Alina

The loud roaring of the crowd inside Wembley stadium only continued to grow as the time got closer to the start of the second year's round of the European Magic Students Dueling Championship. Even from her seat inside the duelist's pavilion she could hear the loud chants for Hogwarts reigning supreme among all of the crowd's cheers as the first year championship was coming to a close. She peeked her head out through the curtain of the duelist's pavilion to take another look at the growing crowd.

The stands this year seemed to be even more packed than they had been the first two years of the tournament, if that was even possible. It looked as if every person from Hogwarts along with their families and their uncle had made the short trip down to London for the tournament this year. It was easy to tell even from where she was that the Hogwarts section was by far the most packed in the stadium. She could only make out small sections of Durmstrang and Beauxbatons supporters scattered among the sea of black robes. She certainly would not have to worry about home field advantage this year that was for sure. This year she would certainly have the support of the fans on her side.

Moving her eyes from the stands she looked over towards the dueling platform, taking in its layout one more time. She had already begun to plan out a number of strategies as soon as she had arrived at the stadium that morning, but a little more planning never hurt anyone.

God I have been hanging out with Hermione too much. She thought to herself at the thought of a little more planning never hurt.

This year the stadium was only divided into two distinct sides instead of the usual four, she guessed they were trying to mix things up or something. The left side of the stadium this year was a grassy, hilly area, and had just a few trees and large boulders scattered throughout it. The right side of the stadium was another grassy area, this one though with a larger number of trees spread around and a small pond sitting near its center.

The platform this year, she personally thought, was much more simpler than last year's platform had been. Whether that was a good or bad thing though she still remained undecided. On one hand the lack of features and distinct biomes meant less areas of attack to worry about defending against; on the other hand it meant you had less offensive tactics to utilize to your advantage. Regardless of the changes in the biomes she was still feeling confident about repeating this year.

Ever since her second year at Hogwarts had come to an end her mind had been entirely focused on preparing for this tournament. Just as she had done last year, any free time she had available was spent honing all of her dueling techniques and working on her spellwork. Thanks to being chosen by the professors as one of the six students to receive the Ministry's Magic Permission Device, which allowed her to practice magic over the summer, she was able to practice her magic everyday at home, which certainly helped to boost her confidence a lot more.

Hermione had also been a huge help again this summer in preparing for the tournament. Alina had been allowed to stay at the Granger's vacation house in France for a week again this summer, and even though they could not duel inside Hermione's family's condo, she and Hermione were able to practice almost every spell you could think of during their week together. Needless to say, she was ready to freaking duel!

The first year's tournament was in its final round, and was currently proving to be a good competition between Durmstrang and Beauxbaton's champions. Hogwart's first year champion had been a Ravenclaw boy named Arnold Deafhill, who had somehow managed to get beaten so bad in his first duel that he was forced to forfeit the rest of his duels. The rest of the first year's tournament had been fairly entertaining though. Although the more she watched the more she found it difficult to believe that she had been in their shoes only just a year ago. It felt like so much longer since she had been in her first ever EMSDC.

"I don't think the stadium is big enough," A voice said beside her, causing her to jump in her seat and pull her head back in from outside the curtain. She turned her head to see a boy she had never seen before. She noted, as he pulled his head back in from the part in the curtain he had been glancing through, that he had short black hair and was wearing Durmstrang robes. After recovering from being surprised it took her a few seconds to remember that he had just said something to her.

"I agree, such a disappointment," She replied to his comments sarcastically.

"I sense sarcasm," The boy said, flashing her a large smile as he sat down across from her.

"Good catch," She said, rolling her eyes at him.

"I'm Dedrick by the way," The boy said, extending his hand out to her.

"Alina."

"Alina is a very pretty name. So you are the great, Alina, champion duelist of our year then huh?" he said, not attempting to hide his obvious flattering.

"Thank you, and yes I am the great Alina! I take it you are the Durmstrang champion this year then?" she asked him.

"Wow someone is a little conceited. And Yeah, I am," Dedrick said laughing.

"I am not conceited, only confident. And plus I can't be conceited if you are the one who said it first," she argued back.

"Whatever floats your boat sweetheart," Dedrick responded, putting his hands behind his head as he leaned back in his chair.

"See your the conceited one. Think you can just get away with calling me sweetheart already?" she asked him playfully.

