AN: 23.08.2020 - Did some minor editing to clean up the writing.
CHAPTER 5: An Ensnaring Proposition
Lucas could not have imagined any ninety minutes more boring in his life.
But as Blackburn struggled to keep his eyes open while Professor Binns, the school's resident ghost teacher, explained Emeric the Evil's reign of terror. Lucas realized that he had thought the exact same thing during their first History lesson on Tuesday two days ago.
Oh, how wrong he had been.
"Lucas, come on, you need to concentrate," Rowan nudged him as he was about to drift off completely. Making Lucas wake with a jolt.
Only a few paid any attention in this class. Rowan Scribbled away detailed notes as he listened to every word their professor spoke. Lucas had tried to follow suit. But their teacher's monotonous droning made it impossible to retain any semblance of focus. After their first lesson, Lucas knew that if he were to have any hope of learning something in this subject, it would have to be outside the classroom and from Khanna.
"Don't worry," Blackburn whispered back before letting out a deep yawn "I'm concentrating."
Lucas tried to fixate on the lecture as the ghost explained how several wizards died in an attempted coup to overthrow Emeric. Blackburn lasted a minute before turning to gaze elsewhere. In the row in front of him sat Tulip Karasu leaning over as if she was hiding something.
Blackburn already knew the Ravenclaw witch's name thanks to her antics. In their first week, she had already managed to earn the ire of McGonagall for playing jokes with whoever was sitting next to her - getting detention as a result.
Eyes resting on her. He waited to see what she was doing. To her side was another Ravenclaw witch dutifully writing down Binn's words, too distracted to notice what Tulip was about to do. Karasu held in her hand a spider, which she carefully snuck into the witch's school bag. Having placed it without the student's awareness, Tulip turned around to see if anyone had noticed what she had done. She locked eyes with Lucas.
Blackburn only responded with raised eyebrows. Desperate for anything to shake things up, he did not interfere.
Assured Lucas was not going to say anything. Tulip gave him a small wink before turning her attention back to class.
"...And following Emeric's death dueling Egbert the Egregious, his followers were quickly overthrown. And that concludes today's lesson."
Professor Binn's words hung in the air. Like an incantation dispelling a curse. The drowsiness that had blanketed the students lifted as they realized it was over.
"Now remember everyone. I expect you to have your essays about Emeric the Evil's reign ready for Tuesday and then we will discuss the aftermath of his death," The ghost explained as students were stuffing their books back into their bags. Lucas half-heartedly listened to the professor. Far more focused on getting out instead, he could always ask Rowan for what their homework was later.
"I'm not sure what's worse," Lucas complained to Rowan as they headed back to the great hall for lunch "History of Magic or Defence Against The Dark Arts."
The three newest subjects they had since Monday had been a mixed bag for Lucas. History of Magic may have been the worst, but the biggest letdown had undoubtedly been Defence Against the Dark Arts. Their teacher, Marcus Moldbug, was an overtaxed man constantly on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Seemingly terrified of the idea of having them study martial magic and dark creatures in his classroom. After their first lesson with him had ended, the professor loudly muttered to himself how he wasn't certain if he could survive a year of teaching students.
Rowan frowned at his words "I do not understand how you can be so bored during History Of Magic. It's actually really interesting if you gave it a chance like you did with Astronomy."
Lucas waved a hand in dismissal "Professor Sinistra can actually explain things without making me fall asleep."
Astronomy which they had Wednesday midnight was between the three latest subjects the most positive experience. Reading the introductory chapters from his book, Lucas had found the subject matter very dry. But between Rowan's enthusiasm and Professor Sinistra's calm explanations, Blackburn caught himself listening with interest. And despite his lack of skill in the subject, there was serenity in standing on the top of the Astronomy tower quietly studying the celestial bodies under a starlit sky.
A scream emerged behind the two wizards as a Ravenclaw witch noticed a large spider that had crawled up her arm and was now desperately trying to shake it off. Only Rowan glanced over his shoulder to see what was happening. Lucas already had a good idea of what was going on.
