On the way home (OPEN)

by **Haley Vilde Smith** Mon Jan 30, 2012 12:51 am

Haley walked with her black owl in her left hand and her trunk dragged after her in her right hand through the corridors of the Hogwarts express. She found a compartment without anyone in it and walked in. She wanted to see her friends before they all left, but she hadn't found them on the train yet.

She put the trunk up on the shelves, and sat down next to the window. She sighed. What a year, and what a finish it had been. The ball had really become a memorable moment, but for all the wrong reasons. Haley sighed. She hoped next year would be better. Next year, she would kick some serious ass.

She smiled and put her hand into the owl cage, petting Zar. "We're going home now," she said softly.

Then she looked up as the door to the compartment opened.

by **Charlotte Smith** Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:25 am

Charlotte moved into the train, Hannibal on her shoulder and looked for a compartment that was either empty or had someone she knew in it, she ft unexplicably closer to people at Hogwarts since the fight and she felt comfortable sitting with most people.

Wandering down the corridors she spotted Haley and knocked politely on the door of her compartment, Charlotte was feeling much-the same as she was before the ball, except she wasn't sleeping very well...she had suffered with some mild nightmares.

"Would you mind if I sat here?" she asked quietly, although she didn't know Haley, it might be nice to make a new friend.

by **Haley Vilde Smith** Mon Jan 30, 2012 8:47 am

Haley was surprised when she saw that it was Charlotte standing in the door, but she smiled. She was so happy that Charlotte was alive, as it had seemed that she was about to die back then.

"Please," Haley said, pointing to a seat.

She looked closer at Charlotte when the girl sat down. She looked wary and tired. But, could you blame her? Haley knew that if something like that had happened to her, she would be too scared to sleep at all.

"How are you feeling?" she asked softly.

Haley knew the two of them weren't best friends, but Haley categorized Charlotte as a friend. She just hoped that the blond didn't think it was a too personal question and all, but she figured that nothing asked, nothing gained.

by Guest Mon Jan 30, 2012 1:03 pm

Leshia had told Salina she would save her a seat on the train. She was looking for the compartment where Haley was sitting at finally finding it she walked into it.

"Hay Haley, finally found you." Thats when she noticed that Charlotte was in the compartment too.

"Hey to you too Charlotte." Leshia could not help but smile at two of the friends she made this year. "Everyone doing ok, after everything?"

by **Haley Vilde Smith** Mon Jan 30, 2012 3:29 pm

Haley beamed up at Leisha as she walked into the compartment. "Yo," she said joyously.

She then sighed. How were they doing? She was all right, actually, considering everything that happened. She could sleep tight, she could smile like it hadn't happened. She was all right. But her friends... She didn't always know who took it hardest. Charlotte was the one most hurt, Leisha was the one most sensitive. And even though Haley didn't even know her, she had noticed that Tess had changed, and Parker... He was ... closed up. Haley sighed again.

"I don't know. I'm doing fine myself, but I'm worried about ... well ... you guys," Haley said truthfully.

She leaned back, looking up into the roof. "I just want everyone to walk away without any scars, mental or physical. I wish I could save you from hurt or pain, and not just in battles. I just wish my blood from Helga gave me the powers to be equally as strong as her. Then I could ... I would've helped you," she said, a few tears filling her eyes, but she quickly blinked them back.

Then she looked at both Leisha and Charlotte. "I want you both to know that if there is ever anything that bothers you, please, tell me about it. I won't mind helping you. I would actually love to help you. You're my friends," Haley said solemnly.

by **Charlotte Smith** Mon Jan 30, 2012 9:13 pm

Charlotte sat down when she was allowed to, Hannibal now refusing to leave her side he cawed menacingly at Haley before Charlotte flicked his beak sharply, there was no need to act in such a way to her friend.

"Thank you Haley, I'm doing okay, a little tired and worn out but nothing a nice long holiday wont fix up. How are you?"

When Leshia entered the compartment Charlotte smiled happily and budged over a little, Hannibal's large wingspan took up a lot of the carriage and he too cawed at Leshia before she flicked his beak again.

