Hermione was furious, but kept a tight grip on her temper. She had run into that waste of flesh in the catacombs while making sure the support had all the resources they needed. She wouldn't walk in with the rest of the team, as she preferred staying out of the spotlight. He'd made badly veiled passes at her and upon her continued denials of his 'attentions', he'd crudely implied her to be a lesbian. She had been quick to respond that having him close to her might incline her to indeed seek only the company of women from now on. The other older men, which she now knew to be the other coaches, had laughed at him, while he had blushed in embarassment and indignation. Him calling her out now was his form of revenge no doubt. Idiot fool! A part of her was eagerly champing at the bit though. It was eager, ready and willing to dole out punishment.
Stopping in the middle of the freestyle arena, she took in the ramps, hides and boxes around her. It reminded her of the skate park in her parents' neighbourhood. Without the tags. Stretching, her eyes turned to the astonished faces of the other coaches and the judges. None had moved, except for Blaise and Draco. Meeting their eyes, she gave a small shake of her head. She'd seen Blaise train with Draco and he would be a challenging opponent, but not too much of a problem. He had fast reflexes, but his plays were always spur of the moment decisions. Carefully laid traps not in his arsenal. The one she truly didn't want to fight, at least right now and in front of thousands of witnesses, was Draco. There was something in the way he moved when he duelled that called to the beast snaking under her skin. It would be too great a risk and she didn't trust herself to keep it in check. It would be glorious, stimulating and tremedously dangerous for anyone within a ten mile radius. To her relief they inclined their heads and simply stood to the side, as if in support.
"Miss Granger you surely can't mean all of them at once." The high judge protested with a nervous chuckle. Giving him a cold glance, she rose from her split and turned fully towards him.
"Indeed I do. I never say anything I do not mean. They all question my competence, they all get to test it. Unless they are afraid I'll beat them?" She turned to the now arrayed men, raising a single eyebrow in mock inquiry. Some of them fisted their hands, while some chuckled and rubbed them in anticipation of an easy win and showing this woman her proper place.
"Brown University sees no need to duel Miss Granger, High Judge. As we now have been made aware of her accomplishments, we confirm her as a duellist." A slim, elder man with white sideburns and glasses spoke up. His colleagues sneered at him. His own assistant too.
"Coach Summers..." He whispered to his employer, but only got a slash of the hand to shut up. Coach Summers gave Hermione a bow of respect, which she returned. Twirling her wand expertly through her fingers, she gave a predatory smile to the remaining coaches and assistants, who had started to circle her.
"Oh joy! Then this makes it a wonderfully even number of ten against one." She purred. Adrenaline rushed through her. Every breath seemed more. She could smell the varnish of the wooden floor, the sweet scent of the popcorn being sold in the seats. Every creak of the boards as the men moved around her loud and clear, betraying their position. Her pupils dilated and she grinned. She felt alive!
The judge didn't seem happy about this spectacle, but it had proceeded too far for anything to stop it now. Sighing he made his way down from the dais and to the edge of the arena.
"Challenge given and accepted. Loss of wand or consciousness means defeat. Combatants can also yield to their opponent. At the count of three, you may begin. Any questions?" None of the duellists in the arena answered him. All of them tense and poised, ready to begin the duel.
The entire stadium was silent. No one moved or spoke. It was a moment suspended in time. Across the country, all conversation had ceased in the various bars, who had been doing public viewing of the opening ceremony. Everyone's eyes were glued to their screens and to the high judge's hand, as it slowly descended during his countdown.
"One. Two. Three!" He slashed his hand all the way down and immediately the arena was an explosion of spells. Colourful bolts of magic raced through the air, seeking their target. The moment the judge had started on the word three, one of the coaches had already shot his first spell. Hermione had expected this, moving out of the way. A slight sting to her calf let her know that he hadn't been the only one to bend the rules. Her movement had let her avoid this other spell but not completely. No matter. This was her element. This was nothing compared to the battle of Hogwarts and what was even better, here she woudn't have to reign in anything. All of these fools trapped with her in the arena's magic barrier were free game. They may think her only a woman trapped with superior male duellists. What fools they were. They were trapped with her and it was time for some fun.
