Hi! I'm kind of disappointed, no reviews. Though I write for fun, I would still like a few reviews. Criticism is allowed, just not too much I hope. Well I hope you like this new chapter.

Chapter 3: The Dueling Game

Kevin and Laura were both excited for their next Defense Against the Dark Arts but with Herbology and History of Magic to go, it was slightly dampened. Laura sat beside him in Herbology which surprised Kevin. Though he was surprised, he was actually quite glad of her presence in the class which was not his favorite class. Professor Sprout, a very nice, older lady, wasn't the problem, he just didn't care for plants. He knew they were very important in potions and healing but he just wanted someone else to do it. Who knew it would be Laura? She excelled at it, which became another thing that Kevin was shocked about.

"Really?" Laura said astonished, as they trudged from Herbology to History of Magic which was taught by Professor Binns, which was the only ghost teacher. Kevin didn't mind listening to him and didn't fall into a brainless state of mind as Binns taught.

"Ya, I was going to drop the class when I got to Herbology but I found out I needed it for a Healing career," Kevin said as he jumped over a vanishing step in a stairway, Laura soon followed.

"Well, if you ever need any help in that subject you will always know where to turn to," She smiled towards him.

"Of course," Kevin said, returning the smile, "To the Library." Laura hit him in the shoulder but was still smiling.

Kevin usually felt awkward and uncomfortable in someone else's presence for too long but Laura, somehow, made him feel like he belonged. He just assumed this is how having a friend felt like, though he didn't mention it to Laura. He was still wondering that when she didn't need his help anymore, she would just go back to ignoring him.

Laura sat beside him in History of Magic class, to the annoyance of her friends, Sara Samuelson and Paul Matherin. Paul, always saying he was going to date Laura soon, threw Kevin a look of pure evil. Laura saw the look and mirrored it.

"Like I would ever go out with him!" She puffed as she slammed her bag onto the table. Kevin raised an eyebrow, "Well, I did think about it but he is such a…er…"

"A bigmouth?" Kevin finished for her and she nodded, giving him an odd look. Though Kevin didn't notice as Binns entered and started rambling on about O.W.L. year. The whole class (except for Kevin) was in a daze twenty minutes into the lesson.

"God, I'm going to fail my History of Magic exam this year," Laura said as they sat down at the table. Sara and Paul sat across from them, both giving Kevin cold looks. He just put his head down as they wrapped Laura up in a conversation.

"-so Laura," Paul said as Kevin finished eating, and was hopefully about to get away before any of them would notice, "Next Hogsmeade visit would you like to come with me to Madam Puddifoot's on a date?"

Kevin saw Laura freeze up, he took this time to get out of there. She heard him say his name but he ignored it. He knew it was too good to be true, she could go back to her friends and just leave him alone. He thought this idea would be comforting but he suddenly felt hollow inside. He was the first to Defense Against the Dark Arts and he sat in his regular desk. He put his bag in the seat next to him so no one could sit there.

The class slowly filled in while he was reading about the assignment for History of Magic when a bag suddenly plopped itself on his book. He looked over to see Laura sitting down next to him. She didn't say anything but just got out her wand and set it down in front of her.

"So would you like to explain?" She said in a slightly cold voice though Kevin hinted something…was it pain?

"No," He returned just as cold, his eyes locked on his book. Though for the first time, he couldn't read. He shut the book with a loud snap.

"If you thought I liked Paul and actually would say yes," Laura said in a low voice, "Then your not as smart as I thought you were."

"I'm smarter then you think," Kevin replied and faced her, "I know what people say behind my backs for the last four years. Always sad when they have to sit next to me, begging for help, telling cold remarks behind my back. Don't act like you never did it before." He couldn't believe what he said, he never let out his anger before.

Laura opened her mouth but then shut it. Kevin gave a cold laugh and continued, "I don't even know why your still sitting by me? Didn't you get what you already wanted? You got my help so why you still sticking around, thinking your going to get more? Just go back to Paul-"

"I don't like Paul, he just hangs out with us because Sara likes him," Laura said in a loud voice in which the whole class looked over at Paul and Sara. Sara went bright pink while Paul glanced over at her. "Oops. Well, anyway, back to you. I didn't ask for your help, you gave it!"

"So what!" Kevin hissed, "How could I not? If you don't pass this class, Ravenclaw well have a tough time finding another Chaser."

"That was before I even told you," Laura said, "You want to know why I stuck around you, because I was wrong. I thought you were just a brainy nerd, but your actually a nice guy. Better then Paul could ever be and I found out I l-"

"Quite down please, class," Rins came in and stood in front of the class. Laura shut her mouth but gave Kevin a look that said this wasn't over. "Now I hope you all have practiced the Shield Charm. I shall put you in pairs and I will see who practiced and those who didn't."

The class stood up while Rins appointed partners, and to Kevin's annoyance he was partnered with Paul. Rins waved his wand and the desks piled themselves on top of themselves and moved to the edge of the room. Paul grinned like a pixie as they faced each other as half the class went to one side of the room while some went to the other side. Rins walked between the class.

