Chapter 10

~In the Great Hall, at Breakfast~

Harry was finishing his eggs with Hermione. The Ravenclaws had Defense Against the Dark Arts soon, and they didn't want to be late. Harry was looking forward to seeing demons from a wizard's perspective.

As they were walking out, a voice rang out behind them. "Potter!"

Turning, Harry found Malfoy and his two henchmen. "What do you want, Malfoy?"

"You challenged me to a wizard's duel. How about at midnight, tonight?"

Harry laughed. "Why? How about we just do it tomorrow at lunch?"

"I don't think you want to be expelled just yet, Potter. Sending curses flying at the castle will draw some attention," sneered Malfoy.

"What's the matter, Potter?" said another voice. Harry turned to find Anthony scowling at him from the stairs. Rush squawked. "What, you get a phoenix and you think you're too good to fight?" He took a step closer. "Or not good enough?"

Hermione took a step closer to Harry. This was going to get ugly fast.

Malfoy looked a bit taken aback, but then he grinned. "Even your own housemate hates you. Are you depressed yet?"

"I won't get depressed if I have you two dumbasses trying to insult me," shot back Harry. "Really, Malfoy, you're cute when you're mad."

Malfoy was about to pull out his wand, when Harry Disarmed him. "Ah-ah-ah, Malfoy. And don't even think about it, Goldstein. That can wait for tomorrow at lunch, if you two are brave enough. And I don't want to meet you at night because you two could set up a trap easily. There will be plenty of witnesses, so they can tell the winner if the fight was fair or not."

Malfoy was looking a bit nervous. Anthony was looking a bit green, and took a step back.

Harry walked out of the Entrance Hall, head held high.

~Later, outside Professor Quirrel's classroom~

"Harry!" hissed Hermione, pulling him into an alcove. "What was that about? Malfoy and Goldstein won't hesitate at the chance to send curses and gorillas at you! What were you thinking? You could end up in the infirmary, or worse, expelled."

Harry was amused. "You think getting kicked out of Hogwarts is worse than ending up in the hospital?" He waved his hand. "Whatever. Hermione, my mum told me about how her high school boyfriend once was challenged to a duel by a kid, and the Charms teacher, Professor Flitwick, oversaw it. If I can get Professor Flitwick to agree to supervise the duel, I won't get kicked out, and Malfoy and Goldstein will have to obey the rules."

Hermione sagged against the wall, which resulted in her knee being pressed into Harry. She noticed their position, now; When she had pulled him into the alcove, they had been pressed against each other. Now, with Harry smiling down at her, she felt her knees go weak. Not really wanting their position to change, she said, "But you didn't set any rules. Technically, according to Berry Biddle's Guide to Dueling, Malfoy could do anything he wanted and he wouldn't get in trouble."

Harry stared at her. "Berry Biddle? That's a name?" Thoroughly confused, he continued. "Whatever. Hermione, I'll just work out the rules with Malfoy before the duel. Anthony too, if he shows up."

Hermione really couldn't argue with his logic, so she just followed him into Quirrell's classroom.

Inside, Harry looked around. He saw nothing really bad, except for a picture of a banshee on the left wall. Banshees could be reasonable, as long as you didn't kill on their territory. They were good warriors, too; Harry's dad had a legion of them in Hell.

Seating himself in the back of the class, with Hermione beside him, he waited with the other students. Soon, a man with a turban, presumably Professor Quirrell, walked in. Turning to the class, he slowly turned back and wrote on the blackboard, "Defense Against the Dark Arts."

Looking back at the class, he said, "I w-will teach you o-of the Def-fense that can be used in DADA. You will not learn any th-theory, unless that is important to the subject w-we will be researching. Take out y-your wands, and I will teach you the J-Jelly Jinx. This jinx will be used to perfect your aim."

Harry sighed. He had been practicing with his wand ever since him and his mother had gone shopping in Magik's Emporium. He pulled it out and ran a hand over it fondly. Apparently, the core, phoenix feather entwined with thestral hair, was imported from Britain. He looked at Rush and grinned, stroking the phoenix's feathers.

Turning back to the rest of the class, he saw they were practicing the wand movement. He easily replicated the Professor's movements, a sharp jab followed by a slight twirl.

