First Year Entrance 2020-2021

Aoife grinned as the girl seated in the front of the boat seemed to mirror her own excitement. "I definitely know the feelin'. I've 'eard so much a'boot the place from me brother and sister. It almost doesn' seem real tha' I'm actually 'ear now!" She said her eyes parting from the girl for a moment to look out upon the lake still aching to get her first glimpse of Hogwarts. She heard a voice call out her name from up on the platform and turned to see her sister Moira standing at the edge all dressed in Slytherin green robes. "Oi! Aoife! Ye'd bes' behave on tha' ride tae school! If ye try an' take a dive intae the lake I'm tellin' ma and da'!" She called out.

Aoife's immediate response was to turn red in the cheeks as she stood up in the boat somehow managing to accomplish this without rocking the boat too badly. "Ye dinnae think a' know tha'?! M'not looking forward tae taking a swim on mah firs' night!" She called back cupping her hands around her mouth so her sister could hear her. She was barely able to catch a glimpse of a smirk upon her sister's face before the other older girl folded into her significant other's embrace and made her way off toward her own mode of transportation to Hogwarts. Aoife sank back down onto her seat as another girl came to join them this girl had fiery red hair that nearly rivaled her own. As the girl sat down and introduced herself she smiled giving the girl a nod.

It wasn't long before the girl who'd boarded the boat first gave her name as well before asking Aoife for her own. "Aoife! Aoife Lovett pleasure tae meet the both of ye!" She said with a grin.

OOC

OOC: Aemadall, be careful of god-modding other players' actions as that can be against the rules. Just a fair warning. Other than that, good RPing.

Mentions: All of Boat 2

Interactions: @Robert Toukmond @Akari Kato @Elisabeth Erner

Rohan was astonished. Robert didn't know Quidditch? Well, he didn't know it untill his 9 1/2th either, but still... Even if you're a muggleborn, someone must have told him ever? Someone must have talked about a match someday..

"You- you don't know Quidditch? It's the most popular wizard's sport! It's played with 7 players on brooms, and the goal is to score through 3 high hoops. I really want to get on the school team. You have beaters, chasers a keeper and a seeker. And yes, Akari, I've seen an Appleby Arrows versus Puddlemere United. It was awesome! I also saw a lot of junior trainings. These were a little less spectacular, though..."

Rohan explained how it worked a bit. He still couldn't believe that he hadn't heard of it. He heard he lived in London. There was one of the biggest Quidditch stadium's! Well, maybe not in the city, but just outside it.

He heard one of the other boat's students call Akari's name. The student was called Jess, apparently. Rohan tried to remember as much names as he could. He hated not knowing things. That's why he asked Akari:

"If you aren't born in London, where are you from then? Somewhere else then Great Brittain, I suppose. And Elisabeth, you didn't tell us where you were from yet. There are a lot of Londony people here. Have any of you seen the quidditch stadium there? It's said to be huge."

Interacting with: @Elisabeth Erner@Robert Toukmond @Rohan Fog

After Akari had waved at Jess she turned back to her boat mates then her lips slightly parted as she gasped when Robert said he didn’t know what quidditch was. Quidditch was a huge part of her childhood and she couldn’t bare to imagine what it would be like without it. The amount of happy memories she has of trying to play quidditch where uncountable. Although her family used to play what they used to call a “muggle version” of quidditch so her mother could join in the festivities.

Akari nodded as Rohan explained the sport but didn’t even bother to try and help him since she was awful at explaining things like that to people.

“You are so lucky to have seen a game live! I’ve wanted to go to one for quite some time but somehow something has always gotten in the way” She told Rohan then sighed at the thought of all the times she had tried to go to a game but then someone ended up getting sick or there just wasn’t anymore space in the stadium and etc.


Then Rohan had asked where in England she was originally from so she piped up “I was born in a town called Rye, in East Sussex” then turned to look at Elisabeth “Yes Elisabeth, you never told us about where you live, where are you from?” She asked curiously.

Interacting with @Robert Toukmond, @Akari Kato, and @Rohan Fog

Taking Off

As the children claimed their spots in the boats, their endless chatter began to grate on the caretaker's nerves. So many introductions and names. Learning where everyone was from. Sharing details they would probably forget once they reached the castle. Some in the boat closest to his own (boat 2) had even decided to talk about him, as if he wasn't a few feet away and had exceptional hearing. Not that they would know about his exceptional hearing. But he definitely heard the bit about him being mean and how he probably didn't want this job of leading them across the cold lake. Perceptive - but it's not like he was hiding either fact.

