Evan's mind had already started playing love songs. He wanted to change it to a Black Eyed Peas song, but it wouldn't work, and he ended up playing Love Me Tonight by Tom Jones in his mind in the end. 'I know that it's late and I really must leave you aloneee... but you're good to hold, and I feel such a long way from hooome...--'

"I've written that I now have a girlfriend." He didn't go through the whole Lyra confusion, just Fallon, and that was it. And his father had a stern answer that dating at the age of twelve was too early, while his mother wrote she looked forward to meeting her, like he and Fallon was at the edge of marrying. Rolling his eyes at the answers again, he didn't went in detail for their reaction, just said "My dad said 12 was early, while mom got really excited." 'Excited' was an underestimate, but he wouldn't embarrass himself by telling everything. Nope.

'Yes I know that our love is still neew, but I promise it's gonna be truee...'

Fallon nodded her head. She figured her parents answers would probably be the same as his parents, except reversed. "See, my mom is gonna be the one that says 12 is too early and my dad will be excited."

She realized they should probably think of something else to say, but she started to notice that it was getting colder. She pulled her hands into her jacket and leaned in closer to Evan, trying to get warm and just to be closer to him.

Evan smiled. Usually the fathers would be the harsh ones, but mothers were more worried. But his parents were vice versa, his father was more worried. Bleh.

Brrr, cold cold cold. Though it was a good thing now, for Fallon was getting even closer. He wrapped her more with his hands, and thought of something to talk again, when he realised it was time to bring that issue up. He hated to tell this to Fallon like he was a baby, but his nose really hurt, and his face could be paralyzed. Yes, Aaron was dangerous, and Evan was really worried for his dear life, and for Slytherin points.

"Fallon..." he started, unsure how to continue. 'Your friend attacked me out of the blue, and he should be kept in a cage.' He pulled his head up and looked her in the eye, to show that he was not lying and that it was serious. "Anderson attacked me yesterday out of the blue." he blurted out, what was the reason of talking nonsense and making it boring? "See, they were playing the lovebirds again," He rolled his eyes effectively. "... and I took their photo for Muggle Studies. He yelled at me to stay away and blah blah, wand in hand. I didn't care and turned my back to return the castle, when he casted Pertificus Totallus behind my back. I fell on my face, and couldn't breath until he released me. We're so close to Ravenclaw, and he hexes people." He looked worried for Aaron's mental condition. Seriously though, was he crazy or something? Evan didn't care his physical condition, he could be easily fixed by magic. What really concerned him was points. "Oh and, he said he was putting up with me just because of you." he added as an after thought. Idiot Anderson. He'd cost expensive to the house, and to Evan Cartwright. Was he that blind?

Alexandra strolled into the maze with Lorcan still on her arm. She was having such fun with her new friend! "Oh my! Look at this place Lorcan! It looks like such fun!" she exclaimed

"It certainly does," Lorcan replied, giving her a nudge with the arm that was linked with hers. He led her further into the maze, stoping short when the path forked infront of them. "So, which way?"

Lexi thought for a second then said, "If all else fails go right. That's what me dad always says when we get lost" SHe let out a little giggle and dragged Lorcan off on the righthand path.

Lorcan let out a laugh. "So basically, your dad's advice is; if lost, go around in circles?"

He couldn't help noticing that the further they got into the maze, the darker and colder it seemed. He pulled Lexi (as he'd already come to think of her) a little bit closer to him.

Lexi giggled ans snorted before saying, "Yeah, I suppose he did get lost a lot. What horrible advice." She couldn't help but beam when Lorcan pulled her closed. She leaned into him and let him do the leading.

Fallon grinned as Evan wrapped his arms around her more. She looked up at the sound of her name.

Fallon looked up at Evan's face. "He hexed you?!"

She was completely shocked actually she was only a little shocked when Evan told her that Aaron had hexed him. She knew Aaron had thought about doing things like that to Evan, but she never imagined that he would follow through with them. Then Evan said something about Aaron only putting up with Evan for Fallon's sake. She knew that already and also knew that Aaron and Iris would probably never fully get along with Evan.

She looked back up at Evan and then down at her feet. "I figured Aaron was only being nice to you for my sake." She couldn't look him in the face as she said that.

"Remind me never to ask him for directions then" Lorcan said with a surpressed grin. The path infront of them forked again. The path on the right was wide and well trodden, the snow was impacted and it was quiet light. The path on the left was narrower, the maize had been planted closer together and the snow was untouched. He looked at Lexi, raising his eyebrows into his curly mop of auburn hair and said "How about it? The, umm, path less travelled?"

Lexi smiled at him and nodded her head, "THe road less taken it is, then." she said. Heading down the narrower path she decided they would leave the other path for another day. Her mind was wandering through the thickets of her imagination.

She said to Lorcan, "You know, me aunt Dora taught me a bit about flying if you'd like to try it with me sometime. You know, we could take lessons together when they are offered."

"Fly-fly-flying?" He blurted, loosing he cool altogether. Pull yourself together O'Farrell, no one likes a wuss. She doesn't know why that would scare the living daylights out of you. "Umm, errr I umm, I haven't thought, well what I mean is... I haven't got a broom" he offered pathetically. The maize and Lexi seemed very close now, uncomfortably so and he started to sweat profusely.

