[a/n0]This flowed out while I was watching the SC Democrat primary debate
[a/n]Slytherin66 SoHDD#49"Thank you for pointing out Draco stole, that like the duel he failed to turn up to is often overlooked."
Harry Does Different CCCIV
Malfoy Honor
"A wizards' duel, Potter!" Draco challenged "What's the matter? Scared? Crabbe's my second, who's yours?"
Ron jumped in "Me. Name the place and time."
"Trophy room. Midnight." Declared Draco with a superior snort and the four shook.
They arrive at the Trophy Room, the site of the duel, but Malfoy is nowhere to be found. Suddenly, they hear Argus Filch and his cat, Mrs Norris, enter the room. With it obvious that Malfoy tricked them, they begin to hide and then run away. Not sure where they are going, they accidentally end up in the forbidden area on the third floor, staring at a large and scary three-headed dog. The children manage to get back to their dorm safely, though they are terrified. Hermione reprimands Harry, but stirs his curiosity by pointing out that the dog was standing on a trapdoor.
"We could all have been killed - or worse, expelled. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to bed." —Hermione complaining about their "adventure"
Nothing untoward came as a result of their excursion except that the next morning, Harry was a little too vocal complaining to Ron as they were heading for breakfast "Can you believe that yellow coward of a Malfoy not showing for a duel HE challenged!?"
"Miserable snake." Mumbled Ron "Wonder where we can get a mongoose."
To this Harry snorted in amusement and quipped "No but I know where I can find a weasel or three. Draco keeps reminding me."
For once Ron wasn't offended by the pun on his name.
But this conversation did not go unobserved, particularly noting it was the eldest current Weasley in the school "Did I understand you two to say Draco Malfoy challenged you to a duel? Complete with seconds? And did not present himself on the agreed upon field of honor?"
"Look Percy" Ron went into pleading mode "I don't wanna lose points or get detention! Can't we just forget about this? Don't goto McGonagall! Pleeeezzzeeeee!"
The older redhead grabbed a handful of each younger boy's robes and replied "Oh no. This isn't a McGonagall thing. This is Flitwick's area of expertise." In the Great Hall, deliberately not trying to attract the attention of their Head, Percy approached the part-goblin "Sir, can we speak to you? In private? About dueling?"
"My most favorite subject!" the small professor enthused "Come! Come! Then boys!"
Percy held up a quieting hand "All due respect sir, we are trying not to attract attention." There was a strain on his face at speaking that way to an authority figure.
"Come on Perce" moaned Ron "they got bacon and eggs!"
Percy bustled them with as little fanfare as he could, although it did attract the attention of the twins. Who immediately began quizzing Hermione. And, once they turned an additional corner and were semi-private, he ordered "Tell Professor Flitwick exactly what happened between you and Malfoy. Word for word would be best."
"Well it depends how far you wish to push this, Mr. Potter." The duelist had listened intently "By a strict interpretation of ancient wizarding laws, which have never been superseded or repealed, Mr. Malfoy forfeited an honor duel. And because he is a presumptive Head of a Noble House and you are a Titular Head although not vested."
Harry blinked "Waait! What? Malfoy is always spouting off about his wealth, but I - -"
"You should have been told, Mr. Potter" Flitwick was appalled "You are Head of the Moste Ancient and Noble House of Potter. You are several social rungs above Mr. Malfoy in Wizard society. However, a key point is that Mr. Malfoy violated the code duello and you can, in reparation, demand essentially anything. As can Mr. Weasley of Mr. Crabbe."
All three boys were shocked by this "Huh? Wha?"
"Do you want Mrs. Malfoy as a wife? You can demand that, though you're a bit young." The professor mentioned as a suggestion and chuckled at the blushing thus elicited "Malfoy Castle and its vineyards can be yours. Perhaps you desire the contents of his Gringotts vaults. Young Mr. Malfoy failed to make any terms of restriction when he challenged you, and more importantly, as a Pureblood noble, he knew the rules."
Ron wondered "But, sir, what does that have to do with me?"
"You Mr. Weasley, were Mr. Potter's second." Flitwick pointed out "Both of you can confirm NEITHER Mr. Malfoy NOR Mr. Crabbe appeared as agreed. Of course, you couldn't be expected to know all this as you were Muggle-raised. And you also would not know of the danger in pushing this course, or the permissible loopholes. Allow me to explain…"
Abcij
It took a couple days and a few back and forth letters, and a chat with Mr. Filch, who turned out to be more than willing once he knew he could profit as well. And Professor Flitwick spent every available minute with Harry teaching him exactly one spell, and as quick of a draw as he could manage.
"Can I have everyone's attention please?" Harry announced, just as everyone was assembling for supper that Friday. He and Ron stepped up on the platform with the professors' table "My second in a recently challenged wizards' duel, Mr. Ronald Weasley."
