| Details for A Snaky Interlude |
| Summary: | Two rather prominent Slytherins have a brief conversation about the future. |
| Date: | September 17, 1937 |
| Location: | Entry Hall, Hogwarts |
| Related: | None |
| Characters |
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Entry Hall, Hogwarts Castle
The marble beginning of the staircases leading upwards into the castle face the heavy oak doors that lead outside across a flagged stone expanse that could fit an average house. Looking up, one can see the staircases shifting from one landing to the next, on up into the shadows making it difficult to tell just how high the Entrance Hall really is. The torches in the walls do little to pierce the dimness overhead, but cast light on the suits of armor flanking the front doors and the many doors spaced at odd intervals leading to the Great Hall, Slytherin Dungeons, Staff quarters, and even a broom closet.
Perhaps the thing of greatest interest in this entry though, at least to the students, are the four large hourglasses housed in niches on one of the walls opposite the doors. One filled with sapphires, one with emeralds, one with rubies, and the last with topaz, these hourglasses keep track of the all important House points. The gems in the bottom half represent the points earned so far by houses Gryffindor, Hufflepuff, Ravenclaw and Slytherin.
Passing through the doors from the outside, Balthazar strides towards the marble staircase, a sense of purpose in his green eyes as he moves. His black robes flow around his legs, and it is with a slightly haughty air that he holds his chin.
Lucian stands on the lowest step of the grand stairway, leaning up against the mighty stone bannister. On the step above him, a Fifth Year Slytherin girl looks at him with dreamy eyes while they talk. What few words are loud enough to echo through the entry hall seem include "sky," "hippogriff," and "faster." When the young lady's eyes drift toward the approaching Balthazar, Lucian's follow to the Seventh Year boy. "Lestrange," he offers in simple greeting.
"Proudmore," the tall Slytherin seventh-year says as he reaches the staircase. Balthazar slows his pace as he approaches the pair, his green eyes shifting to the girl to whom Lucian is talking and nodding at her once, a tickle of a smile at the corners of his mouth. Squaring his shoulders a bit, he asks, "Would you believe what I got in Owl Post today? My father, sending me…candy. As if I was a firstie." A tone of hollow contempt touches his words.
Lucian scoffs, "Candy? It does come off a little juvenile." The Prefect shrugs, "But I say make the most of it. Give it to a girl. Girls love getting candy." He flashes a rakish grin at Polly Parkinson, his female companion, who shrugs and smiles, all but confirming his suggestion.
A snort from Balthazar and he shrugs. "I suppose, I could do that. I think he's gone daft and have forgotten that I graduate this year." A shake of his head and then he looks over at Polly. His green eyes are intent as he observes her reactions, and then shifts his attention back to the Prefect. "You going for Head Boy next year?" he asks, a brow raised.
Lucian shrugs noncommittally. "Maybe. It couldn't hurt. But that's a lot of attention from the professors, which isn't always a good thing. Still, it's a feather in the cap, isn't it." It's more of a statement than a question. "I'm surprised you never went for Prefect or Head Boy. Bet you could have, if you'd wanted it."
Hands spread open, a non-committal gesture. Lestrange lets a smile touch his mouth, but it doesn't go all the way to his eyes. "I probably could have, yes. And it may have even been desirable, but you've been here long enough to know that I have all the authority I want." Just ask him, he'll tell you. Balthazar's smile drops off of his face. "And the less attention I draw from the faculty, the better off I am. It's not always nice to have disapproving eyes looking over your shoulder."
Lucian lets out a chortle. "Like I said. But I'll tell you what, the right attention can be good. I'm on the fast track into old Sluggy's parties. With him looking over my shoulder, I could really be set."
The tall seventh-year lets his eyes narrow just a bit as he considers that. "Hmmm, good work, Proudmore. Perhaps I should consider cuddling up to old Sluggy myself, as my Father wants me to do. Beans in the post or no, a bit of influence in the right spots might not be a bad thing. It's not like my family's not entitled to that kind of attention. I'll keep it in mind." He turns, his attention returning to the younger Miss Parkinson, a hand coming out to touch her hair briefly. "Pretty. For a fifth-year," Balthazar comments.
Polly's jaw drops in indignation. "For a Fifth Year? I have you know that my father-…"
But Lucian lifts a hand to cut her off, shaking his head in warning. That seems enough for her to reconsider mouthing off to Balthazar Lestrange. "Anyhow, we were just on our way out for a bit before curfew. See you around, Lestrange." As he takes Polly's hand to lead her toward the courtyard, he gives the older Slytherin boy a nod of respect — a rare offering from Lucian.
A credibly deferential nod of his head in reply, and then Balthazar turns and makes his way up the staircase, his crisply-polished loafers tapping lightly on the marble stairs as he heads on to his next destination.