Janelle smiled, as everyone seemed ok with her joining the group. There were her two housemates, Hady and another girl that Janelle didn't really know. When she introduced herself, Janelle replied, "Nice to meet you officially Esme......I'm Janelle." Then addressing the others, she said, "Hady, Jace, Olivia, I think we're going to be an awesome group." Before she could think about their combined awesomeness, the duel was on.

Janelle grabbed her wand and tried to scope out a proper target. She didn't really want to attack any of the younger kids, so her first thought was to find a fourth year or older student. Feeling incredibly bold and knowing that he would be well defended, Janelle decided to go for broke. She aimed her wand at non other than Head Boy Yoongi. "Rictusempra", she shouted, making sure to say the incantation clearly. Janelle had her sister to thank for that one.

This dueling thing was going to be hard. You weren't supposed to feel bad for the peson you attacked, but Janelle did. Throwing spells at a dummy was one thing, but at your classmates? She was going to have to get over that quickly because she had a feeling that the others did not have that problem. Not bothering to see if her spell hit its mark, Janelle looked for target number two.

"Nice to meet you too, Janelle!" Normally she would offer her hand, but they were in a life or death - not really - situation here. Instead she offered a salute. That would work perfectly. "Way to go!" she added as her teammate sent an attack towards the Head Boy. Way to be ambitious.

Jace was doing a good job shielding off the area, and she knew that with her help they would be extra protected. "I got your back!" Her wand made a vertical slash through the air. "PROTEGO!" Let's see them try to get through this shield and attack any of her team.

This defense stuff wasn't SO bad after all. Esme was a little surprised by this personal revelation. The attacking part remained unappealing to her, however.

Wait, what? Duel?! They didn't even had a plan yet! Then again, who would make plans when an ambush happened?

He looked towards Kitty who looked scared but ready to defend. He winked at her for good luck and looked around at his team mates when he saw it. A jet of silver light came rushing towards either him or one of his team members and the Head Boy reacted instictively.

He swished his phoenix feathered wand out of his wrist holster, pointed it up and casted a non-verbal shield charm just in time. The spell bounced off and Yoongi let out a deep breath. That had been close. "Keep your guard up, guys!" he yelled over the shouting.

Olivia simply smiled and nodded as greetings and bows were exchanged, listening to what was being said around her as she strove to take it all in. Fighting in groups and with distance between them all added a whole new air of things. It wasn’t like hand to hand or muggle fighting techniques could be used…much. Of course you could still dodge.

So Esme was choosing to be a defender. With Jace, Olivia’s fellow first year eagle. Did that mean she herself had to be an attacker? How many did they need of each anyway? With five members of their group, it was bound to be uneven anyway. Oh goodie….the older Ravenclaw, Janelle she believed her name to be, had chosen to be an attacker. And Hady too. That meant they had two attackers to go with their two defenders.

Which meant Olivia was somewhat open to be either.

And now they were beginning. Yikes! Olivia was trying to think of what to do first…or next. Her wand out and ready was pretty much the first thing she did. She needed it in either role. Shields were being placed and used as spells came their way from a few directions, the Ravenclaw taking it all in. Finally she turned to group A to take aim. “Stupefy!” she attempted, shooting the spell in the direction of Haddie.

Hmm, so no to teaming up with the handsome defense professor? But he did say it would be great, which was enough for her for now. "Oh alright then," Tia beamed and gazed around the room at each of the groups. She finally settled on group B, as it seemed to have the most young students. Hady and Janelle were the oldest, and even they were right in the middle as far as years. "Hey," the Head Girl greeted by way of saying, you got me now.

So being that she was one of the oldest, it probably made sense for her to be one of the attackers.

Using her go-to dueling spell would be best for starting out, to which Tia cast "Avis," conjuring some birds, and then followed it with an "Oppugno!" to direct them towards attack. Particularly at group A, where she felt mildly guilty because of some of her Eaglets there. They'd forgive her though.

