Show and Tell

*Morpheus pov*

The student body was still buzzing with excitement from the duel that transpired yesterday. I couldn't blame them, Stiles Marr and Kingsley Shacklebolt put on quite the show. It was hard to believe they were just second-year students.

How Shacklebolt modified the Avis spell was impressive but for some reason, I don't think he was the one to modify it. Yes, he is an excellent and creative dueler and most likely did adjust the Lumo's spell that would be much easier.

But to change the Avis spell to such a degree, now that would require a real talent in spell craft and research. Kingsley would have been noticed to have that talent by now.

My guess? No, I'm certain this mysterious Pandora created the spell. Both Ravenclaw students, one good at dueling and seems to be personable, the other recluse and a genius at spell craft. She most likely wanted to see her own spell in action.

I will have to find a time to meet this student.

***

The two days were up meaning my students now must show me their efforts in synchronized casting.

I arrived extra early to my class and casted a quick expansion making the inside of my class a little bigger.

I then moved the chairs off the side and then put my desk flush against the wall, I couldn't make it disappear as I had important papers inside.

With the middle of my classroom now big enough to properly cast spells safely. The desks were situated perfectly to give off the feeling of an audience.

As the students began to pour in I directed them to their seats, I could tell some groups seemed excited while others not so much.

Surprisingly some of the groups that were doing well in the first exercise seemed more nervous than some that did bad. Most likely out of bad team chemistry.

I set up the teams to have one student from each house for a reason. In a war, you won't always be with whom you are most comfortable with.

Seeing all of the students were inside, I began the introduction of this class, "Today, you will be presenting your group casting spell. I want each group to come up and cast a single spell while working in unison, the spell you cast does not matter what matters is how effective the final product is. I wish you all good luck. The first group I want to present will be Lovegoods," as I finished speaking I stepped over to the side of the student's desks.

When the group of four stepped out I put up a protective barrier; I'm not worried for the students casting the spell I'm worried if they mess up and cause an explosion.

That was only for extreme cases, mostly if students fail at this exercise the spell will just fizzle out and a lightheaded feeling will affect the casters.

"You may begin," I said toward the group

Xenophilius stood facing the back of the classroom wall, Amelia right behind him, Abigal adjacent to her behind Xenophilius's left, and Marinette stood a couple of paces directly back from Xenophilius.

The shape they made was a triangle, it was a smart formation.

They began to chant pointing their wands at the floor and then toward Xenophilius's back. I couldn't see it but I could feel the magic congealing around Xenophilius's body.

Standing tall with confident straight faces in near-perfect unison they yelled, "Diffendo!"

Suddenly a wide gash was etched into the stone wall, the students behind me marveled at the sight.

The group lowered their wands exhaustion clear on their faces, I could see a small film of sweat gathering on their faces.

"Good job," I said slowly clapping my hands

"Your formation was perfect but, one thing I would suggest is having Amelia at the front instead. She seems to be better suited for casting the final spell, Xenophilius would be a good supporter, you might not have been able to see it but Ameila's magic is more powerful so it wanted to be the most present force in the spell, with the switch you could amplify your results," I instructed with a small smile

"Thank you, Professor," they all said with giant proud smiles

"Take your seats, next Ms. Black's group," I announced

Narcissa, Oliver a Gryffindor student, Thomas a Hufflepuff, and George a Ravenclaw stood up and went onto the 'stage'.

The group had an odd arrangement, George at the top, Thomas and Oliver to his right staggard, and Narcissa on his left one step behind him aligned with George's left shoulder.

George then turned around to face the rest of his group, as they began to chant instead of pointing their wands at George himself the group instead pointed their wands at George's wand tip.

"Incendio!" they yelled causing the tip of Georges's wand to spew a beam of fire.

I smiled slightly at the sight, the simple Incendio spell was effectively turned into what the muggles call a flame thrower.

***

Once all of the groups went I began to finish off the class, "You might be asking yourselves when this would be practical, for divination it would be as you have ample time to get ready but for combat situations you won't. Practicing group casting in this way is supposed to allow you to get a feel of what combining your magic with others is like. Adult wizards and witches who have perfected this technique can group cast faster than using a normal spell, I hope you all have experienced something you will never forget today, as it just might be the deciding factor between life and death,"

With that, the old Bell began to ring and the class was over.

*Narrator pov*

Amidst the hallowed silence of Hogwarts Castle, a lone student ventured into the dimly lit library on a quest for knowledge. The flickering candlelight cast elongated shadows along the towering bookshelves, adding an aura of mystique to the surroundings.

The student was Narcissa Black, she snuck out of the Slytherin dorms to continue her search for the divination book she sought. Her footsteps were nearly inaudible as she tread the aged wooden floorboards, careful not to disrupt the library's nocturnal tranquility. The sleeves of her robe brushed softly against the shelves as she scanned the spines of countless books.

The library's vast collection of magical tomes held the answer she sought, her breath forming ghostly clouds in the cool air. Time seemed to slow as she pursued her elusive quarry.

After what felt like an eternity her fingers stopped on a book with an ornate spine. The title "Divination Through Tea,".

As she opened the book and began to sift through the pages she eventually found her objective. Her breath hitched as she read the small paragraph on what the results of her earlier tea leaf divination meant.

Her family was in danger and Professor Morpheus was sure to know after all he is a master in the art.

Narcissa debated between confronting him or telling her father first. She knew she had to make a decision quickly.

As she put the book back and turned to leave her heart kept from her chest, Morphues stood in the shadows his clear mirror-like eyes reflecting her horror. A gentle smile etched on his lips as he blew powder in her direction, "Go to sleep," was the last thing she heard as her vision darkened

-end-