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Chapter 4: Impasse

The last of the summer sun had slowly faded away, giving way to the blustery realms of winter. Hogwarts' grounds were littered with beautiful solemn tones, the shadows of summer. Leaves whirling around, chasing students' feet as they navigated the grounds. A large, slightly curled and tatty leaf whisked off the ground, swirling round and round, mesmerising and landed squarely in Harry's face.

'It's an improvement mate' Ron joked as Harry wiped the faint traces of dew off his face.

'I'll bear that in mind. I wonder what valuable lesson we will learn in today's Defence Against the Dark Arts class. Something we already know again, no doubt' Harry sighed in silent frustration. He was certainly tiring of learning nothing new in his classes. He understand that they were important lessons, however he couldn't help but think they were too little too late. They had already taught themselves these spells in preparation for the Final Battle, most Eighth years know them. Harry had gone through most of them when he ran Dumbledore's Army. He was desperate for new challenge, new spells and charms. He made a note to himself to speak to McGonagall about this.

'They are teaching what they know Harry mate. Dad says that it's been hard for Kingsley and his new team to piece everything back together, let alone implement the new reforms yet. Maybe you should start up Dumbledore's Army again? I'm sure McGonagall will support you in that. It'll give you something to do?' Ron had gained a real level of maturity at times, since he started dating Hermione. She really brought out the best in him.

'Yeah, maybe. We'll see eh?' Harry replied. It didn't seem like the worst of ideas.

'Mr Potter, Mr Weasley, so kind of you to join us. Please take your seats and refrain from tardiness in my lessons.' Professor Bonitas pronounced in her mellifluous tones as she gracefully pointed to their seats.

Harry and Ron quickly shuffled passed everyone, attempting to cause as little fuss as possible. Harry's bag, precariously balanced, slipped off his shoulder and into the unsuspecting face of the prestigious Draco Malfoy. Harry turned around and was about to apologise when he heard the following.

'Oi, watch what you're doing Potter!' Draco hissed.

'Chill out Malfoy, why don't you remove that stick from your arse?' Harry retorted.

Draco flew to his feet in confrontation as Harry let his bag crash to the floor.

'Ahhh it looks like we have two volunteers for demonstrating defences strategies. Please step up Harry and Draco, as you are both very enthusiastic today.' She put the softest emphasis on the word enthusiasm and she shared a knowing look with the boys. 'Let's see if we can put your energy to good use shall we?'

Harry and Draco watched each other cautiously as the rest of the class stared at her in disbelief. Was this really the wisest of moves? Two known enemies helping to demonstrate in a duel? The whole student body knew how that turned out last time in the second year. It wasn't the best idea. However, Professor Bonitas was a very wise lady and an experienced teacher, so if anyone could handle Harry and Draco, it was her.

'So, today we are looking at the best defensive spells. Now I know that both of you boys, rather regrettably, have a lot of experience in duelling powerful wizards. Which spell would you use to in response to a confringo charm?' She looked expectantly at both Harry and Draco.

Draco rolled his eyes and responded with 'Defodio'. Professor Bonitas raised her eye brows in response to his choice.' An eye for an eye. If someone wants to hurt me, I will not take it lying down Professor.'

Harry snorted and threw Draco a look of disdain 'why does that not surprise me? Ever the aggressor Malfoy.'

'Oh really Potter?' Draco spat. 'Let me guess, you would use your beloved explelliarmus spell?'

Harry's eye flashed with anger 'Actually, I would use a Flame Freezing charm. I like to avoid causing damage; I strive to be a better person than Dark Lords and Death Eaters.'

'Okay okay boys, that's enough bickering. We do want to avoid violence today, especially as this is a Defence Against the Dark Arts lesson. I would like you two to duel, no offensive charms that will cause harm. We will see who has the best approach.' Professor Bonitas finished with a small smile and a glint in her eye. Sometimes Harry was astounded at how much she reminded him of Dumbledore. That sheer benevolence and eagerness to teach valuable lessons. Harry also knew not to mess with her; she was a force to be reckoned with.

Promptly turning to face each other, both boys stiffly bowed a fraction of an each to formally start the duel. Malfoy's lip lifted into a gentle smirk, itching to lay hands on Harry to expresses years of hatred. Harry mirrored his mannerism, thriving on the chance for a confrontation. Not believing his luck the Professor Bonitas would allow them this open show of hatred. Harry felt it course through his very being, through every neuron and his blood. Now was the time to settle all debts.

