Charlotte was on the verge of teaching Cassandra a lesson when Erwin intervened.
"Charlotte, stand down," he said, rising to his feet.
She paused, then stepped aside without a word.
Erwin's lips curved into a sly grin. "Alright then. The rules are set, and I'll play by them. Let's see what you've really got."
Cassandra's voice was ice-cold. "You'll see soon enough."
She gripped her wand in a reverse stance, her eyes narrowing into a fierce glare.
Erwin stood relaxed, hands clasped behind his back, facing her squarely.
Cassandra's brow furrowed. "Where's your wand?"
He chuckled softly. "To me, it hardly matters."
"Are you mocking me?" she snapped. "I want a fair duel!"
Erwin waved off the words. "Enough chatter. Time's wasting. If you want respect, earn it with strength."
Her expression hardened like frost. "You'll regret underestimating me. I'll tear you apart!"
With a sharp flick of her wand, she unleashed a spell straight at him.
Erwin didn't flinch. He merely shifted his weight, and the curse whistled past his shoulder.
Undeterred, Cassandra pressed on. "Incarcerous! Expelliarmus!"
Vines erupted from the stone floor, snaking around Erwin's ankles. At the same instant, a jet of red light streaked toward his chest.
He nodded approvingly. "Not bad. At your age, you've got every reason to be confident."
A flicker of pride crossed her face. Her magic had awakened early, and she'd devoured spells from her family's library young. While not overpowering, she outshone her peers by a mile.
But why did his compliment sting like praise from a rival?
Still, she was certain: Hogwarts had never seen her like. Erwin might have tricks, but he was no match.
No one her age could shrug off that combo.
Yet the vines shattered with a casual snap of Erwin's fingers, crumbling to dust before they could tighten.
As for the Expelliarmus, he raised his hand effortlessly. To the Slytherins' stunned gasps, he caught the spell like a glowing orb in his palm, then clenched his fist. It winked out in a puff of harmless smoke.
Cassandra's eyes bulged. "Impossible! How—?"
"You've got potential," Erwin replied evenly, "but it's raw. My magic dwarfs yours. That spell felt like a whisper. Keep practicing. Show me more."
She ground her teeth. "You're arrogant, Cavendish. I will beat you!"
Wand raised high, she incanted, "Fiendfyre!"
Flames roared from her wandtip, a snarling inferno that swept the chamber. The first-years scrambled back, yelping as heat singed the air.
The prefects of each year leaped up, forming a barrier to shield the younger students.
Erwin sighed. "That's your best? In a confined space like this, it's suicide—yours or theirs. I've seen enough. Time to wrap this farce."
He pointed a single finger at her. "Aguamenti!"
Water surged from nowhere, an unstoppable torrent that yanked the Fiendfyre into a writhing sphere. The flames churned inside a shimmering bubble of liquid, oddly mesmerizing.
Then, with another snap, Erwin burst the sphere. A deluge crashed down, drenching Cassandra head to toe.
She staggered, sodden and stunned, staring at him in numb shock. "But... Fiendfyre can't be quenched! How?"
Plopping to the floor in a puddle, she gaped up at the unmoved Erwin, her mind reeling. It defied everything she knew.
He shook his head and vanished in a swirl of air, reappearing right before her. Crouching, he met her gaze. "Fiendfyre's unquenchable—to the average wizard. Common sense crumbles for the rest. You've got talent for your years, Cassandra Worre. Shame it's pitted against mine. Want to grow stronger?"
She lifted her chin slowly, locking eyes with his—sparkling like a starlit night. "Stronger...?"
Erwin waited, patient as stone.
Finally, resolve ignited in her stare. "Yes. I will."
A warm smile touched his face. "Then you've got your chance."
Flames of ambition kindled in her eyes as she watched him extend a hand. She took it, letting him pull her to her feet.
"Very well, Cassandra Worre—Slytherin's first-year Prefect!"
Applause erupted from the first-years, soon joined by polite claps from the older students. Her display had earned their nods, even in defeat.
Erwin turned to Charlotte. "The rest is yours."
She inclined her head. "As you wish, sir."
With a nod, he Disapparated, heading back to his quarters.
Charlotte eyed the dripping Cassandra. "Clean yourself up before you catch your death."
The girl nodded mutely.
The prefect challenges continued without a hitch, wrapping up all formalities. The hidden prefect roles stayed the same.
The highlight? Draco challenging Pansy—and taking another thrashing.
Charlotte could already picture Erwin's plans for him come morning.
...
WANT 15 BONUS CHAPTERS?
Enjoy the read, and let's get started on the next goal immediately!
Power Stones: [127]/200
5 Star Reviews: [12]/20
— MrGrim