Mind Over Magic
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WhiteElfElder: Fox in the henhouse is one thing, but you forget Hogwarts' motto; part of that concerns Harrison;
"We're not finished!"
"I think we are, Professor," argued Harrison coolly, his eyes filled with a hint of warning, "Unless you'd like to talk about why I was left alone for ten years and, for the first few, left with Muggles who willingly left me at an orphanage where my life took an even darker turn than it should have?"
When Dumbledore didn't reply, Harrison scoffed as he muttered, "Like I said, every option has been considered and, as this is family business, sir, the only real reason you should have to interfere in any way was if you were family…and that's real family, not magical guardian."
Suddenly, Dumbledore looked alarmed as he looked at Harrison before he asked, "How do you know that term?"
"I do a lot of reading," replied Harrison coolly, earning a smirk from Filius, while tipping an invisible hat to Dumbledore before he added, "Until our next meeting, Headmaster."
Chapter 10: Trick Or Treat, Accept Defeat
On Halloween Morning, more or less everyone in Hogwarts – even the ghosts, portraits and the House Elves in the kitchens – awoke to a feeling of wonder, mystery and surprise, all of which seemed focused on the impending duel between Draco Malfoy and Harrison Potter.
Not only that, but the day also brought a treat for the Gryffindors when, in their Charms lesson, they were given a chance to show what they'd learned about the Levitation Charm. Even with the excitement of one of their own taking on one of the worst in their rival House, the Gryffindors still managed to rack up more than a few points as a result of the successes of the lesson.
Then, when the lesson was over and dinner beckoned, the Gryffindors were left feeling as excited and surprised as everyone else when a voice, which the Gryffindors recognised as that of their Head of House, Professor McGonagall, echoed through almost every room in the castle.
"ATTENTION! DUE TO SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, THE LUNCHTIME FEAST HAS BEEN CANCELLED! ALL STUDENTS WILL REPORT TO THE GREAT HALL TO RECEIVE A PREPARED MEAL! MESSERS POTTER AND MALFOY, REPORT TO THE GREAT HALL: IT HAS BEEN DECIDED YOUR DUEL SHALL TAKE PLACE IN LIEU OF THE FEAST BEFORE THE ENTIRE SCHOOL AND OUR SPECIAL GUESTS!"
'Golly-gee, I wonder who came up with that suggestion,' thought Harrison, smirking to himself as he vowed to deny ever thinking the word golly-gee like he was meant to be some mild-mannered reporter with Superman waiting behind the glasses.
That being said, he also noticed many of his surrogate Housemates watching him with eager, expectant looks.
Even the youngest, and most-annoying of the Weasley brood seemed to have given up on his attempt to become Harrison's close, personal friend in favour of show due support for the young man representing the honour of Gryffindor House – as many chose to believe he was doing, despite what Harrison had said when he made this challenge – in the up-and-coming duel.
While the Gryffindors began whispering among themselves, making a wide range of guesses and speculations about what they were going to see, Harrison was distracted from his train of thought when he felt someone tap his arm.
Even though he didn't like being touched, the past month had helped Harrison show restraint as he adapted to the presence of his friends, not to mention if and when his Head of House was trying to get his attention.
This was the case in the current situation as Harrison looked down to see Professor Flitwick had made his way over to him in the time between the end of McGonagall's proclamation and Harrison's thoughts on his classmates and the events that were about to take place.
"Come with me," said Filius, earning a nod from Harrison.
During the last week, Harrison had been given a step-by-step guide on how the duel would proceed, including all tasks and steps he'd take in the run-up to the duel and afterwards. He'd also been given a very in-depth private lesson with his Master, featuring some things that Harrison was already prepared to utilise if the winds of fate blew in the direction he strongly suspected they would.
He would not be caught out by bigotry and hypocrisy again.
So, while the rest of the first-years moved in small groups and excited masses, Harrison accompanied Filius to the Great Hall.
As the two of them reached the hall, Harrison stiffened when he caught sight of a small group of figures waiting for him: one was Dumbledore, who seemed to be watching the proceedings as well as ensuring the other students were making their way straight into the hall for the event. Professor McGonagall was also there, though Harrison suspected she was there because, as many others believed, so too did she believe he was doing this more for Gryffindor pride than his own.
Honestly, did these Wixen have selective hearing and random episodes of spontaneous deafness or something?
He didn't know.
However, the reason Harrison stiffened, looking less like a naïve student and more like…well himself, was because of the third adult waiting outside the Great Hall with the Headmaster and Deputy Head; it was not Professor Snape as he'd half-expected, which suggested the Potions Master and Head of Slytherin was already in the hall with his competitor.
As soon as Harrison saw him, the boy noticed how the stranger gave off an air of intimidating strength and apathy that matched Harrison himself.
