all my friends are heathens take it slow

Pavo didn’t have many friends.

He liked to think of himself as popular, with a certain air of... charisma. Esteemed among his housemates, at least. Good at picking allies and bending them to his will. The sort of person people flocked towards if only to, if only to avoid risking an encounter with his more dangerous side. Not that alliance was a wholly reliable safeguard against that, as some did discover.

The leader of the Dark Followers saw the occupants of the school as opportunities ripe for the picking. A pool of talent into which he could dip as he chose, drawing out the more distinguished, the more gifted, the more daring to stand behind him in his lofty ambitions. Students and professors alike, they all blurred into one mass of seething threat or potential. In or out. Right or wrong. With him or against him.

The rare exceptions that stuck out among the unremarkable populace were those few peers who could comfortably straddle the line of allegiances, safe in the knowledge that their names, families, and blood kept them untouchable where others weren't. These select students, the representatives of everything Pavo believed wizarding society should be, were those he could be said to consider worthy of his attention. The crème de la crème. The pure and privileged.

They could afford neutrality, because Pavo couldn't afford their enmity. He was as strategic picking his battles as he was picking friends.

Friend: a person from whom one stands to benefit in reputation, connections or wealth; a member of a wealthy pureblood family; an ally.

Darian Levski was a friend. Of course, Pavo didn't know about Darian's little thing for That Shrew Waldorf, else his opinion might have been very different. But currently, lacking any dramatic differences in opinion and having the weight of Levski's surname and blood to recommend him, Pavo could overlook insignificant shortcomings like overdone charm, or a delay in pledging allegiance to the Dark Followers (because he had no doubt that Darian would eventually).

All this to say that on the rare occasion he happened to find himself finished with studying, out of his sister's company, with no-one to to chase down or torment and alone in the common room but for Levski, he wasn't opposed to the odd bit of casual conversation or friendly competition.

So when he got bored enough sitting there in silence and thinking over his latest plan to draw the PA out of hiding, he pushed himself up from his lounging position on the chaise, dropping his feet from the coffee table to the floor and tossing a crumpled piece of parchment at the other boy's head to catch his attention. His request was more of a challenge, but as good-humoured as Pavo could get.

“Oi, Levski. Up for a round of Wizard’s Chess?”


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Darian is the person whose spoon is poured into honey. When he was born, everyone knew what kind of person he will become.
With his pure blood, fortune and recognizable name, everyone knew he will become the person who want's everything and whose dreams really become true.
He had everything and even then, he wanted more. Because, why not?

With his good look, patience, ambition, and personality that let him be manipulative just enough, he was the one who was privileged, everyone wanted to be his friends, they wanted to be seen in the company of Darian Levski so later they can say that someone important is their friend.

And Darian wanted to believe things will stay like that.
That is the reason why he hides his crush on Charlotte. Being her friend was one thing, but if people know he really likes her, that could ruin everything. He can't afford himself to love someone who doesn't have pure blood like him. That would be a scandal.
But he enjoyed in her company and with the mask of the perfect boy who is nice to everyone, he found a way to be close to her, but not too close.

He was nice toward everyone because he knew a secret; it's not enough when people admire you, they also need to love you if you want to be someone important. That is how this world work, his father taught him that and his plan was working perfectly fine all these years.

Darian was sitting in the common room, finally having the chance to be alone a little bit when the piece of paper hit his head.
It was Pavo, of course.
Darian wasn't sure what he thinks about Pavo.
Pavo was half-blood but that didn't stop him in trying to be someone important. He was really finicky about who are his friends and there is also a rumor that he is the new leader of Dark Followers. That was impressive for someone like him.

Darian smiled and looked at the boy once again.
"You know I am. But let's make a bet so things will be more interesting when someone loses." He smiled and winked.

Pavo didn't hide the glint that immediately lit his eyes. He'd been hoping for a quick bout of competitive camaraderie, a casual game to pass the time. And while he'd thrown out that proposal, Darian had countered it with a superior offer of his own and what he ultimately received was infinitely better- a challenge. Stakes. Something to play for. Something to win.

