into the moment [freddie]

May 2004

"Freddie," the Ravenclaw called out, his voice smooth and warm, as he leaned over the bench the Gryffindor was sitting on in the courtyard. "Check this out, no thanks needed," he added, humor infused in his tone as he placed a small, glossy gift bag right on his lap, his brows perked, waiting for Freddie to follow his instructions.

It was a surprisingly gorgeous day out, the May sun felt warm on his cheeks and he was glad that he had, as usual, smoothed on two layers of sunscreen over his olive-toned skin. There were many students sprawled across the grounds, especially now during the lunch hour. It seemed the at everyone had the same idea today to skip the fake charmed ceiling sunshine of the Great Hall and venture outdoors for the real thing. Leonidas was just happy to find Freddie on his own.

It had been a couple of weeks since he had gotten this little gift and it had been a few more before that when he and the Gryffindor (who had the most amazing pair of brown-green eyes) had talked about this at all. He wondered if Freddie remembered the conversation at all, Leonidas barely did and it had only occurred to him in a rare moment before he went to sleep. He had ordered it via Owl Mail the next day. It was expensive, but very pretty and he was sure Aase was going to love the gift that he had gotten for Freddie to give to her. Not that he really cared about the Hufflepuff really, but he considered himself a generous soul and Freddie seemed to need the money, the poor guy.

@Freddie Snyder

“Oh hey,” Freddie said as Leonidas approached him. He raised his eyebrows at what the other boy said and peered into the gift bag that he had put down on his lap.

“You have not!” he exclaimed, now looking at the Ravenclaw his mouth slightly ajar in surprise. He had mentioned Aase’s birthday and the beautiful silk scarf that he had seen that would suit her so well and that he could not possibly afford a while ago. However, he had never believed that the other boy would go as far as to buy the gift for him.

“I cannot possibly accept that,” Freddie said weakly, his cheeks lobster red now. His voice betrayed him, though. He felt he had to say that he couldn’t accept it but deep down he wanted this gift for Aase.

“I mean…” he grinned sheepishly, “wow… you really got it. Thank you. Honestly, mate. I owe you. This is amazing.”

Leonidas kept his gaze on the Gryffindor, a small smile on his lips, as he watched his friend's surprised reaction. The way he turned red was absolutely endearing and he wondered if it was one of the reasons Aase had fallen for him. He guessed it might have been an easy thing to do.

Freddie's refusal, however, was not something he entertained for a second. "Oh, it's nothing, really Freddie, take it," he said, nudging the gift bag closer as he felt his chest swell with the pride and generosity that came with giving expensive gifts. Hell, he wasn't even sure why he had done it really, but he was glad he did. The smile on his face was thanks enough.

He was happy that he wasn't going to fight him too much on it and Leonidas nodded with a smile, his dimples showing as he brushed a piece of lint off his pressed black slacks. "You're welcome, think nothing of it," he told him. Then had a second thought. "Actually, you can make it up to me by doing my Potions essay due tomorrow," Leonidas said as he turned to watch a group of students pass by them, a sly grin on this face just before he cracked up into laughter.

"Kidding, obviously," he said through his laughs. Leonidas was ace at Potions thanks to the family business and Freddie was.. well, not as good as him. He clapped a hand on his friend's shoulder, squeezing lightly. "When are you going to give it to her, you think?"

It felt right and wrong at the same time to accept this gift from Leonidas.

He wanted it for Aase. He felt that the scarf was perfect for her. He had seen it in a magazine and thought of her immediately. To him it looked like it had been made for Aase. He hoped that she would love it as much as he felt that it ought to be hers.

However, it was an expensive gift. Way too expensive. Even if he had money himself it would still feel like an expensive gift and accepting that from Leonidas felt a little humiliating. However, while Freddie tried to conceal his family background from others most of the time, he was not too proud to accept the gift even if it did feel awkward.

For Leonidas money had another worth than for Freddie. He had known it for a while now. What seemed like a fortune to Freddie were peanuts to Leonidas. He thought that the other boy had to wake up every morning with a smile on his face, knowing that he would never have financial worries.

“Thanks, truly,” Freddie said again.

Soon enough he felt how his blush grew more intense again as Leonidas made a joke about the potions essay. His lips formed a thin line as he realised that he was not only much less wealthy than his friend but also academically inferior.

