Dueling Hall

Dueling Hall
first floor of hogwarts

The Dueling Hall is where the Dueling Club's official meetings take place. They meet every Tuesday night before dinner for members to practice and challenge each other. A large platform rests in the middle of the room for everybody to watch when members feel like showing off. The club's moderator seems to always be preoccupied doing something else, so it's up to the club officers to keep everyone in check. Because of that, it's quite easy to get away with certain spells.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Dueling has started in Defense Against the Dark Arts, which meant being escorted down here. All of the Defense students are left lounging around the room, waiting for Wattlescrew to bring them forward onto the raised dueling table and chatting absentmindedly about the latest duelers' performances. Their performances are determining their partner assignments, so the competitive spirit is high and buzzing. Katiya is no different and the news that she will be going against *Yves* leaves her head rushing though she shows no signs of anticipation on her face. When she ultimately loses, she dramatically hoists herself off of the platform with a stern expression, crossing over to the corner to return to her belongings. Another pair is left before the class is supposed to finish for the evening, so for once there is an upside to going last. Her bag is lifted over her shoulder, leaning onto the stone walls with irritation laced in her piercing gaze. It's one that shoots daggers into her phone screen as she writes down the moves one by one how she remembers them. Katiya is a competitive spirit, and therefore requires the ability to reflect later on the motions she went through during the duel— where she faltered, where she succeeded, and why she *lost*. God forbid she ever loses.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Today is a very good day for Yves. Not only do they begin *dueling* in Defense Against the Dark Arts, but Delma very kindly paired him up with someone as talented (and as beautiful!) as him. He had been stealing glances at Katiya ever since it was first announced that they would be paired together, and has been hopelessly enamored ever since the first spell she sent flying his way. And yet, despite the handicap of his infatuation, he won! He did not even need to resort to using fireballs this time, something which Delma commended him for (very sarcastically, now that he thinks about it) on his way down from the platform. Looking very pleased with himself, he descends from the platform and chats with a couple of classmates who are congratulating him on his win and complimenting him on his technique before turning back to the professor and telling her it only makes sense for him and Katiya to be partnered for the rest of the term. After rolling her eyes at him (with love, he's sure!) and telling him to wait and see, Yves finally locates Katiya near the the walls of the room. Running a hand through his hair, he approaches before extending an arm to lean against the wall next to her. "Hey," he says, "You were *insanely* good! *Really* thought I was going to lose." It's true and he is not ashamed to admit it. It is good that he won, he thinks, because hopefully now she finds him impressive. "But I guess luck was on my side!"

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Her face is vacant of feeling even as she notices his arm move into frame from above her line of sight. Her head doesn't even tilt upwards to catch a proper glimpse of him, glancing over her brows fairly unamused. "Thank you," she responds, shoulders squaring off as she adjusts how she's leaning against the stone. Katiya appears unimpressed by the flattery despite the fact that a part of her heart flutters at the validation. Her fingertips fall against her temples before sliding into her ginger hair, massaging her head to undo the frustration before lifting her head to properly focus on him. Another glance towards Wattlescrew and she wonders how long she will be forced to endure this. "Or you are just a worthy opponent." It's disastrous admitting that she could lose to him again, but she would rather not embarrass herself should she face him again. "So. Congratulations," she adds flatly. Something about him threatens to produce a smile, a strange feat, except she focuses on the fact that she is meant to be bothered over her defeat and these feelings are swiftly overshadowed. Katiya wonders if Yves is often this smug, then remembers what the other members of Charms Group No. 3 had to say about him. If anything, it amuses her though she doesn't have the heart to admit it in this moment and once again sweeps these feelings under the rug. "My bets are on Wattlescrew assigning us to one another through the holidays at least," she concludes.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves beams at the possibility and reasons with himself that if she thinks they will be partners too, then it must definitely happen. "We should be! I am..." He struggles with the term for a couple of seconds before his face lights up again with an 'a-ha!'. "I am *manifesting* it! I would very much like to be partners with you again. You can beat me next time – it will be *génial*! Awesome!" It does not occur to Yves that her congratulations was flat or that she might not be enthused about losing. Yves personally rarely feels competitive or jealous (why should he?) to the point that it is difficult for him to recognize it in other people. "And everyone will watch us and think we are so stellar." He adjusts his position so that he is leaning on the wall as well, facing the platform where the last duel is currently taking place. "They already did earlier! Celia over there – " He waves at the girl who seems to be watching the pair. " – was telling me that it looked so cool. It *was* so cool, don't you think? We are a good match." He turns his face towards Katiya again. It takes everything in him to not check what she is doing on her phone; he has been told multiple times in the past that it's an invasion of privacy and can be considered rude but it is difficult when the screen is *right* there. "I am Yves, by the way. I realize I have never formally introduced myself. Katiya is a *beautiful* name, though. Fitting! Am I saying it right?" He is trying his best with the accent, and is pretty close.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

