Heyy... so it's been awhile since I've written something for this story so I'm very sorry to those who were waiting. Thanks for being patient~ :D I've decided to change/edit the first chapter because I could not think of a plotline with the original. I promise the story will get better/more interesting so just bare with it now ^^ I have made a new year resolution to write more for this story so please be patient with me. Reviews are very much appreciated and always inspire me to write more :D Thank you very much for reading.

"Professor Palladium, here are the details of the new student," Head-mistress Faragonda handed a clipboard filled with papers. The professor accepted the papers and faced Mrs. Faragonda confused.

"A new student? It's already half-way through the year, I didn't know Alfea accepted students this late," Palladium curiously asked. Mrs. Faragonda smiled. "Well, this seems to be a special case," she mysteriously said, swiftly exiting the room. Palladium tilted his head in confusion and wondered who could be that special. He glanced down at the clipboard as his eyes widened in shock. His voice stuttered as he clumsily stepped backwards, lowering the papers. "Wha-…ah…why... what..." his lips tracing the words he tried speak aloud. "W-why her?" he managed the mutter under his breath.

During the past three days, Palladium was in a trance of shock. His eyes were glazed as he stumbled mindlessly down the halls of Alfea. Other teachers and some students soon became worried, though he continued his classes. After one Potionology class, Palladium was approached by two of his students, Techna and Flora.

"Professor? Professor Palladium!" Techna waved her hand in front of the professor's endless gaze. The students shared a concerned look. Techna let out a sigh and asked,

"You seem like you've had an unpleasant encounter. Is something wrong?"

Palladium's head instantly shot up to face the startled students. His eyes focused on Techna, but soon returned to his unfocused, soft gaze.

"I'm sorry girls, excuse me," he apologized as he shuffled quickly down the corridor.

Palladium crashed into his door and the other furniture in his apartment as he stumbled towards his bedroom. He let himself fall onto the bed and began to smother his face with a nearby pillow.

"Why, why am I like this?" he cried, almost screamed, into the silken pillow. He began to breathe heavily as he lifted the pillow from his face.

"It's been a few years now… I should be over it." Closing his eyes, he controlled his breathing and calmed down.

"She's arriving tomorrow…" his mind begun to trail off into sleep. "What am I going to do? What do I do…" he fell into a long awaited sleep.

'She's coming now! In only a few minutes!' Palladium nervously glanced at the classroom clock. He swallowed hard, trying to rid of the tight feeling in his chest, but it only got tighter. He totally ignored his chatty class and anxiously stared at the doors, waiting for the new student. Finally, the doors opened and a teacher stepped inside. Palladium's heart stopped and his eyes focused on the door. A few moments past and no one else arrived. The teacher advanced towards Palladium and informed him of the situation.

"The others thought it best for you to speak to her alone. She is waiting on the roof. Please go speak to her and I'll manage your class," the teacher said, as she helped the professor out of his chair and guided him out of the classroom.

The teacher shut the door of Palladium's classroom behind him. Palladium looked back at his usual teaching room. Never before had he wished to be back in there so much. Sighing, he trudged down the hallway, towards the staircase to the roof of the school.

Past memories ran through Palladium's mind like an old film. The imagery was faded, but the events and feelings were still strong. That one face, that one girl changed Palladium's life, no matter how much he tried to avoid it.

"What do I do?" he repeated to himself for the hundredth time, still finding no answer. Unfortunately for Palladium, he soon arrived at the door to the staircase.

'Darn…' he cursed in his mind. 'All the other hallways are so long, so why not this one?' Taking a deep breath, he began climbing the smooth, lilac stairs.

With each step, his timid heart pounded louder and faster. It took all his rational and logical sense to keep him from retreating. 'I have to see her, I'm her teacher now, I have to see her,' he continuously reaffirmed to himself. He stopped on the last step and tried to mentally prepare himself. Determination filled his eyes as he opened the door, though it disappeared almost immediately.

A young girl only a few years younger than Palladium was leaning against the safety rail on the edge of the roof. As Palladium nervously stepped towards her, he saw that she was wearing a simple, light blue summer dress. His nervousness began to fade as curiosity took over. She had heavily layered, sandy blonde hair with a strangely coloured sky-blue fringe. Her light blue eyes were wide open with excitement and awe as she observed the school grounds below her. She had a childish smile and slightly pink cheeks. Palladium walked up next to her, staring in astonishment.

The girl noticed the other's presence and looked over to the taller, long haired being. She stared up at him, slightly confused why he wasn't saying anything.

"Um… hello…" she smiled politely, breaking the awkwardness.

"Your not Scarlet… are you?" Palladium absent-mindedly murmured. Palladium's dazed mind instantly snapped awake.

"Oh I'm so sorry, I mistook you for someone else. My name is Professor Palladium and I'll be your new potionology teacher. It's a pleasure to meet you," he stretched his hand towards the girl. He was trembling slightly from the overwhelming relief and the embarrassment. Accepting and shaking the professor's slender hand, the blonde smiled.

"It's nice to meet you too. My name's River and I just transferred here today," she smiled amusedly, parting hands. Palladium felt a new wave of nervousness, different from before. He was never confident around new people, or anyone for that matter, and this girl was no exception.

"So, umm… ah, would you like a tour of the school?" he stuttered, stepping back half a step.

"Sure," she grinned, face brimming with cheerfulness. River followed Palladium as he stumbled nervously towards the door.