Henric didn't reach for Rachel in time, the disarming spell hit her and she was pushed back due to its force. "Rach! Are you alright?!" he asked, concerned for her as he quickly went over to her so he could help her up. Poor Rach, she seemed really down by it too. Rach announced that she wanted out of the group, apparently she had given up. Being prefect as he was, he nodded understandingly at the first year."Its alright, Rach, go on...don't worry! I'm here,"he winked, he was still there to defend the group, right? He was perfectly capable to do so.

"Protego!" he cast just in time to deflect the first year Ravenclaw's spell who just ousted his team member. She looked rightly smug about it too, well...this one for Rachel.

He added another strong shield charm over them, hopefully it would help them against anymore pillow attacks.

Rachel was disarmed.

OH NO!

"Alright, I'm switching to defender." The young lioness decided. They're out of defender and she thought that switching to defend the group was a good decision. Now her wand was ready... She heard someone aiming a disarming charm to her.

Ava was about to cast the shield charm and she hoped it was powerful enough to deflect it back to the caster. But thankfully Henric had protected it first. "Thanks, Giraffe!" She said. Why on earth they attacked their group very often? Was there any personal issue or something like that? Dear. This wasn't good.

Azura turned to look at Ariadne as she joined the team and she smiled widely!
"Welcome, you can be a defender." She hoped the girl knew how to use a shield charm! or..

Dive behind a pillow!!

"C'mon! We need you up here! Just aim your wand if you see someone aiming for us, yell "Protego!" Got it?" Let's hope she did, cause now they had two teams aiming at them!

EEEKKK!!

Breathe Azura and Focus!! She closed her eyes and took a deep breath! She couldn't panic, not now! Not when her team needed her!

The tiny Ravenclaw Threw up her wand and yelled "Avis!" The birds took the "stupefy" Hit meant for Haddie, and then Her purple eyes went wide as her very own Tia was aiming for them!!

The head girl against 4 first years and Colt? Azura nearly whimpered!!

Birds!!

"Salvio Hexia! She yelled out and then not fully sure if that was going to work, picked up a pillow and threw it at the birds. If that didn't stop them, her spell would! She nearly stumbled in the process but managed to right herself quickly! No Broken Noses today!

Not Today Head Girl!! HAHAHAHA

Whoops!!

She mentally apologized to Tia. That had been mean.

She panted a little.. And cast another shield charm around her team.

Annnnd Henric blocked the spell. Haddie had been hoping it would have broken through the shield like it did with Rachel's, but then they were both just first years and Henric was... how old was he anyway?

She'll just have to try again, but first...

"Ariadne, stop hiding behind the pillow. Which would you rather be? An attacker or defen--" An unconscious bird landed at Haddie's feet before poofing away to feathers.

So preoccupied was Haddie with Rachel's group and helping get Ariadne into the duel that she hadn't even glanced at the other groups. If she had, she might have seen Livvy aim her wand at Haddie.

If it hadn't been for the birds that the Fairy princess had cast, the spell would have hit Haddie squarely. Well, at least Haddie knew her next target. She aimed her wand at Livvy with a smirk that was both friendly and yet still seemed to say Oh, it's on! "Stupefy!"

Oh Merlin. They'd only just started and everything was already going crazy! Jaemin blinked at the other groups, watching as they attacked each other and defended like crazy. How could they cast that fast??? Weren't a lot of them his age?! He had to take time between spells to get himself ready for the next... maybe dueling wasn't his thing. The small eleven year old made a quiet sound of surprise and backed up a step or two so that he was standing vaguely behind Yoongi, though not completely hidden. This was a madhouse!

Still, he was an attacker. And attackers needed to attack! Jaemin held up his wand and scanned the other groups. There was one girl (Azura) that was casting quicker than seemed possible, but she looked like she was focused on trying to defend the rest of her team. He'd give her a shot. While she seemed busy, he pointed his wand and quietly called out "Incarcerous!"

