Clexa Hogwarts AU

Tensions and Triumphs

     A few weeks had passed, and Clarke's apprehension about Defense Against the Dark Arts had only grown. The memory of her last encounter with Lexa still lingered, and she found herself dreading the class more with each passing day. Lexa had maintained her silence, and Clarke had reluctantly given up trying to bridge the gap between them. The air between the two remained thick with unresolved tension.
As Clarke and Octavia approached the classroom, the familiar mix of anxiety and anticipation settled in. The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom was a large, dimly lit space with dark wooden desks arranged in neat rows. The atmosphere was tense, with students from both Gryffindor and Slytherin taking their seats.
Clarke noticed that Lexa was already seated on the Slytherin side of the room, her expression as guarded as ever. Murphy sat beside her, and the two appeared deep in conversation, though Lexa's focus seemed distant. Clarke sighed and sat down with Octavia, doing her best to ignore the knot of nerves in her stomach.
"Ready for another round with Professor Indra?" Octavia asked, trying to sound upbeat.
Clarke shrugged. "As ready as I'll ever be. Just hoping it goes better than last time."
Octavia nodded in understanding, her eyes flicking toward the Slytherin side. "We'll get through it. It's just one class."
Before Clarke could respond, the door creaked open, and Professor Indra entered the room with her usual commanding presence. She wasted no time in addressing the class.
"Good afternoon," Professor Indra began, her voice cutting through the murmurs. "Today, we will be practicing counter-curses. These are essential for protecting yourselves against dark magic, so I expect everyone to give their full attention."
With a wave of her wand, Professor Indra transformed the classroom. Desks and chairs moved aside to make space for a large, raised dueling platform in the center of the room.
Today, we will be working in pairs," Professor Indra continued. "Each Gryffindor will be paired with a Slytherin. This will not only help you improve your spellwork but also encourage cooperation between houses."
Clarke felt a mix of relief and anxiety. Working with a Slytherin could mean being paired with Lexa, but it could also mean avoiding her altogether. As Professor Indra called out names, Clarke's heart pounded in anticipation.
"Clarke Griffin, you're first with Cage Wallace."
Clarke glanced around, spotting a tall boy with a smug expression on his face. Cage Wallace, a Slytherin, had a reputation for being ambitious and somewhat arrogant. He sauntered over to his side of the platform, looking her up and down as if assessing her abilities.
"Let's see what you've got, Gryffindor," Cage said with a smirk, his tone dripping with condescension.
Clarke straightened her shoulders, determined not to let his attitude get to her. "Alright, let's go," she replied calmly.
They took their places on the dueling platform, wands at the ready. The other students gathered around, eager to watch the duel unfold. Some wore expressions of excitement, while others looked nervous, anticipating the clash between the houses. Professor Indra stood to the side, her keen eyes observing every movement.
Octavia, standing next to Murphy, leaned in and whispered, "Ten galleons says Clarke wipes the floor with him."
Murphy chuckled. "You're on. But don't underestimate Cage. He's got a few tricks up his sleeve."
Meanwhile, Lexa stood a bit apart from the crowd, her gaze fixed on Clarke. She tried to maintain a neutral expression, but anyone paying close attention could see the tension in her posture and the slight furrow in her brow. Despite the recent distance between them, Lexa couldn't help but feel a mix of nerves and curiosity about how Clarke would handle the duel.
The room fell silent as Clarke and Cage faced each other, wands at the ready. Clarke's heart raced, but she forced herself to focus. She couldn't let Cage's arrogance throw her off.
"On my count," Professor Indra announced, her voice echoing through the room. "Three... two... one... duel!"
Cage immediately launched a Stupefy spell, the red light flashing towards Clarke. She swiftly dodged, countering with a Disarming Charm. Cage deflected it, smirking confidently.
"Not bad, Gryffindor," Cage taunted, sending another spell her way.
Clarke deflected his spell with ease, determined to stay calm and focused. She aimed her wand and cast a stunning spell, catching Cage off guard. He staggered but quickly regained his footing, retaliating with a binding spell that Clarke barely managed to block.
