When she remarked about "marrying muggle technologies and magic" he nodded. "That's the way the magical world in America is in a lot of places. There are traditional villages that have been refit with electric lights, outlets, even internet in places. Muggleborn like myself are extremely common compared to countries like England, and I think America has more half-bloods per capita than any other country that tracks it. When they get introduced to the magical world, many of them wonder why they have to give up the comforts they are used to to learn magic. This device may be the first such to mesh technology and magic together, but, hopefully it can make pureblood families and muggles learn to accept each other, at least for business purposes. And hopefully one day it will lead to even better devices that will bring the two worlds even closer together."

"I didn't find out I was a wizard until I was ten and a half, when my cousin and his wife started raising me. Before that I was a "devil child" and everyone was afraid of me. When I came to England, however, I found an entire world of people like me, and no one thought I was a freak. The day I got my first wand, my first true possession and the thing that proved I was really like all of the people around me, was the happiest day of my life. I actually used that memory to summon my Patronus for years. Then I got to school and found out how far behind I was and spent my first few years practicing every minute of my spare time. I used to walk down the hall carrying my books with a levitation charm just so that I could get stronger. Unfortunately for my social life, I didn't slow down when I got caught up and ended up passing my fellow students and my lessons, except in a few areas. That made school boring, so I left as soon as I could."

Amelia then tried to mimic her younger self and Mark smiled. "Yes, that's the kid I remember always seeing in the library." He wasn't sure if the last part was a flirtation or not, so he went for what he thought was the neutral response. "Yes, I'm sure we can make it up to each other some time soon. I'll be sure to help you with anything you might need."

Prof. Amelia Hawkins - Headmistress of Ravenclaw

With the discussion turning to even greater amusement with the idea of Muggles and Magical sorts working arm in arm with the other, his relentless optimism over the thought was just as entertaining to say the least. "While I agree with you, Professor; I think you are a step or two ahead of current times. As fervent as either side seems to sharpen their teeth and maintain the segregation, they seem equally unwilling to budge." Snapping her book shut instead of continuing her reading, the process of such forward thinking was actually a remarkable sight. Rarely had she ever met a similarly thinking soul.

Upon hearing more of his story however, her expression turned to literal sorrow.

"No child should ever have to endure such persecution, let alone from their own family." She began hesitantly, intertwining her fingertips and resting them easily upon her lap while her gaze continued to meet his. "Though my story is not far from the same. My mother was a witch, and my father a Muggle. He divorced her once I got my Hogwarts acceptance letter, and I was determined to help support my family. I came here as a student with the mindset that my mother wouldn't have to ever work if I won the right kind of profession. In the end....I was able to earn enough gold that my mother was able to live comfortably until the end of her days. Then, after she passed away, my old mentor decided that I should be his replacement."

With his smile at her joking appearance, Amelia could not help a slightly embarrassed grin. "See? I suppose I'm not as forgettable as I hoped I would be! And thank you, I'm sure I might be calling upon your assistance at one point or another."

Cleo

Cleo sat lengthways along the bench of the train as she felt it begin to take off. The slow jerk as the wheels started turning, faster and faster. Looking out the window she could see parents and other family members waving at the children in the train. A few of them ran along side the train until it was too fast for them to keep up with. Turning her head back she opened up her laptop and began typing onto the keyboard. It was a bit slower than she was used to, her usual computer had been sent to hogwarts along with the rest of her supplies, but she would manage.

“Your summer was good?” She continued typing on the keyboard, clacks filled the air, and looked at Jeff. Shrugging slightly so that hair fell gently over one of her eyes, "Well you know how it is now. Muggles thinking they're the shit, wizards showing them they really aren't. Sometimes I feel like they're just scared of being usurped." The looked back at the tiny computer screen on her lap and continued, "As well they should be, We wizards and witches could get a lot more done a lot better than them." She thought about it for a moment before she quite typing and turned to Jeff. "Here take this for example." She help out the laptop to him, "This is my prototype i've been working on, for... what's it been the last 2 or 3 years. Anyway it sustains itself with magic, and its got an interface that can be interacted with wands. I've already got a handful of simple spells i've created for it."

She looked at him her eyes filled with excitement, "This... this is just the very beginning. People in America have entire companies dedicated to muggle-magic items. I have a project in progress that could harness lightning to power cities! 10 billion watts created from a simple spell." She looked away embarrassed, "I'm still working on the proper incantation for it, but imagine the possibilities of something like that. Muggle, they don't really stand a chance when it come to us. "

Caitlin stopped immediately upon hearing a familiar voice call out to her, and she grinned widely in greeting as the Ravenclaw walked beside her. "David!" she exclaimed happily, briefly leaning in for a quick one-armed hug. He was a welcome sight, and his presence helped distract her from imagining increasingly grim (and highly implausible, not that her panicked mind realized this) scenarios that always ended with her getting thrown off the train. She blinked in confusion as David mentioned something about not acknowledging him, and it took her a moment to realize what he had meant. Thinking back on it, there were five people in that compartment, but she had willingly chosen to block out the fifth member just because she didn't like the implication.

