Hearing Wolfe begin to explain, Corrine turns his way with wide, curious eyes.

“A talking hat?” She can’t help but echo, slightly amused. “That’s an interesting choice. I thought it’d be something more... mighty. Like a battle you’d see in fantasy books or something. But I suppose, since we’re a bunch of eleven-year-olds, they can’t really expect that of us...”

She pauses. “Actually, I’m thankful it’s just that.” The girl chuckles softly. “I wouldn’t have any tricks up my sleeve at all.”

When Wolfe offers his snack, Corrine grabs a green gummy, nodding bashfully in thanks. “Is there a set of rules for each house..?” she asks. “I can only imagine there’s common traits between the people separated into each house.”

Then, after a beat, she adds with a small smile, “A Potions Master sounds amazing. I still don’t know what I’d want to do in the future, to be honest. It’s all so overwhelming... there’s so many new things to learn about. I think I’d like to explore it all before I make my choice.”

She perks up again, and before she knows it.. she begins yapping in excitement. “Have either of you touched your books? I started reading Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find them, and it’s all so interesting! I hope we get to meet some of the creatures during our time in Hogwarts—”

Robin nodded throughout Wolfe's explanation. He was glad that Corrine didn't take offense to the question, and that Wolfe was willing to answer for him. "My mum's also a Hufflepuff. Dad was a Gryffindor." Robin muttered the comment when he was given a gummy, a bit relieved that he found at least one point of connection with the boy.

Corrine, to Robin's surprise, was very active in this conversation. When she asked about the common traits of the houses, he couldn't help but chime in: "I've always felt connected with Ravenclaw more. Maybe Slytherin, but mostly Ravenclaw." He tucked a loose strand of his longer hair behind an ear, "Of course, there are all kinds of students in all the different houses. However, Ravenclaw is still generally recognized as a home for the 'studious' and 'clever', Slytherin for the 'cunning' and 'ambitious', Hufflepuff for the 'loyal' and 'hard-working', and Gryffindor for the 'prideful' and 'brave'."

It felt strange talking so much at once, but it became rather enjoyable after a few more words came out, as attending Hogwarts was something Robin looked forward to since a very young age.

Wolfe then talked about his aspirations of becoming a potion master, which Robin found interesting. His passion is defense against the dark arts, or honestly studying (while not practicing) the dark arts themselves. Potions are intriguing, but he rather be surrounded by books than ingredients and phials.

The once shy girl was now excitedly talking about how she would like to meet magical creatures in person. As the son of two magizoologists, he had his fair share of such encounters. Robin mentally took note of her interest in this subject, planning to share some of his stories after she finished - or some day in the future - if they get to see each other in Hogwarts again.

The scenery outside had fully developed into greenery and occasional peeks into a huge body of water some distance beyond. Though he didn't inherit a passion for magical creatures, Robin still went on numerous trips with his parents to the beautiful forests of the Scottish Highlands. This was a familiar and comforting sight. Robin took a deep breath and leaned backwards, almost sinking into the red cushioned seats. The nervousness of meeting new people still hadn't gone away, but he could finally relax - in a sense - realizing that this nervousness contained a hint of excitement, and that it was a mutual feeling shared by the other two talkative first-years sitting across from him.

After engaging in a thoughtful reflection, Robin paused, realizing he hadn't properly introduced himself yet.

"Wolfe might've mentioned my name, but uh . . . I'm Robin Lockett, by the way." He made eye contact with Corrine for a split second, then turned it back down towards the void he often stared at when unoccupied. Robin didn't extend his hand for a shake. Well, seems like physical touch is still a tad bit advanced for him.

Corrine hums as she listens to the boy explain, her eyes sparkling. “So, the talking hat is in charge of putting students into their respective houses for the next seven years? That... seems like a lot of responsibility to put on a hat.” She giggles.

The girl leans back into the cushioned seat, thoughtful. “Though, with what you’ve told me.. I might be a Hufflepuff. I don’t know.. I’m not really brave. I really like learning, but I’m not sure if I’m clever enough to be in Ravenclaw, either. Although, I suppose I do have a good amount of ambition for satisfying my curiosity..”

What if I don’t belong in Hogwarts though? The thought comes to her head in a quick manner, making her falter and frown. The excitement on her face diminishes as she shakes her head, trying to distract herself from what she perceives to be the truth.

Thankfully, before she could focus much on her inner thoughts, the boy had introduced himself as Robin Lockett. She immediately notices the way his eyes had flickered to hers and held only a second before moving, and it occurs to her that he’s also nervous about socializing like this.

Taking no offense to it, Corrine flashes him a genuine smile, her eyes crinkling. “It’s nice to meet you too, Robin. You seem nice too.”

He doesn’t seem comfortable with contact, so she decides it might be best to hold out on a handshake.

After a moment, the girl looks back out to the window, watching the scenery pass with amazed eyes. So much nature, she thinks to herself as a wave of sleepiness overcomes her. She has to blink to keep herself awake, feeling a yawn come.

Wolfe glanced over towards Corrine and found her starting to doze off beside him. He silently laughed at her attempt of staying awake. He decided that if she fell asleep he'd wake her up in time to change into robes. Traveling through the countryside always made him sleepy too. Trips to his grandparents always seemed to result in him falling asleep at some point during the trip. There was always something relaxing about it.

