As the two Ravenclaws enter their common room, Chester approaches them. "You two, meet me on the Training Grounds." he said.
"What's going on?" Lucien asked as he and Rowan were both confused.
"Just meet me there, alright?" Chester started to walk past them and out of the common room.
They both looked at each other for a second before getting confused. "Okay…?" They both said at the exact same time before heading out of the common room.
Once they arrive at the training grounds, Lucien doesn't see Chester anywhere. "Why do you think our Prefect wants to meet us on the Training Grounds?" Rowan asked, still confused as Lucien sighed.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Merula somehow got us kicked out of Ravenclaw…" He looked down trying to forget about what she said about his brother which Rowan noticed before being concerned.
"Do you want to talk about what she said about your brother?" Rowan asked, hoping he needed to get something off his chest. "
You already know most of the story from the Daily Prophet…" Lucien answered. "My brother was obsessed with the idea that there were Cursed Vaults containing mysterious treasures hidden at Hogwarts," he then looks up at Rowan. "No one believed him...Not even our mum."
He could remember that moment after his brother disappeared so vividly. "He broke all kinds of rules, and put people in danger while trying to prove he was right." He closed his eyes as he took a deep breath before continuing. "Some people say he unleashed curses on Hogwarts. Some say he was cursed himself...Everyone thought he was mad."
Lucien then opens his eyes once more trying not to get emotional in front of Rowan. "Merula was lying about him being involved with Voldemort, but she was right about him being missing." He realized he said the Dark Lord's name but he did not care right now. "After he got expelled, he ran away from home and hasn't been seen since. There were rumours he came back here, searching for the vaults." He had a sad smile on his face remembering the moment Jacob ran away that left him and his mother distraught. "Sometimes I wonder if he really was mad...Sometimes I wonder if I am too." Lucien finishes as he could no longer deny being compared to his brother.
Rowan hearing all this from him, he smiled. "I don't think you're mad, Lucien." Rowan said as he was reassuring his yellow eyed friend. "I think you're brilliant, and I'm glad you're my friend."
Hearing Rowan saying that made Lucien smile too. "Thanks, Rowan," he replied before his smile fades again. "Merula will keep attacking us until we do something to stop her. How can we defend ourselves?"
Just then the two turned around to see Chester approaching them. "That's exactly why I invited you here, Lucien." Chester said as he turned his attention to Lucien.
"You know about what happened with Merula?" Lucien asked, once again confused.
"Word travels fast at Hogwarts." Chester answered, Lucien taking a mental note for the future. "I wouldn't be doing my job as your Prefect if I didn't help teach you how to defend yourself." Chester then smiles at the both of them. "That's why I'm going to teach you two how to duel."
Lucien then tilts his head before speaking. "But we don't know any dueling spells…"
"Ravenclaw keeps a secret duelling book hidden in the Artefact Room," Chester explained to them both. "It will teach you various spells, potions, and techniques." Lucien and Rowan's eyes both lit up at the exact same moment. "Meet me again after you've learned a dueling spell, and I'll teach you everything else you need to know."
Rowan turns his attention towards Lucien. "Well what are we waiting for?!" Rowan shouted as he started running to the castle. "Let's go find that book!"
Lucien then follows him. "Wait for me!" He exclaimed as both Ravenclaws headed to the Artefact Room.
Entering the Artefact room, they were in awe of how there were so many things inside the room. "They say untold treasures lie within the Artefact Room," Rowan said while he kept looking around the entire room.
"Along with untold odours…" Lucien remarked as he covered his nose. "Let's hurry up and find that duelling book…"
Rowan nodded as Lucien uncovered his nose. "I'll fight the urge to catalogue every single amazing thing in this room." Rowan said. "I'll probably fail, but at least I'm good at multitasking."
The two Ravenclaws began to search inside the Artefact room. Lucien moves objects aside to find the book while Rowan opens every single cupboard while he talks about each object he comes across as he searches for the book as well as moments passed as the two Ravenclaws continue searching.
