Initia Mystica

Aspen just gawked at the head of Ravenclaw as Sebastian took his place, still simmering with anger before giving a small huff of amusement at her reaction. Rolling his eyes, he shook her out of her stupor by giving her a quick poke on the side making her jump in her seat. She sent a mock glare over to the boy who just stuck his tongue out before the two returned their attention back to their teacher.

Professor Hecate walked up and down the middle aisle as students turned in their seats to follow her with their eyes as she spoke. “Today we will review a spell that has saved me from death at the hands of Dark wizards more times than I care to remember. Levioso.”

While most of the class listened in silence or kept their reservation at a review of a spell learnt last year, Leander made his thoughts on the lesson clear and known. “Levioso? A simple levitation charm? What good would that do for us here?”

‘Oh so he’s not just rude to the students but also to the Professors. Noted.’

Aspen was sure her distaste for the boy was evident on her face as Sebastian just nudged her with his shoulder to hers, taking her attention off the red head and back to him and gave an amused smile which Aspen just returned with a small eye roll before returning her full attention to the women who was making her way to the middle of the aisle between the rows of tables.

The slightly hunched over professor just gave a wink to the students she was facing as Leander was one of few students whose back faced them as they trickled into their seats slowly. Aspen wondered what the lady was intending on doing before watching the Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher give a spin faster than any of the students expected and casted the spell on the boy, a purple streak shooting out the tip of her wand and lifted Leander off the ground.

Aspen slammed a hand over her mouth as she struggled to keep the laughter that wanted to desperately escape her in. The same couldn’t be said for her tablemates as one gave a boisterous laugh, deep and hearty, while the other just gave a small smirk as soft snickers escaped them with their wand flashing more rapidly.

“A surprised opponent is a weak opponent. Care to defend yourself, Master Prewett? No? I suggest when I put you back on your feet you find your seat and take some notes on how this experience enlightened you and the use of seemingly harmless spells.” With a raised eyebrow, the woman waited until she got a nod back. Flicking the wand lazily to the right, she dropped both the spell and the boy and the blonde watched Leander scuttle back to his desk.

“One thing I’ve learned as an Unspeakable is the value of simplicity, especially in the heat of battle. Now, let’s practice what we’ve just learned-starting with something small.”

Another flick of her wand and all the students found themselves with feathers in front of them. Blinking, Aspen just moved her books off so there would be less chance of her stuff getting levitated instead of the intended target.

As the group listened intently on movement of the wand and pronunciation of the spell, Aspen couldn’t help but wonder what an Unspeakable was as it was used in a way that indicated it was a position or job of some sort. Leaning over towards Ominis (who patiently waited for Sebastian and Aspen to take their turns lifting the green feather) she decided to ask “Ominis, what is an Unspeakable? The way she used it in her speech made it seem it was more of a position like a job.”

Ominis just hummed softly acknowledging her question, propping his chin in the palm of his left hand, the right one lightly gripping his wand as he turned slightly to face her.

“It’s because it actually is a position. It’s one of the jobs one can get should they join the Ministry of Magic. I will admit no one really knows what goes on in their department. Father has tried countless times to get good with some of the known Unspeakables and they are as tightlipped as someone with no voice. There are rumors that go around saying they deal with dangerous and forbidden things that most wizards and witches would struggle to comprehend.”

“Oh. That sounds…a little unsettling actually. I guess it just serves as a reminder that there’s more to magic than what meets the eye. Especially for someone like me…” Aspen trailed off, having been given another reality check of sorts that despite enjoying the world of wizards and witches, just like any other place, there is good and bad. Safe and harmless to dangerous and damaging. 

Aspen was shaken out of her thoughts when Sebastian finally finished levitating the feather (the boy in question actually had no trouble with the spell but was taking his sweet time using the feather to clean some dust on a support beam above Leander causing bits of cobweb to float down and land on the ginger’s head) and pushed it across the table top towards her. Giving the brunette a flash of a grin, she picked up her wand and straightened up in her seat as she mentally went through the spell once more before licking her lips nervously. Rolling her wrist once and then twice, she strengthened her grip on her wand before pointing it towards the long feather. “Levioso!” she chanted, honey brown eyes watching the feather intently. Sebastian and Aspen both watched the feather wiggle on the table before lifting off gracefully, floating higher and higher till it almost reached one of the bones of the dragon that hung from the ceiling. Jaw slightly dropped, the unruly Slytherin in shock that she had grasped the spell in just her first go as well (much like she did in charms) before turning his attention to the girl in question.

