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Title: Blaise Investigates

Contributors: pb_prince, lucamoonstone,

Edited by: Carla Lute

Posted: 2006-01-13 to 14

Game Date: September 5^th

Disclaimer: No one at Levicorpus owns Harry Potter, the world or its characters. We just like to play in J.K. Rowling’s world.

* * * * * * *

Blaise did not talk to many people and not many people talked to him. Normally this suited him, but it made it difficult to hunt down the fourth year with red trainers. People tended to scatter when he approached with Crabbe and Goyle in tow. He finally resorted to immobilizing the legs of frightened fourth year boy, so he could question him.

"I-I-I think Jasper has some red trainers, and he's got dark hair."

"His last name?" Blaise asked.

"Peasegood, Jasper Peasegood."

"Where can I find him?" Blaise asked.

"I-I don't know." Goyle cracked his knuckles, and the boy amended, "But I got Potions with him last period." Blaise nodded and released him from the Leg-Locker Curse. The boy hurried off.

He left Crabbe and Goyle behind when he visited the Potions Lab later. Blaise knocked on the door, five minutes before the class would have ended. "Ah, Blaise," Slughorn said, giving him a tight smile. "What is it, my boy?"

"Sorry to interrupt," Blaise said. "But Jasper Peasegood is wanted for questioning regarding that explosion."

Slughorn frowned thoughtfully. "The one that put our Ms. Weasley in the hospital wing?" Blaise nodded, and Slughorn gave Jasper a stern look. "You can have him in a few minutes. I'd like to hear this too."

Luca sat in the class at Blaise came in, pulling his parchments for the newspaper out. Giving Blaise a rather oddly pleasant grin, giving a look over at Jasper. He raised his hand, and let Slughorn call upon him.

"Thank you sir, may I, as acting reporter on behalf of the Weekly Diviner, sit in as well, someone to trust the facts to, no? Such troubled times, emotions run high." He looked at Zabini dead on "We wouldn't want things out of control now, would we?"

Blaise narrowed his eyes slightly at Luca.

"After class, Mr. Moonstone," Slughorn said. "But I'm sure Blaise wouldn't mind." Blaise bit his tongue. "Now, now, where were we?"

Blaise waited while Slughorn wrapped up his class. Jasper kept sending nervous glances in his direction.

"Who's doing the questioning?" Slughorn asked Blaise after the class was dismissed. Jasper looked like he wanted to make a break for the door, but Slughorn put a thick hand on his shoulder to keep him seated.

"I am, sir," Blaise said as it was his right and proper place to do so.

"Oh ho ho," laughed Slughorn. "Not considering a career as an Auror now are we?" Blaise managed not to make a face. Slughorn chuckled again. "Well, let's see what Mr. Peasegood know about the strange substance Madam Pomfrey gave me to look at."

"I got it from Malcolm Baddock," Jasper said quickly. "He told me it was an acne cure, but I wasn't so sure about it. I was still trying to figure out what to do with it, when Ginny Weasley said it looked suspicious and took it up. I didn't know it would hurt her, honest!"

Blaise scowled and looked at Luca. Malcolm had just left the room in a hurry with the other Slytherin boys. "Where do you think Malcolm went?" Blaise asked.

Luca smiled, having enchanted his Quill to write on the parchment, taking up all details, something he saw Rita Skeeter do as a first year during one of her interviews with random students.

"Mr. Zabini, I am sure I am not knowing where he goes, we do not run in same circle, you know. However I have question for you. You see in my years of being here, I know you are good friends with many who have outright disdain for Gryffindor students, why this sudden concern with a minor burn? True we must be ever vigilant in our duties, but this. This is not like you. I expected this behavior from Herm..Her.. Ms. Granger or Ms. Weasley's brother before you."

Luca smiled as the parchment came closer.

"Perhaps comments from Professor Slughorn? What do you take of this situation, explosives being passed around by students, apparently being sold as vat you say, zit remover? With all the added security thees year, where do you think eet came from?"

Luca sat back, staring at the both of them.

Blaise gave Luca a contemptuous look. "If you won't go fetch him, I'll find him." With that, Blaise turned and stalked out of the room.

Slughorn gave an elaborate sigh. "Don't mind Blaise," he told Luca. "He's always like that. I suppose I'll need to have a little chat with Malcolm myself." He turned to Jasper. "You'll be a little more careful with substances you don't recognize I hope. Bring it to one of your Professor's if you're in doubt." Jasper nodded emphatically. "Off with you then. Now, Mr. Moonstone, I believe you said something about a school paper? I'd be most happy to answer your questions."

