Dear Uncle Vernon,
There's been so much going on here, even during the holidays! I found out there are such things as mind magics, and I think someone cast them on the letter Aunt Petunia had. But also, I found a magical artifact that showed me my heart's desire.
Christmas was wonderful, and I have a surprise to show you when I come home for summer. However, a friend of mine, Draco Malfoy, wants to bring me to the magical government to show me around and to register a special type of magic me and him achieved recently. I can't wait to show it to you this summer! I do hope you managed to clear up the chaos you mentioned at Grunnings as well.
However, in order to do this, Professor Snape, my Head of House and Potions Professor, says that I need written permission before another family can withdraw me from school for the Easter Hols. Enclosed is the permission slip, I really hope you're alright with me going!
I've also been working on a different type of magic that you may be interested in. You know all those stories and legends of magical letters and things carved into objects that can give magical effects? Well, they're true! And supposedly, they don't even need magic to use them; you only have to charge them! I want to show them to you so much, Uncle!
Also, the Groundskeeper actually managed to rescue a dragon egg from a poacher, and I helped him send the dragon egg to a Dragon Preserve up north. Dragons are really beautiful creatures, Uncle. I wish I could have shown her to you!
Other than that, my friends seem to be splitting into two groups, those who are vehemently "light" and the ones who are more open to all types of magic. My friends Hermione and Ron seem to think me associating with my friend Draco is a bad thing.
Even my Headmaster says that being friends with Draco is something I should reconsider, so I don't really know what to do. He's a good friend and he's never done anything bad that I know of, but everyone seems to think because of where his father stood in the past, he's immediately a bad person.
On another note, my friend Neville has been getting worse with thinking he is a Squib. His wand doesn't seem to work for him, but that's impossible; Ollivander wouldn't give Neville a dud!
I will also be stopping by Gringotts this Easter if I'm able to go. I have a surprise for you and the family when I come home this summer, Uncle! I can't wait to show you.
With love, Harry
PS. If it'd be okay, I'd love to be able to introduce Draco and his Father to you on Easter. Would it be alright if I swung by? Aunt Petunia would love them; they're an actual noble family! With peerage and everything!
Dear Harry,
Of course you'd be able to go with your friend to the magical government. I think it's a grand idea for you to visit the higher ups, and if what you've mentioned in your other letters is true and you're a celebrity, it'd be a good idea to introduce yourself and meet them. In Grunnings, your only method of advancement is to know the right people and impress them, so it's important to meet and greet when you can. Show you're important, and people will begin to believe it!
Enclosed is the permission slip so you can go. I'd love to have your friend and his father visit; Aunt Petunia especially seems interested in having an ennobled Lord in our home. She's even started getting everything gussied up; I think you'll like what she's done with the place.
As for Christmas, I'm glad you had a good time. I wish you and Dudley could have come home for Christmas, but the problems at Grunnings are getting worse. This summer is the deadline for the new drill prototype; if I don't finish it, I'm as good as fired. At the very least, I'll be demoted.
But don't worry about me, lad. I never want you to think you are a burden; ever since you removed that bad magic around your aunt, she's become the woman I fell in love with once more. She becomes distraught whenever she thinks about how she treated you; be prepared for a lot of changes when you return home.
As for your friends not getting along, there's always those who think they know best. I even had a few of those types when I was in school; being a star rugby player, I often had people telling me that I shouldn't associate with the "wrong" sort. But guess what? Because I made friends with Ansel Grunnings-Peverell, I was able to get this job fifteen years ago, straight out of University! It's such a shame that the lad passed away of cancer a year ago.
What I'm trying to say, Harry, is don't let people tell you who you can be friends with. But no matter who you become friends with, from the highest king to the lowliest beggar, everyone has value, no matter how high on the ladder of success you are. People oft forget that sometimes, you never know who can help you get you further up the ladder. Sometimes, you receive a hand from someone higher, and other times you receive support from below."
