Lilac kindly thanked Mrs Griffin for her assistance during the past week, she then turned towards her Mum and hugged her before boarding the crowded first-year carriage of the Hogwarts express. Lilac weaved her way through the crowd of students and as the train begain to move forward Lilac found an empty compartment at the very end of the carriage, Lilac opened the compartment door and took a seat. Not before long the sights of London were behind Lilac as the grass open countryside plans appeared through the window, putting Lilac at ease with her mind drifting away thinking about the week of events.

A week ago a strange lady Mrs Griffin had appeared at her house, talking of witches and wizards, Ministry of Magic, and Hogwarts. Lilac's Mum almost phoned the police only for the phone to come crashing down when the lady pulled a stick out of her pocket and with a flick of the wrist all the furniture was suddenly hanging in midair suspended. After that, her Mum seemed delighted at the idea of her daughter going to Hogwarts. Then came Diagon Alley; her first real taste of magic.

However something felt off to Lilac; For a starters Mrs Griffin was from the Ministry of magic. Mrs Griffson also escorted Lilac to Diagon Alley; with the aid of Floo Powder. Lilac was given very clear instructions by Mrs Griffson to not wander and remain present with Mrs Griffin at all times. Lilac felt like she was being chaperoned rather than assisted. Lilac felt like she was also being watched by several shoppers as she made her way to the wizarding bank Gringotts, Lilac didn't know who but someone had left her a rather large sum of money. Lilac asked Mrs Griffin who left the money for her, however Mrs Griffin said "Sorry I can't tell you that." The rest of the trip to Diagon Alley however ran rather smoothly and by the end, Lilac had more school supplies than she could count; her favourite being her wand; 35,8 cm black walnut wood and horned serpent horn.

It was now past midday as the lunch round began, Lilac opened the compartment door; and brought lunch along with a newspaper from the trolley lady; Watchers Wizarding and Witchers True Newspaper; As she ate lunch she read the front page article titled. Gill House Attacked; It went on to read; The household of the renowned Auror Edward Gill responsible for bring numerous mondern day criminals to justice was attacked late last month, although nobody was home at the time, investigations by the Ministry of Magic are currently taking place, it remains unclear what the attackers objectives were, however authories do suspect that Mr Gill himself was a likely target. Continued on page 2. Lilac turned to page two, she scanned through most of the artile until the last paragraph, Until we can establish the attackers objectives, the Gill family will remain under the protection of the Ministry, this includes Mr Gill's Eleven year old daughter whose idenity remains unknown to the public; However, it is believed she will be attending Hogwarts this year.

As Lilac finished reading; the compartment door opened, another first year stood in the doorway, Lilac said "Hey, would you like to take a seat?"

As Jade said her final goodbye to her parents tears were streaming down their faces, Jade was excited but very worried, what was Hogwarts going to be like? was it really as good as everyone said it was?  Jade remembered the moment she had gotten her letter, her parents were so excited and yet they had cried, this had always confused Jade when she was little.  How can someone cry if their happy?  Then Jade finally understood that cryings just what happens when someone is so flooded with an emotion that they have to let it out.  

Jade was wearing her favourite red polka-dot dress, black leggings, red Doc Martin Boots and a red bow in her long braided hair.  She also had a large backpack full of entertainment for the ride, mostly books but also a I-pod and headphones incase she had the opportunity to listen to music.  

Jade got onto the train and joined a group of girls but around lunch time it became clear to her that she wasn't welcome "I know you don't want me here so I'll just go" she sad as she left the compartment.  She walked to the end of the train and slid the compartment door open "Hey, would you like to take a seat?" asked a nice looking girl.  "Yes please" Jade replied as she sat down across from the girl, sliding her backpack off her shoulder.

Grace stood nervously arching her neck to look over the crowd. It was a good thing that she'd grown a bit taller over the pass few months or she wouldn't have been able to see as much as she did now. She was looking for two people, her grandmother and her older sister, although she didn't really expect for the latter to appear. Her blue eyes were set on the columns that supported the station, for that's how most people seemed to arrive at Platform Nine and Three-Quarters.

Her hopes were dashed though after not seeing anyone she knew for a good half hour, and with her shoulders slumped she began in the direction of the train. Not a second after she felt a hand on her shoulder. Swiveling around, Grace found her grandmother standing next to two people, one she didn't know and one she definitely did.

Squealing with joy she embraced her older sister Selein with tears in eyes, grinning at both her grandmother and the stranger, just cause. Her grandmother explained that the woman accompanying them was a kind witch who'd learned of Grace through the Ministry and figured that she'd need some assistance. That help though went to her grandmother instead, to get them to the Hogwarts Express before the train departed for Grace, and she was extremely grateful.