"Katiya," she repeats, seamlessly incorporating her Russian accent that is otherwise absent from her speech. Yves is close enough that she wouldn't correct him had he not solicited the correction in the first place. "Thank you. Yves is beautiful too," she adds, heart once again fluttering at the compliment though it's a little less pleasing than the other one. Katiya follows his wave and stares down the other student, brow raising curiously as she wonders what she could be staring at them for. When she begins staring him down again, she remembers and decides she shouldn't judge her too closely. It's a waste of her effort anyways to try to sort out the interests of others. "Hm? To what extent do you believe that?" she poses, not hesitating in her curiosity. Who claims to be a good match with someone so confidently? What about her demeanor seems intrigued? Katiya *is* intrigued, but she unfortunately is not willing to admit it under such a sour mood. Glancing over Yves' shoulder, she notices two of her friends watching them too and she shifts her mouth to the side to hide the creeping smile.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves laughs, thoroughly amused. Nobody has ever asked him to *justify* himself when he says such things. Normally, they just end up going on a date with him and that is that. It tickles Yves nonetheless that she asked and it only gives him further reason to find her intelligent and interesting. "I'm actually kinda confident about it, *Katiya*." He is careful to pronounce her name more correctly this time, and looks pleased with himself when he does so. "We are both amazing at dueling," He counts off each item on this list with his fingers, as if to convey his points and his certainty. "You play Quidditch too, right? I am seeker this year for Hufflepuff. So much in common already!" Yves has finally made it off the reserve team and he takes every opportunity to brag about it. "I also think that objectively – *objectively* – " He repeats the word again to emphasize it. "We would look good together, probably. No – *definitely*!" He laughs again and looks out to the crowd once more, seeing her friends watching them. Zenia does not like him very much and he should probably be more conscious of this, but Yves assumes everyone loves him and everyone who has expressed annoyance is doing so fondly so he winks in Zen's direction before focusing on Katiya once again. "I told you, I am confident. Those are three whole reasons! And we have only been talking for a couple minutes. Imagine what I will be able to come up with once we've spent more time together!"

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Katiya listens intently, invested in the situation at hand. His observations aren't particularly convincing and she watches with an underwhelming amount of amusement as he notices Zenia, glancing over at her friend with an expression that only she could interpret as her understanding gaze. "Confident would be an understatement," she comments, turning to him again. It's impressive how interested he is in her, and she would be foolish to not admit to herself that she remains intrigued despite how ridiculous his performance is. It hasn't diminished the sourness from her loss, which weighs heavily on her mind as she wants to continue to needlessly reflect upon her performance, but Katiya is capable of experiencing more than one emotion or thought at once. "What would suggest we do about this supposed chemistry?" A brow raises curiously again. While her mouth remains flat and uninterested, there's a small hint of intrigue hiding within her eyes. It doesn't occur to her that Yves could be toying with her or heartstrings considering she wouldn't see much of a point in it and also she believes she's quite the catch. Why anyone would want to mess with her is beyond her, so the concern isn't there. "I don't wish to discount your opinion," she adds as some sort of attempt at clarifying her stance on the matter.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

