A clear, enchanted chime suddenly echoed throughout the Great Hall.
The sound spread effortlessly across the enormous chamber, somehow reaching every corner without becoming overwhelming. Conversations faded almost instantly as hundreds of heads turned towards the central platform.
Professor McGonagall stepped gracefully onto the largest arena.
Her emerald robes flowed behind her as she surveyed the crowded hall, waiting patiently until absolute silence had settled over the spectators.
Only then did she begin.
"Welcome."
Her voice carried clearly across the Great Hall without the need for magical amplification.
"As all of you know, today's trials will determine the six students chosen to represent Hogwarts and magical Britain in this year's European Under-Seventeen Dueling Championship."
A ripple of excitement swept through the audience.
McGonagall allowed it to fade naturally before continuing.
"This is not merely a school competition."
Her eyes moved steadily across the assembled competitors.
"You are competing for the honour of representing your country."
The words carried undeniable weight.
"Talent alone will not determine today's outcome."
Several students exchanged uncertain glances.
"The judging panel will evaluate discipline, control, adaptability, sportsmanship..." She paused deliberately before finishing. "...and above all, your ability to think."
More than a few competitors looked surprised.
"A powerful spell is impressive," she said calmly.
"A well-timed spell is far more valuable."
Around the hall, several professors nodded in quiet agreement.
She stepped aside as Professor Flitwick climbed onto the platform beside her.
The tiny Charms Master looked positively delighted. His cheerful smile stretched almost from ear to ear.
"I shall keep my speech much shorter."
The comment drew immediate laughter from the students.
"I have only one request."
He looked dramatically around the Great Hall before raising a single finger.
"Please..." he said with exaggerated seriousness.
"...try not to destroy the Great Hall."
The room erupted into laughter.
Even Professor Snape looked suspiciously close to smiling before his expression settled back into its customary neutrality.
Flitwick chuckled together with everyone else.
"I've become rather attached to it over the years."
Another wave of laughter swept through the hall.
His smile softened as he looked towards the competitors.
"But in all seriousness..."
His bright eyes lingered on the students standing nearest the platforms.
"Enjoy yourselves."
"Very few witches and wizards ever receive the opportunity to test themselves against the very best of their generation."
He spread both arms warmly.
"Today..."
"You have that chance."
His voice filled with genuine excitement.
"Show us what you can do."
Thunderous applause echoed through the Great Hall.
When the cheers finally subsided, Professor McGonagall unrolled the lengthy parchment she carried.
"The first round will consist of simultaneous matches across all eight platforms."
She adjusted her spectacles before reading the first names.
"When your name is called, report immediately to your assigned arena."
She glanced down.
"Platform One. Hannah Abbott versus Kevin Whitby."
The two students hurried forward amid encouraging applause from every House.
"Platform Two. Susan Bones versus Malcolm Baddock."
Susan climbed confidently onto her platform while Malcolm offered her a respectful nod.
"Platform Three. Anthony Goldstein versus Owen Cauldwell."
Anthony adjusted his glasses before stepping forward and bowing politely to his opponent, who returned the gesture without hesitation.
One after another, names echoed throughout the Great Hall until all eight platforms held their first competitors.
Near the centre of the room, Madam Pomfrey waited calmly with several medical kits already floating obediently beside her, ready for immediate use should they become necessary.
Professor Flitwick raised his wand.
The protective barriers surrounding every arena brightened until each platform stood enclosed beneath a shimmering blue dome. He examined them carefully before giving a satisfied nod.
"Ready."
Professor McGonagall looked towards each supervising professor stationed around the hall.
"Begin."
The Great Hall exploded into colour.
Eight duels erupted almost simultaneously as scarlet, blue, silver, and golden streams of magic flashed through the air. Cheers rose from every direction while the protective barriers shimmered continuously beneath the barrage of spells.
On Platform One, Hannah Abbott began cautiously, conjuring a broad Shield Charm before following with a precise Disarming Spell. Kevin rolled neatly aside, responding with a rapid succession of Stinging Hexes that forced Hannah onto the defensive almost immediately.
Platform Two proved considerably louder.
Susan Bones advanced aggressively from the very beginning, refusing to surrender the initiative for even a moment.
"Expelliarmus!"
Malcolm intercepted the spell.
"Protego!"
Susan followed instantly with a Body-Bind Curse, forcing Malcolm into an awkward dodge that barely avoided the shimmering jet of magic.
Watching nearby, Professor Flitwick smiled broadly.
"Excellent."
Platform Three unfolded rather differently.
Anthony Goldstein relied almost entirely upon movement. Rather than attempting to overpower Owen, he patiently circled the arena, allowing his opponent to waste both energy and concentration. Only when Owen's rhythm faltered did Anthony finally strike.
"Expelliarmus!"
The spell landed perfectly.
Owen's wand flew neatly through the air, and Anthony calmly caught it before offering a respectful bow.
The duel had lasted barely a minute.
Polite applause followed as Anthony crossed the platform and returned the wand himself.
Across the remaining arenas, every duel displayed a different style of magic.
Some students relied upon overwhelming speed.
