Julian found Yuko with the other first year pairings in front of Mr Hodge, ready to start duelling. He on the other hand, was ready to start fighting. Yuko nodded at him when he arrived. Luckily, Yuko was on the exact same page as him, she looked more determined than any of the other first years. All of which were just standing about as if it was all normal.
'Hello, first years!' Hodge's voice dragged his focus back to the situation.
'You're the last group of your year. So, let's make these last few duels great ones.' He called out. It was almost like he expected a cheer from them, but no one did. No one wanted to.
He coughed awkwardly, then put his hands together. 'Alright let's get to it, first up are Lioncrowns vs Imphorn at platform 3, Owlsight vs Terrascale at platform 6. Defanon, you will go to platform 5 and wait for your first match against the Owlsight pair. Good luck to all of you.'
He stepped down off his platform and left the kids to their own devices. They all dispersed, heading to their respective platforms. Julian and Yuko headed over to platform 6 next to their first opponents. Neither group wanted to talk. Not far behind them, taking their time was the Defanon pair. Made up of Katrina Lonsdale and Malcolm Peckering. Since they would be taking a bye and be at the platform next to Julian's, they were most likely going to watch. An idea that made Julian's rage flare back up.
They all arrived at the duelling platform. The four competitors climbed up and introduced themselves. Of the pair from Owlsight, the boy was David Cheng with short hair, and the girl was Isabella Quinn, a blond girl who was almost studying Julian. Isabella insisted that they called her Izzy, but Julian wasn't really processing it. Still, he and Yuko shook their hands as was expected. Their opponent's smiles dropping as they did.
The referee arrived, thankfully not Halliday this time. But Julian still hadn't seen her yet, which put him on edge, they were safe for the moment but not forever. He couldn't stop wondering when she would show up just to make it all harder than it needed to. It was only when he caught sight of the Defanons on his right that he realised exactly when she would show up.
They had their work cut out for them, if everything went right. Then she would show up right when Peckering's grin was about to fall off his face, just in time to see her house lose.
'Are you ready?' The referee called.
The four of them assented by beginning their salutes. Moving their wand in front of them resting it in front of their face pointing to the sky.
'Ready, Set.'
They each prepared their own duelling stances. Julian held his wand in front of him ready. Thinking how to open the duel. What would Yuko do? Should he go first, or should she? Should they team up like he'd seen the Defanons do? Or try taking them one on one?
'Go.'
He was broken out of his thoughts immediately, ready for Owlsight to send something at him straight away.
But they didn't.
They stood there, ready for them Julian and Yuko to make the first move. Time passed, it felt like they were circling each other for almost a minute before the silence was broken by Peckering's laugh.
It set Julian off.
He couldn't wait anymore. He fired a spell, the knockback jinx, at Isabella.
But right as he'd done so, Yuko had tried the same spell, it made contact, knocking Isabella back half a metre but she stayed standing. Timed perfectly for Julian's spell to miss completely.
'Wha-.' Yuko continued, sending more spells at the two of them wildly. Sometimes making contact with the Owlsight pair, sometimes missing. Even when they did hit however, they didn't seem as powerful as he'd seen it done before. It looked as if she was going for Quantity over Quality. This would be fine, except Julian couldn't get a single spell in. Everything that happened caused him to miss completely. Or cancel the effect. Julian and Yuko even used the knockback jinx at the same time from different angles, resulting in David Cheng staying in the same place not moving at all.
He could barely get a word in either.
It didn't take long for the onslaught of spells from Yuko to ran out of juice. Julian hadn't cast as many as she had, so he wasn't tired yet. But Yuko had, her spells became so slow and infrequent that David and Isabella were able to dodge simply by walking out of the way.
Then they went into action. Isabella and David focused their attacks onto Yuko. 'Expelliarmus.' Julian yelled. Hoping to split up their offensive.
The light from his wand went flying to Isabella, it missed. She hadn't even dodged. Julian growled at himself, firing again. This time they dodged. The distraction offered by Julian was not enough, as Isabella and David kept up the assault on Yuko. She couldn't even deflect the spells coming her way. Eventually her wand flew off the platform, a familiar jet of red light coming from David's wand doing the trick.
It wasn't long after that Julian was dispatched as well, Julian found it impossible to deal with the two opponents. He was knocked off the platform a moment later. When he climbed back up the stairs to the platform, he was fuming.
'What was that?' He rounded on Yuko before the next round.
She didn't speak.
'I couldn't do anything. You can't seriously think you'll win it by yourself.'
'I can beat these fine.'
'We have to work toge-'
'Having a quarrel? I thought you were with that other girl though?' Jeered Malcolm Peckering form the sidelines.
Julian growled, just ignore him, he thought. He hadn't finished with Yuko however, 'Still you can't just charge on your own.'
The Referee called for the second round.
'Ready, Set. Go.'
David and Isabella went straight into action, they began firing at each of them. Isabella targeted Julian, sending a series of spells his way. Julian had no other defence other than dodging and he wasn't going to risk the deflection anytime soon. There were just too many spells. Somehow, he managed to dodge them, though he guessed this was more to do with Isabella not being as fast as Hannah or Yuko. He supposed he was lucky that he at least he didn't have to deal with someone on that skill level. Despite this, she still circled the edge of the arena, forcing him to turn away from Yuko and David's duel.
He tried to disarm, then a knockback jinx at her to throw her off, but she dodged it, causing the light from the knockback to hit her leg, pushing that half of her body backwards, her robe flaring out behind her from the force.
She reacted with a spell, 'Rictusempra'. Julian knew this one, the tickling hex, he had too much pride to be hit with that. He dodged it by jumping back.
He only noticed that he was careening straight into Yuko the second it happened. The two of them collapsed onto the floor. He hadn't seen her at all and was too worried about Isabella to notice that she'd been close to him. The two of them tried to put themselves upright to continue the fight but it was too late.
'Flipendo', David and Isabella cast in unison. Sending the two of them flying off the edge of the arena. As it happened the referee called for Owlsight's victory in the duel.
Further adding to Julian's embarrassment. He was flat on his front, Yuko lying on top of him on her back. He couldn't move at all. As mean as it would've been to call Yuko heavy, he couldn't think of anything else. How could she be so short and still weigh this much, he thought. Julian also considered he was just weak, but he didn't want to consider that possibility.
'Yuko, get off me.'
She slowly jumped up from her position instantly; she looked embarrassed. Julian couldn't care less about it; she kept getting in his way.
'What's wrong with you? I thought you wanted to do well?' He snapped.
