It's a curious thing;

Judas took a deep breath in through his nose. He loved the smell of the great outdoors. He picked up todays copy of the Daily Prophet off of the front steps and saw todays headline 'Circus in town'. Hmm He thought to himself. He ran inside and threw the paper on the couch. Within seconds he was infront of the mirror in the bathroom, fixing his hair. Or rather, un-fixing. He took pride in his hair, the way it was natural, it didn't look like he spent hours on it. He just let it be. He didn't like girls who wore makeup for the very same reason. It hides who you really are. After Judas decided he was ready, he grabbed his broom and flew to the circus. Once he landed, he walked to the main tent. There was a man riding a unicicle with a ladder on his chin. How interesting Judas thought to himself. He took a seat by himself in the stands.

No place delighted the Delacours, Julien and his sister, more than the yearly summer visits to France. This year was no different. The Delacour House in France had proven to be a safe sanctuary of pretty bubble, especially after what took place at Hogwarts Castle. Julien still wondered why his mother had returned to France, leaving both him and his sister to their own devices in London. Thankfully, her cosy apartment in London had become all theirs. With the prospect of having no adult figure at home, Julien and his sister were uncertain, yet anticipated, such a time as this. Imagine the happiness on the faces of the pair when, just a day after returning to London, they found out that the circus was in town!

As usual, Julien took an hour to get ready, checking his hair and donning the already decided outfit from the previous night. His sister had whined about having to wait for him, but he took his time. Finally, when he was ready, they made their way, hand in hand, to the circus, like kids heading towards the candy store. Once there, Julien wanted to go to the main tent. He had a motive, of course. Acrobats and their magnificent bodies. His sister, however, was more keen in the stalls. And so, they split. 

There was certainly a crowd in the main tent, and he was sure, everywhere else in the circus. Julien decided on a seat first. Perhaps it would offer him a more comfortable disposition for his viewing pleasure. The boy slid through the space between legs and the back of chairs, and found a good spot at a vacant seat. It was a good spot because it offered a central perspective of the main tent. 

Julien turned his attention to people who have earlier seated themselves around him. Nothing, or no one, fancy. Then he saw a familiar face. One could not mistake that dark hair, and that even darker look. Julien had always wondered why this boy was sorted into Hufflepuff. Sure, he could not admit to know this boy's personality. But from his looks alone, it was a cause for puzzlement. Julien tapped his fingers absentmindedly at his knee before turning a little to the boy.

"Here to see the acrobats too?" He grinned, a little cheeky at his question. "Who knew? I didn't expect to see you here, Judas." Besides the fact that Julien had a powerful memory when it came to words and names, who could forget such a memorable name that the other boy was associated with?

Judas watched in the most non-creepy way he could as Julien approached. His heart started beating faster and faster as Judas realized Julien was going to soon occupy the seat next to him. Julien's remark about not expecting to see him there (at the circus) didn't really catch him by surprise. Many people judged a book by it's cover when it came to him.

I like men in tights. Judas said with a giggle. It's Julien right? Judas asked, knowing full well that was his name. He was the one guy in the school Judas wouldn't mind getting to 'know better'. Everything about Julien made Judas attracted to him. And he was gay, that was surely a bonus in his books. The only other gay guy Judas knew about was Sev, and he looked like a female elf.

So what brings a cute guy like you here on a day like this? Judas asked with a wink.

As much as Julien knew the name of Judas Lucifer, they had never really been left alone to talk. Therefore, the knowledge of the boy stopped as far as his name and his looks. Julien could not profess to know the boy's preferences or personality, although this could be a good time to learn them.

Julien raised his eyebrows at Judas' answer. He had always admired boys who were just that, boys. It extended to men who took care of their appearances too. Often, it meant their complexion, hair, and their body. Strangely, he had never thought about them in tights before. Or at least, the idea of the tights never made it to his mind. Now, as some performers strolled out to take their performing places, he began to realize the tights. It showed too much of the body, though. Julien liked to have his books gradually unravel themselves to him, and he liked all his interests in the same way too.

"Nah, tights are too revealing for me." He began to answer, as if he had to give an opinion to that. He was a pretty opinionated guy. The problem was, Julien had the tendency to force his ideas down the throats of people, and usually, arguments would ensue. Julien merely nodded when Judas tried to confirm if he got his name right. He had a terrible sense of complacency about him. Surely everyone at school should know his name, he believed.

