- the sky, the stars, and me - “just address me as me Maxi, will you?” Reducio amortentia - very sweet smell, a mix of different types of flowers - especially rose and lavender - and various kinds of fruits, not to mention the clean smell of air after rain polyjuice - in a rich purple colour, like velvet; smooth and thick, with a rather sweet taste, though you can detect the bitter taste underneath if you drink slowly; the taste of sage and gardenia may be identified from the sweetness mirror of erised - his family surrounding him: his mother, radiant with youth and happiness, watching him with a gentle smile; his father embracing him, saying that he’s proud of him; his grandfather patting his shoulder and praising him in the most earnest tone boggart - the corpse of his mother Mélanie, and the figures of his father and grandfather turning their backs on her ───────────────────

- / behind the names / Reducio maximilien. the greatest rené. reborn pascal. easter child jacques. he who supplants vincent. conquering louis. renowned warrior de. son of fostoncy. last name age. 15 year. fifth gender. cis male species. human blood. pureblood birthdate. mar 10 2008 school. beauxbatons residence. lyon, france ──────────────── LES BAS. ──────────────── ─────────────────────

| le histoire |

Reducio

—the family.

Reducio

The de Fostoncy family - who resided in Lyon, France - was a pureblood family of French origins and with rich history. Able to be backdated to the 17th century, the family lived in a wine estate which they named the Château de Fostoncy, and gained a profit by selling wines.

They were against the muggles. Muggleborns and half-bloods were really not a choice for the de Fostoncy family. French origin, and pureblood, that were things that they valued most. They were exceedingly proud of themselves, especially the “de” in the family last name - “It shows history.” said Louis de Fostoncy, the current head of this honorable family. His sister Karen - who was married to an English wizard named Herbert Springhall [Lindsey’s grandfather] against their parents’ will - was not so positive regarding the pureblood pride, though Louis still loved her dearly and even helped her with persuading their parents for her to marry Herbert.

However, Louis’s marriage was not that fortunate like his sister’s, the latter lived on with her husband and children happy enough. Like any other heirs of noble families, Louis married his arranged wife, a beautiful young lady from another notable pureblood family in France. Their marriage was a happy one, but this came to an end when Louis’s wife passed away when giving birth to their only son Vincent, whom she named after her own father. Not much was known of her, as this lady, the young Madame de Fostoncy back in those days, was the least person that Louis wished to mention - he loved her deeply, and he couldn’t afford the loss of her. And Vince, as what she had always called yonder tenderly when she was alive and pregnant, grew up motherless.

Vincent’s life was just like his father’s. Accepted into Beauxbatons, graduated as a straight O student, got married with a woman that he had never met properly before eighteen - he went on the same path as Louis’s. Only, he was all alone, without a tender mother or a loving sister. And as a result, he became a solitary and unsociable person. His gorgeous wife, Mélanie Janvaque, was adored by many people at that time, and Vincent was regarded as extremely lucky. They were a loving couple to others, with wealth and youth - really, how could you ask for more?

Only Mélanie herself knew how unhappy she was. Vincent had formed a careless personality, self entered and not caring for anyone else. She had hardly smiled after marrying into the de Fostoncy family. The life was dull, and Louis was extremely strict to his daughter in law. “Take care of Madame.” Everybody said so. Mélanie, the wavy haired woman knew that she did not need to be taken care of like a little baby - she just needed some time alone. Some time that she could express herself freely. She had given up her long loved drawing career, as well as music - she was quite a good singer in her youth. But, really, a painter or a musician? No, the young Madame de Fostoncy was not expected to become either of these two. Instead, she was expected to bring a heir to the family.

And, to everyone’s delight, she did.

—early life.

Reducio

Maximilien came to life on a serene and beautiful night of March 10th, 2008. His full name was pretty long — Maximilien René Pascal Jacques Vincent Louis de Fostoncy. His birth was fairly welcomed by the pureblood society in France, as it meant that the noble house of de Fostoncy had successfully passed the blood down to the next generation.

