AN: Here we go - longest chapter to date. I hope everyone enjoys it.
Chapter 14: Duels
"Ron, do you mind if I work with Neville during Potions class today?"
Harry and Ron were walking toward said Potions class when Harry asked the question.
"You feel sorry for him don't you." Ron replied.
He shrugged. "You said it yesterday, that's twice now he's gone to the hospital wing. Let's try to avoid him having to go a third time."
Ron agreed to it with little fuss. Longbottom was off to a very rocky start and if Harry could help him then that would be good. Seamus wasn't too bad either. Ron enjoyed hanging out with him when Harry was doing his Ravenclaw routine.
As usual, Harry and Ron were one of the first people to arrive. Harry loitered around the door, waiting for Neville. When he arrived Harry approached. "Neville, Seamus, would you mind if we switched partners? I'll work with Neville and you can work with Ron."
Seamus eagerly nodded his head while Neville looked uncomfortable.
"Why?"
"McGonagall said that our house would be like our family at Hogwarts. Family should take care of each other." Harry caught Neville's eye and saw Neville clench his jaw slightly.
"Thank you."
Harry smiled, "Just remember that when someone struggles in Herbology!"
They got seated and waited for Professor Snape to arrive. Harry quietly mentioned that he had spoken with Terry Boot and learned they would be producing the Awakening Potion in class. The Ravenclaw/Hufflepuff first year class had Potions earlier in the week.
"You grind up the ingredients and I'll do the stirring. Sound good?" Potter asked his nervous partner. Neville nodded in agreement and just at that time their instructor stalked in, his cape billowing behind him.
"Turn to page thirty two and begin." He paused a moment and then looked at Harry, and then at Neville. "Mr. Longbottom, five points from Gryffindor for disrupting class last week."
Harry stiffened. 'That bastard.'
Longbottom looked down, blinking quickly.
"Well? Stop dawdling and begin!" Snape ordered the class.
Harry directed Neville to ground up the snake fangs while he got to work with the cauldron. Neville's hands trembled slightly. Harry noticed and kept up a steady drumbeat of instructions, softly so as to not incur the wrath of the Potions Master.
"Excellent work Draco. You added the gristle at just the right moment." Snape commented aloud for the entire class to hear.
Neville added the ingredients he had ground up under Harry's direction while Harry stirred it the appropriate number of times clockwise. The substance began to change color and bubble slightly, just as the potions book had suggested it should.
"Halfway done." Harry commented.
The potion wasn't complicated and Harry had already memorized the steps in preparation for the class. Neville's nerves simmered down and by the end of the class he had a slight smile. Snape just scowled at them as he stalked past them.
Ron and Seamus hadn't done as well as he had but there were no melted cauldrons. That was the important thing.
"What a git." Ron said once they got out of earshot of the classroom.
The Gryffindors all agreed with the sentiment even Hermione nodded before catching herself. "We shouldn't call Professor Snape names."
Ron scoffed. "A git is a git. Not saying it doesn't make it any less true."
"You'll cost us points if someone overhears." Hermione rebutted. Several of the other Gryffindors hurried along, not wanting to listen to Ron and Hermione argue for the umpteenth time. The only ones who remained were Neville and Seamus.
Harry was about to step into the argument when Draco called out from behind him. "Potter!"
Harry turned to face Draco who was flanked by his two usual companions. In addition Pansy Parkinson and Blaise Zabini were along as well. Ron fingered his wand while Harry kept a blank expression on his face and his hands at his sides.
"What do you want Malfoy?" Harry asked.
"I'm tired of you trying to show me up and I still owe you from the train. I'm challenging you to a wizard's duel!"
Harry looked Draco in the eye. "I'll think about it and get back to you by tomorrow."
Draco laughed. "Oh are you scared Potter?"
"He's not afraid and he will duel you!" Ron flushed red and stepped in close to the blond pure-blood.
"You mustn't! We aren't allowed to duel each other." The group of Slytherins glared at Hermione's interruption.
Pansy muttered under her breath something about mudbloods. Hermione turned toward the Slytherin girl and Harry felt his temper rise up again. That word was a sore spot for him.
'No, I am not going to be baited like this. '
Harry cleared his throat loudly. "I said I'll consider it. Tradition states that once a challenge is issued the person challenged has time to think about it. Or do Malfoys only pay lip service to wizarding traditions?"
"What would you know of our traditions? You were raised by muggles." Draco sneered.
