I am skipping the duels in this chapter. There would be six of them if I wrote them, but I'm having writing block on my duels so I decided to leave them out. In fact I'm probably just going to rush through this chapter just to get it done with it. Its really stumping me on how to make this chapter work, and I already started working on Chapters 10 and 11. Don't be put off if this chapter isn't as good as the others. This will, hopefully, be the only chapter that wasn't given all of my effort and attention.
Next chapter, however, I will write all the duels out in full. I've been complimented on my duels and so will try to make the ones described in the next chapter as epic as I possibly can.
Professional dueling in the wizarding world isn't so much as to prove who is a better dueler (thats what the duelist want but thats not what the dueling committee want) then it is to provide entertainment for the masses. If you want to draw a huge crowd you want to have two great duelist fighting it out on the platform. However, sometimes the weaker duelist wins do to luck or other circumstances. By awarding a point for winning and then a point for whoever is the better duelist, the committee is giving all those who can provide a spectacular display of magic a chance to advance, even if they get taken down by a lucky spell or some other unlucky way.
Chapter 9 Finland and Spain
Harry carefully lifted the arm off his chest. Going as slow as he could, he moved to the end of his bed and pulled on some boxers. He stood up, opening his curtains just enough to slip through. Glancing back before the curtains swung close again, he smiled at Parvati's sprawled out form. Last night had been, in short of any other words, amazing.
It had been both their first times. It started off sloppy and ended rather quickly, at least on his part. However, he had refused to let that be the end of it, especially since it didn't seem like Parvati had enjoyed herself much. So they had done it again, and this time Harry was able to last long enough to bring Parvati pleasure too.
The others started to climb out of their beds. He made sure his curtains were fully closed before he started to get ready. He told the others he'd be down in a second and as soon as they all left the room he wrote a quick note for Parvati and left it on his bedside table. He set his alarm to 7:45, to wake her and make sure she was gone before they returned from training.
Somehow word had spread about the morning training sessions. The morning of his first match in the dueling competition, when Harry and his dorm mates had walked into the common room, Fred, George, Katie, Alicia and Ginny's dorm mate Romilda Vane, a girl he only knew in passing, were waiting for him as well. Then when they had walked down to the Entrance Hall Terry Boot, Michael Corner, Anthony Goldstein, Lisa Turpin, Mandy Brocklehurst, Cho Chang and Eddie Carmichael, Cho's year-mate, all from Ravenclaw were also crowded around the front doors. Not to mention Kyle Summers, a sixth year Hufflepuff and apparently Wayne's best friend.
"I don't get it," Harry had muttered to Hermione that morning. "Somehow I went from this being just me, to adding you, Ron and Neville, to then having to train eleven people and now it looks like I'll be training twenty-four people."
Today would be the last time until after break that Harry would be leading these sessions. Even if he didn't advance to the third round, he'd be back from Finland on the sixteenth, in the afternoon. Winter break started on the sixteenth and lasted until the fifth of January. The three people who could probably take over for him without a problem, he was taking with him to Finland. That meant he could either pick a leader, or let the group figure it out.
Ron, Hermione and Neville had been doing this for six weeks. Seamus, Dean, Ginny, Wayne, Susan, Justin, Hannah and Megan had been doing it for two and a half weeks. The rest had only been at it for a week. With the only people who had been doing this for six weeks going with him, that didn't leave him many options for leadership while he was gone.
The Gryffindors walked into the Entrance Hall, where the members from the other two houses were already waiting for them. Before they walked outside, Harry decided to solve the problem now.
"Before we get started I thought we'd solve a little problem first. I'm leaving to go to Finland later today for the second round. I'll be gone for the rest of the week and so will Ron, Hermione and Neville. So someone is going to have to make sure these training sessions run smoothly while I'm gone, if you guys want to continue this without me." A chorus of "of course" and "yeah" went up throughout the group. "Good. I'm going to put Susan in charge while I'm gone since she seems to pick up the spells easily and has the physical stuff down pat."
Susan blushed under his gaze but nodded her head, accepting her new position. He could see that everyone seemed to agree with the decision, though Ginny looked mildly upset he didn't name her.
"Now, break starts the sixteenth and last for about three weeks. Its up to you guys to continue this on your own. I want to try adding more stuff into it when we get back, so don't slack off."
The large group made their way out of the front doors, and Harry walked with Susan. "I'll teach you some spells today that you can show the others throughout the week."
"Thanks Harry. It means a lot that you put me in charge."
"Look at this!" Hermione said, waving a copy of Witch's Weekly in the air. "Rita Skeeter wrote an article about what she thinks happened during the third task! I told her not to write anything for a year and she did!"
