Rebecca was able to leave the hospital wing the next day. Vanessa was still in the bed, but she was able to sit up by the time Rebecca was better. Vanessa continued to swear it was Rebecca who had attacked her, but the decision by Professor Steward was final. Rebecca had no idea what her and Lucy's punishments would be, but it was thanks to Lucy that Rebecca got out of it.

The first thing Rebecca did was go back to the Wampus Common Room. Despite Lucy getting her out of trouble, Rebecca had to confront her about pushing her down the stairs. Rebecca went into the common room which was deserted because students were in class. Rebecca wasn't even sure what time it was or which class she should be in. She figured Lucy was still skipping and must had been in the girls dormitory. Rebecca climbed the stairs carefully. She didn't expect a second time, but who knew. However, Rebecca pushed open the door and didn't find Lucy on her bed.

Rebecca sighed and looked at the clock. Eleven-ten was the time. She was late for Defense Against The Dark Arts. Rebecca headed out the door of the dorm and hurried back down the steps. She didn't need to be late. Stetson already wanted Rebecca punished. She ran out of the common room and rushed down the hallways. It took about ten minutes to arrive. She nearly broke the hinges off the door coming in. Everyone turned their heads to look at her.

"Miss Warren, you're late." Stetson called from the front.

"Sorry." Rebecca said.

"'Sorry, ma'am.'" Stetson corrected her.

Rebecca had enough. "There's no need to call me 'ma'am', professor." She said sarcastically.

"Ten points from Wampus for being late and ten for your mouth." Stetson said irritably.

"I can't help I was late. I was in the hospital wing." Rebecca protested. "I also had to stop at the common room to... To get my things for class."

Stetson raised an eyebrow. "Is that so? Well then where are your things because all I see is clenched fists. Are they invisible?'

Rebecca did in fact forget her things and now she felt stupid.

"Don't worry. I have them." Called Morgan. "I thought you might need them after you got out."

Rebecca started for the desk where Morgan was and sat down. Morgan didn't actually have Rebecca's things. She only had a spare notebook and quill to lend her.

"Thanks." Rebecca said. Professor Stetson seemed ill, but there was nothing she could do.

After class Rebecca asked her friends if she seen Lucy.

"Not long after we took you to the hospital wing from your fall, a couple of aurors led by Vanessa's father walked into the common room and arrested Lucy for attempted murder." Andrew said.

"Yeah, it was pretty scary." Morgan said. "Mr. Bancroft was shouting at her and making demands and promises. I got a bad feeling Lucy is gonna go to Alcatraz."

"I was there when Steward told him he couldn't do anything to her because it fell under the school." Rebecca said.

"But we're talking about the third most powerful wizard in MACUSA." Andrew stated.

"Why is he third?" Rebecca asked.

"Well he's third in line should the President and Vice President die, the Head Auror takes the position."

"But he doesn't get to oversee the cases, right?" Morgan asked.

"No, he can make arrests all he wants for any charge, even hold interrogations, but the Head of the Investigation Department handles the cases." Andrew continued. "Fortunately, there's a fair person in that position. Melanie Evans."

"Evans... That sounds familiar." Rebecca added. "I think she asked me questions about... Well, we spoke when I was at MACUSA. She took over Bancroft's interrogation on me."

"Yeah, so she's the only witch in power?" Morgan asked. Andrew nodded, "See. There should be less men. Less egos. Women get things done."

"I can't argue with that." Andrew said.

"So you think Lucy will get off with Evans overseeing it?" Rebecca asked.

"There's a good chance of it." Andrew said. "Evans might see it as Professor Steward does."

"Well that'll be good then." Rebecca said, though she felt about the same. Bancroft was determined to do whatever he could to make sure the attacker paid for it and Rebecca didn't want Lucy going to jail for what she did.

Lucy hadn't returned to school for the rest of the week and Vanessa was able to get out of her bed, but was taken out of school temporarily by her father. The rumor was that she was needed for the trial. The other rumor was that she was afraid of Rebecca.