Ducking under the next spell, she heard them move behind her. Using the momentum of her duck, she flipped back, avoiding another bolt. By now frustration was obvious on their faces, as it turned out she wasn't as easy a target as they'd assumed. Grinning, she slid to a cover, grabbed the ledge and vaulted over it, closing the distance to her first victim. Wide-eyed he stared at her, as she dodged another of his spells and used the momentum of her turn to land a roundhouse kick to his head. He fell to the ground, out like a light. Grabbing his wand, she moved behind another shelter, which shuddered under the combined onslaught of her remaining nine adversaries. Breathing deep, she could feel her magic boiling around her. It wanted out. Her own wand in her right hand and the other one in her left, she twirled each through her fingers, smiling brightly at the shocked faces of Blaise, the judge and Draco. Though Draco's expression wasn't truly shocked.
"Let's play." Winking at him, she turned on the spot and disapparated. The loud, tell tale crack confused her opponents, just like she wanted, as she appeared over them. She had always wondered why no one had ever taken advantage of the spinning move necessary for apparition. She did. To the detriment of a young man, who caught the full force of her heel to the back of his skull. Groaning he dropped and the others turned to her. Moving her wand in moves perfected on the battlefield, she felled two more, before her opponents rallied themselves and sought shelter or started blocking. Strafing to the left, she continously kept up a barrage of curses and spells to trap four of the remaining six, while closing in on the last two. They saw her coming and fired spells of their own. Raising her left hand with the taken wand, she started to defend, while still moving towards them. Her right hand was twirling her own wand fast through her fingers and it seemed as if she was holding a gattling gun due to the speed and amount of spells she was firing off. Holding the four wizards in check with this assault, she turned her gaze to the two bobbing their heads over their shelter to fire spells at her. Smirking she caught the elder man's eyes as he stopped frozen at her display. They hadn't even switched position in the last few minutes. Sloppy. Hardly worthy prey, but she would have to make do with what she was handed. Twirling, she slashed out both wands, sending fiery tendrils from both of them, lashing the shelters around her. Continously moving the wands, she kept the lashing up, while still stalking towards the two, who were reduced to defending. Slowly increasing her speed, the flaming whips around her became a blur. The four behind her started their attacks again, changing position again and again in an effort to find a gap in her defences and save their compatriots. The bubble of fire around her proved impenetrable though. Taking a running start from one of the ramps, she flipped over the cover landing in a crouch and smashing her right fist into the ground. A shockwave rippled from her, bulging the floor and catapulting the cowering men over their shelter; unconscious. Chuckling she looked up and to the side, catching the gaze of another wizard, who stared at her, mouth gone slack. It had to be a trick of the light, but he swore that there was fire dancing in her eyes.
