-Long, low whistle sounds- Wow, you guys must have liked that chapter! I got…8 reviews! Yay!

Zerrin of the Wind: Sort of naughty. He does something later –a hit: Aly- but not in this chapter. In this particular chapter, he-wait, that'd spoil the surprise! Anyways, your story is great, and I always mean my compliments. It's okay about updates; I don't mind.

Zeetah: Thanks a lot! I like people thinking that my ideas and jokes are funny. Nobody laughs at them at home, and so I get sorta discouraged. But this has helped a lot! Thanks!

TPFreak: Lol. Vf. Yes, I liked the new ending so much better too. Thank my wonderful cousin Heather for that! Her parents said she could join, then when she didn't for a few days, they changed their minds and decided that this website was evil! How dare they! So, alas, she may not join. Unless…I have an idea! Must send email to Heather… Now, about your story…YOU MUST CONTINUE THE AMAZINGNESS OF TP! IT IS TOO GOOD TO BE ABANDONED! I hope that helps. Did you read my two reviews I just sent? Well, please take into consideration about Ryn…I like her a lot, but a lot of powers seem too…I don't know…extravagant. I actually think I gave Cami too many powers. Oh well.

On top of cloud 9: Yes…so sweet. I like the weddings! Yes, please update ASAP! And you haven't been to your moms house since? Your parents are divorced? I'm sorry if it's a touchy subject. All the grief in my writing, I actually haven't experienced, so I can't relate, but I'm really, really sorry.

Syl Rose: I know, everyone likes the other end better –sobs- everyone likes my cousin better than me…just joking! Anyways, you'll see what's up…

Rachael/ RidiculousnessMakesTheWorldGoRound: review one: Wow! I can't believe you found this! It's great! And of course, you would think my style is cliquey, but that was because you read the other story, and that story sucked so bad it's not even funny. And no duh, that was your quote. Love that quote! Yay!

Review two: I love this new pen-name! I love being on a fav stories list! It rocks! And I will NEVER make a Mary Sue. Or at least I promise I'll try not to. There's these people called the Mary-Sue Patrol, and they joined only to say have stupid people's stories are! It's really annoying. Btw, start another of your own stories!

Darkjdeg: Yes the revised chappy was good. I'm almost getting tired of typing it, no offense to you. And please update your story! I'm waiting!

Wow, a ton of reviews makes me happy! –jumps up and down- Now, for the story…

Cami sat up and rubbed her eyes, the great gonging sound that woke her up every day still ringing in her ears. Why can't I get just get a few more minutes of- Then she shot out of bed, wide awake. It's midwinter! She thought excitedly. Grabbing a fresh tunic and breeches, she stepped behind the opaque screen and took a quick bath.

Oh crap, I'm gonna be late, she thought angrily, and hopped out of the door while tugging her left shoe on. She skidded into the mess hall just as the training master was beginning the prayers. He smiled kindly at her, and continued as she took her seat, cheeks burning.

"Where were you?" hissed Amoret from the corner of her mouth. "Dreaming about lover boy again?"

"No, I wasn't!" Cami defended herself quickly. "Anyway, will you shut up about it? You're the only one who knows, and I'd like to keep it that way!" Amoret smirked and said nothing.

"So mote it be," They murmured, and grabbed their trays. When Cami sat down again, Tobe smiled at her from across the table. She blushed and looked down. Ever since that night on the hill (which was about four weeks ago), she felt awkward about displaying their affection in public, choosing kisses in the shadows over hugs in the mess hall. But love came with a price, and Amoret was it. She took great pride in teasing Cami about the relationship, but always stopped short of great annoyance. Strangely enough, she hadn't said much over the past week, but Cami didn't mind, the reason obvious.

Cami poked her friend in the arm. "Do you want my apple?" she asked. Amoret didn't answer. Cami poked her harder, and repeated the question. Still no answer. Amoret was looking away, her expression glazed. Cami followed her friends gaze, and smirked. Her eyes had landed on Lyron, who was laughing with Chevi. "Oh look who's talking," she said. "'Dreaming about lover boy', is it? At least I have the dignity not to stare."

Amoret turned around, her tan cheeks slightly tinted with red. "I don't really like him, like him. Not like you and Tobe. I just-" Her shoulders slumped. "Actually, I don't know. I used to like him a lot. Except lately, I like Jal."

Cami frowned; something wasn't right. "Jal?' she asked, taking a sip of her milk. "I thought you didn't like him much."

"I didn't before, but now, I don't know. He seems more, well, he seems different." She said this in an odd voice, her eyes glinting weirdly.

Cami shrugged, but her mind was in turmoil. She didn't like this. It was almost like someone had bewitched Amoret, making her like Jal, because Amoret usually wasn't like this. But if that was how her friend felt, then that's how it should be, she thought doubtfully.

