Wands Out and Bow [Dueling Club]

[Deleted]

Neville was never particularly fond of dueling. But the events in his life had propelled him towards such a pastime. Well, maybe that wasn’t true. He could have avoided fighting if it simply came down to what was happening around him. There was always a choice. But it was simply in Neville’s nature to make the choice that helped others. He never wanted to fight, you see—Merlin knows, he still wasn’t overly fond of it. But he had to fight, because others had needed him to be a fighter. In his fifth year, Harry had needed him to help deal with Umbridge. Again in sixth year, he had taken up his wand when Hermione had called the DA back into action the night that Dumbledore died. Seventh year proved to be his trial by fire, so to speak. Not a week went by when he didn’t get into a duel of some kind, with students who supported the Carrows or just followed their orders to punish the younger children in the castle indifferently, with the Carrows themselves, with the Inquisitorial Squad. And then the Battle of Hogwarts itself. But that had been less about dueling and more about war. Neville was a highly skilled duelist, one of the best because he always had to be. He couldn’t take Harry in a straight duel, but hardly anyone could take Harry that way anyway. But Neville’s true skill lay in war. When the rules were thrown out and victory or death was the order of the day…that was where Neville was unmatched, where he could unleash his own unique form of combat. When it came to war, Neville Longbottom was the equal of battalions.

Luckily, that had not been needed since Harry, Ron and Neville had come down on the last great Death Eater congregation nearly twenty years before. These days, the most he had to do was pass his experience on to those students interested in learning how to fight. He wondered idly whether the Dueling Club’s low popularity was due to him being the supervisor. Most people probably assumed they’d learn nothing about fighting under him. That was alright though; Neville didn’t mind what others thought of him. Instead, he focused on teaching those who wanted to learn. So here he sat, sipping at a butterbeer in the Great Hall, waiting for the young duelists of Hogwarts to gather. He was thumbing through the latest issue of Hybrid Herbology, a rather impressive monthly publication started up by three Muggleborn herbologists who all had botanist relatives who had been made aware of the magical world when Hogwarts sent out letters. The magazine’s focus was on highlighting the breakthrough Muggles had made with their own methods of studying plants, and integrating magical and nonmagical methods of raising plants. Neville, who had been using Muggle crossbreeding techniques for years before the magazine started, wholeheartedly approved.

He sat at the Staff table in the Great Hall, feet propped up over the cornering, skimming the articles to decide what he wanted to read when he finished with the club for the night, and occasionally downing another mouthful of butterbeer, while he waited for the dueling club to congregate…

lily luna potter @crystal2 @kay @elodiewood

[Deleted]

Elodie was never much of a fighter. A hexer, sure. She could zap a stinging hex on the tip of someone’s nose from metres away, and it would swell to the size of a small plum within minutes. She knew this, because she had performed such a feat, on one of her quidditch mates who was giving her a particularly hard time that day. But that was in good humour. She had never, well, fought anyone. She was a strong believer that peace was the best option, and therefore never started any fights in the halls, even if those slimy slytherins were positively asking for. Her good record in that regard, compared against all the other gryffindors in her year, was most likely why she was selected to be head girl. Which, of course, she knew she secretly probably didn’t deserve, as sneaking in high volumes of firewhiskey into the common room was most likely against school rules. Although Elodie didn’t like physical fighting, the death of the muggleborn had fazed her, and rather than walk the corridors with shivers running down her spine, she decided it was time she learned how to properly defend herself in duels. Thus, she promptly signed up for the duelling club. She caught sight of Professor Longbottom upon entering the great hall, and flushed – he was somewhat of a minor celebrity, a name well known in the battle of Hogwarts. He was also an apt herbology teacher. She sat down at her table near the front, and smiled at her teacher nervously. She drew her wand from underneath her sock and placed it on the table in front of her, breathing slowly, trying to ready herself for the day ahead. It was natural to be nervous – after all, apart from Defense Against the Dark Arts classes she didn’t have experience in this area at all, and in class they rarely used spells on each other. She rubbed her shoulder subconsciously, hoping it wouldn’t hurt too much. tagged: professor longbottom words: 332outfit: (link) notes: (n/a)

made by remi of i'm so curious

[Deleted]

Having every intention to avoid the class, defense against the dark arts, Aurora joined the dueling club needing time to practice which she might need. But then, she was brought back into the class and given an extra chance to learn more and practice. Aurora made her way to the Great Hall, it was time to meet and time to learn. She walked the halls causing her curls to bounce up and down. She had a bit more spring to her step with a slight adrenaline to do something active. Aurora could be considered someone more as a gentle and peaceful person, but in all honesty, she was a Lestrange and the thought just gave her a thrill. Something she would never admit out loud. She was going to be a healer, she was going to mend not fight.  