"So that was you with those two," she said, eyes unconsciously narrowing at the mention of his fellow Ravenclaws. "I was hoping not. I don't want them influencing you too much." It's not like she actually hated the two, though; it was more a… slight dislike by association or something like that. But whatever it was she felt, she knew that wouldn't have been the case if only they hadn't played around with her friends.

"But that doesn't matter. It's really good to see you again!" Caitlin said, perking up again as she changed topics. After taking a moment to gently pat Singer on the head, she continued walking along the corridor, still searching for a proper compartment that wasn't too full with people or animals. Since they were so close to departing, it was getting harder to find an empty one. David had then started talking about that project of his that he'd been working on for as long as she knew him, and his infectious excitement got her all keyed up as well. She was always glad to hear his progress.

"Oh, that looks familiar," she said after examining his drawing for a good half a minute. It was a little harder to identify because it was hand drawn, but she made the connection eventually. She didn't know what it was called, but she has definitely come across it before. Caitlin hopped excitedly. "I think I know where it's located. Mum pointed it out to me before. I can take you there—"

Caitlin stopped abruptly, hand instinctively moving up to clutch at David's sleeve while he had an encounter with a Slytherin. An odd sensation had washed over her, sending something like a foreboding chill down her spine, and it could only mean one thing: they were about to depart. Her ears perked at the distant sound of the train slowly roaring to life, and her face paled immediately. Caitlin pulled at David's sleeve, urging him to move faster, the frenetic look on her face enough to let him know what was up with her. "We should probably sit," was all she could say as she stumbled inside the nearest compartment, not even bothering to check if others had already claimed it. She just really needed to not be standing when the train moves, or bad things might happen and she didn't know if her shoes, or the corridor floors, could survive it.

Once inside, Caitlin slunk down in the seat and took deep, calming breaths that helped stabilize her stomach for the moment. She turned to David, desperately needing a good distraction. "So how was your summer?"

Phelix nodded and walked briskly through the column and onto platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters. Just as he broke through, he heard a sharp angry whistle and a leering voice call out:

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL ABOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD”

“Oh no!” Phelix looked up with some alarm, and quickened his pace. His legs were too short and his baggage a bit too heavy for a proper run. He only managed a jerky waddle as he clutched his brief and suitcase.

The train began to heave, chug, and the stacks erupted with thick grey clouds of smoke. The whistle screamed again and the train began to move. Phelix tried to go faster, his face quickly broke out into a sweat as he tottered along as fast as he could.

The conductor at the end of the train noticed him, he yelled at Phelix, but Phelix could not hear what the man was saying. The conductor leaned out back door and reached out to the struggling professor. Phelix nearly stumbled as he latched onto the man’s arm, then with a heave and a grunt was pulled onto the train.

Phelix felt dizzy, he sat on the steps of the caboose, his glasses and buttons askew, and his belongings gone. He watched his suitcase tumble on the platform, left behind. Phelix pointed, gasping, but could do nothing.

The conductor drew his wand, flicking his wrist and muttering a spell. In an instant the suitcase disappeared from the platform and re-appeared beside Phelix (a bit beat up, but fully in-tact). The conductor raised his brow at the stout man, as if wondering: ’Why didn’t you just do that yourself? Aren’t you a teacher?’. Thankfully the conductor was too polite to criticize the wheezing old man.

“Thank you, brother.” Phelix managed to say after a few breaths. “Just… give me a moment here. Thank you…” He sat on the step wringing his hands and trying to catch his breath. The old teacher was certainly out-of-shape. He dabbed the sweat off his brow with a white handkerchief.

The conductor left him to attend to his other duties. When Phelix felt fully recovered he re-buttoned his shirt, straightened his spectacles, and hoisted himself up.

It was time to find a proper seat.

As he stepped into the corridor, he heard the excited chattering of children. He wanted a quiet spot, and still felt winded, he was reluctant to wade through the noisy throng.

Luckily, he noticed a car with only two students. One he recognized as the Gryffindor Head boy, the other seemed content and occupied on her laptop. A nice quiet compartment!

He slid open the door. “Mister Roberts, Miz. Bones.” He nodded to each respectively. “Mind if I steal a spot in here? I promise I won’t be a bother. As you were.” He took his time securing his suitcase, then took a seat on the opposite side of the children. He draped his jacket on the seat beside him, and pulled out his smartphone.

Adjusting his glasses he squinted at the glowing screen, using his small fingers to sort through files and folders. He planned to review his lesson plans.

“Hmm let’s see now… There’s Divination… Astro-things… and Muggle Studies…” He muttered quietly to himself as he opened each file.

