Chapter six: Dueling with Severus

Four weeks had passed since Harry's birthday and Ron still refused to say what he was doing with Luna every night. Harry wasn't sure that he wanted to know but the thought of Ron keeping a secret from him made him mad. The weeks that had followed this incident were devoted to cleaning the house thoroughly and Harry had no problem with it. He wasn't bored all day like at Privet Drive and he was with his friends. That was good enough for him. On that day in particular, you would find Harry sweeping the top story of the house and Hermione sweeping the bottom. Ron was washing the walls with Ginny and Luna was at her Dad's funeral. Harry had offered to go but she said that they should keep cleaning so that they would be done by summer's end because this was the last day of vacation. Harry reluctantly agreed and they kept with their regular duties around the house. He had to restrain himself once again from thrashing Kreacher with the broomstick and his temper was tested even more when he realized that he'd been sweeping with his Firebolt. Harry was relieved when it was lunch because Mrs. Weasleys cooking always made him feel better. Mrs. Weasley had just gotten back from doing the Diagon Alley shopping.

Dinner that night was an intense affair. Why? Well, I can sum it up in about one word; Snape. When Harry was eating his delicious dinner of Ham, potatoes, corn, and peas Severus Snape walked in looking very much shaken.

"What's wrong Severus," Mrs. Weasley asked.

"What's wrong? What's wrong? I'll tell you; it's that god damn Sirius Black!" Harry tensed. This wasn't school; he could speak his mind now. "Why did he have to go to the department of mysteries that night? If he hadn't the whole wizarding world wouldn't be in an inquiry about his innocence.

"And that's a problem, why? Harry said.

"Because Potter, now everyone is to busy with this, they wont be on alert for the Dark Lord."

"First of all Snape, if Sirius hadn't come Dolohov would have gotten the prophecy for Voldemort. Second, are you a Deatheater because only Deatheaters call him the Dark Lord? What? Afraid to say your old master's name? Or are you afraid because he still is your master?" Harry knew that this idea was ludicrous, but the look on Snape's face was worth it.

"Potter, if you didn't go to the department of mysteries none of this would have happened."

"If you would have given me occlumency lessons I would have been able to shut it out."

"Potter, they way you're talking, I would think that you want a duel."

"No Snape, I don't think it would be a good idea to make my teacher cry."

"What is it Potter? Scared?"

"Oh, yes I'm shaking."

"Now boys— Mrs. Weasley started.

"No Molly I'm going to teach our young Potter a lesson. Now how about a little wager Potter? When I win, you must say in front of the whole school that your father was a no good piss ant."

"Kinda like you?" Snape's lip curled. "Okay and if I win you have to show the tape of it to the whole school. Ron record it with your wand. Hey wait a minute, what about the age limit?"

"You can't plot this place, Potter, so they can't detect magic here either." Harry nodded. "All right Potter we have a deal." They shook hands; each seeing how tight they could do it. "No unforgivables"

"Naturally," said Harry. What am I thinking he said to himself, taking on a fully grown wizard who just happens to be a professor and hates my guts? Because I hate his he answered. They bowed, not even moving their eyes from each other.

Ron counted off; 3….2….1… GO!

"STUPEFY" Harry shouted.

"PETRIFICUS TOTALUS" Snape yelled. The two spells met in midair but Harry was ready for this. He broke the connection and rolled to his right and before Snape could blink, he shouted:

"STUPEFY" Snape was blasted onto the kitchen table getting his clothes covered in food. When he rose He bellowed:

"IMPEDIMENTA" Harry was taken aback but still managed to shout:

"PROTEGO" The worst of the spell was defeated but Harry was still knocked off his feet.

"IMPEDIMENTA!" Snape shouted. Harry was blasted into the wall and blood trickled from the back of his head.

"So Potter, you aren't as good of a dueler as most give you credit for. No doubt from your mudblood mother's— ARRRGGGHHH!" Harry had lost it. All he knew is that he wanted to cause as much pain as he could to Snape.

"STUPEFY" Snape met the kitchen table for the second time but this time he did not get back on the attack because Harry shouted, "IMPEDIMENTA!" Snape was once again blasted off his feet. Mrs. Weasley was screaming, Ron was beaming, Ginny was looking like Christmas had come early, and Hermione looked worried. Harry wasn't done yet; "PETRIFICUS TOTALUS!" Snape fell down stiff as a board and with Snape paralyzed, Harry walked up to him turned him over and plucked his wand out of his hand with a smile, signaling the end of the duel. He had won, he had beaten a teacher. Ron and Ginny ran over to him and clapped him on the back. Hermione looked like she didn't know what to do because Harry had just hurt a teacher. Mrs. Weasley ran over to Snape to see if he was all right. She performed the counter-curse and when Snape got up he was livid and he did the unthinkable.

