Stella sighed, trying to think of all the things she was taking. "Well, I am taking the basics. Transfiguration, Defense against the dark arts, potions, charms, history. Since my third year, I have taken care for magical creatures and Runes. Very interesting subjects. Runes can be confusing. One can easily mix up ehwaz and eihwaz. A common mistake." She flipped another page in the Quibbler. "Also I start taking O.W.Ls this year. I heard they are nerve wracking."

@RavenTLark

" It would probably ruin all of the fun if you get picked as a Prefect in your 5th year. I can tell you that one of our jobs is to escort the first years to the dorms. The Gryffindor's are my responsibility again this year, and I just hope that last years events don't repeat themselves; because I'm pretty sure that some of the portraits are still in shock about that boy who almost fell over the railing on the stairs. "

That bloody idiot had been waving to his friend who'd ended up in Ravenclaw and leaned a little too far over the railing. Let's just say that he was lucky that Elijah had such quick reflexes and wand skills.

" Believe me, that bloke I cursed hates pink. On the first day of my 5th year when I attended the first meeting, he said that anyone who dared touch his things or turn something pink would get a nasty curse thrown their way. He hasn't made good on that threat yet, and I'm waiting to see just what kind of tricks he's got. As for classes, first years have a strict curriculum that they have to follow, while the 2nd-7th years get to pick electives and other things. 5th years take exams called O.W.L's and their scores on those exams determine what classes they can take in their 6th year. I'm in N.E.W.T level Herbology and Potions, but pretty much all the rest of my classes are still at O.W.L. level. I'm not complaining though, because those two were the ones I needed for my future occupation. "

Pausing in his words long enough to scold Joseph, he turned his attention back to Raven.

" Magic is pretty much an everyday thing at Hogwarts, and you get to practice as much as you want. Just don't try to turn water into rum. It doesn't end well. Any other questions? "

@Morte Angelis

"How can you nearly fall off a staircase? Even if it does move and I think that I still wouldn't mind being a Prefect, do you get anything for being one? How do you become a Prefect?" Raven thought that the boy that nearly fell off the staircase was obviously thick and hoped that she didn't meet him." By the sounds of it that gut deserved to have his things turned pink, horrible colour, no offence to anyone that actually likes the colour pink but I personally think that the colour suits his personality," she really didn't like the sound of this Ravenclaw boy," what do each of the levels stand for and what's the least level that you can get to pass? What do you want to do in the future?"

Raven noticed Albino slivering slowly towards Brand's white cat but she quickly grabbed him and put him in his cage. She had planned on letting him stay out of his traveling cage for the whole trip but she didn't want him getting hurt with all these cats roaming around the compartment." Why would you try to turn water into rum anyway? Plus, what's so bad about that specific spell?"

@Morte Angelis

" Falling is the easy part, because those staircases can be tricky little buggers. I'm not sure if we really ' get ' anything for being Prefect's, but I do know that we get a badge and have the chance to become Head Boy. "

Elijah chuckled when she said that the Ravenclaw deserved what he got.

" He definitely did deserve it. That sod needed a lesson or two taught to him that wasn't by a teacher. "

Her next question he actually had to think about, because he wasn't sure he could really explain it properly. After all, he might be a Prefect; but there were some things that were better explained by someone else.

" Give me a second, I'm going to go and grab someone who could explain this better than I can. "

Leaving the compartment and having Joseph give up playing with Gizmo in order to follow, he found himself in the company of a rather large owl and hissed at it before fluffing himself up into even more of a puffball.

" Olivia, can you come and explain something to a first year? I would do it, but I'm afraid I'm rubbish at explaining anything pertaining to exams. "

Olivia turned her attention to Eli after pausing her conversation with Ben.

" Sure, lead the way. "

Leaving Ben in the compartment with Rolf, she followed Eli to the compartment and after asking who she'd be talking to, Eli gestured to Raven.

" Hello! I'm Olivia Collins, 6th year Slytherin and apparent expert on explaining things according to Eli. "

Olivia and Eli weren't exactly what one would call ' friends ' but they tolerated each other and had studied together at one point to prepare for their O.W.L.S.

" The exams at Hogwarts are fairly straightforward and depend on the professor, but if you study and ask the professor what to focus on, it's usually a total breeze. Ben is total rubbish at exam taking though, and it was quite amusing when he told me he forgot what he'd written his History of Magic assignment on; when he'd written in less than two weeks prior. "

Giggling to herself a little and then clearing her throat, she began.

