AN: And I'll just go ahead and post this one too.

The Midnight Duel

Selena had never met a more annoying boy than Draco Malfoy. Dudley and his mates were a nuisance, but the pale-haired pureblood was infuriating.

Ravenclaw had three double classes. Transfiguration and Flying were with Hufflepuff and Charms was with Slytherin. Professor Flitwick liked to pair students of opposite houses with each other for class exercises.

He split up the class into groups of four (two Ravenclaws and two Slytherins) to discuss their previous homework assignment. She and Terry had the misfortune of being paired with Draco Malfoy and Gregory Goyle.

Malfoy refused to discuss the actual material in favor of making snide remarks about Gryffindors he did not like and telling braggadocious tales of his family's riches and influence. "Honestly Longbottom's hopeless. I'm surprised they haven't kicked him out yet." He sneered.

Selena rubbed her temples and drew in a deep breath. Terry glanced her way before speaking, "Do be quiet, please. Selena and I would like to go over the homework- like we were asked."

He smirked at them devilishly and continued speaking his mind, loudly, to Goyle. "I guess father was right, they really will let anyone in these days."

"Alright, question one: what is the proper wand movement for the wand lighting charm?" Selena said sharply over Malfoy's pointless ranting.

"A loop," Terry answered a bit louder than she had asked.

"Do you mind Boot? Goyle and I are trying to have a conversation." He said, smirking slightly.

Selena narrowed her eyes at him and her hand shot straight up in the air. Professor Flitwick caught her eye. "Yes, Miss Potter?"

"Could you come over and help us? Draco says he's a bit confused about question number…" She paused to glance at his parchment looking for a wrong answer, "um, four."

Malfoy glared at her, mouth pressed into a thin line. "I'll be right over dear."

It was her turn to smirk now.

Fortunately Double Flying class was with the Hufflepuffs and not Slytherin. Selena was not at all nervous but many questions still circled through her thoughts. As she and Terry walked down the courtyard to class, she asked him a question, "So, why do we take a flying class?"

"Well, flying's an important skill to learn. It's a common mode of transportation."

"Why's everyone so excited then?"

"Oh, I've forgotten how little you know. You've heard of quidditch, yeah?"

"I've… uh, heard the word. What is it?"

"It's a sport, sort of like football but you're on broomsticks and you use your hands not your feet."

"So it's more like basketball then?" She interjected before he could get further into his explanation.

"...I suppose…" He responded obviously not wanting to admit that he didn't know what basketball was. In the short time, she had known him, it had become clear to her that Terry hated being wrong. "There are seven players on each side. Three of them are called Chasers. The Chasers throw the Quaffle to each other and try and get it through one of the hoops to score a goal. Ten points every time the Quaffle goes through one of the hoops. The Keeper has to fly around the hoops and stop the other team from scoring. Then there are two beaters. They try to hit two bewitched balls called bludgers at the other players. And then lastly, there's the seeker. The seeker chases after a small golden ball called the snitch. When they catch the snitch the game is over."

"Hmmm," Selena hummed. "sounds fun."

By the time Terry had finished explaining they had reached the flat stretch of grass. There were brooms lined up next to each other with a few feet of space between them. A woman stood in front of them. Madam Hooch stood, arms crossed over her chest tapping her feet, clearly waiting for the rest of the class to arrive. Her short silvery hair fluttered softly with the breeze and her piercing yellow eyes shone brightly.

Soon enough all the students stood before her expectantly. "Everyone here?" She called out. Her voice was stern and loud. "Hurry up and stand by a broom!"

Selena stood by one between Terry and Sue. "Put your right hand over the broom and say up!"

A chorus of ups rang in her ears, but none were her own. She wanted to wait for Terry to succeed before trying. It took him three tries. Then she mimicked the tone he had used for his successful attempt. "Up!" she called in a sharp, even tone. The old, weathered broomstick shot straight up into her grip. She smiled slightly at her triumph.

Madam Hooch instructed them on how to mount their brooms. When every student had gotten on she went over to each student and corrected their grip. She nudged Selena's fingers into the correct position and moved onto Sue, who was holding hers with her fingers bent strangely.

"Now, when I blow my whistle, you kick off from the ground, hard," Madam Hooch instructed. "Keep your brooms steady, rise a few feet, and then come straight back down by leaning forward slightly. On my whistle - three - two- one."

The whistle blew shrilly and everyone kicked off the ground. Selena floated a few feet off the ground like instructed and then leaned forward. She turned it down a bit too suddenly and landed a little harshly on the ground. Terry had no trouble at all, landing softly beside her.

Madam Hooch had them complete a few more simple exercises before ending class. "I wish we'd gotten to do more than just floating around." Terry sighed as they walked back up the hill to the courtyard.

Selena could help but agree. She'd learn so much and so little all at once. A hand tapped her shoulder once they were back in the drafty Hogwarts halls. She turned around quickly to meet a pair of bright green eyes. "Harry!" she exclaimed.

"Do you want to meet up at breakfast tomorrow?"

