Chapter 54: Countercurses

"Mmmm, Morrigan, you'll have to do a bit better than that," said Sirius lazily in what was also, Ariadne thought, an altogether too sultry tone for the situation.

That situation was the advanced N.E.W.T.- level Defense Against the Dark Arts practical study hall, where they were practicing deflecting and blocking a set of restricted curses.

Sirius had just deftly blocked her Concussion Curse for the third time in a row. She noted that his dueling stance had improved, which unfortunately now eliminated the slight advantage she had had over him as a duelist. Ariadne's competitive edge couldn't help but feel slightly resentful that she had so freely offered that guidance.

Nearby, Remus and James were practicing Slashing Hexes with shield charms already activated around them, visible as a slightly shimmering concave wall before their bodies. Although Ariadne could quickly cure a concussion with a counter-curse, should she be successful in her attack against Sirius, Slashing Hexes were dangerous spells that would seriously wound and cause prolific bleeding, hence the extra precautions.

"Black, you're an unfair opponent," Ariadne finally argued in frustration.

"And why is that, Morrigan," he drawled, now deflecting her curse with his left, non-dominant hand.

"Because you know my dueling style too intimately. It gives you an unrealistic advantage. No actual opponent would be able to predict my movements like this," she said through gritted teeth.

"Maybe I'm just a better duelist than you," he said, his arched tone suggesting that he knew exactly the kind of reaction this would provoke from Ariadne.

Ariadne feinted a sudden move to the left. While Sirius responded by swinging his left arm across his body to block a curse he assumed would be coming from her left, his right, Ariadne quickly changed direction and aimed her curse at his left hip, now left just slightly exposed and undefended.

The curse hit Sirius with a dull bang, as if Ariadne had just swung a heavy frying pan into his hip-bone. She knew from extensive reading that that was just about what a Concussion Curse felt like, too. Sirius's wincing face corroborated this fact.

Ariadne hurried over to administer the healing spell that would instantly remove his pain, suddenly feeling anxious. "You should feel relief instantly," she explained quickly, "but if I haven't administered it correctly, I can cast another one. It won't harm you."

Sirius rubbed his hip briefly and his face relaxed into a smile—or rather, his usual version of a smile, which was closer to an insubordinate upturning of one side of his mouth. "Didn't know you were shoddy at healing spells, Morrigan."

"I'm not!"

"Then why are you so doubtful that your spell has worked?"

"I'm not doubtful, I'm just telling you that I can do another one, if there's still any discomfort…" said Ariadne, painfully aware that she was becoming flustered. "Does it hurt?"

Sirius seemed to soften, sensing her genuine concern. "Twinged a bit at first, but your spell completely healed me and erased the pain. I'm fine, Ariadne," he said, more quietly. He looked like he would have gently taken her hand to reassure her, had they not been surrounded by their seventh-year classmates.

"Right, then," said Ariadne, attempting to assume a more businesslike tone.

Sirius's sly smile returned. "Well I'll admit, this sudden concern for my well-being is a welcome change of pace. Remember when you tried to smash my head with a brick in the Common Room?"

"Remember when I told you to stop pestering me with stupid questions while I work?"

Sirius grinned. "Vividly."

Ariadne returned to her dueling position some fifteen paces apart from Sirius. At that moment, the professor called them all to gather in one corner of the classroom for some individual demonstrations. They were going to practice the countercurse to Slashing Hexes, and he needed them to gather in one spot so that he could cast a protective shield over all of them at once.

The countercurse for Slashing Hexes was a particularly difficult and volatile spell. While completely effective at blocking the Slashing Hex at a moment's notice, it caused the hex to rebound, and unpredictably. If you were caught off-guard and unshielded, however, it was your only choice to protect yourself. A simple Protego, or instant shield charm, wouldn't block the hex.

The DADA professor called up Remus and James for the first test. Merlin, she thought. She tried to suppress her nervousness at her two friends engaging in such a dangerous exercise, particularly, she thought, the overconfident and chaotic James Potter.

"Five Sickles on Moony winning this duel," whispered Sirius into her ear from beside her.

Ariadne rolled her eyes. "Firstly, how could you bet against your own best friend?" she hissed back at Sirius under her breath. "And secondly, how can you gamble over something like this, like it's all some fun show for your entertainment?"

Sirius grinned at her again. "Morrigan, Remus is a werewolf in his spare time. They'll be fine."

Ariadne folded her arms and decided not to answer. Meanwhile, James and Remus had taken their dueling stances and were facing off. There was a tense pause.

James made the first move. "SEVERATIA!" he yelled, and a jet of bright white light shot at Remus.

But Remus blocked it with the countercurse. Suddenly, the beam of white light multiplied into three and ricocheted off the walls at dizzying angles. James ducked to avoid being hit. There were gasps and screams from their corner as a jet bounced off their shield. But they were all unharmed.

James straightened up, grinning broadly at Remus as the professor commended his performance of the countercurse. Ariadne saw his lips form the words, "Nice one, Moony," as he went to shake Remus's hand.

"My Sickles, Morrigan?" queried Sirius, eyes dancing.

"Although a general understanding of assent often eludes you, Black, I never actually agreed to the bet," answered Ariadne tartly.

