Duelling Classroom ((Dana & Kris))

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis was standing up in her duelling classroom, by the window. This time, however, she was not carefully surveying the view out over the courtyards and the grounds, which was a dull, grey and rather wet one at the moment; brightened only by the vibrant autumn colours of the trees which were starting to show themselves. Instead, she had produced a piece of measuring tape with her wand and was now holding it against the wall. The windows weren't in a straight wall; they went out into a nice little alcove and she was pondering putting a little window seat in there instead of the window ledge. There were two of the little alcoves, and she thought it would make the duelling classroom feel more cosy and homelike. She needed it to; the number of duels she'd been charged with overseeing recently, it was almost becoming her home, since she couldn't move about from place to place all the time. She went very slowly, and she tried to move about at times when the corridors were more empty of students so they didn't get in each other's way.

She wasn't looking forward to this duel today. She wasn't sure she felt quite ready to meet Kris Graas yet. Would he blame her as much as she blamed herself? Of course, she would try not to seem too worried; she was a teacher, but it would be on her mind. Plus she'd never overseen a duel involving anyone who was blind before. Thank goodness that in the end that was all the lasting damage there was. Being was quite enough of a burden for the poor Slytherin to cope with. Presumably he would still have the same power with his wand... but how would he know where to point it? Where to direct the energy? Presumably he would come to know how to recognise the direction of sounds better, although since he appeared to be an experienced forest rambler already she had a feeling he might start off from a better base on that score than many people might. Amaryllis walked over to her desk and sat down gingerly. She could usually manage to almost hide the fact she wasn't on top form sitting down; it was when she stood up that she usually ended up stooping a bit. She picked up a quill that was lying on her desk and twirled it round anxiously, thinking about the two sixth years she would be overseeing duelling today.

[dana]

Dana’s high heels clicked on the floor. She hadn’t been taken as much care of herself lately as usual. She washed her hair, ate, brushed, used make-up – did a lot of little details almost automatically, yet her hair wasn’t pulled into the elaborate hair-do’s, her eyes weren’t smiling. She was missing a spark inside her. It was her that was partially to blame over Kris being hurt. Even her clothes looked casual. A black sweater, long black boots and a jeans mini-skirt. Her hair was pulled into a casual pony-tail and she was most certainly frowning at her companion.
“Are you really sure you are up to it? Well enough? You haven’t been out of coma for long enough yet. We still have time to turn back and stop this duel, which point I still fail to see,” Dana said with a frown as they turned the corner and stepped into the hallway leading to the door of the dueling classroom.

Sighing Dana pushed her hand through her hair. She didn’t want to do this. Kris was blind and it had shaken the very being of Dana. She didn’t want to raise her wand and fight against her brother, now that she obviously had the upper hand against him. Sending one more glance at Kris Dana sighed seeing clearly seeing that he wasn’t going to change his mind.
With a small frown still on her face Dana pushed open the door to the dueling classroom and stepped in. A glance at the clock on the wall told her that they were 5 minutes early for the duel. Professor Hardy was already here however. Dana gave the professor a small genuine smile. She knew Hardy had tried to help Kris and Dana really was grateful to her.
“Hello, professor Hardy. Is it a problem that we came a bit to early?” Dana gave a scowl towards Kris still not happy with the idea of the duel.

[kris]

Kris walked calmly next to Dana. He had wanted this duel. He was blind for good – he might as well learn to accept it. That meant he also needed to know for real how far his abilities with the wand still went. This was something where he’d have to be completely honest to himself in this matter. Professor Hardy would be a good enough judge. In some way Kris respected her opinion. She was fair or at least seemed to be.
“I say I’m well enough, I need to know this and if you say no I’ll go and pick a fight with some 7th year in the hallways where there is no professor to make sure anything won’t go wrong,” Kris replied coolly. Actually he had demanded Hardy’s presence because of Dana. He couldn’t help her much now, should any of her protection spells not work.

His one hand resting lightly on Dana’s shoulder Kris copied her turn around the corner and sensed them coming to a brief stop. A few moments later his ears caught the slight movement and took a step back his hand coming up and a few moments later his hand found the smooth wood of the door. Dana stepped in and Kris followed her a moment later with Morrigan raising to attention to lead him on once again.
“Good day professor. I’d say it’s a pleasure to see you again… with me not in trouble this time,” Kris said with self irony absent-mindedly while fixing the cuff of his sleeve and throwing his walking cane careless towards a corner. His clothes well still as impeccable as always – black silk-pants; dark-green silk-blouse with a small silver chain holding the collar together. However his cheek were more hollow, his lips tight and the sun-glasses not softening the out-look that hadn’t been overly cuddly before either. Kris’s hair had been pulled back with a black velvet ribbon, going pass his shoulders, yet he didn’t look feminine at all.

