Back to Hogwarts

The five friends found an empty compartment, and looked out the window. Sirius and Morgan were still standing at the front of the crowd, waving at them. The waved back, until, out of the corner of his eye, he saw the door open. "Excuse me, do you mind if I sit here?" the bushy haired witch asked.

"Of course you can sit here." Harry says, motioning her into the compartment. The crest on the front of her robes was Gryffindor. "You're Hermione, right?"

She nods, and pulls out basic dueling and combative magic. "Hello, Neville, I'm sorry to hear about your grandmother." she says sadly.

"Thank you Hermione, it means a lot." Neville says, pulling out the match box he always carries to practice.

The door opens again, and Harry looks up and sees William Sicarius and a smaller girl with silver hair."Hello, Will." Harry says, welcoming them into the compartment.

"Good morning, Harry. How's the wand working?" he smiles.

"Haven't had any trouble. And who is this?" he ask, extending his hand to the girl.

She mutters something he couldn't hear as she shakes his hand. "This is my sister, Micaiah. She just a little shy." Will says as they sit down.

The introductions are stopped by a small explosion and a cry of pain. Turning, they saw a thick cloud of black smoke in front of Neville, and the charred remains of a matchbook in his burned hands. Susan was already treating the wound, as William says, "May I see your wand? It might have been damaged in the explosion."

Neville nods and William picks it up off the floor. A quick examination later, he hands it back. "It seems undamaged, but that isn't your wand, is it?"

"It was my dad's. Grab thought if I used his wand, I'd become a great wizard like him. Don't seem to be doing a good job, though." Neville mumbles, accepting the wand.

"That explains it. It's ash and unicorn tail." William says, reach into the bag he was carrying.

"If ash and unicorn tail hair are used in a wand, then it's nearly impossible for anyone other than its master to use it." Micaiah says softly.

"That explains it. The problem was never, you, it was your wand." Harry says, patting him on the back. "Think you can make him a new one?" Harry says to William.

"Sure, I can have it done by tomorrow morning, if I work through the night." will answers, pulling out a small glass case. Inside are several different feathers, hairs, and materials Harry couldn't even identify.

"You're a wand maker?" Hermione and Neville said at the same time.

"One of the best." Harry says, pulling out his wand. "Made mine last year after my first one broke."

"Wandlore is fascinating, isn't it?" Hermione says as William starts getting Neville's measurements.

"I agree, but I haven't a clue about it." Harry admits, along with everyone, including Micaiah. "I thought you studied it too?" Harry asks the silver haired witch.

"I don't, but I overheard a lot of what Garrick told Will." she explains shyly before pulling out one of her books.

"Alright, I'll give it to you tomorrow." William says as he pulls out two blocks of wood.

"What kind of wood are you going to use? What core? How do you decide which to use?" Hermione asks excitedly.

"I can't decide between Aspen or Larch, though I'm using manticore spine as the core. I can't really say how I decide. May I see your wand?" he asks, and she almost throws it at him.

He examines it for a second. "One of my father's, Vine and dragon heart string?" he asks and she gives a nod. "Clearly, you are ambitious, are a fast learner, and have a firm desire to test your limits." he says as he hands her back her wand. "If you ever have any trouble, I'll be happy to take a look at it."

They watch as he begins carving the silver wood, slowly, each cut precise, until, with a loud crash, the door flies open and shows Malfoy, Weasley, and their respective goons behind them.

"Neville, Hermione, why are you hanging around these snakes? Or did they come into your compartment, acting like they owned it? Who the hell are these two?" Ron shouts, looking around the room until he sees Micaiah hiding behind her brother.

Reaching out as his to touch her, he stops when Williams's knife slices right where his hand was about to be. "If you touch her, I will kill you." he says calmly, knife still in his hand.

"What's this, Potter? Hiding behind first years?" Draco laughs, along with the others.

"It must be pretty embarrassing, knowing that he can't even compete with his own year." Dean Thomas smirks, wand pointed at Will.

