A/N: Sorry its been a few days! I moved back into my college dorm this week and have been busy helping out with freshman orientation.
Mar 31st, 1986
The birth of a child was a big deal in the old pureblood families. Children meant the line would continue, that the young couple was healthy, and the future secure. The birth of an heir, even more so. Without an heir, a Lord was never truly safe, and neither was the family. Which was why the entirety of the Black and Labelle families were gathered in Black Manor, anxiously awaiting the birth of Sirius and Viviane's first child.
The Labelles had arrived a week before Viviane's due date, bringing presents for the baby and a seemingly endless list of tips for dealing with a newborn. Sirius, having been involved in Harry's life immediately after he was born, considered himself mildly experienced, but the Labelle's lists of potential problems and solutions soon made him doubt that.
Viviane's mother and Melania also soon joined forces, mothing the couple to death and dotting on Harry in a way only grandparents could. After all, Viviane's mother lived in France and Melania had just spent a month there. Far too long without seeing her grandchild. Harry soon had a pile of new toys, books, and robes – including a brand new broom. Both grandmothers were concerned Harry would not take the addition of a sibling well and wanted to remind him that he was still loved.
By the time Viviane went into labor, Sirius was beyond grateful. He loved his family, but having everyone hanging around the manor all day was getting to be a bit much. Even Cassiopeia, Pollux, and Irma had joined the group, grouching and complaining about how long it had been since their last grandchild was born. Cygnus and Druella (thankfully) had remained away from the manor, citing too much excitement.
Unfortunately for Sirius, as Viviane was giving birth, Sirius was stuck in the sitting room with most of the family while Melania, Andromeda, Narcissa, and Viviane's mother were allowed to be in the room with Viviane. He wanted nothing more than to be there with his wife, but tradition dictated only females be allowed in the room. Right about now, Sirius hated tradition.
Finally, after what felt like years, Mipsy popped into the sitting room, he big eyes beaming with happiness.
"And?" Sirius asked anxiously.
"A boy, Master Sirius," Mipsy replied. "A healthy boy."
Sirius stood as Mipsy popped away, and headed to the bedroom where his wife and child were. He was not waiting any longer to meet his first born son.
A few minutes later, he returned to the sitting room, a small bundle cradled gently in his arms. Smiling broadly, he looked out at the room. "Regulus Aldebaran Black," Sirius pronounced. "My son." Holding the tiny infant in his arms, Sirius was already in love. He would not fail this Regulus. Not ever.
Harry, it turned out, loved being a big brother. Every chance he had, he would hold his little brother, often telling him stories or singing to him softly. He told everyone he saw over the next few months how much he loved Regulus and that he couldn't wait to have a second sibling. Sirius laughed at the second comment, but Viviane had an oddly pleased look on her face. Somehow, Sirius suspected there would be more children in his future if Viviane had anything to say about it.
The most amazing skill Harry possessed, however, was an ability to get Regulus to sleep, no matter what. Within two months of Regulus' birth, Harry had declared himself in charge of his little brother's bedtime and naps, as he did a far better job putting Regulus to sleep than either his mother or his father. Sirius was initially hesitant, as Harry was not even six yet, but the pure joy on the boy's face convince him otherwise. Sirius could remember a time when he was this close to his own brother. He could only hope Harry and Regulus stayed close unlike him and his brother.
Filius Flitwick was practically bubbling with excitement as he ate his breakfast. Today was the special interest lecture on dueling. As a former dueling champion, Filius had been extremely disappointed when Dumbledore had ended the Hogwarts dueling clubs and competition. Aside from the occasional sixth or seventh year looking to compete internationally, nobody in the school was interested in the fine sport anymore. Even worse, many of the small British dueling circuits were in danger of closing due to the lack of participation. And Filius could not imagine dueling dying out. It had been (and still was) a favorite pastime of his.
"Looking forward to today's lecture?" Minerva asked, turning to her colleague as she poured herself some tea.
"Most definitely," Filius agreed. "If enough people are interested in restarting the dueling club after this, I plan to do so. With or without Dumbledore's support."
Minerva nodded. There was a time she would have argued against such an action. But the last few years had changed that. She had acted independently to bring back the dances, to organize the lectures, and restart some clubs. All of which had gone quite well. "I am sure the board would be on your side," she assured him.