Fortunately the Ravenclaw changed the topic again before Freddie’s mood could get any worse. He shrugged and glanced from the other boy to the silk scarf and back at Leonidas again. “Well, I will give it to her on her birthday,” he said, “maybe I’ll ask her to go for a little walk… just the two of us. I don’t really want all her friends to be around when I give it to her.”

"You're quite welcome," Leonidas said, warmth in his tone as he gave the Gryffindor a smile. He wondered if Aase knew how lucky she was...

The Lovecraft nodded as he listened, his eyes on Freddie's large hands as he touched the scarf. He could imagine Freddie doing just that, Aase and Freddie alone. He fought the urge to shrug, not liking that mental picture. So instead he gave a smile and glanced away, swining his leg up and over the bench. "Yeah, good idea, mate. Don't do it in front of her friends. Want to walk? I'm actually hungry," he suggested as he stood, smoothing out the almost nonexistent creases in his dark trousers.

He wasn't that hungry, but he suddenly didn't want to hear more about Aase. He tugged at his shoulder bag, the fine leather strap sitting diagonally across his chest, the bag feeling light and airy though due to handy charmwork. "Did you hear about the 'secret'-" Leonidas made air quotes. "--party Yvette Hopkins was trying to throw this weekend. Someone said it was going to be in the Chamber of Secrets, but I'm pretty sure it's just in one of the old potions dungeons below the basement." He rolled his eyes with a small smile. "Will I see you there?"

“Yeah,” Freddie nodded, smiling to himself. He had a wonderful present for Aase and he felt lucky that Leonidas was so generous to give it to him. “I really owe you,” he repeated and blushed a little again.

Leonidas suggested walking to the Great Hall and Freddie gave an agreeing shrug. He wasn’t particularly hungry but quite happy to do whatever his friend suggested now He got to his feet. Unlike the Ravenclaw he didn’t try to smooth his uniform. He carefully picked up the bag that Leonidas had given to him as though it was fragile. A soft chuckle escaped him when he realised that the scarf was probably the most expensive non-school item in his possession these days.

“Yvette is throwing a party?” Freddie asked back, thus revealing that the news of the secret party hadn’t travelled as far as his dormitory in the Gryffindor tower. “Can’t believe she even knows how to get into the Chamber of Secrets,” he laughed and then he nodded, “yeah, sure, I think it sounds fun. You’re going?!”

Leonidas gave him a wide smile, his eyes bright, flapping a hand in his direction as he shook his head. "Really, it's nothing," he told Freddie though he did quite like the sentiment of being owed something and the flush on Freddie's cheeks made it hard to look away. He made himself look away after a moment, but he did hear the chuckle which gave him an excuse reason to glance back, brows raised in question. "What's funny?" he asked curiously, running his fingers through his dark silken hair.

Freddie asked about the party and Leo nodded. "Yeah, you haven't heard?" Surprising, but then again.. maybe not. "I'm officially inviting you," he offered even though it wasn't even his party. It wasn't like such things had strict rules anyway. "Feel free to bring Aase too," he tacked on, wondering if that might mean a bigger chance of Freddie showing up.

"Yes," he added with a roll of his eyes. "She keeps blathering on about an upperclassman showing her how to get in, but I doubt it. Guess we'll see, won't we?" Leonidas smiled as they rounded a corner and a first year almost ran into him. "Careful, there," he said as he righted the girl before she ran off.

While it might be nothing to Leonidas, Freddie could hardly wrap his head around the generosity his friend showed him. To him it meant a lot more than he was willing to express but still he had to bite his tongue to prevent himself from thanking Leonidas yet again.

The Ravenclaw had picked up on the chuckle and Freddie felt that he had to give some sort of explanation. The truth, however, did seem embarrassing. It was enough that Leonidas was aware that he had hardly as much money at his disposal but an entirely other one to admit that had really been on his mind.

“Eh nothing really,” he said with a shrug, “I just envisioned Aase when she sees this. I’m sure she’ll be delighted.”

The party was a welcome topic to discuss and Freddie was quite pleased that his friend said that he’d invite him. “Nope, the news didn’t travel to me yet. I guess that’s what happens with secret parties,” he joked. “I’d be happy to join, though. Especially if it is in the Chamber of Secret. I’ve heard the tales and I think it would be exciting to explore it.”

Freddie grinned when a little girl almost ran into Leonidas and then ran off, her face a bright red shade of embarrassment.

“So the party is this weekend? Is there a dress code for it?” It was not like Freddie had many clothes to choose from but he wanted to check anyway before he’d make a fool of himself, appearing in the wrong attire.