He smiled again, and his eyes filled some emotion more complex, yet undefinable-- for just a moment, like a dark shadow... then it was gone and warmth returned to his eyes.

"Always, Alessia. Always." He swept out of the room to allow her time to pack while he arranged her affairs.

*END SCENE*

Everyone had exited the great hall with their parents. Alessia was now sitting at her table looking at the parchment that declared her an adult and free from School. But Hogwarts had been so good to her, and she had liked her professors... the ran her fingers over the Hogwarts seal and smiled.

"And has Miss Alessia Lupa managed to successfully graduate Hogwarts? Why, I do believe she has. Congratulations, my dear." Professor Kazimeriz smiled and extended an arm to her to embrace her.

Alessia turned at the familiar voice and smiled at her surrogate granfather. "Papa Valon! You came!" She said truly excited. She entered his embrace and held him tight before reaching up and kissing his cheek. She then took her parchment and showed it to him. "5th highest student... not shabby... Only 2nd in Slytherin."

"Of course I came. Moments of triumph are never to be missed." He examined her parchment. "Fifth highest? Considering your attendance was constrained in classes one week out of every month, that is an achievement, indeed." He looked at her, hardly believing that she was an adult. Where had the time gone? Only yesterday she was a mere child playing with his own Penelope... He closed his eyes, closing his mind to that train of thought.

"And what are your plans now, Miss Alessia? Your future is a vast expanse of opportunity. A career? Perhaps... University?" he asked hopefully. It would be a shame to waste a mind like hers, in his opinion.

"Oh..." She kind of wanted to write romance novels... but Papa Valon wouldn't be too supportive of that. "A Healer..." She said smiling, "I'd like to be a healer." She said smiling.

Kazimeriz smiled, though his smile was strained. "A healer. Very noble, this ambition of yours." he paused, reflecting. "It will take a great amount of time and dedication. Are you prepared for this?"

"Hmmm," She thought about it. "I think so... I mean... how much time?" She asked him and then changed her mind. "No... No... I'm sure..." She said... "I'm not... sure they'll accept me, but I can always apply right? Will you write up a reccomandation for me, Papa Valon?" She smiled at the surrogate grandfather. She wouldn't ask why her father and mother weren't there... she wouldn't acknowledge it... It's just the way it was. And she was no longer going to be sad about it.

He nodded. "All you can do is try. I will owl my recommendation, if it is your desire that I do so, Alessia. Where will you be applying? Did this school offer you career advice of any use to you?" He peered intently at her, his gaze sharp.

"St. Mungo's and yes... but let's not talk about this anymore... I think I am ready to go... my stuff was moved to a flat my parents set up for me..." Just so she wouldn't need to come back, "but I'd love to grab dinner in Hogsmeade if you wish..."

"Very well. I would like that, indeed." Professor Kazimeriz nodded and placed his hat back on his head. "Shall we say tonight, at seven, in the little place behind the pub?" He raised an eyebrow.

"Perfect! I'll see you there then." She smiled.

Professor Kazimeriz nodded and bowed, kissing her hand. "Until then, dear Alessia." He paused and looked at her intently, as though about to say something. Then, instead, turned and swept out of the room. "Seven. Please endeavour not to be late." he said over his shoulder as he left.

"Yes Sir." she said smiling. She would never dream of being late. Not for him anyway... she'd never let him down.

*END SCENE*

After the infamous Kazi/Truebs duel

Alessia walked after her godfather and offered him her arm as he made his way back to his office. She remained silent unsure of what to tell him, or how he would react. She could tell his pride was harmed in that duel, much more that whatever injury he was suffering from could have harmed him.

"For what it's worth, you are the victor in my eyes, Papa Valon." She told him, not knowing what else to say, and a little afraid he would be angry she stopped the duel. "You were a gentleman towards me AND towards your opponent, that makes you a champion, my champion, and when you conceided, Eth-Truebridge," She was no longer going to address him on a first name basis, "Should have backed off."

