Professor Nothing stepped into the Headmaster’s office, summoned by a house elf by his command. Corvus Black was sitting behind his desk, hands clasped firmly, as if to stop them from acting unwisely. He was a man who had been handsome once, but his face did not line in an attractive way over the years. His hair was still luxurious, and only streaked with gray, as was his short cropped beard. Above his head was a fine silver longsword, goblin forged with serpent heads adorning the quillons and pommel. It was mounted vertically on a plaque between two portraits of past headmasters.

Professor Black wore a bottle green tunic, with a black surcoat over top. His belt was a silver chain and he wore a large ring of silver and emerald on his hand.

He gestured at a scroll with a broken seal on his desk, his face a grim mask.

“What is this?”

Ingerith folded her hands neatly one atop the other atop her gown atop her knees. Her shoulders did not sag under the scowl of the headmaster, her eyes barely blinking before her reply.

“These are the names of the new students that I have found this summer. The ones that are not fostered are staying in Hogsmeade.” The woman called in favors for the fosters and saved her silver for a few rooms at the inn. Favors and silver only got the students a few months at most… “You need not worry, I have arranged for their transportation to Hogwarts, they will not be tardy.”

Ingerith knew that the headmaster had reservations about accepting the lost-ones into hogwarts. He was from a proud pure blooded family. As were many of the lost ones, they had just been… Abandoned.

The list in front of the headmaster was the longest of any list yet. Ingerith did not think that there were more lost-ones than ever before, simply that she was getting better at finding them. This was not pleasing news to the headmaster and many others involved at Hogwarts.

She tilted her head to one side. “Are you reconsidering our arrangement?” She did not want to feign ignorance or play politics. If he wanted to scorn the lost ones she wanted him to say it with his black tongue.

He seemed to chew on his tongue for a moment, then finally looked away from her, standing to look out the window at the school grounds. “No. Keep an eye on them, though. Everyone knows this place is… dangerous, for your, what do you call them?” he looked over his shoulder at her, his face innocent, “Lost ones?”

The Next Day.
First Day of Term

The first students, some from nearby villages and some from far away who had stayed the night in Hogsmeade, began arriving around mid morning. Preferred methods of travel were varied. A fair few arrived simply on mundane horses, and a few variations of these included female students riding bareback on unicorns, who wandered into the forest after dropping off their charges.

The headmaster stood at the parapets of the castle, glaring wide eyed with a clenched jaw at the thestral drawn wagon that approached, packed with students. Students that he knew to be of foul blood, with no proper magical background. There was a well armed man with the reins, but Corvus Black knew better; it was that tricksome Transfigurist, there to make sure her hand picked students arrived safely.

It passed the knights at the outer gate(one with sword and shield, the other with a wand) and trundled up the road toward the castle. Professor Black turned with a swirl of his cape and descended the wall.

~~~

Among the arrivals was a handsome flying carriage, pulled by a team of six equally handsome chestnut hippogriffs. It swooped down rather sharply, and landed hard enough to shake the cab on its springs. The inexpert landing was due to the teenage boy behind the reins. Sorin Black was a handsome young man, with curly black hair down to his shoulders and eyes to match. He wore silver and green, for his house, and was as thin as the blade on his hip. He dismounted, with an ill received pat to the rump of one of the beasts, and rapped on the door to let his cousins and sister know they had arrived.

“That is Sorin… We are here!” Avice’s attention was torn away from whatever conversation she and her Isaac had been previously engaged in. She smiled, adjusting her hair and the circlet she wore atop it.

Chandler had just finished reading a Chapter in his book when he felt the Carriage touch down on solid ground once again. He sighed and marked his place before glancing around and saw his Cousin adjusting her appearance like she always did. Chandler just scooted closer to his twin Isaac and looked at him with a look that seemed to say, ‘Well this is it. Are you ready?’
Isaac’s returned glance was brief, but in it he shot back an excited affirmative.
The two had a -very- interesting magical bond and it was almost scary how close they were to each other. Usually Chandler liked to keep physical contact with his twin but he had been trying hard to break that habit, worried it would look weird and awkward to the other Hogwarts students, not that he really cared since if anyone dared to laugh at him Isaac would intimidate the poor fool into submission and Chandler would curse his toes off but still, needless violence only made it harder to make out of House connections and play the political game.

Isaac opened the door, stepping down from the cab and only barely resisting the urge to jokingly “tip” his cousin, as if he were a serving man. Instead, he gave a hearty salute, then returned his hand to the pommel of the longsword at his side. He may not be allowed to carry it most of the year, but he rather thought it made for an impressive entrance, combined with the rich red and gold patterned doublet he wore. He looked up at the castle, his eyes gleaming and his gait confident. Another year, another adventure.

Avice held back, fiddling with her hair a few more times. She wanted to make a good first impression for her first day back at school. She wanted to be thought pretty, she wanted to be liked, and regarded with respect. She wanted all these things from both her classmates, teachers, and her elder brother, Sorin, who stood just outside the carriage.

Avice jumped out of the carriage after her cousins. She wanted to embrace her brother, Sorin, but held back. Last year he had scolded her for being too childish and embarrassing with her affection. So, she grabbed the edge of her skirt and curtsied so deeply her knees trembled. “Thank you, Sorin.,.”

He rolled his eyes. “Out with you.” He did not look at her, but instead gazed toward the throng of children. He wore a thin frown on his face. Avice wondered what was bothering him, but before she could ask he waved his hand. The gesture was a command, it pushed her away. “I will see you soon enough.”

She obeyed, after giving two smaller much more clumsy curtsies, and skipped away and caught up with her cousins.

She wondered how it was that they had been sorted into Gryffindor and herself into Slytherin. Of course they were going to be together, but, she was sad that the three were somehow apart. She was not as close to them as they were to each other. Her mother explained that they shared a womb, they shared magic, they shared a soul... Perhaps Avice was just jealous that anyone could be so close to anyone. She and her own brother had grown distant as he got older, but that would never happen to Chandler and Issac they were the same age. Avice felt awfully lonely over the summer. It seemed to her that she had hardly seen the twins or her cousins, then her brother ignored her, and there was no one her own age!

She hooked her around the elbow of each twin, one on her left and one on her right. Avice kept her head on a swivel, scanning for their other cousin, Tullia, and her fiance Diarmuid.

She hadn’t decided how she felt about Diarmuid, the same way one does not decide how to feel about the coming of Wednesday, or sunrise, or death, until it's there. Diarmuid was a fact of life. One day it will be Wednesday, and one day she will marry, have children with, and grow old with Diarmuid. Maybe Tuesday she would have a rather useless opinion about Wednesday, for, Wednesday would arrive without delay. She was only 13 and theses were such adult concerns. That time of her life felt so far away...

Here and now was her third year at Hogwarts. Family, friends, quidditch, and magic filled her present life.

“Oh cousins, it is cruel of the sorting hat to put us on different houses while we all have such a talent for quidditch… When they make me the seeker of Slytherin, Gryffindor will have no chance at the house cup!” She teased the twins, tugging on their arms playfully.

