Watching as students step off the train Phoebe Helit stands ready out on the platform dressed in a warm black fur coat over a navy blue formal dress. Beside her at her feet staring with great yellow eyes is her ever faithful cat with fur matching its human’s dress. After all the students are off the train Phoebe takes another quick check over the crowd and places her hands together in front of her, she calls out to address the students. “Hello everyone! Welcome to Hogwarts! First years please stay together and come with me, returning students are to board the carriages,” “Your luggage and pets will be taken to your dormitories to wait for you.” With that Phoebe takes another quick look over the students as the crowd begins separating. She gives a glance to the blue cat beside her who mews once as if understanding and immediately sets off into one of the carriages with a couple of seventh years. A smile stretches over her face and she calls again “Right this way first years!” With that the Professor begins leading the way.

Heading off of the train quickly, Seraphina glances around the crowd, trying to latch onto someone familiar with whom to ride in the carriages. Finding nobody close enough to go with her, she instead steps into the closest one that she can find, ending up with three seventh years, all of whom seem quite familiar and friendly with one another.

Stepping off of the train, Chester quickly makes his way down the platform, intent on the closest carriage he can find. He quickly steps into one, hailing another fourth year Hufflepuff boy to join him as he does so.

(Hufflepuff) Strolling into the Great Hall with Verity on one side and Alice on the other, Constance seems happy and cheerful to be back at school with her comrades. “Ali!” she calls to the now very tall girl, waving as the three of them make their way to the table, sitting in a bit of a clump on either side. “How was your summer, Ali?” she asks, beaming as she ‘absent-mindedly’ fiddles with her shiny Prefect badge.

(Hufflepuff) “Hullo, Constance,” Chester greets the girl casually, perhaps blushing a little bit as he takes a seat sort of nearby. His eyes fall on Verity for perhaps a moment longer than absolutely necessary. Rather than dwelling on the decided reddening of his cheeks, he turns to one of the boys nearby to make a loud and raucous joke, hoping to distract everyone nearby from his moment of slight embarrassment.

(Hufflepuff) Standing tall and proud this year rather than scuffling around with a slouch as in prior years, Ali swiftly makes her way over to the Hufflepuff table after waving to Dara. Laughing brightly she takes a seat at the table and readjusts the pin on her own robes. “Oh boring for the most part except I got this odd little package this summer.” “I guess I’m Mister Ali Chamberlain at long last.” “Old Helit still thinks I’m a male and who am I to complain?”

(Hufflepuff) “He did what?” Constance asks incredulously. “How on earth could he manage that? Didn’t someone notice that we’re both, um… girls?” Constance stares at Ali for a moment, then to the girls around her, a shocked look on her face. “So, he thinks you’re a boy?” She lets out a melodious laugh at this. “I wonder if Professor Prichard will let you keep it. I mean, it’s not your fault our house head is apparently… dim.”

(Hufflepuff) “Well I don’t care one way or the other. I find it hilarious and it threw grandpapa into apoplectic fits. Just seeing his face as I read “Dear Mister Chamberlain” was payment enough.” “It’s not like I look much like a girl anyway, but you’d think a professor who’s had me in his class for two years would know my full name because of the roster sheet.” Laughing, Ali grins with wicked delight.”If it’s taken I’ll have had my laugh and if not then I’ll milk it for all it’s worth with my grandfather.”

(Hufflepuff) Leaning her chin in her hand, Constance leans forward with an amused expression. “Now, come our seventh year, would that mean you’d be up for head girl, or would you be up for head boy? I mean, I doubt this has ever actually happened before.” She pauses. “No, surely we haven’t had teachers that dumb in the past.” She lets out another laugh, and this time Verity and Alice join in. “At least your grandfather got amusement out of it… if nothing else, it was worth the laugh, right.” She pauses and glances around. “Say, is that Dara Quincy with a prefect badge, too? I would have thought that Victoria would have gotten it. I don’t know why.” She waves her hand as if to wave away the thought. “OWLs this year. Are you worried? I’m not yet except for Ancient Runes. It’s so difficult to get good marks in that class!”

(Hufflepuff) “I can help you with Runes if you like! It’s one of the few classes I’m actually good at.” Ali‘s grin flashes into the quickest of smiles before she looks over at Dara. “Yep, saw her on the train with it. It’s kind of weird to think we all made it, but here we are.” Tapping the side of her head in thought the girl thinks on something and finally shrugs. “So long as I get an ‘O’ in Runes and Arithmancy I’m okay but I’d like to get an ‘O’ in Care of Magical Creatures just because of my pride. If I can get those grades then I don’t care about much else. I’ve known that I want to work as either an interpreter or with animals. I do wish they taught languages here.”

(Hufflepuff) “I plan to get a French tutor, and perhaps an Italian one as soon as I leave Hogwarts. After all, if I’m to be a successful painter, I’ll have to travel to France and Italy to study the works of the great artists of time past.” She pauses and grins happily. “Someday, my paintings will be on the walls of every well-to-do home in England, maybe in the world! I only really need a good mark in Magical Art, but I’d like to get good scores in all of my classes. After all, it will look better if I’m well-rounded. People will take me more seriously.” She nods solemnly at this and glances down at the group of raucous boys. “Ugh, so loud. So, will you tutor me for Runes, Ali? I need all the help I can get in that class.” A pause. “I’m sure you’ll do great in those classes. You never seem to have any trouble with the homework like the other students do.”

(Hufflepuff) “When I actually bother with my homework.” Smirking and then fighting a fit of giggles that somehow doesn’t look very dignified on her, Ali smiles. “Granted I do actually work for Runes and the classes I like but yes, of course, I’d be happy to help you!” Glancing at the boys before outright dismissing them, “They’re okay to be with but most of them just have no tact.” “I’m studying Gobbledygook on my own but it’s not the same as with a tutor. I just can’t get the accents down for anything and I know I mess up my pronunciations something fierce. Ah well, maybe in the summer. I’ve been getting French lessons for several years now and I plan on picking up as many others as I possibly can.” “I’d love to be an Ambassador someday or maybe sit on the International Confederation of Wizards like grandpapa did.”

(Hufflepuff) “That’s a very prestigious goal. You’ll let me paint you, of course, if you get that position?” Constance grins. Posturing for notoriety even now – Constance is showing signs that she does resemble her mother and older brother in some ways. “They’re just stupid boys,” she mentions off-hand, rolling her eyes. “Gobbledygook seems really hard to learn. So many nuances to it. I’d much rather learn French and Italian. I’ve asked mum if I could take lessons on summers, but she said I’d best wait until later. I suppose she’s right; it would be better to focus on my courses here.” She sighs a bit. “At any rate, being an ambassador would be so interesting. Think of all of the places that you would get to see! All over the world…”

(Hufflepuff) “That’s why I want to go! I want to travel so badly and see so much. There are so many cultures to learn about and so many languages to consume! I’d love to see how people work magic in Arabia or maybe India or somewhere. Oh, being able to learn Arabic! Now there would be a challenge!” Rarely does Ali get worked up about any sort of learning, but this is apparently her Achilles heel along with whatever weakness she has for animals. “And of course you could paint me if I get that far. Besides, I’ll have to hire someone to do family portraits once I graduate. Grandpapa says I’m to inherit once I’m done with school since he’s so dreadfully old.” It’s a subject she clearly doesn’t want to linger over and so she passes over it lightly. “And once I get married, well I plan on having a huge family! Lots of paintings!” Giggling with delight she grins merrily at Constance.

(Hufflepuff) “India’s not that exciting,” Chester mutters at the chatty girls sitting next to him as he ignores the boys nearby and their bawdy conversation. “It’s just hot and flat, that’s all.” He shrugs vaguely and glances across to the tables that he can see further on. The other tables seem to be as raucous as the Hufflepuff table, which is only slightly reassuring to the boy who keeps attempting not to too obviously make glances at Verity Caldwell.

(Hufflepuff) “As long as you pay me for each one!” Constance tells her with a bit of a wink. “Do you really plan to have a large family? It seems like that would make it difficult to travel. Unless you plan to do that after, of course.” She pauses. “I mean, my mother has managed to maintain her post as Minister for Magic, but that doesn’t involve as much travel as an ambassador would have.” She shrugs a bit. “I wouldn’t know, though. I don’t plan to have family for a good long time. Not until I can get settled into a beautiful home and work primarily from that home. It might take a little while, after all, to get my name known.”

(Hufflepuff) “You can think that if you like, but I’d rather see the jungles and the magic and hear the language. Besides, I heard there are cursed cities there or at least one where if you go after dark all sorts of bad things happen. And there are lots of mountains in India, I’ve seen the maps!” “I just wish I could do more than see maps.” Ali rolls her eyes at the boy but turns back to conversing with Constance. “Besides, they have wonderful food and exotic animals.” “Their clothes are pretty too at least for the girls. I don’t think I’d look very good in a sari though.” Listening she chuckles. “I’m not going to have the kids, oh heck no. I don’t have time for that. I’ll get some nice wife and settle into the estate. If she wants to travel with me that’d be wonderful but I’d still like someone who is more domestic than myself. I’m just not good at being a girl.” Well, if there was any questions last year they’re certainly settled now.

(Hufflepuff) “India sounds very exotic to me. Personally, I would like lusher environs, but I certainly plan to visit. Maybe I could visit you after you go, and then you can show me the lay of the land. I could get in some good painting, too.” Constance grins. She glances only momentarily to Chester, offering him a vague shrug, then turns her attention back to Ali. “Do you suppose people will find it odd, you having, erm, a wife at home? It could make for a small bit of controversy among the old sticks-in-the-mud, after all. Personally, I don’t care either way of course, but people can be so cruel and I would hate to see your career suffer for it!” Constance emphasizes this in the most sincere way she can, using her most sympathetic voice.

(Hufflepuff) “I don’t think anyone would care, we’ve had many people in high positions throughout the centuries who have lead eccentric lives in one form or another. I’ll just be another batty old witch or wizard or whatever and if anyone has an issue they’ll take it up or not.” “I really don’t see it hurting my career at all. It’s not like I want to be a high ranking politician. Besides,” and here Ali grins, “if they do have an issue with it I plan on being so good at what I do that I’ll be indispensable. If that doesn’t work, which I don’t see why it shouldn’t, I can always go about translating old and ancient texts. There’s always work for translators of lore and commissions aren’t so bad in that field.” Chuckling mildly, “Besides, we aren’t muggles. As long as I work hard, I don’t see much issue and those who do have issue will be laughed at by everyone else for being sticks in the mud. Grandpapa’s even come around to the idea and I never thought he would.”

Watching as students step off the train Phoebe Helit stands ready out on the platform dressed in a warm black fur coat over a navy blue formal dress. Beside her at her feet staring with great yellow eyes is her ever faithful cat with fur matching it’s human’s dress. After all the students are off the train Phoebe takes another quick check over the crowd and places her hands together in front of her, she calls out to address the students. “Hello everyone! Welcome to Hogwarts! First years please stay together and come with me, returning students are to board the carriages,” “Your luggage and pets will be taken to your dormitorys to wait for you.” With that Phoebe takes another quick look over the students as the crowd begins separating. She gives a glance to the blue cat beside her who mews once as if understanding and immediatly sets off into one of the carriages with a couple of seventh years. A smile stretches over her face and she calls again “Right this way first years!” With that the Professor begins leading the way.

Heading off of the train quickly, Seraphina glances around the crowd, trying to latch onto someone familiar with whom to ride in the carriages. Finding nobody close enough to go with her, she instead steps into the closest one that she can find, ending up with three seventh years, all of whom seem quite familiar and friendly with one another.

Stepping off of the train, Chester quickly makes his way down the platform, intent on the closest carriage he can find. He quickly steps into one, hailing another fourth year Hufflepuff boy to join him as he does so.

(Hufflepuff) Strolling into the Great Hall with Verity on one side and Alice on the other, Constance seems happy and cheerful to be back at school with her comrades. “Ali!” she calls to the now very tall girl, waving as the three of them make their way to the table, sitting in a bit of a clump on either side. “How was your summer, Ali?” she asks, beaming as she ‘absent-mindedly’ fiddles with her shiny Prefect badge.

(Hufflepuff) “Hullo, Constance,” Chester greets the girl casually, perhaps blushing a little bit as he takes a seat sort of nearby. His eyes fall on Verity for perhaps a moment longer than absolutely necessary. Rather than dwelling on the decided reddening of his cheeks, he turns to one of the boys nearby to make a loud and raucous joke, hoping to distract everyone nearby from his moment of slight embarrassment.

(Hufflepuff) Standing tall and proud this year rather than scuffling around with a slouch as in prior years, Ali swiftly makes her way over to the Hufflepuff table after waving to Dara. Laughing brightly she takes a seat at the table and readjusts the pin on her own robes. “Oh boring for the most part except I got this odd little package this summer.” “I guess I’m Mister Ali Chamberlain at long last.” “Old Helit still thinks I’m a male and who am I to complain?”

(Hufflepuff) “He did what?” Constance asks incredulously. “How on earth could he manage that? Didn’t someone notice that we’re both, um… girls?” Constance stares at Ali for a moment, then to the girls around her, a shocked look on her face. “So, he thinks you’re a boy?” She lets out a melodious laugh at this. “I wonder if Professor Prichard will let you keep it. I mean, it’s not your fault our house head is apparently… dim.”

(Hufflepuff) “Well I don’t care one way or the other. I find it hilarious and it threw grandpapa into apoplectic fits. Just seeing his face as I read “Dear Mister Chamberlain” was payment enough.” “It’s not like I look much like a girl anyway, but you’d think a professor who’s had me in his class for two years would know my full name because of the roster sheet.” Laughing, Ali grins with wicked delight.”If it’s taken I’ll have had my laugh and if not then I’ll milk it for all it’s worth with my grandfather.”

(Hufflepuff) Leaning her chin in her hand, Constance leans forward with an amused expression. “Now, come our seventh year, would that mean you’d be up for head girl, or would you be up for head boy? I mean, I doubt this has ever actually happened before.” She pauses. “No, surely we haven’t had teachers that dumb in the past.” She lets out another laugh, and this time Verity and Alice join in. “At least your grandfather got amusement out of it… if nothing else, it was worth the laugh, right.” She pauses and glances around. “Say, is that Dara Quincy with a prefect badge, too? I would have thought that Victoria would have gotten it. I don’t know why.” She waves her hand as if to wave away the thought. “OWLs this year. Are you worried? I’m not yet except for Ancient Runes. It’s so difficult to get good marks in that class!”

(Hufflepuff) “I can help you with Runes if you like! It’s one of the few classes I’m actually good at.” Ali‘s grin flashes into the quickest of smiles before she looks over at Dara. “Yep, saw her on the train with it. It’s kind of weird to think we all made it, but here we are.” Tapping the side of her head in thought the girl thinks on something and finally shrugs. “So long as I get an ‘O’ in Runes and Arithmancy I’m okay but I’d like to get an ‘O’ in Care of Magical Creatures just because of my pride. If I can get those grades then I don’t care about much else. I’ve known that I want to work as either an interpreter or with animals. I do wish they taught languages here.”

(Hufflepuff) “I plan to get a French tutor, and perhaps an Italian one as soon as I leave Hogwarts. After all, if I’m to be a successful painter, I’ll have to travel to France and Italy to study the works of the great artists of time past.” She pauses and grins happily. “Someday, my paintings will be on the walls of every well-to-do home in England, maybe in the world! I only really need a good mark in Magical Art, but I’d like to get good scores in all of my classes. After all, it will look better if I’m well-rounded. People will take me more seriously.” She nods solemnly at this and glances down at the group of raucous boys. “Ugh, so loud. So, will you tutor me for Runes, Ali? I need all the help I can get in that class.” A pause. “I’m sure you’ll do great in those classes. You never seem to have any trouble with the homework like the other students do.”

(Hufflepuff) “When I actually bother with my homework.” Smirking and then fighting a fit of giggles that somehow doesn’t look very dignified on her, Ali smiles. “Granted I do actually work for Runes and the classes I like but yes, of course, I’d be happy to help you!” Glancing at the boys before outright dismissing them, “They’re okay to be with but most of them just have no tact.” “I’m studying Gobbledygook on my own but it’s not the same as with a tutor. I just can’t get the accents down for anything and I know I mess up my pronunciations something fierce. Ah well, maybe in the summer. I’ve been getting French lessons for several years now and I plan on picking up as many others as I possibly can.” “I’d love to be an Ambassador someday or maybe sit on the International Confederation of Wizards like grandpapa did.”

(Hufflepuff) “That’s a very prestigious goal. You’ll let me paint you, of course, if you get that position?” Constance grins. Posturing for notoriety even now – Constance is showing signs that she does resemble her mother and older brother in some ways. “They’re just stupid boys,” she mentions off-hand, rolling her eyes. “Gobbledygook seems really hard to learn. So many nuances to it. I’d much rather learn French and Italian. I’ve asked mum if I could take lessons on summers, but she said I’d best wait until later. I suppose she’s right; it would be better to focus on my courses here.” She sighs a bit. “At any rate, being an ambassador would be so interesting. Think of all of the places that you would get to see! All over the world…”

(Hufflepuff) “That’s why I want to go! I want to travel so badly and see so much. There are so many cultures to learn about and so many languages to consume! I’d love to see how people work magic in Arabia or maybe India or somewhere. Oh, being able to learn Arabic! Now there would be a challenge!” Rarely does Ali get worked up about any sort of learning, but this is apparently her Achilles heel along with whatever weakness she has for animals. “And of course you could paint me if I get that far. Besides, I’ll have to hire someone to do family portraits once I graduate. Grandpapa says I’m to inherit once I’m done with school since he’s so dreadfully old.” It’s a subject she clearly doesn’t want to linger over and so she passes over it lightly. “And once I get married, well I plan on having a huge family! Lots of paintings!” Giggling with delight she grins merrily at Constance.