Launching herself forward from her crouch, she seemed to fly across the distance between them, catching him off guard. With widened eyes he tried to raise his wand in defence, only to be struck down by her fist, as she turned a foot away from him and the roundhouse hit took him in the temple. Three to go. She had hoped they would prove more of a challenge. Rising, she slowly sauntered across the arena, revelling in the rush of blood through her veins, the slight smell of ozone in the air due to the many spells fired. The tingle down her spine and the smooth glide of her muscles. A part of her missed this. The danger and violence. Kirkwood raised his pudgy face over his cover and she adjusted her course towards him. He blanched at seeing the dark look on her face and the malicious smile gracing her lips. A whine from her left had her lean back slightly, the spell missing her by a hair. Her facial expression or slow progression didn't change. More curses and spells were fired at her. Sinuously she dodged them all, never losing a step in her stride. She even went so far as to close her eyes and breathe in delight. She felt a new kind of attention on her. Not the fearful gibbering of those trapped here with her, but something else. Turning and opening her eyes, she saw Draco barely being restrained by Blaise. Their tense stances didn't give it away, but Blaise's hand on Draco's shoulder was the only thing keeping Draco from entering the arena. Licking her lips, she shuddered in pleasure at his rawly appreciative stare. A slanted smile appeared on his face, his eyes drinking her in, as she almost negligently deflected the pitiful attempts of her opponents. His stare so intent and heated, she could feel it on her skin. Biting her lip to contain a moan, she closed her eyes again, relishing in the rush of arousal coursing through her. Time to end this. When she won, she could see if having his hands on her felt as good as his gaze. She bet they did. Those big, strong hands moulding her flesh, gripping her, moving her for both their pleasure. Panting in excitement, she turned to her enemies. Running, she slid next to the cover behind which one of them was hiding, scissoring her legs to get enough momentum to get back on her feet, using the movement at the same time to knock him out. Economy of the essence now. The fire of her anger had been supplanted by a different fire burning even hotter. Flicking the wand in her left hand, she deflected the uprooted ramp being thrown at her, stalking determinedly to the next obstacle in her way to getting the ride of her life. Desperation made her opponent faster, but she deflected his attempts either by wand or dodging. Taking a running step and using the wall next to them as a push-off point, she gave the idiot a taste of her boot. He fell like all the others. One left. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Draco licking his lips and Blaise having to hold both his shoulders now. Grinning she put a little extra swagger into her step for him, she moved on to the last impediment to her victory. Kirkwood huddled cowering behind a cover, stretching almost half the arena. That wouldn't do. Spreading her arms, the cover ripped in the middle and under screeching wood and metal moved obediantly apart. With a red head, he rose to his feet, squaring off and started firing spells at her. Laughing she continued to advance, brushing his sorry attempts aside with her wand. It wasn't even a challenge. And this worm had doubted her abilities? His defeat should be slow. Again and again she shot stinging hexes at him, driving him back but not incapacitating him. It was too much fun to see him flail in his frustrated anger and embarassment.
"Yield, old man. I might accept." She purred. Grunting he blocked her spells, retreating again. His head as red as a tomato due to the exertion. Puffing, he only shook his head, gritting his teeth and launching another barrage. Grinning she drove him back further. Oh well. It had been his choice after all. She smirked when he stumbled over the lip of a ramp and fell on his arse. This fool had the audacity to think himself her better? He wasn't even aware of his surroundings! The fall had jarred him, his wand loose in his hands. So easy. Too easy.
"Enough, my love. It is beneath you to play with such unworthy prey." His deep voice had her look up. There he was. Right across from them, rubbing up against the barrier separating them. All air rushed from her lungs. God she wanted to rip his clothes off him. Judging by the look he gave her, he wanted to do the same to her. Slashing behind her with her wand, Kirkwood was sent tumbling into the ramp he'd stumbled over and dropped to the floor, unconscious. Letting her left hand go lax, she dropped the wand she'd taken. Breathing heavily, she couldn't take her eyes off him. Biting her lip, she was already considering what to do first. Vividly she remembered their kiss, the bulge she'd wantonly rubbed against in search of long-denied release. His eyes had fastened on her lips. Grinning she licked them for him. His groan music to her ears. It would be glorious, sweaty and passionate. Shuddering she closed her eyes, just imagining it.
A roar assaulted her ears. Frowning she opened her eyes and blinked. Confused she stumbled back a step. Looking around, she noted the hundreds of people watching her, standing, clapping and calling out her name and that of Salem University. Swallowing, she took a few deep breaths, attempting to calm her racing heart and the rampant desire running through her. Blushing, she bowed to the slack-jawed high judge, avoiding his eyes and quickly made her way over to the tunnels. She needed to get out of here. She needed peace and quiet. What had just happened? She'd duelled people before, but never so controlled. Apart from the end, there had been a perfect meld of her cruel beast and herself. Something she'd never been able to pull off. Either she was herself or she was the beast. Never this devastating meld of the two. The tunnels brought a respite from all the eyes resting on her and the shadows brought with them a slight cold she welcomed. Her cheeks were flushed and not just because she'd just duelled ten men. Oh no. That hadn't truly exhausted her at all. Groaning she stopped and pressed her brow to the cold concrete wall, begging her body to cool down. He hadn't been afraid. Far from it. There had only been appreciation and arousal in his gaze. No, no, no. She couldn't entertain this fantasy. It had just been her fanciful wishes and imagination.
