AlsethGosia, The mystery of Draco Malfoy and the Second Hermione... I think you'll solve this one before I reveal everything. XD
Hahah Poor Golden Duo! What will become of those two without Hermione?! :x
Unfortunately I had to leave the class for a next chapter, or else I'd take an eternity to post this. I'm still working on it, sorry!
Chapter 16 – A short Duel
Walking side by side with her sisters, hearing all about how Narcisa was the top of her class and feeling all eyes following them as they walked with confident steps, certainly made her chest inflate with great pride. The Black sisters were the brightest witches alive, and people should know it. It's in their heritage. It's in their blood the power to rule the world if they wanted.
And Bella wanted it.
"Now that Cissa knows how to cast protego properly, we should play Protego-Mortis together!" Andie said, to her left, looking at with those eyes shining in excitement. "It's a rite of passage, isn't it?"
Bella is the one who invented the game as an excuse to train her spell casting against Andromeda, back when she was learning to cast locomotor mortis non-verbally, and Andie wanted to get better to show-off her skills before the professor taught protego to the class. It was their third, and first year respectively. None of them were actually learning those things in their classes, it didn't stop them from wanting to get ahead.
Despite its name, it really wasn't Protego and locomotor mortis only. Whenever they learned something new, they would play this game. They went into the forbidden forest, found a good spot where no one would interfere with their game - or try to join - and turned it into an event to practice their spell casting whenever they felt they needed it. When Narcisa came to Hogwarts, she joined them but only ever evaded, since she didn't know how to cast protego properly.
Those were some of Bella's fondest memories.
And now it was Narcisa's turn to start taking some spells to her magical shield. "Yes, little sister." Her predatory smile was playful, and it made Narcisa giggle, knowing what that look meant... "You better forget about Lucius today." When her hands attacked Narcisa's ribs, the girl was already tensed up, ready to jump away.
"Stop, Bella! You know I hate being tickled." She was still giggling though; the muscle memory was enough to make her feel the effects of what could have been a merciless attack. She walked ahead to get away from her two undignified sisters, no doubt.
Bellatrix would have none of that. Until she reached her D.A.D.A. classroom, she wanted to enjoy her sisters' company as much as she could. The day before was filled with homework! She couldn't even spend time with them in the afternoon.
"I hereby declare Friday as the Black sisters' unavoidable day!" Bellatrix said, as if she was the queen of the world. She ran and hugged Cissy from behind, lifting her from the floor and walking a few steps with her in her arms. She had a face full of blonde hair, so people had better avoid them at that moment.
She gathered that walking with her legs wide apart to avoid tripping on her sister's legs must have looked silly, since Andromeda started laughing at her antics.
"Bellaaaa! Put me down!" Narcisa's high piched protest came through a bunch of giggles. She was growing much too fast for Bellatrix' liking. One year ago, she was still able to carry that girl for a good few meters before letting her go again. She could still do that... but she'd rather not risk sending them both to the floor due to Narcisa's height. She is almost reaching me... and I thought I was impressive with my 1,77 meters...
With a huff, she put her sister down and went on with her long strides as if nothing had happened. "I mean it." Then she looked back towards Andromeda who watched them with a fond smile on her face... "Friday is now sacred. It's ours. Don't you dare go galivanting with other people."
She narrowed her eyes for good measure. Andie is the most outgoing out of the three... she found people to spend time with even outside their own house. The middle sister rolled her eyes and hurried her steps to catch up to them again. "You were the one who bailed on us yesterday! But fine. Create a new tradition, will you? Heaven knows you could do with some distractions. You're obsessed with your studies." Andie slapped her arm, in a teasing manner.
For the life of her, Bellatrix could never understand how her sisters could tolerate people enough to make friendships. If there was a lesson she learned from her father well, is that people wear masks all the time.
- When you think that you can trust someone, that person is the most likely to betray you. In front of you, they are pleasant, and polite... only to get you to let down your guard, learn your secrets, and use it against you. At best, they will only speak ill of you behind your back, at worst... You can expect they will try to take advantage of your weaknesses. Trust me, darling. No one cares more about you than I do.
