Chapter 33

Disclaimer: Ive been playing Doom more than Dark Souls recently so hopefully I don't get too carried away with the violence. Or maybe that will be a good thing...

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With the end of his sixth year wrapping up there was almost a foreign sense of glee between Harry and his friends. It had been one of the calmer years for the student population despite the many whispers about rampant death eater recruitment.

Harry and Dumbledore had spent many nights discussing everything going on in around themselves and magical Britain. Walls had been hit trying to recover the last two undiscovered Horcruxes, the Diadem of Ravenclaw being a complete mystery and Hufflepuffs cup hidden in the depths of Gringotts. Harry had applied pressure, and a sizable amount of bribes, to his contacts amongst the Goblins and was hopeful that they would eventually help him. These were far from their only problems though as the Ministry ran amuck with corruption, attacks spread across both mundane and magical communities, other countries continued refusal to offer aid, and the mark making its way inside the school on an alarming amount of students. Harry had noticed this and confronted the Headmaster about why these students remained in the school.

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"Every week I see another Slytherin or Ravenclaw with that curse peeking out from under their sleeve. Do not tell me both you and the wards are unaware that there are Death Eaters in the school?" His words were yelled far louder than necessary in the cozy office. Dumbledore winced at the tirade and looked quite solemn as he answered.

"I admit that I have been allowing Death Eaters to stay amongst the student body. However Harry, we both know this situation is not that simple. What do you think they would do if I cast them from the school?" Dumbledore spoke from behind his hands, knowing that it helped hide his unease.

"Well obviously they would go crawling back to their master!" Harry said, his rare temper rising. "They made their choice and if I had my way they wouldn't be able to walk down the hall without at least getting a stinging hex to the face."

"Physical violence is just what they would want. It would only hurt our side for you to start attacking other students." The Headmaster closed his eyes and gave a sigh. "Truthfully they do not deserve to be here, but I hope to find opportunities to show them the light at the very least. Even if that is not possible it keeps more of his ranks away from the war causing more mayhem. I have also managed to recruit one as a spy for my side, although I would not like to share their identity with anyone until necessary as they have requested." Harry kept his face even at this news as he did indeed know the identity of the spy. In fact it was none other than Draco Malfoy, his own spy that he had sent both to find out what he could about any of Dumbledores own secret agendas as well as continue to help the light side.

"I have no care to know who they could be, and I do see your point. Ill do my best to keep an eye out for any trouble they might cause. If I catch any doing anything though I cannot promise their-"

"-Safety, yes I know how you feel. Rest assured I am also keeping an eye on them at all times. However let us move on, I do believe the Quidditch match last week was rigged, don't you agree?"

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Bright light flooded through the doors as Harry opened the large entrance leading into the dueling clubs training room. Normally the light wouldnt be so bright but he had entered from the come and go room which he had been using for his own training. He had been practicing spell casting in the dark before suddenly feeling in the mood to finally challenge Flitwick to a duel.

"Well if it isnt Harry Potter in the flesh!" Yelled a somewhat flustered looking Ronald Weasely. It was clear that he had just finished a duel of his own as the boy sat on a bench in the back with his recent girlfriend holding a pack of ice to his forehead.

"You are looking as distraught as ever Ronald. Catch another spell to the head?"

"Nah, bumped my head on the floor after Padma covered the floor with ice." He elbowed the girl sitting next to him after saying this, eliciting a giggle.

"He'll be fine Harry, thanks for your concern." She said with more than a hint of sarcasm. "Im not so sure about his pride however."

"If I know Ron then this shouldn't hold him back. Especially in the broom cupboard." Harry replied with a waggle of the brow. Both recipients of his humor glanced towards the other for a moment before sticking their tongues out at the boy-who-lived. Harry just replied with the same before striding towards the main group cheering around the dueling ring.

In the middle two second years faced off. A blonde haired Hufflepuff boy was barraging a Slytherin with a variety of disarming spells. This was seemingly doing little to hold the boy with a green tie as he moved his way closer and closer towards his opponent. Harry was surprised by the boys strength in counter casting and dodging at first but quickly saw the tell-tale signs that the boy was using some sort of defensive enchantments on his robes.

Certainly he would be impressed that the boy could cast them in the heat of battle but judging by their effectiveness he knew they has been cast by another student beforehand. Despite this he refused to intervene, hopeful that the disadvantaged Hufflepuff could hold his own. He was not dissapointed as the boy wearing a yellow tie waited until the last moment to slash a wide reaching and particularly strong close ranged stinging hex, propeictus exacuere, that hit the robed boy directly in the chest.

Even with his defensive charms it was clear the Slytherin was hit a harsh blow as he staggered back. Harry was hopeful for a skillful rebuttal from the Slytherin but quickly saw the boy reach into his pocket for something that was not a spell. In an instant Harry flashed forward to both grab and break the boys arm. Blood soaked the robe of the younger student, some sort of pain reduction charm keeping the boy from screaming. Harry was unsurprised go see a small black dagger held in the crippled hand but the rest of those huddled around the intense duel were filled with shock at the suddenness of the brutal act. That was until Harry pulled the cursed dagger from his hand and held it aloft for everyone to see.

