2021, Stage 1 Hufflepuff vs Slytherin: Match 1

Action| As strategized

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So perhaps this was Sarah’s first official duel for her house which wasn’t part of the summer chess tournament, and perhaps she had the pressure of knowing her team was near unbeatable the previous year, but she’d never let such things get to her in the past and she certainly wasn’t going to now. When her name was called, she stood up without hesitation, a sense of ease she’d long since practised in every step.

She heard Santario’s name called alongside hers, the co-captain to be her teammate in this duel. They didn’t know each other well, friendly acquaintances who happened to fight on the same side, but the familiar girl was a comfort, nonetheless. Sarah caught her eyes, emerald and sapphire meeting for a short moment in a silent wish of luck, and agreement – they were partners for now. She cast her eyes around the room, noting the watchful stares and excited glances from those spectating. She briefly wondered whether if they too felt the same fluttering in their stomachs as she did, the buzz of magic fizzing from head to toe. Perhaps not.

Whether they did or not, Sarah knew she didn’t have the time to consider how the audience felt, far more pressing matters on her mind. She glanced up at the pair they’d be up against, subtly sizing up the competition. Both girls she recognised, though little beyond knowing their names and faces. Was that an advantage? Not knowing your opponents and in turn having no preconceived ideas of who they were or what they could do. Or would she later realised that research was for the better – know thy enemy and all the other spiel her father would preach. Either way, it was too late now and all the Slytherin knew was what was in front of her.

She saw San pull out her wand and copied the action, letting aspen spin twice between deft fingers before stopping in a firm, familiar hold, her wand an extension of herself. Ana’s words drew her attention though her eyes didn’t stray from the pair of girls in front of her, dark brows slightly narrowed to frame eyes which shone – excited, focussed, and determined. Let the duel begin.

Action | Doing as strategized

The beginning of the duelling season had finally come, and Lydia would have lied if she had said she wasn't excited for it. Since the previous year, the Duelling Club had become like a "second home" together with the Hufflepuff Common Room, and while the duelling season hadn't been the best -they had started off well, but then things took a turn for the worse- Lydia had fallen in love with the sport, and had grown into her Captain role. As she discovered the sport, learned everything about it and experienced the duels, she had understood how some people could fall in love with, for example, Quidditch; the very same thing had happened to her with duelling, and now that she was finally able to step back into her duellist role, she couldn't wait.

Once she stepped onto the platform, Lydia could feel the adrenaline run through her veins, the rush of the tension and excitement mixing up and making her slightly move up and down her right foot, tapping it on the floor, almost finding a way to let go of all of that, knowing that once the spells would start flying, all of her concentration would be on the task at hand: winning. Now, Lydia had always been ambitious, but lately she had found herself striving for becoming better in everything, from studying, to duelling, to even something as silly as finishing a test first; she wanted to win the duel for herself, but also for Willow, her Co-Captain, and duelling partner, and for the whole Hufflepuff team and house. This way everyone would have seen that Hufflepuff was a house to be proud of, and that their Duelling team was ready to face anything.

She quickly scanned the crowd, hoping to see some familiar faces, before she looked at Willow. They had trained, worked together and had a plan already drafted out, and as she looked at her, Lydia nodded and gave her a small smile, before turning her attention to their opponents. The Slytherin team had won the championship and the summer game, they were a strong, united team, and Lydia had an absolute amount of respect for them -and the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor team as well, of course-; she even feared them a little bit, but she tried her best not to show that. She recognised Santario, and her duelling partner had a familiar face, even though she couldn't put a name to it.

Her attention was stolen by Ana, and Lydia nodded along to her words. After that, she got into her position, her eyes set on her target, the wand ready.

It was good to be back.

Action: Doing as strategised

This was it! Willow got to moderate a duel the day before, and now it was her turn on the duelling piste. She felt truly alive in a duel. Quidditch memories were marred by fear and uncertainty but this... this she was competent at. She was amazing at it. Despite her 1-2 win-lose streak, she had always come back stronger. Willow always came back knowing more than she did in the last duel. This would be no different.

Lydia, her fearless captain since the beginning, stood by her side. They were captains together with Jake, and now duelling partners. This was a friendship that would bond as tightly as a wizard to their wand. The two had practiced together, strategized, been in the basements by each other's side to find Ethen at the beginning of the year. Standing next to someone that had become so important to her so quickly just fueled Willow's confidence.