(Hufflepuff) “India’s not that exciting,” Chester mutters at the chatty girls sitting next to him as he ignores the boys nearby and their bawdy conversation. “It’s just hot and flat, that’s all.” He shrugs vaguely and glances across to the tables that he can see further on. The other tables seem to be as raucous as the Hufflepuff table, which is only slightly reassuring to the boy who keeps attempting not to too obviously make glances at Verity Caldwell.

(Hufflepuff) “As long as you pay me for each one!” Constance tells her with a bit of a wink. “Do you really plan to have a large family? It seems like that would make it difficult to travel. Unless you plan to do that after, of course.” She pauses. “I mean, my mother has managed to maintain her post as Minister for Magic, but that doesn’t involve as much travel as an ambassador would have.” She shrugs a bit. “I wouldn’t know, though. I don’t plan to have family for a good long time. Not until I can get settled into a beautiful home and work primarily from that home. It might take a little while, after all, to get my name known.”

(Hufflepuff) “You can think that if you like, but I’d rather see the jungles and the magic and hear the language. Besides, I heard there are cursed cities there or at least one where if you go after dark all sorts of bad things happen. And there are lots of mountains in India, I’ve seen the maps!” “I just wish I could do more than see maps.” Ali rolls her eyes at the boy but turns back to conversing with Constance. “Besides, they have wonderful food and exotic animals.” “Their clothes are pretty too at least for the girls. I don’t think I’d look very good in a sari though.” Listening she chuckles. “I’m not going to have the kids, oh heck no. I don’t have time for that. I’ll get some nice wife and settle into the estate. If she wants to travel with me that’d be wonderful but I’d still like someone who is more domestic than myself. I’m just not good at being a girl.” Well, if there was any questions last year they’re certainly settled now.

(Hufflepuff) “India sounds very exotic to me. Personality, I would like lusher environs, but I certainly plan to visit. Maybe I could visit you after you go, and then you can show me the lay of the land. I could get in some good painting, too.” Constance grins. She glances only momentarily to Chester, offering him a vague shrug, then turns her attention back to Ali. “Do you suppose people will find it odd, you having, erm, a wife at home? It could make for a small bit of controversy among the old sticks-in-the-mud, after all. Personally, I don’t care either way of course, but people can be so cruel and I would hate to see your career suffer for it!” Constance emphasizes this in the most sincere way she can, using her most sympathetic voice.

(Hufflepuff) “I don’t think anyone would care, we’ve had many people in high positions throughout the centuries who have lead eccentric lives in one form or another. I’ll just be another batty old witch or wizard or whatever and if anyone has an issue they’ll take it up or not.” “I really don’t see it hurting my career at all. It’s not like I want to be a high ranking politician. Besides,” and here Ali grins, “if they do have an issue with it I plan on being so good at what I do that I’ll be indispensable. If that doesn’t work, which I don’t see why it shouldn’t, I can always go about translating old and ancient texts. There’s always work for translators of lore and commissions aren’t so bad in that field.” Chuckling mildly, “Besides, we aren’t muggles. As long as I work hard, I don’t see much issue and those who do have issue will be laughed at by everyone else for being sticks in the mud. Grandpapa’s even come around to the idea and I never thought he would.”

(Hufflepuff) “I couldn’t see Alice’s dad being okay with something like that. He’s such a humbug, though. You’ve met him, haven’t you? Forever worrying about one trivial thing or another. It’s a wonder how Alice and Alden ended up so normal.” Constance shakes her head and rolls her eyes a bit. “At any rate, whether you’re a translator or an ambassador, you had better commission paintings.” She winks at this. “Make sure you find someone really pretty so it will be fun to paint her.” Constance laughs at this and leans back a little, tucking one of her legs under the other. “Where are those first years? I’m getting really hungry! Alice and I haven’t eaten since lunch – I didn’t want to spoil my appetite for the feast.”

Gerald Rathe stalks into the room, his great fae-silk cloak billowing behind him and almost into the faces of the nearest students. He does not shorten his pace for the shorter-legged children, but keeps his eyes focused on the faculty table ahead, until he reaches it, only then spinning about and clasping his hands behind his back to wait for the students to catch up, watching carefully to prod them into order in front of the Hall.

Once the students are lined up in front of the Hall in some semblance of order, Professor Gerald Rathe ducks out the back door by the faculty table, returning moments later with a stool in one hand, and an old tattered, wide-brimmed hat in the other. The stool he places in front of the gathered students, and the hat is set deftly on top of the stool. Turning to face the first years, he pulls a scroll from his cloak, and addresses them: “First year students, when I call your name, you will step up to the stool, take the Hat, sit on the stool and place the Hat on your head to be sorted.”

At the Professor’s voice, the Hat shivers, splits at the seam, and a mouth forms and begins to sing!

Unfurling his scroll, Gerald reveals that his right hand is swathed in a thick bandage. He glances at the students, and then to scroll, calling out the first name, “Adenlthwaite, Cloisonne!” The girl mentioned moves carefully up to the stool, taking the hat as told and sitting. There is a moment’s silence, and then the Hat calls out, “Gryffindor!” The girl jumps up from the stool, moving quickly to the mentioned table.

Several more names are called in turn, and soon Gerald calls one out, “Garner, Tobias!”

moves on through the list, calling out names in turn, as the students are sorted into their various Houses. Among them, Luella Grey is sorted into Ravenclaw, and Rory Tam is sorted into Gryffindor. When the last student has been sorted, Gerald quickly and neatly packs up the Hat and stool, carring them out from the room without a backward glance. A moment later, he has returned to the Great Hall, and without fanfare takes his place at the faculty table.

Melvina Prichard rises from the faculty table purposefully, lifting her nimble, long-fingered hands in a suggestive way as she beckons the student audience for silence. “Thank you, Gerald. Excuse me, quiet please — yes, that includes you, Miss Smythe.” Her voice is thick and strong but laced with a hint of amusement. A half-grin touches her lips as Melvina looks over her school.

“Greetings, everyone,” Melvina calls, her voice effortlessly stretching across the Great Hall at a comfortable volume. “Welcome to your term nineteen hundred and thirty two! As I’m sure most you of you are now aware, my name is Melvina Prichard and I am the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Though I hope each of you had a wonderful summer, I equally hope you’re prepared to clear away whatever fluff might have grown between your ears and properly further your magical education. That in mind, I’ll press on so we may all fill our bellies and get to a good nights rest. I’ve some beginning of term announcements to make.” Clearing her throat, the Headmistress pulls a pair of spectacles from the breast pocket of her emerald robe and places them neatly on the brige of her nose. With a cassual motion, the Headmistress draws a long, thin wand from her sleeve and gives it a vague flick,

conjuring a tightly-bound scroll in to the air in front of her with a small violet flash.

“All the usual suspects, of course. 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–” Drawing in a deep breath, the Headmistress takes the floating parchment from the air and begins to unroll it. “Spellwork outside of the classroom, rough play, pranks, hijinxs, dungbombs, Whipple’s Pimple Powder..” Demonstratively, she allows one end of the scroll to slip from her fingers; it clatters to the table, spills over the edge, and rolls across the floor Great Hall between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables until it exhausts itself somewhere near the door of the waiting room across the entrance foyer. Wearing an expression of mock seriousness, Melvina sets her end of the very long list down and vanishes it with a flick of her wand. “As you can see, the list goes on. Be sure to check it.”

After a moment Melvina conjures a smaller sheet of parchment. “Hogwarts tradition demands that I remind each that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for all students. As seems to happen every year since antiquity, some of you will most certainly forget that pesky little rule. It just slips out, squeezed away most certainly by the building pressure of knowledge our fine professors work so hard to fill your heads with over the term.” The elderly woman chuckles as she shares a knowing look with a few select members of the student body. “Know then that detention is the minimum punishment for entering the Forbidden Forest without a member of staff or faculty to escort you, and that such acts will usually will result in a substantial loss of house points as well.”

With a small, meaningful glance around and a pause to clear her throat and savor a sip of pumpkin juice, Melvina continues. “Naturally, we ask that you respect and defer to your Prefects. At this time, I’d like to congratulate our new prefects; for Ravenclaw house, Miss Dara Quincy and Mister Edward Innarsal, for Slytherin house, Miss Odaira Wallace and Mister Augustine Malloy, for Gryffindor house Miss Allison Ardua and Mister Luke Marcus, and for Hufflepuff house, Miss Constance Geroff and Mist… Miss Ali Chamberlain. Remember, prefects are selected by their respective Heads of House,” Melvina places a curiously strong emphisis on those last three words. “For exceptional dedication, scholastic merit, and integrity, as well as exemplifying the values their respective houses treasure. Respect and defer to them, as they chose not to bear the weight of responsibility handed to them, but will most assuredly carry out their new-found duties with aplomb.” The Headmistress pauses, looking over the hall for a moment as if to convey a silent message to the crowd before continuing on. “Leading our prefects will be our new Head Boy and Head Girl, Marten Augustine and Helen McPhereson. Mister Augustine and Miss McPhereson, please stand.” She applauds once the two have risen, leading those who care to join her in a round of congratulations.

“Well done, Head Boy, Head Girl,” the Headmistress says, sincerly. “On to faculty. Sadly, I must inform you that Professor Hathaway of our Transfiguration department has choosen to resign, and will be replaced this term by Professor Edward Marconia. I hope you will all join me in welcoming Professor Marconia in to the Hogwarts family.” Again, Melvina applauds, turning toward the new instructor and inclining her head toward him in a respectful manner.

Following a relieved sigh and Melvina finally sets down the parchment and removes her glasses, tucking them back in to her breast pocket. “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. To those of you returning, my love of tradition should be no surprise; thus, I announce once again to you my personal favorite of our many Hogwarts traditions, the annual Barefoot Social. A celebration of the new term, greeting those whom are just joining us, and welcoming home the rest. 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, briefly, as she looks out at her young crowd. Following the precident set by events of year’s past — the ladies will need ask the gentlemen for the honor of an afternoon’s courtship. Naturally, 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, and a handful of other special events the faculty has planned for 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. Tuck in.” And with small nod and a sly, lingering grin, she slips casually back in to her seat.

(Hufflepuff) “I couldn’t see Alice’s dad being okay with something like that. He’s such a humbug, though. You’ve met him, haven’t you? Forever worrying about one trivial thing or another. It’s a wonder how Alice and Alden ended up so normal.” Constance shakes her head and rolls her eyes a bit. “At any rate, whether you’re a translator or an ambassador, you had better commission paintings.” She winks at this. “Make sure you find someone really pretty so it will be fun to paint her.” Constance laughs at this and leans back a little, tucking one of her legs under the other. “Where are those first years? I’m getting really hungry! Alice and I haven’t eaten since lunch – I didn’t want to spoil my appetite for the feast.”

Gerald Rathe stalks into the room, his great fae-silk cloak billowing behind him and almost into the faces of the nearest students. He does not shorten his pace for the shorter-legged children, but keeps his eyes focused on the faculty table ahead, until he reaches it, only then spinning about and clasping his hands behind his back to wait for the students to catch up, watching carefully to prod them into order in front of the Hall.

Once the students are lined up in front of the Hall in some semblance of order, Professor Gerald Rathe ducks out the back door by the faculty table, returning moments later with a stool in one hand, and an old tattered, wide-brimmed hat in the other. The stool he places in front of the gathered students, and the hat is set deftly on top of the stool. Turning to face the first years, he pulls a scroll from his cloak, and addresses them: “First year students, when I call your name, you will step up to the stool, take the Hat, sit on the stool and place the Hat on your head to be sorted.”

At the Professor’s voice, the Hat shivers, splits at the seam, and a mouth forms and begins to sing!

Unfurling his scroll, Gerald reveals that his right hand is swathed in a thick bandage. He glances at the students, and then to scroll, calling out the first name, “Adenlthwaite, Cloisonne!” The girl mentioned moves carefully up to the stool, taking the hat as told and sitting. There is a moment’s silence, and then the Hat calls out, “Gryffindor!” The girl jumps up from the stool, moving quickly to the mentioned table.

Several more names are called in turn, and soon Gerald calls one out, “Garner, Tobias!”

moves on through the list, calling out names in turn, as the students are sorted into their various Houses. Among them, Luella Grey is sorted into Ravenclaw, and Rory Tam is sorted into Gryffindor. When the last student has been sorted, Gerald quickly and neatly packs up the Hat and stool, carring them out from the room without a backward glance. A moment later, he has returned to the Great Hall, and without fanfare takes his place at the faculty table.

Melvina Prichard rises from the faculty table purposefully, lifting her nimble, long-fingered hands in a suggestive way as she beckons the student audience for silence. “Thank you, Gerald. Excuse me, quiet please — yes, that includes you, Miss Smythe.” Her voice is thick and strong but laced with a hint of amusement. A half-grin touches her lips as Melvina looks over her school.

“Greetings, everyone,” Melvina calls, her voice effortlessly stretching across the Great Hall at a comfortable volume. “Welcome to your term nineteen hundred and thirty two! As I’m sure most you of you are now aware, my name is Melvina Prichard and I am the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Though I hope each of you had a wonderful summer, I equally hope you’re prepared to clear away whatever fluff might have grown between your ears and properly further your magical education. That in mind, I’ll press on so we may all fill our bellies and get to a good nights rest. I’ve some beginning of term announcements to make.” Clearing her throat, the Headmistress pulls a pair of spectacles from the breast pocket of her emerald robe and places them neatly on the brige of her nose. With a cassual motion, the Headmistress draws a long, thin wand from her sleeve and gives it a vague flick, conjuring a tightly-bound scroll in to the air in front of her with a small violet flash.

“All the usual suspects, of course. 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–” Drawing in a deep breath, the Headmistress takes the floating parchment from the air and begins to unroll it. “Spellwork outside of the classroom, rough play, pranks, hijinxs, dungbombs, Whipple’s Pimple Powder..” Demonstratively, she allows one end of the scroll to slip from her fingers; it clatters to the table, spills over the edge, and rolls across the floor Great Hall between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables until it exhausts itself somewhere near the door of the waiting room across the entrance foyer. Wearing an expression of mock seriousness, Melvina sets her end of the very long list down and vanishes it with a flick of her wand. “As you can see, the list goes on. Be sure to check it.”

After a moment Melvina conjures a smaller sheet of parchment. “Hogwarts tradition demands that I remind each that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for all students. As seems to happen every year since antiquity, some of you will most certainly forget that pesky little rule. It just slips out, squeezed away most certainly by the building pressure of knowledge our fine professors work so hard to fill your heads with over the term.” The elderly woman chuckles as she shares a knowing look with a few select members of the student body. “Know then that detention is the minimum punishment for entering the Forbidden Forest without a member of staff or faculty to escort you, and that such acts will usually will result in a substantial loss of house points as well.”

With a small, meaningful glance around and a pause to clear her throat and savor a sip of pumpkin juice, Melvina continues. “Naturally, we ask that you respect and defer to your Prefects. At this time, I’d like to congratulate our new prefects; for Ravenclaw house, Miss Dara Quincy and Mister Edward Innarsal, for Slytherin house, Miss Odaira Wallace and Mister Augustine Malloy, for Gryffindor house Miss Allison Ardua and Mister Luke Marcus, and for Hufflepuff house, Miss Constance Geroff and Mist… Miss Ali Chamberlain. Remember, prefects are selected by their respective Heads of House,” Melvina places a curiously strong emphisis on those last three words. “For exceptional dedication, scholastic merit, and integrity, as well as exemplifying the values their respective houses treasure. Respect and defer to them, as they chose not to bear the weight of responsibility handed to them, but will most assuredly carry out their new-found duties with aplomb.” The Headmistress pauses, looking over the hall for a moment as if to convey a silent message to the crowd before continuing on. “Leading our prefects will be our new Head Boy and Head Girl, Marten Augustine and Helen McPhereson. Mister Augustine and Miss McPhereson, please stand.” She applauds once the two have risen, leading those who care to join her in a round of congratulations.

“Well done, Head Boy, Head Girl,” the Headmistress says, sincerly. “On to faculty. Sadly, I must inform you that Professor Hathaway of our Transfiguration department has choosen to resign, and will be replaced this term by Professor Edward Marconia. I hope you will all join me in welcoming Professor Marconia in to the Hogwarts family.” Again, Melvina applauds, turning toward the new instructor and inclining her head toward him in a respectful manner.

