"Enough already!" Catalina yelled at both students and stood up, getting herself in between Dusty and Samus, and showing she was the same height as Samus. "If you two have something to settle then you better wait until we get to the school.".

She focused her eyes on Samus, her crystaline eyes showing she would challenge him anytime. However getting into trouble before even reaching the School would sure give the exchange student a bad reputation.
"As for the time being I strongly suggest you find some other place to sit..." With a single snap of her right fingers Quintus's cage opened and the animal walked out free, as if it knew what Catalina was thinking the owl placed itself on the last free seat, it seemed quite comfortable with the place.

"All seats here are taken, you see" She told Samus without even blinking.

________________________________________-

@flat lovenote @Thayr

Seamus grumbled, he couldn't believe this, Dusty tried to start a fight on purpose and now he was getting punished for it? This was his little sister all over again, but using the victim mentality never ever worked for him, Seamus knew he started it himself, so he had to face the consequences.

He sighed as he sat back down to where his faerie dragon Ogy was, he set her cage on his lap but kept glaring at Dusty and Catalina the whole time. If staring could kill, Dusty would be dead right now.

Lauren smiled softly, knowing that getting Sky to do something was a great way to get people to open up better. "Oh, no, Sky loves travelling and is more than able to get to sleep herself. But she is easily annoyed, and unfortunately that's one of my hobbies." she joked, trying to scratch her again only to be answered with a hiss. "Okay, okay, I'll leave you alone. So sad"

Lauren frowned, remembering that the assignment wasn't difficult to her at all, but she took far more than a week to finish it. But it wasn't that surprising from the girl that was always first in class. She looked curiously at that necklace, intrigued by the magic, trying to guess how much a pendant like that one would cost and how did it translate. "Oh, wow, that sounds amazing" she said, truthfully. "It's a pity we don't do that at Hogwarts. Unfortunatly I don't know anyone that could teach me, I'm the only with in the family so every wizard I've ever known it's been here" she said, shrugging. Luckily, in her future she would be able to learn more and be far more powerful.

"Hum... That's a hard question." she started responding. "I think I'm ready for school and classes and all. But finishing school... That feels like too much. I'm still thinking what to do after Hogwarts, so I guess it's kind of... stressing, I guess." she finished, sighing. She had a few ideas, some other options her parents were trying to convince her to (getting back to the muggle world, mostly), but she felt like 17 was too young to decide your whole life. "And you? Do you have anything in mind after this year?"

---

Interacting with: @medalliah, Open to others

(Interacting with @MooiEen, others still welcome!)

There was a small laugh as the bird protested again, Hye-Jin looking up at the bird once more before returning to her writing.

"I do not understand why Hogwarts is so restricting on studies. I was able to learn Apparition in an advanced class here yet the grounds restrict the ability to use it. They do not allow spell learning without wands, but they must know of it? Maybe it is in books in the library" there was a frown and she looked up at the other girl "between the station and the school is the only time I get to study them more, or at least I do not try to do it more when on the grounds" there was a pause before she added "everyone in my family for the last um...I think 300 years at least has used magic. Maybe there is magic in your family past?"

She paused for a moment, pushing her bag to a side and saying something quietly in Korean as she focused on it. A bottle of water floated up and she grabbed it and drank some as the girl explained her plans.

"I think that is normal is it not? I had plans I thought about before but now they are on hold while my home situation happens. My parents wanted me to follow them after all. I am ready for classes though, except the herb one."

With the little problem between the Hufflepuff and the Slytherin "solved" Catalina took a deep breath and returned to her seat with her arms crossed and a clear of expression of disgust on her face, what a great first impression of Hogwarts she was having. The girl was no violent but situations like that sure made her angry, specially if it was caused by Seventh-year students as they are suppoused to be the example for the younger ones.
She looked by the windown once more and contemplated the green firelds and clouds on the sky, it was a nicew view but the blonde finally decided to close her eyes and wait for the train to arrive Hogwarts.

By the early evening the Hogwarts Express finally arrived to Hogsmeade Station, Not far down from theere were entrance gates to Hogwarts, they were located in a clearing of the Forbidden Forest that led up to the school grounds.