Julien felt himself going into a bigger sense of surprise when Judas extended his question. He had always been the active one, the one who took the initiative, to watch people come off-guard with his advances. This time, it seems, that was uncalled for. This Hufflepuff boy was keener to get acquainted with him than he had expected. Julien did not know what to make of it. He had always enjoyed challenges, but some anomalies along the way might do some good.

"Well, nobody in their right mind misses the circus. And I was hoping to befriend some ... acrobats." He admitted in a pretty straightforward manner. "It's on my bucket list." He grinned a little. "Well, I assume what brings you here is not the same reason?" But Julien could not conjure another reason, besides the animals and the odd acts, and perhaps the stalls that his sister had disappeared to. There were not many like Julien though, and he did not expect Judas to be one of them. There was no vibe about the way he looked and dressed that could give anyone a clue.

Judas smiled at Julien's reply. If there was anything that he liked most in a guy. It was his ability to be bluntly honest. Even if what they said was rude, he'd just shrug it off and forgive them. Nothing annoys someone more than when you forgive them for being a dick. Especially if they are an enemy.

I would never wear them myself. Well....maybe for someone special. But I like to see people in them, it shows they are confident with their body. Something I wish I was. Judas said as he started to blush a little. I actually came here, to get away from the confines of my house. Mother is away again. Leaving me and that thing I'm supposed to call a father. Funny isn't it? I came here to be alone. And the one guy I.. Judas said, trailing off at the end as he realized he was about to admit how much he actually knew about Julien, and how much he liked him.

So...ummm. Yea, I think I want some cotton candy. he said, trying to distract Julien from his previous sentence. His cheeks turned almost as red as the tent they occupied.

Julien grinned when Judas shared that he would don tights for someone special, a little intrigued that the idea was considered by the other boy, and also finding it strange that the information was shared. It must be the Hufflepuff nature, he thought. Despite what Julien would describe as his fierce looks, the things coming out from the older boy's mouth certainly sounded nothing like it. Perhaps now Julien could finally reconcile the idea of him belonging to that house, where one could find a lot of sweet-natured people. This made Julien think about Sevastian. He had deliberately not write to this boy, as much as he had toyed with the idea of it. He could not understand why he would do that, but he did anyway. Julien wondered, however, if Sevvy had come to the circus too.

Never mind about him, Julien heard a voice in his head. He turned, once more, to offer his attention to Judas as he realised that the older boy had stopped talking. Judas had failed to finish his sentence, and Julien had picked up on that. He would not have noticed it had it not been words, written or spoken. Julien was very good with them. But he was not the only one. And since Julien had noticed the nuance in Judas' words, he stopped himself for a moment and cocked his head, as if he was considering them. The boy had started to share about his parents, but Julien was not interested. He had noted the other words though, and decided to run away with it in cheekiness.

"Welll ... if you came here to be alone ... I could leave ..." Julien knew that was not what the boy had meant. He wanted to toy with the situation. He had his tongue between his teeth as he began to chuckle. "Well, I think I can find a girl fit enough to be sitting here next to you when I leave." His lips spread into a grin, watching the other boy with his amused eyes. "Unless you meant you want some cotton candy for company ... why not?" Julien's head shot up, looking through the crowd for a person, he expected, who would carry a tray of snack assortments. Usually they would have cotton candy, but Julien was always a popcorn person. He adores the sweetest of popcorns.

NO! Judas said, excitedly when Julien said he could leave. I mean, no. Stay, I'm glad you came. He added, trying to hide his excitement from seeing Julien. Judas blushed a little when Julien said he could find a girl 'fit' enough to fill the seat. I don't like girls Julien. I'd much rather you stay here. He said with a smile.

On second thought, lets skip the cotton candy. Your looks are sweet enough for me Judas said, somehow able to supress a giggle. He however was not able to stop from blushing. He normally would never had said such a thing. But something about Julien was different from everyone else. Judas was really attracted to him, he hoped their friendship worked out.

Julien made a face that looked as if a gust of wind had shot at his face, when Judas first raised his voice at NO. He certainly did not see that one coming. Thankfully, the noise of the circus had managed to allow the other boy's voice to fit in nicely, ensuring that one only heard him if one should pay attention. As such, no one turned behind to stare, or even noticed two boys talking to each, not bothering much about the performances now. Sure, Julien had come for the acrobats. But suddenly, this encounter had turned into an unexpectedly amusing one. He did not know what to make of it.

