<div class="floatleft">(https://www.bellazon.com/main/uploads/monthly_07_2013/post-34874-0-97387000-1374165993.jpg)</div><div class="floatright"></div><strong>Character Name:</strong>Luca Novyi (https://elliquiy.com/forums/index.php?topic=339010.msg16116419#msg16116419)<br/><strong>Date | Time:</strong>1st of Sept | 7:00pm<br/><strong>Location:</strong>Great Hall<br/><strong>Wearing:</strong>Representing Gryffindor (https://media.kohlsimg.com/is/image/kohls/4450821?wid=1200&hei=1200&op_sharpen=1)<br/><strong>Content:</strong>Pleasantries for now<br/><strong>Tagging:</strong>Natalya  | Maria (m)<br/><hr/>Luca would be a liar if he said he said the year had gotten off to anything other than a miserable start. Of all the people that could be given the recognition of the Gryffindor prefect, they gave it to Jack Sullivan? That soft-hearted, weak-willed boy? It was just further proof that Hogwarts didn't represent the strong values Durmstang did, and his own family demanded. At least that was what he had started to assure himself of as the year got closer. Yet the distinction of a prefect was a prestigious one, and the fact that Jack had gotten it instead of him, was one distinction the soft boy had on him. He'd heard it only in passing on the train but the other Gryffindors being happy for him had done little to improve his mood.<br/><br/>There would also be the matter of Maria's sorting to attend to as well. It was expected that she should be in Gryffindor. At one point perhaps Slytherin would be a glorious house but with their reputation in tatters, it'd only be another black eye for the Novyi. In recent decades it was, again and again, the Gryffindor house that lead the way for Hogwarts. It was the house that had accepted Luca, and it was only natural that Maria should bring further glory by joining him in the Red and Gold.<br/><br/>He was pulled from his thoughts as the familiar and seductive form of Natalya appeared. Now that was something worth letting his sour mood slide for the moment. Natalya was a stunning image, beautiful, and smart. Anyone would be lucky enough to have her, but Luca could say that he<em>did</em>. That was something that made him happy, and there wasn't anyone who in his opinion would be better to have than Natalya. She was everything a witch should aspire to be and had all the natural advantages to make her already considerable talent appear better.<br/><br/>He moved over making room for the Slytherin and ignoring the looks of protests from the other students. Natalya superseded any concern due to house rivalry. It was just as easy to enjoy her company now, and then crush her house in all the other competitions later. Her voice had a sweet melodic tone to it that he enjoyed and as she greeted him he nodded to her.<br/><br/>"It's good to see you again Natalya, I thought you might want to stay with your house to greet your new arrivals when they're sorted." Luca greeted her, rubbing his shoulder against her own affectionately as she spoke.<br/><br/>She made mention of Maria, and Luca's eyes moved back across the hall to his younger half-sister once more. This time Maria noticed them, and as was her nature retreated. It was hard often for Luca to believe they were truly related, she retreated from conflict so fast. Yet it was just that retreat that made it all the less likely she'd be sorted into Gryffindor. To Luca's mind whenever she encountered pressure she crumbled, what glory was to be had there. When Maria turned her gaze from them to her food, Luca turned his gaze back to Maria.<br/><br/>"Some place disappointing" Luca replied when asked where he thought his sister would be sorted. "Would be a pleasant turn of events if she became a Gryffindor." He added with a light sigh, "So knowing her it won't happen." He said, allowing only a little bit of his disappointment to sound in his voice.<br/><br/>"What of you? How was your ride over?" He asked gauging Natalya's mood and seeing if was fairing any better. It was doubtful to Luca it could have been a worse start for her. But he was curious nonetheless.