Fia sat down next to Miles whether he wanted her to or not. She had something to say and she was going to say it now. "Miles, I'm sorry," she began as she looked down to the table. "I...don't think you are like Ivan, which is one of the reasons I like you...a lot." Probably more than she should, certainly more than she understood. She wanted to hold his hand or just...anything to be close to him again. "I don't like being away from you and I certainly can't handle you being angry with me."

Miles looked at Fia as she sat down not waiting for him to say she could. He listened to what she said and he sighed, "If you didn't think I was like Ivan you wouldn't let the fact that I'm friends with Brody bother you so much." He turned his head and went back to twirling the fork by magic. "She broke up with her boyfriend that night.... I'd like to think it wasn't my fault. The two of us arguing making her realize that she didn't like Torin that way..." He sighed and started raising the fork up and down with his magic, "It seems like everything I'm involved with messes up in some way." Lifting his head up he looked at her, "I'm not angry at you...I'm...irritated at myself."

Fia looked towards Miles and sighed. "Maybe it wasn't you I was worried about," she spoke as it really wasn't Miles she was worried about. "I...just didn't think she knew that we were together. She didn't seem to be around her boyfriend...guess that's why." She certainly didn't feel sorry for Brody. "And I didn't come here to talk about her. She is the least of my worries. I came here because..." Why did she come here?

She turned to look at him with a painful look on her face. The last thing she wanted what happened between Brody and her boyfriend. "She's a very pretty girl." She would NEVER admit that to anyone else and well, she knew that Brody thought she was ugly. "Why are you irritated with yourself?" Now that she didn't like because he did nothing wrong. "You actually did the right thing, and it took you leaving for me to realize that."

Miles sighed and looked toward Fia, "She knew. That day...down at Hogsmeade...I had told her I liked you." Stopping the twirling of his fingers making the fork fall once more. "Alright. So what did you come here for?"

And then they were talking about Brody again. He didn't understand anymore. "Yes...she is...and a FRIEND. Nothing more." Didn't Fia understand that? He didn't like anyone else. "To realize what? That the two of you fighting was pointless?" Sigh. Lifting his head up he looked at her fully, "Look...I like you...and I wasn't lying before when I said I wanted relationships. If you can't trust me in one...." Well he didn't know where that was going. He just knew she didn't like Ivan. She didn't like Ivan because he was the spitting image of a womanizer.

Why did this hurt? Why did she want to cry? Why....why why WHYYYYYYYYYYYY? She closed her eyes and looked away. She was not mad she just...her eyes were watering and she didn't want anyone to see. Disappointing Miles hit her harder than she truly thought and the way he stopped at his very last statement was the hardest to hit her.

Her head shot in his direction she realized he stopped speaking. Was he telling her a reason for bringing up that Hufflepuff's name and her boyfriend breaking up? One tear fell down one cheek as all it took from the other side was a blink, and then the tear would fall. "I trust you. I really do." She was not a girl to cry but this was slowly tearing her apart. Knowing that in just the blink of an eye she could loose her best friend and her boyfriend all because of some crazy PUFF!

Miles looked at Fia as she went quiet and saw her looking away. Next thing he knew she was looking back at him with tears in her eyes and one down her cheek. Swallowing he pulled her closer to him and wrapped his arms around her. "Hey now....enough of that." Leaning his head against hers he kissed her softly. "Fi...shhh...I'm not going to leave you. We're a team," he said with a chuckle trying to get her to laugh a bit. He cared for her too much to do that. Pulling back a bit he looked at her and wiped the tears off of her cheeks.

Fia was silent but her tears were known. There were very few things in this world that made her cry and she knew at this very moment that Miles was one of them. He meant more to her than she ever really realized. She leaned her head against his shoulder, loving it when he called her Fi. He was the only one. She nodded her head, afraid to speak because if she did, others around them would know she was crying and well...no one else needed to know that.

Miles held Fia as she cried. He felt horrible about being the one to make her cry. He could count on one hand how many times he'd seen her cry. "I'm sorry, Fi. Don't cry," he whispered so no one else could hear. "I just...I don't know...I don't want one of those relationships like Brody has or those relationships like Ivan has. Those ones that you never know how the other one is feeling." He wasn't really sure what love was but if it was what he felt for Fi he never wanted to let her go.

"I don't want to be like that either," she spoke softly into his neck and sniffed. "That is my greatest fear. It's not that I think you are like Ivan it's just...well...he's the very reason women do not trust men, no matter how sweet and innocent they are."