She walked into the Great Hall. Her dazzling blue eyes first went on the Gryffindor then onto the Professor. Of course, entering any room with him was a bit tense for Aurora. She knew well enough what her family did to his and she knew well enough that she could never make amends for such cruelty. It was hard to look at him, even though she didn’t actually do any wrong. Second thought, she was doing every thing in her power to things right and not cause more problems. She would keep to herself and not involve herself with anyone outside her circle or in politics. Aurora was to be Switzerland. The girl looked down at the ground and made her way over to the same table the Gryffindor sat at, no use in spreading the few of them out. She didn’t sit close but Aurora was in reasonable distance. 

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Ronan checked his watch as he walked along towards the Great Hall. He had signed up late for the dueling club but that didn't matter. He also knew that Neville, I mean Professor Longbottom wouldn't mind. After all his parents were friends with Neville since they had been in school. He was excited to be learning defense from Neville, most people didn't sign up for the club but he knew that it would be worth it. When he had gone to sign up he was surprised to see that there were only a few people on there, and all of them were girls. Ronan didn't mind this one bit. He knew quite a bit about dueling both muggle and magical, having learned from his dad and several others. He enjoyed it a lot. However he wanted to learn more and he wanted to improve his skills, in light of recent events.

As he entered the Great Hall, Ronan noticed that there were already two people there sitting at the same table. Elodie whom was from his house, they played on the quidditch team together, and she was one of his best friends. And then there was Aurora whom he had met briefly, and she was from Ravenclaw. He also noticed his professor sitting at the staff table. He walked towards where Elodie sat, but as he passed by her and said. "Aurora, come sit with us. We don't bite...much." He smiled at her and gestured to where Elodie sat, as he continued on his way towards where Elodie sat. "Hey Elle. Hows it going?" He sat down next to her wondering if Aurora would come sit with them. Ronan had his wand in an arm holster. It was a special kind of arm holster, he had the option of getting the arm holster or the leg holster for his wand, the holster would put the wand in his hand when he barely flicked his wrist. It would also turn invisible so no one would notice it. However he flicked his wrist and his wand came out of the holster into his hand. He kept a hold of his wand waiting for the lesson to begin. He was excited to be learning from one of the best duelists ever, or at least that is what his dad had told him.  

[Deleted]

Ohh the dueling club. Elaine was practically giddy as she walked (though it took a good deal of self control not to jog/run/skip cause well she had a reputation here) towards the Great hall. Dueling---the best club ever in Elaine's opinion. Cause where else was she going to be able to throw a hex onto someone and not get into trouble? Well---curse within reason that was. Everything was within reason here of course. She wasn't about to go throwing the Crucio Curse on anyone. Cause then she would have gotten into trouble. But there was more than one way to skin a cat as the saying goes. And there was more than one curse you could make to get your statement out there after all...

She walked into the room--nodding shortly towards the professor and sitting at the table beside the others though not with them. Eloide was of course there (cause she always seemed to be in everything that Elaine was in much to the girl’s chagrin)...along with Ronan and Aurora…both of who Elaine had ignored. They didn’t talk to her and so she wouldn’t waste time with them. Normally she would be annoyed with Eloide’s presence in general but in this case--Elaine was perfectly okay with it. She was okay with that Gryffindor pain in her neck being here--why? Because if they got grouped together for a duel then Elaine could show her just what this Slytherin was capable of. What she could do and why Elaine was so much better then she was. It was no secret that the two of them didn't like each other (and that was putting it mildly) but for a change...the seventh year was actually hoping that she would get paired with the other. It would be entirely way too much fun after all (for her more than the other probably but since when she did care).

But for now she had to wait on the professor. She wouldn't have pegged the Herbology teacher of all the people to be head of the dueling club—he seemed a bit bumbling like but she wasn't going to ponder too much on that. She was too excited to be analytic right now. The teacher was a pushover anyways and so if there was one person she could possibly push her buttons with--it was him. But she wouldn't be pushing buttons just yet--she would wait like a good little student. But make no mistake...

