The teen nodded. "Yep River, and no worries, I liberated them from the kitchens so they need to go to good homes." She giggled.

"Oh," Magnus said, "Well, I'm all good for a bit o' teasin, But I don't like doing it for health things."

"I'm new too," River said, "transfer from Alexandrian Academy. Its call 4A by a lot of people. It's in Egypt. That's why I'm so cold. I was fine in the summer but now... now I'm shivering."

The smell of cooked meat and the sheer number of witches and wizards around her was making Mallowsweet's stomach twist.
"You're a witch yourself now", she chided herself and attempted to smile at the humans around her. It still hurt that her herd had kicked (literally) her out of the forest for being a wand waving freak, but she was determined to make the best of it.
A girl with rainbow hair bustled past her with box that smelled enticing, so the nervous centaur followed her carefully. "Hello. What are doughnuts?" she asked as the girl, River, announced what she was carrying to her friends. "They smell lovely."

[img align=right]https://i.imgur.com/rhmtPaB.png[/img] Paddy had left her pets in the dorm, although she had a feeling that Snowden her puppy might try to follow her into the Great Hall. As the Professor introduced all the new staff members, Paddy tried to stare at each one in turn, trying to figure out how strict they'd all be likely to be. She also wondered who the new prefects were, seeing as she had given up her prefect status part way through last term, and hadn't been asked again. Trying to put all those thoughts to one side, she spotted Magnus () on the opposite table and gave him a wave as she placed her order.

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/7Pl5aNc.png[/img] Niamh listened intently to the Professor, her uncertainty growing by the second. "What's it about the Forbidden Forest that makes it forbidden?" she asked nobody in particular. Suddenly, the Professor had finished talking, and everyone was ordering their food.... but nobody had explained quite how to achieve it. Niamh spent a few minutes watching everyone else, and noticed a girl who seemed to be covered in fur, who looked like she knew what she was doing. Copying her, Niamh spoke to her plate, feeling utterly foolish, but was amazed when the food she had ordered appeared in front of her.

Lost to the world once her food arrived, Keliora finally finished her meal and looked up with a happy sigh. Sipping her cappuccino, she noticed much activity had transpired while she was focused on her plate.

[img align=right]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/357003.png[/img]Keliora waved shyly to the group that seemed to be clustered around a box of doughnuts. There were some she recognized, like Merlin and Magnus and Millie and Lenore, and others she didn't, like the pretty girl with the rainbows and the inquisitive centaur and the golden-eyed Hufflepuff boy who must be a first-year. Millie was certainly looking better than when Keliora had last seen her at Ilvermorny - she couldn't wait to catch up and hear about how she was doing now.

She was about to head over to join them and meet the unfamiliar students when she spotted Keet. She grinned and went to go say hi, although her plans were waylaid once again when she heard Zoe make a prediction about Sheffield. She paused - she had heard Zoe speak before when the girl was Seeing, and something about her demeanor seemed a bit different this time. Mind made up, she plunked herself down next to Zoe to see if everything was ok.

[img align=left]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/331783.png[/img] "Oh hello," River said to the centaur girl () "I'm River. These are doughnuts." She opened the box wider so the girl could see better. "They are made out of batter and are sweet, usually with a frosting or glaze on them. Try one. There's some jelly filled ones too." She pushed the box forward slightly with an encouraging smile.

Magnus waved to Paddy. He slipped over to her. "Ey, 'ow are you doing?" he asked.

[img align=right]https://sapi.subeta.net/shared/354623.png[/img] Zoe was about to stuff food into her pockets and flee when her eyes noticed movement. Someone had sat down. It was Keliora (). The newly appointed head girl wasn't quite sure what to say. ((She has zero ability as a seerer.)) The Scottish girl finally decided to talk. "Can I help ye or did ye need me to shove off so ye can have the bench? It's alright if ye do, I do nee mind."

Keliora realized she had made quite a mess of things and confused Zoe with someone else! How horribly embarrassing.

Face flaming, she tried to salvage the situation. "No, it's quite alright - stay and enjoy the feast! I.. err.. just wanted to say congratulations on becoming head girl!"

