Having totally missed all the 'excitement' earlier (too busy doing her make-up) Arcadia left the train, obviously leaving her luggage for the 'Underlings' to deal with.

After a quick look around for Oriana, and a snarl at a couple of first years, she spots Randal entering a carriage and followed him in.

"Well Well dear Brother. So wonderful to see you again. You've been so busy over the holidays I hardly saw you!"

She smiled and took out her make-up. "Had any bad dreams lately?"

Randal just glared at his sister. "I hope you are not going to be getting into trouble this term," he said rather bluntly.

He was not going to discuss dreams with her. "And I really hope you have decided not to pursue Nathan anymore. Perhaps you could focus your attention on getting some decent grades for once."

He stared out of the window at the rain. It was amazing how the weather seemed to reflect his mood.

Arcadia put on a 'shocked' face. "I never try and get into trouble Randy, you know that."

She smiled at him. "Your 'friends' still in the forest? I'm sure you'll have fun with them this year. And what about Branwen?" She continued to do her makeup. "As for Nathan. Don't worry I won't be needing to chase him around this year. I have a feeling he may come begging to me soon enough. And anyway. I have more important things to deal with"

She looked him in the eyes, Amber meeting Amber "And your going to help"

Oriana was soaking wet. A sudden rainstorm had caught her off guard as she exited the Hogwarts Express. She searched for a carriage to climb into. Off course they had all been occupied, except for one. She glanced inside and saw Arcadia sitting across from her brother, Randal. She opened the door. "May I join you?"

She didn't really wait for an answer. She was too cold. She sat next to Randal across from Arcadia. She tried to dry off her hair with a towel that she had packed in case of an emergency. She took a glance outside through the window. The rain had stopped.

"Of course the rain stops as soon as I receive shelter," she said to herself aloud. She looked at Arcadia. She took the vile of green liquid out of her pocket and showed it to her, making sure that Randal didn't see.

Randal smiled at Oriana. "Of course you may join us. We would be delighted to have your company." His attempt at charm didn't seem to be as good as normal. He wasn't that much in the mood for charming the women. He supposed he would have to snap out of it soon. He continued to ignore Arcadia as the carriage pulled away.

"Oriana! My DEAR friend! So good to see you here, and to see you are still well. Come and sit by me".

Arcadia moved over to give Oriana space. "I do hope your looking forward to a good term. It's going to be very busy." She smiled and gave Oriana 'the look' to say 'not that you have a choice'

"It's nice to see you again," said Oriana to Randal. She paused, "Both! It's nice to see both of you..."

Oriana heard Arcadia insist that she sit next to her. She shrugged. She wanted to sit next to Randal. She REALLY wanted to stay as far away from Arcadia as possible. But, on the other hand, she really didn't want to make Arcadia mad.

She slowly moved and sat next to her. She gave Randal a 'sorry' look. And all the while all she could hear was the echo of Marvo's voice, warning her not to get involved with the witch that she had just sit next to. She was upset for not taking his advice. But how could she get out of it? Arcadia would hunt her down like a dog and give her bubbling warts. Or worse... She couldn't take that chance. She wanted to think of something else. Let's face it, she wanted to be somewhere else.

In any case giving Arcadia a compliment couldn't hurt one bit. "You look great, Arcadia. I must look awful. Standing out in that rain...and on the first day back to school," she said actually feeling sorry for herself.

Arcadia smiled. "True" was all she said at first.

**********

Kat had left the train with Marvo and Nimue. Shinrei seemed to have disappeared, into a carriage already. Kat looked around as Anders had approached and smiled at him.

"Well," she asked Nimue, Marvo and Anders. "Are we going to get in a carriage then?"

She noticed one that had not already been filled with students and opened the door. "This one looks empty enough." She climbed in and waited for the others to join her.

Nimue climbed in as well and waited for Anders and Marvo to join them. The weather was not very pleasant. "I am glad that we don't have to cross the lake on a night like this like the First Years." she commented.

"I don't know," said Anders, thoughtfully, clambering up to take a seat next to Nimue. "At least it's an adventure before they even get to the castle door."

There was something palpably different about Anders. It wasn't just that the air of gloom and anxiety had left him. There was a positive *glint* in his eye. Occasionally, very occasionally, he would meet Kat's glance, and a faint grin would start on his face, as though they were sharing a great secret.