Triumph was a feeling he'd never tire of.

Darian's words had sparked something in the ambitious Slytherin- as redundant as that phrase is- that couldn't be refused. His own lips quirked, the left corner inching up his cheek while the right didn't quite complete the symmetrical curve of amusement. He didn't move closer to his housemate to take up the position opposite him- not yet. But he did lean forward, forearms resting on his knees, shoulders hunched by his ears, the curvature of his spine angled in a tight 'v' of interest.

"What will you give me when I win?"

"If you win" Darian emphasize the first word because part of him knew he won't lose. Darian is that kind of person who lives for challenges. When you get everything that you want on the gold plate, you learn that challenges are the things that make life funnier.

"I'll be your servant for a week." He finished with the smirk playing on his face.
This should be interesting.
"Or you have the better idea?" He looked at Slytherin boy curiously. To be honest, Darian wasn't able to think about the better prize. Having pureblood, rich kid as a servant, that is something you can't get often.

"What is my prize when I win this game?" He looked at Pavo once again curious to find out what he will get soon.

Darian's emphasis on the conditional nature of Pavo's victory brought an amused grin to his face even as he narrowed his eyes and allowed them to rest on his opponent for a few silent seconds.

The prize wasn't one Pavo would ordinarily refuse. The Levski boy at his beck and call for seven days wasn't something to be taken lightly. If he played his cards right, he might have an ally to keep long after he lost the servant.  

He got up from his seat then, moving over to Darian's side of the room. A flick of his wand turned the closest couch to a more agreeable angle, while another one summoned a chess set from a corner table. He set himself down and allowed the pieces to arrange themselves on the board. Once they'd clattered into position, he leaned forward again, arm resting on knee, and finally spoke.

"I choose the week."

He didn't bother to correct Levski's own confident statement. His smirk held enough self-assurance to counteract any illusions his housemate had about who would be coming out on top. As for his imaginary prize, Pavo had an offer he didn't think Levski was in any position to refuse. It gave the pureblood maximum returns for minimum effort from himself (or Lula, more likely).

"Perfect grades for a month. All classes."

He didn't try to convince Darian just why this prize was worth trading his freedom for. Wealth had other ways of ensuring success, he knew, having plenty of it himself. But while galleons might buy a higher class average at the end of the year, or letters of recommendations from professors who really had nothing to recommend, there was something only a perfect essay, a streak of Outstanding homework could earn. Respect.

And if, as Pavo hoped, Darian decided he liked that small taste of it... they could certainly come to another agreement. It was, as they say, win-win.

The pieces and terms now all on the table, he sat back and waited for the signal to start.

[Okay since English isn't my first language and to be honest, I have no idea how to play chess, I'll just skip it to the end of the game. I think it's the best if Pavo wins because, to be honest, then we have more opportunity for funny threads. If you have better idea, let me know and I will edit my post]

"I think, my friends, that is the best choice" Darian smiled. He knows that he was proposing something that Pavo wouldn't refuse. Just having someone with pureblood around is something that you can't buy with money. Or you can, because everything that purebloods family loves expects of their blood, is money. Rich people can buy everything. Only the sky is the limit.

"Perfect grads you say?" Darian looked at Pavo and to be honest, he was amazed. Now there was something Darian can think about. It's not like he needs perfect grades, at the end of the year he will be among the best anyway but there was something good about the idea to let others do things for him.
Of course' Charlotte is always there to help him with grades because she was just naive enough to believe that she was just helping Darian to be the better student (while she was doing everything for him) but it would be nice to let her rest a little bit. Because he was just a good friend.

"I think we have a deal" playfully smirk found its way to Darian's face and he waited for Pavo to set up everything because he was just too lazy to do anything by himself.

Once they finished with the chess, Darian found himself confused about what just happened. He lost. He really lost. For the first time in his life. But then again, Pavo was the perfect opponent.