The new boy’s name achieved the usual standards of the family - apart from the family name, six names in total. Maximilien, meant “the greatest”, as the heir of this honorable family should always be the best. René, meant “reborn”, in hope that the boy would bring new achievements like his ancestors did. Pascal, meant “Easter child”, since Mélanie had always had a strong belief that her son would be born sometime near the Easter holidays. Jacques, meant “he who supplants” - associated with victory. Vincent, his father’s name. And finally, Louis, his grandfather’s. It was a tradition to keep the heir’s last two middle names are the same as his father and grandfather’s first name - and that’s how young Maximilien had Vincent and Louis in his names. In his family he was strictly called “Maximilien” and only “Maximilien”, however he would introduce himself to peers as “Maxi”. Though don’t try to call him “Max”. The boy would get annoyed surely, as he disliked the masculine sound. It didn’t fit his rather skinny figure, he knew it.

From the outside, when someone first laid their eyes on Maximilien, they would say that he resembled his mother. With messy dark brown hair and dark grey eyes instead of the de Fostoncy family’s curly golden brown hair, he was more like a member of the Janvaque family. However his body built and face were somehow like his grandfather, and the boy was handsome. Almost exceedingly. As for the inside, Maximilien was quiet, and did more than say. He was a well-mannered child, and very loyal. Overall a good-natured child, Maxi was not difficult to get along with - yet he was a bit shy, so you’d better strike the conversation up before he fled the scene.

Maximilien was taught to call his grandfather “Monsieur le Comte”, a title Louis gave to himself (which was obviously cool and honorable in his mind) and his father “Monsieur le Chevalier” rather than “grandfather” and “father”. His mother, on the other hand, was forced to be called “Madame” by her son though she did not like it. Though tenderly loving each other, Maxi could not spend much time with his mother daily as he was expected to learn. His schedule was tight, and despite how hard he worked there were always tasks left for him to do before meeting his mother. Speaking of schedules, the family established a full set of rules for the young boy. He had to get up at seven o’clock in the morning, had breakfast in twenty minutes, then began his course of the day. Usually it was about spells, charms and potions, but his father would be glad to teach him some hexes and jinxes sometimes too. Maximilien never liked the dark arts, but if his father taught him, he could not refuse. Only, the boy might be secretly not taken the course fully in his heart. In the afternoon his tasks were to learn the pureblood etiquettes and physic training. Monsieur le Chevalier had always wanted his son to be part of the teams in Beauxbatons. In the evening, he mostly did some free reading. Though it was called “free”, muggle novels that his second cousins loved were strictly forbidden.

Monsieur le Chevalier seldom talked to his son except the essentials, being an aloof person of few words. Instead, he preferred to occupy himself with the family business and were often out in the vineyard. Madame wanted to speak with him, but she usually didn’t have the chance. Honestly speaking, she was a bit afraid of the consequence of taking up her son’s time learning - her father-in-law or husband would possibly scold her, seeing how strict they were with the boy. Monsieur le Comte on the other hand loved conversing with his grandson whenever he had the chance, but sadly Maxi usually wasn’t interested in this self-centred old wizard’s topics at all. Pureblood society? Wines? Dances? Ugh, young Maxi would rather avoid talking about those.

As a result, the boy grew up in a place that extremely lack family affections. Though the de Fostoncy wine estate was extremely large and comfortable to live in, Maximilien was not really happy. Daydreaming started to play a significant role in his life, imagination coming along and later on reflecting on the works he’d write when he was older. Despite growing to be a seemingly calm and unmoved kid like what his grandfather had expected, Maxi was actually remained naive and imaginative underneath. He seemed to inherit his mother’s knack for arts - he could paint well, sometimes sing, and above all write things excellently. Poetry and short stories helped him through the most difficult and lonely times, and Maxi knew that only when writing was he truly peaceful.

