Last night's announcement had truly caught Hogwarts by surprise.
Professor Dumbledore himself informed the students that Charles Weasley's conduct in the duel was due to the influence of a potion the boy had been testing. Though at fault, the boy had not intended to harm Altair and truly regretted his actions. After discussing the matter with the Black Heir, the Gryffindor Prefect was allowed to remain at Hogwarts and to continue participating in school events until his graduation.
A number of people felt quite unwell when they saw that even his Prefect badge had not been stripped from him, but Professor Victoire made it clear that Charles was no longer welcome in the Duelling Hall.
Altair did not care in the least that the Headmaster simply glossed over his own kindness and concealed the truth of the matter. This did not sit well with his Head of House, but she too remained silent so as not to confront Albus Dumbledore in front of the students.
The night passed by and the morning came, and the entire castle buzzed with excitement.
By six o'clock, every single student was in the Great Hall for breakfast, except for the two finalists, who did not appear, but were instead having their meal together in the Astronomy Tower, courtesy of a House-elf.
Inside the Duelling Hall, Hufflepuff and Slytherin banners adorned every corner, and as soon as the doors opened at eight o'clock, the stands filled within minutes.
The Badgers supported their champion with all their hearts, singing and dancing, but the Slytherins were, as always, calm and composed.
The Gryffindors openly cheered for Nymphadora Tonks as well, but the Ravenclaws were on Altair's side, so the supporters were evenly divided.
When both champions entered the Hall together, they were welcomed with a round of applause and then silence as Professor Montclair called them over for a briefing.
She did not really need to, but still reminded them of the rules and sternly warned against the use of illegal spells. Both finalists assured her they would keep the duel fair and clean.
The reporters already present in the Hall snapped photographs of the two finalists, but both refused any pre-duel interviews.
At nine o'clock, both stepped onto the platform and smiled at one another.
With unwavering confidence, they walked to the centre, wands drawn at their sides, saluted with their wands, bowed, and then grinned.
"Good luck, kiddo," Nymphadora said playfully, and he merely chuckled before walking back to his station.
The two turned to face each other, wands raised, and waited for the magical hum to sound.
Professor Montclair could not help but smile when she saw how steady their hands and stances were. There was not a hint of nervousness, and while that was remarkable for Nymphadora, Altair's composure at only twelve years of age was truly outrageous.
The magic in the Hall tested their patience, refusing to sound for over two minutes. When it finally rang out, both moved at once.
"Protego Maxima!"
"Aguamenti Serpens!"
A jet of water erupted from the tip of Altair's wand, twisting in mid-air to form a writhing serpent that darted towards Tonks's shield, testing its strength before splashing harmlessly off with a hiss.
The Head Girl made her next move swiftly, sending out a volley of hexes, red, green, and gold, through the splashed water, but the young Black conjured a pair of mobile shields, deflecting them with elegant precision.
Both probed each other's defences for a long time, and it soon became a deadlock as neither allowed the other even a moment's advantage.
The grace, purpose, and impeccable technique of their movements reminded students of the legendary exhibition duel between Professor Flitwick and Professor Snape. Yet, this duel was even more shocking, as neither held back in power.
They did not look like students at all. They looked like seasoned duelists who had decades of experience, a fact which only underscored the extent of their outrageous talent.
Seconds turned to minutes, minutes to quarters, quarters to an hour, but neither could find a way past the other's defences.
An hour later, it was Nymphadora who finally broke the cautious cycle. "Glasius!" she called, and a shimmering wave swept low across the platform, freezing everything in its wake.
Altair, vigilant as ever, swept his wand upwards to deflect the red hex she sent his way, and, without missing a beat, cast his next spell.
"Incendio Vorticis!" A twisting vortex of fire erupted from his wand, melting frost to steam, stopping the ice from reaching his station, and shrouding the platform in pale mist.
"Expelliarmus!" Nymphadora cast at once through the haze, but it crashed against a blue shield and was deflected upwards where it burst harmlessly in mid-air.
Her plan, however, was already in motion.
"Resiliverto!"
An invisible force slapped her back, sending her crashing into the soft vines she had conjured, but on the other side, contrary to what she had hoped, Altair did not get thrown back.
Instead, she heard a pop, and the invisible force reversed, charging back at her. Instinctively, she shielded herself with a cocoon of vines.
