The loss stung at the glowing pride of the young witch, pricking at it like a rubber balloon with thorns. Her ears rang with the sound of her futile spell, a hollow clang of the veto on her shield charm. It was clear to Millie that she had a long way to go with it still, feeling rather silly for having attempted the spell at all during this duel. She had decided before the whole tournament began to use more practical charms, and now the entire school could stand witness to her reason why.
Still, there was nowhere to run at the moment. Millie still faced her opponent, and Miss Dursley was still one worthy of her fullest commitment. This round held another chance for her, she could still advance beyond this duel and face Anne at the end of it all. And the best reward she could grant her ringing ears right now was burning at the tip of her tongue.
"Mimblewimble! " Perhaps in some future duel, an opponent might be able to defeat her non-verbally, but for now the Tongue-Tying Curse was still a potent one against a fellow Fifth-Year.
Still, there was nowhere to run at the moment. Millie still faced her opponent, and Miss Dursley was still one worthy of her fullest commitment. This round held another chance for her, she could still advance beyond this duel and face Anne at the end of it all. And the best reward she could grant her ringing ears right now was burning at the tip of her tongue.
"Mimblewimble! " Perhaps in some future duel, an opponent might be able to defeat her non-verbally, but for now the Tongue-Tying Curse was still a potent one against a fellow Fifth-Year.
![[Image: uHwnE8q.png]](https://i.imgur.com/uHwnE8q.png)