Duel of Fate

by WolfgangNH

Harry Potter is an orphan, but not by the hand of Voldemort. He went after Neville on that fateful night and it changed everything. Harry and Neville are bitter enemies, while Neville is known as the Boy-Who-Lived. That does not mean that Harry is not fated for greatness himself. Dumbles, Weasley, Longbottom bashing. Mentor Flitwick. Duellist. Harry multi, no harem. Teen angst.

3. Actions Have Consequences

Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

-oOo-

Chapter 3

13 Jan 24

-oOo-

This time on Duel of Fate: Harry faces the music of his actions while attracting the attention of the headmaster. Oh, and more teen drama.

-oOo-

December 25, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry had to wait more than an hour for Flitwick to show back in his office. Harry was walking up and down the office. He was still upset. When he turned to see a stern looking Flitwick, he could tell this was his master standing before him, not the jovial professor.

"Take a seat," Master Flitwick told him.

Harry did all he could to squash the raging torrent in him. He didn't say a word as Flitwick walked to the centre of the room. The man looked towards his desk, his hands behind his back. "What was the first rule you agreed to when I took you as an apprentice?"

Harry could remember that day towards the end of his first year. "Never draw your wand unless you mean to use it."

The man didn't move as he asked, "What is the second?"

"Never cast a spell without knowing its consequences."

Master Flitwick's four rules had been drilled into him over the last three years.

"And the third?"

"End the fight as soon as possible with the required force. If they cast a leg-locker, you cast a stunner. If they cast a cutter, you cast a wand breaker. If they aim to kill, you respond," Harry replied.

"And the last?" Flitwick demanded in his slightly higher voice.

"Accept the responsibility of what you have done," Harry said, still not feeling guilty.

Master Flitwick tapped his fingers on his forearms.

"Was it necessary to launch a couch at opponents that were obviously below your level?" he asked, a tinge of anger entering the man's voice.

Harry touched the bandage on his arm. He would need to go to Madam Pomfrey when they were done. His arm was throbbing some, but he wouldn't die. Harry had been hurt worse in his duelling practices. "I was hit by a cutting curse."

For the first time, Flitwick turned to look at Harry. The man's black eyes roamed over him, finally landing on the bandage on his arm. "It never should have gotten to that point. Do you understand what you have done?"

"I defended someone that couldn't defend herself," Harry answered in a flat tone.

The man's anger burst. "You made a mess of what was an official school investigation into bullying and stealing! I had talked with the headmaster. I had permission to question the house. If no one confessed, I had permission to search the entirety of Ravenclaw. Do you not respect me?!"

"Of course, I do," Harry said, for the first time feeling a tinge of regret.

"No, you don't, Harry! Everything I have taught you. All the times I have spoken up for you. I have taught you far above where you should be, and you spit on my honour and my respect for you," the diminutive man yelled. His goblin ancestry was on display at the feral look on his face.

Harry sat back in the chair. Rarely had he seen his master so upset with him. Not since that time Sue and him had duelled without him. Frowning, Harry thought about what he had done.

"Did I not give you specific instruction to let me handle this last night?"

Harry met the man's eyes. "Yes, Master Flitwick."

"Did I not give you specific leave to stay with Ms Lovegood because she requested you to?"

Harry felt a little guilty. Harry had stayed with her until the sun was almost up. Perhaps he should have stayed until she woke. He had promised to protect her. "Yes, Master Flitwick."

"Have I not told you to not to show your real strength while within these walls unless it is necessary? The headmaster is a good man, Harry, but he has a history of trying to draw in the truly extraordinary and powerful to his causes and use them while he fights the good fight. I don't want you to fall into his 'greater good'. If the time comes you ever need to fight, I want you to fight for what you believe and make your own decision on who to follow. After you showed off summoning items from all over the castle and grounds, not to mention that you were able to haul Miss Edgecombe down three flights of stairs at the same time, is not something the man will overlook. I am trying to protect you. It was in service to Albus Dumbledore that your parents died," Flitwick said with more passion than anger now.

Harry's eyes finally fell. This man had done more for him than anyone else ever had. He had been the one that introduced him to the magical world. Professor Flitwick had talked with the goblins after recognizing that Harry wasn't just some Muggleborn orphan. He had convinced them to give him a blood test, which allowed Harry to access a trust vault and know that he would have another inheritance allowed to him at seventeen and to have everything by twenty-five. When Harry had gotten to Hogwarts, it was Professor Flitwick that called him to tea every few weeks to see how he was doing and gave him the choice to become one of his apprentices to learn duelling at the end of his first year.

