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"I challenge you to a duel." Snape said between closed teeth.
"Time? Place?" James asked.
"Tonight, straight after your detention. In the trophies room."
"Right. Fine. Who's your second?" James asked, "Mines Black."
"Avery."
"Sev, you shouldn't." Lily tried to reason with her friend. "This is a very bad idea."
James frowned over his dinner. "What's the matter, James?" Sirius asked.
"We aren't going to get much sleep tonight, what with detention, the duel and our essay."
"Shit. I completely forgot about the essay."
"Yeah, me too. We have to do it. I don't fancy getting two detentions in our first week. My mum would kill me."
After dinner, they made their way to McGonagall's classroom. They knocked once and waited, "come in."
They walked into the room and found Professor McGonagall waiting for them, sat behind her desk. "Sit down boys. On the front row if you don't mind. Now would you kindly explain to me why my good colleague, Madam Hooch came to me this afternoon demanding that I reprimand two of my most promising Transfiguration students, not only that, but two from my own house?"
"Erm, we were bored and…" Sirius began.
"Mr Black, boredom is not an excuse to disobey a direct order from a teacher." McGonagall's voice was rising. "Now I understand that it is challenging not to show off when you are clearly very talented. Mr Potter, you are incredibly gifted at Transfiguration, yet today you didn't once show off. And yet somehow, we give you a broomstick and you can't help but behave like a celebrity Quidditch player? Well let me burst your bubble boys, as talented as you are, you are not famous. No one cares if you can play Quidditch or not. The only thing anyone cares about is whether or not you get adequate exam results. Now, I was going to give you a horrible task to do for your detention. However, I realise that you have an essay due tomorrow for Professor Kilmont. I suggest you both use this time to work on your essay."
The boys worked on their essays in silence for several hours. James kept checking the time. Detention had begun at about 6pm and it was now well past 10pm. "How are your essays coming along?" McGonagall asked.
"Nearly finished," James replied, "I've finished my section on Protego Duo – the more powerful version of the shield charm, protecting the caster. I've also done my section on Protego Horribilis – the stronger version that protects a large area against highly dark magic. My Protego Totalum section is done as well – you know the spell for protecting a small area for an extended period of time. Just got to do my last section on Protego Maxima.
James wrote his essay quickly. Hoping to escape detention sooner rather than later. Protego Maxima is a stronger version of the Shield Charm that, when cast in combination with Fianto Duri and Repello Inimicum, conjures up an almost impregnable magical protection barrier. Bodies crossing the boundaries of the barrier disintegrate on the spot and spells that are not powerful enough to break the barrier result in large resonating explosions. The incantation is pronounced pro-TAY-goh MAKS-ee-ma and one points his or her wand toward the sky. There is blueish white light."
"Finished, Professor," Potter said.
"and you Black," McGonagall asked.
"Two minutes…" Black started, "finished!"
"Ok. In that case, you might as well go to bed."
"Night, Professor." Both boys chimed.
The boys quickly made their way towards the trophy room. When they entered, Snape and Avery were already waiting, except they weren't alone. Macnair, Mulciber, Malfoy and the Black sisters were all waiting for them.
"Snape, I agreed to a duel with you, not the whole of Slytherin." Potter barked, "chicken."
"We just thought it would be more fun this way," Malfoy said.
"What seventh and fifth years plus a whole bunch of first years against two first years. Hardly seems like an even fight." Black commented.
Snape pulled out his wand, "engorgio skullus." Luckily Potter was quicker, "Protego."
Quickly before Snape could respond, James shouted out, "Entomorphis," causing Snape to turn into an insect for several moments.
At this point Avery stepped in, saying, "Enough. I hate these stupid duel rules. Let's just get em."
Sirius stepped in, hitting Avery with a powerful bat-bogey hex before turning to Mulciber, "expelliarmus," causing Mulciber's wand to fly out of his hand. James was currently duelling Malfoy and Narcissa at the same time. He managed to disarm Narcissa, before turning on Malfoy "impedimenta" Malfoy called out "protego" and the jinx ricocheted away. Next James tried the knee-reversal hex that he knew from his father's book of funny jinxes. "Densaugeo," Malfoy shouted, aiming the hex at James. Luckily it missed James by an inch.
Snape called out "Anteoculatia," causing James to grow antlers.
"Oh. I quiet like them, you know," James laughed, "Steleus." Snape suddenly began sneezing.
"You are really beginning to annoy me, Potte," Bellatrix said, stepping forward. She non-verbally hit James with the stinging hex. James wanted to clutched himself, in excruciating pain. However, he managed to keep self-control. "Is that all you've got, Black?"
"Crucio!" It was pain was pain like James had never known it. It was intense and it consumed his every thought. He no longer knew where he was, all he knew was the agony, the torture, like white-hot knives piercing his skin. He was screaming, screaming like a girl yet he didn't care.
"What's that noise? Who's down there?" Filch, the caretaker was calling. The Slytherins all dispersed leaving the two Gryffindors at a loss for escape.
"What are you two doing in here? What the hell happened to him?" asked the caretaker.
"Slytherins," Black answered. "Sir, will you help me get him to the hospital wing, please."
"Yer. Course I will. Blood hell, he has antlers." Filch said as he lifted James to his feet, "corm on, you grab his other side."
It was a slow journey to the Hospital Wing. When they arrived, Madam Pomfrey looked at the three of them in shock, "What happened?"
"Slytherins," Black answered.
"Filch, could you please fetch Albus and Minerva. Goodness me. For the love of Merlin."
Madam Pomfrey set to work on James straight away. "Black are you injured too?
"No. Just shocked. I didn't expect that." He was very pale.
"Expect what, dear?" Pomfrey insisted, turning towards him.
"An unforgiveable curse."
Really hope you liked this chapter... please, please, please review. I want to know what you like and if there is anything you don't like.
When their first week is over there wont be as much detail on lessons and the like...
Next chapter:
James recovering in the Hospital Wing...
Double Potions with the Slytherins... a chance for fun or revenge...?
D.A.D.A and charms...
and if we get there... Slughorn's party...