"STUPEFY MAXIMUS" he bellowed, pointing his wand at—

"HERMIONE" Harry shouted and threw himself in the way of the spell. This was no ordinary stunning spell. It was twice if not three times as effective. Harry was knocked out cold.

When he awoke, he was in his bed it was dark out. He made to get up but there was something at the foot of his bed. Harry felt around and his hand met a lot of hair and he realized that it was Hermione. The full affect of why he was asleep hit him and a hatred rose inside him only matched by Voldemort. Harry knew it must be the morning after because everyone wasn't at school. He sat there until light came up stroking Hermione's hair. At which time he got up and packed his trunk and took a shower. When he got out Ron was awake and Hermione was still asleep.

"There you are, mate, how are you?"

"All right I guess. Why is Hermione here?"

"She wouldn't leave," Ron said. "She insisted on staying until you awoke. You see, after that bastard hit you with the spell, Mum turned psycho and started pelting Snape with spells until he left. Dumbledore came and checked on you. He was furious at Snape for starting the duel and furious at him for taking a cheap shot on a girl. Word is that Snape had the DADA job but Dumbledore took it away from him. Then he brought you up here to rest and Hermione insisted that she stay, and here we are." Harry was embarrassed that she had stayed but also glad that she had.

Just then, Hermione stirred and when she woke she screamed, "HARRY! Are you all right, Harry? That was really brave of you to save me like that, Harry. Oh my word, I haven't packed and it's almost time to go!" She said good-bye to the both of them and then when she was almost to the door she turned around and kissed Harry on the cheek, and ran away blushing furiously. Ron sniggered and then fell to the floor laughing. Harry felt like he had been stunned again. When he snapped back to reality he felt his face go crimson. After he thoroughly beat Ron for laughing he, went down to breakfast.

Mrs. Weasley greeted him the same way Hermione did, minus the kiss. While she cooked breakfast she ranted about Snape and calling him such names that Harry was afraid to know the meanings. After the five teens (Luna returned in the night) made there way to the door, Moody and Tonks surrounded them for protection. Mr. Weasley was able to get some Ministry cars again so they loaded the trunks in the back and, Ron, Harry, and Mad-Eye got in the first and the women got in the second. The ride was smooth and quick because these were no ordinary cars. They could jump to the front of traffic lights and squeeze thru tight areas. When they arrived at Kings Cross the drivers gave them a tip of the hat and sped off. Harry went thru the barrier at a walk, still not fully trusting it after the incident in 2nd year. He went across without a problem and was closely followed by everyone else. Mrs. Weasley kept shouting out reminders of there behavior until they were out of her sight.

On the train, Harry said good-bye to Ron and Hermione because they had prefect duties, and went to find a seat with Luna and Ginny. They found a compartment occupied by only Neville Longbottom, and walked in. "Hi Neville, how was your summer?" Harry asked.

"It was awesome except for the Deatheater attacks. My Gran is so proud of me now because I helped capture all those Deatheaters. My whole family reappeared all of a sudden," he said with a smile.

"That's great Neville," said Ginny, "How did you do on your O.W.L.s?"

"Oh, I got five, but I got an 'O' in Herbology, so Gran was ok with it. Thanks to Harry, I got an 'E' in DADA." Harry went a little pink. The four of them spent the time until Hermione and Ron came back, talking about how hard the N.E.W.T.s were going to be. Ginny and Luna liked this subject because they could make Harry and Neville scared. About an hour later Ron and Hermione showed up, and they all scared Ginny and Luna about the O.W.L.s and were having a pretty good time until it happened.

Harry was the first to notice. "Isn't it a little cold in here?"

"Try freezing," said Ron. Just then the lights went off.

"Dementors," whimpered Ginny.

TBC

Author note: did ya like it? Review and tell me and I'll get the next chap up soon. Thx for the reviews and no I will not bring Sirius back.

Excerpt from next chapter

Harry knew that if he had to defeat Voldemort, this would be the time. He advanced on him and shouted……..