AN: I´m still alive and I´m still working on this, so don´t you worry. I have every plan to finish this story.

So keep tuned, reaview and hopefully enjoy.

If there´s something I need to clear up, or if you have some other concern about the story just PM me.

Thanks again dear readers for still keeping up.

Disclaimer: Just look it up in one of the other chapters I´m too much ina rush to write one right now.

"Third Person PoV"

"Welcome, Welcome one and all … to the first official duelling contest held at Hogwarts!" shouted the regular Quiditch commentator Lee Jordan into the magical mic that had been supplied for him. He sat at the spot where normally the Head Table stood, beside him (on the now much smaller table) sat Professor McGonagall and on his other side sat Auror Kingsley Shacklebot, who had been sent from the Ministry to aid on this day.

Together the three of them looked down on the heavily warded duelling platform that took nearly a quarter of the Great hall. About twenty meters long, so nearly from one side of the hall to the other, and about seven meters wide all in all. It was raised a few feet into the air and the only way to get on was through a pair of steps, one on each side of the platform. Furthermore they looked onto a sea of students that crowded the rest of the hall, few of them were competitors, but many were wishing luck to their friends, or setting bets on the games. Later most of these students would sit down on some bleachers that had been raised for the event, so that only the competitors would remain upfront.

Between the platform and the students stood a long row of tables, laden with weapons, most of them dull, and a few scrap pieces of armoury, both leather and steel, and nearly everything on these tables was charmed with either protective or supportive spells. This was where the competitors could arm themselves for the competition. A few Professors and Aurors stood around these tables to make sure everything went calmly and no accidents happened. Of course the competitors had also been allowed to bring their own accessories, but few had anything of value for such an occasion, so most of them were crowding around these tables.

It was nearing nine o' clock in the morning, so things were just about to begin. "Please my fellow students and most honoured guests, take your seats so we may begin soon." Lee spoke again.

Slowly the floor began to empty, a few last bets and shows of encouragement and then the floor was void except for the competitors and their supervisors. One hundred students and a hand full of teachers and Aurors remained standing before the huge crowd. Other then, what seemed to be every single student of Hogwarts, there were also a few reporters, ministry workers (obviously spying for future workers) and a few others in the now mostly seated crowd.

Once the people had quieted down and most competitors had seated themselves on the chairs provided for them, few noticeable exceptions ignored, with a flash and a bang a pillar of smoke appeared in the middle of the platform. Once the smoke cleared Professor Dumbledore stood there in his best robes and wand pointed to his throat. A muttered Sonorous later his voice rang out through the hall. Not that he needed it, everyone was absolutely quiet and hung to his lips as it was.

"Thanks to you, Lee. Now I too extend my greetings to you all. Thank you for coming here on this magnificent day to watch, what could be one of the finest events in the History of Hogwarts. Now I won´t bore you with many words, let me just remind you of a few Rules for today."

His cheerful façade gave way and his normally twinkling eyes took on a rather hard quality. "In the upcoming duels I will accept no maiming, and everyone who even so much as thinks of doing permanent harm to their opponent will face me directly. IS THAT CLEAR?" During this sentence his magic had flared extremely and all the light and warmth in the room seemed to be drawn to him. Some of the Aurors nervously fingered their wands. But then he relaxed and the whole hall let out a breath in unison.

"But other than that everything goes. Suitable armoury and weapons have been given to those who desire to use them. The matches will go for three minutes and if there is no obvious winner, our dear commentators will decide who will continue on. Another rule would be that except the two competitors and the judge, who will be either me, Professor Flitwick or Mr. Lupin, who had fortunately accepted to help, may enter the wards surrounding the battlefield. Summoning Arts will be the obvious exemption to that rule." Somewhere one competitor was silently smiling to himself.

