More and more students were arriving at the train. Sarah had been hanging out the window watching folk arrive. Sarah had seen a few familiar faces. She saw the Lagrands arrive in 'La Grande' style and that Nathan and Niki appeared to be together.

"Well, there's a thing." she said to herself. Turning back to the boys in the compartment and sitting down again.

"You two have met a few of the other kids already. No doubt once we get moving and people are sorted for their seats folk will start wandering about more." Spotting the Lagrands and Niki, Sarah decides to say hello.

Niki, Nathan and Tish had boarded the train. Nathan being the gentleman and assisting Niki with her trunk and other items. Morticia murmurs something about boys ‘showing off’. They were in the corridor discussing various matters.

Arcadia Fudge is also seen and shouts at an attendant for dropping a bag. Morticia ignores her however.

Niki smiles at Nathan, "Thank you. I am *so* happy to be going back to school."

Nathan beams a smile at her, "Yes, I'm happy too.."

Sarah comes over looking very happy, "Hi Niki, Tish, Nathan."

Morticia smiles, "Sarah! Hi! How are you?"

"Brilliant. Guess what?" said Sarah obviously bursting to tell some news.

Niki continues talking with Nathan, "I missed classes, and all my friends, and" she notices Sarah, ".oh, hi Sarah!"

Morticia gives a puzzled look, "What?"

"I have met the two loveliest new boys - Raphael and Nathaniel – new students."

Morticia looks interested, "Really? Which year?"

Arcadia Fudge walks over to join the party "Hello all."

"Fourth Years like us." Sarah as yet hasn’t noticed Arcadia.

Morticia in a low voice says, Hi Arcadia." Likewise Nathan notes her arrival, "Hello, Arcadia."

"One's a Ravenclaw …,"

Morticia continues, "Handsome?"

Sarah smiles, "Very handsome - both of them." Sarah shuts up seeing Arcadia.

Niki steps on Tish's foot. "Ouch! What?!?" Tish cries.

Niki hisses, "Don't talk about boys in front of Arcadia..."

Arcadia appears not to have noticed, "And how are you Nat my dear?"

Nathan answers politely, "Fine, thanks."

"Wonderful." Arcadia takes Nathan’s hand, "So looking forward to this year, are you?"

Raphael has quietly joined the small group. Sarah blushes realising that Raphael has joined them and worried that he might have overheard her.

Morticia gestures at Raphael and makes questioning eyes at Sarah. She gives a little nod of acknowledgement.

"Hi Sarah." Says Nathan, "I think Nathaniel is re-educating his cat..."

Nathan answers Arcadia’s question " Yes, sort of. Uhm, Niki, anything else to put into the train?"

"No, all my things were in my trunk...had a rather difficult time getting them all in, but I managed."

"Hi Raphael." Said Sarah recovering her composure, "these are my friends."

"So I thought, whose everyone here?" Raphael looks up and grins a bit.

"This is Morticia and Nathan Lagrand.." she began.

"Hey, introduce me!" Raphael said teasing her.

"This is Raphael." She replied finishing her sentence.

"Hi" said Morticia. Nathan "Pleased to meet you."

"Hello." Said Raphael, "You... you... in these houses...?"

"This is Niki Philip ..." she mumbles the pronunciation.

"Pheidippides." Said Niki with a smile.

"All Slytherins." Said Sarah hoping that Raphael would recall their earlier conversation.

Arcadia continues to focus on Nathan "So what did you do this summer Nat? I missed you SO much."

Raphael thought about what had been said, "Whatdyacallems... er... Sniffering?"

"Slytherin." Niki sighed.

"Yes." Said Nathan in response to Arcadia. He thinks "Hey, you wouldn't be the guy that got poor Drake all upset, would you?"

"Drake?" Raphael goes slightly glassy eye'd, " Who's Drake? I don't think I've met him..."

"Guy with a scar on his face and stutters?" Morticia prompts.

"No, I don't think so." Raphael’s eyes suddenly refocus.

"Slytherin - as in snakes..." Sarah gives her hips a sensuous little snaky wiggle.

Arcadia looks at Raphael, "Slytherin as in pure …."

