Elder Blood Witcher 389 Take Me To The Blue Ball...

She sighs to herself as the duel is scheduled for next week, why was it that the only time her allure doesn't work it's on the person she actually likes? A friend next to her excitedly claps for the announcement of the event while trying to make conversation with her but she can only sink into these depressing thoughts.

Almost immediately after breakfast had finished Reima was swarmed by many people seeking different things, some came to gloat as they didn't think he had a chance at winning, others wanted to wish him luck, but most were actually more interested in his relations.h.i.+p with Krum. It seems gossiping over the famous boy is as popular as it was during the World Cup. During this he was asked various questions like "Did Krum challenge you because you killed his father!?!" "Did Krum challenge you because you ARE his father!?!" "When will you give up!?!"... He eventually manages to escape the almost ravenous teens before finding refuge in the cla.s.s where he usually tutors Ciri and Harry.

He sits there for a while wondering how long the hype's going to be like this... He doesn't think he'd be able to handle a week straight of this, maybe he should just because invisible until then? By the time Harry, Ciri and Hermione arrive to the room they just see Reima sitting on a desk in the corner, looking as if he's pondering his life choices thus far.

Ciri "Guess your taking me to the ball" she says.

Hermione "Not that you gave him much of a choice."

Harry nods, "Did you really need to encourage Krum?" he asks with no small deal of confusion.

Ciri "I've been waiting for Reima to ask me since they announced it, this just provided an opportunity." she says with a smug grin.

Reima finally looks up from his corner, "As much as I'd love to smash Krum, I have to limit my strength at least somewhat... It'd be weird if a foreign student that no one had heard of could easily dispatch an international star and not to mention Tri-wizard champion."

Harry "I know your strong and know a lot about magic but are you any good at duelling?" he asks.

Ciri "Duelling is just "play-fighting", so many rules, so many restrictions... If Reima loses to Krum I'll eat my sword."

Reima grumbles, "You'll be eating my sword once this is all over." but luckily no one heard him. "I wanted to ask you to the ball in my own time but since it's been rushed like this I'll just have to make due" he says with a frown.

Ciri smirks, "What? Were you planning on wining and dining me before asking the question?"

Reima shrugs, "Yeah, basically. But now it'll never happen." he says, taking a great amount of glee from her now downtrodden expression.

Hermione "I still think it's barbaric to duel each other over a girl."

Harry "I'd do the same for you." he blurts out, causing them both to blush.

Reima "Come to think of it, Harry have you asked Herrmione to the balll yet?"

Harry glances away from Hermione and shakes his head.

Reima "Well, as your teacher I command you to ask her now!" he says haughtily while pointing at him.

Hermione quickly objects, "No, it's up to Harry whether he wants to ask me or not."

...

Harry feels pretty bad that Hermione's standing up for him to be able to not choose her, "No, it's alright... Hermione would you please go to the Yule Ball with me?" he slowly asks but is immediately leapt on by the beaming girl.

Hermione "Yes!"

Reima "Let's just leave them to it... We can train tomorrow." he says, leaving the room with Ciri in toe.

They quickly enter the Room of requirements after checking for anyone near to them, the inside looks like the typical Colosseum that Reima seems to favour above all else. Snuffles jumps out of Ciri's arms and turns into Nerissa who looks dully at them both.

Reima "Something up Snuffles?" he says with a chuckle.

Nerissa "Want.. Need to fight stronger." she say simply, gripping her fists until her small knuckles turned white.

Ciri "Is this because of what happened in Hogsmeade?" she asks, receiving a nod from the young vampire.

Nerissa "Immune to sunlight, Belmont."

Reima "If only we knew where they operate from, I'd just go and wipe them all out." he says while sighing. "Fine, you want to get even stronger? Let's up the ante." he says, waving his hand and causing the room to create an 8 ft iron golem wielding a ma.s.sive mace. It resembles the golem he had fought atop Sen's fortress except, well, less humongous.

Reima "Think you can handle that?" he asks the diminutive girl, who nods eagerly while drawing Iaito.