When Hermione Fights

Harry's first training

Harry's first training

I woke up the next morning, thinking how everything was wonderful. We had had a lot of fun yesterday in the Room of Requirement and had found some new, exciting things. The Twins were doing nothing but creating new pranks, plans and products.

I got through the rest of the day successfully, it was nothing but routine. After presenting Harry with an elaborate proposal on how to start his first training session and him vowing to prepare for the upcoming lesson I excused myself with the fact that it had gotten too late the night before. I conjured my Geminio and escaped to London to devote myself to physical training this time. My Sensei informed me that he wanted to introduce me to the Brazilian martial art 'Luta Livre' today, which was fine by me because I was at a loss after his proclamation. Luta Livre... what?

He elaborated that it was a Portuguese free fight system. Aha, I thought, all right! He explained that Luta Livre enabled a fighter to safely bridge the gap to his opponent, bring him down and remain in control and finally to force him to surrender or to incapacitate him. Neat. I was all for incapacitation, I knew no mercy in this regard. Now he asked me if I wanted to learn 'ALL' or 'MMA'. Eh, I... what, please? So he explained that there were 'ALL', the wrestling 'Luta Livre Esportiva', and 'Vale Tudo' / 'MMA', a style without rules which would include kicks and punches. Okay, the decision was easy, without rules always sounded good to me, as good as kicks and punches. For now, I didn't want to think about that to learn the art I would have to experience it myself, but as I always said, grit your teeth and get on with it! What use would I have of a simple wrestling style? No, I didn't need that, so I chose the option 'MMA'.

Sensei's face showed his satisfaction when I told him of my decision and he declared that therefore the free wrestling elements of the 'Luta Livre' would be supplemented with kicks, punches and thrusts with knees and elbows which could be used while standing or while wrestling on the ground. All right, and next? He was pleased, as he thought that these specific techniques would enable me to defeat physically stronger opponents. While fighting on the ground a weaker fighter could use technique to compensate for disadvantages in height and weight. Well, what were we waiting for?

After our lesson I knew once again why I shouldn't jump into a new martial art without any preparation, as it was just too painful afterwards. Wow, the Brazilians had a really creepy imagination. However, I would learn it, as I hadn't been able to even count to three after going down before I had been out for the count. But enough, I winged my battered body back to Hogwarts! I had been away long enough to get to the Room of Requirement without being seen. My Geminio was still sleeping soundly in my bed and so I could savour the Room to my heart's content.

Saturday afternoon arrived fast and we all gathered in the Room of Requirement to be taught some offensive Defense by Harry.

"Alright, my dears, today we start with the disarming spell, the Expelliarmus!" he proclaimed cockily.

"Why? We already learned it in Second Year, that's much too simple!" Smith interrupted.

"Firstly, we have to start low, as everybody should progress together as a group. I don't want to leave someone behind. And secondly, the Expelliarmus did me good service in Fourth Year against Lord Voldemort!" A collective groan went through our school mates. "Come on, it got me enough time to escape, I am sentimental in this regard. And now show me how good you are. The better, the faster we can move on. Line up in pairs!" Harry demanded unyieldingly and looked around with a stern expression.

I experienced some minor difficulties to adhere to his demand, as this was a really easy spell. Who should I take as a partner? Maybe it would be the best to choose none of them. I could merge with the shadows and help Harry to correct the others, I pondered. Yes, that would be smart. Just then wild shouting and screaming started. People were hit with the disarming charm, flew through the room and landed painfully on the mats or even on the floor. Chaos reigned, pure chaos. Spells whizzed through the air, flashing and bolting around wild and totally uncontrolled.