Hermione scolded herself all the way up the stairs to Gryffindor tower. What the hell had gotten into her? – fantasising and daydreaming about Malfoy of all people. She was supposed to be studying, not acting like some lovesick girl. It was just a stupid fucking dream. That's what she kept telling herself anyway. She got to the portrait hole and growled the password. The Fat Lady swung back and she went inside. The Common Room inside was all but deserted, a couple of junior students were busy working or playing games, Ron and Harry were sitting by the fire. When they saw her enter, they stood up.

"There you are," said Ron, "We were beginning to think you were lost or something."

"Where were you?" Harry joined in. Hermione dumped her bag on a chair before answering.

"I was in the library, studying," she fought to keep her face blank, she was lying and she knew it. 'That was not studying!' She scolded herself again.

"Merlin Hermione," Ron exclaimed, "We've only been here a week, how much study can one person do?"

Hermione scowled, "For your information, Ronald, Professor Vector gave us a huge project today. We only have two weeks to do it."

Ron shrugged, "Sounds like loads of time to me."

Harry moved to leave, "Come on," he sounded impatient, "We had better get going if we don't want to be late."

"Hang on," Hermione grabbed her bag and headed to her room, "I just want to get rid of this."

"Hurry up," Harry called after her.

Hermione ran to her room and unlocked her trunk. Several pages of her 'notes' fell out of it as she tossed her bag into it. She frowned when saw them and then shook her head and slammed her trunk closed, causing Crookshanks to hiss at her from his spot on her bed.

"Sorry pet," she reached out and scratched him on the head before jumping to her feet as Harry called out to her from the Common Room. He seemed to be in a real hurry to get down to the Duelling Club meeting. Hermione checked to make sure her trunk was shut so that no one would see the evidence of her stupidity before running down to her friends.

"…is all you have to do," Harry was busy giving another one of his duelling lectures to Ron and Neville who had joined them by the fireplace.

'Great,' she sighed to herself, 'the tactical speech again.'

Harry continued, "Remember, just dodge and fire, make them miss. Don't let fear make you hesitate," he turned and nodded once as he saw Hermione beside him before he walked off to the portrait hole, still talking, "Shield charms are good, but they force you to stay in one place, you need to stay mobile…" Hermione shook her head as she followed them out and down the stairs.

They reached the Great Hall and went inside. Most of the sixth years were already there. Her eyes automatically found Malfoy sitting on the far side of the duelling platform with his back to her. He looked as if her were deep in conversation with Etean. Hermione stared for a moment, but then forced herself to look away from him. Her eyes moved to Etean and she stopped dead in her tracks as he looked back at her. For an instant, a single flash of pure, cold hatred filled his eyes. A lump of ice settled in her stomach and she found herself shivering. She blinked, and then it was gone. A confident smirk spread across his lips and he looked back to Draco, continuing their conversation.

"Are you alright Hermione?" Ron asked. He looked concerned.

"What? Yeah…I'm fine," she was still staring at the far side of the room, Ron turned to follow her gaze.

"I know," he said quietly, "I feel the same."

She was puzzled, "What?" she looked up at him.

Ron's jaw set, "I can't wait to get a crack at him either." Hermione looked into his eyes, she could almost feel her temperature rise as she saw his anger.

"Ron," she scolded, "We are only supposed to practice duelling, we are not supposed to hurt one another."

"I know that, but," he smirked and shrugged, "accidents happen!" His tone was completely serious. He turned back to the platform as Professor Snape stepped out and called them to attention. Hermione walked forward with him as Snape started talking,

"Good evening sixth years, welcome to the sixth year Duelling Society."

