When questioned about Bianca's blatant avoidance of him, Grover broke down and confessed that he may have been a bit too unbridled when first approaching the girl. By that, he meant that he offered to tutor her in biology and started rattling on about nature facts so passionately that he looked about ready to cry. To a girl like Bianca, he probably looked like a psycho and let's be honest, she was justified in thinking that.

Being too upfront was not the way to approach a teenage girl, not by a long shot. Perhaps that's why Saiph was chosen. She was also a moody teenager with an abhorrence for socialising and parental issues. Bianca was the type of person that had a rough outer shell and a soft and fluffy interior. The complete opposite of her brother who was smiles and sunshine on the outside but deep down had some (a lot of) unpacked baggage.

The dorm room was compact but was able to fit quite a lot considering. It also helped that between the two girls, their belongings made up about half the closet of a normal person. That Bianca knew of anyway. The poor girl didn't even know she was a demigod yet so Saiph wasn't about to start introducing magical suitcases to her just yet.

School had been exhausting, Saiph not being used to learning muggle subjects and all. After classes everyone had two hours of free time before dinner began at 5:30 and lasted until 6:30. Then, students were encouraged to go to bed at eight, though hardly any did.

It was now 6:45, dinner had just ended and three kids (Nico, Bianca, and Saiph) were holed up in room 1320 unpacking and playing greek inspired cared games. Bianca advised Saiph not to unpack too much as it was nearly Christmas break. As Bianca and Nico were orphans they would stay at the school on any holidays they had while the rest would leave to be with their families.

It broke Saiph's heart to see the excited smiles on their faces when she informed them she would be staying aswell. The feeling of heartache had become a common one while around the di Angelo siblings. Saiph could only hope to get them out and back to camp as soon as possible. At least there they would have some semblance of family.

Saiph secretly hoped they were children of Apollo or Hermes. That way they would have more than enough siblings to keep them company. Though with their looks and personality, it was an almost sure sign they weren't.

Nico was currently sat on the carpeted floor of the room dealing cards and explaining the game to Saiph while Bianca helped her set up her side of the room. The di Angelo's had warmed up to Saiph quickly after they got talking. In fact, the three could almost pass as siblings if Saiph had black eyes.

"Okay, so the Olympian gods have the most attack power?" Saiph asked Nico.

"Yes, and the primordials have the most defence," Nico replied, obviously enamoured with someone paying so much interest to his game. "But their defence can be broken pretty easily with a double attack from any giants."

"Why would giants attack the primordials," Saiph enquired putting down the poster she was about to hang. She knew the answer but couldn't get enough of Nico's look of unadulterated joy at the questions.

"It's not like the stories silly, only the cards in a hand are on the same side the rest is a free for all." Nico smiled, preparing to explain more when Bianca cut him off.

"Nico, it's getting late. Are you staying here tonight or going back to your room?" the older girls' dorms could house three so the was no shortage of beds in the room. Saiph looked at her watch to see that it was indeed 7:56. They had gotten so caught up in talking that they hadn't even played a game yet. Lights in the halls would be going out soon making the walk to the boys' dorms dark and a bit dangerous.

"Please can I stay here tonight, I promise you won't even know I'm here." The plead was directed more towards Saiph than Bianca. Bianca looked hesitant, glancing at Saiph for her opinion. They had only known each other for a day at most (even if it felt like longer) and Bianca wasn't sure if they were up to sleepovers yet.

"I don't mind, it's probably better for him in here anyways right?" just as she had finished her sentence Saiph felt two small arms snake around her waist, holding her tight. She froze up for a second not knowing what to do. Bianca must have seen the look of panic on her face because she stepped forward to disconnect the boy. That was all Saiph needed to compose herself, she sent a quick nod to Bianca before hugging back basking in the warm hug.

To her knowledge, Saiph had only ever been hugged by her father. Her friends at Hogwarts had never really been the touchy-feely types. Sure, they lay on each other and playfully wrestled sometimes but they never escalated to full on hugging. Purebloods were never known to have the best relationship with their families and were therefore very closed off when it came to affection. Regulus of course was different in this aspect but that didn't mean Saiph was all that used to hugs. Especially from people she had just met.

But the hug was nice, what did she have to lose? She could get used to this. Saiph had always wanted a little brother after all. "Thank you! You won't regret this!" Nico's voice was muffled by Saiph's knit sweater making her laugh into the hug.

The rest of the night was spent laughing, talking, and playing. They even got so rowdy at one point that the girls in the next room banged on the wall and told them to 'shut up'. Though the way they said it was much nastier. Suffice to say that night was one of the best Saiph had had in a while. Unrealistic mythology card games and all.

