I do not own Harry Potter, the Wizarding World, or any canon characters.
Hello, hope y'all are doing well. I wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of town for just shy of a week starting Friday. I'm going to post every day this week until Friday and do three chapters of Taste and one of Extended. Depending on when I return, I'll post again and should try to post a couple next week and then resume my regular schedule. Hope you understand.
As always, thank you for reading. Your kind words help me so much. Have a lovely day!
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A Taste of Magic
72nd Course – Dedication
Dumbledore cleared his throat and smiled as the students turned to look at him, their conversations fading. "Good morning, everyone. I hope all are in good spirits. If not, perhaps this announcement for the next and final large event for the Tournament might be something to look forward to. There will be a Dueling Tournament to be held in a few weeks' time." He waited for the excited chatter to subside. "If you wish to sign up for it, approach your Head of House."
"Now, this Dueling Tournament will be very strictly run and monitored. We will be having officials from the ICW as well as the British Ministry to be on site as well as your instructors, as well as having some of the finest dueling field preparations as possible. People willing to compete must be of a certain year and must accept the inherent risks in such an endeavor. There will be brackets based on your schooling and any that try to go beyond the guidelines of the Tournament will be swiftly and severely dealt with."
There was a pause at his words and then he smiled once more to dispel the sudden seriousness. "That said, I have faith that everyone will do their best and approach this as a way to challenge yourself, compete with each other and our fellow students from other schools, and see the creativity and the abilities we all have to offer."
"Wicked," Ron said with a big grin. "I'm competing!"
"I won't be," Neville laughed. "I'm no dueler."
"I might give it a shot," Millicent mused. "I like dueling."
"Is that a big thing in Society?" Lavender asked.
Pansy nodded. "Yes and no. It's an 'honorable sport', though women traditionally don't do it competitively. Unless one is very good at it so they're 'allowed'. Still looked down upon, depending on the family."
"It's like that in some other cultures," Sue said. "About the same for mine, depending on the family. Some of the Ancient Chinese ones have tons of women duelists. Others refuse to entertain any."
"Auntie always said that was stupid," Susan sniffed. "She said women are perfectly capable of dueling."
"My mother is testament to that," Blaise said with utter surety. "She always said that only women know how to truly inflict pain and cruelty." He continued to eat breakfast as if he said nothing of import while everyone except for the other Slytherins stared at him.
Parvati shrugged. "Grandmum says the same thing."
"She actually has," Padma agreed.
"I'm so glad she likes me," Harry said softly but sincerely.
"She really does," Parvati snickered. "We rubbed it into our cousins' faces and it's awesome."
"Sita got really mad," Padma giggled. "She complained that you shouldn't be a grandchild because you're not dating one of us. Grandmum said she based it on other criteria."
"Is that why you had me make butter chicken for you last week?" Harry asked, grinning.
"Yup! We sent it to her and Grandmum said it passed her taste test and the other aunties and uncles agreed." Padma and Parvati started laughing. "Grandmum then had some of the cousins cook, including Sita, and she said that theirs were worse and that she is reevaluating their status as grandchildren!"
"That's hilarious!" Lavender laughed.
"I feel bad causing trouble," Harry said sheepishly. "I'm glad she likes it but still."
"Don't worry about it," Parvati said, patting him on the shoulder. "She'll find ways to mess with people with and without your help."
"I'm glad there will be an ICW and Ministry presence," Hermione said once everyone stopped laughing. "Dueling is rather dangerous, isn't it?"
"It can be," Susan said. "But yeah, Auntie told me she'll be here with an Auror group and the ICW group overseeing things will be one of the professional dueling groups so that things remain as safe as possible. Plus Healers from St Mungo's. She also mentioned that there will be additional protections."
"I wonder what kind," Pansy said.
Susan lowered her voice. "Apparently some of the best ones from Gringotts' Dueling Division."
Harry was playing tug of war with a piece of bacon with Hedwig and looked up to see the others looking at him. "What?" he asked. Hedwig took advantage of his lapse of attention and snatched the rest of the rasher from him, cheeping victory through a full beak.
