Chapter 5: The Challenge

A/N: Sorry for the VERY long wait. I haven't had time to re-read this chapter so I don't know how good it is. There are probably many errors, but if I want to keep this story going I won't have tome to proofread ect. Just try to pay attention to the story no the spelling ect. Read and Review.

Harry was transported back to the graveyard outside of the Riddle House, and was surrounded by death eaters. There was a single death eater kneeling before him, and after a moment of silence a voice that was not his own escaped his lips, "Your father has served me well, with the exception of a few recent failures. Due to these recent failures, I have decided that you will have the honor of becoming my apprentice in your father's stead. And as a example of how generous I can be I will bestow upon you the gift of power."

The death eater at his feet leaned forward and kissed his robes saying reverently, "Thank you master, you are most generous."

Harry then turned and with a wave of his wand a cauldron with a pitch black bubbling liquid was exposed. "Come my apprentice drink. Drink and you will know a power that you have never dreamed of. You will have the honor of partaking in the first transformation that your lord experienced."

The death eater stood and walked forward. Harry dipped a beaker into the potion and handed it to the death eater. "Drink and when the time comes you will stand at my right hand." The death eater tipped the glass and poured the vile concoction down his throat. A few seconds of silence ticked by, until the death eater let loose an unearthly scream and fell to the ground, his hood falling off of his head to reveal a crop of platinum blond hair.

Harry sat up sharply in his bed, "Malfoy!"

Ron in the bed next to him jumped up and started swinging his wand around wildly, "WHAT, where is he?".

"Ron, calm down it was just a dream, but I have to go talk to Dumbledore."

"But if it was just a dream-"

"No Ron it was a vision, I have to see him now, I'll tell you what has happened in the morning."

"Alright Harry, are you sure your all right?"

"Yes Ron, I'm fine now go back to sleep." As Ron crawled back into bed Harry threw on some robes, grabbed his invisibility cloak, and descended down the stairs into the common room.

He crept slowly through the common room, and out of the portrait hole. He met little resistance as he walked through the halls with the exception of Filtch's cat. When Harry reached the stone gargoyle guarding the headmaster's office he whispered the password that Dumbledore had given him earlier in the summer. The gargoyle moved aside and allowed Harry to mount the rotating stairs that would take him to Dumbledore's office. As he neared the top of the stairs Dumbledore invited him in. "How does he know I'm here?" Harry wondered to himself.

"Hello Harry, I trust that you are feeling better from your encounter with the death eaters?"

"Yes, I'm fine but that's not what I need to talk to you about. I had another vision."

A pensive look crossed Dumbledore's face, "I thought we had resolved that little problem."

"I did, except I forgot to clear my mind, and I know he wasn't planting something inside my head."

"How's that?" asked Dumbledore.

"I don't know I just know." Harry replied somewhat exasperatedly.

"Well what was it that you saw?"

"I was in a meeting surrounded by deatheaters, and Voldermort gave a potion to one of his deatheaters. He said it was the first transformation he himself had undergone and that this deatheater was his new apprentice. Towards the end of the vision I saw who this person was, it was Malfoy."

"We already knew that Lucius, was Voldermort's right hand man-"

"No not him, it was Draco."

Dumbledore's eyes widened in surprise and he took out his wand and sent the same silvery substance he had used in fourth year out of his door. A few moments later Snape's appeared in the fireplace. "Yes headmaster, you called."

"Harry has just had another vision could you please come in."

Snape steeped through the fireplace and into the room, "You see I told you that he was far too stupid to learn Occulmency properly."

"Well you know they say that the student is a reflection upon the teacher Professor Snape." Harry put an emphasis on the word Professor.

Just as Snape was about to retort Dumbledore cut in, "Enough!" Snape quieted and settled on sending a look that could kill towards Harry.

"Now, Harry tell Snape what you saw?" Asked Dumbledore peering over his glasses.

Harry took a deep breath and began, "I saw a deatheater meeting, one of the deatheaters underwent a dark transformation. That deatheater was Draco Malfoy-"

"Impossible, I told him to stay neutral. Headmaster, this is ridiculous I will not stand for this."

Dumbledore raised his hand and quieted Snape, "Harry did you actually see his face?"

"No sir I didn't, but everything I saw and heard points to him. I would know his greasy hair anywhere."

Dumbledore sat in silence for a moment contemplating, "Harry, I'm sorry but we cannot do anything without proof-"

"But Headmaster I saw him I-" Harry protested.

"Harry calm yourself. He will be watched closely, for now I that is all I can do."

"I understand headmaster." Realizing that the conversation was over Harry got up and left the room, but not before he overheard Snape speaking to Dumbledore. "My cover is blown, if I wasn't called than he knows…" Snape's voice trailed off as Harry descended the winding stairs back to the main hallway.

Harry walked back to the common room and whispered the password needed to enter. After a few minuets of scolding from the Fat Lady for being out after hours, he was allowed entry. As he tip toed through the common room he heard a voice call out to him, "Harry is that you?"

Harry jumped and whipped his head around looking for the source of the voice, "Oh god Ginny you scared me. What are you doing down here?"

"Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you, I just came down here because I was having nightmares and couldn't sleep. Ever since 1st year I have been having these nightmares about the chamber."

"Well Tom does seem to have that effect on people." There was a moment of uncomfortable silence before Harry piped up, "So would you want me to keep you company?"

"I couldn't impose-… well actually could you I am kind-of scared."

"Sure I'd love too." Harry sat down next to her on the couch and they started to talk about everything from Voldermort to quiditch. They talked late into the night, until they both finally fell asleep.

The following morning Harry awoke to see Hermione hovering over him. "What are you doing up here?" he asked groggily.

Grinning Hermione replied, "The real question is what are you doing down here? You better get up before Ron comes down and sees you."

Harry looked around bewildered until he felt a body stirring next to him and the memories of the following night came flooding back to him. He jumped off of the couch effectively tossing Ginny to the floor, and he virtually flew up the stairs to the boys dormitories. He quickly got dressed in his school attire, and left the dormitories with Ron. As they approached the common room, they were greeted with the site of a giggling Ginny and Hermione who were speaking softly under their breaths.

"Well what's so funny?" asked Ron.

Hermione who could barely contain her laughter replied, "Oh, nothing, just some girl talk."

Ron shrugged it off and said her was going off to breakfast, muttering about how all girls were complete nutters. Hermione then followed him leaving Harry alone with Ginny. She walked up to him and said flirtatiously, "Mmm alone at last…" Harry froze, and attempted to stutter out a response before Ginny could continue, but was interrupted by her laugh. "Calm down Harry I was just kidding. To think you are the one who has faced Voldermort all of those times."

Harry was shocked, "You said the name."

"Yes I did we all have been, I figured if we were going to have to fight him than we should at least be able to say his name."

"That's a good philosophy. To breakfast then." After a prompting look from Ginny they joined arms and walked down to the great hall chatting amicably. When they reached the great hall they both got a few strange looks from some of the Gryffindors. Harry couldn't understand why until he realized that their arms were locked together, but he decided that he didn't care and continued toward the table. The meal that was served soon after they sat down was just as magnificent as ever, and Ron got into an argument with Hermione about house elves.

Harry leaned over to Ginny and whispered in her ear, "You think he would have learned by now never to mention house elves in front of her. They act like a married couple." Ginny laughed and made a rather rude remark about how they might become one.

The rest of the meal was rather un-eventful, that is to say until the end when Dumbledore called for everyone's attention, "I would like to make an announcement. Due to the dark and trying times that we live in, I and the rest of the staff fell that it is necessary for you students to learn how to defend yourselves. And what better way to do that than with a dueling tournament." At these last two words the hall broke out into whispers. Dumbledore waited for them to die down then continued, "Each house will have a small tournament within it's self to decide it's champion and their second. Those who do not become champion will be involved in a series of inter house exhibition matches before the champions do battle. The rules will be explained today in you Defense Against the Dark Arts classes in years 3 and up. Thank you."

The hall burst into a babble of exited discussion, but Harry's face was grim, "Hermione get you coin, set a DA meeting for after classes today. I don't like the idea of students fighting junior deatheaters un-prepared. At the meeting I will have an announcement to make, for now I need to go to the library." Harry left the great hall without another word, but he didn't go to the library. He knew that it would come down to him and a now much more powerful Draco, he wanted to be ready. He went straight to his dormitory where he retrieved his mother's book and began to read the chapter on transformations. It turned out that that the transformation that Malfoy underwent was very powerful, and had very little side effects, other than something akin to 'roid rage' that he had heard Dudley talking about. This would make Malfoy a very dangerous opponent. Harry could only hope that Malfoy would go to far and use an illegal curse, so he could take him out without being brought up on charges. For the rest of the day he was immersed in his mothers book learning about and practicing borderline illegal curses.

Before he knew it Ron had walked up the stairs of the Dormitory and was speaking, "Where were you in class today mate? You missed the info about the tournament in defense."

"I was getting ready for tonight's DA meeting. What did you find out about the tournament?"

Ron took a seat on one of the beds, "Well the championship duel will be held right before the Halloween dance," At this Harry's head snapped up, "Yeah Lupin said there was going to be one. Anyway the rules for that duel are simple; fight until your opponent either concedes or is incapacitated, no illegal curses are to be used. All other duels will take place in the weeks prior to the championship, starting tomorrow. The rules in those fights are that you fight until you get your opponents wand or they are otherwise incapacitated."

"That's good. Why don't we head over to the DA meeting." Harry and Ron left their dormitories Harry reached into his pocket, held his coin, and concentrated for a moment. All of the DA members felt their coins burn in their pockets and discreetly made their respective ways to the room of requirement. After everyone was assembled Harry took his place in front of the crowd of students and began to speak, "I am sure that you have all heard about the dueling tournament that is coming up. I have good information that more than one of your opponents will be deatheaters. One of them is even Voldermort's apprentice" Harry noted that only a few people in the room flinched at his name. "I won't lie to you they are all very dangerous wizards and they WILL fight dirty. War is coming and I want you all to be prepared. This is an opportunity for you to do so. Over the summer I and a few close friends of mine have undergone auror class training, and I wish to pass this knowledge down to you. The time to choose sides is now, you are either with us or against us. This is OUR war, OUR fight, and we will be ready. If you are want to learn to fight return here tomorrow, at the same time. We will begin then." Before anyone could say a word Harry left the room, which after his speech was now in turmoil, and went back to his dormitory.

