A sneer crossed her face. Not only was he wearing sunglasses, but also he seemed to have caught the same problem as Magnus. She leant in towards him. "Head feeling any lighter Rachinov? Only you seem to be...thinning a little on top. Tell me, is it a habit of yours to look like something out of a Muggle horror novel? Only the hair loss along with the complexion gives that impression."

"And sunglasses to breakfast. Surely even our beauty isn't that blinding."

Piotr was not in the mood for such comments, and ignored Carina, carefully trying to keep the bubbling rage inside under control. He glanced up at her from under his shades. "I suggest," he said in a pleasant voice that was laced with venom, "that you go away now and leave me alone."

He looked across the room to see Magnus, who definitely seemed to be suffering far worse than he was - but then Piotr had only had a little of the potion. The fury in his gut bubbled some more.

Carina raised an eyebrow. "And since when did a Darnell ever back down. If you want to be left alone I suggest *you* leave. I mean, I'm not the one walking around with a severe lack of hair, sunglasses and skin that looks like its never seen the outside world since it was born into it."

She glared at Rachinov, and wondered her chance at beating him in a staring match.

Arcadia nudged Carina under the table and leant over to whisper in her ear. "Watch out Car. Theirs something about that one."

Pan has moved far closer to Arcadia and was trying to hide.

Piotr carried on staring at her from behind his shades. Then he sighed heavily. "You shouldn't mess with things you don't understand," he said, slowly taking off his glasses and catching hold of her gaze with his violet-tinted irises. "You'll only regret it later."

He murmured something in Russian and leaned slightly forward on his elbows, her eyes locked firmly with his. As he spoke, the colour of his eyes deepened and brightened until there was that almost unnatural glow.

Piotr smiled his most charming smile at Carina. "Fetch me a glass of water."

The only good thing about his...condition. The ability to mesmerise. The vast power of vampire charisma.

It was the first time he'd used his power directly on someone with deliberate purpose since...that last incident that had resulted in his father finally deciding to send him away to school, and it felt good. He'd played with it once or twice, of course: after all, first impressions were the most important, and what harm could there be in convincing people that he wasn't what he was?

He took Carina's hand and kissed it gently. "Please," he added, putting his shades back on.

Carina's jaw dropped for a moment as Piotr's shades came off. Those eyes...she couldn't describe them. Deep violet...deep pools of violet....

She nearly swooned when he kissed her hand. That was it. She was besotted.

She half dived at the jug of water. Hand trembling, she clumsily poured a glass at high speed, splashing Arcadia as she did so, before passing it hurriedly to Piotr, accompanied by the sweetest, most tooth flashing smile she could. She watched him with worried anticipation. Had she poured it to a high enough standard?

Arcadia was startled by the water splashing on her. She jumped up and GLARED at Carina!

However, she then glanced at Piotr and slowly sat back down, avoiding eye contact. She wasn't sure why, but Pan seemed to suggest that looking in this boys eyes would not be a good idea.

She mumbled under her breath and took out her makeup, checking her hair in the mirror.

Piotr sipped at the water and smiled winningly at Carina. "Perfect. Thank you. You may sit down again now."

He looked past Carina and nodded to Arcadia. "Good morning," he said, in a cheerful tone. That, of course, was another benefit to using his power. It charged him to a state of cheerfulness, oddly at contrast with his usual broodiness.

Carina beamed shyly. Carina was NEVER shy. But these were very exceptional circumstances. She looked slowly back up at Piotr. Her heart did a little leap and she had to gulp before she spoke.

"Piotr...." she asked quietly in a very small voice. "Is there anything else you need? Anything at all." She didn't register Arcadia move, let alone her tantrum.

**********

"'What's his face'?" queried Sarah of Raphael, "Oh - you mean Anders don't you? I don't think he's about - he doesn't live at the school anymore and judging by the Nimmy-meter not currently on the premises."

She had noticed that Nimue was standing with Mahou whom she didn't think she'd actually been introduced to. Sarah grabbed a last bite of toast and headed after Raphael.

"Coming?" she said to Kat and Branwen. "I'll make sure he doesn't run into any walls."

