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

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

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

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

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

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