An active, character-driven Hogwarts experience set in the early 2000s. Unique items, plots, and features. Non-canon; this isn't Harry Potter's story, it's ours.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Sept 1, 2019 18:52:13 GMT 10
Lucas was confident and pleased with himself. He strolled down some stairs and stood to look out at everyone from the top of the last one. He had plenty of room and was easy seen by anyone passing by in any direction - it was rather known that he could be found there from time to time, so Lucas waited for someone to approach him.
He got out his parchment list of plans and notes, checking over everything so he was fully prepared. Lucas still needed to find some spies from other houses too, but all in good time. He had his schoolbag with him still, which he kept some less forbidden or suspicious items in case he came across an opportunity between classes. He could easily run back to the common room if needed.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Sept 1, 2019 23:10:37 GMT 10
Grace entered the hall with Gerald, looking around for the boy. She checked outside first, scanning through the window-like columns that enclosed the courtyard. When seeing nothing, she shook her head at Gerald and mouthed, "Nothing." Then, turning to focus back on the inside, she noticed a Slytherin boy. He looked like a fifth year, or at least an older student.
Grace had forgotten that she had only a general idea of what his name was. Her mother, though from a wizarding family, put no emphasis on last names, and so Grace had a habit of forgetting them. She thought it could've been Luke, Lucas, or Lucian. "Should we go up to him now?" she whispered to Gerald.
He had been with her the entire time, looking for the older student, so now that they might have found him, he was relieved. Nodding, he replied. "Probably better now than later."
If this wasnt the right guy, then hopefully he could lead them in the right direction.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Sept 1, 2019 23:22:15 GMT 10
"Alright," Grace said as she nervously walked over to the older boy. "Um, excuse me...are you the deal kid?" she said simply. It seemed descriptive enough. A kid who made deals. Plus, if it was the wrong guy, he'd probably know where to find the right guy. He had a reputation, Grace thought.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Sept 1, 2019 23:39:47 GMT 10
'Am I the what?.' Lucas asked, unsure if he should be offended or not. He also wasn't a kid, especially not with how tall he was. He eyed the two first years and how nervous the girl looked, though he couldn't be sure why - unless it had something to do with him being an older Slytherin. The boy wore Gryffindor robes, after all. Not that he cared what house anyone was in so long as they had money and a lack of wits about them.
'Oh, is there something you need?' He played along, assuming they'd heard about his deals and were trying to work out if it was him. 'Lucas Mardling.' He indicated to himself with pride and charming confidence. 'If you're looking to make a deal, then I'm your guy. Is it homework, or something grander? I can get you anything.'
Those were bold words, but no one had asked him anything too impossible yet. And if they did, well he'd find a way to get it or be damned.
Last Edit: Sept 2, 2019 1:19:49 GMT 10 by Lucas Mardling
Post by Grace Babineaux on Sept 1, 2019 23:52:40 GMT 10
Grace looked nervous. Had she somehow managed, already, to get on this kid--not kid's bad side? She felt very small now, and wondered if she really should be asking this. Polyjuice potion sounded like something that would probably be banned around the school. Grace would know for certain if she'd read through the entire list, but she had not, procrastinating on it. She thought she'd never break rules.
"Er...anything?" Grace said, wanting to confirm her suspicions. "Say...three" she glanced at Gerald, "...er...six doses of polyjuice potion?" She had saved some allowance in the hopes that she would be able to buy something from an owl order later, but she was willing to spend them. This would be much cooler than anything from an owl order.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Sept 2, 2019 1:35:57 GMT 10
It took Lucas a moment to process the request. He'd been asked for a polyjuice before, nothing odd there, but SIX? For a pair of first years? Oh, his curiosity burned him - but he made a habit of being able to deny any knowledge should the situation arose. And this one sounded like something he really shouldn't have the foreknowledge of.
'Six? I'm assuming that's three each?' Lucas eyed the first years, alert for any signs of lying or trickery. Once he was sure they were genuine in their request, he got out his scroll and did some calculations. He had a prepared arrangement already for polyjuice, but six of them was quite an ask. He'd need to pull out all the stops, but that was okay because it made it pricey for them.
'And each of you have a Potions Kit? The non-class one.' Lucas eyed them, awaiting confirmation before he continued. 'All right. I have a contact who can get those to me as soon as possible, but you'll need to make it worth her while by replacing some of what she used to make them. So...This is my price. When you pay it in full, I'll give you the potions. This is very much against all school rules so I'd keep this to yourself if you have any sense.'
He wrote down the full list of what they needed to bring him, then duplicated it - one each.
