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As the Triwizard Tickle Tournament moved into the quarterfinals, excitement reached a fever pitch at Hogwarts. The tournament had been full of surprises so far, with fierce competitors proving that strategy, agility, and ticklishness were as important as any magical duel or Quidditch match. The latest match, between Theodore Nott and Astoria Greengrass, promised to be an intriguing one. Both from Slytherin, they were known for their cunning and composure, but the dynamics of this tournament required more than cleverness—it demanded adaptability and a willingness to break out of one’s comfort zone.

Theodore Nott had quietly earned a reputation as one of the tournament’s most formidable competitors. His calm, methodical approach to each match had seen him dominate his opponents with an almost surgical precision. His ability to keep a level head, even in the silliest and most unpredictable situations, gave him a distinct advantage. Astoria Greengrass, on the other hand, was no stranger to winning through grace and strategy. Although often overshadowed by her older sister Daphne’s reputation, Astoria had quickly shown that her quiet confidence hid a fierce competitor. The Slytherin students were particularly divided on this match—both Theodore and Astoria had their own supporters, and the competition promised to be a battle not just of endurance, but of Slytherin pride.

As the stands filled with students from all houses, the usual rivalry between Gryffindor and Slytherin faded, as the two Slytherins prepared to face each other. Whispers and speculations rippled through the crowd about how the match would unfold. In the Slytherin section, Draco Malfoy sat with a smirk, watching his two housemates prepare. His eyes gleamed with anticipation—he knew Theodore well, but Astoria’s ability to surprise even the most calculated opponent made her a wildcard.

On the other side of the pitch, Harry, Ron, and Hermione had joined the rest of the school in watching the match with interest.

“I’ve got my money on Nott,” Ron muttered, adjusting his seat. “He’s too calm to lose. I’ve never seen him rattle.”

Hermione shook her head, her eyes fixed on the competitors. “You’re underestimating Astoria. She might look reserved, but she’s clever. There’s more to this tournament than just staying calm.”

“Well, we’ll see,” Harry said with a grin. “Either way, it’s going to be a good match.”

Down on the field, Theodore and Astoria approached each other, both carrying the confident composure of seasoned competitors. Theodore’s face was as expressionless as ever, while Astoria had a small, knowing smile on her lips. She tossed her long hair over her shoulder, her posture relaxed yet alert.

“Ready to lose, Astoria?” Theodore asked, his voice low and smooth, but with a hint of playfulness.

“We’ll see about that, Theo,” Astoria replied, her smile widening slightly. “I hope you’re prepared.”

Professor Dumbledore, standing in the center as always, raised his arms to address the crowd, his eyes twinkling with amusement.

“Welcome, students and staff, to another exciting quarterfinal match in the Triwizard Tickle Tournament! Today, we have two of Slytherin’s finest facing off—Theodore Nott and Astoria Greengrass!” The crowd cheered, the Slytherins clapping the loudest, though there were also scattered cheers from other houses, all eager to see how the match would unfold.

“As always,” Dumbledore continued, “the rules are simple: the first to surrender to uncontrollable laughter loses. May the best tickler win!”

With a flick of his wand, a small firework shot into the sky, signaling the start of the match.


From the very beginning, Theodore’s strategy was clear—he was going to take his time, waiting for the right moment to strike. He and Astoria circled each other slowly, both moving with the controlled elegance that seemed second nature to them. Theodore’s expression remained calm, while Astoria’s eyes sparkled with anticipation.

The first move came from Theodore. He darted forward with the kind of calculated precision he was known for, aiming directly for Astoria’s sides. His hands moved quickly, his fingers targeting the ticklish spots he knew would make her vulnerable. Astoria let out a soft laugh as his fingers made contact, but she managed to twist away from him before he could fully get her.

“Quick,” Theodore commented, his voice light with approval.

“You’ll have to be faster than that,” Astoria replied, her smile never faltering.

But Theodore wasn’t done yet. He pressed forward again, his hands aiming for her ribs this time. Astoria tried to sidestep him, but Theodore’s reflexes were too quick. He caught her just under her arms, his fingers digging lightly into the sensitive area, and Astoria let out a louder burst of laughter, her composure slipping for just a moment.

“Got you now,” Theodore said with a smirk, keeping his grip firm as he continued his tickling assault on her ribs and sides.

Astoria’s laughter bubbled out of her, her body shaking as she tried to break free from Theodore’s grasp. He was relentless, his fingers moving quickly over her most ticklish spots, and for a moment, it seemed like the match might already be over.

