Nimue approaches the lake - she sees Kat sitting by the water looking through a picture book:

She clears her throat and Kat looks around. Nimue notes a slight look of disappointment on her face when she realises it's not Marvo.

Nimue says: "He'll be coming along in a few minutes but it seemed best if I came and saw you first.

Truthfully I don't think he's that comfortable with being close to other people. He's changed so much since we parted seven years ago. The truth is I am curious about him as well but I think he won't open up to either of us on our own, no matter how much you might want that. He is far too good at evading."

Nimue waited for Kat's response ready to leave if she asked her to.

Kat snapped the book shut when she realised someone was behind her. In a way she wasn't that surprise to find Nimue behind her. "I didn't expect him to come at all to be honest. I know he's not comfortable with people." Kat checked to make sure Marvo wasn't around. "I wasn't entirely truthful with him anyway. Did he tell you what he was avoiding?" Nimue shook her head.

"He was dreaming. I don't entirely understand why, but I felt the entire dream. It may have been the fact that I was holding his hand, it may have been the mind share I did with Mulder, or it may have been just something to do with Marvo." Kat outlined the dream that Marvo had. "He is so insecure. I'm not angry with him or anything. I knew that I had to get him away from everyone else to stop the distractions. If you think you can help you are welcome to stay. I think he needs people to know so that he can understand that it makes no difference and that people are not just going to desert him."

Kat thinks for a minute. "Do you know anymore that will help us?"

Nimue thought about what Kat had said, "If that was his dream it suggests quite a lot but I am sure there is more to it than insecurity. He feels responsible somehow and I don't know how that can be. Have you noticed how often he tries to take charge in situations? It's odd and then often you can tell he's actually holding back. I wonder if that is for all our benefit.

He's so different now than he was when we were little. I feel he may really trust no one and so it may be really hard to get inside."

She stopped and thought for a moment: "I really like Marvo - I mean like a brother - and I am really glad he has you a friend but.... I had hoped after our talk yesterday in the bookshop that we might become friends. I guess today I began to feel that maybe with you and Marvo becoming friends that neither of you would notice me anymore."

Nimue gaze moved from Kat to the Lake and she seemed to be somewhat stuck for words.

Kat looked at Nimue and grinned. "Just because I asked Marvo to the Ball doesn't mean that I will forget my other friends, even those not still with us. I would like to get to know you better too. I must admit though that the way things were going between you and Marvo, I thought that it might have got in the way. You seem to have calmed down, for want of a better expression, since that chat."

Yesterday seemed a long time ago to Nimue. She didn't feel as though she had 'clamed down' - rather she felt she was more emotional today - but then it had been an extraordinary day and Kat hadn't seen her scene wit Morticia! So she replied: "I guess you are right. It's silly of me really. Well maybe together we can encourage him to open up."

In the distance the girls see Marvo making his way towards the Lake

Kat turns to Nimue. "Looks like he's coming.... I would appreciate some time alone with him, but we'll try and see if he'll be talkative first." Kat grins.

"Agreed" said Nimue. Kat and Nimue await Marvo's arrival.

Marvo takes his own sweet time getting to the girls. Finally he reaches them and smiles.

'Hello' He is obviously just a little bit scared.

Kat has a big grin on her face as Marvo turns up. She is obviously happy that he turned up.

"Hi. Nimue said you were coming." Kat decided to take a slightly unexpected angle to the conversation.

"I didn't want to tell everyone, but I did find one thing in Joss' room." She looked at Nimue; "I gave you a part of it." She shows them Joss' drawing book that she had been looking at when Nimue arrived.

"There are some really good drawings in here. There are some really strange ones too. Come, sit here and have a look." Kat pats the grass beside her and Nimue.

Nimue glances at Kat and smiles - very good tactic she thinks, knowing well that had Kat returned to the subject of Marvo opening up his guard would have been immediately raised.

Nimue is fascinated by Joss' work. Her own skill in drawing was minimal to non-existent and she deeply admired this ability in others.

"I never knew she was so good... I guess these were quite private though and I wonder if they will be missed. Her parents might want these to remember her by. Should we return them or hand them into Professor Dumbledore? - Maybe if we tell him about my dream. I think Madison said something about Joss taking her art bag with her when she left after breakfast, so she probably was going to find a place to sketch."

Nimue pauses. "I wish we could have a more general open discussion about who saw what and maybe put things together. You were both at the scene quite early - I mean before that Blackfire girl did whatever she did - was there any sign of her art bag? ... I wonder Morticia might have seen something in her vision. I'm also surprised you both haven't yet been questioned about what you saw."

She then fills them in about the events with Madison being taken over by something and her own little spat with Morticia.

