The matches of the second round turned out to be much more exciting than the qualifiers.

Well, with some exceptions.

Kid was quick and maybe a little too brutal in disposing of Penguin, his fiery eyes glued to Trafalgar Law as he threw his friend on the other side of the hall, among the gasps of the Ravenclaws.

At the same time, Dellinger didn't manage to put up a real challenge against Sabo.

The duels were hosted three at a time now, to allow the audience to focus more on the single battles.

Bartolomeo and Cavendish were giving the hell of a show at the moment, with a series of bright hexes and dodges flying all over their ring and the crowd going crazy.

You hardly noticed anyway. You were too focused trying not to look at Ravenclaw's side, where you could feel Apoo's eyes fixed to your form.

«Oi.»

Someone flicked your forehead harsher than necessary and you winced, stepping back.

«What the hell!» you barked to Kid as he re-joined the team.

His lips curled down in a displeased frown.

«You're so busy pissing yourself you didn't even congratulate me for my overwhelming victory.»

«Oho, you kicked Penguin's ass. What a conquest.» you scoffed, turning your head back to the rings, where Luffy was currently facing Koby.

«Hey...!»

«Leave her alone, Kid.» Killer interjected, stepping beside the two of you «Scratchmen is an idiot, but he's fierce in battle. Y/n needs to think of a strategy to beat him.»

You pressed your lips together.

As if it was that easy! My mind is blank!

Kid huffed, crossing his arms over his chest.

«What's that Suleiman doing?!» Cracker blurted nearby, bumping his foot to the floor.

You frowned as your senior housemate was kicked out of the ring by Drake and Ravenclaw's beads added to their pile.

«Zoro and Killer on ring one!» Professor Bonekichi called.

Many girls shrilled.

«Okay.» Killer breathed, stretching his arms.

You snapped out of your trance to pat his shoulder.

«Kick his ass.»

He smiled down at you.

«I'll do my best.»

«Go, Killer!» Kid grinned, hands balling into fists.

Despite your anxiety, you couldn't help but stare at Killer and Zoro facing each other, their battle starting wildly as they both attacked with everything they got.

Woha, I would be wiped away in a second!

Their charms were pure power, and they both moved as quick as the wind, not even bothering to pronounce the words, just pitching rays of raw energy at each other. The crowd held their breath, and you gasped as well when their charms met mid-air, entangling together and tracing a shiny arc over the ring.

«Yohohoh, we have a lock!» Brook announced with his high voice «The first of the night! Which of these two young wizards will succeed now?»

All the Gryffindors and Slytherins started yelling, cheering Zoro or Killer up. The effort was evident on their faces as they tried to overcome the rival, but you noticed strained smirks curling their lips.

Looks like they're actually having fun with this.

However, you didn't have much time to analyse the fight, because when Cavendish finally managed to kick Bartolomeo out of the ring, Rocinante called your name.

«Apoo and Y/n on ring two, please.»

Your heart jumped in your throat and your entire body stiffened.

You glanced at Kid, right beside you, but he was far too adsorbed in yelling for Killer to even notice it was your turn.

After a deep breath, you started to walk towards the small arena, your eyes finally meeting your opponent's.

Apoo had a creepy smile plastered on his face, wand already in his hand.

«I can't tell you how much I waited for this moment, shitface.»

You frowned, preparing your wand as well.

Prof. Donquixote glared at Scratchmen and cleared his voice.

«I expect a honourable fight here. Now get in position.»

This time your mind was still blank when he gave the start, your only concern being the twirling of your guts in your belly.

Apoo, on the other hand, seemed to have many colourful ideas.

«Bombarda!» he roared, pointing the wand right at you.

You jumped aside just in time, the tatami underneath exploding near your leg.

WHAT THE HELL??

But you hadn't the time to catch your breath, because he hit you immediately after.

«Alarte Ascendare!»

You felt the floor missing under your feet and you burst up in the air.

Oh, fuck.

You probably yelled, but it was brief, because you quickly began to fall back.

Okayokayokay, repair now!

«Accio FREAKING PILLOW!» you shouted, pointing your wand right to the ground you were about to hit.

Thankfully, big pillows were disposed on the guests' benches, and one of them bolted beneath you among people's gasps and laughter.

The impact was not terrible, but it wasn't pleasant either, and you knew Apoo was just waiting for the right moment to attack again, so you didn't lose time in groans of pain and lifted your wand immediately.

«Murum!»

His hexes clashed against the invisible barrier you set between you two, and you finally managed to catch your breath, your hand grasping to your left arm, totally sore after the fall.

«Urgh...!»

«Don't give up, Y/n! You're still in the race!»

It was Perona's voice that reached you among many others. You were still too confused to realize where it came from, but it gave you a bit of courage.

«The fuck are you doing, you coward?! Aren't you snakes supposed to be proud? Come out and face me!» Apoo snarled, his hexes hitting your wall violently, the barrier starting to crumble against the power of his charms.

