Practicing for the Tournament (Zazuka)

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian had send a letter to Zazuka asking her if she would like to practice with him in the dueling chamber. It was a good way to spend time together besides snogging which seemed like the only thing they ever did. Brian enjoyed it enough but couldn't help but feel as if perhaps it was getting in the way of other things. Brian had alot on his mind recently and figured releasing some pent up energy would be the best thing. Somehow, Athena his owl had gone missing and hadn't been spotted for over a week Brian was curious as to what could've happened to her and even thought about contacting the Auror's until his better judgement caught ahold of him. He knew the ministry had more important things to worry about then a missing owl.

Still, Brian couldn't help but wonder what could've happen to her as he walked back and forth wearing a white t-shirt and some blue levi's over some white trainers. He had a thin navy vest overtop his shirt and couldn't stay still. Brian looked to see if there were any dummies that he could practice with while he waited for Zazuka but didn't see any. It was times like these that he wished he were friends with Andromeda, being a private person Brian didn't have too many people he could turn too and call friends. Even Zazuka had people should could turn too when things got rough, Brian envied that in those two and wondered if in the past four years, had he changed at all?

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka loose curls bounced around her serene looking face as she slipped down to the Dueling Chamber. She assumed that's where Brian was seeing as he had asked her practice a duel before the Tornament of Champions started and that they didn't spend much time in other parts of the dungens other than the potions class room. Zazuka was not a competiteve person but she thought that it might be fun to see if she had any kind of fighting skills. "We can sail, we can sail to the shores of Babalon to the Coral Sea." She sang even though it was not the way the song went. She didn't care. It was a way of spending time with Brian.

Zazuka had noticed how much of a privet person he was even though they did spen a lot of time together in a small corner of the commonroom. It was nice but she knew that he had questions for her. As she did for him. Zazuka nearly bounced into the Dueling Chamer and made where way over to Brian who she spoted the moment she came in. She was in a light yellow summer dress and glatiator sandles. To keep up with her usual odd style around her neck was a set of very large and cluncky beads to match the blue quorts crystels that where around her right wrist. "I'm here and ready to go." She said with a bright sunshine smile.

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

It was for this very reason that Brian enjoyed Zazuka so much, despite her past and the darkness that existed there she always seemed to have a light surrounding her. When Brian had first met her, she seemed like someone that needed to be protected but as he spent time around her these days he couldn't help but feel an aura of strength that seemed to come from her. Brian smiled as he walked up to her and placed his arms around her, "It can wait" Brian said as he leaned in and began kissing her. It was the light that came from her that seemed to make all of Brian's troubles seem faint. Athena was probably just spending some time getting some mice or something inside the forest, she would probably be back soon with a few dead mice expecting to be praised.

Last year Brian had seemed in doubt about the wizarding world but this year was different. Brian couldn't help but enjoy the place that had brought him happiness despite it's own troubles. Brian looked into her eyes which always seemed to have a shimmer or a twinkle that would lead one into Zazuka's soul. It reminded Brian of a twinkle he'd once saw everyday in Andromeda's eyes, it was a twinkle surrounded by fire. In recent years Brian had seen that fire less and less till he could no longer see the twinkle and ended up loosing Andromeda as a friend. "Your always so happy, you know that?" Brian said with a smile not meaning it to be an insult but rather a comment of admiration, a happiness like her was overwhelming and could disolve any doubts in one's mind.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka kissed Brian back as she wraped her slender arms around his neck. "I try to be. Life is much to short to be sad all the time. Best to put a smile on the day." She said brightly. A reason she had sort of fallen for Brian was because he seemed like the prince that she had read about in so many fearie tales. He was still her prince but it was diffrent now because she was no longer the dansel in distress. She moved her shoulders slightly as if to sway to a beat in her own head. "Ever though of far off places?" She asked suddenly can compleatly off whatever subject her mind had been on not a moment before.

How Zazuka's mind shifted even she had trouble figuring out sometimes but she followed it where it went. It was better than dwelling on some of the misry she picked up most of the time. The pre-teen and teenage years seemed to be the most troubling for everyone not just her friends. She was starting to build up her blocks again though she still could pick things up without wanting to. What she picked up now was something she wanted to be ingulfed in forever. If it was love she was picking up from Brian she was feeling it back for him she was sure of it. After a bit let out a breathy laugh and shook her head. "You asked me here to duel." She reminded him but with not much force.

