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Harry Potter and the Ritual of Love's Memory By Forge2
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Category: Post-HBP
Characters:All
Genres: Action/Adventure, General, Romance
Warnings: Death, Mild Language, Mild Sexual Situations, Violence
Rating: PG-13
Reviews: 263
Summary: After the horcrux hunt implodes leaving most of those Harry loves dead, he starts a new life with a few fellow survivors far away from wizarding Britain. But the discovery of an ancient ritual that promises to send a single memory back in time sparks hope that maybe things can change. Dark ending to DH followed by a tweaked retelling of GoF through DH. Harry/Ginny. Friday updates.
Original Timeline
Voldemort's Victory - Chapter 1-5 (Feel free to skip if you don't like major character deaths)
Tenochtitlán - Chapter 6-9
New Timeline
Harry's 4th Year - Chapter 10-28
Harry's 5th Year - Chapter 29-68
Harry's 6th Year - Chapter 69-Current
Hitcount: Story Total: 236416; Chapter Total: 2274
Awards: View Trophy Room
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The unveiling of a Dueling Tournament had all of Hogwarts abuzz. Professor Flamel had promised to announce it more formally at lunch the next day, but word had already spread through the student body like wildfire. Harry kept casting glances in her direction from his seat next to Ginny as they nervously chatted with their friends. When she finally wheeled from the head table (upon which two large objects covered by black cloth were placed tantalizingly), a hush fell over the Great Hall.
"Judging by the excited chatter this morning, it seems as though the rumor mill has already worked its magic." Professor Flamel's raspy voice rang out across the room, brimming with more excitement than usual. Her wheelchair moved along with barely a flick of her wand as she approached the student tables. "When I was a student at Beauxbatons, we had a yearly competition that never failed to enthrall the students: a tournament meant to test our wits and abilities. With Professor Dumbledore's permission, Hogwarts will put on its own first-annual Dueling Tournament!"
Harry found himself applauding along with most of the other students but was more eager to hear what the competition would look like. He slipped his hand into Ginny's as the clapping quieted and Flamel continued.
"The Dueling Tournament will consist of multiple competitions," intoned Flamel, her rigid tone buoyed by her enjoyment of making the announcement. "The first will be by age: students of each year level may compete in a one-on-one tournament. All entrants can earn bonus points toward their Defense grades for their participation. The top student from each year will earn 20 points for their house, and second place will earn 10."
Quiet murmuring sprouted from amongst the students while Professor Flamel paused. Harry heard Ginny let out an exasperated sigh and turned to meet her look.
"It's killing me not to be in sixth year with all of you," she huffed. "I was really hoping for this tournament to be fun!"
Before Harry could reply, Professor Flamel continued her explanation. Ginny squeezed his hand tightly out of frustration, and he silently thought that not facing off against his extra-competitive girlfriend might be for the best.
"The second event will be limited to students in fourth year or older and will require a partner. Teams of two will compete for the top spot and 40 house points, and for their names to be the first inscribed on the Doubles Dueling Cup."
With a flick of her wand, the black cloth covering one of the objects on the head table vanished, revealing a gleaming golden cup almost as tall as Professor Flitwick. Two handles protruded from either of its sides. It was met with a chorus of oohs from the students.
"The third and final competition is one suggested by the headmaster, himself," added Professor Flamel, a twinge of pride in her voice. "As such, I think it best to allow him the chance to make its introduction."
Professor Dumbledore rose from his seat and inclined his head in a gracious bow.
"That is quite kind, especially considering how thrilled I am about this particular competition," spoke the headmaster, a wide smile on his face. "Having been a part of Hogwarts many a year, I must say that I am more encouraged by the growing connection and partnership between houses than I have been in many long decades. Our four houses may prioritize differing strengths, but we all have so much more in common."