Entering the great hall. Lucas and Rowan seated themselves away from the rest of the Slytherins. Thanks to Merula's sabotage of Blackburn's potion and the resulting loss of house points. The older Slytherins had gone from barely accepting him to hissing at his mere presence. Even his fellow first-years were treating him differently now. Barnaby and Skye kept their distance while the rest seemed content to join in on the older Slytherins' animosity. By now Lucas was ready to spend as little time as possible in his House common room.
Rowan remained his only friend and the one willing to talk to him. The two of them would spend all their time studying in the library, playing Gobstone or exploring the vast castle together. Anything to get away from their classmates.
Sitting at the long table, both Lucas and Rowan were quiet. Neither of them taking much food on their plate. Rowan was busy going through a book he brought with him.
"Are you nervous? You've spent a lot of time skimming through the same pages," Lucas finally asked his friend. Rowan had barely touched any food, rereading instead the same parts over and over.
Khanna looked up from his text with a pale face "I am just trying to ready myself for our Flying lessons. I've already read two other books on the subject, but I don't feel any more prepared for it."
It was unlike Rowan not to be excited to start a new subject. But Lucas understood. Reading a book could only take you so far in learning and understanding how to fly. It was something you truly had to do yourself to grasp it.
"Just take it easy," Lucas answered "No one is going to ask you to play Quidditch after your first lesson."
Rowan scratched his brow before closing the book "You're probably right."
Despite Lucas' advice to his friend, he was not feeling much better himself. He had looked forward to flying since summer. Yet as the hour drew close the same uncertainty he felt on his first day crept back. Would he even be any good at it? Worse, would Merula once again humiliate him in front of everyone?
Lucas pondered over what was to come, nibbling on a sandwich until lunch was over. Gryffindor and Slytherin first-years rose from their seats to travel to the castle grounds where their training took place. Lucas and Rowan followed suit. Another side-effect of Merula's sabotage was how it had accelerated the story of his brother's disappearance amongst students. Now everyone truly knew him as the brother of the mad or cursed Jacob Blackburn and already Lucas had heard whispers behind his back calling him the same. Walking towards his first lesson, it was not just the Slytherins, but the Gryffindors too that were now keeping their distance from him.
The training area in which their lessons took place was a smoothly cut grass lawn within the outer rings of the castle's walls. Large and wide-open, it was the most suitable place for such lessons without getting too close to the Forbidden Forest.
Arriving at the field. The students were met by their instructor who had already lined up brooms for every student to use.
"Goodmorning, class!" Their trainer called out as the children gathered in front of her "I am Madam Hooch and I will be your instructor in your flying lessons," Madam Hooch had short, grey hair. She also had a sharp nose that together with fierce, yellow eyes gave her a hawkish appearance "Let us not waste any time! Everyone find and stand by a broomstick! Chop-chop!"
First-years scuffled past each other to find an available broom, many of them deliberately trying to get one furthest away from Lucas. Thankfully Rowan had managed to find a broom next to him, unfortunately, however, Merula had decided to take the one across.
An audible groan emerged from Skye as she looked down at her broom. Lucas turned to examine his own. The broom beneath him was a rather dismal thing. Its bristles were bent or worn-out - chipped off over years of use.
"Can these things even fly?" Skye boorishly remarked as she held up her broom, looking as if she was holding something unpleasant.
"Don't be ridiculous, Miss Parkin, we would not have provided you with them if they couldn't," Madam Hooch answered back to her student as she walked past her "Now put your broom down. I did not order you to pick it up - that goes for all of you."
Several students immediately dropped their brooms upon hearing Hooch's orders. While not as obvious as McGonagall or Snape. There was an air about Madam Hooch that made it clear she would not suffer students fooling about during her lessons.
"Alright everyone," Hooch loudly spoke out as she took position at the end of the two rows of students where her own broom lay "For your first flying lesson I will show you how to summon your broom, mount it, take-off and land before finally dismounting it."
The teacher paused, waiting to see if any of the students had questions. She continued "To summon your broom. Reach out with your right hand over it and say 'Up' - Like this!" Hooch proceeded to demonstrate by summoning her own broom repeatedly.
"I want all of you to try it now. Make sure to stand to the left of your broom. Stick out your right hand and then 'Up!'"
