Choose Your Batles

'Protego!' Rebecca cried, waving her wand to create a shield in order to deflect the oncoming bat-bogey hex from the Holly wand across the room. The dueling classroom was unlike the other classroom, there were no tables, simply chairs that were in two tiers on the wall opposite the windows. The room was narrow and galley-like containing a wide stage that stood in the middle, home to various objects such as wooden blocks, stacks of books and the occasional vase that stood precariously atop of a stone block.

'Stupefy!' Rebecca said, slashing her wand forward in the direction of a familiar face. She was dueling her younger brother, Cupid - or Rob as she liked to call him. The two often came up into the dueling classroom in the evening to practice their skills. Being in different houses made it difficult for them to arrange a time where they could duel together but, at least once a week, they're venture to the sixth floor and meet in combat. 'Nice one, Rob!' She called as her brother ducked behind a wooden plank.

Becca and Cupid shared a close bond, so close that she stilled called him Rob. There came a time in Cupid's childhood when he had discovered his name was rather unusual, rather embarrassing too. Cupid. What unlucky child gets called after the God of desire? Him! It wouldn't be so bad if he were called Zeus, or Thoar, but Cupid? It was such a soft name and from the age of six he'd hated. Ever since that day of humiliation on a Saturday Afternoon when his Grandma had called him from across the park. After that he'd asked everyone call him by his middle name, Robert. People did for a while, up until he arrived at Hogwarts. It was at Hogwarts he discovered that Cupid isn't that strange of a name at all. There were girls called Athena, Narcissa and Gemini. There were boys named Rubeus, Ludo and Severus. All in all, Cupid wasn't as bad as the muggles in the nearby village assumed. It made him stand out, added character towards him. Of course come Valentines Day he'd be feeling the opposite, but after the fourteenth of February had passed Cupid was your average name. A name that he didn't mind to be called. Despite that, out of habit, Rebecca maintained her stance on calling her brother Rob.

Swishing her wand twice the Ravenclaw sent a reductor charm at the wood, causing it to splinter and break to allow her tickling charm to blast through and reduce Cupid to a fit of giggles. His wand remained tightly in his hand but it was too tough to fight through the laughter and attempt to return a jinx. Rebecca slowly walked over, a grin on her face. 'Expelliarmus.' With a swish, a flick and a quiet tap Cupid's wand had been released from the Slytherin's grip and lay aimlessly on the floor besides him. 'Finite Incantartum.' Rebecca said, pointing her wand at Cupid who soon stopped. 'Told you that I'd win.' She added with a triumphant smile on her face as the Slytherin collected his wand and stood to face her - repairing the fractured wood whilst he got his breath back.

'One more round?' He asked, narrowing his eyes.

'Bring it on.' Rebecca retorted, bowing to him before retreating back to her end of the platform, making sure not turn her back on the way.

'Densaugeo.' Cupid said, making the first move with a flick of his wand. A whitish spark sent flying across room towards Becca, who managed to dodge his signature spell. Cupid wasn't sure why he loved the spell so much, he simply did - possibly because it was his best. He'd perfected the hex to an extent that even Rebecca had trouble stopping the effects - the last time she'd been stung by Cupid's signature spell she'd been in hospital for half an hour whilst the healer fixed the size of her teeth.

'Trying that again are we?' She called, 'too bad you're aim is poor.' Ten minutes it had been before Becca's over-competitive streak had erupted to the surface. 'Petrificus Totalus!' The Ravenclaw cried, furiously swirling her wand in a circle before flicking it sharply towards Cupid.

'Protego!' He yelled, deflecting her spell of which Becca dodged. For a moment the two simply tried to maintain their aim whilst they moved side to side in an attempt to be free from the firing ling of the next curse, which was sent by Becca and narrowly missed Cupid. 'And you said I had bad aim?' He heckled knowing full well it would wind her up. Oh well, that's what siblings were there for: banter.

Becca wasn't impressed and fired an angry jelly-legs jinx, which again Cupid dodged by hiding behind a stone slab. SMASH. The vase resting on top smashed spraying fragments of bone-china across the floor. Cupid's grin was wiped from his face as a shard slit the back of his hand, thankfully it didn't draw blood. Cupid couldn't stomach blood.

'I was thinking about joining Potter's Army.' He told his sister conversationally after sending a disarming charm his sisters way.

'What?' Her wand flew from her hand. Cupid had won.

'Yes!' The Slytherin cried excitedly, although Rebecca didn't seem to care like she usually did. She simply picked up her wand, repaired the vase and walked towards Cupid.

