Duelling Classroom ((Cassandra & Jack, Kris))

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis was getting used to spending most of her day in either the Muggle Studies classroom or the Duelling classroom. She didn't like to turn students away who wanted to duel, so as more and more students seemed to be taking an interest in it, she was spending more and more time supervising them. She was glad they were interested - duelling required a number of skills. Firstly you had to have strong magical power; next you needed concentration, and then there was the matter of courage and nerve that would hold. She didn't allow any harm to come to her students... that would not do. But at a professional level things could be slightly less friendly. Amaryllis wondered whether any Hogwarts students intended to go on and duel at a professional level. But she suspected the main reason for their interest was the danger that surrounded Hogwarts, even penetrated it. And of course rivalries.

Today she would be playing host to Cassandra Blackfire - yes, it was Blackfire; she had finally forced that upon herself since the poor girl took Muggle Studies and it simply would not do to keep on thinking of her as 'Logton' if she would be called 'Blackfire' - and Jack Rendel, a fourth year Slytherin. She'd seen the Gryffindor student in her classroom a number of times before but couldn't recall ever having seen Mr. Rendel. It was always interesting to see new students, but she was glad that Miss Blackfire appeared to enjoy duelling. Even if it did mean she couldn't retire to the staff room to have a quiet cup of tea. The students should be arriving within ten minutes, but for now Amaryllis had Nofretete on her lap and was provoking contented purrs. The kitten really was incredibly complacent. Amaryllis had grown very fond of her, and the realisation that was gradually dawning on her that it would simply not be realistic for her to continue taking care of it was one that pained her a little. The kitten gave a yawn and descended to the ground, making its way over to the windowsill where it settled itself down once more. Amaryllis watched her go and then herself settled down with a novel. She'd been getting through rather a lot of novels recently.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

" Okay, sweetie, it's time for you to get up," Ringo jumped from Cass' lap as she stood up from the overstuffed couch in the Gryffindor common room. The cat mewed softly at her feet as she grabbed her carry all bag from the table. " No, no, Ringers, you can't go. You have to stay here." The cat stood at the portrait hole and cried as it closed behind Cass. She hated leaving him alone. Last time she had left him alone, she came back into the dorm to see him batting her puffskein around the bed. The poor little tuft of fur was squealing so loud that her neighbor's toad had taken refuge under her bed.

Pet problems aside, her mind was on another venture this afternoon. It had been her first trip to the dueling classroom this term, and she was excited about her upcoming battle with Jack Rendel. She actually liked Jack. He was one of the few Slytherins she could actually stomach for more than a few minutes. This would be a good match up. Unlike other guys, he wouldn't give her any leeway because she was a girl.
Opening the door to the dueling classroom, she smiled and waved at Professor Hardy. " Hello Professor. Long time no see. Did you have a good holiday?" Cass fished her wand out of her carry all bag and placed her belongings by the wall so it would not be in the way during the duel.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack had no need to pour a bucket of hot water over his head this morning. He wasn't sure why he found himself looking forward to dueling Cass anymore then he could figure out why he didn't mind talking to her like other Gryffindors. It may be because she's a pureblood and because she is Pyro's cousin. Whatever reason, he didn't find her a bore or just something completely... unworthy of his time, per say. Finding himself looking forward to something was rare, just as rare as Jack getting up without force.

Jack Rendel wasn't what you could call a duelist. In fact, this was his first time doing it under supervision. Sure, he had his little tiffs in the hallways for about five seconds, but those didn't really count. This time, a Professor would be standing watch over his progress and Cass', which was the only thing Jack was a little... perplexed about. Was that the right word? He wasn't nervous, oh no. Losing to Cass might prove him to be a beginner at dueling. Next to her. He knew she wouldn't rub it in his face or anything; or so he hoped, because if so he would have to challenge her to another until he was the winner. If he won, well - that was a different story.

He meandered his way through the halls at his own pace; he had left a little early to have some thinking time before the match. He ate a little breakfast that would tie him over for a while, and got in his relaxation. An important part of his schedule. But when time started to take away his time, Jack was forced to make his way to the dueling classroom, a new adventure for him to yet approach. Jack's hand turned the knob moments later, and inside the room he stepped. Hardy was there. A Professor for what? Oh yes, Muggle Studies. No wonder he hadn't recognized her right away. "Hello Professor." He greeted with a short, non-verbal nod to follow. He gave her a brief innocent smile and then turned to face Cass, who he walked over to stand by.

