Sebastian Sallow approached Rowan in the library the day before dueling club resumed, dropping into the seat across from him without invitation.
"You made finals," Sebastian said, leaning back with arms crossed. "Then spent months in France learning alchemy instead of dueling. Hope you haven't gotten soft."
Rowan looked up from his notes. "What makes you think I would?"
"Just saying. Alchemy's not exactly combat training." Sebastian's expression was competitive but not hostile, almost eager. "I've been practicing all summer. A lot. I want that rematch, and this time I'm ready for your curved spells."
"Looking forward to it."
Sebastian stood, gathering his books. "Good. See you at practice tomorrow, Ashcroft. Don't hold back."
After he left, Iris appeared from behind a bookshelf where she'd apparently been studying.
"He's... competitive."
"So am I," Rowan said, already returning to his notes.
That confidence felt justified when Tuesday evening arrived.
The dueling club room on the seventh floor was exactly as Rowan remembered. A large space with padded floors, practice dummies along the walls, and a raised dueling platform in the center. About thirty students had gathered, ranging from third-years to seventh-years.
Professor Hecat stood beside the platform, watching students file in. Her eyes found Rowan immediately, and she nodded acknowledgment.
"Welcome back," Hecat said once everyone had assembled. "For those who are new or returning after summer, the rules remain the same. Respect your opponents. No permanent harm. Listen to instruction. And push yourselves. Crossed Wands exists to make you better, not comfortable."
She gestured to the platform. "We'll start with assessment duels. I want to see where everyone stands after summer. Volunteers?"
Several hands went up. Hecat paired students off. A fourth-year against a fifth-year, both competent but not exceptional. The match was solid but predictable. Standard shield charms, basic offensive spells, nothing creative.
After three more matches of similar quality, Sebastian raised his hand.
"I'll go, Professor."
"Against?"
Sebastian looked directly at Rowan. "Ashcroft, if he's willing."
Every eye in the room turned to Rowan.
"Come on then," Hecat said. "Let's see what our tournament finalist can do."
"Standard rules," Hecat said. "First to disarm or incapacitate. Begin."
Sebastian moved first. "Stupefy!" The red bolt lanced toward Rowan's chest. "Expelliarmus!" A Disarming Charm followed immediately, aimed slightly left.
Rowan sidestepped the Stunner. "Protego!" His shield deflected the Disarmer. He countered fast. "Stupefy!" with the counterclockwise wrist twist that made the spell curve. Sebastian dodged right, directly into Rowan's follow-up. "Flipendo!" The Knockback Jinx caught Sebastian in the shoulder, sending him stumbling backward.
Sebastian recovered quickly. "Stupefy! Locomotor Mortis! Expelliarmus!"
Rowan had fought better chains in the tournament. "Protego!" blocked the Stunner. He dodged the Leg-Locker. The Disarming Charm went wide.
His counter was faster and more complex. "Stupefy!" curved left while "Flipendo!" came straight. Sebastian's shield caught the Stunner but the Knockback forced him right. "Petrificus Totalus!" Rowan's curved trajectory sent the Body-Bind into Sebastian's now-exposed side, striking his wand arm. "Impedimenta!" hit before Sebastian could recover.
Sebastian's movements slowed to a crawl.
"Expelliarmus."
Sebastian's wand flew from his sluggish grip.
The room was silent for a moment. Then scattered applause.
Sebastian freed himself from the jinxes and retrieved his wand, breathing hard but grinning. "You got better over summer."
"So did you. That opening combination was solid."
"Not solid enough, apparently." Sebastian stepped off the platform, and Hecat gestured for the next pair.
Rowan faced three more opponents that evening. A fifth-year Slytherin who relied too heavily on offensive magic. A sixth-year Ravenclaw with excellent shield work but predictable counters. A seventh-year Hufflepuff who was competent but lacked speed.
Rowan won all three matches.
It wasn't even particularly difficult. The tournament had forced him to develop strategies against stronger, faster, more experienced opponents. These duels felt almost routine by comparison.
By the end of the evening, the other students were watching him with wariness. He'd just demonstrated that his tournament victory wasn't luck.
"Excellent work, everyone," Hecat said as club concluded. "Ashcroft, stay behind for a moment."
The other students filed out. Sebastian gave Rowan a questioning look, but he shook his head. He'd explain later.
When they were alone, Hecat approached the platform where Rowan waited.
"You decimated them," she said bluntly.
"I could have done better."
"You outclassed seventh-years as a second-year. That's exceptional." Hecat climbed onto the platform across from him. "Which presents a problem. Dueling club is meant to challenge students, help them improve. You need opponents who can actually push you."
"I'm learning from watching others."
"That only takes you so far. You need people who can beat you." She drew her wand. "So I'm going to duel you myself. Give you a proper measure of where you actually stand."
Rowan's pulse quickened. Professor Hecat was a former professional duelist. She'd trained him privately, yes, but they'd never actually dueled.
"Standard rules?" he asked.
"Standard rules. Don't hold back. I certainly won't." She settled into a ready stance. "Begin when you're prepared."