When the boy was five, he experienced his first magic. Monsieur le Comte decided that it was time for his grandson to attend some fancy balls, though he knew that Maximilien did not like large social events. He cried hard and was really angry for not wanting to go, but was forced by his grandfather. However, when his mother tried to put on the fancy clothes for him, something strange happened — although all the outfits were made according to his height and weight, they were just too big. They tried several times, but every time the outfit became ill fitting. Finally the adults realized that it was because their heir’s magic had surfaced. They gave up, and the boy was not taken to large balls until he was six.

—beauxbatons era.

Reducio

coming soon.

- a list of favourites name. maxi “the best one ever.” plant. cornflower “beautiful, isn’t it?” season. summer “joyous and youthful.” fruit. blueberry “very delicious.” drink. milkshake “sweet and tender.” colour. grayish blue “simply gorgeous.” animal. nightingale “amazing little creatures.” holiday. easter “the meaning of Pascal.” ──────────────── characteristics. ──────────────── Reducio appearance. From any aspects, Maximilien was a good looking boy. His eyes were of dark grey color like his mother, and were calm and intelligent. Sometimes his eyes were even shown as black in the darkness. His dark brown hair was almost black, and was actually curly, but somehow his grandfather managed to comb them smoothly that seemed his hair was straight. When he was young, you could identify the curls clearly, but in his teens, it was much more difficult. His height was of average, and the boy was of athletic built, since his grandfather had always wanted him to be the part of one of the teams in Beauxbatons. Fair, he was, just like everyone else in his family. Usually dressed in dark-coloured clothes, he had successfully inherited both of his parents’ advantages in their looks though more resembling his mother, especially in both hair and eye colours. Like what Vincent de Fostoncy, his father, had proudly said, “Nobody looks awful in our family, and my son is especially handsome among all of them.” Current height| 174cm/5'7" Current weight| 65kg/143lbs Reducio personality. Growing up lacking family affections from his father and grandfather, Maximilien was generally quiet. Shy, he was a little bit, and would not be opening his heart to someone he did not know well immediately. He was taught to do more than say, and the boy carried it out well. He would always be the one doing things quietly for everyone, and left the whole scene first. Kind, intelligent and loyal, this helped to build the boy up. Passionate towards most people, he was, and especially to ladies. Though always not saying much, Maximilien was proud inside, and was extremely stubborn. He would always be sticking to a thing or a belief that he was approved of, and possibly would not change his mind. He had his own set of rules to measure the world, and anything off limits was strictly forbidden in his book. Maximilien, on the outside, looked much more mature and serious than his peers, and seemed a person that would analyze the situation carefully. However, don’t be deceived. Deep in his heart he was a child, longing for freedom and carefreeness. He was imaginative, and full of romantic air. Daydreaming played a huge part in the boy’s life, under his mature, unmoved and uptight skin. Maximilien was a deep thinker, and seemed always down in his own thoughts, no matter he’s alone or not. He lacked family affections, that was true, but it didn’t mean that he couldn’t create a secret world of his own that he would enjoy out of nowhere. Overall he was really good-natured, and would love to help someone in order to make everybody feel comfortable. The boy was well-mannered as well, and most people liked him. He was taught to be polite, and Maxi followed his grandfather and father’s instructions strictly. He was Maximilien René Pascal Jacques Vincent Louis de Fostoncy - he bore the de Fostoncy name on his young shoulders. He knew that least thing he wished to do was to upset his family, especially his mother. Maybe that was the reason why he hadn’t been bored of his dull life - to him, after all, blood was thicker than water. ──────────────────────────────

───────────── faceclaim: David Mazouz Reducio CHARACTER INSPIRATIONS -Jean Prouvaire [Les Misérables] -Olivier Jeannin [Jean-Christophe] -Raoul de Bragelonne [The Vicomte de Bragelonne] -Edgar Linton [Wuthering Heights] -David Copperfield [The Personal History of David Copperfield]

POSITIVE ────────── poetry & flowers pretty ladies daydreaming his mother romance politeness fantasies

