Chapter four: Duelling tournament
It was the third day since the battle at Grimmauld Place, and Dumbledore still hadn't gotten back to Harry on his idea. Harry was starting to wonder what had happened to Dumbledore when Molly's face appeared in his mirror, "Hello Harry dear, I need to talk to you about something. It seems Fred and George are holding a duelling tournament and they've asked me to ask you if you could compete, you know, to raise interest in it. It's up to you Harry, Dumbledore helped lift the underage wizarding laws for the next three days for when the tournament will be held."
"Well I'll only join if Ron and Hermione do as well." Said Harry.
"Well Ron's definitely going and Hermione can go in the females tournament, and if she wins that she will face the winner of the male tournament. So good luck, and don't go easy on my Ronniekins" stated Molly.
"Okay I won't go easy on your little Ronniekins" said Harry in a baby voice as Ron walked into the common room "see ya Mrs W."
"What are you going on about? Don't call me Ronniekins!" said Ron while Harry just laughed, "Shut up."
"I'm joking Ron, but seriously, I'm going in a tournament that your brother's devised, by the way Ronniekins ("HEY" bellowed Ron.) you're going in the tournament as well." Said Harry as he laughed to himself.
"Fine, What about Hermione? Is she going to compete?" asked Ron suddenly a dreamy look in his eyes.
"Ron, do you still like Hermione?" Asked Harry, suddenly very curious.
"Harry, I don't know anymore. But just so you know, I think she fancies you." Stated Ron, wiggling his eyebrows suggestively.
"Ron, there's something Hermione and I need to tell you," said Harry seriously.
"What could be so serious that you need the whole `there's something we need to tell you,' thing. What, did you two just get together?" Said Ron jokingly. Harry looked at Ron apologetically.
"You didn't, did you?" Ron added this last part in uncertainty.
"Look Ron, I know you still fancy her, but we didn't mean for it to happen with out asking you. But it did. Please don't let this ruin our friendship." Said Harry looking down as he finished.
Ron sat silent for a while, apparently thinking (I know, I didn't think it was possible)
"Ron, I'm sor-" started Harry.
"Harry just leave me alone for a while, you know, so I can think, I'm still your friend, I just need to sort things out." Ron interjected, and he walked out through the portrait hole.
Harry stared into the slowly dying flames of the common room and began to wonder about what the next few weeks could bring. He gave up on his thoughts and headed up the stairs to the boys Dormitory to finally get some shut eye.
***
Harry struggled the morning battle of getting dressed while still half asleep after one of his usual nightmares about Voldemort. After finally getting his tie on, (Is it even on right? Ah screw it!) He looked around to see who else was awake and noticed that Ron didn't return to bed last night, I wonder if he's alright? Harry wondered, but was soon answered as a very groggy Ron stumbled into their dorm covered in lipstick.
"Ahh, Ron, why are you covered in lipstick and why is no-one else up? Or here, for that matter?" asked Harry.
"Well you see Harry Loony, the lovely girl, got me some Butterbeer, when she found out my problem she started kissing me, and it was good. Oh and it's still the holidays. Oh look at the sheepy jumping over the fence. Here sheepy sheepy sheepy, ouch you'll pay for that." Said Ron as he chased the imaginary sheep, before tripping and falling asleep on the ground.
So Harry left the dorm in search of breakfast silently asking himself how much Ron had to drink. When he arrived at the Great Hall, the only Order members there were Dumbledore, Snape and Tonks. Snape and Tonks seemed to be arguing about something, while Dumbledore seemed content to sit and watch from the sidelines.
"Professor, May I ask why they are fighting." Asked Harry, "Oh yeah and while I'm at it, where have you been and have you came to a decision about Godrics Hollow?"
"They are fighting about which is better on toast, peanut butter or jelly, I've been doing work for the order and yes." Answered the Headmaster still watching Snape and Tonks, amused.
"So are we or aren't we going to Godrics Hollow?" Asked Harry irritably.
"Yes, Harry we are. But unfortunately we won't be moving in until I add some new wards and rooms, so it won't be ready until the start of the school year. You won't see it until Christmas holidays." Said Dumbledore now looking Harry in the face.
"Okay, that's alright, thanks, now let me get down to eating I'm really hungry." Said Harry taking a seat at the table. Because school hadn't started yet there was only one table for everyone.
