*Narrator pov*
No one expected it, well no one on Durmstrang's side expected them to lose the first match. The once thundering audience turned quiet shocked by the sight before them.
The Hogwarts duelist cheered loudly, at this moment it didn't matter which house they were in; It didn't matter if they were enemies before, it only mattered that they won.
They showed the fruits of their labor.
Ivan was calm and collected as if his schools loss didn't affect him, "That shield spell was interesting Albus, I didn't think it was something your school taught," for a brief moment real anger appeared on his face but it was quickly schooled
Albus acting like he didn't see anything laughed softly, "It is not typically taught but, we thought the students should be prepared for their matches," his tone was light and joyful
The exact opposite of Ivan's.
Ivan calmly nodded his head a smirk slowly forming on his face, "Smart of you Albus, I did the same,"
"THE NEXT DUELIST ARE JAMES POTTER FROM HOGWARTS VERSUS DIMITRI PETROV!"
The announcer's words brought back the fighting spirit in the Durmstrang crowd. A thunderous applause rang out and the students chanted the name Dimitri.
"DIMITRI"
"DIMITRI"
"DIMITRI"
James strode to the dueling platform, a smirk playing on his lips it was evident he was not nervous in the slightest. Across from him, Dimitri stood standing proudly with a cold expression formed on his face.
James Potter, renowned for his prowess in Transfiguration, faced off against the formidable Russian third-year student, Dimitri of Durmstrang. The imposing platform, hewn from solid gray stone, awaited the magical clash.
James initiated the duel by transfiguring the air around Dimitri into a shimmering mist, attempting to obscure his opponent's vision. Unfazed, Dimitri countered with a precise movement of his wand, transforming the mist into a flock of ravens that circled James, creating an eerily beautiful dance in the cold air.
Not to be outdone, James transfigured the stone beneath Dimitri's feet into a field of delicate ice , hoping to impede his opponent's movement. Dimitri, however, skillfully turned the ice into a cascade of glittering snowflakes that melted before reaching the ground, leaving him unharmed.
As the duel intensified, James rushed forward his wand swishing in the air causing parts of the stone platform to raise obstructing Dimitri's vision. James smirked jumping from behind a pillar on the left he chanted, "Stupefy!" a red bolt shot from his wand hurling through the air toward Dimitri
The Russian student sidestepped to the right and replied with force, "Zimnyy Udary!" Dimitri snarled
James under the effects of a small amount of Linguafolium Morpheus burned before they departed understood the meaning of the spell cold strikes and quickly yelled, "Protego Durus!" he was a step too slow as a couple of shards of ice slipped through the barrier stabbing into his body as the rest collided with the shield
The cold wind carried the echoes of their incantations as time seemed to stand still, James realized the spell, Dimitri used was actually an impeding spell he could feel a deep chill interning his body threatening. to slow his movements.
Dimitri kept assaulting the shield with a plethora of offensive spells, and James struggled to hold on as his mind raced to find a solution.
James could feel the shield getting weaker and decided to risk it as Dimitri yelled his next barrage of spells James quickly deactivated the shield, transfigured the ground into ice, and then slid on the ice toward the previous pillars he made.
Dimitri tried to change the trajectory of his spells but failed losing concentration, some of the spells hit just behind James but didn't affect him.
Using the pillars as cover James returned fire and dodged, weaving through the pillars his once confident smirk replaced by a grimace as he felt his body become colder and colder.
Dimitri smirked, "BOMBARDA!" *BOOM!* pillars began to be blown apart leaving James vulnerable
Thinking on his feet James spun around transfiguring the airborne stone debris into spikes, "DEPULSO!" he roared
The spikes soared through the air like bullets causing Dimitri to throw himself to the side narrowly dodging what could have led to serious damage.
The crowd booed James saying he was trying to kill Dimitri.
Spinning on the ground Dimitri showed off his athletic build flipping up and running at James.
Swishing his wand in the air he incanted, "Zamorozka!" James responded with "Repello!" but this wasn't a spell one repels
The moisture around James gathered and quickly froze encasing him in a thick layer of ice.
Dimitri sighed in relief as he noticed James was fully encased in ice.
'Finally, he stopped moving'
James Potter was the most annoying type of duelist, he thrived in environments of unpredictability his creative mind being James's biggest asset.
With enough time more spells would be added to his repertoire and Dimitri dreaded the thought of facing that version of James Potter.
For a couple of seconds, the crowd went silent waiting for the announcer.
"JAMES POTTER IS UNABLE TO CONTINUE DIMITRI PETROV OF DURMSTRANG WINS!" the announcer's magically enhanced voice echoed across the field
"AHHHHH!"
"DIMITRI!"
"DIMITRI!"
"DIMITRI!"
Albus flicked his wand quickly melting the ice while Abara appeared by James's side. The poor boy was shivering from the cold as a healer approached them.
Though it seemed the cold didn't affect him as much as the loss did. He held a crestfallen expression as he was helped to the Hogwarts section.
His team offered words of comfort but he ignored them.
James Potter tasted true defeat.
And he didn't like it.
***
"Ahahaha! Looks like we win this round old friend," Ivan beamed smugly at Albus
Albus didn't look fazed in the slightest, "Congratulations Ivan you have a skilled wizard in your hands," his voice was the same as before joyful and light
Albus's positive demeanor and tone completely shattered Ivans's good mood.
"Wow, these Durmstrang students have impressive stamina. They must be training hard this school definitely lives up to its reputation," Morpheus said loudly
Ivan shot the professor a look, "Yes, they will be the finest duelists," pride shown through his voice
Morpheus chuckled, "I'm sure," then he began to walk off not minding the glare he was receiving
Morpheus approached the section of Hogwarts duelist, his steps were light and carefree as if nothing around concerned him.
Approaching the students he grinned, "Stiles you're up next did you do what I asked?"
Stiles seemed nervous, "Yes sir," he replied shakily
Laughing Morpheus clapped him on the back, "You will do fine be confident,"
The surrounding students looked at the pair oddly wondering what was so important.
Morpheus then looked over to the spectating crowd a mischievous smile playing on his lips, "Show off kid," he chuckled walking away
Alas, he didn't even walk in the direction he came.
"What was that about?" Lily asked Stiles
Stiles frowned, "He asked me to watch how that kid Dimitri performed some spells," Stiles knew what Morpheus really wanted
He wanted Stiles to go up there and beat his opponents with their own ice spells. And he had to admit it was tempting to try.
See the lineup of when the duelists went up was not made by Albus, Abara, or Yowie. It was made by Morpheus and no one knew why he chose what he did.
But for some reason, they believed in the man.
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A/N: Patre on : patreon.com/Boogie324