As the Stars align ( Regulus Black )

Twenty-Six: King

*24 hours earlier*

"I know you're all very excited for the Halloween festivities but this is really important" Professor Sutton begun his lesson. Our entire year had been summoned to the great hall, plus some older candidates, such as Remus, James and Sirius, Amos Diggory, Molly, Gideon and Fabian Prewet. The tables had re-functioned to duelling Platforms "For you OWLs you will be sharply questioned on your theoretical knowledge as well as your Practical knowledge" he gestured to the Tables "And for that very reason we will propose a challenge"

"There used to be a club at Hogwarts that students could participate in to Duel students from all houses and ages" Professor McGonagall spoke up.

"Crossed Wands" I mumbled under my breath in recognition. The club had been a tradition that was tolerated by staff as long as no one was seriously hurt or maimed in the process. They had to shut down when a student suffered irreversible damage to the spinal cord. The poor boy had been bound to the wheelchair ever since.

"Indeed, Miss Thorne" Professor McGonagall seemed to have picked up on my mumbling and nodded at me with the tiniest smile that I had eve seen. "The Clubs name was 'Crossed Wands'"

"You're opponent will be chosen at random and whoever is revealed as Victorious will move up the bracket. On the Next Level you will face someone who has won their first duel and so on" Sutton pointed at a chalkboard with a bracket draw on. "The older students present are here to make sure that the rules are followed and no one gets hurt. Also you might use their presence as a chance to get some tips"

I turned my head slightly to look at the Three Marauders. Sirius winked at me with his usual smirk plastered on his lips. I playfully rolled my eyes but I blew him a kiss either way.

"The rules are simple" McGonagalls eyes roamed our faces "The duel is over if your opponent is disarmed, tapped out, or unable to continue. That being said, we will no tolerate maiming or serious injuries. Also, you are only permitted to cast spells. No physical violence is tolerated. Your goal is to disarm, nothing more"

"And as a motivation" Sutton pointed at the hourglasses with our housepoints "The students who comes out on top will be awarded 75 Housepoints" cheers erupted from all around the room

"The other houses will not leave empty handed either" McGonagall exclaimed "They will be judged on how many duels their representative students have won and lost, no matter how far into the competition they earned these wins"

"Good Luck" Sutton exclaimed while clapping his hands together

-

The first round of names were written in chalk on the huge board. All the students bustled around, trying to spot who they would duel. I stayed back far enough to not get touched by anyone passing. I felt someone approach me so I turned around to face them.

Remus had his hands in the pockets of his pants, his hair was tousled like he hadn't had enough to to style it this morning. "You're first is Effie Whitlock" he said once he reached my side. "Wont be a challenge for you"

"She's a sweet girl" I mumbled while fumbling with the hem of my skirt. I nervously patted my robe to make sure that I even had my wand with me "I really don't want to hurt her"

"I've never talked to her before" Remus shrugged "I don't think it'll come as far as you hurting her"

"She's not as harmless as you think she is" I answered "You'd know that if you've ever seen her when she's having a bad day"

"Things are often not what they seem" he mumbled. Somehow I knew that those words had a deeper meaning to him then to me. I decided not to ask. "Like you" I looked at him "When I first met you I couldn't have imagined that you would throw Snape into the Black Lake"