CHAPTER 105: CHAPTER 102 – ARRIVAL AT THE EDGE OF WAR

International Portkey Hub - Salzburg Fortress, Austria

The departure chamber for the portkey shimmered with a vibrant mix of excitement and tension—delegations arrived in a staggered formation, each member’s wand meticulously scanned, their luggage effortlessly levitated as it floated beside them, and magical wards checked and rechecked to ensure security.

Severus stood shoulder to shoulder with Alessandro and Evie, his dueling robe folded neatly over one arm, the polished wood of his wand securely holstered across his back. Around them, their handlers orchestrated the movements of the group with precision, navigating the bustling Italian side of the portal system and ushering everyone into their designated positions.

Their final destination loomed ahead: Salzburg, renowned for its striking landscapes and rich history—specifically, the ancient stronghold that had been repurposed and resurrected as the Tournament Fortress.

Around the chamber, Aurors moved with a watchful vigilance, resembling spectral sentinels: their cloaks adorned with anti-scrying runes, while trained magical hounds prowled the area, noses twitching as they scanned the air for lingering traces of blood curses. Reinforced wards hummed softly around them, a constant reminder of the dangers they faced and the preparations made to thwart potential assassination attempts. Each team methodically passed through four layers of stringent screening before finally touching the portkey, a moment that marked the culmination of their rigorous preparations.

Alessandro let out a low whistle, eyes wide with a mix of admiration and disbelief. "Paranoid much?" he asked, the teasing lilt unmistakable in his voice.

Severus remained silent, his gaze fixed intently on the other champions as they began to converge. They arrived in groups, a vibrant assembly of youth and confidence, bursting with the energy of ambition. Some soared through the air, showcasing intricate spells with dramatic flair, their laughter echoing like music. Others were more vocal, boasting about their prowess in various accents that hinted at their diverse backgrounds, each one gleaned from different corners of the globe.

But Severus’s attention was drawn to the quieter ones, the ones standing apart from the chaos, keen observers rather than attention seekers. They seemed to be calculating and deliberate, contemplating their next moves with a level of seriousness that intrigued him.

Evie leaned closer, breaking his focus for a moment. "You’re sizing them up already," she remarked, a teasing smile dancing on her lips.

"Always," Severus murmured, the faintest hint of a smile touching his own.

Then, suddenly, a flash of gold caught his eye. The portkey pulsed with energy, its vibrant light drawing everyone’s attention.

One breath.

One blink.

And in a heartbeat, the world spun sideways, shifting into an unexpected new reality.

Evie POV

The first sensation that greeted Evie was the wind—sharp and alpine, slicing through her skin with a precision that banished the remnants of heat and distraction. She stepped out into a stone courtyard dominated by six imposing towers, each topped with a point that seemed to touch the sky. A grand archway, intricately carved with dueling runes that hinted at ancient rivalries, beckoned her deeper into this formidable place.

She turned slowly, taking in the mesmerizing sight before her. The fortress was a breathtaking spectacle, unlike anything she had ever encountered in her travels.

Concentric dueling rings spiraled across multiple tiers, each one meticulously crafted for the thrill of battle. Floating balconies loomed overhead, designed for spectators, resplendent with polished obsidian railings that shimmered in the light. Above them, the ceilings danced with charm-light, casting an ethereal glow that mirrored the brightness of day inside while keeping the outside night cloaked in shadows. It was as if an entire world existed here, locked in a state of controlled chaos, ready for the clash of competitors.

Professor Harland met them with a curt nod, his expression professional and focused, accompanied by two assistant duel-masters who completed the scene—a wiry figure, sharp and alert, and a broader companion whose silence spoke volumes. Evie noted that the delegates from Ilvermorny had arrived a day earlier and had already secured their wing, their anticipation palpable in the air.

"You’ll be in adjacent rooms," Harland said, his voice steady and authoritative. "Proximity makes coordination easier, especially in a place like this."

As they entered the living quarters, Evie trailed her fingers along a nearby stone column, feeling its ancient surface thrumming softly beneath her palm—old, magic-rich, and watchful, almost as if it held memories of the many who had passed before her.

Through the expansive windows, she glimpsed the vibrant flags of every magical nation fluttering in neat, orderly lines against the sky. Each banner told a story of its homeland. There was the scarlet banner of Uagadou, bright and bold, heralding its reputation. The sea-blue mark of Castelobruxo rippled with an aura of enchantment, while the silver cranes of Mahoutokoro soared gracefully, reflecting its rich heritage. The fierce black wolf of Durmstrang stood guard, embodying strength and tenacity, and the elegant golden fleur of Beauxbatons shimmered with sophistication and charm.