"Snakes?" Raphael looks up.

"What about snakes?" asks Niki.

"Snakes... hmm... snakes..." Raphael trails off.

"You like them?" said Sarah a note of pleasure in her voice.

Scratching his head, Raphael tries desperately to remember what it is about snakes.

"Nice animals, snakes." Comments Nathan, "Although I prefer birds, really."

"Snakes." Raphael shrugs at Sarah, "I can't really."

"Animals!! Has anyone seen my cat?" Tish suddenly says.

"Glueclaws? Is he okay?" asked Niki.

"You have a cat too?" Raphael looks amazed, "Wow, are cats like, what everyone has?"

Arcadia keeps tight hold of Nathan's hand.

"I don't know!" replied Morticia, "Ooh, he's sneaked away again, stupid thing!"

"I think they are very cool - I have one as a pet." Said Sarah as way of explanation.

"What, Sarah, you have a cat too?" asked Raphael.

"No, I have a boa constrictor." Replied Sarah.

"Gluey is the weirdest cat I know..." commented Nathan.

"Is he still ……you know...." asked Sarah.

"Yupp, he still is." Said Nathan cryptically.

"Skotadi stayed in Greece..." Niki frowns.

"Oh Niki, why?" said Morticia with concern.

"He disappeared."

Raphael looks from Sarah to Nathan on the issue of Glueclaws, "What?"

Nathan shrugged, "He - talks."

"He... talks.?" Said Raphael.

"Yes." Said Nathan as if this was quite a natural phenomenon.

"Only at times." Interjected Morticia.

"Basil my snake does not talk - which is a bit boring of him." Commented Sarah.

Raphael suddenly grinned, "Um... I'm going to... um... I'm going to have to see that one."

"I wish I spoke – snake." Sighed Sarah.

Niki glances at Nathan and smiles.

Morticia meanwhile hugged hugs Niki over the loss of her pet, "Oh, I'm so sorry, I liked Skotadi!"

"Parselmouth, you mean?" Niki asked Sarah while returning Tish’s hugs, "It's okay, I think." She said quietly.

"Can't you all like talk to animals, isn't that like magic stuff?" enquired Raphael.

"Parseltongue? Now, you don't want to be a dark wizard, do you, Sarah?" said Nathan.

Raphael gave a quizzical look, "Dark wizard?"

"Don't listen to my brother, Raphael." Said Tish.

"Isn't that just prejudice Nathan?" said Sarah, "buying into the whole snake=evil mythology."

"Don't ask me, I wouldn't know, would I, I don't know any of those guys..."

Raphael looked at Tish, "Um. Okay. It's a little difficult. He is standing right there..." He changed the subject, "You know... does anyone have... a... paracetamol?"

Morticia looked puzzled, "Parac...what?"

"Some muggle sickness charm, I think."

Sarah stuck her head out of the window and noticed the train was starting its engine. "Nimue's gonna miss it." She said to no one in particular.

Tish apparently decided she’d had enough of her brother and walked away from the group, Nathan, looked at Glueclaws, "Tish, don't let that cat go anywhere!"

Glueclaws rubs against Raphael's leg and Raphael scratches Glueclaws behind the ears.

The cat went "puuuuuurrrrrrrrrrr." "He seems friendly.. said Raphael.

Glueclaws loved it, "purrr....goood!"

Raphael scratches some more then raises his eyebrow, and carries on scratching. "Um... did anyone... hear that...?"

Glueclaws looked up at Raphael, "Purrrrnniiice!"

Sarah smiled, "Yeah, that kitty said 'good'."

"Yeah," said Nathan, "He does that all the time."

Raphael looked at Glueclaws, "This is the cat is it?" and carried on scratching.

Glueclaws, "Whatmeow?" Arcadia’s wolf, Pan growls at Glueclaws.

Raphael, "The cat that can talk? Hey, Glueclaws, was it? do you wanna stick around here?". He scratches some more.

Raphael produced a string from pocket and shows it to Glueclaws. Glueclaws looked at the string but ignored it.

"Keep the cat close, okay?" said Nathan to Raphael, "I'll go and search for Tish..."

