DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN HARRY POTTER.

Friday, 31st January, 1969

Abhimanyu and Ginger were making their way hurriedly to the Great Hall, where a dueling tournament organized by Professor Flitwick was to be held that evening and was about to start.

Bellatrix had participated before in dueling competitions in Hogwarts and had become a champion. Thanks to her help, Abhimanyu's skills had now improved greatly.

Abhimanyu and Ginger stepped into the Great Hall to find four platforms where the tables would be. It almost seemed like the tables themselves were the platforms.

Abhimanyu as the Head Boy had to give the welcoming address, as had been planned by Professor Flitwick. Dumbledore was going to be present, and so were McGonagall and all the other teachers.

There were several students assembled, and Abhimanyu out of the corner of his eye, saw Rodolphus trying to maintain discipline amongst the Slytherins.

He walked up to the platform on which stood the teachers' table, and greeted Professor Dumbledore, who smilingly acknowledged him.

Soon, Professor Flitwick came and announced, "Students of Hogwarts, we are here to participate in this great auspicious event, this dueling tournament. With the blessing of the Headmaster, Albus Dumbledore, we have gathered here in the Great Hall for the event. I request our Head Boy, Mr. Abhimanyu Mangal Pandey, to give the welcoming address."

A majority of the students assembled clapped loudly as Abhimanyu ascended the stage.

He took his position at the speaker's position and placing his parchment on the stand, he straightened himself and looking at the audience, after silently chanting a prayer, he began to speak.

"Good evening to all, respected Headmaster Dumbledore, Deputy Headmistress McGonagall, all teachers, non-teaching staff, and dear fellow students of Hogwarts," he spoke, "We stand here, gathered today, to duel, to learn, to achieve, and do more. As you all know, this is the first year of Professor Dumbledore being our Headmaster. Sir, on behalf of all the students here, I would like to thank you for being here for this event. Thank You, Professor Dumbledore."

The hall burst into applause. Abhimanyu waited until it died down before continuing, "Professor Dumbledore has not only taught us and guided us students for several years, but has guided many beyond the borders of this school. In 1945, the reign of Grindelwald was ended by none other than Professor Dumbledore, and with that, the great wizarding war and the atrocities committed, came to an end. Our illustrious Headmaster now guides us and helps us in times of need as he has always done. Professor, what you have done for us shall always be remembered, for us students, and beyond. With this, on behalf of all students, as the Head Boy, I request for your blessings for this tournament."

With that plus a huge round of applause, the welcoming speech ended.

Soon, the dueling tournament began.

The four platforms were being used for duels as students were partnered up. Most of the duels were between students of different houses. Most of them went quite well. A few students who resorted to physical violence and foul language were disqualified at once.

Bellatrix dueled with several students and won each time. Ted Tonks went up against her and put up a very good resistance before ultimately losing to her by being tied up.

Abhimanyu, Ginger and Molly themselves were good duelists. Abhimanyu saw Ginger fight with Rabastan and win. He noticed Saunders attempt to win over Andromeda and lose terribly.

On and off, students went to the side of the hall where refreshments were available to get a drink. Abhimanyu and Bellatrix went there at one point to get some water and something small to eat. Abhimanyu asked her whether they would have to duel each other, but Bellatrix told him that it was quite likely that he would face Rodolphus or Avril and that he would have to be super alert.

Soon, it was time for the semi final round.

The commentator, a Ravenclaw student named Armand Mapleton, a Muggleborn in his sixth year announced, "We are now onto the semi-finals. There will be two duels and the winners of each will qualify for the finals. Now, for the duel on platform no. 3, I give you, Bellatrix Black, the Slytherin girls' dueling champion, and Molly Prewett, the Gryffindor girls' dueling champion."

There was a huge round of applause as Bellatrix and Molly stepped onto their platform and moved towards each other, stopping when they were a few feet apart.

Mapleton continued, "And on platform no. 2, I give you the Slytherin boys' dueling champion, Rodolphus Lestrange." He was interrupted by yells of joy and applause as Rodolphus stepped onto platform no. 2, high-fiving some of his friends including Avril, even as several Slytherins started chanting loudly, "WHERE DO WE COME FROM? WE ARE THE SLYTHERINS! WHERE DO WE COME FROM? WE ARE THE SLYTHERINS!"

Mapleton then continued, raising his volume in excitement, "And now, I give you the boys' dueling champion of Gryffindor, Abhimanyu Mangal Pandey."

There were yells of joy as Abhimanyu smilingly stepped onto the platform such as, "GO ON GO ON GO ABHIMANYU! PANDEY IS OUR KING! PANDEY IS OUR KING!"

Professor Flitwick silenced the fans and spoke, "Now, you may duel. Begin."

Bellatrix and Molly walked over to each other and held their wands in salute.

Bellatrix whispered, "Ready Molly Prewett?"

Molly replied, "Ready Bellatrix Black."

Rodolphus and Abhimanyu walked over to each other, looking like they wanted to finish off each other and held their wands in salute.

Rodolphus sneered, "Scared Pandey?"

Abhimanyu said, "You wish Lestrange."

The duelists distanced themselves from each other on both platforms and held their wands, ready to attack.

Bellatrix started by crying out, "Serpensortia."

A snake erupted from Bellatrix's wand and moved towards Molly.