The ropes that flew out of his wand headed straight for the girl and her group. Heeeeeeeeh.

Ilia joined her group, confident in herself and her ability. When Ava asked if she had any strategies, Ilia simply smirked. Perhaps her strategies were not the nicest for her opponents. "Don't worry Ava, I have a few tricks up my sleeves." Yes that was a wink. When she said fantastic four though, Ilia had no idea that it was ,in fact, a reference to something.

So one of her house prefects was joining them now? Interesting....time to see how their team of two prefects, two ickles, and a duel happy snakette worked out. She eyed Hugo but shrugged and welcomed him. "Time to show them that we are the dream team?"

As for Rachel being in the group, Ilia was honestly indifferent to the matter. It was decided, she was a teammate not just a brat right now. Her wins or loses were Ilia's own, as was her honor. She gave the child no indication of emotion or intention....just simply nodded to her.

Henric was set on his job of protection....stick close work together....etc.

OH! There was the signal. Ilia nearly grinned at the sound of it. She was on edge and ready to defend herself as well by any means necessary. Not that she didn't trust Henric.....but Rachel was a first year and that was a lot of defense work.

Spells were already flying, Ava asked if she could use the silencing charm? "I can use a few spells of that nature." He father trained her quite well and being an older student she had a few tricks up her sleeve and some experience under her belt.

Rachel defended Henric....alright...a few points at least for the baby bird.

Speaking of birds....incoming. Before she even had to destroy the spell, Henric was on it. "Thank you darling."

It seemed that baby bird already got taken down by a disarming charm. What? Wasn't that chirp twerp (Haddie) baby birds bosom buddy? Apparently not....at least not at duel time.

Henric distracted himself with her, but Ilia would not allow her attention to slide. They were down to one defender, until Ava switched up their paradigm. Good girl.

-----------------------------------------

Now it was time to play. Whether or not she actually liked Rachel was completely inconsequential at the moment, she was a team member. As such, Ilia would be acquiring vengeance for her. You do not dishonor her team and succeed, thank you. The chirp twerp (Haddie) had plenty of distractions aiming at her, Ilia saw it as a grand advantage. Her aim was true and her judgment swift, "Silencio!". Her voice was soft as to not alert her target's team, but her intent was strong. If it connected, that bird wouldn't be chirping the rest of this duel.

Her spell had nearly made it. However Azura had defended their fellow dorm mate with conjuring birds to take the shot. Birds like the ones Tia had come up beside her to cast at Group A as well. Olivia hadn’t known her cousin had joined the group and wondered if that meant they were all mixed up again. She didn’t have time to dwell on matters as Haddie aimed back at her and the first year did the first thing that came to mind…

Duck!

And then she was back up, ready to continue to fight. “Stupefy!” she cast again at Haddie, after she had gathered her focus. The Ravenclaw opting to stick with something she already knew she could managed. Switching it up with less known spells could lead her to trouble. Maybe this time it would work.

Haddie's eyes went wide as Livvy ducked her spell and sent one back at her. She reacted without thinking, redoubling her aim at her fellow dorm mate and yelling, "Expelliarmus!" Unbeknownst to the first year eagle, she'd be struck moments before by a silencing spell courtesy of the snake, Ilia.

Haddie didn't have a time to grasp what happened to her voice though as Livvy's spell hit, knocking her off her feet. Her unconscious, mute body hit the platform and tumbled off, landing safely on a group of pillows. Kira, her wand, clattered to the ground on the other side of the platform.

Haddie was out of the duel.

Colt saw everyone and everything being thrown at them. He was impressed with Azura's protection spells. He knew she was fading fast. She was only a first year after all. There was only so much power and concentration she could take. He was going to take over for her. He was gonna cast the spell till he heard another girl was joining their team? He looked over and noticed another Slytherin (Ariadne). She looked familiar and he nodded towards her. She seemed little, she could possibly be a firstie. She was cowering behind a pillow. He had a few words to say to her. He went to her and said, "Get your head in the game!" he took the pillow away. "If you were in a real dueling situation, you need to be prepared and not scared!"