Horsless carriages were already waiting for second-years to seventh-years, Catalina assumed they movd through magic and notpaid much attention to the vehicle. Once all the carriages were loaded with they started their march though the Forbidden Forest.

Dusty Appletree

Dusty looked around his surroundings as he rode the horseless carriage, he'd seen the Forbidden Forest many times when he went to Hogwarts, I mean, who hasn't? He just wanted to distract himself from the fight with Seamus, he probably didn't even make a good first impression on the first-years and he very much regretted that.

Seamus Fitzpatrick

Seamus read his magic herb book as he was riding the carriage, he didn't really care for these rides, he just wanted to get to Hogwarts quickly somehow. What's worse is that Dusty was riding next to him, he wished he could jump him from his carriage, but he knew his goons/friends were riding behind him, so they could easily do that for him at his command.

Lauren shrugged, sharing the feeling that their curriculum wasn't as complete and nice as it could be. "I've seen wandless magic mentioned in some books in the library, so they sure know it exists" she started "I guess it's the same as in muggle schools: they have to keep a low level so everyone can follow. I mean, you've seen how some Hufflepuffs do a Wingardium Leviosa, I wouldn't trust them with more complex magic. But it's unfair for the rest of us" she complained, raising her knees to have her feet on the seat and be more comfortable.

"Unfortunately, no magic people in my family. As far as I know" she answered, shrugging but tensing up a little. All this blood purity thing had been long forgotten, but some people were still annoying with that. Rich and powerful wizarding families in Slytherin in particular. "So I only can work with what we have in Hogwarts. And whatever I do in the future, of course." she smiled a little at the other girl not feeling prepared for Herbology. "Oh, I would worry more about History of magic. That sure is a pain." she joked "If you need help with Herbology, just ask me. I'm not the best at that class by far, but I sure know more than enough to get good grades, so maybe I can help"

---

The rest of the trip went by more silently, Lauren going back to reading and sighing, tired. She was thankful when the train stopped, finally in Hogsmade, as the sky was starting to get dark. She stood up, stretching, and grabbed little Sky trying not to move her much, she was just napping with her wing covering her head.

She walked outside, getting soon to the carriages, containing a shiver seeing the empty space in front of them. They had studied Thestrals last year and luckily she wasn't able to see them yet, but the pictures had been awfully creepy. And not being able to see the animals made her even more nervous, even if the poor things couldn't do different. She got to a carriage, carefully getting Sky next to her, and resting patiently during the treck up to the castle

---

Interacting with: @medalliah, Open to others

(Interacting with @MooiEen, others still welcome!)

Hye-Jin paused in her writing at the offer of Herbology, looking at the other girl with a smile. "Thank you. I can help with Magic history if you are worried too, this book covers Chinese history in fact" she motioned to the ugly old tome on her lap, obviously missing the joke "you will be ok though I think." With that she returned to her studies, and the rest of the train ride went by smoothly, the only sounds from the girl being the odd murmuring as she noted something, as well as the sounds of writing.

---

Hye-Jin only noticed that the train had arrived when Lauren started moving, clearly very focused on her work. She put her bookmark in on the page she had gotten to on both her notebook and the old tome, closing them and slipping them into her backpack, then collecting the very quiet covered owl cage and put her backpack on before following Lauren out.

As they drew close to the carriages though there was a thud as the Korean girl dropped her bags, eyes widened. She said something in Korean then moved past the people waiting and past the carriages, looking at the empty space that most people could see - except she could see what was pulling them. Someone was shouting at her from atop the carriage but she didn't listen, remaining there for a good few moments before finally being shaken out of it by a teacher who spoke to her quietly. There was a few nods, and a whispered apology, the girl turning back to collect her bags and quickly get onto the carriage. Peeking over the edge and taking out a sketchbook to draw something.

The starry sky accompanied the arrival of the students to the breath-taking castle of Hogwarts, the place they called School and many called their home. The magnificent arquitecture sure impressed the first-years who were traveing by boat as is was the tradition for the freshmen. The rest, from second to seventh years, arrived earlier and with their luggage delivered to their dorms by the house-elves such students headed towards the Great Hall for the Sorting Ceremony that took place at the beginning of every year.

