Theo, Mia, and Jace stood in the dueling arena, sweat glistening on their foreheads as they caught their breath. They had been training tirelessly, pushing their limits day after day. Theo wiped his brow with the back of his hand and chuckled, "I never thought I'd say this, but I'm starting to enjoy this muggle fighting stuff."
Mia, her wand tucked away, grinned at Theo. "Well, you're a natural, Teddy."
Jace, twirling his wand between his fingers, chimed in, "And don't forget your archery skills. You're practically a modern-day Robin Hood.. Must be the English genes in you."
Their training had transformed them into some of the best duelists in Durmstrang Institute, but not everyone was thrilled about it. A group of first-year students, led by André Söderholm had taken issue with Mia. They had been taunting her and hexing her whenever they could, always making sure no one was watching.
One day, as Mia was studying alone in the library, André and his best friend, Ivan Löfgren, cornered her. André's cruel laughter echoed through the quiet library as he sneered, "Look who we have here, all alone. No friends, no protection. You're weak, Mia.
Ivan, his intense green eyes burning with malice, chimed in, "Death Eater scum like you shouldn't even be allowed in this and your family belong in Azkaban"
Jace and Theo had tried to intervene countless times, but André and Ivan were relentless in their torment. This time, they cornered Mia where they knew she would be alone
Mia clenched her jaw, refusing to show weakness. Her magic crackled around her, making her hair stand on end, and her blue eyes hardened with resolve. The library shelves began to tremble, and the lights flickered ominously as Ivan and André continued their taunts.
André his platinum-blond hair shimmering in the low light, smirked "Look at her, Ivan. She can't even control her your precious books, you're nothing."
Mia's lips curled into a smirk, her confidence unwavering. "Ivan," she began, "you can't even hold a wand correctly, and André, you couldn't tell the difference between Amortentia and real love if your life depended on it."
The two tormentors flustered and growled in response to her cutting remarks, their faces turning shades of red that matched their embarrassment.
Mia turned to leave, her back to the bullies, but Ivan's voice stopped her in her tracks. "If you're as good as you think you are, Mia," he taunted, "then you wouldn't have a problem dueling the two of us."
Mia turned around slowly, her eyes flashing like a gathering storm. "You have a deal. Just make sure to reserve two beds in the infirmary." With that, she walked away, leaving Ivan and André fuming and unsure of what they had just gotten themselves into.
After the confrontation in the library, Mia stormed off to the Quidditch pitch. She was seething with anger, and with each stomp of her foot, she soared higher and higher into the air on her broom, leaving a trail of frustration in her wake.
She lost track of time as she circled the pitch, venting her anger through the wind rushing past her. It wasn't until she heard her name being called that she realized how long she had been up there. Looking down, she saw Theo and Jace waving at her and yelling for her to come down.
Seeing that she wasn't descending, Theo and Jace exchanged worried glances. Without hesitation, they summoned their brooms and shot up into the air, rapidly approaching their distressed friend.
Jace, being the first to reach her, slowed down and positioned himself in front of her. Theo followed closely behind, casting a warming charm around them all. They hadn't had time to grab their coats after hearing Ivan's boast about dueling Mia.
Jace offered Mia a sympathetic smile. "I always thought I'd be the first one of us to duel someone," he said, trying to lighten the mood. "you've beat me to it, princess"
Theo, who had sidled up to Mia enough to give her a sideways hug, asked gently, "Star, tell us what happened. Jace and I were in the arena when we heard Söderholm telling his friends he was going to duel you."
Mia took a deep breath, wiping away angry tears with her sleeve, and began to recount the taunts and insults Ivan and André had thrown at her about her magic and her family. She explained how, out of sheer spite, she had agreed to fight them.
Theo chuckled darkly. "Ivan and André have no idea what they've gotten themselves into," he said, a dangerous glint in his eyes.
Jace, on the other hand, was fuming. Someone had pushed his princess to the point of tears, and his eyes flashed with anger. His voice was eerily calm as he told Mia, "Make them cry when you beat them."
Theo nodded in agreement. "We'll be right there beside you."
Mia hesitated, torn between wanting her friends by her side and not wanting to see them get hurt because of her impulsiveness.
Jace's voice softened as he looked into Mia's eyes. "Those gits made you cry, princess, and they're going to pay for it," he said, determined in his gaze. "Besides, I've always wanted to kick Söderholm and Löfgren's asses."
