@KahleenCuthald & @AbysmalDemon

"I see . . ." said Karen. She was uninformed about this change in policy. Still, it made sense. As the new Headmistress, there was no room for favoritism. "I suppose you're right. For first years, Seeker and Chaser are the ideal position, though the position of Seeker will also be a bit dependent on the students personal funds; I imagine that Seekers with equal skills will be judged on the brooms that they have instead . . ."

Karen mulled over the conversation. If it was true that they could join the team at first year, then Karen had to revised her schedule for a bit. Her mind thought over time available to her and the time needed if she wanted to get into the team. She calculated her chances of succeeding: Slim. Very slim. Her own talent as a player was only a little above standard - and that was from self-estimation. Not the best base of judgement. If she wanted to have a chance to get a position, she would have to make the most of the free days of this week. Her mind had already locked in on a course of action, and now she was wondering . . .

Karen looked at her three new acquaintances. She watched them as she took a bite out of the last morsels of her food, which, despite the large amount, had mysteriously disappeared into her stomach somehow. "Nathan, Charlyn, Callum, how would you like to increase our chances of getting into the team?" she proposed conspiratorially.

Bishop decided that a roll wouldn't be so bad if Brynn kept grabbing them. "Hopefully, Longbottom is as nice as my brain keeps telling me he is," he said as he took a roll. He bit into the soft bread, unsure of how he felt about it. Once he was finished with that bite of roll he began squishing it into a ball like he used to do when he was younger. "Wonder if there's anything here that'll wake me up an hour beforehand. Things shouldn't be too difficult to figure out, I hope,"

@Classpet

@LordofthePies
Brynn nearly grabbed another roll, but her pokets were now full of the bread. She definitely couldn't eat anything else, but it still felt wrong leaving even a little bit of food behind. She hoped maybe that impression would wear off given enough time.

Come to think of it she was getting kind of tired. The dark starry ceiling didn't help any, nor did the lack of electric lights. "I'm sure all the teachers are nice. And about waking up early, my watch has an alarm!" she pulls her sleeve up, showing an old and rather dirty looking digital watch. The thing looks as though it's several years old, but the clock face still shows a time, so at least it works.

@TheHangedMan@KahleenCuthald

Cal nodded in agreement.

"Well, my brother is on the team, a seeker... Not really a surprise there. Anyways, my mum bought him, and the Slytherin Quidditch team all the newest versions of the Firebolt. It totaled to tens of thousands of galleons! And somehow were still rich. It's not something I don't like to brag about, but it might help me, actually the four of us get on the team, though, if you don't have talent, I don't think the broom will cut it."

Cal thought about it in silence for a minute, as Karen continued.

"Nathan, Charlyn, Callum, how would you like to increase our chances of getting into the team?"

This time it was Nathan who spoke.

"Well, since we have the next week off from class, I was thinking we could all go down to the Quidditch pitch and practice. What do you guys think."

"Well, I have some of the old Forebolts at home, and I could get my mum to send them. It wouldn't be such a bad idea. What do you two think?

Charlyn nodded in excitement. "That'd be awesome. A bit practice before try outs. Awesome brooms. Who could say no to that?" She grinned big and added. "Good thing we have a week off, right?" She looked between her new found friends. "So we can use all seven days to work hard on our broom skills." And hopefully they could get to know each other better, she thought.

@KahleenCuthald @AbysmalDemon

Karen smiled. It seemed that her fellow Ravenclaws had thoughts similar to hers. Good, that made things simple. "Yes, that was exactly what I was thinking. If we use this time to practice, we can increase our chances of getting into the team. I have my own broom at home, I'll owl them later today for it." Karen thought on what exactly they should practice, in order to maximize the time they had. Since they would most likely be going for the positions of Chaser and Seeker, they would have to practice speed drills. She wondered if she should invite Bishop to their practices.

She herself wasn't opposed to his being there, but her Housemates on the other hand, they may not be so keen to have someone from another House drop in with them. She decided that she would ask them later. Right now, they had to focus on the practices themselves.

Bishop let out a quiet chuckle when Brynn showed him her aged watch. "Well that will certainly come in handy, I wish I smart enough to bring something with an alarm," he said before taking a chunk out of his ball of starch. "How long have you had that watch?" Bishop asked as he decided that he liked the rolls and grabbed two more. Veil stood up on his shoulder at sniffed at the air, enjoying her spot on his shoulder more than her place at the table.

@LordofthePies
Brynn couldn't help but chuckle as well. Something about other people laughing had that effect on her. "Truth be told I forgot I was wearing it until we had to change. Anyway I got it at a yard sale like two years ago maybe. It's pretty old now but it still works great except the nine and three look the same on the hour side." stopping for a moment she looked around. Most people seemed to still be talking or even eating. She was becoming rather tired and wondered when they might head to the dormitories where she could ensure her frog was okay and get some sleep. @LordofthePies

Bishop clamped his mouth shut and yawned through his nose, something he preferred doing over showing the whole world the inside of his mouth. All the action from earlier and the large group of people was draining him more than his strange sleep schedule. He usually went to bed around noon and woke with the sun, but he felt he wouldn't get the same chances here. Bishop stretched his arms and made sure that Veil held tight to his shoulder. "It would be nice of them to let us go and get some rest..."

