Walking to the West Towers Lucien thought to himself. What will happen now? Will Snape give him another punishment or will he finally expel him from Hogwarts? He looks down as he sighs. "Maybe I really wasn't cut out for Hogwarts...What did my brother do to make him have a grudge against me?" He muttered as he reached the West Towers.

"Hello, Lucien Crow." A voice called out to him as he travelled the West Towers Corridor. Lucien raises his head to see a girl who was smiling at him. Long, golden blond hair, styled with two neatly braids that were reaching down her shoulders. Her blue eyes glistened with joy which suddenly made him feel better. This was Penny Haywood, the most popular first year in Hogwarts.

"You know who I am…?" He asked, confused on why someone like Penny would want to talk to him. Given his bad reputation in Hogwarts and since word travels fast around the castle.

"Does that surprise you?" She answered with a question of her out as her genuine smile never left her face.

"Yeah! I mean, YOU'RE Penny Haywood! You're the most popular girl in our year, and I'm...Not popular." Lucien replied as he wondered about her reasons for talking to him. Will she make fun of him? No it can not be since she is a Hufflepuff.

"I disagree, Luicen." Penny's voice sounded very genuine. "Everyone is talking about the hero who was brave enough to stand up to the tyranny of Merula Snyde. Not to mention all the rumors surrounding your brother…"

Lucien sighed, as he was starting to get sick of hearing what Jacob did in Hogwarts. "Did you need something?" Lucien bluntly asked as he got straight to the point, he somehow managed to restrain himself from snapping at her.

"I wanted to say thank you," Penny replied. "Hogwarts is supposed to be fun, but Merula was making it miserable for everyone. I especially appreciate how you used your wits to make Merula stop bullying Ben Copper."

"Someone had to do something," he could not help but feel himself blush due to the popular Hufflepuff girl praising him and agreeing with him. "But I tried giving her chances and I guess I just had enough."

"You sound a lot like a Hufflepuff." Penny giggles. "I agree though, but only you were brave enough. I hope Professor Snape doesn't punish you for your bravery. Let me know if I can ever help you with anything, Lucien." Her smile was just as genuine as his mother's. "I know the gossip around Hogwarts, and I am pretty good with potions if I say so myself."

"I will. Thanks, Penny," he smiled at her as well. It feels nice to have someone appreciate his efforts to help others.

"Thank you, Lucien. I'll see you around." They then both parted ways as he continued his walk to meet Professor Snape and to see what was in store for him. For some reason he felt a lot more relaxed since he talked to Penny. But that sense of relaxation faded as soon as he noticed Snape was standing near one of the paintings, patiently waiting for his arrival. Lucien notices Merula was beside him. Once she turned around to see Lucien she was immediately frozen by his presence for a moment before a smirk mixed with a smug and wickedness came across her face.

Not really caring, he just smiled back. "Now that Mr Crow is here, I can discuss your punishment," Snape said as Lucien could already feel like it was the end for him. "Expulsion seems to be the most logical option," he continued, which Lucien wanted to roll his eyes and call Snape out on his rubbish but he did not want to cause any more trouble.

"I had nothing to do with it, Professor. I only defended myself when this loser attacked me!" Merula said, she seemed quick enough to defend herself with an arsenal of lies. Lucien knew that it would not affect Snape, but knowing him at this point, he would probably get on his case and blame him for trying to do something right.

"Everyone saw you cast the first spell, Miss Snyde. This, however, does not excuse Crow's behavior," Snape resumed, focusing his attention back to him. "Since you arrived, you have fought in the corridor, made a mess of my classroom, and dueled on school grounds. This, after the damage your brother did to Hogwarts. Why shouldn't you receive the harshest punishment for your actions, Crow?"

Already Lucien knew Snape was going to blame him, it really did not matter what he had to say to Snape, he and everyone else will always compare him to his brother. "I know I broke the rules, Professor. I'm sorry. Please don't be too hard on me," he said as an apology was the only thing he could give in response.