They quickly exchanged goodbyes and wishes for good luck so Grace could find a good seat on the train. Nevertheless, though, as she boarded, she found that even though she was a little early to get on, it was still a little crowded, so she had to struggle to get through the students to find less full compartments, or parts of the train, to be more accurate. She did find one empty one but she wasn't the foundest of silence, especially on such a big and important day, her first ever year of Hogwarts. Everything was so new and interesting to her, never knowing she had magic blood in her and to be introduced to the wizarding world in such a short amount of time. So she decided that it would be good to make friends, one's especially who knew about magic better than she, so Grace got up to look for another place to sit.

Ever so often as she passed one Grace would gaze at the people in the compartments as she passed one and one particular compartment she noticed two girls sitting down. She immediately noticed the newspaper with the moving pictures on them, something that still amazed Grace to this day. She wondered if the girl would let her look at the papers, the stories look interesting.

Knocking twice on the the side of the doorway, Grace asked, “Sorry for interrupting, but I was wondering if I could borrow your newspaper...? If you don't mind. I like to read the stories.”

"Here. Have mine."

Flora gave no announcement or introduction, instead producing her morning’s copy of The Prophet and thrusting it towards the girl. In truth it wasn’t hers to give as Flora had taken it from the family dining room table earlier that morning.

“There’s an article in there on the Hogwarts attack last year. Worth a read, I guess.”

The small girl shrugged, skinny shoulders bouncing again the two dirty brown plaits atop them. The piece had been less illuminating than hoped. Obviously forces larger than the weasley journalists at the Prophet were working to keep the story under wraps. With good reason. An attack on students at Hogwarts by some masked unknown was hardly going to set parents minds at rest. It had been a particular point of discussion in the Thistlequill household, albeit a rather hushed and hurried one. It had often taken place late at night when Mother and Father presumed their children to be asleep.

“Mind if I sit? All the other carriages are full and I’d rather not sit with a bunch of fifth year boys.”

Flora’s pale nose wrinkled, the freckles across the bridge folding at the upturn. Boys were as a general rule usually intolerable – greasy, acne-faced fifteen year olds were even worse. Better yet the group of girls in front of her seemed to be around her own age. Being a Thistlequill, Flora already knew a number of older students at the prestigious school. Regardless, a few companions - maybe even friends - her own age wouldn't hurt.

"I'm Florentia." she volunteered, now moving into the compartment to take her seat. "Or Flora. Or Flor. However far you want to shorten it."

Please no more new characters at this stage; otherwise it will get rather complex to roleplay. Thanks for your understanding.

The girl kindly took Lilac gesture and sat down, now the girl (Jade) was seated Lilac finally saw her clearly, she was pretty in that polka-dot dress, with black leggings and Doc Martin Boots. She looked funky, and Lilac already admired her for that. Lilac giggled; she realised how she must look in farm clothes and boots, she was a country girl alright. Glad for the company of the girl (Jade), however Lilac thought her entrance midday was a bit off, and the girl did seem somewhat relieved to take a seat. Lilac realised the silence was starting to get pretty awkward, so she broke the silence.

“Hey, I’m Lilac by the way, I’m muggle-born, my Mum almost called the police on the Ministry of Magic lady who showed up about a week ago explain everything, Mrs Griffin was her name.”
Lilac paused and continued “Your very pretty by the way, like your look, very funky, what’s your name?”
The girl (Jade) didn't have a chance to answer, as Lilac asked.
“What brings you to this carriage, you seem rather relieved when you sat down?” But before the girl could answer, there was a knock on the carriage door. Lilac stood up and almost fell over.
“Trains! Can’t walk too well when there moving” Lilac said to the other girl (Jade) as she struggled to reach the door. Upon opening the door, a girl (Grace) with a soft kind appearance stood in-front of her. Her hair was dark brown hair, her eyes were wide and blue.
The girl (Grace) spoke “Sorry for interpreting, but I was wondering if I could borrow your newspaper…? If you don’t mind. I like to read the stories.”

“Sure,” Said Lilac “Got it from the trolley lady, Watchers Wizarding and Witchers True Newspaper, the first article a good read, wouldn’t know about the rest, haven’t gotten past page 2. Who is Mr Gill anyway?” Said Lilac. As she handed the newspaper over, she almost lost her footing again. “Trains, not so good for my balance.”

Lilac realised they’d been standing in the doorway this entire time and said
“Look why don’t you take a seat with us, we were just introducing ourselves, so you haven’t missed much, just so you know I’m Lilac.”