Marcus focused instead on boarding his own boat, then silently offering his hand to Ms Jensen to aid her into it. It was his first time seeing her in witches' robes, and he appreciated that she pulled them off very well with her own personal touches. Meanwhile, he was just wearing his classic dark jeans, dark shirt and leather jacket. Now that it was cold again, that would be his go-to outfit. After they were both secure in the boat, he carefully moved to the front, adjusting the lantern to be much dimmer than the other vessels', finding it incredibly and unnecessarily bright.

Once seated, Marcus bowed his head slightly, wanting to be anywhere but here. He pictured his office, where he could listen to white noise and drink coffee to ease his nerves. Alas, he was not only having to take the first years to the castle, but then he would have to attend the Sorting Ceremony, sit through the speeches, and probably grumble his way through dinner with a growing headache. No way would he be able to keep any food down. Good thing he had no qualms about water travel, otherwise his naseau might intensify here and now.

"ELISABETH!" The loud shout from one of the students finally prompted Marcus to raise his head again. His eyes focused on a dark-skinned boy that had decided to stand and precariously rock his boat in the process. Somehow, the boy did not fall out when he stood (rolled 19).

"Stay seated unless you want to end up as dinner for the Giant Squid!" Marcus barked out, a slight snarl on his lips at the boldness of these children. It was clear from the protests of the boy's boat mates that they all had the common decency and smarts not to do the same, but the caretaker wanted to send a message anyways. Hopefully the kid would feel properly scolded. In truth, the threat of the Giant Squid was empty, since Marcus had been told it was a rather domesticated creature of Hogwarts. The children didn't need to know that yet. Let them tremble.

Marcus now noticed that all the boats had been filled with children, so it was time to take off. He would wait pointedly until everyone was properly seated before clearing his throat and announcing, "FORWARD!" Instantly, the fleet of boats began to glide across the still waters of the lake.

Before anyone would be able to glimpse the castle, they needed to pass through a misty area of the lake. The boats were quickly enveloped by a light fog, making them only slightly visible to each other, with the lanterns giving away their positioning. It meant most of the boats were now in their own foggy little world and, in Marcus' mind, this would hopefully prevent any more shouting across the boats.

"How long is the Sorting Ceremony, usually?" Marcus asked quietly, his golden eyes turning to the only other occupant of his boat. He actually had no idea how these kids were sorted into their houses - having not thought to ask before now.

Interacting with:
@Ellen Thomas
@Darlene Smith
@Aoife Lovett
-Boarding Boat 4

When the train stopped Liz quickly pushed through the crowd of kids in her way and burst through the doors of the train. She quickly raised her brown eyes to the sky of stars. A grin spread across her face and she let out a small giggle. She was giddy, that was for sure. She strained her eyes, trying to catch any of Hogwarts at all, but to no avail. She huffed softly and looked around the station. She nodded to the Caretaker and the Head of Slytherin House as she passed.

The Head of MY house. she thought internally. She knew she was going to place in Slytherin. She HAD to or her parents would be disappointed. But now was not the time to dwell on her home life. She was finally here! Finally at Hogwarts! The blonde girl moved herself off to the side and watched the flood of kids walk past. It seemed like she was looking for someone, someone she couldn't find on the train. Where was Abi? Elizabeth had met Abigail Ravenmoon at the Leaky Cauldron a month prior and the two had shopped together. Now Liz couldn't find her.

The blonde girl waited for the other with such focus that she realized she was about to miss the boats. Mr. Iwasaki and Ms. Jensen had already climbed into their own boats. The blonde girl sighed, giving up her searched and quickly hurried over to a boat with only 3 girls in it. Liz quickly hopped in and plopped down, a small bit away from the others. She watched them over with chocolate eyes for a moment. Two of them had bright red hair, that Elizabeth actually loved, and one had short brown hair. She took a soft breath and plastered a smile onto her face.

"Hey! I'm Elizabeth Isaacs! Sorry for barging into your boat like this! I hope you don't mind!", she started. She jolted slightly as Mr. Iwasaki commanded the boats forward and they began to move. She looked down at the water and sighed in relief. At least she hadn't missed the boats.

Boarding boat 5
Interacting with whoever will get on this boat

Abigail couldn't understand how she didn't find Elizabeth on the train, nor after getting off of it. She was a bit late this morning maybe but now she had no excuse... Was she that slow when walking? Admittedly she took the time to analyse her surrounding on the path from the station to the Lake. She really wanted to get all the memories she could get from that fateful day. On the Lake cost the boats were getting ready to go, most were full, only one was still empty and able to welcome her, racing a bit she hopped into this boat.

