She put her very long, straight black hair back up into its usual bun and was about to tuck her wand and Chishio draught flask into her robes when something caught her attention: a tiny roll of parchment that had fallen on top of her bed. It was the one that had floated into her hands right after Saito and the ninjas left the train.

She had to read it in a more private place. By the looks of it, the letter was no ordinary one. Most likely it was from Kanjou.

Shinrei went downstairs and made her way to the lakeside, to the same spot where she had given Marcus Falconer the rainbow illusion last term. As it was breakfast time, the place was quiet and devoid of students, calm, peaceful and cool.

She sat beneath the shade of the tree and unfolded the parchment very carefully. The only thing written on it were the kanji characters for "Chishio." She knew how to unlock this. It was an advanced magical means of making sure nobody else could read the letter. She poured seven drops of the Chishio draught on the parchment.

The paper immediately dissolved into nothingness and recomposed itself into a ghost of Kanjou Hashimoto. He stood before her, translucent beneath the early-morning sun. He looked as he always did: composed and certain of everything, long black ponytail flowing and expression unfathomable.

"Konnichiwa, aiji." Beloved child. The form of address still had not changed. His dark eyes skated over the tree trunk above her head. Shinrei knew he had "recorded" this before. She could react or respond, but he would not know. This "speech" was not happening in real time. Perhaps he had made it days ago.

He continued in Japanese. "I am sorry, aiji. I did not mean to surprise you but it was necessary that I inform you as soon as I could. The Order is clamouring for stability and you were the only person I knew who could help me."

The "ghost" Kanjou paused and glanced downward, at the spot where Shinrei was now sitting. "I am still in Siberia. There is no certain word about Voldemort but I am sure some Dark wizards are doing resurrection rituals. For whom, I am not certain."

"Forgive me for leaving you without much word for the past months, aiji. It was necessary for your safety. There is...another threat here in Nippon. It is best no one should know where you are."

Shinrei's eyes widened and she replied, "What threat?" But Kanjou did not answer.

"Albus Dumbledore is one of the very few whom I am certain can protect you properly. I implore you to remain at Hogwarts School and within England and Scotland. Do not seek to return to Kossawa or Nippon at any time until I come for you at Hogwarts-dojo myself, which will be soon."

"I look forward to seeing you again, my Shinrei. After I speak, there will appear a key to a vault in Gringotts. I have arranged for some gold to be kept there in your name."

"Do not write to me, aiji. Trust me. Everything is for your safety and the future of Nippon. Take good care of yourself and train continually. Find good allies who will be by your side while I am still not there for you. It is a difficult place for someone like you, but I know you will survive it. I have faith in you, aiji."

The "ghost" Kanjou bowed formally, slowly, and said "Sayounara." Then he was gone.

Shinrei did not know how long she stared into the now-empty space in the air. The next thing she knew, she was fumbling for the Gringotts key that had appeared on the ground. Holding the key in her palms, she felt heat on her cheeks. Only when she saw the liquid fall in heavy drops onto her hands that she knew she was crying.

**********

Noticing the bruises on his face for the first time himself, and probing them gently with his fingers, Raphael threw a grin at the shocked Sarah.

"I'm okay. Madam.... Madam... Pomfrey? ...she said just to take it easy... and keep calm, which I wasn't in the hospital ward," he said, grinning, "and to report back if I got another headache. Since I haven't finished the first one yet," he told them both; "It'll be a while until the next one rears its ugly head. Hopefully," he added.

"Right," Raphael said, poking at the timetable. "Right. Um. What should I take?"

"Well Nathaniel and I will keep a close eye on you today." said Sarah with a soft smile at both boys. "Keeping you calm should be an interesting challenge, Raphael."

She took out her own timetable, which she had been filling in already. "Mine's dead straight-forward. Dropping the subject I bottomed out on last year and taking the new one Magical Languages to compliment my Ancient Runes."

Branwen glanced across as Sarah was making her mark on her timetable. She looked back at hers and sighed, she really wanted to drop Arithmancy but knew her Father wouldn't be happy about it...was it worth the aggravation? She asked herself.

