Wild cards
Chapter 05

…

"Well if that ain't the most satisfied smile I ever seen."

Harry wasn't about to argue with the bartender, he was satisfied, "I had fun today."

"I can tell" Tom said setting down Harry's dinner.

"I won my first duel" Harry said, patting his deck which sat next to his prize.

"Didja then? Well that's nice."

"I really shouldn't have won" he admitted, "It was mostly luck."

"Shouldn't come to rely on that sort of thing. Luck always seems to run out at the worst possible time."

Harry mulled over what the man had said as he walked away. It was good advice he reasoned. He hadn't been expecting to win that duel, and if not for a few happy coincidences he wouldn't have.

Harry swiftly demolished his dinner and retired to his room. Belly full and mind abuzz he lay his cards out on his bed for examination then picked up the two reptile monsters for closer examination. Engorged Runespoor he knew, it had been responsible for sealing his victory. Poison dart frog was the other, a brightly colored little thing which had been the main reason he picked it.

Any monster that destroys Poison dart frog in battle that is not Poison dart frog or the type undead, is also destroyed.

"That'll be useful" he mumbled as he read the cards effect.

Plague Riddled Zombie joined the others in his hand as did his Gopher Soldier and the other beast-warrior card, Hanuman a white monkey in a simple looking leather chest plate and leather skirt.

Gopher Soldier had no effect, just a 600 attack and 800 defense. Hanuman however did have an effect.

Once per turn, if Hanuman is your only monster on the field, special summon another beast-warrior type monster from your hand or deck whose attack is equal to or less than Hanuman.

That had possibilities. He could get two monsters on the field in one play if he did it right. And Poison dart frog on its own could be a game changer. So long as it wasn't undead his little frog could take out even the strongest monster his opponent could throw at him.

Which was good because the strongest monster in his whole deck only had 2000 attack. Soaring Roc was his only winged-beast type and the only other monster he had with an effect.

When Soaring Roc is normal summoned, select one of your opponent's face down cards and send it to the grave yard.

Looking over his monsters he could honestly say he'd made some good picks. Not on purpose, but it still left him with a reasonably solid base to work from.

And work is exactly what he needed to do. Tom had been right. He couldn't rely on luck. If he didn't learn everything he could about this game he had no reason to believe he'd ever win again. Luck would not be enough.

He needed to make another trip to the card shop. He'd learned a lot from his one duel and he needed to make some adjustments to his deck. Then he needed to find someone else to duel. Andrew had 'told' him all kinds of things about dueling but none of it had really sunk in till he'd seen it, and then done it. That's what he needed, experience.

He couldn't go back to the duel hall in Knockturn since they'd be closed the next few days. The announcer had told him they were preparing for a big tournament which was to be held the day before he headed off to Hogwarts. The idea of a tournament was very exciting but, if he didn't want to embarrass himself he needed to practice.

And to do that he'd need a duel board, yet another reason to visit the card shop.

Mind made up, he gathered his cards, pulled out his book on transfiguration and spent the next half hour reading before sacking out under the watchful eyes of his owl.

Next morning after breakfast he walked into the shop hoping to inquire of the proprietor. Instead, sitting at the counter was a long nose floppy eared creature. It looked at him with it's over big eyes and Harry had the distinct impression he was looking at a who, not a what.

"Um, hi" he said awkwardly.

"Hello" the creature said, "how can Mimsy help young sir today?"

"Um, I was looking for Andrew."

The floppy ear nodded, "Master Andrew is in back with another customer."

"Oh, I see… uh, can I ask you a rude question?"

The little creature nodded.

"What are you?"

Mimsy smiled, "Mimsy is a house elf."

"And what's a house elf?"

Mimsy considered for a moment, "House elf is the magical servants of wizards."

"Oh, okay."

"Young man is still confused" she said sympathetically.

"Young man is getting used to it" Harry replied.

Mimsy just grinned as Andrew returned from the back followed by a stoic Asian man and a little girl at his side.

"Thank you Mimsy" said Andrew.

A nod and a snap and the house elf was gone.

"Be with you in just a sec Harry."

His presence acknowledged, he waited. Idle eyes began to wander and by chance they happened to wander over to the little girl just as she was looking up at him. Caught in her timid gaze Harry smiled and gave a little wave.

The reaction was comical as her eyes went wide and her cheeks turned into cherry's.

"Come along Furiko" her father commanded.

The little girls squeaked, "Hai, Tou-san."

The man gave her a stern look.

"Yes, father" she corrected meekly.

"Better" he said, "you must remember to speak English here…" the man lectured as they left the store.

Harry gave Andrew a quizzical look as the pair left. Andrew grinned.

"One of your future classmates" Andrew explained.

"Really? That's, um…"

The store manager chuckled at his patron's consternation, "So, what can I do for you Harry?"

"I won my first duel yesterday" he started.

"Congratulations" said Andrew.

"It was mostly luck" Harry admitted without shame, "I learned a lot though. The guy I was with said my starter deck should have come with a duel board?"

Andrew was momentarily confused then realized what Harry meant. Reaching under the counter he pulled out one of the starter decks Harry had seen and opened it. A thick folded piece of paper fell out.

"One of these comes with each 'premade' starter deck."

"Ooooh" Harry instantly understood.

"My fault really" Andrew admitted, "I got so busy lecturing I totally forgot you'd be needing a board. Ah well, no time like the present."

Stepping back to the wall he knocked three times. Seven vertical panels flipped revealing seven finely crafted duel boards. At least, Harry thought they were finely crafted. They were nicer than the last one he'd seen.

"What we have here are the finest dueling boards on the market. These on the end are done up in the colors of each of the four houses of Hogwarts. Excellent Christmas gift for your new student. The black with gold trim, and yes that is 'real' gold, for the more discerning duelist, with a significant disposable income."

Harry laughed at the shopkeeper's wink.

"And last, but not least our standard white board in your choice of red or blue trim."

Harry took a moment to consider his options. The gold board was out, naturally. It didn't make much sense to get one of the Hogwarts boards since he didn't know what house he'd be in. That narrowed his choice to red or blue. Hmm.

"The blue trim" it just felt right.

Andrew pushed the selected board causing the panel to tilt back and a long shallow box to slide out.

"There we are. There's an instruction guide included that explains the various settings."

"That's good" he could use a little direction

"Anything else?"

"Yes" Harry said, "I need to make some additions to my deck."

Andrew just nodded knowingly, "It is called a starter deck for a reason" he said, nudging a small display, "booster packs."

"What's that?"

"Seven cards, mostly commons, monster, magic, and trap. Sometimes you'll find a rare or two mixed in. Best way to build your deck up if you're not after just one specific card. Cheaper to."

"I'll take two."

…

"So, how was lunch?"

"It was good."

"Could'a said that with a bit more enthusiasm" said Tom.

"Sorry" the young man replied, "morning just wasn't what I'd hoped for."

"How so?"

"Well, after that duel yesterday I was really excited to find another one. After I stopped at the card shop I went looking."

"Didn't find anyone eh?"

"Well it's not like I just walked up to people at random and challenged them" though he'd been close, "Do you know anywhere in Diagon Alley I could find someone to duel."

"Not during the week" said Tom.

"Oh."

"Course, if'n ya don't mind doin a little travelin, I do happen to know of a bar on Tintern alley what has its own duel ring."

"Really?" Harry had to forcibly restrain himself from jumping out of his seat, "How do I get there."

"I reckon the Knight Bus be your best bet."

"What's the Knight Bus?"

"Well you just grab yur wand and I'll show ya."