@Classpet

The time was getting closer to midnight, and the conversations were slowing down. Students tried to relax as much as they could, rubbing their full stomachs, as well as their eyes, trying not to fall asleep.

The headmistress stood up, and waved here hand, beckoning for silence. She too was tired, and ready to head to sleep.

"All students, must head to their house common rooms. Please follow the prefects, and they will lead you where to go. Also, be mindful of the moving staircases. Goodnight everyone." Suddenly, the great hall was a jumble of students, and no one really knew where to start. Cal followed the one who looked in charge, as he was calling out something about him being prefect.

He followed him up staircases, finally to a door with an eagle shaped knocker. All Cal heard was something about 'Ravenclaw Tower' and 'Riddles' but Cal was to tired, and slumped down of a soft, velvet blue armchair, and drifted off to sleep.

One of the oldest looking Huffelpuffs stood up and cleared his voice. "Hello, first years, and everyone else" He grinned, over at the girl Brynn had spoke to before. "I'm Avery Sporpkin, One of the Huffelpuff prefects We'll leave as soon as everyone else gets finished shoving their way around. So first off a few house rules I know were right by the kitchen but please refrain from bringing to much food in and clean up after yourselves there's no reason to leave it for the house elves. same for making your beds and being generally orderly. Second. Be nice to each other, I will dock points for fighting, in house or otherwise. Winning the house cup is not more important than getting along and being kind to everyone. Umm... and that's about it. You know just use your sense everyone will do fine." With that Avery cast a sidelong glance over at the door. It had cleared out sufficiently and he waved his hand signalling everyone onward.

The rout they took was very simple and direct. Down the nearest staircase; spiraling not the one that changes, over past the fruit picture; the entrance to the kitchen a 4th year pointed out sleepily, tap on this barrel just like this tap tap, tap-tap-tap; the syllable to 'Helga Huffelpuff'. The wooden barrels rolled over though they stayed stacked. Inside was a beautiful room. Candles and glass bottles of glowing rocks filled the room with luminescence, highlighting every bronze planter along the wall. The floor was soft wood and the room was decked with many pastel brown and yellow couches and chairs. The prefect Aver pointed to a hallway that led to the first year dorms.

Brynn who had stuck with Bishop the whole way, silently nodding took her leave. She gave one last sing song "good night, see you tomorrow," at her friend before scuffling off to bed. Tomorrow had guarantee to hold a lot but for now she was only worried about getting some sleep.
@LordofthePies

Bishop followed Avery and looked around as he walked, trying to remember his way back. His mismatched orbs widened at the beautiful room in front of him, he was definitely going to like it here if everything was this grand. It was much different from the trainyard he was accustomed to and he wasn't sure if he should worry over or welcome the change. Bishop gave a quiet, "Good night Brynn," before finding a bed and faceplanting into the soft blankets, entirely missing the pillow. The bed instantly lulled him to sleep even though he was sleeping on his stomach and face. He ended up bringing the plush pillow close to his chest as he rolled onto his side, already in a semi-deep sleep. He never remembered feeling something so comforting and soft like this, other than the warm touch of his mother.
Bishop dreamt about the past but with different details, he focused on his brother and Veil, along with the train cars passing by and his mother's last peaceful moments. His memories slowly turned dark as the wicked moments broke through the wall he sealed them behind.

@Classpet @AbysmalDemon

Lavender nudged Jay, who seemed to be nodding off, as the Headmistress started her little speech.
Torn between sorry to leave the Great Hall and all its splendour and aching for a warm bed, Lavender listened to McGonagall's words.
"Prefects, right, that's us. Come on Jen, time to show the newbies where we kip." An older boy got up from the table.
"First years follow us, please." Jen got up from the table as well. Lavender got up as well, determined not to lose sight of either of them. She did not feel like getting lost on her first day.
"Come on, Jay, let's go!" She nudged him excitedly and gestured that he should follow, too.

Several minutes, winding staircases and waving portraits later, the small group halted at a portrait of a rather fat lady in a pink dress. Lavender thought she looked rather haughty, and just as she was about to say something to Jay about this, the portrait spoke.
"Password?" She said.
Jen smiled and said, "venomous tentacula" in the same authoritive manner. The lady smiled as the portrait swung forward, revealing a doorway.
Jen and the other prefect stepped through, and Lavender followed with the other first year students.

