I sit in a chair in the great hall, waiting for this “thing” to start. I arrived early, I always do of course--but not for the reasons you might think. Being punctual, meh. I don’t really care; but it gives me the chance to read my spellbooks, to study. A great wizard is a learned wizard, and I really have little to do besides read and learn my magic. I see people start to pair up almost instantly, but to be honest this bores me. Not dueling itself, but the fact we have to be tethered to [i]one[/i]person the entire year this time. Oh well, at least I might actually find a challenge here. Maybe. I don’t really feel the motivation to join the pack. It’s so easy to see how people are pairing anyway. They aren’t trying to learn; best friends pairing together, or people too shy to approach their crushes, using this as some twisted way of dating. Whatever. I’ll just let the last stragglers fight it out, and the last one will get to duel me. At least maybe THAT person will be interesting. I have to get to know them, to some degree, for the year right?

Ah and there she is now; another Ravenclaw at least. God forbid it was a Hufflepuff or a Slytherin, Merlin’s BEARD that would suck!
 
[i]“Um, hi. I’m Bridget. There’s not really anyone else left to pick from, want to duel with me?” [/i]

I casually look up from my book, gazing into her eyes. I stare perhaps a bit too long, because though clearly a bit shy or jittery, there’s something else there. A fire. Despite my best efforts, a smile slowly spreads across my face as I swiftly close my book, letting it disappear into the folds of my robes. Perhaps I will have fun after all. Extending my hand, I meet her eyes once more.

[b]“And my name is Alex White. Pleasure to meet you Bridgette.”[/b] I shrug, and nod towards everyone else. “Seems the vultures all had their picks, yes? But you...it seems you might actually be fun to duel with!”