Alex plopped down in an empty seat and looked around as the other students bustled around. Everyone seemed nervous and at least everyone was saying goodbye to someone. Instead he turned around and stared out the window as the train started moving away from the platform leaving all the waving people in a haze of dust as they got smaller until they were too small to distinguish and then the train turned a corner and the scenery changed.
Pulling out a book he flipped to the bookmark an opened it up pushing his glasses further back up his nose and letting his black hair flow down as he studied the pages as people moved around in the pictures.
This might be a while…..

Scarlett played a game every year called find the compartment that will have the least people in it by the end of the trip. Her emerald eyes flashed about as she could see most of the compartments were filling up but one that she had spotted had only one person in. That person was a boy so chances were this compartment would fill up fast, but it beat trying to cram all her trunks into a compartment already full of people. Scarlett shrugged setting her raven curls to bouncing and whisked the compartment door open, sending her bags and Bella a midnight colored cat, sailing ahead of her into the compartment. Scarlett could see that the boy had begun to read so she decided not to interrupt him with introductions. She by the window and began reading Vanity Fair.

Alex looked over the top of his book as girl walked into the compartment. The girl seemed rather quiet as she sat down and pulled out a magazine but he continued studying her as she read. The book wasn't exactly boring but he found it interessting to watch people as they went along with whatever they were doing. Glancing at the title he let his face hold a crooked smile.
"im guessing your not new?" he asked somewhat curiosly as he scooted closer to the window.
Closing his book he set it down next to the small cage near him and leaned back against the chair as he watched her closley.

Dressed comfortably in black jeans, a mint green T-shirt, and silver ballet flats, Lindsey walked slowly down the hallway, peering into each compartment in hopes of finding one capable of holding another person. Finally, she spotted one, and burst in, smiling broadly. "Hey Scar!" she said happily as she spotted Scarlett and a new boy she didn't know. Lindsey set her cage containing her gorgeous barn owll, Merlin, on the floor next to her and sat down across from the two of them, grinning at the new kid. "Hey," she said,"I'm Lindsey.. who are you?"

Scarlett’s lips crooked into a smile as the boy across from her stopped reading and started talking. She met his intent gaze squarely and replied politely, “No I’m not new. I’m an old hand at this.” Normally Scarlett was all about introductions because they tended to put people at ease, but this boy seemed confident enough to go on without them so Scarlett decided to play along, she herself being almost too confident for her own good.

Alex smirked and leaned slightly foreward his eyes never leaving hers. He didn't like to break a gaze when the other person held their gaze as well. He liked the way the girl seemed confident and had to smirk, he was about to resopond when suddenly someone else burst into the compartment causing him to break his eyes away from the girl and look at the opened doors. She seemed loud and cheerful as she greeted the other girl who he now found out was called Scar, but he wasn't sure whether that was her full name, but guessed it was short for something.
"Hey," she said, "I'm Lindsey.. who are you?"
He hesitated as he held her gaze for a while before answering and finally said, "Alex."

Cassie was not excited for the new year. She didnt like Hogwarts anymore. She was counting down days till graduation. Too many she thought. She hadnt changed over the summer that much, except her surfing majorly improved. She worked better when she was angry she supposed. Her red hair was long and straight with waves. She let it down and had on a pair of short shorts, jeans, and a green tank top, matching her eyes. She strode foward towards the train ready for the normal routine. Everyyear she liked to welcome the new firsties. So she went along setting off fireworks and occaisionally throwing in a cartwheel occaisionally to the roaring applause. She finished the show and walked into the compartment. "G'day Scarlett Lindsay" she commented her thick Australian accent strong. Moving to the window she felt for a sall panel then kicked it in, a window seat forming moments later. She placed her self down on it and smiled at the new kid. "G'day...you are?"

Lindsey smiled as the new boy introduced himself. She noticed he was quiet and hoped she hadn't offended him by being slightly loud.... but she was excited to see her friends, new and old, and she couldn't contain all that. "Hey, Alex!" she said hoping she was more quiet this timeand returning the gaze.

"Cassie! Hey!" Lindsey said as one of her closer friends entered the compartment.

