Chapter 2

Two weeks later, Julian was formally introduced to the rest of the school at breakfast. Hundreds of eyes stared at the newcomer as he stood next to Dumbledore. He was of medium height, and had a rather stocky build. He had black hair which he slicked back with gel. He had transferred from Durmstrang to take advantage of the good care of magical creatures program at Hogwarts, Dumbledore said. Hermione frowned. She knew that Durmstrang had an excellent program too and was famous for its hands-on experience with dragons. It was much better than Hogwarts' program.

Julian would be joining the Slytherin house, much to the dismay of all the girls of the other houses. The Slytherin table smirked and looked pleased with themselves when the news was announced. "More purebloods, that's what we need," one third-year Slytherin shouted as he clapped along with the rest of the table.

After breakfast, it was time for class. The female students crowded around Julian and made walking out of the Great Hall almost impossible.

For Heaven's sake, thought Hermione, it's like he were a celebrity or something. She pushed past a giggling group of third-year Hufflepuffs and walked as quickly as was possible towards the stairs leading to the second floor. Julian turned and looked at her as she swished past him.

Students crowded around him, male and female, curious at the new arrival.

"Do you always wear fur?"

"Is it really cold?"

"Is it true that all the professors are ghosts?"

Julian tried to politely answer some of the questions but he was obviously overwhelmed by all the attention. Hogwarts students were sure welcoming.

The next day, Hermione was walking out of her Charms class. She was feeling satisfied and content; she had just handed in the 3-foot essay to Professor Flitwick, and was off to take a nice hot bath as she was done for the day. Then she planned to sit in the common room with a new book she had taken out of the library about the history of invisibility.

Anticipating the bath, she quickened her steps towards the Gryffindor common room. Just then she heard Draco Malfoy's voice from around a corner up ahead. When he came into view Hermione saw that he was walking quickly next to Julian, and was turned to him in eager conversation.

"You can't say no, believe me, you'll change your mind." Hermione turned to look at the pair as they quickly moved past her. Julian's face was flushed and he was frowning. Hermione hesitated for a second, then kept walking towards the Gryffindor common room.

"Phoenix feather," she said when she got there, and the portrait swung open. Hermione stepped through the opening, pulling her robes in after her. The common room was fairly busy: some fifth-years were chatting in the armchairs by the fire, another two students were playing wizard chess, and some were studying. As Hermione passed the bulletin board near the entrance, she caught sight of a large flyer with flashing black block letters.

DUELLING WORKSHOP TOMORROW

Hermione moved closer.

Interested in learning how to duel? Want to see some first-class duelling action? Then come to the Great Hall tomorrow—Wednesday, September 29—from 2 to 4 pm. Beginners welcome, don't forget your wand.

Hermione made a mental note to stop by the Great Hall after her Defense Against the Dark Arts class. Then she went upstairs to put her bag down and get her bathrobe. The year hadn't even been going for a month, and already the teachers were piling on the homework. It would be nice to have a break.

"Ridikulus is a simple spell. One that any fifth-year should know. And you, Mr. Weasley, are a sixth-year. There is no excuse for such ignorance. Now—do it again," Snape said icily.

Ron rolled his eyes as the Boggart flew out of the box for the hundredth time and turned into a giant spider. It was the next day, and the Gryffindors and Slytherins had joint Defense Against the Dark Arts.

"And there will be no such attitude. Or else you will be doing detention with me in the dungeon."

Hermione tried hissing instructions to Ron but Snape silenced her with a cold stare.

When Ron again failed to affect the Boggart, Snape recaptured it in its box. "Fifty points from Gryffindor."

Ron opened his mouth in protest. "But—"

"Now one hundred. Now, let us try someone else. Perhaps...our new arrival. He looked at Julian steadily, as if sizing him up.

"Okay, I will do it," said Julian in a thick Bulgarian accent, and stood up and walked to the front of the class.

Snape immediately let the Boggart out of the box, almost before Julian had time to prepare himself. It turned into a wispy black outline of a body. The class collectively took a breath in. The creature had a gaping mouth and deep red holes where there should have been eyes.