Shouts of 'Up!' filled the air as the children attempted to summon their brooms. Lucas had reached out with his hand, but did not say the words. Watching the students around him instead. Skye, standing next to Merula, had summoned her broom with no trouble at all. Further away was Charlie who also accomplished to summon his broom on his first go.
To his side was Rowan whose broom only seemed to lazily rock back and forth despite the wizard's continuously shouting of the words.
"Is something the matter, Mister Blackburn?"
The question drew Lucas back to himself. In front of him stood Madam Hooch, who had gone down to inspect each of their individual progress.
"No, Madam." Lucas answered.
The professor gestured towards his broom "Then let's see you summon it then!"
Blackburn looked down at the broom, putting all his focus into it "Up!" he commanded, pouring as much force and will into the words as he could muster.
The broom immediately jumped into his hand and Lucas felt the familiar surge of excitement that came with success.
"See, Mister Blackburn, You have no reason to worry or hesitate," Hooch complimented him before moving on. Across from Lucas, Merula was busy with her own attempts. Her broom only haphazardly jumping up before falling to the ground whenever she tried.
"Up you stupid broom!" Merula spat out in anger and the broom made another unsuccessful leap. The witch withdrew her hand, letting out a small cry of frustration. She looked up, locking eyes with Lucas though not before giving a swift glance at the broom in his hand. Staring at each other. Lucas watched as violet eyes filled with ire and anger before Merula broke off and returned to her task. The girl let out one last command suffused with enough fury that her broom jolted into her hands. Merula looked at Lucas again with a sneer. Blackburn said nothing, only looking away instead.
To his left was the frightened Mr. Copper struggling to even get his broom to move.
"Mister Copper, you'll never get that broom an inch above the ground with a voice shaking like that. Say it with feeling and confidence!" Their teacher urged the Gryffindor student as he continuously failed in his attempt.
Hooch's words brought the attention of the rest of the class on Copper. Laughs and derision could be heard from many of the Slytherins - and a few Gryffindors as well.
"Focus on your own brooms, everyone!" Hooch barked out in response.
They could not continue until all had been able to summon their broom. Forcing them to wait as Mr. Copper remained the last student unable to summon his. Madam Hooch had originally been quite supportive, but a look of exasperation grew stronger and stronger on the instructor's face as the minutes passed by and Copper was no closer to success. By the end, it seemed as if she was ready to yell at the young wizard had it not been for him finally succeeding in the task.
Hooch Instructed them next on how to mount their brooms and not slide off the end. Everyone paid close attention except Skye who absently looked at everything other than their teacher.
"Do my instructions bore you, Miss Parkin?" Madam Hooch suddenly called out to the witch "Perhaps you would rather be doing something else - like cleaning kitchen pots with the house elves?"
And with that, Skye was paying full attention again.
Following her instructions, Madam Hooch walked up and down once again to help and correct their grip. She complimented Charlie for his handling, but corrected Lucas for being slightly off with his.
"Now," Hooch declared, holding up her whistle "when you hear this, kick off from the ground hard. Remember to keep your broom steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly."
Excitement rumbled in Lucas' stomach for what they were about to do next. Looking on with anticipation, he awaited the countdown with bated breath.
"On my whistle," Madam Hooch called out "Three - Two - One!"
Lucas immediately kicked off as instructed as he heard the noise. Letting himself relax for a moment. A wondrous feeling overcame him as he slowly rose into the air. Knowing he had accomplished getting off the ground. His mind quickly turned to getting back on it. He leaned forward as instructed, stretching out his legs and letting his feet touch the ground as quickly as possible.
All of Lucas' thoughts about his own successful mounting and dismounting were pushed to the side as a commotion to his left began to unfold.
"Mister Copper! Get back down now!" Madam Hooch barked out as the Gryffindor wizard climbed in altitude instead of landing again as instructed. Clearly panicked, the young boy leaned backwards with a jerk. Resulting in him falling off and landing flat on his rear.
Perhaps it was because Merula's trickery was still fresh in his mind, but Lucas did not join in on laughing at Copper's accident.
"That's quite enough everyone!" Hooch yelled out as she marched to the downed student "Mister Copper, are you alright?"
The boy only nodded his head in silence. Assurance enough to his teacher that he could continue.