"Are you going to just stand there lying to yourselves, or are you going to fight? Because I have no problem beating the six of you all over again." Harry says, moving in front of will.

"Brave talk, Potter, but all of us have been practicing magic over the summer. You can't compete with us; you've been living with muggles." Malfoy laughed.

"That's illegal!" Hermione yells, "You need to be of age to use magic outside school."

"Not very bright are you, Malfoy? I haven't lived with muggles in over a year, and unlike you, I got permission from Madam Bones so that not only have I been practicing magic, I've been training with aurors." Harry and his group laughed. That shut up most of them.

"I'm calling your bluff! At the first meeting of the dueling club. Me and you. Let's see who would win." Ron laughs as he leaves.

After he's gone, Harry repairs the door, and sits back. "Will, where did you learn to use a knife like that?" Susan asks as the train rolls across the countryside.

"Before we lived with Mr. Ollivander, Micaiah and I lived on the street. There are some major perverts out there with a sick thing for little girls, so I had to learn something to protect her." Will said as he turns his attention back to Neville's wand. "He had the same look."

Micaiah was still shaking beside him, so Susan and Daphne started trying to comfort her. "I hope you two are in Slytherin." Harry says, pulling out a deck of cards.

The rest of the ride was rather quiet. The only other visitors were Flint, who just want to know if Harry intended to play again, and the twins, who were laughing about Ron and Percy's expression when they saw the lord's ring.

Finally, the train pulled into Hogsmeade station. Tori, Will and Micaiah went with Hagrid across the lake, while the other five shared a horseless carriage. (Though Neville seemed pretty shaken up when he saw the carriages.)

Hermione and Neville went to the Gryffindor table, while the trio went to the other side of the room. They set about fifteen minutes catching up with old friends, quite a few of them congratulating him on his emancipation. Finally, the doors opened, and Harry saw Professor McGonagall leading a group of twenty or so kids. Will was easy to find, as he towered a full foot over the next highest. 'I wonder if he is part giant...' Harry wonder as the sorting hat sang.

The sorting was rather boring. Harry only paid attention when he recognized a name.

"Greengrass, Astoria!" Professor McGonagall called. Harry and Daphne laughed when they saw she was scowling.

The hat sat on her head for a moment before saying, "SLYTHERIN!"

Harry clapped along with the rest of the table as Tori ran and sat next to her sister. Harry congratulated her, and then went back to watching with only mild interest. The next person he recognized was...

"Sicarius, Micaiah!"

She started shakily walking to the hat. After a full minute, the hat finally shouted, "GRYFFINDOR!" she paled, and as soon as she stood up, fainted right on the stage. Madam Pompfrey was quick to conjure a stretcher and escort her to the hospital wing.

"Sicarius, William!" Professor McGonagall announces with skipping a beat. Will walked up to the hat confidently, and not for the first time, Harry wondered if they were really related.

It took almost five minutes before the brim of the hat opened and cried, "SLYTHERIN!" Will sat dumbfounded until he was ushered off the stage by Professor McGonagall.

The last person called was, "Weasley, Ginerva!" who was unsurprisingly sorted into Gryffindor.

Professor Dumbledore stood up, "Welcome to another year at Hogwarts! We have a number of announcements, but they can wait until after the feast! Dig in!" and with a clap of his hands, the empty plate filled with food.

"Will, what's wrong?" Susan asked, as he hadn't moved since he sat down.

"I'm just worried about my sister." he says, reaching for his cup.

One of the nearby prefects smiles, "No need to worry. That happens every now and then. Madam Pomfrey will have her sorted out on no time. See, look!" and sure enough, Micaiah was being escorted to the Gryffindor table by Madam Pomfrey.

"That wasn't what I meant." will said, draining his goblet of what Harry guessed was firewhiskey, given how he started smoking.

"You meant Ron?" Daphne asked, concerned. He just nodded. Harry thought for a moment than got up, and walked to the Gryffindor table.

