Two chapters in one day, im spoiling you.

Though i have to say i only really have time to do this at weekends.

Enjoy and it goes without saying that i don't own Harry Potter!

With the weekend came the buzz of anticipation for this year's duelling club. Everyone was thrilled at the possibility of having Harry Potter in it and witnessing just what he's capable of.

Especially since he made himself an enemy a day prior.

It was Friday night dinner where Harry and Hermione sat at the Gryffindor table discussing their week. The pair was rarely seen apart this first week. They quickly became good friends. Mostly due to their shared enthusiasm to all things magic. An enthusiasm that, in their opinion, everyone should share.

But Hermione's luck seemed to have ran out. When she heard a pompous voice behind her. It looked like she wouldn't get a peaceful week. She groaned and grabbed her wand tightly, something Harry noticed as he was turning around to address the boy.

"Harry Potter-" The blonde boy began, immediately being cut off by Harry speaking and turning to Hermione.

"Why does everyone seem so intent on using my full name, honestly, feels like I'm being scolded by my mother for releasing fleas into Sirius' room" he trailed off.

Hermione relaxed slightly, though her grip on the wand remained tight. You never know with Draco Malfoy when you'll need a shield thrown up. "Fleas?" She mouthed to Harry. Who in turn mouthed back "I'll tell you later".

Now facing the boy, who was now losing his temper at being interrupted and ignored. Harry carried on,

"So, who are you?"

Returning to his cool and collected look, the boy replied, "Malfoy. Draco Malfoy. Thought I'd come over seeing as it's been a whole week and no one told you that you're hanging around with a mudblood Granger over here."

There are many instances where Malfoy put his foot in his mouth. Over the four years he has made it a habit of insulting and belittling Hermione. On top of hexes being sent at her that she could never prove came from him. The Gryffindors were mean, but they usually left her alone. Malfoy made it his mission to put her down ever since their first year duelling club. And as Hermione stiffened at the insult still not turning around to face him, another thought rushed through her. She couldn't honestly say that she knew Harry very well. But for all their talks and the time they spent together there was one thing she was sure of. Harry loved his mum, who just like Hermione, was a muggle born. She slowly turned her head to look at Harry and she saw a look on his face that she never wanted to be directed at her.

His eyes narrowed, wrinkles forming around them. His face seemingly devoid of emotion but his eyes were burning with an intensity she hasn't yet seen. She felt the shift in the air as it became thick, and for the lack of better description, the smell of magic taking over her senses. Harry's magic. There was an unmistakable shimmer around him that he was clearly reigning it. If a single word was able to elicit such a response, she didn't want to know what would happen if someone truly pissed him off.

He didn't stand, the air around him became lighter as he pulled in the magic that was begging to escape. He looked at Malfoy and Hermione was surprised the boy didn't turn and run.

"So you're Malfoy. That explains the nausea I'm feeling just from looking at you. I should have known as soon as you walked over, bleached blonde hair, and an air of superiority as if light was shining out of your ass.

"I know your father, and I know what he is. The only reason that slime ball is still free is because of the gold that has happened to appear in the jury's accounts.

"For everything shit that he is, he at least knows how to handle politics and when to throw his weight around and when to sit back. You have seem to missed those lessons.

"Utter that word around me again, regardless who it's aimed at, and I will make sure that you know exactly what I have been doing ever since your little lord was defeated. Now fuck off."

Not once did he raise his voice. There was more about this than just the insult. Hermione was sure. She was just about to shout a warning to Harry. Malfoy wouldn't just leave it at that. She was right as he pulled his wand out as soon as Harry was turning back to the table.

He didn't get a chance to do anything though as this little display had pulled the staff away from their table and Professor McGonnagal and Professor Hobbs were making their way towards them.

"What do you think you're doing Mr Malfoy?!" She shouted at him as he raised his wand aiming it at Harry's back. Even Malfoy wasn't as stupid as to attack someone with two professors around.

"We'll settle this tomorrow Potter." With that he strode off back to his table.

The professors looked around with questions written on their faces but no one seemed to step forward to explain anything. Which made them return back to the staff table.

Harry looked unaffected.

"You know he's not gonna forget this. Malfoy thinks himself the king of the school, he will try to hurt you in the club tomorrow."

Harry looked to her, and she was surprised to see him smiling. "I look forward to it, I really do."

With that there was a larger than usual amount of people present at the duelling club on Saturday evening. True to Harry's predictions professor Dumbledore was there too.

Harry asked to pair up with her for their warm up practices which she readily agreed to. Seeing his display of magic in other lessons he was eager to see what he could do.

