There was a brief silence during which the other adults, including three true champions, scrutinized the newly arrived Mr. L Bridget. Even those unfamiliar with him felt no doubts about his formidable presence, marked by both his extensive knowledge and powerful magic. However, his arrival was not welcomed by the tournament officials: Crouch Sr., under the influence of the Imperius curse, viewed him as an obstacle to completing his assigned task, while Dumbledore was not keen on any outsiders coming to his school uninvited.
As for Harry... he couldn't say he was particularly pleased that Mr. L Bridget was there instead of Violet—who could have been either his daughter or niece. Still, there was no denying the man's professionalism and potential as a powerful ally. Yet before they even had a chance to shake hands, the Hogwarts headmaster felt it necessary to assert his authority:
"Mr. L Bridget," the old warlock began, "I commend your willingness to assist in resolving our current situation, but I assure you it's merely a minor issue that we can address internally. You need not involve yourself, and I trust you have more pressing matters to attend to." Dumbledore's motives were clear; he did not want outside interference, particularly with Voldemort's resurgence on the horizon.
The Dark Lord was out there and becoming active again, blissfully unaware that it was not the Potter boy who was prophesied to confront him, which suited Dumbledore just fine. He had no intention of meddling in whatever plans Tom had devised: once Voldemort felt invincible after defeating Potter, he would grow arrogant, and it would be then that Ron could strike, eliminating Voldemort for good. Dumbledore felt a twinge of guilt about sacrificing young Potter in his grand design, but for the Greater Good, sacrifices were necessary...
"I shall involve myself in any matters my client deems relevant, Mr. Dumbledore," replied the blond barrister, delivering a pointed gaze at the older wizard. "And after what you've just said, I'm not going anywhere." The two men glared at each other for several seconds until Dumbledore finally averted his eyes with a resigned sigh. This show of strength earned Mr. L Bridget considerable respect from Harry—after all, few people could hold their ground against the most powerful wizard of the twentieth century.
"Very well. I'm certain Mr. Bagman would be pleased to provide you with a copy of the tournament rules for your review." Dumbledore gestured towards the head of the Department of Magical Sports and Games. There was a brief pause before he continued, "Now, let's not waste the champions' valuable time any longer this evening. Without further ado, I will provide you all with the instructions for the first task." He took a moment to ensure he had the full attention of the four chosen contestants. "The first task is designed to test your bravery; therefore, its nature will remain undisclosed."
Ludo Bagman picked up from there: "Courage in the face of the unknown is a vital quality for any wizard. The first task will take place on November twenty-seventh, before the other students and the panel of judges. Champions are prohibited from seeking or accepting assistance from their teachers during the tournament. You will face the first challenge with only your wands in hand, and details about the second task will be provided once the first is completed. Due to the demanding and time-consuming nature of the tournament, participants are exempt from NEWTs or similar exams at the end of the year..." He paused, glancing at Harry. Historically, students in lower years were not selected for the tournament, and thus no provisions had been made for them. "As for Mr. Potter, his professors will determine whether he will need to take his exams or not."
This announcement caused Harry to mutter under his breath, imagining the reaction of a certain Potions Master to such a request. Still, he guessed most other professors would likely grant him a reprieve from the end-of-year exams, though it all hinged on whether he was truly forced to participate in this dreadful tournament. Harry sincerely hoped his barrister would find a way to extricate him from this predicament...
As the briefing concluded, the heads of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang led their students away. Cedric and the two Ministry officials left the room too, though Harry overheard that Mr. Bagman would be staying the night at the castle. Dumbledore appeared torn between maintaining his grandfatherly image and interfering directly in his students' legal affairs, yet he ultimately decided to allow Harry to converse privately with his barrister.
Harry's discussion with Mr. L Bridget extended well into curfew, primarily focused on the reparations he wished to pursue for being entered into the tournament against his will and the response they would take if the press chose to slander him. Finally, having covered all pertinent matters, Harry trudged back to the Gryffindor tower, leaving Mr. L Bridget to seek out Bagman for a copy of the tournament rules.
