Chapter Twenty-three

Dueling Day

The DA meeting was scheduled for three days after their meeting with Dumbledore. This severely worried the three Marauders, as they weren't sure if they could put up a good show against a Marauder, the greatest wizard who ever lived, and one of the best transfiguration teachers Hogwarts ever had. Death Eaters were easy, they were stupid. These three were smart, and they knew what they were doing. Harry, Serena and Ginny began intensifying their training for this match, knowing it would not be easy.

They kept up with their jokes though. Harry pulled out one of his favorites from Fred and George, and unleashed a special swamp Fred and George made just for him, in the Slytherin common room. They of course received detention, but they didn't care. They decided that it was best to let their nervousness out in their jokes. This meant that pranks were happening almost every five minutes. Slytherins were horrified to leave their beds in the morning after three days of this, as one particular prank caused people to sink into the floor like it was quicksand.

The Marauders and their dueling partners cleared the great hall on the day of the duel, giving them enough room for an adequate battle. As members of the DA showed up they were directed to areas of the great hall all six had gone to great pains to leave well defended. When everyone had arrived the six stood huddled in a circle.

"How should we do this?" Harry asked.

"You and I should announce what will happen, Harry." Dumbledore said cheerfully. "Everyone else get prepared. I feel me and Harry do not need that, seeing as how we have been preparing since the day this was agreed upon."

"Professor, you know we will be using two wands. We will not hold back in this, and we expect you three to do the same." Harry said seriously. "We don't mind losing. We will be highly angry if we are let to win."

"I understand, Harry. We will fight as if we are enemies. I will show you the respect of no unforgivable curses from my team, as I know you will do the same." Dumbledore said.

"Agreed." Harry said, suddenly using arrogance to hide his nervousness. "Let's get this over with, I'm getting bored."

"Scared, Potter?" Remus asked, cheerfully.

"You wish" Harry said and walked to the center of the room. Dumbledore walked next to him.

"Hello students. We wished to show you a bit of fun today." Dumbledore said smiling. "Harry and I decided you might like to see a duel. So we are giving you one."

"Yeah, the Marauders could only find three teachers worthy of fighting us. We got bored, so here we are." Harry said looking as if this was a waste of his time. "I don't feel like talking anymore. Don't leave the areas you are in for any reason. When the duel is over, we will announce when you may exit these areas. If you exit and are killed, its not our faults. Pay attention, this will be over fast." Harry said, then looked at Dumbledore. "Come on lets go, before I get entirely too bored." With that he walked by his friends and stood facing the three teachers.

"We're in trouble aren't we Potter?" Serena said, still grinning.

"Probably wont last five minutes." Harry said, ruffling his hair.

"What's the plan?" Ginny asked.

"No unforgivables, none of my powers aside from what wands can give me." Harry said, sounding bored. "Oh yeah. Win."

"Agreed." Serena and Ginny said together.

The teachers were having much the same discussion.

"How are we going to do this Albus?" Remus asked.

"I can only hope this goes well for us. I fear they are stronger than they realize." Albus said cheerfully.

"How will it look if we are beaten by our own students?" Minerva asked.

"That is not the question." Remus said quietly. "The question is what do we do if they think we took it easy on them?"

"We must not, as even I would be afraid of how Harry would react." Albus said. "We must treat them as our equals. He promised me that he would only use his wands, and no other aspect of his powers. Be careful what you say to him though, Remus. I think he might loose control of himself if you try to rile him up."

"The thought never crossed my mind, though I know it is crossing his to do the same. He started already. He is smart, I'll give him that. He wants to throw us off guard. I could see the fear even through his arrogance." Remus said calmly.

"Amazing isn't it? He holds no fear of facing Voldemort. But to face us three seems to take all his courage." Albus said smiling.

"How is that possible Albus? He knows we will not try to kill him." Minerva said.

"Yes, but he has respect for us and our power. He does not respect Voldemort. I feel that is the only reason why he shows no fear towards him." Albus said.

Harry began growing impatient waiting for them to start fighting. At first he was nervous, but now he really was getting bored. This was a dangerous thing for all around him, as most knew. He seemed to take great lengths to end his boredom. He walked forward five feet, and stood facing the teachers defiantly.

"I have better things to do with my afternoon than to stand here. I am a young and very energetic teenager after all." Harry said, his devilish grin coming to his face. "If you three don't feel up to this now, maybe a nap would help?" He added causing all the students to laugh.