"Ready to lose?" He asked her in an under-tone yet loud enough for her to hear, and perhaps the Professor. It was mainly a joke, but it was hard to tell with his smirk, although his eyes clearly showed it. He didn't much appeal to teasing, only taunting, yet there was a time for everything, and this might just be the time to drop the mean demeanor and play it fair. Taking out his wand from his pocket, Jack waited for future directions from the Professor.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis nodded cordially to Miss Blackfire as the Gryffindor entered the room. She was a fairly frequent visitor to the duelling classroom and Amaryllis was always glad to see how her duelling skills were progressing since she seemed genuinely interested rather than it just being a means to settle scores without risking trouble. That said, she hadn't seen so much of her just recently. It was good to know she hadn't lost her keeness for duelling. "Miss Blackfire," she returned in greeting, rising as the Slytherin student also entered the room. "Good morning, Mr. Rendel," she greeted him, adding in reply to Miss Blackfire's question, "I did, thank you. The school Christmas banquets never disappoint." She'd stayed at the school over the Christmas period, despite the fact that she probably ought to have gone home. She'd be going home over Easter for certain though; there was only so long she could stay away with a legitimate excuse. Besides, she owed it to Roger to try.

Family thoughts out of mind - Amaryllis didn't usually have much problems separating work from home - she watched the exchange between the two students coolly, letting it pass without verbal retribution although it was clear enough messing around would not be a good idea. "When the two of you are ready we may start," she informed the fourth year students. "Miss Blackfire, if you take your place on the black hexagon to the left of the stage; Mr. Rendel, you the blue circle to the right." Amaryllis indicated the mats she meant to ensure there could be no confusion as she spoke, waiting for them to take their positions before continuing, "Whenever you are ready, Miss Blackfire, you may cast your first spell."

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass only frowned as Jack made the mark about being ready to lose. Walking to the appointed spot, she said to Jack, " I'll have you know, Mr. Rendel, I have never lost a duel in this classroom. I promise thought, this won't hurt to much." Cass liked Jack, but sometimes that smug Slytherin air could really push her buttons. Not that it didn't surprise here, Pyro did it all the time even though she liked her cousin deep down. He had just changed so much...

Pushing her thoughts aside, she pointed her wand at her opponent and waited for Hardy to give her the okay. It only took her a few moments to decided which spell to use. Sure as she could be, she poined her wand at Jack and commanded, " Expelliarmus!"

[Jack Rendel S5]

The Professor seemed friendly enough, if not a little worn. Jack shrugged; most Professor's were over-worked anyway, no big difference. She appeared not to hear Jack's snide remark, which may have been a small mercy. You never know with Professor's. Cass however seemed disturbed by it. This reaction helped the snark grin on his face become larger.

Oh, so he got to stand in a shape? Why stand in a shape when you're dueling? Isn't it more like moving around then anything? If you were in a real duel, you would move around. A lot. Right? Jack didn't hesitate to ponder; he walked over to the shape as if he had done this a million times over. Well, he hadn't, but the impression was the thing that counted. Pushing back his bangs, Jack surveyed Cass impassively. "Let's see," He said with a smirk. "If your record will continue with wins after this." Heck, Jack wasn't sure what was going to happen in this duel, it was just to annoy her. Pulling himself up, he watched as Cass casted her spell. She seemed pretty confident about her movements and her voice didn't tremble much. Too bad.

Jack only had a few seconds before the spell hit, but in that time frame, he managed to shout, "Protego!"

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Cassandra casts Expelliarmus; she has a 75% success chance.

*Dice... 3... = 37.5%... Success!*

Cassandra casts Expelliarmus. Jack casts Protego, the correct defense. He has a 50% success chance.

*Dice... 3... = 37.5%... Success!*

Jack casts Protego. Jack's Protego reduces Cassandra's Expelliarmus from 1 point to 0.5 points.

Score - Cassandra 0.5, Jack 0.0))

Amaryllis watched and waited with a serious but stern look on her face as the students took their positions. They would have to stop their banter so they could concentrate on duelling at any rate; if they didn't, she would let them know her opinion on the level of brain power that needed putting into proper duelling. Miss Blackfire had duelled a number of times before though and appeared to know what was required. Amaryllis observed closely as she cast her first spell and waved her wand to dissipate any effects of the disarming spell Mr. Rendel's defence had not succeeded against, before the power could make even a feeble attempt to wrench the wand out of his hand. His defence had been strong enough to keep it there anyway.

