Sounds of a boy struggling with a large suitcase echo slightly in the empty compartment as Silas works valiantly to get his belongings into the overhead storage area. Harder than it seemed, this is actually his second attempt to get it up there, though no one would know that as he had been lucky to get on the train early and find an open compartment. Unfortunately, this attempt seems rather futile as well, as Silas looses control of the suitcase and it crashes loudly to the ground, enticing a loud groan from the frustrated young boy.

Finally having managed to get out of her father’s clinging hugs, Seraphina makes her way into the second compartment on the train, dragging her rather heavy trunk behind her. The wheels make it easier for her to drag along, but she looks a bit concerned as she peers upward into the compartment. She offers only a brief glance to Silas before peering upward again. “How, exactly, am I supposed to get it up there? I should have let my father come onto the train. I can’t get it up there.” She pulls the trunk just inside the doorway, out of the path and unceremoniously sits down upon it.

“Bye, ma! Take care of Sophia!” Jack calls as he hauls his way on to the train, trunk dragged behind him and a box of chocolate frogs tucked under one arm. It takes him several moments of weaving around a seeming forest of taller students to find a compartment that is stifflingly full of people. He pauses for a moment after sliding the door open, nodding very briefly to Silas and to Seraphina, before stepping inside.

“Stop touching me!!” exclaims Vashti Kemys from the hallway. “Jez, I’m sick of looking at your stupid face right now! Ride in a different compartment,” commands the girl, shoving her equally annoyed cousin further down the hall. Exasperated, she eyes her other cousin, Hannah, and points into the compartment. “This one,” she mutters, joining Silas, Sera and Jack in their section. Plopping down, she looks around and crosses her arms. “What are you looking at?” she asks to the room in general, whether or not they were looking. “Who are all of you? Are you first years too?”

Silas nods in some sort of greeting at the other students who have joined his compartment as he attempts, yet again, to get his case up on the rack. He doesn’t expect, however, the sudden movement of the train, and as it begins to move out of the station, Silas looses his precarious balance and falls, his suitcase landing on top of him. He stares wide-eyed at the ceiling, only barely registering a question being directed toward him as he ponders what he should do now. It might just be easier to lay here for the rest of the train ride. Perhaps, however, he could at least sit instead of lay on the ground. Standing up slowly, he adjusts his suitcase to sit at the foot of a bench before sitting just above it. “Er, yeah, I guess I’m a first year,” he mumbles, glancing around the cabin with an investigative look. They did appear to all be young enough to be first years, but Silas was never a good judge of age.

“I am,” Seraphina answers quietly, not looking at the girl. “I can’t get my trunk up there so I’m sitting here,” she announces to nobody in particular. “Hey you, you look sturdy,” she addresses Jack. “You should help me move my trunk up there. I can’t reach, and it really doesn’t suit me to sit on this thing all day. Pausing as she sees Silas fall, she shakes her head. “I think he needs some help, too.” This is stated calmly and without affect. “What house do you think you’ll be in… you, girl?” Sera is very good at this socialization thing.

“See you later, Jeeez!” Hannah Forsyth pipes sarcastically as Jezebel trots away from them. Only her and her cousin left at the compartment’s threshold, she moves a bit closer to Vashti, looking at the other people in their seats, then lets herself sink into the empty spot next to Vashti. “Yeah, who are–” the rest of the sentence gets drowned in laughter, as Silas topples over. “Yeah, you really look like a first year.” Hannah giggles.

Jack wasn’t entirely certain what think of the word ‘sturdy’… he still hadn’t quite figured out how he could tell when these Brits were being earnest or insulting. And the fact was that he was having some issue getting his own trunk up in the racks. That had been his first order of business once entering the compartment and giving the pair that had been there originally a small nod, and the only solution he’d come up with was to use the box of chocolate frogs he’d been holding as a stepping stool – which did little for the condition of the candy’s container. Eventually, however, he manages to haul the trunk up and shove it in place. Looking to Seraphina then, he gives her a queer expression, as he tries to sort out her words. Finally, though, he shrugs, nods, and moves to help her.

Joining Hannah in giggling at the toppled boy, Vashti looks down to him, standing up and putting her hand on his tumbled case. “Do you need some help or something? Maybe you should have packed less things,” she advises with a smirk. “I mean, I had no problem stowing my luggage up at the front,” she brags.

“No, no, I think I’ll just leave it here for a moment- I mean, there’s not a whole lot of point in getting it up there just to get it down again, right?” Silas chuckles at the thought, though somewhat hollowly. “Should save me time and effort. ‘Sides, now that I think about it,” he continues, leaning over to open the trunk up a crack, “I should probably let Rickard out of the suitcase before he suffocates or something.” Silas reaches into the case and fumbles around a bit before letting out a small exclamation of victory as he extracts a squat, large toad. “I appreciate the offer, though, but as the greatest wizard ever, I don’t think I need the help.”

“My father wouldn’t stop packing my trunk. He even charmed it larger,” Seraphina shares with a toss of her hair. “You leave it up there. It was in Hogwarts, A History – didn’t you read it? They’ll bring our things to the school for us.” Seraphina gets up off of the trunk to allow Jack to stow it up for her. She obviously has no intention of helping him as she stands quite clearly aside. “I hope it isn’t too heavy for you,” Seraphina tells Jack without much feeling or sincerity behind her statement.

Hannah Forsyth‘s eyes widen at the mention of wizards and charms. “So your… your parents are wizards?” the girl asks with a hint of insecurity. “I wish my parents were. I’d be so much easier, won’t it? All this magic and so on, you could get anything you want!” she bounces an inch off her seat, glancing at Vashti for a split second.

“Yeah, thanks,” Jack replies, giving Seraphina a vaguely distainful look as he drops his already crumpled box of chocolate frogs back on the floor and steps up on to it. His New York accent evident even in that very brief string of words. He was already beginning to see a certain similarity between Seraphina and a few of the girl’s he’d known from Sister Amelia’s Primary School. He’d not cared much for their attitudes, either. Groaning, he does his best to haul the heavy trunk up – causing the poor, pudgy boy to sweat profusely with the effort. He very nearly topples over as did Silas before, but by a stroke of luck and persistance, he manages to catch his balance and push the trunk in to place. “You want some help to?” He asks of Silas, stepping down off his makeshift stepstool. He could only imagine what the poor chocolate frogs would be like when he got to eat them. For the moment, he doesn’t pay much attention to Hannah or Vashti.

“My father is a pureblood,” Seraphina announces quite calmly. “He was a Ravenclaw when he was in school. Such a shame that your parents aren’t wizards. It’s quite nice to be able to learn everything straight away.” The girl pauses, looking to Jack. “Thank you,” she states calmly and takes her seat next to the door quietly. “Of course I don’t know any real magic yet, but I know some of the theory. Are your parents both muggles, or do you have a squib in the family?” Tact is not one of Seraphina‘s strong points.

Ignoring the chatter about charming and books of the History of Hogwarts and all, Vashti Kemys makes up her mind to pretend to know full well about all these already. After all, if everyone knew she were a clueless Muggle-born, that’s how they’d treat her, and Vashti would have none of that. “Yeah, Hannah,” is all she says at first, shrugging and then looking to Seraphina. “My grandpa charmed my case too and yours did too, remember, Hannah?” she lies. “He’s a wizard, a mighty great one,” she says, conveniently leaving out the part where their grandfather was invited to Hogwarts but wasn’t permitted to go.

Silas shakes his head at Jack, deciding that, if he were going to get the case up onto the shelf, he’d do it himself. “Thanks anyway, but I think I’ll be able to manage it.” He glances at Seraphina and Vashti as they both discuss their families, something Silas can do quite well. “I’m Silas, of the Vicaris line of Brighton. We’re pureblood for centuries back,” he explains, his chest seeming to puff out a bit naturally. “I’ve been studying most of the books for this year, though I only paged through Hogwarts, a History, but I expect to be top of the class when the time comes,” he adds, glancing at Seraphina as he says this.

“Yeah, our grandpa’s a wizard. And my parents aren’t squids, okay? So don’t call ‘em like that.” Hannah replies grumpily. “What’s your name anyways?” she addresses Seraphina. “And keep an eye on that toad, guy. I don’t want it to slobber all over my new robes, okay? And who cares about all your blood? I think we’ll see what blood matters in school, huh?” the girl flicks a blonde streak out of her face and crosses her arms leaning back.

Jack nods vaguely to Silas, taking up his box and sitting down (albiet with some reluctance) to Seraphina’s immediate left. “S’that important?” Jack asks, setting the box of chocolate frogs on his lap and starting on the process of pulling the cardboard apart to check the status of his train-ride treat. “This pure-blood and squid thing, I mean.” He was already starting to feel a bit out of place; it wasn’t much differant than his old school, those with money picking on those without. “Don’t make you anything special, does it?”

