Chapter 9

Breakfast with all of the guests was a lot of fun. It turned into a champaign brunch. Charlie and his friend KJ amused everyone making numerous glass memory bulbs and telling dragon stories to Dan and Emma who were very good listeners. As it turned out Emma had read several of KJ's books thinking that they were wonderful fantasy novels rather than fictionalized accounts of actual events. Minerva and Poppy had a lot of fun seeing that another of their favorite former students had found a career that they were truly happy with.

Things broke up in the early afternoon. Harry asked Remus to be at his house by 2:00 AM on the 27th. Remus elected not to ask the particulars and respected Harry's request that he not mention it to anyone else. Moody would contact Poppy and ask that she be there by 4:00. He would also contact Kingsley and Hestia, again under the provision that they not mention anything. Tonks agreed to bring two extra sets of anti-apparation manacles in case they needed extra. Harry still had the two sets that Amelia had given him.

The witches and Moody would be there by 2:30 and get into their armor at Harry's house. Harry laid everything out in the training room. Moody would handle the insertion of the witches into position, and charm and ward the area as they had discussed. Hermione would be responsible for conjuring an inch of fresh snow after they arrived there. The only complication that Harry could see would be getting out of the Grangers where he had been invited to spend the evening. Hermione assured him that they would have no problem, but Harry realized that the house was new to her too.

Harry did not sleep very well the evening of the 25th. He had a too many things on his mind. On the morning of the 26th he went to Gringotts where he filed a revised Will before returning home. He was sitting in his library when Dobby came in. "What's is troubling you Harry Potter sir?"

Harry saw no reason to lie and said, "I'm going to fight a bad wizard in a day and a half, and I don't want anyone else to get hurt."

Dobby said, "I's had seen other wizards in my life Harry Potter Sir, and I's only seen one other one that was concerned for others likes you is Sir. Professor Dumbledore was always worried when he's asked other witches and wizards to fight for him. You's not asking people to fight for you Sirs. You's asking them to fight with you. Dobby thinks that makes you the greatest wizard that Dobby's ever known sir."

The little elf came up to Harry and gave him a huge hug. "Please don't gets hurt Sir. Dobby and the Miss witches would be very sad."

"I'll do my best Dobby." Harry had an idea. "Dobby, can you pop through anti-apparation wards?"

"Oh yes, Harry Potter Sir. What would you like Dobby to do?"

"I'd like you to come with me on Friday morning. You wouldn't be seen as a threat to McNair. If any of the witches get hurt, I'd like you to pop back here and get the others who will be waiting here."

"Dobby will do that for Sir."

Harry had another idea. "Dobby, can you see through invisibility cloaks?"

"In the daylight I can sir. My eyesight is not as good as it was when Dobby was a young elf. I's will try very hard Sir. Are's you looking for someone special?"

"Susan and Katie will be in one tree. Hermione will be in the other. They will be hidden. I want you to look around and watch to see that no one else is trying to sneak up on us. If you see anyone I want you to…"

-

Harry forced himself to go lay down by 4:00 PM on Christmas Day. He knew that he would get next to no sleep the next night.

Katie tried to do the same, but was not having much luck. At 7:00 PM she knocked on Harry's door. Harry was lounging on his sofa watching the fire. He heard her knock and crack the door open a moment later and waved her over to come in at her questioning look. He sat up and she sat a comfortable distance away from him.

"I couldn't sleep Harry," she said, as Winky brought in a tray of butterbeers then left.

"Are you scared?" asked Harry.

"Scared really isn't the right word. More like nervous or anxious if you know what I mean."

"Sort of like before a big Quidditch game?"

"I guess. More like before my first Quidditch game, when everything was new. Now I mostly worry about the other players getting hurt."

"I understand," said Harry. "I don't think I slept a wink the night before we grabbed Bulstrode. I knew that we had planned everything that we could but that didn't stop me from being nervous."

"That's the point Harry. You planned everything out. I don't see how anything can go wrong."

Harry smiled darkly. "The Aurors and Hit-Wizards who had set an ambush at the Grangers last summer thought that they had planned everything out. Four minutes into the battle, they were all dead. Dumbledore showed me Hit Wizard Wood's dying memory in his pensive. They were so sure that they were going to ambush the Death Eaters, that they didn't consider that the Death Eaters had plans of their own. They say that you learn from mistakes. I tried to learn from theirs and made adjustments. I assume that they do the same. We don't know how many people McNair has told."

Katie nodded in understanding. "So you're more worried that he told people and they're planning something other than a duel?"

"Basically. I'm worried that he will be sneaking a few in to ambush the fight so to speak."

"Are you concerned that he'll beat you?"

"No. I'm concerned that one of you might get hurt or worse."