"Is that true?" Fleur asked. She and her friends as well as Viktor and a few of his had been joining Harry's group for meals, much to the disappointment of other students and the delight of the professors. The two groups had looked blankly when the others looked at Harry. "That Gringotts goblins are providing the additional measures?"
"Oh yeah, they are," Harry nodded.
"Why are they doing that?" Sophie asked. "Are the Gringotts goblins here more polite to the magicals?"
"No," the Pureblood and Society-familiar friends said, shaking their heads.
"Even the ones in Central and Eastern Europe are not so cooperative sometimes," Viktor said. "How did you manage to obtain their assistance?"
"I asked," Harry said. He smiled when Hedwig picked up another piece and twisted her head, thwapping him in the hand with it until he grabbed it so he could play with her some more.
"You…asked," Colette repeated, eyebrows raised. "And they agreed? Just like that?"
"Well they went to the ICW and the Ministry to negotiate terms and the like," Harry said, pulling on the rasher. "But they'd agreed to work with the Ministry and ICW as long as they got paid for their work. They told me they would offer a small discount because of me though. I told them they didn't have to though and so they used it as a negotiating tool."
"Why would they do that for you?" Ana asked, deeply surprised.
"I worked with them before," Harry said. He managed to break the rasher in half and he waggled it at Hedwig until she swallowed her piece and she pounced once more, latching onto the free end. "I'm still technically an employee of theirs and they said it would be dishonorable not to take care of one of their own." He looked pleased and proud when he said that.
"He cooked in their main kitchen over the summer," Lavender said proudly. "And he's friends with the Head Chef of Gringotts."
"And he is familiar with the Director," Pansy said smugly, enjoying the look of shock on the faces of the students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang.
"You're not competing though, are you?" Hermione asked. "I didn't think you'd be interested."
"Oh I'm not," Harry agreed. "But I'm glad for the extra protections for any of you that are. I want you all to be as safe as possible." He ate the tiny bit of bacon left after Hedwig managed to tear the lion's share from the piece they were using. "I offered to help pay for it but they told me to not be silly. The Ministry and the ICW could afford their services."
"How can he sound so blasé?" Aimee asked, still looking shocked. "He's playing with his owl while just saying that he asked, asked, Gringotts to do something and they did it for him without any problems or concessions on his part?! And he has worked for them before?!"
"Harry is very kind," Luna said, her smile bright and warm, "as I told you before."
-0-
"Here comes trouble," Millicent muttered.
"Someone looks a little upset," Parvati muttered back, seeing Draco and his cadre approaching them.
Daphne smiled. "He has had a bad week or two. I would say it is unfortunate but that would be a lie."
Draco scowled as the group of friends snickered at that. He had truly had a difficult few weeks. Despite doing okay at the Academic Event as a whole with Sanguis, he still had yet to live down his performance at the Second Task. He had then tried to use his injury from the Task as reason to reschedule the Quidditch game but was denied. They lost soundly to Angelina's team and tied with a Beauxbatons team. Not only that, the rest of the Slytherins that were not leaving for Sanguis or a part of the five have drawn inspiration from the five and have shown less deference to Draco and his friends.
He glared at them before focusing on Harry, lip curling. "Potter, I cannot help but notice that you have not signed up for the Dueling Event."
"Probably because I didn't sign up for it," Harry said blandly. "And I don't plan to."
"Why not? Not man enough?" Draco taunted.
"I don't want to," Harry shrugged. "I'm not keen on dueling and don't see a reason to do it."
"Pathetic," Draco sneered. "One would think you would enjoy the chance to prove yourself."
"I prove myself just fine in other ways," Harry said. He made to leave, followed by his friends.
"I am still talking to you," Draco said loudly. "I have questions yet."
"Only if you answer one of mine," Harry said, stopping and turning with a smile on his lips. "I talked to Rell the other day. She wanted to know how long it took for you to breathe easily again. She's trying to settle a bet with a friend."
Draco seethed while others laughed and hooted. "That beast will get hers one day!"
Harry narrowed his eyes. "I bet she'd love to hear that from you. And she wanted me to tell you that she was holding back. I hope to see you two meet again." He turned to walk away again.
