Chapter 11: A Reluctant Duel
Back in the Ravenclaw Common Room, Rowan pulled Claire aside.
"So here's something that'll cheer you up," Rowan said smiling mischievously. "I found a perfect spell in the dueling book for you."
"What is it?" Claire asked.
"The Tickling Charm, also known as Rictusempra," Rowan answered.
"Perfect!" Claire smiled. "I assume it stuns a person by making them laugh, right?"
"Exactly, now let's try it out!"
Unfortunately, some of the older Ravenclaw students were present including the boy who insulted Claire on the first day so she and Rowan decided to wait until later to practice the Tickling Charm. Once most of the Ravenclaws had gone to bed, the two girls practiced the spell together.
"All right, I think you've got it," Rowan noted after two hours had passed. "Now try casting the Tickling Charm on me."
"Are you sure?" Claire said, having flashbacks to Flitwick's lesson.
"Don't worry about me," Rowan insisted. "We tree farmers are a resilient folk, so I should be able to withstand your spell."
"Well, I don't want to hurt you," Claire admitted, raising her wand reluctantly. "But I guess I have no choice. Rictusempra!"
Creating a feather shape in the air as she annunciated, Claire watched as a cloud of sparks erupted around Rowan's body causing her to break out into a series of violent laughs.
"I can't stop laughing! Ha-ha-ha! It hurts so bad!" Rowan shouted between fits of laughter.
"Sorry, Rowan," Claire apologized.
"Don't feel bad! Ha-ha! I just can't wait to see…Merula's face, when she gets hit by this Charm! Ha-ha-ha!"
"What is going on here?" Chester said, arriving in the Ravenclaw Common Room. "You two should be in bed by now."
After Claire explained the situation, Chester managed to reverse the Tickling Charm which made Rowan stop laughing. He then agreed to have them meet him in the courtyard tomorrow after classes were done to teach them some techniques about dueling.
###
"Now apart from the Tickling Charm, did you learn any other spells?" Chester asked Claire as soon as she and Rowan arrived in the courtyard.
"The Disarming Charm, Expelliarmus," Claire said confidently.
"Wow, I'm impressed," Chester complemented. "So in order to get good at dueling, I'm going to have you and Rowan duel each other."
Flinching, Claire murmured, "But I still feel bad about hitting her with the Tickling Charm."
"And I'm still recovering from the effects of it," Rowan confessed, holding her stomach.
Sighing, Chester responded, "Look, I know how you feel. But if either of you hope to pull off any duel successfully, then it is best to practice with each other rather than against an enemy."
Realizing Chester had a good point, Claire took out her wand and stood across from Rowan who revealed her wand in turn which was made from hornbeam wood and eleven inches in length. From there, Chester instructed them on the different Dueling Stances which were Aggressive Sneaky and Defensive. Then depending on which Stance the Dueler took, a matching spell would be used.
There was also the option of throwing an item at the opposing Dueler, though Chester strongly discouraged this, or using a potion to heal one's injuries. But since Rowan and Claire only practiced one spell together, they could only use Rictusempra or throw random items. Though Claire won in the end, she felt bad seeing Rowan in pain.
"Are you okay?" Claire said nervously.
"I'll be fine," Rowan claimed. "I'm willing to suffer a few bruises for a solid dueling lesson."
"Now with that said, I want you two to use what I've taught you responsibly and represent Ravenclaw in the best possible light," Chester said firmly. "Is that clear?"
After Claire and Rowan nodded, Chester smiled in approval and escorted them into the Great Hall for a well-deserved supper.
###
Several weeks passed and Merula's activity seemed minimal enough for Claire to not challenge her to a duel. So instead, she concentrated on her classes while also trying to figure out what her vision meant though Rowan was still reluctant to discuss it with her. Then one day, Claire noticed a commotion in the Clock Tower Courtyard during Free Period and walked over to it.
"You're an embarrassment to everyone here, Copper!" Merula said, pointing her wand at Ben who was leaning back. "And frankly, it makes me sick."
"Leave me alone, please," Ben pleaded.
Grumbling, Merula responded, "Filthy Mudbloods like you shouldn't be allowed at Hogwarts. Leave the magic to the real witches and wizards, and go home already!"
Pushing her way through the crowd of students surrounding Ben and Merula, Claire came between them.
"Muggleborns have just as much of a right to be here as any Pure-Blooded witch or wizard, Merula!" Claire snapped. "Now if you intend to harm Ben, then you'll have to go through me."
"You never learn, do you, Krystal?" Merula frowned. "Why don't you be like your mad brother and just disappear?"
"You're the one everyone wishes would disappear," Claire retorted.
"Make me, Krystal!"
Remembering her promise to Flitwick, Claire didn't reach for her wand. "I don't want to have to fight you, Merula. Just let Ben go and walk away."
"No one orders me around!" Raising her wand, Merula shouted, "Flipendo!"
Once again, Claire was knocked down to the ground while the other students including Rowan just watched.
"Come one, Krystal," Merula taunted. "Fight me!"
Then just as Merula raised her wand once more, Claire said, "Expelliarmus!"
This caused Merula's wand to fly from her hand, which shocked her and the other students.
"Great job, Claire!" Rowan cheered.
"Who taught you that spell?" Merula demanded, clenching her fist. "It's not fair!"
"Now apologize to Ben and stop bullying everyone in our year," Claire insisted as she got up.
"Never!" Merula snapped. "I shouldn't have to answer to you losers and Mudbloods! I'm the greatest witch in Hogwarts! I—
"Ahem."
Merula looked behind her and saw Snape standing there with Flitwick next to him.
"P-Professor Snape," Merula stammered, picking up her wand in the process.
"I suspect this is your fault, Miss Krystal," Snape guessed, glaring at Claire. "You are aware that dueling on school grounds is forbidden?"
"Yes, Professor," Claire answered, looking downward.
"Did you cast the first spell in the duel?" Flitwick asked, stepping forward.
"No, Merula did," Claire answered, and several students in the crowd nodded in agreement.
"Yet you used the Disarming Charm, which is an advanced dueling spell," Snape pointed out, and looked down at Flitwick. "I wonder who taught her that."
Flitwick made a guilty frown.
Snape then turned back to Claire and said, "When your classes are over, Miss Krystal, meet me at the West Towers so we can discuss your punishment. The same goes for you, Miss Snyde."
Then as Snape and Flitwick left, Merula gave Claire an angry frown before walking away.
To be continued…
