A/N: I do not own Harry Potter or anything associated with it.
TEN
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Near Inverness
Scotland, British Isles, Holy Empire of Britannia
October 22, 1995
The three fifth-year Gryffindor girls huddled behind their strong four-poster beds, their wands at their hands, their eyes focused on the entrance to their dorm, and at the tip of their tongue, the most painful curse – not lethal – that they could think of. That they needed to defend themselves, the three girls were sure.
Hermione found herself as the leader of the group, a position not hers and a position that she realized she does not want. The sixteen year old knew, however, that there was nothing she could do about it. Hermione knew that she was the only one who could be the leader among them because aside from the fact that she knew that this attack is aimed at her, she was the only one who actually knew what they are supposed to do.
Those late afternoon talks with Harry that occasionally strayed into the realm of military tactics is apparently going to prove useful after all – 'and if he were to learn that I admitted that, Harry would not let me hear the end of it,' Hermione admitted – although she admonished him whenever he would direct the conversation toward that topic.
After the first green spell that none of the three girls could identify – and that barely missed Hermione who had her back turned toward the entrance to their dorms – their attackers had seemed to think twice, for no other spell followed the first. Still, Hermione and the two other girls that found themselves inside the dorms with her were not about to take chances.
'Still, they do appear to have given up,' Hermione thought.
A full five minutes had already passed and nothing was happening, but as if whoever is on the other side of the firing line – 'Oh, who am I kidding?' Hermione asked herself, 'It's obvious who is on the other side' – was waiting for the five minute mark, at the exact second that the five minute mark was reached, a jet of red light emerged from outside the dorm of the fourth-year Gryffindor girls and sallied toward the dorm. Fortunately, the spell missed, hitting only the ceiling.
Hermione jumped to her feet and without even thinking about it, she whipped her wand and returned the stunner at whomever it was that had fired the spell.
She managed to duck just in time to avoid a torrent of spells – at least half a dozen – that was the response of whomever was on the other side of the line, and Hermione silently remarked to herself that there are at least half a dozen girls – for Hermione knew that there was no way that boys could enter the girls dorms, the security charm would turn the staircase into a slide would have prevented any male from entering the girls dorm, and whomever was on the other side of the firing line was already inside the girls dorm.
'Then again, that would probably be for the best,' Hermione thought as she remembered that the activation of that charm would have alerted their Head of House. She should now be running toward the house to check what was going on. As it stands, Hermione was not even sure if the detection charms in the house could discern between normal spell practice and the fact that there was actually a serious exchange of spells going on.
Hermione watched using the corner of her eyes as Parvarti and Lavender took to their feet and return spell fire. She had always thought that her two dorm mates know nothing outside cosmetic charms, but they had already proven her wrong. Unless Hermione missed her guess – and given that it was an educated guess, she knew that was a slim chance – her dorm mates had both sent the expulso spell toward their attackers.
The spell was designed to blow up a target, so even if it did not hit anybody, it would have caused some damage, and that is for the best, because if it had hit its target, then someone down there was probably bleeding, maybe fatally.
Still, Hermione was not about to signal her dorm mates to tone down on their spells, for it was obvious that whoever was on the other side of the line was not going to bother with it, as the next salvo of spells proved. This time, there was clearly more than half a dozen spells fired toward where Hermione and her dorm mates are huddled, and it was also clear that the attackers are learning. Their spells are aimed lower, so instead of sallying over the heads of the girls and hitting the ceiling, the spells impacted the side of their four-poster beds, often clawing out huge chunks of wood from the four-posters.
The barrage lasted for a good ten seconds before the spell firing stopped. Lavender and Parvarti were about to take to their feet once more to return fire, but this time, Hermione stopped them, unsure of whether or not those at the other end are tired of firing their spells or they were just waiting for the three fourth-year girls to expose themselves.
It turned out for the latter, as barely a few seconds after Hermione had called for her dorm mates to cease and desist, a volley of six expulso charms sallied from the entrance to the fourth-year Gryffindor girls dorm and hit the ceiling causing sawdust and the occasional chunk of wood to rain down the dorm floor.
Parvarti and Lavender turned to each other, and Hermione need not join the two to know that there were shocked looks on the faces of the two girls. Had Hermione not stopped them, they would have been hit. Hermione was sure that aside from the shocked look on the faces of her two classmates, there would also be the telltale fear, but Hermione realized that she could not blame them, not when she was fearful for her own life herself.
Further musings on the part of the three girls had to be placed on hold, however, as they suddenly heard footsteps approaching toward them. The footsteps were light and slow, and it was enough to make Hermione believe that their attackers are taking their time in coming up, possibly because while they believed that their last salvo had caught the fourth-year girls, there was a chance that they could just be playing possum.
