Saturday, Jocelyn spent it indoors, gardening, cooking, studying, writing letters, and doing other casual works. She asked her friends through Dobby if they all could meet, either in Amictos or in the meadow. They refused, regrettably saying that they were still being watched and cannot just disappear, and neither should she come here because they cannot trust the headmaster to not cast any spell to detect her presence. They did assure her that they would meet on Hogsmeade weekend. They had found an interesting empty room in the castle and for about two hours in the evening, they chatted back and forth. Fawkes and Hedwig were only too pleased to be their messengers, nicking off snacks with every flash and enjoying the petting of so many people.

When Jocelyn was coming back from her breakfast the next day, she was surprised to find Headmaster Grendall standing at the steps of her cottage, merely looking around.

"Goodmorning sir! Did I miss any notice saying you would arrive? I am sorry; I wouldn't have left if I had."

"Peace Jocelyn. Calm down. I am here of my own will."

"Oh, please come inside sir."

As soon as they were inside, Dobby popped in.

"Goodmorning sir. Welcome to our cottage. I saw you arrive five minutes ago, but please excuse me that I did not let you in. I did not know you well enough to."

"Don't worry about it. I was happy to wait for her."

"Thank you. Miss Joy, shall I get some refreshments?"

At her nod, he popped away. Meanwhile Jocelyn got rid of her cloak and joined the headmaster in the sofas.

"Did something happen sir?" she asked tentatively.

"Why are you so scared Miss. Potter? I am here just to see if you are settling in well. Let me say that your cottage is beautiful."

"Thank you sir."

"If it is okay, may I know why two bird houses just became visible in your hall?"

Jocelyn was surprised for a moment that he could see the houses. But when she looked at them, she could see that the birds themselves made them visible. Dobby popped in with cookies and orange juice for three, and joined them. Dobby and Jocelyn looked at each other and rolled their eyes.

"Come on you two, that was just a game. You don't make grand entrances every time."

Grendall was smiling, "Oh you have two birds. Do let them make the entrance; I would love to see it."

Jocelyn looked at him for a moment and then shrugged. She nodded to Dobby, who smiled and popped beneath the houses and started announcing.

"Presenting, the grandest of the grand, the essence of fire and light, the mischievous, the intelligent, the sharp and the quick, Fawkes of the phoenixes! And may I present to you, the fiercest of the fierce, the most beautiful, the best planner, the charming, the cunning and caring, Hedwig of the phoenixes! Behold them in their glory!"

The two phoenixes simultaneously slid aside their drapes to become visible and synchronously flew and landed on the table. By now, the headmaster was laughing.

"HAHAHAHA! Oh my! You have really fun little companions with you, Potter. My congratulations!"

"Thank you sir?" her thanks was filled with doubt.

"Trust me Miss, having someone who brightens your day when you are all depressed is a blessing. Not many have it, and not all those who do appreciate it.

Jocelyn nodded, still apprehensive about his visit. Headmaster Grendall now took a soft tone when he noticed this.

"Jocelyn Potter, please do not doubt me. I have your best interests and I care for you. I know that being here is a challenge for you. But just you see, cross these fires and you will emerge a diamond."

"I'm not so sure" she mumbled, "maybe I am not supposed to exist."

"And why would you assume that?"

"Why don't I fit anywhere then? Not with my relatives, not in primary school, not in Hogwarts and neither here."

"Ah! Do you really think so? You are looking at all the negatives and sticking to them. That would only cause you grief."

"I should be in grief, I kill everybody I love. Everybody!"

"You don't dear. They choose to stand with you or in front of you because they love you."

"Then I am not worthy of it." She was close to tears now.

"May I call you Jocelyn?"

She nodded.

"Jocelyn, understand dear, that everyone dies one day or the other. It is the way we do it and the reason we leave that matters. The people you say died because of you; maybe they did so, but they did it willingly because they loved you, because you are important enough for them to do so. Wailing against their feelings is disrespecting them, because all they wanted was you to live and be happy. Grieve their deaths, but remember them for all the love and happiness they shared with you. Because that is what mattered most to them, for you to live happily. Do you understand?"