He had a head of platinum-blond hair that fell to his shoulders in such a way that they framed his proud, aristocratic features; the man had a pair of ice-cold, piercingly-observant grey eyes with a hint of blue to their colour while he was dressed in a suit of formal robes. In one hand, the stranger also carried a long, black cane with a silver ornament at the head of the cane, which Harrison noticed was shaped like the head of a serpent, its fangs parted in an almost-provocatively-aggressive manner.
Stopping about five steps from the newcomer, Harrison was dimly-aware of his classmates and schoolmates making their way into the Great Hall.
However, right now, his attention was more-focused on the newcomer, who gave him a curt nod as he saw Harrison looking at him before he spoke in a dry, but proud tone of voice.
"Mr Potter, how nice to meet you face-to-face: word of your accomplishments and presence do not do you justice."
Steeling himself as he met the man's piercing, mildly-intimidating, but otherwise-noble gaze, Harrison returned the curt nod with one of his own, his voice as cool as ever as he replied, "Lord Lucius Abraxas Malfoy, I presume? An honour to make your acquaintance; if I may be so bold, sir, thank you for taking time out of what I am certain is quite the busy schedule to attend such an important moment in the future of your legacy."
For a brief moment, Harrison thought he saw a tick form over Lucius' left eye before the man steeled himself as easily, if not much easier than Harrison managed to do as he replied curtly, "I must be the one to thank you, Mr Potter, for being so lenient and…non-judgmental with your choice of punishment and…and clearing the air between our two Houses. I only hope you are capable of putting your wand where your words are."
"If I might be permitted to correct your appropriate choice of words, I believe Muggles would call it putting your money where your mouth is, Lord Malfoy," argued Harrison calmly, fighting the urge to sneer as he saw Lucius' eyes narrow before the younger wizard added, "Something I certainly hope Draco is capable of doing, otherwise this duel won't be half as interesting as our peers expect it to be."
Again, Harrison thought he saw Lucius' eye twitch, possibly because of the attempted target of the man's ability to raise his son or because of how Lucius had clearly expected Harrison to be cowed by the older man, but wasn't.
Either way, the young boy kept his own expression as neutral and focused as he usually did while he looked from Lucius to his Head of House, who seemed to be fighting back either his own snarl or a look of amusement at how easily his apprentice stood up to the guy who was, supposedly, the magical world's version of a certain bald billionaire from comic books.
"Shall I go and take my place now, Professor?"
"I think that would be the right thing to do, Mr Potter," answered Filius, though when Harrison walked into the Great Hall, the goblin-blooded teacher looked back to Lucius as he told him, "Enjoy the show, Mr Malfoy…I daresay we all will; after all, Draco is quite the wizard, or so I'm told."
Ignoring the warning look from Dumbledore, Filius smiled like a shark smelling blood in the water – the fact that you never wanted to see a goblin do this to you only emphasising how seriously he took his words – as he quickly continued.
"And, seeing as young Master Harrison is my apprentice, I only hope your prodigy of a child is able to give my young student the challenge he failed to do when he chose to make such a poor choice as to ignore decorum and honour in favour of some petty little wand-measuring contest with the other instigator of this challenge, meaning Young Master Weasley, not Harrison…especially in light of what today's date…is."
His words were rewarded with yet another tick from Lucius, though that could have had something to do with Filius' last words…
"Happy Halloween, Lucius…come, let's enjoy the treats and hope there are no tricks waiting in the wings, especially seeing as how this is a matter of honour between your son, raised by you and only thinking of himself, and my protégé, who knows what today means…for nobody more than him. I wonder how James would react if he knew what his son had done in the name of family…"
A tick, and a tightening grip on Lucius' cane from the man himself, was the only response Filius got.
MoM
To Harrison's amazement, the Great Hall had been completely reshaped in preparation of the bout between him and Draco Malfoy.
In place of the tables, there were now two raised platforms filled with seats for the spectators, each of which had runners along them decorated with red, blue, green or yellow highlights, showing that they had been divided between the four Hogwarts Houses – ironically, or perhaps-conveniently, with the seats for Gryffindor and Slytherin on the higher levels on either side, keeping the rivals at opposite ends and out of the line of fire of each other, while Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff were opposite one another on the lower levels – while the staff, and their special guest, was seated on a raised platform at the far end of the hall.
As for the space in the centre of the Great Hall, the tables had been replaced by a second platform, though when Harrison approached the platform, his eyes narrowed while the hairs on the back of his neck rose up as he felt something akin to a static field pass over him.
"Duelling wards?" asked Harrison, more to himself than anyone else.
Thanks to Professor Flitwick's instructions and the information he'd shared with his student, Harrison knew of said wards and how they'd be put in place to ensure the duel's magic stayed between him and Draco. Speaking of said Slytherin, Harrison noticed his adversary was standing at the farthest end of the platform, a sullen-looking Professor Snape next to him, both of them glaring at Harrison with a hint of mocking amusement and anticipation for what was coming.
