Duelling Classroom ((Dana & Kris))

[kris]

Kris smiled. It was barely a twitch of his lip-corners, that was controlled immidiately, but it had shown for a moment. Hardy seemed to take his off-handedly thrown comment rather severly. At least she didn’t seem to be thinking about her pain any more, as more important matters had taken the place wehre she had acknowledged her hurt. Kris wondered if he had learned to know the professors character well enough. Was the professor drawing herself upright? Staring at him at a bit disapprovingly with her back unbelieveably straight?

„Do you know, what makes a general great, professor? The ability to take every life of his – or hers – soldiers personally. To feel the loss of every recruit like loosing your best friend. That keeps the general from doing mistakes and sending his/hers men into pointless slaughter. But when the need arises the general must also be able to look at fallen soldiers as statistics. Without that ability the general is a coward. Sometimes you have to take risks. It’s better to let 1 die, for 10 to live. Let 10 die for 100 to live and learn from the mistakes that caused others to die. Would you have preferred that Hitler nad his Nazis won the Second World War? That those pilots would have surrendered and not be guilt honorably in battle, but be humiliated and killed in the prison camps in much more painful ways?“ Kris stared off just ahead of of him as his wand was almost slowly twirling between his fingers. He had learned history and the WW 2 had influenced not only muggles but the magical world as well.
„I don’t think that Hitler and Voldemort are exactly in the same league, as Hitler – and Stalin for that matter – were much more dangerous. Caused the deaths of more people than Voldemort ever can, as Voldemort doesn’t realize the power of some muggle weapons. Nuclear weapons for example – there isn’t a spell that could compete with that. Nor should Voldemort have such powerful ally as Hitler had in Stalin in the beginning of the war, so the aurors are in a better position than the pilots were in the World War.“

Raising his wand Kris pointed it at Dana casing the spell: „Petrificus Totalus.” He hadn’t flinched at saying Voldemort’s name. He had been brought up differently. His earliest childhood had been spent in an other country, where Voldemorts name was spoken rather freely as the horrors of his deeds didn’t touch Italy and France that closely. And Kris’s father and later on his legal guardians had never hid the name from him. Even when he didn’t make a habit of talking about Voldemort loudly.
“Personally I prefer the death of those few aurors to the deaths of the whole student-body of Hogwarts. I do like some of the Slytherins,” Kris remarked coolly, silently adding that Dana had been on the train as well, “And just for the record – Julien read the reports about the attack to me with comments from Meredith. Who else would have had access to it?”

[dana]

Dana merely shook her head, while shielding her grin. Hardy and Kris were both stubborn. But she ahd to admit that it was amusing. Kris didn’t really seem to mimnd much harder as form between her lashes Dana caught the slight twitch on his mouth.
„I’m not even going to comment on the choice of conversational topic,“ Dana replied raising her wand to block Kris’s spell as she enchanted the correct charm: „Protego!“

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Kris casts Petrificus Totalus, he has a 62.5% success chance.

*Dice... 5 ... = 62.5% ... Success!*

Kris casts Petrificus Totalus. Dana casts the correct defense, Protego, she has a 75% success chance.

*Dice... 8 ... = 100% ... Failure!*

Dana fails to cast Protego, so Kris' Petrificus Totalus hits with the full 3 points.

Final Score - Dana 3.5, Kris 4.5))

Amaryllis listened to Mr. Graas' speech with as neutral an expression as she found it possible to maintain. Inexplicably she felt rather agitated and she flinched automatically at the sound of You-Know-Who's name. When he had first appeared and begun to terrorise people, she'd still been at Hogwarts - doing her OWLs in fact - and people were afraid to speak his name. She wouldn't do something that was taboo when she was made to feel uncomfortable with it herself. She wouldn't have felt uncomfortable had others evidently not been - when she thought about it, it was merely a name - but if everyone else was scared of the name there must be a reason to be scared of it. Amaryllis was frightened of the reality. She had often wondered whether she would manage to live long enough to complete her time at Hogwarts. She'd been lucky though, she supposed. She was here now, and so was Robert; most of his youthful years unmarred by the fear of You-Know-Who. Roger too now, though much had changed in his absence.

Amaryllis forced herself back to the present with a jerk. During her moment of inattention Mr. Graas had cast the full Body-Bind, Miss Coran had failed to cast her defence spell properly and was now immobilised, probably soon to lose any stability she still had. All this had been going on in front of her eyes and she hadn't taken any notice of it! Feeling rather flustered, she conjured some cushions, a dark blue sudden ray of light blossoming into large, spiralling grey cushions. Amaryllis frowned at that - she'd never been much good at Divination but she was fairly sure grey was something to do with worry. Well, she supposed she had enough to worry about. She just wished it wouldn't find every little opportunity it had to assert itself. "Priori Incantem," she said quickly, in order to grant Miss Coran movement.

