Evaluations
Before class started, Sal lingered by Remus's desk, shifting uncomfortably. He had been meaning to say this for a while, but now that he had the chance, the words felt heavier than he expected.
"Remus… before we begin, I just wanted to apologize. For… well, everything," Sal said, looking down at his hands.
Remus glanced up from his lesson plan, arching an eyebrow. "Sal, there's nothing to apologize for. I knew exactly what I was getting into when I agreed to go to Azkaban."
Sal shook his head. "Maybe, but it was my plan that put you there."
Remus sighed, setting his quill down. "Sal, you're sixteen. When I was your age, I was planning pranks with my friends and trying to survive school. You, on the other hand, have killed a basilisk, fought a dark lord twice, and somehow reshaped the balance of power in the wizarding world—all while proving yourself a prodigy. I think, if anything, you've earned some leeway."
Sal let out a short laugh, rubbing the back of his neck. "When you put it like that, it almost sounds impressive."
Remus smiled. "Because it is impressive. And for what it's worth, I never once blamed you. You did what had to be done. And now, here we are, finally where we're meant to be."
Sal nodded, feeling some of the guilt he carried lift slightly. "Thanks, Remus. That means a lot."
"Anytime," Remus said, glancing at the clock. "Now, we should probably get started before we give the students the impression that we don't take this class seriously."
"Right," Sal said, shaking off his thoughts. "Let's make this a lesson they won't forget."
As the students filed into the Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom, a mix of curiosity and excitement buzzed in the air. Some were eager to meet their new professor, while others whispered about Sal's involvement.
Remus stood at the front of the class, leaning casually against his desk. Sal stood beside him, arms crossed as he observed the students settling in.
"Alright, everyone, settle down," Remus called out, his voice calm but commanding enough to draw their attention. "For those of you who don't know, my name is Professor Remus Lupin, and I will be your Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher this year."
A few students whispered among themselves—some had heard rumors about the new professor, but he certainly wasn't as flamboyant as Lockhart.
"And, as you all know, Salazar Cross is not only your dueling instructor but also assisting in this class. This year, we've decided to do things a little differently," Remus continued. "Rather than separating dueling from defensive magic, we'll be combining the two. The spells you learn for Defense Against the Dark Arts will also be essential in dueling, and vice versa. Think of it as applied learning—after all, knowing a spell is one thing, but using it effectively in a real situation is another entirely."
Sal smiled. "And before anyone asks, yes, that means we'll be doing a lot of practical work. So if you thought this was going to be an easy class, you might want to reconsider."
A few students gulped. Others looked more eager than before.
"Now," Remus continued, pushing off from his desk. "Let's get started."
As the students quieted down, Remus moved to the front of the classroom, picking up a piece of chalk and writing Defensive & Dueling Magic on the blackboard.
"This year, our approach will be different from what you're used to," he began. "Rather than focusing solely on theory before practice, we'll be integrating the two. The best way to learn how to defend yourself is to put your knowledge to the test in a controlled environment."
Sal stepped forward, crossing his arms. "In short, expect to be on your feet a lot. Some of you may have joined or are considering joining the dueling club. If so, this class will help with that. If not, I still expect everyone to take this seriously—self-defense isn't optional in the real world."
"Now," Remus continued, "let's talk about what we'll be covering this year. The foundation of Defense Against the Dark Arts is about protection—both magical and strategic. This term, we'll focus on three major categories." He turned to the board and wrote:
Spells & Counterspells
& Curse Defense
Tactics & Practical Combat
Sal gestured toward the board. "First up, defensive spells and counterspells. You'll learn to recognize and counter common jinxes, hexes, and curses. Shields, deflections, and quick thinking will be essential. If all you can do is throw up a Protego and hope for the best, you won't last long against a real opponent."
Some students exchanged nervous glances. Others, like Hermione, were already scribbling notes.
