Lost and Found...Love

Chapter 7

Slytherin Dueling Society

"Quiet .. QUIET."

Professor Snape gazed around at the members of the Slytherin House Dueling Society gathered in the Great Hall. All of the dining tables were against the walls, with the benches ranged out in front of them for sitting and watching the duels.

"Slytherin House would like to welcome Professor Twigg-Jones and Professor Flitwick to this session of our Dueling Society."

Both nodded and there was a smattering of applause.

"They have graciously consented to join us today, to add their expertise and advise as they see fit. I believe a short demonstration of your spell targeting skills should precede the first duel. Any volunteers?"

Not unexpectedly, Draco Malfoy strutted forward.

"Ah yes, Mister Malfoy. Stand here please, while I set out the targets."

Snape walked to the other end of the Great Hall and conjured a multi-level wall equipped with moving and stationary targets; miniature trolls stumping back and forth, stars twirling, orbs floating up and down, and numerous doors opening and closing, revealing small dragons who roared and shot little puffs of fire and smoke.

"Blimey! You could make a fortune at Blackpool with that set-up, Professor Snape!" Anna commented as she and Professor Flitwick walked over for a closer inspection. "It's a bloody marvel, that."

"Extraordinary! Oh, well done!" Professor Flitwick turned around to the students and smiled. "Nothing like putting a little fun into a challenge, what? Designed it yourselves, did you?" They nodded.

"Indeed," Snape agreed, "but let us move out of the way so Mister Malfoy can demonstrate for us how the group has been using their targeting board." He ushered them to the side of the Hall. "He'll be using a simple blasting spell; this is for becoming proficient in target accuracy. I'll time you, Mister Malfoy. One minute .. ready, go!"

Draco planted his feet, took aim and started firing blasts of green at the various targets; trolls fell, dragons roared, orbs exploded and stars shot off toward the ceiling, where they burst into showers of sparks.

"Done!" Malfoy lowered his arm, smirking.

"Thank you, Mister Malfoy." Snape checked his watch as Draco sauntered over to his friends. "Fifty-two seconds, two misses."

Professors Twigg-Jones and Flitwick conferred and then walked over to Professor Snape and talked quietly with him for a minute.

"It would seem you rate a ninety on your targeting proficiency, Mister Malfoy and an eighty on you spell strength consistency, but a sixty on your speed. Your average is seventy-eight, give or take a fraction. I expect improvement!" Professor Snape announced.

"Sixty on my speed? I was doing that very quickly, Professor," Malfoy protested. "No one else does under a minute!"

"On the contrary, Mister Malfoy," replied Snape, as he regarded him and sneered, "Longbottom's Grandmother can fire off spells quicker than you."

Professor Twigg-Jones coughed, hiding her smile behind her hand. Draco glared at her.

"I'd like to see what Professor Twigg-Jones or Professor Flitwick considers speed, if they wouldn't mind sharing their abilities with us," he countered. "Please," he added with a slight bow.

"This is more your area, my dear." Professor Flitwick bowed to Anna.

"Well, if you insist."

"Allow me, Professor." Snape turned and, flipping his wand, reset all of the targets. Anna walked to the spot where Draco had stood, spun around and took out her wand. "Ready?" Snape inquired.

She nodded, concentration etched on her face.

"GO!"

Taking aim, she calmly fired off spell after spell, systematically blasting every target on the board, filling the Hall with smoke, light, sparks and noise.

"Done." She lowered her wand.

"Twenty-six seconds," Snape announced, looking up after checking his watch.

"Very good, my dear!" Flitwick applauded. "Excellent targeting and I didn't see one missed shot, did you, Professor Snape?"

"I didn't expect to; Professor Twigg-Jones is quite proficient. Holding back a little, though, weren't you?" Severus glanced her way.

"A little bit. I didn't want to dazzle them too much." She smiled back at him.

