Hogwarts Mystery- The Beginning of Mystery

Chapter 8: The duel

The next day however, Cyrene had to attend Charms Class before having to meet with Jane. She decided to walk to Charms with Ben since Rowan had arrived to class before her. She noticed Ben looked much happier about Charms Class than he did in Flying Class.

'Today we will be learning Wingardium Leviosa.' said Professor Flitwick. 'The levitation Charm is used to make objects fly or levitate, and is an excellent test of your wand control and patience. Let's begin.'

Even after a demonstration, a lot of reviewing and studying, not many students managed to successfully levitate the feathers they were provided. One particular Gryffindor student struggled a lot in casting the spell. Professor Flitwick requested Cyrene to practise with her every lesson since she managed to make her feather float.

Later that evening, Cyrene and Rowan went to the Training Grounds to meet with Jane. She was already waiting for them there.

'I can't believe it. You've already learned an offensive move, a creative advantage, and a healing method.' said Jane.

'Yes, I learned Rictusempra and Expelliarmus...' said Cyrene.

'The Tickling Charm! That is a creative strategy! And the Disarming Charm? I'm impressed.' said Jane.

'And for healing, I learned to brew Wiggenweld Potion.' Cyrene finished. 'Now will you teach me how to use what I've learned? Will you keep your promise to teach me how to duel?'

'Of course. But the best way to teach you both how to duel is to have you duel each other.' Jane looked at both at Cyrene and Rowan.

'But I don't want to hurt Rowan...' Cyrene had already felt bad enough casting Rictusempra on her.

'And I don't want to get hurt... I've already laughed to exhaustion.' said Rowan.

'I don't want either of you to get hurt, but it could happen when you learn how to duel.' said Jane. 'Now let's get started...'

Cyrene and Rowan faced each other and drew their wands. The duel was a little unfair to Rowan since she only knew one duelling spell while Cyrene knew two, but it was still a challenge to Cyrene anyway.

In the end, Cyrene won the duel with Rowan's wand flying out of her hand. Cyrene and Jane walked towards Rowan.

'Are you all right, Rowan?' asked Cyrene. She did throw several vials at Rowan that can cause some minor damaged.

'I'll be fine, Cyrene. I'll happily trade a few bruises for learning how to duel.' said Rowan.

'Well done. Now you'll both be able to defend yourself, and properly represent Hufflepuff.' said Jane.

'And just in time. Merula challenged me to meet in the Courtyard. Now I can put an end to her bullying...' said Cyrene.

Part of Cyrene was hoping to stand up to Merula as soon as possible, but part of her did not want to get in trouble for duelling. Cyrene headed to the Courtyard thinking Merula and would wait for her there. She saw that there were more people in the Courtyard than usual. Rowan was already there.

'What's going on, Rowan?' asked Cyrene.

'Merula keeps threatening Ben Copper. He keeps trying to walk away, but she won't let him.'

'She's doing this to get my attention. Well, she's got it.'

'This must be what Merula meant... what she said to you in class about settling things in the Courtyard.'

'You're an embarrassment to everyone in our year!' said Merula.

'Just leave me alone!'

'Disgusting Mudbloods like you shouldn't even be allowed in Hogwarts.' she sneered. 'Leave the magic to real witches and wizards.' Another Slytherin girl laughed softly behind her.

Cyrene stormed towards the commotion where Merula was teasing Ben. Rowan followed behind her.

'Leave him alone, Merula.' said Cyrene. She was trying very hard to keep herself calm.

'Flipendo!' Merula knocked Ben to the floor with her spell.

'Ben!' said Cyrene as he slowly helped himself up.

'You never learn, do you, Lennox?' Merula snickered. 'Why don't you be more like your mad brother, and go missing?'

'You're the person everyone wishes would just go away.' said Cyrene.

'Make me, Lennox.'

'I don't want to have to duel you, Merula.'

'Too bad! Flipendo!' Merula knocked Cyrene to the ground this time.

'It'll be hard to get up from that one, Lennox. So you shouldn't even bother.' Merula laughed loudly.

Cyrene stood up and drew her wand. This was it. Merula gave her a non-verbal declaration of a duel. She knew she would have to duel Merula eventually and she was going to do it now. Merula glanced at Cyrene's drawn wand and gave a sinister grin.

Duelling was just like how Jane had described it to be. Luckily, Cyrene managed to heal her minor injuries with her Wiggenweld Potion.

'Expelliarmus!' Merula's wand flew out her hand and onto the ground. Merula stared at her empty wand hand in shock and disbelief.

'How'd you master that spell already? No fair!'

'Wow! That was amazing, Cyrene!' said Rowan.

'You can't be better than me! No one can be better than me!' Merula stomped her feet in anger.

'I beat you, Merula. Now apologise to Ben Copper, and promise to stop bullying everyone.' Ben stood awkwardly next to Cyrene.

'I'll never apologise to losers and Mudbloods!' yelled Merula. 'I'm Merula Snyde! Fourth generation Slytherin! The greatest witch at Hogwarts! I do what I want when I want! I---'

All of a sudden, all the nearby students started running out of the Courtyard. It took Cyrene a while to notice that Professor Snape was glaring at her and Merula. He must have heard the commotion from their duel.

'Ahem.'

Merula turned around in surprise. 'P-Professor Snape!'

'Professor Snape, I...' Cyrene immediately stopped talking. She knew that nothing was going to make her escape Professor Snape's punishment. And duelling with one of his favourite students did not make her look any better.

'I suspect this is your fault, Lennox. Are you aware of Hogwarts's policy on unauthorised duelling?' asked Professor Snape. Cyrene finally noticed Professor Flitwick's short figure standing next to him.

'Yes, Professor.'

'Did you cast the first spell in the duel, Miss Lennox?' asked Professor Flitwick.

'No. Merula hit me with Flipendo first.' Cyrene watched as fear and panic spread across Merula's face.

'Miss Snyde cast the first spell, Professor Snape. Miss Lennox was only defending herself.' said Professor Flitwick.

'AndI wonder where she learned the Disarming Charm.' Professor Snape looked atProfessor Flitwick as he said this. 'Clean yourself up, and see me in the WestTowers to face the consequences of your actions, Lennox.'