“Stop glaring at me. I can practically hear it,” Kris told Dana while he touched Morrigan with a finger-tip as the kitten had already extracted her claws, “And don’t you dare try and take it easy on me. I need to know how good – or bad – I’ll be now.”

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis looked around for something on her desk she could be doing as she heard the door opening since she didn't much want to be found either twirling a quill about in her hands or just sitting there expectantly. Since she couldn't find anything, she decided to stand up instead, and had just straightened up when Dana Coran stepped into the room, closely followed by Kris Graas. Amaryllis returned the sixth year Ravenclaw prefect's smile before glancing over to Mr. Graas. She supposed it was a bit pointless nodding to him now; she would have to say something, although her throat felt a little dry and she wasn't sure what she could say which would be adequate.

However, since both Dana Coran and Mr. Graas spoke one after another, she was not forced to try to think of some half thought out greeting, instead taking in the fact that the Slytherin did not look as well as he had done before he was attacked. But then he had scarcely come out of the coma he'd been in for fifteen days. Amaryllis wasn't exactly looking in the pink of condition either; her face was drawn with the pain of her stomach, which was healing slowly but excruciatingly with the help of Poppy's rather foul tasting potions, and also moving slowly, sometimes with a slight stoop.
"The same to you Mr. Graas, and Miss Coran. I have to say it's a pleasure to see you looking a fair sight better than you did last time I saw you. And Miss Coran, there could never be a problem with your coming early, much better early than late, and since I'm here we might as well make a start."

Amaryllis frowned. Mr. Graas had a kitten on his shoulder, which she presumed must be very intelligent since it seemed to be directing him. She had deliberately put some raised mats on the platform, because she could hardly ask the Slytherin to find a particular colour of mat. She decided to voice her questions, as sensitively as she could of course, since she presumed the sixth years probably had more idea of how they were going to get round the problem of Kris' blindness than she did.
"Might I enquire how you intend to direct your spells, Mr Graas?" she asked seriously. "If you're ready to start duelling straight away then Miss Coran, you take the raised triangle on the left of the platform, and Mr. Graas, you the raised circle on the right. Since you arrived punctually at the same time, I can't really have a preference as to who starts, but if you can come to a quick agreement about that, the first one of you may cast your first spell when you're both ready."

[kris]

Kris smirked arrogantly towards the general direction of where professor Hardy’s voice had sounded: “Looking a fair sight better than the last time you saw me? Wouldn’t it be more truthful to say that I look practically at my worst?” Kris’s voice held irony and sarcasm. Most of it was directed at himself. He didn’t want to be overestimated but right now he didn’t want to be treated like a cripple either. So he was blind – he was the one who would have to get used to it. If professor Hardy was going to let him get off easier because of it, then this duel would not prove to let Kris know exactly how the… attack… had influenced his spell-casting ability.

“Mats, higher ground, Morrigan,” Kris told the kitten who climbed easily onto Kris’s right shoulder. Following the kitten’s hop Kris turned towards right moving with slow grace. Years spend in the nature made sure that Kris could walk with his back as straight as always. He even moved practically soundlessly this with his knees slightly bent as he walked. His pace of walking was a lot slower that previously however. Morrigan’s paw reached out touching Kris’s neck and he stopped turning moving straight ahead after getting to the correct direction. He had taken exactly 8 steps when Morrigan’s claws extended making Kris stop abruptly. Shifting one of his legs forward Kris prodded the raised part of floor with his foot before stepping onto it. slowly and turning around.

“Dana, you’ll go first. Morrigan doesn’t completely understand what I want just yet every time, so she’d probably go to you and meow,” Kris told while looking straight ahead wondering if he was actually facing Dana or not, “Dana won’t be moving form her platform during the duel and she’s starting the duel. I can get her direction by sound – I can hear where the spell is coming from.”
Kris flicked his wrist in the familiar movement as his wand slid out of it’s pocket in his sleeve and appeared between his fingers. Luckily this was a move Kris had practiced with blind-folded eyes or in complete darkness years before so he could still reach his wand immediately even now.

