Shadow of Legacy

Duels and kisses

The days passed in a blur of classes and evening extra lessons. My skills improved rapidly, but the toll of sleepless nights began to weigh on me. I often found myself daydreaming in class, caught between the thrill of learning and the exhaustion that followed.

During one potion class, Professor Snape announced, "There will be dueling lessons once a week, where students can practice battles under fair conditions. If you ask me, it's a waste of time for most of you, but Dumbledore insists it's a good idea to let you hone your skills." His voice was laced with disdain, as if he believed we were all unworthy of such training.

Draco, always seated beside me, leaned in with a mischievous grin.
"So finally, a chance for us to see who's better. Are you ready to be humiliated?"

"I'm already terrified," I replied jokingly

After class, as I hurried to my next lesson, Ron caught up to me. "Alvira! Do you have plans tonight? Harry and I bought more sweets than we could ever eat!"

"I still need to study, but thanks for the invite," I said, feeling a twinge of guilt.

"Just this once! Come on, it'll be fun!" he urged.

I hesitated for a moment, then relented. "Okay, I'll join you later, but I won't stay long."

After my private Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson, I made my way to the common room, where the cozy atmosphere enveloped me.

"Hey, everyone!" I called out, smiling as I entered.

"Alvira! Finally! We were starting to think you wouldn't make it!" Ron exclaimed, his face lighting up.

"I'm sorry I haven't spent enough time with you all," I said, feeling the warmth of their welcome.

The evening unfolded with laughter, sugary treats, and playful gossip about our professors. We even speculated about the potential romantic pairings of some of our classmates. Harry and Ron made a game of guessing which couples would last, while Hermione rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smirking at their antics.
As the night wore on and the clock ticked toward midnight, Ron insisted on walking me back to my dorm. "I really enjoyed tonight. I'm glad you made it work," he said, his tone sincere.

"Of course, Ron. I'm trying my best to find a balance," I replied, feeling a warmth toward him.

As we neared the entrance to the girls' dormitory, Ron paused, his expression suddenly serious. "You know, I've been thinking... we should really hang out more. It feels like we don't get enough time together."

"I'd like that," I said, my heart racing.

"Good night then," he said, pulling me into a tight hug. His embrace lingered, as if he never wanted to let go. When we finally separated, he seemed hesitant, leaning in closer, his gaze searching mine.
His lips brushed against mine gently, a soft and tentative connection. In that moment, my heart raced, yet my mind was a swirl of confusion. Did I like it? Why didn't I feel the butterflies I expected?
As I lay in bed that night, replaying the moment, I realized that something had shifted between us. I was left with a mix of exhilaration and uncertainty. Did this mean something more?

The next day in dueling practice, the atmosphere was charged with excitement. Students gathered in the Great Hall, which had been transformed into a dueling arena. The anticipation was palpable as we paired off, Draco smirking at me from across the room.

"Ready to lose?" he taunted, his wand at the ready.

"Let's just have some fun," I replied, trying to keep the mood light.

The duel began with easy, playful exchanges. I deflected his spells with finesse, and he returned the favor with flair, making exaggerated gestures that had us both laughing. The atmosphere was carefree, and I found myself enjoying the banter between us as we danced around the spells.

"Nice try!" I teased, sidestepping a weak jinx. "You'll have to do better than that!"

Draco chuckled, clearly relishing the challenge. "I was just warming up!"

But then, out of the corner of my eye, I spotted my brother watching intently. I felt a rush of energy at his presence, and I could sense his competitive spirit rising.

"Maybe you need a better partner!" he called out, stepping forward with a grin.

Draco raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. "Fine by me. Let's see what you've got!"

"Ready to go?" Ares asked, a playful grin on his face.

"Always," I replied, raising my wand, ready for a friendly match.

The duel began with easy, lighthearted exchanges. We cast simple spells, dodging and deflecting with laughter. "Watch out!" I teased, sidestepping a jinx he sent my way.

"Nice move! But you'll have to do better than that!" he challenged, determination gleaming in his eyes.

For a while, it felt like we were in our own little world, the tension of competition replaced by the joy of sparring. But as we went on, I sensed a shift. The friendly banter gave way to a deeper rivalry, as we both remembered the countless times we had pushed each other for recognition.

"Come on, I know you've got more in you!" he urged, launching a more powerful spell.

"Okay, but I don't want to hurt you!" I countered, feeling the pressure to hold back yet still wanting to match his intensity. But he was relentless, casting spells that came closer and closer to catching me off guard. The thrill of the duel grew as I focused, matching his energy. I didn't want to lose—there was too much at stake.
Then, in a moment of clarity, I decided to show my strength. I took a breath and summoned a spell I'd been practicing. "Stupefy!" I shouted, sending a burst of magic his way.
He barely had time to react, and the force of my spell caught him off guard. He was pushed back, landing hard on his backside with a surprised grunt. A wave of shock swept through the hall, and for a brief moment, silence enveloped us.
Scrambling to his feet, I could see the anger and embarrassment flicker in his eyes. "That wasn't fair!" he snapped, trying to regain his composure.
Before I could respond, the teachers stepped in, calling for order. "That's enough for today! Clearly, this has escalated," one of them declared, glancing sternly at both of us.
As students began to disperse, I felt a knot of concern in my stomach. I hadn't intended for it to get out of hand, especially not with my brother. I caught his eye, hoping to convey my apology, but he turned away and left.