Somewhere Safe - Chapter 22

Delphi stormed back into the waiting area. Rage clearly burned in her eyes.

"What's wrong?" Harry asked.

"The other duelists abdicated." Delphi said the last word like it was poison.

"Is that bad?" Harry asked.

"To get on the team you have to win two duels." Delphi explained through gritted teeth. "There are enough duelists to continue for another three duels to determine who is the best among the bracket. Since it's not required, they can call it at the four, as long as there is a majority vote."

"And the other three didn't want to continue." Harry finished.

"Cowards." Delphi growled.

"I take it that means you're on the team?" Harry prompted.

Delphi wasn't giving up on her aggravation just yet. The fire in her eyes was burning like never before. It hadn't been this intense even during their duel. Harry could see how it was impacting those around them. Aureum had subtly taken a couple of steps away as well.

He recognized that anger. It was a feeling that came when he had to return to Privet Drive. That deep inferno when no matter what you did, it just wasn't good enough. It didn't matter if he had slayed a basilisk or caught every snitch, what he wanted wasn't important. There was a reason Delphi placed so much of her life on dueling, one that she might not know herself.

Harry placed a hand on her shoulder. Delphi jumped at the touch. Her eyes went wide as she stared at his hand on her shoulder. Slowly, she followed the length of his arm back toward him. The inferno behind her eyes flickered. She leaned closer to him, practically falling against his chest. Delphi nuzzled her face in the crook of his neck. He could feel her muscles relax as his arms slid around her waist.

"Are you going to watch the next bracket?" Harry asked softly.

"Yes." She purred. "I can't wait to see my love win."

"Why don't you go sit with Luna?" Harry offered.

"I will." Delphi stayed pressed against him.

"Play nice if she's next to Iris." Harry prompted.

She grumbled but didn't argue.

"Duelists from Bracket A, please clear the room." Professor Flitwick called.

"A kiss for luck?" Delphi offered.

Harry gave her a quick peck before sending her off. Delphi walked out of the room with a sway in her walk. He turned to see Aureum gawking at him.

"What?" Harry asked.

She motioned him, then the retreating form of Delphi, then back at him, and then just shrugged.

"Andrea Longbottom and Harry Potter to the platform." Professor Flitwick called.

Harry scrunched his eyebrows at the name. He saw a tall brunette girl in Gryffindor colors heading toward the far door.

"Longbottom?" Harry asked.

"Neville's older sister." Aureum offered.

"He has a sister?" Harry cocked his head to the side as he looked at her.

"He has three." Aureum chuckled. "Hurry up and get out there."

"Right." Harry shook the confusion from his head as he hurried over to where Flitwick stood.

The charms professor smiled as he approached.

"Take the blue stairs, Mister Potter." Flitwick instructed.

"Thank you, professor." Harry replied.

He stepped out into the auditorium proper to find it had transformed. During the Dueling Club and the assessment with Professor Riddle, the platform had been the seating had been compact. The were three rows arranged to allow for the crowd to have a clear view as well as being able to easily hold the audience that had come for the duel between Rose, Delphi, and him.

Now, they were arranged in a terraced stadium seating reminiscent of the Quidditch World Cup. It looked like the entire school had come to watch. Harry took a deep breath, pushing the sudden nerves away as he stepped up onto the platform.

The platform had been raised higher as well. A layer of swirling mist surrounded the edges to catch falling duelists without blocking the view.

"Dueling on red, Andrea Longbottom." Professor Riddle announced.

Andrea waved to the crowd. He paused to let the crowd cheer.

"Dueling on blue, Harry Potter." Professor Riddle continued.

Harry followed suit, waving to the crowd.

"This is a Cass Two Duel." Professor Riddle explained. "Victory through disarming, knocking your opponent off the platform, or yielding."

"Bow to your opponent." Professor Riddle instructed.

They did. She had the same nose as Neville. Harry noticed she was left-handed. He relaxed his stance, angled ever so slightly with one foot in front of the other.

"Ready? Begin!" Professor Riddle yelled.

Andrea cast first, sending a short string of stunners of varying power toward him. Harry pulled his shoulder to the side, watching them pass by. He arced an eyebrow at her, almost insulted. She shrugged. The only point in her favor so far was that they were silent.

Her wand snapped high, cut from one side to the other, and dipped low sending a tight chain of shield breakers, stunners, and disarming spells zipping at him. Harry watched as they approached. He wondered if she was still taking it easy on him. Her spells were moving so slow. Flitwick had set him as Rank A, and this was an open exhibition. There was a chance that she was a couple of ranks below.

Harry swatted away the first spell. He brought his wand back down, catching the following swirl of magic on the tip of his wand and directing it off to the side. The final spell he dodged.

