 Norman: Silver & gold; Desiree - Bronze & silver Rhibear ~ Madam Solo ~ Dark Brooding Girl ~ Accio Jedi ~ Gryffinclaw ~ Just a doll
Norman acknowledged Dhruv’s remark with a nod. Challenge accepted! He showed no reaction as the dummy changed from bronze to silver; he was too busy formulating a plan for the next round. His strategy was pretty much the same as last time: attack before the dummy had the chance and inflict maximum non-lethal damage. This time he was using more advanced spells, and he’d have to be faster.
He aimed his wand at the dummy without so much as a moment’s hesitation. “Galcius! Flippenda Tria!” If his first spell didn’t turn the dummy to ice, the second should deliver a powerful knockback jinx. If the first spell did hit, the ice dummy would probably shatter and… well, so much for non-lethal damage!
He was mildly surprised to see the dummy dodge both spells, but there wasn't time to dwell on it. The dummy sent a Stupefy at him, and he instinctively deflected it with a nonverbal Protego, realizing too late that he neglected to voice the spell for the students’ benefit. Sorry, kids! Seeing that his initial plan hadn’t worked, he came up with a new one: try to turn the dummy into something harmless. “Lapifors!” he cast. In an instant, there was a silvery rabbit where the dummy used to be.
The bunny turned from silver to gold and changed back into a dummy. Time for the final round! This time, Norman knew his previous strategy of combination attacks wasn’t going to work. The dummies’ reaction time was only five seconds, hardly time to cast multiple spells. He’d try a pattern of attack, then deflect instead.
“Levicorpus!” he cast as the dummy came back to life. The dummy dodged and sent a confundus charm back at him. “Protego Maxima!” New plan: he’d try distracting the dummy to buy himself time to cast more spells! “Avis!” A flock of birds appeared, and he directed them at the dummy with his wand. “Oppugno!”
Oh no, it did not just cast a Curse of the Bogeys at her! Thinking of how ugly she’d look if that spell had hit made Desiree furious. No one used magic to mess with her looks! Okay, no more silly spells! This was personal. She sent a Jelly-Legs Jinx at the dummy. Just in case that wasn’t enough, she followed it up with, “Everte Statum!”
The dummy wobbled as the first spell hit, and the second one knocked it backwards. Whoa, she actually did it! Desiree watched with satisfaction as the dummy fell and changed from bronze to silver. Seconds later, it came back to life. Okay, what now? Think, Des! She thought to herself. Okay, third and fourth year spells this time,,, She was better at charms than transfiguration… Got it!
An idea came to her, and she aimed her wand at the dummy. “Depulso!” The dummy dodged and sent a Leek Jinx back at her. With a yelp, she ducked and threw up a shield charm. “Protego!” Yeah no, not today! She didn’t want leeks growing out of her ears, thanks! So now what spell should she use?
__________________ Old voices I had thought long since dead whisper of another life I might have led
If I could take that second chance, If I could make my life anew, If only dreams came true... |