8th February, 1895 — The Great Hall, Hogwarts

He had heard a thing or two about Miss Decroix from Sirius – but he did not think her performance today would cause him think of her any more highly. And the Dursley name was of no interest to him, so he had precisely no thoughts on her opponent.

But of course his expectations were low. Phineas recited the rules in a bored tone, and took a distinct step back, suspecting these girls would have even worse aim than usual.

“Miss Dursley to cast first, and Miss Decroix to respond,” he declared.

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You have 72 hours to reply. Please tag the next poster (either your opponent or me with Elias Grimstone) in your post.
Corinne Dursley & Violetta DeCroix

  

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If her exterior was frosty on a good day, then today Cori appeared downright frigid as she stood across from her opponent.

Due mostly in part to the headmaster’s presence, she adhered to proper decorum – as much as it felt ridiculous and a waste of precious seconds; her courtesy to Violetta was chilly and curt, but perfect in execution. (This might have been a mock duel, a practice affair, but the Hufflepuff took herself as seriously as ever.)

Then, in a stern, minute pivot, she twisted to give the other fifth year girl a smaller target by offering her flank, and planted her feet firmly. Instead of wasting precious moments to fully raise her wand and stare down its sight-line at her target, Cori flicked its tip out at Violetta’s direction closer to hip-height – and fired:

“Expelliarmus.” Some might take this as a moment to show off, to play, but those people were fools.

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Violetta DeCroix

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Violetta was not the strongest duelist in the room by a long shot, but she felt she had something to prove. With Rose de Minuit in hand she quickly formed her hair into the tightest asymmetric plait you could imagine to make her look battle ready.

She stepped forward and courtsied politely before putting her wand out into a guarded pose. "Protego" she cast hoping that the simple spell would get her through the first round until she could use her charms on the offensive. At least she was good at charms.

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Corinne Dursley Phineas Black

  

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In spite of Miss Decroix's... efforts (he sorely hoped they were not her best efforts, else it would be a wonder if she passed her OWLs), Miss Dursley's spell sent her wand soaring across the room.

Phineas allowed the Slytherin to trot along and retrieve it, rather than magicking it back for her. "Miss Dursley wins the first round. Miss Decroix," he said, when she finally had, "you may begin the next."

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DURSLEY: 6 | DECROIX: 3
Violetta DeCroix

  

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Violetta went to pick up her want and checked that it was not damaged by the tumble it took. She was to glad to have it back in her hand. She was annoyed to lose around but her etiquette would only allow herself to congratulate her opponent on the point before readying herself.

"Confundus! she cast, trying to baffle the hufflepuff into doing something silly.

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Corinne Dursley Phineas Black

  

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While the prefect went to collect her wand - manually, at that - Cori took a moment to tuck some errant curls behind her ears, the quick movement of her twisting and turning having, unfortunately, allowed some to escape the severe bun atop her head. She shifted her stance as Violetta gave some small congratulations and, as was proper, the Hufflepuff nodded respectfully back in reply before waiting for the Slytherin to ready her wand.

In retaliation, she snapped her wand up from her hip and countered with a back-firing jinx, forgoing a simple shielding spell; now, they'd see who was faster.

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Violetta DeCroix || Elias Grimstone

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The French were all style and no substance; Phineas had always believed this, and now felt himself proved right.

The girl's choice of spell was good, a Confundus Charm, but Miss Dursley's was better – Miss Decroix was now looking bewilderedly around the Great Hall, as if she had forgotten why she was meant to be here.

"Miss Dursley wins the duel," Phineas commented. He supposed he could undo the charm, but he thought he had better let the girl learn from her losses, so he merely added, with no sympathy at all, "Miss Decroix, you had better head for the hospital wing. I do hope you remember the way."

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DECROIX: 4|DURSLEY: 7

  

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