Harry kept himself as calm as he could manage as he made his way into the Great Hall. While Neville hadn't been able to pet Fluffy the previous night, the rest of the night went smoothly. Sure, Hermione lectured them on how much trouble they could have gotten in, but her heart didn't really seem to be in it. Kevin had been rather amused when she'd claimed they could have been "killed, or worse, expelled", though claimed that was apparently an appropriate priority of worries even if neither would actually have happened for first years being in the corridors after curfew. The worst they might have faced would have been point loss and detentions.

Still, Harry had not been entirely pleased with the outcome. Malfoy had set him up like a chump, and he didn't like letting him get away with it. The easy way would have been bringing up the part of the code that meant he owed him money, but that was pocket change to both of them according to Kevin. Besides, attacking him with "the rules" seemed little better than how Nakfiy tried to set him up. He needed a better counter move than that. Thankfully, Kevin had a few ideas along those lines. With a bit of coaching, he was ready to implement them.

Harry smiled as he saw that the Great Hall was almost full. This would be perfect. Instead of heading for the Gryffindor table, he smoothed his expression and made his way to the Slytherin table. His actions immediately drew every eye, and Malfoy was aware of his approach long before he got there. "Potter," he declared snootily. "Scared of a little duel?"

Ah, so that's how he was playing it. Either letting Harry get in trouble for getting caught, or claiming he never showed. Still, this offered him the perfect in, especially as there were upper years listening in. "Actually, I'm here to officially accept your challenge," he replied readily.

"What?" Malfoy demanded with a sneer. "The challenge was for last night, and Weasley-"

"Is my second, and can't officially accept a challenge for me," Harry interrupted calmly, Kevin's almost silent whispers helping him keep his cool. "Dueling Code article 4, paragraph 7, subsection iii. And according to paragraph 5, subsections ii, iv, and vii, as I was not raised in the Wizarding World, there is no existing feud between our families, and we are both underage, I have 48 hours to accept or decline your challenge with no dishonor involved." He shrugged his shoulders. "I would have let you know...but by the time I'd finished reviewing the code and come across that, it was after curfew and I had no idea where the Slytherin common room was. I hope that wasn't too much of an inconvenience for you." It galled him to be so polite when Malfoy had been anything but, but Kevin's voice whispered reassurances.

"Trust me," Kevin hissed softly. "He trades high on his blood status, and that comes with certain rules and codes of behavior. Now that you've brought up the Code, he's stuck going by it. He only risked playing fast and loose with it because he knew you didn't know it, and only got away with it because Ron was overly enthusiastic."

Malfoy swallowed, but stood stiffly. "If you find No Fault with my choice of appointment, I find No Fault with you for your lack of message," he offered formally.

At Kevin's urging, Harry bobbed his head in a partial bow. "I find No Fault," he agreed formally. "I assumed you pressed for it to be so soon because you wanted the situation resolved as swiftly as possible. I do agree with that." He gestured to the space in front of the Head Table. "As the challenged, I suggest we hold our Duel before the Head Table during breakfast today, as soon as we have a referee. That way if one of us is injured, all the Professors are present to address it so it won't interfere with classes. Is that acceptable?"

Harry struggled not to grin as Malfoy's eyes narrowed. Based on what Kevin had told him - and the way several of the older Slytherins were hiding their smirks - there was no way Malfoy could refuse, even if this was far from what he wanted. "That is acceptable," the platinum-blonde finally allowed. "Your choice of referee?"

"Professor Flitwick, if he agrees," Harry replied readily, still working from the script Kevin had helped him hash out. "He is a champion duelist, and is associated with neither of our Houses, and thus can be considered neutral. Acceptable?"

"Acceptable," Malfoy agreed, though he sounded like he was trying not to look like he'd been forced to swallow a lemon. "Crabbe and I will meet you and Weasley there momentraily, Potter."

Nodding in agreement, Harry made his way towards the Head Table. Noticing Ron looking at him in confusion, Harry beckoned him over. Ron quickly came running. "What's going on, Harry?" Ron whispered in confusion. "What was that about with Malfoy?"

"I'll explain later," Harry whispered back. "For now, act like you know what's going on, okay?" Once Ron nodded, Harry turned back to the Head Table as the Professors all looked at him. "Professor Flitwick?" he asked politely.

"Yes, Mr. Potter?" the diminutive Professor replied with an uncertain smile. "How may I assist you and Mr. Weasley?"

"Malfoy has challenged me to a Wizard's Duel," Harry explained calmly. "I've picked here and now as the time and place. We were hoping you'd be willing to stand as referee?"

The answer was never in doubt, as Flitwick's smile had widened as Harry'd spoken. "Why, I'd be delighted! Is this duel for leisure, affront, or practice?"

"I can only assume for affront given how Malfoy delivered the challenge, but you'll need to ask him why," Harry allowed politely.

