Letting them fight for a moment, Anna shrugged, not really planning on saying something. "I'm going to go send an owl," she murmured to Drew, watching Liam with interest as the concept of him starting to like her arose. "Make sure they don't kill eachother?"

Drew nodded, "I'm hoping they'll stop soon.."

Liam and Josh kept at it, much to Drew's disappointment. Josh stood laughing at Liam after casting a spell that created boils on Liam's face that matched his own. Catching movement, which happened to be Anna leaving, out of the corner of his eye, Josh lost concentration and was hit with a Conjunctivitus Curse, causing him to stumble and slip on a plate, which in turn caused him to crash down face first onto the table as he cast a spell at Liam. Unfortunately, his aim was terrible due to the crash, causing him to cast the spell on Anna instead.

Within a few moments, everyone stood staring at Anna, who had just been hit with the Locomotor Mortis curse. Josh looked up at Anna from the table, still lying on his stomache and mumbled an appology.

Falling face first, Anna managed to barely miss the table in front of her by turning in her fall. "ALRIGHT!" She fumed at the evil-doers from her place on the floor, her glare not lessening on either of them. "That's it! Silencio!" Her wand spouted a huge amount of magic, silencing not only Liam and Josh, but about three other people near them.

Silently casting the counter charm on her legs, she annihilated Joshs' curse easily, and stood up again, brushing off her jeans. "Next time you want to be foolish, do it with your fists only." Head held high, she overlooked the frozen chaos for a moment, then turned with a flourish and walked off again, fuming all the way.

Drew sighed and walked over to Liam, lifting the Silencio spell as he did so, not bothering with Josh at the moment, "Go talk to her."

Liam shook his head, "No way, I'll head to the infirmary and get this cleared up." He quickly cast a spell to mend his pants, the rip hardly noticeable, and scuffed off towards the Hospital Wing.

Drew turned back to Josh and lifted the spell after lifting the spell off of the three innocent people near Liam. "Go to the Hospital Wing as well. You had better get fixed before the professors come, they'll give you months of detention for all of this."

Josh nodded and stormed off towards the Hospital Wing, taking a different route than Liam.

Drew sighed as he turned towards the mess they had made, "Bloody hell..." As he looked around, he saw many broken dishes, some on the floor, some on the benches, most still on the table. Sighing, Drew began casting spells to fix the broken dishes. A few Ravenclaws his age began to help him and together the Great Hall was put back to normal just as the Headmaster and Professors came in.

Saiyuri and Leane walked in moments later and sat down near Drew. Seeing the look on Drew's face, Saiyuri inquired, "What's wrong? Where's Josh, Liam, and Anna?"

Drew sighed as he told them the story of the duel, "...went to the Hospital Wing while I cleaned up. Where's Kal?"

"In the Huffie Dormitory.. she's not doing so well," Saiyuri said as she stood up, "I'm going to the Hospital Wing, I'll see you all later."

Leane stood up to go as well but Saiyuri motioned for her to sit down, "No Lee-chan, not now."

Leane scowled and sat back down across from Drew as Saiyuri calmly walked out of the Great Hall towards the Hospital Wing.

---------------------

Kalli went back to her Dormitory and slept until the next morning. As she laid in her bed, she thought about everything that had happened that day and decided to tell Anna and Josh the next morning, that she was happy Josh had finally found someone who deserved him. She had always believed he deserved better than her, and now he'd found that girl who was better than her in every way. Sighing, she drifted off to sleep, her dreams filled with the events of that day, causing her a restless sleep full of tossing and turning.

Still fuming, Anna was all but racing towards the Owl tower, hurried note in hand. The sea of students seemed to devide for her as she stomped through the hallways, an invisible thunder cloud over her head that seemed to warn everyone.