The redhead took the scroll from Harry with exaggerated gestures and read "Be it known to all Wizardkind, that on September 15 1991 Draco Lucius Malfoy did challenge Harry James Potter to a Wizards' duel. The location and time agreed upon honorably, seconds Ronald Bilius Weasley and Vincent Jamie Crabbe. Be it further known numerous witnesses testify to the challenge. The challenged party and second did appear as agreed, this too is witnessed. Neither the challenger nor his second, in craven and cowardly manner, did not. Instead using the code duello as a mere tool of petty entrapment."
This was suddenly infinitely more interesting than any mere meal. Particularly among the more senior students who additionally were from the Pureblood elite. Disapproval even flashed within the usually unified Slytherin table.
"As Titular Head of the Moste Ancient and Noble House of Potter" now Harry spoke, though the pitch of his voice somewhat robbed him of the presence needed "I declare Draco the na-Head of the Ancient and Noble House of Malfoy in breach of Section 2 Paragraph 3 of the code duello. I further declare Vincent the na-Head of the Noble House of Crabbe in breach of Section 2 Paragraph 3 of the code duello."
While the majority of the school looked around rather clueless, the truly educated paled at the implications.
Ron took particular delight in claiming the scroll at this point. He flashed a smile at his brothers then declared "My principle is loathe to reduce a matter of honor to mere Galleons, but with no other recourse, the Moste Ancient and Noble House of Potter calls upon the Wizengamot to strip Noble House of Malfoy and the Noble House of Crabbe of their wealth and titles in payment of the cowardice of their heirs."
"Potter is a liar!" screamed Draco Malfoy, violently red-faced.
Harry coolly ignored his raging rival, again claimed the scroll, formally presented it Dumbledore "Supreme Mugwump, our formal complaint and request for emergency hearing before the full Wizengamot."
"My boy, the course you are taking" the white beard leaned forward but did not accept the proffered scroll "there are so many pitfalls and dangers. I wish you had come to me to discuss this. I can still bury this in procedure."
Harry looked sheepish, but extended the scroll to the point where there was just no choice "Sorry, sir. I don't really know what that means, but I do know Malfoy's Dad supported Voldemort. But don't worry, I'm getting smart help." The boy smiled down at the Charms professor who tipped his hat.
Abcij
"And this jumped-up brat dares to attempt to defraud me ME of my proper place!" Duke Lucius Malfoy raged to his peers in session at the Wizengamot "I demand my rights! I DEMAND SATISFACTION!"
Giffard Abbott cut in caustically "Oh that would be a fair fight. I believe you outweigh young Harry by a hundred pounds, are two feet taller and have four decades magic experience. Mighty victory."
"I remind my noble colleague of the mysterious defeat of the Dark Lord." Jamie Goyle interjected "Some may actually wager against Lord Malfoy."
Lucius sneered at his ally "I assure you, I do not fight to lose. Well Potter? You were brave enough quoting rules and regulations at Hogwarts. Surely you have been made aware of Section 2 Paragraph 7. You accuse my heir of cowardice, you face me."
"Actually, Malfoy, you face me." An unexpected voice was heard and confusion filled the Wizengamot.
The verbose speaker paused then smirked "You look like a Weasley to me. As such, you have no place in this, except as a spectator."
"That is no longer my name." the man said confidently "My biological father accepted my renunciation of allegiance to House Weasley. I am now Charles Septimus Potter. Regent and Head until Heir Harry comes of age."
Lucius blinked "Yet again! Another manipulation of the system!"
"As Harry originally pointed out." Accused the former Charlie Weasley. People were taking the time to notice that he was adorned in Potter finery "Draco cowardly tried to trap an uneducated classmate in an honor duel and got caught. Now we see where he learned the cowardice. You wanting to murder a little boy. Well, at least he's not still in diapers."
The Wizengamot jeered.
Charlie went on to explain "Section 9 Paragraph 7, the topic of which is endangered Houses, allows for the adoption of a willing adult member of a family whose Head approves. I think everyone would agree Arthur Weasley doesn't have an heir problem. And while there is a recommended waiting period, it may be waived if the situation is considered especially desperate."
"Or if the right Ministry official is bribed." Lucius suggested.
Charlie only smiled "That and a imperio claim'll keep you out of Azkaban."
"Avada Kedavra!" the Malfoy Lord utterly lost his cool.
Had a proper duel been setup, as the situation was certainly leading to, the proper protections for bystanders could have been established. It would have been an historic fight, surely. Nor could Charlie be blamed, he merely had the reflexes to dodge the spell. Unfortunately, revered, ancient Gerbold Ollivander lacked the youth to do so.
There was total outrage. Lucius was thrown through The Veil by unanimous consent. The Wizengamot awarded all Malfoy holdings to House Potter, all Crabbe holdings to a House Weasley that would be considered for elevated status. Instead of GG5000 as promised Harry gave Argus Filch GG20000 on the condition he retire. Harry was happy, he had a brother. Only the smallest bit of the estates were kept under Wizengamot control, enough to educate Draco Malfoy and Viincent Crabbe through Hogwarts.
