Sorry this has taken so long. Again.

Saturday afternoon was bright and clear. Adrian sat outside in the shade of an old tree, leaning against the trunk with his eyes closed. The past few days had been difficult for him. The constant company of other people had taken its toll. He was exhausted.

Now he finally relaxed, letting the stress of the last week ease out of his body. He stayed like that for a long time. The sun had almost reached the horizon before he heard a voice.

"Don't you have homework to do?"

Adrian snapped open his eyes. Standing beside him was Sam.

"I really don't feel like doing mine," Sam continued, "but I'd rather finish it today than have to work on it tomorrow." He sat down against the tree as well, setting down his books beside him. He produced a quill, opened Defensive Strategy, Grade 1, and began to write.

After about twenty minutes of steady scratching from the quill, Sam closed his book and said triumphantly, "Okay! Done with that." He glanced at his watch. "It's almost six. I'm starving."

Sam stood up, bringing his books with him. "You're coming with me this time." He grabbed Adrian by the arm and began to pull him to his feet.

That was all it took.

"Let go of me!" Adrian shouted. He shot to his feet and wrenched his arm free of Sam's grip. With his other hand he slammed a fist into Sam's stomach, sending him tumbling backwards in a huff, a grimace on his face.

Now Adrian ran, stumbling to put the tree between himself and Sam. He dropped into a crouch, hugging his legs to his body, and panted frantically, trying to calm himself down. After a moment, when he finally had his breathing under control, he heard a hesitant voice.

"Adrian?"

There stood Sam, looking bewildered. He began to walk forward, his palms held up in a peaceful gesture.

"Go away," Adrian moaned, dropping his head to his knees.

Sam stopped, but he didn't leave. "Adrian, it's okay. I'm not going to hurt you. What's wrong?"

Adrian shivered and said nothing.

Sam slowly lowered himself to the ground beside Adrian. He said quietly, "If you need someone to talk to, I'm here."

~DetrimentalStorm~

On Monday morning Sam sat in the Great Hall, wolfing down all of the food he could get his hands on.

"I don't know how he eats so much and doesn't gain weight. That's just unnatural," Nonim said, grinning good humouredly. "Don't you think so?" he asked of the dark figure slouched across from him.

Adrian shrugged noncommittally, staring at his plate and pushing around the remains of his food with a fork.

Sam, who was seated beside Adrian, laughed. "The only thing unnatural here is that concoction you're making with your pumpkin juice."

Nonim quickly glanced down to where he had been tapping his wand on the side of his glass and cursed. The formerly orange drink was now a bubbling purple stew, obviously unfit to drink. "Not again," he sighed.

Barely suppressed snickers were heard around the table, causing Nonim's face to redden. This was the third time the occurrence had happened. "It's a habit," Nonim said defensively. "I used to do it with a pencil."

"Maybe you'll get bonus points in Potions," Sam joked.

On that note, the three students started towards the dungeon, where every Potions lesson took place, Adrian trailing behind the other two.

~DetrimentalStorm~

The Potions Master was a nondescript man, of medium build and dark hair. His eyes were a dull green, reflecting the colors of his classroom.

"Good morning, class," said the Potions Master, also known as Professor Contin, in a quiet voice. "Today I would like you to identify the items I have placed on the table in front of you. Please write this down. When you have finished with that, I would like you to attempt the potion detailed on page twelve of your textbook. You may use notes."

Adrian identified the materials in a matter of seconds. He opened his book to the correct page and found directions for a simple potion to stop hiccupping. He completed it within ten minutes, put away his tools, and sat back down at his table, content to watch the churning yellow formula the Professor was making.