Disclaimer: I don't own PJO or HP. I do, however, have run out of even slightly random ideas of how to make this disclaimer less boring.

~Quirky Ravenclaws and Medical Firewhiskey~

000 Jiana 000

"Hey, Ginny, Hermione," I call out to the two older girls, "I'm gonna head to the Three Broomsticks first."

They answer back with "Mmm-hmmm", still concentrated on finding some ingredients for a party they planned that night. I, personally, can't believe they haven't gotten everything yet. But, whatever.

I head to the shop that wasn't as full as usual because most of the guys took their dates to the pink shop down the street. Which was sweet, but I'm sure the guys would have much more fun elsewhere.

The curiously quirky Ravenclaw side of me wondered what was the average number of people who go to the Three Broomsticks on "normal" Hogsmeade days and how much that lowered on "holiday" Hogsmeade days. I started to calculate how large the Three Broomsticks was and how many people it could contain, making a note to myself to estimate how packed it would be on "normal" days.

Lost in thought, I slam into a lean brown-haired boy. The other exchange student I'd seen with Ali.

"Your the guy with Nico when Ali got attacked!" I exclaim suddenly.

He blinks at me, "Um... and your... Ali's- I mean, Alisa's ... best friend."

His tone felt... off. Like he felt something about me being Ali's best friend, but it might seem rude to think that way. Or something

"Yeah, problem?" I say, not liking his strange tone.

"No, well, um, never mind. Sorry." he says before straightening and smiling a bit, "I'm Kale, Kale Amante. Uh, I never really got your name."

"Uh... Jiana." he looks... looks... er... Wait, aren't I supposed to be saying something?, "Jiana Grayson."

"You heading to the um... Three Broomsticks?" he asks.

"Yeah, why?" I ask, still a bit stunned at his strangely white teeth that looked out of place next to the rest of him.

Very, very out of place next to the oil-smudged cheekbones and worn jacket. Even more to the steam-punk goggles pushed back against dusty-brown hair. Although his brown obviously faux-fur boots seemed clean. Maybe because of the snow?

"Well, I'm supposed to go there too but..." he looks embarrassed, "I'm lost. Can you help me?"

"Oh, sure." I say, "Come on, it's over there."

We walk in silence. I hate silence. So I try to start a conversation with the first thing I think of, "What's with the grunge look?"

I mental slap myself. What the heck, Jiana? Stupid move, much?

I look to him casually but he doesn't seem to care that I've just insulted his whole wardrobe in one word-vomit move.

He just shrugs before answering, "I don't buy many new clothes 'cause I'm usually in my... mechanic outfit. I bought this... three years ago? Maybe?"

I look at him, stunned, who can survive that long without shopping?

"Uh... me?" he says suddenly, as if he read my mind.

"I didn't read your mind, your thinking out loud."

I yelp, "S-s-sorry."

He just chuckles, "Don't worry 'bout it. I'm not offended or anything by what you said."

We get to the Three Broomsticks where everybody was supposed to go to before we go back to Hogwarts. Through the window, I see Ali and the guy who's probably totally crushing on her, Nico. (Ali's probably crushing on him too, she's just seriously in denial.)

My eyes widen when I see the soft look on Ali's face. Nico looks up and laughs at Ali's dazed look, he flicks her forehead lightly and says something which causes Ali to blush, roll her eyes and break into a wide grin. All in that order.

"Aww," I say, "Ali finally accepted it!"

I squeal, turning to Kale, but, immediately, my grin fades when I see his face. His features look angry, but his eyes were completely downcast.

"Um..." he mutters to, "I just realized... I gotta call some of my sibs back home. Uh... nice meeting ya. Bye..."

He turns quickly, obviously hurt by what he saw. I don't really understand much, I knew he had a crush on Ali a bit, but I didn't think to this level. His eyes flash back to my mind and I find myself following him.

After a few feet, I grab his sleeve.

"Um... yes?" he asks, looking at me with the look you give strangers before telling them, Can I help you?

I stare at him for a second, not entirely sure what possessed me to grab his sleeve. "Um... I don't like lying. I think you should be honest with everyone. Even if it's a person you sort of only met. Um..."

If this were some kind of weirdo romance novel, Kale would smile sadly, tell me to follow him, tell me what's wrong and have a moment together before realizing we love each other and all that crap.

Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately), it isn't.

"Yeah?" He says rather angrily, "Well, people I just meet should mind their own business!"

I'm startled, and my logical Ravenclaw side told me he's right but my rather competitive, highly emotional and, dare I say, Gryffindor-like side overwhelmed it. "Well, too bad! I already crossed the mind my own business line!"

He glares at me, "Then stop now before you don't cross the 'I don't care if you're a girl, leave me alone before I kill you' line!"

I glare back, "No."

We continue our glaring contest when a sort of panicking Nico slams into us.

We fall to the snow, both our mouths open in protest before we realize why Nico's panicking.

"Jia-poo!" the familiar yet unfamiliar voice of my best friend breaks my daze, "Wotcha doin' with Kale? Y'know... there's this weirdo voice-y thingy in ma head. It's al hissss an- ooh! Snow! Wheee!"

Kale and I look at a flabbergasted and confused Nico...

"She... um... took this bottle labeled Evershine Magical Mischief and drank half of it." he says, staring disbelievingly at the obviously drunk girl playing in the snow and hissing like a snake. "Right after she requested a bottle of firewhiskey."

"Why?" I ask, "She hates drink because of her dad."

"She got a headache and Madame Rose said a diluted half-cup of firewhiskey might help. She refused immediately at first, but I think her headache became seriously bad 'cause she was pretty much paralyzed by the time she let me force the drink down her throat."

I blink at his story, then, taking Alisa by the arm just as Nico was about to, I say what's on my mind, "That wasn't a normal headache, was it?"

"Probably not." Nico replies, grimacing.

"What happened before she asked for the drink?" I say as we try to get the now unconscious Alisa to a chair Kale brought out.

Nico grimaces even more, "She was glowing green."

A/N: Rather late, but not as late as usual. You're welcome. Now, please, please, please, please, please REVIEW!