Chapter 43 ~ Another Meeting.

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Maxine turned as Theon closed the door, sighing slightly at the thought of Stefan, still guilty as a result. She smiled as Theon turned to face her, but it was weary, as he noticed. And his smile was near genuine with emotion - this was a wonderful opportunity for him. A vulnerable Maxine who would be easy to manipulate. 

She spoke then, making an effort to lighten. "So, what are we brewing today."

Theon smiled softly back at her and she couldn't help but feel a little more at ease with him. She had met him once since the first session, Stefan having been busy doing some homework, and had once again enjoyed his company. Dangerously, she was beginning to put more trust in him. Not only was he helpful and giving, he was also very sensitive and the latter act was the one which won her over the most. It was a replay of the Stefan thing and her warm heart wanted to help this boy, just as he seemed to help her. Yes, at an alarmingly fast rate, she was beginning to become closer to the boy. It was not a large jump and did not seem it, but the fact that one extra session had done it was remarkable. Unbeknownst to Maxine, Ava's plan was working out perfectly.

"Well I did have a pretty hard one planned." Theon answered, looking at her carefully. "But, well." He looked at her weary face and his expression became more concerned as he appeared to sense her mood.

"What?" She asked, touched by the care in his face. 

He ran a hand through his dark hair. "Well - it's essential that you don't have an overtaxed mind whilst brewing it and..." He looked at her with concern. "This might not be acceptable to say, but you do seem slightly flustered. Your friend...." Once again Theon trailed off and his gaze, wary as he looked up, eyes fixed firmly on Maxine.

She sighed but nodded. "No, it's ok Theon. And yes, my mind is slightly overtaxed, but I still want to do some potions, though maybe not brewing." 

"Well-" Theon paused, then looked at her and continued carefully. "- do you wanna talk about? I mean, I understand if you still don't trust me or I'm not close enough or anything."

Maxine was touched. "No, Theon I'd be...." She bit her lip at that point and stemmed back the sentence of acceptance. Because Stefan was her friend and she wasn't going to back chat about him. Plus she still knew she couldn't fully trust Theon or get close. Or rather, her subconscious knew.

She continued after a pause, Theon still waiting for an answer. "Don't worry." She said stiffly, then thought of a partially true excuse. "It's sort of about you, anyway..." She trailed off and looked at him. "It's complicated, that's all I can say, but thanks for the offer." She looked around, desperate to get off the subject and to get rid of the feeling that told her to talk to Theon and accept his comfort. "Anyway, what are we gonna do?" 

Theon, realising he wasn't going to get anything out of her, moved forward with a smile. "What about I test you on some ingredients? If we're not going to brew."

Maxine smiled. "The test sound good - hopefully I'll remember what you've attempted to make me remember."

Theon laughed in return. "Of course you will." He walked forward and took a textbook off the shelf and moved to sit on a desk, Maxine almost finding a seat, perched on another desk. "Ready?" He asked, opening the book and turning to look at her.

She nodded and grinned. "Yup."

He grinned in return. "Ok...what are the properties of..."

Theon was right, Maxine did remember all that Theon had taught her and more. Even after only two brewing sessions, she had improved dramatically. She supposed it was because of the fact that she was studying out of class and could concentrate easier. Plus she was alone with Theon, someone who did not distract her when Stefan, Rose or Fauan were around and who was also an excellent teacher. In that dark room of requirement, accompanied by a boy whose faults she could forgot and who's nature seemed sensitive and helpful, she could clam herself and focus, she could forget. 

After half and hour, Theon closed the book with a grin, Maxine also smiling proudly. "Well done." His congratulations filled Maxine with joy. "You remembered almost all of it. You must have a photographic memory."

Maxine laughed. "No, it's just because I don't have any distractions here. And you're a marvellous teacher."

He smiled modestly but pride also came to his eyes. "Thanks." The way he ecuted the mixture of maturity and shyness was brilliant and certainly worked on Maxine. "As are you."

She laughed. "We'll see." She jumped off the desk and made her way to the shelves that surrounded their duelling area. "I'm a real dragon when I get going. Soon you'll be calling for mercy. Now, show me that knock back jinx again."

In a flash, Theon had fired a powerful knock back jinx from his wand and thrown Maxine backwards. Luckily she landed on the cushions, surprised but pleased, and further the former as Theon came rushing over and helped her up.

"God, I'm sorry - I had no idea it'd be that strong." He pulled her up with surprising strength with an apologetic expression. "You ok?" 

Maxine chuckled. "Of course I'm fine, you dork. I loaded on the cushions. Well done, that was awesome."

Once again the modest and charming smile returned. "Thanks." He looked at her. "It's ok, then?"

She grinned, pride on her eyes. "It was perfect. Now, what about those jinxes?"

He smiled and held up his wand, but she quickly pointed it in a different direction. "Best not practice them on me." She said with a laugh, turning it to point at the death-eater styled duelling dummy. "Try it on him."

He laughed and turned to face the dummy before varying the jinxes she had taught him in the last session in quick succession. Once again, all of them were perfectly cast, increasing Maxine's pride and joy again. As she continued to teach the boy, ten weight fell of her again. Except for a little upset when the words "I wish she would see" ejected her brain and made her jump so much she knocked over one of their recently brewed potions, everything wine t smoothly and she found herself liking the boy more and more. The studying was bringing them closer together. And as they said goodbye at the end of the session, Maxine's lingering smile hinted at yet more success. The way she joked with him on the way back to the Ravenclaw tower and allowed him to walk him there said it all.

 And then, for anyone to see, they organised another date and time for a session and shared another inside joke. And as he walked away, Maxine was left smiling.

The plan was coming together.