Disclaimer: I do not own the characters you recognize. The one's you do not know are completely mine.

Thanks to Julie Campbell, the author of all the fantastic, young adult mystery books called The Trixie Belden Mysteries. If you haven't read them you really should.

Now, on to the next chapter.

RWH

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Dueling Master's Tournament

Chapter Two

The Invitation

Another day another dinner.

Honey sat with her friends at their table eating a helping of roast beef with gravy and potatoes. Several other plates were piled up along side, but she ignored the most of them. Being a simple meat and potatoes girl she preferred to fortify herself with protein and carbohydrates rather than the rich sauce that covered a great deal of the normal dishes. Besides, she had to watch her figure since no one else will do it for her. Her mother would be abhorred to see her go over her weight allowance. Not that she cared, she wasn't a girl that overstuffed herself anyway, so her mother never had to carp on her about it.

'No boy will look twice at you if she gain weight.' her mother would chide incessantly when she was home. 'You need to watch what you eat and don't exercise to much. Good boys don't like too much muscle.' Honey would stand quietly and listen to her tirade as she fussed over her dress, makeup, or hair.

Vain, that was what her mother was, pure, unadulterated vanity. Unfortunately, she was her mother's daughter in every way. She had inherited her blue eyes and honey blonde hair. Her slim figure, dainty yet strong. However, she didn't develop the older woman's narcissus vanity tendencies. Sure she took care of herself, used the proper lotions on her body and proper skin care on her face so she didn't break out or anything, but she didn't take it to extreme like her mother did.

Her mother wanted her to fine a nice young boy to marry and produce the next line of wizards or witches. But she didn't want a boy, who she wanted was a man.

One tall, dark, and handsome man that happens to be her teacher. A taboo that she wished she had the courage to confront. She had a feeling that he liked her. Not in the way that she wanted, but he tolerated her, unlike the other students in her house. That was a good sign in her eyes. He occasionally smiled at her and never ignored her. She liked that, being the only student that he paid any attention to. Her friends seemed to share the same opinion. Violet was sure that he wanted her and teased her unmercilessly about it.

Violet and Diana were talking about the upcoming visit to Hogsmeade when she leaned closer to Violet to hear the whispered confession of her torrid deal to sneak into the Hogshead to meet up with Joe Sanderson. Joe was a Slytherin and very hunky in Violet's eyes, plus she wanted to experiment in the sexual area.

It was a very bad idea, in Honey's opinion. She shook her head and told the other girl that, in no certain terms, especially since they haven't learned the contraceptive spells yet, that sex was not something to play around with. She refused to put out and she had hoped that her friends had a better respect for their bodies as well.

It didn't seem that way.

She and her friends were deep into their argument that Honey didn't see the unfamiliar barn owl enter the great hall and drop something onto the headmaster's lap. It was only until Violet nudged her in the side that she raised her eyes to look in the direction that Violet indicated.

Her argument was forgotten for the moment as she watched the headmaster brushed off some crumbs from his beard and gently broke the seal of a formal looking parchment. She was even more interested after he scanned the paper and grinned, then proceeded to stand and walk over to Severus Snape.

"What is it do you think?" Diana whispered as they watched the exchange.

"No idea, but look at Snape. He looks surprised." Violet murmured back.

"Yeah. I wonder what it is?" Honey said in reply.

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"Congratulations my boy. " Albus spoke loudly enough to carry out over the students.

Severus winced at the look of amusement in the Headmaster's eyes. He didn't like that look at the best of times and now was certainly not an exception. He took the proffered parchment with great reluctance and thought about tucking it into his cloak to read later but the look in the elder's man's face told him not to hide this one away. He sighed in resignation before lowering his eyes to scan the formal document. A look of incredulity crossed his face as he read the words of invitation.

"Well, Severus, do you accept?" Albus leaned forward with unbiased gaiety.

Severus frowned contemplating the invite for a moment before simply putting it next to his plate and returned to eating before he replied. "It has been some time since I've competed but, yes, you can relay my acceptance to the Masters. However, I have no idea how they got my name after all these years."

Dumbledore clapped his hands together with delight, rubbing them together eagerly. "Excellent, Severus. I know you will do us proud. You are a Master at the competition as well. Such names as yours live a long time. There has never been another.. "

"Not from the showing of last week's duel." Severus interrupted the praise with a chuckle, amused at the memory of the contest with Lupin.

