely lost for a moment. "Um..." It is a long moment before Indira actually seems to recover and remember what it is that she forgot. "Oh, what house do you suppose you'll be in?"

"I'm not completely sure," Toby replies. "My father was in Gryffindor and my mother is a Muggle. So, maybe Gryffindor?" Toby shrugs. "They're all just as good as the next, aren't they? Well, except Ravenclaw. I hear they're the best house /ever/." He nudges Josie. "Where do you suppose you'll be?"

"Gryffindor is /so great/!" Parker tells the group at full volume, once again, very excited about it. "My dad was in Gryffindor, too. I'm a Gryffindor! Hey, I know your brother! He's nice!" Josie giggles at Toby's statement and nods enthusiastically. "I love Ravenclaw. /My/ mum was in Ravenclaw, but dad was a Gryffindor so I guess that would be okay, too, if you have to go somewhere else." The girl giggles. "I mean, Essie's a Hufflepuff and Charlotte's a Slytherin so I guess /those/ are okay, too, or else my sisters have to not be okay. And that's not right!" She nods seriously about this. "I suppose the hat knows best, though," she mentions and giggles. "Have you heard much about the hat?" She gives a knowing glance to her already sorted relatives and grins.

"I think maybe Gryffindor, but I'm not sure," Indira answers Toby's question somewhat noncommitally. "My brother Jasper's a Gryffindor, and my mum and dad were Gryffindors, but I'm not sure how to know what house I'll be in." The girl bites her lip a bit as Josie asks her question. "My brothers won't tell me anything about ---," her attention diverts and she neglects to finish the sentence, instead staring out the window, as if trying to see something, despite the fact that it's a bit dark outside now.

Toby stretches his neck to peek out the window, too. "I think we're getting close!" he cries, louder than he has been yet today. "I think I can see a village! Look!" He points with a finger, getting close to whacking other compartmentmates in the face with his hand. "Hogsmeade, right?" He is noticably more bubbly than he has been. "It won't be long now!"

"Hurrah!" Josie cheers, clapping excitedly. "I love Hogwarts. I'm going to take extra classes this year. I'm taking Divination, Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. I thought about taking Ancient Runes but I don't want to have /too/ many classes," she states, nodding. Parker, too, seems to be quite excited about their approach to Hogwarts. "I am /so/ going out for Quidditch this year. I'm going to be the CAPTAIN by the time I'm a fourth year, just WATCH! Cousin Briony was on Quidditch when she was at Hogwarts! I'm going to be on Quidditch, /too/, but I'm not going to quit like she did. Who wants to be a silly old announcer, ANYWAY?!" Parker's enthusiasm doesn't wane as he continues his conversation, and in fact he nearly trips over Toby in his attempt to get over toward the window to see the arriving town. "There it is! I can see Hogsmeade!" "Sit /down/, Parker!" Josie and Charlotte tell him simultaneously, and sufficiently cowed by his female cousins, Parker does as
he's told and takes his seat again, though he continues to crane and try to see the town as it gets closer.

"Oh, wow!" Indira comments excitedly, "I've never been to Hogsmeade before! I've heard of it, though. I hear Honeydukes has really good sweets." She pauses. "I guess I won't find out for a few years, though, right?" As the train comes to a halt, Indira stands up and makes her way into the corridor with the rest of the students on the train who do exactly the same thing as the train comes to a stop.

As the train stops, all the Wexlers and Fallons seem to get up simultaneously, and in their usual cluster of confusion, the group of them make their way out into the corridor, chattering to one another excitedly as they all head off of the train.

When the train pulls in to the station, Professor Quintus Helit is waiting on the platform, a brightly lit lantern in his hand which he idly swings back and forth. There doesn't seem to be any protective cover or windguard on it, but the light doesn't so much as flicker as he swings it from side to side. As students start filing off the train, he calls out in a gruff, projecting voice, "Alright, kids, first years this way! No, not that way, this way! Over here!" He raises the lantern above his head so he's more visible, beckoning to the smaller students with his other hand. "New first years, this way please!"

Seraphina is among the first of the students to exit the train, having left her compartment before the train arrived at the station. She pauses for a moment, listening to what Professor Helit has to say before she continues down the platform toward the carriages.

Caught in a mass of students, Danielle pads off the train, holding a book tightly to her chest and a small bag slung over her shoulder, and she looks up at the school with wonderment. As Professor Helit beckons to the first year students, she slips off to the side, looking for the alternative methods into the school - there's a trace of excitement behind her moody pouting, and her whole expression just lights up as she sees the carriages.

Piling out of the train with the rest of the students Vilivia Marqueen can easily see Professor Helit's lantern and make out his instructions. "Oh he's almost as handsome as Seker." She says softly before twisting a finger through one of her pigtails. She moves over to line up near the Professor and waits for his further instructions.

As the school comes into view, Courtney's mouth drops open, and he stares up at the castle in shock; whatever he was expecting, this isn't it. Oh, no, this isn't it at all. He casts his gaze around for someone to hang onto, and he can't seem to help himself but scoff at Vilivia. "He looks grouchy," he corrects her, though he does move to follow her closely. "Does Seker look that grouchy, too?"

Quinn Branigan is adjusting to wearing robes that are *gasp* black and he keeps smoothing them down, adjusting his eye patch and moving to follow where Quintus gestures and what not. He just looks a bit uncertain now as he sees people and counts people in his head.

Indira's eyes grow wide as she looks at all the students and tries to take in the activity around her. She hears the call for first years and wanders toward the direction of the voice until she comes to stand before Quintus. The girl seems dumbstruck as she stares at him for a moment, then her attention is diverted by all of the other first years surrounding her.

He's just Quinn? What was a Quinn? Anastacia mused thoughtfully over this word, for it boggled her that his costume choice had such a weird name. Nevertheless, Anastacia exits the train with the thought of the strange boy sinking deeply in her mind. She throws a quick look over her shoulder to see if the costumed boy was following her. Turning her head back to look at the crowd of students again, Anastacia gives the yelling adult a curious look and heads in his direction. She was not even going to comment on what he was wearing, figuring that everyone wears strange things in this school.

The Wexler and Fallon clan all exit the train in a big clump, with the exception of Oliver who seems to be keeping his distance from the lot of them. The chatter among the group dies down as Quintus speaks, then the older kids move off toward the carriages as Adelia, Arnold and Oliver remain behind with the rest of the firsties.

Once he's satisfied that all the first years are following him, Quintus motions for them to follow him down to the lake. As they near the lake shore, he announces, "Anyone care to swim across?" He smirks at his own joke, before indicating the boats and announcing, "Hop in the boats in an orderly fashion! No more than four to a boat, please. No pushing or shoving in the boats, because I won't save you if you fall in because you were messing around." With that, he steps into the first of the boats, indicating for the students to follow him, and watching carefully for any bad behaviour.

As the group of firsties approach the lake, Indira seems to be feeling more and more apprehensive. It's dark and the water looks slightly ominous to the girl as she stays a bit close to Toby. "I don't suppose you know anything about this, do you?" she asks the other firstie, biting her lip. She gasps at Quintus's suggestion that she'd want to swim, then follows Toby onto a boat very quickly.

Following after Quintus Vilivia stays close to Courtney. After all he's such a good listener. "My bt the castle is big! I hadn't really thought it would be so huge." Gasps the little girl sticking close to the friend she made on the train. "Do you think we'll get to do that test and then eat? I'm getting really rather hungry to tell the truth."

"I hope so," Courtney hisses back to Vilivia; for all that she's getting on his nerves, she's the only one he recognises, so he hops into a boat and indicates for her to follow him. "I hope the test isn't too hard, no one wants to tell me what it is, apparently it's a surprise."

"There's a test?" Indira asks, leaning over a bit to look at Courtney in his boat. "I hope it's not too hard," she comments, looking to Toby nervously. "Do you know anything about a test?" she asks the boy, looking at the others in the boat with the same question, though she doesn't ask it to each person individually.

Anastacia quirks an eyebrow at the man's words. Swim across, her? Heck yeah. She rubbed her hands together in anticipation at the thought of swimming, but once she figured out it was a joke she looked rather depressed. Instead her little shoulders sunk and she boarded one of the boats quietly. Her green eyes give one glance around at the crowd of her fellow peers, wondering if she knew anyone. Spying Ravus and Celeste, she nearly jumps up in her seat and throws them a little wave.

Toby finds a seat and offers the one next to him to Indira. "Want to sit with me, Indira? You're about the only person I know so far." He smiles and waves her over.

; boards the boat with Courtney. "Oh yes there is a test. I don't know what it is but it's to see what house you are going to." Vilivia gets settled in the boat and looks out over the side int the water. "Oh I wonder if we'll see any mer-people? They are supposed to live in the lake you know. My Mummy told me that."

Chewing her thumb nail nervously, Sookie climbs on the boat anxiously. With a sigh of relief upon taking her seatm (no swimming for Sookie!), the girl straightens her back and folds her hands in her lap. Wide-eyed she watches as the scenery passes by. "Wow--" is all she can muster--eyes still wide.

Vilivia boards the boat with Courtney. "Oh yes there is a test. I don't know what it is but it's to see what house you are going to." Vilivia gets settled in the boat and looks out over the side int the water. "Oh I wonder if we'll see any mer-people? They are supposed to live in the lake you know. My Mummy told me that."(Repose)

Feeling quite bombarded by stupidity; Ravus finally spoke up after being quiet nearly the entire time. He said, "Don't be stupid, no way that this guy can make a group of eleven year olds swim across anything." His dark eyes scanned around him, as he found the voice of the one who was plotting to swim across the entire lake. He continued, "Dad says that we won't have to do much our first day here, other than get Sorted, and find our Common Roomsso no way." He didn't really know for sure if he would have to swim, but his tailored tie suggested that he didn't attempt such a thing.

The fleet pushes off from shore in near unison. As the boats progress silently through the water, they leave no wake behind. Drifting along, the boats travel in an unhurried fashion, moving over the darkened waters in a loose group, but always remaining together. The chilly night's breeze is more apparent here upon the lake.

Indira Montgomery takes her seat next to Toby, gripping it rather nervously as she peers into the dark water. "This boat doesn't feel very safe," she comments and stares around at the others. "Maybe I should have gotten into that one. It looks sturdier." Indira's fears seem to be getting the better of her as the boats push off of their own accord. She lets out an audible squeak, covering her mouth quickly to stifle the rest.

Quinn Branigan settles down towards the side of the boat, peering at the water and humming softly to himself as he watches the water like a hawk.

"Oh, there's a test," Quintus replies mildly, though he's not looking at any first year in particular, now; instead, he's peering ahead through the darkness, trying to see where they're going. As he glances back (as much to be polite as to make sure no one is being raucous on the boats), he smirks and adds, "No one dares talk about it after they've done it though. Incidentally, I'm Professor Helit. I'm Head of Hufflepuff house."

"Merpeople exist?" Courtney asks in surprise, before shaking his head and settling into his boat. "I mean... of course they do. That was silly." His cheeks flush a bit pink, and he peers over the side of the boat, trying to see anything in the water. The breeze is colder, here, and he shivers visibly, and wraps his little arms even more tightly around himself.

Standing near the front of the boat, Ravus looked out at the open waters, wondering what actually lurked in the gloomy depths. Casting his eyes through the darkness, he spun around quickly to find the ice cream girl. As he turned, he heard Quintus say something about 'Hufflepuff', forcing a slight 'pfft' sound to vibrate from his lips. Looking back he said, Anastacia, you around here somewhere?

"Oh yes. Merpeople are real." "It's grindylows that don't exist I think. I know it's ONE of those water things." Vilivia ponders for a moment as the boat drifts along under it's own magical movement. She looks to Quintus and gulps visibly. "Professor Helit, is the test very painful? If so why don't we just skip it this year? After all I don't like pain very much."

Toby nods to Indira. "Yeah, this is a little rickety. I think it'll be okay, though. We have magic on our side, after all!" He smiles. "As long as nobody rocks the boat I'm not too worried. But I do hear there's a giant squid, though." He looks a little nervous. "Do you think it likes people or /likes/ people?"

Celeste Nolan gazes down into the water intently before looking up slightly and smiling at Anastacia. Giving her nod she greets her with a slight smile "Hello again." She shift in her seat and glaces about before turning back to the girl for a reply.

Frowning at the notion of a test, Sookie wrinkles her nose, and says to no one in particular, "The letter didn't say /anything/ about a test." With heavy sigh, she crosses her arms over her chest and ponders whether to take Quintus seriously. Like the other girls, Sookie looks in the water for these supposed Merpeople.

Anastacia sits meekly in her seat once the boats begin taking off. She leans only to the right to stare down at the water, pretty much forgetting the scenery entirely. Her only interest was seeing the creatures that her father talked about constantly, but even that was hard for the little girl to do in the chilly night. Stretching one of her hands off the side of the boat, she looks like she is about to touch the water but then thinks otherwise and places them neatly in her lap when she hears a familiar voice call to her. "Oi! Hello, Celeste!"

"I agree!" Indira states rather emphatically in response to Vilivia's statement. "I don't like---" she comments, stopping short and looking away. The girl seems to have totally lost her train of thought and it seems she is thinking very hard to try to remember what it was that she was going to say as far as the rest of her statement goes. "I don't know much magic, really. Mum and dad told me I'm not allowed to do any at home until I'm of age." She pauses, apparently having finally given up on what she was going to say to Vilivia. "Can you imagine? It's so unfair." The girl sighs and leans just a little bit over to look into the water, still gripping tightly onto the boat.

As the fleet continues forward, the southern shore recedes into the distance, and is lost in loose tendrils of smoky fog. The northern shore is not yet in view, concealed as it is by a thicker blanket of pale haze. The air is cooler over the lake, and as the boats drift further onto the water, there a more pronounced breeze that nips through robe and sweater alike.

"Oh, it LIKES people, alright," Quintus remarks, now turning more fully to keep an eye on each of the students, watching them carefully. There's still a trace of a smirk at his lips as he speaks, though. "And no, you will not be exempt from the test. Mister -" He creases his brow, but points straight at Ravus, "these boats are for sitting, not for standing, and I won't be the one to explain to your parents what happened when you were fool enough to stand up on a moving boat."

"I just hope they don't expect a miracle out of me that's all." Vilivia finally expresses some self doubt as the boats drift lazily along. She looks across to Indira and smiles trying to appear brave in the face of almost certain doom. Doom being the terrible test that lies ahead for them. When Quintus scolds Ravus for standing Vilivia giggles. "Yeah sit down Mop head."

Celeste Nolan shivers in the cold but still smiles brightly at Anastacia and asks "How have you been?" looking down she sees the girl put her hands close to the water and she grins "You like water I take it?"

Even with all the discussion of testing going on around him, and with his desire to seem as worldly as any of the wizard-born fellow students, Courtney is rather distracted by the looming sight of the castle. Sure, he's shivering like mad under his school robes, and his mouth is wide open with surprise as he looks around him, but at least he seems to be enjoying himself.

Casting a dark glance towards the professor, Ravus took his seat in the boat, as he crossed his arms, and put his head down. His dreads covered his face as he muttered to himself, "Hufflepuff thing he can tell me what to do, I'm tellin' dad." A fit brought on by his spoiled nature, the young man soon recovered from his ways, as he twisted his back to look at the many students that he knew, one the moron he met in Diagon Alley. He said, "Shut up, you poor Marqueen with the fairy tale parents." Switching back around, he placed his hands on his cheeks, as he began to grind his teeth with anger.

"Be /quiet/!" Indira tells Ravus in utter shock. "Do you want to be expelled before you're evne sorted?" The girl looks utterly horrified at the boy, glancing to the others in her boat to gauge their reactions. "Who do you think you /are/ anyway, you stupid boy?" The girl's words don't seem to speak kindly on her own attitude at the moment, but then Indira is not one to take such comments lightly.

After this muttering and mumbling, Quintus seems to be keeping a rather closer eye on Ravus, falling silent now and refraining from adding anything more. As the boats pull forward into the fog, he adjusts his sitting position a little, but makes no further effort to protect against the damp and cold.

"Of course I like the water! I haven't seen much of it where I live and my dad hardly lets me get wet. Which is a pity in itself." Anastacia answers Celeste in a much too excited voice. "Do you like the water too? If so I heard there is creatures in there, maybe we can try to trap one with our hands?"

The fleet has begun to move through the steadily increasing fog now, reducing visibility to a scant metre or two. Dim lights from the lanterns on the other boats of the fleet can be seen, flickering softly in the wind. The breeze is gentle, but consistent and quite cold out here upon the nearly still nighttime waters, where is there is no shelter and no warming fire. The only company is the steady rocking of the boats and the dim lights of boat lanterns.

Once reassured that the students are being a bit more calm, Quintus returns to the regular scheduled teasing of the new students. "Oh no," he mutters to himself, loud enough to be heard, but soft enough that it could reasonably be taken as a comment to himself. "I hope we're not going off-track... I'll get in awful trouble from the Headmistress if I lose another batch of first years!"

"Fairytale parents...." Mutters Vilivia wondering what that could possibly intale. She goes silent to comptemplate this before she decides it's rather not an insult at all. Who wouldn't want fairy tale parents! "Why thank you Rant'n Ravus!" She says with a small giggle. "I told you we'd all just be splendid friends at Hogwarts and now look at us!"

smiling Celeste nods "I do enjoy the water and the ocean to be precise. We used to live close to the water so I enjoy swimming a great deal." Hearing what Quintus said she shrugs not really worried or at least not appearing to be.

Sighing heavily, Ravus did all he could to turn out the uppity voice which continued to ring in his ear from the two stupid girls behind him. Taking both index fingers, he plugged his ears not wanting to hear any more of the ignorance that had to come from either Marqueen or the new girl who didn't have a clue. Laying his head in his lap, the young man attempted to isolate himself from the rest of his classmates, using his eclipsing long dreads a shell to house the rest of his face. In his mind he thought, "Ugh, can it get any better?"

Indira gasps loudly as Quintus makes a comment about being off-track. "We aren't /lost/, are we?" she asks him, looking incredibly worried. "Oh no, oh no, oh no," the girl says quietly to herself, biting her lip. Her cheeks are red from the cold, but the color in the rest of her face seems to have drained of color as she looks around and sees a wide expanse of water surrounding them.

As the fog draws over the first years and the castle slips out of view, Courtney has nothing to do except listen to Quintus, and this causes some trepidation. He leans over and whispers to Vilivia, "He's joking, isn't he? If he loses first years, he wouldn't be ALLOWED..." But there's still a hint of worry in his voice.

Cringeing when she hear's Quintus's teasing Vilivia looks up from the water. "We aren't going to drown. My father would be most displeased with you Professor." She says this in the most respectfully small voice she can muster. After all Quintus is the only adult and should she nearly drown she'd hope he'd save to politest child first

A hesitant wave is given to Ravus after he draws attention to himself, and then Sookie's eyes widen further at Quintus' words. Turning to one of the people in her boat, she frowns, "Do you suppose he's kidding? We can't be lost, can we? There must be /some/ magical way to get un-lost. . ." She chews her thumb nail anxiously once again.

The fleet has begun to pick up speed, accelerating rapidly towards the northern shore. Clear of fog, all that remains of the distant haze is what marks the barriers to the southern and eastern shores, the mist lapping on top of the water but the fleet has now broken free of its grasp. Remarkably, the boats still leave no wake to mark their passage across the water. The speed causes the brisk air to hurtle past, reducing the apparent temperature further and setting the lantern lights to flickering even more, though none of them have gone out.

