Chapter Three

The Weapons Presentation

Harry and Ron stood in front of the Great Hall's two large door when both their jaws dropped. Harry ripped a piece of paper off the door and they both starred at it. It read: Divination Class temporarily moved to the Potions room. Ron's shoulders dropped and he headed off toward the dungeons. Harry slumped over slightly behind him as they both marched off. They approached the usual Potions Room door, "I hope there is not another note." Mumbled Harry. But as they drew nearer they saw the little white piece of paper. The paper was held up, this time, by a small root of wood that looked oddly familiar to Harry. "Dried Mandrake root," Ron said pulling the root out the door, "Astronomy tower this time." They hurried there way back up several flights of stairs, to the Astronomy Tower. Nearly at the top, "Next-thing-you-know-we'll-be-out-side-in-Hagrid's- hut!" panted Harry, who has starting to fall behind Ron. There was yet again another small bit of paper. "You're right." Said Ron walking slowly and very warn out back down the steps towards Harry. "What?" Harry breathed, still panting. Neither of them had done so much running in a long time. "Hagrid's hut." Answered Ron sitting down on the step, trying to catch his own breath. It took them twice as long, nearly dragging their feet to get back down and make their way across the yards. "One more," Ron muttered frustrated by it all. "Just one more." "And we're going back to the Common Room, maybe even to sleep!" finished Harry in the same irritated tone. They came to the front door of Hagrid's hut. Both Harry and Ron were so relieved to find that there was no note of his door. They knocked first and Hagrid answered. "Oh hello. You come to see me this early? Or are you more of the Divination Class, Trelawney is holding by the lake?" Harry's face sparked up a little bit, "Thanks Hagrid! We'll come and see you later on!" By the time they had made it over to the lake, there was only ten minutes left in what would have been their Divination class. They were both starting to lose hope as they drew nearer, but there was a suddenly sound of a chattering class near by. Professor Trelawney looked up as Harry and Ron came around a large shrub into view of the class. "Glad you could joins us boys." Harry and Ron looked at the size of the class; there were only 6 people. "Where is everyone?" They both asked at the same time. "You eight have passed the first quiz! You should be glad. It is very obvious to me that the majority of the students in your year, do not care of my class. So I gave you all a challenge. Come, rest before you leave my presence." "If this was a quiz, I hope to be sick on her tests." Squeaked Ron under his breath as both of them sat on the soft, cold, and dry leave that covered the ground.

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"Hey, Ron?" Harry and Ron were on their way off to the great hall for lunch. "Yeah, Harry?" "Do you know why Hermione was so excited yesterday?" Ron looked at Harry in a puzzled, what-are-you-talking-about-? sort of way. "I mean before I fainted." "No," said Ron remembering it faintly. "She probably just got another hundred on her potions exam." Ron swallowed hard. "What? You don't think you'll do well?" asked Harry sarcastically. Ron glared lightly, just as three girls came bolting around the corner. It was Parvati and Hermione pushing another girl they both recognized instantly, Kari. The girls seemed to be running from something, as they clamored to a stop in front of Ron and Harry. "What's wrong?" Harry blurted out. Privati and Hermione were panting leaning on either of Kari's shoulders. "There is a mob after me!" said Kari in a distressed voice. "What kind of people are you?" There was a sudden loud rush that filled the hallway behind where the three girls stood. A mixture of sounds, such as, muffled yelling, excitement, and high-pitched squeaks from scuffling feet. "Here they come again," breathed Hermione. "Do they ever give up?" replied Privati. "Excuse us," said Kari as they scuffled to a start again. "'Old 'em off for a while wont you?" Kari asked looking at Ron desperately, as she was shoved off. Harry looked at Ron's extraordinarily bright red face as he coughed a 'sure'. Ron face grew very pale as what he had promised dawned on him and a hallway full of boys came to view. "Where'd she go?" someone shouted. "." Ron was petrified by the wave of every year and every house boys possible, which stood