Seraphina says, “Purebloods are rare; you have to have only married wizards for a long time to be considered purebloods,” Seraphina explains, conveniently leaving out the fact that her mother was a muggle. “And I didn’t say squids, I said Squibs. Non-magical children of Wizards. It’s lamentable when that happens, really. I hope someday they’ll figure out how to prevent it. “Anyway, blood won’t matter for school. Brains matter for school.” Seraphina has not yet shown much sign of emotion at all as she sits primly in her seat, her bow changing colors at the back of her head. It appears to have been charmed to cycle through several quite bright colors.

“Prevent it?” echoes Vashti to Seraphina. “What, do you think it’s a genetic thing?” she asks, her interest piqued. After all, why wasn’t her older brother chosen for Hogwarts when she and her cousins were? “Brains, we have enough brains, don’t we, Hannah? It’s not a problem at all. You mentioned that you’d be the top of your class?” she asks, looking to Silas, “You’re wrong, because I will be.”

“That’s assuming I’m not. I had a good tutor, you know.” Well, of course they don’t know, but Seraphina is feeling quite proud of this fact right now. “It might be genetic. I heard my father talking it over with one of his coworkers one night at supper. They mentioned it may be something that can, eventually, be prevented, so families don’t have to deal with the pain and anguish that having a Squib relative can bring.” Sera emphasizes these words in a rather dramatic way as she looks from person to person calmly in the room.

Jack rolls his eyes; he’d never been much for bragging, or tolerating people who do. Making a face, he opens his box of candy to find to his pleasant surprise that only a few of the frogs had been damaged. Obviously the box had charmed somehow to protect it’s contents. Taking the top most candy from the box and unwrapping it carefully (having learned early that you have to hold on to them just so to keep them from jumping away), the pudgy American bites the head off the frog and begins to more or less ignore the posturing of the other unsorteds around him.

Silas grabs his trunk for another go at the shelf while talk of blood continues around him. “It’s a rare defect, really, to have a squib in the family. Can’t really do anything, best thing for them is to go into muggle society. My family doesn’t have any squibs in it, thank goodness.” At least, none listed on the family tree. A mighty shove and the suitcase is on the shelf above him, and he sits down again in the center of the compartment. “You can think what you like, but I come from a large family of excellent wizards, and I’m sure I’ll be able to handle magic quite effectively, when it comes to it.” He glances at the the other boy in the compartment and gives him an odd look. “What about you? Your accent is odd, where are you from?”

“Yeah we were best of our classes in elementary school and the teachers loved us, so I don’t see why it should be different in Hogwarts.” Hannah replies quite snottily. Feeling like cold-shoulder Seraphina and Silas rather than being aggressive, the girl says “Well, our families’ pain and anguish due to this rare defect will abate soon, due to our splendid performance, I guess.” Hannah smirks at Vashti.

“If you say so,” replies Seraphina, unruffled by the demeanor of the other girls in the compartment. “At any rate, I think we’ll be at Hogwarts soon. I look forward to the feast. I’m quite hungry.” Sera’s voice is calm and even as if conditioned somehow not to show any sign of excitement. “We will see soon enough who takes the top of the class.”

“Hannah, we have no pain and anguish in our family,” corrects Vashti quickly. “But it’s true, all out great talent, which is soon to be unveiled, will only make things better.” She nods. Glancing to Seraphina, she nods once more, though more slowly. “I’m hungry too. I hope we arrive in the next few minutes.”

“New York,” Jack says through a mouth full of chocolate, not bothering to look up from card he was pulling from the candy wrapper. He studies the picture of the old witch on the card for several moments, trying to remember if it was one he already had, before finally setting it aside. Without asking, he reaches in to the box and pulls out a wrapped candy and sets it offers it to Seraphina. Just because she seemed pompous, didn’t mean she needed to go hungry. As Vashti declares her hunger as well, Jack sighs and with his other hand picks up a frog and gently tosses it to her. And then one to Hannah and Silas, if only to be fair.

Silas catches the candy, though he has little interest in it and simply sets it aside. “We should be at Hogwarts soon, I’ll just eat there. So… New York? In America? What are you doing here, then?” he asks, examining the somewhat chunky boy critically.

Looking wryly to Jack, Vashti decides she can trust him for now. “Thank you,” she says automatically, before opening the frog’s box. “Aah!!” she screams suddenly, shutting the frog back into its box. “This thing’s moving! What did you do to it?” she demands of Jack, looking him pointedly in the eye.

“It’s just normal!” Seraphina tells Vashti, a look of dismay on her face. It’s the most emotion the girl has shown all day. “For someone with a famous wizard grandpa or whoever it was, you sure don’t know much about normal stuff.” The young girl shakes her head and glances about. “New York, hmm? What are you doing here then? I thought only British wizards came to Hogwarts.”

“Thanks!” Hannah says, receiving the candy from Jack. Before she can unwrap it, she sees the other frogs moving and wriggling and a small cry escapes from her mouth. “They always do that, Vashti, don’t you remember? Grandpa gave us some last Christmas!” Carefully peeling the frog out of its wrapping and quickly chewing it she looks out of the window, feeling that the train is slowing down. “Ooh, there we are.” Hannah leans forward to have a better look to examine the platform.

“My Ma an’ me live with my Auntie Ester in London. My Ma’s from there. Been here a while, I guess.” Jack answers, making a bit of a face. He wasn’t entirely sure what to think of his experience so far… may this being a wizard bit wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. With Vashti’s shout, Jack turns his gaze to her, arching a brow a bit. “It’s a chocolate frog… they move around. The lady at the store I my Ma bough ‘em at said they were really popular.”

“Shut up, it just surprised me,” snaps Vashti as she opens the box once more, extracting the chocolate and biting off the frog’s legs. That will take care of that.

Looking over the gaggle of students as each disembarks from the train Phoebe Helit straightens clearing her throat before speaking… perhaps a bit louder than is necessary. “All right everyone quiet! I am Professor Helit and it is a pleasure to make your acquaintances. For our new students, let me take this moment to say welcome to our school.” “For those of you returning to us let me say welcome back.” She gives the students a moment to get over there general excitement before moving on. “Now I want all second years and above to board the carriages.” She looks around amongst the crowd a moment before continuing. “All first years gather around me. No, don’t worry, your luggage will be taken to the castle for you.” Phoebe casts a glare at a particularly small student “And no pushing! I want everyone at hand, it wouldn’t do for me to lose any of you.” She stands patiently waiting to see that all the little first years are in order before continuing on.

Looking up, Adelaide hears the summons of the first years, and not wanting to be late, hurries to catch up with the others, her plait and robes gently blowing behind her with the movement as she heads towards the Professor.

Melissa hurries after her cousin after the first years are summoned.

Dolly Faeden tries to keep up a conversation with Chester as they disembark, but soon enough is lost in the crowd. Oh well.

“…isn’t it, then there’s something wrong with the train,” Gilroy concludes as he follows Mariska and Teddy outside, a few chocolate beans trailing after him. As soon as Professor Helit begins to speak, though, Gilroy presses two fingers against his lips, precaution against further unwanted speech. He leaves them in position as he bustles his way into the proper line.

Christopher Hobbs disembarks from the train and peers around into the darkness, gulping nervously at the ominous atmosphere of the platform. Toby, his pet owl, hoots quietly in his cage. As Professor Helit begins to talk, he gulps again and nods at her instructions, wide-eyed but excited for the Sorting ceremony.

Wonderingly glancing around, Adrian is amazed at the surroundings. The fall landscape is amazingly beautiful, colors are EVERYWHERE. Adrian bids goodbye to his former compartment mates, as they enter the carriages. As Professor Helit gives the announcement for the first years, he crowds close, hoping his owl and luggage get back safely. He finds Adelaide and edges closer to her, a bit intimidated by everything.

Mariska Moore bounds off the train, looking around to see where Gil is located. “C’mon,” she gives, again, before stopping to hear the Proffesors words. She quickly settles herself so that she can hear the professor better than before, waiting for further instruction.

Adelaide shoots her cousin and friend reassuring smiles, “No worries, we’re all in this together!”

Stepping off the train, Chester glances around at all the students, and this time he spots his friends. “Oy!” he calls as he trots up to the other third years and the group of them head into the carriages.

Silas follows the throng of young students toward the teacher. What is so special that only the first years do that everyone else doesn’t?

Glancing sidelong at Hannah, Vashti makes a point of ignoring Seraphina as she walks towards Phoebe’s side. “Yeah, I can think of one person I’d like to get lost,” comments Vashti to Hannah, eyeing Sera out of the corner of her eye. Stupid girl, thinking she was so much better than everyone else. Vashti would show her. Looking around, Vashti catches a glimpse of Jezebel, their other cousin, but is also not speaking to her. It doesn’t occur to Vashti that she’s at odds with quite a few people right now. She crosses her arms and looks to the professor, awaiting instructions.