~~~

Ingerith took the shape of a man. Sun-tanned skin, blonde hair, muggle mercenary armor. She held the thestral reigns tightly, too tightly, she made the beasts anxious. Normally she would feel safer once she got her students into Hogwarts, yet, after her meeting with the headmaster she knew to keep her eyes open for enemies within and without the castle.

She had left the meeting frowning and bitter. [i]'I should have known better. No pure blood would truly make a place for the lost ones...' Yet, Hogwarts was still better than nowhere. The lost ones would need to be on their guard their whole lives and they would need to start now. It was a hard lesson: They were safe from neither muggles nor wizards.

She stepped down to open the side of the wagon. A small cluster of faces looked at her wide-eyed. Most were first years, others older students who needed a ride to the castle. Ingerith had made arrangements for all of them, the ones she could not she had to fetch herself.

“We are here now, this is Hogwarts, the Wizarding school.” She counted, making sure she had the same number as when she set out. “Your safer here than out in the world, but, remember that not everyone can be trusted.” She had warned them of the dangers beforehand, but, best to refresh their minds before they got enamored by all the magic and wonder they were about to witness. “I’ll be here to watch out for you, but be sure to watch out for each other, and yourselves especially.”

She then stepped aside and let the first year children out of their carriage. Far too many of them could see the thestrals, and kept fearful eyes upon the strange creatures until they made ample distance. She stood by the thestrals, apologizing for her tight handed guidance over their journey.

She recognized the returning students, everyone took transfiguration. The lost ones she had brought in years past would recognize her in this disguise, and some of the other students might as well. She would nod softly if she caught eyes with those that new her.

Aoife had walked from Hogsmeade to the castle on this, the first day of her third year at Hogwarts. Over the past summer she had lived in Hogsmeade renting a small room in The Three Broomsticks. Coming from a wealthy family meant she did not need to work for her keep, but she choose to late in her first summer there, realising that two months of living alone got very boring. She helped carry food and drink to the customers on quiet days and on busy days helped with cleaning duties to avoid the crowds. Summer was over now, and Aoife couldn't wait to get back to the library.

As she walked up to the main entrance to the castle she watched as the Black siblings and their twin cousins arrived dramatically. She didn't care for the boys, the twins creeped her out a little bit, but she always liked Avice. She liked Avice but was also jealous of her, wishing that she could be so pretty and confident and full of energy.

Aoife looked away from the Black's carriage an made her way towards the castle passing another group of students who were dismounting from carriages which seemed to pull themselves. She didn't know any of the new comers to the school as everyone she knew was still in Ireland. She had yet to meet another Irish student at Hogwarts but then again she did tend to keep to herself.

During the summer she had decided that she was going to try too mix more with her classmates and other students this year. She had not figured out how to do this yet but was now considering turning back to talk to Avice Black. Yes, she would do it. She kept heading towards the castle. "Come on Aoife, you can do it," she thought to herself.

She slowed down.

She stopped.

She slowly turned.

She froze up.