Luca smiles and waved Zabini out.

"Yes Professor, I merely had some questions, about security that our students are I'm sure curious about... you see, over half of your students are here…after the troubles with a Professor Sqirrel, I believe name was.. whatever. You see, since I come here, I have seen many different policy changes, and situations go worse. Students are unsure how safe they are, and even with heightened security, we have a girl in hospital with a nasty burn. What do you think of this?"

Slughorn gulped a bit, it was going to be one of those interviews. He smiled as best as he could, fidgeting with his fingers and then straightening up his tie.

"Well, well, Mr. Moonstone, it seemed I had you pegged all wrong, I should keep my eye on you, ya sneaky little weasel."

They shared a laugh as Slughorn began to explain to Luca and in essence to the students why there was nothing to worry about...

"Well, I won't pretend there isn't a little danger. We are at war after all. But we have learned from the events of last year. All the students were thoroughly searched upon entering the school, owls are being screened, and I have personally taken charge of checking any substances entering or leaving the school. So I'm afraid no young ladies will be getting their Wonder Witch love potions." He winked at Luca. "I was able to examine a bit of the substance Ms. Weasley encountered. I suspect it was a rather crudely mixed potion and a very fresh one at that. There was not nearly enough of it to be fatal, and Madam Pomfrey has been able to patch Ginny up quite nicely. So I suspect we have either have a crude prankster or an amateur Potion maker to blame. But nothing to worry about, no not yet."

* * * * * * *

Being the last class on a fairly pleasant Friday, Blaise guessed that Malcolm had headed for the grounds and found him in the courtyard. Malcolm saw him coming and his friend fell quiet as Blaise approached. "You gave that Gryffindor that sparking clay?"

Malcolm tossed his head in an almost Draco like fashion. "Yeah, I gave it to him. Didn't fancy trying it out on my own complexion. Lucky thing, seeing what happened. Weasley girl got off lucky. It just got her arm."

Blaise nodded. "Did you make then?" he asked in an almost friendly tone.

"Heck, no," Malcolm said. "The gypsy kid gave it to me, said it was an old family recipe." The other boys snickered, and Malcolm added. "But I'm not stupid."

Blaise nodded. "Come with me," he ordered and turned back towards the school. Malcolm smirked and followed.

* * * * * * *

Luca sat there, smiling and laughing with Slughorn as he continued the interview.

"It worries me, you see, I am trying to be more active socially. I am sure you know of the terrible plight of my people. People like to blame the Romani for all things. Did you know, there are some who say my presence during my first year was in fact the reasonings, you see that the Voldemort-You-Know came back."

Slughorn nodded, giving Luca a concerned look, patting him on the shoulder.

"Of course, dear boy. I have done much research into the works of your people. I do wonder though, if maybe you might let me in on a few things, is it true that you begin magic work at the age of 4? Is that possible?"

Luca blushed nervously, waving a finger to Slughorn.

"Now, now professor, you know I have sworn on the blood of my people to not reveal what we do, it is our protection from those who would harrrrm us."

Luca blinked a little as Blaise headed back in, a slight smile curling on his lips.

Blaise stopped in the doorway, Malcolm at his elbow, and gave Luca a cool smile in return. "Why don't you tell Professor Slughorn how you made the potion, Luca?"

Luca arched a brow, taken aback at this, looking to his cauldron.

"Vell, as you can see I was following the instructions of Professor Slughorn and the book. I am of top of class you say, no? I am most lucky to have such a good teacher. I know most of this, but he instructs in such ways that I feel I am picking up trade secret, yes?" He smiled at Slughorn, who in a moment of just being complimented, nodded to Luca. Slughorn then turned his attention to Blaise and understood what the accusation was.

"Mr. Zabini, are you implying that our Luca here made that terrible compound?"

"He's the one that gave it to me," Malcolm said, pointing at Luca. "Told me it was acne remedy. If I had put that stuff on my face, it might've killed me."

Blaise just blinked and watched.

Luca stood up slowly, drawing himself up, a look of sadness on his face.

"In all my years here, with the terrible things said about me, this is by far the worse. Professor Slughorn, vat vas it I was telling you of. Blame the Gypsy. You yourself said that this compound was poorly made. Even if it were something of mine, you would have seen skill and craftsmanship in it! As it stands, I turn my attention to Blaise. You are a known ruffian, a bringer of threats. Could it be that I am finally trying to bridge the distance between houses, to show peace in a time when old rivalries are stronger than ever, that you seek to get me in trouble. I wonder why you leave after I question you on your odd behavior, and you drag him, obviously distressed in here. My feelings? I think you are the culprit! I think you are coercing your lessers to do dirty work, and why not blame it on ze perfect goat of sc.. scapegoat. I sit with you at breakfast, and I go to eat with Ms. Granger and Ms. Weasley, and she is injured later!" Luca fumed, and he turned to Slughorn, who sat back and watched with curiosity.

