Hello all just want to say a quick thank you for all the support on this and wanted to clear up a couple of things.

I have had MANY reviews and PMs about my 'Mistake' with Harry's age and the Hogwarts students taking electives in Year 2, and i want to reiterate that this is INTENTIONAL as I feel i can write a better story without having to write a filler Year for Year 3 where nothing of note really happens.

Please before berating me and stooping to flat out insulting me get your facts straight! I know what I have done and i have done it for a reason, if you don't like that I unfortunately cannot do anything but tell you not to read it.

Anyway thanks again and i hope this has solved any misconceptions.

VII - The Dueling Club

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The next morning Harry was up and out of the Gryffindor common room at 5 am, before anyone else was awake. He left the tower, instead choosing to sit outside McGonagall's office reading his book and waiting for the Transfiguration Professor to head to the Great Hall for breakfast.

It was less than an hour before his head of house emerged from her private quarters. "Mr Potter, what can I do for you this morning? If this is about the Headmaster let me assure you he will not be doing that again." She said with a smile.

"Good morning Professor thank you that is good to hear." Harry replied pausing for a second before continuing, "Miss McGonagall I have removed myself from Gryffindor and am making a formal request to move into Lords quarters." He said allowing his Potter ring to become visible and showing the Professor.

"Lord Potter? When did that happen? And why have you removed yourself from Gryffindor?" she said, confusion evident on her face and hurt apparent in her voice.

"My 'family' has turned its back on me. Ron attacked me last night accusing me of killing Mrs Norris, but not one Gryffindor came to my defence or even stopped his tirade. They all believe I'm evil and that I murdered fricking cat for no reason." He stopped for a second before continuing "I told them all last night that I was no longer a Gryffindor and I have every intention of keeping to that. If you won't take me from there I will transfer schools. I'm sorry Professor." He finished.

It took half an hour for McGonagall to set up the Lord's accommodation, choosing to personally show him to his new quarters. Tears streaming from her eyes as one of her cubs, the son of two of her all-time favourite pupils, left her house. Forced out by the actions of the people who should have stood by him no matter what. The sheer amount of emotions she was feeling at that moment was overwhelming but the most prevalent two would be the feeling of loss, that and anger at her lions.

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5 minutes later an irate Professor McGonagall strode into the Gryffindor common room. She brought up her wand and used a modified sonorous to shoot a booming echo through the tower, causing the inhabitants to run into the common room, confused and afraid. Not one of them remembered ever being awoken by their head of house, and they were all terrified upon seeing the look on her face.

After all the Gryffindors had assembled Miss McGonagall began her tirade, a 20-minute-long rant about how despicable they had all acted. About how every single one of them should be ashamed of themselves, as well as this being the first recorded incident of a Gryffindor removing themselves from the house. She yelled at the collected students with a ferocity that none had ever seen before, not even the Weasley twins had seen her anywhere near this angry.

McGonagall was so furious that she took every earned house point from the Gryffindors, who had been leading till that point, leaving them so far behind they had no chance of contending for the House Cup this year. Add this to the loss of their star Seeker and Gryffindor were now out of contention for both inter-house competitions this year.

The Professor left soon afterwards, making her way down towards the great hall leaving all the Gryffindors guilt-ridden after their mistreatment of Harry. All except for two that is, Hermione and Neville had been studying with each other last night and were previously unaware of what had happened. Both quickly followed their Head of House after throwing several looks of disgust at the others.

"Miss McGonagall?" Hermione called after the elder witch, "Has Harry really left Gryffindor? What really happened?" she asked concern showing on her face.

"I am very glad that neither of you were involved, with the events of last night." McGonagall answered, "In short Harry was accused of attacking Mrs Norris last night and not one of your housemates defended him. Choosing to believe the worst of Harry instead of standing by his side like they should have." She concluded looking pensive.

"What's going to happen to him now?" Neville asked.

"This as far as I am aware has not happened before. But for now, Harry is living in Lords quarters as is his right as Lord Potter. How he falls in the House system is unknown to me now but one thing is for sure. He will not be returning to Gryffindor Tower, he has made that abundantly clear." She finished just as they entered the Great hall.

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Whilst Professor McGonagall held her impromptu 'meeting' with the inhabitants of Gryffindor Tower, Harry was inspecting his new home. There was a small common room, a circular space lavishly furnished with sofas, rugs and best of all a small library full of texts that Harry could read. The rest of his quarters were just as lavishly furnished, with two bedrooms both with ensuites housing huge tubs with more taps than he cared to count. It wasn't as fancy as Potter Manor, but was much nicer than the dorms he'd previously been in. That and it was quiet, which was something that Harry liked a lot, especially when he thought about never hearing Ron snore again.