"Confidence is key." he reminds her, grinning. "I would *suggest* that we go to Moonstraw together this weekend." Yves' head is big and while it is true that he is not nervous about being rejected, it is more because he bounces back from rejection fairly well and not because he is confident that she will say yes. "If you still need convincing, though, I'll be happy to just exchange users on Witchagram and I can pester you until you agree." Yves laughs before adding seriously, "I am just kidding! If you reject me, I will back off. I swear it." He makes a motion to cross his heart and holds up one hand to show how serious he is being. "I'd still like to be partners in class, though! If Delma allows it! I would not put it past her to separate us because we would be too talented together." A lot of teachers are like that, he has learned, not that he does very well in his other subjects. "You really were fantastic a while ago," he continues to gush, "So impressive! Are you in dueling club already? I have not seen you around, if you are. If you aren't, you should join! No one would stand a chance against you, definitely." Yves chuckles before adding, not-so-seriously, "Except, maybe me, I guess! Truthfully, though, you are more skilled. I can tell that you take it more seriously! There is more..." He snaps his fingers, looking for the word. "There is more *grace* to it when you duel. It's like art!"

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Her lips twitch upward before she pushes them out into a once again unimpressed pout. Her line of vision flickers down at her phone when her previously dimmed screen illuminates, a welcomed distraction from the situation at hand as she resists the urge to laugh. Her thumb swipes out of the group chat before passing her phone over to him. "I would *suggest* that you follow me then." Her voice mimics his though it's out of affection. Katiya stares at him, shifting her gaze towards his hand as she watches his shenanigans and a small smile shines through. Her head bows at the reaction. For a moment, her mind is simply trained on not letting her features change. It's something she has perfected religiously, but sometimes things happen that threaten to disrupt that. He's so embarrassingly charming and the flattery does wonders to her warranted yet enormous ego. "Thank you. I thought your performance was quite admirable. You're certainly a rather dignified dueler..." Katiya's words fall from her tongue carefully, worried that she will embarrass herself. Isn't he a Veela? Isn't that why her gut twists at the thought of stumbling even once? No, she supposes, that's a flaw she seems to always possess yet perhaps not as severe as now. Her head turns to glance at some of their fellow students staring at them still, returning their stares til they have the heart to turn away. "If it ensures a rematch, then I might join— just in case Wattlescrew separates the dream team." Katiya faces him, both brows lifting in amusement with the both of them. "*Art?*" His compliment has flattered every part of her being and she has to give into the pressure, letting her face start to pepper itself with shades of pink.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves grins triumphantly when she says that he can follow her on Witchagram. It is ridiculous, but he does a small celebratory fist pump before accepting her phone when she hands it over. "You know, I guess if you don't want to go through the trouble of signing up for the club then we could always just practice on our own in our free time," he starts, opening the Witchagram app. "But that wouldn't be much of a date, I think. So it might be better to join the club after all! Then I will have more opportunities to see you." Yves smiles just at the thought. Katiya is so beautiful and he is so smitten already. Seeing her blush serves to fuel his infatuation and he continues with the flattery, pleased that it seems to be working. "My performance was only admirable because having such an excellent partner inspired me to reach greater heights. And yes, like art. In fact – " He is cut off when his eyes dart back to the phone screen as the app loads. A chat is immediately opened, *charms group 3*, and he sees the latest message from Zenia. Yves' ego is too big for him to feel mortified, so instead he lets out a small laugh before looking back up at Katiya to show her the offending message, incredibly amused. "*Are* you in need of saving, *ma mie*?" He chuckles again, looking up at her with a glint in his eyes. "Your friends sound *awfully* concerned. What should I tell them?"

