[center][h1][u][color=yellow]Mircus[/color][color=black]Ashby[/color][/u][/h1]
The platform was crowded and Mircus and Nyra had to weave between the mass of families saying goodbye to their families. Their parents always sent him off alone, and they appeared to be treating Nyra no different. A small Kestrel Falcon jumped around in its cage as she didn't like being shook around, and it gave a loud screech to let her friend know she was unhappy. "I know Talon, but we'll have you on the train shortly." Once their luggage had been placed into the undercarriage the sixth-year student led his eleven-year-old sister onto the Express.

They moved down the narrow path as Mircus checked for a place to sit. He found some long-time acquaintances sitting in one and gave the Cummings twins a smile and nod as he passed by. It looked as though they were in the middle of a serious discussion, and given what Tate had been through recently he understood and continued moving. Soon he came upon another Gryffindor. He poked his head in the doorway. "'Ey there, 'team captain'," he smirked. "Aye, I'd heard. I'm sure you'll do well, but good luck." He smiled at the fellow captain before squeezing past three first years. He finally found a small compartment already occupied by two others, but since there we no other available compartments he and his sister sat down.

"You look nervous, sis. Don't be. No matter what House you get sorted into, you'll do fine. And I'll be there to protect ya' no matter what." She finally grinned up at her older brother. "But, honestly, I hope you get sorted to Hufflepuff. We are going to need a new Seeker this year." They had a makeshift quidditch match in their yard and practiced constantly. Nyra had always been great at catching the snitch. She had gotten the talent from their mother.

~*~

Mircus had been one of the first in the Great Hall. He loved seeing all the new faces and reconnecting with old friends. Suddenly a commotion arose behind him and he turned to find that the Gryffindors were carrying their new team captain to the table. An exchange between the girl and a Slytherin only hinted at the rivalry. "Hell, she can't do any worse than your captain, Slytherin," Mircus coaxed up, using the House name as he didn't know the loudmouth. "Ye haven't had the trophy in three years." Mircus had been made team captain three years ago when the previous captain had graduated and drove his team to break the Slytherin's win-streak. Then, the bane of his quidditch career, Thunder Graves, had begun focusing him. And since, he'd been unable to be as successful on the field.

Putting the banter behind him he looked down the Hufflepuff table, finding a familiar and friendly face. "Damien!" He shouted, moving behind the Korean and placing his hands on his shoulders. "I've missed you all summer, mate. How've you been?" He looked down, spotting a new face. She was unfamiliar but looked as though she was in her later years. Must be another transfer, Mircus thought. "Who's your friend."

Not long after, the sorting ceremony had begun and Mircus had taken a seat beside Damien and Bleu. His sister was around the tenth to be sorted. When she came up onto the dais Mircus smiled brightly and lifted a hand to her as she waved fervently at him. He waited, watching eagerly as the Hat spoke confidently to her. "Yes, you are a bright one, aren't you. Perhaps you belong to Ravenclaw. No, you're too nice for that, they'd eat you alive. Maybe you belong in Hufflepuff then, huh, with your brother. You'd like that, I can tell. But you would have no room to truly prove those talents you keep hidden away. Oh, yes, I know your secrets as I knew his. No, no, I know the spot for you..." Mircus leaned forward, anticipation at an ultimate high. "You belong in Gryffindor!" A sea of scarlet and gold rose, and Mircus along with it. "Wooh!" He shouted, clapping and whistling loudly as his baby sister made her way to her new home.[/center]