The Wizardry Wars (IC)

[Black]

It was an uncommonly cold summers night in the June of 1989 at Number 9 Queensland Road, but no one would have suspected that the most feared wizard in the world was about to be born, no one would expect that such a baby who came crying happily into his Muggle mothers arms would give the world such a reason to be afraid. No one would expect this from this happy baby with piercing blue eyes and soft whitish pink skin. And no one would expect this least from a completely Muggle-born child.

July 19th 1999, Number 9 Queensland Road. "William! Pick up your nickers off of the banister! It's not a laundry hamper!" Came the frustrated cry of Mary M. Xephillius. As William came shooting out of his room for breakfast, his shirt on backwards, his contacts barely thrown into his eyes he snatched the underwear off of the banister shouting at the top of his voice "Sorry mummy!" and throwing them into the laundry room, then running to the table for breakfast.

He stopped dead in his tracks when he saw a woman sitting in an emerald green cloak looking close to fifty, though he could tell she was older, with a stern look on her face and her hair set in a bun. Obviously his mother and father had not seen her as when his mother turned around she dropped the frying pan she was holding, sending eggs scattering all over the floor, and when Mr. Xephillius stepped into the room he let out a great shout.

"Who the bloody hell are you?" Shouted Mr. Xephillius, his eyes traveling over the woman taking her in one glance while his wife slid avidly out from behind her counter and went to stand behind Mr. Xephillius. William however strode forward, and hopped up into his chair. "Hi!" he said brightly, his clear blue eyes staring into the womans eyes, and a faint smile flickered across her tight-lipped expression.

"I am Professor M. Mcgonagall" Said the woman with a hint of a stern voice. "I teach the art of Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and I am it's current attending Headmistress" she said this all with a brisk business like voice, as if expecting them to take this all in one sitting. However Mr. Xephillius looked as if he had been hit in the face with the frying pan Mrs. Xephillius had dropped.

"Er... Madame? What exactly... Is... this er... Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry?" asked Mrs. Xephillius timidly from behind her husband.

"Hogwarts" began Professor McGonagall, "Is the finest school for Wizards and Witches all over London. There is not a finer school in the entire world that can compare to Hogwarts" She turned to look at William. "You see, your young William is a Wizard, and we would like him to attend our fine school" she gave William another tight-lipped smile and he returned her smile with a toothy grin.

"Nonsense!" shouted Mr. Xephillius. "There's no such thing as magic, and if there is I demand you show me proof that this callswallop is real, and that you're not just some loony old nut job escaped from St. Mary's Institute for Criminally Insane Psychopaths!"

The stern woman pulled from her robes a long willowy wand and waved it at the egg mess on the floor. The eggs cleaned themselves up, put themselves back together, flew into the pan which righted itself on the stove and just as quickly began to revert the process of cooking until finally the egg shells took them back into the hollows of the egg and sealed themselves perfectly shut. Then she flicked her wand almost lazily and a cat that was slinking around the corner began to shape shift until is was a glimmering porcelain tea-cup.

Both Mr. and Mrs. Xephillius had looks of pure terror on their faces, but young William clapped his hands in glee and shouted for more. McGonagall flicked her wand again and the tea-cup reverted itself back into a thoroughly confused cat, and the pots and pans began to tap dance with each other around the kitchen.

Finally McGonagall flicked her wand and the pots and pans flew back into their rightful places and the woman stared at them for a moment before briskly getting up. "I trust you now know I am not a crazy old bat, and I expect to see young William on the train to Hogwarts September First, platform nine and three quarters" and she spun on her heel and with a loud crack was gone before they had time to ask her any questions. On the table was a letter addressed to William in Emerald green ink.

"Mr. William Xephillius
The Corner Bedroom
9. Queensland Road
London England

Dear Mr. William Xephillius, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours Sincerely
Minerva Mcgonagall
Headmaster"

William stared up at his parents in amazement and read on to a second piece of parchment.

Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
"



Sirius N. Gibbons was born to an entirely magical family on December 31st 1992. On the day of his letter's arrival he was sitting down to breakfast with his mum. The year was 2003.

"Mum!" shouted Sirius, suddenly excited and bouncing in his chair. "Mum!!!" He shouted again, his dad already having gone off to the Ministry. His mother turned around and squeaked excitedly. "Oh Sirius, you've gotten your owl!" He shouted as she opened the letter and took Sirius in her arms and they both did a kind of jig around the kitchen shouting excitedly.

"Mr. Sirius N. Gibbons
The Middle Bedroom
Number 3. Queensland Road
London England

Dear Mr. Sirius N. Gibbons, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours Sincerely
Minerva Mcgonagall
Headmaster"

Sirius stared up at his parents in amazement and read on to a second piece of parchment.

Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
"

"Mum! I get to go to Hogwarts!" He shouted gleefully, dashing upstairs to get dressed so his mother could take him to Diagon alley.

[LMM]

"Nevaeh, darling what are you doing?" Nevaeh's mother's voice traveled up the stairs and to Nevaeh's shut door. Nevaeh was sitting on the edge of her bed staring at the letter in her hands. An antique looking letter with green script with her name and address on it. "First Bedroom," She whispered as a moment of pointless curiousity strolled through her brain. "Nevaeh!" Her mother's voice came again bringing her sharply back to reality. "I'll be down in a minute mum." She yelled back, as she stood up and stuck the envelope between her teeth. She quickly ran her fingers through her hair and pulled the hair tie from around her wrist around the hair two times so it was loosely up.

After that she grabbed the envelope out from between her teeth and hurried out of her room and down the stairs. Before she even reached the bottom step her mother squealed, "NEVAEH GOT HER LETTER!" Her mother yelled and her dad came gruffly from the kitchen with a soft smile. Oh great, so I get my letter and we're going to be a big happy family. Nevaeh thought but forced herself to smile and hold the letter in the air slightly.

"Oh hurry go to the kitchen and we will all read it," Her mother said, apparently happy not only because her daughter had gotten her letter but because it appeared they were all a happy family. Nevaeh's mother practically pushed Nevaeh past her father and into the kitchen were the smell of breakfast was strong and it made Nevaeh realize how hungry she actually was.

She was pushed into a chair and then her mother sat across from her. Navaeh began to slowly open the letter as her father came and stood behind her mother with a hand softly placed on her shoulder. Nevaeh opened it softly making sure not to rip the envelope. As she pulled out the main piece of parchment she actually dropped the second one and had to bend down and pick it up. Her mother glanced up at her father, and Nevaeh wasn't sure if it was out of pride or annoyance that he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

"Miss Nevaeh Puttock
The First Bedroom
7. Green Lane
London England

Dear Miss Nevaeh Puttock, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours Sincerely
Minerva Mcgonagall
Headmistress"

Nevaeh read the letter outloud and glanced up at her parents when she finished and they both were smiling softly. She sat down the first piece of parchment and had to flip the second over to read it correctly.

"Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad OR a rat.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS."

When she finished she smiled softly as she sat it down and looked up, "Well there you have it, Gus-Gus and I are going to Hogwarts." She said in a matter-a-fact manner and her mother smiled and began flicking her wand making all the breakfast food gather onto plates and land softly on the table muttering, "We have to hurry and get your supplies."

((Hope that's good))

[Dr. Dream]

Joshawa sat on a chair in-front of the front door, he was awaiting his letter from Hogwarts, according to his calculations it would be arriving today. It was tearing Joshawa apart, he could not wait to go, but it seemed as if the letter would just not come. Joshawa watched the door for several more minute before he dozed off. He awoke hours later and was disappointed, his letter never showed up, Josh brought the chair back to the kitchen and went to go lock the front door. As soon as Josh locked the door the letter slot opened and a letter came in. Josh screamed in excitement and his parents rushed to where he was,

"What is it Joshawa?" Lucy asked.
"I got my letter from Hogwarts mum! I got it!" Josh said with excitement.
"Really?! That is great news!" Lucy replied.
"I am going to open it!" Josh said.

"Joshawa Schultz
The Basement
12. Mooresville Road
London England

Dear Mr. Joshawa Schultz, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours Sincerely
Minerva Mcgonagall
Headmaster"

Joshawa looked up at his parents in excitement and read the rest of the letter.

Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
"

Josh looked back at his parents and then passed out.

[The Fox]

Siyah J. Micckic clutched the envelope tightly in her hands as she stared out the window into the clear night. She gulped lightly and tore it open. Quickly, her eyes darted around, the words cleared her mind and she thought of nothing as her eyes continued to dart across the page. Finally, she finished and looked back up. Siyah thought to herself, 'What?' She then looked down again and read it more carefully. A small toothless smile grew into a hearty grin. She then shrieked lightly and burst out of her room quickly.

"Oh my! You got the letter!" Siyah's Father yelled out as she saw Siyah run down the stairs, tripping every other step, "Daddy! Daddy!" She jumped into his arms and he hugged her tightly. They were like that for a while. Then, he sat her down and Siyah handed him the letter, "Yes. I did... Just like Andrew." Shortly after, her big brother stepped downstairs, "You got it?" He was in his fifth year in Hogwarts and was very excited for her to get the letter. She grinned at him and he smiled brightly.

A few moments later, the small family were gathered in the living room, all huddled on a couch in front of the warm fire. Slowly, Siyah's father read the letter out loud.

"Ms. Siyah J. Micckic
The Small Bedroom Upstairs
3. Rockslide Street
London England

Dear Ms. Siyah J. Micckic, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours Sincerely
Minerva Mcgonagall
Headmaster"

"Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
"

Siyah's Father gasped for breath and looked down at her. She grinned up at him and hugged him tightly. He nodded and used his wand to put out the fire, "We better get to bed so we can get up early and take you to Diagon Alley." And those were the last words spoken that night as they hugged and Siyah stepped upstairs, and into her room.

~~~

::::-The Next Morning-::::

Siyah shoved the pancakes down her throat, along with Andrew and her Father. She wiped off her mouth with her arm and took her dishes over to the sink. Siyah watched as Andrew and her Father ate slowly, "Oh come on! We have to get to Diagon Alley!" Her Father chuckled and used her wand to move Andrew's and his plate over to the sink. He mumbled under his breath and the dishes cleaned themselves and put themselves away. Andrew ran upstairs and came back down shortly after with his pet toad, Turk. He smiled and Siyah sighed, "OK! Let's get going!" She headed out the door, along with her Father and brother.

~~~

They walked down Diagon Alley together, Siyah whistling to herself. She saw the Magical Menagerie and looked behind at her Father, "Go on. Meet me at 'Flourish and Blotts' in an hour, OK?" Siyah nodded and ran into the magical creature shop. She stared around at the cages full of magical animals with awe. Siyah looked around, sliding her hands across the cages, mumbling to herself happily.

[Black]

William had just finished buying his supplies for the school year when he met his friend Andrew. Andrew was just a year ahead of him and William had taken to him almost immediately. "Oi! Andrew!" William shouted, waving a heavy potions book over his head at Andrew. "How was your summer mate? Did you hear about the Double C's? Flattened the Wasps six hundred and fifty to three hundred and forty!" cried William, a big fan of the Chudley Cannons.

William was in his fourth year of Hogwarts, but none would doubt the William was one of the smartest Wizards in the school of Hogwarts. It was common knowledge that William was given a time turner every year since second year and was taking every subject available and passing them all with no less than an O for Outstanding.


~~~ Sirius ~~~

Sirius strode into Eeylops Owl Emporium and saw a young girl in there. "Hullo!" He shouted over the din of the various creatures in the room. "Im Sirius! A First year!" He wore a boyish charming smile and he set about the room, petting each animal that would let him near, until he finally settled on a black-and-brown screech owl. He brought her to the counter and paid the seven sickles needed for the owl and then stared at her for a moment. "I think..." he said after a moments pause. "Ill name you Leon" he said, and the owl hooted.

And for a few minutes Sirius sat in a chair outside of Eeylops Owl Emporium and waited for the girl he saw in there, then started up a lively conversation with her, starting off with another loud and chirping "HI! Im Sirius! A First year at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry, Whats your name?"

[The Fox]

Andrew turned as he saw William run towards him. He smiled, "Summer was fine! Miss Hogwarts, though! Really? Didn't hear." Andrew knew William was an extreme fan of the Chudley Cannons, although Andrew was not, he shared the bright grin that William had pasted on his face, "So then, isn't it nice that we'll be going back to Hogwarts? Summer is almost no fun." He sighed.

[Ooops, forgot to put up Andrew's CS. I'm gonna go do that really quick]

~~~

Siyah watched Sirius as he ran around the shop. She smiled lightly, he seemed pretty energetic... Like her. She hopped around the store, staring into the cages and copying the noises they made. They would growl at her and she'd laugh heartily. Finally, she came across a small kitten, purring at her and brushing his side against her leg. She giggled brightly and picked him up, "Oh, you're such a handsome little guy, aren't you?" Siyah brushed his back gently with her hand and stepped up to the front counter, next to the other boy, "Name's Siyah, I'm also a first year." Her eyes sparkled as she smiled a thin but kind smile. Siyah then dug through her pockets to pull out nine sickles and set them on the counter. The witch behind the counter smiled and took the sickles, "He's yours now." Siyah gave out a small squeak, "Snickers!" She picked up the small black kitten, who pushed his head up to her chest and purred lightly. He closed his eyes and fell asleep. She smiled, he liked his new name.

[Black]

Sirius smiled "Siyah? Thats a peculiar name. Cool though. Do you have any brothers or sisters? What house are they in? I hope im in Gryffindor. Like Harry Potter and Ron Weasley! Wouldn't it be exciting?" he said, firing off question after question, and statement after statement while he browsed stores, waiting for his parents to come collect him.


~~~ William ~~~

William smiled. "Yeah, it'd be great to get back to Hogwarts. I've been told by Headmistress McGonagall that i'd be allowed to take two new subjects this year," He puffed out his chest with pride. "I am, regrettably, not allowed to tell people what they are though, as they are generally not given to students so young, or students in general. Me and McGonagall have had to write hundreds of letters to the ministry, but I think its the fact that the Minister Kingsly and Mcgonagall used to be in the Order of the Phoenix together that finally got my requests pulled through"

"Hey, wanna go check out Quality Quidditch supplies? I heard they've got the top-of-the-line model in stores now, the Nova, naught to one fifty in 2 seconds flat! Anti-Hex, Jinx, Curse, and Charms on it, as well as enchanted wood and wicker-tails that make it near unbreakable, as well as a few charms that make it undetectable as well! I've also heard that the buyer can have a charm put on it for long journeys through cold weather that keep the users warm!" he was practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.

[The Fox]

Siyah laughed and walked next to Sirius as they browsed the different shops, "So is Sirius, I like it, though. I have a big brother, Andrew, he's in Hufflepuff. Do you have any siblings? I really want to be in Gryffindor. Just like Hermione Granger, it's said that everyone who gets in Gryffindor is really brave and ends up with a really exciting life. My brother says that there's a sorting hat that puts you into the different houses, do you think that's true? I really want to see, but how does a hat tell you what house you're going to be in? So weird, right? I'm so excited." She had no problem keeping up with Sirius, she was quite the talker, too. She said all of this as she pet the top of Snickers head with her index finger.

~~~

Andrew smiled, "Really? Cool. I hope that will happen to me, but I doubt it." He sighed lightly and his eyes opened more brightly as the word "Quidditch" came up. He nodded furiously, "That sounds great! I'm the Seeker for Hufflepuff!" Now, it was his turn to puff up his chest with pride, "Professor McGonagall said that I would be able to this year. I have a really bad broom, though. Dad said he might get me a new one today. That'd be great, wouldn't it? Do you play Quidditch? We might play against each other." He finished with a deep breath and started walking a bit faster, excited to get to Quality Quidditch Supplies.

[thesouleater]

Roy lay in his bed, headphones in his ears, trying to go back to sleep. It was near 7 in the morning, his parents out at work already and his sister probably flipping through her clothes, trying to find something to wear. He was still in his PJs of course, thin pants and no shirt. He finally gave up on trying to fall back asleep and kicked his blanket off. He grabbed a shirt off of the floor and put it on before slowly making his way downstairs. When he got near the bottom he stepped on something and slipped backwards, landing on his back and hitting his head on a step.

Roy was well awake now. He slowly sat up, rubbing the back of his head. "ALLI! STOP LEAVING YOUR CRAP EVERYWHERE!" He yelled. He stepped around the make-up and made his way to the kitchen. He never noticed the woman sitting at the dining table until he looked up from the egg he had started cooking.