'What about you?' She mimed the jump he had just done on the platform before pointing at her own face. 'No eyes.'
'I don't have eyes in the back in my head Yuko!'
Peckering cackled, drawing attention to the outside world. He mustn't have had much going on in his life because he reacted as if it was the funniest thing in the world.
'You two are just like each other huh?' Peckering said out of breath.
'Shut up, Peckering!' Julian yelled turning to face him, at least it ended his hyena laugh. Instead, his mouth turned into a sneer, his eyes narrowing.
'I could say worse you know.'
'I could twist your arm again.' Julian retorted.
'Great plan, what other muggle attacks are you going to show me?' He smirked, leaning against another platform 'All the things you're thinking of. They don't actually do anything; they can be healed in a second. I also certainly doubt you can do anything threatening with magic.'
'You think so?' Julian balled his fists.
'I know so, how could you know anything? Wearing that robe. Red is better than blue in my opinion.' Peckering looked up at the pair from Owlsight, looking over their light blue robes awkwardly. 'No offence.' He added, as if that made it better.
Julian had no response to this, he knew Terrascale was lower in the priority than the other houses, but to hear it so openly stole his energy. How could he compete with this, almost every house had an advantage against them.
He couldn't do anything.
'Terrascales! You're at platform 3. Owlsight, platform 4. Defanon remain here and wait for your opponent.'
Yuko tugged at his robe.
'That's your cue it seems,' said Peckering. 'I'm looking forward to our match.'
Julian didn't want to say anything to Peckering, he didn't want to say he'd beat the boy. He couldn't make a promise he couldn't keep, like Ellie did.
Yuko tugged at his robe. He really wished she'd stop doing that.
The loss against Owlsight caused Julian's resolve to lose its steam. He'd been ready to take on every opponent after what happened to Ellie. But his lack of synergy with Yuko spoke for itself. Working with her wasn't going to get him the win. Julian and Yuko's next opponents were Lioncrown. Which although not as good at duelling as Hannah, was enough to send him even further into disappointment.
After that initial round against Owlsight, Yuko had also lost her energy too. The constant spells taking their toll. Though he was imagining that the conjuration she performed with the string wouldn't have helped either. Despite being mad at her, he couldn't help but feel guilty. She'd tired herself out so she could teach him how a spell worked. All he'd done to repay her was to yell at her in front of everyone.
The boy and girl from Lioncrown instantly took out Julian in both rounds, leaving Yuko to deal with two opponents that were more than ready to take advantage of her tired state. She barely dodged any spells.
Julian and Yuko hung their heads in shame when they were given a bye. The break between matches was welcome; at least he could rest. They waited next to where Imphorn was currently duelling against Defanon. The two of them sitting silently waiting for the next time they'd lose.
Julian thought to himself that at least the Imphorn pair, Matt Whitley and Hazel Laborn, looked easy enough to beat. The two of them kept tripping over each other and missing spells. But somehow, they weren't losing, instead they laughed. Every time they tripped or stumbled, they managed to dodge Peckering's spells. It had happened enough times that Julian thought that it had to be intentional. But it was hard to tell, maybe it really was a complete accident; maybe that was precisely why the Imphorn boy was laughing.
Or he could have been enjoying giving Peckering a hard time.
At one point, Matt even winked at Julian while dodging, which Julian found impressive, he couldn't say that he was able to focus on anything other than the duel in front of him. He was already having a hard enough time focusing on duels when paired with Yuko.
The duel between Imphorn and Defanon progressed, Imphorn somehow even winning a round with an unconventional use of a charm to pull on Katrina Londsdale's robe, tripping her up and giving Matt a chance to knock her off the ring. After that, the strength of numbers was able to win out against Peckering's skill.
'Can we beat them, do you think?' Yuko asked suddenly from beside him.
He hadn't heard from her since they'd lost against Owlsight, he was still annoyed with her and had to resist the urge to vent.
'Which one' He breathed out.
She pointed at the two groups as they started duelling for the next round, Peckering was stomping his feet.
'Maybe the Imphorns.' He reasoned but shook his head. He didn't want to get his hopes up 'Yuko, I don't know, I just want today to be over.'
He wanted to stop carrying Ellie's wand, hopefully when they all watched the Quidditch later he could give it back to her. Assuming she had healed by then.
'We can win.' Yuko said firmly. 'If I can beat one of them, then you can do the other, split them into two.
She wasn't wrong, it would be easier to win by splitting them up, Julian and Yuko had learnt that first-hand against Owlsight. But the plan didn't work for him, it didn't fix the reason they lost.
'Yuko, you can't go in guns blazing, they'll just dodge or deflect. Look what happened last time, you went in there and tired yourself out. Plus, Peckering and Londsdale were watching us.'
'I know but-'
'I get it, Yuko. But we have to work together on this. If we don't, then we can't win. Don't you want to?'
She sat for a moment. Watching the duel in front of them play out. The Imphorn boy had managed to pull on Peckering's robe this time.
'I want to win.' Yuko said finally, Julian hoped she meant it. They focused their attention on the duel in front of them. It looked like Peckering and Londsdale had turned the tide in their favour.
'Why talk like that?' Yuko, said suddenly, folding her arms. 'Your language is hard enough to understand.'
'What?'
'Gun's blazing,' She mis-pronounced it. 'I don't know that.'
Julian laughed. 'It's a muggle term, I guess.' He figured he'd have to hold himself in with slang like that in the future. He paused, not sure how to explain it. 'A gun is a muggle weapon, it shoots these things called bullets.'
Yuko gave Julian a blank look. She had no idea what he meant.
'Look, it means a person went in with no plan shooting all over the place. Which is what you did earlier.'
Yuko nodded. 'You are saying muggles act like that?'
'I mean some do, but it's not just-'
'Good, I will not do again.' She said abruptly.
Julian didn't know how to respond; the interaction was too quick. 'Hang on, what?'
'If it a bad thing muggles do, then I will not do it.' Yuko said simply.
'Is your problem that it's a muggle thing?' He asked cautiously. As if this was what he needed right now.
'No. I…' She looked slightly panicked. 'I cannot be like a muggle.'
'Is that such a bad thing?' Julian glared at her.
'Not me, I do not have th-a problem.' She stammered.
'I remember from the first day… That I acted like a muggle.' He took a breath. 'Is that why you got mad at me?' He accused her.
'Not like that,' Her English was getting worse. 'That something else.'
'Then what was it?' Julian couldn't stop himself from getting louder.