[dana]

Dana scowled towards Kris’s back as he slowly started moving towards the platform he was directed to. She didn’t want to duel, but she had given into Kris. Better her than someone random who wouldn’t care whether Kris got hurt or not.
Turning Dana moved quickly to her own position and stepped onto the raised podium, automatically smoothing down her skirt while doing so.
“Morrigan’s a smart girl. You’re going to leave her on your shoulder for the duel?” Dana asked expectantly as Kris stated that she’d be starting the duel. Kris didn’t make any movement however so Dana just sighed and raised her wand that she had pulled out.

“Wretched, I liked it much better when you were the one annoying me to no end and demanding I perfect every curse. Couldn’t you be satisfied with knowing you were a lot better than me?” Dana grumbled mostly to herself as she regarded Kris. What spell should she use? Nothing too simple, as Kris would take that as holding back. Not the hardest either, because Dana didn’t want to hurt Kris and she had no idea how exactly he would or even could respond to a curse being sent his way. So Dana hesitated with her wand raised. What could she do? Sighing Dana decided to go with not the hardest, but not the very basic spell either: “Impedimenta!” It wouldn’t do much good to Kris to be pushed over since he had had a concussion on top of everything else.

[kris]

Kris didn’t reply when Dana asked about whether or not he would direct Morrigan to the side. Kris wouldn’t – he might still need the kitten’s help to direct himself during the course of the duel. Besides Morrigan would have to learn as well. Kris wouldn’t be given a chance to get rid of the kitten if the duel would take place in a much more hostile environment.
Dana was silent after that. Well, actually she was grumbling about something but Kris couldn’t exactly catch Dana’s words so he didn’t comment. Standing still while Dana was most likely having a mental debate with herself upon what hex to cast was actually surprisingly nerve-grating. At least Dana’s grumbling had given Kris a sense of direction so he turned a bit towards the right so he would now be completely facing Dana.
Finally the curse came form Dana’s lips and Kris raised his wand chanting the protecting charm immediately after Dana: “Protego!”

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Dana casts Impedimenta, she has an 87.5% success chance.

*Dice... 6... = 75%... Success!*

Dana casts Impedimenta. Kris casts the correct defense, Protego. He has a 75% success chance.

*Dice...6... = 75%... Success!*

Kris casts Protego. Kris' Protego reduces Dana's Impedimenta from 2 points to 1 point.

Score - Dana 1.0, Kris 0.0))

Amaryllis glanced sharply at Kris' reply. "Hardly," she said firmly. The Slytherin could be no less intelligent than he had been before the coma; she had seen already that he was as sharp as ever, even with one of his senses taken away from him, and she presumed he would realise the subject was closed as far as she was concerned. She personally didn't want to pursue it further; she would rather she hadn't had to say anything. But she did still partly blame herself for this, and she would have to face the consequences. Briefly she wondered whether the sixth year was aware of her own injuries and that what she meant was that he looked a lot better than when he had been in a coma in the same school hospital wing as she had been in for the first few days of term before she insisted with being allowed to get on with her duties.

Amaryllis let out a non-commital 'mmhmm' in affirmation of Kris' explanation, not voicing the immediate problems that came to mind, but instead keeping them to herself, trying to formulate some solution to them before she gave them. The Ravenclaw and Slytherin got themselves ready to duel relatively quickly, and she walked nearer to the platform so that she could be properly on hand. Dana Coran cast a relatively simple spell for her level of accomplishment, and her Slytherin relative met it well. Still the Ravenclaw's spell had been strong enough to evade part of the Graas' protective barrier and thus Amaryllis waved her wand to dispel most of the effects of the spell before they actually had a chance to reach the Slytherin.
"Not the strongest show of your confidence that I've seen, Miss Coran, but I'm glad to see you haven't lost any of your talent. Mr. Graas, that was a good protection charm, but I think its strength could be enhanced were you to cast it more quickly. I'm sure you can work on that. Good from both of you, though. Mr. Graas, whenever you are ready, you are free to cast your first spell."

[kris]

„Only Impedimenta? I thought I’d be facing your whirlwind,“ Kris mentioend quietly at Dana already knowing that his charm hadn’t been strong enough. He had been late for casting it. Usually you could read the charm ofrom your opponents lips or guess what your duellign partner was thinking off from her face and stance... yet Kris couldn’t do it this time.
Kris barely avoided sneering at professor Hardy. Did she think he didn’t know what had gone wrong? Especially since had been the one to cast the charm and therefore knew from first hand that it had gone wrong.