The duel intensified as they exchanged spells, the crowd watching in hushed anticipation. Octavia and Murphy's banter had ceased, both now riveted by the duel. Clarke could feel Lexa's eyes on her, adding to the pressure but also fueling her determination.
Cage smirked as he cast a Blasting Curse, a powerful and reckless spell that sent a shockwave toward Clarke. She tried to deflect it, but the force was too strong. The spell hit her squarely in the chest, sending her sprawling backward.
Gasps echoed through the room as Clarke hit the ground, the wind knocked out of her. Pain radiated through her body, but she forced herself to get back up. She could see the concern in Octavia's and Lexa's eyes, but she also saw something else in Lexa's—fear.
Clarke pushed herself to her feet, her wand still tightly gripped in her hand. "That all you've got?" she taunted, trying to mask her pain with bravado.
Cage's smirk faltered for a moment, but he quickly regained his composure. "You're tougher than you look. But this ends now."
He raised his wand for another powerful spell, but Clarke was ready. With a surge of determination, she cast a Protego Shield Charm, deflecting Cage's attack back at him. The force of his own spell knocked him off balance, and before he could recover, Clarke fired a stunning spell, hitting him squarely.
Cage fell to the ground. The room erupted in applause, and Professor Indra stepped forward. "Excellent work, Miss Griffin. Your resilience and quick thinking are commendable."
As the applause died down, Clarke stepped off the dueling platform, her body still tingling from the effects of the spells. Octavia rushed over to her, a broad grin on her face.
"You were amazing, Clarke!" Octavia exclaimed, her eyes shining with pride. "I knew you'd beat him."
Clarke managed a tired smile. "Thanks, O. It was tougher than I thought it would be."
Before they could continue their conversation, a new voice interrupted them.
"Hey! That was an incredible duel!"
Clarke and Octavia turned to see a new Gryffindor student approaching them. He was tall with a friendly smile and warm eyes.
"Thanks," Clarke said, still catching her breath. "I'm Clarke, by the way."
"I know," the boy replied, extending his hand. "I'm Wells. We haven't met yet, but I've heard about you."
Clarke shook his hand, intrigued. "Nice to meet you, Wells. What brings you over?"
"I couldn't help but notice your duel," Wells said, his admiration clear. "You handled Cage really well. That Protego charm was brilliant."
Clarke smiled at Wells' compliment, feeling a bit more at ease. "Thank you. I was just trying to stay focused."
Octavia nudged Clarke playfully. "And you did more than that! You totally outclassed him."
Wells chuckled, turning to Octavia. "And you must be Octavia. I've heard a lot about you too."
Octavia grinned, extending her hand. "All good things, I hope."
Wells shook her hand, his smile widening. "Of course. It's nice to finally meet you both in person."
Clarke glanced around the room, noticing the other students gathering back around the platform. "We should probably join everyone before we piss off Professor Indra."
Octavia nodded. "Right. It was great meeting you, Wells. We should all hang out sometime."
Wells' eyes lit up. "I'd like that. See you both around."
Professor Indra scanned the room, her eyes sharp and discerning. "Next up: Lexa Woods and Nathan Miller."
A ripple of whispers spread through the students. Clarke overheard snippets of conversation about Lexa's notorious family, a mix of awe and fear evident in their voices. Nathan Miller, on the other hand, came from a long line of accomplished wizards, and many were eager to see how he would fare against Lexa.
Clarke felt a pang of sympathy for Lexa, knowing how harsh the judgment from others could be. She watched as Lexa calmly stepped onto the dueling platform, her expression unreadable. Nathan joined her, his stance confident and focused.
Professor Indra raised her hand for silence. "On my count. Three... two... one... duel!"
Nathan wasted no time, launching a series of spells at Lexa with impressive speed and precision. Stunning spells, binding charms, and disarming jinxes flew through the air, but Lexa deflected each one with ease, her wand movements smooth and controlled.
The crowd watched in hushed awe as Lexa remained unfazed, her eyes never leaving Nathan. After a series of failed attempts from Nathan, Lexa finally made her move. With a single, fluid motion, she cast a stunning spell. The blue light streaked across the platform, too fast for Nathan to counter.
