24th July, 1892 — Headquarters of the London Society for the Practice of Combative Magic

If an auror and a member of the Wizengamot did not already full understand the rules of an honourable duel, Evander would eat his shoes.

Still, for the audience's sake if nothing else, he offered an overview of proceedings before gesturing long-sufferingly at the Auror. "Mr. Staghart to cast first."

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Walter Staghart Gaius Malfoy
You have 72 hours to post!

  

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It wasn't often Walter tried his hand at competitive dueling, he faced death many times during the course of his career as an Auror. Things were slow lately and having a chance to battle in a duel which wasn't life-threatening would be a welcome relief. It also gave him practice facing opponents who weren't out to kill him or likely to use dark magic. If any of his opponents tried to cheat and use dark magic, well, he'll just have to defeat them then arrest them.

His first bout is against Gaius Malfoy, a gentleman Walter only knew in passing, mostly during the time Gaius worked at the Ministry. They were close in age though he didn't know much about the man's life on a personal level. Not one to under or overestimate opponents, Walter went into the duel ready for anything, or so he hoped.

Stepping into the dueling area, Walter bowed formally before Gaius before taking a defensive dueling stance. He held it barely a moment before casting his first spell, using the non-verbal form of a body binding jinx in the hope of quick disabling move.

  

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It bothered Gaius that, even after all this time, he felt bothered—bothered by the fact that others had succeeded where he had failed. It was not the full-bodied resentment that had once consumed him, but the twinge still nibbled at the outskirts of his consciousness as he stood to face Staghart.

Gaius' first move would not be a flashy one—a non-verbal shield charm.

— Elias Grimstone —

  

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— mj makes pretty things —

A mere breath between the spells, but the shield did not hold off the offensive, and Mr. Malfoy's body snapped into place, immobile, hitting the floor to a smattering of applause from the audience. Impassively, Evander performed the counter-charm and, when Mr. Malfoy was all to rights, declared: "Mr. Staghart takes the first point. Mr. Malfoy to cast next."

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WALTER: 10| GAIUS: 8
Aldous Crouch

  

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His mouth tightened ever so slightly. With practiced motion, Gaius cast a knee-reversing hex.

— Walter Staghart —

  

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— mj makes pretty things —

Walter didn't let scoring the first point distract him nor fill him with too much confidence. In fact he looked no different than when the duel started. The one thing he had to keep himself in check for was moving out of the dueling area, years as an Auror had ingrained in him it was never wise to stay in the same spot when fighting another wizard. He did have some room to maneuver and deciding his opponent was likely to take an offensive position since his defensive move had failed, Walter hoped to make it himself a more difficult target.

As soon as he saw Gaius moving his wand, Walter started a deflection charm, hoping to send his opponent's spell right back at him. Or failing that he hoped he could simply dodge.

Elias Grimstone

  

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Evidently, Malfoy had not taken well to his dose of humiliation, and paid it back in kind.

Staghart's knees were looking awfully uncomfortable on the back of his legs. Frowning at the sight of it, Evander countered the hex and cleared his throat. "A tie-breaking round it is. Mr. Staghart, if you will."

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GAIUS: 10 | WALTER: 7
Walter Staghart

  

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Walter felt the effects of a knee-reversing curse and it took a great deal of effort to avoid falling flat on his face when his legs stopped working the way he was used to. Once the hex was reversed by Mr. Darrow Walter inclined his head in thanks before taking a moment to shake off the lingering sensations.

He didn't let his failure through him off however, taking up a combat stance as soon as the duel resumed. This time he was determined to defeat his opponent and wasted no time in casting a quick binding spells, sending magical chains looping through the air to entangle his opponent.

@"Guis Malfoy"

  

A simple disarming spell, Gaius knew, could not be discounted for its usefulness. The wizard cast with practiced hand, knowing well that at this point, it would come down to speed.

— Elias Grimstone —

  

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— mj makes pretty things —

The disarming spell struck the floor, for Mr. Malfoy's wand arm was already bound up in the magical bindings.

That made the judgement simple, anyway. "Mr. Staghart wins the duel."

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WALTER: 11| GAIUS: 8

  

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