The Feathered Serpent
Vedros
An intelligent and capable Harry Potter without the burden of an abusive childhood arrives at Hogwarts, and the Wizarding World is thrown for a loop. His adversaries better watch out, for when he or his are threatened, Harry takes no prisoners. Strong and morally grey Haphne. AU.
Language: English Words: 158,064 Chapters: 30/?
Harry/ Daphne
Chapter 23: The First Training
The faint light of dawn had barely touched the horizon when Daphne felt a warm hand gently shaking her. She groaned, squinting at the dim, blurry outline of her boyfriend beside her. As expected, he was already awake, his warm emerald eyes focused and alert despite the early hour.
"Time to get up," he whispered, his voice soft and full of warmth. "Don't want to be late on the first day."
Daphne sighed, stretching under the thin silk duvet that brushed gently against her bare skin. "Bloody five in the morning. Moody's a mad man, I tell you." Harry let out a chuckle. "And you're not any less either," she continued.
Harry smirked as he sat back, amusement shining in his eyes. "Well, you agreed to it. Have to get stronger and more capable, right? And what was that you said? Oh yes, I'm sure we can handle that."
Daphne sat up, rubbing her face. "Must've forgotten we'd be starting before the sun even rose." She glanced over at the enchanted clock on the opposite wall. "We've got half an hour. Think we can sneak in five more minutes of sleep?"
Harry chuckled, stepping out of the bed and stretching lightly. "No, but we might manage a cup of coffee before we go."
Daphne snorted, but with a catlike speed, she reached out to tug him toward herself. Harry was even quicker. He dodged her playful attempt and grabbed the duvet, pulling it completely off her and rendering her naked to his appreciative gaze. Daphne smirked as his eyes raked over her form and that smirk widened when she saw his excitement rising right before her eyes.
"Well… I guess it was a given. The little guy didn't get any action last night, after all."
Harry let out a mock sigh as he walked around the bed and made his way over to the bathroom. "Get up, Daph," he called out over his shoulder, silently banishing her bra over at her. Daphne caught the lace fabric mid-air with a pout, and all it did was earn her an amused glance from her boyfriend who disappeared beyond the bathroom door.
They moved in sync once they both emerged from the bathroom. The elves were considerate as always, and while the warm coffee sat steaming on the table, Harry and Daphne got ready in the half-light of the room. It was still dark outside, and the sky looked overcast, as was usual in the winter.
Harry kept his eyes on Daphne as she fixed her combat robes in the mirror, exuding a calm confidence that he admired so much. He sometimes still had a hard time believing someone so magnificent was with him. He'd never thought he would meet someone he could connect so easily with, but life had a way of surprising everyone. They had met and quickly fallen for each other, and nothing could ever separate them.
Harry ignored the reminder of his obligation as it resurfaced in his mind and devoted his full attention to his girlfriend who was looking as breathtaking as she did when they were in the dueling chamber. It had been a while since they had been back, and since becoming the quickest pair to push ranks in the dueling hierarchy, they had not done much in that field. That was soon going to change.
They finished their coffee within minutes and it was a quarter to five when they made their way out of the room together, crossing their empty common room with quick strides. As they walked down the corridor that led to the Grand Staircase, Harry asked, "So, how well do you know this Tonks girl?"
"Well enough to say she'd be very happy with that fact that you called her a girl and not a woman," Daphne chuckled. "She's… well, she's something, all right."
"What does that mean?" Harry asked with a small laugh.
"You'll see," Daphne replied, smiling.
Harry glanced at her, brows furrowing slightly when he saw how amused she looked.
"Why do I feel you're hiding something I should know?"
"I've no idea what you're talking about, my love," Daphne replied easily, gracing him with a sweet smile. It did nothing to assuage him, quite the contrary, in fact.
There was one thing Harry was certain of though. If Moody was training her, Tonks had to be a capable witch. He wasn't quite sure what to expect from their first session, but from what little he knew about Moody by now, it was bound to be intense.
They ascended the staircase and as they reached the seventh floor, they found someone already waiting for them. She was casually leaning against the wall with her arms crossed, and Harry took her in properly.
She looked much different from the photo he had seen of her. For one, she looked older, and there was a sense of maturity he got from her that was undoubtedly a result of her training with Moody. Her hair was short, reaching just past her shoulders, and the vibrant purple stood out in the lamplights. The grin that she gave them as they approached suggested she was much more awake than a normal person would be at this hour.
"Daphne!" Tonks greeted, stepping forward and enveloping the younger girl in a warm, familial hug. "Merlin, it's been ages. How's life at Hogwarts?"
Harry, who had been holding Daphne's hand, grunted slightly as he was jerked when she pulled his girlfriend in a hug. As they pulled away, Daphne smiled at him before turning to Tonks.
"As you told me it'd be," she remarked. "Much colder, and full of idiots."
Tonks laughed and turned to Harry. "And this is the boy wonder I've heard so much about, eh?"
"Good things, I guess," Harry remarked with an easy smile, ignoring how she looked him up and down. Turning to Daphne, she winked. "Nice catch, girl."
Daphne chuckled, squeezing his hand gently, as Harry smiled.
"Well, thanks a lot for the seal of approval," he replied, and Tonks waved her hand dismissively. "I've heard quite a lot about you as well actually, Ms. Tonks. You must be very good if Moody's training you."
"Flattery will get you nowhere, but I appreciate it," Tonks grinned. "And just Tonks will do. Nothing more than that, got it? And don't even think about using my name if you want to keep my lovely girl here happy."
Harry blinked at the sudden shift in her tone and quickly raised his free hand to mollify her. "Noted," he said, clearly taken aback. Glancing at his girlfriend, he saw her barely holding in a laugh and sighed in exasperation. This must be what she had been hiding from him. He knew Tonks did not like her first name, but he had not expected such an extreme warning.
"Don't worry, love. It's just a sore spot for her," Daphne chuckled softly.
Tonks sighed dramatically as she eyed them. "Everyone always finds it amusing. But seriously just Tonks."
Harry nodded, having already made a mental note to avoid potentially stepping on that proverbial landmine.
"Right, now that we've got that sorted," Tonks said, pushing off the wall. "Follow me. Mad-Eye's waiting, and we don't want him getting impatient."
