Practice makes perfect

Andrei smirked at Alice, satisfied at the way she had handled his spell. Now he was sure of it, she had potential. Just her last name suggestion that she could have some hidden talents, but this made him sure of it. With enough training, she could be exactly what he was searching for. Smart, stable and even loyal, which was very hard to find these days. Perhaps one day she could become his own little protege. He didn't doubt that it was easy enough to manipulate with her. A few sweet words and some persuasion would be all it takes to make her realize she was born on the wrong side of the war. He had to do this very carefully of course. Even a small mistake could ruin his plan. But for now it seemed perfect.

What he didn't expect was, that Alice would get the hang of it so quickly and even have the courage to attack him so openly. It took him a while to respond but thankfully he managed to block off her spell before it could affect him. He laughed amused at her attempt and rather impressed actually. "Have to say Longbottom, you have more guts that other people give you credit for. That's good" he said nodding his head. She was feisty when needed and could fight well. If given a well enough cause or motivation, Andrei was sure she could do a lot better than this too. Which made her just perfect and extremely interesting in his eyes. "But your mother should have warned you never to pick on someone who is bigger than you. Pelsum!" he said and his spell quickly hit Alice.

Even if she tried, Andrei had still managed to block out her spell although this time with a bit more difficulties. She smirked, something she didn't do that often, when he complimented her on her spell. It felt amazing just being to practice dueling like this. It made her realize most of all how far behind she was compares to some of the students here age at Hogwarts. Her dad was right, she would grow up to be a much stronger person than she maybe thought at the beginning. The question and concern was when would that happen as something told Alice she didn't have much time left to spare.

As she expected, he returned her challenge with another spell. But this time he was too strong for her and her protection shield did not help her at all. His spell send her flying backwards, this time a lot more than he last and she hit the wall hard. She fell back on the ground and felt strong waves of pain attack her body one by one. She was still not completely healed from her last duel, and this one was certainly going to leave marks and bruises on her. It seemed that was all she did lately, fall down. She tried to get up but it was just too painful. She even tried once more, but it was useless. She just laid there on the floor, trying to figure out how could she move herself without doing any additional injury to her body.

Andrei saw her fall again and he sighed. She had quite a rough fall this time, but it didn't matter though. The most important thing was that she gets back up on her feet. He patiently watched and waited for her to move and get up, but realized she couldn't do so. Maybe he went a bit too hard on her this time. She was just a beginner after all. Although everything inside of him told him he should just keep his distance and let her get up by herself, he couldn't watch her suffer anymore like this. Even for him, she was just too young and too innocent to be seen in a state like that. He had to help her, he had no other choice.

Coming closer to her, he pulled out the small healing potion he carried around with him. He figured she needed it now a lot more than he did. He sat down next to her and offered her the little bottle. "Take it. It will clear the pain away for a while. Trust me, it will help" he said, almost pushing it into her hands. He wasn't going to take no for an answer. Taking a while to examine her scars and bruises, he took out his wand. He knew a few simple healing spells. It could not get rid of it all of course but it could certainly help. And with that thought, something told him that he had no idea what he was getting himself into with this girl. But his plan was simple, to train her and then see where it would go. "Episkey" he said softly hovering his wand over her arms and back. He repeated it many times until he was satisfied with the result.

Alice didn't expect him to help her, but she was certainly glad and grateful he did. She suspiciously eyes the small bottle he had handed to her. But if she had trusted him this far, there was no reason not to trust him right now. Taking the potion in her hands, she drowned it quickly hoping for a relief of the pain. Her body was suddenly mixed with a feeling of warmth and then cold right after. She saw Andrei's wand over her wounds and realized he was healing them by himself the best he could. She couldn't do anything else by this point but close her eyes and wait for it to all be over. Wait for the pain to go away.

