"Well, I look older, but still...it's not like we have a batch of Polyjuice potion or something," Rafe said with a shrug. "Kat, I don't think you know the danger," Rafe leaned in closer. "Romania is full of," he gulped, "Dangerous creatures, if anything should happen to you I would never forgive myself. And what about your dad? Won't he be concerned?" Rafe looked around. This wasn't exactly the proper place to be discussing these things. "Maybe we can talk about this more on the train or during the summer?" Rafe didn't want to get too into it. The more he talked about it the more exciting he was of actually going.

"Or do we" Kat grinned at him. "My dad? Well.. it's not like he cares anyways" Kat shrugged. She looked away and then back at him "Sure thing" She said and smiled at him.

"I want you to understand, something, that's if we do this," Rafe leaned in closer. "If you have to run--if things get too dangerous," his voice was shaken, "You save yourself you understand, you don't worry about me, just make sure you get safe." Rafe coughed and leaned back once more. "I think Germany and Greece would be a great start and then," deep breath, "Romania!" Rafe didn't want anything to happen to Kat, but at the same time he wouldn't mind the company. For now, he needed to say goodbye to everyone. This little adventure could be a dangerous one and frankly, he didn't know if he would be returning.

Carter blinked a few times. "Sorry about that. Guess I kind of zoned out." he said turning and looking at Marilyn. "Yeah, I wonder what's going on between all of them." he said fighting the urge to look back. "I can't believe he was just thrown out the window."

"So that's a yes??" She asked eargerly. "I understand" She said and then sighed "If it gets too dangerous I'll run"

"There's a lot of things to get ready to go," Rafe said. Rafe took in a deep breath. "I guess that's a yes. I'll try and get a hold of one of those Portable Floo Fire Places in case we need a quick getaway." He couldn't believe he was agreeing to this. "For now, I think it's time to say good-bye." Rafe said as he stood up. "Just in case," he added quickly. This definitely could be the last time he saw Hogwarts if things went badly. He looked over to Marilyn and Carter. They seemed so happy. He didn't want to spoil their moment, but Marilyn was definitely someone he wanted to say good-bye to, one last time. He gave Kat a nod and went over to Carter and Marilyn.

"Well, well you two lovebirds!" Rafe said as cheerfully as he could. "Making big plans for the summer?" He mainly looked to Carter, it hurt even still to look at Marilyn. Their last encounter was cut short, he would just have to say his last words with an audience.

"Yay" Kat got up and nodded at Rafe. She went looking for her best friend to say good bye. Where ever she was.

Marilyn smirked, finding the odd behavior on the teachers part amusing. "I have a theory as to why they're acting this way...but im definitely keeping that one to myself." She grabbed his hand, wanting some sort of contact with him...

Marilyn hadn't heard Rafe approach them. So when he spoke, it caused her to jump. She was paranoid, in all honesty. As she took him in, something seemed off about her favorite Gryffindor...He wasn't looking at her at all. Marilyn sighed, feeling frustrated and upset that they couldn't finish their conversation earlier. Stupid feast...

She remained silent, simply observing her...whatever they were...address her boyfriend rather than her.

Carter squeezed her hand. He chuckled a bit. "You and your theories." he said with a smile. "You have an answer for everything." he said continuing to hold her hand. Then Rafe approached. "Hey man. Not too much, we were just talking about the Quidditch World Cup." he replied. "What about you?" he asked.

Rafe could feel Marilyn's gaze, but couldn't quite bring himself to look at her yet. "Ah, the cup! I hope it's a good one," Rafe said. He loved Quidditch almost as much as breathing and it would be unfortunate that he would miss it. "I actually plan on traveling," Rafe said with disappointment in his voice. If Marilyn only knew the kind of danger he was putting himself in. But, it wasn't about him, he wouldn't want her to worry. Rafe gave her a side glance and smiled.

"There's some things I kind of have planned on my own," Rafe said confidently as he lept quickly over the table to sit on the other side, hoping a professor didn't notice. "There's nothing like an adventure!"

Marilyn felt a little hurt that he wouldn't look at her. Traveling...? She bit her lip in thought as she considered this information. She knew he and his mother were foreigners to England, and that his mother was hoping to make new well-to-do friends. When they'd talked in Diagon Alley all those months ago, he'd expressed that his mother was wanting to stay for a while. It is the summer, Marilyn...People naturally travel over the summer. She rolled her eyes at her inner voice.

She wanted so badly to ask where he was going and if he was going alone. In her last letter from Amelia, she'd clearly started that Rafe's mother had contacted her and they'd done lunch and tea...and that she'd wanted Marilyn to meet the new society lady in her circle. Marilyn naturally assumed that the new lady would be spending time with them over the holidays. Had she been wrong?

When she seen Rafe cut his eyes at her and smile, her own narrowed. He could address Carter and act like she didn't even exist mere minutes before...but now he wanted to wink at her? He was probably going off to get himself killed. Stupid Gryffindor. The thought made her cringe. If anything ever happened to Rafe...Marilyn didn't know what she'd do.

