Head back for the night.

With everyone else bailing out, you decide it best to get back to your room for the night. "Well guys, I have a busy day tomorrow. I should probably get going too." You announce to the dwindling group.

Parisa looks slightly disappointed by your choice but doesn't stop you. "Ok. It was nice seeing you outside of class. You should come hang out with us more often."

Lee's lips spread into a goofy smile when faced with the prospect of being alone with Parisa. "Alright, man. See you at the park tomorrow? " He asks before you depart.

"Yeah, I'll be there. Don't stay up so late you sleep through it." You tease him before making your way through the trees and out onto the paved cobblestones of Delmorgan Park. The moon shines light down into the park casting shadows from the trees along the already dark stones. The park almost feels as if it has long been abandoned with no other students in sight, giving it an almost creepy vibe that you hadn't noticed when entering.

You quickly make your way back to House Phoenix and enter the main doors. The common room is still bustling with activity, students crammed in every seat and milling around the fireplace laughing at their friends and having conversations. Looking to Ophelia's office door, you briefly consider knocking to see if the third-year vixen is in but decide you should probably just get back to your room. She wasn't expecting you and you didn't want to come across as needy or pathetic.

Climbing the stairs to the second floor, you have to squeeze past another group of students laughing as they descend. "I have never seen this place so busy." You think to yourself. "I wonder if it's always like this on the weekend or if it's only because it's our first night off from class."

Reaching the top of the stairs, you see the next flight leading to the third floor and wonder if Harmony is in her room. She said she had a divination project to work on and likely doesn't want to be disturbed, so you continue down the hall to your room. It was strange she had a project but Brice didn't. Maybe she was in a more advanced class than he was but Brice didn't strike you as someone who couldn't keep up.

Pushing your way inside, you see Pharos sitting on his perch looking right at the door as if he expected you. "Hey, buddy. How are you doing?" You ask your familiar. His only response is to repeatedly dip his head in dance as if he is happy you have returned. Closing the door, you make your way to the chest and pull out some dried meat for the phoenix and watch as Pharos expertly plucks the food from your fingers. "I guess I could spend the rest of the night getting ahead on my reading assignments." You tell him just as another thought occurs to you. "Oh god. I'm turning into Harmony." You remark, laughing at yourself. Pharos tilts his head at you quizzically between bites. "Yeah, not much else to do before bed though."

Once you finish feeding Pharos, you turn to face your desk and remove the books from your bag. Professor Sloss had assigned some reading in your Illusions class and it was your weakest subject. Although, you were supposed to read up on fairies and their differences with pixies, all for another paper no doubt. Archaic sorcery was only theory discussion so far but hinted at being more complex in the coming weeks, it wouldn't hurt to stay on top of things there. Somehow, the idea of disappointing Professor Dove seemed heartbreaking.

Ultimately you decide to go for reading up on fairies, as that was the first of these classes you would be returning to after the weekend. You set the other books aside and open to the chapter on the small fay creatures. Despite being only slightly larger than their pixie cousins, fairies have higher brain functions as well as their own culture, language, and society. After further reading, you learn they have even been known to work alongside wizards on tasks and projects.

"Sex magic? Really?" An unmistakable voice rings in your head. "You know that class is mostly for perverts, right?" Harmony lectures while you quickly glance around to confirm she is nowhere inside your room. When had she opened a link with you?

"Mostly? And what, you're spying on me now? " You project across the mental link.

"Knowledge is Knowledge, I suppose, and at least you are taking your studies more seriously than most." She answers but you can't help but notice she ignored your second question.

"I assumed you were too busy with your project to be interested in a conversation with me." You tease.

"I'll have you know I finished my project only moments ago and, besides, I would hardly say I'm interested. Consider this..." Harmony states before a brief pause. "Practice for psionics class."

"That still doesn't explain how you knew what I was doing. Unless of course, you were trying to read my mind. See anything you like?" You continue to goad.

"Don't be disgusting." Harmony states sharply, almost cutting you off. "Being able to establish a psionic link with someone you can't see and from a distance is the next logical step the professor will have us attempt." She says in her usual matter-of-fact tone.

Again, you notice she dodged the real question. "Oh, so this isn't a social call and is purely academic?" You respond rhetorically.

"Obviously." She answers coldly.

By this point, you have lost all interest in your reading and stand up from your desk to walk around the room. "So what's next? We continue to randomly contact each other over the weekend? For practice?" You inquire, having given up getting answers about how she knew what you were doing, for now.

"It wouldn't be the worst idea. I'm sure you could use all the practice you can get." Her voice in your head is slightly softer than before, almost teasing in place of her typical insults.

"Ok. So... should we break the current link and have me try contacting you?" You continue.

"It's the only way you are going to get any better." Harmony answers.

A moment later you feel as if something is missing. You cant put your finger on exactly what, something you didn't even realize was there until it was gone, but you know you are alone in your head once more.