Note: I do not own 'Harry Potter' but do own my own characters...if anything doesn't seem to jive with the books, it's not meant to...Hope you enjoy it...
Thanatos delivered the note to Pyx's friends and since he wasn't needed, he went to hunt. Neville was the most anxious to hear what the outcome was. While he was happy that Sirius had been set free (as was everyone else), he wanted to hear about Pyx. He hoped that she'd come back before the holidays began.
"Mr. Potter, Mr. Weasley, Mr. Longbottom and Ms. Granger, please follow me," McGonagall asked.
The four students followed her to Dumbledore's office. Neville hadn't been in the office before so he looked around at the interesting things. The headmaster was sitting behind the desk, looking withdrawn.
"Headmaster, what's wrong?" Hermione asked.
"No doubt you've heard about Sirius' innocence. A situation has arisen. While at lunch to celebrate and to wait for the custody decision, Ms. Malfoy-Black was taken."
"What?" Harry cried.
"She was taken from the washroom. The apparition signature of the kidnapper was investigated and proved to be planted."
"Who?" Neville asked. He was angry and those around him could tell by the edge in his voice.
"At the moment, we are unsure."
"Whose signature was it?" he asked.
"It does not matter who. The Magical Law Enforcement department has questioned the person in question under Veritaserum. She did not take Ms. Malfoy-Black."
"Whose bloody signature?" Neville seethed.
No one had ever heard the boy swear before. Their faces showed their surprise and Hermione took a step closer to calm him. The magic was radiating off of him.
"While it proved wrong, it identified Narcissa Malfoy."
"Sir, is there anyway to falsify the apparition signature?" Hermione asked.
"There are a few ways and I assure you that they are being looked into," Dumbledore said.
"Professor, was a decision made regarding Pyx's guardianship?" Ron questioned.
"For the time being, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy are her guardians."
Neville stormed out of the office to find Draco. Every student he ran into were frightened by how angry he looked. They ran from him and proceeded to tell everyone they saw. Neville checked the Great Hall but he wasn't there. He stormed down into the dungeons trying to find the Slytherin. He did find one but not the one he was searching for.
"Zabini, tell Malfoy to get his bloody arse out here. I need to speak to him," Neville growled.
Blaise Zabini, interested in why the normal placid Gryffindor wanted his friend, entered the Slytherin common room and beckoned Draco. The blond, who was reading the letter from his father, smirked. He knew exactly as to why the Gryffindor was there.
"Crabbe, Goyle, come but don't do anything to him. He's mine unless I tell you otherwise."
Blaise followed the other boys out. A few others wanted to see this as well so they followed. Neville was pacing the hallway waiting to face Draco.
"You bellowed, Longbottom. What crawled up your knickers?"
"I've had enough of your entire family of Death Eaters. Pyx had proof of the man your father is. She turns it over to the Ministry but manages to get kidnapped. Even with proof, your bloody family gets guardianship. She proved her uncle's innocence but doesn't get to celebrate it with him."
"What's it to you, Longbottom? Were you dating the blood traitor?" Draco said, leaning against the wall.
Other students had heard the conversation between Neville and Draco and headed down to the dungeons to watch. Harry, Ron, and Hermione were there too, trying to push their way to the front. They wanted to stop their friend from doing anything rash. Those closest to the boy could feel the magic in the air.
"How fitting. A blood traitor and a squib," the Slytherin continued.
Neville pulled his wand and yelled a spell. Draco was blasted into the wall, crumpling to the ground. He staggered to his feet and brushed his hair out of his eyes. Draco held out his hand to the other Slytherins who were about to confront Neville.
"I got this. You think you can do better than me, Longbottom? You don't even have a fraction of the power your parents had and they couldn't stand up against my aunt Bella."
No one knew what Draco was talking about. Harry had been told Neville's parents were hurt during the first war and couldn't raise their son but not how they were hurt. Neville's jaw clenched and his grip on his father's wand got tighter.
"Like I said, Malfoy, your entire family is Death Eater scum. My parents might have gone insane from the Cruciatus curse but at least they have beating hearts. Yours were never beating and have shriveled up. Perfect heartless drones for Voldemort to order around," Neville said harshly.