As Harrison made his way onto the duelling platform, he looked to one side where he could see the Gryffindors were gathered.
Among them, the emerald-eyed scion managed a faint smile when he saw Neville and Hermione were sat together on the highest levels, allowing them a perfect view of the hall and the ability to see their friend in all his glory. To his bewilderment, Harrison noticed the twin Weasleys were sat on either side of Harrison's companions, one of them – George, if Harrison remembered correctly – holding Hermione's hand in a show of emotional support and nonverbal encouragement.
Even from where he was stood, Harrison could read the fear, if not anxiety, which threatened to burst out of Hermione, hence the need for a fellow Lion offering support on one side, and Neville doing the same on Hermione's other side.
Rolling his eyes at the sense of nervousness that his companion held, Harrison let his smile show before he did something very unlike him;
He winked at Hermione, smiling like a sly fox before he drew his cedar wand, holding it in a relaxed style while, to the amusement of a few of the observers, Harrison began juggling his wand as he usually did whenever he felt relaxed or even bored.
MoM
And, if he was being brutally honest, bored summed up his thoughts on having to spend a hallowed day like this – the tenth anniversary of his Mum and Dad's deaths at the hands of the Dark Lord Voldemort – having to deal with such a pathetic attempt to both get under his skin and score a point in someone else's one-sided pissing contest.
Fortunately, the fact that the duel had been conveniently rescheduled gave Harrison a sense of pause as he reasoned he'd still have a chance to do something he wanted when all was said and done.
And besides, the date had been his idea, if only because it seemed appropriate.
Halloween being the date the world thought they saw what Harrison was capable of, becoming the date they would see what he was capable of.
Trick or treat?
Both seemed to be the answer…
MoM
Seconds later, the doors to the Great Hall opened, admitting Professors Flitwick, McGonagall and Dumbledore, as well as Mr Malfoy and the rest of the staff, many of whom looked surprised to see Harrison looking so prepared and set, but also alarmingly-chilled and calm for the battle ahead.
As for Draco, he seemed to be engaged in a hushed conversation with Professor Snape, though when Harrison saw this, he smirked to himself as he wondered how the teacher who seemed to hate him most of all was hoping to give Draco an edge in the duel ahead.
Whatever the way, Harrison vowed he'd be ready and, if Mr Bigot with an apparent necrophilia fetish – since he just couldn't let sleeping dogs lie and let his demons die with those who'd been the instigators when they were alive – tried anything, he'd be just as ready.
Again, he was not going to be caught out by Mr Obsessed, or his little blond pet…
MoM
Finally, as the adults took their seats, Harrison saw Professor Flitwick make his way to the raised duelling platform before, putting his wand to his throat, the Charms Master addressed the hall in a magically-amplified voice.
"Ladies and gentlemen: colleagues, students and guests. This duel between Mr Harrison James Potter of House Gryffindor and Hogwarts Classed Apprenticeship, representing House Potter, and Mr Draco Alexander Malfoy of House Slytherin, representing House Malfoy, will be fought under the terms and conditions set down by Mr Potter as the instigator of the challenge…"
Out of the corner of his eye, Harrison saw Lucius Malfoy's eyes widen in shock, if not horror and alarm, when Filius named Harrison as an apprentice whom was recognised and classed by Hogwarts. Apparently, his perfect son had neglected to share anything more than whiny little blubbering with his Daddy, and the same went for Mr Self-Delusional too – whom Harrison also saw scowl when Filius named his apprentice for who and what he was, though it could have also been because he said the Potter name.
Keeping his features as stony as he was known to be, Harrison turned his head to the goblin officiating this duel as Filius asked, "Now, Mr Potter, at this time, I ask you, as the one to make this challenge, to name and state those terms!"
"Simply-put, there are none, Master Flitwick," drawled Harrison, earning a chorus of alarmed gasps from the students as well as the staff members on the other platform while Harrison stopped juggling his wand, holding it tightly in his hand, "As Heir Malfoy desired when he made such a poor excuse for a challenge that was not even made official under the Ancient Law of Combat, my decision is that we duel until one yields to the other. No quarter asked, none given; furthermore, according to the Albion Rules of Duelling, we shall duel with all forms of magic accepted, save those dubbed as the Unforgivable Curses."
A sense of relief seemed to fill the room as Harrison finished explaining his choices, though there were a few confused looks at the terms he used.
"Very well," agreed Filius, trying not to look concerned by his student's choice to give his opponent – aka a boy raised by Voldemort's right-hand man, not that the authorities acknowledged that thanks to the man's influences…but fortunately, a goblin knew better – carte blanche in what he cast at Harrison, "Mr Malfoy, do you agree to these terms?"
"Damn right, I do!" insisted Draco, drawing his own wand from his robe before he looked across the field to Harrison, "And the stakes, Potter? After all, as you said a month ago, this is a duel between our families as well as two first-year boys!"