Sirius shrugged, as if to say it had been worth a try. They rejoined James and Remus as the rest of the students gathered their bags and began to filter out of the classroom.

"Watch out, Death Eaters," James was saying jovially, punching Remus lightly on the shoulder. "Not only can he transform into a vicious wolf every full moon, but your Slashing Hex won't touch him!" He threw in a little wolf-howl for effect.

Remus smiled but didn't answer, modest as ever.

"You're lucky you're not lying on the ground right now, bleeding out, Potter," said Ariadne severely.

"Oh lighten up, Morrigan. Moony would never actually hurt me," said James.

"Did you think you were dueling with fake wands?" she answered exasperatedly. "The curse literally rebounded right at you."

James shot her one of his cocky grins. "Luckily, however, Remus happened to be dueling a Seeker with the finest reflexes Hogwarts has seen in 50 years."

"I think I probably understand Gryffindor recent Quidditch success more clearly now. The sheer size of James's head blocks the other Seeker from ever seeing the Snitch," Ariadne said sardonically.

Even mild-mannered Remus was provoked to laughter. James feigned offense but was too used to Ariadne's barbs at this point to truly mind.

"Alright, dueling squad," interjected Sirius to steer them into a more focused conversation. He glanced around to ensure that the classroom was now emptied of all other students besides themselves. "Let's put James's newfound hex-dodging abilities to work. We need a plan to fight this mystery creature that the Death Eaters are unleashing on the grounds on December 8th."

"Are you sure this is a secure enough location to be discussing this?" asked Ariadne skeptically.

Sirius shrugged. "It's as good as any. We can just claim that we're staying late after class for a bit of extra practice."

When Ariadne continued to look unconvinced, Sirius added, "Think about it this way, Ariadne—we need to meet in unobtrusive locations that won't draw attention. Sneaking off all the time looks suspicious, you said it yourself. But a few N.E.W.T.-level students hanging around in the classroom where they were just having a practical lesson? It doesn't raise any eyebrows."

Ariadne relented to this argument. Sirius was right, especially if they wanted to continue to keep the location of the Room of Requirement concealed. They couldn't constantly be returning to that spot, which isn't one that students would normally frequent.

"Well, this might be an obvious question, but seems like to be able to fight this monster, it would be handy to know what it is," said James, his brown uncommonly furrowed in thought.

Remus tilted his head in acknowledgement. "That does seem like an obvious place to start."

Sirius hopped onto one of the tables that had been pushed to the side of the classroom to sit. "Well, between Ariadne and I, we have a virtually encyclopedic knowledge of magical creatures, so I'm sure we can narrow it down to some guesses."

"It'll be something highly dangerous, of course," said Ariadne frowning. "There's also the question of where they got it from—perhaps it's a creature native to the area?"

"Centaurs live in the Forbidden Forest already," suggested James. "Maybe they turned one over to the dark side."

"I highly doubt it," replied Ariadne. "Centaurs are incredibly distrustful of wizards in general, regardless of what side they're on. And even if they tried to coerce or bewitch them, centaurs are very resistant to dark magic. They have their own powerful forms of defensive magic."

"Still, James might be onto something…what else already lives in the forest or on the Hogwarts grounds?"

"Merpeople?"

"Not very dangerous outside of the water."

"What about the giant squid?" said James excitedly.

"James, haven't you fed that thing enough toast to satisfy a small troll? It's completely tame," said Ariadne.

James's shoulders drooped as his enthusiasm faded. But then he added, "There've always been rumors that there are werewolves in the forest."

"I can confirm there's just one," said Remus with a slight smile. "However, another creature I've heard rumored to live in the forest is…an acromantula."

There was a pregnant silence.

"No," said Ariadne slowly, finally. "Despite their frightening appearance, acromantulas are highly intelligent and wise creatures. I don't think they'd easily be persuaded to join the dark side, either."

Sirius, who had been quiet for a moment, jumped in. "I still think it's possible, were the acromantula provided with a convincing enough narrative from a clever wizard. But more likely than that is a creature from outside the castle, but still native to Britain." He paused for effect. "Like a giant."

Ariadne brooded on this. It seemed like a strong possibility. Giants were not quite as sophisticated as acromantulas and centaurs, and therefore more easily swayable to a dark wizard's persuasions. And a massive, destructive giant roaming the castle grounds would certainly send a strong message.

"I wish we could gather more intelligence from Yaxley and his gang," said Ariadne, chewing her lip. "Just one more meeting we could spy on, another clue…we're essentially flying blind here."

"I've tried that before, made it all the way through a goalpost before I crashed into my Beater," James piped in.

Sirius ignored him, addressing Ariadne more directly than any of the others. "I agree, Ariadne, but for once, I'm going to say that it's too dangerous. Yaxley and that witch Skullfeather will be on high alert for another spy."

"I know," sighed Ariadne.

Remus was frowning now. "There might be another way. A way to do it safely, without directly getting involved."

What that way might be, Remus did not have the opportunity to say. Because at that moment, a haughty, self-satisfied voice spoke from over his shoulder.

"Studying hard, my Gryffindor dullards?" said Florian Clarke.