The Slytherin Common Room was full of people when Draco entered, not that he gave a damn. He barely even saw them as he crossed to the stairs and headed to his dorm. He swore loudly as he tripped over Goyle's bag inside the darkened room – 'What the hell is he playing at leaving that there?' Draco crossed to his bed and dumped his bag. He reached into his robes and drew out the scrap of parchment that Hermione had dropped. As he looked at it, he grinned and stuffed it under his pillow before turning to leave. The grin stayed on his lips as he exited the Common Room and headed up out of the Dungeons to the Great Hall. When he reached the top of the stairs and saw Etean. He was standing with his back to Draco, leaning on a stone statue. He was talking to someone but it wasn't until Draco turned the corner that he saw who. Draco paused, and then shrugged before heading over to them. Ginny laughed at whatever Etean had just told her. As he got closer, he heard the end of the story,

"…and they never did find the key." Etean smirked, Ginny giggled again, then froze as she saw Draco. Etean noticed her staring and turned round. "Ah, there you are Malfoy, I was just about to send out a search party."

"I was in the library, Arithmancy project."

"Oh, fair enough," Etean grinned and gestured to Ginny, "I was just telling Ginny here a couple of old tall tales."

"Is that so?" Draco mumbled half heartedly.

"Yes, and she was telling me about this Duelling Club. Apparently it's quite a bit better than the last attempt. She made fifth year champion by the way.' Draco looked at Ginny, she tensed. He was about to grumble some congratulatory remark, but she cut him off.

"I have to go," she said, clearly speaking only to Etean.

Etean looked surprised, "What's the matter?"

Ginny shook her head, "Nothing, I" she glanced at Draco, "I have to go. See you around." She turned and left, almost running as she climbed the stairs.

Etean watched her go for a moment, "Bye," he said before turning back to Draco with an annoyed expression, "You know Malfoy, you really have a way with women."

Draco shrugged, "I have a way with 'Weasleys'. I shouldn't have to explain to you why,"

Etean thought for a moment, "No, I guess you don't. Their situation is…unfortunate," he straightened up and straightened his robes, "Anyway, are you ready?"

Draco frowned, "For what?"

"Duelling! You asked me to teach you how to duel, remember? Now I'm going to show you."

"How?"

'Simple really,' Etean turned and walked toward the Great Hall as he sent the thought, 'I have shown you how to communicate.'

Draco concentrated and sent back, 'Yes?'

'Yes and now I'm going to show you how to use your new skills,' they reached the doors and headed inside. Draco didn't respond, he realised that Etean would explain when he was ready and he was sure that Etean knew he was curious. The hall had already been prepared for the Duelling Club. The four house tables had been replaced by a long, low platform that bisected the room. An elevated wooden lectern stood beside the centre point of the platform, a place for the referee to stand. About half the sixth years were already here, including a bunch of Slytherins. Pansy waved him over, Draco sighed and headed toward her. Etean's voice drifted into his head again, 'Right, here goes. Duelling is all about tactics Draco, you move, they move, you hex them, they hex you. The trick to winning is to be a better tactician than your opponent. You have to guess what he'll do and do something better,' he paused and turned to Draco before grinning, 'Or you can cheat.'

They reached the group of Slytherins, Draco sat on the edge of the duelling platform, Pansy sat beside him and looped her arm through his.

"You shouldn't be here Draco," she purred in his ear, "not with your arm," she leaned in and dropped her voice to a mere whisper, "Why don't we slip away, up to your dorm where we can be…alone?"

Draco shuddered as she kissed his earlobe, he turned to her, "Save it Pansy, I'd rather be here."

Pansy let him go and pulled back, pouting, "But how can you duel with your arm like that?"

"I have two hands Pansy, I'll just have to use the other one is all," he stood up and turned to Etean. Theo Nott was talking to him about some spell or other that would apparently guarantee victory in any duel. Etean seemed fully engaged in the conversation, but it was an act. His voice sounded inside Draco's head, picking up where he had left off.

'Now, you said that when your father challenged you last week that you could feel that he was lying. You said that you could feel that the person sneaking up behind you was about to strike.' Draco nodded, Etean raised his hand and tapped the side of his head gently, a subtle reminder that the rest of them couldn't hear their conversation.

'Sorry, I mean yes, I felt it.'

'That's better. Now, I was actually quite impressed by that. It takes some people a long time to manage that level of telepathy.'