"We'll start over. Everyone put your brooms down and prepare yourself to summon it again!"
They did as they were instructed. Repeating the steps as before. Copper had fewer issues this time calling the broom to his hand, though he was still the last to do so. Next again was mounting the broom and trying to take off.
Copper, however, did not kick off when the whistle blew. His fear prohibiting him from trying again.
"You can do this," Lucas said to him "Just concentrate on the broom and nothing else."
Blackburn's words did little inspire the Gryffindor student unwilling to proceed any further. Lucas glanced to his right to see Madam Hooch watching the two of them. He looked back at the student to his left.
"You'll have to try. Or she'll come down here and single you out again."
The boy let out a sigh and shook his head. Closing his eyes, the young wizard took a few deep breaths before making his second attempt. His next try sadly went little better. Like before, Copper fell off the broom in panic. Earning himself another bout of laughter.
Lucas immediately dropped his own broom. Taking a step towards the fallen student, Blackburn reached out with his hand.
"Come on. Get up," Lucas said to the low-laid wizard who looked up at him. The boy had a cherub-like face with rosy, round cheeks. His straw-blonde hair, previously tightly combed, was now ruffled due to two consecutive falls from his broom. The Gryffindor's large, brown eyes gazed past Lucas at the still laughing students. Blackburn casted a glance in the same direction before looking back at him "Just ignore them."
Mister Copper accepted his offer of aid. Getting up on his feet. He croaked out a weak "Thank you."
Hooch was standing in front of the two of them "Are you hurt, Mister Copper?" Her hawkish eyes darted up and down to check if her student had gotten injured.
The Gryffindor wizard brushed off some dirt from his clothes "No, Madam Hooch."
Confident that Copper was no worse for wear. The teacher gestured Lucas to return to his own position.
"Then please tell me," Hooch crossed her arms "Did you find any of my instructions unclear?"
Her question left the boy blushing "N-n-no, Madam," He stammered out "I just get panicked when my broom starts flying."
The trainer shook her head "Clearly," she answered before taking a look at the time on a pocket watch. She looked at the rest of the class.
"Alright everyone. That's enough for today. I'll see all of you in a week," Hooch turned back to Lucas and Copper before either of them could move "Mister Blackburn, Mister Copper, would the two of you be so kind and stay to help collect all the brooms and put them back in the shed?"
The two boys looked at each other after the order had been given. Lucas giving a shrug of his shoulders as they waited for the field to clear so they could start their work. With everyone gone the two began collecting the brooms together with Madam Hooch.
Both wizards worked in silence. Collecting the brooms into three stacks. Hooch guided them afterwards to the broomshed near the Quidditch field to drop them off.
"Thank you for your help Mister Blackburn and Mister Copper," Their instructor said afterwards "Can the two of you find your own way back to the castle?"
Lucas nodded for the both of them. He did not know if Copper could, but he knew how to get back well enough. Hooch left for the Quidditch field itself, leaving the two students alone to return to the castle.
Walking back. The other boy finally broke the silence that had been between them since Flying class had ended.
"You're Lucas Blackburn, right?" The boy skittishly asked as he walked up next to Lucas.
Blackburn slowed his pace "I am," He answered plainly.
The boy waited as if expecting Lucas to say more. Realising his error, the Gryffindor wizard continued "I'm Ben Copper," He added before drawing out a nervous pause "I… I just wanted to say thank you."
Lucas raised an eyebrow "For what?"
"For trying to help," Ben explained "For not laughing."
"That?" Lucas answered "It was nothing."
Lucas' eyes turned back to the road. The two of them walking the next dozen steps in silence before Ben spoke out once more.
"Is it true you stood up to Merula Snyde?"
The question made Blackburn stop "Who told you I did that?"
Ben looked down, kicking a foot into a small patch of grass "I overheard your friend Rowan talk about it."
Lucas was surprised. Rowan had not mentioned talking to others about his encounter with Merula. He wondered why Khanna would even bring it up to begin with. Perhaps to try and counter others speaking ill of him?
"Merula was bullying Rowan before our first Potions class," Lucas admitted "I told her to knock it off. I suppose it was part of the reason she decided to blow up my potion." Bitterness soured the last words. His sight drifting away as his mind relieved the embarrassment and anger he felt.