With that, she scrambled to her feet and went to go check in with Keet, hoping that no one noticed her slip-up.

"Ah, I see. Thank ye," Zoe replied. She flashed a hesitant smile and looked down. "There are some good menu items fer sure." She sighed as the girl practically fled from her. Twirling her fork absentmindedly around in her mashed potatoes, the teen watched as Keliora headed off to talk to Keet. She scanned the Great Hall and watched as others greeted their friends and caught up with each other. 'It must be nice,' she thought, 'to have someone to chat with.' Her face took on a slightly dreamy look as she continued to watch her fellow students.

Fade looked up from his sketch book long enough to have his heart skip a beat. However Professor Persnickety was quick to amend her initial statement and included the restricted section of the library as places still off limits. Fade eyed the new librarian curiously. Why did it feel like the entire school was trying to tempt him to misbehave? Why not keep the restricted books in someone's office? Instead they kept them just out of reach, where Fade could swear he heard the books teasing him as he walked past each time.

Sucking in a deep breath he let it out and snapped his sketchbook shut. Well whatever, at least they weren’t putting any restrictions on his diet. The smell of the great hall was powerful and Fade was feeling eager to get his hands on a warm drink and to find his friends. Wrapping his cold fingers around a mug of hot cider, Fade looked up and caught eyes with a girl sitting on the other side of the table. He recognized her hair, it was spectacular. But he couldn't remember having ever introduced himself. He was a little shy after all, even if his own look didn't say as much. There wasn't anyone else hanging around so he decided to say something, anything to make the eye contact a bit less awkward. "Congratulations, on your position." He gestured to the 'Head Girl' pin all the heads were made to wear. One side of his mouth turned up in a small smile. ((hope my edit still sends a ping DX))

Zoe looked up very surprised to have been addressed a second time in such a sort span. "Oh, er, thanks. Mum and Dad are dead chuffed." She looked dubious. "Fade, isn't it? Ye are friends with Magnus Lee who is a lycanthrope." It wasn't a question more of an observation. "He's over with Merlin Pendragon and a new girl with rainbow hair. I like your hair by the way. Natural like mine or wand work?" She swallowed hard, hoping to sound like she was normal. Zoe's hair was far from naturally teal but she always swore it was. As she spoke, a flobberworm crawled down her shoulder. She smiled and plucked a piece of lettuce from her plate and gave it to the worm. "This is Bebe, she's my pet."

Marcia was sat silently on the very end of the Slytherin table, staring intently into her bowl of soup as if it had just insulted her. Everyone around her was chatting and enjoying their time, but thus far she had rarely bothered to make close friends, so no one was really excited to see her.

Her interest was piqued by Professor Persnickety's speech when she mentioned the new librarian, and Marcia finally lifted her head to eye the man in curiosity. Despite being a Slytherin, she often found herself in the library during her free time. She liked the silence more than anything else, honestly. Her interest wandered once more as talk moved to the Forbidden Forest, which was none of her concern, and she glanced around the room idly taking in the faces of everyone she could.

Her gaze settled on a boy sketching at a nearby table and stared at him awkwardly, trying to catch a glimpe of the page. (()) Her own sketchbook sat nestled in her bookbag, currently placed carefully on her lap, always within reach just in case an idea struck. When he closed his book and looked up to speak to another girl, she quickly looked away, lest she been seen gawking in the background of his vision. Marcia hastily grabbed the spoon next to her and began eating her soup, intending to leave as soon as possible.

[img align=left]https://i.imgur.com/6nplr75.png[/img]

Lily stumbles in the Great Hall, looking flustered. She sees an empty seat at the table and sits down with a flop. She looks around, seeing that everyone is already served. After a moment, she tentatively grabs the menu and places her order, feeling very silly talking to herself. Once her order is placed, she begins listening to the other students chat.

(This is my first time Roleplaying, so I'm still learning the ropes!)

Fade’s half smile turned into a full blown nervous grin when Zoe said his name. () “Yeah, that’s right.” He was surprised she knew it and scratched his head. “Natural if you would believe it, I’m a metta.” He was getting better at maintaining certain colors, even if some part of it always seemed to want to say a dusty shade of blonde. “Yours is natural too? That’s epic.” He wondered how she got it to sparkle, but thought better than to ask.

