Chapter 54: First Duel Of The Competition.

All the contestants stood on the stage while the announcer spoke, meaning that when her name came up everyone including most of her fellow contestants turned to stare at her. Unfazed by the sudden attention, Fleur spoke in rapid French to an older man standing just outside the arena.

"I guess the man she is talking to is her father," I say to Arcturus while walking around the crowds to their side of the square. "Do you know of Roger Delacour?"

Arcturus took a moment to think before speaking an answer to my question, "I have not been in the public eye for a while since I chose to stay at home in comfort however, I have heard that Lord Delacour is a very successful businessman in the sales of wood for brooms and wands. Most brooms and wands in Europe in fact are made from wood his company provided, the exception, of course, are wands like ours."

By this time we had arrived at the side the father and daughter duo were standing and slowly made our way through the crowd towards them. Fleur was still talking animatedly in French to her father, "I am so excited papa, I get to duel against all these adults." 

The thirteen-year-old seemed to vibrate with excitement drawing quite a few stares before her father placed a strong hand on her shoulder, "Calm down my sweet, you're letting your charm slip." As soon as Lord Delacour pointed it out, I noticed that some of the less restrained stares were clearly blank and filled with odd emotions.

When we reached close enough to the pair, Lord Black spoke up, "Lord and Miss Delacour, It is with happiness that I can greet you today." Roger, startled though he was, turned with a smile and looked over us before speaking in a measured voice with a guarded tone.

"Thank you, good sir may I have your name since you know ours?" These words spoken while he stood in front of his daughter and wand ready to draw gave the impression of a man who is used to defending his family.

"We are the ones who sent you the letter about the meeting about flowers," I said capturing the man's gaze while a look of understanding crossed his face. "My name is Lord Erik Bodewig and this nice gentleman next to me is Lord Arcturus Black."

The guarded nature of the man deflated when he heard Arcturus' name but he didn't lower it completely, "My memories seem to be failing me, that was the letter about Lilies." Lord Delacour said testing us once again while trying to act normally.

"No, Lord Delacour, Our letter was about Roses." Came my reply which disarmed Lord Delacour's guard completely before showing a happy smile and saying, "Ah yes, I am sorry that my father was unable to meet his old friend again." Lord Black looked sad at those words before saying "So am I."

After a small moment of mourning our conversation was interrupted by the energetic girl standing behind her father, "Papa? Who are these people and what are you talking about flowers for?" Suddenly remembering his daughter, Lord Delacour's face broke from sadness to happiness.

"They are some friends from England, Lord Black, here." He paused to gesture to the old gentleman, "Was a good friend with your Grandfather and even fought along with him during the war." The little lady took a moment to process what her father told her before giving a small curtsy.

"Hello, I am Fleur. Are either of you taking part in today's event?" The small ball of energy said while inspecting both Lord Black and me, trying to assess our combat abilities. "No, we are not, I am too old whereas Erik doesn't believe it would be enough of a challenge." Lord Black said while throwing me under the metaphorical bus.

"I may not have used those exact words but that is in essence what I had said," I added while Fleur narrowed her eyes at me as if I had personally insulted her. Before she could speak her mind at me, the announcer declared the first duel of the competition, "Miss Delacour and Mr Beauchamp could you make your way onto the stage for the first duel?"

The aforementioned lady sniffed at me before turning and heading onto the stage to face Mr Beauchamp. The portly man had a fine moustache and a look of arrogance when he saw he was facing a young girl, "It appears it is my lucky day as I will have an easy first duel."

Some in the crowd chuckled at his declaration but Fleur's mood worsened due to his words and she gripped her wand tighter. She said no words and waited for the start of the match to be announced and when it was, she showed no mercy by immediately launching a 3 spell chain at the portly man. 

The large man barely had a chance to erect a shield before he was disarmed, hit with a full-body bind and blasted backwards off the stage. The crowd was slightly stunned at the display and barely reacted before she stepped down from the stage and came back to our small group.

"That was impressive Miss Delacour," Lord Black said breaking the silence caused by the stunned crowd making them start talking wildly about the display they just witnessed. 

"did you see that she was so fast?"

"Three spells at once."

"No wonder she is called the best in Beauxbaton"

These discussions went on for a while before the announcer got annoyed and shouted over the din, "The second duel is about to begin could the contestants come onto the stage?"