"I heard about that," Ben said "Merula's been bullying many of us since we started."
The words drew Lucas back to the wizard in front of him "Has she also bothered you?"
A crestfallen look crept upon Ben's face and his eyes trembled for a moment "She tormented me the entire way here on the Hogwarts Express. She kept threatening me and calling me a Mudblood."
Lucas' eyes widened and his mouth gaped open in surprise. Aghast that Merula would have said something so crass to another student.
"I'm sorry, Ben," Lucas finally answered after shaking off the shock "That's terrible."
His words did little to improve Ben's mood who still looked at him with hurt eyes "I've been spending most of my time looking behind my back. Making sure she doesn't see me, and running away if she does. I'm not brave enough to stand up to her. It's a joke I got put into Gryffindor."
"The Hat doesn't make mistakes, Ben. It put you in Gryffindor for a reason," Lucas countered. Ben shook his head and looked away.
"You saw how scared I was in Flying class just now, or how terrified I looked back in our Charms lesson after Flitwick made my book levitate," Copper looked up to Lucas again "I come from a Muggle family. So all of this," His hands were now gesturing their surroundings "Flying brooms, spells and monsters? All of this is new and scary to me."
Lucas took a step forward "Believe it or not, Ben, but a lot of this is new for me as well despite coming from a wizarding family. I've never used a broom either until today. My mum was pretty strict about us using magic outside of our home."
Blackburn paused to let his words sink in before continuing.
"And hey, If you're having trouble with anything or just want to hang out with someone. You can talk to me or Rowan anytime," Lucas nudged Ben gently in the shoulder. Provoking a smile from the otherwise shy and petrified Gryffindor.
"Thanks, Lucas. I appreciate it." Ben took a deep breath of relief "You know, you don't seem like the others."
The words made Lucas lift an eyebrow "Others who?"
"The others from your House," Ben answered. His eyes began to dodge his.
Blackburn crossed his arms "What do you mean?"
"It's just I've heard that," Copper began fiddling with his fingers "Most Slytherins are more like… You know… Merula."
"Oh that," Lucas' eyebrows arched in surprise and bemusement "No, I'm nothing like that."
"You don't believe what they believe then? Ben asked "That people like me shouldn't be welcome at school."
Lucas merely shook his head.
"No," He answered, shrugging his shoulders "I have nothing against Muggleborns. I just don't like Muggles very much."
Ben frowned at his answer. Lucas blinked, realizing who he was talking to.
"But they're not all bad," Blackburn added "My grandfather is a Muggle and he's the best. He was a pilot during the war!"
The last part seemed to catch Ben's attention.
"Your grandfather fought in the war?" Copper asked pointedly.
"Sure did!" Lucas declared proudly "Shot down Jerries in his Spitfire during the Battle of Britain - I can tell you all about it the rest of the way."
Lucas spent the rest of the way back to the castle recounting the stories his grandfather had told him. Ben, for his part, quietly listened in interest. Eager to hear about something familiar to him.
Arriving back at the castle. The two students parted ways as they left for each of their Common Room. Lucas had no lessons until four-twenty, free time Lucas planned to use on his homework for tomorrow's Potion class.
Entering the common room, Lucas made a beeline for his dormitory, avoiding contact with any of the other Slytherins. The private quarters were empty save for Rowan who laid in his own bed reading a book.
"Lucas!" Khanna exclaimed before sitting up in his bunk, putting the book to the side "There's a letter for you!"
The British-Indian pointed at Lucas' nightstand where an envelope rested. Blackburn went to pick it up.
"I waited here to make sure none of the others tried to do anything with it," Rowan explained "Did Merula give you trouble? You were gone for longer than expected."
"Don't worry. I was just talking to Ben Copper," Lucas answered before taking the letter and sitting down in his bed.
"Ben Copper?" Rowan asked confusedly "You mean the one who fell off his broom twice today?"
"Yes, him" Lucas confirmed, still looking at his friend "We talked on the way back after returning the brooms. I invited him to join us."
Rowan's brow rose in surprise "You invited him to hang out with us?"