"Very confident mastery of Expelliarmus, Miss Blackfire, and that was a strong spell," she said with a smile for the Gryffindor. "And likewise, Mr. Rendel; you produced a strong defence. Well done to both of you." Amaryllis waited a short moment for them to take in the praise and to collect her own thoughts again ready to watch the next spell. "All right, Mr. Rendel," she said when she deemed all three of them to be ready. "You may cast your first spell of the duel at leisure."

[kris]

((*shrug* I know it's a closed thread but as I was invited here by Hardy, then I came.))


Kris made a slight detour through the kitchens and took along a cup of strong black espresso and a number of toasts with blue cheese. He was hungry after all. Being outside always helped one’s appetite and Kris had just spent a good four hours or so romping in the Forbidden Forest with Shadow and Devil before returning the two dogs to their keeper in Hogsmeade. Now that he had the guidance and protection of the two big and rather mean dogs Kris dared to venture into the Forest again despite his blindness. Actually if you knew Kris enough you could tell that he had been in the Forest not so long ago. He was wearing his regular dress-code for a nice nightly romp, even though it wasn’t night right now: a pair of tight and comfortably worn black jeans, a thin black shirt and his hair was tied back with a black ribbon. Even though Kris wore a black tight bandage around his left wrist today now as well that Cleo had secured in it’s place early in the morning as Kris had hurt the muscles near his wrist the previous day. Even though his ebony cane with the silver thestral head and Morrigan jumping on his shoulders were still as present as ever.

Humming a tune that was circling his mind anyway Kris turned left when Morrigan hopped on his left shoulder. Stopping abruptly when Morrigan extracted her claws after 19 strides Kris tilted his head listening to the sound from the classroom. Sounded like Hardy’s voice who was sharing her input over some spell mr. Rendel had evidently cast. Apparently a duel was going on. Goody. Kris could amuse himself with this a little before Hardy turned her full attention onto him.
”Sometimes in the middle of the night I reach for you in my dreams
Then I lay awake till the morning light Tired of remembering
The river runs wide here, the river runs deep
I'd give that river my soul to keep
If I could only finally sleep awhile

That'll be me howling in the wind
Every time I come across your tracks again
Tell me, how long has it been Since I've been free
If you see a fire on the mountainside
All around the places I used tohide
That'll be me

You and I, we're gypsy born
Under the same old sign
If my tears for you are a thunderstorm
My love is the sweet sunshine
But you can't run far enough
To ever quite outrun my love
I know who you're thinking of tonight, Kris sang out almost absent-mindedly knocking briefly on the door before grasping the door-handle and pulling the door open and entering the class-room without even waiting for a responce. As Hardy was talking no spell could be cast at the moment so Kris wasn’t overly fearful of being hit with something nasty. As Hardy had just said the words "All right, Mr. Rendel" she might not have even been done with saying what was on her mind.

“Good day, professor. I suppose I was a bit early for my detention as you still have a duel going on. This is why most teachers refrain from giving me detentions. If you give me a detention, then you also have to supervise me during it. Even though I suppose you have the honours today of bearing through it today,” Kris raised his coffee-mug towards the general direction from where Hardy’s voice sounded in a rather clear and ironically honest hint that he could most certainly test the patience of teachers during a detention. Kris’s lips quirked with some amusement towards Hardy as he ventured across the room to where he already knew Hardy’s desk was situated at. Kris had spent enough time in the classroom to already feel quite at home here. But he rather enjoyed Hardy’s presence. Even if they almost always managed to end up in some philosophical argument. Even without the small extra detail of Hardy saving Kris’s life that made Kris give the professor liberties he didn’t give to most others – like calling him by either of his two first names – Kris still found enough reason to respect the professor.