He then saw Haddie being knocked out. Ohhh bloody merlin. He could be an another attacker if they need be. He first concentrated on spells he could use to protect Azura and his teammates. He went through the list in his head but then he saw another a slytherin from another group (Ameh) aiming ropes at Azura.

Colt immediately bolted into action, he got his wand out and said, "Relashio!" and he aimed it at the ropes best he could. He saw the ropes go to the other side of the room. Woaahh I guess he did have some power when he knew it was protecting his friend.

Check and mate. One opponent down. Kudos to the baby claw (Olivia) that stunned chirp twerp. One problem eliminated, on to the next issue. The sixteen year old's icy blue gaze fell onto the baby snake that had attempted to attack her boy and herself earlier. Not going to fly kiddo. She willed her intent into her wand, her force and control tended to be well focused. Taking aim, she quietly cast "Silencio.", at the younger snaklet(Mason). Zipping her lips might do the kid some good, not just in this class...she recalled this girl from the opening feast.

Ariadne peeked out from behind her pillow. MERLIN. She had only meant to use it for the split second it took for her to figure out if her team needed her to attack or defend. She hadn't intended to use it the entire duel. "A defender! Right! I can do that!" she replied, casting Azura a wide grin to match the one the girl gave her. She nodded when Azura asked her if she understand. YUP! She got it...and she was on it!

Then Haddie was telling her to get out from behind the pillow, which reminded Ariadne that she STILL had it in her hands. Oops. Honestly! She hadn't meant to use it the entire time. Now everybody seemed upset with her, and she kind of wished she had chosen a different group. "I'm going to be a defender!" Ariadne answered, flicking out her wand like she REALLY MEANT IT.

She tuned in to the duel just in time to see Haddie get hit and tumble onto the pillows. OH, NO! Now Ariadne really had to step up her game! She was just about to toss down her pillow when an older Slytherin, Colt she thought his name was, took it away from her. Burn. "I'm not scared," she said in between breaths. "I was just buying myself some time to figure out my role. Sorry!" she said. Really. She was. They kind of all seemed mad at her. O_O.

Quickly getting her head into the duel, she caught sight of a different Slytherin boy casting ropes toward Azura. "Protego!" she instinctively called out, slashing her wand into the straight line formation she knew to be the wand movement needed.

What in Merlin's name was happening? Were all the other three teams GANGING UP ON THEM? Couldn't they shoot spells at the other teams? Or were they bound and determined to TAKE OUT THE FIRST YEARS!!!

Even the head girl had aimed at them!

This wasn't even close to being fair!

But she supposed life wasn't fair..

*sigh*

"Haddie!!" She gasped in horror as Haddie got hit with a spell that had somehow gotten through her numerous shield charms and the girl landed unconscious on the pillows! She hoped she was okay!! Azura was distracted by Haddie for just a second, which was all that was needed to send a spell her way! Thankfully Colt and Ariadne had saved her from it!! That was team work! And she was incredibly grateful for it!

"Protego Maxima!" She cried out as she cast a shield charm over Mason their only attacker right now! Azura felt like she needed extra protection! The young Ravenclaw felt something hit it and bounce off!

Another attack. This was getting ridiculous..

And she was getting tired!

She turned and smiled warmly at Ariadne and Colt. "Thanks for saving me you two." she said as she set up another shield charm around them!

You know what was more challenging? Being small. With the little space they got, it was kind of hard to manuever since he didn't want to bump into any of his team mates. Oh, and by the way, they were all girls...of which he needed to be more careful. Jace didn't want to accidentally step on their foot, or something. That would be simply embarrassing and disastrous.

Spells and other matter flew inside Jace's brain as he watched what was going on just beyond the perimeter of their box. He'd been squeezed between three older students, and they were all doing an exceptional job in attacking the other teams. The Ravenclaw didn't let his guard down though. Instead of just standing there, he made himself useful by putting protective charms around their box. "Salvio Hexia...Repello Inimicum...Protego Maxima."

