*Narrator pov*
After talking to his fellow professors Morpheus left the room once more, this time one of the Durmstrang professors decided to do the same hearing to their duelist section.
It was obvious both professors were going down to talk to the duelists which isn't a breach of the rules just something hardly done.
It usually happens when one side is losing and needs a pep talk.
Morpheus strolled leisurely to the student's section and approached Severus, "Are you nervous?" Morpheus asked with a mysterious smile
Severus frowned wondering why the odd professor was approaching him, "Hardly," he almost bit back
It was very obvious to Morpheus that Severus was nervous but, to his credit, Severus was doing a good job at hiding it.
Scanning the rest of the third-year students Morpheus chuckled and then looked back at Severus, "Fear means there is something to overcome, a man without fear has no room to grow. Remember that as you walk onto that platform," Morpheus held a strange glint in his clear eyes as we walked off
As Morpheus walked back to the professor and headmaster's area he saw the Durmstrang professor approaching from the opposite side.
A bright smile lit Morpheus's face as he walked forward toward the professor.
"Ah! Heading back?" Morpheus said jubilantly in flawless Bulgarian
The professor was surprised her eyebrow rose slightly at Morpheus's almost native tone, "An English man speaking Bulgarian? That is not often seen. Yes, I am heading back are you done with your little pep talk?" she almost sneered at the pale professor
Now at arm's length, Morpheus laughed while sticking out his hand, "Well, I need to boost their confidence your school has been dueling in competitions like this for a while. I'm Morpheus by the way, a professor of divination," his tone and smile were unalarming almost calming in a way
The female professor looked skeptical before taking Morpheus's hand, "Elena Vasilieva, Professor of -"
The Judges booming voice sounded, "THE NEXT DUELISTS UP ARE SEVERUS SNAPE OF HOGWARTS VERSUS STEFAN KRUM OF DURMSTRANG!" cutting off Elena Vasilieva's introduction
The cheers of the crowd were defining, Morpheus cocked his head to the side facing the entrance to the observing room, mumbling something while still holding her hand.
"What?" Elena asked hearing his faint mumbling
Morpheus unhanded her smiling, "Nothing, I was just wondering where I have heard the name Krum before," his face formed lines as if in deep thought
"The Krum family is a Nobel family hailing from Bulgaria, you might know of their past fame as duelists or Quidditch players," Elena explained
Morpheus's face dawned a knowing look, "I see, I remember now. Thank you, Elena what did you say you taught?" he asked while walking toward the viewing room
She followed him, "Defense," her reply was short as she picked up the pace leaving Morpheus to his slow stroll
A small smile played on his lips.
***
Severus gripped his wand tightly as he looked at his opponent across from him, the Bulgarian third-year was intimidating, to say the least. But, Severus has been in far more stressful situations.
This wasn't going to throw him off his game.
Stefan Krum stared at Severus darkly, his professor came to him before the match saying he needed to win.
Losing to a school that barely started its dueling program was embarrassing. Losing to Hogwarts a school they saw as their rival? Even more so.
Stefan took a deep breath and then exhaled clearing his mind of unwanted thoughts. He has been taught the ways of magical combat since young.
He can win this.
The platform seemed to radiate excitement waiting for the first spell to be cast.
Severus initiated the duel with a swift "Expelliarmus," attempting to disarm Stefan. Quick on his feet, Stefan countered with a well-timed "Protego," deflecting the disarming spell with a shimmering shield.
Severus's eyes widened at the sight of magic beyond the third-year. Keeping focused he stepped to the left, and Stefan stepped to the right.
They were circling each other awaiting the perfect moment.
The crowd buzzed with excitement.
Severus, undeterred, cast "Stupefy," sending a stunning spell towards Stefan. Stefan, with a precise "Impedimenta," slowed the spell's momentum, dodging the magical impact. The platform echoed with the incantations and the energy of their magical exchanges.
Stefan retaliated with a decisive "Petrificus Totalus," aiming to paralyze Severus. Thinking on his feet, Severus cast "Repello," creating a protective barrier that deflected the petrification spell, leaving him unharmed.
Severus, showcasing his versatility, cast "Expulso," conjuring a burst of magical force toward Stefan. Stefan, with a strategic "Finite Incantatem," dispelled the magical force before it could reach him.
In a dramitic move, Stefan cast "Lumos Maxima," creating a blinding burst of light that momentarily disoriented Severus. Seizing the opportunity, Stefan swiftly followed up with "Stupefy," aiming to stun Severus
Severus sidestepped the spell but Stefan was already closing in Severus, quickly raised his wand flicking it perfectly in motion, "Flipendo," he uttered sending Stefan stumbling backward and creating space.
"Stupefy," Severus followed up quickly
Stefan who was still stumbling pack couldn't dodge, thinking fast he pointed his wand to the left sharply, "Flipendo!" causing his body to jerk dodging the spell
Rolling on the ground he quickly recovered just in time to duck dodging another red stream of light.
'It's time' Stefan thought seeing Severus slightly exhausted
Stefan Krum fixed his gaze on Severus Snape, determination evident in his eyes. "Stupefy!" he shouted, sending a red jet of light towards Severus.
Severus, quick to react, managed to evade the spell, but Stefan wasted no time. "Expelliarmus!" he declared, disarming Severus with a deft flick of his wand.
Severus, now without his wand, quickly assessed the situation. "Repello!" he countered, conjuring a translucent shield to block and redirect the incoming spells
They bounced off the shield back at Stefan but, Stefan smirked easily dodging them expecting the particular shield spell to be used.
Stefan grinned, seizing the offensive. "Impedimenta!" he cast, slowing Severus's movements as he strategized his next move.
Amidst the magical clash, Stefan summoned a flock of birds with "Avis," creating a distracting flurry.
Taking advantage of the confusion, Stefan seized the moment. "Expulso!" he exclaimed, unleashing an explosive force that sent Severus stumbling backward.
The dueling platform echoed with the incantations and magical clashes, leaving Severus momentarily bewildered. Stefan, still focused and composed, kept pushing his barrage of spells seemingly endless.
Severus knew he couldn't cast the fortress shield, he would be stuck in place, and with his stamina draining he wouldn't be able to counter-attack.
Taking a page from Stefan's book he flicked his wand to the side at a slight angle, "Flipendo!" he yelled
His body flung to the right dodging a barrage of spells, his wand was already in motion again catching Stefan off balance. Severus knew he needed to use a spell Stefan wouldn't be able to dodge in time, stupefy was too slow.
"Langlock!" he yelled
The spell arched forward across the platform faster than Stefan could react, as the spell hit him he tried to say a counter spell like Stupefy but found he couldn't speak.
Severus rolled on the ground after his fall and quickly got back up, "Stupefy!" he yelled
Stefan dodged but, Severus didn't end there he kept up the pressure.
Stefan sidestepped another spell and flicked his wand, Severus's eyes widened like saucers as a stunning spell shot forward.
"Bloody hell!" he cursed trying to dodge to the side
He wasn't prepared though, he thought his opponent was powerless.
The stunning spell impacted his left leg sending him backward off of the platform.
Severus lost.
—
A/n: Patre on : patreon.com/Boogie324
yeah, these are advanced duels but, Durmstrang is known for being militaristic and I explained Krum is a dueling family. Anyways hope you enjoyed