Phelix nodded and walked briskly through the column and onto platform Nine-and-Three-Quarters. Just as he broke through, he heard a sharp angry whistle and a leering voice call out:

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAALL ABOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD”

“Oh no!” Phelix looked up with some alarm, and quickened his pace. His legs were too short and his baggage a bit too heavy for a proper run. He only managed a jerky waddle as he clutched his brief and suitcase.

The train began to heave, chug, and the stacks erupted with thick grey clouds of smoke. The whistle screamed again and the train began to move. Phelix tried to go faster, his face quickly broke out into a sweat as he tottered along as fast as he could.

The conductor at the end of the train noticed him, he yelled at Phelix, but Phelix could not hear what the man was saying. The conductor leaned out back door and reached out to the struggling professor. Phelix nearly stumbled as he latched onto the man’s arm, then with a heave and a grunt was pulled onto the train.

Phelix felt dizzy, he sat on the steps of the caboose, his glasses and buttons askew, and his belongings gone. He watched his suitcase tumble on the platform, left behind. Phelix pointed, gasping, but could do nothing.

The conductor drew his wand, flicking his wrist and muttering a spell. In an instant the suitcase disappeared from the platform and re-appeared beside Phelix (a bit beat up, but fully in-tact). The conductor raised his brow at the stout man, as if wondering: ’Why didn’t you just do that yourself? Aren’t you a teacher?’. Thankfully the conductor was too polite to criticize the wheezing old man.

“Thank you, brother.” Phelix managed to say after a few breaths. “Just… give me a moment here. Thank you…” He sat on the step wringing his hands and trying to catch his breath. The old teacher was certainly out-of-shape. He dabbed the sweat off his brow with a white handkerchief.

The conductor left him to attend to his other duties. When Phelix felt fully recovered he re-buttoned his shirt, straightened his spectacles, and hoisted himself up.

It was time to find a proper seat.

As he stepped into the corridor, he heard the excited chattering of children. He wanted a quiet spot, and still felt winded, he was reluctant to wade through the noisy throng.

Luckily, he noticed a car with only two students. One he recognized as the Gryffindor Head boy, the other seemed content and occupied on her laptop. A nice quiet compartment!

He slid open the door. “Mister Roberts, Miz. Bones.” He nodded to each respectively. “Mind if I steal a spot in here? I promise I won’t be a bother. As you were.” He took his time securing his suitcase, then took a seat on the opposite side of the children. He draped his jacket on the seat beside him, and pulled out his smartphone.

Adjusting his glasses he squinted at the glowing screen, using his small fingers to sort through files and folders. He planned to review his lesson plans.

“Hmm let’s see now… There’s Divination… Astro-things… and Muggle Studies…” He muttered quietly to himself as he opened each file.

Ava found herself giggling at Rhea's explanation of Hufflepuff, and although she continued to run her fingers over the small owl's neck and head. However, her attention was quickly turned to Roy as he spoke to her and her face blushed. She had never said it out loud, obviously, but every time Roy came over, she felt the need to run to her room and hide. She had only talked to him once, that she could remember, and the conversation was mostly him talking, and her staring at the ground, her face blood red.

Remington simply sniggered, closing his eyes for a second, before he punched at Roy's side, "You should really pick another cart. She's about to stroke out…", he kidded, only causing Ava to sink deeper into herself. She brought her knees up, hiding her face until David spoke out of nowhere (to her) and she smiled. He believed in Nargles! He believed in Nargles…

"Nargles are nasty little buggers…", she murmured, her lips barely visible from behind a curtain of blonde hair. She glanced nervously at Remington, and then back to David, "You wouldn't believe how many shoes I've lost…"

"Ava…", Remington corrected her, stopping what he considered nonsense. He didn't want to break her spirit. That was never his intention, but he worried about her livelihood at Hogwarts if she kept this up. Suddenly, the train began moving, and he took a deep breath, smiling politely at Ava as she deflated, "It's okay. We're on our way now."

Ava rolled her eyes, as tears threatened to form, and she watched the beast outside follow the train. At times, it seemed to be simply performing tricks for her, and at others, it seemed to be guided by the train, like a guardian. As they sped up, she simply lay her head against the glass and watched the countryside fly by, her nerves not even fluttering. She knew there would be SOMEONE at Hogwarts that would understand her, if not only an owl.

David instinctually understood what was happening when Caitlin had suddenly gone into panic mode. He heard the loud train signaling their departure and he put his book and wand away as he helped Caitlin into a random compartment.

"Hopefully we can find an empty one," David said, "don't worry, it'll pass like it always does." They somewhat stumbled into a compartment with people already in it (Prof. Hawkins, Mark and Rose).

"I'm quite sorry about this guys," David said, his Brittany accent becoming more pronounced under the stress, "my friend is a bit under the weather due to the trains departure." He helped Caitlin take a seat next to the woman (Prof. Hawkins). He then smiled and pulled out some magic chocolate from his bag and gave it to Caitlin. "I came prepared this time. These are special chocolates that should help with the nauseous feeling. He had found the chocolate in Diagon Alley, in the famous Weasley shop. There were some pretty cool things to be found there. A picture of one of the twins who perished during the Battle of Hogwarts could be seen over a fireplace with dancing multicolored fire. He had met Molly Weasley, who was at the Battle of Hogwarts. He didn't get to ask her questions or anything and he didn't really want to bother her, so he just bought his things and went to meet up with his parents for dinner.

