@BlackPanther, @AbysmalDemon, @KahleenCuthald

Karen nodded slowly. "That's alright. I suppose I'm unused to interacting with anybody but adults, so I had gotten used to introducing myself like this." It was true. Most of the time she had met a new person, it was either someone who had come to mourn for her parents, or else came for their research. As much as she despised the latter, however, both had to be met with respect. Her parents would expect no less from her.

Before she could continue talking any further, the Headmistress - McGonagall, if Karen recalled correctly - called everyone out to be sorted. She pulled out the famous Sorting Hat, an item Hogwarts had in its possession for thousands of years, which had been sorting the countless students that had passed through its halls. Karen stared at the ragged thing and swallowed. It was such a small, old artifact, and yet, the influence it held over their future was staggering.

They lined up and one-by-one, they were called to the the stand like criminals for a hanging.

Okay, that was a bad comparison, thought Karen dryly.

At last, it was her turn. Once the hat was upon her head - though it would be more accurate to say it had swallowed it - she couldn't help but grimace on the hats commentary on her character. She didn't need to hear that, especially not from a hat. She breathed a sigh of relief once her sorting was finished, and stepped off the podium. She elatedly joined her place at the table of the cheering Ravenclaws.

She frowned when she hear Bishop's sorting into Hufflepuff. She was hoping they'd be in the same House. No matter, she thought, she would have plenty of time to spend with him after classes.

Karen faced her new Housmates with a polite smile. "Hello Callum, everyone," she began, ready to introduce herself using her whole name once again, before Brynn's advice came to mind. "I'm Karen, it's a pleasure."

Bishop kept his eyes trained on the little blank thing that was eating a piece of carrot on his plate. "That's a rather odd opinion compared to the things I've heard and seen from the majority of people here. Most think of rats as diseased vermin, but they are rather the opposite. Funny thing too, I found her mending to her broken tail in a dumpster," he noted the slight bend at the end of Veil's pink tail. "I've always thought of albinos more interesting than just plain brown or black. It's strange how something can look so pure and so evil all at once." Bishop chuckled as he remembered that Veil started as his own tiny piece of revenge, but then became family. "Do you know anything about magic?" He tried to change the subject before he either burst into tears or began breaking plates over people's heads.

@AbysmalDemon

Isaak was a bit surprised with how quickly the hat sorted him into Sytherin, it had barely touched his head when it shouted out its verdict. He was happy to be in the house of his family, but now he wondered if any of his new friends would get into the house. To his disappointment it looked like non of them made it into Slytherin. What really surprised him was Callum almost being sorted into SLytherin house and then the hat changed its mind and put him in Ravenclaw.

"What the hell happened?" he said to himself, it seemed that the boy hadn't been very truthful with him, and that was something that annoyed Isaak a good deal. He would speak with the new Ravenclaw when this feast was over. Now that sorting was done, he took his plate and began to eat a good meal.

"So you're a Boyers?" one boy asked.

"Yep" Isaak replied.

"That's cool, I hope we can be friends this semester" the boy responded.

"What's your name?" Isaak asked.

"Stephen, Stephen Blackwell" the boy answered.

"It's a pleasure to meet you" Isaak said and they discussed some more about Slytherin and the other houses.

@KahleenCuthald@TheHangedMan

Cal shook Charlyn's hand.

"I hope we all become friends," Cal said smiling, before returning to his Yorkshire Puddings. He knew there was gonna be food. He knew there was gonna be lots of it. But this many Yorkshire pudding, it was beyond comparison. Nathan then spoke,

"It's nice to meet all of you. I'm glad we'll have the whole first week off from classes to get to know each other. I'm Nathan by the way." He held his hand out to Karen who had been the most recent - besides Nathan himself - to introduce herself.

"I know it's a bit early," Nathan continued, "But we're any of you thinking of trying out for the Quidditch team?"

Charlyn turned to Karen and then back to Callum. "Hello, Karen. I am Charlyn. And hello Nathan. Man I am a bit overwhelmed right now. As for Quidditch, I was hoping I could try out. What about you? And what position would you try out for, if you'd try out?"

