Chapter Text
It was a quiet summer this year. Neither Harry nor any of his friends were in the mood to do anything besides hang out. Harry still had occasional nightmares, so he had begun sleeping in the basement so as not to disturb the others. The spare bed they gave Sirius as he moved from one hiding place to another was still down there from last year. Occasionally, when he woke up, Ginny, Hermione, or Ron would be there sitting next to him in the nearby comfy chair. Ron would fall asleep in it, Hermione would usually be reading, while Ginny would be listening to music. As the weeks went by, everyone in the house took a turn keeping an eye on him. Molly seemed to be able to time when he would bolt up from sleep and immediately have a glass of water on hand. As the start of the school year got closer, Harry was actually feeling nervous for the first time ever. Everyone knew the ministry was planning something.
"I'm afraid only the higher ups have any information on what's being planned for the Academy," Arthur said.
"My department is completely in the dark," Charlie added.
"Amelia Bones has taken over Crouch's department," Percy reported, "Fudge and his loyalists don't trust her because she doesn't agree with the steps they've talked about taking. She did tell me they're instating their own teachers at the Academy. They're even talking about creating an entirely new position."
Still a few weeks away from the start of school, Ron received a package in the mail.
"It's from the Academy," Hermione said, "Open it up!"
"Why are you so excited? It's not for you."
"Because it could only be one thing."
Inside was a new Obelisk Blue uniform and a letter.
"Ronald Bilius Weasley,
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we were unable to have a proper ceremony. However, we are fully aware of your hard work. So it was agreed to promote you to the next dormitory.
Congratulations, and keep it up! Sincerely, your principal
Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore
P. S. I'm sorry, Harry..."
"I'm guessing that note at the end means you're not in the blue dorm yet," Ron said.
"I'm sure there's a perfectly good explanation. Don't assume the worst, Harry."
"Harry knows what happens when you assume things," Ginny said, "Don't you?"
"Never mind all that," Harry replied, "Let's get something to eat."
"I have to buy a few things actually. Luna's going with me. You go on ahead. I'll catch you for dinner."
So the trio went out to lunch that day. They tried to talk about other things besides school.
"I've been thinking," Hermione said, "Maybe it's best that we don't think too hard about it."
Harry was surprised, "You're the one who was first to pick up on what's going on."
"As they say, Harry, know your enemy. We can't fight back against what we don't know anything about."
"So you're saying we have to wait for them to make the first move?"
"Exactly, Ron. So as crazy as it sounds, especially from me, we have to relax."
Ron leaned over to Harry, "Are we sure she hasn't been replaced by a clone or a robot?"
She smacked his arm for that remark. Harry had to chuckle at that. That evening, Harry treated Ron, Hermione, Luna, and Ginny to dinner. They were then joined by Neville and Hannah Abbott.
"Hey, guys. Guess what? They promoted me to Obelisk Blue!"
"You, too?" Ron asked.
Neville noticed Harry keeping quiet, "They didn't let you pass, Harry?"
"No, and I don't know why."
"I can think of a few reasons," Hermione muttered to herself.
"Well, uh, anyway...you guys remember Hannah?" Neville asked.
"I don't think we've formally met," Harry said.
"She's the one Neville took to the ball," Ginny explained.
"This is the pretty blonde you talked about?" Ron exclaimed.
"You said I was pretty?"
Neville blushed, "Well, of course I did."
"That's always nice to hear," Luna said.
"What kind of deck do you use, Hannah?" Harry asked.
"I usually use an Insect deck. That's one of the reasons I first talked to Neville."
"What do you mean?" Ron asked.
"Plants and Insects go well together in most decks," Neville replied.
"Oh right, but I actually meant the other part. What was another reason you talked to Neville?"
"Everyone at the Academy knew that Neville was really quiet, and his entry duel wasn't the best. But when I heard he immediately decided to help his friends despite being afraid, well, a famous man once said that that's the true definition of bravery. Since then, we've been helping each other come up with good strategies."
Her expression became solemn, "Harry, Cedric was a good friend of mine. Whatever happens this year, you can count on me to be on your side."
Harry smiled, "Thanks, Hannah."
"Welcome to the team," Ginny added, shaking hands with her.
About a week before school started, Harry and his friends were invited to the wedding of Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks. It was a small ceremony, but that didn't matter. Lupin was smiling so much, he almost looked younger. The nice clothes also helped. When they walked outside the church, Harry was sure he saw Sirius disappearing into the bushes. At last, the start of the school year came. The first person they met on the grounds was Hagrid.
"How're you feelin', Harry?"
"Better...oh, and Hagrid, I never got to congratulate you."
"Me? What for?"