before him. "Whom might you be talking about?" Harry quickly stepped in. Ron turned around to see the backs of Hermione and Privati making a turn down another corridor. "The girl." shouted one voice cut off by the next. "She's no girl! She's an angel!" "Oh." replied Harry giving Ron a quick glance. "Did she have. brown hair, with black and white in it?" "It was more a metallic black-" "and silvery white" two voices called out of the crowd. "Silvery like a unicorns blood," Ron replied, looking at the air between him and the crowd with a cloudy expression on his face. "Kind of tall and a face of an angel?" Harry concluded. "Yes, that's her!" someone shouted. "Nope haven't seen her all day." Harry replied. "Liar! You know who we're talking about!" the first boy yelled. "You know exactly what she looks like, how could you if you haven't seen her?" replied another. "We said we haven't seen her all day, we didn't say anything about yesterday." Ron said innocently. There were a few scowls and glares spread throughout the boys standing before them. "Look, there's one of the girls that was helping her escape!" A hansom, black-haired boy stepped out of the crowd. Harry, and Ron turned to see Hermione, as the sea of boys flooded past them. Hermione held the biggest, surest, grin spread across her face as she walk down the hall toward the torrent of boys. Then the one thing that could have stopped everything in the world from forwarding down the hall way happened. Dumbledore and Snape turned the corner just behind Hermione, both with disagreeing looks on their faces. Dumbledore held up his hand. "What is the meaning of this?" He questioned loudly. Harry hadn't seen Dumbledore upset or even unhappy very often, but this was one of those occasions. Kari and Privati stuck their heads around the corner. Their eyes met with Harry and Ron's. One of the girls was waving her hand, trying to tell them to come. Ron picked up on it and leaned over to Harry. "I think they want us." Harry looked at the girls, then again at Snape who was listing off names and giving out detentions. Ron pulled on Harry's arm and they struggled through the seventh year boys whom were standing in the back of a large crowd. The sea of students was a shattered bit of glass, at each cut and point there were haunted faces. "Probably thinking of what horrible detention Snape will assign with such a large group and secection." Harry muttered to Ron. Ron and Harry pulled out of the front of the crowd and started there way past Professor Snape. "Mr. Potter!" Snape said in a delightful tone. "And Mr. Weasley. What a surprise. Mr. Potter you're with me. Mr. Weasley, I think I'll leave you with Mr. Filch for to-" "No!" Kari stepped around the corner. "Please Professor, that really won't be necessary. I asked Potter and Weasley to come see me." Kari went running over and hugged both of them, short and friendly. "Oh where have you two been? I'm surprised you didn't get my owl earlier. Come now, I just have to show you something!" Parvati stared at Kari in the most shocked manor. The over loaded crowd of boys were filled with loathing glares, and envious looks from all directions. While Snape stood there, half disgusted upon Kari's adoring greeting, and a small spot of tooth showed as he starred at Harry with the glare that was often saved just for him. Kari entwined her arms in Harry and Ron's and walked away with them, as though proudly showing off a catch. Ron's face was red and his mind was soaring above the stars. While Harry simply walked, feeling blank and confused by everything that had just happened. Snape's usual dislike leaving an ugly distaste in his mouth, Dumbledore saying nothing and Kari coming to his rescue at the time. Dumbledore had followed them quietly walking away from Snape. Which unfortunately gave him total free rein on the depth of detention he gave. No one had noticed till now, but it appeared as though Hermione had vanished into air. "Mr. Weasley, your father wishes to speak with you after the dinner presentation. He will be in my office. Miss Patil thank you for your help on this mishap. Will you, Mr. Potter, and Mr. Weasley please go to the Great hall; many students have already sat down to wait. And Miss Carrilel, May I stress my dear apologies for such an incident, I'm sure it is not the first time. Your mother wishes to see you, right now. She is just down the hall, if you'll follow me." And with that Dumbledore started his way down the hall with Kari tagging