Chapter Text
Not a single student at Hogwarts hadn't heard of the new 5th-year. Especially not after word got out of a sudden dragon attack on a carriage; midair nonetheless. Hogwarts buzzed with excitement and unease. After all, it's not every day you get to go to class with someone who narrowly escaped a rogue dragon. Still, there was an anxious air about the school.. things like this don't just happen for no reason. Even the professors were baffled by the event, not knowing how to answer the questions their students had on the matter. Many simply blamed it on professor Fig’s careless planning, avoiding a more terrifying answer like ‘we don't know’.
Only one Slytherin in particular seemed uninterested. Sebastian Sallow, self-appointed master duelist, could care less about the attack and its infamous survivors.
The classroom was bustling with activity. Students chatting, sorting their stacks of textbooks, some were practicing fourth-year spells (to no avail), and enchanted origami swans were fluttering around students' heads. Defense Against the Dark Arts was Sebastian’s favorite subject, as he believed he was quite skilled with his wand work. After all, he was the Crossed Wands club’s best duelist.
Sebastian set his books next to his best friend Ominis’ and turned toward his blind friend.
“Aren't you excited to meet this new Ravenclaw student? She could be your newest competitor, you know. She did defeat a dragon.”
Ominis said with a grin.
Sebastian scoffed.
“Please, I heard she doesn't know more than three spells yet. And she didn't defeat it you lump. Just escaped it.”
Ominis turned away and chuckled.
Sebastian shook his head playfully before looking around and announcing, “Professor’s not here yet, anyone up for a friendly duel?”
A pale, red-haired, freckled Gryffindor boy from across the room raised his hand eagerly. Garreth Weasley was always up for a challenge, especially against Sebastian, the school's very own 'master' duelist.
The rest of the class gathered around the two students, cheering as they circled each other. Garreth sent three basic casts Sebastian's way, which he blocked with a simple yellow shield.
"Is that all you've got?" He jeered, casting three basic casts back at Garreth, who deflected them toward the ceiling.
A stray bolt of magic hit the neck of a dragon skeleton hanging from the rafters, beheading it. The crowd of students watching gasped and pointed.
That once-brave Gryffindor looked up in horror to see the giant bone falling right over his head. He braced for an impact that never came. Professor Hecat had burst into the room just in time with a “wingardium leviosa!” and a brief scolding. Everyone was so focused on the duel, that y/n managed to squeeze into the crowd unnoticed.
After a lesson covering the basic 'levioso' spell, Hecat decided that it’d be appropriate to hold a supervised friendly duel between Sebastian and the new student. This took him by surprise, as he hadn't noticed her walk in earlier.
He nodded to his professor, always happy to show off for the audience.
Strutting past his competition, he gave her a smug grin. “I suppose it's time for a proper Hogwarts welcome.”
With a flick of Professor Hecat's wand, a long, narrow table in the center of the room rose up to create a platform of sorts for them. A competitor on either end, one clad in blue and one in green, stood with wands at the ready. As soon as professor Hecat gave the go-ahead, Sebastian tested the girl with a few basic casts.
She blocked all of them with ease.
'This is going to be fun' He thought to himself.
She casted “levioso!” and Sebastian’s shield crumbled to the table beneath his feet before he began to float upward. He cursed under his breath as the new girl (he so horribly underestimated) knocked him completely off the table with a single cast, winning the duel.
Cheers and applause echoed throughout the classroom. As the noise died down, Hecat called the girl over for a few words and Sebastian retreated to Ominis.
“Did she need more than three spells to defeat you, all mighty master duelist?” Ominis teased.
“Shut up, I was going easy on her, alright?” Sebastian retorted. He didn't feel ashamed though, to his and his best friend's surprise, he felt impressed.
The two Slytherin boys noticed her approaching, and Ominis turned to leave the class; leaving Sebastian alone to talk to her.
“Hello, Professor Hecat told me to talk to you. That was quite the duel. You did well!” She said.
"You weren't so bad yourself. I was wondering if you'd be interested in Crossed Wands? It's a secret club held in the clock tower. Members can go there to hold dueling championships that the professors wouldn't approve of."
The Ravenclaw took a second to think over his invitation and its possible outcomes before answering, “A secret fighting club? Count me in.”
He smiled at her. “I knew I was right about you. I’m Sebastian Sallow, by the way. Come talk to me if you ever need some spell practice, though you do seem rather skilled already.” He glanced away and rubbed his neck, rethinking his slightly offensive choice of words.
The Ravenclaw girl let out a short laugh. “I’m y/n. It's nice to meet you Sebastian. I suppose I’ll be seeing you at this… what’s it called?”
“Crossed Wands.”
“I’ll be seeing you at Crossed Wands then.”
“I can take you to the spot it's held y/n, I'm sure you are having trouble navigating the castle.” He offered.
She nodded and gave him a soft smile. “Lead the way, Sallow.”
The pair talked the whole way, about possible strategies and y/n’s experience with the dragon. She wouldn't say much about that, though. Sebastian introduced y/n to Lucan Brattleby, the young Gryffindor who ran Crossed Wands. Lucan had set up a duel for the two to participate in together, so obviously they had to take the opportunity.
The challengers were no match for the Slytherin/Ravenclaw duo, as they made quick work of their competition. Spells and casts flew back and forth til just the two of them remained panting and goofily grinning at each other. It’s safe to say Sebastian was thoroughly impressed by y/n now, if he wasn't after his own defeat.
“That was quite something y/n. We should do this again sometime.” The arrogant tone he had before was gone now, replaced by a sweet and genuine voice.
“Thank you Sebastian, I'll definitely be coming back for another round. Do you know when Lucan will have the next one set up for us?”
He shrugged. “Maybe a few days or so. Until then, if you need anything, feel free to send an owl."
y/n nodded before turning to make her way through the chittering groups of club members and out of the huge clock tower doors.
Sebastian smiled to himself. ' Ha. Friends with the infamous new fifth-year. Who would’ve thought?'