[img align=left]http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b174/theatticbox/Morgan%202.png[/img]"Welcome to the common room, chaps!" Professor Morgan grins widely. "I just love it when we get fresh meat! For all you firsties, the dormitories are off to your left. Girls are up the stairs, and boys are down the stairs. And yes, we are under the lake! Don't be too frightened if the giant squid comes swimming past the windows. He's entirely non-magical and probably won't even notice you're there." She barks out a laugh and claps the nearest first year on the shoulders. "Before I all forget, be sure to remember that the password for this term is boomslang skin. If you need me for anything, my office is on the second floor. If I'm not there, I'm mostly out in the greenhouses. Go get some rest, you'll need it if you'll want to win the House Cup for us!"

Serena glances around the common room and decides to sit next to the window. She has always been fascinated with the creatures rumored to live in the water.

I resist a strong urge to press my nose to the glass as I peer out the window into the lake. "How can a giant sssquid live in a fresssh water lake?" The little king snake coiled around my shoulders hissed into my ear. "magic of coursse." I hiss back quietly Settling into a vacant chair, I smile at the other first year who is looking out into the surrounding waters.

Ernessa bursts into the common room and throws herself into an armchair near the fire. 'Hey everyone!' She says loudly

Poppy comes over holding a bag of assorted candies. She wants to make friends and check out the awesome underwater scene outside.

Max goes into the common room and takes a look around. It looked comfy. His eyes spot a wing chair. He feels a bit tired. Making his way towards the wing chair he sits on it cross legged. Letting his head roll back Max puts on his headphones. He could explore everything with Helen later. For now a nap was what he needed.

(I was wondering if we would end up having house common rooms!)

Destiny wrapped herself around a column near the top of the staircase leading to the girls dorms, studying everyone. It was always interesting to see who fits what stereotypes. As much as we'd like to deny it, we all fit at least one of our house's stereotypes.

Thana nodded along to the professor's speech, managing to just about catch the password through the buzzing inside her skull. She furrowed her brow, unable to shake the feeling that she had forgotten something important. Unlikely - she and Trinket had checked her case twice that morning.

With the ground shifting beneath her, Thana started towards a proud chaise-longue, its mahogany frame and soft emerald velvet nestled invitingly in a corner between the cosy fire and one of the submerged windows. She sank into her seat, closing her eyes with a sigh. Ash, her young bengal, hopped up beside her, nuzzling into her palm, searching for treats.

Peeking at the others, it dawned upon Thana that nobody was giving her That look. No one was whispering behind her back. And even more - she had undeniable proof that she had magic! Here was definitive, indisputable evidence that those liars had all been wrong. She belonged!

For the first time in her life, a smile came to her easily. Those years of doubt and shame hadn't travelled with her to Hogwarts. No wonder she had been left reeling.

Serena glances around at all of the new students settling in in the common room. Having grown up with muggles, she doesn't know anyone or what to expect but knows she will need to come out of her comfort zone and make friends. She turns to the person closest to her and shakily introduces herself. "Hi, m-my n-name is Serena." She takes a deep breath to try to steady her nerves and build her confidence. "What's your name?"

"Well Chua, time to be friendly" I hiss softly to the snake around my neck. Standing up and looking around I see several students introducing themselves. One is even passing out candy. I hesitate, I've heard of the joke candies you can get here. Watching out of the corner of my eye to see if anyone's tongue starts enlarging, I turn to the girl who is introducing herself as Serena and hold out my hand. "Name's Turokai, pleased to meet you."

Serena hesitates as she shakes Turokai's hand. "I, uh, didn't know we could have pet snakes! What is his name?" Serena was always fascinated by snakes but they frightened her a bit. Smiling to herself, she realized how funny that would sound if she said it aloud, seeing as she was in the Slytherin house.

Turo' smiles reassuringly at Serena, as she uncoils the little snake from around her neck, and holds him out to be admired. "This is Chua, He's not really a pet, he's my friend. The little monster stowed away in my luggage when my folks brought us over from the states. Don't worry, he's a King snake, they're not poisonous or anything, and he loves attention." [edit] (switched from first person to fit in with the general conversation better.)

Nan pops in and goes looking for that SKULL she was promised would be in the common room. "Wheeeereee is it?"

Serena reaches out to touch the little snake's head. "My parents would have totally flipped! My mum is afraid of snakes. It was quite a surprise to her when I told her I was sorted into Slytherin!"

Quickly fixing her hair, Tate walked up to some students who were already chatting. "H-Hi Im Tate, pleased to meet you both!" She smiles at the young boy and girl.

Serena looks up at the girl who just came in. "I'm Serena. Nice to meet you as well. Are you a first year too?"

"Hi Serena! Yep first year, Im pretty excited, there's so much to learn I don't know how my brain is going to handle it" She giggles. Shadily looking around the room, Tate rummages through her bag, grabbing something then zipping it shut. "You hungry? I snagged some extra Pumpkin Pasties on the way here" She asked, holding out a little brown box with the pasties inside.

"Oh thank you! I've been dying to try the wizarding candy! I've heard that they pale in comparison to muggle candy..." Serena takes one of the pumpkin pastries and takes a small bite. "These taste amazing!"

"Would you like a Chocoball? And have you guys seen the skull the girl with the glasses is talking about? I'm Poppy by the way."

Serena reaches out and takes a chocoball. "Hi, Poppy. I'm Serena. Thank you for the chocoball. What skull?"