She wrapped her arms around his waist as she knew deep down inside, he was not that man. He was the one person that molded to her better than anyone else ever would. They had fun together. They laughed and now cried and...she knew there was another emotion that they were sharing but dare she say it? She couldn't. They were too young for that, but she did know, she loved him. He was her best friend in so many ways.

"Like I've said before, I hate to disappoint you." She knew it was going to happen but if it made them stronger, then it was something they were just goin gto deal with.

Miles sighed and nuzzled his head against Fia's. "Yes well Ivan isn't exactly the best example for anything. Resting his head against Fia's he listened to her breathing with a small smile on his face. Yes he loved her but that would just make things complicated. Did he love her as a friend? As more? Yes too complicated.

"Fi...I've known you for a long time. We might have arguments but that's just something we have to work through. I won't leave you cause you disappointed me. Trust me. I won't leave you cause I'm mad either. And if I did and mum found out you can bet i'd get a talking to."

"I promise I will not leave when I'm mad," Fia said as she closed her eyes. Miles brought her so much happiness, which was one reason she loved to be around him. "Okay. Too much sappiness. We need happy laughter." She leaned her head up and wiped her eyes. She was acting too much like a girl at that very point, not that it was a bad thing but...it just wasn't her.

"Well that's a good thing to know," he said with a smirk. He laughed as she seemed to want to recollect herself and spoke, "Aww and here I was just getting comfortable." Smiling as she sat up and wiped her eyes he kissed her. "There all better."

Fia laughed gently, feeling even better as Miles kissed her. "Yes! All better. And you are the only one who will ever witness this side of me." She leaned over and grabbed a roll as her appetite was coming back, which meant she was feeling better. She knew exactly where she stood in Miles' life and well, she was not going to worry about such things any more. He was with her and that was that!

Next thing she knew, Kiri's head was popping up over the piles of boxes surrounding her and, by virtue of her location at the table, Ainsley. She simply gazed back at the Slytherin as she heard the question, knowing there wasn't really a need to answer. It was obviously the second batch, since the first one was safely hidden. She nodded as the younger girl said she'd help them transport the boxes up to the towers, although a faint curiosity popped into her head. "Should they be hidden in our common rooms, or should we maybe use somewhere else?," she asked in an undertone just loud enough for the other two to hear.

A glint appeared in her eyes as Kiri spoke again after some thought, glancing up at the staff table with a faint scowl on her pretty features. "I'm in," she muttered, before turning back to the group. Standing up, she gathered her schoolbag up, then hefted a few of the boxes as Kiri did the same. "We need to figure out a time. So the strike can be synchronized, make a bigger impact and all," she commented in a low voice before her gaze went to the door to the Great Hall. They simply needed to make their voices heard, that's it. And then Copernicus could instigate the second wave, like the plan.

Miles laughed and released one of his arms from around her. "Your secrets safe with me," he said with a grin as she leaned over and grabbed a roll. He still wasn't hungry and hoped he wasn't getting ill....that would be horrible. At least things between him and Fia were settled.

Then he noticed a girl walked in carrying a ton of boxes and was talking to...shoe girl? Their hushed whispers and secretiveness intrigued him. What was in the big boxes? Whatever it was he wanted to know!

As Shoe Girl stood up with the boxes and headed over toward the door he grabbed his own bag quickly and Fia's hand. "Come on!" he said in a whisper and headed out of the Great Hall behind them. Well what was so uncommon about a Ravenclaw headed up to, he guess the common room if it was secretive, anyway. What were they up to...AND WHY WASN'T HE TOLD??? He loved a secret plan. Pulling Fia along they followed Shoe Girl to wherever she was going like....SPIES!!

Fia just finished her roll when Miles seemed to grab her hand and whisper for her to come. Where were they going? It was a good thing that...hey! Who and what were those boxes? She remembered what she told Miles at Christmas and grinned. Perfect! She kept quiet behind him as her fingers wrapped around his hand. She felt sooooo much better since they'd talked and she felt closer to him. Take that...IVAN! HA!

Elan knew that his behavior was really getting a bit on the dramatic side and so he attempted to gather himself into a more presentable manner. He lifted his head from her shoulder and wiped his tears with the sleeve of his coat. "Well, I've had a bit o' trouble at home and I'm....." he didn't know how to tell her all the horrible things that had happened and he was just grateful for the company.

