"Luke I don't feel save in here!"

Flora stood frightened behind Him.

"It's an odd thing that nobody's here…"

Both of them walked more into the Ballroom as Luke screamed:

"Hello? Is anyone there?"

Actually they didn't even wanted a response. That would be extremely creepy. But then… a few seconds later… a man came forth. It seemed that he stood there the whole day in that dark corner, waiting for them. With a spooky smile the man greeted
Flora and Luke:

"Welcome. You two look very scared. May I ask why?"

He was doubtless a Student, but he looked much older… like 25. They knew him; he had a long black overcoat on, short, dark brown hair, which were nearly black, some big green eyes and a thin but muscular figure. All in one he looked handsome.
Luke decided to give him an answer, as he went towards him. Holding his Hand out he said:

"We're Luke and Flora and… don't you think that the surroundings is quite scary?"

He asked, when they shook hands.

"No, I don't… I think it's beautiful here. Excuse me, my name's Ben. I guess none is here because you guys are way too early."

Now he looked very likeable, showing them around in the big, magnificent hall. But still, something was very wrong. Flora felt it.

"How can this be? Its 8 pm now, that's when the prom's supposed to start."

She said timidly.
His shoes made loud noises as he walked to her and held his watch out.

"7:30 pm?"

Surprised she glanced up at him.

"Exactly, I assume that someone had manipulated your watches."

Ben smiled glorious at them, knowing what happened.

"I'm sure this means nothing. Coincidence."

Luke didn't wanted to worry about it and spend a nice evening with her, even though his strange feeling didn't went away.

"Yeah… right". She whispered in an implausible tone.

At the same time, Somewhere else:

"Hershel?"

Claire sat in the little ship, enjoying the view. She was now helping him to get the boat oars.

"Yes, my dear?"

He simply asked back, as he grabbed the rudders and began to paddle.

"What happened to your right hand?"

Claire touched it carefully, not wanting to hurt him but he just winced in response.

"Flora… she poured hot tea over my hand, when she suddenly hugged me. It was inadvertently."

The professor replaced them in the side notches and removed the long coat, cause of the heat.

"That must have hurt very badly. Hey… uhm, can I prepare the dinner?"

"Of course, if you want to. I'll give you the basket… There you go."

He handed her the pot and gave a lopsided smile.

"The first thing I see is… of course the huge teapot. You're so addicted."

Claire laughed slightly while she nodded her head. Hershel laughed too, as he remembered that he said the exactly same thing this day.

"What else we got? Ahh, some tasty looking salad."

Smiling she placed the salad in little portions on the plates. Concurrently he paddled along, watching the steaming Rise going on the plates as well. Two generous pieces of Fish ensued after that.

"The Meal looks delicious. Let's eat Hershel."

She offered him to stop and handed him the dinner over. Sun was still setting as they finished their supper. Eventually Claire spoke up and said:

"I love…"

He started to sweat nervously…

"the red/orange shades in the sunset, it's very romantic."

She said and fluttered her eyelashes at him. Embarrassed, clearing his throat he replied:
"Yes it is. Not to be intrusive but, would you like to take a seat right next to me?"

"I'd love to."

The boat wavered much, as she stood up. She tried to gain balance and held out her petite arms. Hershel noticed that. His instinct told him to help her over, but he didn't thought that he could overturn the unstable boat, if he stood up too. That's exactly what happened a few seconds later.
His top hat and the coat swam on the water, Claire and Hershel immersed into the cold river. The only thought he had on his mind was: '

This… couldn't get any worse now'

the professor searched quickly her arm to get them out of the water. A few meters away from him, someone coughed water up.

"Where are you?"

She questioned panicky.

"Here! Hold my hand… everything will be fine, Claire."

Hershel tried to calm her down, but he was worried too…

At the Prom:

The Hall was finally filled with students and teachers now. Everything was lucid and seemed very nice.

"Where's Ben? I can't spot him anywhere."

Flora and Luke spent a lot of time with him, before the people came. He was very funny and gentle but somehow he disappeared.

"I don't know. Maybe he's on the toilet, who knows."

He replied her and continued, while a smoochy dance song started to play:

"Can I have this dance?"

Politely bowing in front of her he kissed her hand.

"Charmer…"

She giggled and walked with him on the dance floor. When they were in the middle of the floor, she slowly wrapped her arms around his neck. Luke placed his around her hip.
"Did you practiced secretly? You dance perfect!"

Flora whispered in his ear. A shiver ran down his back.

"No I didn't. Maybe it's a god-given talent."

He gave her a cocky grin.

"Yeah… right. I won't mention the events with Hershel, shouldn't I?"

"Rather not. Hmm… could I get something?"

She lifted her head from his shoulder and asked back:

"What do you want?"

assertive he returned:

"Just… close your eyes."

Flora obeyed him and did so. After a while she felt something covering her cheek, which made her blush. Thank god it was darker now (as the song played, the DJ turned the light a bit down). A few seconds he just looked at her, smiling very fondly, as she rubbed her face slightly against his hand. Then he leaned in for the kiss. They never felt so in love before, having one million butterflies in their stomachs was also new but a loud scream brought them back to reality.

Meanwhile:

"Claire, I'm so sorry…I wanted that this would be the perfect date for you and me and…"
Hershel tried to squeeze all the water out of his coat, while he walked up and down frustrated.
She stopped him with a laugh:

"huu?"

Now he was completely confused.

"It was perfect. All what I wanted was fulfilled. Don't make yourself down."

Claire faced him, whipped his coat out of his grip and threw it on a stem.

"What was fulfilled for you? You deserve much more than that."

Insecure he ran his fingers through his wet hair.

"You are here by me… I don't need more."

Surprised by her answer his jawbone dropped wide open. '

How rude can you be Hershel?'

he thought and closed his mouth fast.

"I… really don't know wha…"

Claire came slowly towards him as he stuttered those words. He was glad that she still had her green jacket on… because he knew that she just had a white shirt under it on. Now… realizing that she was all wet from toe to her head made him… nervous?
After a while she stood just centimeters away from his face.

"I've just one more question to ask."

Claire stared deep in his eyes.

"Yes?"
Hershel was lost in hers and didn't seemed nervous at all.

"Could you..."

She spoke slowly… as she collared him by his soggy shirt. Leaning down to her, he wrapped his arms tenderly around her and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. Hershel's hair tickled on her cheeks, when she said:

"I hear your Phone ringing."

Still embraced, he searched his Handy in his trouser pocket.

"Hello? Professor Layton's speaking."

"Professor… something Horrible happened! My Teacher has been murdered!"

Luke was hysterical and nearly screamed in the phone out of fear.

"I'm on my way. Take care of Flora; I'll be there in a few minutes!"

After that he hung up the phone.

"Not now… don't leave."

Claire's voice sounded very sad.

"I have to. A Puzzle's waiting…"

Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading! Please R&R!