"Blaise, I hate to admit it, but he does bring up a few valid points. Your behavior is a bit…odd of late, and although I am glad you are showing concern for your fellow students, there has never been any love lost between you and the Weasleys from my experience... would you mind explaining why you wouldn’t answer Luca's question earlier?"

Luca piped in, narrowing his eyes at his fellow fourth year.

"Maybe his conscience is starting to grow in, and could not handle the purity of TRUTH!"

Blaise raised his eyebrows, giving Luca a slightly amused look. Malcolm turned pink. "Blaise didn't tell me to say anything!" Malcolm shouted and jabbed his finger towards Luca. "That crazy gypsy gave me that stuff."

Slughorn frowned at Malcolm. "Mr. Baddock, you should address Luca by his name."

"But-!"

"No buts, I'll consider what you've said, but you need to calm down at the moment. Mr. Zabini, would you please explain yourself?"

Blaise had already forgotten what Luca had asked him earlier, only that he thought answering a waste of time and beneath him. "I didn't answer him because it was a stupid question, but I'll answer him now, since you've asked me to, Professor. For starters it's pretty obvious Ginny Weasley wasn't the intended target. So it really doesn't matter that I don't care for her family. Besides, Malcolm always scratches his ear when he's lying. Daphne pointed that out to me."

Slughorn frowned. Obviously Daphne had not told him anything of the sort.

Luca sneered a bit, spitting on the floor, turning to Slughorn.

"You see this insult. I would attempt to harm those in my own house, I am many things, sir. But above all I am loyal to family, and I have stated to you that I call Hogwarts home, and the emerald and silver my family. You say I would make a thing like this, something to harm my own, I spit on you for this!"

Luca turned red, looking at Slughorn. Who was indeed shocked at the apparent accusation, especially with Luca's loyalties in question. He spoke up before the young man brandished his wand, shocked he had not done so yet. This was far too much excitement for so early in the year...

"Mr. Zabini, are you accusing a talented potions maker of mixing up a poorly made potion to harm those in his own house? Has Luca done ANYTHING in the four years he has been a student to suggest anything of the sort?" Slughorn leaned forward and narrowed his eyes. "Don’t you even thing of using the terms ‘Evil Eye’ or ‘dirty Gypsy secrets’ either... these are serious accusations, and frankly the Luca Moonstone you are presenting is not the mild mannered friendly boy I have experienced in my classroom for the last year and a few days..." Slughorn folded his hands in his lap and stared.

Blaise shrugged. The "evil eye" and "dirty gypsy secrets" hadn't even crossed his mind. "He gave Malcolm a potentially dangerous potion," Blaise said, watching Luca. "I don't know the how or why." His smile was growing. This was oddly fun.

Malcolm was still very pink. His eyes were flicking between Slughorn and Luca. Blaise had taken a step forward while speaking and Malcolm moved so Blaise was partially shielding him from Luca.

Luca calmed himself and stood next to Slughorn, closing his eyes and breathing slowly.

Slughorn cocked a brow at Blaise huffing himself a bit and scooting back into his chair.

"You find the idea of potentially dangerous potions being put onto house members amusing? In fact, I have not seen you this... adamant about things of late. First you come in here wanting to know who hurt Ginny Weasley, then claim not to care about her, then you begin throwing accusations at other people, as if trying to prove something with all this... This does not look very good on you Blaise. Tsk. Tsk."

Luca smiled a bit, when Slughorn looked at him.

"Don’t assume you're off scot free either, Mr. Moonstone. I may be inclined to believe you at this point, but Blaise tends to be less subtle with his mischief. Right now I am gazing at Malcolm most of all. You have been slacking behind in class lately, and you keep saying how you want to impress the older students... Something you wish to say to the room?"

Malcolm's jaw dropped. "He gave it to me," Malcolm stressed each syllable, looking ready to burst into tears. "I've got witnesses! Graham will tell you!"

Blaise put a hand on Malcolm shoulder, which seemed to be a supportive and repressive gesture at the same time. "McGonagall failed to appoint a new Slytherin seventh year prefect to replace Malfoy. Normally it would be the prefects job to investigate, but since we have none..." he trailed off. "Well, I thought I ought to pick up the slack."

