My routine had been working well for me so far. I was getting stronger, honing my skills in magic, and staying ahead in class. But I quickly realized that self-training only got me so far. If I wanted to excel in Dueling, I needed someone experienced—a proper teacher. And who better than Nymphadora Tonks, a Metamorphmagus and future Auror?
The challenge was finding her.
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wasn't exactly easy to track down. Between classes and her natural tendency to wander, it took me the better part of the day to locate her in the Library, of all places.
She was sitting at a table, surrounded by books, her hair a vibrant shade of pink. She looked up as I approached, one eyebrow raised in curiosity.
"What's up, kid?" she asked casually, leaning back in her chair.
"I need a favor," I began, trying to sound as earnest as possible.
Her eyebrow arched higher. "A favor? From me? This should be good."
---
I explained my situation, laying it out plainly:
"I want to learn how to duel, and I think you're the best person to teach me."
Tonks tilted her head, studying me. "Why me?"
"Well, for starters, you want to be an Auror. That means you know how to fight and defend yourself, right? Plus, you're not like the other students—you're smart, skilled, and… not boring."
"Flattery will get you everywhere," she said with a smirk. "But why do you want to learn to duel? You planning to take on some Bullies or something?"
I hesitated. "Not exactly. I just think it's a skill worth having. You never know when you might need to defend yourself or someone else."
Tonks considered this, tapping her fingers on the table. "Fair enough. But what's in it for me?"
I hadn't expected her to ask that. "Uh… what do you want?"
She grinned. "How about snacks? Chocolate frogs, pumpkin pasties, and whatever else you can get your hands on?"
"Deal," I said immediately.
She leaned forward, her grin turning mischievous. "Alright, kid. You've got yourself a teacher."
---
There was no way I was going to show her the Room of Requirement. That place was my personal sanctuary, and I wasn't ready to share it with anyone. Instead, I brought her to the Undercroft that was perfect for private training.
Tonks looked around the Undercroft, whistling. "How'd you find this place?"
"Got lucky," I replied, not wanting to reveal too much.
She nodded, her expression impressed. "Alright, this'll do. Let's see what you've got."
Our training began immediately.
---
Day One: The Basics
Tonks started me off with the fundamentals—stances, footwork, and wand movements.
"Dueling isn't just about throwing spells around," she explained. "It's about strategy. You need to stay light on your feet, anticipate your opponent's moves, and think three steps ahead."
It sounded simple enough, but the execution was another story. Every time I thought I had the upper hand, she'd disarm me or knock me off balance with a flick of her wand.
"Focus, Arthur," she said, laughing as I picked myself up for the third time. "You're too predictable. Don't just rely on offense. Think about defense, too."
By the end of the session, I was exhausted but determined.
---
Over the next few weeks, our training sessions became a regular part of my schedule. Tonks was a tough teacher, but she knew how to make the lessons engaging.
"Alright, kid," she said one day, tossing me my wand back. "Let's see how you do with a bit of pressure."
She fired a rapid series of Stupefy and Expelliarmus spells at me, forcing me to dodge, block, and counter. At first, I struggled to keep up, but slowly, I began to anticipate her moves.
"Not bad," she admitted after one particularly intense session. "You're getting quicker. But don't get cocky. I'm still leagues ahead of you."
Her words were humbling, but they only fueled my determination to improve.
---
Tonks didn't just teach me spells—she also showed me how to think creatively during a duel.
"Magic is versatile," she said during one lesson. "Don't just stick to the same old spells everyone uses. Experiment. Combine spells. Use your environment to your advantage."
Taking her advice to heart, I began experimenting with spells I'd learned in class. I combined Lumos with Obscuro to create a blinding flash of light, and I used Depulso to throw objects as distractions.
Tonks was impressed. "Now you're thinking like a duelist," she said with a grin.
---
As we trained, I began to see Tonks not just as a teacher, but as a friend. Her laid-back attitude and sense of humor made her easy to talk to, and she never treated me like a kid.
"You're not half bad, Arthur," she said one day after a session. "You've got potential. Maybe you should consider becoming an Auror."
I laughed. "Thanks, but I don't think that's in the cards for me."
"Fair enough," she said with a shrug. "But keep up the hard work. You never know where it might take you."
---
With Tonks as my teacher, my routine evolved:
1. Morning training in the Room of Requirement.
2. Breakfast in the Great Hall.
3. Classes and homework.
4. Dueling lessons with Tonks in the Undercroft.
5. Evening training or free time.
The combination of structured lessons and personal practice pushed me to new heights. I was improving every day, and it felt good to see the progress.
But I knew this was only the beginning. There was still so much to learn, and I was determined to make the most of my time at Hogwarts.
---Note
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