Following scene extracted from IC chat)

After the DaDA Class a number of students were milling about waiting for the next class and found themselves together in one of the communal common rooms before moving to their next class. These include Arcadia and Randal Fudge from Slytherin, Madison and Dylan, Kat and Nimue. After a little banter, Arcadia made a play for Dylan, "How you doing?" she opened.

Dylan shrugs "Fine, I suppose..."

Arcadia smiled, "You look a very rugged type Dylan. Do you work out?"

Dylan starts to flush a deep shade of crimson, "Uh...played rugby a bit..."

"Ohh That's a very manly game. I bet you're very good at it." Replied Arcadia.

Dylan shrinks a little, putting his hands in the pockets of his robe and looking generally out of sorts, "I was...all right..."

Arcadia squeezes Dylan's Arm, "Ohh big Muscles!"

Dylan backs quickly away from Arcadia, blushing furiously.

Arcadia laughs, "You shouldn't be shy Dylan, and do NOT back away from me! You're not scared of little me are you?"

Dylan stammers "N-no."

A number of other students lend support to Dylan and get tongue-lashing from Arcadia. Arcadia then gives a sweet smile to Dylan, "So come stand by me Dylan."

Dylan remains where he is and says something rather rude in Welsh under his breath. Randal steps in front of Dylan and Arcadia looks at him sharply.

Randal says, "Don't start this Arcadia!"

She looks at him with an innocent look on her face, "What? What was I starting?"Randal had decided to stop Arcadia but she warned him that she 'knows a lot' -a point not lost on her brother who acknowledges this point.

Anders Grimalkin happens upon this scene and for a minute or two remains in the background. He tries to interject though finds the students largely ignore him. Madison, who is closest to him, says: "C'mon Professor...a little conflict helps us grow."

Talk turned briefly to the Valentine dance, Nimue says she wasn't going.

Arcadia quipped, "Now why don't that surprise me ninny?"

Nimue looked defensive as if she didn't know why Arcadia was being so mean.

Arcadia turns to Kat, "So... got a date for the Valentine thing yet? I heard you and 'the Magnificent' had a thing?"

At this Dylan wisely moves out of any possible line of fire.

Arcadia then turns to Anders, "Well SIR... who are YOU taking to the dance? Dumbledore?" Arcadia had decided since Anders hadn't shown the proper interest in her that he must be generally not interested in girls.

Anders, "That's enough, Arcadia. I'm...not going to be there. I...have...too much work to do."

Madison retorted, "Well, Arcadia.... who are YOU paying to go to the dance with?"

While Randal said sharply to his sister, "You're never happy until you made everyone else miserable are you?"

Dylan bristled at Arcadia, "Jus' because y'can't get th' attention you're lookin' for doesn't mean y'have t' act like a tramp."

Professor Grimalkin stepped in, "Dylan! Don't be so rude to Arcadia. Apologise, please."

Arcadia was shocked, "WHAT did you just call me?!!"

Madison quite happily said *loudly*, "He said TRAMP!.

Dylan practically growls his response, "Y' heard me."

As his sister is speechless at Dylan's words, Randal does a double take and wonders what is going on. Finally he growls and says to Dylan, "DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO HER LIKE THAT!!".

Anders loses his temper and slams his hand down on nearby table to get their attention, "Will. You. All. CALM DOWN?" Arcadia's wolf cub growls.

Dylan glances at Anders, then looks back at Randal, "What are y'goin' t' do about it?"

Randal glowers at Anders but backs down and appears to shrink back to a corner, though he says to Dylan, "You don't want to know."

Dylan scoffs at Randal and says dryly, "Look a' how scared I am."

Arcadia says to him, "Be very careful Dylan. You don't want to mess with us!"

Randal did not seem to go along with this threat, "You don't need to be scared, Dylan you just need to wash your mouth out." Arcadia laughed, "Before WE do it for you!"Dylan rolled his eyes, "Y' don' t scare me nor d' you impress me."

"Dylan - stop it, or I'll take house points." Anders tone of voice suggests he is not going to stand for much more."

They don't stop, "Arcadia, Randal, Dylan - this is your last warning."

Madison goes to stands behind Dylan, "I'm with you on this." She says to Randal, "Maybe if your sister would stop throwing herself at Dylan here..."

Dylan looks back at Anders...he's not about to back down. Randal looks sulky but doesn't say anything for a while.

Anders continues to press for an apology from Dylan, "Dylan...apologise to Arcadia for being so rude, please."

Dylan says to Anders through clenched teeth, "O' er m' dead body, Sir."

Arcadia snorts, "I don't need to throw myself at anyone. I have a mind of my own.. unlike SOME!"

Anders continues to try to make peace, "Arcadia and Randall - apologise to Dylan for rubbing him up the wrong way, please."

The students continue to glower. "I'm waiting." says Anders but nothing is forthcoming from the students.

