A Taste of Magic

Chapter 73: 73rd Course - A Trapped Card

"Miss Brown, do you have a moment?"

Lavender blanched. "Oh no. How much trouble am I in?!"

Remus looked at Flitwick on one side and at McGonagall on the other, realizing Lavender's panic. "Oh! None at Miss Brown. Sorry, we did not mean to alarm you." The professors chuckled when Lavender breathed a very large sigh of relief. "No, we wanted to check with you on something. Did you put your name into the Dueling Event?"

"Oh yes, I did," she nodded.

"Of your own volition?" McGonagall asked sharply. She relaxed slightly when Lavender nodded. "I never knew you had any desire for formal dueling."

"I kind of don't," Lavender said weakly.

"Then why are you entering the event?" McGonagall asked, confused.

Lavender straightened. "Because Draco Malfoy said something disgusting to me and to Harry and I'm not taking it, not this time."

The professors looked at each other. "A fine reason," Flitwick said. "But perhaps one of us can handle this without the need for dueling? Especially if there are witnesses?"

"No thank you, Sir," Lavender said firmly. "We're going to handle it this way."

Flitwick nodded. "I applaud your conviction." He smiled warmly. "If I may be so bold, I am rather fond of you Miss Brown and would hate to see you do something you are not wanting to, or are unprepared for. As you know, I am the head of the Dueling club. I can find some time to assist you."

"As will I," Remus said.

"Thank you, I really appreciate it," Lavender said, touched. "But I have someone training me right now. Actually I was coming to find you, Professor McGonagall, to ask you if they could come to help me after class hours."

"Oh?" McGonagall frowned. "And who might this person be?"

"Miss Ariana Dumbledore."

Flitwick snorted and laughed and coughed all in one, patting his chest. "Oh! Well, that changes things."

McGonagall smiled. "She needs no permission from me but of course. In fact, you two may use one of the classrooms on the ground floor if you like."

"Is there one beside the Uncommon Room we can use?" Lavender asked.

"Any of them would be fine. Do let us know if you need further assistance."

"I will. Thank you for asking about me, I really appreciate it!" With a bubbly wave, Lavender left.

Remus looked at a snickering McGonagall and Flitwick. "Clearly, I am missing something. Is Miss Dumbledore a duelist?"

"Not professionally or officially," Flitwick said. "With that said, she is very intelligent and is a capable teacher. I have dueled her many times and I have always had to duel seriously when I do. She is clever and is dangerous in the circle."

"If Miss Brown learns from Ariana, then she will be fine," McGonagall said confidently. "I just hope she doesn't learn Ariana's ruthlessness or deviousness. I rather like Miss Brown's bubbly and kind demeanor."