"I am definitely not going to like Endurance." Neo trudged alongside Ricky and Dominique.

"Do you guys not having a class like that?" Beth asked, Ricky shook his head, sweat making his school robes stick to him, he was a tad bit envious of the other schools loose and cooled uniforms. "It's kind of like gym back home." Beth stretched, "So, where are you lot headed next?" she asked.

"Care of Magical Creatures." Ricky answered.

"I've got Muggle Studies." Dominique sighed.

"Same," Beth grinned, she had taken to Endurance easier than the Hogwarts students had, apparently gym or endurance was something she was used to, "Do you have the Hogwarts teacher?" She asked.

"Yeah." Dominique smiled.

Ricky waved goodbye to his cousin and Beth, happy that Dominique seemed to be making a friend. "So, two more classes and then supper." Neo rubbed his stomach.

"Don't even talk about food, I'm going to be sick." Ricky groaned, his abdomen in pain from Endurance class. "Not to mention," he told himself as Neo went on about food to purposely make him sick, "Mum seemed scared of something earlier…" he looked up at the castle as they walked through the courtyard out to the grounds near the Quidditch Pitch, "I hope everything's okay back home…" He paused, "Maybe it's because Minnie's in Slytherin, I wonder how dad'll take it." he frowned, walking to the edge of the Forbidden Forest where a group of students were gather, Ricky spotted Allie leaning against a tree-the only person actually in the forest. Phoenix Genio was the one closest to Allie, and therefore the closest to the forest. Ricky frowned, how had Phoenix Genio known the professor from the Mexican school? Why did she apparently hate everything?

"Hey." Allie smiled at Neo and Ricky when they walked up, he pointedly ignored Phoenix Genio, and was glad when he noticed Neo doing the same.

"Hi." Ricky smiled back. He was glad Allie's bitterness had faded since that morning, to be honest he didn't know if he could handle her ignoring him again.

"How was Endurance? Phoenix says you two were-what was it?" Allie asked with a grin, "Noodle-like?" for the first time, Ricky saw the scowl on Phoenix being replaced with a mischievous smile and a giggle. Allie snickered with her, Ricky frowned at how the two seemed to be bonding.

"What I would like to know is, how did Phoenix know Professor Willow?" Ricky asked, leaning on the tree beside Allie who moved to tuck herself under one of his arms. The movement was unconscious but Ricky felt electricity run up his hand, he was sure Allie felt it too for she jumped slightly before settling.

"God, Ricky, did you drag your socks across the carpet?" Allie teased. Ricky frowned, perhaps he actually had shocked her, but he focused back on Phoenix Genio who was once again scowling.

"My father is a world renown Healer, Mathias caught an incurable cough from a Weasley Whizzes Snack. My father is the only one who can cure the incurable." Phoenix said proudly.

"I highly doubt that." Ricky hissed back.

"He is." Phoenix insisted, her scowl was replaced with a defensive snarl, "There hasn't been a sickness brought before him that he couldn't cure-"

"Weasley Snacks are not awful sickness's. They pass once it goes through the system and out the other end." Both girls pulled a face and Ricky grinned as Neo laughed. "Besides, if that claim were true your father would be world news." Phoenix's cheeks singed pink, "Good," he thought, "She deserves it for what she said about mum."

"You'll see." Phoenix growled, just then a young looking man with wavy, shoulder length, brown hair, dark brown eyes, and just a bit of a stubble, walked from out of nowhere in the Forbidden Forest. Around his neck hung a gaudy gold chain that seemed to have raw gold nuggets just strung around the chain.

"Greetings little creatures." The man grinned wildly, "Hey," he winked at a Slytherin girl who's jaw had dropped. He rubbed the back of his neck, "Nice to meet you," he stuck his hand out, the girl took it and promptly screamed. The man laughed as she dropped a bloodied ear, Ricky flinched and frowned. "Ah, get's them every time. But seriously, the creatures you will be raising this year could cause you harm, those of weak heart of limb should leave." Neo chuckled and Allie rolled her eyes. "Right, come this way." he nodded for them to follow. Ricky glanced back at the Slytherin girl who was wiping the blood off her hand and stepping over the ear.