Parvati grabbed the article out of Hermione's hand and scanned it. She decided to read one part aloud. "He paused in his story, burying his face in his hands. The memory too painful for him to continue and just when I thought he wasn't going to carry on, he straightened up and started where he left off." Putting the paper down she looked at the group. "She writes it like you told her the story!"
"I did. Everything she writes is true," Harry admitted. "And you can't blackmail her anymore. She registered."
"You didn't even tell us!" Hermione was scandalized at the idea that Harry would tell Rita Skeeter, and the world, what happened in the graveyard before he would tell his best friends.
"I'm not good with emotions Hermione. I don't cry, I don't rely on people to help me when I'm sad or angry and I don't get overly emotional."
"But why?"
He shrugged his shoulders. "Its how I was raised."
Harry didn't speak of his life at the Dursleys. All Hermione knew was what Ron told her about the summer before their second year, the rubbish clothes he use to wear and the fact that besides this summer, every time he came back to school he was skinnier then when he left. The signs pointed to a rather poor life with the Dursleys. Rumors circulated about abuse but no one was brave enough to approach the Boy-Who-Lived on the subject.
"Still Harry, you could have told us. To think that one of the first people you told was Rita Skeeter!"
"Hermione, I watched Cedric die. Have you ever stared into someone's eyes as their murdered? As their life is taken from them way before their time,? It's something I pray no one ever has to go through but unfortunately it happens. I didn't want to talk about it with you because I knew you'd get emotional and that would cause my emotions to act up and the last thing I need is to break down."
Ron decided to interrupt the conversation, before Hermione pushed it too far. "Story seems to be getting around quickly. Didn't know many people read Witch's Weekly."
"Its not just Witch's Weekly. Rita told me she sold the story to newspapers in most European, North American and South American countries. Plus a few international papers and several magazines in the United Kingdom; Witch's Weekly, the Quibbler and Defense Society Weekly." Harry glanced down at his watch. "Shit its almost nine. We gotta go grab our stuff and meet Remus and S...Orion by the gates."
Ron started shoveling food in his mouth quickly while Hermione and Neville stood. Harry looked at Ron with a mixture of disgust and wonder as his friend shoved in more food then Harry thought possible.
"That's," he paused, tilting his head, "that's just wrong." The Boy-Who-Lived, turned from his friend, leaned over and kissed his girlfriend on the lips. "I'll write to you."
"You better," she replied, a sad smile on her face.
"Only twelve days babe!" Harry stated, jumping from his seat.
She chuckled as he yanked Ron from his seat, the redheads fork and a bunch of food falling to the ground. "That's if you advance!"
"Orion's got me convinced I'm winning this thing!" Harry exclaimed, dragging a reluctant Ron behind him. "Hear it enough times you start believing it!"
Finland
The end of the Triwizard tournament had been hectic. The day after the third task, Beauxbatons and Durmstrang left the school, while Harry was still in the hospital wing. He hadn't been able to say his goodbyes to Fleur and Viktor, who he had gotten to know during the tournament and formed a camaraderie with. After the first task Viktor had been interested in his flying abilities, and his best friend. After the second task Fleur had been grateful for him saving his sister and they had found something in common for people judging them based one who, or in Fleur's case what, they were.
That was why Harry wasn't that surprised when he walked into his hotel room (Tampere had a large wizarding section, complete with two hotels, one of which had been books by the dueling competition to house the competitors) and saw Viktor and Fleur waiting for him. Fleur swept him into a hug and when he was released, he shook hands with Viktor.
"Harry, its good to see you again," Viktor greeted.
"You're speaking perfect English," Harry said, a little surprised.
Fleur shook her head. "No he is speaking Bulgarian and I am speaking French. There are translation charms all over this hotel and the dueling stadium. No matter what language one of us speaks its translated to a language the recipient understands."
"Well that makes sense."
"We read the article," Viktor stated solemnly.
"Yes, its good to have closure of Cedric."
"Thank you for not mentioning what curse I used on Cedric and Fleur while under the Imperius. While some people would have understood that my mind wasn't my own when I cast it, I don't think others would be quite as understanding."
Viktor was referring to his use of the Cruciatus Curse, which he cast while under Barty Crouch Jr's influence. It was one of the few things Harry had kept to himself. He could tell Viktor was still upset about it.
Fleur patted Viktor on the arm. "I already forgave you. I'm sure Cedric would have too." She turned to Harry. "It must have been hard telling that again, especially knowing thousands were going to be reading your story."
