A/N: I hope you like this chapter. It came to gater rather quickly which I like. I hope my writers block is cured. I will now be posting my review responses in the review section as I did not know that I couldn't put in the story (oops). Ah well.

Chapter 10

The More Things Stay Same

Things seemed to settle down to a semblance of normalcy since the first few weeks of school. Remus and Dumbledore had a long discussion with Harry and it was decided that Ron and Hermione would learn Occlumency, to prevent certain parties from gleaming the information from them. In an ideal world they would have learned this first, but as was the case far to often for Harry, the world was far from ideal. That was about six weeks ago, as the winter holidays approached, Harry was becoming dark and withdrawn. Despite attempts by Ron, Hermione, Remus, and even Sirius to lift his spirits, he remained in his foul mood. Ginny surprisingly was the only one other than Dumbledore that said it would pass and to leave well enough alone, when he was ready he would talk. They did not like this and therefore did not listen.

It got so bad at one point Harry wandlessly stunned Ron, with a little more force than he meant to one day, because in Ron's infinite wisdom the youngest Weasley male decided that the only way to get through to Harry was to walk right up to him and start yelling in his face. To Harry's credit he let Ron go on for about five minutes before he lost his temper. To those watching it appeared that Harry had a case of accidental magic, which while being rare at Harry's age it was not unheard of.

What made people want to talk about it endlessly was the fact the Ron had been blown across the common down the tunnel and through the door. All total he flew nearly 50 feet before landing and skidding to a stop. Thankfully due to the power of Harry's stunner they had to wait for it to wear off, so Ron suffered very little pain. The other good point was the fat lady was not in her portrait at the moment, so they only had to wait for someone to repair the door.

Regretfully, all the incident did was make Harry surlier, which brings us to today, in potions three days before winter break. The greasy git had become unbearable, unable to gleam little tidbits from Harry's mind he had tried Ron and Hermione even Ginny said he had tried with her. Luckily they all were good enough at Occlumency that the casual probes Snape was making were easily deflected. But Harry's patience was wearing thin, and Snape was getting bolder.

This time instead of a casual scan, he sat at his desk pointed his wand and Harry and mumbled something softly. Harry immediately felt the probing of a full blown Legilimency attack. Harry stood drew his wand and slammed Snape out of his mind so hard the professor was knocked out of his chair and thrown against the back wall of the class room.

Harry stood wand drawn waiting as Snape gathered himself and stand. As soon as the Potions master had his footing Harry spoke. "This is your first and final warning, stay out of my mind. Do not attempt that again, or we will have a problem." The icy tone in Harry's voice caused all murmuring in the room to stop. Few had heard that kind of tone before and it sent chills down their spines many near the back began slowly rising and making their way to the door, mostly slytherins, that seemed to since what was coming.

Snape on the other hand faltered only a moment and seemed genuinely astonished, one wonders if it was from being blasted from Harry's mind or that Harry had threatened him, and sounding like he meant it.

But he quickly recovered and became his usually prideful snarky self. "Don't take that tone with me boy, and 200 points from Gryffendor for attacking a teacher unprovoked, and I am sure I don't know what it is you are referring to. I never entered your mind."

"Are you calling me lair, and telling me as a trained Occlumens that I don't know a mind probe when I feel one."

Snape snorted, "Yes Potter that is exactly what I am saying, how could a BOY such as yourself possible know that. I am surprised you have the brains to even say the word Occlumens correctly. Now are you going to take your seat and put away your wand," as Snape said this he drew his own, "or you going to force me to teach you a lesson about drawing your wand on your betters."

What Harry said next shocked everyone including Snape, "I, Harry James Potter being of sound mind, and without a legal magical guardian to do so for me do hear by challenge Serverus Archibald Snape to a formal Wizarding duel. I name Remus Lupin as my second."

It took Snape longer than he will ever admit to recover from that it was the last thing he expected. "Sit down and be quiet Potter, you are underage and cannot challenge anyone to a formal duel." Snape said in his usual condescending tone.

