#16 Focused on his Future [OPEN]

Anjay left the library feeling frustrated, which seemed to be his standard operating emotion these days. Frustrated at losing duels, frustrated at daft witless librarians, frustrated at pretty girls who tried and succeeded in making him feel flustered. Anjay was a typical Type A personality, the kind of person who demanded control over all aspects of his life. Why did he feel like the control had been wrested from his hands?

He wandered the castle, considering the options before him. The obvious and most appealing option was to discard the parchment and pretend this whole thing had never happened. What was he getting so worked up about, anyway? A half written scroll from a thousand years ago? The castle was full of secrets, and it stood to reason not every one of them needed to be explored. What if this was some sort of childhood treasure map, or riddle that was just for fun?

But even as Anjay tried to convince himself, he knew deep down it wasn't true. There was something to this parchment, some mystery that deserved to be unraveled, and he could feel in his bones that it was neither insignificant nor trivial. So what were his options? Surely Gryffindor didn't place the scroll in his own House's fireplace without leaving other clues around the castle, too.

And that's when it hit him- Godric Gryffindor did not establish this castle by himself! He had help in the form of the other three witches and wizard whose names still represented the four houses a millennia later. What if there were messages hidden in those common rooms too, and Anjay held only one quarter of the total tome? As he pondered, he looked up and noticed he found himself in the Main Corridor.

When Mardling came into view, the plan crystallized, as did the knot in his stomach. He knew if he approached Mardling and proceeded with his plan, he would be breaking more rules than he'd ever broken in his life. He'd also be giving someone who considered him an enemy information about him that could be used for blackmail in the future. He actually walked past Lucas two or three times before he gathered the courage to approach him directly.

As he approached, he did something he hadn't done since it was pinned on him by his mother- he removed the Prefect badge from his robe lapel and placed it in his pocket. He hoped Lucas would notice and take it as a sign that he came in peace, not on Prefect business, and wasn't looking for trouble. Easier said than done, no doubt, but he was putting his best foot forward here.

"Lucas," Anjay greeted him, using his first name for probably the first time ever to address him. "I need your help."

Anjay bit his tongue to stop himself from grimacing out loud. Mardling wasn’t going to make this easy, was he? In a way, Anjay understood. He and Mardling represented two polar opposites, two archetypal rivals whose needs and desires almost never aligned. Anjay hated that he was the one who had to lower himself to seek Lucas’ help instead of the other way around.

”I need help getting in the Slytherin common room,” he said simply but in a quiet voice, not trying to broadcast his intentions to the whole school. He decided on Slytherin first because Mardling was here and Seabrook and Vargas were in the library. They were the three Slytherin who knew him best.

”And, if possible, I’d like to do it fast.” Why not go for gold when you’re already asking a favor? ”How much is it going to cost me?” Anjay didn’t bother to ask, Can you help me?, because of course Mardling could help, but only for a price. Nothing in life was free.

”How in Merlin’s beard did you-“ Anjay almost couldn’t stop himself from launching into Prefect mode, but thankfully he recovered before he ruined it all. How on Earth had Lucas gotten his hands on Polyjuice potion, and a seemingly large enough supply of it to sell it to anyone who asked?

Breaking into another House’s common room was one thing, but assuming the identity of another student to do so? With an advanced potion while he didn’t even have his potions kit, no less! Anjay could feel himself almost beginning to shake with nerves. What would his parents do to him if they ever found out? What was he risking by pursuing this?

”How much for three?” he forced himself to ask before he talked himself out of it. ”And does it come with a uniform?” He gestured at his Gryffindor colors. He couldn’t very well walk into the heart of the Slytherin common room wearing this. He would worry about the other houses later after he got Slytherin sorted.

Anjay gritted his teeth. He didn’t have his Potions kit, not yet, but it was in progress and that was none of Lucas’s business. He could make this deal work. It took him basically no time to consider the offer or think to pose a counter offer. He wasn’t going to give Lucas any extra pieces of leverage to use against him in the future.

”Deal,” he said to the Slytherin, not extending his hand to shake on it as he assumed Lucas would not accept the shake. ”I’ll be back when I’ve got it all. And don’t screw me over, Mardling. You know who my family is. You’re not the only one with connections. This stays between us and only us.”

Anjay didn’t expect Lucas to be impressed or intimidated, but Anjay spoke truly. Not that Lucas had any motive to tell on him- part of his success hinged on other students trusting they could come to him for a deal and not be reported. Anjay found comfort in that. Still, he needed the boy to know he was no pushover. He made a mental list of the items needed and left to get to work.

[EXIT]

Resisting an eye roll, Lucas only nodded -- then watched Anjay walk away. Then he rolled his eyes. As if he was going to breathe one word of this, so long as the Prefect kept up his end of the deal and didn't provoke Lucas into having to protect his reputation first.

'You're not the only one with connections,' Lucas mocked, muttering under his breath as he snatched back his textbook and glared at the page. 'As if we could possibly forget. The great and pompous Xcalyns. And to think I almost liked you once.' He huffed, long fingers trailing over his page to try and find his place.