'I… it… that…' She was barely coherent at this point, part of Julian wanted to stop, but he couldn't. It just kept happening again and again. He was sick of these stupid wizards treating him like-
'People cannot see me be that.'
What she said slowed him down. Julian looked beyond himself and realised where she was now. She'd shrunk back, frightened and about to crawl backwards away from him. He hadn't realised that he'd been standing and glaring down at her. He didn't know for how long but knew that he'd done this to her. In that briefest of moments, shame started to creep in.
He dropped back down to the ground, looking away from her. 'Be what?'
'Like a muggle.'
'Like a muggle.' Repeated Julian. He turned back towards her. 'How come? Who?'
'Everyone.' She gestured outwards with her hands. 'That is one reason I am here.'
That still didn't explain much but it made sense at least. He remembered what Ellie had said in their first week at Mornington. Some people hated Muggles and Muggleborns, maybe this was another side of it. It hadn't occurred to him that it could affect wizards and witches too.
'I'm sorry.' He apologised. 'I didn't want to scare you. Are you ok?'
Yuko nodded. She then composed herself and tucked her knees into her chest, her chin resting on her knees.
'Are you sure?'
She nodded again. This made him feel better at least, but he still hated himself for what he'd just done, enough to make sure he never made her scared of him again.
'Yuko, you can take point on these duels, I don't really mind.' He offered, hoping she'd be happy with it.
She tilted her head.
He chuckled at himself, not realising. 'It means to lead; I thought it wasn't a muggle phrase.'
'You all not even speak your own language properly.'
'Yeah, I know.' Julian smiled. 'So, you'll do it? When we're up there just give me an order and I'll do it. Ok?'
She gave a light smile, 'I will. Jul…Juli-.' She stopped and once again having trouble with his name. After that she didn't talk for a while, blowing hair out of her face.
'Yuko, just call me whatever you want. I get you have a hard time with my name. It's the L and R sound, right?'
She made a mumbled a sound. To Julian it sounded as much like a yes as anything else.
'Makes sense, just do whatever's easier for you, have any name in mind?'
She took her time. While she was thinking, he turned back to the match, hoping she wasn't going to call him something rude, like the Japanese word for poo.
Not long after, Defanon had won and they looked like they'd be going back into duelling soon. Peckering stepped down from the duelling platform, pleased with himself. He glared Julian down.
'I'll see you after this one it seems, Julian.'
Julian grimaced, 'Can't wait.' He said sarcastically.
'Neither can I.' Peckering looking gleeful as he strutted off to his next duel.
Julian stood and held out a hand for Yuko to help her up. But she'd already stood up and was waiting behind him with her eyebrows raised. He gave a sheepish grin and put his hands in his pockets.
'You ready?' Julian asked as they climbed the stairs.
'Jun.' She announced when they stood on the platform waiting for the referee.
'What?'
'That is the name.'
'I was actually asking if you were ready for the duel.'
'Oh, yes, then.' She scratched her head nervously.
'Jun…' Julian repeated. Testing the sound, the U sound something he wasn't used to. It sounded close to the vowel sound in the word book, rather than the U in June. Despite the difference, it was surprisingly close to his name, he actually liked it, as far as nicknames went. It was much better than someone calling him Julie, which thankfully had never happened.
'Not good?' Yuko said quickly.
'No, it's good. I like it.' He confessed.
A cough came from the other side of the platform, where Matt Whitley and Hazel Laborn stood awkwardly.
'We're here too by the way.' The boy said, injecting mock annoyance into his voice.
'Hi…' Julian waved awkwardly; he'd never talked to him. The only one from Imphorn that he did know was Jack and they only really talked during Transfiguration. Thankfully, at that moment, the referee appeared on the platform. 'Uh… Good Luck.'
'You too.' The Imphorn boy winked, taking his wand out.
The rest of them took out their wands, bowing when instructed to by the referee.
'Ready, Set.'
'Go.'
The Imphorns sprang into action. Not casting a single spell, the boy charged straight towards Julian and Yuko, aiming for the space between them. What was he thinking? Julian thought. In a microsecond, Julian and Yuko shared a look, the two of them dodged in different directions. He hoped it would create distance between themselves and the boy. Thankfully, Yuko had thought the same thing. But now the two were split from each other.
Unlike their previous duels however, Julian and Yuko were on opposite ends of the circle and could see full well the arena and their opponents. Yuko met his eyes again and gestured her head to her left, towards the Imphorn girl on his right, who hadn't moved at all.
Focus her down, Julian thought. Got it.
He fired a series of knockback jinxes at her, completely ignoring the boy, who was busy dealing with Yuko's attacks. As Julian casted as he cautiously pushed closer, planning not to give her the room to dodge. Eventually, it worked, now there was a metre between him and Hazel. He prepared to fire a disarming charm, thinking now that he'd cornered her, she would be knocked off the platform.
But at the moment his spell shot out of his wand, she dodged, not to the side but towards him. Hazel dived into a roll and crouched below aiming below him. 'Trahere' she casted.
The spell flew between his legs and hit his robe, pulling it towards her with enough force that she caught it. Hazel wasted no time, she yanked it towards her, the force of which knocked Julian backwards. He yelped, very undignified.
Hazel stood up, with a smirk as she let go of his robe and casted a spell. Julian didn't hear what it was, but it didn't matter, he would lose if he got hit. He rolled on his side, feeling pain in his stomach. He'd gone straight into her legs, using his weight to push her backwards. When she stumbled it, gave him enough time to brandish his wand and point-blank cast a disarming charm on Hazel.
The spell was so close that it had no way of missing. Her wand had flown up into the air and he was just about to catch it-
She pushed into him, in an attempt to stop him from catching it. She forced him onto the ground on top of him but it was too late, he already felt the wand in his hand.
The referee called it, Hazel was out.
Leaving Julian and Yuko to defeat the remaining boy with no interruptions. In his absence, Yuko was on even footing with the Matt. But the stalemate was over, the two of them chained spells together to knock the Imphorn boy out of the arena. Winning them the round.
Julian and Yuko remained on the platform. Julian side-eyed the referee, half attempting him to steal their win, but man in question stayed quiet. At least, he wouldn't get victory taken from him this time.
The pair from Imphorn arrived back onto the platform, standing opposite from Julian and Yuko once again, grins on their faces. Hazel was whispering something to Matt but was interrupted by the referee preparing for the next round.
As they began, Hazel instantly pointed her wand at the ground the ground beneath Julian and Yuko and yelled. 'Spongify'.