Harry did not expect what happened next. Dumbledore hit him with a spell. He turned around and aimed at Serena. He stopped quickly. I know this trick. He thought, pointing the wand at himself muttering "finite incantatem". He nodded to Serena and aimed his wand at her again, and her eyes widened in shock.

"No, Harry!" She cried. Harry moved his wand and suddenly whirled on the teachers both wands out now. Dumbledore stood shocked as he smiled at him.

"Sure, Black why don't I give them a taste of their own magic!" Harry said smiling victoriously.

At that moment Serena and Ginny jumped into action, standing side by side with Harry, all of them having both wands drawn. Spells came from their wands quickly, looks of determination on their faces. Harry concentrated on Dumbledore, as he knew he was the most powerful of the three he faced. Dumbledore moved quickly, avoiding his spells. Dumbledore stood across from Harry and began sending spells Harry's way. Harry also quickly outmaneuvered the spells. They began fighting quickly and seemed to be an even match. Both were talking calmly to each other. Trading remarks about the others performance, encouraging words, and small jokes.

Serena stood facing Remus. They were fighting viciously, neither talking, and neither backing down. They began laughing and trading insults back and forth, each trying to throw the other off guard. Neither was winning that battle, but both determined to be the winner of their own private duel. Remus would dodge spells easily, most commonly stopping to brush dirt from his clothes and laugh. Serena didn't waste that time however. She had trained with Harry long enough to know style was important, but to loose for the sake of style was a problem. She dodged Remus' spells with skill and grace sending her own at him. She only once managed a glance at those watching, smiling. She saw them all watching their mouths hanging open. Even Ron and Hermione seemed to be shocked. This only increased her will to win.

Ginny was facing McGonagall differently from the other two. Neither of them talked to each other. Neither reacted with the energy of the other four. Both were locked in a strong and slow combat. McGonagall would transfigure pillars of stone out of the floor, while Ginny would banish them easily. after a few long minutes of this, both learned that it would not be a battle of transfiguration. Then they began fighting like their team mates. Spells began flying furiously between them, with neither being hit. Still both remained quiet and stern.

Students watching this were in shock at what they were seeing. All believed that the Marauders were strong, but none expected this. They were battling strongly against the strongest teachers in Hogwarts. None of them had yet had a single spell hit them. What stunned them more was the battle between Harry and Dumbledore. Both of them were fighting with ease, Neither of them seemed to be out of breath, while the whole time they were fighting, they were having a pleasant conversation. Both were smiling at each other as if they were the best of friends, while sending spells at each other that none of the students even recognized.

Serena suddenly looked on Harry's progress and held her hands up for Remus to stop, pointing at Harry. Remus' jaw dropped as he saw the fight. He looked at Serena and nodded. She nodded in return and they both put away their wands. Serena got Ginny's attention and shook her head.

Ginny seemed confused for a second. then held her wands up nodding at Remus and Serena. McGonagall looked at them and they nodded to Harry and Dumbledore. A silent agreement already took place between her and Ginny. They put their wands away as well. This fight was not between these four. It rested solely with Harry and Dumbledore.

"You really have improved, Harry. I am quite pleased with your progress." Dumbledore said as he dodged a spell Harry had just sent at him.

"Thank you sir, means a lot to hear you say that." Harry said smiling sending three spells, while dodging one of Dumbledore's "I hope you aren't trying to make this easy on me."

"No, no Harry. I am fighting well. I am merely also enjoying our conversation." Dumbledore said, watching Harry dodge again. "It seems our teams feel that only we are fighting well enough to be watched." He added while sending a large succession of spells at Harry.

Harry shielded himself. "It seems so. Perhaps we should end this conversation, though it is pleasant." He said, before sending ten spells at Dumbledore. "Just so they don't feel put out that we showed them up so well."

"As you wish, Harry. Good Luck." Dumbledore said, while shielding himself from most of the spells, dodging the others.

"You too, sir." Harry said, still smiling.

Remus looked at them gaping. Not only were they fighting faster than anyone he had ever seen fight, they were enjoying it. It seemed as if this were merely a chance to let their power loose for a little while. Those two looked as if they were about to sit for afternoon tea, not like they were dueling. Remus looked at Serena, seeing her eyes wide and her mouth gaping he knew she had never seen Harry fight like this either.

"Really quite amazing isn't it?" He asked her. She snapped her head towards him.

"Classic. Dad would have loved to see this." Serena said, smiling at Harry. "I know I will never forget it."