The next day it was a struggle to get up. Breakfast today was french toast and sugar-glazed bacon, one of the best breakfasts on offer according to Nico. The sugar certainly helped with that opinion.

After breakfast, Saiph and Bianca were getting ready in their dorm when an announcement went off on the loudspeakers.

"Attention all students. Three days from now there will be a school dance 'eld in the gymnasium to celebrate the last day of school before Christmas break." Came a familiar French accent. "Students can bring whomever they may like, I do not care but look presentable. That is all."

Saiph and Bianca glanced each other way before smiling "Wanna go together?" Saiph asked. Receiving only a pained groan in response. "C'mon, it'll be fun, promise," Saiph said holding out her pinky finger eliciting another groan from Bianca.

"Do I have to?" Bianca moaned brushing the knot out of her hair rather harshly. Saiph grabbed the hairbrush out of her hands before any more damage could be dealt and pushed her onto a chair. Saiph began to brush gently through Bianca's silky dark hair as she hummed a tune. It was strange how they could be so close already but Saiph didn't question it.

When she was finished she said "There, now you don't have to massacare your hair any longer. How about we make a deal? If we go and you don't like it we can just leave. But you could enjoy it in which case it's a win-win scenario." Saiph grabbed the floppy green hat from Bianca's bedpost and placed it on her head. This time it only covered her forehead leaving the rest of her face exposed.

Swiftly Bianca pulled down her hat and prepared to leave before being stopped by Saiph standing in front of her and pulling up her hat once more. "You should show your eyes more often. They're beautiful." Bianca blushed a deep red but made no attempt to fix her hat as they stared into each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity.

Their moment was interrupted only by another crackle of the loud speaker. "Attendance is mandatory.

Saiph grinned, "Well I guess that settles it then. Oh, would you look at the time we're going to be late let's hurry." Grabbing Bianca's hand Saiph rushed down the hall to French completely unaware of the blush still present on the face of her companion.

French was… interesting, if not a bit irritating. The sound of so many mispronounced words really grated on Saiph's nerves after a while. Not that the rest of the class (Bianca included) did not try but they really hadn't had the best teacher. Dr Thorn was strict and not all that great at explaining things. Instead of correcting a student's pronunciation calmly, he yelled and threw borderline temper tantrums about how the class was full of failures and such.

Safe to say that French would be one of her least favourite classes from now on. It was one of those cases where you loved the subject but hated the teacher so much that it just wasn't fun anymore.

The rest of the day went by quickly. In mathematics, Saiph almost fell asleep before Bianca sent a harsh elbow into her ribs. In History, the class learned about Ancient Egypt and it's culture, now that interested her. In gym, Saiph was surprised to see the sheer lack of physical talent amongst the student body, despite this being a military school.

She sat with Bianca and Nico at lunch, Grover deciding not to join them this time. Making up some sort of excuse about an unfinished assignment. His lie was pretty obvious as all assignments had been submitted by now, it being only four days away from Christmas break and all.

The cafeteria was filled with rambunctious chatter. The sort that Saiph had gotten used to over the past two days. The students of this school were very loud. The conversation at their table was mostly being produced by Saiph and Bianca. Nico only occasionally chimed in which was odd for the ball of sunshine turned human.

When the topic of conversation got around to the school dance Saiph asked, "Hey Nico. Are you planning to go to the school dance?" Nico hardly acknowledged the question, not even looking up from his almost untouched food.

"It's mandatory, isn't it?" He replied dully, acting very far from his usual cheerful self. Saiph noticed this but decided not to comment on it just yet.

"Well yes but I thought you might be excited about it. Don't you like to dance?" Saiph asked brightly, hoping to up the mood. Nico seemed to glance nervously at the table behind them, one filled with boys ranging from around his age to Saiph's. The boys were big, each being about twice the size of little Nico.

"No."

Finally, Saiph had enough of this strange attitude, from what she had picked up it had something to do with the boys at that table. She just didn't know what.

"You're acting weird. Tell me what's wrong." Her words were blunt and straight to the point, coming out like an expressionless robot. Bianca looked a bit freaked out by this sudden change of emotion. Saiph didn't care. When it involved the safety and emotional well-being of someone she cared about there was no time for messing around.

"Nothing," Nico said stubbornly. Holding his arm comfortingly. If she looked closely Saiph could see a bandage just peeking out from under his jacket.

Saiph's eyes hardened with rage before softening "You're lying. Whoever is making you act like this can't hurt you while I'm around I promise. So tell me what's wrong, please."

"No, there is nothing wrong." Tears of frustration were starting to sprout from his eyes at this point. Slowly, his eyes drifted back to the table with the boys and he wiped his eyes. As if not wanting them to see him cry.

