Odessa sang quietly to herself as she organized the potion shelves in her office, "Tigers and lions and bears, oh my! Tigers and lions and bears, oh my!" Term was starting next week and Odessa was shamefully behind on planning her classes and getting everything organized. After her last argument with Sirius she had studiously avoided and ignored him, hanging out with Hastings and Falcon only when he wasn't around, which meant spending a lot of time in her room and in Hogsmeade. Odessa smiled at the thought of Hastings and Falcon, "Here comes the bride, fair, fat and wide. Here come the groom, skinny as a broom…"

"Who're you calling wide?" A voice asked from behind her.

Odessa jumped, almost dropping the bottles in her hands, "Hastings! Hi! No one. I was just thinking of you and Falcon and Here Comes the Bride popped into my head. It's the only version I know."

"What about, Here comes the bride, all dressed in white…?" Hastings asked.

"Oh, well yeah, I suppose there's that one. But I like the other version better." Odessa grinned. "And how may I help you today?"

"I was going to go to Hogsmeade for some coffee. Want to come?"
"I'm so far behind in preparing for my classes I don't know if I should."

"Oh, it'll be fun. You'll get a nice break. Besides, I need to speak with you about Falcon."

"He proposed!" Odessa said excitedly.

Hastings rolled her eyes, "Not exactly. I'm having second thoughts."

"What do you mean you're having second thoughts? Falcon is amazing."

"Yeah, amazingly boring. Now, are you going to come have coffee with me or not?"

"Well yeah, of course I am, after that. Hold on, let me wash up and change robes. These aren't exactly presentable." Odessa motioned to her splattered potions robe and went into the back room of her office.

Hastings perused the shelves Odessa had been organizing, wondering how anyone in their right mind could find potions exciting. Of course, she thought with a grin, Odessa's never been in her right mind.

"Oh, Hastings, hello. I was looking for Odessa." Hastings looked up to see Professor Vector standing in the doorway.

"She went into the back room to clean up."

"That's okay. I just needed some dragon scales that have been soaking in the moonlight. Odessa said she'd put some aside for me."

"They're on my desk," Odessa said, walking out of the room in fresh clothes. "I hope that helps."

"I'm sure it will, thanks." Professor Vector picked the bottle up and left.

"What does she want dragon scales for?" Hastings asked. "They're not used in very many potions. At least not in any that aren't considered part of the dark arts."

"So you do know something about Potions," Odessa said. "I'm shocked."

"No, I know a lot about the Dark Arts," Hastings corrected her.

"Of course, silly me," Odessa laughed. "Remember when we looked through her telescope and could see through the wall into space?" Hastings nodded. "Well, she's trying to refine it. Only lasts for about five minutes. She's been playing around with the ingredients. Hopes to get it right before the students return." Odessa stopped and took a deep breath as they stepped outside. "It's a beautiful day, isn't it."

Hastings nodded in agreement, "I love summer. Say, want to race to Hogsmeade?"

"Are you nuts?" Odessa asked. "I haven't done that since I was twelve."

"It'll be fun. And no magic."

"You just want to because you'll know you'll finally beat me. You and Falcon have made this walk almost everyday this summer and I've only been on a quarter of them."

"It's your own fault," Hastings said. "You were always invited."

"Yeah, but so was he." Odessa said, wrinkling her nose. "I can't bear to be around him. First I remember all the terrible things he's said to me. And then I remember what I did to him and what I said a few months ago. It's just too embarrassing to be around him. What he must think of me." Odessa shook her head. "Does he ever say anything?"

"You know he doesn't, Ode." Hastings said. "If he does, it's to Falcon alone and Falcon wouldn't betray his trust by telling me."

"I know," Odessa said. "And I appreciate that about Falcon. So why are you're thinking about breaking up with him?"

"Let's wait until we get to the coffee shop," Hastings said. "I don't want to think about it just yet. Are you sure you don't want to race?"

