Chapter 147: Chapter 147: "Dueling Tournament Part - 1"
A week into the holidays, Harry was preparing for his trip abroad to compete in the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament. Although he looked forward to showcasing his skills on an international platform, he wasn't particularly excited about the level of competition he expected to face.
From a young age, Harry had been rigorously trained by an expert dueler, Arcturus Black. His daily practice sessions from the age of eight had not only sharpened his abilities but also instilled a resilience that was rare among his peers. He knew it was uncommon to find another young wizard with such a rigorous training background, largely because his adult mindset drove him to push harder and persevere longer than most kids his age.
Despite his anticipation, Harry approached the tournament with a relaxed attitude, seeing it mainly as a stepping stone. He reminded himself not to underestimate his opponents, but he felt that the real challenge would come later, in adult tournaments, which promised tougher competition and higher stakes. For now, the European Under-17 was just a gateway, an opportunity to qualify for the more daunting adult dueling circles.
Over the past week, Harry had immersed himself in understanding the rules and regulations of the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament, which he found quite straightforward. The rules emphasized fair play and safety, strictly forbidding lethal spells and any form of magic that could cause permanent damage. Violating these rules could lead to severe repercussions.
The tournament was organized into a three-day event: the first day was dedicated to group stages, followed by knockout rounds on the second, and culminating in the finals on the third. Each duel had a 20-minute time limit, which, interestingly, no match had ever reached due to the fast-paced nature of the duels. Victories could be achieved in several ways: disarming an opponent, knocking them out, or forcing them out of the dueling ring, either physically or magically.
While there were no restrictions on the types of spells used, provided they weren't lethal, competitors typically opted for spells known for their non-lethal nature such as Expelliarmus, Stupefy, Protego, and others. These choices made the duels a test of quick reflexes and tactical skill rather than raw power.
This year's tournament was set in Paris, France, promising three exciting days of magical competition. Harry had prepared meticulously for the event, even selecting custom dueling robes designed for flexibility and style—black with emerald green stripes to match his eyes and adorned with the Potter family crest, giving him a distinctive appearance.
Harry's entire family, except for Arcturus and Cordelia, planned to attend. They viewed the tournament not only as a competitive event but also as a family outing, intending to enjoy some leisure time on France's beautiful beaches after the tournament's conclusion. Everyone was eager to support Harry and enjoy a break from their usual routines.
On the morning of their departure for the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament, Harry and his family used an official Portkey provided by the Department of International Magic Cooperation. This marked Harry's first experience with magical international travel, as previous trips had been conducted using Muggle means. The presence of Amelia and Sirius, both aurors and British Ministry officials, necessitated this formal method of travel.
They arrived directly at the French Ministry of Magic, which contrasted starkly with its British counterpart. Unlike the underground British Ministry, the French Ministry was above ground, bathing its spacious interior in natural light. The decor was lively, adorned with bright colors and extensive use of marble, giving it an airy and opulent feel.
After settling into their hotel, Harry and Sirius had several administrative tasks to complete before the tournament could begin. They spent a couple of hours at the tournament venue verifying Harry's identity, confirming his age was under 17, checking his wand to ensure it met the tournament's restrictions, and undergoing a medical examination to rule out the use of performance-enhancing potions. Harry also received a detailed briefing on the tournament rules and the expected conduct for participants.
Harry, at 14, was younger than most competitors, who were typically 16. Yet, his participation did not draw any particular attention; it was common for younger wizards to enter the tournament for experience before making more serious attempts in later years.
Once all formalities were completed, Harry and Sirius rejoined their family. They spent a pleasant evening touring Paris, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city away from the pressures of the magical world.
After the leisurely evening, Harry woke up the next day, relaxed and all set for the upcoming tournament. Dressed in his custom dueling robes—black with emerald green stripes and the prominent Potter crest—Harry made a striking figure.
As the time for the competition approached, Harry and Sirius made their way to the contestant's entrance while the rest of their family headed to the spectator area.
