The next chapter is complete look for it in the next few days. For those who have read this chapter already I'm sorry. I had to repost it because I "fixed" the dueling portion of this. I know that some of you aren't happy about Ginny's behavior but trust me, things will turn out for the best.

Please Read and Review – Thank you

Chapter 7: Dueling with an Elemental

Harry woke early the next morning as a thin ray of sunshine focused on him. He groaned and looked down at his watch, "5:26 a.m.". He got up slowly and looked over at Ron, who was still snoring rather loudly. Harry thought about waking him in various ways, but decided against it. He walked to the bathroom and got ready. Harry checked himself in the mirror before leaving and walked back to his dormitory.

He crept into the room very quietly, not wanting to wake anyone. Moving silently to his trunk he took out the key Dumbledore gave him. Then grabbed his staff and wand, which had been placed in a wardrobe in the corner on Ron's request. Ron didn't want the staff anywhere near him if Harry wasn't there, and for good reason. After he picked up the book on Occlumency he walked down the stairs and the portrait hole.

He walked passed the Defense Against the Dark Arts room and went to the room Dumbledore gave him. He opened the door and stepped inside. For some reason he felt at peace here. This room had some kind of calming effect on him. Harry took a seat at a desk closest to the fire. He opened his Occlumency book and began to read. He found the chapter describing the mind as a fortress and decided to begin there.

"This technique is used as a building block. You are first to imagine your mind as a castle, fortress, or other secure location. Then you build it in your mind, creating pathways, corridors, and rooms. This will help you organize your thoughts for the next step."

Harry thought of a place like Dumbledore's estate. He could vividly picture the perfectly green fields where the manor house is placed. Instead of a small manor house, Harry created a massive castle, with many wings, and high turrets. He then constructed a huge wall, mote, and drawbridge to keep it away from the surrounding area. Harry walked towards the castle and the drawbridge lowered. He walked passed the gates in his mind and walked towards two massive oak doors that slowly opened to allow him entry. He stepped inside to see the castle was warm and welcoming, the entire room looked just like the Gryffindor common room. Harry walked further inside and noticed hallways that lead to different wings of the castle. As he looked to the right he could see a wing marked, "People", and another marked "School." The amount of wings seemed endless. Harry walked towards the one marked people and looked inside. He could see corridors each with a different label. He opened the door marked friends which lead to another room full of doors with is friend's names above them. Harry thought this was a little much, opened his eyes, and looked back at the book.

"Once you can picture your mind as a fortress, the next step is to organize a defense. This can be anything you wish. Anything you think can stop someone from accessing your memories. This technique is not a permanent solution. If someone was trying to break into your mind, it could still be done. This technique is designed to buy you a little time, when you can still defend yourself with a wand. There are many more techniques that are stronger than this, but it is a great building block for beginners."

Harry sat and practiced until breakfast. He sat alone constructing the best defenses he could think of, which included: security dragons, trained attack dogs, booby traps, and many other things you wouldn't want to come across. After working on his defense for well over an hour he decided to walk to the Great Hall. He walked through the quiet, deserted hallways; thinking about what Hermione said last night. "She might be right" he thought, "Maybe Ginny wouldn't make a good Marauder. She will have a full work load this year, and she's a year younger than us." After many thoughts like these he decided that Ginny at least deserved a shot. "Maybe Hermione is wrong, maybe she would make a great Marauder." Harry thought.

As he neared the Great Hall, Harry heard more people coming towards him. He looked around the corner to see Ginny and two other Gryffindor girls walking towards him. He stepped into their path and looked straight at Ginny. "Could I speak with you?"

She looked a little taken aback, then recovered quickly, "Yeah sure Harry...What's this about?"

Harry looked over at her friends, "Would you mind if I spoke with Ginny alone? It should only take a second." Harry said in a kind tone. They both looked rather unnerved and stormed off without another word. He turned back to Ginny, "Did I say something wrong?"

Ginny laughed and said, "I don't know what's wrong with them...anyway what did you want to talk about?"

"I want you to take this..."Harry pulled out the map and key and handed it to her "...and touch the compass to the map. Do everything it says, and when you're done return it to me, okay?"

Ginny took the map and looked at it for a second, "I saw Fred and George caring this thing. They always had it. Did they give it to you?"