She smiled, "At least you seem to know what you're doing. I'm afraid I really haven't given this much thought, been a bit distracted..." she said, trying not to look for Randal. To be fair, he was only roughly half of what was causing her mind to wander, her brief trip to the forest hadn't been entirely satisfactory and she needed to go back but she did have a rather bad feeling in the pit of her stomach, something was most definitely wrong.

Nathaniel's grin had returned when Raphael returned to their midst, none the worse for his concussion save some extra bruises.

Exchanging good mornings with him, Nathaniel had finished his apple (he wasn't really in the mood for breakfast) he wandered out of the Great Hall unnoticed, the mostly black kitten trotting at his heels.

The lake drew him like a magnet. Serene under the early morning sun, the water glinting. Lost in his own thoughts, Nathaniel strolled along the edge of the water, the light breeze swirling the loose indigo overrobe he wore.

He didn't see the girl until he was almost falling over her. She didn't see him. She was crying.

~ damn, damn, damn ~ Nathaniel thought and tried to retreat.

But the mostly black kitten spoiled his hasty retreat by rubbing up against her and purring.

~ DAMN, DAMN, DAMN ~ Nathaniel thought and hastily pasted a smile over his usual scowl.

"Uh... you alright?" he hazarded.

**********

Oriana felt sick to her stomach. She felt horrible about what she had done to Magnus the night before. Why did she have to give in to Arcadia? Why did Arcadia intimidate her so much?

The conversation she had with Marvo was comforting. She was happy to know that at least one person was on her side. But at the same time she felt good about what she had done. Magnus deserved it. *He is such a pig!* Oriana thought to herself. Yet she couldn't help from feeling jealous of Arcadia. Magnus loved Arcadia and not her. She could accept that. Or could she...?

She needed to find Arcadia as quickly as possible to tell her that the mission was accomplished. She'd be thrilled about that. *Maybe Arcadia will give me something for doing all her dirty work* she thought. She got up from her seat and went off to find her "best friend".

Magnus sat forlornly at the Gryffindor breakfast table. There were several pieces of toast discarded on plates around him. All seemed to be partially eaten, and all seemed to have small clumps of golden hair stuck to them. Eating breakfast was proving neither easy nor fun. There was also a bowl of hairy porridge, some hairy scrambled eggs and a rather hairy maple syrup pancake. It was at this last dish that Magnus stared ruefully at.

He wished it was all over. If his hair was going to fall out, he wished it would just get on with it and get out of his way. That way he could try and cast a spell to grow it back. But he couldn't do that here, and he couldn't walk out and let people laugh behind his back. Most of all, he wished he wasn't there.

He didn't notice Oriana, which was probably for the best. With a sad self-pitying sigh, he pushed away the plate of pancakes and rested his chin on his cupped palm. The sudden movement caused another shower of golden hair to fall to the table.

Magnus sighed again.

Oriana entered the Great Hall to get some breakfast. The first thing she noticed was Magnus sitting at the Gryffindor table. His hair! Oh no! What had happened to his hair? It was the potion! Oriana felt really sick now. Her whole body hurt. She walked slowly over to Magnus.

"Magnus!" she exclaimed. "Oh my! What has happened?"

She really felt bad for him. She wouldn't wish that on anyone...except Arcadia.

"Oh you poor thing. Do you know of any spells to make it grow back?"

Arcadia watched with interest as Oriana spoke to Magnus. She had better be good, or she would have to punish her. Poor boy she though, then smiled. Dam! Why did he have to look so cute!

**********

Raphael stared at the timetable. He stared some more. And then slowly he turned it over. And sighed as all made more sense.

The subjects he recognised: there was some that Sarah had been talking about before, Duelling, HoM, (which Raphael guessed meant History of Magic, the name having been burnt into his memory by dread) and Transfiguration, which sounded painful. So... he had decided yesterday that Hidden Talents sounded fun. Kinda... cloak and dagger.

"Hidden Talents on Monday second block," he announced. "Either of you doing that?" he asked Sarah and Nathaniel. "Divination sounds fun but Hidden talents sounds better..."

