human again / hp.

Chapter 86

The room hummed with an anxious energy, a strange mix of excitement and tension that seemed to pulse through the air. The walls of the Room of Requirement, as ever, were lined with torches that flickered and cast a warm glow over the stone, and the faint scent of magic lingered in the atmosphere. A soft breeze stirred the air, just enough to rustle the hems of our robes and make the flames dance a little more. But it wasn't just the room that felt alive—it was us, all of us, gathered in anticipation.

The weight of the moment hung over us like an invisible storm cloud, though none of us spoke it aloud. We all knew what was at stake, the dangers that lay ahead, and what we were training for. Each of us stood a little taller than we usually did, but our gazes, though hopeful, still bore the mark of uncertainty. This wasn't just another Defense Against the Dark Arts lesson. This was real.

Harry was in the center of the room, facing us, his posture straight but not overly rigid. His green eyes flicked over the group, scanning our faces one by one, as if searching for something. Maybe reassurance. Maybe a reason to believe that this was all worth it. His hair was as messy as ever, but there was an undeniable presence about him. He didn't look like the kid I'd met on the train years ago. There was something more in him now—a quiet strength, tempered with the weight of everything he'd been through. He was no longer just a boy, and I knew he felt it too.

"Alright, everyone," Harry said, his voice steady though I could tell he was just as nervous as the rest of us. "We'll start with something simple today."

He paused for a moment, perhaps to gauge our reactions, or maybe to steel himself for what was to come. The silence in the room was thick, filled with both anticipation and the unspoken weight of the battle we were all preparing for. His eyes settled on a spot in the middle of the room as if drawing on the strength of the stone walls surrounding us. Finally, he spoke again.

"Expelliarmus," he said clearly, his wand raised in one smooth motion.

The spell seemed to ring in the air, the name of it almost a command to the rest of us, signaling that we were ready to begin. As Harry's voice echoed, I felt a slight ripple of tension run through the group, a collective hold of breath. Everyone stood a little straighter, the realization of what we were about to undertake settling in. But one voice broke through the quiet that followed Harry's words.

Zacharias Smith, standing near the back of the group, scoffed loudly, his arms crossed over his chest in that familiar defensive stance. "Disarming? Seriously? You think that's going to do anything if we're up against You-Know-Who? What's that going to save us from, huh?"

A ripple of muttering ran through the group, and I could see Harry's jaw tighten. I knew Zacharias was the type who wanted to prove something, wanted to be the one to show he was tough enough for whatever was coming, but his words stung nonetheless.

Harry didn't flinch, though. Instead, he turned slowly, his eyes locking with Zacharias's, and his voice remained calm, though there was a steel edge to it.

"Expelliarmus saved my life last year," he said, his tone unwavering.

There was a brief pause before Zacharias could come up with a retort. The room fell quiet as all eyes turned to Harry, whose expression was firm but not unkind.

Harry's words were simple, yet powerful. "When Voldemort came back, I used Expelliarmus in the graveyard. It might not seem like much, but it gave me enough time to get away. Sometimes, it's not about overpowering your opponent; it's about being smart. It's about finding the right moment and taking it. Disarming someone—getting them off balance, making them lose their advantage—can be the difference between life and death."