Von Mirbach Home

Von Mirbach Home
belgium

In Bruges, one part of the house is flat up against the water while the other faces the roadside. It is tired and worn, but that just adds character! It is full of plants and little critters that Boone von Mirbach has collected over the course of his career. Almost every room is full of pillows and cushions and art pieces that add a very lived-in feel.

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

Chrysanthemum had messaged her a while ago that she was expecting her OWLs scores soon. Obviously she wanted her to be there, but she had admittedly had her mother glimpse at the card already. Sitting at the house's steps, she taps her foot casually and pets the neighbor's cat, staring into the void that is their driveway. Being away from Maya has only reinforced her feelings for her. Seeing her again will surely light that fire even more and the thought causes her to mumble Dutch to the plump cat. When it doesn't respond, she frowns and continues to stare eagerly at where her friend is set to appear any minute now.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya had taken a portkey here and then she was able to arrange for a ride to Chrys' place. She is a bit dizzy from the travel and the car ride did not help matters in the slightest – she is beginning to think that perhaps she should just arrange for a portkey that will take her to the Von Mirbach home directly. Surely that is reasonable enough to justify asking her parents for one, though she knows deep down that she would just like to be able to cut the waiting time between arriving in the country and coming home to Chrys. The thirty minutes in the backseat of the car feel like a lifetime, though Maya has always just been impatient. Soon enough, the car comes to a stop in front of the familiar house and she rushes towards her friend immediately. Her heart glows at the very sight of Chrysanthemum, and she runs towards the porch before enveloping her in a tight hug. The driver of the car levitates Maya's things towards them before taking off, not that Maya is paying any attention because all she can focus on is how much she has missed the smell of Chrys' hair. "I have arrived!" she proclaims rather dramatically as she pulls away, "Did you miss me, my cabbage?"

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

Standing just in time before she would otherwise be tossed down against the paved porch behind her, she engulfs the other girl as quickly and groans when she begins to separate herself from her. Chrys pulls her closer again as she mumbles into her a muffled "*Bien sûr, mon chou*." Squeezing her loosely, she steps up the last step before letting go due to the discomfort. Still she leans forward and kisses her cheeks. "Of course," she repeats in English, grinning as she stares down at her. "I have missed you *so* much. You should have visited sooner." The complaint is not serious, but admittedly it would have been nice. "Come in. Come in," she insists, opening the door and gesturing for her to enter first. "How has summer been?"

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"I was *trying*," she says, dragging out the word like a little whine as she waves her wands and mutters a quick spell to summon her things to her side so she can bring them inside with her. "But my mother has been on my case about maybe getting a business degree after Hogwarts. I don't know." Maya makes a face though there is some part of her that is grateful that her mother envisions a future wherein she is capable of taking on an active role in their family business, or at the very least she is striving to give Maya the opportunity to develop that capability. Her father does not seem to care very much. "Lots of things she wanted to discuss with me! And she said that I couldn't leave until it was all settled, but I'm here now!" Her cheeks still burn from where Chrys kissed them, but when she enters the home and takes in the familiar sight she instantly relaxes. She feels more at home here than she ever has in her own house. "Are your parents home?"

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

A little jealous that her friend can use magic outside of Hogwarts now, her jaw slips and her lips part as she watches her. Her brows furrow as she closes the door behind them and the slamming juts her out of her jealousy rather quickly. "*Interessant*," she comments quietly, moving around her to peer into the kitchen. "They are. They are cooking or waiting to." Calling for them in a slur of French and Dutch, the only intelligible word to any English speaker would be *Maya*, which she beams a suspicious amount at while saying. Her parents alternate whipping around the entrance to welcome her with her mother verifying she was fine eating the dinner they had planned. Her shoulders are light from how easy the conversation flows; her parents' love for Maya brings her joy and for some reason a spark of hope. When they both disappear, she reaches for Maya's hand to drag her upstairs to her bedroom. Smiling, she glances behind her and circles around to the original topic. "So? Are you planning on attending university? You said it is settled."

