*Narrator pov*
"You think I could duel like her?" Xenophilius asked with a dorky smile
Pandora huffed in amusement, "Not a chance, you will get bored waiting for an opportunity to strike and do something foolish like always," she rolled her eyes at the way Xenophilius's smile only grew wider
"My you know me so well Pandora!" he chuckled at her amused look
"Your next up you know?" Pandora giggled at his put-out expression
He groaned, "Why did I sign up for this and how did I even get on the team in the first place?"
"You're surprisingly good at dueling you know," She shot back
"Cursed talent really,"
"You two need a room," Amelia groaned in anguish as did every other student who had to hear the two talk like this every second of the day
Xenophilius turned to her and grinned, "I will have you kno-" "XENOPHILIUS LOVEGOOD VERSUS SAM JONES!" The judge's voice cut off what was surely going to be a horrible joke
Xenophilius let out a soft sigh as he stood, "Good luck," Pandora called as he headed toward the platform
Xenophilius hopped onto the platform a wide smile plastered on his face as he looked at his opponent. Sam looked calm and collected he had a vicious gleam in his eyes as he tracked Xenophilius's figure.
The judge took his position and eyed both boys, "you two ready?" he asked
Sam nodded, "Ready," he declared calmly
"Ready as I'll ever be!" Xenophilius beamed
It was a true wonder how his tired mood could turn to upbeat in a matter of minutes.
With a flick of their wands, the duel began.
Sam wasted no time, swiftly casting "Avis!" A flock of birds erupted from his wand, soaring towards Xenophilius with sharp beaks and talons aimed to distract.
Xenophilius countered with "Oppugno!" A surge of magical energy burst from his wand, sending the birds spiraling off course, dispersing into nothingness.
Undeterred, Sam retaliated with a complex series of Transfiguration spells. "Vera Verto!" he shouted, aiming his wand at a nearby chunk of rock. In an instant, the rock transformed into a snarling wolf, its eyes gleaming with ferocity as it bounded towards Xenophilius.
Xenophilius, quick on his feet, countered with "Incarcerous Saltu!" from his wand shot dozens of wild thick ropes to restrain the wolf, wrapping around its limbs and muzzle, rendering it harmless.
Sam, impressed by Xenophilius's quick thinking, unleashed another spell. "Fulgur!" he shouted, sending a bolt of lightning erupting from his wand towards Xenophilius.
But Xenophilius was prepared. With a precise flick of his wand, he cast "Avis!" magic flowed from his wand, and birds appeared taking the bolt for him
The duel raged on, with spells flying back and forth between the two young wizards. "Stupefy!" "Expelliarmus!" "Protego!"
The stands echoed with the sounds of their incantations and the crackling of magical energy colliding.
"Locomotor Mortis!" Sam shouted, directing his spell towards his wolf. Instantly, the thick ropes snaked out from the creature and headed toward Xenophilius wrapping around his legs and binding them tightly together.
Xenophilius stumbled, caught off guard by the unexpected spell. But he didn't falter. With a swift movement of his wand, he countered with "Defodio!" A jet of light burst forth, slicing through the magical ropes and freeing his legs. Before he quickly sidestepped dodging a pair of claws, "Flipendo!" Xenophilius chanted sending the wolf flying off the stage
Xenophilius retaliated with "Spongify," causing the ground beneath Sam to soften and bounce like a trampoline, throwing him off balance. But Sam quickly regained his footing, countering with "Petrificus Totalus"
Xenophilius quickly dodged his legs burned from the movement, and his breathing was slowly becoming faster sweat beaded at his brow.
Xenophilius flicked his wand "Incendio!" and this swished "Aguamenti!" a large torrent of flames formed rushing toward Sam
As the crowd watched with bated breath, Sam's face contorted in concentration. With a swift wave of his wand above his head, he incanted, "Frigore Flamma!"
A shimmering blue light emanated from Sam's wand, enveloping him in a protective aura against the flames. Xenophilius's "Incendio" spell surged towards Sam, but to the shock of the onlookers, the flames froze in mid-air, dissipating harmlessly around Sam.
"Stupefy!" Sam roared hoping he could catch Xenophilius off guard
"Repello!" Xenophilius countered sending the spell back at Sam who quickly dodged out the the way
"You tired yet!" Sam yelled losing his composure he didn't seem all that winded but on the inside, he was exhausted
Xenophilius tried to hide his obvious exhaustion, "Me tired? No way!" he said with a cheery grin
Sam gritted his teeth before laughing, "No I think you're tired," he then whipped his wand forward while advancing toward Xenophilius, "Stupefy,"
"Repello!"
He advanced.
"Expelliarmus!"
"Protego!"
"Petrificus Totalus!"
Xenophilius dodged but Sam gained more ground pushing the Hogwarts duelist closer to the edge.
"Fulgur!"
"Repello!"
"Stupefy, stupefy!" Sam rattled off
Xenophilius tried his hardest to block as many spells as he could but his arms were burning and his breathing labored, "Protego!"
Xenophilius was tired too tired to realize he was now only one step away from the edge, "Flipendo!"
Xenophilius raised his wand his mouth already forming the words to the familiar repelling charm, "Rep- UGFF!" Xenophilius grunted in pain as he was thrown off the edge of the platform
Sam heaved lowering his and and putting his hands on his knees, "Finally!" he shouted in relief
"Sam Jones wins!"
***
"Maybe ufff I should work on my uggh stamina," Xenophilius huffed while he downed another bottle of water
Pandora giggled at the sight she had never seen Xenophilius so beat before it was as if he ran a whole marathon, "You did good out there you know?"
"Bloody hell wish I did worse this sucks!" He complained leaning back into his chair and sprawling his body out
"Xeno mate you need to join us for conditioning," James joked
Xenophilius shot the young Gryffindor a glare, "I'd rather die than work out with the Quidditch team!"
Everyone laughed at his horrified expression. Funnily enough, no one was upset Xenophilius lost he gave it his all and that's what counts. But, it also might be because the boy truly is unapologetic and honestly quite funny.
Humour heals they say.
"Ready as I'll ever be'" Xenophilius mocked himself, "Why would I say that Pandora? I jinxed myself you know!?"
She slapped his arm, "Stop you didn't jinx yourself,"
Xenophilius shrugged, "Feels like it," he crumpled
"Seriously though maybe I should run a bit here and there," He said while opening another water
"We can do it together," she offered
He smiled, "Yeah that sounds nice,"