Odessa smiled, "Why not? Goodness knows I need the exercise. Ready…set…go!" The girls set off for Hogsmeade, laughing as though they were school children.

"I don't know Falcon." Sirius said, turning away from the window where he had been watching the girls. "I feel like such an idiot. Here she was offering to make peace, and I gave her a beard."

"It was only a little thing, Sirius. She shouldn't have taken it so hard."

"I know. And it shouldn't have taken me so long to figure out what upset her so much. You'll have to thank Hastings for me again, clearing that one up." Sirius paused thoughtfully. "But, you know, it was more than that. It was months of frustration and anger and…I don't know. You know, I never believed she wrote that letter."

"Then why did you accuse her of it?" Falcon asked.

Sirius shrugged, "I was afraid, I guess. I mean, she's the perfect woman Fal. Too perfect. And I'm…well, I'm far from perfect. And when I found the letter…it was just an easy way out." Sirius sat down on the bed next to Falcon. "It was also the dumbest thing I've ever done."

"I agree with you there mate. You treated her like complete rubbish."

"You don't have to remind me," Sirius said. "I know how I treated her. And now she can't even stand to be in the same room with me. How am I ever going to apologize now?"

"Surprise her. Just show up in her office or something, when she's not expecting you. Or, how about this? I was going to do this for Hastings, but I'll come up with something new. On the first day of class have an owl deliver her a rose every period with a message attached. She'll think it's sweet, the kids'll have fun with it. It'll work like a charm."

"I don't know, she doesn't like to be embarrassed."

"It won't be embarrassing," said Falcon. "At least not in a bad way. Come on, it might help to crack the wall she's built up."

"But what'll you do for Hastings?"

Falcon shrugged, "I might do the same thing anyway. Then they can giggle over how we conspired to make their first day fun."

Sirius nodded, "I think that just might work. Thanks Falcon."

"Okay Haste, tell me why you're thinking of breaking up with Falcon." Odessa said, as she sat down with her double chocolate mocha.

"Well, I mean, he's a great guy and all, don't get me wrong. But he's rather boring. You remember when I told you that I was out of the pranks thing, that I wanted to act more like an adult to impress Falcon?"

"Yeah, how could I forget that night?" Odessa said wryly.

"Well, it worked. But…I feel like I have to suppress the side of me that enjoys pranks, and enjoys running to Hogsmeade, and likes sitting on the floor or on the table. I feel like I always have to sit in a chair now. I'm beginning to feel old."

"Why don't you tell Falcon?"

"I've tried," Hastings said, "but whenever I bring up things like that he just talks about how great it is to be an adult now. All we ever do is sit and read, or sit and talk, or come here and have coffee. That's it. No exciting dates, no romance," Hastings paused, "no passion."

"What do you mean, no passion?" Odessa asked, shocked. "I still remember your face when you told me about your first kiss. I couldn't get you out of the clouds for weeks after that."

"I know," Hastings said. "But it's all so proper now. Like we had one great kiss and now he kisses me on the cheek, or chastely on the lips like I'm his grandmother. I don't know what to do Ode."

"Well, look who we have here," both girls looked up to see Professor O'Reilly standing over them.

"I thought you were gone, Professor, or should I say, Mr. O'Reilly." Odessa said coldly.

"Don't get smart with me girl. I just wanted to see how the potion lessons were coming along." He smirked at their drinks. "I see planning for classes doesn't take much of a priority."

"She's already done," Hastings said, jumping to her aid.

O'Reilly chuckled, "I doubt that, Miss Applespice. I know Miss Grace a little better than that. I have no doubt you're done, but not Grace."

"What do you want O'Reilly?" Odessa asked.

"Just checking up on you, Miss Grace. You may think you're looks will get you through this world, but they won't. Miss Applespice knows that – she doesn't allow her pretty face to go to her head. I'll be seeing you around, I'm sure." O'Reilly nodded at them and left.

"I can't stand that creep!" Odessa said, angrily. "He's sent me several owls on how to run my class, and now he keeps popping up. Oh, I despise that man."

