In the final week of September, Callidus, Harry and Draco had just finished their classes for the day and they had noticed that the crowd around the Slytherin's notice board was thicker than usual. The trio shared a look. Was there a post about the new club ARMED? Or could it be about reinstating the duelling club?

"Let's go take a look," Draco suggested, already pushing his way through the crowd.

Since most of the older students had already read the notice, they shifted away, allowing the younger students access. The noticeboard contained not one, but two new notices. The first read: 'First meeting of the ARMED club - October 1st. Speak to Euphemia Rowle if interested.' Callidus noted with interest that there was no mention of what the new club would even be about. Were they relying on word of mouth to gain the interest of the other students? The second notice read: 'Hogwarts Dueling club - First meeting at 8 o'clock in the Great Hall.'

"The dueling club!" Harry exclaimed happily. "I was wondering when they would start that up again."

Draco nodded. "We'll need it. Considering Lockhart's teaching abilities, I doubt we'll learn anything useful in his class this year." He shook his head. "How senile can Dumbledore be to hire him?"

"I didn't realize it was possible for a teacher to be worse at teaching than Quirrell," Harry added wryly. "But at least with Lockhart, we've got him in a position of submission." Harry smirked with dark satisfaction.

Draco grinned. "The dueling club might even teach us new spells that we could use on him."

"Frankly, I'm surprised he managed to even last as long as he has," Callidus intoned. "It'd be a miracle if he survives to the end of the year without a full nervous breakdown."

"Ha! Could you imagine if he ended up in the Janus Thickey Ward because of us?" Draco speculated.

Callidus peered over at Harry. Often, similar comments would cause Harry to comment that Draco was going too far, or that he was being cruel. Instead, Harry just looked amused.

"So - about ARMED," Callidus changed the topic.

Draco's expression became thoughtful. "You know, my father actually wrote me about the new club. He insisted that I join. He didn't tell me why though, but I assume it's important. He wouldn't suggest a club unless there was something important I could gain from it." Draco looked over at Callidus. "What did Wystan tell you about it?"

Having explained it before, Callidus explained the club to Draco and Harry again. But since he hadn't gotten that much details from Wystan, there were still many gaps in his knowledge.

"You know who Euphemia Rowle is, right?" Harry asked Draco.

Draco nodded. He scanned the common room until his eyes fell upon a seventh year girl. She had sandy blonde hair, blue eyes, and thin lips pulled up in a small smile that didn't reach her eyes. Rowle was with a group of other seventh year students, and judging by the way that she allowed them to do the talking, she appeared to be rather reserved.

"Her," Draco indicated with the tilt of his chin.

"Should we go speak to her now?" Harry pondered. It seemed rather brash to simply interrupt a group of seventh years. On the other hand, the notice had said to speak to her, and if not now, then when?

Draco shrugged indifferently. "I don't see why not." Rowle might be part of an old and noble pureblood family, but she did not have the same wealth, influence or power as the Malfoys.

Thus decided, the trio made their way over to the group of upperclassmen.

"Hello Euphemia," Draco greeted with polished pureblood manners.

Rowle peered up at him from the sofa, and her smile widened, looking slightly more genuine. "Draco."

"We noticed the note that you had pinned to the board and wanted to speak to you about ARMED," Draco informed her. "We were interested in joining."

Upon saying 'we,' Rowle suddenly seemed aware of Callidus's and Harry's presence. She gave them a nod that could only be described as microscopic before turning her attention back to Draco.

"Of course," she answered smoothly. "The first meeting will be in one of the empty rooms in the dungeon - it the empty room next to where Professor Snape's office used to be. Do you know where that is?"

"Yes," Draco replied.

"To join ARMED, there is a fifty galleon entry free. You're also required to loan or if you're feeling generous, donate an old spellbook or grimoire to the club, which all other members will have access to." Rowle raised her eyebrows slightly, as if silently asking whether Draco understood.

"What if we don't have old spellbooks to donate?" Harry cut in.

Rowle peered towards Harry before bringing her eyes back to Draco. "The terms of entry into ARMED are not negotiable."

"Can't we just - pay more galleons instead?" Harry offered.

Rowle flicked another glance at Harry before looking back at Draco. "The requirements include the fee and the spellbook or grimoire. You understand that starting a club like this one presents quite a risk to us, don't you?" Rowle's expression towards Draco was imploring. "By loaning or donating a spellbook, it's a form of security, to ensure that members will not do anything to betray the interests of the club. So I'm afraid I can't bend these requirements for anyone."

"I understand," Draco murmured. Rowle gave him a warm smile (or at least the warmest that Callidus had seen so far.)