"Ceridwyn seems to think we got our wires crossed that Tish thought I was doubting her visions. She'll probably try to sort it out - she's very diplomatic - wants the houses to put aside problems and work together."

Kat Black tackles Marvo on sensitive subject: "Marvo why do you fear being thought of as a Slytherin? You're not one… mean Well"

Nimue looked at Marvo, "Are you going to tell her Marvo?"

Marvo nodded at Nimue and addressed Kat, "I know Kat. but... My WHOLE family are, and have been for years!"

Kat didn't seem concerned, "So? Why shouldn't you be different?"

Marvo looked at her, "Welll... It's in the blood."

"No it's not - It's up here", Kat taps her head. " What I mean is that it is what you do with yourself that

matters." Marvo seemed not to be paying attention, "Are you listening to me?"

"I told Nimue about your dream." Kat looked at Nimue who nodded in confirmation.

Marvo looked shocked, "About my Dream? wh. What do you mean?"

Kat nodded, "I wouldn't tell you back there, but I did see it all. I don't know why."

Marvo then says to Kat that it was 'just a dream' but she won't have any of this. She explains to him that there is meaning in the dream and that both she and Nimue are there for him.

Marvo is remains reluctant to open up, "Why? How could you? It's just my feelings... the way I am... no one can help that but me." Both girls insist that isn't so and continue to try to draw him out with little success. He tells them; "there are... things... about me... I just.....I just..... am not allowed to telll.....

Finally Kat shows Marvo the picture she had been looking at, "We know," she said as Marvo looks at the picture, "See, there is something about the picture of you. Your eyes - I know there is something different about you. It doesn't mean you have to be alone."

Marvo looks away but Kat continues to look at him, "and what if.... what if you don't like me... my... difference... I am not suppose to tell... anyone. You could be in danger!"

Kat Black said levelly, "I am already in danger. I thought you understood that. When I went into the forest I was recognised.

Nimue looked at Kat she hadn't known of this, "Why are you in danger Kat? When you went within the cat with Joss?"

Marvo turns around to look at Kat, "Recognised?"

Kat nodded, "Yes. Part of us was recognised. It may just have been Joss. It may have been me too. That is why I was so afraid."

Nimue interjected, "Do you think that is why Joss was killed?"

"I don't know if it was connected with Joss' death." Replied Kat.

"OK." Said Nimue, "then you are probably right and Madison is also being effected."

Marvo mumbles, " Madison has some connection here. And I think Morticia does too."

Kat Black looks at Marvo, " But what about you?"

" Marvo if you and Kat are going to be friends - well that can never happen if there is this big thing between you. I mean you will always be worried she'd find out."

Marvo turns away. Looking at lake again. "Does Nimue know?" asked Kat and was answered with a "No."

Kat asked if he wanted Nimue to leave and she also offered to do so. Marvo remained quiet as the girls again assured him that whatever it was wouldn't effect their friendship with him.

Marvo continued to look at the lake - he spoke and the girls remained quiet listening to him,

"Remember I said that I was being taught at home... for the last two years? Well.... I wasn't.. I... I was..... training.."

They both asked him 'for what?'

He turned to them both looking very serious, "You must promise not to say anything to anyone?" They did so.

Marvo turns away and looks out to the lake again, "I... I was being trained... by the MOM."

Kat Black takes his hand and squeezes it, "What for? Do you have a special skill?"

Marvo turned to face them, his left eye looking slightly moist. but his right eye glowing RED with a point of black in it. "I and an AUROR!"

The girls that in this information. Kat seems unfazed but Nimue, whose Father holds a sensitive position at the Ministry himself say, "I think Kat that it is a lonely life."

Marvo acknowledges this, "Yes. very. I'm part of a 'secret' part of the MOM. 'Bureau 13' I have been for about 4 years now."

Nimue is definitely interested, " Can you tell us about it?" while Kat takes his hands and says quite genuinely, "But that is wonderful!"

Marvo continues, "I was sent here... to Hogwarts. To see what was going on. I can't say much. I really can't.... but... but they think something bad maybe going on... on the inside."

"Dumbledore knows?" asked Nimue.

"Yes. He knows. As dose Snape and a few other teachers. But I... I could put you in Danger. I... I have... . He falls silent.

Nimue remains enthusiastic, "hat is a great asset surely for us to have an Auror here and in our class and you couldn't put me in any more danger than I already am."

"You already have a purpose, you are doing good, and you have resources that I can't imagine." Said Kat. "Look Marvo, we could all be in danger. If the MoM have sent you here, there is a great risk anyway.

" Exactly! Kat is right - most people here haven't got that sense of vocation of what they should be doing.

Marvo looks to the Lake again and speaks, "About two years ago. One of the Auror teachers went.. well.. crazy. He took ten hostages and disabled the other teachers..... I thought, I said that we could sort him out... myself and five of my friends... fellow student, a year younger.… I.. we... we stormed in.....and.. we got the hostages out... but my friends... they......" he fell silent.

