CHAPTER 15: The Cost

Hogwarts

Harry had the stupidest smile plastered on his face as he made his way to the Quidditch pitch. He had spent the day with two incredible women fussing over him and dragging him around by his hands. Sure, there had been looks and whispers in Hogsmeade, but that hadn't stopped Harry from strutting. Nothing much had changed from how they usually behaved with him, except that Fleur seemed much less on edge. He was certain of one thing though. The next time someone asked him if he was dating either Fleur or Jasmin, he'd have an answer for them.

And it took only a few minutes. No sooner had he entered the changing rooms and he was intercepted by Roger Davies. "Is it true?" he asked, flicking his head behind him, towards Malfoy. "Draco says you're dating both of the veela girls. It's not true, right? Or I owe the twins ten galleons."

Sure enough, the Weasley twins were standing right behind him with delighted grins on their faces. Even Pucey and Bletchly had edged closer to hear the conversation better. Only Brennan Doyle sat quietly in a corner, staring intently into his keeper's gloves.

"Um... Yeah, it's true," Harry wasn't sure why he felt uncomfortable saying it. Sure enough, Davies just looked gobsmacked while the twins grinned at each other, turned to Harry and in one smooth motion, bowed down with their hands together. "Master," they chorused.

"Please impart your wisdom unto these lowly charlatans," Fred sang, while George came over and punched him lightly on the shoulder, "Really, Harry? Two? Veelas at that? Bloody hell, I'm just... wow."

And that was why he felt uncomfortable. Harry just shrugged, "So what're we supposed to do today?"

Roger seemed to shake himself awake. "We," he indicated the rest, "are supposed to report for practice. You are supposed to report to Coach Mac in his office. No idea what he wants." He forestalled Harry's question. Harry nodded and headed for the office which had formerly belonged to Madam Hooch.

The decorations hadn't changed much. Except for the extraordinary amount of papers and a black board, everything else was very much the same. The current occupant of the room sat in his chair behind the desk, surveying Harry.

"Please, take a seat." Coach Mac indicated. "So?"

Harry looked at him nonplussed. "Coach?"

"Why did you fail to make the Wronski Feint work?"

Hawk-eyes indeed. Harry had already considered that question before though. "I should've continued through with the corkscrew instead of trying to straighten as soon as the dive was done. There was simply too much momentum to force inertia even in one direction."

Coach Mac nodded, clearly impressed. "Yes, that and the only known user of the move has extraordinary upper-body strength for a seeker. Even if you had continued with the corkscrew, you would've found yourself in an uncontrolled spiraling ascent, most likely leading to a serious injury."

Harry hadn't thought of that; glad he didn't have to find out the hard way. "So, Mr. Potter, here's my dilemma," Mac said in a clipped voice. "If I said Hogwarts had a chance of beating Durmstrang, or for that matter, Beauxbatons, as you are now, I'd be reaching. You simply aren't trained in Quidditch professionally here as compared to the other two schools that produce youth players while in school. You with me?"

Harry nodded. Everyone knew, of course. More than duelling or the main tournament, Quidditch was the most popularly discussed subjects among students. And the number of recognizable names in the opposing line-ups had put something of a dampener on the hopes of Hogwarts these past few days.

"And that's the thing. I know there's enough talent out here to make a reasonably competent team in a year. But in a month? No chance."

Harry nodded again, wondering why he was being told this. "You see, this is where a good seeker can make a difference. Hand calls, captaincy, chasing, feinting, blocking and of course, the ever-important seeking. If I had a seeker who could do all that, then I'd actually prefer that to a competent team," hawk-like eyes bored into Harry's emeralds, "I'm afraid you're not that good, Mr. Potter. Nowhere even close to it, in fact."

Even though he knew it already, it hurt unbearably to hear that from someone else. Harry took a good look at the man in front of him. He did not look angry or disappointed or derisive. Just someone going about doing what they did best. He was actually curious now. "So what's your plan, Coach"

Mac smiled, "Any good strategist will tell you, one plan is never enough. For now though, there is a special training schedule I want you to take. Your flying doesn't need as much work as your other skills so that's a plus. And work on your upper-body when you get the time. Might come in handy..."

