Disclaimer: read previous chapters.
A/N: passages in between a [~*~] denotes flashbacks. All other markings [~~*~~] refer to section/chapter breaks.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Mistakes: Dueling
By AG
~ ~ * ~ ~
The Next Morning
Miya walked down the stairs towards for breakfast. She had once again had the concealment charm on her face hiding the dark circles underneath them. The night had been long and emotional. As she was rounding a corner she saw Snape coming up. The two stopped and looked at each other. She was going to keep walking by when he stopped her by grabbing onto her arm.
"Miya." He said it quietly.
"Severus." She replied. She tried to continue towards the Great Hall but he wouldn't let her go.
"We need to talk."
"No we don't. Not now."
"Miya please." She looked up at him, he continued. "I'm sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to kiss you- I shouldn't have. I just wanted to-"
"Wanted to get me back? Yet for six years you wouldn't talk to me, you lied to me for six years. And then last night you tell me you've always loved me and that you stayed away from me cause if you didn't I would be dead. What do you want from me?"
"Friendship." Snape answered quietly. Miya sighed and yanked her arm away from him.
"A lot has changed in six years Severus. I have changed. Friendship won't come easily."
"Yet you still love me. I know. You wouldn't have kissed me like that if you didn't." Snape stated.
"So what if I do still love you? It's over between us- been over since you left me. Love wasn't enough for you and I then it won't be enough now."
"I'm not asking for that back Miya, just a friendship."
"You're asking a lot." Miya said simply. She looked up into his eyes. "There are so many things you don't know- I'm sorry Severus, but you can't ask me to just give you my friendship after everything."
"I understand." Snape replied. They stood there for a while looking at each other. Miya sighed and turned to go to get breakfast. Snape followed quietly behind.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Later that Afternoon
The Great Hall was once again set up as the dueling room. The students who had signed up for it were lined up against the walls. There were a couple of spectators along the sides, mainly first years since they had not learned enough spells yet to join.
Harry, Hermione and Ron were talking quietly with each other wondering how the first meeting would turn out. Hermione and Ron were arguing about something as Harry started to think about the night before. The questions were still on his mind, yet he didn't see anything amiss in class that day. Prof. Malfoy and Lupin acted like nothing was different. Although he did notice that Draco seemed more observant then usual. At that moment he looked up at his school enemy and the two stared at each other. It was clear they disliked each other, yet Harry had to admit that since his cousin had come to the school there was a difference in the way Draco acted. Well at least when she was around. He was still mean as anything, but still a little less then normal.
Everyone was talking when the three professors came in. Lupin was dressed in a dark blue sparring uniform, Snape in a black one and Miya in a dark green. Miya's hair was placed into a bun, her usual silver snake hair clasp in place. The three walked up onto one of the dueling stages. Lupin quickly got everyone's attention.
"Everyone- thank you for coming and for signing up. Just a reminder about the rules- please respect everyone, we are here to learn not to tear each other apart. No dueling to kill and serious injuries. If anyone disregards any of these rules you will be asked to leave permanently. There are no chances, once you break a rule you are out." Lupin explained. Everyone was quiet, all nodding to show they acknowledged the rules. "We would like everyone to partner up with someone and line up along one of the five dueling stages. Prof. Snape, Malfoy and myself will be watching all of you to determine your levels."
All the students nodded and quickly began to put themselves into groups. Ron and Harry were going to partner each other when Miya walked up to them.
"Potter and Draco." She called up to them motioning for them to come over. They both looked suspiciously at her. The last time they were called up together they had to fight each other. Not that they really minded, but still they would have much rather to be with their friends. "I've heard about the duel you two had in the past. I would very much like to see your skills."
"I believe you know mine well enough." Draco drawled.
"Then it will give me a good chance to study Potter's." Miya smiled. Harry couldn't decide if this was a good thing or not. The last time he dueled everyone had found out he was a parseltongue.
"I thought you're suppose to be watching the others?" Draco asked, he really didn't feel like fighting Harry. The last time he did he had bruises on his behind for at least three weeks.
"I don't think the other two would mind." Miya said as she motioned for them to get up on one of the dueling stages. Of course as other students saw Harry and Draco up on the stage most of the students stopped to watch. Both Snape and Lupin looked at her wondering why she paired those two up again. She merely went back to studying the two boys. "On my count. 1-2- 3!"
