Tess wished that she had been able to convince her daddy to let her get a home near the beach. It was beautiful, especially during summer time, the time she was now missing. This morning she'd taken initiative and decided that she would do something on her own. She never knew how she'd become so dependent on what Rhian was doing till now that they'd graduated. It'd annoyed her once she realized this was what was happening and immediately decided to be spontaneous. She didn't need anyone to do things with, she was a Holmes. Holmes got things done.

Thus in the morning she decided she would head to the beach. She packed all her things, a change of clothing, a towel, and sunscreen and decided she could enjoy the day on her own. A swimsuit was under the sundress she was in and as soon as eight in the morning hit, she was off towards the beach, a determined look on her face. Now it was the middle of the day, and she was finding herself forcing herself to enjoy alone time.

Floating over the surfboard she wondered exactly how she managed to be alone before. How did she manage to even entertain herself? "Pathetic" she muttered to herself as another waved wobbled the surfboard and she rolled off of it. Enough was enough, she wanted a good meal and wanted to get away from the sun. It was nice in the beginning but now she felt like she would get pink soon, and that was not going to happen. Getting out, she threw the surfboard to the side, and began to twist her hair hoping to get out the water that it had collected. With one breeze she knew she was cold. The worse part about the beach was the fact that she was disoriented, once she got out. It seemed her things were on the other side of the beach, the board floating slowly away from it. Grumbling to herself, she began her trek to the other side of the beach. In her mutterings, she almost crashed into a man, who seemed even more distracted.

"Do you mind moving over?" she asked annoyed as he was moving at such a slow pace.

Realizing that she had been rude wasn't the first thing that came into Tess' mind, but rather how unfair it was that she looked less than perfect as she had even talked out loud. He was handsome man, almost unfairly handsome, even a person like her could see that. And while she was in no way interested in the man, (she'd learned her lesson), she couldn't help but realize that his features were stunning. The thing that caught her eye wasn't his black hair, tall stature, or his suaveness, but rather his eyes. She felt herself flush at the fact she looked like a wet rat while he looked like he had walked out of a fashion magazine.

Clearing her throat, she squeezed her hair hoping she could try and look more put together. But as he made no motion to leave, she wrinkled her nose. This man was too suave, her brother warned her about them.

"Yes I believe you are" she replied simply, "I'm trying to get my things and dry off"

At the mention of her looking cold, she nearly showed the expression that she usually did when people said an obvious comment. Instead she wrapped her arms around her chest to warm herself up and nodded.

"It always happen after a long swim" she murmured.

But as he summoned something, her eyes widened as he so heroically brought a towel her way. She felt like a bitch; short tempered when he was being so...gentlemanly. She bit her lip and took the towel that dangled in front of her wrapping the large towel around her frame. It was large, her body was covered, from her chest to her ankles and she was grateful. It was then that she took consideration in answering his question.

"Yes it was a good swim till I got disoriented. Thank you" she smiled shyly, gesturing for the towel,
" I appreciate your kindness." Stretching her hand out she introduced herself, "My name is Tess, Tess Holmes."

"Oh, I see. Well, I'm sorry I'm in your way,"

Tess tilted her head and squinted at his comment. The words said one thing but at the same time, she got a feeling there was no true meaning behind them. She simply nodded, confused at how social cues could be so traitorous sometimes. Instead she hugged the towel closer to her body and studied the man. He was well off, even in the casual wear that he donned, the brands were obviously high tagged. His hair quaffed back, treated, and the way he carried himself meant money.

"Disoriented? That doesn't sound good at all! Are you sure you are alright?"

She nodded confused at the switch of tones. People were so confusing, especially this man. But a the smile she simply hid her expression in the towel and frowned a bit at his following comment. Not everyone was kind, she'd known this very well from her previous experiences. She said nothing instead shrugged, never feeling so young and foolish.

"I'm Codey Neal. Ellingston, if you like last names; I don't And I do believe that is your surfboard, miss Tess.

