Marie sat there looking at the list for a couple of minutes trying to decide which she would use as a combination. Finally deciding on what she would do she raised her hand.

"Professor, I would use Protego followed by Expelliarmus and then Stupefy. This gives me the advantage of being protected by a shield in case they were to attack first. I would then disarm the other person so they would have no way to counter before I stunned them." This was what she had done to Destiny only she also used Incarcerous on her. She didn't add that though since it wasn't on the list.

Hmmmm.

HMMMMM.

"Depending on your surroundings..." the prefect began haltingly, hand held just high enough to count as raised, "Accio, Alohomora, and Protego."

This was... woo. Going to be fun to explain.

"It could just be Accio and Protego, but... well if there's a large object, especially a cabinet or something that would have objects inside, behind your opponent... you could use accio to possibly attack them from behind. Alohomora if it's locked, because adding more confusion to your opponent's part of the field will help you... And Protego, in case you Summon it too close to yourself."

A long shot, but duels usually happened in places where there were loose objects one could Summon. Besides, everyone else was using the spells that made sense.

Tiberius considered the list as he tapped the quill on his knee, having extracted it from his shoe, scratching mission unsuccessful.

Squinting, he reread the list several times. Raising his hand slowly, he hesitatingly offered an answer. "Confundo, wingardium leviosa and finite, sir? You'd confuse your opponent and then lift them up all floaty. They might think they were flying." He paused. "And then you'd drop them," he added more softly.

Mina thought for a second as she twirled her quill in her hand. What could an interesting combination be.....yes, she thought of one.

"Confundo, Stupefy, Expelliarmus and Accio." she smiled happily with her hand raised. "First off, your opponent would be confused, thus unable to block the stunner. Then while in a daze, you could then disarm them and summon their wand, leaving them vulnerable." Of course, the timing would have to be almost perfect to have it work, but she did like the sound of it and in theory it sounded like it was a feasible combination.

Neptune sighed LOUDLY and pointedly at the little boy that she'd first met Diagon Alley. She'd thought he was homeless. Maybe he was? Who knew. But anyway, she raised her hand and then POINTED at Tibi, "If I were to ever duel him and he did THAT to me because YOU," YOU TRUEBRIDGE," told him to - YOU, "TRUEBRIDGE," are going to be in SOOOOO much trouble with my mother!"

Just saying!! That young man was evil and disturbed. Though, it was kind of brilliant punishment for Neptune's younger sister... hmm..

With her hand still up, she answered (despite her vow, since she'd finished her letter and had nothing better to do than entertain the class with her brilliance), "I think Alohomora, Confundo, Lumos would serve my purpose. I get into my sister's room, I confuse her, and then I light up her face so I can see it and laugh." Neptune smirked, put her hand down, and began to meticulously fold up the letter for her mother.

"Neptune... you're an idiot." There. She said it. Even if it was quietly.

She raised her hand as she considered the spells.

"I once read that you should always get your first shot off fast, and not bother taking aim, because it upsets them enough to make your next shot perfect. So, supposing I go by that rule and have a chance at that sort of surprise, I think I would cast a confundo. Either they would be concentrated at the spell that was just cast, or it would hit them and they would be confused. Immediately after casting confundo I could take aim and cast expelliarmus. Then accio to take their wand. If I feel the need to follow up, I could use protego and be prepared to dodge if they decided to attack me physically."

Arya looked up from her notes, taping the quill against her notebook as she pondered over how the spells could be used creatively. Raising her hand, she looked over to the professor. "Um, you could Impedimenta on your opponent to slow them, then use the levitation charm and throw something at them." She shrugged at the last part, because what else was the charm really good for in a duel.

Grining, she looked over to the girl who called Neptune a idiot. It was nice to know she wasn't alone on that thought.

Quiet or not, Neptune heard her name and the subsequent slander. Her little shoulders crumpled and her big blue eyes filled with BIG, SAD TEARS.


She wasn't an idiot at all. Lina was just SO MEAN. She was SO MEAN ALL the time. Neptune's feelings were hurt.

"A sound tactic. And of course, each of those on its own is useful and if any component does not work, you still have a good chance of gaining an advantage." Truebridge agreed.


"Its always good to have a back up plan, in case any one component of a combination fails, so you do not place yourself at a disadvantage. Good."

"Good. It is always important to think of your own safety and protection against any possible counter attacks to your combinations."

"Creative. And a nice example of keeping in mind your surroundings, even if they are hypothetical."

"I like it. However, you would not need finite, simply ceasing to cast the levitating spell would be just as effective and free you up to cast something else as they fall."

"It would take a lot of practice but I think you're up to it, Mina. Though do be sure to think about what your opponent may do to block or counter your attacks and whether or not they would be able to railroad your combination entirely so that you are prepared and not the one caught of guard in the end." Truebridge advised the Ravenclaw.

