Dueling Classroom ((Dana & Perseus))

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis sat at the teacher's desk in the duelling classroom, pots of paint in front of her. This room was still too bland. So first, she was going to paint the walls and ceiling a base white, just a fresh coat to make things look slightly better in the bland room. People didn't want to be distracted when they were dueling, but they could be equally distracted by the shabbiness of the room than by it being well decorated. She eased open the cans of paint in front of her and looked down at them. Plain white, bright and refreshing. Then a few accent colours, still fairly neutral, but with a hint of colour in them. She smiled. It was high time she used some of her budget to make the dueling classroom a decent place to be in.

Today Amaryllis was going to see two older students, who she had told to come to her classroom in just under quarter of an hour. Miss Coran, who had approached her to request a duel, had been in Amaryllis' classroom before today, and was apparently keen to duel another sixth year Slytherin, for that was what Mr. Feynman was. Now Amaryllis started to gather paint-brushes and brought a step-ladder out with her wand. You could paint using magic, but you never got the same results as though it were done by hand. So she would be doing it by hand. She had plans for getting some of the younger years to help her paint it. It should be a fun thing to do, at least she hoped some of them would think so, and it might also whip up interest in dueling among the younger years. Now Amaryllis consulted her diary to see if it would be possible to arrange that as the minutes ticked away towards the time of the duel.

[dana]

“No, no, no, the left leg goes out, you cross the right one and twirl,” Dana showed the dance-move with a smile on her face, “And don’t forget your hips and arms. Hips are swinging and your arms may ever just be hanging like soft macaronis.”<br>Dana laughed and continued to teach the dance-routine to some second and third years, who had asked Dana to show it to them.
Glancing to her watch, Dana saw that it was only a quarter of an hour until she was supposed to be at the dueling class-room. Which naturally was at the other side of the castle.


Waving bye to the younger girls Dana sped off. Not really running but going rather quickly. She had one more duel to get to. Perseus had agreed to duel with her. Even though Dana knew there were rather good chances for her to loose, Dana still found it awesome practice. Moving swiftly and quickly through the castle, using a couple of shortcuts Dana knew, Dana reached the dueling classroom a bit early. Taking a deep breath Dana closed her eyes and mentally soothed her face to be pleasant and relaxed as her breathing was deep and calm. It was never good to show that you had hurried or you were nervous to your opponent, even though Dana didn’t know whether Perseus was already in the dueling classroom or not.

Stepping into the classroom Dana sent a pleasant smile to professor Hardy: “Good day, professor.” Duelling with SLytherin sixth years - maybe Dana had some kind of a suicidal trait in her, that she didn’t know about. Dana got along well with most SLytherins, but that didn’t mean she that she wasn’t careful around them.
Dana’s eyes returned to professor Hardy who was sitting with pots of paint in front of her. Maybe she would repaint the classroom at least – the room could certainly use a new coat of paint. Dana wondered briefly what colour the professor would pick, but decided against asking at the moment, instead just settling by the window and waiting for Perseus to arrive.

[Perseus Feynman]

Perseus twirled his wand in his hand as he jumped over and tumbled through obstacles, skillfully rolling like a wheel before snapping into a dueling stance and blasting some charmed object out of his way. He was ameliorating his dueling skills in a dark dungeon room. With his mastery of many divergent types of magic, Perseus was able to set up an obstacle course for himself, adding challenges with whatever he could find. As he blasted his way through the last of the impediments, Perseus suddenly reminisced that he had scheduled a duel with a rather.... belligerent Ravenclaw 5th year. She seemed to be eager to duel another Slytherin 6th year after being beaten by Goyle. Perseus did not know how Goyle managed to beat a Ravenclaw, but he must have had been in training for a long time. Perseus wanted to see how good the girl was. However, since she said that it was to be a friendly duel, Perseus would go easier on her. Perhaps she was a great duelist afterall. Perseus could see a bit of Slytherin in Dana, as he had heard of her admiring Snape.