A hand roughly took her shoulder, turning her around. Alarmed she brought her wand to bear, but before she could summon any spells to mind, Draco's lips on her own blew every thought from her mind. His kiss was hungry and dear God could he kiss! Helpless to his onslaught and not really wanting to fight it, she opened her lips to his, reciprocating. Moaning into her mouth, he closed the scant distance between them, pressing her to the wall, his left hand tenderly tilting her head, while his right posessively grabbed her behind. Groaning she slung her arms about him, her left leg pulling him impossibly closer. The world could end, the stadium crumble, neither would notice. Pulling back, he nibbled on her lower lip.
"I have wanted to do this for months." He rasped, capturing her mouth in another heated kiss. Whimpering in frustrated desire, she rubbed against him. Why was there so much clothing between them? She wanted him naked. For hours she wanted him naked. He seemed to want the same thing, judging from his roaming hands. Her whine of protest when his lips left hers, quickly turned into a moan, as he started to kiss and nibble on her neck. She burrowed her hands in his silky hair, holding his head close. She would rip every pretty hair from his head if he dared to stop.
"Have dinner with me." He whispered in entreaty. The hot air from his exhale in her ear had her shivering, only intensified when he started to nibble and suck on her earlobe. Pulling him back by his hair, they stared at each other. Pupils blown wide, flushed and out of breath.
"Yes." She breathed and lunged forward to kiss him again. Groaning he pushed her again up against the wall, his right hand going down now as well and pulled her up. She slung her legs around him, once more feeling that glorious bulge. Moaning she undulated against him. Growling, the passion of his kiss intensified, his tongue invading her mouth. The rhythm matching his hips grounding against her own. Moaning she matched his rhythm, tangling her tongue with his. They were only making out and she was positively drenched. Never in her life had she been this aroused. Her normally comfortable silk bra actually chafed her tightly furled nipples. She wanted to rip open her blouse and have him soothe them with that excellently talented tongue of his. Better yet if he ripped her shirt. The thought alone had her shudder.
"Death Eaters!" The loud shout had both of them on alert and in battle stance immediately. Breathing heavily, their eyes searched the dim tunnel around them, but the only one there except them was Blaise. Smirking he took them both in.
"Sorry, but I've been trying to get your attention for a bit now. I knew the both of you would react to this." He snickered. Blushing Hermione patted her hair and righted her clothes, while Draco gave his friend a dark stare. Lifting his hands slightly in placation, Blaise sighed.
"Competition isn't over just because Granger pummelled those idiots into the ground. Salem has been vetted and the first round is set to start in a few minutes." He said. Draco nodded and breathed deep.
"Of course. I'll be but a moment." He said. Blaise shook his head with a broad grin.
"Nope, sorry. If I leave the two of you alone, you'll be right back where I found you in a minute."
Draco and Hermione looked at each other and the second their eyes met, they leaned towards the other. Blaise's chuckling had them blink and step back.
"I rest my case." Opening his arms, he took a small bow. Grumbling with a small smile, Draco gave him a soft tap to the back of his head.
"Shut it." He grumbled. When Hermione's soft hand took his, he turned to her. Smiling softly, she brushed back the hair she'd mussed.
"I'll freshen up and be there in a moment." The fingers of their held hands entwining without conscious thought. Softly she brushed her thumb over his lips. She wasn't wearing much lipstick, but some of it had been transferred. Smiling, he pursed his lips, kissing her finger. Those butterflies that had been dormant in both of them for the last few weeks came roaring back to life with a vengeance. Blushing and breathing easier than she had in months, she took a step before she did something stupid. Like kissing him again. She knew if they started again, they wouldn't stop. Hang the competition and everyone around them. Tugging her back with the hold he had on her hand, he raised it to his mouth, kissing it and nuzzling it before letting go. Smiling shyly she turned from them.
