The Dueling Arena

[Roselyn]

Stepping into the arena, you are immediately enveloped with the light shining into the room, either morning or evening depending on what time you decide to enter. If you can tear your gaze away from the intricately designed windows and high ceilings could, you can see to the very right of the room, there is the long platform in which supervised duels will take place while four benches on either side are placed at a safe distance for those who would like to sit and watch. Just ahead of the platform in the right corner, there is a door, though pay no attention to it. It's locked for a reason.

Towards the back wall, there are various types of practice dummies, both stationary and moving, depending on what difficulty the practicer wants. Don't be afraid to go all out with your spells, for these dummies are charmed to repair themselves. There is one practice dummy set aside that will shoot spells back to the practicer, however, permission from a Professor is required to use it. To the left side of the arena are two sets of stands, eight seats high, that look out to the entire arena, comfortable for those who would just like to watch what's going on all around or for general purposes such as studying or relaxing after a long day in the arena.

The middle of the room is quite empty, due to the fact that the defense Professor enjoys presenting lessons in here, but please, despite the brilliant light that shines through the arena due to the large windows, it is not some place to sunbathe or fall asleep. You will be levitated out with a good dose of cold water splashed on you if caught.

OOC: All SS Board and School Rules apply

[PatInTheHat]

Dora was finishing off a hot butterbeer when she entered the dueling arena sometime after lunch, not surprised to see it was empty. She was early as usual to this duel, and was going to take this time to look around and see what was different from last year, since she'd not been in here since she, Mo, and Aidan had given each other horns.

Vanishing her mug silently, she twirled her wand and wandered aimlessly, and eye always on the door. She was ready for her partner, whenever she decided to show up.

[Erindipity]

Okay, so Kalla was late... which never happened. It was just that she had been really engrossed in something she was doing in her dorm and lost track of time. Ugh. But here she was rushing into the arena, hair plastered to her forehead where she had ran most of the way. Heh.

Stopping to take a deep breath she smiled at Dora and waved. They would do this right and stand on ceremony so she was not worried about having her wand out just yet. "Sorry. I was writing a letter. Lost track of time." BEAM.

[PatInTheHat]

She heard the girl before she saw her, because of the running, and turned on her heels to face the door when she finally did enter the room. "Must have been some letter." She cracked a small smile and made her way over to the center of the arena. "So... duel first, then you can show me all those muggle fighting tricks you talked about?" Did that sound like a deal?

And yes Dora had her wand out, but no she wasn't going to use it on Kalla. It sure didn't hurt to be prepared just in case though, did it? Nope.

[Erindipity]

It was SOME letter, yes. Kalla nodded and moved to the center of the arena as well. "Sounds awesome. Want to set any parameters for the duel? Any spells you say we shouldn't use?"

And yes she was excited to use her muggle fighting skills. Hehe. Taking hairtie from her wrist she quickly pulled her hair into a messy bun and grinned. She was ready when Dora was.

[PatInTheHat]

Dora was ready, of course. Hair plaited, wand out.

They could start now, yes? Okay.

She started the duel properly, taking the correct amount of steps away from the other girl, bowing, and then training her wand on Kalla.

"Inflecto Telum."

[hermionesclone]

So the Defence homework called for practising certain charms and that was exactly why Alec was here. He couldn't help but feel more and more nervous the closer he got to the Duelling Arena. Memories, you know. Certain memories from last term that, looking back, somehow made him want to laugh and cringe at the same time. Poor Minnie. She... should not have been put through the agony of duelling against him.

Reaching the door, the seventeen year old peeked inside...

... and GRINNED. Awesome! Not a full room!

He edged further into the room and over towards a bench. There wasn't exactly much to watch, when it came to duels, but there was no harm in sitting there for a while, yeah? Plus, he was waiting for someone to come. Anyone. Anyone who'd want to duel against him. Because they had to duel for part of the homework, yeah? He did want to try out those stunning and reviving spells.

Alec twirled his wand around, occasionally glancing over at the door. If no one came in the next... half an hour? Yeah. If no one came in that time, he could just go ahead and practice on one of the dummies. At this thought, the boy turned his head to look over at said dummies. They didn't look... deadly, so to say, but... you never know, right? What if one ended up shooting spells back at him?