There's a lurch of acceleration, and Quintus seems momentarily put off by the change. He still doesn't shiver in the cold, but he draws his arms still tighter about himself, and makes a big show of looking around. "Oh, there we are, we can see a bit better now! There's a chance we'll make it out alive!" His expression is very deadpan, but that may give it away; there's no worry or concern at all, just blankness.

Looking a tad bit disappointed that Celeste didn't give into her plans, Anastacia decides to press her a little bit more, "I say do you see any of those creatures yet? I heard they make good pets." The little girl peers out of the boat with her green eyes, but couldn't see much since the fog was getting thicker. Upon hearing the man muttering something about them being off track, Anastacia appeared rather giddy. She clapped her hands together and mouthed to Celeste in a quiet voice, "Did you hear! He said we're lost, maybe we'll have a better chance of catching something."

"Oh now he's just messing with us." Vilivia sighs a breath of comfort and looks to Courtney. "He has to be joking. If he lost us where would we go. It's not like this is the Bermuda Triangle aor something." The girl giggles softly and looks over the edge of the boat again..

Looking down into the depths of the inky black water Celeste shakes her head "I don't see anything no...what all could be in there anyway it looks...endless and I'm not sure anything would be near the surface anyhow....whatever creature are i there are probally down too dep for reach." she looks at Anastacia and smiles "but still its an intresting idea"

Although he doesn't seem quite convinced, Courtney relaxes a little at Vilivia's words - and then more, as the fog starts to lift, and their vision begins to return. "Oh, well... you're right, I suppose there's only so many places to go on a lake..." He watches Quintus carefully, though, and a bit uncertainly.

The fleet has now passed into the shadow cast by the Castle and descended into absolute darkness, evading the dancing lights that reflected from the windows above. The lantern lights, which have remained so faithful during the journey, have abruptly faded away. Only the steady flow of cold night air moving past indicates that the boats are still moving; there is no other sensation of motion.

The boats continue to drift, and then, very suddenly, plunge into darkness; Quintus allows himself a small smile at this point, feeling quite sure that he is out of sight, and only his voice can be heard drifting out over the lake, "Don't be alarmed, nothing too bad could possibly be happening... I hope." He grins, but only those closest or with remarkably good night vision could possibly tell.

Creatures, tests, being lost on the lake... all of this is even worse than Indira expected of her sorting day! Her brothers were generally enthusiastic about their sorting days so the girl is really quite nervous now, even more than she was while on the train or even when the group of them entered the boats. "Ohhhh, do you think we'll get there soon?" Indira asks nobody in particular as she stares over the edge of the boat, still gripping her seat and looking very uneasy.

Vilivia shivers as the air grows steadily colder. "I wish I had worn warmer robes now." Is all she can think to say before wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to warm up. When they are plunged into dark is when the girl lets out and audiable sqeak. "That's not funny Professor...." she stutters no longer convinced that they arent lost. "I hope so!" Answers out i the dark to Indira.

Anastacia leans over the side of the boat when the fog begins to clear, thinking she sees something in the depths. Her hand stretches out once more as she lets her fingers caress the water, but unfortunately nothing comes up to the surface. "Bah, I'm thinking they're afraid of the movement from the boats. Or maybe they're ill today and in bed?" She lets out a little "whoa" as she feels herself nearly slipping out of her seat and quickly pulls herself back up, rocking the boat as she plops back down. "Whew! close one there. Though I wouldn't mind the swim." She throws Celeste a quick grin before trying to get her heart rate to slow down.

The sudden darkness causes Sookie squeal involuntarily and reach out towards one of the other bodies in her boat. "We have to be, don't we?" she responds nervously to Indira. "We can't be lost, can we? He's joking, right?" she asks the people in her boat.

"Don't tempt them," Quintus calls out warningly. "You could try to attract a merperson and end up being lunch - or dinner, rather - for the giant squid." This seems to be more a general warning than anything directed at Anastacia in particular - after all, he can no more see through the dark than they can.

The fleet has halted at the lakeshore just below the castle, the transition from movement to rest having occurred smoothly, but without warning. Dim reflected light illuminates a stone stairway, worn smooth with age and use, with steps rising for two metres before disappearing over the cliff top. You can now DISEMBARK.

As Indira seems to be losing all hope of ever getting to Hogwarts, the castle seems to loom in front of her and she breathes a slight sigh of relief. "That's the school, right?" she mentions to Sookie and Vilivia, glancing briefly to Toby as she says this. "Oh, I think I see the shore!" the girl comments, raising her rear off of the seat slightly before she realizes what she's doing, then sits back down again quickly, her hands still clamped to the seat nervously.

Lifting his head, Ravus looked around after unplugging his ears, while letting the wind catch his hair. Listening to the voices behind him he said, "Of course he's kidding Sookie, no way that someone who is a teacher would be so incompetent to let us get lost. Well, I hope." Looking back up towards the Professor, the young man searched his face to see if he could find common ground in his face. He wouldn't get them lost in a lake with a large array of creatures would he? As he turned around, his question was answered, as the large castle appeared in front of him like some sort of mythical being. Even he couldn't stop himself from gasping, as he nearly hopped out of his seat again, yet he kept /most/ of his composure. His brown eyes were quite large now as he said, "Is everyone seeing this?! Dad never told me it was /this/ big!!"

"Oh thank Merlin's beard!" Cries Vilivia as Indira mentions the shore. "The Professor had me really worried for a moment." She whispers this to Courtney hoping to not be heard by Quintus. "I hope they let us warm up enough before the test though I'm frozen I swear it."

"/Is/ that the school?" Courtney calls out in a hoarse whisper, looking around for someone who can confirm or deny this for him, squinting through the newly appeared dim light. "It's a bit hard to... no, it must be, of course it is, forget I said anything. Forget I asked!" He calls out after a moment, a little concerned.

"Alright," as the boats stop moving, Quintus stands up and calls out across the group of excited students, "once your boat has stopped COMPLETELY, stand up and move this way, come now, and follow me into the castle." He steps out of his boat onto the shore, motioning for everyone to come with him.

A sigh of relief is emitted from Sookie's lips. "Thank goodness! I was concerned back there in the dark!" She beams at Indira, and then offers the same bright smile to Ravus. The castle is beyond anything the girl could've imagined. Wide-eyed the girl continues to beam.

Giant Squid? Her father told her nothing about a giant squid, or perhaps she didn't pay him any heed. While she thought the idea would be nice to see the squid, she didn't think it would make a good pet one bit. How could you shove one in a cage anyways? Her thoughts were soon washed away though when she caught sight of a massive castle looming over them. Anastacia buzzes with excitement as she stretches one of her arms out and points at the castle. "Look! Celeste! See It's the castle! It's sooo much bigger than I imagined!"

Her eyes widen and she bite her lip to keep her jaw from dropping as the school is revealed. Listening to the other around her she shrugs not saying anything as she was not worried in the first place.

Indira stands up as the boat stops at the shore and breathes a deep sigh of relief. They've made it alright! She makes her way carefully out of the boat once she finally loosens her grip from the seat and stands on the shore, as far away from the water as she can get without actually being able to be accused of straying from the group. She waves her arm to Sookie and Toby, both of whom shared her boat, trying to get them to join her so that she won't be alone just yet.

Toby heeds Indira's call and carefully steps from the boat and in her direction. He slips a bit stepping out of the boat and almost plants his face on the floor of the boat but catches himself before Sir Newton takes the wheel. He looks over his shoulders hoping nobody noticed his little acrobatic episode and smiles at Indira.

Walking at a steady pace, Quintus makes his way into the castle, motioning for all the first years to come along with him. As they enter the castle, he pauses for a moment just outside the Great Hall, observing, "Now, just through this door... this is where your testing will take place."

"Testing!" Indira comments again, going pale all over again as she looks at Toby and then at Sookie in pure horror. "I suppose they're really /serious/ about the test. What if I /fail/?" she asks them, panicing slightly. Indira's historically spotty attention span seems to have vanished for the moment in her panic and fear.

Glad to be in a somewhat warmer place after the walk Vilivia looks blearily at Quintus. "What? Already? Is the test going to be boy girl boy girl? Can I go last?" She sighs and tries to get warmed up as much as possible. "At least let me warm up and have some tea. Mummy says only savages go without tea after it's cold."

Toby gazes at the tapestries on the wall as he enters the room. He glances around the room at the nervous faces. He bounces from foot to foot impatiently and turns to Indira. "I've never heard of this test. I'm not sure it's really real." He shrugs at her. "I think my dad would have warned me. But it's been a looooooong time since he was here."

Anastacia strides happily into the room following the other students closely. However a slight frown crosses her face when she hears the oddly dressed man's words. A test?! Oh dear, oh dear, she hadn't prepared at all for a test. She thought it was just a silly hat that she was supposed to wear, not a test. She shivered lightly peering around at the other students for their reactions.

"Why would it be boy, girl, boy, girl?" Courtney asks Vilivia, but he looks nervous and much paler than usual as the subject of testing is brought up, and his hands are shaking a little - not just from the cold - as he waits for further instructions.

Celeste Nolan enters the castle casting curious looks from the corners of her eyes. Her hands are at her sides as she moves swiftly to keep up with the others. Not really seeing the point in worring her expression is relaxed and her stride confident.

Quintus Helit enters the Great Hall with an entourage of damp, cold and otherwise muddled about first years following behind him. He doesn't say anything, just motions for them to stay in line, and to remain well-behaved. He nods, very slightly, to Astra as he catches her eye, but otherwise just remains stoic.

As Quintus leads them into the hall, Courtney's eyes just about pop out of his head. His jaw drops open and his eyes go wide, and he can hardly tear his eyes from the expansive hall, the lovely ceiling, and the sheer number of people watching him. It's a wonder he doesn't run into the student ahead of him!

When Vilivia enters the Great Hall she looks around and then eventually up at the ceiling in wonder. "Oh my but that's pretty! Look Courtney! It's the sky!" She reaches out and points and nearly bumps into another firstie in front of her. "Oh sorry! But just look up!" She cries and stares with mouth wide open at the magical ceiling.

The little girl stares at the massive great hall with slight anxiety in her green eyes as she follows the students in. She could feel her fingers shaking nervously, for she was still dwelling upon the fact that they had to do a test. Biting her lip to keep it from quivering in nervousness, she tries to walk as slow as possible in order to perhaps take the test last. Yes, she thinks, everyone just move in front of me. Maybe I'll go unnoticed.

As the group is herded into the Great Hall, Indira finds herself shocked by the grandeur of the room. No description from her brothers could have prepared her for this. "Wow," she whispers as she follows the group down the hall toward the front, gawking openly at the charmed ceiling until she comes to a stop with the rest of the group. It's at this moment that she realizes just how many other people are in the hall, and shuts her mouth with a start, her eyes widening. Well, it looks like this is the end for her. "I'll never pass the test in front of so many people!" the girl comments in utter shock to her companions.

Toby looks up at the ceiling at Vilivia's words and he, too, goes open-mouthed. He tears his eyes away from the ceiling and looks around the room nervously. So many eyes. Why is that girl staring at him? Does he have something on his face? He wipes his face. Is his hair messed up? He pats his head. Are his shoes untied? He looks at his feet. Nope. Tied. Everyone stop staring!

Walking in with a calm expression Celeste's eyes widen a bit at the sight of her surounding but she continues forward her face hiding most of her excitment as she walks in near the end of the line her golden braid swinging behind her. She takes a deep breath as they come to a halt and looks up a moment before retuning her gaze straight ahead once more.

Quinn Branigan adjusts his eye patch and looks up at the ceiling with a soft gasp and then a happy smile. He stays with who he's supposed to stay with and he doesn't say much. He is just taking everything in.

The hat sits on a stool in the front of the hall, and as everyone comes to a stop and the hall quiets down, the hat seems to become animated as it prepares to sing.

As the sorting hat finishes its song, Avery Fallon applauds for a moment, then clears her throat and procures a parchment from inside her robe pocket. She waits just a moment for the noise in the Great Hall to die down some, then states clearly that "Aldridge, Susan" will be the first to be sorted.

Sookie takes a seat on the stool and puts the sorting hat onto her head. There is a moment of near-silence while the hat deliberates until it finally announces that Sookie belongs in Hufflepuff!

After Sookie steps down to her table, Avery waits just a moment before announcing that the next student to be sorted is "Becton, Ravus." Ravus steps up to the hat and places it on his head. The hall is silent for a moment, save for some rustling and quiet whispers, until finally the hat announces that Ravus belongs in Ravenclaw! The boy gets off of the stool, places the hat back on it, then makes his way to Ravenclaw table.

"Bell, Anastacia," follows after Ravus takes his seat. Avery opens her scroll a bit more, then waits as this next student is sorted.

Anastacia moves nervously towards the once singing hat, wondering if this was the dreaded test giver. Her green eyes flicker with uncertainty, but she manages to keep a small smile on her lips as she walks up to the stool, picks up the hat, sits down upon the stool and places the large hat upon her head. Please don't eat me if I don't get this test right, she thinks, waiting apprehensively for the hat to speak its decision.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat, agreeing wholeheartedly with the decision of Slytherin.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat and thinks "yes, I want to be in Slytherin."

Anastacia removes the hat from her head and steps off from the stool and dashes over to the Slytherin Table to take a seat. Whew. It wasn't a test.

As Anastacia leaves the stool and goes to sit at her house table, Avery waits just a moment, then announces that the next student to be sorted is "Branigan, Quincy."

Quinn Branigan just cringes at his full name being said but he makes his way towards the hat and what not. Quincy, the bane of his name existence.

Quinn Branigan breathes and removes the hat, places it back on the stool and makes his way towards the appropriate table. Chuckling softly to himself, he waves and gets comfy.

When the hat is done deliberating and Quinn leaves the hat and the stool, Avery opens the scroll still more, then glances over the group of first years queued up. "Brennan, Niamh," follows Quinn in the queue.

Niamh steps up to the hat, placing it gingerly on her head. Silence pervades the hall for a moment before the hat makes its final decision. "Slytherin!" it announces. Niamh jumps off of the stool, placing the hat gently onto the stool once again, then walks quickly toward the Slytherin table.

Avery waits for the girl to be seated before stating that "Daniels, Ramsey" should take his turn.

Ramsey steps up to the hat and places it on his head, taking his turn at this sorting test. The hat deliberates for a moment before announcing to the hall that Ramsey belongs in Slytherin!

When Ramsey finally steps down from the stool and goes to his table, Avery opens her scroll just a bit more and announces that it is "Darling, Tobias" who must approach the hat next.

Toby's attention is drawn and he jumps with a start. He gives a quick look around and thinks to himself "What!? Am I in trouble? What'd I do?" Nobody calls him Tobias unless he's done something wrong. He makes his way to the front of the room as all of the others have and takes his seat.

Toby stands up with a smile, takes off the hat, and heads toward his seat. That wasn't so bad! But that girl at Hufflepuff is still staring at him. He takes a seat with the Gryffindors and sighs a sigh of relief.

Once Toby is sorted and he walks away from the stool, Avery announces that "Fallon, Arnold," is the next to be sorted. Only the slightest flicker of recognition registers as the boy steps up to the hat.

The hat is silent while it deliberates over Arnold Fallon, then it announces loud and clear that the boy belongs in Slytherin! After waiting for the applause to die down once again, Avery Fallon announces that "Levitt, Noreen" will be sorted.

Noreen takes her own turn on the stool, wearing the ancient hat. The girl looks terrified and her face is a peculiar green color, indicating that she may be about to get sick. Fortunately, the hat finishes deciding over Miss Levitt and announces that she should join the ranks of Gryffindor!

Avery applauds gently with the students of her house for a moment, then falls silent while waiting for the noise to abate. Once Noreen is settled at her table, it is "Llewellyn, Lavender"'s turn.

Lavender walks slowly to the hat and places it atop her head with very deliberate movements. Despite her slowness in approaching the hat, it stays for but a moment on her head before announcing that she, too, belongs in Gryffindor! With the same deliberation, she removes the hat and walks very steadily but quite slowly to her house table.

Once again, Avery pauses to applaud for her newest student, then she pauses to let the noise diminish. She clears her throat gently before announcing that "Marqueen, Vilivia" is next to be sorted.

Watching as student after student puts on the hat, Vilivia seems rather calm now that her name is called. After all moments ago she was nervous about the test but it seems everyone else is getting through alright and so she has no reason t fret anymore. She takes her tie and sits down the hat falling over her black pigtails blocking her eyes she tilts her head making a bit of a face wondering how many people have worn this old hat before her but reamains quiet about that.

Once the hat has announced her house Vilivia is quick to slip off the hat and run to her new house's table, Ravenclaw. She takes her seat grinning from ear to ear.

Once Vilivia has taken her place with her new housemates, Avery opens the scroll more and glances over it. "Marsden, Allen" is next on the list. The boy trips over his robes as he makes his way up to the hat, looking more exited than fearful. He scrambles up onto the seat and waits for just a moment.

The hat announces that Allan belongs in Gryffindor and the boy's face lights up. He takes the hat off, placing it haphazardly onto the stool before running down to his table. He slides a bit, nearly falling over, before he manages to scramble into a seat.

Avery Fallon stifles a smile as she applauds for the newest Gryffindor. The Astronomy teacher is more than halfway through her scroll at this point. She looks down at it for the next name, then tells the hall that it is "Moffet, Courtney"'s turn.

Shaking a little with nervous expectation, Courtney does not so much walk as stumble across the hall to the Sorting Hat, taking his seat and cramming the hat on his head, his eyes scrunched tightly shut. If he can't see them, they can't see him - and if they can't see him, getting tested and tried by the Hat can't be that big a deal! The relative nonchalance of those students who have already experienced it doesn't make it any better -- in fact, it seems to make him all the more tense!

When Mr. Moffet takes his seat, Avery declares that "Montgomery, Indira" is next to be sorted.

Jumping a bit when her name is called, Indira steps up to the stool slowly. Just before she puts the hat over her head, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. After a moment, she finally manages to place the sorting hat atop her head.

Now that it's over, Indira lets her breath out and jumps up from the stool. She places the hat carefully back onto the stool and grins a little bit as she practically runs over to Slytherin table and takes her place among its ranks.

After Indira joins the ranks of her new house, Avery pulls the scroll down more, then states the next name aloud for the hall: "Nolan, Celeste".

Celeste Nolan Looks at the hat with a curious stare before slowly stepping up to the stool and placing the hat neatly atop her head. She glances out at those in the room her expression showing a slight mixture of nervous excitement. She draws a deep breath trying her very best to remain calm.

As Celeste takes her place at her house table, Avery lengthens the scroll once again and takes just a moment to roll the top portion down, so as to make it less unwieldly. "Powell, Charlotte," is determined to be the next up to be sorted.

Charlotte takes her turn at the hat, plopping the hat onto her head. The hall is quiet while the hat decides Charlotte's home for the next seven years. It is another long moment before it finally declares that she belongs in Ravenclaw!

Avery Fallon waits for Charlotte to take her seat with the Ravenclaws before she calls out the next name: "Saunders, Leonard".

Leonard moves toward the stool and places the hat on his head as he sits down. The hat seems to ponder only a second before announcing that Leonard will go to Gryffindor!

Once Leonard has taken his seat with the Gryffindors, Avery announces that it is "Smithe, Lucia" who must next approach the sorting hat.

