(Just a place for students to chat in character.)

The students are milling around the great hall during their afternoon breaks. Some are doing homework, others are talking quietly (or not so quietly) in groups scattered in small clumps across the four house tables. A teacher wanders slowly through the aisles looking out for troublemakers. It is a cloudy afternoon, with a hint of rain in the cool fall air. The enchanted ceiling is a bright pale grey, just like the sky outside.

Amanda leans in to the group of students near her and whispers "Hi, my name is Amanda, and this is my cat Luna. Nice to meet you! How are you liking it at Hogwarts so far?"

Hearing the quiet whisper from the girl across from her, Serena leans in apprehensively, "My name is Serena. I like it here so far. I am really looking forward to Transfiguration."

Rylee looked around for Amanda and located her sitting only a few seats away. She waved shyly to show that she had heard as Serena finished introducing herself. "I'm Rylee," she said. "My pet's name is Loki. It's been here great so far. The classes are a lot better than my old school." Of course, the classes here were a lot more magical than her old school was too. "I am really looking forward to History of Magic, but Transfiguration sounds cool too."

"Hi Serena! I'm looking forward to Transfiguration too! I just it isn't too difficult! I'm really excited for Potions, Herbology, and Care of Magical Creatures. I just want to get my hands dirty!!"

"Hi Rylee and Loki! Tell me about your other school? Was it a muggle school? I'm very interested in what that must have been like! History of Magic should be...interesting hopefully. I guess it depends on the professor!"

Luna jumps up on the bench next to Loki and comes nose to nose with him. After a brief sniff session Luna starts purring and flops down on the bench next to Loki with a content look.

"Yes, I went to a muggle school." Rylee gave a wan smile. "My mum's a witch and my dad's a muggle. Mum and dad thought it would be a good idea for me to see both worlds." She chuckled quietly, hoping a teacher wouldn't overhear and dock points. "Anyway, tell me about you. What kind of school did you go to? Herbology and Care of Magical Creatures sound really interesting but I'm afraid I'll blow something up in Potions. You know, muggle science is a lot different from Potions. At least in my school it was."

Loki endured the sniffing session with half closed eyes, then jumped up and padded quietly around the cat as it settled down. After a moment he seemed satisfied and returned to his position, curled up on the bench beside the cat.

"Oh wow!! I bet you know loads about the muggle world then. Muggle science is always something that has interested me. You are right about potions, it could be dangerous. You just have to follow the directions exactly, and don't let your mind stray while brewing. I've done a few practice potions at home with my dad and we've never had any incidents! I wonder what class we'll see next, I'm very eager to start another one."

Hearing the chatter next to her, Tate switched her gaze from her book to the girls next to her. Waiting for the right moment she confidently entered the conversation. "Hi,um i'm Tate! Sorry for butting in but I don't really know anyone here yet."

"Hi Tate! Nice to meet you! Are you ready for this term? I can't wait for more classes to get started!"

"I'm so excited for this term, I can't wait to start learning Charms and- Oh I almost forgot!" She carefully moved some hair away from her shoulder exposing a little owl, "This is felix, despite his size he's very strong." Tate set her pet on the table next to the others, "So what house are you in?"

"Oooh! How nice to meet you Felix," Amanda said, giggling. She noticed Luna perk up at the sight of the tiny bird. Amanda gave her a look, and she slowly put her head back down recognizing that this was not prey.

"I'm in Ravenclaw! I was so happy to get sorted into that house. It's the house my Grandmother was in! What about you?"

Tate smiled, "Amazingly well trained cat! Also very cute!" She said, giving the kitty a lil rub between its ears. "Ooooh Ravenclaw how nice! You must be super smart then? I'm Jealous" She giggled. "And it's even cooler that you have a family member who was in that house once, I'm kinda in the same situation.."She paused for a moment, "I'm in Slytherin, which my dad was once in. I promise I'm not some mean jerk."

Rylee looked around at the sound of Tate's voice. "Hi Tate!" she said, turning around and giving a small wave. "Ravenclaw and Slytherin both seem like nice houses. Everyone I've met from them seem pretty cool. I was sorted into Hufflepuff, the house my mum was in."

(Whoops! Looks like I missed a lot!)

Serena overhears the conversation. "I am in Slytherin as well. I'm not sure what house my parents were in. I'm adopted. My adoptive parents are muggles."

"Beth, how funny is the nickname 'Mathy' for such a straight-laced woman? Which classes have you taken so far? And, what do you think of the Heads and the Headmistress?"

"I would be to scared to call Professor Mathers Mathy. I'm surprise Professor Mathers lets Professor Morgan call her Mathy. I've only had Flying and Care of Magical Creatures. I can't wait to for my first Potions lessons.

I really like Professor Morgan and Professor Sparks. They seem like great Heads. I haven't formally met Professor Makshi or the new Headmistress yet. I think Professor Trelawney is strange. I wonder how she became the Head of Ravenclaw. How about you....what do you think of the Heads and the Headmistress? What's your favorite class so far?"

"I wonder if any of the other professors do, or if they're just particularly close? I've been to those classes too. I'm really looking forward to the rest of them.

Professor Morgan is badass. I'm curious about those pirate ancestry rumors but I guess we'll learn more with time. I'm a big fan of Professor Mathers too and Professor Brookvale has really pretty hair. Muggle Studies with the latter should be interesting. I'd bet my wand that Professor Trelawney's a Head because of seniority.

I liked Care of Magical Creatures more than I expected to. The readings for it were really good. Professor Sparks seems like a lot of fun."

"Have you met the new Headmistress yet?"

"I haven't but I'm sure she's going to make a formal introduction to everyone since we're all so unfamiliar with her."

"That would be great. I'm looking forward to meeting her. She has big shoes to fill in. I heard that Professor McGonagall was an amazing Headmistress. Did your parents attend Hogwarts?"

"My dad was in Ravenclaw when he was a boy. My mom attended Beauxbatons, they actually met during a Triwizard Tournament. Do you have any family members who were enrolled here?"