Shinrei did not reply to Luis's statement, did not even look at him as she continued to speedily walk down the hall. To her own amazement, they had already the reached the entrance to the Great Hall before she remembered to catch her breath.

She turned to face him. "I believe Professor McGonagall is inside. You may wait for her here or you may want to get inside and join your table." She swept a quick glance in the hall and saw that it was still filled with people. But she had no choice but to go inside in order to shake Luis off. Besides, she was very hungry.

"Goodnight, gaijin." With these words, she stepped into the light of the Great Hall's many candles and headed for the Gryffindor table. She did not look back at him.

Luis stood at the entrance to the Great Hall and watched Shinrei's retreating back. With a slight smile, he followed her into the light of the large chamber, still shouldering his duffel bag.

A few eyes turned his way, most likely taking in his Muggle clothes, jeans and leather jacket at that. His eyes settled on the Head Table, then moved over to the Slytherin table.

He stood there deciding whether or not to join the table of his old House. He wished someone would come over and make some sense out of his rather unusual fix.

Professor Snape had left the head table and was currently making his way through the Great Hall towards the entrance doors.

From some distance he took in Luis' presence and approaching his position, stopped and regarded him with a steady gaze. "Mr. Verga, to what do we owe this pleasure?"

********

Andy Warden walked slowly into the Great Hall. He could see many of his fellow schoolmates sitting at the long tables eating dinner.

A number he saw were new students here at Hogwarts. The first thing he noticed were the stares he was getting. People began staring at him whispering and pointing. But Andy didn't care. He was finally out of that pendant and Asriel was out of his life. But for how long? So many questions raced through his head. He just wanted to get through dinner.

He walked over to the Gryffindor table trying to be as unnoticeable as he could. He looked around very pleased with what he saw.

"Hi everyone," he said. "I'm back."

After leaving Luis at the threshold of the Great Hall, Shinrei had walked straight to the Gryffindor table and was glad that there were already a few empty seats. She had seated herself quickly and had immediately helped herself to the delicious Hogwarts food. The fare was very much welcome in her not-so-well-fed stomach.

*******

Luis grinned at the sight of Severus Snape, his favourite teacher.

The older man was intelligent, calculating, fearless, ruthless and cynical--everything Luis had always wanted to be.

"Good evening, sir," Luis replied, bowing slightly, "I have decided to make a visit prior to the start of the next term. I intend to make arrangements about returning to school and resuming my magical education."

"Of course," he added with a smile, "it's likewise my intention to rejoin my old house."

"Is it indeed?" replied Snape, "Well, after such a length of absence, it will be at the Headmaster's discretion whether you are admitted again to the school. As to Slytherin - I will await the outcome of that interview before extending any welcome on that score."

At this point Andy Warden had walked in and over to the Gryffindor Table. Snape's eyes followed him with some interest.

He then continued, "I will advise Professor Dumbledore that you are here." His eyes flicked for a second to the Head Table where Professor McGonagall remained engaged with the Rachinov family.

"Meanwhile, Mr. Verga you might as well get something to eat while you wait for either him or the Deputy Headmaster to speak with you."

With that the Potions Master nodded at Luis and departed the Great Hall.

Sarah had entered the Great Hall a few minutes ahead of Luis and Shinrei and managed to tuck into a plate of delicious Hogwarts fare before Shinrei had made her grand entrance and gone off to the Gryffindor table.

She couldn't fathom why the Gryffindor girl was so eager to shake off the rather lovely Luis though knowing the psychology of the male of the species and their tendency to desire the unobtainable figured it wouldn't really be a deterrent.

She witnessed Luis' encounter with Snape and wondered whether the young man would sit or not, decided to be friendly and went over to him.

"I see Snape didn't just fix you with one of his icy stares and walk on which suggests he's overjoyed at your return. You gonna sit and wait for McGonagall to extract herself? Want some company?"

Sarah lacked nothing in the assertivess department!

********

Feeling that there was little she could do further in the way of preparation for her evening exam, Nimue had decided to see if Professor Snape had left the Great Hall. There was still some time before she was expected and her pacing of the Gryffindor Common Room was only causing her to get on the nerves of other students already getting stuck into their preparations for the next day.

However, as she entered the Great Hall just as Professor Snape was leaving.

"Miss Hawkwood, I trust you have not forgotten our appointment?"

