The afternoon had passed in a blur as Doreathea tried to focus on the Herbology lesson but found her mind drawn continually to the duel that evening. Her one point of the experience was Draco's failed attempt to entrap Harry in detention last year. Ron had gone over the basics- draw wands, bow, walk five paces- but in the adrenaline-filled moment, Harry hadn't paid much attention. What would a real duel be like? Would Theo be hurt? Killed? Would she have to start a feud with the Malfoy if Theo was injured? In light of these questions, learning how to feed a recalcitrant snapdragon seemed the least of her problems.

"Dora- do you want to study with us?" Padma asked as the three girls made their way to the Ravenclaw tower after dinner. Dora started as the thought broke her out of her latest concern: what does one wear to a duel?

"I'm afraid I have another pressing engagement," Dorathea said automatically. Returning to her worries, she missed the delighted look the two Ravenclaws exchanged.

. . . . .

After all the magical revelations of the past few weeks, Dorothea had expected Hogwarts to have an entire network of official dueling chambers- maybe different ones for each rank of family or for the type of duel that was required. Instead, Theo ushered her into what looked like an old potion's lab. She pursed her lips- a little disappointed by the mundane location. Was it too late to suggest re-locating to the top of a tower? Or on the edge of the lake? Or-

Well, that might have been possible if it was only the three of them. Unfortunately, this duel necessitated multiple witnesses it seemed. Crabbe and Goyle, inseparable from the Malfoy heir as always, were busy pushing benches and tables out of the way to clear a space in the middle of the room. In the far corner, Greengrass and Parkinson were perched on a counter; their whispering stopped when they saw the new arrivals. Apparently, even student dueling necessitated audiences. Dorathea lifted her chin and dismissed them with a glance, but her frown of displeasure deepened into one of exasperation as she caught sight of Lisa Turpin smirked at her from the other side of the room.

"What is she doing here?" Dorathea hissed as Theo led her towards the other Ravenclaw.

"She's my second-" Theo said as though it were the most obvious matter of fact. Dora felt a sinking feeling of concern as Lisa's smirk grew wider. She had conveniently decided simply to not think of the other Ravenclaws claims that Theo and the Nott family was dark. Maybe Lisa was simply reading into a friendship that didn't exist. But that possibility seemed less and less likely. Not if Theo asked Lisa to be his second in a duel.

"Why her?"

"I trust her," Theo gave her one of his one-armed shrugs, "And she's damn scary with a wand."

Lisa caught the last part of Theo's comment and her smirk turned into a genuine smile for a moment. Which was hardly reassuring considering.

The door slammed open and Draco swept into the room. However, upon seeing Dorathea standing beside her brother, the Malfoy heir's self-assurance suddenly faltered and the haughty expression melted away into one of awkward embarrassment. He hesitated in the doorway, glancing towards the corner where Pansy was smiling widely at him and then over to where Dorathea stood. Dora let her frown deepen even as her stomach flipped in anticipation. She had been so horrified when she learned about the engagement- but had part of her been intrigued? Draco was too young now to be considered handsome- even in his heavy dueling robes- but the few glances she'd caught of Lord Malfoy during her visits to the Malfoy manor had promised that the boy would grow into his forehead nicely.

"Lady Nott," Draco had made his decision and started towards her. Dorathea drew herself up to her full height. Butterflies had now entered her stomach and were making a terrible racket. Beside her, Theo stiffened until she put a comforting hand on his arm and stepped around him.

"Lord Malfoy." For a moment, she couldn't help the small smile that graced her lips. This all seemed so terribly proper- like out of a story rather than her own life. Could Harry have ever imagined fighting in such a refined duel? Much less being fought over?

Drago misinterpreted the smile and brightened, "Lady Nott, may I speak to you for a moment?" He nodded to the only unoccupied corner in the room. Behind his shoulder, Pansy's smile had wilted into a sour expression. From the tight line of her brother's lips, Dorothea could see that Theo didn't approve of the request either. But it seemed rude to refuse outright- especially if they could settle things themselves without a duel. So she nodded in acquiescence and stepped away from Theo and the wildly amused Lisa.

When they were out of earshot, Draco dropped the formal tone altogether.

"Look, Dora," The Malfoy heir said as he leaned in until their noses were almost touching, "I know you don't hate me. You'd feel different if you did. So what is all the fuss?"

All of Dorathea's amusement at their situation evaporated like morning mist. There wasn't an ounce of regret in Draco's expression- just exasperation and assurance. Dorathea fixed the Slytherin with an icy glare.

"I do not like being used as a pawn on a chessboard." She said. Harry might have tolerated it; he certainly hadn't objected to being shepherded through the life-threatening challenges for the philosopher's stone last year. But then, he had no other alternative. Dorathea, however, was a Nott and thus deserved the respect that her family demanded.

