HELLO, if you saw the update I posted then ignore it for now. I got hacked and almost lost everything. I was able to get my old laptop working and was surprised to see that it was still logged in to this account, which is great because I can post again.

This took to long to post and I'm sorry. A lot happened since I last posted. Between my grandma's passing, I also had to move, and find new work, college. It's been busy.

To the person who asked, No my great grandma did not pass because of covid, but thank you for the concern. She was 91 and had dementia.

Anyways I hope you enjoy the chapter.

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Albus Dumbledore was once again dumbfounded. How had they kept this secret? "Filius, explain," he said in a stern voice. The diminutive professor grinned as Viktor Krum was helped to a healer.

"What is there to explain? Mister Potter is the most powerful first-year Hogwarts has had since, well since you sir. He was the most obvious candidate for the circuit." Flitwick said proudly. "Minerva and Severus helped me of course. We might not win this year, but he will be unstoppable in a few years."

Dumbledore blanched slightly at that. 'Severus helped? Why didn't he report it to me? Is this why he's so strong? How am I to guide him like this?' He thought to himself. "Of course. Though next time you decide to take a high-profile student out of the castle, please inform me, Filius" He said.

Harry watched the interaction in silence contemplating the seidr he had performed. His second attempt was still too powerful, partly because he had put the rune spell together too quickly but partly because he could still not control his magic fully. His thoughts were interrupted when a tall man, wearing a bowler hat and green robes.

"Good day to you Mister Potter. I do not believe we've met before," he said with an English accent. He outstretched his hand. "I am Cornelius Fudge. The current Minister of Magic." Harry blinked owlishly and accepted the handshake.

"It is good to meet you, sir. I hope you are enjoying the show?" He asked.

"Indeed. I must know, what magic did you use against the Bulgarian? It was extremely powerful for someone your age, and I didn't recognize it" He said in an awed tone. Harry was cut off by Dumbledore hurrying over.

"Now, now Minster Fudge, we should not crowd young Harry. He has a tournament to continue. It's almost time for the quarter-final after all." He said as he gave Harry a look.

"This way, Mister Potter. The next rounds always continue on Cell A. Unfortunately, you won't have much longer to rest. Block D is finishing their run. These next rounds won't be like the last ones. Cell A winner will face Cell C winner, while B winner will face D winner." He explained as they walked over to Cell A.

A crowd had gathered, former participants and onlookers ready for the quarter-finals. The judges were also new. First was the Headmaster of Durmstrang, Igor Karkaroff. The Next was Headmaster Dumbledore., Followed by a rather large woman named Madam Maxine, someone from France. The last judge was the Head of the International Dueling Circuits, Isaiah Mahumed, a Welsh Wizard.

"Good day to you all, the Quater-Finals of the U16 will begin shortly. But first, let me introduce this year's Cell winners. From Cell A. Fourth Year from Beauxbatons Academy of Magic, Fleur Delacour." the Welsh man said, pointing at the blonde hair girl from earlier, who took a step forward and bowed sightly in her blue dueling robes. "From Cell B, Fourth-year student from the American Institute of Common Wizardry, Dustin Robinsons." a boy with brown hair and green eyes stepped forward and gave a wave. He was wearing red and grey dueling robes. "My, my. This is a surprise. For the first time in almost twenty years, and a first for them, First-year student from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Harry Potter."

Harry knew his fame was known outside of his home, still, the shock when he stepped forward surprised him. People pointed and whispered and he saw a competitive gleam enter the eyes of his fellow french competitor. "And lastly, also a first, Fifth-year student of the Brazilian Academy of Magics and Miracles, Andre Miguel-Torres" A darker-skinned boy stepped forward as the crowd gave applause. "The rules are the same as the last round, so if we could have Miss Delacour and Mister Potter on the platform we will begin momentarily."