Alessandro, standing close by, nudged her gently with an elbow. "Don’t look now, but the Russian is watching you," he whispered, a teasing glint in his eye.

Curiosity piqued, she turned casually, careful to appear uninterested, and caught sight of him. He was imposing, tall with striking white-blond hair that caught the light, standing apart from the others, silent and observant.

His stare was unyielding, unwavering—intense enough to feel like a physical weight.

Evie offered a small smile, just enough to be playful and a touch rude, before composing herself and following her team inside, ready to embrace whatever challenge lay ahead.

British Contingent Hall, Salzburg Fortress - James Potter POV

The first thing James Potter noticed when he stepped into the fortress wasn’t the grandeur of the intricately carved stone ceilings or the vibrant, multicolored flags that danced and fluttered magically above the atrium.

It was the silence.

Not the respectful hush of awed crowds or the efficient quiet of professionals at work. No—this was something far more pervasive. A heavy, palpable lull thick with unspoken assumptions.

Judgment.

Expectation.

Doubt.

James swallowed hard, feeling the tightness in his jaw as he fell into step behind his parents, his heart pounding in rhythm with the uncertainty surrounding him.

Lord Charles Potter, stately in his deep navy cloak adorned with the gleaming Order of Merlin pin, inclined his head slightly, offering nods of polite recognition to the other heads of delegation gathered around them. Each nod was expertly measured, exuding an air of authority he had mastered over the years. Lady Dorea Potter-Black walked resolutely beside him, her sharp features carved into a mask of stony disapproval. She hadn’t uttered a single word to James since they had arrived at the Portkey station that morning—not even a simple "good luck." Instead, her silence loomed like a weight pressing down on his shoulders, amplifying the tension in the air.

Sirius Black walked beside them, hands tucked casually into his pockets, feigning interest that barely masked his true boredom. His keen eyes darted over the other delegates, evaluating them as if they were pieces on an intricate chessboard, assessing their strengths and weaknesses.

James shot a glance to his left, where his personal dueling tutor, Master Dunbridge, moved with a stoic demeanor, radiating the warmth of a frost-covered gargoyle. The man had been meticulously selected by the Department of Magical Combat and personally chosen by James’s father for his ruthless proficiency in combat spells. For the past three months, James had endured relentless training sessions characterized by rigorous drills, a cascade of bruises, and spells recited until his throat screamed in protest.

Three long months of battling doubts, forcing himself to believe that he had the capability to succeed in this daunting endeavor.

Three relentless months of convincing not just others, but himself, that he was worthy of this challenge.

His gaze shifted to the colossal, floating tournament registry positioned in the heart of the arrival hall. Names written in luminescent, enchanted ink glided past like fleeting shadows—duelists hailing from respected schools: Mahoutokoro, Durmstrang, and Castelobruxo, each one a formidable contender in their own right.

And then - Ilvermorny Academy – Severus Shafiq.

There it was. His name, laid out before him like a challenge. An icy knot tightened in his stomach, a mix of anxiety and dread.

Sirius must have sensed the shift in James’s demeanor, because he leaned closer and muttered conspiratorially under his breath, "Still time to turn around and head back to England. We could tell everyone your portkey malfunctioned or something equally ridiculous."

James didn’t find it funny. "Shut up," he shot back, though the tension in his voice was unmistakable.

Sirius arched an eyebrow, a teasing smirk playing on his lips. "You’re wound tighter than McGonagall’s hair bun," he remarked, clearly enjoying the moment.

Before James could muster a clever retort, his mother’s voice sliced through the buzzing atmosphere like a sharp blade, commanding and authoritative. "James. Straighten your posture. You’re being watched," she called out, her tone leaving no room for argument.

He straightened instantly, obeying without thought, acutely aware of the weight of expectation hanging in the air.

As they entered the designated British wing, Lord Charles finally broke the silence. "You remember what we discussed—no outbursts, no dramatics. This is not the time or place to settle personal vendettas."

"I know," James replied flatly, the tension in his voice evident.

Dorea’s gaze sharpened, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized him. "Do you? Because from where I’m standing, this feels more like a performance than a strategic maneuver."

James clenched his jaw, his frustration boiling just beneath the surface. "You didn’t want me here at all."

"You’re right," she said with an icy calm. "I didn’t. But you managed to persuade your father, and now we’re here. So you must conduct yourself like a proper Potter. There will be no embarrassment for this family on my watch."

