Ruined Roots

Chapter Six

The air in the room felt thick. Roxanna forced her body upright. It was morning and the sunrise was ripping through the windows. 

The dream was harrowing. It was like torture. Continuous hallways with no escape. The snake. The darkness exuding from each hallway. 

She shivered. 

Her hair falling in front of her face as she stretched her back, putting her head down. 

While stretching her tensed neck, Roxanna realized that her roommates were not in their beds. The sun hadn't fully even risen. Could there be some early quidditch match that wasn't mentioned? That must be it. 

While getting dressed she heard a bustle of voices and laughter. Pulling up her socks, she strode out of the room and went down the steep stairs down to the golden common room.

There they were. Luna and Cho.

Half of the house were surrounding the esteemed telescope that was behind the round balcony window. There was an uproar when the sun had fully rose. The star they were most likely viewing must've been covered by the sunlight. 

Everyone started walking back to their dorms and Luna and Cho had stumbled back when they saw Roxanna stood halfway down the stairs, confused and awkward. 

She didn't want to know that she was upset that they didn't tell her about an astronomical event that she would've been extremely excited about. Roxanna wasn't particularly sensitive but this took her back a bit. 

"Morning." Luna waved.

"We assumed you knew." Cho confessed.

"Didn't Michael tell you?" 

"I don't even know who Michael is." 

"Sorry Roxy. It wasn't that interesting anyways." Cho smiled before walking past her with Luna.

It wasn't that serious, she reiterated. Reassuring that Cho and everyone didn't mean to leave her out. 

It was time for class and the halls were filled with murmurs of crossed wands. Trials began today and everyone was predicting the results. Apparently a Slytherin boy called Mattheo Wreath was the best, Draco Malfoy second and Theodore third. There was a rumor riding the waves that Cormac was beginning to climb the ladders fast and so he was a close fourth. 

Roxanna remembered dueling at Beauxbaton. It had been mandatory that students at Beauxbaton to pick up an extra class and her choice was Duel. 

She was the best in her year.

The thought of dueling at Hogwarts didn't seem any different to the brutality at Beauxbaton. Many had been sent to the infirmary during the duels there. They had a lethal scoring system and so it was impossible to raise the ranks unless you knock someone out. It counted as one less competitor.

Roxanna was also trained by her mother, who was a skilled auror, to protect her self from dark wizards to the nastiest of creatures. Could Roxanna tackle the nastiest wizards of Hogwarts?

After classes ended. It was time for crossed wands to begin. She was running once again due to being held back from the crowd of students. She made her way to the west wing dungeons of the castle. 

"Who wants to be a champion?" A voice boomed down the dark corridor and Roxanna immediately knew were to go.

 The crowds of students cheered and rattled on the barred doors that separated the audience from the dueling floor.

"If you win, they'll be calling you royalty." The students applauded louder. 

Roxanna had dropped her bag in an empty corner before entering the dungeon that should be cold and quiet, yet is warm and loud from the crowd. 

"Excuse me, sorry." As she pushed past some students and went to the front to where the front bars are, she noticed who was speaking. 

Theodore Nott. 

He was stood on some wooden box to platform him to speak to the masses. The stern look in his eye was directive. It was so influencing, it was as if the words coming out of his mouth was a staff and the crowd was his sheep. They absorbed his every word. The influence of these boys in the school was clear.

Around him stood Draco Malfoy and the third boy in his group. Roxanna didn't know his name yet. Malfoy's jumper was off leaving his shirt untucked and his tie off. The sleeves of shirt were rolled up to reveal his toned forearms and the top buttons of his shirt were undone. The look in his eyes suggested he was ready to fight anyone and anything that was put in front of him. 

"Let the duels begin!" Theodore shouted and made way for the first students.

The beginning duel was with the reigning champion. Mattheo Wreath. Roxanna finally realized that the third Slytherin boy that was with Theodore and Draco was called Mattheo. The same Mattheo that everyone was gossiping about , the same person who kicked her hand.

A pit of anger piled within her. She wanted to duel him now out of frustration. She couldn't care less about his reputation and what Cho said about not dueling the Slytherin boys. Cho didn't bother to ask if Roxanna was good at dueling as she was as good as them or perhaps better.

She watched him carefully as he dueled a 7th year. It was amusing for everyone to watch a 5th year beat a 7th year so harshly but to Roxanna that was nothing. If he was the best at Hogwarts she knew that her time at Beauxbaton was a lot harder than it is here.

Mattheo had a pattern. He had a thing for keeping his opponent in the air and casting the basic charm and incendio if they got too close. The fire forcing them to stumble back. He was very much offense and had little defensive skill. Roxanna took note of that.

Mattheo won. The next duel was in place.

Draco versus Susan Bones. This was an interesting duel to witness since Draco was less flashy and aggressive with his techniques. He had the ability to cast himself invisible and turn right round his opponent and strike from the back. He was very defensive and careful with his offense. It was extremely impressive to see. But Roxanna knew why Draco hadn't been declared number one. He lacked strength in a lot of his charms. 

Draco won easily. The final duel was between Theodore and Cormac.

Those two were fighting for third. After this one, its time for external duels. Any student is able to join and challenge anyone. 

Theodore was evidently less skilled than his two friends, at least to Roxanna. Everyone around her thought Theodore fought well although he lacked fast reflexes and responses to casts. Cormac on the other hand had a tactic. His game plan was clever but somehow it didn't peeve Theodore over. With a final stupefy basic charm combination, Theodore won and the crowd roared. He was an obvious favorite while the other two were more feared.

"Look here, the three reigning champions!" Theodore gestured towards himself, Mattheo and Draco.

"Who would dare to challenge?" 

Roxanna pulled her blue tie from her neck and chucked it to the floor. She pulled her socks up and and yanked her skirt down to a more comfortable position.

"I do!" Her proclamation ripping through the bustling conversation.

"What was that?" Theodore couldn't quiet make out who said it and put his hand to his ear. 

The crowd quietened slightly. 

"I do." Roxanna said louder and raised her hand. Her dark brown eyes locking towards her target Mattheo. 

"I challenge Mattheo. Hogwarts number one dueler."