He placed a hand on her shoulder to comfort her and then stood. It seemed that the compartment was at full "technical" capacity, but there was still some room to squeeze in. "Don't worry guys," he said, "I have an idea." He took out his wand and pointed it towards the side of the compartment with the window. It was just a simple extension charm. He flicked his wand and spoke the charm. The tip of his wand glowed a little, but it did not have the intended effect. Instead of the compartment extending, the entire compartment as well as the entire train cart shook violently, causing the windows to reverberate. David stumbled back a little. After a moment of awkwardness, a small note slipped into the compartment from under the door.

"Oh," David said, moving back towards the window and looking at the note that had turned into a talking makeshift paper mouth, "this is not good."

"Dear Mr. David Saint-Vincent Du Martin Le Croisé," the female voice spoke from the note. "As Mistress Undersecretary Third Red Class of the Hogwarts Express Adherence and Truancy Compliance Enforcement Department, I am informing you that you are in violation of Section Four-thousand-six-hundred-and-twenty-seven, clause eighty-two: No witch or wizard may utilize an extension charm on or within a compartment for any reason, including loss of life or threat thereof. As an underaged wizard and student of the esteemed Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizzardry, you will not be taken henceforth to Azkaban." David wasn't sure how relieved he should feel about that since he thought that being sentenced to Azkaban for an illegal extension charm was a bit over reacting. "I can assure you that I am not overreacting and an Illegal extension charm is reason enough to submit someone to Azkaban under my book. If it were up to me, I would-" the note cleared its...throat, "anyway - Ten points from Ravenclaw!" With that, the note shredded itself and the compartment was silent. It was then that he noticed Prof. Hawkins.

"Please tell me you're not the new Headmistress of Ravenclaw," David said, then quickly added, "Ma'am." His face was red and he felt really embraced and bad about possibly scaring everyone on the train. Not only that, he had just lot ten points for Ravenclaw, in front of it's headmistress. This day could not get any worse.

Roy laughed, surprised to find Ava turning a remarkable shade of red. He was setting down Fletch's cage when he felt a punch at his side, Remington suggesting he find another cart. He punched back, "Me? Look at her, it's gonna be you picking on her that makes her stroke out." He gestured to Ava who David was now speaking to. He was going on about some nonsense about Nargles. Roy was unsure if he was being serious or just trying to make her feel better. With David, it could be either, or both, or neither.

It was then that the compartment door burst open. It was the Gryffindor girl, Caitlin. She never seemed to like him or Remington much, but of course she was their rival in Transfiguration and Quidditch, respectively. "Too young." ...Yeah, she definitely didn't think too highly of them. He held back his laughter as David said he'd see them at school and went after her. Despite her dislike of Roy and Remington, Caitlin was fond of David. Roy gave Rem a knowing smile as David left. Caitlin was definitely attractive and they often joked about she and David. Roy particularly liked to remind his less social friend that "If you don't do something soon, I will."

He noticed the feather after David left, unsure if David's comment about the muse potion was a jab at him or an honestly helpful tip. Like I'd ever need a muse potion. I can take inspiration form anywhere. He decided that David had been too focused on Caitlin to really bother kidding with him.

As the train began moving, he could tell he had missed something between Remington and Ava as the first year's mood seemed shot. He wasn't sure what to say so he turned his attention back to Rhea, who had asked about the feather. "Go ahead and keep it." He chuckled at her comment about wanting to impress the new Potions professor. "You sound like my kid brother. Before he started his first year, he asked me about every teacher and how to get on their good side or impress them. Of course I told him the way I did it. Pure skill. But, yeah it's no surprise he ended up in Slytherin. He's got big plans. And just like that I now have a brother in each house." He added the last bit, slightly directed in Ava's direction. Just a small reminder that all houses had their good qualities. He pointed at the feather. "What do you plan to make with it?"

Words could not possibly describe the giggle Rhea gave when Roy gave permission to take the feather, it was full of an uncontrollable giddiness and joy. She leaned down slightly and picked it up, holding it up in the air for a moment in a gesture of triumph before putting it in her pocket. "Thanks," she said, grinning at Roy. When he asked what she planning to make with it, she paused thoughtfully.

"Hmmm, good question," Rhea mused. "What were raven's feathers used for again? A love potion.. or was it the antidote to a love potion? No, that doesn't seem right." She sighed to herself. "Raven feathers represent death and ill-omen, so maybe the feathers are an ingredient for poison? Or maybe they're a medicine ingredient?" After a moment, she shrugged and gave a large grin. "Well, it doesn't matter. Perhaps I could experiment a little."