"You should tell Minerva about it."

"I wish I could," Odessa said. "But she came to me last week and told me, rather excitedly, that Professor O'Reilly had offered to help me out since it was my first year as a teacher. I didn't have the heart to tell her the truth. No, I'm afraid he's going to be around all year. Perhaps he'll take more of an interest in your pretty face than in mine."

"You know, I could dump Falcon for O'Reilly," Hastings said, trying to keep a straight face.

"You would make a rather fetching couple," Odessa said, before breaking into laughter. "Honestly Haste, that's the sickest thing I think I've ever heard. Come on, I've got to prepare those classes. We can talk on the way back."

They stood and paid their bill, then walked out into the sunlight. The air was still warm, but there was a late summer feel to it that Hastings remembered as rather depressing when she was a child. Now, it made her anticipate the school year, and the new children she would meet, and the challenges she would give them. When she taught here four years ago, she'd quickly become one of their favorite professors because of her energy and genuine care for the students. She still cared, but she felt as though much of her energy had been suppressed. "I don't know, Odessa," said Hastings. "I guess I just want someone who wants to… share an adventure."

"Good Lord, woman, you sound like a cheesy romance novel," said Odessa.

"I'm being serious," said Hastings. "I feel so trapped with Falcon. He's so straight and narrow and planning and proper—I feel like I am playing a role with him… one that I'm getting sick of."

"You've always been a fun person," said Odessa. "If you honestly think that he's trying to change you, or doesn't like you for who you are, then go ahead and break it off with him. Personally, I think you're afraid of something deeper."

"What are you talking about?" asked Hastings.

"Ever heard the phrase, 'in love with love?' That's what I think you are."

"Not possible," said Hastings. "I really do want love in my life, and I want to be able to make a commitment… I just feel stifled around that bore. He's never spontaneous. I get the feeling that he'll never be the knight in shining armor type, and I'll always be this wild, untamed tomboy."

Odessa looked at her friend, noting that her fun, frollicky friend who always had a bounce in her step was now becoming quiet and docile all the time. But as demure and ultra-feminine as she attempted to be, her true self always came out. Odessa realized that the juxtaposition of her friend next to the tall, straight and strapping, curly-blond haired figure of Falcon was like night and day. She had the idea of a severe business man with his puppy on a short leash, training her to heal. She laughed as she thought of that.

"What," asked Hastings, her smile brightening a moment.

"Just an image I had of you two," said Odessa. "The more I think about it, the more I realize that you do need someone more like you."

"Yeah," said Hastings. "That's liable to happen at Hogwarts where the pickings are slim."

"You could fall mad for some seventh year this term," said Odessa.

"I'm not interested in a life sentence in Azkaban for cradle-robbing, Ode," said Hastings.

"Seventeen isn't cradle-robbing. They are legal, you know."

"And I'm 28. No. Way."

They'd reached the Hogwarts gates, and Hastings reached out to open them. Suddenly, several hundred owls flew over head, dispersing as they reached Hogsmeade.

"What in the world was that?" asked Odessa.

Hastings looked up, then back down at the path. "That'll be the Hogwarts letters with school supplies that McGonagall sent out."

"Whoa," said Odessa. "I always wondered… does she handwrite them herself?"

"She uses a Copier Quill," said Hastings, closing the gate behind them. "She writes the letters for years first through seven, has them copied, then addresses them with a list the ministry gives her—"

"List of what?" asked Odessa.

"You know… students who show magical talent. Underage magic sensors all over the British Isles. List of potential first years. Even sends them to children of magical parents who haven't shown talent. Squibs are usually discovered before term starts though."

"How do they discover them?" asked Odessa.

"Well, when you were eleven, your parents knew you were magical already, didn't they?"

"I guess so. I set my Fruity Pebbles on fire when I was three and a half—though they were already soaking in milk. Mum was so proud."