Lior rode alone to Hogwarts. The first year she came, her father escorted her and showed her the way. The second year, she led him, to prove she knew the way, and would not be lost. She was always taught how to keep care of herself, as her parents always had to keep up with work on the farm. They had little help with everything that had to be done daily. There was no time to lose if she could go herself. Still, the journey from her town to Hogwarts was only a few hours of riding, maybe about half a day through rough terrain. If you took the roads, it was longer. Luckily, both she and the horse knew the way through the forests, and there was little danger from animals as long as you travelled by day.

She dismounted from her horse, a chestnut mare she had named Eva. All around her, people were laughing, reuniting with friends, saying farewell to parents, and hurrying along to the school. She watched some of the pureblood students arriving in fancy carriages or in other pompous fashions. She was jealous of their prosperity.

Losing track of where her horse was, Lior started to shove her way through the crowds to reach a thestral-drawn carriage. She realized she had cut in some poorly-organized lines, but no one stopped her and she didn’t care. When the opportunity presented itself, she hopped into the carriage with her pack of belongings. It was smaller than most of the other students’. She tried not to notice.

Many students were excited to be back to see their friends, and, despite Lior’s lack of connections to other people thus far in her Hogwarts career, she was excited as well. For her, Hogwarts felt like a vacation from physical labour on a farm day in and day out. The only one she ever got, and finally, she even found herself thinking about free time throughout the year, instead of all the work she would have to do to catch up to the other students’ knowledge of magic.

No, she thought. Third year is going to be the best yet. She would make it such.

"Leo, I've told you several times that I'm quite capable of finding my own way." This sentence was grumbled by Evangelina to her older brother, darting a scowl at him which he pointedly ignored. "I know how to look after myself."

"You recall the deal we made, sister - as soon as you can beat me in a duel, I'll stop worrying about you." At this, Eva's scowl subsided slightly, as she did indeed remember the deal struck a few years ago. Being a Contessa, Eva was expected to take part in lessons of embroidery, dancing, and etiquette; all of which she hated. (Perhaps not the dancing; 'twas a guilty pleasure of hers, but she'd die before telling anyone that.) The swordplay her brother was taught in during their time away from Hogwarts piqued her interest; and after months of complaining Leo finally gave in and began giving her lessons in secret, away from the disapproving eyes of their parents and the other Nobles they lived with. The servants of the manor in which they lived were aware of such actions, naturally being everywhere - but they and Eva were on good terms, so the secret was kept willingly by them. For Leo, however, he said that he would teach her so she could protect herself; until she could, he would do that job as their parents had pledged him to do. An irritating compromise, in Evangelina's eyes, but she took the deal all the same.

The village of Hogsmeade soon came into view for the travelling pair; Leo and Eva sat upon black palominos; his named Poseidon, for only the noblest of steeds could be named for the God who had created them; her's called Ser Fast-Gallop, because tradition must be damned in terms of naming horses when Eva's was the fastest in the land.

Well... she thought he was anyway. He was almost called Ser Fuzzy-Mane too.

"You know, I heard Mother arranging a meeting with a scion of the Malfoy House before we left - I think perhaps she's attempting to arrange another marriage for you."

"After what happened last time? The poor boy will have a crooked nose for the rest of his life. Not to mention the scar on his bu-"

"That's enough of that." He interrupted her hastily, his disapproving frown ushering forth a peal of wicked laughter from Eva. He loved his sister, but disapproved of her behaviour in most cases. Their talk of marriages - failed or otherwise - paused as they reached the stables of Hogwarts, handing over their steeds to the hands there and making their way into the castle. A few fifth years called out greetings to Leonardo as they passed; Eva rolled her eyes as a trio of girls giggled at the sight of Leo, who promptly ignored them with a chaste smile.

"I'll meet you in the Great Hall later, Evie." Leo's tone softened somewhat as he used that special nickname, and she gave him a quick hug, swatting his hand away as he attempted to wipe dirt from her cheek. "Honestly... we'll make a Contessa of you one day. Try not to get into a fight before dinner, okay?"

"No promises there, brother. Also, you can shove my title up your arse." She said in a prim tone, laughing at the scandalous look on his face as she skipped away. "Arrivederci Leo!"

It didn't take long for Eva to find her fellow students; the twins were stood nearby, along with their cousin. Eva was unsure how she felt about Avice; the girl seemed nice enough from whenever she had talked to her, but she knew that girl had the whole prejudice thing going on like so many Purebloods did. The twins seemed alright though, and she sidled up to Isaac, noticing the longsword strapped at his hip.

"Ciao, Isaac! Why did you bring your sword to school with you? Are you going to get into a fight with someone?" She asked with a teasing grin upon her face. "I should have brought my own saber - we could have dueled on the house tables for the entertainment of the Headmaster." She added with a light-hearted laugh.

---

---

Ryden Ashford would have been quite happy to remain in the forest for the next few hours, even if it meant missing the feast and the Sorting. He still had a lot of work ahead of him; shipments of creatures and ingredients to arrange, bits of the forest to explore, and eggs to keep warm. As for what was in the eggs, he was somewhat unsure; it would be a real treat to see what came out when they hatched, though.