The steady pace of the train on the track was rather hypnotic, almost lulling him to sleep as well, but before he could fall asleep he gets up long enough to get a book out from his trunk and sits back down. It was an older book, he had gotten from his grandmother for his tenth birthday that he had just gotten around to reading. The cover a dark charcoal matte with a black wolf with golden eyes emerging from the black drop. He had no idea what Call of the Wild was about, but his grandmother was always one for classic literature and sent him a book to enjoy every birthday. A few chapters in he realizes that it is a muggle book about a dog named Buck.

Robin had been staring at the scenery for some time, he didn't really pay attention to his surroundings until Corrine asked about the muggle book Wolfe was reading. He turned his head a little, just enough to also take a glance at the title: Call of the Wild.

His father Jeremy was born a muggle and took pride in his upbringing. Therefore, the wizard still had muggle objects - including some novels and novellas - stored in his bedroom. Robin had always liked to read, so it was only natural for him to drop by once in a while and pick up a random book to soak his brain in. His favorite muggle book is The Outsider by Albert Camus. He finds it interesting that Meursault's indifference towards society also somehow brings out the society's indifference towards "outsiders" like him . . . Robin can go on an hour-long rant but the point is, he is quite fond of muggle literature, and is currently taking note of the book's title for future consideration.

Robin caught himself with a flat mouth after hearing Corrine's comment on Wolfe reading a wolf book. What does this even mean, you ask? The corners of his mouth are typically naturally drooped. This makes many kids his age or younger see him as a serious and even scary person. Of course, not being the most talkative person helped a lot too.

When his mouth isn't drooping, that basically means he's smiling. Not a full on laugh, more like a silent chuckle.

Corrine is now covering her face, and honestly Robin can feel the awkwardness. Though he personally thought it was a great comparison, he'd still be embarrassed if it was him who said it out loud. However, Robin felt like Wolfe - the boy who liked to make jokes and had been friendly this whole time - probably won't be too mad, if at all.

I wish the earth would swallow me whole, Corrine is still chanting those words in her head, mortified. Maybe I should just leave before I embarrass myself further.

In an attempt to save whatever little dignity she has left, the girl stands up and reaches for her trunk on the overhead compartment with shaking hands. “I’m going to change into my robes,” she squeaks out, her cheeks still heavily flushed.

Unfortunately, seeing as she had needed Wolfe’s help to even get the trunk up there in the first place, actually getting the trunk down is troublesome. She pulls desperately at the handle, wanting to escape in fear of embarrassing herself even further.

Pulling that desperately, however, is the biggest mistake she’s made.

The trunk falls forward, sending her backwards into a heap on the floor with a pained yelp. Her head bumps against the floor harshly, making her vision spin slightly. “Ow,” she whimpers, regret seeping in.

Her goal of avoiding further embarrassment? Failed. Horrendously failed.

Despite the predicament she’s in, Corrine quickly looks up at both Robin and Wolfe, wanting to make sure that the trunk hadn’t hit them. She didn’t want them to get hurt due to the mistake she made, especially since they were the first friends she’s made in forever.

"Honestly I thought the same thing. Much to my own surprise the book is actually about a dog. Granny does love her classics." He beamed. "Though I don't think I would have named my dog Buck. Though its rather interesting so far. I can let you guys borrow it sometime when I am done with it if you'd like."

He turned back to his book for a while, lost in its pages about the cruel journey of the dog. He was about to start a new chapter when he heard a rather loud thud and a painful yelp. Puzzled, he looked up and saw Corrine and her trunk on the compartment floor. It took him a moment to realize what had happened. Worried he threw his book to the side, not caring if he had lost his place in it and got up to check on her.
"Are you alright?" he asked quickly, squatting down to help her sit back up. "That sounded quite painful. Did you hit your head? Concussions are the worst. Friend of mine back home had one once and poor lad's head hurt for a week."
He hoped she was fine other than a bruised ego.

"Oh I'm fine." Robin quickly answered when Corrine had asked if they were hit by her trunk. He didn't want anyone to be inconvenienced by his presence, that might cause relationship problems and ultimately inconvenience him in the future. Corrine did look a bit dazed, he hoped that she wouldn't develop some long-lasting symptom after this. It'd be so unfortunate considering she didn't even get to start learning about all the interesting things she seemed so curious about. He was relieved when Corrine reassured the two that she didn't feel a concussion.

Robin then saw the girl pick up Wolfe's book, inspecting it like a patient while she's the doctor checking for wounds. She's worried that the book was damaged, and felt bad for making Wolfe lose his place in it. Robin felt a strange emotion creeping up in him - he felt ashamed, or guilty? Wolfe and Corrine both seem like good people, they care about each other so much, considering they just met today. He, on the other hand, thought of himself first when he reassured Corrine that he was fine. He also thought of himself when Corrine had the possibility of being seriously injured - he feared that he would lose an acquaintance whose relationship he actively tried to facilitate.

His semi-negative thoughts were distracted by some noises down the isle. There were the sound of wheels and some voices. A vendor, perhaps? Robin honestly isn't hungry at all, and he wants to prevent any unnecessary socialization with the vendor when they advertise him something, so he decided to close his eyes and pretend he's attempting to take a nap. Robin hopes this can dissuade the vendor from forcefully selling him anything. If that even is the vendor like he'd deduced.