"I think it would be fair to say that was a very effective spell, Mr. Graas," she said. "I can't comment for sure on the stem of your problems, Miss Coran, although it's possible a lack of concentration was a factor." Amaryllis gave a half-smile to acknowledge that she had suffered from the same affliction momentarily, before walking back to her desk and easing herself into her chair. Certainly nobody had got hurt so she was right that she was able to prevent that. However, she did feel rather strained now and so it was probably best that she sit down. She had every intention of being able to teach and oversee duelling tomorrow as she had today but there was no point foolishly wasting her strength to prove a point she hadn't even properly made.

She was trying to account for herself, which there was no point in trying to do, of course. She'd do better focusing on the things she had to do. "Well Mr. Graas," she said, moving off on that new course of action she'd set for herself, "I would say you were probably the stronger contestant in this duel. And since I know Miss Coran's duelling skills are not ones to be underestimated, I would say that, whether your magical powers be diminished or not - which I doubt - you are quite capable of defending yourself as far as casting your spells correctly goes. I'm slightly more dubious as to how you would find the positioning of someone who wasn't kind enough to keep a fixed position though." Amaryllis pondered for a moment, wondering whether to voice her idea. Was Mr. Graas the right person to... Yes, she must. "I can only think of one proper solution right now," she continued. " - that you learn Legilimency. Its teaching is most likely becoming more and more restricted but I'm fairly sure you'll be able to merit an exception to the rules. If you were to learn it, however, I would not advise abusing the priviledge. There will not be many Legilimens among the student body of Hogwarts." Amaryllis smiled at both of the sixth years (although of course there was no point smiling at Mr. Graas unless Miss Coran were to tell him she had done so) before saying, "10 points to both of your houses, of course - it was a good duel, although not the best I've seen from you, Miss Coran. I think you probably deserve another 10 points also Mr. Graas, since you ensured one of my best duellists is still here today." Amaryllis stood up again, opening the heavy door of the duelling classroom to allow the two students to leave.

"I think it's a shame we lack a great general then, don't you Mr. Graas?" she added more quietly. "And that they're in far too short supply. Was it necessary for those pilots to die in that way? The situation for the British air forces was critical at that point. It was only a change in tactics by the opposing commander which meant they did not lose the Battle of Britain there and then. So maybe their being there meant that change in tactics. Or maybe more training before they went into fighting would have meant that they had made more impact to stop that critical point from being reached. But time wasn't on their side, so they had little choice." Amaryllis stopped rather abruptly, before continuing, "And yes, the delay on the train did stop the Death Eaters' plans from working as far as we can work out. But none of it should be necessary." Amaryllis regarded the Slytherin coolly. He couldn't see it but it didn't matter. It was for her own sake, so that she could be herself again. "If you've had access to those reports, Mr. Graas, you will recognise that as one of two Professors there able to provide legal representation for the school, it was necessary for me to contribute to them. I don't intend to put anything on record though, Mr. Graas - little point in giving our Minister anything more to think about, I believe."

[dana]

Kris’s words still shook Dana. Yes, she had heard the dark lords name earlier as well. But that didn’t mean hearing the name didn’t bother her. Especially after the train attack. Kris’s voice held a barely-noticable variation of bitterness mixed with irony in it. Dana doubted that anyone else would notice it, but it was there. However Dana knew that her spell wouldn’t work. She had jerked involuntarily and the protection barrier was gone. Dana swallowed an oath as she felt the body-bind took over herself and mentally grimaced at Kris. She should be used to it know – he was always able to talk her into confusion so she would do some small slip-up that would give Kris an immediate upper-hand. Not that he actually needed it.

Finally being able to move again Dana made a circle with her head while stepping down from her podium while returning Hardy’s smile to the professor calmly. Lowering her head in a thank you for the awarded 10 points, though with her work today she hadn’t actually deserved the points. Dana smirked a bit wickedly however, not really bothered by the outcome of the duel: "And when exactly have I ever beaten Kris in any duel?"
Legilimency though… Dana glanced at Kris placing a hand on his shoulder slightly while looking up at Kris trying to analyze his answer.
“Go,” Kris told her quietly while turning his head and placing a hand calmingly on Dana’s lower back for a moment as they both took a couple of places forward, “I’ll be out in a couple of minutes. And we can crash the kitchens if you wish.”
“Mind cooking some?” Dana asked quietly while Kris arched an eye-brow making Dana shake her head, as she pulled her hair loose from the pony-tail she had them in, “Alright, I’ll wiat for you in the hallway.”

Letting her hand drop from Kris’s arm Dana walked forward while smiling calmly towards Hardy once again: “Thank you for supervising the duel, professor. I will see you in class.” Dana nodded to the professor holding the door open and stepping out into the hallway. One glance over her shoulder showed Dana that Kris was calmly leaning against the edge of Hardy’s writing desk in apparently no hurry to move though Dana could almost feel the edginess in him. Smiling quietly, knowing that however much Kris hated, she got done what needed to be done, Dana pulled the heavy door behind her closed and walked to the nearest window, settling down there calmly while looking outside as she waited for Kris.

