Chapter 19: Harry's Second

Before Madam Hooch was in eyesight of the situation, Phoenix unfroze Draco and ducked from the casted spell. The Slytherin house tried to tell Madam Hooch what happened, but dismissed the idea after Phoenix's explanation. Phoenix shrugged, she did not understand what they were saying. Madam Hooch tried to get the class restarted, but dismissed the distracted students. The Slytherins went on their way, eyeing Phoenix, while the Gryffindors bugged her with questions.

Malfoy did not understand what everyone was talking about. All he remembered was raising his wand, and Madam Hooch behind them. He didn't remember her being there before. The Slytherins tried to explain what happened, but it made little sense. Malfoy looked over before heading inside, watching Ron and Hermione flock around Phoenix.

"Okay, tell me how you did that?" asked Ron.

"I told you! I used the spell Petrificus Totalus, that was all!" She still needed to convince her friends. All the other Gryffindors left, she hoped, satisfied.

Ron was confused. He did not see her wand, only her flinging her wrists. "But I didn't see you draw your wand! You raised your hands and Malfoy froze! It was brilliant!"

"Ron, you must of not seen it. Phoenix drew her wand. She was faster than Malfoy." Hermione explained. She drew her wrists up, mocking Phoenix, placing her wand between her fingers, proving Ron her theory. Even though she had an idea on the real reason, she wanted Phoenix to tell it.

Phoenix looked at Hermione perplexed. 'Does she? No, she couldn't. Maybe she really thought I had my wand.'

"Any way Ron, it's late, and I'm getting hungry. Could you drop it?"

"Okay fine!" Ron huffed as they made their way to the great hall.

They opened the doors and made their way to the Gryffindor table. Harry was already there waiting for them. Ron sat on his left while Phoenix sat on Harry's right, followed by Hermione.

"So, Harry, what happened?" asked Phoenix.

Harry told them everything. He explained how Wood was eyeing him and how Professor McGonagall was excited.

"You're joking!" Ron exclaimed excitingly, forgetting what he was going to tell Harry about Malfoy. Phoenix had to take away Ron's fork, for he also forgot he had a piece of steak and kidney pie halfway to his mouth.

"Seeker?" he continued, not paying any attention to Phoenix. "But first years never- you must be the youngest house play in about,"

"- a century," said Harry as he shoved pie into his mouth. "Wood told me."

"Okay, what does a seeker do again?" Phoenix asked.

"The seeker catches the golden snitch."

"And the golden snitch is what?"

"The gold ball that is so small hardly anyone can see it when it flies at a fast pace. The seeker tries to catch it to win and end the game." Ron explained.

"Oh, right, the flying golden thingy."

Ron rolled his eyes and looked back at Harry, his mouth opened wide. Phoenix laughed as he looked like a fish.

"I train next week." continued Harry. "Only, don't tell anyone, Wood wants to keep it a secret."

"Well done!" said George in a low voice. The Weasley twins hurried over to Harry when they came into the great hall. "Wood told us. We're on the team too- Beaters."

"I tell you, we're going to win the Quidditch cup for sure this year." said Fred. "We haven't won since Charlie left, but you must be good, Harry, Wood was almost skipping when he told us."

"Anyway, we've got to go; Lee Jordan reckons he's found a new secret passageway out of school."

"There are passageways in the school?" Phoenix perked. The twins saw the excitement and devious look in her eyes.

"Yeah, the school is full of them. We'll show you sometime if you'd like." The twins grinned as they saw her glitter up with the mischievous look they themselves had.

"It makes sense. This is a castle, and castles have passageways. I would love to! It would be so much fun!"

"Hey Ron, keep this girl. We like her. See yeah, Harry." The twins left, leaving a blushed Ron.

"Oh, Phoenix, I almost forgot to tell you. I told Wood about you too."

"About me? Why would you do that? What did I do?"

"Because, you helped. You also saw Neville's Remembrall. I bet you would have been able to catch it too. Anyway, he seemed interested. He was thinking about making you an alternate or a chaser."

"But…"

Before she could finish, Malfoy turned up flanked by none other than Crabbe and Goyle.

"Having a last meal, Potter? When are you getting the train back to the muggles?"

"Your braver now, you've got your little friends with you," said Harry coolly.

"I'd take you up on anytime on my own," said Malfoy. "Tonight, if you want. Wizard's duel. Wands only- no contact. What's the matter? Never heard of a wizard's duel before, I suppose?"

"Of course he has," said Ron, wheeling around. "I'm his second, who's yours?"

"Actually, I was looking forward to Matthews to be Potter's second."

"Phoenix?" asked Ron.

"Yes." Malfoy sneered.

Phoenix turned around and matched his sneer.

"Okay, I'll be Harry's second, as long as Ron could be his third." Ron looked over at Phoenix mouthing that there was no such thing as Malfoy chuckled.

"Fine Weasel can come. Crabbe will be my second. Midnight all right? We'll meet you in the trophy room; that's always unlocked."

When Malfoy had gone, Ron, Harry, and Phoenix looked at each other.

"I can't believe you said third!" Ron stated.

"What is a wizard's dual?" said Harry.

"And what did he mean by me being Harry's second? And you could have stopped me if there was no such thing as a third!"

"Well, a second's there to take over if you die. And I wanted to stop you but you kept on talking!" said Ron starting at last on his cold pie. Catching the look on Harry and Phoenix's face, he quickly added, "But people only die in proper duels, you and Malfoy'll be able to do is send sparks at each other. He probably thought you two would have refused."

"But we didn't. So, what if Harry waves his wand and nothing happens?" asked Phoenix in an excited creepy way that made Ron shiver a little.

"Well, Harry, throw your wand away and punch Malfoy on the nose," Ron suggested.

"Excuse me!"

All three looked over beside Phoenix. It was Hermione. Phoenix completely forgot she was beside her because of what was happening.

"Can't a person eat in peace in this place?"

"Ron!" yelled Phoenix.

"What?"

Hermione ignored him and spoke to both Harry and Phoenix.

"I couldn't help overhearing what you and Malfoy were saying."

"Bet you could. Ouch!" Ron yelped as Phoenix slapped him on the backside of his head.

"- and you mustn't go wandering around the school at night, think of the points you'll lose Gryffindor if you're caught, and you're bound to be. It's really very selfish of you both."

"And it's really none of your business."

"Harry!" yelled Phoenix.

"Good-bye." Said Ron, as Harry and he stood up, leaving an upset Phoenix and Hermione. Both upset for two different reasons.