= Wands High =

Chapter 36 - 17 May 1998, Sunday

- Someone is late for breakfast again.

Daynen didn't have to turn his head in order to know who the person talking to him was.

- You are an observant one, Syrus.

The boy's face broadened in its usual heartfelt smile and despite Daynen literally passing by him a moment prior, he didn't seem even the slightest bit offended by it.

- That performance from the other day was amazing, Daynen – the 4th year student went on after taking a seat opposite the table. - I mean, especially that last song you guys played. Was so unexpected!

- Indeed, I'm sure it was.

Looking down at his bowl of cereal, Daynen found it to be unusually tasteless this morning, and he had a good idea as to why.

Syrus Schneider had been tracking his footsteps ever since last year's mid-term. He was always nearby, always seemed to find him with ease, it felt like a miracle that Daynen had only encountered him a couple of times so far since his return to Innestrad. Syrus was not a bad person, not by any means, however he just couldn't get the concept that people who simply don't want to talk to him, in fact, do exist.

Daynen himself had thought about sending him on his way on multiple occasions and in a rather hurtful manner at that, but the ever-cheerful blond boy had kept being so nice and polite that the task had become completely unreasonable. Part of Daynen also happened to like the attention too, he had analyzed, be it a rather small part.

Recently however, he just wished he'd be left alone altogether. He did not need any of their praise anymore, did not require a pat on the back to keep doing what he was doing. Seemed to Daynen that the only opinion that mattered to him right now was the one of a single particular person.

And young Schneider was not that person.

- News is that you and Cynthia aren't together anymore – Syrus' words about the girl managed to interrupt his thoughts.

- We were never together, I'd say. Not really.

- Gosh, truthfully? That's not what she's been telling everyone though... She is so good-looking, that Cynthia! So slim and gracious! When I see her walking the corridors, she's always surrounded by other people, who are being nice to her.

Daynen sensed that with each passing second the spoon in his right hand was slowly starting to more and more resemble a weapon.

- Again - that last song – Syrus' went on, obviously not really looking for a response. – Don't think I've ever heard anything like it during a Battle before. Was some next level stuff, D! I wouldn't pay attention to the haters, they don't get what real art is!

- People don't like it too much, I'd gather – he was chewing the cereal at a slow, monotonous pace, doing his best to ignore all the hand gestures his unwanted conversation partner constantly used while talking.

- Well, some didn't, sure. Though not because the song was bad or anything. I mean, some give that as a reason, of course, but others claim it killed the mood of the whole evening, while another group states that you just influenced your band to play it in order to impress that Hogwarts girl.

For the first time since their little talk had begun, Daynen's eyes finally managed to focus on young Syrus.

- Not that I think that, mind you! – the boy quickly added. – Like I said, I loved the song and I think you are great together. You and the band, I mean. Er... I mean you and the Hogwarts girl! Both, actually! She does have something, er... Hermione, was it? She does have something about her, I don't think I can pinpoint it with words, but there is definitely something. She does carry her books rather strangely and I have only seen her smile once – it was during that night, naturally. She was looking at you, I think. You know, D, you've been quite difficult to find lately!