The 11-year-old boy jumped, hitting his head on the fridge. "Ow... Who in the world are you?" He asked, rubbing his head for the second time that morning. He felt a bump on his head and knew that there would be a bruise there later.

"Professor McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." The woman said. "You, young sir, are a wizard and have been accepted into Hogwarts. Now, I must leave. Good-bye." The woman dissapeared.

"What in the...?" Roy heard the hissing of his egg and swore. He quickly removed the food and put it on a plate. He grabbed a fork and walked over to the table, where he found a letter written in a nice green colour. He put the plate down and picked up the letter, opening it.

"Mr. Roy Michaelis
The Second Bedroom
10. Dawson Road
London, England

Dear Mr. Roy Michaelis, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours Sincerely
Minerva McGonagall
Headmaster"

"What? This makes no sense." Roy said, confusion written all over his face.

"What makes no sense?" Alli asked, walking into the kitchen. She was wearing a bright blue dress that was much too short for her and showed a bit of cleavage.

"Nevermind." Roy said, instantly annoyed. He continued reading the next part of the letter.

"Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS."

Roy grunted and started eating his egg, not believing the letter.

~

Later that day when Roy's parents came home, he asked his Dad about it. He had always had a better relationship with his Dad than his mom. His Dad had flinched and told him to listen carefully. They spent about an hour talking about Professor McGonagall and the letter he had recieved. Apparently his Dad's sister had also been a wizard. He promised to phone her to get him his stuff for the school year.

"Alright. Thanks Dad." Roy said. He ran up the stairs and went to bed.

~

The next morning Roy woke to a young woman staring down at his face. He stared up at her and cocked an eyebrow. "You must be my Dad's sister?" He asked.

"Yup."

"Alright." Roy said. "Can you get your face out of my face?" He asked.

"Oh." She blushed. "Sorry." She stood up straight. "You ready to go?"

"As soon as I get dressed and eat breakfast." Roy replied. "You just woke me up, remember?"

"Oh."

"Would you like me to get dressed, or would you like to sit here for the next hour?" Roy asked, sarcasm dripping from his voice.

"Sorry." She muttered, sliding out of the bedroom door.

Roy quickly put on some clothes and headed outside. He made his way downstairs and grabbed a bagel. "Alright. Let's go." He said to his Aunt.

She smiled and grabbed his arm, pulling him outside and into a car.

((Sorry if the end seems kind of rushed.))

[Black]

William practically ran to the Quidditch store. "Im going to be the new beater for Ravenclaw, seen's how Marcus Augustus graduated last year and is now on the Reserve team for the Wasps. My dad, (a ministry official working under Arthur Weasley, even though hes just a Muggle) has been saving up galleons to buy me a Firebolt (at this period of time the price's of Firebolts had dropped substantially since the release of the Aurora, and the Nova which made the Firebolt look like a child's toy) so I can play on the team."

Williams dad, a Muggle born with absolutely no magical powers, commuted every day to the telephone booth above the MoM and reported directly to Arthur Weasley in Muggle Relations and Muggy Security. It is Mr. Xephillius's job to train incoming Aurors and other such Magical Law Enforcement employee's to be able to understand and communicate with disgruntled Muggle's, and coincidentally to train them to stop referring to them as Muggle's.


"I have no siblings, and yes there is a hat, called the Sorting hat, that puts you into your houses judging on your character and ambitions! I want to be in Gryffindor just like Ron, Harry, Hermione, George, Fred, Percy, Bill, Ginny and the rest of them!" Sirius was soon called by his parents and he gave Siyah a smile and shouted over the din of the crowd "I'll see you on the train Siyah!!!" And he began to move away, towards Olivanders wand shop to go buy his first, and hopefully only wand.

[The Fox]

Andrew smiled and nodded, "Cool! I hope I get at least a Firebolt. Everything else is... For babies." He sighed and pushed his arms tightly against his sides. Finally, they reached Quality Quidditch Supplies. He smiled brightly and burst through the door. He looked around and quickly saw the Nova. Andrew could almost drool from the sight of it. He stepped over to it and stared at it with awe. Andrew brushed away his blond hair and looked towards the man who was stood stiffly behind the counter.

