Chapter 8: Spell Control
{August 4, 1991, Black Manor Courtyard}
Mordred eyed the snarling ape construct warily as it fixed him with a hate-filled glare, saliva dripping from its gnashing fangs. He took a steadying breath, raising his wand as he centered himself.
"Incendio!"
A torrent of golden flames erupted from his wand tip, roaring towards the ape like a breath from an aroused dragon. The magical beast reared back, opening its maw to unleash a deafening howl as the inferno engulfed it.
The fire completely immolated the ape, hungrily consuming its form as Mordred fought to contain the blazing torrent. He could feel sweat beading on his brow from the strain of concentration required to both summon and bind such potent magic.
For a moment, the ape-shape burned bright and defiant amidst the firestorm. Then, like a snapping twig, its fortitude failed. First the outline sagged, then it collapsed entirely into a smoky pyre of charred embers and ash.
Mordred allowed the flames to fully extinguish, dispersing the last tendrils of smoke with a wave of his wand. A glance behind revealed several scorched patches where his fire had lashed out beyond its confines, searing the courtyard stonework.
"You succeeded in subduing the target," Narcissa's measured tones broke the silence, "but at the cost of imprecise control."
She strode over to the burnt areas, crouching down to delicately run her fingers over the scarred rock.
"Absolute mastery over any powerful spell requires rigorous and disciplined practice over months...years in some cases. Gaining even a rudimentary level of control would take at least a week of dedicated efforts with the Incendio."
For the next hour, Mordred repeated the exercise tirelessly, Narcissa conjuring the fiery ape construct again and again. With each attempt, his grasp on shaping the blazing energy grew more refined. While still unable to fully bind the inferno, he could now eliminate the wayward tendrils that had previously scorched the ground.
"Better," Narcissa appraised as the last flames winked out. "A marginal but noticeable improvement in restraint. You clearly have impressive reserves of willpower and potential to draw upon."
Standing once more, her steel gaze bored into Mordred.
"Which is prudent...for we have uncovered merely the surface of your future training so far. Sustaining that determination will prove critical in the challenges yet to come."
With a sweep of her wand, the courtyard was cleansed of all burns and detritus, restored to its original pristine condition.
"Take a brief respite. We reconvene within the hour to begin exploring more advanced offensive and defensive disciplines." Narcissa paused, allowing a thin smile. "And soon you'll need to acquire your equipment from Diagon Alley before joining your studies at Hogwarts."
Narcissa turned on her heel and strode away, leaving Mordred alone with the echoes of roaring flames.
Rather short chapter, tomorrow's will be longer. Had some emergency today in the morning and so my time to write was quite limited ... xD
Soon we will go to Diagon Alley, doing some Hogwarts shopping lol Maybe we will meet some other characters