"Yeah," said Hastings. "I was actually thought to be a squib for a while."

"You never told me that," said Odessa.

"My Hogwarts letter came, and my parents were going to write McGonagall to tell her that I would not be attending. I begged and pleaded, and stayed up all night, trying to make things happen. It was just as my dad was attaching the refusal letter to the leg of Omri, our family owl, that I begged one more time. He said no, and… well, the next thing I know, he was standing on the roof. After the fire brigade got him down, he tore up his letter and he and mum took me to Diagon Alley to get my things."

"That's funny," said Odessa. "Obviously you got over that. You made your first patronus as a second year."

"Something Sirius taught me to do," said Hastings. Odessa started at the sound of his name. "His father insisted on making sure all his kids could do it by age eight. He was really good."

"Yeah, he told me about that, although he never said what form it took. Would you believe he was too embarrassed?"

Hastings laughed, "No, I don't think I would believe that."

"It was kind of cute, actually. He used to brag about being able to make a patronus when we were dating. I always struggled with it in school, but not Sirius. He wouldn't tell me what shape it took though. And then, of course, we broke up after graduation and lost contact. He wanted to see the world and I wanted to be a Potions Master. But you already know all this."

"Tell me again," Hastings said, "I love to hear it."

Odessa grinned, "The break up was mutual. We both wanted to experience the world, see what else was out there. Who else was out there. And then, two years ago, we ran into each other in Hogsmeade. He was teaching at Hogwarts and I was getting away from London for the weekend. And the Ministry." Odessa smiled fondly. "I was drinking a butter beer at The Three Broomsticks and I hear this voice, 'Odessa Grace, is that you?' and I turned around and there he was. Just as handsome as ever. A bit more grown up, but with the same mischievous grin. And it was like we had never been apart. Almost as though we both knew that we were supposed to be together. That there wasn't anyone else out there. Not for us anyway.

"But then all of that changed the night he found that letter sitting on my desk." Odessa laughed humorlessly, "Like I'd be stupid enough to leave a letter out proclaiming my love for someone else when I knew Sirius was coming over. He thought it was my way of breaking up with him. Never believed me when I told him I hadn't written the letter, that I had no idea where it came from. He just left. I didn't see him again until the night of the ball. And all of that hurt came back. Did you know he asked me to dance?

Hastings shook her head.

"He did. And I was about to accept, but I couldn't forget what he accused me of. What he believed I had done. And in my pride I turned him down. And now I can't even be in the same room as the man. So childish, I know." Odessa paused. "So, do you know?" she asked.

"Know what?" Hastings asked.

"What form his patronus takes.

"You'll never guess," said Hastings, smiling.

"Come on," said Odessa. "Tell me."

"A Phoenix," said Hastings. "You know, Sirius's father was saved once by a Phoenix, when he was at Howarts…"

"I know," said Odessa. "Who hasn't heard that story? That was when he saved Sirius's mother from Voldemort."

"You know," said Hastings. "That same phoenix belonged to Albus Dumbledore."

"I didn't know that!" said Odessa. "How do you know all that stuff?"

"Modern magical history is a big part of the DA academy," said Hastings. "You know, Sirius's father founded it, for the training of Dark Arts Defense. It's now a requirement for all Aurors as well as Dark Arts teachers."

"Yes, we all know who Harry-bloody-Potter is, okay?" said Odessa.

"Well, I thought you were interested, you did ask, after all, and—"

"I know, I know," said Odessa. "I'm sorry… I'm just sick of hearing about Sirius's father. It was miserable when we were dating. Strangers would just come up and start talking to Sirius about his dad. It got tiring."

"For him too, most of the time," said Hastings. "Lots to live up to when your father defeated the most evil wizard who ever lived. I suppose that's why he's so grumpy. Trying to be a self-made man… not just the son of one."

Odessa thought about it for a moment as they walked into the teachers' lounge, she knew the truth of Hastings words, but it was easier to think of him as a jerk rather than feeling sorry for the man.