An inmense and colorful banquet awaited for the students who walked into the room orderly in line, however they all new they would have to wait until the ceremony was over.

A the end of the Great Hall was a large table with all the professors who were as eager as the freshmen to see to which House they were going to be assigned. With the arrival of the first year students the Headmistress Minerva McGonagall stood up for her speech.

"Welcome everyone to a new year in Hogwarts, I hope you have enjoyed you vacations and that you are ready to face the challenges that lay ahead. Let us start with Sorting Ceremony for the new students. When I call your name please sit on the stool an the Sorting Hat shall determinte which of the Four Houses fits you the best. As for the rest of the students, I am sure you will give a warm welcome to the new witches and wizards."

And with such words thenew students were then summoned to the stool one by one in alphabetical order by last name, where they sat upon the stool and placed the hat on themselves.
With each passing student the Sorting Hat shouted out loud "Sytherin", "Hufflepuff", "Ravenclaw" or "Gryffindor", which was followed by cheers of such House members.


Even though Catalina was not a first year student she awaited with them as instructed by one of the professors, at first she was a fit confused as she thought she would be sorted in private but also found it nice, she wanted to be part of the ceremony. Finally the Headmistress reaches the last names with "M" and the Headmistress called her. She was a little embarrassed to be in front of everyone as her chees were red, once she was sitting ton the stool the Hat started mumbling something the blonde did not understand and finally came out with a veredict "RAVENCLAW!"
The members of such House cheered and Catalina joined them on the table, the girl was immediately surrounded with questions of all sort by those next to her.

The trip to the castle was short enough, at least compared to the train. Soon, most students were going to the Great Hall, everyone sitting at the table. Lauren chose to sit by the corner, wanting to be more sheltered and less surrounded by students. The first day was terribly noisy, the Gryffindors more than anyone else, but everyone felt loud during the first dinner.

As the Headmistress started by welcoming everyone and the selection commenced, everything turned into a parade of little kids going to be selected. Fun, how little they looked, she couldn't even remember if she was that small her own first year. But one figure was taller than the other, a girl that clearly looked like another exchange student. It was really nice that they had these exchanges now, Lauren knew that it wasn't that common before. She even applied to one herself, but didn't get to go.

Soon, the selection seemed finished, and everyone clapped and cheered for their new classmates. Slytherin got a fair share of the firsties, same as the other houses, and Ravenclaw got the exchage student. Everything was nice, and the Headmistress welcomed them again, letting them finally eat their dinner.

Lauren decided to go for something nice, her stomach easily unsttled after the train and carriage travelling. With just some toast and something for her sweet tooth, she ate slowly, checking the other tables absently

(interacting with nobody - open for interaction/interruption)

Hye-Jin had spent the whole carriage journey sketching and peeking at the Thestrals. Noting down details that most wouldn't see without being blessed (or cursed, one of the two) of being able to view them. The journey was too short though, and she had hovered slightly after everyone left to note the last details before hurrying to the school. She paused outside, taking a small breath, then straightened her back and raised her head, strolling in and entering the school and then the hall.

The Korean girl made her way to the Slytherin table, but she paused at the top of the table and held a stare with one of the prefect girls sitting at the head of the table. There was a small pause around them, as both girls were known to not get along, but Hye-Jin eventually just gave a slow nod before striding past them moving further down the table to sit around people she knew. Taking out her notebook again and making notes around the sketch she made earlier until the Headmistress spoke.

As kids were lead to the hut, Hye-Jin kept her eyes on them. Listening to where they were lead, especially the older girls who were exchange students like she was a few years ago. The ones that were announced for Slytherin received the slightest of nods from the girl, not the most welcoming but not the icy stare she gave kids the previous year.

Once all the kids had been sorted she finally looked at the food, and there was the smallest frown as she started self plating vegetables and chicken.

