A/N: I've edited this then re-edited this and decided it was time to stop nit-picking and get this out into the world. Thanks for your patience, hope you enjoy this new chapter!

Barnaby paced impatiently under the quiet night, the tolls of the clock tower a distant echo confirming that Arah Annon was well past the time they had initially agreed upon. He was starting to wonder if that supposed 'Gryffindor bravery' was all just a ruse. His shoulders slumped dejectedly as he leaned against the castle wall, staring up at the crescent moon. As much as he hated to admit it, a part of him would be disappointed if Arah never showed. The whole school had heard stories of her bravery and how she had bested an enchanted Ice Knight in the last Cursed Vault. It was hard to believe someone like Annon could put up a fight like that and live to tell the tale- especially as she was only a 2nd year at the time. Admittedly, he was eager to see her supposed skillset for himself, and even more so to put the scrappy Gryffindor in her place. It would be just another victory in his ever-growing list of conquests.

To put it plainly, Barnaby just wanted to get this over with. Usually, a duel was something he looked forward to, the adrenaline and exhilaration of a fight was nothing short of addicting. But strangely he felt... off. The entire day, he had been a bundle of nerves in anticipation of this midnight arrangement. He was as jittery as a Golden Snidget during poaching season. Not that he was nervous he'd lose, no. It wasn't that. He had no reason to lose. If there was anything Barnaby was good at, it was dueling. It was what he knew - what he was good at. That and his growing affinity for magical creatures, but he tended to keep that one to himself. There was nothing less intimidating than snuggling a Puffskein.

Honestly, he didn't know what about Arah Annon got him so worked up or why he even considered her offer in the first place. Merula may be infuriating at times, but she had what it took to get the job done. Arah was... well, 'Mad', as they say. Not to mention soft. He knew he wasn't acting himself, and in truth, he hadn't felt himself for quite some time. Maybe all he needed was to beat a Gryffindor in a duel, that would make any Slytherin feel better. No matter, he was eager to get it done and over with and move on with his damned life.

The sound of footsteps drew Barnaby's attention as he glanced to see Arah lurking out of the Hogwarts gates, her long braided silver hair glowing under the celestial moonlight. A smile crept to his lips as he watched her look around for him- hissing his name in the darkness all while attempting to be stealthy. Barnaby blinked - since when did he notice such a silly thing as a witch's hair? Merlin, he really needed to get it together. All the more to beat her and never have to deal with Arah Annon again.

Barnaby stepped out of the shadows, arms crossed expectantly. "I was starting to think you wouldn't show."

Arah jerked at his presence, her mouth shifting into a mischievous grin that prickled his skin. "And pass up an opportunity to duel the strongest wizard of our year? Never." If Barnaby was a ninny, which he certainly was not, he would have admitted her praise made his stomach flip. "I only had to dodge Peeves half a dozen times. That damned Poltergeist somehow managed to release Filch's entire collection of confiscated Fanged Frisbees. It's honestly a miracle I made it out alive." She laughed lightly, showing off a portion of her tattered robes.

He found himself smiling at her story, imagining such a chaotic scene, before realizing how stupid he must have looked with that stupid grin plastered across his mug. He cleared his throat awkwardly, straightening his vest and adjusting the cuffs of his sleeve. "Right. Well, I wouldn't have blamed you if you decided to chicken out."

Arah scoffed, "And inflate that already massive ego of yours? Please. I figured you could use a good thrashing."

Barnaby found himself amused by her brash attitude and fearlessness. It was almost refreshing to find someone who didn't completely cower away from him in fear. "Are you going to keep talking or duel me, Annon?"

Arah let out a dramatic sigh, "Godric's Heart, are you always this serious?"

"Are you always this infuriating?" Barnaby raised an eyebrow in defiance as she gasped dramatically, feigning to take deep offense to his insult. He had to swallow the chuckle that near escaped his throat. "Your stalling."

"Stalling? Who said anything about stalling?" Arah let out an obnoxious snort, "I'm only trying to make small talk with my new associate." she winked.

As incredibly exasperating as she was, Barnaby wondered if this banter was all part of her plan to get in his head before the duel. Well, two could play at that game, he thought. The corner of Barnaby's lips tugged into a smirk. "Merlin, you Gryffindors' are absolutely insufferable."

