2024/25 Slytherin v Ravenclaw: Match 7

Ernest's breaths came out in pants and he was feeling the weight of every muscle he carried. He had been hit with the same spell over and over; it felt like the burns of magical flames were already embedded in his skin.

He groaned and doubled over, getting his breath back. He had to force himself to stand up straight again, the tiredness fitted into his bones.

Just one more spell, he thought to himself, one more spell. He knew he was probably pushing it but he needed to at least try to bring someone down with him.

Action: doing as strategized

Round 5

The belly of the clouds did not feel encouraged to let loose another bolt out of the blue, but it obviously wouldn't be needed as white light and fire clashed across the piste instead. Fluttering madly through the fire and the twin beams of white knockback spells from Ernest and Archer, Matthew's Obscuro would strike Iris as the same time as Archer's Flipendo, wrapping about the fledgeling's eyes and making the ability to see the world around her next to useless. The shock of it may have jarred her concentration yet again, for as Piérre watched she seemed unable to conjure to mind any riposte spell to cast in rebuke or retribution to her situation. Perhaps the shock and strain of duelling had been much too great for her to handle at that moment in time?

Well... he couldn't say that he didn't relate. There was a reason he had refused to return to the sport near the end of the school year. There were certain horrors in dueling that the Britalian could not put out of his mind, certain nightmares that an overreactive imagination and a collection of choice memories coaxed into reality whenever he had felt the electricity of the first spells and the fear of realizing that he was--to his opponents--a perfectly viable target and by nature of the 'sport' unable to run away to avoid such fate.

But Yolanda's spellcasting did not fail to impress again, and as Piérre's lips curled in a mixture of amusement and a bitter realization of the pains of the fire spell striking Ernest and putting him out of the fight, he still contributed his little piece even as he attracted the attention of the medical personnel standing by. "Yolanda strikes again! Ernest is finally felled, placing this match at an even 2v2!"

Figaro, the dappled silver bengal, trotted easily into the club, leaping almost immediately onto the Britalian's back and climbing so as to wrap calmly about his shoulders. With a purr in his throat like that of the thunder overhead, the cat closed his eyes and began to relax.

"Iris blindfolded, Yolanda an unstoppable flamethrower--could this match somehow turn around in this second half?!"

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!

While Ernest had failed his final spell, Archer’s pairing Flipendo found its mark squarely. In a combination of his own ability, luck, and Matthew’s well-timed blindfold, Iris had not even the chance to react nor conjure an incantation of her own. Blissfully, with no spells having landed on the Scot, he was blessed with no exhaustion, muscles still perfectly eager with energy and the adrenaline to take home victory.

After the half-goblin’s glorious last stand, they were left two against two. Would this end with a bang like the with the duellists he admired, or would it fizzle out into an unsuspected defeat? Better be the former.

Action: As Strategised

|

Calming presence is in affect for the Slytherin team

|

Date: 27th October 2024

Losing Ernest was less than an ideal situation particularly as they had been so dazed from injury that their final blaze of glory had missed its intended target. Yet as they fell Matthew only felt proud to have fought along side such a worthy Slytherin and hoped that this would be the start of a bond between them. It already seemingly had bolstered the one between him and Archer that was once thought to be impossible.

On the upside both he and Archer had combined in a beautiful display of their teamwork and while going full damage may have been the simplest route Iris had proven time and time again to be evasive. Relying on luck was no longer an option for this duel they needed assistance and so despite his worries due to previous failures the boy spoke the incantation over in his head and readied his wand.

Unlike his previous attempt this time he found the support and pride of his team uplifted his confidence and as the Obscuro released he watched as the binds tightened around her eyes completely obscuring her vision in the process. The plan had succeeded and victory was within their grasp!

Round 6

Fortune for the Slytherin team finally seemed to transform into assurance with Ravenclaw's unfortunate turnabout of the next round. While seemingly unsure of what to cast or when to time, Yolanda's hesitation provided an ample opening for Archer to sneak a knockback jinx through her seemingly impossible defenses and finally send her flying to the ground. With a snap of his fingers, Piérre summoned the response team but then continued to coolly watch with furrowed brows and particular intrigue at the spectacle that would occur between Iris and Matthew.

Though blindfolded, Iris somehow managed to evade the knockback jinx that Matthew had sent her way. Perhaps it was simply the air whistled with the power of magic, or perhaps a lucky break, but the blindfolded raven would perform a Neo and refuse that final spell any pleasure whatsoever.

However... as Piérre narrowed his eyes on the girl that had refused to cast spells or take an action for three rounds so far...

"BASTA! STOP!" He cried out with a very loud bark considering his typical carefree and easygoing intonation. He stared a bit longer at Iris, still blindfolded, before walking over and pulling her blindfold off--immediately checking her pupils for dilation reflex. He did find it, but his brow furrowed further as his voice softened again. "If you're not feeling alright, let me know. Freezing up here on stage is never a good option and only ends badly." Emerald eyes scrutinized hers before flicking towards the waiting entourage of medical interns. "Go get patched up. You're not in any condition to duel right now."

He waved her off, encouraging her off the stage.

Turning after this small exchange, Piérre cleared his throat. "WELL! Seeing as Ravenclaw has no more duelists capable of fighting... I must call a forced forfeit on their behalf!" The expected groans and hisses came, but Piérre silenced them with another cry of "TACI! Shut up!" Before indicating towards the Slytherin team and the two standing participants that remained. "Because of this, SLYTHERIN emerges triumphant! Give a hand for Misters Duncan and Campbell, and of course a strong hand for Mister Baird whilst he recovers in the Hospital Wing!" Their moderator would give them a polite golf clap and then would step down from the stage without much more fanfare.

The silver bengal Figaro would take a final look around the crowd, minty eyes sweeping for something, before the tip of the black tail flicked gaily and he followed his master out of the Duelling Club.

Note: This match is considered a forced forfeit by Ravenclaw due to the rule stating that such occurrence shall occur since the last participating player of the team has not posted for two consecutive deadlines and is thereby deemed 'inactive'.

Slytherin Wins!

Eligible for Rewards:
To be eligible for rewards, your team should have won the duel and you shouldn't have been disqualified.

@Archer Duncan
@Matthew Campbell
@Ernest Baird

Please link to this post in the trunk updates if you are eligible for rewards and wish to claim your +1 stat point from this duel.