Following a relieved sigh and Melvina finally sets down the parchment and removes her glasses, tucking them back in to her breast pocket. “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. To those of you returning, my love of tradition should be no surprise; thus, I announce once again to you my personal favorite of our many Hogwarts traditions, the annual Barefoot Social. A celebration of the new term, greeting those whom are just joining us, and welcoming home the rest. 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, briefly, as she looks out at her young crowd. Following the precident set by events of year’s past — the ladies will need ask the gentlemen for the honor of an afternoon’s courtship. Naturally, 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, and a handful of other special events the faculty has planned for 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. Tuck in.” And with small nod and a sly, lingering grin, she slips casually back in to her seat.

On the first day of Hogwarts’ term, Platform 9 3/4 is teeming with black-robed students and their fussing parents. Here a pair of wizard parents bends dotingly over their tiny first-year son, anxiously straightening his robes and checking to make sure his owl is fed. There, a confused-looking Muggle family stands slightly apart from the rest, watching the spectacle with bewildered eyes while their daughter rushes around in excitement to meet her new classmates. Beyond that, a group of older students, tall and assured after years of school, chat eagerly as they catch up on their summer holidays.

Among the odd groupings of adults and children, one is a trio: an old wizard departing from a pair of young girls, both wearing the shiny badges of new Hogwarts Prefects. The taller of the two girls bears a striking resemblance to him; the other, Dara Quincy, looks nothing like either of the others, but seems remarkably at home with both. Dara‘s expression is serious and intent, her vague, shadowed eyes narrowed in resolute focus as she glances around the platform, surveying the younger students with the determined authority of her new position.

Mariska Moore steps onto the platform and promptly dusts herself off, not yet wearing her Hogwarts robes, having deemed that it would look quite hilarious to be doing so when in the midst of the muggles. Following her onto the platform is an annoyingly perfect little blond haired girl, who quickly states how she absoloutly can not wait until she gets to go to Hogwarts. Finally, entering the platform behind the younger girl enter, presumably, the parents, who promptly start to fuss over the second year girl. “Mum, Da’, I’ll be fine, I promise, nothing happened to me last year, after all,” she states with a roll of her eyes before she quickly makes to depart from the precense of her somewhat overbearing parents.

Seraphina Pryor is a year older now, but she doesn’t look much more sure as she steps onto the platform with her obviously-doting father and younger sister, just a year too young to go to Hogwarts as yet. “Dad, why couldn’t you have waited out on the muggle platform?” she asks her father in a slightly testy fashion. “There are too many parents here already.” Despite her protests, Sera allows her father to press a bag of money into her palm and kiss her on the cheek. “I’m going to go get on the train now,” she announces to him with an unexpressive face. “Bye, Ona,” she tells her sister quickly before stepping closer to the train, glancing around only momentarily before she ducks onto the train with a very unsure face.

Chester Blake strolls onto the platform, studiously ignoring his brother – not his twin, if you please – as well as his younger sister, who is peppering the two of them with rapid fire questions about the sorting that she is still too young to attend. “Oh, shut up, Siscily,” he replies testily and turns to his parents. “No, mum, I’m fine… please don’t, oh – ugh, mum!” Chester seems appalled by the primping that his mother has just done to his disheveled hair as well as the wet kiss planted on his cheek. Such displays are unusual for Chester to experience, and he doesn’t seem to appreciate them when they do happen. “Rowan, you sit in a different car. Find your friends or something.” Whatever’s gotten into usually docile Chester this year? “I’m getting onto the train.” He drags his trunk behind him and stalks down the platform toward the door into one of the cars, ignoring his family as much as he did when they all came on to the platform.

Looking a bit flustered but no worse for the wear, Tobias Garner stumbles through the barrier, his owl, luggage, and (predictably) family in tow. Despite having gone through this painful farewell process seven times prior to today – though in those years his brother stood in his place — Tobias‘s mother and father are as tearful as ever. Jerry, on the other hand, seems unaffected by the flood of emotion, and simply tousles his brother’s hair and wishes him good luck. Promising that he will return for Christmas, Tobias edges closer to a group of older students, hoping to be noticed but at the same time remain inconspicuous. Heather hoots her displeasure and shifts uneasily in her cage at all the noise, but her protests are drowned out by the numerous conversations around her.

Even for a Prefect who seems to have to work as hard as Dara does to stay focused on her job, there is plenty to do. “Over here! This way! No, it’s all right, you can let your luggage go – it will arrive at school the same time that you do. Goodness, is that your owl flying off there? Yes, the train will wait until you’ve caught it…” Dara sorts through the disorderly crowd of first-years, directing them towards the various train compartments and giving what reassurance she can, all with the same air of steady resolve. “I’ll see you on the train, Evey!” she calls, smile brightening through her serious determination for a moment as she waves to a girl her own age across the crowd. And then she is back to work, ushering the other students onto the train. “Oh, hullo, Tobias,” Dara says, offering a smile to one of the few new students familiar to her. “Good to see you again.”

Walking up closer to the train and just narrowly avoiding a girl who is strangely walking backwards down the platform, Chester inclines his head briefly toward Dara. He doesn’t know her well, but he’s smart enough to see that the girl is wearing a Prefect badge and to act accordingly. “Congratulations,” he basically mutters before slipping through the door to the train, trunk hauled behind him. Chester spends little time glancing at those around him and manages to duck into the first empty compartment that he spots, quickly settling in next to the window – his favorite spot.

Mariska Moore takes her barn owls cage from atop her luggage, leaving the rest so that it can be loaded onto the train. “G’bye Mum, Da, I’ll see for break and of course I’ll be on my best behavior,” the girl notes, before her parents tell her to make sure she studies and to keep practicing the dance lessons she learned. “Of course, now will you let me go? I don’t want to miss the train,” she notes before kneeling down to give her younger sister a hug. That done she rights herself, dusts her clothes off and heads away from the familial unit and towards the train, though she moves at no sort of a rush.

“Thanks,” Dara replies, offering Chester a friendly, if slightly vague smile – she hasn’t had much of a chance to interact with the younger Hufflepuff boy, but from the quick brightening of her expression on his compliment, any friendly interaction is very welcome.

Following the barrage of students onto the train, Seraphina barely has enough room to move about, let alone choose her compartment for herself. She essentially ends up getting shoved into compartment One, in which there are already people. Seeing that there is room for her, though, she decides to stay rather than fight the crowd in the corridor. “Hi.” she greets those in the compartment before stowing her trunk and sitting in the opposite corner from Chester, sitting as close to the wall as possible.

Partly carried along by the momentum of the waves of students, partly concentrating on her duties, Dara bypasses the prefects’ compartment entirely. She only seems to realize that she has come to rest in another train car a few moments after she arrives, wide gray eyes blinking in brief confusion as she refocuses. Dara glances behind her – no, the tall Hufflepuff prefect with whom she had arrived seems to be gone, to her further confusion. Dara turns back to the compartment, offering another vague, friendly smile to the others as she moves to take a seat. She casts a slightly wistful glance towards the window, but there are too many people between her and it, and Dara settles for a seat near the middle of the car.

Chester Blake glances up as people begin to – seemingly haphazardly – enter the compartment. “Oh, hi, um…” He waves his hand absently in Seraphina’s direction. “Is the Prefects’ compartment full, Dara?” he asks the older girl curiously. “I thought that was where all of the Prefects sat.” Chester seems to have relaxed now that he is out of eye and earshot of his family, particularly his older brother.

Mariska Moore enters the train and squeaks, slightly, as the crowds gets the better of her slight form. In an attempt to get away from the onslaught of students she enters the first doorway she can, which leads to compartment one. “Oh… Hi,” the second year states, glancing quickly about. “Mind if I join?” she enquires in all politeness to the gathered crowd.

Relieved to see a familiar face, Tobias‘s fear dissipates temporarily as he scurries along behind his future classmates. Unsure at first of which compartment to enter, he decides it would be best to follow the older students – they, he assumes, unlike the first years, seem to know what they are doing. At the very least, he had an acquaintance among them. He meekly enters Compartment One and chooses a seat close to the door, so as to have an easy escape route (if necessary) and a clearer view of the corridor. Shooting a wary glance around the cabin, Tobias mutters a quiet and cautious “Hello.”

“Sera,” Seraphina answers without much inflection in her voice. Clutching a squirmy kitten to her chest, she glances around the quickly filling compartment without expression on her face. “Who are you?” she asks to nobody in particular, though she happens to be looking at Tobias as she says this. “Hello, Mariska,” she greets her housemate. At least she knows the girl’s name.

“Oh!” Dara‘s eyes flutter, shifting their vague gaze towards Chester in faint surprise as he calls attention to her mistake. “Er. Yes, usually they do,” she stammers, glancing backwards towards the door. “I – I just thought it would be better to keep an eye on things from here.” Dara offers another smile, slightly weaker this time, but it strengthens as she turns to greet the younger students, back on more secure ground now. “Hello. Yes, do have a seat. There’s…actually still a bit of room.”

“Oh, okay,” is all that Chester says in response to Dara’s reasoning. He seems nonplussed by the addition of a prefect to the compartment. “Hello then, Sera.” He leans back comfortably and glances at the other newcomers. “Hi,” he directs to Tobias – the first boy to actually enter the compartment so far aside from himself. “You look kinda young. Are you a firstie?”

Mariska Moore looks up from wherein she’s found herself a seat as she hears her name. “Oh, hello Seraphina,” the girl gives with a bit of a smile. “I didn’t see you through the crowd,” she notes before turning that same smile to the rest of the Compartment One Crowd.

Tobias opens his mouth to speak, but his words seem to be glued to his tongue for a moment before he blurts out, “I’m Tobias Garner. And yes, I am a-a firstie,” he finishes, wincing a bit at the title for his class. Firstie? How adorable — and slightly humiliating. Under the impression that Chester’s tone did not imply that he was teasing, however, Tobias manages to smile. “What about you all? What years are you in?”

“I am a second year,” Seraphina answers as if this is highly respectable and something to be envied. After all, it was preferable to being a firstie, wasn’t it? “It is a bit of a crowd, but of course, I was here before most of the people ducked in.” She pauses. “Though I would have preferred to secure a compartment farther back on the train, but I was obliged by some of the older students to come into this one.” Well, she was pushed in, but who was she to split hairs?

“Fifth, now,” Dara replies, offering another encouraging smile to nervous little Tobias. Seraphina’s superior tone draws a quick, sidelong glance from Dara, and she clears her throat faintly, but doesn’t otherwise interject. “It’s all right – things can be rather confusing at first,” she continues to Tobias, “but it all gets straightened out soon enough. You’ll see.”

Chester says, “Hi, Tobias, then,” Chester tells him with the first congenial smile of the day. He, too, is a bit taken aback by Seraphina’s tone, but doesn’t even spare her a glance. “I’m a fourth year,” he responds casually. “It gets better after the first year. Don’t worry about that.” A pause. “Just make sure you look out for the squid when you’re crossing the lake.” He manages to say this with a deadly serious face, much in the way it was told to him on his first trip to Hogwarts. It’s fair, right?”

Mariska Moore offers a smile towards Tobias. “Mariska Moore, second year,” she offers to the cute ickle firstie. Her statement is offered with a certain sense of pride offered, as she just barely passed all her first year classes. “I’m sure that you’ll figure everything out in no time,” Mariska gives, with a gap-toothed grin and a firm nod of her head. As for Seraphina’s tone, Mariska makes no big deal out of it, at all. “Oh, yes, the Giant Squid… it’ll eat you if yer not careful…”

It certainly is, Tobias agrees, absent-mindedly wondering why his brother was not kind enough to explain the outline of his first journey to Hogwarts. At the mentioning of the squid, he gives an expected shudder, recalling an incident where Jerry “accidentally” shoved him into a pond several summers ago and he was “attacked” by tangled weeds and irritable ducks. “Are there any accounts of firsties say, drowning, in the er-lake? Or being – well, eaten?” He straightens up and tries to appear unafraid as he says this, but terror is obviously present in his wide hazel eyes.

Sliding the door of the compartment open, the newcomer doesn’t step all the way inside. Seeing the number of students Ali blinks widely and then smiles nervously. “Sorry about that just looking for,” the dusky voice trails off as the fifth year grins in Dara’s direction. “Dara! There you are! Just the person I was looking for.” “You won’t believe what happened! I wanted to tell you but there just wasn’t time and besides, I wanted it to be a surprise.” Apparently for this youth gossip comes before introductions.

Not speaking at the mention of the squid, Seraphina merely looks on at the first year’s reaction. Of course she had not been afraid. “So, Mariska, are you planning to go out for Quidditch this year?” she asks her comrade calmly, only glancing up briefly as a very tall boy – wait, was that actually a girl? – entered the compartment.

“No, nothing like that,” Dara begins, aiming another reassuring smile towards Tobias, and a slightly reproachful look towards the others. But then Ali bursts in, and Dara‘s eyes flutter as her attention, so carefully fixed on the younger students, is disrupted once more. “What?” She turns swiftly towards the door, her gaze wide and vague for a moment, and then slipping back into focus as a brighter smile comes to her face. “Ali! Yes – what is it? Is everything all right? Er – you’re welcome to find a seat if you can, but it’s gotten a bit crowded…”

Ignoring Dara’s disclaiming about the squid, Chester leans forward, grinning a little bit. “Oh, loads of people have… it’s all in the books at Hogwarts. Of course, I shouldn’t tell you this, but just last year, a firstie got careless and the squid ate her. It was a terrible tragedy – the whole school was shocked that she could have been so dumb.” It seems as if he has to stifle a snicker as he tells Tobias the tale. “Of course, if you keep yourself inside the boat and stay away from sitting next to people who don’t like you, you should be alright. The squid doesn’t usually grab people out of the boats. It waits for them to fall in.” Chester leans back, glancing around the now quite crowded compartment. “Oh, hi, Ali,” he greets the girl.

Mariska Moore snickers slightly. “Well, I heard of one when my parents where here. A first year lost his footing, fell into the lake… nobody’s seen him since, my parents say the squid got ‘im,” she notes with a completly serious look on her face before turning her attention to Seraphina. “We were in the same flying class, right?” she questions with a quirked brow. “If so, you’ve seen me try to fly, and fail miserably, I only barely passed that class…” Upon hearing Chester’s comment Mariska blinks. “Right, I remember that, it was terrible, she was on the boat behind me,” the second year shrugs at this.

Watching as students step off the train Phoebe Helit stands ready out on the platform dressed in a warm black fur coat over a navy blue formal dress. Beside her at her feet staring with great yellow eyes is her ever faithful cat with fur matching it’s human’s dress. After all the students are off the train Phoebe takes another quick check over the crowd and places her hands together in front of her, she calls out to address the students. “Hello everyone! Welcome to Hogwarts! First years please stay together and come with me, returning students are to board the carriages,” “Your luggage and pets will be taken to your dormitorys to wait for you.” With that Phoebe takes another quick look over the students as the crowd begins separating. She gives a glance to the blue cat beside her who mews once as if understanding and immediatly sets off into one of the carriages with a couple of seventh years. A smile stretches over her face and she calls again “Right this way first years!” With that the Professor begins leading the way.

Heading off of the train quickly, Seraphina glances around the crowd, trying to latch onto someone familiar with whom to ride in the carriages. Finding nobody close enough to go with her, she instead steps into the closest one that she can find, ending up with three seventh years, all of whom seem quite familiar and friendly with one another.

(Slytherin) Seraphina Pryor walks quickly into the Great Hall with a clump of other students. She spots Mariska, with whom she had shared a compartment on the trip to Hogsmeade, and rather than securing an ideal spot, she instead secures a spot next to somebody she knows. Perhaps this feast will be more than just eating. The girl can hope, after all. She plops down at the table quickly.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore enters the great hall from the opposite point of view as the last sorting, and promptly settles herself at the Slytherin table. Once Seraphina’s seated herself Mariska turns to her fellow second year and offers a smile. “I wonder who we’ll be Sorted into Slytherin this year,” is noted quietly, though not so quiet as to not be heard.

(Slytherin) “I don’t know,” Seraphina admits readily. “Hopefully some good people. The not as good people can be sorted into Gryffindor or something. We don’t need them here.” A flip of her light auburn hair punctuates this as she shrugs lightly. “Maybe we’ll take the house cup this year. Stupid Ravenclaw got it last time.” She seems oblivious to the irony of her statement.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore nods. “I sure hope that we get some of the good students this year, though, obviously, we got some of the good ones last year, too,” is noted with a bit of a chuckle. “And hopefully some who can get us some points and play quidditch, because I know I can’t play.”

(Slytherin) “Slytherin only ever gets the best, of course,” Satinka replies to the two younger girls, butting quite suddenly into their conversation. “We would win the cups every year, only want the other houses to think that they have a chance now and then. Otherwise, where would the fun be in winning?” Satinka pushes her blonde curls over her shoulder and sits up neatly, grinning down at the young girls. “They only win because we let them.”

(Slytherin) “They do?” Seraphina replies with shock. “But I thought we did try last year…” Sera looks quite perplexed for a moment as she considers this. Her face then goes blank – after all, she mustn’t show any weaknesses like that to her peers. “I’m not going to play Quidditch. It simply doesn’t interest me,” the girl states plainly. She neglects to remember, apparently, her dismal showing during the flying classes in the previous year. “I plan to be a famous stage actress, after all, and sports would not help me with that.”

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore chuckles slightly. “Well, we have to make it at least look like we’re trying to win, even if we are letting the other houses win, don’t we?” she questions, grinning a little. “So how was everyone’s summer? Good, I hope.”

