"Thanks Professor," Tibi smiled running a hand through his now-dry hair. He was feeling in pretty good spirits after having successfully shielded himself.

Not really worried about what Lawson had in mind - he trusted him now... and trusted himself - Tibi shook his arms loose. "Let's do it!"

"Protego!" Celandine tossed up a strong shield and let it go once the spells were deflected.

"See the benefit of doing that is if you hit a shield, it usually weakens it so like, your next spell can have an easier time getting through. You have to practice though because your intent can get a little muddy? Yeah. Like ummm um um um its sort of like your will hasn't quite finished pushing intent into the first spell when you start the second one, so you have to be careful about that or both spells could end up weaker." Cela explained earnestly.

"So maybe you should practice that against a dummy some and once you master that, the next thing would be to try moving, sidestepping and stuff. If you've seen like advanced duels and stuff, they don't just stand still and cast then defend and stuff, they're moving and constantly flinging spells. Eventually you'll get there too, but yup, practice with two spells one right after the other for a few weeks to start with!"

Celandine beamed and put her wand away. "I have to go study for my OWLs now, we can duel again when you've practiced that some more, okay?"

Celandine waved cheerfully and left the arena.

Ah just what he liked to see in one of his students, eagerness and determination to do well. "Okay then. Here we go." Marcus, raised his wand at Tibi and with fast jabbing motion he fired off a small sponge ball at Tiberius.

Not only did he cast non-verbally but he didn't just stop at one sponge ball. He continuously fired off sponge balls one after the other. "Remember to keep your focus Tiberius."

Tibi gripped his wand, waiting to hear Lawson's spell. Only, he didn't hear anything. He only saw a jab and then something flying at him. NON-VERBALS? NO FAIR!

Tibi's eyes went wide as he flicked his wand. "Protego!" *Bounce* Was that a spongeball? *Bounce* Oh, there were more. Tibi concentrated on holding his shield, but he could feel the pushback from the balls in his arm.

*bounce*
*bounce*
*bounce*
*TWACK*

And the shield was down; Tibi flinched as a ball bounced off his head and then he hit the ground. It had been a steady stream of balls and, much like in muggle gym class, Tibi decided to hit the ground and let them sail over his head.

"Well, that's a start?" He called up from the ground, smiling.

With a quick flick of his wand, Marcus stopped firing sponge balls at Tiberius and nodded his head in approval. "It's a very good start Tibi." He re-holstered his wand and walked over to the young boy and stood looking down at him.

"I think you've pretty much got the hang of it now. All I can suggest is that you practice as much as you can and it will become easier to you." Marcus, sat down beside Tiberius and rested back on his hands. "Where do you keep your wand when you are not using it?"

Tibi scrambled into a seated position as Lawson sat next to him. Smiling, he nodded as Lawson told him to keep practicing.

Where did he keep his wand? Was it important? Tibi forehead scrunched up a little.

"Well, when I bought it, I tried to put it in my pocket, but it was so big and I'm... well, not." Tiberius rolled the 12" maple wand around in his small hand. "Sometimes it feels too big." He paused and then remembered what question he was supposed to be answering. "I have a hip holster under my robes. It was the only place it didn't feel awkward."

Marcus burst out laughing at that, "Not now you're not but I'm sure you will grow some as you get older." He pulled up the sleeve of his robe and showed Tibi his wrist holster. "The most effective place to keep your wand. A slight flick of the wrist..."he flicked his wrist in demonstration and his wand slid into his hand..."and you are good to go."

He eyed the spot where Tibi had said his holster was and he nodded. "Hip holsters are pretty good as well, although your robes may get in the way. What side do you wear your wand? On the dominant or the non dominant side?"

Tibi watched, eyes wide as Lawson showed him how the wrist holster worked. Glancing down at his wand and at his forearm, he frowned a little. He'd have to grow quite a bit for that wand to fit there.

Which side? Tibi looked up. He hadn't really given it much thought. After all, what need did an 11-year-old have for quick access? "Um, non-dominant I guess... well, mostly, anyway," he said, reaching his right hand into his robe across his body and putting his wand back in the holster on his left hip. It poked him uncomfortably as he sat on the ground. Shifting, he pulled it back out. "It's just so big," he sighed.

"Good lad" Marcus said and nodding his head in approval. "When wearing a hip holster you always want to go for the cross draw, makes it so much easier..."he glanced at the boy's wand again and chuckled..."especially since it is so big and all."

Marcus stretched his legs out in front of him and eased back onto his elbows, feeling nice and relaxed. "And just because you are young Tiberius does not mean you shouldn't be prepared...for anything. The first rule of defense and one you should always remember." Especially considering what Marcus had in stall for the students for their finals. "Now was there anything else you wanted to practice today, talk about or would you prefer to just get the hell out of here?" He certainly remembered what it was like when he had to spend time with his Professor's...awkward much.

Tiberius smiled. He'd made the right choice without even knowing it! "Guess that means I shouldn't just toss it in my bag, then, huh." He only did it occasionally, but it did make for an awkward moment or two when he needed it quickly.