At the entrance, they were greeted by an official who asked in French, "Name and country, please."
Sirius responded, "Sirius Black and Hadrian Potter from Great Britain. Mr. Potter is a contestant for the Under-17 Championship."
The official meticulously checked their credentials against the records from the previous night before allowing Harry and Sirius to proceed.
Inside, they entered a large hall bustling with contestants and their mentors or guardians, who were engaged in last-minute strategizing. Most competitors were around 16 years old, with a few younger participants who looked noticeably nervous.
Harry noticed a few familiar faces from Hogwarts among the contestants, like Percy Weasley and Marcus Flint. There were others he didn't recognize. It puzzled him why some were here, as they hadn't shown notable dueling talent at school or in any known competitions.
Just then, Sirius returned, holding a sheet with details about Harry's upcoming duels.
"Harry, your first match is against one of your schoolmates. That tall boy with an evil looking smile, named Marcus Flint."
Harry chuckled lightly. "I recognized him. He used to be one of my main targets for pranks over the last few years. He seems to have mellowed down a bit since then."
Sirius, sounding a bit more stern, advised, "So, one of the Slytherin bullies, eh? Then show no mercy."
Harry considered his approach thoughtfully. "Let's see. I want to have some fun in this tournament. Ending the fight too quickly in my first duel might lead my other opponents to give up too easily."
Though Harry's confidence was bordering on arrogance, Sirius couldn't help but agree silently. After all, Harry had grown strong enough to defeat even skilled adults like Sirius in a duel. These young competitors were hardly a match.
Chapter 148: Chapter 148: "Dueling Tournament Part - 2"
As the clock neared 11, Harry and Sirius walked towards Platform One for his duel, the first match of the competition. His attire, especially the Potter family crest emblazoned on his chest, turned heads as they passed.
Harry wasn't sure if it was the fame of his brother's title 'The Boy Who Lived' or his family's notorious reputation in the dueling circuit that drew the stares, but he chose to ignore them.
Upon reaching the dueling arena, Harry observed his opponent. Flint looked unusually excited, grinning broadly upon seeing Harry.
Flint, being two years senior to Harry, had entered the tournament more out of familial obligation than genuine interest, believing he stood little chance of advancing in this difficult tournament. However, the prospect of facing a younger opponent like Harry seemed to have ignited a flicker of hope in him, a hope to impress his father with at least one victory.
Harry paid no mind to Flint's taunting grin; he knew it wouldn't last long.
As they stepped onto the platform, the referee took a moment to review the rules once more, emphasizing the importance of obeying his commands throughout the duel. The arena filled with the sound of the announcer's voice, booming through the speakers.
"Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the first duel in the European Under-17 Dueling Championship. Today marks the beginning of the group stages, where each of the fifty competitors will compete in four duels. They must win at least two to advance to tomorrow's rounds."
"Our opening duel features two contestants from Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry in Britain—Mr. Hadrian Potter and Mr. Marcus Flint. Let's give them a warm welcome!"
The crowd erupted into cheers, their excitement palpable as they anticipated a thrilling match.
Both duelers took their positions on the marked spots on the platform, facing each other with determined expressions. Flint's sneer was meant to intimidate, but Harry remained unfazed, his focus sharp.
The referee, ensuring that both competitors were ready, raised his hand and announced the start.
"Competitors, get ready!"
The tension in the air was thick as everyone held their breath.
"Begin!"
At the signal, the duel was underway, launching the tournament into full swing.
Flint wasted no time in demonstrating his aggressive tactics.
"Reducto!" Flint bellowed, casting a powerful reductor spell aimed directly at Harry. The spell, known for its destructive force, wasn't lethal but was enough to cause serious injury if it connected.
Harry, calm and composed, had a different plan. He didn't react hastily to block or dodge. Instead, as the spell neared, he cast a spell silently with perfect timing, that effectively deflected Flint's spell back towards him. The crowd gasped, impressed by the young wizard's skill and precision.
