A Challenge

Sadness.

Especially hearing Harry say that Professor McGonagall had called him away because she wanted him to be the Seeker for the Gryffindor Quidditch team, Eliana felt even sadder.

Some people could dive fifty feet to catch a ball on their first broom ride and brake sharply.

Some people would vomit uncontrollably within three minutes of sitting on a broomstick.

She had never suffered such a crushing defeat in any class before!

Eliana felt like she had been dealt an unprecedented blow.

She felt she would never be happy again.

From today onwards, she was cold, ruthless, and smiling-less Eliana.

Oh, and also the youngest Seeker in a century, admitted on special merit.

--Skipping grades, this is!

Feeling outclassed, Eliana, heartbroken, ate two steaks.

Malfoy, having changed his clothes, leaned on his two cronies and slowly moved over, propping himself up. "Well, Potter, having your last meal? Should I pack you a couple of kidney-filled pies for the road? I guess you won't be able to eat these at your Muggle relatives' place, right?"

"And you! Rich!" he gritted his teeth, looking at Eliana, who was sadly chewing and chewing, "You don't even need to pack! Those foods can't stay in your stomach anyway!"

Eliana, still immersed in the pain of "I'm actually this bad," ignored him. This seemed to give him the signal to push his luck further.

"Well, looks like I was right?" a malicious smile spread across his face.

Harry looked at him coldly. "Back on solid ground, with your two useless bodyguards protecting you, you've gotten bolder, haven't you?"

"Ha, you think I wouldn't dare face you alone? Potter?" he suddenly turned back. "And you, Rich!"

Eliana was still immersed in the huge blow, chewing and chewing, and didn't respond.

"Midnight tonight, in the trophy room, a wizard's duel--" he glanced at Eliana, "--no physical contact!"

"What do you say? Dare you? I bet neither of you has even heard of a wizard's duel?"

"Of course, they've heard of it. Eliana can be Harry's assistant," Ron said. "Who's your assistant?"

Before Malfoy could pick a stronger one from his two cronies, Eliana, still immersed in her pain, heard a word she disliked with her sharp ears.

"Who wants to be an assistant? I want to be the main player!" she shouted indignantly.

Malfoy sneered. "Whatever. My assistant is Crabbe. See you at midnight."

He left without looking back, his neck held high like a preening goose – though he walked a bit stiffly, like a goose with a strained back.

Harry and Ron exchanged bewildered glances.

"What's a wizard's duel? And assistants?" Harry asked. "Why do you guys seem to know about it?"

Eliana took a sip of Pumpkin Juice and said calmly, "I don't know."

"What?!" Harry and Ron exclaimed simultaneously.

"Merlin, the way you looked then, you seemed like you'd dueled a few times, much more than I know. You really don't know?" Ron said in shock.

"What's the big deal?" Eliana shrugged. "Can't you guess from the literal meaning? It's a fight. Two main fighters in the primary battle, and two assistants acting as lackeys to harass and attack--isn't that right?"

Ron looked conflicted. "Well, you could say that, but usually, the assistants only step in after the main fighters are down."

"What?!" Harry looked stunned. "I don't even know many spells yet."

Eliana tilted her head. "Then you can sneak behind Malfoy and give him a kick to cooperate with me."

"--Didn't you just say no physical contact?"

Eliana looked at the well-behaved Harry. "When we start fighting, who's going to care about that? If we beat him to death, no one will know we broke the duel rules, right?"

She said coldly, "History is always written by the victors."

Harry and Ron looked stunned.

After a while, Ron muttered, "Hey, mate, I don't think you need to worry at all. Malfoy sounds way more dangerous than you."

"I think so too," Harry said, his gaze unfocused.

Eliana gave a sinister smile.

She knew Malfoy, as a child from a wizarding family, must have his own strengths. She had been wary of him ever since he'd been forced to be her desk mate in Potions Class and had endured it. Now, he'd finally shown his hand.

Alright, it was time to see firsthand the combat prowess of these pure-blood little wizards.

Eliana, full of fighting spirit, pushed the plates on the table aside and began to sketch out her midnight battle plan on the parchment.

She didn't know many spells yet, and she could only cast three spells in a row at most. Her actual strength might not be equal to Malfoy's, so she had to plan, coordinate, and utilize her abilities well.

"Spells that might cause damage:

1. Levitation Charm: Float Malfoy ten feet in the air and drop him. Under the impact, it might simultaneously injure him severely and knock his wand away. However, be aware that Malfoy can also use this spell, so be careful to defend and dodge."

Ron couldn't help but read it aloud.

"2. Confringo: The current strength I can control can only shatter a cubic meter of stone, but it can be used as a regular attack. However, this spell can easily rebound, so be careful to dodge."

Harry continued reading... and couldn't read any further.

"Wait, excuse me," Hermione said, holding out a hand to block them. "If I heard correctly, you're dueling Malfoy at midnight?"

"Uh-huh?"

Eliana snorted and wrote down the third point:

3. Lumos, when infused with a large amount of Magic, the wand will emit an extremely dazzling light, temporarily blinding the opponent and creating an opportunity for attack.

She thought for a moment and added a note: It might injure friendly teammates. You can use it after your teammates are dead.

(Harry, seeing this, gave her a terrified glance.)

"That's too dangerous!" Hermione exclaimed.

Ron smacked his lips. "I don't think we're the ones in danger."

Hermione said very seriously, "And this will cost Gryffindor points—if you get caught!"

"Then don't get caught," Eliana said calmly. "If we do get caught, well—tough luck for Gryffindor. Who asked them to take in a menace like me? They can only blame their poor judgment."

Hermione looked furious with this shameless rascal. "You're being so selfish—"

Eliana shrugged. "Thanks for the compliment."

With a flick of her wrist, she swept the parchment on the table into her arm and left.

Hermione turned furiously to Harry and Ron. "Listen, you absolutely cannot be like her—"

The two exchanged a look.

"Goodbye!"

They took off running.