While Cassius had fully expected the reactions he got from the other houses in response to his putting his name in the goblet, he didn't take fully into count the reactions from the rest of his house and how they'd affect him. The idea that he'd forgotten to prepare for that irked him; he didn't like leaving out variables, especially such bothersome ones. Publically, he obviously had the full support of his house, as was expected, but within the walls of the common room Cassius was forced to again realize just why this tournament was so important for him.
"I can't *believe* that Warrington is the only Slytherin to enter the tournament so far! He's just lucky that I'm not old enough to enter and show the school what a *real* pureblood can do," Draco announced to his friends smugly. "I mean, he'd be better than a half-blood or, Merlin forbid, some stupid jumped up mudblood, but it's not like he's as good as some of us. I mean, everyone knows Cicero Warrington was rumored to have had a "relationship" with a mudblood that kept them off the sacred twenty-eight. Who even knows if he is *actually* pure?!"
Cassius clenched his fists and bit his tongue hard enough that he could taste blood in an attempt to keep from pummeling that prat's face in for that slight. How *dare* he talk about matters he knew nothing about! To cast doubt on his family's purity in the middle of the common room like this was beyond all justification. Scion of an Ancient and Noble House or not, this kid was asking for trouble!
Just as Cassius began to think his temper would in fact get the better of his good sense, he felt someone's shoulder brush his and realized his best friend Adrian had joined him. Adrian gave Cassius a look that clearly communicated, "I understand why you're angry but rein it in. This isn't the time or place." The fuming teen knew his friend was right, so he gritted his teeth and swallowed down the anger for a later, anonymous, vengeance. It wouldn't do to go stomping up to the Malfoy scion and resorting to lowly Gryffindor tactics to handle the situation. He reminded himself that there was plenty of time and opportunity to strike back at the blonde boy when there were no lasting consequences to handle.
"Careful Draco," Adrian drawled, "If Montague hears you're starting fights within the team, I'm sure he'll realize that the time spent thinking up your insults could be better put toward practicing so you can *finally* beat Potter to the snitch next year. What a pity if all your free periods for the year had to be spent training."
"My father-"
"Would be overjoyed to finally have you succeed wherein all other seekers, including yourself, have repeatedly failed? I agree! And if that were to come at the "expense" of increasing your skill, then I'm sure he would thank our Captain for the foresight of encouraging you to reach your full potential. After all, he understands that some things require...sacrifices," Adrian finished with a condescending smirk.
Malfoy's face became flushed, even as he attempted to keep up an unaffected facade. Cassius had to admit that Adrian definitely had a skill for hitting someone where it hurt the most but in such a way that they also knew they couldn't punish him for it. Malfoy would be upset and angry but would also know that getting vengeance would only be possible with his father's backing. For all Draco's posturing, it was well understood that the only real threat he had was his father, especially to older and stronger students like Cassius and Adrian. Except that Adrian had masterfully diffused the situation by making it so that the only way Draco could seek vengeance was to remind his father that he had lost every snitch so far to Potter, even with a superior broom. Everyone knew Lucius must be irate to have his son so consistently shown up by Dumbledore's pet. There was no way Draco would risk reminding his father of that, especially with Quidditch being cancelled this year which meant that Draco had a chance to escape the Malfoy patriarch's disapproval.
Cassius knew the brat realized what Adrian had done when he simply clenched his jaw before storming off, his little posse following him out of the common room quickly after. Cassius smirked at his best friend in acknowledgement of the favor he'd done him and Adrian playfully shoved his shoulder in easy acceptance of Cassius' unspoken thanks. Cassius sometimes found it astonishing how easily he and Adrian had learned to convey so much with simple looks, but in a house so fraught with people who had been trained from birth to find and use information as leverage, as they themselves had, you learned to hold your silence quickly. No conversation worth having could happen in the common room or in their dorms, so the two friends headed out to walk by the lake, knowing the sounds of the squid playing in the water would help drown them out.
As they navigated the dungeon pathways, they ran into several other slytherins, with varying levels of cordiality. Terence Higgs congratulated Cassius and told him he couldn't wait to see how he handled himself in the tournament, but Millicent Bulstrode made a point to ask Cassius if anyone "fitting" had put forth their name yet with a saccharine smile while her little friends giggled in the background. It wasn't much better once they reached the entrance hall though, as members of the other houses were milling about on their break.
Whispers followed the duo as they made their way outside and they received anything from terrified looks from first years (who acted as though any sudden movement would cause the two boys to curse them) to snide remarks. Surprisingly, the least issues came from the visiting schools as several other hopeful champions from the foreign schools sought out Cassius to wish him luck, which he returned before continuing on his way with Adrian. The Beauxbatons and Durmstrang students had no more issue with Slytherin than any of the other houses (since they had no stake in the house cup or prejudice to influence them). In fact, many of them preferred the company of Slytherins as they were more formal by nature and thus more familiar to the foreigners. It seemed, Cassius reflected idly, good manners were a universal language.