Remus smiled at Sal's bluntness but pressed on. "Second, we'll be dealing with magical creatures and cursed objects. Some threats aren't just spells cast at you—they're creatures with magical properties or dark enchantments designed to ensnare the unwary. Knowing how to handle them is just as important as knowing how to duel."
Sal added, "You'll also learn about magical resistances—what creatures can and can't be affected by spells, how dark artifacts can react to magic, and why throwing a Stunning Spell at a troll is just a way to get yourself squashed."
A few students chuckled, but there was a real weight behind his words.
"And finally," Remus said, underlining the third point, "dueling tactics and practical combat. This will include stance work, movement drills, and spell combinations. Some of you may have a habit of standing still when you cast—if so, you'll want to break that immediately. A good duelist doesn't just know the spells; they know when and how to use them. That's where Sal will take the lead."
Sal nodded. "We'll run drills that teach you to cast under pressure, think on your feet, and strategize in real time. If you're interested in joining the dueling team, this will also be where you prove yourself."
Neville looked like he was about to faint. Meanwhile, Harry and a few others looked intrigued.
"That said," Remus concluded, "our first lesson will be an evaluation. Before we teach you, we need to see what you already know."
Sal nodded. "And what you don't."
A murmur rippled through the class. It was going to be an interesting year.
Sal stood in front of the class, his expression serious but not unkind as he addressed the students.
"Alright, listen up," he called out, ensuring he had everyone's attention. "Today, we're starting with a fundamental exercise that will serve as the foundation for everything you'll learn in dueling and Defense Against the Dark Arts this year."
He paced slightly, letting his words sink in. "Many of you probably think that spellcasting is all about power. That if you hit harder, faster, and with more force, you'll win. But that's not true." He gestured to the students. "It's not just about how strong your spell is—it's about control, endurance, and strategy. And most importantly, it's about knowing when to attack and when to defend."
Remus nodded in agreement from his spot beside Sal, arms crossed as he observed the students.
"So today's exercise is simple," Sal continued. "You're going to pair up. One of you will cast Expelliarmus, the Disarming Charm. The other will use Protego, the Shield Charm. The goal here isn't to knock your opponent off their feet or overpower them—it's to test your magical stamina. A shield takes just as much magic—sometimes more—than a hex. And if you don't pace yourself, you'll run out of energy before the duel even begins."
He let his words hang in the air before clapping his hands together. "Harry, you'll pair with Ron—Ron, you'll start with Expelliarmus, Harry, you'll defend. Hermione, you're with Neville—Neville, you'll cast first. The rest of you, do the same. I'll be watching, and I'll tell you when to switch. Now, wands at the ready!"
The students got into position, some more confidently than others.
"Begin!" Sal commanded, stepping back to observe, ready to correct and encourage where needed.
Sal watched as the students paired up, observing their stances and focus. He had deliberately chosen Hermione to work with Neville because he knew she would help guide him, while pairing Harry and Ron would allow them to push each other.
"Alright," Sal called out, stepping back to give them space. "Remember, the purpose of this exercise isn't to overpower your partner. Expelliarmus is a disarming spell—it shouldn't send your opponent flying. If someone ends up on the floor, you're doing it wrong. Protego is about control, not just throwing up a barrier."
Remus walked between the students, giving encouraging nods. "Magical stamina is key here. You might be able to cast a spell once or twice, but can you keep doing it when you're exhausted? That's what we're testing today."
Sal clapped his hands. "Begin!"
The room filled with shouted spells.
"Expelliarmus!" Ron flicked his wand, and a weak red jet of light shot toward Harry, who blocked it easily with a Protego.
"Good," Sal commented. "But Ron, you need to put more intent behind your spell. You're waving your wand too loosely."
Nearby, Hermione's Protego was flawless, shimmering strongly as Neville cast his Expelliarmus. However, Neville's spell was weak, barely causing a flicker on Hermione's shield.
"Neville, you need to stop second-guessing yourself," Sal called out. "Magic responds to confidence. Believe that you can disarm her, and you will."
