First Dueling Practice

Upon entering the Room of Requirement, it was not hard to see that this was the room where Severus and Lily had originally conducted practical training.

However, Flitwick had clearly rearranged it. A satin carpet in bronze and blue, with the distinctive style of Ravenclaw House, had been laid across a dueling platform raised one meter above the ground. Wooden steps leading up to the platform stood on either side.

"This dueling platform is the standard platform you will use when you participate in the Dueling Tournament. Of course, the decorations will definitely differ, but the dimensions and rules are the same. You should already know that very well."

Manus nodded. He had digested the contents of all those written materials so thoroughly that if he still did not understand the Dueling Tournament's rules, he might as well say goodbye to it.

"Very well. Then we'll begin a duel directly according to the Dueling Tournament rules. Don't be nervous. Take your time if you make any mistakes. This is only the first practice."

Flitwick nodded to Manus, then walked toward one end of the dueling area.

Manus went to the other side, stepped onto the edge of his half of the field, and waited quietly. Flitwick took his position in the corresponding spot across from him.

When Flitwick nodded at Manus, they both drew their wands, held their wand hands close to their chests with their wands pointing straight upward, and walked toward each other.

After crossing roughly half the distance of their respective halves, they reached the edge of the circular pattern at the center of the field. In an official Dueling Tournament, this design would be the tournament emblem; for now, it was a bronze eagle spreading its wings... its purpose in helping control distance was the same.