The Professor took notice of this, and said, "Well done, Mr. Potter. Ten points to Ravenclaw."

Harry smiled, and kept jabbing and twirling. It felt a bit silly, but soon the class was past that and they moved on to the incantation.

"Good, s-students. Now, p-pair up, and go to opposite ends of the room. You w-will be aiming at your partner, trying to hit in th-the chest. Go."

Harry looked at Hermione, and she smiled in answer. They went to the different sides, and got into a ready stance.

"Think you can take me, Hermione?" asked Harry cockily.

Hermione just grinned and raised her wand. Overconfidence would cost him.

"Ready."

Harry looked to either side of him. Padma was paired with Michael Corner, and a girl Harry didn't recognize was paired with Anthony.

"S-set."

Harry turned back to Hermione, relaxed. Tensing up wouldn't help him in a fight.

"Fire!"

Professor Quirrel's voice seemed to have lost all quiver in it, as blobs of multicolored jelly flew through the room. Harry was soon splattered with it, as was Hermione. They were both laughing, and just kept sending it through the air, and applying multiple coats.

After a good ten seconds, Quirrel yelled, "Stop!" and with a few groans, the students ceased. "That was good. Now, I will look through you, and whoever has the most jelly on you, your partner will get a reward."

Harry compared himself with Hermione. He had only slightly less than her, and only because on one of her shots her jelly had collided with a particularly bad shot by Michael.

It was soon apparent that it was either Harry or Hermione, and the class turned to see who the Professor chose.

He walked in between them, and looked at Harry. He examined him, and Harry felt uncomfortable under the man's gaze. Quirrel looked as if he were examining a prime rib. Quirrel turned to Hermione then, and examined her. Soon, he turned to the rest of the class. "Harry Potter is the winner."

Harry grinned as the rest of the class started clapping, albeit a bit enviously. He turned to Hermione and shrugged, and mouthed the words I'll share, to her. She smiled.

"Mr. Potter, I w-watched you during the class, and you showed exemplary marksmanship. As y-your reward, you get one bottle of F-felix Felicis."

Some of the class gasped, as did Hermione. Harry just raised an eyebrow, and held out a hand to the Professor. Quirrel gave him a small vial, and Harry looked into it. There he saw a golden concoction, and it looked surprisingly appetising.

"This is a bottle of liquid luck, to those of y-you who do not know what it is," said the Professor. "Drink it, and you will be extremely lucky f-for the next few hours."

Harry nodded, and stashed it in his pocket.

"Now, back to your seats."

Harry and Hermione went back to their seats, and Hermione said, "Harry! That potion takes six months to brew-what are you going to use it for?"

"No idea," he replied. Rush trilled. "I'll just keep it in my trunk for now."

Hermione nodded, and they turned back to the class.

~In the Great Hall, at lunch~

"Harry!"

Harry looked up from his sandwich, searching for the voice. He absentmindedly fed Rush a piece of roast beef.

"Harry."

Harry turned to look behind him to find Ron and Hermione, Neville and Susan. His eyebrows furrowed. "Yes?"

Ron stepped forward. "Harry, is it true that you challenged Malfoy and Goldstein to a duel?"

Harry grinned. "Is that what this is about? Yes, I challenged them. Someone has to put them in their place, and it might as well be me."

Ron and Neville grinned with him, and Neville said, "I'm with you, Harry."

Harry smiled at him, but Hermione and Susan didn't look ready to just let it go. "Harry, it's two of them and one of you!" said Hermione frantically. She was not about to let Harry hurt himself over two bullies.

"Harry, come on. Do you really think Malfoy and Goldstein will fight fair?" said Susan skeptically.

"With as many students that will be there? Yes, yes I do," said Harry, a bit annoyed. "Not to mention Professor Flitwick. I asked him, and he said he would oversee the match."

Ron and Neville high-fived him. Hermione and Susan sighed. Boys, they thought.

Harry stood up. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to go research phoenixes."

Hermione grabbed her bag, and followed him. Susan went with them, and Neville ran over to the Gryffindor table with Ron. Neville went out the door, and Ron sat down to continue eating his sandwich.