"Twenty points from Ravenclaw. I should take another twenty for your sniveling. As I said, expulsion is the logical punishment for dueling on school grounds. Unfortunately, our Headmaster is illogical and believes that expulsion is unfair in this case. If either of you are ever caught dueling on school grounds again, I can assure you that you will not be so fortunate." Snape continued as Lucien could feel his own teeth grinding against each other. Twenty House Points lost. From all he did was defend his friend. He worked so hard to regain the ten points he lost the day before. One of his eyes twitched as he noticed Snape didn't even give a punishment for Merula for what she did. Lucien sighed as he should have guessed since Snape is the head of the Slytherin House. He could feel his own hand slightly reaching for his wand but stopped as he noticed the caretaker approaching them.

"What is it, Mr. Filch?" Snape asked the caretaker.

"Professor Snape, you must come with me right away. It's about the...Vaults." Flich quietly whispered, however it was not quiet enough as Lucien heard what he said which his eyes widened a little. The Vaults? They actually exist?

"Return to your Common Rooms," Snape demanded as he heads off with the caretaker to the corridor ahead of them.

"They must be talking about the Cursed Vaults!" Merula stated as she went straight after them with an evil grin on her face.

"Why does Merula care about the Cursed Vaults?" Lucien muttered to himself, "I'd better follow her and Snape…" Curiously he followed since this might have something to do with Jacob's disappearance.

Inside the corridor Merula turns around and immediately spots him walking in. "Get out of here!" She quietly demanded before he quickly placed a hand over her mouth to silence her.

"Shh!" Lucien shushes her before noticing a large pillar big enough to hide behind. Suddenly out of instinct he pulled her over to the large pillar and stood behind it to avoid getting caught by Snape and Filch.

Merula bites his hand as he quickly uncovers her mouth yet somehow me manages to stop himself from screaming in pain due to how hard she bit him. "What are you doing?!" She exclaimed but it was at a low whisper.

"I'm saving us from getting caught, what does it look like I'm doing?!" Lucien whispered back before rolling his eyes. "Not really a smart idea to stand in the middle of the halls to get spotted you know..." Soon he realized how close he was to her. He wanted to move away but he felt the wall behind him which much to his dismay he should have thought this through. Suddenly he started to smell a scent coming from Merula. She smelled like dandelions which was odd since that is his favorite flower. He remembered his Mother always bringing him dandelions when he was eight years old. He soon snapped out of that memory as he leaned his head slightly to see what was going on. "Who is Snape talking to?" He quietly asked her as he was curious about that man since he had not seen him around before.

"You're such an idiot...That's the caretaker, Mr Filch. He wanders the corridors trying to catch students breaking school rules," she answered as her eyes were filled with annoyance.

"Are they talking about the Cursed Vaults?" He asked again, trying to distract her from the current yet awkward situation they were both in as she hits him in the arm.

"I can't tell because you won't shut up." She answers his question once again as she raises her voice only slightly, trying to keep her focus on the main topic of the two adult's conversation while hitting his arm for him to be quiet.

Lucien rubs his arm as he noticed there was a slight blush on her face as they were close together. 'Are my eyes playing tricks on me?' He then thought to himself. 'I mean...She does look pretty cute now that I think about i-' He suddenly started to immediately blush as he realized that he just thought that his bully was cute. He decides to distract himself by focusing on what Snape and Filch are saying as well.

"Who else knows about this?" Snape asked, his eyebrow raised as he looked at the caretaker.

"Only me and Mrs. Norris saw the ice, sir. Was going to report the incident to the Headmaster, I was," Filch answered as a smug yet proud smile came across his face.

"I will inform Professor Dumbledore. This may have something to do with the Crow situation," Snape replied with his usual monotone. Leaving Lucien confused about what he said. Crow situation? So the vaults are real!

"Is it true that the vaults are filled with gold and powerful prophecies and artefacts from before Hogwarts existed?" Filch asked as a grin creeped on his face. "And that's why the Crow boy lost his mind trying to find them?"

"Don't worry about what's inside the vaults," Snape ordered as his usual monotone became cold. "Worry about keeping everyone out. Lock this door and keep it guarded."

"What is the 'Crow situation'?" Lucien quietly asked Merula as she was moving around trying to make room for herself.

"Who cares? This is another clue to the Cursed Vaults!" She quietly replied as was shoving him back to get more room.

"You think the Cursed Vaults are real? And you're trying to find them? You always call my brother mad for doing that exact thing!" Lucien said as his eyes squinted at her in suspicion as he was trying to understand her strange logic while he was getting shoved.