'Really?' Draco tried to make the thought convey his disbelief, 'It didn't do me much good did it?' He shrugged his shoulder, drawing attention to his hand.

Etean's eyes darted over to look at him for a moment, 'It got you out of there in one piece didn't it? Look, the point is not that you were hurt, it's that you managed to sense the impending attack in your enemies thoughts in the first place. Now that you have learned to communicate, you will be able to learn to do it properly.'

'How?'

Etean was about to answer, when Pansy spoke up and interrupted him, "Are you looking forward to duelling, Etean?"

Etean turned from Nott without missing a beat and faced her, "Of course I am, Pansy, it should be fun. Have you ever duelled before?"

Pansy laughed, "No, not often. I have better things to do with my time," behind her, Draco scoffed and sat down on the edge of the platform again. Pansy gave no indication that she had heard him.

Etean gestured to Nott, "Really? Well in that case, Theodore here has some ideas that may interest you. He has a few tricks up his sleeve apparently." Pansy turned to look at Nott, her voice sounded genuinely interested, Draco knew it was all an act, she was trying to make him jealous again. He shook his head as Nott started to explain about his all powerful spell to beat any opponent. Etean followed for a moment, ensuring that they were fully engaged in conversation before stepping away and moving back to stand in front of Draco. Pansy laughed aloud at some comment Nott had made, Draco turned to scowl at her. She pretended not to, but he knew she had seen his expression of annoyance. He turned back to see Etean gazing past him at the far side of the room. He had a strange look on his face. Draco was about to turn and follow his stare when Etean turned back to him and smiled.

"You really need to get your girlfriend under control Malfoy," he joked, Draco scowled.

'Parkinson is not my girlfriend,' he put as much force behind the thought as he could. Etean just laughed and patted him on the shoulder. He clasped him and turned him round as Snape stepped out of the crowd onto the platform. He marched to the centre point of the duelling platform, waving his hand in the air for silence, the students obeyed.

"Good evening sixth years, welcome to the sixth year Duelling Society," Snape started to pace back and forth along the length of the platform, glaring at each student as he passed. "This is the first opportunity for you to take part in the Duelling Club. No doubt you have heard from the other students who participated earlier in the week about the rules that will be enforced, but, just so as there is no confusion, I will re-iterate them now." He slowed his pace as he paced along the, continuing to looking every student in the eye as he passed, "This Duelling Society is supposed to be a forum for practical use of magic, both in combative and defensive spells and, as such, the restrictions on magical conduct that are normally enforced in this school will be somewhat relaxed for the duration of these club gatherings. This is not, however, a chance for any of you," his gaze fell on Harry, "to show off, or," he looked at Weasley, "to pursue personal vendettas, be they founded or unfounded.

"Your duels will be refereed by myself or by the presiding teacher, the referee's word and rulings are final in all matters. The spells and enchantments that you will use must be intended to disarm or temporarily disable your opponent, not to inflict any permanent or excessive damage. Also, you will be restricted to only cast enchantments at one another when directed, either during a match or in a supervised practice environment. Anyone found attempting to curse another student outside of these times will be severely reprimanded."

Snape paused to glare at the gathered students once more, "Now then, this is supposed to be a chance for you to duel, so I see no further reason why we should not get right down to duelling. This first meeting will be a chance for everyone to gauge the relative talents of the other students. I will select a random pairing from amongst you and you shall duel, the winner will remain to face a new opponent, again chosen at random. We shall continue in this fashion until everyone has had a chance to compete. The remaining student will have the honour of bearing the title of Sixth Year Champion until such time as another student defeats them and takes the title. Does everyone understand?" There was a low murmur of agreement from the students. Snape turned and looked around, ensuring that there were no questions before marching over to the lectern. He took out his wand and waved it in the air above his head. Two golden sparks shot out of the tip of his wand and shot around. Back and forth they flew above the students' heads before they came to a stop, hovering above the heads of Goyle and Weasley. "Will the chosen students step forward?" Snape called. Weasley bounced onto the platform, Goyle was still staring at the spark. It wasn't until Pansy nudged him that he realised and moved forward. When he arrived, Snape began to list the rules, "The duel will last until one of you is either incapacitated," Snape scowled at Goyle's confused expression, "That means until you cannot fight anymore Goyle, or until one of you is disarmed – loses your wand." He shook his head, the Gryffindors and a fair few of the others laughed aloud at Goyle's idiocy. Snape began to list all the charms that were not to be used in the duel. Draco was listening when Etean's voice boomed in his head and distracted him.

