Aymee Parker B2 - The Cursed Mark

Chapter 17 : Training Thursday

"ENOUGH!"

Aymee jumped when Rosalie hit the table with her fists. The other students who were also seated around cast curious glances at the redhead. Aymee smiled reflexively, but she also cringed.

"R-Rosalie? Why...?"

"You've had the Mark for two weeks, and for the past few days, it's gone to death threats level! Now you are going to give me a hug and save your life!"

Aymee jumped to her feet. Now all the eyes of the students around them in the Great Hall were on her. Aymee put her hand out in front of her, ready to push Rosalie away if she tried to grab her to hug it out.

"No!"

"Yes!"

"Never!"

Aymee sprinted. She was by far one of the best runners in school. She didn't have to run for long to lose Rosalie.

Aymee continued on her way, walking quietly to Professor McMahon's classroom for her evening lesson. She would arrive a little early, but it wasn't a bad thing. It would give them more time to warm up.

In general, the lessons took place in 'two' parts. Tuesday evenings were reserved for magic training and Thursday evenings for physical training. In their magic lesson, Professor McMahon was trying to teach Aymee the forgetting spell. So far, it didn't seem to work much. After all, Aymee was only in her second year and it was a very advanced spell. McMahon had told her that it would be a miracle if she could master it perfectly before the end of the year.

On the other hand, on Thursday evenings, it was so fun! They would try out a different weapon each day and duel. McMahon was an excellent fighter and knew how to take advantage of his physique and his past experiences. At a glance, Aymee judged that even Luke would have trouble in a duel against him.

And they were Thursday.

Aymee first stopped by the girls' bathroom to change into more combat-appropriate clothing than her uniform. While changing, Aymee remained on the lookout in case Moaning Myrtle suddenly decided to take revenge or if the pipes suddenly exploded in front of her. Fortunately, none of that happened. The young half-blood then headed to Professor McMahon's classroom. He was already in the classroom, moving tables and benches to free the space.

"Ah! Parker! Come help me, it'll be a good warm-up."

"Right away!"

Aymee helped the teacher carry the tables and benches from one end of the classroom to the other, without magic. Once the furniture were moved, Aymee stretched.

"So, what are we practicing tonight?" she asked cheerfully.

"I thought we could work without weapons. Hand to hand."

Aymee narrowed her eyes. Admittedly, she knew martial arts, but from there to face an adult way past mastery and so burly you'd think he was on medication...

"All right!" she smiled.

It'll be good practice since he's some kind of monster himself, she reasoned.

Indeed, McMahon was a monster. Aymee found herself on the mat so often that she began to believe that it was more natural to be on all fours than on two. Thanks to her speed and agility, Aymee was able to dodge or parry most of his blows, but parrying was practically useless.

At one point, she jumped on his back to choke him. McMahon casually grabbed her and tossed her away, as if she was nothing more than a slight distraction. Aymee rolled. She caught her breath, leaning on her arms to straighten herself up. McMahon put his foot on her back to hold her down.