... Yeah... he REALLY hoped someone would come along soon.

[FearlessLeader19]

Adi happily skipped his way over to the Dueling Arena. He had every intention of getting his homework done early. So, he would waste o time in practicing those spells on the dummies. But wouldn't it be way better if he had a real person to practice with? Hmm. Maybe he'll find someone at the Arena willing to partner with him.

He bounded into the arena. No one seemed to be there. Bummer. Oh wait! Wasn't that super Seeker Alec? Hopefully he'd be willing to partner with him, then. "Alec!'' the firstie called out. "Hello, dude! What's up? Wanna be partners for the homework?'' Cue the hopeful grin.

[lemon]

"I'm so fantastic that I probably stun you all the time, so I think it's only fair to let you go first today." Alice led Mo into the dueling arena, twirling her wand between her fingers as she chose an area for them to work in. And then shuffled from foot to foot and waited.

Well. Was he going to stun her? Disarm her? Something? Anything?

She made fish faces at him in the meantime.

[hermionesclone]

Quote:

Originally Posted by FearlessLeader19

Adi happily skipped his way over to the Dueling Arena. He had every intention of getting his homework done early. So, he would waste o time in practicing those spells on the dummies. But wouldn't it be way better if he had a real person to practice with? Hmm. Maybe he'll find someone at the Arena willing to partner with him.

He bounded into the arena. No one seemed to be there. Bummer. Oh wait! Wasn't that super Seeker Alec? Hopefully he'd be willing to partner with him, then. "Alec!'' the firstie called out. "Hello, dude! What's up? Wanna be partners for the homework?'' Cue the hopeful grin.

Tick... tock... tick... tock...

Alec kept anxiously glancing over at the door, looking for any sign that someone, anyone, was standing right on the other side. Just there. Maybe they were just... fascinated by the door? Or were finishing off some sort of food? And that was why they hadn't entered the Duelling Arena just yet?

... Yeah. That could be it.

He shook his head and tore his eyes away from the door. He twirled his wand around some more before looking over at the dummies. Maybe working with dummies might not be that bad? They didn't look too dangerous or scary. He was going to make sure not to pick the one that shot spells back out because... just no. It wasn't happening.

A PERSON! Someone who knew him! Alec turned his head over to look at the new arrival... and BLINKED. Wait... Adi? ADI?! How was he meant to duel against a first year? Wasn't that... against a bunch of rules? "Hey dude!" he said, letting a grin spread itself across his face while he reached over and ruffled the boy's hair. Ruffle ruffle ruffle!

What's up? What was up was... exactly what the boy had gone on to ask. "Erm... I'm here to do the homework and it looks like you're the lucky winner!" ... He was not funny. "Sure thing! I have to warn you though... I'm not great at duelling." Just ask Minerva 'Wheaty' Wheatborn.

[dans_grl431]

Blair entered the duelling arena with one aim only: get her homework completed. Looking around, it appeared her fellow students were doing the same. She however did not yet have a partner and so would have to practice on one of the dummies. Unless anyone was willing to be her partner, she looked around hopefully.

[DaniDiNardo]

This had to be one of the few times that Alexa had actually been excited for homework this term. Yeah there was theory, and she'd worry about that later, for now SPELLS!! Casting on each other and just giving her wand some well needed exercise. It'd been lacking in this department, mhm.

Lex walked into the arena with her kneazle tucked under her arm. She always took him with her when she did homework....except not anymore for Astronomy if the Professor was gonna be there. That didn't go so well last time.

The first thing she noted when she got there was that Dora hadn't gotten there yet. No problem. She could be a patient Gryffind--no...no she couldn't. Alexa walked over to the dummies. Might as well while she waited. Besides, the girl was good at spells, so was Lex, but she wouldn't expect to disarm her too many times. It wasn't to say she wanted Dora to go easy on her, that wasn't how life worked. Sometimes, dummies were just better for self-esteems. The fourth year placed her kneazle on the ground. "Watch this, I've gotten better at it."