Perseus cleaned up the room with a wave of his hand. The various chains, furniture, and tables all flew back to their original places with prodigious speed. With a snap of his fingers, the lights extinguished themselves, and Perseus strode out of the Cimmerian chamber. He trudged pass antediluvian statues of famous witches and wizards from the house of Slytherin, through a very gloomy, melancholous corridor before turning to face an interminable stair case. It was eerily lit by flickering torches, all of which looked as if they would go out if a slight wind went through the various hallways and tunnels in the dungeons. Perseus finally made his way past the Great Hall and Entrance Hall, which was packed with raucous students, conversing loqaciously. As he arrived at the dueling classroom, Perseus found that Dana had already arrived. He was in an apathetic mood and no emotion showed on his face. Perseus said quietly, "Good evening, Professor. I see that your redecorating your room." He took a glance at the cans of paint before stepping up onto the dueling platform, sizing Dana up.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis glanced up as Miss Coran entered the room and nodded to her as she leaned against the windowsill. Those windows were a lovely bonus actually. Casement windows with stained glass at the top. She should freshen up those colours with a bit of cleaning and reflect them in the accent wall. It was about time she used some of the savings she had built up from years of miniscule budgets for the department. And surely making the duelling room more inviting was one good way of doing that? She looked back to her diary and on a piece of paper started making a list of possible dates she could arrange a painting day on. She'd have to talk to the other teachers about it as well though. And find out whether anyone else would actually want to come and do that.

Amaryllis stood up as Mr. Feynman arrived, inserted the piece of paper into her diary to save the week she had been checking and closed it with a snap. She glanced back at the cans of paint.
"That much is self-evident," she said, raising her eyebrows slightly as she did so. Mr. Feynman had already stepped onto the duelling platform, and she waited for Miss Coran to follow him.
"I presume you have both reviewed the duelling rules. You must adhere to them at all times. Once the duel is over, the duel is over. After that no more spells can be cast. Now then, Mr. Feynman, please take your place on the red circle in the yellow triangle, Miss Coran, you on the blue rhombus." Amaryllis waited for the two students to have positioned themselves correctly before continuing. "Now, Miss Coran, you may cast your first spell whenever you are ready."

[dana]

Dana turned around as the class-room door opened and Perseus entered. Grinning at professor Hardy’s answer, Dana arched an eye-brow as Perseus seemed to size her up. Dana was a rather pretty girl and she wasn’t shy around guys – hey, an occasional flirt, when it didn’t hurt anyone was acceptable! But she also knew how much she was worth and being sized up like this didn’t suit Dana’s personality.
‘Sizing me up. What – does he expect I turn around slowly so he could get a good view and then jump at his every word? No offence, honey, but if you are expecting that, then you are going to be gravely disappointed,’ Dana thought with a smirk that would do honors to some younger Slytherin, appearing on her face.

Following professor Hardy onto the dueling platform Dana took her place on the blue rhombus with her black boots with stiletto heels making soft clicks as Dana took her place. Brushing a piece of dust away from her knee-length blue skirt, that was very comfortable, Dana watched Perseus for a moment. Deciding on a fairly easy spell to start with. Sending a brilliant smile towards Perseus Dana raised her wand and stated the incantation: “Furnunculus!”<br>

[Perseus Feynman]

Perseus took his place on the red circle in the yellow triangle. Dana seemed rather confident and Perseus had heard that she was pretty strong, magically. He saw her arch and eyebrow as she sized her up. It was nothing personal really. Afterall, Perseus was a bit paranoid and never let anyone sneak up behind his back. Dana looked physically fit and would probably prove to be a pretty skilled opponent in this duel. However, Perseus knew that showing his true magical power was not part of their agreement. He would not be belligerent as Goyle had been. Perseus bowed towards Dana right before the professor signaled for the duel to begin. He whipped out his jed black wand, held it in front of his face before getting into a dueling stance, holding the wand in his oustretched right hand while his left foot was perpendicular to an oustretched right foot, facing Dana. He watched calmly as Dana cast 'furnunculus' towards him. Perseus raised his wand in defence and chanted, "Protego!!" He hoped that his spell would block most of Dana's attack.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Dana casts Furnunculus, she has a 62.5% success chance.

*Dice... 1... = 12.5%... Success!*

Dana casts Furnunculus. Perseus casts the correct defense, Protego. He has a 75% success chance.

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

Perseus casts Protego. Perseus' Protego reduces Dana's Furnunculus from 2 points to 1 point.

Score - Dana 1.0, Perseus 0.0))

Amaryllis watched as both spells were cast very well and not much of Miss Coran's spell penetrated Mr. Feynman's protective shield. However, it had been a fairly powerful spell, as Miss Coran had cast it almost impeccably, and so there were some boils forming on Mr. Feynman's face. Of course, not nearly as many as that spell would have inflicted had it not been protected against. Amaryllis took out her wand and waved it to disperse the effects. "Well done, Miss Coran," she said. "Mr. Feynman, it is now your turn to cast a spell, whenever you are ready." Amaryllis stepped back so she would be able to watch.