"Which is precisely why I invited your Lord-Father to attend the contest as a guest witness, Heir Malfoy," explained Harrison as though it was the most-obvious thing in the world before, looking to Lucius, the young scion took a breath, "As my master asked, Lord Malfoy, at this time, tell us: what would you suggest a fair reward to the victor?"
For a moment, every head in the Great Hall, including Severus and Draco's, turned to Lucius, who looked like he'd really been put on the spot by Harrison, which resulted in yet another tick forming over the man's brow, though not before the sight of his nervous demeanour at being put in the spotlight made the Gryffindors snigger and chuckle among themselves.
However, as the Malfoy Lord looked around the room, noticing how each and every one of them was waiting on his word, he quickly looked back to Harrison before he dipped his head courteously, "This is a matter of personal honour between my son and heir and your good self, Mr Potter. Both our Houses have the wide range of resources and vast wealth, so no amount of prize money would suffice. From what I have heard, you also have a noble sense of reluctance towards enslaving others, so I cannot suggest vassal-dom as the price to be paid."
"Then how about this?" suggested Harrison suddenly, returning everyone's attention to him as he suggested the prize on offer to the Malfoy Lord.
MoM
Unbeknownst to Lucius, this wasn't the first time he seemed to have an epiphany – or so a few noted, specifically Neville and Hermione, as they remembered how quickly and easily Harrison had requested his Apprentice Status back on the very first day of term.
'There's the trick,' thought Neville, smirking at the fact that Harrison was able to use this gift of his on the guy who, as her brother-in-law, Neville hated almost as much as the Weasleys did.
'And now for the treat, Malfoy…happy Halloween.'
MoM
As every head looked down at him, some wondering what he was thinking, Harrison made his statement.
"The victor of this duel will receive one request, which the defeated party shall be honour-bound, by the magic and honour of their respective families to fulfil, no matter what is requested or the means in which the request must be fulfilled. As Draco's Father and the current Head of House Malfoy, this means you will be the one to fulfil the request whereas, seeing as how I have no parental guardians to call upon, and magical guardians have no say…"
He made sure to lock eyes with Dumbledore as he said this, though his look also reminded Albus of what Filius had said in his office, as the boy pressed on, his voice still as clear as a bell.
"…the task of fulfilling the wish that shall be made in the event of my defeat will fall to me and me alone!"
Again, the observers gasped while Filius and Dumbledore both looked stunned by Harrison's sense of honour and pride, especially seeing as how he was basically risking and receiving the chance for any wish he wanted – or Draco, should he win – to be granted.
As for Lucius, he put a finger to his lips before he hummed as he nodded, "Very well: as Head of the House of Malfoy, I agree to your terms."
"And, as the Future Lord of the Most Ancient and Noble House of Potter, I too consent to the terms," replied Harrison, earning a few more gasps from those who didn't know exactly how much knowledge and learning Harrison had gone through in preparation for the duel. Following Harrison's proclamation, a bright silvery glow surrounded the field while, to the bewilderment of a few students – namely the Muggle-borns – Lucius also had a faint glow about him, signalling that Magic was accepting his vow as well as Harrison's.
With the terms and stakes made and agreed upon, Harrison and Draco stared down each other as they both walked from their respective ends; at the same time, a great sense of anticipation filled the room as the students watched the two combatants make their way towards each other.
Reaching the centre of the field, the two rivals showed nothing to suggest anything but the sheer determination they both felt with the battle ahead before Filius commanded, "Now, combatants: wands at the ready!"
Saluting one another, Harrison actually smiled when Draco raised his eyebrows in a challenging look before he sneered.
"Scared, Potter?"
"You wish!"
An air of excitement seemed to accompany those words, though the excitement was more felt by those who noticed Harrison's green eyes shining as he finished the salute at the same time as Draco.
As he turned to take his place in the bout, however, Harrison spun around again as he commanded, "Protego!"
While many elder students were alarmed at how Harrison knew such a spell, given the fact he was a first-year, many more were just as surprised, if not outraged, at how Draco had fired off a spell before the official beginning of the battle.
Not only that, but he'd managed to do it without identifying the spell he'd used, which suggested he was definitely not playing around in the battle.
However, neither was Harrison.
As Draco's spell rebounded off of his shield, Harrison sighed, "I wonder who gave you the idea to try such an interesting, if fruitless pre-emptive strike…what do you think, Snape?"
"As I'm sure Filius has told you, it's Duelling 101, Potter," sneered Severus, a note of cockiness in his voice, "Your opponents will not wait for you to be ready! Death does not wait for you to be ready! Death is not considerate, or fair! And make no mistake: here, you face Death."
"Is that so, Severus?" asked Harrison, earning an outraged look from Snape at the fact the brat still refused to show him the respect he was owed, if not more as backpay for all the arrogance shown since he'd first met the Potter hell-spawn.
