Chapter 38 ~ New Circumstances.

The
Great Hall was filled with chatter and noise as Maxine sat at the Ravenclaw
table with her friends for lunch, but she didn’t notice it. In fact, she was in
a completely different world known as her mind, going through the types of
Wesen in her head and polishing up her German verbs. The conversation around
her hadn’t been of any interest and she’d zoned out, Stefan absent as he sent
another letter off to Nick. So Maxine had drifted off into her imagination as
Rose and Fauna spoke enthusiastically next to her. However, a few minutes into
the meal (in those few minutes Maxine neglecting the roast chicken on her plate
and simply staring into space), Rose noticed her friend’s silence and
questioned her with an excited grin.

“Hey
Max – you looking forward to the game?”

Maxine
snapped out of her daydream and turned to look at Rose in a bemused manner and
simply stared. Rose laughed as Maxine blinked and spoke again.

“The
Quidditch Game this afternoon? Ravenclaw versus Gryffindor?”

“Ah.”
Maxine said in realization.

“What?”
Fauna joined in, laughing at Maxine. “Don’t tell me you forgot?”

“I
– erm – well.” Maxine stuttered. “When is it again?”

Rose
and Fauna exchanged glances, still grinning. On the rare occasion that Maxine
was absent minded, it was incredibly amusing. “It’s this afternoon, Maxie –
Rose has been acting mad about it the entire morning?” Said Fauna in laughing
tones, earning a shove from Rose.

“It
starts at three.” Added Rose.

Maxine
face palmed. “Oh my god…I completely forgot.”

“Have
you arranged something else, then?” Asked Rose, not put out, simply curious.

“Yes-“
Maxine paused, knowing what their reaction would be if she told them about
Theon.”

“Come
on, Maxie, I’m not peed off, only intrigued.” Said Rose, laughing. “What’re you
doing this afternoon.”

Knowing
that she couldn’t hide it from them but feeling suddenly very embarrassed,
Maxine looked at her friends sheepishly. “Well…I’m meeting Theon.”

“What?”
Was Fauna’s instinctual answer as Rose’s face immediately screwed up with
confusion. Maxine looked from one friend to another ad then Rose asked.

“But
Maxine…where did that even come from? We agreed to keep away from him.”

“I
– I promised to give him another chance.” Said Maxine. Her embarrassment was
definitely clear, though, she thought angrily, she shouldn’t have to feel
embarrassed. Gaining resolution, she spoke stronger as she felt her temper rise
as there was a pause as Fauna and Rose exchanged glances again. “Look, he’s ok
and he shouldn’t be treated like everyone treats him.”

Rose
looked at Maxine seriously. “But Maxie…I thought we agreed that he couldn’t be
trusted…”

“Well
I’m giving him a chance.” She said stubbornly, eyes glinting with anger.

Rose
sighed. “Don’t get angry with us again, Maxie.”

“I’m
not!” She denied hotly, though her feelings contradicted the statement. “Look,
guys, I just want to give him a chance, like you did to me and Stefan. He seems
genuine.”

“Well
if you think so….” Fauna said doubtfully.

“I
do.” Maxine stated again with obstinacy.

 “What are you even doing with him, Maxie?”
Rose asked dubiously. “And does Stefan know?”

“Of
course!” Maxine answered as if Rose’s enquiry about Stefan was the mot
ludicrous ting she’d ever heard. “Why wouldn’t’ I tell him?”

“What
are you doing with him?” Reminded Fauna warily.

Maxine
laughed at Fauna’s expression. “It’s nothing contraband, he’s just helping me
with my potions and I’m helping him with his dueling.”

“Right.”
Rose said stiffly. There was a pause, then Fauna spoke.

“When
are you meeting?”

“Around
four.” Answered Maxine, concentrating on one pot the high windows as her friends yet again exchanged glances. Her unpredictable temper was rising in the guilt and embarrassment caused by her fiends reactions and she didn't want to blow. With tact, Rose saw this and changed the subject, knowing there was no way to persuade Maxine against it and the only result would be more rebellion.

"Well at least you can be there for some of the game." She said, pulling Maxine's gaze off the window and seeing the change in conversation had been a good move. "Hopefully the game'll be fast, but Gryffindor'll put up a good fight so I doubt it."

"Just promise to hit James with a bludger before I go." Replied Maxine was a grin. "It'd be so satisfying."

Rose laughed. "I'll try." She promised. "But he is hard to hit...I hate to say it but he's usually excellent and I've never once hit him since I started playing." This statement was true - James was exceptionally talented, with quick reflexes and swift movement on the pitch, the greatest asset of the Gryffindor team and usually the one to snatch the snitch and win the game for them. And never once had he been hit by a bludger. Still, there was a always a first time.

Fauna joined in, grinning. "Maxine's right though - it would be satisfying." She looked over to where James sat. "Still, he hasn't bothered you lately, which is an improvement."

Maxine fooled her gaze, looking at her brother. "Yeah, but I wish we could just make up about it."

"Well why don't you?" Asked Rose. 

"I wouldn't know how - plus I'd be shot down in flames. Just because he's stopped attacking me doesn't mean he isn't still a twat."

Fauna sighed, nodding her head. "It's shame though. From what you told me he's quite a nice guy underneath. If only we could trust him not to-"

"Who're we talking about here?" Stefan entered th conversation warily, finding a seat next to Maxine. "Theon, by any chance?"

Maxine didn't miss the bite or suspicion in his tones and couldn't help replying with a little of 'so there!' in her voice. "No, actually, we were discussing James. Why d'you ask?"