She had a statement to make now -- one she didn’t have in previous years but not she had and she was going to make it. Don't mess with her. Period. The end.

Words; 449

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Neville remained fairly low-key among the teachers at school. He kept much of his past hidden away, never lying to those who asked but oftentimes refusing to answer them. And many of the parents of these children had little desire to talk about the war themselves, so his secrets were, for the most part, intact.  He wasn’t sure any student knew the full extent of what he’d done during the Battle of Hogwarts. Still, it was impossible to keep every student completely in the dark. Many of those in the Dueling Club had at least an idea of what Neville was. Elodie had an idea, of that he was certain. As was her usual, she was the first to arrive. She was a recent addition to the club, having joined as soon as she was able to once the year started. Neville suspected that the incident on the train had spurred her to join the club, rather than any real desire to fight. In his experience, that made her worth watching—she was probably dangerous in a real fight. He smiled at her as she sat down. Next to arrive was Aurora Lestrange, who religiously avoided eye contact with him at all times except during Herbology, where her love of the subject seemed to override the nervousness she otherwise felt around him. Neville had never been able to make her understand that she was not to be held accountable for the sins of her family members. Ronan came in next, and Neville nodded at the Gryffindor as he tried to gather the girls up. Ronan probably had the best idea of just who he was learning from—when Ginny had been unable to return to Hogwarts after Easter in 1998, Seamus had taken over as the second in command of Dumbledore’s Army.
 
Plus, his mother had never been one to keep her mouth shut.
 
Neville checked his watch as Elaine walked in, barely even glancing his way (the Slytherin girl was disdainful of him; given her reputation, she probably considered him a blood traitor). Five minutes past start time. Welp, latecomers would just have to keep up on their own time. “Alright then, gather up,” he called, closing his magazine and beckoning the students to join him near the front. Neville knelt down, picking up a stone basin with intricate runes carved into it off the ground and placing it on the table. He pulled the cloth off of the Pensieve, letting its silvery light flicker off the chairs and the nearby wall. Then he turned to the students, regarding them. “As you are all aware, I am Professor Longbottom. I’ve been in charge of the Dueling Club for over a decade now. I will begin by telling you that this class is not about learning new spells or improving your use of the spells you know. That is for your DADA and Charms classes. The focus of this club is to improve the way you act and react in an actual fight. Dueling is not about knowing the most spells or having the strongest wand. It is about tactics, experience, and instinct. Over the year, I will do what I can to teach you tactics, give you experience, and help you hone your instincts.”
 
He nodded at the Pensieve.

“I'm I'm sure most of you are aware, this is a Pensieve. It allows people to relive the memories of others in perfect detail. In light of the murder on the Hogwarts Express, I have taken the liberty of procuring some memories.” Unlike most of the teachers, Neville had a severe adversity to sugar coating things, and had no intention of calling what happened an incident, even if maybe he referred to it that way in his mind sometimes. It was murder, plain and simple. He Summoned a small cupboard out of nowhere, opening it to reveal dozens of tiny phials, each filled with a silvery-white, glowing liquid. “Each memory is from a different person. Each depicts a duel that person took part in during the Battle of Hogwarts. Each one has a lesson to teach. Before we pair off to duel, I will allow each of you to name one person who was at the battle. Your parents, aunts, uncles, parents of your friends, or just one of the famous witches and wizards you've heard about. Most of them have donated a memory for me to use to help teach you.”

He turned toward Elodie. “First to show, first to go. Is there someone you'd like to see, Miss Wood?”

lily luna potter Albus Severus Potter Rozalina Antonina Nightshade @crystal2 @ronan @maryn @kay @elodiewood @mercy

[Deleted]

Maryn had been taught by her dad how to duel but still she felt that it was necessary for her to to join the dueling club at Hogwarts. She wasn't to sure about doing so until the day they were attacked in the middle of muggle London, and her dad had been killed. Once the notice had appeared on the notice board in the Common room she immediately signed up. She wasn't going to be caught off guard again. She had heard that Professor Longbottom was going to be teaching it. She hadn't really interacted with him after her fifth year since she had dropped his class. Maryn was a little late but she figured that the professor wouldn't mind. Hoping that she didn't miss anything to important.