"Under Article Seventeen of the dueling statutes instituted in 1656 by the International Confederation of Wizards, a under age wizard may challenge any wizard to a formal duel if said wizard has no Magical guardian to do so and he feels he honor has been unjustly impugned or his abilities unjustly questioned. Also the underage wizard must name a qualified of age wizard he trust as his second."

If Snape ever looked shocked it was at this moment, well shocked for Snape anyway, the only indication that anyone had was his eyebrows moving slightly up. "There is no such Article, saying no such thing Potter now sit down..."

"I take it then that you forfeit, and admit that you were trying to probe my mind and did call me a lair and question my ability as a Occlumens."

At this moment Dumbledore entered the room, he assessed the situation and quickly spoke calmly but firmly,"Harry, Serverus explain yourselves at once."

Snape responded first, "Ah headmaster you are just in time to expel Mr Potter, first he attacked me somehow, then he accused me of trying to use Legilimency on him. He then presumed to challenge me to a formal duel under some obscure Article of the dueling rules."

For the second time in his life Albus Dumbledore looked astounded and beyond the power of speech, shaking his head a moment he gathered himself and looked at Harry with a knowing glance and back to Snape, "Tell me Serverus was it Article Seventeen?"

"Yes, but what does that..."

He got no further as Dumbledore raised a hand to silenced him, "Then it is my duty as a member of the Confederation to oversee this duel, and insist that you either forfeit and follow the demands of the winner, or name your second and accept, Harry who is your second and what are your demands?" he asked Harry giving Snape a moment to let the new information soak in.

"My second is Remus Lupin sir, and my demands are that Professor Snape admit he was using Legilimency on myself and my friends, and that he publicly called me a lair and ridiculed my abilities as a trained Occlumens. I ask for a public apology and his immediate resignation."

If the situation had not been so serious Dumbledore would have leapt for joy, despite the fact that he was certain that this had nothing to do with Harry's foul mood, other than Serverus picking the wrong day to test the boy, Harry had found a solution to the problem that had been annoying him since Harry's return from the future. How to get rid of Serverus before sixth year. Eyes twinkling like crazy Dumbledore simply nodded, then looked to Snape. "Well Serverus?"

"I see no need for a duel I could beat you easily Potter, you don't..." but Harry cut him off.

"Pride goeth before a fall, Snivillus," Harry said the last word with a sneer that matched that of the potions master himself.

You could hear a pin drop. The entire class room had gone silent as a tomb, Snape meanwhile was shaking with anger and doing a wonderful Vernon impersonation. "My second is Lucious Malfoy and when will this duel take place?" he ground out between clinched teeth.

Snape looked on the verge of a fit of some kind while Harry remained in the same calm yet determined demeanor he had been in since he stood up. A fact not unnoticed by most present. Dumbledore coughed slightly causing all eyes to turn back to him, "The duel will take place tomorrow at noon, I trust that is enough time for your second to arrive," Snape nodded. "Very well oh, Serverus one more thing should you win what are your demands?"

Few caught the hidden meaning behind Dumbledore' s words the few that did put money on Harry in the betting pools that would be formed that night. Snape to caught up in his own anger at the moment missed it entirely, "That this brat be expelled and he issue a public apology in front of the school for his behavior hear today."

"Very well, till tomorrow then. I am canceling classes for the rest of the day and tomorrow I doubt much will get done until this is settled." turning to the students, "off you go I believe the house elves are just starting to prepare the mid day meal."

Harry had mixed feelings about the duel, on one hand he had already beaten Snape, soundly. On the other Lucious Malfoy would be present as would many Junior death eaters, no doubt a few of their parents would show up to see what Harry had in him. There were three choices, first loose the duel, not a option, as much as he didn't want his talents showcased in front of his enemies before he was ready, he was not about to loose a duel to the greasy git. The second was even less pleasing win fast and win convincingly, no good either then they would have a good idea what your are capable of. The third option was not bad but was risky all the same, drag the duel out make it seem like he was either just on par with or just below Snape' s abilities. While this was not much better than the first two options this one could be explained away by his "summer" with Dumbledore and the training he received.

