Hogwarts: Knight Wizard

The first day back at Hogwarts after the holidays always flew by. Most students were bustling between classrooms and common rooms, but the Slytherin first-years had it relatively easy. They only had two classes: Herbology in the morning, where Professor Sprout's gentle assignment was to identify the toxicity of a few plants, and History of Magic in the afternoon. Luckily, Professor Binns, absent-minded after the long break, showed up half a lesson late.

He hurriedly quizzed them about Oddball Yorick, assigned a short essay, and dismissed the class.

Draco Malfoy couldn't remember ever being this excited for an evening at Hogwarts.

After Edward checked his History of Magic homework that afternoon, Draco had been in a state of restless anticipation, muttering to himself in the common room, pacing in front of the wall.

When Pansy, Crabbe, Goyle, or even the usually solitary Blaise and Theodore passed by, they'd ask what he was up to. But every time someone approached, Draco would clam up and brush them off with vague excuses.

This went on until after dinner.

To avoid suspicion, Draco suggested to Edward and Daphne that they leave for their secret meeting in staggered intervals—Edward first, then Daphne, and Draco last.

Finally, when no one was watching, Draco slipped out of the common room, darted up the stairs, and weaved through a few corridors until he reached the statue of Groveling Gregory.

Edward and Daphne were already waiting.

"You're two minutes and thirty-six seconds late, Draco," Daphne said, snapping shut a delicate gold pocket watch with an air of superiority.

"It's just two minutes, and there's no one around," Draco said, waving it off. "Why didn't you go in already?"

"We weren't entirely confident in your navigation skills. There are a lot of forks and dead ends in there," Edward replied, waving his wand to open the secret passage behind the statue. They slipped inside one by one.

The trio soon arrived at the familiar open space. It looked much the same as before, though noticeably cleaner.

Last time they were here, Edward had cast a few Cleaning Charms and added protective spells. He'd also left a few enchanted lamps for light, so they wouldn't have to fumble with Lumos in the dark.

"Let's get started with today's lesson—the Disarming Charm," Edward said, drawing his wand. "But first, I need to check your progress from last time."

Draco puffed out his chest, confident in his mastery of the Shield Charm. He'd spent nearly the entire day practicing it against the common room wall.

"What are we waiting for? Let's do this! Protego—" Draco started to cast, but Edward cut him off.

"Hold on, Draco. Casting the spell isn't the same as mastering it," Edward said, stepping a few paces away. "The Shield Charm is meant to protect you in sudden situations, like a duel with another wizard. It's a practical, combat-ready spell."

"And the best way to test it is in a duel."

"I want you both to block my spells as best you can. If you've got the chance, try counterattacking. That'll really show how much you've learned."

Edward assumed a dueling stance, wand aimed at the pair.

"Oh, this is exactly what I was hoping for," Daphne said, a satisfied smirk curling her lips. "Bring it on."

Draco, still wary from past duels, felt he'd improved significantly. He stepped up beside Daphne, ready to prove himself.

The room fell silent for a moment. Suddenly, the flames in the corner lamps flickered sharply in one direction.

"*Stupefy!*" Edward's spell shot out like lightning, sending a gust of air toward Draco.

"*Protego!*"

Draco's reaction was half a beat too slow. His Shield Charm flared just as the red light grazed past his ear, hitting the wall behind him with a dull thud.

Draco's face paled.

He knew Edward had aimed to miss. If he hadn't, Draco would already be sprawled unconscious on the floor.

"Focus, Draco! You too, Daphne!" Edward barked. "*Expelliarmus!*"

"*Protego!*"

Learning from Draco's mistake, Daphne reacted in time. The red light from Edward's wand bounced off an invisible barrier.

"Nice! Keep it up!"

After a few more rounds, Draco found his rhythm, and both he and Daphne managed to block Edward's spells consistently.

But the two young wizards were soon exhausted. Draco's legs and wand arm trembled, his muscles screaming in protest. Daphne, though silent, was breathing heavily, her gasps quiet but noticeable.

"Feeling tired? Take a break and listen," Edward said kindly, waving his wand to summon two miniature sofas from his Extendable Bag, then enlarging them.

Draco collapsed onto one like a Niffler spotting gold coins.

Daphne, though equally drained, sat down with her usual grace.

"Merlin's beard, Edward, do you have troll blood or something? No offense, but don't you ever get tired?" Draco asked, gulping down pumpkin juice Edward had brought.

"You think I go jogging every morning for fun?" Edward said with a laugh. "The idea that wizards don't need physical training is a total myth."

"Picture this: you're dueling a wizard who's your equal in magic, but their reflexes are sharper, their movements quicker, and your spells barely faze them because they're in better shape. What do you do then?"

Draco frowned, clearly mulling it over.

"I don't know, but Edward, that sounds an awful lot like you," he said.

"No, it's not him, because you're nowhere near his level, Draco," Daphne quipped, her energy seemingly restored.

"Alright, as much as I'd love to hammer home the importance of fitness, that's not today's focus. Let's talk about the Disarming Charm," Edward said, stifling a chuckle and steering the conversation back on track.

"The Disarming Charm—Expelliarmus—does exactly what it sounds like. It knocks a weapon, usually a wand, out of your opponent's hand."

"This spell was created by none other than the legendary wizard Merlin."

Daphne cut in. "But according to Miranda Goshawk, the Disarming Charm was invented by a witch named Elizabeth Smudging, as written in The Book of Spells."

Daphne had been doing her homework on the charm since before Christmas.

"No, no, Daphne. While The Book of Spells says that, I've got a more reliable source. I'm certain Merlin invented it," Edward said, wagging a finger.

The spell was documented in the Magical Knight's Handbook.

"Expelliarmus—perfect for messing with Sir Lancelot after going invisible! —Merlin."

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