I can't wait to hear your stories about the year. First the troll, and now a dragon… you had better keep yourself safe! But even with all the activity, be sure to keep your grades up. I'm proud of you, Harry, and your Aunt is proud of you as well. She's making sure I add this while she reads the letter over my shoulder!
With love, Your Uncle Vernon and Aunt Petunia.
Harry read the letter from his Uncle with a grin, immediately giving a loud "WOOP!" as he hopped up from the Slytherin table. Draco grinned, looking over at Harry. "So I assume your Uncle said yes?"
"Not only that, he said he'd love to have you and Lord Malfoy over for tea! It seems like we're going to have a really fun time this Easter, Draco!" Harry's enthusiasm made Draco grin as he nudged Harry. "Just a couple of Heirs touring the Ministry, eh Potter?"
Nott leaned over. "You're going to the Ministry for Easter? What for?"
"Secret." Harry and Draco said simultaneously, both boys grinning mischievously.
"I can't wait to tell Father when I become a Prince. The first Prince duels are right before letting out for Easter, I'm surprised Professor Snape waited this long." Draco said, spearing a sausage on his plate with his fork.
"I hear it's because he was injured so badly when hunting for herbs in the Forbidden Forest. He had planned it in February, but the injury meant he couldn't referee well." Nott said.
"Professor Snape would never allow a non-Slytherin to referee the Duels of Mind." Flint spoke up from down the table. "He'd rather postpone it. It's happened a few times."
Harry shrugged as he considered, "So the rules are we need followers, right? To become a Prince? Do followers from other Houses count?" The question made the entire table suddenly start murmuring as an older student spoke up. "That's simply never been done, Potter. The Prince title is for Slytherins; why would a member of another House want to help a Slytherin for anything at all?"
"Well, I have friends in all of the other Houses." Harry pointed out. "You mean to tell me that no one else has ever made friends outside of Slytherin?" Harry noticed that several Slytherin students of different years, including the two he had caught bullying, shift uncomfortably in their seats.
"Really? No one? Ever?" Harry asked, eyes widening.
"Not since Merlin was the first-ever Prince." Rowle spoke up from the end of the table.
"You have got to be kidding." Harry said, frowning. "There's more to the magical world than just Slytherins."
This made Draco speak up. "Potter, it's rare that other houses have much reason to back a Slytherin Prince. Most of them don't even know we do that sort of thing."
"So you think Hermione wouldn't be a valuable companion?" Harry crossed his arms, looking at Draco.
Draco shook his head. "I didn't say that, Potter. I said it was rare. Besides, it's not like she'd want to participate. This is a Slytherin thing, not a Hogwarts thing." There were some muffled agreements to that, which made Harry sigh.
Draco smirked. "Well then, Potter, if you're so sure, then why don't you try to become a Prince?"
Harry froze, and quickly shook his head. "Aren't you trying to become one, Draco? I wouldn't want to get in your way. I don't want to be a roadblock to you."
There were murmurs at the table, as Draco got a rather nasty scowl on his face. "See, Potter, sometimes you need to think about your words. You? Get in my way? There's no way in Merlin's almighty name that you'd be able to stand up to me in a Duel, even with your powerful magic. To say that you don't want to get in my way is an insult, like I wouldn't be able to become a Prince if I dueled you."
Draco's anger made Harry freeze. He had never considered that point of view before, as he looked downcast at the realization. "I'm sorry, Draco. I didn't mean it like that."
Draco gave a slight huff under his breath. "Well it came off that way. So if you want to prove it, then you get followers and face me in the Ring. I want to show everyone I'm not just riding your coattails, Potter."
There was a cheer at that, as Harry saw Flint clap. "And that's how the Duels of Mind should be. Friendship and Rivalry are one and the same. Your friends are there to stand by your side, but you should still try to further yourself. That's the Slytherin way." Flint grinned.