"Sorry about him, he's just a little touchy, after what happened you know?"

Listening to Haley's statement Charlotte smiled softly, she hadn't known that her heart had been this big, she hadn't even really spoke to her before today.

"There is nothing that anybody could have done, even Headmistress Briony didn't escape totally unharmed, I'm just glad that we managed to get by without too many casualties, but, thank you Haley, I'm happy to know that I have a friend that I can fall back onto, just as long as you know you can do the same to me."

by **Airen Auditoren** Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:08 pm

Airen walked along train. He didn't feel like sitting in a compartment by himself. He checked each compartment looking for some people he knew. Seeing Charlotte in a compartment with Haley and a Ravenclaw he had in a few of his classes, Airen knocked lightly against the door. He poked his head in, suddenly feeling self conscious.

"Do you mind if I joined you?" he asked, feeling embarrassed. He'd never been good at approaching people in the middle of a conversation.

by **Keiba Namid** Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:29 pm

Keiba watched as Airen approached one of the compartments that was filling up steadily. Mostly everywhere else was full, too, and she wasn't sure an unknown little Ravenclaw like herself would be welcome to sit with them. She pursed her lips, wishing she'd made more a name of herself. Next year, she thought.

Tentatively she crept up to his side, and, biting the inside of her cheek nervously, peered into the carriage. There was Charlotte, whom Humphrey had talked about a lot - if she remembered correctly, it almost started to get on her nerves - and then there was Haley, who she'd met at the ball; they'd had a riot then! And then there was Leshia, her room-mate. Even though her and Leshia shared a dormitory, they'd never really gotten to know each other.

I need to get out more! Keiba reprimanded herself. Oh well. Scratching her forehead nervously, Keiba asked in a small voice, "Hi, everyone. Do you mind if I sit with you?" She wasn't even sure they could hear her, but she stayed, feeling very small compared to all these students who seemed so much more... above her.

by Guest Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:13 am

Leshia was looking around at everyone that was coming into the compartment.

"Yes Haley, I can tell you Charlotte here is a very good listener." Leshia smiled at the two girls. Charlotte had helped her a lot that day down by the lake.

Next to enter the cabin was Airen.."Hey Airen, come on in and join us, I don't bite, can't speak for anyone else."

She was trying to lighten the air a little because he seemed a little nervous. Leshia was about to comment about something when she heard the door slide open and a small voice.

"Hi, everyone. Do you mind if I sit with you?"

Looking up Leshia saw a fellow Ravenclaw

"Hi, Keiba, come join us its ok." Leshia patted the seat besides her

"Guys this is Keiba..Keiba this beautiful blonde over there is Charlotte, the nice looking gentlemen next to her is Airen, this other beautiful lady next to me is Haley, and If you don't remember my name its Leshia.

"Oh and that beautiful bird there is Hannibal" Leshia almost forgot the other person in the room, can't forget about him that would have been rude.

by **Haley Vilde Smith** Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:19 am

Haley smiled. "I'm doing okay," she said, and looked curiously at the bird.

"He is cool," she said with a smile when Leisha joined them, and he cawed again.

Haley smiled to Charlotte when she told her that there hadn't been anything to do about the battle at the moment, except surviving. Haley sighed. "You're right," she said calmly, "And thank you too," she added, meaning it.

Then the door was pushed open again, and Airen looked in, asking if he could join them.

Leisha was quick to tell him, and Keiba who came just then, that they could come in. Haley beamed at both of them. Then she snorted and looked at Leisha. "Dude! You can't compliment us without saying how wickedly hot and snazzy you yourself are!" she said aghast. "And, I know Keiba. I met her at the ball."

Haley fell into a thoughtful silence, but quickly snapped out of it. She then looked around the compartment.

"So, what are you all gonna do during your holiday?" Haley asked them all.

by **Charlotte Smith** Tue Jan 31, 2012 1:28 am

Charlotte smiled slightly as Airen entered the cabin and she moved up for him to sit by her, Hannibal bowed his head at him because he knew him very well and he trusted him however when Keiba entered he cawed again flapping his wings not liking the cramped space.

