Harry Potter: Bloodling

"Let's find a corner," Marie suggested in a hushed tone. "It'll be easier to practise Charms without disturbing anyone else."

Elijah's lips curved into a polite smile. "Lead the way, my dear."

This was something else that had been bothering Marie lately—no, bothering isn't the right word—the way he addressed her with such old-fashioned formality.

It made her stomach flutter with a mix of nerves and something else.

They threaded past tall bookcases of Charms and Defence references—dust motes floating in the hazy sunlight slanting through high, arched windows.

At last, Marie found a secluded alcove near the Restricted Section, where a wide wooden table was tucked into a quiet niche.

No other students were nearby, and the thick spines of ancient books formed a wall behind them, offering some measure of privacy.

"This looks… cosy," Marie said, placing her bag on the table and pulling out parchment, quills, and her Charms textbook.

She paused, shooting Elijah a shy glance. "I'm not sure how much practise we can do in here—Umbraculum Apparare creates illusions that can catch attention."

Elijah set his own books down with regal poise. "We shall be discreet," he assured her. "Besides, the illusions needn't be grandiose. A small demonstration will suffice."

Marie nodded. Truthfully, she wasn't just nervous about getting caught by Madam Pince. She was nervous about being alone with him. Something about Elijah's presence made her heart flutter in the strangest way…

He's just a fellow student and a friend, she admonished herself, cracking open her Charms textbook to the appropriate chapter. Focus, Marie. Focus on the spell.

"Let's start," she said, flipping to the page on shaping illusions. "Flitwick said we need to maintain a steady image in our minds, letting the magic anchor itself in existing shadows."

Elijah leaned forward slightly, resting his chin on interlaced fingers. "That's right," he said smoothly. "Why not begin by visualising something simple yet memorable? A personal token, maybe, or an image that truly speaks to you."

His gaze was so intent that Marie found herself flushing again. She took a slow breath, brandishing her wand. "All right. I'll try… well, I'll try something that's important to me."

She steadied her grip and recalled the shape of her grandmother's old pocket watch—a battered, antique piece that had been passed down through her family. It always felt like a small piece of home.

Murmuring the incantation, she swirled her wand carefully, mimicking Flitwick's instructions.

The shadows under the table quivered, beginning to gather in a hazy lump. Slowly, wavering lines coalesced into the outline of a watch's face, swirling with smoky detail.

Marie's concentration faltered for an instant when she thought she saw movement in the corner of her eye—Elijah shifting ever so slightly, as though leaning closer.

The watch flickered, dissolving back into empty shadows…

"Ah—sorry," she breathed, cheeks heating. "I lost focus."

"You're doing remarkably well for a first attempt in a cramped alcove."

Elijah's voice was warm—comforting, almost.

"Perhaps, if it helps, you might block out your surroundings. Close your eyes and try to imagine the darkness, sense it."

Nodding, Marie closed her eyes, he must know what he's talking about, given how well he cast that spell.

With the library's hush draping around them like a heavy curtain, she tried again—summoning the memory of her grandmother's watch, the weight of it, the chipped gold plating, the faint ticking noise.

"Umbraculum Apparare," she whispered.

She felt the spark of magic surge through her armand , felt a slight pull in the air as the shadows responded.

When she opened her eyes, the watch—though roughly outlined—hung in midair, turning slowly like a suspended marionette.

"I did it!" she whispered, her voice trembling with excitement. The watch bobbed in place, the edges shifting like a living shadow. It wasn't perfect, but the resemblance was there.

Elijah's smile reached his eyes. "Indeed, you did."

She kept it hovering for a few more seconds before letting the shape dissipate. The strain of sustaining it left her breathless, but also oddly exhilarated.

"Your control is improving," Elijah observed. "Hold on to that clarity you felt just now—the sense of something precious guiding your focus—and try again."

Marie exhaled slowly, trying to steady the flutter in her chest. "Thank you… for the advice."

She tried casting the spell a few more times, and each time, the shadowy watch grew more distinct, its edges crisper and the details more refined.

Though maintaining the illusion still taxed her concentration, Marie found herself settling into a comfortable rhythm, guided by Elijah's patient presence beside her.

After a while, she managed an exact replica and lowered her wand, turning to him with a tired smile. "Why don't you have a go now?"

He inclined his head. "As you wish."

With an elegant flick of his wand, Elijah drew a swirl of shadows from beneath the table.

They immediately spun upwards, languid and graceful, as though drawn by an invisible tide.

His expression seemed distant, contemplative—like an artist focused on his canvas.

The same figure from before began to take shape—Marie.

However, unlike last time, the shape wasn't a small figurine and the detail of the shadow's figure was exquisite.

Marie found herself staring at her body.

It was like looking into a mirror made of living shadows.

Each detail seemed to shimmer with ethereal grace—from the curve of her smile to the way her robes hugged her body.

Marie was awestruck but as soon as she realised that Elijah had to really look at her to create her replica, her face flushed crimson.

She couldn't bring herself to meet his eyes, though she felt his intense gaze still upon her.

"That's... amazing," Marie managed to say, her voice barely above a whisper.

She couldn't help but wonder what it meant that he'd chosen to recreate her image with such careful attention.

We're just friends… right?

.

Let me see those collection and powerstones go higher and I might just post an extra chapter.