It did nothing, Julian tilted his head, why did she use the softening charm in a duel? It didn't have a proper application in a fight like this. He smirked and prepared to fire a spell at Hazel. But before he could do so he found he was losing his balance. The ground he was standing on became soft, too soft to walk on, to the point that he was starting to sink into the ground. He fired a spell at the Imphorn pair, this time successfully. But they dodged out of the way.
Yuko had only been on the edge of the softening and moved out before she could get stuck. She wasn't floundering for stable footing like Julian was. She moved in front of him and deflected spells as best as she could from the two opponents.
'Get out, Jun.'
'I'm trying.' Julian had moved forwards a little, his legs were on more stable ground. He must be reaching the edge of the enchantment. He pushed forward and eventually, he reached the edge of the spell, standing on solid ground once more.
Julian and Yuko stood side by side firing spells at the Imphorn pair, both pairs dodging and deflecting. But the Imphorn pair were tripping and falling over each other but somehow managing to dodge every spell Julian and Yuko threw at them, it didn't make sense how they were accomplishing it. Matt and Hazel were dodging so well that they couldn't stop laughing. A sound accompanied by Yuko's frustrated grunts every time she fired a spell their way.
It was at this moment that Julian remembered. The exchanges between the pairs now looked like the previous match between Imphorn and Defanon. He hadn't paid attention to how Peckering had beaten the two of them.
How could they beat them? He didn't think they could close the distance and push them against the wall. He knew how that went in the previous round. These two were masters at being unconventional it seemed.
'You're slowing down.' Yuko shouted. She was right, he had been thinking too much.
'What's the plan here?' He said, between spells.
'Attack, they will get hit.' The sentence broken between spells.
'Any other bright ideas?' He sent a disarming charm.
'No.'
Julian's eyes widened; a plan was starting to form in his mind.
'Yuko, I've got an idea. Cover me when I tell you.'
She was silent as she deflected and dodged spells, considering if it was worth it. Eventually, she nodded. 'Ok.'
Julian waited, slowing down the spells so he could catch his breath. He shifted his stance slightly, getting ready to run. He took a breath.
'Now.'
Yuko's spells went ballistic, if he thought she'd been casting fast before then he'd been dead wrong. Matt and Hazel began to focus their attention on the onslaught, Julian was ready.
He sprinted across the arena, the Imphorn pair yelped as they saw him. They were unable to do anything however, as taking attention away from Yuko would get them hit.
The two of them braced for Julian's charge, expecting him to run right for them, they moved closer together, less than a metre apart from each other. This was what Julian hoped for, he stopped and ducked when he arrived at the gap between them, dodging spells that they threw at him. He'd now arrived at his destination, between Matt and Hazel, the two of them slowly faced directly at each other and were ready to cast at their opponent. Julian felt he was moving in slow motion, once he noticed they were both looking at him, he put his plan into action.
Julian thrust his wand in the middle of their eyeline, pointed it into the sky and yelled. 'Lumos.' His wand erupted with a light that blinded anyone close enough to it. Such as the Imphorn pair at this exact moment. Normally, the lighting charm would not emit enough light to blind someone, but with Julian's experience with the charm, he knew that if you put more energy into it, you could increase the output.
Matt and Hazel cried out from the blinding light. It was enough of a distraction that all Yuko needed to do was use two knockback jinxes to end the round.
'Winner, Terrascale.' The referee announced, sounding surprised as he said it.
Julian pumped his fist in the air, they'd won. He jogged over to Yuko, raising his hand for a high-five but was met with a confused look. Maybe she just didn't like high-fives, he guessed.
'Right…' He trailed off, lowering his hand. Yuko's scowl didn't last long, being replaced by a smile as she looked away; He pretended not to notice.
'Imphorn, you are at platform 3, Terrascale, remain here for your last duel.' The referee left the platform.
'Good job you two.' Hazel Laborn acknowledged off the platform 'bloody annoying that light was.'
'Yeah, sorry about that, by the way.' Julian scratched his hair, he hoped he hadn't overdone it.
'No worries, it got better after a second.' Hazel waved it off. 'It was a good move, keep it up. You probably can't beat Defanon without it.'
Julian felt a sinking in his stomach, suddenly remembering who they'd be duelling next. He could even make out the red robes heading towards their platform.
'Anyway, see you guys around.' Hazel called as she and her partner walked away to their last duel.
Julian turned back to Yuko, 'Still good? You didn't tire yourself out at the end there?'
She nodded, 'I am Ok,'
'That's good, we're gonna need it.'
A voice he'd heard before called out in reply.
'Yes, you will, after that display, Mister Vital.'
Ms Halliday had just arrived at the platform, right on time, her eyes analysed over Julian and Yuko.
'Hello, miss,' Julian tried hard not to snarl as he said it. 'What are you doing here?'
'I'm acting as a referee too, if you must know. It just so happens that I'm booked for this match right here.'
Right.
She waved over the two red robes that arrived. 'Over here Peckering, Londsdale. I'm assuming the last duel went well?'
As soon as they were addressed, Malcolm Peckering and Katrina Londsdale stood tall. Describing the events of the duel and answering Halliday's questions. It was subtle, but to Julian it was like looking at the army. He shared a bemused look with Yuko, she'd seen it too.
'Alright!' Halliday clapped her hands, 'let's start this last duel then.'
Peckering and Londsdale climbed up the platform and were set on the opposite side to Julian and Yuko. Peckering looked pleased, once again Julian remarked that he must not have anything going on in his life. The four of them saluted, raising their wands in front of their faces once more. Out of the corner of his eye, Julian noticed Halliday's pleased expression too.
'Ready' She called out.
'Set.'
'Go.'
Peckering went on the offensive, he began with several disarming charms. Londsdale followed soon after, taking his lead and firing her own spells. The two were showing to be very coordinated, swapping targets at a moment's notice. Making it difficult for Julian to even know where the spells were coming from next. The two of them split and evenly moving around the edge of the arena in a mirror of the other. It was becoming impossible to focus on the two of them at once.
'Jun, on her.'
'Got it.'
He turned to face Londsdale, his back to Yuko. He felt that this was becoming too close to the previous duel against Owlsight. He was making a consistent effort to note where Yuko was at all times as they dodged. Unfortunately, the longer the fight went the longer he was worried that a dodged spell aimed at him would hit her in the back.
He realised he could not dodge anymore when a disarming charm whizzed by his head and went through the space Yuko's arm had been moments earlier. Luckily, Yuko had been moving her arm in the deflecting motion and using it on all of Peckering's spells, much to his annoyance.
