A teeny long whiskered owlet came fluttering into the room, carrying a parchment nearly as big as it was. It fluttered about, trying its best to 'hover'. It carried a parchment which it unscrolled to reveal a poster-like note:



The owl flew as slowly as possible around the room so that it might be read by several students, then fluttered out of the room.

Yes... Professor Kazimeriz had put a bounty on the heads of LouAnn Purple and Moaning Myrtle.

As he got closer to her, he noticed she seemed to get a little more, well..he didn't know. She seemed a bit tense, but it didn't seem right to explain it that way. She appeared comfortable, but different.

As she squeezed his hand, he smiled a little stronger at her and slid his hand around her and squeezed her to say thank you for her care, and thank you for being his rock. He laid his head on her shoulder and sighed.

As she seemed to be processing his answer, he saw a look come across her face that combined confusion and sadness. She seemed to find it hard to accept that muggles might do this. "I wish I could tell you differently. I overheard conversations my father had with his friends who would be talking about odd occurrences and dad had such venom in his responses when one would suggest a supernatural cause. Dad would almost become violent with the men in the village who suggested anything remotely related to magic, so wantingto keep his magical family a secret."

Nia's hair had fallen forwards and she swept in back loosely with her fingers so she could see Elan properly again. It was getting almost too long nowadays, but at the same time she didn't have the heart to get it cut. She loved the flexibility of long hair, even if it did get in the way. She tucked it over her shoulders so it hopefully wouldn't fall forward again too soon.

She felt his return squeeze, and Nia smiled as Elan laid his head on her shoulder. It seemed as if he was relaxing a little, which could only be good. With that thought in mind, she tilted her head onto his. It felt right.

She couldn't straighten the thoughts in her head. She was too used to getting on alongside muggles - she'd been brought up close to both her magical and muggle grandparents, and loved both. Never had there been an issue with her ability to do magic. Not even when they when muggle shopping in town, or went to the cinema. It'd always just seemed so normal to have the best of both.

It was only as Elan explained further she began to understand his father's world. "It must have been difficult for him..." she said softly. "I guess moreso as you learnt more." She paused. "It probably made it worse in the end though...fearing it. When it probably was noway as bad as he thought. You only have to watch Muggle movies to see where superstitition and imagination takes them."

Elan felt her adjust her hair, which he noticed seemed to have gotten longer. He whispered to her, "Your hair is pretty." He didn't think it necessary to put too much of a description into the statement. As she rested her head on his, he just sat there.

When she commented on the irrational behavior of muggles, he only nodded. He reflected a little bit on the fact that until he got his letter, he wasn't even aware there was a magical world and he wondered if he would have reacted with the same fear his father had if he had been confronted with the reality of magic in such a way.

He spied a roll and reached over and bit into it absently, as he felt he needed to do something to eat.

A touch of colour came to Nia's cheeks as Elan whispered those words. After all he had lost, and how upset he'd been, he still managed to compliment her hair. Her hair that wasn't even styled. All she'd done was pull it back from her face. He had managed to make her feel special - despite everything else. Despite the fact she was meant to be comforting him.

"Thanks," she said, hoping her face now didn't feel too warm against his hair. "It's not like I've done anything to it though - it's just kinda grown quite a bit." She gave a small laugh at what she'd said, though at the same time thought it might be entirely inappropriate.

She left Elan in his thoughts about presumely his father's actions and the line of how much muggles might suspect. She was relieved then to see him pick up a roll, and though he didn't appear to be eating it hungrily, it perhaps showed he was feeling better. She smiled, and reached out for her fork. Maybe part of her was now feeling hungry again too, as Elan seemed to be feeling better. She stabbed a dumpling, and nibbled at is slowly.

As she spoke and gave what might have been a little nervous laugh, he took the time to look at her. Then, after he'd made a determination he spoke. "It doesn't matter whether you do anything with it or not. It's pretty. You're pretty." With that, he laid his head back on her shoulder.

He chewed on the roll a bit and then looked around for something warm to drink. Finding a pot of chicory coffee, he poured himself a cup and took a drink. It was warm and soothing, much like spending time with Nia.

He placed his hand on hers and looking at her said. "Thank you, Nia. You've helped me center myself better..and so hopefully, I can focus on different things for a little while."

