House: Ravenclaw
Year: 3rd Year
Category: Short
Prompt: "You have no power over me," & "You sure about that?"
W/C: 540
Remus is standing opposite of me, shirtless with bagging khakis and dirty boots. I groan when he turns away, hating that I keep thinking about how good my friend looks. Right now we are supposed to be dueling. There's no way to practice a surprise attack, but dammit all if I'm not able to give those prejudiced fools a run for their money if they come in swinging their wands around like children playing pretend. Remus and I will show them what's what, I will make sure of it.
"You have no power over me," I challenge my beastly friend. In spite of his lean physique, Remus is toned and strong. His wand is raised and his eyes are trained on me. Part of my mind really questions the statement that I've made with false confidence. Remus has way more power over me than any one man should have over another. Worse than that, though, is that he doesn't even know it.
Remus is trickier than James and Lily. There are a few spells that he's mastered without the use of spoken words. Silent spell casting is rare and difficult. The patience that it requires is immeasurable. I have always known my friend to be an incredibly tolerant man, wise beyond his years and understanding beyond comprehension, and it must be these traits that allow him to excel at this uncommon practice.
It makes predicting his movements hard, though I know him better than anyone else. Something that I cannot share with James is the feeling of being a misfit. Remus being a werewolf sets him apart from our friend group very distinctly, but I am like him – I fear that I am monster too. As a son from the Black Family, the most devout followers of Voldemort and blood purists to boot; James can't relate to that either. His privilege makes him difficult to speak to when I'm angry; his privilege makes him a bad partner to keep when I'm having nightmares of succumbing to the weakness that runs in my veins. Despite my actions, I cannot erase my heritage; I cannot erase my name. And, like Remus, I fear that I do not belong.
"You sure about that?" He doesn't give me even a second to think. As soon as he's spoken he sends a spell in my direction. I dodge rather than deflect because I can't identify it. I was distracted and he knew it, he could tell. The second I regain my stability I shoot a disarming spell at him in retaliation. He deflects, the definition of a tried and true duelist, and I know that I can't let him send another spell at me. So, I shoot him with a binding spell. He hits the floor. I start my counting to ten to be sure that he's out, and then lie down at his side.
I should undo the spell straight away but since he can't move, I think I'll just talk to him for a minute. After all, if he's going to harness that sort of power over me, over my heart, then he might as well know about it.
"Even if you do, don't think for a minute that I'll let you win."