"We ate alligators if there were nothin else to eat, but they ain't good eatin, you know? I'm terrified of alligators, one almost got me when I was even littler! I still have this scar on my arm from it, but Momma whupped that gator with a piece of cord wood and it het off. I'm glad the orphanage wasn't some tragedy for you. I bet lots of kids would turn it into a tragedy, but you're smarter than that, I can tell. The hospital sounds terrible. I bet trying to be a kid cooped up in a hospital full of sick people and old people was boring! What kind of accident did you have if it's not too personal? You weren't hit by a bus were you?"

"That sounds scary," Magnus said, "I've never seen one before, though I guess I'd not really be afraid 'o them on account of some of the things I've studied here and on what I--- well... er no not a bus. I was mauled by a werewolf. Almost nine years old. An Auror was tracking the werewolf who 'ad decided to purposely transform in the woods right by the orphanage, and I shimmied down a drainpipe with a torch and book-- and then the werewolf attacked me. The Auror arrived, grabbed me and apperated directly into the 'ospital. That's why i was there a year. They didn't know what to do with me. Couldn't go back to the orphanage because I was a werewolf. Yeah it was dead lonely there and some o' the patients didn't want me anywhere near 'em even if it weren't the full moon. But the healer who looked after me brought me toys and books to read. And sometimes I'd wake to a new book from the auror that saved me life. 'E's now one of me best friends."

"Whoah! A werewolf! I bet that hurt terribly! I guess your life changed forever in that moment, and that must be some bad and some good. But it didn't take the hospital a year to heal you, it just took that long because they did not know what to do with you? Did the hospital find your new parents for you? I don't know if I'd like bein a werewolf, not that you had a choice, I understand that...but do you at least get to enjoy having a tail? My Tante Honoree told me that werewolves can hear much better than ordinary people. Is that true? This is Zapata, my rooster. Momma got him off a conjure man, so he don't quite act like regular roosters, but he still tries to pick fights with some folk, but he's all I got left of home now."

"Yeah it did. They 'ad me in a coma for awhile. And werewolf wounds don't 'eal as well as other wounds, I'll 'ave the scars most likely the rest o' me life. But yeah the time was mostly cos they didn't know where ta send me. Not many people want a werewolf child. Mum and Dad were visiting a relation who was bit by a nasty spider. Mum came over and started talking to me. They visited every day that week. Apparently they'd been talking about adopting and when they 'eard I didn't have anyone, they put the papers in that same day. Didn't care one bit I was a werewolf." Magnus had to laugh, no one had ever asked him if he liked the tail. "Yeah," he admitted, "its fun ta wag it. I think me girlfriend likes petting me fur when I'm asleep. The shifting takes a lot out of me so I tend to pass out shortly after I change. Been told I won't do that as much when I'm fully grown. I can just go to sleep like normal. " He nodded, "I can see better and 'ear better. I am also faster and stronger without trying. Though I get really thin and bit frail after me third shift of the month. 'E's adorable. i'd like ta pet 'em when 'e's awake. Animals can sometimes clash wif me. Kippers 'ere don't seem to mind me though. She's pretty mellow for the most part." He petted his cat, who mewed in response. "You miss it, huh? I know what that's like. Still you'll like 'Ogwarts. "

"Well, don't you take it personal if Zapata don't cotton to you. He can be a real monster to some people for no reason. I'm glad you think I'll like Hogwarts. I really need an education! Momma is a witch, but she got no education and...and...well it shows, I guess you might say. I don't think I miss the bayou too much, but I've never been cold a day in my life, and I didn't know what it would be like. Can't say that I love it yet, but I'll learn how to deal with it. I think I need to write to Momma to get more warm things. We did our best down home, but there are not too many warm things to buy down there. We moved here so I can go to school. I don't even know where Momma is living because I had to get on the train as soon as we got here."

"Nah, I understand. Some animals just don't like people." The boy gasped and took off to his dorm, coming back with two jumpers, a scarf, big thick coat, pair of earmuffs, pair of gloves and two pairs of obviously new socks. He handed them to the girl. "If they don't fit, I can do a resizing charm on 'em. I can even colour change 'em if you want. Don't worry, I know me parents would want me to give 'em to you. I'll write them tomorrow and they'll send me replacements. I 'ave enough for a few days and this will help you more than me. The gloves have a heat spell on 'em so they'll help keep ya warm. I don't 'ave any tights, obviously but me adopted sister wears those to 'elp keep 'er legs warm. The socks are long ones though, so they might 'elp."

Tears welled up in Mac's eyes at the unexpected kindness. She took a deep breath and steadied herself before speaking. It just would be not good to burst into tears like a little baby.

"Why thank you so much! These are lovely. Are you sure your parents won't mind?"

She tentatively slipped her hand into the glove. It was ridiculously large, but deliciously warm.

"I think we will need to resize them though. Can you show me how to do it? Or is it better that you just do it?"

She carefully set the sleeping rooster on the rug and stood up to hold one of the sweaters up to her shoulders. The shoulders were obviously twice as wide as the very thin girl, but the hem was not too terribly long. It was obvious that the girl was not really short, just very very thin.

"Possitive. They'd be more upset if there was someone in need, I 'ad the means ta 'elp and I didn't." Magnus thought about the question. "I'll teach yeah, but lemme do these and then you can practice on something older. I accidently shrunk something and couldn't get it righted for ages. Wound up giving the jumper to me cat, but she looks dead cute in it so it weren't a big deal." He waved his wand mutterering the spell and the clothing started shrinking, stopping at the correct sizes for her to be comfortable in them. "Left the jumper a little baggy so you can layer."

