Archon<i>hated</i>being the teacher assigned to the train.<br/><br/>But, it was his rotation. With most of the teachers beign new ones, they were placed at the end of the list, which meant senior teachers were assigned to be the escort on the the Hogwarts Express, ever since an incident with a young Malfoy several years back. And the dementors years before. Now at least one teacher rode the train, as if Lupin hadn't been there for the dementor issue... That would have been messy. And so now he paced the corridor of the train, black and silver robes draped perfectly in his body, the shoulders of the robe enhancing his already broad ones, the flowing sleeves ending at the elbow, obviously well-thought out- wouldn't want them catching fire whilest working in a potions lab. His wand was tucked into a neat black leather sheath by this left hip, and a dangling silver and emerald talisman (enchanted to act as an energy reserve) embossed with a snake hung from his belt, identifying him as the Head of Slytherin House. As he paced the corridors, he glimpsed into open cabins, just to check on the students, particularly his own. The misted glass gave him relatively blurry sight into closed cabins, though he did get a tantalizing glimpse of a changing girl as she cast her leather jacket to the seat. He turned away slowly. For a Hogwarts professor, he was relatively young, being 28. he looked his age too, if not younger, a handsome body and face, though his wildly dark eyes often scared many a student. But he was the least malicious Head his House had been led by in several years, the last few getting themselves fired for encouraging an attack on Mudbloods. He managed to get along with most other students from other Houses, and was fair in his classes. But there was definitely some House pride inside him.<br/><br/>Archon felt the train slow to a stop, and knew they had arrived at the station. Whipping his wand from its holster, he fliccked it dismissively, and all the exterior doors on the train slid open."<i>Sonorus.</i>" he muttered, directing his wand now at his own throat, and felt the Amplifying Charm do its work. "Students." His voice rang out, clear for all those in the train to hear. "Welcome to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. First-years, please exit the train and wait off to the left side of the station for your escort across the lake. All other students, make your way to the carriages. The train will be closed up in five minutes." His wand was then replaced, and he ushered students out the door, raising his eyebrow at a particular young first-year that didn't appear to be wearing proper attire... her body was barely hidden by the robes, and his eyes caught hers and let her know she wasn't fooling anyone. Least of all him.<br/><br/>When he had cleared all the cabins, he stepped out of the train, checking a silver pocketwatch. Then, with another wand flick, the doors of the train slammed shut. "First-years!" He called to the gathered group standing by the side door of the platform. "Follow me to the boats." He said, and carefully controlled his expression.<br/><br/>Archon HATED boats. And water. Curse the lake and all the creatures in it. If he had his way, there wouldn't be a lake. Perhaps a nice meadow for Quidditch practice.<br/><br/>But no. A lake. Vast and deep. And god damn cold too.<br/><br/>Yet he faithfully led the first-years to the boats. "Two students per boat. One student may ride with me, if you so choose. Keep all hands and feet and tails and other extremities inside the boat at all times, unless you're eager to part with your fingers. Questions?"