~That night, in the Entrance Hall~

Harry was walking back to the Ravenclaw tower. They had not found much about phoenixes, just their history and where they liked to live when they were not bonded. He turned a corner, and immediately whirled back around it. Malfoy was there, talking to two other Slyhterins.

"I won't be able to defeat Potter. He's really bloody strong, and good with his wand. I need you to blast him in the back. Don't let anyone see. You understand me?" The two Slytherins nodded, and left. Malfoy started to go toward the Ravenclaw tower, and Harry followed.

Malfoy was at the bottom of the staircase when he stopped to talk to someone. Harry couldn't make out who it was, so he shadow-traveled to the staircase. There, he made out that it was Goldstein.

"Did you do it?" hissed Anthony.

"Yes, I did it. Crabbe and Goyle are going to hit Potter in the back."

Harry just shook his head. He didn't need to hear anymore, so he went up to the common room. Rush appeared beside him in a flash of flame, and perched on his shoulder.

After answering a riddle, Harry went into his dorm, and went to bed, Rush flying over to his perch as he did so. He heard Goldstein go in a few minutes later, and Harry smiled into his pillow. Boy, were they in for a surprise tomorrow.

~The next morning, the Great Hall~

Harry came down to breakfast. By now, most of the school knew about Harry's and Malfoy's and Goldstein's duel, and everyone was whispering about it behind their hands.

"Harry!" said Ron, running up to him. "I'm taking bets on the duel. Most people think you will win, but some think Malfoy and Goldstein will pull something off-guard."

Harry shrugged. "Then we better get ready to get rich, eh?"

Ron grinned and went back to the Gryffindor table. Harry went and sat in his usual seat, and Roger Davies looked down the table and said, "Harry, don't duel them. They are from magical families, and no doubt Malfoy's father let him practice before Hogwarts."

"How do you know I'm not from a magical family?" asked Harry. He wasn't mad, he honestly liked Roger.

"Well, what are you?"

Harry shrugged. "I'm a half-blood."

Roger nodded.

A black haired Ravenclaw, Harry recognized her as Cho from the train, said, "Harry, Malfoy is probably going to get help. If you're really going to go through with this, you'll need to be on full alert."

Harry nodded. "I know, Cho, I already asked Ron and Neville to look through the crowd for Slytherins that will be trying to take me down."

Cho bit her lip, but she sat back in her seat and let it go.

Hermione rushed up with a book the size of a dictionary. "Harry, you can call it off! I found a loophole that lets you call it off, if it's within twenty-four hours!"

Harry smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. "Hermione, I don't want to call it off. I'm showing Malfoy and Goldstein that they can't just do whatever they want."

"Who cares? You could get hurt, Harry!" she said, as if he didn't know that.

Harry stood up and hugged her. "I won't, Hermione. Just let it go, I have a plan."

Hermione sat beside him, a bit closer than usual.

Harry got up to go to his classes, and Hermione went with him. Ron and Neville fellin behind them, and Susan and Cho behind them. Harry had never felt better than when he was surrounded by his friends, ready to go to war with him.

~At lunch, on the grounds~

Harry walked out to almost the whole school waiting for him and his opponents. Looking around, he didn't see Goldstein and Malfoy.

Hermione came up to him out of the crowd. "Neville and Ron are already looking. Do you remember the stunner spell I showed you?" Harry nodded, and Hermione said, "Good. Use that as fast as you can."

"Hermione, I'll be fine. I've trained before, have you never seen me in the morning?"

She looked a bit confused. "The morning?"

"Harry grinned. "I'll tell you later." He turned to Rush. "I want you out of here. A stray spell could hit you."

Rush trilled, and flew off toward the castle.

"Potter!"

Harry turned toward the voice. Malfoy was standing there, with Goldstein a bit behind him. Harry smirked. Malfoy may make a better entrance than him, but nobody would remember that when him and Goldstein were bleeding on the floor.

"Hey, guys! You ready to get this party started?" he called, and winked. Goldstein visibly gulped, but Malfoy had a better poker face.

"Only if it ends with you begging me for mercy," growled Malfoy.