The next few weeks were quite eventful, for the trio and the newly re-formed DA. Every single member with the exception of Smith attended the next DA meeting, but after getting jumped by a few Slytherins he decided to go. Every day they had been working on dueling and combat skills, Harry had even begun to consider teaching them how to fence. It was clear that the DA members were making progress because they were winning all of their tournament matches. Soon there were only two contestants left un-beaten in Gryffindor house, naturally Harry, and surprisingly Neville. Apparently he had been practicing over the summer with Professor Flitwik. During Harry's and Neville's duel Harry was able to dispatch Neville rather quickly. While this was expected it confirmed that he could not let any of his friends fight Malfoy for any reason, it was his fight and he would let no one else get hurt.

The tournament was only a week away and another problem had arisen, Harry and Ron both needed dates. When Ron pointed this out Harry was surprised, he had been working so hard for the tournament that he didn't notice almost all of the students pairing off into couples. For the second time they needed dates, and fast. Well at least Harry did, Ron had gained much confidence since he started seeing Hermione and boldly asked her at breakfast in the great hall in front of everyone. Harry on the other hand knew who he wanted to ask, but couldn't work up the nerve to do it.

The day be fore the Halloween, an angry Ginny approached him in the hall an poked him in the chest with her finger, "Well then do you have something to ask me, it's been weeks?"

Harry, knew what she wanted, the same thing that he did, and he stuttered out a response, "Um.. would you mind very much if you could er… come to the ball with me?"

She smiled, "Now that wasn't so hard now was it?"

He sighed, "No I guess it wasn't."

The rest of the day was rather un-eventful, except for some taunts from Malfoy. As the hours ticked slowly by Harry began to get nervous, what if something went wrong during the duel? What if a bystander got hurt?. With these thoughts Harry settled in for a uneasy nights sleep, fortunately Voldermort did not interrupt his dreams tonight.

It was morning the day of the tournament, and everyone was excited. Their conversations were interrupted as Dumbledore stood and called for their attention, "Students, today before the entire school the two dueling champions will do battle right here in great hall. Those dueling will be Draco Malfoy and his second, Theodore Nott, form Slytherin House." The entire Slytherin table burst into cheers. "They will be dueling Harry Potter and his second Nevile Longbottom." The remaining three tables burst into applause. "Professor Flitwik and I will be setting up a professional class dueling arena, none will be allowed to leave this area until the conditions set by the combatants that I have already outline for them are met. Now all of you go to your classes, Champions, go prepare yourselves."

Harry and Nevile exited the great hall and made their way back to Gryffindor tower. Harry told Nevile to wait in the common room while he went up to the dormitories to get something. He returned carrying two sets of battle robes with built in auror class wand holsters.

Nevile's eyes widened, "Where did you get those Harry, those are really expensive?"

Harry smiled, "Well I inherited mine from my godfather, and yours… Well yours I had to have Dumbledore pull some strings for me, but I was able to get this removed from the Ministry evidence locker, I present to you Frank Longbottoms, official Ministry issue auror robes."

Neville grasped the robes closely, and whispered softly, "I'll make you proud dad."

He and Harry put on their robes, and began to discuss the fast approaching duel, "Neville, Malfoy I very dangerous, I don't want you to fight him. I am confident you can take Nott, but If I fall against Draco I want you to concede."

"But-"

"No, I don't care you will concede, you are a good fighter but Malfoy is Voldermort's apprentice, and has undergone a dark transformation, only four people in this school can defeat him, Me, Dumbledore, Snape, and Flitwik. I plan on being the one to do it."

"Alright Harry, I won't fight him."

Before they knew it, it was time and they walked down to great hall. They were greeted by an amazing sight, the tables were pushed to the walls just like they were during second year for the dueling club. Instead of a small dueling strip there was large circles with the diameter of half soccer field, surrounding it were stands full of students. Malfoy was already standing in the center wearing dark green expensive looking dueling robes. Harry walked to the center and Neville went to stand opposite Nott on the outskirts of the dueling arena.

Dumbledore stood, "The contestants will now set the terms."

Harry and Draco stood face to face just inches apart, their eyes burning with hatred. Harry spoke first, "No illegal curses, until concession or incapacitation."

"Nothing illegal, you scared Potter?" Draco sneered

"You wish, what you want to up the ante?"

"All curses then?"

"I don't think so Malfoy, you want to up the ante, we're going all the way, anything goes.

"Alright then."

They took a few paces back and bowed, sealing the magical contract they had just signed. Professor McGonnigal was shocked at the terms they had set and attempted to enter the arena, but was pushed back. She turned to Dumbledore in confusion.

"The terms have been set, none can enter until they are fulfilled. It is a wizards duel, it must be completed. Begin!"

Both Draco and Harry assumed their respective dueling stances and began to fire curses.

A/N: Next chapter should be up in about a week.