No, 'friendship' is something she never cared to indulge. Why put oneself through the trouble of sustaining something so fickle when, in the end, no one would really have her best interests at heart? She didn't have the patience for false pleasantries. She knows well enough that she can only ever trust her sisters and her parents, and lived day after day to be a person worthy of their trust as well... No one else had a space in her heart, and she was fine with that. That's how it was supposed to be.
Either way, it was easy enough to avoid people when they were all so annoyed by her brilliance, as if she was to blame for their idiocy! It's been like this since her first year, when some stupid Gryffindors tried to make fun of her for being a 'show off'. She would never let herself be shamed for all her knowledge. From the very beginning she asserted her superiority and guaranteed that her sisters understood how to do the same. In front of them, at least, no one dared to be disrespectful. She had no qualms about making a good example out of anyone who tried.
"If you haven't signed up for duelling club already, do it Cissy. You're going to need it." It was time to part ways; they reached her least liked classroom on the first floor of the castle. Her predatory smile was back, but this time it was only to tease her little sister with promises of a difficult time.
One can imagine how hard their 'game' was, when duelling lessons were used as a reinforcement to what they'd practice by themselves later.
Narcisa sighed "I already did, Bella. I told you yesterday!"
She did? Oh, I must not have been paying attention... She gave Narcisa an apologetic small smile before turning towards the middle sister. "Alright, and you, Andie?"
Andromeda nodded with an understanding smile "See you later?"
Bellatrix agreed with a nod of her own. Today she wouldn't leave any homework unattended... "See you. Have a good class."
"You too." Andie and Narcisa replied, each in their own time.
Bellatrix barely had time to dodge a spell that came flying her way, as soon as she stepped foot into the room. Woah! Two others followed, and she jumped aside to avoid both just as quickly. She accidentally stepped on her robe, and quickly had to jump again to shove the cape from under her and stand on her feet properly. Shit...
"Nice reflexes..." That annoying side smile on her glossy red lips made Bellatrix' chest tighten in protest. She has no business looking this smug...
Professor Grey was leaning against her desk, almost as if she was sitting on it, but not really. Her right leg crossed in front of her left one, and her left hand rested on top of the wooden surface. She was twirling the wand around as if it was a mere drumstick...
The young witch had to admit that – aside from those short black heels – her clothes looked very practical, maybe that woman simply didn't want to stumble over her robes if she ever needed to move fast... It made more sense than the thought that she simply was trying to look like a muggle.
Those Gray jeans hugging her tights probably facilitated her movement, if it ever came to a real battle situation. The same could be said about that fitting black dress shirt, no chance it would flap about and catch an errant spell. It was a good fit for a fight. Bellatrix envied those two buttons her professor kept open, it made her completely aware of the constraining feeling around her neck that made her want to loosen her tie and pop a few buttons herself.
Bellatrix pulled out her wand and prepared for another possible attack. "Class haven't started yet." The scare of almost being hit made her sound a bit breathless.
"No such thing as breaks anymore." She stopped spinning her wand to grip it properly and send two spells in her direction, which she deflected easily with a wordless protego. "Don't hold back, show me what you know."
Nothing you will ever compare to... Excitement filled her body at the chance to one up that traitor. It made her heart accelerate with that spike of adrenaline, and her chest to feel like it was a roaring fireplace. I live for this. She smiled widely, threw her bag on the floor behind her, raised her right arm above her head, and extended her left arm in front of her, getting into her fighting stance.
To her surprise, the woman's only reaction was to tilt her head to the right, analysing her posture. She didn't even stand straight, still leaning lazily against her desk despite holding a defying look in those warm brown eyes when they locked onto hers again. Her smile looked like a challenge.
I'll take this smile off your face, traitor... Bellatrix narrowed her eyes and send her favourite wordless chain attack. Depulso - Flipendo - Depulso...
One single protego held it all as if they were nothing. As if her spells were weak... Bella frowned and prepared the wand work for expeliarmus, hoping to breakthrough that defence with relentless attacks... But before she could do so, one spell left that woman's wand so fast she didn't have time to cast protego, she had to step aside to dodge the incoming attack. How did she do that so fast? She was just holding up a protego! Her wand movement didn't show anything familiar!
It was a simple downwards motion. What spell was that?
That professor was testing her skills, and the thought that she didn't take Bella seriously enough to even stand properly was insulting...