"Sure," She answered cheerily. It was high time they spent some time together.

The next morning Selena made her way to the Gryffindor table. Spotting Harry was easy. She just had to look for a head of messy black hair. "Hello, Harry. Hello, Ron," She greeted softly.

"Hey Selena," Harry smiled at her, brighter than normal.

Ron scooted over, making room for her to sit down. Harry launched into a tale about what had happened in their first flying class. He told her how Neville had hurt himself and Madam Hooch left them alone. And then how Malfoy had stolen Neville's remembrall and threatened to throw it into the lake. Harry had gotten on his broom to get it back. Draco threw it and Harry flew fifty feet to catch it and Professor McGonagall saw. He thought he was done for but instead she offered him a special spot on the Gryffindor quidditch team.

"You're joking!" Ron said excitedly. "A seeker? But first years never - you must be the youngest house player in about-"

"- a century," Harry finished, mouth full of chocolate cake. Selena cringed at the lack of manners, "Wood told me."

"That's amazing Harry," she commented.

"Well done," a male voice said quietly. It was George Weasley. "Wood told us. We're on the team too - Beaters. "

"I tell you, we're going to win that Quidditch cup for sure this year," said his twin, Fred. "We haven't won since Charlie left, but this year's team is going to be brilliant. You must be good, Harry, Wood was almost skipping when he told us. "

"Anyway, we've got to go, Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of the school. "

"Bet it's that one behind the statue of Gregory the Smarmy that we found in our first week. See you. "

Only moments after they walked away, a familiar presence made an appearance. "Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the Muggles?"

"You're a lot braver now that you're back on the ground and you've got your little friends with you," Harry responded. They wouldn't dare get physical with all of the teachers looking on. Although, Selena didn't mind the idea of giving the three Slytherin boys a good whack to the head.

"I'd take you on anytime on my own," said Malfoy. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only - no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"

"Of course he has," said Ron, wheeling around. "I'm his second, who's yours?"

"Crabbe," Malfoy replied, choosing the bigger of his two cronies. "Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room; that's always unlocked."

Malfoy swaggered off and Selena couldn't help but roll her eyes.

"What is a wizard's duel?" asked Harry. "And what do you mean, you're my second?"

"Well, a second's there to take over if you die," Ron answered. Both Potter children gaped at him. "But people only die in proper duels, you know, with real wizards. The most you and Malfoy'll be able to do is send sparks at each other. Neither of you knows enough magic to do any real damage. I bet he expected you to refuse, anyway. "

"And what if I wave my wand and nothing happens?" Harry worried.

"Throw it away and punch him on the nose," recommended Ron.

Selena couldn't believe her ears. These two idiots were actually going to go through with it. How did they not see how stupid they'd be to go? Before she could chastise them, yet another person interrupted their meal.

"Excuse me."

It was the bushy-haired girl from the train, Hermione Granger.

"Can't a person eat in peace in this place?" Ron scoffed, rolling his eyes.

. "I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying-" she started, ignoring Ron's clear indication that her input was undesired.

"Bet you could," Ron muttered under his breath.

"- and you mustn't go wandering around the school at night, think of the points you'll lose Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be. It's really very selfish of you. "

"It's really none of your business," Harry responded hotly.

"She's right, you know," Selena finally spoke up. "You'll likely get caught, knowing your luck. Might as well not show up. Let Malfoy get caught."

"It's not really your business either. This is between him and me."

Selena stood up from her seat, "Fine don't listen to me! You never do anyway. I don't even know why I bother to help you. It's like you like getting into trouble." She waved her hands in frustration and walked off to the Ravenclaw table.

The next day, on the way to Charms class, Harry caught her in the hall. He tugged on her sleeve. "Selena?" He called softly.

"What?" She snapped, still angry about the previous morning.

"You were right about the duel and I'm sorry." He apologized. "But we found something unbelievable."

"We? Who's we?"

"Me, Ron, Hermione, and Neville. They decided to tag along. Hermione wanted to make sure that we weren't going to get Gryffindor in trouble and Neville forgot the password."

"Anyways, Malfoy didn't show up. It was a setup. When we realized he wasn't coming, Mrs. Norris spotted us. We ran down the corridor and hid a random room. It just so happened to be the room we were forbidden from going in. There was a three-headed dog in there!"

"A three-headed dog? You mean like Cerberus?" She responded rather calmly to a wild story.

"What's Cerberus?"

"Oh, it's like the guard dog of the Underworld in Greek Myths. I read it in that library book last school year. It was in that one story about that man who went to get his lost love. He played his music to get past it." She remembered a few other tales from that storybook too. There was the one about the man who fell in love with his reflection. There was that other one about Medusa. Her memory was foggy on the others, but they were all meant to teach a lesson.

"Hermione reckons there was a trap door beneath its feet."

"That must be where they're keeping the package then!" Selena said excitedly, but quietly.

"That's exactly what I thought!" He exclaimed, "I've got to head to class. I'll see you later."

"See you later," She replied and continued on her way to Charms.