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Declan was always uncomfortable when he couldn't sit with Seb because he always felt weird and like an outcast. He did have other friends in his house, but they all seemed busy currently. But Declan remembered what Seb had said before their trip to school. Declan needed to try to be more like his best friend. Sebastian could make friends with anyone and Declan wanted to be like that. At least here at Hogwarts, he wasn't the same kind of outcast he was at primary school. Huffing a little sigh, he watched the Sorting and saw that there were two of the new first years sorted into his house. He'd been focused on the Sorting and memorizing the names of all the new first years. One of the new firsties sat near him, so Declan decided to introduce himself and try to be an extrovert like Seb. The girl's name was Tambry and she was currently staring at the ceiling, which Declan didn't fault her for; the ceiling was a masterful piece of magic and something the blond was impressed by as well. Moving over a little to sit next to her, Declan stammered, "H...hello... there... Er... my name is D...Declan Mc...McNamara. It... it's... nice to meet you." The blond smiled, hiding his shaking hands underneath the table.

She introduced herself as Tambry Hattley and Declan nodded, remembering her name from the Deputy Headmistress calling her, but he didn't want to seem weird by admitting he already knew her name. She asked if the school was cool everywhere or just the ceiling. "T... the ceiling is cool bit of magic. B...but the whole sc...school is pretty cool," he said, smiling a little shyly. If she was amazed by the ceiling, she was going to be floor by the magic staircases. When she asked if he could show her around, Declan chewed on his lip a bit. "My best friend Seb... he and I can definitely show you around. The li...library is my favorite place. It's got so many books... Oh... have you ever seen a living painting? That was... something new for me coming here." Declan remembered the first time he saw the moving paintings and how he'd practically wet himself. They scared the bejesus out of him, but now he'd adapted and had made friends with many of the paintings. He really liked talking to the Fat Lady while waiting for Seb to come out.

Tambry seemed a little surprised that the paintings were actually alive and not just magical. At least, Declan thought they were alive, at least maybe partially. They all had different personalities and different schedules and lives and stuff. And their own friends too! She changed the subject to classes, which happened to be one of Declan's favorite subjects. "Oh, the classes are great! My favorites are Herbology and Charms! Oh and History! Learning about the magical world is so cool." She mentioned a Governess and said the name of one of Declan's favorite people. "Oh, you know Mrs Nora too! I love her! She brought me here the first year." The blond boy smiled happily. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for her. Oh but yeah, the classes are pretty awesome. So... um... are you a Muggleborn too? That's what I am; both of my parents are Muggles." Declan shifted a little, uncomfortable talking about his parents.

Declan nodded emphatically when she asked if Herbology was about plants and said, "Oh yeah, it definitely is! And the professor for the younger kids is very nice! She's a wood nymph with is like an elf from the forest. She's super cool; she can make plants grow by just thinking about them!" He smiled, knowing that Tambry would find their Herbology teacher very interesting. When she described her family, Declan put two and two together and figured that mère meant mother and père meant father. She described him as a squib since his parents were magical. "Oh, I get it! Your dad is called a squib. My grandfather is a squib too, that's where my magic comes from. So, technically you're also a Muggleborn too. That's cool though. Seb is Muggleborn as well." The blond shifted a little to glance over at his best friend. Seb was currently engaged in conversation with Olivia and the boy Declan remembered from sorting named Adelai. A quick frown crossed his lips, then he huffed a little sigh. "But yeah, all the classes are great... well, except for Defense. That class scares me a little."

Deccy nodded when Tambry asked if Professor Azalea was the one with the flower crown and the blond nodded with a smirk. That was indeed the wood nymph herself being the goofy person that she was. When she misunderstood what he said regarding what her father's title was, he giggled then said, "Not squid, like the creature in the lake. Squib, with a B. It's what the magical world calls someone non-magical born to magical parents." He sighed, glancing back over at the Gryffindor Table. Tambry asked which one was Seb and Declan let out a little sigh. "See that goofy boy with the pink hair? That's Sebby. He's my best friend." Declan rested his head on his hands and sighed again. How he wished he could be over there sitting with his bestie. "He's really cool. He dyes his hair like once a month and always crazy vibrant colors. And he's so awesome at making friends. If it wasn't for Mrs Nora introducing us last year, I'd have no friends at all." Declan really appreciated his best friend because he felt like he'd be nothing with his other half.

There was a giant squid in the lake outside?!? "The one they just had a bunch of eleven year olds cross in a rickety boat? That's gotta be dangerous, right?" Tambry chuckled nervously, hoping she wouldn't have to take the boats again. At least Declan seemed to be laughing and happy, even if his attention seemed divided over to keep an eye on his friend. That made Bry happy, knowing Declan had someone that seemed to care about him just as much as he did. Especially when the pink-haired friend waved happily over toward them.

It was about then that Tambry asked Declan to be a friend. The blond seemed... genuinely surprised. He questioned her, then said he was told he was really nice and people would like him if he spoke up. Then he said he used to get bullied, which made the younger girl a little sad. When Declan's smile returned, hers did too. He said he had lots of friends now, then asked her to be his friend. With a bright smile, Tambry pulled her new friend into a big hug. "I'd love to! You're already a pretty great friend!" She pulled back, sending over a happy smile.

After parting ways with Seb for the feast, Declan took his seat at the Ravenclaw table and greeted all his friends there. The normally shy boy was becoming more talkative as he started to bloom into a new person. His blond hair was getting longer now too, something Declan had fought to keep over the summer. His parents, and more particularly, his father, had tried many times to make him cut it, but Declan had avoided all those attempts. Even now, sitting at the table, Declan played with his hair and it made a small smile crease his lips every time. He didn't really know why, but the longer hair just... made him feel right. As the Sorting began, Declan made sure to memorize the names of all the new students and match them to their faces so that he could help them around the school if they needed without needing to introduce themselves. Also, Declan was looking out for Meallan specifically because Mrs Nora had asked him to check up on him occasionally. He did have Lewis as well, but still, having someone else around to help couldn't hurt and Declan felt important to be given that task. The boy was practically humming with excitement at the prospect of making new friends and waited for someone to be sorted into the house of blue and bronze.