"Does he debate if I pick him up?" asked Raphael with a grin.

"Try! But be careful, he doesn't like most humans. Like me..." Proving this Glueclaws hissed at Nathan.

Arcadia looked at Nathan; "I'll come with you Nat."

"I'll come and help..." said Niki and tried to scooped up Glueclaws, "I'll take this fellow."

Glueclaws struggled and jumped over to Raphael. He purrs and snuggles against Raphael.

"Not necessary, Arcadia, Niki and I can do it alone."

Sarah looked at Nathan and Niki, "I think Niki wants a private moment with Nathan." Sarah giggled and Niki blushed.

Arcadia looks hurt and angry and glares at Niki.

Glueclaws tolerates me...and we can't let him get lost again." Said Niki but when Raphael tires to gently say goodbye to Glueclaws, scratching and playing with the fellow in his arms, it seems the kitty has decided to stay for the duration.

Andy Warden walked up, "Hello."

Sarah smiles at Andy, "Hello."

Arcadia mumbles something, sounds like 'Breech' then she turns smiling to Andy, "Andy? and where have you been? didn't see much of you last term?"

"Oh, Arcadia. It's you...."

Then a dreaded sight, Miss Rita Skeeter, ace reporter for the Daily Prophet and other wizarding journals bustles over.

Arcadia doesn’t hear any reply Andy makes as she is watching Niki and Nat walk off. going a bit red.

"Hello, dears...I'm Rita Skeeter. Perhaps you know me? I'm doing a little piece for Teenage Witch Weekly on junior Aurors..."

Andy turns to Raphael, "I don't believe we've met. I'm Andy Warden."

Raphael picks up Glueclaws so very gently, then Glueclaws hisses at Rita.

Arcadia gives Rita a big smile, "Oh Hello Ms Skeeter. remember me?"

Raphael steps a little away from Rita and smiles at her, but turns to Andy, " I'm Raphael. Good to meet you..."

Glueclaws eyes Raphael suspiciously and then hisses at Rita once more.

"Same here. What house are you in?" asks Andy.

Raphael looks up at Andy, "Not in a house yet. Only just arrived!"

"Ah I see. I'm in Gryffindor." Said Andy.

"Gryffindor... that's the one with the... lion, isn't it?" asked Raphael, Glueclaws gave a "puurrroooar!"

"Yes, indeed, I remember you dear." Rita smiles at Arcadia, "I understand that one of your classmates is a Junior Auror?"

Raphael peers at Glueclaws, scratches him behind the ears, "I have to keep you here," Glueclaws starts to purr again...

"And I was just wondering if I could ask you--all of your--a few questions?"

Arcadia makes a little noise, "O you mean 'The Magnificent' yes, it 'tries' to make everyone know!"

"What kind of questions?" asked Sarah and this was echoes by Raphael, "Questions?"

"On what he's like...has he saved anyone?"

Arcadia sighed, "He almost killed a teacher once."

Sarah looked astonished, "Marvo? What teacher?"

Rita Skeeter smiles weakly at Sarah, "Err...you, dear?"

Andy trying to make sure that Rita doesn't see him. If Rita found out that he was possessed he'd be all over the front page of the Daily Prophet.

Arcadia said with confidence, "Oh yes. I heard a Hufflepuff talking about it. He cast a spell at Grimalkin.

Raphael looks at Glueclaws, "Hey, you okay?" he ginned and kept scratching, "purrllion.." said Glueclaws who was obviously a lion at heart.

Raphael understands the cat, "Lions are big... do you like lions?. Glueclaws meows.

Sarah scoffed, "Professor Grimalkin - that's silly!"

Arcadia looked angry, "HE DID!"

Raphael looks at Andy, "This is... um... girl... Tish? Morticia? Her cat."

Sarah looks at him, "Morticia – Tish for short."

"Right, thanks Sarah." Said Raphael.

"Is this Glueclaws?" asked Andy. Raphael nodded and scratched Glueclaws who commented on his identity: "meowright."

"Oh, Grimalkin is old news..." said Rita with a snort.

Sarah gave Rita a ‘look’, "Old news - oh yeah - since he's been exonerated – no news in that is there?"