He remained in his quarters for the next couple of hours, officially moving his things into the bedroom and taking a long relaxing bath before he made his way to the great hall.

Upon entering the great hall Harry made his way directly towards the Hufflepuff table to sit with Susan and Hannah, trying to ignore the hush that fell on the hall as he entered. "Girls." Harry said nodding towards the two girls in question as he sat down.

"Harry what's happened? The Gryffindors have been sat in silence since they got here, that and they've lost all of their House Points." Susan asked, putting her hand on his thigh and moving closer to him.

Harry then explained what had happened to the girls, telling them of everything from the events of last night to his new quarters.

"So, you're no longer a Gryffindor then? Does that mean you can join Hufflepuff?" Hannah asked, mirroring Susan's acts and resting her hand on his other thigh and stroking it slowly.

"Nope. And to be honest I have no clue what I am right now, or where I'm going next." He replied in a whisper, putting his arms round each of their waists and pulling them closer. "But Thank you, for sticking by me." He whispered to the two girls kissing each on the cheek before standing and heading towards his first lesson, leaving the two girls blushing furiously behind him.

}-{

Over the next couple of days, the Hogwarts rumour mill worked overtime with the news of Harry's departure from the House of the Brave, especially when added to the young wizard moving into 'Lords' quarters. He had unfortunately revealed to the world his ascension to Lord Potter a lot earlier than he had originally planned. This was incredibly infuriating, especially as it caused a polar change in most of the female population of Hogwarts. Each wanting a piece of the young Lord, this of course also didn't help his standing with the male populous, a lot of whom were giving him dirty looks or attempting to physically intimidate him when 'their' girls got to close to him.

He continued to sit with the Hufflepuffs at meal times, with Neville and Hermione joining them every time. Neither of them had spoken to any other Gryffindors in days, only returning to the common room to sleep and avoiding their housemates like the plague throughout the rest of the day. Harry had shown them both his quarters after the two of them had apologised profusely for not being there to back him up.

What was most curious was the red tinge that dusted both of their cheeks when he asked what they had been doing. That and their apparent closeness that had appeared since that night. It seemed that his two best friends were becoming more than that, and Harry found himself grinning like a madman when he finally put two and two together. This also led to him excusing himself suddenly, every so often to allow the two more time together.

Almost all of the other Gryffindors had begrudgingly apologised to him after the incident, however the vast majority of the apologies were obviously forced and he found himself only forgiving a select few. Mainly the first years and the quidditch team who he was on good standing with, Oliver Wood had been a pain in the ass though constantly finding and attempting to convince his star seeker to return to Gryffindor and more importantly the quidditch team.

That was NOT going to happen. Harry still had no clue what was happening with his House but knew that he couldn't return to the Lion's Den, not after they discarded him. No, he'd been there, done that and got the oversized t-shirt. Besides, his new accommodation was much nicer and with Neville and Hermione able to enter it wasn't lonely either. He seemed to have lucked his way into a very good situation. Where he knew most people's true colours and he got his own apartment for his troubles!

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Harry was sat at the Hufflepuff table sat next to the beautiful Susan and Hannah once again eating lunch and talking excitedly about the duelling class that was happening later, when Harry's beautiful snowy owl flew into the room. Circling above Harry's head, landing only after he threw a piece of bacon to the greedy owl. "Hey Girl! Finally finished?" he asked taking the owl's leg and removing the attached letter, sealed with the distinctive crest of Gringotts bank.

Hedwig nodded, puffing out her chest to emphasise her amazingness. Making the young wizard laugh at the bird's ego. "Here, I was finished anyway." He said pushing his plate towards his pet, smiling at her reaction. Gobbling what remained off the plate before jumping to his shoulder smacking him playfully on the back of the head and soaring out of the hall.

Susan and Hannah both raised an eyebrow at the display of affection from the genius owl and her owner. "It happens a lot." Hermione told the two witches, seeing their reaction.

"They have a strange relationship." Susan said.

"But what did she bring you?" Hannah added glancing at the unopened letter in his hand.

"Hopefully good news." He replied breaking the seal and breaking out into a huge grin at the contents.

"Don't leave us in suspense… what is it?" Hermione whined hating not knowing something her friend did.

He winked at the bushy haired witch, "Why ruin the surprise?" he said with a smirk. Before standing and offering his arms to the two witches beside him, "Time for this duelling club first!" he said leading the girls towards the duelling hall where they were supposed to be meeting for the compulsory class.

}-{

The five friends walked into the duelling hall and stood by the long runway where the other 2nd years had congregated. Talking animatedly about what was going to happen, wondering who was leading the club. Everyone hoping that their Ex-Duelling champion charms professor would be teaching them.