NEUTRAL ────────── pranks adventures studying flying games balls & dances purebloods

NEGATIVE ────────── loud ones rudeness show-offers pedantry strict rules large crowds recklessness

THREADS. Reducio SECOND YEAR Oct 9, 2020 | With Grace | w/ Sylvie Everett, Erin Ryan, Cassie Heather McGregor-Martin, Charles Alluring ↳ Maxi’s very first Hogwarts trip. He had some friends to reunite with and something to settle with his fiancée. Oct 14, 2020 | You and You Only | w/ Elise Laurent ↳ A random glance and…hey, my Queen. Oct 17, 2020 | The Fall Ball (Masquerade) | w/ Elise Laurent ↳ Initially, this was a perfect evening. But when weird things started to happen during the ball, Maxi began to wonder if Hogwarts was really a safe place. May 29, 2021 | Blossom Ball - Underworld | w/ Lindsey Springhall ↳ Another ball Maxi attended in Hogwarts. He thought this one was much better than the last one, but it seemed that his cousin as well as ball date Lindsey didn’t think so? THIRD YEAR Aug 12, 2021| Truth or Dare Group 1 | w/ Noah Jupe, Autumn Ivy ↳ After completing Noah’s dare and daring Autumn, Maxi left the game, as well as performing his trademark hair flip. Aug 20, 2021 | Spin the Bottle Group 2 | w/ Scarlet Salvatore ↳ Feeling utterly awkward, Maxi fled from this random kissing game. Oct 21, 2021 | Welcome to Hogwarts | w/ André Alarie ↳ Maxi visited Hogwarts with his bestie André. The mysterious rumours about the Hogwarts head of houses certainly provoked his interest. Oct 29, 2021 | Samhain Festival | Solo ↳ Another attempt of the Hogwarts ball. Oct 29, 2021 | Fall Ball | w/ Rose Moon ↳ Mademoiselle Rose was beautiful, but the storm certainly wasn’t. Jumping down from the top of a floating tent with an umbrella in hand, the new time Mary Poppins was now born. Mar 12, 2022 | Make My Day | w/ Henri de Bourbon ↳ When writing a poem alone on a cozy Saturday, Maxi made a new friend. Mar 27, 2022 | Those Who Dare | w/ Phylicia Stanwood ↳ While his grandfather urged him to participate the Hexwizard game, Maxi wasn’t quite a fan. Phyllis tried to convince him and invited him to a bet if Hogwarts was dangerous or not. Mar 27, 2022 | The Goblet of Fire | Solo ↳ Under the dare, Maxi threw his name into the Goblet of Fire. Apr 2, 2022 | Midspring Celebration | w/ Phylicia Stanwood ↳ Maxi attended the Spring Ball with Phyllis hoping to show her that Hogwarts was, in fact, a dangerous place and thus win the bet. Apr 2, 2022 | Flying Torch Tag | w/ Phylicia Stanwood ↳ Maxi joined a game of Flying Torch Tag with Phyllis. He surprisingly won the game, but lost the bet with Phyllis - merrily though, because this was actually one of the best ball experiences he had ever had. FOURTH YEAR Jul 2, 2022 | Between Ourselves | w/ Phylicia Stanwood ↳ Maxi and Phyllis exchanged letters to get to know each other better during July. Aug 1, 2022 | Found a Friend Looking for a Foe | w/ Aurelia Notresvace, Pea Elena Fowl ↳ While Maxi’s grandfather asked him to 1) find Aurelia 2) keep a close eye on her 3) report it to him, Maxi decided that she was rather a good friend to him. Aug 2, 2022 | Once Upon A Time… | w/ Phylica Stanwood ↳ What’s better than the combination of campfire and stories? Aug 6, 2022 | Quidditch Spectator: Ilvermorny & Castelobruxo v Mahoutokoro & Beauxbatons | Solo ↳ Maxi cheered for Phyllis on her Quidditch match. Aug 14, 2022 | Truth or Dare - Group TWO | w/ Phylicia Stanwood, Quentin Gagné, Maggie Hawkins, Manuela Macedo ↳ A much more interesting Truth and Dare game. But why did he end up holding Phyllis’ hand throughout the game? Aug 20, 2022 | Broom Racing: Durmstrang v Mahoutokoro & Beauxbatons | w/ Beauxbatons & Mahoutokoro team ↳ Maxi stood on his first international broom racing start line. Oct 23, 2022 | Hexwizard Task 1: Beauxbatons v Durmstrang | w/ Beauxbatons Hexwizard team ↳ Maxi played in a chess combat game, transforming into a very valiant knight. Oct 23, 2022 | Friends like us Lasts as Flowers do | w/ Aurelia Notresvace ↳ Aurelia healed and talked with him after Maxi had completed the long and tiring Hexwizard task 1 with his schoolmates. Dec 24, 2022 | Virtanen Yule Ball 2022 | w/ Andy Menton, Aurelia Notresvace ↳ Maxi attended the Virtanens Yule Ball with his rest of family. FIFTH YEAR

