*Narrator pov*
As the sun began to set over the dueling courtyard at Mahoutokoro School of Magic, the air was filled with a palpable sense of anticipation. James Potter, a young wizard from Hogwarts, squared off against Kaori Nakamura, a skilled student from Mahoutokoro, both eager to test their magical abilities on the raised platform at the center of the arena. The crowd was waiting for the duel to start with rapt attention.
"Ready, set, duel!" called out the Judge, his voice echoing across the courtyard.
James tightened his grip on his wand, his heart pounding with excitement as he faced his opponent. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted, sending a burst of scarlet light streaking towards Kaori.
Kaori's eyes flashed with determination as she raised her hand, her ring glowing with a faint blue light. "Shīrudo!" she countered, erecting a shimmering barrier that deflected James' spell with ease.
Undeterred, James conjured a series of rapid-fire spells, each one met with a swift counter from Kaori's ring. "Stupefy! Incendio! Petrificus Totalus!" he called out, his wand movements precise and determined.
The spells arced through the air with precision as they narrowed in on the hand-weaving student.
Kaori danced gracefully around the platform, her ring ablaze with power as she deflected each spell with a flick of her wrist. "Nami, Kakokuna tsubasa, Budō no ki!" she responded, unleashing a torrent of water, a gust of wind, and a wall of twisting vines in quick succession.
The wind impacted the water creating a sharp stream that barreled at James, the vines entrapped his legs. Quickly he shouted, "Incendio!" causing the vines to burn, weaken
James ducked and weaved, narrowly avoiding the onslaught of spells as he summoned his own arsenal of magic. "Aguamenti! Repello! Expulso!" he shouted, conjuring a jet of water that weakened the one she produced just enough for the repelling shield to reflect her spell back at her along with his exploding spell.
The dueling arena crackled with energy as the two wizards clashed, their spells colliding in a dazzling display of light and sound. With each incantation, they pushed themselves to the limits of their abilities, their determination unwavering despite the intensity of the duel. The crowd thundered in excitement, chanting for a winner.
James noticed Kaori was a lot more active, she moved around on the platform with a sense of grace. He began to wave his wand transfiguring the rubble from his explosion into toothpicks, very sharp toothpicks. As Kaori launched another spell causing her to stay still James made a giant pulling motion causing the needles to shoot toward him and behind Kaori.
He quickly dodged her spell and got ready to cast another but Kairo jumped spinning around toward the needles, brought her ring hand to her mouth, and blew before shouting, "Kaze no kabe!" the wind from her blow suddenly picked up forming a giant wall that blocked the needles.
She landed gracefully and Suddenly, Kaori lunged forward, her ring glowing brighter than ever as she unleashed a dazzling display of magical fireworks that exploded overhead, casting a shower of sparks across the courtyard. "Hakai no honō!" she exclaimed, her voice ringing out with confidence as she directed the fireworks towards James.
With a burst of energy, James conjured a shield of shimmering light to deflect the fireworks, his heart racing with adrenaline as he stared across the platform at his formidable opponent. His breath heaved but a firm smile was present on his face, "Tarantallegra," he whispered
The spell was fast, much faster than Kaori thought, and suddenly her legs started to move on their own, and she was dancing? The crowd was confused but the Howgwarts students weren't.
James did it again, he used a spell that is commonly used for laughs in a serious duel.
James raised his shaky arm, he was physically, mentally, and most likely spiritually exhausted but, his grin seemed to shine brighter than ever as the words left his lips, "Flipendo," he yelled in childlike glee
She wanted to dodge but the best she could do was dance around it alas, the spell grazed her side causing Kaori to launch out of bounds.
James won.
Hogwarts won.
"Bloody hell I won!" he shouted, "I mean I won obviously," he scoffed causing his teammates to laugh
Yeah, this time will be different.
***
"Good job mate!" Sirius laughed patting James on the back as he rejoined the group
"Yeah good job James, glad all of that practice paid off," Stiles said warmly followed by the rest of the team
"Good job James proud of you," Abara said with a brilliant smile then he turned to Kingsley, "Your up next, knock em down kid," Abara said patting the third year on his back
Kingsley was nervous, no that was a understatement he was BEYOND nervous apocalyptic one would say. Pandora seeing this appeared behind him like a phantom after Abara went back to his position, "Have faith," she said causing the poor boy to jump
"I don't want to lose again," he groaned out watching as the platform seemed to mend itself back together
She elbowed him harshly, "Hey! I made some of your spells you will be just fine," she argued
He laughed nervously, "It's not the spells I'm worried about," he admitted
James hearing him frowned before a smile blossomed on his face, "Listen mate, I was nervous going up there to you know. I'm sure all of us are but, that nervousness goes away real quick," he encouraged
Remus nodded, "I'm nervous to go up too but, I know I have to or else Hogwarts might come back with another loss. Winning is good but, trying is better,"
Kingsley smiled a little more sure of himself this time, "Thanks guys," he uttered softly
"NEXT WE HAVE KINGSLEY SHACKLEBOLT VERSU HIROKI TAKAHASHI!" The crowd boomed with applause once more
Kingsley breathed rhythmically trying to calm his nerves, "I can do this," he whispered to himself as he made his way up to the stage
"YOU GOT THIS KINGSLEY!" he heard his friends shout from behind him
'Yeah I got this' he thought stepping onto the platform
As he stepped onto the platform his opponent was already there waiting for him, he was a shorter kid probably around 4 feet tall. But, he seemed determined to win, the way he stood made it seem like he was ready for anything.
A pure black ring adorned his right hand and he watched Kingsley approach the platform like a predator.
The judge looked at both students waiting for a nod to confirm they were ready, Kingsley nodded followed by Hiroki.
The judge nodded and finally announced, "START!"
Time seemed to slow down for Kingsley his frantic beating heart seemed to slow into a fine rhythm.
Suddenly he wasn't nervous.
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