As Jace busied himself, he'd seen Olivia just in time, dodging an incoming spell. The Ravenclaw was quick to bring his wand up to block the spell from hitting his face, "PROTEGO!" As he did so, Jace stepped back, obviously shocked by the sudden attack. Was that quick reflexes, or did he just got lucky? Shaking his head, he berated himself out loud in Japanese, "Look alive, Jeisu!"

Hugo received a very warm welcome from Group D. Good. He was going to say something to Henric about Candice but he spotted his girlfriend so....better not. The boy greeted the second year "Ava. Cool" and smiled.

Alright. It was time for a duel.

His team was pretty good but they had one member down so they needed to watch their backs. "You better protect me" said to Henric before casting a spell "Locomotor wibbly" his wand pointing at Colt.

Amur didn't miss Yoongi's greeting, and in light of the fact they were on a team and should try to be somewhat amicable, she returned it. There was not much time between that, Jaemin's agreement she could have his shoes and the sudden madhouse the dueling area dived into.

A small squeak of surprise might have left her as all the spells started flying this way and that. Seemed that Group C was relatively out of the fire zone though. So, this was her opportunity. Dropping down on her butt, Amur yanked off one of her shoes and then quickly scrambled back to her feet. She might need several shoes depending on how quickly these bad boys got finited, but one would do for now.

Then, it was inching just behind the taller Head Boy so she could do her work. Serious concentration was seriously hard right now. It took three tries of 'Draconifors' before the shoe was a curious looking dragon. It looked fierce, which was good even at it's current size. The mottled black and white pattern over it's scales? That was just dazzling.

Squatting, Amur reached forward between Yoongi's legs and set it on the ground just in front of him. Then, more serious concentration and an "ENGORGIO!"

One second, little dragon. Next second, it was about the size of a horse. Amur beamed in pride.

What it would do besides provide a nice distraction, and maybe serve as a mobile pillow for spells, she wasn't really sure. Really, she didn't think that the Professors would appreciate it much if it spat fire. Or....could it do a little flame?

Concentrating really hard, Amur channeled her will to the dragon and it burped up a small ball of flame towards Group A.

....Not exactly what she had pictured. A burping dragon. It'd have to do though!

His spell had gotten blocked. Jaemin frowned a little, because RUDE, and looked around at the other groups before setting himself back on the group he'd just targeted. He wanted to get someone! Just one person, at the very l-

What was Amur doing? Jaemin blinked and watched her, wand half-raised... she was doing the thing with shoes, the one she had wanted his shoes for! The small boy was half-watching her, while still trying to pay attention to what was going on and watching for an opening...

An opening that came when Amur's DRAGON THINGY!!!! was suddenly big and distracting. This was his chance! The boy took aim at Azura again, pouring all his intent into the spell as he softly spoke it. "Stupefy!"

He didn't have much experience with that one, and it probably wasn't as strong as it would be were it cast by an upperclassman, but it would be enough, hopefully, especially being paired with the dragon drawing attention!

Olivia and Ilia were bent on taking down Haddie. Rachel watched tensely from her seat beside Professor Hirsch as the spells were tossed back and forth among the trio. She could see Shield Charms protecting Haddie cast by her team mates but were they enough? Would Olivia be okay too? Rachel didn't remotely care about Ilia.

As she watched, a spell got to Haddie. Rachel gasped and hurriedly got to her feet as the other Ravenclaw fell on a set of pillows after hitting the platform. "Professor! Haddie's been knocked out!'' She couldn't see Haddie moving one bit. Without thinking, she rushed to the other girl's side. "Haddie?'' She knew she wasn't in any danger but that didn't stop her from being concerned as she cradled her friend... ex friend... in her arms. Nor did their stupid fight for that matter.

