While the woman's high heels clicked on the floor of the Hogwarts Express, Kjolmar followed her with his dreamy blue eyes. He didn't have to answer her questions last year and he couldn't help but wonder what the new procedure was good for. He didn't express those doubts out loud of course, as a Prefect he had to set a good example and do as he was being told by the professional Hogwarts staff. How could anyone refuse to answer sweet Mrs. Raspberry in the first place? She was really kind to all the students, regardless of what year or house they were in, and she was really good at her administration job too.

Kjolmar decided to find his friends and moved through the different cabins. He hadn't seen them all summer long because his mother forced him to study. He had gotten two Outstanding's on his O.W.L.'s and two Exceed Expectations', grades that most mothers would be proud of. But not Kjolmar's mother, oh no, she was determined that he could do even better than that. Surely she loved him deeply but she could be quite strict on him.

Moving through the first cabin without too much distraction was relatively easy, apart from one particular seat. "Kjolmar, my man! It's good to see you! Will you sit with us?" Kjolmar smiled sincerely and hugged his friend. "Actually, I'm looking for Felix and-" The boy with the blue tie interrupted him. "Save it, Kjolmar. It's perfectly fine that you don't want to play with us anymore, so why wouldn't it be fine that you don't want to sit with us?" There was an accusing and sarcastic tone in the boy's voice and you could clearly see that he was upset. Kjolmar frowned his forehead. "Listen, I think I would be really good at being a Seeker. That doesn't mean our friendship will suffer from it. You know what, I'll help you find the perfect third Chaser to replace me. You won't even want me back if you see how good he will be." Joseph, Louis and Kjolmar had been the Ravenclaw Chasers last year and it led them to many victories in Quidditch and a tight friendship between them. "Yeah, yeah, just go find your friends who aren't too stubborn to talk to you along the ride. When Louis arrives, we'll probably end up reading anyhow." Joseph turned to the side so his back was towards Kjolmar, who frowned again but continued to the next cabin. "I will meet up with you guys when we arrive, okay?" There was no answer.

In the next cabin, Kjolmar scouted for his friends but didn't see them anywhere. Where were they? Were they even on the train yet? Then his eyes crossed those of a blonde girl with a green tie, clearly a Slytherin girl. She was staring right at him with a certain sly smile. Next to her were some boys from the same house, but they didn't bother to look at him at all. As he passed them, the girl -chewing on something- waved her hand. "Hi, Kjolmar." she giggled. Because of her greeting, the boys near her also looked at Kjolmar, nodded politely but didn't speak. Despite their house differences, they got along quite well. The girl had a crush on Kjolmar and everyone knew, besides Kjolmar himself that is. "Hi, Serena. Hi, guys." he replied while passing them. Suddenly a young boy tripped over the luggage that Kjolmar was carrying with him and hit his head on the floor right before Serena, hitting her feet in the progress. "Auch! Hey, watch it, you little punk!" If she ever had a certain charm on her, it vanished in to thin air right that moment. The boy next to her grabbed the boy that tripped, clearly a first year student that wasn't sorted yet, and made him face Serena. "Apologize to her, little loser." The boy stuttered an apology but Serena payed little attention to him. "Just get him out of here." she asked her friend, as if she was talking about a dog or something. The stuttering boy was tossed to the hallway. Kjolmar had been watching it from a distance but it all happened so fast that he hadn't really been able to intervene. "That wasn't necessary, guys. I think I'll have a talk with your Prefect later on." Serena immediately seemed to be willing to mediate between the boys. "Oh, Kjolmar, you know how grumpy Buck gets when I'm in pain. He'll be calm for the rest of the ride, don't you worry."

While moving from the second to the third cabin, Kjolmar found the stuttering boy sitting on the floor with his head covered between his knees. He couldn't tell if the boy was crying or just trying to zone out for a moment. "Hey, kid. Are you alright?" The boy looked up and it was obvious that tears had been running down his cheeks. Kjolmar took a seat on the floor, right next to him. Don't let them get to you. When I was in my first year, I was beaten up by a bully. Then I learned some amazing spells at Hogwarts and defeated him in a duel. I made him croak like a frog for days. It was hilarious, even his friends laughed at him. Well, not that I was proud- You know, forget that, the point is that you'll rise above those bullies one day." The boy wiped his tears and smiled. He didn't say anything, perhaps because he didn't want to stutter again. Slowly he got up and walked towards Kjolmar, mumbled a "Th-thank you." and walked off. Well, that was a lousy pep-talk, but apparently it somehow worked. Kjolmar was curious what house the boy would get sorted in. He'd have a rough time standing up for himself if he'd be sorted in Slytherin.