The Great Hall was filled with joy and cheers, all the students applauded every time a freshmen was selected for any of the houses, yet they obviusly applauded much louder if the freshmen was assigned to their house. Catalina watched the young students sit on the stool, some looked quite nice and gentle while others acted so stuck-up and was no surprise they ended up in Slytherin; the uruguayan had already been warned about this house by she tried to pay no mind to such warnings. She tried to keep her mind as open as possible and tried to believe not everyone in Slytherin was bad.

When the Ceremony ended the Headmistress said some words and allowed the banquet to begin, there was so much food the blonde could not decide what to eat first, and on top of that the questions directed to her kept coming and she tried to answer the best she could as her english was not the best. The four tables were so talkative Catalina could barely hear what the Ravenclaws were talking about, not to mention she could not hear anything people at the other tables were talking about. For Catalina, Castelobruxo had nothing to envy Hogwarts, but she had to admit this place was majestuous.

---

She hadn’t said much for the rest of the journey on the train - nor, really, any of the journey with the carriages. Something had preoccupied the Irish witch on the great matter of Appletree and Seamus, neither of which had seemed particularly bright in the whole of that interaction and both of which spelled immense, absolutely stupid trouble for the upcoming year. For that matter, both spelled trouble for the general society at large, considering they were due to graduate after that year. The fact that neither could quite restrain themselves wasn’t great, and the fact that Seamus was an absolute bastard was even worse on top of it all. No, she wasn’t in the best of moods.

The carriage ride was spent thinking on ways to avoid both. Not many concepts came up. They’d require dealing with, both of them, and fast too if Ness was to keep any sort of sanity throughout the rest of the school year and the rest of the students. A duel wouldn’t do to fix Seamus, not at all, considering how many times he’d gotten up from them. No, she’d need to look about to see if his past had any dregs left, get something there that could serve best. Appletree was a better prospect for anything. He just didn’t have the best of control in things. As she thought, both hands served to pet Oisin, try to placate the feline in the realm where he was most eager to rectify the problem in the way he knew best. After all, Seamus couldn’t very well give trouble if he didn’t have a face. It wasn’t a method Ness thought would be good, not at all. She sighed internally at the whole of it.

And that the damnable thing happened in front of the new girl. In front of the Second Years, who were practically First Years with more confidence. That was stupid, stupid stupid, and annoyed Ness near as much as the problem itself. They needed some sort of role model, she knew, just as she’d needed role models when she was in their shoes. First years of the school were always the hardest, no matter how prepared one thought they were, and now they thought that the eldest were just absolute fools who hadn’t a lick of restraint. If they thought Seventh Years could keep themselves together, why should they even try? Stars, it burned at her, that idea. She burnt away in her seat, trying to think on ways to fix it other than throwing the pair out and away with the simple explanation ‘those two are fools, don’t treat with them’. Not many ways came to mind. They got to the castle, though, and the luggage soon went off and away. Oisin went too, padding away to the Hufflepuff Basement that he knew all too well.

Then the Great Hall, all the other students and the teachers and the staff all in one place. She’d disliked the Great Hall when first getting to Hogwarts. Some part of her still disliked it. The roof was so high that some part of the brain was tricked into thinking it was cold, the students so absolutely loud and rambunctious and foolish that they roared and talked and bled noise into the air, the teachers watching from that far desk. She took a seat furthest from the teachers, all the new kids moving forward in that big mob, and there was still the noise. One hand searched through her pockets, producing a pair of cork earplugs before she put them in. Better, better.


She watched as the First Years went up, got assigned each house, and each one cheered away. It felt somewhat empty. It felt somewhat…well, Ness didn’t quite know. But she watched and clapped and gave the little motions all the same, gave all the same little smiles from that distance. The Irish girl saw that Catalina was put into Ravenclaw, through the cork, and smiled a bit at that. Better than Slytherin, at least. Better than Gryffindor too.

All was said and done, and there was the food. Ness produced a little book from her robe, though, read it under the lip of the table in that great distance. She didn’t much feel like eating, not really, though one hand snaked up to the table for a roll or three for her pockets. Always good for later.