It was a new area of the castle to them. They followed Tonks as they kept gazing around. The corridor felt entirely foreign to them. There were no portraits or tapestries as far as they could see, and even the ceiling was higher than usual. It was evident that they were in the highest spot of the massive castle they resided in.
The corridors kept growing narrower and even fewer corridors branched out until they reached what seemed like an ordinary stretch of a wall. Here was the only tapestry they'd found across the corridors they had walked down, depicting a wizard who seemed to be teaching a group of trolls how to do a ballet.
"Barnabas the Barmy, he's called," Tonks informed them.
"We've never come to this part of the castle," Daphne remarked.
"Not many do. It's so far away, after all," Tonks replied. "What you're about to discover is one of the biggest secrets of this castle. One that even I learned when Moody told me about it yesterday. Ready to have your minds blown?"
Harry and Daphne exchanged a curious glance as Tonks turned around to stare at the blank stretch of the wall before them. Their confusion grew when she began to pace back and forth in front of the wall. Three times she did before stopping, and they stared ahead, wondering if something was supposed to happen.
Suddenly, the wall started to morph in front of them. Streaks of black began to emerge until they coalesced into a metallic door as large as the one of the Great Hall.
Tonks glanced over her shoulder, smirking at the look of wonder on their faces. She had been the same the previous evening, although she had been gawking with her mouth open like an idiot, but they didn't need to know about that.
She pushed the door open and stepped forward, announcing grandly, "Welcome, to the Room of Requirement. The greatest marvel of magic in this magnificent castle and also the greatest work of Rowena Ravenclaw! You"
"That would be enough," a firm voice interjected, cutting Tonks' grand introduction short, and she growled low in her throat at the interruption.
Both Harry and Daphne had their jaws dropped at the sight before them. It wasn't just a room – it was an arena. Wide open, with massive stone walls that seemed to go on for ages, torches blazing along the sides, and a floor covered in thick, padded material that seemed both shock and spell-resistant at first glance. The far end had multiple dummies and targets set up, clearly designed for advanced combat training.
Moody was already there, standing in the center and his magical eye fixed on them as they entered. "You're late," he growled.
"It's not even five, old man!" Tonks protested.
"Late is late," Moody cut in, his voice gruff. "Go and start getting warmed up. We'll start in ten minutes."
Tonks cast a final snide look at Moody who expertly ignored her and stomped away to the side, leaving Harry and Daphne with no choice but to follow her.
"Bloody slavedriver," she muttered under her breath as she shed her thick overcoat, showing off her combat attire, and started to warm up.
Harry and Daphne silently followed suit, both knowing by now that irritating Moody was a foolish endeavor.
XXXXX
The torches flickered, casting long shadows across the padded floor, as Harry stood with Daphne and Tonks on either side of him. Moody stood in the center, his magical eye spinning in all directions as he scanned for any imperfections that might have remained in the setup. His posture was rigid, and it seemed as if the man was carved from stone. Yet, his commands were sharp and crisp. "Right," he barked, his voice commanding immediate attention, "this is no schoolyard dueling club with those fancy titles you students keep flaunting around. The Dark Arts don't wait for you to be ready, and neither will I. Today's about pushing limits—your limits. And I'll be testing all of you."
Harry and Daphne both felt a chill run down their spines at the intensity in Moody's voice. They involuntarily straightened further, yet they looked calm and focused, their sharp eyes taking in every detail of the room. Tonks, on the other hand, rolled her shoulders, a cocky grin on her face as if she was ready to tackle whatever Moody threw at them.
"Wands out. Let's begin."
Without another word, the room began to shift. The stone floor rippled, and in a blink, they were surrounded by various obstacles—walls of stone, pillars, and even sections of the floor that seemed to disappear into darkness.
"This environment is designed to test both your magical and physical capabilities. We will start with the basics," Moody growled. "First up, Nymphadora. Demonstrate what you've learned so far. Start simple – disarm me."
Tonks glared at the man who looked entirely unmoved. She stepped forward, her face serious as she raised her wand. She gave it a quick flick and a beam of red light shot toward Moody at a furious pace. However, the veteran was even faster. With a flick of his wand, the disarming spell was deflected, slamming into a nearby pillar. However, that was not the extent of its impact.
A column of dust shot in the air and their eyes widened when it kept shooting, obscuring their vision. Moody was enveloped behind the curtain of dust in no time.
"Again!" He barked.
Tonks repeated the spell, even quicker this time as she tried to discern his location from where his voice came. Her aim struck true, but the result remained the same. Moody deflected it effortlessly, sending even more dust rising in the air, but this time, he responded further with a counter. A jet of blue light came soaring toward Tonks who quickly dodged, her movements fluid and quick, surprising Daphne.
"She's improved in her footwork," she remarked. "She used to stumble over almost anything because she's a metamorph and balance is challenging for them. But look at her now…"
Indeed, Tonks sidestepped two more bolts of blue that came toward her through the dust and fired two more disarmers in the direction she sensed the spells were coming from.
"You're predictable. Don't just rely on spells. Be creative," Moody grunted.
Suddenly, the room shifted again. The floor beneath Tonks began to move—tiles slipping and sliding, making it harder for her to keep her balance. She stumbled but quickly recovered, rolling to her feet just as Moody launched another spell her way. Tonks smirked and dodged, deflecting the spell with a quick flick of her wand.
Moody shifted his attention to Harry and Daphne. "You two, pay attention! You're not here to just watch."
Their eyes shifted to the center of the room where a large, circular stone platform emerged from the floor. "Both of you—up there."
Harry and Daphne exchanged a glance and stepped onto the platform. As soon as they were in position, Moody barked, "No time for chit-chat. Your goal is to disarm each other—quick and decisive casting. No other spell. Keep at silent casting as you did in the class yesterday. I don't want to hear your voices. But remember, there's more to this than just magic."
Before either of them could respond, the platform beneath them began to rotate. Their footings wobbled as the floor shifted, turning at an increasing speed. They both tried to steady themselves. However, Daphne's wand was already in her hand, and Harry could see the focus in her eyes. She wasted no time.
She flicked her wand, sending the disarming spell straight at him.