The entire group of students, except for Harry and Neville, shivered at the name. Neville was angry and wanted to duel. He knew if he challenged Draco to a duel, the pureblood would have to agree.
"Sod off, Longbottom. You don't scare me. Remember I've seen you and your wand in practice before."
Draco turned and started back to the entrance of the Slytherin dormitory. Neville stepped forward and pocketed his wand.
"I, Neville Longbottom, challenge you, Draco Malfoy, to a pureblood duel."
The purebloods around him gasped. They knew the laws and quickly explained them to those who didn't know.
"What do you mean, Ron? What type of duel?" Hermione asked. This was one thing she hadn't studied yet.
"When one pureblood challenges another to a pureblood duel, it cannot be declined. When the laws were written, it meant a duel to the death. Now it's a duel until someone is severely wounded. The wizards have a week to prepare for the duel. No fighting until then and anything goes except for the Unforgivables."
Draco turned to face Neville and approached him. They stood the same height so their eyes glared into the others. The duel had to be shaken on so Neville held out his hand.
"I forgot a squib could be a pureblood. I accept the duel, Longbottom. Live your last week to the fullest. A Malfoy never loses."
The Slytherins left and Neville turned to leave. He was met by 6 angry friends.
"Neville Longbottom, how dare you challenge Malfoy to a duel," Ginny cried.
"Come on, mate. You can barely transfigure a button properly," Seamus offered.
"I'd do anything for Pyx. They have her; I know it. So either help me prepare or get out of my way."
"First things first then. Calm down. You're beginning to glow like Pyx does when she's pissed off. We've all seen you do magic but it's radiating off you right now. Maybe it's the wand," Harry said.
"It was my father's," he said, pulling the stick from his pocket.
"You might need to get a new one. Magic can't be done without a proper chosen wand."
"Yeah, remember how bad I was until I got my own wand. Charlie's didn't work well for me," Ron said.
"How do you plan on getting Neville to Ollivanders? There's still a couple more days of term left. Where will this duel be? When? How will Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore react when they find out?" Hermione said.
"I suspect we'll be angry."
They turned to see their Head of House standing there with Snape. The Potions Master glared at them.
"I knew you had to be lacking brain cells, Longbottom, to challenge Mr. Malfoy."
Snape headed off to the common room while they shifted under the glare of McGonagall. Neville was still worked up so he glared right back. The Transfiguration professor had never seen this kind of passion from the boy before except for Herbology.
"Mr. Longbottom, follow me. The rest of you, I suggest you head to the library. You all still have exams to study for."
In other words, search for spells that Neville could use in the duel. McGonagall didn't know why he had challenged Draco but she could help him prepare. She escorted him to Dumbledore and had the student explain himself.
"The duel will be held here in a week's time. I would suggest at noon. No doubt but either Mr. Malfoy or Professor Snape has already notified his parents. I will notify your grandmother if you wish."
"No, sir. I'd prefer to do it. Who will oversee the duel?"
"It will have to be someone partial with no ties to you or Mr. Malfoy. I will find someone, Mr. Longbottom. Do you still have exams to sit?"
"Only Herbology, sir, and that's tomorrow afternoon," Neville answered.
"Good. I know of a person who would be thrilled to help. I'll have him here by dinner tomorrow to help train you."
"Professor, Harry mentioned getting my own wand. He believes my father's wand is holding my magic back."
"It can be true for some. I know that Ms. Malfoy-Black's wand was her mother's. If your grandmother approves, I'll have your tutor take you to Ollivanders after dinner."
Neville thanked the headmaster and left. McGonagall looked at Dumbledore and asked who this tutor was. His eyes sparkled and he began to write a note without answering her.
The phoenix appeared as he sat at the kitchen table. He had been drinking firewhiskey since that afternoon. The bird held out the letter, which he eventually took. He scanned the contents and jumped up from the table.
"Moony, pack your bags. The Marauders are going back to Hogwarts," Sirius yelled.