Friends like us Lasts as Flowers do finished

interacting with @Aurelia Notresvace

As Maximilien "Maxi" de Fostoncy [x] English · #586d9d | French · #056b68

And so, this was over. Now he was alone, in the grand ballroom of Hogwarts, considering about the match that just happened prior. Most of the competitors and audience should have left already to the Hospital Wing or their own dorm rooms, and Maxi was indeed aware that he shouldn’t be excluded. But, still, he remained. The Hospital Wing must be crowded, and he really wasn’t in favour of exchanging any word with the Durmstrangs - just in case those brutes decided to bicker or fight, oh, he really didn’t have that vigour left - and plus, this was a chance. For him to have that game reviewed in his head, his behaviours in the event - whenever competing on a field, Maxi didn’t feel much like himself. Broom racing, Hexwizard, it’s all the same. He had always been a steady fighter when it came to the matter of glory, but afterwards, it didn’t feel the same. Like now.

Generally speaking he felt relieved when the heavy armour was gone, even though he did like the feel of being a knight on a horse - Prince Charming, perhaps, if his goal wasn’t to take down the opposite students. Dragons or monsters would suit his dream role much better, though Maxi was clear that he probably couldn’t handle that task. Anyway. The quietness after the hubbub made him feel calm, and viewing around the room where he had just fight alongside with his schoolmates for the honour of his beloved school - oh. He thought he did like it, even if he didn’t feel the thing as that Maxi-ish.

And suddenly he felt something on his neck, someone squeaking merrily and giggling - Maxi’s body rocked slightly when Aurelia first put her weight on him, but thank goodness he managed to steady himself. The feeling of having a friend and knowing that they cared about you wasn’t bad at all. Maxi half-turned his head around (though with difficulty), and grinned back. “Hey Auri.” His eyes would curve, smile emerging on his lips. “Thanks for cheering on.” He had already considered Aurelia as a close friend of his - which he really didn’t have many, only a few held that title - and he did favour her presence.

His grin went wider when Aurelia mentioned the horse. “He or she? I’ve got no idea, but I thought Obsidian fits all the same.” He answered, eyes sparkling while recalling the pure-black animal under his body. “The horse was the best part of the game, you know. Wish I could have it longer.” He had confided in the horse so much, and was sure that the horse liked him as a master as well - if only, Hogwarts would be generous about this horse as a little gift.

Hospital Wing was a place that he had been considered going, but perhaps just not now. “Oh, bet it’s crowded, and I’d rather to be away from that many people.” He admitted. “You may say that I’m scared.” He chuckled slightly. Suddenly Maxi remembered something, and curiosity caught him. “Anyway. I thought you tried to speak to me during the game - a shame I didn’t catch it. About…that boyfriend stuff?”

interacting with @Aurelia Notresvace

As Maximilien "Maxi" de Fostoncy [x] English · #586d9d | French · #056b68

It felt good. Aurelia with him, like a sister. Trusting him. Encouraging him. Maxi’s grey eyes gazed yonder, and then slowly turned back to the floor beneath him. “Thank you,” He would whisper, in a tone which indicated that he was, indeed, smiling. “that means a lot.” It did mean a lot. Aurelia was like, the second friend to him, someone he was attached to and wanted to be on good terms with forever. He wasn’t sure how long this kind of unalloyed friendship could last between them, and now, all he could do was to cherish the moment. The feelings came even stronger when Aurelia offered a horse. What exactly was that feeling? Surprise, fondness, apologies…he couldn’t count. Granted, his grandfather already owned a stable, but that was different. “Oh Auri!” He chirped, smile climbing on his lips. “Thank you, thank you so much!” It was pure joy, genuine happiness. “Maybe we could go horse riding together sometime, I know quite a few good spots in France.”

And almost immediately he regretted having said that. Together? What should he say to his grandfather for allowing him to hang out with Aurelia? Hey grandfather, I’m gonna meet up with a friend I made in Hogwarts. No, she has nothing to do with the family you are seeking for, yes, she is a pureblood, but her family is from Germany…ha. He didn’t think Monsieur le Comte would believe in that. He was utterly loyal to his family despite not receiving much warmth from it, but…he wished to have Aurelia as a friend. At the same time.

