Chapter 43

I am 15 chapters ahead on my patreón, check it out if you are interested.

https://www.patréon.com/emperordragon

_________________________________________

Chapter Forty Three: The Art of Defense

Nymphadora Tonks Black stood in the center of the dueling room at the Auror Academy, her heart pounding and breath coming in short, ragged gasps. Sweat dripped down her forehead as she faced her mentor, Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, one of the most legendary Aurors in wizarding history. His magical eye whirled around, watching her every move, while his regular eye locked onto her with a stern, calculating gaze. The room was silent except for the sound of their breathing, the tension palpable.

She could feel the weight of his scrutiny as she readied herself for another round of dueling. Her wand trembled slightly in her hand, a testament to the strain of the intense training. Moody had been pushing her harder than ever, testing her limits and forcing her to adapt. Despite her exhaustion, Tonks was determined to prove herself.

"Ready?" Moody asked, his gravelly voice echoing in the room.

Tonks nodded, gripping her wand tighter. She was tired, but she wasn't going to back down. With a swift flick of his wand, Moody sent a jet of red light toward her, a stunning spell aimed directly at her chest. Tonks dodged to the side, countering with a shield charm, "Protego!" The shimmering barrier sprang up just in time to deflect the spell, but Moody was relentless. He followed up with a barrage of hexes and curses, forcing her to stay on the defensive.

Tonks gritted her teeth, her mind racing as she tried to anticipate his next move. She had always prided herself on her quick reflexes and adaptability, but Moody was on a different level entirely. He seemed to predict her actions before she made them, countering every spell with ease. It was like trying to fight a shadow—everywhere and nowhere at once.

As the duel continued, Tonks found herself growing increasingly frustrated. No matter how hard she tried, she couldn't land a hit. Her spells were either deflected or dodged, and Moody's attacks were relentless. She felt like she was constantly on the back foot, reacting rather than taking the initiative.

Finally, Moody disarmed her with a well-placed Expelliarmus, her wand flying from her hand and landing neatly in his. The duel was over. She collapsed to the ground, breathing heavily, her limbs trembling from the exertion. Despite her exhaustion, a small smile played on her lips. She knew she was improving, even if it didn't always feel like it.

Moody approached, his wooden leg thumping against the floor, and offered her a hand. "You did well, Tonks," he said gruffly, helping her to her feet. "But there's always room for improvement."

Tonks accepted her wand back, brushing a strand of pink hair out of her face. "What did I do wrong?"

Moody's lips twitched in a rare hint of a smile. "You're overcomplicating things. You're using needlessly complex defensive spells when a simple Protego would suffice."

"But Protego doesn't work against powerful curses," Tonks argued, still catching her breath.

Moody's expression hardened. "That's a common misconception. Protego can stop almost any curse if cast properly. The only exceptions are the Unforgivables. The key is intent. You have to believe it will work. Magic isn't just about the words and wand movements; it's about your intent, your will."

Tonks frowned, processing his words. She had always viewed Protego as a basic, almost beginner-level spell. It was something you learned in your fifth year at Hogwarts. How could it possibly stand up to the kind of dark magic she was now facing?

"Watch," Moody said, raising his wand. He cast a flawless Protego, the shield shimmering with a powerful glow. "Try to break it."

Tonks squared her shoulders, determination flaring in her eyes. She unleashed a barrage of spells, each one more powerful than the last. The shield held firm, deflecting every attack with ease. No matter what she threw at it, she couldn't penetrate the barrier.

"How?" she asked, lowering her wand in frustration.

"Intent," Moody repeated. "You have the power, Tonks. I've seen it. But your will is lacking. You don't trust the spell to hold, so it doesn't. You need to believe it can stop anything."

He stepped back, his expression serious. "From now on, we're going to focus on mastering Protego. Every day, you'll practice until the day I can't break your shield."

Tonks nodded, a spark of determination reigniting within her. She wasn't going to let this defeat define her. She was going to become the best Auror she could be, just like James Potter and Sirius Black before her.

Moody grinned, a rare sight. "Good. Now, let's get to work."

The next few weeks were grueling. Tonks spent hours every day practicing Protego, pouring her intent and will into each cast. She faced off against Moody repeatedly, each duel pushing her to her limits. Slowly but surely, she began to see progress. Her shield held longer, deflected more powerful spells, and became more resilient.

There were moments of frustration, moments when she wanted to give up, but she pushed through. She knew that mastering this spell could mean the difference between life and death in the field. She had to be ready for anything.

One afternoon, after a particularly intense duel, Moody finally nodded in approval. "You're getting there, Tonks. Keep at it."

Tonks smiled, her confidence growing. She knew she still had a long way to go, but she was on the right path. With Moody's guidance, she was becoming the Auror she had always aspired to be.

During her downtime, Tonks often reflected on her progress and the lessons she had learned. She thought about the legacy of her family, the Blacks, and how she wanted to carve her own path. She didn't want to be defined by her lineage but by her actions. The thought of making her family proud, especially Sirius, drove her forward.

She also thought about the other Aurors she admired, like James Potter and Sirius Black. They had both been mentored by Moody and had risen to the top of the Auror ranks. She wanted to follow in their footsteps and prove that she was just as capable.

One evening, as she sat in the common room of the Auror Academy, sipping a cup of tea, she found herself in conversation with her uncle Sirius. They discussed the challenges of the training, the intense pressure, and the expectations placed upon the trainees.

"I heard you're working with Moody," Sirius said, a hint of awe in his voice. "He's a tough old bastard."

Tonks nodded. "He is, but he's the best. He pushes me to be better every day."

Sirius smiled. "You'll make a great Auror, Tonks. I can see it."

Tonks felt a warmth in her chest at the compliment. She was determined to live up to those expectations, to become the Auror she knew she could be. With Moody's guidance, she was confident she could achieve her goals.

As she headed back to her quarters that night, she felt a renewed sense of purpose. She was ready for whatever challenges lay ahead.