"Where are you running to now?" Draco said loudly. "Hmm? Pity you do not have a mother to run to and hide behind her skirts, just like you do every time confronted by your inadequacy."
Harry stopped, flinching a little and his friends turned to glare at Draco. The pale boy scented blood however, and went in for more. "Or maybe she would not have let you do that if she lived. She would be so disappointed in you, a weakling. Then again, she was a mudblood, right? She was barely a witch anyways."
"Speaking of mothers," Lavender said, standing in front of Harry and glaring at Draco. If looks could Curse, Draco would have been sent flying. "I saw your mother at the Festival. I thought she was so pretty and looked so nice, what happened to you? Pity you're not more like her."
"You leave my mother out of this!" Draco shouted, incensed.
"And you leave Harry's out of this!" she shouted back, eyes blazing.
"Good for you, Potter," Draco spat. "Looks like you have someone else's skirts to hide behind."
"Harry doesn't hide behind his friends," Lavender said angrily. "We stand up for him willingly. Just like he does for us. I don't see any of your friends doing the same."
"You shut your mouth, bitch," Draco said coldly, making some people gasp and others look angry.
"Looks like you really want to pick a fight," Lavender snorted. "Fine. I'll sign up for the Dueling Event and give you a fight." Parvati, Harry, Hermione and the others looked at Lavender with shock and some concern.
Draco's smile was cold and cruel. "You? Duel?" He and his friends laughed loudly. "What are you going to do, wash my hair?"
"It could use washing, looks a bit greasy but that just might be you," Lavender retorted.
Draco flushed while others laughed, with Parvati, Daphne, Pansy, Millicent's laughter the loudest of them all. "Very well. I look forward to meeting you in the Tournament." His smile turned hateful and predatory. "It will be a genuine pleasure to put you on your knees."
Before anyone could say anything, before anyone could react beyond disgusted noises and shocked expressions, the air crackled and thickened, all of a sudden feeling very heavy. People around Harry flinched before they turned to look at him and then they recoiled. His expression was one they had never seen him wear before: wrathful and full of genuine anger. His magic made the air pulse and he stomped forward, pushing his friends out of his way. Draco's face paled and his friends took a few steps back, as did the watchers of the conflict.
"Don't you dare say that to her!" Harry shouted. "You want a piece of me?! Let's do it right now! Let's have one of those little Honor Duels you keep going on about!"
"Harry!" Ron threw an arm around one of Harry's shoulders and pulled back as hard as he could. "Not now!"
"You made your point," Blaise hissed, trying to pull Harry back as well. "It won't be good for you to do that here!"
"Let him go, let him pound his face in," Parvati said angrily.
"Yeah, he has it coming!" Tracey snarled.
Lavender had blinked at the naked ferocity in Harry's expression before she too pulled him back. "It's okay," she said loudly. She looked down her nose at Draco. "I'll put him down in the Tournament and we'll see who ends up on their knees." With their effort, they dragged Harry away with his friends shooting Draco their most disgusted looks. The watchers gasped and spoke rapidly to one another, chatter filling the air. Draco stood there like a statue for a moment, looking like a landed fish, before he fled with his cronies.
By the time they reached the Uncommon Room, Harry's anger had mostly left, replaced by worry and regret. "Lavender, I'm so sorry-"
"No, it's not your fault," Lavender said firmly. Her eyes still burned. "I don't regret it. I'm going to enter the Tournament and if I get the chance to go against Draco, I'm going to put him down. I'm not just doing it for you. I'm doing it for me and for the others." She waved at the Slytherins.
"You are willing to do this for us?" Daphne asked, eyes wide.
Lavender nodded. "Totally. Draco can't get away with running his mouth forever. He should've learned after Harry beat him last year, but he didn't and I'm tired of him! We beat him in the Festival and the Academic Event and he still hasn't learned! He's so rude to you all, said really gross things about me, and he will not get away with insulting Harry's mum!"
"But Lavender, you don't like dueling," Harry said.
"No, not really, but I also don't like my friends getting hurt," Lavender said stoutly. "I can learn how to duel properly and I'll put a good effort in and kick Draco's arse for us all. You've stood up for us, for me, now it's my turn." She took a deep breath and let it out slowly. "I can do this. I will do this."
