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 Dec 20, 2021 10:34:43 GMT 10
Lucas had trouble sleeping, and for once not because of a bad thing. Amara had kissed him last night, and while he'd barely had a chance to respond it didn't matter; he'd been too shocked that it was actually happening that his brain called it quits.
He ended up being the first to leave his dorm, having and early breakfast and not caring about the Daily Prophet. If something big happened, he'd surely hear about it. If not, he could catch up on it later.
For now, he had to focus. Hard to do when he kept thinking about Amara, but Christmas Eve was one of his most profitable days as everyone scrambled for last-minute gifts. He stood at his usual spot, leaning against a wall -- in view for those seeking him, but not so obvious he'd draw attention of Professors if they happened to wander by. His bag sat on a nearby bench, full of useful items. He didn't just sell gifts and wrapping, as of course his usual wares were included too.
Lucas glanced around, trying to appear more casual than eager. It was only a matter of time.
Post by Grace Babineaux on Dec 21, 2021 16:18:21 GMT 10
On her way to the Great Hall, Grace was surprised to see the deal kid. She thought he'd go home to his rich family and go skiing or something like that over the holidays. Or maybe doing boring older kid stuff like a job. Gross. She slowed herself down to a jog as an idea struck her--if she didn't want to be seen, there had to be a way to make herself invisible! And hopefully temporarily. She liked being visible. Mostly.
"Hey, deal kid!" she said, ignorant of any personal matters he was dealing with and trying to contain her own excitement over how smart she thought her idea was. "Do you have anything that can make people...invisible? Only for a little while, though. Don't want to disappear completely."
She had that sleepover with Jamie to think about, after all, and the professors could hardly let him see the Gryffindor common room if she didn't appear to be there to be his house advocate or whatever it was called!
Post by Lucas Mardling on Dec 21, 2021 16:38:52 GMT 10
Lucas was busy taking inventory, having made several deals already since breakfast ended. He glanced up, hearing his now-familiar moniker, as the tiny Gryffindor ran towards him. Was she actually tiny? All 1st years were compared to him, so he had no idea what the baseline was anymore.
Ah, yes. Grace Babineaux, according to his notes. One of the kids who'd previously bought Polyjuice from him. And Slugbreath, for whatever reason. What on Earth could she need now? An insanely rare may-not-even-exist invisibility cloak, apparently. Had someone finally made a request he couldn't possibly fulfill? No, wait...
'There is an Invisibility Potion,' Lucas said, sounding casual as if he hadn't been about to panic at his entire reputation being destroyed by the request of a single first year.
Potions were a thing, you idiot. And to think the most important person in his life was Amara Seabrook. She'd be so ashamed that he briefly forgot Potions existed, so of course he'd take that secret to his grave. And it was a Potion that she herself had traded him a nice supply of, knowing they'd come in handy for deals. The phrase "she'd kissed him senseless" came to mind. Had one kiss last night had that much of an impact he couldn't form rational thoughts yet?
'Let's see...' Lucas consulted his notes. A silver (cauldron) item was extra. '45 Galleons for one. Or, as you never know when you might need another, I can give you two for 78 Galleons.' He gave Grace a smirk, as if he knew something she didn't, and awaited her consideration.
Last Edit: Dec 21, 2021 17:05:57 GMT 10 by Lucas Mardling
Post by Grace Babineaux on Dec 21, 2021 16:50:19 GMT 10
"Hm..." Grace considered the name potion, and then the offer. "Do I have to drink the potion? And if I do, what's it taste like?" The Polyjuice had tasted awful, so she definitely didn't want a repeat of that unless she had to. Or at the very least, a warning might be nice.
"78 galleons is great! Unless you want to negotiate," Grace wiggled her eyebrows, clearly the best negotiator the school had ever seen. "You wouldn't happen to want a toffee or a pumpkin, would you?"
She did wonder why he was offering two...but then again, maybe he was right. It couldn't hurt to be carrying around an extra Invisibility Potion. She could always use it for something cool. Like going in the Forbidden Forest for more secrets!
