Liz walked up to the gargoyle and sat down waiting for Professer Rae.

Torie had never been to the headmistress's office before, and to be frank, she was a little intimidated by the impressive stone figure guarding the entrance to her door. She clutched Professor Pride's box protectively against her chest as she thought. When was the last time she had seen Professor Pride? Torie shook her head. 'No idea,' she thought to herself. 'I don't even remember if I saw her at the opening feast.' Lost in her thoughts, Torie settled herself in an armchair and waited for permission to enter the headmistress's office.

If Torie had been paying more attention, she might have noticed Professor Pride racing up into the headmistress's office. As it was, the girl had grown sleepy waiting in the cosy armchair, and having tucked the chest into a fold of her school robe, she curled her feet up under her and fell fast asleep.

"Ahem," the little man in the portrait just next to the gargoyle made a small noise. "She'll be with you soon. Her office..." He rolled his eyes. "It is very full."

*Amos still very pale and tired walked up to a chair and sat down. He held a letter in his hand. He sat down and waited.*

Cassandra Rae-Branxton appeared from between the gargoyles, and she gave each massive statue a pat with her hands. "Ah... you're waiting for me?" she greeted the two students. Seating herself, she was ready to discuss whatever they needed.

"Not so much waiting, no," Lainey smiled as she entered. Ugh. This was going to be awkward.. "More like just looking for.."

Cassandra nearly fell out of her chair as she staired up at the woman standing before her. "You... where... Anj!" She was frozen to her chair, but she wanted to jump up and hug... or shake... or both...

*Amos stood up and nodded to the Headmistress. He was still very pale and looked very tired.* "Y-Yes... umm I was told to give you this letter. I had to spend a few nights in St. Mungo's. Someone gave me a pocket watch that a-altered my anger and rage levels. They thought you would want to know..." *He handed her the letter. It read:

To Headmistress Cassandra Rae,

An Amos Romulus Waters came into St. Mungo's Hospital for Magical Maladies and Injuries. He was under the deep magic that was put on a fob pocket watch. The watch has altered and raised his anger and rage levels. This has been fixed and young Mr. Waters is as good as new. The reasons for this is still unknow, as we are still looking at the watch. This letter has also been sent to the students and the parents of the other students that were around Mr. Waters when these acts happened. Mr. Waters has been told to check in with the Hospital Wing everyday for the next few days to make sure that nothing else happens to him from the effects of the pocket watch. Thank you for your time on this matter.

Sincerely,
The Staff of St. Mungo's


*He stood back waiting to see what would happen. He was scared that she might be mad. The two professors started talking so he stepped back a bit.*

"Me... here... Rae...," Lainey answered. She tried to keep the smile, but it was quickly faded. Her eyes fell to her shoes and her cheeks burned. "I'm sorry." For everything. Including barging in when she was with students..

Rae-Branxton accepted the note from the boy with only half a mind, but she pulled herself together enough to respond to him. "It sounds like they've left you as good as new, although you probably should avoid gifts from strangers. Take this note to the nurse, and she'll work out a visitation with you." She smiled vaguely at him and patted his shoulder.

"Anj... sorry?" She stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her oldest and dearest friend. "I was worried sick about you, idiot. Where have you been?"

"Um... no where really," Lainey vaguely answered. "Here and there. I have been an idiot though. And, I am sorry about that." Oh gosh. Lainey hugged the life out Rae. It was likely she'd never, not ever,let go.

*Amos nodded his thanks and walked away. He let out a long sigh. That wasn't so hard..."*

Cassandra pulled back and grinned at Anj, her eyes wet but happy. "You have to PROMISE you'll never leave again. You leave me too often, and next time I'll be forced to do more than hire people to make sure you're alright. I'll come after you myself."

"You hired someone? Who?" Lainey smiled. "And I thought my paranoia was all for nothing..." Actually, that little bit of information was a bit disturbing. Who'd been watching her? Who had seen her?

"Alec," Cassandra's grin broadened. "He would have done it for free, though. He has an uncanny knack for being able to find you." She grabbed ahold of Anj again. "You want to see the girls? They can talk now!"

Just when Lainey thought she could get no redder.. Rae sprung Alec on her. "Oh," was her response. Merlin help her.

"Rae, I would like nothing more than to see those girls. I've missed them. They won't remember me! We'll have to re-introduce me."

"I show them your picture," Cassandra whispered conspiratorially. "Walk with me down to the nursery, and you can tell me about all the things you've been up to while you were gone."

Lainey nodded. Oh Merlin she should have brought them presents! She felt like a heel. But, they were just kids.. so maybe they wouldn't notice.

Lainey left with Rae.

Torie woke up in time to see the back of the headmistress disappearing down the corridor. "Darn it all! I've missed her!" exclaimed Torie loudly in an exasperated voice. "Now what am I supposed to do?" Torie thought briefly about running after the headmistress, but it appeared that she was with someone. 'Hang on,' thought Torie to herself as something familiar struck her about the Headmistress's companion, 'Is that Professor Lainey?' Torie felt a thrill of delight. She had always loved Professor Lainey's lessons and would be extremely happy if the Muggle Studies professor had indeed returned. Torie squinted, her blue eyes closing into slits, in hopes of making out the distant figure better. Unfortunately, this did not help. Torie sighed. It looked like she would just have to wait here.

Cassandra walked up to the gargoyle entrance her sign in hand and sat on floor. Her sign read "Armand Erikson, he's our man, If he can't teach us no one can!" She didn't care is they were going to send her to detention. She was NOT going to sit idly by while they sacked Erikson.

Brooke had finally caught up to Cassandra and took one of the signs she had made. She held it up high and stood behind her. "What happened? Why is he being fired?!" Professor Erikson was by far one of the best professors they had.

Sho, walking down past the entrance to the Headmistress' office, saw Cassandra with a sign or something. He slowed down his pace as he drew closer, and read the sign in her hands.

"What? What does all this mean, Trelawney?" he asked, holding his bag out in front of him, resting it on his feet.

Ponessa, too came up behind Sho and spoke softly, as she had just ran all the way there.

"Heard...Professor Erickson...sacked..." She just decided overall to stop talking and looked to Sho and the Slytherins.