The truth was that it was neither. The three girls were just shocked by what had happened, and were still on the verge of recovering from that shock. They would have taken more time to recover had they not heard the footsteps.
A plan formed in the mind of Hermione, and the intelligent girl signaled her classmates to huddle behind their beds once more. Neither Parvarti nor Lavender was sure what Hermione had in mind – and by rights, the two realized that they should be complaining since it was clear that the bushy-haired girl was the target of this attack – but they acceded to the request of Hermione and dropped to their knees.
Soon, the first girl that was part of the attacking force emerged from the darkness that had surrounded the entrance of the fourth-year girl's dorm. She was alone, and she was being cautious, if the fact that she had her wand at the ready position was to be of any indication, but Hermione conceded that that was to be expected. After all, she probably nearly got hit by a lethal spell just a few minutes ago.
From her vantage position at the floor, Hermione realized that her plan to ambush their attackers might not work because they had sent a scout, and already, her mind began to formulate a different plan that she could use in order to gain some sort of advantage.
Fortunately, it was clear that the other girls were impatient, and as soon as five seconds had passed after they had sent their scout forward, the body – or so, Hermione thought – of the attackers rushed the dorm.
An almost feral smile came across the face of Hermione – 'Let them be this stupid all the time,' she wished – as she told herself that their attackers had just restored their advantage in this fight. Hermione did not even bother to inform either Parvarti or Lavender, she suddenly took to her feet and began sending spells toward the direction of their attackers. She kept her spells to stunners as she has no wish of having to explain to the Headmaster why she blasted another student even if said student had tried to kill her and her dorm mates.
'Speaking of dorm mates, Hermione thought and she turned her attention toward the direction of Parvarti and Lavender. She almost shrieked in delight as she realized that her two classmates had also rose from where they were hiding and had joined in the shower of spells.
In short order, the three girls had either stunned or incapacitated their attackers, a number that was easily five times their number.
As soon as the last girl was down, Hermione turned her wand toward the direction of the entrance, only to blush as she realized that she was now pointing her wand toward her Head of House.
Minerva McGonagall looked as if she had just witnessed a murder, and her face reflected the shock. Her lips had practically disappeared and her eyes wide as she surveyed the scene in front of her. Fifteen girls – all fourth year and below – lay incapacitated inside the dorm of her fifth-year girls, and as if that were not enough, it was clear that there was some sort of general exchange of spells in the area.
The head of Gryffindor house had rushed to the tower where her students were being housed after the charms alerted her to the unusual spell activity inside the dorms. She would have expected high spell activity in the common room as friends try to show off to each other and practice, but not in the sleeping area. She realized almost immediately that something was wrong, but she did not expect it to be this wrong.
"Miss Granger," the head of Gryffindor said, having already recovered from her mute state, "You will explain what is going on."
Hermione nodded, "Yes, Professor," the fifth-year prefect replied, but her explanation was short and to the point, "they attacked us first."
Minerva McGonagall would not find any falsity in that statement, as it was obvious even from where she stood. That the unconscious girls were inside the fifth year dorms was the first indicator of that truth, quickly followed by the fact that it is the dorm of the fifth year girls that was damaged – 'though thankfully not beyond repair,' the Deputy Headmistress thought to herself – but most importantly, there were three fifth year girls, and there were fifteen other girls unconscious. If it were the other way around – if Hermione and her classmates were the attackers – they would not attack with just three of them, they would attack with more, and besides, Hermione was not the type to settle things with a magical duel.
The Deputy Headmistress allowed her eyes to wander over the unconscious students, and sure enough, she saw Ginny Weasley among their ranks. 'If Mr. Potter were to find out about this...,' she let the thought go unfinished because she realized – as she turned her attention toward Hermione – that Harry would find out about this one way or the other.
"Obviously," Minerva said a few moments later, she thought about asking the three girls about their choice of spells, but did not bother to do so because she realized she knew what they were going to say – 'We were defending ourselves,' the voice of Hermione rang around her mind without the fifth year prefect actually saying it.
The Deputy Headmistress supposed that she could take comfort with the fact that no one was dead, but that was scant comfort when she realized that this incident would probably add another straw – 'As if he needed more,' Minerva thought to herself – on the back of the Headmaster.
"Oh, Dear," Minerva said, and in her state of shock, she did not even realize that she had spoken that out loud.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Near Inverness
Scotland, British Isles, Holy Empire of Britannia
October 23, 1995
The students gathered inside the Great Hall could hardly hold their breath as they entered the massive chamber. Very few students had not witnessed the challenge when it was made, but those few students had been informed by their classmates who had witnessed the challenge, and even if there are those who had not been informed, the fact that there was a dueling platform located in the middle of the Great Hall would have made the fact that there was a challenge issued obvious.