"Oh. I hope they're not Basilisk eggs." He muttered under his breath, humming thoughtfully. They didn't look basilisk-y. Perhaps he should keep a blindfold handy when they hatched anyway, just to be safe.

Regardless of his jobs, he left the building sat on the edge of the forest, locking the door firmly behind him, and making his way back up to the castle. Ryden had been tempted more than once to simply just move into the large shack that held all of the items necessary for a lesson, but after several cuts on his arms from a group of angry Bowtruckles, decided to remain in his room in the Castle.

The walk didn't take long, and he soon found the group of students milling about the thestral drawn carriages; many of them confused as to what exactly was pulling the carriage. Ryden felt a pang of sympathy when some students did in fact see the strange beasts... and what marvellous things they were. He could never understand how people were frightened of them... although, the price of being able to see them was not a nice one, particularly at such a young age.

Walking over and gently stroking the snout of one of them, Ryden darted a smile at the "soldier" next to him.

"Ingerith! I hope you're well. There's quite a few muggle-borns here this year; you did well to get so many." The sentence was a compliment, although it was saddening to recognise the difficulty behind such a task. He was aware how the Headmaster disliked the work Ingerith did; it was a small blessing he allowed the muggle-borns entry into the school. "You didn't run into much trouble, I hope?"

The thestral nickered under his hand, trying to lick the bloodstained bandage wrapped around it. He'd acquired another bite this evening, dealing with a troublesome dugbog while exploring a marsh in the forest. Ryden was certain a few centaurs had been laughing at him in the distance.

Isaac looked across his cousin to Chandler, cracking a grin. "Do you hear the foul falsehoods of a serpent, dear brother?"

Chandler had almost yelped and cursed the person who dared to touch him like that but relaxed when he saw who it was. He rolled his eyes as he was hugged around the shoulders and shot a glance over to Isaac that seemed to say 'She's blocking you'. He then heard his brother actually speak and Chandler figured he might as well make conversation, even if he hated it. "I hear it all right, insane mutterings and all."

From among the loose crowd of students milling about the grounds, in the general direction of the castle, Evangelina di Diavolo emerged. Isaac had the vague inkling that the girl was related to him, but he wasn't sure in what way. Not very closely, in any case. She was a rough and tumble kind of lass, and Isaac liked that about her, Chandler for his part had just finished scoping out a few of the new arrivals that had came up from the carriage and then turned his body to see Evangelina. He tilted his head slightly and his eyes took in her stance, her voice, and where her eyes went during the conversation. He was at some location in the family tree related to this girl and while some people would take that to mean they could trust them, Chandler knew better and knew sometimes you had to keep family on an even tighter leash than fresh friends.

"Ciao, Isaac! Why did you bring your sword to school with you?" she asked, amused, "Are you going to get into a fight with someone? I should have brought my own saber - we could have dueled on the house tables for the entertainment of the Headmaster."

At the mention of the sword Chandler smirked to himself and listened to his twin speak. He wore no weapon on his hip and was one of the only boys in the crowd who didn't in terms of purebloods. He personally didn't think he needed it, his command of Magic and talent for fighting gave him all the protection he needed with the Wand. Not that anybody knew that, they saw him as a quiet bookworm who did good in theory not practice. He wondered if this would be the year he showed them all, and if so what that would mean for him and his brother.

Isaac gave her a different sort of smile than the one he had for his twin. "Well, Eva, sometimes you pick a fight, and sometimes the fight picks you."

Meagan arrived at the castle for that start of her third year. When her carriage stopped, her brothers were the first off grabbing their bags and say bye for now they were off to find their friends. Meagan smiled and waved at the departure. Meagan's home life during the summer was alright but she longs to be doing more. Of what she she was not sure yet. She looked around at all the students that have arrived so far and noticed a lot of them are first year students. Meagan firsts two years at Hogwarts had been pretty awesome. Though her first year she was always no nervous. She sadly did not make a lot of friends if any friends really, but this year she planning to change that. Meagan wanted to at least have one friends by the time she ends her third year at the castle.

Meagan picked up her bags and began to walk through the mass of returning and new students toward the castle. She did not mind the walk at all but she was decided on taking the Thestral Drawn carriages the rest of the way to castle. As she was waiting in one of the smaller lines for carriage she noticed another student cutting through some line if you could call them lines and hop into the next carriage. Meagan watched the carriage and thought to herself, 'She looks like a third year but I cant quite place her I should see if I could find her up at the school once I arrive.'. Meagan had looked up just in time to see that is was my turn as the carriage pulled up and she grabbed her bags and hopped in looking forward to this year. Meagan was excited and she wondered what great adventures she would have this year.

As the Carriage had arrived at it destination Meagan grabbed her stuff and got off and she watched as the Carriage pulled away. She looked around and spotted the girl from earlier. Meagan figured it would not hurt to just introduce herself to her and maybe they could in the future be friends. @LadyTabris "Hi, I saw you earlier getting into the carriage. My name Is Meagan Warbeck." she said holding out her hand as she introduced herself.