Just as the girl greeted him someone else entered the compartment, he hadn't realized that other students were still attempting to find seats so he moved over making room so that the two girls could sit down. He grabbed the tarantula cage and set it down beside his feet making sure to keep the top latched and removed his book.
"G'day...you are?" she asked.He considered her accent intensly and finally smirked, his japanese accent was probably noticable too, But he liked her accent.
He resented repeating himself but guessed this wasn't going to be the last time people asked so he replied, "Alex." this time glancing over at the door to see if anyone else would enter but was unsurprised to see that no one had.

Cassie grinned as the new boy made foom. but she sat in her window seat like always. It was....tradition. SHe leant back against the window staring out for a moment. Her mind was somewhere else. When she turned back she saw the boy smirk, she already liked him. She sent her infamous smirk back with a small chuckle. "Alex eh...nice accent. Im Cassie as you already know" she replied grinning brightly. Perhaps this year wouldnt suck. She tossed her her shoulder and looked around. "I'm a Slytherin and although you probably figured out. Im a true blue dinkum Sydney girl"

Scarlett noticed Alex seemed annoyed by having to repeat himself so she thought she'd do him a favor. A frankingly mischeivious grin spread all over her face as she flicked her wand at him and lavish glittery red writing scolled across his shirt reading, "Hi my name is Alex."

"I hope you don't mind," Scarlett's husky southern drawl was pleasant as she addressed Alex. "Thought I'd save ya the trouble since i suspect about another dozen girls will be clusterin' about anglin' for a look at the new guy."

Cassie watched with an amused smirk as Scarlett whippe out her wand. Scarlett always had a way with magic. She watched as the sparkley red appeared on the boys shirt. It was pretty girly. She began to laugh pretty hard, breaking off into giggles a few moments later. "Wow Scarlett...how manly" she commented throwing the guy a quick smirk. " And ergh....I hate all the girls coming in and looming. Makes me wanna shove someone out the window. " she said with a quick roll of her eyes brushing a spare bang out of her eye. Turning to the new kid she nodded sypathetically. "Unfortunately she's right. It's going to get Horrible. Probably" she said shrugging and taking out a surf magazine, flipping through it nonchallatly.

Alex pushed his hair to the side and smirked, "Slytherin? really, oh thats the house im aiming for, though i hear Ravenclaw is not half bad," he replied letting his eyes wonder vaguely for a minute. He paused hiding his confusion on the last part instead he looked over at the girl, Scar who was waving her wand at him.
He grinned as he peered down at the red letters now scrawled across his shirt.
"Hopefully people will get it, either that or think im a dimwitt," he replied with a smirk letting his appreciation show. His gaze stayed at her eyes and he let his crooked smile cover his face.
"Well i dont know about that other part, but hopefully there wont be too much trouble i mean i must be pretty lucky to be in a compartment full with only girls," he said letting his eyes grin as he smirked leaning back against the chair and glancing around.
"nothing meant by it of course," he replied gradually, unsure whether they would be offended.
He looked over as Cassie spoke and had to agree the words were a bit...feminine, he reached for his wand and waved it turning the letters into a more simpler font that he thought was neutral, "better?" he asked his eyes lingering on cassies.
He paused slightly wondering what they all meant by that but shrugged it off, not only was he a new kid but he was japanese and had an accent the chances of that happening didn't seem high. Besides he didn't really like company he preffered being alone.
"I'll help with the window shoving," he replied picking up his wand and burrying it in his pocket.

Lindsey grinned at Cassie and then pretended to shiver in fear. "Ooo please don't throw me out the window, Cass," she joked. She laughed and then, still joking, she continued, "I have to admit though, the red glitter does look pretty hot, Alex."

She made herself more comfortable and listened to Cassie's Aussie accent. "I'm American," she shrugged, "and proud of it... Yankee, though," she said, throwing a grin at the Southern Scarlett.

Cassie let out a laugh. "Well I see you have taste in houses. Then" she commented. "And don't think you're lucky that you are surrounded by girls. Its horrible. I feel bad for you, making sure no one gets their hands on Mucheal" she said directing the last part of the conversation to Scarletta. Looking down at the boys shirt she nodded, btu flicked her wand, turning it Slytherin green with a smile. She looked up at them. "Dont worry Linds...you'll stay but others. Well i hear hanging off the train gives you great exercise" she giggled slightly, something she hadn't done in a while.

