2024/25 Slytherin v Ravenclaw: Match 7

The day of Iris' first duel was.. exciting, to say the least. She'd made the team, which was grounds enough to paint a quiet smile on the young witch's face while stepping atop the duelling piste. By her side stood two others, both of which she'd only had the luxury of interacting with during practice. As a single nod was offered to their opponents, the grip on her wand tightened; determined to make this debut something memorable.

ACTION: Doing as strategized.

Action: As Strategised

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Calming presence is in affect for the Slytherin team

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Date: 27th October 2024

If you had told Matthew last year that he would be duelling for house Slytherin he likely would have seen it as some kind of attempt to ridicule him. If you furthermore added that he would be doing so alongside his ex nemesis Archer Duncan you would've been ducking from a punch. Yet here he was, stood upon the podium staring in wonder at the eccentric referee's outfit and smiling across the way at his partner Ernest whom he had already shared the thrill of battle with in a practice match suggested by their captain.

Turning his head further his smile found the face of his once arch enemy but now his smile remained casual, friendly almost. It wasn't clear if the two were really on the road to friendship yet but a bridge had been started and every step was a good sign. Regardless of any emotion Matthew knew that he had been lucky to gain a spot on the team and he wasn't about to jeopardise it. These boys were now an extension of himself and he would do his best to defend and aid them in the fight. Curling his cherry wood wand in his hand he faced his opponents with a devilish grin and the light sparkle of eager anticipation flashed in his eyes recalling the strategy meetings that would hopefully ensure their victory.

Ernest couldn’t really be surprised at how often he was in front of others who only wished to shoot spells at him; he had signed up for it when he decided to be friends with Prat, both methodically and physically. His first duel was against the boy and since then he has been by his side when he was dueling.

Now? Ernest didn’t have the snarky boy to back him up as he was getting spells slung at him, and the goblin boy didn’t have Prat to bounce sassy remarks off of. At least Matt was here though, they had dueled together once and the boy seemed to wordlessly understand just what Ernest wanted to do … just who Ernest wanted to hex.

Today he was in front of many people he didn’t know, as more watched on. It was his first official duel. He shook his nerves away and stepped into position, he just hoped he didn’t embarrass himself in front of Elisa…

Action: doing as strategized

Round 1

Watching keenly with his chin lightly resting on his steepled fingers, Piérre observed as the first six spells flew into action.

Ernest and Iris had targeted each other, the former with an incendio, the latter with a flipendo. While the Baird's spell successfully caused the clothes of the girl to set aflame, powerful gouts even for the least of the fire-making spells licking ravenously through fibers and towards flesh, Iris has much more difficulty. Well, having a fireball being launched at you would probably do that, but her spell was flicked wildly from the wand's release, leaping for her own teammate Yolanda. It was a shockingly well aimed unaimed spell, but Yolanda managed to duck it just in time.

Unfortunately for Ernest, he was going to have to avoid more than one spell. Tracey's rictusempra, meant originally for Archer, came angled for Ernest instead. This spell was far less well-aimed (if you could consider a completely botched spell fling well-aimed at all) than Iris', but Ernest evaded it all the same.

Piérre's brows arched. "Two critically missed spells! We're back on for betting on how many disastrous failures occur in this match! No protego rebounds this time around, hopefully... but nevertheless entertainment is now forthcoming!" He gave a lopsided grin. "I expect a betting pool to start soon, and I demand a 15% cut as proctor!" He turned to the audience, rubbing the tips of his fingers together in a comedically miserly way.

Meanwhile: Archer's flipendo that had Tracey's name written upon it and Matthew's advanced obscuro intended for Iris' eyes both missed their targets thanks to some quick footwork done by the two Ravenclaw ladies.

But Yolanda...

Oh Yolanda's fire must have taken some inspiration from Ernest's and then decided to show it who was boss. Fire that was already searing became scorching as the first year's spell squealed across the stage and struck the Baird boy directly in the chest, immediately setting him alight with the starving rumble of crackling flames. Those fires would be agonizing, even if some inner strength managed to just barely take the edge off the pain. Worse still... those flames were going to stick around.

"A divinely cast Incendio from the first year Ravenclaw!" Came the call. "What a staggering smite! Only just gotten here and already ripping up the competition with a spell only freshly taught! An impressive showing, color me impressed!" The boy would give her a polite golf clap before twirling the yew wand in his hand again. "But the show's just begun... and it really is anyone's game. Lady Luck doesn't pick favorites, and she's a fickle one to keep."

The corner of his lip twitched for a moment before he smiled once more. "Keep going!"

Information

1. You have 96 hours from this post's timestamp to owl your moves to me (Piérre Marchonné) and to make your 50+ word post.
2. Do not hint at your move in your post, as this can give an advantage to the other team.
3. Remember to send your move and make your post before the deadline. If either of these are not completed in time, your move will be void.
4. I will try to moderate early if all actions and posts are in before the deadline. If you do not wish for me to do this, please owl me.
5. Your stats, abilities, and spells are considered locked for this duel. If any are added to your trunk since 20 October 2024, they may not be used.
6. If you have any questions or feedback regarding this match, please feel free to owl or DM me.
7. Handy links: Duelling Rules, Duelling Spells, and the most recent patch.
8. Good luck and happy duelling!

The spectator thread for this duel can be found here.
Come cheer for your House and friends!

A look of horror crossed Iris' face as the spell, however divinely cast, misfired in the opposite direction. In the moments it'd taken her to register the fact, a burning sensation spread like wildfire until finally making it's way to delicate skin. Human bonfire or not, she'd still managed to dodge the following aimed attack. Burn her once, good for you. Burn her twice? Yeah right.

Aside from the girl's singe, it'd appear not all efforts were wasted. Iris watched as her teammate swiftly dodged the incoming blow, alongside a karmic strike of what she'd intended to do herself. While credit was due where credit was owed, the time for admiration was few. Instead, her focus steadied; refusing to give the flames any more reaction than they’d already stolen.

ACTION: Doing as strategized.