Harry nodded. "Well, alright then. I'll bring my supporters this evening, and I'll put on a show none of you will forget!" That made the entire Slytherin table cheer wildly, with the other three tables looking on at the Slytherins like they had lost their minds.
"It's really a big thing, Hermione. Won't you all come and support me?" Harry asked, having gathered Neville, Ron, and Hermione in the Library.
"So this Slytherin Prince thing means you'll be fighting Malfoy, right? Well, that means I'm in for sure. I can't wait for you to trounce the ponce." Ron grinned.
Neville seemed a bit apprehensive as per usual as he kicked a bit of loose brick, sending it clattering under the table. "I don't know how much you want someone like me, Harry. I would just drag your name down."
Hermione, however, seemed to be fascinated. "So Slytherin has this whole internal house political thing? There's nothing like that in Ravenclaw. I can't wait to see it in action. But doesn't the Headmaster say that duels between first years are forbidden?"
"Professor Snape is watching over us, Hermione. No one will get hurt." Harry quickly said, worried she would start on one of her tangents. She really preferred to follow the rules as written, not the rules as they were interpreted. "And you can't just tell anyone else, either. It's a Slytherin thing, and from the sound of it it's going to be pretty surprising if I bring the three of you into the Commons for it."
Hermione seemed to think on that. "Really? I can't tell anyone? But Professor Dumbledore says that secrets aren't meant to be hidden from Professors. We should be able to tell others even if Professor Snape is monitoring." As Hermione said that, Harry frowned. "That's all kinds of wrong, Hermione, that I don't even know where to begin. But I can't really go into it right now. Are you in, or out? You too, Neville. I want you there as my friend."
Neville nodded quietly, as Hermione frowned. "I don't like it, Harry. We should at least tell Professor Dumbledore, so he can give his blessing!"
Harry rolled his eyes. "Well, if it makes you feel better, I guess we could." Harry said. "But I hear Professor Dumbledore was a Ravenclaw, not a Slytherin. He wouldn't know anything about the Duels of the Mind. Are you sure that you want to bother Professor Dumbledore with that and take up his time?"
Hermione frowned at that. "No, I guess you're right. We don't need to bother the Professor with it."
Ron grinned and slapped Harry's back. "I just can't wait to see Harry absolutely body the blonde ponce in the duel."
"Harry, you said the duel is both with words and magic, right? What is your stance going to be?" Neville asked quietly.
Harry stopped, raising a finger for a second and froze. What WAS he going to make his stance on?
"How about that Slytherins should all turn to the Light, like Gryffindors?" Ron offered.
"That'd cause an uproar, Ron. Slytherins follow what magic they feel is right. They are nobles who believe they have total freedom. And even if it wouldn't cause an uproar, I'd never make that my slogan." Harry grimaced at the suggestion as he shook his head, ignoring Ron's slight scowl at the latter comment. "What about… followers in other Houses are important too?"
"That could be good, Harry. If you defend it, maybe others will get followers from other houses too." Hermione said. "It'd foster house relations!"
"Yeah, but no Gryffindor would want to follow a slimy snake. You're the exception, mate." Ron said as he crossed his arms. "And even then not many would want to follow you. No offense. You're still a snake."
Harry shook his head. "No, maybe that won't work. What about muggleborns though?" The sudden topic change made Hermione stop, and then stared harshly at Harry. "What about them?"
"Well, I was just thinking that a lot of Slytherins don't like Muggleborns. So what if I stated that muggleborns are important in society? I mean, a lot of Purebloods are in Slytherin, but for some reason they believe that muggleborns need to be completely removed. But they don't seem to be aware that nobles need peasants. That's the whole thing about how nobility is supposed to work. The nobles manage the land and the peasants, making sure they are safe and happy while the peasants work for the nobles."
"I'm not a peasant, Harry!" Hermione said, looking quite angry at the comment. Harry raised his hands in a placating gesture, shaking his head. "No, I'm just trying to point out that not everyone has a noble title, but that doesn't mean they aren't a part of things. Muggleborns deserve to be a part of the magical world too."
