*Lord Lestrange pov*
I watched The Daughter of the Bones family expertly evade the incoming spells, retaliating with a well-timed Protego and stunner. Her swift movements and calculated attacks demonstrated the remarkable training she had received. Her opponent, a tall figure hailing from the African school, matched her spell for spell. The flashes of light from their wands illuminated the dueling arena, casting long shadows on the pitch.
A frown began to form on my lips. This isn't right. She should have been faltering by now, especially considering the curse we had placed at the duelist waiting areas. Her opponent stepped out of the way of another stunning spell, his body movements fluid and unhampered. This definitely isn't right.
What is happening? Did the others fail in their mission? No, impossible. At least one of them should have succeeded. Maybe the curse hasn't been activated yet. Yes, that has to be the reason. It hasn't been long enough for the curse to fully take effect. Soon, the duelists will start unintentionally making mistakes, putting themselves in danger.
Someone will get badly hurt, and our lord's plan will succeed. The reputation of Hogwarts will fall, and the competency of its staff will be called into question. Especially after the second phase.
My eyes scanned the crowd and found the Death Eaters the Lord assigned to the second stage. Just a couple more rounds, and we will be able to finally strike our lord's biggest foe.
-Narrator pov-
After Amelia won her duel and stepped off the stage the judge transfigured a few nicks and breaks on the platform back to normal before calling up Xenophilius and the Uagadou student Zaire.
Lord Lestrange watched intently as the duel between Xenophilius Lovegood and Zaire Afia unfolded. The arena buzzed with anticipation, the crowd's murmurs blending into a cacophony of excitement and tension. Lovegood, known for his eccentricity and unorthodox approach to magic by the students and staff, wielded his wand with a peculiar grace. His robes fluttered as he moved, casting strange shadows that seemed to dance to the rhythm of his spells.
Zaire Afia, on the other hand, was a stark contrast. Her demeanor was fierce and focused, her movements precise and calculated. As the daughter of the Afia family, her lineage was evident in every spell she cast, the precision, the discipline. The powerful jets of light from her wand sliced through the air, each one aimed with deadly accuracy at her opponent.
Lestrange's gaze flickered between the duelists and his fellow Death Eaters, strategically positioned around the arena. The second phase of their plan hinged on the chaos that would ensue once the curse took effect. He could almost taste the impending victory, the downfall of Hogwarts, and the rise of his lord's reign.
But something was amiss. Despite the intensity of the duel, neither Lovegood nor Afia showed signs of faltering. Lovegood's peculiar charms and spells seemed to throw off Afia's rhythm momentarily, but she quickly adapted, countering with an impressive display of defensive magic. Her shield charms were impeccable, her counter-curses swift and powerful.
Lestrange's mind raced. What if the curse hadn't been activated? What if the timing was off? He clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. The plan was meticulously crafted; every detail had been accounted for. The first phase should have already sown the seeds of discord, making the duelists more susceptible to mistakes.
His eyes briefly flicked to Lord Malfoy sitting beside him, a trace of worry flashing through his eyes. Malfoy came to watch the show and see how the death eaters operate in a mission such as this, if all went well Lord Voldemort would soon have access to Malfoys resources.
All was not going well.
Xenophilius sent a barrage of spells towards Afia, who deflected them with a sweeping motion of her wand. She retaliated with a series of stunning spells, forcing Lovegood to backpedal. The crowd roared in approval, their excitement a stark contrast to the underlying tension that Lestrange felt.
He scanned the crowd once more, his eyes narrowing as he spotted the Death Eaters assigned to trigger the second phase. They were poised, ready to act at a moment's notice. Lestrange's confidence wavered momentarily, but he reminded himself of their lord's assurances. The curse would take effect, and when it did, chaos would reign.
As the duel raged on, a palpable shift in the air signaled a change. Lovegood's movements became slightly erratic, his spells less precise. Lestrange's lips curved into a sinister smile. The curse was beginning to take hold. Afia, sensing her advantage, pressed forward with renewed vigor. Her spells came faster, each one designed to overwhelm and disarm.
Lestrange's eyes gleamed with anticipation. The crowd's excitement reached a fever pitch as Afia landed a stunning spell that knocked Lovegood off his feet. He struggled to rise, his wand hand trembling. The curse was working perfectly. Soon, both duelists would be so ensnared in its effects that their magic would become dangerously unpredictable.
This was the moment Lestrange had been waiting for. He signaled to the Death Eaters, who began to move into position. The second phase was about to commence. As the duel continued, the atmosphere grew electric with the potential for disaster. Hogwarts' reputation hung in the balance, and Lestrange was ready to tip the scales in their favor.
Just as Afia prepared to deliver the final blow, a sudden explosion of light erupted from Lovegood's wand. It was a desperate, wild spell, fueled by the curse's chaotic influence. The blast sent both duelists flying, and the crowd gasped in shock. Lestrange's heart pounded with exhilaration. This was it—their moment of victory.
Was it?
The Death Eaters moved swiftly, their wands drawn as they prepared to strike. Lestrange watched with bated breath, ready to see the culmination of their plan. But as the dust settled, a figure emerged from the haze. It was Zaire Afia, standing tall and defiant, her wand pointed directly at Lovegood, who lay dazed on the ground.
With a final, triumphant cry, Afia cast a binding spell, immobilizing Lovegood. The crowd erupted in cheers and Lestrange's face fell magic did not go awry and cause chaos the girl just won plain as day.
But the signal was sent, the death eaters up and wands in motion.
'no' Lestrange thought 'no No NO! STOP!' his mouth refused to shout as his eyes caught the grinning of Morpheus up above.
He jumped the gun.
His anxiety got the better of him.
They have to commit now.
The death eaters started and chaos ensured Lestrange could only look helplessly as professors popped out of nowhere.
"CONFRINGO!" A duo of death eaters shouted both pointing at the crowd adjacent full of students
*BAM!* the spells impacted on a translucent shield held up by Morpheus
Another duo of death eaters closer to the ground snarled, "Avada Kedavra!"" they shouted in unison toward the unsuspecting Xenophilius and Zaire
The ground before them transformed into a dome the killing curse impacting into the rock walls.
Minerva stepped out of the shadows with a smirk on her face.
Back in the stands, the two death eaters were already bound by Filius.
All the while Morpheus stared at Lestrange with a broad smile.