"Yeah they did, in my third year, but that really doesn't matter now. Do you understand what to do?" He said looking straight into her eyes.

"Yeah I do, but I don't know why you want me to do this." She paused for a second, "I mean what is this." She said holding the seemingly blank parchment.

"You'll know soon enough. Just do it when no one's around. Okay?" he asked.

"Yeah sure Harry." She said as Ron and Hermione descended from the staircases, as they made their way to the Great Hall. Ron spotted Harry and pushed Hermione in that direction.

"Great, don't forget to find my when you finished." Harry said.

"I won't. Bye." She responded.

"Bye, talk to you later." He said as she walked into the Great Hall. Soon after Ron and Hermione walked up.

"Morning" said Ron sounding a little sleepy.

"Morning" Harry answered back.

"Did you just give Ginny the map and key?" asked Hermione.

"Yeah I did. I think she'll pass." He said trying not to think about everything Hermione said earlier.

"Don't worry, she'll pass, she's a Weasley." Said Ron.

Hermione and Harry caught each other's eye and suppressed a laugh. Ron did catch it but continued to talk in a hushed voice as the reached the Great Hall.

"She'll make a great Marauder. I always thought that the twins were afraid to use her in their pranks because she could get them back. Ginny could be scary when she gets mad. It's really something I don't wish upon anyone. Not even Malfoy..."he paused for a second "...then again, maybe Malfoy."

Harry laughed as Hermione gave Ron a stern look. They took their usual seats and began to eat. After having a full breakfast the trio headed off towards the Defense Against the Dark Arts corridor for their first lesson of the term. Harry was the first to reach the door. Upon opening it he wondered what it would look like. Every year a new teacher entered and the room changed to suit them. Lockhart's room was covered in self portraits, Professor Lupin's had an assortment of dark creatures, the fake Mad Eye Moody's room was full of dark detectors, and Professor Umbridge's was plane and neat. Professor Mauser's rendition of the room was more like a combination of the four. He had a few paintings (but none where self portraits), a few empty cages, many dark magic detectors, and a vast array of neatly organized books.

Upon opening the door Harry saw Professor Mauser sitting at his desk looking a little nervous. He turned to the door as the three Gryffindors entered and said, "Please take a seat, quills and books away but have your wands at the ready. Today will be a practical lesson."

The three of them mumbled, "Yes Professor" and took their seats.

Harry whispered to Hermione, and Ron, "He's already better than Umbridge, we at least get to use our wands." They all laughed quietly.

Soon after the rest of the sixth year Gryffindors joined them. Professor Mauser stood and walked out from behind his desk. He still looked nervous but his confidence level was rising. He looked around the room before he spoke, eyeing each person as he went along.

"Today you will only need your wands and a happy thought. For the next few weeks we will be learning the Patronus Charm. Can anyone tell me anything about this charm?" He said.

Hermione's hand shot into the air as did Harry's. "Mr. Potter." He said.

Harry said, "The Patronus Charm is used to fend of Dementors and Lethnifolds. It is very advance magic. The form a patronus takes is specific to the witch or wizard who conjures it."

"Very good Mr. Potter, five points to Gryffindor..." Harry sat down looking rather pleased with himself, "...Now today we will just be learning the basics. First you will be learning how to cast the spell. Which is rather difficult to do, but the headmaster thinks it is necessary. The easiest way to cast a patronus is when you're not actually using it. This spell requires the caster to maintain a happy thought while conjuring the patronus. The better the memory the stronger the patronus. This can be very difficult when under attack by a dementor. Very few witches and wizards have actually managed to defend themselves against a dementor, even though they knew the patronus charm. Does anyone no why that is?" he asked.

Harry's hand shot up again followed by Hermione's. This time he called on her instead, "Mrs. Granger."

Hermione stood up as she answered him, "It would be difficult to cast a spell that requires a happy memory when dementors only let you see the bad memories."

"Very good Mr. Granger, you are certainly correct, five points to Gryffindor." He said, "...Now if you'd follow me, I think we need more room than this."

Mauser led the sixth years to the now empty Great Hall. "Right well, now we have enough room, does anyone know the incantation?"

Harry raised his hand as did a few others, "Mr. Longbottom"

Neville's voice was really faint and shaky but Professor Mauser heard him just fine, "Expecto Patronum."