'Now then, let me explain what we are really doing here. You understand that in order to communicate you must first build a bridge, a mental connection between your mind and another person's?'

'Yes,' Draco had to consciously resist the urge to nod, 'I get that.'

'Good, well, this bridge can be used to communicate, to transmit thoughts to another. This much you know, but it can also be used for other things. You can also listen. When the connection exists, your thoughts flow along it, so too do the other person's thoughts. But their thoughts are smaller, quieter, they are harder to hear. With a great deal of time and effort, you will be able to hear them clearly,' Draco frowned, Etean cut him off with a glance, 'I know we don't have time for such concerns, it is lucky for us that we do not need to. The thoughts I want you to be able to read tonight are going to be easier to hear.'

Draco looked up as Snape finished explaining the rules, Weasley and Goyle moved to the centre line and saluted each other before walking back to their places. Draco frowned, still puzzled as to what Etean was trying to say. Etean must have picked up on his confusion, 'Duelling is a high stress situation, and, in high stress situations, the mind becomes clearer. Thoughts become sharper, louder. I want you to reach out, connect your mind to Goyle and listen. Try to pick out his thoughts.'

'Thoughts?' Draco smiled, 'This is Goyle we are talking about.'

Etean smirked back, he raised his foot and kicked Draco's ankle hard, 'Yes, Goyle does think, just not often.' Draco shrugged and turned to Goyle, he extended himself and felt the slightest tingle as he connected to Goyle's feeble mind. He let out a slight grunt of frustration as he strained and struggled, but he couldn't hear anything.

'Concentrate, his thoughts are there,' Etean moved his hand slightly, 'Here, let me make it easier for you.' Draco felt the world shift as Etean slowed time, the effect brought the whole room to a near standstill. Draco marvelled at how easily Etean could manipulate time in this manner. 'It gets easier with practice,' Etean turned and grinned at him, 'Now, you won't be able to understand what Goyle is thinking with time stretched out like this, but you will be able to hear his thoughts, try again, clear your mind and listen.' Draco turned back to Goyle and concentrated all his attention on listening to the connection. 'Concentrate…' Etean's voice echoed through his head. Draco shut his eyes and tried not to think about anything else but the connection. At first there was nothing, but then, as if from far away, he heard it, a quiet buzzing sound, barely audible over the sound of his own breathing. 'That's it,' Etean congratulated him, 'There they are, now focus, allow your senses to take over, let them draw the sound out, make it loud enough for you to hear.'

Draco opened his eyes as he let his mind expand. His senses opened up, the shimmering world of the Ether surrounded him. He focussed on the connection to Goyle. The buzzing returned, it grew louder as he concentrated on it, he could hear it clearly now, a constant, thumping rhythm. Etean laid his hand on Draco's shoulder, steadying him, 'I am going to slowly release my hold on time, try and hold the thought as the world returns to normal. As it speeds up, you will be able to understand his thought as though it was your own, and then you will know what he intends to do. Try to realise it before he does it.' The world shifted, time sped up again. Draco mind lurched as he felt the sound change. The change was rapid, he almost lost it.

"Three…" Snape's voice was slow; time was still not at full speed. Draco struggled to hold onto the sound of Goyle's mind. It was shifting and changing faster and faster. 'No, you can already hear it,' Etean corrected him, 'you need to feel it, to think it. Let it wash over your mind, let it take shape.'

"Two…" Snape sounded more natural. Draco shut his eyes again and focused on the sound, it was repeating, the same pattern over and over again – it was a word. 'He's thinking of a word.'