Katie touched his arm and said, "Harry, we're not worried about the possibility that we will be involved in a fight. We're concerned about the certainty that you will. All I'm asking is that you do your best to get home safely. We'll do our best to get ourselves home safely too. Is that fair?"

Harry nodded.

"Harry, Ginny came to me this morning and asked me to do anything that I could to make sure that you got a good nights sleep. Is there anything that I can do?"

Harry conjured two extra squashy sleeping bags and pillows. "You can sleep here or in the bed tonight if you'd like. I like to have someone else in the room with me if you wouldn't mind."

"Harry, I was prepared to shag your brains out tonight if that's what you needed. You're such a gentleman. Can I just lay down on one of the sleeping bags by the fire?"

"You can do that or you can be on the sofa with me if you need to. We really do need to get all of the sleep that we can."

Katie took off her jumper and jeans. Looking over at Harry she smiled. "Harry, we changed in front of each other for four year in the locker room, and you're just checking me out now?"

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…"

"Harry, I'm anxious as everything about Friday, and you're worried about having taken a look at my bits. You kick McNair's arse and I'll show you anything that you ever wanted to see, OK?

"OK, but I'll save that look until next week. OK?"

Putting on one of Harry's shirts, she walked over to him and kissed him on the cheek. "OK. Good night Harry. Pleasant dreams."

"Good night Katie."

-

Harry slept better and later than he would have expected to. He walked into the bathroom and saw Katie kneeling in front of the toilet. Embarrassed, she got up, and said, "I'm sorry Harry. I was nervous to my stomach."

"Don't be sorry," he said, helping her up and handing her an extra towel. "Almost everyone got sick before or after our first grab this summer. Are you going to be OK? Take a shower. You'll feel better. I'll get you something clean to wear."

"Thanks Harry," she said. "I'll be fine. Just get me a jumper, knickers, and a pair of jeans if you don't mind. Wait. Make that a tee shirt, and my dragonhide. I want to wear it for a bit more this morning."

"OK. I'll set everything right outside the door."

Harry found everything that Katie had asked him for, set them out the door and went upstairs to look at the equipment again. Katie came up twenty minutes later wearing the dragonhide vest and pants. She looked at the four sets of armor, blood staffs broomsticks and Harry's Katana sword.

"Harry, where did you get the sword?"

"It was in Sirius's closet. It was made in the Hizen area of Japan about 150 years ago. They were masters at their craft. The Brits and Americans were just about to bring firearms to Japan, but at the time the soldiers or Samurai relied mostly on their swords. Their sword was like an extension of their arm. The blade is still incredibly sharp, though I expect that this particular sword has seen little real use. I say that because this is the original scabbard and it's in nearly perfect condition."

Setting it back down, Harry said, "I have some others that I would be happy to show you, though another day would be better. Will you be OK here today?"

She nodded. "I'll be fine. I promise to try and get to sleep early. I'll be waiting for you when you get here in the morning. Will you want any breakfast?"

"Loads, but after we get back. Coffee would be great. Go ahead and answer any question that Remus asks you. I wasn't hiding anything from him, I just didn't want to hear from Dumbledore."

"OK."

"I need to get ready to go. There are some interesting books in the library, or some decent DVDs in the entertainment room if you want. People will start coming anytime after midnight. Keep an eye on the weather. You won't be able to use warming charms. They'll give off too much magical signature."

She walked up to him, gave him a bone crushing hug and said, "I can't describe how much this means to me, so I won't try. I meant what I said about my little bits. I'll see you in about fourteen hours."

Harry winked at her and said, "They're not too little, but we can talk about them later if you'd like. I'll see you." He walked out the door, carrying an overnight bag.

-

The Granger household was warded such that the third stall in the garage was the only part of the property and the adjacent yard where someone could apparate from. Attempting to apparate into an area that had been warded against apparation typically meant that the person would be half successful and find themselves splinched. Attempting to apparate away from an area that had similarly been so warded, typically meant that the apparation spell wouldn't be successful.

As further protection, Dan had installed electronic garage door openers so that a witch or wizard that apparated into the garage would be stuck inside the garage unless the door was open. The door openers were inside their BMWs and another one in the house. Hermione had explained that none of the pureblood wizards who would be most likely to want to harm them knew enough technology to ever figure that out. In this case, there was no door from the car park directly into the house, or service door leading out the back of the garage. If they were expecting Hermione or her friends, they would leave the door open.

Knowing this, at 11 AM Harry found himself standing in the empty third stall of the garage with the door open. He walked out the garage and into the front door where Emma greeted him.

"Please come in Harry. It's lovely to see you again."

"Your home looks a lot more finished than the last time that I was here. Everything really looks nice together."