"Holding Back?" Malfoy and the others walked over to look at the smoldering targets. "Holding what back?"

"Her targeting speed, Mister Malfoy. She was firing at about half the speed she is capable of achieving."

"WHAT!" Malfoy went pale. "That's not possible."

"Reset it, Professor Snape. I sense a bit of doubt from the peanut gallery." Anna grinned wickedly.

"Are you sure," Snape crossed his arms, "or would you rather I speed up the targets?"

"Oh, a little bit faster, I think."

"Very well...stand back all of you." Snape reset the targets as Professor Flitwick ushered the students back to their seats, turning to watch, clapping his hands in eager anticipation.

"GO!"

Anna stood perfectly still but her hand and forearm became an absolute blur as the air filled with red streaks and the noise of exploding targets.

"DONE!" She put her wand down and turned to Snape.

"Fifteen seconds, no misses."

"BLOODY HELL!" "No WAY!" "I don't believe it!" "How in the...?" "Did you see...?" "How did she do that?"

"Years and years and YEARS of practice," she laughed. "Seriously, any witch or wizard can move that fast if they take the time to train and practice: just doing it over and over and over again. It's all hand-eye co-ordination and staying focused.

"Now, if I wanted to be brutally honest I'd tell you the sobering news that any ten year old Muggle can do that kind of target shooting, in their sleep. Video games sharpen their hand-eye co-ordination to the point it puts me to shame. But, it's just a game to them, so they don't think anything of it; 'big deal' they'd say.

"I made that wise crack about Blackpool, when I first saw your targeting board, as a bit of a tease. However, take a trip down there someday and see if I'm not right. Just stand and observe the shooting gallery or the video arcade, then try it yourself. You'll be amazed."

"Shall we continue, before they lose all heart?" Snape hissed as he walked behind Anna.

"Right. Ok, who's next to show us their targeting abilities so Professor Flitwick and I can critique and help with some suggestions?" She looks around. "Oh, yes, by the way Mister Malfoy, your stance is spot-on and arm movement is minimal and steady, but you're too easily distracted, which makes for sloppy shots. Keep your mind on your target, Draco, never lose focus and your shots will take care of themselves." She smiles at him. "You did well, really, and the more you practice the better you'll become."

"Thank you." Draco gave a slight bow, smirked and then strolled over to slouch on a bench and observe the rest of the group try their hand at the target board.

X # X # X

The next forty-five minutes saw the targeting boards blown to smithereens, time and again, till all of their ears were ringing, slightly, from the repeated explosions and roaring of tiny target dragons.

"Turn sideways, you make a smaller target and it will keep you from flaying your arm so much."

"Not so much jabbing; you're throwing spells, not trying to poke someone in the eye."

"Enunciate more clearly; mumbled spells are sloppy spells."

"Good, good, that was spot on. You should work on improving your speed. Practice, as I said."

"Grip your wand firmly! We don't want to see it flying out of your hand, do we?"

X # X # X

"Now that you have seen their targeting abilities, the students would like you to rate them on their dueling skills and add your instructive comments for them, also." Snape turned to Anna and Professor Flitwick as Blaise Zabini sat down, having just finished his turn at the targeting board and listening to his review.

"Excellent!" Professor Flitwick walked forward. "I've prepared a dueling challenge for you all to try. Every student can use four basic spells: 'Expelliramus', 'Impedimenta', 'Protego' and 'Finite', plus, you will each pick another spell, that you may both use, from the selections I have written on the bits of parchment in that bowl." He indicated a large soup bowl sitting on the staff table.

"You will duel for two minutes and will be awarded points for hits or defensive moves and deducted points for being hit by your opponent. Does everyone understand?"

The students nodded.

"Any volunteers, besides Mister Malfoy, that is?" Professor Snape gave him a quelling look.

"Can two of the girls go first? Show the boys how to do it properly? Miss Parkinson, Miss Bulstrode, how about it?" Anna smiled at them.