The spell went awry, striking another pillar that sent even more dust into the air. Harry raised his wand, but the constant rotation of the platform was so erratic that it made it difficult to keep his balance. As he watched Daphne, he saw her struggling now as well. She had taken a gamble and it had failed. He had to give her credit for taking a quick initiative, at least.
He fired a disarming spell of his own, aiming roughly two feet to Daphne's left, but the blonde sidestepped, using the momentum of the turning floor to propel herself into a defensive stance.
Through the cloud of dust, Moody watched them closely, his magical eye whirring. "Faster!" he barked, ducking under another disarming spell. "You think your enemies will wait for you to find your footing? They'll be on you in seconds! Try stunners now as well."
Daphne took a note from Harry's playbook, analyzing the rotation pattern, and she flung a stunner away from him. Her aim rang true, the spell zeroing in on Harry who easily swatted it aside. She was quick to take advantage of her newfound understanding of patterns though, her movements sharp and precise. Each spell she flung at him was aimed with almost surgical precision, keeping the rotation of the platform in mind.
Harry let her have the upper hand for a few minutes but he was not one to back down so easily. He feinted left suddenly as her spell whizzed past him, and sent a disarming spell her way before immediately rolling to the right, using the moving platform to his advantage. She dodged, but she did not expect his rebuttal. His next spell came from a different angle—something Daphne didn't expect. It was a split-second decision, but it worked. The spell came at her so suddenly that she was forced to erect a hasty shield. The red bolt of the stunner hit her shield with a force that knocked her back, her balance faltering on the rotating platform.
She quickly regained her footing, refusing to let him capitalize, and her eyes narrowed. Instead of just firing another spell, she began to walk closer toward him as well, her wand raised straight ahead and constantly firing stunners and disarmers at him. The angles kept shifting constantly, and thus, a lot of her spells went awry, but still, most of them found the target, forcing Harry to react faster as the distance between them kept reducing.
Harry could feel the burn in his legs from the constant movement, the platform beneath him turning faster than before. His mind raced—this was more than a duel; it was about reading the environment, and anticipating his opponent's next move. And in that moment, he realized how crucial Moody's training was going to be. This wasn't just about learning spells—it was about survival.
Suddenly, the platform stopped spinning and their eyes widened. Momentum forced them to lose their footing and they collided against each other painfully. Twin grunts of pain echoed around the room as they fell over in a heap.
"Enough!" Moody called. "Good. You're learning. But you're still too cautious. This isn't just about defending yourselves—there are times when you'll have to go on the offensive. If you wait too long, you're dead."
Harry and Daphne helped themselves to their feet, their legs hurting from the constant strenuous movement they had been forced to endure for what must have been at least half an hour. They were both breathing heavily but wore expressions of determination as they stepped off the platform. They had practiced a lot of spells, but this was something else. It was grueling, and they realized it was an aspect of training they had never even touched before.
Tonks, who had long been disarmed and had been watching from the side, chuckled. "Not bad, you two. You're quicker than I thought."
Harry, still catching his breath, glanced over at her. "Surprised?"
Tonks nodded. "A bit, yeah. I mean, you're both still students, but you kept up." She glanced at Daphne, who was wiping a bit of sweat from her brow. "I knew you were sharp, Daphne. But wonderboy here… not too shabby."
Daphne smirked, her voice light but teasing as she gazed at her boyfriend. "Harry has a way of surprising people."
They were interrupted as Moody strode to the center of the room, his presence commanding. "Alright, enough with the compliments. Time for something more advanced. You three are going to work together now."
He commanded the room, and it transformed again. Every conjuration from before vanished, replaced by an elaborate obstacle course filled with low walls, towering pillars, and enchanted targets that hovered in the air.
"You'll be faced with enemies from all sides," Moody said, his voice low and serious. "This isn't just about individual skill anymore. It's about coordination—trusting your partner, knowing when to cover for them and when to strike."
Tonks looked prepared, her wand already at the ready. Meanwhile, Harry and Daphne stood beside her, breathing heavily as they nodded, awaiting the next challenge.
The moment Moody shouted, "Begin!" the Room of Requirement erupted into chaos. The low walls expanded, creating a vast maze of shifting stone pillars and narrow pathways. Overhead, the targets remained enchanted to fire a series of hexes, jinxes, and disarming spells, none lethal but all dangerous.
The targets moved faster than they'd expected, whizzing through the air like hornets, and as they swarmed, they shot spells at blinding speed. To make things more difficult, Moody's voice rang out, a sharp reminder. "Stunners only! No shields, no disarming. Control and precision. Work with a crutch as much as you can, and everything else will come easier."
Harry barely had time to register the command before ducking as a flash of red light flew overhead. Without hesitation, he cast a silent Stupefy, sending a similar red bolt at one of the incoming targets. It exploded into sparks, but the victory was short-lived as two more swooped in to take its place.
Daphne was already moving, her wand in fluid motion as she fired stunning spells at the advancing targets. She took out one, and then another, each hit precise and controlled. "Tonks, right!" she shouted, her voice steady and her movements sharp and measured, like a ballerina.
Tonks dodged an incoming curse and turned on her heel to face the targets Daphne had called out. With a quick flick of her wand, she sent a powerful Stupefy into the air, catching both targets in a single, sweeping motion. The targets exploded into a flurry of light, but there was no time to celebrate. More were already descending upon them.
"Keep moving!" Moody's voice thundered from the sidelines, his magical eye swiveling madly as he watched their every move. "You're sitting ducks if you stay in one place!"
As if in response to Moody's command, the floor beneath them began to shift. Stone panels moved like a giant, enchanted puzzle, rising and falling, forcing them to adjust their positions constantly. Daphne leaped over a shifting panel with ease, sending two more stunning spells into the air as she landed, hitting two targets that had been tracking her movements.
Harry found himself cornered as the ground beneath him shifted into a narrow ledge. He balanced precariously on the edge, the targets closing in fast. His eyes narrowed as he realized he had no room to dodge. He could only rely on his precision now.
His wand flicked in quick succession as he sent multiple stunning spells forward. Three targets in front of him exploded in a burst of red sparks, but two more were coming from behind. He could feel their presence, the magic humming through the air.
Before he could react, Daphne was already there. She spun gracefully behind him, her wand flashing red as she hit the targets with pinpoint accuracy. Harry quickly flicked his wand, hitting three more targets that suddenly appeared in Daphne's blind spot.
