It seemed as if the day had finally come for Maria to face her fears.

Maria hadn't planned on avoiding Palladium. It's just happened, like clockwork. She would intend on talking to him, but when she saw him, she would cower away. At mealtimes, she either left early or hid under the table. Gods, it was getting infuriating!

"Good afternoon, Maria," Griselda said when she entered the courtyard, stopping when she saw Maria's new look," Oh my- what did you do to your lovely hair?!"

"I cut it. Doesn't it look so much more stylish now? And I look ten times younger," Maria brushed her hair back over her shoulder.

"Oh, it's lovely, it is! It's; just a big change, don't you think?"

"Yes, but change is good, a nice fresh start," Sitting down by the fountain, Maria conjured up a ball of water and began to bounce it along with her hands.

"Do you still do the flight of spring?"

"Not since we were school children! There's no need anymore; we have technology that keeps the Blush of Spring open and alive all year round," Griselda informed her, itching to ask the all-important question," So... have you talked to Palladium yet?"

Maria internally rolled her eyes. Why did her friends have to butt into her life? This wasn't some nighttime soap opera- well, actually, that could be debated, but that is not relevant right now- and her love life certainly wasn't an episode.

"Gods, why are you all so hell-bent on setting me up with Palladium?!"

Jumping up from the bench, Maria huffed aloud, crossing her arms," I'll admit I had a crush on him in school- but it's different now!"

Giselda tried to interrupt her, pointing behind her, but the fairy continued," I mean, I haven't seen the man in nearly 30 years! He probably doesn't even think of me- not that I think of him either,"

"Maria Lightly."

Oh, f-

Griselda sneaked away, leaving Maria alone with Palladium, something they hadn't shared since their schooldays. She dared not turn around, convinced her face would light up like a tomato.

"Maria, is that you?"

Taking a deep breath, Maria slowly spun around, locking eyes with the wizard," Hello, Palladium. Long time no see."

Blinking, Maria stared at the man in front of her, his light skin and dark hair still as memorizing as it was.

"I didn't know you were in town! Wow, you've changed! In a good way- I mean-" Palladium rambled, rubbing the back of his neck, causing Maria to let out a nervous giggle as they engaged in an awkward hug.

"Yes, I arrived last week. Sorry, I didn't get to talk to you; I've just been busy," the fairy lied through her teeth, cursing Griselda for abandoning her.

"Oh, of course. Hey, why don't we catch up over dinner? I'd love to hear what you've been up to," Palladium offered, checking his watch as classes resumed soon.

"That sound wonderful,"

"Great! I'll see you tonight!"

Maria's heart nearly burst, pounding in her chest as she stuttered, "To-Tonight?"

"Yeah! Why waste more time? We've wasted nearly thirty years."

Palladium seemed to talk some more before leaving, but it went in one ear and out the other. He just asked Maria out to dinner. Tonight. Palladium asked Maria out to dinner tonight. Palladium asked Maria out to dinner tonight.

If Maria could faint there and then, she would; however, it seemed the world had other plans for her today.

"Maria, the library now," Faragonda told her as she entered the courtyard, beckoning for the fairy to follow her.

Catching up to the headmistress, Maria noticed the tense aura," Everything alright?"

"It's about to be,"

Making sure no one was watching, Faragonda waved her hand over the library door, opening up the secret, restricted area of the magical archives. She called on the school's guardian pixie, asking her to set up a meeting with the other school's pixies. Soon enough, they all arrived, and the meeting commenced, not leaving Maria any time to question the reasoning for this.

"As you probably all know by now, the situation is extremely critical," Opening out her hand, Faragonda placed a collection of pins on the table," These must remain secret. You know what to do."

Each pixie disbanded with a pin, leaving Maria even more confused when she handed a broach.

"Faragonda, why am I here?" she asked.

"I trust you, Maria, more than I trust myself at times, and I need your help,"

"Of course!" Maria agreed, accepting the pin," May I ask why?"

Placing her hands behind her back, Faragonda spoke critically," I believe Lord Darkar is going to try and steal the Codex and open the Realm of Relix to obtain the ultimate power. I have a plan to stop him, but I'm not sure of how effective it's going to be,"

Maria listened eagerly for the headmistress to continue, but instead, she turned to Maria and secured the pin to her jacket lapel.

"Keep it on you at all times, and never take your eyes off it," Faragonda said, leaving the library.

Maria nodded her head, though that feeling of dread returned to her stomach when a familiar set of cold eyes locked their gaze upon her.

"Headmistress," the man from Faragonda's office said as she rounded the corner," Everything is set up just like you asked; all you need to do now is call the Winx fairies."

He then turned his attention to Maria, a smile dancing across his lips that somehow failed to reach his eyes," And who is this gorgeous creature?"

"Avalon, this is my dear friend Maria Lightly. Maria, meet our new technical magic professor from the Malacoy Academy, Avalon Chevalier." 

As Maria offered her hand, Avalon brought it to his lips, brushing his lips on her knuckles, sending a wave of sparks up Maria's back and tingles to engulf her body.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Ms Lightly," he said, his voice smooth and clean.

"The pleasure is all mine, Mr Chevalier, and please call me Maria,"

Avalon replied while he released her hand," Then I must insist you call me Avalon. Are you staying at Alfea for long?"

"I plan on, but then again, any plan of mine never seems to go accordingly," Maria explained with a shy smile.

It was almost as though Maria had forgotten to breathe as Avalon's warmth left her hand.

"Well, I hope this one does because I anticipate we will be seeing much more of each other,"

Everything about Avalon's aura intrigued Maria yet simultaneously sent a wave of fear through her soul. It wasn't often she felt like this, having only one memory of the war raged on Magix by Valtor many moons ago; and her first encounter with Tom Riddle. Ridding her mind of such memories, Maria focused on Faragonda, joining their conversation.

"You two can chat more this evening as I'm hosting a party for Professor Avalon to welcome him to our school, and all staff and friends are required to attend."

Taking her hand, Avalon caressed it once again before he left the pair and returned down the corridor, "Until tonight, Maria,"

Both fairies headed down to the party to help with the preparation, Avalon's kiss warming Maria's whole body the more she thought about it. For a moment, Maria was glad her date with Palladium had to be postponed, rather enjoying the attention Avalon gave her all night, much to Stella's dismay. But she quickly shook her head as Palladium brought her a drink, blushing at the thought of the mysterious man.

~~~~~~~

Hi! This is very late, but... That's just me;) 

*The_lost_flower*