"You definitely want Slytherin,"Lindsey said seriously. "And it depends on which girls you're surrounded by," she said with a smirk,"if it's us, you're lucky....With other girls, you might have a problem... Then again, Cassie here can get a little dangerous if you hadn't noticed." She grinned at Cassie and said,"By the way, I thank you soooo much," she stood up and bowed to Cassie. "I can't tell you how good it makes me feel to know that I won't be dangled out of a train window." She pressed her hand to her heart, in mocking reverence of the Almighty Cassie.

Scarlett laughed at Cassie's comment about Michael. "He's a big boy and he can take care of himself. If I thought I had to stand guard over him he wouldn't be my boyfriend." Scarlett hid a cat that ate the cream smile thinking about how heads turned when Michael walked into a room, but Scarlett knew she was the only girl he ever saw. She flicked her wand at Alex's shirt turning back to red. "He's not a slythy yet Cassie."

Cass chuckled at Lindsey's comment. "I'm only slightly agressive to those who deserve it... or anyone who gets me angry" she said with s small giggle. "You're Welcome. And Linds is right. We're pretty normal. But you got some loonys in the school. Complete wackos" she said staring out the window. She looked down at her magazine and scanned through it for a moment again, stopping to read an article about herself. Her eyes were drawn back up as the shirt was changed back and Cassie quickly fixed it to green. "May not be a Gryffy either"

Alex smirked letting his voice slow down somewhat luring, "oh im sure it looks hot," he replied and then smirked letting his eyes follow hers onto the shirt. He couldn't help but realize how he wasn't used to joking and wondered if he sounded lame for turning to something so futile. Though it seemed likle they were having fun. "I'm American," Lindsey said proudly.
Alex thoughtlessly replied, "Well i think were all different," he said noteing everyones difference, it was interesting and defined them.
He looked over at Cassie as she spoke smirking at his misfortune, "oh yes what misfortune has found me," he replied letting his eyes rest on her, he hesitated at the rest of it wondering if he was missing out on something because they all seemed to be saying things he wasn't sure of what they meant.
Instead he looked around, "are we supposed to put on our robes by now?" he asked with a crooked smile wondering if he was going to have to put on the comewhat interessting uniform. As his shirt was changed from green to red to green again.

"Normal?" Lindsey said indignatly,"We arenot normal." She laughed as Alex commented on his appearance in ths shirt.

"Oh, I know we're different," she said with a shrug and a grin. "I'm just proud of my... heritage."

She then noticed Alex's confused look and laughed. "You don't need your robes yet. We've got awhile to go." Lindsey leaned back and watched the wording on his shirt change color once again, laughing silently at the competition between Gryffys and Slythys. "You know the Slythys always win," she said jokingly to Scarlett.

Cassie continued to read the article chuckling every now and then at her own words. "Definately looks hot" she said non chalantly not even looking up. "I like being different. Means I havent lost myself"she said in a distracted voice as she read. She finished the article and tossed it next to her tucking a strand hair out of her eyes. "It never stays" she whispered to herself with a sigh. "Terrible misfortune it is but alas we all must suffer together" she commented laughing by now. As the newbie discussed the uniforms, Cassie looked from Lindsey to Scarlett then set off in a fresh bout of laughter. "I never wear the uniforms. We;re supposed to but. Ya know dare to be different."

Alex shrugged and looked out the window glad to not have to put on the hideous robe and listening as they talked. For sure he wasn't bored, and he didn't really mind the company, they were all pretty interessting. He considered being in a compartment alone and figured that this was better just about any day.
"I wouldn't exactly call it misfortune," he replied with a smirk glancing at her from the corner of his eye.

Scarlett raised her one ravenwing brow at Alex's last comment. Almost nothing missed her sharp gaze. Inside a bubble of laughter at the irony of this situation on so many levels was surpressed soundly. "I know," she said patting her own glossy black curls. "If my hair wasn't perfect as it is, I would jealous of Cassie's." Scarlett flashed her friend a smile. The compliment was very sincere though Scarlett would not usually take the time to say something like that to Cassie.