"Merlin, we have to remain focused all the time," she said, her voice calm despite the chaos. "Constantly watching our backs and all."
Harry gave her a nod, regaining his footing on the shifting stone. They sprang into action once again, dodging the spells and taking out two more targets in quick succession. They could feel the pressure of the test. It wasn't just about speed and magic; it was about trust. They had to rely on each other, had to move in sync, or they'd be overwhelmed.
Tonks, on the far left, was navigating a series of rising pillars. Her Auror training showed in every step, every movement as she danced across the stone platforms. But even she was sweating now under the sheer volume of targets pressing down on them. She blasted another Stupefy, hitting a cluster of three hovering in front of her.
Suddenly, sections of the floor dropped away, leaving gaping chasms around them. The room was now a labyrinth of shifting platforms and narrow ledges, with targets darting through the air at unpredictable angles. Their eyes widened as they realized there was no safe ground anymore, only the platforms that kept shifting constantly.
"Daph, watch out!" Harry shouted as he flung two stunners behind him when he saw a section of floor beneath her start to fall. Without missing a beat, Daphne lunged to the side, landing on a narrow pillar that rose just in time to save her from the plunge. Her wand whipped through the air, taking out two more targets in quick succession.
"Nice save!" Tonks called from the other side of the room as four targets exploded behind Harry. "And nice casting."
She was crouched low, firing stunners with a ferocity Harry hadn't seen from her yet. She didn't seem to be holding back. Her face was determined, her focus unwavering. But even with her skill, the sheer number of targets seemed to be getting the better of them.
Moody's voice echoed once again, sharp and uncompromising. "Keep your cool! Work together, or you won't last two seconds in a real fight!"
The words stung with truth, but they also grounded them. Harry took a deep breath, trying to block out the chaos around him and focus on his teammates. Daphne was moving to his right, taking down targets with relentless precision, while Tonks held the far left. They were spread too thin.
"Tonks, close the gap!" Harry shouted, dodging another hex as it sizzled past his ear. "We've got to work together!"
Without hesitation, Tonks nodded and darted toward them, her movements fluid despite the shifting terrain under her feet. She almost lost her footing once when the platform started to spin the moment she landed on it, but she quickly skipped forward. As soon as she was within range, Harry, Daphne, and Tonks formed a tight triangle, their backs to one another as they faced the incoming onslaught of targets.
"Cast first, think later," Harry muttered under his breath, sending another stunner into the air and hitting a fast-moving target. The discipline was difficult. His reflexes screamed to deflect or even use shields instead of dodging when the terrain was so precarious and unpredictable, but Moody's test was forcing them to remain calm, to rely solely on precision and offense while dodging the spells coming their way.
As the wave of targets intensified, they realized just how challenging this exercise truly was. It wasn't enough to just cast spells—it was about reading each other's movements, anticipating the gaps, and covering them. Every time Harry saw a target that wasn't in his line of fire, he trusted Daphne or Tonks to handle it. And they did the same with him.
Suddenly, three targets converged on them from different angles at a ferocious pace, taking them by surprise. Harry reacted quickly, stunning one with a flick of his wrist, while Daphne took out the second. However, the third was closing in fast, too fast. Harry braced himself to dodge, knowing he wouldn't be quick enough.
"Got it!" Tonks yelled, her stunner striking the final target just before it reached them or she even finished the yell.
"Thanks," Harry muttered, his breath coming in quick gasps. He could feel the burn in his arms and legs now, the weight of the constant movement, focus, coordination, balance, and spellwork that they had been undertaking for Merlin knew how long now having already taken its toll. But they couldn't stop. Not yet.
As the last wave of targets appeared, the room changed once more. The air around them grew dense with magic as the targets multiplied, their movements erratic and unpredictable. It was like fighting a swarm of bees, each one darting in a different direction.
"We need to move!" Daphne called, firing off a quick spell and dodging another.
Together, they shifted, darting from pillar to pillar, using the environment to their advantage. Harry could feel the sweat dripping down his face, but his mind was clear now, his focus sharp. Every stunner felt stronger, more controlled. He felt he wasn't just casting spells anymore; he was in tune with the rhythm of the fight. It was unlike anything he had felt before, and it filled him with excitement.
Finally, with a last burst of red light, the final target exploded in a shower of sparks. The room fell silent, the chaotic energy dissipating as quickly as it had come.
Harry, Daphne, and Tonks stood panting, their wands still raised and their hearts still racing.
Moody stepped forward, his expression unreadable, but there was a flicker of something in his mismatched eyes—approval, perhaps, or at least recognition of their effort. "You're still on your feet," he growled, "so I'll give you that. But make no mistake—this is just the beginning."
Tonks, her face flushed with exertion but grinning nonetheless, wiped the sweat from her brow. "Not bad, you two. You're faster learners than I thought."
Harry glanced at Daphne, who gave a small, tired nod. He was exhausted, his muscles aching from the constant strain, but he felt a sense of accomplishment. They had kept up, worked together, and survived the test.
"Get used to early mornings," Moody said, turning away, his voice low and menacing. "We're just getting started."
"When's the next session?" Harry asked, his voice tinged with exhaustion as he wiped the sweat from his brow.
"Three days from today," Moody replied without turning around, taking them by surprise. "And it will be without wands if you're late again. So make of that what you will."
They exchanged a disbelieving look with each other. "How do you expect us to train without wands!?" Daphne asked, aghast.
Moody came to a halt. Slowly, almost theatrically, he turned around to face them. His magical eye swiveled lazily, but his real eye stared at them with a predatory gleam dancing in its depths. The corner of his mouth curved up into a sinister grin, his scarred face taking on a look of cold amusement.
"I guess you'll be finding out sooner than I'd planned if you're late," he replied, his voice a low growl.
And with that, he turned away once more, his heavy boots thudding against the stone as he made his way out of the room.
For a long moment, the silence stretched in the room until Tonks sighed tiredly.
"Well… fuck."
Chapter 24: Passion
The Dueling Chamber of Hogwarts was a hubbub of chatter and excited conversations as students gathered for the upcoming meeting wherein several students would be attempting to climb up the ranks as usual.
