It is rumored that the very first duel held in the Astronomy Tower was between Godric Gryffindor and Salazar Slytherin. While the results are unknown, it is customary of each House to toast their first Heads of Houses as the victor on the thirteenth of September. This duel started a long tradition of duels between all Houses in the Tower.

This infamous dueling floor is where Ron, Hermione, Ginny and Harry found themselves on the day of September the thirteenth.

"Ready, Potter?"

"Ready to win."

Hermione stood on the side, in between them both, "Bow to your opponent."

The bowed, Ron inclining his head slightly, and Harry bowing deeply, as was his custom in Slytherin. No matter whom he was facing, Harry bowed lowly, to implicate that he was unafraid. He always called up Protego when he did this; Harry was brave, not stupid.

"One…two…three," Hermione called, moving as far away from them as she could.

"Dimitulus," Harry called immediately, a flash of silver light shooting from his wand, hitting Ron square in the chest.

Ron reeled back from the hut and his hair began to grow alarmingly. Ot twisted as though it were alive, wrapping around Ron's arms as though it were a fast-growing ivy.

Ron, using the only spell he could without speaking, fired off a Stupefy, which bounced off of Harry's shield and hurtled toward the sky. Though now his hair had managed to take Ron off his feet.

"Harry Potter wins!" Hermione yelled.

XXX

Ron lay in the Hospital Wing; under observation for all the bruises his hair had done him.

Ginny reported to Harry, however, that what he'd really hurt was his pride.

"You are the only reason he isn't laughing about how stupid this is," Ginny said, matter-of-factly, "If anyone else had trounced him, excluding Malfoy, he wouldn't care."

"I know."

"I think you should go see him."

"You've said."

"You are going to have to get him to forgive you if you want to come to the Burrow for Christmas."

Harry's heartbeat quickened. Though he spent his holidays with Sirius and Remus at Black Manor, going to the Burrow, even for a visit sounded wonderful. Especially if the company was to be Ginny.

"I'll go talk to him," Harry decided.

"Good. But before you go, I'd suggest getting some food from the kitchens to smuggle in."

"Only if I can use your map."

Ginny smiled and went to retrieve the Marauder's Map that the twins had given her.

AN: It's a little short, but it does set up the make up of the two rather nicely, don't you think?