Day 2 Spectator 2024/25 Stage 2

day 2 - match 4 (morning)

It was going to be a long Sunday full of duelling but Avis couldn’t be more excited. Today, she had two friends on the schedule and seeing how much both of them had supported her in the past when it came to Quidditch, the girl thought it only fair to show up for them in turn.

Matthew was up first to start the morning off. Avis was looking forward seeing what he was truly capable of, having really only witnessed his athletic abilites… which were not exactly his strongsuit. She had, however, gotten to see some of his spellcasting abilities and the young Ravenclaw had been impressed to say the least, especially by his Spongify’s which he always seemed to end up casting when they were together. She chuckled to herself as she settled down to watch the clashing of wands between Slytherin and Hufflepuff. The moderator announced each team and Avis cheered as she introduced her friend.

“Wahoo! Go Campbell!” she cried amongst the cheers of the other spectators. She grinned in anticipation, hoping for a good match and success for Matt, despite the powerhouse Hufflepuffs he and his team were paired up against. To be completely honest, Avis was not the biggest Slytherin supporter ever, having had a few misfortunes with one in the past, not to mention her brother’s prejudice but she could lay down her pride for a moment to support a Slytherin she did like. Dropping her hands after clapping for a bit, she wrung them together nervously, anticipating the beginning of the duel.

After quite the match from earlier, Avis found herself back in the same seat happily munching on a bag of cockroach clusters she’d retrieved from her dorm in the hour between the sessions.

Her voice was slightly hoarse from her cheering earlier as the crowd had really gotten into Matt’s duel so she hoped she had enough voice left in her to go all out for Maisie. Avis took a swig of her bottled butter beer as the thought came to her head. She watched her best friend climb the stairs to the raised piste and swallowed the sweet liquid before cheering for her with only a few voice cracks.

“Go get ‘um Maisie! You got this!” she managed to squeak out, raising her glass bottle with a bright grin.

She knew her friend had to be a bit nervous but she also knew that Maisie always kept a level head when the situation required it. Avis trusted the girl’s confidence in herself would pick her right back after every failure. Duelling with her as a partner before had shown her that resilience and Avis was excited to watch it unfold from the safety of the stands. She only hoped Maisie’s partners were up to the challenge as well, recognizing only one of them as Tracey Bailey whom she’d had a few conversations with last term. Luckily she’d heard Tracey was a rather capable duellist as well.

As everyone settled into their spots on the piste, Avis watched Maisie wish her opponents luck and take her position. Once again, she clasped her hands together in nervous anticipation. Here goes nothing.

Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: @Emily Shephard and @Tracey Bailey and @Colin McCoire Date: 02/09/25

Word Count: 207

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Avery couldn't wait! Today she would finally get to watch her first duel! She had never watched a duel before due to the fact that she didn't really know anyone. But now, she knew two people in the match today. Tracey, the girl that she helped her with her Charms homework, and, in return, Avery helped her with her Transfiguration. The other girl, Emily, she had met at the Broom Race where they were both cheering on Colin. Avery smiled as she saw Emily and Tracey walk out. Avery cheered louder. She couldn't wait to see how her friends would do. "You got this Emily! You can do it Tracey! Good luck!" Avery called to her friends. She hoped they could hear her since she tried to make her voice louder. She sat down. Making sure she had a good view of what was happening. Real dueling was so different to what she had done with her cousin when they were little. She wished she had shown more interest in dueling and asked her dad about it because she had always wanted to learn. Though, watching it was may more her style than actually competing it. Quidditch was more her style when it came down to competing.

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Match 7

"OWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!"

Colin charged into the viewing stands in the duelling hall! Colin loved a good duel, especially when either he was participating or else when he had someone to cheer on! And today, Colin was here to cheer! It was Hufflepuff vs Ravenclaw! And there was a particular Hufflepuff that Colin wanted to cheer on! Of course, he was used to rooting for AngelFyre in racing; but recently, his heart had been urging him to check out duelling.

There was indeed one Badger in particular that had been occupying his mind of late. Events in Snoggy Slytherin notwithstanding, his thoughts had begun to dwell on a Badger girl. He settled in next to Avery Gray. Leg breaker extraordinaire. Colin smiled. She was here to cheer on Emily too? He wondered about that.

"EMMMMIIIIII!!!"

