14 Chapter 14

Chapter 14

EDWARD WRIGHT

"So, you were finally able to complete that idea of yours?" Fleur said as Madam Pomfrey waved her wand over her. Several burn marks were visible through her burnt dueling robes. The robes themselves were singed and burnt in many places.

"Yes, I figured out the trick behind it some time ago, it is still not perfect but this is the accumulation of five years of effort," I said a bit of pride leaking into my tone.

My own body ached and I was drenched with sweat, the make-shift Susanoo had been one of my projects that I had begun as early as I could. It was something that had just always fascinated me. Five years of constant effort had led me to this result.

Fleur just shook her head at me.

"And what about that casting with your other hand, where did you learn that from," she asked with a frown. And I had expected that question. And hadn't that been a find?

Through some astronomical efforts, I was able to obtain a small memory of Grindewald. The only man who could stand on the same pedestal as Dumbledore and Voldemort. Because I realized early on that I could never become like them for both of them were blessed with unprecedented talent in their specialized fields. The Dark Arts for Voldemort and Transfiguration for Dumbledore.

And I lacked that talent, so I searched for an alternative and through my constant efforts was able to obtain a singular copy of a duel with a man who singlehandedly brought Europe to its knees.

"Well, I can't tell you all my secrets so easily m dear. I have to keep a bit of mystery around myself," I commented while wiggling my eyes and Fleur just narrowed her eyes at me. Speaking up after a moment.

"You do know, who used to cast like that, right?" and I nodded my head.

"You should be careful now that you have shown such a skill, people are going to compare you to him now," she said worriedly and I just shrugged. I had thought hard about this, finally deciding that there was no use in being so secretive.

"Let them, I am doing nothing wrong," now Madam Pomfrey walked up to him and finally began casting diagnostic charms on him.

"But Edward, this could be detrimental to your future," she said as she sat up on the side of her bed.

And just as I was about to respond, the tent was invaded by a group of individuals.

"Marvelous! Such a marvelous duel!" came the voice of the ex-dueling champion. And I turned to see several people including Dumbledore, Madam Maxime, and McGonagall enter the tent.

"It was indeed a splendid duel. I dare say that such skill is rarely seen even in the main tournament. You both should be proud of yourself," Dumbledore said. And it was rare to get such a compliment from the Merlin of their age.

"Thank you, Professor," I spoke up. Then Madam Maxime spoke up.

"The duel was an electrifying spectacle, I congratulate you on your victory Mr. Edward that was some impressive spellwork." And I nodded in thanks, then she looked at Fleur and with a small smile.

"Perhaps, you should visit France in the future, I can assure you that we will be eager to provide you with an opportunity befitting of your skill."

And I was startled by the sudden recruitment pitch, this was an offer from one of the most prestigious magical academies in the world. She nodded at us both and left the tent. Dumbledore and the rest of them soon followed her back.

Fleur immediately turned to face me. Her face had a huge smile on it.

"That was so impressive, Madam Maxime is said to be highly selective in her selection process. And she just offered you such an opportunity."

I just nodded my head at that. This was indeed special. Fleur chewed her lips slightly.

"Perhaps you should give this another thought," she followed up in a small voice.

I told her about my prospective plans. But maybe I would have to reconsider them.

"Maybe, but I do have a lot of time to think about them," I said, not erasing the chances for such a possibility.

0000

HARRY POTTER

Harry Potter sat in the classroom, trying to focus on the lecture being given by the new DADA professor. It was about the use of basic elemental magic and how to understand the complexities behind such magic.

But Harry's mind was elsewhere, still transfixed on the duel he had witnessed yesterday. Such skill. Such magic. Harry had never seen such a spectacle. And evidently, he was not the only one. As the whole class was busy buzzing around. Talking to each other in hushed tones, probably about the duel from yesterday.

"Ok, this is it. Clearly, none of you are focusing on the lecture." The trainee Auror spoke up in a resigned tone, as she closed the book in her hand. The class had quieted down.

"Well, you guys are probably talking about that duel from yesterday." She asked in a resigned voice.

And the whole class just nodded their heads. And Professor Tonks just nodded her head.

"Then why don't I turn that into the lecture, I believe that will be more interesting," she said to much of the cheer from the class. And then she waved her wand and the board was wiped clean.

"Ok, now yesterday your senior showcased something quite impressive. Something that I had also never seen," and the whole class was quiet.

"And all of you now want to learn how to do that!" and Harry was now hanging on the edge of their seats.