A particularly strong hex - holding all her annoyance - made Jean's protego fizzle... The woman's eyebrows shot up in surprise. Bellatrix didn't relent, expecting her opponent to get into a fighting stance. Do something other than act like Bellatrix wasn't enough of a threat.
But the woman merely straightened her neck and set her jaw. She had a determined look that almost made Bellatrix falter in her attacks... There was such fire in her eyes...
But she didn't stop attacking, and the woman started deflecting her spells with a circular wand movement, twisting her wrist outward or inward. Almost like she was holding a sword instead of a wand...
Outwards - defence; Thrust forward - attack; Outwards - defence - but add another spin of her wrist and suddenly there was an attack coming her way with the same movement... Inwards - defence - flick her wrist up after she finished her move, and a spell flew towards Bellatrix.
It was extremely confusing! As easily as Jean Grey deflected, an attack came with a similar twist of her wrist that followed her deflecting action immediately. Everything looked so fluid... Defence and attack happened almost as it they were part of the same motion... But that shouldn't be possible! What kind of technique is that?
After many spells flew back and forwards, it became blatantly clear to Bellatrix that just attacking and evading wouldn't cut it, she'd be at a disadvantage if her opponent stared to time her attacks correctly. Bellatrix had the feeling that Professor Grey was looking for a way to finish the fight... Those calculating eyes followed her movement patterns with great focus.
But her professor's wrist movements were repetitive, too. The pattern of how, and when she attacked was clear. Whenever Bellatrix took a second too long to cast something, the woman tried to take her by surprise with a wicked fast counterattack that forced the young witch to stop attacking to evade it, which took away all her focus for a real strong spell.
Aside from that, she merely held up a protego as if nothing Bellatrix did could break it. If I fake an attack, she will try to stop me, but I'll be ready for it with a Protego - expeliarmus combo... She just had to get a proper feint so she could take advantage of the moment her professor let down her defence. Bellatrix paused, focusing on her own defence too... She had to get the timing right...
"Tired already?" That tilt of head, accompanied by a cynical smile, and that fast twirling of her wand - as if Bella wasn't enough of a threat to stay on guard - made her blood boil with rage. Tired? I've just started you-
It was so fast she didn't have the reaction to evade. Her wand snaped out of her hands and flew in the direction of her professor...
Bellatrix felt humiliated.
I've... I've lost... To a Blood traitor... A woman who walked out on traditions... Who rather pretend to be a mudblood than dedicate her life to leave a real mark in this world...
"You are incredibly fast, with good instincts, and great reflexes... The moment I made you angry, it's like you lost your reaction time..." Ms. Traitor snapped her fingers a few times as if Bella wasn't alert anymore. "I understand it can be difficult to use our emotions to fuel magic, and don't let them take over our mind... But what happened cannot happen during a real battle, it will get you killed. Do you understand?"
Bellatrix simply nodded, looking down. "Ignore baits. And never underestimate your opponent. Even if you think they are weak."
Like you underestimated me?
And won...
Bellatrix could have accepted a draw, that traitor showed exceptional skills, after all... It would be a worthy result. But a defeat?
The young witch couldn't look up. She had to tap into her occlusion training to hide the tears of frustration that were making its way to her eyes. Clarity hit her as the feeling of humiliation was shoved away... I just have to train more... She defies the rules of wand work! That's some strong intent... I must reach that level as well. If I had her speed, I would certainly have beaten her. Now this confirms my theory, definitely. There's no denying she is a powerful pureblood.
"Ms. Black? Are you-" The concern on her voice was annoying. It broke Bellatrix from her occluded state and made her glare in the woman's direction. She closed her hands into fists, and pressed hard, to the point she could feel her short nails digging into her palms.
"Could you give me back my wand." She snaped aggressively and realized - by the way Jean Grey moved her head back - that perhaps it wasn't proper to talk over her professor like this. Even if she despised her... "Please..." She asked through her teeth. Relieved that the woman didn't find it in herself to punish Bellatrix for the insolence. There was no way she could fit a detention into her carefully planned schedule... it would set her back months!
"Here." She stood and threw the wand in her direction. Bellatrix accio-ed mid-air to get it straight into to her hand instead of fumbling like a useless muggle.
