Disclaimer: If I owned the Harry Potter books...I strongly believe that Draco Malfoy would have a much bigger role in them. So...I own nothing but the story.

A/N: I hope you enjoy reading, as much as I enjoy writhing. Thank you all for your reviews. I hope you like this chapter as well. Please R&R. I'm rewrithing the chapters...with improved grammar...I hope. :P

Love always conquers.

Chapter 4.

The week after the Christmas break, Hermione trained as if her life depended on it. Well, at some point it did. But learning about the dueling club, gave her even more reason to do so. She would finish her homework, and spend as much time in the Room of Requirement as she could. Hermione was brewing and drinking Pepper Up potion like Pumpkin juice. It was the only way for her to stay awake and practice the spells that required most of her strength. Finally, the night before the Dueling club started, Hermione was able to control the Fiendfire, and was very proud of herself. That night she went to bed early.

''So, Severus, have you decided the pairs for the dueling club?'' Dumbledore asked.

''Well, until now, only 35 students have decided they want to join, so I'll have a student without pair. But...there is one student that I'll be paying a bit more attention to, so I'll be pairing her with me at one point.''

''Would that student be Miss Granger by any chance?''

''Yes. I believe she will be able to keep at some pace with me. By now, I'm sure every student knows how to cast a protection shield, so I won't be so easy on them. I think Potter did a good job with the DA. But I'll see what they are capable of tomorrow.''

''I do hope they'll be up to the task. As you said, dark times are coming, and they need everything they will learn from you.''

The Great Hall had been emptied of the tables, and now all the students that had subscribed for the dueling lessons, were gathered there. Hermione was by Harry and Ron's side, waiting as everybody else, for the teacher to come. She was excited, although she knew she couldn't use any of the spells she had learned. At this point, not even Harry was a match for her. The special wand had proven to be much more powerful than she thought it would be. Any spell used, was at least three times stronger. Yes, she was carrying it at all times, but no, she couldn't use it. It was just for the battle.

''So, Hermione, what do you think about this?'' Harry asked. He had learned in the last week not to bother Hermione too much, or ask her about her missing hours. He didn't know what she was up to, but she didn't respond well to questioning. Since Hermione's parents died, she had changed...a lot. Right now, he was learning to deal with this now Hermione. This new, cold Hermione.

''I think it's a very good idea...''Hermione said, ''...and if the teacher is not up to the task, you can always restart the DA. It would be fun.'' Hermione smiled.

''Yeah mate, she's right. It would be fun. By the way, who do you think will be leading the class?'' Ron asked.

Ron's question was answered a few moments later. As usual, Severus Snape's robes swirled around him as he stepped in the Great Hall.

''Bloody hell...''

''Snape?''

''What the hell...''

Similar phrases could be heard trough the room, except, of course, from the Slytherins, who were smirking at their House head.

''What the hell was Dumbledore thinking?'' Harry asked frowning.

''Well...at least we have to admit it. He is up to the task.'' Hermione said, eyeing the potions professor, and a smile playing on her lips, at the memory of a certain day in Diagon Alley.

''Silence.'' Snape bellowed. ''Without discipline, you can never hope to learn the art of dueling.'' He said, eyeing every student, and lingering a bit more on Hermione's face. ''You all know why you are here. The Dark Lord has returned, and you all need to know how to protect yourself...''

Harry's mouth dropped to the floor at that statement. He had never expected Snape to say that. Years now, both him and Dumbledore struggled to make everyone understand the dangers that were awaiting them. But everybody was taking it very careless. They were expecting the adults to take over the task. But Harry sincerely believed that now they were about to change their minds.

''Both I and professor Flitwick will be teaching you. We are both masters in dueling, so I expect all of you to pay attention.'' He said, eyeing the Slytherins. Yes, they were Slytherins, and their fathers were Death Eaters, but he knew for sure that the Slytherins that were present now in the Great Hall, had all decided to change side. Except Crabbe and Goyle, of course. He had had a talk with each and every one of them, and knew for sure that they were faithful.