"No, sir." she replied "I will be there at 7:30 as arranged."

He nodded at her and continued on his way while she headed for the Gryffindor table, where she could see a number of students sitting. She was pleased to see Shinrei there and took a seat next to her.

"Good evening Shinrei. I am very pleased to see you."

"Good evening, Nimue-san," Shinrei greeted the prefect as the other girl took a seat beside her. "I am glad to see you are well."

*******

"Hello again." Luis gave Sarah a charming smile.

"You will be glad to know that the little chiquita and I had come to a, should we say, truce. No blood spilled in our little dungeon encounter." He inclined his head in the direction of Shinrei, who was now talking to another girl at the Gryffindor table. Not to Sinclair. He felt relieved.

"As for Professor Snape, let's just say he knows a kindred spirit when he meets one." "Of course I would appreciate your company," he added. "Now, where do you suggest I sit?"

"A kindred spirit to Snape? Somehow you don't look like a cold-hearted, ill-tempered killjoy with no social life and in serious need of a new shampoo." She flashed him one of her cheeky smiles.

Sarah wasn't one of the students who had particular 'issues' with the Potions Master like Dylan and Niki though she tried to remain below his radar most of the time.

She looked around her - the Hall was less full than it had been a few minutes ago. "As you're a guest at the moment come sit next to me."

Luis was very flattered at the offer. He smiled more broadly and swept out an arm with a flourish, motioning for Sarah to go ahead of him. "It would be my pleasure. Lead the way then."

At the Gryffindor table Nimue noted the presence of Andy Warden a little further along the table, sitting there chatting with a few other Gryffindors as though he had never been away - never had disappeared without trace two months previously!

"I haven't seen him earlier, as well," Shinrei commented, following Nimue's gaze towards a boy she did not recognise. "Who is he, Nimue-san? Another transferee? I...I think he looks a little strange."

"No he's not. That's Andy Warden who has been here all year though he left at Easter break and didn't return with the other students. There was some concern about his not having arrived at his destination. I guess he must have just turned up. I wonder where he has been?"

She took in Andy's appearance - there was indeed something a little strange about the way in which he looked. Andy had always been a very cute boy but now there was almost something too perfect about the way he looked. As though someone had taken away the tiny imperfections that gave a face character.

"I'll introduce you once I can get his attention."

"Andy!" Nimue said getting up and approaching him. "When did you get back, where have you been all these weeks!"

"Nimue!" he said hugging her. "I'm so glad to see you. I just returned today with the help of Randal and Dumbledore. I was trapped in that God forsaken pendant. Asriel's father trapped me there and I've been lying on the ground of the forest ever since. If it weren't for Branwen who found the pendant I wouldn't be here. She found the pendant and put it on. With my soul still trapped inside, I was able to communicate to people through her. Well, to make the long story short, Madam Pomfrey found the pendant on her, gave it to Dumbledore, and he and Randal set me free! I've never felt better.

Oh, but there is something the matter. You see, we can't really find my body. And Marvo brought up the idea that I might be a construct. So Dumbledore decided to give me a sort of substitution just to be safe. When Marvo is convinced that I'm not a construct, I hope he and Dumbledore will help in the search to find my real body."

Andy paused, "But I'm so glad to be out of the pendant. You have to tell me what's been going on in the past two months. I must have missed a lot! Look at all the new students..."

Andy was positively glowing.

Nimue had stepped slightly away from Shinrei in order to hug Andy.

She was stunned to hear what Andy said. He had told her of his struggle back in January when his body had been taken over by Asriel Gtomik due to the influence of the enchanted pendant but she had assumed that it had been handed over to the Ministry of Magic at some point soon afterwards. She even had a pretty good idea that Marvo had been involved with it but she didn't like to say. His work with the Ministry was pretty 'hush-hush' even if he did have a tendency to let titbits drop here and there.

She also resolved to have a word with Randal Fudge so that he was less jumpy around her. After all her Father was involved in a fair amount of covert activities himself and it was something she just accepted as a matter of course.

Nimue took in this torrent of new information about Andy and the pendant with good grace. There would be time enough later for the longer version.

"Good grief" she said, "I have a million questions about how all this came about! Plus, I am sure that Marvo will come around once he talks to you properly and will help you solve the mystery. Actually I am sure that the 'Scooby gang', even if we are somewhat diminished in numbers, can put our heads together and help sort it out!"