Gulping, Andrew walked up to the counter and pointed to the Nova, "How much?" The man stared down at him with no expression, "Too expensive for you." Andrew looked down quickly and bit his lip, "Sorry..." He jumped back over to the Nova and continued to watch it as though he was waiting for something amazing to happen.

~~~

Siyah nodded and waved to Sirius and he hurried away. She sighed and walked down the street, browsing the different shop windows with amazement. She had came here every year since Andrew became a student of Hogwarts but now that she was actually getting her supplies... Well, Diagon Alley just seemed so much more alive and real. Siyah sighed and pressed her face against the window of Quality Quidditch Supplies. There were a few broomsticks on display. The Nova and the Aurora. She smiled brightly and heard her Father calling her.

Siyah ran over to him. They walked into Flourish and Blotts, waiting for Andrew.

After a while, the two just bought all of Siyah's books. Siyah used her old quill to cross off the different books. She looked up at her Father after crossing off the last name, "That's all of them!" He looked down at her, "Really? Well then, let's go get your brother. He's incredibly late." Siyah nodded and folded the letter back into the envelope. They walked over to Quality Quidditch Supplies and entered, "ANDREW!"

Andrew turned to see his Father walking over to him angrily, his arms crossed across his chest, "You're an hour late. We were supposed to meet at Flourish and Blotts and hour ago!" Andrew gulped and nodded, "Um... Well then, let's go em!" He gave a fake smile. His Father sighed and shook his head, "Sure, sure. Next time, though, you'll be in trouble." Andrew bit his lip and followed the two out of the shop.

[LMM]

Nevaeh and her parents got dressed the next morning rather early, this really wasn't something all to new to Nevaeh, she was used to being rushed out of the house for this reason or that. The breakfast was rather quiet, though inside Nevaeh was absolutely giddy with excitment. As she finished her waffle, and sipped her orange juice calmly before pushing her chair back and messing with her shirt. As she did this her parents finished up and her father made a quick chore of the dishes with his wand.

When Nevaeh looked up from her shirt the final cup was up in the cabinet, and the doors shut. Nevaeh smiled softly at her parents in a hinting way, "So are we ready now?" She asked as sweetly as she could. Her mother glanced at her father with a smirk and he nodded. Nevaeh was up out of her chair in just a few seconds, and was standing by the fireplace. Her parents followed her at a much slower pace but with knowing smiles on thier faces.

Floo powder had been the standard way of transportation for Nevaeh's family ever since she was little, so this was no difference. Her father grabbed the small green cloth bag, that was always hanging on the mantel. Nevaeh's eyes followed the bag from it's perch to her father's hands. "Ready?" He asked as he opened the draw string bag, and grabbed a handful of the silvery powder.

Nevaeh just watched, speechless. "You first, honey," Her father said to her mother and threw a handful of the powder into the flames, they burst out lively, now green. Her mother smiled and stepped into the flames, "Gringotts," She said firmly and was suddenly gone. Nevaeh's smile was the largest it had been in several years as her father took another handful of the powder, "Your turn."[b] He said smiling, and quickly throwing the powder into the fire.

Again the flames grew and turned green, Nevaeh stepped into them and the soft warmth that they gave was as conforting as ever. [b]"Gringotts." She said firmly, suddenly she was spinning, faster, and faster. The image of her father and living room began to blur. Nevaeh closed her eyes as had become habit for her. As her spinning increased for a final time then gradually began to slow. S

he opened her eyes to be able to see her mother. As her rotations slowed to a gentle twirl she could see the Goblins and the beautiful inside of Gringotts. Finally she stopped spinning and stepped out of the fire. "Oh honey you have ash on your cloak." Her mother mused as she began to dust off Nevaeh's traveling cloak. Suddenly Nevaeh's father stepped out of the fireplace, "Well we're all here, now." He said smiling.

Nevaeh pulled away from her mom, "Ooh let us do hurry." She mused excited.

[Black]

William left the Quidditch shop not long after Andrew and pulled his cloak up over his head, bowing low so he appeared to be a hunch-backed graying old wizard, he moved through the throng of people which became steadily more disbursed as he headed towards nocturne alley. Moving slowly he began to make his way to a dusty old shop with boarded up windows and a sign with cracked and peeled lettering saying "Borgin and Brukes" over it. As he pulled out his wand and whispered pointed it at the chains baring entrance from the shop, the chains slithered backwards and allowed admittance for William. The door shut behind him and the chains slithered back into place.

[The Fox]

Andrew, Siyah, and their Father all were huddled together in Flourish and Blotts, collecting Andrew's books. Finally, Andrew marked off the last book and looked at the Uniform section, "OK, could we go over to Madam Malkins?" Siyah looked up and smiled, "I love it there!" Their father shared the grin and looked through his coat pockets, he quickly frowned, "Hmm... Siyah. Could you go over to Gringott's for us? You, too, Andrew." They looked at him and frowned, "No more money?" He shook his head and took his hands out of his pockets, "But I know we have some there." The two kids nodded and started out quickly, "Meet me at Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions!" "'Kay, Dad!"

Before they knew it, the two were holding their hands to their mouths. Their faces were a light green and Andrew walked over to the huge vault. It opened and he rushed in. In the corner were two sacks. A couple of galleons, sickles, and knuts sat around them. Andrew bit his lip, "How much money should I take?" He turned to Siyah, who stood at the entrance. She shrugged, "Just grab some and lets get out of here!" Andrew sighed and quickly grabbed one bag. He rushed out and the vault closed behind them. They jumped into their seats and they were carried off.

Not long after, the two both had glowing green faces. They both sat down outside Gringott's and rested.

[LMM]

Nevaeh didn't pay attention as her father discussed with one of the goblins. "Father, come on," She moaned. He frowned, "Nevaeh go wait outside, we'll only be a minute." Her father said. Nevaeh nodded and turned around. Without a single word to her mother she began to walk towards the doors. Of course her father picked the farthest goblin to speak with so it was a few minutes before she got to the door.

As she walked she took in every detail of the large room, though she had come here on nurmerous occasions, it always held some sort of sparkle. Atleast to her. She was about halfway through the room, when two other kids exited. Her mind wondered slightly if either were first years like her. She shrugged and continued towards the doors, though with a slightly more excited skip in her step.

Nevaeh pushed the door open, and stepped outside. Letting the door fall shut behind her. Her eyes looked around before spotting the kids she had seen earlier. She thought a moment before deciding to say hello. "Good day," She said with a slight inclination of her head, to show an amount of respect her parents had taught her strangers deserved.

[The Fox]

Andrew looked up, surprised, "Oh! Hello there! And who might you be? I am Andrew." He stood up and held out his hand charmingly. Siyah stood up quickly, too, and smiled brightly, "Hiya! Who are you? You're pretty! Are you a first year? I'm a first year. I'm so excited. I hope I'm in Gryffindor, what house do you want to be in? Andrew is in Hufflepuff, isn't that funny? He's already in his fourth year! Wow, huh? I heard that Hufflepuff is for the skittish but sweet. I might want to be in there... I'm not really skittish, though, but it would be nice to be surrounded by nice wizards and witches. Wouldn't it be scary if we were put in Slytherin? Anyway! What's your name? I'm Siyah." She spoke so quickly and when she was finally finished, she held out her hand stiffly. Andrew stared at his little sister, still holding out his hand. He sighed and shook his head, "Oh, Siyah."

[Sorry, WB... Don't have much to do XD]

[LMM]

Nevaeh was extremely shocked at the respond she recieved, "Well good day, Andrew, and Siyah was it?" She replied shaking each's hand in turn, "I am Nevaeh, and yes I am a first year as well." She smiled and shook her head slightly getting her bangs out of her eyes. "I don't care what house I'm in really, as preferably not Slytherin though," She added trying to answer all of the girl's questions for fear of being rude in not answering them all. "A fourth year?" She repeated to make sure she had heard right, "Guess that means Siyah is going to have someone to show her around the castle huh?" She continued smiling brightly.

[thesouleater]

"Where exactly are we going?" Roy asked. He was sitting in the passenger seat of his Aunt's baby blue beetle car. A house key that was attached to a string hung around his neck, along with a shorter necklace with a metal arrow head attached. He wore loose-fitting jeans and a black band t-shirt. He fiddled with the letter from Professor McGonagall. He wouldn't have believed that the acceptance letter was real, except for that McGonagall had dissapeared before his eyes. To him, it was enough proof.

"We're going to Diagon Alley." Lizzie, his Aunt, answered. "We're going to get your school supplies." She was used to the small alley and even enjoyed going there. She had multiple memories of the place, despite only being there a few times since she herself left Hogwarts. To her, most of the place was for school stuff.

"Diagon Alley?" Roy echoed. "That's an interesting name." He muttered to himself. He continued to fiddle with the letter.

About half-hour later they got out of the car and entered a small bar/resturaunt/hotel. Turning a quick corner, Lizzie tapped a long stick on a series of bricks and the bricks started folding out, creating a doorway. The street before Lizzie and Roy was cluttered with people, running this way and that.

"Welcome to Diagon Alley." Lizzie said. She headed into the crowds of people and Roy quickly followed before he lost her. "We're going to go get some more of the lighter stuff first, just so that we don't have to carry fifty pounds of books around." She smiled.

"Okay." Roy followed his Aunt around, looking at the different things along the street.

[The Fox]

Andrew pulled back his hand slowly, after Nevaeh shook it gently. Siyah smiled and nodded, knowing it was best if she didn't speak much, "Right! I'm really glad, too. He's a good brother." She smiled and looked up at him, he grinned at her and pat her head lightly, "So... You have any siblings?" He said brightly. Suddenly, there was a shout from behind. The two turned and saw their Father waving at them, they waved back and turned back to Nevaeh. Andrew bit his lip, "Um... We have to go. We're going to go get our robes." He blushed lightly, "So sorry to be leaving so suddenly. Um, would you have time to come with us? If you're a first year, you'll be needing robes, too, right?"

Siyah had already ran over to her Father, hugged him gently, and then burst into Madam Malkins Robes for All Occasions. Andrew stared at the door that quickly closed behind her, "Oh. Um. Sorry. She's kind of rude at times." He looked at Nevaeh and blushed furiously.

[Biophysicist]

<OOC>I'm in a massive rush to get this up... I don't want the RP to move on without me and I really don't want my brother to see me doing a HP RP... See OOC. Anyway, if I make no sense in the following post, let me know.</OOC>

Poke. Woosh. Ping!

Athena smiled a bit at that. The complex arrangement of gears, springs, and various plastic parts she'd been working on was finally complete and ready to launch small objects through the air. No real point to it, but it was cool. Especially the "woosh". Definitely the best part.

With a groan, she stood up, her knee still hurting as it always did. What exactly had happened to it, anyway? She hadn't kicked the tree that hard... Whatever, didn't matter. With some difficulty, she retrieved the ball bearing she had launched with her device as a test, and returned it, then launched it again. A third launch demonstrated that it was, indeed, reliably working.

Fourth test? Sure, why not.

This one didn't go as planned, though, and the contraption exploded as she poked the firing lever.

Sigh...

At that moment, Athena's dog entered the room. Named Hephaestus after the Greek god of the forge (and also in reference to Athena's own name), he vaguely resembled a fox in both shape and coloration. He was a lot more aggitated than usual, as evidenced by his fur standing on end.

"What's wrong, Hephie?"

At that moment, a woman appeared in the room.

The dog panicked, the woman waved a stick around, Athena's contraption flew back together, and Athena herself fell onto her bed in shock.

"Greetings, Athena," the woman said.

"You're... in my room..." Athena replied, after a few seconds.

"Indeed. I am Professor McGonagall, and I teach the art of Transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and am it's current Headmistress."

Athena shook her head. "There's no such thing as witches or wizards."

"Then explain how I am, as you said, 'in your room', seeing as I did not use the door."

She did have a point there...

"Wait a sec... Let me get my parents..."

They were not as easy to convince, and eventually McGonagall resorted to conjuring gerbils. That finally did it, which explains how Athena soon ended up in the weirdest street ever...

<OOC>Late start kinda made things hard... If someone could have their character meet up with Athena, that would be great. Or something. Idk, late start, as I said... >.> </OOC>

[LMM]

Nevaeh went to answer but stopped shortly, as a man yelled at the two. After a rather quick exit of Siyah and a rather embarrassed Andrew, she had to keep herself from laughing by covering her mouth. A few more seconds of silence as she gathered herself and thought about the question he had asked her. 'Mother did give me some money to go out on my own, and it would help with the load,' That was all the encouragement she needed, she moved her hand from her face and nodded, "I'd be happy to go with you guys and go ahead and get my robes." She said nodding then added, "And no I have no other siblings to speak of," with a bright smile.

[The Fox]

Andrew sighed with relief, she didn't seem to mind. He was trying to be polite, but Siyah made it difficult. He shook his head to push the blushing away, "Alright then, let's go." He turned and started towards Madam Malkin's. Andrew grinned at his father, who returned the smile gently. Their Father looked down at Nevaeh, slightly surprised, "Well then, who are you? Siyah's friend? You look about 11, so you must be a first year also! Isn't that great?" He started his words with a small smile and ended with a grin that expanded from ear to ear. He sighed lightly and held her shoulder gently, leading her into Madam Malkin's and giving her a chance to speak. He treated every young witch and wizard like they were his own. Being a kind man, it was only natural that he would do so.

[LMM]

Nevaeh wasn't used to the treatment she recieved from Andrew and Siyah's father and had to force herself not to pull away. "I am Nevaeh," She paused here, but felt it only polite to give her full name to an adult, "Nevaeh Puttock." She added with a soft smile, "And yes I am a first year." She looked around the store since she hadn't been in her in a very long time and then at Andrew and Siyah. She wasn't exactly sure what else to say, so she took another glance around the room, pausing slightly at this robe or that. Then she brought her attention back to this man that was treating her so kindly, and gave him a slightly larger smile than before.

[The Fox]

Jake, their Father, smiled at the three and sighed, "Alright, you can go get your robes. It may be small, but there are some awkward wizards and witches around... Stay together and when you're done, come straight to me." Andrew laughed and rolled his eyes, "Daaaad... This place is perfectly safe!" Siyah was jumping up and down with excitement, "What he said. Come on. Come on. Come ON!" She took Andrew's arm and pulled him deeper into the shop. Andrew waved to Nevaeh, as though to tell her to come on. Jake grinned and waved as the two young witches and young wizard were off.

Siyah stopped and looked up at purple robes. She opened her mouth widely in awe. Andrew put his index finger under her chin and lifted it up. Her mouth closed with a soft click and she smiled brightly, "This one is so cool!" She pointed at one of the purple robes that was about her size. Andrew shook his head, "Our robes have to be black, remember?" Siyah turned and looked up at him, "Oh fine." She walked farther down the "aisle" and grabbed a small black robe, her exact size. She turned to Andrew with a look of irritation on her face, "Is this OK?" He laughed lightly and nodded, "Great." He then turned to Nevaeh, "We should get ours now."

[thesouleater]

Roy and Lizzie had by now gotten the majority of the stuff listed in the 'Other' section of the list, other than Roy's wand. The books they planned to get last, as they weighed the most.

"Alright. What do you want to do next, robes or wand?" Lizzie asked, looking down at the list in her hands. She looked up at Roy and smiled. "Well?"

Roy thought for a moment before answering. "Robes." He stated. "I want to save the wand for after the robes." He explained. Throughout the time they were walking around, he had asked about a million questions and covered most of them.

"Alright. To Madame Malkin's it is." Lizzie replied. She started walking off in another direction and Roy had to run to catch up with her. A few minutes later they arrived in the store and wondered around a bit. Roy noticed a group of other kids, but just ignored them. He was looking around at the varieties of robes. The sizes, shapes, colours. They were interesting to him.

[The Fox]

Siyah turned to see a boy that was her age... Looking for robes... Hey! A first grader for Hogwarts! She smiled brightly and couldn't stop herself from running over to where he stood and looking at him, "Hiya! Who are you? My name is Siyah. You look pretty cool." She looked up at the Aunt and closed her mouth tightly. She the held out her hand and forced herself to make a tight-lipped smile, "Hello there. Is he your son? My name is Siyah Micckic." Siyah bit her lip again as she kept the small smile pasted on her face.

Andrew stared at Siyah as she looked up at a kind but strange looking woman. He blushed, turned to Nevaeh, and sighed out, "I'll be right back." He ran over to Siyah, the other first grader, and the woman. He growled under his breath, "Sorry about her... You know that thing inside your head that tells you to not do something? Well, she doesn't have one of those."

[thesouleater]

Roy blinked at the young girl that jumped over to him. At first he didn't reply, but before he could someone who appeared to be the girl's older brother darted over and practically told them that the girl had no brain. He heard his Aunt laugh and tell the two other kids it was okay.

"I'm Lizzie." She introduced herself to the kids. "And he's my nephew." She smiled.

"Hi." Roy said. "I'm Roy." He smiled slightly and awkwardly looked at the girl's brother. He was quite clearly older than him and the Siyah, the girl.

[The Fox]

Siyah grinned brightly and turned to Roy after speaking to Lizzie, "Hey. You're a first grader, too, right? What house do you want to be in? I wanna be in Gryffindor! My brother is in Hufflepuff." She snorted gently and Andrew pulled her pony tail gently. She laughed and Andrew spoke up, "It's very nice to meet you Lizzie and Roy. I'm in my fourth year of Hogwarts." He puffed up his chest with pride, "Also, this year I'm going to be the Seeker for Hufflepuff!" He smiled brightly, his teeth sparkling. Once again, Siyah snorted and whispered, "He thinks he's so great because of that." She giggled lightly.

[thesouleater]

Lizzie nodded in understanding, a bright smile covering her face. But Roy was totally blank. Gryffindor? Hufflepuff? He blinked a few times before giving up on trying to understand the words.

Lizzie noticed his reaction and laughed. "Roy here grew up in a muggle house. He doesn't know what the Houses are." She explained. "Or Quidditch. Even though he has been asking about the wizarding world all day."

[The Fox]

Siyah's eyes widened brightly, "A MUGGLE born?! I never met one of you! I heard about one of those phones... What are those? How do they work? Is it hard? Wow." Andrew crossed his arms and smiled, "Sorry about that big confusion then, Roy." He looked up at Lizzie smiling again.

Jake walked up and joined the pack, "Don't leave Nevaeh behind!" He walked over to her and sighed, shaking his head, "Sorry, dear... I'll stay with you." Andrew watched his Father for a few moments, then turned back to the conversation.

[WB!]

[thesouleater]

"A cell phone?" Roy asked. "It's like a regular phone, but you can add other features to it." He said. He then turned to Siyah's older brother and smirked. "It's quite alright. I'm getting used to not knowing anything."

Roy watched a man walk over that was quite clearly older than him. He guessed that he was Siyah's and her brother's mentor or parent. He told them to not leave out another girl, who Roy assumed was the girl standing over a few racks of robes away.

[The Fox]

Andrew laughed as Siyah stared in awe at Roy, "Wow. I don't even know what a telephone is!" Andrew put his hand on her shoulder and she looked up at him, "We should go get our robes..." They looked up at Lizzie, "Would you wish to join us? We've got all our books, but we can help you get yours... If you need it." Siyah smiled brightly and nodded, she turned to Roy, "You have to tell me more about Muggles! They're so... Fascinating." She looked towards Jake and waved, "Hey, Dad! We'll be over in a moment!" He nodded at them and stood with his back against a shelf.

[Black]

William emerged from Borgin and Brukes looking older than ever, lines etched hes youthful face, and his eyes had dark circles on them, but he looked pleased with himself as he shuffled back up to Diagon alley. Once he rounded the corner he stood up again and rubbed his eyes in a tired sort of manner. No one would have guessed that this handsome and blissful young man had just committed many crimes that would make even Aurors shiver with fear.

As William stalked up towards Gringotts he came across Siyah and Andrew, both of whom he knew well. "Oi! Andrew! Siyah!" he shouted over the din of Diagon Alley, and he slid up. "Hows it been going? I thought you might have left by now, your dad looked pretty an- Oh, hullo-" he said noticing the first years. "Who's this then," asked William with mild interest.

[The Fox]

Andrew looked at William, confused, he looked tired. He shrugged and nodded, "This is my sister, Siyah, this is Roy, we just met him, and that girl over there is Nevaeh." He sighed, "So, where have you been? I would think you would have been gone by now, too. We had to go down to Gringott's to get some extra money... And now we're talking to Roy, so time has really gotten away from us. We might need to come back tomorrow for some more supplies." He smiled and Siyah looked at William, slightly scared. For once, she kept quiet, he didn't look right. She shook her head, he was just tired, but just in case... If he was a mean boy... She would just continue speaking to Roy.

Siyah turned to face Roy and sighed, "Anyway, what else will you have to be getting?"

[thesouleater]

Roy stared at the tired-looking kid for a while before turning his attention back to Siyah. He noticed that she looked kind of nervous, but he ignored that. He probably looked kind of nervous too. The tired-looking kid didn't seem to friendly to Roy.

"Well, I have to get my robes, wand and books." Roy replied to Siyah's question. "How about you?"

Lizzie told Roy that she was going to go look at the different robes and wondered off into the store. He just nodded and watched her walk away.

[The Fox]

Siyah smiled and brushed back her hair, "Well, we had to go to Gringott's and time has just... Well, all we have are our books and now our robes. Oh yeah, and I got my new pet." She had almost forgotten that Snickers was sleeping in her empty bag. She opened it gently and pulled out the sleeping kitten, he snored lightly and she pressed him against her chest, brushing his back nicely. She smiled at Roy, "Anyway, we still need a lot of stuff."

[WB]

[Black]

There was suddenly a commotion up the street, a loud wail followed by 4 loud pops that signified four people apparating into the vicinity. There was slight murmuring's, and several gasps as four Aurors lead the way to a closed down shop called Borgin and Brukes, then returned looking grim. "Back away! Back away! There's been a murder! Back!" they shouted, directing their wands at the house and putting up hexes to ward off those who would poke around inside. There was a fifth tiny pop as another Auror showed up, and the appearance of such a famous person caused almost as many gasps as the murders.

"Make way! Make way!" Shouted the Aurors as Harry Potter walked calmly towards the shop, his wand held aloft and his eyes wary, watching the windows at the top of the house, flanked by what appeared to be Genny Potter. The four Aurors took station around the two head's of the Aurors office and entered Borgin and Brukes. After what seemed like an eternity they walked out, carrying between them two bodies covered by white vails. However as they passed Siyah, a white, shriveled and blackened hand fell out from under the white sheet.

William's eyes seemed to flash to show a sort of grim satisfaction for an instant, before his face arranged itself to look worried. Only the most astute of people would have noticed this, and William's eyes watched as Potter's eyes flickered over for a moment to the boy, then he shrugged it off.

"I wonder," said Potter as he stalked off with Genny. "Nah, can't have been" he said dismissively.

"What," Inquired Genny.

"For the barest of a moment, that kid's eyes seemed to flash an angry Red, like Voldemort's did all those years ago in Dumbledore's pensive. But it must've been a trick of the light, Yeah. . . That was probably it, i've just been working to hard" and with that Genny and Potter disapparating on the spot with a swishing of their cloaks.

[The Fox]

Siyah screamed when the cold, dead white hand appeared. She fell back into Andrew who was pushed into a shelf. The shelf slowly creaked back and forward until it creaked forward and fell on his body before he could get away, in less then a second he was knocked out. Siyah stared at William for a second, a look of satisfaction on his face. She glared at him furiously.

Siyah turned and ran over to Andrew, "Andrew! Andrew!" She started pulling at the shelf, trying to get it off. She sniffed, "Can someone help?" Siyah continued to try to pull off the shelf, she turned again and watched as Harry and his wife Ginny, who once was the only sister of Ron Weasley. She was incredibly famous, of course, Harry would always be much more famous. Siyah turned again and continued.

