Randal could not believe that Hagrid had been so stupid over the tribbles. They were everywhere. They were covering the dorm floors, filling the bookshelves, turning up in the food. In fact tea had been really bad. They had not been able to get into the Great Hall because the tribbles had multiplied most where the food was. The students had been reduced to the elves bringing them food to eat in their common rooms. That had proved interesting too because some of the students had thought this a great time for playing pranks. So they had meatballs for tea, and guess what half the meat balls turned out to be... Arcadia had been responsible for that he was sure.

Now they were supposed to be heading towards bed. Randal wondered what would be left in the morning with the rate the tribbles were multiplying. He was sure he would wake under a pile of them. How Dumbledore allowed this he would never know. Right now, he was talking a breath of air outside in the last few minutes before bedtime. He sighed. He still had to find a date for the ball. Although he did have someone in mind to ask...

*********

Nimue had spent a happy couple of hours with Marcus in the grounds as he transformed into his animagi form of a hawk and took to the air for the first time since being injured in the Forbidden Forest. Nimue wasn't greatly confident on a broom but with his encouragement was able to follow his progress from the air. After dinner she settled into one of the comfortable chairs in Gryffindor common room and wrote a return letter to Marvo.

Her first task after generally expressing relief at his situation was to give encouragement in the matter of fulfilling the role of boyfriend to Kat. Though somewhat at odds with the jokes she shared with Kat, her emphasis was upon sound advise such as being honest and communicating his feelings even those that were uncomfortable such as not being sure how to act.

*Just remember it is natural at our age to feel unsure and given your background you are less sure than most of the boys here. Tell her, she will find it endearing I am certain.*

On the subject of mad-eye Moody as confidant and relationship councillor about their 'problem', she wrote:

*Bad idea. Pretty sure that was a joke Moody made about your probably being dead by then. However, he's not exactly someone who will know what to advise in such matters. I am working on Father with 'grownup' argument that can hardly fail to impress. May also use argument that your vocation as Auror far too dangerous and I may be widowed early. Hope you don't' mind. Anyway, suggest you work on your family - then again maybe not. Don't worry MUST be a way. Situation become more complicated now due to arrival ...*

She put the quill down. Having just advised Marvo that mad-eye Moody was not really the person from whom he should seek out advise about their 'problem', Marvo was definitely not someone she could express herself to over the feelings she had about Anders Grimalkin. However, where could she go with this sentence?

*of new person at school for whom I have feelings that I don't want to have to suppress due to parental long-term machinations.* then she moved away from delicate subject to more general topic. *Don't worry - not Randal Fudge or Nathan Lagrand! NL seems to be interested in Arcadia though! Match made in hell! So does Achel who rather fell at the first hurdle. Anyway, Sarah T says he was overly friendly to her and girl Luna anyway at Yule Ball, so not much there to start with.

Much else the same. Andy seems to be going through a 'bad patch', little confused about who he is or something. Tisha's Dad had a 'freak out' and took Tish and Nathan away overnight but was talked round so they are back today - the French are *so* emotional. I guess this means she and I are 'back on' for alchemy with Snape. Snape has been livid with new DADA teacher - one of his old students - Anders Grimalkin for appearing at lunch 'inappropriately dressed for a staff member'. Still no one else complained. He'll be a hero with most of the school for baiting Snape like that.*

*Got to go. Anyway, do try to come for Valentine feast, you are a good dancer and I am sure Kat would love to see you. Don't tell Moody you want permission to attend a party. Say there are some rumours about odd things happening at Hogwarts - you need to check out. There is bound to be something going on by then! Ha ha. If not, do send flowers to her!*

With sisterly affection - Nimue.

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

Having written a long, long parchment to Marvo. Nimue looked around to see if any of her classmates were in the common room and might like a walk out to the owlery before it got too late. She was especially keen to see how Madison and Andy were having seen them having an intense discussion at lunch.

After dinner that evening, Andy and Madison had again walked back from the Great Hall together. They talked some more about the happenings in the school (tribbles), and all the different people that had arrived (Professor Grimalkin). Andy whispered the Gryffindor password (Googlesnap) and walked into the dimly lit room. It was a quiet room and the only light source was coming from the fireplace. He looked to see if anyone was awake. He spotted Nimue.