Peckering's spells started to come out faster and more intense, his anger pushing as hard as possible against Yuko's defence. Somehow, she was able to stay cool under the pressure, a feat that Julian was not sure he could replicate.
His attention was diverted back to Londsdale, who had increased the speed of her own spell casting against Julian. He was dodging all the spells he could, but it was only a matter of time until he failed.
'Flipendo', Londsdale cried, a jet of red light speeding towards his feet, straight after, she fired a second directly after at his chest. He moved to dodge to the side, before he realised Yuko was right behind him. He couldn't move completely out of the way; it was all too fast. Julian moved his feet apart, the spell hitting the ground behind him, centimetres away from Yuko. He didn't have time to be relieved, he needed to dodge the second one. If it hit Yuko they'd lose, but if it his chest, his whole body could be knocked into Yuko and then they'd be sitting ducks. He had to take the spell full on.
He leaned to the side, just in time for Londsdale's second spell to hit in him in the arm, knocking it backwards. He'd been ready, leaning his momentum into where he thought the spell would push it, he hoped it would hurt less this way, but it still hurt a tonne. He cried out from the pain, knowing he'd have to deal with it later, but for now he couldn't think about it. At least they hadn't just lost from it.
Londsdale frowned, expecting her move to have changed the duel. She instantly continued her barrage. He could barely keep up the energy. He turned his head behind him very slightly.
'Yuko, I can't keep dodging this forever. I'm either going to get hit or you are.' He said as quickly.
'I… know…' She said through gritted teeth. All her energy and concentration going into deflecting Peckering's spells. 'You… deflect.'
'I've never done it right.'
'No choice.'
She was right, they had no choice, everyone else here knew how to do it. He'd been playing at a significant disadvantage this entire time. But the last time he had tried that he'd failed, he'd ended up with an all too familiar pain in his arm.
Since beginning at Mornington, he'd learnt that using magic was less about just the motions of your wand or the right incantation. It was about feeling the magic within you and shaping it a certain way for the magic to work. That second part, the important part of deflecting spells wasn't something he knew how to do.
'Feel… magic…'
Julian tried his hardest to listen to Yuko. With the constant spells raging towards the two of them, his hearing was dominated by a million other sounds.
'Hold… Then… release…'
Was that all? It didn't seem like much, but he had failed at it before. If he could pull it off, it would definitely help. But it probably wouldn't change much, they'd still be in the same position they were currently in. He needed to turn the tide. They were stuck in the middle of the platform being assaulted from two sides, could he maybe use it to…
No time to waste.
'Yuko, I need you to deflect a spell to shoot behind you.' He said quietly, as he twirled away from another spell.
'Eh, Jun, what?' She deflected another spell.
'It'll work. I'll tell you when.'
The timing would have to be perfect, Peckering and Londsdale would have to send spells at the same time. Luckily, they were both using so many spells that their chance would come soon.
But it all hinged on him.
Julian had never deflected before and if he couldn't do it, then his plan would fall apart and they would lose the element of surprise. He just had to use it correctly.
'Expelliarmus,' he fired at Londsdale's chest. She deflected instead of dodging as Julian expected; it seemed tiredness was now catching up to them. Julian watched her wand, as it caught his spell. Studying the movement, she continued the momentum of the spell for the brief moment she had it. It wasn't a catch and release but rather akin to a martial artist fluidly pushing away a fist coming towards them, no force wasted.
Hopefully, that's all it took to accomplish it. His study of Londsdale's technique was over, there was only one thing left to do. He moved backwards until he was a hair's breadth away from Yuko. He took a breath. Londsdale frowned, reacting to Julian's latest dodge. He glanced towards Peckering, who growled as Yuko deflected yet another spell. The two of them moved to fire again, their wands began to move in a jabbing motion. They opened their mouths to cast.
'Now.' Julian whispered Yuko.
'Flipendo', the Defanons cried.
It all happened in seconds but to Julian it felt like minutes or maybe hours. Time slowed down as he studied Londsdale's spell, it was aiming for his chest again. There was no dodging this, no backing out.
He brandished his wand out to meet it a sweeping motion beginning from his left side. At the moment his wand met the spell, he felt it.
A surge of what must have been magic reacted to his own, he could feel the difference between the two. It truly was something foreign to his own and must force his to bend to its will, this would knock him backwards, if he let it. He knew he needed to divert its flow, not try to stop it but hold it for a time then release. He repeated the phrase in his head, Hold… Release.
He kept the momentum going, continuing his wand's movement. The magic was still connected to it. Hold. He spun towards his right, along the same path as his wand. He turned until he was no longer facing the opposite direction. He glimpsed Londsdale's eyes widening before he couldn't see her anymore. Hold. His arm was still moving, not stopping until it found its target. His wand was now pointed directly at the boy wearing red robes. Peckering growled.
Release.
The spell that was originally Londsdale's went straight into Peckering's chest. He shouted, falling of the stage in sync with Londsdale. It had happened so fast that they had no time to react.
Yuko had her wand stretched out towards where Londsdale was. She had been his own mirror, her stance the exact same as Julian's.
'Round 1. Terrascale.' Halliday drawled. 'Back up here, you two.'
Yuko turned towards Julian, 'you did it.'
'I did what you said, felt the magic.' He admitted. 'Thanks… for what you said.'
'There's still more.' She looked at the Defanons, who had arrived back on the platform, determined.
'That's for sure.'
But Julian felt more confidant, with this they only needed one more win and they could do it. He could wipe that laugh off Peckering's stupid face.
'What now?' Yuko asked. 'Will not work again.'
'I know.' His brow furrowed. 'We'll have to be smarter.'
She nodded.
Peckering called over the platform. 'Nice win, got any more tricks, or are your brains empty now?'
Julian ignored him. 'Can you do the softening charm?' He whispered to Yuko.
'Yes, wait… can you not?' She raised an eyebrow.
'No, I mean.' He sighed; she'd taken the question too literally. 'Can you use it in the fight?'
'Oh… Yes.'
He gave her a thumbs up.
'Next round, students.' Halliday's voice came from the edge of the platform.
The four of them stood in position and saluted once again.
Halliday counted down for them to begin.
'Go.'
The two groups did nothing. Wands trained on the other, waiting for who would make the first move. Julian knew Peckering had to, he was too impatient. But this time, he was proving Julian wrong. Peckering stood ready, his wand outstretched but Julian noticed his other hand fidgeting. Julian smirked; it must be difficult for him.
'Now, Yuko.'
