Since it was a morning Herbology class, Slytherin was paired with Ravenclaw, and Gryffindor with Hufflepuff.
So after a quick breakfast, the two groups split at the staircase.
Lucas shook his head as he watched Hermione's lone figure slowly make her way up the stairs.
No matter where you are, there are always people who have something to say about overachievers.
He didn't have many friends himself anyway.
In the Slytherin common room, he was only really close to Malfoy—and maybe Crabbe, at most.
Walking into the greenhouse for Herbology, Lucas mentally braced himself. Another boring day was kicking off.
By the time class ended, it was nearly noon. That afternoon, Slytherin and Gryffindor had no other lessons—only a joint History of Magic class in the evening.
Apparently, the professor for that class was ancient—like, nearly a thousand years old. Rumor had it he was invited by Salazar Slytherin himself.
Lucas was actually kind of curious to see what a walking piece of history looked like.
Later, he found Hermione at their usual table. This time, she wasn't alone—Harry and Ron were with her.
"This way, Lucas!"
Hermione, who had clearly been waiting for him, spotted him immediately.
"Good afternoon," Lucas said, setting his book down and giving the boys a polite nod.
"Going to the library later?"
Hermione asked after lunch.
She felt like she needed to brush up on Potions—especially compared to Lucas, who made her feel like she was seriously behind.
Since Slytherin and Gryffindor shared nearly identical schedules, they often ended up resting or hanging out during the same blocks of time.
"You guys going to the library? Count me in!"
Harry perked up. After Snape roasted him in class yesterday, he figured his brain needed a serious upgrade.
Especially after hearing about Hermione's intense study methods, he was feeling hyped up and ready to grind.
"I guess I'll come too?"
Ron didn't really want to study, but his best mate was going, so there was no way he'd skip.
Lucas, who was planning to say he wasn't going, scratched his head when he saw how eager everyone was.
"…Alright, let's go."
He had originally planned to check out the Quidditch pitch and maybe stroll along the Black Lake. It had only been two days—he still hadn't explored all of Hogwarts.
But if the gang was heading to the library, guess he had to follow the flow.
It was noon, so the library was packed—mostly upper-year students studying hard, prepping for certifications, or working on papers. The room was practically humming with quiet focus.
Lucas and the others found a table near the door and grabbed a few books.
Hermione handed Harry a huge Potions textbook—thick as a brick—and Harry nearly passed out just looking at it.
"You planning to read this whole thing?"
"Unless you'd rather stay clueless."
Hermione lifted her chin like a proud swan, giving Harry a pointed look.
"Man, that was harsh,"
Ron muttered to Harry with a grin, before sticking his tongue out at Hermione.
"Miss Know-it-all strikes again!"
"Hmph."
Hermione huffed and dropped into the seat next to Lucas, hugging a chunky dictionary.
"Don't waste your energy getting mad over slackers,"
Lucas leaned in and said softly near her ear.
The warm breath made her shiver a little, and she quickly replied:
"I-I know…"
Lucas opened his own book—Basics of Potions Cognition—and got to work.
Out of all the subjects, Potions had his attention right now.
It seemed like a solid money-making opportunity if done right.
Especially considering how insanely valuable basilisk fangs and blood were.
And, well, he had one chilling in his basement. Had been for nearly a thousand years.
While everyone was deep in study mode, Malfoy suddenly strutted into the library.
Scanning the room, his eyes landed on Harry, who looked half-asleep.
Malfoy was about to head that way, but then he spotted Lucas, calmly reading, and stopped cold.
"Why the hell am I scared of that guy again?" he muttered.
"Draco, you're a noble wizard. Don't be afraid. Deep breaths…"
Hyped up with a little self-pep talk, he marched over to their table.
"I challenge you to a wizard's duel!"
The loud declaration cut through the quiet library like a firework.
Even Madam Pince at the front desk shot him a look of pure death.
Malfoy quickly lowered his head, realizing he'd just called out a duel in the one place where silence was sacred.
"You wanna duel me?" Lucas raised an eyebrow.
Harry instantly snapped out of his drowsiness. Did someone say duel?
"No no no!"
Malfoy shook his head rapidly. He knew better than to pick a fight with the monster sitting across from him.
"I meant you, Harry Potter. Half-past eleven tonight, trophy room. Don't chicken out!"
Then he dramatically flipped his golden-blond head and stormed off.
"Wait… he's dueling me?" Harry blinked.
"Yep. Pretty sure that's what he said."
Ron gave Harry a half-confused, half-excited look. "You gonna do it?"
"Hell yeah. I'm not backing down!"
Harry's frustration with Malfoy boiled over into determination.
"I'm going with you tonight."
Hermione muttered, flipping through her book, "Idiots. The both of you."
"This is a noble wizard's duel, Miss Know-It-All,"
Ron said mockingly, rolling his eyes.
Still, the doubt started creeping in for Harry.
"Only problem… I barely know any spells."
Ron froze. Harry had a point. They'd only had a couple days of class, and their first Charms lesson was tomorrow.
Draco, being from a pure-blood wizard family, probably knew a ton already.
Was Harry just walking into a trap?
"If you've got time to worry, you've got time to study."
Lucas casually slid The Standard Book of Spells toward him.
He knew Malfoy was up to something—probably counting on the school rules to catch Harry out after curfew.
As Hermione said, neither Harry nor Ron was thinking things through.
Lucas doubted Malfoy would risk detention just for a duel. Odds were, a certain caretaker and his cat would be ready and waiting.
"Wanna go for a walk by the lake?" Lucas asked, closing his book and stretching.
"I heard the view's nice."
"Are you two going on a date?" Harry asked, eyes gleaming with curiosity.
Hermione turned beet red and whacked his arm.
"A d-date or whatever—!"
Lucas didn't deny it. "Sure, why not."