Duelling Classroom ((Landon & Brianna))

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis looked at the sparkling, newly-cleaned floor of the Duelling Classroom with satisfaction. She wasn't one to stand idle - things had to be improved. Improved - not amended and meddled with like the person who was setting the Muggle Studies syllabus seemed to define the word. Add 'restricted' in there and you had the essence of the insane education policy of the Ministry in three words which said it all. Though there were other words which would suffice to express it just as well. Some not quite so polite. Thank goodness they hadn't decided Duelling was a subject yet. It might well be tampered with in future - Hogwarts was under close scrutiny by the Ministry to see where else they could presume to reach with their interfering power. But for now, there was only the Statute of International Duelling Standards to comply with. Fair enough. She agreed with the need for 'health and safety', although her terminology for it was 'sensible caution' and that better described her approach. Whatever, then it meant she currently had fairly free reign to experiment and try to find ways of making students enjoy duelling.

It seemed that they were willing to duel. Today, Hufflepuff Mr. Campari and Ravenclaw Miss. Felicia, both fifth years, were to be joining her in this room so that she could oversee the duel they had requested. Amaryllis hoped they would be friendly and courteous toward one another. Students always seemed to have more drive and do better when they didn't appear of aggressive intent towards their opponent. Apparently they had few inhibitions when it came to hexing their friends... and it was commonplace for them to perform better in company they were familiar with. Amaryllis smiled and paused in her train of thought as something else struck her. She walked over to her desk from where she had been loading duelling tomes, records and magazines onto a couple of fresh-looking new white shelves she had just attached to the wall, and wrote herself a note in her planner on a day when a particular student would be in her Muggle Studies class. She then returned to the shelves to continue arranging the books and magazines in a logical manner whose progression pleased her. There could be nothing wrong with using the time whilst she waited for the two students who were duelling today to arrive for her own benefit. Certainly, she had all weekend to rearrange these after the duel was finished, but the more efficient she was with getting what ought to be done completed, the more time she would have to contemplate new schemes for making things more fun for students. Schemes which she could throw herself into with all her heart, even with energy she didn't hav. Energy and stamina currently seeped away every day, but she was confident she would make a satisfactory recovery from that injury very soon. She had always been able to carry on in the past.

[mongaj]

Scarcely watching where he was going, Landon recited the dulling spells that he had been practicing in his head. Forcing himself to say them over and over again while thinking of the wand movements that accompanied each, he was determined to be prepared as he could for his duel against Brianna. After studying with her, Landon knew quite well of what she was capable of doing when it came to magic, and he was not going to look like a fool when she came ready to give her best. In a way, he felt his skills were slightly inferior to Brianna's, but nonetheless he knew he was gifted enough to put up a fair fight. Whether or not he was skilled enough to beat her, he would find out shortly.

Approaching the dueling classroom, Landon took a deep breath before opening the door. Expecting to see Brianna already inside and prepared to go, he was surprised to see only Professor Hardy organizing some items on a shelf. "Hello Professor Hardy," Landon said respectfully. "Brianna hasn't made it yet?" he questioned. She only had a few minutes before she would be late, and this surprised Landon. He was sure however that she would show up soon as she didn't seem like the type of person to show up late. He didn't know her too well though for that matter. Lifting his bag over his shoulder, Landon placed it on a nearby desk and took a seat. His chin rested in his hands, he starred forward blankly, thinking again over the many spells he may use in the time to come. His palms were moist as he was becoming very nervous. Pulling his wand from his pocket, he examined it carefully, checking to make sure it was in proper working order. He pulled out a small towel from his bag and wiped his wand with it, ridding its surface from all the finger-prints and smudges.

[aithne]

That morning was an average, slow one for Brianna. She hadn’t been one hundred percent awake for all of her classes as had stayed up the earlier night running attack and defence spells through her mind. She had planned a duel with Landon and was looking forward to it more than a bit. Landon was… interesting. In the Study Group they had practised charms and Brianna had noticed he was skilled with magic, and knew she wasn’t too bad herself. So she skimmed through her classes tiredly, jotting down notes but not really reading what she was jotting. After they were finally finished, Brianna headed hurridly to her dormitory to change into more comfortable clothes and to drop off her books. Once done she emerged, still hurrying, in some skinny black jeans, a dark green, figure-hugging sweater and some brown boots. Over this ensemble she threw her Ravenclaw robes and safely tucked her wand into the pocket, gently inserting it as though it were a baby, not a stick. After rushing through the Common Room and waving quickly at a few friends, Brianna headed to the Duelling room, her spirits rising at the thought of duelling. She almost fell as she slipped through the door of the classroom, a smile on her face and her dark brown hair a little messy, though presentable still. Brianna liked to look nice- she was in a little hurry obviously as didn’t like to be late for anything, but her appearance didn’t look messy or dishevelled, merely comfortable and snug.

