April 22, 1996 was the last day that Ariadne Clohessy's life was normal in any sense of the word. She had no idea that it had changed, and even on April 30 at two in the afternoon, she was carefree, sitting on a blanket on the lawn of the Williams Inn. Anthony had taken her there the evening before as a break from studying. She had a massage that morning, and was as relaxed as she had ever been in her life. Anthony would be here in a moment with some cheese and a bottle of wine. She put the annoyance that sprang up in the back of her mind at his excluding her from choosing the bottle. She knew what she liked, and resented that he wouldn't allow her to express it. She put the thought to the back of her mind and decided to appreciate the moment.

"Here we are," Anthony said, taking a seat next to her on the blanket, putting down the picnic basket.

"I hope this spot's okay. I am not sure if we are allowed to sit here, but I think it is perfect. Such a beautiful day for April. I barely need this sweater, " Ariadne smiled at him. He was so very handsome, especially when he was relaxed.

"It's fine, I'm sure. They won't say a word. They appreciate the business that my father sends them too much."

She rolled her eyes. "Not the famed Dr. Phipps of the Phipps Phippses. Heavens no!" Her sarcasm was lost on him.

He handed her a pair of tickets. "Holy SHIT! Ani DiFranco and Utah Phillips! You rock my world!" She threw her arms around him. He had no idea who they were, but he knew that she loved them.

"It's for your birthday in June, but they are going to be in Boston next month. I figured it could be an early birthday present. I figure you can take Nathaniel if you wanted. Not exactly my speed, but you two have a great time on me. I've booked you at the Parker House. James Michael Curley Suite- your favorite Boston Mayor."

"You're not coming?"

"I have my clerkship, and I can't be out all night at a concert the night and expect the judge to be pleased that I show up hung-over."

"But you don't have to drink. It's not like its compulsory. I won't if you won't."

"I may have to turn to the bottle to get through that ruckus. Honestly, the liberal media makes darlings out of any dike with a guitar. I get that it's your politics. I still hope you'll grow out of them. A guy can dream…."

"Not bloody likely. It's not something that I will change when I get my diploma."

"Maybe when you start law school then."
"I've told you that law school isn't in the cards for me. I just want to teach."

"It's what my parents expect."

"I'm not your parents."

"You don't have to practice. You just have to finish and pass the bar. By then we'll be married, and ready to try for children."

"Which we still don't know I can even have." Or if I really want to try. She thought.

"You'll be able to. With your parents connections, you can see the best specialists in the country if necessary. And your doctor said that we won't know it until we try."

She was seething inside, but she didn't want to ruin his visit. She sat on her hands and prayed that she would have the patience to deal with him. She could vent to Sarah and Nathaniel later. Right now she just wanted to get back to the relaxing place she was before he started on this. It was as if he and his parents had her life plotted out for him. He had even gone so far as to tell her that "his parents were willing to let it go that she was Catholic AND a Democrat." Sometimes she felt that their relationship was more contrived merger than love, but she loved his mind and she loved the fun that they had. She still had some time left to change her mind. The ring on her finger wasn't on her finger- yet.

On the other side of campus, Ariadne's mentor, Dr. Margaret Danvers, sat at her desk. When she looked back later, she realized that she would never forget what she was doing when the phone rang in her office. She was sharpening her pencil to mark some papers. It was the department secretary telling her that the roommate of one of her students was on the line with "urgent" news. "Put her through, please."

"This is Dr. Danvers," she said into the receiver.

"Dr. Danvers, I am certain that you are busy, but I have been looking for Ariadne Clohessy, and I know she spends time in the lounge quite a bit. This is her roommate, Sarah Stone."

"It is just fine dear, I think our Ariadne has decided to 'play hookie' with her young man. Are you alright dear?"

"I don't know to be honest. I think that something has happened to her parents. Someone from the United States Department of State is here to see her. I didn't know what else to do, but I know that she is your TA so I thought you may know where she is, I wasn't here when she left left last night, I was visiting my parents." Dr. Danvers knew the young woman was crying.

"If you wouldn't mind, could you ask the representative from the State Department to come to our office? Do you know where that is? I believe that Nathaniel is in our module tutoring, and I will ask him to get Ariadne at the Williams Inn. She is there with Anthony."

"I know where the Classics Department is. I will bring him there right now."

"Thank you dear. Please let Mrs. Shadding know if there is anything you need. She is the secretary for our little department. I will see you in a moment."

As Sarah was making her way from their apartment to the Classics Department, half a world away, Albus Dumbledore was getting the same news.