"If you'll excuse me," he said to Madison. "It's been great talking to you."

He left Madison and walked over to where Nimue was sitting. He took out a piece of paper and held it tightly in his hand. He was wondering if he should tell her that he had received a letter from Marvo.

"Hi, Nimue," he said. "How are you doing?"

Elia sits curled up in a large armchair, peering at the tiny script of the large book in her lap. The roll of parchment that her neat handwriting seems to be trailing on the floor beside her chair. She glances occasionally at the tribble on the arm of her chair. A few moments later, she looks up to see that the tribble is rolling across the common room. Hopping up, she darts after it, but it eludes her. A house elf reaches for it, and Elia and the house elf collide. The house elf recovers first, taking the tribble and dashing out of the portrait hole. Elia looks up to see Nimue, and Andy. "Excuse me," she says shyly, starting to go back to her chair.

Nimue was glad to see Andy. "Fine, but more importantly how are you?" she brandished her parchment, "Look, I want to pop over to the owlery before it gets too late and send this by express owl. It's to Marvo. He was able to get proper letters out to me and Kat. Want to come?"

"Not until I'm finished mine," he said holding up the letter. "He sent me one too. I found it on my bed when I got back from the WiBs. I need to write back. But when I'm done I'll be happy to go with you and Kat if she wants to go."

He took out his quill and began to jot down many things about what's been going on since he'd left. He especially wrote the whole story about Asriel Gtomik. He told Marvo every single little detail. From the pendant to Katia; he told him everything.

He also talked about Professor Grimalkin, and how he had missed his so-called awe-inspiring class because he was taken by the WiBs. Then he began to write about the tribbles. The thousands and thousands of tribbles just scurrying around Hogwarts. He wrote about the one he found inside his scone! *They must have gotten into the kitchen!* he added.

He wrote more about his encounter with the WiBs.* The WiBs didn't seemed to interested in Asriel and what he's up to. They mainly wanted to know about you! I thought that was strange. They said they couldn't get anything out of me because I don't know anything about Asriel. Which of course isn't true, but they won't listen.*

*On a different note, I'm sick of cleaning your side of the room. Ha. It's really lonely without you here.* He looked at Nimue then returned to his paper. *We miss you, Marvo. Come back soon.*

Andy signed the end of his letter with a drawing of bacon. No signature or anything. Just one piece of bacon. He looked up and hurriedly put the quill to the paper again.

*PS - Tell Mad Eye Moody about Asriel.*

And that was that. He was done his letter. He folded it and put it into his pocket. He began to wonder if he should send it. If the Ministry got a hold of this he'd be out of Hogwarts in two seconds flat and they would be questioning him day and night. But he didn't care. He looked up at Nimue and got up.

"Done," he said. "Shall we go to the Owlery then?" And with that they were both walking side by side to deliver their letters to Marvo.

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

Kat sat at a small desk in the 3rd year girls dorm of the Ravenclaw house. Scully was watching her washing, as normal. Kat nibbled the end of the quill as she thought what to write in it. Even for the couple of days that Marvo was gone so much had happened! She had responded to some of his comments. She had told him that everyone was glad to hear he was ok. She told him about the tribbles.

She started to draw on the corner of the letter. Just a doodle, but one of those things that she did these days when she was thinking... It was a little Scully that she drew, and when she realised she animated it washing...

What else? Oh yes.. *There is to be another ball. Apparently for valentines. I guess I will really miss you at that. Do you suppose you will be able to get time away from your training to come to it? I do hope so. You have a little while to work Mad Eye Moody up to the idea as it's not until February the 14th. *

There she thought. That should do it. She finished it off with the normal girlfriend boy friend missing you stuff, and put the quill down to read it through.

Sarah Taverner was lolling on her bed reading '13!' - a magazine for teenage witches and reading out bits aloud to amuse herself and Fiona, who had been settling into the dorm. "Listen to this fellow enchantresses, 'Love charms for Valentine's Day - a step-by-step guide for the young witch' - hah too bad they're banned at Hogwarts. I could put some to good use." she turned to Kat who had just put down her quill.