At the word 'experiment', Ash the Owl, still cuddling up against Ava, heaved a heavy sigh. If an owl could have roll its eyes, he would have. Rhea's 'experiments' with potions never ended well.

Rhea then looked at Roy again. "Huh? So all your brothers are in different houses? I thought siblings were always put in the same house," she said, a little surprised. "So, one of your brothers in Hufflepuff? Not in my year, probably." Without asking to, she sat herself down in the seat next to Ava and stared up at Roy with interest.

Roy's eyes widened in surprise, his eyebrows raised. He had not expected such a reaction from the girl over a feather. A passerby would think she'd won the lottery or earned the chance to meet some celebrity. As she mused over what to make with the potion he began looking through his bag and pulled out a thin box and a small stack of paper. Rhea's owl seemed to react to the word experiment. Roy looked up from his bag, an amused look on his face. "That owl seems to think that's not a very good idea," he said, as he took his own seat. "You know there's plenty of books in the library, you could just look for potions involving a raven's feather. Wouldn't want to waste a gift on a less than superb potion would you? Even if it is just a feather from that silly old 'songbird'."

Removing a pencil from the box he began to sketch out the basic shape of a raven. The image of Singer was fresh in his mind, and it seemed like a fun challenge to try to convey the idea of David's bird singing in a drawing. He was listening to Rhea as she spoke but he was quickly getting caught up in the recreation of the raven. Her question about a brother in Hufflepuff brought his attention back, and he looked up at her, his pencil stopped in the middle of a line. There was a blank expression on his face as he tried to recall what she had said. He had definitely heard it but it hadn't fully registered. Something about siblings in the same house.

"Yeah for the most part siblings end up in the same house, or at least the same two. I think being raised by the same parents you learn to value the same things. And of course most people want to be in the same house as their siblings. Not us. I guess we're a little bit different." He smiled as he began to answer the next question. "Yes, actually. I have a brother who was in Hufflepuff. My oldest brother, Titus. You could say he was special. He's got his hands full being an Obliviator. Then there was Gus in Gryffindor who went off to do volunteer work. Judoc and me in Ravenclaw. And finally Nolan in Slytherin. He's a second year, so you might know him?" The girl was what, a third year?

Amelia Hawkins - The Potions Professor

Sitting silently and propping open her book once again as silence fell across the cabin, the new Headmistress of Ravenclaw simply became immersed in her reading. Initially, she didn't react at all when two more students poured into the room that was quickly becoming more crowded than she would deem comfortable. Shifting ever slightly to allow room for Caitlin to sit down and still give her own self a touch of personal space, her lack of attention to the students sharply changed when one of them pulled out a wand and stated that he had an idea to help with the crowded space. Lofting an eyebrow and quickly coming to realize just what he was about to try and accomplish, Amelia sharply rose to a stand to try and stop his impulsiveness; but it was far too late.

With a bone jarring shift, the whole train car shifted rocked with the illegal spell, and before her eyes not only did it fail, but it also warranted the receipt of a notification. Such a notification was none other than that but a letter from the Ministry. With the almost equivalent volume to a Howler, the Witch simply looked on unimpressed with both the display of the student, and the lack of tact by the Ministry itself.

Folding her arms as the Ministry woman declared a ten-point loss for Ravenclaw, she could not help but the slightest smirk. Small and minute, it would go unnoticed except for the most perceptive of eyes, and she sat down quietly once again the moment that the letter finished speaking. Her eyes did not shift from her book once they returned to the written words, even as the boy expressed dismay at who she was. Lofting an eyebrow, the Ravenclaw Headmistress' did not speak until he addressed her with the appropriate Ma'am that was suited for her position.

"You're fortunate today, Mr. Saint-Vincent, was it?" She began, lightly tapping the corner of her book before turning a page. "While your actions do warrant punishment, the Ministry holds no hands over Hogwarts, and as such the Houses within it. Your classmates will not suffer a loss at the hands of your inexperience and impulsiveness." Turning another page after dabbing her fingertip with her tongue, her reading paused as her intense, but beautifully brilliant gaze finally affixed upon him. "That aside, you will have a detention to serve in the coming weeks once everyone is settled into their respective routines. You, and another student. Do you understand? The day, time, and location will be sent by owl, not by Howler as the Ministry seems to lack tact. Perhaps going and helping the Groundskeeper handle any issues in the Forbidden Forest might be a fitting task."

A long, low sigh of disappointment slid between her lips as her fingertip idly played with the ribbon atop the binding of her tome. Were all her students akin to such unruly behavior? "Like the student before you, I expect more maturity and intellect from students that are upon their fifth year or beyond. Especially from my House."

Caitlin however, drew a minor hint of concern from the professor as she glanced over to her. "Are you ill?" The headmistress mildly inquired at first before looking back to the Ravenclaw that had helped her in just moments before. Dawning quickly on her, she would inquire just one slight thought in the end. "Is she suffering from motion sickness? If so, I can quickly concoct a cure for such an ailment"

Astrid and Terra

Astrid for a few minutes was quite as the train started moving. The twins had been on the tube, but never a train like this. It was exciting. She watched as the scenery outside the window changed quickly.

