Rodrick sighed, he was currently sat down on a conjured chair near one of the corners of the shop. The girls, Tracey and Daphne, were busy running around the entire shop, getting far too excited over clothing.

The fact this was the 8th shop they'd dragged him into only made it worse.

This was his day off. Not at all what he expected when Daphne suddenly demanded he took a break from and in her own words, 'subconsciously trying to take over the world.'

He shook his head at that particular thought. Maybe it was a genetic thing.

Still, at least she said break. She never said he had to stop altogether.

Convincing the headmaster to let him out of the castle was easy enough, though Dumbledore likely figured he'd go regardless of what his answer was. He could transform into a Phoenix, he could apparate out anytime he wanted.

The girls had both been surprised when he asked them to join him.

Staring at the two now, he could understand why Blaise had refused. Well, in a sense, he'd simply wanted to go on another day, particularly after he won the Tri-Wizard tournament.

It wasn't a wasteful day though, not in the least.

Though it wasn't a day off by any means with how draining it'd been, he'd at the very least learnt more about his image and how those outside Hogwarts saw him.

Evidently he was rather famous around Hogsmeade, which was odd considering he'd never really visited the place much.

It was most likely the other students fault, or perhaps even professors... He wasn't sure who started spreading news about him but Hogsmeade certainly lapped it up and that was before the Trip-wzard tournament started.

Following the first task...

To put it bluntly, no one would leave him alone.

The amount of times he could've broken the law to simply force them to leave him alone... Eventually he resorted to more legal means.

The girls got used to it eventually.

How Harry Potter survived been the Boy-Who-Lived, hell how Lockhart survived was beyond him.

Still, there were some bonuses to it. One of which involved free clothing apparently. They'd, naturally, been stopped as soon as they were spotted by this shop's owner. He'd offered a few free robes and what not and the girls basically forced him inside. At least this one had been empty.

"Rodrick,"

He blinked out of his stupor before he turned towards Daphne.

"Yes?" He eyed the formal looking dress in her hand. She could've been looking for something for the Yule ball...

"What do you think of this?"

After a moment of silence, Daphne tried calling out to him again before abruptly stopping, briefly jumping back as a copy of the dress she'd been holding suddenly appeared in front of her. A second later she found herself dressed in it, her own robes levitating in front of her.

"I like it," Rodrick grinned, "Colour suits you," He added on as he reversed the change back.

Daphne stared at him for a moment longer before shaking her head, "Right," An amused smile on her face as she walked back.

"Rodrick!" Tracey called out, her eyes practically glowing as she held out her own choice of clothing, a grin on her own face. "Do me!"

If there was one person who loved the result of his supposed fame, it was Tracey.

...

Rodrick frowned as he heard footsteps from the entrance's direction. He was pretty sure he locked it... Even Daphne and Tracey momentarily stopped as the sound grew closer. The two girls slowly made their way towards him.

"Didn't you lock it?" Tracey questioned.

Rodrick nodded with a frown, he was fairly certain there were two people-

"Draco?" Rodrick called out with a raised eyebrow, and beside him was... Narcissa.

"Rodrick? What are you doing here?"

Rodrick blinked as he realised he hadn't actually told anyone else he wouldn't be at the castle... No wonder Blaise refused.

"Mr Grace?" Narcissa questioned amused, "I was wondering what those people outside were all fussing over, I am not sure whether I should be surprised or not that it's you,"

As soon as she was done she moved further into the shop, not giving him a chance to speak. Draco had a grimace on his face as he made attempts to get his mothers attention.

Rodrick shrugged and relaxed back into his seat, somewhat amused at the look of irritation that suddenly filled Narcissa's face.

"Where is the owner?" Narcissa fixed a passive look on her face.

He had been about to reply before Daphne suddenly got the older woman's attention, further amusing him when she mouthed the words 'day off' to him.

"We have to unstun him first," Daphne supplied.

"Excuse me?" Narcissa questioned bemused as the two disappeared into another room.

"What are you here for?" Draco questioned him.

"Day off," Rodrick answered.

Draco had an incredulous look on his face before he simply shook his head. "Yule Ball," He gave his own reasoning.

"This is a witches shop."

"Already bought my things." Draco fired back without missing a beat.

The two shared a look before they both sighed.

"How'd you get out then?"

"Mother asked Snape, you?"

"I asked Dumbledore,"

"Right... Whats with- Give me a chair." Draco suddenly demanded.

"What's with the earring?" Draco questioned as he took a seat, his hand motioning to the single earring.

"Oh," Rodrick remarked amused, his hand idly touching said earring. "It's a potion transfigured to look like an earring. The potion lets you apparate through wards!"