'Good, now what is that word?' Draco let the sound fill his head, over and over again it repeated, louder and louder as time fully reverted to normal. He heard it, it snapped into his mind as clear as if Goyle had shouted it at him.

"Rictusempra," he said, his voice was barely a whisper.

Snape's voice bellowed, "One," and the duel was on.

Almost before Snape was finished his count, Goyle's arm was swinging forward, bringing his wand in line with Weasley's chest, "Rictusempra!" he bellowed, followed by a blinding flash of red light.

Draco felt his mouth drop open, he had actually heard Goyle decide to use the spell. The duel was short, as quick as Goyle had been, Weasley was quicker, he ducked beneath Goyle's curse and launched his own, "Stupefy!"

There was a flash and Goyle fell with a heavy thud to the floor. Weasley stood up, obviously proud of himself. There was a brief round of cheers from the Gryffindors before Snape silenced them with a raised eyebrow.

He turned and nodded once to him, "Mr. Weasley wins," Snape turned to Goyle's immobile form and aimed his wand, "Enervate!" The spell hit Goyle and he stirred.

It was several minutes before the other Slytherins were able to get him off the platform. Someone drew up a chair and sat him down. Snape waited until he was seated before waving his wand again and releasing another spark into the air.

'Well done!' Etean's voice stirred Draco out his amazement. The spark flew through the air above them to settle over Millicent Bulstrode. She paused, clearly nervous before clambering onto the platform, Etean continued, 'Now, do it again.'

Etean slowed time once again. Draco settled himself and then reached out to Millicent's mind. Drawing on his experience with Goyle, Draco found her thoughts more easily this time. He concentrated and allowed the sound to fill his mind. Etean relaxed his hold on time and it started to accelerate again. Millicent stood ready, but she wasn't. Draco could feel how nervous she was, her thoughts sounded erratic. They flashed through Draco's mind faster than Goyle's had done, and there were more of them. They kept shifting and changing, he couldn't pin them down. Draco looked up at her as time reverted to normal speed. He could almost see her thoughts shift and change behind her eyes.

"She's panicking," he whispered, "she won't fire."

Pansy heard him and turned to face him, "What did you say Draco?"

Draco shook his head and didn't answer. The countdown ended and the duel started. Just as he had thought, Millicent froze. Her wand hand didn't even twitch. Weasley didn't hesitate however. Without a moment's consideration, he levelled his wand and stunned her where she stood. The Gryffindors cheered as one.

Snape scowled and awakened Millicent, "Let us hope the rest of you can do better," he growled, more at the Slytherins than anyone else. Again the Slytherins had to climb onto the platform and pick up one of their own and carry her off to a chair. Things were not looking good for them. Snape released another spark, this time it settled over the head of Dean Thomas. Dean looked up at Snape and waited for his nod before hopping up onto the platform. He saluted to Weasley and then took his mark. Without bothering to repeat the instructions, Etean slowed time again. Draco reached out and isolated the sound of Thomas' thoughts. Again, he struggled to hold the sound as Etean released his hold on time. The chaos in Thomas' mind nearly overwhelmed him. He fought and struggled to make sense of the noise. A pounding sensation started to reverberate through his skull. He heard Snape countdown from three to start the duel. The professor's voice barely registered over the sudden headache pounding his temples.

"Rictusempra," he whispered. The pain in his head pounded harder, his knees buckled and he stumbled forward, but only an inch. Draco felt pressure across his chest and under his arms as though someone were physically holding him upright. He turned to face Etean as his voice sounded over the pounding.

'Well done, that's enough for the moment. Breathe, take slow, deep breaths and you'll be fine. It will get easier with practice.'