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

His triumph *is* ridiculous and she tosses her head to the side as her eyes roll over in their sockets. His antics are charming, or are at least to *her* and that's what matters. "I will consider it," she affirms, gaze moving down to watch her phone. A smile continues to blossom on her face, body warm and full of butterflies at the continued flattery. It hasn't forced her to forget her loss, but she can address that at a later date while fully emerging herself in the fluttery feelings of the current moment. "I wouldn't be opposed to it... However, if you wanted an opportunity to see me, telling me would suffice." Her hand floats to her hairline again, still watching him carefully though her gaze starts to wander towards his face. While her fingers run into her hair, her blushing gets worse, then he laughs and it's a beautiful laugh and her heartbeat skips though her expression remains fixed. "Am I?" she questions, not even giving the screen a single glance. With that, her eyes are there awaiting his by the time he has time to shift his gaze. "It hadn't occurred to me that I would be so hopeless to your offenses. What do you think, *sakharok*?" A brow raises. "Go ahead. We would love to hear it." Her hand waves down towards her phone, not considering for even a moment how obnoxious this might be to the other members of the group chat.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves types out a quick response to the group chat before raising the phone in one hand and waving at Leighton and Zenia with the other. He is grinning widely when he does so, before turning back to Katiya again. He will have to look up what *sakharok* is later; hopefully it is not an insult but even if it was it sounds so sweet coming from someone as beautiful and pleasant as Katiya is. Remembering the original purpose of taking her phone, he follows himself using her account then takes out his own phone to follow her back. "It seems I still need to win over your friends' approval." he teases, "It's fine. I've been told I'm very charming!" It helps that he is half-veela, of course, but Yves is so full of himself that he likes to think that even without that advantage he is a delight to be around. "I would like another opportunity to see you, by the way. This is me telling you." he tells her, just as she said earlier. "I would like *all* the opportunities, in fact! I promise I would not waste your time. What are you interested in? We can do something you find fun."

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Scoffing, she holds her hand out for her phone and pockets it. A loud zapping noise whips through the room, so she glances over to the lifted arena and notices that the last pair is finished. It's fine; Wattlescrew wouldn't mind them hanging around afterwards. "You suggested Moonstraw earlier. We should get food there, and then there's a beautiful fountain we can sit at. If seeing each other needs to become a prolonged activity, then there are plenty of places to go downtown. Spontaneity is key," she tells him, voice starting to lift as she starts to finish her spiel. Eventually, she smiles though it remains modest. Her face is still peppered with flushes of red and she is too focused on managing her other features to try to hide it. Oh, how this has turned around for her. It's delightful. However, she won't be creating a habit of losing to attractive boys just because it's benefited her this time around. "Also, it's my responsibility to send you my best regards. They are not easily won over," she adds, glancing over his shoulder and nodding at them. Discussing this in the group chat will be unpleasant, she thinks. Just yesterday, Zenia was explaining how he was one of the more annoying people at Hogwarts and now she is in cahoots with him. It's worth admitting that that's part of his charm and she's drawn to him even more out of appreciation for it. "Even if you're *very* charming."

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

"Spontaneity... I can be spontaneous!" he says, sounding very sure of himself. He is very confident in his ability to woo Katiya properly and in the way someone like her would deserve. He knows what fountain she is talking about and he smiles just thinking about their outing together. It will be fantastic! "And I'm glad you agree that I am charming. Your friends will come around." He remembers that right above Zenia's message was them talking about which people they find annoying in their year. It is so amusing to him especially since he knows enough about Zenia for him to not be surprised she is the type of person to keep a mental list. He wonders who could possible be obnoxious enough to make the cut; certainly not someone like him. "I'm sure I will win Zenia over eventually. We sat next to each other in History in third year and it was delightful! I will have to remind her." He is, of course, remembering this with rose-colored glasses. "The other one, though, I do not recognize. Is he new?" He notices out of the corner of his eye that the other students are beginning to gather their things to leave the hall, and he waves at his own group of friends to go ahead without him.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

