- PROVING GROUNDS PT I -

6:57am- September 10th, 1976 - The Great Hall - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry - Earth - Universe Designation: 1.638.2

The early morning light spilled softly through the enchanted ceiling of the Great Hall, casting faint shadows across the long tables and stone floor. The hall was nearly empty except for a small group of sixth and seventh year girls huddled toward the middle of the Gryffindor table. Their voices, though hushed, carried an unmistakable excitement that cut through the quiet of the waking castle. The topic of their conversation? The same topic that had been sparking whispers and speculation across Hogwarts for the past week.

Harry Potter.

Marlene McKinnon sat at the center of the group, her legs tucked beneath her and a mischievous grin plastered across her face as she twirled a strand of blonde hair around her finger. "I'm just saying," she began, her voice carrying a teasing edge, "I don't think it's fair for one man to look that good and still be so bloody competent. Have you seen him cast? He doesn't even try,"

"I know!" Emmeline Vance chimed in, her blue eyes shining with amusement as she leaned in closer. "When he displaced Potter and Black on our second day? I thought half of us were going to faint,"

"You did faint," teased Mary MacDonald, sitting to the side as she picked at a croissant.

"Only for a second," Emmeline retorted, waving her hand dismissively as the group dissolved into giggles.

Lily Evans, seated slightly apart from the others, rolled her eyes but couldn't entirely hide the smirk pulling at her lips. She sipped her tea, content to listen without participating. Across from her, Bellatrix Black sat in her usual posture. Straight-backed, hands folded neatly in her lap. She hadn't spoken once, her eyes flicking between the girls with a look that bordered on irritation. Lily was not entirely sure why Bellatrix was sitting with them, but decided not to pry in fear of dealing with the Black sister's rage.

Marlene's voice broke through again, pulling Lily back into the moment. "Alright, Evans," she said, pointing a half-eaten pumpkin pasty at her. "You're being far too quiet. Spill. You can't tell me you don't think Professor Potter is hot,"

Lily raised an eyebrow, lowering her tea cup with deliberate slowness. "Umm...attractive? Sure," she said finally, her voice even. "I have eyes. But I don't see him like that,"

"Oh, come on," Emmeline protested, grinning as she nudged Lily's arm. "You're telling me you don't get even a little flustered when he gives you that look? You know, the one where he tilts his head just slightly and narrows those very green eyes of his?"

Lily scoffed, though her cheeks flushed faintly. "Flustered? No. Intimidated? Maybe," She shrugged. "He's a good professor and clearly very talented. But I'm not exactly swooning over him like the rest of you,"

"That's just because you're too proud to admit it," Marlene teased, earning a chorus of laughs.

Lily rolled her eyes again, though the corner of her mouth twitched. "Whatever helps you sleep at night,"

"Speaking of sleeping at night," Mary interjected, leaning forward conspiratorially. "What do you think he does when he's not teaching? I mean, the man looks like he doesn't need sleep. Ever,"

"That's because he's mysterious," Marlene said dramatically, throwing an arm into the air. "Brooding, competent, and handsome. The triple threat,"

"I heard he trains at ridiculous hours," Emmeline added. "Someone saw him running near the Black Lake at dawn a few days ago. And apparently, he meditates before breakfast. Who even does that?"

"Someone dedicated to perfection," Marlene quipped, biting into her pasty with a satisfied grin.

Bellatrix Black shifted ever so slightly in her seat, her focus still on the conversation though she refused to join it. Her thoughts drifted elsewhere. Toward the upcoming Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. Harry Potter was...an enigma, that much was true. And while Bellatrix could understand why the others were so taken with him, she couldn't bring herself to indulge in their frivolous chatter.

She wanted his respect. His approval.

The thought lingered longer than she expected, and for a fleeting moment, another idea flitted through her mind. One that made her lips twitch faintly. Seduction. Could she? Of course she could. Bellatrix Black wasn't unfamiliar with charm and power games. But no. That wasn't how she wanted to win his attention. She would show him her strength, her skill. Prove herself not as a girl fawning over her professor but as an equal in magic and power. That was what mattered most.

"Alright, alright," Marlene's voice cut back in, her excitement undeterred. "What's the plan, then? Hypothetically speaking. How do we actually get his attention?"

"Oh, I know!" Emmeline said brightly, leaning forward on her elbows. "Maybe ask for private tutoring. You know, something like...'Professor Potter, I just can't figure out non-verbal spells. Could you help me after class?'" She batted her eyelashes dramatically, sending the group into another fit of laughter.

