𝐀 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐑𝐓 𝐒𝐎 𝐑𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐍𝐎𝐔𝐒

Chapter 31

Chapter Number/Total: 31/44
Chapter Title: Unthinkable

Harry stood facing Ron, grinning wickedly. "You do know I'm going to kick your arse, right?" he asked.

"Give me your best shot," Ron replied testily, crouching. And then they were duelling with each other in a room full of other duellers, wands flying, sparks shooting, spells and hexes reverberating off dozens of Shield Charms. Harry ducked to the right to avoid Ron's jinx, and Ron sent Harry's flying into the charm-protected wall. They kept at it for several minutes, furiously working to try and hit the other. And then the whistle sounded.

"Not bad," said Harry with a smirk, panting.

"Amazing, you mean," said Ron, panting and smirking as well.

"Well, now I wouldn't go that far," Harry teased.

"Amazing wand work, Weasley," said Temmer as she walked around, inspecting. "Your speed has increased."

Ron smiled loftily at Harry.

Harry chuckled.

They had been moved on to more serious duelling for a short while now. While Ron hadn't been bad before, Harry did know that it was true that Ron had improved quite a bit. He thought he himself had improved quite a bit as well, and he was even getting better at nonverbal, which was needed for true speed.

"Potter," Temmer said, turning her attention on him. "You aim to the right a little. Try to centre it." She gave him a wry smile.

Harry chuckled again. "I'll work on that," he said.

Temmer nodded, carrying on with her inspection.

"Penn reckons we're going to be moving on to big spells next," Ron said as he and Harry stood together, waiting for the next instructions.

"Yeah?" said Harry. "I hope so. Jelly Legs isn't exactly that great a defence."

Ron laughed. "Nor is that Tickling Charm you used."

Harry smiled and shrugged.

After a few minutes, Temmer ordered everyone to take a seat, and chairs appeared when she waved her wand.

Harry, Ron, and everyone else moved to do as she said.

"Now," came her loud voice echoing around the room. "It looks good from where I'm standing. Best lot we've had in years, if I'm quite honest, and it takes a lot to get that kind of thing out of my mouth. Previous curse and spell knowledge is abundant, you're all quick, and you've been taking the workouts seriously. Keep going this way and we may have a whole new elite team."

There were a few cheers around the room and Harry grinned.

"Now, just because I've just stroked all your egos," Temmer continued with another wry smile, "it doesn't mean you can slack off. I want you all to -"

There was suddenly a very loud crack and it made everyone jump. They all turned their heads toward ... Harry.

Harry had jumped violently, as the crack had sounded directly in front of him, where Kreacher was now standing, wide-eyed.

"Kreacher?" Harry said once he could actually talk. "What the bloody - What the hell are you doing here?"

"Potter," said Temmer from the front. "What is this?"

"I'm not exactly sure," Harry answered, highly confused and still feeling rather slow from surprise.

"Master Draco," Kreacher gasped.

Harry's blood ran cold.

"He is not getting up from the floor," Kreacher continued as fast as he could in his old, wheezy voice. "Kreacher thinks he fell, but he is not getting up. Kreacher tried to wake him, but he is just lying there."