RELATIONSHIPS. Reducio FAMILY Louis de Fostoncy | grandfather ↳ It’s complicated. I often want to flee from his constraint, but he is actually more like father to me and I just couldn’t. Obedience might be the key. Vincent de Fostoncy | father ↳ He has his heart on business all day long and rarely cares for me, so our relationship is very distant. I don’t even know much about him, except for the fact that he is Monsiuer le Comte’s son. Mélanie de Fostoncy | mother ↳ I love her. She is unhappy and isolated in the family, and I just wish that I can have more time to be with her. BEAUXBATONS HOGWARTS ILVERMONY UAGADOU

- TRUNK -

| stats |
sta 9 · eva 14 · wis 13 · str 4 · arc 7 · acc 11
+3 from quidditch win & broom racing win & duelling win

| abilities |

—year 1. lovely creature

Reducio

At the time Maximilien was born, he was considered handsome. It was not really a surprise, though, since his parents were all extremely good looking. Mélanie Janvaque was one of the most gorgeous girls in class in her school days, and Vincent de Fostoncy was secretly had a crush on by many students. Honestly speaking, no one in the family wasn’t good looking — from Louis to Maximilien.

Successfully inherited his mother’s eye color and hair color, the boy was fairly good looking. He had good the straight nose of the de Fostoncy family, and thin, pink lips. His eyelashes were long, and were of brown color. His mother regarded him as a doll when he was sleeping. Actually, even if the boy’s awake, he was like a gorgeous statue.

When walking on the streets in Lyon, Maximilien was looked attentively by many strangers. They stopped when he and his father passed by, and pointed at them secretly. Sometimes the boy’s ears would catch a few words like “handsome” “good looking” “lovely”. He was young at that time, and did not really take these things seriously. However his father was glad. Glad that someone had praised his son.

Attending fancy balls played a large part in the family. Louis de Fostoncy, the current count, especially loved these kinds of activities. Taking the beautiful Madame de Fostoncy, the handsome Chevalier de Fostoncy, and the young de Fostoncy heir was just extremely agreeable, since whenever and wherever the family of four showed up, they would earn applause and praises. People admired the wealthy family, but especially, envied their beauty. They dragged the young heir near them, and examined him carefully, hoping to point some flaws on his face out. However, they failed. Maximilien was too lovely to find out a flaw. If you had to point something out, you might say that he’s a bit chubby — but he was still a good looking child. The old ladies especially loved this pretty boy. They talked with him for hours, even if the boy got bored.

By the time he was eleven, Maximilien had became even more handsome. He had mostly grew his chubby cheeks out, became taller, athletic built, and was always dressed in elegant dark colored clothes. The boy was still admired and envied by many others, and the future count of the de Fostoncy family was highly estimated.

Without a doubt, Maximilien de Fostoncy was always a lovely creature.