"Very good Neville, five points to Gryffindor. Now the first thing you need to do is find a memory that you believe is that happiest in your life. Try to concentrate on that memory as you cast the spell. It might take a few different memories to get any results but we'll get there. Would anyone like to try?" He asked.

Harry raised his hand and Professor Mauser walked over to him. "Alright Mr. Potter, give it a shot."

Harry thought of just this summer when Dumbledore told him he would never have to go back to the Dursley's and yelled, "Expecto Patronum" a silver stag erupted from the tip of Harry's wand. The stag cantered around the room and turned back to Harry, gave him a small nod, and faded away. The room burst into applauded. Professor Mauser looked astonished.

"You produced a patronus on your first try? That's amazing." He said sounding a little short of breath.

Harry looked back at him and said, "Actually I've been able to produce a patronus since the middle of third year. Professor Lupin taught me the charm because I had a problem dealing with the dementors that year."

"I see..." he looked around the room, "...does anyone else know how to produce a patronus before I continue with this lesson?" A few people raised their hands, all of them had been in Harry's D.A. meetings. "Well, I guess I won't have that much trouble this year. Out of those who raised their hands who has actually used this charm against a dementor?"

Harry raised his hand as everyone else put theirs down. Professor Mauser turned back to Harry, "And when did you use this charm Mr. Potter?"

Harry paused a second before answering. He just noticed that everyone was staring at him and he thought it was a little unnerving. "I used it once in third year, and again last year when two dementors showed up at my home." He said.

"I see..." he said again as he paced back and forth in front of the sixth years, "...Well since you already know the charm I'll ask you to assist me in helping the others. That way you'll actually have something to do the next few weeks. Does that sound alright with you?"

"Yes sir, I wouldn't mind helping." Harry said.

The rest of the lesson passed without incidence Harry spent much of the time helping Neville with his charm, which was starting to take shape. Harry decided that he really liked Professor Mauser and by watching him teach, he was happy to have him as a teacher.

After class the trio ran to their next class, sensory training. They ran down to the dungeons where the class was held. The dark surroundings had the familiar feeling of Snape's classroom, which Harry didn't like. They opened the door and found it very dark. Harry looked around and didn't see anyone except Ron and Hermione so he conjured a small flame. The flame grew into a ball, which he held in his hands, illuminating the room. Harry could now see Professor Mitchell sitting at her desk looking at them. She stood and approached them with a sense grace. "How did you do did you do that Mr. Potter?" she asked.

"I...I'm an elemental Professor." He said quietly.

Even in the low light Harry could see her expression change from curiosity to astonishment. "Are you really?"

"Yes Professor."

"That's a rare gift, but I would ask you not to use it in my classroom. This is your first lesson. You were to find your seats without light. If you could please extinguish that..."She said pointing at the ball of fire Harry was holding, "...leave the room and enter it again, but this time do it without any light sources."

"Yes Professor" Harry said and all three of them turned around and left. They entered the classroom again, this time without light and managed to find their seats in total darkness. Harry thought it was an odd feeling to have to rely on his other senses. He ran his hands across the chairs in front of him. Slowly moving through the classroom so he didn't hit anything.

Shortly after the rest of the class joined them, each one coming in and stumbling over something. Harry didn't know who was in the class, but he was keeping count on how many people he heard walk in. After the last person came in Professor Mitchell walked to the front of the class and began the lesson in total darkness.

"Good morning class, as you know I'm Professor Mitchell, and this is Sensory Training. This class will help you function without some of your senses. For instance how many people are in this classroom?" she asked.

Harry raised his hand feeling odd, he thought that she couldn't see him but somehow she did. "Mr. Potter, do you have the answer?"

"I think so Professor, I heard twenty people come in besides me, Ron, and Hermione. That's twenty three students, and one Professor, so twenty four people in the class." He said sounding rather unsure of himself.

"Very good Mr. Potter. How did you come up with that answer?" she asked.

"I listened Professor." He responded with a slightly more confident tone.

"Very good, now does anyone have a question?" she asked.

Instantly Harry heard a ruffle of clothing and a change in the air as different hands shot up.

"Mrs. Granger, what's your question?" Asked Professor Mitchell.