Nearly everyone immediately knew what this meant and those that didn't were quickly informed amongst the panic. Nonetheless, it took Flitwick himself entering the ring and casting a charm to repair the boys broken arm for the fervor to die down.

"Calm down you ninnies, John will be fine and you all know it." Shouted the short wizard. "Based on his actions he will be the looser of this duel. Let us have everyone take a quick break while I talk to Harry about his own actions." Immediatelt two seventh year Slytherins came to help their younger counterpart out of the ring Harry gave them a strong glare. While he only vaguely recognized their faces something in his magic twinged to give him the feeling that that at least one bared the Dark Mark. Flitwick confronted him after making sure the students injury was healing properly.

"We both know that was unnecessary, Harry." The short professor told him in a hushed tone. Most of the club heard this despite the lowered voice.

"Im going to argue that we both know it was not that simple, Professor. Im sure the lad didnt comprehend he was about to kill his classmate," Harry snaked a glance towards the watching Slytherins who were watching back, "but at least the moron learned his lesson."

"He was never in any danger under my watch. Do you really think my wand wasnt ready to repel that dagger?" Replied Flitwick, no longer caring if he was heard by the students.

"Of course not, I simply believe my way was more effective in curbing the belief that such actions are acceptable." Harry said this fully aware that the esteemed duelist would likely loose his temper. Even so he was unsure if the reaction he got was genuine or a calculated rebuttal to an inexperienced wizards boasting.

"With that I am sure you mean more than to spectate tonight. However I am unsure as to whom you wish to challenge to a duel." Flitwick replied with a noticeable glimmer in his eyes. Harry had only seen this once before after being accused of being behind the attacks of the chamber of secrets.

"I wish I could come up with a definite reason to challenge you to a duel. Im not naive enough to assume you would see right through my plans." Harry stepped back towards the starting line of his side of the dueling circle as he recognized the glimmer in his former instructors eyes.

"I would be glad to teach you a lesson about manners, Harry," Flitwick stepped behind the opposing line in what seemed like an instant, "I hope you are aware of the consequences of challenging me to a duel?"

"I promise not to try my best not to kill you professor, but I do say I wont stop you from trying to take mine." Harry replied, his smile a little too sincere. Flitwick did laugh in response, relieving some of the potential tension of the bystanders who noticed their heated altercation. Harry had become quite an imposing figure between his recent withdrawal from the rest of the school and his sudden growth of stature. Flitwick also carried the reputation of having a formidable presence when angered and his status as an international duelist was well known. As the two walked into the circle everyone knew that this would be as serious a duel as he had ever participated in. Harry never challenged him like this before and it was clear by his expression that a fatal outcome was well within the sixth years train of though.

"Very well, to the winner the glory?" Flitwick asked in proper dueling fashion while also giving a deep bow. Harry responded with the same bow but replied vocally in a strange fashion.

"To the looser the experience." Was all the young man said before flying forward across the arena, his feet barely leaving the floor.

Flitwick was well aware of the advance as it happened, though still somewhat surprised, and easily cast both a defensive ward and an illusion charm to distract his young opponent. Both of these only held off the black-haired opponent for a moment before he dispelled the blurry image of the Charms Professor and leapt out of the way of a fast moving bludgeoning spell. With a slash of his wand he sent bright white flames towards the area the spell came from as he was still unable to directly see Flitwick. Even the experienced duelist was unable to find any way to dodge the flames and was forced to give away his position by casting another defensive shield. Flitwick only had a moment to realize what was happening as Harry jumped through the blinding flames to tackle the small man. This was such a risky and surprising tactic that even one of the greatest Duelists in the world was taken down. This did not mean he was unprepared for such a situation as he cast an obscure spell few would dare use in a formal duel.

Just managing to flick his wand properly he cast a spell that covered himself and Harry in a slippery substance similar to what could be found on garden slugs. At the very least it smelled the same and allowed the Professor to slide out from Harry's grip as quickly as he had entered it. Harry was unable to avoid the binding spell that followed and found himself nearly encased in ropes. Once again Flitwick, and the surrounding crowd, was shocked as Harry slashed through the ropes with a longsword. Only a few in the crowd knew of his skills at swordsmanship and none knew from where he conjured the blade. Nonetheless it kept him from loosing the duel and caused his opponent to hesitate. Despite this Flitwick was not so slow as to hesitate casting another binding charm on Harry that bound him tightly in metal chains from head to toe.