Harry had learned so much more than just how to duel in the time he had worked with the man.

Harry owed Professor Flitwick everything he had now.

With a sigh, Harry said, "I'm sorry, Master Flitwick. I just saw someone hurting and being bullied. I heard how Madam Pomfrey said if she had been out there for another half-hour that Luna may have gotten frost burn and possibly lost some of her toes. They meant to hurt her," Harry said.

After a moment, the man sighed. "You didn't do anything I wouldn't want to, but you have to let me handle situations like this. It was not your responsibility to handle her bullies. It was your responsibility to keep Ms Lovegood safe."

Harry looked up. "I didn't mean to disrespect you."

The man came over, finally looking at Harry like an understanding uncle. Master Flitwick put a hand on his shoulder. "I know, Harry. It does not change the fact that you did. It also doesn't change the fact that you broke the clavicle of Mister Wickes, the arm of Miss Chang and the leg of Miss Edgecombe, not to mention did some serious damage to her throat. Miss Chang and Mister Wickes will be out of the hospital wing later today, tomorrow at the latest, but Miss Edgecombe will be in there a few days. Miss Rivers has a nasty mark on her neck but will heal in an hour or two. I can see you held back, but you are better trained than almost any other student. That comes with responsibility of its own. You know my rules."

Harry heard the significance in his tone. Harry took in a deep breath, centring his occlumency, then let it out. It didn't matter that Harry was facing at least six others. He could have used other means to knock them all out. "Am I expelled?"

"No, though I would not have protested a week or two suspension for you and those that fought you," the man said a little harshly.

"I understand. I will go get my trunk. Will Misses Garret be expecting me?" he asked, unable to keep the sadness out of his voice. Harry had really hoped he would never go back to the orphanage.

Flitwick squeezed his shoulder. "You are fortunate that the headmaster is a very forgiving man. None of you are expelled. You will be serving detention two days a week with Professor Hagrid and two days a week with me for the entire month of January and February. You will also not be going to the tournament tomorrow..."

Harry shot up. "NO! You can't! Sue and I have practiced all semester."

"Sit. Down," Flitwick commanded.

Harry did so, not questioning the tone of the man's voice. Harry met his eyes. Master Flitwick was angry again. "Tell me how you deserve to go after what you did today?"

Harry looked at the man incredulously. He had kept his grades up. He had stayed out of trouble. He had shown to the practice room five or six days a week. He knew he was better than Sue. Harry's mouth opened. He held his tongue at the look from Master Flitwick.

Harry had been good, until he let his temper get the better of him today. If he hadn't gone for a walk last night none of this would have happened. He wouldn't have disobeyed his master. He wouldn't have put three of his house mates into the hospital. He wouldn't have saved Luna from freezing to death…

After a moment, he let out a huff. "I don't," Harry said simply.

"No, you don't. Thanks to the Headmaster you have another chance. You will report to Professor Hagrid on Saturday and Sunday. Work out with him what times and you will start next weekend," Professor Flitwick told him.

"Yes, sir," Harry said.

"You will report to me Tuesday and Wednesday evenings after dinner for at least an hour. Do you understand me?" Professor Flitwick said.

"Yes, Master Flitwick," Harry replied.

The man gave him a hard look for a moment to ensure his points had been driven home. Once satisfied, the man nodded. "Come along. We need to get that arm looked at and the headmaster wants a word with you."

Harry sighed. "Will you be with me? I know you don't want me talking to him alone," Harry asked.

"I am your Head of House. It is my responsibility to look after you and be at any meeting you request of me," Professor Flitwick said, falling in step besides Harry as they left his office. "If you can behave and get through your punishment without issue, I will consider you for the Easter Tournament in Japan. If you do anything like this again, I will advocate for a suspension. You will work on your occlumency to curb your anger."

"Yes, Master Flitwick."

-oOo-

A little while later…

Headmaster's Office, Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry had never been to the Headmaster's office. He had gotten into trouble before but that had always been handled by the professor or his Head of House. This time he had done something that brought him to the attention of Headmaster Dumbledore.

Professor Flitwick accompanied him to a stone gargoyle. "Remember to only give short answers and that the headmaster regularly uses passive legillimency to get the feeling of those he is talking too. It is important you keep your calm. Sugar Roses," Professor Flitwick said to the gargoyle.

Harry focused on his breathing as they let the spiralling stairs take them up. He had the thought of whether the Wizards or Muggles had made escalators first, or if wizards stole the idea, like they seem to have for other Muggle inventions? It rarely seemed to go the other way, otherwise owls would not be so pervasive in wizarding society still.