(Slytherin) “Mine was fine,” Seraphina answers mildly, without much conviction. “We went to the shore for a week. Did you do anything interesting like that, Mariska?” Sera does not address the older girl, though, as she is unsure of how to approach the daughter of the house head. “Daddy promised we’d go again at Easter holiday, too.”

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore shakes her head slightly in response to Seraphina. “My parents got me a tutor, they weren’t pleased with my marks through the year,” she notes, frowning. “And enrolled me in a dance class, apparently they also weren’t happy that I wouldn’t be trying out for the quidditch team this year.”

(Slytherin) “Oh, you had to study all summer? How rotten of them! Dancing is interesting, though. I’ve been asking my daddy to enroll me in some of the dance classes so that I could make a bigger splash onstage. I’m going to take Wizo-Music, too. Professor Dwight has to teach me to sing if that’s what I want, right?” She pauses and yawns a bit. “I’m hungry. When is this supposed to start? Did they lose the firsties for real or something?” Seraphina looks a bit annoyed at the long wait and she leans her elbows on the table, cradling her cheeks in her hands.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore nods in a slightly sullen fashion. “Mmhmm, all summer, the only break I got was for dance class, but I like my dance classes, they enrolled me in Irish step dance it’s very interesting, I’m supposed to work on that when I get free time, cause I’ll be back in class next summer,” she notes, grinning with this. At Seraphina’s comment about the firsties, Mariska snickers. “I wonder if the squid got them this year… got tired of us goin’ around in it’s lake so much…”

(Slytherin) “Irish step?” Satinka butts in with a sneer on her pretty face. “They might have enrolled you in a more beautiful dance course. Ballet, now, that’s a worthwhile course. I’ve had my own private teacher since I was five years old and living in France. Thankfully, my mother understands the importance of grace and polish, and understood my arguments for having her here. It’s a real shame that your parents haven’t the same considerations for you.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore shrugs slightly at Satinka slightly. “I like Irish step, it’s beautiful and has some similarities to ballet, and it’s incredibly graceful, especially the soft shoe dances, though I love the hard shoe dances. I’m not very good right now, but I’ve gotten to watch some of the better students, and it’s all in the footwork and the combination of the hard shoe with the music,” she shrugs and stops going on about how much she loves this particular art. “I suppose if my parents really get irritated with me they’ll put me into ballet, or another form of dance.”

(Slytherin) “Well, I’d much rather take tap and ballet – it is so much more useful for the stage, after all. Tap is in such high demand now, after all. Irish step could be very appropriate in certain venues, I’m sure,” Seraphina replies, unsure of what to make of Satinka’s interference in the converstaion. “Maybe the squid just got hungry. After all, it didn’t get anyone last year…” Sera says this perhaps a bit less sarcastically than she ought – she sounds dead serious at the suggestion, in fact.

(Slytherin) Satinka gives a rather haughty shrug. “Suit yourself, of course, but it will never breed in you the grace and poise that a well-to-do representative of Slytherin house is expected to have upon graduation.” Satinka sits up just a bit straighter and slowly crosses her legs under the table in an effort to look glamorous. “I’ve been brought up for it since birth. After all, my family is famous for being respected and showered with accolades.” Perhaps a bit of an exaggeration, but Satinka is figuring on the two girls not knowing any better.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore shrugs slightly. “Well, it’s something I enjoy,” she offers with a smile before tilting her head slightly in the direction from which the firsties ought be coming. “Perhaps. I mean, I don’t recall it taking anyone last year, though it may only take students every few years,” Mariska gives, sound completley serious as she speaks, as though she actually believes the squid will eat the students. “Yes, Satinka, I’ve heard of your family, specifically the Professor, of course… and I’m sure you’ll do Slytherin proud when you graduate from Hogwarts.”

(Slytherin) “That’s what matters, right? That you enjoy it?” Seraphina is starting, for the first time since she came to Hogwarts, to let down her guard a little. After all, she said so very little to the others in her house over the course of her first year, it’s amazing that any of them even know her name. She leans forward close to Mariska, looking carefully out of the corner of her eye to see that Satinka is distracted. “Are they really so prestigious as all that? My daddy’s never spoken of them to me… indeed, I didn’t hear of them until I came to the school.” She pauses. “She isn’t very nice anyhow. So superior…”

Gerald Rathe stalks into the room, his great fae-silk cloak billowing behind him and almost into the faces of the nearest students. He does not shorten his pace for the shorter-legged children, but keeps his eyes focused on the faculty table ahead, until he reaches it, only then spinning about and clasping his hands behind his back to wait for the students to catch up, watching carefully to prod them into order in front of the Hall.

(Slytherin) Mariska Moore nods. “Oh yes, I think it’s entirely a case of enjoying something, and, as I spent the rest of the summer studying, it was a nice reprieve from the books,” she notes before offering a shrug in Seraphina’s direction before lowering her voice to speak to her fellow second year. “I only know the professor, my parents haven’t told me much of anything about them… but that’s not saying much,” she offers with her gap-toothed grin. “Oh! Look, there’s one of the Professor Rathe’s. Good, I’ve been getting quite anxious to get on with the Sorting.”

Once the students are lined up in front of the Hall in some semblance of order, Professor Gerald Rathe ducks out the back door by the faculty table, returning moments later with a stool in one hand, and an old tattered, wide-brimmed hat in the other. The stool he places in front of the gathered students, and the hat is set deftly on top of the stool. Turning to face the first years, he pulls a scroll from his cloak, and addresses them: “First year students, when I call your name, you will step up to the stool, take the Hat, sit on the stool and place the Hat on your head to be sorted.”

At the Professor’s voice, the Hat shivers, splits at the seam, and a mouth forms and begins to sing!

Unfurling his scroll, Gerald reveals that his right hand is swathed in a thick bandage. He glances at the students, and then to scroll, calling out the first name, “Adenlthwaite, Cloisonne!” The girl mentioned moves carefully up to the stool, taking the hat as told and sitting. There is a moment’s silence, and then the Hat calls out, “Gryffindor!” The girl jumps up from the stool, moving quickly to the mentioned table.

Several more names are called in turn, and soon Gerald calls one out, “Garner, Tobias!”

moves on through the list, calling out names in turn, as the students are sorted into their various Houses. Among them, Luella Grey is sorted into Ravenclaw, and Rory Tam is sorted into Gryffindor. When the last student has been sorted, Gerald quickly and neatly packs up the Hat and stool, carring them out from the room without a backward glance. A moment later, he has returned to the Great Hall, and without fanfare takes his place at the faculty table.

Melvina Prichard rises from the faculty table purposefully, lifting her nimble, long-fingered hands in a suggestive way as she beckons the student audience for silence. “Thank you, Gerald. Excuse me, quiet please — yes, that includes you, Miss Smythe.” Her voice is thick and strong but laced with a hint of amusement. A half-grin touches her lips as Melvina looks over her school.

“Greetings, everyone,” Melvina calls, her voice effortlessly stretching across the Great Hall at a comfortable volume. “Welcome to your term nineteen hundred and thirty two! As I’m sure most you of you are now aware, my name is Melvina Prichard and I am the Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Though I hope each of you had a wonderful summer, I equally hope you’re prepared to clear away whatever fluff might have grown between your ears and properly further your magical education. That in mind, I’ll press on so we may all fill our bellies and get to a good nights rest. I’ve some beginning of term announcements to make.” Clearing her throat, the Headmistress pulls a pair of spectacles from the breast pocket of her emerald robe and places them neatly on the brige of her nose. With a cassual motion, the Headmistress draws a long, thin wand from her sleeve and gives it a vague flick, conjuring a tightly-bound scroll in to the air in front of her with a small violet flash.

“All the usual suspects, of course. 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–” Drawing in a deep breath, the Headmistress takes the floating parchment from the air and begins to unroll it. “Spellwork outside of the classroom, rough play, pranks, hijinxs, dungbombs, Whipple’s Pimple Powder..” Demonstratively, she allows one end of the scroll to slip from her fingers; it clatters to the table, spills over the edge, and rolls across the floor Great Hall between the Gryffindor and Hufflepuff tables until it exhausts itself somewhere near the door of the waiting room across the entrance foyer. Wearing an expression of mock seriousness, Melvina sets her end of the very long list down and vanishes it with a flick of her wand. “As you can see, the list goes on. Be sure to check it.”

After a moment Melvina conjures a smaller sheet of parchment. “Hogwarts tradition demands that I remind each that the Forbidden Forest is out of bounds for all students. As seems to happen every year since antiquity, some of you will most certainly forget that pesky little rule. It just slips out, squeezed away most certainly by the building pressure of knowledge our fine professors work so hard to fill your heads with over the term.” The elderly woman chuckles as she shares a knowing look with a few select members of the student body. “Know then that detention is the minimum punishment for entering the Forbidden Forest without a member of staff or faculty to escort you, and that such acts will usually will result in a substantial loss of house points as well.”

With a small, meaningful glance around and a pause to clear her throat and savor a sip of pumpkin juice, Melvina continues. “Naturally, we ask that you respect and defer to your Prefects. At this time, I’d like to congratulate our new prefects; for Ravenclaw house, Miss Dara Quincy and Mister Edward Innarsal, for Slytherin house, Miss Odaira Wallace and Mister Augustine Malloy, for Gryffindor house Miss Allison Ardua and Mister Luke Marcus, and for Hufflepuff house, Miss Constance Geroff and Mist… Miss Ali Chamberlain. Remember, prefects are selected by their respective Heads of House,” Melvina places a curiously strong emphisis on those last three words. “For exceptional dedication, scholastic merit, and integrity, as well as exemplifying the values their respective houses treasure. Respect and defer to them, as they chose not to bear the weight of responsibility handed to them, but will most assuredly carry out their new-found duties with aplomb.” The Headmistress pauses, looking over the hall for a moment as if to convey a silent message to the crowd before continuing on. “Leading our prefects will be our new Head Boy and Head Girl, Marten Augustine and Helen McPhereson. Mister Augustine and Miss McPhereson, please stand.” She applauds once the two have risen, leading those who care to join her in a round of congratulations.

“Well done, Head Boy, Head Girl,” the Headmistress says, sincerly. “On to faculty. Sadly, I must inform you that Professor Hathaway of our Transfiguration department has choosen to resign, and will be replaced this term by Professor Edward Marconia. I hope you will all join me in welcoming Professor Marconia in to the Hogwarts family.” Again, Melvina applauds, turning toward the new instructor and inclining her head toward him in a respectful manner.

Following a relieved sigh and Melvina finally sets down the parchment and removes her glasses, tucking them back in to her breast pocket. “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. To those of you returning, my love of tradition should be no surprise; thus, I announce once again to you my personal favorite of our many Hogwarts traditions, the annual Barefoot Social. A celebration of the new term, greeting those whom are just joining us, and welcoming home the rest. 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, briefly, as she looks out at her young crowd. Following the precident set by events of year’s past — the ladies will need ask the gentlemen for the honor of an afternoon’s courtship. Naturally, 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, and a handful of other special events the faculty has planned for 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. Tuck in.” And with small nod and a sly, lingering grin, she slips casually back in to her seat.

“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 continui
ng 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 Adams emit 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.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Hey Briony, so how was your summer?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Oh wow this is the year I take OWLs isn’t it.”

(Gryffindor) “Erm, it was fine,” Briony answers vaguely, glancing only briefly to the fifth year as she takes her seat, waving enthusiastically to her friends at other tables, including an obligatory wave to both of her siblings at the Hufflepuff table. “OWLs aren’t bad, you’ll see,” she tosses at him vaguely.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Yeah I guess your right I just am nervous.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “I am so excited”

The southern doors to the Great Hall are flung wide open. They fly outward, ready to crash into the wall, only to stop suddenly just before impact. Through this opening strides Professor Gerald Rathe, with an untidy line of first-year students following behind. Although he travels at what is for him a casual saunter, him long legs still eat up the distance rapidly. Arriving at the front of the room, he is forced to pause for a moment to make sure that the first years catch up, and indicates to them that they should stand in a line behind him.

Christopher Hobbs blinks as he enters the large hall, wide eyes greedily taking in all of the details of the room. A broad but nervous grin stretches across his face as he walks in line after Professor Rathe.

Gilroy Hollister trails Professor Rathe into the Hall, grey eyes making a wide sweep of the faces assembled before being pulled in by the ceiling. He speaks a vague syllable before remembering to stay silent, and instead nudges Mariska and points upward at the artificial night sky.

The heat, light and sound almost bowls Adelaide over, thanks to the long train journey and dark boat ride. As the doors open, she shuffles along with her fellow first years, putting on a face of not a care in the world, even though she knows that everyone in the hall is going to be looking at them. It’s not at all what she expected, but her brother had warned her that the sorting is different for everyone, and as undescribable for each.

Silas follows Professor Rathe into the Great Hall and gapes at the sight. He didn’t know what to expect, but he sure hadn’t expected such an extravagant sight! This was even more impressive than the banquet hall at Vicaris Hall! So many people… watching them get sorted. Silas tries to steel his nerves, but finds such a task hard to do here.

Walking into the great hall with the rest of the unsorted students Tommy‘s eyes immediatly look up to the enchanted roof and the first words out of his mouth are “Wow! Look at that.” And then they move to take in the rest of the hall, wide with wonder and a grin scrawled over his face.

Mariska Moore enters the great hall with the other unsorted students. A quick look around reveals the rest of the student body. With a slight gulp she looks to either side, finding Gilroy to one she grins and remains silent. At Gil’s nuding Mariska looks up, and her eyes widen more than they were before, if that’s possible.

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.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Welcome!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Thank you. I was so nervous!”

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!”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Well apparently your bravery came out well!”

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “The hat wasn’t sure whether I should be a Gryfifndor or a Hufflepuff.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams turns as she hears a familiar name, “That’s my cousin!”

(Gryffindor) Welcoming the first new arrival of the year, Andy Carver applauds as Adelaide approaches the Gryffindor table. “Welcome, Adelaide!” and then addresses Briony with a smile. “I wonder how many we’ll get this year. What do you think, Bri?”

(Gryffindor) “Obviously you made it here, so good on that!” Briony cheers with a grin. “Although my siblings are both in Hufflepuff, so that wouldn’t have been bad, either. It’s a good house, too.” The young woman nods solemnly as she glances around at those populating the table.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles and nods, “I hope so too.” she grins at Briony, “Glad to be here!”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “emit Giving a small smile to Adelaide, Tordek says, ‘Well maybe we will get your cousin also.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams waits in complete silence, nervous from her own sorting, and on behalf of her cousin.

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana comforts Adelaide and says ‘No matter what house she is in you will still be able to hang out sometimes.’.

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles “Oh well. Congratulations Melissa!”

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.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Atleast she wasn’t a Slytherin.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nods, “She’ll do really well in Ravenclaw I think.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana goes back to staring intently at Tommy and the sorting hat.

(Gryffindor) Although her own heart is still racing, Adelaide watches her year mates get sorted, willing each of them on.

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles good-naturedly, clapping along with everyone, “Poor Adrian. He’s going to be right at the bottom of the list.”

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “You know, I don’t mind what houses everyone’s in. We all had such a laugh coming here. Was it like that for you all?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Yes, but then most of the people I came with we grew apart as time went on.”

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nods understandingly, “Yea, I guess. I’m not sure we all will though. We already have some private jokes.” she grins optimistically.

(Gryffindor) Laughing Tordek says, ‘I am ready for the feast its been so long since I ate’.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smirks in agreement, “Yes, well be thankful you weren’t the first years this time. Those boats were so cold!”

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?

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “It was cold my first time also, I remember when I was being sorted the hat wanted me to be in Hufflepuff.”

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “If nothing else, we’re a well rounded year so far!”"

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Things change as you age don’t forget, some will go on to be great others will dwindle.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Really? The same as me then!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nods solemnly “True enough.”

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.

(Gryffindor) Patting Hannah on the back Tordek says, ‘Welcome to Gryffindor!’.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Hello Hannah! Welcome to our house. Guess we’re stuck with each other for seven years.”

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams grins at Christopher, “Heya, you made it then?” she winks.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Welcome to Gryffindor hope your Seven Years here are wonderful.”

(Gryffindor) “Hello, Hannah! Welcome, Christopher!” Andy exclaims, his hands getting sore from all the clapping. “I’m sure you’ll have a good time here!”

(Gryffindor) Sighing Tordek says, ‘Man only two more years at this wonderful castle.’.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blushes and waves to Andy and Tordek. “Thank you very much!” he beams, taking a seat at the table. Spotting Adelaide his grin broadens even further and he mouths the words “We did it!” to her.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles reassuringly at Tordek, already liking him, “We’ll take good care of it.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams understanding what Christopher is saying, Adelaide beams, and shakes his hand on the table, “We sure did.” she mouths back.

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.

(Gryffindor) Thinking aloud Tordek says, ‘I wonder what house my brother will be in’.

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!”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs nods at Hannah as well, another first-year whom he had seen on the train. To Andy and Tordek, he asks inquisitively, “What are your names?”

