Charlotte had, as always, taken note of the schedule and made sure that she could come watch the duels that interested her most. And the first one that caught her attention was a firstie duel, actually. Carlton Lewis! Vs a Botros kid!

They both deserved cheering and support, of course, but Char thought Carlton was kind of adorable.

... MAYBE HE WOULD GROW UP AND END UP MARRYING HER FIRST YEAR SISTER, CHLOE KETTLEBURNN?

Ahem.

She arrived at the stands and picked a spot with a good view. Hopefully other people would come watch too? Who knew though? She could cheer loud enough on her own, even if the duelers couldn't actually hear thanks to Hirsch's spells.

Olivia wouldn't have missed this for anything. Her favorite ickle, Mr. Carlton Lewis, was DUELING. In his first ever duel. Emotional support was a must, you see, as she knew her young Slytherin child got down on himself in the magical department. After today, perhaps they could do a bit of practice together. She'd been meaning to ask him for weeks now, but things seemed to continuously come up and interfere with her planning.

Blast personal trauma and it making everything more difficult.

Anyway, taking a seat near the front of the tournament stands, the blonde adjusted the beanie perched atop her head. Things should be starting soon, according to the schedule.

Also, of course, Liv saw Char there, but didn't make any moves to formally greet her. She was here to focus on Carlton, you see. Make some notes on what they could work on during practice. She'd drag Rooney into it, too.

Oh, Liv was here! Was.... was it okay for her to say hi? She was aware the younger girl wasn't exactly a fan of hers anymore (though Char was still in the dark on why exactly Liv had gone all distant, given it had been going on for some time with her), but that didn't mean she shouldn't be polite, right? Char waved.

"Hey Liv! You're watching those firsties too??" Right? Unless she was waiting for the next duel or something... and oh they were starting! Char sat forward eagerly, ready to watch.

Olivia was a little startled when she heard Char's voice sound off behind her...but didn't outwardly show any signs of distress. Things weren't weird because of Char, so much, but due to the complexities in her own life. The older Gryffindor girl was simply too idealistic and happy for Liv to be able to deal with it right now. Again, not Char's fault.

"Carlton is my smol child." Well, hers and Rooney's. They'd sort of adopted him. Ugh, she just loved that little Slytherin boy so much, it made her heart feel a smidgen too full. "I'm going to take some notes so I can help him later on." And so not to appear ungrateful that she'd taken the plunge in saying hello, Liv nodding her chin towards the arena, where little Abey and Carlton had taken their positions. "Here for any particular ickles?"

Noelle always had to watch the duels. She loved them. Seeing the light in the students eyes as they actually gave all their effort into the duel.

Today was no different.
Noelle had come prepared with a little notepad and lots of licorice wands. She planned on taking notes and enjoying the combat. It was a good thing people didn't take it too personally when they lost.

Pulling out her self inking quill, she chomped off the end of her licorice wand and made herself comfortable.

What.... what was a smol child? Char couldn't pick up context from the seriousness of Liv's reply but she did brighten up. "I am cheering him on too!" supporting firsties, yay! Or um... ickles. "Abey as well though. I think it's important to be encouraging!"

Speaking of which, it had begun and wowwww what a start for a first year duel!

Distracted with watching the current duel unfold, Liv hardly heard what Char was saying. She was simply that focused on the happenings in the arena. Carlton had gotten off a decent jelly fingers jinx, but the young Gryffindor was proving himself to be no easy target. It was decidedly precious, to be honest.

She quickly began taking notes, pleased that neither of the two boys were shying away from the most basic rule. Trying.

Hm? "They're both doing well, yeah."

Daisy wasn't really much of a dueler. And by 'much of a dueler', understand that she wasn't one at all. Her classmates seemed to love it, though, which Daisy couldn't seem to understand at all. But, to each their own, she supposed. Maybe they were the right ones and they would need to duel somewhere in their future lives.

Still, probably not.

Therefore, she didn't have many reasons to be here, yet here she was. Maybe it was because the set up of the stands reminded her of a Quidditch pitch. Maybe it was because she wanted to look at Professor Hirsch. Or maybe she had just been bored, heard the noise and decided to take a look. Either way, she was slowly making her way across the stands, deciding that since she was there already, she might as well watch for a bit. Who knew, maybe she could suddenly get interested in duelling?

"Noelle!" There was her friend! Grinning widely, the Slytherin made her way towards the area where Noelle was sitting down. Was she taking notes? "OooohooOOOoooOOOohhh!! Are we spying on someone?" Look at the Gryffindor Prefect. Taking notes of her future opponent!