The term friend was a word he could never grasp, even more difficult than what lover meant. Friends were people you’d sacrifice yourself for them, and you knew they would do it in return. But friends were also people who turned against each other at some point. Friendships were…delicate things. Maxi couldn’t help but remembering his grandfather’s words spoken before he set off. Find that Notresvace girl. She’s hiding somewhere in that castle. Gather her information and tell me about her. You are my grandson, you are a de Fostoncy, and I know you can fulfil the task. With Auri’s chin resting on his shoulder, Maxi half-closed his eyelids - she wouldn’t see this, anyway - he lied, the very first time in his fourteen years. He lied to his grandfather, telling him that he had never met such a person in London during summer, and he would try his best this time. But would he? No, apparently not. How long would it be, before his grandfather discover Aurelia’s existence himself? Or noticed that he was lying to him? What would happen to him? What would happen…to Aurelia?

Maxi didn’t know. And he didn’t want to know.

Aurelia went sober when the subject of boyfriend was brought up. And seeing her expressions Maxi knew that he had screwed up again, maybe he shouldn’t even have mentioned that. No idea of what’s going on. Wasn’t important. The lesser-known romance writer and poet Maximilien de Fostoncy frowned upon hearing this, these lines obviously indicated that there was something going on. Big things, even. He shouldn’t have gone further, perhaps, he could have just leave Auri alone on the subject and trust her ability to deal with everything, but he was curious. And…although he didn’t want to admit it, deep in his heart he knew that this was something. Some very irrelevant information that he could feed his grandfather, about him finding the girl as the girlfriend of some anonymous person.

“…really?” Maxi frowned and glanced at her critically. And then he softened his voice, and smiled softly and genuinely. Above all, he did care for her. “I…maybe you need someone to talk with. It will certainly feel better, you know, if you consult it with someone else. But it’s absolutely fine if you wanna skip, we can share our opinions on the dinner. You have quite a few good dishes here which I cannot find in Beauxbatons.”

interacting with @Aurelia Notresvace

As Maximilien "Maxi" de Fostoncy [x] English · #586d9d | French · #056b68

“Of course.” He’d reply in a merry tone, dark grey eyes refracting the shining light in the ballroom. Sightseeing with Aurelia definitely sounded like something big to him, something that would leave an indelible impression that he could tell his grandchildren about it when he turned old. A symbolism, perhaps, to show that he, the ever lonely Maximilien, had once had a faithful friend. He…had to cherish. There wouldn’t be much time left.

Aurelia was turning away from the point, leaving the talks about boyfriend behind. Maxi accordingly went quiet, being not sure what to say. He knew he shouldn’t push her if she wasn’t in favour of talking about it, he himself was a master when it came to love - ughhhhh, at least Maxi thought so. He’s such a great author! The modern time wizarding world Cupid! Alright, it’s a very sad thing to admit, but only in the fantasy world he created himself. But anyway. He had enough patience. If Auri needed help, Maxi knew he’d come to her side even before the SOS was sent. Even though on the other hand it seemed like he had lost a chance to feed his grandfather with some irrelevant tea, he would stop - it’s not time yet. He wasn’t yet torn between choices, and so let it be.

The wounds did hurt, he really didn’t know why the Durmstrang guys grew that muscular. Even the girls were super valiant and vigorous, much different from his own teammates - uh, but yeah. It’s needless to say that he preferred the latter, growing up in the elegant and courteous atmosphere. It was by now when he realised that talking and spending time with a trusted friend could indeed erase the pain, like what the stories used to say (and he used to write) but himself had never believed with, and now he could finally confirm the rightness of it. “That’s far, far better.” He muttered, voice a bit shaky feeling her knuckles brushing against the wound. Managing to squeeze a small smile out, he tried to continue. “I don’t really like that specific smell of potions and bandages in the hospital wi - oh.” It did hurt. He should have known that he shouldn’t confide much in such a Hogwarts-organised activity.

“You are very good at healing.” He praised, genuine light shining in his grey eyes. Healers were always highly esteemed, and Maxi did respect their skills and courage. He knew a few students who were exceptionally good at these sort of spells, who had already had healer as their dream job - oh, speaking of this, how about Aurelia? Already a sixth year, has she got any plans for her future? Curiosity poked, and Maxi decided to bring the topic up. As per confirmed, talking was a good way to distract oneself from the pain. “Do you have any aspiration in mind?”