"So!" The man started walking backward, "My name is Deeth Bitter, those of you who are formal may call me Mr. Bitter, or Professor Bitter, those of you who aren't-I'm looking at you, Tuk." Ricky didn't glance back, but the boy laughed and Deeth Bitter grinned, "This year you will be exploring the different aquatic creatures found in the Mediterranean Sea, and raising a surprise creature." Ricky glanced at Allie who grinned up at him excitedly, he smiled back at her. She grabbed his arm, practically bouncing on her heels as she walked, nearly pulling Ricky along with the class.

"And…here," Deeth looked around, pulling out his light colored wand, "We…" He looked posed, as if ready to pounce on something they didn't see, "Are!" he waved his wand and it was if a shimmering invisibility cloak had been thrown off a dome like building. "Yes, yes, step right in, ladies and gentlemen." Deeth held the door open for the students. There were several large tanks filled with exotic looking creatures, all swimming to get a look at the new students coming in, suspended from the middle of the dome's ceiling was an hourglass. "Yes, they are all lovely, gorgeous creatures. Today, you lot stay down there," Deeth motioned to the middle of the dome floor as he ran up a set of metal stairs that clanked with every heavy step. "We are going to look at a rather harmless creature first," He went to the edge of the metal walkway at the top of the metal stairs. "This." Deeth whistled and raised his hand and a pink and grey creature jumped out of the water, "Is a show off." Deeth grinned and the creature apparently peeked out of the water because Deeth was grinning down at the water.

Ricky watched as Deeth kicked off his shoes and sat on the edge of the platform, "This beautiful creature is a juvenile Imperatrix." As he explained, the pink and grey creature popped up over the edge of the water tank, slashing water to the tiled floor below. Most of it's skin was grey, aside from a few pink freckles along its arms, chest, neck and hairline. Its eyes were golden and seemed to glow, and its teeth were sharp and plentiful. Ricky watched as the Imperatrix folded its arms on the edge of the tank, thick cartilage connecting her wrist down to another part of her body that was under the water.

"Sir? Why does she gave gold on her?" A student peeped up.

"An Imperatrix is named so because they are the Empress of the Sea." Deeth explained, "She wears gold that's been lost at sea as a sign of her superiority over the other sea dwellers. When there is more than one Imperatrix in an area they will show off their gold, which ever has the most will be the superior Empress of the area." Deeth explained. Ricky watched as the Imperatrix flicked a pink tail out of the water and smiled down at the students.

"Now, this is a tame Imperatrix, she's given me her gold." Deeth showed the gaudy gold necklace to the students. Ricky watched as the Imperatrix splashed water at Deeth. "However, as a juvenile, she's very sassy." He laughed at her, "I've had her since she was just a Pod Imperatrix."

"A pod?" Ricky asked.

"Yes, glad you asked." Deeth grinned, "A Pod Imperatrix is essentially a very round fish, about the size of a Quaffle, and is a baby Imperatrix. They start off as a small golden egg, and their body forms around the egg. As a Pod they have no human like appendages so if a Pod finds gold, they stuff it in their cheeks." Deeth explained. Ricky tuned out as he explained the growth cycle of an Imperatrix. Several students were done looking at her and were tuning Deeth out, looking around at the other tanks.

"Now!" Deeth clapped and Ricky jumped with the rest of the class at attention, Neo stifled a yawn and stretched. Allie leaned on Ricky's shoulder, her eyes bored and out of focus. "Who wants to have a go at convincing the lovely sea lady into giving up some gold?" Several boys raised their hands, Neo among them, and Ricky bet half of them just wanted to see the Imperatrix up close.