They began sparring. Trading jinxes, hexes and curses with each other. Harry had the uncanny ability to dodge anything she tried to throw at him. He barely wasted his efforts with a shield.

"You know Hermione, we've been going at it for like ten minutes now and you're yet to throw the same spell at me twice" he remarked with a smile. "I don't even recall ever seeing half of these."

"Well if you wanna know what they do, just let yourself be hit with one"

"Not a chance." That grin returned to him.

She then increased the pace, chaining some of her spells trying to get him to slip up. Multi coloured spells were flying all over the Great Hall, and she figured that she almost had him. Her leg-locker jinx connected and she was going to cheer. But Harry wasn't out of the fight yet and just as he was falling backwards he disarmed her and caught her wand.

"Nice try Hermione" he said as he cancelled the spell and handed her wand back. "That was fun. I don't think I've heard had such variety of spells thrown at me, and I dueled both my uncles with a mastery in Defence."

"Thank you Harry. You're right that was fun! I also got you with a spell!" She looked utterly proud of herself and Harry did not have the heart to tell her that he let that spell hit since he knew it would distract her enough to be disarmed.

"You should have entered the competition Hermione, I doubt anyone here can hold a candle to you."

Before Hermione could respond, professor Dumbledore called attention.

"Welcome everyone, to our first duelling club this year. I'm happy to see so many faces here and I look forward to seeing what you all can do today-"

"Professor, I would like to challenge you to a friendly duel." Harry unceremoniously interrupted. A quiet murmur spread across the student body, a lot of the scoffing at his gall, some though looking forward to seeing how this might turn out.

"Potter. You can't just duel the headmaster-"

"Severus." Single word from Dumbledore and Snape quietened down. Dumbledore looked towards Harry, the famous twinkle in his eye. It's not his usual way of doing things, but he was definitely curious. "Well Harry, I believe we can make this a little more interesting. A little competition where the winner gets to duel me. Those interested please move to the front."

Harry grinned at Hermione and quickly moved to the front. She had no idea what was going on. Though she couldn't deny that she wasn't excited to see them duel. Dumbledore's skill with the wand and knowledge of spells was legendary, and Harry was a complete enigma.

Turned out that not many people fancied going against the headmaster. Many frowning feeling it was a pointless duel where they knew the outcome. Yet Malfoy took this opportunity to show Potter that he was better than him. Overall four people stood forward, only three really wanting to duel the headmaster, and Malfoy who wanted to show up Potter.

Albus split them up and the first duel was between Malfoy and a sixth year from Hufflepuff.

For all the talk that Malfoy does, he knew how to handle himself with a wand. Having won last year's duelling competition definitely inflated his head, but no one could deny that he was a tough opponent. The sixth year, Dominic Briggs, underestimated him and that was his first mistake. After the bow, the pair started firing off spells at each other. Dumbledore chose to erect a dome around them to contain the magic and protect any stray spells from hitting the crowd. The crowd cheered both of the boys on as the fight carried on. It didn't take long for Dominic to make his second mistake: he put up a shield instead of dodging Malfoy's spell. Malfoy took this opportunity and fired off a quick succession of spells breaking through the shield and forcing Dominic to fall to the ground and roll out of the way. The energy he needed to hold those spells off clearly drained him. The fight lasted another half a minute before a banishing spell impacted Dominic's side sending him flying back, before he yielded.

Harry watched the fight with fascination. To him, both of them made a plethora of mistakes. He didn't consider himself an expert, but he could clearly see that they both wasted energy on things that made no different to their duel.

Hermione on the other hand looked worryingly towards Harry, if he won his duel he would be facing off Malfoy. As much trust as she had in Harry's abilities, she didn't trust Malfoy not to cheat.

After Dumbledore checked that both the boys were injury free he called forward Harry, and Cedric Diggory. Harry only briefly met the guy when he handed Hermione her patrol schedule. He was a head boy and seemed like a decent guy.

"Alright Harry, don't think I'll go easy on you just cause you're a fifth year."

Harry smirked and shook Cedric's hand. "I'm sorry for what's about to happen, but I really want to face off against Dumbledore." Cedric laughed and shook his hand.

As they walked off towards their end of the platform, Dumbledore erected the same dome around them as he did for the first fight and counted down for them to start.

Right before the fight, Hermione cheered for Harry, "Go Harry!" Much to her embarrassment everyone else was so focused that she was the only one to shout. Harry gave her a beaming smile and the duel began.

It lasted all of ten seconds, in which Harry fired off seven spells in quick succession, all spells non verbal. Cedric batted the first one away, the second one he jumped back and raised a shield, the fifth spell broke through and the last two hit their mark. His wand flew out of his hand towards Harry and Cedric flew in the opposite direction.