"I thought you'd be talking about him, seeing as you two going to meet today." There was an edge in Stefan's voice that Maxine didn't like - a warning that told her to go no further and back out. She didn't want to fight with her best friend, either, and steered away from it.

"Well, i was just telling Rose and Fauna about it, but no, we're not discussing Theon. In fact Qudditch was our conversation basis. You're coming to the game, aren't you?"

"Of course." Stefan said stiffly, though he also tried to get rid of the tension. "I hope we win. Play well Rose."

"When haven't I?" Rose joked in answer. "I'm even going to hit James in the head with a bludger, or so Maxie predicts."

Maxine laughed. "I request it." 

Stefan smiled and let the tension go. "Let's hope a blow to the head might give him some sense at last."

Maxine grinned. "If Rose can hit him." She turned to her Fauna, the only practical one among them who owned a watch. "What's the time, by the way?"

Fauna checked her wrist. "Two." She looked up. "Me and Rose had better go - we still haven't got that Herbology essay done."

"Oh god yes." Rose stood up, suddenly reminded of the work. She grabbed her bag and then addressed Maxine and Stefan. "We'll see you later, yeah?"

"Yup. I'll be there for the first hour or so of Quidditch, anyway." Maxine answered, smiling at her friends. "Good luck with that essay."

"God knows I'll need it." Said Rose mournfully. 

Fauna laughed. "Don't worry, we'll survive. Come on." She waved to Maxine and Stefan and the two walked off, the rest of the great hall also beginning to clear. As soon as Rose and Fauna were gone, however, Stefan whipped out a sheet of parchment. Maxine looked at it, confused to why Stefan was showing her the letter he was meant to have been sending.

"Why've you still got that?" She queried. "You were meant to send it off."

"I know." Answered Stefan in a low voice. "But when I got to the owlery, Avery and Ava were there. I couldn't very well show my face, could I?" He resisted the urge to say 'after what happened the other day', but ti went unsaid and Maxine understood. She was still puzzled, though.

"But who on earth would Avery and Ava be sending letters to?" It was no secret that the Golden Twins never wrote to anyone, not even their parents, the main reason for this being laziness. In fact, Maxine had never seen them sending anything to anyone.

Stefan shrugged. "I've no idea. But it doesn't seem right." His eyes were serious and Maxine could see there was a catch as he opened his mouth and then shut it again.

"What is it?" She asked, both curious and further confused. "What else happened up at the Owlery?'

Stefan reached into his pocket again, this time receiving a sheet of paper upon which words were written in Nick's handwriting. Maxine looked at him at once, jerking her head up to meet his eyes with intrigue and wariness. "From Nick?" She asked. Stefan nodded, opening it up. :What does it say?" She questioned, eyes now on the letter. Stefan handed it to her.

"It's not good." He admitted as she began to read. "Looks like they've found out more though."

Maxine ran her eye over the writing, different emotions peaking as she read. She was pleased that Nick had wrote but curious to discovered why he had in such quick succession and why Stefan had expressed there where problems as well. 

Dear Maxine & Stefan.

You may be very confused to why I am writing so soon after my previous letter, but the reason is that myself and Monroe have just found more information on the circumstances surrounding you, and I ma afraid to say that Maxine is most definitely in danger. The royals are on your tracks as well as ours and it isn't safe at the moment.

We're sending one of our people, a woman named Adeline Schade, to visit you in Hogsmeade on the 20th. She'll inform you with what you can know at this point and also pass on messages that cannot be expressed in writing. You'll be meeting her at the Hogs Head again and she'll be under the name of Amy Cann.

Stay safe and be sure to reply. I only hope this reaches you intact. Remember, keep your heads down and don't attract attention. 

-Nick.

Maxine turned back to Stefan with wide eyes as soon as she finished it. "This certainly isn't good." She said, trying to register it all. Different emotions confused her body as thoughts whirled round her mind The Royals knew where she was - making it even more dangerous for her - and she felt fear, definite fear. On the other hand, she'd be meeting another friend of Nick's in Hogsmeade and finding out more about the circumstances - which inflicted excitement. But those words '  keep your heads down and don't attract attention'...guilt came as she thought of her many duels and public feuds. And of Theon. Perhaps she should have been more careful.

Stefan answered to her single comment with a shake of his head. "No." He looked at her, sensing her emotions and experiencing similar feelings. "I;m scared, i'll admit...but also intrigued and exited to find out more."

But not guilty. Maxine though. Lifting her head, she smiled at him, hiding her new feelings on the matter of Theon. "I'm the same. But at least it isn't all bad." She stood up and grabbed her bag. "You up for a walk? We can talk some more."

Stefan smiled back at her. He could see through her pretence and knew that she was feeling guilt for her activities with Theon. Perhaps it would open up a window that could be used to sway her against the boy. With all his heart, Stefan hoped. Because the letter from Nick and stirred his protectiveness for Maxine and he could tell Theon was trouble. For both of them.

"Of course." He got up as well, following her out of the hall as they headed for one of the doors that lead outside. He felt so much better now with the tension gone - almost as if they'd been reunited again. Theon had began to break them apart, he thought to himself, and that couldn't be allowed to continue. But he knew that there was no persuading Maxine now he'd best stay quiet about it. In the end, however, they always came together again. They would be companions through everything, that he had known from very early on. And their Grimm abilities would always bring them back together. No one would get between them. Not if he could help it.

Unfortunately, he couldn't.