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian felt his arms unwrap around the girl he cared about most, "yeah, I did didn't I" Brian said as he began walking towards the dueling platform. Brian turned and face her, it was then that he truly noticed her outfit. It indeed showed off the features Brian enjoyed about her along with showing off her creativity but still Brian had to wonder about it's capabilities while dueling. "Are you sure you want to wear that to a duel?" Brian asked a bit puzzled. Spells got pretty messy and Brian would definately feel bad if he ruined her outfit as it looked new. Brian enjoyed these moments with Zazuka and would never want to do anything that might ruin them. A flashed popped into his head as he thought about Andromeda and how he'd ruined his friendship with her, Brian wondered if such a friendship could ever be repaired.

Brian looked back at Zazuka and began to think, Zazuka was a clever witch... perhaps she wore that dress as some sort've strategic advantage knowing that it would distract Brian while making him more hesitant to strike out against her. 'Well Zazuka, you may be my girlfriend but I'm not going to go easy' Brian thought with all seriousness. Brian knew however that it was one thing to think about not going easy on Zazuka but definately another to actually go through with it. Brian pointed his wand upwards and bent low to indicate the proper dueling precedures. He wouldn't go easy on Zazuka and would show her all that he'd learned while spending his time studying in Commonroom and in the Library, this year was going to be different from the last. The duel Tournament of Champions would test everyone in their year and while Brian was most worried about facing Andromeda he also had to worry about Zazuka and Andrew showing up as possible contenders.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka let go of Brian with a little sadness taking over her but she quickly let it go. She would be in Brian's arms before too long anyway. Zazuka took out her wand and smiled wide. "I believe that this will survive our duel and if it doesn't I will just make another." She said. The dress was new but it was also self made so Zazuka didn't care to much about it. Though she had some money to her name and whatever she couldn't afford she could ask the Paramores for Zazuka still made her own clothes. Zazuka tilted her head as she looked at Brian over the top of her glasses a worryed looked crossing her features but then she smiled again.

"Talk to her. Andy misses you too." She said nearly giggling from what she had picked up from him. They both missed each other but neather one of them would say so. It's was funny to her. They would come back together soon. Of that she was sure. "Come now we must practice. We will be going against each other and some our class mates too. It's only fourtun that we are not going against some of the higher years." She said. Zazuka was skilled in magic but she knew even her skills where no match for a Seventh year.

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian simply smiled, Zazuka seemed to want Andromeda and Brian to be friends again almost always bringing it up when they were together but despite her Divination Abilities she still couldn't know everything about the situation. Brian knew that Andromeda cared for him and while he thought that they could be friends he was quick to realise that those feelings would always come in the way and eventually pose a threat to his relationship with Zazuka. It was unfair to put Zazuka in the middle of Brian and Andromeda's drama but Brian was sure that it was better then having Andromeda mad at Zazuka, something he was sure would happen if the three were together. This way it seemed that while apart Zazuka and Andromeda's friendship could go without any real damage. It was perhaps one of the only things Brian felt as though he could still protect Zazuka from.

Brian faced Zazuka now with all seriousness thinking about what spell to use and if it would work out the way he wanted. His wand could be tempermental at times and he wasn't sure how it would feel about dueling someone that he was suppose to care about. Brian didn't know much about wandlore but had tried to learn somethings about it, the subject was a complex one that rarely made any sense. Brian decided to test his wand with the spell he always used in doubt and had never had a problem using "Everte Statum!" Brian called out as the tip of his wand exploaded as it seemed to always do when he cast this particular charm, Brian was glad to see that overall he had no problems performing the higher version of the banishing charm.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka tapped her wand until sparks came out of the end then quickly cast a "Protego" in a delicute voice. She knew that Brian was protecting her from something though she couldn't quite pick up when. There where something that where still blocked to her even though she did sence that her whatever powers she did have where growing even now. She smiled wide. She no problem with being protected by the one she loved. There no reason for her to have one. Zazuka had spent so much of her life unshilded that she tended to want Brian to look out for her.

It was selfish of her she knew this. It didn't stop Zazuka from letting it happen. Zazuka up that aside quickly then went over her library of spells in her head. She chose one that she thought would be funny. "Rictusempra!" She cryed with absolut joy in her dreamy voice. The laughter jinx was one of her favorets because it didn't only distract the opponent but it make they laugh which is said to be the best medicen in times like thies were seriousness could over take any endever. Zazuka liked to keep things light and airy even if this was practice for the inter school duel tornament.

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

Brian knew this spell and the one Zazuka had just used, it would be a good spell to defend with himself. "Protego!" Brian said as Zazuka's offensive spell deflected away. Brian wanted to go easy on Zazuka but knew that when the tournament came her opponant wouldn't. Perhaps it wasn't too late for her to drop out, then Brian thought about it and knew that it wasn't fair for Zazuka. She was a talented witch and shouldn't be coddled or removed from things that she enjoyed, even if they were dangerous. Brian himself was entering the tournament and played Quidditch in the most dangerous position. Brian decided to continue the practice duel and not go easy on his girlfriend.