"That's subtle," Mary said dryly, though her grin betrayed her amusement.

"Or," Marlene added, matching Emmeline's teasing tone. "You could challenge him to a duel. 'Oh, Professor Potter, I'll duel you for extra credit.' And then. Bam! Sweep him off his feet with your incredible skill,"

"More like get blasted across the room," Mary quipped.

"Details," Marlene shot back with a wave of her hand.

The group descended into another wave of giggles, with Emmeline practically in tears as she added, "Or what if someone just threw themselves dramatically at his feet? You know. 'Take me, Professor Potter!'"

Lily groaned audibly, finally snapping. "You lot are ridiculous. Do you hear yourselves?"

"You're so boring, Evans," Marlene teased, though not unkindly. "Some of us like to have fun,"

"Some of you also like to embarrass yourselves," Lily retorted, though her lips curled into a reluctant smile.

Bellatrix let out a faint huff of breath, barely audible. She didn't know whether she was amused or annoyed by the spectacle in front of her. Did these girls really think they could flirt their way into Harry Potter's good graces? Did they even know him beyond his sharp lessons and mysterious aura? For Bellatrix, it was laughable. Harry Potter was a man of discipline and power. He didn't strike her as someone swayed by pretty smiles and fluttering eyelashes. No. If anyone would earn his favor, it wouldn't be through foolish games. It would be through strength.

Her fingers drummed lightly against the table, her mind drifting back to her own ambitions. The lesson today. She would show him. She'd already faltered in the Duelling Club by letting her pride slip into recklessness, but this time would be different. She would channel control, precision, and focus. Everything Harry valued.

"Bellatrix," Marlene's voice broke through her thoughts. "You've been awfully quiet. Don't tell me you're above all this?"

Bellatrix looked up slowly, fixing Marlene with a cool stare. "I don't waste my time on fantasies," she said evenly, her voice smooth as silk. "Unlike the rest of you,"

The teasing atmosphere dimmed slightly under Bellatrix's gaze, though Marlene's grin only faltered for a second. "Well, aren't you mysterious?" she teased lightly, though there was a hint of wariness in her tone now.

Bellatrix didn't reply. Instead, she leaned back in her seat, her dark eyes flicking toward Lily, who met her gaze with a silent understanding. For all her irritation with the girls, Lily was the only one who hadn't indulged in their nonsense. Bellatrix could at least respect that. "You're all wasting your time," Bellatrix said finally, rising to her feet with an air of finality. "Potter isn't interested in your petty games," With that, she turned on her heel and strode out of the hall, leaving a brief, stunned silence in her wake.

"Well," Marlene muttered after a moment, her eyes wide. "Someone's touchy,"

Lily shook her head, muttering into her tea. "She's not wrong though,"

The conversation shifted after that, the teasing tones returning as the girls began gossiping about other things. Quidditch matches, upcoming lessons, and the latest drama between Houses. But the undercurrent remained. Harry Potter had become something of an enigma to all of them. Untouchable yet captivating. As for Bellatrix, her focus had already narrowed to a single thought as she made her way toward the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom. I will prove myself. Harry Potter would see her skill. And when he did, there would be no question of her worth.

Concurrently, at the other end of the castle, the Gryffindor common room was quieter than usual for this hour of the morning. The fire in the hearth burned low, its embers crackling softly and casting flickering shadows across the crimson and gold banners. The usual clamor of Gryffindor life, the laughter, the bickering, the last-minute homework scrambling, was noticeably absent. Instead, four familiar figures were sprawled out across armchairs and couches, speaking in low tones as they huddled around the hearth.

James was at the center of it all, naturally, his lanky frame slouched across a cushioned chair as he tossed a small golden snitch between his hands absentmindedly. His face was serious despite the casual air, his brow furrowed in thought as he considered the upcoming Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. "I'm telling you, it's not going to be a cakewalk," he said, his voice sharp with conviction as he glanced around the circle. "You all saw what Harry did during the last lesson. The guy is relentless,"

Sirius was draped across the armrest of the couch beside him, one leg over the other as though he didn't have a care in the world. He twirled his wand lazily between his fingers, but his sharp gray eyes betrayed his focus. "Relentless is one word for it," Sirius said with a wry grin. "Insane works too. Did you see the way he disarmed Snivellus last week? The bloke practically flew out of his shoes,"

Remus, sitting more upright than the others in an armchair near the fire, ran a hand through his hair. His expression was thoughtful. "It wasn't just that. He reads people. He knows what you're going to do before you even think about doing it. That's what makes him dangerous,"

Peter, seated on the floor and fiddling nervously with the hem of his robe, looked up with wide eyes. "But what do you think he's going to make us do today? Last lesson was all about restricted environments, and I barely survived that,"

James smirked, tossing the snitch high before catching it effortlessly. "That's because you tripped over your own shoelaces, Wormtail,"

Peter flushed crimson. "They were enchanted," he muttered defensively.