Teddy de Alquimia straightens his robe as he exits the trains, and stays close to Gilroy and Mariska. There’s a brief look around for Sophie, but with the number of people about, she’s hard to spot. He opens his mouth to worry about his owl, despite the Professor’s assurances, but spies’s Gilroy’s motion for silence and thinks better of it, instead moving toward Phoebe.

Seker Rathe disembarks from the Hogwarts Express, supplies in tow.

Shoving the last of his box of chocolate frogs in to his pockets, Jack disembarks the train with a slightly distasteful expression lingering on his features. He makes his way to the line forming in front of Professor Helit, looking darn glad to have some differant company.

Hannah smirks at Vashti’s comment and is glad she knows at least one person near her right now.

Seraphina comes off of the train, glancing around as the taller students make their way into carriages quickly, heading up to the school. “I hear the boats are rickety and old,” she tells a first year who happens to be standing next to her. “Whatever you do, don’t let your hands into the water.”

Coming up to the shore lined with many little boats for the many children who will be crossing the lake Phoebe sighs audibly and the look on her face does not appear to be entirely happy. “Once you board your boat please for the love of God do not fall out.” “I’d hate to have to jump in after anyone and Im sure the giant squid wouldn’t appreciate having you in the lake. Phoebe turns and begins boarding one of the boats herself looking a bit uncomfortable and mumbling something about farfetched magical contraptions being unsafe.

Once on board the boat, Gilroy pries his fingers away from his lips, which immediately part into a toothy grin aimed at Mariska and Teddy. “I don’t want to meet the squid,” he tells them, “but I’m too excited to be scared!”

Melissa gets on a boat after her cousin and smiles, looking out over the lake. If she wasn’t afraid of falling out, she would be jumping up and down of excitement

Without hesitating, Adelaide steps into the boat, not even the mention of a giant squid can quench her eagerness to get going, and motions for her friends to follow, “Hope nobody gets sea sick.”

Mariska Moore blinks. “There’s a…. giant squid?” she questions, eyes widening. “I think I’ll just stay as close to the center as possible, I do not want to be squid food,” she gives, eyeing Gil. “You are just a fountain of excitement, aren’t you?”

gulps at the concept of a giant squid. Thinking he’d rather touch the frog a million times than tangle with a squid, he gets into a boat with Adelaide and Melissa, already a tad queasy.

“The giant what? You put non-magic wizard babies in the lake?” Jack blinks, his expression aghast at the concept; especially as he tries to visualize a giant, angry unmagical baby in the dark murky water he stares at as he boards a tiny boat. Obviously he was beginning to have second thoughts about the entire magical venture.

As they board the boats with further instructions, Christopher continues to peer into the murky, dark water with wide eyes. He looks around at the boats and spots a few others whom he knows. Waving to Adelaide and Adrian and the others, he smiles nervously and waves, mouthing the words “Giant squid?” with a look of incredulity on his face.

Teddy de Alquimia is not perturbed by the reports of a Giant Squid, and instead shoots a grin around him, climbing into a boat with Gilroy and, assumably, Mariska. “I wouldn’t mind seeing it, though. I suppose it is a bit dark.” He peeks into the water but is mindful not to lean too far, after giving a glance to the Professor. She’s a bit short to be rescuing anyone, even if they are only eleven.

“They throw all the squids into the lake?” Hannah Forsyth whispers to Vashti. “I hope they don’t find out about our parents…” she says before clumsily boarding one of the boats.

“Squid, not squib,” Silas chides softly to Jack as he boards the boat behind him. “There’s apparently a giant squid in the water out here.” Silas doesn’t seem too worried about it, really, but all the same he sits as close to the center of the boat as he can.

“Shhh, Hannah, shut up. Our parents aren’t squids or squibs… they’re just…” she trails off, not knowing quite what to say. “Castle’s pretty at night,” she comments quietly.

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.

Eyeing Jack Phoebe chuckles a little. “No we most certainly do not throw Squibs in the lake my dear. Otherwise I wouldn’t be on the boat with you.” Phoebe looks out over the boats as they drift along the lake and every few moment she is forced to look away at the students. “A squid is an animal that lives under water. Much like an octopus but with more tentacles.”

Clutching the boat tightly, Adrian mutters “Squibs… squibs…” to himself. “Uh, Ade… what’s a squib?” He can’t remember, but he knew someone had mentioned to it before. Adrian‘s queasiness increases over time, and he wills himself not to be sick.

Gilroy Hollister gives a series of short nods in response to Mariska’s question. “I’d bet you are too,” is offered as a friendly challenge, with a chin shove toward the girl, then a headtilt toward Teddy. “Bet everyone shows it differently. And I wonder if the squid’s related to the tentacle thing in my wand. I…hope that won’t make it mad.”

Adelaide can’t help but giggle at the mix-up, already enjoying the journey, she nods as Phoebe speaks, “And this one’s meaner, I would imagine.” She can see her friend looking a little paler, and gives his arm a reassuring squeeze, “Don’t worry Adri. I won’t let you fall out. Oh, and a squib is a child born of magical parents, who doesn’t have magic themselves.”

Melissa watches Adrian as he clutches the boat tightly. “It’ll be fine.” She says, touching his arm lightly to reassure him. She leans to the side, peeking over the edge into the water. It is dark and she can’t see anything. She pulls her head back, looking ahead of her.

“Oh,” Jack says, still looking at the water with a decidely unpleasant expression; that hadn’t really done much to ease his mind, ultimately. One horrific imagined image replaced with another. It takes him a moment or two before he manages to connect together what Professor Helit had said, however, and his gaze rises. He looks at her for a long moment before finally nodding a little bit. Deciding in the spur of the moment way that children often do that he rather liked this small woman who was guiding them across the lake.

Mariska Moore grins at Teddy. “I don’t care to see it or fall in the lake, because that doesn’t sound fun at all,” she states with a crinkled up nose. “Well, maybe a little, but you’re far more excited than I am, Gil. I, at least, am not so excited as to not be worried about that giant squid down there,” she states, her voice rising a half octave and her words becoming slightly less understandable through her thick accent.

Christopher Hobbs frowns, his mind filled with imaginative pictures of a dark, slimy tentacle reaching out of the abyss and dragging his boat down beneath the water. Christopher shivers, staring straight ahead and trying not to think about any creepy creatures.

Teddy de Alquimia busies himself seeing how far he can look into the water without feeling like he might tip over–”There’s a tentacle in your wand, Gilroy?” Back into the full upright position he goes, to look at the other boy. “Mine’s got silver in. How does… where is?” Now he has to search his pockets, terribly concerned. “Don’t tell me she packed it.” Teddy stops talking or looking around to pat about his person, seeking his wand.

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.

“Don’t worry everyone. The giant squid is quite gentle really.” Phoebe says in a calming voice to quell any fears. “However let’s not try and irritate it.” She looks out over the students to a particualr comment she heard. “No I doubt that it has any relation to what’s in your wand dear so I wouldn’t worry on it too much.” Phoebe looks out over the lake herself trying hard to forget that magic is pushing the little boats along so that she can actually enjoy the trip.

Seraphina is quiet as she sits in the boats, attempting to hide any actual fear from her face, though her success is dubious in that regard. She says very little, a far cry from the Sera that displayed herself quite haughtily on the trainride over.

Adelaide shivers in the cold air, glad she remembered her scarf as she wraps it around her neck, subconsciously huddling closer to her friends to see off some of the cold. The mist catches in her hair, giving it a slight sparkle, but despite the cold she is still smiling warmly. “I should have brought an extra vest.” she whispers, giggling.

Gilroy Hollister nods solemnly to Teddy, one hand feeling into the pocket of his robe to assure that his wand is, indeed present. Some of the excited tension in his face briefly diminishes as the presence is confirmed, and as the professor calls out to his statement. He bobs a nod toward Phoebe, then looks back toward Teddy and Mariska. “I still don’t know what a horklump is, though.”

Mariska Moore chuckles. “Mine has gold, Teddy,” she offers to her fellow soon-to-be Firstie. “I can’t remember Gil’s, it’s some weird thing that sounds really weird,” she shrugs before grinning at Gilroy. “See, the professor said it’s not related to whatever it is that’s currently in your wand,” is noted. “Oh, right, a horklump, sounds disgusting.”

Melissa sees people who seem afraid of the giant squid all around her. She herself isn’t afraid of it, she would actually be interested in seeing it, but in this weather and in the dark it seems impossible. She can’t wait to see the castle and she keeps looking around. The air is cold, and it makes her shiver slightly. She can feel Adelaide huddle closer and she smiles, wrapping her arms around herself to keep herself warm.

