Chapter two

As soon as Harry found Ron and Hermione he told them about the Duel.

'I bet he won't show up, just like in our first year!' Ron immediately said.

'Ron, that was ages ago,' Hermione said and turned to Harry: 'I bet he's not as scared of you now. Do you want us to come with you?'

'No,' Harry replied. 'It's just gonna be him and me. And I'll beat the crap out of him!'

The day seemed to pass by really slowly, and as Harry finally got out of bed at midnight he actually started feeling a bit nervous. What if Malfoy beat him? He'd surely hear about that for ages; Malfoy would tease him about it as soon as he got the chance, Harry was sure of it.

Cheer up, he thought. You'll win this. You've got your wand so there should be no problems.

As he quietly dressed himself, Ron woke up.

'You're leaving now?' he asked him, heavy with sleep.

'Yeah,' Harry whispered.

'You sure I shouldn't go with you?' Ron said. 'What if –'

'I'm okay. Go back to sleep.'

'Good luck then.' And Harry could hear Ron snoring as he walked out of the dormitory, heading towards the Forest.

As he came closer to the Forest, he felt scared. Not because of Malfoy, but the dangerous beasts that hid in the dark shadows of the Forest. He didn't go inside it, just waited close to Hagrid's cottage. Just in case ...

And then, all of a sudden, somebody put a hand on Harry's shoulder. Harry jumped in the air and turned around quickly. At the sight of Malfoy he breathed with relief.

'Jeez, Malfoy! You scared the hell out of me!' he said angrily.

'I'm glad,' Malfoy sneered. 'Now, shall we start?'

He and Harry positioned and got their wands out. They bowed and Draco was the first to cast a spell.

'Rictusempra!' he screamed. Harry fell to the ground and felt invisible hands tickling him all over his body. He laughed till it vanished. Then he quickly stood up and yelled:

'Expelliarmus!' Perhaps not a charm you'd use to hurt, but it worked; Draco's wand fell to the ground and Harry, with his good reflexes, ran to the spot and picked it up.

He backed a bit and said, panting: 'See now? I've got your wand. You can't use any spells on me. How's that?'

But Draco just walked towards him and said quietly: 'Give me my wand, Potter.'

'Yeah, like I'd do such a stupid thing!' For a moment they just glared at each other and then Draco finally said:

'Fine. Don't give it to me.' And he just walked away, leaving Harry there, his mouth open in surprise.

'Wait!' he called. Draco turned around. 'Here! Come and get your bloody wand, what use do I have for it anyway!' Without saying anything, Draco walked back and fetched his wand. And before Harry could even say "potato", Draco cast a spell on him. Harry fell to the ground, unable to move.

Draco turned him so that his belly faced the ground, and then held up Harry's arms behind his back. 'You stupid idiot,' he hissed in his ear. 'You shouldn't have given it to me. I'm after all a Slytherin, not a credulous and naive Gryffindor.' And then he rose to his feet. 'I won.' He smirked. 'What a surprise.' And then he walked away, leaving Harry on the ground.