Draco looked down, he could still feel someone holding him upright, but no one was touching him. Mustering all his strength, he stood upright, feeling the invisible grip release him. Taking Etean's advice, he shut his eyes and took slow breaths. Over the next few minutes the pain slowly receded. He started to feel a little of himself again as he watched student after student step forward only to be defeated by Weasley. By the time Theo Nott was called out, the pain was all but gone. Draco felt strong enough to try again. He reached out and touched Eteans arm. Getting his attention, he nodded slightly. Etean seemed to understand, he looked up and waved his hand to slow time again. Draco reached out and tried to read Nott's thoughts. It was difficult, the headache seeming to dull his senses. Nott's thoughts seemed elusive, always seeming to slip from his grasp. Draco paused, took a breath and tried again. He reached out and pulled at Nott's mind with all the force that he could muster. The pain in his temple grew again as he finally isolated the sound. Draco ground his teeth and held on. Concentrating, he managed to hear Nott's decision.

"Stupefy," he lowered his head and shut his eyes, the pain faded.

"Stupefy," Nott bellowed. Draco looked up to see his curse detonate against Weasley's chest. He fell where he stood, out cold. Around him the Slytherins cheered. Draco winced, 'Ouch, not so loud.' Etean turned and smiled at him. The Gryffindors rushed forward to scoop Weasley up. As they carried him away, Etean nudged Draco's shoulder. Draco looked up to see Snape's spark hover over his head, it was his turn. He moved to climb up onto the platform, but Etean stopped him.

'Don't try to read his thoughts,' he warned. 'You are not nearly skilled enough and the distraction will be enough to finish you.'

'Then what do I do?' Draco asked.

Etean rolled his eyes, 'Trust yourself, Draco. Let your instincts guide you to see what he will do.' Draco looked at him, and nodded. He clambered onto the platform, not an easy task with one hand but he managed it. Draco watched Nott carefully as they saluted, staring into his eyes. Nott stared back with calm confidence. Automatically, the danger of the situation triggered Draco's senses. Draco relaxed and let them expand. Nott became a standing pool of shimmering light set against the background of chaos. Draco found that he had to focus hard to keep from losing. Snape shouted the countdown from somewhere far away, he didn't matter now. Nott moved, churning the pool as he did and sending out wave after wave of energy. Draco watched, fascinated by the majesty of it. Draco's senses tightened, he felt a threat incoming. A bright spot in the pool became brighter as Nott fired his stunner. Time slowed and he stepped aside, out of the spell's path and fired his own as though in a dream. The danger faded, his senses returned to normal. Draco just about saw the look of surprise on Nott's face before the spell hit and he fell unconscious to the floor. There was no applause, except from Pansy. She clapped twice before she realised she was alone and stopped.

Draco turned to Snape, he nodded, "Well done Mr. Malfoy," the Professor's eyes narrowed slightly, "It would seem that you have not allowed your injury to slow you down."

Draco nodded his thanks. The silence remained for a moment before Snape seemed to come to his senses. He roused Nott before releasing another spark. It whirled about in the air to settle over Potter's head. Potter looked up at Draco, a wicked smile caught the corner of his mouth before he moved to climb up. They stood eye to eye, gave one another a tiny salute and took their positions.

The countdown started, Draco readied himself. "Three, two, one…" and Potter fired, twice. Draco's senses tightened on the first spell, Rictusempra, time slowed and he dodged…right into the second spell. The stunner detonated, his senses collapsed in on him as the world winked out.

Draco opened his eyes to blinding light. He felt someone pick him up and carry him away. He didn't know to where, and he didn't care. The world around him was a multicoloured haze of light and sound that he didn't understand. He shook his head as he was plonked down into a chair. His vision slowly started to clear as he shook his head. The first thing he could identify was Pansy standing with her back to him. She turned and walked past him. 'Where is she off to?' he thought. Pansy faded in and out of focus as she moved to the end of the platform and stopped. He watched as she turned to face the opposite direction, looking past him. Draco turned to see what she was looking at, the dark blur he saw at the far end of the room eventually resolved itself into the shape of Potter. He was looking past him too, at Pansy, he had his wand raised. 'What's going on?'

