2023/24, Stage 3 Hufflepuff v Slytherin: Match 3

Round 3

Piérre wasn't a seer (at least to the best of his knowledge), but damn were his predictions good.

His emerald eyes glittered with amusement at Hanako's retort to his words. "Very good. I'd like to see what else a little encouragement can pull from you." He giggled like a child, spinning on his heel in delight just before the gates were blown wide open.

Like the calm of the eye of a hurricane, that elusive and fleeting sliver of hope that now at last the worst of it all had blown over, the true destruction and disaster came screaming on vengeful heels of the quiet that those fool enough to have thought to be enduring enough to protect them had taken solace in. Four cries of the cracker jinx and the stage was immediately fire and noise. Only two calls of Reparifors, a perfectly mirrored tactic from both sides, cut through the disastrous sound of explosions and whizzing bangs. Jake would only receive a slight reprieve from his pains before Ruby's firecrackers nearly returned him to the prior condition he had been to begin with. In fact, other than a few fleeting crackers from Hanako that Jake had managed to (finally) avoid, all took their lumps and none seemed swift enough to evade those fiery dragon's flames.

"The duelists like torches, blaze with light!" Piérre mock-sang what was perhaps a familiar tune to some who had a taste for a bit of famous literature adapted to the silver screen. "Only Jake seems to have finally managed to just barely slip away unscathed from a bit more harm than the rest of his compatriots!" In fact, both of Slytherin's jinxes had been marvellously overzealous--they had gone so far as to rebound even on their casters! "Slytherin's spells are particularly potent today! Potent enough to even turn on their masters, it would seem!"

It would be, in the end, too great for Guinevere, whose spell had failed perhaps by the silhouette of Lindsey just barely visible through her blindfold--a lovely creature just a tad too distracting to enable her to focus fully on her spell intended to assist Ruby. The firecrackers would overwhelm her in a brilliant cacophony of light, spark, and sound. She would finally collapse.

Immediately leaping into action, Piérre angled his wand between the two sides on the stage. "Verdimillious!" He barked of the yew wand, which respectfully and immediately spat thousands of bright green sparks horizontally across the stage to cut the firecrackers of the others just for a few seconds. He vaulted onto the stage, waving his hands with his brows deeply furrowed as he watched for any stray spells that could have spun his way. "STOP, stop!"

Swooping to Guinevere, the boy would stoop and gently take her blindfold off before lightly tapping her cheek to check for consciousness. Receiving no reply, he only nodded softly. "Sublevo Brevis." The yew wand would gently swish through the air again, magically picking up the girl's body to be guided gently by the boy's hand off to the side and then carefully lowered to the ground so that those better qualified for duelist care could handle her.

Even as he turned to start the duel again, his brows were still furrowed, his eyes stormy... but the show had to go on whether he liked it or not. Even if... children fell. Finally 'tch'ing through his teeth, the boy waved a gloved hand dismissively. "You may continue at will."

But the smile quickly returned. "Slytherin is one man down. But Hufflepuff is looking just as raggedy as they are. They're so close together, I can't tell who is being worn more thin."

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 10th May, 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!

Lucia sent a healing spell in Jake's direction, then jumped back in suprise as not one, not two, but four incantations of the cracker jinx hurtled across the stage. Unfortunately, she didn't jump back far enough, as she was hit square in the chest by Ruby's spell and managed to get just in range of the one which had been aimed at Jake. In the chaos, the youngest Slytherin fell to the floor and Lucia breathed heavily as the game paused for her to be taken to the hospital wing.

Lindsey gasped when explosions rocked around her, leaving burnt traces all over her robe. It seemed that everybody was sort of into the idea of casting Cracker Jinxes, and chaotically the game went. Russetwood finally fell down amidst the smoke and flames, and they were at quite an advantage of 3 vs 2. Nevertheless, Lindsey felt the pain growing in her body. She let out a heavy sigh when the game paused and took the chance to revive her exhausted limbs as well as mind. The game had only started minutes ago, and she certainly didn’t expect it to be so fierce.

