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CHAPTER ELEVEN: The Next Step

Nymphadora was hurrying around her group's communal area, nudging classmates who looked like they were happy to stay sitting where they were for the moment. "Come on, it's Dad's duel in less than an hour."

"Haven't we been here before?"Amanda Willis asked drily.

Gemini nodded. "We all panicked last time when he was fighting Professor Dolohov and turns out it was fine."

Nymphadora looked around for support. Beverley just gave her a shrug. "She's got a point. Chances are nothing's going to happen."

Bradley stepped up. "Well, whether it does or it doesn't, Dora's got a point about being there early. Lie of the land and everything."

Maxwell Jordan rolled his eyes. "No surprise that you side with her."

Bradley wasn't going to back down. "Are you going to say I'm wrong?"

Gemini got to her feet. "Fine." She looked over the others. "We're obviously not going to get any peace unless we agree."

Beverley went to stand with Nymphadora without another question. Wearily, Amanda and Maxwell joined them. "Anyone know where Flavia and Aadi are?"Beverley asked.

"Probably planning to get there at a sensible hour,"Maxwell sighed.

"Well then, I guess you lot are going to have to do,"Nymphadora decided. "Come on."

Harry was in the staff area with Hermione, James, Emily, Lily and Martin. "Rose and Hugo not joining us this time?"he asked.

"We didn't think it was necessary,"Lily confirmed, suddenly looking awkward. "Should we have asked them?"

"They looked into Viktor, same as we did,"James recalled. "They didn't find anything we hadn't been expecting."

"Well, of course not,"Hermione snapped. "We've known Viktor for years."

"So, are we taking this one as definitely safe then?"Martin asked.

"Constant vigilance." Harry noticed nearly everyone present looking at him in confusion. "It's something Mad-Eye Moody used to say."

"We know that,"Lily replied. "We're just not sure why you're saying it."

Emily attempted an answer. "I guess that even though we know Viktor" – she gave Hermione a nod of acknowledgement – "we shouldn't drop our guard and assume nothing will happen."

Harry smiled at her. "I am so glad James married you. All right, let's get going."

Headmaster Vrancic was addressing the crowd at the arena again. "Since Professor Krum has challenged Professor Potter, I will be acting as arbiter alongside Professor Potter Junior. You may commence casting as soon as you are the only ones left in the area." And with that, he quickly withdrew.

Harry and Viktor began casting and deflecting spells, testing each other. "What do you reckon his chances are, Mum?"Lily asked.

Hermione shrugged. "He beat Viktor in the Triwizard Tournament when he was only fourteen, but I'm guessing they've both learnt some tricks since then."

Hermione had a point, Lily realised. The two of them seemed even-matched now. Then Viktor did something unexpected. Instead of casting a shield, he conjured up something between himself and Harry. A hedge, around eight feet high, completely blocking Harry's view of him. As Harry looked at it in confusion, Viktor darted round until he was standing at right angles with Harry and conjured another one. He repeated the move again and again until Harry was surrounded by the hedges on all sides.

James cast a spell that created a mirror in the air, allowing the audience to see Harry looking around his prison uncertainly. The mirror was charmed so neither Harry nor Viktor could see what the other was doing.

"Didn't something like this happen in the Triwizard Tournament?"Emily asked.

"Similar,"Hermione admitted.

Viktor cast another spell and the four hedges began moving inwards, towards Harry, leaving him in a smaller and smaller space. Soon he would be crushed or smothered. But instead of looking worried, Harry smiled. "Occidere plantae!"

The spell burnt a large hole in one of the hedges. Harry cast the spell again, and this time the hole was on the side where Viktor was.

"Stupefy!" It was a simple spell that normally wouldn't have worked but Viktor was caught by surprise. Harry's stunner hit him and knocked him out.

"The winner is Professor Harry Potter!"Vrancic announced.

Viktor was revived and Harry helped him to his feet. "Where did that spell come from?"Viktor asked.

Harry smiled. "Something I came up with to help with gardening. It's based on something the muggles invented, called weedkiller."

Viktor nodded and then addressed the crowd. "For Professor Potter's third challenge, we are doing something different. It will be an open challenge. Anyone who wishes to take part should speak to me. Professor Potter will not know who he is facing until the day of the duel!"