Arcadia says haughtily, "I will NOT apologise to that.. that...."

Anders has reached his limit, "Right, you all blew your last chance. Detention. All three of you." He looks moderately surprised at own toughness.

Randal glowers at Dylan's considering it is his fault this has gone so far.

Dylan stiffens and glowers back at Randal, cursing softly in Welsh.

Anders says, "And don't think I didn't understand that, Dylan!"

Dylan snaps to attention, "Sir?"

Madison retorts, "Why should Dylan have to go first? He didn't start this!"

Anders begins to say something else and then goes a little green around gills, "I have to leave for a moment.. Please try not to kill each other but if you do - tidy up the mess." He leaves the room for the corridor.

Nimue who has been quietly in the background looks in his direction and excuses herself from Kat's side to follow him into the corridor.

Arcadia continues to stares hard at Dylan and Madison. Dylan stares right back and Madison *glares back at Arcadia*. Randal raises an eyebrow about who just left, however no one picks up on this in the midst of the glaring.

Randal then turns and glowers at Arcadia, "I told you to drop it. They are not worth it."

Arcadia says to her brother, "*I* decide what's worth it Randal... remember that!"

Randal, "Well I've had enough of this. I'm going." and he leaves.

Dylan bristles and calls to his retreating back, "Coward."

Arcadia looks shocked and a little worried at being left here on her own. Madison, says, "He has more sense than the sister here..."

Dylan, "You're bein' generous, I s' pect."

Pan Growls and moves closer to Arcadia and the three continue to glare at each other while Kat watches quietly and nervously.

Finally Dylan speaks, "S' are y' goin t' tuck tail an' run like your brother?"

"Please! Stop picking on me!" cries Arcadia to Kat. Kat looks round the various faces, still nervous and declines to get involved on either side.

Dylan says to her, "Tha' s bullshit an' you know it."

"See!" exclaims Arcadia and Madison snorts, "WE'RE picking on YOU?!"

Arcadia looks a little nervous and Pan whimpers a bit.

Madison says to her finally, "What's the matter? Cat go your tongue?"

Arcadia says with a edge to her voice, "What am I supposed to do if you gang up on me!....Just watch out when your alone..." She then storms off.

*****************

After her little discussion with Prof. Grimalkin, Niki comes out of the DADA classroom. Not sure whether Dylan remembered that she had asked him to study with her, she looked down a few hallways before giving up and heading to the library, where she tried to turn one of her quills into a Muggle ballpoint pen. After giving up because the pen still had bits of feather, she turned her attention back to her Transfiguration notes. *I wonder if Dylan remembered...* she mused.

Still tired from staying up to find the mysterious giver of notes, she nodded off. After a few minutes, Niki awoke with a start, screaming. Several of the older students in the library shot her angry looks, but she didn't notice. Picking up her bag, she headed for the door, hands still shaking.

Dylan had indeed forgotten, but not entirely, and he hurried to the library, figuring that would be the most logical place to meet if they were going to study. The sound of Niki screaming only made him hurry faster, almost running down the corridor. He got to the great doors and flung one open, only to come face to face with Niki herself. Dylan faltered, and dropped his gaze. "You...you alright? I...I heard you scream."

"I... I'm okay. I just nodded off, and I had a nightmare. It's the same one I had last night, and the night before..." She shudders, then shakes her head as if to clear it. "I'm glad you remembered," she adds, smiling. "Shall we go back in?"

Dylan nodded. His mood reverted to the foul one of earlier. He couldn't believe the absolute gall of Arcadia and Randal. And the fact that they had earned him detention. At least there were no points lost from Gryffindor. But detention! From Professor Grimalkin of all people. He once had some hopes for the Welshman, had hoped that one of his own blood and background would understand him; now all he felt was a sinking sense of apathy. It was a familiar, yet somehow unwelcome one.

There were so many things he had hoped for this term. Not it seemed that they were all turning into dust. He couldn't escape his lamentable track record. He would always be a worthless scrapper, a dumb Taff with no gift for anything. There was no point in is being here, and for a moment, he longed for Cymry, for the soft sounds of his own language. He was a shipwrecked sailor here, a stranger in an unwelcome world, and it was a feeling of which he longed to be rid.

Dylan sighed softly, his thoughts obviously elsewhere. "Right, o' course. Let's see if we can make th' Transfiguration stuff work, though I'm get th' feelin' there's little hope for me." He scowled a little, his raven hair falling in front of his eyes that glittered hard in the light as he accompanied Niki into the library.

As they are seating themselves at a table, Niki notices Dylan's look unhappiness. "What's wrong? You look really upset," she says, looking intently at him. "What is it?"

Dylan kept his eyes fixed on the table, tracing the wood grain absently. "No more upset than usual, I s'pose. Got detention thanks t' Arcadia an' her brother," he told her matter-of-factly. Just saying the words made him bristle. "Professor Grimalkin though I was treatin' her in an 'ungentlemanly fashion', e'en though she was throwin' herself a' me, an'her brother was actin' like a git." Dylan's scowl deepened, and he drummed his fingers on the tabletop for a moment.