She let out a cry of fear but quickly pointed her wand at the snake and cried out, "Vipera Evanesca," which reduced the snake to ash.

Rodolphus cried out, "Everte Statum!"

Abhimanyu cried out, "Protego!"

His shield charm caused his opponent's spell to rebound on Rodolphus, causing him to fly back and land on his back.

Rodolphus got up and snarled, "You, I'll get you for this! You cannot defeat me, Incarcerous!"

Abhimanyu ducked and from below cried out, "Expelliarmus!"

The spell struck Rodolphus and he was blasted backwards, landing on his back with a great thud.

Abhimanyu, remembering a tip from Bellatrix, quickly conjured ropes which bounded Rodolphus.

And then, there came Mapleton's voice, "Pandey has won. Pandey has won."

At that moment, Bellatrix who was still dueling Molly finally defeated her with a knockback jinx and quickly had her tied up.

Mapleton announced, "Black has won against Prewett. This means that both Black and Pandey are qualified for the final round of this tournament."

There were screams of excitement and joy accompanied by applause.

Then all the students had to exit the hall for a few minutes. When they went back in, in the middle of the hall, there was a stage set up specifically for the final duel of the tournament.

As the spectators were taking up their positions, Abhimanyu who was still standing outside the hall with Bellatrix said to her, "So Bellatrix, what will happen if I lose?"

Bellatrix looked at him and whispered wickedly, "Then you have to let my sisters and I tickle you to death."

Abhimanyu laughed and said, "Okay, and if I win, you have to give me a hug and sit with me for dinner."

Bellatrix looked at him and said, "And you get to kiss me, dear Abhimanyu Pandey."

Abhimanyu said, "Okay. Either way, I'll be at your mercy."

Bellatrix smiled evilly at him and blew him a kiss as they entered the hall and went to either side of the stage.

As Bellatrix neared the stage, she heard Rodolphus calling out, "Bellatrix, give him hell! Avenge me!"

Bellatrix ignored him with a wave of her hand and went on.

Professor Flitwick took his position in the middle of the dueling stage and announced, "We now enter the final round of this tournament. I give you the dueling champions, Mr. Abhimanyu Mangal Pandey, and Ms. Bellatrix Black. May the best one win and become the dueling champion of the tournament."

As the professor stepped down, Bellatrix and Abhimanyu ascended the stage. They moved over to each other and held their wands in salute smilingly.

They then moved a little away from each other and held their wands ready for battle.

Bellatrix cried out, "Flipendo."

Abhimanyu barely managed to dodge that spell. He then pointed his wand at his opponent and responded with, "Stupefy."

Bellatrix cried out, "Protego."

Her response was so fast that Abhimanyu's spell rebounded on him but luckily, he managed to dodge.

And then, he saw Bellatrix's hand moving, and in that split second, cried out, "Expelliarmus," even as Bellatrix cried out, "Petrificus Totalus."

Their spells shot towards each other, and then, they met in between, creating a red link and an electric crackling sound.

The crowd of students and teachers looked on in wonder at this spectacle.

Bellatrix and Abhimanyu held their ground against each other, each trying to push forward and force the other to be struck by their own spell plus the other's spell, but both seemed evenly matched.

They held their ground for a very long time, and there seemed to be no end to it.

After a long time, Professor Flitwick suddenly announced, "Both duelists, cease at once."

Bellatrix and Abhimanyu broke the connection and lowered their wands.

The professor spoke with Dumbledore for a few minutes, and then came over to the middle of the dueling platform.

He announced, "Ladies and Gentlemen, as it is almost time for dinner, the duel is officially over. What you all witnessed happens when both wands have the same core. Both wands have the same core in this case. Both are evenly matched, but the duel cannot go on forever due to time constraints. However, due to their skill and strength, and their magnanimous display, both shall be declared as the winners of this tournament. It's a tie. But both have won. I hereby declare Bellatrix Black and Abhimanyu Pandey as the dueling champions of this tournament."

Most of the students burst into applause.

Bellatrix then moved to the speaker's position near the teachers' table for the concluding speech.

She spoke, "With this, the glorious tournament has come to an end. But even though some won and others lost badly, let us remember that there is always something to learn and that there is room for improvement. We witnessed several duels and some of us dueled with each other. Let us remember those duels and use them to move forward and realize the power we seek within ourselves. Thank you, Professor Dumbledore, Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and all other teachers for being present on this occasion."

There was a round of applause.

Afterwards, all students had to clear the hall.

As Abhimanyu and Bellatrix stood by the entrance to the castle, Bellatrix smiled and said, "So it looks like we've both won. Now, do you remember what I said before?"

Abhimanyu gulped and replied, "You get to tickle me. But I also get to…"

Before he could continue, Bellatrix suddenly seized him with her arms and pulled him into a fierce embrace.

And then, Abhimanyu suddenly felt himself being tickled, from the front, and from behind. Just then, he heard Bellatrix call out, "Andi, Cissy, go hard on him. Show no mercy!"

Abhimanyu fell down and laughed even as Bellatrix and her sisters tickled him mercilessly.

A few minutes later, they stopped.

And then, Bellatrix blew him a kiss.

She then said, "I'll kiss you later on. And by the way, soon, tomorrow, you will be 18. Happy Birthday in advance, Abhimanyu."

With that, she pulled him up and hugged him.