In the next cabin he finally found Felix. The second he spotted him, a warm glow rushed through his veins. He couldn't believe they hadn't seen each other all summer. With the largest smile a person could possible have, Kjolmar dropped his luggage and ran towards his friend. "Felix!" he called out while diving in for a hug. Together they had shared some priceless adventures the past few years and it had made them really close. Kjolmar didn't see their other friend yet, despite the Express taking off. He hoped she was on the train somewhere, trying to find them. "It is só good to see you! I can't believe mother didn't let me see anyone all summer!"

Felix's gaze followed the woman as she sashayed away down the carriage. His puzzled expression in part from the bizarre interview but also as to how Mrs Raspberry could afford so many different pairs of Louis Vuittons, her soles flashing the tell tale scarlet. He smiled at the glamorousness of the generally unseen administrator as he turned back to the almost empty compartment. He leant over to his only companion and scratched behind her ear, eliciting a positive purr in response. Felix grinned as his tabby made an expression of sheer satisfaction before curling back up as his hand withdrew from a noise outside.

He looked up to see the Slytherin prefects about to enter his compartment. Wand beside him, it was quickly within his palm and pointed at the door as he gasped quickly, "Colloportus". As the prefect turned the handle it stuck fast and the prefects noticed Felix sat inside. They gave him a quick apologetic smile and then a sneering glance at one another before moving further down the carriage. He sighed in relief as he realised that he'd been holding his breath. They had been two of the bullies he'd experienced in his lower years before becoming masterful at charms and transfiguration. Whilst no one messed with him now, those two Slytherins were the best potions student and duellist in the year. But here on the train with him in a compartment and both fifth and seventh year prefects also around they wouldn't try anything. Felix stretched his legs out over to the other bench, glad for the plush cushions and more spacious cabins in the prefect carriage.

Numerous other prefects passed his compartment and he conversed with a couple (after remembering to unlock his door) but his two closest friends still hadn't arrived. Where the hell are they? He cast another glance down the passage before ducking back inside to count his change for when the Honeydukes Express trundled passed. He thought over their friendships and mused as he stared at the mass of emotional parents outside. How on earth had the three of them ended up so close? Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw prefects and a Slytherin centaur?! No one could have predicted it. Kjolmar he could kind of understand. They were practically the same person, but once they'd realised this they had become competitors. Kjolmar far exceeding him in DADA and any duel as well as becoming a star on the Quidditch team. Felix in return excelled at the more intricate and practical spells of transfiguration and charm respectively as well as taking more subjects than the Ravenclaw just to rub his hard work in. Then suddenly in fourth year it had changed. They had ended up as lab partners in potions. Neither really liking the subject but appreciating its value in the job market they suddenly stuck up a strong studying and working partnership that soon slipped into friendship, much to the surprise of their other friends. They'd head enough criticism from one to the other over the previous three years. Felix had found Kjolmar stuck up and selfish and in return Felix was a swot and a wimp. By the end of the year, bygones were bygones and they were close friends and successful potion makers.

Then how did a Slytherin centaur get thrown into the mix? During the same year Kjolmar turned around in Felix's eyes the previously avoided and shunned centaur student had also popped up on Felix's radar. Having downright failed at Divination he was curious to learn of her incredible skill especially considering she was apparently the same standard as him in some other subjects including Ancient Runes and Astronomy, which they took together, she a natural at the latter. Finally in History of Magic, he struck up the courage to approach the centaur when the other Slytherin cronies had left the classroom. Particularly week in the subject he started with a compliment, "How do you remember all those dates? You can probably see I'm struggling already." Expecting a tart reply he was suprised when he knew who he was. He beamed at the mention of his father, a Ministry of Magic member who had successfully campaigned for centaur and merpeople rights after leading up the Centaur Liason Office. Of course she had heard of him she was only the second centaur to ever enrol in Hogwarts, still pioneering for her species. From there they chatted more and found that they had a lot in common through their interest in the outdoors and his connection to the centaur community. So there you had it. Two years on and here they all were. Or weren't as the case currently was.