WC | 405

—year 2. perfectionist

Reducio

Growing up, Maximilien had always been a perfectionist. Being stubborn, he wanted everything to be the best — which he would not regret afterwards.

From the age of four, his grandfather forced him to stay inside the house and study spells and potions for the whole morning. His father was his mentor — and to his surprise, Maximilien did everything extremely well. One day Monsieur le Chevalier taught him a difficult potion, and within hours, Maximilien could revise the recipe correctly. Vincent was surprised. But what he did not know is, after he had gave the book to the young Maximilien and left, the boy copied the recipe for seven times. It was really long, but he still did it.

Upon the time he was accepted into Beauxbatons, Maximilien was hard working student. He loved Charms and Potions, as well as Defense Against the Dark Arts. Most of his classmates had seen this boy working alone late at night in his dormitory, and many of them had seen him practicing spells in an empty classroom. The library was nearly Maximilien’s second home — he did not have many friends, so he visited there a lot during weekends.

The boy wanted everything to be perfect. He studied hard, did physical exercises everyday, and kept a healthy diet. He was proud and stubborn, so it helped him to be perfect. Day by day, he continued to study in the library and his dorm. And as a result, he improved day by day.

He received seven Os in his examination. His grandfather and father was really glad, but they still lacked knowledge of how hard Maximilien had worked. Most things were perfect — and that’s exactly what Maximilien wanted to see. He was overjoyed to see his academic results, and the boy decided that he would even study harder afterwards. He wanted himself to be the best, though he had never spoken it out loud.

When it’s the summer before his second year, Maximilien spent tons of time reading in the library in the de Fodtoncy Estate. While his grandfather was busy showing off at friends’ houses, his father busy running the wine estate, and his mother busy visiting her own maiden family, Maximilien read, and learnt. He had briefly met his cousins for two days, and all they saw was the boy was reading whenever and wherever. Maximilien loved it, and decided to do everything well.

His knowledge of spells and potions were extending every moment. It’s no surprise that he had already became a perfectionist — because, Maximilien de Fostoncy was just born as one.

WC | 424

—year 3. spell spread

Reducio

Summer. Summer was always agreeable for Maxi, and especially this one. Monsieur le Comte had accepted the Duke Springhall’s invitation for him staying over for July, and thus Maximilien arrived at the Springhall Heights as soon as his schoolyear ended in Beauxbatons. The Duke welcomed him warmly, and he soon won the old wizard’s favour - who agreed to give him some lessons on duelling.

We would skip the part of how Maxi won this special favour, as even the boy himself was quite ignorant of the reason. Maybe it was because of his fine etiquette, compared to Edmund and Lindsey - or it was simply because that the Duke desperately wished to teach some young wizards the art of combating magic. Maxi knew that Edmund was nowhere near the title of a duellist, and Lindsey was on her house Quidditch team, and the Duke wasn’t very into that - somehow he regarded duelling as “the only sport that’s worth participating”.

But anyways, everything started within a week he arrived. Maximilien began to visit the Duke’s personal studio daily at 10 o’clock in the morning, and showed up as the very last one for tea. Finding his interests in the ancient English books about duelling, Maxi was more than happy to expand his knowledge. He was a perfectionist and wished perfection in everything, after all. Practicing always came after simple reading. It would be countless times every day, when Maxi raised up his wand and uttered the incantation out. The Duke would watch over every single spell he casted at the dummies (the Duke Springhall did have one or two in his studio), and offered him some help. And then he would teach the young Frenchman some strategies and tactics, the latter found everything fascinating, including the stern looking old wizard himself.

