Closed On the wrong path

[Eoghan Blyth]

Four duels and nothing to show of it. Eoghan had been sweating with exhaustion by the time the tournament was over for him. Sure, he'd managed to come third place, but it wasn't first. He'd come back down to the dueling chamber a few days later, if not just to help him push him in a direction. This year he'd done everything he could to put himself out there, socialise and meet new people, expand his horizons beyond just homework, and yet it still didn't feel right. It wasn't that it had made him uncomfortable, but more that he felt as though he was needing to become someone he wasn't if it meant he could be part of a group. With his third year on the horizon, Eoghan wasn't sure if he had it in him to keep pushing himself to fit in, especially if he wasn't going to reap the rewards at the end of it.

It wasn't often that the Ravenclaw was angry, and if he was, that anger was buried deep down inside so that it never got to see the light of day. The only indication that something may have been wrong, was the way the blonde was now frowning at the dummies as he pondered over some decisions. He wouldn't regret being involved, but whether he was on the right path was another question entirely.​

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

Ever since losing in the Dueling Tournament, Sayuri had been practicing with the dummies every other day or so. She almost considered looking for someone to practice with but it was annoyingly out of the question. It wasn't like she had very many friends or people to ask. Perhaps she could have asked one of her siblings but it was highly unlikely. Jonah's spellwork left a lot to be desired. Rose was pretty much out of it since her own loss in the Tournament. And annoyingly for Sayuri, Eli had lost by walking out on his opponent. And perhaps the most frustrating of all was watching Hinata win the Dueling Tournament. Most of them hadn't even had an inkling that their sister dueled. Even more so the ferocity in which she did. Her sister who they all thought couldn't hurt a fly and would get lost with a map, compass, and written directions in her hand, won the Dueling Tournament which Sayuri lost in the first round. So yeah, sue her for getting all annoyed about it. And of course, it was just her luck to find Eoghan in the Dueling Chamber and just staring at the dummies. "Those don't glare back," she said by way of greeting as she set her bag down off to the side before walking towards the dummies, wand in hand. He might have gotten here first, but she wasn't about to cancel her routine over his presence.​

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

Eoghan didn't need to turn around to know Sayuri had just wandered in behind him again. He'd seen her come down here a lot, to the point that he had wondered at times whether this was her favorite place in the castle. She'd lost in the tournament too, which had probably been worse for her than it was for him. "Why do you practice so much?" he asked, ignoring her first comment. He'd grown accustomed to the Slytherin's bluntness at this point, having come across her a number of times since they'd first met in this very same spot the year before. The blond turned to face her properly, doing his best to relax both his forehead and his arms. "Are you training for something in particular? Something beyond just the tournament?" Genuine curiosity took over, because he couldn't for the life of him justify why he was still in this.​

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

"I don't like losing," Sayuri said simply. In a household with nine, now eleven siblings, Sayuri was used to having to fight when she wanted something. Not that there was truly ever a serious fight within the house - their parents would always put a quick stop to a fight if it got too serious for their tastes. Not only that, but their household was competitive. Downside to having a Quidditch nut for a parent - not that Sayuri could talk since she'd been heavily influenced herself. And everyone sort of had a thing for themselves. Sayuri had thought that maybe dueling could be hers. At least until she saw Hinata. "Besides, Defense and Dueling is practical. Not to mention a couple of careers would probably require them," Sayuri told the Ravenclaw. She was sure that a lot of the Ministry jobs would require them, and even if they didn't, the Slytherin was of the opinion that if you wanted to work for the government, you should know how to defend yourself. Sitting in a classroom studying the theory of Defense and Dueling doesn't quite cut it.​

 

[Eoghan Blyth]

That was fair. Eoghan didn't like losing so much either, but did he care about it enough to put himself in a position that he felt wasn't right for him anymore? He nodded when Sayuri mentioned the careers. It had surprised him, to hear what some jobs would require for their entry levels. "I was thinking about giving up on Defense next year," he told her, "But apparently it's needed for a lot of paths, you're right." It was frustrating really, that he was already taking the majority of the electives and yet it still wouldn't be enough to cover his back. "I think the spells can be good to be aware of, and to know how to use them," he looked back to the dummy that was closest to them. Maybe it would be a case that he hoped he would never have to use what he learned in that lesson, although he wouldn't know until it was too late. "But, I'm not sure I want to do that anymore," Eoghan had more than enough reasons for it too. In that moment, he realised just how much he'd grown. He glanced back at the Slytherin, knowing that when he'd joined the school two years ago, he never would have laid out his thoughts or opinions to someone that was barely more than an acquaintance. Sure, he saw Sayuri quite frequently, but it wasn't as though they often spoke. He didn't expect her to care about what he was saying, although he was quietly proud of himself at the realisation he didn't feel like his walls were quite as high anymore.​

 

[Sayuri Edogawa]

Sayuri wasn't exactly surprised to hear about someone or anyone wanting to drop Defense. She was pretty sure it happened often enough. Dropping classes that was. She didn't know what her siblings planned for next year but she planned to get her NEWTs in Defense and Charms. The rest, she was still debating on. She looked at the Ravenclaw weirdly since his frustration was nearly palpable and she didn't quite understand why when he was the one that wanted to drop Defense. She wasn't quite sure what Eoghan's background was, but she was starting to wonder if it was muggle. "Look," she said firmly, a hint of exasperation in her tone. "Spells in general are needed for a lot of careers but that's because it's the wizarding world. You're as likely to find one that needs Defense as you do Charms. Maybe Transfiguration too," she said. She doubted there were very many careers that didn't require at least working knowledge of any of the three branches. If they did, then it was probably more focused on Potions and Herbology. Or perhaps a desk job like what her dad had for the longest time. Still if career needs are something that he was at least partially worried about - "I'm sure the Defense professors," she made a face like she just ate something disgusting, "or your Head of House would know more about what needs Defense and what doesn't," she said. In her opinion, it was probably best to talk to the Gryffindor Head of House. He was the Defense professor, and if rumors were right, then also an ex-auror. He'd probably know more than the other professor and have more useful thoughts regarding Defense. "If you don't want to do it then don't do it. Easy," Sayuri concluded firmly. It wasn't like it was the end of the world to not have OWLs on Defense. ​