Chapter 59

"Where are we going?"

Riddle, walking beside him and yet guiding him at the same time, merely smiled, "You will see in a moment." It was the first weekend of the school year, and according to the agreement it was time to be set aside for training and practice.

Harry assumed they were going to a place where that could be accomplished, instead when the woman ended their journey at a door and pushed it open it was a large room with more than a few other students already inside that greeted them.

Conversation halted as eyes shifted to the two newcomers. The boy wanted nothing more than to disappear beneath an Invisibility Cloak. The woman, on the other hand, took the attention in stride and walked forward to the front of the room without a hint of hesitation. "Welcome to the first day of Hogwarts' Dueling Club for the year. Most of you here are veterans, a few of you are new so we will go over the rules before…"

"Excuse me, Professor, why is he here."

The oldest woman finally paused and turned back to where the various witches were shifting attention between herself and the only boy in the room. "Harry is joining the club."

"But he can't…"

Riddle's eyes narrowed, and it was enough of a warning to the older student that she quickly reconsidered her argument. "I was always told clubs were not open for students until their third year."

She was about to nod, and explain, when another voice chimed in, one that she had been secretly waiting for. "Plus, what can he learn? Men can't duel, we all know that."

Delphini Black, ever the prideful misandrist, looked at the Potter with contempt bordering on disgust.

Perfect

"Care to make a wager on that?" All eyes, including Harry's snapped towards the professor. "You claim he can't duel, that men can't duel, so how about a test? You two step onto the stage against each other. If Harry wins, he will be admitted without any further complaints from anyone, if you win, he will not make any further attempts to join this year and the rules will be the same every year that follows."

Several muttered their opinions for or against the challenge, and the Black heiress herself seemed to be on the fence in the debate.

"Surely you don't believe that a younger wizard, one not raised in Magical society, can defeat an older, more experienced, student who already duels at a level higher than her peers? Weren't you the one bragging about being able to defeat those at least a year, maybe two, above your own?"

The perceived praise earned a nod from the recipient.

"And I'm sure we can all agree you more than anyone would have all the reason to win and not take it easy on him hm?"

Again, a nod, this time more confident. Nothing more needed said, and Delphini went into one of the privacy areas to change into dueling robes. Harry himself was taken, gently yet with intent, into a different one.

It was like a changing room at a clothing store, he noted, but rather than pick up the clothing that would shift to his size he glared at the woman standing with him. "What do you think you're doing?" he practically hissed, earning a sly smile.

"I am encouraging your development in Defense of course. Dueling is a major part of it."

But he wasn't going to be convinced so easily, not with how the last dueling club had gone. "A year earlier than I should be involved apparently."

Grace merely waved his complaints off, "The age requirement is more of a suggestion than anything else. Most students don't have enough skill to participate or enough of an idea of what subjects they enjoy so early on is all. You meet both of those concerns. Plus, your parents signed off on the idea as well as your Head of House."

"Oh, I'm sure she did."

The woman didn't bother hiding her smirk, "As for your opponent, think of this as an opportunity to dissuade some of the more opinionated students. It is also a chance to revisit your disagreement from the summer."

Harry wanted to argue that he didn't care about the posturing or insults, that this would be far more risk than reward. Then something popped into his head, memories of all the crap he had taken the previous year, of dealing with the heiress and her friends, of all the times he had bit his tongue for the sake of privacy.

If Riddle was instructing him, wouldn't it be more suspicious if he didn't get involved? "Fine, some privacy please?"

Rather than immediately reply her eyes trailed up and down his, still robed, form. "The door is shut."

The insinuation behind her actions, or rather lack thereof, brought him back to the summer, to the party, to the words he had spent so much time analyzing and trying to forget at the same time. "I can't get dressed with you in here…"

A sly smirk slowly formed on her face as she seemed to close the distance between them without moving. "Oh? Maybe you just need some… help changing?"

Before he could reply the sounds of talking outside broke whatever atmosphere had been forming and she leaned back, face returning to the prim and proper expression that she gave to the other students. "Another time, perhaps."

With her 'victory' achieved, Riddle departed the stall and closed the door behind her. Seeing Delphini already prepared she went through her own tasks, raising up the platform and setting the protective Wards.

Harry emerged moments later, fully dressed in what were considered 'proper' dueling clothes. Both contenders made their way up to opposing sides, with Riddle taking her own place in the middle.

"There are to be no spells cast with the intent to kill or cause permanent damage, Duels will go until one participant is unable to continue, one surrenders, or I step in. Duels begin on the platform and end on the platform, if I hear of anyone doing such things outside of this room there will be serious consequences. These are for learning and personal growth, not to create conflict between students." Looking to either side, Grace received confirming nods and stepped back out of the path. "Then begin."

Immediately Harry overheard the snickering, about how he wouldn't even know the proper stances, about how limited his spell knowledge would be. Putting all this aside he focused on his opponent, and sure enough there was a cocky grin on her face as she launched the first attack.

A stunner, not exactly what he was expecting but it did make sense if she thought him completely inept and helpless. Harry was far from either of those and easily moved to the side, firing his own return volley.

Three flashes had Delphini's eyes widening and dipping out of the path, her movements fluid and graceful. The boy didn't like to admit it, but she was talented, that much was obvious.

Her Wand flared red in return, forcing the boy to duck out of the path as he muttered out another incantation.

His spell succeeded, at least in forcing her to use Magical defense rather than just avoidance. A shimmering barrier formed, absorbing the spell, and buying her a moment to breathe, eyes narrowing as she reassessed the wizard.

The taunts had died down, now only a few mutters as the remainder of the club watched with not a small amount of awe. Harry struck once more, an overpowered blasting spell nearly shattering the Black heiress' barrier, and changing her expression to one of shock with a bit of fear mixed in. A follow up spell did break the defense, and this time Delphini wasn't nearly as ready, and her response not as measured.

She dove to the side, and it was in that moment that Harry struck, a burst of light tossing her backwards while a disarming spell removed her wand from her hand.

Silence greeted him for a moment, before Riddle began clapping, and others joined along with her. "Welcome to the club, Harry."

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