The Art of Persuasion-Luscious

[alice cauldwell]

no one had ever invited alice cauldwell anywhere in all four years of her hogwarts experiences. she had probably been invited places but declined them all because in her head people just weren't that important to her like that. she was always the person to stay behind and just study, and to alice that was perfectly fine. people didn't care about her and as long as she had no interest in them nothing really mattered.

today was one of the many hogsmede trips that alice had been on before. she'd gone to hogsmede in her third year, all of the trips and most of the time just kept to herself where she would then drink tea or have a butterbeer, another drink that the girl absolutely detested. she was one of the few students at hogwarts who didn't like the drink. she was always afraid that one of the unsanitary bar tenders would drug it. plus the taste was just horrid. the drink was worse than an essay in potions due the next day. alice loathed potions, it was probably one of the most boring classes in history.

so, as you can clearly tell, alice cauldwell was not a very pleasureful person. she hated many things and there was one thing she hated more than anything else in the world. happy endings. yes, the awkwardly tall fourth year ravenclaw girl absolutely loathed happy endings. those type of things don't happen in real life, so they shouldn't happen ever. muggles believed in them and probably over half the hogwarts population believed also. they were stupid. alice also didn't believe in love, until she had met rhys anders so maybe she did love a little bit.

she also hated fall, so it was unknown why she currently walked through hogsmede with a letter tied to the handle of her schoolbag, her light cloak draped over her shoulders perfectly and the long blonde hair stood out distinctly in the crowd of students and lovebird couples. she was trying not to glance over her shoulder every five seconds but it was hard when the dark lord had appeared in your dream the night before. alice knew she was one of the more...evolved students of her year. still, seeing him had scared her and she didn't even need to know why he was there. he needed recruits, alice had heard the rumors.

breaking into a run once she reached a scarce populated part of the town alice tried to find the owlery. once she reached the doors the girl eagerly reached for the handle, twisting the nob and going inside. there was another older boy there who was talking or whispering, alice wasn't listening. she turned around, trying to find an owl and at first coaxing it with some treats then tying the letter from her schoolbag onto the owl claw. "take that to my mother now please," alice said in a fake high pitched voice while smiling at the bird. "london, alright? jamie cauldwell," she told the owl and smiled, petting the bird lightly.

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_{Word Count 5 1 5
Inspiration Nothing
Tags Luscious
Status Complete
Template By Arro @ Caution 2.0
Picture By Credit pic here!}
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[lucius malfoy]

~We're Going Out Tonight~

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~To Kick Out Every Light~[/color][/font]

The Dark Lord was on the rise, and he needed recruits. Lucius had heard much of Tom Riddle and his death eaters; They were ruthless, elite, powerful, and they would finally put muggles in their place. The Slytherin pureblood was going to join, there was no question, but he wanted to do it cleverly, show he had more to offer than the older recruits. He knew that he possessed the skills the dark wizard wanted, he was talented, pureblooded, strong, and merciless, but that much could be easily figured. What else could he prove? Then it had occurred to him: The art of persuasion.

He had needed a private place to formulate his thoughts, and had ended up in the owelry at the scarce part of town. He had decided on tactic: to bring another recruit with him, one that was unlikely to join on their own, but powerful all the same. He had first considered Slytherins; Bellatrix Black had been a consideration, but she was likely to join on her own and do her best to sabotage him in the process. Too risky. He was alone in the building, muttering darkly to himself.

"Black? no. Potter? too noble. Murray? unlikely. Lestrange? perhaps-" He stopped as a light filtered into the owelry and a young girl entered. Malfoy recognized her as a fourth year ravenclaw. Alice. She was a bit of an oucast. Always alone, antisocial and dark for such a pretty little Ravenclaw. But she was undeniably brilliant and talented. she would grow up to be quite the witch. Then it hit him, he would recruit the lonely little girl, and she would become quite the asset to Voldemort, and he would be rewarded.

