Just wanted to briefly thank everyone that pointed out any errors in my fanfic. You're helping me polish it into something better. Thank you.
(Word Count: 1,650)
The first match of the next round of the tournament started the next day, meaning it was Harry's time to step onto the stage again. Just as before, the second dueling platform wouldn't be used during his match to give full attention to him. All part of Mr. Lazard's marketing scheme, using Harry's face to promote the dueling circuits.
As it turned out, the plan was a huge success. When Harry arrived at the stadium early that morning, he was shocked to see twice as many people lining up to get in. Luckily, Harry and his group didn't have to pay for tickets since he was competing, so they could just go straight in.
Mr. Lazard found him quickly and came over. The older wizard was now dressed in fine navy blue silk robes, trimmed in silver. He was practically gushing over how many people had showed up today. "Monsieur Potter!" He called, catching Harry's hand and shaking it enthusiastically, "isn't it wonderful? So many people! I can't even remember the last time so many people were interested in dueling! Why, not since before Dolohov was revealed to be a death eater. Yeah, that really killed the sport," Mr. Lazard grimaced at the bitter memory that surfaced. "But now, thanks to you, dueling's making a comeback! If we get any more people, we're going to have to move the whole U-15 bracket into our main stadium! We've only ever used that for our adult circuit! Ha! Can you imagine? Unprecedented!"
"If things keep up like this, you may get your wish, Monsieur Lazard," Harry said. "Afterall, this is only the second round. Imagine what the finals will look like."
Monsieur Lazard smiled, a gleeful look in his eyes as he imagined the scene. He snapped out of it and patted Harry on the back. "You're quite right, Monsieur Potter! Say, you wouldn't be opposed to doing another interview after your match, would you? We've got some more reporters here, and they're all eager for a word from you."
"New reporters? From where?" If Harry recalled correctly, and he always did, he had already talked to the major news outlet for most of the nearby countries that were a part of this tournament.
"Ah, yes, well, once word had spread about you, we've got listeners from all the way across the pond! We've got reporters from the USA, Mexico, and Brasil!" Lazard exclaimed.
Harry ran a hand through his hair in exasperation. Wasn't that a bit too much? He knew people knew of him in Europe, but now it seems his fame was travelling farther due to the tournament's international promotion.
"Very well, then. I don't mind giving a few minutes for an interview," Harry said.
"Ahem," Sirius cleared his throat and laid a hand on Harry's shoulder. "I can see that Harry's influence has given you a rather large increase in admission sales. How do you plan to compensate my godson for this?"
Lazard coughed, embarrassed at being called out. "Yes, well, of course! It wouldn't do for Monsieur Potter's efforts to go unappreciated! Seeing how many people showed up today, I can write him a check for 1,000 Bezants, to cover the previous interviews and today's, how does that sound?"
Sirius narrowed his eyes. "1,000 Bezants for the first interviews, and another 1,000 for today's."
Mr. Lazard's eyes bulged, "Lord Black! Surely that's too much! There may be more people than normal, but this is still a small event! I can probably get away with 1,200 Bezants in total."
Sirius rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Make it 1,500. Remember, together with Harry's name, it's enough for even countries across the pond to take notice. That will bring even more people this year, but the main effects will be seen in the coming years as more kids sign up. You know this, and want to invest in the future. So invest."
Lazard gulped. "Right. For the future. Very well then! 1,500 Bezants."
Sirius nodded in satisfaction. "That's more like it!"
"But on one condition!" Lazard said, turning now to Harry, who was content to watch his godfather haggle compensation. Though really, there was no need for it. He had a lot of money already, which was why he hadn't bothered to bring it up himself. Still, it was the principle of the matter. "I want you to be a regular contestant in the Junior Dueling Circuits, both the U-15 and the U-17. I can tell it will be easy for you to get to at least the quarterfinals already. Maybe you might even have a shot at winning the championship. If you don't win this year, I'm certain you can win the following years. Having you as our reigning champion for a couple of years would do wonders."
"Of course. I was already planning on doing that," Harry said.