Malfoy was somewhat startled at the look on the boy's face, and when he processed the rest of the sentence he grimaced at the thought.

"You are joking right?"

It took Tracey moment before she decided to join the two of them. Seemingly uncomfortable at the woman's presence.

...

"Well, that's certainly disappointing," Narcissa's voice suddenly filled the room as the woman came back, followed by an indifferent Daphne who split off to join the others.

Draco sighed, that meant another shop.

"Well, I suppose until next time," Narcissa turned to Rodrick, a tight smile on her face. "There may yet be a celebration in the upcoming months at Malfoy Manor,"

Rodrick inwardly groaned as the woman went off on some sort of rant about the Malfoy's next party...

Draco closed his eyes, unwilling to watch things unfold, he was moments away from casting a silencing charm on himself until his mother went one step to far.

"Of course, you're both invited."

Tracey froze on the words, her eyes on the ground.

Rodrick however didn't miss a beat.

"You forget yourself Mrs Malfoy." He stated, a glint in his eye as he suddenly fixed his posture, his entire focus on the woman. He could hear Draco by his side taking a few steps back slowly.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes in the slightest as she turned to face him. "Excuse me?"

"How's Lucius?" Rodrick asked calmly, his lips turning the slightest upwards. He had to hold back the urge to grin as the woman eyes narrowed further.

"Careful now Mr Grin-" Narcissa started back.

"Mother." Draco's voice quickly took the woman's attention. She frowned the moment she saw the look on her son's face.

"That's enough." He added on before proceeding to do what any teenager in his situation would.

He quickly left the shop. His mothers eyes on his back, a worried look on her face. She seemed transfixed in that position, completely ignoring the sudden sound behind her.

When Narcissa turned back towards Rodrick, a tight smile in place, her eyes widened at the state he was in. He was sat down on his chair, a hand grasping his head. His eyes were closed with an exerted look on his face.

"What is wrong with him?" She questioned carefully.

"He's having a vision..." Tracey answered slowly.

...

"Well. Haven't felt that in a while." He sighed as he took a look at his surroundings. And then froze as he recognised the place. The top of the astronomy tower. His eyes widened when three wizards came into his view.

"Severus, please," Rodrick felt his heart beat faster as he heard Dumbledore's voice. 'What was going on...'

He quickly turned his eyes towards his head of house.

"He can do it, Just give him a little time." Severus stared back defiantly, his wand aimed at Dumbledore, his eyes locked with the headmasters.

Rodrick wasn't sure but for a moment, Snape's wand seemed to waver for a moment.

And then he finally turned towards the final wizard.

Draco Malfoy.

There was a furious expression on the wizards face. "Time? I don't need time!" He spat. "You looked down on me! Thought I wouldn't amount to much! He didn't think so! He thought I could pull it off! And he was right, look at you! The only problem you bloody have right now is how you're going to die!"

And Severus froze as he stared at Malfoy.

"How insane is that?" Malfoy chuckled. Before looking back up, a glint in his eye. "Fine then, how about a different way?" He started giggling.

Draco raised his wand back up.

"Draco-"

"Don't worry! You won't feel a thing!"

Rodrick's head snapped between all three of them, Snape seemed about to interfere, Dumbledore had a grimace on his face and Draco right now was quite frankly looking like his aunt.

"Fiendfyre!"

Well. I certainly taught him well. Rodrick idly thought as the entire vision filled with fire, however as the images slowly disappeared, he tilted his head slightly as he stared at Draco's face...

Something looked off... Before he could figure out what that was however, he was jostled awake by Daphne.

"Slept long enough?" She questioned amused.

Rodrick rolled his eyes.

"What did you see?" Narcissa questioned passively, her arms crossed. Still, her eyes betrayed her worry.

"Did my mother teach you Divination?" Rodrick questioned after a moment of silence, somewhat amused.

She flinched at the words as he all but confirmed her suspicions. It did in fact involve her son. "Yes... She was a thorough teacher." She deflated. Her son's future overruled everything else.

Unfortunately.

"I wouldn't worry too much, it was regarding the upcoming ball." Rodrick lied.

Narcissa looked to be considering something as she stared at him, before once again deflating. "I do not understand why my familyseem to think so much of you."

Rodrick narrowed his eyes the slightest at the woman's words before to everyone's surprise, the entrance suddenly opened again.

"Uh, Rodrick, someones looking for you." There was an amused look on Draco's face. The wizard naturally also kept his eyes far away from his mother.

"Who? I doubt anyone else could've gotten permission... Unless it's Potter." He questioned bemused.

"Oh it's not our school," Draco snorted.