Tibi considered Lawson's question. There were a lot of questions he had, but none he necessarily thought wise to bring up. At the same time, they were bugging him and Lawson was the defense teacher... so... it made sense, right?

"Well," Tiberius looked at his shoelaces. "Jake Upstead told me about a kid who died here a couple years ago and then I was reading my Hogwarts: A History book and, well, that doesn't seem like it was terribly unusual. For a student to die, that is." He paused. That wasn't really a question, but it had been in the back of his mind since that day in the hall.

"Are we.." Tibi looked up at Lawson and then back down at his shoes. "nevermind." Tiberius felt silly for bringing it up. Of course if he asked, Lawson would say they were safe, what else could he say. "Thanks for taking the time to teach me the shield."

"Not a good idea" Marcus agreed with a grin. He should remember to keep telling the kids that. Always keep your wand on your body.

Sitting back up straighter and crossing his legs, Marcus rested his elbows onto his knees and pondered on what exactly to tell the young boy. Trust Jake, to tell a first year about that. He could of course lie and tell Tibi, that nothing will happen to him while he was here at school, that nothing bad could happen but that would be lying. And well Marcus was a lot of things, but he wasn't a liar.

"We try and keep the school as safe as possible Tiberius, but unfortunately bad things do tend to happen. Dark forces almost always have a way of finding us. Which is why you always need to be vigilant and aware of your surroundings. I remember hearing about that kid, it was the year before I started here." The year Kazi had started here...funny that. The old man was always assuming the he was up to no good, yet no-one had died since he had been here. Of course there was that whole werewolf assembly thing that didn't go to well.

"You're as safe as can be Tibi but nothing in life is ever guaranteed." Marcus looked at the boy and smiled apologetically. "I don't want to lie to you Tiberius, so always be on your guard."

To say that Tibi was surprised that the professor was so forthcoming would have been an understatement. "I.. I see." Tiberius said a little glumly. Though, the fact that he wasn't completely panicking was probably a good sign. There'd been a lot already that had scared him and, well, maybe it was that there was just too much to be scared of and not enough energy to panic, or he was indeed getting a little calmer.

"Well, like I said, thanks for teaching me the shield. I feel better knowing it." Tibi got up to his feet and holstered his wand. Not really sure the proper or polite way to excuse himself, he simply stuck out his hand for a shake. "I'll see you in class, I suppose."

"I like the fact that you aren't showing how scared you are even though I know that you are." Marcus gave the boy a wink as he too got up off the floor. "You wouldn't be human if you didn't get scared sometimes." He stuck out his hand and gave Tibi a firm hand shake. "Yes you will and you're now going to have a slight edge over the others." Giving the boy a gentle slap on the back, he walked him towards the door. "Oh and by the way, very good work today Tiberius."

Tibi smiled shyly, knowing that Lawson could see right through him. The reason for this lesson was, after all, how upset he'd been after the first lesson. "Thanks, professor," he said, as they walked toward the door.

Hitching his bag up on his shoulder, he turned back and gave a little wave, and then made his way out into the hall, firmly decided that he was going to sleep with his wand under his pillow from now on.

This was silly; it was just a few weeks before Dominic was graduated and yet he got called out to have a Dueling session with Evolette McKenna and Cel-an-dine Toussaint ... and he guessed Professor Lawson as well. Granted he hadn't completed his DADA NEWT yet, so this would undoubtedly be a good review, but that was besides the point. He didn't want to duel. Yet he would also NOT turn one down.

So here was, standing in the dueling area and awaiting the arrival of either of the two witches or the professor ...

Celandine maaarched into the arena, quite ready for her duel. But wait, where was Evolette? GASPTH! She was supposed to be dueling boooooth the HB and HG, she could maybe warm up with Dom-in-ick though?

"Hiii Dom-in-ick!" She smiled brightly at him and flexed her wand hand. Eeeee this would be fun!

Marcus sauntered casually into the arena, spotting Celandine at once and s small smile spread across his face. She was definitely eager for this. And there was the Head Boy also, Dominic. "Don't mind me, I am just here to observe and I guess supervise" he chuckled as he took a seat on one of the benches.

He noticed that Miss McKenna had not arrived yet and she gave a mental shrug, she would either show or she would not. "Maybe you two should get started. If Miss McKenna shows then she can join in" he said as he gestured towards the platform.

Dominic turned abruptly at the sound of the entrance of someone; who he knew all too well who it was even before actually seeing her because who else would have such a loud entrance? It was only confirmed when she greeted him with the typical nickname.

"Hey Cel-an-dine" he nodded, wondering how she could keep her spirits so high at this time of year. REALLY! She had major examinations TOO; it wasn't like they were easy either... though, for her, they probably were.


There was the Professor, as he claimed that he would just be 'supervising'. Nodding towards the DADA Professor as he took a seat on one of the benches, Dominic turned back towards the fifth year. What if he hurt her? Copernicus would kill him. No wait, she was smart. Probably smarter than him actually.

And then, interrupting his thoughts, Lawson spoke again.. Apparently they weren't waiting for the Head Girl, which was fine by him. If she really wanted to 'chicken out', he wouldn't complain. "Okay..." Dom agreed, looking back at Cela, still nervous, as he gripped his wand.