"If you do not block sufficiently then it would be your folly being caught in such a trap, not mine." Ethan paused. "But If I am nearby, I'd likely cast a cushioning charm in those situations."

He listened to the remainder of her answer.

"If you can explain how that would translate to a duel or give you an advantage in one I'll award points."

But she'd have to prove she was more clever than spiteful, right now it was certainly more the second than the first.

Not hearing the comment to Neptune, lucky for Lina, Ethan listened to the slytherin girl's answer.

"That is a sound strategy, though in some situations a duel can be turned based on the first shot, so do not discount it entirely, even if you use that technique every now and then." It was important to mix it up in other words.

"Good, Arya. Slowing them down would make them an easier target.

Not one to notice tears so quickly, Ethan continued.

"We are running low on time and so we'll have to end here. Unfortunately we won't have time to continue working on the Histedius spell but anyone who is interested in learning more about controlling that particular spell and making it work for you in a dueling situation is welcome to come and speak with me at the beginning of next term. In fact, if you care to learn, meet me next term in the dueling arena right after the opening feast is finished. You are dismissed. Enjoy your summer."

While the professor may not have heard the comment about Neptune... Raiden had.

Cat ears and all.

Immediately the prefect's expression darkened, and he'd leaned back slightly in his seat, casting a glance at Neptune without turning his full attention away from the class.

Merlin, why did people have to... ugh.

As soon as class was dismissed, the boy fully turned in his seat, looking so completely utterly displeased. Green eyes turned on Lina, giving her a look, before he focused on Neptune.

"Don't make that face, please? Don't listen to her, that... that was rude and uncalled for and you're not an idiot." The boy indicated the crest on her robes. "Ravenclaws are, by nature, not idiots."

Quote:

Originally Posted by Con_Stripes

"If you do not block sufficiently then it would be your folly being caught in such a trap, not mine." Ethan paused. "But If I am nearby, I'd likely cast a cushioning charm in those situations."

He listened to the remainder of her answer.

"If you can explain how that would translate to a duel or give you an advantage in one I'll award points."

But she'd have to prove she was more clever than spiteful, right now it was certainly more the second than the first.

Neptune COULD explain how it translated into a quick and dirty, one sided "duel." Maybe of an assault really, but who was getting all technical? Not Neptune. She was too distraught and bothered to finish up, and class was over, and Professor Criminal (though he OBVIOUSLY liked her, offering cushioning charms and all) wasn't really ALL that nice. Hmph.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ameh

While the professor may not have heard the comment about Neptune... Raiden had.

Cat ears and all.

Immediately the prefect's expression darkened, and he'd leaned back slightly in his seat, casting a glance at Neptune without turning his full attention away from the class.

Merlin, why did people have to... ugh.

As soon as class was dismissed, the boy fully turned in his seat, looking so completely utterly displeased. Green eyes turned on Lina, giving her a look, before he focused on Neptune.

"Don't make that face, please? Don't listen to her, that... that was rude and uncalled for and you're not an idiot." The boy indicated the crest on her robes. "Ravenclaws are, by nature, not idiots."

"I'm not making a face," Neptune whispered, her face crumpling and betraying her. "I'm leaving." She kept her face down and hidden as she got up and gathered her books and bags.

Guh. GUH. Raiden did not like the sadface. Pouting a bit himself, he packed away his things quickly and stood from his seat.

"I am too..." What a coincidence. Raiden kinda held his arm out, slightly awkwardly. He wasn't gonna just... let her wander out by herself when she was obviously upset by what had been said. "Come on. I'll walk you to the Tower."

Arya putt her notebook back into her bag, thinking about the professors offer. It sounded like a fun way to start the term off, plus she could always use extra the extra practice especially since she wouldn't be doing any magic over the summer.

Hoping off the plateform she waved to the professor with a grin on her face. "It was a fun class professor Truebridge, see ya next term!" And with that she skipped out of the classroom.

They were... done?

Aww. Gold picked up quill, ink-pot and notebook, and placed it in her school-bag. Then she looked up at Professor Truebridge, and gave him a polite, little smile. "Thanks for the wonderful lesson, sir."

Rising to her feet, she made ready to leave.

-- She was tiiired!

Mina nodded and jotted down all the other possible combinations her fellow classmates were offering. This would surely give her a lot to think over during her 'banishment' and she now had something to look forward to if she returned in the fall.

Gathering all her things, she tossed them into her bag and slung it over her shoulder. "Amazing lesson, Professor," she smiled as she made her way toward the door. "It's great to have you back at Hogwarts." she added cheerfully before walking out the door.

Candy FROWNED. She had waited till now because she wanted to practice that spell and now the BIG BAD PROFESSAH was saying they had no time? Well, that was just plain BAD of him, in Candy's opinion!!

The firstie EYED the stuff on her desk, FROWNEDD and then got up. BADDD professah! Very bad indeedd!!