Lucien was silent a moment, weighing the option of having Upstead play turncoat. Kid wasn’t exactly “in” with their peers. Wasn’t known for comfort and was likely not the first they would run to with talks of rebellion. The Slytherin would need to exercise some of that cunning and get where they needed to be at all the right times.

“Both are acceptable.” He decided. “This isn’t a game. I intend to hold you to the offer.” When you chose to swim with the adults, you could not expect to keep your floatation device.

“I expect intel, I expect updates, I expect progress. I’m not the sort of man to be disappointed, nor am I the sort to wave off youthful zeal when incompetence rears its ugly head.”

He turned to face the student. “I’ll ask once more, are you sure?”