[Perseus Feynman]

Perseus was greatly angered by his foolishness of agreeing to 'go easy' on Dana as he quickly purged the boils that had begun forming on his face with a wave of his own wand. However, his expression remained as apathetic as ever. His spell was an utter failure. He would get his revenge, however. Without a pause, Perseus twirled his wand and pointed it straight at Dana, bellowing, "FLORIKUS!!!" He hoped that the spell would work this time.

[dana]

Dana grinned as some boils appeared on Perseus face. The smile was mainly caused by happiness that the hex worked that well. Even though Dana had a feeling Perseus was going to put practically everything he had out against her. Well, that would only make the practice better for Dana.
Watching Perseus closely Dana grimaced mentally at the spell he had used while already shouting the protective spell: “Froid résistez!” Hopefully the protecting barrier would work correctly – Dana wasn’t too fond of cold. And the spell would be rather bad for clothes – it always seemed to be.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Perseus casts Florikus, he has a 62.5% success chance.

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

Perseus casts Florikus. Dana casts the correct defense, Froid résistez. She has a 62.5% success chance.

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

Perseus' Florikus hits with the full 3 points.

Score - Dana 1.0, Perseus 3.0))

Amaryllis noted that there seemed to be a slight amount of aggression on Mr. Feynman's part as he cast his spell, probably provoked by the fact Miss Coran had inflicted him with boils. But she had cleared them up before they became a major embarassment. She made sure to keep it in mind to make sure nothing got out of hand. His aggression seemed to have a positive effect on his spell though, and since Miss Coran's failed, it hit her full on. Amaryllis waited for Miss Coran to pick herself up before speaking.
"Miss Coran, you may cast your next spell, once you are ready to."

[dana]

Was Perseus mad for some boils that Hardy had gotten rid of as soon as they appeared? The strength of his attack spell certainly showed some anger in it. Her own spell failed miserably and Dana grimaced. That bloody wrist-movement again. She never could get it completely correct. The outcome was sure – she was pushed back and sitting and her skirt had small droplets of ice in it. Dana glanced at the skirt and sighed – the skirt wouldn’t be the same again. Clothes never were if something like this ice had to be melted out of them. It would do for the duel though.

Easily, but carefully as she was wearing a skirt, Dana got onto her feet again. Stepping back on the rhombus again and smiled at Perseus calmly. She had wanted the duel to practice and the last spell had been cast well by him. Dana tilted his head and regarded Perseus calmly with a hint of a smile still hovering about her lips even though all her emotions and thoughts were carefully hidden.
“Vermillious Attaqikus!” Dana stated calmly with a flick of her wrist.

[Perseus Feynman]

Perseus held back a Slytherin-like sneer as he looked towards Dana with an aura of calm, meticulously holding out his arm, his wand outstretched. He did not particularly find summoning spells amenable, but nontheless found them to be extremely efficacious when utililzed in the correct way. Ready to deflect the attack, Perseus saw Dana send a spell that summoned vermin towards him. He paused for a moment, remembering that utilizing one of his own spells would be against the code of the dueling club. So, without hesitation, he waved his wand and thrust it outwards, chanting with puissant concentration, "Bête ami!!"

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Dana casts Vermillious Attaqikus, she has a 37.5% success chance.

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

Dana casts Vermillious Attaqikus. Perseus casts the correct defense, Bête ami, he has a 75% success chance.

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

Perseus casts Bête ami. Perseus' Bête ami reduces Dana's Vermillious Attaqikus from 3 points to 1.5 points.

Score - Dana 2.5, Perseus 3.0))

Amaryllis nodded in approval. Miss Coran's skill was benefiting from all the extra practise she had been putting in. It was a hard spell to cast, and Miss Coran had succeeded well. Mr. Feynman cast the defensive spell correctly too, and many of the vermin hung back. Some of the more viciously minded ones still ran over. Amaryllis waved her wand, causing them to vanish into thin air before they could reach Mr. Feynman, as well as the ones which had not approached him. Amaryllis glanced at the floor for a second before looking up again to the two students. She had had to clear up this floor before. Living creatures always did cause a mess.
"Well done, both of you," Amaryllis said. "A hard spell to cast, Miss Coran, and you did it nicely. Mr. Feynman, you may cast your next spell when ready."

