William had barely settled back in at Salem when the school year began. He discovered that the majority of teachers from the previous year would be continuing on as his professors through at least middle school. This did not necessarily surprise William, but it definitely made arriving in Mr. McAllister's Charms class all the more harrowing.

McAllister had started the year off, first day, first class, with a quiz on what they had learned last year. William had been able to show off the fact that he had been attempting to practice over the summer, and he tried hard to prevent a smile when McAllister had to give him begrudging praise mingled with him saying, "You better keep up this level of work Fraser." William gulped, very unsure if he would be able to stay on top of his Charms work this semester.

The first week of classes quickly came and went however. As the week progressed however he realized that Salem clearly did not believe in easing students back into the school year. By the end of the week he had brewed a potion from last year as well as a new one, had to change a box into a rat, and had his first exam in History of Magic that was half review half new material from the first week. On Friday night as William made his way across campus after a grueling two hours of potions he felt exhausted.

His robes were stained with various ingredients, and they smelled not only the same horrible stench that the actual potion was supposed to be but carried the variety of scents from other students' failed attempts. William didn't notice Henry Blackstock or Theodore Stinson because of his sheer fatigue from the past week. However, they didn't care why he was not noticing them, just that he was.

"Not even a friendly hello, Fraser?" Called Henry as he got up from one of the lawns beside Corey Hall.

William sighed, and as he turned to say something, he immediately rolled to the right as a jet of light came rushing from Theodore's wand. William hit the ground hard, losing his books as he rolled away but he was able to make it to his feet in time to throw up his shield charm. Theodore once again whirled his wand around and called out a spell that William didn't know as Henry quickly began scattering William's books and notes all about the surrounding lawns.

William was about to turn and shoot a hex at Henry when Theodore let forth another barrage giving Henry just enough time to call out a charm that sent a gust of wind through all of William's school books scattering them further. Henry and Theodore laughed and then ran off. William raised his wand at their retreating backs and then shook his head before turning to gather up his books and the like.

As William slowly began to gather up his notes from his last class he heard a voice call out, "Accio books." All of a sudden all of William's things went flying off in one direction. He turned around quickly to find Clark standing there with his books under her arm, and a stack of papers in the other.

He stared at her and then asked, "How'd you do that?"

Clark smiled as she walked across the space between them and handed him his books, "It's a pretty simple spell you'll learn it in the next year or two."

"Oh," William said as he accepted his books and then added, "Thank you."

"It's no problem," She then paused, "Why were all of your things scattered around here anyway?"

William frowned and then said quietly, "I tripped and then the wind blew them everywhere."

Clark frowned and then said with a hint of sarcasm, "Oh yes, it's very windy out today."

William didn't look up as Clark then patted him on the shoulder before adding, "Well on a happier note, the Dueling club will be starting up again next week. I expect to see you there." She then extended a flyer to William.

William nodded vigorously, "Of course I'll be there."

"Good," Clark replied, "I'd hate to see a duelist who was afraid of a duel." She then smiled at him before walking off, whistling as she went.

William sighed, he didn't like lying especially when the people he was lying to knew that he was lying to them. But he just didn't want to admit that within the first week back he was already being bullied again, and there was nothing he could do when two people ganged up on him. It wasn't a fair fight, and no amount of hexing or jinxing could stop both of them at the same time. William shrugged and made his way back into Corey Hall, where he showered and changed out of his clothes before starting on his homework.

Within a few days William smiled as he was once more descending into the basement of the Dueling Club. It was good to see everyone again and as always he gravitated to his fellow seventh graders, Hobbes and Rosenberger were standing around talking though they grew somewhat silent as William approached. He shrugged and then frowned, wondering where Nick was. After a few minutes he stumbled down the stairs looking tired and haggard as William had realized was now the norm for Nick.

He clambered over to William, straightening his robes as he came. William barely noticed that Hobbes and Rosenberger both stepped an extra foot away when Nick arrived. Nick turned away from them and then asked William, "So how was your first week back?"

