Duels | Mattheo Riddle

It was the start of a new school year. This year it will be different. I'll stop getting drunk so much and I'll stop getting so many detentions. I'll be a good friend and last of all: I'll finally beat Riddle's ass.

Riddle and I have been enemies since second year. From first year, we were academic rivals. We were easily top of our class, but there was no clear line between the two of us of who was better. We fought to get the best grades, but were well matched against each other.

In second year, when Professor Lockhart started his duelling club, we were first to volunteer. I won the duel and thought our little rivalry was over, but it had just begun. Riddle called for a rematch a week later and he had obviously been practising, while I had let myself rest. He won that duel.

It infuriated me that I had let myself relax and in doing so, let him win. So I spent my spare hours at the library, determined to beat him in our next duel. But I wasn't the only one. We both were determined. Quickly, our weekly duels turned from simple disarming spells to Sectumsempra and Furnunculus. Obviously, we kept these duels well away from the professors, but in class we were just as competitive.

We fought for every potion grade, test result and even just who the professors liked more. And no matter what it was, the winner would always rub it in the loser's face. It is 6th year now and our rivalry has become the talk of the school. Lots of people have picked sides, betting money on each duel.

It's funny, this rivalry we have. For how competitive we are, it's very organised. We meet every Tuesday at 6 after classes, in the Room of Requirements. We duel, bringing our absolute worst and whoever wins gets glory for the week. But every other day, there's an unspoken rule not to touch each other. No spells are cast between us, only snarky comments and threats for the next duel.

Last year, I noticed him getting better. He's been practising his non-verbal spells, and so I spent the summer doing so myself. They are quite difficult, but I feel I'm starting to master them. I can cast some simpler spells, like Stupefy and Protego, but I haven't been able to cast more advanced ones without speaking their incantation. I've certainly been getting better though, and this year, I'm determined. This year, I'm going to beat Riddle once and for all.

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AN:

I hope you like the first chapter of my story. This chapter was short and just some background information, so I've posted the next chapter along with it. I hope you like my story!

Feel free to comment your thoughts about the story, whether it's how you're liking it, some predictions or just generally how certain paragraphs make you feel. I love reading comments on other stories and would love to build that here as well. :)

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