"Admit it, it's cool." Astrid bumped her sister lightly. Terra already had an irritated look on face because the bumpy nature of the train made it impossible to sketch. She closed the books and looked out the window.

"I never said it wouldn't be." She gave her sister a smile. The pair of them looked at each other for a moment and then Terra spoke again. The language she spoke in wasn't English and her voice carried no emotion.

Astrid seemed to understand though and simply gave her twin a one word reply. Terra ignored her abandoned books and looked at the two boys sitting across from them. "A new adventure awaits us." She said her voice full of the excitement Astrid was exuding.

Mark listened to everything that went on, from the message from the ministry to Amelia's comments, then addressed the boy. "They limit the train to the size it is for a reason, though I'm not sure why. Still, you must be a pretty skilled wizard to attempt it." He then reached into his laptop case and pulled out a bottle of medicine. "Dramamine?" he said, offering the girl who had entered the medication. "It's a type of muggle medicine for motion sickness. Looks like more of an anxiety thing to me though. In either case the best thing you can do is take your mind off of it." He held out his hand to the two of them. "I'm Mark Crane. I'm the new charms professor. I'm not sure if you're in my class or not, but it seems we both got put in Ravenclaw at some point, and I like to get to know all of the students, so hello." He then motioned to the girl beside him that was playing checkers. "This is my niece, or, more accurately, my cousin's daughter, Rose. It's her first year. So I'm riding with her to school. So, what can you tell me about yourselves?"

Kyle McCarthy (Professor of DADA) - Hogwarts

Professor McCarthy, as he was now in his professor robes and not the muggle attire he had worn at the station, made his way from his office on the third floor to McGonagall's office. He treasured the last few hours of silence within the halls of Hogwarts. Soon it would be filled with children, children he worried over. As he walked to the office he thought of his own years at Hogwarts.



Kyle smiled slightly, that was the first in many detentions, he and Siobhan had been quite the truants. Kyle didn't let his mind wander any farther back, it wasn't worth the pain. He smile shifted back to the frown that he usually wore and he stopped in front of the Gargoyle statue that was the entrance to the Headmistress' office.

Well, she didn't last as long as she expected.

Caitlin thought having David distract her with idle chatter would help, and she supposed it did a little, but still the anxiety-tinged queasiness persisted. Having motion sickness was one thing, but siderodromophobia or whatever the hell fear of train trips was called was an entirely different problem. Who even had a phobia like that, really? Her cheeks burned at the thought. At times like these, she liked to put all the blame on her mother, who raised her in the wilderness and far, far away from civilization. Before coming to Hogwarts, all she had ever known was the simplicity of nature. Brooms and horses were their means of travel, as was the occasional magic carpet. Integrating was more difficult than she thought it would be.

Caitlin waited until her stomach stopped lurching before she took small, cautious bites of the magic chocolate she was given. She exhaled in relief at its instantaneous effects. The nausea was gone at last, though the anxiety was still there. "Thanks," she turned to David, managing a small smile. "I—"

The word died on her lips a second later, and she thought it was amazing how one could turn from eternally grateful to extremely ticked off to embarrassingly hysterical, all in a blink of an eye. She could never stay upset with David, would forgive him anything, but in that split second when she realized what was about to happen, she was quite tempted to give him a good slap in the head. And maybe a flick on the forehead. Luckily for him (but not so much for her), her anger dissipated to give room for the paralyzing fear that would wash over her like a tidal wave. Caitlin grabbed a fistful of David's sleeve and turned her face up and away from everyone in the compartment to conceal the tears threatening to fall. Her breathing turned ragged but she tried to hide that, too.

The new Ravenclaw Headmistress, as David had just pointed out, noticed her condition only after she'd properly punished David for his stupid spell (which was also well-intentioned, so she didn't have it in her to hold it against him). Despite having suffered a near full-blown panic attack, Caitlin managed to feel a little guilty. It was sort of her fault he had detention now, wasn't it? At least she put him to work in the Forbidden Forest. She could join him there then.

Still reeling, Caitlin could only nod at everything she was being told. Was she ill? Yes. Motion sickness? Yes. Dramamine? Sure, whatever that was. Anxiety? Bingo. Charm Professor Mark Crane and his cousin's daughter? Cheers, pleasure. She was bobbing her head distractedly even after Professor Crane asked them for an introduction and only realized he was expecting an actual answer after a couple of seconds passed without anyone talking. Caitlin gently nudged David with her elbow and gave him a look, beckoning for him to take over and do all the talking for them. She didn't trust opening her mouth just quite yet.

Professor McCarthy had a productive meeting with Headmistress McGonagall. He left the meeting feeling a bit more at ease. It was then, as he glanced at his watch, the same one he had owned since his seventeenth birthday, that it was nearly time for the train to arrive.