Nathan was hit squarely in the chest and fell to the ground. The room erupted in applause and gasps of amazement. Clarke couldn't help but feel a mix of admiration and unease, the sheer skill Lexa displayed only adding to the complexity of her feelings.
Professor Indra stepped forward, a rare hint of a smile on her face. "Impressive work, Miss Woods. Your composure and skill are commendable."
Lexa nodded slightly in acknowledgment, her face remaining impassive. As she stepped off the platform, Clarke caught her eye for a brief moment. There was something unspoken in Lexa's gaze, a mix of pride and something deeper that Clarke couldn't quite decipher.
Octavia nudged Clarke again. "Wow, did you see that? She didn't even break a sweat."
Clarke nodded, her thoughts still swirling. "Yeah, she's... incredible."
Wells, who had stayed nearby, added, "Both of you are. It's like watching two masters at work."
Clarke gave him a small smile. "Thanks, Wells. Lexa's on another level, though."
The class continued, with more pairs taking their turns on the dueling platform. Clarke watched each duel, but her mind kept drifting back to Lexa. The effortless way she had handled herself, the power and precision in her spellcasting—it was mesmerizing.
Yet, beneath her admiration, a thread of fear wove its way into Clarke's thoughts. If Lexa was this skilled, it hinted at the possibility that she might truly be like the Woods family's reputation suggested. The thought made Clarke uneasy. What if Lexa held the same dark loyalties as her family? The ease with which Lexa had deflected Nathan's spells and won the duel with a single, powerful spell showed a level of mastery that was both impressive and intimidating.
As the lesson drew to a close, Professor Indra addressed the class. "Excellent work today, everyone. Remember, the key to mastering defense is not just knowing the spells, but understanding how to anticipate and counteract your opponent's moves. I expect you all to practice diligently. Class dismissed."
Students began to gather their things and head out of the classroom, their chatter filling the air with excitement and relief. Clarke and Octavia packed up their bags, and Clarke glanced over at the Slytherin side of the room. Lexa was talking quietly with Murphy, her expression more relaxed now that the class was over.
Octavia noticed Clarke's gaze and nudged her. "You okay?"
Clarke nodded, pulling her attention back to her friend. "Yeah, I'm fine."
Just as they were about to leave, Lexa and Murphy walked past them. Clarke felt a surge of anticipation, hoping for at least a nod or acknowledgment. Instead, Lexa walked by as if Clarke didn't exist, her eyes fixed straight ahead. The slight, deliberate snub made Clarke's blood boil.
Octavia, sensing Clarke's frustration, placed a hand on her shoulder. "Let it go, Clarke. She's not worth it."
Clarke clenched her jaw. "It's not that. It's like she's deliberately ignoring me. I can't stand it."
Octavia shrugged. "She's just trying to get under your skin. Don't give her the satisfaction."
Clarke sighed, feeling a mix of anger and confusion. She knew Lexa was upset, believing that Clarke saw her as nothing more than her family's dark legacy. But Lexa's cold shoulder hurt more than Clarke wanted to admit.
They walked out of the classroom, heading towards the Great Hall for dinner. Clarke's mind was racing, replaying the duel and the look on Lexa's face. She couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to Lexa than what meets the eye. But the frustration of being ignored made it hard to see past the anger and disappointment.
As they entered the Great Hall, Octavia tried to lighten the mood. "Come on, Clarke. Let's find the others and grab some food. You need to relax."
Clarke nodded, trying to push Lexa out of her mind. "Yeah, you're right."
They scanned the crowded hall and spotted their friends at the Ravenclaw table. Raven, Monty, Jasper, and Finn were already seated, chatting animatedly. Bellamy was there too.
"Hey, there you are!" Raven called out, waving them over. "Come join us!"
Clarke and Octavia made their way to the table and sat down. The conversation was lively, and Clarke found herself starting to relax.
"Clarke, I heard you were amazing in Defense Against the Dark Arts today," Monty said, his eyes wide with admiration.
"You already heard about that?" Clarke asked, a bit surprised. "It wasn't easy."
Finn leaned in, his trademark grin in place. "You're the talk of the school, you and Lexa."
Before Clarke could respond, Wells approached the table with a friendly smile. "Mind if I join you guys?"
"Not at all," Clarke said, scooting over to make room for him. "The more, the merrier."