That was what she was doing, right?

Alright. Some of the students had useful spells that Noelle would try. She grinned seeing similar patterns with some of the students. Raised her brows at others. It was always fun watching the matches. Some people seemed to really not like each other.

Hearing her name, Noelle looked to the side and saw Daisy. She grinned big and waved. "Daisy! My second favorite Slytherin! What are you doing up here? I didn't think you liked duels." She adjusted her parchment and offered the seat next to her.

"Im taking notes on the fights so that I can use them in my training. I like to watch patterns too. I don't duel. I did one term and it was fun but I just don't have the time." She really wished she did. She would stick to the meetings and training with Hirsch. "Want a licorice wand?" She asked, holding out a few.

OOOOH, look at the Head Students! They were really going at it. Daisy watched them distractedly for a few seconds before turning back to Noelle and taking a seat. Yup, apparently she was staying here for a while. "Second favourite? She asked with a raised eyebrow. Just who was her first favourite, hm? Should she be offended?

That wasn't a very real possibility, let's be real.

"I don't like duels, but I was bored." Also, had she mentioned Hirsch? Yeah, he was nice to look at, she had discovered. She was also counting it as a means of studying for DADA. Defensive and attacking spells were getting thrown around so it wasn't that ludicrous, was it?

Somehow it was just SO SO SO Noelle to be here, watching duels and taking notes and Daisy smiled fondly at her friend. From a quick glance at the girl's notes, it was pretty clear to see that they were well organised and tidy, which was such a difference from the notes Daisy usually took. "I suppose you'll do plenty of duelling later on." You know, when she was actually training to be an Auror at the Ministry. "Best not to bite off more than you can chew." Which was her motto in life, of course. That and 'Don't try and eat the gnomes'. And yes, DUH. She wanted a licorice wand.

Obviously.

"Cheers, No." She thanked the Gryffindor, using the nickname she had just made up, before taking a bite out of the licorice wand. YUMMY. OH, she had wanted to ask Noelle something for ages now. "How is Noah, by the way?" Was he back at school?

The older students were her favorite to watch. Them and Char. Char was a natural at dueling. She had beat Noelle when Noelle had dueled her two terms ago. It had been fun though.

Noelle offered the licorice wands as her friend sat down next to her. For someone not interested in dueling, she sure did look interested at the Head students dueling. Also, if she was here for Hirsch, Noelle wouldn't blame her. That man was yummy. "Bored?" She asked while Daisy looked over her notes. She never knew how someone could find dueling boring. Look at that excitement down there! "I cant wait to see some auror duels. These duels are so mediocre compared to those."

Noelle had interned with one of Noah's relatives this summer and it had been one of the best days in her whole life. It was so exciting, so exhilarating. Speaking of Noah... Noelle gave a tiny blush and smiled. "He's good. Hes back at school. Completely healed." Noelle didn't need him to be getting sucked into the portal though.

Daisy wasn't exactly sure if the students from other Houses were aware of it or not, but she was pretty sure that every Slytherin knew that the Head students really didn't get along. She couldn't tell if it was actual hate but it was pretty close to that. Look at them in their arena, trading insults AND hexes.

Man, what a House. What. A. House.

"I know, I know. How can I be bored when we have so much to do?" The Slytherin chuckled lightly and shrugged her shoulders at her friend. She had a lot to study but that was boring, as well. "I wanted to go flying but Professor McLeod said it was raining too much." She rolled her eyes. She had tried to reason with her Head of House but it had been useless.

"Did you get to see any duels during the summer?" Daisy asked, genuinely interested despite the fact that she clearly didn't much care for it. She was here distracting Noelle more than anything else, really. She couldn't help but to laugh cheerfully at her friend's frustration, though. "Noelle, some of them are firsties! They are bound to be ... not as exciting." She had wanted to say boring, but that could hurt a few sensibilities.

AWWWW, look at Noelle, doing what her Dad liked to call The Tomato!! The Slytherin grinned widely at that and was so happy about the news she had shared that she actually clapped. "Yaay!! That is fantastic! You must be pretty relieved!" Got have her Keeper in top notch form, after all! Also, Noelle had been kind of miserable before so this was definitely good, good news!! Talking of boys --well, a boy -- did remind her of something and Daisy looked at Noelle for a few seconds. Pondering. The girl was a Gryffindor. "... do you know Matt Solo?" Meriwether. Who even knew how Noelle would know him as?