When he turns and waves, she follows the motion to find its recipients and merely watches them leave as she tries to place their names. "Fantastic," she announces, facing him again and giving him a small nod. Yves seems flighty enough that spontaneity shouldn't be a problem for them. Her hands move together, fingers intertwining as she glances down at them and ponders his statement for a moment. Naturally, she would want her friends to, but she isn't so sure though it doesn't bother her. Still, she sees no point in correcting him. No one needs to be in good favor with *everyone*. That's ridiculous and impossible. "Was it? I haven't heard that," she puts out instead, raising a brow as she shifts her gaze upwards once more. "He is. His name is Leighton. He's transferred in from America." Halfheartedly, she shrugs. While she could have given him a better introduction, explaining who is brother is and how (based off of the emblem on Yves' chest) he must know who that is, she neglects to. It hasn't required much conversation to discover that his brother is a sore subject, so she assumes that tying them together would be a poor decision and he is in some ways a friend to her now. "He is one of Zenia's cousins. To my knowledge, though, it is quite distant." Discussing him is a bit boring.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves is already in the process of finding Zenia's Witchagram and following her, and right after Katiya mentions Leighton's name, Yves is quick to find him in her list of followers and sends him a follow request too. It is important to him, always, that the friends of the object of his affections like him too. It had been a bit of a problem that he was 'trying too hard' in his last relationship so he is determined to not overdo it. Besides, Katiya's friends seem nice enough! Immediately after he finishes, he pockets his phone so that he can fully focus on Katiya and admiring her as she speaks. "It *was*." he confirms, though he does not really remember much of his time as Zenia's seatmate. It probably was very pleasant, though. He's been told he's a very fun person to be around. "Why wouldn't it have been? I am a very excellent partner." he boasts, though he is mostly joking. "You'll see for yourself once we are paired together in Defense." Yves lets out a laugh as he continues. "What electives are you taking? Maybe we share more classes than I'm aware of." Though Katiya is beautiful, Yves does not pay attention in the vast majority of their subjects and would not have noticed. Unless they are up and moving, it is difficult to stay focused. He often chooses the seat nearest to the window so he can daydream. That, or he endlessly pesters whoever he is seated next to. Typically, they do not mind.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

"I suppose I will," she confirms. While their fate isn't set in stone quite yet, his confidence does numbers to reassure her that it will happen. After all, the thought of separating them and preventing them from practicing against each other's perfect match seems unfair and would only lead to limited success. "Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, Dark Arts, and Wizarding Law," she recites. Her brain tries to remember a moment in which they could have seen each other in class or at least when her eyes might've wandered off and spotted him. However, she is often sat at the front of the classroom, insisting the professor assigns her there so she can benefit fully from her education. It helps her focus, she argues, but she would focus perfectly fine in the furthest seat from the professor too. Still, her electives have small enough classes now that she would have noticed him in one of them by now. "You aren't in those though— unless you are fond of skipping." One side of her mouth curls in amusement. While education is important to her, she understands that it's not particularly relevant to everyone's lives and not everyone needs these courses that Hogwarts provides them with. Dropping out is not necessarily an option, but classes must be boring and wasteful if you're not interested. Skipping, she decides, makes sense. Some people have different priorities. "We could share core classes too. Other than Defense, I'm in Charms, History, and Transfiguration." Silence falls over her for a moment and her brows furrow out of puzzlement. "I haven't noticed you though. How terrible. I can't believe it." To think that she could miss someone so overwhelming has given her pride in her abilities to tune out others, but it's surprising she could ignore *Yves*. Oh, Yves.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves had hoped she would say Muggle Studies because that is his *only* elective and the class is pretty packed with people who think of it as an easy O. While that is partially Yves' reason for continuing it at NEWT level, he thinks more highly of the class than just that because it is genuinely interesting to him. Katiya does not seem like the type to take a class just because it's easy, so he was hoping perhaps they could bond over that. "We're in the same core classes! Different electives, though. Well, I'm only taking Muggle Studies." It is the bare minimum to take only one elective and he hopes that this has not turned her off. "But the other electives do not interest me as much. They are all so... magicky. Witchy." It is obvious he is struggling for a word, but it's fine and he believes he's conveyed his feelings adequately. "And so far there aren't any paths in the magical world that interest me. I don't see the point in taking something I will not be passionate about or won't be useful to me." He believes that's fair. "I plan on going to muggle university after Hogwarts, too! So there is no point in burning myself out with academics as early as now. Right?" The last word comes as an afterthought, as if he is seeking validation from her. He just wants to be sure that he is not coming off as lazy, which he *is*, but not *that* lazy.