"I did. Do you disagree?" Lucas responded calmly. Rowan had been one of the few others not to laugh at Ben during today's flying lesson. Blackburn expected him to have no issue but if Khanna did possess any, Lucas wanted to hear them now.
"No," Rowan assured "I'm just surprised that you'd even talk to him. No one wants to interact with him, supposedly because he's a complete coward - unlike you."
Lucas shook his head "Ben is just unfamiliar with magic because he's muggleborn and he has no friends to help him out. He's an outsider in his own way - just like us. I'm willing to give him a chance."
Both boys were still for a moment then Blackburn continued.
"We can discuss Ben more if you want later," Blackburn said, holding up the envelope "But I need to check out this letter first."
Rowan merely nodded. Looking on in silence as Lucas examined the envelope. Blackburn wondered who it could be from. He had certainly not expected anything new from either his parents or grandparents until after he had written his own letter back to them, which he had yet to do. He opened the envelope.
"Who's the letter from?" Rowan curiously asked, still sitting in his own bed.
"Not sure," Lucas answered. He did not recognize the handwriting. His eyes jumped towards the end of the letter to see who wrote it "Wait - It's from Professor Snape!"
"Snape?!" Rowan exclaimed, rising up from his bed immediately so he could see the message for himself "What does it say?"
Lucas began reading it out loud.
Blackburn, I have discovered evidence that your potion may have indeed been tampered with. While it does not prove your innocence, it does cast some doubt on my belief that you are hopelessly incompetent. Bring me a jar of pickled slugs from the potions storeroom on the fourth floor, and I will consider restoring your house points. Precise instructions on how to find the storeroom are given below.
Professor Severus Snape
"Snape is willing to restore my House points!" Lucas blurted out in excitement as soon as he was finished reading the letter, handing it over so Rowan could read it as well "This is just what I need to make the rest of Slytherin give me a second chance!"
Bespectacled eyes swiftly darted through the text "Strange," Khanna stroked his chin in contemplation after finishing the letter "I thought the potions storeroom was here in the dungeon next to Snape's office."
Lucas frowned "There could be more than one."
"I suppose so," Khanna handed Blackburn the letter back "Want me to go with you? It's the least I can do for you after saving me from Merula back on Monday."
Lucas rose up from his bed.
"I appreciate it, Rowan," Blackburn stored the letter away in his pocket "But I need to do this myself. Snape took the points from me - it's my responsibility to get them back."
Rowan's lips were pinched "If you say so," He answered "If Snape is in enough of a good mood to give you ten House points, then you should probably hurry before he changes his mind."
"Don't worry," Lucas responded before heading to the exit "I'll be back before you know it!"
"Good luck, Lucas, and be careful! I would hate to have Snape kill my only friend."
Lucas thanked him and waved his friend goodbye as he left the dormitory. Rushing through the common room once again to avoid talking or interacting with any of the other students. Hopefully for the last time assuming Snape kept his end of the bargain.
Lucas arrived on the fourth floor with letter in hand. Following the instructions, he moved past several doors until he reached the statue of the medieval knight in the middle of the hallway. Just as the instructions described, the sculpture marked where this corridor intersected with another.
Diverting from the main aisle. Blackburn descended down the new passageway, traveling to the end where a door awaited. Pushing it open, the door made a loud creak as if unaccustomed to use.
Greeted by another corridor. Lucas was about to pass through the doorway when suddenly the sound of footsteps from behind made him freeze in place. Turning around to see if anyone else was there, he continued when the corridor seemed as empty as when he found it.
Entering into the hallway. Lucas' eyes wandered to a nearby stony bench covered in thick layers of dust and large cobwebs. If it was here Snape had his second potions storeroom, then why did the place seem so deserted?
Blackburn paused to double-check the instructions, wondering if he had made an error. But there was no mistake; this was the place.
The potions storeroom was just ahead. Moving towards it, Lucas examined the entrance. There were no signs or anything to mark it, a rather odd thing in his mind.
Lucas gently opened the door to peek through the gap. The room inside was dark enough so that he could not see anything beyond what the light shone into the room. Not seeing any apparent danger, the young wizard pushed the door slightly further open and snuck in.
Taking a step inside, Lucas noticed a difference in the air. Much like the dungeons, the air here was damp if, however, not as cold.