Upon entering the hall she noticed that there were several others there already. Ronan and Elodie from Gryffindor whom she was good friends with. Aurora from Ravenclaw, Maryn never had really talked to her, but you never now that might change. And then there was Elaine a Slytherin whom she highly disliked. There was Professor Longbottom who was explaining that they would be learning about how to improve how they dueled, and also tactics, gaining experience, and honing their senses. These were the exact things that she had been hoping to learn. She made her way over to where Ronan and Elodie sat. Once she had taken a seat she said "Sorry for being late Professor, I hope I didn't miss anything important." Maryn then noticed the pensive on the table and wondered exactly why that was needed. But the answer to that question was answered before she could ask as Professor Longbottom explained that each memory they would be viewing had a lesson to teach them. She was excited at the prospect of learning, and was determined to work hard and do her best to learn everything that the Professor wanted to teach them. She was probably going to be the last person to be asked to pick a memory but she didn't mind one bit. 

[Deleted]

Dueling. It was a subject Aurora didn’t like to dwell on. A subject to where she knew much about but never wanted to indulged in. It was the reason she avoided joining the Ministry. Aurora wanted to help not harm. But like those in her family, there was something inside there that marveled and jumped for joy when a duel was mentioned. Something in her eyes would light up and her thought process would go from logical, to strategically, to instinctive. Unlike most kids, Aurora was taught to fight and harm and torture. It was used over and over again until memorized. Aurora was more than excellent at disguising that part of her. Aurora taught herself to fight fair and keep a clear head. But the last time she didn’t, well instinct kicked in. There was no doubt Aurora was a Lestrange.

But even so with the potential for things to get out of hand, Aurora found herself in the dueling club. She thought if she could get it out in a controlled and safe environment, there was no need to do it outside of that, correct? Aurora just glanced at Ronan and his attempts. She smiled softly but made no move to get up. She was anxious and excited and just full of energy, something any kid could feel in this club. But being a Lestrange tainted Aurora’s allowance to be just any other kid.

Aurora finally did move when Professor Longbottom told them to gather up. The brunette took a new seat next to Ronan but said nothing. Her attention was stuck on the Professor and his words. Her eyes trailed over to the fabulous looking bowl before going back to him. Name someone in the battle. The last great battle. The battle that many death eaters were ashamed up, but the battle that her father took pride in participating for the bad side. Aurora felt a bit dizzy. She heard the stories over and over again, different point of views but most importantly, her family’s constant efforts to be involved. Aurora stared at the table. She no longer had the stomach to be there. She knew what her father did and he taught her how to do it. But to possibly relive it through an innocence’s eyes, Aurora was not up for it. The girl did, though, almost speak up to go first. She wasn’t going to run or hide. But she did want to get it over with. Instead Longbottom was focused on Wood.

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elodie smiled as ronan sat down next to her, easing her nerves a bit. she felt slightly better now that she wasn’t completely alone. she was slightly taken aback that he asked aurora to come and sit with them, but didn’t say anything to ronan. she would rather her personal prejudices remain unknown, unless she had solid evidence for them. at the moment, she just didn’t like lestrange’s vibe of the ‘lone wolf’ mentality. she appeared to be right about lestrange, as she made no move to get up and move to them, which elodie was secretly glad about. ”bit nervous, ro, how about you?” she responded to her friend’s greeting, then turned to see elaine walking in. a look of distaste crossed her face, and it was mutual, but neither said anything or made any moves. professor longbottom began to speak, which captured elodie’s immediate attention. he introduced himself, then pointed towards the pensieve. although elodie had never seen one, she had read about them, and found them fascinating. she winced as he mentioned the murder on the hogwarts express, as she always did; both in fear, and in memorial of the muggleborn she had never known. then, he explained what they were about to do, and how she was going to go first. elodie thought hard, her mind playing around like rapids, trying to think about what memory she’d like to see. then, she thought of one that her dad had always been hesitant to tell her about. ”well, professor, i don’t suppose…” she bit her lip nervously. ” my dad, oliver wood – i think you might know him? he was in the battle of hogwarts, he flew in on a broomstick, in an air attack. he’s never really talked about it…” she trailed off, knowing that a lot of wizards and witches in that battle had not liked to discuss it. it was a trauma, people had seen things that they would much rather forget. ”i don’t suppose, the pensieve contains that story – ah, memory?” she asked cautiously. tagged: duelling club!words: 341 outfit: (link) notes: (n/a)

made by remi of i'm so curious

[Deleted]