Sirius let out a bark of laughter, clapping Peter on the shoulder. "Right. Enchanted. Let's go with that,"

James shook his head, his grin softening as he leaned forward. "But honestly, I wouldn't put it past Harry to push us even harder today. He keeps saying none of us are ready, and I believe him,"

Remus's gaze sharpened as he looked at James. "You sound like you're actually worried,"

James shrugged, though there was no arrogance in his demeanor this time. "Harry's different. I don't know how to explain it, but he's...something else. He's not like the other professors. He doesn't just want us to pass tests or know spells. He wants us to be ready...whatever that means,"

"It means survival," Remus said quietly. The group fell silent for a moment as his words sank in. "You heard him at the Duelling Club. He doesn't hold back because he knows we won't always have someone there to do it for us,"

"That's grim, Moony," Sirius muttered, though his grin had faded. His wand had stilled in his fingers.

"It's the truth," Remus replied simply. "He knows something that we don't,"

The fire crackled, filling the brief silence that followed. James leaned back in his chair again, letting out a deep breath. "So what's the plan, then? We're not going to just stand there and let him knock us on our arses,"

"Speak for yourself," Peter grumbled. "That's all I ever seem to do in his class,"

"We've got to work together," James said firmly, ignoring Peter's complaint. "That's what we learned last time, right? Malfoy and Snivillus beat us because they worked as a team, and we didn't. Harry's going to look for any excuse to exploit that again,"

"Teamwork?" Sirius said skeptically, raising an eyebrow. "You're talking like we're going into battle,"

"We are, in a way," James replied. "You saw Bellatrix on Monday. She's already thinking of this as a competition,"

"Bellatrix always thinks everything is a competition," Remus pointed out, though there was no denying the truth of James's words. "But James is right. If we're smart about this, we can turn it to our advantage,"

"And by 'we', you mean me and James doing all the heavy lifting while you supervise," Sirius said, grinning at Remus.

"I wouldn't call it supervising," Remus said with a faint smirk. "More like making sure you don't blow up the castle,"

"I make no promises," Sirius shot back, though his smile was lopsided. "But I will say this. As long as we don't let Harry separate us, we might stand a chance,"

Peter looked unconvinced. "How do we even stop him from separating us? He's Harry Potter. He'll just...I don't know, blink, and we'll all be halfway across the castle,"

"That's why we need a strategy," James said, straightening up, his expression serious again. "We're Gryffindors, aren't we? We'll use his expectations against him. Sirius and I will draw his attention. Keep him busy. Moony, you're our backup. Keep track of where he's moving and tell us if we need to regroup,"

"And me?" Peter squeaked.

"Find somewhere safe," Sirius teased, earning himself a glare from James.

"Stay close, Peter," James corrected firmly. "The point is, we don't let Harry control the field. We're better as a group than as individuals. If we work together, we can prove him wrong," There was a beat of silence as the Marauders absorbed James's words. Even Sirius seemed to take the challenge seriously now, his usual smirk replaced by something sharper.

"You know," Remus said finally, his voice calm. "For all your bravado, that actually sounds like a plan,"

"Of course it does," James replied, grinning again. "I do have my moments,"

Sirius snorted, but the tension in the room had shifted. There was an edge of excitement now, a challenge none of them could resist. "Alright, then," Sirius said, pushing himself to his feet. "Let's give Professor Potter a run for his money,"

"I'll settle for staying on my feet," Peter muttered, though he followed the others as they began to gather their things.

As they moved toward the portrait hole, James slung an arm around Sirius's shoulders, his grin returning in full force. "You ready for this, Padfoot?"

Sirius smirked, his gray eyes gleaming. "Born ready, Prongs,"

Remus rolled his eyes but couldn't hide his smile. "Just try not to get expelled before breakfast,"

"Moony," Sirius said solemnly, pausing to glance back at him. "If I die, you can have my records,"

"Dibs on the chocolate stash," Peter added, earning a laugh from the group.

James shook his head as they stepped through the portrait hole. "Honestly, I don't know how Hogwarts would survive without us," The portrait swung shut behind them, leaving the common room quiet once more. Whatever the day held, one thing was certain. They would face it together.