“Wooeer!” She yelped, steadying herself as she almost fell onto the gleaming floor, then stopped to examine the shining tiles. “That must have been a brilliant cleaning spell Professor, these floors are beautiful!” Brianna complimented, glancing around the room cheerfully. “How are you today Professor Hardy?” She was now standing fully upright, and in a few seconds had fixed her hair with skilled fingers as she smiled at the Professor and Landon. “Hope I’m not too late Professor Hardy, but I’m definitely ready to beat this little Huffie!” Brianna grinned contentedly at Landon, watching him clean his wand with care. She stood motionless, not bothering to sit down as knew she would soon be up again if she did so. She already had her desired spells flashing before her mind as she welcomed the wonderfully clean room with her brown eyes, and she knew the duel would be great fun. Although she had been sleepy that morning she did actually feel ready to duel now, as though the day’s energy had been stored for this moment alone.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

Amaryllis turned her head towards the door as it opened and inclined her head in acknowledgement towards the student who had just entered the room, continuing to push the various issues of a particular duelling magazine into place as she returned his greeting coolly: "Mr. Campari." Having finished arranging the particular magazines she had been putting up on the shelves as he had entered the room, and checked that they were all indeed in order, before pushing her boxes of books and magazines to the side. Some were a little tatty. Perhaps she should go on a book-binding course. She glanced at the clock she kept in prime position on the wall (being a stickler for punctuality as she was), noting the fact that there wasn't much time left to go until the time she had scheduled the duel for, and in answer to his query replied, "It would certainly appear not."

The Ravenclaw student Mr. Campari was to be duelling against entered the room very shortly after she had said that. Amaryllis nodded at her comment on the floor; it was at its best at the moment. Though if it had the potential to make people fall over (she hadn't thought it did, so perhaps it was merely sheer carelessness on the part of the Ravenclaw) she should probably give it the opportunity to create a little more friction. It wouldn't do to have people disadvantaged in their duelling by the floor, after all. But she suspected it would be all right. If people slowed down slightly and concentrated. "Well, thank you, Miss Felicia," she answered, frowning just a fraction at the second comment. "Let events be the judge of that," she said in response to the Ravenclaw's last words, though adding a small smile with hers. She hadn't detected any unfriendliness in them towards Mr. Campari, and she doubted he would mind, but nevertheless it was best to approach duels just focusing on each individual spell.
"We can start whenever you're ready," she added, glancing towards Mr. Campari who appeared to be checking his wand was free of blemishes. "If you could take the red circle on the left of the Duelling platform, Mr. Campari, and you the lime green triangle, Miss Felicia," Amaryllis requested, "then, Mr. Campari, you may cast your first spell whenever you are ready."

[mongaj]

Soon after Professor Hardy returned his greeting, Landon heard Brianna enter the room with a squeal as she almost fell on the polished floor. Smiling at her comment about beating him in the duel, he was glad to hear Professor Hardy remain partial to the situation. It boosted his confidence a little to know that she hadn't selected a favorite, but if she did, she hadn't chosen to voice her opinion. In all reality, the outcome was rather unpredictable. It just depended on who was having the better day at the time. Landon knew either he or Brianna could easily be the one who left victorious.

Stepping onto the red circle as Professor Hardy asked, Landon closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and raised his wand tip to his forehead. His mind clear, he glanced over at Brianna to make sure that she was ready on her green square. She appeared ready, so Landon focused all of his attention on her, and cast the first spell he had been planning all morning. Knowing it was the spell that would initiate his offense, he wanted it to be perfect. In a loud, clear voice, he shouted, "Rudicio!" This spell was the opposite of the Engorgio spell which he and Brianna had practiced together during their first encounter. Unlike the Engorgio spell, Landon often had much greater success with the reduction spell. Hopefully this time would prove the same.

[aithne]

Brianna smiled as the Professor spoke about her joke comment, and she had been expecting the comment. She would hate it if the teacher took sides as always believed in fair play, in everything she did. As she headed towards the bright lime green triangle Brianna smiled to herself- triangles, though maybe adorned a little more than the one she was currently standing on, were Brianna’s lucky charms. The fact they were only lucky to her if crusted with onyx and a few rubies. She wasn’t sure why this was lucky for her but she had found a slinky, triangular bracelet decorated so on her first week at Hogwarts and had decided resolutely that it was her lucky charm. The triangle she stepped onto looked nothing like the bracelet but it reminded Brianna somehow of it and gave her a little boost of hope that she may just win this duel. Brianna quickly stopped joking and complimenting and prepared herself for whatever spell Landon threw at her.

