CHAPTER FORTY-FOUR Wand Combat

Ophelia awoke the next morning to the sound of something scuttling across the stone floor. She clutched the covers and sat up, her eyes darting round the room. Out of the corner of her eye, she thought she saw a dark shadow slither out of the window. A moment later, the room was still and the only sound was the soft hiss of breath.

She dressed quickly in her maroon and gold robes and shuffled down the stairs, boots and book bag slung over her shoulder. When Ophelia reached the common room, she was surprised to find Remus asleep in one of the overstuffed chairs by the fireplace. She ruffled his sandy blond hair and sat down across from him.

Remus peered out of one eye before sliding up into a sitting position"Morning Phe" he grunted"I didn't realise I'd fallen asleep. What time is it"

Ophelia glanced outside, a pale pink beginning to stain the sky"A little after dawn, I'd guess. Couldn't sleep"

"Not really, I kept thinking about today." he admitted wearily"I don't think I'm ready to start all of these new classes."

"Are you kidding me, Rem? You're the most prepared wizard I know. You could've handled the classes last year."

"It's nice to know you're behind me" he muttered, nervously running a hand through his hair"Do you think it's too soon to go down for a spot of breakfast"

"It's never too early for breakfast."

The two siblings made their way down the corridors and to the Great Hall. A few other students were milling about, obviously they weren't the only ones who had trouble sleeping the night before.

Remus and Ophelia sat down at the empty table and helped themselves to as much juice as they wanted, seeing as neither one of them could stomach food at the moment.

A moment later Caradoc sat down across from them, dark circles beneath his eyes. "Hullo" he began, managing a slight smile"I see you both slept well."

Remus groaned and let his head fall to the table.

Ophelia rolled her eyes"I probably slept better than you. How are you doing"

"Freaked" said Caradoc bluntly"But I'll survive."

"You'll be fine, Dumbledore obviously thought you were best for the job."

"Is it possible he was suffering from a blackout when he made this decision" he replied"I mean... he could've been hallucinating, right"

"It's quite plausible" grunted Remus, his head still down on the table.

"And if that's the case it's no problem, really" continued Caradoc"I'll just resign, some other bloke can have the job."

"You're not going to resign." said Ophelia"You're going to suck it up and quit being such a baby."

He laughed and poured himself a glass of pumpkin juice"I know, I know. I'm just overwhelmed, is all."

"Try taking a deep breath" Remus instructed.

"Take your own advice, Rem" his sister retorted.

"What advice" asked James, sitting down next to Ophelia. He hungrily helped himself to a bowl of porridge and some dry toast, obviously not afflicted by the same ailment as the others.

Lily and Sirius sat on either side of Remus, both casting a worried glance at their friend.

"Alright, Rem" asked Sirius, stuffing a piece of bacon into his mouth"You're looking a little... peaky."

Caradoc frowned and shook his head"I should be getting back to the Ravenclaw table. I'll see you around."

Ophelia tossed a napkin across the table to Sirius. "You can't say things like, 'You look peaky' around strangers."

"He's not a stranger" he answered, feigning a hurt tone"Caradom had been in your house."

"Doc, his name is Caradoc. You can't even get his bloody name right."

Remus grinned, his eyes lighting up a bit"Aww, it's just like old times..."

Talia collapsed onto the bench, hastily throwing her hair into a ponytail"What did I miss" she asked, as Vega sat down next to her.

"Caradoc was here" said Lily nonchalantly"But he just left."

"Fantastic, my year is off to an incredible start."

James leaned over to Ophelia"Who's the witch"

"Right" she cried, knocking over a cup of juice"Ahh, scourgify. Vega, I want you to meet James Potter, Peter Pettigrew, and my big brother, Remus."

She looked across the table and smiled"Hello there."

Professor McGonagall bustled down the aisle, wearing a thoroughly fed up expression.

"All of the Sixth Years sitting together" she remarked to herself"Makes my job all the easier. Here you go, Black."

"Thank you, Professor" he grinned"And how was your summer"

"I'm afraid I don't have neither the time nor the patience for your little jokes, Black. Miss Evans, here you are. Lupins, one for each of you." McGonagall stopped mid-sentence and blinked at her list"I nearly forgot of our new additon; Miss Mizar, here is your timetable. I'm sure your fellow Gryffindors will help you find your way about."

"Yes, thank you Professor." Vega murmured.

"Who else do I have here? Pettigrew, there you go. Be sure not to lose this, I do not want to see you in my office in three days time asking me to make you a new one. Potter, same goes for you."