Before he could retort with words that would surely lead to regret, Sirius intervened, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Easy now," he murmured, his voice low and calming. "Breathe, mate."

But James resisted the urge to take a deep breath.

All he could think about was finding Severus. He was determined to see for himself that the smug bastard was not untouchable. Beneath the glittering headlines, the wealth, and the aristocratic titles, he needed to believe that Severus remained that same scrawny, greasy-haired kid who flinched in response to every jibe thrown his way.

He didn’t have to wait long for the evening to unfold. As the sun began to set, casting warm hues across the fortress, he traversed the sprawling layout with his tutor, absorbed in the ancient architecture that surrounded them. Then, out of the corner of his eye, he caught a glimpse of something that stopped him in his tracks.

There, framed within the grand arches of the corridor, were Severus and two others. The sight was fleeting but striking. Severus strolled alongside a tall boy clad in the distinctive Zabini green, whose confident gait hinted at a blend of privilege and charm. Beside them was a girl, her features somewhat familiar to James, as if plucked from the pages of Ilvermorny publications that he’d seen over the years.

They were laughing together, and there was an authenticity to it that struck James like a physical blow. This wasn’t forced laughter or an act put on for anyone’s benefit; it was genuine mirth, a sound that echoed through the stone halls as if to say they belonged there, utterly at ease in their camaraderie.

Severus stood out in his striking silver-trimmed robes, denoting him as an official champion of Ilvermorny. His posture was relaxed, yet his expression remained inscrutable, a mask that concealed any glimmer of emotion beneath. As they passed by James, Severus didn’t spare a glance, not even a flicker of acknowledgment.

There was no sneer, no biting insult whispered under his breath, just a heavy silence that settled between them. Yet that silence was louder than anything. It landed upon James with a force more crushing than any hex could muster, leaving a lingering ache in the pit of his stomach.

The indifference hung like a heavy fog in the air. The silence was palpable, wrapping around them as tightly as the frustration coiled within James. He clenched his wand so fiercely in the pocket of his robe that his knuckles turned an ashen white, a stark contrast to the turmoil brewing inside him.

"He didn’t even look at me," he muttered, the weight of unacknowledged rivalry settling heavily on his shoulders.

Sirius, standing beside him with an air of cautious empathy, sighed deeply. "You sure this is about proving something to the world... or just proving something to yourself?" His voice was low, probing, as if trying to peel back the layers of James’s anger.

James remained silent, his gaze fixed ahead, unwavering. He didn’t need to answer; the fire that burned in his chest was too fierce and too consuming to articulate. It was a blaze of determination that begged for expression, a need for acknowledgment that transcended mere words.

He would prove himself in the ring, facing off against Severus where it truly mattered. There, in that charged environment, Severus wouldn’t be able to hide behind the refuge of headlines, distinguished titles, or the incessant support of the bloody Zabinis.

James Potter was determined to remind the world of his place—the one that deserved recognition. And he would ensure his rival knew just who had been overlooked and should have remained in the shadows of obscurity.

Training Ring Hallway

The ring corridor resonated with the sound of light footsteps and the sharp, high-pitched notes of security charms as Severus and Alessandro turned the corner—only to be nearly tackled by a rapid blur of movement.

"BEN!" Alessandro shouted, the breath knocked out of him as he stumbled back.

Ben Hale beamed widely, arms outstretched in a welcoming gesture. "Surprise!"

Severus blinked in momentary disbelief. "You made it."

"My dad’s here too," Ben said, a gleam of pride lighting up his expression. "He used to coach minor league teams, so when the International Confederation of Wizards opened up support slots, he pulled a few strings. Now he’s part of the logistics team for medical triage."

"I’m really glad you’re here," Evie said, coming up just behind them, her eyes full of warmth. "We could use a friend who isn’t actively trying to hex us in the kidneys."

Ben wiggled his eyebrows playfully. "No promises, though. I’ve been training too, y’know."

Severus tilted his head thoughtfully. "Medical logistics. Not the duelist registry, then."

Ben let out a dramatic sigh, throwing up his hands in mock defeat. "Fine. But I’m still allowed to yell obscenities from the stands."

Their laughter rang out, momentarily dissolving the tension in the air and making the hallway feel more like Ilvermorny again—a time filled with camaraderie and hope.

Yet, as they stood there, the rings just beyond the corridor doors pulsated ominously, glowing with intricate combat runes that hinted at the challenges to come.

Tomorrow, it would all begin.

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