As Lior pulled her bag over her shoulder, she noticed another girl in her year had approached her. She could recognize that they had attended classes together, but she couldn't place her name.

"Hi, I saw you earlier getting into the carriage. My name Is Meagan Warbeck." she said holding out her hand as she introduced herself.

"Hello," Lior answered with no inflection towards friendliness or hostility. She figured since she didn't know anything about the girl, she should potentially keep the interaction short until she knew more. On the off chance, however, that this person could be of aid to her, she would not be rude for the time being. She smiled. "My name is Lior."

@BookGirl1993

Ingerith nodded to Ryden. "There is always trouble." She felt a small sliver of anxiety, that was wedged between her shoulder blades, begin to loosen and unwind. His words reminded her that she did have some allies within the walls of Hogwarts. "More trouble every year." She glanced toward the castle, where she suspected the headmaster was watching from, lurking in some shadowy window and scowling down at her. If the headmaster decided to banish all the muggle-born students, Ingerith was afraid that she would be the only one to protest such a decision. Ryden, the professor of magical creatures, seemed to consider things differently.

"It's never enough." She looked back into the throng of children. Then her eyes fell to the bandaged hand. "Are you finding enough trouble of your own, beast master?" Her eye glinted with a hint of amusement.

~~~

"The serpent will strike!" She smiled wickedly. "On the field we will see!"

Eva arrived then, exchanging sword talk with Issac. Avice rolled her eyes and glanced at Chandler, she preferred the wand herself. "I'm sure they are fun to play with, but the sword is a bit crude, don't you think? I mean... If you were in a real wizards duel." She was aiming to be contrary and locked eyes with Eva for a moment. "Without magic it's just fancy slab of mundane metal. With magic it's a cumbersome wand!" She was trying to provoke Eva, and did not think about if she would land a bruise upon her cousin's ego, the one actually holding a sword. Avice assumed that being her real family, he knew she was just being funny. Right?

From the corner of her eye, She noticed a small girl with red hair and wide eyes staring at her... Or was she staring at Eva? Or Chandler or Issac?

It had to be the twins, or one of them. The two always attracted attention, especially when they were together. Maybe she fancied one! Avice had to know! She wondered how the twins could ever part ways to be married. Avice hoped that one day they would meet another set of perfect female pure blood twins. It would make for a glorious double wedding. They would need an extra large castle for their two families. In her mind this outcome was ideal... Aunt Avice visiting and spoiling their many children...

Of course, Avice would be married then too. She wrinkled her nose.

"I'll catch up with you all later." She broke off from the twins with a smile and headed toward the staring girl... Avice recognized her classmate. "Aoife!" She waved, picking up the hem of her gown and scurrying over. She had, of course, noticed Aoife in their first and second year. They had not socialized much. Aoife was Irish, which was unusual, her accent was lovely and it made her voice like music, but it made Avice giggle when she said certain words of phrases. Avice told her mother about the funny-voiced Irish girl in one of her first letters back home. Her mother had cautioned her that though her family had a good reputation in Ireland, they were not exactly pure blooded, her mother suggested she be polite but focus on alliances with witches who had more in common, and encouraged her to get to know her fiance better. 'If it were up to my mother I'd not have any friends!' she thought crossly after a few letters. There seemed to be something wrong with everyone except her fiance. Then she was too overwhelmed with schoolwork to think about friends or fiances. The second year she noticed Aiofe also, but, was studying with her cousins and playing quiddich in her free time.

"Hello! How was your summer?" Avice glanced back at the twins. She bit her lips, but could not contain the idea that was blooming in her head. "So, which one of them do you like? Both of them? Can you tell the difference? Not everyone can so don't feel bad!" She giggled conspiratorially she laced her fingers together, anticipating the answer Aoife would give. "Don't play coy, I saw you looking at them!"

Avice was walking towards her, was she going to speak to her, what would she say, did she noticed me looking? Aoife heard the other girl call her name, 'she is talking to me,' she thought in surprise.

"Hello! How was your summer?" Avice said, and after a short thoughtful pause, "So, which one of them do you like? Both of them? Can you tell the difference? Not everyone can so don't feel bad! Don't play coy, I saw you looking at them!" she said, giggling.

"What?!" She responded looking confused at Avice when it suddenly hit her what the girl meant, "oh! no... I don't... I mean they seem nice but I have never spoke to them"

She didn't want to tell Avice that she found the twins creepy, but when she went over what she said in her head she realised that it probably sounded like she did "like" one or both of them. Then she noticed the awkward silence that had formed between the two girls and remembered Avice's first question

"My summer was good, but I miss my family and the smell of the sea. How was yours?"

"Oh..." Avice frowned as the thread of conversation was quickly unraveled from exciting-gossip to standard first-day-of-school-small-talk.

Then she smiled just a little, telling herself that Aoife was just shy. "If you did, I wouldn't tell anyone!" If Aoife had admitted to liking one twin or the other, Avice would have told the twins right away.

"Are you really homesick already? It isn't even the first day!" Avice was being rude, surely, but she was actually surprised. Perhaps she should try to understand. Aoife was from much much further away after all. "It is a shame that you don't have any other family here! I, for instance, have my brother Sorin! It is his last year. When he graduates I'll still have the twins, we are all in the same year! And the headmaster... You know..." Corvus Black, the headmaster, was her grand-uncle. Avice twirled the ends of her hair, proud to have so many wonderful relations. Then that twirl slowed. She had so many family here and Aoife had none even nearby! No wonder the girl was homesick and Avice never was! Avice found herself admiring the girls composure.

"My summer was incredibly boring... I'm so glad to be back here. You know, I think the feast will help you feel better! Will you walk with me? Tell me what Ireland is like! They don't have a school there?"

Eva chuckled softly to herself, watching with somewhat narrowed eyes as Avice pranced away.

"Rich advice, coming from a girl who has no skill in either endeavour." She said in a scathing tone, loud enough for both twins to hear. "As for picking fights Isaac, I hope your cousin there avoids one. The poor bambina wouldn't cope very well, I think. Even with one of those "slabs of mundane metal" we fools use." Said with another chuckle, Eva's eyes turned to Chandler, the quieter of the two boys. Last year she'd admired the way in which he commanded the broom in Quidditch matches - Isaac too, as well - but Chandler showed a real prowess at it.

"Looking forward to Quidditch this year, boys? I was thinking of trying out for the Hufflepuff team - they lost their Seeker and one of their Chasers when they finished last summer. I don't think my parents would approve, but then again, they rarely do when it comes to me." She'd already discussed this prospect with her brother, who - surprisingly - thought it was an excellent idea. No doubt he thought it would be a way for her to let off some of that wild energy that always had her bouncing around, and perhaps even teach her some discipline. She couldn't argue with that, but naturally, those weren't the reasons she wanted to join the team. She never felt so free as when she was up in the air, and Quidditch was one of the few things she and Leo had in common.

As more of the students milled into the Great Hall, Eva's mind wandered to what would be for dinner.
"I hope they do that French onion soup again. Oh, and the venison too!" Eva's stomach grumbled quietly in hunger, almost echoing her thoughts.

---

Ryden gave a low, throaty chuckle as Ingerith's eyes turned to his bloodied hand.

"Ah, no more trouble than usual. You know what I'm like - the amount of time I spend in that forest, bothering it's denizens, I may as well live in it." He paused then, taking his hand away from the Thestral before it gave into temptation and took another chunk out of it. "Although, I doubt the Centaurs would be pleased if I did that."

Watching on as more of the children made their way into the Castle, Ryden looked back to Ingerith.

"Perhaps we should make our way inside, lest our villainous Headmaster think we are conspiring against him." He said jokingly, glancing up at the windows of the castle where Corvus enjoyed skulking.

What are those halfbreed-lovers talking about down there? Corvus wondered to himself, as he looked down on two of his teachers conversing among the growing throng of students who were making their way up to the castle. I suppose next they'll want to invite centaurs from the forest to attend. Give them wands, let them use our magic... We'll see. With a glance at the sun's position in the sky, he decided it was time he was present in the Great Hall. Professor Black swept down from the wall and descended into the castle.