"Mr. Potter," Professor Snape suddenly spoke up, "might I have a private word before Mr. Malfoy and his second join us?"

Though Ron looked uncertain and upset, Harry nodded amicably. His experience with Professor Snape, while harrowing, had been overall positive. He found that between Kevin's guidance, Snape's focused intensity and interest, and a surprising talent, he rather enjoyed Potions. "Of course, Professor," Harry agreed, allowing the dour man to guide him to the side.

Once they were to the side of the Head Table, Professor Snape waved his wand and sound seemed to dim around them. "Is there any particular reason for this grandstanding, Mr. Potter, or do you simply crave the attention?" he demanded coldly, a hint of the disdain he showed when speaking to Harry at the start of the first Potions class but not since slipping into his voice.

"It's not grandstanding," Harry replied firmly. Kevin had coached him to expect such an inquiry, though not necessarily from Professor Snape, and had come up with his own answer. "I'm making a point."

"A point?" Snape asked coldly. "To whom?"

"Primarily to Malfoy, but also to anyone who would think similarly in regard to me," Harry explained as calmly as he could manage. "He challenged me to the duel yesterday, naming midnight in the Trophy Room for the time and place." Seeing Snape's frown darken, he relaxed somewhat. "After having reviewed the Code, I can only assume it's highly likely he sought to get me in trouble for being out of bed after curfew...though I can't prove it."

Noticing how Professor Snape's eyes darkened as he shot a frown towards where Malfoy and Crabbe were approaching, Harry felt certain that the teacher knew Malfoy had not left his common room the previous night. "And this leads to this...how?" he pressed.

"This isn't the first time someone's tried to get me in trouble," he explained calmly, though a tad bitterly. "It's not the first time I've been bullied. It's not the first time someone else disliking me has led to me suffering for it." His eyes hardened. "But it is the first time I've been able to do something about it. If Malfoy wants to be hostile towards me, fine. If he keeps it between us, so will I. But if he wants to involve others?" He turned his gaze towards Malfoy, keeping his own eyes hard. "I'll respond in kind."

"You seek to humiliate him before the entire school with a presumed victory?" Snape demanded, his voice pushing towards cold. "You've never dueled before, and Draco grew up with magic. It's plain who holds the advantage here."

Harry shrugged. "I don't know if I'll win or lose. What I do know, though, is that whatever the outcome...the entire school will see it. Whatever the outcome...Malfoy's decisions will have consequences."

Professor Snape looked at him for a time, his head slightly tilted...and then a cold smirk crossed his face. "Well reasoned," he allowed as he waved his wand again. Sound around them returned to normal levels, and with a nod the Professor returned to his seat.

Nodding in return, Harry approached where Malfoy stood before Professor Flitwick. "Now then," the Professor began, "this Duel is for reasons of affront. Is that correct?" The teacher glanced between the students. Harry offered a shrug, but Malfoy nodded firmly. "Is there no other acceptable resolution?" he continued.

"I'm not certain what it is I did or said to cause the affront," Harry offered when Flitwick looked his way. "As such, I can offer no other resolution, unless Malfoy is willing to let it go."

Malfoy frowned as Flitwick turned his gaze to him. "There is no other resolution," he stated firmly and formally.

"Very well," Flitwick allowed a tinge regretfully. "Then I declare this formal Duel recognized. When I declare it started, the two of you will cast whatever spells you know at each other, barring those that can cause drastic or lasting harm. The Duel will continue until one of you is unable to continue, yields, or until half an hour before the first class of the day. If the last, I and the rest of the staff will award points to each of you based on performance and conduct, and the higher score declared the winner with the results final. Is this acceptable?" Harry and Malfoy both nodded. "In that case, begin with a bow to your opponent."

Harry calmly and easily bowed to Malfoy, keeping the proper pose Kevin had instructed him on. He had expected Malfoy to try and curse or hex him during the bow...but apparently all the attention - and the focus of the entire Head Table - kept him from trying that.

"Very well then," Flitwick continued. "Wands at the ready!"

Harry raised his wand, as did Malfoy.

"And begin!"

Harry could see Malfoy's wand moving, already shaping a spell he didn't recognize. Harry himself didn't bother. This wasn't about the Duel, or winning. It was about making a point. It was about standing up for himself. As he grasped his magic internally, he focused his entire being on why he was doing this. He remembered every moment of his past where he was the punching bag, the scapegoat, the downtrodden, every time when he had no recourse but to take it in silence and lick his wounds in private later, whether physical or emotional. Here and now, he wanted Malfoy to see who and what he was, down to the marrow of his bones...and know that no matter what came his way, he would not. Back. Down!

Just as some sort of spell erupted from the tip of Malfoy's wand, there was an intense crack of sound akin to an airburst at the tip of Harry's, and a crimson wraith-like specter lunged for Draco.