He swirled his wand above his head, sending a whip made of compressed air toward her. It connected with the ground in front of her, kicking up a cloud of debris. He yanked his wand back. The cloud of debris shifted in the air, settling into a thin barrier the covered her shoes. He swept his wand to the side, yanking the newly constructed trap out from under her feet. Tossing her off of the platform.

"Winner, Harry Potter." Professor Riddle called.

Harry bowed before stepping off the platform. He returned to the waiting area without looking back. In truth, the crowd was kind of freaking him out. The number was on par with the Quidditch games, but the distance helped him forget about all of the people watching.

"Welcome back, Potter." Aureum said as he entered.

"Thanks, Malfoy." Harry muttered.

"Are you ok?" She asked.

"There are a lot of people out there." Harry said.

"It'll probably be worse once the real competition begins." Aureum sighed.

"You don't sound happy about that." Harry said. "Where did your excitement go?"

"Dealing with the crowds is the worst part." Aureum huffed. "I want to travel and duel to get away from uncomfortable dresses and stuffy Pureblood parties. Out there I don't have to be a perfectly poised princess. If I make the team then my father will want to use it to make business connections. If I don't, my mother will use it as a reason for me to give up dueling to look for a husband."

"That…" Harry shrugged.

"Aureum Malfoy and Ziyi Chang to the platform." Professor Flitwick called.

"Of course, I get Ziyi." Aureum grumbled as she walked away.

Harry watched her go. An Asian girl in Hufflepuff colors followed close behind. He wondered if she was related to Cho, but wasn't sure how common Chang was. Everyone in this world seemed to have a surprise sibling or two. The only thing he really knew about Cho was that she was the Ravenclaw Seeker and rather attractive, so it was possible she had one there too.

"Mister Potter." Professor Flitwick waved to get his attention.

Harry hurried over. The duel had just started, there was no way he had missed being called to the platform for his next one.

"Yes, Professor?" He asked.

"That was an interesting bit of spellcasting." Flitwick smiled at him. "Could you explain what it was?"

"Oh." Harry relaxed. "I used an air-whip to kick up dust, then gathered the dust around her feet and tossed them off the side."

"Interesting." Professor Flitwick chuckled. "Where did you get such an idea?"

"Cement shoes." Harry blushed.

"Pardon?" The half-goblin asked.

"In the Muggle world, there are stories about giving people cement shoes." Harry explained sheepishly. "Mobsters in put them on people and toss them in the ocean."

Professor Flitwick stared at him for a moment before breaking out in a shrill cackle. It sent a shiver down Harry's spine. From the reaction of the students in the room, he wasn't the only one. Flitwick cleared his throat, getting himself back under control.

"Sorry about that. Snuck up on me." Professor Flitwick wiped a tear from his eye. "That tickled my goblin side, hasn't happened in years."

"It's fine, sir." Harry smiled at the professor. "Could I ask you a question?"

"Of course." Flitwick beamed at him. "It is something I hope all students do."

"Well, it's not… like that." Harry paused searching for the words. "Is it ok to ask what her rank is?"

"Miss Longbottom, you mean?" Flitwick asked.

Harry nodded.

"It's fine to ask in casual conversation, in dueling such as this, it's usually standard." Flitwick continued. "The exception being after a match has concluded. It is somewhat of an insult."

Harry winced.

"Miss Longbottom is a Rank B." Flitwick said after a moment. "Why do you ask?"

Harry thought things over for a moment.

"I'll let you know after my next duel." Harry said with a nod.

Aureum trudged back in the room. Her brow was covered in sweat and her robe was dusty. Professor Flitwick took his leave returning to his post.

"Rough time?" Harry asked.

"That witch is a beast." Aureum groaned. "She should be Rank A. We've dueled each other on the local circuit. This is only the second time I've beaten her."

"Sounds like it would have been great to watch." Harry offered. "Who do you face next?"

"Let's see." She waved him over to a nearby board. "It's Weasley versus North right now. Only Fred or George has a chance against Glinda, but they're focusing on quidditch. Plus, they don't like to compete since they're going to be running the bets. After that, Elizabeth Swann versus Jamie Norrington. That's going to be a close one. I don't know them personally, but there is a lot of gossip. Elizabeth and Jamie had the same trainer for a few years. Swann swapped over to a smaller gym right before she went up in rank. It's been sore between them ever since."

They paused to watch a redhead seventh year with a bright smile enter the room. She had a Hufflepuff crest on her pink frilly dress.

"Glinda North?" Harry motioned to the witch.

Aureum nodded.

"Elphaba West versus Prudence Night." She continued. "That will be interesting. Next, there is Tracey Davis versus Flora Carrow. Hm. I thought Davis would be going for Quidditch." She muttered. "Sasha East versus Emma Oswald, that's a dull one both of them are Rank D. Finally, Padma Patil versus June Moon. Now that one is going to be interesting."