But no. None of these were as fascinating - as grand as what happened the other day, when he was about to leave in a few days. It was just like every other morning in York, cloudy and a little bit rainy. Facing two dummies and having the old wizard closely watching, Maxi raised his wand up. “Flipendo!” he uttered in perfect English, which made the Duke’s knitted brows smoothed. As what both the old and the young had expected, one line of blue light flashed out directly from the point of Maximilien’s wand. It was perfect. Not the strongest version nor the most powerful one, but already ideal enough for a thirteen-year-old. Seeing the would almost certainly hit the dummy on the left, the Duke was about to say something, when -

It was all of a sudden, and it was unbelievable. But it was true. As true as he was named Maximilien René Pascal Jacques Vincent Louis de Fostoncy. The spell split in two and targeted both of the dummies. Both were knocked over, and Maximilien stood there with surprise, wand still raised up in the air. The Duke was just as silent as the boy was, sitting there motionlessly.

“Nice work, young man.” the old wizard finally started, nodding approvingly. “Few wizards can achieve that…only those who are truly talented…” Lowering his wand and stepping forward to right the knocked-over dummies, Maxi smiled at the old wizard. “Thank you, Monsieur le Duc.” he said softly, while slowly raising his wand up again at the dummies.

He utilized his left days in the Springhall Heights to practice and get tutorials from the Duke - who helped him to learn to control his split spell. Maximilien knew that a grander spell meant a higher chance of failure. So he had to practice hard, like what a true perfectionist would do. Day by day his skills improved. And although backfiring still happened occasionally, he was far more better than what he had done the very first day he when discovered his skill.

When he packed his things to leave for the Hogwarts Summer Camp on July 31st, it was raining outside. James Kingsleigh, the Duke’s clerk, offered to take him to the York train station, where he could set off for London. Maxi accepted this gratefully, and the two walked together silently in the rain, luggage in hand. James regretted not taking his wand with him, as they would only be able to conjure one umbrella using Maxi’s wand - instead of two, and Maxi shook his head. “I believe it’s alright, Mister Kingsleigh.” he smiled, while reaching for his wand. “Pluvia Velo.”

James watched the the young French boy conjuring two umbrellas and passing one to him in surprise. However, he remarked nothing. Just a simple, grateful nod, and the two continued their walk in the rain with two umbrellas. No one was going to get wet. The skill was useful - thought Maxi. Indeed.

WC | 798

—year 4. perfectionist II

Reducio

What was exactly obsession? Maxi was longing to know the answer. He’d looked for it in his grandfather’s library, polled a few classmates for their opinions, and pondered it while wandering through his family’s wine estate. That was, until someone told him that he was prone to obsessions. It was certainly a helpful clue, now all he had to do was look through his hobbies and things that piqued his interest to figure out the answer.

Lovely ladies? No, that wasn’t supposed to be an obsession. Flowers? Erm, he didn’t do much gardening to be honest. Spellcasting? Perhaps, he’d been practicing diligently and eager to know more about the art of combating magic, but he had already left the duelling team. In terms of extracurricular activities, earlier that year, he had switched from the Beauxbatons duelling team to broom racing. At the beginning he thought it was nothing than a mere impulse, only because racing sounded like the perfect combination of broom and spells, both of which he didn't want to miss. His grandfather was entirely supportive (how honourable for his grandson to be recognised on the track, and just think of the renown and scholarship!), as was his father, though the latter was slightly concerned that his son wouldn't be as dedicated to spellcasting as he had been previously. Maxi reassured Vincent that this would not happen, and he devoted himself into training without wasting any time. He started small, riding and avoiding obstacles and attacks. Day by day he got better, learning from experienced teammates and actively engaging in team practices. And he was certainly achieving things - he could target opponents moving fast on brooms as if they were on their feet, and he could as well ride through the wind and remain unmoved. Maybe that’s just what obsession was.