"Lucien…" A voice called out to him.
"What?" Lucien said as he turned his attention to Rowan.
"What, what?" Rowan asked.
"You said my name." Lucien answered.
"No, I didn't," he replied as he became confused.
"I heard a voice…" Lucien does not know if Rowan was trying to scare him or what.
"It wasn't me…" Rowan replies again while Lucien rubs the back of his own head.
Lucien shook his head. "Maybe it must have been my imagination...Let's just find the book."
Rowan, still confused, shrugs it off as they both continue searching.
After another moment has passed by, Lucien moves a few more objects around until he has found the book. "I found the book!" He exclaimed, his voice was full of excitement
"Brilliant!" Rowan replied with a grin as he stopped searching. "Now we can learn a duelling spell, so our Prefect can train us to stand up to Merula."
Lucien nodded before his vision flashed as he could see smoke, causing him to scream while startling Rowan.
The smoke somewhat fades as Lucien could barely see what he was seeing. He could see a walking suit of armor and a staircase. He also sees Ice encasing Hogwarts.
"The ice is here…" The voice said, echoing in his mind. "The vault will open."
Suddenly the vision fades as he could see that he was in the artifact room once again. "Lucien! Are you alright?!" Rowan said as he was worried while he was shaking his shoulders
Lucien was at a loss for words. He could not believe what he saw. "I-I saw something...In my mind..." He then remembers the three things he saw in his mind. "A walking suit of armor, a staircase shrouded in mist. Ice encasing Hogwarts, spreading faster and faster…"
Rowan was confused again and asked him. "Ice?".
"And I heard the voice again!" Lucien exclaimed. "It said, 'The ice is here. The vault will open.'"
Rowan looks at him as if he was seeing a ghost. "I still don't think you're mad, but I wonder if your brother saw these same visions…" Rowan then notices Lucien beginning to yawn.
Lucien rubbed his eyes as he was starting to feel sluggish. "Let's just get back to the Ravenclaw Common Room, and get some sleep…We both had a long and stressful day…" Rowan nods in agreement before heading back to the common room with the dueling book.
"You get some rest while I read through this dueling book." Rowan said entering the common room with Lucien. "We'll catch up later."
Lucien yawns again as he heads down to his dormitory. "Before I head to bed, I want to at least play something to end the day off…" Lucien muttered while grabbing his father's guitar and softly played a relaxing melody. He could hear his father singing in his head leading him to a smile.
After a couple of minutes from playing, he soon stops before letting out another yawn once more before setting his guitar down and lays on his bed. "I hope Rowan finds something interesting in that book tomorrow..."
The next day, Lucien walked out of the common room down to the Grand hall, he could still remember the voice along with the images that flashed into his mind as clear as day. Making his way into the halls, he immediately spots Rowan sitting down and eating breakfast. Sitting down at the same table in front of his friend, Lucien gives him a smile before speaking. "Good morning, Rowan.".
"Good morning, Lucien," Rowan replied, setting down his breakfast sandwich, eyes gazing up at the white haired wizard with concern. "How are you? Have you had any more visions since we left the Artifact Room?"
Lucien eats part of the sandwich he picked up before setting it down on the plate.
"No. I would tell someone, but with Merula going on about my brother, people already think I'm mad," Lucien responded as he lets out a sigh of pure melancholy. Even his eyes look helpless.
"I know you're the one who deserves to be upset, but these visions have rattled me," Rowan understood what he is going through at the moment. It did not take long for him to come up with a suggestion. "Do you mind if we catch our breath for a bit?"
"Sure, Rowan. That's probably a good idea for us both." Lucien nodded .
Rowan took another bite of his breakfast before speaking again. "Your vision really has me worried, Lucien...Have you had visions before?"
"I've heard voices before…" Lucien answered, as he could still hear his mother's voice inside his head.
"Visions can be dangerous…" Rowan shuddered
"That's why I need your help." Lucien reassures Rowan, he could see he was starting to feel better. Rowan was still feeling unsure if he should help him.