"Thank you Harry. We built our first home when we were in our early twenties. Money was tight and we had to compromise between that we wanted and what we could afford at every step. From that perspective, I have to say that it was a lot more fun doing it twenty years later. Besides, we had a better idea of what we liked and needed this time around. Let me show you to your room."

Harry's room was right next to Hermione's. Both rooms were away from Dan and Emma's. It was a measure of the trust and respect that they had for the young man that had saved their life that they didn't space them apart. Harry felt guilty knowing that he'd be violating that trust in thirteen hours.

Sensing that neither Harry nor Hermione seemed very talkative at the moment, she suggested that they watch a movie in the family room. She went into the kitchen to bake some cookies (biscuits) and left them alone. Hermione asked Harry if everything was ready. He nodded and rested his head next to hers on the sofa. When Emma returned an hour later, she saw the two of them snoozing next to each other. Smiling to herself, she quietly placed the cookies on the table next to them and went to her study to read.

By amazing coincidence, she was browsing through a wizarding book that she had picked up in Harry's library, Dueling Tactics against Dirty Duelers, by Alastor Moody.

She read about the two types of duels commonly used in the wizarding world; either with wands or classical weapons such as swords. A duel may be called due to a real or perceived injury to one's honor or person, or to avenge an injury or death of a loved one or family member.

The rules were formal and reviewed beforehand regarding the curses that were not to be used, and the field of combat. A duel would end based upon an agreed level of injury, death, or the losing dueler calling "I yield." There were no legal penalties placed on dueling or the injuries or death inflicted on an opponent. A wizard or witched injured in a duel had no recourse within the court system unless illegal curses were used.

The challenger selected the weapons, venue and the possible use of seconds and either agreed to of countered by the other person.

The challenger also selected the referee. Tradition dictated that the person selected have some experience in dueling and not be related to either party.

-

Harry and Hermione woke up at four PM, smiling to each other that they must have fallen asleep and missed the movie that had been playing. After dinner, they played hearts for a while with Dan and Emma. Harry mentioned that the apprentices should get together on Sunday and talk about the next term curriculums. Hermione shuddered slightly each time she looked at a face card with a sword or an ax.

She wondered what the next months would bring. She truly loved witchcraft and doing the magics. It was the politics that totally confused her. She wasn't surprised that dark witches or wizards emerged from time to time. Many cultures developed mass murderers or lunatics craving power. What surprised her was that those killers so readily found followers.

A 46 year old man named Walden McNair was going to do battle this next morning with a man 30 years younger. To her knowledge, neither had formally met each other. Until last June, McNair held a job within the Ministry leading a double life. She wondered about the 13 years that Voldemort had been gone. Had McNair remained an active killer during those years, or had he spent the time raising a family? Had he delighted or dreaded in feeling the mark burn in his arm after all those years.

She thought about how terrifying it must have been for Harry to be tied to a grave marker watching all of those killers appear. It was no wonder that he occasionally had nightmares. He'd hated that some of his housemates used to tease him about them.

Had McNair tried to murder her and her parents last summer? She supposed so. Harry was sure that he'd been largely responsible for killing Ron and Luna. Poor Katie. Hermione had felt so guilty when she'd learned that Katie's parents had been murdered and no one in the school had done anything for her. Why hadn't Dumbledore told them?

"Your play dear," said Emma. Noting her daughter's introspective mood she said, "Maybe we should finish for the evening. Dan and I need to run errands in the morning. Dan has patients beginning at nine. Why don't the two of you go watch TV for a while. Harry, would you like another coke?"

"Yes please. I'll get it. Hermione would you like one too? I'll get us each one and we can visit for a while. Good night Dan. Goodnight Emma. Thanks again for dinner. It was delicious."

Harry knew that Hermione was a worrier. It was part of what made her such a great person. He also knew that they had done everything that he could to engineer as many of the risks out of the equation.

Sitting on the sofa together he said, "Try to place about an inch of snow for about 200 feet in any direction outside of the dueling circle. If you're more comfortable with your wand than your blood staff you should bring it instead. I'll be OK. I need you to keep an eye out for Susan and Katie."

He continued. "Tonks and Ginny will be flying around the park and should have a good field of vision. Between being disillusioned, the clouds and the time of day, they should be all but invisible." She nodded. Hermione was a great follower, and listened carefully to his instructions. "Dobby will be arriving with me. Moody will be there at 5:30. If anyone comes, I would expect it to be between 5:45 and 6:15."

Fe finished. "Moody will be back at the park at 5:30. This is a legal duel. He'll owl the papers to the Ministry at 5:45 after we sign them. McNair or what's left of him will be portkeyed to the Ministry after we're done. If you see a flock of Death Eaters, use the Cannon Blast charm and everyone will use their portkey to get back to Grimmauld Place. I know you'll be fine. We'll get back here in time for your mum to make us a fantastic breakfast."

