After that night in the Astronomy Tower, Lucien Vale kept popping up everywhere. How had I never seen him before, and now he's just there. In the hallways. In classrooms. By the garden. Everywhere. After a long day of classes that felt like it dragged on for a week, I made my way to the Room of Requirement, my sanctuary. A place where I could be alone to brew potions, tend to magical plants, or practice spells without anyone bothering me. I climbed the familiar stairs and stopped in front of the blank stretch of wall. The door appeared moments later, shimmering slightly as I stepped inside. The room welcomed me just as I had left it. Soft light poured in from the high ceiling, mingling with the gentle glow of levitating candles. Plants draped from the rafters like nature's garlands. The stone walls held framed, enchanted paintings that flickered with subtle movement. A cozy couch sat by the far wall with an armchair nearby. Off to one side were my workstations and the separate doors that led to the magical creature enclosures. Deek had been taking care of them during summer break. I paid them all a visit, feeding, brushing, and doting on them for a while. Afterward, I made my way to the training room where my enchanted dueling dummy stood waiting.
"Here goes nothing..." I muttered, pulling out my wand.
I fired off spell after spell, each hitting with precise control. The air buzzed with magic until a voice broke through, and I nearly hexed it on reflex.
"What the hell- what are you doing here? Did you follow me?" I snapped, wand still pointed.
Leaning against the wall with that damn smirk, stood Lucien Vale. Of course.
"Cool place you've got here. Trying to keep it all to yourself?" he said casually, eyes scanning the room like he owned it. I didn't lower my wand just yet.
"Professor Weasley showed me this place in fifth year, so I could keep up with the rest of the students. It's mine"
Lucien pushed off the wall, strolling a little deeper in, hands in his pockets as he glanced around.
"Hmm. Makes sense" He paused, that infuriating smirk never leaving his face.
"But... a bit selfish, don't you think?" he said, strolling further in like he belonged here. My brow twitched.
"Selfish?" He gestured lazily around.
"All this space, all this magic, and you're hogging it for yourself? What if someone else needs a secret room to brood and train in?"
"I don't recall seeing your name on the door" I shot back. Lucien chuckled, stopping just a few feet away. He tilted his head, his icy eyes meeting mine again.
"You're practicing?" I gave a short nod, still eyeing him with caution.
"Wouldn't it make more sense to practice with a real partner?" he asked, voice dropping just slightly, almost teasing. "Spells hit differently when they're flying at you for real"
He slipped his wand from his sleeve and twirled it between his fingers.
"Unless you're scared I might actually win" I narrowed my eyes.
"Confident, aren't we?" He grinned.
"You say that like it's a bad thing" I took a stance, wand in hand, my body instinctively falling into position.
"Fine" I said, smirking. "Show me what you've got" Lucien's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with mischief.
"Gladly, darling" And then bang. We moved in sync, spells flying like sparks in the air.
"Expelliarmus!" I dodged, flicking my wrist in return.
"Bombarda!"
The force of the blast exploded near his feet, and he rolled sideways behind a stack of bookshelves that hadn't been there before. The Room shifted with our duel, walls reshaping like it was eager for the drama. He reappeared from the side, hair tousled and grinning like a madman. "Feisty and good with a wand. Be still my heart"
YOU ARE READING
~The Path Between~ Sebastian Sallow x reader
FanfictionY/N starts her sixth year at Hogwarts hoping for a normal school year. That hope doesn't last long. A new threat is on the rise, her powers are evolving in ways she can't quite explain, and two boys are constantly at her side and maybe fighting for...
