Waiting for the Students

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

Draelynn stood calmly at the gates of Hogwarts, which were just beside the Forbidden Forest. His indigo eyes pierced the darkness as he waited. The swept back and forth, trying to discern any movement, any shadowy vehicles moving toward him, full of students for the school. He also glanced at the lake every few moments or so, looking for the tell-tale lights that heralded the arrival of first-years in the boats.

Draelynn absently petted his wolf, Caera, who was sitting on her haunches beside him, also looking out at the path leading to Hogsmeade. Occasionally she would prick up her ears and look in some direction, her eyes looking for the squirrel whom she had heard foraging for nuts, or the raccoon who had just ventured out into the open, forsaking the undergrowth for the possibility of food on the plain behind the young man and his wolf.

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

A dull thundering followed by a clattering of hooves was heard comming from the school grounds. After a few moments Shellivia came Breesing out of the woods, her tail and mane whiping around here. Seeing Drealynn standing there she slowed herself and eventually skidded to a halt.
Her flanks were slick with sweat and her sides were heaving as she tried to catch her breath but she was smiling like a child at Christmas.
"I- huff- made it- huff huff-" she gasped out. before throuly shaking herself and brushing her hair out of her face, and pulling out a stray twig.
Looking at Drealynn her smile seemed to grow wider.
"They're almost here, I thought I wouldnt beat them this time. They should be rounding the bend any minute!"
She pranced a bit excitedly before she calmed down. A quick flick with her wand and her sweaty flanks looked freshly brushed and her fly away hair was slick and clean.
"First impressions are everything." she siad simply and stoof at attention watch the raod intently.

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

Draelynn smiled, relieved, at Shelliva. He had been wondering how he was going to escort the older students to the Great Hall at the same time as bringing the first-years to the Deputy Headmaster waiting by the marble staircase to bring them in for Sorting. "Are you going to be escorting the older students to the Great Hall? Headmistress Peirce told me I was to take the first-years to Deputy Headmaster Novim." Draelynn told her, just to make sure. he was having a heck of a time containing his almost childish excitement.

Suddenly he spotted a flash of light out of the corner of his eye. He whirled around, seeing the first of a small flotilla of boats paddling their way toward them over the still water. Draelynn nudged Shelliva. "There they are, Miss Shelliva. I'll go greet them at the waters edge. If you will stay and wait for the older students. . . ?" Draelynn trailed off, though his tone was that of a question.

[Stevie Copeland]

Stevie blinked, and waved towards the man.

"Hi!" Was all that came from him, and nothing else. He already felt a bit strange and small among everything. Of course he was excited, though. This was AWESOME, so far. He was totally ready for whatever they had to throw at him.

[Keladry Lindenshield]

Kel smiled at the man also, standing next to Stevie. She wondered who he was, and who the centaur standing by the gates was. She wondered if the centaur was a professor, and if so, what she (for that seemed to be the gender of the creature/human) taught.

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

Draelynn smiled at the boy standing before him, guitar in hand. "Hello! And hello to you, too, little miss." He said cordially to the girl who was now standing beside the boy. Then he pitched his voice louder, speaking to all the first years, who were now standing on the grass by the water. "All right, all you. I'm Draelynn Hiammgry, but you can all just call me Draelynn. I'm the Groundskeeper here at Hogwarts. I'm going to take you to Deputy Headmaster Orynn Novim, who is also the Transfiguration professor. He will take you into the Great Hall, where you will be Sorted into your Houses. So, if you will please follow me. . ." Draelynn started walking, then glanced around to see if they were following him.

He marveled that after being so nervous, he could make such a long speech in front of kids he'd never met before. But he was glad his social skills were finally developing a bit.

[Dónall Kennedy]

Dónall's carriage, along with many others, arrived right about the same time as the first years' boats. Hopping out of his carriage, he looked around at all the other students, thinking on how annoying this year would be; just like all the others.

He didn't like most of the student body, and could barely even stand his own Housemates. The only person he remotely tolerated was his Head of House and another student in his year; both Slytherins of course.

Walking up beside him, his 'friend' appeared, having taken a different carriage up to the castle. Walking silently side by side they passed the first years and the new Groundskeeper, and walked directly toward the centaur by the gate.

On his way past the new students, Don shoved a frightened looking child out of his way mumbling "Out of my way, firstie", and sneered at a couple more. He was not excited to be back at school, and would make no show of feeling otherwise.

Without saying a word, they waited for the rest of the older students to arrive, and for the creature to lead them in.

[Neoma Tsylence]

Neoma felt like she was dreaming, and could she really be blamed? She felt like she was a ghost who was floating a long observing, but was not actually a part of anything. For how could she? There were things she'd seen today that were impossible. Everything defied what her eyes told her, everything... except for her heart.