When they got to the top, Professor Flitwick knocked on the door.

"Come in," the wizened voice of Headmaster Dumbledore came to them as the door silently opened of its own accord. "Ah, Filius, good to see you, and I see you have brought young Mister Potter."

"Good morning, Headmaster," Harry said.

"Take a seat," the old man motioned towards two chairs before his desk. Harry and Professor Flitwick sat, saying nothing as Dumbledore made a steeple with his hands and leaned his bearded chin against his fingers. "It seems there was quite the disturbance this morning in the Ravenclaw Common Room?"

"Yes, sir," Harry replied. He would take full responsibility for what he did, but he wouldn't give anything up he didn't need too.

Dumbledore's crystal blue eyes regarded him. Harry felt the slight pressure of a passive scan to see his surface feelings. He clamped his occlumency walls as tight as he could.

"I have reports that items flew through the halls to Ravenclaw tower. Some from many hundreds of yards away. Was that you?"

"Yes, sir," Harry replied.

The man didn't move. "Professor Flitwick has stated that all those objects were not your own. May I enquire why you would use so much power to do that? I didn't get the impression that you and Miss Lovegood were that close?" Dumbledore questioned.

"People had stolen her stuff and she asked me to keep an eye on her," Harry replied.

The man's eyes gazed into his own, the passive scans becoming more frequent.

"I see," Dumbledore said after a bit. "How did the fight start?"

"I had just summoned Lovegood's stuff. Prefect Clearwater was asking me about it when Chang cast a spell at me. I did what I had too against multiple opponents. I did not mean to break people's bones," Harry said. He was contrite because of the meeting with his master, not for what he did.

Dumbledore cast his eyes to Flitwick. Harry had the sense the man could tell Harry's thoughts, even though he knew the headmaster had not gone deeper.

After a moment, Dumbledore leaned back into his seat, his steepled fingers still on his chin. "You do understand what you did was wrong?"

"Yes, sir. Professor Flitwick has punished me," Harry replied.

Dumbledore nodded. "I will be on the continent over the holiday for a day or two. I would like to come to a few of your duels."

"I'm afraid that Mr Potter will not be coming this time, Headmaster," Professor Flitwick said.

"Surely, Fillius, that is a bit harsh with how much I hear Mister Potter practices. It would also be nice to see Hogwarts have a good showing," Dumbledore said.

"Miss Li will do Hogwarts proud. Mister Potter has committed a great infraction against the rule of the school and must be punished. Dueling like that is also against the Code of Conduct for Mister Potter and Miss Li as part of my apprenticeship with them," his master said, not taking his eyes of the headmaster's. Harry had the stray thought that as much as not going was punishment, the true reason might be this.

"Of course, Filius. You are his mentor. I would still like to see Mister Potter in a duel. Perhaps I could attend a training or two after the holidays?" Dumbledore suggested.

"Perhaps," Professor Flitwick said in a non-committal way.

Dumbledore's eyes returned to Harry. Harry had the sense that he had caught the headmaster's eyes and that wasn't a good thing. "I knew your parents. Your father was a formidable duellist and Auror. Your mother was an Unspeakable that I only ever had the pleasure of seeing her duel once. Together, they nearly beat Voldemort more than once. I would be interested to see if you possess their same ability. From your performance today, I think you may."

Harry felt a chill go through him. "Yes, sir," he said.

It was a moment before Dumbledore nodded. "Very well. I trust you to not get into trouble like this again, Mister Potter."

"No, sir," Harry agreed.

When they left, his master waited until they were out of the stairwell in one of the few hallways without a painting. Flitwick stopped and looked up at him. "If you wish to fight, I will not stop you. If you wish to fight for Dumbledore, I will withdraw my support. Is that understood?"

Harry nodded. "I don't really want to fight," Harry replied after a moment.

"I fear that will be unavoidable now. Come. We will work out since you will not be coming," his master said.

Harry had to stifle his groan. He knew he would be sore for a few days.

-oOo-

Lunchtime…

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry sat at the end of the table with a book in his hand as he picked at a bowl of stew. Down the other end of the table a half-dozen of his housemates stared at him. None of them looked pleased. Between them and Harry the house was split.

Some didn't care about what happened earlier. Others were looking at Harry as though he was mental, while more than most were giving nasty eyes to the end with the ones that got in trouble. It was one thing to look for ways to get one over another Ravenclaw. Some bullying or showmanship was expected.

What was not tolerated by most was the way Luna had been treated, or the fact that family heirlooms had been taken, or that the raven head had been tampered with. That was a crime to tamper with anything the Founders had made.