"Are you kidding? Everyone told me you were the MVP of the security team. You sent every one of those Death Eaters running with their tails between their legs."
Hagrid looked embarrassed, "Just doin' my duty, Harry. They don't call me groundskeeper for nothin', after all. You better get goin', you lot. We'll talk again later."
Before they could walk into the building, something caught Harry's eye. He ran over to the middle of the courtyard, the others following. He came to a stop in front of the memorial that Dumbledore said they would erect. Cho Chang was already standing there. Sure enough, Cedric's name was at the top. Beneath his name were the names of other people who had been killed years ago.
"There's me mum's brothers," Ron said.
"Mr. Crouch is on here as well," Hermione pointed out.
"And there's my...my parents."
Ginny squeezed his hand, but then said, "Who's Regulus Black?"
"He was Sirius' younger brother," Harry answered.
"Oh...well, he has a big family. I couldn't be sure."
Harry wanted to say something to Cho, but words failed him. Just then, who should walk up to their group, but Draco and Astoria. He looked over the memorial, but said nothing.
Astoria spoke up, "Really puts things into perspective, doesn't it?"
"Yeah," Draco sighed, and then turned around, "Come on. You have to get ready for your duel."
As the pair walked away, everyone else just stared.
"I'm not sure how to feel about him anymore," Ron said.
"I'm sure the feeling is mutual," Hermione said, "But at least he's not antagonizing us."
"We better get going," Ginny said.
Harry tried to say something to Cho again, but couldn't think of anything to say apart from sorry.
"It's okay, Harry," Cho said, "I'm going to stay out here a while longer."
He nodded, "Take care of yourself, Cho."
They made their way to the testing area, but someone got in their way - a young girl with long, curly black hair.
"Hi, Harry! Nice to finally meet you."
"Uh...hello? Do I know you?"
"I'm just starting this year. My name's Romilda Vane."
"Oh...how nice."
"I just thought I'd offer you to hang out with me and my friends. It's always important to make friends with the right sort of people. You're cute, by the way."
Harry had a flashback to when he first met Draco. It was surprising how much things had changed. Draco hardly said anything, while this girl who just started was already trying to climb the social ladder. Everyone else looked confused, except for Ginny. She looked ready to start a fight. Harry lightly bumped his head against hers to snap her out of it.
He now turned to Romilda, "Listen, I'm sure you mean well, but I've been friends with this lot for a long time. Forgive me if I believe in quality over quantity. If you're insinuating something, then I suggest you watch it. I won't tolerate anyone speaking ill of my friends. Good luck on your duel."
Romilda had a shocked look on her face as the group walked past her.
"It's going to be a bit jarring," Ron said, "Not having Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia, and Lee."
"They're all on to bigger and better things," Hermione said.
"Plus they all promised to leap to our aid if we ever need them," Ginny added.
They all found a seat in the arena and waited for Dumbledore to enter.
"Well what do you know?" Ginny spoke up again, "There they are now."
Fred, George, Angelina, Alicia, and Lee were all here to be opponents for the students. Tonks and Lupin weren't there since they were on their honeymoon. Percy and Charlie also weren't there, no doubt held up by work, considering the circumstances. Oliver Wood was still here, and so was Bill. Fleur was sitting next to Bill, but as she was from a different academy, it's likely she wasn't going to duel
"Hey, I just thought of something," Neville said, "You're taking that D-Wheel class this year, aren't you, Harry?"
Ginny looked excited, "Are you really?"
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about that. Considering how all my opponents used them, I can't believe it slipped my mind. How about you guys?"
"I don't think I could do that," Neville replied.
"Me neither," Hannah added.
"Tempting, but no," Ron said.
"No thank you," Hermione said.
"Next year, I am absolutely going to take that class," Ginny said, "What about you, Luna?"
"It's an interesting method of dueling, but not my cup of tea."
"Well then I guess I'll see you there, Potter."
That's when Harry noticed Draco was sitting across from his group.
"Taking the class to impress your girlfriend, Malfoy?" Ron teased.
Draco just looked back at the playing field, "She's not my girlfriend."
All the usual teachers, and Hagrid, were sitting at the table. McGonagall was looking at her watch.
"Is Albus ever going to not show up at the last minute?" she asked Snape.
He just shrugged. Dumbledore finally walked in.
"Welcome, students, to another year at the UK Duel Academy! Let's get right to it. Minerva, if you would?"
McGonagall began listing off a number of students, none of which Harry recognized. The duels were all fairly interesting though. A lot of new archetypes were used by the students. Draco wasn't paying attention. He was busy looking at something on his phone, feet up on the seat. At last, they called a familiar name. One that made Draco sit up straight.
"Greengrass, Astoria!"