"It's something that needed to be put out there. The wizarding world of the United Kingdom is being led by a blind man, who refuses to take off his blindfold and stare at the sights in front of him. His refusal to accept Voldemort as being back is allowing Voldemort to work without interruption in the shadows as he gathers an army and implants spies in the Ministry."
"You'll make a great leader for this war Harry," Fleur said, almost proudly.
"Maybe. I'll be happy to do whatever I can to fight Voldemort. I guess you can say I'm doing something already by training the next generation that's going to be forced into this battle."
"Your army?" Viktor asked with a raised eyebrow.
Harry looked startled at that, not even thinking of them as an army. "No."
Fleur and Viktor shared a look over Harry's head.
"We came here to make sure there is no holding back when we duel. Fleur and I aren't versing each other but we are dueling you."
Harry looked at the two of them as if they were crazy. "Of course not. Just like the tournament, may the best win."
They shook hands before Viktor asked a question he had been dying to ask since Harry entered the room.
"How is Hermione?"
"She's good. Actually she's here if you want to see her."
Harry sat quietly, going over the things Hermione had shown him. The professors had all given them plenty of work to complete for the week they'd be gone, to go along with all essays they'd have to write over vacation. They had decided to complete all of the missing week's work first, so they could enjoy the rest of the trip in Finland, and hopefully Spain and Italy. Hermione had finished first and had started to give pointers to Ron and Neville. Harry had finished next, and had pulled out a book on Runes to study while the others worked.
Occasionally Hermione would come over and help him go over several runes. He had explained to her the Potters apparent affinity to the art. There were a lot of Ward Creators and Curse Breakers in the Potter family line. She was helping him see if he had an affinity for it too.
"So this rune," Harry pointed to a symbol, "combined with this rune," he pointed to a different symbol "will cause the ground to erupt in a hail of fire?"
Hermione looked up from the book she was reading, and upon observing what he was pointing at, nodded her head. "According to the book a large crack will appear in the ground and an explosion of fire will erupt from the crack."
"Sweet."
"Runes are dangerous if not used properly Harry, remember that."
"Yeah, yeah." Harry scribbled something on his parchment. "Did Viktor come by to see you?"
His bushy-haired friend blushed at the question and hid her face back behind her book. "Yes. He wanted to see how I was doing and if I was willing to continue our relationship. I told him I had a boyfriend."
Harry chuckled. "Why would you lie to him? You could have just said no."
"I'm not lying!" Hermione's voice was indignant. "While you were off training for this dueling competition I have gotten to know Justin very well."
"Finch-Fletchley?" Harry sputtered.
"Yes Finch-Fletchley. Why do you seem so surprised? I thought after the Yule Ball you would have realized I'm a girl." Her eyes glared at him from over the book.
The green-eyed teen raised his hands defensively. "I know your a female Hermione, unlike Ron I knew longer then the Yule Ball, probably when we rode Buckbeak to rescue Sirius and you were pressed so tightly against my back."
"Harry!"
He smirked at his friend's flustered shriek. "I guess even after the whole Viktor business I thought you were too serious to have a boyfriend."
"I do care about schoolwork and laws, unlike some people," she shot him a look, "but that doesn't mean I don't like to have a good time."
"I know Mione, I know. I'm sorry for thinking that. I'll have to threaten him against hurting you when we get back."
Hermione lowered her book quickly. "You will do no such thing Harry Potter!"
"Too late, minds made up. Anyway I got invited to dinner with Viktor, Fleur and some of the other duelist. Do you want to come?"
"No, I don't want it to be awkward around Viktor."
"You think it would be awkward for you? Two days ago I beat him in a duel in less then a minute, using nothing but brute strength to overcome his brute strength. Tell me that's not going to be awkward."
Hermione rolled her eyes at the same time she nodded her agreement with his last statement. "Still, it isn't the same as rejecting his views of affection for you."
"Touche. Do you know where the others are?"
"Sirius came in all giddy about the free ice cream being offered to all duelist and there guest. Him and Ron left fifteen minutes ago and will probably be back with stomach-aches and headaches in a few moments. Remus took Neville to some Herbology museum over an hour ago."
Harry stood, stretching his arms over his head. "Alright, I'll see you later then. Let Sirius and Remus know where I am if they come back"
Harry sat at a large round table with five other duelist besides Fleur and Viktor, who he was sitting between. He felt a little weird at first, sitting amongst the older duelist, all of who had graduated and had jobs already. However, they were nice enough and, since translation charms had been layered heavily over their section of the restaurant, conversation flowed easily around the table.
