To the you of 1994

Magic

Viktor

September 5, 1994

On Monday morning, Viktor and his classmates started their day with a similar routine to the one they had back in Norway.

Every morning, they were to get up and run. After their run, they had an early breakfast on the ship. Viktor wondered how Karkaroff convinced Dumbledore to allow his students an early breakfast given the wizard seemed to enjoy having meals with the students.

Their classes were much the same as back home. The only exception was dueling, which now took place in an empty room in the castle. Their dueling professor Hansen had insisted that they needed a sizeable space to practice dueling with their staffs.

For the first class of their last year, Professor Hansen had them practice offensive spells.

Staff dueling was Viktor's least favorite class.

With a sigh, he trudged towards the dueling arena, his staff slung over his shoulder. The arena was already bustling with activity, students pairing up and practicing their spells. Viktor spotted his partner, a lanky boy named Ivan, and rolled his eyes. Ivan was no better at dueling than he was, and their sessions usually ended in a flurry of misfired spells and bruised egos.

As they approached their designated dueling area, Professor Hansen's booming voice echoed across the arena. "Remember, gentlemen," he instructed, "Staff dueling emphasizes physicality, agility, and close-quarters combat. The staff serves as an extension of your body."

Despite Viktor's nod, he knew all too well that he would never excel on land. He raised his staff, feeling its weight in his hands. Ivan mimicked his stance.

"On my mark," Hansen said, raising his wand. "Three... two... one..."

With a flick of his wand, Hansen started the duel. Viktor and Ivan lunged at each other, their staffs clashing in a shower of sparks. Viktor tried to remember Hansen's instructions, but his awkward foot placement threw him off balance. His spells sailed wide, and Ivan's jabs landed with increasing frequency.

Viktor gritted his teeth and focused on his stance, adjusting his feet and grip on his staff.

Fuck being agile.

He didn't and probably would never be agile on land, but something he had was brute strength.

Ivan swung his staff and hit Viktor on the shins, causing him to stumble. The lanky teen saw his chance and went to strike Viktor's stomach.

Viktor rolled but still got hit with the tip of Ivan's staff.

As Ivan lunged, Viktor met his attack with a resounding clash of staffs. The air crackled with energy as their magical forces collided, sending ripples of power through the arena.

With a grunt, Viktor pushed back, his strength overwhelming Ivan's. He sent Ivan stumbling backward, creating an opening for a swift strike. He unleashed a powerful spell, a bolt of crimson energy that rocketed toward Ivan. Ivan attempted to deflect it, but his hastily cast shield proved no match for Viktor's concentrated power.

The spell struck Ivan squarely in the chest, sending him crashing backward. He groaned, his staff clattering to the ground.

Ivan ran and snatched his staff from the ground and retaliated with a flurry of spells.

Viktor brought his staff parallel with his arm, bringing forward a hasty shield.

His opponent delivered a series of rapid but incarnate spells and jabs.