He was walking toward the great hall with Ron and Hermione barely hearing what they were saying they were bickering about the pros and cons of Harry's actions, Hermione, while not totally against it , was worried that Harry's duel Snape would reveal more about his abilities than he wanted putting everything Harry sought to accomplish in danger. Ron on the other hand was convinced that the bane of Gryffendor' s everywhere was finally going to get his comeuppance. The two were debating this rather heatedly when Ron suddenly said something that Harry paid attention to.

"Ut Oh ... ummm meat ya in the great hall Harry." Harry watched as a fleeing Ron pulled a confused and stuttering Hermione behind him down a different hallway that would take them the long way around the school to the hall. Wondering what set his friend off he started to continue his journey when he bumped into something. Turning his head from the hall that Ron and Hermione disappeared down he learned why Ron had run away like that. He had just bumped into a very pissed Ginny Weasley. The steamed red head that was glaring at him and pointed off toward the dorms and said in a voice that would chill a dementors bones, "you, common room now!"

Harry never remembered making to the Gryffendor common room so fast.

Ginny followed Harry inside and promptly ordered him to sit while ordering a couple of scared first years out. She then turned the full force of her Weasley temper on him. "What in the name of Merlin's beard were you thinking Harry James Potter? I swear to god if this is what you have been brooding over for the last two weeks, I'll hex you myself, before Snape has a chance. What, you thought showcasing your abilities in front of the school and a bunch of future death eaters would be a good way to start Christmas, or were you trying to come up with a way to get rid of Serverus for Dumbledore. I seem to remember him telling us that he would handle that." she paused to take a breath and Harry struck sensing it would be his last opportunity to save himself. He was on he's feet in a flash and had a very surprised red head in full lip lock, she flailed a moment before giving in and kissing him back melting in his arms. When the kiss broke she glared at him a moment and punched him playfully in the chest, "I really hate when you do that to me."

Harry attempted to look as innocent as possible, "what I didn't do anything"

Which only earned him another playful punch "prat" she called him as she flopped onto the couch behind her. He stood over her a moment smiling down at her before settling beside her to watch the fire. "So what has been bothering you Harry?"

"Waiting, waiting for the time to be right to nab wormtail then set him loose, waiting for fourth year so that I can scare Tom into hiding a little longer maybe make him rethink things, waiting for the time when I can be with you like I want to be, Just all this waiting it is driving me nutters."

"Well, I can help you with one of those if I must, but only if you promise to behave yourself." she turned and looked him in the eyes as she wrapped her arms around him, "Its hard for me too, love. In our minds it's as though we have been married for years already. But to the outside world, we are still very young." she sighed and looked back at the fire. "Why can't our lives ever be simple?"

Harry snorted, "I stopped asking myself that question years ago."

Smirking and suppressing a snicker, "don't you mean in a few decades love it hasn't happened yet?"

"Why you," what followed was the happiest time Harry could remember, since he came back. He and Ginny engaged in a tickle fight that lasted until their sides were splitting that is how Fred, George, Ron and Hermione found them panting on the floor laying flat on their back beside each other still have small fits of giggles.

Fred spoke first "Oy what you done to our sister Harry?"

Ginny sat up in a flash, "Fred, George and Ron I swear on all that is sacred if you three become overprotective prats toward Harry I will hex you so bad you' ll wish for one of mom's howlers. Which I will ensure you get because I will tell her you were mean to me and Harry."

The three of them paled a moment but Ron seemed to find his voice first, "Don't worry sis, we know Harry wouldn't hurt you. Besides if he did anything but treat you right there wouldn't be enough left for us to hurt once you finished with him." Both Harry and Ginny snickered at this as Fred and George seemed to agree.