"Well I nev"

"Save it, Potter. Miss Thylacine, there is your schedule, I know you will have no problem with it. Save of course, if it spontaneously catches fire. That is what happened to last year's table, isn't it"

Mai adopted a look of pure innocence"As I recall, Professor."

"And Miss Westenra, here is yours. I will see you all tomorrow." said McGonagall, before hurrying along the table.

"She was scary" whispered Vega once she had left.

The table errupted into laughter. "You learn to get along with it" said James.

Ophelia studied her schedule and felt her head become light. The list of classes was dizzying- literally -and half of them she didn't know what they were.

"What the hell is Wand Combat" cried James, as if reading her thoughts.

"I wouls guess it's just as it sounds" chuckled Lily"Learning to use your wand in battle situations."

"Isn't that what Defence Against the Dark Arts is for" Sirius asked incredulously.

"This is probably more in depth." Lily said, the clear silver bell ringing, signalling the end of breakfast.

Everyone looked awkwardly around the table at one another, unsure of what to do. Ophelia nudged Remus"Vega will have the same classes as you. You'll be sure to show her around, right"

"Yes, of course I will" he promised, getting to his feet"Our first class is in the tower."

The others sat dumbly around the table.

"Lily" began Ophelia"Where are you going"

Her friend frowned"I'm not sure, McGonagall just gave me a note telling me to go to Professor Dumbledore's office."

"Did you get up to something last night" Sirius smirked.

"What are you talking about"

"A little mischief with Prongs, perhaps" he continued.

"That would figure" huffed James"I do something with Lily and I can't even remember it..."

She rolled her eyes and slung her book bag across her chest"I'll see you at lunch."

Ophelia, Sirius, James and Mai rose in one swift motion and left Talia sitting across from Peter. "It's okay" she hollered after them"Just leave me with Pete! I don't mind at all"

The four of them left the Great Hall and headed in the direction they guessed their class to be.

"Do you think we'll have to duel each other" asked Mai excitedly.

"Not on the first day" Ophelia answered"Besides, has anyone heard of this... Professor Nostrom before today"

The others silently shook their heads and they continued on their way. The classroom was located in the dungeons, down the hall from the entrance to the Slytherin common room.

James eyed it with contempt, until Sirius' hand guided him through the door. They quickly claimed a table in the back and watched as the other students sauntered in. As this was an Advanced Level course, they would not be sharing the lesson with one other House, but students of all Houses.

"Where's Nostrom" muttered James, playing with some trinket in his pocket.

Sirius shrugged and went back to watching the door. Two minutes had passed, and only three others had entered the room: two Ravenclaws, Ralph Akada and Druciff Baryshnakov, and a Hufflepuf boy, Robin Cardiff.

The next person to walk through the door made Ophelia's stomach jump. Pandora Cygnus sauntered into the darkened classroom, surveying those who had already claimed their seats. She spotted Sirius and a sick smile came to her lips.

"I will need two volunteers" barked Professor Nostrom, as he entered the room and slammed the heavy wooden door behind himself. He was shockingly tall, at least seven feet by Ophelia's judgements. His height was seemingly increased by his rail thin stature. His piercing yellow eyes scanned the room for any raised hands. "You" he shouted, pointing a long, bony finger at James. His focus shifted over to Mai, "And you! Please come to the side of the class."

The students looked over to the far side of the class and noticed for the first time the squashy mats that had been conjured covering the floor and walls.

"I guess you were wrong about not dueling on the first day" Sirius murmured, watching James and Mai as they made their way to the mats.

"You may begin when ready." Nostrom instructed, sitting on the edge of his desk.

"What are we supposed to do" asked Mai bravely.

"Begin when ready."

The two friends turned back to each other.

James chuckled nervously"Does he expect us to duel each other? Because I"

Mai quickly withdrew her wand and silently uttered a hex, sending James flying into the air, and landing with a sickening thud against the padded wall.

"Very good, now stop for a moment" the Professor ordered"Where was Mr Potter's key mistake, class"

Ophelia raised her hand into the air"He hesitated, Mai got the advantage because she didn't waste any time in reaching for her wand."

"Quite right, Miss Lupin. Now why did Mr Potter hesitate"

It was now Sirius' turn to answer the question. "Because she's a friend. And a girl. He was being a gentleman in refusing to duel her."

"You are also right, Mr Black. If an Auror finds themselves in a life-threatening situation, they must not hesitate for any reason. Someone you believe to be a friend may be plotting your death. You must never give the wizard- or in this case, the witch - never allow them to have the upper hand. It may very well be the death of you. You may both return to your seats."