Rita ignored Sarah; "My readers want to know about the young men who are responsible for keeping them safe..."

Sarah giggles at the thought of Marvo in this light, "Well he dowsed me once - does that count?"

"But what is he *like*? Noble? Brave?" continued Rita.

Sarah giggles and Arcadia laughs.

Sarah said, "He is very shy."

Raphael asked Rita, "Who are you talking about?"

"Marvo Ward - Kat's boyfriend" said Sarah in explanation.

"Ooh...shy? Do you think it's because, as he spent his childhood learning to fight the Dark Arts, he never had enough social experience?"

"I wouldn't say noble..." said Andy.

"More than just 'boyfriend' from what *I* heard!" commented Arcadia hoping more questions would be asked.

"Kat has a boyfriend?. " he looked at Sarah, "Didn't know that Not that... surprising. She's fun."

Sarah looks at Raphael, "Why were you interested."

Sarah responded to Rita, "You mean like all sweet and shy - yes I'd say that."

"I wouldn't say brave either! He's a coward that's what he is!" said Andy still very angry at Marvo.

Raphael raises his eyebrow at Andy, who looks at him and says quietly, "It’s a long story."

Raphael grins and scratches Glueclaws, "Tell me later Ok?"

Andy nods, "I will." And Raphael nods. Obviously whatever is between Andy and Marvo it is not to be discussed in front of the nosy reporter.

"Oh...kay. So, what else about him?" Rita ignores Andy.

"Sarah, will you look after Glueclaws for a minute? However, Glueclaws hisses at Sarah.

"OK" she gingerly takes gluey. "Charming." She says of the cat.

Raphael looks a little surprised at the cat’s reaction.

Arcadia continues, "Apparently he had a fling with Morticia Lagrand once!"

Sarah looks astonished, "What! That's not true!"

Rita Skeeter looks at Sarah, "Charming?"

"Glueclaws here doesn't seem to like me." Said Sarah in explanation as the cat wriggled out of her arms and then strolled away.

Raphael backs off for a second, staring at something down the train..."Back in a sec..." he says to Sarah.

Andy looks at Rita, "Marvo and Morticia? No..."

Arcadia looks at Andy, "Well, I heard other things."

Andy stares at Arcadia, "You wouldn’t."

However, Rita Skeeter was now focused on Sarah, "So...Sarah, isn't it?"

Sarah, "Yes." She regarded the reporter with some suspicion that she was trying to trick her.

"What else about him? Has he ever head to leave for a long time?" asked Rita smoothly.

At this point Winifred Fanel comes up to the group, "Hello."

Sarah looked at Rita, "I don't pay that much attention to his comings and going." She then noted Winifred, "Hi Winifred – Rita Skeeter is talking to us."

Arcadia had no such discretion, "He left a while last term. don't know why. The WiBs came and took him away way at the ball."

Sarah gave Arcadia a look as if she were quite insane, what was she talking about.

"Oh...do you know why that was?" enquired Rita.

Andy takes out one of his schoolbooks and starts reading.

Arcadia, "Well.. *I* heard from a Hufflepuff student that he was caught using DARK MAGIC!"

Sarah snorted, "You listen too much to Hufflepuffs."

"Well, he's an Auror..." interjected Rita, "they're allowed. Did he do it to protect the lives of the classmates he has come to hold dear?"

"Yes he did!" said Sarah who hadn’t been there but knew this to be so. Rita looks quite proud.

Morticia strolls up and grabs Glueclaws mid-stroll.

Morticia’s face falls at the sight of Rita, "Oh."

"Tish I need to ask you something." Sarah said quietly.

"I'm writing an article about Junior Aurors..." Rita said to Morticia.

"Good for you." Said Tisha curtly.

Rita Skeeter flushes, "And I understand that Marvo Ward is one? I've already spoken to him, but I wanted to get the view of his classmates."

"Well, then go ask someone who want s to speak with you." Snapped Morticia.

"Well we've given you our views - he's OK." Said Sarah.

Arcadia gives Rita an 'I told you so' look.

