The next morning, I returned to the Room of Requirement, this time with Abraxas and Orion already waiting. The door had appeared almost immediately as we passed by, exactly how I wanted it: a spacious area filled with training dummies, spell targets, and bookshelves stacked with every conceivable type of magical text.
"This is your chance," I told them, "to stop being ordinary first-years." My tone was calm, measured, but carried the weight of command. "If you want to survive and thrive at Hogwarts, you need skills beyond what's taught in class."
Abraxas smirked, "I was born talented. I think I'll manage."
"Talent alone isn't enough," I replied, walking past him and Orion, surveying the room. "You'll need control, precision, and strategy. And most importantly, you'll need to trust me to push you."
I started with Occlumency, reinforcing what I had taught them before. "Focus your mind," I instructed. "If you lose control of your thoughts, you lose control of your magic. Let me feel your shields, let me test your barriers."
Thirty minutes passed quickly as I probed their defenses with subtle mental pressure, testing the boundaries of their concentration. Orion struggled at first, frustration flickering across his face, but I guided him patiently, showing him how to divert intrusive thoughts and channel emotion into calm control. Abraxas was quicker—his pureblood training showed—but even he needed correction on subtle aspects of mental flow.
Satisfied with their mental defenses, I moved on to practical magic.
"Now," I said, holding my wand high, "we begin with offense and defense. Shield Charms first. Protego. Basic ones first, then layered ones. Timing is everything."
I demonstrated, creating a shield and reflecting a mild jinx back at a dummy. Sparks flew, and the dummy shuddered from the deflected magic. "Notice the flow. The wand isn't just a tool—it's your extension. Magic is not raw force. It is precise energy, controlled and directed."
Abraxas tried next. His shield wavered, a faint crack running through it. I flicked a precise counterspell, stabilizing the shield and showing him the difference in wrist movement and intent. "See? Control is everything. Force is useless without it."
Orion followed, casting Expelliarmus at a target. The spell flew wide. I guided his wand, demonstrating again. "Precision, speed, focus. Not brute energy."
By mid-morning, both were showing clear improvement. Shields held stronger, jinxes deflected more efficiently, and their offensive spells hit with accuracy.
Finally, I turned to advanced instruction. "Now we combine everything you know—mind control, mental shielding, and wand skill. I'll set up a scenario where you're under pressure. If you falter, you fail. If you succeed, you succeed in real dueling conditions."
Dummies animated magically, launching harmless but forceful jinxes. I sent counterattacks at Abraxas and Orion. Each time they blocked or deflected a spell successfully, I nodded. Each time they failed, I corrected, showing exactly where their intent faltered.
By the end of the session, the two boys were sweating, exhausted, but visibly more competent. Their confidence had grown, and more importantly, they now trusted my guidance implicitly.
I lowered my wand and watched them catch their breath. "This is just the beginning. If you want to survive Hogwarts, if you want to thrive, you must continue practicing—every day, every night. You follow my instructions, and you will become dangerous. I want you dangerous, precise, and loyal."
Both nodded, eyes shining with a mixture of admiration and ambition.
I allowed myself a faint smile. Step by step, they'll be ready. And with them at my side, there will be no limit to what I can achieve.
As we left the Room of Requirement, I knew this was more than training—it was the forging of my inner circle, loyal, capable, and utterly indispensable.