"You writing to Marvo? How's that going anyway? Must be rotten him being tied up with Hawkwood like that. Grrr... you still are like friends though? I don't think I could be if it were my boyfriend. I mean she's OK not like those new Slytherin girls. Quite a good sport as well. We had fun in the DADA class and afterwards collecting tribbles. Gawd they were like everywhere. Fee over there fell in the box almost drowned in them didn't ya?"

Kat turned to Sarah. "I've just finished it." She said. "So are you going to be trying those love...."

A wolf howled outside. "Did you hear that?" Another howl answered it.

"Nay" said Sarah, "who needs them. Still might be fun to try at least one - maybe on Snape." she winked at the very quiet Fiona. As the wolf howl was heard, Sarah replied to Kat "Crumbs do you think it's someone just wolfing about or real wolves!"

"It sounds fairly real. I don't think a student could imitate that." Kat folds the letter up, that she has completed, and stands up.

"Shall we go see. Nimue told me she would be sending one just before bedtime, and I could add mine to go via the uncensored route if I met her there. We might see this wolf..."

Kat made to leave, looking to see if Sarah was coming.

"Yea cool count me in." she grabbed her cloak and followed Kat.

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

Niki was feeling positively foul by the time dinner was over. Having to endure taunts from Katia without attacking her was hard enough, but Niki was feeling very guilty for being so rude to Dylan after he had been so nice to her.

Intending to go to bed early, she headed back to the common room, but found it full of sixth- and seventh-years who wouldn't leave her alone until she returned to the dormitory. Changing into her pyjamas, Niki climbed into bed, and was soon asleep.

The dream began as all her other dreams had done. She was on a boat, rocking violently as rain lashed the windows and deck above her. She was six years old again, curled up in her father's lap, shivering.

Then, she was in Azkaban. She was nine. She heard the noises: the shouts and screams of the prisoners, and, worse, the horrible quiet. It was the only time Niki had ever seen her father look frightened, there in Azkaban. The Dementors had little effect on a small child, but on a grown man with cares and fears of his own, they could be maddening. Niki saw the dark shape on the floor as the wizard unlocked the cell door. It was covered in a gray sheet of heavy cloth, and she knew, with a sickened feeling in her stomach, that her mother was dead. Her father's hand shook as he reached forward and pulled back the corner of the sheet.

Instead of the face she had expected, the gaunt and hollow eyed face that had once been beautiful, Niki saw a very different sight. Katia's face was on her mother's dead body, and Katia was smiling, her eyes narrowed in amusement, and she whispered, "Dementor's Kiss…" before the face changed. It became Marvo's, but this face was thin and pale, the eyes closed, not in natural sleep, but in death.

Niki sat up abruptly in bed, shocked out of her slumber. She bit down on her lip so hard she tasted blood in her mouth, trying not to scream. Looking around, she saw that most of the other girls were here, asleep. Katia's bed was empty, and still neatly made. Slipping silently out of bed, Niki pulled on a dressing gown over her pyjamas, and put on slippers, and padded out of the dormitory. A few students were still in the common room, and, luckily, Katia was so occupied with flirting with a fifth-year she didn't notice Niki leave.

In the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey was sympathetic, but firm. "I'm sorry, Miss Pheidippides, but I'm out of Sleeping Potion. Perhaps you could ask Professor Snape." Nodding quietly, Niki left. She got lost several times trying to find her way to Snape's office, but eventually, she was standing outside the door. Trying to work up the courage to knock, she heard a wolf howl out on the grounds, and shivered. Raising one hand, she rapped on the door.

After the dramatic events of last evening with Anders Grimalkin's illness and Andy Warden's transfiguration, Professor Snape was having what he considered a more cordial and relaxed evening alone in his office working on lesson plans and catching up on his reading.

He was somewhat startled to hear a wolf's howl followed closely by a rap on his door. He hoped this wasn't another visit from the new thorn in his side, Grimalkin. Therefore, he was somewhat relieved when he called "Enter" to find it was one of the new Slytherin students dressed as if for bed.

"....and how may I assist you at this time of the evening Miss Pheidippides?", he started in an neutral tone.

"I'm sorry, Professor, I didn't want to interrupt..." Niki is relieved to see that Snape is in (for him) a relatively good mood. She explains that she had nightmares, and that Madam Pomfrey has no sleeping potion, and adds, "So, she told me to ask you."

