[OPEN MINGLE] Or perhaps in Slytherin

[fulllifeconsequences]

Who: Slytherin House! (And friends and visitors, of course!)
Where: Slytherin Common Room, Quidditch Pitch, various places around Hogwarts
When: Duration of the event
Rating: G (will edit as necessary)
Summary: Slytherin open log!
The Story:



The Slytherin common room was a long, low underground room with rough stone walls and ceiling, from which round, greenish lamps were hanging on chains. A fire was crackling under an elaborately carved mantelpiece ahead of them, and several Slytherins were silhouetted around it in carved chairs.

The common room has changed, somewhat, from its historical description, thanks to the decorative powers of one Mettaton. Though it still extends beneath the lake and thus retains a greenish, aquatic cast, it's much more brightly lit, its cold, damp atmosphere replaced with dazzling MTT-brand warmth. Even the giant squid, occasionally peering in as it does its rounds of the lake, seems just a shade more glamorous inside such a charming space.

Students - and a ghost or two - can be found nestled within its confines, plotting mischief around the fire, studiously doing their homework (as good students do), or perhaps trading Chocolate Frog trading cards. Though Slytherin is not especially well-known for its wide-open, trusting nature, Slytherins are known for not snitching on each other; if a guest or two were to creep in for a while, then odds are, nobody saw anything.

Comments

Zacharie | 7th year | Ravenclaw

[catinthemask]

[So guess who appears to be passed out on the couch like everyone's favorite drunk uncle? This guy. In all honestly, Zacharie is wide awake and people watching from under the safety of his cat mask. Given that he more often than not kept tabs on nearly everything under the moon it's probably not a surprise to see him here.

And hey, maybe he has a reason to be here. Either way though anyone who approaches him will get a lazy wave. Ah, well it's not like he can people watch forever.]

Buenos días, my dear friend. Lovely weather we're having, no?

[determinedest]

[Hey, Zacharie. You know their number, yeah? It's your favorite customer! Or rather, the one that's willing to get their hands on the really good stuff. Older he might be, but he's got that catlike aspect to him, where he just kind of shows up even when it's not expected.

Frisk perches on the arm of the chair and flashes him a small smile.]

Fantastic weather. Lucky, I'd almost say.

[Is that still your shopping buzzword, Zacharie, or have you changed that recently?]

[catinthemask]

[Frisk's appearance gets him to sit up, but not quite at attention. It comes off as him being pretty casual but those who know to look for that shift know better.]

I'm quite enjoying it. Hopefully nothing rains on my parade!

[So yes! He was thinking about changing it in a few hours, but Frisk is a lucky little duck. Also someone who endless amuses Zacharie because nobody seems to suspect this sweet child of anything mischievous.]

And how is your day going Frisk? Learn anything interesting in class today?

[Because he is an elder student interested in the learning of those younger than him. Or because 'interesting' is always a quick code word to ask for the interesting things he may have.]

[determinedest]

[Hey, you've gotta keep up appearances, masked-man. They know how it is. Frisk leans back against the wall, a faint smile toying at the edges of their features, barely perceptible.]

Quite a lot, actually. Did you know there's a sleeping potion so powerful that it's called the Draught of Living Death? [They shrug, noncommittal.] I mean, you probably did.

[But the ingredients to that particular potion they'd been certain to look up when they next had the time, writing them on the inner skin of their forearm.]

[catinthemask]

Ah ah ah, that I do! We had a quiz on the subject and it was difficult for the students to produce an attempt at the finished product.

[Sure, the teacher wasn't expecting them to make a complete one but it was a good test of skill. It was also a good test of skill to magic the locks off the drawer that kept the ingredients hidden away.

Locks: 0 Zacharie: who the fuck knows by this point?]

If you are interested in learning more about the subject, I have an old book I can lend you. It was something I picked up from a friend and I am sure the knowledge can be helpful to further your career in Potions.

[Because it's a very useful book that's a bit larger than normal and heavier than it looks. A wonderful imitation that was hulled out to store such things. Yup, very good for book-learning.]

[determinedest]

[Alohamora is truly a thing of beauty, what can they say?

Frisk cocks their head to one side curiously, dark eyes alight with something sufficiently interested.]

Color me intrigued. What sort of book are you talking about here?

[The Draught of Living Death is...well, it attracts them for some supremely morbid reasons. Felix Felices is one of those extremely complicated ones that's equally alluring for entirely different reasons. And who wouldn't want to brew up some Polyjuice Potion, just for a little late-night castle reconnaissance?]

[catinthemask]

A book on Potions such as Draught of Living Death and other such things. It is rather advanced but I know you are the curious sort who likes to dig and learn. Most importantly it has an ingredient list so if you cannot remember that one little thing that always escapes your mind during an exam, it will have it.

