Progress

*Narrator pov*

While Morpheus was away from the castle visiting his first home the students and professors at Hogwarts were not idle.

The students who entered into the dueling club tryouts were practicing fervently trying to gain even the slightest upper hand.

Lily Potter could be found in an old abandoned classroom, her wand seemed to possess her as she quickly performed spells over and over again.

Feeling exhausted Lily finally took a short break. 'I need something new' she thought to herself before standing up once more this time to return to her room.

As Lily walked back to her room she thought, 'I've been practicing Transfiguration since my duel with James, I don't know how he's so good at it!' her bitter thoughts caused her to groan 'he doesn't even study!'

Rounding the corner she saw Minerva walking to the great hall, "Ms. Evans you wouldn't be skipping out on dinner would you?" the professor asked

Lily chuckled awkwardly, "Professor McGonagall I am just getting a change of robes, and then I'll head back to the great hall," she replied while inspecting her dirty robes

The Scottish professor nodded her head, "Practicing?" she asked while eyeing the state of Lily's robes

"Yes Professor, I'm trying to pass the tryouts," Lily admitted determination shining through her eyes

Minerva smiled faintly, "What have you been practicing?" she asked interested in how one of her lions was preparing for the duels

"Transfiguration, since my duel with James I realized I can't only rely on charms," Lily replied with a bright smile

Minerva nodded, "Good, I'm glad you realized that Ms. Evans. Variety is a witches biggest asset. If you need help my office is always open for you now get changed and go eat before it is too late," Minerva said with a gentle smile

Lily quickly got dressed and then headed to the great hall sitting at her table she heard someone shout her name, "Lily where have you been?" turning she noticed it was James

Scowling she replied, "I was changing," she didn't want him to know she was training

James stuffed his mouth with potatoes before asking, "Did you see Stiles? We can't find him,"

Lily thought for a moment before shaking her head, "No I didn't see him in the Commons,"

In a different part of the castle in yet another empty room, Stiles stood casting a barrage of spells, "Haaa," he panted holding his knees in exhaustion

'I don't understand' He thought bitterly, 'how is it ice spells feel so much easier to cast? I feel lethargic if I don't cast them often, and my normal charms always feel wrong like I should be using a different version'

Stiles has been dealing with this since last year. When he was hit with that demonic curse and miraculously healed he started to feel lethargic and always tired. Then one day, he caught the eye of Morpheus, and in the reflection of the professor's mirror-like eyes, he saw himself casting ice spells.

After scouring the library and finally finding one Stiles learned he could easily cast most spells involving anything cold. He's kept it a secret from everyone even his friends, honestly, stiles is worried something is seriously wrong with him.

He's considered talking to Remus about it because Remus himself isn't a normal wizard but Stiles feels like he needs to understand what's happening before worrying his friends.

Laying against the old wall Stiles rubbed his head, "Maybe I can talk to Professor Morpheus," he mumbled

He did try out ice spells because of Morpheus, so maybe he knows something?

"Yeah, maybe he can help," Afterall he needs to figure out eventually

***

The next day the dueling club had another meeting, this time the professors had a different approach, "Today, we will not be dueling but practicing, recently you have learned two new shield spells in defense against the dark arts," Professor Yowie announced

"One of the spells being, Protego Repulsar a variation of the Protego charm. While the Protego charm is taught in the sixth year we professors are starting to learn many Fifth, fourth, and third-year students are taking it upon themselves to learn the spell, of course, most of you are having trouble as you just aren't prepared yet," Professor Yowie said shaking his head, "It is dangerous to learn spells your magic is not ready for, there is a reason why we teach it in the sixth year,"

Many of the students in attendance looked guilty.

Laughing Professor Yowie continued, "Luckily Protego Repulsar is actually easier to cast and can be learned from the third year up. We don't have it in the curriculum because we usually teach Protego first before breaching off into variations,"

Hogwarts is a school of magic, and although they could be teaching these some of these spells earlier they believe in a gradual progression of magical learning.

The desire to win was strong, and the professors made the decision to teach shield spells students third year and up could learn.

"For those of you who haven't paid attention in my class, Protego Repulsar is a repulsion shield with the incantation Repello. Repello not only defends the caster from incoming magical attacks but also possesses a counter-attacking capability. When cast, the charm creates a shimmering, semi-transparent barrier in front of the wizard, designed to repel offensive spells." he explained

"Upon contact with an offensive spell, Protego Repulsar not only deflects the attack but transforms a portion of the absorbed magical energy into a counter-curse. The counter-attack is then unleashed towards the original spell caster, catching them off guard. The strength and nature of the counter-curse depend on the intensity and type of the incoming spell as well as the caster's skill," Yowie explained

Demsotrsting Repello quickly he said, "As you can see the spell requires minimal movements. Now, I realize the spell seems complicated but, in actuality, it is quite simple as you are borrowing your opponent's attack"

"In today's meeting, we will be teaching you how to cast this spell with the utmost precision. I realize there are some first and second-years who might be saddened by the fact you cannot cast the spell yet, so we will ask you to practice the movements and observe. This is an opportunity to begin learning early I suggest you capitalize on it" After finishing the professors in attendance split up and began to take a portion of the class to learn

Albus stood off to the side watching with a small frown on his face, Morpheus who had returned was beside him.

"Share your thoughts, Albus," Morpheus said with a small smile watching the students practice

Albus shook his head, "If anyone were to walk in on this they would think I'm training an army," he said sadly

Morpheus nodded, "You are not training an army but, training students how to defend themselves," he said

Morpheus shook his head seeing the headmaster frown, "Think of it this way Albus, these students will have to face the harsh reality of war and death in their lives they just don't know it yet. Would you rather send them out into the real world unprepared or prepared to face their challenges?"

Albus thought deeply before sighing, "You remind me of someone,"

—-

A/N: Patre on : patreon.com/Boogie324