Draco smiled in return. "Good day, then." With a nod, he left the group of seventh years, trailed by an irritated-looking Harry and a thoughtful but troubled Callidus. Despite Rowle's polite words, she did not seem troubled that the requirements would potentially exclude a great deal of people. Callidus couldn't help wondering if perhaps that was what she wanted. Was this why Parkinson didn't like her?

The trio made their way to the second year's usual spot in the common room, where most of their peers were already lounging.

"What was with her?" Harry wondered, his mouth formed into scowl. "Did you notice how she barely looked at me or Callidus, and directed the whole conversation to you, Draco?"

Draco blinked. "She did?"

Callidus arched an eyebrow. "You didn't notice."

Harry made a sound of exasperation.

The trio sat down at the sofa, and were met with questioning looks from Parkinson, who was perched on the arm of one of the armchairs across from them. Blaise himself sat in the armchair.

"You spoke to Two-faced Euphie?" she asked, though it was clear that she had been observing them and already knew the answer.

"She seemed perfectly polite to me," Draco remarked.

Harry's eyebrows were knit. "What is her issue?"

"I told you she was two-faced," Parkinson reminded him. "She only associates with those that she considers important enough. Unfortunately, she's always been rather good at masking her feelings. She rarely ever does anything that gives away her disdain for others."

Callidus frowned. He remembered Parkinson's words on Hogwarts Express. He hadn't been sure of what to expect when it came to Euphemia Rowle, and had decided to reserve judgement until he interacted with her. But that initial interaction had not left him feeling optimistic. Mentioning that old spellbooks or grimoires were required was like an indirect way of saying: 'only old pureblood families are allowed.' It enabled Rowle to act polite, while using the rules themselves to exclude people she didn't like. If Rowle's actions had been intentional, it was not a good sign - or rather, it was the sign of a savvy Slytherin, who knew how to use indirect means to get her way.

Harry crossed his arms. "I don't like her."

Parkinson smirked. "Join the club."

"I still think it would be advantageous to join ARMED," Callidus opined. "Though it's unfortunate for the club to be headed by someone like Rowle." Callidus wondered if Wystan was aware of Rowle's nature. He would have to write him to find out.

"Rowle shouldn't be in charge of anything other than her own wardrobe," Parkinson declared. "Though I question if she should even be in charge of that. I certainly shan't be joining her club."

Zabini gave a light shrug. "I can't say I have a strong interest in joining either."

"I'll join," Bulstrode threw in.

"But Millie!" Parkinson protested. "Don't you remember how Euphie treated you before?"

Bulstrode shrugged. "The club might make me stronger."

"I definitely will," Draco announced.

Parkinson rolled her eyes. "Obviously. You'll do anything that daddy tells you to do."

"That's because -"

"- your father is a respectable pureblood, with a powerful position in society, who knows all sorts of things that we don't. Yes, yes, Draco, we've heard it all before," Parkinson interrupted. "Regardless of all that, I have better things to do than to submit myself to Two-faced Euphie's authority in any way. I have a feeling she'll take advantage of it in the worst sort of way."

"But wouldn't she still be obligated to run the club well?" Callidus wondered. "It's a subsidiary under the FLAME organization. She can't just run roughshod over everything and everyone, can she?"

Parkinson shrugged. "Oh, I'm sure she'll do a sufficient job of running the club. If she considers you good enough for her attentions."

Harry frowned. "This is starting to sound a lot less appealing. Maybe we should just stick to the dueling club. The first meeting is tonight."

Parkinson huffed. "All this talk of clubs is boring anyway. There was something else that I wanted to discuss." Parkinson turned towards Callidus, wearing a knowing smile that sent shivers down his spine.

"Cal," Parkinson purred. "Blaise and I were in the library the other day. Since when have you acquired a gaggle of girls as companions?"

Draco's eyes bulged and he stared at Callidus. "Gaggle of girls? What are they talking about?"

Callidus groaned. "It's nothing. Just Hermione, Caiside who is part of my foster family, and one of their friends."

Draco leaned forward, not bothering to hide his interest. "Who?"

"Ginny Weasley."

"Weasley?!" Draco exclaimed. Callidus was uncomfortably aware that he had the stares of all the second year Slytherins. "The one that we saw at Gambol and Japes? Or partially saw before she scurried away like a rodent exposed to the light?"

Harry was laughing at this point. "So it's just you and three girls? And aren't they all Gryffindors? When do you see them? I've never seen you alone with three girls."

Callidus scowled, crossing his arms defensively. "When the two of you are at practice. We just study together. It's not like we're all friends. I'm only friends with Hermione. And that's because she's the only intelligent company I can find in this school, unlike you lot."

Draco snorted. "Sure. Study. Is that just your way of saying that you help each other with beauty spells, gossip about Lockhart's eyes, and apply each other's Sleekeazy hair potion?"