Draco watched her leave with a soft smile and a new lightness in his chest. Breathing deep he turned to Blaise, who took him in with a curious expression.
"So you're finally making a move?" His old friend asked. Groaning and laughing, he indicated for them to walk.
"Yes, I did. It was foolish of me to think that I would be able to stay away. Not to mention how glorious she looked today." A dreamy expression was on his face, as he recalled how fierce and sexy she had looked stamping those old fools into the dust.
"Don't you mean how scary? I asked her for a sparring session. I sure as hell am reconsidering that course of action." Blaise said with a frown and took in Draco. Snickering Blaise nudged him in the shoulder. "Might want to do something about that." He indicated Draco's hips with a tilt of his head. Cursing Draco cast a disillusionment charm.
"I was about to, when you interrupted." He growled. It held no heat though, since he was somewhat glad they'd been interrupted. Hermione deserved so much better. And he would provide it. All she ever dreamed of in a courtship would be hers. Flowers, poems, dinners, theater, concerts, anything she asked for, would be hers. Already his mind was churning with ideas. He would cherish her and treat her like the queen she was.
xXx
As Hermione ascended the stairs from the catacombs after having changed her clothes, she noted how people made way for her. Inclining her head and smiling, she moved through them to the section reserved for dependants of the teams. Normally the wife's of the coaches or the girlfriends of the assistants sat here, but today there seemed to be others as well. She guessed it was only natural that the stadium owner wanted to make a better profit, since these were some of the best seats in the house. Halfway between the freestyle arena and the duelling carpets. As such these seats offered an excellent view of both venues.
"Hermione Granger. Trust you to make a splash and show people how little they know." She stiffened at the voice. With wide eyes she turned, her mouth slightly open.
"Harry?" She gasped. Grinning her oldest friend opened his arms wide.
"In the flesh." He laughed and only laughed louder, when she jumped into his arms, hugging him tight.
"Hey there, girlfriend." Ginny piped in, wiggling her eyebrows at Hermione. Squealing Hermione reached out with her arm, dragging Ginny into her hug. Laughing they took each other in. Grumbling around them pulled Hermione back and she looked around, making apologies and leading her best friends to the seats set aside for Salem. A man called over to Harry, but he waved him off.
"What are you doing here? Why didn't you call?" Hermione asked eagerly. Ginny giggled.
"Wanted to surprise you. Didn't know that you would give us a show of being a total bad ass." She winked, while Hermione blushed. Harry nudged her in the shoulder and gave her an encouraging smile.
"I was invited by the American ministry on Auror business. Seems as if they are keen to get a force together similar to ours and that your program is at the core of that effort." He waggled his eyebrows, pride clearly showing in his eyes. Blushing a bit, she crossed her legs primly.
"Not my program. Draco's. He made a good case and I am happy that others see the merit. The FBI apparently has their own magical branch, but it is severely understaffed and when they catch a case, almost their entire time is spent on making sure that their muggle colleagues don't catch on. Hard to do with muggles trained in spotting liars and curious behaviour. A federal force of only wizards would be a great improvement."
"Draco, hm?" Ginny chuckled and raised an eyebrow when both Harry and Hermione looked to her. While Harry was confused, Hermione's blush deepened.
"Yes, Draco. He...we...I mean...it's complicated." She stopped trying to form a sentence, flustered. Just a few minutes ago, she had been inches from ravaging the man and the experience was still very fresh in her mind. The butterflies still in full flight. Especially since she caught his eye as he was watching her while arraying the traditional team on their bench in preparation for the first duels. Even from this distance she could see him smile softly and wink. Her cheeks burned by now due to all the blushing she had been doing in the last few minutes. Ginny perked up at this, genuinely happy for Hermione. She could do much worse, including Ginny's own brother. While she wasn't going to hug Draco Malfoy anytime soon and call him friend, she was open to the idea of him being a better person. What Hermione had told her in their weekly phone conversations indicated as much.