Lexi eyed Lorcan and shook her head. A lot of people don't like to fly but boys just won't admit it! Sheesh!

"Oh, Okay. We'll figure out something else then. It will soon be too cold to wander through the grounds like this." she said with a sigh. There was nothing more that Lexi despised than being cooped up indoors during the cold season. Funny enough she shivered a bit and leaned closer still into Lorcan's side.

Too cold? How can she feel cold? I'm bloody boiling!
He thought as she leaned in closer to him. He gulped, trying to ge some cold air into his lungs and then realised he could hardly get any air into them at all. He walked along with Lexi, trying to let the cold air calm him but it wasn't working. He felt faint and grabbed some of the maize stalks in an effort not to fall over. He gulped and closed his eyes. He saw his dad's pained and bloodied face and his hazel eyes snapped open, staring at Lexi, full of fear.

Seeing Lorcan grasping at the stalks and practically panting she began to worry. "Lorcan are you okay? Do you need to sit down for a mo'?" she asked him in a soothing voice. Oh boy! What a day. One cries all the time and now this one looks like he may fall out.

"ummm, I'm Ummmm, I'mmm" he muttered incoherantly. Lights stared to pop infront of his eyes and he fell to his knees, dragging Lexi with him. Snow soaked through his robes making his legs icey cold. Lexi's face swam infront of him and he could see his father on a broom stick, kicking off from the ground and smiling at him. "Dad...don't..." he choked, Please... come back..."

Oh no!! Merlin, please don't let him freak out!

Uh-oh down he goes. "Oof" Lexi let out a slight groan as her knees hit the ground hard. "Lorcan, Lorcan. Can you hear me? It's me, Lexi. Lorcan cvan you hear me?" she called frantically. He was distraught and babbling something about his father. oh no! Poor guy, something must have happened.

"Daddy please... please... Daddy." Lorcan shuddered and fell back against the maize, his eyes fluttering shut. He could see his father in the air now, the broomstick bucking him off, him falling, falling, and a nasty crunch as his father hit the floor.
"No, Daddy... NO!" His eyes snapped open and he saw Lexi's worried face hovvering over him. He tried to push himself up but lost his grip an fell sideways into the snow.

Lexi couldn't think of what to say or do... He was obviously rehashing a horrible occurence involving his dad.

She knelt down beside him and rested her hand on his face and said, "IT's okay Lorcan. It's okay. I am here, you're okay." She tried to sound as soothing as possible but truth be told she was freaking out a bit. Then she bent lower and embraced him. Rocking slightly she said, "It will be okay, Lorcan."

"Lexi?" he gulped deep breaths in. "Lexi? don't go, don't leave me, please." Hot tears splashed down his cheeks. "Don't go, don't do it, don't go." He allowed her to rock him. He felt completely devoid of energy, he couldn't move independantly. He looked into her eyes."Stay."

Oh dear! "I won't leave you, Lorcan. I promise. I am here for as long as you need me." she said soothingly as she continued to rock him. A stubborn tear or two escaped her eye as she listened to the boy plead with her not to go. "I am right here Lorcan." she said again. She pushed some of his hair out of his face and pressed her hand to his cheek and wiped away some of the tears.

Her wiping some of his tears away acted like a stimulant on Lorcan, bringing him to his senses. He pushed himself up into more of a sitting position and coughed. "Thanks" he whispered. He felt ashamed, he'd shown her his weakest side. Gentlemen are brave, Lorcan his mother's voice rang in his ears. He couldn't look at Lexi, he knew that he should explain himself. She looked so scared and he suspected that she had shed a tear or two on his behalf. He tried to stand, but wobbled and was forced to grab her again.

Lexi watched as Lorcan tried to right himself and nearly fell again. "It's okay Lorcan, I've got you." she said as she grabbed him and pulled him into a tight hug. "You don't have to worry, I'm here. I've got you."
She didn't need to know what was wrong, unless Lorcan wanted to share with her. SHe was there as a support, not a naggy little girl. She understood that people had problems. Some worse than others. She held onto Lorcan and asked him "Do you want to walk some more or do you want to go back to the castle? Whatever you need I'm here."

Her tight hug was both beautifully comforting and deeply shaming to Lorcan. All he could be sure of was that he didn't want to let her go. He took another deep breath. "I can't go back in there, not right now. Let's walk." He got to his feet, his legs feeling very wobbly. He slipped his arm back around Lexi's waist, hoping that she wouldn't mind. His breathing was still unsteady and his face was stinging where the icy air bit into the tracks of his tears. He wiped at them with his scarf. "Well, now you know," he said in a colourless voice "I'm terrified if flying." He let the statement hang in the air as an invitation for her to ask. He wasn't about to unburned himself of his secrets to someone who did not want to hear them.

"Then we'll walk" she said as he slipped his arm around her waist. She smiled to herself and started to lead the way. SHe was really worried about him, he seemed to be a bit wobbly still. Lexi's brow furrowed when Lorcan's tone changed so. "Lorcan, do you want to talk about it? You know, why you're afraid to fly, that is." she asked softly keeping her eyes in front of her. She really cared for Lorcan but ashe wouldn't push him to reveal anything he wasn't comfortable with.