Frequently he checked on Nimue's comfort and happiness without words, touching her cheek gently, lacing his fingers through hers, but joining in the conversation that went on in the carriage.

"Have room for one more?" asked Andy as he climbed into the carriage, trying to seat himself as far away from Marvo as he could possibly get.

"This is going to be the best year ever," said Andy smiling. Now with Asriel gone nothing could go wrong.

Of course he still had Marvo to deal with. He didn't know how he was going to get Marvo to come around. *We're roommates! His bed is right next to mine! He'd better not ignore me and call me a construct the whole year. He's going to drive me insane! * He thought to himself.

He really hoped that Kat would bring Marvo to his senses because if she didn't, Andy knew that this year wouldn't be what he anticipated.

Kat grinned at Andy. "Of course there is room for you." She shuffled up on the seat so that Andy could sit next to her, on the other side to Marvo.

As he sat down, she squeezed his hand. "I'm sure that Marvo will work it out eventually," she whispered. She noticed that Marvo had become quiet again, now that Andy had turned up.

"Well, yes adventures await!" said Nimue.

Soon they found they were at the front steps of Hogwarts and ready to disembark. She caught Kat's eye and smiled wondering what adventures might await them this year aside from the adventure of learning.

Nimue had held tight to Anders' hand when the castle had come into view, as she knew he might well feel more than a pang that he was no longer resident at the Castle. She knew Dumbledore had extended hospitality to him and he was very very busy with his law studies and apprenticeship. Brooding time would be at a minimum.

Once the carriage stopped she allowed Marvo and Kat to get out first so that she could have a final word with Anders before getting swept up in the tide of black-robed students heading into the Great Hall.

"Will you be coming into the Hall Anders? I would expect Professor Snape will be there if you are to see him or will you wait until after the Sorting? Will we see you tomorrow - Kathryn mentioned something about taking tea with you?"

She was glad the carriage was dark inside because she could feel tears prickling behind her eyes. She loved him so much and it was hard to part.

Anders HAD felt a little saddened by the first sight of Hogwarts, but he tried not to linger on it. "Yes," he replied to Nimue's question. "I will be coming into the Hall." Again, that shared secret look with Kat, and a shy grin at Nimue. "I might even stay for the Feast. Let's see what happens."

He squeezed her hand tightly, perhaps picking up on some of her unhappiness. "I'm only in Hogsmeade, my heart," he whispered to her. "You know I'll never be far from you. Just remember that."

He too felt the strain of parting from her. The time they'd been allowed to spend together in Italy had counted amongst the happiest days of his life. He had known he loved her, of course he had, but until then, he hadn't realised just how much.

"That's right," he said, aloud. "I thought it might be...well, you know. Nice if you and Kat came to see the house in Hogsmeade. It needs a woman's opinion for...decoration and such." He waved his hand vaguely. "You know me, Nimue. I have NO housekeeping sense whatsoever, so I apologise in advance for the...er..." He trailed off. The piles of law books? The overflowing ashtrays? Maybe he should spend an hour or so making an effort...

He grinned. "Yes, come along tomorrow if you can, and I might even try to cook something." Nimue had experienced Anders' previous attempt at cooking for her. He'd attempted lasagne - perhaps a little ambitious for a man whose previous culinary skills had peaked at beans on toast. It had been almost a success, but it had taken some scrubbing to get the béchamel sauce off the walls.

Kat grinned back at Anders. She knew there was something going on, but she knew better than to spoil a good surprise. She looked between Marvo and Andy who were both on either side of her.

"Well, I better go find Flitwick, see if there is anything I need to be doing. I'll catch you all later." With that she squeezed Marvo's hand and disappeared off in the direction of the Great Hall in search of Professor Flitwick.

As Anders was talking to the group of students a man came up behind him. "Grimalkin! It is you isn't it?" A man in a battered suede hat and with a slight quirk of a grin was heading towards the group. "I am glad I have found you at last. I get to take over your old position it seems."

He grinned broadly. The realised that he had not really introduced himself. "Sorry, I am forgetting myself again. I'm Aidan Smyth." He offered a hand to Anders, and smiled at the students. "The new DADA teacher."

