Rayedem had remained motionless and even unblinking since Tibi started mentioning the word 'deception'. Goodness, he wished with all his heart that he'd picked another Rune. If only the bad news ended there.. As Tibi continued with the second Rune he felt his heart beat frantically. What does this mean? He tried to calm himself down by suggesting that the Runes might not be accurate. But..

The future. Now, now, Rayedem actually hoped Tibi wasn't so smart. He'd proven almost all of his readings to be flawless so far, and since Rayedem had already been thinking about confronting his parents about this, he guessed that even the last Rune was read correctly. He began to shiver. Not sure how to respond to Tibi, he finally blink. Two drops of tears which had been welling on both his eyes dropped effortlessly.

"Whoops, I guess it's dusty around here." he wiped his eyes with the sleeves of his robe. He hadn't been crying for so long, but then again, it wasn't actually crying. His eyes were dry. "I don't know about it, but the Runes tell the truth, right? And it's possible that we don't always know the truth, and, I guess.. That's good if I could see her again. That's all I've asked for anyway." he paused, digesting the meaning of 'not under the happiest of circumstances'. "I'll send another owl to ask my parents. She'll be fine.." his voice trailed off, but he wasn't going to talk any more about it.

Copying Tibi's actions, he too wrote down their third Rune readings. It was not easy at all for him.

"Okay, great, your turn then? See if I'm getting better?" he asked, putting the Runes back into their pouch.

Tibi avoided eye contact with Rayedem the entire time he spoke about the reading, so he missed the two tears fall. He couldn't bear to look at the boy after that reading. He was starting to think he wouldn't do readings for people he wanted to like him, anymore. It could get messy.

Looking up when Rayedem said for Tibi to go again, he grabbed his pouch and bit his lip, thinking of a question. "Hmmmm." Tibi was trying to think of asking a question about anything but his mother, but after Rayedem asked about his sister, it was the only thing he could think of. "What I want to know, is, how is my mother doing with me gone at Hogwarts?" Tibi closed his eyes and shook his rune pouch, repeating the question over in his head.

Drawing the first rune from the bag and opening his eyes, Tibi recognized the Salamander and put it down in the position for the past.

Closing them again he dug into the bag. Pulling it out and placing it down without looking, the rune was the runespoor.

Digging in for the last rune, Tibi took a deep breath and thought about the question, hard. Opening his eyes, he saw the Unknown rune in his hand, placing it down next to the runespoor, which, when he saw it, induced a bit of panic.

Voice a little shaky, he looked to Rayedem. "So.. uh.. Salamander, Runespoor, Unknown...." He let his voice trail off and waited for Rayedem to read them.

Michelle was pretty much confused about Ancient Runes. She understood well, usually, but she couldn't figure out how to read the Runes. She was looking for a quiet place to study, and came across this classroom. On entering, however, it wasn't empty as she had expected. But it hardly mattered, as long as it was peace and quiet. The others were only studying!
Chelle entered with her Ancient Runes textbook, found a place to sit and started reading. She had to understand well, she hads to do homework! She would study for hours if that's what it took!

Edem raised his eyebrows when he saw the Unknown Rune came out. Ugh.. Number 7, Unknown. It wasn't supposed to be a surprise--after all it was included in the pouch, but somehow he was surprised. He pulled his notes towards him, getting ready again for another reading. How is Tiberius' mother doing? he repeated the question in his mind.

Taking a quick glance at his note, he caught sight of some, er--unpleasant--words. He hoped he wasn't going to have to use any of them, and even though he had to, he hoped Tibi wouldn't think that he was having his revenge. Taking a deep breath, Edem spoke.

"So, the first Rune, Salamander. Restoration, life, heat, fire, thriving in adversity, dependence, passion, passionate love, protection, temperamental. I'd totally relate this to how much your mother loves you," he paused, "and how she very much wants to provide you protection, which she couldn't anymore now that she's at home and you're at school.. And I think she misses you, based on the fact that Salamander couldn't last long without fire, but it shouldn't be taken literally." he stopped and rested his chin on his fist, thinking.. There could be another meaning.