After breakfast Harry went looking for Hermione, having not seen her at breakfast. He wasn't surprised to see her in the library with her nose in a book.
"Hey, `Mione. Why weren't you at breakfast this morning?" Asked Harry worriedly.
"Breakfast? I missed it. I'm sorry, I was absolutely fascinated by this book I found last night I just had to come back and read it!" Said Hermione excitedly missing Harry roll his eyes.
"Okay, well I told Ron about us last night. And he took it better then I expected. He said he just needed to think about it for a while. And I found out about a duelling tournament that's taking place at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, I'm competing Ron's competing and you can compete in the female division if you want." Said Harry wondering what Hermione was going to do.
"Oh Harry that's great that Ron felt alrite about us, and of course I'll compete." Said Hermione, reaching her arms around Harry's neck.
"Great, the tournament is in three days, so we should probably get in some practice." Said Harry, planting a kiss on Hermione's lips. "All the underage wizardry laws have been temporarily lifted for the tournament, so we should get Ron and start practicing the basic spells and jinxes."
"Okay, just let me finish this chapter, then we can have some alone time, then we can practice." Said Hermione, putting an emphasis on then. So Harry let Hermione finish that last chapter then they met in a broom closet for the- alone time- then, as promised they met Ron in an empty classroom and started practising basic hexes and shielding charms.
"Protego" screamed Hermione sending back Harry's stunning spell right at him, but Harry, expecting this also used the shielding spell, sent it back at her hitting her in the chest. She was stunned.
"Ennervate" muttered Harry, reviving her. "Good work `Mione, but I'm just too good." Said Harry boastfully.
"I didn't think the great Harry Potter would be the boasting type." Said Hermione in mock indignation.
"Well, I'm offended Miss Granger, I'm not boastful." Said Harry playfully.
"Oi, lover birds, I'm still here you know, get a room if your going to snog." Said Ron.
"Oh, go snog Luna!" said Harry in his and Hermione's defence. That seemed to shut him up as he blushed. Harry and Hermione just sat there laughing at him.
***
The day for the start of the tournament was here. When they arrived at Weasley's Wizarding Wheezes, there was a line of people waiting to get in and watch. There was a list of names outside of who would be facing whom, and to Harry's delight, he was facing none other then Draco Malfoy. And Ron was facing Neville.
When Harry and Malfoy were called to the duelling stage Harry climbed onto the stage, looking at Hermione for support. She just winked at him.
"So Scar head. I hear you and the mudblood finally got together. Can't say I blame you though. She's the only woman that would be desperate enough to like you." Drawled Malfoy.
"Tell me Malfoy, how is your father doing, I believe he is in Azkaban again." Said Harry, forgetting about the crowd.
"On the count of three, raise your wands and begin. One-two-three begin!" Yelled Fred.
"Rickesempra!" Yelled Malfoy pointing his wand at Harry.
"Protego!" Harry sent his spell right back at him and yelled "Stupefy!" Just in case. Malfoy fell to the floor. Harry stepped down from the stage to loud applause. Hermione kissed Harry on the cheek.
"Great work, Harry I'm very Proud of you, Oh and good luck Ron." Said Hermione.
"Thanks," Both Ron and Harry said at the same time.
Ron and Neville climbed onto the stage, and shook hands.
"One-two-three begin," Yelled George this time.
Ron and Neville raised their wands waiting for the other to strike. Ron made the first move sending a stunning spell flying towards Neville, but he easily dodged it and sent the trip jinx Ron's way, Ron felt like someone had caught him around the ankles. But got up in time to block Neville's disarming jinx. "Impedimenta" bellowed Ron sending Neville flying off his feet into the crowd causing an immediate disqualification.
"Great match Neville, sorry about knocking you off the stage." Said Ron helping up a very sore Neville.
"It's alrite Ron, it was kinda fun, like I was flying, until I hit the ground of course." Muttered Neville rubbing his back.
The next two matches had Dean facing Seamus, and an unknown guy wearing a cloak facing Zechariahs Smith. Dean and The unknown guy emerged victorious.
Now it was time for Ron and Harry to duel, they got up onto the stage and shook hands, muttering good lucks to each other.
"One-two-three begin!" Yelled Fred, starting the match.
END CHAPTER
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