Chapter 95: A Piece of Cake (3)
After the commotion of the second Quidditch match subsided, James redirected his focus to other matters, particularly the promised training with Catherine. These sessions were meant to introduce him to the intricacies of wandless magic. Consequently, that particular Sunday afternoon, the two Gryffindors ventured to a secluded spot behind the vegetable patch. Among the tree stumps, perfect for sitting, with an occasional sunbeam piercing through the clouds, they began their practice.
Equipped with a handful of feathers for their exercises in the Levitation Charm, Catherine effortlessly demonstrated its wandless application. However, James's initial attempt mirrored Catherine's first try—nothing short of a complete failure.
"Fuck, why is it so hard?" – swore James, jumping to his feet and starting to pace nervously.
"Of course it's hard! What did you expect?" – asked the young witch.
"To be able to do it after half an hour?" – the boy said sulkily.
"Yeah, right!" – the girl rolled her eyes – "Being so talented in magic made you spoiled and lazy, James Potter!"
"You're one to talk!" – smirked the wizard – "I'm growing tired of the lack of progress, though! How about we do a bit of practice duelling to clear our minds!"
"Alright! Since I have no hair, I'm hardly afraid of getting hurt during duels anymore!" – chuckled Catherine grimly.
"That's not funny, Flame!" – stated James angrily – "You know very well I would never hurt you. We can work on improving our reflexes!"
The two Gryffindors stood opposite each other, wands at the ready, and exchanged formal bows. They turned their backs simultaneously, each taking fifteen paces in opposite directions. Reaching their marked spots at the same time, they turned around to face each other, ready to cast their spells on the count of three. Catherine and James engaged in several rounds of cautious spellcasting, each taking turns to block the other's attempts.
"You need to get more serious, Flame!" – James shouted – "I could block that with my eyes closed!"
'Show-off!'- thought the girl, smirking. With a swift, jabbing motion of her wand, she retaliated, yelling "Vermiexpecto Reversus!"
James dove to the ground, narrowly avoiding the hex. His Quidditch-honed agility helped him spring back to his feet in a second, chuckling. "That was not very smart! If you had hit me with the Slug-Vomiting Hex, who do you think would have to clean up after and take care of me?"
Catherine stuck her tongue out at James, her body tensed and ready to deflect his imminent counterattack at any moment.
"Expelliarmus!"
The third-years' wands flew from their hands and landed in the feet of the bulky, red-headed Gryffindor wearing a Prefect badge.
"What the hell are you doing, Prewett?" – James shouted, his tone laced with anger.
"Fulfilling my duties as a Prefect, Potter!" – the fifth-year replied calmly, picking up the wands from the ground – "Considering you've already broken most of the school rules, I'm pretty sure you know duelling is not allowed."
"We were just practicing our defensive spells! There was no intent to harm!" – Catherine tried to explain.
"You don't owe him any explanations, Flame! I'm sick and tired of newly appointed Prefects always attempting to show their dominance!" – the boy interjected, his frustration evident.
"Shut up, James!" – the girl snapped, annoyed – "There is no grand scheme of the school authorities being out to get you!"
Fabian Prewett burst out laughing at the sight of James' sulky face.
"You're quite fierce, Catherine Plantier!"
"I'm not sure if that's a compliment." – the witch said with a small smile, as the older boy returned her wand.
"It is in my family. In fact, you remind me of my older sister, Molly. The more she loves you, the harsher she is with you." – Fabian said, smiling as he tossed James his wand – "I understand you were practicing, but strictly speaking, it's still forbidden outside of class where teachers are in control and can prevent something bad from happening."
"Yeah, tell me about it!" – Catherine laughed mockingly.
"Well… sometimes it doesn't work that way." – admitted the fifth-year, embarrassed, glancing at his housemate's crimson turban – "I'm actually very surprised Snape was able to pierce your defence."
"As was I." – sighed the young witch – "According to Thorne, I had put so much power into my Shield Charm that it became easy to crack with enough force applied to a small spot."
"I see." – mused Fabian contemplatively – "Protego does indeed lack flexibility. If you wish, I can show you a better protective spell that would help against such attacks?"
"Really?" – Catherine asked, intrigued – "We'd be very grateful if you could spare some time to teach us, right James?"
"Right." – the dark-haired boy confirmed, frowning but still willing to learn a new spell.
"Great!" – smiled the Prefect, moving closer to the third-years and drawing out his own wand – "The incantation is Flexifortis, and the wand movement is in spiral shape. Let me demonstrate! Come on, Potter, do your best!"
James didn't wait to be asked twice and quickly cast a Leg-Locking Curse in Fabian's direction.
"Flexifortis!" – the fifth-year swiftly demonstrated, deflecting James' attack – "You'll feel the bouncing effect and agility of the spell when you cast it yourself."
That turned out to be true, as both Catherine and James experienced firsthand. Naturally, being among the most talented students at school did help them master the new defensive spell in just fifteen minutes.
"I think you both know how to cast it now." – nodded Fabian happily – "It's amazing how quickly the two of you can learn new spells! It took me twice as long! However, duels are still forbidden unless supervised!"
"Fine!" – snapped James – "We'll duel where you won't see us!"
The Prefect paused, torn between his duty and his feelings on the matter, but eventually shrugged and grinned at his housemates. "As long as I don't know, it's not my problem."
"Finally, a Prefect I can learn to like!" – smirked James, watching the other wizard walk towards the castle.
"Well, you can also become one and change the system." – Catherine suggested teasingly.
"I think that magic carpet flew away a long time ago." – chuckled the boy – "With all the trouble we've gotten into during the years, neither you, me, nor Sirius stand a chance of becoming a Prefect! Maybe it's not too late for Moony, though."
"Don't tell him, or he'll start worrying from now on; there are still two years before that even becomes a possibility." – the witch warned her friend with a smile – "Speaking of which, I believe Sirius and Peter should have already managed to sneak out enough food for Remus' birthday party. Let's go!"
"Yeah, you're right. Is it your turn to trick him into coming to his own celebration?" – James asked, grinning.
"I believe it is." – Catherine sighed – "The issue, however, is not so much in tricking him to come out as in persuading him to stay. You know how he is when he needs to talk with more than three people who are not us."
"That I do understand." – James smirked – "We're the best people anyone can talk with, why bother with the rest?"
'And you wonder why Lily calls you a toerag!' – thought the young witch with smirking, as James threw his arm around her shoulders, and the two of them headed back to the Gryffindor Tower.