To all of this Harry was oblivious.

He had to keep his nose clean and out of everything.

That was until a waif of a girl bounced over and sat on the bench next to him. She was quite pleased with herself as she put her satchel between them and started to dig into it. Harry took his eyes of his book to cast a sidelong glance at the silvery haired girl with large blue eyes, her wand tucked into her hair and behind her ear and wearing a necklace of butterbeer bottle caps.

When she came out of her bag, she gave Harry a winning smile, before turning to the table. She put a book, a parchment and a self-inking quill on the table before retrieving two bacon sandwiches, a handful of homemade crisps and filled two goblets with whatever juice was on the table.

Without a word, she started to pick at the crisps, opened the book and picked up her quill.

Harry went back to his stew and reading about advanced shielding techniques.

-oOo-

Lunchtime…

Across the hall…

Hannah was looking across the hall. Harry was sitting by himself again. So often he would sit by himself, which meant today wasn't any different. But there was something different. She couldn't put her finger on it.

Megan, who had been chatting down the table, suddenly sat next to her. "You won't believe what your boyfriend did this morning," she said excitedly.

Hannah took her eyes off of Harry. "He's not my boyfriend," she said a little forlornly.

"You should have asked him, then you wouldn't have had to punch Entwhistle last night," Susan said. "What's with Harry?"

"Not my fault he got handsy with me, I did warn him," Hannah huffed before turning to the excitable Megan. "He's not my boyfriend."

"Whatever," Megan brushed her off. "I heard Potter got into a fight with a few fifth and sixth years, including Diggory's girlfriend."

"He did not!" Susan exclaimed.

"Yeah. At least Chang and Edgecombe were all in the hospital this morning. Most of Ravenclaw is talking about the fight. Your boyfriend took on more than a dozen people, from what they are saying, and walked away without a scratch while putting six into the hospital," Megan commented. "If I knew he was such a bad arse I might have gone to the ball with him. He may not like quidditch, but bloody hell."

"Why would he do that? Harry never seems that violent," Susan pondered.

Megan shrugged. "Probably looked at him the wrong way. Hannah, if you decide you don't want him anymore, I may try for him."

Hannah flushed some. "Harry would never just attack someone like that," Hannah said hotly. "There has to be a reason."

As they talked, Hannah watched a small blonde girl skip up to Harry, sit, give him a big smile and unpack stuff from her bag. Megan and Susan stopped talking to watch the girl. Harry didn't say anything, just watching the girl as well. After a moment, he went back to eating from his bowl as the girl picked at her plate and started to write.

"Who is that?" Hannah asked, a stab of something running through her. The waif of a girl was sitting closer to Harry than anyone usually would. Harry didn't seem to mind her. They actually looked friendly with each other. A pit formed in her stomach.

"I don't know," Susan said.

"She is a small thing, isn't she?" Megan pointed out.

"Do you think she is his type?" Susan queried. "I've never seen him look at anyone that stick thin."

"He likes blondes," Hannah said. Was that jealousy she was feeling? Hannah thought to herself.

Megan clicked her tongue. "He may not be your boyfriend anymore. Want me to go find out?"

Hannah frowned. She knew she had to talk to Harry soon. "He's not my boyfriend," she said, a slight bit of anger tinging her voice.

Susan looked to her. "Hannah, you alright?"

"Peachy," Hannah replied.

Megan looked at her too. "You know I wouldn't, right?"

Hannah didn't bother to reply. She had been a scared little girl when confronted with the boy she liked and had gone with someone she hadn't wanted to. Now it looked like some younger year was starting to move in on the boy she wanted. Getting up, her two friends just watch the now determined blonde.

Hannah walked over, seeing a few eyes on her as she sat across from Harry and the pale blonde girl.

Harry looked up. Hannah met his eyes, which looked a little upset at her. After a moment, he went back to reading his book. The girl next to him was looking at Hannah with her protuberant sky-blue eyes. They were darker than Hannah's blue eyes. The girl cocked her head, as though curious. Hannah tried not to glare at her.

"You have a lot of wrackspurts around you. Are you confused about something?" the girl asked in a faraway voice.

It was so unexpected, Hannah just blinked. "What?"

"Wrackspurts. They gather around people when they are unsure, or have a lot on their mind, or just feel confused. They go in and out of your ears, often making your thoughts fuzzy," the girl explained.

"Uhm, no. I don't think I have wrackspurts," Hannah said, a little annoyance in her voice.

"Oh. They look like wrackspurts. Maybe they are braintingles," the girl said thoughtfully.

Hannah didn't know what to say, but her face must have shown her feelings.