A furtive glance toward the Slytherin table indicated to Harry that several of their students were nodding along, or at least didn't look as disgusted at the headmaster's assertion as Pansy Parkinson. He looked for a sign of Malfoy, who would surely be ready to retch at the ideas Dumbledore was espousing, but he was nowhere to be seen.
"With that in mind, I am greatly pleased to unveil the Unity Cup," continued Dumbledore as the cloth covering the other object burst into a shower of red, blue, yellow, and green sparks. The cup was golden, but the brim was dotted with alternating stones of emerald, topaz, sapphire, and ruby. Each of the four handles was lined with one type of stone, and they glittered in the light of the Great Hall. "The final competition will require teams of four, with each student hailing from a different house. As with the doubles event, participation will be limited to fourth years and up. All three contests of the Dueling Tournament will be held prior to the end of this term, so I encourage each of you to avoid procrastination."
Many students swiftly turned from facing the headmaster to frantically scanning the other house tables. Slightly self-conscious, Harry slunk down next to Ginny to avoid quite a few eager glances from prospective partners.
"This last tidbit of information will come as a surprise to both students and faculty, as the idea has come to me while addressing you today." Even from a distance, Harry could see Professor McGonagall's eyebrows shoot upwards as she stared at the headmaster with a look of trepidation. Dumbledore's blue eyes twinkled as he met her gaze before looking back out at the students. "In the spirit of unity, I would like to formally announce that the Dueling Tournament will be accompanied by a Winter's Ball!"
The Hogwarts students, many already filled with excitement about the addition of the tournament, were thrown into chaotic exuberance by Dumbledore's revelation. Though the headmaster might have had more to say on the matter, the Great Hall descended into a cacophony of voices before he could continue. Harry watched the aged man turn back to an absolutely shocked Professor McGonagall, give her a self-satisfied nod, and promptly retreat from the head table into a corridor leading away.
"Bloody hell!" blurted Ron, while raking his hand down his face. "That's a lot to dump on us all at once!"
"You're not joking," replied Harry a bit unsteadily. "What do you think, Gin?"
"The first event being broken up by year means it won't be nearly as fun for me as the others, but the team competitions sound fantastic! And a dance, too? I can't wait!"
"Three sickles say the doubles will come down to two teams from Advanced Defense," added Ron. "It's like we've been training for this!"
"I'm interested to see who pairs up for the four-person duels," noted Hermione, her lips pursed as if she was already deep in thought. "Since that's the one where none of us can be on a team together, it represents the biggest unknown. I wonder if there will be groups that can't find someone from one of the houses."
Neville peered past Harry at the Ravenclaw table. "I don't think that's going to be a problem for you four. From the predatory looks aimed in this direction, I think people will be fighting to join up with you."
Though he didn't want to admit it aloud, Harry got the distinct feeling Neville was right. Several students from the other house tables seemed to be trying to catch his eye already.
"Even with Dean, Susan, and the two seventh years making it past the gauntlet last week, that still only leaves fourteen people in Advanced Defense," supplied Ron. "Lots of teams won't have anyone from the class."
Harry smiled at the thought of his fellow sixth years, along with Claudia from Slytherin and Aaron from Hufflepuff, joining their Advanced Defense class a few days prior. They had each been intimidated by the steep increase in difficulty, but enthusiastically urged others that beating the gauntlet was worth the effort after their first experience with the class.
"Ooh, I've got an idea," exclaimed Ginny, excitedly smacking Harry in the arm as her eyes lit up. "What if we all agree not to overload our teams with people from Advanced Defense? That way the competition isn't a snooze while we wait for another matchup that we've already seen during class!"
Hermione was already nodding along. "Yes, that makes a lot of sense. It would encourage more people to join the competition if the outcome didn't seem preordained. Maybe we keep it to two students from Advanced on each team?"
"That could work…" murmured Ron thoughtfully. Harry thought he could already see the gears in his friend's head turning as he considered options. "But not for doubles, right?"
"Oh, definitely not," replied Ginny with a smirk. "Don't want you to have any excuses when Harry and I flatten you!"
