music when the lights go out

[OOC: thread for Sev Krum; open to any Delacour]

Spoiler:

Julien Delacour yawned and stretched out in his bed. A grin like that of a chesire cat's slowly revealed itself on his face. With his eyes still shut, the boy placed a hand on his chest and began to pat himself absent-mindedly. In an hour's time, Sevastian Krum was going to arrive at the Delacour Château. A Roooshian visitor! Grandma Delacour was delighted when Julien mentioned that a friend coming to stay for a couple of days since it was summer. She had thought it delightful for her baby grandson to have a friend over, as if he was so shaken by the event at Hogwarts Castle that he needed people to take his mind off the scarring during the school holidays. He was, together with Gisele, her baby grandchildren, after all. That is, even though both have already concluded their fourth year at Hogwarts. Julien decided not to mention his friend's name, concerned that the mention of the Krum name could encourage his grandmother to harass his friend out of interest. After all, the Krums were another famous wizarding family.

Earlier in the day, Julien and Gisele were dragged out of bed to head to downtown Paris for brunch with Grandmother and her friends. The Hotel Regina was too pretty and grand a place for brunch, that Julien did not keep his sleepy eyes shut for long. It was just another one of those times that made him proud and happy to be a Delacour. It was good to share family experiences with Gisele too. At least he was not the only one studying at Hogwarts. The fact that the twins spent the majority of their time now in England had ensured that Grandmother would fuss over them more than the other Delacour children over the summer. Julien could not decide if that was a good thing. He was only interested in summer shopping in France, and this he did with Gisele as soon as they could excuse themselves from the long session of nostalgic talk among the old ladies, after brunch was more or less settled. The boy had returned to the Château after he had at least bought another pair of shoes, and headed to bed. He was exhausted.

Now, though, a house elf had woken him up gently and announced that a bath was waiting for him, prodding him awake to get ready before the visitor arrives. Julien kept that chesire grin on his face, gave another stretch, and headed to the bathroom. The scent from aroma candles tickled his nose, and Julien stayed in the bathtub for awhile before a house elf came in to wear his shorts for him. Fresh and clean, Julien strolled back to his room and grabbed Mr Grumpy. He was intent on introducing Mr Grumpy as soon as Sevastian arrives. The house elf was told to lead the Krum boy to the home-theatre room, so Julien dragged his lazy feet towards that direction. The château had too many rooms. The good thing was that the house was well-divided internally. This meant that part of the château was meant for some privacy for Gabrielle Delacour and her children, especially after dinner. They got the left wing, and Julien appreciated that, seeing that too many cousins running around can cause quite a ruckus if that was allowed.

That beautiful, watery Russian morning had been a backdrop for yet more arguments. Livid and uncontrollable, Sevastian’s father took out his frustrations on his family to the point where Sevastian found himself being treated for a cut across his cheekbone that he didn’t even remember getting. Mikhail had been keen to mention that their father had been throwing vases. Out of them all, it looked as if Emilián was the worst. One of the vases looked as if it had hit him above the eyebrow and blood was flowing freely down the side of his face, dripping down his neck and disappearing under his rapidly reddening shirt collar. Mikhail was distracted, torn. He didn’t know who to tend to - his bruised and bloody lover or his brother. Mikhail had always been good at multi-tasking so he flitted between the two. Sevastian had been silent from the moment the vase had connected with his head. He couldn’t remember much; just the searing pain and the shouts of his father’s broken Russian.

The sound of water being squeezed out of a rag broke Sevastian’s train of thought. His silver gaze flicked to his brother and Mikhail smiled sheepishly at him before bringing the rag to Emilián’s face. The raven-haired Russian hissed and his hand snapped around Mikhail’s wrist. Sevastian flinched and his brother froze, his breath having caught in his throat. Emilián took several deep breaths, letting his eyelids fall over his eyes, before reopening them and slowly letting his hand slip down Mikhail’s arm. Sevastian watched them interact from the chair he’d slumped himself in. He’d been given some rum - to ease the pain, Mikhail had said - but he could not bring himself to drink it. His chest heaved and his breathing was laboured. He could feel the trickle of blood continue to flow across his cheek though he did not move to wipe it away.