Theo smirked. "And I'd love to try out my Muggle fighting skills on something other than a dummy. Söderholm and Löfgren can be my guinea pigs"
As Mia, Jace, and Theo were finishing their dinner in the grand dining hall, a majestic honey-colored eagle soared into the room. It glided gracefully over the tables, causing a hushed murmur of awe and curiosity among the students. But the three friends exchanged worried glances. They knew what this meant—a howler.
The eagle perched itself on the edge of their table, and with a swift movement of its beak, it tore open the envelope containing the howler. Mia, Jace, and Theo braced themselves for the impending explosion of sound.
Mia's mother's voice burst forth, booming through the dining hall, causing everyone to wince and hurriedly cover their ears. "Mia Lucrezia Borghese!" Her voice held an unmistakable tone of disappointment and worry. "How could you have gotten into a duel without telling us? Do you realize the danger you put yourself in?"
But just as Mia was bracing herself for further admonishment, her father's voice interjected, surprisingly proud and full of support. "Mia, sole mio, we heard about your duel. We couldn't be prouder of you for standing up for yourself. Beat their asses!"
Her uncle Alec's voice chimed in next, humorously adding fuel to the fire. "If you'd like, Mia, there's a comfortable cell with Söderholm and Löfgren's names on them. We can imprison them for attempting murder of a member of the royal , Jace, if you're listening, you better step in that fucking arena with her."
There were slaps and muffled laughter heard from the background as Mia's mother, and her aunt Izzy admonished their respective husbands. Her aunt Eloise's voice cut through, "Mia, you're a force to be reckoned with. We'll be watching you. Make sure you bury Söderholm and Löfgren's faces in the arena's dirt."
Izzy's voice cut through this time and she sounded rather mischievous. "You're a Borghese and a one messes with a Borghese and nobody certainly messes with a Rosier. Make them regret the day they crossed paths with you."
Mia felt a warmth spread through her chest as her family's support washed over her. With renewed determination, she nodded and mouthed a silent "thank you" to the eagle before it took off into the night sky.
The dueling arena was bathed in the soft glow of late afternoon sunlight, casting long shadows across the rugged terrain. Mia, Theo, and Jace stood at one end, their combat attire giving them an air of determination. Mia had her wand securely holstered at her side, but an unassuming nylon rope coiled around her wrist. Theo carried his bow and arrows slung over his shoulder, his wand tucked in a holster on his hip. Jace had a sword sheathed at his side, a shield strapped on his back, and his wand holstered.
Tension hung in the air as the trio prepared for their duel against formidable opponents. André and Ivan strode into the arena with a group of twelve kids trailing behind them. They exchanged a brief, tense exchange of words, and André gave Mia a sly smirk before passing by, muttering, "Good luck beating all of us."
Jace clenched his sword, ready to lunge forward, but Theo's hand on his shoulder held him back. "Remember, Jace," Theo whispered, "we've got this. Stay focused."
With determination, they stepped into the center of the arena, their hearts pounding. Their parents watched from the staff stands, faces a mix of worry and pride.
Igor Karkarov, the headmaster and announcer, stood at the center of the arena, his voice resonating throughout. "Ladies and gentlemen," he boomed, "today, we have a face-off that promises to be nothing short of spectacular.
The crowd hushed in anticipation as Karkarov continued, "A reminder, the duel is over when the entire team begs for mercy or waves a white flag. Unforgivables are strictly forbidden." He raised his wand, and the whistle hung from his neck let out a shrill sound. "Best of luck to both teams!"
The dueling arena was alive with energy, the air vibrating with anticipation as Theo, Mia, and Jace stood back-to-back in the center, ready for the battle to commence. Surrounding them were their opponents, a horde of young witches and wizards, their wands at the ready.
"Get ready," Mia whispered to her friends, her blue eyes locked on André.
With the whistle's signal, the battle erupted. Spells and curses flew, and arrows whizzed through the air. Mia deftly wielded her wand, deflecting incoming attacks and using her nylon rope to ensnare her opponents. "Incarcerous! Expelliarmus!" she chanted, sending ropes to bind their foes and disarm them.
Theo's bow released arrows with precision, hitting their marks and keeping André and Ivan's team at bay. He chanted incantations under his breath, adding a layer of protection to their defense. "Protego! Impedimenta!"
Jace took a defensive stance, his sword and shield at the ready. He deflected curses with his shield and used his sword to counterattack. "Coloshoo! Stupefy!"
Spells flew in a flurry of colors and incantations as they defended themselves from all sides. Despite their skill, it was clear that they were outnumbered, and the odds seemed daunting. Theo raised his wand, conjuring a shield to protect them, and the shield moved forward making their opponents stumble back, while Jace and Mia met their opponents' jinxes halfway, expertly countering and deflecting the incoming spells.
