CHAPTER 6: Early Struggles
"Come on, Ben, you can do it!" Rowan cheered. Next to him stood Lucas, silently observing the Gryffindor student attempting to successfully fly with his broom for the tenth time that day. Forth the tenth time the young Muggleborn rose to the sky...and subsequently crashed to the ground.
"I think I hit the ground worse than usual," Ben groaned as he clutched a bruised knee "Was I closer this time to doing it right?"
Lucas and Rowan glanced at each other, neither of them saying anything. They had spent all of Saturday so far training Ben in a secluded area of the Castle grounds. Having borrowed a broom from the shed after lunch. They were, unfortunately, no closer to having Ben conquer his fear of flying. Their sight returned to Copper.
"Closer this time," Lucas reached down for the broom "Here. Let me show you again."
Ben and Rowan stepped away to give Lucas space to maneuver. Lucas looked at Copper "See how I do it."
Blackburn proceeded to make an effortless take-off, flying a couple of feet and landing again, just as Hooch had shown them in their flying lesson. He dismounted the broom.
"When you've taken off, make sure to grip the broom tightly - like I did - and lean forward," Lucas explained as he handed the broom back to the Gryffindor student. Ben, however, did not take it.
"What's the point?" Ben brushed the item away "I've been at it for hours now and I am no closer to flying than before."
Blackburn shrugged his shoulders "We just have to keep working at it." Ben shot Lucas a heavy glare. Blackburn withdrew the broom.
"Lucas is right," Rowan added "If you continue practicing. Eventually, you will get it right."
"If I don't break all my bones first," Copper paused, letting out a sigh "I haven't made any real progress since our first flying lesson."
"It's perfectly normal for Muggleborns to take longer in learning how to fly," Rowan pointed out. Ben shook his head at Khanna's words.
"This has nothing to do with me being Muggleborn," Copper's vision sunk to the ground for a moment "Fletcher is also Muggleborn, and she flies as good as you, Rowan."
Ben's eyes steadily rose up to meet the two Slytherin students. The lines of his face sagged in resignation "I'm just too much of a coward to fly."
"You just need to try again. Sooner or later, it won't feel so scary," Lucas cautiously responded. His eyes wandered off for a moment as he paused, trying to think of something good to add. He looked back at Copper "It's not that different from learning how to ride a bicycle really."
Rowan nodded at Lucas' words "Exactly!" Copper's brow creased in response.
"Have you ever actually ridden a bike before, Rowan?" Ben asked.
Rowan looked down and away "No…" He scratched the back of his neck "But I've read about them!"
Both Lucas and Ben were surprised at this information, though Lucas only mildly so. Truth was that his lack of friends before starting at Hogwarts meant he did not see much of how other children of wizardkind grew up, especially someone like Rowan who lived in a remote area. Ben, however, was completely taken back by it, staring at Khanna with wide-open eyes "Wait? You never actually used a bike before?"
Rowan frowned "No? What's so surprising about that?"
"Riding a bike is something all Muggle children learn, Rowan," Lucas interjected. Rowan turned to face him.
"I know that!" Khanna objected "But I grew up on a tree farm. Why would I need to learn how to ride a bicycle?"
"Plenty of children growing up on farms learn to use a bike," Ben pointed out.
"Because they're Muggles!" Rowan's eyes narrowed in on Ben "If my family ever needed to go anywhere we would fly, apparate or use the floo network."
"With a bike, you could go wherever you wanted to go and not rely on your parents," Ben countered.
"Never wanted to go anywhere else," Rowan spoke "Much better to stay home and read books!"
Ben raised a single eyebrow in response before turning his head to face Blackburn "And you? Did you learn how to ride a bike?"
"I grew up in Maidstone amongst Muggles," Lucas answered "Of course I learned how to use a bike." Ben gave a slight nod at his words.
All three wizards went quiet afterward. Unsure of what to say after their strange little debate. Lucas gazed upwards to the sky.
"Let's stop for today," Blackburn turned his sight back to his two friends "We can continue tomorrow."
Both boys agreed to his suggestion. The three of them returned the broom to its shed before marching back to the castle, talking on their way back.
"Are you still practicing to fight Merula?" Khanna asked Lucas. Silence brewing between the three of them as Rowan and Ben waited for Lucas' answer with bated breath.
