After classes that afternoon, Sapphire made her way down to the castle grounds where she was to meet Professor Rakepick and the other chosen curse-breaker apprentices.
"Phillips, you're late," Rakepick noted as Sapphire was the last to arrive. She wouldn't admit it to the professor, but she was late due to taking Andre's advice and stopping by her dorm for a quick change of clothes.
"I'm sorry, Professor. I won't let it happen again," Sapphire responded professionally, causing Merula to snicker under her breath.
"See that it doesn't. Alright, you four, it is my responsibility to make sure you can properly defend yourselves if ever the need arises. I have already taught you how to use Hex-Deflection spells, but now we will learn to perfect your skill. To do this, you will pair off, and take turns using Hexes against your opponent while they attempt to deflect them. I will, of course, observe and provide instruction to correct any mistakes."
"Excuse me, Professor, but you want us to actively try to hex one another?" Sapphire questioned, uncertainty concerning the exercise heavily lining her voice. Before Rakepick could respond, Sapphire felt a light touch on the back of her upper arm. She looked up to see Bill smiling down at her.
"Don't worry, Sapphire. I'll go easy on you," Bill reassured with a hint of a smirk, lowering his hand back down to his side to retrieve his wand.
"Mister Weasley, you will not be doing Sapphire any favors by taking it easy on her," Rakepick condescendingly countered.
"She's right, Bill," Sapphire softly began, looking back up to the older Weasley. "I'm not thrilled about this whole thing, but we have to be prepared for the worst."
Merula stepped forward, "Then I volunteer to partner with Phillips. Despite what she says about giving it her all, we all know she'll hold back from Weasley."
Sapphire's breath caught in her throat. Was her crush on Bill becoming so painfully obvious that even Merula picked up on it, or was it as simple as the two just being close friends? Sapphire hoped for the latter.
"Does this mean I'm paired with Bill?" Jae asked with reluctance, breaking Sapphire away from her thoughts. Rakepick crossed her arms and nodded firmly causing Jae to release a groan of disappointment.
"Ok, Phillips, give me your best shot," Merula smirked confidently as she held her wand at the ready. Sapphire grinned back, somewhat excited to try besting her nemesis once more. She, too, readied her wand and minded her stance before shouting the first hex.
The two female students were surprisingly evenly matched in their duelling skills. As the exercise continued, though, they both began to grow tired.
"Depulso!" Sapphire exclaimed, hitting the exhausted Slytherin and sending her flying backwards.
"Good form, Phillips," Rakepick complimented. Sapphire took the opportunity to lower her wand.
"Thank you, Mada-"
"Flipendo!"
Sapphire gasped as the breath was knocked from her chest and she was thrown back onto the ground. The still dueling boys quickly stopped as Bill rushed to assist her.
"That was a cheap shot, Merula," Jae commented, not bothering to hide his disdain for the unsportsmanlike action.
"Are you alright, Sapphire?" Bill asked, his voice full of concern. He kneeled beside her, and rested one hand on her back while the other cupped her shoulder. Slowly, he eased her up into a sitting position so she could regain her breath. She nodded while deeply inhaling.
"Yes, thank you," Sapphire sincerely replied with a weak smile. Bill intently studied her face for any signs of pain as he helped lift her to her feet.
Regaining her composure, Sapphire dusted her pants off and looked back up to Bill to find him glaring at Merula. Following his line of sight, Sapphire looked over to the Slytherin to find her nervously shifting back and forth on her feet.
"What? I was doing you a favor," Merula defended, crossing her arms as she spoke. Sapphire slightly tilted her head to the side as she waited for further explanation.
"Now you know never to lower your wand when assuming a duel is over, Phillips," Merula smirked, slowly regaining her confidence thanks to the amused expression across Madam Rakepick's face.
"That is a fair lesson, Miss Snyde. 10 points to Slytherin. That's enough for today. You are dismissed," Rakepick commented with a faint grin. Both Sapphire and Bill furrowed their brows in frustration, but remained silent.