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.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Well I am Tordek Kana.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana laughs and says, ‘Well looks like Allgermein is just like dad a Hufflepuff.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Well, you two will have to hang out when Melissa and I do!”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs smiles and nods, replying politely, “Nice to meet you.” He quiets down again and turns back to the Sorting, seeing if any of his other friends will get placed in his new House as well.

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

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams waves a greeting at Vashti, “Welcome to our table!”

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.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Welcome Vashti I am Tordek.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs cheers and waves to Vashti.

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 blinks slightly as her name is called and steps forward. Quietly, and nervously, she makes her way to the stool, wherein she promptly sits and settles the hat atop her head. Due to the size of her head, the hat successfully manages to cover most of it. Mariska, now settled, places her hands in her lap and awaits the hat’s decision.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams looks around at the uniforms and tables, “Blimey. A lot of Gryffindors this time round!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Welcome to our house Vashti”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs chuckles, still glancing around the room. His eyes are wide-eyed yet, but at least he no longer appears nervous. “This place is…amazing,” he repeats in quiet awe.

(Gryffindor) Vashti says, “Thanks! I was getting a bit nervous that I’d be put into Slytherin for a second there… that hat seriously considered it.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “It didn’t know whether to put me in Gryffindor or Hufflepuff, slightly odd combination, hehe.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher says, “I think I was a challenge for it. The only one it -didn’t- consider for me was Slytherin…”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Not really, Hufflepuff is loyal and Gryffindor is bold a nice combination if you ask me.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nods in agreement with Christopher, “I’ll say!”

(Gryffindor) Hannah Forsyth jumps and waves as both Jez and Vashti are sorted into her house. “Woo! We made it, guys! I’m over heeere! That’s so awesome! So great we’re all together now! Yeah, the hat guy considered Hufflepuff for me too, but he said I’d do better here. I’m so excited!” she giggles. “So, when’s the feast?”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams grins “Soon I hope, I’m hungry. Those boats really work up an appetite.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs‘s stomach rumbles at the mention of food. “I’m starving…” he adds in agreement with a small grin.

(Gryffindor) Trying to calm Hannah down Tordek says, ‘It starts after the last person is sorted.’.

(Gryffindor) “I don’t know but I wish the others would hurry up,” complains Vashti, clutching her stomach.

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!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams sneakily offers Vashti a paper bag, with bonbons in it, “All I’ve got right now. If anyone else is peckish, help yourself.” she winks

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.

(Gryffindor) Plunging her hand hungrily into the offered bag, Vashti nibbles on the candy happily for a second before remembering, “Oh, thanks,” she says to Adelaide.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “No problem.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs turns to Vashti and the others near her and asks, “So, which of you are cousins?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “A nice bunch of first years this time around.”

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!”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blushes slightly again and replies with a smile, “Thanks.”

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.

(Gryffindor) “Not that you can tell by looking really…” starts Vashti, “but, she is,” she says, pointing to a girl with dark and curly hair. “That’s Jezebel.” Pointing to Hannah, she notes, “And Hannah.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles at Tordek’s kind words, and then sits bolt upright as Adrian’s name is called, one of her best friends since childhood.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs smiles and waves to Vashti, Hannah, and Jezebel. “Nice to meet you all.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “My cousin Melissa’s a Ravenclaw”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Didn’t I see that boy Adrian in Diagon Alley?”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams giggles “Probably, he gets everywhere!”

(Gryffindor) Gladly accepting a candy from Adelaide, Hannah nods in approval. “Yeah, we didn’t really grow up together, but we’re still friends, I guess.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Well after the feast I must go send Regan with a letter to mother and father telling them that Allgermein got sorted into Hufflepuff.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “You have an owl too? Everyone seems to.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher says, “Well, I have a cat at home, so I thought it would be nice to have a different pet.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana nodding at Adelaide, ‘I got my owl for being sorted into Gryffindor like my Grandfather’.

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.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs cheers!

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!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles at Tordek, “I have a kitten, she’s dozing.” as Adrian is sorted, she jumps up and cheers, “Yay! Adri!”

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.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Welcome Adrian I am Tordek if you need any help even though I am not a Prefect I can still help you.”

(Gryffindor) Adrian Skye sighs. “Whew.” I didn’t need a wand…

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nudges Adrian, “It’s Silas!”

(Gryffindor) Adrian says, “I forgot my wand in my luggage… I hope we don’t have to do any magic!”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs subconsciously pats his pocket where his wand is safely stored, as if to make sure it hasn’t magically disappeared on him.

(Gryffindor) Adrian Skye comes to realize who is being analyzed by that very Hat which placed him in the best house he could have hoped for. “Oh… look, it is!” Waiting in anticipation, Adrian can do nothing but look.

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana jokingly says to Adrian, ‘You have to have your wand to get into the Common Room!’.

(Gryffindor) Then after a moment Tordek says, ‘Just kidding no wand needed yet.’.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams playing along, Adelaide nods emphatically, “I heard that too. You’ll sleep in the hall without it.”

(Gryffindor) “Oh look, that Silas guy, I hope he’s not in our house…” Hannah says, wrinkling her nose. “He thinks he’s better than everybody else.”

(Gryffindor) “What? Wand? Common Room? No, I don’t have it, it’s in my luggage… what do I do??” Adrian‘s voice fills with panic.

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.

(Gryffindor) Adrian Skye breathes a sigh of relief. “Whew… You… got me.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams giggles, “Joke!” as Silas is Sorted, Adelaide stands up and cheers, “Congratulations Silas!”

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!”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs laughs at Adrian’s silliness, and cheers Silas as he takes a seat at the table.

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.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams looks around “The Gryffindors are taking over!” she grins.

(Gryffindor) “Not another!” exclaims Vashti distastefully as yet another Gryffindor is added. “Alright hat, no more Gryffindors now…” she mutters.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Welcome To Gryffindor Silas I am Tordek if you have any questions ask any of the higher up students.”

(Gryffindor) Silas waves at Adelaide as he takes a seat. “Thanks… I’m rather glad to be here,” he says with an absent smile, still somewhat shellshocked from the experience at the stool.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles at Vashti, “It’ll be fine. It’s a big castle,” she winks, then offers Silas a bonbon, sensing his nerves.

(Gryffindor) Adrian Skye helps himself to food. He was indeed starving, and the Sorting had only served to increase his appetite. Chomping on a chicken leg, he waved hello to Silas.

(Gryffindor) Adrian says, “Melissa got sorted into Ravenclaw…”

(Gryffindor) “Yeah, glad that you are here too…” Hannah hisses into Silas’ direction frowning.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nods at Adrian, “Yea, she did. But I’ll just make more effort to talk to her.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana yawns and says, ‘Well I’m not that hungery anymore maybe I will sneak down to the kitchen tonight if I get hungery I might just head off to bed.’.

(Gryffindor) Chewing on the bonbon, Silas waves back to Adrian before looking for things to fill his plate with. “That was a bit intense, wasn’t it?” he says idly, his mind going over what the hat said. He glances at Hannah and Vashti but says nothing, either without retort or deciding it not worth his time.

(Gryffindor) Christopher says, “The feast will start in a few minutes, Jack’s the last one.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams looks almost disbelieving, another one, she cheers and claps with the rest of the table as Jack joins them, “Welcome Jack!”

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.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs laughs happily as yet another Gryffindor is sorted, and cheers loudly for Jack as he takes a seat at the table.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams waves in greeting, “Wow, there’s a lot of us this year. Welcome!”

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.

(Gryffindor) Silas cheers loudly as Jack also makes it to the Gryffindor table. “It seems we’ve got a good class this year!”

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana laughs then says, ‘Welcome to Gryffindor’.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Gryffindors really are taking over, aren’t they?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs peers towards the faculty table with curiosity. “Who is that?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “That is the Headmistress.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams follows his gaze, “That is the headmistress!”

(Gryffindor) Adrian Skye goes quiet. “The headmistress….”

(Gryffindor) “Hush, Tordek,” Briony scolds. “She’s going to give her speech.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blinks. “Oh, right! She sent me my invitation to Hogwarts.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams respectfully buttons her lip

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.

(Gryffindor) Standing up, Silas applauds in a somewhat mediocre fashion for the former headmistress, though he really didn’t know if she was worth the trouble or not. Regardless, teachers should probably be respected in whatever fashion is asked.

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.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs frowns and turns to the rest of the table to whisper, “We can’t do magic outside of classes?”

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!

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs cheers!

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams beams, “Congratulations Briony!”

“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.

(Gryffindor) :stands up and cheers for her housemate. “Good job, Briony!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams looks at Adrian, “Isolde Morgan…? That’s the woman we spoke to!”

(Gryffindor) Adrian Skye wracks his brains, but cannot remember. “Isolde.. Morgan….?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs nods at Adelaide and Adrian. “Yeah, we met her at the Leaky Cauldron!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Doubt she’ll remember us though!”

“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.

(Gryffindor) Andy rises and applauds for his fellow Gryffindor. He had no hopes to become Head Boy himself anyways.

(Gryffindor) A mischeivous little grin spreads across Adelaide‘s face at the mention of the ball, now that might be interesting.

(Gryffindor) Wait, what was that about a dance? “What does she mean? What is the Barefoot Social?” Silas asks the table, hoping for some more information.

(Gryffindor) Christopher says, “I think she said it was a dance of some kind.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Didn’t you hear? It’s a semi-formal, and us girls have to ask the gentlemen. Very modern!”

(Gryffindor) “It’s a dance,” Briony answers in a whisper. “Girls ask the boys to go with them, and nobody wears shoes.” The girl leans back a bit but still offers a grin. “It’s quite fun, really. I mean, who wouldn’t turn down a whole day to go around barefoot?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “I rather don’t like feet.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs giggles and shakes his head. “That sounds silly, but it would probably be fun.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams giggles Then look at the faces

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams grins “Hey Chris, maybe we can go!” she quips

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blushes and replies awkwardly, “Err…really?”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams smiles brightly at him, “Sure! Why not? We’re friends aren’t we?”

(Gryffindor) “Barefoot?” The entire idea seems rather odd. Going barefoot to a dance, having the girls ask the boys, what sort of mischief was this? Silas glances around once more before looking down to focus on his food. Hopefully the dance won’t be for a while yet- imagine having to deal with social pressures on top of schoolwork! Already!

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs smiles and nods, “Yeah, we are. That would be fun.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher says, “When is it?”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams beams, “Then we should go, whenever it is, hehe.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blushes again and nods. “Ok, sure!” As his stomach rumbles, Christopher glances down and licks his lips. “This food looks amazing! Let’s eat, shall we?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs begins to put some of the delicious-looking food on his plate, licking his lips in anticipation.

(Gryffindor) “Finally!” exclaims Adelaide, “I don’t think I could hold out much longer!” she gathers up some of the food herself.

(Gryffindor) Finishing with his food, Silas looks around the Great Hall curiously. “So, now that we’re all sorted and after the feast, what do we do next?” he asks offhandedly.

(Gryffindor) “Then I’ll take you to the commonroom,” Briony tells the first year, her mouth half full. “Take your time, though, I’m not in a hurry.” Briony smirks a bit, taking another bite of food as she chats amiably with a seventh year girl nearby.

(Gryffindor) Between bites of food, Christopher replies to Silas, “I think we check out the Common Rooms, and move in our luggage.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams downs yet another drink, suddenly very warm, “I can’t wait to see what it’s like. I can also grace my brothers with my presence.”

(Gryffindor) “Yeah, I wonder what our chambers will look like,” Silas agrees, taking a drink of pumpkin juice as he ponders. “Where is our common room, anyway? Do we start classes immediately tomorrow? When do we find out what classes we’re starting with?”

(Gryffindor) Jack Wexler seems quite relieved once the food materializes in front of him, and wastes no time piling mashed potatoes, gravy, noodles, turkey, and all the usual trimmings on to his plate until there is a small mountain of foodstuffs awaiting him. Curiously, despite his American accent and upbringing, he also helps himself to a huge portion of steak-and-kidney pie with peas and potatoes… Something he’d grown fond of since coming to this fair island.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs swallows another bite of food with a smile and states, “This food is great!”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “It almost rivals my mothers.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “How do you have a rival at such a young age?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blinks and giggles. “I think she’s saying that the food is almost as good as her mother’s.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Oh.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams grins sheepishly, “Yes, that’s what I meant.”

(Gryffindor) Chuckling, Silas takes another helping of pie and eats it slowly. “It is rather good, I’m impressed. I wonder who they get to make it.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher says, “:frowns between bites of dessert and replies, “Professor Helit mentioned something about house elves cooking the food…What are those?”"

(Gryffindor) Jack Wexler rolls his eyes a little toward Tordek as he begins to devour his meal; not so much savoring as inhaling it. Each bite chewwed only enough to promise that it most likely won’t get stuck in his gullet after being swallowed before the next is shoveled in to his mouth to replace it.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “There pretty much slaves that cook the food.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blinks with his fork halfway to his mouth, frowning again. “Did you say slaves?”

(Gryffindor) Silas Vicaris looks up at Tordek’s comment. “Who are pretty much slaves?” he asks before taking another bite.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams looks up from her plate, stopping, “I hope they’re looked after well.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “House Elves”

(Gryffindor) Christopher says, “I’m not quite sure I understand…”

(Gryffindor) Silas blinks a moment. “House elves?” He chuckles at the idea of them being enslaved. “My family has two, and they’re not slaves- they love what they do! They live to serve, and I’d hardly say that they’re slaves if they enjoy what they do for a living.”

(Gryffindor) Jack blinks, twice, mouth half-open and filled with half-chewwed food. “Wuf? Swahphves?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “They are slaves but I don’t really care my family has two also.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs shifts uneasily in his seat, although Silas’ description seems to ease his worries somewhat. “Are they magical creatures, then?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “They are like goblins so yes we classify them as Magical Creatures.”

(Gryffindor) “Then why do you call them slaves? They house elves- that’s what they do, it’s hardly slavery if you’re not keeping them against their will.” He glances at Jack, half-amused at his attempts to speak. “Try to chew and swallow before you choke yourself, Jack.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams still looks a bit hesitant, “Well, ok, if they’re happy.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Well not every house elf is happy so some are slaves some are not.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Couldn’t you let the not happy ones go?”

(Gryffindor) Again, Jack blinks, his gaze shifting to Tordek, then to Silas, then back to Tordek. Slowly, almost carefully, he finishes chewwing his mouthful of food and swallows. And then quite deliberately sets down his fork. His gaze darkening in to as much focused hatred as an eleven year old can manage. “They are slaves, and you don’t care?” That was very clearly a not-okay thing, as far as Jack was concerned.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “You could but then you would be out of work so I wouldn’t”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams blinks I’d be out of work?

(Gryffindor) Silas shakes his head at the thought. “I have never met an unhappy house elf. Every house elf is happy and proud to serve you as well as they can, it’s just how they are, and have always been. Freeing a house elf is a punishment, not a privilege. How would that be slavery at all?”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “I was speaking in general”

(Gryffindor) “I can’t wait to see who wins the Quidditch cup this year,” Briony interrupts the conversation. The girl certainly does not like politics. “I think we could take it this year. I hear Andy’s been made captain after all, and he was quite good while I was on the team before.” The girl grins to nobody in particular, stretching a bit before filling her plate with a bit more food.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams pulls a face slightly, “Oh geez, please don’t start talking politics.” she pleaded.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “I was going to try out for the team this year but I don’t really know.”

(Gryffindor) Glad to change the topic, Adelaide turns to Briony and smiles, “I’ll be cheering our house on!” She assures.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blinks, mind completely distracted by the change in conversation. “Quidditch!” he squeals excitedly. “My friends have been telling me all about it. I can’t wait to learn how to fly! My dad was a pilot in the World War,” he boldly states with pride, “and I want to fly too!”

(Gryffindor) “I’ll have to replace myself as announcer this year sadly,” Briony admits, her face falling a bit. “But maybe I can figure out how to keep up with Quidditch some way after I leave school. I just hope whoever does it after me is good enough for it. After all, can’t have a bad announcer! That would ruin the matches!”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “We will miss you Briony, so what are you planning to do after you Graduate?”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams turns to Christopher, “I could be the announcer.” joked Adelaide, “My brothers say I don’t stop talking.” she turns to Christopher, “Um, flying magically, is a bit different…” she wasn’t sure how much he knew.

(Gryffindor) Jack offers Silas a dubious look; what he said made sense, in a way, but it still sounded an awful lot like bunk to him. But Tordek… now that was just plain a rude clyde, as far as he was concerned. “What’s quidditch?” Jack asks after a few moments, deciding it best perhaps to let the conversation be redirected, though he continues to glare daggers at Tordek as he shovels more dumplings in to his mouth.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs inquires in a wave of questions, “What are the games like? What position did you play? Why can’t first years own their own broom? I kind of thought I might be able to convince my mum to let me get one for my birthday…”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “I’m quite happy with my feet planted firmly on the ground, thanks.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Briony would you like to explain to our friend Jack about Quidditch?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs adds in, “And me, and me! I want to learn more!”

(Gryffindor) Silas slowly turns to look at Jack incredulously. “How long have you lived in London and you don’t know what Quidditch is?” he asks, rather shocked. The kid may be American, but he should at least know what the national wizarding pasttime is!

