Chapter 4: Wizard's Duel Midnight

Disclaimer: Harry Potter, Merlin and their characters do not belong to me, sadly.

Merlin soon fell into the Hogwarts Routine, writing his articles in the gap between his last class and dinner. This happy state of affairs continued right up until he caught four Gryffindor first-years out of bed near the trophy room.

Merlin sighed.

"And what are you four doing, at this time of night? I understand wanting to learn more about magic, but rest is important, especially for youngsters." he looked at them in disappointment. "Well?" he added when there was no answer.

The four eleven-year-olds shifted nervously, before Longbottom caved.

"I-I couldn't remember t-th-the password to get into the Common Room, and-and then the Fat Lady left, Sir. Sorry." Longbottom stammered apologetically.

Merlin nodded slowly.

"I see. That does tend to be an issue when you use a portrait as a guardian. Miss Granger, what's your reason?"

Almost instantly, Granger puffed up.

"I was trying to stop these two idiots, Sir. I overheard them at dinner, with Malfoy, agreeing to a wizards duel -" she began.

"A Wizard's Duel?" Merlin asked sharply. "And you informed the staff?"

Potter blinked.

"No, Sir."

Groaning, Merlin pinched his nose.

"Tell me, Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, do you want to die? Because, I'm having a very hard time believing the opposite." At the blank looks, Merlin continued. "There are serious consequences to a Wizard's Duel, and various formats and etiquettes that must be followed, as I'm sure Mr. Weasley has informed you, being from a Pureblood Family."

Weasley's answering scoff was in no way comforting.

"Come off it, Professor! My family doesn't follow those rubbish!"

"Rubbish?!" Merlin exclaimed, paling rapidly. "Ok, we'll deal with this later. What exactly was said about the Duel?"

"Um..." Potter stammered, only for Granger to speak over him.

"Malfoy insulted Harry, then challenged him to a wizard's duel at midnight, in the trophy room, Sir."

Merlin nodded slowly.

"Were any rules established? And who accepted?"

"Um, I think it was 'wands only', and 'no contact'. Oh, and Ron said he was a 'second', Harry didn't really say anything, Sir," Granger replied promptly.

Merlin nodded, before sending a patronus to Arthur and Flitwick.

"Right. So the Duel is between Mr. Malfoy and Mr. Weasley." he ignored Weasley's spluttering. "Given the time, I'd like the rest of you to stay. I've sent for Professor Aeron to join as a Witness and Professor Flitwick to Oversee – Wizard's Duels have rather complicated procedures and rather nasty consequences if not done properly. We'll wait here for everyone to arrive." Merlin then proceeded to lean against a nearby window-ledge.

It wasn't long before the two summoned professors arrived, and Merlin spent the rest of the five minutes getting them up to speed. Both were rather alarmed by the lack of knowledge shown by the four young lions...

All too soon, the clock chimed. Flitwick frowned.

"Where is Mr. Malfoy? He should have been here already." he sighed. "We will give him ten minutes, as per duelling regulations, and then I'll call it." he shook his head.

The time seemed to drag by, the very air charged with emotion. Just before Flitwick called time, the sound of hurried footsteps came down the corridor.

"Sniff around, my sweet, they might still be lurking." Mr. Filch's voice floated towards them.

The professors exchanged glances.

"Time." declared Flitwick. "Mr. Malfoy forfeits. Melvin, if you would escort the young lions back to their den, while I go see if I can find our missing snake?"

"Of course, Filius," Merlin inclined his head, before chivvying the lions along, leaving Arthur to handle Filch.

The four lions didn't look particularly worse for wear at breakfast the next morning – or at least, they didn't as far as Merlin could tell. And, fortunately for Malfoy, Flitwick had managed to declare the Challenge void due to Weasley accepting instead of Potter. Sadly, the post heralded the next unwelcome surprise. Merlin would have preferred to at least have finished his tea.

Six large screech owls flew in with a long, thin parcel, before dropping it right in front of Potter. From the shape of the parcel, and the smug satisfaction from Minerva, it was fairly obvious what had been sent.

Almost instantly, Potter and Weasley headed off, with Malfoy and Co. on their heels. Merlin blinked, before deciding it wasn't his problem if the Cat chose to play favourites, and returned to his tea. Honestly, the whole situation between the Houses was idiotic! Not to mention a powder keg waiting to blow...

The rest of the month passed by in a continuous loop of classes, marking, and writing articles. All too soon, Merlin found himself waking on the morn of Samhain. What made it worse, was the expectant thrumming that filled the air around him.

It took Arthur an hour to snap him out of his memories of other Samhains from long ago. From the look in his eyes, Arthur was taking a similar trip down memory lane.

"Merls?" Arthur asked softly.

Merlin shook his head.

"Something's gon'a happen." he frowned. "Not sure when, just that it's today."

Arthur nodded.

"Right, well, we're aware of it, so...any idea on who the mark is?"

Merlin frowned, trying to listen to the various noises.

"No," he replied slowly. "It's not clear."

"Right, so, keep an eye out for anything strange, got it." Arthur smiled reassuringly as he opened the door, only to duck back inside with a grimace. "Some idiot, possibly the headmaster, 's got the corridor and most likely the entire Castle smelling of pumpkin."

Merlin chuckled grimly.

"Just be glad we're not a House Head – think of all the sugar likely to be around today."

Arthur groaned.

"That's it – I'm doing pop quizzes only today. There's no way the students will be concentrating, is there?"

Merlin shrugged hopelessly.

"I've got a lecture on the origins of Samhain planned..."

Arthur shook his head fondly, before leading the way to breakfast.