"Who says he'll pick you as his partner?" shot back Ron before he turned to Harry. "We've been best mates forever! You can go to the dance with Ginny and enter the tournament with me, that way it's fair!"
Ginny blew a rather wet raspberry at her brother. "Not a chance! If we're splitting custody, I get him for the tournament and you can take him to the Ball!"
Harry, who had been mostly listening to the conversation, wasn't ready for Ginny's suggestion, leading to him nearly choke on his bread.
"Look at him!" she laughed while thumping his back with her palm. "Even the suggestion of not being paired with me sends him into a tailspin."
Despite sputtering and coughing, Harry managed to choke out, "Yeah, with this weak constitution, she's probably doing you a favor, mate."
Ron rolled his eyes, though he was smiling. "Unbelievable! It's a shame that Padma and I will be forced to teach the two of you how it's done."
From further down the Gryffindor table, Parvati made a noise of disapproval. "I think she'd have a better chance of going far in the tournament with me. I'll be sure to let her know that Harry was your first choice, though!"
She flashed a mischievous smile, pushed herself up from the table, and sauntered toward her sister at the Ravenclaw table. She playfully waved at Ron over her shoulder and gave him a wink. He let out a swear under his breath before clambering up from the table, hurrying to salvage his chance to team up with his girlfriend.
~RLM~
Securing a team that could win the headmaster's Unity Cup proved more challenging than Harry anticipated. The constraints he was recruiting within, both those officially imposed by Dumbledore and suggested by Ginny and Hermione, made fielding a good team difficult.
His initial task was to find another member of Advanced Defense with whom he could partner. Six of the fourteen in the class were Gryffindors, narrowing the pool of options for him. This problem was magnified by the fact that several of his would-be competitors began making moves quickly.
Parvati didn't follow through on her threat to steal Padma from Ron in favor of adding Luna as her Ravenclaw, opting to join Susan as her second from Advanced Defense. Their Slytherin was a fourth year named Grant whom Harry didn't know well but seemed decent enough.
Harry thought that Ron and Padma had been more quick to bicker after he stubbornly insisted on joining the final duel during class, but they still managed to recruit Theo and a sixth year Hufflepuff named Leanne, who had recently joined Defense Club. Ron's team was definitely formidable, and Harry mentally ranked them as one of the top threats.
It had not come as a surprise to Harry that Hermione and Blaise formed a partnership, and their team looked just as tough to beat, if not a little more skilled. They snagged two of the other sixth year prefects, Ernie MacMillan of Hufflepuff and Terry Boot of Ravenclaw. Both had nearly succeeded on their last attempt to complete the gauntlet that would allow them to join Advanced Defense.
Ginny had not-so-secretly been rooting for Parvati and Padma to team up so that she could join forces with Luna, but still put together a strong team. She and Claudia recruited Kat Crawley, who was the best Chaser amongst the Hufflepuffs, and the clever Sue Li to round out their all-girl squad. Harry thought their version of the Holyhead Harpies had just as good a chance to win as anyone.
Much to Neville's surprise, Cho and Shannon asked him to be their Gryffindor. Harry was elated to hear his confused-but-pleased friend describe being asked to join and heartily congratulated him on putting in the work to earn such recognition. The three had a hard time finding a suitable Slytherin, eventually going with a fifth year named Russell who Harry saw as an obvious weak link.
Harry took more time than some of his classmates to find an Advanced Defense student with whom to partner. After hearing that his choices were dwindling, Harry resolved to find someone by their next class meeting. At breakfast the morning of the class, he groggily listened as Dean explained to Seamus who he planned to recruit to his side. Harry felt as though many of the best remaining options were being quickly snatched up and regretted waiting around on forming a team.
"Good morning, Harry. Hey, Ginny." Daphne's voice startled Harry, who had not noticed her quietly approaching from behind him. "How are you two doing?"