Felix turned to grab his drink when the door to the compartment was flung open and a tanned blonde Ravenclaw dived on him for a hug. He embraced Kjolmar in a bear hug and smiled in return as his best friend sat down beside him. "It is so good to see you! I can't believe mother didn't let me see anyone all summer!" Felix laughed, "You too! I can't believe she still does that! We start N.E.W.T.s this year, she needs to let go of her baby!" He reached out to pet Kjolmar's cheek in jest, swallowing deeply and feeling his mouth gone dry as his gaze met those dreamy eyes. Maybe this year he'd admit his crush. Or maybe not.

There was a moment, exactly like there had been before for many times. Kjolmar couldn't quite explain it. The last few years there had been something magical -pun intended- when they made eye contact.

As he sat down next to Felix, he took a last glare in to the hallway to see if he could spot Talmveig yet. "Do you think Mrs Raspberry is holding her up? I hope she doesn't ask her about Quidditch, she might end up being hexed." Kjolmar smiled widely, as if he would be rather amused by such a scene. He had been holding a small bag before sitting down. "Look what I got, flavour beans. I happen to know for a fact that your favorite flavours are in there, I checked." He opened the bag and held it before Felix. It reminded him of the time when they slipped some nasty flavours in a teacher's drink during their second year.

All of a sudden, some beans dropped from a rip on the side. "Damnit, it must've been ripped when that stuttering boy tripped over my luggage." Seeing that Felix' wasn't exactly up to date about that event, Kjolmar immediately explained. "A firstyear student, quite the stutterer, tripped over my luggage and ended up being tossed out of the cabin by Buck. You know, Serena's brother. It all happened so quickly that I couldn't intervene but do you think we should have a talk with the Slytherin prefects? Then again, I don't want to get Serena in trouble." While explaining what had happened, Kjolmar took out his wand and picked up the beans that were dropped with a "Wingardium Leviosa" before Felix' cat Minny would start playing with them. Students weren't supposed to use magic outside Hogwarts, but Kjolmar had discovered that magic on the Express remained unpunished. Perhaps it was considered an extension of school grounds.

Kjolmar stood up from his seat and took another peek for Almveig. "Where is that grumpy centaur? I am in desperate need to brag about something." He was eager to tell the two of them about his new Seeker position. Despite the fact that it saddened him that Joseph and Louis were holding a grudge for him no longer being on the Chaser team, he felt great enthusiasm towards the Seeker spot. When Kjolmar returned to his seat, he unintentionally sat down a little closer to Felix than earlier.

"Let us go through this one more time. If they ask about our motives, what do we say?" Serena had been lowering herself on her seat, her legs over her brother's lap. Buck didn't seem to mind. "We say we realized that our attitude hasn't been an example the last few years and that we want to turn that around." Serena just nodded in agreement. "You should let me do most of the talking, however. But just in case, one more: what is an absolute must each morning?" Buck clearly forgot the correct answer and remained silent. He opened his mouth a little and looked upwards to show his sister that he was thinking. Serena sighed and sat up straight. "Drinking the potion, Buck! Make it a standard procedure, it's quite harmless and it will make sure that they can't force us to tell the truth by the means of a spell. How can you not remember such an important part of our plan?" All of a sudden a boy from Gryffindor passed their cabin and the sudden silence was rather awkward. It was obviously that he wasn't allowed to hear a single word of their conversation. When he had left, Serena sighed in relief. "I bet Lady has a better short term memory than you do and she's a bloody Chihuahua."

Echo stepped onto the train and found a compartment with three first years who acted like deer in the head lamps as she entered.. She laughs softly as she takes the empty seat near the window.
"Don't leave and no one will trouble you if I'm here and I don't care what you do or talk about." she says with a slight smile as she leans back then closes her eyes.

The three first years like mice who've found themselves suddenly trapped with a cat stayed as still and silent as they could.
Their reactions could have had something to do with the fact that she was 16 but it was more likely the house uniform; she was wearing the green of Slytherin.
They sat looking from one to the other but little by little they began to talk again though in hushed tones.
Echo yawned an sighed then allowed herself to drift off to sleep. She had done this every year since her second year because it insured that she didn't have to deal with all the inane chatter about the coming year.

Echo hated school politics and all the planning that went on to accomplish. She wanted nothing to do with any of it, Echo didn't like to share or to follow orders which made her a terrible team player no she wanted power not friends.
What she planned to do with power once she held it was a mystery because she rarely interacted with anyone even in her own family. When she did work with anyone it was because a school project, spell or potion required more than one person.