Jocelyn sighed and nodded.

The headmaster chuckled, "I see that we still don't agree with each other. How are you Jocelyn? How is Amictos treating you?"

"I am fine."

She did not look into his eyes while saying that. Dobby was shaking his head in disappointment behind her. Grendall noticed all this. He got up from his seat and knelt before her on his knees so that they could see eye-to-eye.

"Will you tell me the truth child?"

"Why do you care?" she whispered.

"I care for all of Amictos and everyone in it. When you attended my class, I saw you tired and spent. May I know why?"

"Oh that… I had to charge my crystal the night before."

"So? No one else was as tired, why were you?"

"I don't know, I tried my best but not even half of it is filled till now. It is hard. Maybe I am not suitable here?"

"Stop degrading yourself Jocelyn, it does no good." He said strictly, catching the girl off guard. She snapped her head up to his.

"If you say that it is not fair for anyone to belittle anyone, then first start being fair to yourself. You look pathetic saying that you belong nowhere. You are in this world, you have potential, so make a place for yourself. If people's death really weighs on your heart, then resolve yourself to make their sacrifices mean something."

He scolded her. Jocelyn was speechless and ashamed of her behavior by the end of his dialogue. This was the first time she had seen him cross with her. Then his face and voice softened.

"Listen Jocelyn. Hating yourself is not the way to live. I am telling you to live for yourself, not just drift by. If you think that being with you endangers someone, then make yourself strong enough to fight that danger, not crumble in self-criticism. Now I will ask you again, why were you tired that day?"

"I told you, it was the assignment."

"Which should be easiest for you. You know how your magic needs to be spent, and why you are carrying the stone I gave you. Your magic has a very high limit; the wards you placed inside and around the cottage themselves prove that."

"But I was not using the stone when charging the wards. You told me to use magic without the stone."

"Of course I did. So why was charging a simple crystal so difficult?"

"Do you mean I was not supposed to wear the stone when doing that? But Imparato himself forbade me to remove the chain."

"He did what? Oh no child, the stone is a soother to your magic, not to be used as a limit. Tell me what happened."

So she did. Once she started speaking, she could not stop herself from relaying everything that happened in the week. By the end of her narration, Grendall was deep in thought.

"I see that I had misjudged the severity of reaction from the Imparatos. The students, I could guess; you will have to prove yourself before being accepted by them. I will talk with the Imparatos; they should not be treating you like this."

"NO!" Jocelyn exclaimed, before calming herself, "I mean... please sir, don't fight on my behalf. If you do mean that I have to prove myself and be strong, then please let me try first to disprove them of their notions. You are right; blaming oneself is cowardly, I will not shame my parents."

Grendall smiled at her resolve, "Very good. I am glad. Don't let anyone push you down, and please do come to me or someone you trust if you are having any difficulties or doubts, okay?"

Jocelyn agreed.

"Good, I am repeating it again, you need to learn to control your magic, so don't let the stone be a limit when you are using it. Whatever anyone says!"

"Okay sir."

"Well, I will take my leave now. Fawkes, Hedwig, Dobby, farewell and take care of each other."

Just as he reached the door he heard a quiet 'thank you' from the human girl. He smiled at her and left, assured that she will do well now.

Alano Hasan Drestoir was lazing in his cottage today. More than two months have passed in Amictos and it was Sunday, so he promised himself a day away from the three girls who stuck around him. He liked Amictos and its classes, the Imparatos were very efficient in their teaching. The senior fairy Allievos he had met impressed him with the tales of the school and the adventures they faced. He was looking forward to all the new experiences he would get here before being thrust into the manipulative politics of fairies. He actually did not want that, and prayed for a miracle daily.

His cottage was fairly simple, with a room attached to a bedroom and a washroom. He wanted to build an elaborate one, but did not dare in fear of the girls invading his residence. He deliberately built his cottage near the elves, in hope that it would discourage the ladies from surrounding him; but alas, they built their cottages just around him. The two other male fairies in Amictos were in a similar situation, but at least they were receptive of the advances from the females. Not him. He had searched for another spot, a secluded one, where he could reside in peace, but was unable to find one so far.

