The next afternoon, Alexander returned to the Dueling Club room.
The place was still dusty, though slightly cleaner than before.
The broken practice dummies had been repaired again and rearranged.
On the stage, Professor Snape was already waiting.
Alexander entered the room and casually floated up to the stage.
Snape's dark eyes followed him.
"Since you now know Sectumsempra," Snape said slowly, "it is only logical that you learn the counter-curse."
Alexander folded his arms curiously.
Snape raised his wand slightly.
"Vulnera Sanentur."
He spoke the words clearly.
"This spell seals wounds, stops bleeding, and heals injuries caused by dark magic."
Snape's expression hardened.
"Only a wizard foolish enough to cast a curse he cannot repair…"
He paused.
"…does not deserve to cast a curse."
His eyes locked onto Alexander.
"Remember that, Mr. Chen."
Alexander nodded seriously.
"I will."
Snape then pointed at him.
"Now take off your left glove."
Alexander raised an eyebrow but obeyed.
He removed the glove and held his left hand out.
Snape gave one final warning.
"Whatever you do…"
"Do not move."
Alexander nodded.
"Understood."
Snape raised his wand.
"Sectumsempra!"
Alexander instantly moved his left hand and jumped backward with his wand pointed at Snape.
The curse sliced harmlessly through the air and hit one of the training dummies.
He laughed nervously.
"…Sorry."
He scratched the back of his head.
"Natural reaction."
Snape stared at him with pure irritation.
Alexander walked forward again and held out his left hand.
"Alright, I'm ready."
Snape narrowed his eyes.
"Do not move."
This time, Alexander focused on not dodging and staying still.
Snape flicked his wand again.
"Sectumsempra!"
A thin, invisible blade sliced across Alexander's palm.
It wasn't a large wound, but it was deep enough to sting sharply.
Alexander winced.
"Ow."
Blood immediately began dripping from the cut.
He examined the cut and noticed.
Around the cut was a dark red.
The cut was a lot darker than the color of his blood.
Alexander examined his whole hand.
Whenever he moved his fingers, his hand started to hurt more, and blood started to drip down faster.
Then he tried a small healing charm.
Nothing happened.
The cut remained open.
He tried different types of potions and herbs.
Still nothing happened, and the cut was still there.
Alexander frowned slightly.
Giving up, he looked at Snape.
Snape was watching him with a faint smirk.
Then Snape carefully placed his wand over the cut.
"Vulnera Sanentur!"
When Snape chanted the spell, it sounded like a song.
The blood stopped dripping from his cut.
Next, Alexander's skin seemed to reconnect.
Lastly, the cut was healed.
Alexander stared at his hand.
He touched it, and there was no pain.
Next, he waved his wand to clean the blood from his hand.
He looked at where the cut was, and there was no scar or proof that his hand had been cut.
Alexander looked at Snape with genuine excitement.
"Professor... that was... amazing!"
Snape's smirk, then his face returned to its usual cold expression.
"Hold out your hand again."
Alexander obeyed.
Snape cut him again.
"Now you attempt the spell."
Alexander raised his wand.
"Vulnera—"
Snape immediately interrupted.
"No."
"Wrong pronunciation."
Alexander sighed.
"Again."
He tried again.
Still wrong.
Snape folded his arms.
"Remarkable."
"Mr. Chen can master a dark curse in a few minutes…"
"…yet cannot perform basic healing."
Alexander rolled his eyes slightly.
They continued practicing.
Snape watched and insulted him whenever he failed.
Alexander attempted the spell again and again.
Every time he failed.
Eventually, the castle bells rang for dinner.
Alexander groaned.
"I still don't understand."
Snape healed the cut and gave him a potion.
"Drink it for the blood lost and come back tomorrow."
"We will continue."
Alexander nodded.
"Yes, Professor."
For the next few days, Alexander returned to the Dueling Club room every afternoon.
And every day—
Snape cut his hand.
And every day—
Alexander tried to heal it.
Snape insulted him constantly.
But Alexander kept practicing.
Until finally—
One afternoon.
Alexander raised his wand.
"Vulnera Sanentur!"
The cut healed perfectly.
Alexander blinked.
"…I did it."
Snape stared at the healed hand silently.
Then gave a very small nod.
"Acceptable."
"I grant you permission to practice on your own."
"Remember Mr. Chen, only small cuts."
Alexander smiled while cleaning his hands and asked casually,
"Professor."
Snape stared at him.
"What Mr. Chen?"
Alexander leaned forward slightly.
"Can you teach me how you created it?"
Snape's expression immediately hardened.
"No."
Alexander shrugged.
"What if I could get you rare potion ingredients?"
Snape paused.
"…No."
Alexander added quickly,
"Or money?"
Snape hesitated.
Just for a moment.
Then he turned away.
"We will discuss this next year."
He began walking toward the door.
"Bring a list of what you are offering."
Alexander smiled.
"Deal."
Snape stopped at the door.
"Next year."
Then he left.
Alexander stood alone in the dueling room.
He looked at his wand thoughtfully.
I really like this spell.
His mind was already racing.
Once Snape gives me his notes…
Alexander smiled slightly.
I might finally understand how spells are created.
He began to clean up his blood on the ground.
And maybe…
I'll create my own.