For many of the students inside Hogwarts, this was not their first time seeing this particular dueling platform. The long, narrow, and elevated platform had made its debut during the tenure of Professor Gilderoy Lockhart as the professor for defense against the dark arts and when the honorary member of the Dark Arts League had opened a dueling class – a class that lasted for only one meeting, since no one returned after the disaster that was the first.
For the rest of the students who had not seen the platform before, either they already knew what the platform was for, or they had been informed by those who are in the know who were seated beside them at their house tables, for despite the fact that there was a platform in the center of the hall, the four house tables are still inside, indeed, it would appear as if the Great Hall of Hogwarts had expanded in order to fit the platform.
Seated at her usual position at the Gryffindor table, Hermione stared at the platform with a natural expression on her face. On either side of her sat Parvarti and Lavender, obviously ready to protect Hermione should another attempt be made against her. On either side of the two Gryffindor fifth year girls, however, sat two of their male classmates, Dean Thomas and Seamus Finnegan. A third Gryffindor fifth year male – Neville Longbottom – was seated on the right hand side of Hermione, closer to where the faction of Ginny Weasley had taken their position.
After news of the skirmish had reached the fifth year Gryffindors, the boys had taken it upon themselves to protect their girls. The sermon that everyone in the tower had undergone after their Head of House had finished her inspection still rang around the ears of most of the lions, but it never hurts to be prepared.
The last member of the Gryffindor fifth years was seated alone, but that was just the way that Ron liked it. He already had his wand on the surface in front of him, and for the first time since anyone could remember it, Ronald Weasley was not attacking the food in front of him. in fact, the red haired, lanky Gryffindor had his eyes focused in front of him, and while those who had held no fondness for Ron would argue that the Gryffindor was staring at the food in front of him, the truth of the matter was, the youngest Weasley male was deep in thought.
The thoughts that are running through his mind, however, were that of an arrogant man, but that was hardly surprising. Ron was of the opinion that he could defeat Harry because he believed the rumors that had sprang overnight.
The rumors claimed that even could defeat the Potter heir because Harry had not gone through magical schooling. Harry would, obviously, have to depend on the things that he had learned in his muggle schooling, and Ron was sure that whatever it was that Harry had learned with them would not even be worth comparing with Hogwarts and the things that he, Ron, had learned in his five years of formal magical schooling – 'I'm going to take my OWL's at the end of this year, for crying out loud,' the lanky red-head thought to himself.
Ron was so busy imagining how he would celebrate his victory later that his mind had forgotten the fact that the Headmaster had summoned him for a meeting last night, though that was hardly surprising. Albus Dumbledore was not happy with the actions of the youngest Weasley male, but family honor had been invoked – and it was the Weasleys who had invoked it – which precluded the Headmaster from interfering.
Instead, the man who was acknowledged as one of the most powerful warlocks still alive could do nothing but rant and rave in front of a scared looking Ronald Weasley and complain about how stupid the boy was. At the end of his rant, the Headmaster realized that he had allowed the boy to hear some information that he should not have heard, so the Headmaster whipped out his wand and cast the memory modification spell on the youngest son of his most faithful follower.
That does not mean that the Headmaster was not staring at Ron with looks on his eyes that had sent many people cowering away from him before, because that was exactly how the Headmaster was looking at Ron Weasley right now. Of course, since Ron was oblivious of the world, he could not see the look on the face of the Headmaster, though many of the other students – indeed, even some of the faculty – could see the look on the face of Albus, and not a few of them wondered what is wrong with him, though they concluded that it had something to do with the fact that there was going to be a duel in the first place.
The only time that Ron was torn from his reverie was when Harry walked into the Great Hall. As usual, the young naval cadet was with his own classmates, but unlike before, Harry and his friends are all wearing their dress uniforms, minus their berets. Also, unlike before, when Harry walked into the Great Hall, he held on his left hand – by the chafe of its scabbard – a sheathed sword.
The weapon was, obviously, not there for decoration, just as it was obvious that the weapon is just that, a weapon, but many of the students wondered if Harry truly intended to use the hand-to-hand implement in a duel that could be won at a distance. Not that many expected Ron to lose, but even those who held the lanky red-haired food-disposal machine in contempt was aware that Ron could cast spells, spells that could hit Harry even before Harry could reach the Gryffindor fifth year.
Harry and his cadets made their way to the Gryffindor table, but not beside Ron. Rather, they made their way where Hermione was surrounded by her friends, friends who quickly made space for Harry to sit beside the bushy-haired brunette.