Anders turned from his friends, letting go of Nimue's hand so he could shake that of the other man. "Yes, hello, Professor. The Headmaster did give me some information about my replacement. It's a pleasure to meet you. I'm sure we will have an opportunity, maybe after the feast, to go over where I left the curriculum, if you want."

He took in the other man's slightly - battered - appearance, but was actually quite impressed. Aidan Smyth radiated charisma, something that he knew that he was lacking. For a moment, he felt jealous, but the sensation passed.

Aidan smiled at Anders. "Yes, that would be good. I really am looking forward to getting stuck into teaching here."

Nimue waited while the new DADA Professor introduced himself. She smiled politely at him. "Welcome to Hogwarts, Mr.... or rather Professor Smyth."

She then turned to the boys and Anders wondering for a moment to what extent their relationship was known to someone such as the new DADA Professor.

"I should probably take a leaf from Kathryn's book and see if Professor McGonagall needs anything before the Sorting. Hopefully there will be a few new Gryffindors by this evening. Marvo, Andy are you coming as well? I trust you gentleman will enjoy the Feast."

She then moved into the castle catching Anders eye just briefly.

Marvo did indeed feel very uncomfortable with Andy being there. It was such a dilemma for him. He liked Andy of course, a very good friend. But he had to keep reminding himself this was NOT Andy But it THOUGHT it was Andy! But Constructs are Evil. But Andy was good!

He had continually looked out of the carriage window during their journey, not being able to resolve this internal dilemma. Then the new Teacher appeared and he smiled "Professor Aidan Smyth... Thee Aidan Smyth? The one who found the Ruins of Antioch? The one who deciphered the Scrolls of Mobius? It is indeed a GREAT honour to have you here Sir"

Anders couldn't help it. Marvo's greeting of the new teacher was so enthusiastic, that he felt hurt. Forgotten already. He knew that Marvo probably didn't mean anything by it.

"I'll see you all at the Feast," he said, his tone curt and abrupt as he headed away from the group and mooched off unhappily in the direction of the castle. He hadn't really wanted to come inside, but Dumbledore had insisted, believing, perhaps that it might do the broody young man some good to see everyone again.

Grudgingly Anders admitted that the Headmaster was probably right, but then he generally was. Great man, Dumbledore. He headed automatically towards the DADA office, but stopped himself in guilty memory, and headed instead for the Great Hall.

Aidan Smyth looked surprised that Marvo had actually heard of him. "Why yes! It is so good to be recognised! They were but small adventures." There was a glint to his eyes that said he wanted to tell everyone all about his adventures.

He paused for a minute, and then started anyway... "The Ruins of Antioch... You would not have believed them... they were magical! Well the grenades that we found were anyway. Appears that the muggles thought they were a gift from God. I mean, can you believe! But we had to be very careful in retrieving them. And there was a really rare copy of the Bible too." He laughed enthusiastically. "You would not believe the pitfalls and traps they had left. No muggle would ever have got in..." He was beaming, but suddenly realised that Anders had disappeared again.

"Does he often disappear like that?" Professor Smyth asked Marvo.

Marvo was transfixed listening to Professor Smyth. During his first year training stories of him had been required reading, he was as much a hero to Marvo as Sirius Black... well, almost.

"Who?... oh Anders! I mean Professor Grimalkin. Oh dear.."

Now he felt guilty, obviously meeting his 'replacement' would not have been easy, and Marvo hadn't made it any easier. He would have to make it up to him later. He hoped Kat hadn't noticed. "erm... No, I'm sure he had... something important to do"

Andy walked up to Marvo from behind. "Sucking up to the new teacher already, Marvo?" he whispered so that the Professor couldn't hear.

"Hi," he said to Professor Smyth. "My name is Andy Warden. I am looking forward to participating in your class." Andy shook hands with him. He smiled.

Marvo laughed and turned around smiling. Then the smile dropped. If was as if for a moment he had 'forgotten' that this wasn't Andy. He turned away.

Aidan smiled at the other boy. "Well I hope it will be exciting for you anyway. I have a few interesting ideas. Nice to meet you Andy."

He turned to look at Marvo too. "Now, if you will both excuse me I believe that I should find Dumbledore in the great hall."

So saying he moved off in the direction of the Great Hall to take his place at the head table.