With a dripple of ketchup on my chin, I looked up in surprise. I had heard a screech then a bang. I looked over at my young mother who also looked in a state of shock. Simultaneously we rushed from the dining table to the garden.

Lying in a heap, by the sliding doors that led to the living room was a barn owl. Its feathers were ruffled and it was groaning in pain after colliding with the apparently open door. As I grabbed the piece of parchment attacked to its ankle, my mother picked it up. She walked back into the house without me, a foul mistake

"It bit me!" she sceamed, letting go of the bird. It flew the few feet towards me and perched upon my shoulder then presented its leg to me. My mother frowned as I paid the bird. Its job finished it launched itself from it perch and into the horizon.

"Who's it from, Sebastian" my mother asked stupidly, washing her finger to protect her from 'owl flu'

"Who do you think?" I yelled rhetorically as she moved into the next room. Once she was out of hearing distance I laughed to myself, "God, is it that time of year already"

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The story of the new students at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

These are the characters that we have established. No more characters needed. Sorry if you wanted to join.

Sebastian Briggs-EmeraldBull
Quite tall with neatly cut dark brown hair. Fading freckles and only a few well hidden teenage spots. Quite nervous and shy and is rather unsociable as he finds making friends hard. Pretty sporty but jittery in front of people so quite foul at Quidditch.
Third year. Hufflepuff. Half-blood (Wizard father) Familar: Tawny Owl named Athene

Hollow Gorski-Dottylotti
Very tall and slender, long arms and legs but elegant. Very long white blonde hair that is always getting in her way. Very pale clear skin and shocking blue eyes.
Prefers watching sports to playing them but can sometimes be seen throwing a Quaffle around with her friends. Very musical (in muggle instruments like guitar and piano) but shy about it and doesn't like to play in front of people she doesn't know.
Fifth year. Ravenclaw. Muggle-born.
Familiar: Tortoise-shell cat called Anastasia

Brook Winters- AutumnMay
Is quite short for her age. Quite skinny. Brown, curly, shoulder-length hair. Brown eyes. Not sporty at all but enjoys watching Quiddich. Also enjoys Potions. Is extremely shy towards new people and as a result has very few friends.
Griffindor. Third year. Half blood (witch mother)
Familiar: Snowy owl named Aida

Janice (Janie) Laws- Writinc
Has wavy red hair and green eyes. Towards the tall side and quite slim.
Is a chaser on the Quidditch team. Enjoys Transfiguration most, but does well in most classes. Her father comes from a long line of pure bloods but was practically outcast when he married a muggle born witch. As a result, although her fathers family still insist on seeing her, they are reserved.
Some of the other girls find her reserved and maybe threatening so she has next to no female friends. While she may appear reserved and cool on the outside, she is quite a friendly person when her guard is dropped.
Fifth year. Ravenclaw. Half blood (Muggle born Mother)
Familiar:

updated Oct 21 '10 by Magnauctor