"Thanks for making me feel better, Lucien. I'm just worried about you…"
"I'm sure you'll feel better after I answered all of your questions…"
"But how can I help?" Rowan asked, he was willing to do anything for his friend in need.
"That's easy!" Lucien gave Rowan a big grin. "With knowledge and friendship!"
He could see Rowan smiling back as they both took a bite of their food. "I'm feeling a lot better now, Lucien. There are just a couple things that are still worrying me." Rowan said, talking with food in his mouth.
"I'll answer all of your questions, Rowan. You'll see there's no reason to worry."
"Do you think it was a warning?" Rowan asked as his worried eyes shifted into intrigue.
"Or a clue. Maybe both…"
Both now setting down their food on their plates "You have to be careful…" Rowan said as he really wanted to make sure Lucien would be safe.
"Okay we'll watch out for each other." Lucien suggests.
Moments passed by as Rowan continued asking questions before they both came to a conclusion. "Thanks, Lucien. We'll work out what your vision means together." Rowan declared, both now finished their breakfast.
"I feel better about my visions, but I'm still anxious about this duel…" Lucien said, now getting back onto the main topic.
"Thankfully, the duelling book we found details everything you need." Rowan then pulls out the duelling book as Lucien's once defeated eyes were shining with hope again.
"That's great, Rowan! What did you find?" He asked as he could feel his luck turning around for this moment.
"So many things! What do you want this new spell to do?" Rowan was curious about what he picked. Lucien thinks for a moment before deciding what his desired spell wants to do. Every spell has many uses, but does it have to be just one? He then recalls all the events that Merula did to him. He remembered she blew up his cauldron and got blamed by Snape for it, costing ten House Points. She also tricked him into thinking Snape wrote a letter that promised to regain the House Points Ravenclaw had lost, eventually that led him getting locked in what he and Rowan thought was a potion's storage with the Devil's Snare. He them remembers she made up a lie to Rowan about his older brother, Jacob working with the Dark Lord himself before getting hit by a spell that she casted on him. Deep down, he wanted to use a spell that would hurt her, but at that same moment he could once again hear his mother's words.
'Don't hurt any one of your classmates at Hogwarts...' Her voice echoed inside Lucien's head. He really wanted to make his mother proud ever since she passed away in front of his eyes. He felt like it was the only way to make her spirit happy. He hated it. But he needed to make a decision.
"Merula has tried to ruin my reputation since the second I got to Hogwarts. I want to do the same to her..." For some reason he felt pretty good about his decision. It was an eye for an eye he thought. Rowan adjusting his glasses, he nodded at his decision.
"Hmm...I'll keep reading until I find the perfect spell." Rowan replied. "I can teach it to you in the Ravenclaw Common Room. But here's the most amazing piece of information in the book…" Lucien now curious, leaned forward in his seat. "Professor Flitwick is a champion dueller! You should ask him to give you some tips, or even teach you a cool duelling spell."
Lucien pondered this for a moment. Learning a second spell would come in handy as well in case the first spell does not go well as planned. "Thanks so much, Rowan. I'll learn all of this as fast as I can before Merula has the chance to bully anyone else." Getting up, Rowan waves his goodbyes as he did the same before running out of the Grand hall.
Time has already passed by as Lucien walks all around Hogwarts, asking every student if they have seen the Charms Professor anywhere. Almost most of them do not know where he is until he asks his Prefect, Chester, who tells him that usually every morning, Flitwick goes to the Clocktower Courtyard to practice charms. Lucien now knowing the Professor's location he immediately heads to the Courtyard.
In the Courtyard he sees the Charms Professor practicing charms just like his Prefect said. He then approaches him. "Excuse me, Professor Flitwick. I have a question for you." he said as the Professor turns around to see his student.
"What can I do for you, Mr Crow?"
"Professor, is it true that you were a dueling champion before you taught at Hogwarts?"