[Familiar]

John Mandrake made his way through the streets of Diagon Alley. It wasn't exactly his first time going through the place, he actually knew the streets pretty well, but it was his first here alone. Well, as alone as one could get with a witch for a mother. He had seen enough scrying materials laying around his house to believe that he was ever really alone, well, at least during little sojourns like this. John really, really, hoped that it was only during times like this. The alternative was rather creepy.

Putting the thought out of his mind, John started to make his way towards Olivander's. Most of the supplies he needed he had already gotten at some point in his life, the rest could be ordered easily enough. Wands though, wands were special. You couldn't do much of anything without going in person, and it was sort of a right of passage in the Mandrake family to get yours after you got your letter. No letter, no wand. In fact, the wand store was one of the few places around the main part of the alley that he had never gotten to go into. As such, it was with no small degree of excitement that he pushed open the doors the the small shop.

The sent of old wood and dust hung heavily on the air within the store, and there was something about the atmosphere of the place that sent the hairs on the back of John's neck straight up. It wasn't anything dark or frighting, just the feeling of something very old. A history, perhaps?

Olivander himself sat in one corner of the shop, looking far older than it should be possible for any living thing to look. John actually felt his mouth fall open slightly seeing the man in spite of himself. "Heheh" The gruff chuckle emanated from the man's body, though John could not for the life of him see the slouched figure move an inch. "Boy! C'mon out. We got another customer!" He shifted slightly turning more towards John than before. "Gotta get the new guy up to scratch before I can retire." It took a moment for John to convince himself that the man was not, in fact, reading his mind. But regardless, the explanation was appreciated. The two let the room hang in an uneasy silence until a haggard looking man ran into the room, puffing and wheezing. He was by no means a boy, perhaps being as old as middle aged, but next to Olivander he seemed positively cherubic. "What would you like today sir?" John was unsure whether he was talking to himself or Olivander. "A wand, ple~" "Of course he wants a wand. You really need to ask boy? Start him off with that one willow and dragonstring one. You know, the one on the very top shelf."

The younger man sighed, beginning to climb the small ladder to reach the top. Olivander looked up and directly towards John, his eyes twinkling with a certain sort of mirth. Was he just playing with the boy? A few seconds later the wand was set in front of him. John, tentatively, picked it up and gave a few swishes, only to be met with stony silence from the wand shop. "Don't feel bad," the younger man chirped. "It isn't the wizard the chooses the wand after all. It's the wand that chooses the wiz-" He was cut off by the sudden impact of a wand box against the back of his head. "Don't you go stealing my lines before I'm even out the door." " But dad!" "That explains a lot...""No buts. Besides, there was no way that that wand was going to work for him. Completely wrong. I was just curious to see if you would get it. Try that rosewood one on the second shelf there."

Fifteen minutes later Olivander made what would turn out to be his last suggest, at least in regards to John. "Third shelf. Blackwood, Dragon-Heartstring." To say that the wand was gnarled would be an understatement. Paths ran across the surface of the twisting wood like a labyrinth. Before even knowing he was doing, John had to stop and pull himself out of the paths, just to wave the wand once. It was more for show than anything else.

This wand was his.

Unfortunately, this highly dramatic moment in young John's life was quickly and completely disrupted by the sudden commotion from outside. He rushed outside, but was only able to catch the back ends of the event through the crowd. A tall, brown haired wizard disapparated from amidst the people in the square. Whispers of 'murder' and 'Harry Potter' were flying through the air like so many gnats. It didn't take long for John to get the gist of the story, though he had to admit, he was more excited about seeing Harry Potter in person than the news that the two people he didn't know were dead. Sure, that was sad, but people died all the time.

The fact that they struck in Diagon Alley though? That was unnerving. Unsure of what to do next, John stood in the plaza, waiting for the crowd to disperse.

[thesouleater]

Roy didn't realize a shelf had fallen on top of Siyah's brother until she yelled his name. He had spaced out, staring at the group of wizards carrying two bodies. He now ran and tried to lift the shelf with Siyah. They lifted the shelf a significant amount higher.

Lizzie now also ran over to help, feeling quite nervous. She knew a lot of people, good or bad. She didn't know if she wanted to know who those people were and she had a bad feeling that she knew them. But she then started to focus on the shelf and lifted it high enough for them to pull Andrew out from underneith. "Pull him out from underneith." She said. "Check if he's bleeding."

[Black]

William turned and seemed to notice Andrew was trapped for the first time, and with a start he pulled out his wand and flicked it carelessly. The Shelf soared up out of their hands and into its proper place, and with the barest hint of a swish all the books zoomed off of Andrew. He then bent low over Andrew, and muttered "Epesky" and healed up the minor cuts and bruises Andrew received, then with another casual flick he siphoned off any dirt and blood. "Are you all right?" He asked kindly, his wand already put away, his hand held out offering Andrew help up.

[Biophysicist]

Murder?

That can't be good.

Athena felt about ready to break down. The last twenty-four hours had been the most emotionally-confused time of her entire life. Magic was real; she could use it; it appeared to be unable to fix her leg (which made no sense to her); she'd gotten some random gold coins from a really weird bank; she'd be going to a wizard's school and leaving her few friends behind (which would take some explanation), and now some other wizards had been killed.

The girl suddenly felt extremely afraid. If the killer was still here, she'd have no way of defending herself... He could just turn her into a frog if she tried. And it's not like she could run away or anything.

Well, no use standing here...

She walked up to a boy who's name she would later learn was John Mandrake. "Excuse me," she said to him, "but... What's going on? I'm... I'm new at this whole magic thing..."

She was now afraid that she'd just broken some rule of conduct she hadn't known about, on top of her previous fear of getting killed.

[LMM]

Nevaeh looked up at Jake with a soft smile. Then looked back at the others, it was a quiet few minutes as she debated on going to go get her robes or waiting for the others. Suddenly a loud commotion outside brought her attention to the door. "Do excuse me please," She whispered to the man before rushing to the door, and opening it. 'What's going on?' She wondered as she stepped outside and stood on the sidewalk looking around.

Her parents waved at her from Gringotts, and though it sickened her for half an instant she felt safer and hurried across the street. "What's going on?" She asked and her mother immediately hushed her as Harry and Ginny brought the body by. Nevaeh had never really decided were exactly she stood on the whole Potter/Voldemort thing so she quickly averted her eyes to the sheets. 'No...' She thought suddenly panicked as she realized what was going on.

After the two had left she looked back at her parents, "That was Harry and Ginny Potter?" They nodded without a sound, their faces as white as the sheet over the bodies, "The-they don't come here unless..." She trailed off and shook her head. "Maybe we should get your school stuff tomorrow?" Her mother squeaked. Nevaeh just stared at the ground still in shock.

Both females waited for Nevaeh's father to speak, to decide the course of action, but her just stared at the stop the Potters had apparated from. Though they had been Slytherin, and had death eaters for ancestors, seeing something so shocking, so unexpected chilled all of them to their marrow.

[The Fox]

Andrew looked up and blinked a few times. He sighed and put his hand to his forehead. He smiled lightly, "Yeah, sure, thanks." He got up to his feet in a loopy and unbalanced way. Siyah helped him, and Jake finally appeared. He had been in the back and hadn't heard the commotion. He looked around and definitely could tell what had happened. He hugged his son tightly and smiled at all of the kids and Roy's Aunt, "Thank you for helping him. I think... I think we should go home." Siyah looked up, stressed and fear in her eyes. He pat her head lightly, "Alright then... Um... We will... Be off." He looked very worried and he was sweating lightly. Jake pulled a small handkerchief from his coat and brushed his forehead lightly.

Siyah sighed and smiled at everyone, "It was nice to meet you. We'll be back tomorrow... I guess." The small group was very solemn. The two kids waved as their Father lead them out of the shop. He sat some sickles on the counter and they left.

~-~-~-~That Night~-~-~-~

They sat around the small table in the kitchen. Siyah played with her food, Andrew looked as though he were about to throw up, and Jake was finished, "You better finish... We're going back tomorrow morning." They looked up at him for a few minutes, then Siyah mumbled, "That place is bad luck."

[LMM]

Nevaeh glanced up at her mother then at the crowd of people, she could see Siyah and the back of Siyah's father and shook her head, "What's going on?" She wondered as panic rose inside her again. She took off to wards them in a jog without saying a word to her parents. They still seemed to be off in another world after the whole thing. It was the first time they looked up to see her running over to them.

Nevaeh's parents were like a lot of pure blood, Slytherin families, and didn't want their kids hanging around with other groups of people, they didn't deem fit. So seeing her run off without even a word about these people made her father angrily and her mother worry about who she was running off to, neither could tell from the distance and angle if they knew the man or family.

Nevaeh made it over to Siyah and looked around, "What's going on?" She asked her breathlessly. She glanced over at Andrew and had to remember her manners so she didn't blurt out something rude. "Andrew are you OK?" She asked glancing up at their father thinking maybe he would explain.

[The Fox]

Andrew blushed and looked away, Siyah sniffed and clutched her Fathers hand... For once, she was silent. Jake sighed and looked down at his kids, "Nothing, it's OK. Andrew... A shelf filled with books fell on him and knocked him out. It was after that Harry and Genny Potter walked by with the dead body. The hand... It came out and frightened Siyah," A tear trickled down Siyah's cheek after this was said, "And she knocked into Andrew, who fell back in surprise and bumped into the shelf. Well, then it fell on him. He's fine, just got a terrible headache." He tried to smile, but it was solemn and fake. Jake shook his head, "You should get back to your parents, they look upset." He looked towards Nevaeh's parents and sighed again.

Andrew looked up at Nevaeh with his pale face, he made the same smile as his Father and blew at his bangs, "Sorry, Nevaeh. We'll be back tomorrow, maybe we can hang out more then... OK?" He looked away again, as though it was painful to look at her.

[LMM]

Neveah glanced back at her parents, a bit spitefully, "OK, I hope to see you tomorrow," She said with a slight nod of her head.

"Nevaeh come here!" Her mother's voice came across the wind almost as if it were ridding the waves of the ocean.

Nevaeh glanced over her shoulder than back at the group, she gave them a soft smile, "Bye for now," She whispered and turned on her heel and walked back over to her parents. It took her several seconds longer to get back then to get away- it always did.

"Who's that?" Her father asked pointing a finger at the group of people. "Friends, meet 'em today." She said shrugging softly, trying to get away from the question. 'Defiantly aren't your friends,' She thought remembering Siyah not wanting to be in Slytherin.

Her mother could see the want to stop talking and touched her husbands chest with the tips of her fingers, "Let's leave, we can come back tomorrow?" She offered. Her father nodded and went inside Gringotts quickly.

'Oh I do hope everyone's alright.' She thought as she was thrown into the mad house that was Gringotts. Everyone inside goblins and wizards alike had been thrown into a frenzy about the murders. "Over here honey," Nevaeh looked around trying to pin point her father's location but it was impossible for her at her height. Her mother directed her from behind with a firm hand on her back.

As her father and the fire place came into view Nevaeh was over come with a sense of numb-ness that penetrated even her bones. "Dad there really was a murder here wasn't there?" She asked in a voice that was several years younger than herself and hadn't been used in that amount of time. Her father looked down at him with soft caring eyes that Nevaeh hadn't seen since she was much younger.

"You go first honey," He said throwing the floo powder into the fire, and as Nevaeh stepped inside even the soft green warmth of the fire couldn't warm the chills she had in her marrow.

[thesouleater]

Roy glared at William for a moment before shrugging it off and turning to Siyah to say good-bye. He waved as she left and he then turned to his Aunt. "So... what's going on?" He asked.

"I don't know, but let's get these and we'll head home. Everyone seems to be coming back again tomorrow, so we'll see them then." Lizzie said. She payed for the robes and almost dragged Roy out of Diagon Alley and back into the bar. They passed through it quickly and hoped back in Lizzie's blue buggy. "That wasn't something I was expecting. Diagon Alley is usually such a happy place."

"Who exactly, were those people that everyone parted for? The man with the scar and the woman behind him?" Roy asked. Everyone had seemed so shocked to see them, but he was clueless. To him they were another two people checking out this murder.

"The man is Harry Potter and the woman was Ginny Potter. They're two of the most famous wizards in the world." Lizzie explained. "But I'll tell you about them later. We must get you home. You're parents wanted you back for dinner anyways."

Roy nodded and Lizzie started heading back to Roy's house.

[The Fox]

Siyah laid in bed for a few moments, the covers up to her chin. Why was she so cold? It was a warm night. It was the fear. The death, the chaos, Andrew fainting. It was all too much, and she had hurt Andrew, it was her fault. A tear fell from her eye and landed on her pillow, staining it. She sniffed and closed her eyes tight, she didn't want to go back. What had happened there? How had it happened? WHY? She brushed her arm against her wet eyes and fell into a restless sleep.

Andrew looked through his school books he got that day. The flashlight was clutched in one of his hands and his body hid under the thin blankets. He loved doing this. He had done it for the last few years. The books were just so interesting. Andrew didn't think about what had happened that day as he yawned and closed his book. He pulled down the blanket and looked at the time, 12:21 am. He was shocked. Wow. He shook his head and put the book and flashlight under his pillow. Andrew then laid his head on it and looked out the window beside his bed. It was comforting. He yawned again and closed his eyes, a smile spread across his face as his teeth shined brightly as the moon-light flashed on them.

~-~-~-~-The Next Morning-~-~-~-~

Siyah sat on the couch, the fire gleaming in front of her. Andrew would be going first, then herself, then her Father. Andrew walked over and looked into the fire, he threw some floo powder in and slowly walked into the warm and inviting blue gleams of the fire. He closed his eyes before the ash could irritate them, and quickly he said loudly, "Diagon Alley." He disappeared and Siyah stepped forward. She did the same as Andrew. The room escaped from view in a fast blur. Her ears popped and the heat seemed to go cold as ice-water. Then she was thrown out of the fireplace into Ollivanders Wand Shop. Andrew helped her up and they looked around, "Great! We can get our wands! This will be great." He said this enthusiastically.

Andrew and Siyah walked around for a few moments before Jake finally appeared coughing, "Oh dear. I shouldn't have been talking to myself when I-" He opened his eyes brightly, "Oh well. We're here. Let's get our shopping done... Diagon Alley just doesn't seem as kind anymore."

[LMM]

Nevaeh sat on her bed, Gus-Gus (her rat) on her lap as she stroked it's back softly. "Gus it was horrible." She whispered shaking her head.

"Nevaeh dinner!" Her mother called. Nevaeh glanced up and shook her head. Within a few seconds she had Gus on the pillow and was covered up as if she were sleeping. She could hear her mother's steps coming up the stairs. Soft and rhythmic.

As Nevaeh's door opened and a thing strand of light was thrown over her face she closed her eyes. Her mother watched her a few moments before closing the door softly. Nevaeh opened her eyes and looked at the ceiling a few more minutes before falling asleep.

~~The Next Morning.

"Nevaeh hurry, we have to get to Diagon Alley." Her father's voice came up the stairs waking Nevaeh sharply from a dark dream. She shook her head and quickly got dressed. The rest of the morning was a blur as she ate breakfast, and her parents discussed how to get the days work done fastest.

Next thing Nevaeh knew she was in the green flames and then spinning. Her eyes didn't close like normal, she was still in the numb state she had been in before bed. She stumbled out of the fire place in Gringotts and almost fell to her knees. "You OK honey?" Her mother asked touching her shoulder softly.

[The Fox]

Siyah walked up to the counter and up at the man who stood behind it. He looked down at her, a strange expression on his face. It was neither mean nor kind. She shivered at the look he gave her and walked quickly over to her Father, taking his hand. Siyah wasn't usually so scared of things, but Diagon Alley was just somewhat... Different. She sighed and shook her head, 'Be brave. You want to be a Gryffindor, right? Be brave.' Siyah pulled her hand away from his and walked back up to the counter, "We want a wand." The man looked down at her and smiled, "We've got plenty... Remember, the wand much choose you." Siyah nodded, "Like with Harry Potter!" The man nodded, the smile had faded away from his face, but he still looked kind.

Andrew walked up to the counter beside Siyah and looked around, "Wow. I can't believe you're going to get your wand." He looked around some more, "I remember when I got my wand... And now it's broken." He pulled the wand out of his bag and laid it on the counter. It was cut in half. Andrew sighed, his poor wand. Jake walked up behind them and looked down at Andrew, "It is your own fault, you need to be more careful with your wand." Andrew nodded solemnly and looked around, "Woah! I like that one!" Quickly, he rushed towards an exotic looking wand. Siyah ran over next to him and they looked at the wand with awe, "Wow...." They said together. Jake smiled and took their hands, "No, come on..." They sighed and looked around for wands a little longer.

Not long after they were walking out of Ollivander's. Siyah was holding her wand up high, along with Andrew. They had permanent smiles on their faces and stuffed them in their bags. Jake smiled, "Get those foolish grins off your face." He said this with a laugh and the kids giggled, making sure they were frowning. They continued down Diagon Alley. They laughed and smiled. The small, but happy family.

[LMM]

Nevaeh's father came out of the fireplace quickly after the her. "Well let's get started," he said quickly holding up a quickly scrawled list of the items she needed. "Nevaeh your mother and I are going to go get your robes, and other things," He said nodding,"You go get your books, and meet us at Olivanders in an hour." He continued.

Nevaeh didn't argue, and pulled the envelope out of her pocket,"Ok sounds good," She whispered before nodding and walking out the door and onto the street. Normally she would have been giddy to be in Diagon Alley by herself, but today she almost ached to be with her parents, that upset her slightly- the fact she wanted to be with her parents.

She brushed away the feeling quickly and began heading down the street. She began opening her letter and rereading the letters she had recieved.

[Black]

"Prophet! Daily Prophet for sale! 2 Knuts a paper!" Cried a wizard of a stand, as Jake passed by, and the stand displayed rows of rows of papers, and above him a blown up title stated, "MURDERS RIGHT UNDER THE MINISTRIES NOSE IN DIAGON ALLEY, POTTERS ASSUMPTIONS!" There was a small Que of people bustling forward to toss two Knuts into the already large pile of Knuts and grabbing a paper. The wizard looked slightly harried as he was forced to accept several handfuls of Knuts all thrust at him and had to dish out Prophets just as fast.


The Daily Prophet

The Ministry was baffled yesterday afternoon, as in Diagon alley two wizards, (The names are still un-determined due to the severity of the curses used the bodies are unrecognizable) assumed to be Borgin, and an old acquaintance of his named Nickolas Kristo. Yesterday at precisely 5:59 PM, We received an official statement from the Ministry Spokeswizard.

"It appears that both Borgin and Nickolas were killed by use of a curse that Harry Potter has forbidden me from mentioning to the public due to the severity of the curse and the crime. However, one will be advised to keep an eye out in case of strange disappearances. Despite several rumors, this was not believed to be done by followers of He-who-must-not-be-named as it does not have the telltale signs of a Death Eater, of course it could have just been a powerfully cursed object that was designed to kill those who touched it, looked at it, or some other such thing."

The Aurors office has warned the public of the dangers of such a powerful dark Wizard. The Public is advised not to enter houses that have loud bangs, shouts, or strange flashes of light issuing from them, but to instead contact the Aurors office immediately.


William could be seen standing four buildings away, the paper in hand reading intently. Another look of grim satisfaction flashed across his face for the tiniest second before it was replaced again by a look of worry, the two faces changing so fast that it appeared that William had a kind of nervous twitch.

[thesouleater]

Roy was up early (again) to head to Diagon Alley (again) with his Aunt (again). He was overly tired, having stayed up late thinking about what had happened the day before. His Aunt, Lizzie, was also tired as she hadn't even slept at all. The fact that the Harry Potter had been there in person was amazing. Yet, at the same time, it meant something bad. Really bad.

"Alright, so, what do you want to get first?" Lizzie asked. "We need your books and your robes. Oh! Do you want a pet?"

Roy looked at his Aunt. A pet? Was she serious? He grinned. "I would love a pet!" His parents had a strict rule on pets and didn't want to pay for any. They said that he would have to pay for it himself, which he knew was impossible at his age. "And books are heavy, so lets go get my wand."

Lizzie smiled. "Alright. Sounds good." She replied. She stepped on the gas and they were in front of the bar with the door way to Diagon Alley once again. Another few minutes later they were making their way to Olivanders.

[The Fox]

Andrew was hurrying down the street. They had finished shopping for practically everything, all they needed was two cauldrons. Also, Jake would be getting Siyah and Andrew both a broom. They were extremely excited. Siyah kept her hands in tight, sweaty fists. Andrew jumped up and down as they walked over to Potage's Cauldron Shop. Andrew noticed Nevaeh walking over to Flourish and Blotts. He gulped and stayed relaxed as they continued on. In a few seconds they would be crossing paths with Nevaeh.

Andrew walked up to her, "Hey, Nevaeh. Doin' all right?" He said this with a bright smile. Siyah was again talkative, "Hiya Nevaeh! All right? I'm so excited! Daddy's getting us brooms. Isn't that great? Guess what? Guess what? Guess what? Daddy is going to be the flying coach this year!" She grinned brightly. Jake looked down at Nevaeh kindly, "So, you off to get your books?"

[Familiar]

"Excuse me, but... What's going on? I'm... I'm new at this whole magic thing..."

John flinched a little at the sudden and unexpected voice coming from behind him. Upon turning he saw that it was a young girl, about the same age as him. A muggleborn, guessing from her previous comment. "It appears that someone has been murdered." The statement was flat, dispassionate. He knew that leaving it at that would be rather odd, to say the least. He struggled some to come up with something else of value to add to the sentence before adding lamely "And don't worry. I get the feeling that even most of the adults are out of sorts about all this. Murders aren't a very common thing amongst wizards. I've certainly never been this close to one before."

Once again, John was left looking for words. The silence between the two of them was, thankfully, broken by a faint buzzing coming from one of John's pockets. Reaching in, he pulled out a small block of metal, with a simple message engraved on it. 'Come home now'. "My mother." John said, holding up the metal by way of explanation, "she's probably heard the news about the murder and is overreacting again. Anyways, this means I should probably be going... You should too; I get the feeling that things are going to be closed down around here for the rest of the day."

John began to leave, before an idea hit him. "Actually, you know what. How about you meet me here tomorrow morning. Around nine maybe? I could help you get your stuff for school if you want. Show you around."

The girl gave a small nod, and after a brief wave goodbye, John found himself on the floo network, then back at home. The rest of the night passed more or less uneventfully, though his mother's frustrating lectures about being careful were somewhat grating.

-------------The Next Day--------------

Absentmindedly twirling his wand between his fingers, John stood outside of Olivander's shop, waiting to see if the girl would actually show up again.

<OOC> Bio, let me know if the nod is out of character for your character. I just needed some way of bypassing this whole 'next day' thing without splitting up again...

[LMM]