"Of course I can, pretty people get away with anything," he said, his large grin growing more.

"Oh is that right?"

"Mhmm," Dedrick replied, looking smug.

"Alright then," She threw one of the apples in the tray on the table in front of her at him. It him him square in the arm.

"What was that for?" Dedrick said, surprised at her actions, but still grinning.

"Pretty people get away with anything," she answered him, sending him a wink.

"Oh you play dirty! I will remember that," Dedrick said, his big grin returning.

"I don't know if they told you, sweetheart, but only the winner of the qualifying round gets to duel me. So sorry," she said again playfully.

"Look at you already calling me sweetheart, man I'm good," Dedrick said, returning her wink. "And trust me, we will be meeting in the finals.".

"Now who's cocky?" she asked him.

"I never said I wasn't. And why wouldn't I be? Any guy would be cocky when a pretty girl starts calling him sweetheart before even their first date."

"Oh so now we are going on a first date? Man you are delusional," she said laughing a little. This kid took Marik's level of sarcasm and smugness to a whole nother level.

"Now that I will agree with you on," Dedrick replied, and she couldn't help but laugh a little. "I'm thinking either a good walk on the coastline where I tell you about my childhood, or a nice quiet place to have lunch where you tell me embarrassing stories about what's happened to you at school. I'll let you know when I decide."

"Oh, sorry that won't work, I'm busy that day."

"Wow! So that is your tactic huh? You break a guy's heart so he is too broken to beat you in a duel," Dedrick joked.

"It's a better strategy than yours is!" she argued playfully back.

"Hey my strategy is good! Right when you are about to beat me in the duel you'll get all hot and bothered thinking about how handsome I am and then bam!" she laughed again.

"You are bad," she told him, shaking her head.

"I was always told chicks dug the bad boys," Dedrick said.

"Only the bad boys think that."

"Sounds like something a good girl would say."

"You're damn right!" she shouted.

"And that sounds like something a bad girl would say," Dedrick laughed, she couldn't help but laugh too.

"Shouldn't you be focusing on the tournament right now?" she asked him as she looked around the tent and saw the other second year duelists preparing.

"Why would I want to do that. You are much more fun," he said, giving her another smile and wink.

"Well I know that, but focusing sounds like a good idea for someone who didn't even make the tournament last year," she said, making fun of him a little.

"For your information, Miss Alina, I did make the tournament last year but got replaced at the last minute," he told her, sticking out his tongue when he finished.

"Likely story. Why did you get replaced?"

"Apparently getting suspended from school is a bad thing, especially when your dad is the Headmaster," Dedrick said laughing.

"See, you are a bad boy. Your dad is the Headmaster of Durmstrang?" she asked curiously.

"Unfortunately, yeah. Oh and you like it!" he argued.

"What did you do to get suspended. And no I don't!" she asked him before arguing.

"I may or may not have stunned one of my professors," he answered her, mumbling the last part.

"Wow you are dumb! Why on earth would you do something so stupid?" she asked him, laughing at what she was hearing.

"He had it coming! He told me he would rather be stunned repeatedly then have an arguement with me in class, so I gave him what he wanted," Dedrick answered.

"You are crazy. I can't believe they even let you back in the school," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Perks of being the best."

"Trust me I know the perks."

"Oh I like you Alina," he said, flashing her another wide grin.

"Most people do," she over dramatically flipped her hair.

"Alright everyone get ready for your names to be called," one of the organizers announced to their group, ending her and Dedrick's conversation. They all stood up and made their way over to the arena entrance.

"I look forward to our duel later Alina," Dedrick whispered as they made their way out into the stadium.

The stands went even crazier as they exited the duelist's pavilion and the cheers got even louder as they all made their way out to the center of the platform. Apparently the first year's tournament had been a good one, as everyone in the crowd seemed riled up and ready for more. She blushed a little as she heard her father making loud comments from wherever he was in the stands. She waved to where her father's loud cheers were coming from and took a few bows as the Hogwarts section cheered.

"It is time for the second year's tournament. Before I announce the names of this year's challengers I would first like to announce our current champion title holder for this year, Alina Black!" Dumbledore began announcing to the crowd. She took a few more bows as the Hogwart's section shouted. She tried to embellish the moment for as long as she could.

God I love doing this. She thought to herself as an uncontrollable smile had emerged on her face.