She wondered exactly what he meant about that tone, but as his eyes went to the side of her she turned back to look at her floating board. She turned back to tell him he didn't have to, but it was too late and he was off. As he took off his shirt, she sucked in a sharp breath at his physique. Oh Merlin, what just happened here? Her face flushed all the more; this was a man. Oh dear. As he stuffed it into her hands she gripped it in surprise and followed his trail, her brown eyes wide.

"I'll trade you this for my shirt back."

Her hands were shaking slightly as she handed him the shirt and hugged the surfboard to her chest, shocked at everything that just happened. Her pale skin was not helping the flush of pink running against her cheeks.

"T-thank you" she whispered softly.

'What just happened?' she asked herself as he just came close to her. Her brain somehow short circuited and it was horrifying and frustrating at the same time. Her brow furrowed as he just looked so casual and grabbed her surfboard.

"Let me help you. I simply cannot let a young lady like yourself carry her own items."

She hugged the towel closer to her and continued walking along to her things. This wasn't right; she was so angry with herself, with everything. Confused at the fact that all the stupid stories that Mycroft told her about, how men could be manipulative in that way, was right. She hated when Mycroft was right. Sighing softly she walked alongside him, taking advantage and walking a few feet from him. The faster she got out of there the faster she could get her wits back.

"Thank you" she replied as they'd reached her items. Thankfully nothing seemed to be missing, except her dignity. "I appreciate you being a gentleman and helping me out"

"Are you a student?"

Tess looked up at the man that was holding her surfboard, so casually. Despite the fact that it was her own, it looked natural against his hip, as if he could do just take possession of it and no one would second guess it. She didn't appreciate the way he studied her; she didn't appreciate the way there was a layer of friendliness, yet under it, under it there was some cunning. She'd seen them before, all in her school, so friendly, yet underneath it there lay so many things under it. His question made her nod, a simple reply, before realizing it was fairly rude of her.

"I am, the coming year will be my first. For healing. I assume based on your question you are an alumnae and based on the location so close to the university, a professor am I wrong?" she commented with a question of her own.

It was true; Laguna was mostly filled with old retirees, and the other with professors. Her brother had made her a basic narration of whole the neighborhoods worked and she took it all in stride. Also, she wished he would put his shirt back on; it was distracting, frustratingly so. No matter how much of an advanced thinker she would be, she could be brought down to a simple minded feeling.

"Don't mention it. Besides, my job isn't over yet, miss Tess. Whereabouts are you staying? Surely you do not expect me to let you walk back to your place carrying all your things?"

She looked surprised at her own rudeness.

"I-I'm so sorry, for my rudeness, here let me take it" she said softly, stretching her hands out, "I live more into the village the flats in the surrounding city. There is no need for your help sir, I can take care of myself."

Walking down the beach, she wished that she could live in the area, but that was not the case. Her father would never allow her to live so far away for a mere four years. No amount of whining, arguing and pouting would get her what she wanted. She had long passed that phase, as soon as she was twelve when she felt too old. It had never worked on her brother, at least not past five. Still, looking around the area, perhaps it wasn't the best place to do so. Too nice, and it was better for people that had their lives together. Mr. Codey had shown enough control, so gentlemanly, kind, even with the confusing tone in his voice.

"I am a Professor, and a dragon trainer. No doubts about what subject I will be teaching, come term start, I hope." Smiling at her, he added, "But no, I am not an alumni. I was self taught, you could say."

Her eyes brightened at the mention of dragons. Dragons seemed so vicious, strong, powerful and everything she could never be. She wasn't too faint of heart, she wasn't aggressive, the only similarity she held with such creature was cunningness. She had been told enough. Rhian was better suited, she was strong, in every sense of the word and it made sense.

"Fascinating" she said in awe, "dragons...never saw one, always dreamed of it. But could never be someone to tame them." she laughed softly, "too vicious."

"You may call me Codey, or Professor, if first names make you uncomfortable," he started, smiling again before continuing with, "I am not saying that you are incapable, Miss Tess. I am merely offering my help as any gentleman should. Surely you wouldn't rob me of my duty?"

