Chương 94: Fourth Year tryouts
*Morpheus pov*
I could clearly see the excitement brewing on the fourth-year students' faces seeing the third-years finish with their tryouts.
Laughing I turned to Abara, "Abara, looks like you should announce the start of the fourth year trials seems they are getting anxious," I shook my head seeing his exhausted expression
He sighed, "I didn't think this would be so much work, I feel like I haven't slept in years," he replied in a hushed whisper
Walking out from the professor's area Abara made his way to the dueling platform, "Before we start the fourth-year tryouts we will have a short break, rest, and be ready for a long day of duels," he said with a smile
With the break happening I stood from my seat and excused myself. Walking out of the professor's area I left the dueling zone and started my way to the kitchens. I know those elves are hiding the good stuff from me.
When I turned the corner I could feel someone following me, I prepared to berate them if they were a student but when I turned around I saw a meek and embarrassed Stiles Marr.
"Can I help you, Stiles?" I asked with interest
He seemed nervous opening his mouth to speak and then closing it multiple times I could tell he was on edge, "Calm down," I said tapping his shoulder
Stiles visibly calmed, "I don't know if you can help me but, I need help," he said almost reluctantly
Frowning I asked, "With what?" I already knew the answer of course
Stiles hesitated before saying, "Well, anything to do with ice magic I excel at while anything else I'm below average. And then there is the fact I feel lethargic if I haven't used ice magic in a while. I don't know why but I feel like you could help," He confessed shakily
I nodded in understanding, "I see, how about after the tryouts for all grades are over I contact you to speak further into this matter," I replied
He nodded, "Yes sir! Uh do you think you can actually help?" he asked skeptically
"Perhaps," I replied with a thin smile while turning to restart my walk
***
After fetching a hidden bottle of wine I returned to the professor's section, poured myself a glass, and began my wait for the duels to start.
Abara took the stand, "Same rules, same standards. This is not about winning but about showing what you are capable of," Abara said with an enthusiastic grin as if the earlier tiredness didn't exist
The students clapped at his words, quieting down the crowd Abara declared, "First match, Amelia Bones versus Xenophilius Lovegood!" I almost spit out my wine
What is that idiot doing in a dueling competition!?
*Natrator pov*
Xenophilius Lovegood and Amelia Bones faced each other on the dueling platform, wands at the ready, before a curious audience.
Amelia raised an eyebrow, "Prepare for a serious duel, Lovegood."
Xenophilius winked, "Serious is overrated, Bones. Let's make it interesting."
The duel began.
Amelia initiated with a precise "Stupefy," aiming to stun Xenophilius. Dodging with an almost dance-like elegance, Xenophilius countered with "Spectaculum Nebula," conjuring a mesmerizing display of colorful mist that obscured Amelia's vision.
Defiantly something Pandora created.
Undeterred, Amelia cast "Impedimenta," attempting to slow down Xenophilius. In response, Xenophilius executed "Locomotor Lunaris," causing the ground beneath Amelia to shift like the surface of the moon.
Amelia adjusted quickly, countering with "Bombarda!" blasting a hole into the ground, as pieces of the stage broke apart and flew in different directions Amelia began banishing the chunks toward Xenophilius
Seeing this Xenophilius seemed to smile his wand danced out into the air, each time he flicked his wand a chunk of the stage would turn into a butterfly.
The platform crackled with magical energy as the two wizards showcased their contrasting styles.
Xenophilius, maintaining his eccentricity, cast "Ridiculum Aqua," turning a portion of the mist into a cascade of giggling water droplets. Amelia, with a bemused expression, retaliated with "Fulgur Fulmen," directing a controlled lightning bolt towards Xenophilius.
In a daring move, Xenophilius performed "Invisibilis Insanus," temporarily vanishing from sight. Amelia, on high alert, cast "Somnium Vortex," creating a hypnotic whirlwind that disrupted Xenophilius' invisibility by the water and mist clinging around him.
As the duel reached its climax, Xenophilius reappeared with a flourish, casting "Impetus Obstupentia," suddenly three stupefy spells shot from Xenophilius's wand at once souring through the air in different directions toward Amelia.
Amelia, recognizing the challenge, cast "Protego Durus," creating a dome-like shield around her. Amelia was unphased as the stunning spells splattered against the barrier
Seeing the barrage was over Amelia stopped the shielding spell and saw several floating butterflies. Smiling she shouted, "Finite, Depulso, Finite, Depulso," finite turned the butterflies back into rubble while Depulso banished them toward Xenophilius
"ARGH!" Xenophilius gasped for air as he was hit square in the stomach
The audience marveled at the unpredictable duel, applauding the unique display of magic from both wizards. Xenophilius collapsed on one knee at this point and was breathing heavily, "I lose," he said with a shrug a big smile plastered on his face
As he stepped down from the platform and Abara announced Amelia as the winner Xenophilius locked eyes with one person among the crowd causing a large smile to spread across his face.
Pandora rushed through the crowd pushing through to get to Xenophilius, "They did so well," she exclaimed clasping Xenophilius's shoulder
Xenophilius brought her into a hug, "They did better than well, I almost won!"
Many would feel down, defeated by a loss but not Xenophilius and definitely not Pandora. They were the type to dissect the loss and make sure it never happens again.
People find it hard to take them seriously which usually ends up in the enemy of the two's downfall.
As they celebrated the success of Pandora's invented spells neither saw the look of satisfaction appearing on someone's face within the crowd.
*Morpheus pov*
She has come a long way with her spellwork, those spells were no joke and incredibly adaptable. It seems Pandora practiced a lot over the summer, much more than she let on.
Xenophilius on the other hand was surprisingly good, his movements were erratic and unpredictable making it impossible for his opponent to read where he would Dodge or attack from.
Xenophilius definitely surprised me with his dueling prowess, I knew he had a basic understanding but this much was something he would have had to train for.
"What do you think of them?" Albus asked
I pondered his question, "Amelia Bones will never ally with Tom I know that much. She seems to be a well-rounded fighter not specializing in one particular set although I haven't seen much. Xenophilius on the other hand excels in randomness, without it, he wouldn't have lasted long," I replied
"I thought the same," Albus nodded while looking over at the odd pair
"Pandora seems to have made some of those spells," he said softly to me
"Yes, she has, a true talent albus,"
A true talent indeed.
"We must protect Pandora and her family, I'm sure Tom's Spies saw what we saw,"
—
A/N:Patre on : patreon.com/Boogie324
I've written more than 100 chapters and am slowly gettin to the arc everyone is waiting for. One question though which schools are you most interested in Hogwarts dueling? I have some picked out but want to here your thoughts. (School doesn't have to be cannon)
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