Another short chapter.
Sorry.

Chapter 16

- Duelling Gold Badge -

"Line up!"

Anna had arrived exactly on time to the long room dedicated to the dueling teams. Which was good, as it saved Teddy the awkward wait along with the other six chosen members, including Marcus Turner. All of them lined up against the wall like soldiers, their wands tucked away in their wand holsters and their Ravenclaw robe immaculate.

Anna's lip curled up in a half smile as she paced in front of them, like a general.

"Congratulations, you all made the dueling team." She said, but didn't sound very congratulating. "Now, there are a few things you should know about me before we begin and they are; I am not patient, I despise tardiness, there will be no whining or complaints at all and I want no funny business off the dueling mats, meaning no fighting." she glanced once at Marcus who barely noticed.

She continued to pace back a forwards, wand in her hand which was tucked behind her back. "Now I've only got a few weeks to whip you Flobberworms into shape before the inter-school competition shortly after the Christmas holidays. So lets get to work."

"You." She pointed. "Turner. On the mat. You too, Lupin. Hurry up."

Teddy's eyes widened. "But aren't you going to walk us through the rules and stances and stuff like that?" Her eyes narrowed.

"Didn't I say no complaining? On the mat, Lupin. Now!" He quickly followed her instructions, standing inches away from Marcus who looked eager to begin. "You both know how this works, wands out, bow, take a few steps away from each other, turn around and one the count of three, begin. Wands at the ready!"

Teddy watched as Marcus pulled out his wand, holding it in front of his face. "Last chance to run back to your master, mutt." He hissed silently.

"Teddy! Wand out!" Anna yelled, her fists on her hips.

"Sorry."

"Don't apologize, pull your wand out! Merlin's beard... alright. Bow." The two Ravenclaw's bowed and then began to walk to the end of either side of the mat, spinning around and getting into position. "One! Two! Three!"

Teddy sat on the bench, rubbing his sore shoulder. Marcus was on the other side of the room, dabbing a tissue on his bleeding nose. His eyes bore into Teddy as if hoping to melt holes in his forehead. "Nice win." Anna walked past him, watching the other members leave the room. Teddy stood up to follow her. "You did as I asked and practiced your nonverbal spells."

"Course I did."

"Your shoulder okay?" She asked, sounding only half concerned.

"Should be fine, but I'll run by Madame Pomfrey just to be sure."

Anna looked over at Marcus who too was leaving the room, his nose still bleeding. "Take Marcus with you, he looks like he fell off his broomstick." She chuckled.

Teddy smiled. "Slick git deserved it don't you think?"

The dueling captain and school champion looked up at him, a badge, which Teddy hadn't recognised before, was on her collar. "I don't take sides in my own team, Teddy."

"Right, sorry." He looked down, glancing up at the badge again. "Hey, what's that badge for?"

"Oh, this? This is a Dueling Gold Badge."

"How'd you get it?"

She picked up her things and he followed her out of the room and into the hall. "I earned it by defeating the last Ravenclaw dueling captain in a duel and remaining undefeated ever since."

"Impressive."

"Not really." She shrugged. "No one duels me anymore, I'm too good for my own good." With that her pace quickened and she disappeared around a corner.