"Hey Alice," he said, a mischievous smile on his lips, "Why are you spending your weekend here alone? I mean such a charming little girl, your friends must be missing you!" he said, feigning sincere concern. Flattery was always the first step; make the object comfortable with you, make them want to talk to you.
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[alice cauldwell]

Alice had never really been all that interested in sides, she was more of the Team Switzerland type. Although she knew that when Tom Riddle, the Dark Lord, appears in your dream you really have two options. Join in the future, or die in a week. She didn't want to die, although it probably wouldn't effect anyone. She figured the killing curse would be fast and painless, if they chose to do that.

She had heard from people at Hogwarts that there was a little alliance between students and him sometimes. Would that be Alice's future? Who knew? She was still young and preferred to worry about Qudditch. Maybe she'd be captain someday if she kept up with it, she just needed to learn more about the whole game and positions. When it came to qudditch Alice was quite the ruthless player in the game. She wasn't afraid to aim her hit at a bludger right towards her opponents face. It felt good, especially if they were someone who had once bullied her. Alice had been bullied, but not as much as she was now.

A voice from behind her startled the girl as she lifted her hand from the owl, whipping around and nearly hitting the older boy with her hair. She knew the boy, she'd seen his face and heard his name. Luscious Malfoy, a seventh year Slytherin. Widening her eyes the girl tried to back away, he was with the dark lord from what she figured. She listened to him talk, his tone scaring her slightly. He was...being nice from what it heard but Alice couldn't give in to the sincere tone.

"Hello," she said lightly and raised an eyebrow. "I don't need friends, people don't pay attention to me. I figured someone as...superior as you would know that," she drawled out as she narrowed her eyes at the older boy then walked over to another owl, petting her and feeding it some treats, wondering what he wanted.

[lucius malfoy]

~We're Going Out Tonight~

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~To Kick Out Every Light~[/color][/font]




Malfoy frowned slightly as Alice backed away. He had scared her, naturally, but that was to be expected. He was a stranger, a Slytherin with a reputation for trouble, and he was showing interest in her. "Hello," she replied dubiously, and Lucius knew that she was the right target "I don't need friends, people don't pay attention to me. I figured someone as...superior as you would know that,". He chuckled lightly and shook his head at her response; time to establish a connection.

"Superior? Perhaps over the weak and ignorant who believe in all the good around them, but not over you. Your different, those other soft Ravenclaws can't appreciate that." he replied darkly, a smirk on his lips, "We are much the same, Alice. People never used to pay attention to me, i wasn't as good as them, but i demanded attention and respect." He watched her intently, seeing if his words hit home. He was lying of course, he was superior. period. and others wanted to be around him, to be like him. He was never bullied or ignored, but perhaps she would believe him. He sold it well enough, after all.

Lucius just needed to play his cards right and he would be on his way to power. To favor in The Dark Lords eyes. He would show all those who ever doubted his power just what he was capable of; he would strike fear into the hearts of the lower races and cause destruction in that pathetic mudblood loving excuse for a school. He looked right into Cauldwell's childish face and smiled a sincere yet devilish smile. "Don't let them undermine someone as powerful as you." he said softly.

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[alice cauldwell]

Alice had heard things like this before, he would try to be nice and the minute she might agree to something he'd just ignore her forever. Or torture her. And if she said no a torture session would still be coming her way. But, the girl was strong and better than most students her age. However, Luscious was older than her and he knew more things. That was intimidating to Alice, she wouldn't know exactly how to defend herself in a situation like that.

"I don't believe you at all. I know how these things go, if I join you'll celebrate for a moment then all happiness is gone. if I don't you'll just torture me Luscious. I know why you're here, you're trying to recruit," She said in a soft voice so no one outside would be able to hear her. Alice had always been more of a cautious little girl, she wasn't sure who to trust in situations like these. Especially right now when she could run and still be caught up with. Besides, Alice hated running. She especially hated running away from things and being chased.

Alice slowly started to back away to the door, her eyes scanning any other possible evacuation spots. It wasn't like she would need to run away as soon as possible but...just in case something were to happen. She didn't notice the piece of rope sticking out of the ground, tripping over it and landing her fall with her hands. Pain shot up her wrists, her mind telling her that at least one was broken. Right now that wouldn't be something to usually bother her. Alice needed to stay calm but that seemed impossible at the moment. She didn't know how she'd be able to fight back with a broken wrist, or arm. That would for sure hurt any ability so she'd need to think positive.