Kat prompted him, "What about your friends?"

Marvo turned face them both "I KILLED them! All of them! Oh.. I was exonerated of all fault. But....But I was the leader - I took them in... I said it would be okay! I THOUGHT we could handle it!"

"You killed who? You killed your friends?" asked Kat. Nimue jumped in, "You meant they were killed by the teacher and you felt responsible because you led them?"

Marvo looked dreadful, "Yes.. no... it was... it was spells, so many spells, and an explosion and I lost my eye then. and got this one in place. It helps."

Nimue, "They got caught in the crossfire?" Marvo nodded, "Yes. cross fire... yes... all of them.. I... I watched them die! I couldn't stop it. I could do nothing. I was helpless!"

Kat asked about the eye, "It helps what?"

Marvo explains, " followed you into the Forbidden Forest Kat. I saw it all."

Kat looked surprised but then remembered, "Will that be why Scully was unusually edgy."

"Oh my g,.... your eye it's a magic eye!" said Nimue. Marvo nodded.

Kat returned to the subject of the incident, "How could it be your fault?" Nimue agreed, "Yes, that doesn't make it your fault and you wouldn't be here now if they MOM thought that -"

Marvo didn’t look convinced, "But I lead them! I pushed them too far. They were too young.. to inexperienced.. my friends."

"Yes, but you didn't know that did you?" said Kat.

Nimue looked at him, "And that was 2 years ago - you're older now."

"The MOM said I did the right thing. We all would have died and more if I hadn't... but that doesn't help." It seemed obvious the memory was still strong for the boy.

"Are you afraid you'll lead us into danger?" asked Nimue.

Marvo was silent.

"That we are too inexperienced?" she continued.

"Can we not take our own risks?" asked Kat, "Knowing what we know?"

"I.. You my... friends now.. I can't go through that again!" Marvo replied.

"You won't have to." Said Nimue.

"But if it came to it, I know in advance and I still chose to follow your lead?" enquired Kat.

"How could that make it your fault if I died. I won't of course."

Nimue nodded in agreement, "Keeping yourself apart from others won't make us any more safe."

"But that's just it.. I MAY have to. That’s why Aurors have no friends. they may have to... use...them."

"For the greater good?" asked Nimue.

Marvo nodded, "for the greater good."

"I understand." She said a solemn look on her face.

"Well then….." Kat looked at Marvo.

"I hate this.. I just wish I were normal."

"I know." Said Nimue.

"Marvo, you cannot change what you are." Kat could see that Marvo was crying. "You are special."

" Marvo..." said Nimue her voice full of tears.

Kat puts her arms around him and cuddles Marvo. She looks at Nimue.

Nimue suddenly felt very awkward; "I should go."

"I don't want to lose you. any or you.. even Morticia." Said Marvo obviously deeply upset.

Kat nodded, she wanted time alone with him, "Yes. We will see you later."

"Marvo, I'll see you in the common room later for chocolate?" asked Nimue quietly.

"O..okay Nim... and..." said Marvo as Kat gently strokes his hair.

"….and??" she looked at him.

Marvo broke away from Kat for a minute and hugged Nimue, "Thank you. And I'm sorry I turned you blue."

"OK... " Said Nimue a little awkwardly, "Oh I'm sorry for turning you into a tree."

Marvo smiled at the memory.

"….. and all those other things." Transfiguration was a family skill.

Kat watches the exchange between the two childhood friends.

Nimue leaves and makes her way back to the castle, waving at them as she goes. A few seconds later she turned around and came back. "Sorry forgot my cloak. Bye."

They said goodbye a second time.

"Well?" said Kat.

"Well?" asked Marvo.

"You know sometimes it doesn't matter what happens. What matters is that the good side prevail. You know I rather like that picture of you."

"Aurors don't have good sides. they are not black and white.. only Grey." He said with a smile.

"And? … How does that make a difference?"

"and.. sometimes.. I have to.. touch the dark side."

Kat nodded, "Yes. I know."

"Doesn't it make a difference? Don't you fear me? what I may do? Become?"

"You already know more than most about spells." Said Kat; "No I don't fear it."

Marvo shrugged, "The eye helps with that."

"You are what you are."

Marvo smiles, "yes..."

"Well, you won't always lose your friends."

Marvo shrugged, "I just.. I just don't know what to do for the best."

"You have already done that. You have told me, and given me that choice to walk away if I was afraid."

Marvo looks very sad, ".. But I couldn't save Joss."

"No." said Kat with finality. Then, "I miss her too."

Marvo looked angry, "I should have been there. Seen the signs. I should have been able to do.. SOMETHING!"

"And you can't save everyone."