Dusty watched as the first years were assigned to their respective houses, his body was still buzzing from the fight that he and Seamus had on the train on the way to Hogwarts. But then, he blushed, not out of embarrassment, but so much more... was he becoming attracted to Seamus? No, there would be no way in Hell that he and Seamus could ever get in a relationship, it was bad enough they might have made a bad first impression on the first years.

Then, Dusty's blush increased as he spotted Seamus from across the table, where all the Slytherin students sat at to eat.

Dusty tried to take his mind off his attraction to Seamus, hoping Ness wouldn't notice the blush on his face.





Seamus wasn't excited at all when the first years were being assigned to their houses, it was always the same whenever he came back to go through his years. Luckily, this would be the last he had to go through before going on about his life and becoming whatever.

He spotted Dusty's eyes on him at the table where the Hufflepuff students sat, and he especially saw the pink blush dusting his cheeks... Did Dusty seriously start having a crush on him?

Seamus never really considered himself gay, nor straight, he didn't wanna live under some label, it was bad enough he was labelled a Slytherin, he just would date anyone if they truly loved him and he loved them back... but he did find himself attracted to Dusty. He always has, however.

Since third year, Seamus grew attracted to Dusty, he was just testing him, and now he figured all those feelings boiled over, here in their last year...

The night proceeded as expected, everyone enjoyed the banquet and when the Headmistress considered it was was enough everyone returned to their common rooms. Catalina was amazed by the view the Ravenclaw tower had to offer, it was simply majestic. After a small chat with her equals the blonde decided it was time to sleep as classes started next morning with Defence Against the Dark Arts, the girl covered herself not only with blankets, over them she placed her bright green robe from Castelobruxo as if it was some sort of good luck charm.

The next morning was much more calmed than the previous night, though breakfast was equally variated and colorful. After the meal the students started to make their way to class.

"The DADA class is on the third-floor..." Catalina muttered to herself, a little embarrassed to ask for directions

(Open for interaction)

The evening to the night in the Slytherin rooms had been louder than Hye-Jin had liked, with a lot of talking especially to the new members of the house. Hye-Jin had retreated to her room very early into the 'welcome' party as one of the kids had described it, doing some additional studying to get ready for the new lessons before getting to sleep. Once the morning arrived she had mentally prepared for the lessons, knowing that at least some of the students had no idea about her family situation calmed her somewhat although she knew the teachers would be asking questions.

The breakfast spreads were something she never got used to despite her many years away from Fenghuang. Never enough rice, and she had to always look for vegetarian options, but after finally finishing up she packed up and checked her schedule once more. It was her favourite class to begin the year, which immediately put her in a better mood, and she started filing out behind others watching them go off in different directions. Except one girl who seemed to have stopped. Hye-Jin remembered seeing the girl being sorted into Reavenclaw but she was clearly not a first year. The girl was too old for that. It reminded Hye-Jin of herself in a way, as she had also transferred in albeit at a younger age.

Taking advantage of the spread of kids going to different classes, the Korean girl walked over to the stationary new girl and stopped near her, saying "is a bit of a maze this school huh? I got lost when I transferred here" with a polite smile as she looked over at the girl. Giving her the chance to open up if she wanted to.

(Interacting with @Psycho Sushi)

Catalina was about to ask one of the portraits for directions when another student came to her talking about how the school looked like a maze, and she was quite right. "It is huge...I hope I don't get lost and end up in tha lair of a dragon or something" the blonde joked, then took a second to take a closer look at the girl, japanese? chinese? korean? The blonde thought of all the possibilities but in the end.... it was better to ask.
"Where do you come from? If you don't mind me asking" the new girl said as she got a bit closer to the korean student, turned her torso towards the hallway as if waiting for the other to start walking so she could follow.
Meeting another exchange student made her feel she was less alone in such a huge place

@medalliah

Lauren Millie Austen

The first night passed quickly enough, Lauren paying attention to First Years, directing them to their common room and trying not to smile at their antics and surprise. It was always nice to see some new people discover magic, her own memories also feeling like out of a fairy tale. At a decent time, she decided it was finally time to disappear, walking to her dorm silently not to gather more attention than necessary, she didn't have the energy to explain herself or keep that social, perfect and proper image. The early morning the next day would be tiring enough, better to be ready.