They looked at one another and shrugged. Walking to Professor Flitwick, they each took a piece of parchment from the bowl he was holding.

" 'Locomotor Mortis'," Millicent read. Shrugging, she dropped the parchment piece back into the bowl.

" 'Ricktusempra'," Pansy frowned, put her slip back, walked away down the Hall, turned and faced Millicent, wand in her hand.

"Alright girls," Professor Flitwick addressed the two opponents, "you'll have two minutes to score as many hits as possible on each other, but you will lose points for missing, so take your time and aim carefully. You are free to move around the room but no hiding behind the other students.

"This should be good," Draco smirked.

"A Galleon Millicent blasts Pansy across the room." Theodore Nott held up a coin.

"Done! But Pansy will put Millicent on her fat arse first," Draco countered. "I've been practicing with her."

"I just bet you have," Theodore snorted, while Crabbe and Goyle elbowed each other and snickered.

"Quiet," Snape growled at them as he sauntered past.

"Ready .. GO!" Professor Flitwick clicked his stopwatch.

The girls had their wands at the ready and started side-stepping in a circle, each sizing up the other, watching for any sign of weakness, any flinch to suggest intent, moving slowly, carefully.

" 'Locomotor Mortis'!" Millicent got off a shot when Pansy glanced sideways, distracted by her friends shouts of encouragement. Spinning, the spell just missed her and hit Theodore Nott, who keeled over, much to the amusement of Draco and his buddies.

"Oops - sorry Theodore," Millicent called, which gave Pansy the chance to get off an 'Expelliramus', lifting Millicent off her feet and dropping her, with a loud thud, on the dais in front of the staff table.

"Ha!" Draco held out his hand and Nott, having done the 'Finite' counter spell on his legs, stood and handed over the coin, glaring at Millicent.

"Stupid cow!"

"Now, now, Mister Nott, that's not fair. Millicent got off a decent spell that you weren't fast enough to dodge," admonished Professor Twigg-Jones as she passed by, circling the duelists, watching them closely. "Give her credit; it worked. Perhaps you should pay more attention, instead of betting against the girls." Anna ducked as a spell streaked over her head, breaking into a shower of sparks as it hit the wall.

Having been targeted with 'Rictusempra', Pansy was giggling hysterically, but she still managed to gasp "Finite" to stop the spell. Glaring at her opponent, she hit Millicent with 'Locomotor Mortis', followed immediately by 'Expelliramus', which caused her hapless classmate to roll across the floor and crash into the benches.

"TIME!" Flitwick shouted.

" 'Finite Incantatem'," Snape intoned, as he pulled Millicent to her feet. She stumbled over to sit on the nearest bench, while Pansy walked, smiling, over to Draco.

"How'd I do?" she asked.

"Won me a Galleon, so you did ok," he replied.

"Now, let's hear what the experts thought of your performance, Miss Parkinson." Professor Snape stopped beside the group, who turned to see Professors Filtwick and Twigg-Jones conferring and checking their notes. Flitwick walked to the center of the hall, with Anna following him.

"Well, the first duel was won by Miss Parkinson, with a total of forty-five points. Miss Bulstrode had thirty-five points. Very good for beginners, I might add."

"Forty-five points? How did you arrive at that total?" Snape inquired.

"Let me see .. " Flitwick consulted his notes. "She got off five spells, only three of which found her target. That's fifty minus ten, plus five for evasive maneuvers and speed: forty-five points."

"Ah, well, room for improvement, then, don't you think, Miss Parkinson." Snape turned to look at her.

"Yes, Professor Snape."

Professor Twigg-Jones walked over to Millicent. "Your spell work was good, Miss Bulstrode, but you have the habit of standing and waiting to see whether you've scored a hit or not. That makes you a target. You have to learn to keep moving; harder to be targeted and struck. Understand?"

"Yes, Professor," answered Millicent, who stood, winced and started to limp over to the Slytherin students.