"I think I speak for everyone when I say that we are excited to watch you defend your title this year. Now I would like to announce the second year challengers for each school. Starting with Hogwarts, your second year champion is, Ginny Weasley!"

It made her happy when the crowd cheered louder for her than they did when Ginny's name was called. However, she was a little jealous of the firework display that went off and formed a giant Weasley 'W' in the sky.

Stupid redhead twins and their toys.

"Next, from Durmstrang Institute your second year champion is, Dedrick Karkaroff!" Alina found her eyes rolling yet again as she watched the Dedrick boy react to all the cheers and shouts from the Durmstrang section. After he had done enough bows to make Alina's back even hurt Dumbledore thankfully continued.

"And last but not least, making her second appearance in this tournament, from Beauxbatons Academy, your champion is, Kanami Ewings!"

This time the large French section of the stands erupted into applause and sang their school's anthem as Kanami curtsied to the Beauxbatons crowd.

Even though she would not have to duel until the very last duel this year, Alina was still going to keep an extra eye out for Kanami this year. The girl had come at her last year with a strategy from seemingly nowhere and nearly gotten the best of Alina. Kanami had been good last year, there was no telling how much better she was after a year of practice.

After Dumbledore announced each of the duelists for their year she made her way over to the sideline area to watch. She was excited to get to watch for the first few duels this time around. Last tournament right about now her nerves had been going insane as she waited for her name to be called. This year though she got to sit back and relax and hopefully she would get to see some exciting duels.

The first duel was announced and would be between Durmstrang and Hogwarts. So that meant Ginny would be dueling the overly flirtatious Dedrick. She was anxious to see if the boy was able to actually back up any of his talk; with guys like him the answer was normally no. Ginny on the other hand Alina already knew could back things up.

Ginny was given the left side of the platform and Dedrick was given the right. The two of them bowed to each other and waited on their respective sides for the center light to change. As soon as the light changed they were both off.

"Reducto, rubyflamen, azuflamen!" Ginny started the duel off with three powerful blast spells. If there was one thing Alina knew about Ginny it was that the girl sure knew her blast spells, and could cast them with a power level that no other person in their year could.

"Protego!" Dedrick countered Ginny's onslaught of blast spells by just throwing up a large shield. His shield didn't seem to waver in its strength as Ginny's spells collided with it one after another.

"Stupefy, expulso, reducto!" again Ginny fired off another round of powerful spells, starting with a huge stunner.

"Protego totalum!" with a smug grin still on his face Dedrick protected the area around him as again Ginny's spells collided with his shield again one after another. The stunner, explosion spell, and blast spell still weren't enough to even make a dent on Dedrick or his shield though.

"Rubyflamen, expelliarmus!" Ginny sent another flame blast spell at Dedrick as soon as his shield released and followed it up with the disarming spell.

"Aeriacta, deprimo, stupefy, protego!" finally going on the offensive, Dedrick countered the tiring Ginny with an offensive onslaught of his own. Just as Ginny's two spells collided with Dedrick's shield, Dedrick's spells closed in on Ginny.

"Protego!" Ginny shouted out the shield spell just as Dedrick's wind explosion spell was about to hit her. Ginny's shield held strong though and withstood the wind explosion spell, however that was all it withstood up against. As soon as Dedrick's next wind spell hit Ginny the duel was over. As Ginny flew through the air, caught up in a gust of wind, she was helpless as Dedrick's powerful stunner hit her square in the back and knocked her out cold.

The small Durmstrang section cheered for their victor as he bowed dramatically to the crowd, a large grin still on his face.

So I guess he isn't so bad, but none of that was too impressive. She thought to herself, as Dedrick headed towards the sidelines and of course grabbed the seat next to her.

"So what did you think?" he asked her as a member of the medical staff brought him some potions.

"Wasn't very impressive," she told him honestly.

"Well I can't be using all of my good stuff in the first duel now can I?" he said, his smug grin returning.

"Whatever you say, I still think you are all talk though."

"How about we make a bet then?" he asked her.

"I'd rather not," she replied, but he continued anyways.

"I bet that In my next duel that I will win with only casting two spells. If I cast more than two or lose the duel you win. If I cast two spells or less I win, and you have to confess your love for me." Dedrick said to her.

"If you win with two spells I will be impressed. But either way there will be no confessions of love."

"Well then guess I will just have to settle on impressing you. More than I already have," he said, winking again.