Passing Nimue and Mahou she turned back briefly to stand a meter or so behind the two Gryffindor girls. She didn't see Snape at breakfast so she decided to have a little fun...

"Miss Hawkwood, Miss Amberstone may I say how lovely you both look this morning. I am tempted to award Gryffindor points just for good taste." Sarah was an excellent mimic and Professor Snape was one of her best and post popular impressions.

Of course, she had no way of knowing of Mahou's involvement in loss of House points the night before or that the girl was 'sweet' on Snape. She had always assumed that Nimue was of course and she liked to get a fluster out of the Gryffindor girl when possible.

"Most amusing, Miss Taverner," came a cold voice from over her shoulder.

Severus Snape had come up behind her, in that infuriatingly quiet way he had and now stood, his hands clasped behind his back. "However, may I suggest that if you choose to impersonate a teacher in the future, you at least glance over your left shoulder first."

There was the tiniest, *tiniest* spark of amusement in his eyes, which disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared. "Ten points from Ravenclaw," he snapped. "Now I suggest you get out of my sight before I make it twenty."

"Yes sir." said Sarah. She wouldn't give him any backchat. She had a healthy streak of self-preservation and giving Snape a wide berth was always a good idea.

Still before swiftly moving off she winked at Nimue. It was too bad the real Snape had come along like that cutting off any reaction that Nimue might have had to her prank. Mahou remained an unknown quantity in her mind. Sarah dashed off to catch up with Raphael.

Mahou loved the Great Hall, and was too enrapt in staring at it to see Sarah flounce over. She whirled around at a Snape-like voice, only to see Sarah standing there.. and Snape standing behind her. Mahou made the slightest gesture with a flick of her wrist, making it seem like she was adjusting her dress, hoping Sarah would notice.. but then Snape spoke. Mahou could have died. Poor girl.. losing points for Ravenclaw. But.. Mahou had lost much more than 10 last night.

Nimue had turned as Sarah had first spoken and seen Snape approach - still there had been nothing she could have done to warn her - not that she thought Sarah should have been warned - the girl fairly good-hearted but her teasing could sometimes cause hurt.

Now with Sarah trying to get away from Snape as quickly as humanly possible (or faster), Nimue decided to bring up the subject of Mahou's options while he was standing in front of them.

"Excuse me Professor. I don't wish to keep you from your breakfast. However, Mahou Amberstone has mentioned to me her hope to join your Alchemy option. She has advised me that her grades in Potions were sufficiently high in her old school to meet your qualification requirements."

She paused and gave Mahou what she hoped was an encouraging glance, "Would you like her to make a formal appointment to discuss this with you or could I bring her transcripts with me to your office for your consideration?"

It was like balancing on eggshells and although Nimue had more practice than many she never took Snape's good will for granted. She was hoping that Mahou would see from her example that he wasn't a teacher with whom you could have anything more than a formal interaction.

She whipped her head to Nimue at the mention of alchemy. She wanted to shrink into the floor and melt there for eternity. But she was happy Nimue was willing to help her. Not daring a look at Snape just yet, Mahou watched Nimue as she spoke. There was something about this girl.. something that the half-elf lass just couldn't put a finger on. She would have to ask Nimue later.

Snape narrowed his eyes at Nimue. "Ah, yes. Miss Amberstone. One of our more...outdoorsy type new students. Outside after hours was not a good way to commence your education at Hogwarts. Very well, Miss Hawkwood. You may accompany Miss Amberstone to my office during afternoon break where we will discuss the matter."

Finally offering a glance to Snape, Mahou heard that he was willing to see her, and totally ignoring the tone in Nim's voice that clearly suggested anything but a crush, Mahou placed her left foot behind her right, falling into a curtsy. That was what she was taught.. and that was what she would do. Nimue had never said anything against curtsies.

Looking up at the surly man, Mahou spoke, much to her horror, "Thank ye, Lord Snape, fer agreein' ta see me." She flinched at her words, meaning to say 'Professor' but having said 'Lord.' "I mean.. Professor Snape." She hoped that she wouldn't lose anymore points.

He shot Mahou a look of such distaste that it was almost palpable. "If your grades are not up to the required standard, then you will not be entered into Alchemy. I trust Miss Hawkwood's judgement in such matters, however, so you will be given a chance to...prove yourself."