He tapped the twins on the back amidst the booing that accompanied him, and said to Micaiah, "Why don't you come sit with us? Your brother's worried about you." Unfortunately the booing was so loud that she could hear him so he yelled, "Silencio!" and the sound stopped. He repeated his question and she got up. With a wave, the sound came back on, as the two of them walked towards the Slytherin table, twins right behind them.

Micaiah ran straight to her brother and started crying as she, Harry and the twins sat down. "So, what's up, Harry?" Fred asked.

"Yeah, I was about to hook up with Alicia!" George pouted.

"I need you two to look after Micaiah." Harry said, gesturing towards her. "We had a run in with Ron on the train, and neither me nor her brother liked the look he was giving her."

George snapped out of his joking state instantly, "You got it. We'll pass along the message to Neville. Between the three of us, she'll be fine."

"Pass along a message to Ron; tell him that if anything happens to my sister, he won't live to see another day." Will said, as he started carving Neville's wand again.

Harry groaned as he saw out of the corner of his eye McGonagall. "Might I ask why you felt the need to silence the entire Gryffindor table?" she asks, eyes narrowed.

"My friend was worried about his sister, so I volunteered to go and get her. But when I walked over to the table, they started booing me, making it impossible for her to hear me. I only did what I needed, and I released the charm once I was done." Harry states, pointing to Micaiah and Will.

"Be that as it may, surely you could have found some other way to accomplish it?" she asks, expression softening.

"None that would have been allowed. I'm sure it would have stopped if I vanished Ron Weasley's mouth, but I'm afraid that I don't know any vanishing spells that would leave him alive." Harry says calmly, his summer of occlumency have allowed him to be in control of his emotions far more than before.

"Fifteen points from Slytherin for threats and using magic on a fellow student." McGonagall said as she walked away.

Snape was the next to come down, seemingly inspecting everyone. "Mr. Potter, twenty points for making a new student feel welcome, and another ten for going out of you way to make him comfortable." he says, as he walks along the table and back to the staff table.

The end of the meal finally came, and Dumbledore stood again, "Now then, before we all go to our warm beds, a few notices. First we are thrilled to welcome Professor Helmut Von Giuseppe, a very dear friend of mine who has agreed to take the ever vacant position of Defense against the dark arts teacher, and as many of you were made aware of, this year, we are, at Professor Giuseppe's request, returning the Dueling course, for those seeking to enter the Department of Magical Law enforcement."

At the mention of the dueling class, for the first time in Harry's memory, Professor Giuseppe received a standing ovation. All around the room, student and teachers alike cheered as he stood and took a bow. He didn't seem to have the same terrifying qualities that Snape was so keen on demonstrating, (if you weren't in Slytherin, of course) by there was something intimidating about him. He was no taller than professor Dumbledore, with short white hair, and small circle glasses. Even from a distance, Harry could tell that he had the same piercing eyes as the headmaster, eyes that seemed to star into your soul.

"Yes, Welcome, Professor Giuseppe! I think I speak for everyone when I say I am looking forward to your classes. Now, the dueling class is open only to second year students and up. However, the dueling club will be open to all students wishing to test their skills. Last year, we had over three hundred unofficial duels that caused a number of injuries, including two that required hospitalization. In order to prevent this during the course of this year, students may settle any disputes in the dueling club, allowing for conflicts to be settled safely." Dumbledore continues, and again the crowd cheers.

"In other news, Mr. Flich would like me to remind you that..." Harry stopped paying attention, as whatever remains isn't worth worrying about. When he'd finally finished hearing himself talk, Dumbledore release them for the night. The Slytherins walked across the hall and down into the dungeons. The prefect said the password, "Boa" and the group of students walked into the common room and up to bed. As he lay awake, Harry thought, 'I'm home.'

-

Harry woke up early the next morning and went for a run around the black lake. When he walk back into the great hall, he saw a notice on the bulletin board saying the first dueling club meeting was that night at five. 'Prefect. Now I get to clobber Weasley.' Harry thought happily as he sat down and started piling up the breakfast.