Saelig Zorian Seamase liked Amictos very much. Having lived in a busy environment till now, the school was like a fresh breathe for him. He liked the lessons and the Imparatos, and was most impressed by their no-nonsense attitudes. He hadn't met such people till now, who put their tasks ahead of scoring impressions and did their jobs with complete care and dedication.

Once he had failed to impress the human girl, Jocelyn Potter, he had migrated away from the spot only to be hounded by the rest of his year mates. They compelled him to build a cottage with them. He could not escape them, and the most he could manage was to convince them that he needed his own space and so his own cottage.

The two guys were not willing to bear being crushed between their respective race's classmates, and that was what led to their introduction to each other.

It was the customs class of the second week. The moment Alano entered the class, he looked towards the usual corner in the back where Potter usually sat, but she was not there yet. Since there was an empty row there anyway, he took the seat and prayed that the other fairies would not sit beside him. He cursed when he heard the arrival of the fairies and resigned himself to their endless chatter and flattery that made no sense. Fortunately, before they could reach him another voice spoke beside him.

"Hi! May I sit beside you?"

It was one of the elves, a boy named Seamase if he remembered correctly. He nodded.

"Sure, but won't your elfin classmates refuse to sit beside me?"

"That would be a blessing really. I cannot stand their incessant adoration anymore, which is clearly fake anyway. When will they understand that buttering up to me will earn them no benefits? Just because of my father is a minister doesn't mean that they will be get recognition just by being with me."

"If you don't mind me saying, it actually will. I mean, they will be recognized enough that they are Amictos alumni, but being in good graces of minister's son will only sow good impressions."

"Yeah I understand. Doesn't mean I like it."

"Uh huh" Alano agreed.

"So why are sitting all the way back? Same troubles as mine?"

"Why would you assume so?"

"Come on, I know male fairies are few and revered. Either you would be relishing in their attention, or shying away from company. Those are usually the reactions of the ones most followed around. Seeing you in the back points to the latter."

"Actually, there is a third possibility too, where one would remain unaffected and yet turn into a good leader for them. But yes, I do not fall into that category either." He sighed.

"I can understand. So, where is our Potter today?"

"Our?… Potter?"

"I mean, she sits with her hood on away from everyone else, and usually it is either you or me who looks to a chance to sit beside her."

"She is a quiet one."

"And no one else would sit beside her due to their prejudices. That is a benefit for me. I concentrate on my classes better when I am left alone."

"I agree. And anyway, she shies away from almost everyone, it is sad to look at her always all alone."

"Well her life, her choice. So would you like to sit with me from now on? That would benefit us both, for we would both be able to attend to the class better."

"I would not hesitate to consent to that. Best be in a corner every day, with the human at most for company. She won't disturb us."

"Agreed!"

Thus started their acquaintance, which soon turned into a good friendship. They both helped each other with studies and company and liked each other's attitude. They had similar interests and were appreciative of each other's talents. But most of all, both of them were honest souls and had nothing fake or exaggerated between them. Just genuine like for each other.

Their friendship was not agreed upon by their classmates, and that disagreement was what started the arguments between the elves and fairies. Those happened often and with silly beginnings, but inevitably ended with comparison between the two boys.

So today, when he was disturbed by voices from outside, Alano sighed.

Another argument.

"How many times do we have to tell you? You are welcome to do whatever you want, if you are not disturbing us. But you don't listen!" It was Selina, one of the elves from his year. She was debating against the three fairies. There were a few elves, all first years, standing by her side.

"And how many times do I have to tell you, mind your own business. You cannot be the judge of what we can and should do." Riana, a fairy girl replied.

"I am not judging your actions. All I am saying is that it is disturbing us. You all just sitting outside Alano's cottage, gossiping and giggling all the time, are noisy and distracting. I will complain to your Head if this continues."

"See if I care!" Riana brushed her off, "If it troubles you so much, then go settle somewhere else. I won't mind."

"What is going on here? Can't you people stay quiet? I am trying to relax on my weekend here."

