yeah they may have painted themselves into a corner narratively, but then again its Rita Skeeter so *lotsa retconning wiggle room possible*

im actually looking forward to DD and Grindy seeing each other again before the duel. several times if possible, lotsa close calls, things like that. dramatic tension is crucial to building up the action centerpiece later in the franchise (rather than just dumping them in front of each other for the duel just like that)