Chapter 147: "Dueling Tournament Part - 1"

A week into the holidays, Harry was preparing for his trip abroad to compete in the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament. Although he looked forward to showcasing his skills on an international platform, he wasn't particularly excited about the level of competition he expected to face.

From a young age, Harry had been rigorously trained by an expert dueler, Arcturus Black. His daily practice sessions from the age of eight had not only sharpened his abilities but also instilled a resilience that was rare among his peers. He knew it was uncommon to find another young wizard with such a rigorous training background, largely because his adult mindset drove him to push harder and persevere longer than most kids his age.

Despite his anticipation, Harry approached the tournament with a relaxed attitude, seeing it mainly as a stepping stone. He reminded himself not to underestimate his opponents, but he felt that the real challenge would come later, in adult tournaments, which promised tougher competition and higher stakes. For now, the European Under-17 was just a gateway, an opportunity to qualify for the more daunting adult dueling circles.

Over the past week, Harry had immersed himself in understanding the rules and regulations of the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament, which he found quite straightforward. The rules emphasized fair play and safety, strictly forbidding lethal spells and any form of magic that could cause permanent damage. Violating these rules could lead to severe repercussions.

The tournament was organized into a three-day event: the first day was dedicated to group stages, followed by knockout rounds on the second, and culminating in the finals on the third. Each duel had a 20-minute time limit, which, interestingly, no match had ever reached due to the fast-paced nature of the duels. Victories could be achieved in several ways: disarming an opponent, knocking them out, or forcing them out of the dueling ring, either physically or magically.

While there were no restrictions on the types of spells used, provided they weren't lethal, competitors typically opted for spells known for their non-lethal nature such as Expelliarmus, Stupefy, Protego, and others. These choices made the duels a test of quick reflexes and tactical skill rather than raw power.

This year's tournament was set in Paris, France, promising three exciting days of magical competition. Harry had prepared meticulously for the event, even selecting custom dueling robes designed for flexibility and style—black with emerald green stripes to match his eyes and adorned with the Potter family crest, giving him a distinctive appearance.

Harry's entire family, except for Arcturus and Cordelia, planned to attend. They viewed the tournament not only as a competitive event but also as a family outing, intending to enjoy some leisure time on France's beautiful beaches after the tournament's conclusion. Everyone was eager to support Harry and enjoy a break from their usual routines.

On the morning of their departure for the European Under-17 Dueling Tournament, Harry and his family used an official Portkey provided by the Department of International Magic Cooperation. This marked Harry's first experience with magical international travel, as previous trips had been conducted using Muggle means. The presence of Amelia and Sirius, both aurors and British Ministry officials, necessitated this formal method of travel.

They arrived directly at the French Ministry of Magic, which contrasted starkly with its British counterpart. Unlike the underground British Ministry, the French Ministry was above ground, bathing its spacious interior in natural light. The decor was lively, adorned with bright colors and extensive use of marble, giving it an airy and opulent feel.

After settling into their hotel, Harry and Sirius had several administrative tasks to complete before the tournament could begin. They spent a couple of hours at the tournament venue verifying Harry's identity, confirming his age was under 17, checking his wand to ensure it met the tournament's restrictions, and undergoing a medical examination to rule out the use of performance-enhancing potions. Harry also received a detailed briefing on the tournament rules and the expected conduct for participants.

Harry, at 14, was younger than most competitors, who were typically 16. Yet, his participation did not draw any particular attention; it was common for younger wizards to enter the tournament for experience before making more serious attempts in later years.

Once all formalities were completed, Harry and Sirius rejoined their family. They spent a pleasant evening touring Paris, enjoying the sights and sounds of the city away from the pressures of the magical world.

After the leisurely evening, Harry woke up the next day, relaxed and all set for the upcoming tournament. Dressed in his custom dueling robes—black with emerald green stripes and the prominent Potter crest—Harry made a striking figure. 

As the time for the competition approached, Harry and Sirius made their way to the contestant's entrance while the rest of their family headed to the spectator area.

At the entrance, they were greeted by an official who asked in French, "Name and country, please."

Sirius responded, "Sirius Black and Hadrian Potter from Great Britain. Mr. Potter is a contestant for the Under-17 Championship."

The official meticulously checked their credentials against the records from the previous night before allowing Harry and Sirius to proceed.

Inside, they entered a large hall bustling with contestants and their mentors or guardians, who were engaged in last-minute strategizing. Most competitors were around 16 years old, with a few younger participants who looked noticeably nervous.

Harry noticed a few familiar faces from Hogwarts among the contestants, like Percy Weasley and Marcus Flint. There were others he didn't recognize. It puzzled him why some were here, as they hadn't shown notable dueling talent at school or in any known competitions.

Just then, Sirius returned, holding a sheet with details about Harry's upcoming duels.

"Harry, your first match is against one of your schoolmates. That tall boy with an evil looking smile, named Marcus Flint."

Harry chuckled lightly. "I recognized him. He used to be one of my main targets for pranks over the last few years. He seems to have mellowed down a bit since then."

Sirius, sounding a bit more stern, advised, "So, one of the Slytherin bullies, eh? Then show no mercy."

Harry considered his approach thoughtfully. "Let's see. I want to have some fun in this tournament. Ending the fight too quickly in my first duel might lead my other opponents to give up too easily."

Though Harry's confidence was bordering on arrogance, Sirius couldn't help but agree silently. After all, Harry had grown strong enough to defeat even skilled adults like Sirius in a duel. These young competitors were hardly a match.