The Darkest Phoenix - Tom riddle x OC

Chapter 14- Playing dirty are we.

'chapter 14'-thoughts

"chapter 14" - talking

Alex pov

"You're ok just position your torso so that you can cast or dodge... yeh. Don't slouch it's going to make your reactions time slower."

We have been training for duelling for about three hours now. Sal doesn't mind Malachi. I think he may actually like the boy but he would never admit to liking a muggle-born. It goes against his beliefs or some tosh like that. 

"Little snake, fire a Diffindo charm."

I cast the spell silently and watched as Malachi barely blocked it. 

"Boy had she have put some emotion behind that you would be sliced. That shield needs to be more powerful. A shield charm is the most important thing. It's a rudimentary skill do not dishonour her by getting caught with a weak shield." Sal was being protective, but I still cringed slightly when Malachi flinched at his words. 

"Thank you, Sal. Malachi- even if he was being a bit rude- Sal's right. That spell is essentially your foundation keep it strong and you will be able to move around using the rest of your spell arsenal without fear of being caught off guard. You have the movement and the incantation but you need some emotion behind it."

"What emotion?" Malachi wasn't talking quietly, embarrassed about being seen as weak.

"Let's try this." I pulled out one of the dummies in the room and gave it a quick charm to throw spells. I then put my wand on the table and stood next to Malachi. "If you don't block this we will both get hit by an overpowered Bombarda. I will not save us. It's up to you."

I knew this was putting a lot of pressure on him but I need him to find that urgency and emotional strength to cast a perfect shield. This was the way that I was taught, except father just cast at me until I got the charm down. It was a very painful day but at least now I have a perfect shield. 

"You can't be serious. What if I fail?!"

"Don't fail." He scoffed. "If you get this I'll show you what I've been working on for the last 12 years." He stared down the target in front of us. 

"This is really reckless...Start it."

The dummy reared up and sent the spell at us. Its powerful blue hue smashed right into Malachis' silver shield. The brilliant lights splashed off the shield. I peered around to see Malachis' face. He was both focused and in awe of the shield. 

The dummy went to attack with a different spell and Malachi took the opportunity to cast a Confringo. The dummy exploded to pieces, much like a poorly coloured confetti cannon. 

"I did it...Alex I did it!"

Malachi jumped up and down and spun me around.

"Its a shield charm, but still it was beautifully done." Sal said. His eyes twinkling and a fond smile on his face. 

"It was beautifully done," he looked at me and lifted his eye brow. "A promise is a promise. Stand back."

I pictured my Pheonix form. It's long feathered tail. The darkest black and lilic blue eyes. The razor sharp black beak. The silky shine on the wings. 

"morph phoenix"

When I heard malachis heart beat I opened my eyes. My form was small. My wings opened and flapped and I churped playfully. 

"You are stunning!!"

"Little snake you are a very pretty phoenix."

I took flight and landed on Malachis head. He laughed and tried shooing me off. I nipped his finger and jumped off transforming back. When I landed my feet stumbled slightly and I ended up on the floor.