"Wait a moment, dear." Anna put out her hand and stopped her. "Let me check your leg. I am a Healer, too, remember." Circling, she bent over and touched Millicent's left knee with her wand. "Feel better?"

"Yes, much better. Thanks." Millicent looked pleasantly surprised as she bent her knee tentatively and then continued over to join the others.

"Alright, who's next? Perhaps some of the seventh years?"

Severus vs. Anna

"Excuse me, Professor, could I ask you a personal question?" Draco addressed Professor Twigg-Jones.

"I imagine you can, Mister Malfoy. What do you want to know?" Anna smiled at him.

"When was the last time you were in a duel?"

"Humm...are you asking as a student or as an Auror?"

"As an Auror."

"Ah, well, that would be the last week of October, 1981," answered Anna, casting a swift glance at Snape. "I survived, but was in St. Mungo's for about 10 days. My opponent escaped, only because I failed to realize someone was behind me. I forgot a basic rule: always check your six. In other words, know what or who is behind you, especially if you are alone. Too late I realized I was in a crossfire and almost paid for that error with my life."

"So, you're not that fast after all," Draco smirked.

"Not then I wasn't. As you've seen, the last fifteen years of practice have sharpened my skills. You must remember, I was just out of Auror schooling, barely three years after leaving Hogwarts. And, I was in as extremely dangerous situation .. alone. But, that was ages ago and this is today."

"We're lucky to have you with us, then, sharing your experience and knowledge," intoned Snape, looking at Draco, "aren't we?"

"Indeed," Draco reluctantly conceded. "I bet you're a sight to see - in action, that is."

"Especially if her temper has flared up," Snape sneered. Turning away from the students to face Anna, he winked. "Isn't that correct, little girl?"

"What did you call me?" She tilted her head and stared at him. "Are you sure you want to go there, again?"

"It would be my pleasure." Turning to Professor Flitwick he inquired, "Could you help us by setting up an appropriate scenario for a demonstration?"

"Certainly! I've always wanted to see Anna .. I mean Professor Twigg-Jones in action. Her reputation is quite, well, shall we say .. impressive."

Snape looked over to the students. "Let's see if it's deserved, shall we?" He lifted an eyebrow, and they snickered.

The Slytherin students ranged themselves along the benches and watched with interest as Professor Flitwick conjured large and small crates and low walls at various points across the open floor space, providing not only hiding places but obstacles for the duelists, to use as needed. Then he produced a thick, ground hugging fog, about two feet deep, which drifted and curled around the crates and almost but not quite covered the walls, the tops just showing.

"You really are cruising for a bruising, aren't you?" Anna hissed as she strolled past him.

"Be gentle," he whispered back. Anna smothered a laugh and looked at him, her eyes twinkling.

"I think that should be enough to be getting on with, don't you," Professor Flitwick asked.

"Looks good to me." Anna turned to Snape. "Ready?"

"Yes...always."

"Ditto"

"Take your positions, please," Professor Flitwick instructed, as Anna and Snape walked to opposite ends of the dueling course. "Two minutes .. GO!"

Professor Snape immediately shouted 'Infalgari Magnus' and a huge fireball erupted from his wand, streaking toward Anna.

" 'Prestor Grandis'," she calmly responded and stood her ground, aiming the water spouting from her wand to meet the fireball at about the midway point between them. A steam cloud exploded and the students instinctively ducked. Looking up, Anna and Snape were gone. Then they saw that he had moved to his left, behind the first crate. She had moved to her right, but up to the second crate, keeping out of sight. Snape leaned around the side of the crate and took a quick look around.

"She's moved up one - on your side!" Draco yelled.

" 'Silencio.' " Anna jinxed him with flick of her wand, chuckling at the look of disbelief on his face.

"Serves you right, Mister Malfoy," said Professor Flitwick over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off of the two duelists.