Today there was to be none of the regular classes, just etiquette, so the pages could work on serving the Midwinter feasters. Cami, being a mage –student, and not really a page, would actually go to the banquet. Master Oakbridge saw this as a cause for joy, so Cami played guinea pig for the pages. By the tenth time he hand was dipped in a water dish, she was getting bored.

This is really annoying, she thought, staring at her hand, which had just been washed for the upteenth time. I bet by the end of this, my hand will be all pruny and old. Maybe I can spice this up a bit… She whispered something into the next page's ear, Fanog. He nodded, and stood still with the accursed water dish in his hands. Instead of dipping her hand in, Cami made the water float and shaped it into a little man with a hat and a cane. She twitched her fingers, and he began to dance across the floor, dropping little bits of water everywhere. An outburst of laughter distracted the teacher from scolding Amoret from dropping water on the floor, but when he whirled around, his face already red and prepared to yell, but all he saw was an innocent-faced Cami dipping her hand into the water bowl.

This, Cami thought, is going to be very interesting.

…

All too soon, everyone was sent up to get ready for the big banquet. Cami was walking down the hall, absorbed into her thoughts, when someone smashed into her coming out from the library door.

"What the-" she yelled, and fell over onto the cold floor, but she threw her hands out just in time. "Watch where you're going, will you?" She stood, dusting herself off, muttering angrily. Then she had a not so great thought. What if it was a noble? She thought.

"Oh my gosh, I'm so sorry-" she began, and saw who it was. She grinned. "Oh, hi, Jal," she said nicely.

The boy just bent over and scrabbled around on the floor, trying to grab all his books at once. One book landed at Cami's feet. "Oh, here-let me help," she said, and grabbed the book. She stared at the title. "'Hypnosis: A Guide to the Refined Art of Mind Control'?" she said, dumbfounded.

"Give that back!" he hissed, and snatched it out her hands, glaring angrily.

"I was just trying to-" she protested.

"I don't care what you were 'just trying to'," he sneered. "Just get out of my way. I have places to be too, you know." He crammed all his books back into his bag, and took off without another word, wind whistling behind him.

"Touch-y," Cami muttered. "I was just trying to help." She walked off, and went into her room.

She opened her closet and started to pick out her clothes. Maybe-suddenly there was a loud pounding sound on the door. Cami threw open the door, puzzled, and saw a disheveled Amoret holding a wrinkled gold and red tunic, panting.

"What are you doing here?" asked Cami, putting her hands on her hips, but she couldn't help but give a tiny half-smile.

Amoret grinned sheepishly and held up her tunic in surrender. "I can't get it on straight," she said, looking frustrated. "And besides, I was hoping that we could get ready together."

"Sure!" Cami beamed. "Come on in!"

A few moments later, another furious pounding ensued on her door. It's gonna break down one of these days, she thought, rolling her eyes. She flung it open once again, revealing Gydo and Violeta.

"Want to get ready for the banquet together?" asked Gydo brightly.

"Sure, but Amoret is here…" At the mention of the other girl's name, Cami's two friends' faces fell, and they turned away, about to walk out the door. "Hey, where are you going? I said you could!" Cami cried.

"You're busy," Violeta muttered, her brown curls obscuring her face. "You don't have the time."

Cami recognized what was happening instantly. She was spending so much time, almost too much time, with her page friends, that she had been neglecting her other friends. "I'm never too busy for you guys, and don't you ever believe that I will be. Now come inside!" She shooed them in with waves of her hands.

Just as they were pulling out a necklace from the bag of clothes they had brought, Amoret came out from behind the screen. "Now how do you think-" Then she saw who was with Cami, and her face crinkled up. "I didn't know that you had invited…others."

Gydo and Violeta went immediately stiff. "We were just leaving," spat Gydo, and they grabbed for their bag.

"Stop!" cried Cami. They turned, looking at her expectantly, as though they wanted her to throw Amoret out for insulting them like that. "Amoret, what was that for? Gydo and Violeta are my friends, and I don't like you treating them that way!"

"But-" she protested.

"But what?" Cami put her hands on her hips and looked at her friend.

Amoret blushed. "I'm sorry," she muttered, "I guess I'm just used to having you to myself."
"Well, get un-used to it," Cami said, not unkindly. Then she looked back at Gydo and Violeta. "Now, please try and get along? You guys are all my friends, and I don't like being in the middle."

They shook hands, and soon they were all talking and laughing like there was no tomorrow. They all got dressed, and admired each other's outfits.

Cami had decided to wear a sheer white dress and a light blue shawl embroidered with tiny aquamarine stones. She had slim light blue slippers, and she wore her Elemental necklace openly. Her golden tresses was done up on her head, and aquamarine gems hung from her earlobes.