Julien allowed Judas to continue speaking, and he heard every word of it. But Julien felt as if his eyebrows were getting higher and higher with each sentence spoken by the Hufflepuff boy. Julien was taken aback by the raw honesty that seemed to have ambushed him. He wondered how long it would take for him to get over the fact that this boy in front of him had just declared his sexuality to him. Julien thought about the situation. Did he really have the face that compels such confessions? Duh, he told himself. Sure, he had never went screaming along the corridors of Hogwarts that he loved boys, but people who knew him learnt quickly enough about his preferences. Still, loving just boys alone could not be entirely true. Some girls could fit nicely in the list too, although their numbers were scant.

Julien was speechless. He merely stared at Judas, allowing moments of awkward hesitation to slip between them. He was taken aback, and for the first time for the Ravenclaw boy, he did not know his next step. It made him lose the eloquence of speech that he would usually be proud of, and proud to smear it on others with, taking joy from how dumbfounded he could leave people. Now, though, he was the dumbfounded one.

"Uh-wow. Judas. Who would've thought?" He was stalling for time, thinking of a proper response. "Thanks ... I guess?" He swallowed a ball of saliva stuck at his throat. "I mean, I never knew, besides the fact that I don't really know you." He did not mean that in an unkind way. It seems as if, to make up for the lack of comebacks in his head, Julien had began to mutter anything that comes to his brain. "How long has it been?" He was not very clear on that part. It could possibly mean as a question to how long the other boy had liked boys, how long has it been that he had taken a fancy to him. Julien still wondered if that counted as an expression of fancy. Suddenly, he was not sure about something, and he was uncomfortable about it. The boy was too used to certainty.

Judas smiled as he realized Julien was speechless. You're welcome. He said with a smile. How long has it been since I knew I was gay? Or since I knew I liked you? Judas said looking into Juliens eyes. I've known I was gay since I was twelve, in my second year. He said, looking away, eyes focusing on the acrobats. I've known I've liked you for almost five years now. I'm just too shy to actually approach someone I like. Judas said, looking back into Juliens eyes. I guess I'm lucky you happened to sit next to me. He added with a smile.

Did I really just say all of that? Judas asked himself as he stared into Juliens eyes. They were truly the most georgous eyes he had ever seen.

"Well ... this certainly is a ... breath of fresh wind." More like a storm, he thought in his head. Again, Julien stalled for time. He had to respond. Everywhere around him were human walls, and the boy could do nothing but to face up to the fact that he was being put on a spot. "That's very kind of you, Judas." He began, wanting to knock himself for such a weak come-back. Whatever happened to his supposed wit? Gone with that breath of fresh wind, I suppose. His head was talking to him again. "That's an awful lot of years to like someone Judas. I've never really thought it possible. I mean, I know my parents were married, and they should have dated more for a couple of years. I suppose." The boy stopped to ponder upon that. He never had the need to consider it. Besides, Grabrielle Delacour did not share much of that with her children. Recently, it felt as if she had gone missing, although Julien knew where to find her, sort of.

"Well, I mean, I've only be in school for four years ... but I'm flattered, don't get me wrong." Julien bit his lower lip. He hated to fluster. "Look, I think now that I sort of know, we can be better friends. Perhaps if I knew more about you ..." His voice trailed of. Julien was not the sort of person. He did not need to really know a person before he felt attracted because it was not as if he was looking for someone to spend years with. It was not the time yet. He merely wanted to fool around, and he wanted them on his own terms. To be taken aback in this manner, Julien wanted to stall for time, forever. "I just got back from France," he began, thinking that some conversation would do both of the boys some good. "It's a great way to return, y'know, the circus. Summer's been good to me, especially after what took place in school ..." Julien shuddered at the thought. He had not been brave then. He really wanted to go home crying for mummy.

"I hope the going-back-to-school part won't be so difficult this time. I'm looking forward. Everyone should really stop fighting, y'know? It hurts people. It's so unnecessary." Julien's eyes were now clouded with a sense of annoyance. People did not seem to learn. He remembered how a muggle saying proclaimed that history repeats itself. It sure did. "How many more wars in the wizarding world is it going to take before people realised they were fighting merely for the sake of fighting? The Death Eaters, they fight for control, but they don't have a solid plan for the aftermath, should they win the war. It would not be easy to run the world when there are factions against you. You need everyone on your side for that. Ah, well, I'm rambling. Sorry, Judas." Julien smiled. He wondered if the boy was interested in any of the factions. Perhaps, he thought, he could convince Judas to see things his way.