A Journey At Hogwarts

VI. Duelling 101

Warnings: Mild threats. 

"Are you sure he's going tae help, Rowan?"

"I'm about seventy percent sure Chester will help. Okay, maybe sixty percent, Juniper," Rowan lowered her voice, as they entered the common room. They cannot allow anyone to overhear their plan.

"Well, I need a hundred percent assurance, Rowan," Juniper looked at her concerned as they head to their favourite corner in the study area. The area contained velvet ottomans and crystal balls for divination. Despite neither having a real interest, it was one of the few places that they could be without being harassed by unpleasant gazes and breathy comments. "I need to make sure that I beat Merula in this duel so she can leave us alone and then I can focus on finding Jacob."

"Is this about-"

"I hope this isn't about you and Merula having a possible fight."

Chester stood in front of them, an exhausted look as always with a cup of coffee in one hand and another holding a stack of books. He looked almost as fanatical as Rowan when she studied for a simple class test. "I heard about that Merula was telling everyone that she knocked you over. And that she'll do it again."

"That slytherin imp," Juniper muttered under her breath. "Alright, any ideas where I could learn duelling spells?"

"It's best if you start with one offensive move, one creative advantage, and one way to heal yourself," Chester offered to the girls. "Ravenclaw keeps a secret duelling book in the artefact room. You can start there and then come back to me so I can help you put it altogether."

Chester left them, with a massive sigh and grumbled out 'I can't believe I'm doing this. The girls gave other a knowing glance. They overheard about the artefact room and the many things that go on in there. Neither dared to venture into that room. Rowan and Juniper agreed that the search will be done that weekend so that have some more time. In the meanwhile, Juniper has been paying extra attention to charms, seeking out useful duelling charms unfortunately none that she desperately needs. She half-debated if she should write to her grandma, Jadda, for help, after all, she was a world-renowned duellist. However, she was a talented wandless dueller. Juniper required the aid of duelling spells designed for wands.

Once the weekend arrived, Juniper and Rowan prepared themselves for the artefact room at the end of the corridor from the great hall. They offered Ben to join but he already agreed to hang out with some his of his dorm mates. Juniper wasn't one to make him choose between searching in an old room or spending time with some other lads.

When the girls reached the end of the corridor where the artefact room lay, the door was heavy and sighed out a creak from the overuse. The room was crammed with full of stuff. Rowan sneezed at the dust particles flying into the air by the light breeze from outside. But Juniper would like to think that Rowan was reacting to the questionable odour inside. The shelves were lined with dust, books, creature food, a chalkboard with rude messages and even the odd skull here or there. She decided it was best not to question the authenticity of the skulls. The more Juniper looked around, the more she discovered almost like a treasure hunt yet everything in there was potential gold but she required the diamond burrowed by the gold.

"It's pure impressive. Look at how much magical stuff is crammed here, Rowan!" She almost squealed, shaking Rowan.

"Yes, I know!" Rowan shook back, as the Ravenclaws excite over old artefacts. "I want to look at all of it. They say untold treasures lie within the artefact room."

"Along with that minging smell..." Juniper added, "But for now we need tae find that duelling book."

"All right, for now I'll fight the urge to catalogue every single amazing thing in this room. I'll start on this side then while you start on the other."