Nevaeh was slightly shocked to hear the familar voices of Andrew and Siyah but she smiled up at Andrew then at Siyah, "Hey you guys," She said smiling and putting the envelope and letters in her pocket. "I'm fine, looks like you two are doing better too?" She said looking the two over. Then she smiled and waved slightly at Jake, "Flying coach?" She asked brightly, "That's amazing," She added nodding.

"Yeah I am getting my books," She said nodding shaking her head so the hair flipped out of her eyes slightly.

[Biophysicist]

<OOC>I'm kinda being nagged to help some dudes with a StarCraft 2 map, which is proving extremely distracting - hence, the long post time and short post.</OOC>

The whole "travel-by-fireplace" thing was very disconcerting and left Athena with quite the pain in her knee - more than usual, that is. Still, it was fast - that was undeniable.

Her parents were quite surprised when she appeared out of the fireplace without warning.

"You're back?", her father asked, still distrustful of the whole concept of "magic".

"Yah... There was... a murder."

That one took some explanation, and a lot of work to convince them to still let her go to this new school. (She'd definitely decided she wanted to go... Leaving her friends behind would hurt, but it was either that or not learn magic. And it's not like they were particularly close friends, or very numerous.)

"Though, I did meet someone who offered to show me around... He seems nice," she added, a while after that.

Her mother jokingly replied, "Aren't you a little young for romance?"

At that, Athena just shook her head in mock annoyance and limped out of the room.

<8:57, the next day>

John Mandrake needn't have worried. Athena wouldn't miss a chance to learn more about this new world of magic.

"Hey," she said as she arrived at the designated meeting spot.

[The Fox]

Siyah and Andrew nodded, "Much. It's a lot better now that we're going to go get new brooms." Jake sighed and brushed back his blonde hair, "Yup, Andrew got me in... Will never know how, but he did." He smiled and winked at Andrew, who winked back, "Anyway, good luck with you're books. We're going on over to Quality Quidditch Supplies." Siyah smiled, "Yeah. Let's go! I wanna get me a broom!" She had a bright grin pasted on her face and she took her Fathers hand, "Come on, Dad!" Jake smiled and waved at Nevaeh as he was pulled along by his daughter. Andrew smiled at Nevaeh for a few moments, "See ya around, Nevaeh." He then was called by Siyah and then ran off, waving.

They walked into Quality Quidditch Supplies. Siyah rushed over to an Aurora and Andrew ran over to the Nova. Jake sighed and looked around, "Oh look at all the-" "Daaaad! No! A broooom!" Siyah said this, annoyed. Jake sighed again, "Alright, alright." He walked over to the Nova, "Oh wow, isn't she a beauty?" He then walked over to the Aurora, "Oooh." Jake thought for a moment, "Andrew, since you're going to be the Seeker for Hufflepuff, I'm going to get you... One of those." He pointed to the Aurora and the Nova, "You don't get to decide, young man." He said this with a chuckle and then turned to Siyah, "OK, love, you get a Firebolt." Siyah squealed and hugged her Father. It might not be the best broom anymore, but it was a lot better then not having a broom... And Firebolts really weren't THAT bad.

About thirty minutes later, they walked up to the counter, Andrew holding a Nova and Siyah clutching a Firebolt. He grabbed two sacks full of Galleons out of his coat and sat them on the counter, "Enough?" Andrew smiled, with a bit of hatred, at the man behind the counter, who was shocked and staring at Andrew open-mouthed. The man nodded without a word. The small family exited, the two kids practically hugging their brooms.

[LMM]

Nevaeh smiled and waved kindly at Jake then Andrew as he ran off. Then she pulled the paper out of her pocket and began to read the list again. She didn't plan on staying in the book store too long, she wanted to stop and get Gus some treats before she went to Olivanders. So sheh folded the paper up again and looked around at all the store fronts, Flourish and Blotts, she pointed out and walked over to the store.

She went inside and began to browse for her books quickly. One, two, three, she lost count and when she had finally got all the books and check the list twice she smiled and payed before exiting the store. She could barely see around the books and had to glance around them every few seconds to watch her path.

[Biophysicist]

<OOC>This is the beginning of a combined post between Familiar and me. (And Bartimaeus is a real book series. ;P )</OOC>

John had only been waiting for a few minutes before the girl from yesterday showed up. It was at this point that he realized that, oddly enough, they had never actually gotten each-other's names. "Hey, over here! Erm, I just realized I don't actually know who you are, sorry. I guess we were just both rather distracted yesterday... My names John, John Mandrake."

Athena grinned a bit. "Are you sure it isn't Bartimaeus?" Then she felt compelled to explain. "That's from a book series... Your name is the same as one of the characters. Anyway, I'm Athena... Athena Stonewell. And I'm totally lost here. And in a bit of pain, 'cause your fireplaces really mess up my knee."

"No, I'm afraid not. Bartimaeus is my cousin." John allowed himself a small grin at the surprised look on Athena's face before continuing. "You would be amazed at just how many witches and wizards wind up writing stories about magic. It just so happens that my Uncle is one of them. Not terribly creative though, using our names like that... Ah well. So, let's see you probably need, what... a wand, some robes, supplies. I think you'd enjoy seeing the joke shop as well, perhaps the menagerie? This is a big place... Anyways, to save your knee from any further suffering, why don't we start with the wand? It's this shop right behind us."

Athena found that interesting, to say the least. "So wizards write wizard stories for non-wizards?" (Interesting, how quickly she had accepted the whole idea of wizards and witches.)

"Anyway, wand sounds good... Oh! Is there any chance..." "Well, is there any chance that anyone could do something about my knee? I screwed it up really badly a few years ago..."

"No idea... I know that the major magical hospital around here is St. Mungo's, and that Hogwarts has a really talented medic on as a nurse. But to be honest, I have no idea about how to heal with magic. One of the things I'm going to Hogwarts to learn, I suppose."

And with that, the two headed into the wand shop.

<OOC>To be continued tomorrow.</OOC>

[thesouleater]

Roy looked around in amazement at all the different wands in Ollivanders. There were thin, long boxes lined up along the shelves everywhere and some even by the front window. The eleven-year-old had nearly picked one up, but the shopkeeper yelled at him for it, saying that if he didn't put it back exactly where he found it, the whole shop's organization would falter.

So, Roy did as he was told and walked up to the shopkeeper. "Could you help me find a wand?" He asked, looking up at the man. He was a fair bit taller than Roy. "Please sir?"

The shopkeeper looked down at Roy and grinned. "Of course my boy! Just give me a minute." He skittered off into a hallway and didn't come back for another few seconds. When he did come back, he was holding one of the narrow boxes. He opened it and held it out towards Roy. "Try this one."

Roy carefully took the wand out of the box and held it. He cocked his eyebrow at the shopkeeper.

"Well, don't just stand there!" He stated. "Wave it around!"

Roy waved it around and... well, nothing happened. He again looked up at the man and cocked an eyebrow. "Is it supposed to do something?" He asked.

"Yes. That one isn't right." The man again skittered off and came back with another wand. "This one. Try it." He held the wand out to Roy and kept shaking it towards Roy.

They continued this for another half-hour before actually finding a wand that liked Roy. Lizzie continued to chat with the shopkeeper while Roy looked around, making sure not to take anything off of the shelves and wrecking the store's organization. Though, it didn't look like it had much organization.

[LMM]

Nevaeh sighed as she passed The Magical Menagerie, she didn't have the hands enough to hold anything else, or the eye sight to be able to get into the store without knocking down several cages. So she continued toward Olivanders, she was earlier than her parents had told her but that didn't bother her. She looked around Diagon Alley, catches pieces of gossip from passersby about the murders from yesterday.

"Oh I do wish we knew exactly what happened," She mumbled as she got to Olivanders. She sat the books down on the sidewalk and tried to look through the window. She couldn't see anything and so she shrugged and sat down on the books, waiting for her parents to show up.

She kicked her feet, since sitting on the books had her feet a good inch or two off the ground and let them swing freely as she thought about yesterday, 'It seemed so good and then,' She shook her head quickly to get the idea out of her mind. She brought her attention to all the people walking the alley to keep her mind off of yesterday. She quickly found out that wasn't going to help very much as she heard more and more gossip and hushed whispering about the murders.

[Jojo]

Tommy was getting ready to go to bed. He had his nightclothes on and everything. His desk was clear whenever he went to brush his teeth. When he came back a strange woman was in his room and had put a letter on the desk. "Wh-wh-who are you?" He stuttered out, surprised by the woman's appearance. "I am Proffesor M. Mcgonagall, current headmistress and teacher of the art of transfiguration at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry." "But there is no such thing as witchcraft" He replied after getting over his initial shock. As a reply she took out her wand and cleaned up the mess of his room, making his clothes put themselves away. "But-but.." He stuttered. "The letter explains everything you will need to start the year. We hope you will join us at the school." She said. "You will need to go to platform nine and three quarters. I expect you can find your way from there." After that she left the room and disappeared. After a while he went to retrieve the letter still on his desk and started reading it.

"Tommy Douglas
The Bedroom
4. Thorns Way
London England

Dear Mr. Tommy Douglas, We are pleased to inform you that you have been accepted at Hogwarts School for Witchcraft and Wizardry. Please find enclosed a list of all necessary books and equipment. Term begins on September 1st. We await your owl by no later than July 31st.

Yours Sincerely
Minerva Mcgonagall
Headmaster"

Still a bit shocked, Tom read the rest of the letter to himself, while lost in his own thoughts.

Uniform
Three Sets of Plain Work Robes (Black)
One Plain Pointed Hat (Black) for day wear
One Pair of Protective Gloves (dragon hide or similar)
One Winter Cloak (Black, silver fastenings)
Please note that all student's clothes should carry name-tags.

Books
The Standard Book of Spells (Grade 1) by Miranda Goshawk
A History of Magic by Bathilda Bagshot
Magical Theory by Adalbert Waffling
A Beginner's Guide to Transfiguration by Emeric Switch
One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi by Phyllida Spore
Magical Drafts and Potions by Arsenius Jigger
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander
The Dark Forces: A Guide to Self-Protection by Quentin Trimble

Other Equipment
1 Wand
1 Cauldron (pewter, standard size 2)
1 set of glass or crystal phials
1 telescope
1 set of brass scales
Students may also bring an Owl OR a Cat OR a Toad.
PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT FIRST YEARS ARE NOT ALLOWED THEIR OWN BROOMSTICKS.
"

He went to bed thinking about the possibility of it being true and decided he needed to find out.

----The Next Next Day----

He woke up today bleary eyed. Last night he had been looking for anything magic related and hadn't found a thing. Getting out of bed he thought about how his mother was probably already gone again. He went to the kitchen to make breakfast: bacon and eggs. "Yum" He thought aloud almost not realizing he spoke. Someone rang the doorbell of the house. Irritably he said, "Be right there!" Sighing he went to the door still in his pj's. Opening the door he found himself standing before a woman he had never met before. "Oh come on and hurry up, we need to get your supplies." She said whenever she caught sight of him. "Get dressed, quickly now." "Umm...who are you?" He asked in surprise. "I'm your very very distant aunt now hurry up and get dressed! My name is Sally Arlene, now hurry!" She replied hurriedly. He left to go get dressed, supprised that he even had an aunt that he hadn't heard about. He got dressed and was ready to go in minutes. "Were are we going any way" He asked when they were leaving the house. "Diagon Alley." She replied and set off ahead of him leaving him to catch up.

[The Fox]

Siyah spoke into the large cauldron, her voice echoing back up at her. She smiled and poked her head back up, "Which ones we getting?" Andrew looked around at the shelves, displayed cauldrons, and exotic looking cauldrons that seemed to never end. He stayed clear of those. He walked over to Jake, who was looking at a cauldron good for first graders, "Siyah, this one will be yours." He handed it to Siyah, who sighed, "Yeah, this place is so boring. Let's go." Siyah put her face against the see-through front door.

Andrew was carrying four bags, Siyah was holding her broom and cauldron (which inside held her books and wand, and Jake was holding everything else. They were walking down Diagon Alley. Siyah blew at her purple/red hair and looked around, "I'm hungry. Can we get ice cream?" Jake smiled, "After we go to the Leaky Cauldron, they have some real food there."

Shortly after, Siyah & Andrew were sitting at a table, while their Father was upstairs, cleaning out some rooms. They would be staying here for the night, leaving tomorrow on the Hogwarts Express. Jake came down not long after and sat at the table, smiling at his kids, who smiled back. Siyah was petting Snickers, who was hiding under the table. She was planning to give him scraps of her food when the meal was served.

A few minutes later, they were eating, Siyah was slipping food to Snickers, while Andrew watched as she did so. He sighed, she would never learn.

[thesouleater]

Lizzie finally stopped talking to the shopkeeper of Olivanders and left with Roy. But, they didn't get far, as Roy tripped over someone's foot. He caught himself with his hands and hopped back up. "I'm okay!" He said, brushing his knees off.

Roy turned to see a girl he had seen in Madame Malkin's somewhere behind Siyah and Andrew. "You okay?" He asked. "Your name is Navaeh, right? I saw you in, uh, Madame Malkin's shop." He stated, taking a moment to remember the name of the store.

[LMM]

Nevaeh almost jumped off her books at the shock of tripping someone, "Yes I'm Nevaeh, and I'm fine," She said nodding and jumping off the books. "Are you okay?" She added as she brushed her hair out of her eyes and watched him closely. She knew he had already said he was ok, but it was the polite thing to say.

She tried to remember their names, but realized she hadn't got them before. "Oh please don't think I'm rude but, what are your names?" She asked cocking her head to one side and giving them a small soft smile. Nevaeh wasn't used to meeting new people without her parents but she sure seemed to be doing a lot of it lately. Which didn't really bother her, and she seemed to be nicer and more open without her parents- go figure?

[thesouleater]

Roy nodded. "Yeah. Just a few scrapes on my hands. Nothing that will kill me." He smiled. He then looked at his Aunt, who cocked an eyebrow and him and smirked. He gave her a confused look, but waved it off and replied to Naveah. "I'm Roy and this is my Aunt, Lizzie." He said, holding out his hand. "Nice to meet ya."

Lizzie sighed and chuckled to herself. Her niece was such a clutz! Especially tripping over a girl's foot. She smiled at the girl and nodded her head once when Roy introduced her. "Hi there."

[LMM]

Nevaeh nodded to each in turn, "I apologize I tripped you, I didn't realize anyone was coming outside," She added quickly. She paused a moment after that examining the boy, "Are you a first year too?" She asked after a few minutes with a curious expression on her face. She again cocked her head to one side, this time the opposite side as the first time.

She pushed the front of her hair behind her ear, with a few fingers as she waited for a response.

[LMM]

((Computer had a spazz attack sorry for the double post))

[thesouleater]

"It's alright. School is more rough." Roy said. He looked at the narrow box in the small bag he carried and made sure that his new wand was okay. "Yeah. Never even knew wizards were real 'til a day ago. Told my parents I got this weird letter from some random lady named McGonagall and my Dad mentioned my Aunt here." He jabbed a thumb at his Aunt. "Aparently she is a wizard, which I didn't know about 'til my Dad told me about her."

"I'm going to go get your books." Lizzie said. "I'll meet you back here in ten, 'kay?" She turned on her heel and walked off somewhere down Diagon Alley. Not even ten seconds later she had dissapeared into the people.

"Okay." Roy replied to his Aunt and turned back to Neveah. "Are you here with anyone?"

[LMM]

Neveah smiled, "I don't know how you muggles don't know about us?" She chuckled softly then shook her head, "I don't mean to be rude." She added quickly. She waved slightly st Lizzie.

"I'm here with my parents," She said shrugging, "They are supposed to meet me here." She added her smile slowly disappearing as she mentioned her parents.

[Jojo]

Sally led Tom to Ollivander's Wand Shop to go get his wand. He had finally gotten over initial awe at being in Diagon Alley, but he was still shocked of course, just not as much. He was getting a wand! "A wand?" He asked for the third time still expecting everything to be a big joke or something. "Yes. Now hurry up. Your still behind on your supplies." She replied testily.

"Is it always like this?" he asked wondering what all the talk was about. "No. Not always." She didn't want to frighten him by telling him that this chatter rarely happened at all, that something must have happened. "Just keep walking. Ignore them." She reasoned. So he kept walking towards Ollivanders. He wondered what him mum might think of all this, then felt bad for not mentioning he was heading off. He should have wrote a letter. It was the least he could do. He decided to see if he could write and send a letter to her and tell her that he was fine.

When they got to Ollivanders he noticed some kids that looked about his own age so he decided to go say hi to them despite what his 'aunt' said.
"Hello." He finally said after approaching them. His aunt shook her head disapprovingly. "I'll go look for you a cloak. Don't forget to get your supplies." She said deciding that she had did what she could to get him here. He could deal with the rest, getting the rest of his supplies and boarding the train. "Oh and take this." She said giving him some money. "You can exchange it at Gringotts Wizarding Bank. You should be able to find it." Then she left disappearing into the crowd.

[thesouleater]

Roy smiled. "I dunno. You wizards are so quiet about things. You create the miracles in a muggles life." He said, grinning. His words were slightly sarcasm, but it really was a true fact. The things that regular humans could never do was probably done as an everyday thing as a wizard. He didn't know. "Is there something wrong with your parents?" He asked as he watched Nevaeh's face fall.

Though, before Roy could get an answer, another boy walked over and said 'hi'. Roy stared at the boy for a second before replying. "Hullo." He said with a small smile. "What's your name?" He asked, his smile widening a little bit. The boy was one he hadn't seen before. Maybe someone that hadn't recieved his letter as early as everyone else.

[Biophysicist]

It had taken John eleven years to go into Olivander's for the first time, and only a day for his second. He mused idly that he would need a time turner if he wanted to keep up the same pace. One thing that he discovered on the second visit was that the mystique of the place was by no means diminished by having already been exposed to it.

"This is Olivander's. Best wand-shop in all of Britain, or so they say." Olivander, who has listening to the two, gave a slight huff at the latter part of the sentence. "Just go up, and wave whatever wand he gives you. If it's right, you'll know."

Athena found this somewhat bemusing. (Well, the entire store was bemusing, after how orderly she kept things at home, but that's besides the point.) Still, John knew way more about this stuff than she did...

It took quite some time, but eventually they found one that made some rather sparkly pink stuff. Now, they had all done various sparkly stuff, but this one was a lot brighter and more colorful. And it felt right... Okay, wow. That was not the kind of thing she usually thought.

The wand was long, pointy, and rather unornamented, supposedly good for charms, and Athena's new most prized possession. She imagined herself zapping magic with it, and grinned. This was going to be interesting.

"So, where to next?", she asked John (who hopefully hadn't gotten too bored while waiting).

"Hmmm." John muttered, thinking about it for a moment. "Robes?"

It was only a couple of minutes later that they had arrived at Madam Malkin's. "Hogwart's sets for the both of you I take it?" the matron of the establishment asked politely. "Yes, please." Within instants the pair was getting sized by a group of seamstresses, checking and double checking their measurements to ensure that the fit was perfect. Madam Malkin chatted idly while they did so.

"I don't suppose you know what house you'll be in?" John shook his head ruefully.

"I wish, Mum was in Ravenclaw, dad was in Slytherin. Grandparents came from all over."
"So no long standing tradition then, eh? Too bad. Always nice to know that you have family in your house."
"Only child Ma'am."
"Well that cuts down on the problem some then. I had a pair of brothers in here last week. One in Slytherin, the other in Gryffindor. Tense family, I'll tell you that." John let out a quick laugh, not entirely sure what else to say. Thankfully, this was the moment that Athena elected to jump in with a remark of her own.

"Sorry, but what are you talking about?"
The pair of John and Malkin both did a momentary double-take, John because he had forgotten that such normal things were foreign to Athena, Malkin because she had assumed that the pair were both siblings. It was Malkin that recovered her tongue first. "Ah so you're muggle-born then. I thought that the two of you were related, sorry. So then, what exact-"
"I was just showing her around the alley." John said, slightly embarrassed by the tone in the witch's voice.
"Muggle-born?"
"You haven't even told her that much?"
"It honestly never occurred to me."
"Alright sweetheat, I guess I'll fill you in, seeing as your chaperone hasn't. A muggle is someone that doesn't know about magic, a muggle-born is a witch or wizard born to a pair of muggles. Griffindor, Slytherin, Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw are the four houses that all the students that go to Hogwarts get divided into. I guess you'll learn more about them when you get there."
John was silent through most of this, slightly irritated that Malkin had stolen his job, so to speak.

A few moments later, both of the children recognized that, at some point during the conversation, they had had neat packages pushed into their hands. 'Man they work fast...' After paying and exiting, the pair made their way to various other stops in Diagon Alley, collecting the supplies needed for a year at school.

Then, as the sun was going down, they arrived at their last stop, the menagerie. "What are we doing here?" Athena asked.
"We? Perhaps nothing. I intend to get an owl. You can too, if you want, but you don't need to."
"Well perhaps..." Athena trailed off, thinking about it.

For his part, John didn't hesitate as he walked into the crowded store. He already knew, roughly, what he was looking for and as he rounded the corner to the wall of owls, he knew in a glance that he had found it. 'It' turned out to be a female sooty owl. Her feathers were a very dark grey, a stark contrast from the flashing eyes. The sleek dark form of the bird caught John's eye, and within minutes he was at the till, paying for his new pet.

Athena had been considering getting something but decided against it. An owl wouldn't do well at her house, where it would probably stay over the summer... The dog would go crazy, if nothing else. She explained this to John. The two then agreed that they would meet at King's Cross Station, and departed.

[LMM]

Nevaeh went to answer about her parents but was cut short. she examined the boy a second, 'another muggle born?' She thought as she noted his clothes and attitude. "Ello, I am Nevaeh," She said kindly with a soft smile, and nod of her head. She held out her hand for the new boy to shake.

[Black]

Sirius strode confidently with his mother towards Platform's nine and ten, and took hold of his own trolley cart. He broke into a brisk trot and ran straight for the barriers between platforms nine and ten, and as he was about to collide he suddenly disappeared. His mother appeared an instant later as Sirius rolled his trunk up to the scarlet steam engine that was billowing puffy white steam. Sirius was all toothy grin as he ran around greeting people whom he did not know, but was delighted to meet none the less.


William however was three train sections away, his wand moved imperceptibly and the trunk lifted itself onto the train and floated down the corridor into an unclaimed compartment, then he sat himself down on a seat and stretched out, a findora placed voraciously over his eyes as he started to doze off waiting for the train to take him to his second home. This year would be his fourth year at Hogwarts, and he would make the best of it, because after this year everything would begin to get complicated from here on out.

[LMM]

"Nevaeh." Came a sharp voice from across the street. Nevaeh didn't even have to turn to know the voice. It was her father, most likely upset seeing her with muggle borns. She sighed and could tell by the lack of a second yell they had started across the road. "Forgive me, seems I'm wanted," She said with an apologizing nod, "Maybe I will see you on the train?" She offered with a soft smile.

"Nevaeh, we have to hurry and get your wand," Her father said gruffly, ignoring the two boys. She sighed and then nodded, "Goodbye," She said before being led into Olivanders. She looked around quietly as her father continued to lead her to the counter. "Who were those kids?" His father whispered in her ear.

She ignored him, "Hello sir, I would like a wand." She said smiling brightly. After a few trails they finally found the one that had chosen her. 16' Dragon Heartstring. She held it out and waved it slightly as they left.

"Time to go home." Her father said before they reached the door, making sure she didn't try to go talk to the 'muggle borns' again. She rolled her eyes and put the wand in it's box as they hurried across the street to Gringotts.