Having remained somewhat isolated and quiet for the train ride and the trip across the lake, the girl with the strange eyes leaned to the child next to her after the hat ceased it's song and murmured with no small amount of amazement, "Is it me, or did that had just talk?" It wouldn't be the first time, after all, that Lucy's nearly-blind eyes had decieved her. Unlike a great deal of her classmates, however, she doesn't appear outwardly nervous. In fact, she seems quite content, smiling quietly to herself as she waits and shifting about from foot to foot as she turns her colorless eyes toward the crowd of unsorted students, then those at their long tables, and then back again. When her name is called, she turns her gaze toward Professor Fallon and nods, having to take a moment to focus her weak vision so as to approach without bumping in to anyone. It takes her another long moment to work her way in to the seat and to place the hat on her head.

Lucy Smithe slides off the stool and takes the hat off her head, placing it neatly -- and quite carefully -- back on the stool where she found it, before turning and looking at the tables. Needing some help to be directed to her seat. But after a moment, she finds it well enough and takes her place with her new Hogwarts family.

Avery finds herself applauding once again as this lates student joins her house, then she pauses and waits for Lucy to take her seat. As silence comes over the students again, she states that "Toft, Albert" is the next in the queue.

Albert looks startled as his name is called, and he hesitates a moment, staring at the hat, before he finally approaches it. He places it on his head, and the hat takes a long moment before it tells the hall that Albert belongs in Slytherin!

The boy looks relieved as he removes the hat from his head and even grins while he walks to take his place at the Slytherin table. Another sign of recognition crosses Avery's face only briefly as she tells those in the Great Hall that "Wexler, Adelia" will be sorted next.

Adelia's face turns red as she walks quickly toward the hat, her robes clenched in her hands. She reluctantly lets them go in order to put the hat on her head as she takes her seat on the stool. The hat settles for a moment, then calls out: Gryffindor!

The girl wastes no time in removing the hat and placing it back on the stool before running down to join her brother at Gryffindor table. Avery waits a moment for the applaus and cheers to die down, then finally calls out the last name on her list: "Wexler, Oliver".

Oliver has waited through everyone else's sortings, and he has certainly gotten impatient. He walks quickly to the hat and pulls it down hard on his head, covering his eyes with it. The hat bows out his ears, it is pulled down so low. This comical sight does not last long, however, since the hat quickly announces that Oliver will belong in Ravenclaw!

The final applaus takes a moment longer than all the rest, so Avery takes this moment to finish rolling up her scroll and then turns and takes her seat at the faculty table. This year's sorting ceremony is now complete.

As the Sorting itself concludes, Astra rises from her seat at the faculty table and stands to face the vast hall and its many occupants. There's a beat between her standing up and her actual address of the students, but when she does speak it is clear and calm, using the natural acoustics of the room to make herself heard rather than magical spells. Turning to nod at Avery, she smiles tightly to the woman before shooting a smile to Quintus. "Thank you Professor Helit for your help with the Sorting and my gratitude to Professor Fallon for your assistance with bringing the first years safely to the school, it's always an exciting task." Addressing the school again, the headmistress draws herself up and continues. "I'm very glad to see you all back and hope that you've had a wonderful summer. For our new students, welcome to your new home. I'm sure that your fellow Housemates will help you get settled in quickly and comfortably." Pausing to look at the many faces, some new and m
any familiar, she grins sharply and gives a moment before she launches on.

The mood of her tone sobers but she continues the speech with the same efficient crisp pace. After a short span, she retrieves a piece of paper. Reading off the paper, she then continues. "Prefect picks for the fifth year students are as follows." "Congratulations to Gryffindor: Aaron Chapman and Marilyn Bennett. Congratulations to Ravenclaw: Anita McClure and Kirby Anderson. Congratulations to Slytherin: Iudhael Lleision and Melwyn Gwenap." "And congratulations to Hufflepuff: Robyn Donald and Gregory Warren." Coughing a little, she sets down the paper and takes another drink from her goblet. "I'm sure the seventh years are excited to know who will become the Head Boy and Head Girl for this year." Taking delight in this news, Astra purposely pauses to retrieve and sip from the goblet in her hand. Glancing over the various tables, she finishes this part of the speech with, "Congratulations are especially in order to Gryffindor Prefect, Colin Kavanagh who is Head Boy this year
and no less congratulations are in order to Hufflepuff Prefect Avril Mottershead who will be serving as Head Girl." Only now does the woman allow herself a brief respite to grin widely and watch any reactions that might take place.

Once things have settled back down, Astra clears her throat. "Of course, school wouldn't be school without a list of rules and regulations now would it? Your parents have charged us with the task of taking care of you and so we do our best to imitate them most times." "I know you're all *thrilled* over that!" The dry humor comes slowly to her, but she finally seems to be getting into the good spirits of the Sorting feast. "With that said I'm charged with telling you all that a list of banned items is posted on the Caretaker's office door and you'd do well to familiarize yourself with it. In addition, there is to be no running in the hallways." "Use of magic in the hallways or on the outside grounds without supervision or explicit permission by a teacher is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with accordingly." "As usual, the Forbidden Forest is exactly that - Forbidden and trespassers *will* be dealt with harshly." "Third year students and above are reminded to have their p
ermission slips to Hogsmeade signed and ready for the first weekend. Anyone who doesn't have this will not be allowed off school grounds." Clearing her throat, she looks around the hall. "Returning students know how I deal with rule breakers, I trust none of you will want to come to my office?" "Don't worry, you'll get to eat soon, but I have a few more announcements to make."

Waiting for about a minute to let students discuss among themselves, Astra finally holds up her hand for attention. "I have just a few more notices and reminders before we get to the pleasant task of eating." "I am also to inform you that all greenhouses are off limits to students unless you have express permission to be there outside of class." "Finally, there is to be absolutely no magical toys, candy, trinkets, or anything else of magical nature brought into Muggle Studies. If any of these items are found upon your person, Professor Helit will confiscate and dispose of them." Then taking one more very brief pause she then ends, "It looks to be an exciting and vibrant new term. I sincerely hope each of you finds as much fun as you do challenges." "Now let's eat."

(Slytherin) As the food appears in front of her, Seraphina breathes a sigh of relief. She was getting hungry. "Hello," she greets the group of new firsties fairly cordially, though with no enthusiasm to speak of. The young woman takes only the smallest bits of a variety of things, filling only about three quarters of her plate with the variety, then begins to pick at it and eat small bits at a time while looking around and discreetly taking a look at the new students at Slytherin table.

(Slytherin) Anastacia looks around a bit at the other students conversing and eating, barely paying attention to whatever had been said in the speech. She leans forward in her seat and places her elbows on the table as she rests her head upon her hands. Well, well, this is rather interesting. Her father told her nothing about how massive this feast was to be or how long it would last. She pursed her lips together as her gaze lingers upon a roll of bread as she grabs it up and begins to munch on it absentmindedly. While eating her bread, she allows her attention to wander again and lets it fall upon another little girl who she hadn't met yet. What had the hat said her name was, Indira? Feeling a bit chatty at the moment, she grins at Indira and offers up an enthusiastic, "Hello!"

Standing up from the faculty table, Astra looks over her fellow colleagues and then out to the sea of student faces. "As most of the returning students should know, I'm not one to stand on excessive formality after the Sorting feast. I'm going to retire myself for the evening. Prefects, when the younger students seem full and ready take them to their dormitories. I know that the first day here is always exciting, but do try to get some sleep tonight. You'll be better prepared for your classes." Brushing down her robes and stepping down from the dais the small woman takes her leave of the hall without so much as a sideways glance to any of the tables she passes.

Indira Montgomery climbs through the stone entrance.

Sorting Day: Josie’s Perspective

"Come /on/, you guys!" Josie calls loudly as the group of Wexler and Fallon kids gets onto the train. Josie and Essie are arm-in-arm as usual as they make their way onto the train and find a compartment. "In here," Josie tells her siblings and cousins as she ducks into compartment four on the train. She and Essie take the window seats quickly, and Charlotte and Arnold follow them in, then Parker and his younger sister Adelia. Oliver Wexler pokes his head in, and seeing so many of his cousins in one place, decides he would be better off /elsewhere/ and quickly continues on down the train in pursuit of a less family-filled compartment. "It's /so/ exciting! I can't /wait/ to see what my new clases are like. Don't you think so?"

Toby Darling walks down the cooridor looking for a compartment to plant himself in for the ride to Hogwarts. He's on his own having not met too many people yet so he's got his eyes open for anyone he might recognize. It's a long ride, after all! He spots that familiar face in Josie. Unfortunately for Toby she's surrounded by a LOT of people. None the less he pokes his head into the compartment. "Uh, mind if I sit with you?" he asks the room as he gazes from person to person to person to person... "I mean, is there room?"

"Sure there's room!" Parker replies with a grin and points to the room between the others. Everyone is still fairly young and therefore does not take up as much space as some of the older students would. "You could sit by me, chap, there's room right here!" Parker's energy would be overwhelming to most, but in particular he'd be off-putting to a quieter child. "Oh, Toby!" Josie recognizes the boy from her day helping in the shop. "Hi, Toby! Come over here and sit by me!" She beams at the boy and pushes Arnold over on the seat to make room for the firstie. "Okay, so this is Essie - Estelle - she's my twin. That's Charlotte, she's a year younger, and this is Arnold. He's starting Hogwarts this year, too! That's Parker there, he's a second year this year - Gryffindor, and that's Adelia, she's his sister and she's also starting at Hogwarts. Essie is in Hufflepuff and Charlotte is in Slytherin, and I'm a Ravenclaw, /of course/," the girl states, as if this is /incredibly/ obvious.

It has taken Indira almost until the last possible moment to escape from her doting parents, who even now are still standing on the platform with her younger sister, waving to her and her older brothers. The older boys split off from her quickly and find their own compartments without even seeing that their sister is well-situated. Indira, however, seems to be managing just fine without the boys and pops into the first compartment she finds that doesn't seem to be /completely/ full, though with Indira's entrance into it, compartment four could very well be considered /totally/ full. "Hello," she greets everyone within as she stows her things. Once she has her things well-stowed, she takes her seat next to Adelia, right at the edge of the door. "I'm Indira," she tells the group fairly quietly, looking at each of them in turn and studying them closely.

Toby's eyes widen at the energy directed toward him by Parker. He smiles politely but doesn't move toward the boy. Instead his eyes fall on Josie and, thankfully for him, she remembers him. He takes her up on the newly created seat next to her and shoehorns his way in. As Josie gives the introductions he smiles, nods, and gives a quick "hello" to everyone and as Indira enters he gives a wave. "So, are you all related?" Toby asks the compartment. "You have a big family!"

Giggling, Josie nods and shrugs. "Well, there are nine of us, and then Parker's my cousin," at this, Parker nods and grins, "and he's got, um... how many siblings have you got, Parker?" The boy grins and pipes up, "Eight!" he says cheerfully. Josie continues, "And Uncle Gilbert and Aunt Kalika have four, and Uncle Basil and Auntie Sybil have four, too, but only one of them is /our/ age. The others are all old." The Wexler-child nods and grins at the boy. "How many siblings have you got? Is your family very large?"

Indira's own eyes grow wide as Josie describes the extent of her family, and she looks from one to another to another, taking in the family resemblence with slight shock. "You're all /related/?" The first year seems to be genuinely in shock as she leans back against the seat, pulling her legs up to sit cross-legged. "I've only got three siblings - my two older brothers are here already and Kala won't start school for a few years yet. I thought we were a big family... wowee!"

Toby's eyes grow large. "Eight?! There are nine of you? Wow! I'm an only child." He lets this statement hang for a moment. He's learned that those with large families often have a hard time imagining such a solitary existence and it often takes a few moments for this grim fate to sink in. "I've been an only child my whole life." Toby turns his attention to Indira, who looks to also be new to this Hogwarts thing. "That's still a big family to me!"

"I can't /imagine/ what it must be like to not have any /siblings/!" Parker comments. "Who do you /play/ with?" the boy asks at full volume. There is no concept of 'inside voice' with Parker. "Adelia and I have /good/ times, right?" he asks his sister, who looks up from her book only long enough to nod with him and give a smile. "Hi," she tells Indira with a sweet smile, reaching her sweets bag toward the girl in a silent offer. "We have lots of fun at home," Essie pipes up. "Dad comes up with games and we all play them, or sometimes we'll just play games on our own. I think I would get /so/ bored if I were an only child!" Josie nods emphatically in agreement and pats Toby on the shoulder. "It's okay, though. You'll have LOTS of company at Hogwarts!"

"I suppose you're right," Indira comments to Toby. "But in comparison it makes our family seem /tiny/." She shrugs, then glances to Adelia. "Thanks," she says quietly, reaching into the bag and pulling out a peppermint toad to nibble on. She smiles genuinely at the girl next to her, then returns her attention to the rest of the group. "What kinds of games do you play? I love to play Wizard's Chess. I can almost /always/ beat Jasper at it. He's not very good, though. He doesn't pay close enough attention." As if trying to make a joke, Indira's attention is diverted and she looks out into the corridor at something in the distance that seems slightly more interesting than the conversation at hand.

"I love wizard's chess!" Toby gushes. "I'm really bad at it, though. My dad and I played a game just the other day and he finished me off in about 20 moves." He sighs. "But! The best part was when his knight jumped off his horse, walked over a few squares and sliced by bishop's head clean off! It fell to the board and rolled around a few squares until the horse kicked it off the board! So. Great!"

The group giggles at the mental picture that Toby has described to them, and Josie grins. "Well, you'll both have to play with me sometime. I adore Wizard's chess, but Essie never wants to play with me anymore --" at this, Essie interrupts. "She beats me /every time/! It's no fun that way." The girl shakes her head and shrugs. "I can't help it!" Josie protests. "You just don't /practice/ enough!" It's a moment before Essie looks over at Indira. "You mentioned Jasper - Jasper Montgomery, do you mean? Is that your brother?" Josie pats Toby on the shoulder again. "You can play chess with me, though. We'll have scads of fun! /Especially/ if you're in Ravenclaw. You should be, you know. It's the best house /ever/!"

"Oh, yes," Indira answers, slightly startled. Someone knows her brother? "And my oldest brother is Lawson. He's in Hufflepuff. Jasper is a Gryffindor. I hope I'm a Gryffindor, too. Both mum and dad were Gryffindors." The girl leans forward and looks toward Toby. "Hey, uh..." she pauses and looks completely lost for a moment. "Um..." It is a long moment before Indira actually seems to recover and remember what it is that she forgot. "Oh, what house do you suppose you'll be in?"

"I'm not completely sure," Toby replies. "My father was in Gryffindor and my mother is a Muggle. So, maybe Gryffindor?" Toby shrugs. "They're all just as good as the next, aren't they? Well, except Ravenclaw. I hear they're the best house /ever/." He nudges Josie. "Where do you suppose you'll be?"

"Gryffindor is /so great/!" Parker tells the group at full volume, once again, very excited about it. "My dad was in Gryffindor, too. I'm a Gryffindor! Hey, I know your brother! He's nice!" Josie giggles at Toby's statement and nods enthusiastically. "I love Ravenclaw. /My/ mum was in Ravenclaw, but dad was a Gryffindor so I guess that would be okay, too, if you have to go somewhere else." The girl giggles. "I mean, Essie's a Hufflepuff and Charlotte's a Slytherin so I guess /those/ are okay, too, or else my sisters have to not be okay. And that's not right!" She nods seriously about this. "I suppose the hat knows best, though," she mentions and giggles. "Have you heard much about the hat?" She gives a knowing glance to her already sorted relatives and grins.

"I think maybe Gryffindor, but I'm not sure," Indira answers Toby's question somewhat noncommitally. "My brother Jasper's a Gryffindor, and my mum and dad were Gryffindors, but I'm not sure how to know what house I'll be in." The girl bites her lip a bit as Josie asks her question. "My brothers won't tell me anything about ---," her attention diverts and she neglects to finish the sentence, instead staring out the window, as if trying to see something, despite the fact that it's a bit dark outside now.

Toby stretches his neck to peek out the window, too. "I think we're getting close!" he cries, louder than he has been yet today. "I think I can see a village! Look!" He points with a finger, getting close to whacking other compartmentmates in the face with his hand. "Hogsmeade, right?" He is noticably more bubbly than he has been. "It won't be long now!"

"Hurrah!" Josie cheers, clapping excitedly. "I love Hogwarts. I'm going to take extra classes this year. I'm taking Divination, Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. I thought about taking Ancient Runes but I don't want to have /too/ many classes," she states, nodding. Parker, too, seems to be quite excited about their approach to Hogwarts. "I am /so/ going out for Quidditch this year. I'm going to be the CAPTAIN by the time I'm a fourth year, just WATCH! Cousin Briony was on Quidditch when she was at Hogwarts! I'm going to be on Quidditch, /too/, but I'm not going to quit like she did. Who wants to be a silly old announcer, ANYWAY?!" Parker's enthusiasm doesn't wane as he continues his conversation, and in fact he nearly trips over Toby in his attempt to get over toward the window to see the arriving town. "There it is! I can see Hogsmeade!" "Sit /down/, Parker!" Josie and Charlotte tell him simultaneously, and sufficiently cowed by his female cousins, Parker does as
he's told and takes his seat again, though he continues to crane and try to see the town as it gets closer.

"Oh, wow!" Indira comments excitedly, "I've never been to Hogsmeade before! I've heard of it, though. I hear Honeydukes has really good sweets." She pauses. "I guess I won't find out for a few years, though, right?" As the train comes to a halt, Indira stands up and makes her way into the corridor with the rest of the students on the train who do exactly the same thing as the train comes to a stop.

As the train stops, all the Wexlers and Fallons seem to get up simultaneously, and in their usual cluster of confusion, the group of them make their way out into the corridor, chattering to one another excitedly as they all head off of the train.

Toby stands, brabs his belongings, and pushes his way into the cooridor with the mass of other students in his compartment. He apologizes several times for hitting those around him with elbows, bags, and other heavy things.

When the train pulls in to the station, Professor Quintus Helit is waiting on the platform, a brightly lit lantern in his hand which he idly swings back and forth. There doesn't seem to be any protective cover or windguard on it, but the light doesn't so much as flicker as he swings it from side to side. As students start filing off the train, he calls out in a gruff, projecting voice, "Alright, kids, first years this way! No, not that way, this way! Over here!" He raises the lantern above his head so he's more visible, beckoning to the smaller students with his other hand. "New first years, this way please!"

Seraphina is among the first of the students to exit the train, having left her compartment before the train arrived at the station. She pauses for a moment, listening to what Professor Helit has to say before she continues down the platform toward the carriages.

Caught in a mass of students, Danielle pads off the train, holding a book tightly to her chest and a small bag slung over her shoulder, and she looks up at the school with wonderment. As Professor Helit beckons to the first year students, she slips off to the side, looking for the alternative methods into the school - there's a trace of excitement behind her moody pouting, and her whole expression just lights up as she sees the carriages.

Piling out of the train with the rest of the students Vilivia Marqueen can easily see Professor Helit's lantern and make out his instructions. "Oh he's almost as handsome as Seker." She says softly before twisting a finger through one of her pigtails. She moves over to line up near the Professor and waits for his further instructions.

As the school comes into view, Courtney's mouth drops open, and he stares up at the castle in shock; whatever he was expecting, this isn't it. Oh, no, this isn't it at all. He casts his gaze around for someone to hang onto, and he can't seem to help himself but scoff at Vilivia. "He looks grouchy," he corrects her, though he does move to follow her closely. "Does Seker look that grouchy, too?"

