Classes started again the day after they returned to Hogwarts. The last thing anyone felt like doing was spending two hours on the grounds on a raw January morning, but Hagrid had provided a bonfire full of salamanders for their enjoyment, and they spent a fun lesson collecting dry wood and leaves to keep the fire blazing while the flame-loving lizards scampered up and down the crumbling, white-hot logs.
Malfoy was in attendance and Dudley glowered menacingly at him. He still fully intended to get revenge, but the twins had come up with an idea. Dudley was going to challenge Malfoy to a wizarding duel in public after the next Slytherin quidditch practice so they could settle things one on one.
The first Divination lesson of the new term was much less fun than Care of Magical Creatures; Professor Trelawney was now teaching them palmistry, and she lost no time in informing Dudley that he had the shortest life line she had ever seen. Dudley had yawned widely. He was fully in agreement with Hermione that Divination was a waste of time and that Trelawney was an old fraud.
The first Slytherin quidditch practice took place on the Wednesday. Dudley, Dean, Ron and Neville met Fred, George and Lee Jordan outside the castle. It had been Fred's idea for Dudley to challenge Malfoy in a group—that way he would lose face if he declined and, it was backup since Malfoy would be with the rest of the Slytherin quidditch team.
"Ready, Dud?" Fred said. "Remember, set the duel Thursday evening at the quidditch field. I've checked the schedule and it was free that evening."
"Right," Dudley said, thrusting his hands into his pockets as they headed to the quidditch pitch. They waited near the entrance to the changing rooms for 10 minutes while the Slytherins finished their practice.
"Good flying today," the Slytherin captain Marcus Flint was saying. "Miles, that was a great save towards the end there. Lucian, you're getting more accurate with …" he trailed off when he saw the gathered Gryffindors.
"What's this?" he growled, raising his hands.
"Relax, Flint," George said. "We're because of what that rat did to our mate."
"Four on one," Fred said in disgust.
"It's no different than what they fat pillock has done," Miles Bletchley said angry. "He's attacked Draco and Theodore Nott a number of times, that was just payback."
Dudley bristled at that, his fists clenched by his side.
"Draco overstepped the mark," Dean said angrily.
"How about him?" Cassius Warrington said, jabbing a finger towards Dudley. "He attacked Theo on the train—for no reason. Even shoved his head down the toilet."
"Is that true, Dud?" George said, looking shocked.
Dudley who had been grinning at the memory, gave a shrug. "He deserved it. Him and his wannabe Death Eater mates calling me and Dean a mudblood all the time." In truth though, Nott actually hadn't done anything beyond being a Slytherin. He didn't think Fred or George would approve of him just randomly attacking people, however—even if they were Slytherins.
"And also …" Peregrine Derrick began.
"Look, I don't know exactly what's been going on with Malfoy and Dud," George interjected. "But we reckon it's time they settled it."
"One-on-one," Fred said.
Now, Dudley stepped forward. "I'm challenging you to a wizard's duel, Malfoy. Thursday evening. At the quidditch pitch. You versus me."
"And don't try to chicken our like last time," Ron said.
"Crying to Filch," Dean sneered.
Malfoy looked angry. "And why should I trust you?" he spat. "You and your mates will just ambush me."
"We reckon we should each bring some mates as observers," Fred said. "To make sure nobody jumps in."
Flint looked thoughtful and gave a nod of his head. "Try anything, Weasley and you'll regret it."
"Why would we need to try anything?" George replied. "We'll be glad to see Dud give Malfoy a beating."
"Rules?" Flint snapped.
"No lethal spells of course," George said. "Duel until one of quits, is disarmed or incapacitated."
"Seconds?" Graham Montague asked.
"No need," said Fred. "It's one on one, Dudley vs Draco. Everyone else is just observers."
"How many observers?" Flint said.
"You lot and us, of course," said Lee Jordan. "There's six of you, plus Malfoy. Six of us, plus Dudley."
"What do you say, Draco?" Flint said.
"If it means I get to teach fat boy a lesson, I'm in," he sneered. "I'll never lose a dual to a mudblood."
Dean and Dudley started forward angrily. Ron quickly restrained them.
"Keep it up, Malfoy and we'll finish it now," Fred said, drawing his wand. Lee, George and Neville did likewise.
"Come off it, Weasley, our wands are in the locker room, I thought you Gryffindors were meant to be brave," Flint said with a sneer worthy of Malfoy.
"Tell that rat to knock it off then," said Fred.
"Or we'll finish it now," said Lee.
"Alright," Flint said hastily. "Draco drop it. Wait until Thursday."
The Weasleys, Lee Jordan and Neville lowered their wands.
"Thursday it is," said Dudley, staring straight at Malfoy who stared straight back. "Enjoy your last few days, Malfoy because I'm going to send you to the hospital wing."