Moonlit Ramblings, //Lucas//

[Charlotte DuPrie]

Charlotte wandered out of the stupid party Slughorn had forced her to go to. Her father was important in the ministry, and he knew it. It still didn't change the fact that she hadn't wanted to go. At all. Sighing she rolled her eyes at the thought of the balding, more round, man. She'd seen him at different functions where her father had brought her as a trophy so to speak. Thinking about her father made chills run up her spine as her hand flew to her upper arm where a fresh bruise was pulsating under the sleeve of her dress. Shaking her head, she traveled on. Her heels clicked aginst the stone of the dungeons as she looked around. She wasn't familiar with them at all really, and they creeped her out just a bit.

Taking the right she'd remembered coming through she tripped over something and fell. Letting out a small squeel, she caught herself, and pulled herself back up with the help of a window ledge. Letting her breathing return to normal, she stared out into the darkness for a while. Something told her someone was there, but she wasn't sure. Frowning slightly, she decided to ignore it, and sat down for a moment to rest.

[Lucas Yale]

Before leaving the comfort of his dungeonesc commonroom, Lucas wavered a moment; mulling over his thoughts. Unable to sleep, he'd been sitting on the plush armchair nearest the fireplace for the past hour, watching its dancing embers; occasionally directing his gaze toward the stairwell at the sound of the nearly inaudible stirring that took place one floor above him. Completely bored and still fully insomnious, Lucas rose from his sitting position on the seat that so matched every furnishing in this area of the castle. Even amid the fire's glow the deep green and silver decour was overpowering.

Perhaps his sleeplessness was a result of karma or the hands of divine will, or whatever. Lucas had abandoned any thought of attending Slughorn's party that evening the moment it had been presented to him, as he usually did whenever he was invited. It wasn't often; Slughorn was far more interested in his sister than he was Lucas -- along with everyone else. But when she couldn't attend, for whatever reason, it was Lucas who received the note. He cursed her mentally, fists clenching slightly at the thought. Of course, his thoughts alone would do no good, unlike her's; until one day when he'd put them into effect. After all, Lucas's powers greatly surpassed his sister's as they always had; however, she was still the favored child of both of their parents, and apparently Slughorn.

Rage engulfed his form, causing his fingers to clench and hair to stand on end; though it was not directed at his sister, but everyone else. Finally storming out of the room -- yet still quietly, he was no fool -- Lucas emerged from the Slytherin quarters into the cold, open halls of the castle dungeon. Continuing on at a brisk pace, Lucas merely wandered for a few minutes, quite unsure of where he was going. But he knew a walk would sooner wear him out or occupy his time rather than sitting in the commonroon, wasting away uselessly.

It wasn't long before he found himself near the potions classroom where he could hear the faint chatter and laughs slipping out into the halls from inside; catching a few words distinguishable as belonging to Professor Slughorn. Features hardening, his previous thoughts flooded into his mind once more. Careful to steer clear of the room, in case someone, or of all people, Slughorn, were to come out, Lucas carried on and took the nearest right.

Rounding the corner, Lucas's gaze averted the direction of the potions room and was forwarded once more. Pausing briefly in his step, his icy stare met a small form sitting gracefully on the disgusting filth that was the dungeon floor. He took note of her attire, deciding she'd come from the party by the looks of her dress and formal hair-do. Not giving the girl much thought, his steps continued in their previous pace. Nearing her, he ignored her presence; and nearly succeeded in doing so altogether as he passed, aside from brief glare and a small grunt that escaped his lips.

"Tch"

[Charlotte DuPrie]

Letting her head fall to one side of the wall, she closed her eyes for a moment. Letting her hair down from its restraints, she tried her hardest not to think of the bast functions she'd been forced to go to lately. She was tired of it, but what could she do about it? Pulling her sleeve up, she looked at the bright purple blotch on her skin that stood out from the ivory tone. There were more, but she wouldn't look at them. This was enough. She often wondered what would've happened if she'd had a sibling. Would they be abused as well? Would they be the shining star that her father had wanted. Would her mother still be alive...? Shaking her head from such thoughts from her head, she beat the back of her head on the wall in a gentle rythm.

She couldn't remember a time when she so wanted to just fade into the shadows. To escape the world, and the people in it, just for a while. It was a selfish thought, she had many who loved her dearly. Alana...Matt....Taylor. She held all of them near and dear to her heart. They had been the ones to keep her going on most days, when everything seemed like it was going to come crashing down around her. Why then, did she feel like she was completely alone in the world? Maybe it was because of her isolation back in her room at home. Of course...she had her piano. What she wouldn't give to have it now. To play and make herself feel normal again. She never felt quite right without her instrument. Of course, who would after relying on it for comfort on some of her most darkest days.