" Anyway, in your 5th year you'll take your O.W.L. exams. Those are your Ordinary Wizarding Level exams and you'll be asked by your head of house before the exams what you plan on being after you graduate. Your choice will help them assist you in figuring out what you need to get on your tests in order to take the N.E.W.T level classes and be able to get the job you want after graduation. Each O.W.L is class specific, and I remember struggling a little in my Theory of Charms O.W.L because I'd put most of my effort into my Potions O.W.L the previous day. If you fail an O.W.L; you will not be able to continue taking that class in your 6th and 7th year. So; if you fail an O.W.L in an elective, you'll have to pick something else for the next year.

Each O.W.L is graded based on how well you did, and professors of the N.E.W.T level classes will only let you take their class if you achieve a specific score. There are 6 possible scores that you can get; three passing and three failing. The passing ones are Outstanding, Exceeds Expectations, and Acceptable, in order from highest to lowest. Failing grades are Poor, Dreadful, and Troll. Any one of the passing grades could get you into a N.E.W.T level class, but you are almost guaranteed a spot in one of those classes if you receive an Outstanding. I'm going to be taking N.E.W.T level potions this year after getting an Outstanding on my O.W.L last year. "

Pausing to take a breath, she continued.

" The N.E.W.T.S, or Nastily Exhausting Wizarding Test, are incredibly difficult and you either pass them, or you don't. If I had failed my Charms O.W.L and hadn't barely received an Exceeds Expectations, I wouldn't be able to become a Healer. I'm taking 5 N.E.W.T level classes this year and I am going to spending most of my free time studying this year, as will my friend Ben. He wants to become an Auror and he also is taking 5 N.E.W.T classes. "

Bending down to pet Joseph who was staring up at her, she listened to him purr for a moment before straightening up and moving some of her red/brown hair behind her ear.

" Is that all you needed me for Elijah? "

" Uh, yeah, thanks. "

The poor guy looked like she'd just put him through the wringer and she didn't blame him. Exams were difficult and she knew that he was in the same boat as she was. He had also just barely received an Exceeds Expectations on his Charms O.W.L, but he needed the class for an entirely different reason.

Rigel yawned as he took a compartment. He always eagerly awaited going to Hogwarts to see his friends. His mother had told him not to get too attached to anyone as they all would probably fade after graduation. He was so tired of his mother warning him to stay away from everyone because of her bad experiences with people. She was looked on as a recluse and maybe a crazy person by the wizarding society. He looked over at Eridanus, his trusty owl. The owl had been with him since his first year. He remembered his mother nearly having a panic attack as she took him to Diagon Alley the first time. She had been in her house since she first found out she was pregnant.

Rylan sat tinkering with the fireworks she had brought. She waited for the train ride to be over. George had told her that she was supposed to set of the fireworks, not only to promote his business, but to make a special celebration for this years new students. He'd said that he cleared it with Headmistress McGonagall, but she was sure he hadn't. Squeak, her trusty purple pygmy puff, let out a soft noise as she slept on Rylan's shoulder.

@Morte Angelis

Raven was surprised by the fact that the Slytherin girl was actually willing to explain it all, this made her think that maybe Slytherin might of gotten better," Thank you for explaining that to me Olivia." All of this new knowledge had filled her with excitement and even more questions," What are Flying classes like? Are they like P.E. for Wizards and Witches? Do we always have to wear our black hats?" That was what jogged her memory, thinking of the hats had made her remember that she still needed to change into her robes," Damn, I just remembered, sorry, I have to go get changed into my robes, I'll be back in a few minutes." She quickly grabbed the small bag that she had brought with her which held her robes and ran out of the compartment.

She swiftly jogged past the other occupants of the train and went to go get dressed.

[@everyone]

As Raven walked back towards her compartment, now wearing her black robes, she felt the train come to a halt. Then she heard who she correctly guessed to be the train conductor say over the intercom," We have arrived, can all students please step off the Hogwarts Express, first years first. All of your belongings will be taken to your dormitories for you. May the prefects please take the second and above years to the carriages after the first years have been led away. Thank you."

As soon as she heard this she jogged to the closest exit, a female prefect was already holding the door open, and went outside where she saw some other first years had already gotten off the train as well. When she had gotten to the front of the group of first years she saw a huge man with a grey beard and long hair, he looked like a giant compared to the young children around him. He told the crowd," Hello first years, I am Rubeus Hagrid, Groundskeeper and Keeper of the Keys are Hogwarts. Now please follow me everyone," in his cheery but gruff voice as he led them all away from the train.

Once the first years had left the prefect that had held the door open for Raven, her name was Lillian, and the other prefects got off the train. When Lillian was outside she called out to the other students," Can all students please follow their house prefects to the carriages in an orderly manner. I have talked to our deputy headmistress and she has said that the house that does this the best gets to start off the school year with an extra ten points so be on your best behaviour." With this all of the students quietened down and went into neat lines.

As the prefects led them off her fellow Ravenclaw prefect whispered to her," Is one house really going to get ten points for this?"

"Of course not, but don't tell them that," Lillian whispered back happily.