Disclaimer - I own nothing you recognise.

Written for Stickers; Gryffindor - Sword - A duel that doesn't involve a wand.

(Thanks go to Lizzy for the idea for this - you're a genius)

Word Count Without AN - 410


On Guard!


They slipped past the portrait into the kitchen, the usual band of House-elves greeting them. Blaise sighed, even the elves were more subdued than they'd been in earlier years.

Draco sat down at their regular place, and the elves hurried over with waffles and tea, their traditional midnight feast.

Not that it could be classed as traditional this year, Blaise thought, bitterly. This was the first time they'd found the courage to make the dash for the kitchen and it was almost Easter.

"If we get caught -" Draco started, before Blaise cut him off.

"We won't be caught," he replied, quietly. "And if we are… we're Slytherins. We'll be okay."

Draco huffed. "Doesn't count for much anymore," he murmured. "What good is it to be Slytherin if we're as scared as everyone else?"

Blaise couldn't think of an answer, because Draco was right. Everyone was scared; scared of stepping out of line and being tortured, scared of being wrong when asked a question and being tortured, scared of the Carrows being bored and them being tortured.

They didn't seem to need a reason anymore; they were just enjoying the power.

Wanting to cheer his friend up, and needing a distraction from his own thoughts, Blaise looked around the room. Picking two baguettes up from one of the sides, he tossed one and Draco and fell into a battle stance, holding out the baguette like a sword.

"On guard!"

Draco raised his eyebrow at his friend, though his lips twitched as he fought a smile.

"You're mad!"

Blaise laughed, dodging forward to poke Draco in the side with the end of the baguette. "On. Guard!"

Draco hesitated for a moment before he stood, taking on the same stance as Blaise, baguette raised in the air.

They 'dueled' for a while, until the baguettes crumbled in their hands, their laughter echoing around the kitchen.

"That… was just what we needed," Blaise said, wiping away a tear of laughter as he collapsed to the table.

"What? To behave like we did when we were eleven?" Draco replied, falling down into the seat beside Blaise.

Blaise nodded. "Yes. Yes, that's exactly what I mean, and exactly what we needed. To be kids, just for a minute."

Draco looked at him for a moment before returning the nod. "I agree."

They sat for a few moments in companionable silence, before reality dawned.

"We should get back," Draco whispered.

Blaise swallowed and nodded. "Yeah. Yeah, okay."