Saelig came out of his cottage scratching his hair. With his clothes all rumpled he looked like he just got out of bed.

"Good morning Saelig!" Alano greeted him, joining him by his side.

"Hey Alano! Happy Sunday!" he greeted back with a smile.

Both smiled at each other and then turned towards the arguing group. By now, other residents living around us had joined to watch.

"What is the issue here, if I may ask?" Alano Interrupted.

Selina stepped towards him, "You! It is all because of you that these fairies make all that noise outside all the time. What do you have to say? Tell your fans to keep their nonsense to themselves."

Riana stepped forward too, "Drestoir! It is not true. We would never disturb anyone, let alone you. Tell me, were you ever disturbed by our meetings outside your cottage? And anyway, it is not like we are only ones, these fairies are always flirting with Seamase out here, now that's revolting to watch."

Seamase dragged his palm down his face, trying to control his frustration. Alano felt the same way.

"I…" he tried to reply, but Selina cut him off.

"Of course you would support your kind. It was generous of us to let you stay by us, and this is how you repay?"

"But I…"

"Generous of you?" this time it was Riana who butted in, "Generous of you? For your kind information, this is Amictos, not your home where you can get anything by throwing a temper tantrum. We settled here rightfully by our own rights and magic."

"Yeah yeah, I can see how good of a magic you have, if all that your beloved can create is that deplorable cottage in Amictos."

"Woah! Don't advance on to insults now…"

Saelig tired to curb the escalating argument, but he was ignored.

"Our beloved, as you put it, does not need fancy pansy cottages to show off his magic."

"Come on now, we are diverting off the topic…."

Alano was again cut off mid-sentence by the angry Selina.

"Of course, if he cannot show his talent even in basic things, that's what it means; that he is incompetent. Our Seamase does not live in such discomfort."

"Hey!" cried Saelig, "Don't drag me into this…."

He was ignored again. In fact, the other males had backed away from the arguing females, and only Saelig and Alano were cornered in between them, unheard.

"I saw how much he is capable of, can't even design a cottage of his own. You had to practically draw it down for him, and that too a pathetic girly one."

"Stop berating each other girls…."

"At least he asked for help when he needed it. Not like your man-fairy who lives like a hermit in a cave."

"He does not need any…"

"STOP IT!"

Both Alano and Saelig shouted at the same time. Alano was holding his anger better than Saelig, but both were frustrated.

Saelig advanced on to the group, scaring them slightly with his angry expression.

"I do not understand what seems to be your problem. You have this argument every week since we have come here, and it escalates from a silly topic to comparison between the two of us. We are not gods, okay. We are here to learn just like you. All this argument shows all of us in a very bad light. For once and last time, tell me what seems to be the trouble that you have with each other."

"I don't want them here." Was the reply that came from both Selina and Riana.

"Why?" was the calm yet angry question from Alano.

Riana turned to him, "Drestoir, please see how they disrupt our very routines and interrupt us in everything we do."

Selina turned to Saelig to put forward her argument, "They disturb our peace and quiet. We came here first; they should find a place of their own."

"That's not true. Drestoir was the one who found this location and built the cottage first here. You just leeched off his choice."

"See how they insult us Saelig. I don't understand why you are friends with that stupid fairy."

"They insult you at every chance they get. Why should we allow them to live with us?"

"Oh stop it! All of you!" Saelig shouted, "You are making no sense with your arguments. They neither have strength nor matter. You are just arguing for argument's sake. I am getting sick of living with you."

Saelig was angry now. Alano placed a hand on his shoulder as he spoke, "I have a solution. Let us request Amictos to build a line of trees between the two groups until we all learn to live with each other."

"But Drestoir!" Riana spoke her concern, "that would be through your cottage. Are you willing to sacrifice your residence for them? Of course, you can live with any of us, we won't mind."

"Silence!" Alano said seriously, "I am going to relocate. I do not want to come between your arguments again and disrupt my learning. I will find a new place in Amictos to build my cottage and I request none of you to disturb me there."

"Excellent idea!" Saelig jumped at the chance, "I will relocate too. That way neither group will have any reason to argue."

