"Pleasure to meet you Toby." The other twin spoke, the one closer to the door. "You have a cute cat." She gave him a warm smile. "What's his name? We don't have any pets. Our dad hasn't ever let us have one." The twins shared a quick glance. "Well what I mean is, we moved a lot and he didn't think it'd be right. When we got the letter for Hogwarts we asked for one, because of the line about being able to bring pets, but he said no. He wants us to focus on our school work." 

Terra climbed up onto the seat and reached into her trunk and pulled out a notebook. Inside the notebook were dozen of sketches of plants. She handed the notebook and a pack of pens and pencils to Astrid. Terra then took out the Herbology book. "I'm looking forward to Herbology. You guys?" Terra asked hopping down off the seat and then sitting down next to the window again. Astrid handed her twin the notebook and pens.

Toby smiled and actually blushed a little nodding. "Pleasure is mine you two." He watched as Castiel slinked back into vision and start batting at Astrid's foot. Toby giggled a bit and refocused, "But pets help you study I find. Then again this -IS- my first pet so I'm only talking on a week of data." He got a quick glance at the book being passed and figured Herbology was studying herbs and the sort. "I only know two classes, well three now I suppose. Transfiguration and Defense Against the Dark arts. Both of those sound awesome though."

"I am most excited about Defense Against the Dark Arts." Astrid announced. "Terra is obsessed with plants."

"I am not." Terra looked up from her notebook and glared at her sister.

"Yeah, and that isn't a notebook that you've been sketching in since you were eight." Astrid grinned at her sister. Terra couldn't keep her own smile from forming. She went back to transferring information on a plant into the notebook. "For Defense against the Dark Arts the book looks really interesting. I looked through it a bit. I cannot wait to learn how to do counter-spells. I mean of course I'll have to learn how to do the spell first, but I like the idea of breaking spells on people." Astrid looked off into her imagination.

With a nod of agreement Toby seemed to get excited, Castiel resumed the batting of Astrid's foot. "I really like everything I've read about defensive magic so far. And I even read that my wand is supposed to be really good with that sort of thing. Or so the man who sold it to me said." He shrugged and looked around the compartment, still not sure that all of this was real.

Astrid watched Castiel play with her shoe with a grin. She wasn't sure if the kitten would take to her trying to pet him again so she just let him play. "Same here. I haven't read anything about my wand." She frowned. "Where did you read about it? Our wands are very different. I was surprised. He said 'The wand chooses the wizard', but honestly with twins you'd still think they'd be similar wands." Terra rolled her eyes, but Astrid didn't catch it.

"I don't really know what he was talking about either, he just told me that everyone now matter how similar they might be always has something that distinguishes them. Then he told me to always be on guard with my wand, as that was what it was made for. Of course that got me interested so I grabbed a book about the properties of wand wood in Flourish and Blotts. Apparently the wood has some kind of power with protective magic." He shrugged to let both of them he really had no idea what he was talking about and leaned back. Castiel, the kitten decided that the two girls were OK and started climbing up Astrid's leg to settle down in her lap.

Astrid nodded. She was tempted to ask if she could look through the book, but she decided that petting the kitten was more interesting. Let Terra worry about the little details like wand properties. "Hey there kitty. What's your name cutie?" She didn't really ask Toby so much as just enjoy petting the kitten. Terra glanced at her watch and glanced out the window. The platform was bustling as families said their goodbyes. Astrid reached over and squeezed her sister's hand.

~~~
"I'm not saying I agree with the methods Phelix, but sometimes-" McCarthy cut off as he dashed over to deal with the near scuffle.

McCarthy glanced at his watch. "Hope so too. I'll stay here though. I'll Apparate up to Hogsmead after the train leaves. Thank you for your help Phelix." McCarthy saw one kid dash toward the barrier pushing a trolly, he slipped through the crowd and then was through the barrier. McCarthy checked his watch. "I think that kid just made it. See you at the school." He gave one last nod to Phelix before the older man made way through the crowd. 

McCarthy found a quite corner of the station before Apparating to Hogsmead. He had several hours before the train would arrive at the station. Until then he'd change clothes and speak with Mcgonagall about the events of the morning. He wasn't pleased with how dangerous it had gotten.