Welcome to Gaia! ::

Eliza sits at the window dreamily looking out the window. She was smart enough to know to be excited of the new school year but feeling a little overwhelmed to be accepted into Hogwarts!
True she had some training with the various elements of her hometown's rich blend of spirit and superstition but nothing was to compare with this.
Still, Eliza was a little homesick and decided to purchase a few treats to both tide her over if not share with her new housemates later that night.
There was a good chance an American might be a curiosity in itself if not one who had survived as many incidents as she had up till then.
Even so, she waves over the person with the cart having a good chunk of pocket change to set the year off well!

Trying not to blush or retort with the comidic reply (why am I coming apart) Eliza at first could only nod as she puts the goodies away.
"Please do -" she answers. "I imagine the other cars are full of familar faces and friends..." Eliza pauses so as not to be caught babbling so soon.
Offers one of the every flavor bean bags she'd purchased for such an occasion. "Would you like some?"

Eliza ignores the year question as it was obvious he was older than her. But thankfully not too much!
"I'm new at Hogwarts but was told that I was to have a talk with my house elder to discuss my placement..." she was slightly embarressed to admit this to a virtual stranger.
"Between what knowledge I have and do not it looks like I'll have a not so typical scedule." Eliza then puts the remainder of the candy in her bag, then realizing she had it still offered to the other.
"Does first year also apply to those just starting out in addition to those with some training beforehand?" she asks Gildroy.

Eliza snaps a rubber band at her wrist.
Way to scare him off, she scolds herself but then tries to repair the damage.
"Do you think that you could show me around sometime? I'm sure the word *big* doesn't come close to discribing the grounds!"

Eliza smiles watching him buy the frogs - actually they were one of her favorite treats she'd discovered!
Then she gets an idea..
"These are a local recipe from my homestate - unless you are allergic to nuts or brown sugar?"
Removing some pralines from her bag - she gives one of the pretty wrapped, southern USA treats to Gilderoy.

Pralines are pecans caramelized in boiling brown, cane-sugar syrup and vanilla - that hardens when cooled. It was even more difficult to make, as when it was humid outside - they didn't "set" properly.

She smiles to Gilderoy.
"Actually, I was planning on having a party before the winter holidays. Something fun, homemade and - as you've said -'pretty good'..."
Eliza winks at him.
"way to teach others how to make them or at least teach some southern traditions to those who'd like to know." Here she pauses as - would like to know would and could extend to her voodoo "connections" or the survival of the big flood back in 2005.