Also, check how nonchalant she had tried to make that question sound. It would have worked, too, where it not for her fidgety hands.

Noelle needed to take Daisy to see an auror duel. It was amazing. They were so quick. So fast. As a matter of fact, there was a YATi one that Hirsch had brought in last year. It wasn't as good as the duel she'd seen this summer but it was still pretty brilliant.
"Im just saying, Aurors... they are so quick. I don't know how they think that fast!" Of course, her eyes were shining bright. She would be an auror one day. She just knew it. "I did. It wasn't a real one. it was one from Noah's family members. They were playing around and it was still amazing. I wonder if Noah will let me see if I can bring you over this summer and let you watch." Maybe that would spark some passion for the subject in Daisy's eyes.

Merlin... the Head students sure didn't like each other. Noelle became distracted in watching them a moment before she heard Daisy speak again.

"Oh Yeah! Matt! I know him. Not well. But hes brilliant." Wait... why?? Noelle looked at Daisy with a little crooked grin as she realized or ... assumed why Daisy was asking. "DO you like him?"

Daisy could relate to Noelle's enthusiasm. The shining eyes, the slight dump of information ... it all felt pretty familiar and the Slytherin nodded enthusiastically. "I feel that when I watch professionals play Quidditch! They make it look so ... She scrunched her nose, trying to find the right word to explain the feeling she got in the stands of a Quidditch match. The feeling she got when she got dazzled over their movements but still felt like everything was possible. "..effortless, I suppose! And then you get on a broomstick, try to do just what they did and you don't quite get it." She chuckled brightly, shoulders shrugging in a 'what can you do' manner.

Although being an Auror was probably just a bit harder. A tiny bit, really. Eh.

"I could never be an Auror, though. I'd probably spend five minutes trying to decide what spell to cast." And then her wand would catch fire, or something. Noelle, though? She'd ACE it. OOOOOOH, she'd LOVE to see a proper, REAL duel. Even if it was a slightly fake one in safe circumstances. She grinned excitedly and bounced on her seat. "Please take me with you!!" PLEAAASE! Cue the Carden puppy dog eyes.

And of course she knew Matt. It probably was part of a Prefect's duties to know everyone in their House or something.

Yes, he was brilliant, and Daisy nodded in agreement. And yes, she liked him. ... Wait. Noelle's smile was weird and the fifth year realised that her friend probably meant some other kind of like. Daisy rolled her eyes good-naturedly and sent a pointed look at her friend. NO TEASING, ok? Even because she wasn't sure if she liked him. Y'know ... like that. "He's fun to be around." She finally decided to answer, perfectly aware that she was kind of avoiding the question. Or at least taking the long, loooong way round to answer it. She coughed lightly and focused her eyes on the duel between the Ravenclaw Prefect and Charlotte. Best avoid Noelle's eyes and all that. "Anyway, we're going a date." Perfectly chill, she was.

Ahem.

It was a good thing that Daisy knew what Noelle was talking about. Noelle nodded in agreement with what Daisy was saying and how she used that analogy. "Exactly. You get up there thinking that you can do what they do because they make it look so easy. Then... when you try... you fail miserably." It was funny how that happened.

"I think once you get a few spells down that you're really comfortable with.. it just seems to fly out of your wand/" Noelle was this way with her bat bogey hex. She had a few others that she was working on to be her back ups. Currently trying to strengthen her spells. "Ill see what Noah can cook up and we can possibly go see them duel." The aurors she meant. Noah's family. it wouldn't be real in a sense. But it was still impressive to see.

Wait... how was Daisy being so calm!!???

Noelle giggled and wiggled in her seat as she took another bite of her licorice wand. "An actual date????" because that was big news. And Daisy was sitting here all nonchalant. "Tell me things!"Girl talk... Noelle needed girl talk.

Then you try and fail miserably.

Yeah, that sounded just about right and Daisy chuckled. "We just need practise, that's all. That's what my Dad tells me whenever I complain about my Sloth Grip Roll." If she could even call it that. It was a tiny excuse of a Sloth Grip Roll but she would get there. Eventually. Fifteen going on sixteen; it left you a loooong time to improve, right? She turned away from the rings and looked up at the Gryffindor with a grin. "We're gonna get there and when we do we're gonna be the BEST!"

YAY for enthusiasm!

