lesson one - fourth years ;

Muggle Studies.

It seemed a rather odd class to have, though, that may been because he was from Durmstrang, where they didn't teach it. Not that Durmstrang didn't have muggleborn students - the no-muggleborn rule had been done away with a few decades before. They just didn't feel the need to teach a class about muggles.

Which, considering the more recent climate between wizards and muggles, was also odd.

Curious, and a bit eager, Rhys entered the classroom. The boy smiled upon seeing a familiar face. His smile wavered when it occurred to him that Anya was probably closer to Lena, though. Still... he and Lena were still friends. Technically. (Rhys grimaced internally at the thought.)

Moving over to his schoolmate, he hesitated. "Hey, Anya," Rhys spoke Russian out of pure habit, "mind if I sit next to you, or..?" A hand came up to scratch his head, his expression creasing in uncertainty.

Rhys lowered his hand, bottom lip briefly catching between his teeth. He considered just sitting somewhere else. It might be easier, really, though the thought that his friendships were dictated by his relationship with Lena was a bit hurtful. Wasn't anyone his friend for his own sake?

Okay, that was a bit pessimistic. He had his own friends... back at Durmstrang, whom he only talked to on occasion. The boy let out a sigh as a slow exhale and seated himself. Might as well endure the awkwardness for a bit. Besides, class would start soon. If nothing else, that would be some sort of escape.

"I am... okay," Rhys replied, following her cue and answering in English, as well. He understood the language, just fine, he just wasn't the best at speaking it between a Welsh and a Russian accent. "Dere vas lots 'f homevork over summer, yes? An' me aunt an' couzin, they drag me all over.

"I think that... Hogvarts is makin' me even more klutz," he joked, though, what with the unfamiliarity of a new place alone, he did tend to trip more than he had been. "I vill set new record, yes? This year, I vill fall down two staircases an' not jus' vone." He grinned widely, as always, making fun at his own expense.

"An' ye?" he returned seriously. "How are ye? Good?"

Adele literally yelled when she came into the room. A boy in her year had been following her, and she had just whacked him on the head with a book. "Don't you dare yell at me that the Pineapple Army don't exist, because they do!" she shrieked, narrowing her eyes at him. The boy then left her alone to sit with his friends at another corner, and she began chuckling.

When she heard a familiar accent go through the room, she gasped and skip-ran towards it, her eyes sparkling. "Rhys!" she greeted, hugging him from behind. After a few awkward seconds, she let him go and looked at the seat next to him. "Do you mind if I sit next to you?"

The Gryffindor noticed that there was another girl with him, and she simply smiled at her, her eyes brimming with curiousity. "I'm Adele!" she announced, her eyes looking around the room, "don't you just love Muggle Studies?"

"Vhere didn't we go?" Rhys grumbled good-naturedly. "If dere vas clothes or jewelry t' be bought, they went an' take me wi' them."

The redhead made a show of feeling his head, shoulders and sides. "There is nothin' important t' break," he joked. "I leave it at home."

He listened intently, nodding along as she spoke. Not really knowing what to say in response to her having told someone that she like him, Rhys just added an extra emphatic nod. "Greece? That vould be fun."

Rhys might have jumped out of his seat in surprise had Adele not had a rather enthusiastic hold on him. "Hi," he responded, tone a bit higher-pitched than normal. He patted the arm she had across his collar awkwardly until she finally let go. "I do not mind. Sit.

"Durmstrang does not have Muggle Studies," Rhys told Adele.

Adele grinned at the girl. "Hey!" she greeted, and she slowly - but surely - let go of Rhys. She sighed. "Why does no one like hugging?" she announced angrily, hugging herself and sitting down on the chair next to him. She tapped her foot on the floor loudly, staring wide-eyed at her companions. "Why not?!" she announced, before letting a loud gasp be released from her mouth. She first stared at Rhys, then at Anya.

"Why on Earth doesn't Durmstrang offer Muggle Studies?" Adele yelled, "that is sad!" Her face then lit up and asked them, "So... can't wait for class to start?"