Isaac smirked at Eva as Avice walked away.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


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

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

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

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

~~~

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

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

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