Chapter 47: The Fifth Trial
The month long break from trials passed by and the next task wasn't far, and to this point Kiba had figured out, from both what Hermione knew about the Japanese school and the Headmasters clue about the sky being the limit, that the trial would involve some sort of flying exercise. Kiba wasn't a fan of brooms, he preferred flight on the back of a creature, but if it turned out to be a Broom-race, then he would have to fly one, so he spent some of his free time practicing manoeuvers with Harry above the Quidditch pitch.
After a late night and a rushed breakfast the young Hogwarts Champion made his way to the Charms classroom just in time for the lesson. Flitwick, of course knowing about the boys stressful days, was very lenient with him and didn't deduct any points unlike Snape who took a quick ten from Gryffindor. He took his seat between Harry and Hermione just as he leaned closer to tell them something.
"finally, you're here" Harry whispered "listen, I have to tell you something. Crouch was here yesterday, he was searching through Snape's office.
"are you sure it was Crouch? Isn't he sick?!" Ron replied.
"Well, I saw his name on the Marauder's Map, in Snape's office. So I went to investigate with my invisibility cloak. But-"
"he was gone before you got there?" Hermione asked
"I didn't even get there, I stepped in the trick staircase, got stuck and dropped my wand and the Map" Harry said "Filch heard my wand fall down the stairs, So he came to investigate. He suspected Peeves had stolen it but then Snape came along"
"Snape? What was he doing there then?" Kiba asked
"he was looking for Filch, because he had noticed that someone broke into his office" Harry replied "he of course recognized my wand and went around with his arms raised trying to find me, but Moody arrived and came to my rescue and I swear, that eye of his, it can see through the cloak!"
"what?! No way" Ron gasped "that's mental" he whispered
"it's true. He saw me, took the wand and waited for the other two to leave before he got me out"
"And the map?" Kiba asked
"I left it with Moody, he was very intrigued by it" Harry responded as if it was no big deal "he's keeping an eye out for Crouch with it now. I reckon that's why Dumbledore hired him anyway"
"to keep an eye on Crouch?" Hermione asked
"more likely Karkaroff and all the other schools" Ron replied "but since Crouch is being suspicious, I guess him too"
"suspicious? The man is acting near criminally" Kiba said "pretending to be sick and then breaking into a teachers office within Hogwarts"
"So that is it for today's lesson, well done everyone!" Flitwick squeaked joyfully "Next lesson we will be tackling the summoning Charm. Off you go now, Except you Mister Scamander" Kiba remained seated as everyone left before he headed to the center of the classroom where Flitwick was giving some last notes to Neville. "all right there, Scamander?"
"of course, Professor"
"I have been thinking, very soon now you will have the trial at Koldovstoretz, correct?"
"yes, Sir"
"that particular school is known for its Duelists. So I've assumed that dueling will be the trial at the school" Flitwick replied "therefore I've decided to teach you the art of Wizards Dueling, you don't know, but I myself was once a Dueling Champion"
"You were?" Kiba asked
"is that surprising?" Flitwick asked with a smile "you don't judge me by my size, do you? Dueling isn't about size or strength. Often Agility and speed are more valuable"
"Oh, I believe you Professor" Kiba responded "when would you have me begin?"
"Lupin is going to be absent for a bit, I am taking over his private lessons with you"
"I'll see you later then, Professor"
"Right, off you go now. You can't be late to every class" Flitwick joked. Kiba rejoined his class as usual and felt himself getting excited for some special lessons with Flitwick.
"So, when it comes to Wizards Duels there are different versions. There's the Classic Duel, then there's the Ring-Duel and finally the Last Sorcerer standing. Now the latter of these should be self explanatory, Two or more Wizards are put in a designated location and the last to remain fighting will win, this will be unlikely for the trial however. Now a ring fight puts two or four Wizards on a circular stage, falling off of this stage or leaving the circle in any way results in a loss, as well as giving up or being knocked down to the point where a referee has to step in"
"You think this one will be what they'll give us for the trial?" The boy asked
"maybe," Flitwick responded "but the most common form is a classic duel. Two wizards, one long straight stage. Same rules apply as in a Ring-Duel but every duel can have it's own set of additional rules. This is also the form of dueling I participated in, it is preferred among older wizards because there is less dodging involved. Therefore, we will practice with the Ring-Duel rules, what you learn can be translated to a Classic Duel as well. Now let's begin"
Kiba trained with Flitwick on his usual days, even having some light-hearted mock Duels with the man until the days of the fifth trial had come around.