“When are you due at the Delacour château?” Mikhail asked as he pressed the rag back into the bowl of murky water. Sevastian looked up from the cut that marred Emilián’s porcelain skin and cautiously met his brother’s gently, caring gaze. Truly, Sevastian now had little desire to go anywhere. He could barely string two thoughts together in his mind. Mikhail pressed the rag against Emilián’s forehead again but kept his gaze on his silent brother. “Sevastian, relax. Really, it’s fine. You’re all packed aren’t you?” The blonde nodded. “Right, good. Another hour isn’t it?” Another nod. “Okay, well, go and have a shower or something. Sort yourself out, you look a wreck.” Sevastian felt the sides of his lips twitch and Emilián chuckled. “Shut up you. Now go, Sevastian. Dad’s down the pub...just piss off and sort yourself out. You need to pretty yourself up for your boyfriend.”

And with that, Emilián collapsed into peals of laughter. Sevastian left the room, red faced, and decided to do as his brother had instructed. He was not going to pretty himself up for anyone, let alone Julien. After the rather rude awakening and the vase connecting with his head, a shower was just what the doctor ordered and so he did not waste another moment.

Not twenty minutes later, Sevastian was downstairs once more. He tugged his jacket on over the crisp white shirt the House Elves had left out for him and he took his suitcase from Moppy who was waiting in the foyer. Sevastian nibbled on his bottom lip and watched the elf disappear before turning at the sound of a door opening. He smiled upon seeing his brother and Mikhail chuckled, opening his arms wide to envelope Sevastian in a hug. Mikhail pulled out after a moment and ran his thumb across Sevastian’s cheekbone. “It will heal,” He told him gently. “Your magic is already sorting it. Until then I suggest either a light glamour or you change the light and shadows on your skin, so he can’t actually see it. Do you know how to do it, Sev?” Sevastian nodded and Mikhail patted his cheek. “We’ll sort this out, alright? Its fine, everything’s fine. Just go and have fun, alright?”

Mikhail didn’t wait for his silent brother’s affirmative; he merely threw some Floo Powder into the fireplace and pushed Sevastian in with it. Sevastian gave a shout as the flames welled up around him. He was forced through the Floo and was promptly spat out the other end. Sevastian tumbled out of the fireplace on the other side and landed awkwardly on a carpet. He squeezed his eyes shut and reopened them again. Sevastian sat up a little and looked about himself, his hands bracing him. “Ugh,” Sevastian brought one of his hands to his head and exhaled gently. “Merlin I hate Floo.” He murmured before slowly getting to his feet.

Sevvy brushed himself down and lifted his gaze to find himself staring at himself. Sevastian left the suitcase on the floor and crossed the room towards it. He placed himself before his reflection and wriggled his nose. The other version of himself laughed and repeated the action, prompting the real Sevastian to laugh. Sevastian then leaned his face closer to the mirror. He peered at the cut and tried to do as Mikhail had asked of him. He played with the shadows, changing away they sat on his face and narrowed his eyes as he attempted to change the way the light bounced on his face. It should have concealed the scratch but it just did not want to go. Sevastian scowled a little and ran a hand through his hair. “Bugger,” he murmured. Mikhail was right, the scratch was healing already, but it wasn’t quick enough. Maybe Julien wouldn’t notice. Sevastian wouldn’t put money on it though. He’d just have to settle, though. It was fine. He was fine.

Sevastian turned and walked back over to the fireplace. He picked up his suitcase and put his hands behind his back. Now, he could only do but wait. Someone would come and get him soon he hoped. He wasn’t quite brave enough to go in search of Julien himself.

"Meestah Croom?" The clear but soft voice of a female house-elf poked itself into the silent space of the main hall of the Delacour Château. Julien had entrusted her with the task of fetching Sevastian, trusting her above all the other house elves in the house. She had, after all, always been his choice if he was ever told to choose. She was also the only one allowed into his room to wake him up from sleep. The others could never do it in a way that did not annoy him. Lolee had been standing at a corner in the hall ever since she helped Julien with his shorts. It was not as if he could not wear them himself. He just loves being pampered. When the stranger appeared at the Delacour fireplace, she could not help but feel sorry. Everytime someone took the floo, Lolee's poor maternal heart would worry within her, especially when that someone is not an adult. It was as if she felt like the children should not be allowed so much pain.