The two boys started to hurl spells at each other. She wasn't really watching her cousin, as Draco had said she knew his abilities quite well. Although her family didn't train her in the dark arts, she was very well versed in them. She had fought enough to become a master of them. Her cousin was quite powerful in all reality, but had kept it hidden in hopes of deterring the family from making him join the death eaters.
Her eyes trained on Harry she began to realize his fighting style was much different from other wizards. In truth she had only seen one other person fight like Harry. It was hard to detect even for those seasoned wizards such as Snape and Lupin. She kept her face straight and abruptly ended Draco's and Harry's duel.
"Enough." The two stopped arms still with outstretched wands. "We need to be able to see everyone- next!" She shouted and everyone continued.
On the other side of the room both Snape and Lupin wondered what Miya was up to. The two shared a quick look with each other and continued to study and make notes of the students as they dueled.
~ ~ * ~ ~
The students had all left and the three professors were replacing all the furniture.
"Mobilarbus." Snape commanded one last time as he moved the table back to where it was before.
"It was a good day." Lupin said jovially as he looked at his parchment of names. The three had marked four groups for the students: Level 1-3 and Team.
"If you say so Remus." Snape said in his usual tone. He looked at his own list. "It appears there is a lot work ahead of his."
"You're always too cynical." Lupin replied, although he could see where Snape was coming from. With Voldemort on the loose the students needed to know more in how to protect themselves. They were too ignorant in some ways. What was sad to see was how advanced some of the Slytherins were in dueling. It was obvious they were taught extra at home.
Miya had been studying her own list, but she kept thinking about Harry. Both Lupin and Snape noticed that she was concentrating on something.
"Want to tell us what that was about with Draco and Harry?" Lupin asked. She looked at the two men.
"Well you know how they are rivals and all- I just wanted to watch them fight. See how good the famous Harry Potter really was." Miya replied, throwing in some Malfoy sarcasm.
"And you expect us to believe that?" Snape retorted. Both men could tell she was up to something.
"Yes. It's the truth." Miya replied as she got up abruptly. "I have a few things to take care of."
She left before either man could question her anymore. Miya left the great hall and made her way to Dumbledore's office. She stopped at the gargoyle.
"Strawberry Toffee." It opened up to reveal the staircase to the headmaster's office. She stepped in and made her way to he office door. She knocked.
"Come in." The older man said. Miya walked in to see the headmaster feeding Fawkes.
"Miya." He greeted. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Headmaster."
"Albus. I've told you can call me Albus." He said his eyes twinkling as he motioned for her to sit. Miya smiled and shook her head.
"I don't think I ever could." She sat down.
"Well- until you're ready." He smiled back at her as he took a seat at his desk. "So what is it?"
"It's about Potter." He raised eyebrows inquisitively. "Have you ever seen him fight?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "He has the gift Headmaster. I'm not a hundred percent sure but I believe he has the capabilities."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, I've always suspected."
"What should we do?" Miya asked. "I thought he was too young for this appear, at least in a male."
"Yes I agree, but given events in his life I believe he's matured a lot faster than others. I believe it would be best to test him thoroughly and then if he does indeed have the gift, start to train him." Miya nodded in understanding. "If he is to be trained I would like you to train him."
At this Miya started. "I don't think I'm capable!"
"Miya you have the gift. You are more then capable."
"But sir! I think you would be a much better instructor. After all you taught me, you should teach Potter. It would be more beneficial to him."
"Perhaps- but there are benefits to you teaching him as well. You're well versed in the Dark Arts and that will be invaluable in teaching young Harry. I will help where it is needed. But if he is to train I would like you to be the one to help him. You are also closer to his age, you'll be able to help him with the changes."
Miya wasn't confident in what Dumbledore just told her, but she agreed to it. "When should we test him?"
"This evening will be fine. I shall ask him to meet me and we'll test him."
"The usual place sir?" Miya asked. Dumbledore nodded.
"Miya- no one is to know."
"I remember Headmaster." Miya replied as she left his office. Dumbledore sat in his chair and looked at his fiery bird.
"So it begins Fawkes. I do hope this will not be the end."
A/N: Too ambiguous? ^.~ It will clear up in a few chapters. I hope that got your attention though. ^.^ Please comment (I know I ask this way too often).
