Please read this chapter with protective eyewear. It could get fierce.

Enjoy. -DN

Hunter found herself in a muddle. It had all happened so fast, this escalation from a mere inquiry about some errant Scorpion Venom to an all-out duel over a witch. So many secrets tumbling out at once. Snape seemed to be playing every possible angle, being at her bedside in case she lived, wooing Hypatia even after his marriage, and ignoring poor Sybil. Hobble denied it, but she'd seen it herself. Perhaps Hobble simply didn't know yet. Snape was to duel Parse Winder, steal Hypatia Alexander, and had offered her the Potions teaching job after Hunter left. It was a revolting game he was playing, moving everyone around like chess pieces. It remained to be seen if she herself would be able to get away, but one thing was clear: there was nothing here worth staying for. No job and no one she could trust. Even Parse, who'd been sending her letters all this time, had clearly cast her aside at the prospect of winning Hypatia. She had no interest in Winder whatsoever, but the further damage to her pride at being discarded in this way hurt her already bruised ego nonetheless.

She considered going to her rooms and packing her things to go immediately, as the entire scene left her confused and on unstable ground. The investigation seemed not to be proceeding, leaving her free to go, if she was, in fact, not a captive. In the end, curiosity got the best of her; she opted to follow the group outside. As they all strode through the hall, students began to empty from classrooms into the corridors and out onto the lawn.

Word had passed like only news of a dramatic fight can within a school full of young people itching to be outside on one of the first warm spring days. And the fight was between the Headmaster and the Minister of Magical Education! For a witch! The staff had no choice but to allow them to go, as even charms on the doors were undone by older students on the other sides of the doors as they passed. Madame Pomfrey came running with her medical kit in hand, as well as all the other staff.

The Headmaster strode across the pitch to the far side and assumed a ready position, noting the throngs of students filling the stands as quickly as they could. No doubt they would enjoy the drama yet to come.

Parse Winder assuming the end of the pitch nearer to the school, while Alexander, Hobble, and Hunter took seats on the players benches. Alexander looked thrilled, while Hobble and Hunter exchanged gazes of worry and anxiety. Hunter wasn't at all comforted by Hobble noting how wise it was that Snape's will was up to date.

Harry said anxiously "Are these usually to the death?"

Luna Lovegood answered first. "Not usually, only to defeat and humiliation. But accidents can happen, both to combatants and observers." She put on protective goggles. "I think the death rate for combatants is only 20%, and about 5% for observers. But with this large an audience, I think the odds are considerably more on our side."

Harry was less worried about their odds than Snape's. He wasn't quite sure what the duel was about, but the rumor was that he was dueling the Minister of Magical Education in competition for the Deputy Minister. That seemed more than alarming to him. Why would they need to settle differences like this? Why would they be fighting over her? Snape was in love with Dr. Hunter, wasn't he?

Hermione was even more alarmed than Harry. "Dr. Hunter was still unconscious yesterday evening when my shift ended. How is she here now? And Snape's not back to full-blooded yet. Madam Pomfrey was reminding him to come see her again." She looked terrified, and her worry set Harry's mood even further on edge.

The two wizards met in the center of the field, with Arboreus Hobble between them, reading the rules, as well as the agreement for the result of the duel. Madam Hooch was to referee. With one final "Please try not to kill each other in front of the students," he scurried off to the side and slunk down behind the barrier in front of the players bench, as though it would offer any protection in the event of an errant curse.

Snape and Winder removed their robes, revealing more clearly the contrast between the two. Snape was thin and wiry, his worn out frock coat and pants more suitable for a classroom or office than the Quidditch pitch. He pulled his hair back with a leather tie. Under his pin-striped robe, Winder had either the foresight or habit to wear an athletic shirt and tights, which showed his muscular physique to great advantage. Many of the ladies in the stands hooted their approval. Ginny and Hermione managed to suppress theirs in deference to their Headmaster, but Luna temporarily removed her goggles to get a better view.

About 50 yards apart, the two wizards regarded each other cautiously, pacing back and forth, sizing each other up. The crowd now fell silent.

At last, Snape raised his wand, but Winder was faster, casting a defensive spell as the Expelliarmus was deflected. Snape tried again, launching a Binding Hex, which Winder easily ducked to avoid.

Harry was irritated with Snape. He should be dueling, not Snape. You never cast the first spell in a duel, even the 2nd years knew that. But there was nothing he could do. If he intruded on the fight, it would be assumed that he did so to benefit Snape and Winder would win by default. Harry kept his seat.

Winder then cast a Affligo charm, which Snape deflected, followed by another and then another. Snape deflected each, but was having difficulty recovering. At last one hit him in the shoulder, knocking him backwards slightly. Snape regarded the other man with more respect, and launched his own Combustio charm. Winder dodged as the charm set fire to a patch of ground not far from him. He quickly cast an Aguamenti spell to put it out, then turned and put up a defensive spell before Snape's Stupefy hit him. The defensive spell protected him, but the force of it was such that he stumbled backward, landing precisely where the fire had been only moments before.

Both wizards took a moment to regain their stability and circle the other. Wands moved carefully, waiting for the next strike. Winder struck next, sending a leg-lock curse at Snape, who dived out of the way, returning a Obscuro charm at Winder. By the time he'd regained his footing, Winder had pulled off the blindfold and was ready for him again.