But as she took her bags, board and everything properly she smiled kindly, ready to leave. Rhian was a lucky person to have Mr. Codey..no, Codey as a professor. Flushing lightly she shook her head.

"As much of a gentleman as you could be, and no matter how pure your intentions could be, if anyone where to hear of me walking with...anyone, rumors would grow. It wouldn't help either of us sir, but I appreciate your suggestion."

"I am planning on bringing in a few of the less vicious species for a practical lesson, maybe later this term. If you are interested, you should come by and I'll introduce you to them. Not all are vicious, and you will be perfectly safe with me," he offered.

Tess placed a hand against her chest, nearly dropping the things she held tightly against her. Dragons were beautiful, so beautiful in books. She remembered as a young child she would have Mycroft narrate them to her, making charmed dragons fly above her. When she got too old for them, she still held a soft spot and opened the book from time to time, still feeling the love there. But she would never tame them, her quiet nature usually protected by her sharp tongue.

"Oh Sir" she breathed out softly, "I would very much appreciate that, I always wanted to...if it's safe of course"

He was almost too good to be true as a professor. Even though she wasn't in his class he was giving her an opportunity to still see the magic. She nearly hugged him, but she wasn't the hugging type, she abhorred it.

"Who said anything about walking you back? Apparating is as easy as any spell, and it would be so much quicker, too."

She felt herself flush at his comment. She wasn't used to apparating; having gotten her license a few months back. It unnerved her at the thought of splicing herself. Still embarrassment was worst.

"As much as I would love the scenery, you're absolutely right. I should." she said softly, "Thank you, for everything...and" she slowly let out a bright smile, one she hadn't let out in a while, "and I'll keep you to that promise sir."

"And, like I said before - it is pefectly safe if you go with me. I think you would like the Opaleye; that's my favourite, and it is quite a stunner. I will send for you once they arrive on campus?"

Her eyes shined brightly as she heard Opaleye. She remembered it briefly as a child, at how beautiful it was, before she could even think about what she was going to say she blurted, "The one that shines like pearls?" she said breathlessly.

Her hand went to her chest, almost, until she remembered how full her hands were, instead she gripped the things tighter to her. This seemed too good to be true, but he had told her he would. Promises had been made before that had never come to fruition but she'd make him keep that promise. Right as she was about to concentrate to try and apparate, he stopped her with his words. She briefly wondered if he'd known that because of her nerves she'd nearly spliced herself during the test.

"I would not let anybody apparate in such a state - even if it were somebody better than I at magic! Come, take my arm. I assure you, I will get you back unsplinched - I apparate on a daily basis."

Instead he was being almost too good. Was she more mature she would have already questioned it, at least have skepticism, but this was Tess. Codey was a nice person, and had no malice her way, and so without further ado, to end the social torture she was going through she shuffled her things around and wrapped her arm around his elbow, a brighter smile on her face.

"Well how could I say no?"

At the description of the dragon it seemed all the more beautiful and majestic. She smiled softly at his words, seeming the surprise in his expression made her almost smirk. She knew she looked like a normal person, normal stupid girls. Especially now with her hair wet and sticking to her face, her make up all washed off, and her outfit barely dry from the summer heat. She was a child, trying desperately to try and act grown up. But she knew one thing that was a fact; she was smart, might not be seem it always being so young, but she was.

She simply let him talk about the promise of the dragon coming soon to campus. She'd rub that on Rhian's face and smiled at the thought. She was lucky for having a professor like Codey. As the apparated, she felt the tightening of her abdomen, she hated it. Always hated it, always will.

As he asked her about where she lived she pointed to Baker street and smiled right across the street. Turning over to face him, she pointed.

"Right there, thank you Codey." she said softly, "I appreciate your help. and I'll see you at the academy."

Not really knowing what to do, she waved awkwardly and crossed the street to her flat. This was definitely a lot more of a day than she experienced.