~~~

The Great Hall was growing crowded. Older students were gathering at their house tables, while First Year students were herded by Professor Dante into a neat line. Dante was a plump, smiling man of middle age. His hair was thin and graying, and he wore a very plain brown robe. He was doting on the younger students in his charge, tweaking noses affectionately, and giving out sweets when he didn't think any other teachers were watching.

"Uh, yeah I can walk with you," Aoife said and started to walk with Avice towards the entrance to the castle. She thought about what the other girl said and decided that she was not trying to be cruel, she just didn't know that she spends summer in the near-by village.

"Oh I guess you don't know, how could you, but I don't go home in summer. I haven't seen my family for two years except when my dad visited in the summer of first year."

Aoife looked away as she fought back a tear. Deciding to change the subject to something less emotional she thought about how to answer Avice's other question, and what to say about Ireland.

"I don't know if there is a school in Ireland, Father wanted me to attend Hogwarts like his great-grandfather. My great-aunt also came to Hogwarts."

They walked into the castle joining the bustle of other students making their way to the great hall for the feast. It wasn't long until her and Avice would have to part ways and head to their house tables.

"I've not seen a lot of Ireland, I have only travelled a little bit with Father's work but he usually leaves me at home with mother. The bits I have seen are nice, mostly pretty cliffs and rocky shores. We spend most of the time at the coast where the trading towns are. Where do you live? Is it nice?"

((Sorry for the very late reply work and home life got very very horrendously busy all of a sudden))

As Lior pulled her bag over her shoulder, she noticed another girl in her year had approached her. She could recognize that they had attended classes together, but she couldn't place her name.

"Hi, I saw you earlier getting into the carriage. My name Is Meagan Warbeck." she said holding out her hand as she introduced herself.

"Hello," Lior answered with no inflection towards friendliness or hostility. She figured since she didn't know anything about the girl, she should potentially keep the interaction short until she knew more. On the off chance, however, that this person could be of aid to her, she would not be rude for the time being. She smiled. "My name is Lior."