Serena got up and stretched her arms. "This train ride always takes forever. I need to walk it off." As she left the cabin, she could see that Buck was about to follow her but sat back down upon a "Nu-uh. Stay." from Serena. When she got to the next cabin, she could see the blonde Slytherin girl called Echo sitting with three unsorted firstyears. Serena had never really been that close to her but she was nice to her. Being sorted in Slytherin probably helped a lot. Serena tried to get as many Slytherins on her side as possible to increase her popularity even further. She had to admit, she was more honest to her fellow Slytherins than to those who got sorted otherwise. Serena noticed how Echo was minding her own business by ignoring the firstyears. Serena doubted for two seconds but then decided to walk up to them. "Echo Sullivan, is that you?" she asked with a huge smile. Given, it sounded a lot more enthusiastic as it should. "My, you have certainly grown during summer. I bet all the boys will start to notice you now." Serena took a seat next to her, forcing one of the firstyear students to stand up and remain seatless. Serena then turned to the young ones and forced a smile on her face, or at least a half one. "Hello. I can see you are just starting your first year so allow me to introduce myself. My name is Serena Vermont. If you should get sorted into Slytherin, we'll hang out some time." She then turned back to Echo with a lot more sincere smile. "Guess who has gotten a nice tan during summer? Kjolmar Delacroix! After all these years I am still upset that he got sorted into Ravenclaw. I can't believe he still hangs out with that Hufflepuff whats-his-name. The centaur, I can understand, but... Oh my, listen to me babbling. I haven't even asked you how your summer has been?" Serena knew that Echo could possible feel a bit confused at her sudden interest, but she figured that she could pull it off if she just acted enthusiastic enough.

Felix smiled with his friend at the thought of the centaur hexing a member of staff but his thoughts were interrupted by an iconic striped box thrust in his direction. At Kjolmar's comment he gave a cheeky expression in return, both from their previous prank and their running joke that Felix's favourite flavour was marmite despite his absolute hatred of the subject.

As he reached for an appetizing caramel coloured bean (that could easily turn out to be sand, gravy or eyewax), beans slipped from a tear and bounced onto the floor. Felix stroked Minny whilst Kjolmar levitated the sweets back up from the floor, holding her collar tighter as she tensed at the sight of a new prey. Serena... He had no time for her at all. She had always treated him with contempt and Felix therefore had no time for her in his life. It was apparent to him that she had feelings for his attractive Ravenclaw friend and was close to Almveig, and therefore hated him for having a flourishing friendship with both. Therefore Felix decided to ignore the question as Kjolmar once again checked the corridor for their friend.

He tensed as his friend sat down again, closer than before. Much closer. He swallowed and played with his wand as Minny adjusted herself into his lap. "What's such big news?"

.

"What a strange lady..." brown eyes followed the backside of the woman who had recently spent nearly most of the ride questioning many of the students. Abelia eventually returned herself to the seat, leaning against the velvet thankfully as she pulled a black cat onto her lap. Two other people sat with her, a boy and a girl, who shared longing glances at each other and clung together like leeches. These two people happened to be her friends, and sadly it seemed as though some things had changed over the course of four years. Abelia realized that she had now become a third-wheel. Her long hands slowly stroked Lux, the black cat, as she absently stared out the window, watching the scenery change as fast as lightning,

"So, are you guys excited for this year?" there was a long pause, and then a soft sigh as Emilia, the girl, answered,

"Quite." Abelia forced a smile and nod, obviously annoyed by the one word response. God, if you didn't want to talk, just say so!

---

Eventually, Abelia found herself wandering back and fourth in the corridors, too giddy and annoyed with her friends to sit still. Lux sat daintily on her shoulder, meowing in protest every time she would whip around and walk the other way. Back ad fourth, back and fourth. The ornate carpet of the corridor swirled at her feet in waves as she moved over it, and she almost felt calm watching it. Soon, Abelia froze, staring at the ground. Around her, the sound of chit chatting in all the different compartments filled the silence. Gossip, spells, friends. She suppressed a loud sigh and instead turned around, walking back towards the cabin where her bags and "friends" still sat. No need to be sad, she reminded herself, she was better off alone, friends would only distract her learning. No, that was bull. Friends were very important to someone like her.

"I'll figure this out later..." she muttered to herself, finally reaching her cabin. As she reached the door, sudden claws dug into her shoulder, and Lux hissed, puffing up. Abelia lifted up her hand instinctively, grabbing the cat by the scruff to stop it from running off,

"Lux? What's up?"