At that moment she sees a silhouette that reminded her of Liz and the great time they spent in August. Maybe they weren't together for the journey to Hogwarts but they will see each other tomorrow if they weren't in the same House. If by chance the girls find themselves in the same House, probably Slytherin in that case, that would be awesome. For now, the boat she was in was filled as every other boat.

It was time to cross the waters separating them from their home for the year to come. On an intimidating man's command, the boats started to sail on their own, enveloped by a thick mist only breached by the lantern the boats had on their front. The young Ravenmoon felt a bit anxious at the idea of the Sorting Ceremony, what if she didn't get in one of the family usual Houses... Getting nervous she kept to herself for the time being.

Shipping Off!!

Ambience

Reducio

Aoife smiled at the other two girls in the boat with her before glancing over toward the boat bearing their two chaperones for the evening. She could hear the caretaker of the castle calling out in a commanding and booming voice at one of the students who seemed to be standing up and rocking their vessel much to the dismay of their fellow passengers. She couldn't get a good view of them from where she sat but considering the way things seemed to calm a bit she could only assume they'd sat back down. And then shortly after she heard the caretaker's voice call out again the echo carrying out on the wind as he commanded all of the boats forward with a single word.

And with that single command, all of the boats left the shore under their own power and began to make the trek into the misty waters of the lake. She blinked as just about their own boat was about to set off another girl had hopped in. Turning in her seat to look over at the newcomer she offered a small smile. "Ah dinnae mind, You've got tae get tae school some 'ow righ?" She said giving the girl a nod in greeting. "Aoife Lovett! Pleasure tae meet ya Elizabeth!" She said her smile broadening as she extended her hand to the other girl. "Cuttin' it a bit close there weren't ya? Cannae imagine havin' tae wait for the boats tae come back. I'd reckon Mr.Iwasaki would be all too 'appy tae have to come back either." She said with a small shrug of her shoulders.

As the boat entered the cloud of mist hovering above the lake they lost nearly all sight of the other boats around them. The only sign that they were even there being the golden glow of the lantern affixed to each boat. Her eyes looked over the mist a frown curling at her lips hoping that the thick vapor wouldn't ruin the view of the castle when they finally grew closer to it. With a soft sigh she settled back down and turned back to Elizabeth. "Isn't this all so excitin'? I've waited nearly mah entire life tae get 'ere an' it's finally happenin'!" She said energetically.

@Elizabeth Isaacs
@Ellen Thomas
@Darlene Smith

Interacting with @Akari Kato, @Elisabeth Erner, and @Rohan Fog, mentions @Marcus Iwasaki

Robert watched in disappointment when he saw the loud boy from the other boat sit back down again, somehow miraculously not falling out of the boat. "Stay seated unless you want to end up as dinner for the Giant Squid!" he heard the Caretaker shout, apparently at the boy. Robert was again reminded of the Great Lake's enormous inhabitant. He'd heard that it was the "bane of Hogwarts," but hadn't come across any real stories in which it had hurt anyone. As it seemed unlikely that the school would continue to allow such a terrible monster to live in a place many students play, Robert wasn't quite convinced it was as bad as he was supposed to believe.

Robert was pulled back to the events on the boat when Rohan started to try and explain quidditch to him. He said that there were seven players on each team, four different positions, and three types of balls. It was quite complicated, and Robert wasn't totally sure he followed it. However, he didn't want to seem ignorant by asking again, so he resolved to research it when he got to Hogwarts.

Rohan then asked Akari where she'd grown up, allowing her to give them the answer to the other question Robert had been wondering about. Apparently, she grew up in East Sussex, in a town called Rye. Rohan also asked Elisabeth where she grew up, making Robert realize that she'd never said. Elisabeth explained that while she was also an inhabitant of London, and had been since she was six, she'd actually grown up in Belize. "Have you guys ever heard about Belize?" she asked. "I understand if you haven't, because it's such a small country."

"Erm, sí, yo... erm... escucho?" Translates to: "Erm, yes, I... erm... I hear?" (Robert's Spanish isn't very good) Robert replied with stumbling Spanish. "Sorry, I've taken Spanish in school for the past couple years, but I'm terrible at it. I've heard of Belize, but I don't really know much about it. Geography is the other thing I'm terrible at." Robert gave a small smile. "What's it like?"