Devia Lupus

6-The Duel

I slowly got up, and crossed the dusty classroom. The tattered book had fallen back-side up, and I picked the black-leather bound journal up. Severus' journal.

He had given it to me in secrecy when I turned three, and made me promise not to tell my father about it. The fact that he trusted me with a simple promise, not a spell, was enough to make my eyes shine so much that my father never found it before his death. I had never opened it, as Severus said to wait until I was well into Hogwarts.

I suppose that well into Hogwarts had been a few years ago. Lovely. I could read it.

The front cover had ripped partially off, and I examined it. It could be fixed. With a simple Reparo it was attached firmly back in place, and the few rips along the spine and back cover vanished as well.

I figured that if I was to read it, people would be asking after such a ratty-looking book, so with a few muttered spells, I charmed it to appear glossy and new-bound. Perfect.

Opening it to the first page, that had Severus' name on it, that if Scott snuck a look in it, he would probably die of a serious problem-eye exploding. With a few other charms, the book appeared to be a Potions text (how appropriate) written by a William Gladier. I had spelled it so that the real text only came through to my eyes, so if anyone wanted to read it, they'd have some serious gouging to do.

I heard the warning chime that was a notice that students were to be in their common rooms ten minutes from now, or it would be considered being out after hours. I figured that I could use an early night, so I gathered up my bag, slipping the book inside, and headed back to my room.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I found Scott chewing on the end of a quill while focusing on his Potions homework. Professor Clearwater had really softened up the position of Potions professor, but that didn't mean that there was no homework-in fact, she almost seemed to favor essays to actually making potions.

Scott looked up at me, wide eyed, and stared at me as I ignored him and pulled out my own potions homework. Hm. Write twelve inches on the use of Scintillation Potion...why the Hell was I doing this??

Remembering the information from several years ago (Elisa had decided on teaching me everything I would need to know at Hogwarts), I slowly wrote my twelve inches-perfect calligraphy, perfect spacing, perfect size. How perfect. Hermione Granger was being given a run for her money.

After I had wasted about forty minutes on that piece of crap, I asked Scott for a favor.

"Hey, kid."

He looked up, eyes wide. "Scott."

"Kid, how would you like to hex me?"

His eyes widened even more, to the point that I thought they would explode. "Don't hurt yourself, kid."

"Hex YOU?" he asked, bewildered.

"Yes, well, I have to practice my Shield charm for Defense...care to give it a try?"

His eyes suddenly narrowed. "What will happen to me?"

I almost smirked. "Nothing, the Shield charm annihilates all hexes and curses sent its way; it's not a Reflecting charm." I failed to mention that the Shield charm that I was talking about wasn't in our curriculum - it was much too powerful.

"...well...okay..." Scott said, nervously.

"Great," I said unenthusiastically. I waved my wand as he jumped off of his bed, and I sent all of the furniture into a pile in the corner of the room - except for my guitar case. That, I knew would be safe - it had a Reflecting charm on it at all times.

I assumed my dueling stance-the exact same as Severus used-and watched Scott fumble his wand into a lousy position. From where I was standing, I could have easily crossed the room in three strides and flipped him onto the ground Muggle-style. But I wouldn't. I needed to have fun.

"Er...Expelliarmus!" Scott said nervously.

I flicked my wand at the incoming spell, and glared at Scott. "Hexes! Curses! Come on, kid, surely you can do better than that!"

He drew himself up to what little height he had, and bellowed, "Ricumspectra!" He had aimed the tickling curse at the mirror, which shattered as it reflected the curse off to attack me from behind.

I blocked it, amused. "Not bad, kid, not bad. What else you got?"

And so it went on. In the end, Scott collapsed on the floor, panting, and I waved the furniture back into place and repaired the mirror. He was a decent dueler.

Not bad.

I jumped. Thanks for that.

No problem. That boy is not a bad dueler. Who is he?

Scott Mannings.

Mannings? Hm, sounds familiar.

His great-grandmother was a few years younger than you.

...If only I were there bodily-you would certainly be reduced to a pile of mush.

Did you just say mush?

Yes, what of it?

Severus Snape, saying mush?

Aha! You said it!

Pray tell, what did I say?

Do not mock me, boy.

I'm not mocking you.

Yes you are.

No I'm not!

Yes, you are. You are mocking the fact that I grew up in an aristocratic family, and that I have been taught the "proper" way to speak.

I chuckled, and Scott gave me a weird glance from his spot on the floor, before getting up to return to his homework.

Not at all.

...It does not matter. But, you do accept the fact that I am indeed Severus Snape?

...I guess.

...Thank you, Scorpius.

For what?

For believing, of course.

Oh, you're going old and sappy and soft down there.

Scorpius, how could one possibly go "soft" in Hell?

...I don't know, I haven't tried it.

Ah, my boy.

My boy?

Yes.

I coughed.

Do not mock me, boy!

Too late.

...teenagers...

You were once one!

Indeed...anyways, I must go. I just "popped in" to say that I am proud of you.

...

Scorpius?

Yes.

What?

YOU'VE GONE SOFT!

I have not!

You have too!

I have not!

You have too!

Scorpius.

What?

Go to bed and read the book-please?

...fine...but I'm not making any promise to sleep!

...very well...at least eat, I know that you do not.

That's not my fault.

Indeed, but make a point of trying.

Fine, fine...

Goodnight, Scorpius.

Goodnight.