Lazard sighed in relief. "Right. Now, I shouldn't get in the way of your preparations! Good luck for your match, Monsieur Potter." He gave a slight bow and made his way back towards the judges' table.
Just then Harry felt a familiar pull on his mind. It was Fleur's allure. He looked around and it was easy to find her. He just had to follow where everyone was looking. Fleur Delacour had just walked in the side entrance reserved for those that were a part of the event. This time, she had come alone without her family. She was dressed in more casual clothes, a simple skirt and blouse with a simple over-the-top light robe that was left open.
They made eye contact from across the room. Harry raised his chin in acknowledgement, but she pointedly ignored him and made her way to the other side of the stadium.
Sirius elbowed him, waggling his eyebrows in that annoying way of his. "Looks like the Veela girl's come to watch you perform. Best put on a show for her."
Harry pushed him away, but he couldn't help blushing just a bit. "Oh, shut up."
"Oh-ho? What's this? Little Harry's blushing? You never blush when I tease you about anyone besides your dear Dora!" Sirius grinned.
"Shut it! It's just the allure, that's all. Besides, we don't even know each other," Harry said.
"Uh-huh. The master of Mind Arts can't defend against a bit of allure. I totally believe that. If you don't know each other, then just get to know her! You did go introduce yourself yesterday, didn't you? And now she's here to watch your match! Just go talk to her afterwards again. You can slowly get to know each other over the course of the tournament," Sirius said.
Flitwick chuckled, "Ohohoho, even if things don't progress to a relationship, it would still be worthwhile. Not many get the chance to befriend a Veela, Harry!"
"Professor," Harry said, definitely not in a whine, "It's not like that! I just… Well, I saw her in one of my visions. She comes to Hogwarts in my fourth year, along with a whole bunch of 7th year students from Beauxbatons and Durmstrang. I was curious, that's all."
Flitwick stroked his beard, "Oh? We're hosting students from other schools? How interesting. Do you know why?"
"Yes, but I think it's better for it to remain a secret. I don't want it to get out somehow and ruin it," Harry said apologetically.
"Very well then," Flitwick sighed. He was still curious, but let it be.
"That's all the more reason to get to know her better," Sirius said, not giving up.
"Of course I'll be getting to know her!" Harry said, "But not because I want to start something with her."
Sirius and Flitwick shared an amused look.
"I mean it!" Harry said warningly.
His protests did nothing to stop the two men from smirking knowingly and chuckling under their breaths.
"Whatever," Harry muttered. "It's almost time for the match. I need to go change."
Harry left them to go back to the locker room to change. There, he found his opponent, Allesandro Cagliostro. He seemed to have been sitting on the bench nervously bouncing his legs in anticipation. When Harry came in, Cagliostro jumped up to his feet and put on a confident smile, but from the emotions Harry was picking up from him, he was a huge bundle of nerves. "Harry Potter! My name is Allesandro Cagliostro! Nice meet you," He spoke in broken English as he extended a hand in greeting.
Harry shook his hand. "Harry Potter. You had quite the showing for your first match."
His grin faltered briefly before returning in full force. "Ah, you saw that, did you?" He muttered in Italian. Luckily, last night Harry had taken the time to read through an English to Italian dictionary, so he could mentally translate in his head. It did take a bit, because he struggled to actually recognize which words were being used when spoken quickly, but it wasn't too bad. Cagliostro continued in English with a thump against his chest proudly. "I no fall easy!"
Harry held up a hand and spoke in slow, but at least grammatically correct, Italian. "I don't mind if you speak Italian, I can understand you."
"Ah, you can? That's amazing! Ahem, then… Everyone thought I would lose yesterday, but I proved everyone wrong! I bet everyone thinks the same about our match. Well, I'll prove them wrong again! I won't go down easy! I'll beat you, and I'll become champion!"
Harry grinned at the enthusiasm. "No. I'll be the one winning this tournament. Though I do hope to see how much you've improved next year."
One of the tournament officials poked his head in. "Potter, Cagliostro, you've got 5 minutes before you're called onto the stage!"
Harry quickly changed into his dueling robes, then turned to Cagliostro. "I'll see you on stage."
He grinned back, "Yeah. See you there."