Slowly swallowing the mouthful of stew, Nia looked firstly across the Great Hall, and then down at Elan. Her stomach had twisted up, and even the thought of dumplings wasn't tempting. She gave a small sigh, when she felt some of Elan's weight shift.

She gave a soft smile as he wiped away his tears, and reached into her bag to offer him a tissue. As he spoke, Nia gave an understanding nod, and subconsciously reached for his hand - perhaps for her own reassurance as much as his, even if she couldn't say why.

As he drifted off, Nia gave that same hand a small squeeze. "It's okay, take your time," she said gently, hoping that it would encourage him to open up a little more. It was sure to help, and he had sparked her curiousity. What could have happened that was so bad? She immediately wished she hadn't thought of that, as her stomach seemed to give a lurch as she worried about her friend. (Was he still just a friend? A year later and she wasn't sure...) "Whenever you're ready, I'm here..."

Jason Potter Weasley left his Gyffindor table. "Anyone seen Victoria Jamieson?" He asked them. Victoria is Jason's girlfreind.

Elan gratefully accepted the tissue and wiped at his face. He knew he must look so weak right now, but for some reason, it didn't bother him with Nia. He just felt like it was ok and she wouldn't think poorly of him.

He looked at her, feeling her soft hand around his and gave a weak smile. "Well, umm..." he wasn't sure the best way to tell her what had happened at home, so he just launched in. "Well, mum's dead and dad's in the jail for killing her. So now, I've no home in Italy anymore and I've got to live with my mum's family here, who I hardly know and so I'm...well, feeling a little......" he struggled to find the right word. Finally, he settled on it, "...alone."

At Elan's weak attempt at a smile, Nia squeezed his hand again. It seemed to be having the right affect, and she wasn't sure what to do or say otherwise. And despite her last mouthful of stew, Nia's mouth had gone dry too.

And then he started to speak. Whatever Nia might have been expecting him to say, wasn't what Elan said. It was far worse than she could have imagined. It seemed intensified by the way the words tumbled out, and Nia immediately reached out to give Elan a tight hug. It was a necessary thing to do - for her and for Elan. To support him. To show him she cared - possibly more than he knew. It also hid the tears starting to trickle from the corners of her eyes - she wasn't sure Elan needed to see those just yet.

It was as Elan managed to come across the correct word Nia's eyes became properly wet. Rocking him gently, the way her mum would have done with her if she'd been sad as a child, Nia rubbed the back of his shoulders. "You're never alone," she said softly. "I'll always be here for you. You - no, we - will get through this together." She gave him a tight squeeze, and tried to blink away her tears before sitting back to look him in the eye. "You'll always be welcomed at mine if its too much in the holidays, and I'll always be at your side to support you." She nodded sincerely, before pausing thoughtfully. There was a question in her head, that would need to be answered sooner or later - maybe it was better to get it over and done with now...

"Do you know how...or why?" she asked softly, still holding his hand.

Elan felt more comforted by Nia's gentle touches than he could have imagined. He was a little surprised when she gathered him in her arms and he could feel a sense of need to hold him. It felt odd. He would have thought that as the boy, he should be the strong one, but perhaps this is the way it needed to be, one comforting the other. this was a growth time for him, though he wouldn't likely realize it until much later. He only knew right now, that she was making him feel better.

As she rocked him when he whispered out the word alone, he felt a connection, a stirring inside his chest that he really hadn't before. It wasn't like she was being motherly, like it might have seemed to someone who might be looking on. She was being a partner, sharing his grief and loneliness and pain. It was as if by her actions, she was trying to shoulder his burdens not from him, but with him. It was a good feeling, one he only knew as relief. Her kind words gave him the first sense of hope that he had felt since the owl had arrived. He could only nod.

Her last question gave him pause. Could he answer it? Well, how could he not when she had decided that she would give herself to him in this way. "Well..." he began quietly. "...the note I received from the Italian ministry of magic was brief, but it appears that mum had begun practicing magic. She had become more open with it since I began to attend here. One day, dad came home and apparently, because things were going poorly at work, he blamed her and her witchy ways. They began to fight and mum was trying to defend herself, in the muggle way. There was a struggle...and..." he couldn't continue, but he thought she would understand. He began to look at his hands, as if embarrassed by his father's actions and that she would think poorly of him because of his father.