@BookGirl1993

"Nice to meet you Lior." Meagan said as they entered the castle and headed to the great hall to find a seat with our house. I look over at Lior as we walk through the hallways. I knew Lior was from the house of Slytherin because she was wearing the house colors as I was wearing my house colors of Ravenclaw. As we walked through the halls of the castle heading to the great hall we walked in silence. "So your in Slytherin?" I asked Lior, I did not care what house she was in as she was hopefully going to be my friend at this school, weather or not we are in the same house.

@BookGirl1993

"Mm." Lior made a noise and scanned the other girl's Ravenclaw colours. "Yes, I am. Speaking of, we should probably get seated. It looks like things are about to get started." She glanced around the Great Hall, where students were filling in the seats at their house tables. She glanced at the Slytherin table and considered where to sit. She usually liked to avoid sitting in a large group who knew each other. She didn't like having those people talking over her. She saw an area with a decent sized gap and decided she had to grab the seat before someone else filled it in. She wasn't totally opposed to having friends, or conversations with others. Really, she had some acquaintances. The real problem was that she liked to be prepared in her knowledge of another person before conversing with them, so that she knew their opinions and affiliations. Like how she was unaware of Meagan's.

"Maybe I'll see you later on?" Lior suggested with a slight smile. She wanted to keep her options open. She nodded to the other girl, trying to leave the conversation in a good place, just in case, before she turned towards the Slytherin tables. Feeling relieved, she slid down into her seat. She hadn't realized just how hungry she was, but now she couldn't wait another minute for the feast to appear.

@LadyTabris "Yes I think your right and maybe we will. We probably will have classes together." Meagan said as she ended the ended the conversation on a positive note before she scanned over her house table and found an empty spot not to far from the door and sat down at the table with the other students from her house as she waited for the headmaster to start.

Isaac smirked at Eva as Avice walked away.

"Oh yes," he said, his eye flicking to Chandler in a covert display of amusement. "Dear Chandler is hopeless in a duel; sword or wand."

Chandler's eyes moved from one person talking to the other and he hid a smirk, allowing it to merely invade his mind as he nodded, even adding a frowny pout to hit his lips. "Yea, well I can tell you all about them though from numerous different books!" He locked eyes with his twin for just a moment, the shared amusement was something that was very normal for them to do over other's heads. It was a blast and for Chandler it just cemented the relationship he had with his twin.

"Looking forward to Quidditch this year, boys? I was thinking of trying out for the Hufflepuff team - they lost their Seeker and one of their Chasers when they finished last summer. I don't think my parents would approve, but then again, they rarely do when it comes to me."

"Always," Isaac smiled. It was not entirely true. Isaac actually preferred to compete on the ground, but when his twin was in the air, he felt the need to be there with him. Hence the role of Beater.

Chandler allowed an actual genuine smile to cross his face and he nodded enthusiastically as the conversation went to Quidditch, he loved flying and was actually quite good at it, or so he thought, he was especially good at performing aerial acrobatics and the harder maneuvers, throwing his opponents of his game. He was also VERY good at tactics, designing mind spinning plays and flight angles.

The three chatted happily about quidditch as they made their way up the sloping lawn of the castle. They passed through the Entrance Hall, where first year students were being gathered to line up. Isaac eyed the new sorting prospects, but didn't see anyone he found particularly interesting. When they entered the Great Hall, Eva longingly recalled a French onion soup she had had last year, but Isaac scoffed at eating anything French, and made his way for the Gryffindor table with his brother.

With the talk now on Quidditch and with someone who was at least family Chandler actually was completing sentences and phrases without going silent and letting his brother take over. However as they entered the Great Hall and more eyes were upon them he shut that down very quickly and instead stood closer to Isaac flashing a quick smile and half shrug over at Eva. As they separated and the two headed towards the Gryffindor table Chandler was back to his introverted and non-speaking role. He sat down -close- to Isaac and fought the urge to grab his hand even. He busied himself with watching -everyone- at the table and around the room that might have even been remotely looking at him and his brother.

The students of Year Two and above all became abruptly silent as Professor Black entered the Hall from the main doors. Some of the first years chattered for a second longer, but quickly realized it was time to be silent, most twisting around to look at the headmaster. He wore a high collared black robe today, as well as a circlet that was the form of a snake biting its own tail; its eyes were emeralds the size of walnuts. Matching the circlet, he had his goblin forged sword at his waist, the scabbard tucked into a wide richly dyed green belt. He carried in his hands a velvet pillow, on which sat a rather worn looking wizard's hat.

Black walked to the front of the line of First Years, and put the hat down in midair by Professor Dante's side. The pillow floated, perfectly still. Professor Dante gave Black a small bow as the Headmaster turned without a word and marched to take his place at the staff table. With the head seated Professor Dante smiled at the confused First Years, but said nothing. Their confusion grew as a rip opened in the brim of the hat, and it began to sing.

When its song had finished, Professor Dante resumed the floor and began to instruct the First Years.

