[color=39b54a][center][h2]Elspeth Macbain[/h2][/center][/color][hr]
Elspeth made her way towards the platform. With a steady gait and no rush in her steps, people nevertheless stepped out of her way and gave her a wide berth. Perhaps it was her intimidating aura, or the Slytherin colors she wore proudly on display, or even perhaps the prefect badge pinned proudly on her chest?

Most likely however, it was the large tarantula that had perched itself on her shoulder, like a parrot would a pirate.

Her parents weren't available to come with her, which, while disappointing, was not terribly surprising. They had been unable to accompany her during her second and third year as well - she did not resent them for it. She knew full well how time consuming their jobs were, and was content with knowing that they would make time for her during the holidays.

Once inside the train, and much to her annoyance, she found it hard to find available seats. Nearly everywhere was full, and Elspeth cursed her sloppiness; had she arrived earlier this would not have been an issued. Unfortunately, she spent had spent extra time acclimating to the new broom her parents had gifted her with - a reward for her being appointed as prefect. She hadn't asked for it, but nevertheless accepted it gleefully. It was top of the line, naturally - the Firebolt Supreme - a world class broom that was in all honesty too good for her. She was not a [i]bad[/i] flier, in fact, she was quite good, but she was no Quidditch player.

It was superb, and she admittedly might have been a tad too absorbed attempting more and more complex maneuvers on the thing, thus, her not quite tardiness when boarding the train.

As she slid open another door, she found that it was nearly full. There was one clearly available seat left, only with the slight caveat that the entire compartment was filled with Gryffindors. The gaggle of girls - who seemed to be in her year, actually - looked up at her with a start, and instantly their faces twisted.

[color=39b54a]"Is that seat available?"[/color] she asked politely.

Licking her lips nervously, one of the girls responded, "Like we told one of you Slytherins' earlier, we don't associate with snakes."

Her response elicited a raised brow. Interhouse politics were irritating at times. [color=39b54a]"That doesn't answer my question. Is. That. Seat. Available?"[/color] she asked, punctuating her sentence to make it clear that Elspeth Macbain does [i]not[/i] suffer fools.

Gulping, the girl being questioned's eyes darted across her companions in the compartment, pleading for assistance. Her companions however, were in similar states of speechlessness. They were saved from having to answer when one of the girls peered over Elspeth's shoulder and cried out, "O-oh! Jane, Jane, over here! We saved you a seat!"

Behind Elspeth, a Hufflepuff girl started, and she wheeled around to see who had called her. Her face lit up on sight, and she approached the compartment, before stopping nervously at the sight of a certain Slytherin. 

Elspeth looked at the girls in the compartment to the Hufflepuff girl fidgeting nervously in place, before sighing. Pursuing this was useless and a waste of her time. [color=39b54a]"I see, I apologize for the trouble then,"[/color] she said, before turning in place to continue her search for another compartment.

On her way off, she could hear the girls talking.

[i]"That was terrifying..."

"Thank Merlin you came by when you did-!"

"Wait did you just use me to snub Macbain-!"[/i]

As the babble increased in noise, Elspeth smirked. Well, it was not a complete waste of time, she supposed.