"Or it could refer to you," Edem continued, staring at the Runes, considering the possibilities, "that you were probably dependent on your mother.. And you love her so much, obviously." he sighed, then looked up, his eyes demanded Tibi's comment, "Is one of the two readings correct?"

Edem straightened up his sitting position before continuing to the next Rune, "Alright, Runespoor.. Honestly, I'm not fond of this one." he muttered, more to himself than to Tibi, "Meaning rumors, conflict, betrayal, unity, poison, confusion, handicap, diversity, treachery, indecision, single mindedness, teamwork.." he stopped. Which one to use? "I'd say she's lonely at this point, and, erm, maybe she's having a hard time at home? Or she might be having a lot of thoughts going on in her mind, that'd explain 'conflict'." he said, trying to avoid saying what he was really thinking, and it wasn't easy because he didn't want to lie either. Pick the safest one--the grey area.

"And the last one," he said, taking yet another deep breath, "Number 7, means mystery, luck, magic, secrecy, sin, evil, de--cough. COUGH. Oops,sorry," there's no FREAKING way that the last meaning should also count. We'd do fine without that one. He cleared his throat to complete the fake cough, and said, "So it seems that the future is still unclear.. But luck, that's a good one, I think.."

Edem's voice trailed off as a sudden thought struck him, could it be? No way though, Tibi would've known if his suspicion was right, besides, who would hide it anyway? He didn't want to ask the question he had in his mind, but.. Be a professional, now.. But this is ridiculous. Riiiidiiiiculoouus. Don't say it. Don't.

"Tiberius," he said hesitatingly, "your mother wasn't a.. Witch, right?"

And the awkward silence that followed his question just seemed to emphasize what a dumb question he was asking. He wanted so badly to turn the situation around, but didn't know how.

Well, that first rune sounded about right. Tibi and his mum were really close and each had wondered aloud how they'd manage without the other there once he left. "Yea.. both sound right," he said noncommittally, picking at his cuticles. He was bracing himself for the next rune.

Tibi tried to keep his eyes from watering. Had his mum sent him to this school so he wouldn't be around for whatever was happening back home? His mind raced as Edem continued on to the final rune.

"I know death is a meaning," he said glumly. "You don't have to hide that from me." Tibi frowned. This wasn't good. He willed himself to think the rune was about secrecy and not foretelling his mum's death.

Wondering where Edem was going with that line of thought, he continued. "No.. she's a muggle... dad was a wizard. Do you think that's important?"

Edem sighed, confused about what to say next. He knew, of course, that Tibi would know exactly what the stupid Rune means, but still.. Although didn't think of it firsthand, he had made things worse. And of that Tibi's mother is a muggle, he had always remembered perfectly, just.. Oh well.. This could mean something else.

"Well, here's what I think about the third Rune," he began, deciding not to hide anything anymore, "Your mother might want to keep a secret from you, and when I asked whether she was a witch, I just thought.. That maybe she is indeed a witch, only she didn't tell you, but nevermind. Because the Rune also means magic, so I thought I'd relate to that.. Or maybe it's got a connection to the second Rune, the one she's thinking about a lot right now could be the secret she's hiding from you." he tapped his index finger on the desk in a steady rhythm.

"I have a pretty good feeling it wasn't death." Edem said, smiling. "What's your opinion on this?" he asked, trying to think of other meanings that could be possible while waiting for Tibi's response. Well, this is supposed to be difficult, isn't it? Choosing a single meaning when no one could prove it until it's happened could obviously be really inaccurate.

Tibi scrunched up his face. "Maybe... a secret about death? or magic?"