Chills. Sweat began to bead at her forehead, eyes widening. Maybe someone had opened a window? She slowly brought her hand back down to her side and she tightened her hands into fists. Something, maybe someone was making her feel nervous. She glanced down one side of the corridor, then the other, only finding an unsettling dimness had set in. Calm, calm, it's probably nothing...

Wham

A door opened suddenly, loudly, down the hall and with jerky, surprised movements Abelia latched onto her cabin door, pulled it open, and practically tripped inside. Lux leapt from her shoulder onto the seat, tail lashing. After regaining her balance, she turned and pulled the door shut, a smile of confusion at her own fear splayed on her face. Her friends were looking at her strangely,

"You okay, Nix?" asked the Lus, the boy. She turned to look at the two of them, eyes displaying her blatant fear but face revealing nothing at all. Her legs were shaking just a bit, but her shoulders were back, head high,

"Y-yeah, I just uh... Something surprised me is all." she told them, sliding into her seat.

"Well, we're here, so I suppose we should start getting our stuff tog-" before Emilia could finish, a sudden darkness passed over the cabin. Before any of them could make a comment, though, the lights returned. Emilia and Lus smiled, appearing somewhat distraught, and began chit chatting about what that could have been, and Abelia, who had been stunned into silence, simply stared blindly out the window at Hogsmeade Station. Why was she so terrified right now? Her hands mechanically reached for Lux, gripping him tightly while trying to calm herself. What could that have been? Maybe a teacher with a terrifying presence, or a new kid?

"Nix... Nix? Abelia Nixus!"

She was pulled out of her thoughts by Emilia, who was standing in front of the open cabin door with a bag under her arm. Lus was gone, most likely waiting in the hall.

"C'mon, Nix, let's go do some shopping before we head over to the castle."

"Oh, yeah... Alright!" she managed to pep herself up a bit, slowly standing, collecting her bags, and running after the two to catch up.

August's ride on the train was lonely.

She sat alone near the front of the train, curled up on her seat near the window. Like some, she slept the entire time in her uniform. She'd changed before getting on the train, knowing she would be asleep. August Rushwood, or as she was called by some 'August Rush', after the movie character, was considered a queer character by most. Her quiet voice could let loose into a bold, stern voice if aggravated, and her ability to play instruments without magic was interesting and muggle-like in some eyes, but August refused to learn how to play instruments with magic. She enjoyed doing it herself too much.

Due to being asleep, she didn't notice the lights going out and back on. After waking up, she stretched, stood, and headed off the train, her lanky frame loping along towards Hogsmeade, curly hair bouncing gently. She didn't really know what she'd do before going to the school, but she didn't feel like going just yet. Yawning, the soft-spoken Ravenclaw looked around at the students, not really bothered by the unfamiliar faces.

Echo was relaxed and planning on doing so the entire trip to school when Serena Vermont just stepped into her compartment.
Echo simply turned and regarded her house sister with a bland expression.
"Echo Sullivan, is that you?" Serena asked with a huge smile.
Echo blinked as she mulled over any number of responses discarding the most obvious "What do you want?" and allowed Serena to go on as she often was want to.
"My, you have certainly grown during summer. I bet all the boys will start to notice you now." said Serena as she took a seat next to Echo.
"I could careless if the boys notice me or don't as they are simply put just boys and worth little thought" says Echo as if she were describing the difference between African and English Mandrake.
Serena goes on about Kjolmar Delacroix getting a tan an her disappointment that he was sorted differently than she the Heir of Vermont had hoped.
"Oh my, listen to me babbling. I haven't even asked you how your summer has been?" Was what Echo heard as Serena poured even more sugar on her conversation.
"My summer was uneventful and taken up entirely by my Aunt Rose's tutoring in potions and spell casting" answers Echo her expression not unfriendly as well as filled with curiosity.
Echo wasn't allowed friends nor playmates and it had been thus since her earliest memory. Echo's mother and Aunts had made her life one of focus with little chance for the frivolous things that others her age took for granted.
Echo was because of her upbringing socially awkward and at times oblivious to the obvious. If she were allowed to think as a child she'd have lamented her loss but didn't even give it a second thought.
She so wanted to ask what Serena wanted and was up to but she knew that at the moment the presence of three unhoused 1st years prevented an honest answer.
"Did you enjoy your summer Serena?" asked Echo choosing the safe path