"Not all of us. Can't say the same for you Slytherins' though." her eyes twinkled. Barnaby blamed this on the starry night above them. "Nothing like a little friendly house competition, right?"

"I can't wait to see you lose." Barnaby sneered, rolling up his sleeves, the familiar exhilaration and thrill of a duel filling his body with a thrum of electricity.

"We'll see, Lee." Arah peeled off her school robe to reveal the ugliest set of maroon + gold plaid pajamas Barnaby had ever laid eyes on - he almost choked.

"You can't be serious." Barnaby gawked, "You're going to fight me in your jarmies?" He was starting to think the rumors were true. She really was mad.

"What?" She paused, genuinely confused as to why he would question such a thing. "You're the one that decided to meet after curfew. You expect me to come dressed in my school uniform?"

Barnaby shook his head in disbelief. "This might be the strangest thing I've ever done."

"Continue to stick around, I'm sure you'll see stranger." Arah grinned, tossing her robe to the side.

Barnaby lifted his smooth aspen wand of 13 3/4 inches at eye level- the traditional signal to the start of a formal duel. "Wands at the ready." It wasn't a question, it was a statement.

"So proper," Arah teased, before mirroring his same wand movement. They bowed to one another, practicing the formal etiquette of a duel. "Best of luck to you, Mr. Lee." She mocked in a near-perfect impression of Professor McGonagall.

He shook his head, chuckling softly to himself, entertained by her odd antics. With that, they began the walk to their marks, exactly 5 paces each before they turned to face one other. Barnaby was surprised to see Arah's once light-hearted demeanor had completely vanished, her stance serious and eyebrows furrowed in concentration. He might have been slightly intimidated if it weren't for her standing there in her jim-jams.

They stare at one another- frozen in time as they each waited for the other to make the first move. Barnaby observed her posture; her legs were too far apart, her shoulders much too stiff, yet her wrist held her wand lazily. He had seen first years with better posture than that. But as quick as an Ashwinder's strike, a whisp of power barreled toward him. It had honestly caught him off guard- barely giving him enough time to cast his protego charm to block the blast- the whisps of power blowing over his protective shield. Arah's posture may be piss poor, but she trusted her magic and ability fully- it was almost genius. Like a beast pretending to be wounded to only lure in its prey when they least expect it. The corner of his lips curled. Oh, he was going to enjoy this.

Confringo! A blast of firey sparks erupted from the end of Barnaby's wand, spiraling toward her. To his astonishment, she had matched his move almost exactly, their spells colliding in a bright inferno - the grass scorched black where their spells had clashed. Taking advantage of the distraction, he shot another blast in her direction, but she deflected it with the slightest shift, sending the spell flying into the castle's wall in an explosion of shimmering debris.

Barnaby's heart raced, realizing that dueling Arah Annon would not be as easy as he thought. And if there was anything that thrilled him more than a duel, it was a challenging one.

In a blur, Arah fired another hex his way- Barnaby flicked his wand just in time to deflect it back to her as it struck her in the shoulder. Arah let out a grunt, clutching her shoulder in pain. Barnaby's smile quickly faded as she glanced up at him, a look of feral determination causing him to shudder.

Incendio! She growled, a spiral of flames swirling toward him. Barnaby threw up his shield charm, fire licking all around him as the bubble became increasingly hot, sweat forming on his brow. He gritted his teeth as he struggled to hold the shield, his wand nearly scalding in his own hands. The power of her spell was nothing short of remarkable. Barnaby heard a crack, the rupture in his shield spreading like a web causing his defense to shatter- engulfing him in the searing flames.

Barnaby panted breathlessly, flicking his wrist as a whip of power shot toward her through the fire. At the last moment, she dodged his attack, tumbling out of the way. In one fluid motion, she lifted her wand from the ground- a wave of force hitting Barnaby, knocking him back as he skidded across the lawn.

With a growl, he shoved himself back on his feet as Arah did the same. Their chests heaved in unison as they stood, staring at one another intently.

"Ready to give up, Lee?" Arah panted, her silver hair had come loose from her braid, whisps wildly framing her flushed cheeks. If he were a total git, he would say she was the most beautiful witch he'd ever seen.