"Now, now, none of that, please!" said a squeaky voice from the crowd. Harry turned to see Professor Flitwick pushing through to them, and Harry walked over.

"Thanks for coming, sir," said Harry.

"Oh, it's fine, my boy," replied Flitwick happily. "Now, work out the rules for this duel."

Harry turned to Malfoy and Goldstein. "So, I duel you two, and no interference from the crowd. Right?" said Harry. They nodded, and he said, "First blood or when one side is unconscious." He turned to Flitwick. "We're ready, sir."

Flitwick smiled, and turned to the crowd. "No interference, please!"

There was a murmur of assent from them, and Flitwick turned back to the duelers. Flicking his wand, he made a platform for them to duel on.

Harry turned to them, and bowed. "Best of luck to you both," he said, and walked to the other side of the platform. Turning, he bent his knees, held his wand in front of him, and kept his eyes on his opponents. He felt his knife in his pocket for extra assurance, and nodded to the Professor.

When Malfoy and Anthony had nodded as well, the Professor waved his wand and said, "Begin!"

Anthony and Malfoy sent two bolts toward Harry. Harry dodged one, and shielded from the other. "STUPEFY!" he yelled, and a ray of red light flew towards Malfoy. He rolled, and popped up, yelling, "TARANTALLEGRA!"

Harry whirled, hearing a small zapping from the bolt. He turned to Malfoy. That was too close.

~In the crowd~

Neville and Ron were searching through the crowd for the Slytherins. Harry had warned them that there would be at least an attempt, and Ron was pretty sure it would come from Malfoy's thugs, Crabbe and Goyle.

Ron saw them, and called Neville. Neville ran over, as fast as he could in the crowd, and got ready with Ron.

Seeing Goyle raising his wand, Ron threw a curse at him. "Eat slugs, Goyle!" A Ravenclaw walked in front though, and took the spell. Goyle heard him, and seeing a vomiting girl and Ron apologizing, put two and two together.

"Ron!" yelled Neville, warning him of the charging Slytherin. Ron turned, and seeing Goyle, tensed for the impact. Neville ran in front, however, and punched Goyle in the jaw. Goyle was turned off course, and stumbled into the crowd.

"Oi!" shouted Crabbe. He tackled Neville, and Ron tried to pull him off. A few Ravenclaws, guessing what had happened, ran over to help.

Crabbe was under about five Ravenclaws and Gryffindors, as far as he could tell, and heard the Slytherins yelling and cursing, trying to defend their own.

Hermione turned to see a full-out riot between the Ravenclaws and Slytherins, and saw Ron and Neville in the middle. Pushing through, and ducking under a Slytherin's punch she yelled over the increasing volume of cries of pain, along with shouts of rage, "Ron! What happened?!"

Ron answered while punching a Slytherin in the gut. "Me and Neville were stopping Goyle from taking a shot at Harry! We had Crabbe to deal with, and the Slytherins came in! Ravenclaws came to help, and now we're in the thick of it!"

Hermione opened her mouth to answer, but was tackled by Padma, who had seen the Slytherin girl behind her. Padma got up and cast a Stinging Hex, and ran off into the fight.

~Back on the platform~

Harry deflected yet another curse from Malfoy. Goldstein had gone down a while ago, but Harry hadn't taken the curse he had expected. Hearing yelling behind him, he took a quick look. Slytherins and Ravenclaws were fighting, spells and fists were flying. Gaping in horror, Harry barely managed to stop a curse from Malfoy.

"Malfoy! We need to stop this!" he yelled.

"Nice try, Potter! You're not getting away!" shouted Malfoy, who unleashed a volley of curses. Harry deflected them all but one. That one got him in the shoulder, and Harry was suddenly frozen. That's it, he thought angrily. Summoning a spirit, he commanded it to knock out Malfoy.

The wraith turned to the boy, who had gone white. Malfoy turned to run, but the wraith struck him in the back, and he went flying into the riot.

Harry found himself unstuck, and jumped into the fray.

He couldn't see five feet in front of him, but he pushed through anyway. He managed to stay upright by striking students in the temple and casting Stunners, but even then he couldn't stop the fight. He started sending out wave after wave of calm, and though the fight slowed a bit, it didn't stop.