Hermione seemed to calm down as she thought about that. "I think that'd be a good idea, but wouldn't that put you against a lot of the other Slytherins?"
Harry shrugged, "I mean, only a few like me anyways. The ones in our year are fine with me but the older years only tolerate me because I'm the Seeker on the House Quidditch team." Harry says. "I doubt it could really get any worse, right?"
"It can always get worse, Harry." Neville quipped, looking down. "Always."
Neville's ominous warning made the hairs on the back of Harry's neck stand on end, but after a moment Harry shook his head. "Still, I think that'd be a good topic. It could be a good statement to make."
"And then any other Princes try to challenge you, right?" Hermione asked. "Or do you challenge another Prince?"
"I'm not sure how it works for our year. I saw a duel before, and there's been a few practice Duels of the Mind amongst the other higher years since the start of the school year, but it's always been people challenging Princes. Maybe it's different for first year Princes?" Harry considered.
"Well, will there be anyone else on our side during this, or just the three of us?" Ron asked.
"I do have a favor from two other Slytherins, as well as Theodore Nott. I'll call the favor due and have them join us." Harry said.
"What sort of favor?" Neville asked curiously. Harry shrugged with a sly, foxlike grin. "Well, I saved all of them from getting in trouble at various times this year, so they owe me."
"Why'd you do that, Harry? More Slytherins in detention would have been a good thing." Ron protested.
"In Slytherin, it's all about the connections you make. Having a favor owed can be useful. I've seen it before." Harry explained.
"I don't want to be teamed up with bloody snakes…" Ron grumbled, but he didn't press the issue.
"Alright, all that's left now is for you guys to follow me after dinner, to the Slytherin Common Room."
"Right," came the voices of his three friends.
"Draco tells me you will be bringing… visitors to our event tonight." Snape's voice echoed behind Harry, as he sat for dinner at the Slytherin Table.
"Uh… yes, sir. Is that okay?" Harry asked, turning around quickly.
"While rare, it is not unheard of for such things. It has not happened in my tenure as Head of House, however. I will not have our Common Room become common knowledge, so your company will be led inside under a blindfold and deafening spell cast by myself.
"I— well, if they have to, I don't think they'd mind, Professor." Harry said. At least, he hoped not.
"Very good, Potter. I am interested in seeing how well you do in the Duels, considering your… exciting performance at the start of the year."
With that, Snape turned and left as Harry was immediately accosted by Nott. "So you really did it, Potter? You're bringing supporters from other Houses?" Nott grinned. Harry nodded, making Nott's grin wider. "Trolls, Duels, and now breaking the norm. You really are interesting." Nott echoed his words from the start of the year once again.
Leaning forward, Harry whispered gently and kept his voice low as he moved his head to the side of Nott's. "Remember how you threw the hedgehog quills in the first potion lesson, and I took the blame for you? You never got in trouble, thanks to me. I'm calling in that favor. I want you on my side." Harry whispered. "I also want you to go and get Terence Higgs and Miles Bletchley. They owe me favors as well, and I'm calling them in."
Nott gave a smirk. "I wondered if you'd forget about that, Potter. Well played. I'll be one of your supporters for this year… no guarantee on if it will be interesting enough for next year. I'll go get the other two."
Nott walked over to the other Slytherins, gesturing behind him as he spoke to them. Terence Higgs and Miles Bletchley, the two older students he had stopped from bullying didn't seem too pleased but gave Harry an affirming nod. It seemed like they accepted the favor's repayment as they got up and left the Great Hall.
Harry rolled his eyes, as he moved to stand up. Seeing him stand up, he saw Ron, Neville, and Hermione rose from their tables, moving to join him at the entrance of the Great Hall.
"Professor Snape says you have to be blindfolded and have a deafening spell to come to the Slytherin common room. Is that okay?"
Ron blanched, as Hermione and Neville looked worried. "Harry, you didn't mention we'd have to be bespelled to join you." Hermione said after a minute.
