"I don't know if I could have handled this much carshopping without your dad."**********Ronnie knocked on Sara's door. "Sara?" she asked insistently,..."Are youokay?" Getting no answer, she gingerly turned the knob and opened the doora crack to peek in. "Sara?" she called again.Sara lay on her bed, curled up in a fetal position, her back to the door.She didn't respond to Ronnie's entreaties.Ronnie thought for a moment, wondering if she was possibly crossing into anarea where she had no. His tie was loose and his shirt untucked, showing his toned body. His bag was slung over his shoulder, covered in mud. Alex smiled - Richard was his best friend. The pair had been friends since preschool - Richard was always the loudmouth and Alex had always been the brains. "You weren't concentrating in German." Richard noted dutifully. "Or English."Alex's cheeks were reddening again. "I didn't feel very well. It was too warm in there." he lied flawlessly.Richard smiled, though his concern. "Hermione's face flushed red, and tears started to stream down her face asher wand clattered to the stone floor. Professor McGonagall took a halfstep back in surprise, as she reached out to take hold of the cryinggirl. Kyle was still fondling himself, completely oblivious to hissurroundings."Oh, Professor," Hermione cried, "it was an accident, I swear! Pleasedon't expel me, please!" she continued to sob, as the Professor attemptedto comfort her in confusion."What was an accident, my dear? . Jeff called briefly to wish me a merry Christmas. He and Caitlyn were skiing that afternoon, and just like a mom, I cautioned him to be careful on the slopes. He laughed and promised to stick to the beginner trails, a promise we both knew he would never keep. It sounded as if he and Caitlyn were having a wonderful time together, and though I missed him, I was glad he'd gone.I called Jenny next, and we had a brief conversation. She sounded tired."Project keeping you up late?" I teased, and she.