"Draco. Manners." Narcissa warned seemingly indifferent to those around her.

The boy coughed awkwardly causing the woman's brow to crease further.

"Well, Mrs Malfoy," Rodrick spoke up, a glint in his own eyes. He quickly got the woman out of her stupor as she straightened up. "I think you're about to find out one reason why..."

...

"Ah Krum! Of course." Rodrick deadpanned as he walked outside for the first time in 3 hours. He could see dozens of other bystanders on the side. Krum had the usual five Durmstrang students just behind him.

"Finally come out of the castle, Grace!"

"Oh! He can say my name!"

"Rodrick." Daphne remarked, her arms crossed.

"Honey, I am having this." He deadpanned.

Daphne stumbled at the words, briefly taken back. There was a grin on the boy's face.

"I don't know how I feel bout this..." Draco murmured uncomfortably.

His mother merely walked out and raised an eyebrow before she walked past them uncaring, Draco decided to follow.

Viktor's eyes narrowed further to Rodrick's surprise.

"Do you do that with magic?"

"That is it!" Viktor growled. Only it wasn't in English, Rodrick understood it thanks due to his Animagus. The Durmstrang student whipped his wand, about to fire a spell before a voice echoed out of the growing audience.

"Ok! Boy's! That's enoug-"

Where the hell did he come from!? Rodrick thought with a twitch as he stared at Lockhart.

"Lockhart." Rodrick's voice silenced the man quickly. There was a dark look to his face. He ignored formality as he stared at his professor.
"I am going to be kicking someone's ass today, so unless you're volunteering, don't interfere."

Daphne's and Tracey's mouth gaped while Draco's laughter could be heard in the background, the blonde ignorant of his mother's warnings.

Lockhart on the other hand had an almost nostalgic look to his face, before proceeding to chuckle. "Almost word for word." He whispered, though only Rodrick heard him. The charm disappearing as quickly as it'd appeared. His gaze stuck on him.

Rodrick stiffened as he stared back at his Ancient Runes professor. That hadn't been the reaction he expected. Even Krum looked unsure of himself at the moment.

"Very well, how about." Lockhart started as he took some parchment out and unshrank it. "A duel," He added on as he crouched down and placed the paper on the ground, his wand's tip aimed towards it.

"Alright." Rodrick immediately latched onto the thought, somewhat startling Krum further. "But only if he explains what his actual problem with me is." Not that Krum didn't have any of those. He just thought it'd be humorous if he admitted them himself.

Honestly thinking about it... Considering what was coming following the new year... Maybe he was taking the whole 'day off' thing a little too far.

"A fair deal," Lockhart nodded as he whispered a few words.

The drawings on the parchment suddenly expanded, covering a large part of the area around in a strange circle.

"Reparo runes, excellent for a spontaneous duel, don't you think?" Lockhart grinned knowingly.

Rodrick's eyes had widened, he was fairly certain that was the first time he'd seen anything like that. Not that he hadn't thought about them himself but simply that he'd never really went about trying to make them... They were rather difficult to get right, and needed quite a bit of power to manage it...

How the hell did Lockhart manage it? He thought incredulous, everyone else in the crowd seemed to look excited at the idea of a duel. Well, besides Daphne.

"Well then, I suppose I'll be refereeing this little duel of yours," Lockhart grinned, "I'll be setting two rules,"

Rodrick groaned at the words, eliciting some laughter out of the people. Krum seemed uncomfortable at all the sudden attention. No wonder he'd never tried anything in the castle.

"No Unforgivables nor Fiendfyre!" Lockhart grinned, eliciting further laughter from the crowd who assumed he was joking about.

Rodrick rolled his eyes.

Krum's eyes widened having taken the professor serious.

"So, what's your problem then?" Rodrick questioned.

Krum looked around uneasily at all the bystanders. It took a few moments before he steeled his resolve.

"You refuse to take that mark off!" Viktor growled as he pointed towards the Necklace.

"Oh, so it's my fashion sense?" He questioned, causing Daphne to groan and others to laugh.

Krum looked ready to fire at him.

"You keep meddling and insulting my school!"

Rdrick snorted again, "You're going to have to be more specific."

"Rodrick!"

"No!" Rodrick snapped as he turned to face her. "You said it yourself! I needed a day off! So let me take some stress out and solve this problem!" He finished, pointing towards Krum.

Viktor in return frowned.

"So tell me, what'd I do recently?" Rodrick questioned with a shrug.

Viktor cleared his head as he readied his wand. "The Ball," He sneered.

Rodrick in return blinked, what about the ball? He couldn't remember doing anything regarding that, "How'd you know?" He settled on... He certainly wanted to know what it was about.