The newest to the trio just grinned wryly, almost teasing the boy with a joyous glint in her eyes. “Why the surprised look?” she poked the boy on the arm, shaking him out of his stupor.

“You sure you’ve only just started practicing magic Aspen? I can remember my first time learning this spell and I recall having to take at least an hour and half trying to move my beast’s textbook off the bed.”

Aspen just laughed once more enjoying her new friends before allowing Ominis his turn which he finished up flawlessly.

Curious to see how he went about casting spells, Aspen watched closely.

She noted that the tip of his wand blinked a steady red light throughout the morning. She met the snakes and watched it speed up momentarily. She herself blinked a bit dumbfounded as she watched Ominis orient himself perfectly to the wand and with a practiced wave lifted the feather up as his soft voice called out the spell. 

Almost as soon as the feather returned to the desk, floating back and forth like it was rocking in a non-existent breeze, Professor Hecate called out to class.

“Now let’s try something a little larger.”

All the children watched eagerly to see what they would be practicing on next when a dummy armed with a shield and clothed in a simple robe and cloak garment rolled out front and center, facing the DADA professor.

As if in a silent agreement, students around the classroom began standing up and when her two desk mates did so as well, Aspen followed after them. Almost as soon as she finished standing up, desks began floating off the ground a few inches and moved towards the sides of the classrooms to clear a space out in the middle. She stood in place as Sebastian walked to the back of the classroom as Aspen realized this was probably the spell they just learned in action.

Aspen was knocked out of her observation when she felt Ominis who was standing slightly in front of her lose his balance as the desk he had been leaning up against moved without warning.

Eye’s wide, she was quick to steady the both of them, her hands pushed on his upper back to keep him upright. “Ominis are you alright?”

Clearing his throat and quickly stepping away as if she had burned him, he nodded almost tense, the grip on his wand tightened as it flashed rapidly. “Thank you…” he whispered.

Frowning a bit, she looked over at the teacher slightly annoyed before standing next to Ominis. “You’re welcome. I just wished she would’ve given us a heads up. Surely she must know…” Aspen’s voice trailed off, almost sounding sour at the end. While she loved watching the teacher put a brat with attitude in his place she just seemed to forget of her new friend’s disadvantage and was just shocked at the level of disregard for it.

It seemed she was too hopeful in her new professors to not being similar 

Ominis listened alongside Aspen and the rest of the students of what Professor Hecate wanted them to do, couldn’t help the slight shock of hearing Aspen’s statement. He was sure with the way her voice grew quiet, she didn’t intend for anyone much less him to hear.

In a sense it was weird hearing someone get bothered on his behalf aside from the Sallow twins and the few good members of his family like his cousin. Especially someone he’s only met this morning. Of course he knew anyone standing up to Merula (especially in the house of Slytherin) would be on his good side but still this was someone he knew almost little about aside from what was shared so far from this morning.

It felt good to know this new snake they’ve added to their house would be a fine addition and one he would hope to call a true friend of his at this pace.

Ominis was taken out of his train of thought when he felt Aspen move from his side and grew confused before hearing Sebastian’s footsteps grow closer to him before he knew he was behind him and heard him speak up. “She got called out to the front to go first with the training dummy.”

“Oh. Okay.”

“...That’s it? No thank you?” Sebastian whined.

Snorting, Ominis turned his head slightly to acknowledge him as he spoke. “Why would I thank you for information I would’ve found out in a few seconds.” 

Knowing he successfully provoked his best friend, Ominis returned his empty gaze to the front of him, a smirk on his face. 

It wasn’t long before Sebastian was about to retaliate when he was stopped as his name was called out exasperated.

Sebastian immediately dropped his hand that was on its way to meet the back of his best friend’s head when he heard the Professor call his name. Realizing his friend had basically set him up, he sighed and grumbled a few choice words and names under his breath before stepping up next to Aspen who was still standing center of the class.

“Yes Professor Hecate?”

“Now that I’ve managed to get your attention, we’ll start with you two. If you would spare us a moment of your time I would like for you two to go up first against each other in a mock duel.” the older woman explained.

Grinning, Sebastian nodded and looked at his new friend. Walking over to the other end of the room he looked at the girl and gave a cocky smile. “Time for a proper Hogwarts welcome.”

