Early Bird Catches The... Fire?

Jasmine woke up with a start, momentarily forgetting that she was back at Hogwarts, sleeping in her four poster bed and not back at home. She took a few moments to take this in, and decided that she might as well get up, as going back to sleep, now that she was awake would be impossible. She swung her legs over the side of the bed, feeling them connect with something soft. Slippers. Now that was something that she had definitely missed whilst being home for the Summer. The House Elves. Jasmine's family weren't poor by any stretch, but they certainly couldn't afford something like a House Elf to do their bidding.

She slipped her feet into the warm slippers and walked down to the common room, finding it empty. She wasn't all that surprised. She was often the first one up during her first year. Something about sleeping when the sun was up didn't bode well with the Slytherin. Jasmine walked over to the green loveseat and took a seat, relishing in the warmth of the fabric that had originally come from the fire that was flickering nicely in the fireplace. She gave herself a moment to enjoy the sensation quickly, not wanting someone coming down and asking what that ridiculous expression on her face was. Jasmine didn't allow her emotions to be easily read unless she was angry. She could handle people thinking she was angry, but content, happy even? Never.

Leighton walked into the common room after sneaking to the kitchens. Leighton woke up early that morning from nightmares and no one else was up. So, Leighton went down to the kitchens and had some hot chocolate. The house elves didn't mind her at all, and Leighton wouldn't care if they did anyway. It was her right to do what she pleased. Leighton tied her black robes around her tighter as she turned the corner.

Spotting a girl sitting in the loveseat that Leighton talked to Lyss in during her first year, Leighton paused. She was truly surprised that someone else was up this earlier. Leighton couldn't remember meeting the girl in her past years at Hogwarts. She didn't look like a first year, but she certainly wasn't like a third year or above. So, she must've been a second year.

Walking over to one of the seat, Leighton nodded at the girl before sitting down. "Didn't expect another person to be up so early." Leighton stated, looking at the fire blankly. It was good to keep her guard up around people. Especially other Slytherins.

Jasmine was lost in thought, so much so that she didn't hear someone enter the common room. The voice, however, was much harder to miss. She blinked and gave a nod back when the girl sat down. Jasmine couldn't recall ever talking to this girl before, but that wasn't something shocking. Jasmine wasn't one to overtly socialise, even with people from her own house.

"Can't sleep once I'm up," she said in response to her statement, even though it wasn't a question. She turned and regarded the girl, wondering what year she was in. She figured nothing would be as awkward as sitting there in silence, so she might as well try and make conversation with her. Besides, Jasmine's friendbase could be a little larger.

"What about you?"

Leighton nodded in acknowledgement at the girl's statement. Then, when she asked why Leighton was up, she shrugged in a nonchalant fashion. "Same as you. Went to the kitchens to get something to drink." Leighton stated, feeling a little bit better after she drank the hot chocolate. Leighton could hear how scratchy her voice was from the silent screams. Leighton never made any sound when she slept, but she would silently scream and it hurt. Leighton knew that the girl would notice something about her voice. Especially considering Leighton had an American accent.

Glancing over at the girl, the corners of Leighton's lips twitched up not in a smile but in a friendly notion. "Leighton Vladimir, third year." She stated. After saying her last name, she knew that if the girl read the Daily Profit, she would know about her family's death. It was a fairly large story. The famous Romanian Pureblood family dead in a house fire except for the daughter; Leighton. She wouldn't mind if the girl started asking her questions though. Leighton didn't mind much anymore.

Lavender descended the stairs into the common room, she hated waking up early but sometimes that was just how it was. Two girls were already up, causing her eyes to widen slightly. No one was usually up this early, she would know.

"Oh, erm, morning," Lavender nodded towards the girls before taking a seat in an empty chair. Running her hands through her newly coloured hair. No one would notice the difference but it still felt really nice and soft. She didn't know the two girls very well, but it would have been nice to.

Jasmine nodded at the girls response, thinking that she was rather thirsty now that she thought about it, but seeing as breakfast was only a couple of minutes away, she'd wait for that.

Jasmine recognised the last name of the girl. That wasn't something shocking though. It had been all over the news. Jasmine had a feeling that the girl wouldn't want pity or sympathy about it though. Slytherins were tough like that.

"Jasmine Delaware. Second year," she greeting in the same manner. "You're not from England?" Jasmine asked, picking up on the girl's accent. She thought that would be a better topic to focus on instead of asking about her family and their tragic demise.

The Slytherin turned her head as she heard another voice. She was shocked that so many people were up at this time of the morning, but she was rather enjoying the company. Not that she'd admit that out loud.

Jasmine gave the new girl a nod of recognition as she sat down. "Earlier riser too?" she asked her.

Lavender shifted in her seat, trying to get comfortable. She didn't want to disturb the girls if they were in the middle of a conversation. So was a little surprised when the brunette addressed her.

"Yeah, you could say that," Lavender tried to smile gratefully. Morning were never her thing, but she'd been waking up earlier and earlier these days. Though it was unclear as to why that was.

Leighton looked up when a familiar looking Slytherin walked into the common room. "You're Lavender, right?" Leighton wondered, trying to remember where she knew the girl from. "I'm Leighton, by the way." she stated, like an afterthought. Looking back at the other girl, Leighton was quite please when she didn't give her any sympathy.

