Harry Potter's : Fantastic Beasts Guide

David stood across from Professor Flitwick, his wand firmly in his grasp.

"Are you ready?" Professor Flitwick asked, his small figure radiating a surprising aura of confidence.

David nodded, his eyes locked on his opponent.

"Well, you can go first," Flitwick offered, gesturing grandly.

After a respectful bow, David focused intently, his body tensing as he raised his wand, feigning an attack. He watched Flitwick's feet, anticipating his movement. Just as Flitwick shifted his weight, David pivoted sharply, casting a Stupefy in the direction his professor was about to move.

But Flitwick was quicker. With a graceful turn, he dodged the spell effortlessly. The curse whizzed past and hit the carpet behind him, leaving a faint scorch mark.

"Expelliarmus!" Flitwick countered in a flash, his voice calm and steady.

David felt the wand slip from his fingers before he even had a chance to react. It soared across the room and landed neatly in Flitwick's outstretched hand.

"Very good!" Flitwick said with a grin, his eyes twinkling with approval. "You used a feint to mislead me, which is an excellent tactic. But you were too obvious. Your eyes and posture gave away your true intentions."

David listened attentively, soaking up every word. There was no shame in losing to a dueling champion.

"The essence of dueling," Flitwick continued, his tone shifting to a more serious note, "is to predict your opponent's next move. It's a game of the mind, not just spells. If you can read their intentions, you can counter them before they even act."

David nodded, his respect for Flitwick deepening.

"Now, let's split into pairs for practice," Flitwick instructed, clapping his hands to gather the others' attention. "There are five of you, so one of you will be with me."

Before anyone else could react, Hermione darted to David's side. "I'll partner with David!" she declared with determination.

David looked at her in surprise but smiled, sensing her competitive spirit.

Ron and Harry quickly paired up, leaving Neville to look around nervously. He opened his mouth, ready to protest, but Flitwick smiled kindly. "Looks like you're with me, Mr. Longbottom."

Neville's shoulders drooped, but he nodded meekly.

"Alright!" Flitwick announced, his voice firm but encouraging. "Observe each other closely. Watch for the slightest flick of the wrist, a shift in balance, even a glance that betrays where the spell will be aimed. Remember, in a duel, the smallest details can mean victory or defeat."

David turned to Hermione, who was already gripping her wand tightly, her eyes fierce with focus.

"Ready?" he asked, his tone playful.

"Of course!" Hermione replied, her voice steady but a little too eager. She took a deep breath, her wand moving in a small arc. "Expelliarmus!"

David watched her carefully, standing completely still as the spell soared past his shoulder.

Hermione's mouth fell open. "Why didn't you dodge?"

David chuckled. "Your eyes were fixed on my left side. I knew you weren't really aiming for me."

Hermione flushed with embarrassment. "Ugh! I thought I was being clever."

"You were," David reassured her. "But your eyes gave it away."

Hermione huffed, clearly frustrated. "Alright, your turn!"

David raised his wand, his expression neutral. He moved his wrist slightly to the left, watching Hermione's shoulders tense as she anticipated his next move. Then, with a sharp flick, he sent the spell to her right instead. "Expelliarmus!"

Hermione's wand flew out of her hand before she could even react.

Her eyes widened. "How did you—"

David grinned. "Your body was ready to dodge left the moment I moved. You gave away your plan before I even cast the spell."

Hermione groaned, stomping her foot in frustration. "This is so unfair! I thought I was hiding it better this time!"

"You did," David said, his voice gentle. "But the trick isn't to hide your intentions. It's to not have them at all. Keep your mind clear, and your body won't give you away."

Hermione looked at him with a newfound respect, her frustration slowly melting away. "Alright, let's try again. I'm not giving up until I hit you at least once!"

David laughed, his admiration for her stubbornness growing. "Alright, Hermione. Bring it on."

The rest of the lesson continued with Hermione attacking relentlessly, her determination unwavering. But no matter how hard she tried, David dodged every spell, his movements fluid and precise.

By the end of the session, Hermione was sitting on the floor, her shoulders slumped in defeat.

"Miss Granger," Flitwick called out gently, "Would you like to switch partners for next time?"

Hermione's eyes burned with fierce determination. "No! I'm going to beat him. Just wait and see!"

David watched her storm out of the room, her spirit unbroken. He couldn't help but smile.

"Maybe you should let her win once," Flitwick suggested softly, his eyes sparkling with mischief.

David chuckled. "Maybe."

As he left the room, he saw Hermione waiting for him by the door. She gave him a challenging look.

"Ready to go?" David asked.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "Next time, you're going down."

David laughed, his heart lighter than it had been in a long time. "I look forward to it, Hermione."

And with that, they walked down the hallway together, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.