Harry could hear Hermione speak next to him but couldn't see her at all, "I was wondering how you can tell when we raise our hands? I think I speak for most of us when we say we can't see anything."

"Very good question Mrs. Granger..." she said then paused for a moment trying to find the best wording, "...I can tell when you make the slightest movement just by listening. As each student walked into the room I caught a glimpse of their faces as the last bit of light faded from the hallway. Then I listened to where each person took their seat and made a mental note. This is easy to do when one person walks in at a time but if everyone walked in at once it would be much more difficult." She said.

Hermione just responded with, "Thank you Professor."

"Any other questions?" She asked kindly as a few more hands raised. "Mr. Malfoy."

"Yes, I was wondering how you learned all this." He said in his usually arrogant tone. Upon hearing Draco's voice Harry almost choked. He never thought Malfoy would take this class. The thought never occurred to him.

"Ah...I was wondering if that would come up." She said "I guess it started when I was born blind. My mother and father are both muggles, so they didn't know anything about the wizarding world, or their medical solutions. I lived the first eleven years of my life without sight. I learned how to function quiet normally without it. The week before my eleventh birthday I received my Hogwarts letter and with it the option to have my sight back. When I got to Hogwarts Madame Pomfrey repaired my sight. From that day on I've been able to see." She said.

Most of the lesson was spent answering questions but Professor Mitchell did have them do a few exercises before the class ended. She had them walk through the classroom without hitting anything. Which proved extremely difficult, but the trio were actually enjoying themselves.

As the lesson ended Harry, Ron, and Hermione stepped out of the dark room blinking repeatedly. Ron was the first to comment.

"Why is it so bright out here?" he asked.

"It's not bright, your eyes just haven't readjusted yet." Said Hermione.

Harry laughed to himself; Ron didn't find anything funny, "What's so funny Harry?"

"It's nothing really..." he chuckled "...I just thought I'd never hear the day when you thought the dungeons were bright."

"Oh...Ha...Ha..." Ron said sarcastically.

They all started to walk to the Great Hall, when Harry remembered something. "I'll meet you in a second," he said "I forgot my History of Magic text book."

"Harry how could you forget that?" Hermione asked.

"I can't remember anything Professor Binn's says anyway, why would you expect me to remember the book?" he asked lightly.

"Very funny Harry, just hurry up. I want to talk to you about your lesson." She said.

"Okay, I'll be back in a flash." He said as he ran towards the Gryffindor common room.

Harry reached the portrait and said, "D.A." He walked in to find Ginny sitting in a chair next to the fire, looking down at the map. Tears were slowly rolling down her face, "She looks so sad." Harry thought. Then she turned to see him there. Here sad expression faded and Harry could see her anger rise. She wasn't sad at all she was angry. She stood up and looked at Harry with her eyes full of hate.

"Why Harry?" she asked with an icy tone "Why did you give this to me." She said holding the map and key. "Did you think it would be funny, huh? To play a trick on little Ginny."

Harry didn't know what to say. All that would come out was, "Er..."

"What I didn't catch that Harry? I didn't hear your explanation. Could you repeat yourself?" she said with the same horrible tone.

Harry managed to form words this time, "I don't know what you mean."

"Oh you don't know what this is?" she said holding the map again.

"I do, but I don't know why you're so angry." He said timidly, not wanting to anger Ginny anymore, but he failed.

"You...you don't know why I'm angry?" She paused shaking with rage. "I'm angry because you gave me this." She said holding up the map. "Do you know what it said to me? Do you Harry Potter?" she said his name as if it was forbidden. As if it disgusted her just to hear it, let alone say it.

"I...I don't know what it said." He said getting a little scared. He'd never seen her like this. Never this mad before.

"It insulted me. Prongs called me worthless and Padfoot agreed. Than Moony said I wasn't fit to hold the parchment. Then to top it all off Wormtail said I was far too emotional to be considered. Did you hear that? Too emotional, me, how am I emotional?" she said. Harry wanted to tell her she was being a little emotional now but didn't. He knew that anything he said would come out wrong. Than she continued, "Who are Padfoot, Prongs, Moony, and Wormtail anyway? And what gives them the right to insult me?"

"I...I don't know." Harry lied.