Despite not wanting to overshare about her summer, Serena figured she'd give a brief answer. "I must admit my summer was great. It felt so good to be away from the books for a while." Serena giggled and sighed at the same time. "How can you not care about boys at all?" She realized it was going to take more than the usual smalltalk to get through to Echo. Surely there had to be something that she was interested in that Serena could exploit. Serena knew the type of girls like Echo (or at least she thought she did): hard to reach but once accepted in the popular clique, she'd be ruthless to foes and loyal to the group. It was time to step in to the next level. "Wait a minute. Are you in to girls then? It's perfectly fine if you are, I'm not one to judge such a thing." All of a sudden everything become dark and instantly returned to normal. A shiver ran down her spine. "What was that all about?" She looked from Echo to the first year students but noticed how they were just as surprised as she was. Her gaze then ventured further down the cabin and she made eye contact with Gryffindor girl Nix. "What did you do, Nixus?" she asked with an accusing tone. Serena didn't really like Nix and refused to address her with her first name or her nickname for that matter.

"Oh, I wanna stop by Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop!"

Oh, groan.

The three walked in a straight line down the train's corridor, heading towards the open door that was letting in the light of the setting sun. Many other compartments were opening and other students were spilling out. Abelia found herself scooping Lux up from the ground and onto her shoulder, where he latched on automatically. She glanced up, only to find Emilia and Lus lost in the crowd. Ah, well. Maybe she could visit Honeydukes or Three Broomsticks Inn for a drink. Then maybe she could think more about the dark shado- Nah, forget about that. Abelia walked in the crowd, allowing it to drag her towards the exit, her mind lost in a muddle of thoughts.

It was probably nothing

Abelia found her eyes wandering thoughtlessly through the crowd, and she was caught by a particularly tall, blond girl. A frown pierced her lips as she found that she had to walk a bit closer to the Slytherin girl, Serena. An instant amount of distasteful thoughts entered her head, completely distracting her from her previous think session. What did miss blonde, tall, and pretty want with her? Her eyes refused to dislodge from their position, and she allowed those doe eyes of hers to narrow, boring into Serena's with just a hint of malice.

"What did you do, Nixus?" The blonde accused, and with sudden anger she pulled herself out of the crowd to stand proudly in front of Serena. Lux found it rather fitting to sit tall on her shoulder as well, and Abelia lifted her head a bit to meet the blonde's eye level (what a tall girl she is!), smirking,

"What are you complaining about now, V?" she asked, using 'V' as a sort of teasing pet-name.

August sighed, seeing Serena starting to pick a fight with another student... apparently Nixus. August knew who Serena was, and did her best to avoid the popular girl. Abelia she didn't know at all. However, August didn't know how strange she seemed, standing like a pretty little wraith in the crowd, holding a violin case and watching an argument start like it was a mildly interesting television show.

The violin had been brought to school with her since her first year. It was one she'd worked hard to pay for, and a beauty it was. The case was nothing special, simple, black, and very sturdy. It was very soft on the inside, all to protect the violin inside. The violin itself was a lovely specimen, finished to a dark cherry hue, as was the bow. August was very strict on keeping it clean and new-looking. There was even storage inside the case for extra strings. Sometimes she would play at night to help lull homesick first-years to sleep.

That aside, the clever Ravenclaw couldn't help laughing a little as Abelia called Serena 'V'. Watching others argue was funny to her, seeing as she never really argued with anyone at all. August was so strange and unnerving that most avoided her or simply ignored her. She wasn't disrespected, however, being far too strange and kind for that. She wasn't an outcast, yet wasn't part of the 'average' crowd.

"How can you not care about boys at all?" Said Serena
Echo thought for a moment that Serena looked befuddled as she tried to process her disinterest in the field of romance.
Echo tried not to laugh when Serena made a leap of logic that while not true was not untrue either "Wait a minute. Are you in to girls then? It's perfectly fine if you are, I'm not one to judge such a thing." Frankly Echo had never considered either side of that coin planning to explore it only should she be troubled by the inherent biological need of physical company.
Everything become dark and instantly returned to normal after which Serena headed off to investigate after saying. "What was that all about?"

