Facing Fears PV Sebastian Leeds Finished

"S...spells?" Blinking, Maisy took a small step back, as inside her robes, she felt for her wand. Outside of the classroom, she had only ever used it once, to usher a pile of books down the stairs, but in her mind rung the reminder of what Yvaine had told her about it. It was powerful. Dangerously powerful, and Maisy wasn't entirely sure what Sebastian was suggesting was wrong, while she was naive, she wasn't dumb... She knew why he was asking.

"I... I know a few, but I don't think..." Trailing off, she shook her head. It was no matter. She didn't have to hurt Luke to teach him a lesson. Magic could be used in many clever ways, "I know Levitation... and um... Well, Incendio. Periculum. Dancing feet and... the mending charm. Sorry, it's not much. OH! The Sneezing Hex, too, but..."

Looking back behind her, to the hill she had come down, Maisy frowned softly, returning her eyes to Sebastian, "...I'm not a bully, Sebastian. I don't want to become one just to keep one from messing with me. I hope that's okay."

Voices echoed in the distance, across the small span between Hogwarts and the Willow, and tiny pinpricks of light pierced through the darkness. Pulling her wand free, she nodded and moved off a short distance, to a small cluster of stones nearby. She had just crouched down when a broad-shouldered boy, blonde, appeared over the crest of the hill, beside him, a tall, wiry youth, with bright red curls.

As they approached, they slowed, and the blonde looked to Sebastian, a brow lifting, "...Scram, kid. Get lost."

Sebastian listened as Maisy listed off some spells, nodding. At least she knew enough to handle the situation should it come to that and require the use of magic. But, with any luck, the willow would handle the majority of the persuasion, and cause Luke enough discomfort to reconsider his stance on tricking new arrivals to Hogwarts.

"That's not the definition of a bully, Maisy," The Irish boy said, glancing toward her. "Fighting back isn't becoming what you hate. It's stopping it from happening to you. But if you then did it to others, you would be a bully... there's a difference.

"And that's fine, really. I know what you mean."

There were distant voices, followed by glowing orbs that appeared in the darkness, weaving a path down from the castle. Sebastian took that time to move away from the willow, to put as much space between himself and the shifted rocks; that way, if the plan went right, Luke would lead the way again, and step a little too close. After several minutes, the pair of older students arrived, with Luke was in front, of course.

Sebastian looked at the two, even as Luke demanded he scram.

"I'm meeting someone," The smaller boy said simply, looking from one agitated face to the other. "She's running late... I don't think I should leave yet."

"The mudblood isn't here yet?" Luke smirked, as he looked back to Sebastian. "So... has she told you about the Whomping Willow?"

Sebastian inclined his head, wondering if it was going to be as easy as it seemed. He ignored the name calling, instead not wanting to draw attention away from the focus of the ambush. Later, when Luke was worse for wear, Sebastian would mention it.

"No... what is it?" He asked, sounding genuinely interested, surprisingly. "It sounds dangerous..."

"Not at all," Luke chuckled, pointing to the dark willow on the rise, as he stepped closer to Sebastian. "That's it there. There's a hidden passage under it, which leads to a stash of galleons... I've taken a few myself."

"Really?"

"You bet," Luke chuckled, as he pointed to the tree. "Go on, see if you can find some. You won't regret it."

"Are you sure?" Sebastian crossed his arms, eyebrow raised. "The name of the tree doesn't give me that impression... how do I believe you?"

Luke stood straight, as he held his arms out, walking backward toward the willow. He motioned to the smaller boy, as his bully redhead sidekick stayed behind.

"Come on, I'll show you..."

Sebastian began walking, noting that Luke was moving slowly to let him catch up, as the pair neared the rocks...

Now it's up to Maisy, Sebastian thought, as he resisted the urge to glance to her hiding spot. She can either let the willow hand out a smack, or do it herself... either way, I'm ready to handle the other one.

From behind the rocks, Maisy grimaced at the sound of that awful name. Since she'd been told by Sebastian not to repeat it, she couldn't help but feel like somehow, it was so much worse than she'd originally figured. It seemed silly, sure, to get worked up over insults, but it was the idea behind the word, more than the word itself, that hurt. That she was somehow less than... somehow disgraceful, for something she couldn't even help.

