March 6th, 1891 — Hogsmeade Memorial Ballroom, Hogsmeade

Charles couldn't claim any real knowledge of Miss Allaway but he did know of Miss Black. That she was taking part in a duel was only testimony to how such a desirable woman (on paper) should have ended up a spinster. She ought to be a cautionary tale to the younger unwed ladies present but probably they were all too dense to make the connection. Except Miss Lestrange, she surely had her own justification for dueling although he couldn't imagine what it might be.

"Please begin, Miss Black."

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Though she would forever keep it to herself Elladora had a degree more respect for her opponent than she did for their judge. The other woman had a good mind, after all, and had possessed the sense to remain unmarried so it was with a rare show of deference that Elladora inclined her head respectfully.

Taking her position she cast a blasting charm at the ground in front of the other woman, hoping the element of surprise would knock her off blanace.

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Titania was still shocked she'd been talked into this competition. She'd been content to pay the entrance fee for some less fortunate women, but it took her sister-in-law's prodding to convince Titania to take up her wand. She was a healer and causing injury to someone as formidable as Miss Black seemed against every code she'd ever adopted. Perhaps she would offer to assist the competition healers after her match, to assuage her guilt.

Narrowing her focus to the opponent before her, Anya would give her best to Miss Black. Quickly raising her wand, she cast a painless, yet debilitating Oscausi toward Miss Black, hoping to seal her mouth.

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Although Miss Allaway hadn't opted for a shield charm she probably should have. Her spell was deflected by Miss Black's and probably absorbed some of the shock but not enough to stop its caster from stumbling backward. Fortunately for everyone involved no one had to watch Miss Allaway abdicate her dignity by falling on her rear end. "Miss Black takes the first round. Please begin the next, Miss Allaway."

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Amateur mistake. The thought wrung in her brain as she lost ground to catch her balance. Humiliating, but victories came from worse setbacks and she was uninjured. Removing the metaphorical kid gloves, Titania threw her spell toward the ground around Miss Black, hoping to open a hole in the floor beneath her.

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Feeling fairly pleased with herself Elladora cast an impedimenta jinx to stop the other woman in her spellcasting.

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Miss Black almost wasn't fast enough to catch Miss Allaway before she finished casting but her spell landed just in time. Miss Allaway was frozen in place - or she was until Charles nullified the jinx. "The duel goes to Miss Black!"

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