~~~

"Platform 7, 8, 9!" Nevaeh whispered as they came up to the platform. She went first walking briskly into the wall, and going through it. As she looked at the gorgeous red steam engine in front of her. Her mother and father appeared beside her both smiling.

"Welcome to Platform 9 and 3/4." Her mother whispered as they walked up and down the platform looking around. Nevaeh patted Gus's head and whispered, "Look, soon we will be far away from all of them." She whispered.

[Familiar]

John stood on the 'normal' section of King's cross with his parents. He had tried to petition to see them off here, but they wanted to see him on the train. As for waiting for Athena, the reactions were mixed. John's father, a thin man in something very closely resembling a muggle business suit, had chastised John for not getting more details other than that she would be coming; John's mother was happy that he had decided to help someone else out.

And so john and his parents stood there, waiting for Athena. They actually must look pretty decent, standing like this, John thought idly. His father was tall, with extremely dark red hair; he had a thing figure, with features that were perhaps just slightly too sharp for their own good, something that John had inherited much to his chagrin. His mother had a short crop of black hair that John's own nearly mimicked in style, she was slightly softer in features, dress and demeanour. While both of the males of the family stood stiffly, dressed in collared shirts and generally looking very business-like, his mother had on a light summer dress, and was generally beaming.

How exactly his father and his mother were able to live with each other, much less meet each other, was a question that had long hung on John's mind.

Thankfully, he did not need to dwell on the thought much longer, as it was at this moment that he saw Athena through the crowd.

[Biophysicist]

And... there he was.

Athena saw her new friend across the platform and smiled a bit. This "new life as a witch" thing was going to go well... She could already tell.

She hurried, to the extent her bad knee would let her, to him. She wondered what his parents would think of her... Hopefully something good. She was worried, probably irrationally, because of teasing she had gotten in years past about being Filipino. But, these were adults, after all... No need to worry.

"Hey!", she greeted him. "I'm ready for... whatever comes next."

[Jojo]

Before he could reply a man yelled at Nevaeh and started walking to her. She then left with the man and apogized and asked if they all might see each other on the train. Then after they left his aunt walked up with half his supplies and gave them to him, leaving him to get the rest. Aweing and ohing the whole way, he went to do just that. His last stop was at Olivanders. He looked through the window then walked into the shop.

"Hello sir?" He asked hoping he didn't need to talk much louder. He did. The older man in the didn't hear him at all, or gave no sign that he had. "Hello sir?" He asked a bit louder. Finally hearing a customer, the shopkeeper came to the front. "Wait right there. Let's go find you a wand." He grumbled heading towards the back. After a little leass than an hour, Tom finally had a wand that picked him. "Finally. Took forever. Atleast I have you now, don't I?" He mumbled. Leaving the store he headed home for the night to get some sleep.

---

He headed for the train station still abit confused about where the station actually was. He then found out after watching some people walk right into the wall between sections nine and ten, so he followed...and found himself at platform 9 and 3/4. "Wow." He mumbled, awestruck once again.

[thesouleater]

Roy waved as Navaeh left and stood for another few seconds before his Aunt came running at him. She stopped for a second, grabbing her breath from the sprint from the book store to Olivanders. "Come on Roy. We gotta go, or we're going to be late for the train." She quickly said, grabbing his arm and speed walking away.

"Sorry." Roy managed to say, waving at the other kid that had walked up to him and Navaeh before he got too far away. Lizzie was practically dragging him along Diagon Alley and quite a few people gave them funny looks. He continued to be dragged through the same bar they always came through and into the car, where he found his books. "How did...?"

"One word, Roy. Wizards." Lizzie said, as though it were something someone could do everyday. "I'm able to transport books into my car." She slammed her door shut and slid on her seatbelt before turning on the car and half-speeding to the train station.

"What about my clothes at home?" Roy asked, sliding on his own seatbelt. He still had his wand in hand and looked down at the pattern on the box. He couldn't remember what the man had said about his wand and mentally noted to ask Ollivanders' worker what kind of wand he got.

"They are in the trunk." Lizzie said, pulling in behind a Toyota. She shut off the car and hopped out, skittering to the trunk. She whipped it open and pulled out Roy's suitcase, which he never knew was in there. He had by now grabbed his books and stood beside the car, watching his Aunt.

"I didn't get to say good-bye to my parents." Roy mumbled. He had to pretty much run to keep up with his Aunt. They stopped in between platforms 8 and 9. "Why are we stopping here?"

"Because. We need to be on platform 9 and 3/4." Lizzie said. She had at some point grabbed a trolley and thrown Roy's suitcase on it. Now he placed his books on top, noticing the small box on the trolley. "Follow me." She ran straight at the support pole and, to Roy's surprise, she went right through it.

Roy followed, but not because his Aunt had told him to, but because he was curious. He saw her shoving his books into his already full suitcase. He walked over to her and helped her close the suitcase, lifting it off of the trolley.

"Thanks." Lizzie smiled. "Now, all you have to do is load your stuff on to the train and find a place to sit." She motioned towards the bright red steam-train beside her.

Roy turned and stared at the train in amazement. He hadn't noticed it despite its size, since he had been focused on helping his Aunt. He turned back to his Aunt and she shoved his suitcase into his arms. He frowned, but took the suitcase anyways.

Roy spent the next few minutes looking around. The station was pretty much the same as the regular one. It was amazing. Lizzie announced that they had arrived slightly early and he had a few minutes to see if he could find his friends from Diagon Alley.

[Jojo]

Tom walked towards the train looking around for anyone he knew. Soon he surprisingly found the girl he had just met before. 'Before she had had to leave.' He thought. Shrugging he started walking over to the girl and what looked to be her parents?

"Hello. Nevaeh was it?" He asked finally reaching the girl and her parents. Reaching out his hand to shake he added, "I'm Tommy if I didn't get to mention before."

[LMM]

Nevaeh turned at the mention of her name, 'The muggle born from Olivanders,' She thought then smiled. "Hello, yes I'm Nevaeh, and Tom was it?" She repeated reaching out and taking his hand. She shook it briskly before releasing it. "These are my parents," She added waving her hand at her parents nonchalantly.

Gus crawled up her arm that was resting on the trolley, and up to her shoulder. Nevaeh giggled softly, "And this is Gus-Gus." She said side-glancing at the rat on her shoulder.

[Jojo]

Taking in her family he replied, "Yes Tom it was. Nice to meet you all."
'A rat?' He thought. 'Gus-gus she said. Strange pet.'
Reaching out to shake the rest of her family's hand he took them in: a rat, her pet; a man, her father; a woman, her mother, and her. 'They seem like a semi-normal family so what makes them so different?' He thought mulling it over in his head. 'Who knows?'

[LMM]

Nevaeh glanced at her father as Tom held his hand out to him. Her father hesitated then decided to pretend he didn't see the hand, "Nevaeh, I'm going to go see if I can find anyone from work, I'll be back before the train leaves." He said turning and heading off quickly. Nevaeh sighed, but really she was laughing inside. Nevaeh's mother smiled softly, "Forgive him m'dear, he is an old set in his ways Slytherin," She said sweetly, and took his hand and shook it quickly. Though she was acting nice she quickly released his hand.

"I'm going to go talk to your father," She said before running after Nevaeh's father. She sighed, "Sorry about that," She said to Tom shaking her head.

[Jojo]

Tom shrugged as Nevaeh's father didn't return the handshake. He raised his eyebrows whenever her mother explained his reaction. "Oh well, it's fine. No problem." Whenever she started to head off to talk to her father he said, "It was good to meet you ma'am." He honestly did. It was nice to meet new people even if sometimes he didn't feel the need to meet them.