Charlie reached over the table to grab herself a piece of pie and some vegetables. Great choice to put together... yeah. But she didn't really care right now, she ate her meal focused on the conversation she was having with all the new friends she had met. "It's cool having a week off to explore the whole grounds and a part of the castle. But I am also really excited for the lessons. Does anyone know when there are try outs? I guess that'll be announced, right?"

Startled into silence by the sound of the doors opening, Lavender fell in line and followed the headmistress into the great hall. She gazed in wonder at the magical ceiling, happy that she had something else to look at than the long tables full of students. They all looked so at home in the castle, looked like they belonged there. It made her happy as well as anxious. So she kept her eyes at the majestic magical ceiling. When her name was called, she walked forward and sat down on the stool, facing the other students. Suddenly, she heard a soft voice in her head, sounding quite confident about what to do with her. The applause which erupted after the hat belted out "Griffindor" made her feel even better. Lavender smiled as she walked down to the Gryffindor table and enjoyed the welcome she received from those sitting close to her. It was nice to belong somewhere, and it sure sounded like she'd found her place.

She looked back and waved at Brynn before sitting down, a little sad that she wouldn't be seeing that bubbly girl a lot. She was relieved when Jay sat down next to her. A friendly face was nice.
Not that the other faces around her weren't friendly. "Strangers are just friends you haven't met yet." she whispered to herself.
She looked around the table and smiled at the faces looking back at her. She then followed their gazes back to the sorting ceremony and watched the others get sorted into their houses.
She listened attently to McGonagal's speech, but wasn't sure she'd be able to remember it all straight away. She saw that most of the other students weren't paying attention and decided that it was unlikely this would be their only reminder.

Her eyes nearly fell out of their sockets when she heard McGonagal announce the feast. Instantly, all the empty plates on the table filled up with the most wonderful food Lavender had ever seen. It all looked and smelled wonderful. She hesitated for a second, but as everyone was digging in, she piled up her plate with everything that looked good. Between two bites she looked over at Jay and giggled "If we get food like this every night, I'll be too fat to ride a broomstick before this month is over! Then I'll never know if I could be any good at Quidditch!"

@LordofthePies
Brynn wondered if she aught to feed Gregory anything when she remembered not only did she feed him before she'd even left For the train, he wasn't even in the great Hall. She'd left him saftly in his cage with the rest of her things, hopefully he'd be okay.

Back in the conversation though. Brynn hadn't really caught most of what he said except for the last part. "Well, I know all about what I've read about magic. But I never really knew about magic until I got the letter for Hogwarts. I mean I read peoples minds sometimes and changed stuff into different stuff, but I think most wizard kids are like that, so yeah. What about you? " she said with confidence. She figured that her experience wasn't much different than anyone else's, though maybe magic born people had it a bit easier with magic knowledge and what not.

@Dutchess Sarah
Jay starts digging in and pauses to chuckle at lavender."same thoughts here" he digs back in. Jewel lifts her head up and seems to study the food before shaking her head. She was well fed and doesn't eat much to begun with.
Jay consumes a lot of food then sits back and pats his stomach. "That was awesome...so you are thinking of trying for quidditch as well?" He beams at her now more excited to have found someone interested in the same things as him. Especially in the same house. Maybe he did find a very good friend in lavender but really only time will tell.

@AbysmalDemon @KahleenCuthald

"It's nice to meet you, Nathan. And I hope so to." Karen shook Nathan's hand. "I'll admit that I am eager to get to know new people, but also equally eager for the lessons to start." When Nathan asked about trying out for the Quidditch team, and Charlyn asking about positions, Karen nodded and said: "Yes I have, actually. I was considering trying out as a Chaser or Seeker. I'm not really sure which, but I have a whole year to decide."

Karen began picking out a serving of every morsel of food on the table. From the way she looked and acted, the amount of food she had on her plate was unexpected - it was almost enough for three people. Before digging in, she turned to Charlyn. "I think the tryouts are usually announced a week or two after the first day of classes, but it shouldn't matter to us yet. First years aren't allowed to participate, apparently."

@TheHangedMan@KahleenCuthald

After shaking Karen's hand, and listened to her speak. Nathan nodded in agreement.