"I asked the other one," Krum answered.

Other one? Other champion? Potter Or Fleur? Probably Potter... Rodrick frowned slightly... "Potter told you? Well, that's just petty." He grumbled. When Krum made no attempt to disagree he continued on. "Wait you asked him? Did you figure it out yourself then?" He questioned with a snort. "What gave it away?"

Krum didn't answer, he slowly turned and indicated Daphne with a nod.

Oh... Oh wow... That's what he was talking about... Rodrick sweat dropped. "Now, now, just because one fourth year rejected you, doesn't mean you can look for another one."

And that was the straw that broke the camels back.

Krum didn't reply, instead he turned to the referee and told him to start the duel.

Lockhart nodded uneasily as he turned to move the crowd back, the Reparo couldn't reverse any damage done to them and they didn't know that.

"Tell you what! Because there's so few rules, I won't use my wand." Rodrick silenced the crowd, even Krum looked momentarily stunned before he shrugged.

"Vatever." The champion growled as he got into a dulling stance.

Rodrick had a gleeful look on his face as he got into position on Krums opposite side, his wand firmly clasped in his holder. He could see Daphne pull Tracey far away from the sight of the duel, no doubt knowing what he intended to do.

"You're going to want to pay attention," He remarked gaining Krum's attention. "Wandlessly, I can cast 10 spells at once if they're all Levitation charms." He worded off earning amused laughter out of the crowd, for a moment however, looks of horror had filled their eyes.
"2 spells at once if it's anything else, or four Transfiguration based ones. Did you get all that?" He grinned again as he took his stance. He looked akin to a child receiving the right presents.

Krum however simply stared ahead, his wand itching to fire. The brat dared to humiliate him by offering him such a handicap. His funeral.

"Start!" Lockhart suddenly yelled off after a few moments of silence between the two Wizards.

Krum's eyes widened as he saw almost a dozen things, literal things lying around them, ranging from broken pots and Couldrons to enlarged rocks suddenly fly towards him far too quickly for his tastes. He raised a shield and set off three spells in quick succession as he turned everything into dust with a few fire spells. When he turned back towards Rodrick, he found the student flyingin the air and not in his phoenix form.

Shaking his head, Krum suddenly fired off two Disarming spells in quick succession, to his displeasure missing as Rodrick simply flew out of the way, before he had to defend himself from the second onslaught of projectiles. Grace was currently breaking down stores in order to gain more ammunition to use against him.

With Lockhart's claim of insurance, he didn't really need to worry. Worst case he could just pay for a bit of damages. He was certainly careful enough not to harm anyone else.

On the third onslaught two things changed. One, the number of projectiles dwindled down to 5. Two, when they were metres away from Krum, who had simply decided to move out of the way, they suddenly transformed into hordes of snakes.

It was possible to transfigure a large object into dozens of results so long as the total weight didn't change. Besides, it was also easier turning something into dozens of smaller snakes then one equally sized one.

The sight of dozens upon dozens of snakes raining down on him certainly freaked out the Durmstrang Champion as he hurriedly made to cast out another Fire spell. Only to watch in shock as whatever fire came out of his wand was suddenly transformed into water. He backstepped a few spaces as he made to reach out for his shrunk Broom.

Rodrick in the mean time had levitated and transfigured dozens more snakes as he let them loose at Krum. The moment the Transfiguration was complete, he could no longer levitate the snakes as they classified as over 10 objects. Magic was sometimes odd like that.

With the entire ground filling up in Slytherins symbol, Krum realised the crowd was probably under a silencing charm as they all looked like they were screaming, only no sound came out. He quickly unshrank his broom and flew off into the air himself, leaving the snake filled ground. Perhaps duelling was a bad idea. That wasn't at all what he had in mind. Once he was a safe distance away, he breathed a little easier.

"Really, you're challenging me in the air?" A thought seemed to flash on his face. "You know, exclusively using wandless magic tends to make one single-minded? Or is that just me?" He let loose a small chuckle as he shook his head. He then proceeded to simply transforming object after object into a veritable army of snakes.

"Vat is he doing..." Krum frowned, he couldn't very well fly down within reach of Rodrick, the snakes seemed to ignore him entirely, merely lazing about. Not to mention it was difficult duelling whilst on a broom as fast as his particular Firebolt.

"Now then..." He had to focus in order to make out Rodrick's words. The boy looked up towards him with a grin.

"This is for you!" Rodrick shouted gleeful as he raised both his arms up to the air.

One way to make it easier to Transfigure a larger creature was to assemble a large number of said creature in a smaller form. Attempting to enlarge it with a spell would drain him too quickly. He knew that from experience.