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Jack are you Muggle-Born?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blushes and adds after a moment in a more controlled tone, “Sorry, I get excited some times. But the wizarding world is just so interesting to me!”

(Gryffindor) “I was a chaser when I played,” Briony answers happily. She is more than pleased to talk about Quidditch! “First years can’t have their own brooms because they have to learn how to fly first, and the Board of Governors decided that they have to learn on school brooms to be safe.” Pausing as she considers this question. “Well, I don’t know, really. I did want to be a Quidditch player, but my dad was really unhappy with how many bruises I always had when I was playing – Keeper is a dangerous spot, you know – so I stopped playing and just did announcing. I don’t know now. Maybe art or something.” Pausing briefly, Briony sighs. “Quidditch is a wizard sport – you must be a muggleborn? It’s played with hoops and balls called quaffles and bludgers, and there’s a seeker who has to find the snitch, and when the snitch is found, the game is over.” The brief description couldn’t possibly be helpful to one who has never heard of the sport, but Briony seems unaware of this fact.

(Gryffindor) Jack Wexler shoots both Tordek and Silas a very similar, slightly chilly look before nodding, continuing to shovel more food in to his mouth and chewwing rather savagely as if taking it out on them. First on the train, now here… he was starting to feel like this pure-blood thing was going to become tiresome really quick. “Muggle means unmagical people, right? They yeah,” he says between large forkfuls of food.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Cool thats why you don’t know alot about Quidditch don’t feel bad.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams gives Jack a reassuring nudge and whispers to him, “Don’t worry, I’m a half and half.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blinks and looks at Jack with a new smile. “Oh, really?” he replies excitedly. Pointing to himself, he adds, “I’m a Muggle-born, too! I was kind of worried at first, because I thought that it would mean I’d be treated differently. But there’s nothing wrong with it, really. I think it’s really neat that magic can work like that for some people.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nods at Christopher’s words, “Right. Nothing to be ashamed of!”

(Gryffindor) Oh. Muggleborn. “Well, no wonder you don’t know,” Silas says in what he hopes is an understanding and not condescending tone. “Well, you’ll pick it up, I’m sure- it’s a fun sport. You’ll get to learn to fly this year! I learned to fly a year ago, but I would welcome some more practice,” he adds with an air of superiority.

(Gryffindor) His cold glance at Silas and Tordek is shifted toward Briony, though it noticably eases while the Head Girl explains the sport to him. She didn’t seem so condescending, at least. Jack nods to Briony, trying to imagine the whole thing in his head but finding himself unable to wrap his mind around it all. He glances then to Adelaide and Christopher, and can’t help but smile a little bit. At least he wasn’t alone.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “First time I flew I fell off. So try to land on your butt not your leg.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams grins, “Or head I guess!”

(Gryffindor) “You should read Quidditch Through the Ages,” Briony suggests. “It is terribly interesting,” she tells them and grins. Briony, for her own part, shoots Silas an eyeroll and leans forward. “Quidditch is the best sport in the world, just so you know. I love it so much. So, are you happy to be here? It’s the best place anywhere.” Briony is a bit sensationalist, perhaps.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams laughs and nods, “I’m happy to be here! I’ve only been waiting oh, 11 years?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs giggles aloud at Tordek’s story, and adds to Jack, “There’s a lot more to it than what Briony said. I’ve been trying to learn all of the rules and stuff…It sounds a lot like other Muggle sports, except you do it on a broom and shoot through hoops that are elevated way up in the air!” He makes grandiose hand motions that probably don’t help at all, then finishes lamely, “It seems really cool.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana hehs, and says ‘I am so glad to be back at Hogwarts the whole summer I went to see my Uncle in Scottland, then came back and spent most of my time wondering around London and Diagon Alley. So what did all of you do?

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “I went shopping 3 times for supplies…with different people of course.”

(Gryffindor) “I spent most of it… studying. But it’s good to have a bit of a head-start before coming here, I should be well prepared to actually practice magic,” Silas says. Other people’s summers sound so much more interesting than his ended up being, all things considered.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs replies, “My parents and I have been busy this entire summer corresponding with the Ministry of Magic, learning about the wizarding world. There’s -so- much stuff I didn’t know. I finally went shopping just a few days ago, and it was so busy!” He nods at Silas, as well. “They told me to try and read through some of ‘Hogwarts, A History’, but it’s really long…And I don’t really like history as much,” he admits.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Oh I forgot I did a bit of research on a certain subject over the summer also, I finally found another book about the subject that has actual information and not just telling about the people who can do it. It is a large book.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “What subject? Sounds like you were busy!”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Animagi.”

(Gryffindor) “I worked in my Auntie Eva’s shop all summer. Saved up a fair bit of change. It’s nice to have spending money for a change, really.” Briony shrugs otherwise, rather ignoring Tordek’s talk of research. “Maybe I’ll work there after I graduate, if my Auntie will have me. It would be something, at least, until I figure out what I want to do.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “I haven’t even considered future careers, but I have plenty of time, it is my first day after all.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs shakes his head, confused again. “What’s an ‘animagi’? I haven’t heard of that before.”

(Gryffindor) Silas Vicaris chuckles. “I didn’t read ‘Hogwarts, A History’- you’re right, Christopher, it’s pretty boring,” he agrees, chewing on some more pie. Mmm. Pie.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams turns to Christopher, “A witch or wizard, that can shape shift into animals. That’s all I know about it though.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “I read the History book. Have to admit, I fell asleep a lot.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs whistles in awe. “Wow, that’s neat. That must be some really advanced magic. I was flipping through some of the textbooks we bought, and the one on…Transfiguration? Yeah, that one–it seems similar.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs adds as an afterthought, “I mean, it seems like the same kind of idea. Using magic to change things.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Oh! I can’t wait for Transfiguration, or Defense Against The Dark Arts.”"

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Actually, I kind of can’t wait for any of the subjects I have to admit.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs frowns as he tries to remember the books he looked at. “Defense Against the Dark Arts? That sounds pretty ominous. What kind of things do you have to do in that class?”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams grins, “Defend yourself. Very useful subject, you never know what might come up.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Not all magic is good, and you need to learn to deal with both sides of it.”

(Gryffindor) “Oh, it’s just defensive spells and learning how to protect yourself against dark magical creatures,” Silas says, nodding slightly. “It’s an interesting subject, fairly worthwhile, I’d say. I can’t wait until we do charms- my parents can do some amazing things, and I want to learn how to do that sort of thing as well.”

(Gryffindor) Jack Wexler makes a mental not to look for that cabbage book Briony mentioned, or whatever it was the sport was called… it certainly sounded interesting, and if it were popular here than he’d better get to know about at some point. Now that some of his immediate outrage had subsided, he was able to enjoy his food abit more. “Twawnsphiffurtwaton?” he asks, between a mouthful of dumplings.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams nods at Jack, “Turning something into something else. Really tricky, to get it right, from what I’ve heard.”

(Gryffindor) Silas Vicaris glances at Jack again. “What was that?” he asks, grinning.

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs‘s smile falters a bit at that statement, shifting uncomfortably as he takes a bite of pie. “But…why would someone want to use magic for bad things? Like dark magic and stuff? I mean…magic is a good thing. It should be used for good,” he states in a tone that implies he thought it was obvious.

(Gryffindor) Tordek Kana yawns broadly ‘Well I am really getting tired I wonder how much longer this feast is going to last

(Gryffindor) “Yes, it should.” agrees Adelaide, “But it doesn’t always turn out like that, it depends entirely on who a person is, regarding which path they follow.”

(Gryffindor) “I don’t know, Christopher,” Silas admits, shrugging. “Of course people should do good, I guess the problem is that not everyone does o good automatically. Some people are… misguided or something. Perhaps there’s something wrong mentally that’ll make ‘em do bad.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Not everything is about Good and Bad, there are some spells that are classifyed as ‘bad’ but I don’t know I think its just how someone uses the spell.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide says, “Some are fairly obvious though.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Oh really? What if an Auror uses a spell that is suppose to be ‘bad’ to bring in a Dark Wizard?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs frowns, eyebrows furrowing into his forehead. His lack of magical vocabulary is taxing his mind. “What’s an Auror?” he sighs.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Dark Wizard catcher”

(Gryffindor) “Oh,” Jack says, after swallowing. His once-overflowing plate was now nearly empty, and he had just begun the process of restoring it to it’s former glory.

(Gryffindor) Adelaide blinked at Tordek’s question. Politics again? She was a first year. “It’s like an equation. Caster + situation + spell = turnout.”

(Gryffindor) Silas struggles with that for a moment. “Well… that would technically be good, wouldn’t it? I mean, they brought in the dark wizard, right? I would think that they’d be good…”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Silence Headmistress Melvina is going to speak I think.”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs blinks and replies, “Aha, I get it.” But his smile fades back to a frown as he contemplates the question of philosophy. “I…well…bad guys need to be caught, right? I think a good Auror would just do it without using dark magic.”

(Gryffindor) Adelaide Adams looks up as the head stands up again, “Maybe I can go sleep now.”

(Gryffindor) Briony Wexler rolls her eyes at Tordek. “Let the prefects do that; I see you weren’t made one, so you shouldn’t be so bossy,” Briony tells Tordek testily as she turns her eyes forward. For her own part, Briony has stuffed herself quite full, and she’s nearly ready to sleep, early yet though it is.

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Is that comment suppose to be taken as you are making fun of me for not making Prefect?”

(Gryffindor) Christopher Hobbs offers a small smile at Briony, but says nothing else. Instead, he quiets down and looks expectantly to the Headmistress.

“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.”

(Gryffindor) Tordek says, “Well I think I will go head up to the Common Room.”

(Gryffindor) “If that’s how you’re going to take it, then I can’t stop you, can I?” Briony replies cooly. “I was merely suggesting you let the Prefects do their jobs and stop being so bossy.” With that, Briony stands up. “First years, follow me; I’ll show you the way to the commonroom!”

Christopher Hobbs whistles as they approach the staircases. “Why are they moving?” he asks in amazement.

Adelaide Adams grins and turns to Christopher, “Because they feel like it.” she answered, honestly.

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

Christopher Hobbs blinks. “Wow,” he comments simply as they pass through the portrait into the common room. He peers around the room, whistling in awe again as he surveys their own special hide-out. “This is so neat!”

Tordek says, “So did all of you enjoy your first day at Hogwarts?”

Christopher Hobbs nods enthusiastically at Tordek, replying, “Everything has been amazing! I’m so excited for classes to start…even if it means we have to do homework.”

Silas looks around with wide eyes. “This is our common room, huh?” he says softly, taking in the bright colors and furniture rather quietly overall.

Adelaide turns to the others and smiles, “We’re here! I can’t believe we’re here! It’s been the best day ever!”

Tordek says, “Well I think I am going back down to the Great Hall for a bit.”

Adelaide says, “I think I might check everything’s here, then hang out here for a while, else I’m going to be on my lonesome”

“I think I’m going to check out my bedchambers, see if everything arrived safely,” Silas says, yawning a bit. Odds are he’ll fall asleep too, but we’ll just see how it goes.

Adelaide Adams turns to the others, “Well, wish me luck!”

Tordek says, “So Briony when will we learn what classes we have taken?”

Christopher Hobbs waves goodnight to Adelaide. “Sleep well, Adelaide!”

Tordek Kana waves goodnight to everyone and says, ‘Well I am going to turn in see you all in the morning classes start early.

Adelaide says, “Goodnight Tordek. See you tomorrow I should think!”

Adelaide says, “And you’re Head Girl, so it wasn’t all bad!”

Christopher Hobbs ponders for a moment and suddenly asks aloud, “Oh, I forgot to ask earlier! Who is the Head of House for Gryffindor? I heard the Headmistress mention something earlier about those…”

Adelaide says, “Professor Fallon…I think.”

Christopher Hobbs nods at Adelaide. “Alright, neat. Thanks!” He yawns suddently, surprising himself. “I didn’t realize I was so tired…perhaps I should head to the sleeping quarters for now. I can always explore the castle later. We should do that tomorrow after classes.”

Adelaide Adams yawning herself, Adelaide smiles, “I’ll second that notion. Goodnight Christopher, sweet dreams.”

Christopher Hobbs waves goodnight to everyone and heads up to the sleeping areas, yawning again as he exits the room.

Adelaide says, “Well, I’m going to hit the hay. It was really nice talking to you. See you in the morning!”

Making his way in slowly, Chester finds the first empty compartment that he can manage. He has no idea where his friends have ended up, and he apparently has been unable to find them at all, given the emptiness of the compartment. After getting his trunk sorted out, Chester sits down next to the window, leaning against it lazily. He looks out the window aimlessly as he awaits the inevitable: people joining him.

It had been some time since Alden had last needed to ride the train. A working visit to help a relative build a nursery had taken a bit more of holiday than he’d expected, and riding the train back to Hogsmeade seemed about as expedient a method of getting home as any other. Taking a bit of time to find a relatively quiet, unoccupied compartment he offers Chester a small nod after stepping in and begins the process of hoisting his trunk up in to the racks; a task not made especially easy for his lack of height.

Dolly Faeden drags her trunk along, walking backwards and tugging on the handle. “Hafta talk to Da about getting it lighter next year too, not just bigger on the inside,” she mutters to herself in a thick-as-mud Scottish accent. Now that the trunk is in a compartment, though, she isn’t about to move, no matter who is within. Standing and wiping her brow, she turns to survey who it is that has the pleasure of her company. Something like that. “‘ey, Blake. Any better at that beetle to button business?” inquiries the slightly taller and older teenager(!), as though she hadn’t seen him in class countless times after that incident.

“I think I figured it out,” Chester answers almost sullenly, nodding a hello to Alden as he makes his way in. “It’s not important now anyway because I’m sure we’ll have something harder to do this term that I’ll have to work on for hours. How was your summer D- erm. Dolly.” Chester glances to Alden as he works on getting his trunk up above the seats, but does not offer help. Chester wouldn’t be much help anyhow.

It takes Alden several moments to accomplish the task, and not a little bit of stretching and straining; he manages, however, in due time and takes a seat across from Chester. His gaze turns out the window as he dabs his forehead briefly with the sleeve of his shirt, clearing himself of the evidence of his exertion.

Dolly Faeden forgets about hoisting her trunk anywhere and just slides in in front of an empty seat, leaving barely enough room for her to slide in and keep her legs from knocking everything. “I hope we learn something better this term. D’ya see the Prophet? A new Transfiguration professor, an’ she’s a bird.” Well, sometimes. “Hope we’re set to learn all kinds of things.” She looks over at Alden while she speaks, but doesn’t otherwise prompt him to join in the conversation she’s starting. “Are you gonna go out for Quidditch at’all? Heard Hufflepuff got a new Captain, and all.”

“She’s a bird?” Chester asks, his eyes widening. He glances at Alden, as if to see if the boy knows what Dolly is on about. “I don’t play Quidditch,” he shares quietly. “Don’t like it.” He pauses and leans back, detatching his cheek from the wall finally and sinking back int he seat. “She’s a bird” he asks again, coming back to her first statement. “How can a bird teach us transfiguration?”

Alden‘s expression becomes almost as curious as Chester’s with Dolly’s proclimation that their new Transfiguration professor was somehow an avian. He shifts his gaze from the sliding scenery to the Ravenclaw with a slightly arched brow, but prudently offers not a question or statement that might otherwise announce his ignorance. Instead, he answers the question about Quidditch. “I’m not a strong flier.”

Dolly Faeden raises one eyebrow at Chester as though silently evaluating whether he may be a bit slow, and then says, “She’s not always a bird. Paper said she’s an animagus, and I asked Da’ and he said it means a witch or wizard who can turn into a certain animal at will, that there’s a registry of them, and looked her up and she’s a bird.” He either didn’t share with her any other information or she doesn’t consider it news. The boys both get a cluck at their answers to Quidditch inquiry, but all she replies is, “To each their own, I suppose. I love it, myself.”

“Huh. Oh, I see. Well, I guess that’s better than being taught by an actual bird. I thought animals weren’t allowed to do magic, no matter how sentient.” Chester pauses and shrugs. “We always played football when we were in India… I never really caught on to Quidditch. Seems a lot harder to me. So I’ll stay with football, even though it’s a muggle thingy.” Chester shrugs and trails off, sinking into his seat a bit. “I don’t usually read the newspaper,” he admits.

“Football?” Alden asks, satisfied enough by Dolly’s answer about their new, feathered teacher. “That’s a muggle sport, yes? Where you kick about a small ball and can’t use your hands?”

Dolly Faeden gives a small, “Oh! I’ve seen children in the village at football. Nothing wrong with a muggle sport. I’m taking Muggle Studies this year. Grandfather is right proud.” She passes some time, now, in actual silence. Yes, exciting.

“Yeah, it’s a black and white ball, and you toss it around. It’s fun… lots of running. No brooms.” Chester glances out the window. “Oh, I suppose we should be getting ready to get off the train. It looks like we’re nearly there.” He pauses. “I think I can see Hogwarts.” He stands up rather unceremoniously and without a glance to the other two starts straightening his robes. What is it that makes him uncomfortable about this line of conversation?

“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 Adams emit 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.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland waits paitently for something exciting to happen.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland leans over to talk to Seker while waiting for the first years. “So, is it true what I hear? That you’re a child of Professor Rathe’s?”