By the time Andrei was done with his spells, the potion had already left his effect on her. The pain was still there, but it was remarkably less. And now at least, she had a feeling she could move. Gazing at the bruises on her arm and back, she realized that a lot of them were gone. This helped her a lot. She didn't wanted to look like a wild child walking down the corridors of Hogwarts. With a few extra pushes from herself she had finally managed to stand up on her own two feet. It was difficult and painful, but never the less she succeeded in it. Looking at Andrei she couldn't help but smile. "Um...thanks" was all she could say shyly. She didn't really know what else to tell him or how to thank him for all he has done for her today, just a simple stranger. And if she tried, she would only end up being more clumsy than she looks right now.

Her shy glances and now almost red cheeks made him chuckle and roll his eyes. Why was it that every girl was like this? She would expect the worse from you and hate you for it, but when given some kindness she would turn into a blushing fool. Despite knowing how to handle women, Andrei never understood them really. Sometimes he didn't even try to, agreeing from the start that they will always be confusing and irrational creatures to him.

Now that Alice was feeling a bit better, the problem was moving her around. It was obvious she could barely stand on her own two feet, let alone walk around the room. Without hesitation, he wrapped her hands around her waist and swung her into his arms. There was no other way but to carry her, he had decided. Reaching a large sofa that was on the edge of the room, he carefully placed her there. She would probably need to rest before going anywhere else. Walking wasn't really an option and for some reason Andrei knew she wouldn't allow him to carry her around Hogwarts to her dorm. Not that he would mind doing so at all. "That was good you know. You did good, a lot better", he said nodding his head. "Well of course if you don't count the whole falling down and hitting the floor part. But other than that it was good", he added with a playful smirk upon his lips.

Alice cursed in her head for blushing. He was just helping her after all. But there was nothing or very little she could do about her shyness, it was jut in her nature. And she definitely wasn't used to such attention other than from her family and relatives. Now the only problem was how she would get up. She couldn't just stay in this room on the floor for hours. She sighed to herself and gently shook her head. Why was it that she was just a magnet for trouble and these kinds of things lately. She wasn't like that at all, but now suddenly trouble just kept following her around and she didn't know how to get rid of it.

As Andrei put his hands around her waist she flinched and opened her mouth to say something rude. But before she could, he was already carrying her in his arms to the couch. Feeling rather awkward from all of this, she just simply nodded her head in gratitude. "I know I was good" said Alice with the playful grin that was common on her face. She frowned at his comment about her falling. And truly, it wasn't the best thing she has done of the day. "Well I have to admit, it wasn't my greatest moment. But I can easily say that was completely your fault. And my injuries as well" she said playfully. For some reason, she could feel rather relaxed and herself when she was with him. Even though she barely knew him. Yeah, it didn't make any sense to her either.

Rolling his eyes eyes and laughing was the only appropriate thing he could do about her comment. In a way, he truly was responsible for her injuries, not all of them however but some for sure. Because of the reason he had started the 'practice duel' in the first place, and that was to teach her, he didn't feel guilty at all. If it took a few bruises for Alice to master defensive spells and hexes, it was certainly worth it. After all, the ends justify the means. "That might be. But you're forgetting one thing though. If you were good at defending yourself you wouldn't have any bruises at all. Not from me or from anyone", said Andrei trying to prove his point. He was right and he knew it. And teaching this girl how to defend herself was only the first step of many.

This whole day, Andrei had been fighting off the desire to smoke. It was a nasty muggle habit he had picked up because of a friend during summer. Since then, he had learned just how addicting this habit could be. Taking out a box of cigarettes from his pocket, he offered one to Alice. "Want one?", he asked. He truly doubted she would say yes, but it was the polite thing to do. With a quick fire spell, he had lit up his cigarette and enjoyed the feeling of smoke entering his lungs once more.

"Do you know what I think you need? A protective charm." said Andrei suddenly. This was the height of his plan for the day and he knew it was the perfect ending. "Not some silly bracelet that doesn't really work, mind you. A proper one that is worth something". He closed his eyes and the room created a small necklace with a tiny stone danging from it. After a few transfiguration spells, he changed the stone into a snake made from small black crystals. Adding the strongest protection spell he was able to cast to it, the necklace was done. The snake of course had a special meaning and even a special kind of energy it released, but he wasn't going to tell that to Alice. "There, all done", he said placing the necklace into her hands.