Harry walked up as the crowd moved to the sidelines. The judges convened with themselves, which was okay with Harry as he walked over to Fleur. "It is a pleasure to talk to you again Miss Delacour, I never had the chance to introduce myself earlier. Harry Potter" He said as he extended a hand. The French witch took his hand stared at him.

"You are very tall," she said, "I can hardly believe you are just a first-year. And your magic feels strong," she said. Harry rolled his eyes as he felt a warm pressure against his mental barriers. He blinked as the world around him faded to fog.

"Ma! Pa! Look!" A young voice said. Harry turned around and saw a young blonde girl, a ball of fire in her hands. Two older people came around, a blonde woman who looked unnaturally beautiful and a man with light brown hair. They both looked extremely happy.

"It was only a matter of time before your Veela powers kicked in my little Flower. I will teach you everything you need to know." the older woman said.

"Now Fleur, now that your Veela nature has shown itself the boys will follow. This means I get to put the fear of Merlin in them. Ya hear?" the man said, causing the two women to roll their eyes.

Harry blinked again as he was back in reality. "...I don't think I have seen someone with eyes like yours. And forgive me if this sounds rude, but aren't tattoos usually frowned upon in your country?" Fleur asked, pointing to his hands and arms.

"These are a bit outside of my control, but you are right," Harry said. "I usually wear a necklace that hides them from the public. If we're on the topic of questions, how strong are your Veela powers?" He asked with a raised eyebrow. Instead of taking offense, Fleur raised her head in confidence.

Magical creatures were a subject that Harry had studied as well but not to a great extent. He knew that Veela were rare outside of France, and were subject to prejudice by the majority of the rest of magical communities. They were descendants of succubi, with a strong sexual allure to go with it. Which would explain the warmth he felt rubbing against his magical sense. They were also harpyesque? Most materials on them in Britain were biased against them. Something about being able to transform and throw fire around.

"I can control myself. You will not burn to death today if that is what you mean," she said proudly.

"Forgive me if that sounded rude, I don't have any reliable study material in Britain. I can definitely feel the Allure. Not much to shrug off though" He said, making Fleur blink owlishly. Before they could continue talking Igor started to talk.

"Can our two contestants please take their spots? We will begin." He said. Harry nodded to Fleur as he took his spot. Fleur took an aggressive stance, her wand glowing slightly. At the sound of a cannon blast, Fleur started to let loose some spells, stunners from what Harry could tell.

They were fast, but nothing he couldn't dodge. He started to wave his wand, conjuring some birds that turned into pebbles and small rocks, that he proceeded to banish in her direction. Fleur scoffed as she simply waved her wand as well, a gust of wind blowing the projectiles to the side.

She quickly cursed in her native language as she had to hurriedly jump to the side of some stunners that were right behind the former projectiles. 'I am a Fourth year, I am not the one on the back burner here.' she thought to herself as she conjured six pale blue fireballs and sent them flying at Harry.

He cut the platform he was standing on quickly and raised it up with two motions of his wands. Without waiting he started to make another rune circle, quickly inscribing the proper rune set in a conjured block of stone. With a quick prayer to Freyja, he finished his work. He felt his wall shatter behind him from a blasting curse. His mage sight saw three stunners headed towards him causing him to roll out of his way.

He quickly turned on his heel and started to go through the three chains that Flitwick had taught him. He watched the older witch grin with a feral smile as she battered them all away. His work started to show fruit as the rune cluster he drew started to glow blue.

"Oi Fleur!" He shouted as they started to trade spells.

"What!" She shouted back.

The shining stone in his hand started to glow brighter. "Catch!" he said as he took the remnants of his wall and banished it towards Fleur, throwing the cluster at the same time. The French Witch made another gust of wind and cursed as she saw the glowing stone, quickly making a shield.

The audience watched the bluestone hum for a second before going up in a small explosion, making a thick black smoke blanket the area. Harry saw his chance and quickly ran into the smoke.