Chewing the remains of her licorice wand, Daisy listened quietly as Noelle talked about duelling. Spells you were really comfortable with... "Well, that applies to most spells, really. Even in normal day-to-day situations." Daisy would know; she had struggled with a few spells and only practise had made her comfortable with them. Now she had no problem with the hot air charm but it had taken aloooot of burning stuff to get there. "But Aurors ... " She shook her head and pointed down at the duelling pairs. "You always have to be prepared for something unexpected." Like the students down there, only to a much, much smaller scale. Which was why seeing adults duel -- Auror adults, at that! -- would be amazing. "Let me know, then. And..." Since they were talking about future careers and all of that. "You know you can come over whenever you like, right? If you ever wanna watch the Falcons smash whoever they are playing against, you're my guest." Like, literally her guest. There was no point mentioning the U-17 team, though, Noelle could score tickets some other way, though.

BOYS.

The Gryffindor was giggling. Giggling. That was unnerving and Daisy rolled her eyes playfully. "An actual date, yeah. I've confirmed that." No need to know that Daisy had practically asked poor Matt if he was kissing her on said date, right? Tact, she had none of it. "I don't know what there is to tell! I've never been on a date so I don't even know what to expect!" She wasn't trying to be misteryous, or keeping things to herself or anything. She honestly had no expectations. Except for what pop culture had taught her but unless it came from Star Wars it probably wouldn't help her with Solo.

Where there any dates in Star Wars?

Noelle adjusted her bum on the bench as her attention was brought between Daisy and the match before her. Her notes had become a little spacious as she tried keeping up with the conversation and the duels.

Noelle did enjoy Daisy's enthusiasm though. "You sound like my mom. When I write her, she always tells me the same thing. Practice makes perfect. You'll be the best if you keep practicing." She grinned at the memory. Merlin, she missed her mom.

And it was a good thing that Daisy knew what Noelle was talking about. "Exactly. But it makes it easier when you know the spells off hand and without even thinking about it, can make it happen as soon as the other casts theirs." It was mind boggling. Because with Noelle, it took her a minute to think of what spell to cast next.

"Oh yeah?? Im sure Noah could get us tickets to the U17 as well. That way we can hang out whenever." That made Noelle feel good. She offered another licorice wand.

Now onto the boy talk.

An actual date!! Snogging was bond to happen. "So did he ask you out or did you ask him out?" He probably asked her, though, Noelle knew Daisy was a strong headed female. She could have easily asked him out. But the fact that she had to ask Matt if it was an actual date, made Noelle think otherwise. "Where are you two going? What are you going to wear?"
Noelle remembered her and Noah's first date. It was actually in Hawaii.

Daisy stilled, blinking for a few seconds. She sounded like Noelle's Mum? No offense against the woman, Daisy was sure she was lovely but -- there was something odd about sounding like someone's Mum, wasn't there? Especially when she was only fifteen years old and worrying about her OWLs. Mums knew everything and were super wise. Still, the advice Noelle got from her Mum just a lot to what her owns parents always told her, so Daisy just shrugged it off.

Did parents go to the same parenting school, or something?

"It would be pretty cool if there was some potion to help you with that." Daisy chuckled and looked over at her Gryffindor friend. Maybe some potion that helped with memory or concentration? Then Noelle would be able to cast a spell at someone in milliseconds! That probably didn't really exist, though, so good ole' practice would have to be.

They just couldn't escape it, could it?

She had been watching some duels with a slight interest when something Noelle said made her frown. Wait ... whaaaat? "Noelle." The Slytherin started seriously, turning on her seat so that she was fully facing the girl. "You must be pretty tired." She chuckled. "I'm also on the team, remember?" To be fair, sometimes Daisy didn't believe it herself so it was fine.

EXCEPT SHE WAS ON THE TEAM AND HER FRIEND SHOULD REMEMBER IT!!!

But fine, really. All fifth years were half asleep, half of the time.

And yet she still had found the time for boys and dates.

"He asked." She told Noelle, not really sure if that was an important detail or not. Did it mean something?? This was weird; they had only just begun talking about this and yet she was overthinking stuff already. Was this what dating and ~feelings~ felt like? Yuck. "Well, it's just the Three Broomsticks." Which was fine by her and therefore she didn't sound disappointed or anything. Honestly, it was better than the tea shop. Noelle had asked about the outfit and Daisy nodded, ready to explain her thinking. SEE, she had thought this through. "I thought that since it's just Hogsmeade, I could wear a dress or something." Because meh, expectations and cuteness. "But it's Matt. You never know what happens when the boy is around." She added with a smile and a shrug of her shoulders. Seriously. "So probably something I can run in."

