2024/25 Slytherin v Ravenclaw: Match 7

Action: As Strategised

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Calming presence is in affect for the Slytherin team

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Date: 27th October 2024

Failing was always an unpleasant feeling but failing in front of an audience settled a disgusting bile of insecurity in Matthew that he would have to shake if he was going to get anywhere in this fight. Always having been the quiet kid who got picked on life had never inspired him to confidence in the past but no matter the struggles he had faced he always found an anchor that brought him back.

Reaching up to his neck he closed his eyes and shut out the world for a moment, blocking out all the noise and feelings and just listening to the sound of his breath fill his mind. Tight fingers clutching the ring under his jumper he rooted himself inward reminding himself of what mattered most. Memories played in a carousel of moments shared with his family, flashes of calmness in the storm of his mind. 'People learn more through failure than through success, it teaches us never to give up even when things are hard or feel impossible.' The reassuring words of his father were his root and he held onto them as tightly as they did in their embrace that day.

When he reopened his eyes and readied his stance he was sure that no matter what happened he was learning and that was a gift greater than anything. Flashing a devilish grin towards Archer he responded to his earlier comment, "A murder of crows they call it, seems only fitting we show them the reason." although his statement was ominous the laugh he released following spoke far more of playfulness than threat.

Well if this wasn't the most familiar feeling in the world to the goblin, he didn't know what was. Being on fire every duel was starting to get old but it didn't seem like it would stop anytime soon. Thankfully the part goblin was able to evade a couple of spells, but his luck was only so good.

Ernest grimaced at the feeling, knowing either his shirt or his night was able to get ruined. “Every damn time,” he mumbled before deciding his next move.

Action: doing as strategized

Round 2

Archer's wand began to whip the air up into a frenzy around him, a dark cloud conjuring itself into existence and blossoming into a full and terrible storm over the heads of the female Ravenclaw trio. A deep rumble of quiet thunder warned that the belly of the cloud was likely not going to stay peaceable for long.

While Ernest's clothes began to smolder, his dedication to the art of avoidance paid off as Iris' Flipendo once more whiffed past him with no joy whist Tracey did the decent thing and kindly put her ravenous flames out. Piérre bit his tongue in amusement. "Perhaps it's just a bit of a slow start for Miss Athanasiuo..." He flirted with his own words as they quipped themselves off. Tipping his head to one side, he felt a small shudder run through him as he saw the stormcloud swirl and contort. "Well at least the ambiance is getting to the right place..."

An incantation of a third year spell caused the piqued ears of the boy to snap towards Matthew... but no spell would fly. Brows would arch and then a sad tutting came instead. "An ambitious cast--I'd expect nothing else from Slytherin--but not all there, it would seem."

And no sooner would Matthew fail to cast but a little spell from the youngest Ravenclaw once more make its impact count as he was caught off guard. Yolanda's tarantallegra would hit him cleanly, causing the Slytherin boy to enter into a very energetic salsa complete with a bit of gyration and snappy hand movements that were quite obviously outside his realm of bodily control due to the influence of magic. In fact, it was so energetic, it was almost a shock to Piérre himself that the power of magic wasn't somehow compelling him to try to find a partner in the form of one of the other two gentlemen that accompanied him on the stage.

Despite himself, he would crack up with some laughter. "Yeah, yeah! Andele, Andele Come on, come on!! Ole ole! Work those hips!" He would clap in time with the movements of the dance, and for a few seconds there was a small following from the amused crowd before suddenly the boom of thunder and a flash of white hot light snapped through the room. It came and went in an instant, but as if in karmic retribution, a white bolt of lightning had snapped down from the charcoal cloud and had smote Yolanda--using her as a conduit to the ground--before its remaining charge licked back up to its resting place in the brutally swirling storm.

"LIGHTNING!" Piérre cried. "Normally we'd call a time out on the field if this was a regular sport, but dueling is a different beast indeed!" It was a staggering blow, there was no two ways about that, but it seemed that for the most part everyone involved was still relatively alright enough to continue. "Take a moment and recenter--they're so closely matched it could just take a singular turn of luck to flip the tables!"

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!

Action: As Strategised

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Calming presence is in affect for the Slytherin team

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Date: 27th October 2024

Perhaps attempting a spell he had only just learned was foolish, perhaps when that spell was an entire year above his current studies it was even more so and yet it had gone so well in his practice. Something was holding the young snake back and although he wasn't sure of the cause he was tired of its presence.

Maybe this was simply not his calling, maybe the harsh words of Slytherin purists were right and he didn't belong here. Not on the piste, not in Hogwarts, not even as a wizard. The storm that was clouding his mind now took literal manifestation in Archer's charm and it was harrowing to say the least. Would he ever be enough, not for them but for himself? Matthew could anchor himself in his family forever but they weren't here right now, the only one that was here was himself and if he wanted to succeed he was going to have to start believing not for the sake of others but for himself. He had to believe in himself or his team would fall by his side.

Yet despite the whirlwind of emotions seizing his mind it couldn't be denied nor disputed, the boy danced a mighty fine salsa!

Somehow, Archer was the only snake left unscathed. Using that blessing to his advantage, he stirred up a crackling spell above the Ravenclaws. Far too accustomed to storms from his eleven years on the Isle of Skye, it was almost child's play as he sent the brewing cloud to carry out damage. Trying not to be distracted by Matthew's energetic rendition of the salsa dance, he turned his gaze to the crows, awaiting the storm cloud's favour. Restraining himself from celebration as lightning cracked down on the youngest of his opponents, he chuckled at Pierre's commentary but took his advice to heart. With the two so closely matched, the next round was bound to be pivotal.

He knew it was probably a coward's way out; but he was already on fire so he figured people could cut him some slack. Ernest dodged the next spells, jumping out of the way without even thinking of spending a spell of his own.

He was still feeling the flames cursed on him so he wasn't really doing much but trying to stop bruises being added to his burn marks.

Action: doing as strategized