Flitwick answered with both a smile and a nod. "It's true. I can Stupefy and Protego with the best of them. I have a shelf full of trophies to boot." Seeing how phenomenal Flitwick was, Lucien then asks him his question.
"Do you think you can teach me some of what you know?" His question made Flitwick's smile fade into a slightly serious expression.
"The Hogwarts curriculum includes lesions on many defensive spells, Mr Crow." Flitwick replied while even his tone in voice was serious.
"I...Need some advanced instruction, Professor," Lucien pleaded to the Charms Professor.
Flitwick started to stroke his own chin, staring up at his student while he could see the hint of distress in Lucien's eyes which made him curious. "Hmm. Tell me...Why do you want to duel?"
"I've been attacked before…I want to be able to defend myself." Lucien answered honestly.
"That's understandable, but duelling should always be your last resort." Flitwick's expression remained unchanged which Lucien got on his knees, his yellow eyes keeping contact with Flitwick's.
"Please teach me, Professor. I won't let you down." Lucien pleaded once again while Flitwick remained quiet as if he was pondering about something. "Please. I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important."
With a sigh coming out of Flitwick he strokes his chin once more. "I was afraid things might be difficult for you here at Hogwarts given your brother's reputation." Flitwick stops stroking his chin, looking at his student in his eyes once more. " I may be able to teach you something that served me well on the way to becoming a duelling champion. I will teach you one spell. The dueller's most essential spell. Expelliarmus. It is intended to disarm your opponent without causing them injury..."
Lucien has heard of that spell from his mother before as he was studying for Hogwarts so he could be prepared, yet sadly she never got the chance to teach him. He always thought that spell was a cheap shot anyway, since it can disarm someone's wand out of their hands and they would immediately lose. But then again it was useful to him nonetheless. "Now, Mr Crow. I want you to pay close attention and repeat my movements." Flitwick added as he took out his wand while Lucien does the same.
As moments passed while Lucien was training under Flitwick. He gives him lectures on the spell and even helps him with his stance. He also even added in a few jokes just to help lighten up. The professor could see he was progressing faster than he could never have expected. "Good, you have the hang of it. Now lets see you cast the Disarming Charm on me." Flitwick said as he was intrigued to see the progress Lucien has made so far.
"On you?" He repeated as he was confused on what his professor meant.
"Now!" Professor Flitwick's voice raised which made Lucien jump. Taking out his wand as Flitwick was about to cast a spell "Stup-"
"Expelliarmus!" Lucien interrupts the Professor by casting the Disarming charm on him which makes Flitwick drop his wand.
"You've done it! You truly do have a gift for Charms." A smile came across his face as he was now impressed by Lucien's skill.
"Thank you so much, Professor Flitwick. This will be a huge help." Lucien could not help but smile as well as he had learned one of the two spells to help himself defend against Merula.
"You might also consider practising with Mr Copper. He's hesitant, but very skilled." Flitwick suggests.
"I will. I've always thought that Ben is better at Charms than he lets on." Lucien admitted before seeing Flitwick no longer smiling.
"Promise me that you will only duel if you have no other choice, Mr Crow," Flitwick's eyes were serious as Professor snape.
"I promise I'll only duel to defend myself, Professor."
"Good. I believe you have great promise, and I would hate to see you ruin it by breaking school rules," his eyes then relaxes a little. "Duelling is not allowed on school grounds without permission, Mr Crow. If you use this spell for anything except self-defence, I will be forced to recommend your expulsion." Flitwick then picks up his wand as he heads inside, walking away from Lucien who was now left alone in his thoughts.
"I don't want to disappoint Professor Flitwick, but if I don't duel Merula, she'll never stop bullying everyone…But Expelliarmus should be exactly what I need to win our duel…" He says to himself, wanting to keep his promise and does not want to hurt anyone at the same time, but there was something telling him to try and reason with Merula again, hoping that it would work. He remembered his mother telling him everyone can be a good person. A bully can be turned into a good friend. He hoped it to be true since she was never wrong before. After finishing his thinking he walks back to the Ravenclaw Common Room.
