AN: Hey guys :) I think I'm nearly past my block! Strangely, it did help to upload early XD I dunno, I think it spurred me on. I took a break from writing it today though, usually helps me (That's why I struggle so much at the end of NaNoWriMo I think...)

So here's the next chapter, I hope you like it :) x

As Arianna hurried towards her dorm room, figuring Ellen would have gone back by now, she felt a familiar warm glow in her chest. It was the same glow she'd felt after the first time they'd had that conversation, but the light was a little brighter; a little more hopeful.

She let the conversation play back in her mind. He had not said that he loved her… He had said he was afraid to. He was worried he would, and how could she blame him? The last time he'd loved someone… he had lost her. Arianna could understand the pain of losing a loved one; she had after all lost her parents just a week previously. But that wasn't going to drive her away. If anything, it made her more determined to show him he didn't have to be alone.

When she entered the dorm room, she was glad to discover Ellen was sat at her desk, clicking a pen absently.

"Hey, Ellen… Sorry for ditching you like that." Her friend looked up with a tentative smile.

"It's okay… You clearly needed to talk to… to him." She stuttered. "Is everything alright?"

Arianna nodded. "Yes… It is now. Sorry for worrying you." Ellen smiled again. But Arianna sensed she wanted to ask more, a discussion she wasn't willing to have now… So she continued: "So, I haven't asked… What have you been doing all summer?"

"Mainly independent study." Suddenly, Ellen was in her element talking about work, and it showed. She sat up a little straighter, and her voice gained a determined quality to it that Arianna rarely heard in her usually quiet friend. "I've been trying to find and compile information about the dangers of combining science with magic; particularly electrical appliances, which are obviously banned in school." She saw Arianna frown in concern and continued. "Nothing dangerous! Just reading, don't worry."

Arianna sat down on her bed. "And? What have you found so far?"

"Well… There are several theories I've stumbled upon so far; the variety of answers to one of the modern magical world's biggest questions is astonishing. Nobody seems to be able to provide concrete evidence for any of their theories. One theory suggests that the waves emitted by electrical appliances, particularly microwaves – the electromagnetic wave, not the appliance – interfere with our ability to control the mana within us and within the air, making spells more difficult to cast and control… Another theory is that it is the magic that interferes with the appliance, not the other way round…"

Arianna listened intently as Ellen explained the many other theories she had discovered in the course of her research. Their conversation continued until Ellen mentioned that she wished to conduct her own experiments…

"What? Ellen, you can't! You remember what Potsdam said last time!"

"I'm going to talk to Potsdam about it… Ask if I can do supervised, approved experiments. This is important, if I can unravel the reasons why the two don't mix well, then maybe I can find a way around it! You've got to admit, it's a pain to not have any electrical things… They even took your iPod away to put in the lock-down vault!"

The lock-down vault was on one of the lowest dungeon levels, miles below any of the levels used for examinations. It was reinforced with every possible ward that could be cast, and the doors were impossible to open without the key, which was tuned to Professor Potsdam; so no-one else could use it. Within the vault was stored every piece of technology found on the school premises. Being found with such items usually meant at least thirty demerits (instant expulsion for anyone not doing well) but they forgave Wildseeds who had left their homes, since they didn't have much choice in possessing the items.

When students went home, they were given access to them again, if they swore a solemn oath not to use magic around said had been three or four instances where students had broken that oath, being stripped of their magic (and memories) as a result…

"Yeah, I know…" Arianna huffed. Without her iPod, things were going to get very boring, very quickly… It was fine when it was term-time and she had lessons… But thinking about the summer that stretched before her gave her a sinking feeling. She was going to get bored very quickly. "It's late." She said, suddenly, noticing that it was dark outside.

"Yeah, guess we should go to bed…"

They brushed their teeth and clambered into their beds quite swiftly. But Arianna asked if it would be okay to write in her diary before she slept.

"Of course." Ellen said, with a smile. "Just turn the light off when you're done." She reminded, before she sunk into her covers to sleep.

Saturday May 31st 2014

Dear Diary,

Yeah, two entries today, aren't you lucky?

So, as you know, I decided to stop moping today and do something. I went to see Hieronymous. But, he seemed angry, so I kinda ran off, and there was this big misunderstanding… It was kind of my fault, and kind of his… And basically he thought it would be best for me if we didn't pursue… whatever it is we're pursuing… It's hard to describe. I mean, I like him… And I mean a lot… Like, I had a silly crush on him before the marriage… Virginia figured that one out… That was awkward.

But it never really mattered. It was just one of those things I knew… thought… was never gonna happen. Then I accidentally ended up married to him and suddenly it was all very real, and I was confused, and scared… and he was angry, but confused… And we've basically had the same conversation twice now… But this time it seems like maybe he likes me (you know… likes me…) and he said he didn't mean to kiss me, but he did because he wanted to (not 'cause I asked) and OMG I feel so silly and childish but I have butterflies in my stomach and I've got that feeling in my chest, like when they say "my heart's a flutter"… Do you get butterflies in your chest too?

I need to calm down!

So anyway… Ellen's been looking into why technology and magic don't mix… A lot of it kind of went over my head, but it sounds interesting. I am worried though, that she's going to do something stupid… She said she wants to experiment, but I don't think that's a good idea… I don't want her to get expelled; her parents forgot her too. I don't like to think of her being on her own…

I should sleep.

So the silly school-girl is back ;) hehe.

I did want to at least address the fact that having had all her stuff brought over, Arianna's technology would have been seized, and since I did quite like Ellen's path, I thought I'd bring some of that in.

I do actually love ALL the paths XD Grabby's is just my fave for reasons ;P

Don't forget to review guys xxx