"Miss Fudge told me that you had dated him, Miss Lagrand...?" said Rita, quill poised.

"I think my father told you to be careful about your writing, didn't he? And that's a complete lie, as to be expected from someone as jealous as her." Said Morticia.

Raphael wandered back up. "Welcome back."

Raphael looks a little disturbed, "Yeah, hey, Sarah."

"Hello, Raphael." Said Morticia.

"Do you think he's afraid of emotional intimacy so that anything bad that happens to him won't negatively impact his friends?" asked Rita. It sounded as though she had quite a high opinion of Marvo already!

Morticia sneered at Arcadia, "I think Miss Fudge should keep her mouth shut."

Arcadia glares at Tish. "I heard he once danced with the ghost of the girl who was killed at Hogwarts."

"That's so...sweet!" said Rita who was feeling quite faint with poignancy of it.

"I bet he rather dances with ghosts than with you, Arcadia." Remarked Morticia.

"Was it in remorse for not being able to prevent her death? Did he find and punish her murderer?"

Arcadia huffs, "No I think she just thought he was cute,. she had no taste anyway."

"Excuse me, but I have better things to do than being annoyed by THAT!" Morticia nods at Arcadia.

Raphael, scratches behind Glueclaws ears, "This guy is clever."

Raphael looks at Sarah, "Sarah, I have... to... er... go find someone... I'll be back in a little while.

Sorry."

"Raphael, Gluey seems to like you... could you watch him for a moment, I forgot to buy some things for the trip." Said Morticia wishing to get far away.

Raphael smiles, "Sure. He's a brilliant cat. " He takes Gluey and Morticia walks away. A moment or so later he leaves as well, "Later Sarah." He says in parting.

Arcadia whispers, "I think you may have touched a never there Ms Skeeter."

Rita Skeeter returns her attention to Sarah, "Err..Sarah?"

"Yes?" Sarah seemed distracted.

Rita Skeeter, "You didn't answer my question...about Marvo and that *poor* dead girl."

"Oh, yes well he did dance with her at Yule and she gave him her cat to keep." Sarah’s thoughts are on Raphael not Rita, Marvo or Joss.

Rita Skeeter nods, "Well...thank you."

Sarah looks a little non-plussed, "Uumm, thank you - this better be a nice article."

Arcadia looks at Rita, "Are you going to take any pictures Ms Skeeter?"

"Oh, I already have some, dear." Rita Skeeter tittered.

"Of me.. Us I mean . said Arcadia hopefully.

"Oh...no, I don't think so..." Rita replied. "Well I think that’s about it." She waves goodbye and walks off.

"She's nice. pity no photos though." Said Arcadia disappointedly.

A young girl scurries over.

"Have any of you seen R--I mean, David?" she asked Sarah, Winifred and Arcadia.

Arcadia looked extremely disinterested, "Well. I have to go and do my makeup." With this she and Pan walked off.

"David Ollivander?" asked Sarah.

"Yes...my uncle..." said the little girl.

"No, I haven't?" said Sarah, thinking this girl was almost perfect for her Yule plans if Niki wasn’t game.

Suddenly Marvo walks over, "Hello Winifred, Sarah."

"Hey Marvo." Said Sarah not with a huge amount of enthusiasm. Winifred gave a quiet, "Hello."

The little girl sighed, "He *said* that he and Jacob would be here, but they *aren't*, and now I have to wait!" she stomps her foot.

Marvo smiles, "And you are?"

"Oh, I'm sorry. I'm Ruth Friedman." Said Ruthie.

"Well don't you worry. I'm sure they will be here soon." Marvo gave a slightly patronising smile.

"I hope so. I don't want to miss the train." She said.

"Friedman? I know that name..... No relation to Joseph and Calliope Friedman are you Ruth?

Raphael arrives, carrying Gluey. Sarah smiles warmly, "Welcome back."

Raphael walks to join Sarah, "I think I spooked him." He seems down.

Gluey hisses but this could be at Sarah who looked as though she might pet him. "Did you?" she asked.

"I'm sorry, Gluey. I'll make it up to you, I promise..." Raphael scratches him.

"puurrrhopeso" remarked the cat.