Neville nodded determinedly and tried again. This time, Hermione's shield trembled slightly.
"There we go!" Sal encouraged.
As the session continued, Sal and Remus observed each pair, taking note of strengths and weaknesses.
After about ten minutes, Sal raised his hand. "Alright, switch roles!"
The students groaned but obeyed. Now, those who had been casting Expelliarmus had to test their shield work, while the others attempted to break through.
Hermione, now casting Expelliarmus, easily overpowered Neville's Protego. He stumbled but managed to stay standing.
"That's okay, Neville!" Remus encouraged. "You're improving already."
Meanwhile, Harry's shield held strong against Ron's Expelliarmus, and Sal smiled as he noticed Harry instinctively shifting his weight like a duelist, preparing for a counter.
After another round, Sal finally called for a stop. "Alright, that's enough for today. Good effort, but some of you need to build up your endurance—Neville, Ron, that means you. Hermione, good control, but don't overpower your opponent when we're doing basic exercises. Harry, nice instinct on positioning."
Remus stepped forward. "You all did well, but remember—defense is just as important as offense. We'll build on this next lesson. Dismissed!"
As the students left, Sal exchanged a glance with Remus.
"This is going to be a long year," Sal muttered.
Remus chuckled. "At least it won't be boring."
Sal stood in the middle of the pitch, taking in the assembled students as they settled in. The dueling stage had been set up off to the side, allowing Madam Hooch to continue her flying lessons without interference.
"Alright, everyone," Sal called, his voice carrying across the field. "Since dueling is now officially part of Hogwarts alongside Quidditch, we're following a similar structure. Just like Quidditch, we'll be holding tryouts. However, unlike Quidditch, being on the team one year doesn't guarantee you a spot the next. At the beginning of every year, we'll assess your skills to determine who stays and who needs to improve before competing again."
He gestured to the stage behind him. "This is a standard dueling ring—the same size you'll find in any competitive match. As you advance into the professional circuit, the stages become more elaborate, but the fundamentals remain the same."
There was an excited murmur among the students. Many had heard of dueling tournaments but had never seen one in action.
"To demonstrate a proper duel, I've asked Professor Flitwick to join me today." Sal turned to the small but formidable professor, who smiled warmly as he stepped onto the platform. "For those of you who don't know, Professor Flitwick is a former dueling champion, and trust me, he's not going to go easy on me."
Flitwick chuckled. "It's true, I haven't dueled competitively in quite some time, but let's see if I still have my old reflexes."
The students watched with anticipation as both wizards took their positions, offering each other a respectful bow before raising their wands.
"Three—two—one—DUEL!" Sal called, launching himself into action.
Sal started conservatively, focusing on defense to gauge Flitwick's strategy. The professor wasted no time, casting a rapid succession of precise, well-timed spells. Sal barely managed to counter them, but his footwork kept him mobile.
With a flick of his wand, Flitwick sent a Stupefy his way. Sal dodged and retaliated with Expelliarmus, but Flitwick deflected it with ease.
Deciding to test a different approach, Sal went for a feint, making it look like he was about to cast Protego but instead flicked his wand upward, summoning a column of water to block Flitwick's view. He immediately followed with a Petrificus Totalus, but Flitwick sidestepped effortlessly and countered with Flipendo, knocking Sal off balance.
Before Sal could regain his footing, Flitwick landed the finishing blow—a well-placed Expelliarmus—sending Sal's wand flying into the air.
The duel was over.
The students broke into applause as Flitwick caught Sal's wand midair and handed it back with a smile. "You fought well, Mr. Cross. If you refine your technique a bit more, you might just stand a chance next time."
Sal grinned, shaking his head. "I'll take that as a challenge, Professor."
He turned back to the students. "And that, everyone, is the art of dueling. You don't have to be the strongest or the fastest—you just have to be the smartest and most adaptable. Now, let's get started with our evaluations."