Harry left the office five minutes later, with a short list of things he needed to learn before their first match against Durmstrang in a few weeks. This was something Krum had been doing professionally while he was just barely dipping his feet in now. Harry had no delusions of how the first match was going to play out. But that didn't mean he couldn't at least take a few leaps forward in the time until then. It was a determined Harry that walked onto the training pitch.

The fact that Harry Potter was dating not one, but two of the most gorgeous women they had ever laid eyes upon seemed to interest a great deal of people, bordering on the obscene. The Hogwarts rumour mill, already overburdened by the impending duelling tournament, was having a hard time finding enough information about the subject. Of course, when out of facts, the gaps were filled with fiction. The popular theory of how Harry accomplished this feat ranged from love potions to a ploy by Beauxbatons to somehow incapacitate their duellist that had performed so well in qualification.

To avoid much of the drama, Harry, Fleur and Jasmin had taken refuge in the Room of Requirements whenever possible. And so it was, Sunday found them all cooped in there, finally being able to relax after a hectic Hogsmeade Saturday.

"... and then he offers me the antidote," Jasmin was saying, chortling, "I almost took it just to make him look stupid."

Harry rolled his eyes at her from where he was lying on the bed, just silently letting them chatter. It filled him with a strange sort of satisfaction, the idea they were content just being here.

Fleur looked up from the book she had been perusing, at Harry, inquisitively, "I've been meaning to ask, 'arry. You're dealing with all this better than I expected. I would've thougt you'd have been little more uncomfortable with the idea of dating us both. " She sounded almost unhappy.

"If you don't have a problem with it, why would I?" Harry said lightly. He had been avoiding giving extensive answers whenever the subject came up.

"Do you have to grill him every chance you get, Bell?" Jasmin said, plopping herself down on the bed next to Harry's feet.

"Yes, how silly of one of us to want to act normally and talk about things?" Fleur snapped. "I know what you're thinking, but I want to know Harry's side of it. Now be quiet, Adri."

Jasmin stuck her tongue out, but fell silent, instead picking up one of Harry's feet and placing it on her lap. It was such an oddly affectionate gesture. Fleur eyes had narrowed a little and were looking at him accusingly, waiting for him to answer.

Harry mulled it over. There was so much he wanted to tell her. He might be young, but he wasn't a kid. There were no illusions about what his future held for him. But that hadn't stopped him from dreaming this past week. A dream that stretched on, beyond Voldemort and the darkness. But... this was too early. He closed his eyes for a few seconds, reaching into his Occlumency barriers and sealing away only those things he did not want to be seen. When he was done, he pulled himself up on the bed, out of Jasmin's comforting grasp, looked directly at Fleur and stretched out his hand, "Go on. Use it on me. Your allure. This is the main purpose of it, right?"

Fleur looked shook. She hadn't wanted to use it, afraid of what she would find. If a boy who wanted only her thought like Juan did, what would Harry's, who clearly liked and wanted Jasmin too, thoughts be like. She didn't want to know. She didn't want this to end. It had been the happiest days of her life too. Fleur just looked away and shook her head, "I-I can't."

"You can't because you're worried of what you'll find." Fleur had no chance but to snap back her neck. Damn, he was sharp.

"I can't help you with that, Fleur. All I can do is be who I am and feel what I feel. When you're ready to find out, I'll be right here. Fair?" He wasn't mad, in fact there was nothing but kindness and understanding in his eyes. Fleur nodded mutely, "Thanks, 'arry."

Jasmin got up and stretched. "Well, I'm off to see Hermione. We'll be working in the library until evening if you need me."

Fleur looked at her askance, "Aren't you two supposed to be opponents?"

Picking up her bag, Jasmin replied simply, "You and Harry are supposed to be fighting in six days."

Fleur just mouthed at her wordlessly before muttering, "It's only one duel and then I don't have to see him as an opponent."

Jasmin just smirked, "No, but something tells me you two will never stop fighting. Bye, Harry." She pranced out the door and it shut behind her. Fleur turned to look at Harry, hoping he'd be sharing her exasperated expression.

In all seriousness, Harry drew his thumb across his neck, "Death to all those who oppose me."

Fleur just burst out laughing, "The Hat has been a very bad influence on you, 'arry."

"Wow, Hermione. Harry told me you were smart but I would never have imagined you were this hard working too," Jasmin was peeking from behind the bushy-haired witch.