'Are you being serious? You're joining PA?' Becca had friends of hers who were part of the student society. She wasn't entirely against it, she merely preferred to remain neutral. Not that she was neutral, given the option she'd out herself as a rebel to the Ministry - to the displeasure of her Mother, but Potter's Army? One thing that nobody knew about Becca was a growing likening to the dark arts. She never practiced them, out of fear mainly, but the more she studied them in her defense against the dark arts classes the more she was beginning admire them. The dark arts really was a creative, ever changing, intelligent piece of work. However, the dark arts is what Potter's Army and her friends repressed.

'May I ask why?' She stated, folding her arms and staring into her younger brother's eyes.

'Well, it seems kind of fun. Adventurous, just think about what happened at the shrieking shack last year. That could have been me and-'

Here we go. Rebecca thought with a roll of her eyes as she listened to Cupid's idea about how joining the PA would be a step closer to fulfilling his life ambitions. Fame. Boldness. Greatness. That's the only thought that ever went through that skull of his. No consideration for academia, Lord knows he was probably about to miss the deadline for four pieces of homework for no good reason and Potters Army wasn't going to help him pass his exams.

'Rob. You do know you have your OWL's this year?
'Yes, but-'
'And you barely do your work as it is?'
'Yes, but-'
'And you do realise if you join the PA you'll have barely any time to-'
'Oh my God, I'm not going to fail my OWL's if that's what you're worried about!' Cupid interrupted at last, his tone full of annoyance that his sister seemed to be completely disregarding his goals in life. She was academically driven, he wasn't, it didn't mean his goals weren't are worthwhile.

'I want to be famous! I want people to tell their children about them, tell them about my adventures, tell them how great I am. I want to be famous not a bloody bookworm!'

Becca raised her eyebrows, looked down and took a deep sigh. 'Rob.' She gasped, shaking her head. 'Just, think about it or at least wait until after Christmas. Or do something productive and try and improve on your singing. I know you love it, I hear you everyday in the shower during the holidays. You could be famous for being a singer, wouldn't that be better? Plus your studies wouldn't be affected because you wouldn't be bed-bound after getting into god knows what like Maura and the rest of them.'

Rebecca had no objections her friends being part of Potter's Army, but this was different. Cupid was her family and if she lost him she didn't know what she would do. Studying would help her through it but she certainly wouldn't be on form in Quidditch games, no doubt she'd venture further into her interest in the dark arts - something she simply couldn't get involved in having such an addictive personality.'

'Fine.' Cupid replied as he walked over to one of the chairs and sat down. 'I need a rest.' He added sulkily , raising a bottle of water to his lips and drinking the liquid inside. How refreshing.

Katie was bored out of her mind, and it was bloody puring outside to even go outside. "Ugh... stupid rain!"Katie thought to herself before cursing to herself. Walking out of the Ravenclaw common room she started wondering aimlessly around the castle not really knowing where she was going. Katie tend to do this alot lately, it was always how she found new things due to doing this.

Upon reaching the sixth floor, Katie heard familiar voices coming from the dueling classroom which made her shake her head and chuckled. Becca and Cupid were always in here dueling each other at times. Walking down the corridor Katie walked into the room watching them resting for awhile. "Hey Becca and Cupid, who won?"Katie asked them softly. They were both good, so Katie never knew who to root for.

Katie dueled Becca a couple of times, and she was pretty good but Becca always won in the end. But Katie was getting better, she dueled with Kenneth and the guys so she was getting better. If Becca wanted to duel with her, Katie was ready for it.

Looking at Cupid she giggled as she seen him. "Becca make you lose your breath?"Katie asked him in a teasing voice. "If she did, good job Becca!"said Katie before looking at Cupid and chuckling.

Both Becca and Cupid's heads turned In the direction of the door upon hearing a familiar voice: Katie. Katie was a mutual friend of the two. For Becca she was a fellow house mate, a year younger but still the two go on and socialised from time to time - although the amount of time they shared together was slowly increasing owing to the fact that the Ravenclaw's weren't that social leaving the actual social ones to mix among themselves. To Cupid, Becca was simply a girl in his year who he got on with. 

'One each.' Becca groaned, 'although he only won that last one because he started rambling on about joining Potter's Army.' She added, making sure that Katie was aware that the Ravenclaw had only lost due to distraction and if Cupid hadn't resorted to such a tactic then the duel would be still be ongoing, or Becca would have won. 'But when Rob here gets his breath back I'll make that two-one.' Becca firmly stated, the competitive side or her rising closer to the surface. 

'No, I just needed some water.' Cupid replied, blushing, to Katie ignoring Becca who had raised an eyebrow to what she was assuming was Katie flirting?