The crowd went quiet and Dumbledore raised his eyebrow at the display. It was hasty, and it caught Cedric completely unawares, but to cast non verbally at this rate was incredibly rare, especially since Harry was only fifteen. Harry made his way towards Cedric who was rubbing the back of his neck.

"Jesus Potter, you couldn't have made that at least a little less embarrassing, the only spell I managed was a bloody shield." Cedric dusted himself off and stood up taking Harry's outstretched hand.

"Told you I wanted to face off Dumbledore. Don't feel bad, technically I had the same amount of practice as you did." They shook hands, with Cedric shaking his head and nursing his bruised ego.

He made his way towards Hermione as Dumbledore spoke briefly with Cedric.

"Harry- That was- It- What the hell was that? You were clearly holding back in our little sparring session. Couldn't you have told me!"

"Hey, it's not like we were having a proper duel, just a warm up right? Anyways, you can't learn anything if you just get beaten with no effort. That'll just put you off."

She scoffed but could see what he meant.

He turned back to her as he made his way towards the podium to face off Malfoy.

"Thanks for cheering me on by the way," he said, giving her a wink and turning back. Making him miss the fact that she went crimson red. 'Was he flirting with me?' Was the last thought Hermione had before she refocused on the duel about to start.

Harry fully intended on finishing the fight with Malfoy quickly. Wanting to put him down and get on with what he actually wanted to do here today.

That plan went out the window when Malfoy fired a hex at him before Dumbledore finished counting down. The bludgeoning hex hit Harry in his left shoulder as he was turning to dodge. Being caught unawares and fully not expecting Malfoy to cheat with Dumbledore around, Harry gritted his teeth.

"So that's how it's gonna be then." And before Dumbledore could reprimand Malfoy, Harry started his fight. The bruising in his shoulder spurring him on. He kept Malfoy on the defensive, firing off small jinxes, letting only stinging hexes connect with the target. Each stinging hex hitting a mark making Malfoy wince. Harry could see him get angrier with each hit. It didn't take long for Malfoy to throw a curse at Harry that ended up cutting his forearm. Harry quickly patched it up with his wand and decided that he was done playing.

"Mactasses, Mactasses, Expelliarmus, Stupefy!" He didn't even bother going non-verbal, the first bludgeon hex shattered Malfoy's shield, the second hit him straight him the stomach making him double over, the third, completely overpowered disarming spell sent him flying back and the fourth knocked him out cold before he hit the floor.

"Shit." Was all Harry said, annoyed with himself that he let Malfoy get to him. More annoyed at the fact he let that cutting curse connect.

Dumbledore strode over to Malfoy, checked him over for any damage and reenervated him. Sending him along to the hospital wing for some pain relief potion. He turned back to the crowd who were all quiet after that display.

Dumbledore looked a bit grave, glad that Harry stopped toying with Mr Malfoy, but also worried that this might escalate further. This sort of thing is exactly why Lily didn't want to send Harry to school. He would have to be hopeful that Harry will downplay what happened her lest his mother pull him out.

His features softened as he addressed everyone, "Well that was certainly an exciting duel. I think Mr Potter a few minutes rest and maybe a pepper up before our, hmm exhibition match?" He smiled jovially at Harry as he nodded to him. The crowd broke in noise then, thrilled that they will get to see Dumbledore duel and now more excited than ever to see Harry fight against him.

Hermione made her way to Harry, surprisingly he was sitting alone even though she fully expected him to be swarmed by people. 'Maybe they're afraid of him after what they just saw?'

"Harry? Are you alright? That was a nasty cut! I can't believe that little nasty ferret cheated. Did you have to toy with him? I saw you firing off those small jinxes to keep him off balance, and only letting your stinging hexes connect, that wasn't very smart Harry-"

"Hermione, Hermione," he raised his hands up "I know, you're right."

"I-I am?"

Harry laughed, "why's that so surprising? I underestimated him, twice actually. Thought he wouldn't dare cheat with Dumbledore here, and then I thought he wouldn't dare fire off anything that could prove lethal either.

"Though you have to admit, that definitely taught him a lesson." He added with a small smirk.

She lightly slapped his arm, "Harry! Though I guess you're right, but I doubt he's gonna learn anything from it. More likely he'll look for ways to get to you when your guard is down. That's what he's like." She sighed looking down. Worried where this spat with Malfoy might lead to.

He raised her head and smiled, "Now for the fight you actually came for, you ready?"

"Hell no. But I want to see how far from ready I am" He responded and stood up to stretch just as he saw Dumbledore heading towards to other end of the podium.