“Sorry, you know my name but I can’t recall yours.” The rosy shade of his cheeks deepened and the very tips of his hair blushed to match. Watching the flobberworm chew on the lettuce he was reminded of a comic he and Magnus had thought about writing and couldn’t help but laugh. “That’s an interesting pet, the only one I’ve brought with me is my cat. Can’t say where he’s at though.” Probably begging food from people or chasing owls, no doubt getting in trouble wherever he was.

In the midst of the conversation the back of Fade’s neck got a chill, like someone was watching. Looking around he couldn’t pinpoint the direction, but noticed a Slytherin girl sitting alone and guessed it may have been her. Would it be weird to invite her to join them? Chase must have been listening because no more than a moment later did the naughty grey Bengal cat jump onto the adjacent table just in front of Marcia. () Sitting down he lifted a paw and began cleaning it acting like a cat on the table was an OK thing to do and no one would be upset about it.

(don't worry you're doing fine, but I can help if you need--feel free to ask ^.^ )

"Oh really? That must be a fun talent to have," Zoe said. "Saves on costumes too." She nodded. "Yep. Epic hair for the win." She wondered if she should invite him to sit or was this pressing her luck? When he apologised for not knowing her name Zoe seemed unperturbed. "Do nee worry 'bout it. No one really talks ta me. It's alright though. I'm Zoe, Zoe Parker. Thank ye. I made her a scarf and a little jumper for when the weather gets colder. I'm thinking of making her some sunglasses for the summer too." She said it as if it was completely normal to dress up flobberworms. "I also have a cat, his name is Tales. And the miniature bison that's trying to lick our groundkeeper's face is Lloyd and I got a transforming rabbit for becoming head girl. His name is Harold." She stressed the hare in his name. He's a sleep in my extendable pocket though." This was by far the longest she'd talked to almost anyone other than her parents.

When Fade looked over to the Slytherin table she followed her glance too. She smiled as Chase bathed himself in front of the girl and also noticed a Hufflepuff looking flustered. People watching was a favourite pastime for Zoe.

Millie finished her donut and wiped her hands and mouth with a napkin. She looked towards the door and saw Paddy () enter and gave her a friendly wave. She also also saw Keliora () and gave a wave. "How was your break?" she asked as she approached Keliora

The new head girl, Zoe () had also joined the group. "Hello, I'm Millie. Congratulations on earning Head Girl title. I thought about applying as Prefect but I didn't get a chance. Maybe next term"

She gave an encouraging smile to Jona (). "It's a lot to take in all at once. You're doing well. Just take it one step at a time and you'll catch on"

Marcia jumped back, startled by the rather large cat that had made an appearance in front of her. She tentatively drew her bowl of soup away from the feline, fearful that he might knock it onto her lap.

Nervously, she reached out and stroked the animal lightly, testing his temperment. She'd never had pets before. Her parents enjoyed having a calm and tidy house, so animals of any sort were barred from the family. Marcia didn't mind much as a child, but being at Hogwarts and seeing everyone's relationships with their pets left her feeling quite envious at times.

She moved the bowl of soup to the side and tried to shoo the cat away with a hand movement and a hushed and pleading "go away, kitty." When he wouldn't budge, Marcia looked up to see where he'd come from and noticed the pair of Ravenclaw students glancing in her direction. She sighed, steeling herself for inevitable social interaction, and stood. She gathered up her bookbag, and walked toward the two, hoping the cat would follow her back to whoever he belonged to.

"I think he belongs to one of you two, correct?" Marcia asked, sounding quite a bit more disgruntled than she had intended.

“Well it’s nice to officially meet you Zoe.” () He grinned. “Speak of the devil…” Fade eyed his cat suspiciously, but didn’t make any move to scold him, not just yet. So long as the cat didn’t go trying to put his paws in the poor girl’s soup. His eyes widened when Zoe said she would be making outfits for her worm. “Wow, you gotta be dexterous to sew that small…” Being from a non-magical background it still took him time to realize most witches and wizards would use magic to help assist them with the small details.