along just behind him. The three of them set off, Harry Ron and Parvati, occasionally seeing a small cluster of the boys from before, wonder past with defeated looks on their faces. As Harry, Ron and Parvati stepped through the doorway they met Hermione, whom looked as though she was about to go ranting around to everyone, about something they wouldn't listen to. As was very common when neither Harry nor Ron nor any books were to be found. "Harry! Ron! Parvati! Where have you been? And Where's Kari?" Hermione spit out marching over to them. "The Presentation is nearly about to begin! Hurry, over here." Hermione led them over to an open space in the Gryffindor table, just wide enough for the four of them. Dumbledore and Kari walked quietly into the great hall, although they were not unnoticed. Kari attempted to find a seat at the Hufflepuff table but quickly gave up. Many eyes had watched her do so, as the table crunched and crammed, but also held members from other houses, which made it too crowded. One set of the eyes which watched Kari, belonged to Dumbledore who smiled sweetly and made a chair for her at the staff table again. Kari sighed and promptly walked to the staff table. She said simply, "Why don't they just make me a teacher already?" Kari sat in her seat very politely and waited with her attention on Dumbledore. Dumbledore had averted his attention to the left wall, near the Ravenclaw table. A loud noise had exploded from the wall and small amounts of steam left the wall's cracks as to opened. Screams of surprise flew from the Ravenclaw table. The mist separated to relieve a large stage, as a man walked to the middle. He had short black haired, dark green shirt, a leather belt, dark forest colored pants to match his shirt and chain mail, hanging out from this sleeves and the top of his black boots. He smiled, his very tanned face, and his voice was playful yet relaxed, "Welcome all students to the first presentation of weapons. The acts, tactics, and defenses you are about to see are all done by my seventh year classes. Because this class was newly released last year, only the advanced sixth years could have joined to still be here. This year, it is open to advanced fifth years and above. Now please sit back, enjoy the show, and try not to get too scared." He grinned again and half the floating candles went out. Leaving dim light on the main room, bright rays of light appeared on the newly opened stage. The man had gone somewhere in the sudden darkness. Now, two seventh year boys where at either end of the stage, each with a sheathed sword at their side. They both looked very serious with their dark hair neatly trimmed in different styles. With a sound of sliding metal, all in one instant both swords were out and the boys stood in fighting stance. The stage was huge, and the dark haired boys seemed miles apart at either end. There was a sudden thumping noise as two boys came running from opposite ends of the stage; and they continued to run straight at each other. BANG. This sudden sound was not the normal clashing of metal but of wood. They were dueling with sticks, large branches it seemed, with no points on the ends. One of the boys had strawberry-blond hair and the other had a golden tint in his blond hair. The entire audience was captivated as though under a spell. All this excluding only one girl, Kari. High cut, low cut, high cut, low cut; this went on for a long while, but each time quicker and harder to see. Every time the wooden swords met, there was an excruciatingly loud noise, getting louder at every turn. The other two boys, with metal swords and dark hair, were still in fighting stances, and never twitching at the loud bangs of wood. Kari Carrilel sat bored in her seat, lazily letting her eyes wander. She obviously wasn't impressed with the display, while everyone else was still watching closely. A sudden dramatically skilled turn caught her interest. As quickly as the loudest BANG had sounded, the blond and redheaded boys, with the wooden swords, dashed across the stage, every step carefully planned out. They challenged the dark hair boys evenly, with totally different approaches. The redhead was straightforward, and ran at the dark haired boy with his stick raised well, and high. While the golden blond one, stopped, bowed before him and waited for the mutual response, which he did receive. Each boy in a different style, Kari watch so interested, she was glaring at them, for how hard she was concentrating.