7:20am - September 10th, 1976 - Defense Against the Dark Arts Classroom - Hogwarts School of Witchcraft & Wizardry - Earth - Universe Designation: 1.638.2

The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom buzzed with quiet anticipation as the Gryffindor and Slytherin sixth years trickled in. The atmosphere was charged, each student carrying an air of excitement. After the previous lesson in the mist-shrouded village - and the lingering aches, bruises, and memories - it was hard not to expect more of the same. Conversations hummed between pairs and groups, speculations running rampant.

"I bet we're going back to the village," James said, dropping into his usual seat. Despite his casual arrogance, his hazel eyes betrayed a spark of anticipation. "I've got a good feeling about this,"

"Why would you want that?" Peter squeaked, clutching his bag nervously as he settled into the seat beside him. "I barely made it out last time,"

"Because it was brilliant," Sirius replied, grinning as he leaned back in his chair, his wand spinning lazily between his fingers. "You just need to keep up this time, Wormtail,"

"You did lose to Harry in about ten seconds," Remus added from behind his book, though his lips twitched faintly with amusement.

Across the room, Marlene and Emmeline sat with their heads close together, both of them whispering about the same subject. "He'll take us back," Marlene muttered confidently. "I'm ready for it. I've been practicing non-verbal counter-spells all week,"

"Well, at least one of us is," Emmeline replied, shooting a glance at Peter, who looked ready to bolt.

On the far side of the classroom, Bellatrix lounged in her seat, her gaze flicking over the room as though sizing up prey. She leaned back with restrained impatience, her wand tapping idly against her palm. Lily sat just a few seats over, calm and composed as ever. Despite her calm, her gaze occasionally fell on Harry's empty desk with curiosity. Rose sat between them, stretching her arms behind her head and offering Bellatrix a wry smirk. "Don't look so eager, Black," Rose quipped. "You'll give yourself away,"

"I have nothing to hide," Bellatrix replied coolly, though her lips curled faintly into a smile. "Unlike the rest of you, I'm ready for whatever he throws at us,"

Before Rose could retort, the classroom door creaked open, and Harry Potter strode in. The low murmur of voices ceased almost instantly, the shift in the room palpable. Dressed in his dark teaching robes with his wand tucked casually into his sleeve, Harry's presence exuded its usual calm authority. Steady and unyielding. His eyes swept over the room, noting the mix of excitement, nervousness, and curiosity in his students' faces.

"Settle down," Harry said, his voice even as he approached the front of the room. "I know what you're all expecting, so let's address that first," He paused, folding his arms as he looked out at them. "No. We're not returning to the village today,"

A wave of reactions rippled through the room. Relief from some, disappointment from others. Sirius let out an audible groan, earning a glare from Lily. "You're joking," he muttered under his breath.

"I'm not," Harry said smoothly, his voice cutting through the scattered whispers. "The last lesson showed me one thing. Most of you are not ready for another field test like that. Going back now would accomplish nothing,"

There was a pause. James opened his mouth to argue, but Harry held up a hand. "You're improving," he allowed, his tone softer but still firm. "But not fast enough. The foundation isn't there yet. Today's double block is about fixing that," The tension in the room shifted again. Double block periods were a rare occurrence, and the realization that Harry intended to push them for the full duration made even the most confident students sober slightly. "Today's lesson," Harry continued, turning to write on the blackboard with a flick of his wand. "Is divided into two parts," The words appeared in sharp, golden lettering.

'Multi-Layered Defensive Warding & Advanced Counter-Curse Techniques'

A ripple of murmurs followed, students leaning toward each other to whisper. Harry turned back to face them, his gaze silencing the room with ease.

"The first half of today will focus on Multi-Layered Defensive Warding. If you're thinking about shielding charms like Protego, you're already limiting yourself," He began pacing slowly in front of the blackboard, his tone measured and instructive. "True defense in a real duel is about redundancy, adaptability, and coordination. It's about creating barriers that can absorb, deflect, or redirect multiple attacks without collapsing. It's about layers,"

He paused and let the idea sink in, then glanced around the room. "Who can tell me what the primary weakness of a single shield spell is?"

Lily's hand shot up first. "Once a single shield fails, it's useless," she said clearly. "It doesn't offer any continued protection,"

"Correct," Harry said with a nod. "A single shield can only do so much. Against a strong enough attack, or multiple attacks, it will shatter. That's where layering comes in. Each layer adds durability, buys time, and allows you to adapt," He gestured toward the blackboard, where diagrams of layered wards appeared. "For example, if a simple Protego is your first layer, what would you place behind it?"

