Previously:
Hermione swallowed thickly before answering, "Having a teacher officially referee the match would make it so no one got into trouble. No illegal hexes or curses, so nothing fatal. Would you like me to find a teacher?"
Draco gave her a quick kiss on the forehead, sensing her worry and told her, "No, I think I can do that. You just go get the others. I'm sure they'll enjoy seeing this twerp getting utterly defeated."
Hermione kissed him back before scurrying off to find the others. Why? Why did this have to happen? The night was going so perfectly.
"Who should I ask?" Hermione pondered frantically after having told Draco that she would let him prepare himself and just to let her find an appropriate teacher to supervise the duel. Mentally she checked them off one by one.
Pomfrey: not available, nor the best idea.
Slughorn: Merlin's beard no.
Sprout: no.
Trelawney: Why did she even ask herself that?
Hooch: a flying instructor may not be best for a duel.
Hagrid: Draco may not appreciate that.
Flitwick: not a very suitable choice.
Snape: Draco would probably prefer him, but…well…Hermione didn't feel comfortable talking to him. Granted he was actually a good guy, so to speak, that didn't mean he scared her much less.
McGonagall: Hmm…Hermione certainly liked the idea, but wondered if the professor would even agree to it. McGonagall didn't really approve of duels.
Hermione swallowed thickly as she narrowed it down to one last person she thought could do it. It was either that or having to ask Snape. The thought made her stomach uneasy.
"I really hope he will agree," Hermione thought, her pace quickening at this slightly desperate thought.
Finally she paused, once again before the teachers, but this time, it wasn't in triumphant.
"Miss Granger, how may we help you?" came Dumbledore's merry voice.
She plastered a smile on her face, "I would like to ask a favor of you sir."
He chuckled, "A favor you say? What kind of favor?"
"Would you please supervise a duel?" Hermione replied, afterwards biting her lip in nervousness.
"A duel?" he asked, slightly surprised, "Now?"
Hermione gave a slow nod, "Yes sir."
"Between who, might I ask?"
A thick swallow. "John Cal challenged Draco Malfoy sir."
He then sighed wearily, "I guess it was inevitable then. Yes Miss Granger, I will supervise this duel."
Hermione felt the tension live her a body, a genuine smile lit up her face, "Thank you very much."
"There is no need to thank me, I am just going to make sure they don't not kill one another. I cannot have that, it just wouldn't do," he said with a serious face, but a joking tone, making Hermione chuckle slightly. She then rushed off to find her friends, and inform them of the duel to come.
"Draco," Hermione whispered, taking his hands in her own their friends politely standing off a ways to give them some privacy, "Just," she sighed, "don't get hurt. Alright?"
He smirked, "I don't intend to Mione."
A gasp could be heard, making the couple turn to face whoever had interrupted them.
"Hermione?" Ron questioned, his voice disbelieving, "You're going out," he swallowed thickly as though not able to say the words, "with…Malfoy? How-how could you betray us like that?"
Hermione didn't know whether to cringe with hurt or boil with fury. She ended up choosing the later.
"Betray you?" Hermione questioned, eyes blazing with anger and she gave a bitter laugh, "You certainly are one to talk Ronald. I don't think I betrayed anyone as you so kindly put it. My love life is none of your concern. I don't understand why you consider yourself betrayed."
"You don't understand?" he asked incredulously, "How can you not? You're going out with that bloody ferret! He's no good for you Mione!"
"Don't you Mione me Ronald," Hermione cut in, his failing hands coming to a halt as she spoke, "I can choose who to speak time with all by myself. You really should stop with this 'poor me, why does everyone hate me?' It is most unbecoming, and also pitiful. Ronald, we are over. I don't know if I made it clear to you about, oh, was it about two months ago? Yes, I believe it was about two months ago. But let me clarify it for you. We are not a couple. I can date whom ever I so choose. I happen to choose Draco, who is, by the way, perfectly good for me."
Ron's face was a picture of hurt and slowly it turned expressionless, as though numb and he said without any emotion, "If you just wanted me out of your life, all you had to do was tell me."
She sighed, exasperated, "I don't want you out of my life, just no longer a part of my love life."
He shot Draco a nasty look, anger quickly overtaking his features, "Just don't come crying to me when he breaks your heart." He then turned and stalked off, leaving behind an emotionally weary Hermione and a furious Draco.
How dare he say those things to his girlfriend? Just who did he think he was? He would teach that little weasel a lesson.
"No Draco," Hermione sighed, feeling Draco's rising temper, "Leave him be, he's not worth it."
"One hex wouldn't take too much time," Draco growled, his eyes still following the red head's trail.
"No," Hermione told him firmly, "If anyone is to hex him it would be me. You need to focus on thoroughly annihilating John. Come now, you need to get ready. I just wish I had enough time to try and find some good spells for you to use…"
Draco smirked for Hermione's benefit, trying to put aside his anger for the red headed annoyance, "I don't think John will be a problem."
"First, you shall choose your seconds," Dumbledore announced to the grave wizards.
Draco looked to Hermione, her eyes begging him to choose her, for if anything happened to him she would most certainly want to handle the twerp herself.
Draco saw this in her eyes, but gave a slight shake of his head; he did not want her to get hurt. He gave something of a smile in apology and turned to Blaise, gesturing for his friend to come stand by him.
Blaise nodded, and stepped forward as Draco announced, "I choose Blaise Zabini as my second."
Dumbledore nodded in acceptance and then looked to John. As John opened his mouth to choose, a voice called out from the crowd.
"I volunteer!"
Everyone turned to look, and Hermione gasped, "Ron?"
He didn't seem to hear her as he came to John's side.
"You?" John sneered, "Why should I choose you as my second?"
Ron glared at him, "I hate that bloody ferret as much, if not more, than you do. I advise you not to go against my assistance."
John sneered, "You are an idiot if you think I will choose you."
Ron leaned in to hiss something in his ear. Whatever it was made John smirk in pleasure and he said, "Very well then, red head here, what is your name by the way? Yes, of course. Ronald Weasel, sorry, calm down, Weasely, shall be my second."
Dumbledore nodded, though he didn't look pleased as he continued with the rules.
"There shall be no physical contact, magical uses only. There shall be no Unforgivable curses or any hexes that may cause fatal injuries. If there are any, the user shall be disqualified. I shall declare the winner when I see fit. Any more questions? Very well. Wizards take your places. Get set…and begin!"
They both jerked their heads, neither willing to bow to the other and raised their wands.
There were so many spells Draco wanted to use on the brat, so many, but so little time to choose which one would be best suited to the little vermin. As John cried out, "Confringo!" he gave Draco little time to react.
"Aguamenti!"
Steam appeared as water and fire collided between the two wizards, causing the crowd to gasp, many backing away in fright. Hermione though didn't move, nor did her friends. They would not let this scare them off, not while their friend, or in boyfriend in Hermione's case, could possibly get hurt.
Draco glared, this time he would give the offense; "Obscuro!"
John was instantly blindfolded, crying out in surprise as Draco continued, "Confundo!"
John's struggling stopped instantly as he became confused and wondered, "What was I doing?"
Draco knew this spell wouldn't last long, but it was just enough time for him to think of a spell that he could use to cause the twerp to submit.
Author's note: I'm so, so, sorry! I didn't mean to end it in a cliffhanger again, honestly, it just kind of happened. I can't forget to thank everyone for all the wonderful reviews. And I must all thank all my faithful readers. I will do my best to update soon. I was just going to end the match, but thought it would be too short. I hope you enjoyed it so far, please review!