The door behind him suddenly closed. Before he could react, a strange sensation struck Lucas as he briefly felt something slither against his lower leg. Making the boy look down instead.
Anxious and unable to see anything, Lucas drew out his wand and prepared to cast the Wand-Lighting Charm.
"Lumos!"
A bright light shone from the tip of the willow-wood wand, provoking a gasp from the Slytherin student as he finally saw what had been hiding inside. In front of him stood a large mass of green vines, its tendrils writhing around like living snakes.
"What is that?" Lucas uttered out loudly in horror, feeling the hairs on the back of his neck rise.
A loud and sinister laugh emerged from the other side of the door in answer to his question. Belonging to the voice of the last person Lucas wanted to deal with.
"A deadly plant called Devil's snare," Merula's voice explained with wicked amusement "Some fourth-year slytherins showed it to me on my first day here. It's sensitive to light. If you're really better at the wand-lighting charm than me, escape should be no problem."
"Merula?!" Lucas called out as he spun around. He reached out to try and open the door, but it had been sealed close "Did you lock me in here?!"
"Along with sending you a fake letter from Snape," Snyde paused to let out another laugh "I told you things would only get worse for you, Blackburn."
The same anger Lucas felt in his first potion class returned, now only heightened by an undercurrent of animalistic panic.
"Merula!" Blackburn hammered against the door with his fist "Let me out right now!"
"Oh I don't think so," The witch answered back "Something has to stop you from ruining Hogwarts, Blackburn. It may as well be the Devil's snare. Now if you'll excuse me. I have a Herbology class to prepare for."
Merula followed her parting words with another laugh. Lucas was about to shout out her name when one of the Devil's Snare's tendrils wrapped around his leg and pulled him closer towards it.
Instinctively Blackburn reached down with his left hand to pull off the tendril and free his leg. Struggling to remove it, the plant only tightened its grip around him in retaliation.
"Help! Someone help!" Lucas shouted out. Hoping someone would hear him. A second tendril now stretched out to seize his left arm. Making the wizard let out another cry of terror.
Desperate, Lucas moved his still illuminating wand up against the tendril holding his left arm. The plant rapidly loosened its grip, its tendril retreating and writhing in pain at the light and warmth of his magic.
Lucas paused for the briefest of seconds to comprehend the plant's reaction and it was only now he realized Merula had spoken truth about the plant's weakness. Blackburn would instantly regret his moment of hesitation, however, as two small vines from the plant seized his wand while a third larger one moved in around his chest.
"Please help!" Blackburn howled as he struggled against the two tendrils trying to strip him of his wand. The Wand-Lighting charm had expired, leaving the boy in total darkness once more. Letting out a roar of effort, Blackburn yanked his wand free from the plant's grasp. His victory was short-lived as new tendrils came for him. One wrestling around his left arm and holding it back, the other wrapping around his throat.
"L-Lumos!" Lucas croaked out as he madly moved the wand in the motion the charm required. Despite nearly being unable to breathe, let alone speak, Blackburn managed to conjure a light from his wand. Using his powers, the wizard forced back the tendrils around his throat, chest, and leg.
Freed from the plant, Lucas rushed to the door "Help!" The wizard cried out as he changed between frantically beating on the door and trying to force it open; knowing it was his only chance to escape or be found. Behind him, two tendrils crept up and grabbed his legs. Making the boy fall as the plant dragged him closer.
Blackburn let out a new cry for help as he wildly swung his wand at the vines. But for each one he pushed away another took its place.
Behind him, the locked door suddenly stirred. Someone was trying to open it and Lucas could even hear a voice behind it.
"Help!" The wizard yelled one last time, praying that whoever was on the other side would break through the door.
"Stand back!" The voice warned. Lucas could hear the door being unlocked followed by a loud bang as the door was violently smacked open. In the door frame stood Lucas' Prefect Felix.
"Bloody hell!" The Prefect cried out as he witnessed the scene in front of him. With wand already in hand, Rosier aimed it at the Devil's Snare.
"Lumos Maxima!"
Lucas shielded his eyes as a blinding light was conjured by the Prefect's wand strong enough that the Devil's Snare withdrew completely into a corner of the room. Its vines and tendrils so agonized by the light that they withered and died on the spot.