"I would appreciate you keep anything bad you are going to say to yourself," Harry said, turning a page in his book.

"I wasn't going to say anything bad," Hannah replied.

The girl flopped her head to the other side. "Hannah Abbot has never been mean to me. I don't see that changing."

"How do you know my name?" Hannah asked. Harry diverted his eyes to the slight blonde.

"The same way I know he is Harry Potter. You are Hannah Abbot. The two girls looking at us are Susan Bones and Megan Jones. They both are concerned for you and Harry. Then you have…" the girl started to point out others that were looking at them. Hannah prided herself in knowing most people, but she didn't know half the people the girl was spouting off.

After a moment, Harry chuckled. "Luna, how do you do that?"

Luna looked up to Harry. Hannah could see the adoration in the girl's eyes. Jealousy boiled up inside her.

The girl, Luna, said, "I just know."

With that, Luna turned back to her paper and started to write, before pausing to read something in the book. Hannah glared at Luna.

"What do you want, Abbott?" Harry asked.

She looked up to Harry and felt herself pause for a moment. She had seen that look before. It was when Harry was being protective of someone. He also looked angry. She couldn't ever remember that look being towards her before. He had done that a time or two when someone had been bothering her or Susan or Sue, but never at her.

"Uhm, I just wanted to meet your new friend," she said lamely.

"Luna Lovegood," he said.

"Hello," Luna said absently, doing a small hand motion to say 'hi' as she continued to work.

"Anything else? Or have you finally decided I'm good enough to talk to again?"

A wave of guilt washed over her, starting to war with the jealousy in her. "I've talked to you. We are friends," she said.

Harry snorted, turning back to his book. "I thought we were friends. It's been almost three weeks since you even said hi. Go back to Kevin. I'm sure he is better to talk too."

"What is that supposed to mean?" she asked hotly, knowing Harry had a right to be upset with her. It didn't mean that that comment didn't sting. Megan and Susan had told her she had been stupid about the whole Yule Ball thing, but she had chickened out and then made it worse.

"You went to the Yule Ball with someone you wanted. Go have fun with your boyfriend," he said back in a monotone. She knew he was only that way when terribly upset.

"Kevin Entwhistle is not my boyfriend, and he never will be," she shot back. "Why are you so upset?"

"I'm not," he lied. She could always tell when he lied. There was no emotion to his words.

"You are. Listen, I'm sorry about the last few weeks. It's just been busy, and I've had some things to work through," she told him.

"Those are definitely wrackspurts," Luna said more to herself. She looked back down at her paper when Hannah shot her eyes to the girl.

"Will you stop it with this wrackspurt thing! I really don't know what they are," she snapped at Luna.

Luna looked to draw into herself.

"Listen, Abbot. I'm already in enough trouble and can't get into anymore. Go back to your friends before I really get upset," Harry told her. She looked into a set of green eyes that burned with anger. She leaned back.

"But, Harry…" she started.

"Luna has done nothing to you. Whatever your issue is, it's with me," Harry stated.

Something inside her wanted to fight back. The green-eyed monster couldn't stand that he was sticking up for this new comer. "You want to know what my issue is?"

"Not really," he said, looking back down at his book. Harry had never acted this way towards her.

"Look at me, Harry Potter! We've been friends for three years. What is with this attitude?" she demanded.

Harry slowly looked up. The anger in his eyes had fallen back. Now they just looked empty of emotion. "You don't get to tell me what to do. The last time you did, things didn't work out and then you ignored me for three weeks," he said coldly.

Her courage was starting to faulter. He was right. She had asked him to ask Megan when she wanted him to ask her. She had chickened out when he said he only wanted to go as friends. She wanted more than just to be friends. Now, though, it looked like she had really messed up.

Tears started to bite at her eyes. "I didn't mean too… Megan really wanted to go. I wanted to go…"

Harry just looked at her. When he didn't reply, her courage finally failed. Getting up, she wiped at the tears that were dripping down her face. Feeling embarrassed, jealous, envious, upset with herself, upset at Harry, upset at this new girl… it was just too much, and she ran out the hall.

-oOo-

December 26, 1994

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry made his way towards the doors. Luna was skipping ahead of him, already through the portal to the outside world and kicking up snow as she laughed. Harry had told her he would go out into the woods for a little bit. Sue and Professor Flitwick had left an hour ago and he was feeling upset and berating himself in his head.

He was just about out the door when someone yelled, "POTTER!"

Harry closed his eyes, knowing this might be coming. He turned to see an angry Cedric Diggory. The tall Head boy and Hogwarts Champion was storming towards him. Harry instinctively reached for his wand, standing his ground as the sandy hair boy came right up to him. "What is this with you getting into a duel with Chang!"