"How about you?" Deeth pointed to Phoenix, "Wanna have a go, Phoenix?" he asked.

"No, thank you." Phoenix brushed him off, it didn't falter their professor's grin.

"How about you?" Deeth pointed to Allie who lifted her head and pointed at herself, "Yeah, you." Ricky nudged her forward. Allie blushed as she walked up the metal stairs, "Now, you're going to have to kneel down and extend your hand over the water." Deeth explained as Allie walked down the walkway, "I'll call her over once you're ready." Allie kneeled down next to Deeth, Ricky clenched his jaw as Deeth laid a hand on her shoulder.

"He's our professor, he wouldn't possibly do anything like that to Allie." Ricky reminded himself, "Do anything like that? What am I thinking?" Ricky wanted to dunk his head in a water tank to wake himself up, perhaps the muggy air in the dome had clogged something in his brain. He glanced at Phoenix Genio who looked more pissed than anyone he'd ever seen, perhaps she was regretting not going up?

Allie had her hand over the water, Deeth whistled again and waved his hand over his shoulder. The Imperatrix dived backward into the water, splashing the boys closest to her tank. "Alright, she's going to inspect your hand, if the quills on her neck and ears start to stand, pull your hand back slowly," Deeth explained, looking deep in Allie's hands as the Imperatrix circled below, "If that doesn't happen, she should reach up out of the water and-who knows-she may give you some gold."

Then the water rippled, Ricky held his breath, he had a hand on his bag, fingers brushing the end of his wand. Then, slowly, he saw the Imperatrix raise out of the water, her flat nose sniffed Allie's shaking hand. "Easy." Deeth reassured both Allie and the Empress, "Easy." Then the Imperatrix sank and little lower, bobbing up and down for a second before jumping up and slipping something on Allie's hand. "Bravo!" Deeth clapped, Ricky let out the breath he'd been holding and clapped alongside Neo. Neo gave out a whistle as Allie walked back down admiring the gold she'd been given. "Now, since miss-I'm sorry, you came up here and I didn't even catch your name."

"Oh, Allie Kingston." Allie smiled.

"Now, since Allie was given gold, Empress will recognize her and obey any command Allie gives-if she recognizes the command." Ricky clapped Allie on the back, proud of her.

"That could have ended very badly." Ricky thought, sighing. Allie admired the small gold ring on her pinkie, like Deeth's gold nugget necklace, Allie's little ring had a small gold nugget on it. "I would hate to be on the other side of that ring if it were throwing a punch." Ricky's eyes widened, looking at the ring."

"Be warned," Deeth said soberly, "Wild Imperatrix will seldom give up their gold, these are not status pets, they are wild and aggressive animals and-" Deeth noticed the hourglass, "We are all out of time to see a full grown, wild Imperatrix, so head on back to the castle, and I'll see you next time. No homework, by the way."

Ricky grinned and high fived Neo-it seemed this year would be easiest, which would be a relief if that were so. Allie just grinned and walked arm-in-arm with the boys as they left. Ricky noticed Phoenix lingering behind, but paid her no mind, "Don't care." he told himself. On the walk back to the castle, Ricky turned to look at Allie, "How was Minnie last night after the sorting ceremony?" he asked.

"Well, she hardly ate during the feast." Allie said, a slight spring in her step, "But once she saw the common room she relaxed a little, I think having Louis with her really helped." They stepped back into the castle and looked at the Great Hall longingly, wanting to eat till they were stuffed and crawl in bed.

"Speak of the-oomph!" Neo doubled over as Minnie ran smack into him.

"Oh!" Minnie pulled back, blushing furiously, "Sorry, Neo! I was looking for Bird!"

"Bird?" Allie asked.

"The blind girl who was sorted into Gryffindor." Ricky explained, "Why were you looking for her, Minnie?"

"She has class with me and Louis, and she's my new friend and-but-" Minnie's breathing became rapid, Ricky immediately pulled away from Allie and Neo.

