With the first duel out of the way Hadleigh was much more at ease with this one. Not having to go up against Frankie again or anyone else really close to her was always good. The downside to it was that she wasn't close at all with Paige, she only really knew her from lessons. This meant she didn't know much of anything about her dueling style but she did know that her fellow seventh year was smart and probably had some strategy plan already set up. She on the other hand was just going to wing it like always.

Entering the arena in her dueling robes Hady smiled warmly taking up her place. "Hello, Paige," she greeted lightly taking the proper dueling stance. Bowing low at the waist her eyes meeting those of the girl across from her before stepping back away, wand raised at the ready. Without another moment wasted she cast her first and only spell that came to mind, "Ventus Duo,". It was best to just get this started rather then sit around.

Fussing with her skirt as she approached the dueling platform, Paige felt even more apprehensive than she had the first duel. The Hufflepuff still had no real strategy to speak of, she honestly wouldn't even know where to begin in formulating one considering her lack of ambition to become a proper dueler any time soon, but she DID know that she did not fancy being hit with another Jelly Brains Jinx. That was for certain. The maniacal giggling and recklessly nonsensical spellcasting did not suit her and reflecting back on her first duel...Paige felt embarrassed. Even if the particular jinx had ironically helped propel her forward, just no thank you. So...strategy? She had read that a good defense made for the best offense - Strategic Offensive principle of war, as Brian had put it to her - so...here went nothing?

"Hello," she squeaked, bowing in return and...oh dear Merlin they were going already?! Paige felt as though she had literally just come up for air - seriously, she had been holding her breath while bowing - when the first spell was already being hurtled her way. Nearly losing her wand as she scrambled to perform the proper wand movement, the seventh year's voice could not have waited any more last minute to utter the spell. "Protego!" she squeaked, the magical barrier erecting itself within milliseconds of Hadleigh's spell hitting her and rebounding back towards the Head Girl.

Meep!

Heart pounding in her chest from that close call, there was little else the brunette could fathom casting.

SPOILER!!: Points Tracker

Spells Cast:

• Protego: Creates a shield against MINOR spells (jinxes, hexes and curses), and sends them in rebound to the original caster (i.e. Shield Charm).
  • Caster Points:
    • H: 0
    • M: -15 (deflecting back)
    • F: 0
  • Opponent Points:
    • H: 0
    • M: 0
    • F: 0
  • Additional Effects: If spell being defended against is deflected back at the opponent (and is successful) the opponent takes the damage of half of the spell directed back at them.
  • Directionality: At herself

Affected by Spells: N/A

Physical Movements: N/A

Depleted Health/Magic/Fatigue points: 0/-15/0 = -15

Paige's Current Points:
Health Points: 400
Magic Points: 385
Fatigue Points: 25

There was a squeak. It was meant to be a 'hello' and if this was anyone else Hady probably would've laughed. Was Paige always this quiet an-and...what was the word she was looking for? Shy? No, no that wasn't it. Non competitive. Yes that was it. The Hufflepuff's arena presence didn't appear to be that of a dueler but that meant NOTHING. Looks were oh so very much deceiving. Just because she didn't appear as most of the other opponents Hady had went up against didn't mean that she wasn't good at this. Hady's guard was up and she was going to give it her all.

Watching her spell shot directly at the girl across the arena she could've sworn it was spot on and would indeed hit it's target. Normally she wouldn't be one to think this so soon into a duel but the girl wasn't doing...anything. Besides standing there that is. It was a the very last possible second that Hady caught sight of the movement, a shield, the charm being throw back at her. It was moving probably twice as fast only giving her the time to jump to the side to avoid being hit with her own charm.

The 'Jelly-Fingers Curse' was then cast at Paige keeping things simple yet straight to the point.

She had done it? SHE HAD DONE IT!

Under the majority of circumstances - particularly those practice sessions with Hugo - the Hufflepuff would have bee jumping up and down feeling positively elated at this humble accomplishment. Not just having the reflexes to flourish her wand and block the spell, but also managing to attack back. Although the latter had been more dumb luck than actual intent - one of the more charming side effects of the seventh year's nerves when it came to these sorts of things. Rather like how her casting of Aguamenti was rather turbulent.

Of course the Head Girl dodged the rebound - Paige had always observed her to be far more limber when she had watched duels in previous terms - and prepared herself for whatever was coming next. Or tried to rather. The manner in which her heart was pounding so much it was booming an echoing in her ears was rather distracting.

Distracting enough that she had no time to ready her wand to defend herself and took the spell full on with her dominant hand as she tried to move out of the way. Instantly Paige felt her fingers both tense up and feel as though the knuckles had almost liquified, making them feel like the pudding she had had at lunch earlier in the day.

Okay...that thought had just put her off pudding...for at least a few days. Next to chocolate covered potato crisps and BBQ potato crisp sandwiches, pudding was one of her favorite comfort foods after all.

"Jelly-Fingers," she groaned quietly to herself, of course recognizing the curses' effects and wondering what it was with her and her luck in dealing with spells that had the word 'Jelly' in them.

Switching to her non-dominant hand - something she had been practicing just a little on her own for healer reasons - Paige tried her best to take aim at her fellow seventh year. Pity being that, no matter what spell she cast now, it would not be very strong. Like the Rictusempra Paige sent back in meek retaliation, for example.