The stands stood high above the large platform erected in the middle, surrounded by the cushioned floor and spell-resistant walls to protect the onlookers. The multitude of students mulled about, discussing the developments expected of the first session after the Yule holidays.
The past few sessions had been quite uneventful, at least when compared to the first one when a certain pair of students had obliterated forty students each in the duels, climbing two ranks in a feat that had never happened before or repeated since then. It came as a shock to everyone when considering the students were first-years who, although they knew the spells and how to cast them, were either not knowledgeable enough to compete against older students or did not have enough practice. Those two, however, had demonstrated that they were different, and everyone had taken note.
The mood had been divided during the next session when they didn't show up. While a large group of students were disappointed that they would not get such a phenomenal showing again, there was no lack of duelists who were relieved that they would not have to go against the pair of demons who ruthlessly dispatched one opponent after another.
As the students talked amongst themselves, most of them missed the figures that entered the chamber. It was only when someone shouted, "It's them!", that they looked over, and the buzz intensified instantly.
The couple kept a look of confident amusement on their faces as they walked in together, arm in arm and presenting as united a front as they possibly could, and gracing the students with a typical celebrity smile, they walked along the walls toward the changing area at the back.
Eyes followed them on their way as whispers rippled the crowd. One session. That was all they had been present in, and yet, they were considered legends in this chamber.
They spotted Professor Flitwick who called them over, and exchanging a glance, they walked toward him.
"I'm sure these students are expecting another splendid performance from you two, as am I," Flitwick smiled. "Before we get started today, there is something I'd like to discuss with you."
Harry and Daphne straightened as one, nodding as they gave the former duelist their undivided attention. They knew Flitwick wouldn't have called them over if it wasn't something important.
"As you know, the European Dueling Tournament will be held over the summer. It's a prestigious tournament that attracts the finest young duelists from across the continent," Flitwick paused, his gaze sweeping over them. "And I believe you two have what it takes to represent Hogwarts, and indeed, Wizarding Britain."
Proud smiles emerged on their faces and they gave Flitwick a respectful nod. It was an honor to have someone of his stature speak those words.
"We'd be honored, Professor," Daphne intoned respectfully.
Flitwick smiled in approval. "I thought as much, however," he added, his tone turning serious, "it is not so straightforward. There is a caveat to all this. Only students ranked Duke or Duchess are eligible to participate in the qualifying tournament held here at Hogwarts."
He paused, letting his words sink in. "While your first showing was… remarkable, climbing three ranks so quickly, you'll need to reach those ranks if you want to even have a shot at qualifying."
Harry and Daphne exchanged a meaningful glance, both knowing the task they had ahead of them.
"Now, you managed to win forty duels in quick succession in your first session," Flitwick praised, his voice filled with pride, but it quickly took on a note of caution as he continued, "but the duels from now on will be against higher ranked duelists, which means you won't have such an easy time going forward. You'll be challenged, the duels will last more, perhaps you'll even lose one or a few, but things will be tougher from now on. There is no doubt about that. You have until the second week of February, which means just over a month, when the qualifiers will be held. Time, as you can see, is not exactly on your side."
They nodded, seeing where the man was coming from, but as they exchanged a confident glance, they knew it was an easy task for them. They were confident that they could make quick work of anyone they faced, and it was because they believed the others were trash. They knew they were stronger and more capable than anyone they could come up against. It was an attitude that was borderline arrogant, but they had everything to back it up with their performance, and that was all that mattered. The duels might be longer and their progress might not be as drastic as it was in that one session they had attended, but there was no doubt in their minds that they could attain the rank of Duke and Duchess, and perhaps even beyond that, in the one month that remained.
"I wish you two the best of luck, and I want you to know that not only I, but all the members of the staff and even the students have very high hopes of you two," Flitwick smiled, and with a final nod, he left them to their thoughts.
"Well, we knew already that it was not going to be easy like it was last time," Harry smiled. "The higher ranks are indeed much better and capable."
"Well, that's why they're higher ranked," Daphne remarked. "Remember that Hufflepuff girl? Her aim was on point."
"And her opponent. His shields were sturdy as well."
"It's going to be exciting though, isn't it?"
"I don't think I'd call a hectic schedule exciting, Daph," Harry remarked dryly. "Moody is demanding as fuck, plus we're supposed to start our animagus training properly soon. It's going to be a tight and tiring schedule if we aim to make it to all these meetings."
"But we'll manage," Daphne intoned as they resumed walking. "It's only for a month, maybe even less if we go all out."
"Which we're not," Harry said firmly. "Challenging ourselves, remember?"
"Just a little bit?" Daphne asked cheekily. "Come on. Five percent."
Amused, Harry shook his head as she grinned. Together, they walked by the rows, ignoring the whispers around them as they reached the entrance to the changing room, nodding at the small group of students that stood nearby. Their eyes widened slightly at being acknowledged, and the couple shared an amused glance as they walked past them into the tunnel.
"Look at you, a natural celebrity," Harry teased, squeezing Daphne's hand in his as she parted, going over to one of the lockers that glowed once she stopped in front of it. Her combat attire appeared inside on its own.
"Don't you get started now," Daphne groaned. "You know how tiring it is to put on a front like that?"
"Oh, believe me I know," Harry sighed. "Merlin, I never thought I'd ever have this kind of life before I entered the Wizarding World."
"I can imagine," Daphne replied. "Alright, then. Let's get ready for the show, shall we?"
"Eager to captivate your fans, eh?" Harry asked, amused, as he glanced at her.
Daphne tapped the combat attire with her wand, and her clothes shifted instantly, her school uniform appearing in her hands which she promptly pushed inside the locker, shutting it close.
Smirking, she turned to her boyfriend and asked teasingly, "Jealous, Mr. Potter?"
Harry repeated the gesture, watching with satisfaction as Daphne's eyes raked over his form. He turned and slowly walked over toward her, coming to a stop in front of her. Her head tilted upward, gazing deeply into his emerald orbs as Harry took hold of her chin, leaning close.
"Of those losers? Who can do nothing but watch when I am the only one who can do all sorts of things to you?" He asked huskily, his eyes glinting, and Daphne's eyes flashed as well. "And don't think you're the only one who gets ogled here. But we both know you're the only one with exclusive rights to this and everything else."