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya *loves* talking to Chrys' parents; they do not seem to mind that she is such a chatterbox and she is positively beaming by the time the conversation ends. She follows Chrysanthemum upstairs. For a couple seconds her eyes are focused on their hands together, but then she nearly stumbles on her way up the stairs and decides it would be better to stay focused on where she is going. "Yeah, I'm probably gonna." she says, "I haven't figured out *where* yet." Maya does not think it matters very much where she gets her degree. It would be nice, of course, if she went home to America but there is part of her that worries over being so far from Chrys. She isn't thinking about it very much, though. Perhaps if things were to progress between them, then it would be more of an issue. "But I guess I *do* need to learn so I have what it takes to inherit everything one day, you know? They don't exactly teach this stuff at Hogwarts."

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

*Gonna* is such a stupid sounding word and Chrys has thought about it on multiple occasions. It's quite charming when it comes from Maya's mouth though, eliciting a smile she is soon biting down in order to appear more focused on the conversation. Chrysanthemum nods in understanding before reaching her door and swinging it open for her to go through. "America should have good programs for this, no?" she pushes just as she releases her hand and sits down, patting on the bed beside her. If Maya were to leave to live in the United States again, or at least full-time, she isn't sure what she would do. Presumably move on from whatever pent up mess of emotions sits in her chest, but that would hurt quite a lot. It doesn't occur to Chrys that she shouldn't consider this quite yet, but she doesn't understand what motivation her friend might have for remaining overseas. American university is expensive, so she has heard from her time on the Internet, but Maya can afford that. "You should! You should do more schooling. You are right," she reaffirms, smiling through it. "Maybe we can go over programs together sometime. I would love to help..."

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya sits on the bed next to Chrys and it occurs to her that she no longer has to keep distance like she had been trying to in the past out of respect to both their relationships, so she takes Chrys hand and rests her chin on her shoulder. "Yeah, I would love that!" Maya is not entirely sure when the right time will be to confess her feelings. Maybe not now because she doesn't want to take away from the occasion of Chrys finding out her OWL results, but she will visit a lot more times in the future anyway and they still have Maya's entire seventh year to figure it out. Hopefully sooner rather than later, so they can spend her last term together. "There are lots of good programs here, too. I'm not sure if I'm going back to America for it, but we'll see!" She kisses Chrys' shoulder once before straightening her posture and turning towards Chrys with a big smile. "Enough about me! Do you have your results with you?"

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

Her response is delayed by her reaction to the kiss, spine melting as she bites down on her lip. Her eyelids close as her head starts to spin, but she collects herself by hopping out of her spot and releasing her hand. It's sharp, hoping to hide any sort of reaction from Maya. "Mam said she would put it on my table," she says, giving an answer to her sudden burst up from her spot. Her actions calm down the moment she is standing, eyes surveying her study area before grabbing the letter. "I told my parents to go over it, but they did not tell me." Pausing as she sits down again, purposefully planting herself right against Maya. "I thought they would tell me." Chrys huffs, knowing her mother is smart enough to know she wouldn't have actually wanted her to though... a part of her believes that she would have at least appreciated some sort of sign. A congratulations. A stern shake of the head. *Something.* Her fingers slip into the envelope to pinch out the score sheet and once she has it in her hand, she grabs Maya's with her free one. "Hmph," she lets out, staring down at it. Eventually she smiles and passes it over, waiting eagerly for her friend's reaction.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya watches Chrys' reaction and she gets nervous once she hears the *hmph*, but then she passes the letter over to her and she looks down to see the list of scores. They're so *good*. Chrys is so intelligent! She begins to wonder, then, if that means Chrys was wholly unimpressed with Maya's scores when she had been so ecstatic over them this time this last year. Realistically though, she knows that Chrys probably just holds herself to a higher standard and Maya does not find that offensive. Chrysanthemum is very intelligent, and Maya's strengths lie elsewhere. Somewhere that is definitely not her academics. "This is fantastic!" she says, looking up with bright eyes and a big smile. "You are *soooo* intelligent! I am so proud." she says, "Four O's! Wow..." Maya is very smitten, true, but even without feelings involved she would have been impressed.

