Disclaimer: I own nothing!
I started this story out with a general idea of how I wanted Louis to be but I feel that somewhere along the line that character got thrown out the window without me realizing until I finished this chapter. Despite that, I'm rather happy with how he's developing for I think it'll add a bit more to the story as it progresses. I hope you enjoy him just as much :).
Princes of the Universe : Chapter Four
Breakfast in the Great Hall was uneventful- which somehow seemed to be interesting to the rest of the student population. It seemed as if every house and year knew that Malfoy and I had finished serving detention together the previous night and the fact that both of us had taken the extra time to look our best yet didn't once look across the room or provoke the other seemed inexplicable to our peers. My typical gaggle of admirers had taken to seating themselves a bit farther away than usual where they made their whispers tactlessly apparent and it seemed the blonde was suffering the same treatment across the room.
Grinning to myself, I anticipated what was to come. Our blatant ignoring of each other was sure to sprout dozens of rumors by the beginning of first classes today and numerous more before this evening's meal, but none of them would come close to the truth.
"So you finally stopped beating around the bush and shoved your tongue down Malfoy's slimy throat, eh?" James snickered as he gracelessly sat himself down to my right. Sparing him a disapproving glance, I just shook my head. Well maybe a few would come close…
"Vulgarity doesn't suit you James. I would appreciate it if you didn't attempt the ill matched trait at breakfast when it includes myself and Malfoy as my stomach is a bit weak in the mornings and you wouldn't want vomit on your robes now, would you?" James uneasily edged over, but flashed me one of his signature smiles.
"Don't worry, Princess. Secret is safe with me," James assured. I just rolled my eyes and looked imploringly across the table to Albus. The younger Potter just shrugged lazily, used to his brother's ramblings. While it was all fun and games to the brunette, it made me uneasy how close to the truth he was hitting.
"If there ever was a secret I needed keeping you'd be the last person I'd confide in. Your proclivity towards using knowledge to amuse yourself is quite disturbing. As is this incessant fantasy that there is something between the Malfoy boy and myself. But if that is what whets your palate I'm sorry but you'll be holding out until Uncle Ron befriends an Acromantula," I drawled. In that case, maybe I should bring one back with me on holidays, I mused.
"Hey no need to get hostile," James defended with raised hands. "Besides, who could stand you with the way you talk?"
"The way I talk?"
"Yeah, it's like you took all of Aunt Hermione's old books and jumbled them together to make your brain," James snickered.
"James-" Albus warned, knowing this was one of the few topics that I was constantly teased about. And I was rarely ever teased, making it even more sore of a subject.
"It's called a vocabulary, James. Might be time you get one," I hissed. Once again, his hands went up in a defeatist motion.
"Alright, alright. Just going to point out that the Slytherin Princess over there has just as weird of a 'vocabulary' as you. It's like you two are in some sickly sweet romance- all archaic and gentlemanly while desperately in love. Not to mention it'd leave a lot more girls wide open for the picking."
"Your fantasies frighten me," I muttered, glaring down at my eggs.
"Now which of you would be the girl in this relationship?" James teased. It was the last straw as I let my fork clank to my plate and turned to pin him with a hard look.
"I suggest you stop audibly airing out your dreams. As you know rumors travel awfully fast even based off of the slightest misgiving- and if I have to suffer that wouldn't everyone be eager to know that the famous James Potter actually has problems functioning when it's time to do the deed? I'm sure all the women you are worried about will come flocking to you then," I hissed. Thankfully James shut up. The rest of our meal was finished in silence and it was only when Albus suggested we all went to class did I acknowledge my cousin again, giving him a parting nod.
"Wasn't that a bit harsh, Louis?" Albus asked as his brother briskly walked away from the pair of us once outside the Great Hall. I just shrugged and shot a smile over at Lysander who was absently walking the wrong way to our first class.
"Harsh? No. The last thing I need is some third year girl going about repeating what James was blabbering. Imagine what it would do to my reputation to add that to me repertoire!" I whined with false anxiety. Albus considered me for a moment before rolling his eyes.