Tibi's eyes grew really wide before he jumped up, knocking over the runes, as he realized the implication about what he'd just said. "MAYBE IT'S ABOUT HOW MY DAD DIED?!" His mind raced. Was the information going to put his mum in danger? Or were they already in danger? Or was it something else entirely?

"Maybe... just maybe..." Tibi paced a little, but had stopped yelling. "Maybe this year, I'm going to find out more about what happened? Between the two readings.. well, doesn't it make sense?"

Edem pressed his lips together. That was what he had in his mind. Sensitive things, though, he didn't dare letting them out. Gah. Then he recalled that Tibi never said how his dad died--he didn't ask. He only asked how old he was then. It makes sense. On his reflexes he slid to the back of his chair when Tibi got up and yelled.

Between the two readings? Oh, right.. Edem had said that the Graphorn could mean the loss of protection and love. Of Tibi's father. Those things were really starting to make sense. But the word 'evil' he saw listed on the Unknown meanings disturbed him. Was he.. Murdered? Edem only gave Tibi some nods as his mouth was gaping slightly.

"Yeah.. I really can see it now," he started, wondering if it'd be wise to tell Tibi his thoughts. "You might not like this, but.. I.. Have a guessing." Edem swallowed and cleared his throat, "Would you like to hear it?"

Tibi nodded his head enthusiastically. "Yes... please!" It couldn't be any worse than what Tibi was already thinking. Eyes wide, Tibi gnawed on his fingernails as he waited for Edem to speak.

So it seemed that Edem had gone to the point of no return.

Edem bit his lower lip, hesitating, but he thought it was better to hesitate in the beginning--this kind of enthusiasm? Not to be interrupted in the middle. Alright. "So, what I'm thinking is that.. Since the Unknown also symbolizes.." he stole a quick glance at the note hoping it was really the word he thought he'd seen, and quickly looked back at Tibi's eyes, "evil.. Maybe.. Could it be that.. Your dad.. Do you think he could be murdered?"

The words he had just spoken had been the hardest, ever. A frown appeared across his forehead as he waited for Tibi's response.

"Hi, you good at Ancient Runes? 'Cause I stink!" Bonnie sat down next to the girl. "I'm Bonnie Campbell, by the way."

Tibi's jaw dropped. Murdered? "I... I don't know!" Would his mum have told him? Of course not! But... what if SHE didn't know either? What if she was in danger, now, because of it?

Or worse. What if she wasn't, but would be if Tibi started snooping?

"What do I do?" His mind raced. "I... I don't know what to do." Tibi sank back down in his chair, eyes wide, mouth agape.

Edem wanted to get up and give Tibi a pat on the shoulder at once, but he repressed his intentions; it'd be better to stay calm and not panic. Calm down.. If you were him, would you calm down? No. What are you supposed to say then? '..Calm down'.

"Calm down, Tib," he leaned forwards, trying to remember what it is that Tannya used to always do when he was panicking. She would always tell him to look into her eyes and usually his doubts would vanish in that very moment. "Look at me, look at me. We shouldn't worry, at least for the moment, ok? Not when we don't even know how your mother is."

Knowing that it might not be enough to reassure someone whose mother might be in danger, he continued, "Once we're done here, we're heading to the owlery. I got some extra parchment, and you're gonna write to your mother, ask how she's doing, okay?" he suggested.

Chelle looked up as another girl sat down beside her. Smiling, she said, `If you stink at Ancient Runes, then I guess we have something in common!' Chelle laughed. `Nice to meet you Bonnie, I'm Chelle... er, Michelle. But do call me Chelle.' Then an idea struck her. `Bonnie, do you want to be my partner for the Ancient Runes homework? We both could help each other out!'

Tibi grabbed a piece of parchment and frantically scribbled down a note to his mum.

Quote:

Hi Mum,

Things here are great. We're learning how to read Runes to get answers to questions we have. How are you? Is everything ok at home? You'd tell me if something was wrong, right?

Missing you.