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This fighting went on half an hour before two fighters where down in defeat. The last two remaining where obviously the more skilled out of the four boys. Though both were out of breath and panting very hard. One with metal, had created enough wind power to set his foe off balance, and cornered him to the ground. The golden blond boy with wood, had let his opponent dig the sword half way through his wood stick, and then trapped the sword. Then flipped his opponent over from behind. ~Which would have driven the sword into the opponent. ~ Thought Kari, with her disbelief that either of them were better than she. Kari sat very quietly though in her seat. ~What an easy "A" class, weapons would be. ~ Now, the fighters faced each other at mid point in the stage. Bowed as the audience watched them closely. Then they both faced the students, still holding their weapons at their sides. "If you don't mind Dumbledore," came a voice from the speaker above the stage. Most of the students turned to look at the head master with wide, attentive, and exceptive faces. "Don't see how this is hardly scary," Hermione whispered to Harry and Ron. Ron agreed but Harry didn't even seem to notice. Dumbledore looked around at the students, then reluctantly nodded toward the stage, "You may proceed," He said dimly. His eyes now on Harry as well. With that, two weapons were thrown from off stage and slid to the center boys. Now, on stage there was a metal and wooden sword, a large staff and a double bladed ax. The man from before walked out, from behind the center stage certain and stood between the boys. "Now, my students are going to throw these weapons out, to the crowd randomly. If one just happens to hit you, then I will have to train them some more and we'll have you to Madam Pomfrey right a way." The two students behind him started to laugh. "Just kidding, these weapon are made for two reasons. One is that they can't harm anyone, for my class starter practices, of course. Two, they have a spell cast on them so they will only fly to the four most skilled students in the room. Students of course. If you catch it or one hits you (which ever you decide) then you are to come up and show us what you can do. Sound fair?" the earthy man grinned again. Some students were taken back, while others shook their heads hoping the weapons wouldn't come in their direction. The room was still dark and the two boys held up a weapon each. "Warriors keepers, soothers weepers." They said in unison. The weapons floated out of reach and started to spin wildly. The first one flew out into the room, the wooden sword, slamming into Draco's chest. Having the wind knocked out of Draco, Harry and Ron chuckled wildly and Hermione tried to restrain herself from laughing with them. There were many screams after the double bladed ax went, straight at a table of Ravenclaws'. Draco and a new fourth year girl stood up holding the weapons tightly. The girl looked frail in her form and shape, but her face met determination and there was a small blaze of fire in her eye. Draco merely glared at those who made noise as he passed, though his face grew very pale as he stepped onto the stage. Ron was about to make a remark about Draco when he got slammed in his chest with a staff; Hermione was shoved into Ginny and Harry fell out of his seat in alarm. Not many other Gryffindors had made a sound. Each in turn patted Ron on the back as he walked, red faced, onto the stage. The dark haired boy, with the metal sword, held the sword up and whispered to himself, closing his eyes tightly, "Warriors Keepers, Soothers Weep-ers!" The seventh year flew backward, hitting the certain. There was a large flashing green light coming from the sword, which was floating in mid-air. The man stepped back helping the boy to his feet. They both looked up suddenly as the sword flew directly at them. The sterling piece of metal missed them but continued passed and upward into the center of the room. The silver blended very well in with the night's sky, which still held high above them. A few screams and the movement of an entire table lead people's eyes from the ceiling, to the Ravenclaw table. The students from Ravenclaw's first table had disappeared. Every one of them was huddled under the table but two girls. The Lupin twins, they stood out from their seats, with wands raised and pointed directly at the sword, passing up and down their table. The sword stopped, directly between the girls. The twin with bright red eyes shouted, "Immobilis!" The sword had disappeared into the night's cover before the spell had reached it. Instead, the other twin had taken the brunt of the spell. Luckily, that spell was not meant for humans and all that happened to Lily Lupin was that her feet were stuck to the floor. "Ambrosia!" Lily screamed. Ambrosia flinched and jumped over the table to help her sister. Most eyes had fled back to the ceiling at his point. Prefects were slowly and quietly trying to get their students to file out, but too many of them were distracted by mysterious hints and glimmers of metal. Ron, Draco, and the Ravenclaw girl stood on the stage near the earth-colored man, worriedly watching the crowd. The sword twirled like a graceful whirlwind as it descended upon the students again. But this time it spun straight down the teacher's table. Every teacher leap from his or her seat except Dumbledore, who was watching the stage. Professor McGonagall transformed into a cat and ran to the students sitting at the far end of the table. The sword took another dive down the table but this time, it didn't stop in the middle, it headed for the girl on the end. The silver and black haired girl stood up as though challenging the sword. The sword flew down the table, starting to glow again, with a dim green light. Kari stared the glowing sword down as McGonagall made a dive for it. The professor had, instead, crashed onto the table, spilling blood red wine and a goblet of an ice-cold beverage. ~Nearly here ~ Kari thought to herself, glaring