A few steps back, then...."Expelliarmus!" She grinned. "See, told you I got this." Lex glanced to the door, just checking but she was less impatient now. At the moment, she was completely occupied.

[Cassirin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by lemon

"I'm so fantastic that I probably stun you all the time, so I think it's only fair to let you go first today." Alice led Mo into the dueling arena, twirling her wand between her fingers as she chose an area for them to work in. And then shuffled from foot to foot and waited.

Well. Was he going to stun her? Disarm her? Something? Anything?

She made fish faces at him in the meantime.

"A pun? You walk in here with a Ravenclaw and try a pun on me?" Mo shook his head at Alice in mock disappointment as he dropped his bag and strapped on his wand holster. "It was a good one, though... and of course, you're always stunning."

In the literal sense that he was about to get knocked unconscious, that is. Mo took up a position across from Alice and bowed once, just because that was what one did. Didn't she know? Why was she fish-facing.

Might as well start small. "Hey, Ace. Do you find my smile disarming?" He grinned stupidly as he spoke the incantation, "Expelliarmus."

[Expecto-Penguin]

Marigold asked Kace if he wanted to work on the homework assignment together. He agreed and wanted to get a head start on it. He finally made it to the dueling arena, he had a little trouble finding this place. But once he found it and walked in, he saw other students were in here. He saw Alec, Adi and Mo in there. He smiled and nodded to them all.

Now he had to disarm the dummies. He wasn't too confident yet to disarm Marigold yet, but if she suggested it, he might do it. He was sitting down near the entrance waiting for Marigold. He was reviewing his notes to make sure he knew some spells for this assignment.

He was gonna wait first before he attempted to spells.

[Lissy Longbottom]

Practicing the disarming spell sounded easy enough. And, as always, Caleb's main motivation was POINTS, so he headed down to the duelling arena that night after dinner to do some practicing and get that part of his homework out of the way.

He knew the incantations and how to do the wand movements, but he had never actually DONE any of them so he was a bit nervous. He decided to do disarming first. He picked a dummy, made his way over to it, and pulled out his wand from his pocket.

"Ok, this should be easy," he said with a sigh. "Expelliarmus!" he exclaimed, pointing at the wand of the dummy and hoping something happened.

[FearlessLeader19]

Quote:

Originally Posted by hermionesclone

Tick... tock... tick... tock...

Alec kept anxiously glancing over at the door, looking for any sign that someone, anyone, was standing right on the other side. Just there. Maybe they were just... fascinated by the door? Or were finishing off some sort of food? And that was why they hadn't entered the Duelling Arena just yet?

... Yeah. That could be it.

He shook his head and tore his eyes away from the door. He twirled his wand around some more before looking over at the dummies. Maybe working with dummies might not be that bad? They didn't look too dangerous or scary. He was going to make sure not to pick the one that shot spells back out because... just no. It wasn't happening.

A PERSON! Someone who knew him! Alec turned his head over to look at the new arrival... and BLINKED. Wait... Adi? ADI?! How was he meant to duel against a first year? Wasn't that... against a bunch of rules? "Hey dude!" he said, letting a grin spread itself across his face while he reached over and ruffled the boy's hair. Ruffle ruffle ruffle!

What's up? What was up was... exactly what the boy had gone on to ask. "Erm... I'm here to do the homework and it looks like you're the lucky winner!" ... He was not funny. "Sure thing! I have to warn you though... I'm not great at duelling." Just ask Minerva 'Wheaty' Wheatborn.

So, if Alec said yes he'd have to duel him- a firstie. But no, wait. Hadn't the notice said that the dueling part was for 5th-7th years? Anyway, he'd clear that part up later. He grinned as his hair got ruffled, ruffled, ruffled.

With his hair now completely ruffled and messy replied, ''Oh, I'm not worried. Prepare to loose, Mister!'' Adi laughed. Alec would probably would be the one to beat him. Besides, Alec couln't be that bad, right? RIGHT?

So, could they get started? Because Adi was! ''Here comes the spell!'' And without further ado- "Expelliarmus!''