Fleur coughed slightly at thick smoke, waving her wand to blow some of it away. As she did she saw her black-haired competitor running towards her, a stunner already flying out of her wand. Harry grinned as he saw the surprised look on her face before he saw a stunner flying towards him.

In a self-defensive, on instinct manner, Fleur had also sent a stunner as soon as she had laid eyes on him. Harry's eyes widened a fraction as he realized his shield charm wouldn't rise fast enough.

Fleur leaned slightly, as much as her body would let her, cursing herself for taking her eyes off of Harry, watching the red spell fly over her. She quickly snapped back in to place, wand at the ready, only to see the black-haired boy falling forward.

Her first instinct was to try and catch the boy, but the exhaustion of using a lot of magic caught up with her, making her fall backward, onto her butt. She started to pant, adrenaline wearing off. "The winner of this match is Fleur Delacour, The Beauxbaton Academy of Magic"

Applause thundered around the platform, everyone having different thoughts.

'So that's the wielder of the magical Laevatienn. Though he doesn't know its true potential

'Is he truly a first-year? Silent casting, combative rune capabilities? He is someone to look out for'

'Why is he so tall?'

'Flitwick, what have you taught him? Can the greater good be salvaged?'

When Harry opened his eyes he saw the forest of Asgard. Jormungandr was resting by the fire next to Hedwig and Odin was staring in the eyes of a raven.

"Indeed, take time now, I will need an answer soon my feathered friend." He whispered, letting the mystical bird fly away. "It seems you have returned to us. What strange sedir brings you, I wonder." he walked over to his log and sat by the large serpent.

"I lost the circuit," Harry said simply, having mixed feelings.

"You came to show off, did you not? Victory was only a dream on the winds. More importantly, have you finally started to decipher your visions?" Odin asked.

"The only mysterious one is the first one had, the one with the assortment of animals. Though I've started to make a few strong guesses." Harry said as he stared into the fire. "It was about the death of my parents. Of that I'm certain."

"Then what do the animals mean I wonder? Are they suggestive of personality or something different?" the older deity said.

"From the gifts that I got from Mister Lupin, I gathered that the four animals I saw were them. The stag was my father and the raven was my mother. The wolf and dogs were probably Sirius and Lupin. But the Phoenix is the hard part. I feel like I've seen it from somewhere before." Harry said with a shrug of his shoulders. He felt like the pieces were there but he couldn't connect them.

Odin nodded as they fell into a peaceful silence. Harry sighed as he felt the sedir of the forest pull him, the fog revealing a path into its thick brush. He got up without a word and started to follow. As he left another presence entered the forest.

"Father, must I ask why there is a human in our great realm?" a slender man asked. He wore dark garments, his red hair tied and breaded. On his belt lay a sheath with no sword in it. "And while I'm at it, why does he hold the remnants of my sword in his sál (soul)"

"You are entitled to no answers Loki. He wades the forest aimlessly, his hugr open to the answers of the nine realms." Odin said simply. The now named Loki narrowed his eyes.

"So he is just another pawn in your ill-fated journey to stop your destiny? How many more will you ensnare? When will your mad hunger ever stop?" He said calmly.

"I am Odin, the hanged-one. I was able to overcome death with my own hands, I will surely find a way to overcome Ragnarok as well. The prophetic abilities of this human will be used by me. Think about that carefully before you go to your usual tricks, Loki." Odin warned. Loki said nothing as he vanished into the winds.

"We shall see father" the winds whispered gently.

Odin closed one eye as he took a deep breath. "Let's see how you fare in this fight, young Harry."

Said tall boy walked the woods, allowing his intuition to guide him. He arrived at a clearing, bare of all life save for a single tree. Under the shade of the tree was a young boy, staring at the ground. Harry recognized him as a six-year-old version of himself. A shadow stretched behind the child, in the shape of a cobra.

The young child looked up and that's when Harry saw it. Over the face of the child was a white cloth, completely covering the face. Harry blinked as he was pulled closer to the tree. When he refocused there were two other young Harry's, also wearing a white cloth. They were also weaving some kind of golden fabric.