"It won't be easy," Blaise warned. "He is very good at dueling."
"And I'm not, but that doesn't mean I can't win," Lavender said stubbornly.
"We'll help," Parvati said encouragingly. "We'll help you practice and with us behind you and Harry's food, we'll see who's the bitch!" That made the others growl with agreement.
"And if one of us goes against him before or after, we'll wear him down or finish him off," Ron said and Susan and Millicent and Terry nodded. "Like a team."
"Hell yeah," Lavender said stoutly. She saw Harry looking mournful and hugged him. "Don't worry, I got this."
He sighed but hugged her back soundly. "I trust you. I believe in you."
Later, as the Slytherins walked back to their common room, Daphne gave Pansy a serious look. "I fully believe you now. The pressure of his magic was considerable."
"I had no idea," Pansy said, still a little shocked. "I mean, I knew he had magical power. He can summon a corporeal Patronus, but today was something else entirely."
"He can cast a corporeal Patronus?" Blaise gasped.
"Yeah, it's really cute too, it's a snowy owl," Millicent said.
"That is really cute," Tracey said.
Daphne blinked a few times. "Well, that only lends more evidence then. He will be a force to be reckoned with. Especially with the loyalty he inspires in others." She held her hands up when Milicent and Pansy glared at her. "And it is well earned," she added. "I did not mean to imply otherwise. However, I see now what you two see, and I also believe."
"Watching Draco getting what's coming is going to be really satisfying," Millicent said gleefully.
"Hell yeah," Pansy said softly but with complete sincerity.
-0-
"My goodness," Maxime said, looking impressed. "They are taking this very seriously."
"It's Gringotts, they take everything seriously," Flitwick said with deep satisfaction.
They were in the Quidditch pitch and a team of goblins were going over the center of the pitch. They were measuring out the spaces with silver rope, calling out numbers and measurements to ones writing them down. Others bent over a small scale model they were building, measuring out things to be the same scale. The ICW team and a few Aurors were there too, conversing with the goblins and adding their own input when asked or questioned.
"Is it not rather early?" Karkaroff asked. "It is still weeks away."
"They wanted to make their measurements and obtain dimensions for the platform," Dumbledore said. "They will then craft their wards and things and bring them a few days prior to the event and set them up and test them. They prefer to take their time in making the things needed."
"Makes sense," Karkaroff said. He began to wander towards the large board that the goblins had set up and were writing on.
"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Flitwick warned. "First, it's in Gobbledegook. Second, reading their work without permission is construed as idea theft and they do not take that lightly."
"What if we wish to inspect the measures?" Karkaroff asked, displeased.
"You will have opportunity to read the log when things are being set up," Dumbledore said soothingly. "It will adhere to ICW standards for professional dueling as well as having extra measures for our students."
"That sounds very good," Maxime said approvingly. She winced. "As well as quite expensive. I know our branch of Gringotts does similar things for not inconsequential fees."
"I have been told that the agreed upon fees were quite reasonable," Dumbledore chuckled. "The ICW and the Ministry received a bit of a discount."
"A discount? Truly? I thought the goblins did not believe in discounts," Maxime gasped.
"Perhaps it is their excuse to provide shoddy work," Karkaroff snorted.
"I would be careful how you say that around certain individuals," Flitwick sniffed. "They won't take kindly to that accusation. And the discount is for members of the bank, one generously offered."
"What is this?" Lucius and Quirrell walked over, looking at the cadre of goblins with surprised expressions. "Why were we not informed of this meeting?" Lucius asked.
"Because it was not an official one," Dumbledore said pleasantly. "I came to watch the work with Professor Flitwick and a few others decided to come along."
"What are they doing?" Quirrell asked, lip curled with distaste.
Dumbledore watched the expression closely. "Why, they are helping us of course. Adding protections to the dueling field for the event. With their assistance, it will be even safer." He looked at Lucius with mock surprise. "Surely Lucius informed you? It was unanimously approved by the governors."
Lucius flushed and Quirrell looked even more irritated. "It must have slipped my minds," Quirrell said distastefully. "Surely we do not need these extra measures?"