Harry sighed. "I didn't duel her. I was only trying to get back items that were stolen from someone else," Harry said, not really wanting to explain himself.

"That's not what Cho says," Diggory accused.

Harry shrugged. "Believe me or not. Ask Professor Flitwick when he gets back. I need to go catch up with Luna."

Diggory looked out the door. Luna was halfway across the covered bridge. She had stopped and was looking at them. When she saw them looking her way, she waved.

Diggory waved back. "How do you know Luna?"

"Found her without shoes or a cloak the night of the ball. She's kind of attached herself to me since then," Harry said.

A concerned look crossed his face. "Are you telling me it was Luna that had stuff stolen from her?"

"She says the nargles borrow them, but some of her items had been 'missing' for the last two years," Harry told him.

The frown on Diggory's face deepened. "I just thought she left them around. She can be very absentminded at times." Diggory ran a hand through his hair. "You are sure the stuff was stolen? This is really important. Luna is a second cousin and I really like Cho."

"I actually don't know if Chang was involved, but her friend Edgecombe was, and it was Cho that shot the first spell at me," Harry replied. "I didn't mean to break her arm, but I don't like bullies."

Diggory watched as Luna leaned over the railing to look down into the chasm between the school and the grounds on this side of the school. "Bloody hell," Diggory said softly. After a moment, he said, "I need to go talk with Cho. Can I trust you to keep an eye on Luna?"

"I won't let anything happen to her," he said, catching out of the corner of his eye that Luna was starting to lean over too far. His wand was up, and she was floating with a silent hovering charm before Diggory could react. They could hear her giggles as she grabbed the post and moved so her body was past the railing now.

Diggory sighed. "I really worry about her at times."

"I won't let anything happen to her while I watch her," Harry assured Diggory.

Diggory sighed again. "I'm trusting you. If Cho has a different story or I find out it was you that started all this, me being a Hufflepuff won't protect you."

Harry shot Diggory a cheeky grin. "I never start a fight unless necessary."

Diggory snorted. "Well, you sure did end this one."

Harry shrugged and watched Diggory walk away. Harry was pleased with himself that he didn't allow his anger at the others to get to him. He had no doubt in his head that Chang had been part of this, but without proof, since he didn't see what came out the fifth-year girls' room, he couldn't conclusively say it was her. Edgecombe and a few others had been sent home for the rest of the holidays. Harry hoped they wouldn't come back.

He walked over the bridge to Luna, who was still looking down. "You trust me enough to not let you fall?"

Luna giggled, pulling herself back in. "You would not let me fall. Can I still float for a while?"

Harry chuckled. "Grab onto my shirt," he told her. Once she had, he started off towards the Forbidden Forest, a Luna sized balloon trailing behind him.

-oOo-

January 6, 1995

Hogwarts, Scotland

It was amazing what two weeks could do for one's temper. Sue had done very well, taking third for their age bracket. Harry had been incredibly jealous that she had gone. Jealous enough that she had been back a week now, and he hadn't said a thing. Since Boxing Day, the only person he had talked with was Luna. Even when they met to practice, Harry had been quiet.

Now that he had had nearly two weeks since he had seen Hannah as the ball and her last argument with him, he was in need of companionship. Well, companionship of those that he was friendly with. Luna was a blast, but she just didn't know him that well yet, and sometimes he needed someone that was grounded and logical. Sitting at the table in the common room, Sue finished her sentence before looking up. The look she gave him should have made most cower. Harry gave her an uncertain smile.

"What?"

She sounded irritated, and Harry didn't blame her. "Congratulations last week. You did really well. Flitwick showed me the memories last night," Harry said.

Her look could freeze ice. "You can be a real arse at times, you know that, right?"

"Tell me something I don't know," he snarked back.

She snorted. "As long as you know that."

She still looked upset as he took out his transfiguration books. "You did well. You should have had Lavrov," he commented.

"The bloody dick cheated. Flitwick is convinced the judge was paid off."

Harry nodded. "I called that out too. That cutting spell was against the rules. Did it leave a scar?"

"Madam Pomfrey gave me something to rub into it. It's almost gone now," she said. "You are still a bloody dick."

"For ignoring you or getting left behind?" Harry enquired.

"Both. But I heard what you did. You did right in defending Lovegood. Speaking of which, where is your shadow?" she asked, looking around the common room.

"She was going to the library and then to visit Professor Hagrid this afternoon. It's the first time she's left my side since boxing day," Harry told her.