The impressed look on that woman's face was like a small soothing balm to Bellatrix' bruised ego. "Thank you." She said, gruffly, then made her way to her desk, quickly searching her surroundings for curses. She had to distract herself from the burning shame she felt.
If her father heard of this... That a blood traitor who clearly had no regards to their wizarding tradition won her in a fair duel...
She could hear his taunts in her mind. How a powerful witch like her from the Great House of Black could not afford to be bested by a nobody who isn't even known in their world. How there is no greater family with an ancestry as important as their own... How she has to get better... that there was no excuse for her failure other than personal weakness.
She couldn't occlude when she had to do magic, unfortunately, so her mind had to focus on her task at hand... while listening to his voice.
As she disabled the stinging hex rune in her chair, Bellatrix wondered if its effect was strong... But knowing now how skilled that woman was, she didn't feel like testing if the intensity was keyed up to be a real pain.
Instead, she worked on placing her own rune of protection, doing her best to get over this stupid defeat. She drew the signs and numbers magically - in the air - then sent to the floor, to surround her table and chair. Watching it as it disappeared in the ground. "Protego Maxima" she said and felt satisfied when the visible blue-Ish hue of that shield spell appeared to surround her space like a dome.
She backed away to the other side of the room and cast a very strong... "Bombarda!" It held all the negative feelings she felt at that moment. Surprisingly, her professor didn't say a word of protest when the explosion happened. But from her peripheral vision, Bellatrix knew that she had been watching.
Her shield didn't even fizzle, while the surrounding tables exploded to splinters, and burned to ashes. Not wanting to see the professor's reaction to her little demonstration, she didn't turn her head. Bellatrix could imagine that this destruction must have bothered the woman. So, she focused on putting out the fires, rebuilding what was broken, and transfiguring pieces of wood into tables to replace the ones that turned into ashes.
She didn't need incantation to do that. She knew how important intention was to spellcasting, it was innate to picture what she wanted done and make it happen. It felt natural to bend matter according to her will. She didn't know exactly why other people found that surprising, when in reality it was something every wizard have within themselves. Especially purebloods, who have more willpower within them because of their blood. The power to create and transform gave her a rush like nothing else ever could... Aside from battle. It was why Transfigurations and Charms were her favourite subjects, tied in first place, followed closely by her beloved Arithmancy.
Who needs friends when there's magical knowledge to fill her life with wonder?
Books were her friends. Dead authors, powerful wizards. People she could respect... "Dispel" She said to make her barrier go down, and sit... "Protego Maxima"
As the barrier went up again, she couldn't help the urge to look up in the direction of her professor. She expected the woman to be mad at the disturbance... What she found, though, chased away the last of her disappointment.
The professor stared at her in amazement. I know, that was impressive.
Bellatrix felt her smug smile give way to a more genuine one when that woman flashed those teeth at her. Surprisingly... being recognized by someone who is equally talented was a better feeling than revelling in her superiority against pathetic wizards. It didn't even register in her mind that she forgot to discourage that woman's friendly behaviour...
Until seconds later.
The thought that she was letting down her guard made her frown at her potions book, unable to focus on anything.
I'm the one supposed to make her slip... Not the other way around! She took a deep breath trying to calm her racing thoughts. Their duel had been a fast paced challenging one... that's why she was feeling this... content.
I must reach her level of speed... It felt good to have a clear goal outside of getting outstanding's in her NEWTS, which was starting to seem like an easy feat. Tiresome... but easy. That is all...
She would do well to remember herself why she hated that woman, though.
She's a despicable blood traitor... But another part of her brain reluctantly admired her power.
She is so cocky, it's annoying! Like she was the one to talk... That traitor is confident. Rightfully so. There was a difference, Bella knew it, and hated to admit that the woman was not just putting up on airs.
She is a spy using her skills to support Dumbledore's stupid equality agenda! She is most likely fighting for what she believes...
What the fuck is wrong with me? She's the enemy! I can't relate to her! Yet Bellatrix respected how the woman seemed to be unapologetically fighting for her cause. Despite defending precisely, the opposite...
