As they entered the entrance hall that evening they were deluged with a mixture of water and flour. And then as Harry searched for the telltale signs of Peeves he got a faceful of Bubotuber Pus. He spat it out and wiped his glasses on a corner of Ron's robes.
Hermione laughed and at his glare she caught one of the water balloons as it fell towards him and Harry grabbed it from her. Using his well built muscles he pitched it at Peeves.
Very surprisingly his aim was very good and even though Peeves dodged it, somehow it ricocheted off a beam and hit Peeves in the back of the head.
Peeves then brought out a water gun.
"Do you really think I'm scared of a water gun? They run out in a matter of minutes anyway." Harry said scornfully.
"Potty wee Potter doesn't know what Peevesie's put in this one though!" Peeves cackled. "Peevesie's put Verateserum in this one…you swallow so much as a drop and everyone here will learn your darkest secrets! Tee hee!"
"Even Voldy wasn't as evil as you are!"
Peeves took aim and fired he drenched Harry in the liquid and Harry covered is face with his already soaked sleeve. Not one drop went into his mouth. Then Peeves brought out another one.
"What's in this one, then?"
"Polyjuice Potion of a special nature…it has the hair of your pretty little friend in it." And Peeves pointed a thin spindly finger at Hermione.
"Where did you get some of my hair?" Hermione shrieked up to him.
"Found it. I've lots left so if it doesn't work this time I will slip some into his pumpkin juice at dinner."
"You know Peeves, if you want to see Potter as a girl then I will gladly supply you with a potion to turn him into the girl he would have been if he had been born one."
"Malfoy. It doesn't surprise me that you have such a potion as I'm sure you use it all the time. In fact it looks to me like you've used it several times on yourself over the years…more so over the holiday we've just had."
"Since when do you make quick comebacks?"
"You really should learn to be more like Snivellus, you're well on the way to becoming him already."
"Expelliarmus!" Malfoy roared.
Harry's wand went sailing across the room and Neville hurried to fetch it for him.
"Leave it for a moment Neville. I have a few tricks up my sleeves that Draco here doesn't know about. I had a long summer, Malfoy, and I kept myself busy. Not only did I kill your boss and most of his minions but I trained with two of the remaining Marauders. You'd be amazed at what I've learnt. Let me show you."
Harry leapt towards Malfoy. Mid leap he changed shape. Now he was an animal. He was a large tiger. His coat gleamed and he looked majestic and powerful. He advanced on Malfoy, who backed away until he was against the wall.
He cowered and the tiger appeared to grin, showing long pointed and undoubtedly incredibly sharp teeth. Then it spoke.
"Are you surprised, Little Boy, to see me like this? I see you quake with fear. You, the proud heir of the Malfoy clan. You quail before Harry Potter, the boy who lived, the boy who killed your boss and your father's boss."
"Don't you throw accusations like that at me Potter! And if you are going to insult me then you might as well do it in person. I prefer talking to humans rather than animals; though in your case there isn't much difference."
The tiger raised a huge paw, and everyone in the hall flinched as they were convinced he was about to strike him. But the next moment it was the human Harry who stood before Draco with his hand raised.
"Don't worry Draco, I'm not going to hurt you, yet. For now I'll let you off with a detention. Come on you two." He beckoned to Ron and Hermione, who scuttled after him, just as surprised as everyone else.
"You can't give me a detention, Potter!"
"Wanna bet, Malfoy?" Harry flung back over his shoulder disdainfully.
Harry seemed to not notice the spell that Malfoy threw at him soundlessly and the chair that Peeves dropped over his head. He had no wand but one sweep of his hand was enough to send the chair crashing into Malfoy and the hex directly at Peeves. They both fell to the floor in a heap.
Neville returned Harry's wand to him and he pocketed it, noting the admiring looks he was receiving from all of the people present.
Harry: 1 Peeves: 1 Malfoy: 0