Professor Flitwick sprang to his feet, clapping at what he had just witnessed.
Altair had cast a very powerful Repulso Reflectum, a highly advanced defensive charm, immediately after deflecting Nymphadora's Expelliarmus, seeing through her intentions and taking advantage of the haze to hide his bubble from her view.
However, what happened next left the staff open-mouthed in astonishment.
"Expecto Patronum!"
A perfect corporeal Naga shot from the tip of Altair's wand, defensively coiling around him. When Nymphadora emerged from her cocoon and cleared the haze, she looked at him in disbelief.
"Showing off, kiddo?" she grinned, but Altair's smile only unsettled her.
"No, I'm showing you what I have created. The next level of the Patronus Charm," he said, then intoned, "Augmentum Patronum."
Gasps rose from the staff gallery as the Naga grew even more corporeal, flaring its hood over Altair as if it had suddenly come alive.
Nymphadora acted quickly, hurling a volley of hexes at him, but to her and everyone's shock, Altair simply stood his ground as the Naga intercepted the spells, shielding him with its own will.
She, as dismayed as she was, did not let her guard falter. She swept her wand, and the vines around her blocked the return volley of spells that Altair sent.
It became a contest of whose defence would break first, and the audience watched in awe as the massive serpent Patronus shielded Altair, moving on its own initiative.
Within minutes, the Head Girl found herself unable to go on the offensive as Altair bombarded her with volley after volley of spells.
She held out, very strongly so, despite sweating now and growing visibly fatigued, but with a mad grin on her face.
Time passed and the crowd watched breathlessly as she held on, but then the Naga Patronus charged at her alongside twin lightning birds conjured by Altair.
Nymphadora managed to block the birds, but before she could react further, the Patronus was already upon her, flaring its mouth as if to devour her.
She raised her wand, ready to defend herself, when the Patronus suddenly burst, releasing specks of luminous light that bathed her in a refreshing sensation that seemed to touch her very soul.
It was only for a moment, a very brief one, but it caused her to lose focus, and that was enough for Altair.
"Expelliarmus!" she heard, and instinctively cast Protego, but saw no sign of the red jet of light.
Her eyes widened as she realised too late that the spell was not coming from Altair's wand, but from the very station beneath her feet.
The beautiful Silver Lime wand flew from her hand. She attempted to retrieve it, but a small lightning bird struck her, momentarily electrocuting her.
When she regained clarity, she saw Altair, and found her wand resting on the vines at her feet.
"Not fair!" she protested, her hair changing colours as her emotions ran wild, while Altair chuckled at her outburst.
"Not my fault that you forgot that the Patronus Charm is first and foremost a defensive spell. Stay attentive next time, Cousin."
He walked to the centre as she picked up her wand and met him there.
The crowd finally emerged from its shock, and a deafening cheer erupted as the two finalists bowed and shook hands.
"You were brilliant," he said, and she laughed.
"I lost, so don't say that," she replied with a prideful smirk, then ruffled his hair. "You caught the Queen of the Unforeseen by surprise, kiddo. Be proud of yourself, but know that I am slightly upset that you stole my crown."
"Not my fault you could not best me, Cousin," he teased, prompting her to playfully narrow her eyes as the Slytherins and Ravenclaws surged down from the stands to cheer for Altair.
"Serpent 13: Altair Cillius Black is the Primus Cup Champion of 1990–1991! He is the youngest ever to hold the title, and the first in the history to finish the tournament with a perfect score of one hundred!" Professor Flitwick's voice rang out, sending the students into another wild wave of excitement.
"I, Victoire Elodie Montclair, as Chief Judge of the Hogwarts Duelling Cup, hereby bestow upon the winner the title of the Lord of Mysteries!"
At her words, the Hall was filled with a magical hum, turning all quiet in awe at the title conferred upon Altair.
But as the staff clapped, a thunderous applause broke out.
The Prize Ceremony began with Professor Sprout congratulating both Altair and Nymphadora before awarding the Head Girl the Runner-up's Medal.
The Deputy Headmistress then took the stage, congratulated them both, and placed the Winner's Medal around Altair's neck.
Up in the gallery, before all, Professor Montclair and the Headmaster handed the Primus Cup, now bearing Altair's name, to Professor Tonks and Professor Snape, Head and Deputy Head of Slytherin.
