Tuesday, 2 November, 14:55 GMT 14 years ago

The Year 12 student quickly wrote notes in the margins of her Advanced Biology textbook as she annotated her underlined notes of the text. She looked up as the professor ended the lesson with five minutes to spare.

"Alright, let's come back together," Professor Julian Kaiser said as he clapped his hands to get the attention of the students in the last class period of the day. "As you exit, come grab your pairings card for our Behavioral Science project that will take us through the rest of the school year. I'm expecting weekly summaries of the interaction.

"And as a reminder, you students are from my top class and therefore I expect much from you," the science professor said as he made eye-contact with every one of his students. Drew was wary of what the veteran professor had in mind, "Your and your subject's marks will affect each other, thus warranting the need for cooperation and collaboration between both parties.

"Alright then. That's the bell," he said as the students stood up from their seats and started to pack up their belongings. "Come pick up your items."

Drew nodded at Dean who shrugged as they both approached the professor's desk. They picked up their cards and opened them on their way out.

o-o-o

Tuesday, 9 November, 15:05 GMT 14 years ago

Drew had been anxious when she first checked into the Athletics Tutoring Center the Thursday before. She had arrived promptly after the last bell for the 3:15 p.m. one-hour tutoring session. A mix of emotions had flooded her as she had peered at the name on her card after leaving the science lab.

o-o-o

Tuesday, 2 November, 15:00 GMT 14 years ago

"So, who did you get?" Dean Thomas, the black Half-blood Squib asked her.

Her eyes enlarged for a moment. She looked at him and shrugged. She showed the card to him. He canted his eyebrow at her and then started to laugh. "Phillip Martinez," he said nodding. "Good luck with that."

"Ha ha, very funny, Dean," she said as she took the card back.

"Well, Thursday's going to be interesting," he smirked as Drew rolled her eyes. "Come, on Chess Club's waiting. I heard someone's bringing some festive buttery baked goods from Baguio's Bakery."

o-o-o

Tuesday, 9 November, 15:03 GMT 14 years ago

After the third straight day without the American showing up for the science tutorials, anxiousness gave way to annoyance. She took her time packing her bookbag, waiting for the rest of the students to clear. She nodded at Dean, signaling that she would catch up to him. He nodded in agreement before leaving the science classroom.

"Um, Professor Kaiser, are you busy?" Drew asked as she approached the wizened professor.

"What can I do you for, Ms. Granger?" he asked as he looked up from his paperwork.

"About that science project, Sir," Drew started. "Is it too late to switch partners?"

Professor Kaiser canted an eyebrow. He chuckled. "Ms. Granger, the whole point of the experiment is to see how our behaviors affect our relationships," he ran his finger down the side of the paper that he reviewed, and then looked up at her. "You and Mr. Martinez."

"He hasn't shown up for the first few sessions, Sir," Drew said.

"Have you spoken with him?"

"Sir, we don't run in the same circles."

"So, communication is a problem then?"

"Yes," Drew said, believing that the professor finally understood the predicament.

"Well, sometimes in life," the professor began, "the only way change can happen is through opening the lines of communication. Mr. Martinez seems like a good fellow; try talking to him."

"So, no then, on the partner change," Drew said, defeatedly.

"I'm sure both you and the lad can be civil," the professor stood up as he nodded to the door. "That's what life is all about. You can respect your fellow human being without having to like him.

"I'll trust you two will work it out, Drew," he said looking into her eyes as they exited the classroom for the afternoon. All Drew could do was nod at her longtime professor. She turned and headed toward the athletic complex to do her due diligence; it was her grade at stake, for all intents and purposes.