Nia really hoped she was helping. She'd never had to deal with something this big, and almost scary, before. But she wanted to get Elan through this. It'd be hard - but she was getting older now, and had always had a strong will and maturity, and Elan needed someone like that now. Someone that knew him, that he was comfortable with. Nia wasn't certain she was the only person that came into that category, but she was a person who could help, and that was all that mattered. It hurt her to see him so down, and she'd do all she could to help him through these times.

As he nodded in response to her words, Nia gave a reassuring smile. Mentally she was trying to find ideas that might lift him up - give him a boost so that he could find exactly where he stood. And maybe even where she stood. Did she feel the connection still? She thought she did, but they hadn't mentioned it since last year. And, well, this could affect things greatly. Not that she she be worrying about that now. She wasn't the one who mattered.

She sat quietly during that pause, not wanting to rush Elan. She guessed how hard it was. She swallowed slowly, and almost felt a sense of pride in Elan as he told the story. Despite his loss, he'd managed to kind of accept it, and that Nia could see as a positive thing in terms of grief. And then he looked down and away from her, as if trying to shy away from her - maybe embarrassed. She couldn't think what to say, what would be right...but she know Elan need not worry about her thoughts. Even if it was his father's fault, he was still family, right?

"It's okay," she said softly, cupping his chin in her free hand and lifting it gently. "Do you think that's what happened?"

He slid just a bit closer to her, as she was comforting him. The closeness was nice and comfortable. He felt like it was something he should do and he felt like it was something she might like. They hadn't really talked about them in a long time, and granted, this wasn't the best time for that chat, it was still their time.

As he told his story, he watched for any hint of revulsion or recoiling. She didn't do any of that, even when he looked down, he didn't feel like she looked poorly at him, he was just embarrassed none the less.

He nodded in response to her question. "I do. Each year, Dad became more and more angry as I would visit and mum would ask about Hogwarts, and lessons and magic in general. He even forbad me speak of it last holiday. He said he would have no such rubbish in his house. He spoke of being fearful of the neighbors and their reaction. We live in a really traditional village, very religious, very superstitious. He was afraid he would be in danger."

She felt him move that little bit closer. Not much, but enough to notice. Enough to make a few butterflies flutter in her stomach like they'd done last year. That nervous energy that she didn't understand, but had sometimes when she thought of Elan. She couldn't have placed why it happened now, but it did, and she knew immediately she'd been doing something right with her comforting.

It was now too, that Nia sensed the embarrassment. Only a few small hints, but as a close friend it was enough to notice. She wondered why Elan felt that way - he had nothing to worry about with her afterall. She squeezed his hand once more.

It was as he nodded Nia had to try and hide a frown. Something had struck her as slightly strange about the whole thing, but for some reason she'd expected, well...a less definite response, she supposed. As he spoke, Nia felt a guilt inside - how had she not managed to understand quite so fully Elan's background? She knew his father was muggle, and about his life in Italy, but she had no idea it could get...so extreme.

She moistened her dry lips slowly with her tongue. She wasn't sure if she was supposed to comment on what her friend had said. Would it help or hinder the healing process? Their friendship? At the same time, she wanted to know more, to understnad herself. She felt some of Elan's pain, and Nia was the type of person that always wanted to find the root of a problem beofre solving it. Mainly in her classwork, but it could be applied to other areas too.

"It seems, well, so drastic," she said slowly after a moment's thought. "I mean, I guess I can see it from both perspectives...but still..." And she leaving that hanging there, hoping she'd not over stepped the mark.

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.

Nia raised an eyebrow. "Me striking off on my own? In what way?" She looked at him confused. "You plan sound like I had just announced I was going off trekking round the world or something!" She laughed.

"He's getting older now...slowly," she said, "At least in the physical looks department. Whether his mentally will catch up is anyone's guess." At his last words, Nia made a mental note. Do not call Elan cute. Well, not aloud near him, anyway. "I think that depends on how you define cute," she said quietly. "Though I can think of better words to describe some guys." And with that Nia gave a secretive smirk.

"I believe that's what I just said," Nia replied with a smile, hoping it didn't sound too...weird. "I enjoy spending time with you...so why wouldn't I?" she questioned further at the look on his face.

He nodded. "Yeah, sorry. I just see with your independence, the chance you might strike off on some exotic adventure somewhere." He grinned sheepishly. "It's not a bad thing, just something I could see you doing."