Others favoured careful defence.
One Ravenclaw cleverly transfigured sections of the platform into polished ice, turning the duel into an increasingly ridiculous contest of balance as both competitors struggled to remain upright while casting spells. The audience erupted into laughter each time one nearly slipped before Professor Vector finally intervened, cancelling the transfiguration before either student tumbled off the platform altogether.
Elsewhere, a Hufflepuff attempted to conjure thick climbing vines around an opponent.
Instead, the enchanted plants enthusiastically wrapped themselves around both duelists.
Professor Sprout sighed fondly before releasing the pair with a casual flick of her wand.
"Plants," she muttered with an affectionate smile.
"They never quite follow instructions."
The atmosphere within the Great Hall became more energetic with every passing minute.
Students applauded clever spellwork regardless of House affiliation. A perfectly timed Shield Charm often earned as much admiration as a spectacular offensive spell, and impressive displays of creativity were greeted with enthusiastic cheers from every corner of the hall.
It wasn't simply about victory anymore.
Everyone genuinely enjoyed watching young witches and wizards challenge themselves against worthy opponents.
Standing quietly beside the competitors' area, Helios observed every duel with calm concentration.
Each match revealed far more than magical ability alone.
It revealed personality.
Confidence.
Decision-making.
Some students froze the instant real pressure appeared.
Others grew reckless, abandoning caution entirely.
A select few demonstrated genuine tactical awareness, adapting naturally to changing situations rather than stubbornly clinging to a single strategy.
Helios silently committed each observation to memory.
Because before long...
He suspected he would be standing upon one of those platforms himself.
The morning wore on, and with every passing duel the selection trials settled into a steady rhythm. Every few minutes another match reached its conclusion. One platform would erupt with cheers as another fell silent, only for the next pair of competitors to step forward.
Around the Great Hall, professors moved constantly between the raised dueling platforms, quietly discussing performances while enchanted quills danced across evaluation parchments. Scores were recorded, notes were exchanged, and before long another round of names echoed through the hall.
Very few of those who had been eliminated chose to leave. Instead, they remained where they were, watching the duelists with renewed interest. Some leaned against the walls while others sat cross-legged on the stone floor, analysing every spell and every mistake.
Disappointment lingered, but it was accompanied by determination. Every loss became a lesson, and every impressive display of magic offered something worth remembering before the next year's trials.
Professor Flitwick looked as though he was enjoying himself more than anyone else present. His eyes sparkled with excitement every time a student displayed ingenuity rather than brute force.
"Excellent!" he exclaimed after watching a Ravenclaw cleverly redirect an incoming spell instead of blocking it outright. "Very clever indeed!"
Without waiting another second, he enthusiastically scribbled several notes onto his parchment before hurrying towards another platform where another promising duel had already begun.
As the final matches of the opening round came to an end, Professor McGonagall stepped once again onto the central platform. The conversations throughout the Great Hall gradually died away until hundreds of students stood waiting expectantly.
"The first round has concluded."
Her calm, authoritative voice carried effortlessly across the chamber.
"Competitors whose names appear upon the notice boards will advance to the second round."
With a wave of her wand, several enchanted parchments floated gracefully through the air before attaching themselves to the stone walls around the hall.
The silence lasted only a heartbeat.
Then students rushed towards the lists.
"I made it!"
"I lost..."
"I almost had him."
"I told you Susan would qualify."
"I can't believe Justin lost already."
Excitement spread like wildfire through the crowd. Some students celebrated loudly with their friends, while others accepted defeat with quiet dignity. Even among those who had been eliminated, the prevailing mood was one of encouragement rather than despair.
"I rushed that last spell."
"I should've used a Shield Charm first."
"I'll do better next year."
The conversations quickly shifted from disappointment to improvement.
Across the hall, Rose Potter located her name without the slightest trace of surprise. She accepted her advancement with quiet confidence before stepping away from the crowd. Hermione immediately wrapped her in a brief embrace.
"I told you."
Rose laughed softly.
"We've only won one duel."
"And?" Hermione replied with a grin. "You looked brilliant."
Ron nodded enthusiastically. "You've started using your footwork more."
Rose looked at him in surprise.
"You noticed?"
"I notice everything."
Hermione slowly turned towards him, one eyebrow rising.
"No, you don't."
"I do."
"Oh?" she asked sweetly. "Then what colour are my shoes?"
Ron instinctively glanced downward before realising it was already too late.
"...Black?"
Hermione smiled triumphantly.
"They're brown."
Neville burst into laughter almost immediately, and Rose joined him moments later. Ron groaned dramatically before laughing at himself as well.
"I was paying attention to your face."
"Convenient excuse," Hermione replied.
"I'll remember next time."
"No, you won't."
"Probably not."
Their laughter drew amused smiles from several nearby students, reminding everyone that despite the seriousness of the competition, they were still children enjoying a rare day free from thoughts of war.
Not far away, Draco Malfoy quietly studied the second-round pairings. His grey eyes scanned the parchment only once before he memorised his next opponent and stepped away from the notice board. He neither celebrated nor frowned.
Blaise Zabini wandered over, folding his arms.