Slughorn concerned himself with Malcolm. He walked over and patted the boy on the shoulder.

"It's all right there boy. Listen we are all Slytherin here, so why don’t you tell us what happened, I promise I won’t take house points from you if you just tell the truth. I've seen how you and Graham pick on Luca, so asking him would of course get a response of ‘Gypsy did it’, am I right?"

Luca leaned back a bit, watching this going on. He soon advances and apologized to Blaise for his outburst, and how he would hate to have such a rude impression on the new Prefect, how much he would like to see Blaise in that role as well.

Slughorn snapped out of his comforting and looked at Blaise, agreeing with Luca about how he should have the position for showing such...initiative to the duty.

Malcolm stammered, staring at Blaise, Luca and Slughorn, feeling trapped. Luca piped in.

"Malcolm, if you would want, I can have your confession and subsequent apology in newspaper. It would be an honorable thing. I am sure Ms. Weasley would forgive you for the accident as well... She is such girl, yes Professor?"

Slughorn nodded and patted the boy on the shoulder, as if the case were solved.

Blaise smiled as Slughorn bestowed the prefect position on him. What else could the man do? Every other boy in seventh year was a Death Eater's son.

Malcolm spluttered his protest. "Confess? I gave the stuff to Peasegood. Go ahead and put that in the paper if you like, Moonstone. But word of mouth still travels faster than print around here. I'll get the truth out whatever you do."

Blaise considered Malcolm. He believed him, but he was coming out pretty well in this so far. Besides it was pretty obvious that Luca was not simply going to tell him what was going on. "Yes, I'm sure the truth will come out," he said in a noncommittal way.

Luca smiled at Slughorn, nodding a bit.

"I think this settles the matter, I will take your confession as an apology to me, for attempting to slander me and my ‘crazy Gypsy’ people. With this weight off your chest, anything you wish to say to Ms. Weasley, who was an unfortunate victim of your practical joke?"

Malcolm stared at Luca coldly, mumbling an apology, bitterly as Luca's quill jotted it down.

Slughorn sighed and regarded Malcolm.

"Two nights of detention, one for each night poor Ginny was in the hospital wing. You'll be assisting me in making potions for example in class, maybe next time your practical joke won't be so overtly volatile, I remember back in my days we came up with an ‘acne remedy’ that turned blemishes into little mushrooms."

Slughorn chuckled to himself and dismissed the three of them. Luca bowing to Professor Slughorn and the new Prefect, heading out the door.

Slughorn smiled and sat back. "You watch that boy, Blaise, he's going somewhere, I promise you. Such devotion, and quick witted, I know he's from a mere carnival family, but what do you think of him visiting the Club one night? Just to see how he fits in, I hear he's an accomplished musician."

"I'll certainly watch him," Blaise said. "Hm, if you'll excuse me, sir. I have an appointment."

"Yes, yes," Slughorn said. "And unfortunately, I have papers to grade."

Blaise gave a formal bow of his head to Slughorn and walked quickly to the door. He spotted Luca and started following him, waiting for the other boy to notice his presence.

Luca walked down the corridors. He knew Blaise was on his tail, but to look over his shoulder was to let him think he actually had something to do with the exploding mortar. He turned a corner and stuck to the wall, waiting for Blaise to turn as well. Years of being on the run gave him an idea on how to read people, but Blaise Zabini was proving to be quite a test on his abilities. He leaned back and crossed his arms behind his head in his vest and charms, glad to be out of classes for the day.

Luca looked around, knowing any moment Zabini would be upon him, he breathed in deep and prepared himself.

Blaise found Luca waiting for him around the next corner. He checked the hall to make sure there was no one in earshot. "Okay, no teachers now. Tell me why you did it."

Luca smiled ear to ear, inhaling a bit and looking Zabini right in the eye.

"But you heard Malcolm confess, I swear it wasn't being me. Why would I ever do anything that would harm member of my family here at Hogwarts, especially those of house." Luca gave a polite nod. "I am glad I had a part, however small in you becoming of Prefect within your final year. It honors me greatly, and I am humbled by this. Maybe you would like me run news story of Zabini incredible sleuthing skill, no?"

"No," Blaise said. "I don't really care about being in the paper. Was this really just some attempt to get back at Malcolm? Not as good as blowing his face in, but at least you got him detention."

Luca looked shocked, clutching at his charms and muttering Romanian.