[kris]

“Accio cane!” Kris commanded raising his wand one more time and catching the rather rough wooden stick as it touched his fingers lightly, as Kris had made in merely gently float over to him rather than speed across the whole room. Finding his way across the room with the help of Morrigan and his cane Kris listened to Hardy’s words with only half a mind. Actually becoming blind seemed to have only enhanced the strength of his spell. Dana placed her hand on his arm as Kris smirked with amusement. “Legilimency sounds good, however where do you suggest I learn it while at school? Though I have no doubts that professor Dumbledore might be a legilimens, I doubt he would give me lessons. Not to mention the small detail that there are only so many lemon drops I can eat before those too will star in my nightmares. I shall most certainly remember the suggestion however.”
Kris’s slightly amused smirk while he was talking about Dumbledore changed however as he was given a whole 10 points for ‘ensuring’ Dana’s safety. “10 points? Is Dana’s life really worth 10 lousy house points? Funny. I always thought that human life was supposed to be precious and priceless? Or is my eye-sight worth 10 points?”

Kris turned his head and arched a lazy eye-brow at Dana at her suggestion that he might cook. With his blindness it might not really be the greatest idea, as Dana simply sighed while Kris nodded to her and the relatives had a brief and to the point conversation before Dana left the room closing the door behind her. Kris leaned himself calmly against Hardy’s table feeling more edgy than he had been during the entire duel. He hated offering ‘thank you’s, but at this case it was inevitable.
“Generals can be always found. They are forged in the heat of battle so to say from simple men most usually. Simple men with the ability to think quickly and clearly. In the Battle of Britain as you said, there simply wasn’t time. British air force worked with what they had, because there was no time to teach out a new qualified pilots. War is always about chances, luck and reading your opponents as well knowing the mistakes of humans. However that is not the reason, why stay behind here today,” Kris drawled out lazily mentally sighing as he couldn’t really even stall much time either. He had already said thanks to Foxcroft, now she would do the same with Hardy and then he could move on. Not forget, but learn to live with what had happened hopefully.

“As you noted I have had access to the reports so I do have a rather clear picture as to what took place. I merely wanted to ‘thank you’ and to let to know that I appreciate everything you tried to do for me on the Express,” Kris answered feeling his jaw stiffen slightly as Morrigan almost comfortingly purred and licked Kris’s cheek from her position on his shoulder. Of course, Kris was furious at the ministry and Death Eaters even for loosing his eye-sight. But Hardy and Foxcroft had kept him alive which did matter a lot. He owed both of the professors a lot, however the time to repay this favour would come in the future. Offering a bit stiff half-nod, half-bow as it was required formally – damn it! he hated saying he was sorry or owing something to someone, none the less owing his life! – Kris straightened up again, “And I shall not forget my wizarding debt to you nor to professor Foxcroft. Pardon me for taking up so much of your time, professor Hardy.”
Morrigan hopped skillfully onto Kris’s left shoulder as the Slytherin turned obediently finding his way to the door and leaving the classroom without an other backwards glance or a word as he walked down the hallway with Dana slipping to walk next to him.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis gave Mr. Graas a cold glance as Miss Coran left the room. It didn't matter whether he could see it or not - he should still be able to pick up on her manner. "As I said, Mr. Graas," she remarked with little warmth in her voice, "I'm sure you can merit an exception. There are other Legilimens. You would do well to remember the suggestion. Hogwarts may be one of the safer places to be, but it is no haven. There are others to think about as well as yourself." She paused a little, cold silence penetrating the room, before allowing herself to add in a voice which some of her normal character had returned to, "The courage it took is worth 10 points. Courage does good but is worth only a finite amount since it has the potential to hurt those you use it to protect."

Amaryllis watched Mr. Graas as he took advantage of the positioning of her desk, but said nothing as he continued to speak. He wanted to thank her? Amaryllis didn't understand - because she had been unable to do more he had lost his eyesight. He could not be in her debt when she had been incapable of helping him sufficiently. Another girl had died. Laura Pennington. Something she wished she'd been able to do more about. She'd been there. What had stopped her from doing what needed to be done to keep these two students safe, and their families and friends safe from grief? He had nothing to thank her for; there was much that she had failed him in. Yes, she'd moved him out of the way of the Death Eaters, but she hadn't done what she should have done and prevented the Death Eaters from taking his eyesight away. But yet it seemed he didn't blame her. If Kris didn't blame her then maybe it wasn't entirely her fault - because she'd done what she should. There were other people that had failed to protect the students that day too. The Ministry was one hopeless lack of help. And Mr. Graas was here telling her he owed her and Julius Foxcroft a wizarding debt. Amaryllis stared at the Slytherin who had just released her from placing the blame on herself for what had happened to him, trying to speak. No words would come - they caught in her throat. Eventually she managed to utter two words, though Mr. Graas was already round the corner of the door.
"Thank you."