Chapter 235: Tricking the Brain Into Lying to Itself
That step Vance took backward? Regulus didn't dwell on it. The whole thing had been a performance duel, nothing more.
He hadn't used anything beyond the second-year syllabus. Not a single spell outside what they'd been taught.
Vance had held back too. No professor was going to go all-out against a twelve-year-old. And beyond the basic curriculum, the deadlier, more efficient techniques the man had ground into his reflexes through real combat... none of those had come out either.
For Vance, the aftermath would probably amount to a passing remark over lunch. Something to Professor Flitwick like:
"The Black boy in second year. Not bad. Made me use a Shield Charm."
Flitwick would nod and say, "He does have a remarkable gift."
Slughorn, if he overheard, would slide over with that warm smile. "That child has always been exceptional."
McGonagall, if present, would probably just hum once.
That kind of reaction. Nothing more.