Unfortunately, that was not to be the case however as the door slammed open and Flop-hart walked in flashing a smile at the girls as he made his way up the steps onto the runway. "As you can see children, today you have the honour of being taught by me. Gilderoy Lockhart Order of Merlin Third Class, defeater of many dark creatures and wizards alike." He finished with another flashy smile into the audience. "Today I will teach you how to duel correctly, and to help me I have enlisted the help of your potions profess…."

Bang. The doors to the duelling hall slammed open as the greasy visage of Professor Snape strode into the room, cape billowing behind him. "Let's get this over with Lockhart." He snapped climbing the stairs at the other end of the platform.

"Yes, I suppose we should." Lockhart said raising his wand to his face and bowing towards the Potions Professor who refused to acknowledge the act and adopted a duelling stance. The two wizards stood and regarded each other for a second. "When this handkerchief hits the floor, we shall begin." Lockhart said, taking a used handkerchief out of his pocket and throwing it into the air.

The second the handkerchief hit the floor the greasy bat shouted "Expelliarmus" and a shot of red flew out of his wand, striking the useless Defence Professor directly in the chest sending him flying backwards. "Perhaps it would be prudent to teach the students how to block simple spells before expecting them to duel?"

"Quite right Severus. As I just demonstrated kids without use of a shield the results could be disastrous. Next time however I shall actually try."

Snape scoffed at this, not buying the act for a second.

." Lockhart then 'showed' how to cast a shield charm, however all the students saw was him drop his wand after wiggling it a bit. "Now may I have to volunteers?" Lockhart started. "How about Mr Potter and Mr Malfoy? Join us up here lads."

Snape's smirk seemed to get wider at this, as both boys walked onto the platform. Malfoy's arrogance coming off him in waves, whilst Harry was more apprehensive. "Hardly fair, is it? Potter here can't cast a spell to save his life!" Snape whispered, his voice carrying to all edges of the room causing several students to snicker.

"Standard rules apply, now bow. And Duel." Lockhart said, jumping off the platform just as Malfoy sent his first spell at Harry.

"Expelliarmus" Malfoy cried, sending a weak looking crimson spell at Harry who lazily side-stepped the bolt. "Rictusempra" Malfoy shouted sending a silver bolt at Harry this time who again side stepped. Looking dreadfully bored at the exchange.

"Tarantallegra" Harry whispered, sending a fast blue bolt at Malfoy hitting the ponce directly in the chest. Causing the blonde git to begin stumbling around the stage the jelly legs jinx making it difficult to stand. Snickers could be heard from the crowd, who were enjoying the Malfoy Scion being beaten so easily and effortlessly.

"Serpentsortia!" Malfoy yelled as he collapsed, sending a long blacksnake out of the end of his wand. The snake landing halfway between the two boys and seemingly staying still.

"I've got it!" Lockhart smiled shooting a spell at the snake. Making it fly into the air hitting the platform again severely pissed off. The snake looked into the crowd and reared up, baring it's fangs at a Hufflepuff – Justin Finch-Fletchley – and preparing to strike.

"~ Leave him alone ~" Harry shouted at the snake, and then much to his shock the snake slithered to the opposite side of the platform as far away from Justin as it could manage.

The crowd went silent, all looking towards Harry in fear.

Snape shot an unknown spell at the snake causing it to disappear in a puff of black smoke. He too looked at Harry strangely, like he had done something wrong.

Then it clicked in Harry's mind, he'd spoken to the snake which was considered an evil trait. Despite the fact he could speak to all creatures. 'Shit' he thought to himself as the whispers began.

Then someone in the crowd yelled what the rest were thinking, "Your Evil… You are the Heir!"

Harry just looked into the crowd, pissed off at the irrationality of wizards in general. "You're Wrong." He replied calmly.

"Parseltongue is a Dark trait!" someone else yelled back at him.

"Fuck it" Harry whispered. "I am not the Heir of Slytherin…" he started waiting till there was silence once more.

He looked towards his friends hoping they wouldn't judge him to harshly.

"I am Lord... Lord Harry Potter-Gryffindor-Slytherin" he said watching the looks of shock on all of their faces.

"Lord Harry Potter-Gryffindor-Slytherin" he raised his voice, using some magic to make his voice reverberate through the hall. "And i will not tolerate any more attacks on my house or my character. I will find this supposed Heir and i will remove them, however if anybody slanders me any more i will NOT show mercy."

And with that he strode out of the Duelling hall, avoiding his friends eyes as he went.

I Own Nothin

Thanks to My Beta Haphne24.