Adrian, comforted by the touch of his two friends, relaxes a tiny little bit. Seeing a squid would be cool, he thinks, but is still terrified of the mere thought of something that giant, and keeps his eyes away from the edges of the boat, gulping, pulling his robes closer towards himself. He is unable to reply to Adelaide or Melissa, only able to sit quietly in the boat and hope the queasiness subsided.

Looking around him, Silas doesn’t seem particularly interested by anything. The magical boats were kind of nice, but those carriages up near the platform seemed a great deal more interesting. He pulls his wand out of his robes and idly tinkers with it, mostly waiting for the boat ride to end wherever it would end. He glances at Jack and asks, “So, what’s New York like? Is it anything like London?”

Christopher Hobbs continues to look straight ahead, trying to think of the school and what the ceremony will be like. He pats his hand on his pocket where his wand has been stored for safekeeping, as if to reassure himself that it is still there as some form of protection. Not that he knows how to -use- it yet.

Little attention is being paid to squids or squibs now by Vashti Kemys, for the girl has also become quite silent in her own right. Arms crosses as they often are, the girl looks forward to the castle, eager to get this night over with. The first day was always the hardest, after all.

“Do you think we’ll be in the same house, cousin?” Hannah nudges Vashti slightly. “I heard them say there were four of them. It would be great, if we could be in the same with Jez.” The girl lost her mean demeanour for now, looking alarmed.

Jack Wexler looks over at Seraphina after watching Professor Helit for a few moments, and almost in spite of himself exhales a deep sigh. Pulling another chocolate frog from his pocket – the last of his send-off box given to his to celebrate the first day of his new life, he reaches out and offers it to the girl who seems to be acting so diligently to not act scared. He even musters for her a slightly genuine smile, despite her haughtiness on the train; as the case may be, he was just as terrified about the idea of crossing the lake on the boats and the giant octopus as she was. Glancing back to Silas, he shrugs a bit. “I was pretty little when we left,” he answers, his American, Queens accent strong. Not, of course, that he isn’t pretty little now. In height, at least. Fair-sized around the waist, tubby thing. “London’s older… but the same. Tall buildings, lots o’ people. Differant hats, though.” He points at the flat-cap perched on his head.

Teddy de Alquimia finds it, at long last, and so is free to settle into an “Ah! They… well they’re gross little creatures that look like mushrooms. The garden gnomes eat them, and sometimes we um… dry them out.” After killing them, mind you, “I helped once or twice. For Potion-making.” He looks into the water again and gives it up for lost, being unable to see more than perhaps an inch or two down. “Gold, then?” He pulls out his wand, so long it’s quite odd that he might have lost it within his pockets, and studies it. “Can’t wait to use it. Tomorrow, maybe. Ronnie told me on the way over–she’s a sixth year–not a hairy one–that if we get Charms on first day it’s likely we could do magic right away. Then she said we had a different professor than she had.” A ponderous look surfaces.

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.

“Point of interest… for anyone who might be interested.” Phoebe calls out over the group lazily watching the water. “The squid isn’t the only thing in the lake. There are mer-people as well. Though I don’t think you will see any today.” Phoebe looks over the group again to see if everyone is alright. “They don’t usually come up to the surface from what I am told, but they are in there.” And after a moment’s pause she adds. “Oh and they wont hurt you either.”

“Merpeople?” wonders Adrian, his queasiness ebbing down a little. His mother had always enjoyed painting, especially of merpeople, and Adrian had always found the merpeople to be beautiful. He wondered to himself if the merpeople could possibly be as beautiful as his mother portrayed them to be, and as he did so, color returned to his face.

Gilroy Hollister pulls his wand out and studies the tip intently, as if attempting to see the core through the yew wood. “What does it say about me if a gross mushroom creature thing helps me do the best magic?” He frowns as he asks, but the expression can only last so long in the wider context of the evening. His smile rebounds as he puts the wand away and peers toward the water.

Christopher Hobbs blinks and looks up at Professor Helit, eyes widening in surprise rather than fear. “Really?” he piques up, a smile spreading across his face. “My wand has merfolk hair in it…Is that a good wand core?” He peers over the edge of the water and leans over, as if hoping to spot one.

Melissa is surprised as Professor Helit says that there are also merepeople in the lake. She is quite interesting to see what else is in the lake.

Reaching in to her pocket, Adelaide strokes a little, furry, purring thing that was curling up towards her for warmth, the pint-sized tabby, Eunomia. In her other pocket is her wand, thinking it wouldn’t be wise to have them together. Hearing the talk of wand cores, she glances towards that conversation, “No problem with the mushroomy thing at all, it’s all magic after all. Although I was really pleased when I got phoenix feather.” She turns her attention to Phoebe as she speaks again, “Merpeople? Fantastic!”

“Is that sort of hat common for American wizards?” Such a foreign look, that sort of hat is. “It’s a bit of an odd design, isn’t it? Can’t imagine wearing it, personally,” Silas adds, glancing at the water once more. Merpeople would be interesting, but, really, he just wants to see this wonderful castle that he’s heard about for some time.

Mariska Moore crinkles her nose. “I dunno, but I’m sure there’s other, more interesting things that one can have as a wand,” she states, before tilting her head towards the professor. “Mer people? Now that’s something I can live with, not giant squids,” blah.

“I don’t want be with Jez,” Vashti replies sulkily, glancing over to the boat where the girl is riding and looking away quickly. Despite what she said, she does want the three of them to be sorted into the same house.

“Wouldn’t know, honest,” Jack says simply, shrugging. “Never met an American wizard before.”

Knowing that Vashti is still sulking, Hannah‘s only reply consists of a short “Hm.”, leaving her alone with her worries, as she continues staring at the rippling surface reflecting the lights cast down on the lake from the castle.

Teddy de Alquimia shrugs and pockets his wand again, carefully. “Probably doesn’t mean anything. Nothing more than me doing my best magic with a bit of metal, I don’t think.” He gives an encouraging smile to the other boy, and looks at Mariska but doesn’t comment.

The fleet has finally begun to leave the haze behind, although the mist tries vainly to cling to the boats and it still laps at those lingering in the rear. The Forbidden Forest encroaches upon the eastern shoreline, bordered by grey mist and shadow. The northern shore has come into view with the castle of Hogwarts silhouetted against the hills beyond; the immense towers rise up in stern defiance to the centuries they have weathered. Few windows break the even stone facade of the castle walls, preserving the mysteries within from prying eyes. However, those few windows are merrily lit from within those hallowed halls, revealing the welcoming warmth that can be found within, a homecoming to those who have made a long journey. Ivy and similar plants sprawl across the walls of the castle, their unruly density hinting at the senescence of the walls themselves. The breeze is still cold, nipping at the boats and rustling over the water.

“And Im sure there are all kinds of little things in the water that I have no name for.” Phoebe muses softly looking down into the lake. “Just rest assured that you are quite safe.” She mumbles again under her breath about blasted magical boats and giant squids. “Of course that’s not to say you should try playing in the lake during the school year anyone.”

Adelaide Adams grins at Phoebe, “Don’t worry, I’m not much of a swimmer personally.” She is suddenly struck dumb as she gawps at the castle, now they can see it, and bites back an excited squeal. “Oh, my…”

Adrian Skye looks upon the magnificence of the castle, all queasiness instantly forgotten. A shaky “Who…a….” escapes from his mouth as he stares, transfixed, at the stone walls of Hogwarts. Even the cold bothers Adrian no more as the entrancing facade of the castle holds his eyes spellbound.

“Are your parents not wizards? Are you muggleborn? Not that there’s anything wrong with that, just being curious.” Silas looks up at the castle, as it finally comes into view. “Well, look at that…” he mumbles, awed by the sight.

Gilroy Hollister appears suitably encouraged by the smile, as his own broadens and his fingers knit together in excitement. With the boat’s approach to the school, he cranes his head back and gapes, “Can you really believe we’ll be living in that?”

Mariska Moore looks up, and up and… whoah. “Wow,” is simply given. “I wonder where our houses will be. I hear Ravenclaw has a good view of the grounds,” she offers. “It’s huge,” yes, she’s stating the obvious.

Christopher Hobbs leans forward in his boat before he even realizes what he’s doing. His mouth opens into a giddy smile, eyes filled with nervous excitement. After a long pause, he states aloud, “It looks amazing!” His boat rocks slightly, until he steadies himself and leans back in his seat.

“Wow.” Is all Melissa says as the castle comes into view. Her mouth falls open at the sight of it, and she simply stares.

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.

Adrian Skye shudders, and the environment comes back to him. He wraps his cloak around himself tightly, still glancing upon the great castle and begins trying to discern the tallest tower.

