Chapter 16-Dueling Mistakes, its time to duel
After lunch was: the first years study period, so after a quick freshen up Harry and John joined their friends in the library, studying to get on top of their case load and not that it was hard to do so, with the combined power of Hermiones research skills and their pure stubbornness, they powered threw the work with the ease of a hot knife threw butter and soon half way in to the period, they had finished the work and was now doing some private studies. Meanwhile not all of the students were using their time constructively, as one Ronald Weasley could point out, who of which was crashed out in the Gryffindor Commonroom lounge, in front of the fire snoring his head off.
Waiting in the wings was Draco Malfoy, whom now was smirking victoriously as his plan to challenge the Potter was coming together. Now with the free period over, Harry, John and the rest of their study group packed up their books and returned the library books to the shelves – well all they did was place the books in the rows they came from and Magic sorted the rest out, before the study group then moved to their next classes.
The final classes of the day were theory classes, short and easy, for those whom don't mind reading or in the case of Harry whom had a class that had been nothing but theory: History of Magic, but thanks to his time spend volunteering at the Hospital Harry managed to stay awake and while tuning out the ghost of a teachers drone, Harry read threw his History book. While John was in his Defence class, in a similar zone as his brother: Ignoring the teachers stuttering, while powering threw the text book.
After a while, their classes were finished for the day and it was time to go to dinner, with enough time to return their Book bags to their room, Harry and John met up at the moving staircase and then headed to their room, after that task was done they headed down to the great hall and sat in their usually seats. Half way threw dinner, Harry and John had to jump from their seats, as a paste red colored spell lanced past them and impacted the very portion of bench they had been sitting on.
Everyone in the hall grew silent, before an arrogant and superior toned voice demanded, "Potter I demand a honor duel," with the rule, Harry could not so say 'no' now and said, "I accept your duel, noon Saturday here," before repairing his busted seat with John and sat down. Throughout altercation Minerva watched with mental curse, 'that stupid Decree Dumbledore had posted is going to potentially kill several students and it looks as though he does not even care,' with a thought and an afterthought, as she see the grin of his face. While also watching Dumbledore had a smug smile, which turned to a frown when Harry dictated the time he had wished to duel and attempted to use legitimacy to influence Harry decision and let Draco decide, but all that happen was Dumbledore again met Harry mental guardian.
Knowing he couldn't change Harrys mind, Dumbledore stood up and say, "Very well the between Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter, will be arranged for the Saturday at noon," as he looked at them, before enquiring, "If you are unable to duel, who will you choose as a second?" hoping to himself that Harry will choose his minion Ron Weasley and was disappointed, as Harry spoke up, "John Charles Potter," indicating his brother and Draco chose, "Vincent Crabbe," after he sized them up. Once getting their seconds, Dumbledore asked, "Any other stipulations?" which was when Draco called out, "No contact," to the nod of Harry.
Once Dumbledore got all the answers he need, he then ordered the hall to resume their previous activities and the hall began eating again. After tea everyone flocked to their rooms to write notes to their parents and tell them about the duel, why they were allowing students to duel like this and whom they expect to win (A.K.A. the Slytherins were bragging about who the boy who lived is gonna lose), before going on to other things and then posted the letters using their postal owls. But for Dumbledore though, it was a little bit different: he was fuming and in his anger half of his office was in disarray when he returned from dinner, 'This was not how it was supposed to be! The brat was meant to chose Ron, why didn't he? Is he not even friends with him? Like I planned them to be!' while surveying his office.
"That boy needs to wake up and see that I am his master," said Dumbledore out loud, thinking on how turn things back to his favor and then his eye began twinkling, 'Yes that'll do nicely, if I use power enhancing charms on Mr. Crabbe, then I can use him to kill John and then label the murder as an accident, the Crabbe family will come flocking to me and I'll gain more slaves in Voldemorts court,' before he started to draw out his plan on a much more broader term.
Throughout the remaining days, all anyone would ever talk about is: Draco's duel against Harry, it had become a source of contention with staff that just wanted to teach their students and couldn't because they couldn't focus. For the Potters however it was a source of annoyance, with several people asking if they could be Harry's second instead, Harry held firm and declined their office, most immediately when the older students tried to use seduction to change his mind, but the request were in the minority as Harry and John spent their free time studying for their homework or assisting Madam Pomfree in the medical ward (a place even the most bravest Gryffindor would not dare to tread) and therefore unable to be asked.
Finally the day came, and Hogwarts was now filled with the public, hoping to watch Harry prove to them that he was the second coming of Merlin or watch Draco proves blood superiority. The great hall was converted into a dueling arena, with a raised platform, dozens of seats and stand, on top of the platform stood Professor Filius Flitwick who as the resident Duel Master was umpiring the duel.
Once the stadium filled with many wizards and witches, Professor Flitwick stepped up to the microphone and announced, "Wizards and Witches, today we have a treat, a honor duel between Scion Draco Malfoy of the Noble Family of Malfoy and scion Harry Potter of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Family of Potter," as he introduce the duelist: Draco walked up the stairs wearing: the Malfoy Battle Robes, made from the finest Basilisk and Dragonhide in Black and green, along with a mantle that looked to big for his body, and after Harry Potter was announced, Harry walked up the stage wearing: a black suit, silver dress shirt, dress shoes and a black tie, over that was his white medical coat and around his waist was the Gamer Driver.
