Chapter 53: Rouen City

After the attendant finished greeting us and completed some registration documents, they led us through a few corridors and out into the atrium where we saw the large vaulted ceiling made of glass. "I hope you enjoy your stay here in France," the attendant said before leaving us near the public entrance where Lord Black and I promptly left.

"I expected more hassle," I say as we walked away from the Place de Furstenberg where the public entrance is located. Lord Black showed a nostalgic smile before replying to my remark, "During the war, I was one of the squad leaders who helped liberate France from Grindelwald. It seems they are still content with giving me a warm welcome even after all these years."

While pondering Arcturus' words we arrived at a secluded alleyway where we disapparated so that we could reach the magical carriage rental place. This place was fairly standard-looking with some carriages waiting outside, we quickly and easily rented a carriage to take us to Rouen City.

The journey barely took an hour with the speed of the abraxan horses they had reared meaning that there was little time for sightseeing or extensive storytelling. What I did manage to get out of Arcturus about the war was that Lord Black, Lord Potter and Lord Delacour were all in the same battalion along with Mad-eye Moody's father.

When arriving in Rouen the first thing that caught our attention was the mix of architecture which blended the modern buildings with iconic landmarks such as the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Rouen or the Tour Jeanne d'Arc where Joan of Arc was tried and burned.

"Do you know where this Duelling competition is taking place?" Lord Black asked with a small smirk on his face. He could clearly tell that that tidbit of information had slipped by me and was enjoying my reaction as my brain tried to unclog itself.

"I regrettably forgot about that portion of information. Did you by any chance find out where it is held?" I asked while trying to keep my face neutral while he chuckled at me.

"It is to be held in the magical sister to the Place du Vieux-Marché which was made around the same time but borrowed by us from the muggles." He said not letting his smug look falter for a moment while he started to lead the way.

When we arrived at the site where Arcturus' intel led us, we found little to indicate a magical entrance but were surprised when it opened from the inside as a large bouncer who clearly had some giant blood in him looked us over before saying in French, "Are you here for the Competition or as spectators?"

I could tell he was speaking French even though I clearly understood him because Arcturus was slow and a bit rusty in responding, "We... are... here to... watch." He finally manages to string it together before, the bouncer chuckles and switches to English. "Visitors, from Britain to watch yes?"

After receiving a nod from both of us, he stepped out of the way and allowed us inside. The square was similar to the one we just left but a key difference was the large duelling arena set up in the centre of the square while people were weaving protective enchantments around the perimeter of the arena to protect the spectator seats.

"Seems like the event will be a large one judging by the number of spectator seats," I observe as we walk around the outside looking for an inn to stay in for the lead-up to the event.

"You sure you do not want to enter it?" Lord Black asked while we walked. I shook my head since I didn't believe it was enough of a challenge due to the event being for schoolchildren and I had been taught in such a way that I should easily beat them. "You of all people should know that I am above the level of children Arcturus," I say while stopping to enter what looked like an inn only to miss the step and stumble when the old Black spoke again.

"Who told you it was for children?" The sly Black said while giving a side eye to a nearby flyer which depicted two adult wizards standing in the duelling ring. "Ummm... well I assumed when I read that Lord Delacour's daughter would be taking part," I said while scratching my head and avoiding Arcturus' gaze.

I cough before turning back to the inn door and saying, "I still don't see the point of entering. If I can beat Bellatrix then I can beat all of the possible entrants." Lord Black had to concede that point as he was quite proud of how formidable Bellatrix had become over the years, In his words, she seemed to embody the strength and brutality of true Blacks.

After following me into the inn we booked two rooms and started to settle in and passed the next few days idling around till the start of the competition. The crowds also started to grow as more and more people came to spectate or take part, the inns surrounding the square quickly filled up while getting louder while groups chatted and drank with each other.

The start of the competition was meant to happen just before midday allowing those taking part to be fully alert and rested however in actuality the event started a whole half hour early due to all the contestants being ready earlier than expected. 

The organiser had them gather in the arena while he stood on a floating platform with his wand on his throat, "Ladies and gentlemen. Madams and Monsieurs. Welcome to this year's Rouen Duelling Competition. Today we are hosting the largest competition to date where a huge amount of 60 duellists will go head to head to see who will walk away victorious. But that is not all, we also have the great honour of hosting the Under 20's duelling champion, Miss Fleur Delacour, for this competition. Don't let her beauty distract you since she is very adept at using her wand to defeat all opponents that stand before her. Will her winning streak be broken today?"