"Kiba, where are you off to?" Harry asked sitting at the fireplace with Ron and Hermione
"down to the gate," Kiba replied with confusion "I'm going to Japan today" he added
"wait, today already?" Hermione asked "the days have really begun blurring together"
"tell me about it" Kiba responded fixing his tie "I'll see you all at the trial"
"of course!" Ron called after him
"good luck!" Harry added as well. Kiba joined the Headmaster at the front doors to the castle and waited patiently for Akio to arrive when in the horizon he spotted a flock of birds carrying something in between them. Once they had gotten closer, Kiba recognized them as Storm Petrels which has ropes tired around their bodies allowing them to carry a sort of cabin in their center. They carefully landed the cabin close to Kiba and Dumbledore before the birds set themselves down. The door slid open to the side as Akio and his headmaster stepped out. They all bowed to each other before they were allowed inside, taking their shoes of before heading further in. Once again Kiba wasn't the last to be collected, while Alex, Zoe and Akio where already there, they were still missing Viktor, Adéwalé, Fleur and Raya weren't there yet.
Kiba sat down on one of the pillows by the low table and began conversing with Alex as the flight continued, and it wasn't long before everyone was on board and they had arrived at the school. They walked up the road and some steps until they arrived at two large statues guarding the arched entrance, their heads moved as they watched the students enter the grounds. "Welcome to Mahoutokoro!" Akio said, the road lead to a large circular symbol which Akio referred to as Ying-Yang "this is where we meet in the morning" Kiba wasn't the only one in awe of the volcanic valley they found themselves in. Straight ahead was the Castle itself, large and halfway sunk into the rock behind it, but all over the valley were smaller towers and buildings connected through various roads and walkways that twist through the valley, which Akio said were either special classes or the students Dormitories. "Our school has always had a profound love for academic success, but long ago a Group of students had landed here coming all the way from Hogwarts and introduced our community to the game of Quidditch which has attracted interests of many here and is still being played and taught today." He gestured towards a higher part of the valley where Kiba could barely make out there rings. "it is believed that Mahoutokoro is the oldest of the Wizarding schools as even in the earliest recorded references to our school, it is described as Ancient. Our Robes are one of a kind, growing with us and adopting a Color based on our skill. Most new attending students will bear a pink hue while the most skilled and practiced Wizards will see their robes turn gold" Akio explained, gesturing to his own golden robes, as he lead them all to the school.
They all got their own little room and at dinner they were once again seated on pillows at low tables. Small basket-looking dishes were brought to the tables with dough pockets and the like alongside Sushi, Rice and Noodle-Soup. Kiba waited for his silverware to appear but all he found were two sticks which appeared to be the only utensils they got. Kiba watched as the others used the Sticks to grab their food and after struggling for a while, but with a few pointers from Akio and Raya he also managed to begin eating. The rest of the evening, and the day afterwards went by quickly much like every other day Kiba had before a Trial.
The morning of the trial was beautiful however, as the champions were lead through a large trail of Sakura that were blossoming until they reached the trial ground. Immediately Kiba spotted a large amount of Storm Petrels circling the sky in the direction the spectators were facing, deducing quickly that the trial involved them. "Welcome Champions, to your Fifth Trial!" the Headmaster announced joyfully floating before them add they lined up "your task is simple, you must retrieve a Single, Golden Feather from the Nest of the Petrels" Hisashi giggled lightly "this is of course easier said then done. You will go in one by one, just wait for your name to be called"
"Should you, at any time, wish to forfeit the trial and be rescued you must only fire red sparks into the air. Additionally you will see a table before you, you may take one item from it to assist you in the trial" Ludo Bagman added "we begin with Viktor Krum!" Viktor was quick to take the broom from the table and off he went. He circled above the birds for a while before spotting the golden feather in one of the nests between the rocks, the Petrels noticed this and went in the offensive but Krum avoided them all skillfully as he dove and with a quick twist and flick shot back up with the father in hand. "Krum has done it! An excellent manoeuver to display his skills on a broom. We continue with Akio Itō!"