Violeta wore a deep, dark green dress, with gold brocade and lace around the bodice and just above the neckline, which was low cut. A simple gold chain hung around her neck and a tiny garnet pendant dangled in the shadow of her breasts. Her brown eyes were big and soft, accented in the liner and blush she had tinted on her skin. Her wavy dark hair was unadorned, save for a small braid with a gold bead at the end. She had Carthaki relatives, and shared their love of jewelry.

Gydo wore a pale pink gown, while a gray sash embroidered with the same color pearls encircled her tiny waist. Her lovely black curls were splayed around her shoulders, and a gray pearl on a silver chain was around her neckline. The tiny pink slippers on her feet also had a few gray pearls.

Amoret, since she was a page, had to wear the required uniform, which was a red and gold tunic with gold leggings. The tunic had her fief's emblem on it; a sparrow with a crown of rosemary on its head. Though she was serving at the banquet, she was going to eat a quick dinner and change into her gown afterwards. Her outfit, she informed them with a wink, was going to be a surprise.

Amoret had to leave at seven, though the banquet didn't begin for another hour. Cami, Gydo, and Violeta fooled around for a while, talking and catching up on things.

At seven forty-five, the girls headed to the banquet hall. Cami stifled a gasp. The gold and diamond chandelier shone as the light it gave off struck every available surface; glinting off china plates and throwing beams on silverware. The huge ebony table was in the center of the room, and there were scores upon scores off glass, china, and precious gems. A waiter appeared instantly at their side. "If I may?" the man queried, bowed, and led them to their seats. Cami sat at the end farthest away from the head, next to Gydo and Sarra Salamin. Kel sat near them too, along with Numair, Daine, baby Rikash, Dom, and Master Lindhall Reed, one of the page teachers. Cami looked over all the chattering nobles heads for Tobe, but he simply wasn't there. Cami would have wondered further, but the pages were coming around with the water bowls.

When Fanog, who was serving their end of the table, came by with the water bowl, Master Reed leaned forward and said eagerly to Cami, "I heard about the extent of your powers from Numair here. Do you think you could give me a tiny demonstration?"

Cami grinned. "Why certainly, sir." She performed the same trick she had for the pages; the dancing water man. The people around her clapped, and Fanog stifled a snicker as he moved on to the next person/

Cami became very interested in Lindhall's talks. It turned out that he was a very educated mage. He also had a vast variety of things to say, and Cami felt herself inadvertently listening and asking questions.

This made the long banquet fly by very quickly, and soon the pages were coming around with the pastries for the dessert course. After everyone had eaten their fill, the queen and king rose and glided out into the ballroom. Cami's fists clenched; she had not forgotten the king's slight on her education.

They all entered the giant hall, and soft music began to play, inviting swaying nobles out onto the dance floor. Cami smiled as Gydo was whirled out onto the floor by Chevi, who seemed to have skipped dinner altogether, if the growling noises from his stomach as they waltzed by was any indication. But where was Tobe? Cami weaved her way through the entire room, refusing to believe that he wasn't there. Soon she had to retire for he search, and went looking for Amoret instead.

She quickly found her friend, who was looking quite pretty in a green dress, but what really made Cami stare was who she was with. Jal? She thought incredulously. It can't be.

But it was.

She grabbed Amoret by the elbow and pulled her aside. "What are you doing?" she hissed.

"I'm dancing with Jal, of course. What's wrong with you, Cami?" Amoret said.

But it was Amoret that there was something wrong with, Cami thought. She had a blank look on her face, as though someone had taken a bucket and washed away all her thoughts.

"Nothing. What's wrong with you?" Cami asked, unable to stop herself.

"Excuse me? What did you just say to me?"

"What's wrong with you?"

"Cami, if you're going to act strange like this, I don't know if I want to be around you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going back to my dance partner." Amoret brushed past Cami rudely, walked haughtily off to Jal, who was waiting expectantly by the punch bowl. Cami stared at them, stunned. What had happened to her friend?
She continued to stare at them as they danced by. Suddenly, Jal turned to face her, and his cold green eyes bored into her. A burning hot pain shot through her arm. She clapped a hand to it. "Ouch!"

"What's wrong?" asked Violeta, who stepped away from Phiran, looking concerned.

"Nothing, nothing," Cami said quickly. "I think I'll just…ah…go up to my room to freshen up a bit." She walked off quickly as Violeta gave her an odd look.

Cami opened her door. What had happened back there? She sat on her bed, deep in thought. The crunch of paper under her elbow woke her up, and she found an envelope.

"What will it say now?" she asked sarcastically. She opened it and clapped a hand to her mouth.

Hypnotism has its uses, doesn't it?

…

So sorry about not updating! I've been REALLY busy lately. Sorry! Well, this chappy's a bit short, but I hope the suspense at the end is good!
Mel

P.S. New story: Ask Evvy. HP fic.