Harry spent a couple days with Sirius before going back to his Aunt's, by this point he'd calmed down and could behave like normal. He sent a letter to Blaise but got no response. He had to wait until the start of term to see the boy, and as Harry predicted he was barely there. Most of the time Blaise was moping in utter misery, but he would occasionally descend into rages where he would scream and shout about those who voted to deport his Father to certain death, or those who failed to stop it. Draco usually rapidly made himself absent during these episodes. Draco and Blaise weren't speaking since Draco's mother had abstained on the proposal. Harry hadn't said anything to Draco about it because he see the guilt in his eyes every time he looked at Blaise. Harry spent most his time in thought, feeling distracted, and unable to convince himself of the importance of class. Distracted enough that he walked right into another boy on his way to charms class.

'Watch where your going Potter, or is it Black now? You really change like the wind don't you.' Sneered the tall youth, his face rapidly going red in his rage.

'Fuck off McLaggen!' Draco shouted back.

'Where's your little Exoleti friend, Potter? Or did you tire of him after he got so terribly sad about his murderous daddy being deported?' McLaggen continued.

Harry's sight narrowed so he could see nothing but the boy in front of him, his long repressed anger about the case burying everything else.

'Wand up!' Harry said to the Gryffindor boy and he raised his own.

'You don't even know the proper forms-'

'Wand up!' Harry screamed in his face, making the other boy flinch. 'Or would you rather be renowned as a coward who got out of a duel on a technicality?'

McLaggen glared coldly at Harry, but slowly put his wand up. They had gathered a small crowd by then but Harry couldn't care less.

'Witness me Draco.' Harry said without turning away from McLaggen, as the coldness came over him.

'I witness this duel, and make clear its legitimacy in the eyes of House Malfoy and all wizards.' Draco intoned behind him.

'Witness me Fawley.' McLaggen said to the small dark haired boy behind him.

'I witness this duel, and make clear its legitimacy in the eyes of House Fawley and all wizards.' The boy said, sounding nervous.

'How do you want it Potter, to death?' The older boy mocked.

'To first blood.' Harry said high, and imperious.

'Let's.' He replied, keeping his cool.

They took a few steps from each other so they wouldn't be nose to nose for the duel.

'You're welcome to cast the first spell Potter.'

'Diffindo!' Harry shouted.

McLaggen just managed to get a shield up in time, but it shook under Harry's severing charm.

'Diffindo! Diffindo! Diffindo!' Harry cast the spell again and again giving McLaggen no time to respond, his shield finally giving way on the last spell.

'Diffindo!' Harry shouted the last time, and the spell flew forward striking McLaggen's duelling hand, several fingers falling to the floor, soon followed by the rest of the boy as he went down screaming. The crowd was still in shocked silence, but Harry knew it wouldn't last long. He gestured for Draco to stay where he was and set off towards the Headmaster's office, Harry thought he may as well cut out the middle man.

Harry found the gargoyle ajar and started up the stairs, and it wasn't long before he could hear Snape raging away at Dumbledore. Harry hadn't taken the quickest route here but still news must travel past here.

'He sliced another boy's fingers off! We cannot abide by this Albus, we cannot!'

'What exactly should we do Severus?' Was Dumbledore's clam reply, as Harry pressed his ear to the door.

That calm clear question resulted in a pause in Snape's rantings.

'I don't know, that's the problem! He is the worst mix of his parents, the arrogance of his mother and the casual disregard of his father. Albus, he respects no one! I assumed he had some regard for you, but recent events have clearly shown otherwise. He's an eleven year old boy and when he worried about his friend's father he did not come to any adult, but rather plotted with Draco to blackmail the most powerful wizard in the land. The boy is completely out of control.'

'Blackmail is a strong word, Severus. I had the impression you had begun to care for the boy, has your relationship collapsed so swiftly?'

There was silence then for a time.

'If I had no regard for him then I would simply say that he should be expelled.' The potions master eventually answered, sounding exceedingly stiff.

'You know we certainly cannot do that.'

'Yes, but it wouldn't stop me telling you to do it.'

Dumbledore laughed at that.

'But yes, Severus I think your analysis is generally correct.' Harry felt his stomach tighten somewhat. 'Harry, that's quite enough eavesdropping, do come in.' The headmaster said, raising his voice slightly.

Harry froze for a moment, before slowly pushing the door open. Dumbledore was sat behind his desk, looking as serene as always, while Snape was glaring at Harry, twisting his neck around as he pressed his hands on Dumbledore's desk.

'How long has he been there Albus?' Snape asked calmly as Harry made his way over to the chair

'Oh, some time.' Albus replied benignly.

'Hello Headmaster.' Harry said as he sat.

'Hello Harry.' Dumbledore said, smiling serenely. 'Harry, what do you think are the consequence of a wizard having his fingers sliced off?'

'Er, they can easily be reattached without many negative consequences if got to in time?' They had been doing theoretical work on healing magic last term in charms class.

'Correct Harry, which make it rather less of a crime than if a muggle sliced off another muggle's fingers, but I had no idea if you knew that. Do you regret your actions?'

Harry thought for a moment.

'I don't regret duelling McLaggen but saying it should be to blood was stupid of me, either of us could have ended up worse.'

'Very well, you shall say that to McLaggen in person. Furthermore your rashness will see you expelled from the Duelling Club until I am confident you are no danger to any other pupil.' Harry winced, that one stung. 'Finally you shall continue your detentions with Professor Snape, but instead of having you clean cauldrons or sort bat bits Severus will educate you on whatever topics he sees fit.'

This should be interesting, Harry thought.

'Albus-' Snape begun.

'No ifs and no buts Severus.' Dumbledore said in his mild but clearly authoritarian manner. 'Now if you would leave us I would speak to Harry in private.'

Snape made no reply, simply departing with a swish of his robes.

Dumbledore's smile slowly disappeared from his face.

'Things are becoming rather dramatic at a pace far faster than I imagined, you're really doing your best to avoid the quiet life, aren't you Harry?'

Harry shrugged.

'I guess it can seem that way, but it still feels like stuff mostly happens to me rather than me planning stuff.'

'You'd be surprised as to how much that feeling never leaves you Harry. Now, how is Blaise?'

'Oh, terrible Sir, just terrible.'

'I'm sorry to hear that Harry.' Dumbledore said slowly. 'I am making some enquiries into families that may want to take him in. If he wanted I think its likely he could be placed with a family by Summer, which would of course be preferable to staying in the essentially empty Hogwarts.'

'I think he wants to be with his Father, sir.'

For a brief moment Dumbledore's immaculate mask slipped and Harry thought he could see true pain in his face.

'Sadly Harry I think it has been proven by this point that to grant that wish is outside of my power. Do keep me abridge of any developments with the poor boy, he is my responsibility now.'

'Yes sir.' Harry said, standing.