Quiet pleasantries PV Max & Bellamy Closed

Another day, another party. By now, Max had gotten used to being called on to dress and act his best seemingly every other day, and sometimes he even relished it. Walking into a room full of people just the same as his family was as familiar as walking through his own door, and even at the young age of eleven he knew that every one of these meetings was important for the determination of his family's future. Especially when it came to a family who'd amassed the fortune and power of the people his parents were bringing him to visit today.

"Darling, remind me again about the children of the people we're about to visit," his mother said now, holding up a glittering earring to her ear in the mirror before pursing her lips and shaking her head. She dropped it distastefully, leaving it to be caught by a house elf, before picking up another one and trying that. It appeared to please her, because she gave the slightest nod before picking up the other in the pair and donning them, turning to Max with a beatific smile.

"Serena and Desmond," Max recited, hands folded behind his back as he spoke. "Desmond is the older brother and is currently attending Durmstrang. Serena is the younger sister and is my age, and she'll be attending Hogwarts with me this year. I should attempt to befriend her and any other children my age so that I'll have a solid social foundation before starting school." He wasn't entirely sure what a 'solid social foundation' meant, but he'd heard it so often the past few days that he thought he might be muttering it in his fitful sleeps. This was to be an important alliance for his family, and if he showed even the slightest inclination of messing it up then there'd be hell to pay.

His mother reached out to pick a nonexistent piece of fluff from the ridiculously overpriced blazer she'd had made especially for this occasion, nodding happily. "Wonderful. If your social grace is as good as your memory, I'm sure you'll have nothing to worry about." She spent the next few minutes fussing over his hair before his father finally came to join them in the parlor, looking handsome and austere in a suit that showed off his powerful build and perfect posture. When the man walked over to plant a polite kiss onto his wife's forehead, Max couldn't help but shoot a glance at the mirror. They looked like a picture-perfect rich family with suits and elaborate evening ballgowns. As long as the Towers family didn't look close enough to see the cracks, things should go well.

The trip to the house the party was being held at was a terse, brief affair during which his mother and father talked business while he kept his mouth shut like he was told. They apparated a good twenty minutes away from the property to a waiting magical carriage somewhat like the ones that supposedly carried students of Hogwarts to Hogsmeade. If his parents had one thing going for them, it was their sense of old-fashioned propriety that led to a more vintage wealth than nouveau riche; carriages and hand-stitched clothes were a more subtle way to flaunt what they had over fast cars and brand names.

Unfortunately, the carriage wasn't all that comfortable and the next little while was a mess of jostling and the inhabitants bumping shoulders far more often than any of them would like. By the time they reached their destination, Max was a bundle of nerves and wanted nothing more to get out and go search for the children he was supposed to befriend. He was out of the carriage almost before it ceased moving, feet thumping the ground solidly before crunching along it rapidly so he could just get to the house already.

He was almost at the door when a large hand clamped down on his shoulder, forcing him to stop immediately. He kept his eyes straight ahead as his father leaned down the slightest bit from behind him, just enough so that his voice carried to Max's ears and nowhere else. "You'd better not mess this up, boy."

"Yes, sir," was the only correct response, and after a short squeeze that left his shoulder aching, Max was released to stumble up to the threshold. He didn't dare look back to check his mother's reaction as he rang the doorbell and stepped back to wait politely with his parents, plastering on his best smile. The door creaked open to reveal a scared-looking house elf, and his parents didn't spare the creature a glance before sweeping into the house like they owned it to go mingle with the crowds.

Max kept his smile and dipped his head in a slight, nervous nod to the little thing at the door before following his parents inside. They made the usual circles to talk to people and he pretended to be interested, all the while searching for anyone his own age. When it became apparent that the people he was looking for weren't around, his mother dismissed him from their social butterfly-ing with a flick of her fingers, not sparing him a glance as she beamed at the next person. The message was clear: go do your own thing now.

He spent the next few minutes simply searching the inside of the house for something to do. The library was a huge draw and something he would've checked out had he not been given a mission. With a lingering, regretful look at the place of knowledge after confirming there were no kids in there, he decided to try outside. With any luck, he'd at least find the older brother and be able to say... something.