[Or rather, he will have it. Things being to shift again as Zacharie sits more at attention.]

Sadly I must mention the index was pulled out so if there is a particular potion you are looking for, I would be happy to mark the page for you.

[So, tell him what you need and that book he'll lend you will have it. Naturally it won't come free, but Frisk knows how it goes.]

[determinedest]

[The "curious sort" - well, he's not wrong. Frisk grins widely, bracing one elbow across the top of their knee so they can rest their chin on their curled knuckles.]

And what would the asking price for such a treasure be?

[They're assuming it'd have to be pretty high, since it sounds like it's quite the object of value, even if it'll have to be little more than a glorified rental.]

[catinthemask]

[Let him think. His asking prices tended to work in the favor of those who would be doing the fetching. It was absolutely useless to give someone a price they had no way of paying because Zacharie would be the one to lose out and if it wasn't fair, people would go elsewhere.

He knew Frisk's strength in being that sweet kid that could get away with talking to others without too many questions raised. So, if they couldn't answer now, then it'd be easy to get it later.]

While we are on the subject of books, I mean to speak to the librarian regarding the Restricted Section but I keep missing them! You wouldn't happen to know what the times they are usually in? I have free time Friday evening so that would be the best.

[Because he's having the opposite problem. Since students have been getting in there, the game's been stepped up a bit. It be best if he knew the nighttime schedule at least.]

[determinedest]

[What times they are usually "in," right? Of course they've got a good handle on that sort of schedule.]

Most older students can get in with a permission slip. They've been cracking down on the craftier ones, though - I can't believe some people have been getting away with counterfeits.

[Frisk, for their part, usually elects to overlook that step and go straight to slinking inside unannounced, sometimes off the coattails of whatever older kid might be perusing the stacks. It's far better to ask forgiveness than permission, after all.]

I'm afraid the librarian's been staying later and later, since so many troublemakers seem to like sneaking in after hours. But the earlier times with the busier hours - the librarian is quite unavailable during that time, too distracted helping fifth years with their O.W.L. study materials.

[catinthemask]

[If he did it the legitimate way, Zacharie could get in easily. But he couldn't take books out, make copies and bring it back. He's fast, but not that fast and they'd have his name on record. No thank you. He'd rather them just deal with one going 'missing'.]

Rather cheap ones too, sadly. There's only so many times you can magic a signature before it becomes obvious.

[Practice the handwriting by hand guys, it's not that hard. Or maybe it was because he had practice long before coming to Hogwarts. But anyway...]

Excellent! I will be able to see them very soon. I'll have your book delivered at the earliest convenience. However, if I cannot find you is there anywhere I can put it?

[Like away from a certain Professor that Frisk is close to? Because yeah.]

[determinedest]

[He's got a good grasp of the fact that their mother, while clearly the Best Mom Ever To Mom, can be overtly stern when it comes to petty rulebreaking. Which is a real shame, seeing as Chara and Frisk excel at that sort of thing.

Frisk rolls their shoulders back in a luxurious stretch, hands linking behind their head as they arch their spine until it cracks.]

There's a certain "shortcut" I'm sure you're aware of. A bust of Gregory the Smarmy guards it. I know of only a handful of other students that pass by that way, none of them with any sort of regularity.

[catinthemask]

And I am sure it is a rather pretty bust too. If I cannot find you I'll trust it to our dear friend Gregory.

[Zacharie makes a note to make sure that only Frisk would be able to pick it up if that was the case, rather than some random student.]

Thank you for your time Frisk. Now then how is Quidditch practice going? I have been hearing conflicting rumors on who is going to come out on top this year!

[determinedest]

Slytherin, obviously, [Frisk says with a prim twist to their voice, as if daring Zacharie to say otherwise. They lean back against the wall with their more typical easy smile.]

The other team's seekers may be older, but I'm faster. And I've got the best beaters imaginable covering my back.

[catinthemask]

[Naw, Zacharie's learned to let sleeping dogs lie when it comes to these games. Just the occasional wink/nudge "Wanna bet?" for him. Last thing he wants is first hand experience with bludgers, and that applies to all teams.]

They always say to beware the quiet ones and I do not doubt the skills of your beaters putting the meaning of the word to good use. I've just seen practice of the other teams and it appears you will have to fight tooth and nail this time.

[But victory is all the sweeter when you have to drag it home kicking and screaming, no?]

[determinedest]

Yeah, but where's the fun in an easy victory? Something about that is just so unsatisfying, you know?

[Stories aren't any fun when it's just one person crossing a flat wasteland. Good stories involve scaling mountains, plumbing the depths of deep caves. Great highs and great lows. So the other teams are sharp this year. Bring it, says Frisk. They're determined to come out on top, and they know they're not the only one that feels that way.]

Have you seen us practice, though?