She held back a groan and had to physically stop herself in the middle of the process of bringing her book to cover her face. When she realized that her professor was still watching her, she felt her blood rush to her face, and pretended that she was just trying to see something up close. Successfully hiding herself from view a second later.
This woman is a liar, and manipulator. She reminded herself... I can respect the game she plays, but I can't allow myself to be fooled! She ground her teeth, fighting the warm feeling in her chest. This friendly attitude of hers is a decoy, as much as Rodolphus' Polyjuice plan...
They were playing on opposite sides of a war, there was no going around it. Despite not being a real participant yet, her father would surely appreciate her effort to defend their traditions.
Bellatrix mission was to unmask her. Nothing else. It was a game she had to keep the upper hand.
I just have to beat her before Andie starts to share her ideals and get in trouble for that.
Remembering the risk her sister is running strengthened her resolve. Once she was in peace with her own thoughts, she placed her potions book on the table.
The blissful silence in that classroom was almost as perfect as the library to throw herself into her studies with renewed focus.
She's extraordinary! Hermione had to force herself to stop staring after that show of effortless advanced magic. How did Voldemort ever fool this girl into believing he was more powerful than her?
Hermione knew Bellatrix' reputation of being the brightest witch of her age... Who didn't? But having that tittle herself, she assumed that Bellatrix would be close in knowledge to what she was during her time at Hogwarts... Hermione imagined that Voldemort was the one who taught his right-hand woman everything more advanced, that he was to this girl what Minerva and Filius were to her. Boy, were she wrong...
It took her two apprenticeships under great masters to let go of the strict form she learned at school and embrace the real control a powerful wizard has over their ability to make things happen... She struggled to get where she was. Bellatrix, though... Bellatrix was a whole other level.
That raw power...
Hermione shook her head, replaying that demonstration of advanced transfiguration, that powerful rune of protego maxima resisting a strong bombarda, their short duel... She was struck by this sense of amazement. She was now truly seeing how great of a witch Bellatrix was. Holy shit, that raw power... Even in her own mind she sounded in awe.
She brought her hands to her forehead, then bent down to rest her elbows on the table. Bloody hell... Bloody fucking HELL. The little freak out was unavoidable at this point.
For the hundredth time, Hermione questioned if it was wise to teach everything she knew. I don't need to give her all my trade secrets to save her. I'm just giving her all the weapons to defeat me... I didn't think she was this powerful.
Hermione couldn't afford to slack off... She suddenly felt guilty for not training wandless magic the day before... The possibility of Bellatrix catching up to her by the time she graduates was real. If she joins Voldemort by then... What the fuck will I do?! I don't want to face her.
Throwing spells at Bellatrix was like playing dodgeball against that very athletic person who never got hit: Very annoying. Whenever Hermione thought she caught her, the girl would jump out of the way at the last possible second. And I was being as fast as I could with my counterattacks. The duel shouldn't have lasted that long... Baiting her was a cheap trick...
Dueling was an art. A sport. One in which a person gets the chance to be incredibly connected with their magic because of the constant flux of it. Adrenaline feeds magic, it heightens the senses... Bellatrix experienced that connection to her magic fully. That extra burst of speed... It was magic working on her body. She felt it, she embraced it, she let it flow...
She is a natural...
The exhilaration reflected in Bellatrix' eyes... The pure delight in her smile...
It's like staring at Harry when he was in his nimbus 2000. Only... she could actually understand the thrill of a good duel. Hermione let out a short silent laugh through her nose, covering her smile with a closed fist. Bellatrix loved combat as much as Harry loved to fly. That's just a realization she could do without. That mad childish glee the woman from her future demonstrated when she started chaos was always associated with her pleasure in making other people suffer. Now she questioned if that was always the case, or if the adrenaline rush, she felt during battle, was twisted by Voldemort with the purpose of turning her into his perfect weapon.
She looked up again, resting her head on her left hand... Taking notice once more of that superb example of brilliance in the form of a rune.
If Bellatrix had learned this advanced aspect of ancient runes before coming to Hogwarts would be impressive enough, but Hermione could not discard the possibility that she learned it in the span of three days since class started in Hogwarts.
That's what I'd call dedication...
And she was staring again... But really, she couldn't help it. This girl could become the most powerful witch of her generation. To think that so much potential was wasted because of misguided devotion. It made her feel...
