“But Professor!” Daniel waved a hand at Thomas, his green eyes sparking. “What about him?”

“Cloverleigh is my concern.” He waved his hand and said, “You should take care of your sister.”

“But!” Daniel edged towards Thomas. He appeared ready to roll Thomas to the ground once more. “Or we can discuss you starting a fight on your first day of school?” With a relaxed smile on his face, he arched one brow.

“He does seem suspicious, Professor.” Bill spoke up, looking at Thomas with a squinted gaze.

“Thomas is a young vampire. He had no fangs to damage anyone.” He shook his head and said, “Now go, or I'll have you join me for a cup of tea.” Smiling with a flash of teeth. Thomas shuddered at that. There was no way that was the normal tea he was offering.

“Later Cloverleigh.” Daniel spat at him while Bill and a few other students helped him carry his sister. Thomas took a breath as he watched them leave. What a rough start to the day, Thomas thought, looking up at the professor.

“Thank you for intervening, Professor Barlow.” Bernard offered, giving Thomas the teacher's name.

“Yes. Thank you.” Thomas added. Things were quickly heating up in a magic school. Thomas was certain that it would result in more than just some black eyes.

“What happened here?” Professor Barlow turned his head in Pipa's direction. “Miss Jones was thin on details.”

"When I came down this morning, I found her on the floor." With a head shake, Thomas remarked. “I have no idea what happened to her.”

“What were you doing up so early?” With a frown, Professor Barlow inquired.

“I don't sleep.” Thomas said, attempting to keep things straightforward. "I was awake all night in the dorm." Thomas added, “I swear, Professor.” Looking up into Professor Barlow's face. There was no hatred in his eyes yet; they were still kind toward Thomas. Thomas had some hope.

“Thomas is a good vampire, Professor!” Pipa grabbed the professor by the sleeve. “He would never do anything bad.” Pipa has a lot of faith in him. Thomas shook his head. Was it amazing in words? Where did it come from? Thomas may never understand.

“Professor Barlow. I don't believe Thomas would act in such a manner, either.” Bernard shook his head. “He was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, in my opinion.”

“You all are such good friends.” Professor Barlow smiled and patted Pipa on the head. “It's nice to see.” Thomas hid his dropped jaw behind his hand. Having people defend him was a new feeling. One, he only got with Lars. To have two more people do that filled him with a bubbly feeling that he couldn't quite explain.

“You won't be getting Thomas in trouble now, will you, Professor?” Bernard asked, acting very adult in his conversation. Thomas wondered if Bernard was used to talking with adults more than people his own age. Not that Thomas was one who could say anything about that sort of thing. Seeing as he was socializing before, Lars was with adults.

“Fighting is prohibited, but magic was not used.” Professor Barlow sighed. “I let you off with a warning.”

“Daniel didn't get a warning!” Pipa spoke up, “And I saw him all over Thomas!”

“He'll get his warning later.” Professor Barlow claimed that when he looked at Thomas, his golden eyes spun in a ring.

“I don't believe that Thomas hurt Emma Potter, but not everyone will.” Thomas felt a spooky wind creep over him, causing the hair on his neck to stand up. In the light, the professor's eyes twinkle. What Thomas felt was awfully familiar to Lars when he had that vision. What did this mean? Thomas turned to face the professor while thinking about Lars's summer vision.

“This is a rough road for you. Thomas Cloverleigh.” Professor Barlow's voice drifted over them. Pipa ducked behind them with a quiver as Bernard took a sharp breath from within him. A glowing aura that was invisible to the naked eye filled Professor Barlow. Thomas had an instinct telling him that his words needed to be heard. "Even with those significant changes, that future will not be impacted."

“Professor?” Thomas extended a hand out of concern that, like with Lars, when his energy was sapped,

“I'm fine, Mr. Cloverleigh. My gift isn't as strong as Young O'Sullivan's.” Professor Barlow touched his shoulder. “Please let him know what I said.” Thomas nodded.

"So does that mean it will still happen?" Thomas questioned himself, fearing that their efforts would be in vain.

"Mr. Cloverleigh, a house has many windows." Professor Barlow gave him a shoulder pat while grinning. "Opening one can restore new life to an old house. The same goes for closing one.” As if understanding, Thomas nodded. Lars didn't talk like that; he wouldn't talk about it all. If it was a seer thing, Thomas would ask Lars about it later and get his answers. His chances did not seem all that good when he thought about visions and Lars, but he could try. “I'll be here if you or he should need me.”