“Oh geez.” mutters Adelaide, shivering. “I hope I get sorted before I lose limbs to frostbite.” She’d thought it couldn’t get much colder, boy was she wrong.

A yawn comes from Phoebe and a small grin looking our at the castle. “Oh but it is a little cold out here isn’t it?” Phoebe wraps her shawl a bit tighter over her shoulders. “After the ceremony we will all sit down the a nice feast. And Im happy to say that it’s quite a good one even if it is cooked by house elves.”

Teddy de Alquimia thinks perhaps the water is too cold for his tastes in any event, but keeps his opinion confined to a dubious look. And then there is the castle to take in. “It looks… it looks cold,” he whispers. “But sturdy and–large.” Previously chatty, Teddy returns to his thoughts.

it is getting colder as they get closer to the castle and Melissa huddles closer with Adelaide and Adrian. Her eyes are still upon the castle which comes closer by the second. She does hear Adelaide’s comment and she giggles.

Christopher Hobbs peers behind the fleet of boats to stare at the mysterious mist fading behind them, then glances excitedly again back to the school. The prospect of food, and family, causes the smile on his face to spread even further across his lips.

As the speed increases, Gilroy‘s smile gives way to a light chattering of his teeth. “I…th-think any v-v-view from the wh-whole castle would be g-g-g-ood!”

Mariska Moore looks around a bit more. “It is getting awful cold out here,” she states, rubbing her hands up her arms, before tucking said hans in the sleeves of her robes. “I should’ve though to wear a cloak, or shawl, or some such,” Mariska grins, before shrugging a little.

Rising suddenly as through from beneath the water, the looming bulk of Hogwarts Castle blots out the evening sky and casts a dense shadow over the shoreline, broken only by the steady glow of the lights from within a large section of the building. The boats have begun to decelerate now, but are still moving rapidly as they skim towards the darkness ahead. As it grows steadily darker, the night air takes on a crisper and ever more frigid bite.

As the castle draws nearer the expression on Phoebe‘s face becomes a bit more apprehensive and she begins mumbling to herself something that sounds a bit like ‘Really having children out on a lake in this… I should speak with the Headmistress.” But she looks out over the group again to make sure none have fallen in or have been carried off by some dreadful thing.

Adelaide Adams turns to the people in the boat with her and rolls her eyes, “I think they missed thermal underwear off their list of supplies.” Despite the cold, she’s still sparky and excited. “We don’t have to do this often do we?” she sighs.

Christopher Hobbs peers forward, all focus directed toward the castle. He shivers from the cold, but that excited smile is still on his face. “Are we almost there?” he asks aloud, unable to make out the distance masked by the shroud of darkness.

Gilroy Hollister‘s teeth clench together in an effort to stop shivering, and he clasps his hands over his upper arms, rubbing swiftly up and down in order to create warmth by friction. “Maybe they’ll teach us warmth spells for winter,” he murmurs to Mariska, opening his mouth as little as possible.

Despite the cold, Melissa laughs at Adelaide’s comment.

Adrian Skye ‘s teeth begin chattering, both from the cold but also from an onset of nerves. Hogwarts, finally, thought Adrian. As the frigid bite of the air clamps its teeth down further, Adrian huddles close with his friend Adelaide. “We’re almost th-there…” he chatters to his friend excitedly.

Mariska Moore can’t help but chuckle, and promptly nods. “I bet the castle is nice and warm, it looks very nice and welcoming right now.”

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.

Senseing the general discomfort of the group Phoebe speaks out over the lake again. “Just a little further children. I know it’s cold, but it will be plenty warm enough in th castle and you only get to do this your first year.” She smiles trying to remain positive for the first years. “Just try and think warm thoughts!”

Gilroy Hollister blinks hard as the darkness casts over the boats. “It looked welcoming. Now it’s just not there.” The pitch of his voice raises.

Christopher Hobbs chuckles and nods to himself, but his gaze is still directed forward. He tries to follow her advice, thinking of warm thoughts and food…

Vashti thinks warm thoughts… dunking Seraphina into hot water… pushing Jezebel into some coals. Ah yes, Vashti has no reason to complain of the cold.

Adelaide turns to Melissa, “I already am thinking warm thoughts. Light ones too.” One of her biggest fears was the dark…and only now did she seem a little uneasy.

If all these people quite accustomed to the weather in the surrounding areas are cold, it’s nothing next to Teddy, who daily longs for the sun of Majorca. “I’m s..sure it’ll be warmer inside, Mariska is right.” He huddles into himself, no longer interested in the lake. ”
” he exclaims in Spanish, and then blushes (not that anyone can see him) heavily.

Melissa knows her cousin is afraid of the dark and she grabs her hand, slightly squeezing it reassuringly.

Mariska Moore tries to spot the castle, nope, no luck. “I bet it’s hiding behind the trees,” she offers to Gil in a low voice, before nodding as she hears Teddy. “I bet it’ll be very warm, and comfortable, once we get inside, but first we have to get there.”

Staring straight ahead, Seraphina seems to be ignoring everyone else as she hugs her arms around her, as if to shield against the cold. She isn’t quite sure that the shivering she’s feeling is from the cold. She finds the water very unsettling. Perhaps she ought to have taken the sweater as her father suggested. “Not much farther,” she murmurs quietly, her face remaining expressionless despite the shivering.

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 her boat hits the lake bank followed by those of the students Phoebe sighs a breath of fresh air as the ride is finally over. “Right everyone stay together and follow me. No lagging behind because I am certainly not going to be happy if I have to come looking for anyone in the dark. With that Phoebe rises out of the boat and step quickly onto dry land.

Christopher Hobbs is nervous but excited, and gets out of the boat.

Not letting go of her cousin’s hand, Adelaide is happy to stand on dryish ground.

Melissa excitedly gets out of the boat, gulps with nervousness, and waits for his friends before clambering off the boat.

Finally arriving at the waiting room Phoebe turns to look over the large group of new students and then gives a nod to Gerald. “Alright everyone. This is where I will be leaving you with Professor Rathe.” She takes a long meaningful look over the first years and adds slowly. “I expect you to behave as though your parents were here. No acting out, no making a scene.” “And above all don’t make Professor Rathe annoyed. For your own sakes.” “But of course, try to enjoy yourselves. With that Phoebe turns with a smile to enter the Great Hall herself leaving the children behind.

As the blazing fireplace in the eastern wall sheds a bright light, and attempts in its flickering way to dispel the chill of the room. A massive silhouette is framed against that illumination, wide shoulders casting a shadow across the floor and up the far wall. As the students file into the room, the silhouette detaches itself from the firelight, its form resolving into that of Gerald Rathe. Towering over the students and Phoebe, Gerald has his hands clasped behind his back, pinning his cloak aside in the process, as he strides towards those assembled. Looking down with a severe expression, he first addresses Phoebe: “Thank you, Miss Helit. I’ll take things from here.”

Teddy de Alquimia is thankful for the fire, and scoots around toward it as subtly as he can, too anxious now to take in much of the architecture of the building or do much besides nod mutely and to finally spot Sophie. She gets a small smile, but suddenly the boy looks quite pale, for all that he’s a deep color of tan naturally, and as though he may be ill if his mouth opens at all. Absolutely no turning back now.

With that, Gerald Rathe turns his attention to the children, inclining his head in their direction and stating, “Welcome to Hogwarts School. The Feast has already begun, but the students are all waiting for you, the guests of honour at this meal. Shortly, you will all follow me into the Great Hall and be sorted into your Houses, but first, I wish to speak with you briefly about tonight’s event, the Sorting.” Gerald has set himself squarely facing the students, although his arms do not leave their careful military “parade rest” posture.

For the first time ever, Adelaide is completely silent, linking arms with Adrian and Melissa, “Good luck.” she whispers, before turning her attention to Gerald

Mariska Moore grins, now that she’s no longer cold, she can grin without her teeth chattering together. Blinks… oooh, guests of honour, like that’s not scary enough.

Gilroy Hollister sighs audibly as the warmth of the fire dispels the cold of the outer air, but he makes sure to make no more noise, again pinching his own lips between two fingers as he listens to Gerald.

Christopher Hobbs nods solemnly, naive excitement replaced with a fair bit of anxiety. He says nothing, waiting for Professor Rathe to continue.

“My wand’s in my luggage, my wand’s in my luggage, I can’t believe I left my wand in my luggage…” mutters Adrian quietly, suddenly remembering where his wand was. “This can’t be happening…” he adds in another quiet mutter, singsongily.

Biting his lip Tommy seems to be shaking with excitement even in the presence of the intimidating Professor Rathe. He turns to another first year and nearly jumps as he whispers “THis is going to be great!”