[Lissy Longbottom]

Caleb watched as the wand twitched in the dummy's hand...but nothing happened. BOOO. Well, you couldn't be a master at spells on the first go ALL the time, right? Right. No big deal. Taking a deep breath and trying to clear his mind, he aimed and began again.

"Expelliarmus!" he exclaimed. This time, the wand dropped out of the dummy's hand. Did that count?

Yeah, it counted.

[PatInTheHat]

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaniDiNardo

This had to be one of the few times that Alexa had actually been excited for homework this term. Yeah there was theory, and she'd worry about that later, for now SPELLS!! Casting on each other and just giving her wand some well needed exercise. It'd been lacking in this department, mhm.

Lex walked into the arena with her kneazle tucked under her arm. She always took him with her when she did homework....except not anymore for Astronomy if the Professor was gonna be there. That didn't go so well last time.

The first thing she noted when she got there was that Dora hadn't gotten there yet. No problem. She could be a patient Gryffind--no...no she couldn't. Alexa walked over to the dummies. Might as well while she waited. Besides, the girl was good at spells, so was Lex, but she wouldn't expect to disarm her too many times. It wasn't to say she wanted Dora to go easy on her, that wasn't how life worked. Sometimes, dummies were just better for self-esteems. The fourth year placed her kneazle on the ground. "Watch this, I've gotten better at it."

A few steps back, then...."Expelliarmus!" She grinned. "See, told you I got this." Lex glanced to the door, just checking but she was less impatient now. At the moment, she was completely occupied.

"Who exactly are you talking to, Alexa?" Dora strolled into the arena for the second time that year, this time looking much more relaxed and casual with her glasses on and an apple in her hand. It was a fair question, seeing how there were many people in the arena right now, but mostly it was a greeting of sorts.

Because hello was so overrated sometimes.

She grinned at her best practicing over there. HI BEST FRIEND. And waved at Mo while making her way to Lexi's side. "Ready to try this on a real person?"

[DaniDiNardo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by grangerfan8

"Who exactly are you talking to, Alexa?" Dora strolled into the arena for the second time that year, this time looking much more relaxed and casual with her glasses on and an apple in her hand. It was a fair question, seeing how there were many people in the arena right now, but mostly it was a greeting of sorts.

Because hello was so overrated sometimes.

She grinned at her best practicing over there. HI BEST FRIEND. And waved at Mo while making her way to Lexi's side. "Ready to try this on a real person?"

Just as she raised her wand to give the spell another go she heard just the person she'd been waiting for, and a curious question. Lex turned to her with a grin and a point of her wand toward the feline that had already begun curling up. "Felix. I usually take him with me when I'm doing homework. He likes getting to leave the Common Room." And he was good side company in addition to everyone else that was usually present doing homework, like all the people here now.

As for whether she was ready or not, the girl gave a firm nod. "Definitely...." Lex was also going to take the chance to ask. "You're good at shield charms, right?" She wasn't horrid at them but they were average and unimpressive and paled in comparison to her offensive spells which was BAD. "I've been trying to make mine better, think you can help with that while we work?"

Killing two birds with one stone. It had been her resolve this term to get better at them but most all her focus ended up, once again, on hexes and the like. Clearly she had her priorities set out for her but that was proving harmful to progression.

She wanted her shields to be right up there with her offensives, you know?

[the fastest seeker]

She decided that it was enough memorizing and writing essays for the day and it was time to do something practical. And of course, they had lots of homework to choose from so that shouldn't be a problem. Merlin forbid they remain free for a day and get to wonder what to do. Nope. Professor might not sleep at night knowing that could happen. Man, life was easier when she was a fourth year and lower. Could she maybe go back? But then she'd have to relive this year. Nope, thank you. She changed her mind. For like a dozen times actually all while she was headed to the dueling arena.

Right now she felt like she could do some training. She didn't get to use her disarming spells on anyone for a long time. Not that she was one to do it all the time. And she found it essential to stay tuned. No one knew when it might be needed. Slytherin logic and paranoia right there.

The fifth-year entered the arena with her bag slung over a shoulder then quickly dropped to the floor as she stood before dummy. Since she came alone and without a partner she'd have to use a dummy. Though it won't allow her to practice her shielding charm. She'd worry about this later.