Standing, she brushed the soot and dust from her long black dress. One of her father's prefered evening gowns, and of course she knew Slughorn reported back to her father so she'd worn it, and of course like the puppet she was, she mingled with all the others who had come. That's all she seemed like, a puppet used to make better advancement when it came to life. Curling her fists, she felt the rage engulf her body. Reaching up, she pulled the crystal rose she often wore in her hair for such accasions and threw it at the wall. Watching it shatter, she walked over and smashed the bigger pieces with her heel. It felt good. Letting her chest heave up and down for a moment, her hands relaxed again at her sides and she let her head drop.

It wasn't long before she heard someone coming down the hallway. Squinting a bit, she recognized the boy as someone she'd been forced to dance with often at ministry functions and mingle with at some of the other parties. Biting the inside of her cheek, she wondered a moment if she should say something. Then, she decided it was only polite to do so.

"Good evening."

[Landon Rooney]

Landon stood moodily in the corner, waiting for the opportune time to make his departure. Slughorn was waiting by the door so now certainly wouldn't be the right moment. He still wasn't really sure why he had even accepted an offer to a party for something known as the 'Slug Club.' Did old Slughorn really not have any more originality up his sleeve? The sixth year glanced around the room impassively, lingering on each person in his line of sight. What in the world had made Slughorn pick this crowd? He honestly believed that this group of students were the most intelligent in the school? While Landon really held nothing against Slughorn, he really did have to question his judgment. What were his credentials? Obviously they couldn't be incredibly high judging by the lot that littered the room. He was glad that no one seemed to be bothering him, they were letting him be. He knew that he definitely was not psychologically programmed to handle these sorts of situations with ease. He was a solitary person who much enjoyed being that way. He had no desire to mingle with any of the individuals he saw. Instead he sat in the corner glaring at them, as though daring them to have the nerve to even utter a single word to him. Parties like this always managed to put the Slytherin in a foul mood. Actually, people in general made him annoyed with great ease most of the time.

Damn. Slughorn seemed to have spotted him at last and Landon had no means of escape as he was backed up into the corner. He put on the most polite smile that he could muster as he extended his right arm forward, ready for the eager handshaking to begin. Slughorn was not one to disappoint and he grasped the sixth year's hand firmly, shaking it with all of his might as though they were best mates and hadn't seen each other for thirty years. Landon made small talk about how wonderful of a party it was and how he was so pleased to be there. He had grown up learning how to lie through his teeth, a helpful talent in situations such as these. When the professor's face fell slightly, Landon knew he was in for something, something he probably didn't want to do but would do it anyways. It wasn't until then that Landon noticed that Slughorn had pressed a piece of folded parchment into his hand during the festive shaking. The walrus-esque man leaned towards him, muttering something about giving the note to Charlotte DuPrie. Who the hell was that? He jogged his memory, the name sounded vaguely familiar but he had no face that tied along with it. He gave Slughorn a look that clearly showed he had no idea who he was talking about and the professor leaned forward once again to give him a physical description and told him that she was wearing a black evening gown. Perfect. So now he was off running favors for a Gryffindor, delivering notes as if he were some sort of page. There were only two reasons why he was actually going to go through with it: one, because a professor had asked him to, and secondly, it gave him his perfect escape route. He wouldn't be missed.

He walked straight out the door, headed straight down the corridor. If he were a Gryffindor girl, he wouldn't have stayed in the dungeons. But then again, he knew better and most Gryffindors didn't understand when they were putting themselves in enemy territory. So he continued on his path through the dungeons, predicting that she would more than likely be there. That was the thing about Gryffindors, because of their self-righteousness and their bravery that came mostly from stupidity, they were easily predictable. As he rounded the corner he saw a sight he hadn't exactly been expecting. He, of course, spotted DuPrie, standing there in her black evening gown just as Slughorn had described. Though he hadn't been expecting to see another Slytherin already striking at the little lioness. Lucas, a boy in his year, stood there looking at her with a despicable sort of look on his face. Landon had never been particularly fond of Lucas but he'd never gone out of his way to say so.

He rounded on the Gryffindor, the parchment still clasped in his fist, "Well, DuPrie, it would seem as though I have a note for you from Professor Slughorn," the corners of his lips twitched into the infamous Slytherin smirk. He was already in a wretched mood from the party so he decided to toy around with the girl, just for a minute. He normally wasn't this malicious but he didn't like that he was having to run around doing favors for someone he didn't even know. He held the note lightly in his hand now, clearly in her vision, "It looks as though someone might be in a little bit of trouble," he taunted, twiddling the parchment inbetween his slender fingers. He of course hadn't bothered to read it, why would he? He had better things to do with his time than wonder what sort of secret letters a professor could be giving a student. He quirked his left eyebrow up, "Feel like owning up to anything?"

[Lucas Yale]

Brief moments after passing the girl; Lucas heard a loud shatter, causing his steps to slow and neck to turn mechanically as he looked over his shoulder. Thinking for a second that the girl had come to her senses, as she was no longer sitting on the floor like an idiot, only to realize she'd hurled a glass object at the wall and then stomped on it, breaking it further, seconds later. He snickered inwardly, hoping his glaring had been the source of her emotional outburst. He stopped fully, continuing to watch her. Her tantrum seemed to have calmed her down and she let out a sigh, then surprised him further as she facing him and made an overly casual and out-of-place greeting. Lucas eyed her harshly, finding her to be extremely odd.