Indeed the original group of Third Years students who had worked together with the metaphysical energies of the Founders to defeat the dark wizard 'Quetzalcoatl' had diminished with Ceridwyn's leaving, followed by Egreen, Achel and of course Joss who had managed to participate from beyond the grave. Even Peesey who had grumbled all the way about co-operating with Gryffindors had pulled away. The year appeared to be ending on a very different note to how it had started!

"Do you think Asriel has got your body or was his spirit returned to his original one? I mean I assume that when his father cursed his spirit to enter the pendant that he must have had a real body somewhere. I never had any encounters with Asriel directly like Madison but everyone thought he was a completely different boy didn't they?"

"No," answered Andy to Nimue's question, "I don't think he has my body. I remember when he left he had his own body. But where did mine go? That's a question that I hope gets answered very shortly."

Nimue was definitely 'on the case'.

She smiled, "As to the new students - yes there has been a bit of an influx since you left at the Easter term but a number are here sort of getting the feel of things before starting properly in the autumn. They are a good bunch of people though we are just getting to know some of them.

Look I wouldn't say *too* much about what has happened to you to the newbies because not everyone knows you the way we do. I mean Marvo knows and cares for you very deeply - you were his closest male friend here but he has some problem with constructs. I don't know the details, probably something back when he was in early training. Just give him time and be your delightful self."

"You have a lot of questions for me? I must have a billion questions for you! We do need to get the whole 'Scooby gang' together again. With the exception of Joss, Egreen, Achel, and Ceridwyn. I hope everyone else is still here."

Nimue had noted what Andy had said though she also remembered him telling her that in January his body had physically changed into that of Asriel's. Madison and Niki had thought he was a new boy for a while.

"Yes the others are still here though the Lagrands will be leaving on Friday to start their summer holidays. Quite a few of the new students are very keen and while there isn't the shared history we have from Yule and beforehand, there is a sense of camaraderie. I think quite a few of us could work as a team - I mean there was a tremendous sense of working together to help clear Professor Grimalkin's name."

Nimue could see it might be a late night in Gryffindor Tower filling in Andy! She hugged him again. "Now who is new that I can introduce you to first?"

She turned towards Shinrei who was probably the most obvious as they'd been talking just before seen Andy.

Andy noticed Nimue's notion towards the girl standing next to her. "Hello," he said kindly to Shinrei. "My name is Andy. I'm a 3rd year Gryffindor here at Hogwarts. And you are...?"

Nimue was glad that Andy introduced himself to Shinrei. He had a sweetness about him even in this simulated body (and one could only admire Dumbledore's magical craftsmanship over it) that shy people could relate to. It would be good to have him back in Gryffindor.

Nimue hoped that Shinrei was settling into Gryffindor. She hadn't seen that much of Shinrei since her return from London but she gave the impression of someone who was feeling very much isolated. She wasn't alone in this - not every student could relate to their peers.

Nimue recalled her own first two months at Hogwarts when she had hardly spoken to a soul until Kat had drawn her out of herself in the Hogsmeade bookshop. Now Nimue hardly recognised herself as the introverted girl who had travelled up from London last September.

Andy also got the impression that Shinrei was an outsider. She looked a bit shy. He waited for her reply, hoping that he wasn't making her feel too uncomfortable. He was bursting inside!

He wanted to find out everything that had happened. Every little detail. He hoped Nimue had time to spare! And yet he couldn't help but feel just a little tired.

Nimue had looked towards her watch and noted the time was growing very close to when she was expected to be in Professor Snape's classroom.

"Shinrei, Andy - please excuse me. I am expected by Professor Snape to take my Alchemy exam and I will leave the two of you to get to know each other. "

She paused, "Andy, we can discuss the situation later on. You look a little tired, maybe you should lie down for a while." She had no idea if a simulated body could get tired but as the form was containing Andy's spirit probably he needed to rest even if his body didn't technically need to.

With that she moved away. Snape expected punctuality even for an out-of-hours examination.

********

Sarah noted the Snape teasing had not gained a response. Like Nathan Lagrand, Luis was older so probably had a different perspective on the Potions Master than those her age. Except for Tish and Nimmy who didn't really count in the same way in Sarah's books.

