Garr.

　　I grabbed my briefcase on the table as the class ended. I walked out of the classroom and closed the door behind.

　　I walked down the corridor that led to my office with my blue robe swaying to my movement.

　　I looked up as Katherine passed by. Our eyes met and we casually nodded at each other before walking past each other.

　　I looked over my shoulder and watched as Katherine walked into the classroom I just left. It pained me to see our relationship so strained.

　　I and Katherine loved each other so much, or at least I did and we were in a relationship. We had to mutually separate two months ago when she met her Betrothed.

　　Since then, we found it hard to talk to each other. It was hard for me as we walked in the same place and I had to see her at least two times in a day. Occasionally, I would catch my self stealing glances at her during the staff meetings.

　　I snapped out of my thoughts as someone called me from far behind.

　　"Professor Griffin." I turned around to see a student run up to me. He was far from me, but then he appeared as a blue blur and appeared before me.

　　"Good job," I said, smiling proudly at him.

　　"So what do you want?" I asked him.

　　"It's about the tournament coming up," he replied and I nodded, staring at him inquiringly.

　　"The Taurus House would like to ask if you'll be our Master for the tournament," he said and I smiled.

　　"Sure. I'll stop by your House later," I said and he nodded.

　　"Thank you."

　　"You're welcome," I replied and continued walking towards my office.

　　I soon reached my office and an eye carved onto the door blinked. As it confirmed my identity, the door opened and I walked to into the office.

　　I dropped my briefcase on the desk and dropped myself on my chair with a loud sigh.

　　I closed my eyes and my hands glowed as I performed a refreshing spell.

　　I opened my eyes and scanned through my table, grabbing a folder. I opened the folder and grabbed one of the report sheets in it, going through it.

　　I looked around the room as I felt a magical surge in the air. I ignored it and looked back at the sheet in my hand.

　　It was probably a class performing a magical practical.

　　I looked up again as I heard a low ripping sound. I looked sideways and saw a green spark in the air.

　　The magic in the spark was weak and abnormal, but it kept growing bigger and bigger with louder ripping noises.

　　The spark suddenly turned into green waves that slowly whirled around to form a portal.

　　Subconsciously, my hands began to glow and I stood up from my seat, moving back a bit.

　　I stretched out my hands in preparation to defend myself from whatever was coming through that portal, and if necessary, attack it.

　　A woman suddenly fell through the portal even before it was fully formed and the glow on my hands died down as I stared at the woman falling down in surprise.

　　Miranda!

　　I rushed forward and pulled Miranda up.

　　Her hair was sparking and she looked like she had a terrible magical attack.

　　"Ga...Garr," she said weakly and I helped her up, carrying her to the couch adjacent my desk.

　　"Miranda, what happened to you," I asked worriedly. Just few months ago, she had called and told me about my Niece, Valerie was an Hybrid and that she locked away her Witch side so no one would know.

　　"You... You need to know..... that Draco.... Is not the evil," she said, her voice breaking as she spoke.

　　Draco? Who's Draco. What's she saying.

　　"There are professors here and we can help you," I said and stood up to leave, but she grabbed my cloth to stop me.

　　"No. You need to take me to Valerie," she shook her head lightly.

　　"You'll see her, but I need to get help for you," I said, but she grabbed me, once again, preventing me from standing up.

　　"I.... need to see Valerie," she said and I stared at her, not knowing what to do.

　　I nodded, "Fine."

　　I stretched out my hands and slowly created a portal. As the portal fully formed, I carried Miranda up and sighed before walking into the portal.

　　*

　　I blinked as I stepped out of the portal into the arena. Katherine stepped out next to me and I felt the portal close behind me.

　　The Arena was filled with students excited for the competition, parents enthusiastic to see their children's performances, Masters hoping that their House performs well, other teachers and proffessors here to entertain themselves and strict judges.

　　I looked around the Arena and finally spotted the section where the Masters of all the 12 Houses were to seat. I and Katherine walked over there. I pulled a chair backward and sat down with Katherine sitting next to

　　me.

　　People kept walking into the arena with portals opening everywhere. I looked at the judges table and saw that the 4 seats were all empty.

　　I looked around and spotted the section for the Taurus House students participating in the contest.

　　I looked at sideways as someone walked up to this table. It was Professor Parker.

　　He smiled at me and pulled back the chair on my left and sat down.

　　I looked at my wristwatch and saw that there was still 15 minutes till the contest begins. I would have used all this time to give the Taurus House participants one last instruction and guidance, except that it wasn't allowed.

　　"Oh, Katherine, I didn't know Michael would come," Parker said, sounding surprised and he pointed at Michael who was sitting among the crowd opposite our table.

　　"Oh yes," Katherine replied with a smile, "The Laforza holiday extends till today so he decided to come join us," She stated.

　　I was sitting between the both of them and they just had to raise that conversation. I moved the chair I was sitting on backward and stood up.

　　"Excuse me."