𝒞𝒽𝒶𝓅𝓉𝑒𝓇 𝒯𝓌𝑒𝓃𝓉𝓎-𝒪𝓃𝑒

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The atmosphere just before a class was always interesting. It was as if you had taken a sample size of society and observed the social constructs. In even a small group of 20 students at most, you could see the same patterns you did in gatherings of thousands.

Cliques of friends buddied up around a table, gossiping away. The loner kids sat apart from the crowd, reading a book in their downtime. Near strangers who had just ended up table buddied discussed the latest assignment.

Loud friends carry the bulk of the noise in the room. The quiet ones just minding their business. And the strangers awkwardly fill the space between them with small talk. Social situations you could find anywhere in the world.

But classrooms differed from large groups in one special way… speak just a bit too loud, and everyone hears it… and because of the familiarity even the two most lone wolf of students have for one another, anyone and everyone gets dragged into the conversation. You can start with everyone in the room living their own lives, their own social circles, never any mixing. But with just the right topic… everyone's interest is piqued, and everyone comes together.

Iris Blackwell was the proud instigator of the conversation that began in that moment while the students waited on Remus Lupin to start their DADA lesson. Just by asking for clarification on something Sally-Ann said the slightest bit too loudly. She brought together everyone… from the Gryffindor stars to Theodore Nott. Everyone wanted to at least listen to what she had started.

"How could second years join a dueling club?"

Just a simple question in response to Sally-Ann explaining the shenanigans of their DADA professor from the previous school year. The only agreed-upon good thing he ever did, having been showing an interest in dueling.

Well, it was a question that opened up a whole topic of conversation, with nearly everyone turning on the newest student with confused stares.

Dean Thomas, a Gryffindor, was the first to question Iris right back, "Why couldn't second years join a dueling club?"

Iris' eyebrows knitted together, her head tilting in question as she shifted in her spot leaned up against one of the tables. The answer seemed rather obvious to her as she dragged out her words, "Just based on your curriculum, second years are not exposed to any real dueling spells… hard to duel without protego or any basic offensive spells."

Things exploded a bit from there.

Everyone in the room, save for a few, began on and on. People named off spells they knew. Some considering their odds in any real sort of fight. And one agreed-upon problem, why weren't they being exposed to dueling? After all, defending yourself from other people tended to be far more important in this world than a Grindylow.

Iris had personally tapped out long ago, moving from her position that had her near the center of the room. Instead, taking up her regular seat. She smiled quickly at the nervous boy Neville Longbottom who sat in front of her before just leaning back in her chair and enjoying the new energy in the room.

The conversation had grown so intense hardly anyone had even noticed when their Professor entered the room, looking completely and utterly lost. He stood frozen at the door for a moment too long before he met Iris' eyes, that smirk on her lips far too familiar for comfort.

But sighing it off, Remus Lupin just snuck himself over to his desk, took his sweet time settling in, and then, oh so casually, raised his wand. Iris' eyes widened as she quickly waved a hand… just in time to surround herself with a soundproof barrier before Remus swished his wand.

A sound only to be described as an inhuman screech wailed into the room. Frightening the students lost in conversation, doing anything to attempt to block out the noise.

As Remus simply flicked his wand again, the screech vanished on its own. And within seconds, Remus finally had all eyes on him, "So everyone can get back to their seats before we continue our lesson…."

Remus faded off as he watched one arm fly into the air. Waving like a maniac for attention. An arm he very rarely ever saw asking for a question. So raising an eyebrow, he very cautiously allowed the girl to speak.

And speak Sally-Ann did, "Sir, why isn't dueling ever given more focus in our studies?"

The room was deathly silent. It was one of those rare moments for a teacher where every pair of eyes was locked onto you with full attention. A collective interest sparked in the vastly differing group of teenagers.

And the best teachers know that when that collective interest is there… you nurture it. So, Remus Lupin, proving to be one of the best, nodded to himself as he rounded back to the front of his desk. Leaning up against it as he folded his arms and looked out to his students.

"Dueling requires a skill set that the curriculum does not spare us time to teach. You will run into many of the spells in your later classes. But, unfortunately, dueling practice is something only Aurors receive the pleasure of."

Blaise Zabini chimed in, "But in the case of another war, shouldn't more people be practiced in dueling?"