"Whoa, whoa, calm down, I'm sure she's fine." Ricky reassured his sister who was beginning to shake.

"Oh! I promised her I'd take care of her!" Minnie looked as if she were about to start wailing.

"Shh, okay, what class do you have next?" Ricky asked.

"Ricky, we've got to go." Neo looked around uncomfortably at the emptying hallways.

"Transfiguration with mum." Minnie answered, ignoring Neo.

"Okay, go tell mum and she'll have Bird found, okay? Leave this to the professors-"

"But I promised her!" Minnie protested.

"And you'll be keeping your promise by not getting in trouble and having an adult find her. If you get in trouble and get a detention-on the first day," Ricky reminded her, "Mum will have an entire farm and who will look after Bird from then on?" This seemed to snap Minnie to her senses, but she still glared up at him before running off. Ricky frowned, Minnie had never glared at him like that before, it was as if she were genuinely mad at him for proving her wrong and setting her straight. Before he could question it however, Allie bid them goodbye and Neo pulled him to their final class.

"This "Health" class is right across from the hospital wing, shouldn't be too hard for you to find." Neo grinned, but Ricky frowned. Minnie's glare made him feel as though he failed her somehow, he sighed and shook it off.

The "Health" class room was the most normal of the foreign professors so far. Standard desks, a teachers desk at the front of the room, a wheeled blackboard, it would have been normal had there not been several old mannequins scattered in the room.

"Welcome to Health." The professor at the front greeted kindly.

Ricky's brows furrowed, "He looks oddly familiar."

"My name is Professor Genio." Ricky's eyes widened, recognizing the chocolate brown eyes and curly black hair as traits Phoenix had.

"It's her father." Ricky felt as though he'd been punched in the gut, he gripped a desk he was passing promptly scaring the Mexican boy sitting there.

"Dude, are you okay?" He registered Neo asking him.

"Yeah." Ricky nodded, gasping for air, when had the room gotten so hot? Glancing through his red locks, he noticed Genio looking at him, concerned. "Merlin, what's wrong with me?" something about the professor's sad brown eyes made him feel guilty, as if he deserved to be buried alive and left alone for the rest of eternity.

"Are you sure?" Neo asked, grabbing his shoulder-

"No." Ricky thought panicking. Neo jumped back, clutching his singed hand, a few strands of blond hair sticking up on end, he looked at Ricky horrified, memories of their second year flashing in his eyes.


"None of you can tell a soul! Not even my mum!" Ricky whispered in a hushed tone to his three best friends in the back of the library.

"Tell anyone what, Ricky?" Allie asked annoyed that the boys had interrupted her study session and kicked out her study partner.

"I'm a weather wizard." Ricky blurted out. Cli gasped, Neo laughed and Allie looked at the boys confused.

"A what?" Allie asked.

"A weather wizards, magical folk that can control the weather, like how metamorphmagus can control their appearances." Cli explained, "They are usually hunted by dark or power hungry wizards to destroy acres of land at a time to warn muggles and wizards alike."

"But you're not actually a weather wizard." Neo finished laughing, small giggles escaping his lips occasionally, "I know that bludger hit you hard last month, but I didn't think it hit you that hard!"

"I'm serious!" Ricky protested, he felt childish for doing so, but he stamped his foot an a tree branch hit the window behind them. The children jumped and realized a wind storm had been brewing up outside, however they hadn't noticed because frost had been climbing up the window. Neo and Cli looked panicked but Allie still looked confused.

"Why would you think we'd tell someone?" she asked.

"I don't know." Ricky frowned. "Get some Galleons, fame…Weather Wizards are rare and I think I'm the only one…" he chewed on his bottom lip.

"Impossible." Cli noted, "Godric Gryffindor was rumored to have been a Weather Wizard."

"Really?" Neo and Ricky asked, Cli nodded.

"Right so…you won't like…combust into flames will you?" Allie asked.