"It is time," he informed them with the air of someone about to give out a great treat, "For the Sorting! The procedure is simple, you will take this hat, and place it on your head. It will see inside of you, and decide which of the four houses you will join. Now, if the first would come and don the hat?" he smiled at the mousy boy who was suddenly realizing that he was at the head of the line.

~~~

Soon, the tables were marginally more crowded, and everyone at them had worked up an appetite cheering on the new additions to their House. But before the food would be conjured from the kitchens, Professor Black stood from his embellished chair at the center of the staff table. He raised a goblet to the body of students and spoke, a thin smile on his lips.

“Welcome students! To the newly sorted, I hope you will all bring honor to House, and to your family name. To returning students, I believe you will continue with the standard of excellence we have all learned to expect from you. I cannot imagine that any one among us,” his eyes flashed as he looked around the room, “Would forget what it is to be a wizard, or to be a witch. And now, without further ado, I invite you all to partake of the feast.”

He lifted his hands, one still holding the goblet, and suddenly the golden plates along the tables were filled with food.

Avice listened to the girl, facinated. "You do not go home for the summer?" Avice could not imagine a world where she would nto be under direct family supervision for more than a week. Even at Hogwarts, the only time she was away from home, the headmaster was her own kin who looked after them all!

"Oh yes. My parents have a castle! Castle Black! It isn't near the sea at all, but, there is a nice bog nearby... I think... It is beautiful. My mother collects tapestries and keeps a large beautiful garden, she entertains often and she hosts the most fabulous parties. There are lots of places to play! When the twins come over we fly for hours and hours!" She thought, but dare not tell the whole of her feelings; and when there are not parties or twins it's dreadful. "Anyway... I'm going to go sit with my friends! I'll see you in class!"

Avice gave Aoife a cheerful wave and quickly zipped away toward table Slytherin.

She only got there just in time for the ceremonies to begin. She saw her cousins, the twins, seated at Gryffindor. She wondered how the sorting hat worked all that out. She was disappointed that they were not placed in her house, yet, she was glad to be placed in Slytherin herself! All her family was Slytherin, including her older brother Sorin. Sorin sat at the far end of the table while Avice sat somewhere in the middle. He had a tight knit group of friends in his own year. They were all in their last year. As the senior students theya cted as kings and queens of their house. Avice was shameless in her admiration of them.

When the hat had sung and sorted, she realized she was sitting across from a girl named Lior. The food appeared, it was time to eat, converse, and celebrate the return to Hogwarts.

"Hello, Lior." Avice smiled widely. The space between the two girls was much wider than the width of the table, they had had opposite upbringings. Avice knew that Lior was... Not well off... nor all the way pure blooded... Yet, Avice was jealous of how easily academics seemed to come to Lior. Avice reminded herself that this year she would not need to be jealous of anyone! She had gotten a lot of advice, lectures, and lessons over the summer. She was full of motivation and confident that she would be as good at her classes as anyone, even Lior! She would bring honor to her house! and her family name! and meet the standard of excellence... and all that her grand uncle was saying... but just in case... Even if she wasn't quite as good... She had a powerful well connected family, a solid marriage arranged, even if she was not the best student her life would be alright... Right?

"It looks like we have some strong first years added to our house! I know some of them... Well... Their families anyway. See that one? That's a Yaxley. Her mother visits my mother all the time, they swap a lot of plants and... and... things like that... All summer she has been talking about her daughter and how talented she is. She is going to be so great in Slytherin! What do you think?"

~~~

"If only we were..." She was certain that the headmaster was conspiring against her.

Ingerith made her way to the great hall, walking beside the castle's beastmaster.

As she walked, she began to change, she did so in plain sight of the students as she walked.

Her mans face softened and rounded, her sun tanned skin paled, her eyes changed shape and the color within them bloomed, the lashes lengthened. The blond hair became red and grew long, spilling over shrinking shoulders and past rounding hips. The rough, blonde, muggle man became an elegant sharp-eyed witch.

The cloths transformed as well, transfiguring as she walked. The armor that the muggle wore shrunk, tempered, softened, and finally shimmered as it hung around her neck in long chains of chunky jewelry. The worn peacoat, pantaloons, and shirt brightened in color and lengthened into an elegant dress, skirt, and chemise respectively. She took her seat at the table, her pale face unreadable, she counted her lost ones already at their house tables, and each new one as they were sorted.

Her cheeks burned a little as the headmaster spoke of family names. The lost ones had none. She had none. She knew it was tradition but it still stung to be reminded and she knew it would make the lost ones feel even more uncomfortable than it did herself.

Aoife thought Castle Black sounded like a nice place to live, but she already missed the sea while living at Hogwarts and in the near-by town. She couldn't imagine living away from the sea forever.

She shyly waved goodbye to Avice and made her way towards her own house table. She found the biggest gap and sat in the middle of it. The people in her house never tried to talk to her in the great hall or in the common room so she thought it best to sit as far from them as posible. She looked up where the teachers sat, spotting the librarian she smiled and thought of all the things she would learn this year.