"Err...yes, daughter." Replied Ruthie to the question of her parentage.

"Well. I pleased to met you Ruth." Said Marvo with a smile.

Ruthie smiles broadly, "And who are you?"

"Yeah. To both of you " Raphael grins at Sarah.

"Hello... Raphael isn't it?" Marvo smiles at Glueclaws, "Hello Gluey. " Gluey looks at Marvo.

Raphael looks surprised, " hello...?"

Sarah smiles at Raphael, "This is Marvo Ward. Kat's friend.

Raphael narrows his eyes, "Did we meet in the Leaky Cauldron?"

Gluey hops away from Raphael and towards Marvo.

"I saw you there yes." Marvo holds out his right hand. Raphael shakes Marvo's hand.

Raphael looks at Gluey, "Would you like a bit of fish sometime?"

Gluey rubs against Marvo's hand.

Gluey stares at Raphael, "meoowwfish?"

Marvo strokes Glueclaws, "And how’s my favourite talking cat then Gluey?"

Ruthie looks surprised, "A TALKING CAT?!"

Gluey looks up at Marvo, "meowwell"

Raphael, "Oh, so you like fish? I'll get you a whole, lovely one if you want. Catch it..."

Gluey looks up at Marvo with hopeful eyes. A wand appears out of nothing in Marvo's left hand, he waves it and a small fish flops down in front of Gluey. The cat snatches fish and starts munching. Raphael looks at Marvo non-plussed.

Andy puts down book and looks at Marvo.

Marvo smiles ignoring Andy "Been sorted yet Raphael?"

Raphael looks puzzled, "Sorted? Um... dunno. No letter."

While Ruthie watches the upperclassmen with interest.

Raphael then looks at Gluey and sighs, "I think you're meant to actually catch the fish. It seems kinda.."

Gluey looks up and sees Morticia arriving. "siiiigh!"

Morticia picks up gluey.

Marvo smiles "Oh Hello Tish."

Morticia beams at Marvo, "Hi!! How are you?"

Raphael smiles a little, "Hello again and steps back out of the way.

"Hey, Raphael." She smiles, "Was Gluey nice to you?"

Marvo, "I'm fine thank you Tish. Have a nice holiday?"

Sarah feels a little nervous around Marvo and Ruthie backs slowly away.

"Yes, great, Niki was there and I visited E- Branwen..."

Sarah looks intrigued, "Tish are you and E...?"

Morticia glares at Sarah, "Sorry."

Raphael looks downhearted,

Morticia looks concerned, "Are you okay, Raphael?"

Raphael nods, slowly, "Just... a little headache." He nods to Sarah.

Sarah looked at Raphael, "I wish I could help."

Marvo smiles, "Headache? You should speak to Kat, Mr Lathander. She's good with things like that.

Raphael seems a little embarrassed by the attention; "It's okay."

Nathan returns to the group, "Hey." He sees Marvo and frowns. Sarah says ‘hey’ back.

Marvo regards Nathan, "Hello Nathan."

"Hello, oh magnificent one." Says Nathan with more than a trace of sarcasm.

Andy looks up from his reading, "Hi Tish. How have you been?"

"Hi. Andy" says Morticia, "I’ve been OK."

Morticia glares at Nathan.

Marvo smiles at Nathan, "Hello 'The Big one' :.

Morticia glares at Marvo, "GREAT one, Wart-boy!" Nathan chuckles.

Marvo smiles at Tish, "No offence. Tish."

Sarah covers her ears in mock horror, "Here they go - the friendly insults."

"No offence? Are you kidding?? Sorry, Andy. Had nice holidays, how about you?"

"You know. I've 'almost' missed this sparring with you over the holidays."

Andy smiled at Tish, "It was great!" "

Good for you Andy.", Morticia said. She ignores Marvo and pouts.

Nathan put a hand on her arm grinning, "Relax, Tish, it's only Ward."

Andy glares at Marvo, "At least someone is happy for me!"

Morticia looks at Andy, "What did you do, Andy?"

Marvo glares at Andy, "That's NOT Andy!"

Andy ignores Marvo’s remark, "I stayed with Professor Dumbledore. It was a lot of fun."