Deep down Neoma knew it was all real, and not a fairy tale. This was her new world, and she may as well make the best of it. As it was now however, she felt like she had enough questions in her to cause her body to implode. Right now, the best thing she thought for herself right now would be too have supper, and sleep. She'd rediscover her fascination with this world, tomorrow.

Someone who announced themselves as the Groundskeeper announced that all new students should follow. So, Neoma hopped out of her boat and followed the rest of the first years.

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

Shellivia's head snaped up at Donald's remark and his shove. Narrowing her eyes she trotted briskly to him.
"Five points from Slytherine, Donald. You should know how to behave by now; treat your fellow students with respect." she said in a loud clear voice.
Turning to the grounds keeper she spoke in a more soft voice.
"Perhaps you should bring the first years through the side entrance to meet the Professor Novim. I'll watch the other students."
Not waiting for a response, she began motioning the students through the front doors, Nodding and smiling to some of the older students and exchanging brief pleasentries, but also watching carefully making sure none of the students wandered off.
"To the Great Hall, please. You all know where the feast is. Keep moving to the Great Hall..."

[Aesir MacLeod]

With his exuberant flight of delight taking him in close proximity to the school, he took his broom into a steep yet controlled dive. The wind ruffled his hair and cloak one last time before he evened it out and hopped off the broom, slinging it over his shoulder with efficiency. He took a few steps forward, looking to...

A horse lady? Wait, no...I remember this...A, uh...one of them...cen...satyrs? Centaurs! Yeah, centaurs! That's it!

Try as hard as he might, he looked to her with a look of puzzlement and wonder as he spoke apprehensively. "Um, s'cuse me Miss. I be one of the new professors here an' I be lookin' fer where the rest of me staff mates'll be needin' me. Where should I be headin'?" he asked politely, still rather perplexed.

[Dónall Kennedy]

'Already? I think that must be a record...' Donall thought to himself. This really was the fastest he had managed to lose his House points. They hadn't even been back five minutes!

With his trademark smirk, Don retorted to the centaur's disciplinary action. "Thank you, Professor. I truly do appreciate the chance to cause some trouble and lose points in the process. Really, thanks."

And, with that, he continued on ahead of her, ignoring the red-haired man who he had seen on the train, and made his way to the Great Hall, and the boring speech and dinner that awaited him.

[Draelynn Hiammgry]

Draelynn led the first years a ways away from the open doors that Shelliva was herding the older students into. He walked along, occasionally looking over his shoulder to make sure the small eleven-year olds were still following him and weren't wandering off to get themselves lost in the Forbidden Forest or something.

He continued straight up to the door where Orynn was standing, quite imposing in all black, waiting for the first-years. He nodded cordially to the Deputy Headmaster, leaving the first-years in his care, and quickly retreated off to his hut, offering a hesitant smile to the boy with the guitar and another little girl who had smiled at him before.

((Please post in Orynn Novim's post 'First Years Come This Way' now, first years.))

[Shellivia Nos Taronin]

Looking after Donald she snapped a quick remark before he was out of ear shot.
"Any more of that Donald, and you'll be serving dentention with me tomorrow night."

Turning to the man who seem to be gawking at her she vaguely recognized him. It wasnt until she saw the broom on his back did things click into place. Ah, she thought, the show off. Now that is intresting. She smiled prettily at his perplexed look, I bet he's never seen a centaur before, she thought before answering.

"Ah, new professor? Well the feast will be starting soon, and you'll be needed at the teacher's table, so you'd best follow the students to the Great Hall. It's pretty straight forward and everyone else is heading that way." She looked over the top of his head and called out.
"Come on please keep moving I know you're all hungry so the faster you get inside teh quicker you'll get food." Her speech was slightly affected, and while mostly bristish has a foreing quality to it.

Looking back to him to him she gave a quick tight smile.
"I'd show you there myself but I need to make sure these kids get indoors." she gave a quick look around before turning back to him.
"I'm sorry to be rude, but you must excuse me."
She trotted to the other side and ushered along a few other students who seem to be attempting to light something on fire with their wands. They moved on only after a few disheartened sighs and some 'innocent' protests. Shellivia continued her rounds of the students until everyone was inside the castle. Following up behind the group, she shut the dorrs with a wave of the wand and march teh stragglers into the hall.

[Aesir MacLeod]

Aesir tried his best not to gawk at the helpful being before him. The amount of success or lack thereof was another matter altogether.

But at least he tried.

He nodded somewhat unsure, smiling awkwardly. "Uh huh....Right, got it. Well, thank ye very much...er...um...Thanks! I'll just, um....mosey on along an' follow the trail of uh...students, I s'pose. Thanks 'gain, much obliged!"

He quickly gave her a nod and began a quick stroll towards the main hall, chastising himself along the way.

I must sound like a bloomin' twit.