Chapter 7
Harry stood amongst the other students at the raised platform in the great hall. It was early November and the first duel between the two schools was beginning soon. For the month since Harry had been back things had gotten progressively hairier. While things between the schools had settled down, and new friendships had been formed, the one thing that hadn't changed was the tension between Harry and his former best friends. Since the first disastrous encounter in the great Hall, Ron and Hermione seemed even more determined to make amends (Harry suspected Dumbledore had a hand in the matter) and had been plaguing Harry on a consistent basis. After only a week of pestering, Harry had lost his cool and had threatened to stab Ron during a sword-fighting exhibition.
Alec and Harry had been asked to demonstrate the skills required in combat with swords. Radley Academy offered students this kind of training and Dumbledore had thought it a good idea if they would give the Hogwart's seventh years a few lessons. Since Alec was the best with swords he had been in charge with Harry as his assistant. Things had started of well enough, that was until a determined Ron (some might say foolish) had insistently rambled on and on to Harry from the sidelines. He had been, persistent to say the least, in his endless comments and ramblings about forgiveness and second chances. A very irritated Harry Potter had turned to him, sword in hand and pinned him to the wall, the blade millimetres from his throat. What followed was a very menacing threat to be left alone…or else. In fact, Harry had had jabbed the blade against Ron's throat, hard enough to leave a thin cut.
Predictably, Dumbledore had been quite put out; But Harry couldn't give a toss. So, there they were now, every student from both schools, assembled around the platform as the first magical duel was about to get under way.
"Alright, settle down!" Shouted Harry's Headmistress as she waved the students into silence. "The names will be selected randomly from this ordinary hat. Since there are only ten students from Radley academy, there will only be ten duels, and as such not all of you will be able to duel. But we have selected the ten best Hogwarts students to go into a hat."
Alec snorted beside Harry. "This should be fun. I hope I get Ron!"
Harry smirked at him as Professor Walker took over. "You will obviously not be allowed to use Unforgivables, hexes, jinxes, curses or charms that will cause serious harm or…" she smiled at Harry. "Wandless magic. The duel will end when one of the participants has been disarmed and bound."
Harry watched calmly as the first names were picked and Xander and Ron were picked.
"Damn!" Hissed Alec, pouting heavily, puppy dog eyes and all.
Xander, however proved to be more then a match for the red haired Gryffindor. While Ron was a good strategist, he wasn't quick enough and lacked a large enough repertoire of spells and Xander had him wrapped in chains, wand out of reach in only fifteen minutes. From then on, things only seemed to get worst for the hosting school. Apart from Hermione winning against Tyler and Neville against Marshall, the rest were quickly and easily won by Harry and his friends. Lyla, Alec and Harry especially, had taken their respective opponents down in no time flat. The final tally was Hogwarts 2, Radley 8… pretty predictable really.
Once all duels had ended, Dumbledore took to the stage one last time and the look in his eyes made Harry groan. The old coot was up to something, you could tell by that ever present twinkle in his eyes. "I have a last request. How about a final duel between each school's two best duellers?"
Professor Walker raised an eyebrow, but nodded none-the-less. She smiled slightly and walked over to her students, talking quietly with them. "Well I guess I don't need to tell you who that is." She muttered glancing to Harry and Alec. "You two work the best together. The thing is…it's obvious he wants to see just how good Harry is…so we can change it up if you want?'
Harry shook his head. "No. I want to do this. I just hope he doesn't pick whom I think he – " Harry broke off as looked to the stage and saw who Dumbledore's choices were. Ron and Hermione stood on the platform with that same self-righteous look they had been throwing at Harry since the first confrontation. "That bastard! He's using this as his own personal vendetta!"
Merissa Walker fixed him with a stare. "You can back out now if you want, Lyla can take your place."
Harry thought for a moment. "No, I'll do it. It just annoys me that he doesn't realise the kind of danger he's putting them in. They won't just duel, they'll deliberately try to raise my hackles and I might not be able to control an outburst."
Tyler raised an eyebrow. "Maybe that's what they need. A good solid scare."
"Yeah, but Bill won't be happy if I hurt Ron. Anyway…lets do this."