Then his face fell. Did he have to do either Alchemy or Astronomy? But... he hadn't got a Potions score... he'd have to do Astronomy... but Astronomy... he knew the sky... but to be told about the names of stars... what'd Bob and Gertrude be called by a Professor? ...but... that'd mean he was doing eight options.

Raphael readjusted his brain, kick-started it, and started again. So... free block on Tuesday? And he had to be in the duelling class. "I'm doing duelling," he told the others.

Was Myth and Folklore the option or was Sport and Magic? His paper was smudged... but... if sport was an option he was doing it. Muggle Studies sounded... vaguely dirty. What did Muggle mean again? Well... he had to do Myth and Folklore, he supposed. And Sport. "Sport," he muttered to himself.

Oh. Three options. So... two others left. He didn't want to do Arithmancy... Sarah had said it was something like... he shuddered... maths... so with some sadness he ticked Magical Languages and Ancient Runes.

Then he noticed something else on the timetable. "Sarah... what is Sea little oh Emm Sea?" he spelled to her, pointing at Tuesday after lunch.

"When can we go practice Quidditch again? And what are you doing for lessons, Nathaniel?" He didn't want to be alone and thick in lessons. It'd be embarrassing.

"Nathaniel's deserted us I am afraid." said Sarah. The other boy had wandered away from the table while Raphael was concentrating on his options. Sarah had noticed his departure but he hadn't looked as though he wanted it to be a 'big deal'. She remained aware of how huge a step this must be for him coming into this world and she hoped he wasn't feeling excluded.

"Still, I am sure he'll tell us all about his options later." she said brightly. "Oh COMC - means Care of Magical Creatures. It's lots of fun as well. You get to handle interesting creatures of all shapes and sizes, like hypogriffs and unicorns but sometimes just dull things like flubberworms. Very practical and it's dead easy as well."

"Cool," Raphael hazarded, although looking at the timetable he wasn't too sure of himself. What Sarah had said had mainly gone over his head. Stuffing the sheet of paper into his pocket he finished the last of his custard and glanced up at the others.

Addressing Sarah, of course, and Branwen, who he vaguely remembered from the night before, he asked them: "so can we find, er, what's-his-face, that guy who talked about Quidditch last night, the coach, and get him to open the broom shed?"

He couldn't help but grin madly at Sarah. Last night had been brilliant, even if Nathaniel seemed to know how to do it properly, but now he wanted to see her fly. It was just a shame the shed was locked last night and they only had one broom. And of course...

Piotr. Piotr Rachinov. Even the name made him want to shudder. There was something... disturbing... even as he had glanced at Nimue and then at Raphael over the girl's shoulder... he had made him feel...

Cracked. Cracked down the middle. And the cracks... something had talked about cracks last night... the sorting hat... what had the sorting hat said to him...? What wasn't he th-

"Ach!" exclaimed Raphael, and ripped open his pocket in an effort to get it out... was his pocket on fire, it felt like someone had put a firecracker in there!

The pain stopped. Raphael drew out the pinion of a raven feather, and for a second just peered at the feather in his pocket. And then dropped it back in. And ignored the incident. "Coming?" he asked the two girls as he strode out of the hall looking for the coach.

********

Before coming down to the Great Hall for Sunday breakfast, the Headmaster had received two letters. The first had arrived by owl from Hogsmeade. Anders' spidery handwriting was instantly recognisable.

Professor Dumbledore smiled as he read through it. Transparent maybe but a very handy suggestion nonetheless. Since his announcement the evening before about the International Event, the air of Hogwarts had been electric with the subject of Quidditch.

He penned a quick reply to Anders reminding him that he didn't need to stand on ceremony and that he was welcome to come up to the school at whatever time he wished during the day. However, he did caution Anders that the number of interested students was very high and that he likely would be in great demand.

As he watched the owl fly down to the village, his eye fell upon the lake. So calm it looked in the morning light. ....

Then Randal's letter arrived. Dumbledore read it with great concern. It was one more confirmation that Shinrei Hikari was hiding something from them all. He had heard about the train incident from a number of sources and there was also Kanjou's letter to be considered....