A/N: passages in between a [~*~] denotes flashbacks. All other markings [~~*~~] refer to section/chapter breaks.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Mistakes: Dueling
By AG
~ ~ * ~ ~
The Next Morning
Miya walked down the stairs towards for breakfast. She had once again had the concealment charm on her face hiding the dark circles underneath them. The night had been long and emotional. As she was rounding a corner she saw Snape coming up. The two stopped and looked at each other. She was going to keep walking by when he stopped her by grabbing onto her arm.
"Miya." He said it quietly.
"Severus." She replied. She tried to continue towards the Great Hall but he wouldn't let her go.
"We need to talk."
"No we don't. Not now."
"Miya please." She looked up at him, he continued. "I'm sorry about what happened. I didn't mean to kiss you- I shouldn't have. I just wanted to-"
"Wanted to get me back? Yet for six years you wouldn't talk to me, you lied to me for six years. And then last night you tell me you've always loved me and that you stayed away from me cause if you didn't I would be dead. What do you want from me?"
"Friendship." Snape answered quietly. Miya sighed and yanked her arm away from him.
"A lot has changed in six years Severus. I have changed. Friendship won't come easily."
"Yet you still love me. I know. You wouldn't have kissed me like that if you didn't." Snape stated.
"So what if I do still love you? It's over between us- been over since you left me. Love wasn't enough for you and I then it won't be enough now."
"I'm not asking for that back Miya, just a friendship."
"You're asking a lot." Miya said simply. She looked up into his eyes. "There are so many things you don't know- I'm sorry Severus, but you can't ask me to just give you my friendship after everything."
"I understand." Snape replied. They stood there for a while looking at each other. Miya sighed and turned to go to get breakfast. Snape followed quietly behind.
~ ~ * ~ ~
Later that Afternoon
The Great Hall was once again set up as the dueling room. The students who had signed up for it were lined up against the walls. There were a couple of spectators along the sides, mainly first years since they had not learned enough spells yet to join.
Harry, Hermione and Ron were talking quietly with each other wondering how the first meeting would turn out. Hermione and Ron were arguing about something as Harry started to think about the night before. The questions were still on his mind, yet he didn't see anything amiss in class that day. Prof. Malfoy and Lupin acted like nothing was different. Although he did notice that Draco seemed more observant then usual. At that moment he looked up at his school enemy and the two stared at each other. It was clear they disliked each other, yet Harry had to admit that since his cousin had come to the school there was a difference in the way Draco acted. Well at least when she was around. He was still mean as anything, but still a little less then normal.
Everyone was talking when the three professors came in. Lupin was dressed in a dark blue sparring uniform, Snape in a black one and Miya in a dark green. Miya's hair was placed into a bun, her usual silver snake hair clasp in place. The three walked up onto one of the dueling stages. Lupin quickly got everyone's attention.
"Everyone- thank you for coming and for signing up. Just a reminder about the rules- please respect everyone, we are here to learn not to tear each other apart. No dueling to kill and serious injuries. If anyone disregards any of these rules you will be asked to leave permanently. There are no chances, once you break a rule you are out." Lupin explained. Everyone was quiet, all nodding to show they acknowledged the rules. "We would like everyone to partner up with someone and line up along one of the five dueling stages. Prof. Snape, Malfoy and myself will be watching all of you to determine your levels."
All the students nodded and quickly began to put themselves into groups. Ron and Harry were going to partner each other when Miya walked up to them.
"Potter and Draco." She called up to them motioning for them to come over. They both looked suspiciously at her. The last time they were called up together they had to fight each other. Not that they really minded, but still they would have much rather to be with their friends. "I've heard about the duel you two had in the past. I would very much like to see your skills."
"I believe you know mine well enough." Draco drawled.
"Then it will give me a good chance to study Potter's." Miya smiled. Harry couldn't decide if this was a good thing or not. The last time he dueled everyone had found out he was a parseltongue.
"I thought you're suppose to be watching the others?" Draco asked, he really didn't feel like fighting Harry. The last time he did he had bruises on his behind for at least three weeks.
"I don't think the other two would mind." Miya said as she motioned for them to get up on one of the dueling stages. Of course as other students saw Harry and Draco up on the stage most of the students stopped to watch. Both Snape and Lupin looked at her wondering why she paired those two up again. She merely went back to studying the two boys. "On my count. 1-2- 3!"