”That'll be me walking through your mind
Talking to your heart most all the time
Stirring up memories of mine Like a gentle breeze
If you hear somebody singing you this song
Like they could sing it to you all night long
That'll be me
That'll be me,” Kris sang out with a half-voice as he placed a rather heavy paper-weight a bit further form the edge of the table before placing his cane on the edge of the table and the sandwiches he had brought along on the table. Having cleared his arms Kris seated himself on the top of the table as well, leaving his feet tangling above the floor. Kris tilted his head and smirked towards the general direction of the room: “Jack. And I don’t really suggest you going about with leisure in your duel. Hardly a way that will lead you to victory. Especially if you have audience in the same room and if the audience knows Mackie-girl rather well on top of everything else. I think there's just something about my flowing locks and generally dashing looks that gets to her heart.” Kris smirked again even though his smirk was missing malice. Slytherins didn’t take out their anger on other worthy Slyths and Jack most certainly was worthy. Besides Kris wasn’t even angry today. A detention from Hardy would hardly bother him either.

Kris let Morrigan run off his shoulder to the table-top his fingers scratching the head of the other kitten who had ran up to greet both him and Morrigan as well before the two kittens settled down discussing kitty-news or doing whatever kittens needed to do in order to socialize properly. Picking up one of the toasts Kris had placed on Hardy’s table upon reaching it Kris turned his head and arched his eye-brow lazily towards Hardy while making a half-circle with his arm towards the toasts: “A bite to eat, professor?” Kris bit into the toast he was already holding enjoying the taste while the fingers of his left hand were idly playing with the kittens while Kris himself prepared himself to… listen to the duel.

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack nodded. It was always a pleasure to hear compliments coming from a Professor, as they knew what they were talking about. A strong defense was what he had wanted. It hadn't seemed to make the right point though - Cass still managed to come out on top. He gave her a smirk, although it really held no meaning behind it. He was too busy shuffling through the spells he knew then to give her his full attention. And then the door opened. Kris Graas came in with his normal swagger. Jack found it rather amusing. Kris being blind didn't affect his temperament any.

"Ooh, scary. I never knew you to be a gossiper, Kris. Is that a new trend now in Slytherin that I happened to have missed?" Jack frowned. "Mackie-girl?" No prizes for who can guess where that originated from. "Ingenious, if I do say so myself. Does she have a name for you as well? Maybe Mr. Sun? Or - I'm going out on a limb here - Krissy Pooh?" He smirked, but like with Cass, he hardly meant anything by it. Turning back to the Professor, he nodded. Surely she would not mind some dialog throughout the duel? It certainly made things more interesting, if not distracting. "Densaugeo!" He stated, keeping his eyes on Cass and her alone.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Not satisfied with her spell, she frowned as it didn't have the desired effect. It was okay though. It was only practice. It didn't matter here in the classroom, but she sure wasn't going to lose face in front of a Slytherin. " Good block, Jack," she said to him, meaning it seriously. It was about that time when the door opened, and walked in someone she hadn't seen in a long time. Kris Graas had found his way in the dueling classroom, and was now making himself comfortable. Cass bit her lip. This wasn't a show! Cass bit her tongue though. " Good Afternoon, Kris. Glad you could join us."

Jack prepared for his next spell while aiming some well placed heckling at their visitor. Stifling a laugh, she murmured " Krissy-pooh?" under her breath. Getting over her bout of giggles, she stood up straight to await her opponents attack. Thinking fast, she came up with the only counter sell she knew for Densaugeo, " Protego!"

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Jack casts Densaugeo, he has a 75% chance of success.

*Dice... 6... = 75%... Success!*

Jack casts Densaugeo. Cassandra casts the correct defense spell, Protego. She has a 50% success chance.

*Dice... 5... = 62.5%... Failure!*

Cassandra fails to cast Protego, so Jack's Densaugeo hits with the full 1 point.

Score - Cassandra 0.5, Jack 1.0))

Amaryllis didn't look round initially as the door opened, though through the corner of her eye she caught sight of who it was. She had to keep her eye on the duel though because she'd authorised Mr. Rendel to cast his next spell. He also however did not seem to want to allow the entry of the older Slytherin to go unnoticed, and she did not interrupt his exchange with him either, however much they might tease one another. "Mr. Graas," she greeted him herself. "To whom do we owe the pleasure, again?" she asked, only vaguely recalling a short owl she'd received about a detention earlier on today. It had been a busy day though. She was still going strong right now but she wasn't likely to get much lesson planning done that evening. "And what, for that matter? Setting new trends?" she asked, glancing towards Mr. Rendel with a shadow of an amused smile on her face.