Finally Saturday came and Rebecca was getting ready in front of the mirror. Her date was coming up in the afternoon with Albus. Rebecca had got up early to go down to the kitchens and prepared a few snacks with her new culinary arts in magic skills. She borrowed a basket she found in the kitchens and toted them back to the common room until it was time to go. She wanted the date to be fun and since it was a warm day, she decided to put on just a short sleeve purple shirt and a white skirt. She still wore her converses and kept her hair down. Both Morgan and Andrew seemed surprised in Rebecca's choice of clothing when they seen her coming down from the girl's dormitory carrying the basket.

"What's up?" She asked them.

"Since when did you wear that?" Morgan asked.

Rebecca grinned. "Just today. I don't normally, but back home I had to wear nice things when it came to parties and I had this stuff with me so yeah."

"It suits you in a weird way." Andrew said. Rebecca laughed and headed out the door. She was determined today to not let anything bother her. She thought about Blake, but she chose to think about what he would want from her. He would most certainly want her to be happy. That was what Rebecca focused on. She tried her best to push the laughter and the taunting of Delphi and what she did out of her mind. It was difficult. The green flash still blinded Rebecca consciously. Delphi's words rattled her skull. It was maddening.

Rebecca soon found herself underneath the snakewood tree. She waited patiently for Albus. Rebecca wondered what he saw in her to want to go out with her. She was a terrible person. They've had many arguments over this year in particular. Maybe it was recent events like on the train ride to New York had struck something within him. She had fallen asleep on him. Perhaps it was mixed signs?

Rebecca spotted a boy heading in her direction. A minute later she recognized him as her date. Albus strolled over the grass and approached her. It was a little awkward at first. They both just stood there for a moment before Rebecca said, "Hey. I made these in case we got hungry." She showed him the basket.

He smiled and said, "That's cool. I, er... Sorry, but I didn't get you anything."

"This is just a date. Not Valentine's Day." Rebecca said with a laugh. "It's no big deal."

They sat down beside the tree. It was still awkward. There wasn't much to do at a tree but talk. Rebecca started to think the whole thing was a bad idea.

Albus finally broke the silence between them, "So, are classes going well?"

"They're okay." Rebecca said. "Would like to drop Professor Stetson's class."

"Yeah same." Albus said. "I think she's a terrible teacher."

"How are your classes?" Rebecca asked back.

"I think I'm failing all of them to be honest." Albus replied, now going for a slice of bread.

"You'll be fine. Don't stress it." Rebecca said. "My mum always said it's not about the grades, but it's about your efforts."

"I'm not putting in much effort." Albus grinned.

"Well then I guess you're doomed to fail at life." Rebecca laughed.

For a while they discussed classes and then the conversation transitioned to family. While it was Rebecca's least favorite topic tied with quidditch, she was intrigued to hear about how the Weasley name was once a name of nobodys until the last war.

In fact, only Ron and his siblings had recently made them famous. Albus was about to begin his father's side of the family, but Rebecca heard enough in Professor Bins class at Hogwarts to know about it and the story of The Chosen One had enough books on him to last a lifetime. There was even a series of seven books that claimed to know every detail of his journey, though Rebecca felt it was bogus.

They got off the topic about family and moved on to their hobbies. Albus usually just played with his siblings outside during the summer holidays. When Rebecca mentioned she liked to do art, Albus was intrigued.

"How good are you?" Albus asked.

"Well, I'm fairly good." Rebecca said. "Definitely not the best. That's probably my sister. Her artwork is masterful."

"I'd like to see some of yours." Albus said.

"Maybe you will." Rebecca said. She reached for more food in the basket, but realized it was empty. She was surprised by this as she made a bunch of things. She looked over to Albus who had the last and only apple. He realized what he had done.

"Oops." He said. "I take it you want this apple?"

"Yes, and if you don't hand it to me in the next three sec-"

Albus jumped up and ran. Rebecca got up to and chased him down. Albus doubled back to the snakewood tree and started to climb it. Rebecca stopped for moment to look up at him. "Bad move, Potter. I got you cornered."

"So what are you gonna do now, Warren?" Albus called from up top. "He teased a bite at the apple and Rebecca started up the tree herself. She climbed trees back home regularly. She made it to the spot where Albus was holding onto the trunk and sitting on a branch opposite her.

She reached for the apple, but Albus was able to jerk his hand back and said, "You have to bite it while it's in my hand."

"What?" Rebecca said. "Just give it to me or I'll push you out of this tree."

