I have Gus Lissington as a potential friendly face for Aleksei. Gus is gay but he's super in love with someone else lol. He's not open about it, for obvious reasons, but is also the DADA professor, so they know each other at least.
I can also offer up Clifford Hillicker for exploration, or even a friend for Wally. They were both in Gryffindor in '85, as Cliff left after his OWLs that year. But they both like quidditch, and Cliff would be so thankful someone he knew didn't go professional. (It's his dream but it didn't pan out for him lol). Cliff is brash and pretty rude, so wouldn't be surprised if he voiced that.
I can also offer up Clifford Hillicker for exploration, or even a friend for Wally. They were both in Gryffindor in '85, as Cliff left after his OWLs that year. But they both like quidditch, and Cliff would be so thankful someone he knew didn't go professional. (It's his dream but it didn't pan out for him lol). Cliff is brash and pretty rude, so wouldn't be surprised if he voiced that.