What was going on!!!

The shine in Irene's eye told how much she admired each and everyone of her friends. Even the adults there sighed in agreement. Roderick suddenly asked her an unexpected question. "Rene.... do you have a crush on them?"

Everyone suddenly jolted back to their senses and looked at Irene curiously.

Irene's face blushed to beet red. She lowered her head and mumbled a few inaudible words. They can catch only, " Sometime Dave....."

Rodrick grinned triumphantly and the adults had a wide smile on their faces.

Irene blushed and bolted into her room like a deer, making everyone laugh uncontrollably at her reaction.

"Well, no surprises there. He was the one who saved her on both occasion and the one with the best sense of humor of the bunch. It's no wonder he won our Irene's heart." Lillian smiled.

"True, but let the time take its course. Its too early to say anything. By the looks of it, it feels a one way crush. The lads look at her as their family member. I had never observed any other feelings displayed by the lads." Fredrick said calmly.

You mean if Irene and Dave wants to get married in the future, you don't have any objections father?" Rodrick asked in surprise and even curiously.

"Not at all my son, Not At All." Any one of those six young men are worthy of more than a hundred nobleman. You will know it when you go to the academy with them. Fredrick smiled proudly.

Let's leave this matter here itself for now. Let them enjoy their youthful days and achieve greatness. Once the right time comes, things will get into its place.

Everyone noded to Frederick's words and continued with their work.

After a couple of days, as planned, everyone went to the academy. Their journey was filled with banters and laughters. Rodrick was truely amazed to see Irene talking and pulling legs with others so much. He remembered her to be always shy and reserved. But she looked like a completely different person now. Rodrick simply observed this group of young people on the whole journey, providing inputs wherever necessary.

By the time they reached the gates of the academy, Rodrick understood how deeply the bond of friendship ran between these people.

Surprise was in store for Rodrick at the entrance, when the guards identifying the lads welcomed them wholeheartedly. After that they bowed to Roderick in respect, when they noticed him.

The guards took them to the headmaster's office. Stan who was working on something, looked up saw the newcomers and beamed happily and welcomed everyone.

"Excellent timing lads. Today is the last day of this academic year before the break. We all can have lunch together in a few minute and you can meet all the masters also." Stan told them.

Ah Rodrick, "How are you doing lad? Stan patted Rodrick on the shoulder smiling warmly."

"I am doing good headmaster. Where is master Harry? Is he in the academy?"

"Oh, he is here alright. He will be on his way here, if I am not wrong. That man gets the news faster than anyone else I had seen" Stan shook his head smiling.

"That I will Stan." A deep voice came from the door entrance behind them.

When the boys turned around they saw a Middle aged sturdy man standing there with a wide grin on his face. But the grin was looking horrible this time as there was long unhealed scar that ran down from his left eyebrow to his jaw line.

Rodrick gasped in horror watching this gruesome sight. "Master Harry, what happened?" He asked with concern.

"Ah, Rodrick, good to see you too. It's nothing. To put in simple words, I had been careless, that's all. Don't worry, it will heal up pretty well in a few days." Harry waved his hands off dismissively.

" But the scar.....?" Rodrick asked with concern again.

"Its nothing to worry about lad. I can keep it as a reminder, no to underestimate thing in the future." Harry smiled.

"Hey madman, what did it, and When?" Dave asked Harry narring his eyes, af if he was inspecting the wound from this distance.

Rodrick was flabbergasted and gasped in shock to here Dave address Harry as madman. Stan smirked.

Ah Dave, it was such a long time hearing that sarcastic voice of yours. Harry beamed delightfully, walked towards him and hugged Dave.

Rodrick's jaw fell almost to the ground. "Instead of punishing Dave for his rude words, Harry was looking delighted to see and hear him?

What was going on!!?"