"I don't like it. That greasy git could cast anything on us. I'm out." Ron said, turning.
"Ron, please? It'd just be a simple deafening spell." Harry said, but Ron snorted and returned to the Gryffindor table. Harry sighed, and turned to Hermione and Neville.
Neville shook his head. "You saved my life, Harry. Having to be blindfolded and deafened for a few minutes isn't an issue for me."
Hermione grumped. "I guess if I have to, I'll do it. It'll be good to see what the inside of the Slytherin Common Room is like, at least."
"Thanks, guys. This means a lot to me." Harry beamed, as he saw Professor Snape walking over.
"I assume the Weasley spawn will not be joining you?" Snape sneered. When Harry shook his head, he tapped Neville and Hermione on the head. "Very well then. You may lead them to the Common Room, and wait for me there. I believe that you have others to call to you as well, at least, I should hope so."
With that, Snape gestured towards the door, walking out with Harry and leading Neville and Hermione carefully down the hall.
It didn't take long before they heard a pair of voices. "Hey Potter!" "Wait a moment!"
Snape twirled around, as the Weasley Twins were running down the hall. "If either of you are here to play a prank, I will have you both expelled by the end of the day." Snape sneered.
The Weasley Twins gave audible gulps, before one of them spoke. "We heard from Ronniekins that you were looking for supporters for something-"
"-and supporters were allowed to come with you into the Slytherin common room!" The other twin finished.
"We want to volunteer." They both said at the same time.
Snape's sneer hadn't left his face. "Why would Potter want either of you? Unrepentant fools is all you are. Wasting what little ability you have on foolish… pranks." Snape spat the word like a curse, before continuing, "More than likely you want to know where the Slytherin common room is to play even worse pranks on my snakes."
Fred and George opened their mouths to protest, but Harry spoke up before they could. "If I let you do this, you aren't allowed to play any pranks on students in first and second year. Deal?"
Snape froze, looking down at Harry. "Potter, you aren't truly considering this. It is utter foolishness. They would never agree-"
"Deal!" Both Weasleys said at the same time, holding out their hands.
Snape was silent as Harry reached out, shaking them both at the same time. "Professor Snape? Can you please deafen and blind them with that spell?"
Meanwhile, Hermione was still holding onto Harry's shoulder, and Neville holding onto hers. "Harry? Why did we stop?"
Snape flicked his wand, and suddenly two third-year students were added to the very strange little procession.
It didn't take long for the group to head to the Slytherin commons, and with the password given, Harry and Snape carefully led the twins, Hermione, and Neville inside. Once they were within and the door closed, Snape flicked his wand again as the spells were removed.
"Blimey, that's-" Fred said, eyeing the small room they were in.
"-A lot of stairs." George finished, looking down the spiral staircase.
The group headed down, finding the Slytherins already assembling. As soon as they saw the Weasley Twins, an uproar began.
"What are they doing here?" "Professor, throw them out!" "Oh no, they're going to prank us all!" The chorus of voices echoed around the room as several older students took out their wands.
"Calm yourselves. They are here to—" Snape sneered. "Show support for Potter."
The series of angry shouts and curses was barely audible, many of them flung at Harry. Snape snorted,"Well, Potter, I hope this was worth it. Good luck." Snape moved over to the ring as Harry saw Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle come from the entrance, Harry moving to the side.
The twins seemed fascinated, especially from the enormous windows that showed the lake. As Snape got to the middle of the room, he clapped his hands.
"Due to my injury, I had to postpone the Prince Duels to today. But now, we will be having the Duels of Minds in order to select the Prince for First-Years.
Everyone quieted down, but Harry felt a few glares at his direction, and even more at the twins.