In the common room, Lucien felt better after walking through the halls to give himself some time to think until his next encounter with the Slytherin bully. Rowan immediately spots him and without a moment to spare he starts walking up to him. "Hey, Lucien! I found a spell in the duelling book that fits everything you said you wanted! Rowan said, his eyes were sparkling in excitement. The Tickling Charm, Rictusempra!" The spell was familiar to Lucien but he was oddly confused on why Rowan would choose this spell.
"The Tickling Charm? I said I wanted a spell that would embarrass Merula…" Lucien responded bluntly as he noticed a shift in Rowan's expression from excitement to straight-faced.
"Rolling around on the ground in a fit of uncontrollable laughter is very embarrassing, Lucien. Trust me, I know." Rowan's straight face remained the same as Lucien thought something like that might have happened to Rowan before.
"Well, since you put it like that…'' Lucien's words wander off for a moment, thinking hard about the Charm. Could he use the Charm against her? Would this along with the Disarming Charm be enough? All the questions came into his mind after he spoke once more. "...Alright, you did spend all day researching a spell for me. It wouldn't be fair if I didn't get a chance to use it."
Rowan's expression goes back to excitement as he took out his wand. "Alright! Let's get started shall we?" His tone was as cheerful as usual. Lucien nodded as he took out his wand as well, ready to learn the Tickling Charm.
"How did the spell go again?" Lucien asked as placed his attention on Rowan while he pointed his wand forward."
"I remember it going something like this…" Rowan started to explain to him. "Extend your arm a bit more when you cast." Lucien extended his arm like Rowan said along with adjusting his stance. "Good, stand like that." Rowan continues to explain and point out every single detail Lucien needed to know to cast Rictusempra. After thirty minutes of practising Lucien wanted to take a break. "No rest for the weary, Lucien." Rowan was working Lucien to the bone with this spell. Lucien thought that Rowan was like a more strict Professor Flitwick.
After an hour of practicing to cast the Tickling Charm, Lucien thought it was time for himself to cast it. "I think I've got the hang of it now!" Lucien said as he looked adamant about it which Rowan smiled and could not contain his excitement any longer.
"If you think you've learned the Tickling Charm, Lucien. Try it out." He suggested.
"On you?" Lucien asked as he was unsure if he should cast it on his friend.
"I might not be the strongest, but tree farmers are resilient folk. I will withstand your hilarious spell. Don't you think you should test the spell before duelling Merula?" Lucien thought for a moment. He just learned the spell and does not want to risk any failures from this spell. But what if it goes wrong and it hurts Rowan?
"I'd rather not test duelling spells on my friends…" Lucien said as he felt a little uneasy until he noticed Rowan's smile was still there on his face.
"That's what friends are for, Lucien. Hit me with your best shot!" Rowan then spreads his arms out, prepared for the spell.
"Brace yourself for intense tickling, I suppose?" Confused he gets into his stance. Taking a deep breath before shouting the incantation of the Tickling Charm. "Rictusempra!" He then casts the spell on Rowan who suddenly started laughing hard to his surprise.
"AH! HA-HA-HA! I-I can't stop laughing...PFFT!" Rowan struggles to speak through his laughter as he holds onto his stomach. "It hurts...HA-HA...S-SO...BAD...HA-HA…"
"I'm sorry, Rowan!" Lucien exclaimed as he was worried that the spell might have backfired on Rowan.
"Don't be...HA-HA...Sorry. It'll be worth it to see the...HA-HA...Look on Merula's face when you...HA-HA...Use it on her in a duel!"
After minutes of Rowan laughing, the spell fad and he manages to regain his composure. "Ah...Alright...I think it's time should head to potions class."
"Oh right...I completely forgot about that..." Lucien sighed.
"Don't worry, it will be fine. I'll keep an eye on Merula so she does not ruin your Wiggenweld potion." Rowan said which he confuses Lucien.