Three weeks had gone by since Lucas' encounter with the Devil's Snare. Merula had in the time since continued her bullying of the other first-years. One week she had stuffed a cauldron over the head of Chiara Lobosca before locking her in a small closet lining one of the school's hallways, ensuring Chiara would be late for Potions. Another week she had jinxed Skye Parkin, forcing her to only walk backward. Resulting in Skye falling down a set of stairs and having to visit the hospital wing. The only silver lining to all of this had been that Merula had spent less time focusing on Blackburn.
"I have," Lucas said "I've been practicing the Knockback Jinx a lot recently."
Whenever he was not busy doing homework or helping Ben, Blackburn had spent all his time preparing to get back at Merula. Staying in the library on his own trying to cast various dueling spells he found in their school books.
"You can cast the Knockback Jinx now?" Rowan asked excitedly.
"No, but I am getting there," Lucas answered "I've managed to cast it once, but I've struggled to cast it again." Frustration tinged Blackburn's voice. Learning Jinxes was something their Defence Against the Dark Arts teacher was supposed to instruct them on. Had Professor Moldbug actually done his job, Lucas was certain he would have mastered it by now.
"Do you really think you can defeat Merula, Lucas?" Ben asked worriedly "I've heard she already knows over a hundred curses."
Blackburn audibly scoffed at the idea "I don't believe it. I bet it's all talk. I'm still ahead of her in Transfiguration, and you've both seen I'm the best in Charms. And if we got the chance, I'm certain I would beat her in Defence Against the Dark Arts as well."
"I hope you're right, Lucas," Ben declared, his voice glum "If you can't defeat Merula. I'm not sure anyone can."
They were close to the castle by now. Walking the remaining distance in silence. Lucas pondered on what had just been said. Merula had almost every first-year terrified of her, but not him. Snyde may have tricked him twice, but in a proper wizarding duel, Lucas was certain he would show everyone Merula's claim of being the most powerful witch as nothing more than an empty boast.
Passing through the castle entrance. The three students stopped.
"Me and Lucas are going for a game of Gobstone," Rowan pointed at Blackburn while looking at Copper "Want to join us, Ben?"
"Unfortunately not," Ben shook his head "I really need to get started on the Charms essay we have for Monday. But you two have fun!"
Lucas and Rowan said their farewell to the Gryffindor wizard before parting ways. The two Slytherins headed out to find a place for them to play Gobstone. They decided on a secluded corner of the open-area in the eastern wing, away from the other students. September was coming to an end, taking with it what little warmth remained. Students, determined to enjoy what good weather there was, would spend days such as this outside. Lucas and Rowan were no exceptions.
Finding a good spot. The wizards settled in.
"Ready for your streak of victories to meet its end?" Rowan spoke gleefully as he rummaged through his bag searching for the two Gobstone sets they brought with them. Lucas had won the last three of the games between them. Despite Rowan's love for the game and having played it often back home, Khanna was not that great of a player if Blackburn had to be honest.
Lucas accepted one of the Gobstone sets Rowan handed him "You've been practicing?"
"I've had a few matches with Ben behind your back," Khanna answered as they began to set up the game.
"Really?" Lucas asked "I'm surprised you've managed to get him to play after his first game. Remember how he reacted to getting sprayed in the beginning?" It had been two weeks since Lucas and Rowan introduced Ben to Gobstone. Convincing him to try out a game against Lucas. The Muggleborn student had enjoyed it until the moment he got sprayed by one of the enchanted marbles. Despite being warned of it, the sheer shock of the experience made Ben launch up into the sky in surprise.
The two students laughed at the memory and they started playing.
Gobstone was much like the Muggle game Marbles. Both boys were sitting down and between them was a small circle three feet in diameter. Inside the circle were thirty small balls made of stone, one half belonging to each player. One would then take turns to shoot a larger stone (known as a 'Taw') into the circle and knock out the other player's stones. The first to take out seven of their opponent's stones would win the game. The difference between the two games was that in Gobstone, when a player knocked out a stone, it would squirt out a foul-smelling liquid into the opponent's face.
Given his previous three defeats, Rowan went first. Making his opening shot, the British-Indian student started off strong. His Taw knocking out one of Blackburn's Gobstone while nudging another of Lucas' behind one of his, blocking it.
"Nice one, Rowan," Lucas said, unable to mask his surprise at the move after getting sprayed. Rowan merely looked up to meet Blackburn's sight with a smirk on his face.
It was Lucas' turn now. Surveying the circle, he searched for the best area to hit. Rowan's initial move had spoiled his first choice of approach. Denying him the chance of knocking out two stones at once. Finding a new target, Lucas made his throw and scored his first point.