You knew you just gained a few moments with your move, but it was all you needed.

The pain and the rage had somehow cleared your mind up, and now you knew how you wanted to fight him.

He was trying to crush you with full power, a power your charms couldn't compare to. But you had your speciality too, a kind of magic you were always skilled for.

«Tentorium.» you whispered, wrapping a white, dense veil around yourself so he couldn't see you.

«What the hell!» he laughed «You trying to hide in a small ring like this? I know where you are, I'm just gonna crush everything! Bombarda!»

Your barrier finally ceded, but what he didn't see was that you had already threw your charm beyond the veil, and when the wall went down, it hit him right on his head.

«Confundo.»

And, just like that, Scratchmen Apoo squinted, a head bolting to his forehead. His next step was totally unbalanced and he stumbled, managing to stay on his feet at the last second. A frustrated growl left his throat as he started to realize what happened.

You knew the effect would last only a few seconds, but it was enough to hit him a second time, with a finishing charm now.

«Flipendo!»

You put all your strength and anger in it.

The jinx hit Apoo in the chest and he was sent flying backwards, tumbling out of the ring.

«Y/N WINS!» Rocinante announced with a smile, raising his arm.

You grinned as Slytherin cheers enveloped you, but a surge of pain climbed up your injured limb and your smirk quickly morphed into a grimace.

«Hey, are you okay there?» Prof. Donquixote asked, approaching you.

You pouted, slowly moving your arm to test it. Your muscles complained.

«Ugh, it could be better.»

He nodded.

«We have to continue here, but you should go to the infirmary and let doctor Kureha have a look at it.»

You pouted at the idea of dealing with the old witch, but you preferred that at a broken arm right before the Quidditch season.

«Sure, I'll go.»

He gave you a smile and turned back to the ring.

«Cracker and Ace on ring two, please!»

With one hand firmly on your arm, you started to walk away.

«Oi, shitface!»

Oh, c'mooon.

You rolled your eyes with an exasperated sigh and turned back to Apoo.

He was on his feet now, his livid face sending daggers at you, teeth gritted and fingers white in their grip to his uniform.

«What the fuck was that, huh?! Only a fucking coward would resort to those dirty tricks!»

You blinked, then a lovely smile entered your features as you shrugged amiably.

«Losers weepers~»

«I'M GONNA KILL YOU!!»

«Oh, come on, man!» Ace chimed, passing beside him to reach the ring «She kicked your ass! Get over it.»

When you reached your team, you were welcomed with compliments and grins.

Katakuri marched right in front of you and nodded.

«Good job, L/n.»

You swallowed.

«Hum, thanks.»

«That was brutal, woman!» Kid laughed, hitting your bicep. The injured one.

A pained squeak left your throat and you shuddered.

«Ouch! Shit!»

«Kid, watch yourself!» Killer groaned, appearing from behind you, his warm hands gently palming your shoulders «Hey, are you okay?»

Kid's face fell into a confused pout as he stared down at you, his arms falling back to his sides.

«Oh. I–»

«It's not that bad.» you grumbled, attempting a smirk «Doctor Kureha will fix me up in a second.»

«I'll come with you.» Killer said, guiding you away from the team.

You looked up at him.

«What? But what about your match?»

He shrugged.

«I lost.»

«Shit, I'm sorry.»

«It's okay. That Roronoa is a tough beast, but it was a fun battle. I'll challenge him again.»

«Or you could kick his ass during our Quidditch game.» you suggested, following him towards the exit.

«Y/N!»

Perona ran up to the two of you, her long pink hair waving behind her.

«Hey.» you smiled.

«That was the hell of a duel! You put that asshole back to his place!»

«Yeah, I got pretty lucky there.»

«That wasn't luck.» Killer mumbled.

«Are you okay?» Perona asked.

«I'm fine, I just have to get my arm checked.»

«I'll go with you.»

Kid watched the three of you leave with a pout settled on his face.

You were almost out of the noisy hall when a louder shout cut the air and the crowd hushed for a second.

«USOPP!»

The three of you turned.

It was hard to see beyond all the people from where you stood, but you distinguished Usopp's form lying on the floor, seemingly unconscious, while Luffy held his head up. His furious glare was digging holes in Weevil's direction.

The brute was still standing in the middle of the ring, a satisfied grin on his face.

Prof. Crocodile, who was arbitrating the duel, removed the cigar from his face and summoned a gurney.

«Bring your friend to the infirmary, immediately.»

Luffy grunted, the rest of his usual crew swiftly joining to lift Usopp up.

The raven's glare remained fixed on Weevil.

«I'm gonna kick your ass.» he promised, before turning to follow his friends toward the door.

They ran past you, and you moved aside to let them pass.

Usopp's nose was bleeding profusely, and his skin was much paler than usual.

«I hate that Weevil guy.» you muttered.

Perona grabbed your good arm.

«Let's go.»