"The fact that you have a repertoire at all reflects badly on you," Albus sighed. Frowning, I didn't get a chance to push Albus as to what he meant before Lysander looped arms with mine.
"Louis, do you happen to know what day it is?" the blonde asked frantically.
"Err…Tuesday?" I offered, momentarily thrown off kilter.
"Of course, of course it's Tuesday! Would you also happen to remember what class we have on Tuesday mornings?" he asked with a sheepish smile. When I went to turn back to Albus and tell him we'd continue our conversation later in the day, he was already gone. Rather than let my best friend's actions get to me, I turned back to the hapless blonde on my arm and smiled charmingly.
"Actually, I do happen to know what class we have," and with that Lysander was happy to let me lead him arm in arm through the castle. Any distaste breakfast had left me dissipated as I let the boy's sunny yet oblivious disposition lighten my own mood.
Being unperturbed doesn't tend to last long when the majority of the school's population constantly has their eyes on you, waiting for a juicy piece of gossip or the next dramatic move. But that comes with the territory and I've learned to take it all in stride as the best way to divert negative attention into positive attention is to give them what they want while staying on top.
Although it often seems that my rival realizes this fact too. Nor does it help that said rival also happened to take the OWLs a year early due to his father's career and the pressure he re-established family was able to throw about in the school system. The blonde was rather smug about being one of the select few who had been given such treatment throughout the school's history and still was inclined to show his gall in the class.
Thankfully potions was also a strong suit of my own and he had yet to usurp me publicly in that sector. It helps having two older sisters who were so obsessed with their looks growing up that they created their own beauty products in order to obtain perfection. Although perfection is hard to come by and takes much trial and error- which had all been worked through before I came along so out of the three of us I was the only one who truly could claim such status. No wonder the two of them always tease me about my morning rituals, I realized, they're jealous.
"…could you tell me what the key ingredient is Mr. Weasley?" droned Professor Corner. Supposedly, he had been friendly with my Aunt Ginny when they were back in school but I could never place any reason why any member of my family would ever befriend someone so bland. True, his hair hung immaculately against his well-sculpted face, but his slipshod nature and deploring monotone was just distasteful. Getting lost in my musings about the professor just as I had been lost in my earlier thoughts, I was relieved when Lorcan mouthed me the potion name to snap me back into action.
"Porcupine quills," I replied. The professor sighed before nodding and turning his back to the class in order to retreat behind his desk. There he looked as if he was using the old thing to defend himself from us as he wearily used it as a sort of crutch.
"But professor, why are we learning about Boil-Cure Potions? We did that as First Years," a brunette from Slytherin pointed out. Quirking a brow at what I had missed, I turned back to the sloping form that was the Professor and waited for an answer.
"We aren't learning the potion, Miss Bole. We are coming up with ways to alter it and improve it. Now, today's lesson will be one of theory. I want you to write out the ingredients of the potion and their effects on it and what counteracts said ingredients. Then come up with what you would want to add in order to improve the potion and explore it the same way. We'll discuss a few theories at the end of class and next time we'll be putting our knowledge of potioneering to the test," he announced, less than enthusiastically.
A small murmur of excitement spread throughout the class as written work in potions typically translated into a period of gossip. Stools scratched against the dungeon's floor and my classmates began to pair off only to be halted by Professor Corner clearing his throat.
"I intended this assignment to be individual work but anyone who wishes to work in pairs can do so and forfeit their points for the assignment as I'll take it as collaboration- thus cheating. And for individual assignments I assume this classroom shall remain silent," he warned. Begrudgingly, the class moved apart and I gave the sagging form of Corner a look of pity as he buried himself in a pile of paperwork that seemed to be taking over the man's desk.
Much to both Corner and my own surprise, the class did stay quiet and while I didn't thoroughly attend to the assignment, I did write down my suggestions for the potion before taking out a spare piece of parchment and beginning a letter to my mother in thanks for her speedy delivery and an account on how well everything worked out. I didn't realize I was snickering at my own written tale until my desk mate, a burly Hufflepuff whom I didn't know- really who still does seating alphabetically, elbowed me in the ribs. Scowling, I went back to writing in a more concentrated silence.
