= Wands High =

Chapter 12 - 12 May 1998, Tuesday

- Morning, guys.

Both Daynen and Hermione lifted their eyes as Orianna sat with them and started filling her bowl with milk and cereal.

- Hey... Wow, I love the new color! – Hermione exclaimed seeing the bright cyan-blue nuance which her whole hair was dyed in.

- Thanks – Ri gave off a little smile. – Figured I need a fresh start.

- Are you okay? – Daynen asked cautiously, to which she shrugged.

- More or less. After I practiced all incinerating and exploding spells I know last night I guess I'm back to my usual grumpy self. And you'd probably be happy to learn that I left Wands High last night.

- What happened!?

- Nothing unexpected. I'd appreciate it if we don't discuss it, or my self-control will probably fly straight out the window. And, D, I know you're still expecting an answer but I need a day off from all this, you know, without any quarrels about music, without playing or thinking of it, or even mentions of the topic, okay?

- Fair enough – Daynen nodded. – So are you ready for the Defense class today? I remember Phaedros saying something about a practical task.

- Oh, crap! – Orianna mumbled. – Well, I guess I'll have to improvise or something.

- What about you, Ms. Hogwarts? – the boy asked turning to Hermione. – What does your schedule for today say?

- Actually, Mr. Smart – she replied with a witty grin, – you'll have to cope with my presence almost all day as I only have two classes different from your program.

- And how is that a bad thing? – Daynen smiled wider.

- You'll have to somehow divert your eyes from my incredible hair and concentrate on not failing in every discipline – the girl said imitating him.

- Ouch!

- You're so cute I'm gonna puke on my breakfast – Orianna muttered, something barely resembling a smile on her lips. – Come on, lovey-doveys, time to go get smarter or something.

- You can be such a killjoy – Daynen laughed as the three of them got up and headed for the exit of the dining hall among other groups of students.

- Glad to be of service.

- Hey, Ri – someone called her as they were approaching the exit.

Orianna turned right and saw Chris Slade coming towards them. As usual during school hours, instead of his signature spiky mane-like hairstyle, his long hair was tied in a neat "wolf tail".

- Hi there, Competition – she grinned.

- You too, Brutus? – he laughed. – Listen, Griff will join me and the boys tonight for an hour or so before his night shift. Want to come?

- I don't know, Chris, won't the guys be mad that you invited someone from a rival band?

- Naah, it's going to be after our regular practice, just a little jam. You know, like the old days. Come on, it'll be fun.

- Sounds tempting but I kinda thought of having... - Ri paused for a moment then all of a sudden shook her head and gave off a little smile: - You know what? I'd love to.

- Cool. See you at 10 on the second floor of the Northern wing, by the big painting with the starry sky. We'll use one of the classrooms there.

- Thanks, Chris. See you tonight.

He winked at her then rushed off to his first class. Orianna turned to Daynen and Hermione and noticed their knowing smiles.

- Oh, not a single word you too! – she rolled her eyes and hurried before them to the staircase at the end of the corridor.