"Just a few last words and then I will bore you no more. The duels will be chosen completely randomly, which could mean one of the competitors may fight in nearly every duel, as long as he wins, and another competitor may not fight at all till the finals. I doubt it, but stranger things have happened. There will be a few longer breaks after every fifth duel, to give the fighters ample time to recuperate. Refreshments and an array of food will be served in the Entrance Hall. Now thank you for your attention and let the duels begin."

While the spectators and most duellists broke out into applause, Dumbledore stepped down from the platform and walked through the wards surrounding it to the 'Head Table' where he proceeded to summon a golden cup, that held all the slips of the competitors. He then activated the charms on the cup and walked away.

Meanwhile Professor Flitwick entered the ward and stood on a small extra part of the platform that in itself was heavily warded to, to give the judge some kind of protection from misfired or redirected spells.

But all the attention was on the cup that now glowed with a vibrant blue colour and then spat out two slips of paper. Professor McGonagall caught them and then spoke into her microphone "May Roxas Black and Cedric Diggory enter the battleground."

The whole hall had gone silent when the Professor had caught the papers, but now they broke into applause in cheers. Meanwhile Lee, obviously used to speaking over loud crowds was giving his on two cents to the draw, while the two mentioned competitors slowly made their way up on the platform.

"What a first draw I say. Ladies and Gentlemen before you there are the two founders of this wonderful duelling club. Give a hearty applause for them. Now while these two get ready I will give you a little rundown on some facts about these two.

First and foremost I should mention that the affronted boys are the best of friends, so keep that in mind while you see them struggle against each other. But do not fret, I for one don´t think that they will give each other even a small opening. Oh yes folks, we are definitely in for a great duel here.

Those of you who have seen Roxas fight against some of our best teachers again and again may question if young Cedric has even the slightest chance against this secret favourite of this whole tournament? Well I for one think so.

Unluckily my dear ladies I have it from a safe source that both of these gentlemen are already taken, so no chance there, but at least you can now watch these two well-built Adonises for you. Seems like they are ready don´t you reckon Professor?"

Professor McGonagall, due to countless times she had sat next to the never silent boy, just heaved a sigh at his unstoppable speaking ability (and all of this without breathing he had once pointed out proudly) and answered. "Yes it does seem so Mr. Jordan. However, I for one am very curios what styles of fighting we will see today.

For those who do not know this, Mr. Black is a very skilled young wizard, he relies heavily on supportive and distracting spells. Unlike most other wizards he prefers close quarter combat to mid or long range attacks. Another scarcely known fact, is that he also uses elemental spells quite often. I hope Mr. Diggory keeps that in mind, otherwise he could be burned for his carelessness.

But I´m quite sure that he will remember. For Mr. Diggory is one of the brightest minds we have here at Hogwarts. I´m also sure that he has at least a handful of plans at the ready for this fight. Let´s hope that Mr. Black can be as tricky as a trickster, otherwise he may find himself entangled in Mr. Diggory´s carefully knitted mesh.

Any thoughts to add Kingsley?"

"Not much time left and not much the two of you haven´t said, but I would like to tell everyone here one thing. Watch this match closely … you may learn something." At this point his eyes were especially trained on the Aurors by the preparation tables.

For a few seconds there was silence, till Lee slipped into his usual commentator mode. "And they shake hands, really a sign of good sportsmanship there, they step back into their corners. Professor Flitwick gives the sign … aaaaaand the match BEGINS!

Cedric starts it off with a volley of spells, Knockback and Stunning spells if I see this right, such precision and speed in casting. Does he have Roxas on the ropes already?

NO! Roxas dodges each and every one of these spells easily and … do I see this wrong or does he really have his wand in his pocket. What is going on with this guy is he mad or something.

But still the rapid fire from Cedric is going on and I think I see a pattern there. If I see this right, then he will get Roxas into a corner right about no-

Finally he drew his wand! Damn show-off he is. Blocked Cedric´s final spell in the last second. And here I thought it was over already, but no Roxas is back in the match and he is gaining ground now. A few carefully placed distracting spells here and there and he is getting closer to Cedric already. I can´t believe how fast he turned this duel around.