Sebastian watched the other girl’s jaw drop in a funny disbelief which sent him chuckling before lazily waiting for the girl to get out of her stupor. He watched her roll her shoulder’s back and walk to her spot before facing him, a determined glint in her eyes.

The two of them felt the ground rise up underneath them as the two found themselves standing on a duelist table.

“Now, I want a fair duel using only Levioso, basic casting and Protego.” she said, making sure to send the boy himself a look who held his hands up impishly.

“If you both are ready then you may begin.”

The two Slytherins looked at each other before Sebastian broke the silence of the classroom as they had all eyes on them. “Well this should be easy.”

Imelda, who was seated on the other side of the classroom before they had gotten up, cupped her hands around her mouth and called out. “Kick his ass Aspen!”

That elicited some cheers from the students which seemed to light a fire underneath Sebastian and Aspen as the two took to their stances.

Deciding to try and end the match swiftly, Sebastian took a confident step forward, striking Aspen in the middle of her chest knocking her to the ground of the table. Wincing at the strength of his spell, he took a few steps forward with all the intent of helping her up. “Sorry Aspen. I didn’t mean to hit you that hard.” he apologized.

It was then when he found himself getting hit and lifted off his feet.

“Woah!” Sebastian cried out in shock as he struggled to get his balance in the air as he levitated.

From the ground Aspen quickly began to sit up and push herself off the ground, the tip of her borrowed wand dimming from the spell before she began her onslaught.

The newest Slytherin was able to get another two basic cast’s in when her prior Levioso spell wore off, dropping Sebastian roughly on his feet.

Now seeing that the girl was maybe not as helpless as he thought, he upped the ante and sent out his own barrage of spells. Red sparks burst out the tip of his wand as they zoomed across the table only to bounce off and fizzle out.

“Protego!”

Sebastian was sure that even if the first spell didn’t do any damage, it would at least break the shield spell he predicted she would use. He was getting ready to continue his attack when he found the beginning of his barrage interrupted by his opponent. 

Seeing another opportunity to attack, she began her next advance, her hair whipping behind her at the strength she put in her spells. Cast after cast, Sebastian found himself casting Protego himself repeatedly trying to deflect all her spells when he felt the heel of his foot step back and past the table.

Tipping back, Sebastian was prepared to hit the ground as he felt himself falling off the table when one last levioso was cast by his opponent. It was quickly cut off and he still fell with a thud on the ground in a heap of his robes and himself when he looked up at giggling seeing Aspen standing above him with some flyaway strands of hair in her face and hands on her hips.

Teasingly she cocked a blonde eyebrow at the boy and spoke. Wide tawny eyes filled with shock and disbelief met golden honey ones filled with mirth and exhilaration.

“So much for a proper Hogwarts welcome huh.”

——————————————˚✧₊⁎ —————————————

“All right, that's enough spectacle for one day. Class is dismissed.”

“BWHAHAHA YOU JUST HAD YOUR ASS HANDED TO YOU SALLOW!!” Imelda’s loud laughter filled the classroom as she took a good look at Sebastian once more as the four of them lingered about as they got together and packed up their books. Having just finished some more practice dueling between students, Aspen found herself getting congratulated by her roommate much to Sebastian’s mood and flushed cheeks before watching him stomp off to the back of the class.

She was about to call out to the boy and follow her friends out when she was waved down by the older professor and waved her new friends off as she went to go see what Professor Hecate wanted to speak to her about.

As Aspen walked up to the blue robed professor, the professor gave her a proud look. “I put you on the spot and you rose to the challenge. Points to Slytherin.”

Smiling sheepishly, her pride filled with confidence she had from Sebastian's prodding drained out of her as she rubbed her arm. “Thank you Professor Hecate. I’m glad to have the opportunity to practice.”

The older woman just gave a thin but amused smile as she reassured the girl on her skills. “If what I’ve seen today is any indication, we can expect great things from you.” With a small nod of her head, the professor continued on. “I demand excellence from my students. They are capable of achieving it so I trust that they will achieve it.”

Placing her hands, one over the other, on her stomach and straightened up as she continued her small talk with the newest student.

“A classroom duel is one thing but battling other opponents out in actual duels where there are less restrictions is another. Battling Dark wizards is an even worse truth of the wizarding world in its current state or-as ever more likely-goblins. They are an even different kettle of Grindylows entirely.”

Nodding the blonde responds “Understood Professor.” 