"Meestah Croom?" She repeated herself again, as if she needed more assurance. She knew this was the boy though. She was told about a boy with long, fancy hair, according to Julien. It was fancy indeed. Lolee had been caught up in admiration of it before she remembered her task, and proceeded to greet this boy. "Mahsterr Julien told Loll-leee to come to you. Weelcome, Meestah Croom. Mahster Julien iz waiting upstairz." As soon as that was said, Lolee proceeded to offer a warm towel to Sevastian, the conventional offer for guests who travel through the floo. It was one of the details of Delacour hospitality. After the towel practice was out of the way, Lolee firmly took a hold of the boy's suitcase, smiling in assurance that she was going to take it from there. This she did as they were strolling, making their way to Julien.

Julien was already in the theatre room. The older Delacours were undoubtedly occupying themselves with the one in the main wing of the château, so Julien was left with the smaller, but cosier one. He did not mind it, though. He wanted privacy, especially from the older Delacours, who could get snoopy at times. Seeing that they had yet to learn about what Julien had always been up to, seeing him merely as a harmless angel of a boy, he would like to maintain impressions at that. Although Julien wanted to continue being half-naked, he decided that some decency would prove a wiser choice, and told another house elf to fetch him a white tank. As soon as he wore the tank over himself, Julien slumped into one of the big round couches and placed Mr Grumpy on his lap, patting the toy absent-mindedly before proceeding to smooth its fur.

And then someone opened the door to the room. Julien jerked his head up to its direction expectantly and saw Lolee first. He paid little attention to her though. He was more interested in his visitor. Hugging Mr Grumpy with his left arm, Julien lifted himself up and off the couch, and stood up as he waited for Sevastian to walk in. Julien caught a glimpse of platinum blond, and felt himself getting a little more excited than he should.

The house was really beautiful if the room in which Sevastian had found himself in was an example of the rest of the home. He was assuming, from the view outside the windows, that the house was rather large. It was fairly beautiful and the air was distinctly warmer. He didn’t care what anyone said - the Russians did not have a summer. Above freezing did not count as summer. France had sensible seasons. The French received a summer. Sevastian was almost envious but even if his country received a summer they all desperately needed, he was sure that he would burn - he wouldn’t tan like many of the other Krums did with their Spanish blood and such. Sevastian was hardly a sun worshiper but there was only so much ice one could take.

At the sound of a little, high-pitched voice, Sevastian’s eyes flicked from the windows to the doorway where he found a little House Elf to be standing. He had to stop himself from laughing. House Elves were awful with their speech at best - as if the language of Wizard’s wasn’t actually their native tongue - but this one had a French accent to boot. Sevastian couldn’t quite keep the smile off of his lips though. It was terribly cute. This one was a lot different to the elves they had - who sort of just spoke with their hands and mumbled a few things in a mix of Russian and English. Sevastian wished he could speak French for a moment, as it would have been interesting to see if the Elf responded. He knew a few words - hello, good morning and the like - but it wasn’t enough really. He also knew ‘I love you’ but that was hardly something to tell a House Elf.

Sevastian allowed the elf to take his suitcase without much protest and he absent-mindedly rubbed his wrist as he followed the elf through the house, making sure to take note of where he was going. Sevastian unzipped his jacket as they walked and he shrugged it off. He folded it and grasped it in his hand before letting his arm fall to his side. The little elf was fast, he had to admit, but he kept up with surprising ease - as if all the sport Pavlo had made his son do in his youth had actually made a difference. It hadn’t; not really. Sevastian ran a hand through his hair and cleared his throat as the elf opened the door they’d ended up in front of.

The elf hurried through and Sevastian hesitantly followed. He nibbled on his bottom lip and looked around at his surroundings. It was a little on the extravagant side - but that was coming from a young man who lived in a house nearly entirely made of marble and mirrors. Vanity, at its best. Extravagant, perhaps, but it was still beautiful; and the carpet had a zebra print! Eventually, after taking in the room, Sevastian brought his eyes to Julien who was, well, hardly dressed. Sevastian’s breath caught in his throat and he felt his cheeks warm in embarrassment. He lowered his gaze to the floor and bit his lip again, suddenly feeling...he didn’t know what he was feeling but it was something; something that was making butterflies in his stomach.

