Aleksei looked at the older man as he provided his suggestion. "About what life was like as a muggleborn? Certainly wasn't easy," Aleksei said in bittersweet amusement. A lot of purebloods seemed to think muggleborns shouldn't be magical. As if they could help the way they had been born. "They once spread a rumour that I am part fairy." Though that probably had more to do with Aleksei's height and daydreamer nature than their blood status.

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aleksei is non-binary. in ooc narrative, aleksei goes by they/them, IC people would percive them as he/him

Natty's idea didn't hit the youth quite the way he'd been hoping, like a strike of inspiration. But maybe it would occur to the lad some day anyway — maybe he'd think on it, and eventually have a go of writing.

"What an interesting thing to make up about someone", he replied. "I have more or less no experience with children... even when I was one myself. But it's my understanding that they can be cruel and jealous, at times."

  

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"Maybe I'll make up a story about a fairys point of view of life in Hogwarts. Escaped from the Care of Magical Creature and is now drifting through the halls," Aleksei mused aloud. Aleksei was an artist not a writer though. So perhaps they would paint the amusing images in their head instead. "They can be and so hateful to anyone not like them" Their heart still ached when they remembered the half-bred ban and all the pain their part creature friends had gone through.

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aleksei is non-binary. in ooc narrative, aleksei goes by they/them, IC people would percive them as he/him

"I like your fairy story", he replied with a slight smile, charmed by the little tale the boy had concocted. "And I'm sorry for your past. I hope, though, that times are kinder now...?"

  

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"Thanks, perhaps I will make a painting series based on it," Aleksei said with a smile before considering their answer to the question asked. "As kind as can be expected now that I have more agency over who I have around me," Aleksei said honestly. "Though the downside is that it is more frowned upon to associate with my working class friends than it was in school." Hogwarts had its merits and one of them was that students had been at least somewhat on equal ground even if they weren't in wealth and privilege.

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aleksei is non-binary. in ooc narrative, aleksei goes by they/them, IC people would percive them as he/him

Natty nodded empathetically, but could not help but chuckle at the label of working class friends. It seemed very... innocent. "Well, feel free to consider me one of your working class friends, young man", he said, and offered a handshake. "Jonathan Copper."

  

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Young man. Like they usually did whenever someone explicitly noted Alekseis sex, their stomach twisted uncomfortably. It had been happening more and more as they got older. Outwardly, they simply smiled and took the offered handshake. "Aleksei Nichols. It has been an absolute delight meeting you."

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aleksei is non-binary. in ooc narrative, aleksei goes by they/them, IC people would percive them as he/him

"And you", replied Natty with a warm smile, missing what discomfort may have crossed Aleksei's young face. "I hope we cross paths again."

And with that, Natty continued on his way, uplifted still by the youth's delight at the swans, who continued their slow dance across the silver waters.

-end!-

  

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