"So now that's settled who up for some chess?"Ron asked

"Ron don't you think Harry should be preparing for the duel with Professor Snape tomorrow?" Hermione piped in

"No I am ok but I do have a couple of old books the headmaster lent me I think you should read Hermione if you have some free time, for some reason he seemed to think you would find them useful." Harry rose and went to his dorm. While he was gone the twins went to their corner to plan more pranks Ron set up the chess board and began pestering Hermione for a game, while Ginny began her homework. Harry came down and handed the books to her, just as she was about to ask about them after reading the titles the door burst open and a very upset Remus Lupin stormed in.

He pointed at Harry and spoke in broken sentences, the fury evident on his face, "You. Pad's place. Now!"

Sighing and rolling his eyes Harry made his way outside and followed Moony to the guest quarters.

As soon as the door was shut he was attacked by both of the remaining Marauders.

"What were you thinking?"

"Were you thinking, he is a death eater and a fully trained wizard?

"Have you forgotten what he is capable of?"

"Why didn't you let me second you?"

"Why pick me?"

SHUT UP!" Harry shouted causing both men to clamp their mouths shut.

"1 I wasn't at first but I had a moment of inspiration, 2 have you forgotten I am a fully trained wizard almost 20 years Snape' s senior. 3 You aren't entirely sure what I am capable of and he doesn't have a clue. 4 If you show your face before we get Peter's confession, you will be arrested. And 5 you are my second godfather and since Albus has to officiate the duel, I didn't think you would mind."

Once they recovered their shock It dawned on them how ridiculous their arguments and worry sounded. This was not a 13 year old kid flying off at the handle, this was a battle scared veteran of who knows how many magical battles. Remus was the first to act, he turned to Sirius and stated flatly, "200 galleons on Pronglet."

Sirius whose mouth was opening presumably to say the same thing instead it sounded more like, "200.. I am not betting on Snivillus." Remus just smiled which turned to a sour look as he saw the wheels in Sirius' head spinning. With a cheeky grin he smiled and said fine 200 galleons says that Pronglet makes Snivillus yield."

"Your both nutters." Harry said throwing his hands in the air.

In unison, that made Harry do a double take to make sure they weren't Fred and George in disguise, they said, "Thank you." both with malevolent smiles.

Elsewhere..

Lee Jordan was standing in an unused class room, writing the wagers and who made them on a chalk board. Fred and George were standing nearby taking bets and calling out names and money values, as well as the occasional stipulation. The room was a buzz of activity, until a certain blond haired Slytherin stepped in flanked by his usual goons and strode confidently to the stage the twins and Lee stood on. Most people quieted down as Draco, looked over the board. he then turned to Fred, or George he couldn't tell which and didn't really care. "Weasley, what odds will you give me on both Professor Snape and Potter losing their wands, but Professor Snape winning the duel."

"Is that two bets or one Malfoy?" the red head replied.

"One"

"A moment if you please," the two brothers moved together and conferred, a moment then the one Draco had first spoke to returned. "30 to 1 my good lad how much you want to bet."

Draco seemed to mull over the odds a moment then very confidently said, "500 galleons."

"The limit is 50 galleons Malfoy, nothing over that."

"Very well," Draco tossed the money onto the stage and turn to leave. At the door he stopped and turned back to the stage, "I hope you Weasels are good for it because I would hate to have to go to the Professors to get my money."

A/N: Yes I know what I doing, yes I have a reason. see if you don't recognise the name of the person that will take over Potions after christmas. (if any of you doubted who was going to win shame on you!) and yes I am and have always been a snape hater. Also I never saw anything redeeming about Draco Malfoy. Also I am in the process of writing another Fic totally seperate from this. But I promise not to post anything until part one of this is finished and this will remain my main Fic until all four parts are completed. I am thinking of making the epilogue a seperate fic.