"The school does have a library Malfoy. Now, for the last time I will consider it." He turned his back toward Draco and marched toward the Great Hall.
***BREAK***
After lunch Harry approached the diminutive Charms Professor.
"Professor Flitwick would you be able to referee a duel between me and another student?"
"Aren't you an eager one! Hogwarts used to have a dueling club you know. Yes I'd be happy to oversee a duel. Based on your age we'll use the junior circuit dueling rules."
The rules specified what kind of spells could be used. In addition unlike a proper duel that goes until one opponent has exited the dueling space, disarmed or knocked out, this battle was determined by who could land three jinxes, hexes or curses first.
"I've read out about those rules sir, can we do it next week right before lunch in the Great Hall?"
Flitwick looked up at Harry. "Want an audience eh? Well all the bests sports have crowds so that's fine. Who knows Harry, if your duel is popular I may even start the club again!"
He thanked the professor and went on his way. The opportunity to humiliate Draco in front of the entire school was too great to pass up. It would also serve to fully etch into everyone's minds that he was more dangerous than Malfoy. It also would also create a convenient excuse to get to know Susan Bones.
'I really should thank Malfoy for this one day.'
***BREAK***
Draco Malfoy was not pleased how things had gone in Hogwarts so far. Sure he had taken over the younger Slytherin crowd easily enough, his father's name made that all too simple. The older years followed Marcus Flint, the captain of the Quiddich team. Draco was canny enough to see that trying to get the older years to follow his lead would be futile. Instead he had spoken with Marcus and he would allow the younger years to follow Draco's lead. In exchange Draco promised that the Malfoy family would look kindly on Marcus post Hogwarts.
His only real rival was a third year girl, Theresa Thicknesse. Her family had influence, though not as great as his father's of course, and she was academically gifted. She had resented a younger student muscling in on her position with the younger years. Malfoy had to convince people personally how unwise it would be to side with Thicknesse over a Malfoy. Through a combination of threats and bribery he pulled away her support.
One by one he won them over and soon the girl was completely ostracized.
'Serves the bitch right for trying to get in my way.'
There were no other real threats in Slytherin house however he knew loyalty was fickle. If they sensed weakness the tide could turn. Probably not back toward Thicknesse but to one of the other ambitious individuals. Theodore Nott for example would love to usurp his position. In any other class without Draco he would be the young Slytherin lead. His father was wealthy though again, not as wealthy as a Malfoy. And while he didn't have the political connection Lucius had, he was known in the right circles to be a dispenser of the darkest sort of curses and artifacts.
Draco was at home in Slytherin and could navigate its turbulent waters. It was Potter that was his bane. It had caught him completely by surprised that the Boy-Who-Lived had assaulted him so easily. His comments on the train clearly struck a nerve, something he would keep in mind for the future, but the cost had been high. Part of the reason he had the initial struggle with Theresa was because the Hogwarts rumor mill had him being trounced in a duel with Potter.
Draco had written to his father and been told that there was nothing he could do, yet. The Boy-Who-Lived was legendary among the wizarding world at the moment. The boy who saved them all from You-Know-Who. His father had told him that the reputation must be chipped away, he needed to seem human, fallible.
Get the boy in trouble. Show everyone that the Boy-Who-Lived was just another student, a student who breaks rules and served detention. Dispel the halo around him and then will be the time to act.
Draco had taken his father's words to heart and had tried to goad Potter into flying while Madam Hooch was away. If they had been caught Draco would gladly face the same punishment if it meant that Potter would become vulnerable. It was not to be since Harry had almost dismissively retrieved Neville's bauble.
A Malfoy did not just simply give up. His next ploy was to trick Harry into agreeing to a midnight duel and then tip off Filch that Potter was planning on being in the halls after curfew. He had suspected that Harry would accept and was once again flummoxed by the response. Draco knew dueling traditions, his father and mother had seen to that. What Harry was doing was perfectly permissible, the surprise was that Harry knew about it. Wasn't he raised by muggles?
It was now evening and almost all of Hogwarts was in the Great Hall enjoying their meals. Malfoy was holding court among the younger years when Harry Potter came walking up to the table. Draco squared his shoulders and sat up as Harry approached. However Harry wasn't alone, along with him was the Charms Professor.
'Did that coward grass me up?' Draco thought to himself angrily.
"Mr. Malfoy," the small professor spoke, "I understand you and Harry wish to duel?"