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

"Correct, there would be no point in it. If it isn't of interest or use, then why bother? It would be wasteful," she agrees, nodding and then later smiling at him though *that* is her own afterthought. Before this, she was simply listening to him with compassionate and adoring eyes and had thought that was no different, but alas it's better to give a little comforting smile too. Her gaze falls when she smiles though, pretending she cares about the state of his tie. "Muggle Studies is just as important as the other electives. It might be of some use considering you plan on studying at a Muggle university, which is interesting." It's not meant offensively, but she doesn't quite understand why someone would want to do much in the Muggle world. Everything is far more difficult and tedious, but to each their own. If that is what interests him, then she must start to understand it if anything is to go on between them. How else is she meant to support him? "Which program would you apply to?" she questions, smiling again though this time not turning her gaze away. Her energy is temporarily exerted on not letting her hair explode into a mop of messy blonde curls as she stares at him so loving. Instead her ears grow just a little, but they are thankfully hidden by her hair. "Also, you're French. Would you return to France?" She, for one, would love going to France again. As a child, it was one of her preferred holiday spots over Russia or Ukraine, which she would enjoy very little at the time considering their newness factor was essentially zero. "If not, then not here, yes?" Why would he want to stay here? Who would?

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

His eyes light up at the mention of returning to France. It has been his dream since he was eight. "I would love to return to France!" he says immediately, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I grew up in Paris, but we moved when I was eight." He does not get into the reason why because it is still a sore subject for him and he doesn't want to burden Katiya with that information or that angst so soon after meeting her. "I plan on applying to universities there so I can move back after graduation." It would really bring Yves so much joy just being able to *exist* in France. The UK is a bit miserable. "And I want to study something with linguistics, probably! I'm still not too certain what I want to do with such a degree, but I will figure it out. It's still far off; I have the time to think." Yves has been interested in language ever since he was young, and it is obvious that his passion for it has only grown stronger and stronger by the look in his eyes as he talks about it. "Do you know what you want to do after Hogwarts? I am sure whatever it is, you will do fantastically." Yves is so entranced by Katiya, that he very quickly starts gushing about her again. "You are so intelligent, I can tell, and we've only been talking for a short while."

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

His excitement over the matter excites her too. Hopefully, he will be able to do just that. Obviously, it would be good for him and she wants nothing less. "How interesting. I grew up in St. Petersburg, then left when I was eight." Similarly, there is no need to explain that she was born here and moved to Russia as a young toddler. It creates questions she doesn't feel particularly inclined to unload the answers to. Subsequently, she doesn't question why he moved. "Paris can be beautiful. I understand why you would want to return... I hope everything goes according to plan." While her eyes search through his, enthralled by the emotion behind them, she tries not to appear any more flushed by the compliment. She *is* intelligent, and she knows that. It doesn't hurt hearing it though. Still, she rationalizes that she knows that and furrows her brows to resist the urge to gush. "Linguistics *is* fascinating. My plan regarding hobbies is to learn ten languages—" It's no coincidence that this would be one more language than her mother knows. "— but I won't attempt to create a career out of it. My grandmother insists I should become a translator." A short huff of frustration. "Except law is the plan. It shouldn't be terribly difficult." A little bit of overestimating herself, but she *would* realistically survive it.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

