THC, Round 4

Standard

Hufflepuff, HoM (stand-in)

Prompts: [Location] Black Lake, [Restriction] First person

WC: 1531/3000

I would have ignored the Prewetts any other day, but when Gideon said, "...treasure in the Black Lake—" as he passed by my table, my ears perked up and I completely forgot my Transfiguration essay.

With all the grace of a golden snitch in flight, I slinked behind the dusty library shelves, my finely tailored robes barely whispering against the floor. Honestly, it was beneath a Malfoy to skulk about like a common thief, but the tantalizing promise of treasure in the Black Lake had piqued my interest. The Prewett brothers, bless their simple hearts, were chattering away, oblivious to my refined presence. Their excited whispers about "rare algae" and "untold power" danced through the air, as transparent as the motives of a Gryffindor seeking glory.

I smirked, knowing that any treasure worth having would be far better in the hands of someone with my sophistication and superior intellect.

Once they left, still unaware of my eavesdropping, I made my way to the Black Lake. The thought of diving into the murky water myself was repulsive; a Malfoy should never have to dirty his hands—or robes—like a commoner. As I approached the lake's edge, I spotted a first-year Hufflepuff wandering nearby, likely lost or daydreaming, as their kind often are.

"You there!" I called out imperiously, waving the child over with a commanding flick of my hand. The boy, a small, mousy creature with wide eyes and trembling hands, scampered over nervously.

"Yes, Mr. Malfoy, sir?" he stammered, clearly aware of my superior status.

I fixed him with a steely gaze. "I have a task for you. There is a rare and valuable algae in the depths of this lake, and you are to retrieve it for me immediately. Do not question me, just do as you're told."

The boy's eyes widened further, and he began to tremble. "B-but sir, I can't swim very well, and the lake is... it's scary…"

I sighed, exasperated by his cowardice. "Do not waste my time with your feeble excuses. A Malfoy does not—"

Before I could finish, the boy burst into tears and fled, his terrified wails echoing across the grounds. I watched him run, utterly bemused by his lack of fortitude.

"Pathetic," I muttered, shaking my head. Clearly, if this treasure were to be claimed, I would need a more competent lackey—or, Merlin forbid, I might have to reconsider getting my own hands dirty.

The thought was nauseating. I took a deep breath, steeling myself. If anyone were to brave these waters for such a prize, it would be with the dignity befitting my lineage. With a reluctant sigh, I began to roll up my sleeves, contemplating how best to avoid ruining my immaculate attire. Perhaps a few strategic spells could provide a barrier between myself and the filth. A Malfoy must always look his best, even when undertaking the most sordid of tasks.

I stood at the edge of the Black Lake, the stench of algae and murky water assaulting my senses. Disgust twisted my features as I contemplated the necessity of what I was about to do. A Malfoy should never be subjected to such menial tasks, but the allure of unlimited power drove me forward.

With a flick of my wand, I cast Accio to summon the rare algae from the depths below. To my dismay, nothing happened. I scowled, realizing that the algae must be too deeply embedded for such a simplistic spell to work. With a resigned sigh, I knew there was no choice but to venture into the water myself.

Reluctantly, I muttered incantations to create a bubble of air around my head and to keep my clothes and luscious blond hair pristine and dry. The spells shimmered around me, forming an invisible shield that repelled water and maintained my impeccable appearance. Satisfied with my preparations, I stepped into the lake, shuddering as the cold water lapped at my ankles. Every step deeper felt like a betrayal of my dignity, but the thought of the power awaiting me kept me focused.

As I waded deeper, my mind wandered to the inevitable glory that awaited me once I emerged victorious with the rare algae in hand. I imagined the envy on the faces of my peers, the admiration of my professors, and the eternal gratitude of the Dark Lord himself. With each passing moment, however, a subtle unease crept over me. Despite the spells I had cast, a chilling sensation began to seep through my robes, and drops of water splashed against my face, threatening to ruin my meticulously styled hair.