The crowd parted for them as they approached the platform, and together they presented Altair with his trophy.
Professor Flitwick set off the most beautiful fireworks ever seen in the Duelling Hall, and the young Black levitated his trophy high above the tip of his wand, spinning it as he laughed in excitement.
The entire Hall sang "Campio" for him, even the Gryffindors, after Professor McGonagall herself led the chorus.
And this was only the start of a long and eventful day.
Altair posed for photographs with the staff, Nymphadora and Damien, his housemates, and then the entire student body, all gathered under the platform.
Professor Montclair delivered a long and detailed analysis of the final duel, applauding both finalists and declaring it one of the most exhilarating matches she had ever witnessed.
Professor Flitwick echoed the sentiment, showering Altair with praise for his ingenuity and composure.
Afterwards, Altair was subjected to a barrage of questions from the attending reporters, who pressed him for details about the advanced Patronus Charm he claimed to have developed. He steadfastly refused to divulge the details, insisting it was his own creation.
Thankfully, Professor McGonagall rescued him from their insistent questioning, and his housemates then lifted him onto their shoulders, carrying him to the Trophy Room. There, he placed his trophy on a new pedestal, and Professor Tonks and Professor Snape sealed it in glass for posterity.
"I think we may have to create a separate section for you, Black," Professor Snape remarked, and Altair grinned.
"We will, but let's wait a few more years, Professor. I haven't won enough trophies yet."
The Slytherins laughed, not doubting him in the least.
He shone like a star bound for greatness, and already the whole House felt certain he would never lose a tournament he entered.
Dinner that evening was the liveliest since Altair's arrival at Hogwarts, and many congratulated him again as he made his way to his dormitory.
Even Charles Weasley sincerely congratulated him, and Altair graciously accepted his words.
There were more celebrations in the Common Room, everyone enjoying the confectionery, but Altair excused himself to his room, claiming tiredness.
No one insisted that he stay, they knew how intense the duel had been and how long the day was for him.
They did not, however, realise he was only making an excuse.
Altair quietly, and invisibly, left the dormitory and headed towards the Astronomy Tower.
He smiled when he saw Nymphadora there alone, gazing at the star-scattered sky, and he dropped his invisibility to sit beside her.
"Hey, you're out here at night, kiddo. That's not allowed."
"You're here too."
"I can come here whenever I like. I am the Head Girl, remember?"
"It's fine. I've earned Slytherin enough points. It would hardly matter if I cost them a few as well."
She laughed heartily, then smiled.
"What did you do to my wand?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
He had only asked her to trust him as he kept her wand overnight, returning it only in the morning.
"Nothing untoward."
"I know that." She rolled her eyes. "And I know you know what I'm talking about."
"I blood-bound it to you." He smiled, and she stared at him in shock.
"Where did you get my blood?"
It was the first question that sprang to mind.
"I may or may not have taken it from you that night," he replied, and her eyes widened as she remembered dozing off in the tower with him a week ago.
"Hmph! Snakes cannot be trusted."
"Indeed." He nodded solemnly, making her laugh again.
"So, when are you going to teach me that spell, Professor Altair?" she teased, and he smiled.
"Only for the family, Nymora." His words stung her more deeply than she expected, but before she could dwell on it, he kissed her.
She stared in surprise but did not push him away. Instead, she leaned in and kissed him back, as clumsily as she could.
When they finally separated, she gazed into his sterling grey eyes, almost lost herself into them.
"I'll teach you the spell in the summer. It's a very complicated one," he said gently, and she smiled.
"Fine..." she replied, then kissed him again, thoroughly. He was young, only twelve, but he looked older... even if he had not, Nymphadora did not care. They were not Muggles...
Their snogging ended not by choice but because something interrupted them.
"Master Black."
The voice nearly made them jump off the tower in fright, but thankfully, it was only Rinky, the House-elf.
"Yes, Rinky?"
"Master Black asked Rinky to warn him if something happened. Something bad has happened..."
"What?" Both Altair and Nymphadora tensed at once.
"An explosion of dark magic... Professor Fletcher's quarters... the Headmaster and other Professors are rushing there to contain the curse..."
They were both stunned, but Altair swiftly regained his composure and gently patted Rinky's head.
"Thank you. Can you send me to my room?"
The House-elf nodded and promptly sent him directly to his room.