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...

Pyx was out of it for 2 days. The others tried to get Neville to rest, eat, or get cleaned up but he wanted to be the first person she sees when she wakes. And he was. It was nearing 3pm when her eyes fluttered open. She saw him staring at her and she smiled.

"Hey, Nev," she squeaked.

He jumped from the chair and sat beside her on the bed. He took her hands in his and squeezed. His green eyes did a quick scan of her body and when he saw that she was still there, he smiled back.

"You had us all in a scare. Since your little rant at the Ministry, you've been unconscious."

"And he wouldn't leave your bedside," Hermione said from the doorway.

"I just wanted to make sure you were OK."

"Now that you know, rest. I'll be here when you get back."

Neville bent down and kissed her forehead. He looked at Hermione and she nodded. He left the room and the girl took up his seat in the chair.

"How have things been? How long was I out for?"

"A couple of days. Malfoy has been sent to Azkaban and Fudge has stepped down as Minister. Until a vote can be held, the entire Wizengamot is acting as Minister."

"That's good to hear, Hermione. I need you to find me a book on the laws surrounding pureblood duels. I need to find a way to keep Neville from getting back up there with Malfoy Jr."

"I'll get Sirius to sit with you. Neville will be mad if you're left alone. I'll start my research in the Black library."

Hermione called for Sirius, who rushed up the stairs. He was ecstatic to see Pyx awake. The Gryffindor left the uncle and niece alone to search for the book. After searching for half an hour, she turned to magic for help.

"Accio book on pureblood duels!" she called.

A medium size book flew out of somewhere and straight into her arms. The title 'How to Be a Proper Pureblood' was done in melted gold lettering on the black cover. She sat in a chair and opened the book. All the pages were blank.

"Specialis Revelio!"

Words appeared on the page.

Topic?

"Duels," she answered, tapping the book with her wand.

The pages filled with every rule, regulation, decree, or stipulation on pureblood duels. Some dated back to the time of Merlin himself.

"Current rules, please."

Now rather than 50 pages of writing, there were only 5. Hermione skimmed through the pages and found one stipulation that may work. She tapped the entry and asked for the full entry since it looked to be in summation.

It was exactly what Hermione thought it was. She closed the book and carried it down to Pyx's room. Sirius had been replaced by Harry, Ron, Ginny, and the twins. They had Pyx tearing up from laughter.

"I found it."

Pyx stopped laughing, wiped her eyes, and motioned for Hermione to come closer. She handed the book over and tapped the book.

"Pureblood duels, stipulation 103 in full text," she ordered.

Half a page filled with the stipulation and Pyx gave it a once over. She was smirking when she looked up. She closed the book and sat straighter in her seat.

"Who would like to see Nev win the duel?" she asked.

"How? Malfoy's using Dark spells," George said.

"Just hear me out before you interrupt. I, Pyxis Malfoy-Black, have the right to replace my cousin, Draco Malfoy, in the pureblood duel against Neville Longbottom."

The others felt the magic in the air shift. Pyx knew what was coming next. The door crashed open and in stormed both Neville and Sirius.

"How dare you put yourself into a pureblood duel?" Sirius yelled.

"You haven't even been awake for 5 hours and already getting into trouble. I can't fight you. I can't even look at you right now," Neville said before storming out.

"And with that, he won the duel. I was going to forfeit but instead he broke my heart. That's the most severe wound possible other than death," she said, before turning away from her friends.

She didn't move, speak, or eat for days. All she wanted was Neville and the boy wouldn't see her. While the duel wasn't hanging over their heads anymore, he was still angry that she put herself into that position. Even Regulus tried to talk some sense into Neville.

"My daughter did what she needed to do to keep the man she loves safe. All she did was mutter a few words, not jumping in front of another cutting curse. Wouldn't you do the same if it were reversed? But instead of protecting her, you've hurt her. Today's Christmas so give her the one gift she truly wants that no one else can give her."

Everyone was sitting around the enlarged table for the fabulous meal that Mrs. Weasley cooked. Neville and Pyx sat at opposite ends of the table, not eating. Harry tried to get Pyx to smile while Ginny worked on Neville. After nearly 10 minutes, Pyx had enough.

"If the prat doesn't want to talk, then don't keep badgering him."

"I don't need you to defend me."

"Clearly you do. Sometimes even from yourself. Challenging Malfoy to a duel, nearly getting yourself killed. I know you're a bloody Gryffindor but it was a stupid move," she screamed.

"I could have handled it if you hadn't gotten in the way," he retaliated.

"I wasn't going to sit idly by as you fought. I wasn't going to let my uncle use you and then kill you so I could be married off. He's already killed too many. I would do anything for you, Neville Longbottom, because I love you."

"As I do you," he yelled.

"Well, now that's all out in the open, snog so we can get back to the food," Ron said.

"Ronald!" Hermione gasped, hitting him upside the head.

Both Pyx and Neville stood up and walked towards each other. He pulled her in and kissed her. It was her who turned the kiss into something more. Sirius coughed to tell them to break it up. One side of the table shifted down so they could sit across from each other.

"Harry, I was going to wait until we were doing gifts to give this to you but it seems befitting with the adults here," Pyx said, passing a little wrapped box to Fred to pass down. "Happy Christmas."

The Boy Who Lived opened the box and pulled out a vial full of silvery liquid.

"It's my memories of when I was with Malfoy. Not all of them but anything concerning Voldemort. Oh, Nev, it's just a name. You dueled Draco Malfoy and won. Anyways, there's one in particular that you should see. Now who'd like to explain to Harry about this prophecy that has Voldemort so freaked out."

Note2: So that's the end...I hadn't thought of doing a sequel but if I get enough responses, I'll start one up...thanks for reading...