Harry was slower in catching on. When he did though, his jaw grew rigid. Breathing deep, he tried to keep his reaction in check. He vividly remembered the conversation he'd had with Hermione before she'd moved to the States. And she had been right. As always. His enmity towards Draco was silly now. They were adults and while Malfoy had done terrible things as a teenager, he'd paid a heavy price for them. Not only the prison sentence, but also the social status of pariah and loss of many friends. In the first few weeks after Hermione's move, he'd gone over the files he had on the Malfoys and especially Draco. Narcissa kept her hands clean and ran the business in the UK and apparently she kept Lucius on a short leash these days. Something Andromeda had confirmed with delight. While the oldest Black sister had been wary about contacting her sister again, she had done so and never regretted it. Little Teddy was not allowed to go to the Manor, but Andromeda visited Narcissa quite often and Andy like to poke at Lucius. Narcissa let her, since Lucius was on probation with his wife. Maybe for the rest of his life. Not that Harry cared. It was enough for him that Lucius was only allowed use of magic on the Malfoy estate and had to do muggle community service twice a week. A duty he reportedly despised, but did anyway in order to spare his family any more pain or humiliation.
Draco Malfoy was someone he'd never believed capable of change. The reports he'd read he hadn't believed in the beginning. But the officers having filed them were known for their excellent work ethics. They had been chosen specifically for those ethics to do the reporting on former death eaters or sympathisers, so that none could claim any kind of falsification, simplification or exageration. Then he'd met Jarvis Grimsby on his visit to the UK after taking over Malfoy Enterprises in the US. He'd been startled to discover that the man was indeed a squib, always accompanied by his secretary who performed any magic that may be needed. Their discussion had been short, since they shared an elevator at the Ministry, but during their discussion nothing negative had been said about Draco. Harry had believed this to be due to Grimsby being an employee and indebted to Malfoy, but when he'd brought it up during a Sunday dinner, Andromeda had backed him up. It seemed as if Draco regularly wrote to his mother and Andromeda had a few conversations with Grimsby. Both sources said the same. Draco didn't care any more about blood purity, only for talent.
When he'd talked this over with his old partner, Seamus, Harry had been surprised to discover that Malfoy had sought Seamus out to apologise.
"Sent him right packing, I tell ye. Wouldn't have trusted the prat not to stab me in the back. Offered me a free shot, he did. Didn't know what to make of it."
Hearing that story, Harry had contacted others and almost all of them had told him the same thing. Draco Malfoy had showed up at their place of work or home and offered apologies and reparations. None had accepted. It must have been hard. Offering apologies, seeking atonement but not finding any. It had to have been disheartening, yet he'd kept going. Seeking out all, to Harry's knowledge, who had survived the battle of Hogwarts. All but Hermione, the Weasleys and him. When he'd discussed this with Arthur, the older man he saw as his surrogate father had chuckled.
"What kind of reception would he have gotten Harry? Molly is a wonderful, warm person, but if Draco had knocked on our door, I don't even want to think about what she would have done to the poor boy. And I wouldn't have been far behind. You and Hermione spoke on his behalf at the trial, but be honest with yourself, if he'd come to you with an apology, would you have accepted or thought it some ploy on his part?"
Looking to his right, he watched his best friend lean forward, as their first duellist ascended the stairs to the carpet. He had always trusted her instincts and her decisions. She had never steered him wrong. At the slight pressure on his left arm, he turned to his wife. Ginny's eyes were concerned. He gave her a small smile.
"I'll be open to it. Don't worry, I won't freak out." He reassured her in a murmur, looking back to Hermione. He hoped that his suspicions were unfounded. If anyone deserved happiness, it was her. Even if that meant she found it with Draco Malfoy.
xXx
Sabrina fought down the tremours in her hands. It wouldn't do to show her opponent how nervous she was. Breathing deep and slowly letting it go, she remembered the lessons they had in keeping a blank face. Relax your face. Think of the ocean. Even breaths. Do not react. That had been the harshest lesson for her. Professor Zabini's friend had come by again and they would have to hold their mask, while he baited them. Failure to keep the mask in place was extra rounds and more push-ups. She could do almost two hundred in a row by now. Her opponent was a broad boy from Wesleyan, smirking at her as they met in the middle of the carpet.
