Richard was just about to answer Astrid and Terra when another student walked in. [b]“Mind if I join you guys?”[/b] the boy asked. Richard glanced at him and the cat rearing up anxiously on his shoulders. He looked around at the compartment and then looked back at the newcomer.

“Yeah, sure,” Richard said. “We’ve got plenty of room. I’m Richie, and this is Astrid and Terra. We were just talking about what houses we think we’ll end up in.” He scooted over as Toby pushed into the compartment. He helped the boy stow his things and they all sat down.

“I haven’t really given much thought to where I’d end up,” Richard admitted. “I always just assumed I would end up in Hufflepuff like both of my parents.” There were stories about the Sorting Hat taking the student’s choice into consideration, but Richard felt he’d just be grateful that he was being sorted in the first place.
~

[b]"Oh man, that apparation shit is stressful."[/b] Cleo opened one eye and looked at him, [b]"You pass your apparation license test?"[/b]

A loud, deafening [i]crack[/i] reverberated off the compartment walls and Jeff was now sitting just across from her. He felt his stomach do a turn but he ignored it. “I had a little trouble at first, but I can’t say I miss portkeys or flooing. There’s just a lot more freedom with apparation.” Jeff twirled his wand absentmindedly and glanced up at his trunk which was sitting on the rack above him. He flicked his wrist and a book fluttered down, landing gently in his hands.

“And, nah, I don’t mind,” he said. “Get as much work done as you need. I’ll probably just do a bit of reading before I go make my next rounds.” He flipped the book open to a point about midway through and glanced at a note he had previously scribbled in the margins.

“Your summer was good?” Jeff asked.