Breathing out softly, forcing herself to focus, she turned so she could watch the interaction between the boys, her gaze bouncing between Sebastian and Luke, narrowing as the older boy spun a lie about the tree, another lie... And for what? The twisted enjoyment of watching someone smaller than him get hurt? What made people that way?

Luke had called her simple minded. Simple minded and small. But was she really? She had spent the entirety of her young life dancing on the edge of optimism, the cynical culture of the world around her curtailed by a desire, no... by a need to see the good in everything. But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't find a silver lining to the Slytherin boy. He was violent and cruel and wrong...

And someone had to put a stop to it, before he did something someone wouldn't walk away from.

Her fingers curled around the wand in her hand and she considered Sebastian's words... Fighting back isn't becoming what you hate... He was just a few steps away, just a few more steps. All she had to do was wait.

"You're that Leeds kid, aren't you?" Luke asked, glancing back over his shoulders, "My dad works for the Ministry, too. What's someone like you doing hanging around that little chav, anyway? Pretty far beneath our kind, isn't she?"

Maisy flinched again, and sinking lower behind the stone, she eased in a breath. Gripping the wand tighter, suddenly, she hoisted herself upright and with a small swirl, muttered "Lumos".

"Oy! Luke!" The red haired kid hissed, and Luke spun towards the source of light.

"Well, well... Look who decided to show, after all."

"...It's okay, Sebastian." Maisy said, giving him a nod, "I've got this." Stepping forward, she lowered her wand slightly, her eyes on the older Slytherin boy, "I've had enough, Luke. I want you to leave me alone. And I want you to stop this, too. Messing with kids... Telling them about the tree, so they get hurt."

Laughing, Luke's brow arched upwards, as he scooped his shoulders in a shrug, hands slipping into his pockets, "And what's a useless Mudblood brat gonna do to me?"

"I don't have to do anything to you. Look where you're standing."

Glancing around, Luke smirked, "...So?"

"...So.. Maybe you should pay more attention. The rocks were moved. You take another step, and you'll find out what it feels like to get whomped." Bringing her wand up, her expression cooled, "Heard of the Knockback jinx? I'm pretty fresh with it, but I'm a fast learner... and I've been told my wand is powerful."

His smile fading slightly, Luke's eyes moved to the stones around the tree and in her mind she knew he was doing the math... measuring. His throat bobbed as he swallowed, "You wouldn't. You Prefect goodie-goodies..."

"Are tired of being picked on by bullies who think they're big and bad because they've got powerful daddies. Say you'll stop... and mean it, or I will do what I need to do."

Jaw clenched, Luke stared, his eyes moving to his red haired friend "...Do something..."

When Maisy stepped out, and began engaging Luke in a verbal confrontation, Sebastian used that time to ensure he was prepared against the redhead. Slowly the boy walked over, leaving the larger bully's side, keeping a low profile about his movements; and when Sebastian was several meters away from the backup, he paused and made sure his footing was solid amid the rocks and grass. And judging by the expression on Luke's face, things seemed likely to kick off... especially when Luke called for his lackey to do something.

"Come on, Seamus," Luke shouted, ordering the redhead. "Attack them!"

Sebastian was already reacting, as his dark wood wand covered in spiraling silver runes dropped from within his robe sleeve, his eleven year old hand catching it with practiced ease. The redhead fumbled for his wand, seemingly unready to draw it, as he had expected things to do smoothly like they always had. Sebastian pointed his wand at Seamus, silver-blue eyes narrowed, as he stared the older student down...

"I wouldn't," The smaller boy warned, jutting his chin out in threat. "You're too slow, especially from a wand draw..."

Only half-paying attention to the other confrontation a short distance away, Sebastian trusted that Maisy would know how to handle herself against Luke. Or at least he hoped she did. If not, then the Irish boy might find himself in a bit of trouble, especially if it turned out the pair of older students were skilled in dueling.

Seamus went for his wand!

"Lacarnum Inf--" He began to cast a charm--

"Steleus!" Sebastian flicked the tip of his wand, using minimal movement to ensure the quickest result, and watched as green rings shot out at Seamus, causing the older student to immediately begin a sneezing fit.

--"achoo! Achoo! Achoo!"

Without waiting for his opponent to recover, Sebastian began his next spell, wanting to ensure he put the redhead out of the fight with little damage as possible. With any luck, Maisy had been prepared to send some magic toward Luke, should the situation warrant.

