Ch 50: An Idea

The Gryffindor common room was its usual lively self. Students were spread across the couches and armchairs, engrossed in conversations, games of Exploding Snap, or frantic attempts to finish homework before curfew. Amidst the chatter, I sat in a secluded corner with Fred and George Weasley. The twins leaned in, their faces already showing that trademark mischievous curiosity. Garuda, perched on my shoulder, let out a soft caw, as if sensing the brewing scheme.

I began, keeping my voice low. "So, as you guys know, two weeks ago, Headmaster Dumbledore announced that the Triwizard Tournament would be held here at Hogwarts. But there's that pesky little age limit of 17 years."

Fred nodded, grinning. "Yeah, we were just saying how unfair it is. We'd have rocked that tournament."

George added, "Right? Give us a dragon, and we'd charm it into letting us ride it!"

I chuckled. "I don't doubt it. But here's the thing. The tournament is all well and good, but what about everyone who's not 17? What do we have to keep things exciting for the rest of us?"

The twins exchanged a curious glance.

I leaned forward, lowering my voice further. "What if we restart the Dueling Club?"

Fred raised an eyebrow. "The one Lockhart wanted to start?"

"Yes," I said, grinning. "But we take it a step further. We don't just make it a club for practice—we also set up an underground circuit. A place where students can duel for real stakes, and we can run bets."

George's eyes lit up, but Fred looked more cautious. "An underground circuit sounds brilliant, but risky. What if someone snitches?"

"That won't happen," I assured them. "We'll only recruit students we trust and have them take an oath of secrecy—an unbreakable vow is too extreme, but we can use a magical binding promise that ensures they can't spill the beans."

George tapped his chin. "Alright, that might work. But we'd still need a secure location—somewhere professors and nosy students won't stumble upon."

I smirked. "Leave that to me. I've already got a place in mind."

Fred leaned back in his chair, visibly more relaxed. "Alright, let's say we do this. How do we get people to join without drawing too much attention?"

"We'll keep the Dueling Club open to everyone," I explained. "First-years to seventh-years. It'll be a legitimate club, endorsed by the professors. But the underground circuit will be invite-only. We'll handpick the best duelists from the club—students who show real skill and can be trusted. And if we find promising first- or second-years, we can train them early, giving them an edge."

George's grin widened. "I like the sound of that. Imagine a first-year taking down a fifth-year. The betting pool alone would be insane."

Fred's caution hadn't entirely vanished. "And what about the money? If we're running this, what's the split?"

"Simple," I said. "We're three people, so we split the earnings equally—33.33% each. But we'll also need a fund for repairs, bribes, and other expenses. So, to start, we'll each take 20-25%, and the rest goes into the fund. Once the circuit gains popularity, we can increase our shares to 30% each."

Fred and George exchanged another glance, their grins identical.

"Alright, Arthur," Fred said, extending his hand. "You've got yourself a deal."

George shook my hand next. "Let's make some magic."

---

The first step was to get official approval to restart the Dueling Club. The underground circuit would remain a secret, but we needed the professors on board for the public-facing side of things.

Professor Flitwick was the easiest to convince. The moment I brought up the idea, his eyes lit up. "A Dueling Club? Wonderful! It's an excellent way for students to sharpen their skills."

Professor Sprout was equally enthusiastic. "As long as it's properly supervised, I see no harm in it."

Professor McGonagall, however, was more skeptical. "And who, Mr. Wayne, will ensure this doesn't turn into something disastrous?"

"We will, Professor," I said firmly. "We'll set strict rules, enforce safety measures, and make sure the duels are productive, not reckless."

After a few more probing questions, she relented. "Very well. But I'll be keeping a close eye on this."

Professor Snape, unsurprisingly, was the hardest to sway. His cold, calculating gaze made it clear he thought the idea was a waste of time.

"Dueling is a distraction," he sneered. "Another excuse for students to avoid their studies."

"With all due respect, Professor," I replied, "dueling is a practical skill. In times of danger, it's often the difference between survival and…" I trailed off, letting the implication hang.

He stared at me for a long moment before grudgingly signing the approval form.

Finally, I approached Dumbledore. He listened intently, his expression thoughtful.

"Ah, the Dueling Club," he said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "A noble pursuit. If your professors have already approved, I see no reason to deny the request. Just remember, Mr. Wayne the students who decide to join the club will be your responsibility too."

---

For the official Dueling Club, we chose the old club room near the clock tower entrance in the south wing. It was spacious, rarely used, and already equipped with protective wards from its previous incarnation.

The underground circuit, however, required something more discreet. That's where the Room of Requirement came in. It was not like I was gonna use It after this year.

I led Fred and George to the seventh floor, pacing back and forth three times while focusing on our needs. The blank wall transformed, revealing a door. Inside was a perfect dueling arena: a circular platform surrounded by spectator stands, with enchanted barriers to prevent spells from going astray.

Fred whistled in admiration. "Arthur, you're a genius."

George added, "This is brilliant. No one will ever find us here."

"For the underground circuit," I said, "we'll require everyone to wear masks and hoods. Spectators will wear masquerade masks to keep their identities hidden. Duelists can choose their own masks, as long as they conceal their faces. And they would need to use the Floo station to gain access to this room, once the match starts we will unblock the station and after the match ends we will block it so no one can know it's real location."

Fred grinned. "You've thought of everything, haven't you?"

---

The official reopening of the Dueling Club was met with overwhelming enthusiasm. Students from all houses and years signed up, eager to learn dueling techniques and test their skills.

Fred and George kicked off the first meeting with their usual flair, cracking jokes and setting the mood. I followed with a demonstration duel, showcasing advanced techniques and emphasizing the importance of strategy over brute force.

The response was electric. Students couldn't wait to start practicing.

We divided them into groups based on their skill levels, with each session tailored to help them improve. The twins and I kept a close eye on potential recruits for the underground circuit, noting those who displayed exceptional skill, determination, or creativity.

---

By the end of the first week, we had identified a handful of promising duelists for the underground circuit. They were sworn to secrecy with a magical binding promise, ensuring they couldn't reveal anything about the circuit without severe consequences.

Fred and George handled the logistics, from setting up betting pools to designs for the Dueling Arena. I focused on refining the arena, adding enchantments to enhance safety and make the matches more dynamic.

As the first of October approached, excitement buzzed in the air. The underground circuit was nearly ready to launch, and the Dueling Club had already become the talk of the school.

I couldn't help but feel a surge of pride. We were on the verge of creating something truly special—a place where students could push their limits, test their skills, and maybe even uncover their true potential.

---Note

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