September 4 - Dinner at the Great Hall

Trin walked into the Great Hall for dinner and looked around. There were quite a few kids standing around outside the Great Hall, but there were some inside at the tables too. She happily made her way down to the end of the Ravenclaw table and started eating her Shepherd's Pie. "Hi!" She said to the girls sitting there. "How's it going? Are you all ready for classes tomorrow? We have so many!"

"Sup Paige," Imogen stated, nodding to Trin. "We're talking about missing home." She looked down to Moria. "What is the thing you miss the most? Maybe we can come up with something for that?" 

Moira turned toward Trin and greeted her, then looked back at Imogen. "I always used to see her working on her potions. Maybe the classes will bring me some comfort." 

Miho said, "Hello," to Trin and said, "Yes, I'm really looking forward to the first classes. I can't wait. I just hope to do well." 

Trin smiled at the first years and the fifth year that she'd met already with the same last name as her. But as far as she knew there was no relation. "Ahh, yeah I'm missing home as well. My dad is an investigator, like the Muggle one - Sherlock Holmes. And my mom works at the Daily Prophet. I want to become a journalist like her one day... I sometimes help dad with his case notes." She ate her meal and said, "I can't wait for Astronomy. But DADA makes me a bit nervous..." 

Imogen became thoughtful and said, "I'm sure we could come up with something for us to keep homesickness at bay. Give us a bit of time and we'll all be buried in school work and the like," she grinned. 

A boy entered Great Hall and the girl, Moira, became joyful as she stood up to wave to the boy. "Liam!" She said loudly, and then quickly sat back down. 

Trin nodded to Imogen. "Yeah, totally. Soon enough the homework will pile up, but at least it's fun homework! Not like the Muggle stuff we had to learn before we got here..." A true Ravenclaw, she couldn't wait for the work to start. She noted a boy coming over and said, "Hey there. I'm Trin. Are you a new student?" She then heard Moira call his name and smirks. "Ohh... Hi, Liam. I'm Trin." 

Imogen eyed Trin. "I don't know of any homework that is 'fun'." She began with a bit of a snort. She offered Liam a finger wave as she served herself up some broiled fish that had been covered in garlic butter with some rice. "But we're going to be an awesome house this year." She stated. "Oh, what is your favorite colors? Foods? Animals?" She pointed to everyone she was sitting with.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Trin! My name is Miho," the girl said. "Your parents' professions are very interesting. My parents own a wizarding artifacts shop, but it doesn't seem as exciting. I used to spend almost the entire day with them at the shop, and I hardly ever left home. That's why I'm so happy to be here; I feel more free."

Liam sat down at the table in front of his sister. Looking shyly at the other girls at the table, he said, "Hi! Yes, I'm Liam, Moira's brother. And yes, I'm new here." He looked with a somewhat lost but enthusiastic expression at the same time.

Moira seemed a bit more relaxed and said, "I've always liked purple; I think it's a fabulous color. As for animals, I have my favourites, but I think unicorns have always fascinated me, even though I've never seen one up close." 

Trin laughed at Imogen. "I mean... We are Ravenclaws, right? I love homework. I helped dad with his case because I was so bored at home sometimes," she giggled, then she blushed. "That doesn't make me too much of a nerd, does it?" She grinned again then and said, "Oh yeah, we totally have to take the House Cup this year!" She looked around and said, "It's so nice to meet you, Miho and Liam. We'll be sure to help make sure you guys don't feel too homesick! It's hard at first, but you'll get used to it. And writing letters home helps... And soon enough it'll be Christmas, and you'll be going home for the holidays!" She beamed though at the compliments and said, "Yeah, mom and dad have great jobs, but artifacts shop must be really cool! One of dad's favourite things to study is historical things, and..." She stopped herself before saying 'looking for treasure'. She'd had enough of a lecture to remember that. "And learning the story behind the artifacts." She then said, "My favourite colour is conveniently blue, and my favourite animal... I have lots too, but I love Nifflers and Bowtruckles, just like Newt Scamander had!"

Imogen wrote something in the notebook that she had with her and shrugged. "Well, not all Ravenclaws are book smart and like homework. Wit and wisdom are also attributes of our house, after all." She then said, "What about you, Miho and Liam? Favourite colours and animals?" 

Miho excitedly said, "My favourite colour is black, favourite food is anything sweet, and as for the animal, I love my snow owl! He's a male, but I haven't come up with a name for him yet. I also really like my teddy bear; my mom gave it to me as soon as I was born, and it hasn't left my side until now! I need to take it out of my suitcase!" 

Liam smiled at Imogen's comments about homework and not every Ravenclaw liking them, and then said, "Well, I do like blue, obviously, but my favourite color is white. And owls for sure!" He looked at Miho and said, "I have one. They can be friends and fly together!" 

Moira then exclaimed, "Liam! Let's write to Mom! You can ask your owl to deliver the letters!" She then got up and said, "Excuse me, girls. I'm going to write to Mom before bed! Goodnight, and thank you for the conversation." She then lowered her gaze, but she had a huge smile on her face. 

Trin blushed as she realized she'd just made a stereotype, like she'd said she didn't like on the train the other day. "You're right, sorry... I shouldn't generallize." She actually felt embarrassed at herself for that and chided herself silently. She smiled at Miho's excitement then and said, "Those are good ones! I bet you'll come up with a name soon enough... And oh, my favourite food is anything Mexican or Italian. I loooooove tacos!" She then grinned as the firsties talked about writing letters to their mother. "I think I might come up to the Common Room with you guys and write a letter as well... It is almost bedtime, after all. See you later," she then said to Imogen and Miho.

Imogen nodded and wrote a few more notes. "Alright. Thanks you guys. I think I need to go and grab a nap before patrols tonight. And maybe test Potato's carrying ability," she nodded, though Trin had no idea who or what that was. 

Miho smiled to Liam and said, "I hope we can be friends too!" She then said, "Girls! It was really nice talking to older students, but I really need to excuse myself. I think I need to rest. Hope to see you again." 

Liam quickly got up and went to his sister. "Let's go! But wait for me!" He turned to the rest at the table and shyly said, "Uh... bye. See you all later." He then said to Miho, "I'm already your friend! At least I think I am." 

Trin made her way up to the fifth floor with the other Ravenclaws and then went to sit on her bed, writing to her parents. She told them all about her first couple of days at Hogwarts and how she had seen the strange man standing on the train tracks on the way to school. She still wanted to know who that had been... She sent off her owl, Pluto, with the letter to home and then rolled over and went to sleep right away.