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

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

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

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