It was bad enough that Leane had believed it, Anna thought, but more understandable since she had been most suspicious of the new Gryffindor from the start. Kalli, of course, would be hurt by such a rumour - seeing as how she'd never gotten a collar from Josh before - though she was clueless as to WHY she'd even think about giving Josh up.
A wave of fondness had hit her as she thought of Saiyuri, who hadn't believed it for a moment, and even in her annoyed state of mind, she couldn't help but smile lightly. Drew, of course, just followed Saiyuri - but HE had thought she'd deliberately kissed Kane. Just the thought sickened her already.

But that LIAM believed it...! Her fist clenching, she rounded a corner, leaving the building to take the small way towards the Owl Tower. He hardly knew her! Sure she had been joking and flirting before - but it eluded her that he thought her so devious. It annoyed her.

It... hurt her...

Calling down one of the schools' owls, she tied the note to its paw, fumbling as she thought it over.
It wasn't like he knew her that well... and she had been fairly forward with him... though it had been more a way to mask her obvious interest in him... Maybe... maybe it wasn't all that weird for him to think badly of her?

Doubting her own sincerity, Anna sighed, shaking her head for a moment as she ruffled the owls' feathers. "Take it to Gwyneth Van Orsenhoven in Wiltshire?" As the owl coo'd, she stepped back a moment, her eyes following after the bird as it took off. With another sigh, she turned around and left the tower again, mumbling lightly, "Now to find Liam..."

Saiyuri threw open the Hospital Wing doors to find Josh and Liam in opposite corner beds taking medicine Madame Pomfrey had given them to cure the boils.

Furious, Saiyuri slammed the doors shut and politely asked Madame Pomfrey to leave them alone for awhile.

"But Ms. Rumeti, I'm afraid I must administer the tonic."

"I'll do it. Please, Madame Pomfrey, it's terribly important I speak to these two imbiciles alone."

Regretfully, Madame Pomfrey left the Wing to her office and tried to keep busy.

"Who're ye callin' an imbicile?" asked Liam, "If it's that scoundrel o'er there, I don't blame ye."

Josh just scoweled, noting that Saiyuri's eyes were a deep scarlet and not wanting to infuriate her further.

"THAT'S ENOUGH!" Saiyuri bellowed, "I've had just about enough of you two. Liam, are you really that ignorant and oblivious? Anna likes you, not Josh. What everyone saw was something harmless. You know how everyone gets when something tiny gets misunderstood. Now look at what you've both done - you've dueled, fought with fists, hurt Kalli to the point where she thinks Josh has finally found someone who's better than her who will make him happy so she's willing to give him up. Not to mention you've hurt Anna terribly by all of this."

Sighing while massaging her temples, Saiyuri sat on the bed next to Liam tucked a piece of hair out of his face, "Now, you like Anna correct?" As Liam began to speak, Saiyuri placed a finger on his lips to silence him, "Wait until I'm finished. You like her, I know you do. You wouldn't have punched Josh if you didn't. But do you honestly believe that if she liked you the way I know she does, she would ever consider causing Josh to cheat on a girl he loves?"

Liam sighed and ran his hand though his hair, "No.. but.. I was just so furious.."

"I know, your temper is horrid. Now, I believe Anna went down to the Owl Tower to send a letter. Go find her and talk to her, I'm sure there's a very good explaination for all of this," Saiyuri added with a smile.

Liam sighed, "I dunno Sai, she probably won't even speak t'me.."

"You'll never know until you try," was Saiyuri's only response before she stood up, walked across the Wing and sat beside Josh on the bed, "Now you..." Saiyuri began as Liam stood up and unhappily walked out of the Wing.

"I already know about the anniversary present, so you needn't worry about explaining yourself to me. However, we must talk about Kalli. She has it in her head that you like Anna. And due to her insecurity, she believes that you've found someone more worthy of you than she is. You know Kalli is in love with you, but you also know how insecure she can be and how hurt she can get. She's already put the notion into her mind to break everything off tomorrow so you can go to Anna with no strings attatched. Leane wasn't exactly helpful in relieving these worries from her, you know how Lee-chan is."