Many cheered for the Dueling Tutor as they assumed the duel was finished, very few even knowing how to defend against such a spell let alone escape it. Harry himself did not know at the moment, but tried the only thing he could think of and spent a considerable amount of energy casting several blue arrows out from the wand held closely by his side. Normally they would not have drained him so much but he poured his energy into the spells with the hopes that they would have a greater affect than normal. To everyone watching, his wand arm grew a bright blue through the chain links before disintegrating the majority of the bindings on that side with the rest clattering to the ground. Feeling the release of pressure on his body he instinctively charged towards the opposite side of the ring with several quick steps while doing his best to word what spells he wished to cast. His wand reacted positively and blasted out a thick plume of purple smoke followed by two bands of energy that encircled the position of his enemy. Halting suddenly and jumping backwards it was little surprise that he caught his fleeing opponent off guard. Flitwick himself was sure that he would be able to move behind Harry at that point but instead found himself being the one flanked. The Boy Who Lived was more than happy to end the duel by holding his wand right under the smaller mans throat, even if it meant hunching over at an uncomfortable angle.

"Blast, I cant believe that worked on me." Exclaimed the small man before Harry withdrew his wand.

"You must be getting rusty then. Or maybe too sure of yourself?" Harry stashed his wand somewhere about his person and gave a deep bow to his Charms teacher.

"I dare say its a bit of both, and quite obvious as well. Nonetheless, that was a fantastic duel." Flitwick gave his own bow before continuing. "However I must ask what spell you used to break those chains? Ive never seen a wizard break free from mithril during a duel."

"A magician never reveals his secrets." Harry replied with a smile, only getting a confused frown and a shake of the head from the professor far too old to understand the muggle expression. There was a sizable chuckle of the audience before Flitwick called upon the two next duelists to enter the ring. He signaled Harry to follow him as the Professor made his way to a corner of the room that still had a view of what was happening between the dueling students.

"Ive put off asking this question far too long Harry. Where in Merlins name did you learn those spells you and Longbottom keep casting?" Flitwick had quite a greedy glimmer in his eye as clearly he held on too a fair bit of his goblin half. However it was far more directed towards knowledge than wealth like his ancestors were ought to chase.

"Not so fast, what makes you think I would give up my only advantage against you?" Harry replied with a gloating smile. "If anything you should be asking yourself how to better counter them."

"I ask only in concern for where you learned them. I know you taught them to some others besides Neville and just want to know that such magic does not come from evil origins." Flitwick took a moment to glance over at the duel before continuing his serious glare towards the Potter heir.

"In all honesty the origin of the spells is not a place any of us would like to visit." His Professor looked furius for a moment but allowed Harry to continue. "However I find it quite insulting you think I would put others in the way of harm. I promise these spells do little more than drain ones magical reserves faster than normal. Much faster, in fact, but never to a point that ones magic is at risk of collapsing." Harry paused to let his Professor take in his words. "Is that satisfactory? I keep them a secret only to prevent them from reaching the wrong hands."

"I am ashamed to have doubted you yet again Harry." Flitwick replied, offering his hand to be shook. "If only I could shake the habit you might grow to trust me as you once did."

There was sorrow in his voice that made Harry regret his words as he shook the hand; any feeling of hatred from the past having long since vanished as they became replaced with more pressing concerns. The Boy Who Lived only stared for a moment before looking over to watch the duel in silence. His Professor did the same just in time to catch the end. It was a second year girl facing a boy in the fourth, though the match was fairly balanced. She was recognizable as one of the first years that had joined the DA early on and it showed. Her dodges and use of simple spells chained together in complex patterns was very similar to Harry's own dueling style. However, as Harry had learned at her age, that could only take you so far against a more powerful and experienced opponent. A disarming jinx landed just after she came out of a roll, throwing her wand out of the arena to be caught by one of the crowd. All the normal formalities were given as the crowd applauded, prompting Harry to give his final response to his Professor.

"I trust you more than any of the Professors here, and more than many in my life. I promise that you will be one of the first to learn the truth of my strange behavior these last months." Filius seemed about to protest before Harry cut him off. "Do not deny it; I am fully aware of how deviant my behavior has been. More than it ever has, that is. For now, I only ask that you keep supporting me as I hope you know I stand behind you." His words touched the aging Professor deeply and made the man feel humble. It felt as if he was talking to one far older and wiser than he should have been. Although he knew the boy's life had been very hard and was only mildly surprised at such a response.

"All I can say is that you are correct in that assumption. I feel you need to go, and bid you farewell." Harry nodded respectfully as he turned to stride away.

"And Harry," his Professor yelled, "I look forward to your presence in class tomorrow." This was given with as much cheer as he could muster. However, the young man turned to give only a pained grin and a wave before striding quickly out he door.

Flitwick would wish that his hopes came true, as the following Monday the situation with the Dark Lord had turned from bad to catastrophic.

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A/N

Hope that this tides you over. Im writing as much as possible, but its been hard to find time to write. Give me some feedback, ill try my best to respond with a chapter or DM's.

Love ya, thanks for reading!!