"You know I never thought you of all people would do this to me. Fred and George; they would. Ron maybe, but you, I guess I was wrong about you Harry. I guess you're not my friend." She said with her voice still shaking.

"But..."

"NO, DON'T YOU DARE TALK TO ME." She yelled. Then she looked back at the parchment. "You wanted this back didn't you?" she asked.

"Er...yeah." He said very tentatively.

"Too bad" she replied as she threw the two items into the fire and walked away. Harry quickly ran to them and cooled the flames. He managed to save both the map and key before any harm was done to them. He looked back at Ginny who just slammed the door to her dormitory.

All Harry could think about as he walked down to the Great Hall was, "I hate it when Hermione is right, and she's always right."

He strolled into the Great Hall and took a seat next to Ron, who instantly noticed something wrong, and that's saying a lot. "Hey what's up mate? You look awful."

"Thanks Ron, I love hearing that." Harry said sarcastically.

Now Hermione took notice. "What's wrong Harry?"

"Ginny." He replied simply.

"What about her," Ron asked defensively.

"The map rejected her." He said.

"Are you sure?" Ron asked.

"Oh, I'm positive. She tried to burn it. If I didn't save it we would have lost something very important."

"Was she mad?" Ron asked.

"Scariest thing I've ever seen..."Harry responded, "...and I've seen Voldemort."

Ron tried to give him a sympathetic look but wasn't very good at it, and said, "Yeah she can be that way."

"That's all you can say? "She can be that way." She's mental. She almost bit my head off." Harry said with his voice raising a bit.

"Yeah she's got a temper that one. She won't forgive you any time soon either." Ron said.

"Just great, now I have to worry about, Snape, Malfoy, Voldemort, and Ginny. That is a scary thing to think about." He said lightly.

Ron just laughed, but Hermione had some comforting words, "Don't worry about it Harry, she'll get over it eventually."

"Yeah the, eventually, is what I'm worried about." Harry said.

The rest of their lunch passed without any more yelling or fighting. They talked about Harry's first meeting and what he should do. Harry listened to all their ideas and liked a lot of them but he still wasn't sure what to do for the first meeting. He wanted it to be memorable, fun, and most importantly informative.

The day passed quickly for Harry, well except for History of Magic, which seems to defy the laws of physics.

When Ron and Hermione entered the Great Hall they found Harry sitting by himself moving the food around on his plate. He didn't look very happy; actually he looked like a nervous wreck. His hair was standing on end even more than normal and he looked a little pale.

"Are you alright Harry?" Ron asked.

"Oh yeah I'm just fine. I always feel really good when I'm about to teach fifty people something. Yeah that's always fun." Harry said rather sarcastically.

"I was only trying to help." Ron countered sounding a little angry.

Harry calmed himself and looked back at his friend, "Sorry, just feeling the pressure you know?"

"No I don't, but I'll pretend I do." Said Ron, which got a small chuckle out of Harry.

"Have you figured out what you're going to do the first meeting?" Hermione asked.

"Yeah I have. I thought we'd do a little dueling." Harry said.

"Brilliant" Ron added.

"That could work Harry you would be able to assess everyone that duels and talk to everyone during breaks. Are you going to be dueling?" she asked.

"I thought about that and I think it would be better if I didn't this go around." He said.

What? Come on Harry, you could show us what you can really do. I've never actually seen you use the staff." Said Ron enthusiastically.

"That wouldn't be fair."

"Who cares" Ron said.

"You would if you were up against Harry." Hermione said.

"I guess you're right, but it would be cool though." Ron said.

"I think dueling would be the best option, the only thing I'm worried about is people that don't want to duel." Harry said.

"Don't worry about that Harry. I can help if you want."

Harry felt as if the world had just been lifted off his shoulders. He felt so happy to have Hermione as a friend. "Thanks Hermione that would be great. I know I can't do this alone."

"No problem Harry what kind of friend would I be if I didn't help?" she asked.

The rest of dinner went the same way. Harry would think of a problem and Hermione would fix it. Harry didn't eat much, and figured it would be good to get to the classroom early. He stood from the table and walked towards the defense corridor. He reached the large oak doors without even realizing there had been a time difference. He opened the doors and stepped inside. He lit the fire and torches, and then sat down.