Echo was happy when Serena finally found another distraction and left the compartment.
When finally the Express arrived at Hogsmead station Echo simply stood without a word and exited the train. She didn't linger on the platform to await her friends as she didn't have any to wait for.
She could have wandered into Hogsmead it's self but had no frivolous to do so as she was not the casual shopping type.
No instead she walked towards the grand school so that she might kill time before entering the hall and having to sit with the members of her house.
As she walked she recited within her mind her spells and the nuances of wand movement that accompanied each.
Echo knew that in doing such dull exercises that she would soon need merely utter such phrases as Confringo and point her wand an the spell be cast and her target detonate in a shattering explosion.
Echo believed strongly in "Wand, Word an Will" for she'd seen her Gran cast powerful magic without even a word so powerful a witch was she.
Echo wanted to one day perhaps to achieve the skill at casting that did away with all such crutches as "Wand or Word" an cast magic by shear will alone as her Aunt Delia told her was said possible in family legends.
Echo sought power as did all the women of her family but not so that she might exercise it to rule but to assure that even the most powerful of Wizards or groups there of would never make her bow or follow a course not of her choosing.
"Langlok" and it's movements she etched in her thoughts and memory as she entered the school gates and walked the halls in external silence.
She walked with purpose her ground eating stride carrying her eventually to her table where she seated herself ignoring those members of her House already seated.

Kjolmar received that sparkle in his eyes that everyone had every now and then when they felt proud of something. "I might as well tell you now, I'm starting to think that Almveig isn't on the train." He hadn't even noticed the fact that Felix had ignored the question about Slytherin. You could say his ego about his own accomplishment got in the way of that.

"As you know, I have been one of the three Ravenclaw Chasers for years now. As you also know, I was rather good at that, if I say so myself. I can be quite the nerd with my books, but I'm pretty confident about my Quidditch skills too." Kjolmar stroke Minny, who had made herself a comfortable seat on Felix' lap. "But as of this year, I will be the new Seeker! Isn't that wonderful news? We will score better than ever!" He knew Felix never had any interest in being on the Hufflepuff team, so he felt like he could brag a bit without provoking certain competitive feelings.

Kjolmar looked out the window and noticed that they had arrived at Hogsmeade station. It seemed as if time had flown by extra fast this time. "Do you think we have time for one butterbeer at the Three Broomsticks before we head to the castle?"

All of a sudden, the entire cabin darkened by a shadow but just for a short moment and then the lights returned. "Huh. That was weird."

Upon exiting the train, he noticed something was going down between Serena and a Gryffindor girl. The other Slytherin girl didn't seem to want to be involved and left in a hurry. He guessed Serena had enough drama for the both of them. When the Gryffindor girl nicknamed Serena "V", Kjolmar widened his eyes.

"I don't know the Gryf girl, but I think she's getting herself in a lot of trouble by taunting Serena Vermont. Who nicknames Hogwarts' Queen Bee and gets away with it?" he asked to the girl near him. When he turned his head, he noticed it was his fellow-Ravenclaw August Rushwood. "August! I didn't realize it was you. How have you been?"

Serena frowned when Echo didn't seem to be eager to give away her desires and left straight for school grounds. "Don't frown, Serena." she whispered to herself. "It will give your wrinkles." Her face cleared up and a smile appeared. Nothing to worry about, she'd have plenty of chances later on to get her faction on her side. But then Abelia Nixus called Serena 'V', probably short for Vermont. Serena stopped walking and turned her face to Abelia, her smile so big that it was almost creepy. "Well, N..." she said with a certain sarcasm, "What I am complaining about is that for years Slytherin has been associated with the Dark Arts and that when something weird happens, no one even suspects the other houses. I wouldn't be surprised if you accidentally caused that blackout earlier on the train." While she spoke those words out loud, she realized she was probably wrong. That darkness felt evil somehow and despite her dislike towards Abelia, even Serena had to admit that the girl probably hadn't such evil in her. "Anyway, I see you later. Much later, I hope. Let's go Buck, " Serena had talked rather silently so only Abelia and Buck could hear her last remark. She didn't want to endanger her plan to improve her house's reputation. While she passed her crush Kjolmar -and completely ignored Felix while doing so- she couldn't help but notice him talking to a Ravenclaw girl. While fake-smiling from a distance, she whispered to her brother Buck: "Brother, find out who that girl is."