Aspen, having already understood the point that her professor was trying to make for her, as she recalls the night before. Wincing slightly at the memory of the animated statue knights and the blood red eyes of the goblin she made an enemy out of before feeling a chill run down her spine as she shakes herself out of it.

Professor Hecate slightly raised her eyebrow before stepping back as she waved a wand to reorganize the tables back to their places. When the last table and bench settled itself, the older woman continued on.

“So, I’d advise you to keep practicing whenever you can. Perhaps Mr. Sallow will have some ideas to help you with this endeavor. Again, well done today. I shall reach out soon with some additional assignments so please be on the lookout for my owl.”

At this Aspen couldn’t help but tilt her head not having expected her professor to suggest his help before feeling some relief fill her. While she is on a roll with meeting new kids and getting used to a kinder environment she won’t lie and say she wasn’t still thrown off by the stark difference life outside the Home is.

“Of course, professor. I’ll be awaiting your summons for my assignments. Thank you.”

Fixing her satchel, making sure her books and such were arranged comfortably, she hears a voice come up to her beginning to walk in time with her. Jumping slightly, she looks up to see Sebastian and grinned. Happy to see one of her new friends, she began the conversation implike. A rouge but playful smile stretching across her face.

“I’m surprised to see you still lingering abouts. I thought you were going off to the back of the class to go pout in the corner.” She snickered before continuing “On a serious note however I do want to let you know I did truly enjoy that duel. It was definitely a duel to remember.

Snorting, the beginning of a flush creeping on his neck, Sebastian just rolled his eyes as he began to guide the girl over to the Grand Staircase. As the two walked, the boy spoke up and decided to finally respond to Aspen’s end remark.

“It was quite something. Everyone’ll be talking about it for sure by morning time tomorrow. I have to admit I may have underestimated you. I didn’t expect a new student like yourself to be so deft with a wand.” 

At the truth that spills from the boy’s mouth, Aspen couldn’t help but smile and bump his shoulder. “I’m glad it was enjoyable. I was actually quite worried it would end up messy for my part.” she admitted with a sheepish grin, one hand coming up to play with the ends of her tie. 

Having to keep pace with Aspen as to not get ahead of her with his taller stature, Sebastian comes to a halt in front of a small alcove that had a stained glass window that overlooked the Quidditch Field and Forbidden Forest, forcing her to stop as well as he leaned up against one of the walls of the space and raised an eyebrow.

“Messy? More like you outright bested me with the restrictions we had for this duel by a landslide. Then again, perhaps this wasn’t your first duel.”

At that statement, the girl’s heart stuttered at the mention of it possibly being not her first duel. She very well knew when her first duel was and felt herself almost breakout in a cold sweat as she tried to remain calm as she forced out a response to the suspicion lightheartedly.

“I hate to be the messenger of bad news for your dueling career but it really was. I’ve never used my wand in combat aside from frantically trying to use some basic cast’s once to kill a spider that I found in my room at the Leaky Cauldron a good couple of weeks ago.”

At this new tidbit of information, the boy besides her burst’s out into soft snickers and chuckles as he attempts not to outright just laugh in her face. Happy her response did its job, she began walking again forcing the chuckling boy to follow.

It was as the two got to the Great Hall when Sebastian stopped once more before leaning down a bit and lowering his voice as he had a brilliant idea. “You know, you might be a perfect fit for a certain exclusive, unsanctioned dueling organization. It would be just the thing to get some good practice in with dueling and some fun.”

Tilting her head up to look at him, wide eyes filled with genuine curiosity look back at him. “Sounds intriguing.” she responded with the same volume, her arms coming up to grip the arm of her bag. “Exclusive and unsanctioned? Count me in.”

An excited grin breaks out on the freckled face of her companion as he turns them the opposite way they were heading, now leading her someplace else as he spoke. “Now that’s the spirit. If you want to get the most of your time here at Hogwarts, you’re going to need to break the rules now then I say. Whether it’s joining a secret dueling club or sneaking into the Restricted Section of the Library– you just have to be clever enough not to get caught.”

At the advice given to her, Aspen just shook her head slightly but smiled nonetheless and thanked the boy. “Thank you, Sebastian. I’ll be sure to keep that in mind. Now I know we’re not heading towards the common room anymore. So where in the world are you taking me?”

“Ah, ah, ah. Don’t grow impatient now, little snake. I’m leading you to where this special exclusive and sanctioned dueling club is. Otherwise how else do you expect to get there?”