Remus flinched just barely at the question, whether out of an ensuing flood of memories… or just out of a fear of approaching a more sensitive topic. But luckily, he was saved… though by someone very unexpected.

Theodore Nott had a distinctive voice, even if anyone rarely had the joy of hearing it. Iris didn't seem to find it a joy as the glare jumped to her face, though, "Anyone can duel, and most people are on the same level. No one learns how to properly duel… everyone is on the same page, so no lessons are needed."

Recovering from his quick slip and glancing towards Iris for just a moment, he explained further, "Being able to cast the basic offensive spells and protego will set you on equal footing with most anyone you would be against. No extensive practice is needed in facing the average opponent," his eyes scanned the room, "What makes a true, experienced duelist is the ability to use magic in ways others wouldn't think. To have a mastery over the spells and to push the limits of that spell. A great duelist taps into a more creative use of magic."

And there again came Theodore Nott, a quirk to his lips that only Remus and one special admirer of his could catch, "And if there is one thing about our people… we lack a right side of the brain."

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Remus smiled at that, his eyes once more darting to Iris, who still seemed far less than happy… she never did fully explain what had happened between her and Theodore Nott.

"Can we duel in this class?"

Remus wouldn't even be able to place just who has asked that. His mind elsewhere as he heard it. But part of him suspected that really it was the one question everyone in that room wanted to ask.

He really just had to smile at the shared enthusiasm. He had to be realistic… but he couldn't just completely kill it, "None of you would make for interesting duelists at this point in your education. But…" he trailed off, eyes back on Iris.

"Iris, how confident are you in dueling a classmate?"

A part of her was still on edge… but Remus caught the flicker of trouble cross her face, "Basically no practical application, but I know the spells individually… I could easily have any student in this room tapped out in one minute."

Remus tilted his head at the girl, his eyes falling back to his students as he smirked, "Anyone want the challenge?"

The room was almost too quiet… it had no right being that quiet, considering the conversations and boasting happening in the moments leading up to class. But it seemed something in the talk with their Professor… or at least the threat of Iris Blackwell had tempered egos.

All except 1… that one distinctive voice that had spoken more in this lesson than he normally did in full weeks as of late, "I can hold a fight."

