Anna cheerfully laughed at Josh's mini-rant, slapping him on the shoulder in good humour. "Well, you guys are fifth years, I'm just a poor, pitiful fourth year, so I can be mopey as much as I want. But my first class was just fine, Josh, thanks for asking," after a warm smile at the boy in question, she turns to Drew, her smile faltering a bit as she proudly returns his look. "Not to mention that McGonagall didn't even notice - or at least, she didn't say anything about it."

She removes her glasses and rubs her eyes a bit, looking up for a moment - a moment where the size and brightness of her brown eyes come across, usually hidden behind her thick-framed glasses - before putting them back on. "I'm with Leane, though. Don't get angry at me. I know the road to heaven is paved with good intentions," a very Muggle comment, but she was too annoyed at Drew to pay attention, "but that doesn't mean you have to be all mopey just because I tried to do the right thing. Now, I'm going to my favourite class." Anna moves back towards the Charms' classroom, eagerly getting out her wand already as she calls back in a sing-song voice "See you at noon~"

"Alright Anna! See you then!" called Kalli as Anna ran towards Professor Flitwick's room. Turning back to the group as they began walking once more, she added, "I don't suppose she knows of the Yule Ball then does she.."

"It appears that way doesn't it. Well, we'll just have to tell Saiyuri! She'll surely help Anna find a dress once the time comes," con

"She won't be back," said Drew bluntly.

"Of course she will! The Yule Ball is in December! 'Tis only September right now..."

"Yes, and she will be back in three months."

"Precisely, One - October, Two - November, Three - December! She'll be back just in time!"

Grumbling Drew rolled his eyes and walked on in silence.

"Oh, I do hope she's here for Christmas!" added Kalli in a sing-song voice as she twirled a bit while they walked, "The snow, the food, the parties! It's all so magical!"

"Well, it is a Wizarding School," commented Leane with a laugh.

"Yes, I know that, but none-the-less it's still spectacular! Besides, it'll be quite fun to see Josh and Drew in tuxedos again!"

"Oh I quite agree Kalli!" Leaning towards Kalli she added in a whisper, "Let us just hope they improve from last year!"

As the girls giggled to themselves Josh laughed and added, "Come come now, we weren't dressed too badly last year!"

"Actually, your tux was much worse than Drew's! At least Drew's was the classic black and white!"

"I was forced to wear my father's, 'twasn't my fault!"

"Yes, yes, we know the tragic tale of how your sister was practicing her magic and lit it on fire," Leane added as she stuck her tongue out, "Next time buy a spare!"

Walking into the Defense Against the Dark Arts room, the group of 5th years couldn't help but muffle their laugher as they looked upon their new teacher and took their seats.

He wasn't sure which was more uncommon - a 4th year being friends with both 1st years and 5th years, or that those friendships passed over the boundries of the different Houses. Fynn had grown up with Rumeti's friends - for while she wasn't around right new, he knew it was her "crew" - and something about them had always striked him as fishy.

So as the brown-haired professor urged them to sit down, he urged his own friends to sit down behind the group in question, curious about the absence of Rumeti, and their friendship with Anastasia.

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

He was squeaky and tiny, but Anna couldn't help but love him as professor Flitwick was eagerly welcoming them to their first Charms class of the year, and announced they would try a very fun charm today. It made her wonder if she hadn't fitted better in with Ravenclaw - that musty old hat had been very doubtful on which house to put her in.

Anna leaned forward as Flitwick started his "banishing charm" explanation, having taken the first available seat in the room and as thus ending up on the first row.
"I have no idea how you managed to stay calm, before," she hears in a low whisper on the right, and Anna turns her head lightly in surprise. "How do you mean?" It didn't take her long to recognize the dark-blonde hair of the girl she'd talked to in the previous class, and her hunch was confirmd when the girl in question said, "I was ready to kill that bloody cup. I would have, too, if it hadn't been for McGonagall hovering around."