As a perfectly appropriate response, he hurled a jinx at her yet she parried, exchanging another spell his way. They continued this crazed dance, the force of their spells lighting up the night in an array of different flashes and colors. Barnaby would get a hit or two in before Arah would, in turn, do the same. It was incredible- he'd never dueled another at such an equal level as him. He could tell she was starting to tire, her wand movement becoming more sluggish, her reaction time slightly more delayed, but she was fighting with everything she had... and admittedly, so was he.

Their spells collided once again, creating an array of beautiful hues- sparks flying as he tried to push through her charm. The spindly tendrils stretched closer to her as she struggled to push him back- the power of their magic almost blinding as the heat radiated, warming his skin.

Over the deafening crackle of their magic, Barnaby heard Arah let out a bellowing growl as she gripped her wand with both hands, crying out like she'd gone barmy. With one final roar, she veered their spell up into the sky causing the night to illuminate in an iridescent glow, the force of his own spell pushing him back. It was brilliant really, how she used his own strength against him. He was too busy admiring her incredible capability when he noticed a perfectly timed Expelliarmus spell soaring toward him. He knew it was over before it even hit him. Time seemed to slow as the aspen wand slipped through his fingers and clattered to the ground. He had lost.

Arah collapsed to her knees, panting as she struggled to catch her breath. Barnaby sat there shell-shocked at the realization of his first defeat- to Arah Annon no less.

"Are you alright?" she managed to gasp in between breaths.

Barnaby may be a bit of a brute, but he still had his manners. He would lose with dignity because her victory was clear - no, deserved. Arah Annon put up one hell of a fight, she was nothing short of incredible. And if anyone had earned his respect, it was her. Besides, his parents would expect nothing less than him to be a gentleman.

"How did you...it was like you anticipated every one of my moves." Barnaby stammered, realizing he was still on the ground like a complete tosser.

"That was... that was brilliant!" Arah breathed, her golden eyes filled with an awe-like wonder. "You have to teach me how to cast like that. Your spells pack such - such punch. I mean really, I'll be feeling that for days!" she beamed, rubbing the pain out of her shoulder.

"I can't believe I lost..." He heard himself say out loud before he could stop himself. Salazar's balls, he was actually beaten by Mad Annon.

"So...do we have a deal?" Arah stood above him, offering her hand. "You'll stop working with Merula and help us find the next Cursed Vault."

Barnaby surveyed her outstretched hand, considering it thoughtfully. Countless times he had found himself crumpled on the floor of his childhood manor at the hands of his own father's brutality and harshness. He could still feel the ghost of bruises under his flesh as he would be reprimanded for his shortcomings. With shakey limbs, he would peel himself off the ground and stand tall to prove that he could endure whatever punishment was in store for him. In all his years, he couldn't recall a single time someone ever offered him a hand. Hesitantly, he reached up and accepted it as she hoisted him to his feet.

An unexplainable feeling washed over him. It was like he was free from the pressures that came with being unbeatable, free from the constant ridicule of Merula Snyde, free from his parent's unrealistic expectations, free to do whatever he wanted. The nagging feeling he had been battling seemed to subside in the depths of his mind. Barnaby never anticipated he'd lose, yet here he was. Barnaby was a lot of things, but a liar was not one of them. He would keep his word as he always did.

"A deal is a deal," Barnaby gripped her hand, "On one condition."

Arah gulped, a fleeting look of worry shadowed her features. "What is it?"

"You teach me some of your moves in return." Barnaby flashed his teeth at her.

Arah beamed, shaking his hand enthusiastically. "Deal!" she practically sang, letting go of his hand. Oddly, Barnaby wished their gesture of partnership didn't have to end so abruptly. "Oh, you're going to love working with us. I'm so glad Tulip pressured me to talk to you. Rowan doubted you'd ever join, but I just had this feeling about you. I can't wait to tell her how wrong she was. I'm sure Ben will warm up to you eventually. He's only slightly terrified of you. Bill will especially be happy to have someone as tough as you on our side."

Barnaby raised his eyebrows at the speed and vigor with which she spoke, curious how she could say so much without taking a breath.