"He who has been sacrificed for," the original young Harry said in a raspy voice. "The Nornir has spun a wonderful thread for you. Chosen, you will save the world. The balance comes." When it turned around a stand appeared and it started to weave as well.

The Harry on the left stopped and turned to face the Original Harry. "Starved you will suffer. In joy, you will find love, and in despair, you will find death." It turned back around as the third stopped and turned.

"Your road will not be easy, nor will it be kind. In the light of Alfheimr, your shadows will forever belong, and the darkness will always try to destroy you." the other two stopped and now all three turned towards him.

"Chosen, blessed of Freyja, blessed of the roots of the Mímameiðr, blessed of all nine realms, fly" they chanted together, and before Harry knew it he was gasping for air, back out in the real world, in a medical tent.

Loki watched the scene unfold, frowning as he watched the Nornir cast the young human back into Midgard. 'The Norn only ever responds to the one-eyed bastard. And rarely at that. Why would they show themselves to the human?" He muttered as he slowly walked out of the forest, a scheme developing in his head.

Harry groaned as he came back to consciousness. His mage sight, or would it technically be a mage sense because his eyes were closed? When did he get mage sense? Regardless his mage sense picked up the presence of a tiny person beside him. "Welcome back mister Potter. Enjoy your nap?"

Harry sat up, reaching for his glasses when he reminded himself he didn't need them anymore. "Why wasn't I revived?" He asked, noticing he had woken up naturally.

"You were low on magic. That smokescreen you created was intense, if I had to hazard a guess you overcharged it with your sed-magic" Flitwick corrected himself. "Your reflexes need to be worked on slightly. A fraction quicker and you would have been able to block her stunner. Still very impressive for a first-year."

Harry nodded as he slowly stretched. He stood up. "Is Fleur still in the competition?"

"No, the finals were about an hour ago, if that tells you how low on magic you were," Flitwick said. "On a side note, the headmaster was not happy about our little surprise. He kept calm but I can see through some of it. He's back at Hogwarts and wants a word tomorrow. Speaking of which, our portkey is in twenty minutes." Harry nodded absentmindedly, his thoughts going back to the strange meeting he had with the Nornir.

The rest of the day flew by as they returned to the castle. The meeting the next morning was interesting, to say the least.

"I'm glad to see you safe and sound Harry. Did you enjoy the U16?" the headmaster asked as they entered the office.

"It was fun, and all the challenges that Professor Flitwick told me of" Harry admitted. "And I made a few new friends." his thoughts went to Victor Krum and Fleur Delacour, who both wanted rematches.

"Friends are a wonderful gift in the world. However, that is not the matter I wish to discuss with you. How long have you been training for this?" Dumbledore asked Harry directly.

"Near the start of the term, I think. I was talking with my professor one night and he told me my mum had tried for the U16 three years in a row and the YA-22 Circuit. I was interested and he started to train me."Harry replied honestly, fiddling with his necklace.

Dumbledore frowned but nodded. "Fillius, why did you see fit to keep this a secret. I am very upset about this."

"I don't see why. I am always looking for good students to run through the Circuits. It just so happened that Mister Potter here is exceptionally talented and gifted." the tiny professor said.

"Yes, but keep in mind he was mysteriously attacked near the start of term. We still don't know who it was." The older wizard sighed deeply. "You may go, next time inform me when you start training students. We will speak later this evening, after the feast when the students return." He said as he dismissed them. As they left he began to think deeply, on plans that would need to be rewritten, and he had to find some way to bring the Potter Finances back under his control, then the boy's magical guardianship. Which he had yet to find any clues as to how he lost it in the first place.

~I am confused, master~ a voice whispered to Harry as he walked down to the lower dungeons. why would becoming strong be an inconvenience?~

'I do not know my friend. Though I am becoming very hesitant to trust the headmaster.' Harry replied. As he walked past what he assumed was the Slytherin common rooms, he came to a painting.