On the train, darkness had long fallen, the students had changed into their robes and were readying to stop at the Hogsmead station. It wouldn't be until the students were partially up the path in the carriages, or around the bend of the lake, that they would see Hogwarts. Hogwarts, their home for the next several months, would be lit up awaiting them in anticipation. Astrid and Terra were holding hands excited. Terra had put away her notebook and watched at the darkness on the other side of the glass. Soon they'd be learning magic. Really learning it. Her heart pounded in anticipation. Her sister, Astrid, was also excited, but there was no fear in the older twin's heart.

Finally the train stopped. The older students made their way to the carts and the first years were led to the boats by the school's game keeper and keeper of the keys. Terra, frowned at the boats, not wanting to get into it. She much more preferred keeping both her feet firmly on the ground she was named after. Astrid on the other hand happily climbed into a boat. "Do I have to?" She asked the gamekeeper quietly. He gave her a gently smile and nodded. With a deep trepidation she climbed into the boat after her sister.

Phelix enjoyed the rest of the train ride in peace. The students were polite but had little interest in their professor. Phelix completed editing his course studies by the time they got to Hogwarts.

The stout man hobbled off the train and into a carriage.

Once on the grounds he went straight to his room, as cozy as a castle-room gets, nestled above the Hufflepuff halls. He put away his things, changed his tie, combed what little hair he had, then made off to the great hall for the sorting ceremony.

Phelix had sat near the very end of that long faculty table for a very long time, an extracurricular teacher, and an oddball, both earned him that place on the fringes. Things changed when he became head of Hufflepuff, and his seat was much closer to the middle near where the headmistress sat. He had to climb into his seat, the whole hall and all its furniture was overlarge and ornate.

The old doctor closed his eyes, recalling his own sorting.


‘Oh, such noble and pure blood! Yet, also pure of mind and heart...’

‘You can talk?’ Phelix was surprised by the sound of a voice in his own head.

‘Of course silly, how do you think I’m supposed to make this decision? We’ve both got to think! Now… You have Slytherin on your mind, I see!’

‘My parents were Slytherin’s, and theirs, and theirs…. I think you’ve sorted them all, Sir Hat.’

‘Indeed I have! ‘Sir, Hat’! I like that!’

Phelix twiddled his nubby thumbs as the Sorting Hat amused itself. ‘Is there even a choice?’ He wondered, but of course the sorting hat heard.

‘There is always a choice! And I can think of no better place for you to learn that than...’

“HUFFLEPUFF!”


Phelix sighed, and shook his head. He wished he could hear what the sorting hat said to each student. It was a pivotal first step in a wizard discovering their own identity. The choice had certainly mattered him a great deal to him.

He sat bat, folding his hands over his belly, and relaxed as the Headmistress began the proceedings.

Rhea listened to Roy for as he spoke about the feather, feeling it in her pocket the whole time. "Yeah, I guess you're right," she said. She then grinned. "That may be the first thing I'll do when I have some free time."

Ash seemed to breath a sigh of relief, but again, it was hard to tell with that owl. He instead quickly turned his attentions back to the girl cuddling him.

Rhea then listened to Roy speak about his family, all the while watching him draw. He seemed to like drawing, she heard him mention his skill with art. Rhea herself couldn't draw for toffee, and whenever she had to draw something, she was limited to doodling crude stickmen. "Wow," she breathed. "Your brother is an Obliviator? That means he works for the ministry right?" Her expression of curiosity became one of respect. "Amazing..." She then realised she had never really considered what she'd do after school. She wasn't really good at anything. I don't want to end up like Mum, she thought. The idea of her growing up, becoming some house-wife in a muggle family, dreaming of her old witch days made her feel slightly ill.

She shook her thoughts away for a moment and smiled at Roy. "Uh, no... sorry, I don't really know your younger brother," she said. "To be honest, I've always been a little... frightened to talk to the students in Slytherin." She quickly added, "I mean, I'm sure they're really nice! But..." Her shoulders slumped. "You know..." She became very quiet after that, looking down at her feet.

The rest of the train journey passed by. However, Rhea decided to stay in the same car as Roy, Remington and Ava, partly because she didn't want to take Ash away from Ava, but also because she didn't fancy the idea of going back to her lonely car where all her stuff was. It was weird, solitude had never bothered her before, but after talking to such nice people, she feared being alone afterwards.

Eventually, the train came to stop at Hogmeade station. Rhea glanced out the window. "We're here," she said, her mood becoming slightly brighter. She stood up. "I've got to get some stuff from my old car. I left all my things there, you see." She gave a small laugh. She then paused, thinking of something. "But, err, would you guys mind if we got the same carriage to Hogwarts? I... don't really have any friends in my year, and you guys seem really nice." Suddenly, she remembered something and turned to Ava. "Oh, that's right. You're a first year. You'll be getting on the boats." She felt a bit sorry for Ava, having to separated from her brother. She gave Ava a pat on the shoulder. "Don't worry, though, we'll all see each other at Hogwarts and you'll be getting sorted into your house. You'll probably end up in Ravenclaw with your brother." She then grinned and leaned forward. "However," she said, attempting to whisper the words. However, she'd never been good at keeping her voice low. "If you consider coming into Hufflepuff, that'd be awesome too." She then straightened herself up. "Come on, Ash," she said to the owl.