But it wasn't the older brother he spotted in the garden near the juice bar. Heart growing just a little lighter with the amount of relief he felt at not being the odd one out, he approached the girl with what he hoped was a look of confidence. "Evening," he greeted mildly, his throat suddenly dry at the prospect of messing things up and getting in trouble. Diplomatic. That's what he had to be, even if it was a word that he still didn't quite get. He stepped up the juice bar, busying himself with getting a drink as he spoke without looking at her. "This is some party. The house is lovely." There, that worked - if she was the Towers' daughter then it was a compliment, and if she was someone else then at least it sounded polite.

Serena stood awkwardly in the garden, trying very hard not to sigh or look awkward. It was apparently not very ladylike to sigh - amongst many other things - and so, the young girl tried to control her emotions. This was very awkward indeed, however. All she wanted was to just leave. But it was her house - where exactly would a ten year old go? She gazed around the grounds, noticing various little pairs and small groups of people mingling. She recognised a few faces from previous parties but for the life of her, she could not recall anyone's name or who they were. She felt incredibly out of place and uncomfortable, in her own garden and that was not a feeling that the young girl enjoyed. It was something she was getting used to, sadly though. Every party seemed to be like this. Her feeling awkward, shy and very much different to everyone else. In a weird way, she assumed this was life and that everyone felt this way around parties or their family. It was all she knew, after all.

The child took a sip of her juice, trying incredibly hard not to fidget. She then looked around again. As she stood there, she could not help but wonder where her older brother had run off to. He was only a few years her senior but he was very good at these things. He had probably found himself a group of mates already, laughing and having a great whale of a time. Whilst she was here, standing alone and isolated as always. A part of her was a bit envious of how easy he made it look. He looked so comfortable in these situations and yet, he never once thought to try and include her. She was just left on her own to fend for herself. 

Luckily, this did not last for very long. Serena decided that it was best to try and walk around, as though she had somewhere to be or someone to find. At least attempt to look a bit busy so her mother did not find her standing around like a complete loner. She was about to walk back into the house when she heard a voice near her. Snapping her attention towards the owner of the voice, her eyes fell onto a boy that could not have been much older than her. He had brown hair and very striking eyes but Serena could not recognise his face.

She smiled politely, "Thank you," She replied, accepting the compliment despite the fact that the house and party had very little to do with her. Her mother made all of the decisions in this household. From what property to buy to how to decorate it. The party decor and set up was all decided by her and the staff that she hired to do the job. Heck, even Serena's clothing was decided by her mother. Nonetheless, she accepted the compliment and then pondered on what to say next as the awkward silence fell upon the pair. She tried hard to recognise him, just in case they had already met but no name came to mind. Perhaps if she saw his parents, she would know but right now, she had very little to go off. 

Fortunately, the boy was busying himself by getting a drink. This gave her a few seconds to come up with something. Sadly, it was not enough time to come up with anything incredibly witty or fun so instead, she settled with a simple question. "Would you like a tour of the place?" She added, unsure of what else to offer the boy. It was polite to make conversation but Serena was really not sure what to say to him.

She felt like it would have been entirely inappropriate for her to say 'yes, it's some sort of terrible party in a house that I rather not be in right now' as a reply to him, despite the fact that that was what she wanted to say. "I don't believe we've met before..." She continued, a little hesitantly. In truth, they may have met previously and Serena had simply forgotten. She was really hoping that that was not the case - because her mother would kill her if she insulted a guest by forgetting who they were. That would be one of the worst things she did. In fact, as soon as she said it, she regretted that. She ought to have just pretended that she knew who he was so he did not get offended. Unfortunately, it was far too late to backtrack now so Serena hesitantly continued to speak, "I'm Serena Towers." She introduced herself to the boy - that hopefully would not be offended. The young girl hesitated for a split second before offering her hand for a handshake. If she was going to introduce herself, she may as well do it properly. 