'' I believe that Mr. Potter has taught most of you how to cast a protection shield, and, or, how to avoid unfriendly spells. You will have a partner, and change partners during the year, so don't count too much on learning one person's moves. You have to be quicker than your opponent, smarter, and stronger. You will be allowed to use a series of spells, not just one. So I suggest you read the list before you cast a spell that will send you in detention, or to injure one of your classmates. And thus you will know what to expect from your partner.''

Murmurs of agreement or protests overwhelmed the room, as the students read the list of spells that they were allowed to use. Harry was protesting the loudest.

''Is there a problem Mr. Potter?'' Snape asked.

''How can you allow students to use severing or blasting hexes?'' Harry asked.

''You know as well as I do, Mr. Potter, that the Death Eaters will use worse curses than that. Don't you agree?''

At this point, Harry had no reply. Indeed, Snape was right. And at that moment Harry understood Dumbledore's reason for choosing Snape as a teacher for this. Being a Death Eater, he knew every spell, or curse, that will be thrown their way. Harry nodded.

''Now...your parteners.''Flitwick said. ''Because you are too many, and there is no room for everyone, you will be paired in groups. When one group is done, then the next group will take their place.''

''Mr. Weasley and Miss Parkinson.''

Ron gulped and stepped in front of a smirking Pansy.

''Mr. Nott and Mr. Potter.''

''Miss Brown and Miss Bulstrode.''

''Mr. Malfoy and Miss Granger...''

Snape eyed the pair, and looked bewildered at Hermione who was smirking and eyeing Draco with an evil eye. He knew that Draco was more than capable for this. He had trained him himself. He was actually curious to see how Hermione would be handling the situation. Draco was as good with a wand as he was without one. 'Entertaining', Snape thought.

Six pairs took their places in the hall facing each other. The other students were seated around the walls, with protection charms around them. You never know what a stray hex could do.

At the professor's signal, they started dueling.

Ron of course, was no match for Pansy, so he was wandless and binded within two minutes.

Lavender and Millicent had both cast Expelliarmus at the same time, so they were next out of the 'battle field'.

Pair after pair was down, only two remaining were Harry, Hermione, Draco and Theodore.

Finally, after about ten minutes of dueling, Harry was able to bind Nott, and now everybody was waiting for Hermione...or Draco to end theirs.

Snape was looking at Hermione with appreciation. He was right. The girl had potential. She was deflecting Draco's spells with ease. Draco was starting to wear out, but surprisingly, Hermione wasn't.

Fifteen minutes later, Draco sent a blasting spell that almost hit her, and was smirking when his wand flew out of his hand. He hadn't seen Hermione throw the spell, so he knew it to be a wandless one.

Annoyed that Draco had lost his wand, Snape tried to step forward, to announce the end of the duel, when it started again. Wandless magic on both sides. Students all around started gasping and 'aahh'-ing and 'uuhh'-ing'.

Harry and Ron at least were taken aback with Hermione's skills.

Finally with one wave of her hand Hermione binded Draco and stepped aside.

Snape was shocked. When did that happen?

Hermione turned around and started walking towards a smiling Harry when she heard Snape calling her.

''Miss Granger...take this.'' Snape said, handing her a potion.

''What is it?'' Hermione asked suspiciously. None of the other students had been given a potion.

''Why don't you tell me?''

Hermione uncorked the bottle and sniffed. ''Pepper Up potion.'' she said.

''Yes, now drink.''

''Why?''

''You'll see.''

Hermione eyed him one more time, and drank the potion in one gulp. In matter of seconds, she was as fresh as if she had just had a good night sleep.

''Now...Miss Granger. I challenge you to a duel.''Snape said.

Hermione widened her eyes in surprise, as every other student for that matter. Protests were heard from the Gryffindors, but no one paid them any attention.

''Severus, you can't do that.'' Flitwick said.

''Yes I can, and you know it Fillius. So, what do you say Miss Granger?''

''I accept.''

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