(Hufflepuff) Having come only from Hogsmeade, Constance seems a bit subdued in comparison to some of her other classmates, though this doesn’t last long. “Alice! Verity!” she cries happily as she is reunited with the latter, though it would be silly to consider it a reunion between the former and herself, since they both live in Hogsmeade. “I’m so excited for this year. It’s going to be the best year ever.” Which is exactly what Constance says at the start of every new term. “Hi, Alden,” she also greets, and then begins tossing greetings around to the others at the table.

(Hufflepuff) Glancing over to Timothy, Seker draws himself out of his book and is quite shocked indeed to notice that people have arrived. “Oh,” he says, putting down the novel. “Yes, she is my mother,” he confirms. “My sister is here too, over at the Slytherin table”. He motions non-specifically behind him.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland nods, glancing slightly in the direction that Seker indicated. “That’s neat. How is it having a mother here who is a professor? I couldn’t imagine either my mom or my dad being professors here while I’m a student. Well…not my mom, anyway. My dad would be alright, but not so much my mom.” He smiles.

(Hufflepuff) Shrugging, Seker explains, “It’s not a whole lot different. She isn’t any easier on us because we’re her kids. If anything she’s harder. But it doesn’t make a big difference to me. This is the last year I’ll be taking defence. I’ll be taking the Charms NEWT if all goes well, though, and my grandfather is teaching that. But actually, quite a few of the faculty have children attending here, so I’m not nearly the only one.”

(Hufflepuff) “I would hate to have my mum and dad at school with me, always looking over my shoulder…” Chester pipes in. “Do you think the OWLs are very hard?” he asks the fifth year cautiously. “I had to pick classes and I’m not sure if I should have picked easier ones… I don’t want to fail them or anything.”

(Hufflepuff) Alden nods as to Constance as he sips his pumpkin juice, unaware that he been watching the huge doors of the great hall awaiting her entrance or that the corner of his gaze followed her as she began issuing greetings. “Hello,” he replies to her simply.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland shrugs ever so slightly. “Really? Oh, I thought it might be really worse.” He frowns but then shakes his head. “My parents both work at the ministry, can’t see them teaching at all. My mom would be the worst too! She’d assign way more homework than any other teacher, I just know it!

(Hufflepuff) “You won’t fail,” Seker replies simply to Chester. “Just work hard.” He pauses, remembering his new authority this year. “Er… I could help you, if you need any… help.” He says this and looks down, back to the cover of his book. Glancing back up to Timothy, he replies incredulously, “More than my mother? I doubt it.”

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland shrugs at Seker. “I’ve never had a class with Professor Rathe. I’m just in second year. She was the Headmistress last year. But I bet near close, if not more! She’s a stickler for study!”

(Hufflepuff) “How was your summer, Alden?” Constance asks congenially, despite that she likely saw him for much of the summer. “How did Briony like working in Diagon Alley? I saw her when my mum took me there to visit a couple of times. She looked like she was having fun, perhaps.” The girl grins to the slightly older boy, shrugging off the OWL discussion. It’s only the first day; she doesn’t need to worry about that surely!

(Hufflepuff) Smirking Seker shrugs once more. “Let’s just say, I’m glad this is my last year of Defence…” he says to Timothy with a wink. “Not that the remaining years at school will be easy… I’ve heard NEWTs are horrible sometimes.”

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland giggles a little. “Well, I guess I’ll see for myself this year eh? I guess I shouldn’t be looking forward to it though.”

(Hufflepuff) “NEWTs are supposed to be the “Nastily Exhausting” ones, right? I’m really not looking forward to those… Maybe I really should see about changing my classes.” Chester seems genuinely concerned about this, seeming to want to do well on his exams, even if it means taking easier classes to do it.

(Hufflepuff) Interested, Seker asks Chester, “Why, which ones did you choose? Really, I’m sure as long as you keep up and stick with everything, you’ll be just fine.”

(Hufflepuff) “I’m taking Magical Art and Divination. I’ve heard some scary things about Professor Kensington’s homework assignments, though. Is it true she’ll assign three feet to write before the very next class? That’s an awful lot to write about such a load of rubbish…” Chester looks quite skeptical. “Which ones do you take?”

(Hufflepuff) “Why did you take divination if you think it’s rubbish?” Seker asks, rather surprised. “I’m taking Wizo-Music and Ancient Runes. So far I like them both quite a lot.”

(Hufflepuff) “It seemed like an easy course when I picked it. I mean, it’s really all guess-work, isn’t it? I’m not so sure now. I heard things about Professor Kensington in the carriage ride over, and now I think I chose wrong.” Chester looks a bit deflated over this. “Is Ancient Runes difficult?”

(Hufflepuff) “Mmm, it’s… not easy, I wouldn’t say… but I haven’t had an overly hard time of it. Just paying attention helps a lot of course. And knowing how you learn. That’s the key I think,” Seker says, looking to the younger student.

(Hufflepuff) “It was alright,” Alden says, taking another sip of his pumpkin juice. He doesn’t feel the need to point out that he’d seen Constance several times over the duration of it, and that it had really only be the last couple of weeks that while he’d been away that they hadn’t a chance to talk. “Productive,” he adds, almost as an afterthought, though a slight note of satisfaction emphisizes the word as he says it. “Yours?”

The southern doors to the Great Hall are flung wide open. They fly outward, ready to crash into the wall, only to stop suddenly just before impact. Through this opening strides Professor Gerald Rathe, with an untidy line of first-year students following behind. Although he travels at what is for him a casual saunter, him long legs still eat up the distance rapidly. Arriving at the front of the room, he is forced to pause for a moment to make sure that the first years catch up, and indicates to them that they should stand in a line behind him.

Christopher Hobbs blinks as he enters the large hall, wide eyes greedily taking in all of the details of the room. A broad but nervous grin stretches across his face as he walks in line after Professor Rathe.

Gilroy Hollister trails Professor Rathe into the Hall, grey eyes making a wide sweep of the faces assembled before being pulled in by the ceiling. He speaks a vague syllable before remembering to stay silent, and instead nudges Mariska and points upward at the artificial night sky.

The heat, light and sound almost bowls Adelaide over, thanks to the long train journey and dark boat ride. As the doors open, she shuffles along with her fellow first years, putting on a face of not a care in the world, even though she knows that everyone in the hall is going to be looking at them. It’s not at all what she expected, but her brother had warned her that the sorting is different for everyone, and as undescribable for each.

Silas follows Professor Rathe into the Great Hall and gapes at the sight. He didn’t know what to expect, but he sure hadn’t expected such an extravagant sight! This was even more impressive than the banquet hall at Vicaris Hall! So many people… watching them get sorted. Silas tries to steel his nerves, but finds such a task hard to do here.

Walking into the great hall with the rest of the unsorted students Tommy‘s eyes immediatly look up to the enchanted roof and the first words out of his mouth are “Wow! Look at that.” And then they move to take in the rest of the hall, wide with wonder and a grin scrawled over his face.

Mariska Moore enters the great hall with the other unsorted students. A quick look around reveals the rest of the student body. With a slight gulp she looks to either side, finding Gilroy to one she grins and remains silent. At Gil’s nuding Mariska looks up, and her eyes widen more than they were before, if that’s possible.

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.

(Hufflepuff) “I guess I’ll stay with what I have. I guess the worst that could happen is I don’t get really high marks, right?” Chester sighs and turns to elbow one of his comrades. “Shut up, George,” he mutters and shakes his head. The firsties come in and he watches with interest. It wasn’t very long ago that he was in their shoes. How very different it seemed now, though, sitting here rather than standing 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!

(Hufflepuff) “Productivity is healthy, my mum always says,” Constance pipes up, grinning to Alden cheerfully. “Hear the Divination teacher is a right bear, but then, I don’t take Divination. You’ll like Magical Art, though,” she advises. “The teacher is brilliant. I love every second of it.” She pauses as she spots the first years. “Aww, look at them,” she comments, then silences as the hat begins to sing.

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 bee

Making his way in slowly, Chester finds the first empty compartment that he can manage. He has no idea where his friends have ended up, and he apparently has been unable to find them at all, given the emptiness of the compartment. After getting his trunk sorted out, Chester sits down next to the window, leaning against it lazily. He looks out the window aimlessly as he awaits the inevitable: people joining him.

It had been some time since Alden had last needed to ride the train. A working visit to help a relative build a nursery had taken a bit more of holiday than he’d expected, and riding the train back to Hogsmeade seemed about as expedient a method of getting home as any other. Taking a bit of time to find a relatively quiet, unoccupied compartment he offers Chester a small nod after stepping in and begins the process of hoisting his trunk up in to the racks; a task not made especially easy for his lack of height.

Dolly Faeden drags her trunk along, walking backwards and tugging on the handle. “Hafta talk to Da about getting it lighter next year too, not just bigger on the inside,” she mutters to herself in a thick-as-mud Scottish accent. Now that the trunk is in a compartment, though, she isn’t about to move, no matter who is within. Standing and wiping her brow, she turns to survey who it is that has the pleasure of her company. Something like that. “‘ey, Blake. Any better at that beetle to button business?” inquiries the slightly taller and older teenager(!), as though she hadn’t seen him in class countless times after that incident.

“I think I figured it out,” Chester answers almost sullenly, nodding a hello to Alden as he makes his way in. “It’s not important now anyway because I’m sure we’ll have something harder to do this term that I’ll have to work on for hours. How was your summer D- erm. Dolly.” Chester glances to Alden as he works on getting his trunk up above the seats, but does not offer help. Chester wouldn’t be much help anyhow.

It takes Alden several moments to accomplish the task, and not a little bit of stretching and straining; he manages, however, in due time and takes a seat across from Chester. His gaze turns out the window as he dabs his forehead briefly with the sleeve of his shirt, clearing himself of the evidence of his exertion.

Dolly Faeden forgets about hoisting her trunk anywhere and just slides in in front of an empty seat, leaving barely enough room for her to slide in and keep her legs from knocking everything. “I hope we learn something better this term. D’ya see the Prophet? A new Transfiguration professor, an’ she’s a bird.” Well, sometimes. “Hope we’re set to learn all kinds of things.” She looks over at Alden while she speaks, but doesn’t otherwise prompt him to join in the conversation she’s starting. “Are you gonna go out for Quidditch at’all? Heard Hufflepuff got a new Captain, and all.”

“She’s a bird?” Chester asks, his eyes widening. He glances at Alden, as if to see if the boy knows what Dolly is on about. “I don’t play Quidditch,” he shares quietly. “Don’t like it.” He pauses and leans back, detatching his cheek from the wall finally and sinking back int he seat. “She’s a bird” he asks again, coming back to her first statement. “How can a bird teach us transfiguration?”

Alden‘s expression becomes almost as curious as Chester’s with Dolly’s proclimation that their new Transfiguration professor was somehow an avian. He shifts his gaze from the sliding scenery to the Ravenclaw with a slightly arched brow, but prudently offers not a question or statement that might otherwise announce his ignorance. Instead, he answers the question about Quidditch. “I’m not a strong flier.”

Dolly Faeden raises one eyebrow at Chester as though silently evaluating whether he may be a bit slow, and then says, “She’s not always a bird. Paper said she’s an animagus, and I asked Da’ and he said it means a witch or wizard who can turn into a certain animal at will, that there’s a registry of them, and looked her up and she’s a bird.” He either didn’t share with her any other information or she doesn’t consider it news. The boys both get a cluck at their answers to Quidditch inquiry, but all she replies is, “To each their own, I suppose. I love it, myself.”

“Huh. Oh, I see. Well, I guess that’s better than being taught by an actual bird. I thought animals weren’t allowed to do magic, no matter how sentient.” Chester pauses and shrugs. “We always played football when we were in India… I never really caught on to Quidditch. Seems a lot harder to me. So I’ll stay with football, even though it’s a muggle thingy.” Chester shrugs and trails off, sinking into his seat a bit. “I don’t usually read the newspaper,” he admits.

“Football?” Alden asks, satisfied enough by Dolly’s answer about their new, feathered teacher. “That’s a muggle sport, yes? Where you kick about a small ball and can’t use your hands?”

Dolly Faeden gives a small, “Oh! I’ve seen children in the village at football. Nothing wrong with a muggle sport. I’m taking Muggle Studies this year. Grandfather is right proud.” She passes some time, now, in actual silence. Yes, exciting.

“Yeah, it’s a black and white ball, and you toss it around. It’s fun… lots of running. No brooms.” Chester glances out the window. “Oh, I suppose we should be getting ready to get off the train. It looks like we’re nearly there.” He pauses. “I think I can see Hogwarts.” He stands up rather unceremoniously and without a glance to the other two starts straightening his robes. What is it that makes him uncomfortable about this line of conversation?

“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 Adams emit 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.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland waits paitently for something exciting to happen.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland leans over to talk to Seker while waiting for the first years. “So, is it true what I hear? That you’re a child of Professor Rathe’s?”

(Hufflepuff) Having come only from Hogsmeade, Constance seems a bit subdued in comparison to some of her other classmates, though this doesn’t last long. “Alice! Verity!” she cries happily as she is reunited with the latter, though it would be silly to consider it a reunion between the former and herself, since they both live in Hogsmeade. “I’m so excited for this year. It’s going to be the best year ever.” Which is exactly what Constance says at the start of every new term. “Hi, Alden,” she also greets, and then begins tossing greetings around to the others at the table.

(Hufflepuff) Glancing over to Timothy, Seker draws himself out of his book and is quite shocked indeed to notice that people have arrived. “Oh,” he says, putting down the novel. “Yes, she is my mother,” he confirms. “My sister is here too, over at the Slytherin table”. He motions non-specifically behind him.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland nods, glancing slightly in the direction that Seker indicated. “That’s neat. How is it having a mother here who is a professor? I couldn’t imagine either my mom or my dad being professors here while I’m a student. Well…not my mom, anyway. My dad would be alright, but not so much my mom.” He smiles.

(Hufflepuff) Shrugging, Seker explains, “It’s not a whole lot different. She isn’t any easier on us because we’re her kids. If anything she’s harder. But it doesn’t make a big difference to me. This is the last year I’ll be taking defence. I’ll be taking the Charms NEWT if all goes well, though, and my grandfather is teaching that. But actually, quite a few of the faculty have children attending here, so I’m not nearly the only one.”

(Hufflepuff) “I would hate to have my mum and dad at school with me, always looking over my shoulder…” Chester pipes in. “Do you think the OWLs are very hard?” he asks the fifth year cautiously. “I had to pick classes and I’m not sure if I should have picked easier ones… I don’t want to fail them or anything.”

(Hufflepuff) Alden nods as to Constance as he sips his pumpkin juice, unaware that he been watching the huge doors of the great hall awaiting her entrance or that the corner of his gaze followed her as she began issuing greetings. “Hello,” he replies to her simply.

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland shrugs ever so slightly. “Really? Oh, I thought it might be really worse.” He frowns but then shakes his head. “My parents both work at the ministry, can’t see them teaching at all. My mom would be the worst too! She’d assign way more homework than any other teacher, I just know it!

(Hufflepuff) “You won’t fail,” Seker replies simply to Chester. “Just work hard.” He pauses, remembering his new authority this year. “Er… I could help you, if you need any… help.” He says this and looks down, back to the cover of his book. Glancing back up to Timothy, he replies incredulously, “More than my mother? I doubt it.”

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland shrugs at Seker. “I’ve never had a class with Professor Rathe. I’m just in second year. She was the Headmistress last year. But I bet near close, if not more! She’s a stickler for study!”

(Hufflepuff) “How was your summer, Alden?” Constance asks congenially, despite that she likely saw him for much of the summer. “How did Briony like working in Diagon Alley? I saw her when my mum took me there to visit a couple of times. She looked like she was having fun, perhaps.” The girl grins to the slightly older boy, shrugging off the OWL discussion. It’s only the first day; she doesn’t need to worry about that surely!

(Hufflepuff) Smirking Seker shrugs once more. “Let’s just say, I’m glad this is my last year of Defence…” he says to Timothy with a wink. “Not that the remaining years at school will be easy… I’ve heard NEWTs are horrible sometimes.”

(Hufflepuff) Timothy Rowland giggles a little. “Well, I guess I’ll see for myself this year eh? I guess I shouldn’t be looking forward to it though.”

(Hufflepuff) “NEWTs are supposed to be the “Nastily Exhausting” ones, right? I’m really not looking forward to those… Maybe I really should see about changing my classes.” Chester seems genuinely concerned about this, seeming to want to do well on his exams, even if it means taking easier classes to do it.

(Hufflepuff) Interested, Seker asks Chester, “Why, which ones did you choose? Really, I’m sure as long as you keep up and stick with everything, you’ll be just fine.”

(Hufflepuff) “I’m taking Magical Art and Divination. I’ve heard some scary things about Professor Kensington’s homework assignments, though. Is it true she’ll assign three feet to write before the very next class? That’s an awful lot to write about such a load of rubbish…” Chester looks quite skeptical. “Which ones do you take?”

(Hufflepuff) “Why did you take divination if you think it’s rubbish?” Seker asks, rather surprised. “I’m taking Wizo-Music and Ancient Runes. So far I like them both quite a lot.”