"That was for fun, and you know it, Severus. This will be for honor. You will fight for that honor with a fierce passion as you do for everything else."

Severus shrugged and let his eyes drift back to the parchment and fingered it open again. "You do remember the requirements of this competition?" He questioned as he reread passages of the rules.

"I know all about it, my boy. I take it you may have someone in mind?" Dumbledore retook his seat but didn't take his eyes off of his friend and employee. He had a faint idea of who was on the potion's Master's mind.

Severus glanced at the students then the teachers. "I.. may.. "

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Honey watched the conversation between the two, her curiosity running rampant. She wished she could hear them but their voices were so low that she couldn't tell what they were talking about. Sometimes she cursed the boisterous, constant and nearly non-stop student conversations. With all the chatter, she couldn't hear a damned thing. None other than she and her friends have noticed the exchange between the two men.

"I wonder what it is?" She whispered to her Violet causing the girl to shrug her thin shoulders in indifference, already losing interest of the head table. Honey sighed heavily and turned back to her meal continually glancing up at the two. Whatever it was, had Professor Dumbledore all worked up. She had never seen him smile in such a fashion. So, whatever the parchment was, it must have been good news.

She tried to force her attention back on her food but after a moment, a voice cleared itself and everyone stopped eating. All students' eyes focused on the head table as the speaker rose his hand for silence. Honey allowed her eyes to drift over the headmaster who was standing before his chair with a grin that looked both wicked and mischievous. A look all students were familiar with.

"Uh oh.. " She whispered and heard a return chuckle from her friend.

"Yeah, I don't like that grin when he uses it, It usually means that someone is in for it.. big time." Diana whispered from the other side of Violet.

Honey nodded in agreement, as her eyes wandered to Severus. She was rewarded when their eyes met. Her stomach jumped when he smiled and nodded curtly to her indicating that he knew what was up. She was flustered. How could a simple smile from one man set her on fire so easily? She returned his smile before returning her gaze to the elder man as he began to speak.

"May I please have everyone's attention! Everyone? Ah, there that's better. I have some wonderful news this evening.. " He paused and reached out for the parchment, which Snape handed over without a word keeping his eyes straight ahead trying to keep the fluttering in his stomach to a minimum. Albus chuckled at the man's slight discomfort.

'This little trip would do the poor boy good' He thought as he opened the scroll, holding it out before him.

"In two week's time there is to be a Master's Dueling Competition. This year the competition will be held in The United States. Las Vegas, Nevada to be more accurate. It is my delight to inform our staff and students that our very own potion's Master has been selected to attend."

All eyes turned to Snape as he sat slumped over his plate doing his best to ignore all the curious glancing in his direction.

Honey's face lit up at this piece of acknowledgment on his behalf. "Oh.. that's fantastic!" She voiced her approval for her friends and didn't realize her voice carried until she heard a chuckle came from the head again.

"Yes it is, Miss Belden. It's a high honor to be selected." Albus grinned.

Honey felt her face turn red as she realized that everyone heard her words. "Sorry.. " She apologized feeling embarrassed. Her eyes darted to Severus and were surprised to see that he had cocked his head and was giving her an amused look. That one look caused her to blush farther and sink down into her seat more, completely mortified.

Violet let loose a guffaw and leaned closer to her, whispering into her ear. "If Snape didn't know of your devotion, he certainly does now."

"Oh, shut up, Vi.. " She swallowed and began to push a buttered squash around her plate, her appetite gone in her embarrassment. It was fine when she just thought he was amused with her little crush, but voicing her opinion among the whole school.. 'THAT' was embarrassing.

She barely heard the headmaster continue with his announcement. "Now, as some of you, who already follows the dueling competitions, know that in order to fight, A dueler needs something or someone to fight for. A lady fair or a damsel in distress so to speak?" He grinned down at Severus and the younger man took the hint and rose to his feet.

"Indeed, we do." Snape spoke in his velvety voice that caused Honey to moan inside. She watched him under lowered lashed. She was too embarrassed to look at him dead on. But she watched him as he waved a hand and produced a green and silver ribbon. He ran the silken ribbon through his fingertips tenderly while slowly walking around the head table to stand before the students.

