17 Chapter 17: A new change

=====A Month since the sorting.====

As I made my way to the library, intent on completing the day's assignment, a shout from behind caught me off guard. I ran through a mental list of names, expecting it to be one of my friends, but to my surprise, it was Draco who called out to me, "Hey, wait a minute, Arjun."

I slowed my pace and turned to face him. "Hey, Draco. What's the problem?"

Draco's expression was unusually neutral as he replied, "Nothing, I just wanted to come with you to complete the homework."

His sudden interest in joining me raised my eyebrows. I couldn't fathom why Draco, with his pure-blood mindset, would want to associate with someone like me. While others might approach me because of my abilities, Draco's motivations are a complete mystery to me.

After all, the current Slytherin gossip is that I am a half-blood.

As we settled down in the library, I couldn't help but notice Crabbe and Goyle assisting Draco. They opened books for him, and set up his quill and parchment, while he merely looked over their shoulders. The sight made my eyebrows twitch in disbelief.

We began with Potions. Even among Slytherins, the Potions professor was known to be the strictest member of the staff. However, any punishments or news of such things seldom crossed the boundaries of the dungeon.

The last few days had made me acutely aware of this fact.

Draco, however, appeared to be an exception. Rumours circulated that he received private potion lessons from Snape every day.

A thought crossed my mind that perhaps Daphne had revealed my wandless casting skills to Draco, but that seemed unlikely given her reserved personality.

CLICK CLICK

Lost in thought, I observed Draco transcribing the potion assignment. Over the past few days, I had noticed that Draco was one of the best students in our year, with only a handful surpassing him overall. It was clear that he didn't need much of my help.

As the sound of quills scratching against parchment filled the air, I couldn't help but break the silence. "So, what's the matter?"

Draco paused in his writing, his expression changing constantly with his thoughts. While I found the new facets of his character interesting, he remained every bit the arrogant and spoiled rich kid depicted in canon.

Finally, he seemed to decide speaking, "You see, I need your help with something."

"I gathered that much already, Draco," I replied bluntly. "No offence, but other than our casual interactions in class or at the table, you've never approached me before."

Draco snorted at my remark before responding, "It's not just me, it's the same for everyone. You always seem so absorbed in your work, whether you're in the library or class. And then there's the matter of Uncle Severus calling you a genius. Ever since that news spread, everyone in the house has been trying to befriend you. They're all trying to emulate my father's relationship with Uncle Severus, thinking they can achieve the same status as you. As if they could ever hold a candle to the Malfoys."

His words made sense, and I couldn't help but understand where he was coming from. It seemed that others saw me as the next Severus Snape, the potential future Potion Master.

Draco's arrogance, while off-putting to kids, seemed almost normal given his family's status in Wizarding Britain's political landscape, with his father essentially controlling the strings of Ministerial power. Meaning, his papa runs the country on his palm.

Draco finally revealed the reason for seeking me out, his words breaking the silence that had settled between us. "I need your help to be my second in a duel. Don't worry about the opponents; they're also first-years like us."

I couldn't help but respond numbly, my mind already jumping to the obvious conclusion. "You mean Harry and Ron, right?"

Draco appeared slightly surprised by my accurate guess, but I pressed on regardless. "I can see why you've come to me, considering I am the best in my year. Far better than the rest."

The expressions on Crabbe and Goyle's faces turned peculiar at my bold statement. I could almost sense their surprise at my arrogance, but to my astonishment, Draco seemed to take it in stride. "I know, that's why I need your help."

"Very well, let's see what you can do. There's an abandoned classroom a few corridors away; let's go."

Draco didn't question my sudden agreement, rising from his seat to follow me. As we walked, I couldn't resist the urge to ask, "How can you be so sure I will accept your request? I mean, Professor Snape and your father are one thing. But we are another thing altogether."

"Because I am sure about it. I am a Malfoy," he replied confidently, his tone dripping with arrogance. "We achieve whatever we put our minds to."

At that moment, despite his haughty demeanour, I couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with Draco. We may be similar in arrogance, but unlike him who was spoiled a bit, I knew I was better. I can back my arrogance.

=====Abandoned Classroom======

In the dimly lit room, the faint scent of old bookshelves hung in the air as Draco Malfoy and I faced each other, wands drawn and ready for battle.