Spoiler:

Alice lifted her eyebrow as she watched him take out a strange box out of his pocket. The only way she knew it was cigarettes was because of muggle movies. Her mother was a huge fan of some old classics, and very often she could see people "smoking" or whatever it was. Since it wasn't very popular in the wizarding world, she had never seen cigarettes up close let alone try it.

She was curious about it for a while, but decided against it when Andrei lit one up and she almost chocked on the smoke that was coming to her. "Um...no thanks. I don't think it's really my thing" she said shaking her head. Besides, she had heard that it was actually quite harmful. It was definitely not worth risking your health for smoke that you can only choke on and cough up afterwards.

She was surprised when he mentioned a protection charm. She had never really given a lot of through to that before. Raising her wrist up to him, she showed him the bracelet her dad had bought her. I have this. It's supposed to have a protection spell on it...or maybe a luck charm I forgot. But dad got it for me from Brazil. Not sure if it works that much though" she said shrugging her shoulders.

And then Andrei turned around and did a few strange spells she had never heard of before. As she curiously watched him, he put a small necklace in her head. It was a black snake with crystals hanging from a thread of silver. It was one of the most beautiful things she had ever seen. And also, she was strangely attracted to it. She hated snakes, was even afraid of them, but this one was just beautiful. Thinking about it for a while, she couldn't help but get a little suspicious. Why would he give her a protection necklace? But then again, he didn't exactly have a reason to harm her. So she just smiled gratefully and put the necklace on. "Wow...um thank you. It's very pretty" she said with her cheeks slightly blushed and her head down, pretending to admire the necklace.

"Suit yourself. Terrible habit anyway", he said with a shrug of his shoulders. But no matter what he said, feeling the taste of smoke on his lips felt divide. He still would never admit her was addicted to smoking or anything similar. No that sounded too radical and he had believed that he wasn't at that level yet. He just considered himself as a guy who likes how cigarettes taste and occasionally has one. Either way, he didn't label it as something terrible in his life that he had to get rid off. Quite the opposite, although he did try and failed a few times.

Andrei glanced at the bracelet and it made him chuckle. "It's probably just something they sell for the tourists there. Even if there is a protection spell on it, I doubt it's any good. But it's pretty", he added quickly at the end. He didn't want her to feel like he was insulting something her dad gave her. Usually girls like her were very attached to their family, especially their to father. So Andrei knew he had to play it nice here. Oh the things he would do just to get some entertainment in life. But hopefully after a while, she would prove to be quite worth all of his efforts.

He smiled pleased as she put on the necklace. In his mind, he could already see it working. And there was no doubt that it looked beautiful on here as well. "You're welcome" he said softly, expecting her shy tone and red cheeks. But he didn't pay much attention to it. He was sure she would overcome it sooner or later. "It only works when you're wearing it though" he added, trying to make sure that she would wear it was much as possible. "How are you feeling? Better?" he said, trying to sound as concerned as possible.

Alice blushed once more when he said the necklace looked beautiful on her, and somehow she managed to give him a smile. "Thank you. And I like it too. I think I'll wear it often" she said admiring the little black snake and it dangled from her neck. "I'm pretty sure it doesn't work. But that's not really the reason why I wear it" she said shrugging her shoulders gently. She wore the bracelet because her dad bought it for her and it reminded her of him whenever she would put it on. That was a reason enough for her. If it indeed did possess some protection spells on it, then that would just be an added plus to the whole thing.

At his question, Alice tried to move her hands and her feet around. She was rather successful at it. But then again standing up was another thing that was surely to be risky for her. "I'm fine.... A lot better" she said nodding her head. It was weird for her to be given so much attention by a guy. The only male person who would take care of her like this would be her father and Frank, and she was sure both of them didn't really count as they were family. "But I think I can walk" she said with a hopeful smile. Pulling herself up from the sofa, she held onto him for support as she tried to stand up on her feet. She was still hurting, but the pain was manageable this time unlike the last. She tried to take a few quick steps but almost stumbled down from her own clumsiness. Instead of falling, she grabbed Andrei's hands and shirt to keep her balance. "Sorry" she added with an apologetic smile.