at the speeding blade. The green light flashed brightly just as it reached Kari. A loud noise pierced the still silence of the room. Kari sat on the floor with eyes open wide. She held the blade of the sword clapped between her hands. It swaggered about knocking Kari's chair over, but she wouldn't let it go. A cry erupted from across the room, "Liquefacio!" It was Hermione, standing on her seat, with her wand raised. The moment the spell had hit the sword's handle, it began to melt into a pile of green molten metal. Kari breathed very slowly and nodded, a thank you, to Hermione. Kari then proceeded passed the teachers and up onto the stage. She was slightly paler than usual and her soft cheeks glowed with a bright red. Kari smiled; she was used to getting attention, but not by an entire school at once. The man held his head up, and looked down at Kari suspiciously. "Could you do that again?" he said, no one could hear his words but those on the stage. Kari nodded keeping her eyes in contact with the large crowd before her. "Trained or instinct?" he questioned still eyeing her suspiciously, in disbelief that a fragile beauty could do such a thing. Kari turned to face him. ~Both. ~ Kari said in his mind, ~Not so fragile now, am I? ~ Kari half glared at him before turning to join the others, standing and waiting. Each of the four students, Draco, Ron, Kari and the Ravenclaw, stood in a line, two on the man's right, two on the man's left. "Well, now on with the planned course." He said turning to the attentive crowd of students. "Damian, Mark, pick a number between one and ten." Both the seventh years nodded and said very dully, "Done." "Now, each picked student please pick a number," He pointed to Kari first. "Three," Kari replayed without hesitation. He went down the row. "Seven," said Ron. "Nine," said the Ravenclaw girl. "One," said Malfoy proudly. "Alright then," the man said quietly, "Damian?" "Two," the dark haired boy responded. "Mark?" The man sounded again. "Eight," said golden blond haired boy, now looking at the other. "Good. One and Three, over there," the man said pointing to his right. "Seven and Nine over there." He now pointed to his left. "Pick a weapon, and wait for your orders." He said now almost happy again. This matched, Kari vs. Draco and Ron vs. the Ravenclaw. Draco picked up a metal sword and slashed it through the air a few times, pretending he knew what he was doing. Kari noticed Draco "neatly" flailing the sword around. She sighed and picked up the wooden sword beside her. "Always the power 'ungry, and stupid, which try and show off using metal." Kari mumbled to herself balancing the stick, length wise, with a single finger. Ron was stalling unsure which weapon to use, she was starting to tremble in his hands. ~Ron ~ Kari called into Ron's panicky mind. Ron stood up straight and looked at the girl in front of him, whom was still examining the pile of weapons. ~Ron, use the staff. Malfoy will be a breeze; I can walk you through this. ~ Kari called again, but this time clearer. Ron's eyes were large and he finally realized it was Kari's voice. He turned very deep crimson as he picked up the staff, from the bottom of the pile. He first balanced the staff on his hand, then, almost as if he knew, it started to twirl. He swung it around, it seemed that he couldn't stop it from twirling over and over in his hands, spinning in the air, over his head, with tosses and catches. Kari starred amazed in her surprise. ~I didn't know you could do that! Do you want my help? ~ Kari asked him, trying not to sound like she was gawking. Ron looked like he was getting nervous, very nervous, nodding his head to Kari. He stopped the staff and held it out straight, and then placed it at his side, like a walking stick. The girl apposing Ron looked terrified. That is until; she spotted something in the weapon's pile. The girl grinned quietly to herself and pulled out two slashing utensils, which looked like two hand-sized scythes. "All right, students face each other, I believe you know what we're expecting." The man boomed his voice. Kari took her position so she could watch Ron's battle as well as her own. She looked worriedly at the back of Ron's head. Kari spoke to his mind again a bit more seriously. ~Now listen to me. She has a weapon that going to be hard to beat, but you can do it. Promise. ~ Ron's ears turned bright pink. He kept telling himself to trust the voice in his head, Kari's, and to remain calm. He spun the staff around, just as elegantly as before, and stopped it pointed at the girl before him. She starred, terror struck, at the end of Ron's staff. The girl's face became flushed but she held the hand blades out before her. The man looked back at the crowd, "Do you think we should make them fight?" There were a few students agreeing and the rest just sat in their seats, grateful they weren't on the stage. "Oh, come now, don't you want to know what would happen? Please tell us your names, and we will begin." The Ravenclaw girl was shorter than Ron, and very lanky for her age. "Daine," she said calmly now locking her crystal eyes with Ron's, doing her best not to look frightened. "Ron," he said, suddenly remembering all the thousand and some eyes watching him. "Draco Malfoy," sneered the blonde haired boy who stood in front of Kari, refusing her eye contact. ~ A Malfoy? ~ Kari snorted to herself, ~this will be easier than expected. As long as he doesn't have ten other weapons up his robes. ~ "Kari," she said suddenly noticing the man's eyes on her again. ~Now, Ron, it might be best if you some how switch sides, you'll need to see what I'm doing. ~ Kari told him, trying to look beyond the greasy blond hair, which belong to her opponent. She could only see the top of Ron's bright red head, now that Draco had come so close. "Now, bow to your opponent, and on my mark, you may begin. Remember any injury caused by this will be taken care of immediately." The man in the center of the stage announced. "Scared Malfoy?" Kari mused; she had found something of that in his mind.

