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 Mar 31, 2022 0:36:44 GMT 10
Lucas had gotten bored throughout the morning. He'd spent some time with his girlfriend, of course, but she had some Potions stuff to check on so he went for a walk. That proved to be an awful idea because it was bloody cold and he hated everything that did to his hair.
Still, he was bored. So Lucas returned to the Slytherin common room to bundle up warm -- which meant actually wearing his robes for once. He had a scarf wrapped around most of his face, and his hair, so only his eyes were really visible. And boy did he not look pleased.
Gloved hands stuffed in his pockets, he headed to the Alcove Courtyard -- figuring he'd see if anyone was up for a game of Gobstones. If not, he'd find something else to pass the time with. He was always available for deals as well, though for ones wasn't keeping an eye out for any as he figured people were more likely to leave him in peace on Christmas.
Last Edit: Mar 31, 2022 0:37:41 GMT 10 by Lucas Mardling
As Alice walked through Corridor, she asked some random people if they had seen Lucas. He was famous enough in the school for most people to know him, especially fifth or older. In the end, a sixth-year student said that he had seen him going towards the Alcoe Courtyard. It would be cold there right now. But if she could find him alone, it would be worth it. She followed the path towards the destination.
She was in luck when Alice reached the Courtyard. Lucas was there alone, so she went near to him. Lucas looked kind of sad. She wasn't sure if this was the correct time for the conservation. But probably he would like some little talks.
"Lucas," She said calmly. "We haven't met before, but I have heard a lot about you. Students say that you could do everything that others can't."
Usually, these types of starting make people happy. That's why she started like this. "I need your help in something that nobody else can do. Will you help me?" She asked, showing her puppy eyes to him.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Mar 31, 2022 1:32:04 GMT 10
Lucas glanced up as he heard his name spoken so formally, confused to see a Gryffindor kid he'd never met before. He prepared to scold her for it, but was too damn cold to waste his breath on it.
Besides, she basically said he was awesome and superior to everyone else.
'You heard right. And for a price, of course,' he said, a bit muffled by his scarf but still coherent. 'If I can't do it, I doubt anyone can... so what do you need?' Lucas asked, never agreeing to anything without knowing the exact terms beforehand.
"I completely agree with it," Alice added to his comment.
If she had heard correct about him, he could do anything without worrying about the rules. That is the type of person she needs right now.
"I need your help in something, which only you could do" She looked around a little to make sure nobody was around to listen to their conversation. After confirmation, she moved a little closer and whispered into his ears. "I need you to sneak me into Slytherin common room for ten minutes"
After saying that, she withdrew to her original position. But before he could say anything, she added. "Today, everyone is in their casual clothes. Half of the school was empty, and soon everybody would go for lunch. Please, You are the only person who could do it", She added her plea with the same puppy eyes.
Last Edit: Mar 31, 2022 2:04:14 GMT 10 by Alice Jane
Post by Lucas Mardling on Mar 31, 2022 2:18:45 GMT 10
Lucas was further intrigued when the girl glanced around to check their conversation was private. What could a first year possibly know or ask that was worthy of such caution? This was almost worth being outside in the cold for, so he listened intently.
Then she asked it. Lucas stared at her. It was a delayed response, as he wasn't sure at first that he'd even heard her right. Naturally, once his brain caught up and recovered from the unexpected request, his reaction was to laugh.
'Wait.' Lucas quietened, then scoffed in disbelief when he realised she wasn't joking. 'You can't be serious? Sneak a Gryffindor into the Slytherin common room? Even if I wanted to dance with the idea of social murder, which I do not... You've got no bloody chance. No way. I'm not falling for that, kid.' He shook his head, then quickly fixed his scarf.
'You want a Polyjuice potion, fine, but I am loyal to my house,' Lucas added. 'We don't sneak people in like that, no matter your intentions -- which I highly doubt are good. I don't even know you. No.' The last word was very firm, his blue gaze losing some of its charm as he got the point across.
Lucas was silent for a moment but then started laughing. She didn't like it at all. That wasn't a joke. His reply was a direct no, but he did mention poly juice potion.
Even though she was annoyed enough to talk more, this idea was fascinating. It could do the trick. Poly juice potion could help her sneak in.
"Fine, Then can you get me some poly juice potion? I need three."
Post by Lucas Mardling on Mar 31, 2022 21:24:03 GMT 10
'Demanding, aren't we?' Lucas chuckled as he got out his scroll and did some calculations. He'd been asked this enough to have rearranged this deal but it'd been quiet lately and he needed to double check.