"Get up," Felix said as he helped Lucas back on his feet and out of the room "Take it easy - you're safe now."
Panting heavily, Lucas only shook his head as he struggled to wear off the shock and horror of what he had just gone through. His hand reached up to his eye, and it was only now Blackburn discovered that tears had escaped him during the struggle. Ashamed, he looked away as he wiped them off with his sleeve.
"Are you alright?" Felix asked. Lucas could see that the wizard's brows furrowed with worry. Calm enough to speak, Blackburn finally answered.
"I'm okay," Lucas paused for another deep breath "You saved my life. Thank you."
"Don't mention it," Felix murmured as he studied Lucas. Blackburn glanced down to examine his own clothes. They had been completely ruined.
"Do you mind telling me what happened?" Rosier asked.
Lucas looked at the still-open entrance to the Devil's Snare room "Merula Snyde trapped me in there."
"She did?" Felix glanced towards the room before returning his sight to Lucas "How?"
Lucas' head bowed "I received a letter claiming to be from Snape. It promised me to restore my lost House points if I went up here and fetched him some potions ingredients."
"... And she used that to trap you in there with the Devil's Snare?" Felix guessed. Lucas' eyes rose up to meet his.
"Yes."
Rosier let out a small sigh, scratching the back of his neck. Lucas thought back to the Prefect's room. Felix had been skeptical of his story back then. But none of that doubt remained now.
"I believe you," Felix replied "Do you by any chance still have the letter?"
Lucas rummaged his pocket and drew out the tattered letter. Handing it to his Prefect, Felix started reading what remained of the message.
"Professor Snape won't be pleased somebody forged a letter with his name on it," Felix concluded "Do you mind if I take it and bring it to him?"
"Will it make Snape take action against Merula?" Lucas asked.
"I doubt it. Unless you find some way to prove Merula crafted it. But it will show somebody did try to trick you." Felix answered.
"Fine, just give it to him," Disappointment stained Lucas' voice, threatening to boil into outrage at the situation.
The Prefect pocketed the letter. He moved to close and lock the door leading into the room. He turned around to face Lucas again "You better get cleaned up before your next lesson starts, or the professors will take even more House points from you. I'll walk you back to our common room."
The two Slytherins headed back to the dungeons. Taking the same path that Lucas had used to get up here.
"So what is it with you and Merula anyway?" Felix asked as they passed the statue of the knight.
"She's just threatened by me for being better at magic than her. And because I stood up to her when we first met," Lucas ranted. Airing out four days of anger that had built up in him. Not even a week had passed and Merula had already troubled him twice.
Felix shook his head "I'm not sure I've ever seen first-years at it like the two of you. Good thing I was here to save you."
"How did you find me anyway?" Lucas asked "Were you looking for me?"
"I was just walking down the hallway actually - Prefect's duty you see! Have to keep an eye out for first-years who might get lost," Felix explained, hastily adding on the last part before breaking eye contact with Lucas who stared at him with narrowed-in eyes.
Students turned their heads as Blackburn walked past them. Looking at him with amusement, shock, or bewilderment when they saw the state he was in. Their reactions only made Lucas more thankful for Felix's presence, deterring the older students from bothering him. And further deepened Blackburn's hatred of Merula and his need to get back at her.
Standing at the entrance to the Slytherin common room. Felix turned to face Lucas.
"Listen. I know you are tempted right now to get even with Merula. But while I can't condone infighting between Slytherins. I am willing to help teach you some tricks to defend yourself should anyone try to give you trouble again."
Lucas' gaze lowered in contemplation of the offer. It was tempting to take it, to accept the aid of someone stronger. But then he thought of Jacob. His brother had always been strong, always able to face any challenge on his own. His sight returned to meet Felix's.
"I appreciate it, Rosier, but I can handle Merula on my own."
The Prefect studied him with contemplation, giving him a slight nod "Alright, but the offer still stands."
They parted ways. Leaving Lucas to continue his day. He looked down at his clothes once more. He already struggled with what to write for his first letter back home. Now he had to explain why one of his robes were in need of replacement. But that was not his most immediate concern.
No.
That was getting payback on Merula.