[Perseus Feynman]

Perseus loathed vermin, especially rats and multifarious parasites. His spell had blocked most of the vermin, however, a plethora of rats overran his spell. He scowled at the failure of his spell in blocking the repugnant fauna. Perseus looked back towards Dana feeling as if the girl was acting rather arrogant. When the professor signaled for him to cast his spell, Perseus willingly obliged. Twirling his wand and pointing it towards Dana, he shouted, "Reducto!!!" Perseus concentrated on the point of his wand, as though trying to channel his magical power through the wand, awaiting the red beam of light that would shoot out of his wand if he had cast the spell correctly.

[dana]

Dana smiled happily as the spell worked. It had taken ages for her to learn to cast it properly. Perseus seemed even more mad however. Dana arched an eye-brow wonderingly – it was a duel. Did he really expect to get out of every spell and hex without any effect what-so-ever. Even Wonder-kid himself didn’t do it, Dumbeldore was affected by curses so what made this guy think he wasn’t?

Rolling her eyes towards Perseus without even trying to shield it – besides a Slytherin should be able to hide his emotions better – Dana raised her wand. “Fortuikus!” Dana stated clearly hoping that the protective barrier would appear.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Perseus casts Reducto, he has a 50% success chance.

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

Perseus fails to cast Reducto, so no defense spell is needed.

Score - Dana 2.5, Perseus 3.0))

Amaryllis watched as Mr. Feynman failed to cast his spell correctly. It was a hard spell to cast, and he would need to put more effort and practice into the spell before he could hope for it to work. But at least he had tried. She nodded at the tall youth, showing that she had acknowledged the failure of his spell. "Not quite, Mr Feynman," she said. Amaryllis turned to Miss Coran. "Miss Coran, you may cast your next spell, whenever you are ready." She stepped back to watch the progress of the duel. It was a priviledge of the job, to be able to watch talented students using their skills. All of them had strong spells, and all had spells which needed more work on them before they would work. Both of the students in this room were fairly good duellists, and she was pleased to see that they were interested in advancing their skills. She hoped it was that, and not that they were instead eager to flaunt them.

[dana]

Dana watched as Perseus wasn’t successful with his spell but just took it at stride. The duel was meant for practice. Biting her lower lip Dana thought for a moment. There were a couple of more spell she wanted to try but the this was probably the last one she would get to cast in this duel.
Well, this one might be useful in future to make people listen and think. Grinning at the thought and remembering the spell Dana raised her wand with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.
“Insidio!” Dana stated concentrating on the outcome of the spell.

[Perseus Feynman]

Perseus supressed the anger that welled up inside of him. This was the first time he had ever failed to produce a meritable reductor curse. He would try again next time. However, he had Dana's spell to worry about. Twirling his wand once again, Perseus bellowed the counter as he pointed his wand towards the incoming spell, "Fortuikus!!!"

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Dana casts Insidio, she has a 37.5% success chance.

*Dice... 2... = 25%... Success!*

Dana casts Insidio. Perseus casts the correct defense, Fortuikus. He has a 75% success chance.

*Dice... 7... = 87.5%... Failure!*

Perseus fails to cast Fortuikus. Dana's Insidio hits with the full 3 points.

Score - Dana 5.5, Perseus 3.0))

Amaryllis watched with interest as Miss Coran produced a spell implemented with very few flaws. Mr. Feynman was unable to produce an effective counter, and the force of the spell forced him off his feet and into a sitting position. Amaryllis waved her wand to remove Miss Coran's control and to allow the sixth year to stand up from the somewhat compromising position. "Excellent, Miss Coran," she said, genuinely impressed, "that is a hard spell to cast. Not quite there with that defense, Mr. Feynman," she added to the Slytherin. Amaryllis waited until he had stood up and was back in position on the red circle and stood back a little again before giving him the go ahead. "Mr. Feynman," she said, "you may cast your final spell whenever you are ready."

[Perseus Feynman]

((Two failures in a row? ))

Perseus was incensed as Dana's spell penetrated his shields once again. He wanted to get back at her very badly and focused on the one spell he had used hundreds of times. If this spell failed to do any damage, he would definitely not continue dueling. He raised his wand, pointed it directly at Dana's heart and bellowed, "STUPEFY!!!!"