Harry and Alec faced the two Gryffindors, all four in combat positions. At the signal from Dumbledore the duel began. They started off with a few simple spells, each getting a feel of their opponents. Despite the fact that Harry and Alec were much stronger then the other two, Ron and Hermione did work well together. They also knew Harry well enough to predict his movements, at least to a certain degree. Harry himself was unwilling to truly let on with some of the more advanced spells and charms he knew. It would be pointless to let out all his secrets for a mere friendly, seventh year duel.
After at least 20 minutes of constant spell work, Harry was growing tired. He could tell that Alec was just as put out. Hermione and Ron were annoyingly defensive in their duelling, which meant all they did was dodge and cast shield spells, leaving Alec and Harry to find a way around their defence.
Alec groaned as Hermione threw up yet another shield. "This is getting ridiculous!" He grouched. "I'm bored and I'm hungry. If you don't want to use really advanced magic on them, then we're more or less evenly matched!"
Harry frowned. "We need to surprise them." He thought for a moment and nearly kicked himself for being so dense. "We're such idiots!" He yelled and in a quick moment he cast a strong shield and then leaned in close to Alec to whisper his plan to him.
Alec stared at him for a moment and then scowled. "Merlin! We really are dense." Shaking himself he smirked at Harry. "Ready. I'm going to love the look on McGonagall's face."
Alec winked at him, and in a burst of speed the two teenagers transformed swiftly into two hulking shapes. The school gasped in astonishment at the two Animagi. Alec, however wasted no time in charging Hermione in his Snow leopard form, startling the young girl as he dashed towards her. Ron, who was so shocked at the charging leopard, paid no attention to Harry until the Panther was on him. As Harry and Ron fell of the meter high platform, Alec had already transformed back from his animagus form and with a quick flick of his wand disarmed Hermione and a falling Ron. The red head in question landed on the floor with a telling crack as his head came in contact with the stone floor. Harry leapt of him and watched slightly concerned as the boy groaned and passed out.
Harry sighed in exasperation as he watched Bill pace around his room on the jet. "For Merlin's sake, Bill! He's fine. It was just a little concussion. He didn't even need to stay in the hospital wing!"
"That's not the point Harry! He could have been seriously hurt and you don't even seem to care!"
Harry narrowed his eyes. "Of course I care. I wouldn't deliberately hurt him!"
Bill turned and stared at Harry. "Wouldn't you?"
Harry frowned and looked at Bill. He heaved a sigh and muttered in a small voice. "Of course not. I can't believe that you're implying otherwise."
The oppressive silence seemed to weigh on them a moment until Bill groaned and sat beside Harry on the bed. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean it like…it's just…"
"It's just what?"
"It seems like every time you come into contact with Ron he seems on the verge of being hurt. The Hall, the whole sword thing…the duel…"
"He just won't back down and leave me alone. I'll admit that my temper gets away…but that doesn't mean I actually will hurt him. They were all threats."
"He's still my brother, Har. I don't want anything to happen to him…and what if you lose control completely. I know you were holding back in that duel. What happens when you lose your temper?"
"I won't" Harry stated firmly.
"You can't promise that."
Harry stifled the idea to growl in annoyance, instead he turned to Bill. "What can I do? Tell me what you want me to do William…and I'll do it."
Bill stared at Harry for a moment, as if judging his sincerity. Obviously finding what he was looking for, he gave Harry a small smile. "Just stay away from him."
Harry raised an eyebrow. "I have. He's the one who keeps coming after me."
"I know. But you don't walk away either. Just promise me you'll walk away from any confrontation, no matter what he says."
Harry ran a hand through his hair and nodded. "Ok…I'll do it."
The two stared at each other for a moment before Bill stood. "I better get going."
"You're not staying?''
"I have some papers to grade."
"Oh." Harry nodded and kissed Bill lightly before the latter left the room with a mumbled goodnight.
Harry gave an exasperated huffed and sprawled on his bed. Bill was obviously still angry with him. He certainly hadn't intended to hurt Ron, not even a minor injury, but Bill was still pretty upset. Harry sighed, he had known that his issues with Ron would eventually become a problem; he just hadn't thought it would be this soon. Perhaps he should have just listened to his initial instincts and stayed away from Bill. However, it was pointless even considering it now because he was even more in love with the stupid Weasley then before. He'd just have to take things as they came and learn to deal.
TBC
