"When will the potions ss next be held?" asked Nefasky, Z''s best friend whose father was also in the ministry. She had been looking forward to taking revenge on Adrianna ever since her father had told her that the case against Adrianna had been dropped because everything she had done had been an act of self protection.


    Nefasky had only one thing in mind: to destroy Adrianna. Secretly, Nefasky had wished to try her hand at the crowning. However, with Z around, she was not a strong candidate. Now that Z was gone, she would have the chance to try it. She would nevere to terms with the fact that Adrianna – a half witch – could be stronger than any of the pure blood witches. Nefasky thought that Adrianna was merely lucky all the time.??


    "The next ss will be tomorrow. All those who have registered are asked to bring a root of Bulboa. It is grown in behind the academy where a gardener will hand them over to you. The rest of the ingredients will be provided for you," replied Professor Lane.


    Adrianna left with Liam. When Adrianna had gone a few meters away, Nefasky followed her; she wanted to know where exactly she went after sses. However, the alleys didn''t allow her to follow Adrianna; they would always direct her to her own ss even if she tried to go a different way. Irritated, she gave up and headed to her ss.


    Adrianna reached the room where Professor Gregory was sitting. Seeing Liam, Professor Gregory smiled and converted him into a bunny. Adriannaughed when she saw arge number of carrots being kept on the table.


    "Adrianna, my child. You did very well! I am so happy. Tell me, how should I reward you?" Having said that, he picked up Liam and started feeding him.


    Adrianna moved closer to Gregory and, very affectionately, said, "Grandfather, I want you toe back to life."


    Gregory looked at her with a smile. He ced Liam down and walked over to her. "Adrianna, the dead shouldn''te back to life. They are dead for a reason. All I seek is respect after death. I have contributed a lot in this world. I waited for you to show yourself for more than twenty years. My reason to stay behind was only to see you, even if just once. Now that my wish has been fulfilled, I don''t want to go back to living, because after my journey ended, I longed to start a new journey in a new world.


    "When I was living, I was constantly altering my conduct, worrying, and putting myself through a lot of work for even a sliver of hope. I went through all sorts of emotions when I was alive. However, now I have had my share of the living, all I want is to leave this ne."


    Adrianna listed to him as tears rolled out of her eyes.


    "So, my child, would you do me the honor of sending me away?" asked Gregory while lovingly stroking her hair. "I was never certain whether or not I would even be able to see you, but I am d that I got the chance to teach you." He paused and then continued, "Child, you know what to do…"


    Liam hopped over. He started tugging at her robe - his own way of protesting and telling her not to let the old man leave. Adrianna lifted him up and patted him.


    ---


    Professor Ziu was in his room when the bell rang for the next ss. He got up from his chair, collected some papers, and started walking out when a messenger from the ministry came. "Professor, these papers are for you to read."


    Ziu frowned and then took the sealed envelope from the messenger. He was tempted to open the papers instantly, but he waited for the messenger to leave before he opened the envelope. The contents could only be described as unexpected.


    The ministry hade to know about Professor Gregory and wereing to seize him. Ziu was aghast. How did they know about Gregory? Did Ilsa say something?


    No one other than Adrianna, Liam, Isidorus, Howard, and himself knew about Professor Gregory. Ziu was certain that the ministry was only suspicious. He realized that the ministry people would being within the next ten minutes. Then why did they send a messenger? They could havee directly if they wanted to. Ziu ran out to find the messenger, but the messenger had already left. He went back inside to collect the papers only to find that the papers had burnt themselves on his table, turning to ash. He was bewildered. He realized that someone was giving him a warning ahead of time.


    He rushed out of his room and followed the alley to the ss where Adrianna was. He knew that Professor Gregory would be there.


    He must have crossed only two alleys when the ministry people caught up to him. There were only two of them. "We havee to seize Professor Gregory as we have received reports about his ghost being seen lurking around in thepound."