"It would be worth the extra work for sure."
Minerva nodded. The new clubs and activities were adding more work to the teacher's already busy lives, but she hoped to change that. At the end of the year, the board met with the senior staff to go over the budget. Perhaps there would be room in the budget to hire additional teachers. Or at least masters candidates to act as aides.
"Well, I'm off," Filius announced, rising from his chair. "I promised some of my older claws I would supervise a review session. The OWLs and NEWTs are rapidly approaching."
"They are indeed. I have always envied the studious nature of your students," Minerva admitted.
Filius laughed, "And I the Gryffindor's ability to leave a library. Have you ever had to threaten a student with detention to get them to leave the library?"
"I cannot say I have," admitting Minerva smiling.
The dueling lecturers were two young men in their late twenties, dressed in robes with leather and dragon hide armor. Immediately, Minerva could tell the pair had the student's attention. They radiated a confidence and deadliness not found in most wizards. Like the dragon tamers and curse breakers who had visited earlier in the year, their demeanor spoke of action and excitement. Attributes which were quite exciting to teenagers stuck in school.
"Good afternoon," the taller of the men greeted. "My name is Jacob Hill. I am a professional duelist and compete on the international circuit. With me is Jeremy Wood, who placed third at this years international under thirty restricted competition. We are here today to tell you a little bit about dueling."
"Formal dueling started hundreds of years ago as a way to settle disputes between two parties. Disputes ranged from arguments about property to perceived insults against an individual or family," Jeremy began. "Interestingly enough, before the Statute of Secrecy, duels were often held between wizards and muggles."
"How could a muggle duel a wizard?" a student asked. "It's not like they have magic."
"Using magic in a duel against a muggle was considered impolite and even cowardly," Jeremy explained. "Instead, both parties would use a traditional weapon, such as a sword."
"So wizards could fight with swords as well?" another student asked.
"The old families, certainly," agreed Jeremy. "As well as those from wealthier families or, later, those who attended Hogwarts. One of the founders, Godric Gryffindor, was a renowned duelist, with both sword and wand. He even had a goblin made sword he used for important duels."
"One of the earliest actions of the Wizengamont was to establish rules for proper magical dueling," Jacob continued. "They created three different sets of rules: open, restricted, and gentlemen's. Open rules meant the duelers were allowed to use any spell they desired. This type of dueling quickly became restricted to the most heinous offenses and confrontations with dark lords. Because any spell could be used, the duels were often deadly.
Restricted dueling allowed the competitors to choose what spells they wanted to ban from the duel. These duels usually took place in public places with containment wards and a referee. As spells were banned by the Wizengamont and later the Ministry, they were banned from all restricted duels. Restricted duels became the most common way of settling disputes, as the parties could ban different spells depending on the severity of the dispute. For example, a duel over a perceived insult against an uncle would generally ban most dark or potentially fatal spells while a duel caused by an attack against an heir would likely allow more dangerous spells.
Finally, there was the gentlemen's duel. These duels became popular amongst the upper class as a way to show off skill and power without risking serious injury or death. These duels banned all spells that could case damage unable to be healed. Younger wizards also fought using gentlemen's rules as no family wanted to endanger the lives of their children, no matter the perceived slight."
"Is an open duel how Dumbledore defeated Grindewald?" a seventh year asked.
"It was," Jeremy agreed. "While the ICW wizards made considerable progress against Grindewald's army, hundreds of witches and wizards were dying on both sides. Agreeing that continuing their current actions would lead to great devastation for wizarding kind, Grindewald and Dumbledore agreed to an open duel. If Dumbledore defeated Grindewald, the war would be over."
"So that is why the war ended so quickly after his defeat?" the seventh year added.
"Yes. Grindewald's army was aware of this deal, and in accordance with the traditions of dueling, they surrendered after Grindewald's defeat."
"So why didn't someone, like Dumbledore, challenge you-know-who to a duel?" a fifth year asked.
"I do not know," admitted Jeremy. "Perhaps nobody felt they had a chance of defeating him. Perhaps somebody did and he declined."
"But enough history. Let me tell you about how one goes about challenging, accepting, and actually beginning a gentlemen's duel," Jacob cut in.