She tapped her finger on her chin. Aureum mumbled something before turning Harry.

"So far, there is you, me, and Glinda." She said. "Most likely, West has more experience than Night, but they are both powerful. Not sure about that one. I bet my robe that Flora knocks out Tracey. She's great, but she doesn't have it in her to smack someone around. It doesn't matter who wins between East and Oswald, they aren't going to make it beyond next round. Padma and June are another pair that's too hard to call. Padma has got the skill and the drive but June is a wildcard like Delphi, just not as much."

"I hope we don't have to duel." Harry sighed. "You're nice to talk to and I'd hate to take you out."

"You certainly are a humble one." Aureum stuck her tongue out at him.

Harry shrugged. They found a couple of comfy chairs out of the way and settled in. It was a good spot where they could keep the door to the auditorium in sight without having to constantly check. He didn't see how a duel could go the time limit, but a couple of them did. Professor Flitwick went down the list, calling the duelists as they went.

"When you win." Harry broke their comfortable silence. "Are you going to abdicate?"

"Certainly not." Aureum scoffed. "What about you?"

"Nope." Harry smiled at her. "Do you have any siblings other than Draco?"

"No." She shook her head. "Thankfully. He's more than enough. Two cousins by blood. Delphi and Nym. She graduated a few years ago. I think she's going to be an Auror. We don't talk to much. Things with my mom and aunt Andi are strained."

"Aunt Andi as in Professor Tonks?" Harry asked.

She nodded.

"What about you?" Aureum winced once she realized what she had said. "Never mind."

Harry shrugged. "Don't worry about it."

She stood up as Padma entered the waiting area with a pleased smile on her face.

"And that's the last of them." Aureum said, trying and failing to hide her relief.

They headed over to the duel listing as the names began to appear. Luckily, the opponents were randomized, otherwise they would have faced each other in the next round.

"Aureum Malfoy and Sasha East to the platform." Professor Flitwick called.

Aureum gave him a relieved look before she headed through the door. The witch who followed with slumped shoulders. She already knew she was going to lose. Aureum returned a couple of minutes later. She didn't appear to be happy considering she had just won.

"What's up?" Harry asked as she plopped down in the chair across from him.

"That was a joke." She huffed. "She practically threw herself off the platform to dodge my first stunner."

"At least you'll be fresh for the next round." Harry offered.

She shrugged. They had to wait two more duels before Harry was called.

"Harry Potter and Elizabeth Swann to the platform." Professor Flitwick called.

Harry tried, and failed, not to check out the girl that walked ahead of him. She was taller than him, which was something he was accustomed to now, and thin. Her breasts were small and pert, fitting her body perfectly. On top of all that, she was rather pretty. Her auburn hair had lighter highlights that came from being out in the sunshine.

"Dueling on blue, Harry Potter." Professor Riddle announced.

Harry waved to the crowd. This time he noticed the cheering was much louder.

"Dueling on red, Elizabeth Swann." Riddle continued.

She gave a small wave to the crowd.

"Bow to your opponent." Professor Riddle instructed.

The air was thick with tension.

"Ready? Begin!" Professor Riddle yelled.

Elizabeth was much faster then Andrea. She didn't start off simple either. Her wand movements were quick, controlled, and flowed from one to the next. For the first time since dueling Delphi, Harry had to go on the defensive. Her spells didn't hit as hard, but they were fast.

Harry could feel them rain down on his shield in a rapid rhythm. His silent Aegis continued to block her assault. It also kept him locked in one place. He needed something that he could use while moving, but he didn't think Boucle would work. It was too small to block her barrage.

An idea popped into his head. He focused on portions of his shield and pushed. A large spider-web of cracks appeared. Elizabeth grinned, thinking she had broken it. Instead, Harry sent a chunk of it rocketing toward her. She tried to banish it, only for her spell to rebound, and knock her flat on her back.

Harry silently summoned her wand.

"Winner, Harry Potter." Professor Riddle announced.

He crossed the platform and returned her wand. A flash of white feathers slapped him in the face. Talons gripped his shoulders. A moment later something hard began to peck at his head. He fumbled back trying to escape the assault.

After a moment he was able to step away. He stared at the incredibly angry owl now perched on his shoulder.

"Hedwig?" He asked.

"Berk." She glared at him.

"What are you doing here?" He asked her.

"Harry!" Hermione called to him.

He looked up to see her rushing onto the platform, straight toward him. She wrapped him in a familiar tight hug. Hedwig flapped her wings, slapping Hermione on the head.

"You had your turn." Hermione snapped at the owl.

"Hermione?" Harry tried to understand what he was seeing.

He glanced at the stands, searching for Rose. She was there along with Iris, Lavender, Katie, and Delphi. A few spots over sat Hermione. They all stared back at him. His jumbled thoughts were interrupted when Hermione hit him on the chest, hard.