Colin's high voice rang out through the loud voices around. He caught sight of Emily, Minnie and Costanza as they faced off against the Ravenclowns. He came prepared for this match! He'd gotten a Hufflepuff banner and had changed the inside of his vest to badger yellow just for the occasion! His brilliant green eyes scanned both teams. His sensitive ears picked up Emmi urging her team on, and Minnie joining in. It looked like the birbs were mostly first years; while all the badgers were second. Could be evenly matched, he thought. At the very worst, the Ravenclowns could lumos the Hufflepuff girls into blinding submission!

"Mop the floor with them EMMMIII!!!!" Colin called out!

@Avery Gray | @Emily Shephard | @Minnie Duke | @Costanza Jewelweed

Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: @Emily Shephard and @Tracey Bailey and @Colin McCoire Date: 02/09/25

Word Count: 206

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Avery whipped around and smiled as Colin ran into the room and plopped down next to her. He seemed very excited for today's events. "Somebody's excited. Are you cheering on Emily too?" Avery smiled again as she listened to him yelling courage towards Emily. This was going to be a great duel. It would be even better since she now had someone she knew that would also be cheering on the teams with her. Avery laughed as Colin yelled at Emily to mop the floor. She had never heard that saying before, but, coming from Colin, it was probably a great thing. Avery couldn't wait for the duel to begin. She was curious to see who would win this match. She was going to mainly cheer on Hufflepuff, but when Tracey came on, she would absolutely cheer on her friend. She couldn't not cheer her on after she saved her grade in Charms. Avery began to cheer along with Colin. Yelling as loud as she could, so she could be heard over his hollering. She wanted the teams to do well so she began to scream louder and louder. She knew she would regret this tomorrow, but tomorrow is tomorrow. Today is a day to celebrate!

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match six

𝓑rookline glanced around the Dueling Club Hall, a satchel hung loosely off her shoulder, her hair twisted into a quick messy bun, and a classic brown tabby at her heels. She had came to support Sere in her dueling match. A certain little kitten wanted to as well ad protested this afternoon after spending the whole morning napping, and Brookline sighed. She wondered how Tigeress would respond to all the loud cheering. But clearly Tigeress didn’t care. At all.

She stepped over to the stands, and realized Sere’s duel was in round two. Aww, biscuits! Can’t believe I missed a whole round. Yawning, Brookline sat down where she could see the duel, and set her satchel down anyway. She hoped Sere would win.

The Ravenclaw girl gazed out towards the duel, pinpointing Sere’s opponents; three snakes, one which she knew very well. @Elisa Wagner, one of Brookline’s first friends. The Slytherin and Brookline had met at the Sorting Cermony and she remembered that Elisa was quite nice. Brookline sprung up, hoping her words could go out farther. Cupping her hands around her mouth, she called, “Go Elisa! You’ve got this!”


Brookline sat heavily back down, opened her satchel and took out a medium-sized poster that read in large red font: Come On, The Red and Gold! Go Lions! Dark blues eyes watched as Sere’s Flipendo hit her target. The Ravenclaw pure-blood’s mouth flew open, and she cried, “Yeah! Let’s go, Sere! Nice one!”

She thrust the Gryffindor sign in the air, and cheered, her voice ringing. Brookline crossed her fingers for the next round. She rather hoped Sere and the rest of her Gryffindor dueling teammates would beat the Slytherins and take home the victory!

285 words

match seven

𝓣he next match was Hufflepuffs vs. Ravenclaws, and Brookline had came to support her fellow Ravenclaws and her friend Emily. Enchanted Satchel still by her side, she sat down at the stands, watching Match Seven, it was three Second years versus two Firsties and one Second year.

As much as Brookline wanted Ravenclaw to kick the badgers to the curb, she also wanted the Puffs and Emmy to beat her own house. The Welsh pure-blood gazed along the Dueling Club’s walls, her bright blue eyes caught the floating candles instead, and she wondered if they floated low enough where she could lightly graze her finger on one of them. Brookline jumped up, scaring a yowling Tigeress, and cheering, she called, “Yeah! Let’s go Emmy!! You got this!”

Twiddling with her uniform, Brookline noticed her kitten gazing at the duel, and her attention snapped right back to her friends. A jinx was heading straight towards @Tracey Bailey, and Brookline’s eyes squeezed shut as she realized it was the spell, Flipendo, dark blue eyes only flickered back open when she thought it was okay to open them. “Hey, Tracey! Shake it off! You got this!” She called out, sending encouraging words.