Quinn Branigan is adjusting to wearing robes that are *gasp* black and he keeps smoothing them down, adjusting his eye patch and moving to follow where Quintus gestures and what not. He just looks a bit uncertain now as he sees people and counts people in his head.

Indira's eyes grow wide as she looks at all the students and tries to take in the activity around her. She hears the call for first years and wanders toward the direction of the voice until she comes to stand before Quintus. The girl seems dumbstruck as she stares at him for a moment, then her attention is diverted by all of the other first years surrounding her.

He's just Quinn? What was a Quinn? Anastacia mused thoughtfully over this word, for it boggled her that his costume choice had such a weird name. Nevertheless, Anastacia exits the train with the thought of the strange boy sinking deeply in her mind. She throws a quick look over her shoulder to see if the costumed boy was following her. Turning her head back to look at the crowd of students again, Anastacia gives the yelling adult a curious look and heads in his direction. She was not even going to comment on what he was wearing, figuring that everyone wears strange things in this school.

The Wexler and Fallon clan all exit the train in a big clump, with the exception of Oliver who seems to be keeping his distance from the lot of them. The chatter among the group dies down as Quintus speaks, then the older kids move off toward the carriages as Adelia, Arnold and Oliver remain behind with the rest of the firsties.

Quintus Helit enters the Great Hall with an entourage of damp, cold and otherwise muddled about first years following behind him. He doesn't say anything, just motions for them to stay in line, and to remain well-behaved. He nods, very slightly, to Astra as he catches her eye, but otherwise just remains stoic.

As Quintus leads them into the hall, Courtney's eyes just about pop out of his head. His jaw drops open and his eyes go wide, and he can hardly tear his eyes from the expansive hall, the lovely ceiling, and the sheer number of people watching him. It's a wonder he doesn't run into the student ahead of him!

When Vilivia enters the Great Hall she looks around and then eventually up at the ceiling in wonder. "Oh my but that's pretty! Look Courtney! It's the sky!" She reaches out and points and nearly bumps into another firstie in front of her. "Oh sorry! But just look up!" She cries and stares with mouth wide open at the magical ceiling.

The little girl stares at the massive great hall with slight anxiety in her green eyes as she follows the students in. She could feel her fingers shaking nervously, for she was still dwelling upon the fact that they had to do a test. Biting her lip to keep it from quivering in nervousness, she tries to walk as slow as possible in order to perhaps take the test last. Yes, she thinks, everyone just move in front of me. Maybe I'll go unnoticed.

As the group is herded into the Great Hall, Indira finds herself shocked by the grandeur of the room. No description from her brothers could have prepared her for this. "Wow," she whispers as she follows the group down the hall toward the front, gawking openly at the charmed ceiling until she comes to a stop with the rest of the group. It's at this moment that she realizes just how many other people are in the hall, and shuts her mouth with a start, her eyes widening. Well, it looks like this is the end for her. "I'll never pass the test in front of so many people!" the girl comments in utter shock to her companions.

Toby looks up at the ceiling at Vilivia's words and he, too, goes open-mouthed. He tears his eyes away from the ceiling and looks around the room nervously. So many eyes. Why is that girl staring at him? Does he have something on his face? He wipes his face. Is his hair messed up? He pats his head. Are his shoes untied? He looks at his feet. Nope. Tied. Everyone stop staring!

Walking in with a calm expression Celeste's eyes widen a bit at the sight of her surounding but she continues forward her face hiding most of her excitment as she walks in near the end of the line her golden braid swinging behind her. She takes a deep breath as they come to a halt and looks up a moment before retuning her gaze straight ahead once more.

Quinn Branigan adjusts his eye patch and looks up at the ceiling with a soft gasp and then a happy smile. He stays with who he's supposed to stay with and he doesn't say much. He is just taking everything in.

The hat sits on a stool in the front of the hall, and as everyone comes to a stop and the hall quiets down, the hat seems to become animated as it prepares to sing.

As the sorting hat finishes its song, Avery Fallon applauds for a moment, then clears her throat and procures a parchment from inside her robe pocket. She waits just a moment for the noise in the Great Hall to die down some, then states clearly that "Aldridge, Susan" will be the first to be sorted.

Sookie takes a seat on the stool and puts the sorting hat onto her head. There is a moment of near-silence while the hat deliberates until it finally announces that Sookie belongs in Hufflepuff!

After Sookie steps down to her table, Avery waits just a moment before announcing that the next student to be sorted is "Becton, Ravus." Ravus steps up to the hat and places it on his head. The hall is silent for a moment, save for some rustling and quiet whispers, until finally the hat announces that Ravus belongs in Ravenclaw! The boy gets off of the stool, places the hat back on it, then makes his way to Ravenclaw table.

"Bell, Anastacia," follows after Ravus takes his seat. Avery opens her scroll a bit more, then waits as this next student is sorted.

Anastacia moves nervously towards the once singing hat, wondering if this was the dreaded test giver. Her green eyes flicker with uncertainty, but she manages to keep a small smile on her lips as she walks up to the stool, picks up the hat, sits down upon the stool and places the large hat upon her head. Please don't eat me if I don't get this test right, she thinks, waiting apprehensively for the hat to speak its decision.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat, agreeing wholeheartedly with the decision of Slytherin.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat and thinks "yes, I want to be in Slytherin."

Anastacia removes the hat from her head and steps off from the stool and dashes over to the Slytherin Table to take a seat. Whew. It wasn't a test.

As Anastacia leaves the stool and goes to sit at her house table, Avery waits just a moment, then announces that the next student to be sorted is "Branigan, Quincy."

Quinn Branigan just cringes at his full name being said but he makes his way towards the hat and what not. Quincy, the bane of his name existence.

Quinn Branigan breathes and removes the hat, places it back on the stool and makes his way towards the appropriate table. Chuckling softly to himself, he waves and gets comfy.

When the hat is done deliberating and Quinn leaves the hat and the stool, Avery opens the scroll still more, then glances over the group of first years queued up. "Brennan, Niamh," follows Quinn in the queue.

Niamh steps up to the hat, placing it gingerly on her head. Silence pervades the hall for a moment before the hat makes its final decision. "Slytherin!" it announces. Niamh jumps off of the stool, placing the hat gently onto the stool once again, then walks quickly toward the Slytherin table.

Avery waits for the girl to be seated before stating that "Daniels, Ramsey" should take his turn.

Ramsey steps up to the hat and places it on his head, taking his turn at this sorting test. The hat deliberates for a moment before announcing to the hall that Ramsey belongs in Slytherin!

When Ramsey finally steps down from the stool and goes to his table, Avery opens her scroll just a bit more and announces that it is "Darling, Tobias" who must approach the hat next.

Toby's attention is drawn and he jumps with a start. He gives a quick look around and thinks to himself "What!? Am I in trouble? What'd I do?" Nobody calls him Tobias unless he's done something wrong. He makes his way to the front of the room as all of the others have and takes his seat.

Toby stands up with a smile, takes off the hat, and heads toward his seat. That wasn't so bad! But that girl at Hufflepuff is still staring at him. He takes a seat with the Gryffindors and sighs a sigh of relief.

Once Toby is sorted and he walks away from the stool, Avery announces that "Fallon, Arnold," is the next to be sorted. Only the slightest flicker of recognition registers as the boy steps up to the hat.

The hat is silent while it deliberates over Arnold Fallon, then it announces loud and clear that the boy belongs in Slytherin! After waiting for the applause to die down once again, Avery Fallon announces that "Levitt, Noreen" will be sorted.

Noreen takes her own turn on the stool, wearing the ancient hat. The girl looks terrified and her face is a peculiar green color, indicating that she may be about to get sick. Fortunately, the hat finishes deciding over Miss Levitt and announces that she should join the ranks of Gryffindor!

Avery applauds gently with the students of her house for a moment, then falls silent while waiting for the noise to abate. Once Noreen is settled at her table, it is "Llewellyn, Lavender"'s turn.

Lavender walks slowly to the hat and places it atop her head with very deliberate movements. Despite her slowness in approaching the hat, it stays for but a moment on her head before announcing that she, too, belongs in Gryffindor! With the same deliberation, she removes the hat and walks very steadily but quite slowly to her house table.

Once again, Avery pauses to applaud for her newest student, then she pauses to let the noise diminish. She clears her throat gently before announcing that "Marqueen, Vilivia" is next to be sorted.

Watching as student after student puts on the hat, Vilivia seems rather calm now that her name is called. After all moments ago she was nervous about the test but it seems everyone else is getting through alright and so she has no reason t fret anymore. She takes her tie and sits down the hat falling over her black pigtails blocking her eyes she tilts her head making a bit of a face wondering how many people have worn this old hat before her but reamains quiet about that.

Once the hat has announced her house Vilivia is quick to slip off the hat and run to her new house's table, Ravenclaw. She takes her seat grinning from ear to ear.

Once Vilivia has taken her place with her new housemates, Avery opens the scroll more and glances over it. "Marsden, Allen" is next on the list. The boy trips over his robes as he makes his way up to the hat, looking more exited than fearful. He scrambles up onto the seat and waits for just a moment.

The hat announces that Allan belongs in Gryffindor and the boy's face lights up. He takes the hat off, placing it haphazardly onto the stool before running down to his table. He slides a bit, nearly falling over, before he manages to scramble into a seat.

Avery Fallon stifles a smile as she applauds for the newest Gryffindor. The Astronomy teacher is more than halfway through her scroll at this point. She looks down at it for the next name, then tells the hall that it is "Moffet, Courtney"'s turn.

Shaking a little with nervous expectation, Courtney does not so much walk as stumble across the hall to the Sorting Hat, taking his seat and cramming the hat on his head, his eyes scrunched tightly shut. If he can't see them, they can't see him - and if they can't see him, getting tested and tried by the Hat can't be that big a deal! The relative nonchalance of those students who have already experienced it doesn't make it any better -- in fact, it seems to make him all the more tense!

When Mr. Moffet takes his seat, Avery declares that "Montgomery, Indira" is next to be sorted.

Jumping a bit when her name is called, Indira steps up to the stool slowly. Just before she puts the hat over her head, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. After a moment, she finally manages to place the sorting hat atop her head.

Now that it's over, Indira lets her breath out and jumps up from the stool. She places the hat carefully back onto the stool and grins a little bit as she practically runs over to Slytherin table and takes her place among its ranks.

After Indira joins the ranks of her new house, Avery pulls the scroll down more, then states the next name aloud for the hall: "Nolan, Celeste".

Celeste Nolan Looks at the hat with a curious stare before slowly stepping up to the stool and placing the hat neatly atop her head. She glances out at those in the room her expression showing a slight mixture of nervous excitement. She draws a deep breath trying her very best to remain calm.

As Celeste takes her place at her house table, Avery lengthens the scroll once again and takes just a moment to roll the top portion down, so as to make it less unwieldly. "Powell, Charlotte," is determined to be the next up to be sorted.

Charlotte takes her turn at the hat, plopping the hat onto her head. The hall is quiet while the hat decides Charlotte's home for the next seven years. It is another long moment before it finally declares that she belongs in Ravenclaw!

Avery Fallon waits for Charlotte to take her seat with the Ravenclaws before she calls out the next name: "Saunders, Leonard".

Leonard moves toward the stool and places the hat on his head as he sits down. The hat seems to ponder only a second before announcing that Leonard will go to Gryffindor!

Once Leonard has taken his seat with the Gryffindors, Avery announces that it is "Smithe, Lucia" who must next approach the sorting hat.

Having remained somewhat isolated and quiet for the train ride and the trip across the lake, the girl with the strange eyes leaned to the child next to her after the hat ceased it's song and murmured with no small amount of amazement, "Is it me, or did that had just talk?" It wouldn't be the first time, after all, that Lucy's nearly-blind eyes had decieved her. Unlike a great deal of her classmates, however, she doesn't appear outwardly nervous. In fact, she seems quite content, smiling quietly to herself as she waits and shifting about from foot to foot as she turns her colorless eyes toward the crowd of unsorted students, then those at their long tables, and then back again. When her name is called, she turns her gaze toward Professor Fallon and nods, having to take a moment to focus her weak vision so as to approach without bumping in to anyone. It takes her another long moment to work her way in to the seat and to place the hat on her head.

Lucy Smithe slides off the stool and takes the hat off her head, placing it neatly -- and quite carefully -- back on the stool where she found it, before turning and looking at the tables. Needing some help to be directed to her seat. But after a moment, she finds it well enough and takes her place with her new Hogwarts family.

Avery finds herself applauding once again as this lates student joins her house, then she pauses and waits for Lucy to take her seat. As silence comes over the students again, she states that "Toft, Albert" is the next in the queue.

Albert looks startled as his name is called, and he hesitates a moment, staring at the hat, before he finally approaches it. He places it on his head, and the hat takes a long moment before it tells the hall that Albert belongs in Slytherin!

The boy looks relieved as he removes the hat from his head and even grins while he walks to take his place at the Slytherin table. Another sign of recognition crosses Avery's face only briefly as she tells those in the Great Hall that "Wexler, Adelia" will be sorted next.

Adelia's face turns red as she walks quickly toward the hat, her robes clenched in her hands. She reluctantly lets them go in order to put the hat on her head as she takes her seat on the stool. The hat settles for a moment, then calls out: Gryffindor!

The girl wastes no time in removing the hat and placing it back on the stool before running down to join her brother at Gryffindor table. Avery waits a moment for the applaus and cheers to die down, then finally calls out the last name on her list: "Wexler, Oliver".

Oliver has waited through everyone else's sortings, and he has certainly gotten impatient. He walks quickly to the hat and pulls it down hard on his head, covering his eyes with it. The hat bows out his ears, it is pulled down so low. This comical sight does not last long, however, since the hat quickly announces that Oliver will belong in Ravenclaw!

The final applaus takes a moment longer than all the rest, so Avery takes this moment to finish rolling up her scroll and then turns and takes her seat at the faculty table. This year's sorting ceremony is now complete.

As the Sorting itself concludes, Astra rises from her seat at the faculty table and stands to face the vast hall and its many occupants. There's a beat between her standing up and her actual address of the students, but when she does speak it is clear and calm, using the natural acoustics of the room to make herself heard rather than magical spells. Turning to nod at Avery, she smiles tightly to the woman before shooting a smile to Quintus. "Thank you Professor Helit for your help with the Sorting and my gratitude to Professor Fallon for your assistance with bringing the first years safely to the school, it's always an exciting task." Addressing the school again, the headmistress draws herself up and continues. "I'm very glad to see you all back and hope that you've had a wonderful summer. For our new students, welcome to your new home. I'm sure that your fellow Housemates will help you get settled in quickly and comfortably." Pausing to look at the many faces, some new and m
any familiar, she grins sharply and gives a moment before she launches on.

The mood of her tone sobers but she continues the speech with the same efficient crisp pace. After a short span, she retrieves a piece of paper. Reading off the paper, she then continues. "Prefect picks for the fifth year students are as follows." "Congratulations to Gryffindor: Aaron Chapman and Marilyn Bennett. Congratulations to Ravenclaw: Anita McClure and Kirby Anderson. Congratulations to Slytherin: Iudhael Lleision and Melwyn Gwenap." "And congratulations to Hufflepuff: Robyn Donald and Gregory Warren." Coughing a little, she sets down the paper and takes another drink from her goblet. "I'm sure the seventh years are excited to know who will become the Head Boy and Head Girl for this year." Taking delight in this news, Astra purposely pauses to retrieve and sip from the goblet in her hand. Glancing over the various tables, she finishes this part of the speech with, "Congratulations are especially in order to Gryffindor Prefect, Colin Kavanagh who is Head Boy this year
and no less congratulations are in order to Hufflepuff Prefect Avril Mottershead who will be serving as Head Girl." Only now does the woman allow herself a brief respite to grin widely and watch any reactions that might take place.

Once things have settled back down, Astra clears her throat. "Of course, school wouldn't be school without a list of rules and regulations now would it? Your parents have charged us with the task of taking care of you and so we do our best to imitate them most times." "I know you're all *thrilled* over that!" The dry humor comes slowly to her, but she finally seems to be getting into the good spirits of the Sorting feast. "With that said I'm charged with telling you all that a list of banned items is posted on the Caretaker's office door and you'd do well to familiarize yourself with it. In addition, there is to be no running in the hallways." "Use of magic in the hallways or on the outside grounds without supervision or explicit permission by a teacher is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with accordingly." "As usual, the Forbidden Forest is exactly that - Forbidden and trespassers *will* be dealt with harshly." "Third year students and above are reminded to have their p
ermission slips to Hogsmeade signed and ready for the first weekend. Anyone who doesn't have this will not be allowed off school grounds." Clearing her throat, she looks around the hall. "Returning students know how I deal with rule breakers, I trust none of you will want to come to my office?" "Don't worry, you'll get to eat soon, but I have a few more announcements to make."

Waiting for about a minute to let students discuss among themselves, Astra finally holds up her hand for attention. "I have just a few more notices and reminders before we get to the pleasant task of eating." "I am also to inform you that all greenhouses are off limits to students unless you have express permission to be there outside of class." "Finally, there is to be absolutely no magical toys, candy, trinkets, or anything else of magical nature brought into Muggle Studies. If any of these items are found upon your person, Professor Helit will confiscate and dispose of them." Then taking one more very brief pause she then ends, "It looks to be an exciting and vibrant new term. I sincerely hope each of you finds as much fun as you do challenges." "Now let's eat."

(Ravenclaw) As the Headmistress finished her intoxicating speech about who would be getting promotions, and what wouldn't be allowed, Ravus turned in his seat to face towards the large quantity of food. Still in a bit of shock, the young man stared at the food for a moment, before picking up a goblet of pumpkin juice and taking a hefty swig. Swishing it for a moment, he let it tumble down his throat as he emitted an 'ah' sound. He was still in awe that the Marqueen had made it into the same house as him, now all he would hear is insults about his 'mop head', while being called Rant n' Ravus, something he didn't look forward to at all.

Standing up from the faculty table, Astra looks over her fellow colleagues and then out to the sea of student faces. "As most of the returning students should know, I'm not one to stand on excessive formality after the Sorting feast. I'm going to retire myself for the evening. Prefects, when the younger students seem full and ready take them to their dormitories. I know that the first day here is always exciting, but do try to get some sleep tonight. You'll be better prepared for your classes." Brushing down her robes and stepping down from the dais the small woman takes her leave of the hall without so much as a sideways glance to any of the tables she passes.

Josie Wexler climbs through the hole in the wall behind the portrait.

Sorting Day: Seraphina’s Perspective

It is Seraphina's last sorting day, and she seems to be feeling that milestone as she boards the train. Her annoyance with her younger sister is ever the same as she struggles her way down the hallway with her trunk and other things. She ducks into the third compartment, dragging her things with her. "Go sit with your friends, Ona. Please?" she asks as nicely as she can manage, and as if Alastriona's friends had heard the request, the girl is then waylaid by them and dragged off to another compartment farther down the train. Sera settles quickly into the compartment, stowing her things away with the exception of a fairly misshapen knitted object and some knitting needles, which she sets next to her for the moment as she gets comfortable in the still-empty compartment.