"Protego Maxima," Sirius offered.

"Good," Harry replied. "And after that?"

There was a pause before Emmeline answered, "An absorption ward. It could redirect any excess energy,"

"Exactly." Harry's voice warmed slightly, though his gaze remained sharp. "Now, most of you have studied these concepts in theory. But theory won't help you today. You're going to build your own multi-layered wards. As a team," A few students stiffened, glancing around the room.

"Here's how this will work," Harry continued, raising his voice slightly to be heard over the shuffling of chairs. "You will split into groups of three. Your task is to construct a ward strong enough to withstand anything I throw at it. I want creativity. I want adaptability. Don't focus too much on rules. Sometimes, your gut instinct is more useful than the textbook,"

The students nodded, their expressions ranging from eager to wary. Harry's gaze lingered on each of them as he added. "Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Snape, as VIPs from the last challenge, will be assisting me in monitoring and critiquing everyone's wards," Lucius looked smug, folding his arms. Severus merely inclined his head, though his eyes gleamed with satisfaction.

"Now, pair off," Harry said, stepping back. "Three per group. You've got ten minutes to prepare,"

The moment Harry gave the command to begin, the classroom buzzed with a controlled frenzy of activity. Golden orbs of light floated above the space, casting an even glow on the groups as they huddled together. The partnerships had formed quickly, though Harry's sharp eyes caught the underlying tensions and dynamics already simmering. James Potter, Sirius Black, and Remus Lupin were predictably inseparable, their confidence radiating like an unspoken challenge to the rest of the room. Sirius, ever the bold one, cracked his knuckles as though preparing for a boxing match.

"This'll be a breeze," Sirius declared, grinning from ear to ear.

"Unless you accidentally blow us up," Remus muttered, already crouched and examining the runic diagram they were going to work with.

"Remus, have some faith," James said, clapping his friend on the back. "We're brilliant, and you know it. We've got this,"

Nearby, Rose Potter raised an eyebrow at Bellatrix Black as they and Lily Evans began unpacking their task. It was an unusual pairing, one born of practicality more than friendship. Rose and Lily worked well together, but Bellatrix's presence added a volatile edge to the group. "Fine," Rose said, glancing at Bellatrix with resignation. "But no theatrics, Black. We're supposed to work together,"

Bellatrix smirked, her eyes glinting in the light. "Don't slow me down, and I won't slow you down,"

Lily, ever the composed one, rolled her eyes but kept her focus on the task. "Let's just focus on getting it right the first time,"

At the far side of the room, Marlene and Emmeline had already claimed Peter for their group. Peter, clearly nervous, was fidgeting with his wand as though it might slip through his fingers at any moment. "Stick to the absorption layers," Marlene said with her usual confidence, giving Peter an encouraging pat on the back. "We'll handle the rest,"

Peter nodded, though his hands still trembled. "R-right. Absorption layers. Got it,"

"Take it easy on him," Emmeline added softly, nudging Marlene. "He'll settle down once we get going,"

Meanwhile, Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape stood beside Harry at the front, their expressions polished but sharp as they surveyed the room like judges. Lucius carried a faint air of smug authority, his pale features lit with faint satisfaction as he watched the Gryffindor-heavy groups assemble. Severus, on the other hand, was more analytical. His black eyes flicked from one group to another, already picking out weaknesses.

"Watch how they build their layers," Harry said to the two of them, his voice low but clear. "You'll learn as much from their mistakes as they will,"

Severus gave a curt nod, but Lucius smirked faintly, his gaze lingering on James and Sirius. "This will be…educational," he drawled.

"Begin," Harry announced, his voice cutting through the quiet hum of planning. The students sprang into action, their hushed murmurs rising into an undercurrent of whispered incantations and faint wand movements. Harry moved among them, his presence quiet but commanding, ready to observe, instruct, and challenge as needed.

Harry moved first to where James, Sirius, and Remus were already hard at work. Their ward shimmered faintly in the air, a protective dome layered with energy. James stood at the center, confidently casting Protego Maxima while Sirius muttered a separate incantation to reinforce it. Remus knelt nearby, carving stabilization runes into the floor with painstaking care.

"Not bad," Harry said, stopping beside them and tilting his head to examine their progress. The ward was sturdy but raw. Lopsided in its energy distribution. "But you're overloading the first layer. Sirius, ease back on the power, or you'll destabilize the whole structure,"

Sirius groaned dramatically, his wand dropping slightly. "Not my fault James thinks we need Fort Knox for a shield,"

"You'll thank me when Harry starts throwing curses," James shot back, though his grin was good-natured.