“Hi...” Sevastian murmured slowly, deciding to brave a glance at Julien. His face only reddened further though. “Am I overdressed?” He asked. “Also,” Sevastian lifted his head, his curiosity piqued at what Julien had in his arms. “Why in Merlin’s name do you have a bear head?” Sevastian laughed a little and ran his fingers through his hair again. “Sorry,” Sev winced. “How are you? I should have started with that. I love the carpet...by the way...it’s pretty. Um...” Sevastian’s cheeks darkened again. It was a good thing that Julien made Sevastian stutter and blush as much as he did because it was doing the job that Sev couldn’t manage. The blood was masking the cut somewhat; only a little though, not enough to not be noticed.

While Lolee walked Sevastian to the theatre room, another house-elf met her on the way to take over the handling of the visitor's suitcase, ready to bring it to the guest room that was on the same level as Julien's bedroom. Gisele got the room on the same level as their mother, but Julien did not mind being relegated to a level lower. At least he had some sort of privacy there, unless a guest comes to stay over, of which he usually insists to have them stay at the other guest rooms, although to little success sometimes. After all, if they were his mother's guests, they will have to be sleeping at the guest rooms on her side. This time, though, Julien had told Lolee to prepare the guest room closest to his. Finally, Lolee brought the guest to the basement, where the theatre room was situated at.

"Meestah Croom, ze zacket?" The house-elf offered to take Sevastian's jacket. After all, the house was warm, as is France during the summer. She was puzzled to see the boy with a jacket. Perhaps Rooshia was not having a summer. Lolee also understood that, from the wave of Julien's hand, her master wanted privacy for now. That is, until snack time. Without another word, she grabbed Sevastian's jacket and the warm towel that she had offered him to clean himself on the way, and vanished.

"Sevvy," Julien started, as soon as the other boy stepped into the room. There was the same chesire grin on his face. And then he looked down at what he was wearing, as if he needed to remind himself of them, when Sevastian asked if he was overdressed. "Yes, you are, Sev. It's a sleepover. Get comfortable. If you want, I could get Lolee to fetch some jammies for you. But, of course, if you're already comfortable, then leave it be. I just get comfortable when I'm home in this way. With Mr Grumpy!" And then Julien raised the bear-head that he was hugging, pushing it to his friend and bobbing his head, as if his inanimate friend wanted to say hi too.

Julien took a step closer just as the other boy continued to talk, shoving Mr Grumpy now to his side again, although he still had a firm hug of it. "I'm good. I had a sort of nap before you came. Was dragged out of bed in the morning to --" And then he stopped. "What's wrong with your face, Sev?" For someone as vain as Julien, one could not expect him to notice some nuances in another person whom he is paying close attention to. Sev's hair was still good and pretty, but there seemed to be a slice on the boy's cheek, as if he was ... hurt. Julien took a step closer and, with his free hand, trailed a thumb over the line on Sevastian's cheek. "What happened?"

Being in someone’s house, out of his comfort zone, had always left Sevastian’s social skills much to be desired. Julien had always made Sevastian stutter and flush scarlet, since the day they’d met. Still, despite how out of place he felt among the splendour of the Delacour home, being in Julien’s presence was somewhat reassuring. Sevastian wasn’t sure what he would have done had he come into contact with Julien’s mother or his grandmother first. Having said that though, he probably would have gotten along easier, expelled all of his embarrassment before he met Julien. He would relax soon enough, though, he was sure. Well, he hoped anyway. Sevastian was emotionally drained though, whether he realised it or not, so fatigue would soon suitably relax him.

Sevastian looked down at the House Elf and he smiled before handing her his coat. “Thank-you,” He murmured. Sevastian wrung his hands together and fiddled with the watch clasped around his wrist. He smiled at Julien and dropped his hands down by his sides once more. “Your Elves are really nice.” Sevastian bounced a little and smiled again before dancing his eyes around the room again.

“Oh,” Sevastian’s cheeks darkened a little again and he quirked his lips sheepishly. “I don’t really know the dress code for sleepovers. That’s kind of silly now...thinking about it. I’ll change later. It’s fine.” Sevvy tugged on his hair a little and laughed. “Mr. Grumpy? Oh - I see! He’s quite sweet. Sort of scary, though.” Sevastian took his eyes off of the bear and brought his hand up to his neck. He rubbed the back of it and nibbled on his bottom lip, managing to stop himself from shuffling his feet awkwardly.