"I for one welcome any additional protections in any form," Dumbledore said quietly, giving Quirrell a strange look, and Karkaroff and Maxime nodded in agreement. "The safety and wellbeing of our students is paramount."
One of the goblins walked over to talk to Flitwick in their language. Quirrell watched with poorly concealed distaste before he could stand no more. "What are you saying? Well?"
The goblin looked up at Quirrell with an equal expression of distaste and the wizard bristled at being looked at in that way. The goblin sniffed a few times and ignored Quirrell, going back to his conversation with Flitwick.
"You are working for us, goblin, and we deserve to hear what you are saying," Quirrell said coldly, his eyes turning redder. "Unless you do not speak English."
"I speak it just fine," the goblin said, looking up once more. His voice was low and gravely and he sniffed a few more times. "And we don't work for you, whatever you are." He pointed at Quirrell and looked at Dumbledore. "What is this?"
Dumbledore smothered a smile. "That is Headmaster Quirrell of Sanguis Verus Academy. The Fourth Champion is representing them."
"Oh, pardon me, your Headship," the goblin said sarcastically. He curtsied to an incensed Quirrell. "But like I said, we don't work for you. Our contract is with Hogwarts and the ICW and then the British Ministry. Not to you and your bloody little bloody school."
"You will show respect to your betters!" Quirrell nearly shouted.
"Yeah? I will when I see any. Until then, fuck off." The goblin turned his back to Quirrell and continued to talk to Flitwick in Gobbledegook. Quirrell's hand went to his side but Lucius murmured, making him pause. The other goblins were staring and none were looking at him pleasantly, and the ICW officials were also frowning, looking over at the disturbance.
"I better see the final log to ensure that the measures are appropriate and necessary, and done well," Quirrell said, trying to salvage his dignity.
"I am sure they will be and I am sure you will see the log," Dumbledore said calmly. He smiled blandly as Lucius and Quirrell left, shaking his head.
"What crawled up his arse and died?" the goblin sniffed.
"No idea and not a thought I wish to entertain," Flitwick said dryly.
"Something's off with that one," the goblin said, turning to look at Quirrell stomp away.
"What do you mean?" Flitwick asked.
"Smells funny. Not just the usual 'humans smell funny' thing either," the goblin mused. "Something weird. Almost rotten."
Dumbledore looked down at the goblin, his eyebrows coming together as his eyes narrowed.
"That's concerning," Flitwick said slowly.
The goblin shrugged. "Or I could be talking out of my arse. But I don't think I am. Watch yourself around that one."
"I trust your instincts, Gates. You're the best Warder at Gringotts," Flitwick said seriously.
Gates grinned. "And don't you forget it. Anyways, we're making good time. We'll get the arrays drawn up easily and we'll have plenty of material to do it all. Standard double-walled array, keeping the childlings safe. Both the ones dueling and ones watching. Won't even cost that much extra."
"Glad to hear it," Flitwick chuckled. "I'm surprised they had you come out with your full team."
"Eh, we weren't doing anything really," Gates shrugged. "And it'll be a simple job so it'll be good to keep busy and earn some easy coin. Besides, when I found out it's for Potter's sake, I had to come out and do a decent job of it. Gotta keep the lad safe."
"He's not going to be in it," Flitwick smiled.
"He'll be watching and we know duels have a way of spilling out sometimes." Gates looked around. "I was hoping he'd be around to say hi to."
"Well you and your team are in luck." Flitwick smiled brightly. "I told him you lot would be here and he's cooking you all a meal to have before you go. Local crakes taste good and he's learned a new thing or two."
"You hear that you lucky bastards?" Gates shouted to his team. "We're eating good today! Let's make sure we earn it, yeah?" The team cheered and fell to with a will, working industriously.
"They look more inspired," Maxime said, noticing how the goblins were working with more pep.
"Oh they got some good news," Flitwick smiled.
Dumbledore chuckled softly. "I never thought this would happen after us making it possible for Harry to learn and work at Gringotts."
"Neither did I and quite frankly, I adore it," Flitwick said happily.
Eventually Harry appeared with a few of his friends, walking out from the castle with a few carts trundling after him. They had pots and covered dishes on them and he waved merrily at the goblins who cheered at the sight of him. By the time they arrived, they set up more tables for him and the goblins clustered around him, greeting him happily.