"Present wands!" One of the three judges sitting next to the carpet called out. Raising hers, she looked directly into her opponent's eyes, trying to get his measure. She only saw contempt and the expectation of an easy win. She knew that the professors didn't expect to go home with an over all win, but she would be damned if she let that idiot get the better of her.
"Bow." Sweeping her wand hand gracefully out to the side and her right foot back, she bowed and then took four steps back. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Francis and Jamal standing next to her. Both fixing the opposition with their eyes.
"Any advice?" She mumbled. At the start of training she'd thought the role of second and support redundant. After all, none of the professional duellists seemed to have them. Now she was happy that her two team mates were there. Especially since there would be no shouted instructions from Professor Malfoy.
"Judging from his bulk he will rely on brute strength. He isn't fluid enough in his movement for anything sophisticated. Reminds me of our old team. Bait him out by blocking and dodging until he's advanced to about a phase and a half to the centre. Hit him hard to knock him back but switch to light attacks after. You can string those together quicker and he won't be expecting that." Francis counselled in a quiet voice. Jamal grunted in assent and she gave an imperceptible nod.
"Yes, master Yoda." She muttered. Tiny smiles tugged at their lips.
"Ready!" She blanked her face again and assumed her ready position. Wesleyan boy did too, but his screamed aggression, while Professor Malfoy always taught them to assume a balanced pose. Much easier to either attack or defend from.
"Duel!" The moment the judge spoke, the first hex flew her way. Blocking it, she breathed deep. The people watching vanished. This was just another exercise in the gym. Following the plan set forth by Francis, she let Wesleyan boy believe he had the upper hand, going even so far as to show 'fear' on her face. It worked, as he started to put unnecessary twirls on his hand movements, slowing him down. Francis had remained in his spot, his eyes fixed on the carpet and their opponent.
"Switch!" He called and she was glad he let her off the leash. Smoothly gliding forward, she snapped out her arm in controlled precision.
"Bombarda!"
With wide eyes Wesleyan boy sloppily raised a shield that barely kept him from being blasted off the carpet. Clamping down on her giddiness, she assumed the next position and started to pummel the fool, just like Francis had suggested. Step by step, she advanced over the carpet. With a yelp, Wesleyan boy's foot found nothing behind him, as he tried to take another step and fell. Standing tall, Sabrina saluted him and bowed, then turned to the judges and bowed again. Two of them smiled at her, while the third grumbled a bit. Descending the platform on her side, she met Jamal and Francis. Together they made their way to the Salem bench, still hanging onto their neutral expressions. Professor Malfoy glanced at them. He turned back to the other teams still out there.
"Well done." He said. Beaming they gave each other high fives.
As the tournament progressed, they gave a good performance. At least they thought so and it seemed as if Professor Malfoy agreed. Even Jeremy performed well. When he returned to the bench and Professor Malfoy clapped his shoulder and nodded, he was glowing with pride. His team mates proceeded to clap him on the shoulders too. They managed to win three duels, fight two to a draw and lost one. Not bad so far. All of them were eager to see, how the freestyle teams were doing, but their bench was on the other side of the stadium. The Salem bench for the freestyle team was very different from theirs. Their team mates were standing on it, shouting encouragement or plays to the duellists in the arena. While Professor Malfoy stood still and watched them with a keen eye, Professor Zabini was stalking behind the bench, barely able to contain himself from giving advice. He didn't contain himself when it came to applause or encouragement though. Within the first few minutes he was doing a better job than the cheerleaders. One of the other coaches sporting a spectacular bruise on his jaw continued giving Professor Zabini dark glances, who ignored those.