Anna ducked beneath the fog and slithered over to the nearest wall, just as Severus stepped from behind the crate and blew off the top half of the crate Anna had been behind. Bits and pieces of wood rained down. Under cover of the noise and smoke, Anna slithered halfway across the course and then shot a stream of bubbles back at the base of the semi-demolished crate, disturbing the surface just enough to make it look as if she was still there. She continued forward and circled the crate at the other end of the wall, standing up on the side away from Severus. Sneaking a peek across the room, she smiled and flattened herself against the crate, waiting.

Professor Snape started to stalk toward the smoldering crate, behind which he thought Anna was still hiding.

Pansy Parkinson yelled, "She's over here!"

Anna whipped around the crate. " 'Expelliramus!'"

" 'Protego'," countered Snape as he stepped behind the crate in front of him, the spell harmlessly deflected, knocking over a suit of armor standing against the wall.

"Really, Pansy, Severus is a big boy; he doesn't need your help. Let him get on with it!" Anna shook her finger at Pansy, but with a smile on her face.

Taking a deep breath, Anna turned and sprinting down the room, dove behind the third crate, skidding to a halt at the end of the middle wall. She aimed back toward the middle of the floor and whispered," 'Glaciere'."

"All's fair in love and war, Professor, and this certainly isn't love!" Pansy shouted back, with a wicked grin.

"Well said, Miss Parkinson." Snape emerged from behind his crate and started to walk toward Anna, wand out.

Anna popped her head up out of the fog for a quick peek and then threw herself forward, behind the wall, crawling ahead, but after a few feet, rolled to her left, away from the wall's dubious cover, toward another crate. But she froze and shot another stream of bubbles in the direction she had been going.

Snape smiled grimly as he neared the wall. Then he unknowingly stepped on the sheet of ice Anna had formed from the puddle of water lying unseen on the floor. His feet flew out from under him and BLAM, he landed flat on his back, momentarily stunned, the wind knocked out of him.

Anna popped up. " 'Accio wand'," she barked. Severus just barely kept hold, his fingers having clutched his wand, instinctively, as he fell. "Damn!" breathed Anna, as she ducked down under the fog again and giggling, quickly doubled back to the shelter of the crate at the opposite end of the next wall.

Turning over, Severus crawled forward and lay next to the wall, listening, trying to get an idea of her position. Taking a deep breath, he stood and calmly walked to the end of the wall and started to circle around the crate positioned there.

Hearing his footsteps, Anna emerged on the near side of her crate and ran half the length of the wall before jumping up onto it, running two more steps and launching herself through the air, just as Severus came into view. Anna sailed through the air, straight into the arms of a thoroughly startled Potions Master. They crashed to the floor and rolled over and over through the fog, disappearing from view behind the last crate on the far side of the Hall.

"TIME!" Professor Flitwick yelled. " 'Evanesco fog.' "

The fog vanished and then the students and Professor Flitwick ran across the room to find Anna and Severus sprawled on the floor, each holding their wand to the other's throat, grim expressions on their faces.

"Oh my, I'd have to call this duel a draw," Professor Flitwick exclaimed, having pushed his way to the front of the group. "Are you two alright?"

"We're none the worse for wear, thank you," Anna answered, smiling but without taking her eyes off of Snape. Then, smile fading quickly, she focused all of her attention on Severus. "Truce .. agreed?"

"Truce? Yes." Snape replied, removing his wand slowly from under her chin.

"Ditto." Anna lifted her wand away from his jugular vein. Rolling away from him, she sat up and wrapped her arms around her knees. "How'd we do, Filius, show them a thing or two?"

"Oh, yes!" Flitwick nodded. "Some very good and quite powerful spells from Professor Snape and good use of the course and defensive moves on your part showed both sides of dueling to the students, I think."

"Yes, but why didn't you throw more spells at Professor Snape? All you did was run and hide," Millicent asked, stepping forward.