“Right. I’ll be the first to admit that this underground club of yours was definitely not covered in my tour of the castle. Lead away.”

“Good lass. Now follow me and try to remember the path.”

——————————————˚✧₊⁎ —————————————

“You know if we didn’t stop by every cat and pet it, we would've gotten here much quicker Rosewood.”

“Oh hush up. You act like half of them didn’t already come up to you first to rub up against your ankles.” Aspen complained as she shook her robes by the side trying to get cat fur off of her as they walked into the Clock Tower Courtyard.

As she looked around the space they were in she looked past the metal gate that separated the small room they were in from the main area and glanced up as she heard a big but soft whoosh.

A huge pendulum swung back and forth, background noise the the ruckus that was going on between what looked to be two groups going back and forth with each other, a gasp escaping her as a poor Ravenclaw was taken by surprise and a well aimed spell blasted him towards the two Slytherins that stood behind the other side.

Aspen flinched as the gate stopped the boy from flying into them and felt a hand on her shoulder pull her off to their side more as Sebastian made sure she was okay with a roguish grin on his face.

“Sorry about that doll, probably should’ve warned you most duels held here are a no holds barred type rather than the more refined and regulated duels we have in class.”

A soft flush graced her cheeks as she rubbed her hand on her chest where her heart was calming down from the shock she had just received. “A warning would have been appreciated but I suppose no better way to get used to the environment than getting right into the middle of it.”

Sebastian’s grin only grew wider at the girl’s resolve and almost exuded the same energy of an excited golden retriever.

Soon enough the battle ended with Gryffindor and Hufflepuff winning, leading the rest of the students to begin to file out or go up to the winning or losing teams and congratulate the students or apply some healing aid. The metal gates opened and Sebastian was quick to grasp the girl’s wrist and dragged her over to the Gryffindor that had just finished high fiving his partner before the two had separated.

The boy in question was clearly younger than the both of them by a year or two. Head a bit damp with sweat, showcased a bushel of russet curls and his face was littered with freckles.

As the boy in question greeted the two, Sebastian evidently more warmly than the confused but polite greeting he gave her, Sebastian began the introductions.

“Lucan, this is the new fifth year everyone and their mum’s were talking about yesterday.” the Slytherin paused to allow Aspen the chance to interject with her name “Aspen Rosewood.” before continuing on.

“Aspen, this is Lucan Brattleby and he helps run this unsanctioned club we like to call Crossed Wands here.”

Aspen just gave the younger boy an excited grin and a small wave as Sebastian continued on “I’m sure you’ll hear it from someone at some point but I’ll be the first to inform you that this snake has a fierce set of fangs on her as she managed to best me in a classroom duel we just had. Quite brilliantly I’ll admit.”

Sebastian clasped a hand on her shoulder giving it a soft squeeze which sent a flush blooming quickly on her cheeks as Lucan’s eyes widened giving an approving grin.

“If Sebastian vouches for you, that’s all I need to know. Consider yourself an official member of Crossed Wands. Like Sebastian just explained, I coordinate duels for Crossed Wands. It's invitation only so you must have really impressed Sebastian to get him to personally bring you here.”

Aspen rubbed her cheek with the ends of the sleeve of her robe trying to get rid of the pink hue of bashful embarrassment. “I’m flattered to hear that. Sebastian’s not a bad duelist either.”

At that Lucan just sputtered in disbelief, “I would hope not! He’s one of the club’s best. Imagine it’s quite something to see the two of you duel.”

The two in green could practically see what thoughts were running through his head as he muttered under his breath about money and bets in an excited voice.

Aspen soon knocked the younger out of his thoughts as Sebastian called out the boy’s name as she wasn’t heard the first time when asking how the club matches exactly work.

After a quick run down of the club in more detailed terms, Sebastian spoke up. “Lucan, what about the duo’s bracket? Is it filled yet?”

The boy in question stopped his rambling mid way as he blinked in confusion at Sebastian's sudden question. “Uhh, no! We still have some spots left open. I know Weasley was trying to wrangle Onai into teaming with her and Prewett just joined with Langston.”

Before the boy could get far with the train of thought that was steadily building up steam, Sebastian stopped the boy in his tracks again as he suggested something so suddenly it even made Aspen sputter.

“Brilliant. Sign us up.” A rambunctious grin spread on his lips as Lucan’s eyes practically popped out his head as he made sure Sebastian was going to be okay with being in both the solo duels and duo duels.

“I’m sorry- what?!”