"I'm sorry, I'm rambling aren't I?"

He could have sworn her cheeks turned a slight shade of pink. "A little." Barnaby chuckled lightly, "Why don't you start by filling me in on what you know about the Cursed Vaults? Merula was pretty tight-lipped about it all. She liked to keep Ismelda and I in the dark a lot of times. Besides, the earlier I know what I need to know, the better chance I'll have of knowing it."

Bloody hell, what was that? Barnaby could feel his own cheeks flush with embarrassment, but Arah didn't seem to care. She laughed lightly and the sound alone made his heart race. Merlin, he was acting barmy. Maybe she was part Veela or something. That was probably it.

"Where do I even begin..."

Arah began to share her story with Barnaby as they strolled aimlessly, finding themselves leaning against the supports of the old rickety bridge overlooking Hogwarts Valley. Arah told him of her missing brother, Jacob, and his obsession with the Cursed Vaults. A lot of people believed him to be a bit barmy. There were rumors that swirled around claiming there was a darkness that surrounded him, some even said he was involved with You-Know-Who during his reign, but Arah quickly denied that as anything but a load of steaming dugbog shite.

Arah believed that if she continued to follow the clues regarding the Cursed Vault, she might find answers to her brother's disappearance after all these years. She explained how the cursed ice last year was a result of one of the vaults being opened and how she really did fight off an enchanted Ice Knight (Barnaby had an easier time believing this now ). Arah had connected the recent Boggart crisis tormenting the school had something to do with this next vault. They had even discovered Jacob's old hideout with the help of Tulip, filled with his old notes and scribbles about the Cursed Vaults. It was there, they uncovered more indications regarding the location of the next vault.

Barnaby combed a hand anxiously through his hair as they stood on the bridge, overlooking the gorge. "Blimey, you really think there is a hidden vault in the Restricted Section of the library?"

"I do." She nodded seriously, staring out at the dark heaps of rolling hills, lost in thought. The once light-hearted Gryffindor he had bantered with earlier had shifted completely- the lines of worry and exhaustion evident in the way she carried herself. He could recognize the shadows of trauma anywhere- he had the very same darkness reflected in his own eyes.

"...I guess that's where I come in?" Barnaby asked, glancing at her.

"I need all the help I can get, Barnaby. I know you don't know me very well, but I am especially thankful to have someone like you on our side." She smiled wearily at him. It made his stomach do all sorts of things. He wasn't sure why, but he decided it was just admiration for her.

Barnaby felt a bit lost for words. To be spoken to so warmly was so foreign to him - he felt awkward at such kindness in her voice. So he nodded silently, glancing back into the darkness where it felt safe, processing everything she had told him in the quiet of his own mind.

"I can hear him, you know." She said aloud, "My brother. I hear his voice in my head... I can't explain it. I know that sounds crazy. Probably why people think I'm barmy- 'Mad Annon' as they like to say." A feeling of guilt prickled over him at the rude slur he had used countless times to describe her. "I don't blame you if you think that too. Sometimes I think I'm mad." her laugh died in her throat.

Barnaby's eyes darted over her as she stared into the distance. "I don't think you're mad."

"You don't?" She asked, turning to him- a look of surprise on her face.

"No. I think you're downright barking." Barnaby stared at her, cracking a smile as she burst into laughter. Arah punched him hard in the shoulder and he couldn't help but join her in their laughter. He watched as her nostrils flared with every wave of fresh giggles, how her freckled nose would wrinkle with every snort. Barnaby decided her laugh was more enticing than any siren song. He could listen to it the rest of his days and never tire of it.

Barnaby caught his breath, "For what it's worth, I think you're brilliant. You've surprised me, Annon. I believe you can find the Cursed Vaults. And if your brother really is out there, I think you have every chance of finding him too."

Arah smiled warmly at him, the light of the moon reflected in her golden eyes. "You know... you're not so bad for a Slytherin."

"I guess you're not so bad either... for a Gryffindor." He smirked as they stared back out, admiring the night sky - both eager to see how this newfound partnership might grow.

A/N: Don't worry, it's not over yet. I've got one more chapter planned :) stay tuned and please leave a review to let me know what you thought of this chapter!