A wizard could have been momentarily stunned upon seeing his friend or colleague die and getting hit by a new spell, but unlike real humans, this remaining rocky opponent was unaffected by the destruction of their companions.
It swiftly moved sideways, evading the Expelliarmus that Harry had cast, causing the spell to hit thin air.
Then, without waiting for Harry to think, the opponent retaliated with a relentless barrage of rocky projectiles. The cellar echoed with the sound of rocks launching through the air.
Harry's agility came into play as he darted and weaved, avoiding the projectiles with a combination of calculated movements and quick reflexes.
The recent training was clearly shown in the way Harry was moving.
The rocky opponent, unrelenting in its assault, adjusted its strategy, predicting Harry's evasive maneuvers.
Unexpectedly, Harry slipped.
He could only curse himself for not being mindful of the surroundings. The crash of the rock has caused the floor to be filled with small rocks, which has caused the incident for Harry.
Taking advantage of the situation, the rocky opponent launched a particularly large projectile.
Harry's instincts kicked in. He executed a quick roll to the side, narrowly avoiding the incoming rock that crashed into the wall behind him. The force of the impact sent vibrations through the cellar.
Seizing the opportunity, Harry retaliated with a rapid spell, "Stupefy!"
The jet of light streaked toward the rocky opponent, but once again, it demonstrated a surprising agility, evading the spell with a swift sidestep.
The battle between the two continued.
But slowly, Harry was starting to gain the advantage. The opponent was just using a throwable rock as an attack and evasion as a defence. On the other hand, Harry had a lot of spells that he had still not used.
"Confringo!" he shouted.
The explosion charm burst against the wall just behind the rocky figure, showering it in debris and forcing it to pivot defensively.
The distraction worked. Harry didn't let the moment pass.
"Diffindo!"
The severing charm struck true, clean across one of the golem's arms.
Harry seized the moment and cast "Expelliarmus." The spell connected, and the rocky opponent's wand went flying. The opponent, now disarmed, froze in place, its magical animation dispelled.
The cellar was plunged into silence. Harry, breathing heavily, looked at the defeated opponent. Finally, it was done.
As Harry basked in the momentary victory, a sudden chill ran down his spine. An instinctual warning surged within him, prompting a reflexive response.
Without even turning to identify the source, he cast the Protego spell. A shimmering shield materialized around him just in time. However, before Harry could process what had triggered his defensive instincts, an unexpected development unfolded. Without warning, a burst of intense flames erupted around him, engulfing the shield.
Even behind the shield, Harry could feel the heat.
What if he was not able to cast the Protego in time?
Then he realized something. The he from before the training would not have been able to reach. He could already see the image of his grilled body getting burned by the flame without the protective spell.
The flame finally died out, and Harry's eyes darted around, searching for the origin of the sudden firestorm. Harry saw Voldemort's hand and immediately understood that the fire attack was launched by Voldemort.
"Not bad," Voldemort finally remarked.
He tightened his grip on his wand, pushing himself upright with a grunt. Dust clung to his robes. He felt proud. Voldemort, his lord, was satisfied with his performance.
As Harry caught his breath, Voldemort continued, "But you must learn, Harry, never to relax in a true battle. The unpredictability of your enemies requires constant vigilance. The moment you let your guard down is the moment you are defeated. When you believe that you have won, that is the time you must be more careful. Wizards have many ways to remain hidden or set traps. Waiting for that one moment when you would show weakness."
Voldemort continued, "A true wizard is not just measured by their ability to cast spells or defend against attacks. It's about adaptability, foresight, and the ability to exploit the weaknesses of your enemy. Remember, Harry, the world we are entering is not bound by the rules of morality or fairness. Survival depends on your cunning and resourcefulness."
Harry nodded, his gaze fixed on Voldemort, understanding the profound implications of the lesson. The alliance with the Dark Lord was not merely about defeating enemies; it was a journey into a realm where the boundaries between right and wrong were blurred. The line Harry walked alongside Voldemort was a hazardous one, and each lesson brought him closer to the precipice.
With a wave of his wand, Voldemort dispelled the remnants of the rocky opponents. The cellar returned to its transformed state. All the dust, the destroyed wall, and the burning on the floor disappeared.
"This morning's lesson is over, Harry," Voldemort declared. "You are still far from being called a master duellist, but you have proven enough. Rest, for tonight will be your first step to cleanse this world of its impurity."
With a final nod, Voldemort exited the cellar, leaving Harry alone with his thoughts. As Harry settled onto the bed, the events of the past days replayed in his mind.
Unlike before, Harry was finding it difficult to sleep. Time seemed to have slowed down as Harry found that the night was taking too long to arrive. He constantly turned left and right, unable to keep calm.
As time passed, the awaited moment finally arrived. Voldemort opened the door again, signaling Harry to come.
His first mission awaits.