Hermione was doing her best not to look pleased. "Yes, well. I'm surprised too. Your Transfiguration work here is sixth-year level. Are all students from Beauxbatons this high up?"

"Non, Hermione. Just me. My mother was really good at a young age too." Jasmin went back to perusing the books on the shelves before returning with the one she was looking for.

Hermione looked at the dark-haired veela, diligently working in front of her, with a mixture of nervousness and curiousity. "Umm... So, Harry is with Fleur?"

"Oui," she said, scribbling away on her parchment.

"And you're okay with that?"

Jasmin didn't look up. "Yes."

"How come?" Hermione looked genuinely curious.

"Because it's Fleur," Jasmin replied simply. Hermione seemed to struggle with herself, "And what if it was someone else?"

"Then I would have a serious problem with that person," Jasmin put down her quill to look at someone she had quickly come to see as a kindred spirit. "This isn't easy for me, Hermione. As it is, Fleur and mine inner veela are headed for a clash. We are far more possessive in nature than humans, you know."

Hermione nodded her head vigorously. She had been trying to learn anything she could about Fleur and Jasmin's heritage. "And how's Harry dealing with all this?" she asked. "Outside of classes, I barely even see him anymore."

Jasmin's expression turned a little dreamy, "My prince is as happy as can be."

"You know, I don't call you princess for no reason, right?" Harry said hotly. Boy did she always bring it out of him. "Stubborn and spoilt and sooo sure you're always right." If there was one thing he didn't have to worry with Fleur, it was that fights would cause any kind of problems in their relationship.

"As opposed to you, oh wise and dreary one?" Fleur shot back, standing over Harry, who was still lying on the bed, "Two girlfriends and all you want to do is lie around."

"Jeez. It's a sickness with you. So it would have been okay if it was just one?"

"Non, now stop being lazy and let's goooo," she actually caught hold of him and started pulling him up. The ease with which she did it made Harry realize he needed to take Coach Mac's advice. "It's okay if we get seen. Just the two of us after all."

Harry looked up from his sitting position into her brilliant blue eyes, that were glinting with both adamance and mischief. He sighed and brought Fleur's hands together inside his so that only the fingers were sticking out. "Fiiiine. The princess always get her way, after all."

"Does the princess also get an apology for being scolded?" she surveyed him haughtily, but put up no struggle when Harry brought his lips to her fingers closer and began grazing them with his lips, causing pleasant tingling sensations.

She wanted so badly to do as Harry said and use her allure on him. But, so worried was she that Harry might not care for the right reasons. That was the crucial point. For any veela as it was for any girl. That the man she wanted cared about her for a little more than physical pleasure.

Yes, Harry had saved them and he definitely did care. But... What if... Just, what if it had all been through some deep-seated lust? Fleur already knew the answer. Harry was nothing like Juan. Even if there was a small part of him that liked her for something other than her looks, she knew that's all she'd need.

"Harry," she said, as he got up and gave her a smile, emeralds shining, "I think I want to do it now." She got a nod immediately.

Back onto the bed they sat, Fleur reaching out to take both of Harry's hands in hers now. For a moment all was still. Then she saw Harry's eyes light up as the allure began to work. Fleur could see that he had completely lowered his Occlumency barriers. Only a few more moments, she told herself, and she'd have an answer, one way or another.

Harry's mind felt nothing like Juan's. Where Juan had felt sticky, all Fleur could sense with Harry was nothingness. She could have been floating or falling indefinitely. And then, her powers began to work and all of Harry's emotions flooded through.

It was like nothing she had expected. There was certainly lust there. A great deal of it, in fact. But a healthy amount for a boy his age, she would tell herself. But that didn't even register for Fleur until much later. Overwhelming her was his love of adventure and knowledge. Then there was the part of him that seemed to revel in causing chaos, buffoonery and just generally fun-loving. She waded through his mind, with nothing short of awe at how many facets a person could possess. There was also darkness there. Harry was keeping it tightly reined in, but it was there. Nothing like Juan's though. This one was ominous for different reasons. It was something that he would unleash on the world if anything hurt him. All this led Fleur to one inevitable conclusion. Harry Potter was far too deep to let lust be the only factor in his life. She had known. But now she knew.