Saiph followed his line of sight and nodded. "I understand." She said, His attention was focused on one boy. A boy about Bianca's age was laughing and jeering with his friends. How dare someone who was so much older pick on a boy like Nico.

"Just say the word and I'll take care of it. You don't need to worry now, I'll always protect you." Saiph smiled and made eye contact with the boy. "That's what friends are for."

Bianca said nothing but Saiph knew she agreed with the sentiment. Saiph had been informed of the bullying but not with much detail. She hadn't known the full extent until now. The older sibling was tired of feeling powerless, standing by and doing nothing while her little brother was hurt.

"Please," Nico sniffed, fully giving in to his tears. Saiph nodded once more, getting up from the table and picking up her tray.

"I'll see you guys in a minute." She walked away, except she wasn't heading for the exit. She was heading for the table with the boys. None of the boys appeared to notice her approach before it was too late. Obviously too caught up in a bad punchline. Saiph's lunch tray slammed on top of the main bully's head, breaking in half and spilling milk in all directions.

The boy didn't even have time to react as Saiph slammed him onto the table. Holding his arms painfully behind him. The cafeteria went silent. Hundreds of nosy students turned to look at the scene for a new source of entertainment. Saiph ignored them, focusing on the boy whimpering pathetically in her hands.

His friends had now snapped out of their shocked state and looked about ready to pounce. Saiph sent an icy glare their way, her eyes turning cat-like. It stopped some in their tracks but others kept coming. Their stances were sloppy though and Saiph made quick work of them by kicking their legs out from under them.

Maybe it was unfair. Saiph having trained all her life, but so was picking on a boy half your size.

The green-eyed girl applied slightly more pressure onto her victim, hearing a faint crack as the boy's cries grew louder. That makes two broken arms this year. Steadily Saiph leaned down so her mouth was in line with the boy's ear, and spoke just loud enough for the rest of the table to hear.

"If you ever even think about hurting him again. I promise you, I will torture you until you're begging for the sweet release of death. The pain you're feeling now isn't even close to what I'll do to you. Understand?" The boy only snivelled, causing Saiph to slam him into the table once more. Even harder this time. " I said. Do. You. Understand?"

The bully was crying hysterically by now. "Yes. Yes! I understand! Please let me go." Saiph smiled a chilling smile at the rest of the boys as if to say 'you're next' before snapping back to her previous cheerful self.

"Good. I'm glad we had a nice chat. Business as usual. I wish I could stay but I really must be going now." With a curt nod, Saiph walked back to the di Angelo's table. Usually, Saiph felt guilty about hurting people, especially mortals. Not this time.

"Okay, now that that's dealt with. Do you like dancing?" She had hardly sat down before she was bombarded with a tight group hug. No words needed to be said between the three as they basked in the nice moment. All nice moments were destined to be ruined it seemed. One of the bullies from the table had managed to slip away and get a teacher. That teacher just happened to be Dr Thorn. Great.

The snitch stood behind the towering teacher, a triumphant look on his rat-like face. His face quickly fell as he looked at Saiph's calm one. Her eyes flashing dangerously. Conveying one message 'I'll get you later'.

"Miss Black. My office now." Dr Thorn glared at her. For some reason it made her nervous, there was something not quite right about the French/Biology teacher and Saiph had faced her fair share of angry teachers before. As the man stood staring her down, Saiph could only reach for her charm bracelet. If she died, at least she got to beat up one last bully.

Following behind Dr Thorn, Saiph turned back to Nico and Bianca one last time, 'remember me' she mouthed.

Dr Thorn's office was located in a dingy basement hallway isolated from the rest of the school like it was a last-minute arrangement. The door was made of solid dark wood with a small plaque in the centre that read;

Dr J. Thorn

STUDENT ADVISOR

FRENCH HEAD TEACHER

BIOLOGY VICE HEAD TEACHER

The lecture that followed was long and boring, causing Saiph to miss her last two classes of the day. The punishment dealt was surprisingly light; A letter of apology to her "victim" and one hour spent shovelling snow from walkways. She supposed there were a lot of fights at Westover Hall so it wasn't made a big deal. After all military school is where American parents sent their out-of-control children.

It was only when Saiph was halfway across the school that she realised she had left her blazer jacket in Dr Thorn's office. She groaned and hurried back down to the dungeon he called an office. It was sweltering down there as they were so close to the boiler room that heated the whole school, prompting Saiph to take off her blazer.

When she got back to the door, Saiph knocked. There was no response, but Saiph could hear a faint mumbling coming from inside. He must not have left yet, good. Next, she tried the handle. It was unlocked. The young girl tentatively cracked the door open planning to slip in and out without the teacher ever noticing her.

What she saw stopped her dead in her tracks.