"HAHAHA… So what happened next?"

Laughed Filch, putting away the shovels.

"Prof Vector was on us like a hawk. Before the statues could make a move, she interrupted and brought Prof Snape and McGonagall with her. I was sent to the dungeons, was yelled at for an hour. Then I was sent to the headmaster, who seemed to be laughing, to get yelled at. I get that I went further than I should have, but three weeks of detentions is beyond crazy."

"If it helps any, Mr Rookwood, Mrs Norris and I will be quite pleased with the assistance." sneered Filch.

Van gave Mrs Norris a scratch on the head as he left the caretaker's office. He'd spent all morning planting young saplings around the east end of the dark forest. Although Herbology was among his favorite classes, having to use muggle tools and no magic was wholly annoying. Sure the Ravenclaws involved were given detention as well, however they had begged not to serve it with him. On a positive note, Prof Snape had informed him he never had to visit the Dueling Club ever again. It was a small win, however it had come at a great cost. The Headmaster had warned him of possible expulsion should anything more happen this year. Also, it was normal for students to avoid him, but now it had become even more noticeable. Whether walking between classes, eating in the grand hall or just relaxing somewhere, no one would go near him. Even among his house mates, beside those he called his friend, he'd become even more of a dangerous creature. As he filled a mug with coffee in the Grand Hall, most of the Slytherins seemed jumpy as he approached their table. Joy waved her hand to signal him to a seat near her, however he simply waved back and walked out of the Hall.

"Good Morn', Prof Pince"

Said Van as he entered the Library.

Irma Pince, the head librarian was know for three things; a love of the color green, giant fancy hats and a terrible temper. She peered over her desk at his coffee.

"You better watch yourself with my books, not a single drop or stain on any page, believe me i'll be checking!"

"Yes Ma'am, I promise to watch myself. On another note, has the book I requested arrived?"

Upon receiving 'Advanced Transfiguration Method', Van went in search of a cozy place to sit down. The Library is a massive labyrinth, but very organized. If you knew exactly what you were looking for, finding it would take mere minutes. All available books are in excellent condition, mostly thanks to the librarians. Many older volumes have simple gold and brown binding while many from the last decade or two add splashes of color to the otherwise monochrome bookcases. The large restricted section is a curiosity to much of the student body, however to him, just not worth the hassle. To be honest, in his first year, Van had studied heavily from all of the libraries sections. He'd rather spend all his time here, in this vast sanctuary of knowledge. While mostly filled with study tables and desks, couches and armchairs are in and around each section. Van settled into an armchair and began to read.

"Is this chair taken?"

Asked a voice.

Without looking up, he answered with a wave of his hand

"Sure, Sure."

After a few minutes of silence…

"You must like transforming, to read on such a level."

Van looked up from his book and was surprised to see the young hufflepuff he had met just a week or so before. Still in awkward fitting robes and a bit nervous looking. Perhaps that was due to his new reputation, he pondered for a second.

"Actually I can't transform at all. It's always been a struggle for me. However, even if I cannot do what others can, it won't stop me from knowing everything about it."

"That's amazing that you'd work both sides of it like that, I'd never be able to deal with such pressure of understanding." She replied.

"Alice, was it? What brings you to the library? I'm sure breakfast is still being served downstairs. "

"Alice Pelter, pleased to meet you… Or I guess meet you again, 'cause we met before back when you showed me back to my common room after I had stupidly been running around and ran into you and….."

Van couldn't help but chuckle. This wonderfully innocent person slowly dig a hole in the conversation. Noticing the book in her grasp, he decided to interrupt than to let her keep digging.

" 'Jack of Blades', I can't say i've ever heard of that book."

"OH! It's one of my favorite fables!" Alice professed. "I love reading about knights and mages and ghosts and princesses and how evil forces are defeated by the swift courageous warriors of olden times I could spend all my time in this vast sanctuary of fiction and lore!"

She stopped talking, embarrassed of her run on sentence. Van chuckled and smiled.

'This first year is something else, bet she's a 'ell of a lot of trouble to her house' he thought.

Before another word could be said between the two, Prof Pince stepped over to shush them.

A minute more and they were reading again in silence.

Van was walking back to the dorm alone when a creepy voice echoed in the empty hallway.

"I KNOW SOMETHING YOU DON'T KNOW!"

"Homenum Revelio! REVELIO!"

Shouted Van with wand drawn.

Peeves appeared, hovering before him.

"HOOROO YA UGLY BELLEND SLOYTHERON!"

"What do you want you little knob?"

"I JUST WANTED TO TELL YA THAT I OVERHEAD THE BARON EARLIER TALKING ABOUT YOU"

"He's my house ghost and friend, I don't see a problem here."

"HEE HA HAAA HEE HOOOO! YOU'RE GONNA GET KICKED OUTTA THE SCHOOL!"