Pulling out her wand, Cassia pointed it at the dummy. Romanos sure knew how to make dummies look real.... Not really. "Expelliarmus!" the snake uttered waving her wand in what she thought was the correct movement. Except nothing happened. Eeeeh. No one saw that right? She was only testing the incantation anyway.

[TakemetotheBurrow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the fastest seeker

She decided that it was enough memorizing and writing essays for the day and it was time to do something practical. And of course, they had lots of homework to choose from so that shouldn't be a problem. Merlin forbid they remain free for a day and get to wonder what to do. Nope. Professor might not sleep at night knowing that could happen. Man, life was easier when she was a fourth year and lower. Could she maybe go back? But then she'd have to relive this year. Nope, thank you. She changed her mind. For like a dozen times actually all while she was headed to the dueling arena.

Right now she felt like she could do some training. She didn't get to use her disarming spells on anyone for a long time. Not that she was one to do it all the time. And she found it essential to stay tuned. No one knew when it might be needed. Slytherin logic and paranoia right there.

The fifth-year entered the arena with her bag slung over a shoulder then quickly dropped to the floor as she stood before dummy. Since she came alone and without a partner she'd have to use a dummy. Though it won't allow her to practice her shielding charm. She'd worry about this later.

Pulling out her wand, Cassia pointed it at the dummy. Romanos sure knew how to make dummies look real.... Not really. "Expelliarmus!" the snake uttered waving her wand in what she thought was the correct movement. Except nothing happened. Eeeeh. No one saw that right? She was only testing the incantation anyway.

Homework.

She'd sort of been distracted lately so Ella was behind on like....everything. And since the practical tasks were her favorite anyway, she decided to start with those. Besides, shooting spells at the practice dummies in the dueling arena was strangely calming. Needless to say, the seventeen year old was eager to get going.

Lots of people in here, huh? The blonde edged along the wall, not wanting to get in the way of any spells being practiced. That's when she saw Cassia. The younger girl was working alone and from what Ella could tell, she was good people. Maybe she'd want to work together instead? It'd probably be better practice to work with an actual person anyway. Hm.

"Hey!" The snake didn't mind the interruption, right? "I...was just wondering if you wanted to work together and practice some spells? That is, if you're not waiting for anyone." Cause if she was, Ells would totally leave her be. Mhm.

[Lissy Longbottom]

Caleb had practiced a few more times with his Disarming spell, and now he had finally gotten it - or so he thought. He had a FEELING if that made any sense. He just knew his next try would be the one! He pointed his wand at the dummy's wand and yelled "Expelliarmus!"

POW! The wand went flying, a lot better than his last tries. Success! Now onto the protection spell, but...could he do that without a partner? He didn't think the dummies could do that...

"Anyone want to help me with my Protection spell?" he called into the room. Someone help the little firstie!

[the fastest seeker]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TakemetotheBurrow

Homework.

She'd sort of been distracted lately so Ella was behind on like....everything. And since the practical tasks were her favorite anyway, she decided to start with those. Besides, shooting spells at the practice dummies in the dueling arena was strangely calming. Needless to say, the seventeen year old was eager to get going.

Lots of people in here, huh? The blonde edged along the wall, not wanting to get in the way of any spells being practiced. That's when she saw Cassia. The younger girl was working alone and from what Ella could tell, she was good people. Maybe she'd want to work together instead? It'd probably be better practice to work with an actual person anyway. Hm.

"Hey!" The snake didn't mind the interruption, right? "I...was just wondering if you wanted to work together and practice some spells? That is, if you're not waiting for anyone." Cause if she was, Ells would totally leave her be. Mhm.

With her wand still in hand, the snake waved the wand again trying to remember which was the exact correct wand movement. It probably would have been helpful if she had brought a book with her just to be sure. But that didn't cross her mind when she came here intending to do some practical practice. She wasn't complaining though. She'd rather keep doing so rather than read something boring that would eventually cause her to sleep. Besides, it was easy to pick up other people's wand movements since the arena was quite packed.