Merula rolls her eyes before looking at him. "Even if I cared to explain myself to an idiot, I wouldn't do it here, and risk getting caught by the two meanest people at Hogwarts." Her tone was almost as cold as Snape's while looking off to the side as she was trying to hide her blush.

Minutes passed as the longer they remained in the same spot the more it became awkward for the both of them trying to get more space from each other while trying to ignore the fact that they were uncomfortable with each other's presence. They were both facing directly at each other as Merula only glares at him while they both were waiting for the right time to escape from the corridor since both Filch and Snape had not left the corridor yet. Lucien stared into her violet eyes as it simply just fascinated him again for some reason. He secretly thought to himself that he would want eyes like hers. There was something special about her as well for some reason which confuses him since she is...Or she was his bully. She is not really all that bad right? Or is it because of her parents? He started to feel like he wished he would have a chance to get to know her better one day if she stops acting so cruel. But that's probably his 'Hufflepuff' side talking.

Merula notices he was staring at her for a long time which started to anger her. "Why are you staring at me like that? Do I have something on my face?!" Merula quietly asked as she tried not to raise her voice to give away their position.

Lucien stares at her as if he was in some sort of daze. "You have really pretty eyes…" He blurted out which Merula's violet eyes widened along with her blush covering her entire face. Realizing what he just said, his eyes widened as well as he was now in fear. "I-I didn't me-" He started to stutter and was immediately interrupted as she pulled him out of the gap between the pillar and the wall, they noticed that both Snape and Filch were no longer in the halls when they then ran out of the corridor as fast as they could.

Once they were out and away from the door he took a deep breath before it was interrupted again by Merula who pinned him to the one of the walls where her face was close to his. "Never. DON'T EVER. Say my eyes are pretty again! You got it?!" Merula threatened as she grabs him by the robes. "If you even dare say at least one word...ONE word about this to anybody, I will make you wish you never came to Hogwarts!"

"O-Okay! Okay! I-I got it!" Lucien exclaimed in a panic as she let go of his robes.

"Good…" She replied as she started walking away from him before he leaned against the wall. He watched the Slytherin girl walk away while quietly muttering something to herself which he was not able to hear.

Lucien still leading against the wall he slid down to the floor as he took a deep breath with no interruptions this time. A moment of silence passed for a few seconds until he started to cover his still blushing face before talking to himself in his own thoughts 'Why did I say that to her…?'

After a moment regretting and trying to regain his composure, along with mentally scolding himself, his large blush faded away as he slowly got up and recalled the events that happened. Except the awkward situation and the thing he said about Merula's eyes. "I better tell Rowan what I heard…" He muttered as he headed his way to the Great hall.

Inside the Great hall, Lucien entered as most of the students started to praise him once again while most of them just looked at him in disgust. Well it was better than being shunned by everyone he thought as he noticed Rowan was at the Ravenclaw table. Heading over to the table he sits down at the table in front of him. "Are you alright, Rowan? I was so worried when Merula hit you with that spell." He asked with concern in his eyes as Rowan looked up at him.

Rowan gave him a smile. "I'm fine, thanks. It's not the first time I've been knocked down. I always get back up." Rowan answered.

Lucien took a sigh of relief that his friend was alright, but Rowan noticed something was off with him. "What's the matter, Lucien?"

Lucien looks around the Great hall to make sure no one was listening in before turning his attention toward Rowan once again. "You are NOT going to believe what just happened…"

"And I can't believe you're here, Luicen. Snape and Flitwick looked so angry after you're duel with Merula." Rowan said as the mention of Merula's name made his heart skip a beat and nearly made him blush again. "Thanks again for stopping her from bullying all of us. You're a hero." Hearing the praise coming from Rowan, Lucien sighed a little.

"I don't feel like a hero. In fact, I think I might be cursed," he said as it was Rowan's turn to be concerned.

"What do you mean?"

"I followed Snape and Mr Filch to a corridor. They mentioned ice and vaults…" His eyes quickly shifted left and right for a split second before turning his attention back to Rowan whose eyes were widened with shock.

"Just like your vision…" He muttered while Lucien nodded.

"They said it had something to do with 'the Crow situation,'" Lucien continued as the name of it sounded dumb.

"I don't understand, and I pride myself on understanding things…" Rowan was even more confused than before at what Lucien said.

"I don't understand either, but I'm hoping we can work it out together. I'll tell you everything that happened…" Lucien said, as he wanted to tell him everything but Merula's words lingered into his mind which made him want to avoid talking about that awkward moment he had with her.