The look on the face of Harry was marked with a jovial tone, so not that few remarked that the naval cadet must not be aware of what happened the night before, yet. That ignorance was quickly rectified by Hermione, and the jovial look on the face of Harry was instantly replaced by a venomous look that was equal – if not greater – to the venom that the Headmaster had on his eyes when he was staring at Ron.
In fact, Harry was about to take his feet at that moment, and he would have taken to his feet – no doubt he would have issued a challenge against the Headmaster had he managed to get to his feet – had Hermione not reacted in time and placed her hand on his shoulder and gently forced him to resume his seat.
Although Harry resumed his seat, for a few moments, there was a hostile look on his face and many of those who knew him were prepared to bet that the cadet leader was still going to issue the challenge, but Hermione stared Harry down – probably the only person in the world who could do that, but Hermione was not aware of that – and after a few moments, the cadet leader conceded the point to her.
Still, Hermione kept staring at Harry as if she had not seen the concession that the cadet leader had made. She stared at him for a good fifteen seconds, and she would have continued to stare at him had he not turned his gaze away from her and focused it on the dueling platform.
"The Headmaster seems to believe that we are going to have this duel using the international standard rules," Harry commented a few moments later, daring to turn his attention back toward Hermione. Fortunately for him, by the time that he returned his attention to her, she had already stopped staring at him.
The words that came out of the mouth of Harry alarmed Hermione, and she asked, "You're not going to play by the rules?"
The smile that came across the face of Harry was almost feral in its intensity. If nothing else, the tone that colored the words that came out of his mouth answered the question of Hermione even before his words did, "No," he said simply.
The beautiful chocolate brown eyes of Hermione widened when she heard his declaration, she would have grabbed him with both of her arms and shook him had Ron not chosen that moment to stand from where he was seated and walk toward where Harry and Hermione were having their conversation. The way that Ron walked conveyed a sense of arrogance and there was a smirk on his face, a smirk that advertised the fact that the red-head knew that he was going to win this duel.
Harry would love to wipe from his face, and with a smile, the black-haired naval cadet told himself that he would have that chance.
"First to stun?" Harry asked as soon as Ron was within earshot. By being the first to speak, Harry had robbed Ron of the chance to either boast or insult his opponent. Neither would have affected Harry, but the naval cadet still thought that they best get straight to business rather than play word games.
If the duel had began and if it were really first to stun, Harry would have already won. The next five seconds that followed after Harry had spoken was met only with silence from a stunned Ron. Indeed, even after the five seconds, the lanky red-head could only nod his acceptance of the condition.
The feral smile returned to the face of Harry as he commented before Ron could turn his back to him, "Pity, I was hoping for a duel to the death," he said.
The face of Ron reddened, nearly matching the color of his hair, but before Ron could say anything, Harry added, "Any weapons allowed."
"I suppose you'll be using your sword," Ron said, and this time, it was Harry who was prevented from speaking, as Ron quickly added, "That's fine, I suppose you could stun me with how useless that sword is."
A more prudent man would have been worried with the reply of Harry, for it was merely a smile, but Ron was anything but a prudent man, prudish, perhaps, but not prudent. In fact, it was debatable if the fifth year student had even seen the smile on the face of Harry.
In any case, Harry was certain that even if Ron had seen the smile, the red-haired Gryffindor would still have the same reaction as if he had not seen it. So convinced was Ron of his own superiority that the boy actually scoffed at Harry before he turned his back toward him. Had his opponent been someone who has no concern about appearances, Ron would have been stunned from behind.
Harry and Hermione watched in silent as Ron walked away from them. The lanky red-haired Gryffindor made his way not back to where he was seated before he made the short journey to where Harry and Hermione were seated. Instead, Ron headed to the head table, no doubt to inform the referee for the duel – who exactly, Harry was not sure, but he did not put too much worry in it because he was sure that the duel would be a fair one – of the terms of the match.
Hermione returned her attention to her breakfast a few seconds later, but Harry kept his gaze at his opponent for the evening, and a smile came across his face as he watched the professors of the school argue among themselves regarding the official for the match.
A few moments later, the diminutive Professor Flitwick stood from his seat, evidently having been chosen to be the umpire for this match. Privately, Harry was of two opinions on the matter.
The naval cadet knew that the half-goblin is going to be a fair umpire, and because of his experience in the dueling circuit, he was probably the most qualified of the Hogwarts professors.
Professor Flitwick, however, is half-goblin, and in the Holy Empire, anyone tainted with Goblin blood was to be seen as one not worthy of trust and – if one has to deal with them at all – one that should be viewed as about to take advantage of you. That attitude was a direct result of the French invasion of the British Isles nearly two hundred years ago. The goblins were the first to collaborate with the French Emperor after Napoleon had promised them equality.