Cassie leaned back into the window seat one eye on the window one on Scarlett and Alex. Looking up for then with a moment she suppressed a grin at the comment, then threw in a smirk. She grinned at Scarlett. "Wow Was that a compliment for both of us." she said shaking her hair in front of her face in a silly way before letting it fall back down her back. She stared out the window again watching as the sun began to fall lower They still had a while for the train to arrive. She sighed once again. "So..." she commented absent mindedly

Alex grinned and looked at thie girls hair, they were almost opposite.
"Dont suppose your perfect hair could compare to mine," he replied jokingly pointing to his messy hair as it flopped down as though summoned by an invisble friend.
He glanced around as the compartment lights went on as it got darker outside. It was quiet for a while for a while before cassies voice broke the silence.
"right," he replied softly breathing onto the window and watching as it fogged up and then just as quickly went away.

OOC: well i gotta go guys so i'll catch up laters.

As the silence stretched out Scarlett contemplated Alex's hair. Nothing a little product couldn't take care of she thought, or maybe a bit of trim. Deciding that she didn't know him well enough to say or do anything of that nature to him she let oppertunity pass. She wasn't even gonna bother changing the color of the lettering. She hadn't meant to mark him for Gryffindor that way. It's just when she wrote things with her wand they came out red with a lot flourish. It seemed rather appropriate.

"So you said your hopin' for Slytherin Alex," Scarlett decided to try for a mundane topic. "Is thier a family history behind that hope?"

Alfie was walking down the hall of the train when she saw Scarlett and Cassie in a compartment with a boy Alfie hadn't met yet, so she opened the door and said, "I Scarlettand Cassie how are you two, And who is this that you are with?"

Alfie not waiting to be introduce as normal started to pull out food. Cinnamon Raisin bread, Fried Chicken, Potato Salad, Baked Beans, Clow Slaw, and Ambrosa.

"Hey anyone hungery?" Alfie asked.

Cassie grinned. "Hello? Red head over here. We're...unpredictable and generally awesome like that" she said with a smirk. His Japanese accent was very interesting and it drew her in. She tossed her hair over one sholder with a playful dramatic flip. Having less people in a compartment was nice because it was not choatic. She but her lip gently trying to figure out what to say next. Finally Scarlett spoke up and she looked toward her. "Slytherin rocks." she commented offhandedly showing her house pride.

"Hmm...."Lindsey said, one eyebrow raised, "While we're on the topic of hair, I happen to find brown extremely gorgeous and.... alluring." She laughed, flipping her hair like a shampoo model. "Don't worry about reminding me," she continued. "I already know I'm hot." She grinned at Cass, Scarlett, and Alex to let them know she was joking. After all, she wasn't that into herself.

OOC: jk, guys, jk

BIC: Lindsey glanced up with a smile as Alfie came in.. She didn't really know her, but she seemed nice and oh so generous. "Oh my gosh," she said, "Is that potato salad? Would you mind if i borrowed some?"

Alex turned somewhat surprised by scarlettes question, but shrugged turning away, "Yea you could say that," he replied, "more like family line."
It was expected of him and he really didn't feel like being the only one in the family to be placed in a completly different house.
Suddenly a girl walked in, he found it rather rude that she didn't ask his name herself, but decided it wasn't that important so he nodded his head, "Starving."
He let the girls continue the hair jokes as he silently listened to them smirking at Cassie's remark on Slytherin.

Cassie listened to Lindsey flaunt her hair when Alfie walked in. "Hey Alfie. I see you brought the usual. "she said smiling warmly at the girl. "And I think we all agree...my fiery red hair is the best. nuff said" she commented flipping her hair again. She wasnt really into Alfie's food, though she knew how amazing it was by the others. "ok get ready for the Typical Australian" she joked. Reaching into ehr bag she pulled out a vegemite and cheese sandwich and bit into it. "So good" she said softly taking another small bite with a laugh.