"In order to become a Prince, you must have ambition, and defend that ambition. Because there are no Princes to challenge, I instead give all who wish to become a Prince the chance to become one. All first year Slytherins who wish to become a Prince come forward, and I shall have them duel each other. The student who defeats all others will be named the Prince. Unlike other years, your ambition as a first-year is simply to become the Prince. If you wish to become one, you will be showing your magic and your skill; something all Slytherins need."
Harry was surprised; he had thought he'd need an ambition. Across the room, Draco grinned as Hermione and Neville listened closely. Fred and George nudged Harry, giving him a supportive grin.
"Now, all those who believe they have what it takes to be a Prince, come forward and name your supporters, and be ready to face others who will have the same ambition. Show your skill in magic, and your power. Prove yourself."
Draco immediately stepped forward. "I am Draco Malfoy, Heir of House Malfoy. I name Vincent Crabbe, Pansy Parkinson, and Gregory Goyle as my supporters. I will lead the House of Slytherin to a new era, one where we all can prove we are the best House!" There were some claps around the room, and some cheers.
Next, Blaise stepped forward. "I am Blaise Zabini, Heir of House Zabini. I name Millicent Bulstrode, Daphne Greengrass, Tracey Davis, and Richard Vaisey as my supporters. It is my birthright to lead my year to put down the other Houses and reign supreme!" There were some claps and cheers, though not quite as many as Draco's.
After Zabini stepped back, Harry took a deep breath and stepped forward. "I am Harry Potter, Heir of House Potter. I name Hermione Granger, Neville Longbottom, Theodore Nott, Miles Bletchley, Terence Higgs, Fred Weasley, and George Weasley as my supporters. I seek to make Slytherin the House it was always meant to be, to show everyone what we can do." There were some mutters, but not many supported him, it seemed.
Snape stepped forward, as the wards formed around the dueling circle. "Our first duel will be between Zabini and Malfoy. Should Zabini or Malfoy successfully defend their position while taking down the other, it will deem their ambition true." Zabini and Draco moved to the ends of the circle, as Snape spoke up.
"Now, Aspirants, defend your ambitions. Begin!" Snape shouted, releasing a loud BANG! from his wand.
Draco immediately sent a jet of magic at Zabini, shouting. "Zabini, your House is too weak to be named even a Magical House, let alone an Elder one! Your strength isn't high enough to defeat me! I am the Heir to the Magical House of Malfoy, I will lead all of Slytherin to a new era!"
Zabini leapt back, flicking his wand upwards as he created a small shield of raw magic, the blast of Draco's magic splashing around it. "Then I'll have to show my power by defeating you, and proving that I am suited better for the role as Prince!"
Zabini immediately sent a Flipendo at Draco, making the boy dodge and retaliate with one of his own. "Pathetic, Zabini. You can do better than that. Slytherins are supposed to be the most magically gifted house. Show me why you are a Slytherin!" Draco's retaliatory spell shot at Zabini, striking him and launching him backwards, flipping head-over-heels.
Zabini landed heavily, grunting before pulling himself up, and blasting a jet of green magic at Draco. "It won't be that easy, Malfoy. I'll take you down."
Draco jumped aside, and retaliated with a spread of three blue spells, the magic turning to small ice shards and shooting at Zabini. They were small, due to Draco being a first-year, but they were sharp enough to make Zabini have to shield once more.
The shield took several hits, but dissipated too soon as Zabini jumped back. Regardless of Zabini's dodge, however, one of the icicles hit his ankle, making him hiss in pain. Zabini, unable to continue to dodge, fell to one knee and raised his hand in surrender.
"Draco Malfoy wins the Duel of Minds. Zabini, I thought better of you. Your dodging was completely out of sync and cost you the duel" Snape sneered at the sheepish-looking boy, taking out a potion and handing it to Draco. "In the interest of fairness, the victor recieves a Pepperup Potion to restore his stamina, and since no healing is required he will continue on."
The Weasley Twins, having watched the duel with rapt interest, grinned. "This is wicked!" Fred said. George chuckled. "They don't have anything like this in Gryffindor."