Now the duel became more intense, both men sweating and pacing. Hunter was nearly coming apart watching two grown men fight like animals. She winced when Snape was off center, then recalled his deceit and wondered whose side she was on. Regardless of who was right and who was wrong, she disliked this kind of physical violence. She mentally ran down the inventory of healing potions she had in her stores, should they be needed. She cast a glance to Poppy, who had her bag opened, ready to go it, should her skills be needed. And then a glance at Alexander. She was enthralled by the action, on the edge of her seat with every spell cast, a joyous smile paired with delighted eyes transforming her face into one of near beauty.

Now the spells and curses came more quickly. The noise became too great to make sense of each individually, but ropes flew, flames shot out, and even a few arrows. The students in the crowd grew decidedly less enthusiastic about watching such a pitched battle, given the violent turn things had taken. It was clear this was personal and not just recreation, like dueling club. Someone was going to be seriously hurt in the end, but just who wasn't clear.

Winder was on fire now, launching curses, hexes, and jinxes in rapid succession, giving Snape no chance to recover, only to deflect and defend. Several missed Snape and set a portion of the stands filled with students on fire. Without hesitation, Snape turned his back on Winder to launch a perfectly pitched Aguamenti, extinguishing the fire. He spun back around, but not quickly enough.

Harry watched in horror, now. Severus Snape might finally reach his end, taking with him not only his memories, but now a physical piece of Harry and his parents. This had to end before a real death. Harry leaped from his chair, Hermione and Ron pulling him back down. "Severus, no!" he called out shaking off his friends, climbing over others to get to the aisle, running down the stairs.

But he was too late.

Winder took full advantage of Snape's turned back and cast a wobbly Stupefy. Snape's need to draw a breath caused his Salvio Hexia to come too late. Snape crashed to the ground as Winder regained his footing with a call of Expelliarmus. Snape's wand was in his hand a moment later. The thin pale man lay on the ground, his breathing labored. He turned his head to Alexander, who was sprinting towards Winder.

"Hypatia, my love, no!" he called out, attempting to rise without success.

But Hypatia Alexander had reached Winder, who embraced her as he gestured in victory to the crowd, dropping Snape's wand on the ground at his feet.

Putting his own wand to his throat, and uttering "sonorus," Parse Winder boomed out "Hypatia Alexander, will you pledge yourself to me forever, in front of these witnesses, as I will do for you?"

Alexander was captivated, hanging on Winder's shoulder. She touched her wand to her own throat and uttered "sonorus," and replied "I pledge myself forever in return to you, Paracelsus Winder." Far from a roaring approval, the students returned only dull disappointment. Alexander and Winder seemed to take no notice, theirs eyes locked on one another. Poppy took the field as the students and other spectators poured from the stands and trudged up the hill to the castle, shooed by teachers to get back to classes. Harry ran to retrieve Snape's wand, then turned towards the Headmaster. Poppy and Harry reached Snape at the same time.

"Poppy," said Snape quietly. "Put on a good show, but there is nothing that I need."

Harry knelt down beside Poppy and handed Snape his wand. "Ignore him, do all you can, please!"

Madame Pomfrey waved her wand over his body as he lay still, his head rolled to one side. She felt his pulse and examined his eyes. She waved her wand again. Why wasn't she saying anything, wondered Harry.

She withdrew a vial from her bag and gestured for Harry to help her sit Snape up more. He felt like bag of rocks. It didn't look like he'd been hit this badly from the stands. She emptied the vial into his mouth, some of the formula running down his chin. She tossed the vial aside, waving her wand and saying "Hemoscendo." Snape moaned and called Madame Pomfrey an inappropriate name. Harry looked over to the discarded vial. Blood-builder, of all things? He wasn't bleeding from anywhere. Snape writhed in pain, then stopped. He took two more breaths, then sat up uncomfortably, resting his arms on his knees.

"You are an evil witch, Poppy," he said.

"Only the best care for you, Severus." She grinned and put her things away. A cheer went up from what remained of the departing the crowd, as Snape staggered back to his feet, Arboreus Hobble and Harry helping him across the lawn. Snape pocketed his wand, his eyes scanning the field.

"Where has she gone, Arboreus?" he asked.

"No idea, Severus."

"Harry, go and get your map. Now." Snape's command was urgent.

"She just left with the Minister, they were heading towards your office. You lost the duel, Severus. She just pledged to Winder. You're not allowed to pursue her. There's nothing you can do."

"I don't care about Hypatia Alexander, you idiot. We need to find Dr. Hunter and fast. Now GO GET YOUR MAP. Locate Dr. Hunter and then come find me."

Now that most students had exited the stadium, Snape snapped back up and returned to the castle at a full run, down to the dungeons searching for Morgan.

Harry was confused. What had Snape just dueled for, if not Hypatia Alexander? And how did he recover so fast? Blood-builder didn't work that fast. He grabbed the first broom he saw and flew back to Gryffindor Tower, entering by a window open to the spring breezes. He bounded up the stairs to the boys' dormitory, dug through his trunk and grabbed the Marauder's Map. He turned and ran as fast as his legs would carry him, back down to Snape's office.

By the time he reached the Headmaster, he had an answer. "She's in the southwest tower, in Slughorn's old classroom," he said, pointing. Snape grabbed the map and took off.