"It's cute. It's like you have your own little puppy dog," she said, a smirk cracking her face.

"Sue, you know I love your teasing, but I won't take anything bad said about her," Harry warned.

"I wasn't saying anything bad. If I had known she was being bullied, I would have stopped it," Sue replied. Professor Flitwick had taught them both to protect those that needed it.

"From what I understand, it wasn't as bad until recently. Trivial things, here and there, would go missing. They called her Loony, but I thought she liked it. Kevin told me it got worse after her father published an article in their family's magazine, The Quibbler. Apparently, he thought there was some conspiracy between the Edgecombes, Goldsteins and Changs," Harry explained.

"People take that rag seriously?" Sue asked incredulously.

"I do now. Apparently, there was some truth, and they are in trouble with the DMLE now," Harry replied. "Listen, are we good? I really wasn't upset with you."

"No. We aren't good until I can beat you around the practice room on Monday," she told him.

"Fair enough," Harry said back, knowing he deserved it, but he wouldn't go down easily.

-oOo-

January 15, 1995

Hogwarts, Scotland

Harry hated creatures and now understood why. Professor Hagrid had him working in the hippogriff paddocks. He was mucking things out as the beasts pawed and strutted around him, seemingly upset that Harry wouldn't bow to them. Oh, Harry respected the strength they had, even thought them majestic, but he wouldn't bow to a beast too stuck up to recognize they needed wizards to protect them.

He was just done, taking the cart towards the corral gate, when he noticed a redhead standing by the gate. Harry knew Susan Bones at a glance.

She looked to be shivering in the frigid day. The light, icy mist probably didn't help.

She caught his eye as he came closer. "Morning, Harry. Do you have much more detention?"

"Good morning, Susan," he said. "I'll have to ask Professor Hagrid. I've only been here a little over two hours and he usually keeps me all morning."

Her cheeks were quivering from the cold.

"How long have you been out here?" he asked her, feeling a little concerned.

"Over an hour. I was told not to disturb you," she answered.

Harry shook his head, took his wand out and twirled it towards Susan. She didn't even blink at him, unlike most that kept a wide birth of him since Christmas. Chang and her group kept casting him nasty glares. Diggory had dropped her like a sack of potatoes after he found out what she had been doing to Luna. Chang hadn't known Luna was Diggory's second cousin, or that he would be so loyal to her. The stupid Ravenclaw girl didn't understand what it was to be a Hufflepuff at heart.

The warming charm took effect as he opened the gate. By the time he had rolled the cart with the dung out and closed the gate, Susan was letting out a soft sigh. "Merlin, my warming charms are not this nice."

Harry chuckled. "It's not as much about power as the effect you imagine," Harry told her. "Most think it's about power. That only makes them last longer."

"Either way, I am starting to feel my toes again," she commented.

He started to roll the cart towards the pile behind Professor Hagrid's cabin. "I assume you didn't come down here to help me?"

"If you want. What you did for Lovegood was really sweet," Susan said.

He chuckled. "Not everyone thinks so, and thank you, but this is my punishment for what I did."

"I still think that Edgecombe and Rivers should be expelled. Stealing family heirlooms is just not right," Susan said a little angrily.

"Well Dumbledore is a big softy. We all got off with just some punishments," Harry said back. "I take this is not just a social call?"

"I can't just come down and say hi to a friend?" she asked. With colour having returned to her already pale face, the smile almost looked convincing.

Harry chuckled. "There is only three people that have ever done something like that, and you aren't one of them, Susie."

The pretty redhead gave him a look that she had been caught as she said, "Touche. By the way, who are the three?"

"Sue, Luna and Hannah. I assume you are here to talk to me about her?"

"Ravenclaws are bright, aren't they?" she said cheekily.

"That is usually one of our primary traits. Like Hufflepuff would do anything for their friends. Listen, I have nothing against Hannah. I miss talking with her, but it wasn't me that came up with that hair brained scheme or the one who insulted Luna. What is her issue, anyways? Hannah has never acted that way before," Harry put to Susan as he emptied the cart.

Susan ruffled her nose. "That is disgusting. To answer you, Hannah is jealous."

Harry looked up. "Of what?"

"Luna."

Harry snorted. "Why? Luna is just someone I've been asked to protect. Though, she is nice to be around, and entertaining, though most don't seem to get her humour or love of the world."

Susan raised a brow at him. "So, you like her?"

"As a friend. If I had had a sister, I would have liked one like Luna. Hannah doesn't think I like her, does she?" Harry enquired, turning to finish his task.

Susan's look said he was thick. "Do you really not know that she has a crush on you?"