But then, Julien was right in front of him, his hand on Sevastian’s cheek. Sev’s breath caught in his throat and he stared at Julien’s his eyes bright and wide. “It’s just a cut,” He murmured. “I fell outside in the garden. I wasn’t paying attention to where I was placing my feet. It’s alright, I’m fine.” Sevastian shrugged his shoulders and decided it was probably best to change the subject before Julien wanted to know more. “So what are we going to watch then?”

Just about a year ago, Sevastian was invited to Christmas at the Delacour Château. There was never a quiet moment. Too many relatives, and friends of relatives. Gisele had been surprised that her brother had invited another student from school, but she was very friendly about it. Julien did not really have Sevastian to himself. The cousins were all very intrigued by this interesting-looking boy. They adored his hair, although in France there was no lack of some very pretty boys. Julien remembered how he had scowled at one of the older girls who exclaimed that Sev was very azorablez. Now, it seems like he could enjoy his friend without the fussing from others.

Julien smiled. "Technically, they're my grandparents' house elves. I only get such a luxury in France, so many of them. Mother only brought one to the condo in London. I wish Lolee could come to school with me. She's very sweet with me. Very nice and dutiful. Pleasing, all in all." Julien grinned and watched as Sev continued to talk. "Well, dress-code for sleepovers are pyjamas. They've pretty ones, but I love those with polka dots. Really, they're gorgeous. I've got a purple one with white dots, but I don't wear them anymore. I like walking around like this, except without the tank on." With a cheeky grin, Julien patted his chest.

All of that happened before Julien made a physical contact with the other boy. As soon as he did, he felt something that was ... concern? Quickly, he pulled back. He merely nodded at Sev's reply. It was sufficiently awkward, and he too thought that changing the subject was the better option, as much as he could fuss about it and ask for the house elf to bring something to treat it. After all, he did not want to look like he cared. They were just going to be friends. Julien had friends, quite a bit of them. Perhaps once or twice, there were some benefits exchanged here and there, but that was it -- no strings attached.

"Well, uh. I haven't seen this, but it looked pretty ... entertaining. At least from the synopsis at the back of the cover." Julien turned and walked to where he had left the DVD cover at, took it up, and offered it to Sevastian. On the cover were the words Shaun of the Dead: A Romantic Comedy. With Zombies. "And don't just stand there, mate. Come settle yourself in one of these comfy-mates." Saying that, Julien gestured to the couches around him. With a hand reaching for remote, the boy found it and gently tapped on the play button.

The House in Russia that Sevastian now formally resided in had nothing like this theatre room residing within it. It was simply too old. It was an expansive, castle-like structure but not quite, it still bore the traits of a manor house. Sevastian couldn’t describe it really but he knew, from looking around there after first moving in, that it was not equipped with anything like this. He was almost envious, but then he remembered he had no real reason to be. As nice as the television set was, Sevastian had not come for its company. No, he’d come for Julien’s. He’d missed his friend, honestly. It felt oddly amazing to be back in his company again and standing there as they did; it was almost as if they’d never parted. They’d fallen back into each other’s company again with surprising grace - even if Sev was a stuttering mess because of it. He’d get over it soon enough, he usually did. Julien just...unhinged him, that was all. Not in a bad way though...in a terribly, terribly good way that Sevastian couldn’t and wouldn’t dare describe.

With an exhale of breath, Sevastian’s shoulders relaxed. He continued to fiddle absent-mindedly with his watch but that wasn’t out of nervousness but because the weight on his wrist was somewhat uncomfortable and on the painful side. Finally, he clicked it open and the metal strap lengthened. Sevastian slid the watch off and dropped it into the pocket of the black trousers that his House Elf had set out for him. Julien was right, he was over-dressed and over-formal. Sevastian smiled brightly despite himself though and looked about the room again, putting to memory the fact that the luxury they were in was courtesy of Julien’s grandparents.