Professor Snape had also spoken with him the night before about finding Shinrei in the grounds and what had taken place. He felt she was a high risk to other students, who might well find themselves on the receiving end of one of her energy spells, while she was in the grip of one of what he termed 'her fantasies about being attacked'.

Dumbledore also was fiercely protective of the students and advised Snape that he would speak to Malcolm Ward, who was ideally placed in Gryffindor House, about undertaking immediate risk assessment.

Since the incident last summer when Shinrei had collapsed outside the History of Magic classroom and the discovery by Madame Pomfrey of the Chishio draught - Snape had been made aware of the suspicions of Dumbledore and Hawkwood.

At the time Snape had been all for confronting her on the matter but Dumbledore had restrained him. He believed there was a reason Shinrei had been sent into their protection and that it was unlikely that Kanjou was fully aware of why he had done so. Surely he would have known that Dumbledore would be suspicious of Shinrei's abilities and enquire further.

Randal's information that Shinrei was sharing her 'remedies' with other students was also very alarming and discreet enquiries would again be made. The Potions Master would undoubtedly welcome this list of ingredients provided by Randal Fudge.

Heading down to the Great Hall for breakfast, Dumbledore paused briefly at the Slytherin table where Randal was seated. He requested that Randal attend him later that morning to discuss one of his 'options'. He also paused at the Gryffindor table and requested Marvo likewise see him later. He was discreet but he expected the two boys were well aware he wanted them both to be in on this investigation.

He was slightly puzzled as he passed by Magnus Prytz as to why the boy looked rather distressed and appeared to be fussing with his hair so much.

Marvo nodded to the Headmaster unable to speak due to having toast in his mouth.

He quickly chewed and swallowed, then stood up and smiled to the table. "Excuse me. I have to be going" He bowed slightly and started to the door.

***********

"I do so want ta try ou' fer Quidditch," Mahou mused as she and Nimue walked to the Great Hall. "I ha'e a Firebolt. Got it fer me birthday." Straightening her hat, the lass looked around, as if searching. She sighed with relief and kept walking. "Wha' do ye ha'e fer breakfast usually, Miss Nimue?"

Blackfoot followed behind, trotting along.

She noticed that Mahou was looking around and had sighed as if relived, "Worried about running into someone?" she enquired.

As they approached the Gryffindor table Nimue spied what was happening to Magnus whose luxurious blond locks appeared to have moulted away. He was looking very patchy.

Nimue was immune to his charms and he seemed disinterested in adding her to his band of admiring females. So all parties were happy. Still he seemed all right in general and she had been interested in his upbringing.

***********

"Distracted? Yeah, nice distraction though." said Sarah with a wink to Branwen.

She looked towards the Slytherin table and seeing Randal was sitting there and the Headmaster just moving off, "Wonder if your boy's in trouble? Old Dumbly-drawers looked a wee bit...serious. No twinkling."

Branwen grinned, "Yeah, he's not bad" and she suddenly wondered why he hadn't made any attempt to see her in so long, it wasn't like she hadn't noticed before but what with other things she'd deliberately put it to the back of her mind. She followed Sarah's gaze and caught a glimpse of Randal and pouted ever so slightly. Surely she didn't have to do all the chasing?

Out of the corner of her eye she spotted a nervous looking Hal scouring his new timetable, obviously desperate not to make the wrong choices for fear of what his Mother would say.

"So, all trying out of the Quidditch team I suppose? I'll just have to be reserved for the vital supporter role I think, although if you need any flying tips, gentlemen.." she said with a sly smile, quickly fading as she realised what a stupid thing that had been to say - everyone knew she didn't play, so why would she be a talented witch when it came to brooms?

"Yea. I think Kat and I have a fair chance of one of us getting something. The boys are new but enthusiastic." she dropped her voice "and devastatingly cute both of them."

Sarah suppressed a giggle at Branwen's remark about flying tips - obviously this was some sort of euphemism as everyone knew Branwen didn't play and Sarah couldn't ever recall ever seeing her on a broom.