"Oh....." Morticia said, eyeing Andy.

Marvo’s eye glows red looking at Andy, then seems to be looking behind him. "What’s THAT?" He points behind Andy.

Raphael looks up, and goes grey. "Uuuum..."

Andy turns around, "What's what?"

Marvo glares behind Andy.

Suddenly Raphael throws a cloud of... raven feathers... and walks off quickly.

Raphael having obstructed the view... and he runs off.

Andy looks puzzled, "What are you going on about now, Marvo?"

"Raphael!!" calls Marvo.

"What?" Marvo coughs. The raven feathers seem to be gone... they just hit the ground and went..

Marvo looks about, "Who did that? Hey where's Lathander gone?"

Nathan looks bemused, "Well, well. I dare say this will be an interesting year!"

Morticia looks to where Raphael disappeared, "What's wrong with him?"

"I don't know.... but I mean to find out." Said Marvo.

"Oh, show us your magnificence, Ward... pleeease!" Nathan rolls his eyes.

Morticia frowns at Nathan.

"What?" Marvo comes back to himself, "Oh.. rm.. nothing, just, there was 'something' watching us. then Lathander ran off. I wonder...."

Raphael returns looking a little angry.

Nathan looks at his sister, "Tish, could I talk to you for a second?"

Morticia sighs, "Okay." The Lagrands wander off.

Marvo looks at Raphael, "What was that about Lathander?"

"Lathander... Ward, is it?", Raphael looks daggers at Marvo.

"Sorry, Raphael." Says Marvo, his tone friendlier, "what was that?"

Nathaniel arrives on the scene looking totally confused and trying to get the mostly-black cat to stop clawing him.

Marvo looks at Nathaniel, "Hello Nathaniel."

Raphael’s expression doesn’t change, "What was what?"

Nathaniel, "What what was what, Raph?"

Raphael is still quite grey and concentrated, "Nothing, Nathaniel. I think Marvo here was seeing things." His manner his a little cold, and short.

"What... something. and you running off like that and the feathers." Said Marvo.

Sarah who has been keeping quiet pipes up seeing Nathaniel arrive "Hey Nathaniel!"

"Feathers?" Nathaniel notices Sarah, "Hi, Sarah."

"What feathers?" said Raphael innocently.

"I don't see things that are not there Raphael." Said Marvo firmly.

"Raven feathers?" said Sarah.

Raphael shrugs, "I must have missed that."

Nathaniel, "What on earth is going on here?"

Marvo's right eye glows red looking at Raphael.

Sarah addresses Nathaniel, "We're just chatting with Marvo here. Marvo, this is Nathaniel Greenleigh."

Nathaniel looks at Raphael's face and then nods politely at Marvo, "Hi."

"I don't know. Nathaniel is psychic." Raphael looks a little disturbed still.

"Oh. Hello Nathaniel." Says Marvo.

Nathaniel almost drops the kitten, kitten hooking claws into sleeve to stay aloft. "Raphael, I'm not psychic."

Raphael relaxes a little, "I'm just kidding." Sighs.

Marvo looks closely at Nathaniel, his eye still glowing. "Hmmm."

Nathaniel's kitten claws its way determinedly up to shoulder, "Yeah. Hi."

Marvo looks at the cat, "Nice kitten. What's it called?"

"Oh, Nathaniel, I have to introduce you to Glueclaws at some point. He's this cool cat...," says Raphael.

Marvo's eye goes back to normal, scared hand with wand welded on disappears and is now a normal hand.

"Sarah, where did he go?"

"He went with Morticia." She said,

"Uh... it doesn't have a name. It's just Cat. What... um...what's with the glowing eye, Marvo?"

Marvo looks uncomfortable, "Oh, it's erm...."

Nathaniel glances at Raphael, "You out to make my life difficult, adding more cats to it?"

"Marvo's an... Can I say Marvo?" Sarah asks.

Nathaniel looks worriedly from Marvo to Sarah and back again.

"Maybe Gluey and this one can occupy each other?" suggested Raphael. The kitten glares at Raphael.