Brookline glanced back onto the shaking pitch, crossing her fingers, she had never been to a official duel before, and she only knew the spells. At least she wasn’t the one dueling! She didn’t even know why she was here. No! -- she knew exactly why she was here. For Emily and Sere, Tracey, and Elisa! Anyway Brookline has needed an excuse to get out.

As little it seemed, Brookline grimaced, and cried out, cheering for her housemates, “Fly high, Eagles! Don’t them ground you! You got this, Ravenclaw!!” She really hoped her fellow Eagles would’t sense the fake confidence in her voice. She flipped her gaze at the duel, not knowing who she wanted to win.

316 words

Avis winced as Tracey was hit hard by a Flipendo but she couldn’t help but feel a bit of gratitude that her friend remained unharmed, especially with her recent history of brutal duels which had landed her in the hospital wing more than once.

Avis watched with butterflies in her stomach as the Hufflepuffs managed to dodge each and every attack, spell flying back and forth to no avail. By the end of the round, it seemed Tracey was the only one suffering from a hit. The round hadn’t been ideal for her housemates but Avis knew Maisie would rally for her team as she reassured Tracey with a sentence that Avis couldn’t quite make out from her seat.

Wild cheers erupted for Team Hufflepuff across the stands and Avis grimaced. She stood and cupped her hands over her mouth for volume.

“C’mon Birds! Keep going!” she called, attempting to add her own voice to the fray. She was delighted to hear a fellow supporter and turned to see another Ravenclaw cheering for her team. Avis gave her a wide grin. She was a second year and Avis recognized her vaguely from the common room but regardless it was nice to have another voice in the mix. The girl turned back to the duel, hands clasped together nervously and awaiting the next round.

Match 7

"AVES! Did you see that! Crenshaw's flipendo backfired!" Indeed, Yougle Crenshaw found herself on the wrong end of her own casting! "Bloody hell, it's not like I've never done that before, but still!" It always made Colin wonder how magic could possibly backfire that way. "You'd think wand makers would devise a way for the magic to go only one way through a wand, right? Heheh! Mind you, I'm not complaining! Any hit against the Chickenclaws is a blow for victory!"

And then she got hit again! "Hah! Now that's a proper --- oh craporific!" Colin watched as Emily's next cast, one of Colin's favourites, backfired onto the poor badger! "Oof! That's gonna hurt for a second, Aves." Colin smirked and shook his head. "That's a cosy fire, EMMI! Good casting! Just, you know, smash it into Tracey next time!" Colin sang out. "Strong hit Minnie!" Her incendio found the correct target; but Colin was happy at least that Emily was able to easily step away from Crenshaw's casting. "EMMMIIII!!! OWOOOOO!!!"

Ravenclaw decided that duelling in the rain would be fun! And Colin knew well how much fun it was to dance in the rain whilst casting spells at your opponent! Only this time the clouds refused to float over towards the Hufflepuffs. "At least Emily was able to get her fire put out!" Colin laughed merrily. "Birdies got their feathers wet, dancing in the rain!" he sang out. And after all that, Tracey decided that duelling in the rain wasn't for her after all, so she dispelled her personal storm clouds.

"YAAAAAA!!" Colin cheered wildly as Tracey got flipendoed. "Knock the Pigeonclaws out of the sky!" he called out to the Hufflepuff duellists. "Nice footwork EMMIIII!" he cheered as Emily Shephard gracefully dodged the Ravenclaw's flipendo aimed her way. Colin was worried, though. Emily was looking a bit shaky on her feet. She'd been hit a couple times this duel, and Colin knew very well that a body could only take so much before, like Crenshaw, it fell unconscious!

"Oof, I hope Emmi can pull through, Aves!"