"It was alright, a little hectic," He then paused, "What about you, I barely saw you."

Nick shrugged, "I have a pretty busy schedule these days, plus I completely forgot what it was like to be in school, y'know?"

William nodded, "Yeah, no one's really giving us much of a break for being back."

There was a bubbly laugh from behind them and they turned to see Clark standing in her usual dueling garb as she walked up to them. "Why do you think you deserve a break, Fraser?" William shrugged unsure of how to respond. Clark then smiled and added, "You've had all summer to rest up, people." She then surveyed the seventh graders with a devilish smile, "I hope you're all ready, Tall Elk has already told me that I'll be in charge of you again this year, so there's no reason to wait." She then raised her wand and started trying to hex them at random. Everyone immediately spaced themselves out and began casting their shield charms.

Clark smiled then said, "Good, good, now let's start with some basic drills." She then started running them through various hexes, and jinxes, correcting them as needed. William suddenly felt very good to be back in the dueling club, having Clark shout things at them while they all attempted the various spells. Every so often Clark would try to hit people with a hex and they'd be expected to stop it with their shield charm. By the end of the night, everyone was sweating through their robes and Clark dismissed them.

William clambered up the stairs behind Nick, he noticed that the two other seventh graders didn't immediately follow them. When they got outside the stadium Nick partially collapsed against the wall taking in deep breaths of the cool night air. William stopped, and he watched as Nick brushed back his hair and rubbed his forehead like he had a head ache. William immediately noticed deep scars on Nick's upper arms when the sleeves of his robes fell back. Nick quickly readjusted the robes when he caught William staring at his arms. They didn't say anything but William found himself frowning anyway. Nick then stared up at the sky, and smiled. William followed his gaze and found that the sky was full of clouds he shrug unsure of exactly what about clouds made Nick happy.

William then asked, "Are you ok?"

Nick nodded as he propped himself off of the wall and then said, "Yeah, just a little bit more tired than usual that's all." After another pause in which he looked around quickly he then said, "Come on let's get going."

William nodded and the pair quickly made their way back to Corey Hall and then separated as they moved toward their separate dormitories.

A few days later while William was making his way down the halls to his defense class, he suddenly heard a quick shout, and all of a sudden he felt a strong gust of wind hit him hard in the back. William was able to stick out his leg fast enough to prevent himself from falling over completely but it didn't prevent his books from flying out of his hands and all over the ground. He turned around, hand resting on his holstered wand. Per usual, Henry and Theodore were both casually leaning against the wall, and laughing at William's 'misfortune'. William didn't know what charm Henry kept using or even where he had learned it, but he had already after not even three weeks back at school grown tired of it. William was about to pull out his wand to hex them when the bell sounded. Both bullies immediately booked it and William quickly darted back around and rushed into his Defense classroom.

As he was about to open the door, it burst open and a boy his age with tightly curled ringlets of black hair, smooth white skin, and a fine set of robes in the Salem blue rushed out of it. He scowled at William before brushing past him quickly and angrily. William scuttled into the room as Tall Elk entered from his office. The teacher gave William a look and then said, "See me after class Mr. Fraser." Just as the class was about to make the standard round of low murmurs and giggles at a student getting in trouble Tall Elk's gaze cut them off.