Neville acknowledged Maryn’s apology with a nod. There seemed to be many students late to the first Dueling Club meeting of the year, and he was more inclined to be forgiving than to punish half of the club. He also did not fail to note the discomfort that Aurora Lestrange was unable to completely hide. It saddened him, that she felt guilt for things that she had not done. No doubt her father talked a big game. The second Rabastan Lestrange had been a fifth year during the battle, escorted out with the rest of Slytherin House, but as Neville recalled, he was one of a handful of Slytherins who escaped to take arms alongside the Death Eaters. He seemed to recall Dennis Creevey dueling the boy and bringing him down, but it had been so long…ah well. Rabastan was in none of the memories he had with him. Instead, Neville smiled at Elodie’s request—her own father. “I knew your father as well as one could expect considering he was in fifth year when I started, Miss Wood. And his memory will make for an excellent first lesson.”

He ran a finger along the rows of vials, finally stopping on the one labeled OW. He pulled it out, popped the cork, and poured the memory into the Pensieve, which began to swirl and shimmer more brightly. Neville waited just a moment, giving any stragglers time to get to the Great Hall, before clearing his throat. “Alright, everyone. One finger in the Pensieve, and if this is your first time doing this, it might feel a bit weird.” He placed a finger into the edge himself, pulled his wand, and waved it. Immediately, he felt the sensation he often considered to be like a falling feather, as he descended into the memory. All around him, students appeared, shimmering into existence, as below them, a burly man with an angry red burn covering his shoulder turned away from a taller, thinner youth who was taking off down the corridor at full speed…

He watched Dean Thomas tear off down the corridor for the next fight for a moment, more amazed at how prepared he was to fight than the fact he was being forced to fight. He shook his head out of his reverie and grabbed the broom leaning on the wall beside him, heading for the door. “Wood!” He turned to see a man coming at him, wand out. “You’re mine, Wood!” Oliver blinked and grinned. “Maybe later, Alden.” He ducked the jet of ghostly blue light and ran for the window, jumping out before the Death Eater could force an engagement. Oliver mounted his broom in midair, taking off around the castle with all the speed of a Firebolt and the skill of a professional Quidditch player. He rolled and dodged through the air as enemies took shots at him, the reflexes honed from being a Keeper making it all too easy to dodge the red and green bolts sent his way. He dodged and weaved, never slowing even as he passed battle after battle. His only hesitation was when he saw the first giant. Merlin’s beard, He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named had brought everything to the party this time. Whatever Harry was doing must be incredibly important then.

He dodged through the legs of the giant, rolling on his broom to dodge the massive hand that grabbed for him, and looped another corner of the castle, slipping in through another window and past a group of Hufflepuffs led by the owner of the Hog’s Head. He flew through empty, eerily quiet corridors, even as explosions from outside caused the castle to shiver. A moment later, Oliver entered the medical wing, where too many people were already being looked at by Madame Pomfrey and several Ravenclaws. She turned and looked at him as he jumped off his broom. “Oliver, still in one piece? Make it quick now.” He nodded. “Thomas says the Death Eaters have acromantula. A lot of them. Longbottom thinned them out in the initial assault, but at least three people have seen more groups moving around.” The Hogwarts nurse closed her eyes in resignation for just a moment before opening them again. “Find Horace and Pomona and let them know to send me all relevant ingredients for the antidote immediately. I’ll get started with what I have. Go!” He didn’t need to be told twice, turning and running at the window. One wave of his wand opened the window and he threw his broom out, jumping after to land on it, and once more weaving through spells as he vanished into the night…

The memory faded as Wood flew off in the direction of the Great Hall, and then the Dueling Club was standing around the Pensieve once more. Neville used his wand to extract the memory once more and recork it as he spoke. “Because Oliver Wood chose not to fight Alden, he was able to cause grievous injuries to two other defenders of Hogwarts before he was brought down. Both of those defenders survived with no permanent damage.” He placed the memory back in the cabinet. “Because Oliver Wood chose not to fight Alden, Madame Pomfrey was able to begin brewing Acromantula Antidote several minutes sooner. By the time she finished the first cauldron of antidote, seven people were in imminent danger of death from the spider bites.”