Flicking him on the beak Charlotte grinned.

"Air! Come sit by me! I'm glad to see you." she said happily, eager to prove that she was okay after what happened.

Hearing Leshia describe her as beautiful, Charlotte blushed a little and she could feel Hannibal ruffle his feathers happily and coo affectionately at Leshia, which made Charlotte chuckle.

"Hannibal agrees with Haley, as do I, but I think you've given this vulture a little ego boost." she joked.

Charlotte smiled happily at the thought of what she was doing this holiday, hopefully a lot!

"I'm planning on going to Pyxis' house, and hopefully Airen will join me in mine sometime during the break, yourself?"

by **Airen Auditoren** Tue Jan 31, 2012 4:59 am

Nodding, Airen made his way to sit by Charlotte. He unstrapped his sword and leaned it against his seat on the side that Charlotte wasn't on. He placed a hand on Charlotte's. Smiling slightly, he grabbed it gently.

"How are you feeling?" he asked softly. Concern was evident in his voice.

Smiling at her blush, Airen nodded his head in agreement to Leshia's comment on Charlotte being beautiful. Though, he did blush at being a "nice-looking gentleman".

"I'm not really sure what I'm going to do besides visiting Charlotte," he added. Living solo means that you can do whatever you want, but Airen liked to set limits on himself.

by **Charlotte Smith** Tue Jan 31, 2012 5:19 am

Charlottes blush only increased when Airen placed his hand on her own, she did the same to him and then linked their fingers together, feeling more comforted with him there.

"I'm fine Airen, I'm just a little tired that's all, a good lie in and I'll be as right as rain." she turned to him and smiled ever so slightly "How are you?" she said quietly.

Truth was, even though she was fine, Charlotte was a little worried about Viktor, by the time she had gotten up he was gone and she wondered if he was alright, but knew it would be unwise to ask this now.

"You're all welcome to visit by the way! I'm most likely going to be at Daddy's bakery so if you want to come by Floo just say 'Cobalt Smith's bakery and youll get there alright."

by **Haley Vilde Smith** Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:08 am

Haley grinned. "I love bakeries! So maybe I will take the trip. My parents will probably be busy with their jobs, so I'm doomed to have a lot of space on my hands. So bakery-trip is definitely not out of the question," she said happily.

She then frowned, remembering just where her parents were going that holiday. She clenched her teeth so harshly, it made a clicking sound, but she didn't notice. She just kept clenching her teeth so much so that it hurt. But she just didn't feel it. Her insides were screaming at her.

Her parents were aurors of high class and during the holiday sometime, they had been assigned to leaving to Germany to find out more about the forces attacking the school. Haley was beyond concerned about this, but the latest events had made the fact slip from her mind. Now that it was back, Haley felt herself tremble with concern and worry.

by Guest Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:56 am

Leshia could not help but blush at Haley's comment. She had never thought about herself like that. She was just Leshia sweet and outgoing but hot and snazzy.

"As for my summer Salina is suppose to be coming unless she can convince her family not to be jerks. I am not sure what else we are going to be doing."

Leshia smiled at the thought of spending time with her friend. "I think this little battle has done a number on Tabi so hopefully she will stop being a jerk too."

Leshia heard Charlotte say something about a bakery, she loved donuts

"I might just have to take you up on that offer, I love the chocolate covered glazed ones."

by **Charlotte Smith** Tue Jan 31, 2012 7:29 pm

Charlotte smiled happily, she was glad that there might be some visitors to her home of the more female persuasion, of course she was delighted that Airen was coming but she was also aware that she needed female friends as well. Not that Airen was strictly a friend any more...

"Well, don't consider this a bribe or anything but the food will most likely be free if you give Papa the puppy dog eyes."

Noting that Haley seemed to be in some sort of pain or something like that Charlotte looked tenative, wondering if she would be out of place to ask about it, instead she just said:

"Are you okay, Haley?"