Harrison, meanwhile, smirked before both Filius and, from where they watched at the top of the crowd, Neville and Hermione looked uneasy, but also interested as they saw Harrison draw himself to his full height, his green eyes turning colder than cold could be.
There was none of the glow in them, let alone the apathy or curiosity that was usually there.
Now, something else had come forwards and, as it did so, Harrison sneered as he muttered, "Very well, not-Professor, if that's what you want to teach your precious student, which I suppose proves you can teach something to somebody…very well, I'll play your game."
Suddenly, Harrison's wand came up, but as it did so, only those closest to him saw his lips move.
However, to the shock of those who saw it, Harrison's lips seemed to move unintelligibly while his voice was barely a whisper.
Seconds later, a bright red flash flew from Harrison's wand, causing Draco to dive out of the way while he yelled, "What the hell was that?"
"That was Duelling 102, Malfoy: namely the strategy of me taking a leaf out of my opponent's book," muttered Harrison, smiling like a fox once more as he repeated the process.
This time, a burst of what looked like blue flames flew from his wand.
As Draco tried to duck out of the way, the blonde aimed his wand at Harrison before he too commanded his spell in a low tone, sending a small arc of magic across the field. Unfortunately for Draco, Harrison's shield seemed to have remained in place, which meant the only thing it succeeded in doing was dissipating harmlessly against said shield, leaving Draco alarmed.
"How…how are you doing this?"
"Practice!" exclaimed Harrison, lifting his wand once more, "Or did you forget that, unlike you and your biased bigot there, some of us are and have been actually taught our craft by a Master who is also a World Duelling Champion of the highest order…not to mention a goblin; makes you wonder what humans call teaching, eh, Master?"
A fierce flash of oddly-coloured magic flew from Draco's wand, but it didn't even faze Harrison as it actually sailed over his head, missing him by miles, while the blond thundered, "You dare insist that any goblin can do a better job than a real wizard, you filthy half-blood! I am going to make you eat those words, you…mmph!"
Suddenly, a chorus of laughs, as well as relief and awe, filled the stand when they saw Harrison had managed to silence Draco, earning a smirk from the emerald-eyed scion as he drawled, "Finally, someone shuts you up; apparently this spell is a favourite of Professor McGonagall to deal with unruly loudmouths. Thanks for teaching me it, Master."
Filius dipped his head before Harrison's eyes shone as he commanded, "Now, let's see if you can actually do something other than blubber and crow like a spoilt little baby still in nappies, Malfoy; oh, and since I'm feeling kind, here; Finite…Locomotor Mortis!"
This time, Draco's legs were fused together as soon as the spell hit him, leaving the blond to flail about as he hopped around like an out-of-control hyperactive bunny rabbit, though as he did so, he pointed his wand at Harrison as he hissed, "Diffindo!"
For the third time, the spell dissipated against Harrison's shield, though as it did so, Harrison lifted his wand once more before he commanded, "So, are we duelling? Because all I feel is hot air…ah well; and now, for the checkmate: Levicorpus!"
MoM
Behind Draco, Severus' eyes widened as he realised what Harrison was going to do, his eyes burning with rage as he glared at Filius.
"You didn't!"
Filius smiled like a shark smelling blood in the water, "I warned you to let it go, Severus…and I know you were responsible for that ill-prepared trap; I mean, honestly, my apprentice is Lily's son. Did you think she would have fallen for such an obvious attempt to win one over because she is, was, and always will be better than…some people?"
Severus just spat his dummy out…again.
MoM
Worse, with the duelling wards keeping the battle between the two boys, the only thing the Potions Master could do was watch as Draco was left helplessly flailing again, only now, he flailed upside-down. His legs were still locked together by Harrison's earlier spell, but his hands were flapping about like the wings of a drunken bird.
As though going for the killing blow, Harrison aimed his wand at Draco's hands before he added, "Expelliarmus!"
Harrison's spell caused Draco's wand to fly from his hand, earning more surprised looks from those who knew the spell to be a spell that wasn't learned in a first-year class.
As for Draco, he just started screaming obscenities, shrieking about what his Father was going to do when he was done with Harrison.
However, it was clear the blond forgot one thing.
Lucius Malfoy was sitting right there, watching the duel in question…and, as was evident by the tightly-clenched jawline and his bone-white knuckles wrapped around his cane – the fangs on his snake-head topper digging deep into his skin with how tightly he clasped the object, causing small rivulets of blood to run down the shaft – he was pissed that a mere half-blood, the son of a lowly Mudblood who also couldn't learn her place, was making his son look bad.
If his friends heard about this…
MoM
As for Harrison, he lifted his wand before he told Draco, "Well…shocker…you're beaten, Malfoy; now, be a good little boy and yield!"