The two siblings rarely fought and never held a grudge for long but as family is they can sometimes disagree on things, especially in the heat of competition. That's probably the only flaw Becca had in the Slytherin's eyes: she was too competitive. He would say another flaw was her being too consciences  but his sisters devotion to studying had helped him out far too many times to complain about it. 

'What are you up to, Katie?' Cupid replied. 

Katie looked at Becca and nodded. "I'm sure you'll get him next time Becca."said Katie honestly. Every battle she seen, Becca was always the one to win it no matter what. Katie knew Becca was super competitive and hated losing. But Katie also knew she was good at almost everything she did, Katie haven't seen anything she wasn't good at. Katie was fairly good at things, but she wasn't that good at dueling that was for sure.

Katie noticed Becca raised her eyebrows at them as if she thought Katie was flirting with him. "Am I flirting with him?"Katie thought to herself clearly not realizing that she was. She thought it was how her and Cupid were, they played around and teased each other.

When Cupid asked what she was up to she shrugged. "Nothing much just bored, so decided to walk aimlessly around the castle until I heard you guys down here."said Katie simply. "You know me, I'm always on the go."said Katie honestly. Katie hated being in one place for to long, she was always exploring something. "If I intruded I'm sorry."said Katie looking from Becca to Cupid.

'Just as long as he doesn't distract me with anymore surprises.' Becca muttered, still slightly ashamed that her little brother had finally beaten her. Most of the time they didn't duel each other, they usually just practiced spells, however on those occasions where they drew wands in combat she won. Naturally.

Her competitiveness had always been a part of her even as a little girl meaning it was just something that Cupid had come to deal with. Sure it would be annoying if she went in a sulk for losing a game of chess (the one thing Cupid could beat her in) but most of the time Cupid steered away from competition. Without competition they got on well, extremely well. It was as if Rebecca was a different person when competition didn't pollute her mind. Some times Cupid had challenged her, asked why she was so hyped up on winning although Becca never had an answer. Or never had a decent answer would be a better way to phrase it. She simply enjoyed it - unless she lost of course.

'No, you're not', 'No, stay.' The Litherland's said at the same time as Katie apologised for intruding.

'I was thinking about going anyway.' Cupid said, standing up and gathering his belongings into the bag that he been waiting on one of the chairs whilst the pair dueled. 'I have homework for tomorrow.' He grunted before bidding both Katie and Becca farewell and leaving the room.

'I'll get you next time!' Becca called after him as he vanished out of sight around the door. Sighing she sat down. 'Cupid was saying you were wondering if there are any spots on the Quidditch team?' Becca asked, smiling as she got out an apple from her bag and took a bite.

Katie chuckled and looked at Cupid. "I'll see you later."said Katie softly before he left. Although she didn't know why Cupid left though, maybe he was just tired. Although dueling Becca could wear you out. Although she wondered who would win the duel if Becca and Kenneth dueled. That would be a duel to see and watch.

Katie looked at Becca and nodded. "Yeah I was wondering if there was or not, I really wanted to join as a Chaser or something."said Katie softly. "I can play beater and Chaser but I'm more better at being a Chaser."said Katie honestly. "I just figured if I'm any good might as well join the team and show them my talents!"said Katie smiling.

"Although I was taught by Kenneth how to fly, so I'm pretty good."said Katie honestly. "Although not as good as he is, but I just learned."said Katie. For the longest time Katie was scared of flying by herself, if she flew it was always with Kenneth.

Her and Kenneth were like Becca and Cupid were a strong pair and attached at the hip. There was nothing that Katie didn't do that Kenneth didn't know about. Kenneth was her role model and she looked up to him just like Cupid did Becca.

Becca, listening, tilted her head slightly whilst she continued to make her way through the apple. So Katie was keen to join the team as chaser? Beater at a push. Becca wasn't the captain so she could have a definite say who should or shouldn't be on the team but one of the chasers was debating about dropping out of the team to focus on her OWL's. But would Katie copy her? After all her fellow Ravenclaw was a fifth year. 

'Pansy Featherpenny is thinking of resigning.' Becca told Katie before continuing to much on the apple. Raising her other hand she covered her mouth, hiding the apple from view as she spoke again. 'But I'm not the captain so I can't say although if you want to come along to the next practice session with me, we can say you're interested in subbing?' 

It was only a suggestion but it'd give the captain a chance see Katie fly and how well she gelled with the rest of the team, after all it was a team sport. There was no saying Katie would make it, Becca didn't realise she was that keen a flier, but with Pansy Featherpenny being on the fence the proposition of Katie being a substitute could be reason for her to leave - less guilt.