Harry started to worry again and started to pace. He kept checking the watch as the seconds slowly ticked by. At six thirty Ron and Hermione arrived.

They both walked into the room, looking around in awe. They had never seen the room before now. After a few seconds thy both regained their composer, and looked at a very nervous Harry.

"Are you okay?" Ron asked.

Harry looked up at Ron read to scream, yell, how nervous he was, but he took a deep breath and said, "Yeah mate, I'll be alright."

Moments later the other students started to march in. First came the old D.A. members. Soon followed by a mass of Gryffindors. Harry started to get nervous as they all grabbed chairs at various tables. The crowd grew as Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw joined in. Harry walked to the front watching as the students walked in. They all settled down as the clock struck seven.

Harry began to speak when the Slytherins walked in. Malfoy in the lead followed by most of the fifth, sixth, and seventh years. "Sorry we're late but we weren't sure if this was worth our time." Malfoy said.

Harry decided to do his best to ignore him and start the club meeting. "Welcome to the first Defense Against the Dark Arts Club meeting. If you don't know me, My name is Harry Potter..." Malfoy coughed and the Slytherins near him laughed. "...Dumbledore has asked me to start this club to help those, who are struggling in the Defense Against the Dark Arts Class, or for those who just wish to learn more. Today I thought we'd just have a few dueling matches. This will be completely voluntary. I will be watching..." but Malfoy interrupted.

"Watching? You mean you aren't going to duel?"

"That's right, I would like to know the strengths and weaknesses of those who duel. So if you would like to participate please come to the front and we'll get you paired off. For those who don't wish to..."

"Who's going to test your strengths Potter? If you have any." Said Malfoy. "How are we supposed to know that you're any good at dueling? I wouldn't want to be taught by someone I would destroy in a duel."

Harry paused for a moment, "Malfoy please hold your questions till after I'm through. Now as I was saying for those who don't wish to duel Hermione Granger will be able to help you. She is very..."

"Are you scared Potter? Scared that I might beat you in front of all your admirers?

Hermione spoke before Harry could, "Malfoy, Harry doesn't need to prove himself to someone like you."

"Is that so mudblood? I think he can speak for himself, can't you Potter?"

"You don't want to duel with me Malfoy. It would be something you'd thoroughly regret." Harry said as his anger rose.

"Is that so? That confident are you?"

"Yes" Harry said simply.

Harry saw Snape stand in the back of the room. He didn't notice him before. Snape took a few steps forward to make his presence known and said, "If you're so confident in your skills, then why not make it a challenge. I think Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle versus you Mr. Potter. Even that is a contest worth your ego."

Knowing that Malfoy was never going to back down and that Snape wasn't going to help him, Harry agreed. "I'll duel with you, but on one condition. When I win, you, Malfoy will never use the word Mudblood to anyone in this school again. Do I have your word?"

"You have my word, but you'll never beat us." Said Malfoy.

Harry walked towards the dueling platforms, and everyone followed. Before he reached the platform he turned to Ron, "Have you seen Madame Pomfey?"

"Yeah she was sitting at the back table, why?"

"I think three Slytherins may need medical attention soon. Please inform her."

Ron laughed and ran off to the other side of the room. Harry stepped onto the platform to face the three Slytherins. He looked around at all the anxious students. He noticed that they were too close if he used his staff. "Could everyone please move back? I wouldn't want any injuries." Harry said.

"That's more than I can say Potter. You ruined my father's life, and you'll pay for that. I intend to injure you." Malfoy said.

Harry looked over at Snape who caught his eye and shot back an evil grin. Harry motioned for him to come closer. Snape gave a scolding look but complied. He moved his way through the crowd, and looked up at Harry.

"What is it? Thinking of backing out Potter?" he spat.

Harry just looked back at him for a second before responding, "Why did you start this? You of all people should know I could disarm the entire student body with one wave of my staff. I don't want to hurt them," he said pointing at his opponents.

Snape's smug disappeared, "You're not allowed to use your staff." He said simply.

"What do you mean I'm not allowed to? Dumbledore never told me to keep this a secret. I have decided to and I will decide to whom I reveal it. I really didn't want anyone to know about this, but you left me no choice. Did you?" Harry said.