"Pleasure to meet you Jasmine," Leighton replied, tilting her head down softly at the second year. "Well, I was born in England, but I grew up in America. Manhattan." Leighton stated, trying to remember her penthouse. It was like the memories were fuzzy and unfocused. Leighton supposed it was for the best though, she shouldn't be dwelling on her past.

Looking back at the girls, Leighton smirked. She enjoyed their company, if she was being honest. It had been a long time since she had been with anyone besides family.

Lavender smiled at the other girl when she also addressed her.

"Yeah," She nodded to confirm her identity. ""Lavender Parkinson, it's nice to meet you," Lavender lent forward in her chair, holding her hand out for the girls to shake in turn. "If I remember correctly, you are Leighton?" She knew of Leighton's past from the papers, though she wasn't going to bring it up. Surely Leighton wouldn't want it brought up in conversation. Not something like that.

Leighton reached forward and shook Lavender's hand, suddenly remembering where she knew Lavender from. "Didn't I meet you awhile back and this one girl ganged up on you while I did nothing." Leighton said with a sheepish smile. "Sorry about that," Leighton stated, feeling a little remorseful. Even though she was a Slytherin, she felt bad about being rude to a girl for no reason. Leighton didn't want to be mean to people because she can. She wanted to be mean to people if they deserved it. And Lavender seemed like an alright person.

"What classes are you guys taking?" Leighton wondered, wanting to keep this conversation going.

Jasmine smiled at the mention of Manhattan. She had always loved the idea of New York. The wizards over there were super attractive.

She shook Lavender's hand as she extended it towards her. "Jasmine Delaware," she introduced herself. She leaned back as the two of the girls had a conversation, but she didn't mind. They were both probably third years anyway.

At the open question to both of them, Jasmine answered. "Transfiguration, Charms and Herbology. I am thinking of taking Ancient Runes this year as well, as I'm rather impressed by Professor Byrant's way of teaching, but I've given up on the idea of Divination. It's too... unreliable for my liking."

Lavender shook her head when Leighton mentioned the arguments that had occurred all that time ago.

"It's fine," She smiled thankfully. "Erm, lessons..." Something she'd almost forgotten about. "Potions, Transfiguration, Charms, Muggle studies and Runes. I think you'd like Runes, Jasmine," Lavender offered with yet another smile. "What about you Leighton?"

Leighton smirked at the girls. "I liked Professor Bryant as well. Yet, she hates overachievers so therefore, I was treated like dirt." Leighton stated, her tone nonchalant. The professor was alright, but she didn't appreciate people who evidently studied hard before class started. Then, when Leighton didn't know something, she was automatically chastised. It seemed awfully unfair and Leighton didn't want to be in that sort of area. Hearing Jasmine talk about Divination, Leighton shuddered. "I thought about taking Divination, but I prefer reality." Leigh stated. Like Jasmine said, Divination was too unreliable

"I'm taking History of Magic, Charms, Potions-- which is my obsession, Transfiguration and Muggle Studies. I dropped Runes and I'm thinking about dropping Muggle Studies." Leighton shrugged. Her passion for school wasn't as strong as it was before. That thought saddened her. "Are you guys on the Quidditch team? I'm the seeker." Leighton stated, hoping they were on the team.

Lavender listen intently as the other girl spoke, a smile crossing her lips when quidditch was mentioned.

"Oh yes, I'm Keeper," It was so exciting. Hester had gotten onto her house team too, things were looking good for the two of them. Until they had to play each other of course, that could prove to be problematic but they'd sort it out. Hester was seeker too. "I love Quidditch, I can't wait to start training," Lavender beamed. "We're gonna completely crush the other teams,"

Jasmine grinned. She was throughly pleased at the subject change. Quidditch.

"I'm a Beater!" she exclaimed, genuinely excited to break some bones on the Quidditch Pitch. She was pleased that the two girls were on the team too. After all, one had to have some trust in their fellow teammates and she had a feeling that she could trust the two third years.

"I agree. The other teams are no match for ours! I can't wait for the first game. I think we're playing Ravenclaw next weekend."

Leighton smiled a genuine smile when they started talking about Quidditch. To be honest, she never really enjoyed Quidditch until her family died. Before, she was tolerant of the sport but never considered playing it. Now, flying was her favorite thing to do. And apparently her reflexes were good enough to be the seeker.

"Make sure you break at least a few noses on the field." Leighton said with a wink. She tried out for Beater, but it just wasn't her position. In fact, she was trying out for chaser when the flying coach told her to try catching the Snitch. Surprisingly, she caught it quickly. "I'm sure the training will be fun." Leighton stated, suddenly feeling a lot more excited about being on her house's Quidditch team.

Nodding in agreement with what the girls were saying, Leighton smirked. "I'm excited about playing Ravenclaw. They seem like worthy opponents." Leighton stated, mentally trying to figure out how she is going to get the Snitch.

Lavender ran a hand through her hair, glad she'd met other team members. They needed to have a strong bond on the team, they had to get along and understand what each other meant without being vocal. They'd be far away from each other on the pitch so communicating would be difficult at best. Lavender had a feeling the three of them would be unstoppable, though she was now interested as to who else was on the team.

"Next week? Oh my goodness, I'm so excited. They can chuck Quaffle after Quaffle at me, I have a very high pain threshold," Lavender grinned.