Determined to prove myself, I pressed onward, the water now reaching my neck. Suddenly, a cold shiver ran down my spine as I realized my mistake. My robes, which were meant to repel water, were now soaked through. My once immaculate hair hung limply around my face, strands clinging to my forehead. Panic seized me as I struggled to understand how my spells had failed so miserably.

With a scowl etched deeply on my face, I ignored the discomfort of my soaked robes and hair, diving into the Black Lake with a grim determination. The water was colder than expected, sending a chill through my bones as I swam deeper, searching for the elusive algae. My eyes scanned the murky depths, frustration mounting with each passing moment of fruitless searching.

Suddenly, a large, dark shape loomed before me—the giant squid. Its massive tentacles swirled menacingly around me, but I, in my stubborn arrogance, attempted to fend it off with a flick of my wand. "Away with you, beast," I muttered disdainfully, trying to poke its appendage away. The squid, evidently offended by my audacity, reacted swiftly. With a powerful surge, it grabbed me in its grasp and hurled me out of the water like a rag doll.

I crashed unceremoniously onto the shore, landing in a large pile of mud and leaves with a splat.

Filth now caked my once immaculate robes, and my hair was a disheveled mess. As I struggled to regain my composure, the laughter of Fabian and Gideon echoed in my ears like mocking taunts. I looked up to see them standing nearby, wands outstretched and grins plastered on their faces.

Realization dawned on me like a thunderclap. They had orchestrated this entire debacle, stripping away the protective spells that I had relied upon. Anger surged through me, and I lunged towards them with every intention of exacting swift revenge. However, my footing betrayed me, and I stumbled clumsily, falling face-first back into the mud.

The Prewetts' laughter intensified, ringing in my ears like a cruel symphony of mockery. My dignity lay in tatters, my quest for power reduced to nothing but a humiliating farce. As I sat there, covered in mud and seething with rage, I vowed that they would pay dearly for their insolence. But for now, all I could do was pick myself up, clean myself with the Scouring Charm, and begin the long walk back to the castle—defeated, but not defeated forever.

I trudged back towards the castle, my robes heavy with the feeling of mud and my pride wounded beyond measure. Each step seemed to echo the defeat I had suffered at the hands of the Prewett brothers. As I walked, my mind seethed with thoughts of revenge, envisioning elaborate schemes to humiliate Fabian and Gideon in return. I would make them rue the day they dared to mock a Malfoy.

To my annoyance, Fabian and Gideon caught up with me, their laughter still ringing in my ears. "Well, well, well," Fabian teased, slinging an arm over my shoulder as if we were old friends. We were not. "What a lovely sight you are, Lucius. Mud suits you, don't you think?"

I brushed off his arm with a scowl, but Gideon chimed in with a mischievous grin, "I must say, my dearest Lucy-Wucy, you handled that giant squid quite impressively. I didn't know you had such courage."

I shot him a withering glare. "I assure you, Prewett, it was merely a minor setback. And stop calling me that ridiculous nickname, or else I'll hex your bollocks off!"

Fabian chuckled. "Come now, Lucy. There's no need to be so serious. We were only having a bit of fun."

Gideon leaned closer, his voice dropping to a playful whisper. "Besides, you look pretty fetching covered in mud. Want me to dirty you even more?"

Heat rose to my cheeks, a rare occurrence that I vehemently denied. "Nonsense," I retorted sharply. "Leave me alone. I have no time for your childish games."

Fabian laughed heartily. "Oh, come on, Lucy. Admit it, you were flustered."

"I most certainly was not," I insisted, though my denial only seemed to amuse the Prewetts further.

As they continued their banter, Fabian teasing me while Gideon flirted with me, I realized with a mixture of irritation and reluctant amusement that, despite my best efforts to maintain composure, the Prewetts had managed to unsettle me. I silently vowed that their teasing would not go unpunished, but for now, I begrudgingly tolerated their company on the long walk back to the castle, still planning on having my revenge.