I actually laughed as Bridget fell into a snowbank. I don't know why I found this so funny, but I started laughing so hard I was crying. I bent down to help her up, but she was already on her feet by the time I made it to her. If I didn't know any better, I'd swear I saw a slight flushing to her face, and briefly wondered if she were feeling the same things I were. Not that it mattered. Right? Or did it? I couldn't help but laugh as she cursed the snowbanks. If I were to be honest with myself, I could relate. I wasn't exactly the LEAST clumsy person at Hogwarts. Ironically, my worst enemy during dueling was probably myself, as I had a penchant for tripping over air.

[i]"Well I'm sure you've learned by now that I will kick you through a wall, so I'm not too worried anyway, even if I didn't trust you, which I do,"[/i] I am a bit surprised at her admission to trusting me. I mean, she barely knows me. Then again, I feel the same way towards her. And why should I? I can't quite explain it. For some reason she gives me a sense of peace I have not felt in years. I grin, and snap towards her. [b]"I love your confidence, Bridget. I look forward to training with you!"[/b] I give her a wink, then laugh, shaking my head. [b]"Seriously though, you sure know what you are doing."[/b]

I tread the rest of the way in silence as we move towards Hogwarts, lost in my own thoughts. My first thoughts are of Bridget, wondering just why I seem to feel the way I do. But then they turn dark. Again. How, exactly, did my parents die? How is it the spell Aguamenttai failed to put out the fire that burned my entire family. What is the voice I hear in the back of my head from time to time? Am I going crazy? I don't know. But I want to find out, and I feel my only chance is through her. Through Bridget. If anyone can help me, she seems to be the one.

[i]But you will only get her killed, like you got your entire family killed. You couldn't save your mother. Your father. Your sisters. Your brother. She will die too, you know. It's just a matter of time.[/i] I blink the thoughts away, cursing them, warning them away. No. If anyone can help me discover the truth, she can.

[i]""So, Alex...meet you back down here in about 10 minutes? I need to get my things. Then we'll head out,"[/i] I nod and offer a smile. "Sure, not like I have any place to be. 10 minutes. I'll be right down.