"Three," a loud voice in front of him pounded in his head. Draco turned to look at Professor Snape, "Two…One," there were more shouts before he shut his eyes as a bright flash blinded him. He heard a loud thud from somewhere off to his right and he opened his eyes and looked round to see Pansy lying sparked out on the platform, her legs spread akimbo. From where he sat, Draco could see right up her skirt. He laughed out loud at the sight.

'Snap out of it Malfoy,' a hard voice boomed in his head, 'For pities sake, he didn't hit you that hard.' Draco looked round to see Etean glaring down at him.

"What?" he muttered. The image of Etean faded in and out before Draco's eyes. He saw him shaking his head before his eyes flashed briefly.

It was like a bucket of ice water had been dumped over his head, Draco came to and remembered where he was. The duel, Potter's curse all came rushing back to him. He wished they hadn't, his head hurt worse than before. Etean looked down at him and shook his head again. They didn't speak for a while, Draco slowly felt himself get back to normal as he watched Potter dispatch student after student. None even came close to hurting him. Draco grew more and more annoyed as he watched the smug expression get more and more prominent on Potter's face.

Then Hermione was called out. Draco found himself staring at her as she clambered onto the table. Beside him, he noticed Etean clenching his fist.

Draco stood up, "What's wrong?" he said quietly.

Etean didn't answer immediately. He closed his eyes and shook his head slightly, "Nothing," he said in a whisper, "I'm just fighting the urge to slap Potter."

Draco turned and watched as Hermione and Potter saluted. Hermione smiled at Potter, he didn't return the gesture. His expression still showed his smug overconfidence. Draco frowned, he certainly wanted to slap him, but Etean?

'Are you OK?'

'I'm fine, watch the duel.' Draco turned back as Snape started the countdown.

"Three…Two…One," Potter aimed and fired a stunner almost before the sound had faded. He wasn't quick enough however. Hermione had obviously been studying the book Flitwick had given her very closely. She waved her wand and conjured a small wooden shield to protect herself from Potter's curse. The stunner detonated on the shield, scorching the surface of the wood. Hermione lifted her head from behind the shield and smiled at Potter. He just frowned and raised his wand again.

With a stern glare on his face, he bellowed, "Reducto!"

Draco shut his eyes against the glare as the spell shot past. The force of it made the hairs on his arms tingle. The spell hit Hermione's shield dead centre and shattered it into a million pieces. Shards of wood shot through the air as the remainder of the spell's power carried on and connected with Hermione. The force of it bent her double and hurled her off the platform and ten feet through the air into the rear wall of the hall. There was an astonished gasp from the students, Slytherin, Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff alike. Even Snape looked surprised. Potter didn't look surprised, or even concerned. He lowered his wand and turned to face the professor. Draco turned to stare at him. What the hell had gotten into him? She was his friend for Merlin's sake. His expression was blank, but for a moment, Draco thought he saw him shudder slightly. Guilt? Or just fear of reprimand? Draco wouldn't have thought it was possible, but his desire to batter Potter actually went up a notch. He forced himself to look away from Potter before he lost his temper completely. He looked over at Hermione to see a bunch of Gryffindors led by Weasley had rushed over to help her up. Hermione stood at first, but then yelped loud and bent double in pain.

"You had better go to the Hospital Wing Miss Granger," Snape ordered, "Miss Patil, go with her." Pavarti Patil put her arm round Hermione's shoulders and led her slowly out of the hall. Draco watched her go before turning back to glare at Potter.

His temper surged, "Shit Potter, what would you have done to her if she wasn't your friend?"

There was a general murmur of agreement from the students around the room. Potter turned and glared back at Draco. He opened his mouth to respond but Snape interrupted him, "That's enough Malfoy. Mind your language in future," he turned back to Potter, "That was a bit excessive, Potter. There was any number of other ways you could have beaten her." Potter shrugged. The noise of people murmuring grew louder until Snape silenced them. He shook his head.

"Well then. It seems we are about finished. We have only one more student to challenge Potter. Mr. Etean, step forward."

Etean moved to get up onto the platform.

Draco reached out and stopped him, 'Flatten him!' he thought,

'Excuse me?'