"You have chosen your conquest?" Albus's grin widened as he watched the younger man pause in mid step to look back at him.

"I have." Severus's grin matched the headmaster's before he turned back to address the students. "It is a tradition of the Master's tournament to chose one lady fair to assist me in my battles. Her duties are to encourage and incite me on to victory. In return, for her favor the victor lavishes her with ribbons gained, through battle, in her honor." His eyes scanned the excited looks of the students. "I have made my choice of who's.. honor.. I will protect."

"Then let your decision be known." Albus grinned and flicked a hand out over the crowd.

Severus nodded and slowly began to walk up and down behind the Slytherin table nodding to each young girl that dared to grin up at him. Most of the girls in his house were under the legal age of seventeen and he didn't dare choose one of them. A few of the young Slytherin ladies were more unsettling than Miss. Parkinson aggressive wise. He had no doubts that, if given a chance, the one he chose would try to bribe or blackmail a better grade from him. This trip would be a perfect opportunity for one to do so. He would be alone with her, thousands of miles away and no one to hear or see the truth. No, he needed someone that he could trust.

He smiled already knowing whom he had chosen. She would be perfect for this little adventure. She was trustworthy and he knew she had no need to boost her grade as she had nearly perfect scores in his class. He cast a quick glance over at her and was amused at her refusal to look up.

She looked upset and he frowned. Perhaps he was being a bit too cruel by prolonging his choice and her misery.

Honey averted her eyes from his stalking form as he paused before the Slytherin table. She didn't want to see whom he would choose. Of course, he would have to choose someone of his own house. But that didn't stop her jealousy from flaring up. Especially when she happened to glance up and see him pausing before Pansy Parkinson, Super Slut of Slytherin. She sighed and placed her elbow on the table lowering her chin to rest on her palm as she went back to gazing back to her plate.

She was still playing with her vegetable when she heard a surprised gasp to her left and looked curiously at her best friend. A scant moment later she felt a hand on her shoulder and looked up into Severus' dark eyes.

"Miss Belden.. " He held out the green ribbon, holding it before her while he knelt down next to her chair. "May I invite you to join me in Las Vegas in order to fight for your honor?"

She could only stare at him in astonishment as he knelt before her waiting for her answer. His eyes softened as he waved the ribbon before her again. A smile crossed his face which caused her to blush even more and finally, after what seemed like a lifetime to her but was only a few heartbeats she nodded her acquiesce feeling her face burning hot as she felt everyone's eyes on them.

"I.. I would be.. honored.. Sir.. " She replied trying to keep her voice from wavering in its emotions.

She felt his hand fall to her arm and grip her tightly in affirmation before he stood back up. She sighed as she felt his deft hands reached up to undo her clip that held her honey colored hair from her face. She held her breath as she felt him place the ribbon underneath the long tresses and quickly tie it up in her hair.

"My colors.. " He spoke softly.

"I will wear them proudly Sir." She felt her eyes brimming and quickly blinked them away. She didn't want to cry with everyone's eyes on her. She felt his hand on her shoulder before he walked back to the head table and quickly delved himself into a discussion with the headmaster. She couldn't help but reach up to smooth the ribbon in her hair, confused and delighted that he had chosen her to accompany him to America.

In two weeks, she would have him all to herself. In two weeks, she would learn more about him than she could ever get from anyone. She felt like a grinning idiot at the prospect of having him to herself. Not that she planned on seducing him, Gods no, she wouldn't even know how to do that. She just wanted to know him better perhaps for future.decisions. Like the moment she graduated and wouldn't have to fear retribution if she kissed him.

She lifted her head and without thinking let her gaze travel around the great hall, her eyes falling finally to the Slytherin table. All eyes were dark and menacing, especially those of Pansy Parkinson.

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A/N's and Acknowledgements:

Oogy: LOL.I'm glad you like it. Here's more

FifthOctave: Thank you. I Hope you like what's to come as well.

Ldf: lol. I know you would have. If I had known you before I started this little fic, I would have done a few.hehe.adjustments. Glad you are enjoying this.

Lightning Rain: Thanks, hope that you like the rest that is coming up soon.