Reid walked with Elissa behind the horde of first years making their way toward their first practical Defense Against the Dark Arts class. He could feel the tension mounting as they waited outside the classroom and could barely contain his own enthusiasm. He knew that the other students were just as excited as he was to learn how to Disarm, and he had to admit that they were being very well behaved considering the circumstances.
Elissa was practically shaking with joy beside him. "Oh my goodness!" she gasped quietly to him. "I'm so excited! I've been waiting for this forever! We're finally going to be dueling!"
Reid chuckled amusedly.
Mac, who was gripping his wand so hard that his knuckles were turning white, was bouncing up and down slightly on Reid's opposite side. He was whispering incantations nervously under his breath, and Reid knew that he would be very good at this.
Finally, Professor Smithfield opened the door and the mixed Gryffindors and Ravenclaws crowded into the room.
Smithfield had been a highly respected member of the Wizengamot in his prime. He was tall and powerful-looking though quite old.
"I need you to separate into pairs quickly so we can begin as soon as possible," said the professor calmly, and there was instant motion.
Mac and Travis Daniels charged off into one corner, and Matthew Byers teamed up with Greg Thompson. Reid was left looking around desperately for a partner. He turned and found himself face-to-face with Elissa.
"Do you want to pair up?" she asked, sweeping her blond hair behind her ears.
"Sure," he replied with a smile.
Smithfield waited for the noise and movement to die down and said, "The incantation I want you to use for now is 'Expelliarmus.' Your opponent's wand should fly out of their hand and fall out of reach. It may take a few practices, but I want you to try and and least make your partner drop their wand."
He finished, and shouts of "Expelliarmus!" echoed throughout the room.
Reid looked at Elissa with a smile. "You can go first."
Elissa readied herself, holding her wand out at arm's length. "Expelliarmus!" she cried, and Reid's wand was tugged out of his hand by an unseen force. It dropped to his feet.
"Nice one!" he said, bending down to pick it up.
They managed to Disarm each other several more times before Smithfield stopped them all.
"I want you to use the rest of class to duel freely with your partner. You can switch pairs or team up and duel two-on-two, but the winner in any duel is the first to Disarm their enemy. Is that clear?"
There were excited murmurs of understanding and the class was off again. Reid looked at Elissa with a sly smile. "You're going down."
She rolled her eyes impatiently. "Whatever."
Renee and Katie Cot walked over. "Do you want to do team dueling?"
Reid glanced at Elissa again and said, "Sure."
Katie walked over and stood at his side while Renee and Elissa got into defensive stances. Reid felt his heart jump with excitement at the thought of his first ever real duel.
"Rictusempra!" shouted Katie, and her spell hit Elissa squarely in the chest. She fell to the floor in a fit of giggles, and Reid took the opportunity that was offered.
"Expelliarmus!"
His charm soared over Elissa and hit Mac in the back. His wand went flying through the air, and he looked at Reid angrily. "You'll pay for that one!"
"Sorr—umph!"
Renee hit Reid with a Full-body Bind, and he keeled over, as stiff as a board. Katie didn't give him a second glance; she was busy dodging and shooting spells.
The Tickling Charm was wearing off of Elissa, and she struggled to her feet. She was just going to Disarm Reid when Katie hit her with a Leg-Locker, and she was back on the floor.
The Full-Body Bind had been a weak spell, and Reid was able to move just enough to raise his wand. Barely moving his lips, he said "Expell—"
"LUMOS!"
Reid and Katie were blinded by dazzling light, and he just heard Renee shout, "Expelliarmus!" His wand flew out of his hand and hit the back wall; Katie's fell just barely out of reach.
The light died down, and Smithfield walked over to their group.
"Interesting choice, Miss Bradshaw," he said thoughtfully. "I've never seen that spell used in battle before, and it seems that you've practiced it before. Very creative. Five points to Gryffindor."
Elissa smiled superiorly at Reid. "Who's going down now?" She laughed.
"Lucky break," said Katie with a lopsided grin. She offered Reid her hand and he struggled groggily to his feet. "How about another round?"
"Only if you're ready to lose again, right Elissa?" retorted Renee.
"Of course," replied Elissa, smiling evilly.
Reid brushed himself off and faced Renee and Elissa. He felt Katie stiffen beside him.
"Locomotor mortis!" she said. Renee's legs snapped together and she fell to the floor.
Elissa flicked her wand. "Lu—!"
"Expelliarmus!" yelled Reid, and Elissa's wand was thrown from her hand. "That trick isn't going to work again!"
Elissa, now wand-less, could only sulk as Katie Disarmed Renee, and it was over. Reid bowed mockingly in their direction.
"Terribly sorry, your majesties, but it seems that you've lost."
Elissa snorted contemptuously. "Yeah, whatever...your majesty... Pft!" She rolled her eyes dramatically to the ceiling and, hands on hips, added, "Besides, I let you Disarm me."
Katie chuckled. "Yeah, and I'm a vampire."
"Oh, you are?" asked Renee with fake sympathy. "You poor, poor thing. And I suppose Reid's a werewolf?"
Reid flinched.
Truth be told, he was a werewolf, but he wasn't about to let his secret slip.
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A/N: I just wanted to take a moment to thank those who have reviewed. It means a lot and I really appreciate the feed-back. For those of you don't review... well, I might just have to set Reid on you :)