"Are they always like that?" Tom asked Nevaeh whenever her mother was out of earshot. "And it's fine. No need to be sorry." He added with a smile.

[LMM]

Nevaeh thought a moment, "Around muggle borns yes, but normally they pick who I hang around with so I am never really around Muggle borns." She shrugged, 'Does he know about the bloods?' She wondered. She sat Gus back on the trolley.

She brushed her hair behind her ear, "I feel there is a need, they, mainly my father, can be so rude," She added nonchalantly as if she didn't really care.

[Jojo]

Tom stood there for a second unsure about the terms. "Muggle borns?" He finally asked looking at her questioning. "What are those?"
'Huh. A new world so I guess new terms?' He guessed shrugging slightly.
"Hey," Thinking of which. "When does the train leave? And do you think there is anything important I should know?"

[LMM]

Nevaeh felt herself exhale and lean back on the trolley which slide slightly and she had to jump up quickly to keep from falling. 'So he has no idea what's going on? I thought Hogwarts would at least explain somethings,' She thought shaking her head.

"Muggles, are non magical folks, like your parents," She said nodding, "I assume if you didn't know that you don't know anything about the wizarding world huh? Though I shouldn't assume." She went on talking slightly to herself more than Tom.

So instead of that I'll just ask," She said making up her mind and watching him, "I must apologize but I do not know what time the train pulls out, I guess we could get on now? Find a compartment and then discuss all the Wizarding things there?" She offered cocking her head to the side slightly.

[Jojo]

"No I really don't know much, though my father did I suppose. He died before he could tell me about it..." Trailing off he shook his head to get focused again. Seeing the look on her face he explained, shruging at the last part, "He died before I was born. No one every really told me how though."

"Not a bad idea," He replied looking around to see others who had boarded the train as well. "Shall we?" He said motioning for her to go ahead, politely. He had always been like this though never thought about why. "Oh, it's fine. You don't really need to know, I was just wondering," He added after a moments thought. "And sorry if I'm a bit weird when I say stuff. I kinda just move my mouth and somehow words come out." He smiled kindly still waiting politely for them to head off and board the train.

[LMM]

Nevaeh nodded and pushed her trolley onto the train, "It's normal for a muggle borns to be curious about wizards, since well technically you are a wizard," She said as she poked her head in several compartments, "I hope this is ok, I don't feel like maneuvering through all these people." She said smiling softly and throwing her stuff on the rack above the left side of the Compartment.

She pushed the trolley back outside and then sat down in the compartment, "So what would you like to know?" She asked politely. 'What are you doing?' She wondered.

[The Lifted Lorax]

Althea rushed onto the platform with her parents. Being from a pure-blood family, it had come as no surprise that she'd been accepted to Hogwarts but it had still been a joyful occasion all the same. Being the only child and so having no siblings to complain about favoritism, she'd been allowed to buy a pet. The cat Ersatz was mewling and pawing at his box, confused as to what was going on.

"You're sure you'll be alright?" her mother asked for the hundredth time that day, hugging her goodbye.

"I'll be fine, Mum!" Thea insisted, rolling her eyes but hugging tightly back all the same. "I'll write every week, I promise."

"Every day!"

"Now Lucretia," her husband said gently. "That's a little silly, don't you think?" Lucretia sniffed, obviously trying not to cry, and nodded.

"I suppose so."

"Promise I'll write every week," the new Hogwarts student repeated. "It'll be Christmas before we know it."

"Write if you need anything," her father insisted, putting a hand on her shoulder before pulling her into a hug. "We're always just an owl away."

Thea nodded and sighed as her father kissed her forehead. She was a little embarassed, but at the same time was sort-of grateful he had. The Prewetts had their problems, of course, just like any other family. On the whole, however, they were rather functional and they would miss each other very much.

"Now hurry up or you'll miss the train." Phineas pushed his daughter gently toward the train, wanting to make the goodbye as short as possible.

With one last look at her parents and a wave goodbye, Thea stepped onto the Hogwarts Express, towards the next great adventure. She pulled her trunk down the corridor, peeping into compartments to see which ones had space available.

[Jojo]

"Oh really?" Tom asked gathering his stuff and following her onto the train. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised about that. It is a different here."

'Wonder where she got that trolley.' He though passing some people waiting right outside the train. 'It would have made carrying my supplies and clothes easier.' Reaching the compartment he followed her lead by putting his stuff above him on the rack to his right.

Whenever she got back to the compartment and settled in he replied, "It's fine; I agree with you." Thinking about them being non-magical he asked, "If my mother and father weren't magical how am I to be a wizard? And how is the school? Have you ever been to it? What's your opinion on those things?" Then thinking of all the whispering and gossip about, he asked, "Did something happen recently? There was a lot of talk. Is it always like that?" Slowing down he added, "Sorry. I guess I should slow down huh, and sorry for all the questions."

[LMM]

Nevaeh chuckled softly at all his questions, "First off, I'm not exactly positive about the whole magic, non magic thing, I remember hearing my father mention something about muggles stealing the magic from preexisting witches and wizards." She shrugged as she put a finger to her chin in thought, "I'm really not sure about that one sorry," She finished on that question.

"I've never been to the school," She said before pausing debating on mentioning her older brother. She had avoided it recently since he had gone missing. "I've heard stories, that it's an amazing castle." She concluded going the safe route and avoiding her brother all together.

She thought a moment about the last question, unable to stop her eyebrow from raising slightly in curiosity, "You didn't hear?" She asked as her voice gradually lowered. "There was a murder, maybe two I'm not exactly sure about the details," She said leaning towards the middle of the compartment so it was easier for him to hear her. "The Potters had to be called in and everything."

She leaned back and had to fold her hands together to keep from slapping herself in the face, "The Potters are really famous, they actually defeated the Dark Lord." She tried to put enough infliction on 'dark lord' to try and keep from having to go farther into history she didn't care about anymore.

[Black]

Sirius opened a compartment door and poked his head inside. All he could see inside was a boy and girl, and now that he noticed, a large fourth year stretched out on the seat. "Uhm, mind if I squeeze in?" He asked looking nervously at the fourth year that they somehow all failed to see.

William looked up, having dozed off "Huh? Oh, right, uhm, not at all! Let me just move my feet" William re-arranged himself so he was sitting down the normal way and Sirius took a seat next to him, beaming at him. "Hi! Im Sirius" William smiled at them all and said "Im William, Im guessing you're all first years? Ah, you'll love it here at Hogwarts"

[Jojo]

Right as Tom was about to ask who the Dark Lord was, someone popped in and asked if they could join them. A new voice answered for them all. Somehow they failed to notice that there was a person stretched out on the seat. "Um. Sure." He added to the person's reply of invitation. Noting their names as he watched them get readjusted, he said, "I'm Tom and this is Nevaeh." Motioning to her as he said her name. "Uh, yes I suppose I am, and she would be too I suppose. We haven't been to Hogwarts's before" Looking at William, he noticed he looked like he had been here before. "And I hadn't even heard about it until a few days ago." Tom held out his hand to shake theirs, thinking it the only polite thing to do.

[Black]

William shook his hand as did Sirius. Then William's face grew solemn and grave. "Voldemort, more commonly known as He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, was the most vile, and the evilest wizard of the century, if not all time. His reign of terror lasted for fifty years, in which he was battled by the Order of the Phoenix, which was founded by the greatest Wizard since Merlin, Dumbledore. One night, Voldemort visited a house in Godrick's hollow, resident of Harry, Lily, and James Potter.

Voldemort killed Lilly and James Potter, but when he turned his wand on Harry Potter, his Killing Curse rebounded and broke him apart, leaving him less than a man. Ever since then, Harry has borne the scar, and during his time at Hogwarts he battled Against Voldemort, finally killing him in his would-be seventh year when Voldemort's curse rebounded yet again off of Harry, who by that time was the better Wizard.

Since then Harry Potter has personally hunted down the Death Eaters who Served Voldemort and imprisoned them one by one in Azkaban, which is now guarded by not only Dementors, but Aurors who prevent the Dementors from rebelling.

It is explained, by Dumbledore when he was alive, and now by Harry Potter, that Voldemort lost because he could not grasp and wield that which is the most powerful of magics. Love" William finished with an impressive gesture in which he pounded his fist over his heart.

[The Lifted Lorax]

Thea poked her head into one compartment.
"Excuse me, but--Oh." The compartment was filled with three boys and a girl, all of whom looked captivated by some sort of story the oldest boy appeared to have been telling. Quietly she retreated from the compartment to continue her search.

[thesouleater]

"You should get going." Lizzie said. "You'll catch on to how things work at the school." She hugged him and smiled. "Bye Roy!"

Roy hugged his Aunt back and picked up his suitcase, which he then hauled onto the train. He walked up and down it until he found an empty compartment. There, he threw his bag up on the cot above the seat and sat down, pulling out his sketch book.

The boy never really did sketch much, but when he did he took his time, making sure that every little detail was there. For the time being, he only had four pencils with him, so he couldn't do as much as he usually did. This time he decided to sketch the train, with a few people here and there.

[The Lifted Lorax]

Continuing down the corridor, Thea kept poking her head into compartments, only to find them full. Finally she found one with only one other in it, a boy. She rapped gently on the door and poked her head in.
"Hi. Erm...mind if I sit here? Everywhere else is full."

[LMM]

Nevaeh nodded as Tom introduced her, then she just sat there silently as the old story was told. She looked away slightly as she listened. Her eyes paused out the window, and she recited the story in her head.

When he finished she looked back at the boys, her expression neither sad nor happy and her eyes glanced from each one's face trying to read their expressions.

[Jojo]

The story meant nothing to him; it was all in the past, their past, not his. Sadly the dramatic gesture was lost on him. "This is all in the past, right? Nothing that concerns us now?" Tom asked whenever William finished the story. "None of this affects us at all, or does it?" 'I wonder if any of this has to do with those murders on Diagon Allley' He wondered glancing around. 'And I wonder what Nevaeh might think of it. Hmm.' He would ask when they were alone he conceded to himself.

[thesouleater]

Roy's head jerked up when there was a light tap at the door. He snapped the sketch book shut and listened to the girl at the compartment door. "Uh, yeah, sure..." He said, staring down at his sketch book. He quickly put the pencils in their case and shoved everything where he had originally had it. He didn't like sketching with others around, nevermind having them see what he had been drawing.

"I'm Roy." He held out his hand. "Nice to meet you." He smiled, shifting slightly so that he was cross-legged instead of sitting with his feet flat on the ground.

[The Lifted Lorax]

Thea smiled and with some effort dragged her trunk into the compartment and heaved it into the luggage rack.
"Thanks. I'm Althea...Well, just Thea." She shook Roy's hand. "Nice to meet you too." She sat on the seat opposite him and noticed how he'd hastily packed away pencils and a sketchbook. "Oh you can continue drawing if you want, I won't peek. Promise." She smiled again in a friendly manner. "Is this your first year at Hogwarts, too?"

[thesouleater]

Roy watched as the girl hauled her bag onto the shelf above each seat and sat down. "No no. I just can't draw with other people around. The drawing will end up wonky and stupid-looking." He said, shaking his head slightly. It was a true fact, he had even tested it out before. He told a kid at school to watch him draw, but the drawing had ended up horrible. An hour later, when he was alone, he tried to draw the same picture, but this time it was extremely accurate and detailed.

"Yeah, first year. It's also my first week knowing about wizards." Roy replied. "My parents were 'muggle born', as most people continue to call it." He frowned. He didn't like the word 'muggle'. It seemed rude and as if wizards thought they were the most royal people. It made wizards seem too proud about their abilities.

[The Lifted Lorax]

"Oh you're muggle-born are you?" Thea said excitedly, scooting to the edge of her seat. "I'm pure-blood myself--not that it means much to me, mind, though it does to a lot of people--but I've never met any muggles before! What are they like? Is it true they use brooms just for cleaning? How do you get on without magic?? I can't wait until we get to pick our classes, I fully intend on taking Muggle Studies. I find them just fascinating!" She couldn't stem the stream of words.

She did have distant family like the Blacks and the Malfoys, and even some Prewetts, who did care about blood. Her parents, however, had raised her believing that blood doesn't matter; only ability. They didn't know anything about muggles, however, and she thought most books on the subject were probably unreliable, having been written by wizards. It hadn't kept her from reading them, but still she was eager to learn.

[LMM]

Nevaeh had never been the reassuring type. Her whole family never had been, but that's typical of a pure-bred Slytherin family. She glanced out the window quickly, 'Poor muggle born, doesn't deserve to be to worried about our kind does he?' She thought silently before looking back at Tom, and giving him a slightly tight lipped but softly reassuring smile, "I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with us," She said cocking her head to one side.

'It could though, you know the Potter's aren't called unless it's something bad,' She reminded herself as her smile faltered slightly, "Of course, Mr. and Mrs. Potter haven't been called out for something that wasn't bad." She finished shrugging. It didn't really concern her, if something bad was happening, her parents would be one of the first to know, right, they would send for her and Gus, and they would be out of Hogwarts and on their way out of danger in now time. Gus, climbed down from the rack that held her luggage and curled up on her lap. She let her right hand lay softly on his back, almost unconsciously.

[Jojo]

After listening to what Nevaeh had to say, Tom replied, "I'm not so sure about that, but oh well; It shall not, and will not bother me, but I suppose that they are special aren't they. They shouln't be bothered with normal stuff, eh?" 'I could be wrong but they seem like the special type.' He finally thought. Randomly he added to himself offhandedly, "Nevaeh's pretty. I Wonder if they all are or if it's just her? Though I doubt it matter's."

"Wonder how much longer till the train leaves." Looking at his watch he added, "Shouldn't be to much longer, should it?" He watched Nevaeh pet her rat, Gus-Gus, he thought he remembered her calling him. "May I hold him? Gus-Gus was it? He remind me of a gold fish I had, though I know not why." He look at her, waiting for a responce, then glanced outside.

[LMM]

Nevaeh nodded at Tom's replied half heartily as she continued to pet Gus. When he asked to pet him she nodded, "A gold fish?" She asked confused as she picked Gus-Gus up. Gus looked at her slightly confused but didn't protest in anyway. She held him out to Tom, "Why would you want to keep a horrid thing like a fish?" She asked, shaking her head. 'A fish? What can they do? Swim in a circle?' She just couldn't understand.

[Jojo]

Taking Gus-Gus from Nevaeh's hands, Tom answered her question, "Because goldfish are easy to take care of and me mum wouldn't let me get a cat." 'Speaking of animal's maybe I should ckeck on me owl.' Petting Gus-Gus a moment before handing him back to Nevaeh, Tom got up to get the cage he was sure no one had noticed. Taking a cloak off the cage, he made sure G'naught, his owl, had some food. "Oh yeah, I forgot to mention G'naught, me owl." He mentioned whenever he took the cloak off the cage.

[thesouleater]

Roy sighed at Althea's reaction. He guessed that if she reacted that way, then there would be more reactions like that during the year. "People without magic really aren't that different. We just... don't have magic." He said awkwardly. He made a confused face, then waved it off.

The boy leant his head on the window, staring at the scenery. He had a song he liked going through his head and his fingers tapping to the beat of the song. He realized what he was doing and quickly stopped, but didn't move his head.

[LMM]

Nevaeh shook her head, "No offense, but a fish still seems like a horrid fish," She said then cocked her head to one side, "Why not get a rat or dog if you couldn't have a cat?" She asked before she was handed Gus back and he curled up in a ball on her lap. She watched Tom slightly confused as he moved around in the seat.

She was shocked to see an owl that was apparently his, "You have an owl?" She said thinking a moment, "But you mum wouldn't let you have a cat? So you got a fish, something the cat could eat. You don't have the fish you get an owl something that could eat the cat." She shook her head apparently confused. "Are all muggle families as confusing as yours?" She asked sincerely.

[The Lifted Lorax]

"Well I mean...it's kind-of weird, isn't it? Having to use light switches every time you walk into a room...cleaning up spills and things without magic...I can imagine it would be quite a hassle." Althea noticed her companion's reaction, however, and slid back in her seat, biting her lip and looking down at her hands. "Sorry," she said sheepishly. "Um...Mum says I ask too many questions...talk too much..." She, too, looked out the window, having the terrible feeling that she'd created a very awkward situation with Roy.