Love,

Tibi

It certainly wasn't subtle, but it was the best he could think of to get a straight answer from her. Turning to Rayedem, he said sternly, "Ok, I'm ready."

Edem nodded swiftly at Tibi's statement. Then he rolled his parchment, closed his ink bottle, grabbed his quill and put them all into his bag hurriedly, taking a quick glance at Tibi's note while doing so. His writings weren't neat--well, he was in a rush. Finally shouldering his bag, Edem rose from his chair and exited the classroom.

Josh stepped into the classroom which was deserted as he expected it to be. He put his full-of-rubbish bag on a desk and walked to the nearest window to watch the people outside. There were also a few owls flying which reminded him that Hotty had still not showed up.

Evelyn had sprinted to her common room when Josh was out of sight, grabbed her bag, and jogged most of the way to the hall. Slowing down, she took a few deep breathes to even her breathing and heartbeat, and looked for the room. She found one, not knowing what it was, and opened the door slightly. It was empty like Josh had said, but she didn't see him. Thinking it was the wrong classroom, she moved to close the door when she did catch a glimpse of someone standing by the window, a little hidden from view because of the door. Smiling, she held onto her bag and walked in, moving a piece of hair away from her eyes. "Hiya."

Josh was so focused on the flying owls that he did not even hear the door opening. 'That white one looks...white!'. His mom wanted to buy a snowy owl. 'Disregarding the fact that i hate snow' he was thinking about why Amelia wanted to buy an owl which was related to something he hated when he heard Rose's greeting. Slowly turning his back, he smiled at her. ''Hi...again'' he walked towards her and as he did so he opened his arms to show around the classroom ''Nice place, is not it?''

"I must admit...it is." she said, dumping her bag down next to a table, and looking around the room. "For an old classroom that is." she smirked at Josh, and walked over to one of the windows, peering out. "Nice view too. Wish Astronomy class was in this room."

His eyes following her as she walked to one of the windows ''I'd say the contrary'' Josh spoke ''If the Astronomy class was in this room, we would not be here to meet'' he laughed ''I just got the impression'' he gave her a cunning look ''That you'd like to be alone here with the Astronomy professor instead of me, do you?'' laughing even more he walked to his bag to take his parchment and quill out. ''If that's the case than i'm sorry but you have to pass this little piece of time with me''

Evelyn's eyes widened at what he said. Turning to look at him, she pretended to gag. "Alone...here...with...him? Wow, i would much rather be here with you, thanks." she laughed slightly and sat on top of the closest table, swinging her legs slightly. "Plus i like spending time with you." she smiled sweetly at him, and then looked around some more. "So where do we start? How did your friends do this?"

''Ah...'' Josh grinned ''So you prefer me to a man who throws up on everyone and smells disgusting, thank you, i am so relieved'' he walked forward and sat right opposite to her on the table. ''I was there when they were doing the homework and watching and memorising everything they did. At first one asked a question, it was about what career would she lead or something like that whatever'' he looked around ''Then the other draw three runes at random and tried to interpret something about her question. The first one was about the past, second one present and the last one future. See?''

"It was a tough choice, but i guess i would just have to choose you." she sighed for dramatic effect, but then smiled and listened closely to what he was saying about what he's seen the others do. "Doesn't sound so hard. Does it have to be on a career though? What other stuff can you ask?" she said, moving off the table and going over to her own bag.

Josh raised his eyebrows ''Have to choose me? That makes sense. I feel way flattered now. Thanks'' he smiled at her and took out the runes with his textbook ''I cannot believe this that i will study on a textbook anyway but i have to do this. I dont know all the meanings by heart...well none of them.'' he opened the book and found the rune meanings as he listened to her question ''No, i doubt it has to be on career. The girl toned the question like she was talking about something at random which means the questions can be random too. There should not be any limitations to our imagination.'' he winked at her ''So i'll do it first, ask away the question, ask away''