“Miniature Bison hmm? He looked over toward the staff table and curiously observed the creature. “Everyone I know has so many pets! You and Magnus ‘n would get along.” He caught the pun in the rabbit name and laughed. “Harold, that’s genius. I’ve made friends with a raven back home. Call him Drim.”

Chase pressed his head into Marcia’s hand and made a purring-meow sound. () He was eager for petting because it often lead to treats. This time however he was quite upset to see the girl walking away from him. Quickly he stood and followed, rubbing on her legs as soon as she stopped walking.

“He’s mine, sorry.” Fade bent and scooped up his cat. “Would’a yelled at him sooner if I knew you didn’t like em.” Not that it would have made a difference, Chase was pretty good at ignoring Fade in favor of potential food. Twisting out of Fade’s grasp, Chase landed on their own table with a thud and almost knocked Fade’s drink onto his sketchbook.

Keet finished up her food and looked around her. She noticed that quite a few conversations had started up while she was engrossed in eating her food. A girl with rainbow hair, who Keet did not know, was chatting with a few of the other students, including a centaur girl. She noticed that Keliora was chatting with Zoe, but that she left in rather a hurry, headed in her direction. Keet hoped everything was alright, she noticed that Zoe looked a bit disappointed. "Hey Keliora! What's up?" she asked, grinning. "Congrats on making prefect this term, I'm looking forward to working with you," she beamed.

Rain was a little nervous, this was going to be her first term at Hogwarts after her transfer from Ilvermorny. She knew a few Hogwarts students from the Triwizard Tournament, but not very many, and her normally outgoing personality was subdued a bit because she was in an unfamiliar place. The newly sorted Gryffindor smoothed her uniform anxiously, and looked around the great hall, trying to spot someone familiar. To break the ice a bit, she had brought her augurey, Fade, with her to dinner. The bird was perched on her shoulder, looking rather mournful as usual.

As Rain squinted, looking for someone she recognized, she spotted a blur of rainbow. Her face broke into a smile, and she rushed over to greet her friend, much to the displeasure of Fade, who had to grip Rain's shoulder harder so as not to fall off. "River!" she called, beaming. "It's so nice to see you again, I see that you and I were sorted into the same house! I guess maybe I was right about you possibly being a Thunderbird, then," she grinned. She suddenly realized that she had probably interrupted a conversation that River was having with the other students. "Sorry everyone, I'm Rain, just transferred from Ilvermorny. I recognize some of you from the tournament," she said, smiling sheepishly.

Marcia gave a half-hearted smile as the cat rubbed her legs. There'd be cat hair on her pants for the rest of the night, for sure.

"Hmm? I don't dislike him," Marcia replied, standing stiff and proper, but feeling quite apprehensive. "I just don't have animals of my own. I don't really know what to do with them, quite honestly."

Her eyes followed the cat as he jumped onto the table, and she gritted her teeth in slight worry as he narrowly missed spilling a drink. "Perhaps he should be more careful?" She mused aloud, glancing at Fade with a raised eyebrow. "It would be upsetting if he were to ruin something important." She motioned to the book, wordlessly trying to indicate that she had seen him drawing earlier.

Marcia's sights shifted to the girl who was feeding lettuce to a flobberworm. () 'I suppose pets come in all sorts,' She thought to herself, finding it quite strange to keep a worm for a companion. Strange wasn't a bad thing though.

Keliora managed a smile for Keet. "I'm so glad to work with you too and congratulations as well." She rubbed her eyes, trying to hide her face. "I'm trying to be more outgoing but I just just feel so awkward sometimes. I hope Zoe won't think I'm crazy," she bemoaned.

"Hi Rain. I'm Millie. Welcome to Hogwarts." she greeted the new girl who joined the group.

She felt something warm wrap around her ankle. She looked down and saw her cat, Cleo. "There you are! I've been wondering where you go to". She scooped her cat up and and held her in her left arm. Just as she thought her cat was trying to be affectionate, she heard her chirping and watching Rain's bird. "Oh no you don't." she scolded. She took her over the corner of the room where there were bowls of cat food and fresh milk. "Here. Eat one of those". And she returned to the group. "Sorry" she said to Rain. "She's a friendly cat but likes birds and other small critters."