"Students and honored guests," the voice of the resident charms master of Hogwarts tore Harry out of his reverie. He turned his attention toward where the professor had made his way in the short interval that Harry had used to formulate his opinion on the umpire. In the short amount of time that Harry required, the Charms Master had already made his way to the top of the platform, and from his vantage position, he was now addressing the student body.
"We have an honor challenge today," the professor said in a neutral voice that still somehow managed to convey to everyone in the hall that the professor would rather be anywhere than here. Clearly that he found the entire episode that he is now forced to take part in distasteful, "Mister Ronald Weasley had challenged Cadet Leader Fourth Class Harry Potter in a duel."
Harry mentally noted the rank that the charms master had used as a prefix to his name. In hindsight, Harry realized, he should have expected it. Professor Flitwick is half-goblin, and the goblins are big on martial tradition.
The student body reacted passively, but that was to be expected. This was not a surprise duel there is a dueling platform in the middle of the Great Hall after all. When the applause that he expected never came, a disappointed look came across the face of Ron Weasley, but the red-haired fifth year was quick to dispel the disappointment that was so obvious on his face.
Instead of saying anything, Ron took to his feet and made his way to one end of the platform. He chose the end that would allow him the shortest travel time so that Harry would be more inconvenienced, but the first year naval cadet merely took it in stride, his face neutral as he made his way to the end of the platform.
Harry did glance toward the direction of Hermione, and his heart – for some reason or another – did threaten to leap from his ribcage when he espied the worried look on her face. Unfortunately, before he could mentally comment on the look on the face of the woman whose honor he had defended, Harry was torn out of his reverie by the voice of Professor Flitwick once more.
"Gentlemen," the professor said at the same time that he turned his head toward Ron, then he quickly turned his head toward Harry before he asked, "Is there no way that this duel could be avoided?"
Harry knew that the professor was merely following protocol. The umpire in a non-sporting duel has the duty to ensure that the duel would be fair, but more than that, he has the duty to prevent the duel from happening in the first place if he could. Toward that end, he is supposed to seek for a peaceful solution between the two combatants until the last minute, and unless the combatants agree that the time for a peaceful compromise is over, he could not begin the duel.
Ron looked contemptuously at his charms professor, wordlessly passing the message that he does not think there was a way out of this fight to the diminutive half-goblin, but Harry bowed his head respectfully toward the professor.
The prejudice against goblins aside, Harry knew that the professor was merely acting within the scope of an authority that he was forced to shoulder. Harry did not show the professor contempt because he felt no contempt for the half-goblin, "With respect, duel-master Flitwick," Harry replied, referring to the professor using his title at the dueling circuit, "I am prepared to declare Potter honor satisfied if Mister Weasley and Miss Weasley were to apologize to Miss Granger, for the slight against her yesterday afternoon and the attempt by Miss Weasley against Miss Granger," a thin smile cut through the face of Harry before he added, "Of course, I would still demand punishment commensurate with their acts."
Ron scoffed, and was about to say something, though before he could do so, the Headmaster cut off Harry, "Cadet Potter," Headmaster Dumbledore said, "Regarding that issue, I have investigated and…,"
Professor Flitwick cut off his superior, "Headmaster, this does not concern you," he sharply rebuked his superior, no doubt the fact that he was being forced to referee a duel affecting the tone that he had used, "This is between Mister Weasley and Cadet Leader Potter," and without even waiting for his superior to respond, the resident charms master of Hogwarts turned his attention toward Ron and asked, "What say you to the proposal of Cadet Leader Potter?"
Ron scoffed once more, "I refuse to accept the proposal," he replied, "I say we begin this duel, I have other things to do today."
Harry smiled, "You could do them as soon as you are out of the Hospital Wing, I guarantee you, that is where you would be heading right after this duel," Harry said, he politely inclined his head toward the professor, indicating that he acknowledged that his offer had been rebuked.
"Very well," Professor Flitwick said, a distressed look on his face. Once more, he studied the faces of the two combatants, before he nodded – more to himself than to anyone else – and motioned for the two parties to approach, saying as they did so, "This would end when one of the parties is no longer able to continue fighting, no lethal spells are allowed," he turned toward Ron and asked, "Do you agree with these terms?" and when Ron nodded, the professor turned toward Harry, "Do you agree with these terms?" and unlike Ron, Harry bowed his acknowledgement.
"Very well, bring no dishonor upon yourselves," the professor said before he motioned for the two men to return to their starting positions at the opposite end of the platform.