"Well, let me burst your bubble. For most of you that will be impossible to achieve. What he used was not a single spell. But it was something far more advanced." And as she waved her wand once more, a miniature drawing from the duel appeared on the board.

"It was the use of a skill that has only ever been mastered by less than five people in history. A skill we call simultaneous casting."

And Harry frowned as he heard those words. Simultaneous casting.

"In this, a wizard can use their hand apart from their wand to cast magic as well. And up till yesterday, the only person alive who could boast of doing something similar was Dark Lord Grindelwald."

And he could feel murmuring break out once more. As one of the students raised their hands.

"Professor then how did he learn it," and their professor just shrugged her shoulders.

"I don't know. And he is not obligated to release such information. He could have learnt it from a book or figured it out himself. But I can assure you, that mastering such a skill requires extreme hard work and dedication." She finished before adding with a smile.

"That is why all of you are going to read chapter 34 of your Standard Book of Spells by Friday," Harry groaned, as the bell rang.

"I am not asking for any written homework. But there could be a pop quiz in the next class. So, you better be prepared."

0000

ELIZABETH WHITE

"I still can not believe how you did that, how could you even try something so dangerous is beyond me?" days had passed since the duel. Days. But that duel was still the most discussed topic of the whole school.

"Elizabeth, you are worrying needlessly. I have been training for that for years, everything was under control. Professor McGonagall just exaggerated the dangers a bit too much," he said sheepishly from the side as they patrolled the corridors.

And Elizabeth shook her head. Professor McGonagall had told quite strictly that if she found any other student trying to replicate Edward's magic, they were going to have detention with Filch for the rest of the year.

"And you sat that, like that isn't just worse. You were putting yourself at such a huge risk. I did not expect this from you."

Simultaneous casting was not just difficult. It was also extremely dangerous. One wrong move and Edward could have destroyed himself. Ending his life as a wizard, permanently.

"You don't have to worry so much now. It all worked out in the end." He spoke up as he looked at her and continued with that smirk on his face.

"Plus, you can not deny that it was extremely cool."

And a part of Elizabeth was indeed impressed by the skill on display. But the greater part had been worried for him. And then she asked about the other upcoming event.

"Have you started preparing for the first task?" she asked Edward. He nodded his head and replied.

"Yes, I have made up a basic plan."

She nodded at that. And then she looked around the corridor before she spoke up in a hushed tone.

"And, you do know what you will be facing in the first task right? If not they have arranged for …"

"Dragons," he cut her off. And Elizabeth felt a sense of relief wash over her. It was good that he knew. Honestly, she had been surprised when she had heard about it. Arranging for creatures like dragons for a simple tournament like this seemed quite overkill and dangerous.

"Good. That is good. I really can not believe that they are using dragons for such a tournament. It all seems so overkill," she gave her opinion.

"Well, they do want to make it monumental. The Tri-wizard tournament is happening after a long time after all."

"But still dragons! They are classified as a four-star dangerous creature." She said worriedly.

"You don't have to worry so much. Dumbledore did mention that they have set up protective mechanisms to make sure that the tournament is safe. So, it will all be all right probably."

She nodded at that. Dumbledore had made a point in announcing this. That was somewhat reasonable. And then suddenly she remembered something else.

"Have you told Fleur about the first task?" she asked with a teasing smile. And Edward's expression changed, that distinctive smile appearing on his face, as he nodded his head.

"Yeah, I told her but she knew already. It was probably Madam Maxime that told her. I did see her visiting the Ground some time ago," and Elizabeth frowned at that.

"Isn't that cheating? She is helping her student," and Edward just shrugged his shoulders.

"Cheating has been a part of this tournament for a long time. And somehow everyone is getting help, one way or another. So, it all balances out in the end."

And Elizabeth just nodded at that, After all, she had also helped him, which was also illegal somehow. Then just as they were about to go their separate ways, Edward called out to her.

"Ahh, Elizabeth I had a small favor to ask of you," and she frowned slightly as she nodded her head.

"Yeah, what do you need?" she asked. Edward was a bit embarrassed as he asked in a small voice.

"You will have to take care of the patrols yourself on Saturday, I have a bit of an errand to run and might not be able to turn up," and she frowned at that. Saturday was the Hogsmeade visit day.

"All right, but why?" she asked him. She could take care of the patrols, with their new form of communication. It was all much less hassle, anyway.

"I actually have a date planned with Fleur, and her family is coming here later in the evening. So, I might go to receive them," and Elizabeth shook her head at his reasons.

Well, she couldn't hamper her friend's love life now, could she?

0000

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