The two boys started to hurl spells at each other. She wasn't really watching her cousin, as Draco had said she knew his abilities quite well. Although her family didn't train her in the dark arts, she was very well versed in them. She had fought enough to become a master of them. Her cousin was quite powerful in all reality, but had kept it hidden in hopes of deterring the family from making him join the death eaters.
Her eyes trained on Harry she began to realize his fighting style was much different from other wizards. In truth she had only seen one other person fight like Harry. It was hard to detect even for those seasoned wizards such as Snape and Lupin. She kept her face straight and abruptly ended Draco's and Harry's duel.
"Enough." The two stopped arms still with outstretched wands. "We need to be able to see everyone- next!" She shouted and everyone continued.
On the other side of the room both Snape and Lupin wondered what Miya was up to. The two shared a quick look with each other and continued to study and make notes of the students as they dueled.
~ ~ * ~ ~
The students had all left and the three professors were replacing all the furniture.
"Mobilarbus." Snape commanded one last time as he moved the table back to where it was before.
"It was a good day." Lupin said jovially as he looked at his parchment of names. The three had marked four groups for the students: Level 1-3 and Team.
"If you say so Remus." Snape said in his usual tone. He looked at his own list. "It appears there is a lot work ahead of his."
"You're always too cynical." Lupin replied, although he could see where Snape was coming from. With Voldemort on the loose the students needed to know more in how to protect themselves. They were too ignorant in some ways. What was sad to see was how advanced some of the Slytherins were in dueling. It was obvious they were taught extra at home.
Miya had been studying her own list, but she kept thinking about Harry. Both Lupin and Snape noticed that she was concentrating on something.
"Want to tell us what that was about with Draco and Harry?" Lupin asked. She looked at the two men.
"Well you know how they are rivals and all- I just wanted to watch them fight. See how good the famous Harry Potter really was." Miya replied, throwing in some Malfoy sarcasm.
"And you expect us to believe that?" Snape retorted. Both men could tell she was up to something.
"Yes. It's the truth." Miya replied as she got up abruptly. "I have a few things to take care of."
She left before either man could question her anymore. Miya left the great hall and made her way to Dumbledore's office. She stopped at the gargoyle.
"Strawberry Toffee." It opened up to reveal the staircase to the headmaster's office. She stepped in and made her way to he office door. She knocked.
"Come in." The older man said. Miya walked in to see the headmaster feeding Fawkes.
"Miya." He greeted. "To what do I owe this pleasure?"
"Headmaster."
"Albus. I've told you can call me Albus." He said his eyes twinkling as he motioned for her to sit. Miya smiled and shook her head.
"I don't think I ever could." She sat down.
"Well- until you're ready." He smiled back at her as he took a seat at his desk. "So what is it?"
"It's about Potter." He raised eyebrows inquisitively. "Have you ever seen him fight?" She didn't wait for him to answer. "He has the gift Headmaster. I'm not a hundred percent sure but I believe he has the capabilities."
Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, I've always suspected."
"What should we do?" Miya asked. "I thought he was too young for this appear, at least in a male."
"Yes I agree, but given events in his life I believe he's matured a lot faster than others. I believe it would be best to test him thoroughly and then if he does indeed have the gift, start to train him." Miya nodded in understanding. "If he is to be trained I would like you to train him."
At this Miya started. "I don't think I'm capable!"
"Miya you have the gift. You are more then capable."
"But sir! I think you would be a much better instructor. After all you taught me, you should teach Potter. It would be more beneficial to him."
"Perhaps- but there are benefits to you teaching him as well. You're well versed in the Dark Arts and that will be invaluable in teaching young Harry. I will help where it is needed. But if he is to train I would like you to be the one to help him. You are also closer to his age, you'll be able to help him with the changes."
Miya wasn't confident in what Dumbledore just told her, but she agreed to it. "When should we test him?"
"This evening will be fine. I shall ask him to meet me and we'll test him."
"The usual place sir?" Miya asked. Dumbledore nodded.
"Miya- no one is to know."
"I remember Headmaster." Miya replied as she left his office. Dumbledore sat in his chair and looked at his fiery bird.
"So it begins Fawkes. I do hope this will not be the end."
A/N: Too ambiguous? ^.~ It will clear up in a few chapters. I hope that got your attention though. ^.^ Please comment (I know I ask this way too often).