Ron drew his wand as he walked toward his end of the platform, mentally rehearsing the spells that he knew would bring him victory today, and because he had his back turned toward Harry, he failed to watch as the cadet leader unsheathed his weapon.
Hermione had first thought that the sword was decorative, now she knew that while the weapon may have a decorative function when paired with the uniform that Harry wore, the main function of the sword is just that, as a sword. The blade of the weapon was straight, but it was not a rapier, the weapon that Hermione had thought it would be.
Rather, the weapon appeared to be a short sword, with a polished blade that seem to reflect light as Harry hefted it to check it for blemishes on the blade. A device was on the pommel of the weapon, but because of the distance, Hermione could not make out the design. It seemed odd to her that she and Harry had been close – and she had seen him carry that same weapon before – but she had not had the time to study the device on the pommel of his sword.
She turned her attention to her side and saw Edward and the other cadets seated beside her. She wanted to tear the second-in-command a new one for appearing calm despite the fact that their leader was about to figure in a duel, but then she realized that Edward and the other cadets are probably as calm as they are right now because they saw no point in being worried. They knew Harry was going to win.
Further musings on the part of Hermione was interrupted, however, when her charms professor called for the duel to begin. She returned her attention on the top of the platform just in time to see Ron send a volley of stunners against Harry. Most of the jets of red light missed Harry by a mile, hitting a barrier that was cast around the platform the moment that the duel began, but one of the spells nearly got Harry.
Instead of evading – which Hermione knew Harry could do and which would she knew would have been the logical reaction – Harry brought his weapon up, using the blade of the weapon to catch the incoming spell fire. Mostly everyone inside the Great Hall thought that the weapon would shatter upon impact, so their shocked surprise was understandable when instead of shattering into a thousand different pieces, the sword deflected the spell, sending the jet of red light back toward Ron.
The lanky red-haired Gryffindor watched in disbelief as Harry caught his spell, then his eyes widened as he watched the jet of red light that he had cast against Harry now heading toward him. Unlike Harry, he did not have a sword that could deflect spell fire, he did not even have a sword, so, unlike Harry, Ron had to duck in order to avoid his own spell.
He expected Harry to return fire, and Ron was prepared to lose some advantage as Harry counter-attacked. Every Hogwarts student inside the Hall – Hermione included – expected Harry to launch spells against Ron, so once more, the shocked surprise that everyone felt when Harry just stood there – weapon at his side even if he was in the middle of a duel.
Ron quickly got up to his feet, but for a few moments, he and Harry just stood there, the red-haired Gryffindor pointing his wand toward the direction of Harry, but unwilling to fire a spell just in case this was some sort of a trick. For his part, Harry merely looked bored, as if he were observing an animal behind a cage, which – if someone were to ask him – was exactly what Harry thinks he is doing right now.
A snarl came across the face of Ron after he somehow convinced himself that while the weapon that Harry had in his hands is able to return his spell fire, it was incapable of actually casting a spell. He told himself that so long as he can evade the incoming spells – 'and that should be easy, given who I am,' Ron thought to himself – he would be fine.
Another volley of spells was launched from the wand of Ron, and once more, most of them went wild – 'the result of firing fast but neglecting to aim,' Harry thought to himself – that Harry did not even bother to use his sword to reflect the incoming spell fire.
At the same time, however, Harry was thinking about something else. Normally, thinking about something not related to the duel while in the circuit would be a mortal sin. A duelist could not afford the time since he must garner all of his attention to the fight, but Harry held Ron is so much contempt – 'and that appears to be justified, given how bad is aiming skills are,' Harry thought to himself – that he could afford to think about something else.
A mental smile came across the face of Harry as he thought about the shocked looks that would be written on the faces of the professors. The naval cadet was sure that should he turn around and look at the faces of the professors, that shocked look would be there, but even as he thought about it, Harry told himself that he should not be that surprised.
These people were reliably informed that nothing muggle could withstand spell fire, and as such, Harry knew that they were expecting his weapon to shatter the moment that it was hit by the stunning spells of Ron, but these same professors are the very people that this very institution is supposed to be proud of, the best of the best. It seemed ironic that even they should be aware of the properties of some metals when it comes to magic.
Gold is generally considered to be the best conductor of magic, and in a sense, that was right, but unlike the magical world, the non-magical world had long gone a technological revolution that had allowed them to discover something called 'synthetic materials'. The sword that Harry was using was coated with a special formula that not even Harry was aware of – aside from the fact that it was a combination of both worlds – that allow it to not only absorb spells and store them for future use, but also to deflect the excess of the fraction required.
