The Other Side: A Harry Potter FanFiction

Chapter XXXI

"Stupefy!"

            A bolt of red light burst from the tip of James's wand and hit the combat dummy, making it spin uncontrollably around the pole holding it to the floor.

            Sirius grinned. "Very good. You catch on fast."

            Lana smirked. "I know."

            "Next," Sirius ordered, propping up the dummy's arm and placing Lily's wand in its hand.

            "Expelliarmus!"

            The wand flew from the dummy's hand and into Sirius's outstretched palm. "Great."

            "Thank you," Lana said with a grin.

            "Next."

            "Petrificus Totalus!"

            The dummy froze, its arms binding to its body.

            "Excellent," Sirius praised, "You're doing wonderfully, Lana. Next."

            "Expulso!"

            The dummy burst apart with a bang and spread its innards around the drawing room.

            Sirius laughed. "Try to aim that one next to your target."

            Lana nodded. "Just think about the mess that'd make-"

            "I'd rather not, actually," he interrupted, holding up his hand. "Five minute break, then we move on to defensive spells."

            She smiled and stowed the wand into her enlarged pocket that she'd charmed herself. She was just about to leave to find Cedric and the others when a thought came to mind. "Sirius?"

            "Yes?"

            "When do you think we'll actually have to fight?"

            His face screwed up in thought before he answered. "Soon, I think. It all depends on how much time we have left before we need to leave this house in general."

            "What do you mean?"

            "I mean, when we leave this house, it'll be for good, not to go find a new house to live in for the rest of our lives; it'll be to fight. I'm guessing at the earliest, we'll go into battle starting next week."

            "I can't even imagine it," Lana whispered, "In a week's time I could be on the battlefield fighting for my life."

            "It's scary, isn't it?" he asked, "Especially considering you aren't nearly ready to be fighting Death Eaters... they'd destroy you without a second glance. They don't feel guilt, Lana. They would kill any of us and not even care."

            "Is this your subtle way of trying to convince me to not fight at all?"

            "Possibly," he replied quietly, "I'm not really sure. You wouldn't know how terrifying it all is, being in the middle of a battle. You can't really imagine it... maybe I just want you to be slightly more prepared for what lies ahead."

            "Sirius?"

            "Yes?"

            "How are we going to start the battle?"