He took her hand and rested it right over his groin, his breathing ragged as he felt her give him a gentle squeeze.
"You're planning to climb up ranks today, right?" She asked huskily. "Because your actions for sure don't make me believe you are. And trust me, if this goes any further, none of us are getting on that dueling platform, I'm telling you that."
Harry's gaze darkened, his hand reaching out and caressing her delicious curves over her sexy combat attire.
"Maybe I don't mind that too much," he said. His voice was gruff and his eyes filled with desire as he leaned closer, their lips almost touching. Their eyes shut close and Harry felt her hand climbing up his chest slowly. "Maybe I show you why I can never be jealous of those losers, while you show me why those silly fangirls can't hold a candle in my eyes because it's impossible to beat perfection."
Daphne's hand fisted the front of his clothes, and the other hand slowly climbed up, brushing over his groin and coming to rest on his chest. Their breaths were one, and Harry grabbed her by the rear, pulling her front flush against him. A soft moan escaped her when she felt him, firm and telling, against her lower belly.
"You're making this very hard right now, Harry," she said throatily.
"Nah, love. It's you who's made it hard."
Daphne's eyes snapped open and she leaned back, gazing at him for a moment as Harry stared back. Both their lips twitched, and in no time, they dissolved into peals of laughter, holding each other close.
"Really? That's it?" Daphne gasped.
"What? It just came to my mind!" Harry protested mid-laugh.
"Uh-huh, it came, huh?" Daphne teased.
"Way to prove you're any better," Harry retorted.
Grinning, she stood on her tiptoes, pushing her lips against his, and Harry immediately responded, pulling her close. They kissed passionately, their lips moving together in perfect harmony as they stroked each other, feeding into the desire each held for the other. It felt as if hours had passed when they finally pulled back, their eyes lustful and locked intensely.
"We'll go out there, we'll push as far as we can, and then we'll fuck off from here," he said promisingly, staring down at her.
Daphne's eyes flashed as she grinned. "Don't fall back like last time."
She stole a quick kiss and leaped away from him, grinning teasingly.
"Oh you're so gonna get it for that comment, you minx," Harry promised.
"Looking forward to that," Daphne replied, blowing him a kiss, and she turned around, walking away toward the dueling chamber. She gazed at him over her shoulder as she walked, putting an extra sway to her perky rear and watching in satisfaction as he kept staring at her. Oh, they really needed to get this over with as soon as they could.
XXXXX
Harry nodded at Julia Prewett who gave him a cheeky grin as she walked past him after her duel ended. He stared straight ahead as he walked.
The evening had been more challenging than the previous one, and as they'd known already, progress had been slower. The session was nearing its end, and they had yet to climb even one rank. However, even after the challenges so far, both he and Daphne had won 19 duels each, having lost none, and it had brought them to the doorstep of the next rank.
Unlike the previous session, he had gone ahead of Daphne in all the duels. At Flitwick's nod, he climbed up on the platform as it reset, and gazed at his opponent. It was a girl from Gryffindor who stepped up on the platform.
She was shorter than him but had an athletic build, her posture straight and her eyes had laser sharp focus. Her demeanor made him feel that her rank of a Countess was well earned. Considering he did not recall seeing her in any of his classes, he concluded that she must be an older student.
As she gave Harry a respectful nod, he returned it with a small smile, all the while checking out her stance. He had understood a fair bit about dueling stances so far, and hers was textbook defensive. It meant she was one to absorb the pressure and counterattack as soon as she got the chance.
"Harry Potter. Katie Bell. Ready? Begin!"
"Shall we?" Harry asked, raising his wand.
All he received in return was a sly smile as she fired a sharp, precise Expulso that Harry easily batted aside. However, it did earn his attention.
He flicked his wand, sending a sharp cutting curse aimed at her feet. She jumped, the curse striking the magically resistant wall behind her, and retaliated with a stunner that Harry batted aside once again.
They kept trading spells, with Harry batting hers aside while she either dodged or shielded against his. As their duel went on, she spoke, her voice calm and teasing. "You know, Potter, I'm not sure if I should be flattered or annoyed. Everyone says you're unstoppable. I almost feel bad ruining your perfect streak."
Harry smirked at her little attempt to goad him. He fired a silent Incarcerous that she shielded against once again, and the magic-infused rope began to slam violently against the shimmering barrier, slowly battering away its strength until both exploded in a shower of sparks and fumes.
"You're free to try, but let me tell you. It'd take more than silly attempts at distraction to beat me," he replied calmly.
Katie laughed. "You're a charming one. But don't expect that to make me go easy on you. I'm here for the win."
Another bolt battered at her shield, exploding it upon impact and sending her skidding back a few inches. Katie's eyes widened at the sheer force of the impact and she bit back a cry of pain as she felt her left knee buckle slightly as she came to a stop.
She held herself, calm and collected under the pressure, and retaliated with a multitude of simple to cast yet highly effective spells that flowed in perfectly with her spell chain. Harry either dodged or batted them aside, feeling the flow of magic from the stunner that passed mere inches from his ear. That would've easily concussed him if it'd hit.
Swatting the final spells aside, Harry regarded her. He noticed how her stance had changed. It looked much tighter than before, and he did not miss how she was favoring her left side, facing him on her right. He adjusted his strategy accordingly and feinted to the right as he cast a silent Banishing charm.
Katie jumped the gun and her eyes widened as she was sent stumbling. A hiss of pain escaped her when it flared in the same knee again.
"Fumos!" She cast, attempting to obscure herself in a cloud of smoke.
Harry was not phased in the slight. Instead, he was amused that she thought he would not have a counter to such a simple spell. A concentrated Ventus dispersed the smoke just as he saw a powerful Blasting curse heading his way. This time, he brought out a shimmering barrier that held firm, to his opponent's surprise, the blast echoing throughout the dueling chamber. As the smoke cleared, Harry stood, entirely unscathed.
The duel stretched on, with Harry slowly pressing advantage. He wanted to finish it quickly without resorting to serious spells but the girl before him was not helping him out in the slightest. He sidestepped a tripping jinx and shot a cutting curse forward that clattered against her shield, shattering it once again. He had to give it to her. Her shields were powerful and she could erect one at a moment's notice. She had the best defense he'd seen from anyone else in his duels so far.