"I don't know." Ricky answered honestly, "I'm too scared to tell mum and dad, and-oh god-if Minnie and Mikey ever found out they'd think I was some sort of monster!" He could feel a ton of energy building up in his chest, it was getting harder to breathe.

"Dude, calm down." Neo placed a hand on his shoulder and suddenly jumped back giving out a howl of pain.

"Neo!" Cli grabbed his brother to steady him, Ricky watched horrified, backed in the corner as Cli wrenched Neo's arm away from his chest, inspecting it. "Small burn, look." Cli pointed out a bright pink explosion like bit of flesh on Neo's palm, "There's a potion that will heal it, let's go get Madam Pomfrey-"

"No!" Allie snapped, "What if she asks for an explanation. No, we do this the muggle way." She hopped out of her chair and instructed the boys to follow. Allie lead the way, with Cli comforting Neo behind her, Ricky trailed behind, his heart racing as he looked at his hands as though he were a monster.


This time, Neo was ready, "Are either of you hurt?" Professor Genio asked.

"Yeah, fine." Neo smiled, "Just hit a nerve or something." He shrugged off the excess electricity and headed to his seat. Professor Genio looked at him expectantly, ducking his head down, Ricky quickly walked past him and sat down next to Neo.

"Yes, well." Professor Genio walked back to the front of the class, "Welcome to Health, where you will learn healing charms and potions, what to do when potions and charms don't or won't work, and how to recognize signs of sickness. First day will be relatively easy, I'd like for you to write down what you know about healing charms and potions, their properties, how to perform or prepare them, and how to identify them."

Ricky's head felt fuzzy as he tried to focus on the parchment he'd pulled out. He licked his lips anxiously, feeling as though at any moment he may be sick. Neo was glancing at him out of the corner of his eye, concerned. Ricky continuously waved his hand to reassure him, but even glancing at his friend made him feel nauseous.

"Get it together, so what if this guy is Phoenix's father?" Ricky scolded himself, "What is wrong with you?" Ricky sighed and ran a hand through his hair, he could feel sweat dripping down from his hair line, feel it running down his back causing his robes to stick to him, feel it gathering at his neck in a cold perspire. He wanted to do nothing more than throw the chair he was sitting in at the window. Frost crept up his fingers, "Stop!" He told himself, "What is wrong with me? Ever since last year my powers have gone all wrong!" He tried to think of something that could have cause his powers to freak out, he knew Teddy lost his ability to change his appearance for a while when he learned he was half werewolf. "Yeah, but he had Vi to cheer him up. Merlin, even her patronus changed into a wolf to support him." Ricky buried his head in his hands. Neo nudged his knee with his own, Ricky waved to fingers, letting him know he was still okay. "For the most part." Ricky sighed. He straightened up as best as he could and copied down all he could remember from charms and potions.

"For homework," Professor Genio said just before the bell ran for supper, "I would like you all to write one scroll of describing a terrible sickness you've had, everyone's been sick at least once." He nodded goodbye once the bell sounded, Ricky couldn't sprint to the door quick enough, Neo on his heels.

"What's wrong?" Allie asked, coming up beside him. He didn't know what class she had, but blinked wearily at her, his mind felt even more clouded, and his heart felt as though it had sank to his knees. "Ricky, what's wrong?" she repeated.

"I'm fine." Ricky insisted.

"No, you're not." Allie pulled him along, "Neo, tell his family that Ricky feel ill and will be along shortly."
"Who died and made you queen?" Neo demanded, Ricky didn't see but he was sure Allie glared at him, because he heard Neo's quick retreating footsteps as Allie pulled him behind her.

"Bloody hell, Allie, where are you taking me?" Ricky asked, tripping up a set of stairs.

"Get in." Allie shoved him in a small door, the inside of the room was instantly calming. The floor was covered in cushions, the only light came from an ethereal glow that slowly faded from blue to green back to blue.

"What is this place?" Ricky asked, his head feeling clear, but chest still feeling heavy.