Harry arched an eyebrow, his tone dry. "Trust me, you're not ready for that yet,"

Remus looked up briefly, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "It's the balance between their spells, isn't it? James is laying too much power into the foundation, and Sirius's additions are amplifying it,"

"Exactly," Harry replied with an approving nod. "Less brute force, more control. Build it like a house. Solid foundations, but don't overload the beams,"

Sirius huffed but grinned. "Fine, fine. Less power. Don't say I didn't warn you when the wards fall,"

"Then we'll blame you," Remus said, smirking.

At the next group, Rose, Lily, and Bellatrix were hard at work, though the tension between them was palpable. Lily's steady voice guided the process, her spells clean and precise as she layered a strong Protego into the base of their ward. Rose followed suit, her wand tracing elegant absorption runes into the shimmering dome of magic. Bellatrix, however, was a step apart, her movements sharp and aggressive as she carved angular runes into the floor. The runes glowed faintly with red energy. Signs of her unique addition to the ward.

"Interesting choice," Harry said, stopping just behind Bellatrix. The three of them paused, their gazes snapping up at his approach. "What are you doing?"

Bellatrix turned slightly, her chin lifting with the quiet confidence that was so uniquely hers. "Redirective runes," she answered, her voice cool but measured. "If something hits the ward, the energy will rebound toward the source,"

Harry's brow quirked as he studied the runes. "Creative. But don't let it compromise the primary layers,"

"It won't," Bellatrix replied firmly, as though daring him to doubt her.

Harry held her gaze for a moment, a faint flicker of amusement in his eyes. "We'll see,"

Lily shot Bellatrix a sidelong glance before focusing on Harry. "I've added a stabilization layer on top of her runes. It should keep everything intact,"

"Smart," Harry said, nodding approvingly at Lily's work. "Balance her aggression with precision. Keep working,"

Rose smirked as Harry turned to leave. "See, Bells? He thinks you're reckless,"

Bellatrix shot her a look. "Better reckless than boring, Potter,"

Lily sighed. "Can you two stop for five minutes?"

Harry's next stop brought him to Marlene, Emmeline, and Peter. Marlene stood with her wand raised, steadily maintaining the shield spell while Emmeline layered in secondary reinforcement charms. Peter, however, knelt on the ground, his trembling hand carving shaky runes into the floor.

"Peter, focus," Marlene said. "It doesn't have to be perfect, just consistent,"

"I-I'm trying," Peter stammered, beads of sweat forming on his brow. The rune he carved wavered slightly, its glow flickering weakly.

Harry crouched beside him, his voice calm and steady. "Here. Slow down. Steady your wand hand," He guided Peter's hand with his own, making the motion smoother. "Breathe. You're not racing anyone. Slow and precise wins this. Remember, Peter. Confidence is key," Peter swallowed hard but nodded, his focus narrowing as he followed Harry's lead. This time, the rune glowed brighter, more stable.

"Better," Harry murmured, standing up and nodding approvingly. Marlene gave Peter an encouraging pat on the shoulder, and Emmeline smiled faintly.

"You've got it, Peter," Emmeline said softly. "Now keep going. We're almost there," Peter's nervous expression eased slightly, and he returned to his work with a little more confidence.

When the hour passed, Harry straightened, his voice cutting through the room. "Time's up. Step back from your wards," The groups stood, their faces a mixture of pride, exhaustion, and nervous anticipation as the shimmering wards hovered in place. Harry, flanked by Severus and Lucius, moved methodically through each group, testing their defenses and offering critique.

James, Sirius, and Remus's ward held strong for two spells before Harry's silent Bombarda cracked its outer layer. "Solid foundation, but unstable," he said. "Less power next time, and focus on distribution,"

At Lily, Rose, and Bellatrix's ward, Harry's Expulso rebounded sharply, the redirected energy deflecting harmlessly off the secondary stabilization layer. "Impressive," Harry said, his gaze flicking to Bellatrix. "Aggressive, but effective. Lily, good work reinforcing it,"

Bellatrix's smirk was triumphant, though Rose muttered. "You're still reckless,"

Finally, at Marlene, Emmeline, and Peter's ward, Harry sent a sharp Confringo. The outer layer buckled but didn't shatter, the absorption runes Peter had etched glowing as they absorbed the force. "Unexpectedly strong," Harry said, nodding at Peter. "Good work holding it together," Peter flushed with pride, while Marlene grinned and gave him a congratulatory clap on the back.