He huffed, wriggling his butt to adjust his cushion, then resumed trying to care about all the complex rules and conditions listed in his Transfiguration textbook. 

A minute or an hour, who knew with boring OWL prep, but Lucas heard a familiar and far more welcome voice as another student joined him. He noticed she seemed tired, though hopefully not in a "tired of him" way. Not that he'd blame her.

'Hello, Reena,' he said, showing off his charming smile as he gleefully set his textbook aside. 'Hmm. Well... okay, hold on.' Lucas got out some parchment, after first skimming his old notes.

It'd been a while since they'd talked about this, since Reena had then left for the holidays. And considering her status as a potential recruit, that he had good instincts about her reliability, and she was a Slytherin... he was willing to work things around. Especially since he'd may some adjustments since then as to how he approached this deal now it'd become so popular.

'Here. I've amended our original agreement,' he said, handing her the parchment list. 'As for Duskcaps -- yes, we can work that out. Do you have something in mind?' Normally he'd be more direct, but was curious what Reena might bring to the table.

If he was more self-aware, which he clearly was not, Lucas might have realised he was fond of Reena and considered her in the way one might a budding friendship. Not that anyone wanted to be his friend, or that Lucas would recognise it for what it was, but it was a nice feeling and he enjoyed her company. So he was willing to hear her side of things first, before pushing his price.

Lucas' gaze hardened at her words, assuming she meant them as it wasn't at all the first time someone tried to take advantage of his dealings and skip out on paying him or to mock him for his deals. He knew others just saw him as greedy and self-indulgent, and he much preferred them to think the worst of him than to know the shameful truth.

He just hadn't expected it from Reena. So it took him a moment to response, hurt flashing in his eyes even though he didn't understand why he cared. Fussing with his notes, his brain slowly caught on to her joking tone and the lightness it was delivered. He eyed her, unsure, then was surprised as she continued their conversation -- moving on to a genuine offer.

Lucas made a noise of consideration buying time to rid himself of the flustered moment he'd trapped himself in. He couldn't meet her eyes at first, and a part of him didn't even understand why her words had struck a note. People mocked him all the time, so what? It was such a relief that it seemed Reena hadn't meant it, and was just joking.

Then he chuckled, shaking his head. Of course she was joking! She'd offered her friendship. No one wanted to just be friends with him, especially not for a few vials of potion. Lucas gave her an amused look, then actually considered her offer.

'Advanced garden pots are useful, well done,' he said, wondering if Amara even had one of those. Probably not, she hated gardening -- convinced the plants hated her back and refused to grow properly. 'I'm good for ingredients, though. It's not worth a deal, for me. You have anything else? Or perhaps you could just owe me a favor? Nothing untoward, I promise.'

Lucas was open to other options, but figured it would come down to a favor. There wasn't as much left that he really needed but wasn't able to get himself. Items were easy, even rare or illegal ones. As he watched Reena count out her Galleons, he had second thoughts.

'Actually... perhaps there is something?' Lucas frowned, not confident in it but knowing he had the upper-hand here. She needed to make a deal with him if she wanted those potions. 'I'd like to improve my duelling skills, but we're not supposed to duel our own house. For fairness, or whatever. Only person I have to ask would be Nyx, and that's not going to happen. She'd get way too invested in knocking me on my arse.'

He huffed. Why did so many people want to do that? Did they really enjoy seeing him lose so badly? They must have loved his duel against that Gryffindor in the tournament. Even if Nyx did approach it fairly though, she was scary so no thanks.

'So, in exchange for the Duskcaps... could you convince your brother, Jaxen, to have three duels with me?' Lucas asked, trying to show his usual confidence and charm though it fell a bit short as he wasn't used to asking for this sort of thing. 'Doesn't have to be today, but reasonably soon. Three duels; fair and for skill-building. No tricks. That's the favor you'll owe me.'

Lucas eyed her hand for a moment, then shook on it. He managed to resist wiping it afterward, reminding himself he actually liked Reena and she wasn't one of those usual idiots to be wary of. Not that he trusted her, exactly, as that was quite a big leap from general tolerance, but Lucas was growing more comfortable with her company. She was nice, and he enjoyed talking to her.

He dutifully checked everything, then counted each Galleon. He even did this for Amara, all while knowing she would never give him false payment. It was a matter of business smarts. Lucas then made notes, updated his inventory, and confirmed everything was set.

'I'll get this sent off,' he said. 'I have class in the afternoon. Find me when it's over, and I should have the Potions for you.' Lucas nodded, his word a promise. He knew he would have then, actually, but didn't want to guarantee it in case Charms class proved to be a nightmare he needed to recover from.

He glanced at her, considering his next response.

'You're considering being part of our prestigious group. Possibly even Amara's personal inner circle?' Lucas gave her a non-negotiable look. 'Those are high expectations. You have the potential, so it's on you to deliver. Convince him, Reena. Failure is not an option; our deal stands as it is.'

It was nearly lunch time, so Lucas gathered up his things. Including the damned textbooks he hadn't made nearly enough progress in this morning. He'd be back here after class do repeat the process, no doubt. He gave Reena a friendly nod, then left the corridor without a glance back.