This move was part of Harry's strategy for the tournament. He had planned to refine his ability to deflect spells, a skill that demanded exact timing and sharp control—abilities he found challenging to practice with adept duelers like Sirius or Arcturus. Those encounters were too intense and the spells too powerful for such experimentation.
This tournament, filled with less experienced duelers, was his chance to hone this skill, intending to build up his capabilities to one day handle spells from powerful wizards like Sirius and Arcturus in the same way.
Flint was nearly caught off-guard as the spell he'd cast hurtled back towards him. With barely a moment to spare, he dodged to the side, his eyes wide with shock.
Harry, observing Flint's reaction with a calm smile, gestured for him to continue. This apparent dismissal only fueled Flint's anger further. He gritted his teeth and snarled, "Fine, have it your way!" Then, he unleashed a barrage of spells in rapid succession, each designed to disorient or incapacitate Harry.
But Harry moved with a fluid, almost dance-like grace, easily sidestepping some spells and deftly deflecting others. Each movement Harry made was precise and calculated, showcasing his superior agility and control. It was clear he was not just participating to win; he was using this opportunity to further hone his dueling skills.
As the duel continued, Flint's frustration mounted. His face flushed with anger as his spells consistently failed to hit their mark. Eventually, he lost all semblance of composure. In a desperate move, Flint cast a Bone-Breaking Curse, a dangerous and highly risky spell that reflected his growing desperation.
Harry, noting Flint's loss of control, decided it was time to bring the duel to a close. He flashed a quick grin before casting a powerful deflecting spell. This time, he infused the spell with extra force, turning Flint's curse back on him with even greater intensity.
The spell struck Flint directly on his wand arm, causing him immediate and severe pain. His scream echoed through the arena as he clutched his injured arm. The referee quickly intervened, signaling for medical personnel who rushed to escort Flint off the platform
The crowd at the dueling tournament was initially stunned into silence. As the shock of Harry's impressive magic settled, murmurs began to ripple through the stands. It was unusual to see such advanced techniques in a junior tournament, and particularly from a young wizard from Britain.
Slowly, applause started, with a few spectators standing to cheer, though many remained seated, still processing what they had just witnessed.
"The winner, after brutal domination within one minute and five seconds, is Mr. Potter from Britain," the announcer declared, sending his voice echoing across the stadium.
Harry stepped down from the platform, his face calm as he joined Sirius at the edge of the arena.
"Great work, Harry. New trick? Why haven't I seen this before?" Sirius asked, his voice filled with both pride and curiosity.
Harry shrugged, a slight smile on his face. "It's too difficult to deflect your spells. Don't worry, after a few of these tournaments, I'll use it against you too."
"Please, no. It's embarrassing and frustrating to have your own spells used against you," Sirius joked, though he looked genuinely impressed. "Just like in this duel. Flint got too angry and used the bone breaker. That injury will ensure he cannot continue participating further in this tournament."
Harry hadn't intended for the duel to end this way. It was all Marcus Flint's fault, really. Harry was just enjoying the competition, planning to disarm Flint shortly and conclude their duel without any serious outcomes. He didn't mean to knock Flint out of the tournament entirely.
However, Harry felt no remorse for Flint. Based on Flint's behavior back at Hogwarts, there was a good chance he might align with the Death Eaters in the future. Harry secretly hoped this defeat, and any potential future clashes where Flint might seek retaliation, would deter him from choosing a dark path. Maybe, just maybe, this embarrassment would steer him toward a better direction, preventing him from becoming an adversary.
With the first match concluded Harry headed to the waiting hall to rest and prepare mentally for the next three matches of the day. The tournament was just beginning, and he was already making a name for himself with his unorthodox and effective dueling style.
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TalesByJaz
TalesByJaz
Sorry about the delay in releasing chapters this week. Have been busy with some other work. Will try my best to make up the missed schedule in these few days.
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