'Do we have an agreement?' Lucas raised a stern eyebrow. It was quite a big request and he had little intention of budging on it, though was open to negotiation if they thought it would be worth his while. He doubted anything would be.
The following list is what Grace and Gerald must each bring Lucas in exchange for 3 vials of Polyjuice Potion.
61 Galleons - covers the vials and bought ingredients, and the cost of skipping ingredients they don't have the required skill levels to obtain.
3 Human hair - received for winning a duel against a student.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Sept 2, 2019 2:04:36 GMT 10
Grace read her list. She wasn't sure if she had 61 galleons. And she was also unsure of how she was going to get to dueling. Fluxygrass and honey seemed easy enough--they just had to go outside. She hesitated when she saw Duskcaps on the list, recalling from earlier Potions kit hunting that they were found in the Forbidden Forest, which was, obviously, forbidden. Turning to Gerald, she whispered, "Some of this stuff is gonna be hard to get..." then, she turned to Lucas. "Is there anyway you could collect the duskcaps? I mean, they are in the Forbidden Forest..." Grace trailed off nervously.
He looked at his list. There was a lot. Duskcaps might be an issue, and the human hair even more so. How would he even start duelling?
"Um, we have the kits, but how can we go harvest stuff in the forest? It's out of bounds" What Grace said made sense. "Is it possible that we can get our supplies through you too?"
Last Edit: Sept 2, 2019 19:43:10 GMT 10 by Deleted
Post by Lucas Mardling on Sept 2, 2019 18:47:10 GMT 10
Lucas supposed they were just first years and had a lot to learn yet, even in regards to making deals and the value of things, but he still wasn't impressed with their responses. A bit of his approachable charm slipped, reminding them he was not messing around.
'Let me get this straight...' Lucas said, tone not unkind but very to-the-point. 'You come to me, asking for six highly advanced and even illegal potions, then wonder if I could make it easier for you? Perhaps you'd rather brew them yourselves? Buy the other supplies and extraordinarily rare ingredients? If it's all too hard for you, then perhaps you should reconsider how badly you want or need those potions?'
He shrugged, calling their bluff. Though there was no way he would take the risks for them. Lucas was well aware that duskcaps were found in the Forbidden Forest at night. If someone was foolish enough to ask for polyjuice potions then surely it was on them to take the other risks involved as well.
'If being out of bounds is a bigger deal to you than illegal potions, I daresay you've got your priorities muddled up,' Lucas added in amusement. 'So, what will it be? Am I wasting my time here or can you meet my price?'
Post by Grace Babineaux on Sept 3, 2019 0:02:39 GMT 10
Grace coughed nervously. She certainly didn't want to be on a Slytherin's bad side, especially not one who could be useful in the future. "It's fine, we'll get the stuff." she said, turning away with Gerald. "Wanna go practice our spells? Who knows what we'll find in the Forbidden Forest..." she shivered. This was going to be a little harder than she thought.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Sept 3, 2019 17:01:10 GMT 10
Lucas nodded, approving of their decision to accept the price and move along. He wasn't sure how much time it would take them to get the things before he needed to fulfill his end of the deal, but made notes to check his supplier just in case. Six was a lot, but he was excited to get paid.
With that sorted for now, he watched the first years leave then kept a lookout for anyone else who could be interested in making a deal. Lucas decided to stay there until it was time for dinner, knowing everything had free time by now. And he had nothing better to do, except replay in his mind that moment in the bathroom with Amara - and everything he'd learned from having eavesdropped on the others.
Through windows and open doors, the sky could be seen beginning to darken - not just in the clouds gathering above, but that night was almost upon them. Professors were encouraging students to head inside, as dinner would be starting soon.
Even though Kat typically knew where the Great Hall was she was still in a bit of shock from what just went down at the staffroom. Something was happening and Fairburn needed Hathmore. ‘Was this the reason he was their new teacher? Was Professor Snape and Hathmore working together, exchanging lengthy letters, to solve this problem? If so was one of the books Hathmore had her deliver about this? What was spreading? Kat had so many thoughts bouncing around in her head she walked right past the Great Hall and was now by the Entrance Hall.
She stood there dumbfounded. Professors were encouraging students to head inside. ‘Are they trying to protect them from whatever is spreading? Kat wondered ominously. She spotted Lucas Mardling and even though they had never been close she walked over to him. ‘We’re in the same house right?’ Kat thought as if that was cause enough for friendship. A look of confusion and distant thoughts on her face she asked, ”Do you know what’s happening?” Kat was nervous and irrational she had no idea if the Professors were just trying to get students ready for dinner or if there was something larger going on too. ‘There’s definitely something larger going on,’ Kat reminded herself.
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