Disclaimer: I do not own anything of this story. Harry Potter and all of the notable characters belong to J.K. Rowling.

Magnolia Crescent

Chapter Twenty-Nine

The Tournament Begins

"Okay, everyone, simmer down," Sirius said as he held out his hands out to the student body involved with the Dueling Club. "Now then, we have gotten a fair amount of students ready and involved in the Dueling Club. I would like to announce our first Hogwarts Dueling Tournament. We've got a lot of students and I figure we can have some fun with this." Sirius clapped his hands together with a smile on his face. "We have too many students here for a proper one-on-one tournament. So, in order to make this a bit more fair, we're going to have a three month season. Each student will be put into small teams and they will be made up of five students, no more and no less. Every Sunday we will have four teams, two against two, with Professor Snape, Flitwick and myself judging. We'll tally up points and the twelve teams with the highest number of victories will go on to the playoffs. That will be school hosted with a nice gold cup to the winner."

"What?" a few students exclaimed, confusion written on their faces.

"Ah, and here is the kicker: once the playoffs start, it's every witch and wizard for themselves. We already have everything worked out, but we will explain the rules when we get there. As a side note, the person chosen to enter the Triwizard tournament will have to give up his spot – as the staff consider it too much for one student to take on for a seventh year. So, anyone whose planning on trying out, make sure you have a backup plan," Sirius advised. "Now, feel free to choose your teams and names. Meet up with me or one of the other teachers to get registered."

"Harry, you and me," Ron said, quickly grabbing his shoulders. "We got to get Hermione as well – that is a must. So who to ask?"

"Count me in," Leo said, appearing behind the two students. Ron opened his mouth but Harry cut him off.

"Alright, let's head to the library," Harry said with a nod as the other two looked at each other. "If we need to find Hermione, it's a safe bet she is in the library, the Great Hall or the dorm. And I got a feeling the library is the best place to start," he surmised.

"Sounds like a safe bet to me. But I am going to see if I can find someone else, to um, you know, join up. Have fun with Hermione," Leo said, grinning nervously.

"Where are you going? Don't tell me you're scared of her," Ron said with a sly smile on his face.

"No, no," he repeated. "Whatever would give you that idea?" His smile bent a little more. "I haven't apologized; she seemed rather sore with me. And I don't like to apologize in front of other people," he said as he showed his teeth in a very large grin.

"You are such a chicken," Ron commented as Harry glanced between them.

"Look, it would be uncomfortable. I would rather talk to her without the loud-mouthed ginger making comments in the background."
"It has nothing to do with the fact that she kicked your arse?" Ron said with a smug smile.

"You know, I can't remember. I do remember mopping the floor with a loud-mouthed ginger," Leo said as he smirked back.

"Beginner's luck. I'll take you on, right here, right now!" Ron challenged.

"I am starting to regret my decision," Harry muttered to himself. "Teaming up with Malfoy would be less of a headache," he thought to himself as he shoved his hands in his pocket and left to find Hermione. Even if she didn't join, she could bring some order to the group.

Ignoring the two behind him, Harry headed to the library, his mind going over other people who could join. "Dean, Seamus, not to mention Ron's older brothers. Luna and Neville would be welcome as well – even if Luna seemed to just watch instead of practicing. Seamus was good and Harry had seen him hold his own.

"Hey Harry, I think we should talk to Seamus after Hermione – he's pretty good," Ron advised. "Or both my brothers – I know they're really good."

"All good points," Leo admitted. "Not to mention, they will have a bit more knowledge, being upper classmen and all."

"Then again, I would kind of rather not, they can be hard to work with. Not to mention, they will undoubtedly pick on me," Ron said. Harry soon blocked out Ron's musings; he would be happy enough just to compete alongside his friends. Normally, the three would just hang out. They wouldn't be doing much unless Harry's life was on the line or some other big event came up. It would be a nice change of pace. Since Hermione always seemed to be on the sidelines, unless…. Harry caught himself at that thought.

Harry opened up the door to the library, spotting a few students and staff walking around. Giving a quick glance over, he spotted Hermione next to her standard pile of book. He grinned and made his way over to her table.

"Leo," she said in a low whisper, looking up at the third man. He gave a nervous grin.

"Hermione, they just announced the Dueling tournament and we need teams," Harry started as Hermione glanced at him. She closed her book before clasping her hands together.

"I am not interested. I meant what I said – I want no part in it. Especially knowing all the braggarts that are going to be running around." Leo rubbed the back of his head as he glanced away.

"Please, Hermione, we could really use your help. You would be one of the best witches to have on the team," Ron pleaded. Hermione reopened her book.

"Please, Ron. I have a lot of homework and I don't feel like spending what little free time I have to play in this competition," she answered as the door slammed shut.

"But – ," Ron said, only for Leo to put a hand on his shoulder.

"Stop badgering her. We have people to see and we can't waste time," Leo advised. He glanced at Hermione. "I am sorry about that; my behavior was uncalled for when I was dueling your friends."

"Apology accepted," Hermione said with a kind smile. Leo nodded and led Ron out of the library. "Harry, you've got another thing coming," she said since he hadn't moved yet.