Next to him, William is examining a wand from every angle, as if checking for any imperfections. The wand was silver, curved slightly at the end. The handle was pale blue. "Is that Neville's?" Harry asks, grabbing a few pieces of sausage.

"Yah, just making sure it was up to standards." he answers, stifling a yawn.

"Let's hope you don't have McGonagall today. She's a nightmare when you try and sleep in class. Hope for History of Magic, that's pretty much an hour nap." Harry says, causing everyone nearby to chuckle.

Snape walks alongside the table, levitating a stack of schedules, which zoom straight to their intended owners. Harry caught his and saw that he had defense, free period, lunch, potions, and dueling. "I love Mondays." Harry says, showing Flint his schedule.

"Lucky bastard. I've got Charms, history of magic, and double runes!" Flint remarks, drawing a laugh from Susan and Daphne, who had the same schedule as Harry.

Tori was reading over her's and said, "Charms, Transfiguration, Defense, and History." Will nods, confirming the same schedule.

Neville slumps down next to him, "Defense, transfiguration, potions and dueling. Now the first years get to see me make a fool of myself." he moans.

Will hands him the wand. "I wouldn't be so sure. The fact that you were able to pass any class was surprising using that old wand. This should work better. Aspen and manticore tail spine, twelve inch."

Neville took the wand, and placed a matchbook of the table. Giving it a wave and muttering the incantation, everyone is shocked when he not only transforms the matches, but also the book into a pincushion, which they hadn't even learned how to do.

"Manticore spine is rather prone to overdoing spells in the beginning. Keep it simple and don't use any curses until it calms down." William warns.

Neville nods, and pulls out his money pouch, "How much do I owe you?"

"Look after my sister, and we'll call it even." Will says, waving him off.

Speaking of, Micaiah had just walked in, accompanied by Ginny Weasley and the twins.

They stop by the Gryffindor table long enough to get their schedules, before Micaiah and the twins head straight for them, much to the booing of the Gryffindors.

"Whose pincushion?" George asked, grabbing a plate of waffles.

"Neville's new wand worked a little too well." Tori giggled, making Neville blush.

"We know. Almost blew up Errol trying to open the window to let him in. " Fred laughed.

"Got the hang of it eventually. So, what do you lot have?" George remarked, and they spent the remaining time comparing schedules, and in the older students' case, giving first year's advice on dealing with teachers.

Twenty minutes later, the four second years found themselves outside the DADA class room. Opening the door, they see that no one else is there. "Neville, are you nervous about transfiguration?" Daphne asked while they waited.

"I was before, but now, it's like last year when you guys were helping me. I know I'll do it." Neville said confidently.

"Well said. I hope to see that same spirit in my class as well." said a voice behind them. Turning, they saw Professor Giuseppe leading several more students in.

Once everyone was seated and role was taken, he started with the inevitable start of term speech.

"As Headmaster Dumbledore said, my name is Helmut Von Giuseppe. He and I fought alongside each other during the campaign into Germany, and I stood as his second during his legendary clash with Grindelwald. As far as defense goes, I strongly believe that what you need more than anything is a firm understanding of combat. Shields will only do so much. This year, I will be instructing you on standard spells used to disable and disorient your opponent. For those of you taking the dueling portion, you will learn more complex methods to deal with a variety of situations. Now then, who in here is familiar with the disarming charm?"

Harry was the only one who raised his hand. "Very good, Mr. Potter." Ron snorts, "Would you kindly come up and demonstrate?"

Harry walks up to the front of the class, and stand across from each other. Giuseppe's wand held lightly at his side. "If you would be so kind?" Giuseppe says, waving him on.

"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled, and in a scarlet flash of light, Giuseppe's wand went flying.

"Well done! Take ten points to Slytherin." Giuseppe claps, before picking up his wand. "As you saw, I was left defenseless, and if this had been a duel, Mr. Potter would have been able to easily capture me or escape before I could fight back. As Mr. Potter demonstrated, the incantation is 'Expelliarmus' and the wand movement is as if stabbing with a sword."

