Well, here is a short chapter to get the ball rolling. You may have noticed that I am a terrible updater, but I will keep going with this fic so do not worry. So let me know what you think with a review! Oh, and I know that I haven't really described how people look, but I am working on it! I'm stuck in this limbo where I either focus a lot on personality or appearance. I used to only describe appearances and everyone used to be as bland as a book, so I guess I've overcompensated by not describing physical appearances at all. So please bear with me as I try to balance my descriptions out and make them more subtle.

Nick never bothered paying attention in class, especially not in History of Magic. He'd managed to pass the course last year, albeit with a lot of difficulty, but passed nonetheless.

Staring out the window, he watched the sun emerge from behind the clouds, energizing the lush fields below. Unfortunately, the same couldn't be said for himself. The low drone or the professor's lecturing felt like a million miles away. Class was only half over and Nick was already struggling to stay awake. Sighing inwardly, he looked at the clock hanging over the doorway; thirty minutes were left until lunch.

"I suggest you review a bit," Professor Dawson said, placing Nick's marked assignment on his desk.

Groaning, he glanced down at his test booklet. Each page was covered from top to bottom with corrections. First term had just started and he was already off to a rough start. Shoving the test into his bag, he waited for the bell to ring so he could make his escape. He was planning on sneaking into the kitchens to spike the drinks before classes resumed after lunch.

Bored out of his mind, Nick turned his attention to his classmates. Staring outside would only make the time pass by slower. Luckily, Nick sat at the back of the class and could see everything the other students were doing. He couldn't help but roll his green almond-shaped eyes at Lene, who was busy scribbling away in her notebook. She loved the class and tried way harder than anybody else at the boring subject. Nick concluded that if anybody needed a drink to loosen up, it was Lene Alexandersen.

Nick's attention shifted once again when a ball of paper smacked him in the side of the head. He glared around the room but eased up when he realized who the culprit was.

Once the teacher turned away, Nick's closest friend, Val Blackwood, sent another scrunched up note his way. Val was sitting at least ten rows to his right but still managed to hit him straight in the head. His aim was incredible.

Nick unraveled the ball and read it quickly under his desk. Unfortunately, Professor Dawson snatched it from his hands the moment he looked up.

"Mr. Andrews, is there something you'd like to share with the rest of us?" she asked aloud.

"No professor," he replied quickly.

"Are you sure? I think your classmates would love to hear what you think is more important than today's lesson."

"I really think they wouldn't," Nick insisted.

"Then I suggest you stay a few minutes after class to enlighten me at least, because I am very interested," she said, tucking the note into her pocket. She made her way back up the row and handed another student back their test.

When the bell finally did ring, Nick made a move towards the door but was grabbed by the teacher. For such a small lady, Professor Dawson was quite strong; her grip on his forearm was proof of that.

"Weren't you were going to keep me company for a few minutes?" she reminded him softly, her voice quite misleading.

Professor Dawson was one of those old school teachers who thought today's students were far too selfish and coddled. She had no qualms with handing out detentions to any errant student who lacked discipline, or simply whenever she wished to affirm her authority. She especially hated it when students didn't take her course seriously. She understood that history wasn't everyone's favorite subject, but she remained adamant that it was necessary for every student's basic education.

"Mr. Andrews," she said, giving him a disappointed look. "I hope this year won't be a repeat of the last."

Nick shook his head, his shaggy dark blue hair whipping from side to side. "Of course not, professor. I will study harder."

She frowned, releasing his arm from her grasp. "I hope you are being serious. While I'd love to have you spend half of your lunch with me everyday to review, I'm sure you'd rather eat lunch with your friends. However, it can be arranged," she smiled devilishly.

"That's alright, professor. I will pay more attention in class," Nick said. Of course he didn't specify how much more attention he'd be paying, but he would at least try.

The professor nodded and handed him back the ball of paper. "I didn't read it, but next time I will. And I will do so in front of the entire class," she warned him. "Now as long as you fix your attitude, you may go."

xXxXx

Stefan Lindstrom wasn't in the mood for eating. He could barely keep his eyes open, let alone his mouth. To make matters worse, his already pale skin was even more colorless recently. His complexion and the dark circles underneath his light blue eyes made him resemble a ghost. For the past three weeks he'd been having trouble sleeping, and his appetite and appearance were suffering because of it. Even so, he forced himself to sit in the dining hall and at least try to get something down. In the mean time he could get some homework done too.

Despite his interest being mostly directed towards his charms assignment, Stefan couldn't help but notice the unusual buzz filling the room. Students, especially the older ones, were flocking into the hall and forming a crowd near the front. Before he got lost in whatever on earth was going on, he stopped a girl with long brown hair to ask what was happening.

"The lists are posted," she said, grinning with excitement.

Stefan gave her a confused look. "What lists?"

"The class rankings," she replied. "It lists the top twenty students of each class to give each house a better idea of who should represent them in this month's battle."

With his interest piqued, Stefan made his way forward towards the several long pieces of parchment floating at the front of the room. Some were unrelated to this month's dueling challenge, which had been announced a week ago, but were posted nonetheless. He passed over the ones about astronomy, potions, and muggle studies and focused in on the ones for charms and defense against the dark arts.

He was rather confident that his name would appear. He'd studied hard and did extremely well on the assessment test for his charms class. So it only made sense that he'd be one of the top twenty students in sixth year.

xXxXx

Lucy Hart couldn't contain herself when she saw her name ranked twelfth on the charms list. She squealed with delight at the very thought that she might participate in the dueling competition. She'd only been at Agnarsson for a few weeks and was already starting to make her mark amongst the new student body.

"I did it!" she exclaimed, scanning the other lists to see if she was on any of them as well. Sadly, she didn't appear a second time. Still, this didn't bother her much; at least she was on one.

"Not just yet," Lene said vindictively from behind her, eager to burst the strawberry blonde's bubble. "If my eyes aren't deceiving me, there are three other Swords placed above you."

Lucy's bright smile faded. She glanced back up at the Charms list and noticed the names of three of her fellow housemates sitting comfortably in 3rd, 6th, and 10th. She recognized one of the Hogwarts students up there too.

"Besides, since only two students from each house get to compete, I'd say there is a slim chance that your house will choose you," Lene said smugly.

"And what gives you the right to say that I won't get chosen?" Lucy shot back, fuming.

Lene just laughed in her face and then pointed to her own name. She was 1st. "That right there."