"Stop fidgeting. This robe's supposed to be protecting you," Augusta Longbottom fussed over her grandson that morning.
"Yes, Gran. I suppose you're coming along?"
"Of course. If I can handle the worst of the Death Eaters, I think I can handle those Malfoy worms," she laughed. "You'll do your parents proud again, I think."
Neville looked at the mirror, feeling very old, like a veteran soldier picking up the rifle for the last time. He grasped the hilt of his grandfather's - well, his, according to Gran - sword. "I just have to make Mr. Talhoffer proud."
"That comes with making your parents proud, my lad; it's all part of the bargain," the old matriarch smiled.
"That's three ways I have to impress," Neville sighed.
"Oh? Who would they be?" She tapped him over the head to straighten his hair. "Mr. Talhoffer, Mum and Dad, and… Cho Chang."
"I really do hope she's worth fighting for, Neville. I hope she's good enough for you." "It's the opposite I'm worried about," he murmured.
After all, he was no Malfoy. Malfoy was trim and athletic and fast and smart. Worth twelve of him, Harry had said. Malfoy was also a coward, a weakling (he never got into a fight without his goons, which were restrained in a duel), and, after all, he was wrong. He didn't just fight a war to see the same wrong come up again. Dumbledore would want me to fight.
Things were just as tense in the burrow
"Pity I won't be there. Just take care of him and yourselves," Arthur Weasley sighed into his coffee.
"Nasty things, those duels, I wish you could have banned them." Molly shook her head.
"Well, if Hermione's right-" Ginny mused.
"She usually is," Ron interrupted.
"-this duel will be the last one. Too much negative publicity when two old pureblood families have a fight," she finished, glaring at her brother.
"Where is this again?"
"St. Columba's Cave."
"I've been there. It's a nasty place, full of Dark Magic. The worst wizards could make the rocks themselves attack or chasms open, or have the ground simply swallow you up," Mr. Weasley said gravely. "Poor lad's going to have to be careful."
"I think he can take care of himself, from what they've told me, dear. Still, keep your eyes open and if anybody gets hurt, send an owl back as soon as possible." Mrs. Weasley couldn't help but fret herself.
The atmosphere at Malfoy Manor was quite different.
"Have the others replied, Draco?" Narcissa Malfoy checked herself in the mirror.
"Yes. Goyle, Greengrass, Parkinson, and Zabini. I hope Pansy won't be too angry at me for marrying Chang. It's all business, nothing personal." Draco adjusted his robes as Noddy putting the finishing touches and shining up the silver lining on the outer mantle.
"Good. I want the Changs to see how worthy you are."
"No doubt Longbottom's acquired a small group of riffraff on his side," Lucius commented as he strode in.
"Potter, Granger, and some weasels no doubt," Draco sniffed.
"Remember the family honor. We'll be with you as always, my boy." Draco could feel his father's thin hands comfortingly holding his shoulders.