Pressure

*Narrator pov*

After Kingsley's impressive match, it was Liky's turn. She narrowly lost against a student named Ayame. Ayame focused on Transfiguration and dominated the platform manipulating it to her whims while Lily had to fend off her attacks. Some would say it was simply a home-field advantage.

"Don't get down Lily she obviously has practiced on this platform!" James said trying to lift the witch's mood

Lily groaned into her hands, "Ugh James just be quiet for once!" her glare froze his next words

Sighing he shrugged and went back to his friends, "She didn't have to take it out on me," he mumbled

Sirius linked his elbow over James's neck, "Cheer up mate just give her some space,"

Off to the side, Evan Rosier sneered at their laid-back attitude. He was up next and it would be wrong to say he wasn't nervous, he had to show a strong performance considering the last duel he won.

*Evan Rosier pov*

As I prepared for my duel the strange divination professor appeared at my side, he didn't say anything just stared at the other side of the platform. Morpheus, the professor no one with common sense likes, he comes into school like a wildfire disregarding decorum and tradition.

And yet somehow he seems to be close with Dumbledore. Just how did someone as off-putting as him manage that?

"You want to win," the man said his voice wasn't very loud but it sounded as if he was mocking me

Annoyed but seeing as he is a professor I must answer, "Of course," I replied with a scowl

He chuckled, "Win, and 'he' will want you even more and your father will be more lenient but, lose, and 'he' will lose interest and your father will be disappointed. Choices choices," My stomach lurched and my heart began to thump in my chest

"I don't know what you mean," I replied but I knew my voice was shakey

"There is a third option," he said with the same annoying knowing tone

"And what would that be," I replied my mouth felt dry and my hands shook

"Win, dominate the duel. Dominate the next duels and continue to win. Show off your talent, and your prowess, and keep doing so for as long as you live. Then pass a letter to your father that man is rather annoying to get in touch with," he turned to look at me the smile present on his face seemed innocent but, was absolutely terrifying to me

"What will that accomplish," I bit back

He chuckled again it was annoying, "A lot, what will you choose? You just want to duel right, could care less about all of this political stuff?" he asked

I nodded mutely.

"Good, then let me handle it all. The Slytherins bother you just fight them," he continued

"What do you want?" I asked

Why was he doing this?

"Oh I just want my students to have a good time during school," he replied with the same smile

My mouth was dry, this deal was ironically the best deal out of all of them if it was true. All I want to do is have a good time in school and duel strong people, I don't care for the politics. My peaceful life all of a sudden turned into a ball of stress, my father's expectations, the constant asks of joining this new dark lord.

It was so.. tiering

"Fine, just keep your promise," I bit before brushing past him and onto the platform as they called my name

"EVAN ROSIER VERSUS SAKURA KOBAYASHI!"

It was time.

*Narrator pov*

"duel!" announced the judge, his voice echoing through the courtyard.

Evan gripped his wand tightly, determination burning in his eyes, while Sakura raised her hand, adorned with a gleaming ring pulsing with arcane energy.

With a flick of his wand, Evan unleashed a flurry of spells towards Sakura. "Stupefy!" he shouted, sending a stunning bolt of light towards Sakura. "Expelliarmus!" he followed up, aiming to disarm her, and "Incendio!" he concluded, conjuring flames to engulf her.

But Sakura remained unfazed, her ring emitting a soft, ethereal glow as she deftly countered each spell. "Mabi saseru!" she responded, creating a blinding flash of light to dissipate the stunning spell. "Buki o hazusu!" she continued, causing Evan's wand to nearly fly out of his hand but his iron grip held it in place. "Hi o tsukeru!" she concluded, conjuring a wall of water to extinguish the flames. Creating a dense smoke steam in the air.

The audience watched in awe as the two wizards engaged in a mesmerizing display of spellcasting.

Evan weaved his wand using the water in the steam to transfigure icicles that launched toward Sakura. She quickly jumped to the side as the broke into pieces where her body previously stood.

Evan didn't relent, "Stupefy, Petrificus Totalus, Diffindo!"

Sakura tried to dodge but the moment behind Evan's spells was frightening he just kept advancing and casting spells. She tried to defend herself but found he was shooting his spells perfectly in order to corner her closer and closer to the edge.

"Confringo!" he yelled this time aiming at the ground before her

The spell exploded the platform blasting Sakura backward, she quickly positioned her body to land safely. As her feet touched the platform a knockback jinx her square in the stomach blasting Sakura off of the platform.

"IN AN AMAZING DISPLAY EVAN ROSIER WINS!" the judge announced causing Hogwarts to break out into cheers

Evan closed his eyes basking in the applause his beating heart high on adrenaline, he felt alive.

'This is what I live for' he thought not fighting the smile making its way onto his face

He stepped off of the platform to rejoin his teammates, "Good job Rosier,"

"Good job Evan,"

"Good job!"

"Proud of you Evan," Yowie said with a bright smile

Abara and him shared a look, their training paid off. Evan is definitely talented in dueling and hopefully, he can go into a dueling circuit in the future. It would boost the Hogwarts Club's reputation quite a bit.

Evan made eye contact with Morpheus and saw the same small smile on the man's face. Evan didn't mind it as much this time, he felt good.

Right now he didn't care about politics, the new dark lord rising, his father, or anyone else.

This was his win.

And he was going to savor it.

"Bloody hell mate how do you move your wand that fast!" one of his teammates asked

Evan laughed, "I don't know it's just natural to me," he replied

Stiles watched this hoping after his duel he could hold the same expression on his face.

—

A/n: i don't think I'm buffing Evan here he was said to be one of the strongest death eaters when he was alive