Before the girls could argue anymore, both boys nodded to each other and departed; leaving the girls stunned that their heroes are moving away.

"Good solution Alano, thank you." Saelig patted the fairy's shoulder as they walked together.

"That's all well and good, but it would be useless if I cannot find a place soon to relocate."

"You mean 'we' right? I want to move away too, and if we live next to each other, then I hope others would hesitate to live with us."

"Yeah! I wish we can live with the drackens, but the ones in our year are a tight-knit group and probably won't welcome us near them."

"I would even live with the satyrs if I could survive living in the forest. But I like open lands. And I know I cannot move as fast as them amongst trees."

Then they both said at the same time…

"Or we could live with the human."

They both stopped in their tracks and looked at each other. A smiled slowly spread on their faces. This was the perfect solution. No one would bother them if Potter was with them, for many disliked humans.

"Do you know where she has her cottage?"

"Yes, actually I was planning to build my cottage near hers, but I said something unwelcome which hurt her. She walked away after slapping me. I decided I would not be welcome there anymore and moved away."

"Slapped you? Why?"

Alano just shook his head after Saelig had narrated the incident, "Please forgive me for being blunt, but you really need to watch what you speak, especially to someone who had been singled out and isolated."

"I know, I know. She never shows discomfort with me sitting beside her, so she must have forgiven me. Or at least I hope she has and I get a chance at a new start."

"Well let's see. Are we there yet?"

"Yeah, just a few more minutes walk….. There... See? The cottage with trees beside it. That's hers."

"Hmmm… a good idea to place a garden like that. Earns you privacy as well as peace."

"What are both of you doing here?" A strong male voice spoke beside them. They turned towards the questioner, who was actually a senior dracken standing at the steps of his cottage.

"Goodmorning sir" Alano greeted him while Saelig bowed his head. "We were just roaming around looking for a good spot."

"What for?"

"Umm…. We wish to relocate our cottages and find a place with some solitude."

"Why should I believe you? For all I know, you are another group coming to torment the poor girl."

"No way!" Saelig exclaimed, "We would never hurt anyone. In fact, we want to leave because our friendship was causing discomfort between our classmates."

"Again, why should I believe you?"

"We are willing to swear an oath if you require so!" Alano stepped forward.

"Really?"

"Really!" Saelig nodded, "but just listen to our reason and you will not need one. Please sir."

The dracken sighed and told them to come inside. Once they were seated in the hall, the two first years told their tale to the dracken. After listening to them he sighed.

"Okay, I understand. I will not object you living here. My name is Segrace Hiilgus Brinhat and I am a year senior to you. But you need the acceptance of Jocelyn too. Be careful, she is a delicate girl."

"Do you mean weak?"

This made Segrace laugh, "No way, she is the strongest when it comes to magic and personality. No, she is of fragile heart, which has been broken many times, and still has to bear every insult thrown at her."

"Oh what happened? Do you know her well? She never has uttered a single word in class till now nor has anyone seen her without her cloak."

"I've seen her!" Segrace said sadly and told them his tale.

Segrace Hiilgus Brinhat was a dracken of a warrior clan; of a family who were excellent and loyal fighters. It was accepted and even praised in his family to swear oaths of protection to someone. The choice was always of the individual, for an oath was ineffective without true devotion. Segrace's parents were loyal followers of the king and had sworn their oaths to the royal couple. Unfortunately, when Segrace was just five years old, they died in a fight in order to save the king. Since then, he had been provided for by the royal couple, and raised by his relatives. Everyone expected him to swear his oath to their son, Prince Kinwer Mallsoe Sendrin, who was actually a year younger than him and also his classmate.

When queried how that was possible, Segrace replied that he was allowed to attend Amictos only when the prince received the letter a year later. He was not sure if he wanted to swear his oath to him, for he did not feel such loyalty towards him. But that was for later.

"So where did you meet Potter in all this?"

"Impatient aren't you?" Segrace smiled at Saelig who smiles sheepishly. "I did not meet her until she came to Amictos. Actually, when I arrived to my cottage this year, I was surprised to find a new cottage near mine. This wasn't there before and unlike you, not many allievos change places randomly, especially in the holidays. I could feel strong magic from the wards surrounding the cottage. But when I knocked at that door, no one answered. So I just let it be."