"Room of Requirement…This is where I usually disappear when I don't want you boys bothering me." Allie admitted sheepishly, walking around him, she took his hand and expertly walked over the cushions, pulling him along, his long legs tangling till eventually gravity got the better. Chest, neck and face on fire, Ricky glanced up at Allie who was dreamily staring at the ceiling. When Ricky looked up he noticed the ceiling was dotted with stars, much like the Great Hall-which was where they should have been.

"God, she looks beautiful." Ricky sighed thinking to himself, then he shook his head and laid back on the cushions. He closed his eyes, "Get a grip, Allie's your best friend, not someone like Natalia Brand." Ricky took a deep, calming breath. Suddenly there was warmth at his side, he opened his eyes and looked down, Allie was tucked under his arm, looking up at the ceiling as though she were in a dream-like trance. She opened her mouth, like she was preparing to say something, but nothing came out and she just scooted closer to him, closing her eyes. Ricky unconsciously wrapped his arm around her, holding her to his side, there was a jolt of electricity where his hand rested on her hip, but she didn't jump back this time. He had no idea how long they laid in there, just breathing in the calming air, eyes closed, bodies so close but too far.

"Merlin, just sit up so I can pull you closer." Ricky pleaded to himself, however, when Allie leaned up, he got lost in her jeweled eyes and laid there unmoving. Allie looked like she were going to speak again, but instead she just brushed a few stray strands of red hair out of his face. Ricky had the urge to silence her unspoken words, he sat up, unsure of his own actions. Allie sat back on her knees, their thighs touching, "She's so far away." Ricky wanted to reach out and grab her, he wanted to keep her for himself. He had a fleeting thought, "Is this how dad feels when he looks at mum?" but quickly pushed it away as his hand moved of its own accord to tangle in her black hair. They were so close, Ricky was sure the whole room reverberated with his quickened heartbeat. He could feel her cool, jagged, breath on his lips and it was so tantalizing to be so close yet so far. He pulled her closer, "She's your friend!" he screamed at himself, before he could hesitate or stop though Allie stopped him, their lips just barely touching.

"We should," her voice cracked, "We should get back to the Great Hall…we're about twenty minutes late…" she whispered shyly.

"No," Ricky wanted pout, he wanted to stay hidden in the room forever, with her. But Allie was already standing, holding her hand out to him, he was taking it and they were leaving. Ricky looked back at the door as it disappeared into the stone wall, feeling as though he should have done it when he had the chance. He sighed and walked along side Allie who seemed no different than before they'd gone in the room.

"Well, now that you know my secret hiding spot, I guess I'll be seeing more of you this year." Allie laughed gently to herself, as though she'd just said a funny joke.

"Yes." Ricky wanted to pull her back to the room straight away, "I want to see more of you-God, shut up! She's your best friend! Stop thinking like that!"

"Well, see you tomorrow." Allie waved goodbye at the Great Hall doors, leaving Ricky standing there, dazed, and upset. He looked up at the staff table, the seat between McGonagall and Hagrid empty, he frowned. Turing on his heel he walked away from the Great Hall, even though his stomach growled in protest.

"Mum?" He knocked on the transfiguration office door, "Are you in there?" he asked.

A tired looking Phoenix Weasley answered the door, "Oh, Ricky, what are you doing here?" She gripped the door frame to keep her hands from shaking.

"Is everything okay, mum?" he asked.

"Hm? Oh, yes," Phoenix answered quickly, "Yes, everything's fine."

"You just seem…" Ricky frowned, "On edge."

"Yes, well," Phoenix smiled and reached out, cupping his chin and running a thumb over his cheek, "It is the first day." Ricky pulled away from her motherly touch, slight embarrassed. "I'm fine. I promise."

"Right." Ricky frowned, "Well, did Minnie seem okay to you today?"