Anna surpresses a giggle, neatly copying Flitwicks' wand movements as she returns a whispered comment, "Well, it isn't the teacups fault if it dislikes yellow." The girl giggles and nods, swishing heavily with her arm - and almost hitting her neighbour in the face - as she replies, "Yeah, imagine, one day you're a cute pink teacup, the next you're some clumsy yellow chick."

Anna nods, broad grin on her face, which turns into a loud laugh as the girl actually hits her neighbour with her wide movements.

During the mild commotion that follows, Anna looks down into her bookbag, petting Vanora's head lightly and muttering, "I hope your mistress' is alright."

Kalli leaned towards Josh and Leane and whispered, "Why is Flynn following us?"

"He takes the same classes as us dummy, obviously he's going to follow us around from class to class!" whispered Drew from the other side of Leane.

"Yes, but he keeps watching us and now he's sitting behind us."

Leane took a quick peek over her shoulder, "You're right! What's that little weasel up to.."

"I dunno, but I aim to find out.." Turning around, Josh lounged in his chair, "Hey Flynn.. what's your deal? Got a problem with us?"

Drew rolled his eyes as Leane and Kalli both turned around and faced Flynn, eyes glaring and arms folded. Chuckling at all of their glares, he turned around as well and smirked, "Well this oughtta be good."

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

Saiyuri smiled as she packed her paintings within the secret compartments of her trunk. Wiping the tiny beads of sweat off of her forehead, she looked at the time. Seeing that it was time for Defense Against the Dark Arts and she had yet to introduce herself to the new Professor and get the assignments, she figured she might as well go and see her at a time when there were students in her year there.

Standing up, brushing the dirt off of her knees, she quickly adjusted her uniform and began to make her way to the DA classroom.

"The name is FYNN," he grumbles quietly - not wanting to create a ruckus - as he returns Joshs' glare. "And I don't have problem with you, Slytherin." He crosses his arms defensively, not planning in the slightest to back down. "I just want to know how you know Anastasia."

He frowns a little as he looks at the group, a small sneer forming on his lips as he adds, "You needed a 4th year Gryffindor to complete your group?"

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

Everyone does their best to aim the pillow in the box, but of course no one manages at first. Anna pouts mildly as her pillow, once again, falls about three feet behind the box.

"Somewhat less force behind your spell, Miss Van Orsenhoven, and then it should work," the professor squeaks with a smile, keeping a keen eye on the new student for a while, before moving on.

"Fynn, Flynn, what's the difference? Like it really matters to us Gryffie." retorted Leane.

"Jealous Fynn?" mocked Kalli, "Do you guys remember when he tried coming into our group second year? He couldn't even cast a simple alohamora spell correctly!"

Josh smirked, "Besides, she's a hell of a lot better with her wand than you, so I wouldn't make fun of her."

Drew smiled, "And another thing Fynn, Saiyuri is the one who introduced us. Sai noticed her while everyone from fourth year up to seventh year shunned her at the Gryffie table. If you cared at all about who she was and whom she hung out with, you would have made her feel more welcome and not like such an outcast."

"And will you PLEASE get over the fact that you're not in our group? We've been dealing with you for the past 5 years and it's truly getting old. Don't you think it's time to grow up?" added Leane, quite angry that he had mocked Anna.

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

Saiyuri sighed, a bit nervous walking into the DA room. 'What on earth am I doing here.. Drew's here... Should I go in?... Maybe... Maybe I should just stay out here and wait for the class to be over...'

Lost in her thoughts outside the DA room, she didn't notice what was going on inside just around the corner from where she was standing.

The urge to cast a bat-bogey hex at Leane was high enough for Fynn to actually grab onto his wand. "You shut up! I was too stupid back then to even want to join your little study group." He glares at them all in turn - actually surprised at how forcefully they are defending Anastasia - and angrily adds to Kalli, "Not to mention that I'm way better now than I was back then. And am smart enough to not even want to be associated with you all."