As the groups relaxed, Harry stood at the center of the room, his gaze sweeping across them. "Good work today," he said. "Some of you have a natural instinct for defense. Others learned that creativity matters as much as precision," His gaze lingered briefly on Bellatrix, then Lily, before moving on.

"What you learn here is essential. Wards protect you in ways no single shield can. Trust your gut, but trust your teammates, too. Break for ten minutes. After that, we move to Advanced Counter-Curse Techniques,"

The students exchanged glances as they broke apart, excitement and exhaustion etched into their faces. Harry allowed himself a faint smile as he watched them. "Slowly but surely," he whispered.

After the short break, Harry called the students back to order. The wards had faded now, leaving the room clear once again. Despite their exhaustion from the previous task, most of the students returned to their spots with renewed energy. The practical had worked. It always did. Learning through action left them sharper, more engaged. And now, Harry had something far more demanding for them.

"Sit down," Harry instructed, his voice steady but firm. Students shuffled into informal rows, some still stretching their tired limbs while others muttered about needing a nap. "Now that you've seen how layered defenses work, it's time to focus on another essential skill. Advanced Counter-Curse Techniques,"

The air seemed to grow more serious as Harry continued. "Defense isn't always about shielding yourself or blocking spells. Sometimes, it's about dismantling your opponent's magic before it reaches you. A counter-curse isn't just a reversal. It's a weapon," The room quieted, fully locked into his words. Lucius and Severus, still flanking Harry as VIP observers, exchanged brief glances before their attention snapped back to him.

"Today, we'll focus on two elements," Harry said, walking slowly across the front of the room as his piercing green eyes swept over them. "The first is speed. If you don't counter quickly enough, you might as well not counter at all. The second is accuracy. You need to know what you're countering and how to break it,"

He flicked his wrist, and a floating set of runes appeared in the air, glowing a faint silver. "A counter-curse isn't a hammer. It's a scalpel. You need precision. When you break a spell, you don't just stop it. You disrupt its structure," A mutter of confusion rose from the crowd, and Harry immediately picked it apart. "Evans," he called, turning toward Lily. "Explain the spell structure for a basic Stupefy,"

Lily blinked, caught off guard for only a moment before answering confidently. "Stupefy relies on a burst of force directed outward. The key elements are intent, velocity, and sustained energy,"

"Correct," Harry said with a nod. "The structure relies on a continuous pulse of magic to keep the spell moving until it connects. If you sever that energy - if you disrupt the flow - the spell collapses,"

"What kind of spells are we countering?" Sirius called, though his tone was curious rather than cocky.

"Today, we'll start with low-level jinxes and build up to minor curses," Harry replied. "Eventually, you'll learn how to dismantle more complex spells, but you're not ready for that yet,"

Sirius grinned faintly at the challenge, elbowing James. "Bet we'll get there before anyone else,"

"We'll see," Harry said dryly, clearly having heard. "Mr. Snape and Mr. Malfoy will assist me for this part. Watch closely, because their insights will save you a lot of frustration,"

The first part of the lesson was observation. Harry conjured a shimmering training dummy in front of the class and raised his wand. "Watch closely." He cast a silent Stupefy toward the dummy, but before it connected, he flicked his wand in a sharp, downward motion. The spell crackled and shattered mid-air, leaving faint sparks behind. "That -" Harry said, lowering his wand. "- is a simple Finite Impedimenta with a twist. You don't just stop the spell. You intercept it at its core,"

Lucius stepped forward next, his wand raised as he demonstrated the same technique with a silent Leg-Locker Curse. His counter was graceful, almost lazy in its execution, but the curse dissipated just as effectively. "You don't need to overexert yourself," Harry offered. "A spell falls apart once its intent is severed. Precision trumps power,"

Severus followed with a more complicated example. A counter for a Tickling Hex. "Most jinxes rely on sustained intent, much like the Stupefy," he explained, his voice clipped but clear. "A firm Finite paired with a slight wand twist disrupts the flow of magic more effectively,"

"Exactly," Harry said, stepping in again. "It's about reading the spell's intent. You'll have to train yourself to see the energy as it moves toward you. Break it before it breaks you," The students nodded hesitantly, some whispering amongst themselves as they tried to process the instructions. Harry watched carefully, already picking out who would struggle and who would adapt quickly.