'You said you wanted to slap him? Well now's your chance. Put him down…hard! Do us both a favour.'

Etean paused, and then smirked, 'Just watch.' He jumped up and strolled over to salute Potter, and then marched almost casually back to his line. He stood with his wand was lowered by his side. 'Give me a five count.'

'What?' Draco asked.

'Raise your hand,' Etean made a gesture with his free hand, he held his fingers up, 'He gets five free shots.' Draco nodded and raised his hand, his fingers spread out to mirror Etean's gesture. Snape counted the duel down and Potter fired. The stunner flashed past Etean as he dodged to the side. Draco's mouth opened, he hadn't felt time slow for him to dodge. Had he really moved that fast? 'One,' Etean's thought pounded in his head, Draco lowered a finger. Potter fired again, and again Etean dodged. 'Two.'

Potter continued to launch spell after spell, Draco counted down as Etean dodged, three, two, and then one. Etean straightened up as the last free shot sailed by. Sensing the change in pace, Potter paused. Draco put his hand down and didn't bother to hide the smirk, 'Show time.'

Etean stood up to his full height, he rocked his head left and right, working the muscles of his neck to loosen them. Then he raised his arm and flipped the end of his wand slightly, inviting Potter to try again. Potter checked his stance and fired again. The stunner flashed through the air. This time, Etean didn't dodge. He moved his hand, a tiny movement and his wand started to spin in the air, twirling on his finger. The end traced a glowing purple circle as it spun. Potter's spell detonated in mid air, six inches from Etean's hand. The energy from it spread out to form a disk roughly three feet in diameter before it faded. Etean smiled and continued to spin his wand. Potter raised an eyebrow, finally dropping the smug expression.

"What is that?" he asked Etean.

"A shield Potter," Etean's grin remained, "Let's see you punch through this one."

Potter glared, angered by Etean's tone. He took a step forward, "Reducto!" he roared. His curse shot out and detonated and dispersed on the shield. This time however, it didn't fade completely. This time, a hazy, purple glow remained in the air. Potter fired again, and again, and again, with the same result. The shield remained hanging in the air, getting brighter as each spell infused it with more energy.

Etean continued to grin and twirl his wand, "You're persistent," he goaded, "I'll give you that." He stepped forward, the shield moved with him, getting brighter and brighter as Potter continued to try and punch through. Etean stopped short of the bisecting line, the shield hovered in the air. Potter stopped his assault and lowered his wand, out of breath. Etean shook his head. "There are ways around brute force." He lowered his wand and turned around. Potter stepped forward in sudden rage at Etean's condescending tone, and fired again. His spell hit that shield and, with an ominous rushing sound, it collapsed in on itself and detonated. The blast tossed Potter into the air like a rag doll in a hurricane. He spun and twisted for over ten feet before landing hard on the table, unconscious. The whole room was stunned into silence for a moment before a chorus of cheers and applause exploded from the Slytherins.

"Settle down, settle down." Snape's eyes went back and forth from Potter to Etean. The Slytherins ignored his half-hearted attempts to regain order. They closed around Etean as he dropped from the table. Draco suddenly found himself alone. He smiled and stared over at Potter as Snape woke him up. Potter sat up, his face was criss-crossed with countless burns and the front of his robes was in tatters. "Another guest for Madame Pomfrey it seems," Snape intoned from the lectern, largely ignored, "Mr Weasley, see that he gets there." With that, Snape turned and hollered at the Slytherins until they shut up. "Congratulations Mr. Etean, you have the temporary honour of being Sixth Year Champion," he tossed Etean a small golden badge, "Exactly how temporary it is remains to be seen. Now…back to your dormitories all of you." Despite their jubilation at seeing Potter defeated in such a fashion, the edge in Snape's voice was enough to prevent even the Slytherins from dawdling. Draco barged his way through the pack of Slytherins to Etean. He had intended to congratulate him but it was no use, he couldn't even hear himself think over the cheers of the Slytherins. Soon he was hopelessly caught up in the throng as they headed to the dungeons. Time for another Slytherin party!