Finally the school year had started, and after some weeks Severus felt he had come into a good routine. Neville had indeed wanted to be Harry`s friend and turned out to be a godsend; he and Harry had really found each other and complimented each other very well. Most days the two boys spent their time at Black`s place, but when Lupin had his "monthlies" they spent their time at Hogwarts either exploring or being taught (and entertained) by any teacher that had the time and inclination. Harry spent much time with Jen when Severus was busy, and to Severus joy she`d told him the boy had promise as a potioneer.
One day as Severus substituted for the defence teacher (again) one of the students commented that she would have liked to see Filius in a duel, as she`d heard that Filius was a very good dueller. This gave Severus an idea that he later asked the Headmaster to consider "I suggest we have an exhibit duel for the sixth and seventh years at least. It would be a good learning experience for them".
The Headmaster seemed to think for a moment before he said "A good idea Severus, but I think we should take it a step further. A duelling championship between all teachers and every house may come and watch".
There was great excitement the week that the duels had been scheduled; the first duels were between randomly picked people. The winner of each duel would proceed to the next round; the losers would stick around to help keep an eye on the students.
There was no surprise when Filius soundly beat Trelawney, or when Albus floored the defence teacher. Severus drew Sinistra as his opposition and she showed a spirited defence. Seeing the duels as part exercise and part teaching aid, he didn`t pull out the stops. She told him after that she knew he had held back, but didn`t seem to mind.
As the duels progressed the mood was high, and everyone thought this to be good fun.
Jen had been partnered with Burbage, and had defeated her within minutes but still the duel had been fun to watch. The Headmaster had jokingly told her to try to draw out her next duel a bit more, so the students could learn more.
As the week went by, the duels became more exiting. Filius almost managed to defeat the Headmaster in a fantastic duel. Next duel was Severus and Jen, and he planned on giving a good exhibition. As they faced each other he was a bit surprised she had no wand, but didn`t have much time to think about it.
It was later agreed on by the whole Hogwarts population thet this was the most fantastic duel many could remember ever seeing, the two up on the dais danced around each other. It was a kaleidoscope of colours as spells rained from one side to the other, never actually hitting. The spectators watched breathless as it became obvious that here was two really accomplished duellers. They almost didn`t believe what they saw, Professor Reiks duelled with no wand, and it was evident that wandless magic really was her forte.
Smiling a bit evilly in the end Jen stepped directly into a spell…
Everyone gasped as Professor Reiks seemed to willingly embrace one of Professor Prince`s spells, but she absorbed it and then seemed to glow. Suddenly a giant bear replaced the small woman and it opened its mouth to spew magic fire at professor Snape. Luckily the professor wasn`t harmed, but the Headmaster chose to end the duel at this point. "A magnificent performance you two, I think you are too closely matched for any of you to take a clean win. I therefore acclaim you both as champions, as I have no energy to meet either one of you in a new duel he said while smiling at the cheering crowd. The two up on the dais bowed in formal acceptance of this ruling and climbed down to general applause from the spectators. Even Severus was greeted with shouts of "brilliant performance sir" from the students gathered at the foot of the dais, and the two almost had to fight to free themselves from the exited crowd.