That defense finally crumbled when Harry conjured another series of magic-infused ropes that began battering away relentlessly. One shield crumbled, followed by another, and another, until she could not conjure anymore. She flinched as the ropes lashed down on her, but Harry stopped them right above her so that she could feel only the raw magic oozing from them.
She opened her eyes slowly just in time to watch the ropes slither around her, binding her arms to her sides.
"Still think I'm charming?" He called out, making the ropes tighten around her. Katie let out a grunt, eyeing one swirling rope that wrapped around her wrist that held the wand, tightening until she was forced to relinquish her hold. The wood clattered on the floor as Flitwick called the duel in Harry's favor.
Harry released the ropes, levitating her wand over to her. She rubbed her arms and sides gingerly, wincing when she touched a patch of skin where she had been squeezed particularly hard.
"Good fight," he said sincerely.
She gave him a grudging nod, accepting her wand back, and gazed at him with a look that conveyed both her respect and frustration.
"You're lucky I let you distract me," she muttered, gingerly massaging her bad knee.
"Sure I am," Harry said in amusement. "You fine with that?"
Katie let out a sigh and nodded. "Part of the trade. Can't avoid them every time."
"True that," Harry nodded, watching her press her wand against the knee and mutter an incantation, the spot glowing blue for a moment. Her grimace lessened and she tested her knee out, nodding when she felt it was fine.
"Temporary fix, but it'd do for now until I can see Madam Pomfrey."
Harry nodded, and his part over, for now, he turned around, walking away as the crowd cheered.
His eyes found his girlfriend who was leaning back against the tunnel wall, gazing at him in amusement.
"You took your time," she commented as he got closer. Harry merely chuckled as she walked past him for her duel, and assumed his place against the wall, his eyes on the dueling platform.
Daphne's opponent was a tall and wiry boy from Slytherin, his sharp eyes gleaming with confidence. He was already an Earl, and he bowed as Daphne came to a stop, the action deeply exaggerated. Her eyes hardened a bit at his mockery, her stance precise and ready.
The duel began in a flash and the boy moved first, intent on gaining an advantage. He cast hard and fast, a series of powerful Blasting curses shooting out of his wand all around Daphne.
The blonde remained poised, raising a wide-area shield that absorbed all the curses, although it exploded in shards of sparkling blue right after. Aiming through the black smoke, she fired a barrage of stunners, disarmers, and stinging hexes aimed all around the other end of the platform. However, her opponent proved that he was no pushover as he deftly ducked and weaved through her spells, shielding from any that he could not dodge.
"I must say, you're as graceful as you are deadly," he commented with a smirk as he shielded against another stinging hex.
Daphne's lips contorted in a sneer and she gave her wand a swift flick, sending a wandless Silencio straight at him.
Although he blocked it, the choice of the spell was enough of a response. She followed it up with a series of spell chains that left the audience whispering excitedly, and it took all he had for him to keep her spells at bay. A few still grazed him, his ear stinging where the curse brushed past him, and small gashes could be seen on his upper arms and sides. They were bleeding but not profusely.
He retaliated with another barrage of Blasting curses, and this time, Daphne ran and weaved through the explosions with the grace of a ballerina. The ground shook, but her training with Moody came in clutch, making her keep both her balance and her sense of direction. Even as she dodged and moved erratically, she fired precise spells that he was forced to shield against.
"Very impressive," he muttered, panting as beads of sweat formed on his brows. He found himself getting tired, but she looked as if she could go for hours without breaking a sweat. As the last of the explosions rang out and she jumped, he aimed a Reductor curse straight at the spot above where he saw she would land, attempting to destabilize her, but she anticipated it. With a precise twist of her wand, she increased her speed and reached the spot before his curse could, and she redirected the curse, to his shock. He saw his spell coming back at him with double the force and he erected a hasty shield, the force of the impact sending him stumbling backward.
That was her opening, and she cast a precise Expulso that struck true, the impact sending her opponent back as it caught him across the front. He cried out and tumbled over, as Daphne flicked her wand and disarmed him in an instant.
Daphne stood tall, her breathing steady as Flitwick made the announcement and the crowd around her exploded in cheers.
She gave her wand a flick, banishing the wand that had clattered by her feet back at its owner.
"Good fight," she called out and turned around, walking off the platform as he remained sprawled on his back, groaning.
She ignored the cheering crowd and made a beeline for the tunnel wherein Harry stood waiting for her. Before he could say anything, she grabbed him by the collar and furiously slammed her lips against his, pouring everything she felt into the searing kiss.
Harry reciprocated her fully, both in the kiss and emotionally. He grabbed her, pushing her body to his as he kissed her. Their tongues met in a frenzy, desperate and eager as they rolled around in both their mouths alternately, with Daphne keeping Harry pushed firmly against the tunnel wall.
They knew the crowd of students and the other duelists were on either side of them, only a few yards away, but they couldn't bring themselves to care.
"I want you," Daphne whispered huskily as she gazed up at him with half-lidded eyes.
"Merlin, you've no idea how much I want you right now," Harry whispered, biting her lower lip gently, making her sigh in approval. "When that Bell girl was trying her luck earlier—"
"And that bloke with me," Daphne interrupted. "You are mine, and I am yours."
"You are mine, and I am yours," Harry repeated meaningfully, nodding. "So what? We just sack it off and put our plan of climbing ranks for later?"
"Well, I don't think we're pushing any ranks anytime soon if all duels from here on out are gonna last this long, that's for sure," Daphne replied.
"We can always go all out and bring out the big guns."
"I don't think any of these lot would be able to take it, love," Daphne replied in amusement. "And I think it's better this way. Helps to improve our creativity if we limit ourselves like this."
"That was the intention, wasn't it?"
Daphne remained quiet for a moment, her eyes darting from one side to the other before she took his hand and began dragging him back to the changing area. There were about a dozen duelists in front of different lockers who changed to or from their combat attires and walked out in one direction or the other, with a few going through the tunnel they had just come out of.
They felt eyes on them and ignored them expertly. None were friendly, but there was no hostility either. Most were either wary, impressed, or calculating, and those were perfectly fine.
The rest of the students watched as they made their way to two adjacent lockers and changed into their school uniforms, and surprised looks were exchanged around them as they walked away. They were in no mood to continue the evening and were indeed sacking it off.