Draco thought quickly. Almost the entire table had stopped talking. He wasn't sure how to play this, he had to think. "What did Potter say? You know he doesn't like me."
Harry gave him a look. "I told him you challenged me to a duel. Being aware that Professor Flitwick is a renowned duelist I suggested that he be there to oversee it."
"Yes, yes, and I jumped at the chance. Hogwarts used to have a dueling club and this would be a good opportunity for the school to learn a bit more about formal dueling. I've spoken with the Headmaster and he agreed that we could use the Great Hall for this."
Every ear in Slytherin was turned to the conversation. If Draco accused Potter of lying it would make him look afraid of him. He knew Potter was fast with his wand but he was a pure-blood and Potter was just a half-blood. He should be better. His original plan was in tatters but this could work just as well. He wasn't a fan of just using brute force but a snake had fangs for a reason.
"Very well Potter."
Flitwick briefed them on the rules of the duel and set the time for next Thursday.
The added time would be put to good use by Draco. He would show the entire school that the Boy-Who-Lived was just another student. Not someone to be feared or held in awe. When he brought Potter low he would never be questioned within Slytherin again.
***BREAK***
Harry Potter was utterly confident in his ability to defeat Draco. Mr. Weasley would probably chide him for underestimating an opponent but the gap between him and what his classmates could do was massive.
'Not that I can show off everything but I'll put on a good show.'
He also intended to use the duel as an excuse to finally make a connection with Susan Bones. She was the niece of the head of the DMLE and Madam Bones was also her guardian. The entire school of course was talking about the duel between he and the Malfoy heir. As seemed typical for Hogwarts it was swiftly ballooning into something nonsensical. He wasn't going to complain about that since it worked in his favor. The entire school would see the Boy-Who-Lived once again triumphant against a pure-blood bigot.
On Saturday he located Susan Bones outside chatting with another Hufflepuff, a girl named Hannah Abbot. Harry approached them and said hello. "Ms. Bones may I have a word in private?"
Hannah giggled and waved her friend off. Susan and Harry walked a bit away.
"Susan, you know about the duel right?"
"I do. Good luck." She offered simply.
Harry scratched the back of his head in a show of faux nervousness. "Yes, well I really want to win. I know your aunt is something of a legend among the Aurors and I was wondering if you could teach me a hex or two."
Susan's face began to cloud over and Harry's voice sped up.
"Nothing Dark of course! I just want to surprise him with something."
Susan looked at him square in the eyes. "So... you want me to teach you a spell that I might have picked up from Auntie?"
Harry smiled, "Yeah, if you don't mind of course."
"Sod off Potter."
Harry had not been expecting that response at all. What had he done wrong?
"Um, well if you'd rather not that's all right." Harry replied, wondering how he could salvage the situation.
"You don't need my help. Everyone knows you know loads of magic. You get extra lessons from Professor Flitwick, the Gryffindor prefects are holding extra practice session too. The dueling rules also don't allow for 'surprise spells.' Auntie warned me about people like you. She told me that other students would try to make nice with me just because of who she is. I didn't think you would be one of them." Her voice had rose in the middle of her rant and then ended in a harsh whisper.
Harry's jaw fell open a bit. His features took on a guilty look before he masked it but it was too late. Susan turned away angrily and stalked back to her friend.
'Damn it. She's not wrong. I did want to make friends with her because of who Madam Bones is but I didn't think I was obvious. I really hope she doesn't spread stories about this.'
Harry opted not to try to apologize to Susan just yet. She seemed quite upset and it may even make things worse. He'd have to be more careful in the future.
***BREAK***
Charlie enjoyed having Bill visit him at his new job. His job was really everything he dreamed it could be, sure it was dangerous but that just made it more exciting. His Quiddich trained reflexes were put to good use here.
Now that he was gainfully employed he could also afford better things. Still not enough to afford a lot of dragon hide gear, which was why he had been training his dueling skills so fiercely. Bill had promised if he could beat him in a duel he'd buy him a pair of dragon hide boots.
"You won't catch me off guard this time Bill." Charlie grinned at his brother.
Bill was different, ever since he quit his job at Gringotts. He couldn't quite put his finger on it. His eyes had always been intent on one thing at a time. Bill's focus was always all consuming but now his eyes moved always drinking in the surroundings and missing not a single detail.
'And I thought working with dragons was dangerous. If Bill is any indication curse breaking for Gringotts is a lot worse.'