Melissa is just like her cousin, comepletely silent, and that doesn’t happen often. She looks at her cousin, then at Adrian and then at the Professor.

Watching the professor carefully and a bit suspiciously, Seraphina appears ever so slightly nervous for the first time. Perhaps it is the green twinge about her cheeks that finally gives it away.

Continuing with his introduction, Gerald Rathe tells you, “The House into which you are sorted will be like your family while you are here at Hogwarts, and this Sorting is a very important and ancient tradition here at Hogwarts. You will live, eat and learn with your House for the rest of your time here at Hogwarts. I am sure that you have all heard rumours about how this Sorting is to take place. Please refrain from making assumptions. Once we enter the Great Hall, you are all to follow me, and do only what you are told. I trust that there will not be any confusion on this matter. If you are ready, masters and misses, we will begin.” At this, without waiting for any sort of response, Gerald brings his arms out from behind his back, trailing his cloak around himself with a loud snap! and turns to stride through the great northern doors.

A dark skinned, curly-haired boy of eleven moves along after Gerald with his head held steady and his shoulders squared back. Theodore de Alquimia is nervous, but other than a paleness to his face, it does not show. He moves with the unconcious grace of someone subjected to many ettiquette lessons, and tries to control his urge to look around. Noticing others looking up, however, he chances a peek. And then stands, entranced. A good thing he is already where he needs to be, or he’d be left gawking at the doors while everyone else followed Gerald.

Her eyes widening as she enters the great hall, Seraphina seems to trail a bit momentarily in the entrance. She tugs on the sleeves of her robes, as if doing so will take the nervousness away and she pauses momentarily. Once she realizes that the group is leaving without her up to the front, she trots along, catching up and then stopping at the front once they get there.

Jack Wexler follows the group in, looking at the hall with slightly wide eyes. He’d quite suddenly wished he’d not given his last chocolate frog to Seraphina on the boats, as his hands were fidgeting in his pockets nervously for something to shove in to his mouth.

Following Gerald into the hall beside her cousin, Vashti looks around the room at the already sorted students. She isn’t really nervous per se, but does want desperately to be sorted. It will complete the experience. It will mean she really belongs and her invitation wasn’t sent to her by accident.

Hannah walks into the Great Hall, dazzled by the impressions that are overwhelming her immediately. All those new faces and the magic in the atmosphere. “What a nice place to be.” she thinks for herself. It’s so beautiful. Intimidating, but beautiful.

Gerald Rathe steps off to the back of the Hall briefly, returning with a shabby old hat in one hand, and a stool in the other. He carries the hat gingerly, as if it were very fragile, and places it softly on the stool at the front of the room. This done, he steps back from the hat the front of the first-year students, and watches. The hat sits still on the stool for a moment, and then with a little jerk, a tear across the brim opens wide like a mouth!

Gilroy Hollister watches the Hat intently as it sings, corners of his lips twitching as he takes in each word as if the Hat were a professor in itself. When the words finish, he taps his fingers together in tentative applause, uncertain on whether or not such accolades are meant to follow the Hat’s recitation.

Leaning over to Hannah with her nose wrinkled, Vashti comments in a whisper, “That has to be the oddest thing I’ve ever seen. A singing hat? What’s next?”

“It talked!” Jack yelps in a thick New York accent, his green eyes wide as they dart to the stool where the old, patchy hat was placed. “That hat just talked! Is it supposed to do that?”

Christopher Hobbs blinks, eyes widened yet again with wonder and amusement. He whistles quietly in awe, but says nothing…yet.

Her heart was beating so fast, that Adelaide gripped her cousin’s hand, “Oh my gosh, oh my gosh…”

Adrian Skye blinks, and can do nothing but stare apprehensively at the talking Hat for a few seconds. “Ade…” he whispers. “They’re letting… a… hat… sort?”

Hannah‘s eyes widen as the hat begins to sing. Of course it’s only another magic thing she never heard of before, but that exactly is what impresses her so much right now. “That thing is going to decide in which house we’ll be in? Oh lordy…”

“Don’t your hats talk?” Tommy teases Jack with a grin before looking back over to the hat itself. The little boy looks quite pleased to even be at Hogwarts let alone to have heard the hat’s song.

“This is it, this is it!” Melissa squeezed Adelaide’s hand excitedly.

Gerald Rathe gives the first years a sharp unapproving glance in response to their chatter.

“Sure, why not?” Silas whispers to Jack, “your chocolate frogs jumped, didn’t they? Why shouldn’t enchanted hats talk?” Silas masks his surprise as well as he can, as it’s not every day one encounters a talking hat.

Stepping up, Gerald Rathe produces a long scroll from within his cloak, and unfurls it. Addressing the first years, he says, “After I read your name, you will put on the hat, sit on the stool to be sorted.” Glancing at the list, he absentmindedly cracks his knuckles in his left hand. “Adams, Adelaide!”

After a long, long wait, the big event was finally here, and Adelaide couldn’t have been more petrified if she tried. Not that she showed it. Inside she was sure her stomach was going to shake all the way down to her feet, and she could barely speak for fear of squeaking with excitement and looking ridiculous. Then, her heart shot up to her throat as she heard the unmistakeable call of her name. With a little mental nudge she walked up to the stool, sitting down on it, hat on head, and shooting everyone who was watching her one of the hugest smiles, because for the next seven years, Hogwarts would be her home.

That was fair point, actually, that Silas had made. Jack couldn’t deny it. Still, he’d have felt better about the whole thing if he could chew on something.

“Thank you.” Adelaide murmurs as her house is called, and her small form darts off the stool, all but flying towards them all, with a cheerful little wave, having regained all of her energy and excitement. “Looks like you’re stuck with me.” She quips.

Gerald Rathe continues to read down the list, as the Sorting continues. Atwell, Otto gets sorted into Ravenclaw, and after that, Barclay, Kieran goes to Hufflepuff. Looking back to the line of students, Professor Rathe calls on “Brooke, Melissa!”

Upon hearing her name being called, Melissa steps out of the crowd of first years. A huge smile is displayed on her face as she looks around. She is aware of the people watching her, and this makes her slightly nervous. The nervousness is hidden by the excitement she feels. She walks forward to the stool in her usual frolic way, her hair flowing behind her, and she sits down and puts on the hat, excitedly. This is it. The moment.

Andrew Cartwright cheers loudly!

The sorting hat shouts her house and Melissa gets up, happily running to her table, nearly tripping as she hurries down the steps. She manages to keep her balance and simply grins as she sits down with her fellow housemates.

Gerald Rathe continues reading down the list of names, as Elladora Burke is sorted into Ravenclaw, and Ryskim Calborn becomes a Slytherin. Professor Rathe frowns and pauses momentarily before calling, “Darian, Tommy!”

When his name is called Tommy hurries to take the hat and sit himself upon the stool his face alight with pride that he’s finally made it to the school. Placing the hat on his head it sinks over his eyes and ears looking quite comical. His hands fold into his lap neatly and his body shakes in anticipation of what will come next as he waits patiently.

Hopping from the barstool and removing the hat Tommy excitedly runs to join the Slytherin table nearly tripping in the progress. He happily takes his seat amongst them cheering with the other first years he knew who made it there as well.

Gerald Rathe silently watches Tommy take his seat with the Slytherin, and then looks back to his list. He calls on, “de Alquimia, Teddy!”

Teddy de Alquimia has been paying attention to the names called out, but hearing his own is still a surprise. Practiced grace masks his nervousness as he moves up to the stool, and he places the hat upon his head with a tenative smile to the line of Professors at their table. Though the Sorting Hat does not engulf his head, the brim is wide, and those close enough can only see the boy’s mouth pressing together thoughtfully as his time with the Hat progresses.

Jack Wexler watches quietly as first year after first year approaches the stool and the brown, heavily patched felt hat that sits on top it. His initial shock has subsided, replaced by a certain curiousity as he notes that several of his would-be classmates have been subjected to the cap and come away safely.

Teddy de Alquimia looks more nervous than ever as he removes the Hat and returns it to the stool. With a slight bow–yes, really–at Gerald, he moves out of the way of the next person to be Sorted and toward the appropriate table. Well, here’s hoping it’s the appropriate table. What was that order again?

Shaking his head after Teddy, Gerald Rathe goes back to the task at hand. After the hat sorts Kaiah DeFuenta into Hufflepuff, Gerald continues down the list to call on “Forsyth, Hannah!”

Hannah Forsyth winces, as she gets taken by surprise hearing her name resounding in the vast hall and feeling all the school’s eyes fixed on her. Vashti was in her vicinity all the time during the trip, but now she has to take those last steps alone. What if she ends up alone in one of the four houses, apart from her cousins? “Think positive…” she mutters under her breath, clutching her left arm with her right hand and takes a first step towards the chair. Hesitating for a moment, she looks back to Vashti and Jezebel a last time before marching straight to the front and picking up the Sorting Hat. Hannah turns around, flops onto the stool and puts on the hat harshly, waiting for something to happen.

