Levitation Charm.
It was undoubtedly the first spell every new student encountered after entering Hogwarts, a foundational Charm so basic it hardly got more basic than that.
In other words, it was a simple spell any wizard could master, something even Longbottom could cast without trouble.
That was why Pansy and the others reacted with such surprise upon hearing the answer. Yet once the surprise faded, it was replaced by genuine relief.
That sense of relief came from their trust in Draco, and from what they had just seen with their own eyes.
After all, Draco had personally demonstrated moments ago just how powerful and versatile this Charm could be. To be fair, that "meat target" was still buried under a pile of tables and chairs.
Glancing at the corner that looked as though a troll had rampaged through it, Hermione blinked.
"So… does that mean I could do something like that too?"
Thinking back, before Draco had agreed, Hermione had used that "special wand" every time she practiced the Levitation Charm. Over this period, she could clearly feel that her proficiency with this spell had surpassed all the other magic she knew.
She had assumed it was simply training her control over magic. But judging by how things were progressing, maybe she really could turn it into an offensive technique?
Unfortunately, Hermione's hopeful expression didn't last long before Draco poured cold water on the idea.
"Don't think it's that simple. An improved Levitation Charm doesn't just require precise control. It also demands an enormous amount of magical power to sustain it. That's not something you can achieve overnight."
"I—don't underestimate me! Even if… I can't do it barehanded, it should be much easier with a wand, right? And—"
As something clicked, Hermione's eyes lit up and she immediately pointed it out. Even Pansy nodded in agreement beside her.
Sadly, the response they got was a shake of the head.
"If that's all you're relying on, then there are far more practical spells. Whether you look at magical consumption or sheer power, there are plenty of better options than this one."
"..."
"For example, Fiendfyre. If you had to choose, would you spend that time practicing Levitation, or a fire spell?"
Although Pansy and Astoria felt something about the argument was off, neither of them could refute it and ended up accepting the logic.
After all, given the choice, who would invest time in a spell that wasn't known for its destructive power?
The only one still confused was Hermione. Like she was back in class, she raised her hand.
"But that person… would understand this too, right?"
Draco, who had somehow turned this into a lesson, slowly raised his right hand after hearing her question.
"You all know that offensive spells are difficult to use at the same time. The cost doesn't match the return. More importantly, you can't hold two different wands."
"Right… because two wands would conflict and backfire on the caster."
"Then imagine this," Draco continued. "This hand is holding a wand and casting a spell. And the other hand…"
His right hand stayed fixed in front of him. Before Pansy and the others could react, his left hand suddenly shoved sharply to the side.
Seeing this, Hermione froze. Quick-witted as she was, she finally understood what Draco was getting at.
"If that's the case… then it really would be…"
Hidden. Sudden.
And more importantly, a fighting style like wielding two blades at once…
...
Magic takes countless forms, but a wizard's life is finite.
Even Flamel, who came close to immortality, could never claim to fully understand every spell, let alone wield and master all magic in the wizarding world.
A human lifespan is limited. No matter how powerful a wizard may be, they cannot escape this natural law.
There's a saying among sailors: there are no useless tools, only those who don't know how to use them. The same idea applies to magic.
While that saying isn't entirely wrong, when it comes to choosing offensive spells, aptitude and proficiency still matter.
Magic can broadly be divided into two categories: offensive and supportive.
Supportive magic comes with fewer restrictions and consumes relatively little magical power. Offensive spells, on the other hand, are not only harder to master and refine, but are also far more restrictive.
As a result, most wizards in the magical world focus on mastering only a handful of offensive spells that suit them best. Even then, it can take the better part of a lifetime to truly grasp them.
Those with greater talent build upon that foundation by strengthening and refining their spells. The truly exceptional go even further, creating magic tailored specifically to themselves.
No matter the path, it all rests on a single premise: the magic must be the one most suited to the individual.
Yet there are a few rare prodigies who seem unbound by these limits. They can wield supportive spells as if they were offensive ones.
Gellert Grindelwald's exquisitely refined, counterattacking Shield Charm, and the Levitation Charm used by the young Voldemort, were both examples. These were spells so common they bordered on mundane, yet in their hands, they far exceeded the power and effect seen when cast by ordinary wizards.
To be precise, spells that anyone could casually learn had evolved and transformed in the hands of these two Dark Lords.
All of this, however, Draco did not explain to Hermione and the others.
...
Elsewhere.
When Draco and Pansy disappeared from the stage, most wizards didn't notice. But that didn't include Harry Potter, who had nothing else to occupy him.
He didn't drown his frustration in food, nor did he flee in shame despite holding the title of Champion without a dance partner.
From beginning to end, his gaze remained fixed on Pansy on the stage, as though he were waiting for something.
It wasn't until she left the stage and his view was blocked by the human wall formed by Goyle and Crabbe that Harry Potter noticed something was off. Sensing trouble, he rose from his seat and headed toward the corner.
As he drew closer, he seemed to hear a familiar scream.
"Ron? Is that you? Are you in there? What happened?"
"Potter, this isn't a place you should be."
"Move aside, Goyle!"
"You're the one who should get lost, Potter!"
The disturbance immediately caught the attention of Professor McGonagall, who had been keeping a close eye on Harry Potter.
Before Harry Potter could force his way through, Professor McGonagall arrived at the scene.
"Gentlemen, would someone care to explain why you're not enjoying tonight's Christmas Ball?"
"Professor!"
"......"
Unlike the relieved Harry Potter, Goyle and Crabbe wore grim expressions when they saw her.
At that moment, Draco's voice rang out.
"Have everyone disperse, Gregory."
As Goyle stepped aside, the scene before them was revealed.
Draco and his group.
A corner that looked like a heap of debris.
And a fiery red head lying there, frighteningly still.