Josh sighed, putting his head into the palms of his hands, elbows resting on his knees, "What am I going to do? I can't lose her Sai.."

"I know, it's not bes to speak with her now. When she comes to you tomorrow, bring her somewhere private, lik the Room of Requirement, no one will bug you there. Talk to her, I'm sure she'll understand."

"But Sai, the gift isn't meant for now. It's not meant until Saturday! And it's only Monday..."

"Well, it's your call what you do. But still talk to her, don't let her slip through your fingers. You may never get her back if you do," with that, Saiyuri stood up and left Josh to think in the silence of the Hospital Wing.

-----------------------

Liam shuffled along the halls of Hogwarts, hands in his pockets, eyes cast to the floor. As he rounded a corner, he bumped into someone and he immediately went into appologies, "Sorry, I didn't see ye."

"'s Alright." Anna groaned as she held her head, a bit dizzy due to the impact. As she noticed it was Liam, she smiled lightly. "I'm used to not being seen." Her brown eyes looked up at him, noticing a beginning bruise on his cheek. Carefully, she touched the skin, trying not to hurt him. "I thought you were in the infirmary?"

Liam smiled and brushed a few whisps of Anna's hair that had fallen over her face, "I was, until Saiyuri gave me quite a lecture. She did make some points though.. One, being the fact that I jumped to conclusions sooner than I should have... I was.. quite the jerk.. wasn't I.. Ye ain't too angry are ye?" he asked as he ran his hand through his hair.

His hand against her hair had caused a small blush to appear on her cheeks, but she shrugged in reply to his question. "I was angry... and hurt." Touching his hand lightly, she pulls at his finger, motioning him to walk with her. It was nice to know he had been looking for her. She'd have to thank Saiyuri.

As Anna waited for him to walk with her, she kept holding unto one of his fingers. "But you weren't being a jerk. Well, not entirely." Grinning, she tilted her head, eyeing him through her glasses. "We haven't even known eachother for 24 hours."

Liam laughed as he began walking with Anna, "Yeah, I know. Seems like we've known each other longer than that though. I didn't mean to hurt ye Anna, I was just.. so furious about the possibility of ye choosing a guy like Josh..."

Snaking her pinky finger around his, she smiled lightly, eyeing him carefully. "A guy like Josh? I thought you liked Josh."

Liam blushed slightly as Anna kept her pinky locked with his, "I.. I do.. I just.. don't like guys who have a girlfriend and flirts with a girl his mate likes." As he spoke, he smiled down at Anna, hoping she caught his meaning.

Freezing at his words for a moment, she looked up at him, blinking slightly as she wondered if she'd heard him right. Noting the smile, she returned it, brightly so, as she simply stated, "I like you too."

It was stupid to say something like that after just knowing him a brief moment, but Anna had a tendency to go with initial emotions and the initial idea of "Liam seems like a nice guy" stuck fairly well into the brunette's mind. With a grin, she continued walking, looking up at him teasingly. "Though I don't think such a display of manly skills such as hitting Josh does anything to up your chances with me."

Liam laughed as his eyes grew brighter as her words, "Well, I'm glad I simply have a small chance. Besides, hitting Josh made me feel a hell of a lot better after hearing all those rumors and seeing ye walk in hanging onto his arm the way ye did," he added with a teasing smile.

"Ah yes," Anna laughed in return, her pinky finger sliding lower until her hand was fully holding his. "Because hanging on a guys arm means you're suddenly dating." She shook her head lightly, looking up at him with a cute smile. "If this happens again, wait a moment before jumping to conclusions. Though I'm glad hitting Josh made you feel better."

Giving Anna's hand a slight squeeze he smiled, "Oh really, does that mean I can do whatever I need to if it'll make me feel better - including kissing you? And what do ye mean 'if this happens again'? Ye plan on getting close to Josh again?" Liam teased as he looked into her eyes and smiled.