In it was a garden with a jet-black rat snake in it. To everyone else, it would slither silently and softly hiss. But to Harry, it asked a small riddle in parseltongue. ~what breathes but does not live, that would destroy our world at times end and bring ruin on all who meet him~

~Death~ Harry responded in a quiet hiss. The painting froze as a click was heard. The tall boy pulled the painting and a stairway revealed itself. This was a secondary entrance to the Chamber of Secrets, one that Salazar's dairy told him.

However, this entrance went straight into Salazar's personal chambers. As he entered the portrait of the man nodded towards him. "Good evening my descendant. How was the Circut?" it asked

"I made it through the first block, but then fell to a third-year. Overall, I made it farther than I thought I would." Harry admitted as he sat in a chair. Jormungandr slithered from his magical space and sat next to the fireplace. "But that was the goal, to begin with, I guess."

"You are only a first-year student. It is to be expected, You've not even hit your magical puberty. I don't know what fate has in store for you but it must be big. No kid is ever this strong by this age. I wouldn't be surprised if there was a prophecy concerning you somewhere," the Portrait said.

"As if, I want to learn all I can about magic, not end up saving the world because of it" Harry snorted. He picked up a book, intent on reading the night away before he had to return to the nest.

The next morning the entire school was in a buzz, the Daily Prophet had delivered, and to no surprise, Harry Potter was on the front.

Harry Potter, The-Boy-Who Dueled?

By Jason Akers

Wizards are capable of using magic. That is one of few differences between us and muggles. But we are still human, and we like to flex our strength. In today's era, we use the Dueling Circuits to test our strength in magic and magical knowledge. Well, the Circuits started during the Easter Holidays with the smallest, the U16 Circuit.

School students, 16 and under, gathered at Dumstrang Insitute of Magic, to kick this season off. Duelists are randomly selected into four blocks, where four mini-tournaments are held. The winners of the four blocks then compete in a final bracket.

In this year's Bracket, we had Beauxbaton's fourth year Fleur Delacour in Cell A, a third-year from an American school, Dustin Robinson in Cell B, a first-time competitor from a Brazilian Magical school, Cell D's winner, Andre Miguel-Torres. But most surprisingly, Cell C's winner was Britians very own Harry Potter from Hogwarts, a first-year.

The only rule about participating in the U16 is that you have to be sponsored by a member of staff from a Government Recognized magical education facility. So even though most participants are 14 and 15-year-old students, it's not unheard of for a younger student to attempt the challenge.

Though he did not win, he did put on a good show. In Cell C he faced Victor Krum, rising quidditch start and Fourth Year at Dumstrang Institute. Mister Potter surprised everyone with a wide array of nonverbal and some limited wandless magic.

That's right, you read that correctly, a first-year casting nonverbal and wandlessly. He moved on to the finals where he faced the U16 Circuit winner, Fleur Delacour. They had a short, intense duel, where mister Potter was tagged by a stunner.

His mother, Lily Potter nee Evans, was a strong contender in the International Advanced Arcane Circuit, the second to the final level of the Duelist Circuits, where she finished third overall. Many of the older duelists speculate that if this is the talent Mister Potter has now as a First-Year, he has a clear shot at not only beating his mother's record but going beyond that.

For those wondering, it is the ADC-DC, formally known as the Arcane Dueling Champions, held every five years. He has a long way to go, but he has certainly piqued the interest of this reporter.

This is Jason Akers, signing off,

Harry blinked a few times as he read the article before he silently groaned. He could see as everyone read, heads were slowly turning to him in awe. "I did not realize that a Daily Prophet reporter was in the crowd. But a little more publicity, won't hurt you." his head of house said with a chuckle. The taller boy blinked owlishly as he looked down. "Anyways, I wanted to let you know, training is suspended for now, with Exams right around the corner you need to focus on your other courses. We will pick up more when you return for the next term. But feel free to practice in your free time," he said as he walked back to the head table.