Charlie was ready, he had honed his speed and learned a few tricks. He would be ready for any surprises, he was going to win.
The duel began and Charlie sent a wave of curses toward Bill. Nothing too powerful just a few stunners, a Disarming Charm and a Knockback Jinx. As he was launching those spells Bill fired a single curse at him.
"Dajīj."
'Not this again.'
Charlie braced himself for the shrieking cacophony. He wouldn't let himself be distracted this time. As the shrieking began Charlie found all his spells missing completely as Bill Apparated away. In an instant the younger Weasley put together Bill's plan. Apparation made noise, the Egyptian curse would prevent Charlie from hearing where Bill Apparated to. That meant that Bill would be right behind him!
Charlie whirled around ready to curse Bill as soon as he saw him. He never did see him before the Stunning Spell hit him and he went down.
Charlie opened his eyes to see Bill's smiling face.
"Where the bloody hell were you?"
Bill pointed up and Charlie groaned. He Apparated above him? The legendary Gryffindor seeker got blindsided from the air. He hoped the twins never learned of this.
"How did you land safely?"
"Cushioning Charm." Bill replied without a hint of taunting, which really just made it worse.
"I want another go." Charlie demanded.
"If you can make it to Christmas at The Burrow, I'll give you another rematch."
Charlie's face twisted in a grimace. That would be difficult, he had just started working at the reserve which meant he would be the low man on the totem pole.
"I'll see what I can do."
***BREAK***
Harry used the duel as an excuse to practice his magic with others in his year. Ron was all too happy to learn some of the hexes and felt it was his duty to do so as Harry's second. Never mind the fact that in the beginner circuit dueling rules there was no need for seconds. Harry wasn't about to burst his bubble. Besides the Death Eaters like Malfoy's father were still out there, his friends knowing how to use a wand properly was important.
First, was getting Neville to learn how to using the Stinging Hex properly. Harry didn't get the impression the boy was stupid, timid yes, but not stupid. For whatever reason it took him a long time to get it right and even then he had to concentrate fully for the Stinging Hex to work. Once they finally did get him up to speed Harry proposed they both fire on him so he could practice dodging and shielding.
"You're crazy mate, but all right." Ron agreed.
Harry grinned and told them to start. Ron and Neville both fired one hex a piece at Harry. Harry remained motionless as both Stinging Hexes missed him. He gave them a look and both of them flushed and fired again.
This time one of them was on target and Harry side stepped away from the strike.
"Keep going." Harry ordered.
Ron and Neville began casting faster. Neville failed to manifest the hex a few times since he wasn't used to casting quickly however Ron had gotten the hang of it. Harry ducked, dodged and when he couldn't he put up a Protego. The Stinging Hex smacked into the shield and dissipated. Harry released the shield and continued to almost dance around the room. When necessary he put up his shield again, after a few iterations he varied energy of the Shielding Charm, causing one of the Stinging Hexes to be deflected.
The deflected hex harmlessly bounced into the floor. "Wait a second." Potter held his hand up and his two friends stopped firing.
"I want to practice that, being able to deflect spells." Harry was already familiar with how to do so thanks to Mr. Weasley's training. If anyone plundered Neville or Ron's minds they would see Harry learning through practice how to do this advanced technique.
They ended up practicing for an hour. Ron was exhausted after all the spell slinging though Harry and Neville seemed all right.
"Malfoy doesn't stand a chance." Ron declared.
Harry agreed but still said he was going to take it seriously and wanted to practice daily. Ron, with his perceived duties as Harry's second in the duel, wasn't about to refuse. That meant he would be getting an extra hour of practical spell work practice every day without him realizing it.
His machinations hadn't worked on Susan Bones but they certainly were working with Ron Weasley and Neville Longbottom. At no point did he feel remorse. Being able to fight was in their best interests. The Death Eaters who tortured the helpless were still out there. So many of them had escaped justice and Harry would make sure he and his friends were ready when it came time to flush society of their filth.
***BREAK***
In the lead up to the duel all of Hogwarts was abuzz. Not only were there rumors, excitement and all the other hoopla there was also betting. At the heart of the betting ring were the Weasley twins. Having sat in on one of Harry's training sessions with Neville and Ron they knew exactly how capable the Boy-Who-Lived was.
The problem was that Harry was the heavy favorite. Not only was there his reputation as the Boy-Who-Lived who slew You-Know-Who, but Harry had already defeated Draco. Harry also performed well in his classes. He answered his professors questions accurately and he was often one of the first to learn whatever spell Percy was teaching them.
