Hogwarts MOO

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: 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: 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.