For a moment Charlotte felt a little lonely having no family or sisters to spend time with but she was happy for her friends, and like she had said, Leshia and Tabi may grow closer.

"Well hopefully everyone will have a lovely holiday whatever you're up to, but I'm not sure that Papa makes doughnuts, he makes cookies, muffins, bread all that stuff...I'll have to ask him."

by **Haley Vilde Smith** Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:24 pm

Haley looked up as Charlotte asked if she was okay. She blinked. She hadn't noticed that she had fallen into a thoughtful stance. She cleared her throat.

"Yes, just thinking about the holiday," Haley said slowly, "I'll be alone for a while in it. Do you mind if I come and visit you during the end of June to the beginning of July?" she asked Charlotte.

Honestly, Haley loved being alone, but the thought of being alone when her parents were in Germany was not appeasing to her at all.

by **Keiba Namid** Tue Jan 31, 2012 10:32 pm

Keiba smiled slightly when she was invited into the compartment. It was a good feeling. She meekly sat herself down next to Haley, the only person she really knew out of the rest of them. Suddenly there was a bell jingling and a weight in her lap, and Keiba looked down into the furry face of Milly, her cat.

When the vulture cawed, it gave Keiba a fright. The big bird slightly scared her... but apparently not her cat. Milly, the great hunter, turned immediately and fixed her yellow gaze on him. Chirruping noises started emanating from her mouth. "Milly, don't. You know he's like ten times your size." Keiba scolded crossly. "And besides, that's Charlotte's companion. How would you like it if he ate you?" At that the cat turned and stared at her with a strange expression. She giggled at it. "Retard," she whispered affectionately, stroking her ears.

They started talking about what they had planned for these holidays. Keiba perked up a little, excited to say she was going back down under for three weeks to see her folks. "I'm going back home, to the sunshine coast," she said with a smile. "Three weeks on the beach with my family. I'm not sure whether or not to look forward to it or not!" Keiba joked.

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Feb 01, 2012 1:26 am

Charlotte smiled softly when Haley asked if she her wanted to come and see her during June and July and Charlotte nodded happily, she really did want to see some of her friends over the holiday, it would be wonderful to get to know Haley better.

"Of course! You can come and visit me as much as you like during the holidays and if I ever go out I will make sure to let you know so you're not waiting around."

When Charlotte saw that Keiba's cat was looking at Hannibal with a very playful look she couldn't help but remember what Pyxis' pet had wanted to do when she saw him.

"Awww he wont eat her, at least not unless she scratches him..." Charlotte thought "Erm not very reassuring, I'll just keep him over here."

At the description of what Keiba was going to be doing in the holidays Charlotte smiled happily, she had often wondered about going to a different country, but she didn't want to ask her Papa because it would cost a lot of money.

"That sounds great! I'd look forward to it if I were you, but then again, it depends if you get on with your family doesn't it?" she said goodnaturedly.

by **Haley Vilde Smith** Wed Feb 01, 2012 3:28 am

Haley lightened up at the thought of seeing her friends over the summer. She was going to enjoy being around her muggle friends as well, but it was so different now. She had to lie to them about where she had been and she had to pretend to be something she wasn't. So she was happy about Charlotte's reply.

"Thanks! I'll look forward to it," Haley said happily.

Haley then beamed at Keiba. "I've always wanted to go to Australia! Hey, you have to send me an owl with pictures, all right? Then I can envy you properly," she snickered.

"How long are you going to be in Australia?" she then asked Keiba.

by Guest Wed Feb 01, 2012 10:07 am

Leshia for some reason lost track of what was going on. Then when she heard Charlotte say she didn't think her dad made donuts it brought her out of her daydream.

"Hey no donuts, thats not a problem. I love anything sweet."

Looking out the window she was wondering where Salina was at. She had heard that Corrine was still in a coma so she knew that was where Salina had been spending most of her time and she didn't blame her casue if the table was turned that is what she would be doing too.

