= Wands High =

Chapter 7 - 9 May 1998, Saturday

The Eastern Tower was the least populated location of the castle. In the past it had hosted most of the exchange student groups, but those had become significantly smaller in size during the last couple of decades, so now they were usually housed elsewhere. Careful not to be noticed by anyone, Daynen had left his bedroom an hour prior to midnight. He never considered himself great at being quiet, but he did know how to move quietly – if that made any sense. Using the lesser-lit places as much as he could and all the inner patience he could muster, he eventually got to the place where this James Padavona person had requested to meet with him.

He wasn't too sure of the exact current time, so he decided to remain hidden. Couldn't risk being seen by someone who might have also decided to take an unsanctioned midnight stroll. Heightening his senses, he stayed absolutely still as the minutes slowly passed, listening for even the slightest of sounds, so he almost yelled out once he sensed movement coming from somewhere behind him all of a sudden.

- How the devil did you sneak up on me like that? – Daynen almost hissed and lowered his wand, after recognizing Hermione's features and soon after - her full of disapproval grimace. – Even through the hearing spell I cast.

- Advanced stealth magic? – said the girl, raising one eyebrow at him and stomping one foot at the floor – creating no sound whatsoever.

- Why didn't I think of that?

- Because, Daynen Tiberius, you spend time sneaking off in the middle of the night, instead of reading a book or two.

- Or two thousand? And what are you doing here? – he smiled.

- Isn't it obvious? – she narrowed her eyes and giving him the feeling that if she were holding something other than a wand, she would swat him with it.

- I don't know – he said with a voice tone that was perhaps too serious. - Is it?

- This spell won't last forever, Daynen. Let's just head back!

- You are breaking the rules for me, Hermione. We both know how you hate doing that. I wouldn't want you to get into trouble.

- Give it a rest, okay?

- I mean, I'm grateful, but we only just met the other day and though I may feel like I've known you for years, you don't have to risk anything for me...

- Goodness, I KNOW! – she almost yelled biting her lower lip, with eyes flaring with anger. – I know. What I don't know is why I am actually here...

That managed to take him aback quite a bit. Even in the darkness, he could clearly see her nervousness, as she was looking between him and the floor, then all the way back towards the direction she had apparently come from - all in rapid succession. She was clearly in a state of some sort of emotional struggle with herself, it was so obvious that even he could see it.

- Hermione... - he finally whispered, placing his hands over her shoulders. – I think you do know.

- Don't tell me what I know!

- Just... listen for a second – he took out the notebook, which now looked even more dreadful as it has been in his back pocket all this time. – Just listen to this. These are the most inspirational lyrics I've ever read.

In the misty morning,*

On the edge of time,

We've lost the rising sun -

A final sign.

As the misty morning,