Chapter 9

Alex knew this was going to be a hard fought battle. He had practiced a quite a number of spells but didn’t master them like he did with the Expelliarmus, Accio and Depulso.

Among his armament of spells where Protego, Stupify, Flipendo, Finite Incantatem, and Verdimillious. Those were just his offensive and defensive spells.

After the count of three by Professor Snape the duel began.

“Immobulus!” Malfoy shouted while he moved his wand.

Alex had read what the spell did, it was on the list of spells he wanted to learn. He knew he had to defend against it or he would lose very quickly.

“Protego” Alex had successfully defended against the blue colored spell.

Malfoy was stunned for a second, he didn't think that a “first year student” would be able to block the spell so casually.

Malfoy knew if he took alex lighty he would most likely lose.

In truth, Alex had struggled to put up his defense in time but didn't show a hint of weakness on his outer appearance. If Alex wanted to win he needed to go on the offensive. He knew Malfoy had more mana than himself. If it was a battle of attrition Alex didn't have a chance of winning.

Alex quickly moved his wand casting one spell after another but Malfoy either reflected them or countered them.

Alex was running out of mana too fast, he needed to win right now or he would lose in the next 3 spells. Alex knew he could only win if he made Malfoy drop his guard.

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Alex shouted “Flipendo” but quickly canceled the spell which caused the light on his wand to quickly flash for a second, appearing like he had consumed his mana.

“Hahaha, looks like you've run out of magic the win is mine!” Malfoy brandished his wand, but before he could say the next spell alex quickly shouted at the top of his lungs “Verdimillious!!”

Green sparks filled the stage, Alex used the rest of his mana in one final shot, luckily it wasn't in vain. Alex’s spell landed on Malfoy’s chest, Malfoy was sent back a couple feet lying on his back unconscious.

Shortly after a thud was heard, Alex fell sideways he had used up all his mana he needed to be taken to the infirmary. The Gryffindor students took Alex to Madam Pomfrey the school’s nurse.

“Where am I?” Alex woke up feeling extremely weak. Alex looked around and saw his friends Harry, Hermione and Ron.

“That was amazing Alex you won against malfoy in the duel by a hair!” Ron spoke after seeing alex woke up not bothering to answer his question.

“You've been unconscious for 3 days, you're in the schools infirmary” Hermione answered Alex’s question.

An old lady wearing a nurses outfit came beside Alex and spoke “here drink this”. The lady handed Alex a flask with blue liquid in it.

“It's a mana recovery potion drink up.” The lady wearing the nurse outfit gently said.

Alex took a sip out of the flask but he didn't expect it to taste so awful. He spat it out in Rons direction. Ron’s face was drenched in the mana potion.

“You didn't expect it to taste like blueberries did you, well you still need to drink it” the nurse said then left, she had other students to attend to.

“Sorry Ron I didn't do it on purpose, I promise” Alex looked at ron with an embarrassed look.

Ron cleaned his face with napkin “Ima go shower i'll see you guys later”. Ron left first.

“We should probably get going too, Alex needs to rest” Hermione looked at Harry after speaking.

“Wait” Alex stopped them before they left “what do you guys want for christmas? I can’t figure out what you guys would want”.

“Um nothing really we’re okay you don't have to get us a present” Harry spoke for both himself and Hermione.

“What about Ron or Ginny?” Alex asked about what he should get Ron and Ginny.

“Probably nothing the same thing as us” Harry replied to alex.

Alex scratched his head “But it's christmas I have to get you guys something” Alex spoke

Both Harry and Hermione shook their head side to side. “What about you Hermione? I owe you for the robes” Alex asked again but this time it was only directed at Hermione.

Hermione began pondering what she wanted it was true Alex did owe Hermione “How bout something violet?” she finally answered both Harry and Hermione left the infirmary.

Alex realized that violet must have been her favorite color. It was too vague Alex thought to himself.

“Violet... Something violet.” Alex muttered to himself.

It would take about 3 days for alex's mana to recover since his body had become weak and inefficient at absorbing mana hence it required the mana potion.