When it came she was a little surprised. The Rudicio spell was the opposite of the one she and Landon had practised in the Student Lounge- the Engorgio charm. She wondered for a split second before defending herself what there was to make smaller. “Protego!” She bellowed. Her wand gave the necessary movements and Brianna felt the power of the spell leave the wand like fire from a dragon- it was natural and needed. She hoped her spell would work and felt it would- she had done everything she could remember that the protection charm needed.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Landon casts Rudicio; he has a 62.5% success chance.

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

Landon fails to cast Rudicio, so no defense spell is required.

Score - Landon 0.0, Brianna 0.0.))

Amaryllis watched as the students took their places on the designated mats and brought out her wand so that she could negate the effects of the spells that the students cast when necessary. She frowned as the Hufflepuff's spell failed. She always watched very carefully so that she could advise students on how to improve their spells; it was better to dwell on how to do better next time than on failure. But what had gone wrong with this spell? Amaryllis looked back over it in her mind where she'd created a visual memory as best she could. She remembered that the pronounciation had been very clear, yet that wand movement was perhaps where the fault lay.

"A good try Mr. Campari," she said. "Your pronounciation is very good; perhaps make the wand movement a little tighter. With Rudicio you're trying to make things smaller, so make the movements of your wand spiral inwards a little more perhaps." Amaryllis pondered for a moment longer to see if she could think of any other advice to offer, but, none being forthcoming, added to the Ravenclaw, "Miss Felicia, whenever you are ready, you may cast your first spell."

[aithne]

Brianna was surprised Landon’s spell didn’t work, and listened carefully to the tips. She knew there would most likely soon be a time when she practised that charm- she now had tips on why it didn’t work, if it didn’t. She smiled encouragingly at Landon, before flicking to her first spell. It was a good spell, with great tactics. But Brianna hadn’t cast it before- she only wanted to test it out now. Had she chosen the wrong choice for her first cast? But it was too late to change her view- she had already got her mind ready and prepared for the attack. She caught Landon’s eye as she cast the spell and it almost broke her concentration- she lost some of it, for sure.

“Chaleur baton!” She cried. From what she had read, the spell was supposed to make the opponent’s wand so hot they had to drop it. If her spell worked, Landon should drop his wand. It was good- if he was slow with a defence, her spell should make sure that he couldn’t stop the spell coming due to the dropped wand. Unless he cast an amazingly fast ‘accio’ spell. Brianna hoped with all her might that the spell would work.

[mongaj]

((So so sorry for this dreadfully late reply I really would love to continue this duel if it is still possible!))

Angry that his spell did not work, Landon forced himself to listen to Professor Hardy's suggestion as to why it may have failed. He couldn't take his anger out on her, as it wasn't her fault it didn't work. He would just have to try harder next time. Putting full attention on Brianna, Landon was determined to at least get his defensive spell correct in case her attack was successful. Listening closely to her spell, he thought quickly of the defense. "Feu Résistez!" he shouted forcefully. He waited, hoping not to feel his wand heat up as it was expected to do, provided Brianna's spell was a success.

[Professor Amaryllis Hardy]

((Brianna casts Chaleur baton, she has a 37.5% chance of success.

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

Brianna fails to cast Chaleur baton, so no defense spell is required.

Score - Landon 0.0, Brianna 0.0))

Amaryllis gave Mr. Campari a small smile since he appeared to have taken in her suggestions to some extent at least. It was always good to know students were prepared to listen to advice. She watched carefully as Miss Felicia cast her first spell and frowned as that attempt was also fruitless. She much preferred to see successful spells which built confidence. But perhaps neither of the students having managed would both reassure them and spur them on to cast stronger spells the next time they had the opportunity.

"A good attempt, Miss Felicia," she said as generously as she could. "Chaleur baton is a rather tricky charm, but you appear to have most of the basics right. Rather the confidence and concentration you were lacking there, I think - just focus on the spell and nothing else and you should manage it." Amaryllis smiled at the Ravenclaw student before turning back to the fifth year boy also occupying the duelling platform. "Mr. Campari," she addressed him. "You may cast your second spell whenever you are ready."

((Landon, I'm not in a position to complain - time is on my side but rarely these days. I hope Brianna will also be able to continue.))