"Do you know about the dream? Did he tell you?" She whispered, biting back any tears that were going to spill. And right now, there were many.

[lucius malfoy]

~We're Going Out Tonight~

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~To Kick Out Every Light~[/color][/font]




Lucius was disappointed to find she was not nearly as gullible as she looked. Alice recognized what he was doing, but that was all the better, after all he wanted her for her cunning. He shook his head and laughed softly, "Torture you? What would I have to gain by doing something like that?""he said, looking at her with his piercing eyes" Alice, why can't you believe I'm on your side?". He saw her backing away towards the door, and felt a surge of panic that he didn't let show on his face. Would he fail now that he was so close?

Alice looked as if she were about to bolt and Lucius instinctively reached out to grab her arm and stop her when suddenly the young girls foot caught on a piece of rope and she slammed into the cold floor hard, her wrists buckling under her. Lucius resisted all urges to snicker or tell her it served her right for thinking she could run, but instead knelt down on the floor beside her, his face conveying slight concern. The coincidental timing had made it appear as if he had attempted to catch her instead of restrain her, rather lucky indeed.

"Do you know about the dream? Did he tell you?" she whispered frantically, and the confusion in Malfoy's face was undeniably sincere. "What? Did who tell me-" he started, and then it clicked; Cauldwell thought he was here on orders. "Oh, you think I was sent after you? Allow me to remind you that you were the one who stumbled upon me. And let me assure you I am no death eater- at least not yet". Lucius whispered back. It seemed honesty was best suited for this case as Alice seemed clever enough to see through lies.

Lucius looked down at her wrist which was now swelling at an alarming rate. He didn't want his recruit to be crippled, "Your wrist, is it broken?" he asked, a cruel kind of concern laced into his tone. He reached a pale hand toward her small arm, feeling her injured joint gently.

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[alice cauldwell]

In all her years at Hogwarts there had truly been only one person she had cared for. Rhys Anders was a fifth year Slytherin boy, he was deaf so Alice was always very patient with him. She never had been so patient with another boy, or girl for that matter. In her heart he was all that mattered some days, or the light in her dimming world. She didn't know why her family had ever agreed for her to come here, it was silly to her. She needed her space every now and then but Alice missed home, home had been amazing. Now she was scared and cold, fall was cold.

Luscious was right, about everything. Maybe it would be better if she someday joined the Death Eaters, she wouldn't have to worry all that much since the girl knew what it would mean. Someday the Death Eaters would be all that was good in the world, the world would go dim and no one would have happiness inside them. People would come crawling to them on deaths door, and they would refuse if they were muggleborn. Muggleborn, Alice was a mudblood. She called herself that sometimes to remind herself, it was coincidental that she was so good at everything yet such bad blood. Sometimes she wished that she weren't muggleborn and were pure or at least half blooded. It'd be so much easier.

"I don't know," she whispered while still biting back the tears. She wouldn't allow herself to cry right now, that'd be silly. "Do you know how to fix it? I-I'm not sure how to..." she whispered, it was the only thing she could manage without fully breaking surface and crying. If Alice cried now it would show she were weak, and that was the least of her worries at the moment.

[lucius malfoy]

~We're Going Out Tonight~

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~To Kick Out Every Light~[/color][/font]




Lucius saw a change in her expression as he spoke; he was getting to her. The soon to be Death Eater began formulating a plan in his mind. He was drawn from his scheming when Alice spoke to him in a trembling voice. She asked if he knew how to fix it, and he nodded, examining her wrist again. "Yes, It seems to be a minor break," he answered, drawing his wand. She was being strong, not letting tears fall. She wanted to be seen as a threat, very good. "Episkey" he whispered, and smiled in satisfaction as the spell repaired her injured wrist.

"All better?" he asked, his voice its usual drawling tone. Malfoy extended a hand to help her up. He thought back to her previous comment about a dream. If the Dark Lord had given her reason to think he would come for her then she must be quite a catch indeed. Lucius could barely believe his luck.

"We could go together, Alice." he said quietly, reminding her of the reason for their conversation. Lucius knew the idea should appeal to Cauldwell; After all, she was a mudblood. A pureblood like himself would be a safety net for her, and the fact the he had persuaded her was an advantage for him. Deep down every one knew that the Dark Lord would rise to power, and in the end every one would be either with them or against them. To get in early would be key, someone as smart as her surely couldn't have missed that fact.

