The Silva Residence. 8D

After Max had chased Matt right back out of the room. He sat down next to Libby again and sighed. "I'm really sorry..."

Libby waved her hand slightly, to show it was no big deal. "It's okay, we all need to experience an annoying relative once in our lives. But if he gets in Hufflepuff, I'm jumping off of the Astronomy tower. T_T"

"Eh, he really isn't the Hufflepuff, he's more of the Slytherin type, you know?" said Max, smirking at his own joke. "Anyway, OWL year..."

"Hey, I've got a friend in Slytherin," Libby warned him playfully. "But, OWL year... what do you want to be when you get out of Hogwarts?"

"I have no idea, but uh, I dunno. Maybe a curse breaker or something. What do you wanna be?"

"A Healer, I guess," Libby told him.

"A Healer? That's cool. I just don't think I'm smart enough, or have the grades to do it. And, I don't have much interest anyway, heh..."

"Awe, don't say you aren't smart enough. I'm sure you are, if you had the interest in being a Healer. But, a Curse Breaker sounds interesting."

"Yeah, it's supposed to be very exciting... and stuff."

"Well, I think I'm going to go home now. 'Bye, Max." She stood up, gave him a good-bye hug, and left via Floo Powder.

"Bye," said Max, and smiled. This was turning out to be a very nice day so far.

Except for the fact that he was now alone with Matt.

Oh woe.

A note came. via owl. yeah.

Max,

How are you? What's happened since your visit? Here's something that happened: I got invited to a baroque... masquerade... ball... thing. by Serenity. She said I could bring you - do you want to come?

-Libby

Max was lying down on his bed, looking over at his OWL results, with Matt looking over at his shoulder.

Arthimancy: O

Ancient Runes: E

Potions: P

Herbology: D

Charms: E

Transfiguration: E

Astronomy: A

History of Magic: D

Defense Against the Dark Arts: A

"Oooh! You did bad!" sniggered Matt.

"Shuddup. I got some good grades. Like Arthminacy, you nerd!"

"...That's not cool."

Nicolas ended up here, knocking on the door. He could have easily gone to Rachel's house, but he'd end up being chased off, seeing as the Monaseems were Purebloods. So his best bet was Max's house.

His mother answered the door, looking a little annoyed when she who it was. She didn't needed another skinny Mudblood begging for money.

"Yes? What do you want?" she snapped at him.

Nicolas looked taken aback--even frightened. "I--I'm a friend of Max's. I was wondering if I could stay for a little while. You wouldn't have to give me any of your money!" he added hurriedly, his big brown eyes pleading for sympathy. He was like those frail dogs looking for a home.

His mother looked a bit taken by herself. "Max? Who do you know him?! How can I really trust you?!" Her pupils were dilated, and her breath smelled of alcohol. Shaking a little, she raised a shaking finger at him. "In fact, how can I trust anyone in this damn planet anymore?!" she shouted. "You could be a Death Eater for all I know!"

"Him and I went to Hogwarts together!" his eyes widened even more, and his vision blurred. He was ready to cry. "And would any Death Eater starve himself and treat himself to the terrible conditions that I had to face just to try to get into your house?! I came all the way here and all I'm asking is that you let me stay for a little bit. I even know Max's little brother Matt, who's a Hufflepuff. My House."

"You're delirious!" shouted Mrs. Silva, looking quite PO'd, so to speak. "I hate you and your Pureblooded kind! Thanks to YOU, I've lost my job at the Ministry for being Halfblood! I may not be on the streets like those pathetic Mudbloods, but I might be soon since I lost my job!" she then reached off, and grabbed an empty rum bottle. "NOW GET OUT OF HERE BEFORE I CURSE YOU AWAY!" she roared, throwing the rum bottle at him.

Nicolas quickly ducked out of the way. "Fine! If you believe that I'm some Death Eater, I shouldn't be bothering trying to stay!" With that, he stormed down the street--but as he got to the corner, he slowly lowered himself onto the curb. Where could he go? His parents' memories were probably erased. He had no idea where his sister was.

Thus, since his dignity was practically already gone, he began to quietly sob, burying his face in his hands.

[[NOOO. TT_TT]]

"I be he still out," thought Mrs. Silva.

So she quietly moved down to the curb of the street, with more bottles in her hand. She silently made way her behind him, ready to smash the bottle against his head, but something happened. Something inside her head must have clicked, and the fog began to disappear.

"Er, hey. Boy." she said awkwardly.

Nicolas lifted his head and turned to stare at her. "If you're going to hit me with those," he said slowly, his voice shaking, "go ahead."

"I'm not," she said, still sounding awkward. "I was wondering if you wanted to come back with me for the night."