"I want each of you to split into pairs and practice. Mr. Potter, as we have an odd number of students, would you be willing to assist everyone in grasping the spell?" he asks as the class splits.

"Yes sir." Harry says, and they each took one side of the room. The room was filled with the sound of 'Expelliarmus'! After the first time, only two people were able to do it on their first try. Neville not only disarms Malfoy, but lodges his wand inside the stone wall behind him. Unfortunately, Ron disarms Susan, and 'accidentally' knocks it under Goyle's foot, snapping it.

"Detention, Mr. Weasley. Perhaps that will teach you to be more careful. I will be informing the headmaster, and the cost of Miss Bones' new wand will be added to your tuition." Giuseppe declares, to the outrage of Ron.

"Here, Susan, you can use mine." Harry says, handing his wand to her.

"Thank you, Harry." she smiles, before turning her attention to Ron.

Again the class yells, "Expelliarmus!" this time, a number of people succeeded, including Susan. Harry gave a couple of people pointers, and those that listened were able to cast it properly. Those like Dean and Pansy, who refused to listen were among the few that couldn't cast it by the class' end.

"Homework will be a one foot long essay on the importance of disarming in a duel, and practicing the disarming charm if you were unable to cast it during class. Mr. Potter is exempt as he assisted during class. Miss Bones, please stay after class for a moment. Class dismissed." Giuseppe said at the end of class.

Harry and Daphne waited for Susan. Neville had to hurry to transfiguration, so they wished him luck and stay until Susan left ten minutes later. "He wanted to know what I wanted to do about my wand, and he offered to write me a note to be excused from spell work." she explained as they headed for the common room.

"What did you say?" Daphne asked, giving the password.

"I said that I'd ask Will if he's got a spare I can use until I get a new one." Susan replies, taking a butterbeer from the enchanted cooler next to the couch. "Just need to wait until lunch to ask him."

"It wouldn't be weird if he did have one. And it still might be better than your last one. Did you see Neville? Sending a wand through stone takes serious power." Harry said as he stretched.

"I know. But I wonder if that was the wand, or Neville?" Daphne asks, pulling out her book. "Now, if you don't mind, unlike some people, I have homework."

"I would be happy to help, my dear." Harry says with a bow.

Susan chuckles at Daphne's reaction to being called 'my dear'. 'Morgan's gonna want to hear about this.' she thought as she started writing a letter.

They go to the great hall at noon, just as the other students are getting out of class. A mob is trying to fight their way to the hall behind them. Harry sits down and starts grabbing sandwiches.

Further down the table, Susan and will are talking, and he gets up to leave. Susan seats next to Harry. "He says that he's got a wand that I can borrow. He'll try and make me one by the weekend."

Neville runs into the great hall, Tori clinging to his arm. He bolts over to them. "I did it! I passed all the tests no problem, and she moved me back up with you guys!"

"He was amazing! Just waved his wand and had it all done in less than ten minutes." Tori said, still attached to Neville's arm.

Daphne loss to the temptation to tease them. "So, Tori, when's the wedding?"

Both Tori and Neville blush, "Sis! I wasn't like that. I just..." Tori started, making no attempt to detach herself from his arm.

They all burst out laughing, "Damn Tori, you've got it bad. Wait until Morgan hears about this!" Susan laughs, adding another paragraph to her letter.

"Don't you dare send that!" Tori yells, blushing furiously. Neville hasn't said anything since Daphne's comment, just staring into space.

"Harry, I'm borrowing Hedwig." Susan says, running from the hall. Tori bolts after her.

"Wait until Morgan reads that letter. I suddenly can't wait until..." harry starts before he realizes, "Susan was there when i made that 'my dear' comment, wasn't she?"

Daphne blushes and charges out after them. 'Suddenly Christmas doesn't seem so funny..." Harry thought, still blushing.