Something about the way Elan lifted his head to say those words shocked Nia. In a good but funny kind of way. It wasn't like he hadn't said similar stuff in the past, but just the change in the way he said it within this current situation. Was he trying to hint at something? Or just being nice? She couldn't tell. It did bring some more colour to her now warm cheeks though. "Thanks," she said, not sure what else to say or feel.

She smiled as he reached for some form of coffee, glad Elan seemed to have perked up. She felt the knot in her stomach loosen, as he seemed far less pained.

"Any time," she said warmly. "It's what friends are for, right?" She smiled, before looking intrigued. "You have any different things to focus on planned?"

As he heard her say thanks, he smiled a little. He felt better, and he knew she was the reason why. And he did think she was pretty.

As he drank the coffee, he felt the warm liquid soothe his belly and he sat up and looked for a bit more food.

He smiled at her. "Yes, I think that is exactly what you're for." As she asked about his plans, he shook his head no. " Just school I think. That will be enough with all that's going on."

Nia was sure she could see a faint glimpse of a smile on Elan lips. Whether it was coincidence or related to him saying she was pretty though, she couldn't tell. She was just glad he was feeling more like his old self.

As Elan looked for food, Nia put some veg on her fork and took a mouthful. Pulling a face as she tasted the cold stew, she pulled her wand from her robes and reheated her meal.

"I'm glad we agree," Nia said with a wink. "Though I can do other stuff too, you know," she added with a twinkle in her eye. As Elan smiled about her plans, her smile faltered just little. Barely noticably, really. There was just one selfish moment when a small of her hoped he'd mention her. She sighed internally, not really understanding the true meaning of what she'd felt, before having a mouthful of chicken.

"I agree, far too much work as it is," she said after swallowing. "Dread to think what it'll be like this time next year with our OWLs."

Elan looked over at her after he had gathered some sausages and a few more rolls. He was really hungry now and as he pondered their conversation, he felt selfish.

"Nia" he began, "how are you? I spent all this time crying on your robe and have yet to ask after you." He turned toward her to give her his full attention and waited for her response. As he did, he looked at her, really looked. She was growing into a lovely young lady and he really was noticing.

He nodded at her statement about the OWLS. "I imagine you'll do just well on your OWLS. You are very smart. Fancy that you were blessed with looks and brains."

She felt guilty already about that single moment. She had hardly any problems in her life (school work and Quidditch mainly) compared to what Elan had, and yet she'd still hoped he'd think of her. It was utterly selfish really, and that was wrong. She scolded herself as he helped himself to food, and then smiled as he turned bck to her. From here on in, he was the focus not her.

...Not that it lasted long, since Elan had just asked about her. "You had far more important things on your mind," she said. "But I'm good. Trying to get all the work done between Quidditch practice, you know what its like." She twisted a lock of hair round with her right hand.

"I'll try my best," she said, a blush coming to her cheeks. "I'm just lucky and work hard, I guess," she said, hoping to not sound to full of herself, but at the same time mentally analysising his words. Blessed with looks? Was that just a friendly compliment, or was she meant to be taking a hint? She really didn't know. "You're not so bad at most stuff either," she retorted back with a smile. "I'm not the only clever one here, " she added with a raised eyebrow.

He shrugged. "Yeah, there's lots going on, but the first time I see you in a while, I need to take more interest in you." He listened as she explained more. "Well, I know you're busy and I know you study hard, so I know that you are doing ok."

He smiled as she blushed. It was the first he'd noticed since they began talking. He prodded her with his elbow. "You're much more than lucky. You are resourceful and smart and so many other things." And when she spoke about not being the only clever one, it was his turn to blush. "Thank you" was his quiet reply.

Nia watched him, almost bemused. "Do you? I mean, do you need to, or want to, or....?" She drifted off, now unsure of where she was actually heading. Probably into a big deep hole. "I guess I mean, as a friend I don't expect it - and I bet you generally know if something is up with me anyway." She smiled. "Yeah, but I love it. Willow might be working us hard on the pitch, but it's one of the best feelings there is, so I never mind. And schoolwork, well, it just has to be done."

She saw him smile just moments after the full colour came through her blush. Were the two events related? Probably. Gah! He wasn't meant to notice. She shrugged, trying to persuade her cheeks from blushing again. "I'm just me, Nia, and anything from there is a bit of nature and a bit of nuture." She smiled as he blushed at his compliment. "It's true. Some things you're far better than me at..."

He laughed quietly as she struggled to ask him a question. "Of course I do. Why wouldn't I take an interest in you, Nia?" She seemed rather nervous, so he asked "Are you ok? You seem a little off." He took a bite of roll while he waited for her answer.

