With Poison In Their Veins PV Prat Pass Finished

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• Lovely Creature in Effect•

@Matthew Campbell

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~insignia code Avery Leveret

Matthew Campbell was not a boy who liked to have his defences so easily dismantled yet as he watched the Co-Captain in wonder at his response, he found himself rendered completely open. This had been for three primary reasons two of which he was comfortable admitting, the third an awkward confirmation of a previous question. The first had brought a childlike giddiness of thankfully being proven wrong. Not only was Prat clearly not fazed by muggle movies, and thus hopefully disenfranchised with blood purity, but whoever had showed him them had great taste. Prat’s smile was further confirmation of his nature and already Matthew felt confident in his leadership, upon his welcome Matthew would reply, face still flushed a little though draining with every moment, “Thank you Captain, I’ll try to keep the poetry to myself.” It was often easier to make fun of yourself than wait for another to - a defence he had learned a long time ago.

Defences that only further broke down as the taller boy seemingly made a conscious decision to further their interaction despite being busy with his paperwork. In his twelve years no one other than his father had ever given him a nickname, well unless you considered the rigid ‘Mr Campbell’ Archer had until recently reserved for him. He supposed Matt wasn’t exactly a nickname more of an abbreviation and likely just for the purpose of saving time, yet he still brimmed with a joyous smile upon the question. The way Prat stared was like he could see past every wall he had ever crafted and look directly into the heart of him where Matthew hoped he would find the spirit of a duellist, of a viper.

“I tried rather unsuccessfully last year with a few individuals but unfortunately I’m not always the best at making friends.” It was a sore subject for the boy who only ever sought to be kind like he was raised but the fact remained, he always seemed to know the wrong thing to say in the wrong moment to say it. If he wasn’t so actively aggravated by it, he may have considered it a talent. Further embarrassment stalked him as he reminded himself of his attempt with Jacob whom he had pretended to be a pureblood with to secure such an opportunity. Unsurprisingly it had backfired in his face and the boy had disappeared from his life entirely, with it, any hopes of a friendship or a duel.

That left only the third strike to his defence to remain. Prat was objectively, to most, the majority of the world, a handsome kid even by their young years. It wasn’t something that Matthew considered really of course, merely a completely logical analysis of the boy in front of him that had no bearing on him whatsoever after all he fancied… well that was irrelevant. In fact the whole point was moot and required no more depth. Yet one thing was clear, the soul rending stare of Prat was no help to finding clarity. After the warring battle in his head threatened to give him a headache for the rest of the week, he focused his attention back to the question derailing his train of thought to force it in a new direction. Then mustering all the enthusiasm he could he responded; “I’m hoping that the Vipers will give me a fresh start to finally learn to duel. On the piste whatever that is? Have you duelled yourself? I’d love to see a proper auror duel one day but seeing isn't enough I yearn for the thrill of being a part of the action.”

Something about the co-captain set Matthew at ease and lit a twinkling sensation of mischief in his veins for the fun they may have in the future with duels. It was a lovely sight and for a moment the young snake just resembled the happy kid that he should have always been, unscathed by his past and free to be whoever he wanted to be. Hogwarts had a way of constantly leaving him unsure of what was coming next, just a week ago he wasn't even sure he wished to return and now he couldn't be more ecstatic for his future here.

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•Lovely Creature in Effect•

@Matthew Campbell

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Prat wasn't sure most snakes would even know muggle pop culture. Somewhere in the back of his mind Prat had put slytherin as one of those over purist houses, which to some effect would not be wrong from the number of pure-blood snakes he was friends with. It wasn't a rare sight however to see someone mixed or just be a muggle born, something that had seemingly missed from his mind. Which prompted him to give a surprised reaction to one of his favourite movies being mentioned. It was a great movie after, further art only grows from exposure and experience in his opinion. Prat felt a bit of joy inside knowing someone among his team had shared interests and they might even come to find other fandom they shared between them. Though all that would be settled later.

Though mistaken perhaps his remark regarding the poetry, he did not mean to sound broodish or rude about it, rather he had the intent to be appreciative of it. Hearing Matt say “Thank you Captain, I’ll try to keep the poetry to myself.” was almost a soft blow. Confused for a moment deep inside he decided to make his statement clear. "Oh no absolutely not, you mustn't keep such things hidden. Poetry and art are the filled with passion. And humanity is a passionate race afterall." He smiled glad to have cleared his confusion before it went and got worse. Perhaps if he let it foster it might have created a feeling of distaste. Not something Prat would wish to grow between people who might be long term teammates he would find himself working with.

Hearing Matthew's unsuccesfull attempt at making friends was a little saddening but nonetheless things happen and it wasn't something Prat was aware of. Without physically sighing that he had already performed in his mind, Prat told Matt "it happens, we all eventually find what's meant for us,with a little effort ofcourse." as he flipped through more paperwork, paperwork that seemed serious but was merely his sheets for music. Something he had found his interest back in and was one of the things that kept him up at night.