Two minutes later, the three of them walk back to the table, and judging from Susan's expression, they had failed. "Tori, you should have known that a second year know the way to the Owlery better than you. And Daphne, you should have come after me before if you wanted to stop me." Susan laughs, taking a bite out of a sandwich.

She stops second later, when her tongue sticks to the roof of her mouth. "Susan, you finally found something that gets Daphne and me together." Harry says taking a sip of water. "Vengeance."

"This is why you shouldn't mess with my fianc ." Daphne whispered in Susan's ear, just before Harry undid the jinx.

"That was a warning. Remember that I have Prongs' journal, and the half blood prince's book. You have no idea the chaos I could unleash upon you. And if you don't believe me, ask Sirius." Harry said calmly as Daphne laughed.

"I got it; you don't want me to spy for Morgan..." Susan said, sounding defeated.

"Wrong. We don't want you to spy on us. Tori and Neville are fair game." Harry explained, much to the dismay of the two listening.

After lunch, the four of them went down to the dungeon. It was a fairly normal potions class, aside from Snape giving Gryffindor points for the first time Harry could remember. Neville was as surprised as anyone when he completed the potion third in the class, just behind Harry and Hermione. For the first time, despite the fun in watching Weasley's potion explode, Harry couldn't wait for it to end.

"For those of you who failed to complete your drought of sorrow, your homework will be a one foot essay on where you made a mistake, and how you can correct it." Snape sneered, "Class dismissed!"

"Bet Weasley loved that." Susan laughed.

"Almost as much as you'll loving failing your class." Ron said loudly. "How is your wand?" some of his goons laughed.

"Not too bad. My last one was better, but I could still beat you." she says, pulling her wand.

Weasley looked livid when he saw she had a wand. But before he could say anything, Professor Giuseppe walked into the classroom, and with a wave of his wand, the tables in the back of the class melted, reforming seconds later as a dozen dueling platforms.

"I would introduce myself, but I'm pleased to see that all of you were in my Defense class. I would assume that many of you are interested in pursuing a career as an Auror. Speaking from experience, it is not an easy path. Only the best have the courage and the skill to pit themselves against the darkest wizards in the world. Against the likes of Lestrange, Grindelwald, and Voldemort." he proclaims, creating mixed response from the assembles students.

Lavender Brown and Parvati Patil shrieked and fainted. The remainder of the Gryffindors, and several Slytherin flinched. Only Harry's group, Neville included, stood unfazed by the Dark Lord's name.

"Speaking of Voldemort," Giuseppe says as he revives the fallen witches, "We have two wizards in this room who have faced him."

A soft chuckle emanates from the back of the class, "So, you knew I was here?" The headmaster asks, suddenly becoming visible.

"I had my suspicions, but nothing more. Class, one of, of not the, most accomplished duelist alive today is Albus Dumbledore. Who, to my understanding faced the Dark Lord on two separate occasions." Giuseppe says, bowing slightly.

"However, I never defeated him, and I freely acknowledge that was a superior duelist." The headmaster says humbly.

"Which brings us to Mr. Harry Potter. Please, stand."

Harry reluctantly stands next to Professor Giuseppe, who continues. "Vanquishing the Dark Lord was impressive enough, but if rumors are to be believed you fought him once again only a few months ago, on this very building."

"It wasn't Voldemort. Just our old defense teacher possessed by Voldemort." Harry said, preferring to not relive that particular experience.

"Just like your father. He too was unafraid to refer to him by the name Voldemort. However, in the heights of his power, many highly skilled wizards were killed by innocents Voldemort had possessed." Giuseppe praised, until he was interrupted.

"Potter is nothing special. Only lived because his mudblood mother-" Draco started, until he was faced with the business end of Harry's wand.

"Take it back or I swear you'll never see another day." Harry says calmly, wand tip glowing green.

"That comment was out of line! Twenty points from Slytherin and detention, Mr. Malfoy. Now then, Mr. Potter, please lower your wand. I'll give you a chance with him in just a moment." Giuseppe says softly, placing his hand on Harry's wrist.

