Welcome Home.
The mild clicking noises of the train heading to Hogwarts was very calming if even hypnotic. After a couple of hours and catching up with friends most students took the time to get a nap after all they were here for nine and half hours. Elizabeth went to the dining car. She and Theo had lunch and talked about the coming year. "According to Rose Parkinson the Halloween Dance was one where the ladies asked the boy to go with them. And while I think I made an offer to you take me to it. So I will just repeat myself. Theo would you please be my date to the dance?" Theo looked up from his food. it was a nice potato soup with a half chicken sandwich. " I would be honored to go with you." They finished and returned to take their seats. Draco and Ginny were looking cute he let her lay her head on his lap and he had head thrown back against the cushions. And it appeared that Someone drew a mustache on Draco's face. Dean Seamus and Neville were gone but their bags remained behind. A few minutes later Theo was back into his book as was Elizabeth.
The ride finally ended. The children piled out Heading for the cartridge as well as having the first years heading for the boats. A quick shout of Hello to Hagrid and walking up to the carriages. She stopped, looking at the creatures who were there to pull them to the school. "Thestrals." said a voice next to her, on her left side Theo was on her right side. She looked over at a thin young girl her blue eyes were just maybe a little too big. "Really." she paused 'I would think they would be somehow more fearsome." she says. Theo looked at them his head slightly tilted "They look like featherless Abraxan" he comments. "Smaller but that is just me." The younger girl. "My name is Luna Lovegood. " Elizabeth smiled "Elizabeth Collins and this is Theo Nott." she gestured. and the trio walked over to the carriage nearest them. Theo offered his arm for both ladies to use as they boarded. The Great Hall was filling quickly enough. Seats taken and the the time till the sorting was moving slowly. Dumbledore was back at the Headmaster Spot. She saw the staff table was more fuller than the yea before. The Potters talking with Flitwick, Sirius gave a silent toast towards the mass of Weasleys and Lupin talking with Marlene. Hagrid was not in sight which meant the sorting was still on hold. Hagrid walked him and in his fastish gait got to his seat before the first years step in.
The hat's song this year spoke of the merits of all four houses and how the four must work together and be united. And then the kids were sorted. "Another years starts and the past comes back to help the future. We have Rebus Hagrid stepping up to be out Care of Magical Creatures class. as well as Professors James Potter and Professor Dorcas Meadows as our Defense against the Dark Arts teachers. Professor Remus Lupin as an assistant Arithmancy teacher. Lilly Potter working as an Assistant Potions Professor and Marlene McKinnon as Assistant Herbology Professor and Lastly Sirius Black as Assistant Charms Professor. Also Healer Andromeda Tonks has taken a position to assist Madame Pomfrey. The Forbidden Forest is barred to all students who do not wish to face a most unpleasant fate. Those notes aside let us settle into the welcoming feast." The Headmaster said and as he sat down the food appeared. The food was amazing. As usual. The second plateful was for trying out items not eaten often. Theo laughed at her expression. "You are going to be able to walk? Right?" The Slytherins headed to the Dungeons. Elizabeth walked into her rooms. Crisp walked over and hugged his mistress. The elf was hugged just has hard. "Good Summer?" they ask in stereo. They laughed and talk about plans as she prepares for bed. Beary is pulled from his travel spot in the suitcase and brought to the bed. And soon sleep is had.
The Morning brought chaos. Elizabeth was up and going at six and took the stairs up to the doorway near the Great Hall. She stopped to get her timetable and made quick use of the ball point and pocket notebook. It was eggs and sausages and a little toast and back to her rooms to get her books and leave the timetable for Crisp to sort book packets. Today was Potions and Charms lectures and she would be ready. Charms was going to be with the Ravenclaws and Potions with of course the Lions. Thankfully Potions would bring her and the Musketeers. She brought the book and had it laid out and scroll tablet. Neville was close to the bell and Harry and Ron dragging up the read. Lily looked and took the ten points without blinking. Lily had a style that Snape did not. She knew her stuff but also pushed back at the students to make sure they were understanding what was needed. A note to Neville simply stated a time for the study groups meeting. Lily did not do more than blink. Since was first class it was a double. And as they let out Elizabeth told Neville "I will bring my kit and see to Dean and Seamus bringing theirs. So we can be prep for the brewing ahead of time so we can go back over the procedures and avoid a crunch time." she said as she then nearly bounces to get back to the rooms so she can eat while setting things up for her second set of classes.
Charms was interesting Sirius cleaned and that scruffy look gone was a clear sign that Sirius was being serious. He laid out the expectations of the students. He admitted that towards the mid term there was going to be a turn practical even household charms. "Besides teaching by rote I wish to give you a reason to experiment with magic taking a basic cleaning charm and seeing where and how you can alter it to fit your needs better." he said to the student. A soft mutter. "Try and alter to our own needs."is heard towards the back. "This will also I hope inspire you see magic as a tool. Not something that just does this or that. It will help you see it as just that magic." he finishes.