The second duel of their tournament was between Ginny, who looked ready for redemption, and Beauxbaton's champion for the second straight year, Kanami Ewings. The two girls looked completely serious and determined to win as they made their way to their sides. Hopefully this duel would be another good one.

"Stupefy, expelliarmus!" Ginny was the first to cast as the duel started, running straight towards Kanami on her side.

"Expelliarmus, protego." As Ginny charged Kanami held her ground, throwing up a shield and sending a disarming spell right at Ginny. With her shield spell up Kanami was also able to send both of Ginny's spells back at her. Unfortunately though both landed wide left of the still charging Ginny.

"Expulso, reducto!" Ginny cast two spells Alina knew she was good at towards Kanami. Sticking with her bread and butter Ginny had chosen to send two powerful blast spells again.

"Accio Water!" Kanami shouted. On her side of the platform, Kanami summoned all of the pond's water into a swirling ball. Once the ball of water was under her control she sent it hurling at Ginny at high speeds, engulfing and extinguishing both of Ginny's blast spells along its way.

"Protego totalum!" Ginny quickly screamed out. Her body was completely engulfed in a shield just as the raging ball of water collided with her. Luckily for Ginny she had got the shield up just in time and all of the water fell to the ground around her shield. Unlucky for Ginny though, Kanami was now charging too.

"Stupefy!" Kanami sent an extremely powerful stunner right at the now, unshielded Ginny.

"Protego!" Kanami's spell had such great speed put behind it that Ginny had no time to counter her and was forced to throw up another shield.

"Reducto, immobulus, expelliarmus!" one after another, Kanami sent three more high powered spells at Ginny. Ginny's shield was strong enough for Kanami's first spell, but just as it had during her first duel, her shield was not strong enough to withstand the next two spells. This time Ginny found herself unable to move due to Kanami's immobilizing spell and was forced to take the expelliarmus spell head on. Unable to do anything, Ginny was left standing helpless as her wand soared through the air until it was caught by Kanami.

Alina took a little pride at seeing Ginny get beaten again. Even if she was supposed to root for Hogwarts the competitive side of her wanted to be the clear leader of their school in her year level. Kanami deserved that win too. She had clearly been watching Ginny's first duel and strategizing to counter all of the blast spells.

Everyone in her year at Hogwarts knew Ginny was amazing at blast spells, however what a lot of people didn't know was that Ginny was not the best at defensive spells. Kanami had apparently, by just watching one duel, discovered this out and used it to her advantage. Kanami let Ginny charge and throw powerful spells at her, hoping to wait patiently until Ginny had used a little of her magical energy up. When Kanami did strike it had been with flawless precision, continually forcing Ginny to keep a shield up until she was all out of juice. It certainly seemed like Kanami had not wasted the year in between the tournaments.

"Looks like it is my time to shine again," Dedrick announced as the duel ended and he stood up and stretched.

"Try not to lose too bad," she said as he made his way towards the stage, he just laughed and kept on walking.

The last duel of the challenger's round was between Durmstrang and Beauxbatons. Based off of each of their first two duels this one would no doubt be a good one. Hopefully Dedrick's conceited attitude and betting would not damper the contest and Alina would get a good show. Dedrick and Kanami made their way back to their sides as directed and readied themselves. The light again changed, signaling the start of the last duel of this round, and the two were off.

Kanami, on her side, immediately started firing off high powered blasting spells one after another at Dedrick, who had decided to charge straight at Kanami. As Dedrick continued to charge he somehow managed to dodge all of Kanami's incoming spells by just rolling out of the way as they approached him. As Dedrick narrowed the gap between the two of them, Kanami began to fire off even more spells, these more powerful than her first round of spells.

Dedrick simply just rolled one direction or the other and dodged the spells with ease though. As he closed the gap between the two of them Dedrick finally cast his first spell and summoned a shield in front of him as a powerful spell chain from Kanami neared in.

His shield was strong enough to reflect three of Kanami's spells right back at her. Kanami was forced to throw up a quick shield in order to deflect her own spells. As she deflected the last few of her own spells the gap between the two was only a mere five feet or so.

Right as Kanami's shield disappeared Dedrick blasted off a stunner that seemed to have all his power behind it. From the short range there was no way Kanami could have defended herself against it quickly enough. Her body, like a cannon, shot across the platform before landing with a loud thud on the ground of the dueling platform. The Durmstrang section again erupted into cheers as their duelist had won again.