"Pair off," Harry instructed. "One of you will cast simple spells - Stupefy, Expelliarmus, and basic jinxes - while the other counters. Rotate every five minutes,"

The students began to move, already forming their partnerships. James immediately grabbed Sirius's shoulder, grinning as he called, "We're going to be unstoppable,"

"Unless you hex yourself in the face," Remus said dryly, pairing up with Peter.

At the back of the room, Lily, Rose, and Bellatrix faced each other. Rose's face was focused, her wand already in hand. "I'll go first. Let's get the rhythm down,"

"Fine," Bellatrix said, though her tone carried a challenge. "But you'd better keep up, Potter,"

Lily rolled her eyes. "Can you two at least pretend to work together for once?"

Harry moved among the pairs as they practiced, offering quiet corrections and stepping in when needed. James and Sirius were energetic but too quick to overpower their counters, causing spells to destabilize dangerously. "Ease up, Mr. Potter," Harry said, stopping behind James. "You're throwing too much force at it. You need precision, not power," James frowned but nodded, trying again. This time, his wand movements were more controlled, and Sirius's Stupefy shattered cleanly mid-air. "Better," Harry said. "Now keep at it,"

At Lily and Bellatrix's platform, Harry paused to watch as Rose countered a sharp Expelliarmus from Bellatrix. Her form was perfect, but Harry's attention shifted to Bellatrix, whose counters were unpolished but fierce. "You're rushing it," Harry said softly, stepping between them. Bellatrix's eyes narrowed, but Harry's tone remained patient. "Slow your wand. Read the spell's flow before you break it,"

"I don't need to slow down," Bellatrix retorted, though there was no venom in her voice, just stubborn pride.

"Prove me wrong, then," Harry said, meeting her gaze evenly. Bellatrix's jaw tightened, but she turned back to Rose. When Rose fired a silent Stupefy, Bellatrix forced herself to slow down. Her counter was deliberate, and the spell crackled apart mid-air.

"Good," Harry murmured. "Now do it again,"

Lily smirked faintly, nudging Bellatrix with her elbow. "See? He's not as scary when you listen,"

Bellatrix ignored her but hid the smallest flicker of satisfaction as she focused back on the duel.

Elsewhere, Peter struggled under the pressure of Remus's spells. Harry crouched beside him again, his voice quiet but encouraging. "Don't think of it as stopping the spell. Think of it as breaking its rhythm. Match it, then disrupt it," Peter swallowed, nodding quickly as he tried again. This time, he managed to sever Remus's Leg-Locker Curse cleanly. "Good," Harry said, clapping Peter lightly on the shoulder. "Keep practicing that,"

After a half hour of practice, Harry called the students back together. "Pair off one last time," he said, his tone carrying an edge of challenge. "This time, I'll test your counters. I'll cast spells at you. Slow at first, then faster. Your job is to stop them. If you fail, you sit out," The announcement sent a ripple of tension through the room, but it also lit a fire of determination in the students' eyes. Harry had seen it before. The thrill of competition. The drive to prove themselves. "Evans, Black, Potter. You're up first,"

Rose, Lily, and Bellatrix stepped onto the platform, wands at the ready. Harry raised a hand as if preparing for a fencing match. "Ready?"

Rose nodded, determination blazing in her hazel eyes. "Bring it on, Professor,"

Harry flicked his wand, sending a silent Stupefy toward Rose. She countered cleanly, the spell shattering mid-air. "Good," Harry said, already moving on. "Faster now," The next volley came rapid-fire. Lily intercepted her spell with near-perfect precision, while Bellatrix's counters grew more controlled under pressure. Rose wavered once but recovered quickly, her grin returning as she matched the challenge.

"Not bad," Harry said, lowering his wand. "But you'll need to be faster next time,"

He continued through the groups, testing each pair with an increasing tempo of spells. James, Sirius, and Remus held their own, Sirius's confidence tempered by Remus's focus. Marlene and Emmeline worked in perfect tandem, their counters flowing seamlessly. Even Peter managed to hold steady under pressure, though he stumbled on a faster Expelliarmus. By the end, the room buzzed with exhaustion. Harry lowered his hands to his side and surveyed the group.

"You're improving," he said simply. "Remember. Defense is as much about understanding magic as it is about casting it. What you learned today could save your life," The students stood straighter, their faces flushed but proud. Even Bellatrix looked satisfied, though her gaze lingered on Harry with a quiet intensity that he chose to ignore.

"Dismissed," Harry said, stepping back. "Be ready for next week. We're not done yet," As the students began to file out, their quiet chatter and exchanged glances were filled with excitement. Harry let them go, his gaze lingering on the empty space where the wards had shimmered earlier.

Updated: 3/9/2025