"Hey everyone, good to see you!" Harry said happily, his smile from ear to ear.
"Good to see you lad," Gates said, shaking his hand fondly. "You been good?"
"Pretty good, yeah. Thanks again for coming out and helping."
"Of course, we take care of our own," Gates said seriously and his team nodded.
Harry felt touched. "Well, I have to take care of our own too then." He moved the food to the tables with help and took off the lids with a flourish. "Local crake chowder, Chinese dumplings with mushrooms, dragon and beef stew, and soda bread."
The team cheered again and eagerly took bowls and plates and helped themselves. "Your Gobbledegook is getting better," Gates praised, already munching on a slice of bread.
"It's a fun language," Harry smiled. "Also, why are there so many different words for dig?"
"Did you see how many different words there are for gold?" Gates chuckled.
"I have never seen such a…lack of hostility from goblins to magicals," Maxime said, shocked.
"They are genuinely fond of Harry," Flitwick said. "He's proved his metal to them and they like him all the more for it. And his cooking of course." His smile widened when Harry brought a cart over to them with plates and food. "Thank you, Harry. It looks and smells wonderful as always."
"It might taste as good too," Harry grinned before heading back to his friends and the goblins. By then, the ICW and Ministry people came over to share the food and they ate it readily, looking at the food with surprise and delight.
"He made all this?" Karkaroff said, looking at the food suspiciously.
"He did, and it is quite good," Dumbledore said firmly. They served themselves and started eating.
"I had some of the stew at the Festival and thought it was a one-time achievement," Maxime said. She gobbled down the dumplings. "Clearly, he has talent."
"He is a hard worker as well," Dumbledore said proudly. "Oh. Ah. Uh, Igor, have you ever had crake before?"
"Not that I know of. Why?"
"You are turning purple. Are you having trouble breathing?"
Igor conjured a mirror and screamed, seeing his face turning deep purple. He started to hyperventilate. "He has killed me!"
"No he has not," Dumbledore said. He cast a Calming Charm on Karkaroff. "Fawkes?" He shielded his eyes when Fawkes appeared in a flash. "Go fetch Poppy please. Make sure she brings the crake antidote." He sighed and poked Fawkes who was looking at the food hungrily. "There will be plenty for you when you return. Do hurry please." He snorted when Fawkes trilled and flashed away.
A moment later, Pomfrey was pouring the potion down Karkaroff's throat. "Did no one think to ask first?" She sighed when the others shook their heads. "Ah well, at least it looks like a minor case. He seems remarkably well overall despite it."
"I cast a Calming Charm over him," Dumbledore confessed.
"Actually, a good idea. Probably kept his blood flow low and prevented the toxin from spreading too fast. Mr. Karkaroff, how are you feeling?"
Karkaroff blinked sanguinely. "I feel alright. Thank you. Still hungry."
"Avoid the crake chowder then but enjoy the rest," Pomfrey said with a professional smile. She rolled her eyes when she turned away from Karkaroff. "I suppose it had to have happened sooner or later."
"Indeed. Well, since you are here, you might as well help yourself to the food as well."
"Don't mind if I do," she said happily.
-0-
"Hello," Lavender said, walking into the Hog's Head. "Harry's looking for me?"
"Actually I am," Ariana said brightly. "Have a seat dear." She waited for Lavender to sit at the bar. "Harry asked me for help and I took that as permission to meddle."
"You never ask for permission to meddle," Aberforth snorted.
"No I don't," she agreed. She smiled at Lavender. "Harry mentioned you were going to be in the dueling tournament?"
"I am and I bet he was saying he feels guilty and responsible." Lavender glared through the kitchen and Harry ducked out of sight, making Aberforth and Ariana chuckle. "You shouldn't!" Lavender shouted before she sniffed and crossed her arms. "I want to duel Draco."
She sighed and the confidence inspired by anger faded a little. "I do feel like I might've bitten off more than I can chew. I'm not the best at that kind of spellcasting and I heard Draco's good at it. I'm a bit nervous."
"You really shouldn't be," Ariana said comfortingly. "You're a fine witch."