@Avery Gray | @Emily Shephard | @Minnie Duke | @Costanza Jewelweed

Interacting with: N/A Mentioning: @Emily Shephard and @Tracey Bailey and @Colin McCoire Date: 02/09/25

Word Count: 219

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Avery smiled and cheered. Colin's enthusiasm was starting to rub off on her. She had never watched a dueling match like this one! It was so full of action and exciting! Avery couldn't fathom how they survived as long as they did while being blasted constantly by spells and backfiring spells. "Woooo! Go Emily! You got this! Don't give up!" Avery yelled over the crowd. She wanted to make sure her hufflebuddy could hear the cheering. She wanted the team to win! Avery winced as Emily's spell backfired. That didn't look like it felt great at all. She watched as the girl began to look a little wobbly. The constant bantering of spells against her and the constant dodging was taking a toll. She just hoped her friend could hold it together until the end. She knew she was strong. Avery winced again as Tracey was hit with Flipendo. That didn't look pretty at all. Actually, it looked very painful. "Come on Emily! You can do this! Don't give up yet!" Avery yelled over the crowd again. Hoping to lend some of her strength to the older girl through her encouragement. Avery watched intently at the rest of the people dueling. They were all looking tired. It was only a matter of time before someone was completely knocked out.

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Match 7

And Emmi was doing very well indeed! "WOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!" Colin cheered for his girl! Emily slung a hard flipendo towards the Ravenclaw team, slamming Tracey right to the ground! "Byeee Traceeeeyyyy!" Colin sang out. "Welp. Won't see her again, I reckon," he chuckled. Colin's eyes roamed over the piste. Emily was still standing --- a bit wonky if not entirely firm; Minne was still standing and so was the other one Colin didn't know. He checked the programme. Costanza.

Colin smirked. There was only one Chickenfoot left on the piste.

"There's only one birbie left lassie! Pluck her feathers! WOOOOOO!!!"

That one Ravenclaw left standing was a first year. Colin checked the programme again. Maisie. "Welp, Av, unless that lass is really lucky, they'll be dragging her to hospital before long!" Colin said firmly. He had no doubt that Hufflepuff would win this. Goodness! They'd already smashed two Ravenclaw duellists!

Colin had to admit that Maisie was no actual wimp! She stood up to the Huffs and even engaged in some desperate smack talk! "Ye're going down Gemmell! Get ready to snog the piste!" And no sooner had Colin urged the Hufflepuff team to smack down the eaglet, but all three of them cast beautifully!

Colin watched with great pride as Emily cast obscuro --- one of Colin's favourite racing spells! "OWOOO EMMI! That's the way!" And the THUDDD!! Double flipendoes smashed right into the poor Ravenclaw defender! "WHOA!" Minne hit hard, but Costanza absolutely slammed the poor birb!

Colin laughed and cheered madly!

"How does the piste taste, Ravenclaw!?" he sang out.

And as if creating a last ditch defense, Maisie cast fumos over the piste. From their vantage point in the stands, they could see well enough, but Colin knew that the Badgers would have a difficult time of it! And it was no wonder they all cast the same spell next round. Just as the poor Ravenclaw was trying to get up off the floor, three strong flipendoes thundered across the distance, blasting through the fog! Colin wasn't sure whose spell hit, but it looked like the Ravenclaw was still standing after the assault!

Colin's lips curled over his teeth. He could taste the impending victory. Just as he'd felt when Regina used to slam her opponents like the lioness she was, Colin knew that the Badgers would be relentless in trouncing the lone Eagle! And they struck again! Hard!

A triple flipendo! Colin heard the spells fire off! Strongly cast! His keen eyes caught sight of Maisie trying to dodge, but there was no hope. Her body struck the ground, unconscious. And his eyes caught another movement! Something was wrong! One of the Badgers was going down! Colin stood up on his seat! Emily was spinning and going down!

"EMMIIII! EMMIII!!!" he cried out. Colin's heart sank. But they were already taking Maisie and Emily off to hospital. Colin knew she'd be okay --- well, they'd all be treated and would be fine --- but still, he worried about Emily. It was one of the hardest things about magic, learning control. It was hard for Colin, too. It was clear to him that Emmi could pack a punch with that wand of hers! He knew he didn't want to be on the wrong end of one her killer flipendoes! But sometimes, the magic just backfired.

Colin sank back down into his seat as the kids around erupted into cheers or groans. Ravenclaw had certainly put up a good fight, and Maisie most of all, but Hufflepuff was not to be denied! Colin smiled. He was very proud of Emmi! He decided to leave a chocofrog for her next to her bed in hospital for when she woke up!

@Avery Gray | @Emily Shephard | @Minnie Duke | @Costanza Jewelweed | @Maisie Gemmell