#20 What it's Worth

Saoirse found herself looking for Lucas Mardling once again. She hadn't seen or spoken to him since she had uncovered her very first clue some time ago. Not only that, but he'd been in the duelling chamber last time. Apart from meals, she wasn't sure of his usual haunts, and she didn't want to deal with him in a noisy Great Hall under the judgmental gaze of professors.

Unfortunately, this meant that she had to resort to asking the Slytherin students again. After what she had just endured in the room of mirrors, however, Saoirse found herself more exasperated and grumpy than awkward like last time. As before, her request for Lucas Mardling was met by mocking titters and rolled eyes. Some of the students leaned back to whisper among each other with huge grins on their faces.

Oh, please. Saoirse just walked away from those people and harassed a different group of Slytherins. Eventually, it probably made its way through the grape vine that a Gryffindor was shaking people down looking for Mardling. Or, people were sick and tired of her questioning them. A Slytherin boy finally had the decency to tell her that Mardling liked to hang out around the entrance hall.

At least now she knew for next time she would need him. It seemed Mardling was the one to ask for these types of things, so Saoirse figured she had better get on his good side. She made her way to the entrance hall, passing groups of students as she did. She glanced them over, looking for the Slytherin fifth-year. At least he'd be easy to recognize. Not many other boys spent that much time on their hair.