It was with no small amount of joy, she closed her eyes, reveling in the knowledge this was enough. Almost. Just one last thing left. She wanted to find out how he felt about her.

Find out she did. And this time, she felt disappointed for an entirely different reason. He liked her looks alright. A great deal in fact. But most of it was fixated around her eyes, hair and lips. Fleur was not vain, but she was sure her body merited some attention at least. But that was the only thing she had to be disappointed about.

Overwhelmed, was the word she would use to describe it later. Overwhelmed by the amount of affection Harry had for her, how much he understood her pain and loneliness, how much he respected her for her courage and passion, how much he longed to make her the happiest he could, even how much he adored fighting with her...

Tears had started falling thick and hard on her lap, leaking through Fleurs closed eyes. She couldn't have cared less. As overwhelming as it all was, she never wanted it to stop. This was it. He was it. She had found him. Her perfect mate.

Then she saw it. Harry's emotions for Jasmin. Fleur knew she shouldn't, but couldn't stop herself from looking. They were strong, just as with her, affection, respect, care, protectiveness, similar to what he'd felt for Fleur, but different all the same. The rage welled up inside her like a tidal wave, lashing out at the unfairness of it all. Her perfect mate liked someone else as much as he liked her. Only the fact that it was Jasmin was helping her keep it together. That lasted until she sensed how much Harry liked Jasmin's breasts.

With a pained scream that bespoke her anger, disappointment and sorrow, she ripped her hands away and left the room before Harry even had time to register what had happened.

Beauxbaton Tower

Jasmin found her sister curled up under all the blankets she had found on her bed. Darkness had fallen outside. The Beauxbatons tower was spacious enough for everyone to get their own room and Fleur had been holed up in hers the whole day. When she had heard what had happened from Harry, Jasmin knew this was going to be difficult. Even though she was the last person Fleur probably wanted to see right now, she alone could comfort her.

"How bad, Bell?" she asked tentatively, expecting any reaction from a angry charge or curse to a tear-stained request for a hug. What she wouldn't give for it to be the latter...

"I almost wish I hadn't looked at how he felt about you," Fleur's voice sounded so pained, like she had been crying the entire time. Jasmin resisted the urge to rush forward and envelope her sister.

"Why do you think I haven't looked, Bell? I know I'll never be able to resist looking at how he feels about you. And no matter what I see, I know it'll be too much." As painful as it was, this conversation needed to happen.

The silence that followed was the worst of Jasmin's life. She never wanted to endure the wait of finding out if Fleur hated her, ever again. But she kept quiet.

At long last, the covers moved and Fleur's face peeked out from under them, eyes swollen pink. "Adri." Jasmin tensed. "Tell me everything. You've been so... confident. Like you figured out something I haven't. How are you able to go through with this? Everything, Adri."

Jasmin nodded, "Everything, Bell. I just want you to hear me out and do one other thing for me."

"What?"

No sooner had she asked, then Jasmin stood up stretching out her arms. "Let me hold you," her voice broke, "I hate seeing you like this. Please?"

Five minutes later saw Fleur resting her head on Jasmin's lap with her eyes even more swollen. Jasmin just stroked her sister's hair, waiting for her to settle. "Go on."

Jasmin had been planning this conversation for a while now. It was one she had had with herself many times. "Bell, forget Harry for a moment and tell me this. When do you see us separating? You and me?"

"What do you mean separate?"

"Today is the longest we've gone without seeing each other in I don't know how long. Half a day. And I felt like my heart was tearing knowing you were in pain. So, tell me. When do you think we'll start living separately? When we leave school? When we start working? When we marry?"

"Don't be absurd," Fleur turned so she could see her sister's face. "We can work together or from home and marriage doesn't mean we have to move away. We can all live in the same house."

"What if I told you I wanted to live away from you, Bell? Maybe visit you once a week or so?"

Fleur looked like she had had enough pain for the day to not go through with this conversation, but Jasmin pushed on, "What I mean is you don't want that, do you?"

"Of course not. We agreed..." Fleur clutched her sister's thigh, the old fear of losing her surfacing. Jasmin was a part of her identity, after all. "Never, Adri. Whatever the cost, remember?"

Jasmin couldn't believe her luck. There had been so many different ways this conversation could have gone. But her sister, like her, was following the same thought process, "That's right, Bell. Whatever the cost. Now let me ask you this. What do you think are the chances of finding two good, strong men who understand what we have and are willing to put up with it? Or just finding one man who loves one of us but doesn't lust after the other, while we live under the same roof?"