"Never!" snapped Draco, trying and failing to reach for his wand as he exclaimed, "I'll make you bleed for this, Potter, I swear!"
"Not before you," muttered Harrison, lifting his wand once more as he added, "But since you want to keep playing…here; Finite!"
To the amusement of many of the Gryffindors, Draco's body hit the ground hard, causing the blond to scream in pain as he landed awkwardly on his right arm, though, when anyone checked later, all they'd find was a bruise and little more than that.
With his left one, however, he reached for his wand before aiming it at Harrison, a look of fury in his eyes as he commanded the first spell that came to mind, earning a genuine smile from the only one who knew how Draco knew said spell as he saw how badly his godson wanted to best Potter.
"Sectumsempra!"
"DRACO!" Screamed Lucius, but the warning came too late.
Even Harrison was confused by the spell, which meant he didn't get the spell out until it was too late.
Draco's curse slashed Harrison's chest up badly, leaving deep, bloody gouges where the spell hit him, earning a large number of horrified cries and even boos and jeers from the crowd as they watched this usually-apathetic prodigy be hit with such a pained curse, resulting in his blood being sent flying everywhere.
However, when they looked to the injured party, expecting to hear a scream of his own, more than a few people were surprised to see Harrison didn't scream from the pain that had hit him.
In fact, the worst he did was grunt in pain before his eyes widened as his own scarlet rivers of blood spurted from the wounds, soaking the ground around him in crimson.
"Ha!" snarled Draco, unaware of an outraged glare filling his Father's eyes while, to the outrage of more people, Severus looked like the cat that ate the canary as Draco exclaimed, "See? I told you I'd make you bleed, Potter! All your so-called smarts and you couldn't even dodge a curse like this one! I'd call that pathetic, but we all know who was more-pathetic: your filthy Mudblood Mother!"
Suddenly, a dead silence filled the Great Hall while, behind Draco, even Severus' gloating look became one of cold apathy.
As for Harrison, he still hadn't said anything or made any more moves since Draco had cut him open.
Instead, he seemed to have gone into a trance, his green eyes still staring at the blood that pooled around him as though he couldn't believe what he was seeing while his body was still and calm, in a way that reminded many of a coiled serpent getting ready to strike.
"Look at you!" laughed Draco, crowing like a rooster as he asked, "Nothing to say now, have you, Potter? Maybe if you yield to me, I might spare you the humiliation of having to obey your better like…"
"Is that the best you can do?"
The fact that Harrison managed to say that without flinching, stuttering from the pain or gasping with the strain on his lungs after the slashing curse had hit him left more than half the Great Hall speechless, while many more, including Draco and Snape, looked alarmed as they saw Harrison lift his head, his green eyes just as devoid of emotion as before as he asked, "Is that how you're going to make me yield? A little paper cut?"
Then, to the alarm of the students, and the horror of both Draco and Severus, Harrison took a step forwards, his blood still dripping down his chest and body while his hand tightened its hold on his wand.
"Stop!" exclaimed Severus, his smugness now a look of abject disbelief, if not terror, as he noticed the rate of the blood flow from Harrison's wounds increasing with each step, "Your body can't handle it, Potter: just stop; just yield!"
"What? To you?" asked Harrison, shaking his head as he added, "For what? If you think this is pain, you have no idea what you're doing, not that you ever do, Snape. Nice spell, by the way; one of your own design, I imagine?"
Severus was left alarmed as Harrison lifted a hand and, to the shock – and slight embarrassment – of several students, including his only female friend, Harrison ripped what was left of his robe from his chest, letting it fall, leaving him bare-chested, though they could all see the wounds bleeding freely as Harrison sighed.
"Do you know something? I think that was my favourite robe."
"You…you're insane!" snapped Severus, watching as Harrison looked up at him.
"No, I'm not," argued Harrison, flicking his wand once before he added, "I'm a wizard, Snape; a real, genuine, only wizard whose name is Harrison, while my middle name is James and my surname is Potter. And do you know what else I am?"
Suddenly, a powerful blast of magic flew from Harrison's wand, sending Draco flying back as the spell's power hit him.
"Pissed!"
However, while the blonde fell to the ground, just short of his Head of House, Harrison kept coming; his eyes never left Draco's as he lifted his wand again, its tip glowing with a terrifyingly-familiar green glow as he aimed it at Draco.
However, before anyone could say anything, Lucius got there first.
Drawing his wand, he exclaimed, "YIELD! House Malfoy yields, Potter! Do you hear me? We yield!"
"Oh no, Malfoy Senior; as are the terms of combat between this little boy and yours truly, he has to say it!" said Harrison before everyone gasped as, instead of the deadly-fatal green flash they'd all expected, what looked like a long, thick whip of green magic emerged from Harrison's wand, slithering forwards like a serpent before, to the shock of the students, Harrison lashed the whip, cracking it against the ground.