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

Watching her stirs up her anxiety, but more so a desire to impress her and gain some sort of recognition for her efforts. Maya is correct that she holds herself to a higher standard, but also she has long since come to terms with the fact that not everyone is interested in academics. Chrys is, and therefore she believes her scores should be incredibly high. It's what she devotes a good portion of her time to, so she deserves impressive marks. Versus she is aware Maya's interests lay elsewhere and she is quite pleased whenever her friend does something within her realm of expertise. God knows how she swoons after her...though that can occur on the rare occasion that the two pair off in the library together too. "Thank you!" she exclaims, grinning the moment she is complimented. Having Maya admire something she has done gives her more satisfaction than she had been expecting, but also reaffirms to her that her scores are indeed good. "Thanks," she repeats, softer this time. Leaning in, she gives her a small kiss on the cheek as she grabs the paper from her. Furrowing her brows, she stares down at it again. "My Transfiguration score is upsetting, but she will let me continue. I am sure." Otherwise there would be a politely worded aggressive letter sent to Professor Van der Hoek's office. Realizing this lets her ease up some more, seeming content.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

"Your Transfiguration score is *fineeee*." Maya insists. The majority of her own OWL marks were A's and she got an A in Transfiguration as well and was still able to convince the school to let her take it at NEWT level, mostly because she had to meet the minimum and she only got an EE in three subjects. "I'm sure she will let you! You are a *terrific* student and Etta is really nice." She smiles. "Besides, sixth year Transfiguration is a lot easier than fifth year was." It might be because Maya had less subjects to juggle, but she certainly thought so. "What other subjects do you think you'll be continuing at NEWT level?"

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

It doesn't matter to her whether Transfiguration gets easier or not. It *should* become more difficult or else what would be the point of testing into the course? "It would be nice to consult further with some of my yearmates. I am interested to see how they scored, but I will certainly drop Care of Magical Creatures and Muggle Studies. I got an O, but the course is—" she begins to explain, shrugging her shoulders when she remembers Maya is still in the class. Her parents have made quite the effort to involve her in the Muggle world, so it isn't as if she needs to be introduced to it. If she did, then three years of Muggle Studies should be more than an introduction. "Likely Astronomy as well." Elouan would do well in the class without her and regardless she feels guilty for even giving a second of worry for how he might fare. It isn't without reason though; she could picture him (and is correct in this) pleading with her to stay in a course so that they have more in common.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya is smart enough to know where she was going when she brought up Muggle Studies and while it *does* sting a bit considering she is currently taking up Muggle Studies at NEWT level, it is also the truth that it's an easy-O subject that isn't very useful unless you're a pure-blood who grew up having zero interaction with the muggle world, which is very unlikely in this day and age. She supposes Fionn knows nothing about muggles, but to her knowledge he did terribly on that OWL and would not have been allowed to take it at NEWT level anyway. Anyway, Maya *is* taking it because it's easy and because of that she feels that she can't be offended so she quickly sweeps the emotion under the rug and decides not to dwell on it any further. Chrysanthemum is intelligent and values her academics, so it's good that she is challenging herself in this way with more difficult subjects. "I dropped Astronomy too. Not that I would've been able to take it." she says instead. She got a D in Astronomy if she remembers correctly; she hasn't really given her OWL results much thought. "I don't really see the point in taking it unless you really have a passion for it. It's really nice not having to go up the tower in the middle of the night anymore."

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

A part of her gauges Maya's reaction to see if she is offended, considering she finds it obvious that she was bashing the course's necessity. After all, she feels guilty, but she doesn't see a point in exaggerating it into a larger situation *and* she does mean it. Chrys wiggles her fingers between Maya's absentmindedly as she waits for her to finish. "It would be nice. I am not too interested in having classes that don't relate to my future career anyways." Her course load should be difficult enough when considering that, so she doesn't need classes just to pad her schedule. "I do not see why you would want to either," she adds, hoping that noting this aloud will tell Maya that she isn't judging. "Except Herbology!" Chrys grins, leaning in a bit closer as her free hand reaches up to poke her shoulder.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya relaxes a little as she focuses on the feeling of Chrys' fingers in hers and feels slightly more reassured that the other girl is not judging her lack of academic achievement. Now that she mentions it, half of the reason why she continued taking Herbology in an effort to be able to understand Chrys should she want to discuss these things with Maya in the future. The other half was that she needed to reach the minimum number of classes, but she definitely could have done that with another class and now she feels a bit silly having let her feelings and her crush dictate what should be such an important decision. She does not mind very much though. Maya knows she is quite silly already to begin with, and if everything goes right with Chrys then technically she *is* taking a class important to her future. That is just her daydreaming, though. "The problem is a *lot* of the subjects have nothing to do with my future career." she says, giggling. "Maybe I will do loads better in university! We'll see." She looks down again at the list of Chrys' scores and smiles. "I am still *so* proud of you."

