= Wands High =

Chapter 64 - 26 May 1998, Tuesday

- This day was THE WORST!

Hermione, James and Jessie turned simultaneously to look at Daynen as he entered the usual classroom that they were using for practice. He had managed to briefly explain the events from the morning class during lunch break, but there hadn't been time for anything else today except running from one class to another.

The boy collapsed in the seat next to Hermione and slammed his backpack on the desk.

- Dekoff made me scrape mold off the walls of the Potions classroom and two of the labs by hand – Daynen growled and leaned his head against the chair's back. – And it's only day 1... That damn jackass Ender couldn't...

The door suddenly opened and a familiar figure walked in the classroom.

- Hey, everyone... Thank goodness you're all here – Orianna greeted them hesitantly.

- Ri! – Jessie jumped on her feet, bounced out from behind the desk she was sitting at, and gave her a hug before anyone else could react. – Where have you been, sister, you got us all worried?!

- I know and I'm sorry, it was unintentional. Everything happened too quickly to react properly, and then my mom insisted on me getting back at school immediately so it seemed pointless to send an owl since I was about to be here in the evening...

- But what happened? Are you okay? – Hermione asked carefully. They all couldn't help but notice that Orianna spoke in a lower voice than her usual lively tone; her face seemed paler, her eyes underlined by dark circles as if she hadn't slept enough in the past couple of days.

- Family stuff, you know... My grandma suddenly passed away...

- Girl, I'm so sorry! – Jessie gave her another, longer hug, to which Orianna responded sincerely but somewhat tired, then pulled back a little so she could look at all of them. The other three voiced their condolences as well; the atmosphere suddenly went from tense to somewhat grim.

- Thanks, guys... We were pretty close and it... it kinda happened in an accident so... Nah, whatever, no fuckin' words for such situations, and I'm sure that unfortunately more than one of you has experienced something similar. Listen, guys, I came mostly to tell you why I was gone, and that... I'm not exactly in a great place right now, and I don't think I'll be much fun to hang around for a while, so I'll take some time or something. I mean, I'll still show up on time for band practices and do my part as best as I can in the preparation for the next Battle... but aside from that I think I need some time alone. Sorry 'bout that, it's not personal. I'm gonna go unpack now, see you in class tomorrow.

Before anyone could react, the girl turned around and started to walk out; at the door she stopped for a moment and faced them again.

- And... sorry about all the shit I said back in Fuchsenwald. Guess I wasn't right... – Orianna mumbled – quietly but clearly enough for all of them to hear her, then she quickly walked out of the room.

- Darn it... - Jessie muttered to herself, then lifted her gaze to look at the others. – I've never seen her so down...

- Me neither – Daynen said with a frown; his expression was unreadable. – And we didn't even tell her the other "splendid" news.

- Most unfortunate indeed – James muttered to himself. – Nothing left but to try and pull through detention, in your case, I suppose, and then see how we can handle the rest of the situation.

Daynen rolled his eyes, annoyed at the remark and himself altogether, knowing full well he had solely himself to blame for the current predicament.

- Does this mean the practice session is cancelled? – Jessie quietly said, more than a glimpse of disappointment in her voice.

- Not necessarily – James was quick to respond.