"I think I'm going to try out for a chaser as well. I'm definitely not the build for a beater," he waved around his stock thin arms, "Don't have fast enough reflexes for a keeper, and I'm not fast enough on a broom for a seeker."

"First Years aren't alowed to participate, apparently." Cal couldn't help but speak up. "Well, it's changed over the years. Ever since Harry Potter got on his team in first year, parents have been complaining. Now that McGonagal is in a much higher position, she can't afford to look bias, so, she just lets us play. I hope I'll get to be a seeker, just like my dad and my grandad, though, they were all seekers for Slytherin house."

Bishop shook his head as he replied, "I have the same amount of magic knowledge as a fossil enclosed in a glass case stuck in a muggle museum. In other words, all I know about it is that it's dangerous when used improperly, which will probably make me a little nervous around the Slytherin." He chuckled as Veil attempted to move a large piece of broccoli. "Not like I'm not already incredibly nervous around anyone here." By her actions, Bishop guessed that Veil had her fill of vegetables. He placed her back on his shoulder, her white fur a stark contrast to the black fabric. He pushed away the plate and nearly stood up, but he had no idea where he might've gone if he did.

@Classpet

@LordofthePies
Brynn looked back over the food, there was still so much despite everyone having eaten so much. It pained her to see it all go to waste after growing up with so much less. She grabbed a few rolls just in case.

"Yeah, everyone here seems really nice. I agree about the Slytherins a little. They didn't have to be such poor sports, booing when other houses got students. It's not like everyone can be in Slytherin," she paused, sitting up a little to see over everyone's head.

Up at the head table was an array of teachers, each looking very experienced in magic. Then over at the other tables. Most of the older kids looked scary, especially Slytherin now that Bishop pointed it out. The people on the train came to mind too. "Hey, Bishop later on can you come with me to one of the magic classes. I wanna get a head start on magic. It seems like most kids had a head start. "

Charlyn Jane Avalon
(Ravenclaw)

Charlie nodded in agreement. "As for what I know by now first years are allowed to try out. Although they obviously stand a smaller chance to get on the team duo to the older one's practice and experience. I don't believe any first year would get to be a beater. You need some arm strength for that and I don't think any 11 year old has that better than the older years. But a seeker, that could work. Being small helps. Fast and good balance." She nods. "That sounds makeable. Chaser might be makeable too. And keeper only with a really good reflection sense and broomstick control at the finest. We definitely have it harder than all the others at the try out."

She smiled politely at her new friends. Then her gaze fell onto the Gryffingor table and to Lavender. She already missed the girl. But in her mind she made a big fat note to approach her as soon as possible and stay in close contacts. They would sure share some classes, she thought, so there she would always sit with her. A smile appeared as she watched Lavender. At least she was in a good house with good people - as from what she heard this is.

"Uh, sure. You'll have to show me where it is, since I didn't really get a chance to walk around," Bishop replied as he straightened himself. He felt that having his back straight made him look taller, a little more intimidating. He wasn't sure if it actually worked, but it kept him from slumping over. "Now that I think about it I'll probably need a map. This place his huge," the conversation he was having with Brynn showed Bishop that she wasn't as bubbly as he first made her out to be. Or maybe she only acted this way because she figured by the way he stood back in a crowd that she should tone down a bit.
Now that he was actually talking to Brynn, Bishop thought that she would probably make a good friend if things with Karen didn't work out. He was only used to having two friends at most. He hoped that the rest of his house was at least half as nice as Brynn, otherwise he would avoid them like the plague. Bishop looked around as his mind continued working out the personalities of the other people at the table.

@Classpet

"Dunno" Lavender shrugged. "I was never a star athlete, but that was mostly because I always tripped over my own feet. Shouldn't have that problem on a broomstick, right? Sounds like I'd be missing out on a lot of fun if I didn't at least try." Lavender was still determined to make the most out of her time here, and enjoy everything she could.