"It's not a bad word, you know, Muggle," she said after a long time, looking up a little shyly. "It doesn't mean they're any better or worse...It's just a lot shorter than saying people-who-don't-use-magic, or non-magical-folk, or non-wizards-or-witches." She sincerely hoped she was doing more good than harm, but doubted it. Still, she pressed on into the silence. "Besides, it's not everyone fascinated by Muggles...just me. There are hardly any pure-bloods left anymore anyway; most people are half and half or Muggle-born, so really you'll only have idiots like me asking you what a mobile phone is and I don't expect there'll be too many like that."

[Jojo]

"No offense taken." Tom answered after a short while. "The reason I got a fish is because they are easy to take care of most of the time, and they are pretty simple creatures." Noticing her shocked expression whenever he got the cage down, he said simply, "My fish died a while ago, and I needed a useful animal, so I got an owl. They can be helpful."

Thinking about her question for a while, he looked out the window then at Nevaeh, and finally G'naught. He then replied, "Well, I'm not sure about us being weird, but compared to the way you all live I can see how it would seem weird." Turning his head slightly, then shrugging, he asked, "A cat could eat a rat too, correct?" 'Do they all really not know much about a 'muggle's' life? So weird.' Tom thought still staring at his owl, and barely shaking his head, then stopping the small movement.

[LMM]

Neveah chuckled, "Well I guess if it was a big cat," she said looking down at Gus who was a lot larger than any mouse she had ever seen. She suddenly realized how strange or rude her questions may have seemed and she bit her lip softly before looking back at Tom.

"Sorry if I seem a bit clueless, you saw my father's reaction to a muggle born. I'm a pure blood and well we don't discuss muggles or anything so I know nothing." She thought a moment, "Of course we are more or less the smallest group of wizards left, so there won't be too many as clueless as I am." She finished giving him a small smile.

[Jojo]

"Well I didn't mean your Gus-Gus necessarily." Tom said smiling. "I was talking about getting a rat of my own." Looking at Nevaeh now, he added still smiling, "It's ok to ask questions. I don't mind. I kind of like them, kind of." Thinking for a second, he asked, "Why aren't there many pure-blood? And how come you don't discuss us muggles? It just seems.... Oh, I don't know. Close-minded, I suppose." Thinking some more, he added to the questions, "Do you even care about the world outside your own?" Then realizing he might have been to blunt, he added, "Sorry If I'm a little blunt. You don't have to answer if you don't want to." Looking around he noticed that no one was in the cabin with them two anymore. "When did...?" He mumbled, questioningly to himself with a confused look on his face.

[LMM]

"Well so many wizards and witches alike 'betrayed' their own kind and decided to mate with a muggle, so now there are very few pure blood, most are half or muggle." She said then thought about the next question for a long time petting and staring at Gus, though she didn't really see him.

"Honestly, I believe you're right." She whispered before looking back at Tom. "Why should I worry about a world that is so.." She trailed off looking for the right word. "Lacking of the will to see the unnatural and magical." She said shaking her head. "Magic is something that comes easily to wizards, but we don't take it for granted the power, and amazing brilliance of it."

When she finished she listened to what she had said for the first time as it flowed back through her mind. "Oh dear forgive me if that was rude," She said shaking her head. She could have said it was her father talking and not her, but that was exactly how she felt so she finished out strong. "Though it may have been rude, that's how I feel."

[Jojo]

Whenever Nevaeh finished, he shook his head slightly, the only indication of his disapproval. 'Why can't people be more open to the world around them. The magical to the muggle and the muggle to the magical.'

"So that's why there aren't many pure bloods is it? Strange reason it seems to me, though that may be because I'm only a muggle or half blood, and not a 'pure' blood." Shifting his eyes towards the window he continued, "You shouldn't worry to much about being rude towards me. I'm fine with it. As long as it's truthful, that it. And in any case, that wasn't to rude at all, though to others it may be considered so. The truth is the truth." Turning back to Nevaeh, he asked, "Why don't you speak about your family? I was just wondering because you guys don't seem to like each other to well."

[LMM]

Nevaeh listened to him and was expecting this conversation to end with an akward silence until she heard her family mentioned. She looked away, 'Family,' she thought silently before replying in a low voice.

"My family and I were close for most of my life, I am the baby so I got whatever I wanted." She shook her head but didn't return her gaze to Tom, her eyes stared hard at the door as if expecting someone to enter. "A few years back, I realized how..." She paused then looked down at Gus, "I realized how suffocating my parents are, my father more than mother. When I realized this I became extremely rebelious," She paused as she tried to figure out how to answer his question exactly, "I guess I don't mention them much, because, well, I wish I didn't have too." She finished unsure if it made any sense at all. She didn't really care, she didn't want to mention it, and she tried to make sure to leave out her brother just like usual.

[Jojo]

Tom looked away whenever she started speaking of her family. 'Isn't a home supposed to be a happy place?' He thought sadly. 'My home certainly no better than her's, but, it isn't suffocating. More a lack thereof. Cold even.' With a faint sad smile on his face, he said, "I'm sorry but I would almost think I would rather have a suffocating parent than an absent one. Don't you have anyone, any relative to look forward to seeing? Anyone to tell about your day? What about your brothers or sisters?"

Looking around the seats again, he mumbled to himself, barely a whisper, "Where could they have gone? I could have sworn they were here a while ago." He said this just to take his mind off his family.

[LMM]

Nevaeh thought a moment, 'Yeah I had, had someone to talk to. My brother was the only person I had ever been able to connect with,' She looked around as he did, 'Holy crap where did those boys go?' She wondered for the first time before replying.

"Well I had someone like that, up until about a month or so ago." She said picking up Gus and looking into his face, "My older brother." She stopped and sat Gus down. She couldn't think about him. She looked away and tried to think quickly. "What about your family?" She asked still looking away.

[thesouleater]

Roy smiled. "Not really. When your born in a house with people that don't use magic, your used to it." He said. He remembered the box with the holes. He had completely forgotten about it. He stood and looked up on the luggage shelf. The box sat right beside his bag. "I completely forgot about this." He said.

The boy grabbed the box and put it down on the seat. Then he himself sat down. "It's not that I think its a bad word. I just don't like the sound of it. To a normal human they would probably think of it as an insult." He said, shrugging. "And I really don't mind all the questions. I'm normally ordered to do things like clean the house or the kitchen. My parents have always prefered my sister over me. So I'm always doing all the housework while they go out and buy her dresses and make-up."

Roy picked up the box and peeked inside the lid. A claw flew out and scratched right in between his eyes. He frowned and quickly put the box down, touching his forehead. He looked at his hand, which had a little bit of blood on it from the scratch. "Darn it." He said. He put his hand back on his forehead, trying to staunch the blood. "Apparently my Aunt got me a cat... that doesn't like me."

[The Lifted Lorax]

Thea looked curiously at the box as Roy took it down from the luggage rack. She herself had kept Ersatz on the seat next to her.

"But...we are normal people..." she said slowly. "It's not like Muggles are abnormal or wizards are abnormal...we're just different from one another, that's all. It's like calling a Frenchman French; just to differentiate." She pulled a face at the description of his sister. "Dresses and make-up? What a horrid way to live. I never wear dresses or make-up unless it's a special occasion."

Thea gasped and resisted the urge to giggle as the cat in the box took a swipe at Roy. Pulling out her wand, she quickly murmured a healing spell for small cuts and bruises her mother had taught her.

"Perhaps he'll like you in time," she suggested, lifting the lid of Ersatz (http://0.tqn.com/d/cats/1/0/Z/x/sundance.jpg)'s box and pulling out the flame-point Siamese (http://www.all-about-siamese-cats.com/images/sabrinaflamepoint.jpg), who rested, purring, on her lap. "Ersatz used to be pretty skittish, but he's warmed up to me."

[Jojo]

"My family...?" Tom thought staring at no where particular. Not looking at anything, nor seeing. He didn't notice when the train moved, nor cared. Finally, after what seemed to him to be an eternity, he answered, "Well my father is, as you heard before, dead. My mother, Juan, tries her best to take care of me, though she spends to much time at work. She leaves me hear alone to do nothing, really. I have no siblings, but I think I would like to have a brother, or little sister. And that in a nut shell is my family." 'Though I doubt that words can begin to desribe what it's like.' He thought sighing. Getting up and streching his legs, he finally realized the train had already started moving. 'When did...?' He thought looking around. 'Sigh. Maybe I should pay attention more.' Tom wondered, not for the last time.

[LMM]

"Well that sounds oddly refreshing from my life," She said quietly as if thinking to herself. She glanced out the window, "How far do you think we are from it?" She asked remembering her brother talking about hating the ride. She looked around the small compartment for the first time actually taking in her surroundings.

Gus rolled over on her lap and she realized he was asleep. She giggled slightly before picking him up and laying him softly on her bags. She wasn't exactly sure what else to say so she just continued to look out the window.

[Jojo]

"Oh I don't know. I never heard about it before, remember?!" Tom replied testily. Then looking down, he said, "Sorry. I don't know why I said that like that." Then he sat there watching the scenery outside the window for a bit.

Starting to get hungry, he asked, "Do they give us anything to eat? I'm just wondering, because it seems my stomach..." He trailed off on the last bit, embarrassed by his stomach always being hungry. Changing the subject, he asked, "What your favorite color? And what about music and poetry? Mine are green, black, and crimson, and I don't really have any favorite music." He looked at her, smiling like someone who had just done something really good. 'When do we get to eat?!' He thought whenever his stomach growled scarcely a moment later.

[LMM]

"Favorite colors are purple and silver," She said thinking about the second question. She went to answer but there was a soft knock on the door. She stood up and opened the door.

"Anything off the trolley dears?" The lady that asked was kind, she looked like what you would picture a stereotypical grandma would. In front of her was a trolley filled with every kind of wizarding candies.
"Well here's the answer to one question," She said smiling at Tom. "Give me a second please," She said to the lady as she went over to her bags and began to dig through them for her money.

[Jojo]

Looking over to see who it was, Tom's stomach growled hungrily. The person turned out to be a nice lady pushing a cart of food. He liked her instantly. It would be hard not to. On the cart were foods of sorts he hadn't ever seen before. "I would like some too ma'am." He said poking his head over Nevaeh's shoulder. Turning back to get his money, he replied to Nevaeh, "Good thing too. I'm not sure how long my stomach would've lasted if I hadn't ate for to much longer. It seems I eat and it digests the food in a matter of seconds."

Looking out the window Tom saw dark clouds on the horizon. 'Was it supposed to rain?' He couldn't remember. Going back to the cart he started trying to find all the interesting looking food, which wasn't too hard. It was all very interesting to him. The hard part was picking out just a couple of things. "What do you suggest?" He asked Nevaeh.

[thesouleater]

"Sorry. I didn't mean it like that. I'm still not used to the whole 'wizard' thing." Roy said, scratching the back of his head. He again picked up the box, but didn't open it as close to his face. He flicked the lid and inside sat a cute kitten (http://www.innocentenglish.com/funny-pics/cute-puppy-kitten-pics/really-cute-kitten.jpg). He stared at the kitten and it stared back.

"Thanks for healing that scratch." Roy said, turning and smiling. He stuck out his hand and the kitten bit his index finger. It didn't hurt him though. He wiggled his finger, releasing it. He then let the kitten be. "Ersatz? That's an interesting name."

[The Lifted Lorax]

"Not a problem," Althea smiled as he opened the lid. She couldn't help but coo at the kitten inside. "He's so adorable!" she said, resisting the urge to reach a hand in and pet it.

Ersatz stood on her lap and leaned forward to sniff as close to the kitten as he could get, then pulled a face and settled back down. Even Althea had to admit that Ersatz was a bit of a snob; he didn't get along well with other animals. Either he would hiss at them, such as other, older cats or he would shy away from them...such as bugs and other things he was supposed to be good at killing. Snobbish though he was, he was also a bit of a fraidy cat.

Althea smiled and nodded at Roy's comment on her cat's name. "It means 'surving as a substitute or artificial.'" She shrugged. "Really it has nothing to do with his personality at all, but I like the word ersatz. It's a neat word, really."

[LMM]

Nevaeh came back with a small coin purse that jingled as she walked. "Oh almost everything's good." She said scanning the treats. "Though if I were you I would avoid the acid pops for a bit." She looked at everything again before picking a few things up and paying for them, "Licorice wand, a box of Bertie Bots, and a chocolate frog." She said smiling.

Tom looked at the woman, "Same as her please." He said holding out some money. She gave him his items and she left. He shut the compartment door and sat down opposite Nevaeh.

They opened their candies and ate, saving the chocolate frogs for last. Nevaeh had to laugh when Tom jumped at the sight of the real frog.

After they finished their candies, Nevaeh stared out the window dazing in and out of sleep. Tom opened one of his books and began 'studying' it. Within a few hours, the train began to slow causing Nevaeh to jump out of sleep and look around. Tom chuckled, "I guess we're here." He said smiling slightly.

[TenSARS]

As the train ground to a halt, a young lady in the third carriage from the back, fourth compartment from the front, was packing up a few things she had been writing.

Tatsuya Kaoru stretched her arms and continued out of the compartment, which had been vacant except for her and her various applications forms. She allowed the others to file out in the corridor, whilst she checked the compartment of the train.

When she had confirmed she hadn't left anything behind, she left the compartment and joined on the end of the line of students leaving the train onto the platform in Hogsmeade.

They say they want nothing below an E on my predicted and mock grades... but for Waseda they're fine with As... sigh...

[The Lifted Lorax]

Noticing her companion had fallen silent, Althea shrugged and simply alternated reading and staring out the window at the country flashing past. She'd missed the lunch trolley in her conversation with Roy, so by the time the train eased to a stop her stomach was twisting painfully in hunger.

"Well...see you later, I guess," she said to the boy as she stood and pulled her luggage and Ersatz out into the corridor, waiting for the line to move to get off of the train.

[Jojo]

Sighing to himself, Roy gathered his luggage and followed Althea out. He hadn't heard the announcement over the intercom about leaving their luggage on the train, so that whenever he had gotten off the train and looked around he noticed nobody was carrying their luggage. A student dressed in the slytherin school robes, he guessed, and wearing a badge walked up to them both.

"Did you hear the announcement over the intercom?" The older boy asked.

"What announcement?" Roy replied looking slightly bewildered.

"The one that stated that you leave you luggage on the train."

"No..." Roy said slowly to the boy. "I did not." Looking around once again and glancing at Althea, he added, "And neither did she. What of it?"

"Leave your luggage here and it will be taken care of." The boy replied giving no hint that he had heard anything after 'no'. The older boy, thinking they need a minor explaination, and wanting to boast, said with responsibility, "I am a prefect for this term at Hogwarts." After a slight hesistation, he added, "Follow him. He shall show you along." The last part was done motioning at a very big rugged man under a coat of some sort. He was taller than any man Roy had ever seen. Roy seemed taken aback about his appearence.

[The Lifted Lorax]

Thea left her luggage, shrinking a bit at the prefect's abrasive manner. She looked to where he was pointing and her eyes widened.

"Him?" she asked in disbelief. He was enormous! She expected him more to crush them than lead them to the school.

[LMM]

Nevaeh had left her luggage on the train, since she had heard the announcement. As she followed the others out, she began to wonder how strange the school would be. She had heard stories from her brother, but nothing she could honestly peg as truth. She looked around, and saw several that appeared to be first years huddled around a...GIANT? She felt herself go pale slightly, then she bucked up, 'No don't act scared.' She walked over to the first years, and stood in the back. Waiting for her next instructions.

[Jojo]

Tom followed Nevaeh out, carrying no luggage as well. When they were outside of the train, he noticed that some people hadn't left there lugguge on the train. This was quickly noticed by a person wearing what he assumed from reading up in his books, was a prefect badge and green slytherin robes. After watching the exchange, ending in the other first-years leaving their luggage on the ground, they headed towards a.... 'A giant!' Tom thought, worriedly. Following Nevaeh, Tom ended up at the back of the crowd and lost sight of the two first-years. Shrugging Tom turned to listen to the giant, thinking to talk to the two later possibly.

"First-year! First-years, over here, gather round where everyone can hear!" The giant practically bellowed, "For the lot of you m'names Hagrid and I am the gameskeeper of Hogwarts. I watch the grounds. Oh and also I am teaching Care of Magical Creatures for third-years and above. S'now follow me to the boats..." Hagrid said walking away and talking to the nearest students.