"Mucus ad Nauseam."

The wand moved through the motions, and there was a green flash of light; and in response, Seamus' nose began running, heavily, and he started coughing as he dropped his wand and tried to wipe the bogies with his sleeve. For now, he was taken care of, which made Sebastian glance over to Maisy and her opponent...

Things hadn't gone entirely as planned. She could see in Luke's eyes that he wasn't expecting a fight, and for a moment that had come at something of an advantage. The trouble was, where Sebastian knew his spells, and was quite adept at casting them, Maisy had largely been bluffing and as Luke stepped forward in the other Prefect's absence, he took note of the sudden concern reflected in her eyes and his lip turned up in a smile.

"Little mudblood doesn't know a damn thing, does she..." He cooed, and reaching into his robe, he drew his wand, rolling it in hand with a lax, lazy posture, "What shall I do with you...?"

"Wingardium Leviosa!" It came almost with automation, and Luke's wand lifted from his grip, floating up in the air. Unprepared, he swung for it, knocking it out of the way and the wand flipped, landing near the rocks around the willow.

THUMP

The branch came down hard and fast and a grisly crunch resonated from the fallen wand as Luke's eyes bulged with shock. Anger came next, and rounding, he grabbed Maisy by the wrist, twisting her arm around her back with a low, guttural growl, "Stupid cow! You're gonna lay for--"

THWOCK

This time, the soubd was punctuated by a cry of pain as Maisy swung her elbow back high and hard, catching the older boy in the chin. Stumbling, he released her, and as he did she lifted her wand again, eyes blazed.

"My brother taught me that! He's a Muggle. Now go back to the castle, before you embarrass yourself any more. Seems you need to write Daddy for a new wand!"

Looking left, then right, spitting blood from her bit tongue, Luke hissed, "Crazy... Seamus! Let's..." Swearing, he caught sight of the state of the red head and looking between the two, shook his head, "Idiot! Come on." Giving Seamus a kick, the younger boy squealing, both Slytherin's took off, back up the hill, Luke shouting at Seamus the entire way.

Returning her wand to her robes, Maisy rubbed her elbow with a small frown, "I didn't mean to break his wand..." She mumbled.

The fight was over relatively quickly, as both bullies were sent running. The bruised egos and chins would heal, the wand breaking wouldn't, but Luke and his offsider deserved it, really. Sebastian watched the pair, wand firmly in hand, right up until they disappeared around the distant trees and wall. Only then did the boy put his wand away, sliding it back up his sleeve. He had adjusted his robes, adding a small lining that could hold it in place for quick drawing.

"Well, that went better than expected," Sebastian said as he turned to look at Maisy. She looked a little down, but otherwise had held her ground and done what needed doing. "I'm surprised you didn't send him into the willow... but, it sure made good work of his wand."

Sebastian glanced over to the remains of the wooden object, smirking. Luke would have a hard time until he could get another, which would - hopefully - make him reconsider his course of action. Perhaps if he knew others would stand up to him now, he would take a step back and reassess if the cost of new wands or injury was worth it. But, until there were reports of other first years being attacked by the Whomping Willow, the pair would have to wait and see...

"How do you feel? Like a bully?" Sebastian asked as he walked over to Maisy. "If you do, don't. You gave him choice, and he still tried to play the dumb card. Can't help that kind of stupid."

The sky was darkening, as the boy looked up, seeing the moon.

"Want to walk and talk? We should probably start heading back now."

Looking from the hill to the boy beside her, Maisy frowned finely, her teeth pinching the inside of her cheek in thought. How did she feel? There didn't see to be much in the way of an easy answer. She felt bad... Guilty for breaking the wand, sorry for the Slytherin boy, whose behavior seemed little more than compensation for lack of attention...

She didn't want things to go the way they had, but Luke hadn't listened, and she had only done what was necessary to keep herself from getting hurt. But she still felt bad.

And yet...

There was a sense, too, of accomplishment. She had stood up to him and won. And she had no doubt that, even if it were out of sheer embarrassment, Luke would leave her alone, now.

