Partners in Laughter & Study PV

It was still cold after the students returned to Hogwarts after the holiday break. Edward hadn't gotten out onto the grounds much, even before Winter, but a new friend's invitation was too compelling a reason to decline. Edward dropped by the kitchens first to pack a bit more food - he knew that Max would be packing some lunch as well but he wanted to make sure to have some of his own favorites to share with his friend - most importantly though, making sure to put some warm butterbeer in thermoses for them. Such a Hufflepuff thing to do, he thought: the longer he had been at Hogwarts, the more Edward realized how right the sorting had had been to sort him into Hufflepuff - he was learning more and more about himself by the day. And making friends! At first, most of his friends had been fellow Hufflepuffs but now he we starting to make some new friends outside his house.

These were his thoughts as he made his way across the grounds, still covered in places with snow as it continued to fall lightly across the Scottish highlands; the surface of the lake was frozen over, but he knew better than to try to use it as a shortcut, the depths of the waters never froze and so it could be a perilous risk atop it in places, so he stuck to the shore - which combined with his brief detour to the kitchens for some warm drinks delayed his arrival a bit from their scheduled time, though not too badly.

When he arrived, he was slightly winded, trying to hurry while wearing his heavy winter coat and carrying the thermoses, one in each hand, and the knapsack secured around one arm. He gave a little wave as he got closer making sure to keep a firm grip on the thermos in that hand. At least the thermoses were keeping his hands warm as well.

Breathing too heavily to talk immediately, he instead just smiled brightly and offered Max the warm thermos.

Banner By Julia Evans

—— ✰ ——Interacting with: @Edward Bishop—— ✧ ——Date: 31.01.26—— ✰
—— ✰ ——Dialogue: 225700———————||||—— ✧ ——Words: 262||||—— ✰

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Max himself had been to both the kitchen, and because he did not wish to inconvenience the house elves more than necessary, he also stopped by the great hall to pick up some biscuits that usually were spread out across the room at all times. He had gathered quite the catch if he were to say so himself. Best of all was of course the two tins containing stew. He didn’t know specifically what Edward preferred when it came to food, but since there had been no mentions of specific hateful dislike, so he simply went for his own favorite.

It took him a moment to spot his friend. Edward was in fact just a stone throw away from the bench when Max looked in his direction. With a wide smile he scooted over to make better room to sit. He accepted the offered thermos and lifted it to sniff. «Butterbeer!» There was no mistaking the delicious smell, and already now he could feel a small tingle of the warmth the drink usually brought. Placing the thermos carefully between them on the bench, he bent over his own satchel. A bit of ruffling and clinking noices and he triumphantly pulled out the two tins with accompanying spoons. «I couldn’t remember you telling me your favorite, so I hope you like ground pork with beets!» His tone was joyous, but there was a note of uncertainty there. Max figuratively crossed his fingers. They were friends at this point, but it was still new enough Max was a bit scared of messing it up.

Edward smiled brightly as Max accepted the warm thermos of butterbeer. He knew instantly from Max's enthusiastic reaction that he had made the right call. He made himself comfortable next to his friend on the bench.

Sitting on the bench beside one another might have been the first time that Max could really notice Edward's physical proportions, while he appears shorter when they are standing on the ground together, sitting on the bench it appears they're at the same eye level, and Edward's feet barely touch the ground - making it clear that his short stature is mostly in his legs still being quite short for his age, while from the waist up, he might actually almost appear taller than he were sitting up with a straight posture while Max were a bit casually slouched.

"Thank you kindly!" he says as Max hands him one of the tins with soup and his spoon, "I don't know, I've never had it before! Well I've had ground pork, I do like it alot - never had it with beats though - my grandmother always paired it with applesauce, and my mother likes to make it into those Asian soup dumplings with Chinese cabbage which actually tastes great and isn't stinky like British cabbage - have you ever had it?" before suddenly, "Oh! That reminds me, here," he says, pulling out a knapsack and producing a couple wedges of cheese, offering one to Max, "everything is better with cheese!"

As they begin to eat, he doesn't try to talk with his mouth full as he's always been taught that would be impolite, but he does make appreciative noises at enjoying the food here and there, "Mmmm" as he looks out over the lake thoughtfully.

Banner By Julia Evans

—— ✰ ——Interacting with: @Edward Bishop—— ✧ ——Date: 31.01.26—— ✰
—— ✰ ——Dialogue: 225700—————|||——— ✧ ——Words: 353|||||—— ✰

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He slouched back after handing him the tin to focus on his own. He had been looking forwards to this all day, and every spoonful was to be thoroughly enjoyed. Taking off the lid he lifted the stew to his face and breathed deeply. The smell was truly delicious and invoked a deep sense of home for him. He made sure to flick his gaze back at Edward as he talked of his own culinary preferences. «Soup dumplings…» He parroted automatic and furrowed his eyebrows. «I suppose that would be good. We don’t really eat any kind of dumplings that often» He shrugged before cheekily adding «But I agree that British cabbage stinks as bad as any dirty sock!» He couldn’t hold back a barking laugh as he dipped his spoon into the steaming soup.

He had just taken his first mouthful when the option of cheese was presented. While struggling to swallow the liquid he nodded eagerly and accepted. Having swallowed and despite having his mouth full of unchewed food he felt the need to nibble at the cheese. «Mm, thank you!» His voice was a bit muted and distorted due to having his mouth full. «Everything is better with cheese» Another spoonful was ingested and he nodded eagerly at Edwards response.

