Under normal circumstances, having her hair ruffled prior to walking into a crowded room would have completely unhinged her. Not at that moment. Had she cared at all about her appearance, she would have noticed the other ministry officials standing nearby.

"My journey was fine," Ava said, brushing off the question. Who cared about a boring train-ride when they could be talking about cool, Jake stuff? Unless... "Why? Did you ride the train?" Was that the case?! Argh! She could have ridden with him had she known.

At last, he started getting to what mattered. Answers.

"Thank heavens," she said, relieved. "Mum's okay. And you're HERE! Everything's wonderful!" She hugged him again before stepping back to give him some room to breathe. To be honest, she didn't really care what the Headmistress might have to announce. She was currently too happy to care.

"Can I stay here awhile? I mean, I guess you're technically working, huh? I should probably go, right?" She didn't want to leave him but she would never getting him into trouble.