"Alright, I think you've all had enough time to come up with your alterations. Would anyone like to share their thoughts with the class?" Corner asked, hopefully scanning the room for any hands. Mine remained dutifully hidden at my side as my own eyes made sure they were looking anywhere but the teacher. Just because I was good at the class didn't make me want to turn into Rose and offer the answer to every question.
"Anyone?" he prompted again and I felt a tug of guilt at my stomach. While the man might be disgustingly unkempt, he seemed awfully meek and dispirited for a teacher. In a moment of pity, I offered my hand to volunteer.
"Ah, Mr. Weasley again. Please explain to us what you'd add to the potion and what it would result in," Professor Corner instructed. Flashing a brief smile, I stood from my stool in order to obtain the full attention of my peers before delving in to my well-known potion.
"Sure, Professor. The Boil-Cure Potion offers an ideal base for other cosmetic remedies. The best derivative that would apply to the most widespread trauma would be a facial cleansing cream. As you know, dittany is used to treat wounds and heal them miraculously and I find that one drop of dittany per litre of potion results in a similar binding effect on the skin, closing the pores. It should be added before the cauldron is taken off the fire and the quills added in order to counteract the creation of boils, which the original effect will now also reduce any swellings of redness in the applied area," I explained, pausing briefly to catch my breath and survey my audience, although most had already tuned me out and taken to staring.
"As for the two further ingredients, I cannot speak them explicitly as it would violate my own creative purposes and allow others to reproduce my results. What I can say is that one acts as a reagent to thicken the potion into a light cream- one of the lightest I have ever encountered, I dare say. The second as a natural cleanser and acne preventer which ensures you a natural glow and unblemished visage. If necessary, I can tell you these two in private but as I have been brewing the potion since third year, my face can attest to its success."
"Or maybe that's the cause of your ill-hidden blotchiness," came a familiar drawl. Stiffening, I turned towards the blonde Slytherin who was lounging, arm propped on the desk and eyes half lidded although dancing in amusement.
"I'm sorry?"
"Pores need to breathe, Weasley. Whenever you try to force something in an overwhelming situation, it cannot hope to live up to potential. Which is why you are subpar," Scorpius stated with a smirk. Opening my mouth to respond, I quickly rehashed his words before snapping my mouth shut and narrowing my eyes. Ooh he was good and I had almost overlooked it.
"I hardly think that you've found me subpar, Malfoy," I couldn't help but snap. Trying to get back on track, I let my mouth run. "Actually, I think you've found me to be the exact opposite. Which is why you're trying to deflect my success and make a sad, yet haughty attack. Quite frankly, your pores are huge. You may want to give my way a try."
"And I can think of a few things that aren't my pores you might find just as interesting," Scorpius practically hissed. Scoffing, I prepared a comeback but before I could deliver Corner interrupted.
"Great thinking, boys. After our potions have been brewed and tested for any negative reactions, I'd like the class to partner up and try each other's modified solutions. Although any that are deemed harmful or unstable shall not be tested," Corner hastily added, which caused some grumbling from the few Slytherins in the room.
"And Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley have kindly offered themselves to be the first of this example as well," Professor Corner added, making my jaw drop. Thankfully, Scorpius was a bit less affected by his emotions as myself, and he sharply protested.
"Professor, I hardly think that's fair. Who knows what he could do to the potion!" the blonde glowered.
"Me? What about you, you snake! I think it's more logical thinking about what you would do to me!" I protested. Gray eyes swirled around to catch my own and Scorpius's lips pulled out into a nasty grin.
"At least you admit that is the logical progression of things. Now that that is settled, I'm sure things will go a lot smoother."
"I am not-"
"Settled down! My classroom is not the place for your theatrics, you two," Professor Corner warned with a rare sense of finality to his tone. "Neither of you have to worry about the potions. I'll personally make sure each and every sample is safe. If this is going to be that much of a problem, then I'll deduct points from those that are obviously coerced."
Remembering I had been standing, I slowly lowered myself into my seat, hoping that the meaning behind our spat was lost on everyone as it had been on the Professor. Gray eyes were trained to the front of the room and I thoroughly disliked the smirk that was gracing his increasingly familiar lips. Scowling, I too turned to face the class as Corner instructed everyone to pass our suggestions towards him so he could review and do any necessary editing for next class.