[mettatonvevo]

[There he is! His favorite merchant, a perfect peddler of MTT Brand, well, everything! Their business relationship is a beautiful symbiosis that he must admit he will miss when they graduate. Perhaps if Zacharie's future plans continue to be in the realm of business, they can take their partnership from casual to the big times.

But! That's for the future. For now, there is checking in on this mask-wearing enigma.]

Oh absolutely lovely. The Giant Squid seems to be loving how cool the lake is nowadays.

[catinthemask]

[As far as he was concerned his future plans would continue to involve shady back-alley deals with better magic but he certainly wouldn't say no to Mettaton. He's had a great run with the other student and continuing that would be the best for everyone - or at least a pulse to keep his thumb on for later.

Zacharie sits up and stretches. You'll have to take our word for it but he's smiling under that cat mask.]

I think I saw a few other students attempting some sort of game with it, so I will assume it will have company soon. That aside I do not believe I have mentioned but I love what you have done with the place Boss. Real cozy, ah ah ah.

[If he sincerely was as sleepy as he was attempting to project, Zacharie would be out like a light on this couch.]

[mettatonvevo]

That's good to hear. The poor thing needs a lot of stimulation or else it gets cranky and knocks on the glass.

[Being awake at 3am and suddenly hearing a loud bang coming from the side of the common room had been a terrifying experience that Mettaton did not want to experience again.

He can't stop his proud smirk at Zacharie's words. God, he loves being called Boss. It's part of the reason he's thinking of opening a business when he leaves Hogwarts.]

Thank you very much, Zacharie! It took quite a bit of work and a lot of planning, but I think it's safe to say that this common room will be just fine when I graduate.

[catinthemask]

At least it has yet to scale the castle walls.

[and he wouldn't be surprised if he saw Mettaton's name on a billboard one of these days. The guy had a gift for talking that Zacharie hadn't seen in a long time. Probably evident by, despite the people asking him to be removed, he hadn't been taken off as commentator.]

Perhaps you should get into room decorating as well. Ah ah ah, but I shouldn't prattle. What do you need today, Boss?

[mettatonvevo]

[He looks to the squid, floating rather aimlessly by and shudders.]

Don't give her any ideas. Half the time I am convinced that she knows what we're saying and will use it against us one day.

[He looks back to Zacharie, his earlier grin returning quickly.]

I've considered it, but it's not big enough for me. Not enough flash to really be appealing for someone of my caliber. As for what I need, I just wanted to ask how the advertising business has been! As well as to inquire if you need any funds or items.

[Business has been going very well on his end, and he's feeling a little more generous than usual.]

[catinthemask]

[Attack of the giant squid, he wants to say but he's more interested in Mettaton's generosity. Lucky him!]

It is going quite well on my end. I have a few posters hung up in Ravenclaw's dorm room at the moment and I will move to the others once I am done my business here.

[There's little point in discussing that but it's more out of the desire to keep his business with Mettaton and his own personal business separate, unless the Boss decides to mix it up.]

But I am doing well funds wise. As for items I am running low, but if you have learned any new and interesting rumors I am always happy to be a listening ear.

[mettatonvevo]

Fantastic! You really are the best at promotion. I was lucky the day I met you.

[Ok, so Mettaton might be getting a little sappy in his 7th year. Sue him!]

Rumors hm? Well, there's the usual list of "Who has a crush on Professor Rogers", though that could be half the student body at this point. There's also Stanley Pines's lack of firewhiskey smuggling, though that's more of a surprising fact rather than a rumor. I do have news to avoid a certain statue on one of the upper floors of the castle. It has some kind of spell on it that it uses to trap unaware travelers.

[Mettaton was one of those travelers. Luckily there was a kind Gryffindor around to help rescue him before something bad happened.]

[catinthemask]

[Hey sappy is cool by him. It's not something Zacharie personally experiences often but if someone wants to roll with it, who's he to stop their fun?]

I believe that list is as long as the possibility of my face's appearance. Nevertheless there is the curious case of that trapped statue. I am curious as to how exactly one becomes trapped by it?

[He may need to know for...reasons. It's not as if Zacharie has never pissed someone off throughout his school years. Getting away from them and tricks involving that were always fun.]

[mettatonvevo]

[Yes, the mystery of Zacharie's face. Mettaton always imagined it as whatever kind of face he wanted to see that day. Or sometimes even concepts. What his face looks like underneath the mask is a question that Mettaton isn't particularly interested in answering at this point. Half the fun is imagining what it could be!]

It is enchanted with some kind of thrall spell. When you walk by it, you are compelled to take its outstretched hand. When you do though, it has a bit of an iron grip and slowly starts to pull you towards itself and the wall.

[What was it going to do with him if it had succeeded? He's not all that sure, but he's happy to not have found out.]