Julian and Yuko shouted in unison, 'Spongify'. Pointing down at the ground beneath Peckering and Londsdale. There was no effect, but he knew the ground would soften up soon. Julian was hoping that the two spells would make the effect larger, remembering the Imphorn's tactic failing because only one of them was affected. Julian wasn't entirely sure if copying them was right but as far as anyone knew it was their idea.
Peckering laughed. 'You going to soften us up?'
'Shut up, Malcolm, focus!' Londsdale barked at him. She squealed as her footing became unstable.
Julian shot two disarming charms at each of them, Peckering was deflected the spells off of Londsdale. But this caused the two of them to sink bit by bit as they moved. They were both distracted, Peckering was the more alert of the two, but if they could take out Londsdale they would be able to focus everything on him.
Yuko caught on too. She fired a spell towards Peckering's right side, if he deflected it then his arm would stay on that side, making it impossible to defend Londsdale. She fired another one to keep him occupied.
'Jun.'
'Got it.'
Julian sent two knockback jinxes at Londsdale, both aiming for different parts of her body in case she dodged one. It worked. Londsdale was hit directly and knocked backwards off the edge of the platform.
Peckering growled. Julian noticed that he had briefly glanced at Halliday, his anger faltering,
Julian and Yuko knew they had to keep up their offence. They both cast in unison, not letting up, but neither did Peckering. Somehow, he was managing to deflect or dodge every single spell with ease. After a minute of this, he'd made it out of the soft section of the arena. Losing their advantage.
Julian's breath became ragged, the gap between spells becoming longer and longer. The recent spell barrage taking its toll. His arm was still hurting from the previous round.
'More, Jun.'
She was right, he had to. Julian sent a disarming and two knockback spells in quick succession. But Peckering caught all three in the same movement, like in their very first duel. He had managed it through the continuous momentum and once again instead of simply deflecting them off to the side or to the ground as he usually did, he spun reflected all three towards where they had come from.
Julian made to dodge but as he did, a wave of pain from his arm stopped his movements in his tracks. He couldn't move as fast now. He managed to dodge the disarming spell, but the second and third hit him and knocked him off the platform.
He landed face-down and sprawled on the grass, exhausted. It might be over now.
He noticed the sun on his body, it was quite nice. Under its rays, he just felt like lying there as Yuko lost. It must have been midday, he guessed, his mother would usually tell him to not stay outdoors in the midday sun, though he wasn't sure why.
He sat up, feeling the weight of the uniform; he took off his outer robe, wondering how he'd managed to duel with it in the heat before now. He was just wearing his school shirt and pants now, feeling slightly cooler.
'What are you doing?' Connor Xu said suddenly from behind him.
He turned around to find several of his housemates standing behind him. He stood up quickly, going red.
'Going well?' Olivia Phan asked.
'Yeah, it's just perfect,' Julian rubbed some dirt off his face. 'Just one more round, I guess.'
'Ah, we were gonna grab you to watch the Quidditch.' Connor started. 'But you can just mee-'
'We can wait for your match to finish.' Nick Henderson was there too. Connor's face fell, the prospect of missing a quidditch game apparently being more than he could bear.
Nick laughed, 'I know, mate,' Patting his friend on the back. 'But we're not leaving anyone behind.'
'Thanks.' Julian took a quick scan across the crowd, 'is Ellie, ok?'
'She'll be round, she's helping Janet pack up some of the food.'
Julian was relieved, it was good to hear that she had healed. He was about to ask more when Yuko shrieked, falling off the stage behind him.
'Last round students.' Called Halliday from the other side of the platform. Julian held out a hand to Yuko, helping her up. She took his hand this time.
'Good luck you two!' Cassius Graham shouted, prompting a wave of cheers from the rest of the house.
Julian didn't know what to think, hearing them all, it gave him strength he didn't know he had. He picked up his robe and put it back on, feeling like Halliday would take points off if he didn't wear it. He put it on, feeling Ellie's wand brush against him in the inner pocket. He hoped that she would show up, if he could beat Defanon then maybe it would make up for her injury.
Peckering chuckled when they arrived on back on top of the platform, 'can't believe I beat both of you- oh' He noticed the Terrascale first years. 'Looks like they can watch you lose.'
'Same to you.' Julian retorted.
He smirked, 'You don't know how it goes around here it seems, being muggleborn and all. But it's fine, it's just where you're from, can't blame you for not knowing anything.'
'Shut up.'
'Keep it civil, children.' Halliday demanded. 'Are you four ready?'
Peckering closed his mouth, at least he had done as Julian demanded. But he reasoned it was more likely to do with not wanting trouble from Halliday. Julian would have to be careful, there was no telling what she would consider disqualifying.
'Ready.'
Julian gripped his wand, noticing Yuko do the same, this was the one they had to win.
'Set.'
'Go!'
Peckering was first to act this time, he fired spells straight at Julian. The ferocity of which gave himself away. He obviously wanted to take Julian out as fast as possible.
Luckily, Julian had a new trick up his sleeve and deflected each one. He didn't have time to retaliate however, as the deflections only served to aggravate the Defanon boy even more. Julian was hoping he'd make a mistake, but his hopes were dashed by the increased speed of which the spells came out.
Yuko and Londsdale were locked in their own exchange, trading spells much slower but just as intense. Yuko was slowly advancing, moving closer to Londsdale, hoping the pressure would push her against the edge of the platform. 'Flipendo.' Yuko shouted, right as Londsdale was at the edge.
Unfortunately, Londsdale dodged, she tucked in her legs and rolled forward. Once she'd evaded the spell, she stood pointed her wand at the floor of the platform and yelled. 'Leiaíno.'
At once a sheen of magic spread across the platform from Londsdale's wand. For a brief moment, Julian wasn't sure what happened. But the second he moved his foot, he felt it. Like he was walking on ice, his foot slipped off the ground into the air, causing him to slip,
Julian, Yuko and Peckering all fell to the floor. Not even Peckering had expected the platform to become as slippery as it had. Londsdale was the only one who was still standing, her feet rooted to the ground, unmoving. Peckering was struggling to stand back up, 'Katrina, why?' he growled in pain.
She didn't respond, focusing her attention on Julian and Yuko. Londsdale didn't dare cast a spell, all her concentration used on staying standing, most likely worried that any movement would cause her to slip over like the others had. With no incoming spells, this was their chance.
Julian and Yuko, with much difficulty, scrambled to their feet. The two of them trying to disarm and knock her backwards as much as they could without also slipping themselves. Their caution however, caused them to miss. Despite their efforts, being thrown off balance because of the floor meant that the slightest movement ruined aiming.