By the time he reached the seventh floor where the Gryffindor common room was situated, fatigue was weighing heavily on Harry's shoulders after the day's events. All he desired was to collapse into bed and finally catch some much-needed rest. Unfortunately, Fate had other plans; just as the portrait hole closed behind him, he found himself confronted by a certain red-haired 'chosen one.'
"Potter, you thieving, jealous cheat!" Ron yelled, his face flushed with indignation as he attempted to appear intimidating. It was a pitiful effort, especially since Harry was too fatigued to feel threatened. "How could you take my rightful place in the tournament, you attention-seeking jerk?" Ron was poised to continue his tirade when Harry interjected, his weary tone making it clear how little he cared for Ron's grievances.
"What do you want? An honor duel?" Harry didn't even bother to clarify that he had sworn on his life he hadn't entered himself into the Triwizard Tournament; if Ron couldn't grasp that fact, explaining it would be futile. "Let's do it tomorrow. I'm too tired right now." Harry could practically read Ron's thoughts: putting Potter in his 'place' was good, but doing it publicly would be even better.
"In the Great Hall tomorrow, Potter, and don't even think about running off like some cowardly Slytherin!" Harry detachedly muttered 'whatever' in reply and continued toward his dorm on the fourth floor.
~/ *** \~
Somehow, by breakfast the following morning, the entire school—indeed all three schools—was buzzing about the duel that was set to take place that day. Hermione, as always, was trying to dissuade Harry from participating, mainly out of concern for his safety. However, once he pointed out that engaging in the duel might be the only way to get Ron off his back, she abandoned her protests and wished him luck instead. Neville, like many students at Hogwarts, showed his support for Harry without trying to sway his decision to fight.
Naturally, there were those who believed Ron was justified, convinced that Harry had stolen his place in the tournament. Thankfully, this mindset was limited to a minority of younger students, but that didn't stop them from trying to irritate Harry with taunts designed to compel him into a foolish act that would lead to a forfeit.
Meanwhile, the Beauxbaton and Durmstrang delegates had little care for who was right or wrong in the matter. Their interest in the duel stemmed from a desire to assess the current caliber of wizards produced by Hogwarts to better prepare their champions for the tournament.
However, Harry's morning took a turn for the worse when the 'Daily Prophet' arrived. Despite the absence of reporters from the Great Hall the previous day, the paper managed to paint a vivid picture of the champions' selection while conveniently omitting any mention of Harry's oath, making it seem as if he had willingly entered the tournament for attention. He was mildly reassured, however, knowing that his barrister would swiftly address the libel.
About fifteen minutes before breakfast concluded, Ron—looking anxious not to miss out on food—arrived. Surprisingly, rather than rushing to devour his meal, he approached the professors' table, where he frantically explained something to Dumbledore. Harry, sitting too far away to catch the conversation clearly, noticed the headmaster's expression shift as Ron spoke—no doubt it revolved around the impending duel. Once Ron finished, he made a beeline back to the Gryffindor table, eager to return to his meal, though he didn't miss the chance to ogle the Beauxbatons witches, particularly their champion.
"Dueling champions, attention!" Dumbledore announced, drawing everyone's focus. "Due to the events that transpired yesterday evening, an honor duel has been declared by Mr. Ronald Billius Weasley against Mr. Potter. The duel will take place here in Hogwarts' Great Hall after breakfast, and anyone with a free period is welcome to stay and watch." A brief hush fell over the Great Hall before students erupted into excited chatter. Dumbledore cleared his throat once more.
"Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff second years," he said, "your Charms lesson will take place in the Great Hall today. We will be observing the duel, after which you will share your thoughts on the spells employed." The students he addressed responded with enthusiastic cheers, eager not to miss the spectacle of a duel between the Boy Who Lived and the so-called Chosen One.
"Likewise for my fifth-year Gryffindor and Slytherin classes," Mad-Eye Moody added, rising to his feet. "Your assignment is to observe the duel, analyze the duelists' mistakes, and draft a foot-long essay on how those errors could have been avoided for next week's lesson." More cheers erupted from those who didn't want to miss such an exciting event.