'And you have a Potions Kit? The non-class one.' Lucas eyed Alice, awaiting confirmation before he continued. 'All right. I have a contact who can get these as soon as possible, but you'll need to make it worth her while by replacing some of what she used to make them. 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 she needed to bring him.
'Do we have an agreement?' Lucas raised a stern eyebrow. He had no intention of budging on his terms, though some was open to negotiation if she thought it would be worth his while. He doubted anything would be.
The following list is what Alice must bring Lucas in exchange for 3 vials of Polyjuice Potion. Check my plotter for more info / some alternatives.
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 Alice Jane on Mar 31, 2022 22:34:31 GMT 10
Alice doesn't like how he treated her like a little girl, But still, he considered the offer and took his stuff out. She was sitting as he was doing his calculations. It was the first time Alice had come to him for any deals. According to what she had heard, Lucas could do anything, even the things not allowed in school. She was still half-convinced about it, but now she couldn't back off.
"Yes, I have," She answered firmly about the potion kit. She doesn't want to show her uncertainty. She had just received it, and her first action with such important privilege was buying an illegal potion. She shouldn't think about this now. She should think about this now. Forcing her focus back to the present moment, she took the list from his hands.
She doesn't need to be told, as she was also planning to keep this to herself. She also doesn't want people to know that she had made a deal about an illegal potion.
She started reading the list. Sixty-One Galleons was a sizable price, but when she was buying something like that, then what else to expect. Human hair would be challenging to find. How could she get the hair of three people? Fluxygrass and Honeym she could arrange as no big deal, but Duskcaps was.
"Could you also arrange human hair and dusk caps?" She asked still, in as confident a voice as she could. She had just finished her potion kit, so she remembered most of the sheet's content. Duskcaps could be in the forbidden forest. She was afraid to go there alone but didn't want to show her scaredness to him. She kept her face straight until he could answer.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Apr 2, 2022 0:35:55 GMT 10
Lucas wasn't surprised by her willingness, as she already seemed serious about this and insistent -- not to mention, he'd had enough first years surprise him thus far that he was learning not to underestimate their ability to fulfill his deals.
He raised an eyebrow at her question regarding some of the ingredients. He narrowed his eyes, studying her for a moment. He couldn't be sure, despite his keen ability to read people most of the time, but it didn't seem as if she asked out of laziness or simply not wanting to put the work in.
He supposed it was fair enough a question, if her skills and free time weren't ideal for the task.
'Perhaps.' Lucas adjust his scarf, fixing her with a curious yet business-like look. 'Make me an offer, and we shall see.'
At least now, he was not talking to her like a little child. It was an improvement after all. The way he looked into her eyes, almost as if trying to read her mind, was scary for a moment, but she kept her face straight. She was not going to show any sign of weakness.
"Maybe, I could bring some other ingredients in its place." She spoke in a kind of casual tone but still scanning his expression on every word, "Maybe creepy spiders or beetles. Or if anything else you prefer."
Catching spiders or beetles was a solid task but not impossible. Still unsure if she had earned his attention, Alice tried again, "Or if you have any idea what could be equivalent to it."
Alice was entirely out of ideas, but she had to do something. It was crucial for her to get the potion and collect all the pieces of it.
"Do you know about the founder's artifacts?" She spoke, still unsure if it was a good idea or not. Lucas was always interested in things that students are not supposed to go after, So maybe he would find it interesting.
She waited for a moment, then continued, "I know something about it. I can tell if the importation could be worth three human hair and three dusk caps." She was still trying to be as confident-looking as she could. It's important that her tone is confident enough to prove she had some concrete information.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Apr 3, 2022 0:19:13 GMT 10
'Creepy spiders or beetles? That's the opposite of something I want. No thanks.' Lucas scoffed. 'Besides, I've no need for ingredients like that. Anything worth my time, you haven't the skill to get.'
Still, he gave her a chance to improve her offer -- out of curiously, more than anything. He hadn't expected anything half-decent, figuring at best she's resort to giving him more gold, but once again she surprised him.
Lucas gave the area a quick, cautionary glance. Uncomfortable with the subject matter, though no less intrigued, he narrowed his blue gaze at the Gryffindor while considering her alternative offer.
'Of course I know,' he said quietly. 'I suppose, yes -- what you know may prove important. Worth the Duskcaps, at least.'
She seemed rather confident about it, but Lucas was undecided. It was a risky subject, and a part of him preferred not to know the full story. Information was valuable though...
