*Narraotr pov*
"Relatively safe? Mark is going to need serious help from the healers and that doesn't even include the possible trauma," the American professor argued, "You have stopped safer situations before I don't get what's different, did they pay you off!" he snarled jabbing a finger at Abara
Abara shook his head, "I agree the duel should have been ended much earlier but I also see your point of view, Judge. But, I do know you and so some of your counterparts have ended duels for much less,"
The judge groaned in annoyance, "Must I explain everything to you both?" He sighed looking at both professors, "If I judged a tie here the whole day could be pushed back several hours past your deadline. You both have a relatively small amount of fifth-, sixth-, and seventh-year students a single draw could force a tiebreaker. To even further prove my reasoning your headmaster and headmistress aren't even up here complaining because they know the duel was not only good for their students in the long run but also for the day as a whole. If the situation got to a point where I think I and you both would be unable to react to a dangerous situation I would have ended the duel,"
Abara and the other professor seemed sated enough, "Fine," The American professor scowled still clearly unhappy his student lost
Abara smiled and turned around heading back to the Hogwarts section, "Everything is fine Yowie I will tell you more later," he said with a small smile
Albus chuckled, "I told you not to worry Abara, these judges were not picked randomly each one was an accomplished duelist in their own right,"
After the brief scuffle with the judge, the matches continued onward. The sixth year had a decent showing of trading losses and wins.
Finally, all of the duels were done and it was the judge's time to tally up the wins, losses, and ties to announce the final ruling.
Everyone waited with bated breath as they didn't keep track of every win and loss. The back and forth plus intermission had everyone jumbled up.
The judge rose from his seat, "Narrowly Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry WINS!"
The Hogwarts side erupted into cheers, the duelists relaxing their sore muscles knowing everything was worth it and the ride home was going to be nice and easy.
*Romania*
The moon hung low in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the dense forest as the sound of frantic footsteps echoed through the night. A lone figure darted between the trees, his breath ragged, heart pounding in his chest. He was a vampire, fleeing for his life.
Behind him, another figure pursued, silent as the shadows, a predator on the hunt. With each step, the pursuer gained ground, his eyes gleaming with hunger and malice. He was faster, stronger, and he relished the chase.
The forest seemed to close in around them, branches reaching out like skeletal fingers, roots twisting beneath their feet.
The air was thick with the scent of fear and anticipation, the thrill of the hunt pulsing through their veins.
The fleeing vampire pushed himself harder, his muscles burning with exertion, but it was futile. His pursuer was relentless, closing the gap with each passing moment.
Finally, with a burst of speed, the chaser lunged forward, tackling his prey to the ground with a triumphant growl. They rolled together in the underbrush, locked in a deadly embrace, fangs bared and claws extended.
With a desperate cry, the fleeing vampire struggled against his captor, but he was no match for the other's strength. With a swift movement, the chaser pinned him to the ground, his fangs sinking into the soft flesh of his neck.
A shudder ran through the fleeing vampire as he felt the sharp sting of the bite, followed by a rush of pleasure and pain. He gasped for breath, his vision swimming as the chaser drank deeply from his veins, draining him of life and vitality.
As the last of his strength faded away, the fleeing vampire let out a final, agonized scream, his body going limp in the grasp of his captor. And in the depths of the forest, the night fell silent once more, the only sound the echo of feeding.
Similar sights were popping up all over Romania, the castle was practically overrun by bloodlust and hunger.
In the highest room of the castle, Vlad stood gazing out of the window at a team behind him working on a round table.
A hollow chuckle escaped the vampire king's lips, "I was warned no, I knew his personality I knew his capabilities, and yet I still made that foolish decision,"
The people at the table stopped their working for a second before turning to their ruler, "We can fix this I know we can!" a female vampire said hoping to lift her king's mood
One of the younger vampires that was there slammed his hand on the table, "I don't get it how can he do this!?"
Vlad sighed before turning to face them his eyes were haunted, "Morpheus is a master of rituals, and knowing him he had something prepared for the day we.. I betrayed him,"
"What can we do?" a different vampire asked, "Can we switch back to his side?"
Vlad shook his head, "No the damage is done, we must find our own solution,"
"Mira what can you tell me if what's happening?" he asked the women
She shook her head in annoyance, "Nothing good, it seems whatever he did is affecting the dietary needs of vampires making them crave vampiric blood and somehow at the same time transmit the virus,"
Soon the room fell into discussions on how to fix the problem. They were the last remaining pure vampires in the castle now it was overrun and they were sorely outnumbered.
Unbeknownst to Vlad a certain young vampire was starting to feel hungry.
***
Meanwhile, the Hogwarts students were in route back to England, most were passed out in their carriages but some stayed up too high on adrenaline to go to bed.
Soon they will reach England and share their victory with the other students and faculty. They were on a winning streak now and would be dammed if they didn't share the excitement with everyone else.
The professors were mostly all asleep aside from Morpheus who looked out of the window gazing at the crescent moon a mysterious grin splitting his lips as he sipped a glass of wine.
Going to America was a lot more fruitful than he thought.
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