Fleur was as quiet as if someone had slapped her into silence. "It's not impossible," she finally said.

Jasmin was relentless though, "Really? Papan is as decent as they come. When was the last time you saw Maman Apolline and him not fight about this? How many times have you seen all three of our parents in the room without Dom leaving suddenly? This fantasy man who won't feel lust for only one of us doesn't exist, Bell."

It almost looked like Fleur was regretting forcing the conversation now. Every word Jasmin said rang true. "It's like we spoke about yesterday. It is inevitable that we come to resent each other. Either that or we separate. What would you choose, Bell?"

It was inconceivable to her. Either of those things. "So we never let a man into our life?" Fleur asked, realizing it was already too late.

But Jasmin was having a hard time not tearing up again. This was the one thing she'd been worried about. That Fleur might choose a normal life and family over her. But to hear her speak as if the very thought was abhorrent, finally filled her with relief. Yes, everything would be okay, now. Difficult, but okay.

Forcibly, she propped Fleur up like a doll, not that there was any resistance. Jasmin turned her sister around to look her in the eye. "You said whatever the cost, Bell. I couldn't agree more. You are willing to share your house and life with me, give up whatever else is required so we can be together."

She took a deep breath. This was everything, just as Fleur had asked. "Is Harry a cost too high?" Jasmin was doing her utmost to keep her voice from breaking, "Because if it is, tell me. I don't know if I can endure a life without Harry, but I know I can't without you." And she completely broke down.

Fleur just wordlessly watched her sister weep like she hadn't seen her do in years. Like her heart was being ripped out. Years of instinct took over and she was comforting Jasmin in her arms before she knew it. It was only with her sobbing away on her chest, that Fleur thought about Jasmin's last sentence. There was no way she would've been able to say it. And yet, Jasmin had. Because that's what she always did. Give up on her happiness for Fleur. Just one of those wonderfully unique things about her.

Fleur sighed into the dark hair covering her face. "There will come a time, when we will have to make a hard choice, Adri. There is no way all of us get what we want. But-" she said, placing a finger on Jasmin's lips. "-we will figure it out. Together."

Jasmin asked in a very small voice, "Harry too?"

"Of course, Harry too."

The next day, Monday, had Harry impatiently counting the seconds until he could confront Fleur at Care of Magical Creatures. He hadn't seen her since she had run out of the room and had had a restless night.

It came as something of a shock and delight when she approached him herself and apologized saying, "we'll talk about it someday when I'm ready, 'arry." As much as he would've liked to have pressed her for an explanation, it had been pushed out of her mind when both Fleur and Jasmin asked to come watch him at Quidditch practice after class. It was every boys dream to have his girlfriends, Harry grinned at the plural tense, come watch him do something he's really good at. Although that belief had been taking a beating recently, Harry performed better in practice that day than he ever had in his life. He did take a couple of hits from the bludger for not keeping his eye on the game though.

"You looked so good up there, Harry. With the wind in your hair and a big smile on your face. Just like a prince riding his horse," Jasmin gushed, waving her arms around animatedly, as they headed back to the castle.

"Oui, definitely handsome," the agreement came from Fleur before Harry had had a chance to respond.

The next week saw a difference in both Fleur and Jasmin that he couldn't quite put his finger on. Perhaps it was just that Fleur seemed content to relax and be herself when it was the three of them, without worrying about what it all meant. Perhaps it was that Jasmin now initiated physical contact like brushing his shoulders or holding his hands on occasion. Whatever it was, saw Harry Potter strut around the castle, as the Sorting Hat put it, "like sweet sunlight filters out of your luck-loaded keister."

Hogwarts

The days left to the duel seemed to melt away with the leaves as autumn set in. September the 20th had become a much touted subject both inside and outside of Hogwarts with it being the first real event of the tournament.

The conservatively built duelling arena couldn't house more than a few thousand people at a time. While half the seats had been reserved for the students and professors from all the schools, the rest had been thrown open to the commercial public. Fudge, of course, had made sure there were enough special seating boxes to go around. The result had been a booked out arena in a matter of hours.