"I am shocked you continue to suspect me. You seem to think..." Luca narrowed his eyes a bit at Blaise, smiling just a hint, "seem to think...that I...I would revel in the pain of a Slytherin brother. Had such a compound been on his face, he would have died for sure! You think I am the type of person who would kill simply for a bit of teasing? Heavens knows what a madman like that would do had be been upset, truly angry at someone." Luca blinked a bit and smiled once more. "Let us not speak of this again. Ever."

Luca walked off, looking over his shoulder. "Anyways, you heard Professor, had that compound been made by me, it would have been much better made, probably much worse reaction, larger explosion for sure. Enjoy being Prefect, you have earned it, my friend. We are friends, yes? I would hate to think I couldn't trust you after that experience..."

Blaise grinned at the back of Luca's head. This was very fun. He stalked after him. "It might not have killed him if he only put a bit of it on. I heard the whole thing was about the size of a brick, so just enough to cover the face may have only blinded him...then again, you never really expected him to use it, did you?"

Luca shrugged, grinning and waving to a couple of Ravenclaws who had heard him play the other day, bowing courtly. With a flourish he was face to face with Blaise. A grin of purest innocence on his face.

"My friend, it saddens me that you continue to assume that I am this monster, you must not listen to the stories passed in the corridors of the school. I am sure that Malcolm is regretting ever pointing a finger of blame at me. Conscience and all that."

Luca stopped a second, in thought. "A deal for you, yes? You seem fascinated by these thoughts of my being a devious person. How about this, you let me into this group your long enough to see that I am in no way," he smirked "the person you think I am. In return I can write home, tell my family I have found group of friends. You…you are friends with Pansy yes? I could see her often if I was your friend, no?"

He stood up tall and puffed his chest out a bit, smiling nervously.

"Pansy's Draco's girl," Blaise said, his voice and gaze suddenly hard.

Luca's gaze returned with the same coldness.

"Draco, my friend, is not here. I see you have decided to take it upon yourself to surround yourself with his Crabs and Boils.." Luca cursed his speech, drawing out the syllables. "Crabbe and Goyle. So either you are trying to nose in on his position, or you are helping him. Either way it is, I wish to assist you."

Luca looked up, eyes hardened.

"I would never dream of stealing another man's girl, but if Draco has left her behind, someone must be there for her, no? Now then, we are friends, yes? Friends look out for each other, and ensure nothing. bad. ever. happens. I would hate to think we are not friends."

Luca cheered up as if someone had flipped a switch.

"Anyways, I see her walk in the common room, my heart goes a flutter. How can you deny my a chance to woo her? Let her deny me, I do not care, but I deserve my chance to woo her. Draco would want her to be happy yes? You are good friends. I can show you message he sent me giving his blessing, giving advice. Draco and I are in good standing, I know you would like this, yes?"

Luca stood in thought for a moment, offering to walk Blaise to the dorms, making sure no students or teachers were around.

"I may be breaking rule showing you this, but I can feel you have strong feeling for him, he is like brother to you. I know of this love for family. Please Zabini, we should stand side to side, not face to face. Let me show you."

No, Blaise didn't like it. He didn't like this at all. "No," he said, taking a step away from Luca. "You keep company with mudbloods and blood traitors. You don't keep my company." He turned his back on Luca and headed in the direction of the new computer lab.

Luca smiled and headed back to the dorm, taking the owls he had received from Malfoy, burning them with a flick of the wand, collecting the ash and scattering it on the wind. He lay upon the bed, pondering how to turn the current social climate to his favor, looking at the parchment and quill, a grin upon his face. It was at this time that Malcolm returned to the dorm, staring at Luca, who drew himself up slowly. Malcolm had never seen a look of anger such as in Luca's eyes, as he spoke his spells with barely a whisper, the door closing shut.

Luca was upon Malcolm before he could yelp, Moonstone having tossed him hard onto the stone floor, pointing his wand between his eyes. "Listen now. You pull stunt like this again, you will see what dirty Gypsy secrets I have up my sleeve. Our curses aren't simple things, Malcolm, they linger in the blood for generations... Do you understand me?"

Luca grinned, seeing a patch of wetness spread on the boys pants, and hopped up with his usual cheerful candor. "Good, I am glad, MOST glad we are in agreement that you had made simple mistake."

Malcolm stood up shakily and went to change his clothing, then proceeded to the shower.

Luca looked up, and smiled.

"By the way, you're brother, the first year? If you so much as breathe what I have said to anyone…ANYONE…what little they find of him will be in the deepest depths of the Forbidden Forest, am I understood?"

Malcolm nodding, the color drained from his face as he went about the rest of his day, never daring speak out against Luca again.

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