As Lilac, struggled to get back to her seat, she heard another girl behind her “Here. Have mine.” (Florentia) Lilac turned towards the doorway to see a newspaper being thrust upon the other girl. Lilac thought the girl (Flortenia) was rather rude thrusting the newspaper like that. Lilac appeared calm, however, she felt trouble was on the rise, and she wasn’t the confrontational type, yet some part of her wanted to stand up and come to the girl's defense (Grace's defense). Thinking to herself Lilac smiled; remembering her Mum’s wisdom. Use kind words, explain your perspective and be considerate of others. I’ll give the girl a chance thought Lilac, after all, were all first years.

The girl (Florentia) still in the doorway, shrugged her shoulders as she spoke she said “There’s an article in there on the Hogwarts attack last year. Worth a read, I guess.” Lilac wondered what attack, but she didn’t have time to ask as the girl (Floretnia) continued on “Mind if I sit? All the other carriages are full and I’d rather not site with a bunch of fifth year boys.”

Although unsure Lilac gave the girl a chance saying “Sure, I guess. I’m Lilac by the way, muggle-born, and I’m sorry but I don’t know the names of anyone here, who wants to introduce themselves first?” She looked up at her fellow first years, the air felt tense.

(Hey Jade, Grace, Florentia, tried to include you best i could, appologise if I mis-represented your character. Put your names in brackets at times, as our characters don't know each other, think we need to owl each other and plan the rest out).

(No need to apologise. I think you got Florentia just right – she is a bit rude!)

Flora peered surreptitiously at the girls around her. They were definitely a mixed assortment. The girl who introduced herself as Jade wore a muggle-style polka-dot dress with heavy black boots stitched in bright yellow. The other, Lilac, appeared to be wearing farm clothes. Had Florentia had less decorum she might have well gaped for it seemed very odd attire for ones first trip on the Hogwarts Express. Florentia herself wore a brown check-style dress with high collar and olive ribbon trimming. Today she had been so outlandish to decorate it further with a large brooch of ageing pearls sitting at the nape of her right shoulder.

Of course later on in the trip she would change into her plain black school robes. It occurred to her that these other girls might not realize that was even the done thing. While she had several muggle cousins Florentia had no idea what kind of introduction they received into the magical world. If any at all.

“So, you’re all muggle born then?” It was a statement more than a question and about as far as Florentia’s interest lay. Wherever the girls were from a far more exciting future lay ahead of them, though Flora wasn’t about to say as much. She had never quite understood how her uncle Lucien had gone off and married a muggle girl, almost giving up magic entirely after his two children were born (Lucien’s magical strength apparently didn’t extend to his offspring). Having shared several holidays with her magically untalented cousins Florentia couldn’t think of anything worse. Being a muggleborn witch was by no means a problem. At the end of the day they received their wand and were as good as anyone else.

But to choose to live as a muggle… well that was something else. Already she was bored of such thoughts.

“That attack on Gill is big news you know,” Flora remarked, grey eyes falling on the second newspaper at hand. “First the school and now an auror, I mean, come on. Something is up.”

Slightly taken aback by the newspaper thrusted into her hands, Grace whipped her head around to look at the girl next to her. She was dressed in a prim sort of way, with her pretty brown dress and aged pearls. It was a nice vintage style, though Grace wasn't a fan of dresses of any sort, which is why she wore a casual outfit of a grey hoodie, light blue jeans, and old skater sneakers, topped with a thick blue scarf of her grandmother had knitted her. At least she was wearing one new thing, the scarf, but she never cared for her looks, besides her hair and skin, and Grace didn't feel at all intimidated by her lack of grandor.

Glancing down at the newspaper in hand, she thanked the girl who stood next to her and wondered if she should join the girls or taking her reading elsewhere. While thinking about this, the other girls introduced themselves, the one who'd given her the newspaper as Florentia—or Flor, or Flora—the girl who she'd been initially talking to as Lilac, and the other girl as Jade.

She was a little surprised that Lilac shared that she was a Muggle-Born so quickly into the conversation, it wouldn't have been the first thing Grace would've told a group of people she didn't know. Some people, as much as she understood, didn't like the idea of wizards and witches that came from muggles, but it wasn't her place to tell anyone off.

“I'm Grace,” she shared, but she was to engrossed in the moving pictures of the newspaper to continue on.

As the other girls talked, Grace quietly took her place next to the one named Jade, not really caring about where she sat. They seemed to be conversing about some person named Gill and the school, which Grace presumed was Hogwarts they were talking about. She frowned slightly as she looked at the newspaper, she had no idea what they were talking about but she wanted to find out.

With her eyebrows furrowed and a finger pressed to the paper, she said, “He looks sort of familiar in a way, although I have no idea about him or any Aurors, as you said.” That last part was directed at Florentia. “...it says....he was attacked, yes, but by whom? The same thing as Hogwarts?”

