Bren,

Now that the school's Summer program is over, I'd like to invite you to my home for a weekend for a sleepover. I know we talked about that briefly and maybe you'll just want some time at home first, I don't know. Please let me know! I've enclosed my address as well as directions on how my father can be reached in case your parents should have any questions, both by Owl or a phone number for muggle contact.

Also start thinking of some of the things you'd like to do. We have several swimming pools, so bringing your swimsuit is a MUST! Otherwise, we could attend a professional quidditch game or visit a nearby park or wildlife rescue close to my home. Also, depending on your weekend, we might be able to go to a party that a neighbor is having!

I do hope to hear from you soon and hope we can get together before our Second Year beings. Second. Can you believe that?! I feel like First Year flew by and I hope this year seems a little longer. I've had a great Summer but I really miss school and I'm eager to return and see all my friends.

See you soon!
-Alina

Interacting with @Alina Rosier

Hello Alina,

Of course I'd love to come over! There are a few things I think I want to talk about first, and honestly I kind of want a reason to be away from the house for a bit longer. I'll explain when I visit, it's kind of complicated. I just want to speak about it with someone not related to me for now. My father will probably get in contact via phone, cause it's what he is used to. I'll be sure to bring a swimsuit, I love to go swimming so we have to do that while I'm there!

It may be weird, but I'm not all that big of a fan of quidditch. (I know, its unthinkable. Don't kill me for that please.) But going to a park, or that rescue center you mentioned, both sound like really fun ideas. I think a party would be fun, but it would be kind of strange for me to go to a party with people that don't know me. If they are fine with that, then maybe we can figure out a date that works?

Second year... that's such a strange thing to think about. Even stranger because the entire time I didn't think about the months passing, just having fun with you and with learning. It would be great to get back to charms class, and we get to see house dad again! Or papa badger, or whatever fun nicknames he has gotten. (Honestly I feel like our head of house has the most nicknames out of any of them.) I can't wait to see you again, hope to talk to you soon!

-Crystal Jagger

Alina wrote back, stating that she was ready to listen to anything and everything that her friend had to talk about. Alina was a good listener and liked helping her friends out whenever she could, even if it was just lending an ear or a shoulder.

As for the neighbors, she assured her friend that they had parties all the time and often had people they didn't know. Plus, there would most likely be so many that her being there might not even be noticed at all!

So it was all set up and Alina waited now outside the train station of Bagshot, the closest one to Windlesham Village of Surrey, England. Crystal had mentioned that her father liked to do things the muggle way so Alina waited patiently for her friend's train to arrive with one of the hired help, James. James was an assistant of her father's and yet so much more. He was nearly a second father to her and she loved and trusted him dearly.

"Oh I do hope her train isn't late. Or worse - changed. You know how this sort of thing confuses me," she said of muggle transportation in general. It was nearing dinner time and Alina wondered if Bren would have eaten on the train or come hungry. Margie, the head cook back at the Rosier home, was already busy preparing a several course French meal as she always did. She was a fabulous cook so hopefully Crystal would enjoy the meal but she had a fantastic cook for a mother already. Tough competition.

Interacting with @Alina Rosier

Normally Crystal didn't mind riding the train, often times sitting at the window seat made up for any boredom. On top of that, it gave her plenty of time to use as an excuse to draw. But when it took so much longer to see her friend that she hadn't seen for awhile, she mildly hated the fact she was taking the train. The hufflepuff sighed as the time slowly crept by, even though she tried to pass it with her usual tactics. It didn't help that there was way to much to think about, especially that one stupid question she still needed to ask her parents. Crystal zoned out as the chatter of the other passengers grew louder, and just watched outside the window.

After a long while of waiting, Crystal saw the train station come into view. With a sigh of relief she gathered all of her stuff and put them back in her bag, happy to hear the announcement that her stop was coming up. The train screeched to a stop, and Crystal happily got off the train. She scanned the crowd, trying to spot her friend. Her eyes landed on Alina, and she smiled and waved. "Alina!" she shouted, rushing over to the other Hufflepuff. "It's so good to see you," Crystal smiled and gave Alina a quick hug.

Alina bounded up to her to take in the hug and the two girls smiled while a slender older man approached them. "I've missed you! I knew I'd miss my friends over the Summer but I didn't realize just how much I'd miss you all!" She squeezed the other girl tight before pulling back and glanced over her shoulder as James approached.

"Bren, this is James, my father's assistant and one of the best people you'll ever meet. James, this is my friend Crystal." The man lowered his head to her and smiled kindly. "Please allow me to take your luggage, Miss Crystal."

"So you've got to tell me all about the Summer Camp program," Alina began as they headed down from the platform, across the smaller station, and down a corridor that not many headed. There was a woosh as they crossed the threshold and suddenly different hearths appeared for the Floo Network. That is how they were going to go to Alina's home. "I want to hear about the activities and any new friendships and the other school's students and the quidditch match."

Bren was one of the friends she didn't get to write to as much over the Summer months as she would have liked. She knew she was attending the program, and she didn't want to take her time away from enjoying it. They got to an empty hearth and Alina took a handful of the shimmering powder. "Updown Court," she said clearly, and engulfed in green flames she ended up in her home's Floo Network Entrance, a lobby just for comings and goings and waited, knowing Crystal and James would soon follow.