Callidus raised his eyebrows. "Have you seen Hermione's hair? You probably spend more time on your hair than the three of them combined. You're being ridiculous."

"Hm. You have a point," Draco conceded. "Gryffindor girls are practically barbarians."

"I think it's cute!" Parkinson grinned. "Absolutely adorable!"

"Do they really talk about Lockhart's eyes?" Harry asked, his nose scrunched up. "I was hoping that delusion was limited to only Slytherin girls and maybe Hufflepuffs. What do they see in him anyway? Maybe a few more balding spells will change their minds."

"You wouldn't dare make Professor Lockhart bald!" Parkinson exclaimed in dismay, but the trio ignored her.

Callidus's expression was disgusted. "No one talks about Lockhart! I'd curse them all to silence if they tried."

"What do you talk about then?" Draco wondered.

A slow smile spread across Callidus's face as he thought of some way he could irritate Draco. "Oh, mostly they ask about Harry. Seeing as they think he's the best of the Slytherin boys."

Draco frowned. "What? No, you're lying! Everyone knows and wants the the favour of the Malfoys."

Harry only blushed, embarrassed by the idea that a group of girls were talking about him behind his back, even if it probably happened all the time.

Callidus shrugged casually. "Believe what you want. But dark, mysterious and heroic seems to be much more appealing than uptight and blond."

"They just know that they'd never stand a chance with me," Draco retorted.

"Ah, Draco, you assume too much." Callidus grinned wickedly. "You assume that they've even noticed you in the first place."

"Who cares about the attention of a bunch of uncouth Gryffindors anyway?" Draco pouted.

Callidus just smirked. Eventually the conversation died down as the students began to work on their assignments. Before long, it was almost 8 o'clock, and the trio (as well as Bulstrode, Davis, Nott and Zabini) headed towards the Great Hall for the first meeting of the dueling club.

This year, the crowd seemed larger than it had the previous year. And when the trio caught sight of a familiar head of blond hair standing on the central platform, they realized why. Not only was Professor Flitwick standing on the stage, but Lockhart was as well. The trio couldn't help the expressions of dismay that crossed their faces.

"I really hope he's just here to help with demonstrations," Harry muttered. "Although - with a crowd like this. Hm. It'd be a good opportunity to try some of the new spells we've been learning on him, yeah?"

Callidus and Draco looked over at Harry. Draco was now wearing a wicked smile that matched Harry's while Callidus felt a bit more indifferent. Lockhart was annoying, but the trio's constant pranks and hexes had worn him down and the man had lost a great deal of his obnoxiousness. It wasn't quite as fun hexing him anymore.

As the trio wove their way through the crowd, Callidus caught sight of Hermione, who was flanked by Caiside and Ginny. She spotted them a moment later, and called out to them.

"Hi Callidus, Harry, Draco. Isn't it exciting that Lockhart will be helping with the dueling club this year?"

Callidus tried not to wince while Draco and Harry smirked at him.

"Aren't you going to introduce us to your - friends?" Draco asked Callidus, barely able to hide his amusement.

"Draco, Harry, this is Caiside Filodoxos and Ginny Weasley. Caiside and Ginny, this is Harry Potter and Draco Malfoy," Callidus gritted out.

"Charmed," Caiside uttered. As for Ginny, Callidus was surprised to see that the girl had flushed an alarming shade of red, and could barely bring herself to look at Harry. What happened to the brash and confident girl that he knew?

"Hello," Ginny said in a voice so small and shy that she could barely be heard over the crowd.

"The pleasure is mine," Draco said, displaying his best pureblood manners.

As Draco began to make small talk with the girls, Harry leaned over towards Callidus.

"What's wrong with her?" Harry queried, referring to Ginny's awkward behaviour.

Callidus shook his head. "She's not usually like that. Usually, she speaks her mind, but for the most part, she only wants to talk about - er - you."

"Me? So you were serious about that?" Now Harry was the one who was blushing. He groaned. "It's that whole Boy-Who-Lived thing, isn't it? The Weasley twins had mentioned it, but I had hoped that they were just joking."

"No, it's no joke." Callidus considered bringing Harry over to speak to the now-bashful Ginny, but he had a feeling that both of them wouldn't be able to endure the embarrassment. It was amusing, and Harry probably deserved it for making fun of him earlier, but Ginny looked like her heart would probably explode.

Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of Lockhart's voice. "Gather round, gather round! Can everyone see me? Can you all hear me? Excellent!" Lockhart flashed a brilliant white grin. He was wearing dueling robes that looked more decorative than functional, including a cape of shiny gold and velvet black.

As Lockhart continued to blather, Harry murmured, "Watch this."

Harry whispered a spell, and with a 'v' like flick of his wand, Lockhart's cape flew upwards and covered him.