Harry nudged the two, putting a finger to his lips. "Shhhhh."
Snape then took the position once more in the middle of the room and spoke up. "Draco Malfoy is undefeated. By proving his worth against Blaise Zabini, he has moved one step closer to becoming the Prince. Harry Potter, are you ready to defed your ambition to become a Prince yourself?"
Harry stepped forward, the entire room going silent as he did. Wordlessly, Harry moved into the circle and drew his wand.
Draco moved to the other side, as Snape activated the wards once more. "There appears to be no other aspirants, so the winner of this duel will show who the stronger duelist is. Should Potter successfully defend his position, it will deem his ambition true." There were sneers and some murmurs from the crowd at that, before someone shouted, "Kick his arse, Malfoy!"
That let loose another bout of bedlam into the common room, as Harry saw Nott grinning like a madman from where he was sitting, obviously adoring every second of the chaos. Snape, however, raised his wand.
"Now, Aspirants Potter and Malfoy, defend your ambitions. Begin!" Snape's wand let out a sharp BANG! of magic.
Harry immediately leapt to the side as Draco sent three bolts of crimson magic at the position Harry was in moments before. "Jellious! So this is it, Potter. The two of us facing off. We'll see who the stronger one is today."
Harry immediately fired back once he finished dodging. Feeling his magic slide around him easily, Harry danced to the side and flicked his wand. "Flipendo! I didn't want to do this, Draco, but I will prove that I'm just as strong as you are!" Harry's his spell launched at Draco, but the blonde ducked it and retaliated.
"You've learned quite a few spells this year, Potter! Too bad for you that I have as well. Impedimenta!"
Harry tried to dodge but felt the spell strike his ankle, making his leg much harder to move. Harry released his magic, overpowering the jinx and causing its effect to shatter, not letting it break his stride. Draco's eyes widened as Harry fired another Knockback Jinx at him. "Flipendo! I'm not that easy to take down, Draco! I'm not going to let you have this Prince title without going through me!"
Draco was completely caught unawares, the jinx striking him head on and sending him flipping back much like Zabini had minutes before. Landing heavily, there were a few empathetic groans as Draco hit the ground like a sack of potatoes, the boy dazed but pulling himself back up and firing a dark green spell Harry hadn't heard before. "Locomotor Wibbly!" Draco shouted, as Harry dodged to the side. It barely passed by him, as one of the Slytherins watching cheered. "That's a second-year spell! Malfoy's amazing!"
Draco grinned and continued as Harry dodged the spell. "Stay still, Potter! You're as flighty as a bird!"
Harry moved from where he had leapt before flicking his wand at the ground. Some stone tiles lifted from the stone floor as Harry shouted, "You've left yourself open, Draco! Waddiwasi!" At the exact same time, Draco flicked his wand and released another spell. "Flipendo!" Around them, there was surprised muttering at Harry's spell. "A Third year spell!" Someone whispered. "Does that mean the rumors of him casting Accio are true?"
The stone tiles whizzed at Draco and slammed into his leg, arm, and shoulder, sending him sailing backwards. At the same time, the Flipendo caught Harry in the chest and sent him flying backwards with a groan. Neither of them seemed to be able to stand up.
Draco groaned and Harry tried to get up to no avail. Seeing the situation, Snape immediately moved forward with his characteristic sneer. "Harry Potter— and Draco Malfoy— have tied the Duel of Minds." The Professor's statement seemed to catch in his throat, like he didn't want to admit it. The entire room was silent as the grave, as Snape walked over and quickly cast diagnostic spells on both of them. Harry felt awful. He had done so well, and a single Flipendo is what brought him down? He needed to work on his endurance.
After a few moments of Snape's wandwork, the two were able to stand as Draco grunted. "I'll get you next year, Potter. Mark my words." Draco looked haughty, bruised as he was.
Harry grinned. "And I'll be waiting here in the next Duel of Minds. " Harry said as Draco brushed himself off.