As they settled in, Jasper nudged Monty. "Hey, did you hear about the party tonight in the Slytherin common room?"
Monty raised an eyebrow. "A party?"
"Yeah, apparently it's to celebrate the start of the term," Jasper explained.
Bellamy, who had been listening quietly, frowned. "Slytherin parties can get out of hand. Be careful if you decide to go."
Raven, ever the thrill-seeker, grinned. "It could be fun. We should check it out."
Octavia turned to Clarke. "What do you think? Feel like crashing a Slytherin party?"
Clarke hesitated, her mind flashing back to Lexa. Then, with a determined smile, she said, "I never turn down a party."
The group exchanged excited glances, the idea of the Slytherin party sparking a sense of adventure.
"Alright, let's do it," Monty said, his usual caution giving way to curiosity.
Jasper clapped his hands together. "This is going to be epic. I've heard Slytherins know how to throw a party."
Bellamy remained cautious. "Just remember to stay together and keep an eye out for trouble. Slytherins can be unpredictable."
"Relax, Bellamy," Finn said, slinging an arm around Clarke's shoulder. "We'll be fine. It's just a party."
Clarke blushed at the contact, feeling a sudden warmth. She tried to push aside the fluttering in her stomach, but a pang of guilt crept in, making her uneasy. She couldn't shake the feeling that it wasn't just the party or Finn's attention that had her so flustered.
As they made their way out of the Great Hall, Clarke glanced back, her eyes inadvertently landing on Lexa. Lexa was standing with a group of Slytherins, but her gaze was fixed on Clarke and Finn. Her expression was hard to read, a mix of emotions flashing in her eyes. Clarke thought she saw a hint of jealousy, but she couldn't be sure.
Clarke looked away quickly, her heart pounding. She didn't know what to make of Lexa's reaction. Was it really jealousy? Or was it something else entirely? The uncertainty gnawed at her, but she forced herself to focus on the night ahead.
Walking out of the Great Hall, Clarke's thoughts continued to swirl around Lexa's unreadable expression. She pushed the confusion aside, focusing on the evening ahead.
"Let's head back to the dorm and get ready," Octavia suggested, excitement lighting up her eyes.
"Yeah, we've got to look our best. It's our first party," Raven added with a mischievous grin.
Clarke nodded, trying to match their enthusiasm. "Alright, let's do it."
The three girls made their way to the Gryffindor common room, chatting animatedly about what to wear and how to make a good impression. As they entered the cozy space, they headed straight for their wardrobes, ready to raid their collection of clothes.
Raven, ever the fashion enthusiast, started picking through Clarke and Octavia's clothes with keen eyes. "Clarke, you've got to wear this," she said, holding up a sleek, form-fitting dress.
Clarke looked at it skeptically. "You think so?"
"Absolutely," Raven insisted. "You'll look hot in this. Trust me."
Octavia, meanwhile, was trying on various outfits, discarding each one after a few moments of consideration. "Raven, help me out here. What should I wear?"
Raven turned her attention to Octavia, pulling out a stylish top and a pair of tight jeans. "This will look great on you. Pair it with those boots, and you're all set."
Clarke slipped into the dress, feeling a bit self-conscious at first, but as she looked in the mirror, she had to admit Raven was right. The dress hugged her figure perfectly, highlighting her best features. She completed the look with some light makeup and a touch of jewelry.
"Wow, Clarke," Octavia said, her eyes wide with admiration. "You look amazing."
Clarke blushed, feeling a rush of confidence. "Thanks, O. You look incredible too."
Raven grinned, satisfied with her handiwork. "We're going to turn heads tonight, ladies."
With one last check in the mirror, the three girls gathered their things and headed out of the common room. They walked through the castle, their footsteps echoing in the dimly lit corridors. The anticipation was palpable as they approached the entrance to the dungeons.
"Ready to party?" Raven asked, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
Clarke took a deep breath, her nerves mixing with a thrill of adventure. "Let's do it."
As they descended the staircase towards the dungeons, Clarke felt a mix of anticipation and determination. Tonight was about more than just having fun; it was a chance to let go, to forget about the tension with Lexa, and to embrace whatever the night had in store.