Harry Potter Characters X Reader

12: Partners

TW: Clear. Rating: PG

"You're working in partners again. I switched it up again, as requested by several students, which is needless because partners will constantly switch. The goal is to make sure each of you are able to adapt to any opponent and any fighting style. If you always duel with your best friend, you'll subconsciously expect all duels to be with your best pal. Trust me, that's rarely the case. Especially for those of you who want a career in DADA. Now drumroll, please!"

Wands clicked against the desks excitedly as the list suddenly became visible on the board. I found my name immediately. Zabini. Blaise Zabini. Slytherin's pretty boy. Lovely.

He stepped up to me silently. Our eyes met, and we positioned to duel. He waited for me to cast, and I waited for him to cast. Neither of us wanted to be first. I moved to my left heel, making him suspect I was going on the defensive. He raised to cast, but before he could, I disarmed him. I watched his wand fall expressionlessly and used locomotor to give it back. I took my stance, and he took his.

"No tricks. Go," I encouraged, "No shield, so don't screw me."

He nodded and cast. My muscles cramped under the dancing jinx, but it immediately lifted.

"Did you dispel that fast?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Use a shield," I requested before using the hot air charm. "Feel that at all?" I asked.

He shook his head, no teasing. Good thing. If he were Malfoy, he would've and I would've set him on fire.

"Strongest shield you can," I advised before firing incendio.

He blocked it pretty well, but the bottom of his robe caught fire. I used augamenti before he even realized it was there.

"What's that spell?" he asked.

"You do have a voice," I marveled with a small grin. "Augamenti. It's a sixth year charm."

"Aren't you a Hufflepuff?"

I glared at him. "Why haven't you used Serpensorita? Aren't you a Slytherin?"

"I was just joking," he defended.

"As was I. Again. Try a stronger shield if you don't want to really be burned."

He took a deep breath and held himself. He nodded, and I cast.

"Try holding your left up too. Watch me."

He cast incendio back, and I pushed it away with my shield, imagined the shield wrapping around the fire until there wasn't any oxygen.

"Again," he decided, copying my stance.

I cursed with a little more umph.

"Imagine you're smothering it, like your shield's a soaked blanket and your wrestling the fire."

He nodded. Not one for words.

He did a little worse than before. "You're in the right headspace, but now you're thinking too much. Try a Crabbe," I instructed. I realized whom I was speaking to and immediately bit my tongue. "Forget I said that."

He smirked slightly and raised his brows. Damn pretty boy.

I hit him again, and he executed putting out the fire perfectly.

"You went easy on me there. All you can."

"Not yet. You need to get more comfortable with smothering first. Then strengthening your shield."