Serena could feel her heart pounding the entire time, out of nervousness. She was so afraid that she had said something wrong and that the boy might take it the wrong way. This would not be the first time that someone had been insulted by her words and made a scene out of it. Her mother would be furious if it happened again, especially to a guest. 

So he had found the right person after all - finishing up with his juice, he turned to her with a smile that was genuine instead of just polite, relief a balm over the burning anxiety in his chest. If she knew the house well enough to give a tour, she had to be the daughter, and his parents would be tickled pink to see him wandering the party with the Towers girl in public. It would look good for them to be seen being friendly together, good for both sides and something that would help solidify any alliances being made tonight. And... it was something to do. He'd been left standing around awkwardly around before, hiding behind a juice cup during a party that seemed to be composed entirely of adults, and it hadn't been nice. Getting to know someone his own age was fun, especially if they'd eventually be going to school together.

As she introduced herself and thus doubly confirmed her identity, Max extended his hand eagerly, giving her what his father would call a 'confident' handshake. You were supposed to grip someone's hand tight enough that it wasn't wimpy, but not so tight that you hurt them. Spending an entire day shaking his father's hand in practise had been an awfully weird thing at the time, but he was glad for it now. "Max Avery," he offered back, trying his best to sound like he knew what he was doing. He wasn't positive if he was reading her wrong or not, but she seemed slightly hesitant. He sure hoped it wasn't because he'd done anything to offend her; with how many adults he saw as compared to children, he was sorely lacking friends his own age.

"And sure!" he added quickly, internally wincing at how immature that had sounded. He was supposed to sound more grown-up, yet it was always hard not to sound like an eager little boy. Technically he was just an eager little boy, but that excuse wouldn't fly with his parents. "I mean, I'd love to take a tour of the house. I got a glimpse of it while going around to check out the party, and it looks lovely. The library looks amazing." He'd stopped himself in the nick of time from saying bloody amazing, internally slapping himself for how much of a potty mouth he'd been with his first friend, Tommy. This girl was from the Towers family so she was probably sophisticated and elegant - she wouldn't appreciate any accidental swears.

Speaking of girls, he didn't really know many his own age. He knew his older cousins and had made cursory small talk with a few others at parties, but he'd never had a girl who was a friend. Was it the same as having a boy friend? Did girls also like mischief? He was fairly certain his cousins did, though they were all odd and constantly made fun of him for being young. His aunt definitely did, but a lot of people considered her odd because they thought she liked it too much. Sipping on his drink, he decided to follow the advice he constantly received, and that was to stay cautious. No matter how congenial the company, you had to watch your words like a hawk.

Keeping his cup in hand in case he had to use it to get out of any more awkward conversations one of the passersby might attempt to strike up with kids of two prominent families, he gestured for her to lead the way. He would happily follow wherever she decided to go - the more he learned about the house, the more hiding spots he could find if this went disastrously because he messed up.

"Are you excited for Hogwarts?" he asked as a conversation starter so they could walk and talk at the same time. He was also genuinely curious how another future student felt about the whole situation. His family had always gone there so he'd never even considered whether or not he'd get in, but he supposed it could be something to be celebrated as a big accomplishment. It would definitely be odd to mingle among half-bloods and mudbloods, but it couldn't be any stranger than hanging out with muggles, right? He wondered how Serena would handle it. How her family was expecting to her to handle it because, after all, they had to be similar to his in views if his mother wanted to ally with them. But that was all stuff he couldn't ask now, because subtlety was how these things operated.

The moment his voice hit her ears, a sense of relief flooded over her. Max Avery. By sheer luck, it seemed that the Avery boy had found her. The very same boy who was going to be attending Hogwarts with her in the coming months. Serena knew the name instantly. Her mother had made her memorise it. Her only task for the day was to make sure she mingled with the other children who were attending Hogwarts - to build up a little pureblood army, as it were. She smiled at him, firmly shaking his hand in return, "It's nice to meet you," Serena replied politely with a nod and a smile to seal in the sentiment. Her hesitation in offending someone had been swept away. She did, however, hold a little bit in her heart as she worried about doing something wrong, in front of him. There were plenty of things that could be construed as 'wrong' in her mother's books. From saying the wrong thing to doing the wrong thing. Even something as innocent as accidentally tripping over would be punishable by glares and scolding in this household. 