"Say it!"
"Ne…AHHHH!" Screamed Draco as the whip lashed his cheek, but instead of shedding blood or leaving a burn mark, the crack of the whip seemed to electrify Draco, causing his blond hair to stand on end while his eyes widened with horror.
"How…how's he doing this?" demanded Snape, looking now to Dumbledore as he exclaimed, "No first-year, especially not Potter should be this strong! How's he still standing?"
"To the second, it's easy when you've endured what I have," argued Harrison, cracking the whip again as he added, "And as to the first, as I thought would be obvious to even your lowly attempts to call yourself a professional, Snape, unlike your one-trick pony, broken record brat, some of us have spent time studying, honing our skills and discovering things that are surprising, but intriguing. For example, did you know we Potters have quite the strong affinity with wandless and non-verbal magic, particularly anything of the elemental variety?"
As though proving his point, Harrison snapped his wand across Draco, cutting a hole in the blond's perfected Slytherin robe, while Draco bawled like a baby as his opponent went on, "According to Master Flitwick, my Father, the much-better wizard of his generation, certainly better than any, as one of my peers in Gryffindor would put it, greasy slimy snake, was quite adept at Earth-based magic, especially when it came to Duelling and Transfiguration; did you know that, Professor McGonagall?"
Minerva could only nod in reply, while Harrison cracked the whip again, this time causing Draco to squeal as the emerald-eyed scion caught him on his rear, while Draco tried and failed to crawl away.
"Well, going on that skill, I looked into my own strengths and…would you believe it? Like this none-too-flattering scar on my brow, I have quite the affinity with lightning-based magic; now whether that means fire, air or even plasma, I don't yet know, but, realising this, I asked my mentor to give me a list of appropriate spells I could use to…hmm…tame a dragon?"
A few titters filled the room, while Harrison scoffed, "Godric forgive me, I think I just actually made a joke; oh well, it's a special occasion."
"Stop this!" cried Severus, earning a shake of the head from Harry. "Look at yourself, Potter: if you don't stop, you'll bleed to death!"
"After being hit with your curse, you mean?" asked Harrison, earning a horrified gasp from the staff and many of the students while the Gryffindors started booing and jeering again, crying out for punishments and retribution even as Harrison went on, "I saw your expression, Snivellus! I know you were the one responsible for that curse and Draco knowing it. You'd do anything to silence me, and to be able to polish your ego so well it shines like the sun, but guess what?"
Here, he cracked the whip again, causing Draco to scream as another volt of lightning hit him courtesy of the magic empowering said whip while Harrison roared like the tickled dragon woken, "You LOSE! And since you wanted to tickle the sleeping dragon, despite all arguments insisting you let it go and get over your impotent pissing contest with a dead man, here's my answer…another from the better teacher."
Looking down at Draco, Harrison's eyes actually seemed to harden in their glare, his voice low and ominous as he growled, "You spend all that time trying to make me believe we should be…friends…Malfoy?"
Neville and Hermione shared worried looks as Harrison used the word they knew he still hated, much less against someone who wasn't even as close to Harrison as they were – meaning as peers, if not companions.
Harrison, meanwhile, smiled.
A cold, viciously-driven, shark-like smile that, combined with his scarred, bloody chest, only made the situation worse, for Draco.
"Why don't you…prove it?"
A shiver passed through the hall as Harrison lifted his wand and, twirling it in a motion that only one person in the hall recognised, he gave the command for his final spell.
"Protego Diabolica."
"HARRY! FOR THE LOVE OF MERLIN, SHOW HIM SOME MERCY! THINK ABOUT WHAT YOUR PARENTS WOULD SAY!"
Harrison didn't even bother to make the automatic reply to Dumbledore's cry, much less respond to the barb aimed at his family.
Instead, he watched with what could have been described as being a much-colder, more-predatory thousand-yard-stare than he normally showed as emerald-green flames – ironically the same colour as Harrison's lightning whip and the curse that had made him famous in the first place – flew from Harrison's wand, where they slithered around the cowering, wounded blond, who gasped in terror as those flames encircled him, cutting off any and all access to his Father, his godfather or even the ability to flee.
"The Flames of the Soul," said Harrison, lowering his wand as he explained, "Once made infamous by Gellert Grindelwald himself, but also both a test and a protection against one's enemies. If you can walk through the fire, it proves your intentions are pure and you are a friend and ally to the caster, but if not…well then, you're an enemy and, as some very misguided, money-grubbing, egotistical Muggles learned years ago, there is only one fate I have for my enemies…"
MoM
Once again, Neville and Hermione shared worried, but also alarmed looks as they heard Harrison explain the purpose of his spell, but also reveal something – whether he meant to or not – that was much more than anything else he'd shared with them since meeting him.
Though Hermione did remember what he'd said about mind games…and when she remembered, she trembled.