They had almost reached their destination when Cassius heard a group of boys he recognized as Gryffindors drawing closer. Cassius immediately went on guard, tightening his grip on his wand in preparation. As they got closer, he recognized they were younger lions in their fourth year. He knew they were fourth years because one of them was rather infamous, even in the snake den, for accidentally blowing things up on a regular basis. He was certain they had been noticed when the Irish boy elbowed the person next to him and the entire group stopped for a moment. Cassius and Adrian continued walking, not acknowledging them but always extremely watchful. They made it a few feet passed the group when Cassius felt the crackling of a spell being cast. Reflexively, he cast a protego to cover himself and Adrian while Adrian went on the offensive and cast a mild stinging hex toward the group. Continuing on their way, both boys rolled their eyes at the idea that the fourth years thought they could land anything on two Slytherin sixth years.
Once they reached the boulders on the water's edge of the lake, Cassius finally began to relax. "So, being a prospective champion everything you dreamed it would be yet?" Well… at least until that. Adrian had made his opinions on this *very* well known. As Cassius' best friend Adrian was already well-aware as to why Cassius was so set on competing. In fact, they both had that same secret yearning to belong in the upper echelons of pureblood society and increase the stature of their family name until it surpassed even the Malfoy or Black lineages.
The difference was in their methods. Adrian was satisfied to get there the traditional way. He would find a way to secure a bride from within the twenty-eight and use that to put his foot in the door. From there he would enact a plan spanning generations until his family was just as revered, though long after his death and probably after that of his own future child. Adrian had an eye, and patience, for the long plans. This was markedly different from his best friend's attitude.
Cassius was far less patient and more ambitious than his counterpart. He wasn't content with plans that would benefit his grandson or great-grandson, and, even then, that's only if some idiot didn't muck it up between now and then! He wanted results within years, not generations. No relying on the maiden name of his future bride to make people notice him. Cassius wanted to create a name for himself, wanted to be "Cassius the Great" instead of "Cassius, one of the Great Warrington Family". He would be remembered for making his family great and not just being a part of it. As such, he was far more willing to take these bigger, though still calculated, risks.
Adrian thought that willingness made him reckless, but Cassius did not agree in the slightest. He knew that he wasn't some Gryffindor to leap without thinking. He would analyze every possibility to get the best chance of success and obviously any plan that had a low probability was immediately scrapped. He wasn't suicidal and he fully planned on living to enjoy the fruits of his labors, thank you very much.
No matter how much Cassius tried to argue with Adrian about how much research he'd done before entering the tournament, Adrian remained convinced that it was tantamount to suicide. Nevermind that Cassius had spent hours and hours running all manner of arithmancy equations, making sure to double and triple check all of the possible variables, or that his risk vs benefit table was vastly in favor of entering the tournament! Adrian just refused to be appeased, and Cassius was sure that the "minor" detail of him already having entered (and essentially being locked into a binding magical agreement that could cost him his life or even his magic) would not deter his ire.
"Come on, Cas! You had to have known that those pompous peacocks wouldn't just accept you as a potential champion! What about the other houses; were you expecting *them* to cheer on a Slytherin?! You're risking your life in this mad quest for their approval and ignoring all common sense!" Adrian rebuked.
"Of course I didn't expect any different from them! I'm not some ickle firstie wearing rose-colored glasses Ade! I knew what I was getting into and I would expect you to realize that I don't need it from you too," Cassius snapped back.
Adrian ran his hand down his face in defeat. "I know Cas, but I just find it a *little* difficult to get over the whole "death tournament run by incompetent fools" part. There's no need to go risking your life on the slim chance that they'll realize you're worthy of joining them, and that's only if you win! Who knows what you'll be up against! Have you actually seen how that man runs this school?! Or spent more than 5 minutes in the company of our "esteemed" minister?! These are the people you're trusting to run a competition that killed people when it was run *well*!"
Cassius had to admit that, when phrased that way, he could see why Adrian was concerned. Still, he was sure of his preparations and in his own skills. "How many of those deaths you're so concerned about were Slytherin though? Bloody Gryffindors skewing the statistics I'm sure," he chuckled. Adrian rolled his eyes but couldn't stop his lips from quirking up ever so slightly. Heartened, Cassius pressed his advantage. "Besides, between the two of us I'm sure we can find out the tasks ahead of time when I'm chosen and then it'll be a breeze!"
Adrian didn't exactly look convinced but rather more like he was torn between supporting his friend and wanting to shake some sense into him. "Fine, have it your way. I want to make it clear that I'm only helping you because you won't last a minute in this tournament without me though," he joked.
"I'll take it," Cas laughed.
"But! That's only *if* you survive the *real* first task."
"...what's that?" Cassius inquired.
"Telling Étiennette," he replied, laughing when Cas blanched.
AN: Well there's chapter two done and chapter three is already underway. Don't worry, the joy that is Étiennette will be introduced next chapter as well as the choosing of the champions! I know you're all eager to get to the fun stuff, but enjoy the happy moments while they last guys, trust me *evil laughter* I mean… uh.. Yay friendship? I'd love to hear what you think of the guys so far so drop me a review if you can and I'll be happy to answer any questions you might have (or you know, torture you with possible spoilers, who knows)!