"Not that. Hermione, I wanted to say thanks," he admitted, giving her pause. "You've done a lot – more than anyone has a right to ask of another person. If it weren't for you, well, lots of things wouldn't have happened. Between the last three years, a lot of things would have fallen apart. And I don't think I ever told you how much I appreciate it. So thanks for being there, Hermione, even if you didn't always want to be. After all, we could have gotten you expelled," he said, giving her a smile. He turned to leave, patting her shoulder as he did so.

Hermione watched him walk out of the library. "Damn you, Potter," she growled, slamming her book shut again and racing out of the library.

"Hermione?" Harry asked, a bit confused when she caught up with them. The other two glanced at him for a moment. He shrugged as Hermione stopped.

"Fine, I am in," she said. "But you are on thin ice, all of you," she added, pointing her finger at each of them in turn. "Especially you." She pointed at Harry who was still confused. "Now, if I am in, I want one more female on the team."

"Aw, but I was going to ask Seamus," Ron groaned causing Hermione to frown. He grumbled, glancing over at Leo as a smile appeared on his face. "I know just the girl." The others exchanged a glance.

"So, Luna, are you in?" Harry asked with an amused smile on his face.

"Sure, it could be a nice change of pace. That and to look for some wibbleworths." The group glanced at each other. "They are little three legged creatures that feed off anxiety. They're often found around competitions. I would have checked the locker rooms at Quidditch time but they never let me."

"I never," Hermione started only to pause when a fly passed by. She shifted a bit, moving behind Harry even as he shot her a confused look.

"Well, guess we got a team. Any name ideas?" Harry asked. Everyone just kind of stared at each other. "How Dumbledore's Army?" We have a rep from nearly every school house, sounds cool and I guess it's kind of intimidating," Harry said. Everyone else just shrugged it off.

"Maybe, but team Dumbledore's Army just doesn't have a ring to it," Leo said, rubbing the back of his head. "Maybe we should base it off a magical creature?"

"Phoenixes!" Luna shouted, tossing her fist over her head.

"That will work," Harry said, thinking back to Year Two. "Well, Ron, let's go get signed up," Harry said with a nod. "Maybe we should get some practice in as well," he offered.

"Good idea, I'll set up a weekly meeting. I am going to need everyone's classes and days so we can all meet up as often as possible," Ron said, slamming his fist into his palm. Harry and Hermione both looked at him.

"Who are you and what have you done with Ron?" Harry asked, a slight smirk on his face.

"Hey, this is important," Ron said with a nod as he raced off to secure their spot.

"One wonders how good his grades would be if he was this attentive at his homework," Hermione mused. Harry just shook his head.

"Well, we got time, I think I'll – ," Leo started.

"I don't think so. We need to get to the library; if we are going to do this, we are going to do it right. Not to mention, it would be the perfect opportunity to get some homework done," Hermione interjected.

"I am good. I got my homework done a week in advance just in case something came up," Leo said.

"Good, then you can help Harry," Hermione said, grabbing both boys by the elbow. "You as well." She dragged them back to the library, Luna skipping along after them with a lazy smile on her face.

"Well, this is interesting," Snape said, looking over the five.

"Hi, Professor Snape," Luna said, waving at him. Sirius smirked, seeming to take some pride in Snape's comment.

"We would like to register a team," Ron declared.

"I have to admit, I didn't think Potter's fame was capable of influencing even someone from my house," Snape said as he eyed Leo.

"What can I say? I am ambitious," he shrugged. Harry glanced between the two, only to notice that Leo was now looking at Hermione instead.

"Don't go there. It won't do you any good," Snape advised. Even Sirius glanced at him with a bit of confusion. "Here you are. You made it just in time; we were just getting ready to pack up. We have a lot of teams so expect the first match ups to take place in the next meeting. For those ready of course." And with that, Snape got up and walked away.

"Is it just me or does he seem a bit more somber?" Leo asked. "Just me, huh? Being around him enough, I guess it tends to stick out. But I think something's bothering him."

"Well, hmm," Sirius said, seeming to notice something on the table. He picked up a piece of parchment. "Well, better make sure Snape gets this. Good luck, but remember, no favoritism," he said as he winked at them.

"Like we would need it. Please, we got this in the bag," Leo said with a confident smirk. Hermione pushed them back out the door. "Well, time to go study and all that fun stuff," Leo said, his words dripping with sarcasm.

Sirius watched them walk out of the room, grade sheet in his hand. When they had left, he folded it up and, with a light tap with his wand, the parchment went sailing after the Potions master. After all was said and done, he left the room and headed down the hall, the throng of students moving aside.

"Remus, I need you to do me a favor," Sirius said when he found his old friend.

"Sure, what is it?" Lupin asked.

"Take the fireplace back to my house. I want you to pick up some practice notes on potions. Something is bugging me," he said with a frown as he sat at his desk. "I don't want to work you too much but I need these for a problem that's come up and I need to check my facts." Lupin frowned but didn't anything as he moved to the fireplace.

"So, are you going to need your office to yourself tonight?" he asked.

"Not tonight, but don't be surprised if I'm not here when you get back. Take your time," Sirius said with a light wave. Lupin frowned at the comment but said nothing as he vanished from sight.

"Time to pay a little visit to the potion's cupboard," Sirius said with a smirk. "And maybe something to drink as well. I feel a bit dry," he said, licking his lips.

So we have our rules and a very reluctant Hermione. Hmm, I wonder how this is going to turn out? And Sirius is quirking again... Just what is that man up to? Keep checking and we'll keep ya posted!

~LE