Mac is delighted to see real magic done right before her eyes! Everything she has seen up to this point has been accidental. She reaches into her skirt pocket and feels for the familiar crinkle of cellophane. Finding a good handful, she pulls out a fistful of bright green candies.

She shyly hands them to Magnus.

"These are jolly ranchers. I was told they don't have them in Britain. They are my favorite. My Tante is going to send them to me. Momma doesn't approve, but Tante Honoree doesn't always listen to Momma...in fact she never does...Tante is the oldest and she doesn't listen too good, or at least that's what Momma says. Anyway, they are green apple and the good taste lasts a long time. They are not magic like the treats on the train, but they are good. I hope you like them. I didn't try any of the treats on the train. I was too nervous, and I was afraid of eating something that might upset my belly."

"Cheers," he said with a smile. "If you need any treats or foods, come an' find me. I always 'ave food on me, especially on the full moon cos me shifting--need a lot of protein." He slipped one of the sweets into his mouth. "Its good. not too sweet."

(( TFW you have no internet for two days. clings))

Katsumi was intrigued by the girl with the southern American drawl, and she made her way across the room to join Mac and Magnus. "Hey Magnus, long time no see," she told him, eyes dancing. It had hardly been a week. "I love that our common room is in a tower. In summer when it gets too stuffy all you have to do is open a few windows and you get a beautiful crossbreeze. It's glorious." She sat down on the couch, though with a bit of space between herself and Magnus. "I'm Katsumi Mattrick," she added, giving Mac the very slightest of smiles. "So your first year at Hogwarts...did you go to Ilvermorny at all, or is this your first year of wizard school?"

(( Heylo~))

Mac smiled in what she hoped was a friendly way. "This is my first year of Wizard school. I went to our regular Parish school down home. I'm very nervous and excited to begin! I like our tower! I've never lived upstairs before. Our house was a shotgun shack-all on one level, ya know? I'm afraid of getting lost in this great big ole castle-that wouldn't look good if you were already put in the smart kids' House! I'm Immaculata Marie Laveau, but, please call me Mac." grin "Have you been at Hogwarts very long?"

(clings back, missed you)

Magnus chuckled. "Ages and ages it seems," he said with a smile. "'Ow you been?" He put his and on Kat's for a moment and gave it a squeeze. "What's a shotgun shack? A place for guns? You 'ave a lot of those?" He was obviously confused.

Magnus hopped off the sofa and scrambled back into dorms. He came back out with a fairly large rectangle and a squishy package. He smiled. "I'm sorry it wasn't ready on Christmas day, I couldn't finish it on time." He handed her the squishy parcel first which when opened she'd find that it was a blue stuffed Eastern dragon with constellations on it. "Had it specially made, to fit this." He then handed her the large rectangle. It was a portrait he painted of her holding a dragon, in shades of blues and purples with the constellations making up the features. He waited with bated breath, hoping she liked it.

Outfit Not Found Stepping nervously into the Ravenclaw room, Sisley looks round for a friendly face, glad that everyone seems to be talking and hoping she wont be noticed, she spies yet another table full of food with relish, my how these magical folks like to eat! Her gaze falls on the sleeping Rooster, who looks very well cared for thankfully, she frets about Port her little portland sheep whom she's just settled into the stables.
(ooc Hello everyone, Im very new to RP, so any advice is welcome)

((OOC: welcome to both the cult and the rp<3 I'm not ignoring you by the way. Unless Sisley makes her way over, Magnus' attention isn't there >.<, so can't really figure out a way to reply at the moment. As far as advice-- to me some people play differently then others but if you want direct contact, pinging said person will help, and of course interacting the way your character wishes.))

Private Outfit Fade stepped over the threshold into the common room and inhaled the familiar aroma of ink, books, and the blazing hearth. His heart raced with excitement to see his friends again. The break had been a whirlwind of excitement, but he was glad to be back. Reaching up he scratched Chase’s chin and encouraged the bengal to jump down from his shoulder. Once Chase spotted , he leapt down and immediately went to harass the poor girl for treats.

Looking around Fade noticed a few new faces. Magnus was already making good impressions, and Kat was even being social. Not wanting to interrupt he leaned against the refreshment table and opening his sketchbook began gesture sketching of the room at large. It was good to be back.

(( Hello fam! I have the next three days off work so I will be catching up with all the new assignments and RP :D YAY! ))

Gaia jumped of her comfy chair and scooped Chase as swift as he ate the treat in an instant "I missed you buddy!" Scratching Chase Gaia bumped Fade turning his hair red in the process "How you be?" She giggled and hugged her friend "I brought you some pictures so you and Magnus can hang them on your dorm. I will get them in a bit." Gaia took Chase to her comfy chair and started purring at him as if they were having a conversation.

Fade’s cheeks blushed but not as badly as his hair. Red to purple and back to blue. “I’m great, what about you? How are the corns?” Corns of course referring to the unicorns on her farm, and not something terrible that grows on one’s feet. Although a stranger would probably misunderstand. Fade inhaled sharply remembering the charmed toy he had packed carefully in his trunk. It was precious to him and he didn’t want to risk it getting dirty traveling in his ink stained pockets. “Your awesome, I’ll hang em by the painting your centaur friend made.” He grinned and his hair seemed to brighten slightly.

"Hey, !" Magnus said hearing her voice. "'Ow are ya?" And he heard Fade's voice as well. "Fade! 'Ave a good 'oliday?" His prefect badge was about to fall off, not that Magnus had even noticed that.