Taking a few steps back and going into his dueling stance, the head boy bowed just a little - though not taking his eyes off the Ravenclaw. Vigilance, he could hear Kazimeriz reminding him in his ear.

Beaming at Dom-in-ick as he greeted her and offering a cheerful wave at Professor Lawson as he arrived to watch, Celandine turned her back and walked a few steps away. Dom wasn't a Slytherin, he totally wouldn't attack while she wasn't ready. She was that confident.

She turned around again, saluted and relaxed into a dueling stance, her wand held loosely, arm bent just slightly,

Don't forget the big bright smile, that was still there.

Did Dom-in-ick know she could manage non-verbals now thanks to Professor Lawson's training? Cela decided to let it be a nice surprise. He'd surely congratulate her and give her hugs right?

"Incarcerous!" She conjured some ropes which whipped out the end of her wand and headed toward Dom. Flicking her wand again and casting lower, Celandine followed it up with, "Duro!"

Stone shoes yes?

Uh yea... Cel-an-dine being all friendly right before a duel? Totally NOT comforting at all. Especially since she seemed so relaxed and confident; where did she get all that confidence from anyway? He was smart though and he knew it, but wandwork was never his strong point.

Vigilance, on the other hand, Dom could manage. "Depulso" Dom cast, banishing the conjured ropes towards the side of the room and landing a lump on the floor where Lawson was sitting. But a second spell so soon? He had not been expecting that one, as he felt his shoes harden. Oh well, just his shoes... he could still duel.

"Confundo!" Dominic flicked his wand, hoping to cause some confusion to help his 'game'. And then, taking a page from Cel-an-dine's book, he flicked his wand again. "Tarantallegra!"

Celandine was already enjoying herself and she was beaming at Dom-in-ick. She dodged the first spell he sent her way, twisting her body so the flare of light whipped past her and dissapated against the back wall of the arena.

"Protego!" Celandine held her shield steady, focused like Kazimeriz had taught her and the sensation of the Tarantallegra spell hitting it was almost audible.

"Glisseo!" Celandine cast on the ground and as the slipping spell spread out quickly toward Dom-in-ick, the floor almost appeared to grow shiny. She dipped her wand, appearing to be resting for a second but nuh-uh!

She cast a non verbal Toenail growing hex at his feet. Toenails growing exponentially when your shoes were made of stone, hurt man. It totally did. Would it hit though? It usually did and surely he hadn't expected a non-verbal attack from a fifth year?

Dominic never once removed his gaze from Cel-an-dine, frowning at the way she so skillfully moved around. It was her who should be graduating this year, not him, because she was clearly more skillful at dueling than he was. Of course she dueled like everyone under the sun ... whereas, he, avoided it when he could. So it was evident that she had more practice than him.

Shield charm, of course, he should have expected that. Just like he should have expected the sliding charm on the ground. But for once, he was thankful for the stone shoes which did NOT slide so easily on the slippery ground. HA!

Almost ... because one minute, he was grateful for the stone shoes and then he was cursing them as his toenails began to grow (and being that his shoes were now stone... uh yea...) Face scrunched up in pain, he looked at her with a confused expression, like 'How the heck?!?' Because she was only a fifth year and fifth years weren't supposed to have mastered nonverbals, right?

Not fair.

Hopping up and down, as if trying to stop [or ignore] the growing toenails and the pain in his feet, Dom tried to focus on the duel that he ultimately seemed to be losing. "Avissss!!" he called in fleeting determination. "Oppugno!" Dom called almost immediately after. Because maybe birds attacking her would allow him time to recoop and give him hope. Maybe?

Proud! Cela was proud and it was sooo obvious in the way she grinned at Dom-in-ick, like she expected him to be super proud of her developing skillz too.

So, she wasn't going to do that mean thing that Nico did against attacking birds, she didn't much like the idea of cooking them in mid air, and a shield would stop them temporarily but not get rid of them, so the first thing Celandine did was jab her wand at Dom-in-icks feet.

"Confringo!" Of course the intention was to explode the stone shoes, not his feet, you know, to free those toenails?

...and maybe trip Dom-in-ick up with the glisseo floor?

Eeeek birds!

"Protego!" She haaaaad to shield just to bounce them back a bit and she alternated shielding with vanishing them one at a time.

1...

*shield*

2...

Lovely. Evolette was late. Apparently, being the Head Girl meant she had nothing better to do than get trapped in a group of first years in the library. AGH. Hanging back, she watched waiting for a moment to step in, and- when Cela dropped her shield to vanish one of the birds, Evolette's wand was ready, pointing at Celandine. "Rictusempra."

Denton looked a little bit worse for the wear. And...she had to work WITH him? Meh.

3...

And Cela's eyes widened as she heard the incantation.

"Protego!" The shield wasn't nearly strong enough or quick enough against the Slytherin's sneaaaaaky attack and when it hit the shield it disappated and Cela flew sideways, sprawling on the ground.

She vanished another few birds then scrambled to her feet, now wary of both the HB and HG. Could they possibly work together? Cela wasn't sure. She had her wand ready again and more than a few bruises from her landing.