"It will go according to plan. Sure of it." Yves is *so* self-assured to the point of ridiculousness and many of the adults in his life have insisted to him that this will be his downfall one day. However, it works out in situations like this one where he is so certain of himself and his abilities to accomplish all that he dreams of. Yves thinks it would be rather depressing if he didn't believe he was going to arrive at where he wants to go in life. Paris *is* beautiful and he is excited to return one day. "I am so glad you agree linguistics is fascinating!" His heart soars. He has found the perfect girl, truly. He has known her for less than an hour and he is already so sure. "How many languages do you know now? I am trying to learn more as well, but it is difficult. I lack... discipline." He struggles to find the word and once it finally arrives on his tongue, he smiles sheepishly, for the first time looking embarrassed. Yves does have *some* shame. "But I am determined! French is my first language and English was a nightmare to learn... If I could do that, I can do anything." He laughs. The other European languages are next on his list and he knows a bit of Latin, but he is nowhere near close to Katiya's goal. Perhaps now that he has someone to impress, he will be more motivated. "And law! Wow! That is so amazing. You will be terrific."

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

"If you remain this determined, then surely it will work out," she agrees, nodding slightly. He hasn't given her a reason to doubt his abilities yet, and he's clearly interested in ensuring this goes to plan. Usually those sorts of people will always figure it out. It delights her that he seems to be one of those people, being so self-assured. "I know only four languages fluently, but Polish is close to polished and Czech is well on its way... I don't know French. It would be nice having someone to practice with." A small smile and her hand falls into her hair again. "If things continue to be this nice, then we can learn one together. I have found that that's a good motivator." It does not appear to bother her that he struggles with discipline. It's not particularly surprising coming from a teenage boy. Besides, people have their reasons and it's a waste of energy to try to dwell on it and push him without knowing what those might be. All she can do is suggest a solution to it, which even that might be unwelcome. "Thank you! I have no doubts you will be terrific too." He *is* terrific, or is that the Veela magic talking? No, he is quite fascinating as is apart from any beauty he possesses. For a moment, she contemplates this before glancing across the room. "Are you not busy after this?"

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

Yves grins widely at the compliment and at the suggestion that they can practice together. Language in general is important to him and French is obviously very close to his heart, and the idea of sharing it with someone as fantastic as Katiya is so exciting to him. "I would *love* to help you practice." he tells her. The suggestion that they spend more time together doing this and hearing her call him terrific both fill his heart. It's over for him; he is so smitten already. He glances around the room when she does, then lights up when she asks if he is busy. "Not at all!" he answers, "I was just going to hang out with my friends, but I already do that everyday." He will not be terribly missed, he's sure, and they will definitely understand once he explains to them who he was hanging out with. Katiya is so beautiful, of course they will. "Did you want to do something together?"

Katiya Sokolova

ravenclaw, sixth year
ateleia

Her face falls for a moment, staring at him in wonder. While she had intended on implying that they should get going, she isn't opposed to spending more time with him now as long as she's free, which... thankfully, she is. "We can," she answers, smiling at him. "We should have an hour together. We can go somewhere more comfortable and chat for a little while longer." Katiya reaches down to collect her things, slinging her bag over her shoulder. "If that is all right with you," she adds though it is very apparent that it is indeed fine with him. It doesn't occur to her that she is interfering with his time with his friends since he is the one who offered to do something.

Yves Chevalier

duckweed, sixth year
paintedred

An hour more with Katiya sounds splendid, and he clasps his hands together in joy. "*C'est super!* It is more than all right with me." he replies. She had gotten to her things before he could offer to carry them for her, but it's fine. He adjusts his own bag before turning towards the exit of the Dueling Hall, though he keeps sneaking glances back at her instead of focusing on where they are going. Today is really shaping up to be one of the best this school year by far.