But Astoria wasn’t about to give up so easily. With a determined glint in her eye, she managed to twist her body just enough to slip out of Theodore’s hold. She backed up, breathing heavily but still smiling, her face slightly flushed from the effort.

“Not bad,” Astoria said, her voice breathless but steady. “But you’re going to have to do better than that if you want to beat me.”

Theodore raised an eyebrow, his smirk growing wider. “Oh, I plan to.”


The next few minutes of the match were dominated by Theodore. He was faster and more precise than Astoria had anticipated, his long fingers finding her weak spots with unnerving accuracy. Every time she tried to counter his attacks, he was one step ahead, dodging her attempts to tickle him and launching his own attacks with ease.

The crowd watched in awe as Theodore maintained control, his calm demeanor never wavering. He had Astoria on the defensive, and though she was laughing uncontrollably under his ticklish assault, she refused to give in.

Theodore’s fingers moved over her sides and ribs, his hands moving with a calculated rhythm that made it nearly impossible for Astoria to escape. Her laughter was loud and unrestrained, her body twisting and wriggling as she tried to break free, but Theodore’s grip was firm, and his tickling relentless.

For a while, it seemed as though Theodore had the match in the bag. Astoria’s laughter echoed across the field, and her struggles were growing weaker as the tickling continued. Even the Slytherins in the stands were beginning to cheer for Theodore, sensing an imminent victory.

Just when it seemed like Astoria was on the verge of giving up, she made her move.


Despite the laughter wracking her body, Astoria managed to focus just long enough to spot an opening. Theodore, in his confidence, had left his guard down for just a moment. With a surge of energy, Astoria kicked out with her leg, managing to knock Theodore slightly off balance.

The sudden movement caught Theodore by surprise, and before he could recover, Astoria had grabbed hold of his ankle. She moved quickly, twisting his leg and pulling him down to the ground. Theodore let out a startled grunt as he hit the grass, and Astoria wasted no time in launching her counterattack.

“You should’ve known better than to underestimate me, Theo,” Astoria said, her voice light but filled with determination.

With Theodore’s ankle firmly in her grasp, Astoria began to tickle his foot, her long nails brushing lightly over the sensitive skin. Theodore’s reaction was immediate. He let out a loud laugh, his body jerking as Astoria’s fingers worked over his foot with a precision that rivaled his own.

Theodore’s calm composure cracked for the first time in the match. His laughter grew louder as Astoria’s nails danced across his sole, tracing along his arch and up to his toes. He tried to pull his foot away, but Astoria’s grip was firm, and she wasn’t letting go.

“Not so tough now, are you?” Astoria teased, her fingers moving faster as she tickled his foot relentlessly.

Theodore’s body shook with laughter, his usual stoic expression completely replaced by helpless giggles. He kicked out with his free leg, trying to dislodge her, but Astoria was relentless. Her nails scraped lightly over his toes, making him laugh even harder as he squirmed on the ground.

The crowd was roaring with excitement, watching as the tables had turned so suddenly. Even the Slytherins, who had been cheering for Theodore just moments before, were now shouting encouragement for Astoria.

Theodore’s laughter was becoming desperate. His body twisted and jerked beneath Astoria’s ticklish assault, but no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t break free from her grip. Her fingers were too quick, her nails too sharp, and the tickling too intense.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity of laughter, Theodore gasped, “I give up! I give up!”

At his surrender, Astoria immediately released his ankle, sitting back with a triumphant smile as she watched Theodore catch his breath.

The crowd erupted into wild applause, cheering for Astoria’s incredible comeback. Even the Slytherins were clapping and shouting her name, impressed by her tenacity and skill.

Up in the stands, Draco Malfoy, who had been watching the entire match with a mixture of amusement and surprise, shook his head. “Well, I didn’t see that coming.”

Back on the field, Professor Dumbledore stepped forward, raising his hands to quiet the crowd.

“And the winner of this match is Astoria Greengrass!”

Astoria stood up, brushing the grass off her robes as she grinned down at Theodore. “You fought well,” she said, extending a hand to help him up.

Theodore, still slightly breathless from the tickling, accepted her hand with a small smile. “You’re better than I expected, Greengrass. Well done.”

As the two left the field together, still exchanging playful banter, the crowd continued to cheer, already buzzing with excitement for the next round of the Triwizard Tickle Tournament.

For now, Astoria Greengrass had proven that even the most composed competitor could be undone by a clever strategy—and a well-placed tickle.