The Weasley twins were not to be deterred. Instead they began offering 2-1 odds. If you put up one sickle and won, you would get your sickle back and two additional ones. That proved tempting enough for some. Frank and George were actually looking to be in a lot of trouble if Harry did manage to lose, they wouldn't have enough to payout to everyone.
Harry wasn't going to let that happen. It was the day of the duel and nearly all of Hogwarts was in attendance. The junior circuit rules were rather restrictive. Both contestants would be in a circle 3 meters in diameter and they would be placed seven meters apart. They were not allowed to leave the circle for any reason and the lists of approved spells were limited. Staples such as the Disarming Charm, Stinging Hexes, Shield Charm and a host of minor jinxes were listed. Harry was only planning on using a couple of the jinxes. The Tripping Jinx and maybe a Knockback Jinx.
Harry took his position as did Draco. The blond Slytherin was wearing actual dueling robes instead of the normal Hogwarts ones. Dueling robes didn't really give someone much of an advantage. They had more pockets and places to hide extra wands and they were slightly more form fitting so the robe didn't get in the way of wand movements, but that was it.
Professor Flitwick stood between the two. He went over the rules again for all present and asked the combatants if they were ready.
"I am ready Professor however I did have a question for Mr. Malfoy. Why did you want to duel me? Considering the debt your family owes me I'm curious about your animosity."
"What are you talking about Potter? We don't owe you anything."
Harry raised his eyebrows. "From what I've read, Voldemort put your father under the Imperious Curse. Your father was too weak to save himself and it wasn't until I killed Voldemort that he was freed."
Predictably almost the entire study body flinched. Harry could understand that fear but what really irked him was how most of the professors also reacted.
'I really expected better. Mr. Weasley never flinches.'
Sudden pain bloomed in his scar. Stronger than at any other time he could remember. Keenly aware he was in front of a massive audience he retreated behind his Occlumancy shields. He controlled his features despite the burning pain licking at the corners of his psyche. Thankfully, behind his Occlumancy shields the pain was muted and eventually it faded.
In the interim Malfoy had flinched and then his face colored angrily. He hissed out, "You don't know what you're talking about Potter."
"Oh? Explain it to me then." Harry taunted.
Flitwick cleared his throat. "Enough of this. We are here to duel. Let your wands speak instead of your tongues."
Harry inclined his head toward Filius and then faced Draco. He bowed and Draco stiffly did the same. Draco took on one of the popular professional dueling stances while Harry just casually held his wand at the ready.
"Three, two, one, and BEGIN!"
Draco instantly began by crying out "Furnunculus." Harry easily side stepped the curse and responded with a Stinging Hex. Draco dodged to his right and cast another jinx at Harry. Malfoy was moving when he did so causing the spell to go wide without Harry even needing to move.
The students began cheering loudly and Harry began to put on his show. He sent another pair of Stinging Hexes at Malfoy who had to move to the right again, reaching the edge of his circle. Draco tried to counter again but Harry just smoothly dodged and continued firing. Malfoy now at the edge attempted to jump the other way. Harry instantly reacted and sent a fast Knockback Jinx into Draco's body in mid air.
The strike hit him and launched him physically out of the raised circle and into the Slytherin crowd. Luckily for Draco he hit flesh instead of the stone floor. The other students let out a roar of approval. The cheering from the Gryffindor area was the loudest but other groups were nearly as vocal. The few who weren't were likely mourning the sickles they had foolishly bet against the Boy-Who-Lived.
Draco made his way back up to the dueling circles. Flitwick asked him if he felt up to continuing and he snapped back a yes. The young Malfoy began the next round by sending a torrent of curses as fast as he could toward Harry.
'Not bad actually. He'd probably beat Ron or Neville as they are now.' Harry idly thought as he dodged the first three curses and put up a Protego. The curses splashed against the shield to no effect. Draco paused his onslaught to catch his breath and figure out a way past and Harry sent a Tripping Jinx followed up by three Stinging Hexes in quick succession. Malfoy surprised him by dodging the first three, the last one he batted aside with his wand into the Gryffindor tables. The hex managed to hit a 2nd year boy who cursed.
'Was that desperation or was he actually trained to flick away spells like that?' Harry wondered. He could do the same but had thought it would be too advanced to show off. The look of surprise on his face wasn't faked at all.