Oh, and there’s writing. Maxi did not forget about his little interest of writing, whether it was a poem, a fantasy, or a novella. People could dismiss this pastime as whimsical, especially when they come across the nymphs and nightingales written on the parchment, but Maxi adored them. It played a significant part in his life, and he made sure that he could write at least two poems and a short fable every week, no matter how busy he was. When he returned home for summer, Maxi secretly presented his mother his latest work as a gift without letting his grandfather or father know (they wouldn't approve of him writing this because it's “useless”, he knew it). A story about a well-educated young lady who overcame all hurdles with tenacity and pursued her dream career as an artist, despite her family’s opposition. When Mélanie read it, she couldn’t help but shed tears because the protagonist resembled her a lot but ended up realising her drea, unlike her. Impressive, she told her son tenderly, you really have a knack for this, my dearest little Maximilien, and I love it so much. Maxi smiled upon his mother’s comment, feeling that everything was worth it. Nobody knew how hard he had worked on the novella - how many times had he revised it? Seven? Eight? And at least two times were thorough amendments. When he was finally satisfied with his work, he transcribed the whole story in neat handwriting on fresh parchments, which took another three days to finalise. Indeed, he sure had some talent in this and writing the story did offer him much joy, but the effort paid also played a big part in making the whole thing perfect. Maxi never regretted it taking up his free time though, he knew perfecting the present for his mother was all he really wanted. Was that, by any chance, some kind of obsession?

He thought about many things, things that had, no matter briefly or chronically, once occupied his mind. After days meditating on the subject, Maxi thought he could now answer it. To strive for perfection. Maybe that’s what obsession really meant.

WC | 663

—year 5. non-human enthusiast

Reducio

Maxi had always been a swot.

From the time he could remember things he was into stories, or to be exact, fairytales and legends. First were the wizard novels and adventures found in his father’s studio — there weren’t many of them, but Maxi found great pleasure in reading them before he ever started his study in Beauxbatons. As soon as he enrolled he’d secretly borrow those muggle fairytales from his muggleborn classmates, and managed to read them when his grandfather was not around. Years passed, and Maxi was finally able to come to a conclusion out of this somehow fanatic passion — that, no matter who the main character was, be them wizard or muggle, a prince, princess, knight or a mere normal person, there was always something — or rather someone — that was never absent in such books.

Creatures.

Be it dragons or phoenixes, be it vampires or werewolves. They might be the ones that unfortunately fell in love with the princess at the same time as the prince, or might be some evil forces that tried to eat the knight in distress. Anyway, it seemed that they were inseparable from such stories, let it be muggle-ish or wizarding (only their forces in the wizarding stories might even be stronger to match the abilities of a wizard). Maxi’s interest in these beings was provoked.

He started to do research on these creatures. Being a wizard who was even able to meet these creatures in person if he was lucky enough (though it seemed now that he wasn’t that lucky, after all), it wasn’t difficult for him to gather relevant books and literature, and not before long he was able to absorb himself in the creatures’ world. Their characteristics were the first thing he paid attention to, and then their special abilities, their breeding, and their languages. Maxi thought he had known them better through such researches, and indeed he did. He soon became the introducer of magical creatures among the boys in his dorm, and, with his ability of story telling, he was quite welcomed.

Maxi had always been a storyteller.

The first time he’d compose a poem, he decided to write about a young Dhampir. He put his knowledge about the vampires and dhampirs into practice, but disappointedly found that he was still far from writing them well. The knowledge he got about them were basic, and he was far from an expert to use the information at his will. And so, he set out for the library again after class, and spent a week’s evenings reading the books he borrowed from the library in his dormitory. He took notes and drew graphs, and finally he thought he had gained a much deeper understanding of this certain breed. Maxi was excited and soon threw himself into writing. The poem was successful according to his friends, and was commented as “authentically vampirish”, even though none of them had ever seen a real vampire. Maxi was exceptionally glad about this first small but firm step — he had grasped the key of learning more about these non-humans. And so, he ventured his way further and looked up more information about them.

Hogwarts was known for its diversity, which Maxi respected a lot. The more times he visited Hogwarts, the more interested he got in it. If possible, he would really love to meet one or two not-perfectly-full-human students and get to know them and their special race eldership. Even though this wish had not been completed so far, Maxi was still running fast on his non-human research track. He continued to read and to take notes, and to compose poems and write novellas featuring non-human characters. And if there was one word to describe him, that would be…

Enthusiast.

WC| 631

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broom racer