'I'll consider it,' he said. 'Bring me everything else, then we'll talk more. This information, and perhaps a favor, may just cover the Duskcaps and Hair.'
It was the best thing she could have offered him, but maybe it was not worth much. According to him, it was only worth Duskcaps. That's not enough. She couldn't think of anything else also.
In the end, he agreed to the information and favor. It was a scary thing for Alice. What could he ask as a favor? Maybe something dangerous or even illegal. What if it would create more trouble for her. But to think about it, She is buying some illegal potions and planning to enter another common room. Of course, he would ask for something worst.
But the problem is that does she have a choice. She needs to solve this mystery. Keeping her face still straight, she stood up from her place.
"Fine, that's a deal then." She said calmly. She waited for a minute to get confirmation. Then turn around in her place sharply and walk away without turning back.
Only when she was about twenty feet away from him and away from his gaze. She gasped and took a deep breath. So much had happened in the last few minutes. But now, she is even more sure about her quest.
She needed Fluxygrass, which means the next step was the Expansive lawn. With that, she walked in that direction.
Post by Lucas Mardling on Apr 19, 2022 21:56:30 GMT 10
Lucas watched her leave, then warily eyed the afternoon sky. Well, that looked like his cue to leave. He adjusted his scarf around his head, then rose from his seat. Then again...
He sat back down, and carefully sorted through his bag for some objects he was always very reluctant to sell; prank items. He considered a fun way to give Christmas the sendoff it deserved: the opposite of merry cheer. Distracted with schemes, Lucas decided to stay a bit longer and consider his options.
He set aside his bag, focused on the stone table in front of him. No one seemed keen on coming outside and considering a game of gobstones, which he rather regretted himself because it was quite clearly a total waste of his time. Well, almost. Assuming he ever saw that Gryffindor brat again. Lucas decided to give it a moment longer, as nervous as he was about the uncertain weather.
If she wasn't back soon, he was high-tailing it back inside where it was warm and sensible.
Post by Alice Jane on Apr 19, 2022 23:48:45 GMT 10
When she arrived back at the courtyard, Lucas was still in his place, where she left him a few hours ago. It looked like he didn't get anybody to play gobstones.
"Lucas." She said before sitting down near him. She doesn't want to scare him by appearing from nowhere. She opened her bag to take out the ingredients he required and put them near them.
"I believed that's all you needed. And of course, Galleons also" Alice took out some of the gold coins from her bag and counted it to 61. It was scary for her to give this much money to a total stranger, but that's what she had to do. She still remembered the day; her father gave her extra galleons and told her to spend them well. He will not agree to this as spending well, but still, it was a priority, at least for her.
"Where is the potion?" She asked, still holding the money in her hand. At least she had to see it before giving the amount.
Last Edit: Apr 20, 2022 22:18:00 GMT 10 by Alice Jane
Post by Lucas Mardling on Apr 20, 2022 23:22:48 GMT 10
Lucas glanced up, actually surprised the brat had returned before the afternoon was done. Sometimes, just maybe, he underestimated 1st years. They proved to be quite efficient with enough incentive, and not necessarily the jinx-threat kind. It was worth remembering.
He opened his mouth to greet her, then frowned. 'I realise I don't know your name. For my records, you see.' He gave her a look that implied he was asking her for it.
While she talked, Lucas eyed the Galleons. It was customary for him to count them first, but she wasn't handing them over yet. Of course, this deal was a bit more complicated than his standard ones for Polyjuice potion. Though he shot her an annoyed look at what he perceived as impatience, rather than simply inquiring about the potions.
Did these brats really understand just how much risk was involved here? Polyjuice was a big deal -- illegal, even. If he were to be caught... he shuddered to think of it. No way was he just producing them willy-nilly, out in the open.
'61 Galleons, which I shall be counting by the way,' he listed off the requirements. 'Fluxgrass, check. Jars of honey, check. That leaves the Duskcaps and Hair, which can be paid for by you providing information and updates on those artefacts, as we'd discussed. And you'll owe me a favor. Agreed?'
He held out his hand, normally to shake on, but was more interested in the Galleons. Of course, she was smarted than he ever gave a 1st year for -- wanting to see the potions first. Those were annoying clients.
'I'll need to send for them.' Lucas sighed, wanting to just go inside and get warm before his good looks froze off. 'Don't fret, you'll have them before the night's end. If we're in agreement, which I must be paid in full now, then meet me in the empty classroom -- the one by Moaning Mrytle's bathroom, as soon as dinner starts. I'll have them for you then.'
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