The little color that Snape's face contained faded. He had no idea Dumbledore would allow Harry to reveal what powers he had. Yet that didn't bother him. "Because Harry hadn't told everyone the second he arrived at platform 9 3/4 proves he's not like his father. James would not only have told everyone, he probably would have had the Daily Prophet do an article on him. And even now, Harry is only going to use it to defend himself. He's going to show most of the student body what he really is because of me." Snape thought to himself.

"That wouldn't be a fair match Potter." He finally managed to say.

"And three on one is? Sir." Harry countered.

Before Snape could get another word in Malfoy began to speak. "How long are you going to stall Potter?"

As the words left his mouth Harry saw Madame Pomfrey walk up to the dueling platform.

"I'm ready Malfoy." Harry said.

"Good..." He said before he leapt forwards and yelled, "Diffindo" a small sliver of light shot from the tip of Malfoy's wand. It hit Harry's left cheek, slicing through, leaving a long shallow cut. Luckily Harry saw it just in time, moving slightly to the right so the damage wasn't too sever. The Slytherin's cheered as everyone else cried, "CHEAT."

Harry raised his wand as Crabbe, and Goyle yelled, "Serpansortia." Two very angry King Cobras shot from the tip of their wands and landed at Harry's feet. He kindly asked them to wait by the fire in Parseltongue. The snakes were more than happy to comply, parting the students as they went.

"You idiots, he's a Parselmouth." Malfoy yelled; they gave him a blank stare. "He can speak to snakes." He said in a patronizing tone.

They both replied, "Oh" and turned back to Harry, who cried, "Impedimentum" The spell struck Goyle who seemed to freeze.

Malfoy quickly reversed the spell and turned back to Harry. He muttered a spell that no one heard. A bright green light shot from the tip of his wand and sped towards Harry who quickly dodged it. The spell struck the wall behind Harry denting the castle.

Harry looked back at the wall trying not to think about what would have happened to him if he didn't dodge the spell.

Malfoy sent another spell towards Harry who dodged it easily. Malfoy was getting angry, "Why don't you fight back? You'll never beat us the way you're going."

Harry didn't respond he was carefully watching the Slytherins, looking for a chance to strike. Harry was determined to do everything in his power to avoid using his staff, but he wasn't going to lose.

Crabbe and Goyle sent two disarming charms at Harry who yelled, "Protego" the shielding charm. Both spells struck Harry's shield and were sent hurtling off at odd angles.

Malfoy was getting angrier as the duel went on. He wanted Harry to pay. He started to use more and more painful spells that Harry kept deflecting. The duel was turning out to be a losing battle for Harry. Every time he was able to hex or curse on of them the others would reverse the spell. Harry thought about using his elemental powers to shake them up, but he didn't want anyone to know about that. Harry knew that using his staff would give away something but most people wouldn't know that elementals carry a staff.

As Harry concentrated on hexing Goyle; Malfoy yelled, "Adflictatio." A bright red ball began to form as Malfoy said the incantation. As he finished saying the curse it shot from the tip of his wand speeding towards Harry. He put up his shield but the curse was too strong. It passed through hitting Harry square in the chest. Harry dropped to his knees in agony. The curse caused immense pain, but nowhere near as painful as the Cruciatus Curse.

The three Slytherins took advantage of Harry's momentary break of concentration and yelled, "Expelliarmus." The three spells rocketed down the platform as Harry began to stand. He managed to avoid one of them but the two others struck him in the chest. He flew backwards as his wand clattered to the floor.

Malfoy cheered as the spells struck the lone Gryffindor, as did the rest of the Slytherin student body. He was laughing as he saw Harry begin to stand. Then his smile faded as Harry stood and faced Malfoy, looking him straight into his grey eyes.

"Your wand is gone, you lost Potter. Face it." He said feeling rather happy.

"No Malfoy, this match has just begun." Harry unsheathed his staff.

"What is that?" Malfoy asked.

"This is what I've been holding back." Harry said placing the Phoenix Staff at his side. "I really didn't want to use this Malfoy but you left me no choice. You will not defeat me, even with two extra duelers." Harry said as his anger grew.

Malfoy must have thought Harry was bluffing, he sent three very well placed curses at Harry in quick succession. Harry lifted the staff and said, "Protego." An emerald green shield went up just before Malfoy curses reached Harry. All three were absorbed into the shield. Harry looked over at Malfoy and said, "Do you give up?"