Michael Patterson, 21, was another duelist from the United Kingdom, Scottish descent to be specific. He was a curse breaker for Gringotts, where he was good friends with Bill Weasley, who he had apprenticed under for two years and had gotten to know Fleur, who was Bill's newest apprentice. Michael was of average height and stocky, with long brown hair pulled into a ponytail at the base of his neck. Brown eyes sat beneath a wide forehead and a protruding brow. What Michael may have lacked in looks, he made up in his personality.
Dmitri Branko, 19, was a Hungarian Auror, though they were called Hunters in the other country. He and Viktor had gone to Durmstrang together, he had been at Hogwarts for the Triwizard tournament. He was a tall broad-shouldered bloke with dark gray eyes. His head was shaved, his cheekbones were high and he had a wide, easy going smile. He was much more easy going and laid back then most Durmstrang students seemed to be.
Pascal Garcon, 21, was the newest member on the French Minister of Magic's security team. His family was friends with Fleur's, which was how they knew each other. He was of average height and weight but he carried himself with a grace Harry could only hope to achieve. Dirty blond hair, feathered and looking professionally done, sat atop his. His eyes were a light blue, his face angular and his attitude charming.
Idalia Ortega, 18, was a Spanish pureblood heiress whose father refused to let her work but allowed her to duel in her spare time. Fleur and her were acquainted through their fathers, who were both high up in their respective governments. She was your typical Spanish beauty, with thick black hair, darkly tanned skin and wide brown eyes. She had a small upturned nose, and pouty lips that spoke in a haughty tone that hid her friendly demeanor.
Thyra Nyhus, 20, was a Danish magizoologist at an animal reserve in the Ardennes Forest who cared for the more dangerous creatures, like manticores. She and Viktor had become friends over the first week of the competition. She had short strawberry-blond hair that barely fell pass her chin. She had pixie like features; small button nose, high cheek bones, sparkling blue eyes and small lips. Her looks fit her bubbly personality.
"I turn around and there's Bill being half strangled, half hugged by this child-sized mummy!"
The table laughed as Michael finished his humorous story about a trip him and Billy Weasley had taken into a pyramid last summer. Everyone was just finishing up their meal, leaning back as they settled their filled stomachs.
"So Harry, I've heard the rumors and I've read the article. What do you do now that You-Know-Who is back?" Thyra asked.
Harry shrugged his shoulders. "Prepare myself I guess. He's already marked me for death."
"Ah yes, You-Know-Who coming back, terrible news. Even worse that your government is denying it. The French Ministry, even though they haven't picked a side in the argument, has stepped up the recruitment of Aurors. Better to be safe then sorry our Minister says."
"If only our Minister was half as competent as yours," Harry mumbled at Pascal's statement.
"I'll probably join the fighting in a year or two, if this thing escalates." Dmitri looked at everyone gathered around the table, as if trying to prove something. "I'm to be married in a few months and I would like to spend some time with my new wife, maybe even have a child, before putting myself at risk. But I will definitely fight. Imagine being the one to bring down You-Know-Who once and for all? The glory one could receive?"
"Glory?" Fleur asked.
"Its why I duel and it will be why I fight in this British war," Dmitri explained, shrugging his shoulders.
Fleur looked scandalized at the answer. "Why not fight because it is right? Because what He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named stands for is wrong?"
The Hungarian just shrugged his shoulders. "While I do think what You-Know-Who stands for is wrong, its not why I'd fight. That's not what motivates me. I'm sorry if I think differently then you."
Viktor decided to stop the conversation from getting to heated or personal. "It's fine. Everyone is different."
"Well I know he is back. Father has been contacted by Lucius Malfoy on several occasions recently. Malfoy is trying to convince my father to join a cause that will help bring glory to the purebloods, which can really only mean one thing." Everyone at the table shared significant looks at Idalia's words. "My father is resistant of course. His younger sister, my aunt, is a squib and is married to a muggle. My father is very fond and protective of her and I doubt he'd join a cause that would bring harm to her."
"Some of the darker and more dangerous creatures have become restless at the reserve," Thyra said. "It happened sometime around May last year."
Viktor nodded his head. "The third task."
"Bill's told me all about it. Seems like his family is already involved in this." Michael turned toward Harry. "Aren't you friends with his younger brother?"
"Yeah, Ron. He's actually here to root me on."
Michael shifted in his seat, leaning in closer to the table, as if to shre a secret. "I remember visiting the Weasleys for dinner in the summer two years ago. Ron kept going on about you fighting a basilisk in the Chamber of Secrets. Kids got quite the imagination."
The Boy-Who-Lived scratched the back of his head in embarrassment. "He wasn't lying."