Parents had to go to the same parenting school. Had to. They all gave the same spill.
And there Daisy went acting like her mom again.

Uho, she was in trouble. "To be fair.... I only really notice Noah when I go to the games." She said with a teasing look. She knew... knew Daisy was on the team but Daisy must have been right. She was tired. All the prefect duties, trainings, homework, classes, etc. They were getting to her. She blushed. "Sorry D. Noah's told me how good you are too."

Oi. Hey! Feelings were brilliant! Noelle and Noah and been together almost 2 years. It didn't feel like that but they were! "Oh a dress! What if you wear leggings under a dress? And itll be nice weather out. A dress would feel good. Plus, its cute." Not that Noelle was a fashionista. She monstly wore jeans and t-shirts because comfy.

HOW WAS THIS FAIR??

Who was she supposed to root for when it was TWO of her friends were up against each other. She was there, obviously, to be supportive, but was spending most of the match watching through her fingers.

And wincing. So so much wincing. Especially when Derf's trousers went up in flames or dear sweet merlin's hamentashen what happened to Abey's legs?!?

"BE CAREFUL!" she shouted, knowing full well that they could not hear her.

Paul hadn't come to watch duels all term. This was his first time....and well, he felt terrible about it. What kind of Deputy Head he? He would hate to be known as the ascent one.

And so...here he was. Abey Botros vs. Derfael multiple-surname-that-Paul-had-trouble-with. Ahem. But Seren's son, yes. The little redheaded Hazel also-hyphenated-surname-but-easier-to-remember-Martin-Pryce was there, along with various others. But he sat next to his Hufflepuff.

"Hello, Miss Hazel," he said, smiling at her. "Here to support Derfael?" he knew of their friendship. He wasn't sure if she was friendly with Abey. Most likely, since Hazel seemed to be friendly with most people. He had a moment where he almost asked her about her snails...but that was..Char, wasn't it? And a long time ago. Merlin, his memory was failing him lately. She had...some sort of small out she spoked of often.

MERLIN HIS OLD MIND AND YOUNG HEART. Constant battle, it was.

"Would you like some cucumbers?" he asked, pulling out his container. He was going through a cucumber phase right now. Milton had recommended them for...something. Wrinkles? Or was it...it was something that would help him.

With both hands clasped firmly over her face, fingers separated juuuuuuuuuust enough to peek through, Hazel barely registered Professor Myers until he spoke. Turning, but not dropping her hands, she nodded in response to his question. "And Abey, too." WHY WAS THIS SO HAAAAARD. Oo. Sparks! "Good job!! Woo!" She cheered for them both, purple and green sparks alike, before she remembered, again, that they couldn't hear her.

She let her hands drop since Professor Myers had asked her a question. "No, thank you. Lemon drop?" She held up her bag of her favorite candy to the professor. Much better than cucumber, no? Except cucumber made her think of gardens, and gardens made her think of the plants in the common room. And the plants in the common room made her think of Derf and his fear and...

the lemon drop she was lifting to her lips fell from her hand and her face drained, just slightly, as she watched the duel.

She suddenly knew how she'd defeat Derf in a duel if she had to.... and she hoped no one ever ever ever tried it.

"Certainly, thank you--" he held out his hand to receive the lemon drop, but turned to watch the duel thoughtfully. They were being such good little sports. And green sparks? Nice touch, Derf. Oh, it was just so precious. First years <3

The lemon drop never made it into Paul's hand. His hand was getting tired of waiting. He looked over at her...."Um, Miss Hazel? Are you all right?" he leaned over with a groan to pick up the candy. His bones hated movement today. Must have slept wrong...or something. "You dropped this, m'dear?" he smirked and...popped the candy into his mouth. Dirt don't hurt! Of course not.

"You look quite pale. Are you coming down with a fever?" Or...something similar? Prep-for-Exam time blues, sickness?

He was talking. She was sure of it. But now she was standing and watching and just hoping hoping hoping that Abey wouldn't have the same thought that she'd just had. Not because she didn't want him to win but because... well because.

It was only after he'd popped the dropped candy into his mouth that she blinked out of her stupor and looked at him. "M'fine.. just... thinking about something." She swallowed, her mouth a little dry, and turned her attention back to the duel.

She couldn't say what was on her mind because then someone might overhear it... and then someone else might do it and then it would be HER FAULT.