The barn owl looked reluctant but obeyed, flying over and perching on Rhea's arm. Rhea smiled at Ava, Remington and Roy. "Well, I'll go get my stuff, but if you guys want to share a carriage, that would be cool too." She then headed back to her old cart where her stuff was and gathered it all up. She also put Ash back in his cage, which he complained about slightly but didn't try to stop her. He knew the drill. He knew it very well.

Rhea exited the train with a bright smile on her face, sighing slightly as she gazed over in the direction of Hogwarts. She sighed. "Home sweet home," she said and headed over to where the carriages were.

Roy stared up at the ceiling of the great hall, transfixed by the sight of the stars outside. The floating candlesticks spread throughout the hall only heightened his sense of awe. Not to say it was new to him. Over four years he'd grown quite used to the magic that touched every part of Hogwarts. Things like this just always jumped out at him again at the beginning of each year.

He'd lost track of Rem who had gone off to ensure Ava made it onto the first year boats with no issue. Roy couldn't find him or David so he had simply gotten onto the same carriage as the girl from the train, Rhea. She seemed a little odd, but then again so did most people he knew. More importantly, her presence had opened the door for three more Hufflepuffs his age to join them in the carriage... two of them girls. Needless to say he was meeting Olivia later in the week to help her review her Transfiguration. He looked towards the front of the room as the sorting seemed close to beginning. He tried to spot the new Potions professor as he'd heard she was rather attractive young teacher from some others who had seen her on the train. He knew Nolan had been upset to hear the former Potions master was leaving. He'd worked so hard to get on the old man's good side.

He had his attention drawn to the other end of the room however, as the students filed in behind Professor Longbottom, stool in hand. He set the stool down and placed the a dirty dusty old frayed hat on it. The same hat he was rumored to have pulled a Godric Gryffindor's sword out of during the Battle of Hogwarts. Humble man that was, he'd never confirmed anything. The hall went silent as all eyes were on the hat. Slowly its mouth opened, and it began to sing.

It was the same as usual. A little history. Explanation of the houses, Gryffindors are brave, Ravenclaws use their brains, Slytherins get what they want, and Hufflepuffs... well they're "special." Then Professor Longbottom stepped forward once more, list of names in hand and began calling up the first years.

******************
"Astrid Reese!"

Unafraid Astrid strode forward and sat on the stool letting the had fall over her eyes.
"Ah a brave one I see, very determined. Definitely a Gryffindor!"
Astrid took the hat off gently and gave it back to Professor Longbottom She gave her sister a big grin and nearly skipped over to the Gryffindor table. She was quite excited and her sister's name was called.

"Terra Reese!"

The quieter twin tentatively stepped up to the stool. Her sister wanted her in Gryffindor, but Terra didn't agree with that. She could be brave, but to her loyalty to those you love was the most important thing. But wasn't it being disloyal to not go into Gryffindor? Her heart tore at the paradox as the hat slid over her eyes.
"Oh another Reese, but you are very different from your sister. Ah this battle in your heart about where you belong very loyal of you. You're very smart, ah and the brains behind the troublemaker. For all of that though, I'd have to say Hufflepuff!"
Terra took the hat off shocked. She hadn't expected it to talk to her. She took her seat at the Hufflepuff table, mouthing an apology to her sister. Terra could tell Astrid was annoyed, but her sister wouldn't hold it against her.

******************
"Vincent Prachaphet!"

Vincent rose from his seat to approach the stool. He was very mature for his age, knowing his obligations. The hat casually dropped upon his head. He and his brother expected him to become a Ravenclaw like his older brother -- and expected the decision to be certain. The next few words of the hat came as a shock. "Hmm... what a strange amalgamation. Intelligent and chivalrous... yet loyal, fair, and patient."

Vincent was beginning to get nervous upon the stool.

"Well, we know you can't be a Slytherin!" The hat joked as his chances of becoming a Gryffindor diminished through his nervousness on the stool. "Tell me, what do you want to be?"

"A Ravenclaw, like my older brother." Vincent replied. He didn't want to disappoint his family.

"Your half-brother" The hat corrected him," but your loyalty is impeccable. Hufflepuff for you!"

He picked up the hat and gave it back to the professor. After he had sat back down with a sour look on his face, Gary spoke up, "It's okay." Gary patted his back and assumed that Vincent himself wanted to be a Ravenclaw. "I'm sure Hufflepuff is just as good..."

******************

And with the final name, this year's sorting was over. Everyone cheered loudly for the final first year as he made his way to the Gryffindor table, and Professor McGonagall stood up to speak.