"You fought a basilisk?" Idalia asked.
"You actually saw one? What was it like?" Thyra demanded.
Harry told them the story of his second year, starting from the Halloween night the messages of Slytherin's heir first appeared on the wall and ending with flying up through the pipes while holding on to Fawkes' tail. Thyra moaned at the fact that he had killed a thousand year old basilisk, while the others were impressed with his story.
"Did you harvest it?" Pascal asked after the praise had died down.
Harry blinked, unsure of what the older French teen meant. "Harvest it?"
"Harry," Viktor started, "basilisk are extremely rare. Everything about them is worth hundreds of galleons at least."
Spain
Harry stopped as he approached his room, noticing, to his pleasant surprise, the figure standing outside his doorway.
"Parvati!"
His girlfriend's head lifted up as he neared her. She smiled widely at him, running into his open arms. He lifted her off the ground, mindful of the bag he had over his shoulder.
"What are you doing here?" Harry asked, his face buried in her chest.
"I convinced my parents to come to Spain for the third round. I wanted to see you advance to the finals."
He placed her on the ground, smiling as he readjusted the strap on his shoulder. "That's great."
"How have you been so far? In your letters you said you made friends with some of the other duelist."
"I've been pretty good. Fleur and Viktor introduced me to five other duelist. I've gotten to know them and they seem like a great bunch."
Harry walked to the door of his room and opened it. It was a modest size room with a queen size bed, a dresser, two chairs, a bedside table and a door leading to a bathroom. Throwing his bag onto his bed, he turned toward Parvati.
"Do you have any plans right now?" she asked, wrapping her arms around his neck.
"My first duel is in two hours." Harry breathed out as she lay a kiss on the side of his neck. "I was going to meditate and shower before heading down early to warm-up."
"Why don't we do something better then meditating?" she asked, pulling away from him.
Harry looked at her in confusion. "What's better then meditating before a duel?" Parvati started to lift her shirt over her head. "Oh. Oh!"
"Where's Remus?" Harry asked as the teens entered the room.
Sirius looked at them, as if debating whether or not to tell them what he knew. "Fenrir Greyback attacked last night. Bit two recent Hogwarts graduates and killed another. Dumbledore managed to get to them before the Ministry did, because he knows how horrible the Ministry treats new werewolves. He wanted Remus to help them with the adjustments, and try to convince them to stay on our side."
"That horrible!" Hermione gasped, bringing her hand to her mouth.
"Is there anything I can do?" Harry asked.
Sirius shook his head, mindful that Neville and Parvati weren't Order members and believed him to be a friend of Remus' named Orion. Dumbledore had asked if they could use a property that belonged to the Potters, to hold Order meetings and house the two new werewolves if they decided to join. However, he would wait until they were alone before asking.
"No, there's nothing you need to do."
"You know, if you and Remus wanted, I would gladly help you hunt Greyback down."
Sirius smiled; just like James. "We know Harry, and Remus appreciates the sentiment but you're too young."
Parvati sniffed at their conversation. "You should just let it be."
Harry pinned her with a hard gaze. "Parvati I'm involved in this war whether you like it or not."
The others in the room looked at each other with wide eyes. Slowly, they made their way out of the room as the couple started their fight.
"You don't have to be Harry," she started, looking at him with pleading eyes. "For the love of Merlin let someone deal with all of this."
"He killed my parents!" he yelled, startling the dark skinned girl. "Listen Parvati, this is my war and if I'm going to go out with someone they can't want to run from it."
"What are you saying Harry? Are you saying we shouldn't be together anymore?"
The green-eyed teen turned away from his girlfriend, unable to stand the sight of tears in her eyes. "You don't want to be involved in this war and that is fine, hell that is great, but I am involved. It seems like our lives are going in to separate directions right now. As much as I don't want to say it, I think we should break up."
He glanced at her, to see her horrified look. "How could you say that?"
"Because I'm going after him. Him and anyone who willingly calls him master. I know you won't be able to handle that. Maybe some day you will be but not right now. Besides with us going breaking up you can avoid this war all together. That is what you want after all." The last part was said bitterly as he turned toward her with eyes filled with hurt and anger.
She started to pound on his chest with closed fist, crying at his words. He let her, not even flinching as her blows start to cause a dull throb of pain. After a while she tired herself out, her fist moving slower and, striking with less and less impact. Harry pulled her into his chest, wrapping his arms around her as she cried into his shirt. They stay like that for a few minutes before Parvati gathered herself and pushed away from her now ex-boyfriend. She gave him one last look before she left the room
