NO MORE A PRETENDER~ {The Lestrange Daughter #3}

𝟐𝟑. Reflex

Part of Valentine was surprised that McGonagall let the tournament continue without further arugment. She could only assume one thing; That the Professor had realised how unlikely she was going to be able to convince Ginny not to do this. 

Chetan was taken from the field and this time both Carrow's kept their feet on the ground, standing to the side and watching with a critical glare as Valentine and Ginny took up their positions.

Knowing that she was about to hurt someone who truly didn't deserve it very nearly made Valentine hate duelling as a whole. It didn't help matters that she so rarely ever had the chance to do this without the stakes being so horrifically high. She wasn't worried about Ginny beating her, of course, or even any damage she would deal out because Valentine could handle it. She could take a hit whether it be magical, physical or emotional. She could get back up and keep fighting no matter the injury or pain inflicted. Even so, just like everyone else involved here, Valentine wished there was another choice. 

On a morning like this Ginny should have been in classes or hanging out with her friends, not facing off against someone who had no other option than win. Everything about this was so wrong and yet this was the only reality they had in which to live. All either of them could do was play their roles. The fire-spirited freedom fighter and cold-hearted villainous oppressor. 

"On the count of three!" Amycus's amplified voice rung out across the stadium. "One...two-"

The green spark shot into the air a moment early, it's source being that of Alecto who was too impatient to drag it out any longer.

Gaze narrowed and sharply focused, Ginny threw the first spell that Valentine sidestepped while she pulled out her own wand in no particular hurry. Turning in a full circle as she dodged the spell and was once again was facing Ginny-

Protego!

-Val conjured a shield to block the next attack. 

Someone's eager. 

Two spells followed close behind as Ginny began to push forward but neither of them so much as threatened to place a single dent in Valentine's shield. 

Valentine held her ground and simply maintained her shield and as she did, an easy ten seconds passed as Ginny stared her down, expression mired in frustration. The next move would be Ginny's, Valentine had decided, however futile it might be. She wouldn't have a choice unless she intended for them to stand about like this all day.

Another ten seconds passed and although Ginny was too clever not to have realised that something was most definitely going on here, she was also too hot-headed to let this standoff continue.

She pulled one arm back to sling a ball of fire but, of course, it was what Valentine had been waiting for. 

She aburptly dropped the shield to cast a quick counter curse-

Finite Incantatem!

Immediately followed by-

Flipendo! 

Ginny's fireball was neutralised and before she could realise what had happened, she was hit with the full force of the Knockback Jinx. It sent her spiralling backwards through the air an easy fifteen metres. The crowd gasped collectively. If it hadn't been for the snow, Valentine never would have dared throw her so far for fear she wouldn't be getting back up. 

As Ginny came to a rolling stop, her clothes and hair now powdered white, Valentine was on route, marching towards her, next spell prepared on tha tip of her wand.

Bombarda!

She aimed for the other girl's legs, intending to land an injury to slow her opponents movements. Ginny cried out in pain upon impact and Valentine could of swore she could hear the Carrow's horrid cackling in the distance.