Her nose quirking lightly as she held back laughter, Anna returned the look, cheeks growing a rosey pink at the mentioning of kissing. "Oh yes, naturally, since Josh and I are so madly in love," she exclaimed mockingly, rolling her eyes for good measure. More seriously, she added, "Just being friends with a guy is enough reason for other girls to be jealous, though. We're ferocious. And..." she hesitated, the blush on her cheeks increasing as she glanced up at him somewhat shyly, despite the broad grin on her face. "If kissing me is something that make you feel better... I most certainly wouldn't be against it."

Liam laughed as he gently squeezed her hand, "Well, I will agree with ye on girls being ferocious and easily jealous of a guys friend just because it's a girl. Shiera was always after Saiyuri whenever Saiyuri was up at the house with Kal, Lee, Josh, and Drew. Ye see, Shiera always spends the summer with Luc for some reason, and, of course, the gang and I always hang out in the summer as well. Unfortunately, Shiera never goes home," he added with a laugh. "Ye would think, because her parents are in Paris, they'd make her come home in the summers, but they never do. And because Saiyuri and I are so close, and Shiera is obsessed, it was a horrid clash and Saiyuri was always getting pranks pulled on her."

In a low whisper, Liam added with a laugh, "However, since Saiyuri had enough and retaliated last summer by causing Shiera's face to stain a dark blueberry and her hair to dye a pea green due to an exloding Pumpkin Pastey, Shiera's stayed as far away from Saiyuri as she can."

Smiling and adding in a serious tone, Liam tucked a whisp of Anna's hair behind her ear, "As for the kiss.." Stopping in the hall, he stroked Anna's cheek as he pulled her towards him, "Ye sure ye won't mind? Even though I'd be very happy if I could kiss ye, I don't want to make ye if ye really don't want to."

She would have laughed loudly in amusement at Saiyuri's retaliation if it wasn't for Liam pulling her closer. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked up at him, hand still clutching his. With a soft sigh, she stood on tip toe, crossing the distance between them easily to lightly kiss him on the lips.

With a soft, sweet voice, she opened her eyes again, looking at him. "I'm sure."

Liam smiled as he caressed Anna's cheek and gently pressed his lips against her's. Opening his eyes as he pulled back, he smiled and began walking with Anna down the empty hallway once more, Liam's hand interlocked with her's, "So, tell me. What do you want to do in Hogsmeade this Saturday?"

Unknowing to Anna and Liam, Shiera and Lucinda had popped their heads around the corner behind the two just in time to see Anna and Liam kissing.

Smiling broadly, Anna shrugged, butterflies in her stomach fighting to get out. "I don't know yet - I'm going to prove to you that dating can be fun here, though." Glancing at him from the corner of her eye, she continued in a teasing tone. "I mean, that -was- the whole point of us doing that date, no?"

Liam laughed, "That may have been your point, but that wasn't mine," he added with a wink. "So, does this mean we're datin' now? Besides, where do ya suggest we go on a date here at Hogwarts? All there is is the Room of Requirement and the abandoned classrooms, neither too private nor secretive."

Laughing lightly, she couldn't help but nuzzle his shoulder. "You should look at this place through my eyes, Liam. So many things worth seeing together." Taking a step back, Anna tapped her nose lightly, "We just have to find them."

She didn't answer to the question about them dating right away, and instead, ponderingly walked on next to him for a bit. "I'm not sure - on the dating thing. I mean..."

Anna's smile widened as she turned to him, tilting her head lightly, invitingly. "That was a fairly meek kiss for dating purposes."

Liam laughed as he smiled down at Anna, stopping in the hallway once more as he slipped his hand around her waist, pulling her towards him, and inquiring, "And how would ye like me to kiss ye then?"

Blushing like mad, though, her smile was small and mysterious, her hand slipping around his neck and gently teasing with the hairs there. "Oh, I don't know..." Turning her face upwards, she exhaled shakily at their proximity, amazed at how fast and well things were going. "Somewhat more passionately?"