The Duellists: Chapter 1
"Oi Potter!" Turning around, Harry saw Draco Malfoy and his two large friends make their way towards the Gryffindor table, attempting to look imposing which appeared rather silly for an 11 year old.
"Duel, Midnight, Trophy Room, Tonight." He said "Or is the Great Harry Potter too scared to come and fight a real wizard?" speaking arrogantly once more.
"I'm sorry what?" Blurted out Harry, seemingly having no idea what he was going on about. Picking on this apparent confusion, a malicious glint appeared in Malfoy's eyes.
"Do you not know what a Wizard's Duel is?" Malfoy said with forced incredulity. "It's as if you were raised by..." He lowered his voice here, as if preparing something "...Muggles." He said the word as if it were a synonym for the plague.
Ron however, ever the loyal friend, leaped to his defence. "Of course he does!" He shouted, mouth still full with toast. "I'm his second, who's yours?!"
Malfoy turned around at this, facing his companions. Well companion really. It turned out that that Crabbe had wondered down the Gryffindor Table towards an array of delicious delicacies. The wants of his stomach seemingly outweighed the sense of house rivalry in him as he was also having a jovial discussion with some other "Big-Boned" Gryffindors on the deeper meanings of Turkey Rashers.
Malfoy looked at this scene with a blank look on his face choosing to stare for a few moments before quickly composing himself and settling back into his natural sneer. "Goyle", answering Ron's previous question quickly.
"I hope your ready to lose Scarhead!" He uttered with the finality before turning his back on them and sauntering back towards from whence he came.
"You'd better not go crying to daddy when we destroy you!" retaliated Ron as Malfoy and Goyle continued to walk their way back to the Slytherin Table.
They however stopped halfway remembering Crabbe, relcutantly fetching him amidst the stares of the other Gryffindors. The sounds of Malfoy reprimanding the boy could by heard tables away.
"Why're you mingling with the enemy you idiot!" The high pitched voice echoed.
"Ron" Said Harry quietly after the Slytherins had clearly left. "Yeah?" "What's a Wizard's Duel?".
The fiery Weasley turned to Harry and swallowed whatever had been in his mouth. "Basically it's a fight between two ummm, well, Wizards." He said. "My great, great Grandad lost his left hand in one I think. Used to scare me all the time with it when I was a kid!" He chortled, reminiscing of the past.
Harry suddenly felt rather cold. "And that's what Malfoy challenged us to!" He did not have a desire to lose any of his body parts thank you very much.
"Don't worry mate, it's not as if the slimy git 'll know any real spells. Probably just gonna send out some colorful sparks from the end of his wand."
Feeling slightly more relieved Harry asked Ron another question. "So what's a second for?
"A replacement in case the dueller dies." Ron said before quickly realizing his slightly insensitive comment. "Like I said, not gonna happen mate. Punch the prat in the jaw before he can pull out his wand just in case though!"
Ron, always one for more physical methods it seemed.
Harry however could not shake off his uneasiness towards the situation. "What if he really does know some spells? Didn't you tell me his dad was a Death Eater!" He said the last part very quietly, afraid of being overheard.
The red haired boy just shrugged, not having an answer for that.
Harry pondered worriedly about the issue at hand for a while. What could he do in order to not get smashed to bits by Malfoy. Even if not by magic, Crabbe and Goyle's fists would more than likely finish the job.
The solution it turns out was rather simple actually. Harry considered smacking himself for being so stupid.
Learn some new spells.
"Say Ron, you want to beat Malfoy?" The boy in question turned to his friend quickly with a grin.
"Got an idea have you?"
"Yeah, get up." Replied Harry.
"Where are we going?"
"To the :ibrary!"
The smile on the Weasley's face drained as quickly as it came. "The library Harry, is your brain working properly!"
"Do you want to win or not?" Harry stated strongly.
Ron thought about it for a few seconds, probably mentally weighing the benefits of seeing Malfoy lose versus the disadvantages in going to the library.
Finally acquiescing he said "Fine, but what if we run into Granger. Probably try and get us in trouble with McGonagall." Countered Ron.
"Come on! We'll be careful. Just imagine the look on the ponce's face after we wipe the floor with him!"
"If it means annoying Malfoy..."
"Exactly mate. Come on then, let's get out of here." Harry said as he dragged a reluctant Ron away from his plate.
And so, the two young boys left the Great Hall (one eyeing the Roast Chicken longingly) unaware of the great fates in store for the both of them.