Simply out, while Harry used his sword to swat away the stunner spells that Ron was firing at him; he was also concentrating the magic of Ron on the blade of his weapon.
At the appropriate time, Harry planned to fire the spell back, but he also knew that the power that he had stored in his weapon was not yet enough, so when Ron fired another volley toward him, instead of evading the spells as was logical – and it was within his capabilities – Harry, instead, went out of his way to swat the spells back at Ron.
Ron had to jump in order to avoid getting hit, but the snarl on his face had not yet disappeared, silently telling Harry that the lanky red-haired Gryffindor still believed that he is going to win this match. The sheer arrogance of Ronald Weasley had caught Harry off guard for a few moments, but he quickly recovered at the same time that he promised himself that he would make the defeat of this bastard as humiliating as possible.
Harry deflected five more spells, sending them barreling toward Ron who had to jump once more in order to evade the incoming spell fire. Before Ron could recover, Harry suddenly switched from defensive to offensive.
Harry suddenly charged Ron, his sword held at his side, but ready to slash upwards in an opening upward diagonal strike. Ron might not know much about non-magical weapons, but he could still sense danger, and he knew that he was in danger as soon as he saw Harry running toward him like a deranged mental patient. Ron also knew that there was no way that he could depend on spells this time, he instinctively knew that Harry could easily bring his sword up and deflect any incoming spell fire, and given the distances involved – and rapidly shrinking – Ron knew that he could not evade the spell this time.
Ron decided to jump to the side in order to avoid the incoming attack of Harry, but that was exactly what Harry wanted him to do. Just as Ron was about to throw himself to his left-hand side, Harry stepped to the same side, his sword already moving. Once more, Ron was reminded the weapon that Harry had in his hands was not just for decorative purposes, as the blade swung from beneath Harry, gleaming as it neatly cut the robe of Ron. Another few millimeters and the blade would have cut not only cloth but also flesh, and a totally dumbstruck Ron was quick enough to realize this.
Unfortunately for Ron, Harry was not yet done with him. The fifteen year old naval cadet used the momentum that was released by his attack in order to fuel an outlandish maneuver that would never be seen in the dueling circuit as it technically exposed the back of the duelist. Harry spun n his left heel in a full circle, but at the right moment, his right leg extended horizontally toward the face of Ron. The sole of the boots of Harry hit the red-haired Gryffindor straight at the face with a resounding crack that everyone in the hall could hear.
By the time that Harry had finished his turn, everyone could see that Ron was bleeding hard from both nostrils and the red-haired lad was too busy trying to stem the bleeding in order to pay attention to the still continuing duel.
Harry approached Ron quickly, closing the distance that had developed after Harry had kicked him. Ron was still too busy paying attention to his bleeding nose in order to see the approach of Harry, but that was not for long as Harry was quick to remind Ron of his presence in the field, though Harry did so with his fist.
With an economy of movement, Harry used his left fist to punch Ron straight in the face, causing the lanky lad to fall – back first – into the surface of the platform. Before Ron could even recover, he found himself staring at the tip of Harry's sword as the naval cadet stood above him, his sword held straight against the face of Ron.
"Apologize and admit defeat," Harry demanded.
The sudden reversal had stunned Ron far more effectively than any stunner, and technically that would have ended the duel, but Professor Flitwick – most likely just as stunned as Ron with the use of muggle techniques – was not saying anything.
"Apologize and admit defeat," Harry repeated, edging the point of his sword closer to the right eye of Ron.
That seemed to wake him up, "I apologize, and I admit defeat," the red-haired Gryffindor said as hastily as he could, not wishing to give Harry the satisfaction of having his admission. Unfortunately for him, Harry was not yet done with him.
"Apologize to Hermione as well," Harry demanded, inclining his head slightly toward the direction of Hermione, though his eyes never left Ron's.
This time, it took Ron a few more moments of hesitation, though that moment of hesitation was quickly ended by the movement of the sword of Harry, "I apologize," Ron practically shouted, "Hermione, I'm sorry,"
For a few moments, Harry looked unsatisfied with the apology, but after a few moments, he nodded, and was about to turn around and walk away from his downed opponent when he stopped as if he remembered something. Once more, he turned his eyes toward Ron and said in a harsh voice that no one among the crowd doubted was a threat, "If you threaten Hermione again, there will be consequences far graver than lost honor and a wounded pride," he said, and before anyone could do anything, Harry lightly slashed a mark on the chest of Ron.
Among the shocked gasps that emanated from the crowd of onlookers, Harry said, "To remind you of your betters, Ronald Weasley," and so saying, he walked away from his downed and thoroughly defeated opponent just in time to hear the umpire for the match declare the duel ended in the favor of Harry.