And then he was gone.

Mahou kept her face calm and collected, though in her mind.. there was panic. What a day.. losing points last night, having a crush on obviously the most surly teacher in the whole school (and possibly the world), wearing a dress to play Quidditch, which she would have to run upstairs and throw some green spandex shorts under her dress. She just hoped no one would find the diary she had been writing in.

Watching Snape walk away, Mahou looked to Nimue, her lime-green eyes filled with what looked like regret. "I tried ta call him 'Professor' like ye suggested.. but it came out as 'Lord'. She quirked her mouth. "I'm sorry, Lady Nimue.. I truly am."

"That's OK Mahou, he didn't appear to notice did he?" said Nimue with a smile, "Come on. Let's get some breakfast." She led the way to the Gryffindor table. A few people seemed to be drifting off already.

"So will you spend most of the morning practising? Then we can meet up mid-afternoon and I'll take you to his office."

*********

Magnus registered Oriana's voice, and felt a small bubble of rage building somewhere deep inside his stomach. It wasn't sufficiently strong to overthrow his general depression yet, but it soon would be.

He lifted his head (causing yet more hair to begin it's descent to the table top) and fixed Oriana with a stare. The mixture of baleful-ness and questioning curiosity was sufficient to make it look like a small domestic animal that has been reprimanded and fails to understand the reason why.

All he could say at the moment was "Why?" He had the sneaking suspicion there would be more to say about it later though.

"Magnus are you feeling alright? Would you like me to go get the nurse?" asked Oriana.

*********

Piotr yawned and turned his head away from Carina as though he were no longer interested in anything she had to say. "No, that's alright," he said, lazily. "But if I think of anything, you'll be the first to know about it."

He looked across to Magnus and saw him speaking to a girl he could only presume, from the expression on Magnus' face was the suspected culprit of their mutual suffering.

He neither said nor did anything, however, simply sat.

Watching. Waiting. Like a lion stalking its prey.

Carina felt her heart plummet as Piotr turned away. Didn't he care at all? Gasping a little, she managed to pull her eyes off him. Barely denying the urge to look at him again, she got up hurriedly, leaving her bacon on her plate.

"I..I...I think I'd better go." she muttered, before turning quickly on her heel and walking very quickly out of the hall.

Turning down the first corridor she found, she collapsed against a wall and slid down it. He had lost interest in her already. Tears pricked at her eyes that still had the glazed look of someone starstruck. She had to see him again.

Not too long afterwards, Piotr finished the solitary slice of toast he'd taken for breakfast and got to his feet. He wanted to go back to his room and make sure he'd picked up enough of his potion to last him the day. It wouldn't create the right impression if he lost control and...no, let him not even think about that.

As he passed Magnus and Oriana, he made a low rumbling sound deep in his throat and exchanged a glance with the blond...well, originally blond, now mostly...scalp...Gryffindor.

"I'll see you later, Magnus," he said, in his soft voice, before departing the Great Hall and heading out into the corridor.

Carina had been sitting against her wall, unable to think of something to do before her thoughts were interrupted, when she heard footsteps coming down the corridor. Looking up, she jumped to her feet. An apologetic smile came across her face as she half ran half skipped her way to Piotr. She started talking very fast.

"Piotr, I don't know what I did to offend you, but I'm so very very sorry. You have no idea how sorry I am. I don't think I could *bear* to have you angry with me for any time at all. Please forgive me!"

She grabbed at the boy's fingers and squeezed them hard. Her heart was doing so many flips, she felt that she was going to burst.

Piotr stared at her. He'd never seen such an effect in another person in all the times he'd exercised his power. And a frightening thought struck him. Perhaps the power was growing in direct proportion to the speed of the Change. Perhaps Carina would not snap out of the trance within the usual two or three hours. Perhaps he would be doomed to have her tailing him like a lost puppy forever.

"I forgive you," he said. "Now...you can carry on as you were before." He tried taking off his glasses to look at her, but her eyes were so full of hearts and stars that she could not see past them.

Piotr did the only thing that was logically left for him to do. He panicked. Breaking his hand free from her, he charged off, full pelt down the corridor hoping against hope that she wasn't following him.