He crosses his arms again and slowly flexes his fingers, releasing the hold on his wand. He sighs, the bubble of anger slowly seeping away. "I would have thought Anastasia would be smart enough not to."

Fynn doesn't retort to Drew, knowing that ignoring her at first had been a serious mistake.

-------

She yawns a little as she whips her wand again, the pillow now landing only inches away from the box. Her annoyance at not being the first to make it work - one of the Ravenclaws had managed that feat - makes Anna a bit more cranky than usual.

"You're stupid now if that's what you think we are," retorted Leane.

"Anyway, are you willing to prove you're better Gryffie?" inquired Kalli.

"Yes, I'm sure one of us would enjoy kicking your sorry butt in a duel, what do you say? You're choice of whom you want to duel," added Josh.

"Except Saiyuri, she's not here," Drew stated quickly before Fynn could reply.

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

Taking a deep breath, she decided to go into the DA room. Upon opening the door and walking in, she heard the last bit of convorsation between the group of Fifth years, "Drew.. what's going on? Why are you all talking about me? And why is Fynn wanting a duel?"

Innocently, Fynn raises his hands, glancing at Saiyuri. "Hey, it wasn't me who wanted a duel, I was just wondering why you were friends with Anastasia." He glares at the four friends accusingly, adding, "They're the ones who immediatly jumped me. But if you're itching for a duel that much, you're on."

Drew hit his forehead, "You and your big mouth..."

Josh looked to Saiyuri, "You're not seriously going to duel him are you?"

Saiyuri pondered a moment, "Why not? It might be fun. Besides, I'm leaving tomorrow, what's the worst that could happen?"

Kalli and Leane looked at each other in horror, "She's going to do it...."

Drew stood up and walked over to Saiyuri, standing between her and the rest of the 5th years, "You're not doing it."

"That's why I am! Because you don't approve! You think I can't do it."

"Because you can't Saiyuri!"

"I can to!"

"Cannot!"

"Can to!"

The two kept at it until finally Josh stepped between the two and shoved Drew into his chair, "ENOUGH! Now Sai, you sure you wanna do this? You haven't dueled since-"

"I know. I think I remember the spells though. Do you trust me?"

"Sure, we all do."

"Except Drew."

"Right.. except him.. but forget him. You'll do fine, promise," Josh added with a wink and Drew continued to sulk in his seat.

As Josh sat down, Saiyuri turned to Fynn, "When?"

"Sai.. please, don't," Drew pleaded for the last time.

"Yeah Sai, he's not worth expulsion!" added Kalli.

"They're not going to get expelled, let Sai kick his ass, it'll be quite hillarious to see," commented Leane.

He sees the interaction with mild surprise - somewhat irked of their casual disregard of his wishes. "I didn't pick a fight with any of you, you know." He sighs, annoyed, and feeling like the bigger man in this situation. "You guys just jumped on me. If you're that eager for a fight, though," Fynn frowns and looks at Saiyuri, not wanting to seem chicken, "I'm in."


The poor new Defence against the Dark arts teacher had been viewing the exchange in mild shock, and only now made herself heard. "You there!" She states firmly, despite her lofty air and kind voice. "I can't believe prefects, of all people, would conspire for a duel over something so silly. Now, you all should sit down! If you're so intent on dueling, do it on your own time, after you've graduated." She smiled cutely and brought out her wand, waving it cheerily in the air. "Let me first teach you -how- to properly duel."

Saiyuri blushed, "I'm sorry Professor. Please forgive us. I'm afraid I only stopped by to introduce myself and ask you to get the assignments from now until December ready for me."

Drew mumbled to Fynn, "You liar, you just sat there and said you wanted to duel Saiyuri, even if we did put the original idea out there. You still said you wanted to duel her once she walked into the convorsation having no clue what we were talking about."

"So not cool Fynn," added Kalli as she turned around and took out her wand.

"Jerk," Leane said with a glare before turning around.

Josh just rolled his eyes as he and Drew turned back around in their seats and took out their wands as well.