The tension was thick in the arena, and then, the trio's lips curled into smirks. A golden hue enveloped them, and their eyes flashed with a golden fierce intensity. Their attacks became more potent, their movements more fluid.
The battle continued, but the tide had unmistakably turned. With an almost effortless precision, Theo, Mia, and Jace systematically defeated their opponents. Spells flew from their wands like lightning, striking down their adversaries. Shields were shattered, hexes met with even more powerful curses.
The arena seemed to hush as their opponents watched in awe. Many of their fellow students were on the ground, groaning in defeat. Only Ivan and André remained standing, along with three other boys, all looking visibly shaken by the sudden surge in power from Mia, Theo, and Jace.
Theo's smirk widened as he turned to Jace. "I'm calling dibs on those three," he said, his voice laced with confidence, nodding toward the remaining boys.
Jace grinned back. "You got it. Ivan's mine," he declared, his eyes locked onto the boy.
Mia, her golden eyes gleaming, directed her attention to André. "André is mine," she said with determination, her wand poised for action.
Finally, one by one, the remaining opponents fell. Ivan, André, and the other three boys could no longer withstand the trio's relentless assault. The arena erupted in cheers as they lay defeated on the ground, wands tossed aside, and white flags raised in surrender. The message was clear: they were not to be underestimated.
Mia approached André, who was lying on the ground, groaning and nursing his injuries. She extended her hand towards him, offering assistance, and André hesitantly accepted it. But just as he started to rise, she suddenly swung her fist, catching André off guard. He yelped in pain and clutched his nose.
"What the fuck is your problem?" André spat out angrily, holding his injured nose, disbelief and fury written across his face. "We already accepted defeat!"
Mia, however, couldn't help but smirk as she pointed at the blood on her knuckles, a malicious grin playing on her lips. "Oh, André,would you look at that," she said mockingly, "your blood is the same color as mine."
Theo and Jace burst into laughter, and Jace threw an arm around Mia, shouting with excitement, "Everyone, party in the dorms tonight!"
Their names shone brightly at the pinnacle of the leaderboard, a testament to their hard work and dedication. As they sat at their usual spot in the dining hall, enjoying their meal and the recognition that came with their newfound status, they knew that staying at the top wouldn't be easy. The competition was fierce, and they were well aware that the hierarchy at Durmstrang was always in flux.
With their bags packed and ready for the Easter break, they were enjoying their last meal in the dining hall before portkeying to Villa Borghese, where their parents would be eagerly awaiting their return. Laughter and conversation filled the air as students chatted excitedly about the upcoming break.
Suddenly, Igor and Idris stood up from the high table, their imposing presence silencing the room. All eyes turned toward them, and the excited buzz died down.
Igor's deep voice resonated through the hall as he addressed the entire school. "After the Easter break," he announced, "there will be only two months left until the War Games. It is crucial that you choose your teams wisely." His words were met with nods of understanding from the older students who had participated in previous War Games.
Idris added, "In preparation for the upcoming games, first-years, you will no longer be allowed to engage in wand duels until after the War Games to prevent any injuries before your first participation."
Mia, Theo, and Jace were making their way to the apparition point when they were intercepted by Idris. He stood before them, a knowing smile on his face, and held out three large suitcases.
Theo, ever the suspicious one, raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's in the suitcases Professor?"
Idris chuckled and replied, "These, my dear students, are your official batons."
Jace's eyes widened in surprise, and he exclaimed, "But we thought we'd get them next year!"
Idris nodded, his smile growing wider. "Indeed, you were supposed to, but the staff and I have unanimously decided to make an exception. Your duel with André has proven your exceptional skills, and we believe you are more than worthy of your batons."
Mia couldn't contain her excitement any longer. She eagerly unzipped one of the suitcases and took a peek inside, finding the gleaming baton that was now officially hers. With a joyful gasp, she surged forward and enveloped Idris in a grateful hug.
As they prepared to depart, the portkey they held began to vibrate, indicating that it was time to go. Idris winked at them playfully and said, "Well, I hope you won't have too much fun with those batons over the break. And don't forget to ask your parents for tips and tricks for the War Games, believe it or not, your mothers won most of them. If you have time, ask Eloise about Magnus Bane."
Landing in the manor's door,they were met with an eerie silence. They glanced at each other, exchanging silent nods, and pulled out their wands cautiously.