'Harrison…I'm sorry…'
MoM
"So," said Harrison, gesturing to the ring of fire, "You want, so badly, to have me think of you as someone I can call…that word…and be as close up your derriere as the rest of your sheep, do you, Draco? Here's your chance to prove it: walk through the fire, show me that Draco Malfoy is someone I should call my associate and someone out for my wellbeing…show me my power is nothing compared to you…if you reach me, walking through the fire, I'll throw down my wand and hand you the victory…if not? Well…it is Halloween…"
Another shudder filled the room as Harrison shrugged dismissively, not even bothering to care about what Draco, or anyone else, had to say.
But, since he'd already declared that every spell, bar the Unforgivables – which, as even Malfoy Senior knew, Protego Diabolica was not one of them, and not even his influences would mean anything after this – was accepted in this duel, it was also clear he was playing for keeps.
"Come on, dragon…" growled Harrison, lifting his wand before he added, "Need a little help? Here!"
The flick of his wand caused the circle to close in, earning horrified cries from the crowd.
However, over their cries, one voice screamed like a Banshee wailing in the cold, dark stillness of the night.
"YIELD!" Screamed Draco as Harrison, throwing his wand over the top of the ring of fire for emphasis as he cried, "Hear me? I yield, Potter: you win! Please…no more…please, I…I beg you! Just…just please lower the fire! You…you've won! I won't bother you again: I swear it on the honour of my House…on my magic…please!"
"Listen to him, Harrison," said Filius, his voice still amplified while he also wondered where and how his student could still be standing, much less how and why he could go to such a dark place following such a cruel attempt to knock him down in the first place.
When Harrison's eyes looked to his mentor, Filius held his hands up as he explained, "The duel is over: Mr Malfoy has surrendered to you. You've won the bout! Your honour is appeased, your legacy is untainted and your soul burns as brightly as these flames; now…my friend…my student; let the fire burn out and then allow us to tend to your wounds…just let it go…let go…"
"Finite Totalum," whispered Harrison, dowsing the fire with a wave of his wand, before he took a deep breath.
"He was no dragon...fire cannot kill a dragon," muttered Harrison, earning a few shudders at the cool, apathetic air he once again used as he said those words before, clearing his throat, he then looked to Snape. (1)
"Next time, come at me yourself, Snape; at least you are someone I can kill if you drive me to it…but don't ever think you've beaten me. Compared to what I've had to endure in ten years, a pathetic little baby like you isn't even worth any more of my time…"
Then, as a gold light surrounded Harrison, as though magic had declared him the victor with Filius' decree, the emerald-eyed scion hit the floor, his blood now pooling around him, while his wand smoked from the fury of the magic wielded by its master.
MoM
As the staff moved to try and heal him, helping Harrison into a more-comfortable position as they worked over him, only one man watched the proceedings with horror, but also interest and no small amount of surprise.
And when he did so, Severus Snape felt something he hadn't felt in over ten years rise up inside him;
Fear!
And not just because of how Harrison Potter knew his curse was the one that had brought out that…whatever-it-was within him, but also because the boy seemed to know about his hated nickname from the days of James Potter and his ilk.
But as far as Severus knew, Harrison hadn't known anything about that time…so that begged a question;
How did he know about that?
Exactly how much had Filius told Harrison?
Chapter 10 and Harrison has shown himself to be a true sleeping dragon, but was it the shock of his wounds, or the fact that he was taken to a level he hadn't expected a first-year to take him that tickled it?
Also, having witnessed the ruthless nature of the otherwise-studious youth, will this be enough of a warning shot to keep people at bay, not the least including Lucius and his friends in high places, particularly those of a pink-cardigan-wearing variety?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Harrison finally meets his new Potions mentor, while he lays down the law with Dumbledore when the old man tries, and fails, to get Harrison to take his advice and do the right thing; also, Neville and Hermione talk about what they saw, while Harrison broods about the point he was driven to…and the skeletons it nearly let out of the closet;
Please Read and Review
AN: Changes
So, as you can see, I changed the original idea of this from the first draft – partially because what happens later in the original is NOT going to be in this story – and gave it a much more-chilling climax.
I admit, using the Protego Diabolica was both inspired and a little crazy, but, at the same time, Harrison's been preparing for this for a while and has had Filius in his corner, so just like Draco knew about Snape's Last Resort, so too would Filius have helped Harrison find a way to even the odds.
Also, the bit about Harrison's family being adept with elemental magic is an angle I intend to explore later in the story, so I hope you liked this little taster.
NUMBERED ANNOTATIONS (1)
A million apologies for using this bone-chilling line from GoT/ASoIaF, but given who Harrison was up against, and the nature with which he ended the duel, I felt it was one of, if not the most-fitting closer to the duel.
Plus, Harrison is once-again cold and apathetic, so, the thought of that line, with that voice, cold and unforgiving...brr...gives me winter chills