(Hufflepuff) “It seemed like an easy course when I picked it. I mean, it’s really all guess-work, isn’t it? I’m not so sure now. I heard things about Professor Kensington in the carriage ride over, and now I think I chose wrong.” Chester looks a bit deflated over this. “Is Ancient Runes difficult?”

(Hufflepuff) “Mmm, it’s… not easy, I wouldn’t say… but I haven’t had an overly hard time of it. Just paying attention helps a lot of course. And knowing how you learn. That’s the key I think,” Seker says, looking to the younger student.

(Hufflepuff) “It was alright,” Alden says, taking another sip of his pumpkin juice. He doesn’t feel the need to point out that he’d seen Constance several times over the duration of it, and that it had really only be the last couple of weeks that while he’d been away that they hadn’t a chance to talk. “Productive,” he adds, almost as an afterthought, though a slight note of satisfaction emphisizes the word as he says it. “Yours?”

The southern doors to the Great Hall are flung wide open. They fly outward, ready to crash into the wall, only to stop suddenly just before impact. Through this opening strides Professor Gerald Rathe, with an untidy line of first-year students following behind. Although he travels at what is for him a casual saunter, him long legs still eat up the distance rapidly. Arriving at the front of the room, he is forced to pause for a moment to make sure that the first years catch up, and indicates to them that they should stand in a line behind him.

Christopher Hobbs blinks as he enters the large hall, wide eyes greedily taking in all of the details of the room. A broad but nervous grin stretches across his face as he walks in line after Professor Rathe.

Gilroy Hollister trails Professor Rathe into the Hall, grey eyes making a wide sweep of the faces assembled before being pulled in by the ceiling. He speaks a vague syllable before remembering to stay silent, and instead nudges Mariska and points upward at the artificial night sky.

The heat, light and sound almost bowls Adelaide over, thanks to the long train journey and dark boat ride. As the doors open, she shuffles along with her fellow first years, putting on a face of not a care in the world, even though she knows that everyone in the hall is going to be looking at them. It’s not at all what she expected, but her brother had warned her that the sorting is different for everyone, and as undescribable for each.

Silas follows Professor Rathe into the Great Hall and gapes at the sight. He didn’t know what to expect, but he sure hadn’t expected such an extravagant sight! This was even more impressive than the banquet hall at Vicaris Hall! So many people… watching them get sorted. Silas tries to steel his nerves, but finds such a task hard to do here.

Walking into the great hall with the rest of the unsorted students Tommy‘s eyes immediatly look up to the enchanted roof and the first words out of his mouth are “Wow! Look at that.” And then they move to take in the rest of the hall, wide with wonder and a grin scrawled over his face.

Mariska Moore enters the great hall with the other unsorted students. A quick look around reveals the rest of the student body. With a slight gulp she looks to either side, finding Gilroy to one she grins and remains silent. At Gil’s nuding Mariska looks up, and her eyes widen more than they were before, if that’s possible.

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.

(Hufflepuff) “I guess I’ll stay with what I have. I guess the worst that could happen is I don’t get really high marks, right?” Chester sighs and turns to elbow one of his comrades. “Shut up, George,” he mutters and shakes his head. The firsties come in and he watches with interest. It wasn’t very long ago that he was in their shoes. How very different it seemed now, though, sitting here rather than standing 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!

(Hufflepuff) “Productivity is healthy, my mum always says,” Constance pipes up, grinning to Alden cheerfully. “Hear the Divination teacher is a right bear, but then, I don’t take Divination. You’ll like Magical Art, though,” she advises. “The teacher is brilliant. I love every second of it.” She pauses as she spots the first years. “Aww, look at them,” she comments, then silences as the hat begins to sing.

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 she scampers excitedly to the red-washed table. “See, I can make Gryffindor too!” she says in triumph before sitting down.

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 blinks slightly as her name is called and steps forward. Quietly, and nervously, she makes her way to the stool, wherein she promptly sits and settles the hat atop her head. Due to the size of her head, the hat successfully manages to cover most of it. Mariska, now settled, places her hands in her lap and awaits the hat’s decision.

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.

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!”

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.

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.

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.

(Hufflepuff) “Finally!” Kieran exclaims to himself as he starts to fill his plate. This was the blessing and the curse of having a last name near the beginning of the alphabet. You’re among the first called, but then there’s a long wait for everyone else. Kieran gives a friendly nod and smile to the new housemates gathered around him.

(Hufflepuff) Having a last name near the beginning of the alphabet is both a blessing and a curse. One is among the first to be called upon, but then he has a long wait for everyone else to be called. With that in mind, Kieran fills his plate with everything within arm’s reach after having to wait. He gives a friendly nod and smile to his new housemates along the way.

(Hufflepuff) Alternately, having a name near the end of the alphabet can cause a bit of frustration. One of the last to be called, Claude had plenty of time to absorb the sights of the great hall. However, he soon became impatient, waiting for his name to be called. The upside, of course, is near immediate service. Claude gnaws happily on what he suspects to be a Turkey leg, his plate heaping with various kinds of food.

(Hufflepuff) Teddy de Alquimia has been very picky in choosing his foods, ignoring quite pointedly anything that looks like it may have been boiled in any part of the cooking process, as well as leafy, mashed up, or overly green vegetation. As he takes the food, however, he continues to regale a second year girl with a story involving no less than three cats, a girl named Izzy, and an iguana. Severl times laughter rings from that part of the table. “So in the end her mama got it out, but I still don’t think my hearing has recovered from the screams.” Delightful.

“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.”

Edern Fallon almost hops into the Great Hall as he comes moves in. He looks up at the Faculty table and smiles as he waves to Keelan, finally making his way to the Slytherin table.

The southern doors to the Great Hall are flung wide open. They fly outward, ready to crash into the wall, only to stop suddenly just before impact. Through this opening strides Professor Gerald Rathe, with an untidy line of first-year students following behind. Although he travels at what is for him a casual saunter, him long legs still eat up the distance rapidly. Arriving at the front of the room, he is forced to pause for a moment to make sure that the first years catch up, and indicates to them that they should stand in a line behind him.

Christopher Hobbs blinks as he enters the large hall, wide eyes greedily taking in all of the details of the room. A broad but nervous grin stretches across his face as he walks in line after Professor Rathe.

Gilroy Hollister trails Professor Rathe into the Hall, grey eyes making a wide sweep of the faces assembled before being pulled in by the ceiling. He speaks a vague syllable before remembering to stay silent, and instead nudges Mariska and points upward at the artificial night sky.

The heat, light and sound almost bowls Adelaide over, thanks to the long train journey and dark boat ride. As the doors open, she shuffles along with her fellow first years, putting on a face of not a care in the world, even though she knows that everyone in the hall is going to be looking at them. It’s not at all what she expected, but her brother had warned her that the sorting is different for everyone, and as undescribable for each.

Silas follows Professor Rathe into the Great Hall and gapes at the sight. He didn’t know what to expect, but he sure hadn’t expected such an extravagant sight! This was even more impressive than the banquet hall at Vicaris Hall! So many people… watching them get sorted. Silas tries to steel his nerves, but finds such a task hard to do here.

Walking into the great hall with the rest of the unsorted students Tommy‘s eyes immediatly look up to the enchanted roof and the first words out of his mouth are “Wow! Look at that.” And then they move to take in the rest of the hall, wide with wonder and a grin scrawled over his face.

Mariska Moore enters the great hall with the other unsorted students. A quick look around reveals the rest of the student body. With a slight gulp she looks to either side, finding Gilroy to one she grins and remains silent. At Gil’s nuding Mariska looks up, and her eyes widen more than they were before, if that’s possible.

(Faculty) Having sat quietly for a very long time, Astra does startle a little as the door flies open. Muttering to herself with an eyeroll “And I’m told that my entrances are dramatic?” Casting a sidelong glance at Darius, she smirks but goes back to her usual silence pre-Sorting.

(Faculty) Darius nods to Astra and immediately quips, low and quiet, “Well, now we know where you get it from.” He studiously avoids her gaze after he says that.

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.

(Faculty) Isolde gives a soft snicker at Astra’s mutter and resettles herself, also startled at the entrance. She sizes up the first years as they file in, opens her mouth to speak, then closes it again. Instead, she smiles serenely, her green eyes twinkling with anticipation.

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.

(Faculty) Looking a bit exhausted from her own little trip Phoebe nearly flops down in her chair. “Sorry Im late everyone. I had to avoid ferry the children and explain how a squid is different than a squib. Phoebe chuckles softly and pours herself something warm to drink. “I do hope the children don’t catch cold from being out on the lake like that.

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!

(Faculty) Melvina chuckles in regards to Astra’s comment, taking a sip of her tea. She passes a shrewd, quiet gaze across the entering first years, but says nothing as the hat begins to regail the hall with it’s song. “Poetic this year,” she notes, more to herself than for anyone else’s benefit.

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…”

(Faculty) Keelan Walsh folds her hands across her lap, eyes flickering from the unsorted students to those already at their House tables, both to spy those who misbehave and to occasionally smile as a favored student catches her eye. So, quite seldom then.

“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.

(Faculty) Selene Hathaway leans forward a bit as the line of students parade in. There’s a sparkle in her eyes, a look of excitement as her gaze travels over each student as she slowly turns her cup in her hand. Slowly her lips curl into a grin as she hat begins its song and she settles back in her chair to watch the sorting.

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.

(Faculty) Grinning from her place at the faculty table, Avery nods as her house recieves one more charge. “First of the year!” she says cheerfully.

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!”

(Faculty) Though it would be unseemly for a supposedly neutral teacher to take pleasure in the same thing Avery did, he likewise has a firm grin at his old house getting the first sorted student of the year.

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.

(Faculty) Though it would be unseemly for a supposedly neutral teacher to take pleasure in the same thing Avery did, Darius likewise has a firm grin at his old house getting the first sorted student of the year.

(Faculty) Melvina Prichard grins along with Avery, quite in spite of herself. Even after all these years, old Bert was still a Gryffindor at heart. She applauds politely for Miss Adams before adding some sugar to her tea.

(Faculty) Keelan Walsh raises an eyebrow but applauds politely each time the Hat calls out a name. Certainly Slytherin would get some of them. She shifts a bit, suddenly, her eyebrows coming down together. The hands on her lap seem to fidget a bit, somewhat out of character for the woman.

(Faculty) Isolde applauds with each new sorting, and each Hufflepuff addition gets an extra grin. “Moving right along, aren’t they?” she says to no one in particular, cheerful but hushed.

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.

(Faculty) “They always do, dear,” Melvina says, quietly, watching the unsorted with a tender expression. “And before you know it, they’ll all be graduating, and soon after will have become our collogues and bosses. It’s a wonderous thing, isn’t it?”

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.

(Faculty) There’s been no noticeable change on Astra‘s face during the sorting. She’s barely stirred in her seat other than to nod at one child’s placement or another. But the moment Tommy’s name is called she frowns and deeper still when the boy is placed into her House.

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.

(Faculty) Selene Hathaway grins a little more as the hat announces Slytherin members, but she seems to be enjoying the ceremony on the whole. She takes a sip from her cup and glances down her own table briefly before settling back in to watch the rest of the sorting. Her eyes do stray towards the Slytherin table from time to time and in those moments her gaze looks almost calculating.

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?

(Faculty) Watching bemusedly as each student is sorted Phoebe could not help nut notice that both the Rathes seemed to twitch just a bit at the mention of the Darian boy’s house. Taking another swig she leans nearer to Astra. “Somthing the matter Professor Rathe?” Being unaware of the history behind Tommy’s name poor Phoebe is completely ignorant as to why they both reacted in such a way.

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.

(Faculty) Scowling in a rather horrid fashion, Astra turns her head away from the Sorting just long enough to take her eyes off the latest child. “Darian is a foul name with foul blood. That’s all I have to say on the matter.” “I’ll be keeping my eye on *that* one.”

(Faculty) Melvina casts a brief glance to Astra after setting down her teacup, but otherwise says nothing. Her features remaining quiet, even serious. After a moment, however, of regarding her Deputy Headmistress, she turns her gaze back to the Sorting.

(Faculty) Bites her lip at Phoebe‘s reaction as it was quite unexpected. “Forgive me, I …. didn’t mean anything Astra.” Instead of saying anything more Phoebe turns her attention back to the sorting slowly nursing on whatever it was she put in her glass. Her eyes do stray though to Tommy and then to her own son sitting at the Hufflepuff table.

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!”

(Faculty) Keelan Walsh doesn’t turn so much as incline her head toward Astra and can’t help but add in an even tone, “Surely the child can’t be blamed for his parentage, however horrible?” It isn’t a reprimand so much as an observation, as she too, follows Tommy’s progress to the Slytherin table. “In any case,” a tiny smile surfaces, “you’re in an excellent position to keep an eye on him, aren’t you?” She frowns and shifts again, suddenly, attention back on the sorting process.

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.

(Faculty) Isolde‘s attention wanders down the table to Astra and Phoebe, but she keeps her tongue. Tommy gets a closer look, but her attention is soon diverted to the newly named Hufflepuffs, and soon she’s back to smiling, nodding and applauding. After a while she comment quietly, “They seem to be a fairly happy bunch, these new first years. Always nice to see. Good attitudes to go with that, I hope.”

(Faculty) “I do hope they are as well behaved the whole year as they were on the boat ride.” Phoebe quips gently seemingly having forgot all about the Slytherin boy. “I didn’t have a single problem with any of them. Though I think a few were tempted to get a closer look at the squid.” “I told them in no uncertain terms that I wouldn’t be happy if I had to jump in the lake after them.”

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!”

(Faculty) Melvina exhales a small, puffed, genuinely amused laugh about that as she sets her elbows up on the table and steeples her fringers together in front her lips.

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 she scampers excitedly to the red-washed table. “See, I can make Gryffindor too!” she says in triumph before sitting down.

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 blinks slightly as her name is called and steps forward. Quietly, and nervously, she makes her way to the stool, wherein she promptly sits and settles the hat atop her head. Due to the size of her head, the hat successfully manages to cover most of it. Mariska, now settled, places her hands in her lap and awaits the hat’s decision.

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.

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!”

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.

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.

(Faculty) Gerald Rathe sits upright, but a slight droop to his shoulders is still evident. “I swear that this gets longer every year.”

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.

(Faculty) Laughing quietly to herself at her father’s comment, Astra quirks a sharp little grin and turns to him. “Nah, you’re just getting older old man.”

“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.

(Faculty) “Well, that was fun,” Melvina says simply, taking up her fork and placing some of the turkey that had just materialized in front of her on to her plate.

(Faculty) “Admit it, Melvina. You just took this job to create your own social life,” Darius quips, also happily tucking into the food that has appeared in front of him. “How many school events are you planning on us running, now?”

(Faculty) Melvina can’t help but grin at Darius’ (not-entirely untrue) cheek. “A half-dozen or so, that may change. Not all of them are entirely my fault, I might add. You’ll need to confront my deputy on grounds of a few.”

(Faculty) Gerald Rathe leans forward on one elbow, with furrowed brow. He raises an eyebrow at Astra at Melvina’s comment, but addresses Melvina. “Tell me, Headmistress, does one actually attend this “Barefoot Social” without shoes?”

(Faculty) “No, Gerald. It’s a metaphor for the souless existence that is life in Scotland.” Darius declares, deadpan.

(Faculty) Melvina simply grins her response, a rather mischevious twinkle in her eye.

(Faculty) “I think I might have to be ill if the Social is going to happen underwater again.” “In fact, I may have to be sick on general principle.” Taking up her goblet for the first time during the whole evening, Astra presses it to her lips and takes a drink. “Much as it’s a wonderful concept,” there is no smile, “I’m afraid some of us,” but Gerald’s comment catches her and she snorts in derision at the affair. “Shoeless, yes.” “May as well try to fit in with the peasants.”

(Faculty) Gerald Rathe looks rather abruptly to Darius, staring at him for a beat with a blank expression, then breaks into an open laugh. Shaking his head, he says, “Shoeless or not, it’s an entertaining metaphor.” “Ah, Astra, I can see that you’re still the life of any party.” Here he winks at his daughter, smirking.

(Faculty) “Well, it does offer so many easy conversation starters,” Isolde says as she pours herself a glass of wine. “Such as, ‘My goodness, but you have big feet,’ or perhaps, ‘I suppose you’re still waiting to fill those shoes of yours.’” She sips at the wine, then helps herself to mashed potatoes.

(Faculty) “Got it from you old man.” Not at all masking the bitterness, Astra takes another drink of the pumpkin juice without making so much as a face. “Maybe I can say that I’m trying to fill your footsteps, but I’d be afraid of catching some worm or another if I walked where you did.” Turning her head away from Gerald, she stifles a yawn before playing with the food on her plate. Pushing some beans around with a fork, she shrugs to herself.

(Faculty) Melvina watches Astra with a quiet, fond sort of smile; her smirk having faded in to something more quiet, the mischief in her eyes having eased back in to seriousness. “It isn’t under the lake this year, no. Though that does remind me, in fact. Professor Fallon,” she says, turning her gaze toward Avery. “If you have some time later this evening, I’d like to discuss something with you.”

(Faculty) “Melvina, do I need to start practicing charms to make instruments float this year? Please do cue us in a bit more this time, I’m still drying out my piano from the last one.” Darius raises an eyebrow.

“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.”

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