Their back and forth continued. Each scoring points while trying to deny the other opportunities to do the same. By their fourth round they were still neck-and-neck with each other. Rowan had improved, that much was clear. Blackburn knew he needed more than just his Gobstone skills if he were to secure victory.
Rowan was in deep concentration as he was taking aim. Lucas knew what his friend was going for. Blackburn had made a mistake that left him vulnerable to being blocked once more.
"I think Professor Snape is heading towards us," Lucas spoke out. Pointing a finger in Rowan's direction. Breaking Khanna's focus as he turned to see if their Head-of-House really was approaching them.
"I don't see him..." Rowan spoke out, his voice puzzled. Only after Lucas let out a snicker did Khanna realize the trick. He turned back to face Blackburn with an expression that signalled awareness of what Lucas had done.
"I can't believe you fell for that!" Lucas admitted before both of them openly laughed at the ruse he just pulled.
"Alright," Rowan resumed aiming "But I know your tricks now. They won't work on me anymore."
"What did you think of the Charms essay we had to write?" Lucas asked pointedly. His question made Rowan turn his eyes up again, gleaming with excitement.
"It was great! I learned so much researching for it," Rowan explained "It's so fascinating just how much Transfiguration and Charms differ."
Lucas nodded before asking another question to distract his friend "How did you conclude your essay, anyway?"
Rowan began to spend minutes detailing what he had written and how he debated with himself whether or not to include a deeper explanation of the Transfiguration alphabet when answering the final question of what the key differences between Transfiguration and Charms were.
"... In the end I decided against it due to my essay already being twelve pages long. But hopefully, Professor Flitwick will still consider my answer sufficient," Khanna's voice tapered off at the end of his thrilled commentary and his gaze rested on Lucas who responded with a polite smile. Khanna's eyes widened in realization.
"Sorry! I get so excited talking about the essay," Rowan began to take aim "I'll take my shot now."
Khanna immediately made his attempt. But in the rush to get the game moving, his shot failed to knock out any of Blackburn's Gobstones.
"Tatti!" Rowan cursed out loudly at his misfortune while Lucas laughed.
The game continued. But with Rowan failing to score any points in his previous round, Blackburn was comfortably able to take the lead and win the match.
"Nice game, Lucas," Rowan said after their first bout ended "I still have ways to go it seems."
"It was a close game," Blackburn admitted "Care for another match?"
Rowan agreed, eager for another chance to best Lucas. His mood no worse for wear despite his defeat.
"I'm glad you're here by the way, Lucas," Rowan said as the two of them prepared another game of Gobstone "I'm glad we're friends."
"Me too," Lucas responded with a warm smile "It's nice to finally have a friend to talk to."
"And it's nice to have someone to help me adjust to things here," Rowan added "This first month has been difficult."
"Between Merula, Amadeus and Colton. It certainly has had its challenges," Lucas said.
"It's not just that," Khanna responded "I've been so worried about failing in class."
Both wizards ceased their fidgeting of the game pieces. Turning their attention squarely to each other.
"Rowan, you're the most knowledgeable wizard in our year. How could you be worried about failing studies?" Lucas asked.
"I've told you how I've never been good at helping out back home at the tree farm. Spending all my time reading instead," Rowan picked up one of the stone globes, toying with it in his hand. His eyes shied away from Blackburn "If I failed here - what would my parents think?"
The words made Lucas pause. He thought back to his own parents and grandparents and what they were thinking of him. Probably happy and content believing that he was doing alright. Blackburn had written letters back to his family at the end of his first week of school as originally planned. His message had been short and succinct, telling only how busy he was and that he was doing fine. He had lied, not wanting to reveal the truth of what had happened between him and Merula, and how the rest of the school shunned him. To not burden his parents further with worry.
Khanna ceased playing with the Gobstone "It goes beyond that. When I grow up, I want to become the youngest professor at Hogwarts. So I must do well already now."
"You shouldn't worry so much, Rowan," Lucas calmly answered "You've only gotten great results on all the essays we've written so far. Do you really think this is going to go any different?"
Rowan let out a deep sigh as he leaned back and looked upwards towards the sky "Yes," Bespectacled eyes lowered to meet Lucas "Maybe I do worry too much about it."
"It's perfectly fine to think about these things," Blackburn explained "but you need to take it easy too."
Rowan held up the magical globe with a smile on his face "Like with another round of Gobstones?"
Blackburn gave a weak grin "Something like that."
They proceeded to set up another game. This time Lucas was allowed to go first. Opening his first round with his Taw knocking out two Gobstones. Rowan let out a large yelp as he was sprayed twice simultaneously. Provoking a hard laugh from both of them.