Harry lowered it only because Giuseppe had earned his respect more than another old man in the room.

"Now then, in order to test how each of you absorbs information, and how many of you do your homework, at the beginning of each week, I will pair you up in an exhibition duel. That will begin today, and our first pair will be Malfoy and Potter."

Harry walk onto the front most stage, and stood at one side. "Remember, your goal is to disarm and disable your opponent. I will stop a match if it becomes obviously one-sided. On the count of three, you may begin. One, Two, THREE!"

Malfoy starts, "Mucus Ad Nousium!" and a brown jet launched itself at Harry.

Smirking, Harry returned with a spell out of Snape potion book. 'Levicorpus!' Harry thought with a flick of his wrist. A flash of light, and Malfoy was dangling upside down in the air by his ankle.

Even from that position, Malfoy was about to cast a spell, but Harry stops it with "Langlock!"

"Expelliarmus!" Harry yelled, ending the duel.

The class claps, both Professors as well. "Wonderful. Nonverbal, followed by silencing, then disarming. A beautiful combination that would no doubt defeat anyone up to the fifth year who wasn't expecting it. Ten points for your spell work. If you would, please, release your spells, as we have ten more duels to get through today. "Giuseppe states after the clapping stops.

Smirking, Harry thought, 'Liberacorpus!', sending Malfoy plummeting to the ground, head first. "Finite!" Harry said, unsticking Malfoy's tongue, and walks back to his desk.

"Next, Ms. Bones, were you able to find a replacement wand?"

"Yes, Professor, he gave me one during lunch." Susan replies cheerfully, much to Weasley's displeasure.

"You got a new wand? In school? How?" Professor Dumbledore asks, eyes twinkling.

"William Sicarius, the first year Slytherin, is Ollivander's apprentice. He made mine and Harry's too." Neville said, showing his wand to the headmaster.

"Fascinating. I myself, never found Wandlore a very engaging topic, but I am happy to hear that he was able to find something he was interested in at so young an age. I will be sure to employ his services of a student has need of a new wand over the course of the year." Dumbledore mutters, eyeing the wand closely.

"Back on topic, the next match will be Susan Bones vs. Ron Weasley." Giuseppe says, ushering the two to the front of the room.

"Now you'll have to explain how you broke another wand." Weasley laughed as he walks to his half.

"No, you'll have to explain to your parents why they can't eat for a week because you were an idiot. You caught me by surprise before, it won't happen again." Susan says, raising her wand.

Again, Giuseppe counts to three; however, Ron fires a blasting curse at two, which forces Susan to jump off the stage.

Even from across the room, Harry could hear a 'SNAP' and a scream of pain. Before anyone can do anything, a jet of red light flies from behind the stage, colliding with Ron's face. Instantly, Ron's body goes limp and he falls forward. The two teacher each check on a student's condition. Dumbledore has Ron up and about in less than a minute. Behind them, Harry can just make out Susan pointing her wand at her shoulder. Seconds later, the grimace of pain leaves her face, and she starts breathing easier.

Dumbledore escorts her to the Hospital wing, while Harry saw Ron gloating to his group. Harry concentrates with all his strength on the wand in his hand. "Diffindo!" Harry mutters.

The cutter hits its target, slicing the wand in half. Harry quickly hides his wand and casts a quick Expelliarmus in case they checked last spell.

Weasley looked at the wand in his hand, and then looked straight at Harry. "Potter, what the hell!"

The class looked at him, and Giuseppe frowned, "What seems to be the problem, Mr. Weasley? I understand that you are upset at your loss, but that has nothing to do with Mr. Potter."

Ron grinned, like he thought he'd won, "Professor, Potter broke my wand." and he showed the two halves to him.

Giuseppe took the wand, and examined it closely, then turned to Harry. "Mr. Potter, your wand please." Harry surrenders his wand, and he says clearly, "Prior Incantato."