Where was Professor Hirsch or Flamsteed? Could either of them help her get Haddie to one of the mats?

Azura was getting exhausted!

No she had gone straight passed exhausted to barely able to keep her eyes open!

So many spells were being sent her way! And she had several shield charms up protecting her team! She made sure one was covering Colt! Protecting him from a spell that was sent his way by a Slytherin boy!

And then!! Was that a..

DRAGON!!! With Eeeeekkkk!!! Fire!!

"Protego!" She cast the spell upwards to protect them from the fire!!

What in Merlins name!!

Ugh!! She couldn't keep this up much longer!! She was fading! And fast!! She was panting heavily and the room started to spin a little.. She had used up too much energy and focus!

Her legs started to shake with all of the effort of spells she had been casting and soon she slumped down on the mats! Everything started to go blurry and as one last spell bounced off her already set up shield charms..

The valiantly fighting, purple eyed Ravenclaw passed out from exhaustion! And all of her charms disappeared with her!

Her last thought before she collapsed was

Professor Hirsch was not going to be happy with her!

She hadn't been hit! She just couldn't do it anymore!

"No problem llia, just doing my best here,"Henric grinned back at his girlfriend. llia seemed to be doing quite well on her own, he always knew she was a fighter to begin with. He was proud of her, alright! "Yeah llia! Show them what you've got!"

"You too, Hugo! Use all the offensive spells you know, mate!"he encouraged his group member."Just focus on attacking, Ava and I will cover you too,"he added.

"PROTEGO!"

Uh-oh! Henric watched the first year Ravenclaw whom had aimed at him earlier got knocked out by Olivia's counter-attack spell! Henric's eyes grew wide, oh man...he felt sorry for the kid. Merlin, he shouldn't lose focus on this fight! The attackers were shooting spell one after another, it was madness! Duel club activity was getting too intense. Great hippogriffs, everybody should just calm down a little! He felt he had already exert too much energy for this.

WOAH. DRAGON!!

"Guys, we have a problem." He pointed with his other free hand,"Watch out for that dragon!" He warned his group-mates. He would get ready with the shield charm if needed be. "I think we need to shrink that flying dragon back to its original state, or harden it somehow so it won't fly,what do you guys think?"he suggested to his team attackers.

Right...so...he was just doing to sit down and not get smacked in his unusually large forehead by any of these spells....

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Olivia and Ilia were bent on taking down Haddie. Rachel watched tensely from her seat beside Professor Hirsch as the spells were tossed back and forth among the trio. She could see Shield Charms protecting Haddie cast by her team mates but were they enough? Would Olivia be okay too? Rachel didn't remotely care about Ilia.

As she watched, a spell got to Haddie. Rachel gasped and hurriedly got to her feet as the other Ravenclaw fell on a set of pillows after hitting the platform. "Professor! Haddie's been knocked out!'' She couldn't see Haddie moving one bit. Without thinking, she rushed to the other girl's side. "Haddie?'' She knew she wasn't in any danger but that didn't stop her from being concerned as she cradled her friend... ex friend... in her arms. Nor did their stupid fight for that matter.

Where was Professor Hirsch or Flamsteed? Could either of them help her get Haddie to one of the mats?

...or not. Alright. He could deal with this. There were no tears after all.

"It's alright, Miss Watson," he assured the first year as he moved about to scoop up her fellow first year. Yes, the man was gangly and awkward, but he had some upper body strength to spare. "I'll take her out of harm's way."

Dodging spells as he moved, and totally NOT almost tripping over his own feet in the process, he safely put Miss Denaker down. Just needed to give her a moment or ten to recover from that hit. Should be totally fine. Nothing to call Cecelia over.

But since he was off to the side not...Airey figured he may as well had to things. As he so likes to do. His own wand out, Airey thrust it in the direction of the four groups and performed a bit of non verbal magic in their general direction.

How did that old saying? Constant vigilance?

Nothing quite like pillows being thrown into action a la Oppugno jinx, right?