Marvo shrugs, "Yes I guess so Sarah. It's been made official now anyway.

"Marvo is a Junior Auror." Said Sarah proudly.

Marvo gives a smile while Nathaniel has a blank look.

Raphael eyes narrow, "I can guess..."

"An auror is someone who fights dark wizards." Explained Sarah.

"Like, some kind of agent, goes out, own judgement," asked Raphael with a frown, "makes the call."

"Officially sanctioned by the Ministry or Magic as School protector." Said Marvo with pride.

"Dark wizards..... oh. Ok." Said Raphael.

"Cool." Commented Sarah, "School protectors huh?"

"Where does that leave the teachers? Enquired Sarah, "Does this mean Marcus won't be there this year?"

"No. Marcus is taking on more duties for Lord Hawkwood this year." Said Marvo.

Nathaniel looked at him closely, "So what's the glowy eye thing?"

"I, erm.. lost mine, a while ago. This " Marvo taps eye, "is a replacement."

"Someone fight back?" enquired Raphael then winces at what he's said.

Nathaniel kept looking, "and the fact it glows is significant?"

"It's magical." Said Sarah.

Nathaniel looks at Marvo, "Let me assure you I'm probably the furthest thing from a dark wizard you'll find."

"It allows me to see things other don't," Marvo looks at Raphael, "among other things."

"So, what is a dark wizard then?" asked Raphael, "How, for instance, can you be sure?"

"Good. You can tell me why the hell Hogwarts wants me to study there, if you can."

Marvo looked confidently, "Someone who uses magic wrongly, or uses dark magic to hurt others. What do you mean be sure?"

"How can you be sure, though?" Raphael frowned some more.

"Training." Said Marvo.

"You know, strolling along, two wizards blasting each other, which is the bad guy?" asked Raphael.

"Evil, good, its all in the perspective, isn't it, really." Asked Nathaniel.

"Thank you, " Raphael softens to Nathaniel, "Old man."

Nathaniel's eyes have a distant look, "Is it evil to let one person die to save a thousand, for example."

"No it isn't. evil is evil. No matter what the reason." Marvo looks at Andy, sorrowfully.

Raphael sighs, shakes head, and doesn't look at Marvo.

Nathaniel continues, "But what if the 'evil' wizard you're out to kill is trying to save his dear old grandmother from dying of Parkinson's or something... "

"Parkinson's?" asks Marvo.

"Don't YOUR perceptions and prejudices determine 'evil'...."

Raphael mutters something under breath... like "evil wants... ter".

Nathaniel gives a funny look at Marvo, "An incurable disease."

Raphael mutters "still... bloody... out of the... from the air..."

Nathaniel looks at Raphael, " What are you muttering about, Raph?"

Marvo continues, ""ell, that would depend. I guess. Mine is not to decide such things. just to see that justice is done, and protect the innocent."

Raphael looks up at Nathaniel, "Don't matter much. Just, well, stuff. I'll... tell you later."

Nathaniel looked at Marvo and said bitterly, "Justice is blind. And the innocent are road kill waiting to happen." He then nodded politely at Marvo, "Nice to meet you." Then he stomps off.

"Marvo!" said Sarah annoyed at his insensitivity. She goes after Nathaniel.

Marvo looks puzzled, "What? what did I say?"

Raphael sighs, mutters something like "clever". Marvo can hear it this time.

Marvo looks at Raphael, "What?" Raphael is silent and Marvo looks bemused. Raphael glares at Marvo

Sarah approaches Nathaniel. He only notices Sarah when the cat boxes him round the ear with a paw.

Sarah looks at Nathaniel, "Heya - don't let him get to you."

Raphael looks at Sarah with Nathaniel, can't hear, looks angry, sad, and then walks off.

Nathaniel shrugs, "Don't mind me too much, Sarah."

"I care though." She said quietly.

Nathaniel looks startled, "I don't matter, Sarah. Forget it."

"You matter ...to me." Sarah said.

Nathaniel stares at Sarah blankly, "I shouldn't. I'm not worth it."

"Let me judge that OK?" she said.

At this point the guard came along and suggested everyone return to their carriages. Anything that might have been said wasn’t.