Hamish stood between the combatants in the great hall, looking to each in turn. First years, both, this would be their first dueling tournament ever, and if he wasn't mistaken, the nerves were showing, particularly upon Miss Tatting (though it was difficult to tell at this distance). He had reviewed the tournament's rules, taking a bit more care and time around the order of things: the Gryffindor would attack first with the Slytherin defending in the first pass, then they would switch roles. At last, it was time.

Though he could be one for ceremony when the need arose, dueling had never particularly been Hamish's wheelhouse, and so it was with a reassuring smile rather than any real formality that he directed, "Mr. Beck, you may begin!"