Brian looked at her with a feirceness so that she knew he meant business. "Reducto!" Brian said as he decided to test something, before the spell was off Brian added "Maxima!" Brian knew that when using magic adding the incantation 'Maxima' had the ability to make your spells stronger however he also knew that this only affected some spells. Powerfull curses like Avada Kedavra or the Crucioutus Curse wouldn't be able to receive anymore power as they already were stronger then anything that the oponant might use, save another Unforgiveable Curse. Reducto itself was a pretty decent spell as it was used to remove things from the user's way, much like the banishing charm Brian had used early.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka caught the look in Brian's eye but she still smiled in her kind unthreating way. The opening had been a test of sorts Zazuka thought then put her left finger on her lip as if to think about what she was about to do next while floreshing her wand. "Impedimentia" She said into the spell trail making it more slower than it should have. Zazuka was no where near powerful enough to stop it compleatly. She tworled out of it way with her bright sunny smile back on her face.

Zazuka tapped her wand on her hand again then cryed "Confundo!" The confundes charm had been one that Zazuka had been itching to try out ever since they had gone over it in Charms. She didn't want to hurt Brian or anyone so she was going for spells that would either disarm or be found rather funny. She was not above busing an ego or two during the tornament. Just like she knew Brian was not above shoving anyone out of the way when he really set his mind to something.

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

"Protego!" Brian shouted as he deflected Zazuka's Confundus Charm she hadn't mastered the charm and so it had been easier to deflect then a spell she was more use to using. Pointing his wand back at Zazuka Brian decided to try a different spell, "Petrificus Totalus!" Brian said as he made the correct wand movements. The full body bind would be enough to knock down any first year and probably a good amount of second years. Brian wondered how a real wizard duel might be like, somewhere outside the duel arena where everything was monitored so nobody got hurt. It made them all pretty decent duelist but Brian couldn't help but wonder if such a thing was very practical. In the real world a duel to the death was alot more complicated, as Brian thought about his encounter in France the previous summer.

Brian had never really spoken about it with Zazuka but the truth was there, they had fought a dark wizard and almost been killed. A bridge had been destroyed and people had been hurt, Brian and Zazuka had been sure that the man behind it was Andromeda's father in law however never had any proof to back it up. In the end, Brian knew that the only thing he could do would be to get stronger at using defensive spells even if he wasn't very good with them in classes. He had to get stronger, not just for himself but for the people he cared about. Practicing in the duel arena might not be very practical however it was a step in the right direction and Brian could only hope that he was on the right path.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka didn't use a defenive spell this time because there wasn't enough time to get one out. She did managed to sort of dance out of the way. Brian was not moving then again Professor Larraman had said that everyone had thier own style of dueling. Later Zazuka would think about what to call her own as she knew it was unusual. "Expelliarmus!" Zazuka cried her hands looking as if she were being guided by the wind.

Zazuka realized that she might look a bit silly but still it was working. Brian was being harder and harder on her though out the duel but still he was holding back. There was no holding back when it came to real duels. She assumed that real duels went faster because they knew how to do spells wordlessly. Zazuka had tried but ended up sleeping for most of the day afterwards because her magical energies where not strong enough yet to handel wordless spells.

 

[Brian Getathorn XIX]

"Protego!" Brian shouted again quickly, realizing that he was getting pretty good at this particular protection spell. Brian needed to master this spell if he wanted to do well in the tournement. "Confundo!" Brian said with a smile as he pointed his wand at Zazuka, hoping that the spell would hit her. Brian didn't feel like that was the boyfriend thing to do however he had to admit he enjoyed it. Brian and Zazuka had been dating for a while and he had to admit that he was enjoying it for a long time. Brian wanted both himself and Zazuka to be better which meant that he had to toughen up both himself and Zazuka, the two of them would improve together making them both fierce duelists.

 

[Zazuka Getathorn]

Zazuka turned a ballet style tworl in the wrong direction and got cought by the confusion spell. She triped and landed on her behind. Her vision was a bit blurry as if she wasn't waring her glasses but other than that she didn't feel much diffrent than she did every day. Maybe it was because she was used to the feeling of being confused. It followed her everyday though out everything she did. There wasn't a day she wasn't confused about what was going on with her.

Zazuka picked herself up and compleating the tworl she had been working and pointing wand over her head while saying the Jelly Brain Jinx. The spell sworlled over her head before sending she brought her wand down and aimed it at Brian. She was having a bit of fun while practicing how to defend herself. She had been helpless for eleven years of her life she didn't want to feel like that again. She wanted to over come everthing that had once stopped her from being free. From spreading her wings and flying like the butterfly she had been told that she resembled.