He found Neville, who had a black eye and split lip. He was evading Crabbe, who seemed intent on crushing the little cockroach.

Harry came up to Crabbe, and grabbing his fist, threw him into a group of Slytherins. Turning to Neville, who was resting his hands on his knees, he said, "We need to stop this."

Neville nodded. "We can't though. I spread it through the Ravenclaws, but the Slytherins are too angry to let it go by now. The Ravenclaws are trying to only fight in self-defense, but doing that only causes them to drop like flies. The only ones I know are still conscious are Ron, Padma, Roger and Cho."

Harry felt cold shoot through his body. "Hermione?"

Neville shook his head. "I saw her fall."

Harry turned to a Slytherin. He had no choice. Taking out his knife, he sliced a cut onto the boy's arm. Crying out in pain, the boy fell to his knees, and Harry struck his temple the Slytherin fell, and Harry ran to where he could see Ron.

Ron cut down another Slytherin, and saw Harry. "Harry! Harry, we need to get a Professor! Flitwick fell when he froze a group of Slytherins; one managed to fall onto him."

Harry nodded, and punched a Slytherin in the nose. With a sickening crunch, the girl fell, and Harry ran to Padma. Cutting down the Slytherins around her, he turned and said, "Padma, get to the castle. Get every Professor you can find, and get Madam Pomfrey."

She grimaced, and ran off, limping a bit. He turned back to the field, and saw that the biggest group was around Roger. He was fending off five Slytherins by himself, but he was wearing out fast. Harry ran over and bowled through them, and he and Roger finished them off.

"Harry, get your friends and bring them here. I assume you sent one to the castle?" Harry nodded, and Roger raised his wand. "Good. Bring them to me."

Harry went and grabbed Ron and Cho. "Get to Roger," he yelled, and they nodded. Cho had a cut on her leg, and Ron's fingers were bloody. They ran off, and Harry turned. Scanning the field, he saw neville, but as he watched, Neville fell. The Slytherins jumped to him, and started kicking and punching the Boy-Who-Lived.

Harry sprinted down to them, and jumped onto the biggest one. Swinging his body, with his legs wrapped around the Slytherin's neck, Harry pulled the boy over to his friends. Harry used the boy as a steed as he punched, clawed, and knifed, trying to protect the boy on the ground.

When they were gone, Harry pulled the boy, who had been getting slightly red at Harry strangling him, down to the ground. Rushing over to Neville, Harry checked for a pulse. Neville would live, but it would be a miracle if he didn't have a few scars.

Harry turned to see how Roger and the others were doing, and saw they had just pushed down the last Slytherin. The grounds were littered with bodies, wearing green and blue robes, mixed with red and yellow. Only a few students had tried to stay out of the riot, but they had been pulled in anyway when the fight had progressed further.

Harry fell to his knees. He had caused all of the school except for four people to fall unconscious. Roger limped over with Ron and Cho, and put an arm around his shoulders. "This wasn't your fault."

"Yes, it was," said Harry bitterly. He was looking for someone, but couldn't find her among the hundreds of bodies.

"No, it wasn't," said Cho, hugging him. "You were only trying to help. It was Malfoy's fault, for trying to cheat in the duel."

"Yeah, mate, me and Neville were only stopping them. The Slytherins are the ones to blame," said Ron, squatting down beside Harry. "You really couldn't have done anything to stop it."

Oh, yes I could've, Harry thought. I could've used demons, or spirits, or anything like that to stop this. But I was too afraid of being exposed.

"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED HERE?!"

Harry turned to see the Professors gaping in horror at the fields, but McGonnagal had eyes only for the four people still standing.

Harry stood up straight. This would take some explaining.

Wow, can you believe that chapter? I meant for it to be quick, not a freaking bloodbath. I'm telling you, this story has a mind of its own. This has to be the longest chapter I've done.

For my one review:

Ana Luisa: Las películas eran buenas, pero me gustaron más los libros. Leí el primer libro cuando tenía cinco años.

Thank you! Review and follow! Gridline out!

Edit: I'm going to be on a camping trip this weekend. So the next chapter will be a bit late. This chapter is really long, though, so you guys should be occupied.