"My pleasure," she said to Luis and led the way to the Ravenclaw table. Just as they were about to sit down she noted something of a commotion at the Gryffindor table. Nimue, who had been talking with Shinrei last time Sarah had noticed was now hugging rather enthusiastically a sweet looking blond boy. Sarah realised with a start that this was the long lost Andy Warden. Where on earth had he sprung from!

Sarah was torn. She wanted very much to talk with Luis and get to know him but she also was very fond of Andy and wanted to find out what was going on.

Yet not only was she slightly reluctant to introduce Luis to Nimue Hawkwood as the young man seemed to go for the beautiful, dark-haired quiet/mysterious type (if Shinrei was anything to go by) Shinrei was there as well. He'd have a chance to engage with her again! Drats! Still her practical side kicked in and if Luis was indeed drawn that strongly to Shinrei or indeed preferred brunettes best Sarah know it sooner rather than later!

She smiled and said in explanation of her sudden interest in the other table. "It looks as though a Gryffindor friend of ours has suddenly turned up after disappearing rather suddenly. We were all concerned something had happened to him." Mentally she was kicking herself!

Katia frowned a little as she got up from the Slytherin table. Andy Warden was back...and Asriel wasn't. She would get to the bottom of this, certainly. But not now. She had to be discreet... It wouldn't do to have to leave Hogwarts so soon.

Her gaze couldn't help falling on the new boy...although boy was hardly the word! She looked away, lowered her lashes, and looked back. At the mention of Andy, her mouth twisted, but she swept over to Sarah and Luis.

"Sarah," Katia said, sugar coating her words, "you'll want to go over and see that..."--she got a hold on herself--"Gryffindor boy, won't you? I'll show our visitor"--a quick look and a secret smile up at Luis--"around, if he likes."

*Great* thought Sarah, *Veela (half-strength) straight ahead!* "Gosh Katia, that's a very kind offer though you see Luis already knows Hogwarts pretty well as he was a student here for some years. Plus are you sure you don't want to welcome back Andy yourself?"

Sarah wondered whether Luis would take Katia up on the offer anyway. She was very mature looking and well pretty obvious! Katia was about a million miles away from the demure type embodied by the Shinreis and Nimues of this world.

Indeed, Sarah's curiosity about what made the male of the species 'tick' was quite stronger. After all, her own masquerade as a demure Edwardian lady at the Yule Ball had for a few days captivated a Fifth Year Prefect.

"Well," Katia said, changing tactics at lightspeed, "maybe he can show ME around. I'm rather new here." She didn't mention the ridiculous comment about saying hello to Andy...if Sarah meant it, she had less brains than Katia had credited her for, and if she didn't, well...

She fluttered her eyelashes.

******

Passing the Ravenclaw Table, Nimue noted that Sarah was engaged in some form of conversation with an older boy she didn't recognise and Katia Drachenstein had joined them.

She was pleased the Ravenclaw girl was showing interest in someone other than the pale Piotr though she expected Sarah was just being friendly rather than flirting. However, it was apparent that Katia was turning on the Veela charm while Sarah had that kind of resigned look that acknowledged that there was no question of competition.

Nimue couldn't imagine that Katia wouldn't say something about her own situation. Still if Katia was nasty to her face, maybe it would break something of the Veela charm.

"Good evening." Nimue addressed the three of them. She wasn't sure that Luis was new even though he was wearing muggle clothing. He looked like a Sixth Year or a bit older. Maybe another visitor to the school? She was confident Sarah would introduce her.

Sarah was quite relived at Nimue's appearance at the Ravenclaw table. The Gryffindor girl looked as though she was on her way elsewhere so wouldn't be staying. Still she did serve to break the tension between Katia and herself for Luis' attention.

"Hi, Nimue." Sarah said brightly and then remembered Nimue hadn't met Luis yet. "Oh, let me introduce you to Luis Verga. Luis is a former Slytherin student who has been away for a few years and is here to see about joining us in September."

She then turned to Luis, "Luis Verga, may I introduce Nimue Hawkwood, who is the Third Year Prefect of Gryffindor House."

*That ought to put him off!*

Katia's brows furrowed, usually a rather unpleasant expression, but she still managed to look stunningly beautiful. It was tiring, but for a good purpose...well, she would sleep well tonight, anyway. Or possibly--but that was premature, and she quashed the thought. She did, however, look somewhat impatient.