Ginny let out a groan. "McGonagall assigned another 18-inch essay yesterday after Snape gave us 20. It's like they're trying to work us to death before we even get to our OWLs."
"Ugh. Fifth year was brutal," retorted Daphne, scrunching her nose as if the mere thought of the previous year was odious. "You're not in Ancient Runes, right? I couldn't wait to move to sixth year and be rid of those essays."
"Thankfully, no, although my brother is trying to make up for it by overloading us in Arithmancy. It's a good thing Care of Magical Creatures doesn't involve much homework. I've barely got any free time, as is."
"I hear what little time you have may be spent trying to win the cup with Claudia." Daphne's tone was conversational, but Harry got the feeling she was feeling out a potential opponent somehow. "The two of you will certainly be formidable, depending on who else you add."
"We'll be able to field a strong team," replied Ginny, not giving away anything. "Speaking of teams, are you competing? Claudia mentioned that you might skip the four-person tourney to focus on the doubles."
"I did consider it, but had a change of heart." Daphne's attention flitted from Ginny toward Harry. "You're still in the market for a teammate from Advanced Defense, unless I'm much mistaken. Or are you planning to sit it out?"
"The plan was to find a partner, but everybody paired off fairly quickly," answered Harry.
"Not everybody," said Daphne with a sly smile. "Who better to team up with than the only other person from our class to have take out a Dumbledore copy?"
The two of them quickly added Daphne's Ravenclaw suggestion: Anthony Goldstein, a sixth year prefect. He wasn't the strongest at casting offensive spells, but Harry had seen him excel in a variety of defensively oriented spells during Professor Flamel's class and in Defense Club. It took a bit longer to settle on a Hufflepuff to recruit, but Harry convinced the others to give Owen Ndimande a chance. He was on Harry's shortlist of possible leaders from amongst the fourth years and had shown a lot of promise during the first term.
With the upcoming tournament at the forefront of many of the students' minds, Professor Flitwick served as a dueling professor for the November gathering of the entire Defense Club. He demonstrated and reminded the students of various offensive and defensive spells before splitting into teams to practice. Even though Harry would have enjoyed building familiarity with Daphne, Anthony, and Owen, he was pleased to see multiple contingents becoming more capable of working together in battle-like situations. Several of the groups decided to form teams for the Unity Cup based on their success in Defense Club. Even more partnered up to join the doubles competition, and nearly every member of the club planned to compete in the individual dueling by year event. The leaders viewed heightened levels of participation and excitement as a win.
As December approached, Harry felt much more confident than the last time Hogwarts had hosted a ball. Not worrying about who to ask was certainly part of it. Sirius had strongly encouraged him to still ask Ginny to be his date to the ball, despite their having been together for nearly a year and a half. ("Girls love that kind of thing!" he'd said through the mirror, his eyebrows waggling like mad.)
Despite the suggestion, Ginny had beaten him to the punch in the common room while they were next to the fire. Using her best Harry voice impression, she'd done an excellent rendition of his original attempt to ask her to the Yule Ball.
"So, err… I'm trying to find a date for the winter dance thing… I was trying to think of someone who might want to go and wouldn't mind coming with me…" Harry sputtered with laughter and tried to grab her, but Ginny was too quick. She leaped over the couch and used it as a barrier between them as he chased her, giggling her way through the rest of her impression. "Anyway, I was thinking that, maybe if you were interested, and since you're my boyfriend and everything, maybe you might come with me?"
Harry finally caught her wrist and they toppled back onto the couch, a mess of limbs and both red in the face from the pursuit.
"And if I decline?" asked Harry cheekily, though he moved to ready himself in case he needed to make a hasty exit. He fully expected his playful spark of mischief to ignite his girlfriend's fiery fury and cause her to flip the switch from chasee to chaser.
Instead, Ginny gazed up at him with her warm, brown eyes and planted a delicate kiss on the tip of his nose. "Don't."
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