"You can have it, but you gotta get it with your mouth. Not your hand.' Albus said.

Rebecca sighed and carefully extended her head to the apple that Albus had stretched halfway between them. Rebecca went to bite on the apple, but she felt something that wasn't an apple.

"Ah!" Albus yelled. He dropped the apple and was holding his lips.

Rebecca was confused more than angry. "What just happened?"

"That didn't go as planned." Albus said.

"Wait, were you trying to lure me in to kiss me?" Rebecca asked.

"What? No. Maybe. I mean..." Albus couldn't make a confession, but Rebecca knew he was.

She looked down and the apple was no longer going to be food. "Well, you're not getting one until you bring me more apples."

They both hung out on the branches for a while. Albus was embarrassed by his attempt at being smooth. Rebecca told him not to worry about it but he still owed her an apple.

"I'll bring you a whole crate." Albus said. "I'll even throw in a few bananas and oranges. You like those?"

"You seem like you're trying to get more than just a kiss now." Rebecca teased.

"Noooo, I mean it. I feel terrible now." Albus said. Rebecca shushed him though. She heard people approached the tree. Two girls were talking.

"That doesn't make sense though." One of them said.

"Of course it does." The second voice said. "Honestly you're so dumb when it comes to Herbology."

"Do you think I want to get dirty with plants? Like, ew."

"But you did with-"

"Only because I had to. You can't say no in truth or dare. Leave it to Ness to dare something like that."

It registered with Rebecca who was talking. Cassandra and Sheila. They also came into view.

"I miss her. Do you know when she's supposed to come back?" Cassandra asked.

"Last I heard, they're putting that Parkinson girl on trial. But Ness says it's the wrong one. Her father thinks she's mistaken, probably lost her mind from the fight."

"But her mind is fine. We all know it was Warren." Cassandra said, her voice with concern.

"Yeah, but it's obvious she and Parkinson set her up. I think we should get back at her for it." Sheila stated.

"How?"

"Not sure yet, but we can talk more about that later. What's all this mess over here?"

Sheila picked up Rebecca's empty basket. She examined it and started to look around. Cassandra broke up the silence. "So why did you bring me over here?"

"Well..." Sheila tossed the basket to the side and turned back towards Cassandra. "I want you to know something... We've been friends for as long as I can remember... but I want that to be more."

Rebecca nearly gagged. She had to cover her mouth to stop any noise from coming out.

"What do you mean?" Cassandra asked stupidly.

Sheila sighed, "You're not making this any easier for me. I want you to be my girlfriend."

Albus and Rebecca exchanged looks of disgust. Two of the most horrible people in this school together?

"Oh... Well..." Cassandra stumbled. "I mean, I think I'd like that."

Sheila grinned and walked over to Cass. She put her hands on her waist and Rebecca thought they were going to kiss and so she closed her eyes. But she heard Cassandra go "Ow!" Rebecca opened her eyes to see Cass pinned against the tree by Sheila.

"Let me explain this to you very closely before we do this. Nobody is to know. Especially Vanessa. Also, I expect your family to keep their status. I know it's tipping for your parents to be kicked out of the Society and I refuse to date anyone who is lesser than me. Got it?"

"Yeah, of course. My parents are doing fine. They'll manage." Cassandra said quickly. She didn't seem comfortable.

"Good. And you will keep this a secret?" Sheila asked.

"Yes. Yes I will. Why would I tell Ness?" Cassandra asked.

"You know we're not supposed to have relationships like this in the SS. Both of our families will get kicked out and if you tell anyone I'll make your life miserable." Sheila warned Cassandra who looked scared. Sheila loosened her grip and smiled. "Now that that's out of the way..." She then kissed Cassandra and Rebecca got full blast of it. She nearly lost her footing. Albus reached for her hand to keep her balanced.

A few minutes later, the two girls left. Rebecca and Albus waited about ten more before they climbed down.

"That was disgusting." Rebecca said.

"Can't believe we just witnessed that." Albus responded.

They headed off toward the Great Hall hand-in-hand to eat dinner and finally ending their date. Albus never did get Rebecca anymore apples, but he did offer her a chocolate frog and it prompted her to only give him a peck on the cheek after he had walked her back to the Wampus Common Room.