Sometimes plans didn't work out the way they were supposed to.

Carina stared after Piotr with longing. He'd forgiven her. She sighed happily. Then she twigged she was again alone. Realisation hitting her, she ran after him. "Piotr, where are you going! What do you mean go back to how I was before?"

Eventually slowing to a halt, she sighed. Finding another wall to slump against, she sank slowly to the floor again and had started where she'd left off on her little day dreams about Piotr. She'd see him soon anyway. A smile crept onto her lips.

********

Jian Hupi reached the Great Hall without incident and headed for the Gryffindor table. He wondered if they offered ginseng tea. It would surely make him feel a little less dizzy and tired if they did.

Perhaps he should ask Shinrei. She would know. When he reached the table, he was, however, certain that she was not there. He suddenly forgot that he was hungry.

Instead of sitting down, he looked around for someone to ask as to where he could find Headmaster Dumbledore. A prefect, most likely. He might as well speak to the Headmaster at the earliest possible opportunity.

Jon Sinclair had been quietly watching every entrance and was definitely feeling down that Shinrei had not come down. He had thought she might come in with Nimue but she had not.

He just didn't know how he could make things right between them - if he could. She had made her feelings pretty clear the day before and now....

He saw Jian approach the table. The Chinese boy looked worse than he did if that was possible. "Jian. Good morning." he said briefly.

Jian bowed to the older prefect. The world tilted and lurched as he did, but he kept his composure. "Good morning, Jonathan. Can you kindly tell me where the Headmaster is? I have to speak to him."

Once more, his eyes quickly glanced over all those at the Gryffindor table and back down to the entrance of the Great Hall.

"Of course, Jian." said Jonathan. He pointed towards the raised teachers' table. "There - you see the old man with the very long white beard right at the centre of the table."

Indeed, the Headmaster was there engaged in lively conversation with some of the other teachers. "What was it you wished to speak with him about Jian. I heard about what happened last night. He won't overturn Snape's decision you know."

"No." Jian's answer was short and unfeeling, very empty. He did not even have the energy to shake his head. "I intend to give the Headmaster word from my Order. My uncle was a student here many years ago."

He looked at the direction to which the prefect had pointed. Blessed Buddha. The Headmaster was //there// at the table. Why had Jian not seen him in the first place?

It was because he really was looking for someone else.

"I did not see him..." he murmured in disbelief. He was certain that Jon Sinclair heard him and probably thought he was a little unbalanced.

Jian looked at the staff table and decided he would wait for the Headmaster outside the Great Hall. "Thank you, Jonathan," he said to the other boy. "Xiexie."

He nodded to Jon and walked back out of the room.

**********

Oriana was going to suggest that Magnus lie down until she saw Arcadia watching them. "I'm sorry I have to leave. I guess I'll talk to you later," she said. "Bye Magnus."

Oriana turned around feeling very sorry for the poor chap and walked over to Arcadia.

"Hi. I've done what you asked me to do and, as you can see, it has had its results. You ARE going to grow his hair back...aren't you? I just feel sorry for him. He doesn't deserve this. No matter what kind of things he has done in the past. No one deserves that kind of humiliation."

Arcadia looked around to make sure no one was listening.

"Not so loud bad girl!" She pulled Oriana to sit down next to her.

"Remember. *I* had nothing to do with this. And if I hear otherwise I'll know who to blame!"

She looked over to Magnus and smiled, " And yes. He DOES deserve it, and as for growing back, well, I've not decided yet. If I do then you'll have to give him another potion!"

She finished her toast and looked Oriana up and down.

"Are you wearing makeup? I don't know if I like that. I don't think you should anymore. go and wash it off. Have you put your name down for Quidditch?"

Oriana wasn't about to take any more orders from Arcadia. She was going to stand up to her once and for all!

..maybe tomorrow.

If Oriana pretended like she didn't hear Arcadia mention the make up, then maybe Arcadia would forget about it too.

"Yes," said Oriana. "I'm trying out for Quidditch cheerleading. I really want to be head cheerleader! What about you?"

Arcadia gave Oriana 'The Look'. There are a few first years still having to take medication because of

'The Look'

" I... Don't... Think.. So" she said, very slowly to Oriana.

