Chapter 28: Duelling

MAN FOUND 'BARELY ALIVE' IN BANK VAULT

A middle-aged man has been discovered in the tunnels of Gringotts Wizarding Bank, London, described by security goblins and Aurors alike as 'barely alive'.

"He's as thin as an Ashwinder with lack of nutrition, his hair's falling out and he's muttering to himself," said one spokesgoblin. "We found him at six o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, but it seems as if he's been in the bank a lot longer."

What will be even more extraordinary to readers is the identity of the wizard. He is, it can be revealed without a doubt, the outlaw and attempting murderer Thomas Millstew, who is on the run after flying broomsticks illegally and is trying to kill 'Boy Who Lived' Harry Potter, now aged 18.

Millstew has been taken to a private ward at St. Mungo's Hospital, where he will stay before being brought to trial when he is fit. It is expected that he will be sentenced to several years in Azkaban.

Goblins believe that Millstew was trying to steal a precious object kept in the vaults, but are unsure about what he intended to do with it. "It isn't a murder weapon," they said, "but the vault was opened and the object disturbed on December 30th, three weeks ago, which is, Healers tell us, the time Millstew probably last ate."

Harry put the Daily Prophet down on the table. He stood up, and beckoned for Ron and Rudolf to follow him. He led them out into the corridor, where he told them what he had just read.

"It was me," he finished. "It was me who disturbed the object – the Orb of Light. And someone pushed me out of the cart – I'll bet it was Millstew."

Ron and Rudolf looked at him, lost for words. Then Rudolf said hesitantly, "Vell, at least you're safe now. Millstew is going to Azkaban."

"Then Amarenox will kill me himself," said Harry.

On the first Monday of February Kingsley took Harry and the rest of the first-years to the Spell Challenge Arena. There were no special courses, just a large oval with a boundary marked with a rope, and a glowing magical fence.

"Today," said Kingsley in his deep voice, "we will be duelling."

There was a collective intake of breath. Harry and Ron smiled at each other, Rudolf took out his wand, Lizzy gave him the thumbs-up and Hannah shuddered.

"Yes, yes," smiled Kingsley. "I think – yes, we'll have a little competition. But you must all treat this seriously – it can be very dangerous. I am giving you each a protective cloak." He did so – the cloaks were black and shiny. Harry put it on – it had a hood for his head and wrapped around his body. Kingsley then passed them masks – they were also black, with a transparent slit so that they could see. Harry put it on as well.

"I feel like a Death Eater," said Ron, voicing Harry's thoughts.

"It's essential protective equipment," Kingsley told him. "As strong as dragon hide, or giant skin. It'll take something special to cause any lasting damage. But remember, the object is to get your opponent's wand. We'll play a mini-league I think. That'll make ten games – we'll do it at bit like Muggle boxing. Five minutes per game. If you get the wand you win. I'll also award points for hits on target, and the person with the most will win if nobody gets the other's wand. And of course, you can surrender if you want to, but I would advise against it. This is Auror training, not a school club anymore."

Everyone murmured their agreement.

"Ready, then? Let's go! O'Hare and Brittain, you first!"

Hannah and Rudolf stepped into the circle. Kingsley started them with a quick blast on his whistle and they were quickly firing curses at each other. Rudolf won easily – most of Hannah's shots missed, and her shield against Rudolf's Disarming Charm was too late. He had her wand after three minutes. There was a brief rest and preparation time, then it was Harry versus Lizzy.

The duelling was harder that Harry had expected. Spells had to be strong to have any effect, and while Harry was glad that his own safety gear stopped some of Lizzy's painful spells hurting as much, it was also slightly annoying that he couldn't hurt her either. However, he managed to throw up a Shield Charm that stopped even the spells his cloak wouldn't, and, with a flick of his wand, turned her unguarded hand into a lifeless sack, from which he plucked the wand. Harry sat and rested while Kingsley unTransfigured the hand, and then the teacher shouted out, "O'Hare and Potter, now!"

Rudolf was a much harder opponent than Lizzy. Try as he might, Harry could not stop him, not even with his Patronus. After four minutes, Rudolf grabbed Harry's dropped wand after knocking the exhausted wizard back with a Stunning Spell. It didn't have its full effect, but Harry still felt pretty tired.

Ron played for the first time against Lizzy. He didn't do as well as Harry did, and most of his shots went wide of the target. In the end, it went to points. Lizzy won by a long way.

Next, Harry had to play Hannah. It was a doddle. He had her wand within a minute, and she was lying, exhausted, on the gravel floor. Now he and Rudolf were level on games won, although Harry had played more.

Rudolf faced off against Lizzy next and quickly won back his lead. He hit her time after time, and everyone clapped at his brilliant performance.

Harry's final game was against Ron. He couldn't help feeling sorry for his friend after Ron lost on points again, by only one this time. Then Lizzy played Hannah, and lost after she fell out of the circle.

Now it was Rudolf versus Ron. Harry sat with his fingers crossed – if the German won, he wouldn't have a chance of the title. If Rudolf were to lose, they would have to play-off.

But Rudolf did win, though not as well this time. Ron managed to hold him to points, but Rudolf had landed much more shots. Kingsley smiled at him. "You'll get a prize," he said.

The last game was between Ron and Hannah. Ron, like Harry, won easily. It was his first and only victory, but he had won quicker than anyone else.

Kingsley announced the scores in reverse order. "In joint third place," he read out, "Hannah Brittain, Lizzy Pullman and Ron Weasley." Harry and Rudolf clapped. Kingsley handed each of the unlucky competitors a small bag of Bertie Bott's Every Flavour Beans.

"In second place," he continued, "Harry Potter." Harry came forwards and Kingsley shook his hand. He received a bag of beans and a Chocolate Frog.

"In first place – Rudolf O'Hare." Everyone clapped loudly. Kingsley handed him beans, a frog and a large chocolate bar. "Well done for beating everyone," he said.

"Yes, well done," repeated Harry later. "Very well done. Let's just hope we're not fighting any real battles soon."

Rudolf smiled at him, then stopped. Harry was being serious.