Closed Trying my luck

[Elio Zephyr]

Elio was taking more and more opportunities that presented themselves to him this year, and that included his love life too. There were a few people he felt strangely attracted to, and since coming back to Hogwarts, the gryffindor wanted to see if anything would become of them. He wasn't entirely sure who out of those he liked would like him back in the same way, but he was open minded and figured he would just see how things went. After one class, he'd spotted someone he wouldn't mind spending some more time with, and on his way towards the Great Hall, the fourth year spotted him once again. "Hey," Elio jogged up towards him, trying to catch the student before they both went inside for some lunch. "Hey, I don't know if we've been properly introduced. Elio," he put out his free hand that wasn't the one holding the camera against his chest. His camera was a part of him and it would have been shocking to see him without it.

 

[Marco Mariani]

Marco was, yet again, taking out his cats for a stroll, well of course without a leash because who was that mean? A dog was more understandable, but cats seemed a lot more harmless. They minded their own business which was exactly why he loved them. Naturally, also because of how cute they were. He couldn’t resist those tiny little faces that stared up at him quizzically now as he made his way past the entrance hall, after class. He was planning on bringing them with him, if they were quiet enough and didn’t wander around the classroom. It would be funny to see the reaction of the teachers however. Next time. It took him a second before he realised that someone was speaking to him and Marco turned around, surprised to see one of his classmates from a lesson they had not too long ago. We’re people really this friendly in the castle? "Oh, hey. No I don’t believe we have," he greeted. "Nice to meet you Elio, I’m Marco," he said, shaking the boy’s hand. It seemed a bit formal but he went along with it anyway. He nodded once towards the boy’s camera. "So you’re a photographer, huh? Want my picture?" he said lightly, clearly kidding and pretended to flick his hair like a famous diva.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

Elio was only vaguely aware that Marco was being followed by some kittens, but his attention was a little too distracted for that right now. He wasn't sure what it was he felt for this student, but it wasn't what he had for others around the school, nor his friends he spent a lot of time with. "I am!" he grinned as he mentioned his camera, and before Marco even had a chance to tell him he'd been kidding, Elio had already raised the camera to get a shot of the boy. It would go nicely next to his other pictures on the wall in his dorm. The Gryffindor took pride in the fact that he was always ready to take images, and he missed being part of Accio! where he was free to take pictures around the castle as and when were needed. "You want to give me your autograph too?" he joked, although watching as the Polaroid was printed, was waving the image around between the boys in case he did in fact wish to sign it. "You're not new around here, are you?" he thought he'd seen all the transfers come in with him this year and this boy certainly wasn't with him, but he didn't recognise him from before either.

 

[Marco Mariani]

Marco didn’t question as to why the boy was being so friendly to him, he seemed pretty chill though which was a good thing for the hufflepuff because it meant he would have no problem befriending him. It was good to have friends, especially considering he hardly socialised the past three years. Well, socialised he did, just not enough. The fourth year had thought he had made it quite obvious that he’d been kidding, but Elio went along with it, taking his picture and then asked for an autograph. Marco was surprised at how quick all of this happened but he shrugged, grinning at the Gryffindor. "Of course, why not," he said, taking out a quill from his pocket (they were handy!) and writing ‘Marcona Mariani’ as if he were a girl. "Oh, uh, don’t mind the signature, it’s just my stage name," he said with a straight face. "Oh no I’ve erm, been around," he said. "I’ve kept to myself for two whole years, before I decided it was boring." It was true, the first year he had been excited, but then with everything on at home he had been relatively busy, and untrusting.

 

[Elio Zephyr]

Elio was genuinely surprised when Marco agreed to give him his autograph; after all the Gryffindor had been joking, but then it would have also made a good addition to the wall. "Thanks," he said with a grin, wondering what he meant by stage name or if that was a joke too. The fourth year continued to listen as he explained he had actually been around quite a lot, only that he'd been keeping to himself instead, "That makes sense," he shoved his own hands in his pockets as he was suddenly a little bit nervous, not a usual trait for the brown haired boy. "So you've decided to mingle with the rest of us?" he pushed on, hoping that what he said next wasn't about to back fire on him completely. He'd never specifically asked another boy to spend time with him before, so he didn't know what it felt like to be rejected, but maybe if he played his cards right then Marco would be interested. "You know, maybe we could spend some time together," he began, trying to keep his voice casual, "For example, I know this really great ice cream shop in Brightstone, perhaps we could take a walk there one afternoon?" It wasn't exactly an outright request for a date, but he certainly wouldn't have minded if Marco took it that way.

 

[Marco Mariani]

Marco felt relieved that the boy just went along with the joking, and didn’t take it too seriously, after all the hufflepuff was just messing around. No harm meant. He grinned at the Gryffindor in return, feeling rather at ease. Hopefully, be able to befriend him. It was nice to be able to talk to people his age again. He’d missed that. Well, isn’t this a curious thing, he thought to himself as he picked up on Elio’s psychic abilities. "What, you can read minds or something?" he said lightly. Though deep down inside Marco was curious about what made the other boy so interested in getting to know him all of a sudden. On the surface however no bells were ringing. "Yeah, I’ve hardly got friends and I’ve found it pretty easy to make some, at least during the past couple of weeks," he chattered. The fourth year didn’t even try to hide his confusion as he furrowed his eyebrows together, trying to figure out if there was more than the simple, obvious meaning of the boy’s suggestion. "Oh sure, why not," he said easily, maybe if he did agree he’d finally find out what was so unique about...himself, apparently. Marco hadn’t thought he was all that interesting, but sometimes he didn’t see things other people saw in him. Maybe, this was one of those times. "Okay! I love ice cream," He glanced at Elio with a smile. "You let me know when, and I’ll clear my schedule." ​

 

[Elio Zephyr]

Elio hadn’t been convinced Marco would be interested him in that way too, but as soon as the words left him, the Gryffindor was grinning ear to ear at the acceptance. It would have been his very first proper date and he was excited to be going on it with someone as cute as the Hufflepuff. “Of course!” He was a little too surprised and relieved to put an entire sentence together but it would do for the time being. “Oh trust me, this place does so many flavour you won’t know which to try first,” there was of course the chance that Marco already knew it, but he didn’t want to disappoint him, and Elio was just glad that the boy wanted to date him too. “Plus, it will give us a chance to get to know each other a little better,” he added with a smile. He had a few friends for sure, but no one yet that he was especially close to, and it would have made a nice change. “How about Tuesday? I’ll meet you right here and we can go together?” He asked, not wanting to miss the opportunity to plan the date ahead of time.

 

[Marco Mariani]

Marco was oblivious to how excited Elio seemed about this, and all too eager, but he was simply glad to be able to hang out with a new friend. So he settled on the fact that Elio probably felt the same way. Maybe the poor guy hadn’t had a chance to click with anyone like this in a long time, just like Marco himself. Marco never gave up opportunities such as those. He laughed at the Gryffindor’s words, happy to be trying out those ice cream flavours. "Man, I’m getting hungry just at the thought of the possibilities," he admitted with a chuckle, glancing at his newfound friend. "You’ll have to tell me which ones are the best then," he asked with a slight raise of an eyebrow. He nodded, but didn’t comment, unsure as to what he could possibly respond to that. It was a little odd but Marco wanted to enjoy the fact that he had added another friend to his list. "Sure, that sounds good," he agreed with a small smile, not wanting to upset Elio by saying he should see first if he was free that day. ​