Ginny walked over to Remus and Serena, smiling at Harry while she watched him duel. Her pride was seen so easily that Remus laughed. Ginny looked at him and smiled. She looked at Serena, who wasn't watching anything but the duel. Ginny saw a look in Serena's eyes that she could not mistake. This ruined her spirits, and she quickly left the great hall. Remus, seeing her leave followed after her quickly.

Harry, however, noticed nothing but the man in front of him. For the first time since Sirius' death, Harry felt free. He was in a duel with the greatest wizard in the world, unafraid, and happy. This was a wonderful feeling. He no longer worried about what would happen in his life. He knew that if he just enjoyed this moment, the joy he had at not having to control himself, the joy of being an equal, he would not loose. A smile crept back to his lips, and Dumbledore returned it. Their fighting seemed so natural to each of them that neither felt off of their game.

The spells began flying faster between them. Both of them smiling, neither let up on their attacks. They were locked in a battle that seemed bigger than both of them, not for power, or for respect, but for the pure joy of the duel. Within all this time, neither had seen a week spot on the other. Suddenly Harry saw his chance, but knew it would put him at risk. He dodged five spells quickly, then stood in front of Dumbledore unmoving as they both shouted their spells, knowing this was the end.

"Stupefy!" Harry yelled.

"Petrificus Totalus!" Dumbledore said at the same moment.

Neither had a chance to avoid the others spell, both still smiling as the spells hit. Dumbledore fell to the ground stunned, while Harry stood completely still, frozen. No one reacted for an instant, allowing all of this to sink in. Harry Potter and Albus Dumbledore had a duel and it ended in a draw! McGonagall and Serena moved quickly, reviving the two duelists. They both walked to each other still smiling at each other.

"Sure you didn't take it easy on me sir?" Harry asked cheerfully.

"I did no such thing, Harry. Did you?" Dumbledore asked in much the same tone as Harry.

"No easier than I promised I would." Harry said. "We should do this again some time. It was great."

"I agree Harry. That was a good workout. We should do it more often." Dumbledore said smiling. Then he went to the middle of the room. "Children you may now come out from the protected areas. We are sorry that it took so long for us to handle a simple duel, but we found ourselves enjoying it immensely, as I hope you did as well."

Students cheered, both for Harry and Dumbledore. They stood smiling at the students, neither even out of breath. McGonagall and Serena faced them both, their eyes still wide with shock. Neither knew how something like this happened. They had assumed that one would beat the other, but a draw seemed even more amazing.

"Harry, that was brilliant!" Serena said hugging him tightly. He laughed as he hugged her in return.

"I don't know about brilliant, but I know it felt great. Not holding back, just letting everything else go. Bloody amazing!" Harry said.

"I quite agree, Harry. I haven't had a duel like that since Tom was in these halls. But even he was not as good as you were today." Dumbledore said smiling. "If you feel a need to disbelieve this, ask Minerva, as she saw that duel herself." Harry quickly looked to McGonagall, his eyes wide.

McGonagall nodded. "Albus is right, Harry. He beat Tom that day in far less time than you two dueled. I must admit, Harry, that I did not know you had achieved this level of skill. Albus was using spells I don't know myself, as well as you. This duel will be talked about for years, though. This even I know."

"And well it should, Minerva. I have not had a duel of that fashion in a very long time. I have not enjoyed a duel like that in even longer." Dumbledore said. "Before you leave school this year, Harry, I would like to do this again. Maybe before the whole school, as a sort of treat for them. A way for me and you to say farewell till the end of summer as well."

"It would be an Honor and a pleasure." Harry said smiling. "I have to say Professor, I thought I was done for when your first spell hit me."

"I thought the battle would end quickly too. I did not expect you to fix yourself so quickly. We have students to address though, Harry. Shall we?" Dumbledore said and Harry nodded.

"As you could all tell, this duel was not planned. If it was, I really doubt that two of the groups would have stopped fighting." Harry said, calmly. "I will not say you will be able to fight as fast or as strong as what you have seen today. I don't even know how I did it myself. But even if you only become half as good as me, then you would still be a formidable enemy to any dark wizard who stood before you. I would like to thank Professors Lupin and McGonagall for participating, no matter how shortly. I would also like to especially thank Professor Dumbledore, who chose not to take the battle lightly, and dueled me to the best of his ability. I would like to thank you all for coming to watch. And next time I'm not around, maybe you will listen to Dumbledore, as he is more than capable of training you as well, if not better, than I. Good day everyone." Harry said and walked from the room.