"Well, I'm glad you have something you love to do besides school work."

He chuckled. "Just Nia? There's more to you than just Nia." And when she continued on after him, he told her jokingly "well, what am I better at than the amazing Nia?" He was having fun for the first time in a while and smiled watching her.

Nia pulled a face with a small frown. One of those almost comical puzzled faces. "A good question, that is," she responded after a moment's thought. "One that could be equalled with why would you? Buttttt, that's probably irrelevant." She took another mouthful of dinner. "And it's fair you want to know what's been happening in the world of Nia, it just seemed weird it being that way round, you know, considering..."

As he asked if she was okay, Nia nodded. "Course I am," she said with a smile. Just a bit muddled for some unknown reason, she added to herself. "I guess it's just been a bit of a shock. For er, both of us."

She shook her head. "How can I be more than me? I am a whole, and a Nia, and that is me," she said trying to hold her side as it were. Not that there really were sides, but she didn't see her self as amazing. She almost scowled at that. Almost.

"You're better with emotions and as a friend than me. You see the good in people. Though not as perhaps technically advanced, you know where you're capabilities lie, and in some walks of life that's as important as anything else," she listed quickly.

He smiled as she responded with his question with her own. "No Socratic debating techniques here, missy...you should answer a question directly." With that he laughed, knowing that neither of them were truly honest about their feelings with each other. "And besides, I do take an interest in you, because....." well, he didn't know how best to respond to her query. What did he feel completely. He didn't consider her just a friend. They'd been through a great deal and danced around any romantic entanglements like their friends dealt with and maybe that was proper...for now.

When she responded to his question about her being ok, he felt like maybe she was hiding something. She gave an explanation, but it seemed contrived. He slid closer and touched her hand. "Are you sure you're ok?" This time he was truly concerned.

"Well...just Nia is amazing and you can't convince me otherwise." He felt like she was only putting up part of a defense..and he was ok with that.

Her answer was touching. "Thank you so much. I wish I had the technical skills, but I'm glad you think I'm good at something. I wish I had more I could give to you in the way of skills."

Keeley plopped down onto the bench, glancing around the table. Nobody she knew, grarw! But, she was looking very..er...colorful today. Her curly brown hair was adorned by a neon pink bandanna, a purple teddy bear backpack, neon pink nails, bright pink tights, striped neon legwarmers, and bright purple platforms shoes. Heck, even her eyes were bright purple! Anyways, she pulled out her favorite book and lost herself in it.

Nia pouted. Why shouldn't she try such techniques? He was the one being awkward with his questions afterall. She soon joined him in laughing though. He was right to be honest, and she might have been avoiding a full answer...just a teeny eeny bit. Now it was Nia's turn to wait for an explanation.

"Because?" she questioned, raising her eyebrows, but eyes twinkling to show she was only playing. Something told her she didn't really need to know - or want to for that matter. Sometimes things were best running their natural course.

The butterflies fluttered once more as he slid over and touched her hand. She nodded once more. "Yeah, I'm fine," she responded with a smile. She really was - even though she could sense Elan had realised there was something else. Maybe the fact that she had felt his pain when he was upset. She wasn't sure. There was something there though.

"If you insist," Nia replied after taking anouther mouthful of stew. Inside there was a nervous excitement at his words, but at the same time Nia wasn't one for compliments. She'd been seen often as the naughty one as a child - and it'd been Theo who'd been showered with lovely words. It still seemed strange, despite the fact she knew Elan was being genuine, or stubborn, or both.

Nia smiled. "I can help you with the technical side if you like, most stuff like that can come with tuition, time and practice." She gave a small shrug to say, 'if you fancy, that is'. "And you don't need to 'give' me any of your skills. They're all there, in you, in our friendship. They might not be obvious all of the time or measurable, but they're there." She smiled. "All concealed in the reasons why you are one of my best mates." Probably the best, she added mentally. And then she couldn't resist wishfully thinking if there could be more there. She wasn't sure, and she certainly didn't feel like voicing that idea.

He looked at the spoon he had used to stir his chicory with and said, "Well...because you are someone who is important to me, and so it's important for me to take an interest in you." It wasn't a perfect answer, but was there really a perfect one?