"Never." He said as he, Crabbe, and Goyle shot curse after curse at the impenetrable shield. Harry waited for the right moment lifted the staff and yelled, "Impedimentum." The curse rocketed down the platform and struck the three Slytherins. All of them seemed to be frozen. Harry thought that this would be the best way to disarm them. Freeze them, then physically remove their wands but as he walked towards them something happened he didn't expect. One of the Slytherins in the crowd hit them with the counter curse.

Harry was barley ten meters from them as they seemed to awaken. Harry had no choice as they pointed their wands towards him. He had to defend himself. Harry stopped and yelled, "Expelliarmus." The spell shot from the tip of his staff. Getting larger as it sped towards the Slytherins. The students a platform away could feel the spells power. It seemed to heat the room as it passed. The spell struck the three opposing duelers, lifting them off the ground. They were sent hurtling towards the adjacent wall. As the three bodies hit, it shook the very foundation of the castle. The tables and chairs rattled, the students swayed, and a layer of dust fell from the ceiling.

Harry quickly cast a cushioning charm below them. As they landed on the now soft ground Madam Pomfrey ran over to them. She checked their pulse, eyes, and looked them over for any broken bones.

Harry stepped over her as she did all this and asked, "Will they be alright?"

"They will be, though they'll have a nasty headache for the next few days." She said as she conjured stretchers. Then she looked over at Harry and with a wave of her wand his face was healed. She levitated the stretchers and moved them towards the infirmary.

Harry turned back to the club members with rage. He walked through the crowd, which parted as he walked. He strolled straight towards the Slytherins and said, "Who reversed the spell?"

No one answered.

Professor Snape walked up behind Harry and stared down his fellow Slytherins. "Tell him," was all he needed to say as Pansy Parkinson stepped forward.

"I did." She spat.

"Than what happened to them is your doing. I didn't want to hurt them, but you made me. This is your fault." Harry said.

Snape stepped forward and said, "Detention Mrs. Parkinson, tomorrow, after dinner."

"Yes Professor." She said as she turned to leave the room.

"One more thing..."Harry said, "...you're no longer allowed in this club. If you would, please tell Malfoy, Crabbe, and Goyle that they may still attend."

She left the room and ran towards the hospital wing.

For a few seconds the room sat in total silence. It seemed as if no one breathed, until Ron spoke. "That was bloody brilliant, I've never seen anything like it."

Ron seemed to break the tension and everyone started to ask Harry questions, but before it got out of hand, he took control of the meeting.

"I'd like to get back to what I was saying before Malfoy interrupted. I thought it would be fun to have a few dueling matches. Like I tried to say before I will not be dueling." Everyone laughed at this. "For those who do not wish to duel or watch, please see Hermione. Everyone that wishes to duel come to the front and I'll pair you off. Any questions?" No one raised their hands so Harry continued" Good so lets get started."

An hour and a half later Harry called the meeting to a close and the trio were walking back to the Gryffindor Tower. "That was a great first meeting Harry." Said Hermione.

"Yeah not bad mate. I still can't believe how far you threw Malfoy." Ron laughed.

"It's not funny Ron, I could have seriously hurt them." Harry said.

"Who cares? It's not like he's every cared about you. Why should you do the same?

"I didn't want to hurt anyone, and I did." Harry said sounding a little sad.

After a few minute Hermione decided to break the silence, "So how's the Occlumency training going?" She asked.

"It's going okay. I've learned a few things that should help me block Snape, but I'll never know until I use it against him." He said.

"Well that's a good start. Did the book help at all?" she asked as the reached the portrait hole.

"Yeah it did actually. I've learned more from that book then I ever had from Snape. I just hope that it works the way it says it should."

"Me too..." said Ron, "...I would hate it if Snape knew everything about us."

"That would definitely put a damper on things." Commented Hermione.

"Yes it would." Harry said.

"Well I'm off to bed, it's been a long day and I need my beauty rest." Ron said as Harry and Hermione laughed.

Harry walked with Ron to the boy's dormitory, feeling happier than he did for a while. He knew that Malfoy wouldn't challenge him in the meetings anymore, and he knew that no one else would either. He climbed into bed and fell into a dreamless sleep.