Lilac thought nobody was going to speak until the girl still in the doorway said “I’m Grace." The girl next to Florentia introduced herself as Jade. Lilac looked Florentia it felt like the girl was trying to size them up without causing suspicion.

“So you’re all muggle born then?” Said Florentia

Lilac looked up at Florentia unsure how to respond, Lilac got the feeling Florentia disapproved of Muggle-borns.

Jade responded first “Actually I'm a "Pure-Blood", but don't get me wrong, I don't really care about blood status.”

Lilac noticed Grace seemed to be too engrossed in the newspaper for conversation, and quietly took a seat. Lilac pulled her own copy of the newspaper out of her pocket and began to turn the pages; nope Freaky Wizzz Wizard Circus in town, Minister of Magic in talks with Muggle Ministry for Britain, interesting but nope. Inquisition Hogwart Attack Report Withheld. As Lilac began to read, she could feel Flortenia and Jade crowding around her.
The paper read.

Last year an attack on Britain’s Wizarding and Witches school occurred. The full report into the attack at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry is currently being withheld from the general public by the Ministry. Parents of Hogwarts Students are growing increasingly impatient with the situation, demanding the realised of the full report. The Ministry has declined any further interviews with our journalist. However, our journalist have worked tirelessly to give you this report from the students of Hogwarts themselves; “The security system was activated with the trigger of an alarm that could be heard throughout the school”; From a Fourth Year Student. Student’s nearby to the Headmaster’s office have also reported an unidentified witch running from the Headmasters office as the alarm triggered. It is believed a confrontation occured as the unindentified witch made her escape; several students were caught in the cross-fire although remained unscathed by the incident. However, the intruder, unfortunately, managed to escape, the Ministry is yet to provide the details on the escape, the intruder's entrance is not known either at this stage. However, the use of the Hogwarts many secret passageways is under speculation by Hogwart’s parents, without the Ministry confirmation on this. It is still not known if the intruder identity is known to the Ministry. There are now concerns that the intrusion on Hogwart’s grounds is somehow related to that of the attack on the Gill household. See Front Page for details.

Lilac looked up from her paper. Interesting, there was a strangle likeness about the two cases, the supposed target wasn’t present, could the attacker be looking for information, just as the newspaper suggested. Florentia breaking Lilac’s thought train spoke.

“That attack on Gill is big news you know,” Flora remarked. “First the school and now an Auror, I mean, come on. Something is up.”

Lilac didn’t respond, but she felt Florentia knew more than she probably should. Grace, clearly no longer fixed on her own newspaper, said:

“He looks sort of familiar in a way, although I have no idea about him or any Aurors, as you said” (directed at Florentia by Grace) “…it says…he was attacked, yet, but by whom? The same thing as Hogwarts”

To which Jade replied, “Well, I don’t know much, but they say that it’s the same person, but how the two are linked I don’t know.”

Lilac realised she didn’t know anything about Auror’s now seemed a good time to ask “So what’s an Auror, you all seemed surprised that someone managed to break into an Auror’s house, and why Gill so famous?”

Grey eyes watch intently as the young girls put their heads together, theorizing the potential links between man, Ministry and magic. There seemed suddenly an excited buzz in the air and for a brief moment the strangeness and newness between the small-bodied companions seemed forgotten. Eagerly Flora leaned in as Lilac read, listening closely to each word, searching for something new or previously missed. The activation of an alarm system was news to her but stranger things had happened. There was no mention of the masked figure, but surely they were the same thing?

It was only as Lilac finished reading that Florentia realized she had been holding her breath the whole time.

“Well, I don’t know much, but they say that it’s the same person, but how the two are linked I don’t know.”

To this Florentia could only shrug. She had about as much clue as the next person. It had been a very frustrating summer as Mother and Father refused to say anything even though Flora was sure her father knew much more than he was letting on. They had a habit of always changing the subject, or suddenly finding a chore for Flora to do. Her room had never been neater, her bed more meticulously made nor her closet so organized as it had been after the numerous redirections of her parents.

“So what’s an Auror, you all seemed surprised that someone managed to break into an Auror’s house, and why Gill so famous?”

To this the young Thistlequill leaned back, placing her hands neatly in her lap.

“Well, they’re like a detective.” She replied, matter-of-factly. “Except onviously instead of guns they have wands.”

If her reply appeared rude she did not mean it. For Florentia it seemed a required addit.

“You’d be mad to try and jump an Auror anyways, but Gill is something else. Father said he’s one of the best so whoever was after him was going to have their work cut out for them.”

The young girl paused, arm across her belly and a pale hand fiddling with the end of her plait.

“Really they’re lucky he wasn’t home otherwise they would have been much worse off.”