"What some say Australia, I would love to go there, Only place away from here I have been is Paris: Leshia sighed as she looked at the window.

by **Airen Auditoren** Wed Feb 01, 2012 11:57 am

Airen was happy that a lot of people would be doing something fun over the summer. He was glad they had something to take their minds off the ambush at the end of year ball. Smiling at what Keiba would be doing, Airen decided to join in on the conversation.

"I hear that the diving there is magnifico (magnificent), Kieba," he replied, leaving out the fact that he once went there, even if only for a weekend.

"I'll see if I can visit. I do need to reconnect with my aunt in Firenze,(Florence) but I'm sure it'll be fine," he said in response to Charlotte's offer. "Does your father get good business? Just wondering," he added. Typically the smaller places had the better foods, but that was in the muggle world. Things may be different in the wizarding world.

by **Charlotte Smith** Wed Feb 01, 2012 7:27 pm

Charlotte was happy that Haley seemed to relax a little now that she had said that she could come over to Cobalt's bakery some time during the holidays, it would make things less lonely for the both of them.

"Australia sounds so exotic and so beautiful, I would love to travel around the world some day, to paint the places I see."

Glad that it was alright that the bakery didn't do doughnuts Charlotte smiled, maybe she'd have a visit from Leshia too if she could get away from her family for a little while.

"Well he sure makes plenty of sweet things, I think I might put loads of weight on over the holidays from eating it all!" she joked with a small giggle.

When Airen said that he needed to go to see his Aunt in Florence Charlotte smiled, she was really happy for him, he never much talked about any family, so she was glad that he was going to spend time with someone, sometimes she worried about what he did when he was alone.

"Italy sounds like a wonderful country, it's a place I'd love to go, full of detailed paintings and scenery, but, I think my dad does good business but he gives most of the money away in bonus' for the people who work there, or to charity or something...so he never see's much money from it himself."

by **Keiba Namid** Wed Feb 01, 2012 8:38 pm

Keiba smiled. "She'd probably scratch the poor guy. Eh, she'll get used to him. I love my family, but some of what they say just messes with my head. Both my sisters are really judgemental and say mean things without realising it, and I trust my parents a lot, but I guess I'm my own person and, well, some things they do I don't agree with." She shrugged, remembering some of the more horrible encounters with her sisters she'd had over the years.

Turning to Haley, she said, "I shall! I'll probably be able to get some good pictures of the mountains in the mornings. They get covered in fog and when the sun shines through it it's so lovely. And, oh, around three weeks or so, give or take a few days. And I just realised it's winter over there... no beach for me!" She laughed inwardly at her silliness. It was just so hot over here at the moment that she'd forgotten how cold it would be at home. Not cold enough for snow, but still very chilly.

"You guys will probably get to Australia one day, I bet. It's beautiful." She listened to Airen. "I've never been diving, but I went camping near the Great Barrier Reef one holidays. It was so pretty. We didn't dive, just swam mostly, and explored the rainforests as well. Great community, although you can't take any shells or anything; only the sand off your shoes, photos and memories. It's protected."

Hearing Charlotte talk about her painting gave Keiba an idea. "Hey Charlotte, if you want I can owl you some stills of different places over there? I mean, it's the closest you can get to actually being there, right? I'm pretty good with a camera."

Italy. What she wouldn't give to go there one day as well. "Wow... and I wish I could visit Italy. It would be just amazing."

by Guest Thu Feb 02, 2012 8:25 am

Leshia was listening to all the interesting places they were talking about.

"I have never been to Italy either, but I have been to Japan." Leshia smiled at that memory

"I was just about 5 or 6 when we were there and the countryside was beautiful."

Leshia still had not seen Salina or Corrine yet and was worried. After the battle Corrine was in some kind of coma and hadn't woken up yet, but then that was a couple of days ago. She was just worried.

Leshia was also beginning to worry about her sister too, the only feeling she was getting from her sister was indecisiveness. Leshia wondered if their new gift would work if they were not in the same room.

"Tabi where are you at, I haven't seen you?" she thought in her mind