A grin burst onto her face for a second as she witnessed the boy's very keen reply. He was enthusiastic, at the very least, which made her feel like maybe he was nicer than her mother made him out to be. She liked enthusiastic people - heck, she was one. Just as quickly as he composed, she did the same. Her grin turned into a polite smile as he corrected himself, both attempting to establish control over their emotions it seemed. Nodding, "Ah, thank you. The library is definitely my father's pride and joy," Serena replied, "It houses a rather... extensive collection of books from around the world. My father acquired copious quantities of books through his travels or business endeavours." Serena was honestly not sure if that was the right terminology. She was trying to sound smart and sophisticated, as her parents would want her to. She had heard her father saying something about 'business endeavours' and hoped that she had used the phrase in the right context. In fact, most of what she said was bits and pieces of phrases that she had picked up from her folks. Her father spoke about the ministry 'housing' something scientific and far too intellectual for her to remember, her mother had spoken about the 'extensive collection' of ingredients that her basement contained and someone had mentioned that her family had 'acquired copious quantities' of something before. Or at least, she believed they did. She really hoped she had not used any of the words incorrectly - she did not want Max to think she was unintelligent. 

Deciding to try and distract the boy from noticing any mistakes she might have made, Serena motioned towards the house, "Come, let me take you there," She replied, her eyes quickly scanning the grounds around her. Her mother did not appear to the be in the garden. She wanted to make sure that her mother spotted the two of them together. At least if her mother knew she was with him, she would know that Serena was trying. Hopefully that would warrant some approval from the older lady. She made a gesture for Max to follow her as she began to walk towards the house. 

He asked her about Hogwarts, to which she could grinned a little - unable to contain her excitement. Her elder brother had been shipped off to Durmstrang but she was absolutely thrilled that she did not have to join him there. The place sounded vile, to be quite frank. "I'm not sure exactly what to make of it. I'm the first of the Towers that will attend Hogwarts, which makes it rather exciting in a way. Of course, I think it will be a great opportunity to learn more about the Wizarding World and control our abilities better too," Serena replied as though she was a very studious person. She was not. She did think it would be great to learn more about magic and actually learn to control it. However, she did not really want to study. More so, she had heard a lot of things about Hogwarts - such as rumours of hidden rooms or paths, the stories of ghosts that wander through the corridors, the place that schooled the most recent Dark Lord and the people who stopped him from gaining power. 

A part of her was excited to be the first amongst the family to attend. They all had their own thing but this would be her thing. Just hers. No one else would be able to claim the same as her. No one could tell her what Hogwarts was like. She would discover it for herself, with no expectations from her family. It was simply all hers. They could not say that they did something or another when 'they attended' because it was different. Every school was different. And Hogwarts would be her own.

She had no idea how to feel about everything but she really liked that Hogwarts was more accepting. It seemed to allow non-purebloods into the school, even letting them take positions of power. The former Minister of Magic, Hermione Granger, after all, had been a muggle born. She did not know much about her, to be honest - as her mother dared not speak a lot of the 'mudblood Minister' but the nickname was evidence enough of her blood status, "What about yourself? Are you looking forward to it?" Serena asked him, wondering if he was the sort of pureblood that would prefer to go to an all-pure school like Durmstrang.

   Frigid and hollow the night was, even for this family. As the family ambled away from their pearlescent black vehicle that glimmered under the street lamp, it illuminated the feign night a little more. "Maman, Madalyn et je, pouvons-nous jouer avec les autres filles quand nous arriverons?" Listening, the mother slightly turned her head, facing the rear of her, to acknowledge her eldest daughter. "Greet the other families that are at the party first, Valerie, then you can go join your friends," Valerie nodded her head stared towards her sister, smiling with delight of the permission. "Conduct yourselves, girls, we're at a gathering remember, not a slumber party," Bellamy's mother rested her hand on her partner to remind them of their youth, he faintly grinned.