Lavender blushed a little. "Thank you. But I'm not good at Jinxes, Hexes, and Curses really. Only the easy ones."
"You don't have to be good at those kinds of spells," Aberforth said.
"You don't?" Lavender asked, confused.
Ariana smiled. "You don't." She leaned against the counter and poured a glass of butterbeer for Lavender. "Do you know what makes a magical dangerous? It's not their magic technically."
"How strong they are?" Lavender asked.
"Close. I mean, yes being strong helps a lot. But it isn't usually the deciding factor." Ariana tapped her head. "It's their imagination and their will. You can be incredibly strong, where a stinger can cause your whole body to sting. Or you can be incredibly smart and know all sorts of spells, spells others haven't even dreamt of existing. But if you don't have the drive to make things work, neither of those matter as much."
"Al, Albus I mean, he's strong and very smart and an excellent duelist because he has the ability and the will. Abe, Aberforth even" she patted Aberforth on the shoulder while he rolled his eyes, "doesn't have as much knowledge as Al but more than makes up for it in strength and determination."
"And I fight dirty," Aberforth grunted.
"And he fights dirty," Ariana nodded.
"And whenever we fought before, Ari, sometimes known as Ariana, would beat us solidly," Aberforth said. "At first it was because we didn't want to hurt our little sister. Then we learned what makes her terrifying." He grinned at Lavender's look. "Ari knows what she can do, does it really well, and has no problem keeping at you until you cry mercy or can't cry at all."
Ariana's broad smile was equal parts sugary and sinister. "I'm adorable."
"You're something alright," Aberforth said, deftly sliding out of arm's length. "And she fights dirtier than I do."
"I learned from the best," Ariana said proudly. "But anyways, back to the point, it's not just what you know. It's what you can do and will do that makes a good magical and a good duelist. Magic is possibility. You can have the power in the world but if you can't think of a way to use it, then it's meaningless."
"Oh wow," Lavender said, awed. "I never thought of it that way."
Ariana clapped her hands. "I'll train you!"
"You will?!"
"I will! I'm not leaving the country for a while and I'll have plenty of time. I was angry when I heard what that little pissant said and there's nothing I like more than trimming a prick down to size." She frowned at Aberforth when he groaned. "What?"
"Didn't say nothing," Aberforth said. He shook his head and walked into the kitchen. "You're in trouble, Kid."
"What did I do?!" Harry gasped.
"Oh not that." Aberforth hiked a thumb over his shoulder. "Ari's taking the girl under her wing."
"Oh, isn't that a good thing?" Harry asked, confused.
Aberforth's laugh was knowing and unsettling. "Sure." He walked past and patted Harry on the shoulder, continuing to laugh, leaving a very confused and inexplicably worried Harry behind.
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odonellzoo99 - They make a good team. He had a strong start, then he got strongly kicked. Oops. Hedwig surprises are the best, well, not necessarily for the one being surprised.
Arnie1701 - I posted during the weird outage Fanfic had I think, so lots of emails did not get sent.
Hoodedgenius98 - Truth. She can pillow fight, cane/sword fight, eat messily but not stain her feathers, and kick things open. Oh and spin around a cane like a top.
poka - I knew I wanted to change the second task a bit. Make it a little more dynamic and fun without the hostages. That's a fair critique. I think I was feeling a little uncreative and felt the chapter would be long as it was. Fourth year is already meandering for a good long while and I wanted to try and sort of progress somewhat without taking over long. Then again, I have some meandering now so who knows honestly. I will try to do better in the future.
Wolves of heaven - I think the short outage fanfic had kind of screwed up notifications and emails for a bit.
Hands Off MY Wolfie - Thank you. I wanted to make things a little different and fun for the second task. I guess the rules were a little lax there and they weren't not allowed to try and interfere with one another. I like them operating as a big team, it feels more fun and cohesive that way. Thanks for reading.
DarkRavie - Thank you.
alix33 - Lucius getting kicked would be immensely satisfying.
61394 - I hope people like the Third Task chapter. I tried to make sure it still feels impactful to the story at large while making sense in this setting. The human transfiguration he did was really cool so I wanted to let it shine a bit here.