I am impressed. Looks like it is me versus you then. Dedrick had beaten Kanami with only two spells, just like he said he would. Even if he was a cocky flirt, he had backed up his words and proved himself to be a formidable opponent.

"So tell me you are impressed now," Dedrick told her as he sat down again and received his treatment again.

"I am impressed," she said, making it a point to roll her eyes.

"Awe thank you Alina. You are always so sweet to me," Dedrick said with another smug grin.

"You won't be saying that in a few minutes," she told him.

"I'm sure I will be. Just promise me you won't make too big a deal out of it when I win. I don't like groupies."

"I can't tell you how much I look forward to seeing your broken ego Dedrick," she told him as she stood up and started to prepare herself.

"And I look forward to seeing you in action. I imagine you will be even prettier than you are now," he said flirtatiously again.

She just rolled her eyes at him. After a few minutes Dumbledore called Dedrick and herself to the center of the platform. She found herself blushing again as her father was again shouting louder than anyone else in the stands.

No one knew how to embarrass their kids quite like he did.

She was given the right side of the platform for the duel. She made her way over to her side after bowing to Dedrick, who made it a point to whistle at her when she walked away. As she arrived at her side of the platform she rid herself of the noise in the stands and focused on the task in front of her. Her eyes moved to the light overhead in anticipation. As soon as she saw the light change colors she was off.

"Hori rei, rensa maho!" she started the duel with two high powered spells. Her first spell was one of the white-light-magic spells she had created. With the spell, she sent around six beams of powerful light energy right at Dedrick. With her second spell she summoned a long black chain which she then whipped ferociously towards him. Dedrick on his side had already cast as many spells as he did in his last duel. Throwing up a quick area-protection-shield he blocked her first spell and he followed it up with a powerful cutting spell that somehow ripped her thick chain in half, rendering it useless.

"Luxluvia!" she fired off another one of her powerful white light spells. A powerful beam of white-light energy headed straight at Dedrick.

"Duro, expulso, deprimo, tempesta maximus!" she heard Dedrick counter with a spell chain on his side of the platform. His first spell caused her beam of white light to harden itself in mid-air. With his second spell he exploded her now hardened spell and sent it flying right back at her with his third wind gust spell.

"Protego!" she had to summon a shield quickly as pieces of her own spell came flying back at her at high speeds. With Dedrick's last spell, one she had seen Marik use once before, he had summoned a lot of black clouds over their heads.

"Stupefy, incarcerous, geminio!" she threw another spell chain at her opponent before he could get another spell off. However, none of her spells even made it close to him. Her first stunner at about the halfway mark of the arena was struck by a bolt of lighting and vanished into thin air. The ropes that she had used the cloning spell on met the same fate. As the ropes reached towards Dedrick they were caught in a flurry of lightning strikes that sent them all burning to the grown in a pile of ashes.

"Rainovio!" Dedrick, on his side of the platform, was now forcing her to go on the defensive. He had used another spell she had never heard of before so she prepared herself for anything.

"Protego totalum!" she cast the area protection spell around herself, ready for anything. Or maybe she wasn't.

In a stream of chaos her shield was struck from above by a bolt of lightning. As soon as that bolt faded away another one quickly struck. If she stayed where she was much longer her shield would not make it and she would be toast, literally. With that in mind she quickly bolted, no lighting pun intended. As she ran she could feel the bolts of lightning striking only inches away from her.

"Tornusta!" she heard Dedrick cast another unknown spell as she continued to run.

"Lumos maxima!" she cast the light spell, hoping to blind him long enough that she could get a good shot on him.

As her blinding light filled the arena she realised it was too little too late. With the last spell Dedrick had cast he had somehow summoned a large tornado onto the platform. Right as she turned to cast her spell the tornado had gotten close enough to her that she was forced into its winds. Her world was turned into one of chaos as she was slung through the air in a large circle a countless number of times.

In a rush of speed that sent her vision spinning she was thrown from the tornado out into the air. Just as her vision began to become a little clearer everything in her sight went to a bright yellow. An enormous amount of pain, energy, and heat surged through her body as her sight became filled with the bright yellow. However, the pain, energy, and her hopes of winning quickly left her, as the yellow faded, and her vision went to black.

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