Over the last year, Danielle didn't exactly make herself a lot of friends, so once it comes time to rejoin the train and make her way in for a new year... well, there's no one really that she wants to catch up with, and no one who she thinks would want to catch up with her. As a result, she has nothing to do but to make her way into the first compartment that looks to have a free space, and she plops herself down without waiting for an invitation or even acknowledgment by anyone already in there. She nods to Seraphina, but she doesn't speak to her, just pulling a book out of her bag instead.

"Hello," Seraphina greets the younger girl with a polite nod. The seventh year picks up her knitting needles and stares intently at them for a moment, managing only a few awkward stitches before she puts them down in her lap again and glances to Danielle's book. "What are you reading?" she asks in a sort-of-friendly kind of way. The girl has never been particularly social, and even though she has calmed down as she has gotten older, the girl couldn't exactly be described as "friendly."

For a moment, Danielle doesn't seem to realise that she is the one being spoken to; then, she looks up with delight, a broad smile plastered across her lips, as she notices Seraphina. "Oh... it's just a book." She shifts in her seat, before adding, "It's just... Alice's Adventures In Wonderland, I suppose you've heard of it. I think everyone has, haven't they?" She flushes a little bit, and pushes her book aside. "I think it's very good, my mother wanted me to read it...

"I think my dad mentioned it once or something. It's a muggle thing, right?" Seraphina asks, peering at the book for a moment. "I've never read it, though." She looks down at the misshapen knitted item in her lap then sighs and sets it aside, crossing one leg over the other daintily and leaning back against the seat a bit. "I'm Seraphina," she tells the other girl. "Are you excited for this year?" The girl's conversation is cordial at best. She is uncertain as to where to direct the conversation since she knows little about Muggle things and apparently, despite her father's interest in them, has little interest in learning any more about them.

"Well... it's a book," Danielle replies, a little confused and flustered, but she shrugs her shoulders and hugs the book to her chest. "I don't think... well, it's about this girl, her name is Alice, and she ends up in this Wonderland..." She pauses for a moment, then shakes her head and tries again. "A lot of things happen to her, weird things that couldn't possibly be real, and... oh, I don't know, it's hard to explain, but it's very good. It's a classic!" She adds this last bit hurriedly, and a little pompously.

"Perhaps it was a charm of some kind, or an illusion," Seraphina suggests, based on the description. "A classic?" The older girl looks slightly puzzled. "Oh, a muggle classic, you mean," she mentions, shrugging a bit and giving a slightyl stunted smile. "Do you like to read a lot of books?" she asks the younger girl in a slightly out of character attempt to have true conversation. It will pass the time, even if they end up talking of muggle classics through the whole train ride.

"Maybe..." Danielle replies, a little skeptically; she seems a bit confused by Seraphina's questions. "I... well, the book has more to it than that. I mean, it's not magic, it's another land, there's proof of that in the book." She seems a little uncertain about this point, but she plows on regardless. "I mean, I don't read a LOT of classics... my mum thinks I should read more of them, to broaden my horizons, but I think most of them are dead boring...

It seems that Seraphina and Danielle are being equally confusing to one another, as Sera looks puzzled at the girl. "I suppose classics are important, though I'm not sure why muggle classics should be so important now you know you're a wizard. After all, you /aren't/ a muggle so..." Seraphina seems to be missing the point of Danielle's heritage and she shrugs once again. "I suppose if you /do/ want to read it, though... How can it be 'another world', though? Surely she knows where it is that she's gone or she wouldn't have gone there. Muggles are fairly simple that way, aren't they?"

"She went there by accident," Danielle replies, a little scathingly; it seems as though her feelings have been hurt, and she slinks down in her seat with a bit of a pout. Then, after a moment, she ventures, "Who said that I ever thought I was a muggle? Maybe I just like muggle books... or my mum likes muggle books, I bet you never thought of that, did you?" There's a touch of haughtiness in her tone, now. "Actually, I could be a pureblood wizard for, for, six generations for all you know."

"Well, I don't know many wizards who read muggle books who /aren't/ muggleborns or half-bloods." Seraphina leaves out the bit of information that she, herself, is a half-blood, and shrugs, managing not to look even the slightest bit bothered by Danielle's outburst. "At any rate, I can't think that your mum would prefer you to read muggle books instead of wizard books if she /were/ a wizard." The girl is most likely digging herself into a deeper hole with these comments, but she seems to be ignorant about how closed-minded that she is coming across and merely shrugs toward Danielle, taking this moment to pick up her project again and stare at it intently, as if doing so will miraculously make her comprehend how to accomplish the task.

"Well!" Danielle retorts, but this is where her cleverness ends, and instead she just opens her book again - then, red-faced, she turns her book up the right way. "There's no real difference between muggle books and wizard books anyway, that's just wizard pred-judish." She's clearly trying to be cold and scathing, but it doesn't work very well; she seems embarassed by the situation, mostly, and Seraphina is plainly making her feel quite uncomfortable.

"It isn't prejudiced if you're a wizard and /not/ actually a muggle," Seraphina argues, furrowing her eyebrows at Danielle and tucking some of her auburn hair back behind her ear. "Oh, it looks like we're nearly there," she states blandly, clearly changing the conversation. "It should be a good sorting. My little cousin will be sorted this term." She smiles blandly toward the younger girl and shrugs a bit as she manages just a few more stitches onto her who-knows-what project.

"Oh, good," Danielle replies blandly, trying her very best to lose herself in her book, her cheeks flushing slightly pink. And then, in the same, slightly haughty voice, she adds, "I don't know anyone who is being Sorted this year, so... it'll be a bit dull for me." Then, after a moment, and in a slightly brighter voice, "I hope the food's good, do you think there'll be... curried potato? Curried potato would be nice."

"I couldn't possibly say," Seraphina comments with a slight shrug toward the younger girl. "I'm sure there will be a good variety, though, and perhaps if you wish for it hard enough, there will be some," she offers vaguely. "Ah, it looks like we're nearly there," she states and stands up, stretching a bit. "I suppose we ought to make our way out so that we don't get stuck in the throng of students." The seventh year finishes stretching, then stows her knitting into her deep pocket on her robes. She offers Danielle a nod of her head and then moves out of the compartment and down the corridor where some other students have clearly gotten the same idea as she has.

After a moment of watching the older girl a bit stupidly, Danielle nods her head slightly in turn and follows her out into the corridor, her book tucked tightly under her arm. She doesn't make any move to join the older girl at all, though, just losing herself in the ever-increasing mass of students hanging around, waiting for the train to pull up. After the conversation with Seraphina, the young Danielle isn't bright and cheery, though; instead, she looks moody and a little pouty as the train pulls in closer to the school.

When the train pulls in to the station, Professor Quintus Helit is waiting on the platform, a brightly lit lantern in his hand which he idly swings back and forth. There doesn't seem to be any protective cover or windguard on it, but the light doesn't so much as flicker as he swings it from side to side. As students start filing off the train, he calls out in a gruff, projecting voice, "Alright, kids, first years this way! No, not that way, this way! Over here!" He raises the lantern above his head so he's more visible, beckoning to the smaller students with his other hand. "New first years, this way please!"

Seraphina is among the first of the students to exit the train, having left her compartment before the train arrived at the station. She pauses for a moment, listening to what Professor Helit has to say before she continues down the platform toward the carriages.

Caught in a mass of students, Danielle pads off the train, holding a book tightly to her chest and a small bag slung over her shoulder, and she looks up at the school with wonderment. As Professor Helit beckons to the first year students, she slips off to the side, looking for the alternative methods into the school - there's a trace of excitement behind her moody pouting, and her whole expression just lights up as she sees the carriages.

Piling out of the train with the rest of the students Vilivia Marqueen can easily see Professor Helit's lantern and make out his instructions. "Oh he's almost as handsome as Seker." She says softly before twisting a finger through one of her pigtails. She moves over to line up near the Professor and waits for his further instructions.

As the school comes into view, Courtney's mouth drops open, and he stares up at the castle in shock; whatever he was expecting, this isn't it. Oh, no, this isn't it at all. He casts his gaze around for someone to hang onto, and he can't seem to help himself but scoff at Vilivia. "He looks grouchy," he corrects her, though he does move to follow her closely. "Does Seker look that grouchy, too?"

Quinn Branigan is adjusting to wearing robes that are *gasp* black and he keeps smoothing them down, adjusting his eye patch and moving to follow where Quintus gestures and what not. He just looks a bit uncertain now as he sees people and counts people in his head.

Indira's eyes grow wide as she looks at all the students and tries to take in the activity around her. She hears the call for first years and wanders toward the direction of the voice until she comes to stand before Quintus. The girl seems dumbstruck as she stares at him for a moment, then her attention is diverted by all of the other first years surrounding her.

Quintus Helit enters the Great Hall with an entourage of damp, cold and otherwise muddled about first years following behind him. He doesn't say anything, just motions for them to stay in line, and to remain well-behaved. He nods, very slightly, to Astra as he catches her eye, but otherwise just remains stoic.

As Quintus leads them into the hall, Courtney's eyes just about pop out of his head. His jaw drops open and his eyes go wide, and he can hardly tear his eyes from the expansive hall, the lovely ceiling, and the sheer number of people watching him. It's a wonder he doesn't run into the student ahead of him!

When Vilivia enters the Great Hall she looks around and then eventually up at the ceiling in wonder. "Oh my but that's pretty! Look Courtney! It's the sky!" She reaches out and points and nearly bumps into another firstie in front of her. "Oh sorry! But just look up!" She cries and stares with mouth wide open at the magical ceiling.

The little girl stares at the massive great hall with slight anxiety in her green eyes as she follows the students in. She could feel her fingers shaking nervously, for she was still dwelling upon the fact that they had to do a test. Biting her lip to keep it from quivering in nervousness, she tries to walk as slow as possible in order to perhaps take the test last. Yes, she thinks, everyone just move in front of me. Maybe I'll go unnoticed.

As the group is herded into the Great Hall, Indira finds herself shocked by the grandeur of the room. No description from her brothers could have prepared her for this. "Wow," she whispers as she follows the group down the hall toward the front, gawking openly at the charmed ceiling until she comes to a stop with the rest of the group. It's at this moment that she realizes just how many other people are in the hall, and shuts her mouth with a start, her eyes widening. Well, it looks like this is the end for her. "I'll never pass the test in front of so many people!" the girl comments in utter shock to her companions.

Toby looks up at the ceiling at Vilivia's words and he, too, goes open-mouthed. He tears his eyes away from the ceiling and looks around the room nervously. So many eyes. Why is that girl staring at him? Does he have something on his face? He wipes his face. Is his hair messed up? He pats his head. Are his shoes untied? He looks at his feet. Nope. Tied. Everyone stop staring!

Walking in with a calm expression Celeste's eyes widen a bit at the sight of her surounding but she continues forward her face hiding most of her excitment as she walks in near the end of the line her golden braid swinging behind her. She takes a deep breath as they come to a halt and looks up a moment before retuning her gaze straight ahead once more.

Quinn Branigan adjusts his eye patch and looks up at the ceiling with a soft gasp and then a happy smile. He stays with who he's supposed to stay with and he doesn't say much. He is just taking everything in.

The hat sits on a stool in the front of the hall, and as everyone comes to a stop and the hall quiets down, the hat seems to become animated as it prepares to sing.

As the sorting hat finishes its song, Avery Fallon applauds for a moment, then clears her throat and procures a parchment from inside her robe pocket. She waits just a moment for the noise in the Great Hall to die down some, then states clearly that "Aldridge, Susan" will be the first to be sorted.

Sookie takes a seat on the stool and puts the sorting hat onto her head. There is a moment of near-silence while the hat deliberates until it finally announces that Sookie belongs in Hufflepuff!

After Sookie steps down to her table, Avery waits just a moment before announcing that the next student to be sorted is "Becton, Ravus." Ravus steps up to the hat and places it on his head. The hall is silent for a moment, save for some rustling and quiet whispers, until finally the hat announces that Ravus belongs in Ravenclaw! The boy gets off of the stool, places the hat back on it, then makes his way to Ravenclaw table.

"Bell, Anastacia," follows after Ravus takes his seat. Avery opens her scroll a bit more, then waits as this next student is sorted.

Anastacia moves nervously towards the once singing hat, wondering if this was the dreaded test giver. Her green eyes flicker with uncertainty, but she manages to keep a small smile on her lips as she walks up to the stool, picks up the hat, sits down upon the stool and places the large hat upon her head. Please don't eat me if I don't get this test right, she thinks, waiting apprehensively for the hat to speak its decision.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat, agreeing wholeheartedly with the decision of Slytherin.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat and thinks "yes, I want to be in Slytherin."

Anastacia removes the hat from her head and steps off from the stool and dashes over to the Slytherin Table to take a seat. Whew. It wasn't a test.

As Anastacia leaves the stool and goes to sit at her house table, Avery waits just a moment, then announces that the next student to be sorted is "Branigan, Quincy."

Quinn Branigan just cringes at his full name being said but he makes his way towards the hat and what not. Quincy, the bane of his name existence.

Quinn Branigan breathes and removes the hat, places it back on the stool and makes his way towards the appropriate table. Chuckling softly to himself, he waves and gets comfy.

When the hat is done deliberating and Quinn leaves the hat and the stool, Avery opens the scroll still more, then glances over the group of first years queued up. "Brennan, Niamh," follows Quinn in the queue.

Niamh steps up to the hat, placing it gingerly on her head. Silence pervades the hall for a moment before the hat makes its final decision. "Slytherin!" it announces. Niamh jumps off of the stool, placing the hat gently onto the stool once again, then walks quickly toward the Slytherin table.

Avery waits for the girl to be seated before stating that "Daniels, Ramsey" should take his turn.

Ramsey steps up to the hat and places it on his head, taking his turn at this sorting test. The hat deliberates for a moment before announcing to the hall that Ramsey belongs in Slytherin!

When Ramsey finally steps down from the stool and goes to his table, Avery opens her scroll just a bit more and announces that it is "Darling, Tobias" who must approach the hat next.

Toby's attention is drawn and he jumps with a start. He gives a quick look around and thinks to himself "What!? Am I in trouble? What'd I do?" Nobody calls him Tobias unless he's done something wrong. He makes his way to the front of the room as all of the others have and takes his seat.

Toby stands up with a smile, takes off the hat, and heads toward his seat. That wasn't so bad! But that girl at Hufflepuff is still staring at him. He takes a seat with the Gryffindors and sighs a sigh of relief.

Once Toby is sorted and he walks away from the stool, Avery announces that "Fallon, Arnold," is the next to be sorted. Only the slightest flicker of recognition registers as the boy steps up to the hat.

The hat is silent while it deliberates over Arnold Fallon, then it announces loud and clear that the boy belongs in Slytherin! After waiting for the applause to die down once again, Avery Fallon announces that "Levitt, Noreen" will be sorted.

Noreen takes her own turn on the stool, wearing the ancient hat. The girl looks terrified and her face is a peculiar green color, indicating that she may be about to get sick. Fortunately, the hat finishes deciding over Miss Levitt and announces that she should join the ranks of Gryffindor!

Avery applauds gently with the students of her house for a moment, then falls silent while waiting for the noise to abate. Once Noreen is settled at her table, it is "Llewellyn, Lavender"'s turn.

Lavender walks slowly to the hat and places it atop her head with very deliberate movements. Despite her slowness in approaching the hat, it stays for but a moment on her head before announcing that she, too, belongs in Gryffindor! With the same deliberation, she removes the hat and walks very steadily but quite slowly to her house table.

Once again, Avery pauses to applaud for her newest student, then she pauses to let the noise diminish. She clears her throat gently before announcing that "Marqueen, Vilivia" is next to be sorted.

Watching as student after student puts on the hat, Vilivia seems rather calm now that her name is called. After all moments ago she was nervous about the test but it seems everyone else is getting through alright and so she has no reason t fret anymore. She takes her tie and sits down the hat falling over her black pigtails blocking her eyes she tilts her head making a bit of a face wondering how many people have worn this old hat before her but reamains quiet about that.

Once the hat has announced her house Vilivia is quick to slip off the hat and run to her new house's table, Ravenclaw. She takes her seat grinning from ear to ear.

Once Vilivia has taken her place with her new housemates, Avery opens the scroll more and glances over it. "Marsden, Allen" is next on the list. The boy trips over his robes as he makes his way up to the hat, looking more exited than fearful. He scrambles up onto the seat and waits for just a moment.

The hat announces that Allan belongs in Gryffindor and the boy's face lights up. He takes the hat off, placing it haphazardly onto the stool before running down to his table. He slides a bit, nearly falling over, before he manages to scramble into a seat.

Avery Fallon stifles a smile as she applauds for the newest Gryffindor. The Astronomy teacher is more than halfway through her scroll at this point. She looks down at it for the next name, then tells the hall that it is "Moffet, Courtney"'s turn.

Shaking a little with nervous expectation, Courtney does not so much walk as stumble across the hall to the Sorting Hat, taking his seat and cramming the hat on his head, his eyes scrunched tightly shut. If he can't see them, they can't see him - and if they can't see him, getting tested and tried by the Hat can't be that big a deal! The relative nonchalance of those students who have already experienced it doesn't make it any better -- in fact, it seems to make him all the more tense!

When Mr. Moffet takes his seat, Avery declares that "Montgomery, Indira" is next to be sorted.

Jumping a bit when her name is called, Indira steps up to the stool slowly. Just before she puts the hat over her head, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. After a moment, she finally manages to place the sorting hat atop her head.

Now that it's over, Indira lets her breath out and jumps up from the stool. She places the hat carefully back onto the stool and grins a little bit as she practically runs over to Slytherin table and takes her place among its ranks.

After Indira joins the ranks of her new house, Avery pulls the scroll down more, then states the next name aloud for the hall: "Nolan, Celeste".

Celeste Nolan Looks at the hat with a curious stare before slowly stepping up to the stool and placing the hat neatly atop her head. She glances out at those in the room her expression showing a slight mixture of nervous excitement. She draws a deep breath trying her very best to remain calm.

As Celeste takes her place at her house table, Avery lengthens the scroll once again and takes just a moment to roll the top portion down, so as to make it less unwieldly. "Powell, Charlotte," is determined to be the next up to be sorted.

Charlotte takes her turn at the hat, plopping the hat onto her head. The hall is quiet while the hat decides Charlotte's home for the next seven years. It is another long moment before it finally declares that she belongs in Ravenclaw!

Avery Fallon waits for Charlotte to take her seat with the Ravenclaws before she calls out the next name: "Saunders, Leonard".

Leonard moves toward the stool and places the hat on his head as he sits down. The hat seems to ponder only a second before announcing that Leonard will go to Gryffindor!

Once Leonard has taken his seat with the Gryffindors, Avery announces that it is "Smithe, Lucia" who must next approach the sorting hat.

Having remained somewhat isolated and quiet for the train ride and the trip across the lake, the girl with the strange eyes leaned to the child next to her after the hat ceased it's song and murmured with no small amount of amazement, "Is it me, or did that had just talk?" It wouldn't be the first time, after all, that Lucy's nearly-blind eyes had decieved her. Unlike a great deal of her classmates, however, she doesn't appear outwardly nervous. In fact, she seems quite content, smiling quietly to herself as she waits and shifting about from foot to foot as she turns her colorless eyes toward the crowd of unsorted students, then those at their long tables, and then back again. When her name is called, she turns her gaze toward Professor Fallon and nods, having to take a moment to focus her weak vision so as to approach without bumping in to anyone. It takes her another long moment to work her way in to the seat and to place the hat on her head.