Harry, however, did not step off the platform. He turned his attention toward the direction of the combined staff of Hogwarts. He mentally noted the look on the faces of the Headmaster and his teachers and a smile – a subtle one – came across the face of Harry as he regarded the professors. He was sure that most of the shocked looks on their faces had something to do with the way that he had won, but Harry was prepared to bet that the Headmaster was also worried about the reasons that Harry had not jumped down from the platform.
'Well,' Harry thought to himself, 'He is right to worry,' before he turned his attention toward Hermione. A confused expression was on her beautiful face as her chocolate brown eyes met his emerald green eyes. Suddenly, her eyes widened as she realized that what he is about to do had something to do with the attack this evening. Harry watched as Hermione opened her mouth to warn him, but before she could push even a single word out of her mouth, Harry said, "I have an announcement to make,"
Every pair of eyes – at least those who are not focused on Ron – turned toward Harry. Once he was sure that every pair was on him, Harry continued, "An attack occurred inside this castle last night," he began, as he turned his attention toward the Headmaster in order to see the worried look on his ancient face. Harry was not disappointed.
"What is galling about this attack was that it occurred inside a House, and it was conducted by and between members of this one House," Harry continued, "I thought that a student House is supposed to be his family inside this school," he glared at Ginny and her friends, most of whom cringed in response to the sheer contempt that Harry gave them, "Apparently, that is not the case anymore, we do not choose who belongs to our family, we learn to live with them, but fortunately, we can chose who can come under our protection."
The worried look on the face of Albus Dumbledore quickly turned into one of alarm and he actually stood up and was about to draw his wand to stop Harry when he realized that that would be out of bounds. The Headmaster of Hogwarts – one of the most powerful warlocks in the world – could do nothing as Harry declared, "As of this moment, Miss Hermione Jane Granger of Gryffindor House, and all those who had fought at her side last night are under the protection of the Potter Family."
Headmaster Dumbledore pointedly cleared his throat – 'no doubt to warn me that I could not pronounce Family protection,' Harry thought – but before the Headmaster could say anything, Harry quickly said, "Under my authority as my father's representative," and with a wide smile, Harry added, "And as the personal emissary of Lord Alexander York, Prince of Scotland."
Whatever it was that the Headmaster was going to say quickly died in his throat at the mention of the name of the Prince.
Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, Near Inverness
Scotland, British Isles, Holy Empire of Britannia
October 23, 1995
Severus Snape could hardly remember a time in the past when the Headmaster was this angry. Power was leaking off every inch of the man, making the potions master somewhat uncomfortable as his own magical strength was forced to submit to the sheer raw magical potential that it was being forced to confront.
The Potions Master of Hogwarts supposed that he could take comfort in the fact that the magical potential of his superior was at least not being directed against him, he knew that if that were the case, he would not even be able to sit at this chair in front of the desk of the Headmaster.
The occupants of the portraits that surround the desk of the Headmaster – the former Headmasters and Headmistresses of the school – had all fled the moment that Albus Dumbledore had allowed his control over his powers to collapse and have yet to return. Severus doubted that most of them would return anytime soon.
"The sheer arrogance of the boy!" Dumbledore shouted, forcing Snape off his reverie and back into the present. He never thought that the time would come when the Headmaster would be at his side in his dislike of the Potter family – aside from Lily, of course.
"Headmaster…," Snape tried to calm the Headmaster – something that he had been doing for the last few minutes, to no avail – but he knew that he may as well be shouting at a cliff face.
"Have you found a way to break the Oath?" the Headmaster suddenly asked, his power still coming off him in waves that was making the potions master nervous. A slight taste of a compulsion charm marinated his voice, but Severus sensed it right away. Fortunately, thanks to his Occulumencary training, he was able to ignore it, not that the potions master would have wanted to lie to his superior anyway.
"I have discovered a way," the potions master replied a few moments later, "but the consequences of such a move, and of breaking the Oath," he paused as he looked at his superior. Mustering all of his strength, Severus Snape implored the man who had saved him from the Death Eater trials after the end of the war, "I urge you to study them carefully first, Headmaster, we might not be doing ourselves a favor."
For a few moments, Severus thought that the Headmaster would charge head on regardless of the consequences, but a few moments later, the power that was rolling off him in waves subsided as the Headmaster of Hogwarts finally brought himself under control, "Very well," the Headmaster said, "We shall study it first, but make no mistake, Severus, I am ready to sever the Oath."
Snape nodded. He had no doubt that the Headmaster was serious when he said that, the man will sever the Oath if he thinks that the consequences would be worth it. For the first time in so many years, Severus wondered if it would be wise to prove a false report for the time being.