Julian in a second threw a plan together in his head, it might be stupid, but there was no way to beat her conventionally.
'Yuko! Push!' He ordered, moving between Yuko and Londsdale.
Despite her silence he knew she understood. Yuko aimed her wand at his back 'Flipendo.'
Julian felt a force propel him forwards across the floor. He crouched slightly to keep himself standing. He slid across the floor like he was wearing ice skates, not that he'd ever used them, it took all his effort to stay upright. Soon after, the force behind him stopped, the momentum keeping him moving towards Londsdale. Her eyes were wide, confused. This had clearly been the last thing she'd expected. But she didn't know what he had planned, if she had, she'd have used a counter charm on the floor.
She panicked as he got closer, now less than a metre away and attempted a spell but in the process lost her balance. Before she could fall however, he'd reached her.
Julian grabbed Londsdale's arm with his left hand and without any hesitation, used his right to point his wand directly at himself. He closed his eyes, imagining a cord between his hand and Londsdale's arm, then that cord being pulled.
'Expelliarmus.' He instantly felt magic push himself and Londsdale apart. Londsdale screamed in surprise as her body flew off the platform, knocking her out of the round.
Julian was amazed that it worked, it was a gamble if the spell could work that way. Once Londsdale had fallen off, her spell had lost its effect and the floor became normal again. Right at that moment however, his excitement at having evened the odds was overtaken by a realisation.
His wand had left his hand too.
Peckering didn't fail to notice this, once having realised the floor was back to normal, he stood back up and continued his fight as if nothing had happened. If anything, he was more ferocious than ever.
Julian frantically dodged the spells, which were intercepted by Yuko. Standing between himself and Peckering, she began deflecting Knockback jinxes left and right, Yuko even reflected some of them back to Peckering putting him on the defensive, but only slightly.
Where was his wand? He'd already wondered if it had fallen off the platform, surely, he would be out if it did. But he was still in, Halliday hadn't called it. In fact, she hadn't disqualified him for his move against Londsale earlier either. As he scanned the platform, it became increasingly clear that a crowd had formed. Many of the first years from other houses in addition to his own had shown up, even teachers were watching.
Julian shook his head, he couldn't pay attention to that, his wand had to be somewhere on the platform. Then he saw it, it was right on the edge of the arena, a few centimetres from falling off the platform. If it fell, he'd be out and based on the last round, he didn't like Yuko's chances against Peckering alone.
He knew that he would have to run away from Yuko's protection to get his wand but he had to take the risk. 'Keep him busy.' He said quickly. He sprinted as fast as he could across the platform, hoping he was fast enough to grab it before Peckering realised what was happening.
But Peckering knew exactly what Julian was planning, once Julian started running, he felt a series of spells being fired at him instead of Yuko. He tried using his arms to protect his torso, in the event that if he was hit only his arm would be knocked back.
He'd almost made it to his wand, he reached out to grab it. At that moment, he felt a spell hit from his left.
Peckering smiled, having succeeded in hitting Julian finally, before turning back to Yuko again.
Julian was knocked down; he fell forward towards his wand but his momentum was too strong. He slid forward on his front, his stomach and chest feeling pain as he moved. It was too fast for him to process; his hand fumbled his wand instead of grabbing it and knocked it off the platform.
Julian's arm felt like it moved in slow motion, he reached his arm down off the platform in a wild attempt to grab it before it hit the ground.
He felt nothing, only air.
He'd lost, again.
Yuko was going to have to fight against Peckering and without the two of them they couldn't keep up with him. He had nothing else to do but wait for Halliday to announce he was out.
But he didn't hear anything. Halliday was on the opposite side of the platform to where he was. She could barely see what was going on. On his side were the blue robes of his house surrounding this side of the platform. As he looked up from the ground, he realised they'd been joined by another.
Ellie was standing in front of him, looking dishevelled but otherwise alright. Her arm was not even in a sling like he had expected. The two made eye contact and she mouthed out two words.
'Use mine.'
Julian's eyes widened. He had another option; he may have dropped his wand but no one knew he currently held another. Even if Halliday noticed, she couldn't prove that they'd swapped. Ellie quickly snatched up Julian's wand and stowed it away in her robes, giving him a wink.
Julian, still prone on the ground reached into his robes very subtly with his left hand, trying not to give the impression he had another wand that he was reaching into the pocket for. He retrieved Ellie's wand, dropped it next to his face and stood, grabbing it with his right hand in a fluid motion. Hopefully, the illusion was sold and it looked as if he had grabbed his wand before it had fallen.
He brandished Ellie's wand and used it to fire a disarming charm at Peckering. Their enemy's mouth had fallen open, shocked. The Terrascale's cheered.
'Kick his arse, Julian!' He heard Ellie cheer above the rest.
Yuko's eyes met Julian's and she nodded. From then on, the two of them worked in sync. Firing spells together from different directions, making it harder for Peckering to deflect them back towards them, as he had in the previous round. Once Peckering had begun to anticipate the rhythm of spells being sent the two of them switched it up, now firing at uneven times. This confused him enough and he was hit, over and over again, knocking him back towards the edge slightly. Peckering was growling out every spell now and even with his defence letting up he was somehow able to keep fighting.
The amount of dodging and spell casting was now catching up to them. But Julian and Yuko both knew they could not let up their attacks. They needed a way to break his defence.
'Jun, pull!' Commanded Yuko suddenly. 'Like Imphorn.'
He got it, Hazel Laborn had used a spell to pull his robes in their previous duel. He'd never used the spell before, but it seemed to make sense to him, it was simply the opposite of the knockback jinx. He was just hoping that Peckering wouldn't expect it.
Julian crouched, aiming between Peckering's feet to pull on his robes. Julian imagined Peckering's robes being pulled towards his wand.
'Expelliarmus.' Yuko's cast was aimed at Peckering's chest, he deflected it, the distraction in place, it was time for Julian's part.
'Trahere.' Julian shouted. In the brief seconds before the spell hit him, Peckering's head tilted at the second spell. But before he could realise Peckering's robes were pulled towards Julian, flipping the boy over and onto the ground. Peckering moaned in pain raising his head up just in time to see his opponent's wands point directly at him.
'Flipendo.' They both cried in unison. Peckering's body was pushed backwards off the platform completely, the effect of the spell doubled by the two casters.
It was over and no one made a sound. Julian and Yuko couldn't think of victory, not until it was official. The two watched Halliday. She stood in silence, eyes darting around the platform. Julian once again noticed the crowd surrounding the platform which included other teachers.