Kris didn’t move any of his facial muscles as he raised his charms and simply chanted out the next spell: „Florikus.” Dana had never liked the cold, so this spell should be nice enough.

[dana]

Kris had been able to cast a working defensive charm, yet some of it had been able to penetrate it. BEcause he had gotten the charm up too late? Dana wondered how Kris would handle a hostile duel when he wouldn't know exactly where his opponend would be staying.
Dana didn’t say anything however as she looked at Kris wondering what he’d come up with. Something he usually preferred to cast? Something more regular?Hew as facing Dana so at least the spell should come flyign towards her.
Being deeply immensed in her thoughts Dana almost missed the moment during which Kris raised his wand and stated the charm. Raising her own wand Dana casted the protection for herself: „Froid résistez!”She had never liked the spells dealing with cold. Why? Duelling needed attention. Being cold or wet didn’t exactly help one’s concentration. Which was probably why so many people used such charms.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

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

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

Kris fails to cast Florikus, so no defense spell is required.

Score - Dana 1.0, Kris 0.0))

Amaryllis felt a jolt as she saw Kris Graas' lip curl. He didn't seem to blame her all that much, yet she did keep on worrying that he was showing signs that he did, because somehow it would be worse if he blamed her like she blamed herself for not having given him better protection. Maybe Laura Pennington's friends blamed her too. She'd not known who the Hufflepuff was; she'd never seen her in her duelling classroom. She didn't know exactly who their friends were. Somehow it felt as though she ought to make an apology to everyone she felt she'd let down. She hadn't been sufficient to guard the students, that was what it was, not that she hadn't done all that she possibly could, but the fact she'd been unable to stop atrocities anyway rankled. However, in this case, Amaryllis watched the Slytherin carefully and decided that it wasn't that, but more perhaps that he was unaccustomed to her trying to assist those who duelled to improve their skills.

Amaryllis only glanced at Miss Coran briefly, but the Ravenclaw did not strike her as being very happy either. It was to be expected of course; it was well known that the two relatives were very close. Amaryllis shook herself mentally and focused her mind as Mr. Graas began to cast his first spell. However, it seemed to lack conviction since it did not have much power and she did not even raise her wand to dispel the minimal effects. Amaryllis regarded the Slytherin sixth year for a moment, privately pondering whether to ask him to explain his error, but in the end deciding to present her usual advice. If he chose not to listen, she could do nothing about it but she did not feel the need to change.
"A good try, Mr. Graas," she said. "You might want to put more feeling into the spell to get a good effect from it; think of exactly what you want to do as you are casting it. Miss Coran, whenever you are ready, you may cast your second spell."

[dana]

Dana suddenly found herself smirking and had to erase all signs of it. Kris didn’t seem to be bothered. He had chosen a spell perhaps just because he knew Dana hated it. He wanted a proper duel and Dana would give it to her. Throwing her head backwards as if sneering Dana observed Kris almost automatically knowing that he’d hate being evaluated by professor Hardy. The situation was strange to him as Dana very well knew. She would fight back but that didn’t mean that she couldn’t perhaps comfort Kris with adding something he liked while working.

Turning on her heal Dana flicked her wand a few moments later music filled the classroom. Merely instruments. A song Kris was bound to recognize and something Dana had felt like listening.
Turning back Dana offered Kris a smile before suddenly recalling that he wouldn’t be able to see it. Dana had to bit back a sigh as she raised her wand to cast the next charm: “Avis Attaqikus.”

[kris]

The spell didn’t work. Kris knew it immediately and he knew that professor Hardy had said anything. Concentrate better? Kris knew that he had to do it. But part of him was a bit wary as well. He didn’t know how his curses would work now that he was blind and he most certainly didn’t want to hurt Dana in any way. Kris’s face remained stony as he stared off into nothing really, as he couldn’t stare.
Kris smirked when he sudden heard music. Was Dana trying to make it easier for herself or for him? They both liked to work with music in the background.

Recognizing the song easily Kris tilted his head curiously wondering why Dana hadn’t added words. She could have done it. “Bête ami,” Kris stated coolly casting the protection charm while singing out the words to the song in half-voice almost absent-mindedly. He had always liked singing and luckily Kris was good at it. His voice wasn’t that schooled, but the roughness in it was just what Dana usually liked according to herself.
“I’ll send the wind to you
So it could whisper secretly
Tell you about everything.
Tell you how I need you.
I’ll send clouds to you
To stand before you
And tell explain to you
To make you see what goes on in me.
So I’m waiting you here
Not knowing what to do with myself
Missing and hoping
That you’ll bring back my heart.