Akio grabbed an orb from the table and proceeded on foot. Kiba watched through the projections as he slid into the caves looking for his father but as soon as he made a break for it the birds dove to attack. Akio threw the orb high above him and fired a spell at it which made it burst into a bright light of colors which blinded the Petrels allowing the champion to grab the feather and return quickly. Fleur was up next but failed to retrieve the feather even though she got very close. "Raya Kravchenko!" The Russian champion took a second before leaving with a jar that contained a creature, a small rodent of sorts. She entered the rocks and found her feather quickly, she tossed the Jar which housed the screaming rodent as far as she could before grabbing the feather and running, dodging beaks and wings alike as she made it back. Zoe, like Fleur was unsuccessful in her return but she did at one point have the feather in her possession. Adéwalé himself steamrolled in his Rhino form managing to grab the feather and return even whilst being under attack. Alex himself used the nearby rocks to fight the birds as he too retrieved the feather.
"and now, for our last champion. He is the Boy wonder, the underdog, Kiba Scamander!" Bagman announced. Kiba stepped to the table and analyzed the remaining items as he thought on his plan. He would try to reason with the Petrels, but he needed a backup plan. He grabbed the small golden whistle and began walking, taking a position on the rocks before blowing the whistle loudly.
"Hey!" he called out waving his arms, the birds flocked to him immediately "I come in peace, in not here to hurt!" one of the birds landed in front of him and eyed him curiously
"what do you want?" it asked
"I just need that one feather down there, that's all" he replied
"it understand us?" another bird asked as it watched Kiba carefully head towards the feather
"no feather" The first bird said to him
"come on, just this one. I know you've been asked to protect it, but I really really need it" he pleaded with the Petrel.
"No!" it cried at it spread it's wings. Those that stood behind it mimicking the menacing stance.
"okay, alright" Kiba said doing his best to hide his intention as he transfigured the whistle in his left hand into an identical feather behind his back and with a flick of his wand, and a quiet mutter that the birds didn't hear, he swapped them. He quickly transfigured the feather into a whistle identical to the original and used his dematerialization to reposition himself away from the Nest. "I see that I have no chance to obtain that feather from you, so I'll leave"
"smart boy, good" the bird replied flapping it's wings to take off as Kiba casually walked back to the spectators and undid the transfiguration to the delight of his supporters.
"that concludes the Fifth trial!" Bagman announced as he continued his applause for Kiba "and now to the scores! In first place, Viktor Krum! For exceptional skill in a broom and a swift retrieval of the feather!" Slytherin and Durmstrang students exploded at this and Krum himself raised a triumphant Fist. "in second place, Akio Itō! For forever use of the provided items. In Third place, Kiba Scamander! For a unique approach and solution to the provided problem" anyone that even remotely rooted for the young Gryffindor went wild with roars and applause, so much infact that Bagman had to ask them to quiet down so he could continue. "in fourth place, Alex Mason! For fighting back against the Petrels. In Fifth Place, Raya Kravchenko!" Kiba looked to the disappointed girl and mouthed some encouraging words to her which she smiled at "in sixth place, Adéwalé Chidubem! In seventh place, Zoe Rodriguez! For at least having the feather in her possession at one point. And finally, in eighth place, Fleur Delacour! For failing to even touch her feather"
"Now please enjoy the hospitality of our school" Hisashi announced before the well dressed woman approached the champions
"the time has come to truly test your prowess" Oxana said "we will come to collect you on the Tenth of April. Prepare well, only skill will prevail" it was obvious to Kiba that they were going to Duel on that day. Somehow he had managed to do well in every trial, but now he felt a rush of fear.. there was no way he could beat any of these more experienced students in a fair duel.
'I'll need Flitwick to train me twice as hard!'
The evening remained uneventful as Kiba ate and spoke to several other students and teachers before returning to Hogwarts where Harry, Ron and Hermione kept him in the common room. "Sirius replied!" Harry said as he unfolded the letter "be at stile at the of road out of Hogsmeade at two o'clock on Saturday afternoon. Bring as much food as you can."
"he's back in Hogsmeade?!" Kiba asked
"reckon so, but it's fine right? The place isn't crawling with Dementors anymore" Ron replied
"he wanted to talk to us. And asked for a Hogsmeade visit date" Hermione explained "that's next week"
"alright then, I'm going to bed" Kiba said "sorry, I'm just tired"
"Good night, Kiba" the three others responded as they stayed for a while longer.