He sighed but ate his breakfast. He could get used to the staring. Not long after he was approached by Malfoy. "Good morning to you Potter," he said cordially taking a seat next to him.

"Good morning to you to Cousin," Harry replied politely.

"You know we are second cousins, you could call me by my name," Draco responded not really offended.

"Draco, I know you are hiding your true nature for me, probably because your father is trying to play pureblood politics, but you are family. The only family I have ever known has wanted to kill me since I came into their lives. You being polite is a huge step up from what it's like back home." Harry responded, catching the Malfoy scion by surprise.

"What do you mean? No offense, you're the great Harry Potter, the Boy-Who-Lived, how could anyone hate you," he asked.

Harry laughed darkly for a second before sighing. "It's a story for another time cousin, for now though, I will speak with you when we are on the Express back home. Please tell Lord Malfoy that I will see him in the third week of June," he said as he got up and walked away leaving a confused scion.

"Oh, Harryyyy" a voice singed, making the tallboy sweat a little. He turned around and saw the faces of two witches, both smiling just a tad too wide. "You wouldn't possibly have a good reason for not telling us about this dueling circuit at Dumstrang would you?" Hermione asked.

Daphne shook her head for a moment. "Maybe they meant another Harry Potter? But wait theirs only one first year at Hogwarts that it could be" she said to herself giving Harry an evil eye.

"Come on Daph, do you really have to be mean to him?" Tracey Davis said with a snicker.

"Not helping me here Miss Davis" Harry replied blandly. "And Flitwick asked me to keep it secret. He wanted to surprise everyone, mainly the headmaster, that and I was the only one who volunteered for it."

"You could have told us," Hermione said, "I guess I know why you came to the common rooms tired all those nights. "

Harry opened his mouth to speak but something caught his eyes. "Forgive me, there's something I've been meaning to attend to" he said as walked away.

Snape walked through the halls of Hogwarts, he had a potion that needed to be tended to soon, his thoughts preoccupied. 'The Potter brat did better than I anticipated. Making it to the final four as a first-year is unheard of. The power he knows not indeed' he thought bitterly.

Ever since he had told the Dark Lord that Prophecy, everything went to hell. First Lily ended up dead, then her son was sent to those blasted muggles. He remembered what Petuaina was like as a child, and even he wouldn't want to spend time around her, let alone live with her.

He hated James Potter and his whole friend group. He was prepared to hate Harry Potter as well, but then he had to prove he was just like his mother, more so than his father. Twice damn him for revealing the prophecy.

"Professor Snape" a voice called. He turned and saw the person residing in his thoughts.

"Yes Potter?" he drawled.

"You and my mother had some kind of fight" he proclaimed, taking the potions professor by surprise. "I don't know what it was about, nor do I want to bring up bad memories. However, I was able to get her journal, and attached to it was this" he held out a small folded note, it was an apology that Lily Potter had started to write out.

Dear Severus,

It's been a while. This whole war is stupid, and I've been told you became a Death Eater, marked at that. I can only hazard that you're a spy for Dumbledore. Either way, this has been a long time coming. The other boys don't really care but James insists that I write this.

I wanted to bury the hatchet. You've tried for years to reach out to me and I ignored you. Maybe that's why you went to Voldemort if you aren't really a spy.

I think a lot of growing up, and when I befriended you. Tuni hated you, called you the weird kid. But you just needed a friend, something this war reminds me of. So with that in mind, how would you like to catch some tea? You've not seen little Harry yet, and I would like to

The letter cut off there. Snape's hands shook ever so slightly as tears threatened his eyes. 'She wanted to meet up?' he coughed once as he composed himself. "Mister Potter you will only hear this once and I will deny it should you tell anyone, but this means a lot to me. Thank you" he said as he clutched the paper and walked away.

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bit of a shorter chapter, but I wanted to upload it cause I've not had a chance to in a while and y'all deserve something.

ploytoid out

ja ne