To My Student Anton

Everyone at the Cottage had their own things to keep busy with. This Ritual Magic had brought the group not only improvements in magic, but also a great many new directions for research and adjustment.

In the farthest corner of the animal pens, Anton had piled up huge Stones he had found in the Forbidden Forest to make two small enclosures, one for Chameleon Slugs and one for Horklaps.

Compared to Horklaps, magical creatures that were difficult to kill, Anton was more interested in Chameleon Slugs. Their mucus could easily kill Horklaps.

All things countered one another. There was nothing unusual about that.

But combined with what Anton had gained during this time—the Unlocking Ritual contained within the Weather Crystal Ball—there was plenty of room for exploration.

Finite Incantatem and All Curses End were two commonly used counter-curses, long regarded as counterspells to many magical spells. But did they themselves have counter-curses?

If they did, could one develop them into spells?

Then...

Using Dumbledore's method of Compound Spellcasting, could one cast an offensive spell alongside a counter-counterspell, or even a counter-counter-counterspell, making one's attack impossible to resist?

Just imagine it. Your opponent thought they had cast a Shield Charm and entered a state where, unless you cast the Killing Curse, you can't hurt me. Then, with little defense against the incoming spell, the outcome would be vastly different.

Holding a backup wand that did not sit quite right in his hand, Anton immersed himself in this all day.

The wand he usually used was soaking in a Ritual Magic potion prepared with the Flying Charm. It needed to soak for a full day.

Only after nightfall, when Anton had planned to turn in early and get a good night's sleep, an owl interrupted his plans.

Professor Snape had returned and