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

Chrysanthemum laughs, knowing it is true. It is sort of a shame that Hogwarts' courses aren't more diverse. "Thank you!" Just letting it out elicits a small happy sound to escape her lips before she glances down at Maya's for a moment. She smiles, then straightens herself and quickly regains her previous focus. "Your success is not to be negotiated. You *will* do great," she says, starting to grin as she lets go of her hand to wrap her arms around her or at least attempt to. Talking into her shoulder, she continues. "*Ma petit chou* will succeed," she mumbles before separating herself from her. It becomes noticeable then that she is starting to get flushed, but she remains cool-headed in attempts it won't be. Chrys loves Maya and believes in her. The thought of her career excites her alongside the thought of her dressed up in business attire... A businesswoman! How attractive. Being reminded of this only increases the redness growing into her face.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya is not blind and she notices the way Chrys glances down at her lips, but then nothing happens so she comes to the conclusion that now is maybe not the right time. It *does*, however, fill Maya with a lot more hope than she had when she first arrived at the Von Mirbach home today and she cannot help the extremely giddy smile that crosses her face as a result. "I will!" she says, sounding determined. "How else will I buy you a greenhouse one day?" she teases, laughing at the thought. She *would*, though, given the opportunity. How difficult could it be?

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

A couple hours pass and after dinner with Chrys' parents, the two of them have settled quite comfortably next to each other, lying down in the bed. Maya stares up at the ceiling and she is a bit more flustered than she was the last time she was in this position, mostly because now she is aware that she has a real shot at a relationship with the girl lying next to her. The butterflies in her stomach will not rest, and she wonders how she will be able to get sleep tonight as a result. "I've missed this." she says, closing her eyes for a couple of seconds and taking in the feeling of being here again. She turns so that she is on her side and facing Chrys. "I'm really happy that we get to do this again."

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

Her mind has not stopped replaying the moment when she glanced down at Maya's lips and it only worsens once she tries to sleep. Attempting to sleep is foolish, but she tries to in order to prevent herself from acting too hastily. When Maya turns over to her and her words fill her ear, the stones in her stomach only get heavier. Still she manages to turn over and open her eyes to stare at her, partially illuminated from the streetlight coming in through her blinds. "I have missed this too," she whispers. Chrys smiles before shifting around and inching her head closer to the other pillow that Maya rests on. "Losing this was torture... I am not interested in going through that again." In some small way, she knows this means not dating other people and that is honestly what she wants.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Maya is not interested in losing this again, and she understands that this means that she should probably avoid dating other people in the future. She has no plans of doing so, and hopefully Chrys realizes this as well so that Maya will no longer have to deal with any Isaacs in the future. "Me neither." she says quietly. She is quiet for a bit. It still does not feel like the right moment, because they are drifting off to sleep and she does not want to drop such a bombshell during such a peaceful conversation. Instead, she says, "I don't think we will have to go through that again." Maya can feel her heart beating in her chest. "I don't see why we would."

Chrysanthemum von Mirbach

gryffindor, sixth year
ateleia

Her words require some time to process, so Chrys remains quiet and listens to her heartbeat starting to race. While doing so, she reaches down to search for her hand, bringing them both into the space between their chests. "Nothing comes to mind," she says, rather self-assuredly despite the fact that her confidence is wavering under the pressure of the conversation. Chrys contemplates whether or not now is the time, but worries that this is some sort of sleepiness on Maya's end that she would later regret. Or worse: she rejects her and they do what? Would they still sleep beside each other? Chrys gets nauseous at the very thought and quickly decides against saying anything now. "*Ik hou van jou, ma chou.*" she whispers instead. "I love you. I will not have someone separate us again." It is a rather literal definition of the word *separate* and also incredibly important to her.

Maya Crawford

begonia, seventh year
paintedred

Pleased at Chrys' words, Maya hums contentedly and moves to lie down on her back again. She is careful to keep their hands together, her thumb stroking Chrys' fingers before bringing it to her mouth for a quick kiss. "Don't worry," she whispers as she begins to calm herself enough to fall asleep. "No one will." Maya feels very optimistic about where this is going and she lets out a soft exhale, looking forward to the sight of waking up next to Chrys the tomorrow morning. "I love you, too."