The poor boy simply gaped at them, mouth open as he gives up. Groaning, he leans back in his chair, resting his forehead in his palm for a moment as he thinks, ~"I -really- need to talk to Anastasia about chosing friends more wisely."~


Professor Georgiana Fitzwilliam sighed wearily as the class group started to settle down, and she placed her hands on her hips as she turned to Saiyuri. "Well then, I have a bit of a problem for you, missy. I don't really have my lessons worked out, further than the first month. So that's all I can give you."

Saiyuri bowed in appology, "I truly am sorry Professor for disrupting your first class." Standing up, her eyes a bit pink in embarassment, she walked over to the Professor and gave a slight curtsy, "My name is Megan Rumeti, but everyone calls me Saiyuri. As for the lessons, I will be more than happy to take what you have ready and if you don't mind, I will have my brother stop in at the begining of every month for my assignments."

"That seems like such a hassle," the young teachers states mildly, her plaited gown hovering lightly over the floor as she walks behind her desk. "I could just send it to you by owl, of course." Worriedly she looks up, her eyes mildly sad, "But won't you miss your friends?" Not even stopping at that, she continued, her face lighting up again like a light bulb. "Oh, but I forgot! My name is Georgiana Fitzwilliam," she announces to the class, grinning brightly. "I will look forward to teaching you!"

------

Anna cheered lightly for her own victory as the pillow landed neatly in the box - third in the class group, which felt like somewhat of a larger victory. "Well done, Miss Van Orsenhoven!" Professor Flitwick squeeked as he passed her. "With a bit of control, it all works out."

Surpressing a mild chuckle, Anna nodded. "Indeed - thank you, professor."

"If it's not too much trouble Professor, I would rather my brother pick the work up. I'm afraid I do not know where we are to be staying during this time period, so it would be less of a hassle to have Carter pick it up for me," Saiyuri replied with a dark blush, her eyes turning a darker pink. "As for my friends," she continued as she gave a quick glance behind her, "I will miss them a great deal. But I'm afraid it's out of my control. Besides, they'll get along just fine without me I'm sure, right Drew?" she added before turning back to the Professor.

Drew looked away from her, keeping his eyes towards the ground. Leane elbowed hiim hard in the side, causing him to yelp in agony, "LEANE! What the hell was that for?!"

"Tell her!" urged Kalli in a low voice.

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

Vanora yawned and stretched inside of Anna's bag. After giving herself a short bath, she hopped out of the bag and began to trot towards the door of the Charms Classroom.

Giggling, the professor actually patted Saiyuri on the head. "Darling, your eyes must have given you away so many time. It's a fun effect, though." She glanced over at the group of friends - especially the boy the girl had adressed - and smiled brightly. "Why don't your friends come on over then? You know, the floo network?" Georgiana clapped her hands cheerily.

"That'd be such fun!"

-----

Curiosity compelled her to sneak after Vanora. Anna easily slipped underneath her desk as the professor was looking the other way, and opened the door for the little fox-squirrle. "I've had it with this spell. Let's go see what your mistress is up to, shall we?"

"M-my eyes Professor?" Saiyuri stammered as she blushed a deep crimson, "However, that would be lovely Professor, but they're not allowed off of school grounds, with the exception of the visits to Hogsmeade."

The group squirmed in their seats as they whispered to themselves about how to get Saiyuri and Drew alone so he could tell her everything he felt.

Drew, totally oblivious to Kalli, Leane, and Josh planning such a meeting, simply sighed and looked at Saiyuri with a deep longing and mumbled to himself, "If only you weren't leaving so soon Sai... maybe I'd rack up the courage to tell you.."

"Oh right," the woman huffed, putting her hands on her hips again, "Those silly school rules. Well, I'm sure we can fit a sleeve to it. Besides," waving Saiyuri's interdictions away easily, "Owls can find you anywhere. But we'll have to see. Now then!" Invitingly, professor Fitzwilliam waved towards an empty seat next to Drew, "Will you join us this class, miss Rumeti?"

