Sorry this is so late in coming and sorry it's un-beta'd; my computer wont let me send any emails. SORRY XXTUNSTALLCHICKXX! I would send it, but my computer is screwed and i still love you! BEST BETA EVER!!!! :D
Anyway please review:
Kel watched as Neal and Dom danced around each other, their swords gleaming in their hands. Next to her Charlie watched in aware at the two boys in front of them, locked in a fierce duel.
In the last two months since Christmas Kel, Neal and Dom had been getting steadily better at their class work, leaving them more time for their sword practise. A thing that the trio seemed to take in their stride, spending almost two hours or more a day practicing their various types of combat.
As Kel looked at her friends she couldn't help but notice that they were all getting a bit rusty with out the hours upon hours of practise they were used to. Even though they were by no means bad swords men Kel didn't fail to notice that the three really did need to get back to their teachers. Which brought kel back to another thought that had been bothering her for the last few weeks; what was going to happen at the end of the year? Would the three of them be able to return home for the holidays? Would they ever be able to return home?
Kel was interrupted from her thoughts by Neal giving a loud shout of joy. It seemed today was one of those rare days when Neal had easily beaten Dom with in the first few minutes of their match. More often then not, Neal and Dom where so evenly matched that their duels could go on for ages and usually ended in a draw, or Raoul pulling Dom away by his ear, demanding he got ready for duty.
Charlie gave Kel a smile as she got up to join Neal in another match and once more kel was confused by the strange look in her friend's eyes as he looked at her. Noticing that both Neal and Dom Kel pushed Charlie to the corner of her mind, and quickly warmed up for her up coming match.
As soon as Neal knew she was ready both friends drew their swords up in the start position – both blades crossed in front of their bodies. As soon as Dom gave the all clear for them to start Kel lunged at Neal in a powerful half moon stroke and quickly continued her move with a series of staccato thrusts to her friend's side.
Even though both were tired from previous matches neither of them dared to back off in fear of losing.
Neal, bringing his sword sharply to the left, allowed Kel to begin her blocking stroke before fainting and flashing his sword to the right. Kel, realizing she wouldn't be quick enough to bring her sword to the other side of her body, quickly leapt backwards, grudgingly giving way to Neal's new attacks. Seeing an opening as Neal relentlessly swung at her sides, Kel thrust forward towards his shoulder, now forcing Neal to give way. As both their swords locked together, Neal used his height to try and force Kel down to her knees. Seeing what Neal was trying to do, Kel danced light-footed out the way before continuing to place blows on Neal's sword, drawing the boy out in a hope he would falter.
As Dom looked on he could help but stare in wonder at the fight that was going on between his two friends. Both were amazing swordsmen; their moves quick, fluid and fleet footed: but even as he watched, Kel ended the match. After a series of complex moves, Kel gave a strange flick of her sword which caused Neal' own to go flying out of his hand, only to come to a stop a few metres away, a learn only taught in the higher years of palace training.
As Kel lowered her sword she couldn't place her mask in place quick enough to hide the smile while she looked at the shock which showed on both Dom and Charlie's faces.
Turning back to Neal, who was picking up his sword, Kel extended her smile to include her friend, glad to be receiving one of her own in reply.
After quickly cleaning her sword and clipping it back onto her waist Kel made her way over to where her friends were waiting near the door. As the small group of four slowly made their way out the room Kel fell into step next to Charlie and Dom, Neal walking on the other side of his cousin.
As soon as the friends had reached the Common Room Kel quickly made her way up to her room, hoping to get a shower before her next lesson. Walking into the room, Kel was surprised to see that it was empty, used to the hoards of girls which usually spent time in the room talking and chattering. Placing her sword at the bottom of her trunk, Kel grabbed a clean towel and then made her way over to the bathroom.
Noticing her hair had gotten longer in the mirror, Kel quickly tied it up in a messy bun before starting a series of small stretches and hoping into the shower.
Coming out her room Kel was dressed in a clean set of school uniform, her books for the next lessons in her hand. After walking down the stair way and looking around the common room, Kel noticed Neal sitting next to the fire, book in hand.
Kel was making her way over towards Neal when she noticed Charlie come down the stairs on the opposite side of the room and sit down in one of the vacant seats besides Neal. Careful not to drop any of the books she was holding Kel walked quickly over to where her two friends were waiting.
Kel returned Charlie's smile before placing her books onto the floor and plonking down on the couch next to Neal.
Kel had just begun talking about the Muggle Studies homework they had been assigned when she noticed Dom walking down the stair towards them, Bill at his side, Bill laughing at something Dom had just said.
Waving them over. Kel stood up and collected her books from the floor, getting ready to leave for class.
'Finally,' Neal exclaimed when he noticed his cousin. 'I was beginning to believe you had fallen down the drain.'
Bill gave a small chuckle at his words before walking over to the portrait hole. 'Come on guys, you don't want to be late for next lesson.'
Kel was just in earshot of hearing Charlie mutter something in reply to his brother's words before she followed Bill out of the door.
After they had bid Bill goodbye farther up the corridor, Kel followed Charlie, Dom and Neal through the main doors and out into the surrounding grounds, quietly listening to their conversation about the up coming Quidditch grand final, which was scheduled to take place in four weeks.
As the four friends were just making their way past the Whomping Willow, Kel felt the first signs of rain begin to fall on her head. With in just a few moments the rain started poring down over their heads; making Kel certain they wouldn't have to wait long for Neal's reaction.
'Mithros it's raining again!' Neal shouted, his hair already dripping. 'I am so sick of this rain! It's worst then winter back home!'
'Come on guys, race you!' said Charlie as he began to run towards the Green Houses, not minding the rain at all.
Thinking back on it, Kel couldn't help but realize that it had almost become custom for them to race down to their Herbology lessons, Charlie and Neal always trying to prove who was fastest.
As Neal took off in pursuit of their friend, Kel allowed her self to show a small smile at Dom as they too took off towards the Green Houses, lengthening her stride to overtake Dom, Kel once more turned back to smile at him before whooping at the feeling of the wind rushing past her face, one of the things she missed most of being scared of heights.
Reaching the Green Houses almost an whole minute behind Neal and Charlie, Kel could help but laugh at how wet they both looked and how they running really hadn't seemed to help their cause. Noticing her laughter, both Neal and Charlie started to frown at her, in turn causing Dom to laugh as well, the sound causing students to turn and look.
Casting a quick drying spell on himself and the others, Neal gave a cheeky smile before walking through the Green House door, a swagger in his steps.
'It was raining and I STILL managed to win.' Came the drawling voice through the door.
'Don't worry,' recounted Kel, seeing Charlie's disgruntled expression. 'Horse blood runs through his veins.' While Dom coughed in attempt to hide his laughter.
Once again, please review.
