sorry about the delay in updating! I've been a bit busy with pre-school preparations! anyways, enjoy chapter 5!
---
James and Henry continued their silent fight the next day. After lunch had came and gone, the Gryffindor third-year students had Defense Against the Dark Arts. James hated this class almost as much as Transfiguration. The teacher, Professor Leary picked on him constantly, while at the same time praising Henry.
"As you know, class," Leary addressed his students as they walked in. His room was re-arranged. All the desks were pushed and stacked against the walls and in the center of the class was a long platform about four feet wide.
"We have been studying spells used to disarm opponents in the case of conflict. I have decided that it is time to see what you have learned. Each of you, with a partner, will come up onto this strip platform, and will magically attempt to disarm each other." He looked at the class very seriously. "Magic can be very dangerous. Choose your spells wisely. That's all the warning you will receive."
James was so excited he could hardly bear it. He knew exactly whom he wanted to duel.
"So," Leary stepped back. "Any volunteers?"
James's hand shot up. "Please, professor."
Leary smiled. "Of course Mr.Potter. Now who would you like as your opponent."
"Henry Solomon." James said firmly.
"Mr. Solomon, do you accept?"
Henry looked dumbfounded at first, but then he realized what James was trying to do. "Of course, Professor Leary."
James and Henry stepped up onto the strip and stood facing each other on both ends.
"On my signal." Leary paused for a moment, giving both of the boys time to prepare themselves. "Begin!"
"Expelliarmus!" James shouted.
"Protego!" Henry screamed.
Red sparks few from the tip of James's wand and bounced off the invisible shield that Henry created.
"Very good!" Leary was applauding Henry. "See how Mr. Solomon was prepared for Mr. Potter's attack! Very good! 10 points to Gryffindor."
This made James even more furious. "Fight back, you coward!" He bellowed. "
Henry glared. "Levicorpus!"
Suddenly, James was hoisted up by his ankle. He dangled in the air upside-down. The class burst into laughter. Henry smugly looked up at James. "Fight back you coward." He mocked James's voice in an annoying pitch.
"Mr. Solomon!" Leary screeched. "This is not a approved spell!"
James grinded his teeth angrily. "Relashio!"
Henry ducked just in time. The fiery hot sparks singed a banner hanging on the wall behind him.
James shot a silent hex at Henry again, this time hitting him. Immediately, Henry's legs felt like they were made of jelly and he fell heavily to the strip. He pointed his wand upward. "Langlock!"
The spell hit James and his tongue stuck firmly to the roof of his mouth. He couldn't speak.
Henry raised his wand one more time to finish him off. "Rela-"
"Enough!" Leary now stepped up onto the strip in between the boys. With a casual flick of his wand at both of them, the affects of the jinxes and hexes stopped immediately. He cast a silent spell to cushion James's fall.
"You both will be in my office tonight after dinner to receive your punishment." Leary's voice wasn't fierce, but it was so cold and heartless. He quickly changed his tone. "Now…who wants to go next?
--
After dinner, James and Henry silently reported to Leary's room after dinner. Leary was waiting for them outside. He was holding three bottles in his arms. "Follow me."
They followed Leary down the corridor. He stopped outside a large storage closet.
"This closet has a rather nasty doxy infestation." He handed both of the boys a spray-bottle. "These are fill of doxycide. Spray all the doxys with it, then dispose of them." He held the other bottle up. "This is an antidote for doxy venom. If you find that you need more, come to my room. You boys understand?"
They nodded.
"You'll have to work together on this." Leary said. "Don't let your over-inflated heads ruin what you have."
Before James or Henry could say anything, Leary threw open the doors and pushed them in.
The doors clanked behind them. The closet was about the size of a normal bedroom and it was packed with boxes and crates of all sizes. Immediately, a small swarm of blue doxies attacked Henry, biting him anywhere they could find bare skin.
Henry screamed and threw his arms up. He tried to swat them away while blocking his face from their sharp little teeth.
James's hand twitched on the spray bottle. Defending Henry would be giving in to their fight, but he couldn't stand to see his friend get attacked.
Henry yelled. His face was covered in red marks from doxy bites. He was trying to grope for his wand inside his robes.
James's sprayed doxycide all over Henry, drencing the little fairies. They fell to the floor motionless.
Henry turned his red face to James, his jaw hanging open. "You…"
James couldn't help but laugh. "We're even!"
--
Leary was sitting at his desk grading the last few essays he had when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in." He called.
James and Henry emerged through the door holding empty spray bottles. Leary was shocked to see that they were swollen and covered in punctures from the doxies teeth, but they were smiling from ear to ear.
"We're done, but I think we're going to need more antidote…"