The arena itself was built to have four different kinds of terrain to choose from, decided on the day of the match. The rules had been published beforehand so that the competitors could familiarize themselves with it as well as the spectators.

Friday night, the day before the event, saw the fourteen duelists who would be participating tomorrow seated neatly in a row. They were in the visitors gallery of the Great Hall, seated in front of the flags and behind two desks, for the press conference.

It had become a tedious affair with questions ranging from dating life to predictions for tomorrow's event. Luckily, it seemed the press hadn't got wind of his dating situation and were content to ask Harry questions regarding his being fourteen years old, captain, champion, Boy-who-Lived, yada yada. After they had moved onto others, he had popped on the Hat and tried his best not to blurt out it's opinions on mic.

"... for the Beauxbatons team captain. Mr. Bayard, you are named the best duellist in a team that consists of both the champions of your school. Does that mean we can expect you to be the one to watch out for?"

Harry watched the tall, dark-skinned boy answer calmly, "You can expect me to do my best." He had been warned about him by Fleur, just as he had warned her about... well, him. Fleur herself sat two seats away from her captain. She had handled the press with the poise that befitted a politician's daughter.

"Any opinion on the new magical jumbotron and video technology from the Quidditch World Cup being used for Triwizard events?"

"Ah, yes. The wonders of German magical technology. My mother, who couldn't make it here, is looking forward to watching me fight live tomorrow. So I have nothing but thanks for making this happen."

"Mr. Potter said that he is not one for predictions and he'd do his talking in the arena. Do you say the same or do you have a prediction on how tomorrow will turn out?" It was Rita Skeeter.

"We find ourselves in an interesting position. Durmstrang are considered the sure winners while Hogwarts has a fourteen year old as their captain." Somehow, it felt less like an insult and more like a statement of fact. "We would like to prove that we are here to win. And nothing less. I predict a 7-0 victory."

There was a cacophony of noise as photos were clicked and questions were hurled at the Hogwarts table. It was Daphne who was quickest to the draw. "And I predict a crushing victory for Hogwarts in the very first duel. Let them send their best first."

Bayard just regarded her expressionlessly, without acknowledging the statement. It took a while for that part of the drama to die down. The press though, were relentless.

"Mr. Juan, does it bother you that you'll be fighting against someone who is regarded your equal but is only fourteen years old." It was Rita Skeeter again.

To his credit, Juan was the picture of serenity. "I assume you're referring to Mr. Potter. Yes, I'm sure he's quite talented to be able to compete in all three events. But, I think he'll find that the talent at Beauxbatons is a little more... advanced than what he's used to at Hogwarts."

Harry didn't miss the jibe. But he had been telling the truth. He was in no mood to fuck around with words. The last week with Jasmin and Fleur had reminded him how much he had to protect now. He had taken the afternoon classes off because he couldn't contain the excitement. Tomorrow, there would be no holding back. Someone was going to get very, very hurt!

Harry made sure to sleep in late in the Room of Requirements. Nothing could substitute for a rested body in a fight. He had informed Dobby to bring him a high-carb breakfast and was halfway through it when his two girlfriends walked through the door, looking as stunning as ever. Fleur was in her duelling gear which was similar to Harry's, but blue as opposed to the Hogwarts black.

They kept the conversation light, avoiding topics like the duel, bet, etc., It was nice feeling, to know they'd be able to come back to this no matter what happened outside. Harry had long since given up illusions that the girls saw him as some kind of noble savant. Fleur had seen into his heart and knew exactly who he was. He was sure she had told Jasmin, not that the latter seemed to need any help from her sister or allure to figure Harry out. They knew this was going to get ugly. They were with him all the way.

As they got up to say goodbye, Fleur gave Harry her first hug without so much as a warning. It caught him completely by surprise. He brought his arms around her perfect waist and crushed her to his body, each savoring the moment. Harry's senses were getting blown when Jasmin said, "Harry, try to avoid fighting Bell as much as possible. But if you have to fight, make it quick."

Fleur let go of her boyfriend and glared, "You're supposed to be on my side, Adri."

"I am," Jasmin replied simply, "I don't want you to get hurt."

Fleur stalked off without another word. Patting her on the head, Harry said to Jasmin, "Stay with her. Every duellist can bring a friend to the dugout for support. Don't leave her side."