XXXXX
In the evening at Hogwarts when most of the students either had their dinner early or were otherwise occupied in their studies around the castle, a certain broom cupboard was the hub of some violent activity.
The wooden door slammed shut, glowing faintly as a multitude of privacy and silencing charms enveloped it, creating an almost separate world inside.
Harry, his eyes filled with lust and desire, had Daphne pinned against the wall, his hands tangling in her silky blonde hair. Her eyes mirrored his, her desire palpable as she gazed at him invitingly, her breaths coming out in short, eager gasps.
Her dainty hands explored Harry's chest, pushing through his blazer to trace the lines of his muscles through his thin shirt.
She could feel his heart racing, matching the rhythm of her own. Her fingers moved to the buttons of his shirt, slowly undoing them, revealing the smooth skin beneath. Harry's breath hitched as she leaned in, pressing a soft kiss to his collarbone, her tongue darting out to taste his skin.
Not wanting to be left behind, Harry's hands, rough and calloused from years of intense workouts, moved to his girlfriend's hips, pulling her closer. He could feel the heat radiating off her even through the layers of their clothing. Their lips met hungrily and insistently, and Harry immediately pushed his tongue inside her mouth, working on burying hers into submission as they wrestled hotly, their hands wandering all over each other.
Daphne moaned out loud, the sound mostly smothered by the kiss, as she pressed her curvaceous frame against his, her hands pulling him closer.
Their kiss deepened, growing more urgent, more insistent, and more passionate. Harry's hands wandered, slowly slipping lower until he was caressing Daphne's perky rear over her skirt. She moaned in approval, and Harry almost smiled into the kiss. He ventured further, his hands reaching her thighs as he hiked up her skirt, his fingers tracing the smooth, warm skin of her legs.
Daphne moaned in approval, urging him on as her hands moved to his trousers, her fingers deftly unlocking his belt. She slipped her hand inside, pushing past the waistband of his boxers, and Harry bit her lower lip gently when her dainty fingers wrapped around his member and slowly started to stroke him, trying to bring him to full mast as soon as she could.
Harry's hands slowly slid upward under her skirt, one reaching behind her to grope her plump rear while the other moved to her knickers, his fingers slipping beneath the fabric. He pulled it to the side, exposing her pussy and he found her wet and ready for him.
Daphne moaned into his mouth, her hips moving against his hand as he gently stroked her lower lips. Harry obliged her, his fingers moving steadily as he parted her folds and ran a finger over her slit. He felt her shiver against him and reached further in, gently pushing two fingers inside her warm, wet pussy. Daphne's hand tightened around his length and she pushed his trousers down with his boxers with the other, stroking him hard and fast. She did want to cum, but not before she'd had him inside her.
"Harry," she whispered as Harry broke off their kiss, his mouth latching on her neck, and with a moan, she acquiesced, tilting her head to the side so that he could do whatever he wanted. "Harry… I need you, baby. Now."
Harry didn't need to be told twice. With one hand, he pulled her knickers over her rear and down her thighs where they fell by her feet. Daphne helped him out fully, pushing his trousers down and he stepped closer to her. He hoisted her up, and her legs eagerly came to wrap around his waist. She kept herself upright against him, her arms wrapped around his neck as she pressed herself against him.
Harry pushed her back against the wall and positioned himself at her entrance, the thick, purple head of his prick pressing against her wet opening.
He gazed deep into her sapphire orbs, finding the desire burning in those pools that blazed in his, and slowly, inch by inch, he began to slide inside her.
Daphne let out a long, drawn-out moan of pleasure as she felt her inner walls part wide to accommodate him. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, and her heels pressed into his back.
Harry let out a soft groan, relishing the feeling of being inside her welcoming, warm depths once again. He savored the moment, immersing himself in the sensation of her tight walls hugging him so intimately. Slowly, he began to move, his hips rolling against hers as he fucked her.
Daphne matched his rhythm, her grasp around his neck and waist tightening as she pulled him as close to her as possible. She responded eagerly to his thrusts, moaning and crying as their sexes kept slamming with wet, resounding claps. Their faces remained pressed together, their breaths mixing as they kept their eyes closed, feeling the heat building between them.
Their lovemaking was slow and passionate—a far cry from the urgency that seemed to have overtaken them earlier.
Harry's hands roamed Daphne's body, caressing her breasts over her bra and shirt before he moved on to her supple arse, her succulent thighs, and that pussy of hers that he was fucking so readily. He truly could not get enough of her.
Daphne's hands were just as busy, her fingers tracing the lines of Harry's muscles, her nails digging into his back and leaving marks through his shirt.
Their pace slowly quickened, their bodies now moving with urgency as they closed in on their mutual climaxes. His thrusts became deeper, more insistent, each pushing Daphne closer to the edge, and in turn, pushing him toward the precipice as well.
Daphne's moans combined with the lewd sounds of them having sex, and Harry's grunts echoed inside the small broom closet. Her body tensed as she neared her climax.
"Harry…" She gasped, her voice barely a whisper. "I'm close. I'm so close."
Harry's response was an animalistic growl as he intensified his thrusts even more, his hips moving faster as he hammered away inside her. Daphne wailed as the sensations overwhelmed her, and Harry grunted at the sheer tightness he could feel around his cock as Daphne's body tensed, her orgasm washing over her. Her entire body convulsed with pleasure, shaking violently between his body and the wall as she creamed around his cock.
However, it was impossible for him to hold back any longer, and he could feel his body tensing as he too neared his release. He leaned down, his lips finding hers, and he slipped his tongue into her mouth, mimicking the movements of his hips. Harry followed her soon after, his body tensing, as he let go, his release filling her.
They stayed like that for a while, breathing heavily as their sweaty forms remained pressed together. Their breathing was ragged, and their hearts were pounding in perfect sync. Slowly Harry felt himself slip out of Daphne, to her vocal protests. He chuckled and lowered her to the ground, gazing at her lovingly.
"That was great," he smiled, pulling her close.
"It was," Daphne nodded, wrapping her arms around him as she hugged him tightly, turning slightly so that she was cuddling him.
They shared one last kiss before leaving the broom closet together, their hands entwined.