Hermione was comforted by his confidence, but only slightly. "Harry, please hold me for a few minutes before we leave. No. Please hold me properly." She took off her jumper. "That's better. Thanks for everything that you've ever done for me Harry. You mean the world to me." She moved his hand to a more comfortable spot. It was very intimate, but it wasn't overly sexual. For half an hour, they were two best friends helping each other. She knew that she loved him. She knew that he currently loved Ginny and was willing to be patient.

Harry knew her feelings for him and knew that someday things would need to get sorted out with the witches. Harry knew that today was not the time for those conversations. "You've always stood by me Hermione. Thank you." They held each other in comfortable silence for a few more minutes, before Harry said, "It's time to go."

Hermione pulled her jumper back on and said, "I need to go get my wand and my coat. I'll be back in a moment."

-

They arrived at Grimmauld Place at 2:00. Remus was there waiting for them. Harry filled him in for a few minutes on what they were doing and the logistics before going to get dressed. He quickly showered and put on a blue Oxford shirt over his vest. He put on his dragonhide pants and his Doctor Martins. They had great grip soles so he wouldn't slip. He wore his wand holster. He wouldn't wear a coat, instead would use a warming charm. Dobby would bring a jacket for him.

Moody arrived next, followed shortly by the witches. Harry gave each of the witches a hug and a kiss before they left at 3:00. The temperature was just below freezing and there was a light snow. Moody conjured four lamp posts and placed them 25 feet away from the outside of the circle. They would illuminate the area for 150 feet in and direction, giving the witches the opportunity to see any tracks. Tonks and Ginny would be in the air periodically until 5:15 when they would continuously float in a slow parameter from about 400 feet.

Hestia and Kingsley arrived at 4:30. By then Moody had returned. Poppy gave Harry a disappointed look when she found out what was going on. She talked quietly with Remus for a while. He reminded her that the order was waging the war while the teens were fighting it.

Harry went upstairs and strapped on his sword.

-

Narcissa Black Malfoy was preparing to have a day of reckoning. She planned to put down the boy that had caused her family so much trouble. She would accompany that oaf McNair to the duel with the Potter boy. She could hardly believe McNair when he told her that Potter had challenged him to a duel using blade weapons. McNair had spent years honing his skill with the larger killing ax. The arrogance of the boy to even make such a move was incredible. Severus had been right. He was an insolent brat, brought up and coddled by muggles and Dumbledore alike.

Narcissa was secretly bringing three new recruits along; Anthony Betchley, Michael Bole and Adrian Pucey. They had been in Slytherin house a few years ahead of Draco, and had right-minded families. She didn't know any of them personally, but their skill wouldn't be brought to bear today. Potter would probably already be quartered before they got there.

McNair didn't know that the other three were coming. He arrived with Narcissa at the site of the old Dursley home. McNair began walking the quarter mile to the park. Narcissa told him that she would follow five minutes behind him. A few minutes after McNair left, the three others arrived. Betchley and Bole had borrowed invisibility cloaks. Narcissa and Pucey disillusioned themselves. They split into two groups and began their walk to the park. Narcissa and Pucey from the south and the others from the west side.

McNair saw Moody and Potter waiting as he arrived. As he got closer he noticed that Potter had brought along his house elf. McNair acknowledged Moody who pointed him to the table with the dueling release document. He signed the document, and then Moody countersigned it and attached it to Hedwig's leg to take to Amelia Bones. They each laid their wands on the table. With his magical eye, Moody looked to see that McNair wasn't carrying any other wands or weapons.

Moody began reviewing the rules with both of them. He drew a magical parameter circle line much the same as the age line that Dumbledore had used for the tri-wizard tournament years before. Like the age line, the parameter circle would keep either of the duelers from leaving the circle until it had been removed. The duelers would stand at opposite sides of the circle until Moody who was outside the circle told them to begin.

It was 6:05.

"If you two are ready, we can begin." Harry unsheathed his sword and handed the wooden scabbard to Dobby. They each entered the circle. McNair had nearly 100 pounds on Harry who was unable to tell how much was flab and how much was muscle. Harry could tell that McNair had very muscular arms. As McNair took off his jacket, there was no indication that he was wearing any armor. He was wearing corduroy trousers and a wool cable knit jumper.

They stared at each other for a half minute. Moody nodded at Dobby who backed away a few steps. McNair growled, "No tricks Potter. I aim to cut you fair and square."

Harry looked him in the eye and said evenly, "We'll see who cuts whom, McNair."

"Let's start this, Moody," said McNair.

Dobby had seen the four Death Eaters approaching when they were about 200 yards away. He faced the first group and began tugging on his ear. A few seconds later he faced the second group and tugged on his ear again.

"Begin."

-

A/N

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