First duel (Merula Snyde x Slytherin female reader)

The Ride Back

After two and a half months at home, I was ready to finally go back to Hogwarts. I packed my trunks and got my clothes on. I still missed my brother, but I knew I'd find him one day.
Me and my mom drove to the train station. The people walking around with their annoying children and luggages had something magic about it. It probably just reminded me of my first year at Hogwarts.
We got to the wall where you go to platform 9 and 3/4. I ran through it, and my mom followed. I saw it again: The train that led to another world. I was so excited to get on and go back to Hogwarts.
I said bye to my mom and got on the train. I saw Merula and her "friends", but I also found Rowan, Tulip, Tonks, Andre, and Penny. Ben was nowhere to be found. Merula definitely found out in her odd ways.
All my friends were having their conversations, but I stayed looking out the window, admiring all the beauty: The grassy lanes were passing while the smoke of the train blew through the wind. The trees ruffled and the sun had the perfect angle of lighting on them. We were probably in Scotland. The thought of Hogwarts and where we were going reminded me of one thing: What had happened on the train ride home. What Merula did... How magnificent the experience was. I couldn't imagine anything better than ending a year off like that. Amazing how it just happened to be that her compartment was empty. But why did my whole life revolve around her? Everything odd that happened had her involved in any way possible. The reason Ben was gone was because Merula probably heard about/saw what he did. Poor Ben. I just hope he's alright.
My thoughts were interrupted by Rowan.
"(Your name), it's time to go get dressed in your Hogwarts robes! We're nearly there!"
I snapped out of my endless thoughts and got up.
"Right, thanks. I'll be back soon."
I walked down the corridors of the train. Everyone in their compartments with their all flavored beans and chocolate frogs.
I kept walking past everyone; the changing room was so far. I even walked passed by what looked like first year muggle-born kids. Their faces shown how fascinating they found the wizarding world.

I finally made it to the changing room and changed into my Hogwarts robes. God, it felt nice wearing these again. The oversized sleeves had been something I knew I'd always miss when I wouldn't wear them after Hogwarts. Since I don't break promises, I didn't waste any time and got back to my friends. Well, I tried to. On my way back, I saw a compartment that looked a bit empty. This couldn't have been because the train was always full. I opened it up. It seemed pretty... suspicious. I looked at the seats: nothing. I then looked down toot feet. Short messy brown hair, streak of orange-ish gold, green robes, and too much mascara: Merula, Merula Snyde. She could barely move. That was the weakest I've ever seen her. She heard me open the door and did her best to look at me.
"Help..."
I freaked out. What just happened to her? I called for help from anyone, anything. Nobody came.
I brought my wand out of my pocket with my shaking hand. My lip trembling, I said, "Episkey." I hoped the spell worked. Merula didn't look great, but she looked better than a few seconds before.
"Merula, speak to me," I was worried about what happened to her and if it might've happened to anyone else. "What happened?"
She coughed a bit, then said, "I've- I've been attacked." She continued to lay on the floor as she was too weak to do anything else.
I knelt down. "Do you know what it was?"
"N-no." She replied weakly.
I knew I shouldn't ask her anymore questions because she needed to heal.
"Stay here," I got up to leave. "I'm going to get someone."
I ran across the halls of the train. I needed to find a teacher. I decided it would be best to tell my friends what happened. I rushed to them, completely out of breath. I almost tripped because of how fast I was running. I finally made it to all of my friends.
"Guys- Merula- is-" I was panting for breath. I did a little bit of relaxing and tried again. "Merula is hurt. We need to help her."
Obviously, the questions started pouring in.
"How did she get hurt?" Penny asked.
"I dunno," I finally fully caught my breath. "I asked her how she got hurt and she said she was attacked. When I asked her if she knew what happened, she said no."
"I just hope she's alright..."
Everyone gave her a weird look.
"Why would you care if Merula's alright?" Rowan asked.
"Everyone deserves to be alright." God, Penny was too nice.
"Penny's right, everyone deserves to be alright. Even Merula, and I actually like Merula, unlike some," I said nervously, we needed to get back to Merula. "Now, let's go get someone to help h-"
"Wait!" Tulip interrupted. "I think I know a spell that would work perfectly: Episkey!"
"Tried that. Barely worked."
"Oh..."
"Hey," Andre said. "Isn't there a nurse on this train? Why don't we get her?"
"Oh yeah!" Tonks got excited. "Let's find her!"
We all left the compartment.
"Okay," I had my plan in my head, ready to go. "I'll go watch Merula. I'll make sure she's still alive, and I want the rest of you to search for the nurse. We've got around one hour left-"
-Andre raised his hand- "She's near the changing station. You'll see me and her once you get there."
"How did you know that was my-?" Andre began.
"I knew, Andre. I alway know." I interrupted.
We decided it was time to finally go do our tasks. We all parted. I ran to Merula, while they ran to find the nurse- if there even was one.
I ran to Merula's compartment. Before I left, I put Colloportus on the door, just to make sure nobody came in. Actually, that was kinda dumb. Anyone could just use Alohamora and open it up. Oh well.
I continued to run down the corridor until I made it to her compartment. Finally, I was there. I opened the door to see Merula by herself, thank God.
"(Your name)..?" She asked. "Is that you..?"
I rushed over to her. "Yeah, it's me. What's wrong?"
She took a deep breath, then continued her talking.
"I think I was attacked. The Episkey you've used on me had helped me heal over time. I'm not feeling good, though. Anyway, I'm pretty sure I was attacked by something... Whether it was a human or creature, I don't know."
I stopped to think for a minute. Merula was sitting down on the chairs and looked much better. And, as always, had something about her looks that I loved, but should've hated.
"Well... Let's find out what it was."
As I finished my sentence, we heard a knock at the compartment door. I walked over to open it. An old lady stood there, with Rowan, Tonks, Tulip, Andre, and Penny.