Finnian had been an auror-in-training once, and yet he stood here, without an auror badge pinned to his jacket. He'd never been great at dueling - passable, sure, but not compared to the many aspiring aurors he'd once stood beside. He'd never been good at anything he needed to be an auror despite his efforts, and his ejection from the program at the end of his second year those many years ago proved it.

Even with those days behind him and a desk job awaiting him every morning, Finnian's pride obliged him to participate in the competitive section of the dueling competition. Maeve was there, and the other aurors were there. Everyone he'd ever wanted to become - and now the people he wanted to avoid - stood inside the same stadium, ready to prove themselves. And so was Finnian.

Sort of.

He was first paired with a child, a fact that, despite seeming mildly insulting at first, eventually provided some comfort. Beating him - Mr. Allaway - would bring him one step closer to winning the entire tournament, while some other poor fool was stuck dueling his cousin in the first round. He could do this.

"Expelliarmus," he attempted in return, hoping to deprive the boy of his wand before he could be silenced.

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