"Like you have to tell me. What about you, Harry? I feel bad that you have no one for support."

Harry laughed gutturally, "Oh sweetie, I'll have Hermione and I have the force of Hogwarts backing me up."

Behind him, on the headstand, the Hat came to life, "Worry not, melon-goddess. The kid and I have been through worse. If he doesn't make it back to you in one piece, I'll eat my hat." The Hat was always suspiciously nice to his girlfriends now and Harry wasn't sure it was just because of his say so anymore.

Jasmin giggled at that, "Of course. So silly of me to forget about you, Mr. Hat. Please take care of him."

Fifteen minutes later, Harry was in gear. It fit him well, all things considered. The black was a welcome color too. The wand holster and the Hat completed his attire for the day. The Hat couldn't fight with him in the duel of course, but it was interesting to imagine the possibilities. Landing curses would be a cinch with his opponents fighting psychological torture simultaneously.

The walk to the duelling arena had been filled with everyone who met him wishing him good luck. Literally everyone he met. Slytherins he had never spoken to wished him. It had been a relief to find Hermione and pretend to be deeply in conversation with her until the arena.

Hermione was repeating the salient rules of the duel and for once, he had no problem paying attention to her, "...duel ends in one of three ways. Someone is incapacitated or their wand is obtained by the opponent. Someone says "I quit" or if someone is disqualified. You will get two warnings before a disqualification, although the use of some banned curses can cause instant disqualification. Warnings last throughout the whole match, not just the duel you obtained it in."

"That's an interesting rule," Harry noted, "Almost like it gives you access to certain powerful, but normally banned curses. Basically two per match. I'd be surprised if everyone from Durmstrang didn't take advantage of it."

"You're planning to take advantage of it, aren't you?"

"But, of course."

Harry got a brief look at the stands as he entered the dugout. One phrase came to mind. Standing room only. The rest of the team, all in duelling gear, were waiting inside the dugout along with their friends. The match would start in a few minutes. Harry saw some recognizable faces who had come to support, like Tracy Davis and Cho Chang.

He could make out Lee Jordan's and two other voices over the din of the crowd. True to the theme of the Triwizard, commentary would be given by one student from each school. Refereeing would be done by professionals. "... as you can see on the screen, we have the special guests entering. Ladies and gentlemen, put up your hands for the Ministers of... " Harry briefly wondered if committing, what was essentially a crime, in front of all these heads of state was a good idea. Then it suddenly hit him, that he was seeing them take their seats from this far on a big fucking screen. The quality of the picture left nothing to be desired. Good, the world gets to watch me do this in HD.

"And now, it is referee Julio walking to the center to explain the rules to us one last time," a melodious French voice said, "please pay attention ladies and gentlemen, as there are certain curses that even these powerful wards may not protect you from."

Jordan gave a nervous laugh from next to the French witch, "yes, well... Since all such curses are completely banned anyway, let's just say the chances we'll see something breaching the ward walls are minimal."

Harry took a good look at the area the duels would be taking place in. It was plenty spacious and would be regardless of terrain. The ward walls covered it from end to end in a transparent, circular dome. It was a brilliantly designed arena, both in terms of aesthetics and practicality.

Taking a seat as close to the arena as possible, Harry waited, the excitement of last afternoon returning in full force. He popped on the Hat.

"Easy kid. You don't wanna blow your load before getting a few good thrusts in at least."

"Any strategic advice?"

"Pace yourself. Pick and choose your fights and as fucking always, watch your back. You're terrible at all three."

"Fair enough. Ohp... Here we go."

The referee had finished and was waving for the terrain to be raised. The options were between grassland, rocky region, snow scape and forested area. At the halfway point of the match, the terrain would be changed once. Today, they were starting off with the rocky area.

"...is it time? YES, IT IS," Jordan yelled happily, leading the resounding cheer by the crowd as referee Julio waved for the first two duellists of both schools to enter.

Daphne made her way past Harry, face impassive. He would've liked to have wished her, but part of him was hoping she would come back soon either way. Waiting wasn't his strong suit.

Silence fell suddenly and completely as the massive screen showed the two opponents bowing to each other, surrounded by rocky, uneven terrain. The referee stepped outside the wardroom and gave a blast on his whistle, "BEGIN!"

A/N: Thanks again for reading and reviewing