Chapter 21
As the group of students recounted the list of the spells they had learnt in the first year, Alan said a few seconds later, "Alright, let's start with the simplest one first, which is the disarming charm. Everyone knows the incantation, right?"
The group of wizards nodded with wide smiles, as they had learnt this spell in class.
"Very good!" Alan said, "This is a basic spell that can be effective most of the time in the duels." Hearing which, the faces of kids showed a suspicious look, as if they were thinking, How can a mere disarming spell be that useful?
"Alright, no need to make that face; you have to just think about it this way. When we wizards use magic spells, whether we recite spells or cast them silently, we take assistance from the wands. Without those wands, we will be nothing but just the same as muggles, though there are some exceptions where wizards can use magic without a wand." And as the kid began to look more interested in that direction, Alan just simply said, "Only wizards like Dumbledore can do something like that because, one, he is the most powerful wizard of our time, and second, he has gone through countless battles and studies."
An excited student hearing that raised his hand and asked, "Professor, if we too study like that, can we become someone like Professor Dumbledore?"
Hearing that, Alan could only smile before saying, "Sure thing, and anyway, don't we have Madam Pomfrey? She will make sure to bring you back from death's door when you're done following someone else's path."
The classroom burst into laughter, but Alan, waiting for a moment, continued, "Instead of following someone else's path, all you guys have to do is carve out your path to become stronger; anyway, back to our earlier topic, the disarming charm, if learnt and practised properly, it can give you an edge over your opponent."
Alan for another minute explained the disarming charm and then suddenly clapped his hands. "Okay, now that everyone has learnt more or less about the disarming charm, let's divide the class into two groups and start practice."
The kids hearing that, with smiles on their faces, hurriedly began to form a group; this combat class for them was turning out way more exciting than they had thought.
"Alright, boys and girls, just focus on your opponents; it's not that difficult to disarm weapons. You all just need to concentrate." As the students have formed groups on their own, all Alan did was stand there and observe and added to motivate them, "Ah, right, I'll reward whoever brings good results with house points."
The classroom suddenly rang with shouts of "Expelliarmus" with wands flying around and the missed spells hitting the walls on both sides, making a crisp sound, and seeing this, Alan realised that he had to think of certain security measures for the classrooms as well when he was teaching the older students.
"Mr Weasley, what's wrong with your wand?" Alan, who was walking around the groups observing their progress, suddenly noticed Ron's group looking a little strange; though he knew what had transpired, he had to ask.
"Professor, my wand...." Ron's ears turned red, holding the wand that kept emitting strange cracking noises, though he wanted to say something, but as his wand's condition was caused by his recklessness alone, he couldn't even complain about it to anyone, and writing a letter home to ask for a new wand was just similar to seeking a death warrant.
"Miss Granger, you are doing a great job." Seeing Ron hesitating to say anything, Alan turned his attention to Hermione and praised her, and then looked back at Ron, calling him by his name, "Ron, If you don't buy a new wand, I think it will be difficult for you to pass this class since an intact wand is a very crucial component." Alan was afraid that Ron wouldn't even be able to practise and would lag behind, causing himself to feel inferior.
Ron, hearing that, instantly turned pale, as this was a class he was starting to feel great about, but now it seemed like things were starting to go in a bad direction from the start.
"Professor, how about I practise with Ron? We'll both be careful." Hermione suddenly suggested.
"You're a good friend, Miss Granger, but doing that would hinder your progress as well, and it's not a solution either." Alan said, smiling at Hermione, and then once again turning his attention to Ron, he added before walking toward another group, "Seems like I'll have to write a letter home to explain your situation, Ron."
Ron's face turned dead pale, and he looked at Hermione for help, saying, "I heard it wrong, Hermione, didn't I? Professor, he didn't say he would write a letter to my parents, right?"
Hermione, on the other hand, could only shake her head with pity, as she also knew that if Professor Alan wrote a letter to the Burrow, the only thing that would happen is Ron being scolded by her mom, which is a worse option than holding onto a broken wand.
But since this was a trouble Ron had invited with his own recklessness, Hermione didn't say much and looked at Professor Smith, who was instructing another student, while ignoring Ron, who was mumbling, "Another Howler; I don't want it."