Hannah slowly gets up, putting the hat back to its original place on the stool, then leaps towards the Gryffindor table as relief overcomes her. “Hey, I made it!” she greets her new housemates and sits down. Now it’s only about her cousins following her to Gryffindor.

Gerald Rathe reads on, his voice becoming patterned and rhythmic with the repetitious nature of his task. He calls on “Greer, Sophie,” who is sorted into Gryffindor, and then comes to “Hobbs, Christopher!”

Christopher Hobbs jumps nervously as the odd hat ominously calls out his name, and nods reassuringly to himself as he walks slowly forward to the front of the room, his steps upon the slate floor echoing in the ensuing silence. His heart beats so strongly in his chest that he idly wonders if others can hear it themselves. Taking a deep breath to calm his nerves, he gingerly places the old hat upon his head and sits slowly down upon the stool. His eyes rotate to stare directly at the hat itself as if worried he might hurt it–or vice versa.

Next, Gerald Rathe recites “Hollister, Gilroy!”

For all his quivering excitement from the train ride through the current scene in the Great Hall, Gilroy Hollister grows briefly still at the call of his name. He squares his shoulders and stretches his arms out before him. Then, with slow deliberate steps and twitchy anxious fingers, Gilroy treads to the front of everyone’s attention, and after one wide eyed look back at everyone, he carefully sits on the stool, lifts the Hat, and looks inside before placing it on his head.

Christopher Hobbs exhales forcefully, surprising himself; he didn’t realize that he had been holding his breath the whole time. He stands up from the stool after removing the Sorting Hat, a wave of joy passing over him. He offers a wave to his fellow first-year friends with a huge grin spreading rapidly across his face once again. All of the anxiety he had felt is gone, replaced with giddy excitement. Christopher walks over to his new House table, offering a friendly wave to the others already seated there.

Gilroy Hollister visibly jolts as the hat shouts the name of his new house, though for the surprise of volume and decision in his eyes, he cannot help but grin as he removes the hat and makes his way to the Ravenclaw bench. “Guess mum was right about me being too much like dad sometimes,” he murmurs to himself as his eyes skim his new classmates.

The list continues, as Gerald Rathe reads on, and “Kana, Allgermein” goes into Hufflepuff, followed by “Kapoor, Rajindar” who is sorted into Ravenclaw, and then “Kemys, Jezebel” winds up in Gryffindor. Next, Gerald declares: “Kemys, Vashti!”

Vashti applauds, almost bored, as her cousin Jezebel is placed into Gryffindor. If she had to be honest, the hat’s song did little to explain exactly what being in Gryffindor really means. She shrugs. Knowing her name was coming, of course, Vashti Kemys stands up and makes her way over to the hat. She practiced this walk earlier this week, back home in her room. It’s a bit shakier now than it was then, but she finally arrives and takes a seat on the stool. As the hat is lowered onto her head, she listens carefully.

Glad inside that she’s with both her cousins in Gryffindor, her quarrel with Jezebel is forgotten as Vashti scampers excitedly to the red-washed table. “See, I can make Gryffindor too!” she says in triumph before sitting down.

Mores names come from the scroll in Gerald‘s hands. Aedan Llewellyn becomes a Hufflepuff, Raurin Macbeth is sorted into Slytherin, the Hat chooses to place Leith MacLeod in Hufflepuff and Brian Maloney is sent to Gryffindor. The next name called is “Moore, Mariska!”

Mariska Moore removes the Sorting Hat from her head and looks around. Quickly the girl spots her house table and makes her way towards it, promptly taking her seat once she reaches Slytherin table.

Reading on, Gerald Rathe comes to “O’Bannon, Albert,” “Perelli, Phoenix” and “Pheras, Kiyan,” all of whom are sorted, one after the other, into Hufflepuff. With an apprehensive glance at the swelling Hufflepuff table, Gerald calls on “Pryor, Seraphina!”

Seraphina has seen a group of people get sorted now, and it doesn’t seem so frightening to the girl. After all, nobody else appears to have been injured. She pauses, however, before stepping up to the hat, glancing backward at those around her, waiting yet to be sorted. It is moments like these that Sera realizes she’s a lonely child, but given that the hat is waiting for her, she doesn’t have the time to dawdle. Quickly she hops up to the stool and plunks the hat down on her head.

Hopping up quickly, Seraphina breathes in deeply. That wasn’t so painful! She quickly walks over to her designated table, joining her housemates quietly with merely a semblance of a nod toward them.

After the Hat sorts Haley Renalds into Ravenclaw, Gerald Rathe comes to the next name: “Skye, Adrian!”

Adrian Skye takes a last deep breath and mutters to himself, “I can do it.” Glancing one last time to his friends already sitting at their various tables, he starts. As Adrian is walking towards the Hat, his foot catches the edge of his robe, and he trips. Although he is able to regain his balance quickly, there are some sniggers amongst the crowd. Adrian, however, magnificently keeps a straight and stoic face, ignoring everything until he has finally arrived at the stool. With shaking fingers, Adrian removes the hat from the stool, sits, and puts the Hat on, feeling the stares of so many, too many eyes on him.

Adrian‘s face is still stoic, and he is unmoving for a second. Slowly and daintily, he removes the Hat, putting it back on the seat, face still a blank. As he stands up, a slow grin begins to dance across his face. He walks away from the stool silently, but the glowing look on his face tells all of his emotions. When he reaches the table of Gryffindor, his face absolutely explodes with joy as he gives an enormous hug to his best friend Adelaide, his Housemate for the next seven years to come.

The Sorting continues, with more and more of the scroll unfurling as the names are called. “Stufflebeam, Graham” goes into Ravenclaw, while “Torpenhow, Marius” and “Trumble, Aemele” end up in Slytherin. After “Vertigonte, Claude” is sorted into Hufflepuff, Gerald calls on, “Vicaris, Silas!”

At hearing his name called, Silas suddenly tenses up. His nerves start to fail him as he walks forward to the stool, his mind focused hard on not stumbling or tripping on the way there. Once there, he turns around and slowly climbs backwards onto the stool, staring with wide eyes at the population of the Great Hall. The Sorting Hat is placed upon his head, and he glances up at the brim as he waits for something to happen.

(Slytherin) After Seraphina sits down, she glances at her housemates. So, this was where she belonged. Knowing her father would still be proud of her for being able to attend the prestigious school that he had gone to is rather unimportant to the girl right now as she tries to sort out what her sort means for her. Very little of this crosses her face, however, even as she tries to discreetly study those who were also just sorted to this house on this day.

Somewhat gratified by the exclamation of the Sorting Hat, Silas pulls it roughly from his head and hops off the stool, depositing it on the vacant seat before walking quickly to his table. The grinning fool takes a seat at a vacant opening and looks at the few left in line to see where they get sorted.

Gerald Rathe intones, “Walker, Abe!” and the named student is sorted into Ravenclaw. Looking at the last name on the scroll, Gerald says, “Wexler, Jack!”

(Slytherin) Leaning halfway over the table Tommy has his arms wrapped around his small stomach. He is rocking back and forth in a very agitated manor. “I wonder if we will get anymore Slytherin… ” He says to himself mostly. He looks up to smile at Seraphina when she takes her seat. “Hello. Did the hat say anything funny in your head too?” He asks this question out of the blue without any prompting.

Jack takes a deep breath as his name is called; the curse of his surname and it’s place at the end of the alphabet an occassional boone, as well. He’d plenty of time to steel his resolve and gathering his wits, and now that his name had been called, he was ready… or at least he thought. His first step toward the stool on which sat the brown, talking hat is a wobbly one, and he very nearly loses his balance and collapses. It’s only with a fair amount of arm-flailing and a pinch of luck that he manages to fetch his footing and keep himself upright. His following steps are more careful as he pulls the flat-cap from his head and makes his way to the stool, clambering on to it and placing the Sorting Hat carefully on to his head as if he might hurt it somehow.

(Slytherin) Nodding slowly, Seraphina looks to Tommy briefly. “Nothing I didn’t already know, of course. I knew I would be here, you see.” She explains this in a matter-of-fact voice, a very convincing statement for one previously so unsure.

(Slytherin) Aries snaps back to reality from her long daydreaming and looks around. “Where did all these people come from? Is it over already?” she asks a bit shaken. She peers over at Tommy and looks away thinking, “Hmm… that can’t be him…” She looks again and grins widely. “Tommy? Is that really you?” she asks nervously hoping that her mind isn’t playing tricks.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore is now seated, and looking around. A slight smile is cast at her housemates, but otherwise she occupies herself with the rest of the ceremony.