Draco sneered. "Bet you didn't know I could do that Potter? If you had been raised by a proper wizarding family you wouldn't be so ignorant about everything."
Harry replied with a trio of swift Stinging Hexes that had Draco scrambling out of the way. There really wasn't much of a point in using a variety of curses. Draco either didn't know how to use Protego or was waiting to use it. In a real duel spell variety mattered since different types of spells couldn't be countered easily with a Shield Charm. For this type of duel? The Stinging Hex was perfect. The wand motion was quick and the rules just said you had to hit your opponent with the hex not actually put them down.
Draco was hard pressed to dodge or deflect all of the incoming curses. Counterattacking was attempted but it was difficult for him to concentrate on safety while retaliating. The few curses he managed to get out were easily avoided as Harry continued the steady barrage.
Harry spotted an opening and switched to the Tripping Jinx and tagged Draco causing the Slytherin to fall flat on his face. The boy clutched his nose and Harry kept his face expressionless. Flitwick was talking to Draco. Harry couldn't make out what they were saying thanks to reverberating sound of hundreds of students cheering and chanting.
He didn't necessarily like being the center of attention, it made him slightly uncomfortable. It was necessary though. Necessary for him to show all of Hogwarts and later the world that he could be the successor of Dumbledore. Draco got unsteadily to his feet and wiped away the blood coming from his nose.
Draco snarled and shouted out his next spell. "Impedimenta!"
That spell was harder to dodge as there was no ray of light or projectile to give away its path. It still could be dodged of course based on the direction of the wand. Harry didn't chance it and just calmly put up his Protego.
"I'll give you one minute to cast whatever you like Malfoy and then I'll end it."
Draco's knuckles were white as he gripped the wand and began sending spells out toward Harry at an even quicker rate. Each spell plinked off of Harry's shield without causing more than a ripple. Draco cast a variety of spells, almost all of the ones on the approved list before Potter's self imposed time limit ended.
"My turn Malfoy."
Harry still didn't use his absolute top speed however it was still faster than he had been casting before. Stinging Hexes were used to force Draco once more to one side of the circle. For the grand finale Harry struck out with a Petrificus Totalus. He knew the spell would hit but before the spell connected he viciously used a pair of Furnunculus curses as well. Malfoy stiffen completely as the magic hit him and an instant later painful boils erupted all over his body. Harry hadn't been judicious with the strength of the spells and that caused them to be more potent and thus more painful to the Slytherin.
Flitwick declared Harry the winner. The twins did a dance and the crowd began to chant "Potter! Potter! Potter!"
Flitwick ended the Full Body-Bind Curse and Draco stumbled to his feet. His face a painful mass of boils. Instead of allowing himself to be led away to the hospital wing he rushed forward toward Potter and shouted out a curse.
"Serpensortia!"
The spell had been aimed at Harry's feet and a viper appeared ready to lash out. Harry reacted without thinking and used a silent Diffindo to cut the snake in two a moment before Flitwick stunned it. Flitwick whirled on Draco and disarmed him, pocketing his wand.
"Mr. Malfoy that was a lethal spell! I don't even know what the proper punishment for you will be but after seeing Madam Pomfrey you will remain in the Slytherin Dungeons until we decide what to do with you!" The professor was practically quivering with outrage, his voice shrill toward the end.
"My father will hear of this! He's on the school board you can't threaten me!"
Severus Snape had heard enough and hit Draco with a Langlock. Snape whispered something in his ear and Draco finally agreed to head toward the infirmary.
Harry was pleased with his victory but he was troubled by the end. At Hogwarts he had used Accio and Protego, spells typically taught in the middle years of Hogwarts. Non-verbal spells weren't taught until the upper years of Hogwarts and when used the potency of said spells were often greatly diminished. A Diffindo strong enough to cut through a snake without being non-verbally would alone be impressive but to do it silently?
'Hopefully they will be too focused on that git Malfoy's attempt to kill me.'
The other concern he had was why his scar had begun to ache right as he mentioned killing Voldemort. He had said his name plenty of times and it never caused a reaction. Why had it done so now? It was troubling and he wasn't sure who to turn to. He had faith in his Occlumancy shields but what if concern about the scar led to Dumbledore to try to do a full mental probe? The cover of being a natural Occlumens could still work but any sustained effort by a wizard as strong as the Headmaster would eventually succeed.
It irked him that in his moment of triumphant he was more worried than ever.
AN: Let me know what you think!