Carina Gray is a sharp-witted, fiercely loyal Slytherin with a knack for mischief and a heart of gold she tries hard to keep hidden. Known for her bold sense of humor and unwavering courage, she isn't afraid to stand up for her friends, even if it m...
The Defense Against the Dark Arts classroom buzzed with quiet chatter as students filtered in, claiming their usual seats. Carina slipped through the door with her bag slung over her shoulder, scanning the room briefly before her eyes landed on Mattheo. He was sprawled lazily at their usual desk near the back, his quill spinning effortlessly between his fingers.
"Saving me a seat, Riddle?" she teased, dropping her bag onto the desk with a soft thud.
"Of course, Black," Mattheo replied with a smirk. "Wouldn't want anyone else stealing my partner for the day. It'd be tragic."
Carina rolled her eyes but grinned as she slid into the seat beside him. "You're hopeless."
"Hopelessly charming, you mean," he shot back, leaning back in his chair with an exaggerated air of confidence.
Before she could respond, the door to the classroom opened, and Professor Lupin strolled in, his robes billowing slightly behind him. The class quickly quieted, all eyes turning to the front.
"Good morning, everyone," Lupin began, his voice calm but commanding. "Today, we'll be focusing on counter-jinxes and how to effectively deflect them during duels. As you've likely realized by now, quick thinking and adaptability are crucial when it comes to defending yourself against unpredictable magic."
He waved his wand, and the chalkboard filled with notes in his neat handwriting.
"To start, let's review some of the most common jinxes you might encounter," Lupin continued, turning to face the class. "Can anyone tell me the counter for the Jelly-Legs Jinx?"
Hermione's hand shot up immediately, but Lupin's gaze flicked toward the back of the room.
"Mr. Riddle," he said with a slight smile, "why don't you give it a try?"
Mattheo blinked, clearly caught off guard, but he quickly recovered. "Er... Locomotor Stabilitus, Professor."
"Correct," Lupin said, nodding approvingly. "Though it's always a good idea to practice it under pressure—you won't have time to think when someone's jinxing your legs out from under you."
As Lupin moved on, Carina leaned closer to Mattheo, her voice low. "Look at you, actually paying attention for once. I'm impressed."
"Don't get used to it," he muttered, smirking. "That was a lucky guess."
Lupin clapped his hands together, drawing everyone's attention again. "Right, let's pair up and practice counter-jinxes. Start with something simple—no need to go full dueling mode just yet. Carina, Mattheo, you'll be partners, as usual."