I’ll send the night to you
It’s bleak without you
Send you hugs and kisses
That’s all I can still do.
I’ll send the moon to you
To show you the way
Through torturing sleep
Through many nights to go.
So I’m waiting you here
Not knowing what to do with myself
Missing and hoping
That you’ll bring back my heart,” Kris half-hummed along to the music already starting to ponder about what spell to cast next.


------------------------------
The song belongs to Smilers. I have no claim over it. This is just a very rough translation made by me, as I can't put it up here in Estonian really. And if someone really-really-really wants to listen to the song in first edition ask me and I'll look up the link for it to be listened.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

(Dana casts Avis Attaqikus, she has a 62.5% success chance.

*Dice... 6... = 75%... Failure!*

Dana fails to cast Avis Attaqikus, so no defense spell is required.

Score - Dana 1.0, Kris 0.0))

Amaryllis raised her eyebrows as Miss Coran filled the classroom with music, but refrained from saying anything immediately. After all, Mr. Graas hadn't objected and was in fact singing along to it in a subdued manner. However, she frowned when Miss Coran's spell failed. She didn't enjoy supervising duels where people she knew were able to duel didn't reach their full potential.

"Nearly, Miss Coran, but I'm afraid it didn't quite get there. Try to cast your spells with as positive a frame of mind as you can; it doesn't matter what else is going on, just concentrate on the spell and getting it right. You needn't worry about anyone getting hurt - I'm not going to let that happen. And if you prefer to duel with music, then I suggest you practice with it too. Don't become too reliant on the music though; it's best just to focus on the spell as I said before. You're not always going to be given the chance to have music on." Amaryllis paused, pondering soberly just how true that last statement was, before she collected her thoughts, put her concentration back on the duel, and said, "Mr. Graas, whenever you are ready, you may cast your next spell."

[kris]

The charm Dana casted never reached Kris. In fact – it never even left Dana’s wand. Kris refrained from a rather sharp comment that rose to his tongue. Dana seemed to be in even more pressure than he was. Wondering if Dana even knew that she was subconcsiously influencing the music playing Kris switched the lyricshe was singing to match with the new song being played. Rather fitting really. There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t do for Dana. Or Mary either for that matter.

„When your feeling down
don’t know what to do,
you heart’s breaking from all the saddness,
I’m just who you need
Come find me
And I’ll do whatever you need,“ Kris hummed along thoughtfully while twirling his wand between his fingers. He didn’t want to use the most difficult spells just yet – he had failed the previous spell for lack of concentration. Music somehow always helped.
„Chaleur baton,” Kris stated in the middle of singing his wand pointing towards where Dana was supposed to standing as Kris waited for the charm to work, before retreating to his quiet singing.
„If you need me call me over
I’ll listen and fulfill all your wishes,
Let yourself be pampered and let yourself
Be taken for a ride on the flying carpet of love.“


-------------------
The song belongs to Smilers. I have no claim over it, besides the poorly done translation.

[dana]

Dana let out a long reath, emptying her lungs completely. Was she really that easy to read? Everyone seemed to guess what was wrong with her lately. And guess correctly. Dana sighed and made a mental note to make sure she would get her regular laughing facade up for everyone once again. She knew she could never decieve Kris nor Mary, her grand-üparents and a few other choice people were always able to read her without problems as well. But eveybody else would think she was alright behind the facade.
But Hardy was right about one thing. Dana could do better. They both could to better. Dana knew it because they both had done better previously. With a half-msirk half-smile raising to her face Dana smiled kept her eyes on Kris. She almost missed the charm in the middle of the sang words, but managed to catch it rather instinctively by Kris’s hand-movement.
„Feu Résistez!” came the protection chant from Dana quickly.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Kris casts Chaleur baton; he has a 62.5% success chance.

*Dice... 4 ... = 50% ... Success!*

Kris casts Chaleur baton. Dana casts the correct defense, Feu Résistez; she has a 75% success chance.

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

Dana casts Feu Résistez. Dana's Feu Résistez reduces Kris' Chaleur baton from 3 points to 1.5 points.