"It's hard."

"You are still young."

Marvo sighed, "Yes. With a heavy burden."

"You still learn more by failing than by success."

Marvo looked at Kat, "So. now you know.. I will understand if you.. if you want to go to the ball with someone else."

Kat looked at him, "Don't be daft!"

Marvo smiles.

"If I wasn't sure I wouldn't have asked at the first possible opportunity!"

By this time Marvo is blushing.

"As long as you still want to go with me?" she asks.

Marvo smiles again in response.

"Well?"..

"If I can go as a pirate." He says with a huge grin.

She grins back, "OK."

Marvo smiles and hugs her.

"I'll fish out those earrings."

"and an eye patch .." says Marvo.

"And an eye patch. Anything else?"

"Nothing that matters." Says Marvo.

Kat grins, "So, tell me what else does that eye of yours do?"

Marvo avoids the question. "Well maybe just one thing."

"Oh?"

"I'm.. I'm...." he stuttered slightly.

"Yes?"

"TERRIFIED of Spiders!" it came out in a rush.

"Ah…."

Marvo grinned weakly.

"You mean you don't even like this little insy one?" she pretended to pick up a spider.

Marvo shivered, "not even little ones. Ugh!"

Kat grins as Marvo steps back.

"Ok, I'll do you a deal. I get rid of spiders, you get rid of baddies... how's that?"

Marvo smiles, "Okay. Deal."

Kat opens her hand to show nothing in it and Marvo smiles.

She takes Marvo’s hand and squeezes it.

"Well..." said Marvo.

"Well what?" she asked.

"Wel... what now?"

Kat looked at him, "Oh I don't know. Why does it matter?"

Marvo looks up at sky.

Kat Black also looks up, "What?"

"The stars are out." Darkness had fallen while they had talked.

"Sure are." Said Kat; "They look pretty don't they? Almost as if nothing matters."

"I can see the constellations overhead. looks.. that's Sirius over there." He points to the brightest star in the sky.

Kat looks to where he points, "Is it?"

Marvo. "Yes. And that's the great bear.

She looks, "I've seen that one before."

"Perhaps we should go back to Hogwarts?" suggests Marvo.

Kat looks back at the lake and sighs, "I suppose we could go, I just..."

Marvo looks at her. "Just?" She hesitates, "Well."

He waits and then kisses her on the cheek. "Thank you."

"For what?" she asks.

"For listening. Staying…" he says with a smile.

"I was going to say…. It's this picture." She shows Marvo the picture she had found among Joss’ things.

"Well look… I stared at it in the dorm. I can't tell what it is. But here is something. Something about the picture made me come here.

Marvo looks at picture. "It's sort of, well… There is something different about it. It made me come here somehow."

Marvo examines it, "Mmm. Interesting. May I keep it to examine closer tonight?"

"Can you make a copy?" asks Kat.

Marvo grins, "'XEROXO!'

Kat grins as Marvo takes the copy and hands her back the original.

"Thanks." She says and squeezes Marvo's hand again.

Marvo and Kat return to Hogwarts holding hands.

Kat wanders back into the dorm that she and Joss used to share. She puts the picture book that she took back in the same place in Joss' drawer. She sighed. At least she wouldn't loose all the pictures.

Later that same night in Ravenclaw House

A little later that night Kat wandered back through her common room and into the Third year dormitory she shared with Joss and the others. What met her made her want to go right back out.

On her bed pale and white was a slivery slim ghost. But not just any ghost oh no, It was Josslin. She was staring right at Kat with those empty eyes. Just staring, with a crude smile on her face. She was sitting on her old bed.

"Goooood Eeevvennning Kat!" She slurred and then gave a small cackle.

"Hooowss....LIFE!" Her smile broadened.

"Um.. Joss. Umm." Stammered Kat. How come I can see you? I thought you were dead?" Kat stared at Joss. She was sort of glad to see her, but definitely shocked.

She smiled. "I thought you were gone for good. I'm glad you're still here. Are you staying? I mean, do you get to stay here as a ghost?"

Kat looked a little guilty. "You know I saw you're paintings. They are very good." Then she thought. "So what is it like? Death I mean." She didn't dare ask what happened yet because it might be difficult for Joss to bear.

Before Kat could react Josslin was off the bed and ..floating right in front of Kat's face. "how is it?" she asked. "How is it. Well I can guarantee it ain't pleasant to become a ghost, PAL!" Kat, if she thought ghosts had teeth would get the definite impression that Joss was grinding them.

Kat sunk back a bit at this, suddenly Joss's face changed completely and it was sad and then almost guilty and she floated to the side.

"Sleep." was all she said before she faded back into the wall with what looked like diamond tears coming from her eyes.

And on that dramatic note, the day finally ends. (Editor)