Rematch PV Anastasia Beckett re-closed

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The year was coming to an end and not a moment too soon in Ana's opinion. It had been difficult in nearly every way imaginable, ranging from heavy coursework loads to a literal trainwreck to organizing a society gala as a schoolgirl. Still, it was done. The Gryffindor Quidditch team had triumphed magnificently and won the cup, Ana had finished all of her exams, and the only thing left was to return home for the summer.

As she reflected upon the year coming to a close, she thought herself near unrecognizable from the previous year and not just because of her dramatic change in hair color. She was taller and her style had changed, yes, but none of these physical changes were what came to mind for Ana when she considered who she was now in comparison to who she'd been. Changes in height and hair color were fairly common, and her choices in outfits were relatively similar to past choices.

She had matured in ways she hadn't known possible. She had lost her family, been thrust into a position of great authority and responsibility, gotten into several fights, begun and ended her first romantic relationship, and learned more about exactly who Anastasia Beckett was at her core, with all of the sarcasm and pretty things stripped away.

Everything being stripped away had given her a chance to start fresh, rebuild in some way. A major part of rebuilding had been becoming co-captain of the Gryffindor duelling team. Quidditch was her love, make no mistake about it, but duelling had long fascinated her and the opportunity to be involved with it in any capacity was something she was excited to explore.

With that new title, there had come more expectations and responsibility. There had also been a rather unexpected letter from one of her new colleagues. It confused and intrigued her, and whether or not she admitted it, she resolved to go the moment she read the letter. It began with congratulations, which Ana thought was at least a little promising, and then issued a challenge. A rematch of a dubiously legal encounter from the year before.

She attempted to talk herself out of it, but none of her reasons seemed good enough. She entered the duelling club at 8:59 a.m., a minute before the appointed time. Close enough that it was unlikely the other girl would force her to wait, but still early, which for Ana was a rather unprecedented olive branch. She had more than enough problems and enemies as it was, so if the chance to make peace with someone that she had never really disliked in the first place was offered, who was she to turn it down?

Ana knew it was more than likely the other girl would win. After all, she had been duelling all year and was a member of the champion team. Ana was certainly a competent duellist, but she hadn't dedicated the time and work to it that Bridget almost definitely had. Her wand danced through her fingers as she walked in, the only sign that would allow anyone to believe she was remotely nervous. Collins was there, perched at the edge of one of the duelling platforms.

"Collins," Ana said crisply by way of announcing her arrival. Her tone was not entirely friendly, but not unpleasant either. It was curious and cordial, a notable difference from how Ana had addressed her a year prior.

"I received your letter," the Gryffindor informed her as she approached. That much was obvious by her presence, Ana supposed but she thought at least acknowledging the correspondence was appropriate.

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@Anastasia Beckett

She would not be left to debate whether she should wait a little longer or abandon this as a lost cause, for Anastasia was punctual, a minute early even. What was more, she didn't look annoyed or venomous or anything negative, really. Could she be just as willing as Bridget to give this a second chance? She took the Gryffindor to be intelligent, between her performance in classes and the way she carried herself, so perhaps she'd come to the same conclusion as Bridget: it didn't make sense to continue to bear ill will towards someone you'd only really had one clash with, especially after a whole year and now that they'd need to work together on occasion.

"Beckett." She gave acknowledgement in turn, copying the use of last names. Some of her peers preferred to be addressed by surnames, which was entirely fair, and usually she'd just follow suit with each individual. A nod followed the statement her letter had been received. That was obvious, of course, but was clearly meant as a pleasantry. To recap, her letter had found its way, Anastasia had decided to accept the rematch--in itself indicating a willingness to hear her out--and overall, seemed to be taking this well.

She was tempted to cut right to the chase, to lay down the rules and step onto the piste. First, though... there were old conflicts to resolve. "Um, I'd like to apologize. For our duel last year. I didn't really have the full story and I'm not terribly proud of how I acted. You don't seem like such a bad person, so if you're interested, maybe we could start over." Every word out of her mouth she meant. Apologizing for something that happened a year ago wasn't so hard, all the emotions a distant memory, and she did her best to look Anastasia in the eye the whole time. Yes, she didn't exactly regret her actions--she'd found her then-friend hurt, of course she would hold that against whoever did it, and she recalled being furious in the heat of the moment--though she was embarrassed of them, looking back. They were irrational and hadn't helped the situation. And yes, Anastasia was not the most stellar person in Hogwarts. Anyone who listened knew the Gryffindor got into a lot of fights, be it with spells or fists. That didn't make her irredemable. Even if she didn't expect them to pretend last year had never happened, she had hopes they could be on better terms.

But enough with that, she'd asked Anastasia here to duel. She was itching to move on, to cast, to compete. Apology aside, this was something she'd like to win. Losing after a year undefeated would no doubt be humbling and to learn from, perhaps a needed check for her pride. But really, she was doing just fine avoiding arrogance, so why end the streak now? Regardless of how this ended, she wondered how she'd do without Santario at her side. She'd only been alone once and her only hope of winning had been the opposition's forfeit, though to be fair, that had been two on one.

"So." She hopped up onto the duelling platform. "I was thinking we'd use the normal duelling rules. The easiest way to moderate them is to play with them, I think." As much as this was a scrimmage, a rematch, it was also a chance for Anastasia to prepare for overseeing duels. "Though, it would be best to call it before someone faints, that makes after easier." A direct reference to their last, less permissible duel, when she'd been torn between knocking Anastasia out or walking away; of course, the Hospital Wing hadn't really been an option then. This would take one of them admitting defeat, which might be interesting, but as she kept reminding herself, this wasn't the real thing.

She took the time to grip her wand just right, getting into the familiar stance, and would give the other girl the same nod of respect she gave all her opponents once she, too, was set. "Ready when you are."