Chapter 20
When they reached the Quidditch field there was hardly anyone there. Luckily, it was against the rules for anyone not on the schedule to be on the field when duels go on, it would give an unfair advantage. Of course though, prefects were allowed to be on the fields as well as faculty, but no interference would be allowed. Professor Flitwick and Professor Finch were milling about, welcoming all who showed up. Katherine grinned and waved to the tiny teacher as he eagerly said his hellos. The group settled down onto the soft grass to await further instruction. Harry and Ron were asking Katherine all sorts of questions about what spells that she thought would be used. Katherine just grinned and insisted that the spells of a duelist were strictly secret until they arrived in the arena. They all were laughing and chatting when Katherine noticed a blonde figure sitting up in the bleachers, it was Meredith boredly looking down on the field. Katherine reached up her hand and called out 'Hello' but the other girl made no notice. Katherine frowned, "Probably still mad from the hallway incident."
Hermione looked at Meredith and then to Katherine, "What exactly did she say in the hallway?"
"I believe her words were along the lines of 'I hope you lose'." Katherine explained.
Ron frowned, "And she's your friend?"
Katherine looked up at the figure in the bleachers, "We've known each other a long time.. she just.. isn't mean because she likes it you know."
Harry looked quizzical, "She seems to enjoy it.."
Katherine sighed, "Listen just stay out of her way and she won't bother you.."
Hermione looked at Katherine, there was something she knew about Meredith but didn't want to tell. She made a mental note of that.
Ron was about to persist but he stopped, his eyes following movement behind them. "What is he doing here?"
A black-cloaked figure was walking out to the field, in his hand was a chain, and on the end of that chain was a wolf. The wolf was Aconite. She looked rather placid compared to the ferocious creature they had seen the other night, her fur gleamed almost golden in the late sunlight.
Ron gulped, "Why does Snape have to bring that.. Animal with him.. its nothing but trouble.."
Snape walked up to Professor Flitwick and Professor Finch, speaking with them. Professor Flitwick gleefully reached out a hand to pat the wolf, which in a sitting position still stood taller than the teacher, on its head.
Harry jumped to his feet yelling across the field, "Don't! It's vicious!"
Professor Flitwick looked over, a puzzled look on his face. The wolf on the chain lead leaned foreword and nudged the tiny Professor almost toppling him and lacking his face. Professor Flitwick was sent into a fit of laughter and he called back to Harry "No need to worry my boy! Lady Aconite is tame as a pup!" He cheerfully patted the wolf.
Harry stood there dumbfounded. Ron muttered, "Unbelievable."
Harry looked to Hermione for a possible answer. But she too was puzzled.
Katherine on the other hand was staring hard at the wolf, not saying a word.
Professor Snape jerked hard on the lead line and the wolf blanched when the chains tightened. She backed up slowly and stood directly at his heels obediently. Professor Flitwick got the hint and stopped patting the animal, but he still waggled his fingers at her playfully, cooing such things as "Lovely puppy!" Snape started to walk off towards the sidelines, sitting down on a wooden bench, which had recently been added for Duelist spectators. The wolf hopped up onto the bench and laid down across his lap. Professor Snape made a face of utter disgust, but he didn't push the animal off.
By this time, about all of the students has assembled and were awaiting their instructions. Professor Finch brushed some hair out of his eyes and started to call out the rules for the evening. "Alright, alright settle down. Tonight the three groups that have assembled: Ravenclaw Year 5, Gryffindor Year 6, and Hufflepuff Year 7, you will all be dueling against your own group. Over the rest of the week, every day 3 groups, will compete in the same manner and thus the next round will be created based on the remaining students." He paused a moment, yawning, "The rules of the duel are as follows, Try not to inflict serious damage.. Madame Pomphrey has enough ailing students on her hands as is. Next, there is a set arena, stepping out of bounds counts as an immediate disqualification. Next, each group of students has one chance and one chance alone. If you lose in your duel today, then you are eliminated. That is about it, any questions?"
There was a hush, but a girl from Ravenclaw stood up, raising her hand. "Excuse me, Professor Finch.. if one wanted to forfeit the match mid round.. what should they do?"
Professor Finch frowned, "Well I'd expect you wouldn't want to disqualify yourself Miss Vollrath, but if it came down to it, you would raise your wand up into the air and have it shoot out red sparks. This is an immediate signal for the match to halt, failing to do so will result in disqualification of both students." He folded his arms over his chest, "And if there are no more questions, let us begin this bloody tournament."