"I'm sure you'll find a nice start with the Vipers, we can be rowdy bunch but that just adds to the charm i believe. However i must tell you the rules beforehand." Prat could feel his eyes roll just from the thought, eh boring rules. He understood their importance yet the idea of explaining those to someone his own age bored him out of his mind. Regardless it fell onto him to explain most rules, something he did before finishing off with, "and just so we are all clear, duels official or unofficial are not medieval jousting and not to be used for settling differences or bad blood." Prat added that one to make sure the sport did not brought over animosity of any kind and was instead treated as the other sports. "I do indulge in duelling once a while but i'm not the most adept or skilled at it, merely habitual work unlike yourself and i totally relate to the feeling of being present amidst a gruesome duelling battle, might even say go as far as to be part of one."

With that done Prat had not much more to add to his Matt's queries and was now beginning to ponder if he should add small talk to this or perhaps have Matt go his merry way. This was a nice chat he had with the snake and someone he'd definitely be keeping his eyes on through the days. something he had grown habitual to, keeping track of everyone good or potentially good at duelling. With his own anxiety being the catalyst and his innate desire to know and have plans for all variables that may arise to ruin his plans.

Seeing his lack of experience being on the piste, Prat decided to offer and organize a small duel for him and gather some more duellists before the season began. Turning back before he walked off to a nearby bench, "and Hey Matt, if you want some hands of duelling experience, i'll be organizing one soon, let me know if you'd like to be a part of it. And once again, Welcome to the Pit." This duel with two teams would really put these young team members in the middle of it all and thus ensure whatever little experience they could garner, they were possible in doing so. Throwing People who have never duelled into a duel might just give them cold feet and he'd rather have it happen in an unofficial game then something that was going to be accounted for.

After so much struggling to fit in that his first year had forced him through, being a Viper truly felt like a blessing. With each of the captains kind words he felt more and more like a part of the team and truly welcomed. "it happens, we all eventually find what's meant for us, with a little effort of course." Undoubtedly it was clear to Matthew why Prat had been named captain as even at such a young age he was everything a leader was meant to be; inspiring, encouraging and authentic. Under this leadership perhaps there was a chance the young snake really would find what was meant for him.

As Prat sorted through an assortment of paperwork Matthew's curious eye couldn't help but be drawn to the sheets wondering if they were potential team tactics or roster positions. Instead a small light lit up his eyes upon recognising them as sheet music. The captain was much too speedy in his sorting to differentiate what instrument he played but it filled him with joy to know that muggle movies weren't the only thing the two shared in common. Being a keen pianist and vocalist Matthew pondered on whether to ask the other boy about the passion but before he had the chance Prat turned to address the room leaving him alone to bask in the world of his own head.

Thoughts raced through his mind of the potential to one day come across the other snake in the rehearsal rooms completely distracting him to the world around him while Prat continued to tell the new Vipers the rules for duelling. Not that it was a worry, Matthew never did anything without thorough research and knew the rules before he'd even signed up. Hours filled without friends and a distaste of his house led to many late nights buried in the shelves of the library, escapism through literature. That, however, did not mean that he was one for following such rules and he found himself drawn back into the conversation upon the mention of "bad blood".

While the phrase was a fairly common muggle one Matthew was well aware that it often bore a far darker meaning in the magical world and spent many worried nights stressing about protecting himself from such wizards. It surely was just a turn of phrase he reasoned with himself practically begging himself to believe it but being a Slytherin he hadn't the luxury of assuming people weren't purists. Not Prat he told himself sure in the reasoning that no purist would lower themselves to watching a movie. God the thought made his eyes roll so far back in his head he barely stayed upright.

For a second Matthew pondered over whether or not to attempt to introduce himself to the rest of the team but suddenly he felt very aware of his own being. In seconds he had gone from feeling his happiest to feeling the impending doom of standing in a snake pit. With literal vipers all around him he found himself turning to leave the meeting having concluded. Unfortunately, anxious as he was the young boy was a Slytherin and so ambition ran in his blood. Given other circumstances he may have rejected Prat's offer but he was a part of this team no matter what anyone could tell him and he was sick to death of acting like he didn't belong.

Prat had told him that with a little effort we could find what was meant for us and now here he was presenting him with the opportunity to put that effort in and join them. Pushing down the feelings of inferiority he smiled, mostly to himself, bolstering him in confidence and responded, "That sounds incredible, I'd be honoured to be a part of it. Thanks for the welcome captain! Maybe I'll see you around sometime." If he had more confidence perhaps he would have invited Prat to practice with him sometime or even if he must hang out in the common room but the term was only starting and Matthew still bore the armour of his isolation too afraid of rejection to risk. One day the reward would outweigh the risk but that day had yet to come.

So backing up he shot Prat a friendly smile and with one last glance around the room he found himself to be an island drifting by himself while others floated together. Maybe one day he would learn to float in unison with them but inspired by dreams to further his potential before the unofficial duel he left the room. Despite the warm welcome he knew in his heart the Vipers were not yet a home for him but he had a foot in the door now and he hoped with time that space would grow to accommodate all of him. If Prat could then there was hope for the others, there had to be.