His eye twitched, and he went back to a fighting position. Kari too resumed her fighting stance. She raised an eyebrow now trying to see past a side of Draco's head. "Malfoy move. Your ego is blocking my view." Kari mumbled to him. The man eyed both sets, with his back to the crowd and said, "This, is only a test run, all four of you will be automatically scheduled into my weapons class. The practice will only end, when your opponent loses their weapon." He turned back to the crowd still enthusiastic. "Steady. Stance. Go!" he yelled. He suddenly disappeared, as though hading into the background and was gone. With that, the fight had begun, with Draco charging at Kari, both hands on the handle, pushing down as hard as he could against her block. "You're weak," she said to him, holding off his first attack with one hand on the wooden sword's handle. Ron and Daine's fight on the other hand, didn't appear to be going anywhere. They hadn't moved at all, but both had their eyes locked on each other, waiting the other to make the first advance. Either that, or they were just too scared to move. ~Ron! ~ Kari growled in his head. Ron moved his head up as to acknowledge he heard her. ~What are you doing? Attack her, or at least scare her some more. ~ Kari insisted. ~No thank you. ~ Ron had finally figured out how to communicate with her. ~I like things just the way they are. Besides if I scare her too much she might attack me! ~ Ron's back shuttered. ~Ron, she's going to attack you one way or another. Just do what I tell you! ~ Kari pleaded, with a snorting Draco in her face. Ron nodded his head, reluctantly, in agreement. ~Go straight at her, with your staff held like a sword. Like what Malfoy did, she should dodge- ~ Draco, who had just kicked her in the knee, suddenly cut Kari short. Kari threw him off and backed away, she was limping. Ron did as Kari said, charging at Daine, who quickly ran the other way. ~On, my count I want you to ran at her again, same as before, just this time, drop a the last second, swing and knock her off her feet. ~ Kari coached. Malfoy ran at Kari in another attempt to take her down. Kari dropped to her knees, and put the sword into a block, to hold off Draco. Meanwhile, she would be watch Ron's battle. Daine charged at Ron, unexpectedly. Ron couldn't wait for Kari's count, and he couldn't dodge the girl dashing at him, scythes raised. Ron dropped and huddled into a little ball just before Daine could have hit him. Daine tripped, flipping over the crouched Ron and dropping one of her blades. Kari bit her lip slightly as she watched Ron and the girl fight. Before Ron could get back up, Daine, bent over on the floor, flung out her leg and kicked Ron is the butt. Throwing him forward. Daine laughed as she jumped to her feet and ran to get her dropped weapon. ~No, like this! ~ Kari said annoyed watching the scared Ron sprawled out on the floor and his opponent on her feet. Ron sat up, kneeling as he watched. Kari demonstrated, standing up, allowing Draco to sink his weight into her sword, before she swung her leg around, to hit the back of his legs. Which caused Draco to fall hard on his back. Ron had a look of amazement, watching Kari fight so elegantly. Then he quickly turned around with just enough time to block Daine's strike. In the time Ron had been watching Kari, Daine had managed to acquire her lost blade. As Daine backed off, Ron jumped to his full height, standing strongly, clutching the staff. It twirled around in his hands once more and he forced it to suddenly come straight down on the girl. Daine slashed both her blades at the same meeting point, but from opposite sides, so that the top end of Ron's staff was sliced off. Ron's strong face had softly melted into terror but he tried to remain calm. As well as he would've liked that to work, it didn't. Ron was official terrified. He didn't know what to do; diving for Daine's knees, he landed on top of her, knocking her to the stage floor with a THUD. Both scythe blades flew form Daine's hands and she complained loudly, "GET OFF, YOU PRAT!" "I'm a prat? You're the one who attack