The bit with the dragon flashed by in such a rush of flame and fur that Alvis didn't register what was happening until it was all over. He glanced down at the fluffy white form of Zoe's pet and blinked in surprised. Was I just rescued by a house cat? Merlin, that's embarrassing...

He gave Snowy a quick pat on the head as he slipped into the place that Zoe indicated. Once he'd gotten settled, he took a quick glance over Hexy's face so he'd remember it but took care not to make eye contact. Now that he knew what he was doing it was better to avoid it at all costs. Still, even with a quick pass, the girl struck him as oddly familiar. He couldn't put his finger on why. The name didn't ring a bell and he was fairly certain he knew most of the year from class. Perhaps she was one of the casual members of the astronomy club?

He pushed the wonderings aside for the moment and extended his hand to offer her a shake. "Good to meet you. I hope I'm not being a bother."

When the introductions were complete he turned back to Zoe, chuckling a bit at her indignation at the thought of sharing a compartment with Casey. "You don't have to sit with him to have seen him around. I thought you might've kept an eye out while boarding so you could avoid him." He shrugged, rubbing the back of his neck. "Not a sign of him then? Guess that's no surprise. Knowing Casey he's probably charmed his compartment so no one can find him. I'll have to write him a letter once I get home."

"As for the gift, well. It's a Christmas present." He fumbled with his shirt pocket, cheeks going a bit red as he carefully lifted the thing out and cupped it in his hands to keep it a surprise. "Honestly, I wanted to give it to you last night at the ball, but it was still cooling...here."

He slipped the thing into Zoe's palm, not pulling his hands away until he was certain she had a good grasp on it. "It" being a light pendant, about the size and dimension of a Galleon, strung on a simple tin chain. The front of the amulet bore a tiny, intricate arrangement of runes.

"I know it's not much. It's only pewter -- metalwork's hard in the common room -- and it wouldn't last for long in a real fight. But it does work. It's for protection." He wrung his hands, his nervous flickering a bit with uncertainty. "I made a larger version for my Ancient Runes exam, but it's a bit unwieldy. I thought the smaller one might suit you better. It's strong enough to deflect one good spell, like a shield charm would, even if you don't know it's coming. You probably shouldn't wear it during Dueling Club or anything, it's probably against the rules, but I thought you might like it anyway?"

Hexy took the sudden surprise and confusion to retrieve the dragon model from under Zoe's cat. It wasn't shaking anymore but it was still blue. Her mind wasn't engaged in the action however.

It was because of Alvis. She knew just what to expect, his odd skill in Legilimency. Probably the only student who knew. But there had been Occlumency sessions with Professor Storm since the last time Alvis had touched her mind, there was the gulf between the sense of self of the student most knew as Casey O'Doherty.

Who at this point was hurriedly suppressing all facets of that personality.

My name is Hexmerelda Claggin. A thought as if spoken in mantra. I'm a third year, I'm in Hufflepuff, I've never met Alvis Norling before but Zoe has told me about him before. I keep my prowess with magic unassuming. I live in a cottage with my aunt in Hogsmeade and no one needs to know more about her. I usually prefer being alone, if only because it avoids questions. I like brooms, adventure, and stuff from joke shops that have practical uses. I don't bother to look pretty.

A small part of her, before it was hidden, was almost daring Norling to use his ability. He wouldn't find anything but the mind of a third year girl. It would be a secret victory all to her own.

Hexy raised her eyes to Norling's as Zoe introduced them, barriers raised. Surprisingly he seemed to have his wayward power in check or he was just being shy. "You interrupted our game but, eh, whatever." She took his hand in a perpendicular grip and yanked it up hard for a handshake then settled back onto her bench, legs crossed.

She was actually relaxed. All was going well. The suspicion of why Alvis was looking for Casey became a mild brain teaser. Was it about their side project, if he needed to write? It very well could be given his gift for Zoe.

There was a ill feeling at the bottom of Hexy's stomach but she couldn't place why. Wasn't she in control? She wasn't nervous about the structure of her secret identity anymore. What was it?

She decided to find entertainment in Alvis and Zoe's budding romance. "Lookit you, homemade Christmas gift." Hexy rested her chin on the back of a hand hidden in her sleeve. "You make jewelry for everyone you like or just the people you dance at balls with?" Hexy was smiling brightly at him.

"Oh, yes, that game didn't really matter." It was spoken only in fear of Alvis seeing her laid back, playing. You weren't supposed to act childish around your dates... or at least former date... Still. Zoe rescued her doll from the floor and, shrunk and still on the broom, levitated it back into her trunk.

"Well no, I haven't seen Casey since..." Zoe thought about this. When had she last seen Casey? "Yesterday, I suppose?" And that was that.

How sweet! Jewelry, a proper and a bit of a stereotypical gift for girls. She took it from Alvis, running her finger along the complex runes, more like symbols to her, before looking back to Alvis.  "Alvis, I love it! I'd never had an amulet before."  Zoe hugged him, not passionately, not with Hexy right there. They weren't officially dating.

As Zoe unclasped the necklace and clasped it again around her neck, of course Hexy had to make a comment. Come on, couldn't she just have one sweet moment? She leaned back, trying to appear as relaxed as Hexy seemed to be. The tin chain itched. Zoe fought the urge take it off. Hopefully Alvis wouldn't noticed if it was changed to silver after the break.

"What," Zoe answered before Alvis. She knew this kind of thing embarrassed him greatly. "Are you jealous?"

Zoe's hug took Alvis by surprise. He honestly hadn't been expecting it, not with her friend sitting right there. It was a tremendous delight. As usual, the blush started around his collar bone and crept up until his ears burned, his face going so warm that he half-expected his glasses to fog. It took him a moment before his arms started to work, then he returned the embrace.

"I'm glad." As she attached the chain he offered a hand to hold her hair out of the way, avoiding a snag. "I'm sorry if the chain's a bit cheap. I know it can bother some people..." Casey, namely. Alvis distinctly remembered the list he'd been handed during the Body Swap including nickle and horseshoes, of all things. "...but I had the links with me and, well, most of our money's wrapped up in basic investments until people pay for their Christmas commissions."

Ah, the life of the merchant class.

Claggin -- Hexmerelda -- Hexy, damn it, he'd managed to snag something from her head after all -- chimed in with a casual tease and a cat-like smirk that made Alvis's flush darken a shade. "It's not always jewelry," he muttered, but it was mostly lost in Zoey's answer. He waited until they'd gotten the back-and-forth out of their system before clearing his throat and starting again, softly.

"There's other things, too. Armor, weapons, decorations...jewelry's just more useful in this day and age. Easy to carry. Easy to keep under wraps." Easy to make on a budget in the house common room. He'd be able to do better for her birthday during the next semester. His eyes scanned the compartment for another topic of conversation before settling on the odd deck of tarot cards, which was still open. He turned his head curiously. "Were you two doing readings? You're not in Divination, are you...?"