Hermione watched them, studied them, as the two opponents studied each other on the podium. The area was enlarged and the dome spread out further giving them more space. The anticipation in the hall could be cut with a knife. The other professors could be seen at the staff entrance on the other side of the hall. Hermione faintly heard Fred and George taking bets on how long Harry will last, it didn't even cross her mind the reprimand the two pranksters.

She could hear Harry asking Dumbledore not to go too easy on him. 'What is that boy doing?' Three… 'I hope he doesn't end up hurt.' Two… 'It's Dumbledore for merlin's sake!' One…

"Go, HARRY!" This time she didn't care that she was the only one shouting. As the duel began she quickly realised it was nothing like any duel she witnessed before.

They began trading spells, one after the other. Testing themselves. Seeing how far they can go. Dumbledore's brows rising with each bout. Eventually Harry shouted, "Come on Professor, no holding back!", With Dumbledore giving him a little patented smile that quickly disappeared from his face as he sent a barrage of spells at Harry. 'For the love of god he's grinning!' Hermione could just watch as Harry rolled to the side and conjured a chair in front of him to take the impact from the spell Dumbledore sent to his side, anticipating the roll. The chair broke and Harry vanished the pieces back at Dumbledore and straightened up ready for the next move. Dumbledore didn't waste time and transfigured the remains of the chair into fine mist and let it flow through him. "That's more like it Sir!". Harry jumped forward, closing the distance as he fired of spells in front of Dumbledore's feet. First breaking up the surface and then raising the debris intending to banish it at Dumbledore from where he wouldn't have time to retaliate. That immediately backfired as Dumbledore transfigured the debris into sand and used the banishment tactic against Harry. Thinking on his feet he cast Aquamenti soaking the sand and letting it fall heavy to the ground. Doing so cost him his defence and the next spell hit him in the chest and sent him flying a few meters back.

Hermione was enthralled as she watched with shock Harry firing off more spells at the headmaster even as he was flying. The energy in the room was crackling and both Harry and the Headmaster were smiling.

As Harry landed he immediately went on the offensive again. He shot four successive balls of fire at the headmaster who didn't even bother pulling up a shield, instead he dodged the first two and doused the last with water. Harry shouted the next spell, catching her off guard, as well as his opponent, "Glacius!", Dumbledore went on the defensive and covered himself in a thick layer of warm air. The icy wind however was aimed at the floor and it froze all the water. She could see what Harry was doing now and the next spell proved it. Harry summoned Dumbledore's robes. He quickly deflected the spell but it was enough to pull him onto the ice where he immediately lost his balance and was hit in the shoulder with bludgeon hex. The entire hall went silent. No one expected Harry to get a hit, hell no one expected him to last this long.

"So sir, are you gonna stop holding back now?" Harry asked as Dumbledore righted himself and moved his arm a little to alleviate some of the pain.

"If you insist Harry." Dumbledore continued to smile as he twirled his wand this time going on the offensive. No fancy transfiguration, no distractions. Spell after spell aimed at Harry. Who, 'For god sake could he not look so happy about this!', kept dodging and throwing shields up whilst also trying to send his offensive forward. It didn't take long for him to be overpowered though and eventually Dumbledore's expelliarmus hit him in the chest and sent him in the dome.

As Dumbledore caught Harry's wand, Hermione started clapping followed by the rest of the hall. When they came to this club meeting today. No one, not a single one of them expected to witness that.

The dome flickered and Hermione ran across to Harry.

"Oh my god,oh my god, you are so teaching me how to do that Harry." It wasn't what she intended to say to him. She was going to scold him for being so reckless, he could have been hurt. She didn't even think about the fact that Dumbledore would never do that. You didn't just go and challenge the greatest wizard of the age.

"Harry, are you feeling alright? I think Madam Pomphrey might have my head if I don't send you her way. I think you had enough of duelling for today. Most impressive I have to admit," that twinkle in his eye and the smile on his face showing that his praise was 100% genuine, "you really had me working for it there."

"Thank you, Professor, for the duel. I learned a lot. Including that being thrown into a wall hurts. Sorry to have put you on a spot like this during the club, though it will definitely help with attendance once the story spreads don't you think?"

"Quite right, I think we should do this again Harry. Now go on, hospital wing, I'm sure Ms Granger will happily show you the way."

With that he straightened and went to address the rest of the duelling club. The meeting still had a couple hours to go and now everyone will be hyped up to duel after that spectacle.

Neither Harry, nor Hermione heard what Dumbledore said to them as they left the Great Hall. Harry limping slightly, completely, utterly, physically and magically exhausted. 'I have a long way to go then' he thought as he limped guided by Hermione to the hospital wing.