Lucy Smithe slides off the stool and takes the hat off her head, placing it neatly -- and quite carefully -- back on the stool where she found it, before turning and looking at the tables. Needing some help to be directed to her seat. But after a moment, she finds it well enough and takes her place with her new Hogwarts family.

Avery finds herself applauding once again as this lates student joins her house, then she pauses and waits for Lucy to take her seat. As silence comes over the students again, she states that "Toft, Albert" is the next in the queue.

Albert looks startled as his name is called, and he hesitates a moment, staring at the hat, before he finally approaches it. He places it on his head, and the hat takes a long moment before it tells the hall that Albert belongs in Slytherin!

The boy looks relieved as he removes the hat from his head and even grins while he walks to take his place at the Slytherin table. Another sign of recognition crosses Avery's face only briefly as she tells those in the Great Hall that "Wexler, Adelia" will be sorted next.

Adelia's face turns red as she walks quickly toward the hat, her robes clenched in her hands. She reluctantly lets them go in order to put the hat on her head as she takes her seat on the stool. The hat settles for a moment, then calls out: Gryffindor!

The girl wastes no time in removing the hat and placing it back on the stool before running down to join her brother at Gryffindor table. Avery waits a moment for the applaus and cheers to die down, then finally calls out the last name on her list: "Wexler, Oliver".

Oliver has waited through everyone else's sortings, and he has certainly gotten impatient. He walks quickly to the hat and pulls it down hard on his head, covering his eyes with it. The hat bows out his ears, it is pulled down so low. This comical sight does not last long, however, since the hat quickly announces that Oliver will belong in Ravenclaw!

The final applaus takes a moment longer than all the rest, so Avery takes this moment to finish rolling up her scroll and then turns and takes her seat at the faculty table. This year's sorting ceremony is now complete.

As the Sorting itself concludes, Astra rises from her seat at the faculty table and stands to face the vast hall and its many occupants. There's a beat between her standing up and her actual address of the students, but when she does speak it is clear and calm, using the natural acoustics of the room to make herself heard rather than magical spells. Turning to nod at Avery, she smiles tightly to the woman before shooting a smile to Quintus. "Thank you Professor Helit for your help with the Sorting and my gratitude to Professor Fallon for your assistance with bringing the first years safely to the school, it's always an exciting task." Addressing the school again, the headmistress draws herself up and continues. "I'm very glad to see you all back and hope that you've had a wonderful summer. For our new students, welcome to your new home. I'm sure that your fellow Housemates will help you get settled in quickly and comfortably." Pausing to look at the many faces, some new and m
any familiar, she grins sharply and gives a moment before she launches on.

The mood of her tone sobers but she continues the speech with the same efficient crisp pace. After a short span, she retrieves a piece of paper. Reading off the paper, she then continues. "Prefect picks for the fifth year students are as follows." "Congratulations to Gryffindor: Aaron Chapman and Marilyn Bennett. Congratulations to Ravenclaw: Anita McClure and Kirby Anderson. Congratulations to Slytherin: Iudhael Lleision and Melwyn Gwenap." "And congratulations to Hufflepuff: Robyn Donald and Gregory Warren." Coughing a little, she sets down the paper and takes another drink from her goblet. "I'm sure the seventh years are excited to know who will become the Head Boy and Head Girl for this year." Taking delight in this news, Astra purposely pauses to retrieve and sip from the goblet in her hand. Glancing over the various tables, she finishes this part of the speech with, "Congratulations are especially in order to Gryffindor Prefect, Colin Kavanagh who is Head Boy this year
and no less congratulations are in order to Hufflepuff Prefect Avril Mottershead who will be serving as Head Girl." Only now does the woman allow herself a brief respite to grin widely and watch any reactions that might take place.

Once things have settled back down, Astra clears her throat. "Of course, school wouldn't be school without a list of rules and regulations now would it? Your parents have charged us with the task of taking care of you and so we do our best to imitate them most times." "I know you're all *thrilled* over that!" The dry humor comes slowly to her, but she finally seems to be getting into the good spirits of the Sorting feast. "With that said I'm charged with telling you all that a list of banned items is posted on the Caretaker's office door and you'd do well to familiarize yourself with it. In addition, there is to be no running in the hallways." "Use of magic in the hallways or on the outside grounds without supervision or explicit permission by a teacher is strictly prohibited and will be dealt with accordingly." "As usual, the Forbidden Forest is exactly that - Forbidden and trespassers *will* be dealt with harshly." "Third year students and above are reminded to have their p
ermission slips to Hogsmeade signed and ready for the first weekend. Anyone who doesn't have this will not be allowed off school grounds." Clearing her throat, she looks around the hall. "Returning students know how I deal with rule breakers, I trust none of you will want to come to my office?" "Don't worry, you'll get to eat soon, but I have a few more announcements to make."

Waiting for about a minute to let students discuss among themselves, Astra finally holds up her hand for attention. "I have just a few more notices and reminders before we get to the pleasant task of eating." "I am also to inform you that all greenhouses are off limits to students unless you have express permission to be there outside of class." "Finally, there is to be absolutely no magical toys, candy, trinkets, or anything else of magical nature brought into Muggle Studies. If any of these items are found upon your person, Professor Helit will confiscate and dispose of them." Then taking one more very brief pause she then ends, "It looks to be an exciting and vibrant new term. I sincerely hope each of you finds as much fun as you do challenges." "Now let's eat."

(Slytherin) As the food appears in front of her, Seraphina breathes a sigh of relief. She was getting hungry. "Hello," she greets the group of new firsties fairly cordially, though with no enthusiasm to speak of. The young woman takes only the smallest bits of a variety of things, filling only about three quarters of her plate with the variety, then begins to pick at it and eat small bits at a time while looking around and discreetly taking a look at the new students at Slytherin table.

(Slytherin) Anastacia looks around a bit at the other students conversing and eating, barely paying attention to whatever had been said in the speech. She leans forward in her seat and places her elbows on the table as she rests her head upon her hands. Well, well, this is rather interesting. Her father told her nothing about how massive this feast was to be or how long it would last. She pursed her lips together as her gaze lingers upon a roll of bread as she grabs it up and begins to munch on it absentmindedly. While eating her bread, she allows her attention to wander again and lets it fall upon another little girl who she hadn't met yet. What had the hat said her name was, Indira? Feeling a bit chatty at the moment, she grins at Indira and offers up an enthusiastic, "Hello!"

Standing up from the faculty table, Astra looks over her fellow colleagues and then out to the sea of student faces. "As most of the returning students should know, I'm not one to stand on excessive formality after the Sorting feast. I'm going to retire myself for the evening. Prefects, when the younger students seem full and ready take them to their dormitories. I know that the first day here is always exciting, but do try to get some sleep tonight. You'll be better prepared for your classes." Brushing down her robes and stepping down from the dais the small woman takes her leave of the hall without so much as a sideways glance to any of the tables she passes.

Seraphina Pryor climbs through the stone entrance.

1937 Sorting – Courtney’s Perspective

He's seen himself off from the train, and been playing the big man all morning; now that he's on the train, though, Courtney seems to have lost himself in the crowd, cowering away from the biggest students and eventually slipping into a compartment that primarily contains students his own age and size. He surveys each person he sees with a vague, uncertain smile - after a moment, though, he seems to realise that this isn't doing much for his image, and he puffs himself up a bit more and glares at anyone smaller than him he comes across. Eventually, he plops into a seat and wraps his arms around the few possessions he still has with him, as if afraid someone might take them.

Coming in with Mister Toad tucked safely inside his cage Vilivia Marqueen sits in the first compartment she can find and waves to her mother from inside out the window. "I'll miss you Mummy!" She shouts and he mother blows her a goodbye kiss. The little pigtailed girl plops down into one of the seats and waits for the compartment to fill. She notices Courtney and offers the boy a smile. "Hello my name is Vilivia Marqueen. What's yours?"

Poking her head inside the compartment and peering around, Charlotte Powell seems to hesitate for a moment as her gaze falls on Vilivia and Courtney. Jostled by a student running by just outside, however, she decides to step inside, giving a small sort of wave, her face red. "I think we met before," She says vaguely to Vilivia, as if anyone could forget the situation under which they first exchanged words.

"Courtney," the young boy introduces himself, before he can think to do much else. "Courtney Moffet." Well, now that he's on this course of action, there's no point doing anything different with it. He reaches out a hand to Vilivia politely, perhaps even a little pompously. He glances out the window at the girl's mother, a slight scowl colouring his features for a moment before he affects a smile and he asks, in as even a tone as he can muster, "Is that your mother, then?" He enunciates his words a little more than necessary, eager to show that he's somewhat educated. Charlotte gets little more than a glance and a nod, though.

"Well I called her Mummy." Says Vilivia sharply in response to Courtney. "So yes she's my Mother. I beleieve that's obvious now." She giggles softly and takes the boy's hand polightly. "Careful I'm a married woman." The comment comes from nowhere and isn't explained. When the other girl enters the car Vilivia offers her a smile. "Yes I remember you. Welcome to the car. Have a seat will you? We'll all be good friends I'm sure."

Charlotte Powell stares at Vilivia for a moment in complete confusion before regaining her bearings and stepping further into the car. She slides into a seat, giving Courtney a warmer smile now. "I'm Charlotte." She volunteers, apparently deciding to pass over both the friends comment and the married comment.

"Is shaking hands something that you never, ever do with a married person?" Courtney replies, just as sharply, narrowing his brow and glaring at Vilivia. It's plain that he doesn't think much of this choice of carriage! It's too late to move though, everywhere else being fairly full, so he just tightens his grip on his possessions and scowls at Charlotte. "Are you married, as well?" He asks, a little rudely. "Or are you... normal?"

"Well I just thought I would inform you that I've been promised to one Seker Rathe once I'm seventeen so don't go gettting any ideas of falling madly in love with me or anything like that." Vilivia says all this very matter of factly and removes her hand from Courtney's with a small giggle. She looks to Charlotte and smiles. "You were the nice girl with the every flavor beans weren't you?" She asks, a little more in tune with reality it seems at the moment.

Charlotte Powell turns a delicate shade of pink, her chin lifting slightly. "Of course I'm normal! And no, I'm not married. I don't think I'll ever want to be married...boys are strange." She seems to realize suddenly that she's actually speaking to a boy, for she hurriedly adds, "Not that I mind them." Blushing more obviously now, she turns her attention to Vilivia with a tone of relief. "Yes, that was me...I still have some if you'd like." She begins digging around in her bag furiously.

With a derisive snort, Courtney nestles down into his seat and rolls his eyes at Vilivia. "I'll try to restrain myself," he tells her, shaking his head and turning his attention more fully on Charlotte. "I'm glad you're normal! Good grief, I've never known anyone proud to be promised to someone at age 11, she'd be trying to get out of it if she was sensible." Never mind that he's saying this right in front of her.

Vilivia doesn't seem to mind the boy's criticism. "Oh what do you know. You're just a boy. Seker Rathe is a MAN." She says with this dreamy look in her eyes. And of course the loo is interrupted at the promise of candy. "Oh my yes please!" Says the girl, her hand already extended to receive a bit of the randomly flavored delights.

Charlotte Powell looks up from her bag, momentarily distracted. "A man?" She asks, wrinkling her nose. "What would you want with one of those?" She leans forward towards Vilivia, saying in a loud whisper, "They smell funny, don't you think?" She giggles, returning to her search through her bag, though frowning after a moment. "I must have dropped them..." She stands quickly, collecting her things and sweeping back out into the corridor, muttering under her breath.

Courtney's eyes follow Charlotte as she leaves, and for a moment he looks as though he's about to follow her. Instead, though, he just shakes his head again and glances back at Vilivia. "Uh-huh. And what does he want with you, then? You're a kid. Is he a..." He stumbles over the word for a moment, "a... pederophile? Tone said that men who want to marry girls your age are pederophiles, and that's illegal."

Rolling her eyes as the other girl leaves Vilivia looks to the boy. "I've been betrothed to him for when I turn seventeen you silly boy." The girl's tone is highly imperious and what's more she seems to regard the boy as rather immature. "He's no pedophile. He's just willing to wait for me to blossom into womanhood obviously. His mum and my Daddy made the arrangements and we'll be married when I'm seventeen and out of school." "It's practically too long to expect me to wait though." Vilivia sighs and looks out the window as the train begins to make noise as if starting.

If Courtney seemed derisive before, that's nothing on how he looks now; he snorts and shakes his head again, peering out the window. "Right. Blossom into womanhood." His voice sounds bored, but knowledgable; his full knowledge of women and the process of becoming a woman involves veiled references by people older than him who didn't want him to know everything, and the gossip about what happens when a girl gets 'in trouble'. And this is the knowledge he puts into practice with the vague, off-hand remark, "At least you have someone lined up if someone gets you in trouble." It couldn't be plainer that he doesn't even really know what 'in trouble' means, but he knows it's got something to do with 'blossoming' and being unmarried.

"Why would I get in trouble?" Vilivia is mystified now about what Courtney is going on about. Apparently no one has given her the veiled comments that the boy has received. She decides to let it go however and sticks a finger in Mister Toad's cage to gently pet him under his chin. "Isn't he cute? My Auntie Vantilda bought him for me." She says with a smile looking the small toad over.

"Uh-huh," Courtney replies with a small nod, but he's not even looking at the toad; for all he knows, Vilivia could be talking about just about anything. He nestles back in his seat a bit further, slouched and round-shouldered, trying to make himself comfortable. Rather than even paying attention to Vilivia now, he's just staring out the window merrily. After a moment, he comments loudly, "Oooh, I think I just saw a cow!", as though this is the most fascinating part of the journey so far.

"A cow?" Vilivia looks out the window as well. How often does a girl like her get to see an actual live cow. "Do you think it was a bull? I here bulls will charge at muggle waving tablecloths." She says all this rather quickly and sets Mister Toad carefully aside as she watches out the window to see the cows.

Continuing to peer out the window, Courtney points as best he can, but it's no use; the cow is out of sight. "I don't think that's true, about the bulls. I've never heard that before, and who would be dumb enough to wave a tablecloth at a bull?" Because, obviously, his own experience is the only possible muggle experience. "I bet some wizard was making that up just to mislead you about muggles." The word seems unfamiliar to him, but he tries it anyway.

"Oh well it was just something I heard is all." Vilivia admits waving her hand dismissivly at the nasty rumour. "So are you a mudblood? I've never met a real life mudblood before." "Is it true your parents ride around in things called cars and shoot guns at each other?" The girl has obviously no idea that the word mudblood is offensive at all and keeps saying it as though it were a term everyone used.

Courtney scowls all the more at Vilivia now, turning to look at her rather than at the interesting cows. "I wouldn't know," he tells her icily, folding his arms across his tiny chest. "I've never met my real mum and dad." He turns to glare out the window again at this, huffily turning his back on Vilivia. If looks could kill, there would be a lot of dead trees between London and Hogwarts.

"Oh dear I'm very sorry." Vilivia is quick to appologize. "I had no idea you were an orphan. My Mummy says you're supposed to be extra nice to orphans because they can't help not having a family." Vilivia looks around the compartment quite uncomfortable now that the mood has gone so sour o account of her snobbishness. "I am sorry really Courtney. Sometimes my mouth says things before I think about it."

"I don't need you to be extra nice to me," Courtney replies bitingly, glancing up at Vilivia again. "In fact, if you're going to be nice to me because I have no parents, I'd prefer you didn't bother, since I bet I still came out of it being a better person than you." He turns to glare out the window again at this, leaning his elbows against it and, now, resolutely ignoring Vilivia.

"Well I'm still sorry. It was thoughtless of me to say such a thing to someone less fortunate than myself." Vilivia seems concerned as the boy turns away from her and watches as he ignores her trying every so often to start up a new conversation. "Do you think we'll end up in the same house at Hogwarts? My Mummy says theres a test of character to place you. I think you'll end up in a nice house probably." Her thinly veiled extra niceness floats across the car like a small sheepish whisper.

A few words fall from Courtney's lips, words that no good eleven year old should know, and in quite a rude tone. After a moment, though, he softens up and adds, "Alright, those were bad words, even for you. You could try being just a LITTLE less of a, a snob, though." He turns to look at her again, shaking his head at her with a scowl. "You're not better than anyone else, so don't say you are. That bugs people." These last three words are probably a given, but he says them anyways.

"Oh I'm not better than anyone." Vilivia sounds a little bewildered as to whee the boy got the idea that she, Vilivia Marqueen somehow thought she was better than someone else. The truth of the matter is she KNOWS shes better but she doesn't end up saying as much because the boy would be right and she'd have to hate that. "You're no worse than I am Courtney. I'm just a girl anyway." "Till I become a woman. Then I'll be Miss Seker Rathe" Again the girl goes off an a tangent about being married that lasts for a few minutes by the end of which nothing she has said probably made sense.

"Uh-huh," Courtney mumbles, shaking his head at Vilivia. He at least feigns interest in whatever she's talking about, which is a slight improvement over swearing at her and glaring out the window. Eventually, he adds, in a slightly weary voice, "I think it's Mrs. You'll be Mrs Seker Rathe, not Miss. Miss would mean... you weren't married and your name was Seker. But it's not. You told me it was," he screws up his face as he thinks. "Vilonia?" Yeah, that's it. "You're now Miss Vilonia Whatever. When you get married you'll be MISSUS Seker."

"Oh well you're right again of course." Vilivia blushes hating to admit that twice in the same conversation. "My name is Vilivia though. But you were close. Vilonia is a pretty name though after all." Vilivia ponders this for a little while quietly. "Do you think Seker would prefer my name be Vilonia? Is that a prettier name than Vilivia do you think?" The boy DID feign interest and now she's going to gab his ears off about the subject for as long as she can. "I just hope that I'm cur.... curvacious enough for him when I'm older you know. Right now I'm all legs" "My Mummy is "curvacious" so maybe that's a good sign for me."

"Of course," Courtney mumbles, sinking down even further in his chair; now his shoulderblades are barely on the back of it, but that's not a big problem for him - he's fine sprawling his legs out all over the carriage. A quick peek out the window, though, tells him that they're nearing the school, and he leaps to his feet very suddenly. "Look, that's Hogwarts ahead!" He interrupts Vilivia, talking over the top of her. "We'll have to get off the train, soon!" And finish this lovely conversation!

When the train pulls in to the station, Professor Quintus Helit is waiting on the platform, a brightly lit lantern in his hand which he idly swings back and forth. There doesn't seem to be any protective cover or windguard on it, but the light doesn't so much as flicker as he swings it from side to side. As students start filing off the train, he calls out in a gruff, projecting voice, "Alright, kids, first years this way! No, not that way, this way! Over here!" He raises the lantern above his head so he's more visible, beckoning to the smaller students with his other hand. "New first years, this way please!"

Seraphina is among the first of the students to exit the train, having left her compartment before the train arrived at the station. She pauses for a moment, listening to what Professor Helit has to say before she continues down the platform toward the carriages.

Caught in a mass of students, Danielle pads off the train, holding a book tightly to her chest and a small bag slung over her shoulder, and she looks up at the school with wonderment. As Professor Helit beckons to the first year students, she slips off to the side, looking for the alternative methods into the school - there's a trace of excitement behind her moody pouting, and her whole expression just lights up as she sees the carriages.

Piling out of the train with the rest of the students Vilivia Marqueen can easily see Professor Helit's lantern and make out his instructions. "Oh he's almost as handsome as Seker." She says softly before twisting a finger through one of her pigtails. She moves over to line up near the Professor and waits for his further instructions.