Theodore Nott would, of course, be the only one willing to take the challenge.

~~~~~~

Somehow, even standing directly across from each other. Eyes quite literally only locked forward, Iris could still avoid looking at him. A distant sort of look swirling within that just screamed that she wasn't even providing him her full attention.

Remus explained the rules quickly, only allowing a quick matchup for the two. One minute, then he would call time. Basic spells only. Nothing that would cause lasting harm.

It almost seemed a poor choice… this fight… no, this duel. A duel with a fighting pair going head to head. It seemed very bad… something that could quickly turn wrong with one snap in temper.

But nonetheless, there they stood. Wands at the ready as they awaited the green light.

A green light that was just a moment away as Remus began his countdown from 5.

Five. Iris twirled her wand, eyes stone cold.

Four. Theodore shifted his stance to be prepared, hand gripping his wand tighter.

Three. Iris took in a deep breath… stretching her ankle in a quick circle-like roll.

Two. Theodore remained a statue… his face set firmly in that annoyed look in his eyes.

On—

"Protego!"

Iris scoffed as the quick flash of her blue barrier came and went. In the same movement of lowering her wand, she lunged forward, a confident "Flipendo!" Sent right back Theodore's way.

Having thrown the first blow gave him the time to expect the quick counter, his own red barrier coming into existence with ease. And before anyone in the room had time to think, he went again.

Iris' shield was already in the process of being formed as the lone word left his lips. She hadn't even taken time to hear it. A bad mistake.

Reducto hit Iris's blue barrier with a large blast. The blue of the magic broke like glass just before her eyes. Throwing her off guard and leaving her all too unprepared for the second spell Theodore Nott had sent her way.

"Expelliarmus!"

And just like that, Iris could only watch as her wand slipped from her hand. Watch as she would be left without any defense. Watch as Theodore Nott reached out his free hand to catch the wand flying his way… watch as he beat her. That. That right there was not something she was going to allow.

No one else would notice it in the mere fraction of a second it occurred in… no one but Remus would see how her face all but hardened. The way a dangerous glint flashed over her darkening eyes. But there wasn't even time to stop what she had in mind.

Iris reached out a hand, wand immediately switching direction, returning straight to the hands of whose soul it was bound.

Her power over this duel… her power in this fight, returned in mere moments.

"Flipendo!"

First, she was met with redemption, this spell landing before her opponent could even notice she had her wand back. He flew backward.

"Accio!"

Before he could slam into the ground, he was jerked forward. Pulled by his shirt at an unnerving speed forward.

“Petrificus Totalus!”

When in arm's length, she grabbed at his collar, pulling him up to meet her face-to-face before she poked her wand at his neck. He froze in place, body paralyzed and at the mercy of the wand still held at his neck.

That… that was the first moment in… so long that Iris Blackwell and Theodore Nott finally met each other eye to eye once more. The first time in so long she had even really looked at him. Pity for him that it had to be that look in her eyes. That built-up anger all flowing out. Wand held at his throat, her jaw clenched as she seemed to contemplate the finishing blow.

And maybe it was the spell… but Theodore just stuck with looking right back. He had some control over his eyes and definitely still control over the emotions that swirled within… so how was he so able to stay calm? How could he meet those dark eyes that screamed for his pain and just seem so wholly unaffected?

Well, whatever in him just knew that she wouldn't do it… that she would get a handle on that burst of anger… it was right. Ultimately she returned to her senses, her eyes lightening up as she dropped her hold on the boy, backing away as she blinked to herself. Pulled herself back into reality with a quick look around the room.

Everyone clapped.

All so unaware of just how the girl had snapped, just impressed with the quick display of magic.

Well, nearly everyone was unaware. Remus knew… Remus witnessed it… he should have expected it. But all he could do now was just roll with what he had allowed. Help Theodore into a seat as the paralysis wore off.

And just finish off the detour in the lesson with his final words, "Now as impressive as being able to perform those spells. Iris is still by no means an incredible duelist. She could be beaten by someone with more practice and easily lose to someone with a more thoughtful approach to just how many ways you can bring magic in to throw off an opponent…."

Iris sat at her seat, looking all levels of disassociated. Her eyes fogged over as she seemed to come to terms with how she had reacted… as she appeared to reel back in from whatever it was that had crossed her mind.

Two pairs of eyes locked on her. One the pair of her table partner… Sally-Ann catching more than she had made obvious. And… of course, the boy who just looked death in the eyes.

~~~~~~

Sally-Ann was a leader. She was the one who looked out for her people. She was much more observant than anyone gave her credit for. And had the confidence to face her observations head-on.

So, walking with Iris to the Great Hall, she didn't even think for a second about avoiding the topic. "Did you finally let out some of your anger towards Nott with that display?"

She frowned at how Iris remained quiet, not even a smirk for how she had performed. So Sally-Ann could just drop the laughs and get to the point, "Because of you basically forcing him to be around us, the rest of us started to really like Nott. And I think a small bit of him started to like us."

Iris was in probably the oddest state she had yet to be in. Sally-Ann could only hope part of her was listening, "A few days after you two started avoiding one another, he pulled me aside and asked how I felt about the word Mudblood. He didn't apologize," Sally-Ann smiled to herself as she said it, "Very him thing to not directly apologize, but… he hasn't dropped the word once since."

Sally-Ann glanced Iris' way, smiling but refusing to draw too much attention to how her head had tilted. "I don't know exactly everything that went down between the two of you, but… I think he truly does want to do better. He's a good guy. Just his whole life has had certain views drilled into his head… and before you, no one had really called attention to how wrong it was."

She quieted a moment as she searched the growing crowd for the rest of their group. Leaving Iris a moment to finally begin coming back to life. Her posture straightened, eyes regaining their hyper-awareness of the world. And even her first words again, "That's not enough for me."

Sally-Ann jumped just a tad bit as she looked back to the taller girl, choosing to bump her lightly as they continued their walk, throwing her final words on the matter into the air, "You deserve to be angry over what he said to get you to hold that much animosity. Just since you haven't been paying much attention to him, figured I may as well tell you that he at least isn't some perfect Death Eater Son or anything."

Iris did what she did best when lacking the voice for her thoughts. She just hummed in faint acknowledgment.