A/N: Originally written for E. Greyjoy's Slytherin Drabble Competition, though I fell ill and ended up missing the deadline. Happy reading!
2 Aug 1972
Bella looked around the table where the other semi-finalists were making small talk with the tournament organisers over breakfast.
Riddle was by far the most curious one. In his mid-forties, classically good looking and with excellent manners, he seemed to fit in perfectly in Malfoy's circle. His robes were somewhat on the conservative side and spoke of old money, although Bella had never heard his name before. She couldn't assess him as a duellist either – he'd been suspiciously lucky and all of his opponents had been passable at best. The jury was clearly on his side.
Opposite him sat Antonin Dolohov. He wasn't particularly fast, but he was so strong that his hexes cut through most shields as if they were butter. He used fire based magic almost exclusively, which meant his non-verbal casting hardly gave him the element of surprise. On a good day Bella probably stood a decent chance against him.
Alastor Moody was at the other end of the table. He had six years of Auror experience on her, and it showed. His spells were hardly exceptional but his spacial awareness more than made up for it. His hexes never missed and his shields were barely the size of a palm, blocking attacks perfectly without wasting any energy. Bella had fought him in the past and lost. She was looking forward to making things right.
'Hello, everyone. I hope you've all had a great time at Malfoy Manor so far,' Abraxas Malfoy greeted the table when the plates were cleared. 'Today we'll be holding the semi-finals of the British Duelling Tournament. As per tradition, we give our youngest contestant, the talented Miss Black, the right to choose her opponent.'
'Thank you, Abraxas,' Bella said, and turned to the man sitting next to Malfoy. 'Mr Dolohov, will you do me the honour?'
She was having a good day, after all. And while she really wanted to duel Moody, that could always wait until the finals.