He listened and giggled when she commented about Theo's brain catching up to his body. Her next remark though caused him to ask a question. "And how would you define cute?"

He sat a little straighter and looked a little more proper when she said she liked spending time with him. He responded, "Well, I like spending time with you too." He said this in a bit of a whisper, but he thought it was a discernible statement.

"Exotic?" Nia laughed. "I like the sound of that!" She grinned, "Though, I'm guessing not in the short term. Money and school and time and all that." She eyes lit up though, as she thought of something. "I fancy the Quidditch World Cup next year though...wanna come along?"

She chuckled as Elan giggled. "Cute? Well's there's babyish like Theo cute...and then, well, boy next door with a nice smile and friendly cute," she said by way of explanation. "Some guys fall into the latter," Nia added with a shrug and a almost teasingly nonchalant look.

She smiled at his words, a nervous energy flowing through her. It was almost a daring energy, and it caused her next words to tumble out part unexpectedly. "We should do it more often," she whispered.

He was happy that he had seemed to catch on to something she found to her liking. "Well, of course I didn't think you'd be off today. But I kind of imagine when you've surpassed us all in school, you'll be doing some sort of interesting job, while I track down trees for a wandmaker." As her eyes twinkled, he focused on them and got lost for a minute. "Wha?!? oh...quidditch...?" He nodded. "I think I'd like that very much, though I don't know what my new family will say."

He listened with rapt attention as she described cute. He saw the look she finished with and asked, "Do I fit in one of those?" He hoped it wasn't the baby-ish one.

Her words came out quickly, like children released for holiday rush out of the building. He looked up at her, through eyes which alternately looked at her hand and then her face. "I think so too."

"You do?" Nia asked with a slight frown. "I'm not sure what I what to do. Pro Quidditch has always seemed a good option, but I guess I should think of something more academic. I'm not sure what though - there's too many options." She looked thoughtfully, before punching Elan lightly in the arm and laughing. "You make that sound almost boring!" she said with raised eyebrows. "I'd say that'd involve a bit of exciting travelling...and creativity."

She grinned. "Yeah, we'll definitely be going. But it'd be nice to be with friends rather than just Mum and Dad." It was obvious how excited she was. "You'll have to check, but we'd be camping and then I'm sure Dad would get good tickets...being an ex-player and all that." She was practically bouncing up and down, and really wasnted Elan to be able to enjoy watching the cup will here.

She bit her lip, before giggling. Her eyes twinkled. "Perhaps..." she answered softly.

And then Nia became momentarily lost for words. Partly because she just realised what she'd said, and secondly because she'd heard Elan's reply. She was also caught by his eyes, which seem to flicker between her face and hand. She followed his gaze down, wondering what was there. Apparently nothing. "More than just to go to the library and work..." she added, wide eyed.

"well, I'm sure whatever you choose, it will be something grand." He smiled as she spoke of the adventure in tree hunting. "Oh, yes. I can see it now, off in some dark forest,searching for just the perfect tree, just as I've found it...." he pauses a moment for effect and then simultaneously, reaching out and tickling her and shrieking a bit..." out comes an errant branch and taps me atop the head. Exciting indeed." He says with a smile.

he got excited at the thought. When she spoke of camping he wondered. "Would I need to bring my own tent and sleeping roll? I'd wouldn't think your father would want me to be too close to you."

He felt the blood rush into his face as she bit her lip and said perhaps. "Really? You think so? Which one?" now he was curious.

He nodded as he thought about it. "Yes. I agree. More than just that."

Nia shrieked and giggled as Elan tickled her. "Sounds a proper adventure to me..." she said, before tickling him back. Oh yes, she knew he was ticklish...

She shook her head. "I doubt it - well, perhaps a sleeping bag and mat. The tent itself should be quite big. And if others might be coming then my parents won't mind." She smiled, glad her parents were pretty easy going in their way. "I think it might have bunk beds in, I haven't used it in quite a while."

She saw his curiousity. It made her smile mysteriously. "Hmm, I wonder..." she said, holding it back a bit longer. "Which do you think..."

She nodded. "Maybe we could go for walks round the lake..." She bit her lip, as she decided not she mention that she had a picture of them holding hands as they did so in her head. "You know, to see the giant squid..."

He laughed as she did and because he was busy laughing, he was unprepared for her counter-attack. He laughed and jumped back as she began tickling him and felt himself go before he could catch himself. Before he knew it, he was on his back, looking up and laughing.

