Aerin knew the signs all too well: the twitchy smile, excessive babblying, undue excitement. The librarian was on a sugar high. The second-year shooed the basket of sweets away from her and then glanced around the classroom. Most of her classmates would be bouncing off the walls before study hall was through.

Madame Toladaeri sure had a weird way of teaching. On the one hand she was strict, but on the other hand her lessons made it seem like she was asking for trouble. It was almost unfair that she gave out detentions so freely. Aerin grimaced as she remembered the detention she had shared with Zakir and Seth. It was impossible to have those two in the same room without explosions. She’d stay away from them today.

The Cetus was happy to find herself seated next to Aoife. The little first-year was one half loyal puppy dog and one half partner in crime. Aerin was about to start talking to her when Madame Toladaeri pulled out two kneazles from behind her desk. Aerin was mesmerized. As soon as the librarian was done talking the second-year snuck out of her chair and caught one of the kneazles. She hefted Sir Balan, or at least she believed it was him, to the desk and gave him a big hug, ignoring his mewls of protest.

Aerin finally drew her eyes away from the animal upon hearing Aoife’s murmured question. The first-year looked positively frightened. Aerin glanced down at Sir Balan and then back at Aoife uneasily. “Ummm… maybe?”