She had supposed, with her school reputation already in rags, she didn't have anything to lose by entering the duelling tournament.
Now she knew she was wrong. Now she knew to be in fear of losing what remained of her pride, a limb or two, or maybe even her life. It was not even the judge's stern countenance that caused it, but Thomas Montgomery standing across from her, who had already terrorised her personally, and had lost all her schoolbooks for her by turning them to mice!
Trembling at the thought of what he might transfigure next, Jemima bobbed into a shaky curtsy and tried to think of something - anything - that would save her from this. "Confundo," she squeaked out, hoping if she confused Mr. Montgomery he might just blunder off.
Now she knew she was wrong. Now she knew to be in fear of losing what remained of her pride, a limb or two, or maybe even her life. It was not even the judge's stern countenance that caused it, but Thomas Montgomery standing across from her, who had already terrorised her personally, and had lost all her schoolbooks for her by turning them to mice!
Trembling at the thought of what he might transfigure next, Jemima bobbed into a shaky curtsy and tried to think of something - anything - that would save her from this. "Confundo," she squeaked out, hoping if she confused Mr. Montgomery he might just blunder off.