Sevastian remembered meeting them at Christmas but he would confess he didn’t exactly remember much. There were many Delacours to meet that Christmas and he’d definitely felt better once he was back in Julien’s presence rather than with goodness only knows how many of his relatives whom Sevastian did not know. Perhaps that was what the Krum family was like to outsiders looking in only, much, much worse. There tended to be more arguments among the Krum family members, regardless of whether Javier remembered Nikolai or Natasha remembered Wilhelm. It was all very European and all very, much to Sevastian’s mortification whenever he had friends home with him, racist. The different branches of the Krum family held both Muggle and Wizarding discriminative views so it didn’t matter who you were, if there was something about you they could poke holes in then they would. Sevastian was usually picked on because he was the white sheep...or because he looked like his sisters rather than his brothers.

Krum Family Politics, that was all it as really.

“Maybe I should change...” Sevastian agreed. “I’m not entirely sure what Moppy was thinking but I assume she was thinking something formal. We don’t exactly have sleep-overs at home. Maybe, if my father agrees, I’ll be able to return the favour sometime.” Sevastian sounded optimistic but internally, he was anything but. It was absolutely fine having the girls over. It was fine having Angela or Roxi or Millie or whoever in the house because it clearly meant something was going on behind closed doors. It wasn’t and Sevastian was horrified to find that this was what they thought. At the mention of having Julien over though, or Millie’s brother or someone from his house, everything went quiet and Sevastian could almost hear their thoughts. Pavlo didn’t want another Mikhail. He’d been spending the last fifteen years trying to beat that out of Sevastian - literally, at times. He’d failed though, hadn’t he? It was becoming more obvious as the days wore on and he was becoming more and more frustrated.

The disappointments were great. No amount of achievements could make Mikhail and Sevastian pale into the background. No, their abnormality was a problem, one that just refused to go away.

Julien seemed to accept the terrible lie with no complaint and Sevastian could breathe a little easier at that. His cheek tingled though. He could feel Julien’s thumb on the skin across his cut. He could still feel Julien’s fingers against his jaw as he was being inspected. His cheek burned, but not with blood, with something completely different. Longing, perhaps, and the need to have Julien’s fingers on his skin again.

This is weird, Sevastian’s subconscious summed up his thoughts exactly, I’d forget about it if I were you kid...before you’re in too deep and you don’t have a life preserver.

Shaking his head clear of the advice that didn’t actually make much sense, Sevastian decided to take the seat closest to the bust on the table. He slipped off his shoes and put them down beside the couch before sitting down and bringing his legs up to fold behind himself. Sevastian leaned back against the pillows and marvelled at the softness of them. “How can you have a romantic comedy with zombies in it?” Sevastian asked curiously. “How is that even possible? Better yet...why is that even possible?” He laughed and pulled a spare hair band off of his wrist. In one fluid motion, Sevastian pulled his hair into a pony tail. He dropped his hands, one lingering by his face long enough to scratch his jaw, into his lap and settled himself to watch the move. Shaun of the Dead, eh? Why did it sound ultimately incredibly terrifying?

As soon as the first notes of entry music were emitted from the surround-sound-system, Julien took a few steps backwards to plop himself into the couch at the left of Sevastian's. Finally he let Mr Grumpy rolll out of his hold, so that it was allowed to rest at the left of his side. With his back plastered to the part of the couch that should have held his arse, Julien placed both of his hands on his chest. His legs were stretched out as far as it could. It was comfortable this way, especially since he had yet to be done with stretching ever since he was woken up by Lolee.

Truth be told, Julien was not very interested with the movie. It was merely a good excuse, a filler of sorts, for a meeting that could turn awkward, as it evidently did awhile ago. The boys were more accustomed to meet where there are others around. This could be a kind of first, and Julien would have known how to handle it easily if the motives were simple, as with other boys. He, however, is determined to have a proper friendship with Sev. Merlin knows how much he needs it. It seemed as if almost every boy that was close to becoming a good friend, and he only chose the pretty ones for that, had a taste of him. That soiled the friendship, because Julien never wanted anything more after. Situations got too sticky after. The lot of them were French boys, though, and Julien could avoid them for the majority of a year. Sev, though, he would have to see at Hogwarts. It was important, then, that Julien learn to keep his hands where they were supposed to be at -- on himself.

