Practice Max vs. Luna Finished

"Practice doesn't make perfect. Perfect practice makes perfect. I know I can learn from losses but I have to improve. But you're right, the outcome isn't important. The happenings are though. And now I know what I need to work on." Luna was serious too. Sloppy work was unacceptable. This was almost as bad as the 'E' she had received on her last Herbology homework. It was fine for others but thoroughly unacceptable to her. She would take everything that had occurred today, analyze it, and come up with counter strategies. And if she ever got the opportunity she would challenge Max again one day. 

Max offered his hand to help her up. Luna considered the social implications. If she refused his hand did that make her rude? She wasn't really too keen to interact with anyone and she was very averse to being touched in any way. It took a while for her to let her best friend even hug her. Deciding that causing a scene was less desirable than taking a hand for a couple seconds, she firmly grasped his outstretched hand to get up. Once standing, she faced him. "Well it seems I can indeed stand, but I have quite the headache dwelling up here." She rubbed her temples with her fingers. " I do accept your help though, so thank you for that."

Releasing her hand as soon as she was steadily standing on her own feet, Max nodded his acquiescence at her statement. It wouldn't be the first time he'd gone with someone to the infirmary and he had a sneaking suspicion that it sure as hell wouldn't be the last time over the next seven years either. The path would likely become as familiar as the one to the dorm for many of the students, particularly the ones who showed ambition regarding dueling practice like him and this girl. One day it might even be him on the other end of being escorted after being knocked out by her - for that reason, he'd show her every form of respect he could.

"Alright, no problem. I'll walk beside you in case you fall over." He took up a stance that was near enough for him to steady her if she started to fall but not so close that it broke anyone's personal space. "Thank you for the opportunity to practice, Miss Aurelius." It sounded ridiculously formal coming from a kid, but this was more or less a formal setting - or as close to one as you'd get in a magical school full of children. Keeping near her and making sure he had one eye on her at all times, he had people move out of their way with stern looks so they could keep a radius of no-contact around them as they moved.

He'd continue staying near her the entire time down to the hospital (why no professors would escort a hurt child down a flight of stairs was beyond him), and then make sure the matron saw her before leaving. Overall, despite the knock-out and minor pains they'd both experienced, it had been a valuable practice and the skills they'd used could only get better from here.