An awed murmur went through the crowd, when Lorelei suddenly vaulted high in the air, having been basically thrown by her team mate James. They had become an excellent team with her being agile and flexible, complementing his strength and stealth. It also helped that James moved much quicker than one would expect from someone of his stature.
xXx
Word had spread like wildfire about Professor Hermione Granger having to prove her skill as a duellist and the Dragonquill Pub was filled to the rafters. The enterprising owner had opened all the windows and called in extra servers. No one could walk by the pub anymore since the crowd by now was so thick. All traffic down the cobblestone street in the wizarding district had ceased. Those who couldn't see, got every move and action relayed by those who could. Speakers were rigged to carry at least the commentary outside. The Guard tried to disperse some of them, but were quickly caught in the crush.
"I guess Coach Eldersmith will be eating his words by now. Ooh! Miss Granger just made sure he'll be eating soup for the next few days. What a kick!" The crowd cheered. Whiskey shots were being handed out and each successful hit toasted to. Some had even started to chant her name. Each spell or hit that connected was commentated and given voice with oohs and aahs.
"Still thinking women aren't good for duelling, Bob? I make a prediction right now, that the women on the Salem team are definitely not fillers for the roster. What a season this will be!" The commentator enthused and the crowd shouted in agreement. Servers rushed about the crowd, handing out drinks and snacks, as the hours passed by. Other shopkeepers who had come to complain, stayed to watch, sending curt messages back to close for the day. As dusk started to settle, the event was down to the last duel of the competition between the national championship winning freestyle team of Swarthmore against the team from Salem consisting of Lorelei Falidae and James Hawk. And despite predictions of the commentators that the duel would be short, it had been going for almost half an hour now, with neither party seeming to let up. Every ten minutes a pause was called to let the duellists rest and get input from their teams. The Salem team was clustered around their duellists, offering muttered advice and energy drinks. The Swarthmore side was much more vocal. Curses and hand waving was employed and Coach Eldersmith was fuming as he stood leaning against the stadium wall. As the traditional duelling was done, the other teams now clustered to the arena as well.
"This will be the last round, ladies and gentlemen. If you thought that the national championship was a tense match, you haven't been paying attention. UCLA and Houston better pay attention. Let's not forget that this pair has only been training for a few months." The Salem supporters, who had jumped in numbers the longer the program went on, cheered and toasted to the screen. A bell went off and the almost two hundred people outside the pub quieted down.
"And the last round starts! Moralez going right for Falidae, but she dodges! Even managing a hex at Smith. That girl lives up to her last name. Limber and surefooted as a cat, that one. Smith dodges, but Hawk is there! Hawk has him on the run. Smith tries to hide, but Hawk is on him. Good block from Smith. Where is Moralez? If he doesn't stop chasing Falidae he'll be outnumbered in a moment! Hawk still in pursuit. Falidae is changing course. She's headed right for Smith. Oh! That was a close one. Moralez almost had her there. She's sprinting now! That girl can run, folks! Moralez in pursuit. Smith still unable to shake Hawk. I would run like hell too if that boy was after me." A smattering of nervous laughter went through the crowd, but they were quickly shushed.
"Smith sees Falidae! She is heading right for him! What are you doing girl! Look at that face. Any doubts about duelling and women, if Miss Ganger's performance didn't convince you, look right there! Smith has to defend to the back. They have him in a pincer now. The covers tunnelling him in. He has to go through Falidae or go home!" Everyone was on their feet now.
"Moralez has to watch the crossfire, but he seems blind to anything but Falidae. Hawk still chasing Smith. Now or never Smith, or that girl will put, you, down! And he turns for the attack! She drops, but she's not out! Smith's spell is going wide. No! Oh my God!" The crowd exploded in cheers and the stadium in Washington apparently too. His voice drowned out by the commotion.
"Both Moralez and Smith out! By their own partners too. What a win! What a match! Winning, well-deserved, Falidae and Hawk! Salem University wins the match against the national champions with their first ever freestyle team. All bets are off, ladies and gentlemen. There's a new kid on the block and they have come to win!"
AN: Over a hundred reviews. :D Thank you so much! Sorry for the cliffhanger, but I wanted this to come together right. ;) Hope you are still enjoying and I would love to hear your thoughts. Always looking to improve my writing. Have a good one!