Ugh! Why was she putting so much thought into this?! Why did she even care? It was probably just cultural visits...He'd expressed his love for culture just as she had...But why was she getting the feeling that he was going to do something...stupid?

Stupid stupid Gryffindor!

"Oh, travel and adventure. That does sound like fun. You are a true Gryffindor." Carter said. "I wish you luck in that." He turned to Marilyn who seemed pretty quiet. He squeezed her hand and whispered, "You alright?" Then there was a booming laugh that rand throughout the hall. He looked toward the staff table to find the new headmaster laughing. Laughing after throwing someone out a window!

Rafe couldn't read Marilyn. She randomly rolled her eyes. If only he could read thoughts, what an amazing gift that would be. But, she didn't have anything to say and he quickly addressed Carter.

"Yes, my mum is going to be kept busy here in England for awhile, and she's always encouraged a little individuality, so I thought I would look into my family tree a bit," Rafe said with a little cockiness. "Just have to get all the arrangements made, but it doesn't seem like it should be a problem. I'm just not telling my mum exactly where I am going."

Rafe filled up a goblet in front of him. "Plus, Kat will be accompanying me, so that will be nice. Turns out we both have a lot in common." Rafe took a sip and kept the goblet in his hand. He didn't say this to upset Marilyn. That certainly was not his intention. Plus, he already made it clear to Kat he could never date someone he didn't care about in that way. At the same time, Marilyn did encourage him to see other girls. That was besides the point. He shook his head at his rattling thoughts.

"Anyways, my plans are to go to Romania, it might be one of the most dangerous countries right now, with the territory dispute amonst some," Rafe lowered his eyes, he was getting into too much detail. Luckily Carter's attention seemed to turn to Marilyn. And a lot of people's attention turned to the staff table, but Rafe kept his eyes on Marilyn, trying read her in some way.

Marilyn squeezed Carter's hand, whispering that she was fine. What a wonderful lie that was. It was merely a distracted response as she listened intently to every word falling from Rafe's lips. So, his mother wasn't joining him for this particular adventure. Something told her that Rafe would have absolutely no problems protecting himself if the need arose...It was something in his very nature, something that made him seem dangerous. No thoughts about that right now...

When Marilyn heard Kat and accompanying me, her face blanked immediately. To anyone who didn't know her, it would not have seemed odd. Slytherins will be Slytherins and all that...but internally, her brain was having one heck of a screaming match with her heart. Hadn't she encouraged dating other girls? The blonde had, yes...but she didn't think it would've been this soon. The Slytherin was with someone she truly cared about, yes. Surely Rafe could have the same. You're a hypocrite, blondie. A hypocrite and selfish. You want to have Carter now and keep Rafe all to yourself at the same time. Marilyn shook her head slightly. To an outsider, it would've seemed she was in simple disagreement with something that was said...not that she was mentally freaking out. Hadn't she convinced herself this was for the best? Oh, I see...you're being noble. If you love him so much, why are you doing this to yourself? Her head of blonde curls shook slightly again.

Romania...most dangerous... Her green eyes fluttered shut. She had to get out of here. She refused to listen to anymore of this. Rafe was going on some mission of self-discovery and would probably get himself killed in the process. What a reckless idiot? She wanted to scream at him, hurt him in some way, hurt him like he was hurting her...but she felt frozen on the spot. Her face remained utterly void.

If Marilyn could've found her voice...she would've told him to get himself killed...because if he returned after putting her through this mental anguish, she'd kill him herself.

Carter nodded as Rafe talked still keeping an eye on Marilyn. Even though she said she was fine the random shaking of her head said otherwise. Was Carter really oblivious enough to not realize what was going on here? This whole Marilyn and Rafe thing was really going to be the death of him. But he wanted to be with Marilyn enough to ignore the whole situation. He played oblivious nice-guy so well. He took a deep breath hoping nobody would notice. "Be safe, mate." he said. He stole another glance at the now blank-faced Marilyn. Get a grip Carter. She chose you. She's just being a good friend. "I'd hate for anything bad to happen." he said looking at Rafe now. The question was did he really mean that? Carter literally shook that idea out of his head. Great. Now I look like a crazy person too. he thought to himself.

Ella decided that she should leave Carter and Marilyn to themselves. And how Carter had just ignored her request and accepted Marilyn's (pshhyeah she noticed) kinda spoke to her as, 'Yeah, I don't really want to talk to you right now.' She could take a hint.

"Um, I'll see you guys later," she said quietly, not caring if anyone really heard her. She felt like she needed to get away from it all. She wanted to feel the love. Headed to the Hufflepuff table.

This could be the last time Marilyn and him ever speak or see one another and she was being completely mute. Fine, he thought, we'll see if she cares when she won't see me on the train coming back to Hogwarts for next term. Though technically if he didn't know he would never know her reaction, unless he came back as a ghost or something and haunted her!

Rafe couldn't stand it. He smiled at Carter, "Thanks mate!" And with that Rafe huffed off to head to the train. And so silence was left between him and Mariyn, for what could be their last encounter.