Chapter 16: Here’s The Plan

"Look Draco, Harry grew up in the muggle world, there is no way he can beat you, why are you so worried for nothing?" Obelia was carving a small silver ring with a needle then turning to notice Draco walk back and forth in the halls.

"I know that! But…" Draco turned to Obelia who was sitting at the window and sat next to her, he hesitated to speak but finally spoke after some time. "I feel like there planning something, a lot of the Griffindor students keep staring at me, even Goyler and Crabbe felt their gaze!" Draco said, looking at Obelia to see her reaction.

Obelia and Draco hadn't spent much time together outside of class after they announced the duel, Obelia would go to the library and Draco would go to the courtyard. Obelia tried to recall if she felt any hostile gazes but could only think of Hermiones whenever Obelia got the question correct first.

"He's right you know, the only reason you're safe is because your here." A voice in a bit further from them rang in the hall. A Ravenclaw student with blonde hair and blue eyes appeared, spawning behind a bookshelf.

"Hi Marcus, you seem to be well informed, do you know what they're planning?" Obelia asked leaning on a bookshelf. 'Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs don't stand out from the crowd unless they intentionally try to, maybe we can use that to our advantage.'

"All I know is the Griffindors aren't too happy with the fact Draco challenged their first-year wonder boy," Marcus said in a joking tone, scanning the bookshelf right after. "Be careful," Marcus said taking out a book and vanishing behind the bookshelf.

"Interesting, the date for the duel is Friday so we still have some time to prepare," Obelia said taking out her pocket watch. "It's Sunday and we get a break in between classes so we still have a decent amount of time to prepare."

Obelia put her watch away and pulled out a small emerald. "It's best if you don't stay in a place for too long, and stick to a group of three or more." Obelia placed the small emerald into her silver ring before placing it in her pocket and taking a small talisman out.

"Draco take off your clock and turn around," Obelia said looking at the protection charm on the talisman made from dragon blood.

"…ok?" Draco hesitantly took off his cloak and turned around, before suddenly feeling a heavy weight on his back and stumbled before it vanished. "What-what did you do to me?"

"I stuck a protective charm on you, this one will only last a day so be careful after," Obelia said, already planning on making more when she receives more dragon blood.

"Oh-ok." Draco moved his back a bit before continuing to speak, "Do you think Harry has something planned since the Gryffindors may be helping him?"

"Even if they do, a duel is between two people, and there is no way for Harry to learn any powerful spells in a week, even if he is a protegí," Obelia said confidently before making her way out of the library. "We need to focus on ourselves, how is your disarmed spell going?"

"Not great, I can't seem to get the wand motions right," Draco said pulling out his wand and flicking it. He repeatedly moved the wand trying to remember how to move it but with every new attempt came a new problem.

"Maybe you just need someone to practice on." Obelia stood up and took out her glass wand, Draco turned to face her and both of them took a few steps back.

"Alright…Expelliarmus!." Draco flicked his wand towards Obelia but since she knew it was coming she tightened her grip on her wand and it remained in her hand.

"I felt it move a bit, but if you can't catch your opponent off guard the spell won't be as effective." Obelia wanted to try to disarm Draco but decided against it since she didn't have magic to spare for a simple example.

"Is that all you been practicing? Why not try Stupefy?" Obelia suggested, twirling her glass wand and aiming it toward Draco, "Don't be afraid to hurt me, my protective charms are strong." Obelia always had items on her, and the very first items she had created were protection charms, so she had a few already on her body.

"Ok…" Draco took a deep breath and focused his magic on the wand, then made eye contact with Obelia. "Stupefy!" Draco noticed Obelia's wand fall off her hand, he thought the stunning spell had worked but Obelia immediately went to pick up her fallen wand.

"Pretty good, my right hand felt a bit stiff." Obelia picked up her wand and Draco noticed her large frown.

"Why are you frowning? Isn't this a good sign my spell is improving?" Draco said putting his wand back in his Cloak.

"It's not that, I'm just trying to think… we have been practicing offense spells for a while, but what will we do if Harry strikes first?" Obelia didn't plan to help Draco in the duel, if Dumbledore found out or noticed she would certainly end up on his bad side.

'I need to teach Draco a defense spell, but do we even have the time?' Draco was very good at potion-making, and while he was also good at spellcasting, Obelia didn't know if it was enough. Obelia vividly remembered Harry didn't have trouble casting spells and started to worry.

"Make sure to strike first…" Obelia said, she didn't know why but she felt if Draco lost this duel it would change the course the story was currently going in and sent a chill down her spine.

"Let's practice the shield charm later, just in case the Gryffindors have something planned," she added.

Draco noticed Obelia on edge and formed a small smile. 'She seems way more nervous than me now, and I'm the one fighting.'

"Alright Draco, let's win this." Obelia thought for a moment and tightened her fist, 'and hopefully no one will get hurt.'