3. Dueling Week

We rushed to the Great Hall. I knew Dueling Club would be popular so I wanted to make sure I got a shot. Artemis, Scorpius, and I signed up for tryouts.

"If you want to be on the team you must defeat your opponent in a duel," Hufflepuff captain Jack McAllistair said. "Only then, can you become part of the Hufflepuff dueling team."

Artemis decided to go first. Her opponent, some fifth year, look ready for an easy win.

"On the count of three, disarm your opponent. One, two, three!"

"Protego!" Cries Artemis.

"Stupefy!" Yelled her opponent.

The Stunning Spell rebounded of her Shield charm. Artemis actually was performing well against the older opponent. Red sparks flew past each dueler, each one getting closer and closer.

"Tarantallegra!" Artemis said. The jinx hit her opponent square in the chest, now he had no control over his legs. Artemis went for the win.

"Expelliarmus!"

Her opponents wand flew into midair and landed in Artemis' hand.

"The winner is Artemis!"

Artemis stepped down from the table. We all congratulated her on her victory. But our celebration was cut short. Jack was about to call the next match.

"Albus vs. Scorpius."

We looked at each other. We knew only one of us would get the spot. We walked on to the table and shook hands.

"Let the better dueler win!" Scorpius said, and he took his position.

When Jack said three, I attacked.

"Confundo!"

"Finite Incantatem!" Scorpius' spell hit mine directly, causing it to sputter out. Soon, we both we're dodging spells, using protective charms, and jinxes to Disarm each other.

"Rictusempra!" Scorpius shouts. I couldn't dodge this one. It hits me, and I could not stop laughing.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Scorpius casted the Body Bind curse, and unfortunately I was hit. I couldn't move, allowing Scorpius to run up and grab my wand out of my hand. He won the duel.

Members of the team cheered for Scorpius as he left the table. Once I was free, I too gave him a congratulatory high five. Scorpius truly is a great dueler.

We stayed for the rest of the tryouts to see who else would be joining the team. By the end of the day, the Hufflepuff Dueling Team looked pretty solid. I tell Scorpius and Artemis that I will see them in the common room, and I leave. I start to head towards the basement when I see Rose.

It was like she was a completely different person. She was laughing with other Slytherins! Finally she likes where she is. I'm glad Rose had found friends. I didn't want her to sulk. Once she heads to her common room, I go to mine. While waiting for my friends, I decide to do my homework. After finishing my History reading about the First Wizard War, Scorpius and Artemis come through the tunnel.

The talk about practice, and scheduled matches that I had to attend. I told them I wouldn't miss it for the world.

The rest of the week dragged by slowly. Everyone was ready to see the first graded duel in our Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Scorpius had made a bet that i wouldn't get a spell in, and I gave him a mean look. Professor Hamilton came in told the class to be seated.

"Artemis, Albus, please come to the front."

We both walk to the front. We shook hands and took our ends of the classroom.

"Now kids, this duel is for a grade based on your spell use. Execute the spells we have learned, and you will get an Outstanding, whether you win or lose the duel."

"Good luck," Artemis calls.

"You, too."

Professor Hamilton counted down, and the duel began. We both shot a stunning spell at each other, causing both of us to dive out of the way. Artemis was faster than I was. She got back to her feet and casted two more stunning spells at me. I had to use a Shield charm in order to defend myself.

"Excellent defense, Albus. Great attack, Artemis," commented Hamilton.

"Reducto!"

My spell hit Artemis, and blasted her back into the wall. I shot a stunning spell before she had the chance to retaliate. She stood there, Stunned. I had won the duel.

"Congratulations, Albus on winning the duel. That truly was an excellent duel. Great spell usage for both of you. You both get an O!" Hamilton said.

I went up to Artemis, who was still Stunned.

"Rennervate!"

Artemis became conscious again. She congratulated me on the win, and I told her we both got an Outstanding.

After our duel, we went back to learning about dark spells and creatures. The excitement for the day was pretty much over.

The rest of our first year went pretty smoothy. Slytherin won the house cup over Gryffindor. James was pretty upset. He was hit with a Bludger right when he was about to catch the Snitch. Oh, and Scorpius got hit with a cutting spell, giving him a deep gash. That was pretty much my first year at Hogwarts.

Rose and I grew distant. It was probably just us not being in the same house, but she acted differently too. She seemed different, I just didn't know how.

But either way, it was summer. Scorpius was going to stay with us for the summer. His father was going to Romania for work and would not be nack until summer. We boarded the train and greeted my parents when we came into Kings Cross.

A/N: The first year for Albus is over. Yeah, that was fast. The story is about to unfold in the coming chapters.

~Psycho