He looked over the students, from all the Houses, each one here for a different reason. “This is an excellent first lesson. In the real world, dueling is not a way to uphold your honor. It is not to prove your superiority. It is a fight for survival. You don’t just whip out your wand and fight. Above all else, you need to recognize when you should fight and when you shouldn’t. Oliver Wood took part in several aerial duels during the Battle of Hogwarts. But he spent most of his time maintaining and coordinating the network of broom riders that kept solid communication lines for the defenders of Hogwarts. And by doing this, he saved far more lives than he would have if he’d picked a fight with every Death Eater he ran across. Wood was no coward. But he was no glory hound either. He was the Keeper, doing what he could to save lives and win the day, even if it wasn’t glorious or magnificent. If you learn nothing else from this club, learn this: fighting has its place. Not fighting also has its place. Never fight if there’s nothing to be gained and nothing on the line.”

He turned back to the group, eyeing Aurora now. He doubted she was any more comfortable now, but she seemed willing to see this through. He liked that. She had guts. So he smiled at her, kindly but with a hint of apology behind it. “Miss Lestrange, would you like to see anyone?”

[OoC: If your character's not in the thread, you have time to get them into this memory still! ]

@valval

@crystal4 @mathieu Albus Severus Potter Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

@mercy @crystal2 @ronan @maryn @kay @elodiewood

[Deleted]

The pensive was no stranger to Aurora Lestrange. Teaching by example was the largest tool in her father’s belt. It had taught her so much but as well, made Aurora see more than she wanted. The screams… The begging… The lifeless images. It wasn’t shown to her to scare her or traumatize her. It was to help her develop an air of uncaring and accostum her to her possible future. In her father’s eyes, it was to protect her. Aurora in the end wanted to keep those images from happening until she found a possible future in healing. It was close to what she wanted but so much easier for her obtain, she latched on to it with dear life. Aurora stuck her nose in books for it, took extra classes and spend long day and nights trying to prefect herself. But deep down, there was a most definite fighter waiting.

Aurora walked up with everyone else and circled the pensive. Without hesitation, her finger was on the bowl like item and she was being sucked into another world, a past world. Her blue eyes watched everything being presented to her. A choice to fight and a choice to not fight. Seemed Shakespearian to Aurora. But Aurora knew where she lied. TO only fight when the time called for it. She was to only take arms when forced. Any other time, Aurora was going to avoid it with dear life. Dueling was instinctive for the girl. She knew how to let her body take over and her mind to become unbiased. Reflex, defend first, then attack. For pleasure or survival, that was two different sides and Aurora always stuck to her apparent humanity to survive.

The girl watched the young Oliver. His choices, his actions, his movement. He was definitely a Gryffindor coming down to courage and bravery. She wouldn’t have wanted to be in that position and have to make that choice.

Soon the memory faded and Aurora was blinking a bit. Her professor began to lecture the outcome of Oliver’s choices. The young man seemed to help incredibly and hadn’t need to flat out attack everyone he went after. The brunette had to admire that, it was something Aurora would want to remember in a battle. Aurora, lost in her thoughts, lifted her head to look at the Professor. She was to pick? Her heart stopped. She didn’t know who she wanted to see. She knew some of the people involved, but everyone she truly knew in the battler, they were all death eaters. The exact people she should not speak of. “I would like to see one of your memories, sir.” She finally spoke up after a quick thought. She bit her lip and then looked down. It was unexpected, but Aurora wasn't interested in this part of the club. She almost hated it.

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Neville could tell Aurora was less than comfortable with this. But dueling was not comfortable, it was not easy, and if you wanted to be able to do it, you had to be prepared to deal with that. Still, it surprised him when she asked to see one of his own memories. Not that it mattered, but he wondered if it was genuine curiosity, annoyance at having to do this, or if she just couldn’t think of a role model she’d like to see. Regardless, he nodded to her. “I did say everyone, didn’t I? Let me think then.” He crossed his arms, tilting his head back to stare at the enchanted ceiling for a moment. There were many memories to choose from, but which one could he use to teach a lesson without displaying any sort of skill in dueling? He did, after all, have a bumbling reputation to maintain. Ahh…that one would do. Neville nodded, reaching up to place his wand to his temple, and slowly drew a shining silver memory from within his head. “Once more around the Pensieve then, and tty not to be too shocked to learn I was your age once, hm?”