The next days rolled along quietly until one morning at breakfast the Slytherins were giggling, hunched over a newspaper making slight glances at the quartet. Kiba caught on and decided to grab a newspaper causing him to nearly choke on his eggs. "A boy like no other, perhaps –" Kiba began reading to others, interrupting their conversation "yet a boy suffering all the usual pangs of adolescence. As an orphan, deprived of love since his birth, fifteen-year-old Kiba Scamander thought he had found solace in his steady girlfriend at Hogwarts, Muggle-born Hermione Granger. Little did he know that he would shortly be suffering yet another emotional blow in a life already listed with personal loss. Miss Granger, a plain but ambitious girl, seems to have a taste for famous wizards that Kiba cannot satisfy. Since the beginning of the Teen Wizard Tournament, and meeting of Viktor Krum, Bulgaria seeker and hero of the last Quidditch World Cup, Miss Granger has been toying with both boys affections. Krum, who is openly smitten with the devious Miss Granger, has already invited her to visit him in Bulgaria over the Summer Holidays, and insists that he has 'never felt this way about any other girl'. However, it might not be Granger's doubtful natural charms which have captured these boys' interest. 'Potter is always hanging around her as well. But she'd be well up to making a Love Potion, she's quite brainy but really ugly. I think that's how she's doing it.' Says Pansy Parkinson, a Pretty and vivacious fourth-year student. Love portions are of course banned at Hogwarts, and no doubt Albus Dumbledore will want to investigate these claims. Miss Granger refused to comment on any of these allegations and weather any of the three boys have captured her heart. In the meantime, Scamander's well-wishers must for that, next time, he bestows his heart upon a worthier Candidate.
On another note, soon to be married Champion Raya Kravchenko may secretly be carrying a child?-" but the others had stopped listening already. Ron was to busy letting Hermione know that he told her it would happen, and Hermione herself was busy staring at the Slytherin's with a sarcastic smile. They decided to head down to potions, where Hermione suddenly grabbed the paper and scanned the article again "but how- how could she know?" she asked suddenly
"know what? Have you been mixing Love potions?" Ron asked
"no, but-" she turned a bright red "Viktor did ask me to visit him over the summer.. and he did say that he had never felt like that before.. but how does she know?!"
"She was there, she's at every trial" Kiba replied
"but he asked me afterwards, when we were eating. He pulled me aside and we were all alone.."
"Fascinating as your social life may be, Miss Granger" Snape sneered coldly behind them "I must insist you do not discuss it in my class. Ten points from Gryffindor" he added "and reading magazines? That's another ten" he added again holding out his hand. Kiba handed the teacher the article and watched as an amused smile crept onto his face as he read the article. "how very touching. Best separate yourselves before I do it for you" Snape hissed.
The lesson continued quietly, for the most part, as Snape remained close to Harry. "so, Potter, out and about again at night?" Snape asked
"excuse me, Professor?" Harry replied
"Careful Potter, to me you are nothing but a nasty little boy who considers rules to be beneath him" Snape sneered "so let me warn you, if I catch you breaking into my office one more time-"
"I haven't been anywhere near your office!" Harry protested angrily.
"Don't. Lie. To me" Snape got his face close to Harry's and spoke slowly "Gillyweed for Mister Scamander i can excuse, but Boomslang skins, Lacewing Flies.. you and your friends are brewing Polyjuice potions, and believe me, I. Will. Find. Out. Why"
Kiba remembered all to well that Dobby had stolen the Gillyweed for him, and that they had stolen the ingredients to the Polyjuice potion two years ago to infiltrate the Slytherin common room, but who was stealing it now?
"Do you know what this is?" Snape asked showing Harry a small purple vial
"Bubble-juice, Sir?" Harry replied sarcastically as he stirred his cauldron
"Veritaserum- Three drops of this and you-know-who would spill his darkest secrets. The use of it on a student is, regrettably, forbidden. However, should you ever steal from my personal stores again, my hand might just slip over your morning pumpkin juice" Harry didn't respond and Snape finally left him to his potion and luckily the double lesson was coming to an end and everyone departed from the dungeons. Kiba himself headed up to meet Flitwick for another session of dueling before the, soon to come, next trial.
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AN: Hello there, took me a while to get this chapter ready. I've been dealing with some personal issues and progress on this story has been slow because of it.
i have begun writing a Star Wars story set during the Clone Wars era, and I'm thinking of posting the first chapter on my Wattpad soon. check my profile for a link to my Wattpad, and let me know if you'd like me to post it.
Remember to Leave a review!
cheers!
