The Birds and the Bears - Harry Potter Fanfic.

Chapter Five. Dastardly Duelers.

Chapter Five. Dastardly Duelers.

Victiore's P.O.V.

            I am extremely confused about Teddy's actions over the holidays. He had me wrapped up in his arms so close to him that I was actually on his lap when he kissed my neck. Kissed it. What is even more bewildering is that I liked it. Me who rarely enjoys any kind of physical contact including with family members enjoyed a kiss on the neck by a teen age boy. Blimey.

            On the train ride back to Hogwarts I didn't see Teddy at all. The trip wasn't so bad though. Because the wolf charm Teddy gave me for Christmas really works I spent a blissfuly quiet time sequestered in a compartment with three oblivious fourth years. Now I can walk the halls in peace. People still spot me of course, Teddy explained that the charm only works if no one is specifically seeking you, but the stares are no where near as bad. I have to take it off in class, regretfully, because teachers need to know I am there.

            I am on the proverbial fence about my feelings for Teddy. He is my best mate, the only person at Hogwarts that isn't family that I actually like. I really don't want to loose him because of some stupid passing fancy. It doesn't feel like a flighty affection though. He pops up in my thoughts at the most inopportune moments, like in Potions class when we were researching Amortentia. Professor Wilhelm had procured a small sample and we all were put to smelling it in turns. We were supposed to write notes on the way it made us feel, then compose an essay on the risks of powerful love potions. When my turn came about I sniffed accordingly and smelled... I smelled Teddy. Some of it was indefinable but parts included the piney scent that he had after a shower, mixed with the dewy slightly musky smell only windblown quiditch players get in the early morning. I could hardly write my essay for embarrassment.

            To try an cure myself of my insanity I shut myself in the library, and burry myself in books about advanced defense spells. I am learning the kind of stuff that they never teach at Hogwarts. My wolf charm lets me peruse the Restricted Section at my leisure, and I find myself again thinking of Teddy. Bugger, I gotta get my mind of of him. I have a lot of theoretical knowledge of defense spells but not much experience using them. An idea strikes me as my eyes fall on a dusty tomb titled 'Wand Kata'. Inside are detailed many movement patterns used specifically for defensive and offensive dueling. There beautiful hand drawn diagrams of Japanese wizards from long ago fighting with intricate dancer like grace. I grab the book and head for the first place I think of. The Room of Requirement.

            In the seventh floor corridor by the tapestry of Barnabas the Barmy, I pace back and forth in front of the wall three times. Thinking 'I need a place to go undisturbed and practice wand kata in' as hard as I can, I am not surprised when a dark lacquered door pops into existence. Upon entering, I find a large space with a padded floor, mirrored walls, large posters depicting wand kata moves, and inexplicably a muggle boom box. Electronics aren't supposed to work at Hogwarts but this is the Room of Requirement. I suppose the room thought I needed muggle tunes. Everything is slightly charred and the place smells a bit smoky but I don't mind, apparently it has been that way since the Second Wizarding War when there was an incident in here with some fiend fire. I know that every time that I have visited it has been so.

            With a flick of my wand and a non-verbal spell I switch on the boom box. A muggle song that I don't recognize blasts out. The tune is catchy and as it plays I start dancing.

First when there's nothing

but a slow glowing dream

that your fear seems to hide