William took his usual seat next to Alexandria on his right, and normally Nick on his left. But once more, Nick was mysteriously absent just like he was yesterday. William sighed as he looked around, wondering if Nick was sitting elsewhere for some reason but he wasn't. Tall Elk however began to launch into his lecture regarding proper wards against small pests and other less than lethal magical creatures. It would be another week or more Tall Elk had said before they would begin moving on to actually dealing with these run-of-the-mill magical creatures, and as usual when someone questioned what sort of hexes would be best for banishing or incapacitating such a creature Tall Elk began a lecture about the first line of defense. He sighed and stated, "The purpose of my teachings to you is that if you follow them correctly, and take the proper measures to defend yourself from various dark creatures you will never have to encounter them at all because they will never approach you. I am going to prepare you for those eventualities, especially at this level since we are dealing more with pests than dark beasts, however there is no sense in building up a repertoire of various spells against different creatures when a few wards will protect against all of them. By the end of this week you will be learning to cast these wards. Next week we will see how your wards fare, and after that I shall teach you various spells to counter these creatures. Is that clear?" He gazed out at the class, and the class nodded together as one. He then nodded and returned to his lecture, iterating the important parts of the particular ward he had been discussing.

As the class ended, William made his way to Tall Elk's desk where the old teacher was waiting for him as the rest of the class silently filed out. Tall Elk then walked into his office and William followed, like the previous year William marveled at the various items that were on the office. The fire stayed calmly down barely lit as Tall Elk took the seat behind his desk and gestured for William to take the seat opposite.

William settled into the comfy arm chair and had to take a deep breath, wondering if Tall Elk was truly going to reprimand him for being a few moments late. Tall Elk took a deep breath as well, steepled his fingers, and then calmly asked, "How was your summer, William?"

William blinked, confusion evident on his face, "My summer was, a little boring, sir."

Tall Elk nodded, "It always is that way with muggle borns. But the first time being away from magic is always the hardest, it gets easier with the passing of years." William nodded carefully, unsure of exactly why Tall Elk wanted to speak to him. "Are you settling back in?" Tall Elk asked after the brief pause.

"Yes, sir," William said, "I'm glad that the dueling club has started back up again."

Tall Elk smiled, "As am I, and I'm very glad to see you back in attendance." He then paused and eyed William very carefully, "But returning has been fine for you William, nothing is particularly bothering you?"

William then took a deep breath, and asked, "I'm slightly worried about Nick, do you know if he's sick sir?"

Tall Elk seemed somewhat surprised by the question, "Mr. Hawthorne is dealing with some fairly difficult problems and adjustments this year, I would expect him to miss class on a regular basis." He then gave William a curious look, locking his weary dark eyes upon the younger boy.

William felt somewhat uncomfortable under Tall Elk's gaze but then said, "Alright sir, I just hadn't realized that he would be so..." He paused unsure of what to say.

"Lycanthropy is a horrible affliction William," Tall Elk stated with a grave edge to his voice, "I am saddened that Mr. Hawthorne must bear the burden at such a young age but it is the price he must pay. There is also little you can do beyond remain his friend." Tall Elk then paused and said, "It was good to touch base with you William but I should certainly let you get going, I wouldn't want you to completely miss your lunch period."

William nodded and rose from his chair. Tall Elk nodded as he let himself out of the office and then the classroom. As he exited he found Alexandria waiting for him, she smiled when he stepped out brushing out her fine blue robes and a lock of her dark hair. She then asked in her calm and cool voice, "Did he really give you detention for arriving late?"

William shook his head, "No he just wanted to talk to me, I guess."

"Ah," Alexandria said as she fell into step beside William. William was confused as they walked toward the cafeteria while he knew they shared the same lunch period, he had not eaten with her all semester and was trying to remember if he ever had outside of a few special occasions. She then asked, "Did he say why Brian was talking to him?"

"Brian?" William asked, unsure exactly who she was referring to.

"Brian Waldorf, he nearly knocked you over when he left Tall Elk's classroom," Alexandria explained.

"Oh no, it didn't come up," He shook his head, "Why do you ask?"

Alexandria shrugged her slight shoulders, "I know that Mr. Waldorf is not known for being kind to half-breeds and muggle-borns, and I doubt he's happy that his son is living with a werewolf." She then began to speed up as she called over her shoulder, "Curious to see how far the apple fell from the tree."

William paused and watched as Alexandria continued to walk away from him. He shook his head and shrugged, wondering if he would ever understand purebloods.