"How did you get so good at Gobstone anyway?" Rowan managed to ask in between his fits of laughter. Lucas, however, could only answer after spending several moments getting his laugh under control.
"My brother and I played alot of Gobstone every summer," Lucas answered after wiping away tears of mirth. His cheer rapidly evaporated as memories resurfaced. His features turned downcast and his vision fell to the ground.
"I'm sorry," Rowan's brows furrowed "I shouldn't have asked."
Lucas shook his head "No," He said, still staring down at the ground "It's alright."
"You haven't really discussed your brother's disappearance since we first met in Diagon Alley," Rowan cautiously leaned forward "Do you want to talk about it?"
Blackburn gave a slight nod "You already know most of the story from the Daily Prophet," Lucas looked up to meet Rowan's gaze and continued.
"My brother became obsessed with the idea that there were Cursed Vaults containing mysterious treasures hidden at Hogwarts. But we never knew that until he had been expelled. Jacob had always been a model student, It was only in his fifth year when he began to neglect his duties and break the rules. And it was not until his sixth year when my parents started receiving letters from the professors and headmaster informing us of his activities. Jacob had ignored his studies and had even quit his position on the Slytherin Quidditch team - all sacrificed so he could focus entirely on the Cursed Vaults."
Lucas paused and swallowed, trying to keep himself in check as he recounted the tale. A hundred different emotions stormed inside him. In all these months since his brother's disappearance, he had not truly talked to anyone about it. And to finally have a friend he could confide in, it was as if some tremendous burden had been lifted. Blackburn resumed his story.
"By the end, my brother had broken all kinds of rules, and had even put people in danger in his pursuit. Which is why Professor Dumbledore banished him."
"Did your brother ever mention anything to you?" Rowan asked, breaking his silence. Blackburn closed his eyes and leaned back as if to look towards the heavens.
Lucas thought back to the green fields outside of Cobham. Of the words his brother had spoken to him on the last day of August a year ago. He took a deep breath.
"No," Blackburn lied. Opening his eyes to meet his friend's gaze "He never told me anything at all."
Rowan merely nodded, saying nothing. Lucas proceeded again.
"After he was expelled last December, he was sent back on the same Hogwarts Express bringing students home for the Christmas Holidays. But by the time the train arrived in London, Jacob was nowhere to be seen.
No one has ever seen him since he boarded that train. But there were rumours he came back here, searching for the vaults."
Silence stood between the two boys as Lucas drew near the end of his story.
"Some people say he unleashed curses on Hogwarts - some say he was cursed himself. By the end everyone thought him mad. Sometimes I wonder if he really were those things," Lucas paused for a moment, his gaze faltered and his mind returned to the warning Ollivander had given him "Sometimes I wonder if I am mad and cursed too..."
For a moment Rowan's mouth and eyebrows curved downwards in reaction to his friend's words "I don't think you're mad, Lucas. I think you're brilliant, and I'm glad you're my friend."
Lucas' eyes rose to meet his companion. Across Rowan sat, crinkles appearing near his eyes as his mouth curved upwards in an earnest smile to comfort his friend.
To their side, however, a spiteful laughter revealed itself. A laughter Lucas had grown to hate.
"Oh my, oh my…" Merula stepped out from a corner which she had hidden behind. The witch began a series of slow, quiet claps before placing a single hand on her heart in an overly exaggerated manner "Isn't this just precious?"
The two boys immediately lifted themselves up from the ground to face Snyde.
"Merula," Lucas spat out as Snyde walked up to him "Did you spy on us?"
The witch smirked at him "It wasn't my intention, I assure you, Blackburn. But how could I not stop and listen to such a sad little story?"
Blackburn's jaw tensed. Already he could feel anger rising in him "Why don't you just leave me alone?"
Merula chortled at his demand "Because you're a danger to Hogwarts just like your brother, and none of us will be safe until you're gone."
Rowan cast a nervous glance at Lucas, who took a single step closer, his fists clenched "You don't know anything about me or Jacob!"
"Oh, but that's where you're wrong, Blackburn," The sorcerer crossed her arms "You see. For the past two weeks I've been doing a little research about your brother."
A devious glint could be found in Merula's amethyst eyes as she finished speaking. Khanna's brows furrowed and he readjusted his glasses "Wh-what are you talking about, Merula?"