As the school comes into view, Courtney's mouth drops open, and he stares up at the castle in shock; whatever he was expecting, this isn't it. Oh, no, this isn't it at all. He casts his gaze around for someone to hang onto, and he can't seem to help himself but scoff at Vilivia. "He looks grouchy," he corrects her, though he does move to follow her closely. "Does Seker look that grouchy, too?"

Quinn Branigan is adjusting to wearing robes that are *gasp* black and he keeps smoothing them down, adjusting his eye patch and moving to follow where Quintus gestures and what not. He just looks a bit uncertain now as he sees people and counts people in his head.

Indira's eyes grow wide as she looks at all the students and tries to take in the activity around her. She hears the call for first years and wanders toward the direction of the voice until she comes to stand before Quintus. The girl seems dumbstruck as she stares at him for a moment, then her attention is diverted by all of the other first years surrounding her.

He's just Quinn? What was a Quinn? Anastacia mused thoughtfully over this word, for it boggled her that his costume choice had such a weird name. Nevertheless, Anastacia exits the train with the thought of the strange boy sinking deeply in her mind. She throws a quick look over her shoulder to see if the costumed boy was following her. Turning her head back to look at the crowd of students again, Anastacia gives the yelling adult a curious look and heads in his direction. She was not even going to comment on what he was wearing, figuring that everyone wears strange things in this school.

The Wexler and Fallon clan all exit the train in a big clump, with the exception of Oliver who seems to be keeping his distance from the lot of them. The chatter among the group dies down as Quintus speaks, then the older kids move off toward the carriages as Adelia, Arnold and Oliver remain behind with the rest of the firsties.

Once he's satisfied that all the first years are following him, Quintus motions for them to follow him down to the lake. As they near the lake shore, he announces, "Anyone care to swim across?" He smirks at his own joke, before indicating the boats and announcing, "Hop in the boats in an orderly fashion! No more than four to a boat, please. No pushing or shoving in the boats, because I won't save you if you fall in because you were messing around." With that, he steps into the first of the boats, indicating for the students to follow him, and watching carefully for any bad behaviour.

As the group of firsties approach the lake, Indira seems to be feeling more and more apprehensive. It's dark and the water looks slightly ominous to the girl as she stays a bit close to Toby. "I don't suppose you know anything about this, do you?" she asks the other firstie, biting her lip. She gasps at Quintus's suggestion that she'd want to swim, then follows Toby onto a boat very quickly.

Following after Quintus Vilivia stays close to Courtney. After all he's such a good listener. "My bt the castle is big! I hadn't really thought it would be so huge." Gasps the little girl sticking close to the friend she made on the train. "Do you think we'll get to do that test and then eat? I'm getting really rather hungry to tell the truth."

"I hope so," Courtney hisses back to Vilivia; for all that she's getting on his nerves, she's the only one he recognises, so he hops into a boat and indicates for her to follow him. "I hope the test isn't too hard, no one wants to tell me what it is, apparently it's a surprise."

"There's a test?" Indira asks, leaning over a bit to look at Courtney in his boat. "I hope it's not too hard," she comments, looking to Toby nervously. "Do you know anything about a test?" she asks the boy, looking at the others in the boat with the same question, though she doesn't ask it to each person individually.

Anastacia quirks an eyebrow at the man's words. Swim across, her? Heck yeah. She rubbed her hands together in anticipation at the thought of swimming, but once she figured out it was a joke she looked rather depressed. Instead her little shoulders sunk and she boarded one of the boats quietly. Her green eyes give one glance around at the crowd of her fellow peers, wondering if she knew anyone. Spying Ravus and Celeste, she nearly jumps up in her seat and throws them a little wave.

Toby finds a seat and offers the one next to him to Indira. "Want to sit with me, Indira? You're about the only person I know so far." He smiles and waves her over.

; boards the boat with Courtney. "Oh yes there is a test. I don't know what it is but it's to see what house you are going to." Vilivia gets settled in the boat and looks out over the side int the water. "Oh I wonder if we'll see any mer-people? They are supposed to live in the lake you know. My Mummy told me that."

Chewing her thumb nail nervously, Sookie climbs on the boat anxiously. With a sigh of relief upon taking her seatm (no swimming for Sookie!), the girl straightens her back and folds her hands in her lap. Wide-eyed she watches as the scenery passes by. "Wow--" is all she can muster--eyes still wide.

Vilivia boards the boat with Courtney. "Oh yes there is a test. I don't know what it is but it's to see what house you are going to." Vilivia gets settled in the boat and looks out over the side int the water. "Oh I wonder if we'll see any mer-people? They are supposed to live in the lake you know. My Mummy told me that."(Repose)

Feeling quite bombarded by stupidity; Ravus finally spoke up after being quiet nearly the entire time. He said, "Don't be stupid, no way that this guy can make a group of eleven year olds swim across anything." His dark eyes scanned around him, as he found the voice of the one who was plotting to swim across the entire lake. He continued, "Dad says that we won't have to do much our first day here, other than get Sorted, and find our Common Roomsso no way." He didn't really know for sure if he would have to swim, but his tailored tie suggested that he didn't attempt such a thing.

The fleet pushes off from shore in near unison. As the boats progress silently through the water, they leave no wake behind. Drifting along, the boats travel in an unhurried fashion, moving over the darkened waters in a loose group, but always remaining together. The chilly night's breeze is more apparent here upon the lake.

Indira Montgomery takes her seat next to Toby, gripping it rather nervously as she peers into the dark water. "This boat doesn't feel very safe," she comments and stares around at the others. "Maybe I should have gotten into that one. It looks sturdier." Indira's fears seem to be getting the better of her as the boats push off of their own accord. She lets out an audible squeak, covering her mouth quickly to stifle the rest.

Quinn Branigan settles down towards the side of the boat, peering at the water and humming softly to himself as he watches the water like a hawk.

"Oh, there's a test," Quintus replies mildly, though he's not looking at any first year in particular, now; instead, he's peering ahead through the darkness, trying to see where they're going. As he glances back (as much to be polite as to make sure no one is being raucous on the boats), he smirks and adds, "No one dares talk about it after they've done it though. Incidentally, I'm Professor Helit. I'm Head of Hufflepuff house."

"Merpeople exist?" Courtney asks in surprise, before shaking his head and settling into his boat. "I mean... of course they do. That was silly." His cheeks flush a bit pink, and he peers over the side of the boat, trying to see anything in the water. The breeze is colder, here, and he shivers visibly, and wraps his little arms even more tightly around himself.

Standing near the front of the boat, Ravus looked out at the open waters, wondering what actually lurked in the gloomy depths. Casting his eyes through the darkness, he spun around quickly to find the ice cream girl. As he turned, he heard Quintus say something about 'Hufflepuff', forcing a slight 'pfft' sound to vibrate from his lips. Looking back he said, Anastacia, you around here somewhere?

"Oh yes. Merpeople are real." "It's grindylows that don't exist I think. I know it's ONE of those water things." Vilivia ponders for a moment as the boat drifts along under it's own magical movement. She looks to Quintus and gulps visibly. "Professor Helit, is the test very painful? If so why don't we just skip it this year? After all I don't like pain very much."

Toby nods to Indira. "Yeah, this is a little rickety. I think it'll be okay, though. We have magic on our side, after all!" He smiles. "As long as nobody rocks the boat I'm not too worried. But I do hear there's a giant squid, though." He looks a little nervous. "Do you think it likes people or /likes/ people?"

Celeste Nolan gazes down into the water intently before looking up slightly and smiling at Anastacia. Giving her nod she greets her with a slight smile "Hello again." She shift in her seat and glaces about before turning back to the girl for a reply.

Frowning at the notion of a test, Sookie wrinkles her nose, and says to no one in particular, "The letter didn't say /anything/ about a test." With heavy sigh, she crosses her arms over her chest and ponders whether to take Quintus seriously. Like the other girls, Sookie looks in the water for these supposed Merpeople.

Anastacia sits meekly in her seat once the boats begin taking off. She leans only to the right to stare down at the water, pretty much forgetting the scenery entirely. Her only interest was seeing the creatures that her father talked about constantly, but even that was hard for the little girl to do in the chilly night. Stretching one of her hands off the side of the boat, she looks like she is about to touch the water but then thinks otherwise and places them neatly in her lap when she hears a familiar voice call to her. "Oi! Hello, Celeste!"

"I agree!" Indira states rather emphatically in response to Vilivia's statement. "I don't like---" she comments, stopping short and looking away. The girl seems to have totally lost her train of thought and it seems she is thinking very hard to try to remember what it was that she was going to say as far as the rest of her statement goes. "I don't know much magic, really. Mum and dad told me I'm not allowed to do any at home until I'm of age." She pauses, apparently having finally given up on what she was going to say to Vilivia. "Can you imagine? It's so unfair." The girl sighs and leans just a little bit over to look into the water, still gripping tightly onto the boat.

As the fleet continues forward, the southern shore recedes into the distance, and is lost in loose tendrils of smoky fog. The northern shore is not yet in view, concealed as it is by a thicker blanket of pale haze. The air is cooler over the lake, and as the boats drift further onto the water, there a more pronounced breeze that nips through robe and sweater alike.

"Oh, it LIKES people, alright," Quintus remarks, now turning more fully to keep an eye on each of the students, watching them carefully. There's still a trace of a smirk at his lips as he speaks, though. "And no, you will not be exempt from the test. Mister -" He creases his brow, but points straight at Ravus, "these boats are for sitting, not for standing, and I won't be the one to explain to your parents what happened when you were fool enough to stand up on a moving boat."

"I just hope they don't expect a miracle out of me that's all." Vilivia finally expresses some self doubt as the boats drift lazily along. She looks across to Indira and smiles trying to appear brave in the face of almost certain doom. Doom being the terrible test that lies ahead for them. When Quintus scolds Ravus for standing Vilivia giggles. "Yeah sit down Mop head."

Celeste Nolan shivers in the cold but still smiles brightly at Anastacia and asks "How have you been?" looking down she sees the girl put her hands close to the water and she grins "You like water I take it?"

Even with all the discussion of testing going on around him, and with his desire to seem as worldly as any of the wizard-born fellow students, Courtney is rather distracted by the looming sight of the castle. Sure, he's shivering like mad under his school robes, and his mouth is wide open with surprise as he looks around him, but at least he seems to be enjoying himself.

Casting a dark glance towards the professor, Ravus took his seat in the boat, as he crossed his arms, and put his head down. His dreads covered his face as he muttered to himself, "Hufflepuff thing he can tell me what to do, I'm tellin' dad." A fit brought on by his spoiled nature, the young man soon recovered from his ways, as he twisted his back to look at the many students that he knew, one the moron he met in Diagon Alley. He said, "Shut up, you poor Marqueen with the fairy tale parents." Switching back around, he placed his hands on his cheeks, as he began to grind his teeth with anger.

"Be /quiet/!" Indira tells Ravus in utter shock. "Do you want to be expelled before you're evne sorted?" The girl looks utterly horrified at the boy, glancing to the others in her boat to gauge their reactions. "Who do you think you /are/ anyway, you stupid boy?" The girl's words don't seem to speak kindly on her own attitude at the moment, but then Indira is not one to take such comments lightly.

After this muttering and mumbling, Quintus seems to be keeping a rather closer eye on Ravus, falling silent now and refraining from adding anything more. As the boats pull forward into the fog, he adjusts his sitting position a little, but makes no further effort to protect against the damp and cold.

"Of course I like the water! I haven't seen much of it where I live and my dad hardly lets me get wet. Which is a pity in itself." Anastacia answers Celeste in a much too excited voice. "Do you like the water too? If so I heard there is creatures in there, maybe we can try to trap one with our hands?"

The fleet has begun to move through the steadily increasing fog now, reducing visibility to a scant metre or two. Dim lights from the lanterns on the other boats of the fleet can be seen, flickering softly in the wind. The breeze is gentle, but consistent and quite cold out here upon the nearly still nighttime waters, where is there is no shelter and no warming fire. The only company is the steady rocking of the boats and the dim lights of boat lanterns.

Once reassured that the students are being a bit more calm, Quintus returns to the regular scheduled teasing of the new students. "Oh no," he mutters to himself, loud enough to be heard, but soft enough that it could reasonably be taken as a comment to himself. "I hope we're not going off-track... I'll get in awful trouble from the Headmistress if I lose another batch of first years!"

"Fairytale parents...." Mutters Vilivia wondering what that could possibly intale. She goes silent to comptemplate this before she decides it's rather not an insult at all. Who wouldn't want fairy tale parents! "Why thank you Rant'n Ravus!" She says with a small giggle. "I told you we'd all just be splendid friends at Hogwarts and now look at us!"

smiling Celeste nods "I do enjoy the water and the ocean to be precise. We used to live close to the water so I enjoy swimming a great deal." Hearing what Quintus said she shrugs not really worried or at least not appearing to be.

Sighing heavily, Ravus did all he could to turn out the uppity voice which continued to ring in his ear from the two stupid girls behind him. Taking both index fingers, he plugged his ears not wanting to hear any more of the ignorance that had to come from either Marqueen or the new girl who didn't have a clue. Laying his head in his lap, the young man attempted to isolate himself from the rest of his classmates, using his eclipsing long dreads a shell to house the rest of his face. In his mind he thought, "Ugh, can it get any better?"

Indira gasps loudly as Quintus makes a comment about being off-track. "We aren't /lost/, are we?" she asks him, looking incredibly worried. "Oh no, oh no, oh no," the girl says quietly to herself, biting her lip. Her cheeks are red from the cold, but the color in the rest of her face seems to have drained of color as she looks around and sees a wide expanse of water surrounding them.

As the fog draws over the first years and the castle slips out of view, Courtney has nothing to do except listen to Quintus, and this causes some trepidation. He leans over and whispers to Vilivia, "He's joking, isn't he? If he loses first years, he wouldn't be ALLOWED..." But there's still a hint of worry in his voice.

Cringeing when she hear's Quintus's teasing Vilivia looks up from the water. "We aren't going to drown. My father would be most displeased with you Professor." She says this in the most respectfully small voice she can muster. After all Quintus is the only adult and should she nearly drown she'd hope he'd save to politest child first

A hesitant wave is given to Ravus after he draws attention to himself, and then Sookie's eyes widen further at Quintus' words. Turning to one of the people in her boat, she frowns, "Do you suppose he's kidding? We can't be lost, can we? There must be /some/ magical way to get un-lost. . ." She chews her thumb nail anxiously once again.

The fleet has begun to pick up speed, accelerating rapidly towards the northern shore. Clear of fog, all that remains of the distant haze is what marks the barriers to the southern and eastern shores, the mist lapping on top of the water but the fleet has now broken free of its grasp. Remarkably, the boats still leave no wake to mark their passage across the water. The speed causes the brisk air to hurtle past, reducing the apparent temperature further and setting the lantern lights to flickering even more, though none of them have gone out.

There's a lurch of acceleration, and Quintus seems momentarily put off by the change. He still doesn't shiver in the cold, but he draws his arms still tighter about himself, and makes a big show of looking around. "Oh, there we are, we can see a bit better now! There's a chance we'll make it out alive!" His expression is very deadpan, but that may give it away; there's no worry or concern at all, just blankness.

Looking a tad bit disappointed that Celeste didn't give into her plans, Anastacia decides to press her a little bit more, "I say do you see any of those creatures yet? I heard they make good pets." The little girl peers out of the boat with her green eyes, but couldn't see much since the fog was getting thicker. Upon hearing the man muttering something about them being off track, Anastacia appeared rather giddy. She clapped her hands together and mouthed to Celeste in a quiet voice, "Did you hear! He said we're lost, maybe we'll have a better chance of catching something."

"Oh now he's just messing with us." Vilivia sighs a breath of comfort and looks to Courtney. "He has to be joking. If he lost us where would we go. It's not like this is the Bermuda Triangle aor something." The girl giggles softly and looks over the edge of the boat again..

Looking down into the depths of the inky black water Celeste shakes her head "I don't see anything no...what all could be in there anyway it looks...endless and I'm not sure anything would be near the surface anyhow....whatever creature are i there are probally down too dep for reach." she looks at Anastacia and smiles "but still its an intresting idea"

Although he doesn't seem quite convinced, Courtney relaxes a little at Vilivia's words - and then more, as the fog starts to lift, and their vision begins to return. "Oh, well... you're right, I suppose there's only so many places to go on a lake..." He watches Quintus carefully, though, and a bit uncertainly.

The fleet has now passed into the shadow cast by the Castle and descended into absolute darkness, evading the dancing lights that reflected from the windows above. The lantern lights, which have remained so faithful during the journey, have abruptly faded away. Only the steady flow of cold night air moving past indicates that the boats are still moving; there is no other sensation of motion.

The boats continue to drift, and then, very suddenly, plunge into darkness; Quintus allows himself a small smile at this point, feeling quite sure that he is out of sight, and only his voice can be heard drifting out over the lake, "Don't be alarmed, nothing too bad could possibly be happening... I hope." He grins, but only those closest or with remarkably good night vision could possibly tell.

Creatures, tests, being lost on the lake... all of this is even worse than Indira expected of her sorting day! Her brothers were generally enthusiastic about their sorting days so the girl is really quite nervous now, even more than she was while on the train or even when the group of them entered the boats. "Ohhhh, do you think we'll get there soon?" Indira asks nobody in particular as she stares over the edge of the boat, still gripping her seat and looking very uneasy.

Vilivia shivers as the air grows steadily colder. "I wish I had worn warmer robes now." Is all she can think to say before wrapping her arms around herself in an attempt to warm up. When they are plunged into dark is when the girl lets out and audiable sqeak. "That's not funny Professor...." she stutters no longer convinced that they arent lost. "I hope so!" Answers out i the dark to Indira.

Anastacia leans over the side of the boat when the fog begins to clear, thinking she sees something in the depths. Her hand stretches out once more as she lets her fingers caress the water, but unfortunately nothing comes up to the surface. "Bah, I'm thinking they're afraid of the movement from the boats. Or maybe they're ill today and in bed?" She lets out a little "whoa" as she feels herself nearly slipping out of her seat and quickly pulls herself back up, rocking the boat as she plops back down. "Whew! close one there. Though I wouldn't mind the swim." She throws Celeste a quick grin before trying to get her heart rate to slow down.

The sudden darkness causes Sookie squeal involuntarily and reach out towards one of the other bodies in her boat. "We have to be, don't we?" she responds nervously to Indira. "We can't be lost, can we? He's joking, right?" she asks the people in her boat.

"Don't tempt them," Quintus calls out warningly. "You could try to attract a merperson and end up being lunch - or dinner, rather - for the giant squid." This seems to be more a general warning than anything directed at Anastacia in particular - after all, he can no more see through the dark than they can.

The fleet has halted at the lakeshore just below the castle, the transition from movement to rest having occurred smoothly, but without warning. Dim reflected light illuminates a stone stairway, worn smooth with age and use, with steps rising for two metres before disappearing over the cliff top. You can now DISEMBARK.

As Indira seems to be losing all hope of ever getting to Hogwarts, the castle seems to loom in front of her and she breathes a slight sigh of relief. "That's the school, right?" she mentions to Sookie and Vilivia, glancing briefly to Toby as she says this. "Oh, I think I see the shore!" the girl comments, raising her rear off of the seat slightly before she realizes what she's doing, then sits back down again quickly, her hands still clamped to the seat nervously.