When they reached the Quidditch field there was hardly anyone there. Luckily, it was against the rules for anyone not on the schedule to be on the field when duels go on, it would give an unfair advantage. Of course though, prefects were allowed to be on the fields as well as faculty, but no interference would be allowed. Professor Flitwick and Professor Finch were milling about, welcoming all who showed up. Katherine grinned and waved to the tiny teacher as he eagerly said his hellos. The group settled down onto the soft grass to await further instruction. Harry and Ron were asking Katherine all sorts of questions about what spells that she thought would be used. Katherine just grinned and insisted that the spells of a duelist were strictly secret until they arrived in the arena. They all were laughing and chatting when Katherine noticed a blonde figure sitting up in the bleachers, it was Meredith boredly looking down on the field. Katherine reached up her hand and called out 'Hello' but the other girl made no notice. Katherine frowned, "Probably still mad from the hallway incident."
Hermione looked at Meredith and then to Katherine, "What exactly did she say in the hallway?"
"I believe her words were along the lines of 'I hope you lose'." Katherine explained.
Ron frowned, "And she's your friend?"
Katherine looked up at the figure in the bleachers, "We've known each other a long time.. she just.. isn't mean because she likes it you know."
Harry looked quizzical, "She seems to enjoy it.."
Katherine sighed, "Listen just stay out of her way and she won't bother you.."
Hermione looked at Katherine, there was something she knew about Meredith but didn't want to tell. She made a mental note of that.
Ron was about to persist but he stopped, his eyes following movement behind them. "What is he doing here?"
A black-cloaked figure was walking out to the field, in his hand was a chain, and on the end of that chain was a wolf. The wolf was Aconite. She looked rather placid compared to the ferocious creature they had seen the other night, her fur gleamed almost golden in the late sunlight.
Ron gulped, "Why does Snape have to bring that.. Animal with him.. its nothing but trouble.."
Snape walked up to Professor Flitwick and Professor Finch, speaking with them. Professor Flitwick gleefully reached out a hand to pat the wolf, which in a sitting position still stood taller than the teacher, on its head.
Harry jumped to his feet yelling across the field, "Don't! It's vicious!"
Professor Flitwick looked over, a puzzled look on his face. The wolf on the chain lead leaned foreword and nudged the tiny Professor almost toppling him and lacking his face. Professor Flitwick was sent into a fit of laughter and he called back to Harry "No need to worry my boy! Lady Aconite is tame as a pup!" He cheerfully patted the wolf.
Harry stood there dumbfounded. Ron muttered, "Unbelievable."
Harry looked to Hermione for a possible answer. But she too was puzzled.
Katherine on the other hand was staring hard at the wolf, not saying a word.
Professor Snape jerked hard on the lead line and the wolf blanched when the chains tightened. She backed up slowly and stood directly at his heels obediently. Professor Flitwick got the hint and stopped patting the animal, but he still waggled his fingers at her playfully, cooing such things as "Lovely puppy!" Snape started to walk off towards the sidelines, sitting down on a wooden bench, which had recently been added for Duelist spectators. The wolf hopped up onto the bench and laid down across his lap. Professor Snape made a face of utter disgust, but he didn't push the animal off.
By this time, about all of the students has assembled and were awaiting their instructions. Professor Finch brushed some hair out of his eyes and started to call out the rules for the evening. "Alright, alright settle down. Tonight the three groups that have assembled: Ravenclaw Year 5, Gryffindor Year 6, and Hufflepuff Year 7, you will all be dueling against your own group. Over the rest of the week, every day 3 groups, will compete in the same manner and thus the next round will be created based on the remaining students." He paused a moment, yawning, "The rules of the duel are as follows, Try not to inflict serious damage.. Madame Pomphrey has enough ailing students on her hands as is. Next, there is a set arena, stepping out of bounds counts as an immediate disqualification. Next, each group of students has one chance and one chance alone. If you lose in your duel today, then you are eliminated. That is about it, any questions?"
There was a hush, but a girl from Ravenclaw stood up, raising her hand. "Excuse me, Professor Finch.. if one wanted to forfeit the match mid round.. what should they do?"
Professor Finch frowned, "Well I'd expect you wouldn't want to disqualify yourself Miss Vollrath, but if it came down to it, you would raise your wand up into the air and have it shoot out red sparks. This is an immediate signal for the match to halt, failing to do so will result in disqualification of both students." He folded his arms over his chest, "And if there are no more questions, let us begin this bloody tournament."