Nodding, she started for the path back to the castle, sliding her hands into her pockets, "I don't feel like a bully, no. I wish that there had been a better way... But I don't think that everyone knows there's other ways to do things. And he had to learn. He said his dad worked for the Ministry, right? So he shouldn't have too much trouble getting a new wand. Hopefully this time, he respects it more. Thank you, Sebastian... For your help." Smiling slyly, she shrugged, "You're pretty scary, with those spells... I'm not sure I could ever be so brave."

The night was starting to chill, but Sebastian was warm enough in his coat. Like Maisy, the other Prefect had his hands in pockets, as the pair walked. The boy kept his eyes down, watching the numerous rocks and potential tripping hazards, even as he felt his hands shaking slightly in the confines of his pockets. It wasn't cold, it wasn't fear, but after having a brief combat with another student, there was certainly some energy - adrenaline - that was seeping out of him.

Sebastian decided to remain quiet, to calm down some, before he responded.

"Right," The boy said, glancing to Maisy. "I've heard a saying I think is appropriate: You can't cure stupid. And Luke is really stupid, especially picking on someone from his own House. Makes no sense."

Though Sebastian did neglect to mention that picking on anyone, regardless of House, wasn't a good thing to do. It wasn't that he agreed with bullying, in fact he enjoyed doing so - so long as the people he bullied were bullies themselves, as a kind of misaligned justice. Still, Sebastian didn't claim to be a shining knight for the masses, rather he was someone who was willing to cast spells to knock someone down; and if the person he just happened to help ended up owing him, or becoming a friendly acquaintance, all the better...

"And yeah, losing his wand should make him think twice before doing that again... hopefully," Sebastian continued, smirking. "Nice fight, by the way... I knew you had it in you."

At the mention of Sebastian's own casting, he shrugged slightly.

"That sort of thing comes with practice, really. I've been taught a thing or two before Hogwarts. What about you? Strict parents or upbringing?"

Breathing out, Maisy allowed herself a moment to reflect on all that had happened, letting Sebastian's words linger in her mind. Charlie always said that ignorant people were too stupid to see how ignorant they truly were... She supposed it was a similar notions, and a fair one, when she considered Luke's resistance to reason. It wasn't in her to hate a person, but the way he had treated her had been pretty despicable...

And yet she couldn't help but feel a twinge of regret that she'd allowed him to get to her. That she hadn't been a better guard over her feelings. She wouldn't make the same mistake again. Of that she was certain.

Sliding her hands into her pockets, she drew her shoulders up in a shrug, "I guess people like that... They only see blood status. My House didn't matter as soon as he knew what sort of parents I had. It's disappointing... But I doubt he's the only one in Slytherin to think that way." Her thoughts revolved back to the note she had reveived, her first few weeks at Hogwarts... And she frowned. Maybe it had been Luke who delivered it. Maybe...

Her cheeks flushed at his complement, and pulling her hand free, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, "Thanks. That makes one of us, at least. I never really thought I could do it. I never imagined I would ever have to. I'm glad Auggie taught me what he did. I didn't think I'd ever have use for it..."

He continued, and a soft laugh bubbled free as she shook her head, "Mine? Goodness, no. I mean... Mum doesn't like it if we sneak sweets or don't wipe our feet when we've muddied our boots, but no... Not strict. Mum had a really hard childhood. Her parents came from money and when she met Dad, they weren't keen on her seeing him. They cut her off, when she married him..."

"Not having strict parents must be nice," Sebastian said with a nod, wondering if the difference was as nice as he believed. "I was forced to study under tutors from a young age, and never really had much interaction with my parents beyond being told what they expected of me... it wasn't ideal."

As the pair spoke, Sebastian began thinking about what Maisy was saying. He could see how a more caring family dynamic could prove better for a child, having years filled with kindness and hugs and all that; but on the other hand, Sebastian was bred for a purpose, and he knew what it was, so in some ways he had a clear path in life and didn't have to rely on others... he supposed that was the difference, though given his young mind, it probably wasn't that simple.

"It's never nice to be forced to make a decision," Sebastian said, giving a shrug, feeling some small level of sympathy for Maisy's parents. "I guess as long as they were happ-- oh, I completely forgot, I have a study session planned!"

Grimacing, Sebastian looked to the girl, his expression saying 'sorry'.

"It was nice meeting you, Maisy, and I'm glad I could help out a bit, but I really can't be late!"

Sebastian smiled to Maisy, before nodding and taking a right into a different corridor...