He nodded. "Ok. Well, it sounds like it will be rather fun then. I think I should be ok to go."

He looked up at her. "Umm...I don't think I'm babyish...so I'd go for the next door kinda thing, though I'd like to think I've got some bad boy good looks." He said this last part in jest with a twinkle in his eye and a wink for her.

He thought that was an excellent idea. "Why don't we go now? If you're done eating of course." He thought it would be fun. There's a bit of bite in the air, and it would help him spend more time with her and also keep his mind off of the trouble back home.

Nia wasn't quite sure how it happened, but suddenly she couldn't reach Elan to tickle him anymore. Somehow he was now on his back. With an expression that was both smiling with laughter and bemused, she offered him a hand. "You okay?" she asked, glad it seemed business as usual with their friendship now, and Elan had momentarily put his worries aside.

She stuck out her tongue at the 'bad boy looks' and laughed as he winked. "Oh yes...definitely," she added. "Its that extra...little, edge," she finished with her own wink,.

Finishing her muffin, Nia nodded. "Sure, sounds good." She took a glug of drink, and pulled her book towards her so she wouldn't forget to take it. "You ready?"

He was still laughing when he was able to look at her and she was offering him a hand. He nodded, grasped her arm at the wrist, ensuring that he had a good grip...and as he pulled, he pulled too hard and down she came on top of him. Rolling to his side, to allow her to be next to him, he continued laughing. "I guess the best question now is , are you ok?"

He giggled as she stuck out her tongue. "Be careful there, Ms. Nia, or I might be forced to hold that to teach you a lesson." He grinned with her wink and her comment about the edge. "Yeah, perhaps if I ate more, I could round some edges off.

He nodded as she finished her food. Standing, he waited for her.

As she started to pull Elan up, Nia realised that the weight balance was all wrong. A split second later she found herself also on the floor. "Well, that wasn't meant to happen!" she said with a giggle as she slid off sideways onto the floor. "But the good news is I'm fine," she added to answer his question.

"Really?" She stuck her tongue out again, just to test him. And then she half giggled and half snorted. "You don't need to round any kind of edges off! Though if ya feel like you want to, who am I to say anything?"

Getting up, Nia wrapped her scarf round her neck. She took a moment to check her bookmark was safely marking the page she'd reached, and tucked it into a robe pocket. With that, she stepped up next to her friend and smiled. And she might have just tried to slip her hand into his...(subconciously, of course).

Elan grinned at her in a form of weak apology. "Well, I'm glad you're fine." He scooted up so that he was sitting and gave her a hand to help her as well.

He only nodded grinning. "Yes, really." With that, he saw her tongue peeking out so he reached out to grab it. He giggled. "Well, I'm glad you think I'm round enough. I like you the way you are too."

As he walked beside her, he felt her hand brush into his and he smiled to himself as he covered hers with his. With that, they exited the hall on the way to the lake for a lovely stroll.

Counting scilently to herself, Arienna tapped her way to the Ravenclaw table. She held out her left hand, letting her fingertips barely brush people. Finally, when her hands felt nothing, eighty-four steps into the room, she sat at the table, collapsing her cane and sliding it into her vest pocket. Pushing her dark sunglasses closer to her eyes, she felt her place. The plate, the cup, the fork, knife, and spoon, and then she reached out in front of her until her hands found a large, warm bowl. She brought it very slightly toward her and was able to tell it was mashed potatoes and gravy. Dishing some out onto her plate, she set the bowl back down.

Emily walked into the great hall and saw someone she hadn't seen before, and they appeared to be blind, she was touching around trying to find the food. Emily slid in next to her "hello, I'm emily, I haven't seen you around before" she said to her.

Jason asked the RavenClaw students at the table. " Has anyone seen Victoria Jamieson?" Jason asked the RavenClaws eating at their table.

Emily looked up at the boy, " no i haven't seen her, sorry" emily said, she knew the name and the face, though she never met the girl.

"Well thank you miss" Jason told her. My name is Jason Potter Weasley and we are going out together" he said to the girl. "What is yoru name and how do you like HogWarts?' Jason asked the girl who told him about Victoria.

"I'm Emily, hogwarts is pretty cool, i can't wait to show my mum what i've learned." Emily told jason.

" Well, I like the name Emily" Jason told her. " I wish I woud have met you earlier in Hogwarts" Jason told Emily. " Unfortunately, I am graduating this term " he explained to her.