Chapter 6
Out on the Quidditch field there was quite the crowd of students all sitting around awaiting instructions. Professor Flitwick had brought out a crate so that he could feel higher in stature. He started to address the crowd of milling students. "Hello! Welcome to the Dueling Club! My! What a crowd we have this year! We'll be getting started as soon as Professor Finch arrives with the sign up sheets." Professor Finch came trotting out to the field moments later, carrying a few papers and a book. "Ah there he is! Alright eager students, today we will begin practicing for the Competition that will be held here on Hogwarts grounds in the future months. I would like all students in 5th, 6th and 7th year who are interested in signing up to address Professor Finch who will take down your name, house and year. All others, please stick around, the lessons taught here will be most useful if you decide to join us again next year."
Harry Ron and Hermione went with the crowd who had surrounded Professor Finch. Finch was standing, obviously flustered and overwhelmed, scrabbling down names and information as quickly as possible. Finally, he broke composure and bellowed out. "MAKE A BLOODY LINE!" The students, who had hardly ever heard Finch raise his voice since he had come to Hogwarts stood absolutely, stunned a moment. Finch sighed, holding a hand to his forehead, "All Prefects in the crowd, make this group more organized please." He muttered exasperated.
Hermione jumped at the occasion, calling for all 6th years to group up where she was standing. Ron and Harry grinned; this gave them a choice position for the sign-ups, since Hermione was standing right in front of them. Draco Malfoy pushed his way over though, giving a sneer. "Who wasn't to listen to a know-it-all anyways." Draco as usual was his pale self, his blonde hair was slicked back and his blue eyes had their usual narrowed appearance.
"Oh shut up Malfoy, now is not the time." Hermione said simply, trying still to round up the 6th years.
"I will not listen to this stupid Muggle lover." Draco said flatly, making a rather disgusted face in Hermione's direction.
Hermione started to retort back, but a stern voice yelled, "Knock it off Malfoy, otherwise I'll be deducting points from Slytherin." The 4 (Draco, Hermione, Harry, and Ron) looked over and saw Katherine Evans, standing with her arms crossed, her group of 7th years already in perfect form. Standing to Katherine's left was a girl that was slightly shorter with dark tan hair that fell to her shoulders and piercing golden brown eyes, she was wearing Slytherin colors.
"Banes! Aren't you going to stand up for your own House?!" Malfoy demanded of the stranger.
The girl gave a shrug, showing no real signs of caring about the 6th year's squabble, and looked towards Finch calling out, "7th Years, ready for sign up."
Malfoy fumed silently and took his place in the 6th year group who had clustered behind Hermione, who at the time was whispering "Thank you" to Katherine. The 7th year just gave a grin and a wink in reply and turned back to her group.
Finally, after the confusion was settled and everyone got organized, Finch was able to take on the new sign ups. He set down the list gently over his book, waiting for the last written names to dry on the parchment, while doing so he called over to Professor Flitwick, "Ready to explain the details?"
"Of course!" said Flitwick cheerily; he turned to address the competitors. "Over the following weeks, those who have signed up will be dueling to prove their place amongst their years at first and then only against their house. Duels will continue until there is one girl and one boy representative from each house. That means there are 8 places for the competition. The winners of the final competition will be overall Hogwarts Champions and will be honored as such." He paused a moment and then started to continue. "Today we will be reviewing the basics of offensive and defensive attacks, with some live demonstrations. While this is going on, Professor Finch will be dividing you all up by year and house, and then the preliminary duels shall commence tomorrow evening. Now, who here would like to volunteer?"
Out on the Quidditch field there was quite the crowd of students all sitting around awaiting instructions. Professor Flitwick had brought out a crate so that he could feel higher in stature. He started to address the crowd of milling students. "Hello! Welcome to the Dueling Club! My! What a crowd we have this year! We'll be getting started as soon as Professor Finch arrives with the sign up sheets." Professor Finch came trotting out to the field moments later, carrying a few papers and a book. "Ah there he is! Alright eager students, today we will begin practicing for the Competition that will be held here on Hogwarts grounds in the future months. I would like all students in 5th, 6th and 7th year who are interested in signing up to address Professor Finch who will take down your name, house and year. All others, please stick around, the lessons taught here will be most useful if you decide to join us again next year."
Harry Ron and Hermione went with the crowd who had surrounded Professor Finch. Finch was standing, obviously flustered and overwhelmed, scrabbling down names and information as quickly as possible. Finally, he broke composure and bellowed out. "MAKE A BLOODY LINE!" The students, who had hardly ever heard Finch raise his voice since he had come to Hogwarts stood absolutely, stunned a moment. Finch sighed, holding a hand to his forehead, "All Prefects in the crowd, make this group more organized please." He muttered exasperated.
Hermione jumped at the occasion, calling for all 6th years to group up where she was standing. Ron and Harry grinned; this gave them a choice position for the sign-ups, since Hermione was standing right in front of them. Draco Malfoy pushed his way over though, giving a sneer. "Who wasn't to listen to a know-it-all anyways." Draco as usual was his pale self, his blonde hair was slicked back and his blue eyes had their usual narrowed appearance.
"Oh shut up Malfoy, now is not the time." Hermione said simply, trying still to round up the 6th years.
"I will not listen to this stupid Muggle lover." Draco said flatly, making a rather disgusted face in Hermione's direction.
Hermione started to retort back, but a stern voice yelled, "Knock it off Malfoy, otherwise I'll be deducting points from Slytherin." The 4 (Draco, Hermione, Harry, and Ron) looked over and saw Katherine Evans, standing with her arms crossed, her group of 7th years already in perfect form. Standing to Katherine's left was a girl that was slightly shorter with dark tan hair that fell to her shoulders and piercing golden brown eyes, she was wearing Slytherin colors.
"Banes! Aren't you going to stand up for your own House?!" Malfoy demanded of the stranger.
The girl gave a shrug, showing no real signs of caring about the 6th year's squabble, and looked towards Finch calling out, "7th Years, ready for sign up."
Malfoy fumed silently and took his place in the 6th year group who had clustered behind Hermione, who at the time was whispering "Thank you" to Katherine. The 7th year just gave a grin and a wink in reply and turned back to her group.
Finally, after the confusion was settled and everyone got organized, Finch was able to take on the new sign ups. He set down the list gently over his book, waiting for the last written names to dry on the parchment, while doing so he called over to Professor Flitwick, "Ready to explain the details?"
"Of course!" said Flitwick cheerily; he turned to address the competitors. "Over the following weeks, those who have signed up will be dueling to prove their place amongst their years at first and then only against their house. Duels will continue until there is one girl and one boy representative from each house. That means there are 8 places for the competition. The winners of the final competition will be overall Hogwarts Champions and will be honored as such." He paused a moment and then started to continue. "Today we will be reviewing the basics of offensive and defensive attacks, with some live demonstrations. While this is going on, Professor Finch will be dividing you all up by year and house, and then the preliminary duels shall commence tomorrow evening. Now, who here would like to volunteer?"