Charlie Bone woke up, his hair a mess as usual. It was a little bit into the second year at Bloor's, and he'd only just nearly gotten over the whole 'Castle of Mirrors' incident. Or that was what he continued to tell people.

I really thought it was my father, even against all evidence… he thought numbly, laying in bed a few moments before actually rousing.

Finally, he sat up and got dressed in his school clothes, tucking his cape into his trunk as not to have to wear it on the way to the bus. He was running late, this morning, especially not looking forward to seeing Manfred when he actually arrived at school, and dreading what would happen in the room where the 'children' of the Red King studied together.

And after he'd had such a nice afternoon with all his friends the day before, at Pets' Café. Oh, well, he'd just have to try not to be too excited about the next weekend, or the week would go more and more slowly.

He ran downstairs and grabbed a piece of toast on his way out the door.

"Bye, mom! I'll see you Saturday!" he called as he passed his mother, and then he was gone.

He managed to just catch the bus; Fidelio had insisted on the driver waiting for a minute more. Charlie too a seat next to Fidelio set his bag at his feet.

"Its going to be a long, hard week…" he mumbled to his friend, closing his eyes and leaning back against the bus seat, "I just know it…and the Red King's room is going to be pure torture…"

Fidelio shrugged optimistically, "On the bright side, Tancred is back to normal and Olivia isn't in denial of her endowment," he whispered the last part so as not to be overheard. Fidelio knew that Olivia's endowment was a secret.

When they finally arrived at Bloor's Academy, Charlie got off the bus, dragging his trunk tiredly behind him. He accidentally ran into a pretty, blonde girl wearing a blue cape, and she fell over backwards. He wondered why he hadn't seen her before. She was in his department, after all.

"Sorry, it was only an accident!" he exclaimed, offering a hand to help her up.

She took it and got up, replying, "Its alright, it was my fault anyway. I'm just a bit clumsy," she giggled and continued on her way, as if it had never happened.

Charlie shrugged and went his own way, finding Olivia as he did so. She was wearing her purple cape and her hair was a delicate shade of auburn, more red than brown. This instantly reminded him to don his own cape. He did so and called to her.

"Hey, Olivia!" he did this as quietly as he could, since talking in the halls was forbidden.

She smiled and grabbed Emma Tolly, who happened to be next to her, and dragged the girl over with her.

"Charlie, what a surprise! Imagine seeing you here," Olivia whispered and laughed quietly.

"How are you?" Emma asked politely, giving her head a tilt.

Charlie nodded and replied, "I'm fine, just a little tired. I overslept again, too. I think my alarm is broken…"

The three walked along together until their first classes, which were separate, started. Charlie headed off by himself, still wondering in the corner of his mind, who the blonde girl was. He thought maybe he'd seen her somewhere before, but it wasn't probable.