---

She woke up early, suppresing a groan, and moved to the showers before she could really think about it. It only took her a few minutes to be already on her way to the Great Hall, ready for breakfast and to start the day with DADA. She sat alone on the Slytherin table, barely a few students in the hall, and served herself some coffee and toast, while looking around. She noticed some of the exchange students, as they were probably early in case they got lost, but they left the Hall before she did. Clearly knowing her way after all these years, she took her time, taking a look at the textbook in between bites, trying to be ready.

She finished with just enough time to get to the class and still have some minutes to spare. She started walking with purpose, sending a few small smiles and nods to people she knew that she'd maybe see around. After some walking and far more waiting for the stairs as she wanted to, she was on the third floor, and she could finally see some of her classmates going to the room, the door finally visible but still closed, other students waiting there.

Interacting with: Open to interaction

(Interacting with Catalina Martinez @Psycho Sushi)

"If you get so lost you find dragons you left the school and walked into the forest, so try to avoid being that lost" Hye-Jin gave the girl a smile, before starting to walk towards the moving staircase to head up to the next floor. Making sure the girl was following before she continued.

"I transferred from The Fenghuang school of Witches and Wizards some years ago now, as part of a number of exchanges between the Fenghuang and Hogwarts. I am from Korea though, not China. Just Fenghuang is the closest big wizarding school to my home" she paused a moment as the stairs came to a stop in front of them before starting up them "I am Choe Hye-Jin. Although people have taken to calling me... the girl sighed "Chloe. I will not be offended if you do the same. Your accent sounds mm...what is it called again in English, South America? You come from Castle oh bruck? I do not think I'm saying that right but it is the biggest school in South America yes?"

"So not going into the forest, got it" Catalina made sure to remember that, last time she got lost she almost got eaten by a Dugbog.
As they walked the blonde heard carefuly what the other girls was saying about her origins. The girl was from Korea, that sure was far but, wait...Did she say she moved some years ago? Exchange programs are supposed to least one year, why would she stay more time? Sure there was some good reason for it but Catalina was afraid to ask.

Before she knew they had already reached the stairs and it was just then when the girl introduced heself as Choe Hye-Jin and also explained people use to call her...Chloe, Catalina rised an eyebrow in surprise, why would others change her original korean nake for a greek one? In any case she would do her best to call the girl by her real name.

Then questions came in the new gir's direction. "Ah..yes. I´m from Uruguay, but since my country has no wizarding school I decided to travel to Brazil and join Castelobruxo. The place is just a big as Hogwarts so it's also easy to get lost there...and you have to watch out for the caiporas...naughty creatures..." Catalina replied with enthusiasm except for the caipora's part. "Oh and Don't worry about the school's name, I had a hard time learning protuguese so don'-..!" she was so focused in her speech she didn't realize there was a ginger student just in front and bumped into her.

"I am sorry I was not paying attention!" She squeaked

(Interacting with @Medalliah and @MooiEen

Lauren Millie Austen

Lauren was finally there, ready to the first day back in the school. As she was going to move, she heard some voices behind her, one of them sounding just like Hye-Jin, but she didn't have time to turn and say hi before someone bumped into her. She turned, ready to bear with some idiot that may have been running, but found something quite different. The girl looked like the exchange student, and she was saying sorry, so she chose to change her mind.
"Oh... No worries, really. Could have been worse" she said, smiling a little to reassure the girl. "But I wouldn't recommend you to walk around the castle without paying some attention. I'm pretty sure that the stairs are planning all of our demises" she joked, her need to get on well with everyone always present. And if this girl was talking with Hye-Jin, she already had far more points in her mind than most assholes around the school, so it was someone nice to have around. "Also, I'm Lauren. You are the exchange student, right? From... Castelobruxo?" she asked, the pronuntiation far less terrible than other English speakers, but still quite noticeable that it wasn't right. But she tried.

Interacting with: @Medalliah @Psycho Sushi