She was not athletic, she climbed trees and went for walks and swam when the occasion arose but her body was not built for the sort of conditions duels threw your way.

That was point one.

Point two of why Aslan Evans knew her chances at winning this duel were slim? Her complete inability to ground herself to the present. but she had a trick for that. The potions lab was a true gift and with some research and a few test runs the Gryffindor had whipped herself up a vial (or two) of Air-Head Antidote, a potion most commonly used to treat ADHD and Brain-Cloud syndrome, but today it would her the focus and alertness necessary for a duel.

Her opponent was a girl she knew little about, save for her closeness to Bastien Toussaint and her general reputation for cleverness and hard work. She was, absolutely not to be underestimated in Aslan's opinion. After all, Bastien chose his friends carefully and a best friend would be no different, there had to be something special about Rula Bostros aside from her lineage and her pretty face.

The romany witch tied back her unruly hair into a messy bun while she mentally through her spell list for the millionth time that week. She had known, when she'd first signed up that she had very little advantage here in the dueling ring and over the past few months Aslan had worked hard against that curve. Was she satisfied with her abilities at the moment? No, would she make do? Possibly, the odds were against her, but that wasn't exactly anything new.

Rolling up her sleeves, Aslan calmly awaited her opponent.

This year, Rula was determined to do better. Not that she hadn't done okay the past two terms, since second place wasn't too bad - but she WANTED that number one spot. And she was extra determined to get it this term. She'd been practicing her spells, both old and new ones, as often as she could to prepare.

Though, of course, she also reminded herself to have fun too, to not take getting first place SO seriously that it was all she thought about. Winning wouldn't be as satisfying if she didn't have fun while doing it, you know?

But still, no underestimating her opponents this term, especially her first opponent. She hadn't talked to Aslan all that much even though they were in the same year, so there was no telling what she might be like in a duel. But that, the unpredictability, was part of the fun too in a way.

Seeing Aslan had already arrived, Rula offered her a grin as she stepped into the arena, her wand already drawn. "Ready?" she asked, dipping into the customary bow.