Crabbe and Goyle, ever the loyal followers, stood by the sidelines, their eyes fixed on the impending duel while dutifully carrying our bags.

THUD

Without hesitation, Draco took the initiative, his voice ringing out confidently as he unleashed the first spell. "Stupefy!" he shouted, a bolt of crimson light hurtling towards me with deadly precision.

ZOOM

Reacting swiftly, I bent backwards, narrowly avoiding the attack as it sailed past me, the rush of adrenaline coursing through my veins.

WHOOOSH

Summoning my intent, I launched a counterattack, casting "Expelliarmus" in Draco's direction.

With effortless grace, he leapt aside, evading the spell with ease, his movements fluid and precise. It was clear that his duelling form was impeccable, likely the result of extensive training under a private tutor.

WHOOOSH

Undeterred, Draco pressed on, his wand slashing through the air as he attempted to immobilize me with a "Locomotor Mortis" spell. Anticipating his move, I sidestepped the attack with the agility of years of martial arts training, my movements flowing seamlessly as I dodged each incoming spell.

WHOOSH 

ZOOM 

WHOOOSH

As the duel continued, I maintained my focus, weaving through Draco's spells with ease. Despite his frustration mounting, I remained calm and composed, my mind calculating the duel like Karate spar.

"Damn it. Stay still for me." The wide swing of his wand for the extra power left him wide open. An opening, I used well.

With a swift wave of my wand, I used "Wingardium Leviosa," levitating an old bookshelf to the centre of the room.

"HUH."

I felt a laugh come to my face at Draco's look of surprise. What can I do? I am new to aiming with the wand.

Draco grew angry with me for being defensive, not knowing the reason.

"Diffindo."

"Diffindo"

"Incendio"

The bookshelf that served as an obstruction was ripped to pieces from the combo of wand waves that sent the severing charms.

WHOOOSH

WHOOOSH

With each spell, the bookshelf began to splinter and crack open. In a split second, the Incendio arrived and blasted the splintered Bookshelf into pieces.

BOOOOOOOOOOOM

In that split second, I found his legs visible from the small gap between the ground and the exploding bookshelf.

WHOOSH

Seizing the opportunity, I unleashed a "Tarantallegra" charm, aiming to catch Draco off guard with a dancing spell at his feet. True to his duelling form, he jumped into the air, evading the charm with ease.

But, I was the one who won.

THUD

Looking at the frozen stiff Draco, I walked towards him while saying, "That is one good duel. If you can perform like this, I can see us easily winning."

If you rewind the events a little, you can see me jumping sideways without waiting for the dancing charm to reach him.

A Stupefy to the jumping Draco later, I am the winner.

After unfreezing him, I also lay on the ground from exhaustion. I called out to him, "You know, that side jump spell at the end was kind of lucky. I'm still working on aiming while in motion compared to stationary aiming."

Today, Draco surprised me again, because he extended his arm for a handshake, "How did you cast the Levitation charm?" he asked earnestly. "I've been struggling with it."

I smiled at that and explained to him, "Unlike the other first-year spells, this one requires precise intent. You need to visualize where and how you want to levitate the object. The more precise the intent the better. In the textbook, only a couple of details were mentioned. But, upon practice, you will find much more like ....."

=========

[Hypothesis 12: Incantations]

Initially, I hypothesized that incantations served as a tool to imbue spells with intent. However, as the usage of incantations became more widespread among wizards, it became apparent that the intent of the spell became intertwined with the very essence of the incantation itself.

Over time, through generations of magical practice, the incantation became inseparable from the intent of the spell, creating a symbiotic relationship between the two. I believe it is due to the wide release of intent by the practising wizards which made the incantation a part of the Ambient magic intent.

The utilization of incantations in spellcasting appeared to alleviate the strain on the caster and even reduce the magical energy expended. While those capable of Wandless casting can also bypass the need for incantations as they possess enough intent the strain will be there nonetheless.

However, based on my estimations, with sufficient practice and mastery of a spell's incantation, the need for verbalization may become obsolete.

Furthermore, it is hypothesized that proficient wizards or witches like professors, possess the ability to cast all spells without relying on verbal incantations altogether, demonstrating a skill to directly put their thoughts as intent.