"There was no victor in that battle, Alessia." Kazimeriz said slowly. His face was drawn, pale, his voice thin and shaky. The pain in his hip was enormous. It took all his attention, and he fought not to let Alessia see how truly terrible it was. He knew she would feel guilty, and he felt there was no reason for her to be. After all, she had been Truebridge's victim in the first place. If anything, he blamed himself for expecting Truebridge to behave as a gentleman when confronted in a man's duel. Instead, he had shown himself to be a coward, low and petty. He was frankly disgusted; he thought he had taught Truebridge better than that. "Mr. Truebridge behaved in a most insidious manner. However, I am also to blame for my own poor judgment. I expected more of him, as my former pupil... Ethan Truebridge was many things as a student, but in spite of his impetuousness in early years I thought I had taught him to behave with more respect. I did not anticipate that he would grow up to be the type of man who would victimize young innocent women or attack an old man in such a cowardly fashion. "

He felt a twinge of shame, as well. He should never have duelled another instructor in front of the pupils. It had been his hope to use this duel next term as an object lesson, to dissect their casting choices with the students and discuss real-world dueling scenarios. Alas. It seemed now that perhaps there would be no next term. Not for Valon Kazimeriz, anyway. Truebridge had undercut his authority and had damaged him physically... perhaps permanently.

"Papa please," Alessia said as she rushed to pull his chair forward for him to sit. "Do not blame yourself. We all expected more from Truebridge..." She had hoped that when Ethan had found out about the age reversal spell he'd refuse to duel Papa Valon. "Is there anything I can do for your injury?" Did she remember any of her healer training? She hoped so... "Ice? Maybe? Of would you like me to get the nurse?"

"No... no. This is not an injury that a school healer should manage; I will need the care of a healer experienced in resolving dark curses. I am leaving to go to St. Mungo's, and expect to be gone for some time." He sighed, sinking gently into the chair, a hiss of pain escaping him as his weight pressed against the wounded hip. "While I am gone-- and from this point forward--" for it was unlikely he'd be able to return to staff, if it was as bad as he feared-- "I must insist that you maintain nothing but the highest degree of professionalism toward Truebridge. To all of the staff, of course. But most especially to Truebridge. Keep your distance; remain vigilant, professional, and do nothing to incite attention. Do you understand me?" He met her eyes, hoping to convey the seriousness of this matter.

"Of course. I will do as you wish," she said. She'd already decided to do so, however the fact was Papa Valon asked her, and she always did everything Papa Valon told her to, made it that more important. She would befinetly stay away.

"Very well, then. See that you do. In the meantime, Alessia... I bid you farewell... I really must see a healer; the wound will worsen with time." He bowed his head to her, standing and making his way to the floo with a sigh. "Remember my words and heed them well, my dear." And with a flash of floo powder, he was gone.

And he was gone... without her. She had wanted to help him... take care of him, but her godfather was too proud and she should have known better. He was likely to want to be alone... at least today... tomorrow was a different story... tomorrow she'd try to go visit him.

~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~ ~.~

New scene: St. Mungos

Alessia made her way through the busy hospital corridor. She'd purchased opera singing peonies. Their fragrance was delightful, and their songs, subtle and not too loud. They were perfect for her Papa Valon. She stopped at the welcome witch station on that floor and asked for Professor Valon Kazimeriz. He would want to be referred to as professor, it was still his title. As the witch took her to the single bedroom with a window, Alessia smiled. She walked to the door, even though the nurse motioned for her to go in, Alessia still knocked on the frame. "Papa Valon, it's me, Alessia."

Kazimeriz lay in his bed, shuddering as the wound's dark magic worked its way through his system. The pain was excruciating, and he was barely ambulatory as the healers worked on him. It had been a night of utter misery, and the prognosis for a full recovery was poor. The curse was truly the last straw for Kazimeriz's wounded old hip; Truebridge had ruined his joint permanently and it was likely that he would suffer terrible, constant pain for the rest of his life. Unable to sleep, Kazimeriz spent his idle time staring at the walls and bitterly contemplating ways to return the favor.

He heard a knock on the door and Alessia's voice.

No.

Kazimeriz would not... would NOT... be seen in such a condition. He needed time to recover -- as much as he was going to-- and he would not have anyone see him in such a state: as a weak, hobbled old man. Useless.

Valon Kazimeriz would not accept her pity, he was too proud to be put in such a position.

"Go away, Alessia. I will see you again at the castle. I will not see you here." He raised his wand and charmed the door to be locked. He cast a silencing charm in the room, then resumed brooding and contemplating. He would make Truebridge regret this until the day he was laid to merciful rest.

He swore this.

Go Away? She stood silent holding the flowers in her hands and looking at the pretty purple one sing. Why did he wish her to leave? Of Course... it was obvious... he finally began blaming her for what had happened. "Very Well Papa, I will see you at the castle..." she said holding back hicups and tears... "I hope you feel better." She said handing the flowers to the welcome witch. "Please get these to him," She said and left.