Snyde turned to look at Rowan "Oh, you haven't heard?" she said in mock horror "Blackburn's brother didn't just get expelled for endangering the entire school in search of some imaginary vaults. He immediately went missing, and the next time he was seen, he was working for The Dark Lord."
The witch had looked back at Lucas as she spoke the last words. Rowan flinched and gasped, stumbling backwards. Lucas, meanwhile, had immediately slammed Merula up against the nearest wall in rage.
"LIAR!" Lucas cried out, his face red hot from fury. Unable to tolerate her falsehoods any longer, a dark part of him screamed to wrap his hands around her throat and choke the life out of her.
Merula, however, did not even wince, let alone show any hint of fear from his sudden attack. Instead, she did something unexpected.
She laughed.
Incensed by her reaction, Lucas grabbed the witch and threw her on the ground. Rowan's mouth gaped open seeing his friend's behavior, though he remained frozen in place. Merula, meanwhile, still laughed, amused by Lucas' actions.
Stunned by her behaviour, Blackburn relented and backed away. The witch picked herself up, studying the boy as she rose. Lucas' nostrils were flared and the lines of his face tensed in anger. The corners of Merula's lips pushed themselves up into an insidious smirk as she looked Lucas directly in the eyes.
"No wonder the professors were talking about you during the feast. They think you might be working for Lord Voldemort too…"
Another gasp emerged from Rowan "Y-You can't say that! You have to call him He Who Must Not Be Named!
"I can say whatever I want," Merula sneered at Khanna before turning her focus back to Lucas. Blackburn clenched his fists a second time.
"Just leave me alone, Merula," Lucas growled "Just walk away."
"Walk away? No, I don't think so, Blackburn," Snyde taunted "I think you should just drop out of Hogwarts. Save Slytherin and your little friend here the embarrassment of being associated with you."
Lucas scowled at her "You know what, Merula? For all your talk, I think you're just afraid that I am better than you."
The air around the two immediately changed upon Lucas' words. Rowan instinctively moved clear of the two spellcasters. The tension between them palpable.
"Afraid?" Merula's eyes narrowed in on Blackburn "I'll duel you right now."
Lucas reached for his wand, but it was already too late. Merula had drawn her wand far quicker than he anticipated or could accomplish. He had only aimed his wand at his opponent when Merula was already moving her wand in a check mark-like pattern.
"Flipendo!"
A loud thump followed the witch's incantation and Lucas felt himself knocked down as if struck with some great mallet square in the chest; dropping his wand in the process.
"Lucas!" Rowan cried out. The British-Indian stepped forward to intervene, but Merula had already aimed her wand at him before he could take action.
"Stop right there, Four-eyes," Merula warned "Or I'll turn you into a newt!"
Lucas, meanwhile, had taken advantage of Merula's divided attention to rearm himself. Still down on the ground, the wizard scrambled towards his wand in a crawl. As Khanna backed down from Merula's threat, Lucas was within reach of the artifact. But as the wizard's fingers closed in around the wand's grip, Merula was already aware of his effort.
"Flipendo!" Snyde roared. Another bang bellowed throughout as she casted the spell. Lucas had barely turned to face her before he was hit in the head by the Knockback Jinx. Merula had put all her power into her incantation of the jinx, striking Lucas with such force that he felt as if he had been smashed with a bludger's bat. Knocked prone a second time, Lucas hit the back of his head against the ground and blacked out.
By the time Lucas regained consciousness he was met by two violet eyes staring down at him.
"Pathetic," Merula coldly stated. A contemptuous sneer clear on her face "Try to actually cast a spell. Maybe next time you'll put up a fight."
Dazed and motionless, Lucas could only watch as the girl departed. Leaving only the two defeated wizards behind.
"Lucas…" Rowan's voice quivered the moment Merula was out of sight. Having been too terrified to do anything while she was present "Are you okay?"
Still laying on the ground. Blackburn shook his head as he stared vacantly up towards the sky, trying to hold back tears of pain. His ears were ringing, everything was hurting.
Rowan bowed down to help get him up "Come on, Lucas, we need to get you to Madam Pomfrey."
Lucas only answered with a grunt of agony as he labored to get up. Back on his feet, the two of them began the arduous journey of getting him to the infirmary.
And as Lucas staggered back to the castle. A dread realization dawned upon him.
That Merula Snyde might, in fact, be the most powerful witch at Hogwarts.
AN: As before I had fun writing scenes with Merula in them. I just hope I once again captured her personality well. As always I hope you guys enjoy the chapter. I will also be glad for people to leave a comment. It helps motivate me as a writer when I see people engaged and leaving feedback.