Harry didn't look up. "I may have found that out recently."

They were silent as he put the wooden rake into the cart and trundled it around to the front of the hut. "Do you like her?"

Harry shrugged. "She is my type."

Susan smirked again. "And what type is that?"

"She is usually interesting, especially when it comes to arithmancy and charms. She is pretty, and blonde," he said.

Susan snorted to hide her laughter. "Hannah is right, you analyse everything, don't you?"

"I am a Ravenclaw. I should be logical," Harry shot back.

"So, you find her interesting and pretty. Do you find Megan pretty?" Susan pressed on with whatever scheme she seemed to be on.

"Megan's fine, but not usually what I like," he said.

"And what do you like?"

"I like girls like Hannah," he replied before thinking about what he was saying.

"Then why didn't you ask her to the Yule Ball? She held off and said no three times before you asked Megan," Susan said.

"It was Hannah that suggested it. I never wanted to go to the Yule Ball," he replied. Well, that had been true until Hannah had brought up the possibility with her.

Susan looked at him slack jawed. They were now on the steps of Professor Hagrid's hut. "I just thought you were saying that."

Harry shrugged.

Susan sighed. "You two are so dense about each other. You realize that was a test?"

Harry's brow rose as he met her brown eyes. "A test? Why the bloody hell would she test me like that? I would have gone with Hannah if I had known."

"I thought you just said you didn't want to go?" Susan asked, a knowing smile coming to her face.

Harry felt his face warm for the first time. "Well, you know, if Hannah had wanted."

Susan hit his arm. "She wanted, you moron. Merlin, Harry, Hannah's had a crush on you since second year."

"Then why did she tell me to ask Megan?" he shot back.

"Because she chickened out in asking you and thought if she told you to ask someone else you would wise up and ask her," Susan exclaimed.

Harry looked at her dumbfounded. It wasn't the first time he heard this, but it was the first time he heard it from Hannah's best mate. "That is so bloody convoluted. I thought she just wanted to go as friends?"

"She told me you said that," Susan shot back.

Harry closed his eyes and pinched the bridge of his nose. "Bloody girls," he gripped.

"And what about us girls?" she asked challengingly.

"You are so damned confusing. So, to get this right, Hannah wanted to ask me, or have me ask her, but instead she told me to ask Megan? Was that supposed to make me jealous or something?" he asked.

"Telling you she hadn't said yes to Ernie yet was supposed to make you jealous," Susan answered.

Harry chuckled. "And now she's jealous of Luna?"

"Right in one," Susan said.

"What am I supposed to make of all of this?"

"Ask Hannah to the next Hogsmeade weekend. Tell her you were a prat and get back to where you should be," Susan told him.

"I'm the prat? I'm not the one that did anything wrong or yelled at me or has been mean to Luna," Harry said back a little coldly.

Susan let out an annoyed sound. "You have never done anything stupid with a friend or someone you liked?"

What he had done to Sue came to his mind. She had beat him, and he let her, that one day. He did deserve it. With a big sigh, he said, "I'm not going to any Hogsmeade weekends until March. I have detention every Saturday and Sunday until the end of February."

Susan frowned. "That is too long."

"Nothing I can do about that. I need to see if Professor Hagrid needs me to do anything else. Tell Hannah to join me at our normal time in the library on Tuesday. Maybe we can talk," Harry told her.

"If you are mean to her or break her heart again, we will be having another talk," Susan warned, then she smiled. "I'll make sure Hannah is there. Have a good day, Harry."

She turned and started to move up towards the school. Harry watched her go, rubbing her hands together as she moved up the hill.

Harry shook his head. When he turned, he found Professor Hagrid in the doorway. "Uhm, I wasn't trying to take a break. I just finished the paddocks," Harry told him.

"Was that Susan Bones?" the man asked.

"Yes, Professor," Harry replied.

"Did she just ask you to Hogsmeade?" the giant of a man asked.

"Uhm, not her, sir. One of her friends... well, one of my friends," he said.

The man nodded. "Tell ye what. If you do well the next few weeks, I'll give you the weekend of Valentines off."

"But Professor Flitwick said until the end of February," Harry said. He knew he had to pay penance for what he did.

"Ye let me worry about that. Now why don't ye head back up to the school. You've done enough and the weather is going to get worse," Professor Hagrid told him.

Harry gave the man a small smile. "Yes, sir. Thank you, professor."

Harry wouldn't let this small gift go. Especially as snow began to fall as he made it back to the entry hall.

-oOo-

The next time on Duel of Fate: When Potter meets Longpiddle…