She spotted Lex and Dora at the other end. No time to talk and chat. She had dummies to disarm. Or attempt to anyway. Lex would be appalled if she found out Cassia had pretty much forgotten this charm's wand move.

Her attention was on the wand and dummy when she heard someone talk near her. Her eyes followed the source of the voice until they rested on the Hufflepuff captain. A smile tugged at the fifth-year's lips. "Hello," she greeted back the sixth year. Did Ella witness Cassia's failures? Well, the other blond wasn't laughing which was a very good sign.

Partner! Yes!

"I'm not waiting for anyone," she told her lowering her wand. for now. "Sure, I could use someone to practice with me," because practicing on a dummy wasn't really very helpful. She was almost sure that she wasn't going to face dummies in her life that might be threatening. The fifteen minutes she had with the dummy were quite enough. "I'll go first." The Slytherin girl offered clutching her wand tighter and giving Ella time to compose and get ready. Not much time. Ahem. Life was tough.

"Expelliarmus!" Now it was time to see if she'd gotten the movement right.

[TakemetotheBurrow]

Quote:

Originally Posted by the fastest seeker

With her wand still in hand, the snake waved the wand again trying to remember which was the exact correct wand movement. It probably would have been helpful if she had brought a book with her just to be sure. But that didn't cross her mind when she came here intending to do some practical practice. She wasn't complaining though. She'd rather keep doing so rather than read something boring that would eventually cause her to sleep. Besides, it was easy to pick up other people's wand movements since the arena was quite packed.

She spotted Lex and Dora at the other end. No time to talk and chat. She had dummies to disarm. Or attempt to anyway. Lex would be appalled if she found out Cassia had pretty much forgotten this charm's wand move.

Her attention was on the wand and dummy when she heard someone talk near her. Her eyes followed the source of the voice until they rested on the Hufflepuff captain. A smile tugged at the fifth-year's lips. "Hello," she greeted back the sixth year. Did Ella witness Cassia's failures? Well, the other blond wasn't laughing which was a very good sign.

Partner! Yes!

"I'm not waiting for anyone," she told her lowering her wand. for now. "Sure, I could use someone to practice with me," because practicing on a dummy wasn't really very helpful. She was almost sure that she wasn't going to face dummies in her life that might be threatening. The fifteen minutes she had with the dummy were quite enough. "I'll go first." The Slytherin girl offered clutching her wand tighter and giving Ella time to compose and get ready. Not much time. Ahem. Life was tough.

"Expelliarmus!" Now it was time to see if she'd gotten the movement right.

Partners then? Cool. Ella approved and she gave the Slytherin a smile when she said she'd go first. "Fine by me." And the badger quickly got into position, wand at the ready. Only not ready enough, apparently.

Cassia had cast her spell probably a second sooner than Ella had anticipated because before she knew it, the captain's wand had flown from her hand. Well that was impressive, yeah? "Well done." Really. "My turn."

The seventeen year old wasted no time and quickly bent to retrieve her wand. She didn't wait to cast the spell, either. From the crouching position she aimed and said clearly, "Expelliarmus!"

[dans_grl431]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lissy Longbottom

Caleb had practiced a few more times with his Disarming spell, and now he had finally gotten it - or so he thought. He had a FEELING if that made any sense. He just knew his next try would be the one! He pointed his wand at the dummy's wand and yelled "Expelliarmus!"

POW! The wand went flying, a lot better than his last tries. Success! Now onto the protection spell, but...could he do that without a partner? He didn't think the dummies could do that...

"Anyone want to help me with my Protection spell?" he called into the room. Someone help the little firstie!

Having still not found a partner, Blair decided she would begin practicing with one of the dummies. She grabbed her wand and turned to face the dummy. Deciding upon first practicing the Disarming spell she raised her wand and said "Expelliarmus."

Nothing happened. She screwed up her face in frustration and sighed. Not to be beaten she gripped her wand tighter. Focusing her eyes entirely on the dummy, she lifted her wand once again and spoke the spell, "Expelliarmus!"

This time the dummies wand flew out of it's hand. Success! Blair heard the boy asking for a partner. At least she wasn't the only one. "I'll help you practice your Protection spell if you like?" She smiled.