"So ... how has summer been?" It was the least he could do, to offer some space for updates. That was what friends do, right? "I've never been to Russia, really. It sounds ... exotic, to me. As strange as that might be to you. I mean, you ... you look exotic." Julien bit his lower lip, reminding himself of the rules again. "Well, I've only ever visited this part of Europe. Never had the chance to go further. It's good here. But it'd be better to visit somewhere really different, you know?" Julien contemplated on shutting up so that the movie can play itself out properly. He was definitely talking too much.

And then there was a soft knock on the door. "Come in, Lolee." The house-elf, well-trained and seasoned, entered gracefully with the supper tray. Behind her was another one, a male at that, who carried a make-shift coffee table. He set that up easily and took over the task of supporting the tray. Lolee set a jug of warm milk down first, before pouring some of it out into two different glasses. She then placed a long plate of an assortment of cookies onto the table. There were oatmeal raisins, chocolate chips, macadamia, butter percan, and oreo cookies. It was a wonder that the Delacour twins did not even become slightly overweight. It was probably the vanity. At least for Julien. The house-elves left as soon as supper was served.

Julien licked his lips. "Well, tuck in, my friend." The boy lifted himself from his lazy position and reached for a butter pecan cookie, bringing it to his mouth as soon as it was in his hand.

Movies had never been a popular thing in the Krum household. Polo and swimming and horse riding and the like was fine but watching Muggle films was a ridiculous activity that encouraged laziness. Sevastian was quite excited really. He’d watched a few films in the main Krum mansion in Bulgaria with some of his cousins but that had dissolved into a few games of strip poker and consequential sex. That was when he’d woken up in bed with his fiancée. Sevastian had never been more mortified. He’d hated her with a passion yet he’d fallen into bed with her when his jeans were around his ankles. It was embarrassing and definitely something he didn’t speak of. It was something she liked so bring up though and so it was something Sevastian could never avoid. He had yet to see her this summer, though. Hopefully, she’d found herself someone else to marry. Surely she could find someone better than the she-male disaster that belonged to Pavlo Krum.

Sevastian looked over at Julien at the sound of his friend’s voice and he brought his lip between his teeth in thought. His summer had been truly dismal. Sevastian wasn’t sure what Julien wanted to know but he could only assume the other boy didn’t want them to be silent throughout the entire film. That’s what Sevastian didn’t like about the idea of films. There was just no communication between people; they merely stared blankly at a screen. He smiled at Julien and curled a lock of hair around his finger before thinking of something to say that would not make Julien concerned. “Rubbish, really. The highlight has been this, I admit. Russia isn’t a nice place to live. It’s freezing year-round. My tutor insists that it gets warmer but I can’t feel a thing.” When Julien told Sevastian that he was exotic, the blonde’s cheeks swirled with scarlet. “Metamorphagus,” he murmured.

To prove his point, Sevastian changed the colour of his hair and wriggled his nose. His cheeks sprouted whiskers and fluffy brown cats’ ears, to match his hair, sprouted from the top of his head. Sevastian grinned, his teeth slightly pointed due to the mild change of appearance, and laughed. “Meow,” he cried between giggles. “Here, look,” Sevastian slid off of the couch and unbuttoned a few of his shirt buttons. He squatted down in front of Julien and smirked before growing a chest full of thick fur. He changed the colours a few times before having them match with the ears. “I won’t try for a tail,” He chuckled. “I quite like these trousers. Feel,” Sevastian grabbed Julien’s hand, feeling oddly brave, and brought it to his chest. “It’s fluffy,” Sevvy laughed. “Maybe I’ll try a tail when I get changed. They’re hard to keep going along with everything else because they’re sort of...well they move don’t they?”

Sevastian cocked his furry head to the side and smiled. “You can come back with me one year. I won’t even ask, I’ll just tell them. They won’t have an opportunity to say no that way.”

When the House Elves came through, Sevastian wriggled his nose and got rid of all of the extra parts he’d grown himself. His hair paled back to the platinum blonde and he turned, sitting himself down in front of Julien’s chair. He reached forward and picked up one of the biscuits. He broke it in half and brought the smaller half to his lips, though not before mumbling his thanks to the elves. After swallowing a bite, Sevastian tipped his head back onto Julien’s chair and smiled before asking, “How has your summer been so far, then? Can’t be bad if you’re here the whole time.”