Glaring inwardly, Lucas finished his observation of the girl and readied himself to turn back around and continue his walk; however, was interupted once again by another presence. He recognized the newcomer as one of his housemates, in the same year, in fact. Although, as he didn't know Landon very well, not that Lucas knew anyone very well, he didn't seem to care and watched the following scene with solemn and blank facial expression.

After listening to Landon's reason for arrival and watching him hold the piece of parchment out in front of him, waiting for, Charlotte apparently, to take it, Lucas moved toward the wall in a silent motion and leaned against it casually, also waiting for a response. His boredom apprently hightening his curiousity. "I didn't think it was possible for a Gryffindor to get in trouble. Aren't you all goody goody?", his deep voice interupting from behind cooly as he raised an eyebrow, firing at her.

[Charlotte DuPrie]

Charlotte heard the voice and closed her eyes momentarily. A head ache was coming on and that meant everything was going to be on pins and needles. Taking the note from him she looked it over and recognized the slanted handwriting right away. It was that of her father's. Reading over it, she sighed and looked up at the other slytherin. Why was he toying with her? What had she warranted that night? She'd gone to the party only because her father would've done something if she hadn't. Reading over it again, she took each word into better persepctive for a moment.
Charlotte,
Horace informed me of your delightful appearance at the party. You must prepare for the next function. You will be set up with a date that will be announced at a later date. Try to entice slytherins so it'll be easier for me.
Don't embarass me.

She could've cursed anyone who pushed any of her buttons right there. Embarass him?! How dare he think that of her! She was not just a doll to be paraded around anytime he damn well pleased! She was not a thing to be owned either. Taking a breath, she tried to calm herself down. Of course, real ladies never got mad, or at least they didn't show it. So then why did she want to lose her resolve so desperately right then? She wouldn't though. Not in front of the slytherins though. That would only give them more reason to mock her, and that was the last thing she needed right then. How had Slughorn gotten ahold of her father so quickly. Of course. The mirrors that he kept all around the house. He used them to contact all his ministry connections with those mirrors, and to try to find her husband with someone, as quickly as possible.

Looking up at him, she gave him the best public smile she could. She knew it was all honey coated and sugar coated, but she decided to go along with his games since she knew any wrong move would get her thrown into a wall of some sort. "No actually it's from my father, maybe you've heard of him, Robert DuPrie. Apparently I haven't embaressed him so now I get to actually walk around without a black eye. Good enough answer?" she asked, the honey turning to ice with every word. Shoving the note at him, she let him read it. She didn't care. It wasn't like he was going to do anything about it really anyway.

[Landon Rooney]

Landon's smirk grew more pronounced as Lucas chimed in his two cents. The sixth year let the girl have her stupid letter without any sort of hesitation, he didn't care enough to keep taunting her in such childish ways. He had better ways of doing things like that then simply playing keep-away with a crumbled up bit of parchment that probably held a message that was incredibly petty and insignificant. He grew bored with the look on the Gryffindor's face. It looked like someone was doing a really bad job of acting as though the ship that her mother had been on had sunk and her mother was now lost at sea. It was all too overdramatic for his taste, no matter what was in the letter he didn't think that it could condone a reaction like that. It was almost so overly done that it was to the point of being comedic. He didn't even care what was in the letter, he just wanted to take a seat and watch the show. Maybe he'd get a few laughs. He'd had a hell of a night, he could do with having some good laughs at someone else's expense.

He rose his eyebrow once again as she gave him the smile that was all so obviously fake. When one had been raised from birth to learn to give smiles on command, it was easily spotted when others were doing it. So now she was going to do a bit of name-dropping, eh? The name Robert DuPrie held no respect in Landon's eyes, why should it? His parents only ever spoke ill of him even though he was a prominent Purblood. There were much more important things in life than influence at the Ministry. He smirked, "So you were walking around with a black eye before? Shame I missed it," he murmured, his hands gently intertwining with one another as he folded them in front of himself. "And is the name Robert DuPrie supposed to send shivers down my very spine? Should I cower before his name? I'm afraid that I'll be giving you no such pleasure this evening," he replied, his eyes looking at her with complete disinterest. She handed the note to him and he looked at with a blank expression before returning his gaze to her. "So what? You want me to read this?" he asked her, his voice hollow. "I feel as though you should know that I have better things to do than to read the letters between a Gryffindor and her father, especially an ignorant man such as your father," he retorted. He was about to hand it back to her when he realized that for some odd reason, maybe Lucas wanted to have a look. He turned to face Lucas with a very bored expression, "How about you? Want a glimpse into the life of a Gryffindor?" He sighed a deep breath and spoke to Lucas as though Charlotte were no longer even present, "I thought that she might be a little more entertaining. Didn't you?"