Buckle Down

[Perseas Stratis]

No one would have expected to find Perseas Stratis in the library, the first day of the new semester. But there he was, occupying a desk by the window, overlooking the glossy lake. The once defiant teen had reconsidered a lot of things during the school break. He had grown up for the jokes and pranks he was once orchestrating for his pure entertainment. Perseas was aspiring to become an Unspeakable one day and to succeed, he had to excel in his OWL examinations. At the same time, he wanted to maintain his winning streak at the dueling tournament and he had to research for new spells. He had distinct objectives now and he was determined to make them happen.

It wasn't only his philosophy that had changed. Over the holidays he had grown taller with a wider upper body. He was given his own winged horse, a slow transition from childhood to manhood for the Stratis. He tanned skin was attesting that he had spent his break at the northern hemisphere and it was contrasting with his piercing, grey eyes. The characteristic gleam in his gaze was always going to be there, no matter how much he had grown. Perseas was reading a book on curses and jinxes. It was monopolizing his attention and he was trying to come up with new strategies to surprise his future opponents. For now, someone else sneaked up on him and gave him a heart attack.

 

[Dexter Lesley]

Hope you don't mind!

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During the school break, Dexter had returned to his home in Bulgaria and had remained there the entire break with the majority of his family, except the last week, where he moved onto his sister's home, and the United Kingdom, to see his niece and nephews. The Slytherin had enjoyed his break dearly, forging more happy memories with loved ones, and being in the familiar environment his home provided him, but he could not have been happier to be back in the grace of Hogwarts. Specifically, the library. The Slytherin was far from being the most studious of his house, having spent the majority of his years here messing around and having fun. However, things were different now. After a stern reprimand from his father, a proud man, Dexter had a little more work ahead of him for his OWL year, this year, with Merlin knew what punishment awaiting him at home if he brought back shocking grades but happy memories of 'time wasting' like he had previously.

He was going to be super serious this year, he decided, especially with a relative in the school. Dexter had to be a good example for the young Desideratus, a new Gryffindor. He would have liked to have him in Slytherin so he could keep a better eye on him, but that could not happen now. He was sure the Gryffindor would be able to take care of himself. Lesley's were a rather lucky bunch. Just as the blond was about to reside to the fact that he would be sitting in here alone with some boring old book, he spotted a familiar-looking figure, and soon recognised him as the Gryffindor that had defeated him in a duel, some time ago. It had been the Slytherin's first duel, and so he had never forgotten it or his opponent. He approached the lion, and poked the lion's back. "Hey!"

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[Perseas Stratis]

Nope. That's why it is open.

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Startled, Perseas turned around, expecting to see his brother or Rhiannon. His face transformed. Recognition succeeded bewilderment. "Oh, hey!" he greeted his peer. He was the Slytherin from his first dueling match. Perseas remembered him pretty well. Secretly he had developed strategies for every single participant of the same age as him, taking part in the Dueling Tournament. So he had studied him as well. "The feather-light guy." he commented on impulse with a half smile. This was how Perseas had been thinking of the Slytherin. During their duel, his classmate had used a feather-light charm in an unusual fashion, which Perseas had found really badass. "Dexter, right?" he checked if he had the guy's name right. "I liked your strategy." he admitted. It gave him a hard time to take him out. "Ready for this semester's tournament?" he asked and invited Dexter to join him, initiating a conversation over dueling. Perseas was really looking forward to step again on the dueling arena. No announcement was made yet but Perseas was positive that after last semester's success, duels were going to be held again soon.