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~Keep Going 'Till The World Stops Turning while We Burn It To The Ground Tonight~[/color][/font]

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[alice cauldwell]

A sigh of releif came from the trembling girl as her broken wrist was fixed. It was nice to not have the pain anymore and she made sure to listen to the spell, wondering what it was at first and now feel more knowdledged that she knew it. Maybe Luscious was a good thing, despite the rumors she'd heard at school before. He was supposedly a boy who enjoyed one night stands and slept around, a lot. She wasn't sure if all that was true, they were only rumors after all. "Thank you," she muttered in appreciation while flexing the healed joint. It felt fine, surprisingly, and no aches to it.

"What do you mean, go together?" Alice asked, she was feeling rather odd at the moment and had been trying to keep herself together. Now she hoped she would appear strong for the older boy, she'd wanted to just curl up and cry when her wrist had been broken for those minutes were painful. If she had done that it would've deemed her unworthy most likely, something she didn't very well need at the moment. He was nice, but it might be an act. She'd met people like that before and they had tricked her into giving them grades. Minor things but you still felt the least bit offended, it was the fact that she believed them that made Alice feel all the more idiotic and stupid. Maybe he was like that, trying to get her to join then completely ignore the young girl for the rest of her life. Or maybe he was genuine with his words, she did matter to the society he belonged in. Alice wasn't sure if she wanted to believe it really, it all seemed quite surreal judging by the fact that less than half an hour ago she was just another little fourth year who Luscious had no care for. He was better than everyone in his mind, and Alice believed he was too. He seemed smart, but she would be smarter. Brave enough to confront her about all this and trust that she wouldn't let it slide, then again the dream had been enoguh of a warning for something like that to effect her permanently. She didn't need a reminder to keep this safe.

"So, I'll have to wait a few years I suppose...to join and everything," she whispered to him in case someone else might enter the owlery. She didn't need trouble boiling, especially if Rhys were to hear. Rhys was a Slytherin but she had to keep in mind that not all Slytherin students were like her. Alice was small and dainty, but evil on the inside despite her appearance as being bright and cheerful. It would do her no good to worry about him now, she needed to make a descion and her love life probably wouldn't matter for the time being. Besides, Rhys probably thought of her as a young girl with eyes for him. That was true but Alice would give her life if it meant saving him someday, he was all that really mattered and all she had ever cared for in the bleak period that she called her life.

[lucius malfoy]

~We're Going Out Tonight~

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~To Kick Out Every Light~[/color][/font]


Lucius smiled as he saw the pain leave the young girls face. He had been worried the break was too major for the spell to take full effect, but it seemed his instincts had been correct. He watched as she experimented with her wrist, and nodded as she thanked him sincerely. It seemed the plan was working itself out after all.

"What do you mean, go together?" She asked, but Malfoy knew that she had known what he had meant, she was already thinking on it. He watched her face intently with his pale grey eyes as she became lost in her thoughts for a moment. She didn't seem scared anymore, and a sense of comradery seemed to have formed between them, yet Alice was still thinking things through- very clever for a mudblood indeed. She was turning out to be quite the valuable acquaintance.

"So, I'll have to wait a few years I suppose...to join and everything," Cauldwell was whispering conspiratorially now, and Lucius knew he had her. He also knew he couldn't wait a few years, and she probably couldn't afford to either. "Why do you say that Alice?" he asked, in the same whisper as hers. Age didn't matter, but skill, strength, willingness to do the tasks that needed to be done. Then again, she didn't know the 'episky' spell... "Alright, you may be lacking in knowledge but now capacity to learn. You may not have a few years, we both know now is the prime time." he said bluntly, then an idea came to him. "A month- I can tutor you." but know one can know he added in his head.

The offer was not out of concern for Alice, but for himself. The more skilled his recruit was the better for him. But was it not even a little concern? After all if eh dragged her into this just to get her killed- No. Malfoy shook the thought out of his head. If he went soft for a mudblood he was as good as one. He looked back to Alice as she spoke.

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