The wards came down on the dueling arena as Snape snorted. "It seems we have a dilemma. Draco Malfoy and Harry Potter tied their duel; this requires me to ask for a vote to break the tie. All in favor of Malfoy becoming the Prince?"
Several wands raised and let out a light, as Harry could see most of them were those who didn't like him, or were Malfoy's connections. He didn't think he'd win, but he wanted to at least show Draco that he could keep up with him.
Harry's shock spread over his face as Snape spoke up. "And in favor of Potter?" The chorus of wands, both his own team and the others, surprised the boy heavily. Had he really done that well? While he didn't think he did, the rest of the House seemed to think otherwise.
"And we have… a perfect tie." Snape's eyebrow rose, looking out over the hands. "A tie in the Duel and a tie in the votes. It is unheard of, but for the first time in a century I hereby announce not one, but two first-year Princes; Prince Potter and Prince Malfoy."
The sound was light at first, but slowly it got louder and louder as more and more began to clap for the two of them. It didn't take long before the room was filled with the sound of applause. With a proud grin, Harry moved over to the twins and his friends. As he walked up to them, the twins grinned, each of them slapping one of Harry's shoulders. "Blimey, Harry. That was a hell of a duel." Fred, or perhaps George, said. "A third-year spell? I thought the rumors were just exaggerating."
Hermione huffed, crossing her arms as she seemed quite annoyed. "All that footwork and you go down after one good spell? Harry Potter, you seriously need to work on that."
"I know, I know, Hermione. I didn't think I'd go down that fast either." Harry sighed pointedly, making Hermione pout harder.
Professor Snape walked over, giving a sneer. "Now, I shall bring your companions back out of our commons. Now that the Duels are over, I believe that they are no longer needed, Potter. And Malfoy. Potter. I expect both of you to prepare a proper ambition for next year."
Neville and Hermione stood up, as the Twins seemed distraught. "You have to invite us back-" "-in the future, Harry! Slytherin commons are-" "-way fancier than Gryffindor!" The twins said in their usual style.
Harry laughed softly. "Well, no promises, guys. You'd better go before my housemates rip your head off. Remember our deal."
"Yeah yeah-" "-no pranking wee firsties-" "-and second years." The two said, as Snape led them forward. The spell was cast again, as Harry flopped back into his favorite chair as they were led out.
Draco, Crabbe, and Goyle were sitting across the room, talking with Pansy as Harry saw several looks towards him. Flint walked up after a moment, clapping his hand on Harry's shoulder.
"Excellent spellwork, Potter, but you're lacking with resilience. At least now we know you aren't a Gryffindor. But what was that I heard from the twins? You got them of all people to accept a deal to protect the firsties and second-years? Not to mention the absolute perfect tie you got by bringing those outsiders to the duels. You're the wiliest first-year I've ever seen." Flint said loudly, as several people looked over. Flint gave a smirk, prompting Harry to return the gesture. "I'm a Slytherin, through and through, Flint. I just show my ambitions a bit differently."
"Honestly, Potter? You may be onto something. Perhaps. I'll be keeping an eye on you, so make sure not to disappoint me with your ambition." Flint clapped his hand against Harry's shoulder a bit roughly before heading back.
This was quite a hard chapter to get right. I'm satisfied with it after a few iterations, but I will say this; I wouldn't have been able to do it without Kaminton. He allowed me to bounce ideas and to hash out parts that I wasn't satisfied with, and was there all the way through it. If it wasn't for him, this chapter would have been much rougher than what you see above.
Having a cold sucks, but as always I am doing my best to give you guys a good chapter on schedule! I try to stick to the schedule, hell when I miss my daily writing hour (also due to the illness) it makes me feel like I'm wasting time, hah!
Beta'd by Kaminton, Levitress, and Angie! If you'd like to join and proofread before release, every pair of eyes helps! Plus I'd love to gush and reveal plans. Always good to have a group of people to bounce ideas off.
Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling, not me.