Lifting his head, Ravus looked around after unplugging his ears, while letting the wind catch his hair. Listening to the voices behind him he said, "Of course he's kidding Sookie, no way that someone who is a teacher would be so incompetent to let us get lost. Well, I hope." Looking back up towards the Professor, the young man searched his face to see if he could find common ground in his face. He wouldn't get them lost in a lake with a large array of creatures would he? As he turned around, his question was answered, as the large castle appeared in front of him like some sort of mythical being. Even he couldn't stop himself from gasping, as he nearly hopped out of his seat again, yet he kept /most/ of his composure. His brown eyes were quite large now as he said, "Is everyone seeing this?! Dad never told me it was /this/ big!!"

"Oh thank Merlin's beard!" Cries Vilivia as Indira mentions the shore. "The Professor had me really worried for a moment." She whispers this to Courtney hoping to not be heard by Quintus. "I hope they let us warm up enough before the test though I'm frozen I swear it."

"/Is/ that the school?" Courtney calls out in a hoarse whisper, looking around for someone who can confirm or deny this for him, squinting through the newly appeared dim light. "It's a bit hard to... no, it must be, of course it is, forget I said anything. Forget I asked!" He calls out after a moment, a little concerned.

"Alright," as the boats stop moving, Quintus stands up and calls out across the group of excited students, "once your boat has stopped COMPLETELY, stand up and move this way, come now, and follow me into the castle." He steps out of his boat onto the shore, motioning for everyone to come with him.

A sigh of relief is emitted from Sookie's lips. "Thank goodness! I was concerned back there in the dark!" She beams at Indira, and then offers the same bright smile to Ravus. The castle is beyond anything the girl could've imagined. Wide-eyed the girl continues to beam.

Giant Squid? Her father told her nothing about a giant squid, or perhaps she didn't pay him any heed. While she thought the idea would be nice to see the squid, she didn't think it would make a good pet one bit. How could you shove one in a cage anyways? Her thoughts were soon washed away though when she caught sight of a massive castle looming over them. Anastacia buzzes with excitement as she stretches one of her arms out and points at the castle. "Look! Celeste! See It's the castle! It's sooo much bigger than I imagined!"

Her eyes widen and she bite her lip to keep her jaw from dropping as the school is revealed. Listening to the other around her she shrugs not saying anything as she was not worried in the first place.

Indira stands up as the boat stops at the shore and breathes a deep sigh of relief. They've made it alright! She makes her way carefully out of the boat once she finally loosens her grip from the seat and stands on the shore, as far away from the water as she can get without actually being able to be accused of straying from the group. She waves her arm to Sookie and Toby, both of whom shared her boat, trying to get them to join her so that she won't be alone just yet.

Toby heeds Indira's call and carefully steps from the boat and in her direction. He slips a bit stepping out of the boat and almost plants his face on the floor of the boat but catches himself before Sir Newton takes the wheel. He looks over his shoulders hoping nobody noticed his little acrobatic episode and smiles at Indira.

Walking at a steady pace, Quintus makes his way into the castle, motioning for all the first years to come along with him. As they enter the castle, he pauses for a moment just outside the Great Hall, observing, "Now, just through this door... this is where your testing will take place."

"Testing!" Indira comments again, going pale all over again as she looks at Toby and then at Sookie in pure horror. "I suppose they're really /serious/ about the test. What if I /fail/?" she asks them, panicing slightly. Indira's historically spotty attention span seems to have vanished for the moment in her panic and fear.

Glad to be in a somewhat warmer place after the walk Vilivia looks blearily at Quintus. "What? Already? Is the test going to be boy girl boy girl? Can I go last?" She sighs and tries to get warmed up as much as possible. "At least let me warm up and have some tea. Mummy says only savages go without tea after it's cold."

Toby gazes at the tapestries on the wall as he enters the room. He glances around the room at the nervous faces. He bounces from foot to foot impatiently and turns to Indira. "I've never heard of this test. I'm not sure it's really real." He shrugs at her. "I think my dad would have warned me. But it's been a looooooong time since he was here."

Anastacia strides happily into the room following the other students closely. However a slight frown crosses her face when she hears the oddly dressed man's words. A test?! Oh dear, oh dear, she hadn't prepared at all for a test. She thought it was just a silly hat that she was supposed to wear, not a test. She shivered lightly peering around at the other students for their reactions.

"Why would it be boy, girl, boy, girl?" Courtney asks Vilivia, but he looks nervous and much paler than usual as the subject of testing is brought up, and his hands are shaking a little - not just from the cold - as he waits for further instructions.

Celeste Nolan enters the castle casting curious looks from the corners of her eyes. Her hands are at her sides as she moves swiftly to keep up with the others. Not really seeing the point in worring her expression is relaxed and her stride confident.

Quintus Helit enters the Great Hall with an entourage of damp, cold and otherwise muddled about first years following behind him. He doesn't say anything, just motions for them to stay in line, and to remain well-behaved. He nods, very slightly, to Astra as he catches her eye, but otherwise just remains stoic.

As Quintus leads them into the hall, Courtney's eyes just about pop out of his head. His jaw drops open and his eyes go wide, and he can hardly tear his eyes from the expansive hall, the lovely ceiling, and the sheer number of people watching him. It's a wonder he doesn't run into the student ahead of him!

When Vilivia enters the Great Hall she looks around and then eventually up at the ceiling in wonder. "Oh my but that's pretty! Look Courtney! It's the sky!" She reaches out and points and nearly bumps into another firstie in front of her. "Oh sorry! But just look up!" She cries and stares with mouth wide open at the magical ceiling.

The little girl stares at the massive great hall with slight anxiety in her green eyes as she follows the students in. She could feel her fingers shaking nervously, for she was still dwelling upon the fact that they had to do a test. Biting her lip to keep it from quivering in nervousness, she tries to walk as slow as possible in order to perhaps take the test last. Yes, she thinks, everyone just move in front of me. Maybe I'll go unnoticed.

As the group is herded into the Great Hall, Indira finds herself shocked by the grandeur of the room. No description from her brothers could have prepared her for this. "Wow," she whispers as she follows the group down the hall toward the front, gawking openly at the charmed ceiling until she comes to a stop with the rest of the group. It's at this moment that she realizes just how many other people are in the hall, and shuts her mouth with a start, her eyes widening. Well, it looks like this is the end for her. "I'll never pass the test in front of so many people!" the girl comments in utter shock to her companions.

Toby looks up at the ceiling at Vilivia's words and he, too, goes open-mouthed. He tears his eyes away from the ceiling and looks around the room nervously. So many eyes. Why is that girl staring at him? Does he have something on his face? He wipes his face. Is his hair messed up? He pats his head. Are his shoes untied? He looks at his feet. Nope. Tied. Everyone stop staring!

Walking in with a calm expression Celeste's eyes widen a bit at the sight of her surounding but she continues forward her face hiding most of her excitment as she walks in near the end of the line her golden braid swinging behind her. She takes a deep breath as they come to a halt and looks up a moment before retuning her gaze straight ahead once more.

Quinn Branigan adjusts his eye patch and looks up at the ceiling with a soft gasp and then a happy smile. He stays with who he's supposed to stay with and he doesn't say much. He is just taking everything in.

The hat sits on a stool in the front of the hall, and as everyone comes to a stop and the hall quiets down, the hat seems to become animated as it prepares to sing.

As the sorting hat finishes its song, Avery Fallon applauds for a moment, then clears her throat and procures a parchment from inside her robe pocket. She waits just a moment for the noise in the Great Hall to die down some, then states clearly that "Aldridge, Susan" will be the first to be sorted.

Sookie takes a seat on the stool and puts the sorting hat onto her head. There is a moment of near-silence while the hat deliberates until it finally announces that Sookie belongs in Hufflepuff!

After Sookie steps down to her table, Avery waits just a moment before announcing that the next student to be sorted is "Becton, Ravus." Ravus steps up to the hat and places it on his head. The hall is silent for a moment, save for some rustling and quiet whispers, until finally the hat announces that Ravus belongs in Ravenclaw! The boy gets off of the stool, places the hat back on it, then makes his way to Ravenclaw table.

"Bell, Anastacia," follows after Ravus takes his seat. Avery opens her scroll a bit more, then waits as this next student is sorted.

Anastacia moves nervously towards the once singing hat, wondering if this was the dreaded test giver. Her green eyes flicker with uncertainty, but she manages to keep a small smile on her lips as she walks up to the stool, picks up the hat, sits down upon the stool and places the large hat upon her head. Please don't eat me if I don't get this test right, she thinks, waiting apprehensively for the hat to speak its decision.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat, agreeing wholeheartedly with the decision of Slytherin.

Anastacia nods excitedly at the words coming from the hat and thinks "yes, I want to be in Slytherin."

Anastacia removes the hat from her head and steps off from the stool and dashes over to the Slytherin Table to take a seat. Whew. It wasn't a test.

As Anastacia leaves the stool and goes to sit at her house table, Avery waits just a moment, then announces that the next student to be sorted is "Branigan, Quincy."

Quinn Branigan just cringes at his full name being said but he makes his way towards the hat and what not. Quincy, the bane of his name existence.

Quinn Branigan breathes and removes the hat, places it back on the stool and makes his way towards the appropriate table. Chuckling softly to himself, he waves and gets comfy.

When the hat is done deliberating and Quinn leaves the hat and the stool, Avery opens the scroll still more, then glances over the group of first years queued up. "Brennan, Niamh," follows Quinn in the queue.

Niamh steps up to the hat, placing it gingerly on her head. Silence pervades the hall for a moment before the hat makes its final decision. "Slytherin!" it announces. Niamh jumps off of the stool, placing the hat gently onto the stool once again, then walks quickly toward the Slytherin table.

Avery waits for the girl to be seated before stating that "Daniels, Ramsey" should take his turn.

Ramsey steps up to the hat and places it on his head, taking his turn at this sorting test. The hat deliberates for a moment before announcing to the hall that Ramsey belongs in Slytherin!

When Ramsey finally steps down from the stool and goes to his table, Avery opens her scroll just a bit more and announces that it is "Darling, Tobias" who must approach the hat next.

Toby's attention is drawn and he jumps with a start. He gives a quick look around and thinks to himself "What!? Am I in trouble? What'd I do?" Nobody calls him Tobias unless he's done something wrong. He makes his way to the front of the room as all of the others have and takes his seat.

Toby stands up with a smile, takes off the hat, and heads toward his seat. That wasn't so bad! But that girl at Hufflepuff is still staring at him. He takes a seat with the Gryffindors and sighs a sigh of relief.

Once Toby is sorted and he walks away from the stool, Avery announces that "Fallon, Arnold," is the next to be sorted. Only the slightest flicker of recognition registers as the boy steps up to the hat.

The hat is silent while it deliberates over Arnold Fallon, then it announces loud and clear that the boy belongs in Slytherin! After waiting for the applause to die down once again, Avery Fallon announces that "Levitt, Noreen" will be sorted.

Noreen takes her own turn on the stool, wearing the ancient hat. The girl looks terrified and her face is a peculiar green color, indicating that she may be about to get sick. Fortunately, the hat finishes deciding over Miss Levitt and announces that she should join the ranks of Gryffindor!

Avery applauds gently with the students of her house for a moment, then falls silent while waiting for the noise to abate. Once Noreen is settled at her table, it is "Llewellyn, Lavender"'s turn.

Lavender walks slowly to the hat and places it atop her head with very deliberate movements. Despite her slowness in approaching the hat, it stays for but a moment on her head before announcing that she, too, belongs in Gryffindor! With the same deliberation, she removes the hat and walks very steadily but quite slowly to her house table.

Once again, Avery pauses to applaud for her newest student, then she pauses to let the noise diminish. She clears her throat gently before announcing that "Marqueen, Vilivia" is next to be sorted.

Watching as student after student puts on the hat, Vilivia seems rather calm now that her name is called. After all moments ago she was nervous about the test but it seems everyone else is getting through alright and so she has no reason t fret anymore. She takes her tie and sits down the hat falling over her black pigtails blocking her eyes she tilts her head making a bit of a face wondering how many people have worn this old hat before her but reamains quiet about that.

Once the hat has announced her house Vilivia is quick to slip off the hat and run to her new house's table, Ravenclaw. She takes her seat grinning from ear to ear.

Once Vilivia has taken her place with her new housemates, Avery opens the scroll more and glances over it. "Marsden, Allen" is next on the list. The boy trips over his robes as he makes his way up to the hat, looking more exited than fearful. He scrambles up onto the seat and waits for just a moment.

The hat announces that Allan belongs in Gryffindor and the boy's face lights up. He takes the hat off, placing it haphazardly onto the stool before running down to his table. He slides a bit, nearly falling over, before he manages to scramble into a seat.

Avery Fallon stifles a smile as she applauds for the newest Gryffindor. The Astronomy teacher is more than halfway through her scroll at this point. She looks down at it for the next name, then tells the hall that it is "Moffet, Courtney"'s turn.

Shaking a little with nervous expectation, Courtney does not so much walk as stumble across the hall to the Sorting Hat, taking his seat and cramming the hat on his head, his eyes scrunched tightly shut. If he can't see them, they can't see him - and if they can't see him, getting tested and tried by the Hat can't be that big a deal! The relative nonchalance of those students who have already experienced it doesn't make it any better -- in fact, it seems to make him all the more tense!

When Mr. Moffet takes his seat, Avery declares that "Montgomery, Indira" is next to be sorted.

Jumping a bit when her name is called, Indira steps up to the stool slowly. Just before she puts the hat over her head, she takes a deep breath and closes her eyes. After a moment, she finally manages to place the sorting hat atop her head.

Now that it's over, Indira lets her breath out and jumps up from the stool. She places the hat carefully back onto the stool and grins a little bit as she practically runs over to Slytherin table and takes her place among its ranks.

After Indira joins the ranks of her new house, Avery pulls the scroll down more, then states the next name aloud for the hall: "Nolan, Celeste".

Celeste Nolan Looks at the hat with a curious stare before slowly stepping up to the stool and placing the hat neatly atop her head. She glances out at those in the room her expression showing a slight mixture of nervous excitement. She draws a deep breath trying her very best to remain calm.

As Celeste takes her place at her house table, Avery lengthens the scroll once again and takes just a moment to roll the top portion down, so as to make it less unwieldly. "Powell, Charlotte," is determined to be the next up to be sorted.

Charlotte takes her turn at the hat, plopping the hat onto her head. The hall is quiet while the hat decides Charlotte's home for the next seven years. It is another long moment before it finally declares that she belongs in Ravenclaw!

Avery Fallon waits for Charlotte to take her seat with the Ravenclaws before she calls out the next name: "Saunders, Leonard".

Leonard moves toward the stool and places the hat on his head as he sits down. The hat seems to ponder only a second before announcing that Leonard will go to Gryffindor!

Once Leonard has taken his seat with the Gryffindors, Avery announces that it is "Smithe, Lucia" who must next approach the sorting hat.

Having remained somewhat isolated and quiet for the train ride and the trip across the lake, the girl with the strange eyes leaned to the child next to her after the hat ceased it's song and murmured with no small amount of amazement, "Is it me, or did that had just talk?" It wouldn't be the first time, after all, that Lucy's nearly-blind eyes had decieved her. Unlike a great deal of her classmates, however, she doesn't appear outwardly nervous. In fact, she seems quite content, smiling quietly to herself as she waits and shifting about from foot to foot as she turns her colorless eyes toward the crowd of unsorted students, then those at their long tables, and then back again. When her name is called, she turns her gaze toward Professor Fallon and nods, having to take a moment to focus her weak vision so as to approach without bumping in to anyone. It takes her another long moment to work her way in to the seat and to place the hat on her head.

Lucy Smithe slides off the stool and takes the hat off her head, placing it neatly -- and quite carefully -- back on the stool where she found it, before turning and looking at the tables. Needing some help to be directed to her seat. But after a moment, she finds it well enough and takes her place with her new Hogwarts family.

Avery finds herself applauding once again as this lates student joins her house, then she pauses and waits for Lucy to take her seat. As silence comes over the students again, she states that "Toft, Albert" is the next in the queue.

Albert looks startled as his name is called, and he hesitates a moment, staring at the hat, before he finally approaches it. He places it on his head, and the hat takes a long moment before it tells the hall that Albert belongs in Slytherin!

The boy looks relieved as he removes the hat from his head and even grins while he walks to take his place at the Slytherin table. Another sign of recognition crosses Avery's face only briefly as she tells those in the Great Hall that "Wexler, Adelia" will be sorted next.

Adelia's face turns red as she walks quickly toward the hat, her robes clenched in her hands. She reluctantly lets them go in order to put the hat on her head as she takes her seat on the stool. The hat settles for a moment, then calls out: Gryffindor!

The girl wastes no time in removing the hat and placing it back on the stool before running down to join her brother at Gryffindor table. Avery waits a moment for the applaus and cheers to die down, then finally calls out the last name on her list: "Wexler, Oliver".

Oliver has waited through everyone else's sortings, and he has certainly gotten impatient. He walks quickly to the hat and pulls it down hard on his head, covering his eyes with it. The hat bows out his ears, it is pulled down so low. This comical sight does not last long, however, since the hat quickly announces that Oliver will belong in Ravenclaw!

The final applaus takes a moment longer than all the rest, so Avery takes this moment to finish rolling up her scroll and then turns and takes her seat at the faculty table. This year's sorting ceremony is now complete.

As the Sorting itself concludes, Astra rises from her seat at the faculty table and stands to face the vast hall and its many occupants. There's a beat between her standing up and her actual address of the students, but when she does speak it is clear and calm, using the natural acoustics of the room to make herself heard rather than magical spells. Turning to nod at Avery, she smiles tightly to the woman before shooting a smile to Quintus. "Thank you Professor Helit for your help with the Sorting and my gratitude to Professor Fallon for your assistance with bringing the first years safely to the school, it's always an exciting task." Addressing the school again, the headmistress draws herself up and continues. "I'm very glad to see you all back and hope that you've had a wonderful summer. For our new students, welcome to your new home. I'm sure that your fellow Housemates will help you get settled in quickly and comfortably." Pausing to look at the many faces, some new and m
any familiar, she grins sharply and gives a moment before she launches on.

The mood of her tone sobers but she continues the speech with the same efficient crisp pace. After a short span, she retrieves a piece of paper. Reading off the paper, she then continues. "Prefect picks for the fifth year students are as follows." "Congratulations to Gryffindor: Aaron Chapman and Marilyn Bennett. Congratulations to Ravenclaw: Anita McClure and Kirby Anderson. Congratulations to Slytherin: Iudhael Lleision and Melwyn Gwenap." "And congratulations to Hufflepuff: Robyn Donald and Gregory Warren." Coughing a little, she sets down the paper and takes another drink from her goblet. "I'm sure the seventh years are excited to know who will become the Head Boy and Head Girl for this year." Taking delight in this news, Astra purposely pauses to retrieve and sip from the goblet in her hand. Glancing over the various tables, she finishes this part of the speech with, "Congratulations are especially in order to Gryffindor Prefect, Colin Kavanagh who is Head Boy this year
and no less congratulations are in order to Hufflepuff Prefect Avril Mottershead who will be serving as Head Girl." Only now does the woman allow herself a brief respite to grin widely and watch any reactions that might take place.

Sorting Day from Seraphina’s View

Sorting Day from Parker’s View

Sorting Day from Josie’s View