The wand glowed, before launching itself out of his hand. Ending the spell, he shakes his head disapprovingly, "That answers that. The last spell was a disarming charm, which all of us saw him use to beat your friend. Ten points from Gryffindor, for falsely accusing a fellow student. Please procure a new wand before class tomorrow."

Weasley's face turned as red as his hair. Harry looked at him and smirked, mouthing, 'I win'. Harry was laughing at the expression on his face, and almost missed Daphne effortlessly defeating Dean.

The class proves as entertaining as they thought it would be. But nothing was as priceless as the look on Malfoy's face when Pansy was destroyed by Neville. No one who'd seen him last year could have predicted him beating one of the best defensive students in their year.

When the last duel ended, Giuseppe walks to the front of the room. "All of you have impressed me. I have arranged for us to meet three times a week, next is on Wednesday. Practice the disarming charm, and use what spells you know to craft your own routine. After each class, I will award points for the best duelist, and after today, the most improved duelist. Twenty points to Harry Potter, for demonstrating proficiency in spell casting and combinations. Class dismissed."

Harry couldn't keep the smile off his face, "I think I have a new favorite class. I got to shut Malfoy up and even earned points for it!"

Harry stopped when Goyle grabbed the front of his robes. "What the hell was that about, Potter!?" Weasley yells behind him, "Were you that afraid of facing me at the dueling club?"

"Hardly. That was payback for Susan's. It's unfortunate that you don't have a wand maker in Gryffindor." Harry laughs, hand on his wand.

Ron chuckles, "But I've got his sister at my mercy. He'll do whatever I say."

Daphne starts laughing, "Let me know when you try and tell him that. I want to see you get your ass handed to you by a first year. That's not even counting Fred and George and Neville, who all agreed to look after her."

"And if anything does happen, you can be sure that he'll have me as backup." Harry warns, hitting Goyle with a stinging hex. "Aside from these losers, Slytherins stick together."

Ron scowls, "We're still on for tonight. Be there." and his group walk away.

Before Harry can wonder why he gave up so easily, a voice interrupts him, "Mr. Potter, I was wondering if I might have a word?"

Turning, they saw Professor Giuseppe, walking towards them. 'No wonder he ran.' Harry thought before answering, "Of course, Sir."

"Perhaps in my Office?" he says, opening the door next to the class room.

"I'll see you in the common room when I'm done." Harry says, waving Daphne on, "And check on Susan!" he yelled back before walking into the office.

"May I offer you a drink?" he asks, pulling out a bottle of butterbeer, which Harry graciously accepts. "Now, do you intend to go to the club this evening?"

Harry nods, "Weasley and I have some unfinished business from last year."

He nods in understanding, "I see. I was hoping you might be able to help me with something. You seem quite close to Miss Greengrass, am I correct?"

Harry nods again, not sure where this is going.

"How well do you know her sister?"

That takes him by surprise, no quite sure how to answer he just says, "Not very. I only just met her his summer. Why?"

"Her talent is extraordinary. If it were properly harnessed, she could become the most gifted sorceress the world has ever seen. Greater even than Morgan La Fay. But for that, she needs a rival and a teacher."

It takes a moment for Harry to grasp what is being said, "Wait, me? But how can I help?"

Giuseppe nods, "Yes, you. Professor Dumbledore feels that First years are too young to learn about dueling. That is why it is only open to second years and up. But Astoria's gift is far too precious to waste. She needs guidance early on, from someone she trusts. You are a fairly capable duelist, of roughly the same power. I believe she will need your help. What do you say?"

Harry can't think for a moment, he was asking for his help. 'What would my father do?' he asked himself. In answer, he heard the way Sirius had talked about him, as a man who helped others. "I'll do it." he says firmly.

"I cannot thank you enough. All I ask you to do is, during the meeting, give her a few pointers, and help her practice the standard charms. Then, in a few weeks, may e help her with a few practice duels. I'm sure that you'll benefit as well. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask."

Harry nods, recognizing that he has been dismissed, and leaves the room.