During the next several weeks, the school tried it's best to continue on as normal, despite a cordon of dementors surrounding the grounds. Eric was continuing on his projects, and had managed to chart out the particular forces involved with the animagus transformations. Even Professor McGonagall, who had originally discovered Eric's abilities to develop magical paradigms, was impressed. "Have you ever considered becoming an animagus yourself?"

"Honestly, no. At the moment, I don't see a need to have another body to move in to. Besides, animagi have to register with the Ministry of Magic. Personally, I'd rather not have my movements watched."

McGonagall stared at him through her narrow spectacles before smiling. "You do surprise me, Eric. Most students don't think that far ahead. It's good to see that there are students who consider consequences."

Another curious development was the evening discussion group. It had grown to over thirty students from all four houses ( though admittedly, Slytherin had the fewest representatives ) talking about their classes and issues they were dealing with. Eric was able to develop his interests in the Celtic and Gaelic schools of magic with a number of other students including Penelope Clearwater, the prefect that welcomed him into Ravenclaw originally. She was an excellent student and had a clever mind, and Eric found himself looking up to her as a mentor for his studies, for she often gave good advice on how far his investigations should go, and when it would perhaps be best to let a topic drop.

Unfortunately, she also had the dreadful tendency to excuse herself whenever Percy Weasley showed up, and Percy had little regard for the evening discussions. "What is the point of these meetings? The instructors teach us everything we need to know." Clearly, he held little regard for independent study outside of the rules and order of normal classes, and it was a shame that the result was the loss of Penelope.

The professors themselves, for the most part, were supportive, and were extremely happy that students were taking such an interest in their subjects. The only negative words came from Professor Snape ( who couldn't see how any student would think that such haphazard investigations could possibly help them understand the intricacies of potion making ) and Filtch the caretaker, who cast an evil eye to the meeting every time the Weasley twins were involved.

To be fair, Filtch had a right to be concerned. Fred and George often had discussions going regarding the properties and values needed for nearly an infinite variety of prank items. It was easy to tell when they were up to something new. It tended to be centered on a problem that was complex, imaginative, and whenever someone asked why they were looking into it, the response was always two phrases spoken by one then the other:

"No reason."

"Just curious."

These became the hint to those talking that they were involved with something nefarious. This was only fair, so that students who didn't want to be in any way involved with their mischief could bow out gracefully. Of course, this only happened rarely.

The remarkable thing was that the two of them were actually quite brilliant. Their abilities to reason out needed magical patterns coupled with their tendencies towards mischief made for amazing possibilities. If they turned their interests towards serious magical research, the limits of what could be accomplished would be staggering. The cost, however, would be the hours of entertainment more and more students enjoyed as they began to be a part of the Weasley's pranks – not by actual knowledge or involvement, but simply by helping them solve the questions needed to pull off some new caper.

Then there was Professor Trelawney's studies on clairvoyance. Over the course of eight weeks, he had finally gotten to the point where he could summon an image, though he had no control over what he would see. The professor was not discouraged. "You're progressing quite well. It usually takes a full season to get this far, so you're a bit ahead of schedule. It takes about a year of constant practice to develop a clairvoyance reliably. Given your other interests, this will probably take longer. Don't be upset, dear. It's normal, and it's good not to build your life around these talents if you can't use them reliably, which we won't know probably until your last year. It's good to have another plan.

"Now, students will be going to Hogsmeade this weekend. Have a good time, but be sure to bring back a crystal ball. A small one is suitable, one that can fit in your palm. I recommend a stand for longer practices. There will be some colored, but I recommend a simple clear one."

Eric gathered his materials. "Yes, Professor." He was really looking forward to taking a break from things, but this wouldn't make a huge difference in his plans. He made his way outward and downward until he finally found his way to the Ravenclaw common room.

Dorian had waited for him. "Long night?"

"Longer than most. It seems to be working, though." Eric dropped his books and sagged into a deeply padded chair.

"Hey, lighten up. It's Halloween weekend – we're off to Hogsmeade!"

"I trust you both will have a wonderful time." Naomi seemed to flow out from a hallway shadow.

"Naomi – look, we're sorry. Is there anything we can get you?" She had become such a part of their lives, Dorian and Eric forgot that Naomi was a second-year. She wouldn't get to make the trip until next year.

"That's ok. You had to wait for your turn. I'll wait for mine." Something in her voice belied her words. She never had much inflection, but this time the disappointment could be heard.

The boys decided to avoid Naomi until after the trip, but they would bring her back something nice. As they rode the carriages down to the village, they began to plan their evening. Dorian was all for hitting Honeydukes Sweets and Zonko's joke shop. Eric, on the other hand, was more interested in Dervish & Banges. He needed a crystal ball. In addition, he wanted to stop by the post office on a personal matter.