"I have no objection to being interrupted on occasion when needs be" he replied, going to his store cupboard and measuring out a draft of potion for Niki. Half to himself he muttered, "I'll ensure a new batch is sent over to Madame Pomfrey in the morning."

Handing her the potion he said, "Nightmares you say? This potion will help you sleep but I am afraid it will only suppress your bad dreams not send them away." he spoke with the certainty of someone who knew this to be true.

Niki shrugs, careful not to spill the potion. "Anything to let me sleep." Suddenly, not quite sure whether she should ask, she adds, "Professor Snape? Umm... Do you know if Azkaban keeps records that the public can access?" She blushes a little, embarrassed that she asked.

Professor Snape looked at the girl with some surprise. It was an unusual request and his memory recalled the name Pheidippides. His voice though remaining formal was not without compassion for her situation.

"Miss Pheidippides, there are records kept at Azkaban but not usually for public access. The families of inmates..or former inmates are allowed some access with Ministry permission. However, the records are only kept on the island itself and it is not a place I would recommend anyone visit, especially not a child. I believe there is also some records kept at the Ministry in London. You might write for permission to view. However,..." he stopped unsure how to proceed in this delicate matter, "it might be best that you try to put this matter to one side until you are older, more prepared to deal with the complexity of those years."

Niki looks doubtful, remembering the two times, once when she was six, once when she was nine, that she had visited Azkaban. "Thank you for the potion, sir," she says, turning to leave. "Do I drink the potion just before I go to bed?"

Snape noted the doubt in her eyes and wondered if his words had only deflected her intention to seek out the records. "It takes a few minutes to take effect but once it does you will be fast asleep for the entire night. And Miss Pheidippides, a word of advise?"

"Yes, sir?" Niki turns in the doorway, trying not to yawn. *I wonder what he's going to say,* she thought.

"You found yourself in extraordinary circumstances on your first day at Hogwarts - the forest and all. It may have made you think that this sort of co-operation is the norm here but it is not. Usually friendships do not flourish outside of assigned houses. They can diminish the sense of loyalty to one's House, can be confusing. Leave one already feeling something of an outsider at odds with their housemates? Do you understand?"

His advise seemed to be specifically targeted to discourage Niki in a particular instance.

Niki nods, blushing a little. "Yes, sir, I understand. Thank you for the potion." As she walks down the hallway, she sees the statue of Bartholomew the Brutal. It's right in front of Snape's office.

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

It was a very shame-faced Anders Grimalkin, now dressed once again in his decidedly moth-eaten robes, who slunk out of Minerva McGonagall's office. She had sent him a message just after lunch saying that she would like the chance to speak to him that evening. He'd known that it would be a telling off, of course. He might have been many things, but stupid was not one of them. And he had, of course, been right.

There had been laughter in her eyes, though, when she had warned him against winding Snape up the wrong way. Apparently the Potions Master had been grumbling about Anders since lunch to anybody who would care to listen, referring to the young DADA teacher as disrespectful and a disgrace to the faculty.

Mission, thought Anders, the guilt starting to ebb away, accomplished.

He wandered through the corridors in an almost bored fashion, wondering what he would do with his evening. He knew that another...guarded conversation by the lake with a certain young lady would not be a possibility, and that, for some reason, made him feel miserable. He wasn't going to spend too long outside, not after the effect it had had on him last night, but he DID need a cigarette, and he would go check on the bike. He had taken Snape's restorative potion and was feeling brighter and generally more well disposed to the world.

As he slid out the side door, he lit up his cigarette and smoked in quiet contemplation for a while, going over the other matter McGonagall had wanted to talk to him about. The one about the reaction she had noticed amongst certain young ladies in the upper years to his appearance at dinner. Although McGonagall's tone had been light, the message had been unmistakable. They were at an impressionable age. They were difficult enough to keep in check normally, and even worse when all they could talk about was Anders and his leathers.

He grinned, almost shyly to himself. Apparently, he was creating a stir. That felt...good. But Anders Grimalkin wasn't the type to abuse that position. Besides. He only had eyes for one girl...and she was totally unattainable. The thought of it lowered his mood, and he disappeared out of sight, heading for the shed where his bike was garaged. Totally unattainable.