Echo sat at the Slytherin table trying to concentrate on her casting phrases but her curiosity kept drifting back to her conversation with Serena.
What was she up to and why now after ignoring her for the past few years did the Snake Queen even fain to notice her? Had she slipped up and reveled too soon her own accumulation of arcane power and knowledge?
If Serena saw her as a threat within the house it would make this year a difficult year as she fought off any attacks by the clever manipulator. It would mean being on constant watch for any form of action that Serena's devious mind could fathom or design.
Then there was the other troubling possibility that Serena saw her as an asset and wanted to use her.
"This would be a lovely time to be invisible" thought Echo as her normally serene expression soured.
So wrapped up in her own thoughts was Echo that she failed to notice Ovid Gameade settle down next to her.
After a moment she did few his presence as he stared at her moon struck.
"Hello Echo it's so good to see you here again this year" he said making conversation
"Ovid where else would I be if I were still breathing, Beauxbatons Academy of Magic?" says Echo in a bored tone.
Ovid often mooned over her because like her he was freakishly tall standing 6 foot 7 inches. His criteria for being attracted to her simply based off of the shared stigma of height.
"I was just trying to be friendly Echo, no need to treat me as if I were not worthy of breathing the same air" he says with an annoyed and hurt expression
Echo sighs noting that her annoyance with Serena's plot has caused her to forget that she needn't make more enemies than she's ready to control.
"It wasn't my intention to give the impression that your were or were not worthy of breathing the same air as myself Ovid. I suppose it's my mooncycle making me snappy as I feel the cramps twisting my...well you know? she says with an pout
Ovid's reaction to her confession is as expected when he offers his condolences and then makes excuse to move nearer his friends.
Her victory over unrequited love dose serve to help Echo forget Serena for a brief bit and she almost wishes she could thank Ovid for that, Almost.

August turned to look at Kjolmar.
"Ah, yes, Kjolmar. I am fine. You probably didn't recognize me with my hair cut short as it is. It's much better like this, so easy to take care of. Anyways, I've been fine. I still have my violin, my home, and my family, so I am content. You?" she asked in her strange pattern of speaking.

August hadn't the faintest spark of interest in anyone in Hogwarts, so there was no competition coming from her. She cast a glance in Serena's direction, those cleverly blank dark eyes boring unnervingly into the popular girl's without blinking. She then quickly turned back to Kjolmar as she waited for him to reply.

August was really not as simple as she appeared to be, though it didn't take much to make her happy. She was a strange person with an unnervingly smart mind, and she knew others saw her as strange, but she couldn't bring herself to really care. It wouldn't matter later what these people thought of her, so it shouldn't matter now. So she didn't wear the uniform skirt like other Hogwarts girls, she wasn't afraid to levitate herself to another floor if she needed to, and her skills with silently casting a spell were well-known and ominous for those who managed to spark irritation in her.

Puh, what a witch.

Nix pushed through the crowd, exiting the train and sucking in a deep breath. Fresh air entered her lungs, and a smile slipped from her mouth. Hogsmeade, home away from home. Lux curled his tail light across her shoulders, and with a quick glance and quiet giggle she stared walking towards the town. No use finding the two love birds, they'd be better off by themselves. Honestly, her attitude was in need of cooling anyway, and being around lovey dovey or rude people wasn't going to fix it. Perhaps a drink might quench her anger. Her mind set on the Three Broomsticks, with it's homey and cozy nature and kind people, it would certainly calm her down.

The air was warm, and the loud chit chat of witches and wizards filled her ears. Many students were heading towards the boats and walk ways to Hogwarts, some were lingering around Honeydukes and a few other social spots, and the familiar backs of her friends were seen wandering into the tea shop. Abelia resisted a groan and kept strolling.

"Abelia Nixus!"

An unfamiliar voice called for her attention, and she turned with slight stiffness, brown eyes wandering. A boy, younger then her, jogged over, and with a grin he stuck out his hand,

"Nice to meet ya! I heard your great on the field!"

Oh, Gryffondor fanboy. She feigned a friendly smile, masking her agitated attitude and shook his hand. They spoke a bit, and the boy (named Alexus) mentioned that he wanted to join the team this year. Nix told him a few uplifting things about playing Quidditch and then left with a small wave and grin. The exchange gave her an idea about getting friendly with other people, but... She sulked, a frown covering her face once again. Emillia and Lus, they were great, but she felt the distance. Just last year they were heading to the Inn together, and now...

Whatever.

---

Warmth swelled from the bar and inn, and the smell of great food and alcohol made Nixus' stomach growl. She slipped inside quietly and took a seat at the bar, curtly ordering a butterbeer.