Barnaby Lee x Reader - Year 5

Preparing for the Vault

Lana spent the next day with Merula, which she thought would be terrible, but it wasn't too bad! She learnt more about her past, and her parents, and that she's actually worried about going into a Cursed Vault for the first time.

Rakepick had called the trio to the courtyard the next day, to teach them something.

"Why are we meeting out here in the open?" Bill asked.

"To avoid suspicion. You should stick to your normal school routine, not alert anyone to what we're about to do." Rakepick answered.

"So it's happening? It's time to enter the Cursed Vault?" Merula asked, a slight look of worry overtaking her features.

"Soon. Tonight."

"Then you've figured out where the vault is, Professor Rakepick?" Lana asked.

"Not exactly. Every indication Pitts to it being underground, so we won't find it on Hogwarts grounds."

"But how can we go there tonight if-"

"Patience, Miss Riviera. First thing's first, we'll need more help. Do you know another student who would be fit enough to join us?" Rakepick asked.

"We have plenty of friends...I mean, at least Lana and I have...um..." Bill said awkwardly, glancing at Merula.

"I have friends! Lana is my friend!" Merula huffed.

"You're calling Lana your friend now? After everything you did to her?" Bill said sceptically.

"You're calling me Lana at all?!" Lana asked in surprise.

"I wanted to try it out, Riviera...it's not working for me."

"I do hope you'll all sharpen your focus by tonight." Rakepick said, "Now who shall we take into the Cursed Vault with us?"

"Well, there are pros and cons to anyone we pick..." Lana said, and they all got into a large discussion about who to bring.

"You keep circling back around to Charlie and Penny..." Rakepick said after a while, "Miss Riviera, you choose."

"Why me?"

"Bill will have a bias towards his brother, whether it's for or against..."

"Yeah, I'd want Charlie by my side, but my mum wouldn't want either of us putting ourselves in danger..." Bill commented.

"As for Merula, she never questions my good judgement. But you often do. So I will leave the choice up to only you, so you can't blame anyone but yourself, should...something happen."

"That's a tough spot to put Lana in, Professor Rakepick." Bill frowned.

"The tough spot we'll all be in soon is inside the Cursed Vault. So who will we bring with us: Charlie or Penny?"

"I'll pick...Charlie." Lana said, "He'd love to see a dragon up close, and his knowledge will come in handy. Plus, Bill gets to be with his brother." she smiled.

"Excellent. Now all you have to do is go and convince him to put himself in danger."

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In the Hog's Head, Lana convinced Charlie to join them all in their quest, and he excitedly accepted. He walked back to Hogwarts to get ready, and Lana was about to leave, until Ben approached her!

"I can help." he smiled.

"Ben! I didn't know you spent time in the Hog's Head." Lana said, surprised to see him in a place like that.