SPOILER!!: Points Tracker

Spells Cast:

• Rictusempra: Extreme tickling charm
  • Caster Points:
    • H: 0
    • M: -5
    • F: 0
  • Opponent Points:
    • H: -7
    • M: -5
    • F: 0
  • Additional Effects:
  • Directionality: At Hady

Affected by Spells: Jelly-Fingers Curse (H: -3); M: -7; F: -3)

Physical Movements: N/A

Depleted Health/Magic/Fatigue points: ( -3)/(-7)+(-5)/-3)
Paige's Current Points:
Health Points: 397
Magic Points: 373
Fatigue Points: 22

Hady didn't believe that her spell would hit Paige. Honestly she really hadn't. It had only been one spell rather then her typical combination of two and it had been fairly simple as well. So when she saw that the other girl nearly dropped her wand and switched hands she couldn't help but smile just a tad bit to herself.

This only gave her a few seconds to decide what to do. It was okay though. Just enough time to toss up a shield. Or not...

She had hardly gotten the incantation off her lips when the tickling charm hit her. It wasn't incredibly strong but it was enough to serve it's purpose in making her laugh. And giggle she did.

AHAHA!

As funny as it might have appeared to outsiders it wasn't at all funny to her. It was very much distracting and it made it difficult to cast anything when one was laughing. Sure she could cast a quick reversal charm but that would give Paige time to move or block whatever she was going to cast after. Therefore through her small bouts of laughter she went for a simple spell.

"Ag..." Laughter. "Ag-aguamenti!" she managed between another round of laughing, wand aimed in Paige's direction. It was only water and probably not the strongest she could cast by far but at least it was something for now.

Seeing Hadleigh hit with her spell had the wheels in Paige's head turning. Charms were her forte and really the only branch of magic that she was proficient in - not just proficient, but powerful. Although she felt a bit squirmy in her tummy thinking of herself as strong, especially when there were so many far more accomplished spellcasters among her peers. But...there was the potential to end this duel right here and right now since the Head Girl was distracted by her tickling charm.

Preparing to flourish her wand once again, her strategic planning had negated a rather important element of this duel - namely that the Head Girl had the opportunity to retaliate. Oops.Next thing the Hufflepuff knew she was being splashed in the face with a jet of water with her wand still pointed in the Slytherin's direction with the former intent of casting.

Karma. That's what this was right now. Cosmic karma for her duel with Maggie. She knew it.

Wiping her face, the Hufflepuff reevaluated her choice of attack - especially since she was still dueling with her left hand and not her right - and whipped her wand in Hadleigh's direction. Initially thinking of throwing a Hot Air Charm, her mind switched at the last minute - probably because of the influence of the Head Girl's initial attack and Paige's mind wandering a little. "Ventus!"

Was it just her or was...the spell a little more...um..unpredictably swirly than what should be expected? Um....

SPOILER!!: Points Tracker

Spells Cast:

• Ventus: Creates a strong blast of wind from the wand, which can be strong enough to push things
  • Caster Points:
    • H: 0
    • M: -15
    • F: 0
  • Opponent Points:
    • H: -15
    • M: 0
    • F: -10
  • Additional Effects: N/A
  • Directionality: At Hady...haphazardly given the nondominant wand hand

Affected by Spells: Aguamenti (H: -3)

Physical Movements: N/A

Depleted Health/Magic/Fatigue points: ( -3)/(-15)/0)
Paige's Current Points:
Health Points: 394
Magic Points: 358
Fatigue Points: 22

It had to be funny watching her laugh and cast spells. The charm must have been starting to wear off now. She could feel herself calming down, the laughter not as often now. This was better. A clear mind so she could react to what was going on in the duel. No point in casting the counter charm since it was much more manageable now then it had been earlier on.

Flexing her fingers around the smooth wood of her wand the first thing she did when able to catch her breath after laughing so hard was toss up a shield. "Protego!" The force with which Hady cast the shield was enough to bounce it straight back at Paige. Right now wasn't the time to go spinning about out of control. This time she did go on to follow it up with another charm cast directly at Paige, "Glacius!" Seeing as how the other girl was already wet and all it wouldn't hurt to freeze things up a little bit.

Either way whichever charm worked it would be enough time to fully recover from any lingering bouts of laughter.

Was it just him or did Hady enjoy water-based spells? Not that there was anything wrong with that but that was two water-based spells she'd cast in the space of five minutes and he mostly curious about this style. Was it a new technique? Her plan all along because of the Aguamenti?

Again, curious.

He had to give it to Miss Skeeter, this wasn't an easy duel to take part of considering who her opponent was but she was holding her own and had managed to cast a shield charm in the process. Not a bad follow up, was it? Especially given that this was only her first year in the duel. Maybe this pairing was one he should've started this term off of.

When it was time for the duel to end, he cast up the shield, stopping the ice just before it reached Miss Skeeter. You're welcome. "Excellent, both of you. You've both done very well today." He paused for a moment, mostly for dramatic effect than anything else, before continuing, "While you've put up a good fight, Miss Skeeter, it's you, Miss Lynch, that has taken the lead today. Congratulations!"