"Now, let's see what just happened" Darian frowned but he wasn't mad or disappointed. It was the fair game and he had nothing to complain about. He did his best but this time, it wasn't enough.

"Congratulations, my friend. It seems that you have a servant for next week. I hope you will use it very well because you won't get other chance to get it in the future" he put out his want and with the flick chess was on the other table again.

Just when he wanted to say something more, Dariela McLaggen entered in the room.
"Hello boys, what are you doing?" She put a bright smile on her face and sat next to Pavo without even waiting for the invitation. She is McLaggen, she can do whatever she wants.

[That works!]

Pavo was not surprised at his win, but that did nothing to lessen the gratification he felt. He sat back, arms resting languidly along the back of the couch, rolling his wand between his fingers and radiating satisfaction. It was only right to allow himself to savour the superiority he'd rightly earned.

At Darian's gracious acknowledgement of defeat, he merely smiled. Slow, more amused than he had cause to be.

"I think I'll save that generous offer for a rainy day. If you've no objection."

Despite what the last part indicated, he was not asking permission. He didn't know if Levski had forgotten the term Pavo had added, or if he remembered but was trying to get his week of servitude over as soon as possible. Either way, he much preferred to keep the pureblood and his promise in his pocket until such a time when he could be sure to get the most out of the opportunity.

Relaxed against the back of the couch, he did not correct his posture for the recent arrival. A casual Pavo in his natural habitat was rare, but if there was one thing to lull him into momentary compliance, it was the intoxicating scent of victory. The more distinguished the company the better.

Not even the couch sinking as their housemate took liberties making herself comfortable could dim his good spirits. How like a McLaggen to accept an invitation where there was none. Over familiar, Pavo thought- but then again, she could afford to be. He raised his eyebrows, but made no move to distance or accommodate her.

"I believe," he drawled, an arrogant smirk stretching his lips as he allowed his eyes to flick from her to his vanquished opponent, "that Levski has just signed his soul over to the devil."

Darian was angry; at himself, and of course, Pavo. How could he lose? That is not something that happens often. He was the one who was always better than others, he was the one who wins all games but still, he was defeated. But Darian decided not to show how he really feels or what he thinks. Pavo was more than happy about himself even without that. And now Darian is supposed to be his slave for a week. But the deal is the deal, and one thing Levski boy learned when he was just a little kid is the thing that word of pureblood means a lot. You can't change what you said, and the deal must be completed.

Darian smiled and shook his head. For Pavo, it wasn't enough to win, he just had to make a big deal from that. Darian sat casually on his couch like if he owns the world. He looked at other Slytherin before shrugging. "It will be on the way you say, master" he started laughing realizing this may actually be the funny thing to take his mind far away from school and all stuff he has to do.
Sure thing, his father won't be proud if he ever finds out that his son, member of Levski family exchanged his freedom in the stupid game of the chess, but he just couldn't care less. If his father doesn't know that, then it can't hurt him.

"Hello Mia" Darian smiled and looked at their housemate. She was just as usual. Insanely cheerful, annoying but still somehow she managed to make that looks cute on her. She is everything opposite than Charlotte. She cares about her look a lot, she enjoys attention and has probably bigger self-esteem than the brain. Darian wasn't able to change that, and he didn't care enough to try. They were friends, but the only thing they had in common was same blood status and Mia probably more than anyone else was able to understand how much pressure that can bring sometimes.
Darian listened for Pavo's words and when he saw Mia's confused face expression he smiled and shook his head.
"Nothing special, Pavo beat me in the chess. Now, I will be his servant for a week."

Mia, on the other hand, was amused by this situation. She knew very well what Darian thinks about losing any kind of game because she was the same. That was the reason why she was one of the best on their Quidditch team.
"Well, well. That is really something new. Congratulations Pavo, it will be funny to see Darian accomplishing his punishment. But" she looked at Pavo with the smile still on her face.
"I heard rumors about you being connected with Death Followers. Tell me more about it" now she looked all curious as if she will die if she doesn't hear everything.