Amaryllis nodded as Mr. Rendel cast his spell. It wasn't as strong as it might have been but she didn't frown until Miss Blackfire cast her counterspell, for that fizzled out in less than a second, leaving the Gryffindor without any protection. "Densdetracto," she said hurriedly to resize the teeth to where they should be. "Well done, Mr. Rendel - certainly effective, though possibly you would find your spells had more power if you kept your mind as well as your gaze focused. And some more concentration on your part might be helpful also, Miss Blackfire - though your pronunciation is excellent."

Miss Blackfire had seemed perhaps a little more worried by Kris' presence than Mr. Rendel so Amaryllis gave her a smile before frowning in concentration as she cast a one way sound barrier between Kris and the two students currently duelling. They'd still be able to hear her, but not Kris, and both she and Kris would be able to hear them. She glanced back to the sixth year Slytherin for a moment, almost sighing at the fact she couldn't communicate through a look anymore for him. She restrained herself though, merely saying, "I thank you - no, Mr. Graas," before turning back to the two fourth years and giving them the full attention they deserved. "All right, Miss Blackfire." she addressed the Gryffindor whom she'd seen in her duelling classroom quite a number of times before. "You may cast your next spell whenever you will."

((As Cassandra said, good of you to join us, Kris.))

[kris]

Jack greeted him with his regular bickering that Kris found rather amusing. If a person had enough courage to laugh and bicker, then that already told much. That warned others not to underestimate that person and while Kris wasn’t the least bit intimidated by Jack Kris did give the younger boy some respect and privacy he deserved as a worthy Slytherin. Besides he could talk from time to time as evidently.
Kris tilted his head to the side as one of his lip-corners quirked upwards for a moment: “Gossiper? Jack, I’m appalled! Haven’t you noticed how I tend to just sneak around and make up rumours and just chatter on all days long?” Kris question with a falsely sweet tone of voice. He would have even fluttered his eye-lashes if the movement would have been visible from behind his sunglasses.

A flick of his wrist later Kris was holding a wand and a lazy wave of it later he had a heavenly looking oreol around his head with rays of light coming out from it much like from the crown of the America’s Status of Liberty. “Of course. Haven’t you noticed how much I resemble the warm and happy glow of the sun? As for Krissy bear - that's obvious too. Don't I strike you as cute and cuddly? I’ll be sure to keep away from between you and Mary though as she pretty much tends to slaughter any others who try to call me that.” Kris quirked an eye-brow and swung his legs lazily back and forth, “Heck, even Dana isn’t allowed to call me that, though I consider both girls as sisters.”

Kris straightened his head again greeting the other person who had been dueling with a curt “Blackfire”. Biting into his sandwich Kris took his time chewing and swallowing before turning his head towards where Hardy’s voice sounded. “McGonagall. And I wasn’t really setting new trends but rather teaching manners to some kid. The boy would have to learn sooner or later how to stay out of others path, so he should have had to rather thank me instead of whining that he was afraid of heights. I didn't hurry very much on my way over,” Kris commented with a simple shrug. He hadn’t had much time to bully people lately, but the previous 5 years had been enough to make sure other houses knew how to keep their distance. Besides Kris hadn’t done anything too horrifying. He had simply hung the boy by his cloak on the pike of some statue between first and second floor. Even if the boy had fallen from there he wouldn’t have died, so it wasn’t much of a problem in Kris’s opinion.
“I’m perfectly sure that if I started to move around with some blue sheep following me, I could get Dana and Cleo do it as well and then other people would also begin doing the same slowly. Setting a new trend is a lot easier than people think. Especially at Hogwarts where so many people are afraid of being unique.”

As there were no sharp comments from Jack Kris probed the room with his wand for a moment quietly murmuring a tracking spell. Sound-barrier. Interesting idea. One-way deal apparently as Kris could still hear the duelers. “Sound-barrier? I’m flattered, professor, that you suggest I have this much influence over the concentration of others. I’ll promise not to try and mislead them with my darling locks. However they will hardly be able to duel in complete silence in reality. They won’t even be given this much time to react,” Kris added the last sentence almost musingly. He had had a time to react on the train. He could have either protect himself or protect Dana. The time used to cast one spell had cost him his eye-sight because life didn’t give second chances and time didn’t slow down for anyone. Morrigan meowed comfortingly and both kittens rubbed themselves against Kris's hands. Kris let Morrigan climb to his lap while icking up Hardy's kitten after having quickly finished his sandwich.