Saiyuri, a bit taken a back by the request, replied with a small stutter, "I-if you insist Professor."

Spying the only seat available was next to Drew, she rubbed her forehead and mumbled "Oh boy...." as she made her way towards the seat.

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

Vanora, noticing Anna following her and heard her small request, so she trotted along down the hallway to the right of the Charms Classroom and began hopping up the steps to the Second Floor.

Oblivious to the girls' unease, the new teacher eagerly began her first class, talking about dueling since she'd just calmed the group of fifth years so eager to do so.

----

Anna's wild mane bobbed lightly as she hopped onto the staircase, taking two steps at a time as she followed Vanora. No one in Charms would miss her, after all, since she'd managed to complete the spell. And since classes were in session, most teachers would be in their own rooms, teaching a class. So Anna was free to roam the school.

Or, right now, to follow a fox-squirrle towards her new "friends".

Saiyuri took her seat next to Drew and whispered, "I-I'm sorry.."

"For what Sai?"

"You know.. for everything.."

"It's fine.. really.."

Leane elbowed Drew in the stomache, lighter this time, "Tell her already!" she urged.

Saiyuri grew quite puzzled, her eyes gradually fading from pink to dark purple, "Tell me what?"

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

Vanora, upon reaching the top of the staircase, darted down the center hall a few feet before darting to the right. She then sat down and pawed at the door, waiting for Anna to catch up and let her in.

Puffing lightly, the girl caught up to the little magical animal, and plopped down next to the door. She placed her finger on her lips, urging Vanora to stay quiet, and softly opened the door a bit. Enough to see through, but not enough so that the litle animal could crawl through.

Immediatly she spotted Kalli, Josh, Leane, Drew and Saiyuri sitting on the first row - Fynn and other Gryffindors sitting behind them. They seemed mildly agitated, and she caught Leane elbowing Drew in the stomach. ~"I wonder what's going on,"~, she thought.

Vanora pawed at the door and tried to squeeze through the gap. Upon getting her head stuck in the crack for a minute or two before weaseling her way out, she finally gave up and sat on Anna's lap.

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

"Tell me what?" Saiyuri repeated, a bit more agitated at not having been answered immediately.

"Nothing," stated Drew quite bluntly.

"Fine," retorted Saiyuri.

Kalli and Leane both hit their foreheads against the palms of their hands simultaneously and looked to Josh to encourage Drew.

"They're still beating around the bush about this?!" Anna sighed in exasperation and stood up, carefully placing Vanora on the floor as she did so. "Seems like I'll have to lend a hand," she whispers to the little animal.

Quickly, Anna straightens out her uniform, bracing herself for an excellent bout of lying. With a light tap on the door, she entered the room. "Excuse me, professor Fitzwilliam?" She smiled broadly as she neared the professor, holding out her hand in advance, and pointedly not looking over at the students. (Which was probably best, since Fynn was gaping like a fish again.)

"My name is Anastasia Van Orsenhoven - I'm a transfer student from Beauxbatons." As the brown-haired professor returned the greeting, Anna immedialy noticed the curious, somewhat ditzy expression on her face, and Anna deemed this plan very highly to succeed. "I'm very sorry for coming late to your class - professor Dumbledore was testing my current knowledge to see if they had put me in the correct year." She smiles innocently at the teacher, and weaves a story of how her Defence against the Dark Arts skills are more 5th year level than 4th year, and how he does not want her to be bored in class. "So I would like to join the classgroup now - if that's alright with you?"

Suspiciously, Professor Fitzwilliam looks over the other brunette, noting her confidence and relaxed pose... and nods a little. "Sure, why not. Take a seat, miss Van Orsenhoven."

Making a small victory sign behind her back, and signaling Vanora to go towards her mistress, Anna smiles gratefully as she takes a seat next to Saiyuri. "Thank you, professor."