When we were finally dismissed, I was in no rush to pack my belongings, as the blonde I was attempting to avoid was usually one of the first out of the room. When a shadow loomed over my desk, I curiously looked up to see who would be waiting for me. Groaning, I came face to face with the grinning lunatic that was James. I had forgotten he had also taken Potions this year, as it was prerequisite to becoming an Auror. As if he even needed to take the Auror exam- his father ran the department and if that wasn't a shoe-in I wasn't sure what was.
"It seems you really don't need my help spreading rumors about you after all, Louis. You're doing a good job of that yourself," James snickered. I just rolled my eyes, hastily shoving the rest of my books in the bag.
"Maybe to you corrupt minded few it does, but to me it seemed that the know-it-all brat tried to have it out with me. Over beauty potions no less! Does he not know who owns the most successful wizarding beauty supply chain in all of Western Europe?" I defended, faking being scandalized. James shook his head, offering me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder.
"To you, it's make up. To him, it's his next conquest. Just don't massacre him too much when you figure out I'm right. The Weasley-Malfoy feud is getting on well enough without you murdering the sole heir," James advised before giving me a salute and quickening his pace.
"Massacre him? Why would I do that? And it's beauty products! Not make up!" I called after him. Scowling and mumbling a string of curses in French, I glared after my rogue cousin. Did it really appear to everyone that I despised Malfoy that much? We at least it didn't appear to people that I was taken with the blonde, or so according to James.
"Oh yes, not make up indeed," came a cold snicker. I felt my back go rigid before the goosebumps hit. My feet turned me around on their own accord and I suddenly realized that the hallway had cleared out except for myself and the blonde who was now watching me predatorily. Well, my plan to linger behind the class had worked. Unfortunately, Scorpius wasn't as daft as I had hoped.
"If you can't tell the difference then no wonder your pores are so dreadful," I sighed. Scorpius just smirked.
"Still going on about that?"
"Actually no, I'm not going on about anything other than getting to my next class," I lied, trying to shake him as I turned to leave. Cool fingers gripped my wrist before dragging me backwards. Unprepared, I crashed into Scorpius, whose other arm came to wrap around my waist steadying me. I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as my brain processed what I was leaning on was solid- as in all muscle and the images couldn't stop cropping up at a mile a minute.
"Why keep playing this game?" he whispered huskily in my ear.
"I'm not playing any game. I just need to get to class," I insisted again. Scorpius tsked in my ear and I could practically hear his smirk.
"So insistent on getting away from me yet you're the one not moving," he teased. Realizing that his arm was, in fact, loose around my waist I tried to control the heat rising to my face before extricating myself from his hold. Turning around slowly to meet his eyes, I put on my best glare.
"What do you want, Malfoy?"
"Not even a thank you for catching the damsel in distress?"
"I wouldn't be in distress if you hadn't grabbed me back," I pointed and paused, before hastily adding, "and I'm not the bloody girl!"
"We'll see about that," he commented, tone foreboding. "You seem much more of the seduce then love to be taken care of and fawned over type."
"And you seem like the big talk and no follow up type."
"I'd dare you to find one person in this castle who would agree with you."
"Not everyone here can see you like I do," I replied, startling myself with my own words and successfully causing the Slytherin to shut up. After a short staring contest, Scorpius glanced down the hall.
"We should be getting to class," he commented. "Or rather, I should be getting to class and you should go off and enjoy you free period pruning yourself." This time I couldn't help but blush at being caught in my own lie. Scorpius just gave a softer smirk and shrugged before turning to go.
"I believe I have a letter to send out this evening. I've found the ideal time for owls to travel is when the moon is perigee," he said almost aloofly before rounding the sharp turn of the dungeon. Staring after the younger blonde, I couldn't help but wonder just what had I gotten myself in to? The nagging feeling at my stomach kept telling me this was only the beginning. But if that was Malfoy's idea of some sick foreplay, this was going to be a long…well whatever it is that was coming between us. And I wasn't going to take it lying down.