"Nah..." Lindsey shook her head. "I think we do NOT all agree that red hair is the best. Pretty. awesome. but not da best." lindsey threw a smirk to Cassie and watched as she pulled out a sandwich. "Are you a vegetarian?" she asked curiously.

Scarlett headed straight for the cinnamon raison bread smiling gratefully to her roommate. She had a dainty little mouthful when Cassie said red hair was the best and so nodded along vigorously with Lindsey’s protests. Scarlett tried to chew as fast as she could, thinking of saying something about how Cassie didn’t even make the most of her lovely hair. And even if she did it would never be as thick and shiny as Scarlett’s. By the time she had chewed enough to swallow Scarlett had thought better of her comments and said simply, “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

Lindsey reluctantly agreed with Scarlett, and gave up.

Changing her mind about the potato salad, she slouched down in her seat, absent-mindedly changing the color of her shoes from pink to green to black and back to purple.

"Cass," she said brightening, "we need some action..." she grinned at her mischievous friend and sat up straight. "Any ideas?"

Cassie looked at Lindsey. "You got a few kangaroos loose in the paddock. Im no vege. Carnivore for life. I just like vegemite" she said grinnign brightly. She wacthed her friends with Alfie and smiled softly. Izzy then turned to her and as soon as she finished the word action Cassie chimed in. "Thats what she said" and began to laugh with little giggles. "And I dont know...I mean we arent even in school yet. And I have been forbidden for blowing up the train. SO i think we should set sone fireworks up int he hallway again" she said with a small giggle.

Alex reached over grabbing a cinamon bread and bit into it. His stomach growled and he scowled remembering that he had forgoten to eat before getting on the trian. As they continued talking he had to grin, "How 'bout fore we start anything we eat, im starving," he replied wondering if there was at least a trolly on the trian. He reached for his bag and turning it over emptied its contents onto the floor. Everything scattered from books to robes, cd's, wizarding cards, and other random stuff along with his money. Picking it up he pocketed the money and started with putting everything back in the bag.

Alfie had nodded her head when asked if she would lend some of her potato salad, but she said, "you can have some but I won't be wanting it back."

Alfie had just pulled out some steak and shrimp and placed it on the table. "Well I guess no one is going to introduce me to you so I'll have to do it myself though it isn't lady like." Alfie said to Alex as she put her hand out and said, "I am Alfie and I am the school nurse. I also run madam Pomfry's pharmacy. It would be nice to see you drop by the shop sometime."

OOC: so im Izzy now? hmm... thanks. i like it actually!

BIC:

Lindsey nodded as Cass said she was 'no veg' and laughed. "Somehow I didn't think you were." She had no idea what vegamite was, but kept this to herself.

She then pretended to be disappointed and said, "Dangit... i so wanted to blow up the train... but fireworks... now that has possibility." She grinned at her friend and started to get up when Alex's stomach growled. She smirked and said,''Don't worry--we'll let you eat first.... speaking of which," she turned to Alfie, "maybe I will have some of that." She pointed at the potato salad and said with a small laugh,"And don't worry. I wasn't planning on giving it back."

Alex studied Alfie as she spoke unable to keep from grinning, "Right names Alex, currently no title," he replied reaching over and shaking her hand, "would be glad to."
Just as he was about to ask Alfie about the shop the door was opened by a woman pushing a trolly full of food. His grumbling stomach forced him to stand up and walk over to the lady and cart of food.
Scowling slightly to detain a smile he turned to Lindsey, "very polite of you," he said wondering in how much trouble blowing the trian up would get them in.
"Anyone want anything?" he offered reaching into his pocket and digging out his money as he looked at the various treats.

Cassie chuckled. "well lets all thank god for that." she said to Lindsey, or Lizzy as she called her. "You knwo I got the fireworks" she said wtith chuckle. Suddenly a tap came at the door. Cassie stood up and opened it to see the cart lady, Anna. "Anna. Nice seeing you again: she said as she and the woman hugged. "nice show this year" the woman added smiling at her. She sat back down. "Nothing for me...unfortunatly Annahas yet to stock Australan candy" she said teasing Anna who simply chuckled at her. She pulled out a Capri Sun, one of her selfish pleasures, and began to try to stab the straw into the juice pack with no sucess.