#8 - Nothing to See Here Either

Lucas pretended to listen, as Philip talked about Potions stuff, used to tuning out a bit when Amara did the same. He didn't care much for why the experiment went wrong, more curious as to why he had to smell it while brushing his teeth from across the room. It was a very confusing experience.

'You should ask Amara,' he said casually, glancing around the Main Corridor to take everything in. 

So focused on preparing for their fun, Lucas didn't realise he'd slipped up with her name. Even for those who preferred first name usages, everyone knew you don't just simply call Amara by her first name unless you could survive it. He'd indirectly revealed his growing connection to her, not that it was a big secret but he'd missed the chance to gloat a bit.

He was still rather confused, and honesty wary, of h fact Phillip had given up some morning plans o hang out with him. While Lucas' points about make-believe were true, it also helped to further reduce incriminating  evidence in case Phillip was setting him up. Not that he thought he would, but just in case. People didn't just "hang out" with him anymore. Hadn't since first year, and even then it was mostly during meals.

Lucas made a miffed sound a being better company than beetles. He couldn't rally disagree with those who believe his presence to be awful. He sighed, shoving aside those negative thoughts, as they were meant to be having fun. Phillip was receptive to some contact, which was interesting and reassuring. Lucas missed he first few months of first year when things seemed nice and people actually talked to him.

He was getting lost in his thoughts again.

'Uh...' He quickly tried to pick from his potential plans, but any of them would be good. 'Yeah, 4th years frivolity thing.' Lucas shuddered, remembering it from last year and suspected Phillip probably wouldn't want to relive it either.

'First years are easy targets. Second years, too.' Lucas smirked, leaning against the wall as well - though he had no doubt people would assume he was scheming by default just because of who he was. 'We could pretend we found something cool and invite them to look, and when they do - pop a paper bag by their face. It'll go off like a bang. Classic jump-scare.'

He even had a charmed paper bag that would work. Lucas glanced at Phillip, wondering if he'd agree with this plan - especially as Lucas had no intention of being the bag-popper.

Lucas stared incredulously at Phillip when he dared use Amara's first name. Did he have a death wish? Then Lucas played back the conversation and blushed, realising he was being called out on an apparent slip up of his own. How could he even explain that?

When in doubt, stay quiet.

He pushed away from the wall, frowning at the comment about his reputation. Was Phillip assuming or did people actually think he was that much of a liar? Lucas made an effort to not know too much of what people said about him, so it unnerved him to be reminded of the possibilities. He preferred to think Philip was jus covering their bases.

'My reputation includes always honouring my deals, and all information I give out - as far as they can prove - is truthful,' he said with a hint of defensiveness. He rather prided himself in how reliable he was as a deal-maker. 'Besides, it takes a certain charm and way with people do to what I do so well. Trust me, kids are gullible and I'm very convincing.'

Lucas picked a spot by a window, making them easier to notice and being in clear view of anyone coming or going in the corridor. He dug through his bag for what Phillip needed, once they were ready for the scare part of the fun. He handed him the charmed paper bag, confirming their roles.

'It's charmed. You can "pop" it and it'll stay intact. Makes a bloody loud noise though,' Lucas explained, smirking in memory of having used it a few times before in other pranks. He couldn't remember if he'd ever actually used it to store anything.

'Now we wait.' He sighed, keeping an eye out for a suitable first or second year that would make for a great target. It'd need to be someone who lingered enough for them to get set up then catch their attention. 'No Slytherins. Ama... er, Seabrook, would be pissed if we broke house unity.'

Not that Lucas was fond of pranking his own house anyway. Well, not outside the safety and dignity of their common room, at least.


@ace

Lucas eyed a second year Ravenclaw boy who soon got separated from his flock. He leaned to nudge Phillip, alerting him that they'd finally found a target. In truth, they probably hadn't been waiting long but it felt like it so whatever.

He held a hand out, then cupped his other over it as if containing a small creature inside. Lucas gave Phillip a chance to look it over first, confirming they were good to go.

'Be excited or amazed,' he whispered. 'We'll have our backs a bit turned. Let him come to us. Then I'll distract him, and you blow up the bag.' Lucas nodded, pleased with the plan, then glanced towards the Ravenclaw to make sure he was still there and within hearing range.

He turned a bit, though not so much it made them unapproachable. 

'I know, it's amazing,' Lucas said, his louder tone shifting to something similar to awe that one wouldn't expect him capable of. 'Found it just outside. I heard they're really rare and magical.' He kept it vague since he was still improvising, and different students found different things exciting - the more vague they were, the easier for their target to fill in the blanks with their own imagination.

Lucas' grin faded and he straightened when he heard Killjoy Xcalyn's voice. Ugh. He eyed the prefect badge with added disdain. Not that he was surprised the golden boy was picked.

'Nothing,' He showed his empty hands, giving Phillip a "can you believe this twat, spoiling our fun?" look. 'If I didn't know any better, I'd say that shiny badge of yours has made you paranoid.' Lucas shrugged, giving Xcalyn a challenging look. They were in a public area and the prefect was outnumbered.

Still, the innocent act worked best.

'Really, we were just hanging out before lunch. That kid just looked lost so we were keeping an eye on him.' Lucas rolled his eyes, once again emphasising empty hands. He didn't even have his wand. Phillip had a paper bag, which was hardly unusual especially if hungry before lunch. 'Not a crime, is it?'

'My history?' Lucas scoffed. 'Nothing you can prove. So what, you're both paranoid and holding a grudge? Not attractive traits for a golden boy who's meant to save the world or whatever.'

He frowned as Xcalyn continued making accusations. He didn't care if the prefect was right about half of it. He was just rude and annoying. No wonder thy put him in charge, but would it kill them to make someone interesting and capable prefect for once? Why was it always the stuffy ones?

And, try as he might to hide it, Lucas couldn't deny it touched a nerve to be talked down to like he was automatically assumed to be doing something bad. Saying he will eventually commit some crime wasn't the best insult a person could come up with, but it reminded him yet again how people saw him. Hanging out with Phillip, he could have pretended for a moment that things were different.

'Sounds like you've already decided I'm guilty based on a few looks and words. Sounds like bias, to me.' Lucas frowned, tone shifting away from a more light-hearted one. 'I sincerely hope you don't plan on a future in courtrooms. But you know what? You may have a shiny new badge and bigger ego, but I don't have to listen to you. We're just chatting. You're the one causing a scene. I'll leave when I'm ready to leave.'

He was being petty. Lucas was hungry and very much wanted to just go to lunch, but now he couldn't. He wasn't going to give Xcalyn the satisfaction of telling him off like a bratty first year.