He dipped the memory in…

Hands searched the still-warm corpse of the fallen Death Eater. Here, atop the wall farthest from the fighting, a lone wizard had been skulking around, and that made him suspicious. Thus far, all he’d found was the wand, and Priori Incantatem had only revealed the use of magical ropes to haul the Death Eater to the parapet walls. So far, nothing else. He sighed, hand absentmindedly sliding the wand into a clip on the belt that his partially-shredded robes revealed, where it joined five others. He stood up, one hand raking the curtain of brown hair away from his face, where two fresh-looking cuts, months old, still threatened to spill blood at the slightest touch. One ran from the bridge of his nose down to the right side of his jawline; the other crossed his left cheek from mouth to ear. More recent cuts adorned his arms, and a burn mark was just visible on his neck, the rest hidden by robes. But his eyes burned like fire yet, and Neville Longbottom’s gaze swept the walls, searching for an answer as to why a lone Death Eater scout would be so far from the fighting. But there was nothing. No hint of magical energy, no other beings, nothing but himself, the corpse, and the large flowerpot he’d been carrying.

Eyes stopped. The shadows of the Forbidden Forest looked…odd. Neville walked up to the wall, placing one hand on it to lean forward. An inky blackness seemed to be advancing from the forest, as though the shadows themselves had come to life to join the fight. Neville pulled his wand, and with a grunt of effort, swung it in an arc in front of him. Three small orbs of light flew out, spacing themselves equidistant as they sought the air between the forest and the castle. When they stopped, they flared to life, a trio of miniature suns. And he felt his blood chill.

Acromantula. Hundreds of them, most the size of dogs, some the size of ponies, led by a pair of horse-sized spiders. All crossing the field at a full-on run. The scout had been here to make sure those in the castle knew when this nightmare horde began attacking! There was no way he could get the warning out in time, no spell to stop them all, even if they didn’t resist magic. Neville turned, eyes falling on the flowerpot. Only hope. He threw one foot over the wall, straddling it and leaning out over the expanse. “Muffliato,” he said, voice raspy from use already. The Muffling Charm flowed out from his wand, and Neville began to move his wand in a wavy motion, first one way, then the other. The field expanded, farther and farther, even as the spiders approached. He fought back panic, knowing it would be a disaster if he didn’t set the field down completely.

Finally, the field’s size satisfied him. Neville would have liked to push it a bit farther, but the acromantula were barely a hundred yards from the castle now. He hopped off the wall and waved his wand at the flowerpot, which rose into the air. Another wave sent it flying out over the Acromantula. Neville took a deep breath, hoped he didn’t mess up on Muffliato, and fired a pair of spells at the flowerpot. Confringo struck first, causing the flowerpot to explode outwards. Scourgify hit next, wiping away the dirt to reveal what could only be described as an exquisite wood carving of an adult woman. At least, it looked that way for one instant, before the face contorted in a scream of fury and indignation that Neville couldn’t hear. But the spiders heard it. And magical resistance or not, the cry of a full-grown Mandrake was lethal.

A thousand spiders crumpled to the ground at once, rolling onto their backs, legs curling up under them, twitching even in death.

Neville fired a Reductor Curse, turning the falling Mandrake to ash, and then dispelled the Muffling Charm he’d set. He looked out over the sight, reflecting how incredible it was that a field of dead spiders was just as horrifying as a field of live ones. He also caught sight of movements in the Forbidden Forest. Of course he didn’t manage to kill them all. Damn.

The Gryffindor’s thoughts were derailed as his peripheral vision detected a green light to his right. He jerked backwards, narrowly avoiding the Killing Curse aimed at his head, and raised his wand, turning to face the two Death Eaters that had come looking for the scout…

The real world returned, the memory fading as his younger self began to close the distance with the Death Eaters, and Neville extracted the memory, returning it to his head. He turned to his students. “The most dangerous duelists are not those that know the nastiest curses or the most efficient ways to kill. Wands are not the weapon you use in a duel. This is.” He tapped his forehead several times with his finger. “There was no spell to bring that horde down. No wand would have saved Hogwarts from an attack of that size. But I brought it down, because I used my head. I took what I knew about Herbology and Charms, and I applied it to stop the Acromantula while keeping everyone else safe from the Mandrake’s cry. Whenever you are in battle, if you assume that either your own weapons or those of your opponent are limited to the glowing sticks you’re waving about, you’re being foolish. Never underestimate how well a little knowledge can serve you, if you're willing to use it.”

