Snippet #1984791

Vance's response to Felix's question was honestly unexpected. "According to Professor Hughes, you can." He canted his head back toward the dais. Felix simply raised an eyebrow in confusion. What the hell did that mean? Vance's face was entirely to smug and sure of himself to be asking him for help with something. The pause shared between only strengthened Felix's gut feeling that something was wrong. "You see," he continued after the slightest of pauses. "My future somewhat hinges on obtaining an ‘Outstanding’ on my Defense Against the Dark Arts N.E.W.T., and my own feelings on that subject are that the best defense is a good offense. It works very well in application, but Father assures me it will not hold up for a theoretical examination." Wow......did he rehearse this? This sounds rehearsed......and acted. I don't think Ive ever remembered a time where Vance had sounded genuine and calm at the same time....and now was certainly no exception. He continued. "I’d asked Professor Hughes if he had time to work in some extra lessons, and he instead suggested that you, his most promising student, might be willing to provide a bit of tutoring." Normally that wouldn't be surprising, Hughes had dumped a lot of kids on him. He never really seemed to have time for.......anyone. Except him......on odd occasions, when he would make Felix regulate the Dueling club and duel him in the classroom. He was.......freaking creepy, but there was something about him.....anyways. Normally, Felix wouldn't find this odd....except for the fact that Vance had agreed to it.

Felix looked around, arms crossed and eyebrows up. As if he were expecting a consultant to come out and explain in further detail what was going on. He then looked at him. "........And?" Oddly enough.......it seemed Abernathy switched tactics. NOW he sounded bored and a little embarrassed at what he was offering......that made Felix even more suspicious. "I can compensate you for your time, of course, in gold, though I imagine you’d prefer a more creative… payment… which I would be willing to comply with provided it not involve letting anyone else know about this arrangement.” Something in Vance’s expression changed; his lips became a competitive little smirk, and his eyes held an unspoken challenge. Here it comes. ”I wasn’t going to ask you, even with Professor Hughes' recommendation, but then I realized something.” Another perfect pause followed. His tech rehearsal must have been a bitch. "In the very least, I know you won’t hold back against me." He then gave an incredibly evil grin that would make even Snidely Whiplash shiver. "And I wouldn't want you to hold back." ................huh.

Felix looked hard at him with suspicion in his eyes. His eyebrow slowly raised, then he spoke. "........No." His face then turned casual and he spun around and sat down on a random bench at one of the tables. He reached back and grabbed an apple and began to much on it. Vance just sort of stared at him. "I said no." he said to him as if he were an idiot. "I know you'd love to have the best in the school, but, unfortunately, you'll have to settle for second nest." He said dripping with his usual tone. He then dawned a very smug grin. "What's that old Arietem saying?......oh yeah. Second place is just the first loser." He smiled directly at Vance, almost daring him to make a comment. "Speaking of second best, why don't you just ask your sister?" He asked, looking inquisitive and taking a bite of his apple. He swallowed. "I mean, the way families who are in the 1% seem to work, it stands to reason that she wouldn't hold back either." He took another casual bite, then spoke again. Not letting Vance get a word in. It looked like a light bulb had lit over Felix's head. "That's right, I heard she's in Beauxbatons, finishing her last year there." He leaned back on the table and spread his legs wide, putting himself in a very poor posture, a grin of self-satisfaction still on his face. The closest students to him were at least a yard away, and the clatter of the Hall made sure no one could hear them. "You know, I find it odd that a girl who entitles herself to greatness and that already has a large following of toadies and sycophants, would leave at the time of the peak of her power, for a place she has absolutely no connection to, to be around hundreds of girls just as rich and even more prone to self-entitlement than even little Nevy........don't you?" He said, faking curiosity and wonder in his tone. His tone implied heavily on something.......something Felix wanted to know. He then crossed his legs and stared at him with an inquisitive smile.