Theo murmured "Lumos," and the tips of their wands cast a white, eerie glow that barely illuminated their surroundings. They moved through the manor's entrance, their steps cautious and calculated.
But before they could venture any further into the shadows, the silence was shattered by a sudden burst of light and sound. All the lights in the manor were turned on simultaneously, and confetti rained down upon the three startled kids.
"Surprise!" Enzo's booming voice rang out as he stepped forward, grinning from ear to ear. The confetti continued to flutter down around them, creating a festive atmosphere. Izzy and Eloise rushed forward, their eyes filled with excitement and pride. Thoros pulled Theo into a warm and hearty hug, patting him on the back with affection.
Their parents beamed at them, their eyes filled with pride and relief. "We're so proud of you, of the three of you" Izzy said, her voice filled with genuine admiration. "We were there watching, our hearts thundering in our chests."
Enzo, always one for humor, chimed in, "I nearly had to pull Izzy back to her seat. She and Eloise looked like they were ready to pounce on André and Ivan!"
"We've been thinking that it might be a good idea to hire some tutors over the summer to help you further improve your skills." Alec chimed in. "Though after seeing you in the arena, I worry for your tutors."
"Professor Lestat gave us our batons' Jaces exclaimed gleefully as he pulled it from the suitcase
Izzy and Eloise's eyes widened at Jace's words. Receiving their batons early was something rare.
"Oh, by the way, mum." Jace said, turning to Eloise. "Professor Lestat told us that we should ask you about someone called Magnus Bane".
Izzy and Eloise widen as they exchange a silent conversation, with Izzy nodding her head and Eloise frowning and shaking her own head.
"Well, kids." Enzo, clapped his hand. "I'm sure you're tired from the trip. Alec and I have set up your tent in the back garden, we thought you'd appreciate it, food's already there."
Under the starry night sky, with not a cloud in sight, Mia and Theo lay close together, a peaceful silence enveloping them. Jace was fast asleep, his arms gently encircling Mia.
"Sirius shining bright today." Theo pointed up toward the heavens, where the Sirius constellation shone brilliantly. Mia hummed in agreement, captivated.
Breaking the quiet, Mia whispered softly, careful not to wake Jace, "I had a dream a month ago."
Theo, turned his head slightly to look at her, "Was it a good dream or a bad dream?"
"It was a confusing dream," she admitted. "I dreamt about someone calling me Cassie, short for Cassiopeia."
Theo furrowed his brow in thought. "Do you have any idea what the dream meant?" he inquired, his voice low and curious.
Mia shook her head, her gaze on the starry expanse above. "No," she replied softly. "I wish I did, but it's like a puzzle missing its pieces. I can't quite put it all together."
Theo reached out and gave her hand a reassuring squeeze, "Don't worry too much about it, Star, you'll figure it out."
"We need to call Magnus." Izzy pointed out.
Eloise let out an exasperated huff, crossing her arms. "Izzy, that's unnecessary," she retorted.
"What happened in the arena is not something normal, Ellie." Izzy, admonished her friend. "You know it as well as I do."
Eloise, her voice tinged with frustration, exclaimed, "They're barely thirteen! I'm not willing to make them undergo what Selene, you, and I went through."
Izzy persisted, her voice unwavering. "Their power and magic will continue to evolve as they get older. We can't afford to ignore this."
"Oh, should I just waltz over to Magnus' house," Eloise snapped sarcastically, "and say 'Hey Magnus remember that time, 7 years ago, Selene, Izzy and I were here with the kids got attacked and you and your gang saved them wil angel blood? Well somehow our kids have woken up that angel blood' The Council will want to meet them. Magnus told us this wouldn't happen "
Enzo, having overheard the conversation between Izzy and Eloise, interjected with a quizzical expression. "Magnus Bane?" he asked, curiosity piqued. "Who is this Magnus Bane, and how is he supposed to help our children?"
"Magnus Bane is a the High Warlock of Brooklyn," Izzy, explained. "Remember that time we took the kids to New York and told Alec and you that the kids had eaten something and we ended up in the hospital? That wasn't what really happened.
Eloise chimed in, "We were at a park, Mia got attacked and Theo and our son jumped in to try and save her. They were five and Magnus saved them by using angel blood. He told us that Raziel's blood would fade from their systems because witches and angels essentially are not compatible. What you saw in the arena? That was their angel side responding to the attack."
Izzy turned to her husband, her expression serious. "What Lestat wants," she explained, "is for us to take the children to Idris and meet with the Council."
"Take us where?"