"You don't seem excited."
"I am."
"You have a strange way of showing it."
Draco kept his eyes on the dueling platforms.
"I've learned something."
"What?"
"Getting excited before a duel doesn't help."
Blaise blinked.
"And who taught you that?"
Draco hesitated for only a moment before answering.
"...Helios."
The admission surprised even him.
"Don't duel to prove you're better," Helios had once said. "Duel to make sure you're still standing when it's over."
At first Draco had thought the distinction meaningless.
Now he understood.
Winning and surviving were not always the same thing.
The second round began soon afterwards, and the increase in quality was immediately apparent. The weaker duelists had already been eliminated. Every student who stepped onto a platform now possessed genuine talent. Spells flew faster, combinations became more sophisticated, and hesitation all but disappeared.
Watching from Platform Three, Professor Flitwick nodded approvingly.
"Few unnecessary movements," he murmured. "They're adapting already."
Professor McGonagall stood beside him with her arms folded.
"The pressure is revealing character."
"It always does," Flitwick agreed.
One of the day's most captivating matches unfolded on Platform One, where Susan Bones faced an older Ravenclaw whose calm expression never changed. Unlike her first opponent, he refused to be drawn into reckless exchanges. Every spell Susan cast was answered with precise defence.
Scarlet bolts crashed against shimmering shields while transfigured stone wolves charged across the platform, only to dissolve into harmless smoke beneath expertly cast counter-charms. Neither competitor gave the other an opening, and the duel stretched past five minutes, then six. Students whose own matches had already concluded slowly gathered around the platform until a sizeable crowd had formed.
Finally, Susan acted.
"Expelliarmus!"
As expected, the Ravenclaw instinctively raised a broad Shield Charm.
Halfway through the motion, Susan twisted her wand.
"Expulso!"
The explosion erupted beneath his feet, throwing him off balance for the briefest fraction of a second.
It was enough.
"Expelliarmus!"
His wand spun high into the air before landing beyond the boundary.
The Great Hall erupted into applause.
Susan lowered her wand immediately and walked across the platform to retrieve her opponent's wand before offering it back with a respectful nod.
"Well fought."
The Ravenclaw accepted it with a smile.
"You had me."
Professor Flitwick clapped enthusiastically.
"Outstanding adaptation! Excellent awareness!"
Anthony Goldstein's second duel proved equally impressive. His opponent attempted to overwhelm him through relentless speed, launching spells so rapidly that many younger students struggled to follow the exchange. Anthony, however, never panicked. He simply retreated one measured step at a time, carefully observing every movement.
Helios watched with growing interest.
Antony was studying his opponent.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The same sequence repeated itself.
On the fourth repetition Anthony smiled faintly.
"There."
His Shield Charm appeared at an unusual angle, redirecting the incoming spell just enough to expose his opponent's flank.
"Petrificus Totalus."
The Body-Bind Curse struck cleanly.
The duel ended instantly.
Helios gave the slightest nod.
The strongest competitors continued advancing with remarkable consistency. Rose Potter, Susan Bones, Anthony Goldstein, Florian Rivers, Draco Malfoy, and Marina Griffs all secured place after place in the later rounds.
Whispers spread quickly throughout the audience.
"They have to be the favourites."
"I'd put my money on Rose."
"No, Marina's incredible."
"Have you seen Malfoy today?"
"When did he become this good?"
"I honestly have no idea."
The professors had reached much the same conclusion.
Professor McGonagall lowered her evaluation parchment.
"Mr. Malfoy has improved dramatically."
Professor Flitwick nodded in agreement.
"His spellcasting has become considerably more disciplined. He rarely wastes magic."
Professor Sprout smiled warmly.
"He also seems much calmer."
Draco's third duel quickly became one of the highlights of the afternoon. His opponent, a confident sixth-year Hufflepuff, launched three rapid blasting curses the moment the duel began. Most spectators expected Draco to continue retreating.
Instead, he stepped forward.
His Shield Charm absorbed the first spell. He sidestepped the second, while the third passed close enough to stir his blond hair.
Without hesitation he flicked his wand.
Silver ropes burst towards the Hufflepuff, who immediately severed them with a cutting charm.
Exactly as Draco had anticipated.
The severing motion pulled his opponent's wand slightly out of position.
One heartbeat later—
"Expelliarmus."
The wand flew neatly into the air.
The duel was over.
Silence settled across the Great Hall before applause spread steadily through the audience. It had not been the most spectacular duel of the day.
It had been one of the smartest.
Professor Flitwick beamed.
"Excellent. Very, very excellent."
Beside him, Professor McGonagall quietly added another note to Draco's evaluation.
Strategic thinking.
Watching from a neighbouring platform, Rose folded her arms thoughtfully.
"I underestimated him."
Hermione nodded.
"So did everyone."
Ron scratched his head.
"When did Malfoy become... good?"
For one glorious day, the shadow hanging over Hogwarts seemed a little lighter.
Thoughts of Voldemort, Death Eater attacks, and the coming war were pushed aside by something far more hopeful. There were still victories to earn, dreams to chase, and futures to build.