Finished chewing and swallowing he lifted his head to properly look at his buddy. «When we sit like this you seem just as tall as me!» He was certainly surprised by the fact that they were at eye level. Not that the height difference was large to begin with but he felt it needed to be said when observed. He did not always state all things he observed but he certainly noticed details. As his mind dropped the subject he instantly picked up a new one. «Since today is Saturday, what plans do you have for tomorrow? I hope it will snow so we can throw snowballs without all the ice! What do you think?» Of course icy snow when thrown could hurt someone. That everyone knew. Max however, was more concerned about his aim an throw being negatively affected.

Edward joined Mad in laughing out loud as he concurred, «But I agree that British cabbage stinks as bad as any dirty sock!»; Edward added as an aside, “As someone who loves herbology, it might interest you to know why: I asked my grandmother why it smelt like that one time and she told me that it was because European cabbage originally developed in volcanic soil - it still soaks up any sulfur in the soil til this day, even trace amounts… while Chinese cabbage never had volcanic soil so it never developed to absorb sulfur” he explained casually.

«Mm, thank you!» Edward smiled brightly, happy that his friend was enjoying his own offerings “you’re welcome!” especially his favorites the cheese and butterbeer, taking a drink of his own from his thermos.

«When we sit like this you seem just as tall as me!»
Edward smiled a bit at that, subconsciously wiggling his feet that barely touched the ground;

«Since today is Saturday, what plans do you have for tomorrow? I hope it will snow so we can throw snowballs without all the ice! What do you think?» Edward smiled a bit more at that, “Sure! That sounds like it could be fun! I need to get some practice to improve my aim anyway - did I ever tell you I’m applying for the Hufflepuff dueling team? As a first year I’ll be on the wait list but I thought it could be a lot of fun…” he confesses to his friend hoping that his own Gryffindor house pride doesn’t take offense to threat of competition.

Banner By Julia Evans

Reducio

Interacting with:	@Edward Bishop
Dialogue:	#225700
Date:	31.01.26
—	Noon
Words:	269

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Max nodded eagerly as Edward offered to explain. Would he ever turn down a chance to talk about plants and soil? Not a chance. He took another spoonful as he listened intently. «Interesting…» He mumbled it under his breath as he considered the facts of the statement. «I guess that sort of makes sense. That it absorbs sulfur and all that.» He gestured mildly as he continued his train of thought. «It does make me wonder though, is a cabbage growing in volcanic soil still edible? I’m sure the smell, and possibly the taste too, would be stronger…»

He drifted off in thought for a moment before collecting himself. Taking a cue from his friend he also lifted and sipped from his thermos. The warmth was heavenly. Just as rich as he remembered it. He lowered the thermos to simply enjoy the moment, until weekend plans came up.

«You are?» He had not considered joining the team himself, but spoken aloud by Edward he could easily see it would fit him. «Bench warmers get to play eventually too, so no worries there. I think you’ll do great!» He paused for a moment to let a cheeky laugh out. «Gryffindors will still win, but I’ll come cheer for you!» He carefully put down his thermos to lift the tin of soup once more. After lifting it about an inch or so, he stopped though. «I’m considering trying out for the quidditch team» He told him solemnly. «I would prefer to play beater, but I’m not against the thought of playing chaser either. Whatever gets me on the team the fastest!»

"Yes," he replied to Max's apparently surprise at his declaration, "I grew up reading stories about honorable duelists fighting for the honor of their houses or loved ones... it's perhaps romanticized in the stories, but it would be a good way for me to prove myself I think..." going on to add, "My grandfather was a tri-athlete during his days here at Hogwarts, in Gryffindor of course - just like you!" he gave Max a wink at that, "he played both quidditch and broom-racing as well as he was in his house's dueling club where he eventually became captain..." he says proudly, though going on with a bit more reluctance in his voice, "though you know how I feel about heights, so I would be terrified to do quidditch or broom racing..." he says, fidgeting a bit with his hands as Max continued to reply.

"You would make a good beater, though I think!" Edward replied enthusiastically to his friend's interest. "You're clearly strong and have a good aim!" with a chuckle while pantomiming throwing a snowball, "of course, like you say, since we're both first years, we'll have to take what we can get for now..." he says with a slight hint of disappointment but seeming understanding given the natural state of affairs, they would grow up in time, but best to enjoy the time they had now while they did. And so with that he went back to sipping on his warm butterbeer thermos, closing his eyes, making an 'mmmmm' noise happily at the comfort of the taste and the moment.

Banner by Julia Evans

Interacting with:———@Edward Bishop
Dialogue:———————#770B08
Date:—————————31.01.26
Words:————————224

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He listened intently while Edward spoke. He himself had grown up with stories too, just none like that. It had probably been closer to what muggles called fairytales, stories about great deed of bravery, sacrifice and love. Edward did perhaps have a point regardless, about stories being exaggerated and romanticized.

He nodded along anyway as he continued to tell. «My parents didn’t really do sports…» He hesitated for a moment. «But Mum started writing news articles already as a student. She even showed me one from her seventh year!» The article had been dreadfully boring. Filled with thoughts of how they as a society could do better. He agreed on what he could understand, but he saw it as sort of boring anyway.

«You really think so?» His voice was outright thin, but hopeful. The need for approval overshadowed the need to look cool for just a moment. He covered it by chuckling at the pretend throw. «I’m sure you’ll do great in dueling too. And there are always the unofficial games to participate in.» He gesticulated a bit as he set down the tin with stew. «We’ll never get any better if we don’t practice!» He nodded to his own point. Training was a good way to impress those lucky few who already had a spot on the team. That could not hurt.