Across from them stood the two Slytherin's they would be up against. Santario and Sarah. Slytherin was the team to beat, and there was an uneasiness that was in the pit of her stomach brought on by the fact that Hufflepuff had to face them first. The Blazing Badger Captains had prepared the team as much as they could for today. Willow knew Santario, knew how fierce she was as a prefect and a witch. This would be a difficult battle, especially since Willow didn't know all that much about Sarah and her abilities. As much as it was probably frown upon, Willow gave San a small wave and a joyful expression that they were able to duel against each other. There was no greater win than battling against wizards that Willow respected. Even if they lost, there would be much to learn.

That was the point of why Willow joined duelling in the first place. To learn. To improve. To give no stodgy pureblood the ability to look down at her from their upturned nose at her competence. As the duel began, Willow confidently drew her long alder wood wand. The first time she ever held it, she felt clumsy and awkward with it. Now, it felt comfortable and at ease in her hand. If she believed hard enough, she could feel a flow of energy between her and her wand. They were one.

Willow was a damn good witch, and she would prove it today.

☁ Action ☁
Doing as Strategized

Round 1

The word "begin" had scarcely left Ana's lips when spells began to fly. Willow's spell split most spectacularly and while Santario was hit, Sarah was able to narrowly avoid being hit. Ana didn't imagine being slowed down at the very beginning of a duel was an ideal situation, but she was going to find out. Lydia also targeted Santario, with a full-body binding curse. Ana wasn't sure exactly what had happened, but the spell seemed to have just barely hit the Slytherin. Though she may have been the victim of a few spells, Santario began the match strong as well, shooting a powerful gust of wind at Lydia, who was unable to avoid it. Sarah was the only one able to escape this first bout of spells unscathed, and she did so while disarming Willow. As with Lydia's spell, Ana didn't think it would hit, but it somehow just did.

@Willow Anderson | @Lydia Cooper | @Santario Martin | @Sarah Lightwood

-You now have 96 hours to add your posts and owl me (Anastasia Beckett) your actions (this time on 30 October). Please don't hint at your actions in your post.
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(Will link to the spectator thread when it is posted)

Just as Lydia and Willow were ready to fight with all they had, so did Sarah and Santario. Lydia aimed her wand towards Santario, determined to hit her with her Body Bind curse. "Petrificus Totalus!" she said, and for a small second she thought she had successfully hit the girl, but that wasn't the case. She was so surprised by that, her spell had just barely hit Santario, that Lydia wasn't that ready at avoiding the wind Jinx that was coming from the Slytherin Captain. The wind hit her, her strawberry blonde hair annoyingly flying in front of her as she tried her best to see her opponents. During her last duel she had problems with the Wind Jinx as well, and she really hoped that this time that would not be the case.

As she tried to adjust her hair taking them away from her face, Lydia saw just how good Willow had become, her Slowing Charm targeting not just Santario, but Sarah as well; too bad that the latter girl had managed to avoid it, while Santario had been hit by it. However, Lydia had no time to cheer, because she saw Willow's wand fly away from her, and she sighed; things hadn't started in the best way, but they could still do it. "It's okay Willow! We can do this!" she said, trying to keep their spirits up, as she got ready for her next action.

Action: Doing as strategised

Willow had been ready to throw out a new skill that Lydia had helped her practice going into to third year duels. The dreaded spell spread. Galton had used it against her last year and it had done devastating damage. It was still a new and unsteady ability for Willow, but this time the spell had spread successfully. "Arresto Momentum!" Sarah was able to dodge her spell, which was slightly disappointing. But the young badger at least hit Santario which was still beneficial.

Especially as Willow watched her wand fly out of her hand. She couldn't help but pout a little bit and mutter under her breath. "My wand..." She couldn't mope for too long as Lydia, who had been caught in a wind jinx encouraged her. "You got it cap!" She gave her a little salute as she re-centered herself.

Action: Doing as strategized

Important
please send all actions to me (Alan Vanes) as I will be responsible for this round's moderation. Keep in mind that you have a bit more than 24 hours to do so! And posting of course.

Action| As strategized