Krum could only watch in mild shock as the swarm of snakes seemed to condense into each other, all of them forming together into asingle massive reptile.

The giant snake seemed to hiss for a moment as it stared around. When it's eyes landed on Rodrick, it drew closer towards him.

Of course the easiest way, was to also just not do it non-verbally as he got another idea. He reached a hand out, touching the giant snakes head with a grin on his face.

"Seeing as your Flying Krum..." He chuckled. "Draconifors,"

"Oh dear..." Lockhart remarked somewhat worried as he in essence started an evacuation call for any of the spectators crazy enough not to start leaving.

...

Rodrick grinned as he took in the 3 metre Tall, 5 metre wide young looking black dragon in front of him. It didn't seem to react to him. It took him a second before another idea entered his head.

That was the moment he really screwed up. Krum had the right idea in keeping as far away as possible.

Rodrick fished around his robes for something before pulling out an orange tilted vial. He ordered the dragon to open up it's mouth and was pleased with how quickly it listened. He proceeded to pour down what he thought was simply Phoenix Essence.

Considering Phoenix Essence was sentient, he was curious to see what would happen, as for Krum? he could sicc the dragon on him in a moment... Hell, the dragon might be the better challenge from the looks of it...

Rodrick snorted at the thought. He felt tempted topointit to Krum but realised even he had limits. He was somewhat surprised to find them.

...

The dragon roared as the dull look in it's eyes brightened. It spread it's wings and for a moment seemed to stare at them in wonder. When it opened it's mouth again, it was surprised by the sudden outburst of fire, quickly closing it's mouth in shock as smoke came out of it's nostrils.

"Dear god... What did you do?" Lockhart's voice echoed out.

"You can keep your pirate ship! Hogwarts has a Dragon!" Rodrick called out to Krum. He couldn't really help that one.

Viktor's eyes widened in alarm the moment Rodrick pointed at him. The dragon on the ground looking somewhat bemused as it stared at him before once again spreading it's wings and started attempting to fly, mostly by jumping.

Evidently it seemed rather intelligent.

The crowd could only watch on transfixed at the sight of a dragon attempting to fly for the Tim-

Then it disappeared in a burst of fire and reappeared 20 metres in the air.

"Oh crap..." Rodrick muttered holding the bridge of his nose. "Wrong potion..." He added on. Looking back up at the bemused dragon firmly on the ground. It didn't make another attempt to fly after the sudden fall.

"Ok never mind, duels over," Rodrick took his wand out deliberately ending the duel. He had something far better to do right now.

Krum was, rightfully, irritated. Still, not much he could do, he slowly flew down a fair distance away from the Transfiguring demon. His friends quickly showing up beside him as everyone eyed the Hogwarts champion.

"Now then," Rodrick pointed his wand at the creature and quickly let loose a shrinking charm.

The dragon's eyes widened slightly as it felt it's body decrease in size. However it didn't feel any matter of discomfort, merely a large loss in how much magical power it had been taking to hold it's form from Rodrick.

"Phew," Rodrick remarked feeling drained. "Much better," He grinned as he stared down at the much smaller dragon, it barely reached his knees. With it's current form, he barely felt the drain, though odd's were he likely could only cast a single spell at a time. Maybe he could try find it another source of, well, energy... He considered feeding it the goblet of fire in it's true size.

"I am calling you 'Draco'."

"Hey!" Draco yelled off indigent as he made his way towards Rodrick from his own hiding spot.

"Congratulations Rodrick... You've beaten the muggles to Artificial Intelligence." Lockhart shook his head as he sighed.

"Oh my god it's so cute!" Tracey couldn't help herself as she quickly ran over to the miniature dragon.

"It's not dangerous is it?" Daphne walked towards them calmly as she eyed the creature.

"No, it's got Phoenix Essence in it, Phoenixes are Pacifists by nature."

"Are you making that up?"

"Yes,"

"Are you still going to keep it?"

"Yes,"

"It's illegal, you're not allowed to own a dragon."

"If they take it away, I'll make another one."

Daphne frowned before turning to face the dragon... It was right next to her.

The dragon peered at her before seemingly trying to take her scent as it edged closer, after a moment of flaring it's nostrils, it started licking her.

"It likes you." Tracey giggled.

"Of course it does," Rodrick snorted.

Daphne's facade broke quickly after that as she crouched down towards the dragon's level and started stroking it's head.

And then, naturally, as if to simply ruin the entire moment... Rodrick remembered what had been so odd about Draco in his vision...

He was pretty sure Draco's eyes weren't yellow...