"Now I hope everyone knows how to use a Disarming Spell?" The class nodded at this and Rins continued, "Now would the left side please use the Shield Charm while the right side attacks, begin."

A chorus of "Expelliarmus" and "Protego" went through the air soon followed by cries as some of the spells hit. Kevin's spell broke through Paul's feeble shield and sent his wand flying to land at Kevin's feet. He noted that Laura's own spell was deflected back at her. She went to get her wand and saw Kevin watching her with amusement. She frowned and went back to facing her opponent.

"Now," Rins said as the ones who lost wands had them back, "that was fairly good. Now would the other side please get ready to attack…go."

Paul raised his wand and hissed, "Expelliarmus!" A white light shot out and Kevin easily deflected it. It flew and hit the window, making it crack. Paul frowned, but Kevin didn't pay attention as he watched Laura successfully repel her own attacker's spell.

"That was better!" Professor Rins commented, "Excellent spell there Miss Batcher, ten points to Ravenclaw."-Laura went pink- "Now everyone remember that you must really concentrate, lets let the other side go again. Start!"

The rest of the period went by smoothly with no one getting hurt. The class excitedly left while Kevin was just glad he didn't have another class that day. He hurriedly went up to the seventh floor, went into an unused classroom, and sat down. Calm washed over him as he felt alone to his thoughts since last night. He was just about to start his homework when the door was kicked open and a grinning Laura came in.

"Found ya," She smiled and sat down next to him, "So what you working on?"

"Um…Herbology," Kevin stammered, "but wait a second. Why are you so happy, I thought you were mad at me?"

"I was," Laura said, her grin slowly fading, "I just thought this was forgotten about. I know why you were mad at me but it was kind of your fault. You don't have to study so much."

Kevin remained silent as he puzzled this over. It was true, but he liked to study.

"I know you thought I was just playing but I wasn't," Laura said slowly, "I don't know why but when I hang out with you, it feels right. Like I belong you know? Sara and Paul are cool but they just don't know how I feel. Do you know what I mean?"

"Exactly," Kevin smiled and Laura returned it. The bump in their friendship was smoothed out and they were friends once more.

The next morning a sign was plastered up in the Entrance Hall next to the door to the Great Hall.

All students are to come to the Great Hall

For a special announcement

By the headmaster

On Friday, September 6

At 7 o'clock

Professor McGonagall

Laura and Kevin both wondered what was going to happen and the days went by in a hurry. On the Friday they both left the Ravenclaw common room ten from seven and set on down to the Great Hall. They piled in with the other students to see that their was one more chair at the staff table and that a middle-aged witch sat their.

"Who is she?" Laura asked as they sat down at the Ravenclaw table.

"Miranda Urret," Kevin said, "She is the head for the Department of Teaching. My father brought her home once for dinner, she was really nice. I wonder why she is here?"

"I don't know," She said and right when she said that Albus Dumbledore stood up.

"Now I know you all wonder why you are here," He smiled warmly at them all, "You all should know that the House with the most points at the end of the school year, wins the House Cup. Well, we decided that we are going to add something to it this year. Along the House Cup, the Quidditch Cup, we are going to add the Dueling Cup.

"The Dueling Cup will be awarded by making the houses fight in a multiple games of magic. It will test your wits, cunning, and magic skills. Though the last two houses standing will then have to fight their own members of their house to see who is the top dueler. The two winners of their house shall face off to decide who is the winner. The winner shall get a grand prize of two thousand galleons and two hundred house points to their own house. Now Mrs. Urret agreed to this but with a few rules, she will now tell you what they are."

Loud whispers ravaged the hall as Urret stood up. Kevin was also interested in this.

"A very important rules in this competition is that no illegal spells are to be allowed," Urret said, every single pair of eyes in the Great Hall locked on her, "Also because of the danger, we made an age limit. Only fifth years and above are allowed to enter. To sign up, a box will placed in front of the Great Hall. Just put your name down, grade, and house then slip it in."

Some of the younger kids exchanged hurt and angry looks while the older kids talked to each other excitedly. Laura grabbed Kevin's arm and whispered, "We should sign up, it sounds really fun!"

"Quite please," Urret shouted, and the hall went silent, "Now in each of the three years only three people will be picked in each house, so this will mean there are going to be nine people in each house dueling. Now the choosing shall be next Friday and the first of the five games on October 15th. We shall explain the first game to the houses the same night as the Choosing."

Kevin stomach dropped at this news. He was never picked for anything and if he was, he would always be the last one chosen. Laura's face still shined with excitement.

"Now," Dumbledore stood up, "You know the rules, now please eat." Food appeared on the plates around the hall, and he sat down. He then leaned over and sparked up a conversation with Miranda Urret.

"So should we try for it?" Laura asked as she placed food on both of their plates. Kevin just nodded and listened to Laura as she rambled on about the tournament. He just nodded and gave a few remarks but let her go on. He wondered if he was chosen, would he just make a fool of himself and would Laura stop being his friend?

Yes, a big and important chapter. I hope you please review, I really need those.

Inkgod