"Well, I'll tell you." Anna put out her hand and Millicent pulled her to her feet. "I prefer to take my time, if possible, watch for my opportunities and try to stay a step or two ahead. Like the ice bit. I figured that Professor Snape, knowing I was just behind the wall, couldn't resist walking straight at me. So, zip, bam, right on his duff!" Looking at Severus, she smiled, sweetly. "Sorry about that."

"No, you most certainly are not." He held out his hand and Anna pulled him to his feet. Facing her, he continued, "In all the years I've know you, you've only done one very stupid, spontaneous thing. Your every move has always been deliberate and well thought out, no matter how it appears to others."

"Was that a compliment?" Anna looked up at him, wide eyed, hand over her heart.

"No. I was merely acknowledging the fact that you are a calculating, devious, opportunistic wench."

The Slytherins snickered and laughed.

"Oh .. Well." Anna tilted her head, smiling at him "From you, that's a compliment."

"Oh, my, it's nearly tea time!" Professor Flitwick exclaimed, looking at his pocket watch. "I would like to thank you all for inviting me to your Dueling Society. It was great fun for me and I hope, instructive for all of you. I'd be delighted to attend another session, should you need a referee.

"I'm sure I speak for the members of Slytherin House when I thank you for lending your expert eye to the proceedings and we will, indeed, avail ourselves of your kind offer in the future," Professor Snape replied, as he put his wand away and straightened his frock coat.

Turning to Anna, he bowed slightly. "And, of course, our thanks to Professor Twigg-Jones for sharing her skills with us. Hopefully, the members of the Dueling Society acquired a few hints that they can put to use in the future."

"I had a GRAND time. Haven't had such a workout in quite a while. And you were a worthy opponent, Professor Snape." She bowed to him.

"Shall we, my dear?" Professor Flitwick swept his arm to lead Anna to the door.

"Delighted .. See you at tea, Professor Snape?"

"Probably not; we'll be here for a while, analyzing this session."

"At dinner, then; we three can put our heads together afterward, for a discussion."

"Certainly."

Anna turned and left with Flitwick as the students gathered around Snape.

"I loved the 'wench' comment, Professor. She's such a show-off," sniffed Pansy, as soon as the door closed.

"Show-off? Hardly, Miss Parkinson. That was her idea of fun. I tried to provoke her into losing her temper and showing what she's truly capable of doing, but my calling her little girl, which usually does the trick, failed to get much of a reaction from her. That's a disturbing thought; she might actually be learning to control her temper."

"So what?" Draco crossed his arms. "Why would that make a difference?"

"Mister Malfoy .. think. If she is able to keep her temper under control, she won't do anything foolish that could be potentially fatal, such as focusing only on the target of her anger and disregarding everything else around her. She has learned from her mistake, which makes her the most potentially dangerous witch the Auror office has at their disposal."

"You're exaggerating," Draco laughed. "Her? Dangerous? Millie's right; all she does is run and hide."

"Leaving traps in her wake and being quick enough to use anything to her advantage, including those few seconds she gains when you run into, or slip on, one of them."

"Like you did?" Draco sneered.

"Exactly .. more embarrassing than painful .. but, used by her, none the less, to stop me, momentarily, so she could move and re-position herself."

"So, what was that one 'stupid' mistake that almost, but, unfortunately, did not quite, get her killed?"

Snape gave Draco a long, silent look. "You should ask your father about that little incident, Mister Malfoy. He would be startled by my assessment of how dangerous and formidable an enemy Professor Twigg-Jones has become in the intervening years."

Professor Snape turned away and began vanishing the remaining crates and walls and the smoldering ruins of the other crate. Draco stared as Snape's words sank into his brain and their meaning became clear. The others students were watching the emotions flashing across his face: shock, wonder, disbelief, thoughtfulness, anger and finally understanding. Professor Anna Twigg-Jones was the one witch in the world Draco now hated and feared above all others. Even Granger.