#thesardonicmuse

[decrsum]

💚 starter for @thesardonicmuse

He did very much enjoy his time at Hogwarts. Finding it much better than his parents' home that felt far too big for only four people. While his sister Lucilla did all she could to avoid him, Mattheo managed to find connections elsewhere. The Slytherin common room was one of the places he could easily make friends — AND enemies. Too much pride in one room has been the cause of many arguments and fist-fights, but that's what kept it interesting.

     Hogwarts is his home. Even with the strange happenings in the past years. He counts himself lucky once more that he has survived another year. Besides, Hogwarts isn't the safest of places even if the Headmaster likes to call it such. A load of rubbish, that is. Students here are in constant danger, and Mattheo knows that it's in the back of everyone's minds. Death is inevitable. Whether you cross paths with poachers, a gigantic spider in the Forbidden Forest, or are just plain stupid and cast Bombarda incorrectly.

That's why clubs like the Crossed Wands exists. Not only is it fun for the avid duelists and adventurers, but it's genuinely great practice. Which is why Darcy got himself involved in this not-so-secret club amongst students. The age group is quite wide too; first years to seventh years. The only rule is that the duels are fair and that sore losers do not seek revenge.      Mattheo was previously quite impressed with the skill of some of the younger students. But still, they were no match for the spells they have yet to learn.

     He's cocky. Not because he's got an advantage in knowledge, but because he has been one of the undefeated 7th years in the club. He still likes to play fair, but knows that poachers won't be. He was looking for more of a challenge today.      ❝ Aw- come on now. ❞ Darcy exclaimed. ❝ I know you can do better than that. ❞ But no, his opponent had left the field, admitting defeat. Darcy's Protego casts were a bit too fast for their liking.

     ❝ Alright... Anyone else want a friendly spar? ❞

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    And a show they will give. He has heard of Ivy's skills but has yet to witness them himself. If it weren't for his insomnia being particularly bad in the past year, he might've had a chance. — But instead, here he stood. Casting Protego wherever he could, only to then counter with either Stupify, Expelliarmus, or Depulso. He'd never intend to harm anyone, especially during a spar like this. But when other students play 𝐍 𝐀 𝐒 𝐓 𝐘, he can give them a taste of their own medicine easily.

    It appeared to be an equal match. Both Mattheo and Ivy knew damn well what they were doing and didn't tire easily. In fact, it was really fun to be battling with someone skilled. However, the battle did make them look rather... 𝐃 𝐈 𝐒 𝐇 𝐄 𝐕 𝐄 𝐋 𝐄 𝐃. And the longer it lasted, the worse it got. Eventually, even Mattheo started feeling his arm growing heavy. But there was no way he will admit defeat just yet. He wasn't done, and wanted to see not just how far Ivy could take it, but if he could push himself far enough. It's good practice, right?

    It did feel like the battle was slowly coming to an end. Their casting and incantations were getting weaker, a sign of fatigue. Perhaps they could call it a tie? But there was no room for him to speak in between his spell casting, and a part of him wanted to cast Wingardium Leviosa to call it quits.

    Ivy had other plans. She was smart enough to use her surroundings. But that white glow he had never seen before, nor did he hear her cast a spell of any kind. — He watched the crate being lifted up and 𝐋 𝐀 𝐔 𝐍 𝐂 𝐇 𝐄 𝐃 his way. All he knew was to cast Protego again, but this time he and his spell got pushed backwards upon impact. His back hit the stone wall behind him, which hurt more than the crate hitting his shield.

    ❝ Truce! ❞ he called out, raising his empty hand. The air was knocked out of his lungs. But he still tried to get up despite not having much energy left. ❝ You win. You win. I admit defeat. ❞ It hurt his pride to say it out loud, but there was no way he could continue. Mattheo was tired, sweaty, and kind of hungry now.

Ivy gave an exaggerated bow as she stood opposite him, straightening with a smirk across her face. "You should be," she teased. "Figured we'd end the day with a show."

She readied her stance, wand held out in front of her, bracing for his attack. At the sound of his voice, she recognized the spell he incanted before he finished; one downside to the Disarm spell being the sheer mouthful it was. Quick to react, she cast Protego and surrounded herself in a shimmering shield just as his spell landed; it fizzled against the glow, and the orb disappeared from around her.

Retaliation was the name of the game it seemed; their attacks went back and forth for a time, some landing, some deflected, both looking rather worse for wear the longer they went. He was good, so good... even Sebastian hadn't given her such difficulty. But she was not willing to back down and give Mattheo an easy win. In her short time at Hogwarts, she managed to establish a bit of a reputation for her dueling skills, and she wasn't about to let this cocky bastard tarnish that.

Her hair was falling from her tie, the black locks sticking to her sweat-stricken skin. She hadn't expected the duel to last so long, and she regretted keeping her robe on; the heat of their exertion and spells was weighing heavily in the room. This needed to end soon.

In true Slytherin fashion, Ivy resorted to using what means she could to better her chances; it wasn't something Fig would've approved of, she was sure, but then again... Fig wasn't here. Calling on her ancient magic, translucent white tendrils wrapped around a wooden box behind Mattheo; Ivy swung her wand around her head, lifting the box into the air and sending it flying toward her opponent.

[decrsum]

    There was a moment where he believed that maybe it is time to withdraw. Perhaps it's simply not fun for others that he is still there, and having a SLIGHT advantage to protective spells due to the year he is in. Oh well, that is fair enough. Besides, most of these kids enjoy the competition, and there really is none if you're faced with someone with a little more experience.     Ready to retreat, he put his wand back in the pocket of his robe. Enough dilly-dallying, he thought. It's back to go back to his books. ❝ Hm? ❞ he hummed in response when someone spoke up. ❝ Ah— the final opponent for the day. I am flattered. ❞

    He did not jest. He wished for each member of the club to get a fair chance. The fact that they are even here is BRAVE on its own. Not afraid to back down from a friendly fight, or simply releasing pent up frustration in a semi-safe environment. BARELY safe. But there is absolutely no way that professors are not aware of this "secret club". They know everything.

    ❝ May the odd be in your favour, ❞ Mattheo teased, a grin forming on his face as he greeted his new opponent with a bow. Wand now in his hand again, he readied himself for Lucan to say the word. — Defensive spells at the ready, but that's not how he was going to start.     Lucan gave the go-ahead, and Mattheo immediately flicked his wrist.

❝ Expelliarmus- ❞

Ivy stood, back pressed into the cool stone and her arms crossed over her chest, a smile settled on her lips. She watched as duel after duel passed, making guesses as to who would win; with her experience in the club and beyond, she'd gotten rather good at figuring who win after a few attacks in. This was one of her favorite pastimes, the thrill of a fight with minimal risk of death. As the most recent duel ended, the seventh year whom she'd seen several times at the club (and within the common room) emerged victorious. It wasn't a surprise; she had yet to see the boy defeated, and she hadn't had a chance to take him on herself.

The taunts that fell from his lips had her own lifting into a smirk. Ivy wasn't sure she'd win, but she knew she could at least give him a duel worth his salt. Pushing off the wall, she approached the dueling area, waving to Lucan as she passed.

"I'll give it a go," she said, pulling out her dark wand. With a smile that distorted her scar a bit, she added, "It'll be fun!"