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Declan was brought back down to Earth by the sound of the train's whistle. He frowned a bit at the sound before answering Asriel's question. "You know it, any time any place Slytherin." Truth be told he just wanted to see her again. He groaned as he stood, his legs suddenly sore from sitting so long in the same position. He stretched briefly as he felt the train start to slow down as it began to pull into Hogwarts. Tomorrow the school year would officially begin. Before that though, came the Sorting and the Great feast that would follow. He hoped there'd be some promising students joining the ranks of Ravenclaw this year It was always fun to see who got sorted into what House, but he was looking forward to the food more this year. He pulled his trunk down from the overhead storage and stuffed the rest of his sweets inside. "Hey, I've gotta go change into my robes. But I'll see you around?" He grinned sheepishly as he made his way out, briefly holding the compartment door open in case she was following. Then he waved and closed the compartment door so he could head to the bathroom.
Declan changed quickly, chuckling at some graffiti as he checked to make sure his cobalt and bronze tie wasn't crooked. However he had to hurry and get off the train. He made his way down to the carriages, following the tide of students. He glimpsed the black, skeletal steeds that drew the carriages before looking down at his feet. He didn't want to see the thestrals today. They merely served as a reminder that Declan didn't need or want... He spotted a few of his friends who waved him over. He looked around, half hoping he'd spot Asriel. One of the guys clapped him on the shoulder and asked him why he looked "even more distracted than usual. "What? Heh, er... It's nothing, just thinking." They laughed joking that he was already planning his first essay of the year. He laughed along with them as he got into the carriage and it started its bumpy journey up past the flying boars and to the front gates.
The Great Hall was already crowded when he got there. Declan headed for the Ravenclaw table and took a seat with a group of sixth years a few them greeted him warmly. He grinned and returned their greetings, briefly chatting about how their summers were. The din of the Great Hall quieted as the first years were ushered in looking half-awestruck, half-terrified. He scanned the wide-eyed faces and couldn't help wondering if he had looked the same way to the older students on his first night at Hogwarts. He figured that he probably had. Thinking about it now was pretty embarrassing but looking out on all the assembled students not yet sorted into houses he felt a bit better. Out there were future Slytherins, Gryffindors, Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs. But they all started out pretty much the same. All the future great Witches and Wizards did. Right now they were scared youngsters not entirely prepared for what the next seven years had in store for them.
After the usual adress to the new students the Sorting Hat was brought out and the ceremony began.
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