"I first saw her at the big banyan tree beyond Okrag, where I have my lunch daily. You see, even among my kind, Brinhats are a feared lot. Being one of them, along with arriving a year late isolated me from making close friends, though everyone is cordial with me. So I was surprised to find a cloaked allievo there. She soon became my companion, a silent one, who never spoke after her first apology of taking up my space under the tree.

So it continued for two weeks. I guess you first years were still adjusting to Amictos till then. But the news of her presence had spread by then. I saw her again that weekend, the Saturday night to be precise. She must have come from the Okrag. She was scratching her hands and face all over. By the time she reached halfway to her cottage, she fell down on the ground and began crying. Not normal sobbing, but outright crying."

"What happened?"

"A cruel prank. Someone, possibly a senior, had cast a charm which caused serious itching all over her hands and face, making her scratch herself severely."

"That's cruel. And how did they escape punishment from Osada."

Segrace just shook his head, "You need to understand something. Osada is completely against harming someone or invading someone's residence. It will definitely capture you if you do that. But minor spells which just cause discomfort are excused, for they could even be used in silly pranks."

"You mean that Amictos seniors are that cruel?" Alano was surprised.

"Alano, you need to understand that very few are inherently cruel or evil. These people were just working on their dislike of humans; they are not essentially bad."

"How can you say that?" Saelig asked in outrage.

"Let me give you an example; if a dragon is found near your colony, won't you drive it away or hurt it?"

"Of course, they are dangerous!"

"Does that mean you are evil, or that particular dragon was there to cause harm?"

"No but… I just mean… Oh okay, I understand. It is all because of their prejudice. I hate it when knowledge defends the wrong."

"Of course it was wrong of them, no excuse for that. So I rushed to her and took her to her cottage, where her house-elf Dobby immediately popped beside her. He thanked me and took her in. Even I am surprised that he was able to heal her by next day."

"Anyway" Segrace shook himself out of the memory, "Since then, we acquaint well with each other. I won't say friends, she is too wary for that yet, but we do interact. I've not even seen her face till now, but I can say that she is a soft hearted person. I have seen her pranked and insulted many times; some she could avoid, some she couldn't. But each of them hurts her. That's why I am telling, I will not allow you near her if you wish to hurt her."

Both Alano and Saelig nodded.

"We understand." Saelig said, "Don't worry, we will leave if she declines."

The three of them stood up to go to her house. They had just opened the door when there was a pop behind them. They turned to find a house-elf there.

"Oh! I did not know that Mister Segrace had guests. Forgive me. Miss Joy sends these cookies and a greeting for a happy weekend."

"Wait a minute Dobby!" Segrace said before the elf popped away. "Could you please help us?"

Dobby just stayed there and nodded.

"These are classmates of Jocelyn, Alano Drestoir and Saelig Seamase. They want to meet her once. Please ask her if she would consent to meet us."

Dobby hesitated, "I am not sure, but I will definitely ask. Please give me a moment."

He popped away. Alano turned to the dracken, "So that was Potter's house-elf?"

Segrace nodded, "yes… and now we wait."

It took five minutes before Dobby came back, but he came back with good news.

"Miss Joy has agreed to meet you in her cottage. But she asks for a promise from you, that you would not reveal whatever you see inside her cottage to anybody."

"I would be happy to make the oath." Segrace nodded. But Dobby shook his head.

"Not a magical one. Just one from your hearts! Miss Joy trusts you Mister Brinhat, and she trusts you not to bring pranksters into her cottage."

Segrace looked at the two men for their agreement, which they readily gave. Dobby then clapped his hands in happiness, "Then you three are welcome to our cottage. Though I should warn you, be ready for some surprise."

Dobby vanished after saying that. The three looked at each other before shrugging and walking towards the human girl's cottage.

Author's Note:

Introduction complete. Now the drama has started. Say what you think!

Coming up: Life of friends at Hogwarts till now.