Score - Dana 1.0, Kris 1.5))

Amaryllis watched carefully as Mr. Graas attempted a fairly complex spell, Chaleur baton, which he succeeded in performing rather well, and Miss Coran also produced a strong defense. She nodded in approval and waved her wand to ensure absolutely no heat got through to Miss Coran's wand since both students had done very well, before voicing that fact. "Excellent Mr. Graas; not the easiest spell and you showed a secure mastery of it, and Miss Coran, a very solid defense from you as well. Very well done to both of you." Amaryllis paused for a moment and shifted her position as her stomach was starting to trouble her again. She winced slightly before continuing the duel, "Miss Coran, whenever you are ready, you may cast your third spell."

[dana]

Dana caught profesosr Hardy’s wince form the corner of her eyes and narrowed her eyes thoughtfully. Hadn’t the professor been hurt in the attack as well? Dana faintly recaleld that she was, but she hadn’t realyl been given much of a break. She nad Kris hadn’t really done it either.
„Are you alright, professor? Perhaps you could sit down if you wish?“ Dana offered hesitantly, not sure what professor Hardy might react to such an observant from a student. Dana glanced at Kris worriedly, only to bit back a sigh a moment lter. Surely Kris wouldn’t have noticed the professors wince now. He woulnd’t be able to see and notice anything anymore.
Raising her wand Dana cast the first spell that came to her head:“Locomotor mortis!”

[kris]

Kris turned his head slightly towards professor Hardy’s voice. Dana was wondering if she was alight? Kris knew that the professor had been hurt while trying to help him during the Express attack. Kris had heard the complete report form the aurors to the Ministry about that attack.
“It’s not really healthy to loose your entrails as you partially did like I heard. But don't put yourself through too much tension as neither me nor Dana would be able to actually do something helpful should you faint away now, especially since I did want to talk to you after the duel if you wouldn't mind,” Kris added to Dana’s comment drawing his conclusions from the few words Dana had uttered.
“Protego,” Kris stated to block Dana’s curse being sent his way as he made the correct wand-movement.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Dana casts Locomotor mortis; she has a 62.5% success chance.

*Dice... 4 ... = 50% ... Success!*

Dana casts Locomotor mortis. Kris casts the correct defense, Protego; he has a 75% success chance.

*Dice... 1 ... = 12.5% ... Success!*

Kris casts Protego. Kris' Protego reduces Dana's Locomotor mortis from 3 points to 1.5 points.

Score - Dana 3.5, Kris 1.5))

Amaryllis nodded at Miss Coran's worry; the Ravenclaw didn't seem to miss a thing, and she respected that, especially as it was one of her own traits to be observant and not miss even the smallest details. It was something that helped to explain the fact that she still enjoyed reading crime and detective novels, both wizard and Muggle ones. Her eyes narrowed however as Kris Graas echoed Miss Coran's concern in a rather less delicately expressed manner. She regarded him coolly before answering to his comment.
"The only source you can have heard that from, Mr. Graas, failed to express the sheer cruelty and horror the Death Eaters felt they had the right to inflict that day, not just on myself; indeed I feel I came away from it rather more lucky than some people did. Of those of us who were intended to be sufficient to withstand an attack, only two came away. The inexperience Aurors are being expected to go into work with and deal with the cruellest and most merciless people we have to face reminds me rather of the new British pilots at one stage in the Muggles' Second World War, who were being expected to go into battle having had just two weeks to become accustomed to handling their fighter planes. Arrived at half eleven to have lunch, flew at two o' clock and were dead by half two." Amaryllis paused, trying to collect herself. She frowned, her pain and her anger in the frown, making her face look rather dark for a moment, although of course Mr. Graas wouldn't be able to see that.
"As for my putting myself 'through too much tension', Mr. Graas, I sincerely hope you realise I would hardly be overseeing students duelling if I was not strong enough to both look after their interests as well as my own, since that would be sincerely negligent on my part. Unless you choose to disbelieve me when I say again that I don't intend to let anyone get hurt, and that includes me."

As Miss Coran cast her spell, Amaryllis watched carefully, forcing herself to concentrate on the strengths of the spell and not on the bubble of hurt that was threatening to well up inside her even at this age, even though she had enough self-control not to let it show in her voice, and only in her words if anyone was attentive enough to interpret them correctly. Miss Coran cast the spell well but Mr. Graas' defense was so strong that Amaryllis only had to use her wand a little to dispel the effects the spell had on him.
"Well cast Miss Coran, very well done indeed. An excellent defense too, Mr. Graas; well done there. Very good from both of you." Amaryllis regarded both of the students again, frowning thoughtfully, before saying, "Mr. Graas, whenever you feel ready, you may cast your third spell, as long as you are confident it will not be putting me under so much tension that I may faint away."