When breakfast concluded and students with other lessons had exited the Great Hall, Dumbledore waved his wand, moving the four house tables against the walls to clear a sizable space in the center of the hall. He spent the next several minutes layering wards around the area to protect spectators from errant jinxes or other unfortunate spells during the engagement. Once Dumbledore finished preparing, he announced:
"Ladies and gentlemen, the moment you have all been waiting for has arrived. I now invite Mr. Weasley and Mr. Potter to enter the arena." Harry, who had been mentally prepared for this for some time now, strode confidently into the arena. Ron, on the other hand, appeared decidedly less composed, scrambling up the few steps with a half-eaten chicken leg in his grasp. After hastily finishing his last few bites, he carelessly hurled the chicken piece away and wiped his mouth with the sleeve of his robe—a rather unsightly gesture.
"Ready to lose, Potter?" Ron taunted, still chewing his food. Harry made an effort to remain impassive, although Ron's behavior was hard to ignore. It was evidently clear that the redhead was envisioning a dramatic victory, eager for the girls—especially the Veela—to swoon over him in admiration.
"Before we initiate the duel, both adversaries must bow to one another," Dumbledore decreed, attempting to maintain decorum. However, Harry quickly interjected, disrupting the proceedings.
"I object, sir," Harry said firmly.
"On what grounds, Mr. Potter?" Dumbledore inquired, barely concealing his irritation at being challenged.
"A master may only serve as a judge for their apprentice's duel if the opposing duelist is also their apprentice. Since only Mr. Weasley is your apprentice, you are disqualified from this role according to official dueling rules." Before Dumbledore could retort, Professor Flitwick spoke up.
"Mr. Potter is correct, Albus. We need an impartial judge." The tension hung in the air until Madame Maxime offered a solution.
"I possess enough knowledge in dueling to preside over this bout," she announced, demonstrating her authority. After Flitwick confirmed both duelists agreed to her judging, she prompted Ron. "State your conditions, Mr. Weasley."
"I want this cheating bastard," he declared, angrily pointing at Harry, "to confess he swindled his way into the tournament and seized my place!" Madame Maxime remained stoic. "And I want him to surrender everything he owns to me!" After a nod of understanding, she turned to Harry.
"And your conditions, Mr. Potter?" she asked.
"Mr. Weasley is to cease his slanderous claims against me and not to attack me—physically, magically, politically, or otherwise—regarding this matter." Madame Maxime nodded approvingly; while she was meant to be impartial, her sympathies leaned toward Harry.
"The conditions have been stated and accepted," she confirmed. "Duelists, take your positions!" Ron assumed a poor imitation of an offensive stance while Harry stood relaxed. "Bow!" Ron offered a curt nod, feeling Harry deserved no more than that, while the green-eyed teen knew that breaking eye contact with an opponent was one of the gravest errors a duelist could make. "Fight!" Madame Maxime declared, stepping beyond the wards surrounding the arena.
Ron began with a stunning spell aimed at Harry, but the teen quickly dodged, the beam whizzing past him. In the following moment, a blinding flash erupted from the tip of Harry's wand. When visibility returned, a massive, terrifying apparition—a six-foot-tall, furry black spider, complete with venom-dripping pincers—stood before Ron.
The moment Ron laid eyes on the horrific spider, he let out an unmanly shriek, and a wet stain spread across his trousers as he fainted onto the arena floor, choosing the bliss of unconsciousness over the terror of reality. Dispelling the illusion, Harry bowed gracefully toward the audience.
"The winner of the duel is Mr. Potter!" Madame Maxime announced as it became evident that Ron was completely incapacitated. A moment of silence ensued before students from all three schools erupted into applause. To Harry's surprise, Draconica was among the first to cheer.
Elsewhere in the Great Hall, Barty Crouch Jr., disguised as Alastor Moody, reflected on the encounter. It was clear to him that the Dark Lord was right to doubt the notion of Weasley being the 'chosen one' Dumbledore had claimed him to be. However, while Potter had not showcased impressive skill in that brief duel, it was apparent he was not to be underestimated. Barty vowed to gather intelligence on Harry Potter—not just for himself, but for his Lord.