Draco's face went blank and Dorathea felt a strange tickle in her stomach. She remembered Theo mentioning that the Malfoy family were empaths- they could feel the sense of a person's emotions or intentions with their magic. So, Draco was trying to read her emotions, was he? Dorathea concentrated on her displeasure as strongly as she could- remembering the sickening shock when Daphne mentioned the engagement, the sense of betrayal from the people she had considered almost as close as family. The memories were still fresh and tears prickled at the edge of her vision as the feelings came flooding back- as strong as the first time. Draco flinched back and then dropped his eyes. His pale cheeks were stained with a faint blush.

"I-I see." He stammered. When Draco raised his eyes, they radiated sincerity, "I did not intend to cause you any pain. I thought-"

But whatever he thought would have to wait.

"Alright, you trouble makers." A new voice echoed off the walls. The door to the potions lab slammed open again and Dorathea whirled to see an older Slytherin boy stalk into the room. He was tall and blond like Draco, but with a sharp, hungry edge to every movement that Malfoy lacked. From the green on his collar and the lack of surprise from either Draco or Theo, Dorothea could only assume this new boy was expected. "Is everyone assembled?" The boy sent a sharp look over to Draco and Dorathea. Suddenly, Dorothea had the sense she was breaking protocol. Without acknowledging Draco, she spun on her heel and crossed back to Theo. Draco, after a final look after her, followed suit to his corner of the room where Crabbe and Goyle fell into formation behind him.

The older boy adjusted his glasses, "Where is the aggrieved party?"

"Here." Theo stepped forward. His jaw was set like Dorathea hadn't seen since Dumbledore's appearance at the Keep. He squared his narrow shoulders and suddenly seemed far more impressive than twelve years in a scrawny frame should allow. "I accuse Draco Malfoy and his family of manipulating my sister, Dorathea Nott, into an unwitting engagement. The House Nott will be satisfied."

The older boy nodded- decidedly not impressed by the astounding statement. "And the aggressors."

"I object to that terminology," Draco drawled, "For one, Nott attacked me-"

"Not what I heard," The older boy interrupted, "Unless, you'd like to make an apology and accept the terms of retribution?" His voice trailed off impatiently. It sounded as though he had many better things to do this evening than oversee a second-year duel.

Draco hesitated, eyes slipping from Theo to Dorathea momentarily. Draco seemed to weigh some difficult matter in his mind before making his decision. The boy shook his head. "Fine. House Malfoy meant no offense or hold any malicious intent towards Lady Dorathea Nott."

"Not at all what Anders asked," Lisa whispered delightedly at Dorathea's shoulder. Dora repressed a jump of surprise; she hadn't heard Lisa approach at all. Lisa seemed nonplussed. Her eyes gleamed in furious interest. "You've got to watch Malfoy like a snake. He'll wiggle out from anything."

Dorathea spared her a disapproving look, but couldn't help but notice that Draco hadn't exactly denied the attempt to manipulate her into an engagement. She wondered what history the Ravenclaw and Slytherin shared. Lisa certainly seemed to know more about the house of the snake than Harry had ever known about any other house.

"Right," The older boy, Anders apparently, drawled. He either didn't notice Draco's legalistic wording or didn't care. Dorathea suspected the latter. "And with that, I'm assuming that no apology is forthcoming," The blond boy waited for the barest second before continuing,

"Ok- Seconds present?"

"Here!" Lisa almost jumped off the table in her haste to raise her arm. Across the room, Goyle followed suit, though less enthusiastically.

"And you've met to negotiate?" Dorathea had the sense that there was a specific protocol being rushed through. It made her almost curious to know what an official duel was like. Maybe one where her honor wasn't the primary source of conflict.

"At dinner," Lisa said, then grinned, "No apologies there either." Goyle grunted in agreement.

"Alright then, since clearly, you all have more bravado than sense - where's my payment." The boy held out his hand and wiggled his fingers impatiently until both Theo and Draco handed him a small stack of coins. Dorathea frowned slightly. Were there enough duels that needed overseeing to make it an actual market? Who was this Slytherin? Why had Harry known nothing about this whole underground world?

"Well, as agreed, I am here to judge the duel and, since you both paid in full, patch any wounds."

When Anders had slipped the payment into a hidden pocket in his robe, the entire room seemed to relax slightly. Theo especially fell into a relaxed pose, bouncing slightly on his toes. He looked eager, Dorothea realized, as though he anticipated his fight. How many times had he imagined punching Draco in the nose? Harry had wanted to constantly and Harry had never shared a dorm with the Malfoy heir.

"Lady Nott?"

Dorathea was distracted from her thoughts by Draco's clear voice. She glanced up in surprise- this hardly seemed the time to reach out to her. But Draco had stepped forward and swept his form into an elaborate bow.

"Lady Nott, might I wear your favor for this duel?"

A/N: The story is not abandoned. As always, thank you for your favorites, follows and, especially reviews. They keep the motivation to keep writing the story!

Thank you to Muroshi and argenth251 for letting me know about the formatting glitch.