Step by step he is getting closer to Cedric and I´m quite sure Cedric´s in a tight spot there. If Roxas gets within ten feet I´m quite sure the match will be over. But for now we can enjoy a nice mix of attack, supporting and defensive spells all of them mixed together in an athletic display of speed and precision. What a match to start it off.

…

Now Roxas is getting closer … will Cedric find a counter in time or will this be the end already … He comes within reach. Ten feet if I count that right. That's it. Roxas is reaching on his back with his free hand. Has he something hidden under is cloak. He charges and … Cedric has casted a Bombada!

That´s insane, does he want to hurt himself too? There´s currently a smoke screen blocking the two from view, so even I can´t tell what is happening right now. Who´s still standing? Who will win!?

There! There is movement in the smoke, I can´t see what´s happening exactly, but something happened! And there it is. The time limit is over. I think … yes! Professor Flitwick is casting a spell to clear the air on the battlefield. Soon we will know how it ended.

…

And the smoke vanishes … aaaaaand … Roxas is still standing! What happened? Cedric is lying on the ground and I think his legs are wounded! Is that blood I see on his legs?

What the hell happened?!"

"Language Mr. Jordan." chastised Professor McGonagall, through it was a rather distracted mumble, since her eyes were glued to the duelling arena.

"Roxas' PoV"

Breathe deeply, I told myself. Don´t hold your breath now, your lungs are already hurt from the smoke. Keep breathing calmly. And Finally Professor Flitwick came over to us. I motioned him that my lungs hurt with some hand gestures. He waved his wand in my direction and I could feel the tightness go away.

Damn my chest hurt, I looked down and saw that there was now obvious wound on it, my coat had taken most of the damage, but thankfully the magical prosperties of my cloak would repair it over time. For now I took it off and now only clad in my black trousers, black shirt and white jacket I already felt better.

Not wasting a second I hurried over to where Cedric was laying, Professor Flitwick was already there. He waved his wand again and muttered a few words, now I realized it was a Purification Spell, probably to clear the smoke out of our lungs and heal any damage done to them.

I knelt down next to Cedric, while Professor Flitwick was already healing the, admittedly, small but deep wounds on his legs. With a flinch I noticed that I had cut into both his quadriceps muscles, the muscles just above the knee. A wound that would make him absolutely unable to stand.

Through no permanent harm was done, something Professor Flitwick assured me of quite often, I still felt extremely bad that I had wounded my friend in this fashion.

The second Professor Flitwick was done with his patchwork, something Madam Pomfrey would use as a start for the true healing process, Cedric woke up. With a tight smile I offered him my hand, because while he would be able to stand and walk now, he would still be weak in the legs until the healing was complete.

With just a grim face he took my offered arm and gripped my under arm strongly and I helped him, pull himself up. Within seconds we were both standing and limping down from the platform.

"Good work in there" Cedric said after a while.

I shook my head with a disgusted look on my face. "No I was overconfident at the beginning and reckless when I advanced on you."

"That you were my friend and I took the opening you showed so blatantly."

"Which let to me hurting you …. Believe me I´m through with playing around. Now I will go all out."

"You better do, you ungrateful bastard." He said with a smile. Then he sobered up again. "Now you have to win for the both of us, you hear me. No fooling around anymore. Got it?!"

"Got it." I breathed. I was just glad everything was still okay between the two of us. "I promise." And I wouldn´t fail you again my friend. "Now let´s get you to Madam Pomfrey, so you will be up and about again in no time. I want a rematch."

"Not only you …" He once again had a smile on his face.

(Time skip)

Throughout the next hours a lot happened. Harry fought thrice, first against a fifth year, who he beat through better spell- (and foot-) work and then twice against a seventh year, both times winning through fast thinking and surprise attack. To let himself be disarmed and then knock the enemy out with a wandless Stupefy was a good tactic, but it would work only once.