"Right, My name is Jen, and this is David. Welcome to the Griffindor common room. This is where we play games, do our homework and hang out between classes as well as in the evenings. Boy's dormitories are upstairs to your right, girls dormitories are upstairs to your left.
Your things have already been brought up for you, as have your pets. If you have brought an owl, they will have been taken to the owlery. You can visit them there tomorrow, if you'd like."
Lavender smiled, relieved, and decided that would be the first thing she'd do after breakfast tomorrow.
"You heard McGonagall, classes have been suspended for the entire week. I am sure we'll find something fun to do in the mean time. Should anyone like to practice Quidditch or Magic, please make sure to check with us first. We do have to take turns and stuff."
David smiled and looked at all their tired little faces.
"For now, the only thing we expect you to do is settle in. Jen and I will be here by the fire for a while should any of you need anything."
And with those words, David and Jen settled in by the fire.

Lavender looked around the cosy common room, wanting to take it all in, but she was simply too tired. She smiled at Jay, and followed a couple of new girls up the stairs to their dormitories. Despite the fact that they were all eager to get to know each other, none of them spoke a lot. They each chose one of the amazing looking beds, and began settling in for the night. Lavender decided to do the unpacking in the morning, and after a quick brush of her teeth she jumped into her comfy four poster bed.
She wished the other girls "good night" and felt herself doze off before the last echoed "good night" reached her ears.

@BlackPanther

@Dutchess Sarah
jay gets snapped out of it when lavender nudges her. His eyes seem blurry as he listens to the perfects and follows them with lavender. He yawns slightly as he walks.
As they reach the portrait he knew that both lavender and himself wanted to comment on it. Until she spoke...then he kept his mouth shut. Upsetting the portrait that decided whether you got into your room or not seemed like a bad idea.
Once inside he stares at it all in wonder his eyes wide with awe. Making note of everything mentally, he heads off to the rooms for boys after waving to lavender. He talks some to a few of the others and picks a bed. The others seem either quiet or too tired so he doesn't take it personally. He thumps into bed after jewel slithers onto a pillow.
Jewel proceeds in slithering into the pillow case so that a coiled lump is visible. She seems quite content in between the pillow case and the pillow and is asleep as quickly as Jay.

Isaak felt rather full by the end of the feast and not to long after they were done eating, the headmistress rose from her seat and spoke to them about following their houses' prefects to their common rooms.

"You know I hear that the Slythering common room is right next to the lake" Stephen said as they headed down into the dungeons.

"I think my dad mentioned that, I wonder if we could see the Giant Squid" he said to his housemate.

"Maybe, I wonder how the other houses' common rooms look, probably nothing too special" his new friend said with a bit of a chuckle and Isaak laughed.

"Well we are in the best house so I can't expect too much of them in comparison" he said and they soon came to the Slytherin common and were given the password for entry into their new home at Hogwarts.

Terrance Neston

Terrance follows the other students to the Slytherin common room. As they arrive near the common room, he hears two of them talking about the other house's common rooms, with a remark about how they probably shouldn't expect much of them in comparison. Coming up near them, he interjects into the conversation. "I don't know about that. The Hufflepuff common room probably won't be much, and the Ravenclaw one would probably be a library, but the Gryffindor one is probably at least as good as ours. The rooms reflect the houses, they are ideal for the house that uses them. So while we would probably think ours the best, they would think the opposite. And the Gryffindor house has attributes somewhat complimentary to ours, so it stands to reason that it would be another side of the same coin for their common room." He pauses for a moment in his explanation. "But since we probably won't be entering any of their rooms, I doubt it really matters."

Isaak looked at Terrance and nodded understanding his reasoning.

"You do have a point, the other houses probably think we're the worst since there's all of those stereotypes about Slytherins" he said to his follow Slytherin.

"Anyway my name is Isaak Boyers, nice to meet you" he said holding out his hand for Terrance to shake. Isaak didn't know much about the boy, but he had a feeling that they would probably get along well.

@Cruallassar

Charlyn didn't get much from what happened next. She just stumbled after all the first years to the Ravenclaw tower. And once she was in her room, she dropped onto her bed and sighed. "Wow, okay." She looked around to see who she was in a room with.

Terrance Neston

Terrance reached out and shook the proffered hand. "Terrance Neston, and likewise. But that wasn't quite my point. I'm not saying that they think that we are any worse than they are, I'm saying that...well, their Common Rooms are their territory. We will probably stay in Slytherin territory, they will stay in theirs, and no one will mix in anyone else's common rooms unless they have reason to invite us in, or visa versa. Of course, that brings up the potential for a fun bit of find-and-booby-trap the Gryffindor Common Room..." Terrance smirks evilly as he contemplates the idea.

"Yeah that too, but I did make friends with a couple of the people from the other houses while we were on the train so I guess I'll be hanging with them on occasion. Also are you going to be trying out for the Slytherin quidditch team?" Isaak asked curiously, it would be nice to have another possible ally in joining the team.

"I think that our team would do well with us on it" he said to Terrance.

@Cruallassar