"After Snape deduced twenty House Points from Ravenclaw, Mr Filch showed up and told him about the Vaults in the upstairs Corridor. Merula seemed interested and decided to follow them while I was also curious and followed them as well." Lucien then paused for a moment as he covers his cheeks and pretends to scratch them like they were itching

"Then what happened?" Rowan asked as Lucien stops scratching his cheeks

"W-Well, we both listened in on what Snape and Filch were saying," he continued hoping Rowan does not catch on what Lucien might be thinking. "It is filled with gold and powerful prophecies and artefacts from before Hogwarts existed. And Snape told him to keep everyone out and keep it guarded..."

"What do you think it all means?" Rowan asked as he rubs his own chin.

"I'm not sure, but it has something to do with me, the Cursed Vaults, and maybe even my brother," Luicen answered as he tried to process all the information he just learned while subconsciously getting Merula out of his head. "I have to investigate the Upstairs Corridor."

"You mean WE have to investigate the Upstairs Corridor," Rowan corrected as Lucien was caught by surprise that Rowan is willing to come with him. "Let's head there tonight after everyone goes to sleep."

Lucien smiled as he nodded as accepting his request. "Alright!"

Late at night, Lucien and Rowan manage to quietly walk out of the common room and down to the Upstairs Corridor, cautiously looking around in the Corridor halls and notices it was all clear.

"This is where Snape and Filch were talking…" He showed Rowan as he was standing on the same exact spot that they were on.

"I'm starting to have second thoughts, Lucien," Rowan said as Lucien could see the fear in his eyes. "If Snape told Filch to stay on guard, he'll be back soon. The stories I've heard about how he punishes misbehaving students make Snape look like a pleasant Hufflepuff." Lucien held in a laugh but at the same time it fades not a second later. "Are you sure we should be searching this corridor?"

Lucien looks around as he feels like he should not risk getting into trouble again. "You're right, Rowan. Let's go." Lucien said as he was immediately cut off as he heard something at the end of the Corridor. "Wait! Did you hear something?"

Rowan nodding as he still had fear in his eyes "B-Based on my research, there are at least twenty-one different entities that could be roaming the corridors at night, and everyone of them is potentially terrifying." he said as the thought made him shake. "W-What should we do, Lucien?"

"Let's just search this place as fast as we can, and hope whatever it is isn't coming this way." Lucien said as they immediately started searching around the Corridor.

Lucien could feel a breeze coming from a door near him. It was cold. "Why is there a cold breeze coming from inside?'' he muttered to himself. "I have to find out what's on the other side of this door." Lucien tries to open the door but it is locked.

"Found anything, Lucien?" Rowan asked as he was investigating a brick that seemed off to him.

"I found a door that is locked," Lucien answered. "It seems like we aren't going to be able to work out what's going on unless we get inside that room."

Rowan examines the door and the lock. "An impenetrable lock, a mysterious door, and the constant threat of being caught by Filch…" He mutters while adjusting his glasses. "Getting into that room seems impossible, Lucien."

"I'll find a way, but I'll need your help," Lucien said as Rowan finishes adjusting his glasses.

"I'm always here to help, but-" Rowan was interrupted by Lucien who covers his mouth.

"Shh! Someone is coming!" He quietly exclaimed as he uncovered his mouth as Rowan heard something as well.

"Not someone. Some THING…" Rowan's fear started to come back as they both turned around to see a red eyed cat approaching them.

"Oh, it's just a cat." Lucien said as he was relieved along with letting out a small chuckle but noticed Rowan was not laughing, in fact he was even more terrified than before.

"That's not just a cat, Lucien. That's Mrs Norris. She alerts Filch when students are misbehaving on school grounds!" Rowan replied as Lucien his relief was replaced with terror.

Mrs Norris started to hiss at the two Ravenclaws before walking away. "D-Do you think she's going to get Filch? Lucien asked as they both started to walk backwards

"I don't know, but we'd better get somewhere safe like the Common Room...RUN!" Rowan exclaimed as they started running out of the corridor and back to the Common Room.

I kind of hinted this in chapter 3. (Yes I'm one of those people who likes the character) AND I do have my reasons! But let me know what you think of this chapter. I know this chapter was early but I could not help myself.