She got up and faced the board. I can't believe I'm mourning Bellatrix Lestrange now! She was as much of a monster as her master. She wasn't a madwoman when she tortured the Longbottoms to insanity; She was a sadistic person who cared about nothing but securing power for her master and rid the world of people like her.
The intent behind magic
She tapped the chalk against the board, and let it rest there after she finished underlining the main topic of the class. She pressed her left hand against its dark surface, and bowed her head, feeling her chest constrict. But monsters are made, aren't they?
She broke the chalk with the strength she pressed against the board.
With a sigh and a simple reparo, the chalk was whole again, and she returned to her writings.
Yes, she mourned Bellatrix Lestrange now that she knew what was lost. And this ache made her want to see this Bellatrix Black achieve her full potential more than anything.
- Dark x Evil: What is the difference?
- Want x Need: The real danger of the unforgivables.
- Evil Intent: Beware of the signs.
When she returned to her desk, she took notice of her student's serious face as she read what was on the board. "Nothing too obvious today?" She risked a bit of humour, to see the girl's reaction.
"You think there is a difference between Dark and Evil?" She seemed genuinely interested, which made Hermione optimistic. Her decision to bring a discussion instead of rushing through this topic seemed to be the right one after all...
It's not about opinion... It's a fact. "Well-"
"Expeliarmus!"
"Petrificus totalus!"
"Silencio!"
Three voices cast at the same time; There was no time to grab her wand and cast a protego, she had to evade. Hermione pushed herself away from the table, saying "Arrest momentum" ...
As the chair toppled over, she accioed her wand from her charmed holster that was wrapped invisibly around her right forearm - not everyone expected her wand to slid from the arm she was supposed to use for attack - and as soon as her back hit the floor harmlessly, she disarmed her students.
It all happened before they could cast another spell.
"Fifteen points to Ravenclaw, Gryffindor, and Hufflepuff" she said, after she got up, throwing the wands at her students in the order she spoke. Liam Timerpen, Dorian Leyfer, and Amelia Bones... "Nice invasion, I didn't even hear you come in."
A Quick tempus showed that there was still five minutes left until she had to start class. It explained why everything's quiet still...
"Ugh! I thought we had you!" Liam complained, throwing his hands up then making his way towards his usual seat, with a frustrated frown on his face. Amelia had a small smile directed at her, which she retributed, and Dorian seemed too shocked that she managed to evade still. He made his way to the desk with his eyes wide open, probably wondering where her wand came from.
"If you used that spell without incantation, you would. Trust me." She smiled encouragingly, earning a satisfied smile from Mr. Timerpen in return.
"Ah, then I know what I should work from now on..." He worked on disabling her hex, much like Amelia and Dorian.
"You do. And I'm really impressed with your initiative. I told you to enter it like you're invading a dark witches' home. You did. Really nice work." She pulled her chair up to sit down again.
"So, we can attack you whenever we want?" Bellatrix asked, with a tilt of her head, and a predatory side smile. That smile... So familiar, yet so alien without the murderous glint in her eyes... "I wasn't aware of that, Professor."
"I never said you couldn't. The moment I said I'm your enemy, I expected you to act accordingly."
"So... During class..." The reticence sounded like a promise of hard times to come.
If that was the case, it could be Hermione's moment to train as well. She could sharpen her reflexes at the same time she taught them the value of keeping their guard up. "Yes, during class as well. But only if you can cast it wordlessly. I do not want to be interrupted every second by someone's casting."
"You know that I can cast spells wordlessly..." She crossed her arms and tilted her chin up in that usual display of arrogance purebloods liked to exude. Hermione didn't find that half as annoying as she usually did. She knew that this girl was powerful. It's different from those walking sense of entitlement who didn't know how to do one quarter of the things Hermione did and walked around as if they were superior beings.
No, that was no arrogance. Bellatrix was self-assured. Rightfully so. "You do. Which is why you've done me a great favour cloistering yourself inside that safe cocoon." It was Hermione's turn to smile teasingly.
Bellatrix flashed her teeth in response, "Dis-pel" she spoke slowly, teasingly separating the syllables.
As the barrier went down, Hermione was hit with a feeling that maybe she shouldn't have encouraged this after all...