Niki makes a face. "I'm not fond of Arcadia... or Katia either. It's a bit embarrassing to be in the same house as them, you know? They're just so irritating." She sighs. "Don't let her bother you. She's... you know, I don't even know an English word for that."

Winifred entered the library, her arms loaded with books, parchment, and other supplies. She sort of stumbled her way over to a table, being careful not to drop anything and make a lot of noise. She set everything down and was about to take a seat when she noticed Niki and Dylan. "Hey," she whispered as she approached them, "what are you working on?"

"Transfiguration," Niki says with a face. "Winifred, what do you call someone like Arcadia or Katia? Papa taught me English, and he didn't teach me those sorts of words." She grins a bit sheepishly.

Dylan began to laugh outright. He couldn't help it, but Niki seemed almost too innocent to believe, asking how to swear at someone. His laughter was soft, yet rich, almost musical; an oddly beautiful sound from such a sullen and temperamental boy. "I called her a tramp, if'n tha' helps. Called her some other things, too, but only Grimalkin understood those," he told Niki.

Winifred looked uncomfortable. She wasn't one to use curse words often, but she had a word in mind. "Well, I suppose you could call her a..." She whispered the rest into Niki's ear. "Transfiguration?" she inquired, changing the subject. "I have to catch up on Arithmancy because I didn't go to class yesterday. So you didn't sign up for Care of Magical Creatures either?"

"Hmm..." Niki looks thoughtful. "I know Arabic and French words... Well, that does improve my vocabulary!" She grins. "Shall we get to that Transfiguration?"

*****************

From Bureau 13 Ministry of Magic
Ref.: ZZ9-Z Alpha

To : The 'Scooby Gang' c/o Hogwarts School of Magic

Hello All.

I've been given a chance to send the official owl from [ Classified ] where I have been [ Classified ]
Unfortunately I can't say much because [ Classified ] is watching and probably will get this before you.

I've been [ Classified ] and [ Classified ] and not [ Classified ] but I guess that's not a bad idea anyway because [ Classified ] seems to think that if [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] .

So I'm really missing my bacon sandwiches.

Anyway I hope things are going well and everyone is doing okay.

Marvo D. Ward

PS. Seriously watch out for [ Classified ] because [ Classified ] from [Classified ] and don't [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [ Classified ] [Classified ] [ Classified ].

********

Nimue had rejoined Kat after the set-to in the common room. Nimue didn't explain where she'd gone off to and Kat didn't press or maybe she hadn't noticed. They got themselves a drink before going outside. As they passed the notice board, Kat noticed a letter had been pinned to it.

"Ooo! Look!" She said to Nimue. "Looks like Marvo has been in touch." She looked a bit closer and laughed. "No idea what he is on about though, it's all be 'classified'."

"Well, it's a relief he can at least write to us even if he can't tell us anything useful."

The two girls walked together to CoMC. The great thing about this class was that Hagrid had no rules with respect to chatting so Nimue knew that they could continue to talk if necessary during the class.

Nimue was worried that the events of the last few days had caused both of them to retreat into themselves. She casually broached the subject most on her mind: "So, Kat what do you think of Professor Grimalkin?"

"He seems ok. Bit nervous though. I find it hard to imagine him as able to defend himself against the dark arts, let alone teach anyone else. Maybe it was just because it was his first lesson. Quite good looking though. Nice to have a young male teacher around." She winked conspiratorially at Nimue. "Why what did you think of him?"

Nimue didn't quite know how to react to the wink or her friend's remarks about Anders' suitability to teach DADA.

"I enjoyed the class a great deal. He was put under a lot of pressure especially by that Katia girl. You probably noticed that he's not at all well at the moment, which is how we first met at Professor Snape's office when he came to ask for some herbs for a cough potion." Nimue blushed slightly at the memory of that first meeting.

"Anyway, hard to miss that he is very good looking. I did predict that he'd find himself very popular with the older girls. Of course, he is way too old for the likes of us. Just someone to dream about."

************

" Oh. Looks like 'The Magnificent' has got away with it again!" Said Arcadia glancing at the board. " Come on Pan, Let's see if it's true what they said about a half giant doing a class... Should be good for a laugh at least"

"My fifth-oldest brother went here for three years," Katia says, looking up at the board with mild interest as she passes. "That was before this oaf was the Care of Magical Creatures teacher, of course, but he was the groundskeeper. Oh, and Nigel? He's always so quiet, but he's quite nice, and a wicked tongue." She grins.

"Yes fine..." says Arcadia " But what's he **LIKE** You know what I mean " <wink>

Katia grins. "Really, really cute."

Arcadia Smiles: "That's all I need to know. "Are you going to the Care for Magical Creatures Lesson?"