"What on earth is that?" whispered Seamus from the back of the class.

"RIDIKULUS," hollered Julian, and the shape transformed into a tiny, round woman wearing an enormous fur coat. Snape paused before speaking. "Well done, Mr. Tention. Fifty points to Slytherin. You may return to your seat." Julian slipped his wand back into his robes and went and sat down.

"I can see that Durmstrang students are not lacking in talent," Snape drawled, and glanced at Ron as he lingered on the last word. Ron fumed.

As Harry, Ron, and Hermione walked out of the classroom after class, Ron said "That's so typical. Julian's not even been here a week and already Snape is favouring him. Just cause he's in Slytherin. It makes me so mad!"

"Well, you should have known the Ridikulus spell," Hermione said.

Ron frowned at her. "Whose side are you on, anyway?"

"I'm not taking sides, I'm just saying that Julian knew the spell and you didn't. What did you expect to happen?"

Ron glared at Hermione and turned and walked away from her. Harry continued walking with her and said "You shouldn't have said that."

"Well, I'm just being honest, aren't I? He has to learn."

"I don't think that'll teach him, Hermione."

The two split up, as Harry was returning to the Gryffindor common room and Hermione wanted to stop by the Great Hall to see the duelling workshop.

The tables in the Great Hall had been pushed to the side and a large crowd was gathered in a circle in the middle of the room. A seventh-year Slytherin and a fourth-year Gryffindor were duelling. The Gryffindor's eyebrows were singed and his cloak was ripped in places. The Slytherin didn't have any visible injuries.

Hermione moved to the back of the crowd. The two duellers were circling each other slowly, wands ready. Suddenly the Slytherin struck.

"Locomotor Mortis," he shouted, and the Gryffindor's legs locked together. He flailed his arms but lost his balance, and toppled over onto the floor, which had been bewitched to be soft and foamy.

"Alright, alright," came a voice from among the crowd. "That's enough. The duel is over." Professor McGonagall came through the crowd and briskly pointed her wand at the Gryffindor on the floor. His legs unlocked and he stood up shakily. She waved her wand again at him and his eyebrows returned to normal and his cloak mended itself. Out of the corner of her eye, Hermione saw Julian approach the group.

"Well done, both of you. Congratulations, Mr. Mendez," McGonagall continued. The Slytherin gloated and hi-fived with some of his fellow Slytherins in the crowd.

"Okay, who's next. Any volunteers?" McGonagall asked.

"Malfoy," someone shouted. A few others chimed in in agreement and a chant began among the Slytherins. "Malfoy! Malfoy! Malfoy!" Draco strutted to the front of the crowd, his cloak billowing behind him like a black thundercloud. He whipped out his wand and spun around in a circle, legs spread wide apart, an arrogant smirk on his face.

Pompous twit, thought Hermione. Who does he think he is, the king of duelling? She must have snickered, because Draco stopped and shot her a long steady stare. Hermione returned the stare, not breaking her gaze.

"Something funny, Granger?" Draco spat.

"Battle the mudblood!" someone said.

Draco arched an eyebrow and his smirk widened. Not missing a beat, Hermione strode to the middle of the circle and whipped out her wand. He looks like a rooster strutting around, she thought, and fought to suppress a smile.

"Let's go, Granger," Draco taunted. "I'd be happy to take a few minutes out of my day to beat a mudblood."

Hermione's face reddened and she clenched her fist tightly around her wand. Oh, what she wouldn't give to send him flying through a window or something.

"Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said. "That language is not acceptable."

"Well, that's what she is, isn't she?"

"Mr. Malfoy! That is enough. You are disqualified from the duel."

"What, but—" Draco sputtered angrily.

"Please leave the circle."

Draco approached McGonagall, eyes narrowed and face red. He looked like he was going to slap her. McGonagall didn't flinch. "Leave the circle," she repeated. Draco hesitated for a moment longer, and then turned angrily and stalked towards the edge of the circle. Before he left, though, he whipped around quickly and pointed his wand at Hermione. "Stupefy," he bellowed.

Hermione blacked out and fell to the floor.