'Come on then Potter, let's do this. Show me what you can do, none of this pansy explelliarmus crap. Show me how you really feel. Confringo!' Draco whispered into the deadly silent room. It was as though he had shouted; the force which flew Harry's way almost caught him off guard. Almost.

Harry sprung out of the way whilst throwing his flame freezing charm. Simultaneously, Draco reflexively returned the favour with 'defodio'.

When one sent across a spell, the other returned fire just as quickly. Hastily, they became more animated in their attempts to best the other. All traces of amusement wiped from their ruddy, sweaty faces. Stunned students watched in amazement as both boys danced around the classroom, exchanging blow and tiresome blow. At one point, Harry rushed into a group of observers, in a desperate attempt to avoid Draco's immobulus charm.

'Go on Harry, get him!' Ron bellowed across the room, which earned him a vile glare from a few of the supporting Slytherins.

Draco jadedly circles vigilant Harry, moving with a grace and elegance rightful of a Malfoy. Harry had to admit, no matter what he felt about Draco, he admired his refinement. Draco knew how to hold himself; how to exert an air of belonging.

Draco circumspectly assessed Harry's calculated movements. Every step Harry took, Draco knew was premeditated. Draco envied Harry's ability to judge a situation and elude him. Envied and despised.

Fighting for breath, the adversaries stopped, doubled over in frustration and fatigue. They had reached an impasse.

'Is that the best you've got Potter?' When Draco has nothing else to give, he always had his scathing and sarcasm to rile his opponent.

It was as though someone had flicked a switch in Harry's head. He lunged towards Draco as a leopard would his prey. Rage flushed through Harry, wiping out all decorum and sense of where he was. Absolute shock rippled across Draco's face momentarily before he thrust Harry off of him onto the floor beneath him. The ripping of cloaks, panting of both boys and a variety of colourful expletives mingled through the room as Professor Bonitas nodded towards Blaise and Ron as a way of silent instruction.

Two strong pairs of hands dragged Draco off of a belligerent Harry, both reluctant to relinquish hold of the other. Eventually, Blaise and Ron successfully disentangled the enraged boys. Heavily breathing, gasping for air. Harry with a split lip and broken glasses, Draco with his slicked hair now tussled and a trickle of blood from his swollen nose.

'To MaGonagall's office. Now.' Bonitas' stern voice instructed, with what Harry could have sworn had an undercurrent of amusement.

'We are living in a new world. One in which we do not discriminate, we do not live in fear and we do not have an all out school boy fight during a class.' MaGonagall's imperial voice uttered. She adjusted a majestic looking dish that held a variety of muggle sweets, a keepsake from Dumbledore's time, ensuring that he desk was arranged with the utmost care. 'Why must you insist on baring a grudge? We are at an important stage in our lives. A time in which we will either rebuild and succeed or wither and fail. The path you are choosing is destructive; it is not what I expect from you Mr Potter. Or you Mr Malfoy. When you were offered the chance to return to Hogwarts, it was for a fresh start. Not to take up old feuds.'

Both boys stared purposefully at the front of the room, avoiding MaGonagall's penetrating gaze.

'I have therefore come to the conclusion that your punishment needs to be one in which you will learn a lesson. As clearly the Great War itself was not a lesson enough, it seems. Your punishment will last as long as it takes you both to work together. During the Final Battle, many elements of the school were destroyed; we are gradually rebuilding the school. As an area of common ground, I charge you with the responsibility of rebuilding the Quidditch pitch.'

'What! You can't do that!'

'I'm not working with him'

'That precious snob wouldn't know anything about hard graft'

'That idiot couldn't find his own bloody elbow'.

In perfect synchronicity, they complained, they insulted and they attempted many acts of defiance. With a cutting glance, they were silenced.

'With minimum magic.' The final words were the icing on the cake. 'You are dismissed.'

Defodio- The Gouging Spell

Deep gouges will form on the targets area.

Congringo charm- The Blasting Charm

Causes everything that the spell comes into contact with to explode

Imobulus- renders target immobilised.

Thank you again for reading! Sorry it has been so long, I promise I won't take so long to update again.

I would absolutely love some reviews... Halo88