"Worked for me!" the boy sitting next to Lavender blurted out. Several people laughed, and he soon joined in. "I'm Ashton, by the way. I guess with both feet on the ground I'm the clumsiest Griffindor since Longbottom, but I don't mind a little healthy competition. It's not a title I have my heart set on." Lavender giggled, as the rest of the group burst out laughing again. "It's a wonder nobody has been knocked off their brooms yet, right Ash?" They were a good-natured bunch, and Lavender couldn't help but feel included and welcome. She looked back at Jay and said "What about you, Jay? You up for a little healthy competition as well?" She finished her plate and grabbed another of those delicious rolls.
@BlackPanther

Isaak was wondering how the other Slytherins would view him if he made it a common occurrence to hang out with the first years he had met on the train. Oh well, his family was honorable and sticking with his new friends was the right course to go.

"You know I hear it's been awhile since the hat sorted someone so quickly into a house especially Slytherin. You must have many qualities of the our house" Stephan said to him as they ate.

"I'm sure it has something to do with my family name. They've been in Slytherin for over a hundred years and I was sure that I would end up in the house. I couldn't see myself in any other house" Isaak said with a smile.

"Well it's great having more students who aren't bias against our house. We all have to stick together and keep our dignity" Stephen said with a proud grin.

"Well my parents always told me that it's always good to stick out for your friends and those that care and respect you. Ambition and honor are firm ways to success they always say" he said to his follow housemate.

"That sounds like a good form of ethics, my mom told me that doing whatever I can to beat Griffindor at academics and quidditch if I ever get on the team" Stephen replied.

"You want to get on quidditch team?" Isaak asked curiously.

"Yep, I always wanted to be a beater, I've been practicing with my older brother, he's a fourth year and on the team. What about you?"

"Chaser and Seeker are my hopes for the team. I feel like I'd be quick enough for either position and I really like the idea of passing the Quaffle back and forth between my teammates. I'm excited to have a go at the positions" Isaak said as he took an apple and juggled it a bit before he took a bite out of it.

"Maybe we'll both make it onto the team" Stephen said to him taking a bite of a piece of chicken.

"That would great" Isaak replied.

@Dutchess Sarah
Jay laughs with the bunch as well, but seems focused on lavender. "Healthy competition is always the best" he beams. "Can't say I can compete with being clumsy though." Small chuckle. "So you're already winning at that" large smile. "I don't know what position of go for though...any ideas?" He sits up a bit straighter as he thinks. He only knows that he wants to try.
Jewel pokes her head up and flicks her tongue in and out as she seems to stare from one person to the next. She really is a friendly snake.

@LordofthePies
Brynn grabbed a few more rolls, couldn't hurt to have a few extra. When she turned back to Bishop he looked, taller? She didn't really know, maybe he got taller. Well anyway, he was right she'd need to figure out were to go to get help with magic. Luckily the table was pack full of other students.

She signaled Bishop to wait with one finger before turning to one of the older looking Hufflepuffs and asking, "hey do you know who my friend and i could go to to figure out some magic before class starts?". The tall Hufflepuff smiled. She'd known many young first years like Brynn, eager to learn. "Sure, you should try out Professor Longbottom. He's a grand old chap with lots of great stories and experience. Teaches DADA in the north tower, though wait until tomorrow. she wink before turning back to her own conversation.

Brynn swivelled back around to Bishop with a grin. "There you have it cool guy. We can go see this Log Bottom guy tomorrow.

"Not sure, really." Lavender wasn't quite sure what to do with Jay's focus on her, but decided to let it slide for now. This was new to both of them, and everyone handled these things in their own way. "I've never actually seen a game of Quiddich, or ridden a broomstick, so I have no idea how to choose." Lavender turned back to Ashton. "What position do you play, Ashton? And who else is on the team?" Almost without thinking about it, Lavender reached for another roll and started nibbling it, while she listened to Ashton and his teammates tell her all about how wonderful Quidditch is, and who plays which position. Their excitement was catching, and Lavender soon found herself immersed in a conversation about sports, great players and the legendary Oliver Wood, their teacher. The warm, homely feeling spread further, making Lavender feel happy she came to Hogwarts for the first time since that horrible moment on the train.

@BlackPanther

@Dutchess Sarah
Jay beams at her and nods before listening to the others talk. Their excitement spread like wildfire and he found himself excited for just the possibility. He ends up grabbing a roll and munching on it as the others talk. His eyes dance with joy and well excitement.
Jewel remains around jay's neck but stretches out to study the others more.