"What the deuce?!" Lockhart exclaimed, his voice muffled by his thick cape. He struggled to pull the cape off of himself, while the crowd of students either laughed at him or if they were fans, made sympathetic noises.

"Ah - what Professor Lockhart was saying was that we'll be commencing dueling club meetings starting this week," Flitwick cut in, his eyes bright with amusement. "Since quite a number of our volunteers have graduated, I'd like students who are interested in volunteering this year to please step forward."

Lockhart, who had finally managed to extricate himself from his cape interrupted. "I thought the students would like to see a little demonstration first. After all, they'll surely want to witness my - er - our skills, in the honourable art of dueling, something I have proven my remarkable proficiency in numerous times." Lockhart grinned again at the crowd, as confident as ever. "For full details, see my published works."

Draco scowled, and with a whispered spell, he made a looping movement with his wand, causing Lockhart to trip and nearly fall on his face.

"Whoops!" Lockhart uttered sheepishly. "Just - er - showing off my quick reflexes!"

"Right," Flitwick muttered before increasing his volume for the crowd. "Well, I suppose our students might like to see a demonstration. It looks like we have quite a number of first years and other new members this year, which I'm pleased to see. Dueling is indeed a noble and ancient art, but it's an exciting one as well."

"Think he stands a chance?" Harry asked under his breath.

Draco snorted, while Callidus just said: "No."

The two professors took their positions on the stage. Lockhart once again turned towards the crowd of students. "Now, some of the spells we'll be showing you might be far beyond your years, but with a little practice you might be able to master them as I have. What you lack in natural talent, you can always make up with in hard work, I've always said. I myself, though highly talented, have never been a stranger to putting in my share of sweat and blood!"

The trio rolled their eyes.

Finally, the professors were in their dueller's stances. The crowd had fallen silent in anticipation for the show.

"On the count of three, we will cast our first spells," Lockhart informed them. "Neither of us will be aiming to kill, of course."

"That's a shame," Harry muttered.

"One - two - three -"

While Lockhart's wand hand was still up in the air, Professor Flitwick had moved with amazing speed, appearing almost like a small blur.

"Expelliarmus!" The diminutive professor had cried. Lockhart's wand had flown straight out of his hand and into Flitwick's.

"Ah - Well done, Professor Flitwick! I meant to do that of course - it was the perfect opportunity to show you the disarming spell, and I didn't want your beloved Charms professor to be harmed of course. Now if we can -"

"Let's have the House volunteers come to the front," Flitwick cut in, taking charge of the club. There was a groan of disappointment in the crowd. Many of the students would have been pleased to see Lockhart repeatedly defeated by Flitwick.

"Professor Lockhart's so gallant," the trio heard Hermione comment wistfully.

"Harry's more gallant," Ginny declared, before realizing what she had admitted and turning a vibrant red.

"How can you possibly like him?" Harry wondered, incredulously. "The only contests he's likely to win are bragging contents."

"He's a well respected author who has published many well-known works," Hermione defended.

"He can't even protect himself from basic jinxes," Callidus scoffed.

Hermione narrowed her eyes. "What do you mean? What would you know about his self-defence skills? Haven't you read his books?"

Since the trio weren't about to admit that they were terrorizing Lockhart (no matter how proud they were of the fact), they didn't know how to respond.

"The man does have a rather dashing smile," Caiside pointed out.

"And how many duels have been won with a dashing smile?" Callidus queried sarcastically.

"Well, if you read Holidays with Hags, you'd know that -"

"Nevermind!" Callidus interjected, cutting Hermione off. "I'm sure Lockhart managed to charm many a number of hags with his smiles."

Hermione pursed her lips. "If you had read Professor Lockhart's books, you'd know that the duel he references doesn't actually have to do with hags. It was truly a brave feat - and much of it had to do with a misunderstanding on the part of the helpless villagers that were being terrorized by -"

"Okay, I think we've heard enough Lockhart. Maybe we should focus on the dueling club instead?" Harry suggested.

"Yes, please," Draco answered, as if it pained him to hear anything positive about Lockhart.

Finally, Flitwick had the volunteers sorted out, and the students separated themselves by their houses. The Slytherin's volunteer leader was a sixth year named Tristan Blackshale that none of the trio were particularly familiar with. Unlike Wystan, he wasn't wearing a welcoming smile, but instead, seemed to have a serious demeanour. Nonetheless, the Slytherins were optimistic. Hopefully dueling club would be as fun this year as it was the previous one.

A/N: Thanks for the reviews! I haven't been working on this story lately... I'm having a lot of troubles with my other one, so I keep trying to fix it, which means I haven't had time to continue this one... But hopefully over the break, I'll have some extra time