Blinking, Jack pulls the hat off slowly – again, careful, as if he might somehow hurt it – and sets it back on the stool before making his way to the Gryffindor table.

Looking a little deflated and relieved, at the same time, Gerald Rathe furls the scroll with the names of the first years on it, and returns it to his cloak. He picks up the hat with same care shown earlier, and the stool, returning them to their original place. Finally, with a somber expression, his takes his seat at the faculty table with a nod to his neighbours there.

(Slytherin) “Yeah! Hi Aries!” Tommy calls out to the friend he made in Diagon Alley about a year ago. “Im at Hogwarts now! Isn’t that great?” He smiles once more looking and Seraphina and then to Mariska. He starts to speak but then grows silent as it looks as though something is about to happen.

Melvina Prichard rises with purpose from the faculty table once the ritual of Sorting has concluded, lifting a nimble, long-fingered hand in a suggestive to beckon silence from the students massed in the hall. “Thank you, Professor Rathe. Excuse me, quiet please — yes, that includes you, Mister Markham,” she says in a strong tone, ever-laced with a hint of amusement. The ghost of a grin touches her lips as she looks over the wealth of her school.

“Greetings and salutations, everyone,” Melvina says, her voice effortlessly floating across the Great Hall at a comfortable volume. “Welcome to your school year nineteen hundred and thirty one! I trust that all of you enjoyed your summer vacation. Some of you will of course remember me, while for others this will be our introduction; my name is Melvina Prichard and I am Headmistress of Hogwarts school. For intensely personal reasons I have spent the last few years on sabbatical away from our majestic island and have only recently been able to return to its fair shores. Toward both staff and students, I pray that my departure has not left a rift between us, nor that you find my return unsettling. I value the friendships I’ve made in this magical place and the opportunity to see each of you grow in to the dreams you have of yourselves. While I can not ask you to forgive me or my previous and hasty departure, I do ask that you believe it was both necessary and carefully thought out; that you accept that I left you in the very best of hands. With that said, I’d like you all to stand and applaud Professor Astra Rathe, who has been performing the role of Headmistress in my absence and has most graciously deigned to resume her previous duties as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, head of Slytherin house and Deputy Headmistress, as well as Professor Keelan Walsh, and all other staff and faculty members of Hogwarts who pulled together to fill the holes and make the changes required by my egress and homecoming.” Melvina turns then to face the rest of the faculty table and leads the school in what she hopes will be a loud, rousing and heartfelt symphony of cheer for her most esteemed colleagues.

After a long few moments of leading the cheer, Melvina turns again to face the assembled student body and lifts her hand once more; beckoning for silence and motioning the students back in to their seats. “Thank you, everyone.”

“Pressing on, I’ve some beginning of term announcements to make.” Clearing her throat, the Headmistress pulls a pair of spectacles the waist pocket of her emerald robe and rests them on the bridge of her hooked nose. She then reaches with her right hand in to the cuff of her left sleeve and withdraws an aged cherry wand which she gives a casual flick and conjures a scroll of parchment which floats unassisted in the air several inches above her head. “All the usual suspects, of course,” she says simply as the scroll unrolls itself horizontally, expanding most of the length of the faculty table. “Our caretaker has asked me to remind you check the updated list of prohibited items and punishable offenses that have been thoughtfully posted in each of your common rooms–” As she begins to speak, delicately written, calligraphic letters glide across the floating parchment from the left to right like ticker tape – PROHIBITED ITEMS AND ACTIVITIES – and then begins to mirror her words as she continues, “Spellwork outside of the classroom, rough play, pranks, hijinxs, dungbombs, Whimple’s Pimple Powder..” With each item listed the speed on which the words dance across the parchment grows quicker and quicker still until they become little more than a seemingly endless blur of black cursive. “As you can see, the list quite extensive. Be certain to check it.”

Melvina gives another vague flick of her wand and the hovering scroll rolls itself up, tumbles twice and then vanishes in a small puff of mauve-colored smoke. “Of course, Hogwarts tradition demands that I remind you the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for all students. As seems to happen every year since antiquity, some of you will certainly forget that pesky rule. It just slips out, squeezed away from the building pressure of all that knowledge our fine professors work so hard to fill your heads with.” A rueful chuckle escapes her as she shares a knowing smile with the hall. “Know then that detention is the minimum punishment for entering the Forbidden Forest without a member of staff or faculty beside you and that such acts will usually result in a substantial loss of house points as well.” Clearing her throat, Melvina pauses to take a sip of pumpkin juice before continuing. “Naturally, we ask that you respect and defer to your prefects. I’d also like to congratulate our new Head Boy and Head Girl, Oliver Cloverwood and Briony Wexler respectively. Mister Cloverwood and Miss Wexler, please stand.” She again leads the school in a round of applause.

Briony Wexler gasps as it’s announced that she is head girl, and she beams, waving enthusiastically to everyone in the room before she plops back down in her seat, beaming quite excitedly. Head Girl!

“Well done, Head Boy, Head Girl,” the Headmistress says, sincerely. “On to faculty. There are many exciting changes in Hogwarts faculty this year; as mentioned before Professor Astra Rathe will be returning to post as Defense Against the Dark Arts lead, head of Slytherin house and Deputy Headmistress. I’d personally like to thank Professor Walsh for heading up Slytherin house during Professor Rathe’s tenure as Headmistress, and Professor Gerald Rathe for stepping up to cover Defense.” She turns briefly to face Keelan and Gerald, offering then a modest but genuine applause before facing the Great Hall once again. “Professor Gerald Rathe will be taking over our Charms department. I’d like to introduce you all to our new Professor of Transfiguration, Selene Hathaway.” With her right hand she motions to Professor Hathaway, then begins another round of brief, polite round of applause. “And I would like to welcome back to the Hogwarts family Professor of Arithmancy, Isolde Morgan, and Potions Master, Professor Adalphous Fallon.” Again she applauds, nodding to each of the returning Professor in turn.

“That said, I have only one more announcement to mention before we start in on the delicious feast I know you’re all patiently waiting to savor. As some you know, I am a firm believer in tradition; both in the keeping of it, and the occasional breaking. Thus, I announce the return of what I hope will become one of many long-standing Hogwarts traditions; the third Barefoot Social.” An almost devilish grin dances over the lips of the Headmistress. “A celebration of the new term, greeting those whom are just joining us and welcoming home those returning for yet another year. This dance will semi-formal, open to all years, and include an… outdoor feast.” The too-clever look on her face almost seems to gloat as she looks out at her young crowd. She is clearly terribly proud of herself. “As this is the daughter of tradition, we shall follow the precedent set by events of year’s prior — the ladies will need ask the gentlemen for the honor of an afternoon’s courtship.” She waits, eagerly, for the reaction to that before at last finishing up. “I will be resuming the Student Events Committee, made up of students from all years to help me prepare for the Barefoot Social, Governor’s Ball, the Valentine’s Soiree, Career Day, and a handful of other special events the Deputy Headmistress and I have planned through out the school year; if you’d like to be on said Committee, you may contact me through any of the usual means. Exact details regarding date and time of the Barefoot Social shall follow shortly. Let’s eat.” And with small nod and a sly, lingering grin, she slips casually back in to her seat.

(Slytherin) Any concern about anything has vanished from Seraphina‘s mind as she looks greedily to the food before her. It has been quite a while since she ate, and the girl would claim that she is quite simply starving to death. Reaching out for various delicacies, she fills her plate quite full and rather than making conversation with those around her, focuses only on eating.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore blinks slightly. “Y’mean, we have to ask them?” she enquires, slightly aghast. “I think I’ll be staying the dorms that day.”

(Slytherin) Aries peers over at Mariska and nods shyly. “Me too… The word ‘Social’ kind of turned me away…” She looked over at the food and only picked out her favorite fruits, just like last year. She giggles as she picks up an apple and remembers the little Apples and Gravy incident.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore grins. “The social’s okay, the actual thought of attempting to ask someone I don’t know to go to some social is… utterly unacceptable.”

“Well, all, I think I shall retire for the evening. You may all, of course, stay to enjoy the wonderful meal provided for us. First years will need to be escorted to their common rooms by their prefects, but with all the catching up being done I’m sure there will be plenty of time to fill your bellies further. Again, welcome to Hogwarts. Tomorrow, we learn.” Melvina says simply, her voice filling the hall at a comfortable volume despite the need to speak over everyone else. “Sweet dreams, all,” she says, stepping down from the faculty dias. “When they find you.”

Other Interesting Logs:

• A Prefect Conundrum
• Slytherin Table at the ’32 Sorting
• Gryffindor Table at the ’31 Sorting
• Hufflepuff Table at the ’31 Sorting
• The Work Year Starts Again