Now Phoenix looked genuinely shocked, "Yes, she seemed fine. Her and Louis. They're looking after the little blind girl-Bird-"

"Yeah, I know." Ricky nodded, "I was just curious."

Phoenix slowly closed her mouth and leaned against the door frame, she looked him up and down for a few seconds. "Don't forget, this Friday, you and the family are going to Hagrid's for tea."

"Right." Ricky nodded, having completely forgotten, "I'll remember."

"Tell James and Albus when you go back to the common room, will you?" Phoenix asked pleasantly.

"Sure thing, mum." Ricky nodded.

"Oh," Ricky turned and blinked in shocked to see Professor Genio a few steps away, he looked like he'd been caught in a lewd act and shifted uncomfortably.

Phoenix leaned her head out of the door frame and quickly snapped her body back into her office, "Curfew is soon, dear, you should get back to the common room." She told him, Ricky glanced between his mother and Professor Genio who looked like he was practically sweating his entire being into nothingness. Ricky said nothing as he walked past Professor Genio. He glanced behind him and noticed that Genio had taken his placed outside his mothers office door. Pressing himself between a tapestry and a suit of armor, Ricky strained his ears to hear the two.

"Please, Phoenix, at least talk to me. Can't you do that after-"

"After you stopped writing and out of the blue told me you were getting married?" Phoenix demanded with a laugh, he was reminded of his grandmother when she said something particularly cruel but funny. "I think not, and you'll be lucky if I don't kick your daughter out of my class."

"Don't bring our troubles into my daughters life." Genio snapped harshly.

"Our troubles?" Phoenix repeated, using stressed emphasis on "our". Ricky's heart was beating rapidly, "Our troubles have nothing to do with it. She blatantly disobeyed my authority-and according to most of the Hogwarts staff she's been disrespecting the ghost and my fellow peers." Phoenix snapped in her "that's final" tone. Ricky frowned, he felt like he was invading on something private, but if she and Professor Genio went back, how come he'd never heard of him? How come his mother gave no inclination to him just a mere minute ago that she knew Genio? His head buzzed and the suit of armor vibrated next to him with static. "And what's this, naming her Phoenix?" His mother demanded, "Hm?" she questioned. Ricky began to inch away, peeking out he noticed his mother had stepped out and was now glaring up defiantly at Genio with her Malfoy glare. Genio looked like he was cornered, even though the wide open, empty hallway was to his back, he didn't seem to want to move an inch as he arched his neck down to look at her.

"I missed you." Genio said simply, and soothingly, his mother's bottom lip trembled. Ricky couldn't tell if she was holding back a scowl or a sob. "Phoenix, please, let me explain-"

"No, Cyrus. Let me explain." Phoenix said, stepping back to pinch her pointer fingers to her thumbs, "You are the one that just disappeared and didn't write back for months, you are the one that got married without warning-without telling me-without even breaking up with me!" Ricky inched down the hallway at a much quicker pace, nearly knocking into the suit of armor. His heart was beating a million miles a second and the corridor felt extremely hot and tight, he wanted to shimmy down to the end of the hall and sprint to the common room.

"I didn't want to do something so personal over letter-"

"What would you have rather seen me cry in person?" Phoenix demanded. Genio stayed quiet, and Ricky froze, not daring to breath as the silence clouded the hallway.

"I never meant to make you cry-"

"Yeah well you're about twenty three years late on that apology-and it will not be accepted." Phoenix said as-a-matter-of-factly.

"What can I do to get you back?" Genio pleaded, Ricky wanted to throw up his supper, but he also wanted to step out and sock Genio in the jaw.

"Get me-excuse you?" Phoenix demanded, "I am married! And incase you didn't notice-that was my son I was just talking to!" Phoenix practically screeched. Ricky could hear the wind howling against the castle as the urge to hex Genio to oblivion increased.

"I had hoped he wasn't." Genio sighed sadly, "But I should have known from the moment he stepped in my class." Genio trailed off, Phoenix said nothing, "He has your eyes."