      Impeding their approach to the home of their host, Bellamy edged his movements to the ever dull night. The distaste in his eyes towards the act of flattering people's reputation at these trivial events we're one of the boy's pet peeves. "Hey punk, don't even try it this time. I'll be watching you," Glancing towards his father, who was already looking at him while they walked gave some sign he heard him during the whole walk. "I want you to greet the Hostess's children, alright!" Approaching the steps of the house, the father stopped in his place, letting the girls and his spouse pass him, to only meet up with his son, When he met his son at the same pace, he made them both stop towards the first steps. "No more of that ghosting nonsense tonight from you. and don't even try to ask the -," His speech ceased as Bellamy's mother knocked on the door. Greeting the family in, they said their hellos, nodding and entering the house. Although Bellamy was the last one to enter as he peered at the home's structure momentarily, buying whatever little time, he had for himself. Watching his family file in, all of the lights in the house were lit, Bellamy noticed continuous shadows move through the first floor. Bellamy inhaled and exhaled slowly, filling his lungs with cold air that prepared him for what was to come; it was quite the party by the looks of it. The room was engrossed with the status of these far from familiar guests as they reeked this cheap odor of gentry and grandeur. These grown-up parties in 'noble homes' weren't the places Bellamy would spend too long in; a common perspective that was at least one thing him and his father shared in.

        "See you later bro!" The tiny grin that Madalyn produced while walking away with her Valerie was sufficient enough to make this party for Bellamy somewhat pleasurable, he lately waved shortly after from a fair distance. "Bellamy." The sense of the charming moment instantly washed out of existence, for his father beckoned of him. Stiffing up, he sauntered towards his father, making a subtle pound with his feet, marching like a soldier "Yes, Sir?" Glancing downward at his son, He reached around Bellamy, caging him firmly, deliberately securing his arms around the boy. Hugs were typically gratifying or even heartening to feel from anyone, a sign of acceptance at most. However, from others, his father’s hug toward him was far from comforting. To Bellamy, this was like a lock at most. Seizing with his right hand, Bellamy’s head stood ever so still while his father gripped it. Maintaining a constricting handle, on the mid area of his back with the left hand. His father was not embracing his son, he was warning him, “Fais bien mon fils.” The sensation of every muscle in his body longingly ached from his ‘ever so loving’ father, the man released his son, turning and walking away into the crowd of celebrators. Rotating both sides of his arms and his neck, Bellamy turned around alarmed, sparingly move the few top portions of his limbs. The moments, he spent readjusting himself were measureless to his mind for Bellamy's focus was faint. Coming around an arched entryway, his other sister showed up, Valerie. Hands behind her back and head tilted, she came up to Bellamy, concerned for him, "Est-ce que ça va, grand frère??" Not even lifting his arm to her, he gave a thumbs up to her, showing that he was still aware of his surroundings. Unclamping her arms from her back, Valerie shoved her arms between Bellamy, gently squeezing him slightly as she apparently watched from afar of what had occurred. Bellamy wanted her to not hug him as it felt like it was happening again. Placing his hands around her waist, he was close to removing her from her reach until she spoke again, easing and pleasantly reminding him of the good things, “Madelyn et moi sommes là pour vous, Bell” The hands that were once on her waist were now on the opposite sides of her, clutching tightly onto her immensely, not wanting to let go. Bellamy's chin rested on her right shoulder, while her face dug deep into his chest. Letting go gently, she uttered out a few words to him, “You probably have to go now, brother, Father probably gave you something to do, right?” Nodding to her response, he broke away hastily from her to do what his father asked, leaving his sister at the entrance area.

      Sauntering around the house, Bellamy searched for his objective, his father tasked him to do. The boy went from room to room. Inspecting every twit who looked around his age in the room. “Où sont-ILS?” Becoming frustrated with the fact, he could not find the girl. Bellamy grew irritated of this hunt for the hostess's children, "What the heck! This house isn't that big! I mean -" While having his subtle rant, he noticed that people were here and there exited out of the home into their backyard the family had. Following clumps of people out, Bellamy found himself outside again.