Every year the 7th years, along with the Professors and the staff get together in the Great Hall and have a party. Of course, I was excited to go; Halloween was one of my favorite nights of the year. 

I gathered my wand, my shoes, and my leather jacket from the dormitory. I waited for Jachelle to come out of her dorm, and we made our way down to the Slytherin common room. Both of us knew the password to the Slytherin common room, just because we were friends with all of the Slytherins. "Magic is Might" Jachelle whispered. The door opened, and we saw an entire room full of Slytherins standing about. 

"Bry!" I ran over and hugged her. All the Slytherins looked over at me, and congratulated me. "Why are you congratulating me?" I asked. "You won the duel. I mean, you won by default. Sarah Wither and Henry Bowfront ended up fighting in the crowd, and that resulted in a disqualification, Fin used a curse on you - therefore he was disqualified. So you by default won. You're getting crowned the winner at the Halloween party." I turned completely and utterly red. 

I made my way to the door and just kept thinking, "Why can't I just sit in the crowd like normal? Why do I always have to be the center of attention." The bell chimed and I jumped. "Well. I guess it's time to go to the Great Hall." I passed a bunch of sixth years standing outside trying to get in, but it was guarded by a magical barrier. 

I walked through the magical barrier only to be welcomed by the Professor of Defense Against the Dark Arts, or as I call him Theo. "Congratulations on winning John. I am surprised that you made it that far with the duel. Even after you were cursed, you still kept on fighting." 

Theo looked at me, and I looked at him. And I saw in his eyes something I haven't seen in a long time - hope. 

I could tell the things I were feeling for him, were getting stronger. But I had no idea if he felt the same, I wanted to make sure this was for the best, so I would have to dismiss my feelings. 

I walked over to the Gryffindor table. And sat down. I watched as Theo sat down towards the front of the table, and he looked over at me, but before he could, I glanced away. This wasn't a night where we had to sit at our own tables, we were allowed to sit wherever we liked. Bry and Jachelle sat next to me, and we had a great conversation. We talked about what we were gonna do when we left Hogwarts. "I want to become a Nurse at St. Mungos" said Jachelle. "I want to open up my own shop on Diagon Alley, that sells muggle artifacts" said Bry. I never really have known what I wanted to be.  

The room was magnificent. It had pumpkins floating from the ceiling, and it had fog, so it was harder to see than usual. Most of us had our wands out, so it gave off an eery disposition. We all were dressed in our Muggle outfits. There were knights walking around which I assume was used by Piertotum Locomotor, which only the professors are allowed to do that. 

I watched as the Hufflepuffs all gathered around in a circle, they were playing some game with marbles I guess. I walked to the front of the Great Hall to get a few drinks for me and my friends. "We are going to crown the winner of the Wizarding Duel." I froze as the Headmaster stood in the center of the stage where the professors would usually eat during every meal. "This year, we had a great duel. However, due to certain unforeseen circumstances. We had to disqualify those contenders, however, we do have one who showed a certain disposition for dueling, even though he was sent to the hospital wing for a reason that should not have been. This years winner of the Wizarding Duel, is John Yerger."

My legs felt like ice traveling down my legs. I walked to the stage, and the Headmaster was there to give me a pin for my robe that had two wands overlapping each-other. I was mystified, but it felt great at the same time. I looked around the room as my friends were standing next to Theo. He was... talking to them. Why was he talking to them? I pretended like I didn't see them, and just stared at the people in the front row smiling. 

I was awarded with a certificate as-well, when I walked off the stage. Maybe, it was time for me to go put this in my dormitory. Making my way to the stairs, I was greeted by the sixth years, who were unable to enter. "Hey! Congratulations on winning!" I chuckled and said "Thank you." A bunch of sixth years started following me, I assume they just wanted to crash the party. I made my way up to the Gryffindor common room with a bunch of under class-men following me.

"I doubt you would win in a real fight." I turned around to see one of the Ravenclaw students who was a fifth year. "Are you sure about that?" said Theo. Every student froze in fear, and I just smiled. "If you had half the power Mr. Yerger has, I am sure you would be able to fight even the darkest of wizards." All of the students except one stayed quiet with an innate fear that came with getting into trouble by a superior. "I really doubt he would be able to fight a dark wizard, we all know John can't defend himself against curses." A Slytherin boy stated. "Well. As you know. John will not have to fight any dark wizards anytime soon. And I will personally make sure of that." I laughed as the Slytherin boys faced turned priceless as he shut up. 

I walked into the common room, with Theo following behind me. All of the sixth years, went back down towards the Great Hall to try and gate crash. There was no one left in the Gryffindor common room. Just Theo and I.