Haven't you read the Student notice board? The position of Head Cheerleader is taken! And I suggest you make sure no one else has any idea's about it."

She gave Oriana a quizzical look. "Obviously I should be head cheerleader. I am, of course the most beautiful girl in the school.... Aren't I Oriana?" Again, she gave 'The Look'

Randal had heard Oriana. He was not surprised that Arcadia was giving people potions. In some way he was glad it was not him that was the subject of her attention, but he still did not know what he should do. Report about her or not? Maybe just talk to her. But if she told him not to say anything then he would not be able to tell anyone. Should he tell Marvo and let him deal with it instead?

He glanced across at the Ravenclaw table to see Branwen trying to avoid seeing him. He wondered if she felt the same uncertainty about their 'relationship' as he did. Perhaps he should talk to her... but then again he might have to explain about tracing Shinrei to being the source of the smells in the secret room in the dungeon.

He had acknowledged Dumbledore's request as he spoke, and then went back to watching the action, or lack of it at the Ravenclaw table.

**********

Raphael himself was standing further out in the corridor, looking into the sunshine, and thinking. His head ached. Something. Silence. Had the dust motes suddenly stilled in the sunlight, their slow drift across the hallway, dancing in concentric circles slowing for all to see? Why wasn't Sarah here yet, to see the tiny speckle of diamonds in the air? Was she able to see it?

Was Nathaniel able to see it, somewhere? This beauty... the marvel... time had slowed simply so he could see...

Each touch of glass dust in the air - he could see, the light, the sparkle, drawing him in, drawing him in... and one of them pulled him in.

'a million thoughts but none but of her,'

He knew that voice. That was Zephyr's, in his poetic mood. And thinking of Zephyr... and the black raven feathers... and an imprint of them formed in his mind, a slow bright sight... trees... water... each a million images translated into words... and a billion words that swirled into a symphony.

The symphony sung to Raphael: ice-fire-frozen-solid.

And an angel part of his mind knew: a crystal. Another part of him asked quite seriously what was going on. He ignored it.

Symphony: touch-mirror-image-inverse-replay

The angel part didn't understand. To be touching something that was you but yet not... what was happening?

Symphony: touch-will-sound-simple-realisation-formation-collation

That was difficult, he knew... something that took an idea and turned it into something not solid but yet somehow real...?

Symphony: light-movement-being-clasp-light-void-feeling-hope

A... something real but only to you? Something that felt?

And then it faded. And he turned and saw Sarah hurrying towards him. But all he could do was whisper to her: "what is he seeing? Oh we have to find Zephyr..." before turning and hurrying...

...and walking into Piotr who was throwing himself down the corridor at a rate of knots. Raphael went flying, but was up in a flash staring daggers at the other, and demanding: "what on earth is up with you?"

As Sarah had approached Raphael she could tell that part of his consciousness was 'elsewhere' having some kind of internal experience.

She didn't wish to startle him but then he turned and noticed her walking towards him. He said something about his angel-companion Zephyr - whom Sarah had quite taken to the night before and then *smack* he'd walked straight into Piotr Rachinov.

Piotr didn't look nearly as self-possessed as he usually did. He seemed to be quite distracted and in a definite hurry. Something was also slightly 'off' about the way he looked. His beautiful hair appeared much less full and glossy. Did he have some power to weave an illusion about him and they'd caught him off guard for once.

Or might he have been on the receiving end of a joke like Katia Drachenstein last winter - when her stunning half-Veela looks had been sabotaged temporarily?

"Raphael, it was an accident. Come on - we have business to attend to."

Piotr also went down with a crash, for the second time that morning, and momentarily wondered if he was doomed to fall over every single time he walked down a corridor.

He managed to stand up and brush himself down without comment and watched sadly as several more dark hairs floated softly to the ground.

Then he carried on walking straight past them without so much as a goodbye, occasionally throwing somewhat nervous glances over his shoulder as though he were getting out of the way of someone.

Raphael looked at her curiously for a second. "I... I wasn't angry," he muttered softly, and a little confused, before resuming his walk out of the hall, peering about to see, with the song still ringing in his mind.