With that, Neville clapped his hands. “But the practical lesson for all of that is later! Tonight, we’re going to just warm up a bit. Pair off into practice partners for now. If there’s someone left over, you can partner with me. We’ll start with a warmup. Wands only, spells limited to what you’ve learned in Defense Against the Dark Arts. Hop to it.”

[OoC: No love for the Dueling Club ;_; Still time to get in on both memories since nobody's posting xD]

@nadezhdakrum

@crystal4 @mathieu Albus Severus Potter Rozalina Antonina Nightshade

@mercy @crystal2 @ronan @maryn @kay @elodiewood

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Hexing, jinxing or cursing, Elias always was one to raise his wand and fire a few spells. His history with the art of wand play stemmed from a background of multiple school fights. From a young age, Elias had to learn the ropes of dueling fairly quickly. Life inside the walls of Durmstrang wasn't all rainbows for him. More than often he was targeted by others because of his nerdy appearance at the time and as a result got into the fair amount of physical or magical altercations. Never was he one to take an insult lying down. Whenever there was tension in the air, Elias had to retaliate. Growing up he always thought solving his issues like a man was - the well 'manly' thing to do. Even now as he stood quietly throughout the Dueling Club meeting, he was here to kick some ass.

The lesson with Professor Longbottom was interesting and surprisingly Elias found himself indulged in the full stretch of what was going on. With every memory they observed via the ornate basin-like object, Elias paid attention to the lessons they housed as well as the professor's words. The courage and bravery displayed by Wood was impressive and the feats he was able to achieve held great prestige. The wit and quick thinking of the young Professor Longbottom was also a meritorious act that saved many lives. While he did enjoy what they were currently doing, Elias couldn't wait to get the practical part of the class underway. He was eager to see what the people around him were capable of as well as showcase some of his magical ability.

When the announcement came for them to group up in pairs, Elias' long wait was finally over. He looked at all the familiar and unfamiliar faces and began thinking about who he'd pair up with.

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For once in her life, Lien Hua had managed to be quiet - normally, the girl was early and loud about it. Especially with something like the dueling club - this year, she was the co-captain! And boy, had she noooot started off on a good note. She had gotten distracted, helping a lost little first year navigate his way around the castle - he wasn't quite sure where his common room was. Thankfully, he was a Slytherin, and she knew where that wall was pretty darn well - it wasn't super duper far from the Hufflepuff common room, after all, and she was friends with some Slytherins. After double-checking that he knew the password, he was fine, and giving him a quick ruffle of hair, she was off, sprinting to the meeting, bag banging at her side.

It helped that she was so physically fit - thank god for small mercies. She was fast, as fast as she could be on the stones and desperately trying not to slip and/or slam into a wall, especially giving she was only wearing converse (hah, screw the school rules on shoes, they were black, anyway) and nothing that was, well... really darn good for running in. Better than like flats, though?

She missed the very beginning, darting into the room, skidding to a stop next to a Slytherin, and doubling over, panting. It seemed like they were doing something with... memories? Awesome! Unfortunately, Lien Hua had missed at least one, hopefully just late, but she was in time for the next. Professor Longbottom! Fabulous! He was wicked awesome, for sure, and... memory only proved that! He wasn't a jerkface like Granger and Harry Potter, so it was kind of amazingly intense to see him fight like that. It was... not what she had expected, in all honesty, but that didn't make it any less wickedly awesome! The Hufflepuff was brimming with enthusiasm, practically bouncing from foot to foot as she tried to resist the urge to ask him to see if he had any memories of Cho Chang - surely he must have seen her fight? Not one from Mum, of course. She had cut like. All ties ever with all the magic. Which sucked, especially because none of her profs knew who she was, but it did make sense. Mum and Aunt Marietta put up with way too much bullshit.

Ach, focus, focus! Partners! The girl lit up, thrusting her fist into the air, utterly utterly utterly delighted! Quickly, she cast her eyes around, trying to locate her victim... Well, there was Maryn, of course. But there was also the Ravenclaw, Lestrange, who was super quiet and could totally use a friend like her! Yeah, she'd go with the latter. Maryn would totally understand if she explained later, and... Lien Hua also didn't normally pick her friends for partner things? She picked *everyone*, cause picking everyone was even better! Lots more friends! "Lestrange!" the Hufflepuff announced delightedly, barely waiting for Professor Longbottom - awesome as he was - to finish. "Do you wanna be my partner?"