me!" Ron retorted standing again. Draco had gotten up and turned to see what the yelling was. Ron offered his hand but Daine glared at him, helping herself up. "Now, now," the man had just appeared again, shaking his head at Daine and Ron, "Shake hands, we can't have any feuds on my behalf." Dumbledore seemed pleased with his way of handling this. Kari, however, was very unpleased, and she now whacked the (sword) hand of her opponent, very hard. Draco let out an unsuspecting yelp, dropped his sword in a clatter, as he to knelt on the floor clutching his hand. Kari picked up Draco's sword as he whined continually. "That's not fair! I wasn't looking!" "Who cares if you were looking? You should have been able to at least defend your own hand." Kari yelled back at him. "It's only a stick Malfoy!" she taunted. Ron put out his hand again. Daine did the same, but she looked away, still angry that she lost. Kari was watching Ron at this point. She smiled slightly as Ron and Daine give their weapons to the man that stood at center stage. Ron turned to look at Kari for a moment. Just at that time there was a sudden sharp jolt of pain that surged through right side of Kari's head and she fell. As Kari felt the floor hit her she blacked out, momentarily. There were many slurred yells and awkward sounds that flew about the room. The sound rushed and had flooded the room all at once. The pain flushed most of the noise out of Kari's head; she turned and sat up looking to see what had happened. Ron was in a struggle; four 17 year olds and Daine were all holding him back from something. Kari heard Ron's harsh words as she tried to search his mind, but that hurt her too much. Kari turned around to see what Ron was so angry about. Kari starred at the wildly smirking Draco, who was held back by two 7th year students. He wasn't struggling at all. Kari felt something near her hand and reached for it. It was smooth, cold and solid, like metal. ~The sword! ~ Kari suddenly knew what had happened. "Let him go." She said numbly to the boy and girl who held Draco. Kari glared at Draco and he only smirked back. As the 7th years back away, there came a certain bass-pitched sound that echoed throughout the great hall. There was a gust of wind in the enchanted sky and a winged figure that suddenly appeared as a wolf, landed in front of Draco. Draco stopped grinning and stood stiffly as he starred at the snarling creature before him. He jumped backward at its snap. "Fenris!" Kari snapped at the wolf-like creature. The winged-wolf halted just before it was to leap, in Draco's direction. "Fenris! Go home. I do not need, nor do I want your 'elp." Kari ordered with a strong sense of power in her voice. The winged-creature starred at her, bowed its head and flew back across the enchanted ceiling, far out of sight. Kari then walked across the stage toward the startled Draco. It seemed as though no one noticed the sword she held tightly at her side. There grew silence from the shrouded noise of the students. There was sudden movement from Kari as she moved the sword's blade so that it lay flat against Draco's neck and any movement would be fatal. "Don't ever do that again Malfoy!" Kari pulled the sword down just enough she that he could move his head. ~Wow, she sounds like she knows my family, or just my father. ~ Kari read in Draco's mind. Kari then bluntly slapped him across the face. Yells along with cheers quickly followed Kari's action. ~Who does she think she is! ~ Draco thought furiously, but knew he shouldn't say a word or else be forced into disappointing his father, farther. ~Daddy knows best. ~ Kari's voice rang quietly in Draco's head, as she turned to walk away from him and hand both swords to the earthy man on center stage. "All taken care of." Kari twinkled her eyes at him before walking away. Kari continued to walk behind the staff table, strutting although she didn't know she was. "Professor Dumbledore, I have a feeling we'll be seeing Luscious very shortly." McGonagall had leaned over to Dumbledore as Kari walked by. "Good. I've been meaning to see him again." Kari mumbled.