“Thanks; I'll let him know.” Lars might enjoy hearing about his visions from a different person, Thomas reasoned. Professor Barlow gave Thomas a lopsided smile.

“He already knows, but it doesn't hurt to remind him.” Professor Barlow combed his hair with his hand as he stood up straight. “Now you three, get ready for breakfast. I'll see you for your flying lessons later today.”

“Yes Professor.” While nodding, Bernard glanced briefly at Thomas. Thomas turned his head away, briefly forgetting they were there. He sighed and looked down when Pipa's perplexed gaze caught his darting eyes. Pipa jumped on Thomas right away after the professor left.

“What was all that about?” Pipa's curious eyes were wide.

“It's not my place to say.” Thomas clenched his lips; only Lars could reveal them if he so desired. If not, nobody would pick it up from him.

“Aww,” Pipa whined, but her attitude turned around fast. “I'll get Lars to spill later.” Pipa placed her hands on her hips. Bringing his attention to her pink fuzzy outfit

“Are you dressed like a rabbit?” Thomas asked, blinking a few times to see if he got it right.

“Ah!” Pipa looked down with a squeal. “I need to change!” Pipa turned her head as she sprinted to the stairs. “Don't leave without me!” Her bunny tail flashed out of sight.

“Bernard?” With just the two of them left, Thomas turned to face Bernard. He wanted to say thank you. “Thanks for sticking up for me.”

“It was nothing.” A pink line was visible across Bernard's nose as he turned away.

“It meant a lot to me.” Thomas pressed on, saying, “You could have had an easier time. If you had left me there.” Thomas dragged it out into the silence of the room, unsure of what more he could add. “Just... thanks.”

“I know what it's like. To be judged by who you are.” Bernard turned his head and looked at Thomas. “Malfoy or Vampire. We are not defined by these names.”

“No,” Thomas agreed. “I felt like you pushed yourself there.” Thomas thought back to Bernard's shaking hands. “Are you…okay?” Thomas asked, unsure if he was pushing where he didn't belong.

“It's always like that with my family. Nothing new.” Bernard put out his hand, his eyes filled with shadows. Thomas knew there was more to it, but he wouldn't push.

“I feel like we could have gotten off to a better start.” Thomas took the offered hand. Feeling a connection with Bernard that wasn't there earlier.

“I'm Thomas. Part vampire and a bit anti-social.” Thomas smiled, being honest with himself and facing his vampire side straight on. Thomas felt a knot in his chest. Why deny what he couldn't change and what people already knew? It's not like he could hide it. He shook the hand with a firm, strong grip.

“I'm Bernard. Family failure and vegetarian.” Bernard smiled, but Thomas wondered: What exactly was a vegetarian?

“Vegetarian?” Thomas asked, confused.

“I don't eat meat.” Bernard said. Tucking his hands into his robes, looking at ease with him for the first time since they met yesterday.

“Oh,” Thomas thought it was a shame, but if that was how it was then, “I can eat it for you.” Thomas' favorite was always meat; the bloodier, the better. Of course, now he knew why.

“Deal.” Bernard nodded, his shoulders slumping with a relieved sigh. Thomas titled his head; did Bernard expect a different reaction?

“What deal?” Pipa came bouncing down in her school robes, her hair curling about her shoulders in waves. Bernard looked like he was in trouble. Thomas worried that there was another seer in his mist, but without the swell of power. He put it down to Bernard being weird.

“Bernard's meat is mine.” Thomas said, ignoring Bernard's stunned face. Unwilling to give up an ounce of the possible rare treat. “I think it's buffet style here.” Pipa wrinkled her nose, her hands busy in her hair, turning the waves into two plain braids on each side of her head. “We'll find out this morning.”

“Gryffindor's colors suit you, Pipa.” Thomas didn't mind saying it. The color looked nice against her olive-tanned skin. She looked cute, but the bunny outfit was imprinted in the depths of Thomas's mind. He thought Berry would like it; it was something else he could talk to Lars about.

“I like the bunny outfit better.” Bernard muttered under his breath, but Thomas's ears picked up on it. Pink suits her too, Thomas agreed without a word.

“Thank you, Bernard.” Pipa beamed and twirled around in her gray skirt. “I like the bunny outfit better, too, but it's against school rules.” Pipa whispered at Bernard. Humming while she flowed by him, Thomas watched poor Bernard light up red.

“Let's go!” Pipa turned, leading the charge to breakfast. Thomas could almost forget the drama of the morning, with the idea of seeing Lars again at the forefront of his mind. After all, Emma was sure to be fine under the care of the school nurses.