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

Cass felt Jack's spell hit her head on. Cass dropped her wand as her hand's went to her mouth as she felt her front teeth grow over her bottom lip. The effects her fast, and she could feel her face grow flush from embarrasment. It didn't last long though. Professor Hardy quickly rushed in and fixed her teeth with a flick of her wand. She retrieved her wand from the floor and regained her composure. Cass cast aside Kris' curt greeting. It sort of hurt her. To think, it wasn't that long ago when she had almost considered Kris a friend. Since that time though, he had been in an accident that had left him blind. That would make anyone bitter.

" Jack, I'm letting you get the best of me." She smiled knowingly at him. " Of course, I haven't been dueling that much. I must be a little rusty." Cass thought hard on her next spell, trying to come up with a good one. Cass paused for a few moments, trying to see if she could get Jack off guard. " Silencio!"

[Jack Rendel S5]

Jack grinned as Kris replied back. "Yes, I know. I think last time we talked I questioned her about Krissy Bear and she got all worked up about it. Not one to share, is she?" Jack said, getting in his little part before turning back to the duel. The Professor seemed to be amused by the exchanges, but soon Kris seemed to lose his interest in Jack, for he didn't talk. Finding this odd, Jack shot him a few glances occasionally, but other then that kept his attention on Cass.

His spell had worked well. Cass' teeth grew to a not-too-pleasant length and was quickly removed by the Professor. Jack gave her a little bow of his head and resisted a mocking comment. "I look forward to seeing the rust wear off," was all he said in response while twirling his wand in a bored fashion. Cass was thinking about her next spell; he knew he had some time. Although he stopped with the twirling about two seconds later; he didn't want to be caught off guard. She seemed to have come to a conclusion; raising her wand she did the Silencio charm. Jack raised his as well; "Protego!"

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Cassandra casts Silencio; she has a 75% chance of success.

*Dice... 8... = 100%... Failure!*

Cassandra fails to cast Silencio, so no defence spell is required.

Score - Cassandra 0.5, Jack 1.0))

"School uniform only for detentions," Amaryllis commented, smiling to herself as she considered the fact Kris didn't usually bother too much with school uniform anyway. Nevertheless she removed his crown of light, adding instead a tall, pointed dunce's cap, complete with 'D' on the front. After a moment of thought she added that in Braille as well. "By rights you should stand in the corner too," she said, not bothering to bring that about right now as Miss Blackfire and Mr. Rendel appeared to have finished their banter (which she had kept half an ear open to, not keen to have either denting the other's confidence). She concentrated on the pair as Miss Blackfire cast her spell, which was unsuccessful. Amaryllis frowned.

"I've seen you cast that spell perfectly before Miss Blackfire - I know you could do it last year and there's no reason that you can't now. Relax." she said, her advice fairly abrupt. She glanced at Kris. They wouldn't have this much time to react... no, but throwing most people in at the deep end did not work. And she believed in survival of as many as possible. But she hoped Miss Blackfire managed to gather a little more concentration soon. The Gryffindor didn't have anything to worry about in this situation, after all. "Minnie..." she added musingly to herself, smiling in amusement after a moment. "I knew she was jealous of my snowdrops," she said more loudly, loud enough for any of them to hear. "Do remember your 'Professors' at the beginning of names, Mr. Graas," she added in an undertone to the sixth year. "Bullying is no new trend." Amaryllis thought over her own days at Hogwarts for a second. Someone had decided picking on her sister would be a good idea. Amaryllis had made them think twice. She'd been that way.
"Mr. Rendel, you may cast your next spell when you are ready," she told the Slytherin, focusing her attention on the duel and the duel only once again.

[kris]

“Please! My own clothes suit me much better than the school uniform,” Kris flicked back a strand of his hair from his forehead in a completely vain gesture, “I may wash the floors, correct essays or plant stuff or whatever else I usually do in my detentions, but I refuse to not look my best while doing it! Even as Sprout seems to take almost sadistic pleasure of getting dirt under my nails.” Kris suppressed the urge to create a barrier against whatever spell Hardy was using but decided against it no matter how much his instincts were yelling at him to do it. Raising his hand Kris touched the hat now residing on the top of his head and the letter on it. Sending a little bit amused smirk towards Hardy Kris stood up and moved to the closest corner, leaning his shoulder against the wall there and crossing his arms calmly over his chest while the two kittens followed him and started some sort of chasing game around his feet. Kris had deserved the detention and he had never skipped any detention but always done his work properly so he might as well stand in the corner, especially as he had finished his sandwiches already.