The crackers jinx was really starting to annoy him. The jinx making him lose focus, he gave Ruby a sideway glance. Not looking good at all. And to make matters worse, they were one man down. And the hufflepuffs are really really annoying targets that made him want to groan. “ I have separation anxiety, Cazares. You better not leave me alone” he told her with an annoyed whine. It was an exaggeration, obviously. If Hana were to get separation anxiety, it definitely wouldn’t be regarding Cazares. He wouldn’t even be in a room alone with her. Or even in public, preferably! But she was the only one left as a team. And above all, he really really really needed a teammate right now.

Doing as strategies but ALSO- talking with @Ruby Cazares

More explosions erupted as Wizard Crackers flew everywhere—including a few back at the Slytherins from their own spells. The youngest duellist among them crumpled to the ground, which was a shame. Ruby watched apathetically as the girl was removed from the piste, using the brief pause to assess the situation. She wasn't feeling too great either; the pain was really starting to tire her out and that was not good. Tone's whining served only to further irritate her, and she sighed. “What part of shut up didn't you understand?” she muttered coldly.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Jake couldn't help but cover his ears and recoil from the series of explosions that took over the dueling chamber as it seemed EVERYBODY at once all had the EXACT same idea. Cracker jinx after cracker jinx after cracker jinx.

By the time everything settled, Jake winced, some of the explosions had gotten to him - and it wasn't JUST him. Miraculously, EVERY duelist had been hit by the cracker jinx. It left Jake stunned momentarily, as one of the Slytherins went down in the chaos.

This was the craziest duel he had ever been part of, and he didn't even KNOW what to do with himself as the fight continued.

Round 4

In comparison to the previous round, this one was by far FAR more boring. Piérre knitted his fingers together and put his chin in his hand as he watched with keen green eyes the next movements of the two teams.

It didn't take long for the strategies to unveil themselves, and for the insight of the Serpents to take effect as the silvery bubble consistent with that of the Shielding Charm sprung to life around Ruby. There was a curl of a smile. "Ah, another favored mainstay of mine. Protego, a very powerful spell if used correctly and timed just right." His eyes tracked two rocketing Flipendos coming for Ruby. "And timed right this was! Look at the Badgers trying to close in for the kill!"

Lindsey's spell bashed against the bubble first, producing a warbling in the shield as its force was absorbed and disseminated throughout the conjured arcane. Lucia's, on the other hand, ricocheted off of the force. The spell had been angled to head for Jake, who was busy trying to heal himself and managed to finally undo some of the harm that had been done to him earlier.

Fortunately, Jake happened to be supernaturally quick on his feet. With ease, the spell was dodged and went spinning into the back row to the cries of "WATCH OUT!" from vigilant watchers. Meanwhile, Hanako's spell did a fine job patching Ruby up enough for her to sustain at least one more round of combat.

Piérre's smile came back--it never seemed able to totally fade away, after all. "Hey now! We still have a fight! Not much has happened, but timing is everything and Slytherin's was on pointe! They've bought themselves more time! The teams are cleared of detrimental effects, and I can smell a new storm rising!" He laughed easily, gesticulating towards the air as if a Metelojinx-inspired lightning cloud were forming. "Let the thunder roll!"

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 10th May, 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!

Protegoes were not the most glorious thing in the world when they’re in opponents’ hands. Lindsey had been ready to brawl with Cazares, a Flipendo prepared and light shown on the tip of her wand, yet her spell sank into the invisible shield in front of the Slytherin shield, her heart sinking simultaneously. Tone was performing medical help to Cazares - another bad news - and Lucia’s Flipendo was ungraciously bounced back to the badger trio. She was rather stunned by all the changes happening all these fast and was only aware of the spell taking its course towards Jake after hearing the chorus of the audience. “Jake!!” For a moment hopelessness struck, but thank Merlin Jake was super slippery enough to dodge, again proving himself to be extraordinarily vigilant and agile. Lindsey let out a breath, and steadied her own body on the stage.

Lucia aimed a Knockback Jinx at Ruby, but the other girl sprung up a shield before it could hit. Lindsey's spell didn't reach her either, which was annoying. At least Jake seemed a little steadier on his feet after healing himself with a well-cast Reparifors... even if Ruby had also been healed by her teammate Hanako.