"Wiggenweld potion?" He asked.
"It's a spell that is useful for duelling." He answered before they headed out of the Common Room.
In the potions room, both Ravenclaw students entered as Rowan immediately took his seat. Merula smirked a little, noticing their arrival. "Welcome back to Potions, Crow. You have another opportunity to prove you're a failure." she remarked as Lucien ignored her, trying his best not to deal with her today.
"I'll keep an eye on Merula to make sure she doesn't mess with your potion again, Lucien," Rowan whispers into Lucien's ear as they both give each other a thumbs up before Lucien slowly and hesitantly walks up to Snape. Which he turned around to look at him.
"What do you want, Mr Crow?" Snape said as his monotone voice remained unchanged while his scowl seemed more visible than before which Lucien could feel like his soul was getting petrified from the inside.
He took a deep breath from his nose before asking him a question. "Is it true we're learning how to brew the Wiggenweld Potion today, Professor Snape? Lucien remembered Rowan telling him something about Wiggenweld that could be useful before his duel.
"It is. When you inevitably fail to brew it correctly, take responsibility this time instead of blaming Merula Snyde." Snape's expression remained unchanged which Lucien feared.
"I've heard that Wiggenweld Potion can be useful in duels…" He could feel like he is giving himself away from the way he said it.
Snape raises an eyebrow. "I sincerely hope you plan on breaking school rules by duelling, Crow. It will give me the excuse I need to finally be rid of you." Lucien could feel his own legs locking up. "Now take your seat, and shut your mouth."
Lucien quickly took his seat which he could slightly hear quiet snickering coming from Merula as Snape began his lecture. "Today you will learn to brew the Wiggenweld Potion. It is a powerful healing potion that can be used to heal injuries, or reverse the effects of a Sleeping Draught." Hearing this from Snape, Lucien understood why it was important for the duel. "Be especially careful with the Sloth Brain Mucus."
"Yeah, Crow. You don't have any brains to spare." Merula whispered as she had a smug look on her face. Rowan rolls his eyes as the two Ravenclaws started to begin brewing the potion.
An hour had passed from taking notes, collecting the right ingredients and brewing, along with keeping an eye on Merula from tampering with another potion. It was already finished. "Wow, Lucien! Your potion looks perfect," Rowan congratulates him as Snape walks over to the table.
"It appears to be passable," Snape said with his usual monotone. "Miss Snyde's concoction, however, is flawless."
"Thank you, Professor Snape," Merula said, having another smug look on her face. Lucien sighed as he looked at the Potions Professor.
"What can I do to get better at potions, Professor?" Looking at him in the eyes, as well as wanting advice from him so he can do better.
"Can you suddenly become someone who isn't entirely incompetent, Crow? That would be an excellent start." Hearing that from Snape, he shakes his head.
"No, but I'm hoping to become a little bit better by emulating your mastery, Professor Snape." Lucien's voice sounded very dejected. "I'll never match your skill and knowledge, but I'm hoping to at least become a middling student by copying a true Potions Master like you."
One of Snape's eyebrows raised up along with his scowl relaxing a bit as if he was a little touched by his words. "I appreciate your determination in spite of being a hopeless failure, Crow. Ten points to Ravenclaw." Lucien and Rowan both looked at Snape in surprise and confusion as he walked away from the table.
"Professor Snape Recognises perfection when he sees it. And everyone recognises that you're an embarrassment, Crow," Merula added, rolling her eyes as Lucien did not care about what she said right at the moment.
A few minutes passed as class was now dismissed. "I'm sorry, Lucien. Snape and Merula really do have it out for you." Rowan said while Lucien only looked straight forward.
"I'm not worried about Snape and Merula. All that matters is finding my brother and the Cursed Vaults…" He replied as they both left the Potions room.
"Let's go find Chester. He said he was going to meet us in the Courtyard." Rowan suggests as they both head for the Clocktower Courtyard.