'So did we win, miss?' Julian dared to ask.
Halliday sighed. 'Terrascale wins.'
The Terrascale first years erupted into cheers. Several of them rushed up the platform, all patting him on the back and high-fiving him. Even Yuko was getting complimented, which made her face go red. Julian felt elated, even though it was a single win out of several losses, the idea of beating Peckering was a thought that was so satisfying it didn't feel real.
In the chaos on the platform, Ellie silently passed his wand to him, putting it in his robe's side pocket. After which, he did the same, returning her wand back to her.
'Nice job.' She had to yell over the cheers.
'Thanks, couldn't have done it without you.' He replied.
The whole group moved off the platform, all of them free to leave the duels behind them. Out of the corner of his eye however, he saw Halliday talking to a disgruntled Peckering and Londsdale. Almost as if they knew he was looking, the three of them turned to watch him as he left. He saw Peckering's eyes narrow.
He knew that whatever was in their minds right now couldn't be good.
'You sure your arm's, ok?' Julian asked concerned.
Ellie waved it off, 'it was fine. They fixed it so fast; it wasn't even funny.' She picked up one of Janet Simpkin's brownies. The two of them were sitting in the shade of the gum trees, on a hill overlooking the Quidditch pitch with the other Terrascale first years. Most of them had found a spot around the trunk and were just silently watching the game. Except for Connor Xu and Nick Henderson, who had sat as close as possible to the pitch to see it and were loudly talking about whatever move the players were doing. But Julian was instead enjoying the view of the Mornington castle on the other side of the tree.
'Right…' Julian trailed off. 'Well, if you say so then-.'
'I am.' She looked at him seriously, 'please, just drop it.'
Julian knew she wasn't ok, even with magic, you don't walk away from an injury like that with no issues. But how could he help with it? Besides, eventually she'd get better, he hoped so anyway.
'So, how'd it feel?' Ellie asked.
'Huh?' He turned away from the castle.
'Beating Peckering, that guy sucks.'
'To be honest… it was pretty good.' Julian admitted. 'I think he has it in for me. Maybe he'll get worse now.'
'You think so?' Ellie asked.
'Of course, he kept saying, muggle this, muggle that.' Julian frowned. 'And now, I've just beaten him in a fight, in front of everyone… Who knows what he'll do?' He groaned.
'At least you have us.' She smiled. 'We've got your back.'
'Thanks.' Julian looked around the hill, he noticed Yuko sat as close as possible to the trunk of the tree, reading a book.
'Hey, Yuko!' he called.
She looked up from her book.
'Come sit with us.' Julian motioned with his arm.
She smiled but shook her head.
'What'd you do that for?' Ellie whispered. 'She doesn't even want to hang out with anyone here.'
'Why not? I reckon she's alright.'
'Sure…' She dragged it out. 'Didn't you want to avoid her completely before today.'
'Yeah but… Oh whatever.' Julian lay down with his hands behind his head, enjoying the light breeze. After a while, Olivia Phan and Nick Henderson started arguing over who had drunk the last of the pumpkin juice. He heard Connor Xu attempting to explain quidditch to Aaron Knox. He even heard Cassius Graham start a conversation with Janet Simpkin. He was just thinking of closing his eyes when Ellie was started pushing his shoulder.
'Julian, quick, get up!'
He sat up, and looked down the hill, in the same direction as Ellie was. Walking up it was a small group of red robed first years.
He groaned.
'Guys. We got some people coming.' He called out to them. Yuko even looked up from her book and walked over.
Julian walked down the hill to meet them, they were led by Peckering.
'What do you guys want?' Julian started.
'That's not a very nice way to greet us, you know?' Peckering folded his arms.
'Would you prefer I call you muggle?' Julian retorted.
'Why even? I'm not a muggle.'
'Neither am I, Peckering. It makes as much sense as what you said earlier, mate.'
By this point the rest of the Terrascales had come to Julian's defence and were standing around the exchange.
Ellie came to Julian's defence. 'Just ignore him Julian, he just wants to go on about blood purity.'
'Nah, I don't care about that blood crap.' Peckering waved her off. 'Muggle's just don't have magic and that's enough for me to not want to be around them.'
Julian's mouth dropped open, how on earth could someone be so full of themselves to say something like that.
'You want to go?' Julian challenged. He probably felt the most tired he'd been besides their sorting but he was fully ready to fight Peckering, fists and all.
'Shut up, Vital. I'm not fighting you like a muggle.' He turned to Ellie, 'Plus, that's a bit rich from you, aren't you a "pureblood"?'
Ellie gave Peckering a look, Julian hadn't seen on her before. Complete loathing.
One of the other Defanon boys spoke up, Julian recognised him as Felix Brenning. 'Enough of that, Malcolm. You're wasting time.' He said to Peckering, before putting his attention on the Terrascales.
'You all better watch your backs. You don't just beat us and get away with it.' Peckering pointed straight at Julian. 'You guys need to learn where your house is.'
Surprisingly, Yuko stepped up on Julian's side, right when he was about to respond.
'You watch your backs.' She glared; Julian felt her tone was intimidating in spite of her shorter stature.
Brenning stared down at her, chuckling. 'Good luck with that.'
'Have fun with whatever it is you're doing.' Peckering snarled at them as their group walked away.
Only when they were down the hill and out of sight, did Julian breathe a sigh of relief.
The other Terrascales moved back to what they were doing, but an unpleasant feeling washed over them. No longer were they celebrating Julian's victory, now trepidation had set in.
Julian sat back down in the same spot as before, hoping he could lie down and relax like he had only minutes ago. Ellie sat down on his right, taking out her Verto deck.
'You ok?' Ellie asked him.
'Yeah, it's fine.' He lied. He was about to sit up to play when he felt someone sit on his left.
Yuko sat down with her legs crossed, still reading her book. Julian and Ellie stopped what they were doing and stared at her.
A few moments passed before Yuko looked up from her book 'What?'
Julian and Ellie shared a look, then after a moment shrugged. 'Want to play?' He asked.
'No.' Yuko said turning a page of her book.
'Then why did you sit here?' Ellie asked, puzzled as she dealt two hands of cards.
'Is there problem?' Yuko kept reading.
'No… it's just-'
'Then I sit here.' She finished simply.
'Um… ok.' Ellie trailed off, realising she wasn't going to budge.
Julian didn't mind, Yuko seemed to be happier reading next to them than she had been under the tree.
And with that, the Vertoenchantment appeared, Ellie's eyes, nose and hair replaced with his own and they began their game.