“Minnie the mouse? I’m afraid you got it a bit wrong, professor. McGonagalls’ animagus form is a cat, not a mouse,” Kris drawled with some irony sounding from his voice as he tilted his head, “I leave away the professor, but out of respect I don’t use some nickname. That’s the most professors will receive as I refuse to use the title and the last name together.” Kris smirked at the comment about snow-drops remembering fully well the time he had met Hardy in the Forbidden Forest and he had been chaperoned for the rest of the evening. It was far from being the last time Kris was in the Forbidden Forest, but it was one of the more memorable ones. “I wasn’t bullying, I was teaching manners,” Kris stated indignantly but didn’t comment any more. He had sent a note to Dana as to from where she could find the boy before hanging him up by his robes. He wasn’t that much of a brute, but that didn’t mean he wanted such knowledge out in the open.

Kris turned his head and with a flick of his wand sent marbles scattering over the floor. Small balls almost animatedly jumping up and down by a couple of inches and over each other making a little bit of racket. Someone must have done something as Kris heard a growl coming from near the duelers so he smirked guessing that one of the marbles had jumped up, opened it’s ‘mouth’ with long fangs and growled at whatever had threatened it. “Just a little bit to make things interesting. Just like no Slytherin can be called an unknowledgeable child none of them will get a warning before thrown in the middle of things,” Kris commented with a small shrug. Feeling movement coming from his pocket Kris took the Dust Bunny out of his pocket. He had found the rabbit-ish shaped piece of dust when the animated dust had started to follow him. Kris had became rather fond of the small amusement of this make-shift pet. “Watch yourself, Andy,” Kris warned the Dust Bunny before lowering it to the ground where the Bunny hopped onto his slightly bent knee for a moment before most likely wandering away to take a good look around the room.

((Don't hurt Andy the Dust Bunny!!!))

[Jack Rendel S5]

He raised both brows in surprise as Cass failed to cast the spell. Silencio was one of the easier spells to do, why didn't it work? He frowned, troubled even though it was an advantage on his part. Hardy told Cass to relax, saying she had seen Cass do that spell many times before and Jack believed it. No matter though - if Cass couldn't cast a spell then he wouldn't be bothered over it. He wanted to win this duel still, not feel sorry for Cass. Not that he was going to, but still. Giving Cass a stiff nod, he perked up when Hardy, who was apparently talking to Kris, said Minnie had been jealous of her snowdrops. Who was Minnie and what were snowdrops? Jack snorted with derisive amusement even though he couldn't understand what it had meant. It still sounded rather funny, though he decided not to ask what she had meant by that. He distantly wished the Professor had not blocked out Kris; he had enjoyed their leisurely bickering. Ah well. Rummaging through all the spells he knew, Jack picked the one he thought would provide some amusement if it worked.

"Rictusempra!"

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

" Protego!" Cass nearly screamed as she saw Jack send his curse her way. It was weak. She could almost see the spell fizzle before her eyes. Bracing herself, she waited for the spell to hit her.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Jack casts Rictusempra; he has a 75% chance of success. (They're fourth years at this point).

*Dice... 8... = 100%... Failure!*

Jack fails to cast Rictusempra, so no defence spell is required.

Score - Cassandra 0.5, Jack 1.0.))

Amaryllis largely ignored Kris; the duellers were busy and that was where her priorities lay. They weren't busy producing wonderfully effective spells though, it would seem. Then again, there was reason for distraction. Amaryllis pointed her wand at one of the biting marbles, which growled; much good that would do it. "Evanesco," she said. When it didn't double in size or number, she repeated the process, this time emcompassing all the marbles. Her pieces of advice were only short. "Mr. Rendel - concentrate. Miss Blackfire - relax. Mr. Graas - leave them be." The last aside was firm, and carried none of the friendly conversation her previous words with the older Slytherin had.

"Miss Blackfire, you may cast your third spell now. Take your time about it." she added with a smile for the Gryffindor as she awaited her attack spell.

((Post as though Kris is still in the room, but obviously we can't expect him to be contributing! )

[Cassandra Blackfire G7]

This was simply not going well, though Cassandra as she sized up her opponent. She was tired, and getting bored with this duel. However, she hadn't been beaten in a duel yet, and she sure wasn't going to let Jack beat her.

With a wave of her arm, she said, " Silencio!" A simple spell, but effective none the less.