Thankfully he didn´t have to fight again. Unlike me.

Sixteen times my name was drawn. Sixteen faceless enemies in my book. … No that wasn´t true. Thirteen of them were part of the sub-groups of the Neo Marauders, so I at least knew them … and a few things about them. And everything I knew about them I used against them.

Ruthless, merciless, cold and devil may care attitude, these were the things said about me after these battles. But I had given a promise and I wouldn´t back down easily.

After I had sent my last opponent (Marcus Flint) directly into the hospital wing without any stops, I was stopped however. I knew there were only two people left in the tournament … Since we were this close to the finals Dumbledore said an hour long pause was in order.

I walked in the direction of the Entrance Hall to get a little snack and the masses, which had descended from their seats, parted for me. Scaredy cats, all of them. When I entered the Entrance Hall everyone somehow found something else to do and left the vicinity. All but one.

In the back of the hall stood a person clad in a white coat with a large silver zipper. A coat exactly like mine, but in colour. The hood was pulled up, but I didn´t need to look to know who it was.

When I came close to her she raised her arm and smacked me on the back of my head. I didn´t budge. "Is that it? Is that what you want to be remembered as? I thought you had changed. I thought we could change … something. Why Rox?"

When I looked up tears were gathering in the corners of my normally blue eyes. A yellow tint had entered them already. "I … I … I need help." And with that I broke down into her arms.

She caught me easily and held me close. She whispered sweet nothings in my ears and rubbed my back. After I had calmed down a bit … and my tears had dried I looked up again. "Please."

"Shh, it´s okay Rox. I know. I know what´s happening to you. I can feel it too, you know. The Darkness … it´s getting stronger … it´s coming closer. Soon they will be back … and …. and I´m not sure we can defeat them this time." She laid her head on my shoulder and I tightened my grip on her waist. "I too can feel the desire to use it Rox, but … we can´t. If we give into that impulse we will be just like them. We will use what we fought so hard to regain. Please Rox, don´t endanger your heart. You promised it to me, so please … for me." She pressed closer to me and started to sniffle.

I held her tighter too and spoke in a whisper … in a whisper that meant more than this whole world. "I swear … on your heart my Naminé."

We staid like that for another few minutes till we finally departed and looked deep into each other's eyes. "I love you so much Naminé … I … I couldn´t do this without you. Thank you, Thank you so much for everything."

"No Rox … thank you … and I love you too." She said with a small and loving smile slowly blossoming on her beautiful face.

Only around her I could show my true self and so I wasn´t the least embarrassed when I asked her with a small and nearly breaking voice "Will you be here when all this is over?"

"I promise." She breathed to me while she leaned closer and closer to me.

"Naminé …" and I too leaned closer to her.

When our lips met a sudden wind picked up and a faint glimmer of pure light erupted between us. When we ended the kiss and I opened my eyes again the yellow hew was gone. Nam too opened her eyes and smiled at me.

A cough from the door to the Great Hall forced us to turn around, but without letting go of each other. Dumbledore stood there and nodded at me. I gave him a nod too and then turned back to Naminé again and stole another chaste kiss before letting go of her.

She gave me a smile and a nod, then she too let go.

I went ahead to Dumbledore and when I passed him he handed me a handkerchief. I took it thankfully and cleaned away the signs of my crying. A nod of thanks from me was rewarded by an understanding smile and a familiar twinkle in his eyes.

On the way to the battleground he asked me to meet with him tonight … and to bring my lovely lady with me. I agreed to meet him at twelve and went in, while he took the spot as the referee, I walked up the steps to take my spot facing my opponent. I walked to the middle of the platform and raised my fist, waiting for my opponent to bump it.

Bumping his fist into mine, Harry smirked and said "Last one standing?"

I smirked right back and said "Better glue yourself to the ground then."

We shared a short laugh and got into position ten steps apart from each other. Dumbledore raised his wand and said "Ready … Struggle!"