"So that explain how much he knows of medicine," Poppy said, as she recognized the style of coat Harry wore, beside her Minerva asked, "What explains so much, Poppy?" "The coat Minerva is what muggle healers wear in their hospitals, doctors especially?" answered Poppy, to the pride of James and Lily whom were standing next to them, "It is also a sign of achievement, recognition for passing their Medical Decree," added Poppy, making Minevra think that when the boys (as she notices John in the same gear) graduate from Hogwarts they'll apply for a position in St. Mungos. Elsewhere in the hall, a man in a pinstripe suit, wearing a bowler hat and a man that looked similar to Draco Malfoy, were speaking about Harrys choice of attire, "Interesting choice on Mr. Potters part wouldn't you say Lucius?" said the man in the Pinstripe suit, "Indeed Cornelius, an immaculate suit and overcoat, definitely gives him a professional feel to him," responds the older Draco, as appraised the suit approvingly and with the tap from his wife, he then notice a similar dressed John Potter.
In another part of the hall, Ron Weasley was watching with his family; sulkingly depressed that it was not him helping Harry and wishing John would die, to help him achieve his mission of becoming friends with Harry, given to him by: Dumbledore, as Dumbledore himself was hiding, but not really hiding in the opposite corner of where the Weasley, so he can use his power enhancing charms without been seen. Ginny was also there, as no one could look after her at the Burrow seeing as everyone was at Hogwarts for this event, watching with her family as the cute boy who saved her, defend himself against a bruised ego: Draco Malfoy.
Back on the stage, the 2 boys met in the middle and bow to each other, then at Flitwicks command of, "Okay now walk 5 paces back from the centerline," the boys walked back and then turned to one another, getting into a battle stance, lowering themselves down, Draco assumed the typical power stance to capitalize on offence quickly and Harry went into a wandless pose, as his hands projected a ring of glyphs and runes, that were unrecognizable to the Wizarding community. Seeing the 2 were ready, Flitwick then says, "As this handkerchief (bring out the item) hits the floor, you may begin," throwing t the Handkerchief into the air. Several minutes passed, before it hit the floor and when it did, Draco went on the offensive with, "Averta staktum," blasting his spell.
With the spells speed, Harry raised his hands in fast and complicated gestures, as he chants, "Su Sharu Rindo Ashinya, Bato Eimi Ogu Suverudo," forming a barrier made from butterflies of magical energy, the spell impacted the barrier and it held strongly, before the spell dispersed and then Harry countered with another chant, "Sea Surita Fimu Guron Vindo," shoot boomerang like blades of green light at Draco. Harrys counter had knocked Draco off the stage, allowing Harry to gain a point for a ring out. Silence had reigned, at the quickest round in dueling history as the even more ego driven Draco got up and tried to make his way to the stage, but he was stopped by a voice, "Stop Draco dear, you have lost," he turns to the voice and see his mother walking to him, with his father who had an unreadable expression of his face.
"Mother please, this peasant has insulted me time and time again, with his status and title, he must be made an example of," Draco declared, SLAP echoes threw the hall, as Lucius lowered his hand and retorted, "You do well not to talk back to your mother Draco," watching Harry as he carries himself professional off the stage to his friends and family, before Lucius turns his attention his son and states, "And from what I hear from your professors, it is clear that you are trying to do the same thing when you use my name to get out of punishments or get threw school without studying," to his son, whom had just got redder and redder, with embarrassment.
Once his son was dealt with, Lucius moved over to the Potter family and bowed saying, "Scion Potter, I Lord Malfoy of Malfoy apologize for the grievance my heir has given you, rest assured that I will be speaking to him about this at a later date," to the silence of the hall, many thought, 'What Lucius is been humble,' while some looked at Draco and thought differently, 'Of course Draco had insulted his families honor and slacked off, hoping to use his fathers name to get where he wants and what he wants.' Answering Lucius' apology, Harry said, "Rise Lord Malfoy, you maybe Draco's father but you can't control his actions or beliefs and I don't blame you for your sons decisions, therefore apology accepted," holding out his hand, which when Lucius returned to his full height, he shook to signify the end of hostilities between both families.
Back with the remaining Malfoys, Narcissa watched on with a regal appearance and a barely visible small, knowing that the Potter scion could have demanded the Malfoy lordship as payment for her son's actions, but didn't shows that he is above petty grievances and mature, looking at her son to see: immaturity at it's finest. Watching from his corner, an angry Professor Dumbledore had different beliefs thinking, 'Harry must not interact with the death eaters, they may cause him to turn off the path I am still paving for him,' as he watched the scene, 'Looks like I may not be able to use Malfoy in my schemes, but I can still use Ron though,' as an after thought.
With his thoughts in order, Dumbledore dismisses himself from the hall and goes to check on his other side project: The Philosopher Stone, his bait for Voldemort. Back in the Hall, Fudge took over from Flitwick as master of ceremonies to congratulate Harry on his victory and asked to name his prize, when Harry said, "I wish for no prize or award of physical value, but to have Draco leave me, my family and friends alone, his constant belief in his superiority is causing his grades to slip and studies to be ignored, my price is that he leaves the students of Hogwarts alone for the duration of our education," to the agreement of those whom had been bullied by: Draco Malfoy. Hearing the terms of the victory price, both Lucius and Narcissa looked at their son with a face that says, 'We will talk about this later.'