Post by Lucas Mardling on Dec 21, 2021 16:59:14 GMT 10
Lucas paused, surprised for a moment by her initial questions. Oh yeah, first year. Not all potions were drank. Oops. Yikes, it was good thing she asked. Also why would taste be important? Oh. Right. She'd bought Polyjuice before. Well, at least he knew she'd bought it with the intention to use it herself.
'No. An Invisibility Potion turns a liquid-retaining material invisible, not you personally. Should last all day or night. I'd recommend using a cloak or blanket for best results,' Lucas explained, reaching into the extra-protected section of his bag for two vials of the requested potion.
He pulled a face, offended by the offer of non-money. Sure, he made trades sometimes but great Merlin not with a 1st year and absolutely not for something so unimportant. He could easily get those things himself.
'That'll be 78 Galleons,' he said firmly, offering the potions with one hand (the necks tightly gripped between his slender fingers) while holding another hand out for her Galleons. And he watched her closely, to ensure she only gave him coins.
Lucas had half a mind to check they weren't chocolate coins...
Post by Grace Babineaux on Dec 21, 2021 17:04:27 GMT 10
"So I get an invisible thing all day?" Grace imagined going into the staff room and subtly poking around for information about the Sacred Four. Definitely awesome, and definitely worth 78 galleons. She dug around in her bag for the necessary coins, quietly pretending like it was a difficult choice. Master negotiator.
"Okay...um, 76, 77, 78." Grace handed over the galleons, already thinking of what she should dump the Invisibility potion on. Her uniform cloak might work, but she didn't want to lose it while it was invisible. Her mum would be so mad, and then she'd have to explain why it had been invisible in the first place. No adults allowed on the secrets, then.
She held out her hands for the potions, ready to return to her newly made mirror friend.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Dec 21, 2021 17:12:21 GMT 10
Lucas waited for her to count, a bit surprised a first year could afford his price but had learned not to make assumptions there. People would go far to get things they needed, which he knew all too well and took advantage of such as every opportunity.
He accepted here coins, admiring them for a moment. Not chocolate, so there was that. Lucas didn't hand over the potions though, not until he'd counted every Galleon to confirm it was full price. He was nothing if not thorough. Grace seemed true to her word, though. She'd bought several potions from him now, so he'd have to mark her as a regular customer and to to keep his weirder / less common potions restocked. Who knew what she'd come to him for next.
It occured to him that giving a Gryffindor the ability to go undetected was not in his house's best interest. Not that Amara had mentioned any conditions for their trade. But hey, if it made him richer...
Nodding, he handed over the potions. 'I'm not liable if you drink it,' Lucas added. Didn't hurt to cover his bases, just in case.
Last Edit: Dec 21, 2021 17:12:40 GMT 10 by Lucas Mardling
Post by Grace Babineaux on Dec 21, 2021 17:18:12 GMT 10
"Okay," Grace said. She could remember not to drink it, though she did wonder what would happen. Deal kid was probably not the best person to ask, and she doubted that Professor Snape would be very impressed if she asked him when classes started back up. He'd probably say something like, 'you'll take a very uncomfortable trip to the hospital wing, you foolish girl' and then take five points from Gryffindor.
"Thanks, deal kid!" Grace said, and after making sure the potions were tucked safely into her bag, headed up to her common room as fast as she dared to go in order to go fetch a blanket that she could dump the potion all over. The mirror would be so impressed.
Last Edit: Dec 23, 2021 16:57:33 GMT 10 by Lena: Removed section that was instead made into a new thread <3
Post by Lucas Mardling on Jan 4, 2022 23:41:09 GMT 10
Lucas pocket a payment from a third year, then checked the time. With a content sigh, he gathered up his belongings and checked over his notes. He made quite a huge profit today, and would likely give it a go tomorrow too but he considered doing something a bit more fun on Christmas Day. Maybe play some gobstones or something? He'll figure it out there.
Closed for business for now, he slung his bag over his shoulder and shoved hands into his pockets. Giving the area a final check, Lucas strolled out of the Entrance Hall -- headed to the dungeons so he could clean up before dinner. A warm shower would do wonders as well.
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