He felt better with her nod and response that she was fine. He sat there, just trying to reassure himself that everything would work out eventually. He wasn't sure how, or when, because right now, of course everything wasn't ok. Everything was muddled and cofused and just plain wrong, but he had people like Nia who he knew would help take care of him.

He laughed. "If I insist? Don't you get to hear it more often? I'm sure that being related to Theo, you compare fovorably." He couldn't imagine it being different, but maybe he only saw her through rose colored lenses.

"Thanks. That would be pretty helpful, though I hope you don't have to take away from your own work to help me." He was happy to have someone willing to help him get by in school.

She nodded at his answer, apparently satisfied. For the moment at least. And with that she took another mouthful of stew, and enjoyed the flavours in her mouth as Elan seemed thoughtful.

To Nia it appeared to be a confused kind of thoughtful. In an accepting kind of way. She couldn't explain why she thought that, but she put it down having known Elan for the whole time they'd been at Hogwarts. She'd obviously become attuned to the little details that could give away what he was thinking.

Nia shook her head lightly, causing her hair to flick over her shoulder. As she smoothed it back down, she gave a small chuckle. "Exactly the opposite, I'm afraid," she said. "I wasn't cute, annoyed my brother and generally wanted to do my own thing...so Theo got all the comments, and I stayed well clear, reading a book usually." She bit her lip. "Not that people didn't say nice stuff, of course, they did...but it was always him that got all the attention." She rolled her eyes. "It's a bit more different now everyone sees us as individuals, and not just 'the twins'...though it still felt strange you saying stuff like that and just my close family."

"Of course not," Nia replied with a smile. "We can do some work together anyway - and I like to recap stuff, keeps it fresh in my mind ready for the exams." Her eyes seemed to light up. "Teaching someone else is the best way to confirm you know something. And we can try and make it fun too."

Elan just listened and watched Nia as she ate next to him. She seemed to study him when she thought he wasn't looking. He wasn't averse to the attention. It was nice.

He nodded as she recounted about being a bit of an outcast. "So you think because Theo is more...visible, that he got more attention?" He thought it was an interesting idea. Being an only child, he never really wanted for attention from others. People just assumed the best about him, because his parents did train him to act properly.

He grinned. "Well, it's nice to have you help for whatever the reason."

Finishing her stew, Nia drank some of her apple juice and had a look at the possibilities for pudding. As she did so, she thought about what Elan had been saying about her twin. Putting a muffin on her plate, so turned back to her friend.

"Perhaps...moreso clingy though, I suppose. I was the independent one - in terms knowing what I wanted to do, and then going ahead and doing it. Theo always hung around at our parent's feet, so if we were visiting people I guess he was just in their presence more." She tilted her head thoughtfully. "His 'cute' looks were a huge part of that though too...no one ever seemed to find it a problem that he was always there..."

She shrugged. She knew in the long run she had been the one far better off, and had enough self confidence to know so. It made compliments about her work and so on now so much more rewarding. And Elan's comments, well they made her tummy go all funny still.

"That's not the only reason," Nia said quickly, her eyes widening. "I mean, I wouldn't just be doing it for the revision and extra practice..."

Listening to her, what she said was really true. She was self confident and prepared to strike it out on her own. As she thought about that, he frowned a little. Nia on her own. What did he really think about that.

"Well, I'm sure that people recognized your cuteness too, don't you think. I mean you two don't exactly look the same, but your not less cute than he might be considered. To be honest, I don't think him cute at all."

"Not the only reason?" he wondered. "What other reason could there be?" he asked.

Pulling the case off her muffin, Nia looked up to Elan and saw a flicker of a frown. "You okay?" she said slowly, worried tht maybe he was thinking of home again.

"Perhaps they did," she said, "and I just wasn't there to hear it." She shrugged. "Me neither," she agree at Theo's lack of cuteness. "I've always though he looks, and acts, like a baby...but there we go. Personal preference and all that."

She blushed, caught out. She didn't want to directly admit the true answer, and instead skirted around it. "To help a friend, and spend time with him," she explained, slightly sheepishly.

He nodded when she asked if he was ok. "Yeah. Just thought about you striking off on your own."

Distracted by the thoughts of her independence, he just kept nodding. "Yeah. He is a bit babyish...or he was the last time I saw him. And my preference is to believe that no boys are cute." He said the last bit with a wry twist of the lips.

She blushed. Again. She seemed to be doing that. he hoped she wasn't getting sick. And with that, she added words. "You want to spend time with me?" he asked her, a bit incredulous.